Letters to the Editor

SIR, - The long suffering motorist is about to be punished once more with more power to your friend and mine, a glorified car parking attendant aka the Traffic Warden ('I'm only doing my job sir and by the way you're in breach of 94 rules under section three of the highways act 1922 and I'll tell you something else from my rulebook if you don't chin me first').

It just won't wash any more and it's about time these council robotic employees were either sacked or redeployed to serve a purpose, find meaning from life and discover what it's like to feel human again.

The Labour Government is so inept and clueless when it comes to our roads that it's given up and decided to just fine and illegally persecute drivers until they are forced off the roads.

Are the endless potholes, third rate roadworks and gridlock not enough without the endless stream of fundraising initiatives paid for by ordinary people minding their own business?

In Spain the council doesn't employ people to run around in car parks in vulgar brown uniforms booking everyone and no-one in particular. The POLICE just tow your car away if and only when it's necessary. Then again, there's no road tax disc and there's cheap petrol as well.

The point is Britain's motorists are conned left right and centre by the Government and council and the brainwashed wardens deserved to be set free to make their one life worthwhile.

Dan Cooney

Casa Loco,

Alicante,

Spain.

Bridge issue

SIR, - In a letter in your columns of November 13, A D Inglis commented that he was 'unaware that there had ever been a properly conducted survey on support for the bridge (I could be wrong) so it would be interesting to know the source of Keith Wadd's claim that Burley residents are four-to-one in favour'.

In March, 1998, a survey of local support for the footbridge was organised by the Burley Footbridge Committee (the predecessor of Burley Bridge Association) at the request of Burley Community Council.

It was delivered by the pupils of Burley Middle School to 2,600 households in the village, and by members of the committee to households in outlying areas. The results were that 272 people were 'in favour of the proposed footbridge', 64 were 'not in favour of the proposed footbridge' and a further 26 were in the category of 'Don't know/no particular view either way'.

I do not claim that the way in which the survey was carried out was the best method of data collection for the purpose, and I would have preferred a survey based on a sample of names on the electoral register.

Nevertheless, despite valid criticisms on might have of the 1998 survey, it is by far the best evidence currently available of village opinion on the proposed bridge.

KEITH WADD

25 Rossett Beck,

Harrogate.

In support

SIR, - With reference to your report in last week's issue regarding David Woolley's Mantra restaurant, I wish to express my views, based on personal experience, regarding the impeccable organisational skills of a truly competent restaurateur.

The report on the mothers banned after a drinks bill row portrayed David Woolley as uncontrollably running a questionable business.

Eighteen months ago, my husband worked for a London-based company with branches in this area and took early retirement. He was given the option of choosing his own venue for his retirement celebration dinner and he chose David Woolley's (Mantra).

Thirty directors and management travelled from all over the country to attend and we met up in Burley-in-Wharfedale for a very enjoyable evening.

The menu planning, the food, the service and the organisation were second to none. The excellent competence of the front of the house restaurateur made the evening a night to remember for ever.

I label David Woolley as a true professional in his capacity as a restaurant owner. What the mothers experienced to me seems our of character and far stretched from reality.

I sincerely hope that the general public will not be put off from an excellent venue by the contents of the report.

DOROTHY M CORNER

Bankfield,

24 Victoria Avenue,

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Vegan diet

SIR, - We all know as we age, our skeletons become more brittle and liable to fracture, especially females.

However, whenever I look at the mainstream NHS guidelines for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, it always staggers me that no mention is ever made of one of the major causes.

Research studies going back more than 20 years of millions of Chinese peasants who consumed predominantly vegan diets showed that even though they consumed no dairy produce at all, the incidence of hip fractures was a sixth that of the affluent dairy and meat-eating Western populations.

The reason for this is actually very simple, high animal protein diets when metabolised in the body, produce excessive acid which is then neutralised by calcium leached from our bones, resulting in loss of calcium via the urine.

Drug companies love to complicate matters by suppressing information which won't make them any money at all and making sure that we perpetuate the food myths which are keeping them in the lifestyles to which they are accustomed.

To many people across the world, the thought of drinking the milk from another species is abhorrent. The fact of the matter is that cow's milk is suitable for the rearing of baby cows and the only milk suitable for humans is human milk.

Also, unless you are still in nappies, there really is no need to consume dairy products and a lot of reasons not to. There are clues when the constituents of the two milks are analysed: cow's milk contains three times the protein, eight times the calcium and seven times the potassium of human milk.

Also cow's milk is always contaminated with pesticides and drug residues. Cows these days are continually milked even while pregnant, resulting in frequent mastitis infections, requiring antibiotics. There is, believe it or not, an allowable level of pus cells in milk.

Luckily there are alternatives which admittedly don't initially taste exactly like cow's milk, but just as you managed to wean off those three sugars in your tea, after a while you don't notice the difference. It is especially important for children not to be weaned on to cow's milk as dozens of studies have suggested a link between dairy produce and Type One diabetes.

Also it is linked with asthma, tonsillitis, digestive disorders, eczema and even cataracts, breast and prostrate cancer.

Unfortunately I believe the reason why doctors often don't see these studies, which have all appeared in peer reviewed journals, is simply there just aren't enough hours in the day to read all of the research, and therefore often ground-breaking work simply gathers dust on the doctor's shelves. Also, pharmaceutical companies seduce doctors from their student days and that coupled with the fact that preventative nutrition is almost non-existent in medical training, means that doctors regard most disease as something to be treated with drugs instead of remembering Hippocrate's message that every disease has a cause.

SUE MAYBURY

The Mistal,

Eastfield Lane,

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Bridge benefit

SIR, - In Lesley Tate's report in the Wharfedale Observer of December 31, it is said that a new bridge to the west of the existing structure has been ruled out.

A new road bridge in addition to the existing one could, however, provide a number of benefits to the town. A new 'inner ring' road from the cattle market area across the river to join up to Westgate, possibly at the present Westgate car park could be used to divert a lot of traffic - and in particular, heavy lorries - away from the town centre and up to the bypass.

One-way restrictions could prevent the middle of the town being used as a rat run at peak periods, and if any of the present proposals for more housing to the north of the river come to fruition, additional facilities for crossing the river and keeping through traffic out of town will be essential.

Ian Watt

Otley.

Tax cost

SIR, - The vandals and arsonists should realise that their activities cost money.

This money is raised by taxation. They, or their parents, have to pay for the damage they cause. Any brainless idiot can break something and any halfwit with a box of matches can start a fire.

It takes intelligence and skill to create something. These morons are so devoid of any sense that, if their brains were made of gunpowder, they would not have enough to blow their hats off.

OTLEY RESIDENT

Name and address supplied

Two moans

SIR, - Okay, so the season of goodwill is over, goodwill to all men and all that, back to the daily grind and the morning two moans.

The first one is the contemptuous way the residents surrounding Otley are treated with regard the lorry situation. As long as they are out of Otley it does not seem to matter where they go.

May I say, that we in the surrounding villages also have schools, old people, etc. Now we have lorries to go with the noisy motor cycles and boy racers.

So next time, someone is sounding off, just give a thought to the people of Leathley, Farnley, Norwood, etc.

Second moan: Congratulations to the organisers of a successful Victorian Fayre. I am sure the motorists sitting in their cars, trying to get home, really appreciated it.

Tony Bulmer

Sunnybank Farm,

Lower Norwood,

Otley.

Not a school

SIR, - I am sure I am not the first person to tell Mr Winpenny that the Old Grammar School is not and never has been the Manor House - sorry, Edward.

May I compliment the council on the tidyness of the cemetery, I always take my shears but they were not needed this year.

My family go back four generations in Otley Cemetery and to visit the graves, tidy graves of people who have lived long and useful lives is not a hardship.

It would be a terrible world if every one lived forever.

Mrs F Lofthouse

Farfield,

4 Forest Gate,

East Chevin Road,

Otley.

Cycle trek

SIR, - If any readers are looking for some motivation to get fit in 2004, may I suggest getting involved in the Meningitis Trust's Thai Cycle Challenge.

Keep this New Year's resolution and you could swap the gym for the open roads of Thailand in November!

We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our team and help raise money to continue our fight against meningitis on a six-day cycling adventure across Northern Thailand between November 5 and 14.

By supporting the Meningitis Trust you enable us to continue offering support for life to those whose lives have been affected by meningitis. To take part, you will need to pay a non-refundable registration fee of £300. We also ask you to raise a minimum of £2,500 in sponsorship.

In return we will provide accommodation, flights, a fully trained support team, meals and importantly, your bike!

Please contact our Events Hotline on 0845 1204530 or email kateb@meningitis-trust.org

Kate Baines

Event Organiser

Meningitis Trust,

Fern House,

Bath Road,

Stroud,

Gloucestershire,

GL5 3TJ.

www.meningitis-trust.org 24 Hour Helpline 0845 6000 800