Letters to the Editor

SIR - In response to 'Rugby Point' on your comment page (November 21), I feel it my duty to represent Otley Rugby Union Football Club as I instigated the ORUFC. Calendar 2003.

The calendar has been kindly sponsored by numerous local businesses which has paid for all production costs. Every calendar sold will now provide much needed funds for the redevelopment of the club changing rooms.

Yes, the club does pay some players. In Otley's case virtually all the money is provided by the Rugby Football Union, National One allocation, which allows clubs like Otley, Rugby, Wakefield, Bedford, Moseley London Welsh and Manchester to compete with their more affluent National One opponents like Coventry, Plymouth Albion, Orrell, Birmingham, Exeter and the fully professional outfits like Worcester and Rotherham each with ambitions of reaching the Zurich Premiership.

Were we not to pay any players no doubt we would slide down the league structure like West Hartlepool, Blackheath and Rosslyn Park.

Otley is a famous club, older than virtually every club now playing in the top level. The people of Otley and the surrounding towns should be proud of the club's achievement in playing at this high leve.

Where else is there a club that can boast being in the top 20 in the country. Otley in 2001-2002 season, finished seventh in National One placing the club 19th in English Rugby Union. Please show your support for the 14 teams which play rugby at Cross Green by ordering a 2003 calendar from one of the outlets in the town or the club.

Peter Kelly

(Otley RUFC),

Bondgate Pottery,

Otley.

Wartime link

SIR, - While serving with the American Eighth Air Force during World War Two I spent many days on leave in Bradford, at what was known as Royd House Hotel on Manningham Lane operated by a Mr and Mrs Gilbert Heathcote who literally 'adopted' me as one of their own as far as love and hospitality are concerned.

They had a daughter, Margaret, and it was our good luck to 'rediscover' each other four or five years ago. Sadly, Margaret passed away last year. Margaret's daughter, Annabel Watson, still lives over in Harrogate, and we still keep in touch.

After the war, Mr and Mrs Heathcote moved to Ilkley and took over operation of the Crescent Hotel in Ilkley. Indeed, I have a photograph of Margaret standing behind the bar at the Crescent Hotel.

The Heathcote family, and their outstanding hospitality shown me during those difficult years will forever be one of my most cherished memories. Indeed, please remind your readers of how very much we Americans appreciated the cordial treatment afforded us under some very trying times.

England has a very special place in the hearts of many of we Americans who were lucky enough to have seen service in your country

My one regret is that I was never able to visit Ilkley while Mr and Mrs.

Heathcote were operating the Crescent Hotel. They were just like family to me, and openly wept when I had to depart for the last time. Indeed, there WILL always be an England!

William A Sellers, Jr.

Norfolk Southern Railway (Ret),

955 Sunset Blvd,

N.W Gainesville,

Ga 30501-2733,

USA.

Treasured gift

SIR, - A short time ago I bought, in Otley a book, The Girl's Own Annual, Volume 60.

It was inscribed 'To Pamela, with lots of love from Daddy. Christmas 1940'. Whoever Pamela was, or still is, it is evident that the annual was treasured and has been kept in perfect condition.

Several friends have suggested to me that it would be nice to know who Pamela was. I wonder if she is still living in Otley, she would no doubt be pleased to know that now more than 60 years later, her book is being appreciated by my nine-year-old granddaughter.

Thank you, Pamela, for keeping Daddy's gift so nicely.

F Savage

6 Tynwald Mount,

Leeds.

Rail progress

SIR, - In his book, 'On Ilkley Moor'. Tim Binding mentions (page 187): "The 5.24pm express from Bradford, which reaches Ilkley at 5.50pm." The year was 1910.

The current rail timetable shows the 17.19 traing from Bradford due to arrive in Ilkley at 17.51.

So much for progress.

R K COLLARD

Flat 3,

11 Riddings Road,

Ilkley.

More information

SIR - Curmudgeons 'fictitious' item (November 21) was, as usual, missing some facts. Those MPs who are not wanting to start earlier in the day are mostly his old friends the Tories,

Why? Sixty-four per cent of them have outside jobs as opposed to eight per cent Labour - the remainder are Lib Dems. He (Curmudgeon) also needs more info on Jerry Paxman who in his early days was a socialist (heaven forbid).

Now he goes home each evening to 'his partner' ,which is in keeping with how things are these days - Prince Charles, Angus Deayton,

Oh dear, Curmudgeon, you do pick 'em.

F Dickinson

48A Larkfield Road

Rawdon..

Fayre point

SIR, - This poem was written before the sad demise of this year's Victorian Fayre -

It was breakfast time after the party, and the heads were as thick as the fog; Mr Scrooge had a tongue like a cabbage, and Bob Cratchit felt as sick as a dog.

"If you think I look shattered", said Cratchit, as he picked at his coffee and toast, "You should see that old reprobate Marley - he's a face that's as white as a ghost."

"Just how long has it been since the party?", asked old Scrooge, "It was surely last night" But the vista of Otley seems diff'rent, and there's something that isn't quite right.

True, the Chevin's still there, that I'll warrant, but the streets and the houses look strange; The old blacksmith's shop's flogging calzones, and the library window's been changed!

There are cabs that proceed without horses (though they roar like a lion in a zoo) And they travel at three miles an hour, and then wait at the lights in a queue.

You stay here and I'll go out exploring - there's a magical note in the air!" (For as fortune would have it, dear reader, 'twas the Otley Victorian Fayre!'.

Scrooge returned in an hour, enraptured, "Don't just sit there hungover and glum! All the town is abroad, and carousing; lads, I think I've seen Christmas to come!"

I'm quite sure we're still living in Otley, and we're still in Victorian times; Morris dancers are decked out in motley (which is lucky, 'cos nothing else rhymes!)

The Black Horse has a play in the Stables, and the butchers are roasting a pig; Tiny Tim's got a fair he can play in, or he could if he wasn't so big.

Traction engines are chugging and steaming, there's an organ that moves up and down, And now charity's really in fashion - shops are flogging it all over town!

There are stalls for mulled wine and for 'burgers' (a strange creature that lives in a fridge); And there's still an abundance of taverns (and a gin palace down by the bridge)

But it's nigh on two quid for a Tetley's, which is nearly as much as I've got; Back to work, Bob, and make me more money - do you reckon I'm Santa, or what?"

Kevin Collier

Otley.

Birth of Cash

SIR, - I wish to point out a disturbing incident in Otley Market Place on Monday night when uniformed paramilitaries attempted to hijack our annual celebration of the birth of Cash.

Claiming to represent someone called 'Christ', the organised gang tried to persuade the assembled throng of money-lovers to 'sing Carols' and even 'Pray'.

Thankfully this self-styled 'Salvation Army' - a splinter group of the obscure 'Christianity Sect' - was totally ignored by the vast majority present.

Instead there was much talking throughout the so-called 'Prayer'.

Happily this showed a healthy lack of respect for the annoying delay between free sweets from Santa, patron Saint of Woolworths, and the festive lights being turned on.

Keep up the good work at this glorious time and remember - 'tis easier for a rich man to pass through the doors of Harvey Nichols'.

Chris Billson

Bridge Avenue,

Otley.