SIR, I would like to thank Mike Braithwaite and the others of the five who wrote letters of objection to coach parking in Middleton Avenue, they took action when others of us failed to do so.

I was in fact unaware that it was back on the drawing board yet again, having made objections on two previous occasions. I still do not understand why the original agreed placing by the swimming pool was not adhered to.

In addition to the hazards

mentioned in your article, I would like to draw attention to road usage. In addition to all the traffic from Middleton and Nesfield, many vehicles use the back road from the Toll Bridge which turns into Middleton Avenue.

The road is very busy particularly in the summer months, traffic will increase when North Yorkshire decide the extent of building on the Middleton Hospital site, we could well have hold-ups reaching back to the traffic lights.

I am also concerned as to where and how these coaches would turn round.

The reluctance of Bradford to release the Railway Road car park from charges has resulted in it hardly being used.

If this were released there would be plenty of room for a second coach parking place on Railway Road (there is one place allotted already). To use parking here would obviate the necessity of dropping passengers off in the main car park, and there would be no need for coaches to turn round.

Ruth Hill,

Stubham Rise,

Middleton,

Ilkley.

Dog disgust

Sir, a couple of weeks ago you

published a letter from me about

the selfishness and lack of consideration for others of some dog owners during the present Foot and Mouth restrictions.

In the Gazette last week you

published a spirited defence of responsible dog owners from a lady in Ben Rhydding, against the charges I and others levelled against irresponsible dog owners and walkers.

I would like to come back on the subject with some facts. Today, March 17, at about 8.30am, a contractor's landrover arrived and parked in the field north side of the river and west of the Old Bridge.

It was obvious that they had come to deal with the flood damaged fence, but to a casual observer it could have been the farmer or his men.

It was quite obvious from my observations between 8.30am and 1.40pm that all the dog owners who had over the past three weeks or so exercised their dogs on the field in question, were put off by the presence of someone who perceivably may have some official connection with the land, and they kept off.

At about 1.20pm a couple with two dogs came along the footpath, one person was holding a frisbee. It does not need an Einstein to guess what for. They looked, saw the contractors and walked on.

At 1.35pm, the contractors left, at 1.40pm, Lo and behold, half way across the field, a frisbee followed by chasing dogs and vacuous owners. I rest my case.

I am a former dog owner who due to health and location do not consider myself a suitable candidate for dog ownership, so please do not class me as anti- dog. I am anti-irresponsible dog owner and anti-irresponsible so called country lovers.

Victor M Bean.

112 Skipton Road

Ilkley

Arts criticism

SIR, As we're now in the 21st century, why do your staff still feel the need to use the archaic phraseology of two centuries ago when writing about the theatre?

In particular, how many of your readers know what 'Budding thespians' means? Used again in an article this week about a forthcoming production by the Burley Millennium Theatre Group.

Theatre groups have learned to live with the newspaper tradition that every article must contain at least one mistake (e.g. 'Under the Milkwood' for 'Under Milk Wood') but why should they be singled out in this way?

Are you going to be consistent and start referring to dancers as 'Devotees of Terpsichore', batsmen as 'Wielders of the Willow' and organists 'Presiding over the console'? I think not.

Bill Tordoff

9 Mayfield Gardens,

Ilkley.

Record straight

SIR, I would like to put the record straight, if Mr T Sumner would like to check my letter of two weeks ago he will find the contents very clearly a criticism of Addingham Parish Council at the present time.

Also for the record, I too was on Burley Community Council many years ago with two of its founder members and one present member, plus I served on Addingham Parish Council.

Barbara M Haigh

'Rillside',

Moor Park Drive,

Addingham.

Design note

SIR, I was shocked at the layout of your front page last week (March 15). A huge headline about gay sex web sites, immediately under a delightful, happy picture of jubilant children celebrating Ofsted success. They can't miss it can they?

Pauline BarrY

65 Grove Road,

Ilkley.

l Editor's note: Despite the

proximity of the two stories it is quite clear to readers by the picture

captions and use of rules that the stories were not connected in any way.

Thanking Jesus

SIR, - My wife and I were privileged to attend a meeting at 'World of Life' Church, Ilkley, on Sunday evening, March 18.

The visiting speakers were evangelists Dave and Bonnie Duell representing Faith Ministries International, Denver, Colorado, USA, with whom we are well acquainted.

My wife has had two major heart operations recently, the last one just over six weeks ago, and has experienced severe breathlessness for many months now.

After receiving ministry she found that she was able to sing lustily during worship and believes, as I do, a miracle of healing has taken place and is continuing.

During the time of ministry the love and healing power of Jesus was experienced by all who attended and several miracles were witnessed - all praise and thanks to God in Christ Jesus.

Amongst other miracles a leg was lengthened, joints restored, back problems made well and a wide assortment of needs were met during ministry, all under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus's name.

This is Good News and I felt it right that this town of Ilkley should know that Jesus is alive today and that He loves and cares for us all.

Jack Burns,

23 St Mary's Close,

Little Lane,

Ilkley.

Car boot anger

SIR, speaking as an Otley trader and former market trader, why, why, why is a car boot sale still being held in the middle of a farming community like Otley?

All it would take is for one of these vehicles to have come from an infected area and we will have foot and mouth disease here.

No disinfectant is being used and it seems no safeguards are being taken and yet the sale is next to fields where there is sheep.

Surely the stall holders should have more regard for our community. Otley is surrounded by eight miles of fields, it is just irresponsible and stupid to allow the sale to carry on.

We have got to think what would happen if foot and mouth came here. We all know people who are farmers or who are connected with the farming industry.

I was in Cheshire when the last foot and mouth outbreak happened and there are farms there that never recovered. All it leaves is a very big empty feeling, its like having your house burnt down and losing everything you held dear.

If there weren't any traders there wouldn't be a car boot sale, local people are very, very concerned and I think the traders are being very short sighted.

John Moss

Mirror Image

Kirkgate Arcade

Otley.

Boot defence

SIR, Re Mr Hutchinsons comments "Car boot storm" - surely he commits more danger dealing in animals coming to Otley from surrounding areas, no disinfectant to be seen near his surgery.

Thousands a week people go into Safeways from outer lying areas, no stopping them he doesn't want that business to cease!

As for M Consoli's comments, it's time this woman got a life and let people enjoy quite often what is their only day off work. Either that or take a leaf out of Prince Charles' book and go and talk to her plants.

Continue to support a well organised event and respect the countryside all the time not just when in a crisis.

D Kerr

Mercury Row

Otley

No sympathy

Sir, It's about time farmers owned up to their own responsibility for the foot and mouth crisis.

They have blamed foreigners - from 'bogus asylum seekers' who supposedly smuggled in ham sandwiches, to meat imports from 'Third World' countries.

In their anti-foreigner tirades, our farmers fail to mention UK annual exports of 100,000 live pigs, many of whom are used to breed animals whose flesh is then re-imported into Britain.

Farmers have also blamed ramblers for strolling 'irresponsibly' about the countryside and yet they keep livestock markets open for days after the crisis had started. They rushed animals onto the road to slaughterhouses while footpaths were, and remain, closed to the general public.

They have put the blame on wild animals species too - from birds to wild boar. Oh, and the animal rights 'terrorists' are suggested - even thought farmers need no outsiders to sabotage their industry. They make a perfect job of it themselves.

When will farmers learn the lesson that everyone - themselves included - pays a price when animals are exploited and that the blame game is futile.

BSE and last year's swine fever outbreak should have been wake-up calls. But the industry continues rearing animals in harsh and squalid conditions, in which fundamental health problems spread like wildfire.

Readers, disheartened by the whole miserable foot and mouth saga, should call Animal Aid's veggie Month hotline (01732 354 032) and order a free recipe and information pack. And check out our website: www.animalaid.org.uk.

Kay Holder

Animal Aid, The Old Chapel

Bradford Street

Tonbridge, Kent TN 9 1AW.

l The Editor reserves the right to occasionally amend or shorten letters prior to publication. Names and addresses of contributors can only be withheld in exceptional circumstances,