Letters to the Editor

Recycling isn't onerous and really only involves a change of habits - throwing things into the collection box instead of the bin soon becomes second nature.

Prior to living in Milton Keynes, where a recycling collection scheme has been in operation for several years, I had never recycled my waste but the incentive of recycling boxes collected weekly from the gate caused me to reconsider.

In fact, so ingrained has recycling become that now we're in Keighley I am still unable to bin a jar, can, newspaper, cardboard box or plastic bottle!

Last week I made a special journey then risked life and limb to do the right thing by my collection of pizza cartons and cereal packets.

The only place I've found in Keighley to recycle cardboard is a skip at Hard Ings waste site, accessed by climbing up a tall, rickety metal staircase and then hanging over the edge shaking out a carrier bag!

If only household recycling collection was available more widely, recycling would not just be the prerogative of the car owning and able-bodied few who have plenty of time and energy to do it.

Carolyn Walmsley

Green Head Road,

Utley

SIR - I refer to Mr Damian Mills' letter concerning the sale of the former Banks Lane site of St Mary's CofE School.

It had been known since autumn 1998 that St Mary's School was likely to become a Primary School and transfer to the Grange Middle School site - thus rendering the former site redundant. That was confirmed in March 1999 with an effective date of September 2000 for the transfer.

The site was widely advertised for sale in early summer 2000 and an offer accepted. It was not until late last year that an unofficial approach was made by a representative of the Riddlesden War Memorial Institute.

He was advised that a sale had been agreed. It was only last month that a formal offer was made over two years since the Institute Committee and other residents first knew that the site was likely to be sold!

Mr Mills asserts that the Banks Lane site was originally acquired for educational facilities "for community of Riddlesden". He then suggests that the proceeds of sale will now pass to the Church of England. That is not so.

The Secretary of State requires that the former educational asset be sold and the proceeds applied towards the newly expanded and modernised provision at Grange.

Far from Riddlesden children losing out, they are gaining much improved facilities for their education.

In fact the sale proceeds will be supplemented by a significant CofE cash grant towards the Primary School. Children of the 'community of Riddlesden' gain significantly from these changes.

As regards St Mary's Church's own needs, I would suggest that it is for those currently responsible to judge what is appropriate as a case for their mission to Riddlesden.

Your readers should note that the plans, of Mr Mills' successors as Churchwarden of Riddlesden and the present Parochial Church Council, to acquire part of the site and provide modest meeting facilities have wide support among the congregation.

MALCOLM HALLIDAY,

Diocesan Director of

Education.

SIR - Following your reports on the subject of goosanders, I find that I can't figure out whether the ornithologists have only just discovered this 'rare' bird, or whether they have just realised that other people are aware of them.

Goosanders have been present on the Rivers Aire and Wharfe for at least five years to my knowledge.

I can't remember whether I have seen them on other Yorkshire rivers during those years but I did see, early last summer, a pair of mergansers on a small shallow lake near the River Ouse.

If ornithologists wish to protect the birds, rather than being suspicious of anglers, they would do better to join them in their eternal battle to keep the rivers clean. There would, in any case, be little point in attempting to preserve fish stocks by killing goosanders on a river which has such a large stock of predatory pike.

If only we could train both the birds and the pike to eat nothing but minnows, we would all be happy.

BERNARD SUNDERLAND,

Braithwaite Road, Keighley.

SIR - In the 2000 budget the Chancellor forecast a Treasury surplus of £14 billion.

In the 2001 budget he announced that the 2000 surplus was actually £23 billion.

Apart from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is there anyone else in the country with a job that involves financial responsibility, who would still be in post after demonstrating a forecasting error rate in excess of 60 per cent?

M S BOOTHROYD,

Broadlands, Shann Park.

SIR - Often a fan of Tom Smith's column, last week he disappointed me.

Entitled 'We are a Great Example', his column closes by saying Keighley is "an example of how peoples of many cultures and backgrounds can live together" and "the rest of the country has some catching up to do."

I lived in Leeds for ten years before moving to Keighley three years ago. The areas I lived in had large numbers of Asian, Afro-Caribbean and Eastern European people living there.

There was an atmosphere of acceptance between the different cultures and in the main there was racial harmony. This I haven't found to be the case in Keighley.

In Leeds if I heard the shortened, derogatory version of Pakistani (used against all Asians regardless of whether their origins are Pakistan or not) once a year it was a lot.

In Keighley it's unusual for a week to pass without my hearing it - and wrapped within that word is an attitude of racial intolerance widespread in the town. There is fear, resentment and suspicion on both sides.

How often in Keighley do we see Asian and white teenagers together in friendship, or Asian and white adults?

From what I have seen there is an ongoing silent war here - half the population are engaged in it, the other half refuse to acknowledge it's there. It's only an acknowledgement of a problem that solutions can then be considered.

Pretending there is not a race problem in Keighley is of no benefit to the town, or the people who live in it.

Having finished reading Simply Smith I was left wondering on what basis he formed the opinion that Keighley is a great example? Would it be possible for him to elaborate?

ZENA DAVIS,

Keighley.

SIR - I would like to say a big thank you to the Fairy Godmother of pantomime, Mollie Thornton.

In the 21 years she directed our pantomime she gave our local kids a chance to shine; not only the bright child who got all the parts and all the praise at school, but also the child no one wants; the misfit everyone else leaves out because they are sure to make a mess of things.

My son had learning difficulties. He spent two days a week at the local school and three days a week at a special school and so didn't have many friends.

Then he tried Glusburn Pantomime. It was hard work for him (and me) but Mollie took him under her wing, she understood and gave him parts to play, let him glow.

Someone wanted Stephen for himself. Someone outside his family understood his dreams and made them come true.

Mollie has made this possible for so many boys and girls, but sadly no more it seems. You can imagine how horrified I was to read your review of this year's production.

Although Stephen is no longer involved I still help and see the hard work that goes into the show and the pleasure it brings to both the performers and the audiences. To criticise the children and the people behind the scenes in such a harsh way seems very cruel to me. Thank you Mollie Thornton and good luck for the future.

ALISON BURNS,

Ryeland Street, Cross Hills.

SIR - Following the foot and mouth outbreak, our sympathies go out to our farmers.

The restrictions placed on footpaths and moorlands is obviously making life difficult for dog owners who would normally use these facilities to exercise their animals, but this doesn't have to result in dog faeces littering our pavements or towpaths.

In the effort to eradicate one disease, is it acceptable to spread other diseases ie Toxycaria, by dog owners behaving totally irresponsibly and not clearing up after their pets?

Fouling footpaths is a civil offence and can be subject to a £1,000 fine and a personal affront totally abhorrent to walkers trying to navigate a path through mounds of excreta. Come on dog walkers, clean up your act, after all you wouldn't like it on your shoes!

BRENDA LIST,

PATRICIA WHITE,

Holme Lane, Keighley,

Hospital Road, Riddlesden.

SIR - I'm writing this as an ordinary member of our community to all livestock farmers, really.

Many of the people I have spoken to this week are all appalled at the potentially devastating situation you are facing at the moment.

You must be sick with worry about your livelihoods, and especially about your animals. Many of you will have tended these with care and compassion and we cannot imagine what it must be like to be living with the very real prospect and consequent fear and worry, of this present virulent disease reaching your farms.

We want to say that we care about what you're going through. As much as we can be, we are right behind you and willing you to hang in there and not give up hope.

When all this dreadful business is over, we must all give careful thought as to how we can better support and encourage you in distributing and selling your produce locally. Animals - locally reared and locally slaughtered (no more torturous long journeys) is most assuredly the way forward.

And I, for one, am most willing to forego cheaper prices in the interests of animal welfare, safe food and for the support of you local farmers.

SYLVIA WALKER,

Styveton Way, Steeton.

SIR - The NHS is always coming under criticism, but in my recent experience the service provided by our local hospital (Airedale) is excellent and we should all be proud of it.

My late mother recently spent over four weeks on Ward Six, where the care and attention given to her by all the staff on the ward and other departments in the hospital was second to none.

All the staff on the ward, without exception, were always cheerful and nothing was too much trouble for them, even though they were hard pressed at times.

T SAAM,

Claisdale Close, Silsden.

SIR Problems again with my favourite rail service.

I left home to catch the 8.10 service from Steeton to Bradford Forster Square; arrive Bradford at 8.37. I got into the office in the centre of Bradford at 9.30.

No train; no announcements; no apologies for the train that arrived approximately 50 minutes late.

I attempted to contact Northern Spirit via e-mail tonight on their award winning web site and found their customer feed back form is unavailable.

I had also hoped to apply for a job as stock co-ordinator as the individual currently in charge is hopelessly out of their depth. Perhaps they don't want to deal with the complaints levied at them.

The only outlet for my frustration is via your goodselves.

MARK BATTY

East Parade, Steeton.

SIR - Given that the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was cleared of all wrong-doing in the Hammond Report the outcome of the enquiry raises some serious questions.

The report exonerated Peter Mandleson of any wrong doing yet, in a high profile media show he was required to go. Not so much the "Blair Witch Project", more rather a Blair Witch Hunt. However, from a party that won the election on the anti-sleaze ticket, not altogether surprising.

So how does that fit with another inquiry, led this time by Elizabeth Filkin, the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, this time looking into the affairs and financial disclosures, the "cash for honours" enquiry, of Keith Vaz, Minister for Europe?

She could not complete her enquiries into eight specific allegations because Mr Vaz, his family and Labour Party officials refused to co-operate.

The Parliamentary Committee considering Ms Filkin's report chastises Mr Vaz for breaking the Parliamentary code of conduct in not co-operating with her.

That he should remain in post stands somewhat at odds with the outcome of the Mandelson enquiry.

When the Prime Minister sacked Peter "Mud Sticks" Mandelson for doing nothing wrong, yet retained Keith "Vaseline" Vaz one must wonder if Mr Blair is losing his grip.

And by the way, where does our own MP stand on this issue?

David McKay

Mill Hey, Haworth

SIR - It's amazing that all three of the Bront sisters were so talented...' states TV presenter Liz Barker.

In fact, Maria and Patrick Bront had five daughters. The two eldest - Maria and Elizabeth - died aged 11 and 10 - as a result of the harsh regime at Cowan Bridge School for the 'daughters of poor clergy'.

Their distraught father quickly brought Charlotte and Emily home from 'that hateful place'.

TREVOR ATKINS,

Lynton Drive,

Keighley