Roman relics deserve protection

A friend of many years, also an historian, contacted The Ilkley Gazette, requesting my phone number to warn of the disappearance of the Verbeia stones.

The gentleman, now of senior years, began visiting Myddleton Lodge over 70 years ago as an altar boy and the stones featured in these visits.

Unbeknown others had noted their disappearance in July/August and started their own enquiries. The reverend gentleman suggests polite enquiries would lead them to being pleasantly surprised. They were very surprised, especially when told to mind their own business.

John Speed's map of Yorkshire - 1500 shows nought of Myddleton. Edward Baines - 1822 tells of Ilkley's Roman fort and the original alter to Verbeia being still in existence at Myddleton Lodge.

Edmund Bogg - 1891 in his book 'A Thousand Miles in Wharfedale' quotes, 'the private grounds of the hall -(Myddleton Lodge)- contains many relics of Danish, Saxon, Roman and Celtic origin, also a Saxon tombstone.' Apart from the Verbeia stones, what has become of the rest?

So far as quoting the scriptures, might I point out one of the stones started life in Olicana long before the Myddletons came to the locality.

So who is coveting whose goods? While history may not be everyone's cup of tea, we owe it to future generations to preserve what little of the town's past is left, in their rightful place, at Olicana. Finally, I can assure the reverend gentleman nocturnal visitations are not my scene.

Frazer Irwin

Deaconess Court,

Queen's Road, Ilkley.

Family search

Sir, - Some time ago you were kind enough to print a letter on my behalf regarding my family research, the results of which were beyond my expectations, with numerous phone calls from people in the areas covered by your publication.

I am now searching for another branch of my family and hoped you may again be able to help? In the hope that you do so, I follow with the information I am seeking.

My grandmother was Mary Wilkinson, born at Snay Gill, south of Skipton. She married my grandfather William Skillington, in 1869. Mary had a younger sister called Sarah Ann who married a man called Thomas Blakey who apparently originated from Silsden.

On the 1881 Census they were living on Pembroke Street, Skipton, at which time they had three children. They were:- Jayne Eleanor, born 1876, Emma, born 1878, and John William, born 1880. By the time of the 1891 census Sarah Ann was a widow (Thomas having died before he reached the age of 50) and was still living on Pembroke Street and listed as a grocer at number 43, which is the top corner house of that street. By this time there were two more female children, these were Mary and Ann.

The person or persons I am looking for will be descendants of John William (who could have lived as late as 1950/60) and who may still carry the family name of Blakey. Or anyone descended from any of the female members of the family who may recall any of the details I have related here.

It is possible, even likely, that Sarah Ann may have remarried, but it is unlikely that this would affect the children's names. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I may get as much response as last time. Below is all the information for anyone who may wish to contact me.

ROY SKILLINGTON

7 Berrycroft Lane

Romiley

Stockport

Cheshire SK6 3AU

skillo@berrycroft.frsnet.co.uk

Evolution debate

SIR, I have been given a copy of the Ilkley Gazette from last month (November 9), when the subject of creation or evolution was addressed in the article 'explaining the meaning of life - with a big bang'.

It was good to see that you did at least refer to the creationist position which sees no conflict between a straightforward belief in Genesis concerning origins and properly con-ducted empirical science.

The view of Peter Sutcliffe - the Vicar of St Mary's Church in Burley-in-Wharfedale - is not correct that there are two 'stories' of creation accounts in chapters one and two of Genesis.

Genesis two is simply a more de-tailed account of the creation of man on day six.

As a scientist of the University of Leeds, where I hold a chair in Thermodynamics and combustion theory, I see no clear scientific fact which contradicts the straightforward reading of Genesis, of a world created of the order of 6,000 years ago in six literal 24 hour days.

The evidence of design in living creatures, in the delicate ecosystem which enables our planet to support life, and in the solar system, shout clearly to thinking people that there is a great mind behind our universe.

The Christ who at a word created light and spoke all into existence, is the same Christ who at a word healed the sick and raised the dead, and who at his word will return and bring an end to this world in judgement.

Andrew C McIntosh

DSc FIMA Cmath FinstE Ceng, Professor of Thermodynamics and Combustion Theory, Department of Fuel and Energy, University of Leeds.

Fayre thanks

SIR, May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make this year's Otley Victorian Fayre such a success.

Although the weather conditions curtailed some of the fayre's entertainment the organisers were very pleased with the level of attendance.

Once again, a significant donation will be made to the West Yorkshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre and St Gemma's Hospice charities which the event supported this year.

The committee were particularly pleased with the quality of the performances from the schools this year and delighted with the record number of businesses and charity shops which entered the window dressing and costume competitions.

The number of organisations who supported the event are far too numerous to mention individually, however, without the hard work and enthusiasm of my colleagues on the committee, the event would not be possible. We will shortly be announcing the date for the annual general meeting at which next year's committee will be formed.

If anyone would like to help organise the 2001 Victorian Fayre, please contact me on (0113) 2585547.

Adrian Robertshaw

Chairman, Otley Victorian Fayre

Protection plea

SIR, - A FEW years ago you could walk on the Chevin Top and look down on one of the loveliest valleys in the Yorkshire Dales.

It won't be for so much longer if the big building firms have their way. They want to turn Wharfedale into another suburb of Leeds.

The people with money who can afford £100,000 for a house are the only ones to benefit.

The only thing they bring is more traffic and roads instead of country lanes.

Why can't they build their estates on brownfield sites and try to improve these areas? It is time people opposed the planners but money talks.

M F Harrison

61 Haw Avenue, Yeadon.

Carnival changes

SIR, At a special meeting of the Otley Carnival Committee on November 28, the decision was made that for the year 2001 at least, Otley Carnival will be held on a Saturday.

The reason for this is, increased, prohibitive costs. To have held the carnival on the original intended date of, Sunday, June 17, would have meant clashing with the one day international cricket match between England and Pakistan at Headingley.

The West Yorkshire Police at Weetwood are of course committed to this occasion. This would have meant bringing in police from other areas and would mean a cost to the carnival of £2,500 approximately.

Also, use of the hard core area around the Bridge End auction buildings on Sunday would incur a cost of £500 due to the loss of revenue from the usually held car boot sale to the present owner.

These increases would mean that we could not support our chosen beneficiaries financially. By moving the carnival to Saturday, these costs would not be incurred.

Otley Carnival Committee is indebted to many supporters for providing services, materials and use of land free of charge, including West Yorkshire Police, F M Lister and Son, Mr B C Kunz, Leeds Road Auction Market, Jefferies Transport, Colin Pitt and many others.

Otley Carnival will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2001. We hope that the organisations and charities which enter floats in the parade and have stalls on the field will continue to support us.

Bryan Dexter

Publicity officer

Otley Carnival Committee

312 Bradford Road, Otley.

Security scandal

SIR, - I am sure many readers are concerned about recent reports that the Government is planning to allow security services to intercept all our telephone calls and email.

This is an abuse of their power which could undermine our fundamental right to privacy at home and in the workplace.

What with Norwood Tower on our doorstep and the Menwith Hill base lurking nearby, many people are already nervous about who has access to their sensitive information.

Suspected spies and criminals, fair enough, but the Government should leave the rest of us law-abiding citizens to go about our daily lives without worrying about being overheard!

David Hall-Matthews

Liberal Democrat Prospective

Parliamentary Candidate,

Leeds North West.

Turkey plea

SIR, - To most people, turkeys are a joke. The very word is a term of abuse. But there's a lot more to turkeys than most of us realise.

Wild turkeys are still found in the Americas where they live in small groups in open forest.

Their vocabulary is complicated, with different calls to let other birds know about the dangers or else that all is well; to communicate contentment when they are together in safe groups; or to warn when they are flying over water.

Nesting in trees, females stay with their eggs until they hatch, and never abandon either eggs or chicks if predators approach.

When hunger forces birds to leave the nest, they display great caution, never returning twice by the same route. Once the eggs are hatched, mother turkeys continue to take loving care of their brood.

Do you really want to stick such an amazing bird in the oven? The good news is you don't have to.

Contact Animal Aid for a free Cruelty Free Christmas pack, stuffed with delicious alternative recipes and gift ideas - everything from champagne to chocolate truffles.

Just telephone our Christmas hotline on 017732 354032.

Kay Holder,

Vegetarian Campaigner.

Animal Aid