Letters to the Editor

All the schemes which have destroyed Victoria Park have been marked by four factors: a complete disregard of the wishes of large sections of the community, inadequate information, economy with the truth and in one case downright untruths. I refer to the road widening scheme for Hard Ings Lane which decimated the magnificent mature trees which contributed so much to the beauty of the park.

What did we get instead? An eyesore of a roundabout and a bypass which enables motorists to drive from Skipton to Crossflatts in 20 minutes and then take the next 30 minutes to crawl through Bingley, Cottingley and Saltaire on their way to Bradford and Leeds. At the time it was said that only a 'few' trees would be cut down.

I can't see that much of the original Victoria Park will be left if this concrete area is built. Has a plan showing the location been published? Will there be someone in charge, booking times and collecting fees?

BARBARA ROCK,

Daleside Road, Riddlesden.

SIR - So the passage of the Fire-arms (Amendment) Act 1997, supposed to be a 'public safety order' has failed entirely to prevent a number of shootings. Just as it has failed to prevent the many similar handgun shootings which have occurred since legally-held pistols have been banned.

The difference now though is that no longer can the Government blame legal handgun owners for these crimes, for there are none! Instead they must address the real problem - that of illegal guns.

Hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers money, YOUR money, has been spent in taking in a few thousand legal handguns. Yet when we suggested to the Government that a similar compensation scheme should be promoted to try and remove illegally held handguns, the Home Office has written and informed us that there is no such intention.

Hardly surprising, when tens of thousands of claims for the compensation promised to law-abiding shooters for the enforced removal of their property remain unpaid after several months.

This despite Parliament's stated aim of enacting legislation to force firms to pay their accounts within thirty days or face interest charges. Some fine example, eh?

Seems our politicians have yet to learn that safety cannot be gained simply by sacrificing freedom. We now live in a true 'democracy' in which we may not watch cigarette advertising, legally own a handgun or even eat a T-bone steak! Enjoy your cheese, milk, eggs and yoghurt for they may well be the next to go! How much longer must we put up with this 'ban it' syndrome?

Whilst the shootings continue and when the next handgun wielding madman erupts, reflect just how safe you are as a result of the hugely expensive and totally ineffective Firearms (Amendment) Act of 1997. But don't try to blame innocent legal pistol shooters - we're out of it!

MIKE ANDREWS,

Premiers Arms

Company, Cowling.

SIR - I was just about to write a letter to your paper about the state of the drains in Keighley when I read the letter from Mrs I L Houldsworth on the same subject. Anyway, I would like to add my views on the matter.

On Christmas Day night Devonshire Street had water pouring down like a river. Cars were 'aqua planing'.

On investigation later in the week we observed every drain in Devon-shire Street was blocked with silt and rubbish and we were informed by a resident they had been like that for at least two years.

If a car skidded and caused an accident how would the car owner stand with regard to insurance. Can the car owner sue the council for the state of the road due to the council's blocked drains?

The same thing was noted in Spring Gardens Lane and Oakworth Road. At Stockbridge road sweepers and drain cleaners are rarer than hens teeth.

As Mrs Houldsworth says - whose drains are they? They are on the council's roads not private property, or do they expect householders to clean them out, if so we should have a rate rebate! Answers please as to when all the drains in Keighley will be cleaned.

MRS C M ANDREWS,

Worth Avenue, Stockbridge,

Bradford Council's Cleansing Department said:"Unfor-tunately, bad weather caused several areas in the district to suffer a washdown of silt, etc. Gullies are cleaned according to a regular schedule but in view of Mrs Andrews concerns, a supervisor will check the areas for blocked gullies and clean accordingly."

SIR - We are a group of ex-army veterans who served in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and saw active service in Malaya, 1947-1951 and India & Burma during the Second World War.

The KOYLI drew their Recruits from all over Great Britain and we are trying to reach as many of our old comrades as possible who could be living in your circulation area and are unaware of our association and our reunion and it is for these our old friends, we ask you to print the following appeal:

The KOYLI Malaya-India & Burma Veterans Association will hold its 9th annual reunion on Saturday April 25, 1998, commencing at 1100hrs at The Markham Main Social Club, Church Street, Armthorpe, Doncaster, South Yorks. Details from: Tom Morgan, 40 Brookside Close, Colchester, Essex CO2 7LZ. Tel 01206 795545.

TOM MORGAN,

1st Battalion KOYLI

1948-1953

SIR - Every time I pick up the Keighley News I am drawn to the letters page like a magnet.

I have a game where I must bore myself silly and read each and every word. So what a delight to read Mike Boothroyd's light-hearted 'Cuckoo' letter, it made me chuckle.

The last time I had a giggle was when some chap suggested the notorious shopkeeper in Haworth should be used as a tourist attraction, so that's some time back eh?

MAUREEN WILKIE,

Name and Address supplied.

SIR - I would like to thank you most sincerely for my prize of a Balti Meal at the Balti Chef in Ilkley.

We went along with my parents. The place itself was exceptional, clean, warm and very friendly. The staff were so pleasant and helpful and we even were approached by the owner for a little chat. The food was also fantastic and a new experience for us.

We would like you to extend our thanks to all the staff at the Balti Chef and will certainly be visiting them again.

ALISON MEDD,

Ogden Crescent,

Denholme.

SIR - I would like to offer my congratulations to every runner who has gained a place in this year's London Marathon - I would also like to offer them a chance to make every step count for Help the Aged.

In return for raising funds for the Charity, Help the Aged is offering to send runners on an all-expenses paid trip (flights, accommodation included) to the 1998 New York Marathon or 1999 Paris Marathon as a member of the Charity's own team.

If you want to run for Help the Aged in this year's London Marathon we will send you a team T-shirt, sweatshirt and running vest together with a fundraising advice pack and an invitation to the pre-event team lunch in London.

And of course, if you raise enough sponsorship to qualify for a place in the New York or Paris Marathons you'll have to start training all over gain!

If you'd like to find out more please ring our marathon organiser, Kelly Blaney on 0171 253 2926.

MICHAEL LAKE, CBE,

Director General

Help the Aged.

SIR - As a disabled person I feel I should write to support Miss Penny Roberts protest (KN 9.1.98) against non-disabled drivers parking in 'Disabled Only' parking places.

Most motorists are thoughtful and considerate to the needs of the disabled but there are always the few who do not, or will not, realise that parking in these places is restricted.

It is, of course, very difficult to stop this practice as it relies upon the kindness and courtesy of other people.

There would be chaos if drivers drove through traffic lights, whatever the colour.

The fear which stops people doing this is fear of the police and the loss of insurance rights.

Unfortunately, this is only what some people understand - the law and/or loss of money. Sad to say I feel this must be the answer to the thoughtless individuals who park knowingly in a disabled parking space.

DERRICK H GREEN,

School Street,

Steeton.

SIR - May we, through your page, express our sincere gratitude to everyone who helped in whatever way possible when our pet Yorkie dog 'Scamper' took fright and vanished just before Christmas.

As you can imagine the time he was missing was heart breaking but people kept ringing offering various helpful sightings of him, but being so small it was like looking for a needle in a haystack (so to speak) but just when hopes were at their lowest Mr and Mrs Smith of Halifax Road phoned to say that they and their dog had managed to find ours. He was hiding in a hole under their garden shed.

So you can imagine our pleasure at being reunited with Scamper when all seemed lost. May I thank everyone once again for their kind words and deeds.

MRS S A PICKLES,

Halifax Road, Keighley.

SIR - We are very concerned about the increasing numbers of women who are coming to us with problems of withdrawal from tranquillisers, sleeping pills and anti-depressants.

We would urge anyone taking these prescribed drugs to ask their doctor to give them in writing the information in the BNF or MIMS. These are directories which explain how long it is safe to take them, please ask.

You cannot make important decisions about your health without this information. If you wish to stop taking prescribed drugs it is vital that you consult your doctor first.

JEAN O'KEEFFE,

Keighley Women's Centre.

SIR - May I thank the very kind people who came to my aid at Shann Avenue when I slipped on black ice and who called the ambulance.

I should also like to thank the staff and nurses at Airedale Hospital whose caring attention knew no bounds. Also my thanks to the lady who though preparing for an operation found time to comfort and advise me.

EILEEN TAYLOR,

Shann Lane, Keighley.

SIR - I am doing some research on my family tree and wonder if your readers could be of some help.

I would like to find any information on my great-grandparents: William Betts 1856-?; Matilda Sugden 1857-?; Joseph Bearsley 1836-?; Mary Ann Bailey 1840-1912. All died in Haworth.

Please write to me at Nethertown, Blackshaw, Caerlaverock, Dumfries, Scotland DG1 4RS.

DENISE COWAN

(NEE BETTS0

Scotland.

SIR - On November 28, 1997, 411 MPs voted in favour of Michael Foster's Private Member's Bill to ban hunting with dogs. This historic vote makes it inconceivable that hunting will survive this Parliament.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, the RSPCA, and the League Against Cruel Sports, who have been working together as the Campaign for the Protection of Hunted Animals, have been campaigning for many years to see cruel and unnecessary sports outlawed.

However, we believe that a continued demonstration of public support is necessary to reinforce our message that hunting is cruel. The Campaign launched a nationwide petition this week calling for legislation to be enacted to ban hunting with dogs as soon as possible in the lifetime of this Parliament. Copies of the petition can be obtained by ringing 0800 056 5050.

CINDY MILBURN,

Campaign for the

Protection of Hunted

Animals.

SIR - Did you enjoy a regular flutter before the 1960s? Were you passionate about bingo? Channel 4 is making an oral history documentary about gambling in Britain between the 1920s and the 1960s when it became the most popular leisure time activity. In post-war Britain with the shortage of consumer goods there was little else to spend money on.

Did you play the pools every Saturday and sometimes win? Were you mad about horses, greyhounds or pigeons? Were you hooked on casinos? Was it hard for a woman to have a bet in an all-male world?

If you have memories like these and are in your sixties or over, please write to me at Testimony Films, 12 Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RS.

MIRIAM GRAY,

Associate Producer,

Testimony Films.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.