Letters to the Editor

It really does typify its sleepy attitude to Keighley's remaining architectural "jewel in the crown".

It is two years ago that I gave documents highlighting the history and sale, which were passed on to the Mayor.

Why on Earth did they allow Bradford Council to sell off what is Keighley's heritage?

The beautiful listed building and listed gardens are unique, not just for Keighley, but Yorkshire.

During Bradford Council's ownership it had total disregard for its upkeep and no insight for its future other than to make a fast buck. What was Bradford's heritage department doing to allow this?

Rest assured people of Keighley, your council awoke from its sleep recently to decide the fate of a pile of grassy soil on Church Green.

Will it now stay awake long enough and be true to the slogan "We're Backing Keighley, Are You"?

Let's hope that now it is not too little too late to save this gem that is Whinburn for the future for all to enjoy.

DAVID A SPENCER

Weavers Lane,

Cullingworth

SIR -- Comments in the Keighley News may suggest that possibly some Keighley town councillors have not addressed and advanced Sue Brewer's initiative of providing a play area as a memorial to Casey Mason.

Not so. I as chairman of the planning committee of Keighley Town Council have tried, and will continue, to galvanise support within this council and the public at large for a speedy conclusion to this worthy project.

The Keighley Council Planning Committee has already passed all the appropriate planning issues.

The relevant management and insurance issues should not in my view complicate the garden and play area being built.

The simple answer to Bradford's well known stifling bureaucracy would be to address the issues during the construction of the site and have the situation resolved before the site becomes open to the public.

I have gathered support from Keighley Town Council for this project during the 18 months since this child lost her life and find the delay in providing for the children of this area as illogical and bordering on "jobsworth" madness.

No wonder the Keighley public's view of Bradford's policies is so antagonistic.

Cllr Brian Hudson

Bront Drive,

Oakworth.

Sir -- Readers who are genuine democrats will be appalled to learn that I have been denied access to two "community centres" in my ward in order to hold council surgeries (NOT POLITICAL MEETINGS).

The centres are the Keith Thompson, run by Braithwaite People's Association, and the Whinfield Centre (Braithwaite and Guardhouse Community Association).

There are two arguments here: the first is that I am a legally elected councillor twice over (district and town). Therefore the reasons advanced by the centres (in effect "we disapprove of the BNP's policies") are irrelevant.

Two Labour councillors were permitted to hold surgeries at the Keith Thompson: the ban on me is clearly an attempt to hinder me from doing my duty of addressing constituents' problems.

I see this as a blatant ploy to over-rule the electorate's democratic decision by petty tyrants exploiting their "ownership" of the centres -- that is abusing their trusteeship -- in an attempt to marginalise me and favour the re-election of a Labour councillor in the forthcoming elections.

This denial of democracy might be explained away as ignorance on the part of laymen; it is inexcusable when perpetrated by a fellow town councillor (John Phillips).

The second point is the centres' hypocritical claim that they are banning "THE BNP" in order to further "COMMUNITY COHESION".

How does alienating half the community achieve cohesion? Remember, I was elected in 2004 ahead of the two Labour district councillors and polled 53 per cent in the Guardhouse town council vote.

I am a representative of and spokesman for my community; an attack on me is an attack on my neighbourhood.

These people are disillusioned and indeed disgusted with the state of Keighley today; they want real changes in policy and attitudes, not politically correct platitudes about "EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY".

By muzzling me, they are trying to disempower and disenfranchise people who already feel overlooked and forgotten.

Cllr Angela Clarke

Sir -- Yet again I have returned from a trip to Sainsbury's Cavendish Street store feeling annoyed and frustrated.

Once more the floor around the recycling skips is strewn with wet clothing, odd pairs of shoes and even carrier bags still containing household waste.

Several cardboard boxes have been stacked carefully within each other, no use now that they've transported the bottles to the bin (there isn't a cardboard collection at Sainsbury's so someone apparently thinks it's OK just to dump them for someone else to clear up).

Flies have already been drawn to the food leftovers.

Just who are the people who think that it is acceptable to leave their rubbish anywhere as long as someone else gets rid of it?

No doubt some long-suffering Sainsbury's staff are tasked with this unpleasant job -- and fairly regularly (thanks).

Several years ago, when Sainsbury's enlarged the store, I contacted them and asked if they could use the opportunity to extend the recycling facilities.

I was told that the existing recycling site had been so abused by the Keighley public (who used it as a general fly-tip) that they were reluctant to lay themselves open to more of the same.

Hence the current limited site partly used by charities.

It seems that the store was right to be reticent; the actions of a few inconsiderate people continue to create a nuisance for everyone else.

Surely it's not too much trouble to take your rubbish home.

If we don't use the recycling facilities sensibly we may lose them altogether and everyone will miss out.

CAROLYN WALMSLEY

64 Green Head Road,

Utley

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "We share the concerns of your reader and we are reviewing the frequency of collection times with the organisations involved.

"We regularly clean up the area and there are signs requesting that people do not use the area as a dumping ground.

"We realise the importance of recycling, having decreased our overall landfill wastage in store by 20 per cent over the last six months, but we agree with your reader that people should be aware of the environmental and health implications of dumping unwanted goods irresponsibly."

Sir -- In response to R P Beale's letter castigating Keighley Together for lack of organisation, impact or leadership, I am inviting him, through your newspaper, to come and contribute his skills to the work that we are doing.

I'm sure that Keighley Together --- and Keighley -- will benefit. He can make a start on September 19, at 5.30pm, in All Saints Church, in Highfield Lane.

He will learn that Keighley Together is indeed organised and is working towards a variety of events, including the next council elections in May.

In terms of leadership, he will learn that we do not have or need a hierarchical structure and that all members contribute on an equal basis.

We do, though, have a chairman, vice-chairman and treasurer. And in terms of impact, we are proud to have contributed towards the BNP's failure at the last general election -- our primary objective at the time.

As for the future, if anything, Keighley Together will gather momentum and will be a cohesive force in the town.

I believe that it is organisations like Keighley Together that will contribute to the coming together of the different Keighley communities.

There isn't any other organisation in Keighley that commands that position of trust and plays a pivotal role in building bridges.

Perhaps Mr Beale should check his facts before accusing us of being "dead in the water".

Martin Toch

Keighley Together,

Laurel Crescent,

Keighley

SIR -- Chronic disregard for animal, in some cases human, welfare is being shown by landowners, council departments and the public at large.

An all too rare visit to the Worth Valley left me with a feeling of dismay.

The so-called pretty yellow flower spreading along your highways and byways is an insidious killer.

Ragwort's poisonous alkaloids wreek havoc on livers of equines, farm and wild animals alike. The same has been found in milk and honey.

Every landowner is required by law to control it under the Ragwort Control Act of 2004. Ragwort is also one of five classified as noxious weeds in the Weeds Act of 1959.

Professor Derek Knottenbelt, a veterinary scientist and distinguished authority on Ragwort, estimates 20 per cent of horses in this country have ragwort poisoning. We all have a duty to rid our countryside of this noxious weed,

Only today I spoke with an equestrian who showed little knowledge of the damage this weed does, if not removed.

Eco-charlatans will try to convince you the plant is vital to the Cinnebar Moth. Over exposure to the plant is having the reverse effect.

It is up to everyone to protect our countryside. DEFRA, The British Horse Society and the Internet have advice on its control. Don't leave it until next year, ACT NOW.

FRAZER IRWIN

Queens Road,

Ilkley

SIR -- Your feature relating to the cast of "Bront"' (September 9) revived happy memories of my childhood at the Black Bull in Haworth, when the company performing Wuthering Heights at Leeds Grand, similarly came to Haworth for inspiration.

I was awestruck when a Great Dane lolloped through the open door closely followed by Heathcliffe himself, resplendent in costume.

What a presence Terence de Marney posed as he brandished his horsewhip and led the rest of the cast into the Bull.

Thirsts were quenched in our then famous Bront Room (Branwell's watering hole) where turns were taken to sit in the Branwell chair or to yank the old bell pull, so irritating our taproom locals they threatened to cut the wire leading to the bell in the passageway.

Sandwiches were packed to sustain our visitors on the long walk over the moor to Top Withens.

Your piece prompted me to seek out our family Visitors' Book (dating from 1909-1953) and found, over the page from the Leeds Grand cast, the signature of Patricia Pilkington, who was playing Catherine Earnshaw at Keighley Hippodrome, in August 1948. She of course became better known as Pat Phoenix of Coronation Street.

MURIEL CROOK (Mrs)

Ryecroft,

Harden

SIR -- I have had my doubts about the nurse Anne Grigg-Booth's guilt and was glad to read a defence of her.

While she acted outside protocol, it does not mean her will was malicious. She might well have been trying to help dying persons in their last hours.

We should not think her a demon. She is dead too. The pity is we shall not hear her speak. Nurses have to make ethical decisions. They won't always get it right.

PETER CARDWELL

North Street,

Keighley

Sir -- There is still time for readers to sign up for the Manorlands Bront Bike Challenge to raise money for the Sue Ryder Care Manorlands Hospice.

The sponsored cycle will take place on Sunday, September 25. There are two routes available, a 31-mile challenge ride and a 15-mile family ride.

We have been slightly disappointed with the number of people signing up to take part -- it would be great for more supporters to come forward.

If possible, we would like people to fill in an entry form before the day as it helps us to know how many people are participating, but you will be able to turn up on the day with your entry fee of £10 if you wish, between 9.30-10am.

For an entry form and more information about the bike challenge contact me in the fundraising office on 01535 640430 or e-mail Jodie.shepherd@bradford.nhs.uk

JODIE SHEPHERD

Manorlands fundraiser