SIR - In Ingleton, as in many other parts of the coutnry, there is a large number of houses under construction.

It ought to be a fairly simple job to fit a house with solar panels while it is being built but I have yet to see any new houses being equipped in this way.

With rapidly rising energy prices, the extra cost would soon be recovered.

Ever since the oil crisis of 30 years ago, the so-called environmentalists have said repeatedly that Britain needs to drastically reduce its energy consumption but unfortunately their warnings have been largely ignored by succesive governments.

The present government has realised that the threat of climate change by our over-use of fossil fuels is fast becoming a reality and no doubt would like to find a "technical fix" to the problem.

The technical fix in this case means that the white elephant of nuclear power with its astronomical costs and unsolved problem of nuclear waste may well be resurrected.

Let us hope the politicians learn a bit of sense before I have to start fighting the nuclear battles of the 70s and 80s all over again.

Keith Bradshaw,

Dale Bank, Ingleton.

SIR - If ever there was a programme on television to bring a tear to one's eyes or a lump in the throat, then 'Yorkshire Brass' last Thursday was it.

It reminded me of the Skipton Band in the 1970s when I was invited to be president and helped to rebuild the band from just a few players.

Money was raised and over a period of a few yuears we had a full band, a full junior band, a complete set of new instruments and uniforms.

I wrote long hand letters to everyone. Doctors and dentists provided a trombone, our ladies committee (ably led by Margaret Preston) raised money for four cornets, the Mechanics Institute purchased a bass which cost £1,000 - now at least £5,000.

Everyone had confidence in us and we were never out of the Craven Herald.

Many of your young players were in really good school bands and they could use our instruments. Douglas Shearer at Aireville, Edward Scott and Wilbur Paley at Ermysted's had really good bands and brass groups.

Last year I was invited to become president again and found a band which performed very well but, as in many bands, had to borrow players to help out with engagements. Players come and go - during the last few months mainly going.

The committee got some really good publicity going and for a while there were many recruits. I have talked to some of the parents and they are full of enthusiasm.

Now, what of the schools I mentioned? I am told that some teachers are not encouraging them to join Skipton band and some youngsters are being invited - dare I say enticed - to other local bands.

I have found that once children get over the learning period and begin to play together they really enjoy themselves. It certainly beats watching TV or playing computer games.

Ken Ellwood,

President of Skipton Brass Band.

SIR - Thank you for publishing my letter of September 29.

I have had a positive reaction from some local people who have expressed a real desire to get into friendly conversation with members of the Asian community either on the street, in front of a market stall or in a shop.

It is not just the lack of spoken English amongst Asians which prevents other people from offering friendship but the fact that on many occasion when English can be spoken, Asians will lapse back into their own language in a conversation between themselves, thereby excluding the ones trying to break down barriers.

One friend compared this unwelcome practice to what some English-Welsh speakers do to the rest of us in North Wales!

I pay tribute nevertheless to Christian friends in Craven who are going out of their way to befriend and teach English to home-based Asian women living in our Muslim communities.

Mr AJA Smith (Craven Herald Letters October 4) is quite right to draw attention to the persecution of Christians in several Islamic states. If attention has not been drawn to this appalling situation in the Craven Herald, it has received and is receiving plenty of attention elsewhere, both in the Church and outside of it.

The Muslims who justify this practice point out that such persecution is a "religious" matter outside the brief of a Western "secular" legal system.

Persecution of Christians takes place to "protect" and keep pure strict Islamic societies and is justified by a fundamentalist appeal to the Qu'ran and to Shariah Law.

It is time to remind us all that the "live and let live" society and the freedom to choose one's religion or belief system are Christian values enshrined in the life and ministry of Jesus. It was not until after the suffering of the 17th century English Civil War, the only religious war ever to be fought on British soil, that the English as a nation began to notice this crucial aspect of New Testament teaching.

Simultaneously, in mainland Europe, the 30 Years War and much later, the persecution of Christians by Napoleon, taught much the same lesson. Nevertheless, it took a long time to recognise these values as basic human rights, to be rigorously defended and enjoyed by all members of society world-wide.

As for the persecution of Christians in Muslim countries, Western politicians, leaders and members of the churches as well as people of goodwill need to keep up the pressure on governments which turn a blind eye to such violation of generally accepted human rights. The best people to change the minds and practice of their co-religionists are British Muslims who are enjoying the privileges of our free society.

There are those who are prepared to do so. Some have pointed out that the values they and we cherish in the Western world are to be found by a liberal reading of the Qu'ran. The rest of us have a part to play in offering friendship and in doing all we can to communicate and be a witness to the values which lie at the very heart of our society.

Kathleen Kinder,

Valley View, Giggleswick.

SIR - Sadly, oppression by or against one religion or another has been a fact of history.

For Christians in the UK the first task, it seems to me, is to make sure we are not guilty of it and, if necessary, dissuade Christians elsewhere from such oppression.

Alongside this is the duty to support the oppressed of any race or religion as far as possible, to dissuade our government and businesses from involvement with countries where such oppression occurs, and to support UN efforts to make oppression unacceptable.

Christian work is usually low-key and unlikely to be noticed by the media.

The "Ecumenical Accompaniers" in Israel and Palestine help to reduce conflict there by supporting both Palestinian Christians and others and Israeli peace groups.

This work is the object of this month's appeal at Skipton Friends (Quakers) Meeting House. If you can access the internet go to quaker.org.uk/eappi for more details and to read the Quaker claim to "...work through quiet processes for a world where peaceful means bring about just settlements".

Peter Copestake,

Castle Road, Colne,

SIR - I have just read the letter from Jonathan Strange (Craven Herald Letters October 7) regarding the collapsing road between Scale House and Rylstone, and the following thought struck me.

Your previous article two weeks ago stated that no money was available for this work; however, if, after a period of heavy rain, the whole road slid down the hillside, would the Highways Agency do nothing until the next financial year? I don't think so!

CJ Midgley,

Home Croft, Threshfield.

SIR - Thyroid Patient Advocacy-UK (TPA-UK) has recently put together the largest hypothyroid patients' survey ever to be carried out in the UK for sufferers of the disease.

It is hoped the results of the survey will raise awareness of this debilitating illness, which can strike at any age and affects one in four of us, mainly women.

Symptoms include unexpected weight gain, hair loss on both head and body, infertility, extreme tiredness, mood swings, loss of libido, coldness, high cholesterol, memory loss, depression and dementia among many others.

Because of the wide variety of symptoms experienced, the patient may be wrongly diagnosed, or thought to have other illnesses such as ME, Fibromyalgia (FM), menopause etc.

Some common and often undiagnosed symptoms and dangerous consequences of low thyroid include: serious mental problems, seizures, heart disease, diabetes including misdiagnosis and complications, constipation resulting in colon cancer, all female problems (due to high amounts of dangerous forms of oestrogen), including: tumours, fibroids, ovarian cysts, PMS, endometriosis, breast cancer, miscarriage, heavy periods and cramps, bladder problems leading to infections.

If you suffer symptoms or have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you may wish to take part in this hypothyroid patients survey. Please Email hypothyroidpatientsurvey@

tpa-uk.org.uk with your name and postal address, or telephone NSM Research direct on 01865 310073. Alternatively, you may wish to complete this survey by down-loading this from our website tpa-uk.org.uk where you will find more information about the condition.

Sheila Turner,

Thyroid Patient Advocate,

Squirrel Cottage,

Ickornshaw, Cowling.

SIR - I live in Litton and I don't feel very "laid back" about Paul Wilson's Dining Out review.

I thought the purpose of the Dining Out feature was to report on the pub, the atmosphere and the food, not make derogatory remarks about Littondale and its people.

After the horrible reference to Bambi's mother, I think the Queen's Arms will be getting more requests for vegetarian dishes.

I for one get very excited when returning home from Skipton. I turn left up Littondale and look at the steep hills with blue-black shadowed tops and bright green sunlit meadows and the limestone walls. I believe Charles Kingsley in the Water Babies got a bit excited about Littondale as well.

Perhaps Mr Wilson would prefer to stay away from ours as actually he doesn't sound a "very nice" man.

Judith White,

Armistead Barns, Litton.

SIR - This letter is to thank Nick Carter for the service he has given to Craven Herald readers over the last year.

Nick, the author of the weekly article based on his experiences as a patient with bowel cancer, has blessed us with his honesty and frankness.

Nick, every week, when I opened the CH, yours was the first piece I searched for. Your perceptiveness, attention to detail down to the consultant's tie colour, your fears, hopes, wit and doubts have so brilliantly portrayed the experiences of so many.

Your writing has never failed to raise a whole array of emotions for me and your final article is no exception.

On the one hand, I am so delighted for you, that you are "moving on"; while on the other hand, I will greatly miss your insight and courage to express the stark reality of what it is like to face a life threatening illness.

I am sure I am just one among thousands of Craven Herald readers who wish you well. Thanks again.

Ali Mantle,

Westwood Mews,

Carleton in Craven.

SIR - May I and my family through your letters column send our best wishes to Nick Carter.

We have followed his progress in his diary and marvelled at his courage and determination.

Having a younger member of our family, after five cancer operations, starting another round of radiotherapy/chemo, another courageous soul, we know what he and his family are experiencing.

A big hug to his daughter for her contribution to the diary the previous week.

Thank you, Nick Carter, you are one great gentleman, our thoughts are with you and yours.

Mrs I Ackroyd,

Fell Lane, Keighley.

SIR - Did your child come home last Friday intoxicated, having been in the Raikes playing field? Have you taught them not to leave litter?

Early on Saturday morning I happened to go into the park and was disgusted to see numerous bottles and beer boxes strewn about the picnic area, not to mention a quantity of broken glass, plastic bags and bottle tops, all not much more than five yards from the rubbish bin.

Who brought up these children to discard rubbish like this? I picked up, I hope, all of it and put it where they should have put it - in the bin.

Ask yourself, was it your children who left the glass to endanger young children on a playing field? If so, please give them the necessary discipline.

Where are the police when this is happening?

Name supplied,

Raikeswood area, Skipton.

Editor's note: The police are currently carrying out a policy confiscating and pouring away alcohol if they find underage drinkers. It seems as though the teenage drinkers are being driven out from the town centre into remote areas.

SIR - I was confused by the 'Godslot' article by Nicholas Turner, curate of Broughton, headed 'Gay marriages', in the Craven Herald of October 7.

He says that a civil partnership is formed solely by a signature in the presence of witnesses, and as a civil partnership is formed in total silence, there is nothing there to be blessed by a subsequent service of blessing.

How can this be? Are there no words on the paper above the signature? Has nothing been agreed? If the signature means anything, some commitment must have been made. Surely a written agreement is at least as binding as a spoken one.

I can understand that some clergy may have reasons for not wishing to conduct services of blessing for same sex couples, but to suggest that there is nothing there to be blessed flies in the face of my experience, and must sadden many of those who read the article.

John A Rose,

Royd Hill, Giggleswick.

SIR - To the person who spilt quite an amount of liquid on the floor of Tesco on Sunday October 9 and then put the container back to take a full one without even reporting the spillage, can I say that if you did not want half a spray, neither do the rest of us.

Not reporting this hazard, it goes without saying, is thoughtless.

As for the elderly couple who I warned of the hazard but then chose to stand in the middle of it, I say if you had fallen I would have testified on the store's behalf.

If you have a spillage, do the decent thing and report it. The supermarket does not deserve to be sued and the customers don't deserve injury. Just think, next time, it could be you!

Mrs C Allam,

North View St, Keighley.