Letters to the Editor

around Hallowe'en time

SIR, - A knock at the door on Halloween or Guy Fawkes Night is an annoyance for most people, but generally these callers turn out to be completely harmless.

However, we at Help the Aged are concerned that in some cases unsolicited callers at this time of year are particularly distressing for older people. Even more so if a trick is carried out or if that person feels under pressure to give money to the caller for 'the guy'.

In light of this, we at Help the Aged would like to offer some simple advice to your older readers on how to feel secure at this time of year.

l Always put the door chain on and look out of the window or spy hole to see who is there before opening the door.

l Take particular care if there is more than one person on your doorstep, which you can easily check if you have a spy hole installed.

l If in doubt keep them out. Often, and quite unnecessarily, people feel embarrassed about refusing to let someone in at the door. But you should only open the door if you feel safe to do so. If you do not feel safe opening the door, then don't.

l If you get unwelcome callers and feel particularly threatened, dial 999 and ask for the police.

Hopefully, by being aware of these precautionary measures, older people will feel safer in their homes. Help the Aged has Senior Safety programmes in around 40 areas across the country which aim to help older people feel more secure in their own homes.

Older people concerned about their security can find out more about these services, by calling (01255) 473999.

Eve Brimacombe

National Senior Safety

Manager,

Help the Aged,

207-221 Pentonville Road,

London.

Road ahead

SIR, - I have read with interest the views of your readers regarding the traffic lights at the Victoria Avenue junction. As a regular twice-daily user of the A65 between Ilkley and Addingham I can understand their views and concerns.

May I suggest as a temporary measure until the powers that be decide a better solution, that drivers wishing to turn right only do so if their exit is clear or can see that it will be if there are only one or two vehicles to pass.

If the A65 were busy with traffic heading out of Ilkley towards Addingham then turning right would obviously hold up traffic flowing from Addingham. So they should move quickly through the lights and take the next turning right up Easby Drive, thereby allowing traffic to move more freely and drivers' tempers and frustrations to be minimised.

On the other hand, if drivers heading out of Ilkley were to show a little more consideration and courteousness and slow down, and allow traffic to pass up Victoria Avenue, therefore allowing traffic to flow steadily into Ilkley.

Perhaps a sign could be erected before the lights on the Ilkley exit to warn drivers to give way to traffic turning right?

At the end of the day it's really all about good manners, commonsense and being kind and considerate to fellow motorists.

BRIAN WOMERSLEY

2, Victoria Road,

Ilkley.

Sheep exports

SIR, - The trade in live sheep exports, which has been dormant for the last nine months has resumed again this week through the port of Dover.

Investigations into live animal transport on the continent have revealed consistent breaking of the rules on journey times, frequent failure to provide water as required and often slaughter performed illegally, without stunning at the journey's end.

During the transportation, large numbers of animals are crammed into overcrowded vehicles and often receive no proper food, water or rest during their long journeys. These animals can become increasingly exhausted, dehydrated and stressed and many are trampled to death by their companions.

It is widely accepted that animals should be slaughtered as near as possible to the farm of rearing. I believe there is no good reason to transport animals on long journeys simply for further fattening.

Long distance transport not only inflicts serious welfare problems on animals, but also risks spreading infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth and classical swine fever over long distances.

If you are concerned about the suffering of these farm animals, furthur information can be found on Compassion in World Farming's (CIWF) website www.ciwf.org.uk CIWF totally condemns the live export trade and advocates a trade in meat to avoid unnecessary suffering,

For more information about this please contact Compassion in World Farming on 01730 264208. or by e-mail: compassion@cifw.co.uk

Mavis Thornton

10 St Mary's Close,

Ilkley.

Mrs S M READ

126 Skipton Road,

Ilkley.

Vet's point

SIR, - Following the recent letter regarding dog faeces in public places, I would like to voice my own concerns, not only as a mohter of three children and a dog lover, but also a a veterinary surgeon.

Aside from the unpleastantness of abandoned dog faeces, there are some very serious health implications. One parasite's eggs found in dog faeces can infect human beings, and there have been numerous recorded cases of infections in children in the last 12 months, 60 of which have resulted in loss of sight.

These eggs can survive in the environment for up to two years, so please, not just to relieve the general unpleasantness, but also for our children's health, follow the example of all responsible dog owners and pick up your dog's faeces and, just as importantly, make sure that your dog is wormed regularly.

Anne MacGregor

Ashlands Veterinary

Centre,

119 Leeds Road,

Ilkley.

Experiments

SIR, -Every day in Britain, thousands of animals are killed in vivisection

experiments - and in most cases, no anaesthetic at all is used.

Animals may be starved, electrocuted, mutilated or poisoned to death. Many experiments involve the deliberate infliction of pain or extreme stress, because that is what the experiment is about.

Many different species are used, including cats, dogs, rodents, pigs, birds and primates.

These experiments cause appalling suffering to enormous numbers of animals each year. This suffering is not helping with medical research.

In fact, animal experiments are very misleading, because different species, including people, react differently to the same drugs. We need to stop using animals, and instead spend our research money on methods that are directly relevant to people, such as clinical observation, tissue cultures, human microdosing and epidemiology.

Animal Aid is calling for an independent public inquiry into animal

experiments, which we believe will show that vivisection is unreliable and

misleading.

To support this campaign, please wear our 'End animalexperiments wristband. To buy one (they cost a pound), visit

www.animalaid.org.uk/shop or phone 01732 364546.

Richard Mountford

Development Manager,

Animal Aid.

Breast check

SIR, - This October, the Breast Cancer Forum is encouraging women to find out about their risk of breast cancer. Understanding risk is an important part of breast cancer awareness.

Contrary to popular belief, young women have a very low risk of breast cancer. Risk increases with age, with 80 per cent of cases occurring in women over 50. Women can work out their own risk by looking at the statistics below:

l Risk up to age 25: 1 in 15,000

l Risk up to age 30: 1 in 1,900

l Risk up to age 40: 1 in 200

l Risk up to age 50: 1 in 50

l Lifetime risk: 1 in 9

The Breast Cancer Forum encourages all women to be breast aware. This means being familiar with how their breasts look and feel normally, knowing what changes to look for and speaking to their GP immediately if they have any concerns.

Women over the age of 50 are eligible for routine breast screening. Last year more cancers than ever before were detected early by the NHS Breast Screening Programme. Early detection followed by prompt treatment gives women a much better chance of survival.

The Breast Cancer Forum