Letters to the Editor

SIR, - The fate of the Wheatley Hotel now lies in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate.

We can now only hope that the community argument overcomes planning policies, whose sole aim seems to be to build on any piece of open space.

Without the support of so many people, the Save Us Pub campaign would not have been able to put together what was seen as a strong case against the permanent loss of Ben Rhydding's 'local'.

It was ironic that during the course of the public inquiry, it became clear that it was (and is) commercially viable to have the Wheatley open - something which Punch all along had claimed was not the case.

All sections of the community brought their weight to bear, including our local councillor and local vicar, others who spoke at the inquiry, the many people who contributed to our fundraising, and those who played a role in organising the campaign itself.

That in itself is indicative of what a community is all about - and what is at risk if the decision goes against us.

ALAN DREW

Save Us Pub campaign.

Let us prey!

SIR, - Of the numerous articles and letters written about Ilkley's cemetery chapels, none addresses the reason they fell into disuse in the first place.

Why were these buildings allowed to fall into disrepair? Worse still, who allowed such?

Am I to suppose that it started in the sixties when many churchyards were cleared of headstones? Had it not been for the persistence of certain residents, All Saints' headstones, which now lay beside the cemetery perimeter, would have ceased to exist.

Much is made of vandalism in the area, but naught of its boarded up lodge house. I find it extraordinary that those who regularly walk their dogs beside its overgrown and untidy garden fail to notice this fact.

If not required for residential, it would be ideal for office utilisation, thus relieving all (asleep or otherwise) of desecration by unwanted intrusion of commercial enterprises. A little lateral thinking goes a long way.

With regard to the letter 'Crossing points' (February 2), you don't 'alf go on, name and address supplied.

I wonder if you're one of the not quite 50 who drive like the devil and don't stop for folk already ON the crossings, who, when forced to stop, say they didn't see anyone.

Didn't see anyone, myself, wearing a bright yellow jacket which everyone else could see. There are more drivers NOT as you describe in your last two paragraphs who DON'T concentrate. I wonder why you are so afraid to give your name.

Perhaps you are one of those who can't see bright yellow jackets.Not everyone behind the wheel is a perfect driver.

As to aged motorists, you too will be one some day. So get your facts right, name and address supplied.

Might I suggest that you copy the following and attach it to your sun visor - 'Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. Perhaps concentration will begin to prevail.

FRAZER IRWIN

Queens Road,

Ilkley,

West Riding.

Kissing danger

SIR, - New research published in the British Medical Journal shows that 'intimate' kissing with lots of partners quadruples the risk of meningitis in teenagers.

On behalf of national charity Meningitis UK I would urge kissing teens to be more aware of the symptoms of meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

I do not want to stand in the way of young love, but I suggest that teenagers know what to look out for and act quickly if they suspect they or a friend are ill. That is why I would like to offer all your readers a free lifesaving fridge magnet.

This unique 'Know the Symptoms' magnet highlights the symptoms of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia, explains how to carry out the 'Tumbler Test' and urges people to seek medical help immediately if they suspect something is wrong.

For your free fridge magnet, please send an A5 self-addressed envelope with a 47p stamp on, to Meningitis UK, 25 Cleeve Wood Rd, Downend, Bristol, BS16 2SF.

I would also like to hear from families who have been affected by meningitis or anyone who may wish to support Meningitis UK. For more information please phone 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org.

Steve Dayman

Chief Executive,

Meningitis UK,

25 Cleeve Wood Road,

Downend,

Bristol,

S16 2SF.

Shoppers' role

SIR, - Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) has just made public the overall results of its exhaustive two-yearly survey to monitor how well animals are reared, transported and slaughtered for the UK's leading supermarkets.

The results show that Britain's supermarkets are continuing to make good progress in many aspects of farm animal welfare and give a clear indication of supermarkets' commitment to improve animal welfare in response to the rapidly growing consumer demand.

In particular they deserve praise for moving away from battery eggs and for encouraging the humane slaughter of fish.

However, the CIWF survey also reveals that supermarkets still permit some alarming farming practices which leave farmed animals open to suffering. It is unacceptable that imported pig meat from stall systems banned on cruelty grounds in the UK is being sold here.

It is even more unacceptable that supermarkets are permitting farmers to break Government guidelines on stocking densities for broilers and to ignore EU legislation on tail docking and the provision of straw for pigs.

We know that supermarkets have the power to change this and that we, as consumers,want them to.

As consumers, we can all help accelerate the pace of change by ensuring that any meat, poultry and other animal products we buy are free range or, better still, organic.

The full report of the latest survey results is available on the website www.ciwf.org and consumers who are concerned about farm animal welfare can request copies of the Compassionate Shoppers Guide by calling CIWF on (01730) 264208.

Ms L CRACKNELL

7 Deaconess Court,

Ilkley.

Trav mourned

SIR, - The Trav is closed? I can't be the only thirty-something left reminiscing about nights spent shivering on the pavement as the queue snaked down the stairs; the sticky carpet and dance floor the size of a postage stamp; bringing boy friends back to Ilkley and subjecting them to 'trial by Trav'; and then tottering to the Ambulance for a kebab and all home by midnight (honest Dad).

I'm sure those residents who regularly woke up to sick-stained gates on a weekend will, quite rightly, not mourn its passing but I for one will be raising a glass (half of lager and lime, please) and tucking into a cheese and ham toastie this Saturday in remembrance.

Becky Taylor

Ash Grove,

Ilkley.

Help for carers

SIR, - A recent news campaign has highlighted a 'bleak outlook for carers' (ITN News) in which they describe declining health in carers and the question of where carers themselves can get the support they need.

This is not just an issue in deprived areas. In Airedale alone there are over 12,000 carers - unpaid people looking after a friend or family member with a disability or illness. The answer to ITN's 'Who Cares?' campaign, at least locally, is: We do.

The Carers' Resource is working with general practices across Airedale to improve support for carers. We have offices in Harrogate and near Skipton and we help many thousands of carers of all ages both practically and emotionally.

Working with other voluntary and statutory organisations within the community, we encourage carers to think of their own needs by providing information, one-to-one support, benefits advice, personalised training and employment guidance, social groups, and many volunteering opportunities to help make it a better outlook for carers and the person they care for.

If you are a carer and would like more information, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact The Carers' Resource on (01756) 700888

Anne Smyth

Director,

The Carers' Resource,

11 North Park Road,

Harrogate.

Freight plan

SIR, - Isn't it time that there was a national plan for freight? Freight transport is one of the few major areas of the UK economy for which there is no such plan.

No framework for decision making. No long-term goals or targets. All a bit of a muddle.

Odd this, bearing in mind that 45 per cent of everything we spend on transport goes towards moving goods. Almost everything we use or consume every day of our life is the product of a freight movement, most of it by lorry.

We all depend on freight transport both at work and at home. And yet most of the public debate about transport concerns the movement of people. There is too little positive thinking on issues like the size and weight of lorries, the enormous shortage of lorry drivers, dealing with congestion on roads and motorways, access to the ports - and away from them, lorry access in town centres, rail freight, etc.

The list is substantial, vital to the economy and thus important to all of us. But we have no central plan, just a patchwork of decisions and, usually, a priority for passengers.

The UK is still the fourth largest economy in the world and its freight transport operators are world leaders in their smart operations. But with a sharper national focus on the needs of freight then we could improve, producing even better service and cutting out wasted costs.

Let's take freight seriously.

Malcolm Bingham

Head of Policy

Northern England

Freight Transport Association

Springwood House

Low Lane,

Horsforth.