Letters to the Editor

As an 11-year-old I am glad that I am aware of these things in life -- that people lose loved ones due to things like cancer.

Some people might think that an 11-year-old should not know about these sorts of things but I can assure you that awareness is a very important thing. So I would like to say a very big thank you to my family, my nan, my teachers at Parkwood Primary School and my friends and everyone who sponsored me.

Thank you to the people who organised the event, which gave someone like me a chance of having a lovely day, and hopefully the money I raised will help somebody get well or make their life happier.

AIMEY GERRARD

ADDRESS SUPPLIED

SIR - I'm writing in reply to the story you recently ran in the Keighley News.

I feel that the negative media images you portrayed of John Graham's character and lifestyle only contribute to the vulnerability, stigmatisation, marginalisation, dehumanisation and social exclusion John faces daily in his life, not to mention the verbal, physical and mental abuse he suffers as a result of this.

Many times I have collected John from the hospital because he has been subject to violent attacks, many times I myself have witnessed John been verbally abused, provoked and threatened whilst he has been sat on Cavendish Street minding his own business.

I would like to suggest you read the Rough Sleeping Report by the Social Exc-lusion Unit 1998. Chapter 1: Who Sleeps Rough - Back-grounds and Contributory Factors.

I would also like to point out that I feel sending John to prison is not the solution. John has multiple and complex needs. He has been failed by the system countless times and I believe filling prisons with people because they're homeless is a waste of tax payers' money.

I know you may say he should face prison because he has broken his ASBO, however, would he have an ASBO had he not been sleeping rough, eating out of bins and urinating in the town centre. As John is not allowed in the centre he cannot access the public toilets. Where do you suggest he uses the toilet ?

John may go to prison for a short period of time. However, he will eventually be released and consequently end up back on the streets.

Thank you for your time

Sarah Graham

ADDRESS SUPPLIED

SIR - My post-General Election resolution was to ignore the BNP until the next election. However, I feel that I must respond to Cllr Kirby's latest epistles to the KN.

In the May 13 edition he uses the phrase "Staggering 9.2 per cent of the vote" and in last week's edition he uses the phrase "high support ratio". Let us get the facts right.

As the old saying goes, there are lies, damned lies, and statistics, and Cllr Kirby has to put as good a gloss on his result as he can, but nothing can hide the fact that the BNP achieved a very bad result on Thursday, May 5, 2005.

In June 2004, fighting three Keighley wards, the BNP obtained 4,546 votes, less than a year later fighting a Constituency of six wards with a high profile candidate, they received 4,240 votes, hardly a staggering result. I was never very good at maths but I think these figures indicate a dramatic fall in support for the BNP in Keighley.

In last week's edition Cllr Kirby denies that his party spreads hate. Need I remind him of the TV documentary in which he played a starring role? With regard to the National Front, there can be little doubt that the BNP is a direct descendant of the National Front. Indeed, from 1974 to 1989, Nick Griffin was a leading member.

Finally he feels insulted because of references to fascism. Perhaps he is unaware that his leader is a Holocaust denier, or that one of his national organisers feels "inspired" by the record of the WW2 German Army".

Trevor Lindley

Far Slack Farm

Back Lane

Stanbury

SIR - Cllr Kirby's letter was positive and direct in his reply to the fears of Sabhia Khalil, but he should not have found the need for this kind of letter if the election campaign had been conducted in the public interest.

If we had had the debating platform which was talked about Sabhia Khalil would have been at liberty to put her concerns to BNP leader Nick Griffin with the other parties present and members of the general public.

But no, Labour did not want a debate -- since when did Labour ever consider the rights of the public? The BNP presence was the perfect get out.

As far as the BNP were concerned we had reports in this newspaper, we had letters from Messrs Lindley and Spellor, but very few people got a chance to speak to or challenge Mr Griffin, hence Sabhia Khalil's concerns.

At least now Sabhia has an opportunity to contact Cllr Kirby herself and make her own mind up, free from letters or secret agendas, men in black and all the other unfounded rubbish put about, giving the public a distorted view of the BNP.

I would suggest to Sabhia Khalil that she books an appointment to see Cllr Kirby, she may not agree with his politics, but at least she can judge for herself if the BNP are the evil force Ann Cryer would have us all believe.

R P BEALE

Higher Row,

Hainworth Shaw,

Keighley

Sir - In reply to the response by Christopher Kirby to my original letter, I would just like to ask what these problems in Keighley are and how the BNP is going to fix them?

He also stated in the letter that he would like proof that the BNP are spreading hate. I refer him to my original letter in which I made comments about the television documentary based in Keighley and Bradford and Nick Griffin's comments about Islam and its beliefs. I also believe that people abuse Islam for their own good and I'm not just talking about Nick Griffin. Islam is a peaceful religion and that's how people should see it. We're not all suicide bombers or terrorists.

It just seems to me from everything I read about the BNP that they are a far right party -- and that includes everything I saw on the website, newspapers and leaflets through the post.

But what I need to know is what the BNP would do for Keighley that the other parties can't. How many ethnic minority candidates does the BNP have? I have been raised to believe not to judge a person before I know them and to look at the person and not the colour. No two faces are the same.

Maybe I haven't done that in this case and maybe I have been prejudiced because of my lack of knowledge of the BNP, so please help me know more.

Sahbia Khalil

Keighley

SIR - A huge thanks and congratulations to Sustrans and Bradford Council for having the foresight and perseverance to complete the first phase of the Cullingworth railway line trail - now open to all who were so vulnerable on the roads.

This will be a delight to all parents of young children, cyclists, horse riders, wheelchairs, prams and hopefully responsible dog owners (complete with plastic bag!)

Here's to the next phase, you have the support of very many local people.

CHRIS DELVES

South Pennine Packhorse

Trails Trust

Yate Lane, Oxenhope

SIR - It was Bank Holiday Monday and the woman standing by the telephone in Cavendish Street seemed in great distress.

"I've just had a row with my boyfriend and I don't know how I'm going to get home. Could you let me have 30p so I can call someone for a lift?"

I watched from the car as she accosted five people in as many minutes, each forking out some money. She made a pretence of going into the callbox, then nipped out again when she was sure they wouldn't turn around and see her.

By the fifth person, I was getting so incensed that I got out of the car and made it plain that I was watching her. When she realised I had seen what was going on, she spent longer than usual in the booth. Her male colleague, realising that something was amiss, came across the road to see what was happening.

After a quick consultation, they disappeared from their pitch towards Hanover Street. My daughter reported that she saw them again minutes later, working the same routine in the Airedale Shopping Centre.

Would the police be interested? Probably not. But hopefully, readers of the Keighley News would.

ANNE BROWN

ADDRESS SUPPLIED

SIR - I feel I have to reply to the letters in the KN regarding John Graham.

Do Steve Mosley and Wendy Shackleton really imagine that every possible avenue has not been explored in resolving John Graham's problems?

They are correct in stating that John Graham needs help. Unfortunately, he refuses to accept any help that is available, and I can assure readers that a vast amount of cash and time has been spent on Mr Graham over the last few years.

For the record, he is not homeless (and has not been for a long time, if at all). He simply prefers to live rough -- but only following his own rules. Surely society has a right to expect a reasonable standard of behaviour from its members -- including those who are in some way disadvantaged.

I don't think anyone who has been abused and or threatened by John Graham over the years (and they are many) will take quite such a lenient view as to his rehabilitation as Mr Mosely and Ms Shackleton.

Regrettably it is my duty as Townlink Chairman to bring the case of John Graham (among others) into the public domain and hope his problems can be resolved, one way or the other.

Perhaps Mr Moseley and Ms Shackleton can find it in their hearts to give Townlink some support; the only objective of this committee is to make Keighley a better place for us all to live.

R J BROWN BSc FBII

Chairman, Townlink

SIR - I would like, through your paper, to wish Keighley Gala a big success and hope the weather is good for the events.

This year I congratulate the small, hard working committee who have had a lot of "set backs" but still are determined to give the town of Keighley and the public their best shot.

So come on you doubters, get out and give support to the events. There's enough 'Doom and Gloom' in the world today. Let your hair down, have a good belly laugh and smile and you'll feel a lot better for it.

And remember Old Mother Riley from 1934 to 1954, played by Arthur Lucan, well you might well see her on the streets of Keighley on Saturday afternoon.

Get out and watch the procession.

ALLAN MASON

Jennygill Crescent,

Skipton

SIR - Can anyone please tell me why the old established Haworth Park of my childhood has been given the Orwellian title of "Central Park"?

Did local residents have a voice in the name change, or was the Stanbury, Haworth and Cross Roads Parish Council consulted?

Perhaps I'm wrong in jumping to the conclusion that a dictate from Big Brother Bradford is solely responsible for the ugly misleading sign hanging above the entrance to what is Haworth Park.

If it's a misplaced sop to visitors from New York, then it's in dire taste.

Whatever, we deserve an explanation.

MRS MURIEL CROOK

ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Editor's Note: Maps and local knowledge suggestboth names are correct -- but I'm certain readers will solve the conundrum for Mrs Crook

SIR - Some weeks ago I was discharged from Airedale Hospital and I feel I must speak of the care given.

I was admitted to Ward 5 for three months. The nursing care given was very efficient and also ever so kind and caring. The physiotherapists were the same. The ward was spotless everywhere, a credit to the domestic staff.

So this letter is to say how wonderful and caring they all were and to say a thank you to all the staff on Ward 5, you are great.

NAME AND ADDRESS

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