Letters to the Editor

So 4,000 new books is "more than any other branch library in Bradford district" gets, is it? I should hope so too: Prior to 1974 Keighley's was the respected central library of a fully-fledged Municipal Borough. Now, judging by comments I've been hearing for months, its lending department has never stood lower in public esteem.

We are told that the promised new books (most will just be popular paperbacks, by the way) will bring the total lending stock up to 30,000, plus another 9,000 in the children's section. In 1973, on the eve of the Bradford takeover, the combined total for adult and children's lending books was 118,000.

Cliches like "old, tatty and out-of-date books", "unattractive stock" and "books that had not been borrowed for at least 12 months" have been dutifully trotted out over the last thirty years to excuse successive reductions of stock - purges which have invariably included a proverbial throwing out of the baby with the bathwater.

Recently a man in town gleefully showed me his latest purchase in the shape of a substantial cricketing classic in good condition which the library had just sold off for 35p.

Worst of all, I understand that latterly thousands of books have simply been taken away to a tip or landfill site and dumped.

It is going to take very much more than 4,000 paperbacks to restore public confidence in Keighley lending library.

IAN DEWHIRST

Raglan Avenue, Keighley

SIR - I cannot feel sorry for a huntsman loosing his job; who can feel sorry for someone who makes a living out of enjoying terrorising animals, before they are ripped to pieces?

Most other cruel medieval practices have been stopped for a long time, and this was long overdue. Being sarcastic, why is he bothered about his hounds? I thought he enjoyed killing animals.

Without banning hunting with dogs here, how could we persuade other countries to stop animal cruelty.

In Simply Smith a paragraph states "Not once did the government convince the House of Lords that this law was of value and would benefit the nation". No wonder, most of the House of Lords probably either hunted themselves or their friends did.

"Fox Hunting was the issue," as the MPs who voted it through were representing the wishes of the majority of the people.

SAMUEL MOSS

Thornhill Avenue,

Oakworth

SIR - When I last wrote to you in July, I was extremely worried about the future of the Keighley Disabled People's Centre, which has served me and many others so well.

I am very pleased to report that through the hard work of many people things seem to be looking up. It just goes to show that the good idea that those founder members had back in 1981 is still a good idea, it just needs to be allowed to develop.

The people of Keighley can help by calling in to the Christmas Market at the Centre on Saturday, December 11, between 10am and 4pm.

ANNE McKIE

Cliffe Street, Haworth

SIR - I am sure that the Labour Party and Anne Cryer MP will be well pleased after the visit to Keighley by the (well briefed) Robin Cook MP last Friday.

After being met at a local hostelry by Anne Cryer and other Labour Party activists, they paid a visit to the Sangat Centre -- an advice centre serving the Pakistani community of Keighley, where they met the manager of the centre, Ghulam Rabani, but the main host was Councillor Khadim Hussain.

Then it was a quick visit to the Islamic Mission on Spencer street. Mr Cook was advised to express "how brave the Mosque has been in trying to encourage community cohesion".

At around 6pm they adjourned to the Labour Party office for refreshments, where they were joined by Mujeeb Rahman and Aziz Rahman -Secretary and the President the Ahmaddiya group.

Then at 6.30pm they moved to the Holy Family school for the public meeting.

Mr Cook MP was informed that Anne Cryer MP consistently voted against the government viz Iraq.

Mr Cook was told that many in the Asian community have not recognised this fact (despite attempts to demonstrate otherwise). He was asked to "sing Anne's praises and confirming her anti-war but pro-Labour government credentials, as Keighley is a marginal seat".

It seems that Anne Cryer MP is still chasing the ethnic vote,whilst failing to recognise that the rest of Keighley has issues that need to be addressed.

Keighley elected two BNP councillors, and yet Anne Cryer went on TV and the newspapers and called the voters "racist" and "thick". Over 5,000 people in Keighley voted for the BNP. I think that more than wipes out Anne Cryer's majority in the last General election don't you? Just who is "thick" now?

Just one more thing - the Keighley News has admitted that sometimes "letters to the editor" can sometimes be "spiked" by the editor.

The question has to be asked, why didn't he correct Cllr Angela Clarke's typo about calling the Conservative Party candidate Karl Poulson (Mark) Polson before printing? Is the editor, by pointing out the (slip) in "Editor's note", trying to score points from the BNP Councillor?

Robert Hickman

Craven Road.

Keighley.

Editor's note: The name of the Conservative Party candidate for Keighley is Karl Poulsen. The name of Keighley's MP is Ann Cryer.

SIR - I am sure we will all applaud the success of the Sure Start project in Bracken Bank.

This along with the National Minimum Wage, Working Families Tax Credits to mention only two, are Labour Government initiatives which are having a real effect on the lives of the people of Britain.

It should be pointed out however that Mr Poulson's party in the shape of Mr Howard and Oliver Letwin, would axe them all in the unlikely event of them winning the next election.

Trevor Lindley

Far Slack Farm

Back Lane

Stanbury

Editor's note: The name of the Conservative Party candidate for Keighley is Karl Poulsen.

SIR - Councillor Clarke really must try better if she wants to attack the Conservative Party in Keighley.

For a start, if she wishes to use Michael Howard's words to attack us, then she would be better to check her source. What Michael Howard actually said to The Liverpool Echo on October 7 was: "I would love to win seats in Liverpool and other big cities in the north, but we can win the General Election without doing that". This is no more than a recognition of the changing electoral map of the country.

It is an impressive leap from this one comment to say that the Conservatives have written off their chances in Keighley; impressive, but wrong. Keighley is one of the key target seats for the Conservative Party nationally, which is of course one reason why Michael Howard visited the town. When the General Election eventually comes then the electors of Keighley will see how hard the Conservatives have been working, and will work, to win the constituency.

We want as many votes as we can from all sections of the community. We believe that we are uniquely placed to demonstrate that the country is tired of Tony Blair and New Labour, tired of the broken promises and failed policies, tired of spin and control-freakery. If Councillor Clarke is unsurprisingly saying that she won't vote for us, then I can only comment, "Big deal, we'll manage without".

Cllr Mark Startin

Stockshill Close

East Morton

SIR - I would like to thank all the people who supported my petition for the upgrading of Shann Lane footpath and lighting.

I would like to thank the Keighley MP, Ann Cryer, who first signed my petition, plus 130 other people who gave me their support, which I then sent to Bradford City Council.

Ann Cryer took it up with the council, who then wrote to me.

I would also like to thank the Keighley News for coming to see me and taking photographs of litter which had been dumped. Finally I thank the Keighley Committee Chairman, Councillor Andrew Mallinson, and others for backing the proposal.

I am so pleased that common sense prevailed.

DAVID GODSON

Greenacres Drive, Keighley

SIR - I was pleased to see Mary Lister (for Save the Dukes) laying a wreath on Remembrance Sunday.

I know Mary, her brother Michael and their supporters are working really hard on their campaign.

Not many people would take on a campaign like that, so I hope people are thankful to them and that they are supporting them to the full, as we need people like Mary and Michael.

I wish them all the very best and I am sure their brother Tommy and others are very proud of them.

G DOBSON

Address supplied

SIR - No doubt Mr Squires will have seen the Christmas trees and coloured lights in brackets above the shops and businesses in the town centre which appeared over the weekend -- about 65 in all.

These have been provided by the Town Council and a great deal of effort has been put in to ensure that every business with a bracket has been given a tree. This was done last year for the first time, and although it was hard work for a few councillors it proved to be successful and well received. In addition the Town Council has provided colourful Christmas banners which can be seen on North Street and Cavendish Street. Our efforts in doing all this are to encourage more visitors to come into the town to shop and spend their money here.

The Christmas Carnival on Sunday will see a variety of street entertainment, music and school choirs in the Airedale Centre from 10 am. In addition there will be a three day market starting today, which has been organised in association with Bradford Markets Division and on Saturday the Salvation Army will be seen in the Airedale Centre. So I hope the public does appreciate the work that the Town Council has put in to make Christmas 2004 one to remember.

Miggy Bailey

Town Clerk

SIR - The front page article in last week's KN echoed my feelings fairly accurately. I do all my shopping in Keighley, and after having passed the tree several times since then, my opinions are affirmed.

To begin with, I was slightly concerned that there was no tree as the coffee bar is in its place. (I should add that I am a fan of the coffee bar.) The decorations are always lovely and this year's are no exception -- but where was the tree? I found it and was initially relieved -- quickly disappointed. The fairies would be lovely if they were a quarter of the size or less! But the biggest offence is having the tree pushed up against a blanked out window. Could there not have been some kind of scenery or back-drop? The most boring window in Keighley has never had such attention!

The tree is stunning and the snowy woodland scene it used to have alongside it was lovely, with moving furry animals and wishing well. I often changed my route to walk past. I cannot believe there is no room anywhere else in the Airedale Centre. I'm sure an elongated tree area could be accommodated. There may even be room against the coffee bar rail, right at the T-junction. Anywhere would be better than where it is! Please, Airedale Centre Management, have a big think for next year and let's get the tree back to being the centre of attention it should be for all the right reasons (minus fairies!), instead of stuck somewhere to one side that people notice for all the wrong ones!

Kath Gower

Lees Bank Road, Keighley

SIR - Last Saturday the Keighley Lions organised the Santa's Special for school children. My daughter Lydia and other children from Class 4 at Long Lee School were privileged to go on this.

The hour's trip was a pure delight for the children and parents. Keighley Lions deserve a medal for all their hard work making children enjoy Christmas in this way.

SUSAN ETTENFIELD

Moss Carr Avenue,

Long Lee.