Supreme cowardice of the BNP

I am therefore surprised that a Skipton supporter of the BNP, the one political party which according to its literature, stands for the "best of British", should send one to me.

The writer, whoever he or she is, ought to be ashamed for letting the BNP's cultural standards down so badly.

The writer informs me that the BNP is the only party which stands up for the "indigenous", native born people of Britain. That lets me out for a start.

No doubt I ought to be deported to Canada on the next plane, and not to the Indian sub-continent where the writer wishes me to go! I would also like to ask the BNP, given their hostility to Europe, what they would do about all the European Community funded projects going up in the Dales; if they would consider refunding the money (where from?) or perhaps pulling the buildings down? Surely, honour bound, they should do one or the other?

My anonymous correspondent takes me to task for giving a "lecture" in the local paper. Most people who have spoken to me about my last letter in the Herald, thanked me for it. Several had put the obnoxious BNP literature, forced through their letterbox unasked, straight into the waste bin.

One friend even ran after the BNP post person and returned the leaflets somewhat unceremoniously. While we live in a free country with a free press, we can still express our considered views, and these, people can choose to read or not to read. I do wonder however, what would happen if the BNP ever got a measure of control.

I decided to write again to the Herald, having just learnt that the BNP are fielding 101 candidates in the local elections in Yorkshire, 56 more than last time. Like my anonymous correspondent, I fully intend to use my vote, not for the BNP, but for one of the main stream political party candidates, who at least regard all the citizens of this country as equals.

Kathleen Kinder,

Valley View,

Station Road, Giggleswick

SIR - I am happy to debate the merits of Jenny Gaiawyn's recent holiday in Fallujah with your correspondent Richard Hargreaves. He at least has the decency to identify himself, in contrast to the anonymous letter writers who sent racist and abusive material to my home following my recent letter published in the Craven Herald.

Mr Hargreaves says it matters not whether Ms Gaiawyn's allegations are true, what is important is that they are believed by the Iraqi population.

Of course, the claims may be believed by the Iraqis because people like Ms Gaiawyn insist they are true. So is constructed a perfectly circular argument, hermetically insulated from such old fashioned notions such as truth and accuracy.

In the unlikely event of Ms Gaiawyn providing evidence to back up her claims, they would be rigorously investigated by the authorities - as we have seen recently with more well-founded allegations of abuse.

If found to be true, the perpetrators will be brought to justice and punished. This highlights the crucial distinction between democracies and the sort of regime favoured by Ms Gaiawyn's friends in the Middle East.

I am afraid I cannot share Mr Hargreaves' gratitude for Ms Gaiawyn. It may be that by spreading poison she may do some good, but I honestly doubt it.

I remain convinced that her self-indulgence not only puts her own life at risk, but endangers truly courageous men and women whose only wish is to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis.

William Carmichael

West Bank Avenue, Skipton

SIR - Mentioning that Duncan Carse, broadcaster, actor and Antarctic explorer died on May 2 aged 90 may bring few signs of recognition from your readers.

But if I mention Dick Barton, Special Agent, the whole nation above a certain age will feel a quickening heartbeat.

In silent defiance of my headmaster, the burly and awesome ML Foster, I would push aside my Ermysted's homework at quarter to seven each weekday evening and switch on the wireless.

My pulse would be racing in tune with the wonderful rapid staccato signature tune, the Devil's Gallop.

I, along with an estimated 13 million listeners, just had to know how Dick, Jock and Snowy had extricated themselves from the plight they had been plunged into on the previous day in their fight against evil.

By 7 o'clock at least one of the trio would be back in the proverbial. They made James Bond seem like Noddy on a bad day.

The BBC axed Dick Barton in 1951 and replaced it with the dreary ramblings of the Archers, which still drones on.

My theory is that the Government, waking to potential additional cost of treating stress and arterial fibrillation under the fledgling NHS, persuaded the BBC to put out something much more soporific.

And what about Duncan Carse, whom you may by now have guessed was one of the Dick Bartons?

In 1951 he returned to his first love, Antarctic exploration. Some of his real life escapades were just as nailbiting as those of Dick Barton.

Carse Point in Antarctica and Mount Carse in South Georgia Island are named after him. If only they had named the latter Mount Barton we older ones would surely have had no trouble pointing it out on maps of the South Atlantic.

Owen Oliver,

Bent Lane, Colne.

SIR - Many years ago there were two infamous grave robbers called Burke and Hare, who were eventually caught and paid the price for their terrible deeds.

Now we have modern day grave robbers in the shape of Craven District Council.

I wanted to straighten the headstone on my wife's grave which is only small but due to settlement was slightly leaning inwards and just needed levelling by a competent person. But, no. It's got to have a fancy new base which would cost about £200 when £20 would do and as the stone is no danger to anyone, it will have to stay as it is.

Also the public won't be aware but when my name wants adding to the head stone, apart from what the monumental mason will charge, Craven District Council charges £150 for letting this work be done and yet there is nothing at all to do with them.

If you want to buy a grave, they already charge over £550 for a plot and nearly £200 for opening the grave - and if the grave is for more than one person and the second person outlives the first by more than 30 years then, surprise, surprise, the benevolent council charges you all over again for your plot of land.

If you decide on cremation, the price of that has risen out of all proportion to last year's charges.

Things would be better if the cemetery was maintained in a reasonable manner but it has never looked so scruffy.

With the sort of charges they now make it's time they smartened the place up.

Stanley Phillips,

Keighley Road, Skipton.

SIR - Although John Sheard has left the Duke of Devonshire's staff. his admiration is to be applauded (Craven Herald, May 7).

However, the reason the estate opened itself up to the public via access agreements on much of the 30,000 acre Bolton Abbey estate was in return for grants and tax breaks. Strid Woods has also benefitted from grants from the public purse.

PR Strickland,

Raikes Top, Langcliffe.

SIR - A voter's ballot paper has never been secret.

A moment's reflection by correspondents would recall that, when attending the polling station, you were required to declare your name. An officer would check the name and address on the electoral roll.

The electoral roll number would be read out to a second officer who physically endorsed and issued a ballot paper bearing a serial number. The electoral roll number would be recorded against the serial number of the ballot paper issued.

Therefore the paper posted into the ballot box was never secret. Anyone who cared to, could tally the ballot papers with the names of the voters. So what's different in a postal vote?

However, personally, I would argue against postal voting for all on the basis that attendance at a polling station is a physical and public affirmation of the individual's participation in the democratic process. It has elements of a sacred community ceremony which transcend the mundane matter of placing a pencil mark in a box on a small piece of paper.

People have struggled, suffered and, indeed, died in the history leading to universal suffrage in this country and it is surely not asking too much to expect that those who can should respect that by getting out of their armchairs and making the walk to a local polling station.

Think of the queues of voters for the first democratic elections in South Africa.

Hector J Hill,

Grove Park Gardens, Settle.

SIR - Further to recent correspondence relating to the definition of a highway.

Some time ago, I enquired as to the planning requirements for a proposed conservatory at the rear of my house. Craven District Council planning department responded that as it would overlook a highway, various rules and regulations would apply.

The highway in question? The Leeds and Liverpool canal towpath! I kid you not.

Michael Jaunzems,

Old Hall Croft, Gargrave

SIR - My home is in Bridlington, but periodically I come to stay with my daughter and son-in-law here in lovely North Yorkshire. So I have the best of both worlds, seaside and country.

I love to come here especially now, when everything is bursting into bloom and the fields are filling up with sheep and lambs.

I like visiting Skipton and Settle, but think I prefer Settle (especially on market day). The drawback for me, visiting these towns is the streets, very much in keeping with the towns historic appearance but not very comfortable when being pushed around in a wheelchair which my son-in-law quite cheerfully does.

The cobbled streets make for a very bumpy ride, also there are few dropped kerbs. However I can see that dropped kerbs would detract from the look of the streets so am quite happy to bump around and enjoy your towns.

The people are very friendly too and the chair I use is lent to my daughter by a very good friend.

A lot of the club members make me lovely fruit loaves and sends them down for me.

My daughter and son-in-law give me all the help and support I could wish for, all wrapped up with lots of T.L.C. They have taken me on canal boats and on the lovely Settle and Carlisle railway. Soon I shall have to return to Bridlington but look forward to coming back in the near future.

Mrs P Crossland,

Hellifield Social Club,

Gisburn Rd, Hellifield.

SIR - I am at a loss as to why Chief Insp Tad Nowakowski is "absolutely flabbergasted" by the village "yobs" destroying a tree in memory of Princess Diana (for the third time apparently), together with other damage caused by the same yobs (Craven Herald May 14).

In the same paper he was quoted as saying that an attack on a wheelchair bound lady was "despicable and beggared belief".

Whilst I agree with him wholeheartedly, I question his ability to realise what is happening in the real world and wonder where does he spend his Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for instance?

I would suggest he takes a trip into the centre of Skipton from say 9pm onwards on any of these nights to see for himself the conduct of our society - then perhaps he would not be so "flabbergasted".

I also believe it's time that he woke up and did something to help us all live in a safer environment - after all, is this not what our police are paid to do?

Margie Golby,

Pinder Bridge Mews,

Skipton.

SIR - I write to support Brian Kershaw, the president of Skipton Art Club and his letter to the Craven Herald concerning the efforts of Craven District Council in their endeavour to create a public art gallery in Skipton.

The status and attraction of any town is enhanced by its cultural amenities such as galleries, museums, libraries and music venues. Art is publicly displayed by our near neighbours in Harrogate, Burnley, Blackburn, Barrowford etc so why not in Skipton?

There is considerable activity locally in the visual arts but the venues to present this work to the public are few. A gallery in Skipton would do much to redress the situation and be an asset to our town.

Martin Wilkinson,

High Fold, Kelbrook.

SIR - I was horrified to read that some pensioners from Long Preston had been chopped from a Settle dentist's register (Craven Herald May 7).

These people have paid taxes all their lives for some impertinent treatment from someone educated using their taxes.

Harry Jackson,

Valley Road, Clitheroe.

SIR - After reading the last two editions of the Craven Herald I had to pinch myself to make sure I was still living in Skipton.

The same town is crying out for extra car parking spaces and yet two applications for parking spaces refused - Ermysted's Grammar School and Skipton Building Society.

Ermysted's have been parking cars on their drive for years but during recent construction work started parking on their front lawn.

Maybe permission was not granted to allow them to do this permanently but does it look so terrible?

I have driven past on a number of occasions and hardly noticed the cars because of the wall screening them from the road. I have to wonder if this is a case of sour grapes; after all, a number of years ago the school was being asked to give up half of the playing field to park school buses on.

As for Skipton Building Society, I find it hard to believe the reason for refusing (that it would be detrimental to the appearance of the society and the town). I can think of far worse eyesores on every road leading into Skipton than seeing the tops of a few more cars.

I live in one of the area's worst affected by out of town parkers and we are hoping to have residents only parking starting next year, so I would have thought any suggestions to help alleviate the problem of what to do with hundreds of extra cars when this does come into force would have gratefully accepted.

Mrs Hazel Simpson,

Neville Street, Skipton.

Editor's note: The planning application for Skipton Building Society has not been refused. The application was opposed by Skipton Town Council, as reported in the Craven Herald last week. The town council's comments will be taken into consideration when the decision to accept or refuse is made by Craven District Council.

SIR - Brown bins were issued to households to encourage recycling of garden waste with grass cuttings at the top of the list. So:

Why does the contractor who mows the grass areas in villages leave the grass behind, give them brown bins too, increase recycling and keep areas tidy?

Why when Craven councillors boast about "best value" do they select a contractor who runs up and down with the machine and if some grass is missed it is left to grow until next time?

The grass and weeds are left to blow around, look untidy and spread weeds into well kept gardens. No councillor would accept this if employing them privately.

Why does no-one seem to monitor the work once the contract has been awarded. It's our council tax wasted on poor value.

D Holmes,

Wood Close, Bradley.

o More letters on page 16