Letters to the Editor

SIR, - I am normally a resident in Ilkley and I work at Booths supermarket behind the deli counter.

Currently I am on sick leave and I am recovering from my illness. I came home at Christmas and called in to Booths. I was overwhelmed from the warm welcome that I received. I was wondering if it would be possible to print my thanks in your paper?

They keep in touch with me whilst I am in hospital and really give me the motivation to get better. They have been so supportive to me, as have the customers that I got to know.

I can't wait to get back behind the counter and put the hours in that they deserve. It gives me something to focus on and a goal to aim for.

The Ilkley residents have been so caring and kind and I know that when I get better I'll be able to repay them with the service I provide at the deli.

It would mean a lot if you would publish this as the whole work community in Booths and the customers have been so supportive. I'm slowly getting better and, with the help, I'm doing it!

Lucy Smith

YCED,

Seacroft Hospital,

York Road.

Leeds.

More praise

SIR, - I refer to your report in the Ilkley Gazette (January 8) about the incident at David Woolley's Mantra Restaurant and to Dorothy M Corner's letter in the issue of January 15.

I would like to take this opportunity to confirm that I have also been a regular customer at David Woolley's Mantra. I entirely agree with everything Mrs Corner says and, further more, I have always thoroughly enjoyed every meal I have had at David's excellent restaurant.

It is my opinion that David Woolley runs a first class establishment: he has every reason to be proud of the standards he has reached and maintains.

David's restaurant is an asset both to Burle- in-Wharfedale and to Wharfedale as a whole.

Whilst I clearly cannot comment on the incident itself I do feel that it is important that your readers should know what a truly outstanding restaurant Mantra is and that perhaps the ladies in question should reflect upon that.

Mr A Barton

108 Stanton Road,

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Mill's future

SIR, - With reference to your report last week on the Addingham Civic Sociey's opposition to the Low Mill development.

I respect their views and good intentions but they want to get into 2004. Addingham is no longer a little mill town needing employment for its locals, but an affluent satellite of Ilkley.

Just look at the house prices .The extra trade that will follow this development will benefit our local shops and businesses far more than a few jobs at the mill.

I have lived in Low Mill for 15 years and the last thing I want is a derelict mill again attracting vandals and other undesirables.

John Clayton

SmithyGreaves,

Low Mill Village,

Addingham.

Waste of life

SIR, - I wouldn't dispute that Convance has discovered a lot about medicine and curing disease, but I wonder how much of it benefits me. A drug company boss said in the Financial Times recently: "Boy, we can cure mice like nobody's business, but when it comes to humans we have a harder time,"

A cancer specialist once said: "We have cured mice of cancer for decades, and it simply didn't work in humans"

Another expert said, "God knows we've cured mice of all sorts of tumours. But that isn't medical research." He then stopped doing animal research to concentrate on genetic research based on humans.

A colleague, a past director of an enormous cancer lab, talked of "...a superstitious belief in ghostly unscientific notion: Mice are miniature men".

Humans and animals ARE different- and it seems Convance is building up a great knowledge of illness in animals, but- as the experts testify- this doesn't have anything to do with human health.

Until they abandon animal studies and focus on clinical study of human patients using the priceless technology available today, their claims to be concerned with 'human health' are unconvincing.

Michael Edwards

32 East Parade,

Harrogate.

TV search

SIR, - Wanted : Families or individuals who have been left in the lurch by their builder and are living amongst an unfinished project to take part in a new series for Channel 4 that aims to promote best building practice.

We bring in a project manager with the expertise to assess the situation, formulate a plan of action, and get the project completed.

Through watching the series viewers will learn from the mistakes others have made, and gain an understanding of the correct way to plan a building project and avoid any pitfalls.

I would be grateful to hear from anyone who thinks they may have a case we would be interested in.

Please contact me on (0141) 353 8404 or at the e-mail address below.

Jolene Crawford

Ideal World Productions lenec@idealglasgow.com

Thai bike ride

SIR, - If any readers are looking for some motivation to get fit in 2004, may I suggest getting involved in the Meningitis Trust's Thai Cycle Challenge. Keep this New Year's Resolution and you could swap the gym for the open roads of Thailand in November!

We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our team and help raise money to continue our fight against meningitis on a six-day cycling adventure across Northern Thailand between November 5 and 14

By supporting the Meningitis Trust you enable us to continue offering support for life to those whose lives have been affected by meningitis.

To take part, you will need to pay a non-refundable registration fee of £300. We also ask you to raise a minimum of £2,500 in sponsorship. In return we will provide accommodation, flights, a fully trained support team, meals and importantly, your bike!

Please contact our Events Hotline on 0845 1204530 or email kateb@meningitis-trust.org

Kate Baines

Event Organiser,

Meningitis Trust.

Fern House,

Bath Road,

Stroud,

Gloucestershire,

GL5 3TJ

Poor drivers

SIR, - As someone who uses the moor road almost daily to travel to and from work, I find it bad enough to have to contend with the speed humps at Burley Woodhead without having to worry about the incompetence of a number of drivers.

I am referring in particular to people in 4X4s who seem to have no idea where the nearside of their vehicle is.

The road is narrow, admittedly, but there is a white line down the middle. All drivers have to do to pass each other safely is to stay on their side of the road.

Do they do that? No, they don't, if the number of motorists who have lost wing mirrors is anything to go by.

I've lost count of the number of times I have been forced practically into hedges and verges by incompetents coming the other way. What makes it worse is the mentality of the 4X4 drivers, who seem to think that because they have a larger vehicle they can just push everyone else aside.

My advice to them is that if they are incapable of negotiating the moor road in a proper manner, they should stick to the main roads and leave the rest of us safely alone.

FED-UP MOTORIST

(Name and address

supplied)

Go veggie

SIR, - In 2004, why not pledge to go veggie? Its good for us and our fellow animals.

Giving up meat will reduce your chance of dying prematurely from one of the three biggest killers in the country today: cancer, heart attack and stroke. You will also stand less chance of suffering from heart disease and obesity.

Ajaye Curry

Campaigns Officer,

Animal Aid,

(01732) 354032.