SIR - Earlier this month I attended the excellent exhibition and presentation by Settle and District Chamber of Trade, at the town's Victoria Hall. It was both positive and encouraging and showed that Settle's business community was facing the future with optimism and determination.

How disappointing then to read the letter from Sandra Price in last week's Herald. So, we have a new supermarket and it is actually in the town not at some out-of-town site, and by Sandra Price's own admission it is bringing shoppers in.

Booth's car park is no further from many of the town centre shops than the Craven District Council parks at Whitefriars or Greenfoot and it is free. Surely these are all opportunities for the existing traders in Settle to build on if they really do have the optimism and determination to develop Settle into a thriving local centre for the 21st century.

However, if all their blinkered eyes can see is the death of their vision of a quaint market town from the middle of the last century then perhaps it is a pity they didn't open those eyes and see it sooner, because that was dying well before Booth's appeared on the scene.

Together with the supermarket and the new primary school, Settle has recently begun to develop a real sense of community and purpose. The ambitions of the Chamber of Trade have every chance of succeeding.

Come on Sandra, take another look. The glass isn't half empty it's actually half full and it's rising!

John Diggles

Mainsfield Rise, Giggleswick

SIR - I feel there is a need to reply to Sandra M Price's whingeing and frankly vague letter about Booths supermarket in Settle.

First let me say that I am not an admirer of the sports stadium-like structure that has been imposed upon us; and never will be. I also had reservations about the supermarket concept for Settle when it was first proposed. Nevertheless we have a supermarket.

It's been with us for a year and I, for one, have been won over by the quality and efficiency of the store. The benefits it has brought to the community by attracting customers who live ten miles east and west of Settle, who would have shopped farther afield is plainly evident. I now see people from Long Preston, Hellifield and Ingleton enjoying the benefits of the store. Where in the past they would have little choice but to make a lengthy drive.

In terms of jobs created it is a pleasure to see so many local faces of all generations eager to assist customers. Both inside and outside the store. All of which Mrs Price deftly ignores in her letter.

I quite agree that due to Booths, shopping habits have changed, and all to the good of the consumer. Now instead of the bi-weekly trips to the Skipton supermarkets my family shops in Settle - regularly. The opening of Booths has also opened the eyes of those managing our Co-op. Disadvantaged though the Co-op is with its access problems, it has endeavoured to raise its game and match Booths on a value for money basis, and so have many of our other traders. We now shop almost entirely locally, and at the Co-op more than we ever did.

I agree that Settle needs to change. I also believe that Settle residents and business people will rise to the challenge through the chamber of trade and other initiatives being enthusiastically pursued by those who care for Settle. Just because a supermarket has opened its doors is not the signal to roll over and die as Ms Price suggests.

Tony Warner,

The Mains, Giggleswick

SIR - Thank you for the article in the Craven Herald about the new location of the Volunteer Bureau.

Unfortunately some of the accompanying material may cause confusion among your readers.

The main purpose of the Volunteer Bureau is to provide information to prospective volunteers about the numerous volunteering opportunities that exist in Craven. We also take referrals from volunteer-involving organisations when they need help in searching for suitable volunteers.

In addition to this, the Volunteer Bureau runs its own "Good Neighbour Scheme", which offers befriending and help with small tasks such as collecting prescriptions, changing library books, light shopping etc. for older and disadvantaged people.

Our "Home Service Scheme" offers help with decorating, DIY tasks and gardening for disadvantaged people. The Volunteer Bureau can be contacted on 01756 701648.

Although the Volunteer Bureau did, for many years, run the Volunteer Car Scheme this has recently been passed over to Craven Community Transport so that the service is integrated with the minibus services that group offers.

The Furniture Store is not part of the Volunteer Bureau. This is a separate service run under the umbrella of Craven Voluntary Action and, having also recently moved to new premises, can be contacted on 01756 748200.

Dee Pollitt

Volunteer Bureau Co-ordinator

SIR - Once again, North Yorkshire Police Authority is facing very difficult decisions about police expenditure next year and we want to hear the views of local people on the issues raised.

In 2002-03, £96 million will be spent on providing a police force for this county. Due to normal inflationary factors and other spending pressures which are unavoidable, this could rise by about £6.5 million in 2003-04.

In addition, the chief constable and the authority will be required to implement elements of the Government's Police and Criminal Justice System Reform programme, a set of initiatives designed to make significant improvements in the way in which the police and courts services are delivered. We estimate that this could cost an extra £5 million.

Unfortunately, this area will not receive any extra money next year from the Government, over and above inflation, to help us out - the view is being taken nationally that the extra resources for policing announced in the budget should be directed to those areas of the country where levels of crime are high. Despite understandable local concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour, North Yorkshire and York have relatively low crime levels compared with other, more urban parts of the country.

So, like last year, when local people told us that they would rather see council tax levels rise rather than cuts in services, the police authority will be faced with some difficult decisions early next year.

People constantly tell us that they want to see more of the police service rather than less. They want to see improvements made, not reductions in standards. But the authority will not be able to meet the police's expenditure needs next year without either cutting services or once again raising council tax levels substantially. It's a difficult choice but it's one we must face.

We want to tell your readers, the customers, about these choices and to get views on what the authority should do. Their reaction earlier this year guided our decisions - we want them to help us again next year.

We are to hold a public meeting at Aireville School Hall on January 8 at 7pm. We and senior officers from the force will explain all the issues and answer questions. We know it is difficult to find the time to attend such a meeting on a winter's night but the public's views are important.

Facts and figures will also be available on our website - www.nypa.org.uk - or on request from our offices - 01765 641839.

Coun Mike Doyle,

Jean Anderson,

Craven representatives,

North Yorkshire Police Authority.

SIR - I am writing to let you know about CancerBACUP's new booklet, The Emotional Effects of Cancer, which may be of use to some of your readers, especially at this time of year.

Christmas is a time when families and friends get together to enjoy each other's company, but it can also be stressful, particularly for people experiencing a difficult time in their lives.

This can be true of people who have recently been diagnosed with cancer or those who have been living with the disease and are uncertain about what the future holds.

Some may feel under pressure to have the 'perfect Christmas'. Others may even feel angry, sad, anxious or depressed. It can also be difficult for relatives and friends of cancer patients, who may not know how to react - whether to talk about these feelings, or pretend everything is 'normal'.

This is where CancerBACUP comes in. The leading national information charity for people affected by cancer has produced this new booklet to help people understand the emotional effects of cancer. It suggests ways to deal with the many feelings that a cancer diagnosis produces, and also gives advice to partners, carers and friends.

CancerBACUP gives people the information they need to face cancer without fear.

All services are free to cancer patients, their families and friends. The charity's specialist cancer information nurses are available to give information and support to people affected by cancer. The number to call is 0808 800 1234 and we are open between Christmas and New Year.

Joanne Rule

Chief Executive,

CancerBACUP

SIR - To the ratepayers of Glusburn parish, I regret having to cast gloom over the festive season but hang on to your money.

If the December meeting of Glusburn parish council is any indication, your rates for next year will soar.

Last year a whopping 30 per cent increase was collected from ratepayers. This year's precept will bring it to a staggering 80 per cent over four years, with prospects of much more being taken out of reserves.

What will you get for your money? A decrease in traffic? A new railway station? Things which are vital to our community? No!

Whilst I support the retaining of Glusburn Institute, I question the validity of the parish council paying for an employee of the institute at a budget of £10,000 for 20 hours a week. This is on top of £30,000 forked out over the last two years to purchase the old Baptist Chapel.

The rate of inflation over the last four years has been less than three per cent.

How can the parish council justify their huge increases, which penalise the elderly and low paid workers who only get rises at inflation levels.

Please remember councillors, some ratepayers have limited means to pay for our facilities.

Roger Nicholson,

Jessamine Place, Cross Hills.

SIR - It was with deep sadness that I read in the Craven Herald of the death of Bruce Main of Hellifield.

Whilst I have only known Bruce briefly over the past few months since my own arrival in the village, I have come to respect this kind man, so very well read and travelled; a real joy to spend a couple of hours with over a glass of wine and a pint of beer of an evening.

An ex-Merchant Navy man, Bruce was one of those rare people who could assimilate with persons of all ages and backgrounds, a man with no airs and pretensions; a great listener and raconteur. He was also one in whose company you could enjoy periods of silence. Although almost blind, he could regularly be seen walking around the village, and would stop and talk to many on the road side, particular our youth, who, as all youths do, tend to congregate in groups on corners, and in whom he saw so much potential. Indeed, it was two of the younger members of our community who pointed out his obituary notice, and I know that they, as I, will miss this truly gentle man.

May God bless Bruce, and his daughter and grandchildren, of whom he spoke regularly, and was so proud.

Jonathan Dickson,

Newton Way, Hellifield.