Letters to the Editor

There are many people in this area who would love to buy a £75,000 house.

The problem is that rich southerners like Mr Hobbs have bought all of the property to rent out (or give away as presents). Mr Hobbs thinks property is too expensive in the south, so he's buying up properties here instead.

According to your article, he has no intention of leaving the south-east - this is just a holiday home he's bought. There are people in the area who'd like a place to live in permanently, not just for weekends.

I'd like to think I read your paper for the news and current affairs of the area, not for some "Hello" magazine style article.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine rescued a motorcyclist who'd collided with a truck just outside Silsden. Even though Silsden has a fire station, the fire engine was sent all the way from Keighley because of cutbacks. That's news for you.

Paul Price

Weavers Walk

Silsden

SIR - Allegations were made by Cllr G Newton and Cllr N Lajszczuk against me and others about speaking to the press on behalf of Keighley Town Council.

These allegations are untrue, as I spoke to the press in a personal capacity.

It followed my calling into the office of Keighley Town Council on Monday, October 14, at 10 am, just hours after returning from holiday.

Cllrs Lajszczuk and Wright were in the office along with the acting town clerk and the admin assistant.

Certain conversations took place between myself and Cllr Lajszczuk, and since that time I have felt alienated as the whispering and secrecy began.

I and others have worked for a council for Keighley that was honest and open.

To attack fellow Councillors in the Chamber is not behaving in a responsible manner and belittles the trust and responsibility given to all Councillors.

As for calling for resignations, Cllr Newton has missed five of the last nine meetings and apparently refuses to serve on any committees.

Perhaps Cllr Newton is the one who should resign to allow someone who is more productive to take up his seat.

Cllr B Hudson.

Editor's note:- We have had several letters on this subject expressing similar views. This letter was chosen at random

SIR - In the local press I see Councillor Margaret Eaton plus two street wardens, not "traffic wardens," creating jobs looking after the shoppers who go into Bradford, hoping to bring down crime and make it a safer place to shop.

What about Keighley? Isn't Keighley being considered for this type of action? Many an old person is petrified at the thought of going down town shopping. Also sellers of poppies, young cadets doing voluntary work, being set upon. This is just not on.

Then to my dismay, on putting on my TV one morning I saw Bradford in the headlines again, having a champaigne reception for the big noises of Bradford plus Gareth Gates and other TV stars for switching on Bradford's lights.

What about Keighley lights, or lack of them? Are they looking for someone who has either a lighter or a box of matches to light them?

Our thanks go out to the traders of Main Street in Haworth for the way they have got together to make Haworth the place to be this Christmas, for making it so colourful and pleasant.

B BENTHAM

Dean Street, Haworth

SIR - Would the 82 year old lady, name not given, but nee Miss Bellerby of Ilkley, who rang the undersigned at approximately 3.30pm on Friday, November 15, in respect of 1st World War casualty, Harry Lambert, please phone again for important information.

Owing to the surprise of the approach and subsequent convoluted conversation, relevant questions were not posed, and because of an immediate incoming call, I was unable to trace the last caller through 1471!

JOHN B ELLIOT

Ilkley

SIR - As a member of the public who was lucky not to lose a member of my family during the wars of the last century, I still find it important and necessary to remember those who did fall in conflict.

I always participate in a number a Remembrance Day events, and feel humble to stand alongside men and women far braver than I will ever be.

The story in the KN regarding cadets being harrassed was very sad, as these young people are giving their time to a very worthy cause.

But through my own observations on Saturday morning I felt it necessary to write with a couple of points:

1 The area near the Post Office is easily seen as a meeting place of youths (whatever their colour or creed).

2 Some of the cadets were openly fraternising with other non-uniformed youths (including smoking).

I accept that having a smoke is not against the law (I'm not sure about the regulations of their organisation), but this type of interaction attracts the attention of others.

Sadly, volunteers such as the cadets are seen as 'easy pickings' by the lowlife of our community, who help to reduce the standards of their immediate community, and that of others.

Until a tougher stance and a dramatically reduced tolerance is introduced, they will continue to be the bane of our lives.

Mark Pullen

Thorn Street,

Haworth

SIR -If the local authority gave permission for the illuminated Roebuck pub sign, what on earth were they thinking of?

I left Keighley over thirty years ago. However, I could not help but spot this blot on the landscape on my most recent visit this weekend.

In my opinion it is totally unsympathetic for the character of the area.

Chris Lee,

Cherry Orchard,

Worcester.

SIR - I always thought district councillors were elected to work for the people who voted them into office.

Maybe someone can tell me why District Councillor Andy Mudd is proposing a new library for Bradford instead of trying to get urgent repairs and maintenance done to Keighley Library, which has been sadly negelected for may years.

It is a grade 2 listed building and the first Carnegie Public Library built in England, first opened in 1904 and if it is still standing, in 2004 it will celebrate its Centenery.

I challenge Councillor Mudd to publicly produce accounts on the spending on repairs and maintenance for the last five years.

I frequently use the Reference Library and always find it well occupied with people of all age groups and, according to the very helpful staff, many of these are visitors from overseas.

The disabled access to the reference section is non existent.

There is a wheelchair lift (not working) but how are the lame and infirm supposed to have access?

Come on Andy, let's have a bit of our council tax spent back in Keighley.

CLLR G EARNSHAW

Fell Lane & Westburn

Prospect Crescent,

Fell Lane

SIR - I am sorry to hear of the difficulties faced by both Timothy Taylor and residents in respect of planned brewery expansion.

May I offer both sides a potential solution to the problem? In advanced countries with a modern architectural tradition this situation is usually resolved by utilising imaginative building design, appropriate materials and colours, resulting in an industrial site that is a pleasure to look at and meets business requirements.

Residents should refer to the Johnson & Johnson building in Racine, Wisconsin, or a factory occupied by Linn Products in Eaglesham, Glasgow, as examples of this approach.

If success in Keighley does mean eviction then we should all expect to be poor and not mither about it! Thinking caps on everybody.

Neil A Ramsden

Cavendish Street

Keighley

SIR - As one of the objectors living on Malsis Road, I am responding to your report and comments on the plans to expand Timothy Taylor's brewery.

I think it is shameful of Mr Dent to threaten his workers' job security in order to get his own way. For their sake I sincerely hope the company doesn't have to move.

However, making me feel guilty doesn't alter the fact that the planned extension will completely block my view.

It may not seem much of a view (across the brewery car park to see traffic passing St Joseph's School on Queens Road) but it is better than nothing, and at least it makes me feel part of the living world. If the brewery gets permission, all we will see is a mass of green corrugated metal and the rooftops of houses on Queens Grove.

Another point I would like to make is that Mr Dent is quoted as saying he "will improve the access road."

However, Mr Dent told me in a telephone conversation that this was "out of the question." All he has offered to do is to put right the damage which his lorries will inevitably cause to our unmade back road, ie they will tip a load of gravel on it.

NAME AND ADDRESS

SUPPLIED

SIR - We totally agree with everything said in the letter from the Coleman family regarding Lakeside Developments' proposals for building on the washlands on the River Aire.

The fact that Lakeside Developments have already spent over £600,000 acquiring land and carrying out research leads us to think they must be pretty certain about getting planning permission for the building work.

Mr David Wilkes of the Environment Agency says the area is unsuitable for development because of the danger of future flooding due to the loss of washlands.

Let's hope Bradford Council's Planning Depart-ment listen carefully to the Environment Agency, and also to the residents of Stockbridge whose homes and lives were ruined in October 2000, and refuse permission to build on the washlands.

Although we have serious doubts they will listen to us, they don't seem to have a very good track record at the moment. No-one takes any notice of us, we are only the people who will have to live with this and are only the poor rate-payers who pay their wages. We don't count.

JOHN AND CATHERINE

ANDREWS

Worth Avenue, Stockbridge

SIR - The roundabout in Keighley on the Bradford road is very bad at peak times and it's a wonder there has not been a serious accident.

My opinion is that at these times there should be traffic lights so that cars can move safely.

HARRY HANSON

Highfield Road, Keighley