SIR - It was good to read the report about access on the Wharfe for canoeists. My son introduced us to the sport while working as a level 2 coach in southern France, and it has brought us many hours of pleasure.

There is no better way to see wildlife around rivers than from a canoe, and at a time when environmental issues take on such importance, it is hard to think of an activity that is more 'green'.

Canoeing causes no erosion, no noise, no pollution, does not alter or damage the environment in any way, and whether you want to paddle quietly on a lake, or pit your skill against wild white water is up to you.There is something for everybody.

Anglers and canoeists can share the river, the stretch from Linton Falls to Bardon bridge is open on selected days and provides a superb run. I have met many anglers on my trips and the vast majority are pleasant and friendly. Only a small minority are rude and abusive, but you meet the odd ones like that in all walks of life.

As John Morgan said in last week's interview: "Canoeists don't want to bash anglers, we just don't want anglers to bash canoeists".

Recently the Leeds Canoe Club took to the river Aire armed with bin bags and cleaned up a section of river, proving that responsible canoeists are an asset. So, if you are a canoeist, or just interested in fair play, write now to your MP.

Fred Horner

40 Guycroft,

Otley.

Attendance poor

SIR, - I was interested to read your report on the £340,000 Market Towns Initiative and the all-day workshops which were held recently at the Civic Centre.

In spite of the date being advertised I was surprised that only around 20 people turned up, when you consider that this money is to be spent not only in Otley but also the surrounding areas of Bramhope, Pool etc.

As a town councillor, I was mystified as to the lack of my colleagues on the council in turning up and supporting the workshops. I know of only one councillor who was having to work that day.

Although I have a busy schedule, I went out of my way to make sure I attended two of the sessions. It makes me wonder, in general, just how interested certain of my fellow town councillors are when you see the abysmal turn out for something like this which can affect all the people of Otley and its surrounding area.

NIGEL FRANCIS

6 Pearson's Buildings,

Otley.

Writer right

SIR, - Last week, your correspondent from New South Wales, Mr B Clarke commented on both Liberal and cross-party support to save Wharfedale General Hospital. He is right.

Absolutely unknown by me was the fact, if it is a fact, that the march was organised by the Liberals. Many Labour Party members like me were on that march. Mr Clarke like a few other Liberals at that time had thoughts beyond party boundaries.

What has happened over recent years? Events such as vigils outside the hospital, petition signing in Otley Market Place and delegations to Westminster have not been supported by Liberals. They have been noticeable by their absence.

Let's face it, a leading light in the Liberals campaigned for its removal to Menston. Now he seeks to share the glory because it is retained in Otley. Can such motives be trusted? Not by me they can't.

Ray Dunn

42 St David's Road,

Otley.

Shipmates search

SIR, - Shipmates who served in the Daring class destroyer HMS Dainty at any time from 1953 to 1970 are being sought by an association that represents their varied interests.

There are known to be a number who lived in the circulation area covered by Wharfedale Observer during their period of service, and who have not yet made contact.

A reunion for all who served in this proud ship, and which will include survivors from the previous Dainty which was sunk by enemy bombers while leaving Tobruk in 1941, will be held in October this year.

Anyone interested, or who would like to make contact with former shipmates, is invited to get in touch with myself as the organiser for details at the address below or ring me on (01243) 265901.

My e-mail address is peter@seawyvern.fsnet.co.uk

PETER J HILLMAN

15 East Mead,

Pagham,

Bognor Regis PO21 4QT.

Time to stand up

SIR, - Regarding school closures, over the last year I have been asked not to be antagonistic, too verbal and not to rock the boat.

But surely there comes a time when one must stand up and be counted, and I believe the time is now. The school closure programme has been totally misjudged and is being raced through with indecent haste.

Good luck to PAG with the court case and if I can be of help, then count me in.

S P Drake

Westcroft,

Station Road,

Otley.

Party ethos

SIR, - Minister Blunkett's latest pronouncement, in his speech at the Labour spring conference, sums up the whole ethos of Tory Labour. He implored the nation and delegates: 'do not blame me if things go wrong', spinning the truth of 'power without responsibility' into 'responsibility without power.'

What hogwash! Blair has now got in on the act by denying responsibility for the letter he signed, supporting billionaire Labour party donor Lakshmi Mittals' bid for the Romanian steel industry, which deprives workers here of jobs.

Tory Labour sleaze makes the Conservatives look like amateurs. Blair and his cronies are always quick to take praise and credit when, on rare occasions, things go right, but disappear when they do not.

Blair's bolt holes are his trips abroad, of which he has made 29 since September 11. Perhaps, since Blair is so keen to spend time abroad, he should be given the status of an illegal asylum seeker.

If the Government has no power, as Blunkett claims, what is the point of employing them? Is this value for money? Blunkett's hypocrisy and meally-mouthed attempt to evade responsibility is a disgraceful dereliction of duty and he and his Tory colleagues should be thrown out. when it comes to the next election .

And now, as the prison population is at bursting point and reaches 73,000 and the cost of each prisoner's care is £26,000 per year, Blunkett's new 'big idea' is to release prisoners. This is motivated by the need to save money, not social reform, and avoid raising taxes on the wealthy.

This is not tackling the cause of crime, ie, social divisions and the wealth gap. And meanwhile, Blair, after insulting the unions as 'wreckers' yet again, cunningly leaves the country to sell more arms to impoverished African countries.

Labour's arms sales to Africa have risen from £53 million in 2000 to £200 million now. Blair certainly knows how to solve Africa's problems. Give them guns to wipe out the surplus population.

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View,

Otley.

Bus fall thanks

SIR, - May I give a sincere thanks to the lady who stopped her car on the Grove, Ilkley, when she saw me fall badly on the bus, when I went to visit my husband at 10am on Tuesday, February 26.

Luckily I hadn't broken any bones, but was very badly bruised and shocked, so I didn't get her name, but once again many thanks to her for consideration.

Mary V Penrose

17 Aire View,

Yeadon.

Call to ban race

SIR, - The Grand National this year falls on April 6 and many people will place their bets in the belief that it is simply a 'harmless flutter'.

Animal Aid has, in previous years, advised that this is not the case and that we are literally gambling with animals' lives. Over the years many horses have met their deaths during the Grand National meeting - in fact, most years there are fatalities.

If horses get beyond the first fence, there are 29 more to jump, many of them higher, wider and deadlier.

Usually around 40 horses run in the race, which prompts a cavalry charge at the start and a very fast pace. Bunching and bumping often occurs with fallen horses regularly bringing down others who then land on top of them.

This year, Animal Aid has organised a peaceful protest at the Aintree racetrack in Liverpool. Please give it your support if you agree that this gruelling four-mile race should be banned.

You can contact Animal Aid on (01732) 364546, or by e-mail on becky@animalaid.co.uk

BECKY LILLY

Campaigns Officer,

Animal Aid,

The Old Chapel,

Bradford Street,

Tonbridge,

Kent TN9 1AW.

Sam's golf plea

SIR, - As patron of the Help the Aged Golf Championship 2002, I am delighted to be the official spokesperson for such a worthwhile national championship and I ask your readers to nominate their golf clubs to support the event.

Help the Aged, in association with the Golden Charter, would like readers to join us to help make our 14th annul tournament bigger and better than ever before. Over the last 13 years the event has become the largest charity golf event in the UK, raising thousands of pounds for the charity.

Entry couldn't be simpler. Captains and secretaries should choose which club medal from your 2002 tournament calendar you would like to nominate to participate in the Help the Aged championship. There are separate events for men and women - hence separate medals can be nominated.

The winning woman and man from the nominated club medals has a chance to qualify to play in a regional final at one of the finest courses in the country. The top two women and top two men from each of the regional finals will contest the Grand Final on Thursday, October 17, 2002, at Royal Lytham St Anne's, one of the ultimate Open Championship locations.

You can place your entries by checking National Club Golfer magazine at www.ifyougolf.com or www.helptheaged.org.uk or by obtaining an entry pack from Help the Aged by calling 020 7384 9543. The closing date for club medal days is July 28, 2002.

I do hope your readers will support the Help the Aged Golf Championship 2002 and nominate their local club - it really will make a difference.

SAM TORRANCE

Captain,

European Ryder Cup Team 2002.