School run poses a danger to children

Of course, everyone knows the village is very beautiful and the junior school (where my own son was privileged to be a pupil) is situated in Cam Lane, just off the main road.

When he attended there the school only had less than 30 children but nowadays there are many, many more, most of whom are brought there each day by their dotingly loving parents and collected at the end of the day.

Sadly, however, delivering and collecting of children entails the use of motor vehicles arriving in the morning and afternoon, many parked adjacent to the Cam Lane, main road junction. Accordingly, any vehicle emerging from Cam Lane into the main road faces a dangerously hazardous encroachment of manifestly risky proportions, with the view being blocked in either direction of approaching cars, lorries, vans and buses scandalously obscured by the children's parents' parked vehicles.

Now I brought this unspeakably dangerous scenario to the attention of the police about a year ago and was promised a close appraisal of my observations.

Sadly, many months have elapsed and the "accident waiting to happen" remains an obvious likelihood; indeed, it is only a matter of time before a ghastly tragedy occurs.

Back in 1975 my beloved 16-year-old daughter was killed as she emerged from a bus on the Embsay to Skipton highway.

The coroner declared that he was certain "inefficient street lighting was a main causal factor" and within a year an efficient array of modern street lighting was erected. I now live in dread of something tragic having to occur before something is done to eliminate those blind spots created by cars, many of which are parked illegally yet not brought to book for so doing.

I realise fully that this situation is not one that can easily be solved but it certainly must be before someone has to suffer from the agony of bereavement.

David Manville,

Langber Farm,

Thornton-in-Craven.

Far too elaborate

SIR - Having studied the plans for the proposed Cowling Village Hall, we are in agreement with the letter from Mrs Tindale (Craven Herald December 8) that this project is far and away too elaborate for a village hall. It is more suited for a small town such as Barnoldswick.

However more information has surfaced since Mrs Tindale's letter was written. At the parish council meeting on December 4, we were given to believe that this building was for the use of the whole of the South Craven area. If this is the case, then the building should be erected at Cross Hills which is the centre of the South Craven area.

Accordingly if it is for use by all parishes then it should be funded by Craven District Council and not by Cowling alone.

The second point is that of 300 signatures, a large number of which may not be Cowling ratepayers but outsiders and youngsters who would, if things go wrong, have no financial liability. Perhaps those from outside the village could get their own parish councils to donate a handsome amount to the project and they themselves could do some fundraising! We doubt if either will be forthcoming.

Since Mrs Tindale's letter, some costs have been mooted for this building - between £1.2 and £1.6 million and we do not know if this includes furnishings and equipment. The project committee is already in debt to Skipton Building Society to the tune of £200,000 for the site and how long Skipton Building Society will hold this money remains to be seen.

Now we come to the grant aid. At a public meeting held in St Andrew's Church Hall on December 2 1998 County Coun Irene Greaves told the meeting that the whole project could be fully financed by grant aid from various sources. It was pointed out that a good proportion of the total cost had to be raised by local subscription, or events. This was admitted 12 months later in the August Cowling Newsletter.

If the project is ever completed then there come the running costs which will have to be financed by the users of the hall (not from the parish precept). Just to list a few of these costs: a caretaker (9am - 10pm) six days a week at £3.60 an hour - £14,601; a daily cleaner, two hours a day at £3.60 - £2,246.

Then we come to rates, staffing a caf (many hours a week if it is to pay its way), electric, gas, and water charges and these could be considerable if the 'halls' are to be fully used. Insurance will be another big item in view of there being 12 computers, storage space for Youth Club and Pinnacle Players, nursery equipment and props (fire risk). Then there is the normal maintenance of computers and equipment in public use. How will anyone be able to afford to hire these halls and rooms?

May we suggest that the project committee starts afresh by going and looking at other village halls which would be ideal for Cowling, for example Cracoe, Bradley, Bolton Abbey, Addingham. Without being too ambitious there could be more chance of getting grants and it would be a true village hall for Cowling.

Dean Smith,

Walton Street,

Cowling.

Dream disappointed

SIR - On Thursday I spent some time in Clapham being interviewed for a small part of a BBC Radio 4 programme about the Dalesman.

Harry Scott was my father. I grew up in the village, attended the village school, watched the Dalesman grow and eventually move from Fellside, over the beck, to the new offices.

Being in Clapham, which still feels like coming home even after over 40 years made me reflect on the changes.

My father would have been very upset and disappointed that his dream of a village enterprise with the local community involved had been lost. His whole philosophy had been based upon a magazine for the people by the people, contributing in whatever capacity they could, from writing an article to making the tea.

He would have been surprised that the company could not have embraced computers, e-mail and the internet and remain in the village, as is happening in many communities.

If living villages are to survive they need local employment possibilities or they will become dormitories. Father cared about the people who made up the village.

I had the opportunity to look at plans for the old Dalesman site and, given the situation, I feel sure that my parents would have approved of a brown field site, which was becoming derelict, being used in a reasonably sensitive and imaginative way for small, cottage-type housing.

An awful mess at present I acknowledge but it should eventually be quite attractive and hopefully accessible to full time occupation and local people.

The pity is that the Dalesman ever left its home, all in the name of progress, but for whom?

Margaret Waters,

Windmill Hill,

Hexham.

Airedale's service

SIR - Whilst I have no disagreement with the accuracy of the article quoting my name which appeared in last week's edition concerning Airedale Hospital and the tatty and unhygienic state of the toilet and bathroom facilities, I would like to place this into context.

The reason people are admitted to hospital is for medical treatment. I wish to place on record that over the three separate periods each of a week or so during the past months, my medical and nursing treatment was excellent and reflects great credit on doctors and nurses alike.

It is very fashionable to "knock" the NHS, that was not my purpose. Any potential patient of Airedale Hospital can be confident that they will be well cared for both medically and materially. The criticisms I raised were recognised without equivocation by the Airedale NHS Trust board as factual, accurate and justified.

I am aware that action has already been taken to remedy some of the more immediate problems.

Barry Neate,

Thornton Manor Court,

Thornton-in-Craven.

Transport Forum

SIR - With reference to the recent correspondence regarding the redevelopment of Skipton bus station, the Craven Transport Forum has been lobbying for such improvements for the past couple of years. Members have come up with a number of ideas, such as incorporating community transport services, an information point and comfortable waiting areas.

Now is certainly an excellent time with regard to possible sources of funding and the forum is looking forward to the opportunity of working with local councillors, their officers and other interested parties to develop a facility which - as Mr Berry mentioned last week - could be an asset to the district for years to come.

Jacqui Baines,

CVA co-ordinator and secretary to Craven District Transport Forum,

Coach Street,

Skipton.

Bus station vandalism

SIR - The bus station public toilets are still closed due to vandalism. Do you wonder why?

Craven District Council must be fed up with the cost of repairs with constant damage and graffiti. Most of the damage is done by teenage school children between 3.30pm and 5pm after school. The girls are worst of all, setting fires and graffiti sprays.

You may say, where's the police?

Riding around in patrol cars pulling up motorists for minor offences or assisting traffic wardens with parking offences.

The bus station loos need a lot of public attention, singling out of the culprits and the toilets open to the public.

Allan Mason,

Jennygill Crescent,

Skipton.

Over-subscribed

SIR - I was sorry to read in last week's edition that a parent had been misled by an earlier report into believing that "some Skipton parents were forced to send their youngsters out of the town to Upper Wharfedale" for their secondary education.

Before this becomes some sort of market town equivalent to an urban myth may I clarify the position.

No parent has ever been "forced" into applying for or accepting a place for a child at this school.

We are oversubscribed each year because so many parents indicate us as their first preference of their own free will. This year the parents of 80 pupils applied to the education authority for the 56 places available.

I regret that Mrs Pullan is "very bitter" that her son does not attend this school but I can assure her that all the parents whose children joined us this September did as she did and identified Upper Wharfedale as their first preference.

Roger Kennedy,

Head teacher,

Upper Wharfedale school.

Source of all evil

SIR - I would like to amend my original letter, printed about one month ago. I stated that on the march in London there were around 5,000 people. I have since had confirmation that the police estimate was 10,000.

Whilst on my soap box again, what about the BSE in France? Did Mr Blair immediately ban French beef? No, he seemed to think it alright for the British people to eat it, even after the farce with our beef.

He is quite prepared to jump into bed with Europe on any issue and ignore what is best for Britain.

What about the fishing and so-called conservation? Britain did have a 200-mile exclusion zone in the waters around its shores. That was until our dear friend Mr Heath (The Father of the House) decided back in 1972 to sign the Treaty of Rome and give away our fishing rights to Europe.

Since then the British fishermen have been almost excluded from our own waters by various dictates issued from Brussels.

Among these were quotas, the biggest farce of all. If a boat went out to fish for cod and caught haddock they were not allowed to keep the fish, or were fined very heavily. The fish had to be thrown back, by which time most, if not all, were dead. Great conservation!

Our fishermen and fleets have been reduced to almost nothing, whilst the Spanish and anyone else have been allowed to ruin our fish stocks. Now they are again talking about conservation.

The Government is now talking about discussions on TV, but only between the three main parties. They will not allow any anti-EU parties to have a say - people might like their ideas. That would never do. The EU is now seeking to ban any anti-EU political party, like the UK Independence Party and any others who oppose Europe. Does this sound like democracy, or dictatorship?

D Baxter,

Low Moor Lane,

Barnoldswick.

The humble sprout

SIR - The Curmudgeon's plan to rename the humble Brussel sprout has a flaw.

By all means get rid of the 'B' word but he can't call them Lincoln greens. The bumbling Eurocrat would be on him like a shot, unless the blighters actually came from Lincoln.

They would then waste lots of our own money telling the British how to behave, what we can actually call our veggies and probably what shape and colour they are allowed to be.

You would probably finish up eating "light to dark green, round to oval, brassica type small vegetables with wind-making tendencies".

Best just call 'em sprouts.

Chris Bryant,

Parkway, Steeton.

First class service

SIR - I posted my daughter's Chrismas parcel, first class post, to Bath in Somerset on Monday morning in Grassington. I was pleased to hear that it had arrived safely the next day on Tuesday December 5.

Margaret Robinson,

Cracoe.

Manorlands says thanks

SIR - May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported the Manorlands Christmas draw in Craven.

The draw raised a grand total of £9,401 for Manorlands, which is a tremendous amount and will be a significant contribution to our funds.

On behalf of the fundraising team and everyone at Manorlands hospice, thank you to our supporters for all their hard wortk in raising funds throughout the year.

Sally Owthwaite,

Fundraiser,

Sye Ryder Care Centre,

Manorlands.

Winter pressures

SIR - We have all read and listened to stories about how our local hospitals and clinics have struggled to deal with "winter pressures".

Often is seems that it is older people who bear the brunt of long trolley waits, cancelled operations and overstays in hospitals.

Age Concern would be interested to hear from any older preson who has already experienced the NHS during the difficult winter months - either this year or last year.

This would help us immensely in our work to improve the NHS and to ensure that it learns from the experiences of older people. Experiences might include being unable to leave hospital because care at home has not been organised, having an operation cancelled due to a lack of beds or being kept waiting for a long time in Accident and Emergency.

Anyone interested in sharing their experiences and views should write to me at the address below.

Katey Karam,

Public Affairs Department,

Age Concern England,

1268 London,

London Road, London. SW164ER.

o May we remind readers that it is our policy to publish the names of authors of letters unless there are valid reasons for not doing so. If you wish to discuss the matter directly with the editor contact Ian Lockwood on 794117.

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