Denying walkers a short stroll

I wonder what wrong there can be when people have an hour or so to spare, in taking exercise without using cars in a short but lovely stroll. Buses, perhaps now under threat, cannot offer realistic help to the short-range stroller.

Few can deny that developers and their planning 'friends' are desecrating our village, and thus making the need for good walking scope ever more necessary.

Environmentally, this project must surely need encouragement. Since Bradford Council stands to gain much money from the developers' desecration, surely it ought to accept moral responsibility in this matter.

Let us hope that we will have success in getting the bridge - regardless of mean-minded cavelling.

JOHN BUSBRIDGE

4 Wrexham Road,

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

No lesson learned

SIR, - Taxpayers' money is used to reward and subsidise the activities of capitalists. We have the perpetrators of BSE, comprising unprincipled politicians, profit greedy animal feed suppliers and unscrupulous farmers; not one of which has been prosecuted or imprisoned or had their assets confiscated.

Taxpayers are to fund compensation to their victims whilst they continue to operate freely without penalty. We have the neglect and incompetence of Railtrack, whose pursuit of profit led to accidents and deaths, being rewarded with a £5 billion grant from the New Tory Labour Government.

If taxpayers are to pay the price, why not take it back into public ownership without compensation? Who said crime doesn't pay!

Who believes this is democracy? Are we stupid or just impotent and at the mercy of manipulative capitalist dictatorship masquerading as democracy.

When British Rail was nationalised, it was constantly deprived of funds and vilified by the Tory establishment as a drain on taxpayers' money. Now, when Treasury handouts are made, not a word of protest is heard.

New Tory Labour is now preparing to privatise the London Underground and Air Traffic Control and no one raises an eyebrow. The lessons of Railtrack are not being learned as we plunge headlong into more danger from exploitative capitalists whose primary objective is profit, not safety.

Prepare for more disasters which politicians tell us 'will never happen again'. Blair promised to raise the standards in public life but all we have seen is corruption, hypocrisy and unpunished crime.

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View

Otley.

Not adding up

SIR, - With reference to the report in your paper about Wharfedale Hospital. Have you got your figures right?

The same new hospital at High Royds is £10.2 million as against £3.5 million at the Newall Road site? Where's the £6.7 million gone? (The figures quoted were as estimated by the health authority and trust in June last year following a year's public consultation- editor).

It's been known for years some of the buildings at High Royds were listed. What was the point of putting it in the appraisal if it was such a problem. The health authorities want to get every last penny out of High Royds, but the local communities won't benefit.

In the plan they will be allowing houses to be built, why not a hospital?

The contribution by MP Harold Best sounded more like an election address. The issue involves a lot more people than those in Otley Labour Party.

According to Councillor Phil Coyne, Otley's traffic problems have been solved. So much for all the talk about a relief road ( I won't mention the new supermarket to be built).

I agree with Coun Graham Kirkland that the 'Wharfedale' is a good hospital, but that is down to the staff and wherever the building is we will still have a good hospital ( I take it the same staff will be retained).

My family and I have attended the Wharfedale Hospital over a period of 34 years, so I am talking with some experience. It's a pity there will be no proper accident and emergency. There will be a minor accident unit on a 9am to 5pm basis, so make sure you pick your time to have an accident.

Taking the point Coun Lawrence Ross made about parking on Newall Carr Road, by the time all the cabins, JCBs, dumper trucks (they spurt out exhaust fumes by the ton), building materials and the workmen's vehicles have arrived, there won't be room for the staff.

Then the poor patients come along and won't be able to move on Newall Carr Road. Okay, will we be in Leeds looking for somewhere to park? Bear in mind this could go on for 15 months.

The origins of the Wharfedale General Hospital - the Poor Law Act of 1861 brought the Wharfedale Union into being, comprising 17 townships. In 1869 a further 16 townships were admitted. This made the workhouse at Carlton too crowded.

The new institution was opened at Newall in 1873, the foundation stone being laid by Mr Thomas Denison, of Yeadon, then chairman of the board of guardians. A new infirmary was opened in 1907, the foundation stone laid by Jonathan Peate of Guiseley who was chairman for 25 years.

So Newall, as it is called, is 127 years old, and I suspect there could be a preservation order on the original buildings.

Ron Lowe

48 West Park,

Guiseley.

War graves tours

SIR, As Armistice Day approaches, may I remind your readers of the work of the War Research Society, the Battlefield Pilgrimage Tour Organisation for which I am the local contact.

Since it was originally formed by a group of retired and serving police officers, the society has grown rapidly and is represented throughout Great Britain and in many countries abroad.

The number of scope of the tours is always increasing and we now cover both world wars in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Italy; and with the Anniversary of the Boer War this year, we have ventured into Southern Africa where we will be visiting both the Boer War sites as well as the famous Rorke's Drift of the Zulu War.

Our experienced team of couriers and guides includes lecturers with specialist knowledge of all the areas we visit. We can assist in tracing war graves and carry out additional research if required.

Tours are tailored to meet the wishes of those travelling and nowhere is too out of the way to visit. Financial help can be given in some cases to assist a visit with us and photographs can be taken for those unable to travel.

The War Research Society is entirely dedicated to remembrance of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and, being a charitable organisation, is able to actively support forces charities, institutions and causes. Inquiries are welcome.

Further information and a tour brochure will be sent on receipt of an addressed A5 envelope and a 50p stamp.

Andrew Naden

The War Research Society

The Lodge,

Wensley,

Leyburn,

North Yorks.

Bloom tribute

SIR, - On the occasion of our retirement from Ilkley in Bloom, we would like to thank all those who have supported us so well over the past ten years. David Cansfield and the gardeners, the cleansing staff, all the businesses and the Ilkley townsfolk, many of whom are now close friends.

Also the members of the Bloom committee, past and present, thank you all for making our time with the 'Bloomers' so much fun!

We wish Tony Gilroy and his committee every success in the future and be assured we will still be doing our bit!

PAT BAKER, PATRICIA SHANKLEY, MARGARET WELSH

34 Queens Road,

Ilkley.

Time wasted

SIR, - Would you like to take part in the Mencap Sahara Challenge? This could be your once in a lifetime opportunity to experience once of the most remote and breathtakingly beautiful parts of the world - you will also be raising funds to support people with a learning disability to reach their potential.

The Sahara Challenge will take place from February 10 to 17, 2001. The unique event will involve cross-country running, mountain biking, a self-navigating trek, 4X4 driving and a camel trek through parts of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. It will be a truly exhilarating experience!

This fantastic trip is available to anyone with an above average level of fitness. All you need to do is to pay a £300 registration fee and then raise a minimum sponsorship requirement. Flights, food and accommodation will be included.

Mencap will support you every step of the way with training and fundraising advice.

Please call 0207 696 6009 to receive your free Sahara Challenge pack, or e-mail: events@mencap.org.uk or write to Mencap, Freepost, London EC1B 1AA.

ARABELLA WEIR

Mencap,

123 Golden Lane,

London EC1Y 0RT.

MP replies

IN last week's Gazette we published a letter from Peter Ashton, of Ilkley, who was annoyed that he had not received a reply to two e-mails sent to Ilkley Labour MP Ann Cryer requesting a visit to the House of Commons. Mrs Cryer told the Gazette that she did not receive the e-mails due to a technical difficulty at the House of Commons which should have now been rectified.

In a letter apologising to Mr Ashton, Mrs Cryer's diary secretary, Catherine Rowen, says: 'Ann is most concerned that this problem has occurred. She has shown many constituents around Parliament and enjoys doing so. Should you ever have cause to visit London in the future, please contact me and I shall be happy to arrange a tour and possibly tickets to the Strangers Gallery if they are available. If Ann is in London at the time you are visiting she will be happy to be your guide.'

l Mrs Cryer told the Gazette that anyone who wanted to contact her should telephone her office at (01535) 210083; Fax: (01535) 210085. Alternatively, they can write or call in at Bob Cryer House, 35 Devonshire Street, Keighley, BD21 2BH.