SIR,- I have just read K J Grogan's letter of October 19 regarding the refusal of planning permission for Guiseley AFC's further 'development' of Nethermoor Park. Whilst his letter is high in emotion, opinion and supposition, it is extremely light in facts.

Mr Grogan, as with many other supporters of Guiseley AFC, fails to address the fundamental issue, viz, Nethermoor Park, is a public park, left in perpetuity to the residents of Aireborough, of all ages and interests to enjoy - and not solely for the use of Guiseley AFC.

Mr Grogan expresses some very candid and forthright opinions regarding the people who make use of Nethermoor Park. As a local resident I can only disagree with these views in the strongest possible terms.

Is it not surprising that some local residents are unsympathetic towards further developments, when over the previous decade they have witnessed Guiseley AFC slowly, but surely, monopolising a public park. An unattractive fence has been erected (initially without planning permission), the tennis courts are now a five a side/training ground and grassland has been turned into car parking.

Further, throughout the football season local residents have to endure double parking, the glare of the floodlights, noise from the public address system and the litter left by spectators. Notwithstanding the above, given that the number of spectators in attendance has fallen dramatically this year, (the expression 'fair weather supporters' springs to mind), why do Guiseley AFC require an additional stand housing 450 spectators?

As I have stated in The Wharfedale and Airedale Observer before, if Guiseley AFC require better facilities, then the solution is quite simple - move to, or buy land, which isn't owned by the public.

Finally, Mr Grogan appears to have a limited understanding of the term democracy. Perhaps when the planning inspector considered letters of support/objection, he didn't merely count the amount of falling into each category, he may even have given consideration to the strength of the arguments within these letters - just a thought.

J Andrew Coutts

19 Ings Lane,

Guiseley.

Town Mayor's poppy appeal

SIR,- The first Poppy Appeal of the millennium has been launched nationally and I am privileged to assist in promoting the appeal locally.

We all remember the sacrifices that were made and are still being made, by our armed forces so that future generations are able to live in peace and freedom. The Royal British Legion was formed to care for their needs and for those of their dependents. The appeal is the principal source of funds, which directly support the legions' welfare and benevolent work.

The calls upon the legions' services are getting greater with each year and the need for poppy appeal funds will continue and grow. I would urge everyone to support the Poppy Appeal this year so that help can continue to be given, to those who have given so much.

Our local branch of the Royal British Legion works hard throughout the year and we need to give them every support. I would like to remind everyone that there will be a stall at the Buttercross on behalf of the Poppy Appeal on Saturday, November 11. Please support this if possible.

Finally, the Royal British Legion still need collectors. If anyone feels they can help with this valuable work, please contact Mrs Barker, care of Otley Civic Centre, Cross Green, Otley.

Coun Christine CampbelL

Town Mayor of Otley,

Otley Civic Centre,

Otley.

Call to ex-service personnel

SIR, - Remembrance Service this year will be on Sunday, November 12, at 10.50am, at the Cenotaph in Eastgate, Bramhope, (opposite the Methodist Chapel), and will be conducted by village clergy. Will all ex-servicemen and women and uniformed groups assemble at the Robert Craven Memorial Hall (medals or ribbons may be worn) to parade to the Cenotaph for 10.50am, where they will be joined by the parish council for the two minutes' silence and the laying of wreaths and crosses.

B Norfolk

40 Wilfred Avenue,

Leeds.

Legion thanks those who helped

SIR, - May I, through the Wharfedale Observer, send thanks to all the people who helped us to produce Bramhope's new war memorial and its garden. To the generous people and organisations who contributed to the costs, we owe a great debt of gratitude; and to councillors Graham Kirkland, Philip Coyne and John Eveleigh who gave us much good advice as well as financial assistance, we are very appreciative.

To the chairman and members of Bramhope Parish Council who, as custodians of the memorial and garden, played a vital part in the project; and in particular to the councillors who shifted 20 tons of top soil with shovels and buckets and then planted out the new garden.

To all the Royal British Legion branch members who worked so hard to produce plans and specifications for the work, ably assisted by Derek Crowther; to the Rev David Robinson and the Rev Mark Godfrey for presiding over the dedication ceremonies; and to the band, standard bearers, and the Royal British Legion officials who made the dedication parade such a spectacular success.

Also to branch secretary, David Marshall and treasurer Brian Norfolk for all the hours they have spent in administering the project and guiding it to its successful conclusion after Brian discovered the missing names two years ago.

Anthony Hodgetts

Chairman, Bramhope British Legion,

Eastfold,Eastgate Close,

Bramhope.

More money wasted on signs

SIR, - I am sorry that Leeds City Council is still persisting with the boundary signs, and if the new version is the final thing I think most local people will feel that the council have wasted even more money.

The addition of the locality name, eg Otley, looks like what it is - merely an afterthought. The yellow and blue colours remain as before and surely look incongruous.

Unfortunately, the phrase 'Welcome to Leeds' still dominates, which was the main objection raised by so many in the first place. The signs will still cause confusion to strangers.

However, a representative of Leeds City Council in a letter to me says the signs project will play its part in encouraging more people to visit the area. I am not sure how this will happen unless visitors will come and look at the signs themselves.

Perhaps there will be a new tourist trail, like Heartbeat Country, and coachloads will flock here to gaze at these monstrosities.

P M Young

36 Cambridge Drive, Otley.

Menston right for new hospital

SIR, - We both need to attend Otley Hospital regularly and we both think the new hospital must be built at Menston.

There are very good services that run right past the site and the railway station is not that far away. There is plenty of room for cars to park - at last. That must surely be a huge bonus.

Mary and Wilf Phillips

Wilmar,

18 Grange Close, Ilkley.

Who is to blame for BSE?

SIR, the findings of the BSE inquiry have finally been released proving that it was the gravest failure of public administration in post war British history. Hearing the reports, it was not the cattle who needed their heads examined, it was the bovine ministers and mandarins who presided over this outrage. You can tot up the bill in squandered money, you can count it in stolen lives.

We, the public, were misled, whilst a proud industry was devastated, but we will always remember Mr Gummer feeding his four year old daughter with a hamburger while in the same month he was secretly discussing whether the entire British herd should be culled.

Who gets the blame? No one of course - the victims families think otherwise but they won't count. BSE? Does that stand for Blame Someone Else?

F Dickinson

Larkfield Road, Rawdon..