Reasons for my naked protests

I was sitting by the canal in Skipton on Saturday August 20, clothed because I was cold when I entered Skipton at about 8am that morning, when I was verbally warned, in a disrespectful manner, not to walk nude in Skipton again by a young man who seemed concerned by the effect my nudity might have had on any children who might have been around at the time.

He mentioned the word 'innocence', implying that seeing my nudity would somehow have robbed children, who might have seen me nude, of their innocence. The man quickly moved on and did not give me the opportunity to respond to him. I wish to state the following:

Children are not harmed by seeing 'innocently' nude people.

Healthy children in today's society have either or both of two reactions on seeing a nude person in 'unusual' circumstances, both of which are benign: curiosity and/or amusement. An acquaintance of mine was once sunbathing nude by a canal when a woman walking alongside the canal with her young son passed him.

The reaction of the woman's child? Shock? Horror? Fear? No his reaction was simple, calm curiosity. "Mummy, why has that man got no clothes on?" he asked. Human beings are not monsters, children know that.

As regards innocence, a young child is very happy and comfortable to be nude at home and, for example, on a beach. Then there comes a time when a child reaches a certain age, (perhaps four, five or six) when suddenly its guardian(s) demand, perhaps as a consequence of social convention, that it 'covers up' when there is no need to for physical protection's sake. Realising that children naturally assume that grown-ups know everything, what message does this convey, consciously or sub-consciously, to that child? Isn't it one of 'there's a part of you that needs to be hidden, part of you that's naughty (since it isn't to be seen), part of you to be ashamed of. Isn't it at this moment that a child loses some of its innocence? Isn't it this that damages children?

We are beautifully, wonderfully created human beings. There is no part of us that we should be ashamed of or seek to hide and to think otherwise is detrimental to our well-being creating, for example, an environment in which disorders linked to poor self-image (such as anorexia) can flourish (see the research published on the Natural Freedom website www. Natural-freedom.org).

I was saddened that the photograph in the August 12 edition of the Craven Herald and Pioneer showing me walking nude in Skipton had had my genitalia pixellated out. I grieve for the children who will have seen this picture and who now believe, or who have simply had their belief reinforced, that there is a part of the human being, themselves included, that shouldn't be seen, (implying that that part is somehow 'naughty') so who may now resort in future to trying to get hold of top-shelf magazines, peeping through holes bored in toilet cubicle walls, or perhaps even worse, in order to satisfy a curiosity that should never be un-naturally and unhealthily stifled in the first place.

Sincerely desiring people to be healthy, whole and free and so for this world to be a healthier and a better place,

Jeffrey Woodhouse,

No fixed abode.

SIR - It was heartening to read in the Craven Herald that North Yorkshire Police are to have a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking in Skipton.

At least this growing problem is recognised and hopefully is now on the way to being much improved, if not completely solved.

Those of us who reside in the town centre bring some element of stability, life and community to the heart of our town. We do expect from time to time some disturbance but increasingly disturbance has degenerated into vicious and vile behaviour.

Urinating in doorways and ginnels, drunkenness, violence, shouting profanities and a general disregard for the well-being of others are now commonplace.

Very unfortunately for the residents in the vicinity of the Wetherspoon's Devonshire Hotel in Newmarket Street, I was collecting the written objections and petition against the extended hours of opening for this town pub.

Distressingly, because of my personal circumstances, the letters and petition were delivered too late for acceptance by the licensing authority. However, all is not lost, as North Yorkshire Police have also objected and our trust and faith must now be in them and with the local licensing authority to give proper protection to we local residents.

Hazel Bulcock,

Devonshire Mews, Skipton.

SIR - As a frequent visitor to The Dales, I wish to enquire whether Settle and Giggleswick is competing for the title of 'Litter Capital of Yorkshire'? If so, it has a very good chance of winning.

DJ Ott,

36 Waldegrave Park,

Twickenham.

SIR - I write regarding Carlson Filtration Ltd and the proposed conservation area.

The above mentioned Butts-based firm has had several name changes since the property was purchased by John Carlson in 1950.

Many local people, including historian Stanley Graham, have pondered or enquired unsuccessfully to the reasons behind the closure of the footpath that once ran between Butts Mill and Carlson Ford's properties, whilst I have remained silent, even though I have been aware of the earlier resulting action.

A great deal of the land adjacent to Butts Mill was owned by the Calf Hall Shed Company. Where temporary buildings now stand adjacent to Butts Clinic, Barnoldswick Conservative Club had a bowling green, the land having been leased to them by the Calf Hall Shed Co.

It was during my research into the early years of Briggs and Duxbury Ltd that I came across a letter of enquiry from John Carlson to Barnoldswick Urban District Council requesting that the well-walked footpath adjacent to Butts Mill be closed off - this was in the late 1950s - to ensure that the company be able to continue with its delicate work without interruption.

Around the same time a narrow concrete footbridge spanning the water below was removed.

Perhaps this additional information will help to defer plans to have the mill included in the conservation area proposals.

Owen Duxbury,

Lower East Avenue,

Barnoldswick.

SIR - I was saddened by the bitter tone of Eric Firth's letter (Craven Herald August 19) about his time at Linton Camp.

During the 1970s I worked at Linton Residential School for nine years and the place was well run; staff were caring and children were happy, well-clothed and adequately fed.

In recent years I have had a visitor to my bed and breakfast who brought his wife to see the area before emigrating. He told me that the time he spent at Linton in the 1950s had been the happiest of his childhood and described the staff, accommodation and activities with great fondness.

I feel sure there are many others like him.

Pauline Robertshaw,

Station Road, Grassington.

SIR - Yet another shoestring developer tries to circumvent panning requirements (Developer issues "cry for help" Craven Herald August 12) when required to provide the type of housing that is needed locally.

Let us hope that Craven District Council adopts a more robust attitude in this case than that shown

in Ingleton recently.

On a development of 31 houses only three are classed as affordable. Even these are beyond the reach of those desperately trying to buy, yet earning £6 to £8 per hour, which is what most local jobs pay.

Another development including four-bedroomed (two en-suite) houses circa £400,000 are obviously completely out of reach of those most in housing need.

Over-ruling of planning officers' decisions, retrospective planning permission and change of use from commercial to residential lead

many to believe that the planning system is being abused.

Such is the depth of local feeling against inappropriate development that the parish council recently met David Curry MP to discuss the matter. The National Park authority is no better, having been strongly criticised by the Audit Commission for its inconsistent planning decisions.

Those who claim to be caring and responsible developers should provide

properties that can be purchased by those earning the wages that are paid in this area, and those responsible for granting planning permission should

read their own mission statements before allowing inappropriate

developments.

Paul Weaire

The Dales Guest House,

Main Street, Ingleton.

SIR - Would you please thank the people who made the scarecrows at Kettlewell.

We went with our granny Bett from Threshfield. We had a wonderful day finding the lovely and very colourful scarecrows that were brilliant and we hope we will come again. We hope other people enjoy it as much as we did.

Robyn (14), Harry (11), Hannah (10) and Conor (9).

From Threshfield and Glasshoughton.

SIR - Reading the latest interesting letters to the Craven Herald has only reinforced my view that the Renaissance vision has become a somewhat unattractive vision.

The current proposals for central Skipton represent a substantial over-development of the key sites. Had the proposals come from a private developer on land not under the Council control it is doubtful whether approval would have been granted.

This vision now represents a 'build high and pack em in' approach more in line with the economics of the package than good town planning and makes the comments by Peter Scott-Smith (letter August 12) all the more pertinent.

The proposals have no feeling for public open space and blot out some important open views across the town skyline. I realise these are proposals subject to change though I cannot see the key proposals changing and they will probably form the basis of a design brief. It is unlikely that any potential developer will offer a package of less density and less profit than the one already offered.

In the same vein I cannot help but think the redevelopment of the Cavendish Street car park is more a keystone in the financial arrangements of the whole Renaissance package than what is desirable for the town, to the Cavendish Street area and to traffic movement generally. It will be clearly visible for some distance both east and west. Quite how this dominating seven storey structure came from the answers to the questions (admittedly selective) asked of the public in the previous consultations is a mystery.

Yes, there are good parts to the Renaissance package but this is an 'all or nothing' proposal and therein lies the problem. There are a lot of bad parts too.

Having made it an all or nothing package to make it pay I find it odd, along with Peter Scott-Smith, that the council's questionnaire requests no overall opinion of the whole. It is therefore alarming that without drawing breath the council is shortly preparing to vote on whether to proceed with the whole without asking the same direct question to the people they represent. Bear in mind new developments on the edge of Skipton have been added that have not been previously aired.

Where exactly does Skipton Town Council stand on all of this for they appear to have been quiet for some time?

Richard Pearson,

Regent Avenue, Skipton

SIR - One wonders how many town councils, if asked to produce four strands for an improvement programme, would not come up with the same ones produced by the Renaissance Team. Their ideas are hardly original or creative. Certainly there cannot be many towns where more car parking spaces and enhanced traffic management would not be an advantage and probably deemed essential by many motorists.

However, covering such a relatively large area of the town with multi-storey car parks and extra retail space as envisaged by the Renaissance Team, is an ugly modernisation that will turn Skipton into a dreary clone of every other unimaginatively planned town in Britain.

Where are the statistics to support the demand for more shops? If local people want a wider choice, Keighley and Harrogate are easily accessed by car or bus.

Even now there is retail space for rent and opening more shops, presumably of the chain store variety, will inevitably cause the closure of some of the present shops.

This new retail space is unlikely to attract visitors, browsers not shoppers, but perhaps seduced into a one-off purchase of a unique item not found on their High Streets. Look how popular the Town Hall market is.

Many of the Dales towns like Ilkley or Grassington seem to be much more energetic in organising festivals and participating in events like Britain in Bloom to enhance their individuality.

The council, seems to have ignored the fact that architecturally Skipton is a jewel of a mill town with its cobbles, ginnels and passageways and none of the ugly facets of modern towns, and failed to really exploit its history as a mill, canal and sheep town.

I believe the museum is to be expanded and there is plenty of scope for improved exhibits concerning life on the canal and the history of the mills and weaving.

Yes, we have Sheep Day, but what about the rest of the year?

Chicago had a huge hit when it lined its streets with fibre-glass cows, sponsored and decorated by local companies and artists.

I appreciate vandalism is a worry but surely Skipton could provide half-a-dozen similar sheep?

Then we could brighten the streets with sheep planters, a sheep-patterned flowerbed, a heritage trail following sheep footprints, perhaps even a small seaside type train with sheep carriages to take visitors around the town. They could be dropped off at the Canal Basin/Coach Street area or Skipton Woods, places not always greatly visited, and it could be used perhaps in summer or weekends to bring visitors in from car parking at the auction mart or outside the main town area.

I know these points are not much help in solving car parking problems, which will probably get worse, but surely we can do much better than follow these universal and dull mantras of town planners - more car parks, more shops - and put some sparkle into Skipton.

Chris Walton,

Neville Street, Skipton.

SIR - Judging from the public response in your letters pages, it is clear this council has little support for its Plan 2 for Skipton.

The letter from R V Colley was the most perceptive that I have read on this whole subject. The renaissance town team has not given this new plan its support, despite the council's latest publication and which seeks to give that impression.

Indeed, the renaissance team itself has no credibility whilst ever it continues to exist with only councillors and stakeholders on its committee.

I am very concerned the proposed seven storey Cavendish Street carpark will end up as yet another hideous carbuncle looming over the Skipton landscape. The council's recent publication seeks to compare its ultimate height with that of Belle Vue Mills (18.2m) but it fails to mention the base of the present Cavendish carpark is already six metres higher above sea level than the base of the mill.

We are therefore faced with a structure which will dominate the town from every angle, block the view of Christ Church from the canal basin area and may even end up higher than the tower of Holy Trinity Church, and even Skipton Castle.

If this carpark proceeds as presently envisaged, I have no doubt that future generations of townspeople and visitors alike will be wanting to know which culprits allowed such a monstrosity in their midst. The council should listen to the people and re-think the whole car parking subject.

Plan 2 also reveals that it is intended to close our present historic Carnegie library and build a new library behind the town hall. I can think of no greater waste of ratepayers' money. If the library needs more space, better facilities etc, then the answer is simple and far less costly.

Craven College should be encouraged to move from its present space in the library building and which would replace roughly 25 per cent for a refurbished library. There is no need for a college in the High Street.

Peter Rigby,

Lenner House,

Beamsley.