SIR - I am in the pink. I have pledged my support for the Breast Cancer Campaign's national "Wear it Pink" day.

And I urge others to give their backing to the event, on October 28.

Last year companies, schools, universities, clubs, associations, local authorities and individuals throughout the UK took part in the venture, which raised over £1.3 million.

People are asked to wear an item of pink and donate £2. For more information phone 0800 1073104, e-mail wearitpink@bcc-uk.org or log on to www.wearitpink.co.uk.

ANN CRYER MP

SIR - I always read your editorial column with interest and often agree, but last week's article about the drunken rapist was a complete load of rubbish.

How anyone can put a comparison between a 15 year old drunken rapist with extending the licensing hours is, to say the least, ridiculous. The child did not get drunk sat in the pub, and if the licensing hours had been reduced this crime would still have taken place.

Instead, to look at a more positive and proper comparison, when I go on holiday abroad I can sit in the bar as long as I want with nobody shouting time to go home. There is no need to rush your drink and certainly where I go you hardly see people drunk.

You will always get the yobbos from the night clubs, but they already have the late license granted, and why should the small pub be emptied to give the late trade to them, when all they want is another drink in the bar they have been in all evening?

One final thought, if the hours had been more flexible years ago would we have binge drinkers today?

A EARNSHAW

Bradford Road, Keighley

SIR - Re: Article 'Victory in fight to keep path open' - Keighley News 30/09/05.

I am surprised and perplexed by your article in last week's Keighley News entitled "Victory in fight to keep path open", both in the language that you used and the anomalies in the account that you gave to the public.

You used the word "victory" in your headline to imply something that is quite decisive and conclusive in the form of a defeat. Whilst not wishing to engage in analogies of battles being just one element in the context of an entire war, one cannot assume that this is a decisive victory in a process that has not yet been decided by a member of the National Planning Inspectorate and ultimately the Secretary of State.

It is also perhaps unfortunate that you use the term "band" to describe a group of well-meaning councillors, who are pursuing a cause which they feel to be just. Quite often the word band is used to imply a group of villains or untrustworthy individuals.

In your report you quote the comment in the letter by Kath Windett, the Rights of Way Manager for Bradford Council, that: "Unless any evidence can be found to show that it was legally closed after that time (1855) it remains a public footpath." Perhaps the Councillors and some of the Oakworth residents have not been as close to the details of this specific case as they believe they have.

When the previous land-owners, from whom Taywood Homes purchased the adjoining land, negotiated with the developers and Bradford Council in 1993 and 1994, it was ascertained that the new highway and footpaths were to cross the existing private track which did not include a public footpath.

In the granting of planning permission by Bradford Council to Taywood Homes, for the development of the entire site, the private track between Low Bank and Far Low Bank was at that point closed.

One cannot assume that the previous land owners of the track or the current one, who has followed the correct procedures for planning permission on the site, will not challenge this "ruling from Bradford Council". I suggest that Councillor Rhodes and his like-minded residents must allow the Planning Inspectorate or Secretary of State to make the ultimate decision. 'Victory' I would suspect is the wrong word to use at the moment.

K HARGREAVES

Far Low Bank Farm,

Oakworth, Keighley

SIR - The recent publicity regarding the fate of Whinburn has in some ways been a good thing in that the true historic value of the building has suddenly been realised and it appears that the property might now be restored.

However, there is also a definite downside to all this attention. The grounds and building have not been looked after properly for some time but, as people are apparently not content with just allowing the property to decline, attention (of entirely the wrong type) is now focusing on the wildlife of the area.

Surely you must be aware that by stating, as you have done in your paper on more than one occasion, the types of wild animals that can be found in the grounds, you are effectively signing the death warrant of some of the most beautiful -- and rare -- creatures in this country? Surely it would have been possible to attract constructive public interest in restoring the neglected building and overgrown grounds without also gaining the unwanted attention of a few brutal members of the community in the resident wildlife? Must the animals now be destroyed too?

Maybe it would be a good idea in future to consider the implications that your 'tell it as it is' reporting might have before publishing such articles. Unfortunately it seems that it may be too late on this occasion.

Margaret

Rawsthorne

Hollins Lane, Keighley

SIR - In a recent ITV national news programme segment, a spoof edition of The X Factor was transmitted in which I and two other Keighley citizens appeared. Statements were made in that programme that misrepresented my views.

I am not a "lost Conservative". In fact I have only ever been a member of one political party - for six months - and it wasn't Conservative. What was true is that I am one of the vast number of people disillusioned and disgusted with the lies and petty egos that drive political parties in this country. At the last General Election, such was my abhorrence regarding the calibre and moral honesty of political parties in this country that I refused to vote at all.

ITV gave me an opportunity to publicly voice my choice for a future Prime Minister, disregarding the colour of politics involved. If my selection prevails then there is the slight possibility my choice might be able to stem the exponential rise in civil, health and local government bureaucrats. The candidate may also be able to reverse the slide towards a totalitarian 'police state' in this country, as free speech is banned and police powers under newly proclaimed anti-terrorist laws are used to charge an eighty two year old man who was ejected from the last Labour Party Conference. In future I vote for the person, not the politics. Will my vote make any difference? Will we have honest government? Probably not. Finally, my age on the programme was stated to be seventy one. Not true. Be assured I'm genuinely only...

David Samuels

Highcroft Gardens

Thwaites Brow

SIR - I read a copy of the Keighley News dated September 23 recently and was surprised to read the anti BNP articles that covered the front page and in articles within.

I always thought newspapers were supposed to be neutral. Obviously not the Keighley News. I can only say your reporters, are obviously Tory lovers.

You might consider renaming the paper Tory News.

MRS J SAMPSON

Rossmore Drive,

Allerton, Bradford

SIR -I really enjoyed your letter of the week (Can you raed tihs? Olny srmat poelpe can). I agree with Mr Hislop that the "FCUK" label is another instance of a "decaying example of our society".

However, I have a few questions. When they go out, does he cover his grand-daughter's eyes to ensure she does not see the semi-naked (sometimes naked) women advertising the latest fragrance on billboards?

Does Mr Hislop ensure his grand-daughter does not pick up a fashion or celebrity magazine while waiting in the doctor or dentist's surgery? I'm sure the TV also causes a lot of anxiety.

On the subject of display, we are told that art is a mirror that reflects the state of a society. The Ahmadiyya Community disagree with this in the strongest terms. If evil spreads and you are not shy of it, if you take it lightly then you can do it in public.

This promotes the spread of ideas about indulgence in sex to all the innocent people, to children etc, and the whole society becomes corrupted. If there were some accountability for these actions, one would most certainly take care of privacy.

This, subsequently, would lead to the advantage that people do not really know what others may have done and it is the knowledge by others of such acts that always promotes them.

That is why we saw the demand for removing all advertisements relating to cigarettes, or that when plays, programmes and films are shown smoking is not shown as a part of them. Why not? If it takes place, it could be argued that it should be shown.

However, they know the deep-seated philosophy that when it is shown to the public, then many people who have no idea of smoking would notice the pleasure it gives and would start smoking. If smoking can spread through this means of public display, why wouldn't sexual misbehaviour? Much more so, in fact.

What we need is a fundamental change in society. One swallow does not a summer make. We need a change in the whole social climate and atmosphere.

Mujeeb Rahman

Ahmadiyya Muslim

Association

Shann Avenue,

Keighley

SIR - Most of the nation's newspapers notified us recently of the death of Anne Grigg Booth, the former nurse who was charged with criminal acts in relation to her patients. Some of them were quick to speculate openly about her guilt, and even to suggest further crimes.

Since then we have heard another interpretation of events. Her solicitor, far from shrinking from the case, has presented what would have been the essence of her defence. Expert opinion has already contradicted the "open and shut" case presented to us previously.

She died alone and in poor health, at a young age. Each of us who knew her must come to terms, in our own way, with the separation that we maintained from her. It would be possible for her death to pass without much comment in her favour. I have no particular wish to do so, except to say that there are a number of issues that merit comment in the interests of fairness and propriety.

Firstly it seems a matter of some urgency that the public should be informed about how such alleged abuses of trust and position can happen within a Health Trust. How can such behaviour go unnoticed? Whatever did happen, we have heard no explanation from her employers. A charitable view is that they have kept any comment to themselves for fear of prejudicing her trial, except that they had already stopped her salary prior to a trial. We must hope that the forthcoming Health Service investigations will be thorough and robust.

Then there is the inordinate length of time that the criminal charges have taken to be dealt with by the legal establishment. So long, in fact, that the accused person has not survived the process. Ms Grigg Booth was, I believe, suspended from her duties in February 2003. Her trial was eventually set for April 2006. Innocent, unless proved otherwise, it is impossible to imagine the anguish that a person must feel during such an unseemly wait. This was simply cruel and has not served justice in any way.

Such a long period for legal proceedings would assume a process of careful fact finding and consideration of what might be considered by some as delicate issues. It is surprising, therefore, that the police detective in charge of the investigation feels so confident in his public and unequivocal judgement of the accused person. His forthright condemnation is quite outside the scope of his duties.

Given her circumstances, and apparent poor health, it is also hard to understand how she so comprehensively evaded meaningful assistance from the Health Service herself. If she were guilty of the crimes as charged, would her mental health not be in question? If innocent, how could she be allowed to fall into such isolation and poor health? Where was the professional support that should have been offered to a person in need?

Finally there are newspapers and commentators, as well as the police, who have been unequivocal in their condemnation of her. We all regret that the Court has not had an opportunity to do its duty in considering the issues. It's shameful and tasteless in the extreme for journalists and editors to form such judgements, fuelling further fears and failing to recognise that there are real live people behind their favoured version of events.

MARK WOGDEN

Skipton Road

Silsden