Letters to the Editor

A number of motorists like myself will have experienced I'm sure, while out driving, coming across the last remaining parking bay, only to find that the adjacent car has taken over part of that bay.

No, sorry, I feel fully supportive of Susan Mendoza, drivers who flout these rules are a law unto themselves and show a total lack of consideration for other drivers.

Carry on with these fines and if possible also apply them to outdoor parking. This might ensure that similar thinking drivers might consider other drivers as well as themselves.

B RODGERS

Blackhill, Keighley

SIR - With regards to article Oct 21 "Monster Shed can be built".

I was outraged by Mr Phillip Briggs' remarks about Damart employees at Steeton. He seems to think that staff at Damart should have sent in letters of support to the planning office.

On the contrary I have always been led to believe that the planning office are only interested in letters of objection and that it is a complete waste of time to send in letters of support.

However as an employee at the Steeton site I can assure Mr Briggs that I do support the new warehouse, not only because it safeguards my employment at the site but also because the warehouse we currently work in is extremely old and dilapidated with a leaky roof.

I believe that those of us who work there deserve better working conditions and thankfully Damart management agree.

I would also like to assure Mr Briggs that I was genuinely worried that if the plans were turned down I would ultimately lose my job, and my sister who also works there felt the same way.

A few weeks ago we were dismayed to find one of the "monster shed" petitions in a shop in our village being signed by people who frankly had no idea what they were signing but signed out of politeness, duty or peer pressure.

I am certain that 90 per cent of the names on the petition of objection could not care less about Damart's new warehouse, but I can assure Mr Briggs I do!

Finally, having spoken to several colleagues at work today I find I am not the only person offended and angered by Mr Briggs' comments.

JANET BURGESS

Keighley Road,

Silsden

Sir - It seems the Town Council regarding Whinburn School are trying to "Snap It Up".

Why did they not "Snap It Up" when Bradford Met wilfully let it run into disrepair, let the gardens be vandalised, the removal of ornate stonework and pavings. Drained off two large ponds killing all the fish, wildlife and pond plants, all whilst Bradford Met was in control.

Bradford Met have allowed undergrowth and trees to flourish unchecked resulting in daylight even in mid-summer not penetrating through the canopy cover. North facing elevation roofscapes have an abundance of moss growing on them which the residents of Hollins Lane have to have removed on a regular basis at a cost to themselves.

The guardians of Whinburn have allowed over a period of years for water to cascade down the access drive and onto Hollins Lane flooding several properties. Fortunately they seem to have stopped this from happening lately and hopefully permanently. I am sure the residents are not holding their breath.

So now it seems Keighley Council intend a feasibility study, (they are already bickering about the £7.5k consultants fees, what will they do about the £1million plus to put it back to as it was).

For what purpose, for it to say the best solution would be to have in place strict planning conditions for the grounds and buildings then sell to a developer or spend the £1 million plus of local tax payers money to turn it into a school truancy smokers union club by day and a drug dealers drop off point by night. Also if the grounds are so restrictive in planning where will the parking be for this cultural oasis, on Hollins Lane, no thank you!

What happens a few years down the line when council changes or cut backs are demanded are we back to square one, with the estate being left to disintegrate again. Come on Keighley Councillors (even those who do not know their constituency) let's have some joined up thinking. Get the planning aspects and conditions right and monitor closely. Make sure the planners communicate with the developer all the way and the rest should fall into place.

This should result in a thriving environment, to be self-financing through service charges to the residents of Whinburn apartments, one would assume, and give some long-term stability to the area.

David Lamb

Hollins Lane

Keighley

SIR -There is no disguising the fact that from time to time I, being a ratepayer, have criticised some members on the newly formed Keighley Town Council for not throwing out old ideas in this 21st century.

I admit there are parts of Keighley's past that must be kept. Whinburn House is one of those exceptions.

I defend those members of Council who have come to the rescue of this architectural worthy. Cllr Brian Hudson, Chairman of Keighley Town Planning, and ex-Mayor Cllr Holdsworth, both leaders in the council who are fighting, with other members of the council to retain the Whinburn House treasure for Keighley should be applauded.

Sadly they are criticised because of a lack of knowledge of Whinburn House. I have lived in Keighley for over forty years, and I suggest even people born in this town are not familiar with all aspects of Keighley's heritage.

That Keighley is now fighting Bradford so that Keighley treasures are saved, not just for Keighley but for the nation, is to be complimented.

Keighley people should stop being negative regarding the saving of Whinburn House. Get behind Keighley Town Council in this matter. Stand up to Bradford's architectural philistines; it could be the start of great benefit to this town.

David Samuels

Highcroft Gardens

Thwaites Brow

SIR - I must be allowed to address the inference that I took my cat Willoughby "to be put down" at the Aireworth Veterinary Practice (article on Cats Protection, of 21st October).

I brought Willoughby home spring/summer 2005 on a long-term foster basis when he was described by Keighley CP as an elderly gentleman in need of a quiet home for his few remaining years.

Willoughby's advanced age took its toll: affecting his thyroid, liver and kidney functions. After several days of eating next to nothing, drinking very little, I made the hard decision to have this gentle old boy put to sleep here in the comfort of his own home on October 5.

If still unpaid by CP HQ this week I shall have to settle the unpaid bill from Aireworth Vets for Willoughby, sent to CP HQ on October 11, when I will forward the receipted bill to CP HQ.

MISS B E VARLEY

Mount View,

Oakworth

SIR - On Wednesday, October 5, 2005 my husband and I decided to have a day out at Ingleton Waterfalls.

We set out and were halfway around the four-and-a-half mile circular route when my husband felt ill and collapsed.

A lady using a mobile phone contacted the attendant at the entrance of the walk who then arranged for an ambulance.

More help arrived by way of a helicopter and after an initial check we were airlifted to Airedale Hospital.

This letter is to thank everyone concerned from the helicopter crew, ambulance men, paramedics, doctors and staff of wards 15 and 19, not forgetting the friends of Airedale Hospital who got us back to the car park at Ingleton.

This hospital is a credit to everyone in that area.

Our sincere thanks once again.

J and M Richardson

Co Durham

SIR - The Keighley Amateur Operatic Society should be congratulated on their fine production of 'Little Me' last week.

I didn't know a lot about this show and felt the society was taking a risk to choose such a piece when audience numbers have been down recently, but I understand that it was one of a number chosen for consideration by the production team and the decision was not made lightly.

I was in the audience on Wednesday evening and was sorry to see so many empty seats, as I feel local people should try to give their support more wholeheartedly to amateur groups in their own area.

Why is it that so many people think nothing of travelling to other towns and cities to enjoy shows there, but never think of patronising a show in their own area? I feel very strongly about this and it seems that it is certainly true that "a prophet hath no honour in his own country".

An awful lot of hard work goes into an amateur show and 'Little Me' was a very good show. Those people who chose not to see it missed a treat.

Perhaps they will show their support by patronising 'Cinderella', which is the chosen pantomime for 2006. One can only live in hope!

BETTY CARDWELL

Bobbin Mill Court,

Steeton

SIR - I would like to thank all those churches and local schools who thought of donating their produce from recent harvest festival services to our hospice.

The tins and fresh goods have been delivered to the hospice and will help us greatly. Our weekly food bill at the hospice alone stands at £385 per week, so the saving to us is great.

Every year approximately six schools and churches help us by sending their donations from harvest services.

This is just to say thank you to all those who contributed in any way to their children's harvest festival or local church. It really helps us and we send our best wishes to you all.

Last year Manorlands Hospice cared for 650 patients and supported hundreds more relatives, carers and friends of patients.

Manorlands Hospice relies on voluntary contributions for the majority of its income and never charges patients for any of the care they receive.

The hospice will cost £1.65 million to run in 2005.

Jo Shepheard

Manorlands Hospice

Hebden Road

Oxenhope

SIR - If you were a child or parent who benefited from Kiddicare's Pre-school and out-of-school childcare at some time over the past 30 years, the current members of the group would very much like to hear from you.

We estimate that around 20,000 children and families have used our services at some time since 1975 and, to help us celebrate our 30th birthday this December, we would love you to make contact by telephoning Kiddicare on 664055 to either share past memories with us or to receive an invitation to our reunion party.

If you have been a staff member or volunteer at Kiddicare at some point in our history we would also like to hear from you and hope you can come and join in the planned party.

Please make contact and help us celebrate 30 years of achievement.

MAGGIE SMITH

Caroline Street,

Saltaire,

Shipley

SIR - I write as a parish councillor on Silsden Town Council.

The people of Silsden pay a huge sum in total for policing to West Yorkshire Police.

They get almost nothing in return: no police station, no policemen on the streets, so necessary to make elderly and vulnerable people feel safe, so much so that they avoid going into the town centre after dark.

What seems to be happening is that the lion's share of police time and conspicuity is spent in the centres of Leeds, Bradford, and, to a lesser extent, Keighley.

In other words, we are cross subsidising the citizens of the two cities, although we have little or nothing to do with them.

It is entirely reasonable that the residents of Leeds and Bradford pay the costs of their (adequate) policing; but the cost of crime fighting in Leeds and Bradford is no more the responsibility of Silsden residents than the residents of Skipton, Harrogate, London or Paris.

We do not mind contributing to the centralised facilities of West Yorkshire Police.

But, with due respect to the untiring efforts of our local PCSO, he cannot do the work of the five policemen who used to patrol the town when the population was half of what it is now.

Warm words from Inspector Allsop, who was at the meeting, cannot change this reality: that we are being short-changed by West Yorkshire Police.

A D PHILLIPS

Park Green,

Silsden