Stepping out of retirement to renew his relationship with the Craven Herald, former Dalesfolk writer John Sheard is back as a regular columnist. He’ll be bringing his take on local issues as well as interviewing various figures from around the area
Fingers crossed that July’s burst of searing sunshine – the delayed “barbecue summer” the Met Office promised us last year? – has boosted the flimsy survival chances of our butterflies and their lesser cousins, the moths. After 18 months of appalling
Sir – Obviously councillors are allowed some time off, so I wouldn't have expected any of them to have been together in the council chamber to hear the laughter from Platform One at Skipton Station the other Sunday. The subject of the laughter
Sir – I was pleased to hear that Alan Sugar called for increased regulation of the cosmetic procedures sector on his show ‘The Apprentice’, following his decision to invest in the winning candidate’s proposal to open clinics offering cosmetic procedures
Sir – Quarry operators know that the warmer weather heralds an increase in young people and adults entering quarries uninvited with potentially tragic consequences. Sadly, there have already been four deaths in non-operational quarry lakes during
Sir – As a response to the many “inconsiderate” dog owner letters, is it too much to ask the council to keep their side of the bargain? Many of the letters of complaint come from people enjoying the scenery surrounding Embsay Reservoir. I took
Sir – We would like to ask for your readers’ help. This weekend is known as ‘Black Saturday’, when we log the highest number of calls in one day. Normally we receive a call from the public every 30 seconds asking for our help, but on Black
Sir – We are writing with regard to the large amount of planned residential development for Skipton and how that fits in with the development of the local plan. At present there are sites that would provide over 250 properties currently going through
Sir – Further to the story in last week’s Craven Herald ‘Family left stunned by noisy children letter’, I recently was visited by an officer of Craven District Council who informed me that a formal complaint had been made about our back hedge.
Sir – Can I just say how appalled I was to hear about the complaint made to the council about my neighbour’s children. I can safely say that they have never been a bother to me, indeed they are friendly and polite and I like to hear them giggling
Sir – I was heartened to see that Craven District Council plans to improve facilities at Aireville Park. It’s a lovely park and a real haven in our busy tourist town. As a pensioner, I have no interest in skate parks, pump tracks (whatever
Sir – It’s interesting that there has been more correspondence about the council’s management of the region’s verges recently (“Spare our verges”, Letters, July 11). Increasingly, these areas – full of wildflowers, not “weeds” –are being appreciated
Sir – Your readers may be interested to understand what the recent announcement by the UK Government on the privatisation of Royal Mail means for our customers, our business and our people. The UK Government has acknowledged it is not a good owner
Sir – After six years of happy trading, I am pleased to announce that Spencer’s Cafe Bistro has been sold. We all wish the new owner the very best for the future. I would like to say a huge thanks to Carol and Lisa for all their hard work and
Sir – It’s a sad state of affairs when people have to complain about noise made by children during the day time. I agree with the comment that we aren’t very child friendly in this country. Please, let children enjoy their childhood – it ends
Kettlewell School headteacher Lesley Taylor, recruited after pupils made a hip-hop song appealing for applicants, has left for pastures new. Mrs Taylor was appointed in 2006 after the 26 pupils made a CD, which was played on local radio, as well
The benefits of school sports cannot be overstated. It is good to see money being put back into school sport after drastic cuts were made by the coalition in 2010. There was an outcry back then, so the latest investment is very welcome.
Schools in Craven are hoping to produce the next Jessica Ennis or Andy Triggs-Hodge after being given around £300,000 to spend on PE and sport. Each primary school in the area is being given more than £8,000 of sports funding. Headteacher at
Barnoldswick’s largest public car park will not be regulated by short-stay disc parking. Earlier this year, members of the West Craven Area Committee asked that a consultation exercise be carried out with users of the Wellhouse Road car park.
The public has been given its first look at a planned multi-million-pound Accident & Emergency unit at Airedale Hospital, which will see it almost double in size. Bradford Council has received a planning application for the demolition of the
A headteacher has mixed emotions about leaving after “seven very happy years” at a Barnoldswick primary school. Headteacher Graeme Lucas is leaving Coates Lane Primary School to take up a position as a schools adviser with Lancashire County Council
Members of Airedale Hospital’s running group are flexing their muscles to join Silsden’s gala procession with a bed push to raise cash for Manorlands. The Airedale Dodgers will be in fancy dress, and they will be joined by members of Airedale Hospital
Cowling Parish Council is calling for local district councillor Ady Green to stand down. At this month’s meeting, they questioned Coun Green’s attendance record at both parish and district council meetings. A statement, prepared by parish council
This year’s Proms on the Farm – the tenth to be held – has been hailed as the best ever after it attracted around 800 people to a Silsden hillside. Good weather drew around 200 extra people on the day to join the 600 who had bought tickets in advance
Earby and District Local History Society will host a heritage day and exhibition at Northolme Community Centre, Earby, on Sunday. The society is building an archive tracing the history of the estate which was originally built in 1941-1942 to house
An inter-primary school chess tournament proved to be a big hit. The event was organised by Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton, and featured 21 children from six primary schools in the Skipton area. The children also received coaching from
Two Skipton nonagenarians have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Len and Muriel Parry, aged 92 and 90 respectively, were married at St John’s Church in Burnley on July 22, 1948. The Parrys, who live on Long Meadow, met at a dance at
The Yorkshire Regiment had to cancel a parade through the centre of Skipton because they could not find a band to play. The parade would have seen the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment exercising the freedom of the district by marching through
Child actors from TV soap Emmerdale played against Silsden men in a charity soccer match on Saturday. Youngsters including 11-year-old Jack Downham, who plays Noah Tate, played alongside members of the drama serial. Proceeds of the game at
