Warning to cyclists from riders in "near miss"

Whilst enjoying just such a day last Thursday our cycling group of pensioners were riding sensibly on the single track road between Kettlewell and Conistone when an old Land Rover, driven by a bearded character, ploughed through us blasting his horn.

One of our number was forced into the wall , missing serious injury by pure chance and leaving that rider completely traumatised by the incident. Everyone else escaped by the skin of their teeth.

It appeared to be a deliberate act of aggression and could have had very serious consequences for all ten of us.

Owing to the outlandish and aggressive behaviour we reported the incident to the police who intend to investigate further. So, cyclists, be warned!

Trevor Pickles Chairman, Gargrave Tuesday Club Thornton-in-Craven Culture change call Sir - Many of your readers have contacted myself after reading your “Cloak of secrecy” report in last week’s Craven Herald regarding the gagging of we elected members.

A little background may help, but unfortunately I am threatened with legal action if any material facts are made public.

That an extraordinary meeting had to be called by we five concerned members is a sad reflection on the failure of management and the leader of Craven District Council to involve and inform councillors on the serious and significant issues involved.

Clearly, a disturbing and disastrous lack of and breakdown of trust has and continues to exist over the handling of the section 151 officer position. Trust and respect have to be earned and deserved.

The current state of affairs is unacceptable and has treated we members with utter contempt. Matters that are clearly in the overriding public interest are above the imposition of perceived confidentiality.

My understanding of local authority governance is that officers and staff are responsible to we members and that we as elected councillors are answerable to the public of Craven.

This, I believe, is what is know as democracy, which at all times must be truthful and transparent.

Much of the heart of the matter is now, via a website, in the public domain, which I am informed has over 3,000 hits.

If was hoped the special meeting would help all members to gain a better understanding of what lay behind all the secrecy and the members would work together to rebuild trust, respect and confidence in our district council.

Collectively, we as members have that responsibility, but the controlling political group must have the will and resolve to pursue management and culture change both at the level of senior officer and their own democratic leadership.

It was for these reasons in the interest of openness, transparency and democracy we asked that as much as possible of the extraordinary meeting of Craven District Council be taken in public session.

County Councillor Robert Heseltine The Ginnel Newmarket Street Skipton Craven by nature?

Sir – On Tuesday, September 10, Craven District Council (CDC) members met for an extraordinary meeting, allegedly to discuss the circumstances surrounding the leaving of the Section 151 officer, Joanna Miller.

Allegedly is correct - for little of that was discussed.

It seems that such matters are of little interest to councillors, or at least to most of them.

No, of far more importance is the matter of secrecy. And so no less than one and a half hours were spent discussing whether the public should know if their money had been spent, and why.

They decided that the public should not know.

They then apparently spent the next half hour to determine the reasons they could give as to why the public should be excluded. You really could not make this up, could you?

Will we find out how much of our money has been spent in a secretive and ‘hushed-up’ manner?

Well, not if CDC councillors have anything to go by it seems! Craven by name, and Craven by nature for most of them.

Alan Perrow Craven Ratepayers’ Action Group (CRAG) Bannister Walk Cowling Housing plan anger Sir - We are disappointed to announce that a huge development is planned north of the historic area called Town Head in Silsden.

Despite the fact that infrastructures in Silsden are woefully inadequate it seems that it is a fait accompli that a new development will begin soon. Land has been cleared and a footpath created despite planning permission not yet being sought.

The architect and chartered surveyor David Hill of Skipton held a pop-in meeting on Wednesday, September 10, to discuss designs of the development. Outraged residents have been told that a public meeting to voice opposition will not be being held to canvas opinion.

With a busy road and historic tiny streets already at over capacity, with local transport networks creaking and with local schools full it seems ludicrous that such a development comes from any planning common sense.

We were presented with a drawing for 62 houses, with a further larger development proposed for opposite the main road.

This is a green-belt area with many habitats (bats and tawny owls) not to mention an area of history with houses dating back to the 1690s. The whole character of the area is about to be ruined.

Kathryn Foster Town Head Blue badge ‘tyranny’ Sir - Can someone please explain to me why double yellow lines are used up both sides of Skipton High Street?

Like most people, my understanding is that such markings indicate that parking is forbidden as doing so is likely to cause either safety hazard, obstruction or both.

How is it then, that at most times of the busy working day, the double yellows on the High Street, and other streets like Swadford Street, are choked with those lucky enough to own the blue badges, that automatically make their cars no hazard to crossing pedestrians or passing cyclists, and no obstruction to wider buses, vans or lorries?

I am well aware that there might be the odd badge holder with severe mobility problems who needs to park right by the shop or bank that they need to just pop into. It might well be a good idea to have a few designated spaces for such people.

However, most of the people exercising their right to ignore parking regulations seem to be doing so simply to avoid the parking charges in the many perfectly adequate and numerous bays in the towns car parks.

If parking is not an obstruction on the busy streets of Skipton, then the lines should be erased and everybody should be allowed to park there.

If it is a safety hazard, then a better system than the blue badge tyranny needs to be considered.

Adrian Dent Skipton Baking for charity Sir - Appearing on BBC One’s Great British Bake Off changed my life. Baking is my passion and it’s now a joy to be able to share that passion every day.

If you’re feeling inspired to create your very own ‘showstopper’ or ‘signature bake’ this autumn, why not use your enthusiasm and creativity for a good cause and host a bake sale for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. The charity is inviting budding bakers to get involved in Bake it Better Week from 13 – 19 October and raise vital funds to make a difference for very ill children and their families from across the UK.

You can host your bake sale at work, school, or with family and friends - it couldn’t be easier. Don’t worry if you produce a soggy bottom or two, Mary and Paul won’t be there to judge!

Check out bakeitbetter.org for recipes from patients, hospital staff and celebrities (including my very own peanut butter chocolate cupcakes) and request a baking pack choc-full of fundraising tips and materials.

Your funds will help to provide new state of the art buildings and facilities for patients and their families, with space for a parent to sleep comfortably by their child’s bedside, giving everyone peace of mind.

Rise to the challenge, and take part in Bake it Better Week. On your marks, get set... BAKE!

Glenn Cosby Packing up troubles Sir - As the nation marks 100 years since the start of the First World War, a number of us believe that the centenary is an opportunity to learn from the lessons of the past.

One lesson that stands out particularly strongly to me, as chief executive of the military charity SSAFA, is the spirit of bravery and optimism in the face of such terrible times, demonstrated not only by the soldiers at the front but by the families they left behind.

We see the same courage in those we support today – be they serving personnel, veterans or family members coping with injury, illness or personal difficulties.

The song ‘Pack Up Your Troubles’ encapsulated that spirit during the First World War, and is still sung and played today.

It became what many would call the ‘viral hit’ of the Great War, and we at SSAFA are hoping to breathe new life into it for the centenary.

Members of the Military Wives Choirs and a host of famous faces have come together with many of those SSAFA has supported over the years to record a new video of this truly uplifting anthem. You can watch and share it to show your support at www.ssafa.org.uk/smile.

SSAFA was the only national military charity operating when the First World War started and we are still going strong today.

Through our support for serving personnel, past and present, we have always aimed to put a smile back on people’s faces.

So if you know a member of the Forces family who’s currently experiencing their own ‘troubles’ we are here to help. Contact us on 020 7403 8783 or visit www.ssafa.org.uk.

Air Vice-Marshal David Murray CVO OBE Chief executive of SSAFA (formerly The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) St Dunstan’s Hill London Adoption plea Sir - The number of adoptions in England is rising which is good news. But sadly black children, especially boys over the age of three, are still waiting a year longer than other children to be adopted.

Parents for these children are desperately needed – could it be you? Adopters are welcome from all walks of life and if you do not share the same ethnicity as your child, assistance and support is available to help you develop their ethnic and cultural identity.

The adoption journey can be challenging, but is ultimately so rewarding – adopters tell us it is the best thing they ever did.

One couple, who adopted their son of African heritage 11 years ago, say “the joy our son brought and still brings us is amazing”.

Please consider whether you could become ‘mummy’ or ‘daddy’ to one or more of these wonderful children and find out more about adoption by visiting www.baaf.org.uk or contact www.first4adoption.org.uk Savita de Sousa British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) London