Letters to the editor

Economies are necessary, but there are far worse examples of profligate expenditure that the council should tackle. For instance, it is a nonsense that Craven are spending £170,000 on the flash-in-the-pan vanity project of hosting the Tour de Yorkshire, whilst refusing to spend £20,000 a year on a local facility that is both vital for the NHS, and the ten local primary schools who need the pool for national curriculum swimming lessons.

There are further examples. I don’t know what the council’s department for communications, partnerships and engagement does, but I do know it has a budget of almost £227,000 a year. I’m sure it could easily communicate £20,000 of that budget to a partnership with Settle Swimming Pool so it can continue to engage 355 children in Settle Pool’s learn to swim classes.

Now, Craven’s response to this will be that there are facilities in Skipton. For most of North West Craven, that is a 50-plus mile round trip. That’s time taken out of the school day for children and additional, painful, travel time for those with mobility problems. In those terms alone, the £20,000 grant for Settle Pool is excellent value for money.

I would urge CDC to change its mind, do the decent thing and continue the £20,000 annual grant that supports a vital local service in North Craven.

ANN SHERIDAN, Keasden.

RARELY have I read a more disingenuous reply than that to Mr Foxton by Craven District Council (CDC) in the Craven Herald of September 24 – Degrading treatment.

I was present at the planning committee meeting at which Mr Foxton made his representations. That planning meeting was because the Jamia Mosque was already in breach of its original licence terms having not vacated the land before due date of April this year, having already been extended from February.

The residents complained that the mosque was operating outside its licensed hours – the planning officer’s comments? “At present the marquee does not have planning permission as it lapsed at the end of April 2015. It is therefore not possible to enforce the hours conditions attached to the previous planning permissions.”

Brilliant!

The environment officer at CDC recommended that the mosque hours be restricted to between 7am and 8pm stating that even those hours could be classed as an environmental nuisance – not unreasonable, and that report was given to committee. After the committee approved a further extension of time for the temporary mosque, the planning officers decided to remove any restrictions, meaning that the call to mosque could begin at 3.30am and conclude at 11.30pm – as it had been doing in breach of the original licence conditions!

And yet the council spokesman could happily state that noise levels had clearly been kept down!

The licence conditions also stated quite clearly that: “At no time must the licensee’s use of the land become a nuisance to neighbouring residents.” And a nuisance it clearly was – yet the council took no action.

ALAN PERROW, Craven Ratepayers’ Action Group (CRAG), Bannister Walk, Cowling.

THE all-day use of the cycle lane for parking still goes unnoticed by the town’s vigilant parking enforcement team and police.

The other day, one vehicle was causing deviation at the mini roundabout near the Keelham Farm Shop. Cycling down there is dangerous.

And here’s the cause. The Keelham shop car park is too small, and even if you can find a place, the tight layout is hard to negotiate. Which is why many customers just park on the road and why I don’t go at all. The sloping site will be hazardous in winter.

I suppose our planners were falling over themselves to approve the business and its tax revenue, and in their haste, failed to notice the car park’s shortcomings, let alone that it is not a farm shop. To me, it is another name for a small supermarket cum grocery, albeit with interesting products and presentations, which attract all those customers.

FWE MANBY, Gargrave.

I AM an 85-year-old maiden lady, nobody wanted me.

Writing is my joy, I love it. The pen is mightier than the sword, and I have a good supply of pens.

My first book, This Old Biddy, 50,000 words, is a mini biography, written as a diary, not every day, over two years. It is a good read, a mixture of pathos and humour, past and present. I have a good sense of humour and a way with words; some poetry there.

The second book, 11,000 words, is a children’s book, published on April 23. It is for eight and nine-year-olds. Illustrated by myself. Gregory LM is a large, lazy lovable monster. He lives in a volcano with other monsters. He is lonely, and wants a playmate. He takes a child on a fantastic adventure.

The books are self published by Author house, USA, and sold on Amazon.

IRENE CONSTANTINE, Knowles Cottages, Long Preston.

WE would like to endorse all comments made in Peter Taylor’s letter – We’re kept in the dark (Craven Herald, September 24) – in connection with the part withdrawal of our estate lighting to save costs.

We also live in a small cul-de-sac – about half our neighbours being over 60 and probably all paying full council tax, with a few other residents who already regularly set off for work during the hours of darkness, the past week a total black out!

As far as we know, we have not officially been told about this withdrawal either via the Craven Herald, village newsletter, parish council, district or county councillors or our village websites.

Many of our streets and estates have become a burglars’ paradise, so I hope we will be receiving an extra police patrol, especially during the hours of darkness.

We have been told there is a facility to complain via NYCC’s website – too late now we fear, but will give it a go!

JOAN AND ROBIN TINDALE, Cowling.

YOUR correspondent Jenny Wiles – Prevention beats cure (Craven Herald, September 24) – referred to the benefits of walking as a good means to tackle major health problems that are linked to lifestyles of physical inactivity.

We are very fortunate in Craven in having three health walk groups – Skipton Craven Walkers, North Craven Strollers and South Craven Walking 4 Health – dedicated to promoting safe short walks in our lovely countryside. All three operate under the auspice of the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support to provide local health walks.

Walks are carefully planned to suit the health needs of walkers and range from 30 to 90 minutes. Walkers include those with a range of physical problems, such as heart disease, cancer, joint problems, diabetes, high blood pressure etc, as well as mental health problems caused by stress and anxiety, bereavement and social isolation. All walks are led by trained volunteers.

Walking with a group provides a good motive for getting out on a regular basis. Our walkers frequently tell us how much better they feel having been out on a walk with us, the sense of achievement they get from going further than they had been before, the enjoyment they get from walking and the social contact.

See the website walkingforhealth.org.uk to find the nearest health walk group and for more information about local health walks.

ANDY GLEN, Coordinator, South Craven Walking 4 Health.

I AM writing to thank Rotary International because it continues to provide fantastic support to the local children’s charity SELFA, which I am the co-ordinator for.

Both Skipton Rotary Club and Skipton Craven Rotary have been firm friends to SELFA since the charity was established eight years ago, supporting local children who are disabled, disadvantaged and vulnerable.

Over the years, both rotary clubs have seen the work we do and have continued to donate money to the charity, enabling us to take children on trips, run workshops and provide specialist clubs.

Recently, I was invited to speak to members of Skipton Craven Rotary about a residential trip to Bewerley Park, which was made possible because of their financial support. I had great pleasure in telling them first hand just what a difference that trip had meant; not only to the children who attended but the impact that it had on the whole family. As ever, all the members were interested and enthusiastic about the charity, the children, our volunteers and what we are planning for the future.

All the members at Skipton Rotary Club have also continued to tirelessly support us and we were delighted when, this summer, they raised £500 for us at their cycling event Tour de Mart. The money raised helped us to pay for a weekend away at our first Wild Forest Camping trip.

Running a charity with such a local focus can make fundraising hard and it is so nice to know that we have the full support of both our local rotary clubs.

EMMA PEARS, SELFA Co-ordinator, Belle Vue Square, Broughton Road, Skipton.

I AM fully aware that planning applications can be made by developers who are not owners of sites, or in advance of purchase.

I have asked the leader of Craven District Council to explain, however, to me and other residents why the council, as development partner, is happy that the developer Lovell has submitted a planning application for the council’s Horse Close site when the validity of the sale of the site to Lovell has been questioned, and not publicly confirmed.

JANE HOULTON, Granville Street, Skipton.

RE: 1940s Weekend – Fabulous 40s weekend is a roaring hit (Craven Herald, September 24).

Perhaps it’s only a few people who have lived through the Second World War who are disappointed at the ‘fun’ of war, which this weekend celebrates.

Some have been particularly saddened by the military hardware and simulated gunfire, and even more by the parading of German military uniforms – not unconnected with the murder of millions in concentration camps.

More than one or two local people have had Jewish friends saved from such camps.

I presume the weekend has the approval of the parish council and that one object is to bring trade to Grassington, but I wonder whether it is right to glorify war in a world still riven with conflict, and does it give a good example to today’s children?

CHARLES TREVOR, Elbolton Flats, Grassington.

I KNOW only too well that when you have breast cancer, everything changes.

Even the things written on your calendar; birthdays, holidays and yoga classes might have mastectomy, MRI scan or lymph node removal scribbled next to them. Time becomes measured in appointments. The next scan. The next results. The next challenge.

My sister Lynn was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She noticed a large lump in her breast while filming in Australia. I know her first thought was: ‘How could that have gotten there without my noticing it?’ Her treatment was tough; chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. I stayed with her. I saw the day her hair fell out. I saw her mastectomy scars.

Sadly the breast cancer came back later and spread. We lost Lynn five years ago.

Every year 55,000 are diagnosed with this brutal disease in the UK. All of these people need care, support and information - which is why Breast Cancer Care’s work is so vital.

I want your readers to pass this on to anyone affected by breast cancer: from day one Breast Cancer Care will be there for you.

They understand the emotions, challenges and decisions you face every day. Call their nurses free on 0808 8006000 or visit breastcancercare.org.uk.

VANESSA REDGRAVE, for Breast Cancer Care.