10:30am Saturday 2nd January 2010
Sir - Young people today often come in for bad press.
We all know that some of them do silly things, such as getting leglessly drunk, experimenting with drugs and behaving promiscuously.
This behaviour can devastate their lives and the lives of their families. Unfortunately this sort of behaviour can cause older people to tar every young person with the same brush. Young people all too easily become labelled “troublemakers”.
Recently, in Ingleton, we saw another side of young people. Ingleton Primary School and Ingleton Middle School both held their Christmas presentations in the parish church of St Mary the Virgin. After the primary school service, one adult commented: “You know, when I saw those children it gave me hope for the future.” What a compliment to the children and staff! The middle school concerts were also evidence of the true nature of many young people beyond primary school age: the age when young people are more likely to be labelled and condemned.
There were budding actors, musicians and singers. The items they presented had taken hard work and dedication. The behaviour of those young people who were in the audience was exemplary as they sat and watched and as they entered and left the building. The young people set a splendid example and can be proud of their achievements. Of course, this represents the ethos of Ingleton Middle School and Mary Parker (the headteacher) and the whole staff should also be complimented.
It was a privilege to have the school in church and proof that, given the right guidance, young people do have what it takes to build the future.
Charles H Ellis, Vicar of Ingleton and Chapel-le-Dale, St Mary’s Vicarage, Main Street, Ingleton
Sir - It was with great pleasure that I attended the presentation evening at South Craven School. The evening was a great success, the undoubted highlight being a group of 20 boys of different ages dancing and singing “The Old Bamboo” from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. How they ever coaxed so many boys to give such an enthusiastic and assured performance, I will never know!
The 97 per cent success rate in the summer’s GCSE exams was the best result in the 52-year history of the school. But, as a visitor to the school, what was immediately apparent was that this is a place where any child can excel in his or her chosen path, whatever that path might be – vocational, academic or a mixture of the two.
Headteacher Dr Andrew Cummings and his staff ensure that a strong ethos and support structure make each child secure at South Craven and instil a strong sense of mutual respect and esteem that is immediately apparent. The children I saw are a great credit to an exemplary learning establishment.
Helen Flynn, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Skipton and Ripon, Low Lane, Darley
Sir - The snow fell down, it froze and the ice was quickly covered with more snow, making roads and pavements slippery death traps – so where was the grit?
The weather forecasts warned us snow was on the way so North Yorkshire County Council must have known.
Last year there was reported to be a shortage of salt and there are rumours [denied by the county council] that there is one this year too in Skipton.
Surely safety measures to protect the people of Craven as they venture out in wintery weather must be a priority – if only to stop anyone who falls and gets injured suing for compensation from council coffers.
Patricia Mason, Sackville Street, Skipton
Sir - I came to Skipton by coach on December 13 for the second Yuletide Festival.
It was very good, but I do think you could make more of Skipton’s assets, such as the castle and its history. The woods are lovely, with a wonderful approach either up by the corn mill or along the canal, which gives you a view of the back of the castle.
There is also, of course, the parish church standing proudly at the top of the High Street. The canal basin is very attractive and given more publicity than these historic places of Skipton history.
To see Skipton High Street at its majestic best, go on a Sunday when it is clear of all the stalls on the setts. It is a wonderful sight. We were pleasantly surprised to be met at the coach park by the mayor in all his regalia.
Mrs A Robinson, Orchard Place, Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Sir – Creative Carleton would like to thank Catherine Johnson, Anna Bowman, Ross Wiggan and Ella Hatfield from the Cultural Services Department of Craven District Council for the professional advice and support they gave us when we organised an Archive Exhibition in Carleton Village Hall.
The exhibition was a tremendous success, with 431 visitors, and a huge amount of community involvement taking place to stage it. These workers are great examples of public service employees offering a high-quality service, which makes a difference to residents’ lives.
We did not need to talk to them very often, but the advice they gave us was instrumental in inspiring us to aim for a higher-quality exhibition and find solutions for problems we came up against. They were also friendly and easy to approach, which was much appreciated.
Kath Davies, secretary, Creative Carleton, Westwood Mews, Carleton
Sir - Meningitis UK would like to thank everyone in Craven who has supported us throughout 2009 – a year which has marked the charity’s 10th anniversary.
We have been amazed by people’s generosity and dedication despite the stresses and strains of the credit crunch.
Money raised has supported our vital research projects being carried out at universities throughout the country, all with the aim of wiping out meningitis through developing vaccines.
Despite great advances in the last 20 years with vaccines for Meningitis C, Hib and pneumococcal meningitis, there is still no vaccine for Meningitis B – the most common form of the disease in the UK. Six families sadly lose a loved one to the brain bug each week.
Our Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7 million to fund lifesaving research into eradicating Meningitis B. The number “4” signifies the devastating fact that meningitis can kill in under four hours.
If any of your readers would like a symptoms information pack, or to support our Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, please call Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org Steve Dayman, chief executive of Meningitis UK, Cleeve Wood Road, Downend, Bristol
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