4:10pm Friday 5th February 2010
Sir - I rent a flat in Fountaines Alms Houses, which overlooks Linton village green and is adjacent to The Fountaine Inn, which is very efficiently run by Natalie and Chris Lamb.
I would like to record the kindness given to all the residents of Fountaines Cottages by Natalie and Chris.
Though they have three young children and very busy lives, they still find time on Christmas Day to bring Christmas dinner to the seven residents – all OAPs – and their guests.
At 11.45am, Natalie and the two older boys arrive with a large plate with turkey, sausage rolled with bacon, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, bread sauce, stuffing, vegetables, cranberry sauce and gravy ready to pop into the microwave.
To follow, there is Christmas pudding and brandy sauce.
I might add there was such a good helping of turkey I had enough for two meals! It was all delicious.
We are not expected to pay anything for it, but fortunately I had a little something ready for the boys.
I think this is true Dales Christmas spirit, a kindness which deserves to be recognised.
Mrs Sheila Marshall, Fountaines Cottages, Linton
Sir – In late November I was admitted to Airedale Hospital for a major operation. I would like to ask chairman Colin Millar, the governors and trustees (whom I have already written to) what on earth they have done to the lovely meals that used to be served from their own kitchens at the hospital?
Yes, I know that they are closed because they needed upgrading, but this food is dreadful. There is more waste at every meal than what is eaten.
My husband and daughter had to bring me things to eat. All I had from the menu was breakfast and cheese and biscuits.
I wrote on the back of my menu almost every day complaining, writing down my name and also my ward number, but I did not get an answer from anyone.
Airedale Hospital has won many awards, but loses them with the food that is now served.
For goodness sake, get the kitchens opened and get the meals made like they used to be.
Mrs Babs J Myers, Kelbrook
Sir - Re the turbines plan at Brightenber Hill. Turbines gleam when catching the light or are nearly black against the sun, making them an obvious feature on the landscape – and sometimes they move!
Are wind farms as efficient on inland sites as expected? Calculate the amount of energy required to manufacture a wind turbine, add on costs and energy used in preparing the site, transport, erecting the turbine and connecting to the National Grid.
These results may exceed the amount of energy the turbine can produce in its lifetime. Add costs like grants and money paid to the landowner and it could be tide and hydro power are more efficient in developing “green” energy round the islands of the United Kingdom.
Ann Thomas, The Ridge, Tarbert, Argyll
Sir - I would like to say thank you to the staff responsible at North Yorkshire County Council for their efficiency in maintaining the main roads during the recent Arctic conditions.
They were kept well-gritted and ploughed to enable the public to make a safe journey. They have done a fantastic job and are out in all weather conditions to make the highways safe for us all. They deserve credit and too many people criticise the council when it snows, but I am sure they can’t be everywhere at once and some roads are priority over others. Keep up the good work lads.
S Manson, Regent Road, Skipton
Sir - Through your paper may I express my thanks to all who supported the Cards for Good Causes charity Christmas card shop which traded in Craven Court, Skipton.
A big thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time each week and the staff in Craven Court who made us feel so welcome. A very big thank you to all those who sought us out to buy their Christmas cards.
Despite the recession we had a very successful year and the charities will each receive a minimum of 75p in the pound for each pack of cards sold.
Mavis Metcalfe, manager, Cards for Good Causes Christmas card shop, Craven Court, Skipton
Sir – Despite previous letters on your page, I must say the dog mess situation has not improved at all.
I am referring to the pavement area on Harrogate Road between the turning to Embsay as far up as the entrance to Overdale.
I am a dog owner and can honestly say I have never been guilty of failing to pick up after my own dog.
The main culprit is obviously a large dog with a very irresponsible owner.
Where are the dog wardens? When did we last hear of any warning or prosecutions for this finable offence?
M Mitchell, Overdale Park, Skipton
Sir - I suppose it’s a sign of the times, but if you’re out walking these days and you greet a stranger with “Good morning”, how does their reaction distinguish the city dweller from a local?
Answer: the local will invariably return the greeting (but with the exception of genuine members of the hiking fraternity), while the city dweller will take a sudden interest in the floor and scurry past.
Mr R Potter, Low Lane, Grassington
Sir - We have a large problem in the small park outside our properties on Ribble Terrace, Settle.
Structural surveyors from the council came and dug deep inspection holes with a small CAT digger and ripped up the grass. The park is a mess and everyone’s furious.
We have had so many people commenting on it and asking what’s going to be done. We asked them on the day what they were going to do to put the mess right and they said that they would do nothing! There is mud and stones where the grass grew and the whole area is covered in deep CAT tracks and mounds where the CAT turned round etc.
The turf could have been lifted and flattened after the holes were filled and relaid, but they said nobody had thought about doing that, and that eventually grass would grow! Well it can’t grow unless it’s flattened and reseeded and they say it’s not down to them.
Please tell us what the sense is in spending all that money on the opposite side of the river when another department trashes the small park side which is also used by visitors to the area. Surely the council’s aim was to promote the area, not make it look like a rugby pitch in winter.
Karen McNeice and fellow residents, Ribble Terrace, Settle
Sir - The grassed park area in front of the houses on Ribble Terrace, Settle, is in bad repair and looks shabby and uncared for. It is a poor reflection of Settle. The residents’ spokesperson has, over several years, been constantly in touch with Craven Council pointing out these problems and trying to get something done about improving this sadly neglected corner of Settle.
The wall which runs alongside the river is starting to collapse. The council has been and carried out exploratory digging, but left the grass in a mess due to heavy vehicle use. There are several trees in this area that are dying and need urgent attention. The railings are rusty and not securely fixed and are a health and safety issue as they have sharp spikes on top. A public footpath runs down the side of these railings and is used by families with young children. Teenagers also use the path and can be quite boisterous at times, falling onto these railings.
The concrete benches are in need of repair as the wood seating is broken.
This park is an important tourist attraction as visitors use the grassed area to have picnics and to sit and admire the beautiful views up to Penyghent. Surely after all the money that has been ploughed into regenerating the opposite side of the river with a new path, rebuilding of walls etc, this area deserves a facelift too.
Angela Griffiths, Ribble Terrace, Settle
Sir - I am disgusted to have read (Craven Herald, January 21) that Skipton Town Council has approved a 15.7 per cent increase in its council tax precept.
Just what do Skipton residents get for this? I would like to see a breakdown of what the town council is spending our hard-earned cash on.
I would also like to see the amount we pay for the town council staff, of which I believe there are currently half a dozen full and part-time.
I also read that more posts are being created and we are now paying for so-called “Town Centre Ambassadors.” We already pay for Community Police Officers and Tourist Information Officers, why do we need these extra people?
It is claimed that the scheme has been a success, that there hasn’t been one negative comment and people have been saying how much they like the idea.
In the last week, I haven’t met one person who agrees with him. I have heard plenty of negative comments, especially in the current economic climate when most companies are having to cut staff.
Mrs M Colley, Park Avenue, Skipton
Sir - Readers of the Herald are aware there have been tragic accidents at Niffany Corner, Skipton, and one feels for the families involved. However, I would like to comment on the letter from Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate, Claire Hazelgrove (Craven Herald, January 28).
Ms Hazelgrove describes Niffany Corner as incredibly dangerous for drivers and, claiming to speak on behalf of all residents, demands action from councillors. I do not know if Ms Hazelgrove is a regular reader of this newspaper but, if she is, she will have read a range of articulate, differing views on what should or should not be done at Niffany Corner and why it is or is not a dangerous spot.
Even if Ms Hazelgrove does get elected, she will never speak for all residents. Regarding the action from local councillors, if Ms Hazelgrove means Skipton or Craven councillors, is she not being hard on them, since coverage on this matter in the Craven Herald has given the impression that responsibility and decision-making lies with North Yorkshire County Council?
Given that a decision is due shortly, Ms Hazelgrove’s intervention comes late in the day and, some would say, has a faint whiff of electioneering about it.
Mark Willingham, Riverside Walk, Airton
Sir - I suggest the Liberal Democrat candidate Helen Flynn (Letters, January 28) should refrain from comments such as “quite how a London city businessman can bring real help to ordinary small business people in our area does not seem immediately obvious” and talks to those involved in this initiative.
She will hear Julian Smith has a firm grasp of what is required, as well as being keen to listen to others of experience, whatever their political leanings, to produce improvements.
The fact that the new Conservative candidate is an entrepreneur must be in his favour, as is the fact he comes from North Yorkshire stock. He has, in addition, been an advisor to Training for Life, a charity helping get unemployed and disadvantaged young people back into work. This expertise has already been used to help a young man who has been sent to two local business leaders who have offered to mentor him as he endeavours to set up his own business. A young woman is also grateful for help with her CV and telephone manner, the latter – she writes – a much-needed boost to confidence. These are just two examples of the positive effect Julian is already having. As will become increasingly obvious, Julian Smith has an extensive knowledge in the fields of education, skills and enterprise, where improvements are urgently needed.
No politician worth his or her salt takes on a role in public life without a sense of vocation. The improvement in the lot of those most disadvantaged is the core aim and it brings huge satisfaction when successful.
Conservatives should not be tarred with the same brush as those in the present parliament who have abused the expenses system. Our faith in British democracy must be restored.
John D Clark, vice-chairman, Skipton and Ripon Constituency, Colton House, Burnsall
Sir - As a private local citizen, I wish to comment on the blatant manipulation of rural constituencies to appoint London-based party puppets as new MPs.
Before 1832, “rotten boroughs” were used by wealthy patrons to appoint their own MPs to build undue influence in parliament. Now, in the aftermath of the expenses scandal – with dozens of disgraced MPs standing down “voluntarily”, the major parties evidently see opportunities to build new rotten boroughs, specifically here in Skipton and Ripon.
In one of the largest and safest Tory constituencies in England, the incumbent Tory MP is conveniently “standing down” – and Tory central office is treating voters just like the sheep on our hills.
The shortlist did not include one single local candidate. The Tories decided on a public schoolboy and London City entrepreneur who runs a headhunting firm for bankers! He does not live in our constituency. Clearly he is not going to be any great trouble to the Tory whips, either.
The joke is that he is actually masquerading as a local! Despite never having lived nor been educated within hundreds of miles of Yorkshire, he is claiming “old family roots” that see him “coming home”. How insulted should we be? Labour has responded with a 21-year-old candidate who clearly stands no chance at all – a pure “throw away”. So local voters have already been disenfranchised.
Richard Stevenson, High Mill Farm, Markington
Sir - May I disagree with David Clarke, of Cononley (Letters, January 28). The new bus service from Burnley to Skipton is a blessing for me and others with disabilities as the Transdev buses are low-level, ideal for those of us with walkers.
Pennine Buses are a nightmare, even if you are lucky enough to have a helpful driver (I had a driver once tell me I shouldn’t be using the bus!). I now live in Todmorden and being able to visit Skipton friends is very much easier. God bless Transdev!
Mrs Christiane Burns, Cambridge Place, Todmorden
Sir - I refer to the letter (Craven Herald, January 28) headed “Cleaning cost”. Craven District Council has not “authorised” or endorsed any private company to clean bins on our behalf. Any company offering such a service is completely separate from the council. Residents should, however, be aware they are responsible for damage to bins cleaned by a contractor. We have no objection to a company running a bin cleaning service, but residents should not feel they are being cajoled into using that service. If residents have any questions about their bins, or the new collections, please contact the Alternate Weekly Helpline on 01756 706330.
Paul Florentine, Waste and Recycling Manager, Craven District Council, Granville Street, Skipton
Sir - Having read the letter headed “Cleaning cost” in last week’s Craven Herald, I would appreciate the opportunity to state that, as the longest-established wheelie bin cleaner in Skipton (Wheelie Hot Wash), I am not the contractor who apparently claims in a flyer to be authorised by Craven District Council and believe the council could not legally favour/approve any such contractor.
As a contractor, we do, however, comply with Environment Agency guidelines and waste/water disposal regulations.
Steve Lawrence, Wheelie Hot Wash, Ball Grove Drive, Colne
Sir - With the introduction of the blue bag scheme for collecting waste paper and cardboard I would not like to see Settle Swimming Pool finances suffer. I admit it will be easier to dispose of our waste paper by leaving it out for collecting, but I would please ask everyone who takes theirs to the pool to continue. Could those who don’t please go the extra mile if possible. Admittedly CDC’s finances need a boost, but it is equally important for the people of Ribblesdale to keep helping the pool to maintain the excellent facilities it provides.
County Councillor R C Welch, Raines Road, Giggleswick
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