Readers' Letters (From Craven Herald)

Readers' Letters

9:00am Saturday 16th June 2012 in Letters

Discriminating against the disabled

Sir - It clearly hasn’t occurred to anyone that Skipton’s Planning Policy is discriminating against disabled residents and visitors. As a wheelchair user, the only cafes I can enter unaided are Costa or Rackham’s. The latter has a lift. It doesn’t take much of a step to make life difficult!

Caffe Nero are currently banned by planning debate from getting out their ramp, so I can only go there in my manual chair, pushed by my husband. This means I can’t arrange to meet friends through the week while he is at work, in a cafe of my choice.

Skipton is already difficult for a wheelchair user, with its charming setts and wobbly flags – for which reason, I prefer to use my power chair, to lessen the impact on my spine from the uneven surfaces.

It’s clearly time the planners sought an inclusive approach to their deliberations, instead of imagining problems and introducing discriminatory policies!

Caroline Smith Skipton

Barren and ridiculous

Sir - I’m writing in reply to B Pearce's letter in last week’s Craven Herald about the apparently disgusting state of the verges alongside the main road into Skipton along the Aire Valley.

The ‘weeds’ referred to are in fact wild flowers – something commonly found in the countryside. They are only weeds, in fact, when growing unwanted in people’s gardens.

Uncut verges are also more environmentally desirable... There are two main reasons for this: the first is that uncut roadside verges are a good habitat for wildlife. The second is that, to mow all the roadside verges alongside all the county’s main roads would waste huge amounts of our remaining fuel reserves while grossly polluting our air and adding to the carbon emissions currently bringing us climate change. It would possibly be even more polluting and wasteful than people driving up and down the bus route between, say, Sutton-in-Craven and Skipton in private cars instead of getting the bus!

I personally hope the council take no notice of the criticism and leave the verges in their natural state – there is nothing disgusting about nature. I actually think the shaven verges look barren and ridiculous.

Carol Oliver, Embsay

Introduced by Nazis

Sir - I am disappointed by the attention given by the media to the procession of the Olympic torch through Great Britain (and Ireland).

The torch “relay” is simply a cynical marketing ploy designed to make British citizens living outside London believe that they are somehow involved in the Olympics (beyond merely paying for it). The reality is that, for most of us living in Craven, the experience this time around will be no different from previous Games save that we will able to watch the weightlifting and dressage whilst we have our tea rather than having to get up at 3 o’clock in the morning to do so.

In the modern era, the torch relay was introduced by the Nazis, who wanted to create an image of a direct link between the Ayran master race and Ancient Gods – something Hitler was very keen on. Nowadays, the sponsors are the big multinationals rather than Nazi ideologies, but its purpose is still a marketing one. We should remind ourselves that the flame was more likely lit by a cigarette lighter in Dewsbury than the Temple of Hera of Mount Olympus.

The torch is due in Skipton on June 24. I would like to think that Skiptonians will show their contempt for the spectacle by standing on the High Street but turning their backs on the flame, in silent protest.

R Crossley, Shortbank Road, Skipton

Shame on Skipton

Sir - Readers may like to know that my walk and busk from Blackpool to Filey raised just under £1,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Playing and singing the whole way I ended up with blisters and a wonderful sense that people are amazing, their kindness, generosity and support along the route was a real joy in these troubled times. Except Skipton where I was shot looks that made me feel like dirt, despite plenty of printed information on what I was doing. Skipton added just £1.20 to that £1,000 in an hour, so, Skipton, hang your head in shame. You can still contribute via justgiving.com/tim-moon by the way.

Tim Moon, Multi instrumentalist, songwriter and singer

Thwacked in the face

Sir - Having read Mr Roger Dobson’s letter in your last issue, I feel as though I have been thwacked across the face with a wet kipper.

This incomprehensible attack on Councillor Barrett is unfair, unjust, inane and downright ridiculous. I represent Sutton on Craven District Council but Phil Barrett is our voice at county council.

In all my dealings with him over very many years I have always found him to be supportive, diligent, caring and hard working and Sutton residents know that he fully represents their interests at County Hall.

Phil is a fighter for the interests of our area, often against all odds and whilst victory was denied on some occasions it was not for the want of a damn good battle.

I cannot even guess at the motivation behind such a preposterous attack on Phil but I think I can still smell that kipper.

And to Phil Barrett I say a big thank you for all that you have done, continue to do and will do in the future for your constituents who hold you in far higher regard.

Stephen Place, CDC Councillor Sutton Ward, Sutton in Craven

You did us proud

Sir - Could I please take this opportunity, through your paper, to give my heartfelt thanks to the parish/town councils of Giggleswick and Settle and everyone else involved in the wonderful Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations we have just enjoyed?

The international market, children’s disco, family picnic, the flotilla of children’s boats down the Tems, wonderful church service followed by procession of the “Queen” and her attendants through the village, torchlight procession, lighting of beacon and amazing fireworks were just some of the wonderful events my family enjoyed and took part in.

The beautiful bone china commemorative mugs the children of Giggleswick received, will, like the memories of a fantastic weekend be cherished by me and my children for ever.

Well done to ALL involved and a BIG thanks.

You did us and her Majesty proud.

Tim Cannon and family, Giggleswick

Memorable event

Sir - I hope that the Queen enjoyed her Jubilee weekend as much as the residents of Carleton did.

The Jubilee Committee provided five days of over 12 fun-packed events and functions bringing together young and old to celebrate and to enjoy this memorable event.

A big thank you must go to the committee members and their helpers for all the hard work in planning, organising and running the events, it could not have been better. Even the rain-soaked Sunday could not dampen the spirit and atmosphere and the street party went ahead as arranged under cover.

Thank you to all those people and organisations who provided so many things to support the committee and events and to help make it all possible and to all the householders who decorated their properties with flags and bunting.

We have been very fortunate in Carleton to have had a selfless team of people who have given up a great deal of time and energy to provide the entertainmentand to bring the whole village together. Thank you does not seem enough but it is truly meant by all.

From the villagers of Carleton-in-Craven

A big thank you

Sir - We would like to say a big thank you to the organisers of the Carleton jubilee celebrations, the committee put on a five- day spread for the whole village to enjoy.

The celebrations kicked off on Friday evening with a lantern procession and firework display followed by a weekend of fun-filled activities, organised bands and 1950s street party. Monday brought us a fabulous sports day followed by the official beacon lighting then to finish off on Tuesday the committee cooked a full English for the whole village, there was a presentation of a commemorative coins for the children and a village photo. The organisation and work the committee put in to this weekend was phenomenal. Well done, you did the village proud.

Dawn and Richard Carleton-in-Craven

Well done everyone

Sir - It was a pleasure to be in Cross Hills during the jubilee weekend. Main Street looked great with masses of flags, bunting, flowers and decorated shop windows.

Many thanks to parish councillors, schoolchildren and traders. Also thanks to the jubilee committee for organising all the fun events. Well done everyone.

N Hunt, Airedale View, Cross Hills

Enjoyment for all

Sir - I would like to congratulate all those involved in the Jubilee Celebrations at Gargrave last week.

A terrific amount of hard work went into the whole enterprise, resulting in two days of enjoyment for everyone. My thanks to the chairman and members of Gargrave Parish Council, the PTA and pupils of Gargrave Junior School, the members of the WI, and Karen and Danny at the Old Swan, and to all those who gave their time and professional help and advice so freely in order to make the whole project a success.

Thank you all.

Christine Baldwin, Gargrave

Big thieving society

Sir - After enjoying a fabulous weekend in London at the Jubilee celebrations I returned home to find some b****** had stolen my wheelbarrow planter, full of red geraniums, colour-coordinated in the Jubilee colours.

If anyone knows of its whereabouts I would be most grateful for any information. Perhaps it has actually grown legs and walked!

If the culprit had asked me to make one, I would have gladly made one for free. This behaviour deters me from making the outside of my house pretty.

To make matters worse, this is not the first time that this has happened. So much for the big friendly society, more like the big thieving society!

Yours aghast, Lois Shore William Street, Earby

Road repairs needed

Sir - When I asked recently what North Yorkshire County Council was intending to do about the appalling state of the roads around Ingleton, the answer I received was “Nothing”.

I would like to ask the council how long they intend to do nothing because the longer they leave things the more expensive repairing the roads will turn out to be, not to mention the damage to people’s cars.

Keith Bradshaw, Dale Bank, Ingleton

Pylon comparison

Sir - I wish to make two points about wind farms, wherever they are.

What do you think local people said about the prospect of electricity pylons when they started to be set up all over the country? And where would we be without them today, even if they are becoming redundant?

I remember years ago discovering that pylons and TV aerials had to be removed from view in Callander, Scotland, to make it authentic, and there was an outcry about it. People didn’t want to lose their electric or TV even for a day!

It is very different the other way around. I can’t see how people can fight tooth and nail to prevent the Brightenber wind farm being erected about 600 metres from their home, but can support the money- making development of caravans, chalets, golf courses, leisure complexes (potentially very noisy) etc 50 metres from our back lane, destroying the view and the peace that mostly sold us this house 16 years ago.

Loretta Gooch, Hellifield

Bus assurance

Sir - Regarding the recent article regarding John Cadman (Craven Herald, May 31): It is sad that Mr Cadman has lost out to the Little Red Bus (LRB) but Mr Foster of Calton may be assured of his daughter’s well being now she will be travelling with the LRB. ALL LRB drivers must be CRB checked before being accepted as volunteer drivers.

Mr RA Hall, former LRB driver, now full-time carer, Embsay

Thursday thought

Sir - I know this may seem a little deep for Thursday morning when the Herald arrives, but I would like to ask a question this morning: what is important to you in your life?

I would personally answer this with ‘living my life to the full’, or ‘making people smile’, and I would like to think that others would say this too.

So I put this to you: how many times in your life do you act on this? As people who have been blessed with free will, I think it is our duty to act.

Therefore, just once if you like, show the world what is important to you in your life.

Laura Smith, Skipton