Sir - Having waited patiently, without success, for North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) to produce a press release about future services at Castleberg Hospital, Giggleswick, we felt compelled to state our concerns.

In a letter dated February 15 2008, the PCT notified all doctors at the six medical centres in Craven it had allocated funds for roof repairs (at Castleberg) but that they would not proceed for at least six months - until the PCT had assessed effectiveness of an alternative pattern of care based only in the patients' home; the so-called "Hospital at Home" model - an expressive paradox indeed! So Castleberg Hospital will be closed for at least nine months - ever to reopen?

We need improved community care, but this must be complementary to in-patient facilities; not an alternative. For years the hospital has provided valuable care for three groups of patients: those requiring rehabilitation after major illness or operations, enabling them to be discharged earlier from acute hospitals such as Airedale General; those admitted directly by a GP, needing in-patient care but not the high-tech resources of the acute hospital; terminally-ill patients.

The hospital's distinctive facilities are focussed on rehabilitation, offering co-ordinated access to clinical care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, mental health services and to social services, all under one roof. Physiotherapy can be graded in a manner impossible in a patient's home. A comprehensive review of patients' needs can thus be made before they return home to what is often a solitary lifestyle.

It must also be remembered that patients on Harden Ward (at Castleberg) will often be nearer family and friends. Castleberg is more than 20 miles from main acute hospitals at Airedale and Lancaster.

We accept everything should be done to enable a terminally-ill patient to be cared for at home if that is their wish. However, some patients and families find it impossible to cope in the home and it is vital Harden Ward remains an option. The ward staff liaise closely with outreach staff from Manorlands and the care is excellent.

The above are some of the reasons for maintaining in-patient community hospital beds in North Craven. There is space and flexibility to develop a thriving community hospital on site. This would fit nicely with the Government's White Paper "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say" which strongly supports local services such as community hospitals.

In the light of Castleberg Hospital's distinctive functions, we need a categorical assurance from the PCT that its services will continue with the minimal possible delay.

Retired doctors Barry Brewster,Eric Ward and John Wright

Hospital fears ... 2

Sir - We write to express our fears for the future of Castleberg Hospital in Giggleswick.

For many weeks GPs from both the Bentham and Settle surgeries have been working closely with representatives of the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust to develop contingency plans (the so-called "hospital at home scheme") to cover the temporary closure of the hospital to allow essential maintenance work.

We were, therefore, surprised and alarmed to receive a letter in late February, sent by a PCT manager, stating that they planned to operate their scheme for six months before making any decisions regarding the maintenance work. Local GPs have little idea what this scheme involves or how it is different from the Rapid Response Service that is already ably provided by our District Nursing colleagues. To date we have received no service specification for the scheme or any explanation as to how its success or otherwise will be assessed.

If the PCT has a commitment to the continuation of Castleberg as an in-patient facility in North Craven, then it would be reasonable to expect that the temporary closure should be for the shortest possible time and be closely synchronised with the start of the maintenance work which would, in turn, have a strictly enforced timescale with the chosen contractors.

The PCT's proposed closure and "mothballing" of the hospital for at least six months could, at best, be seen as a soft target to enable them to save money in the short term to the detriment of residents of North Craven or, at worst, as a cynical plan by which the PCT will, later this year, declare its "hospital at home" scheme to have been an unparalleled success (using their own criteria) and thereby justify the permanent closure of the hospital.

We have no disagreement that this maintenance work needs completing, but have little confidence Castleberg Hospital, which has provided such a caring and effective service to many families in Craven for decades, has a secure future and call upon NY&Y PCT to publicly confirm their commitment to continue providing a local in-patient facility that serves the needs of our geographically isolated population.

The doctors (W Hall, C Littlejohn, H Moakes, C Renwick, A Davies, K Ng, J Renwick, P Harris) Townhead Surgery, Settle

No turbines ... 1

Sir - Ribble Valley Campaign to Protect Rural England view with grave concern the proposals for this major industrial site on green field land (Brightenber Hill wind farm) which is clearly visible even now, without 300 meter towers and blades, from a substantial portion of Ribble Valley.

The slope or aspect of this site is such that it is exposed to view from two areas of outstanding natural beauty, Pendle Hill and Bowland Forest as well as huge swathes of the Ribble valley countryside. The possibility of the whole of our valley being dominated by these giant structures in Craven is unacceptable. Permanently visible in other words to far more people than would ever visit the top of Malham Cove!

We have not involved ourselves in the discussion to date, but it now seems as though the proposition is gathering serious substance and we believe that it is right to notify those involved that we shall in due time be serious objectors.

We are pleased to count ourselves as allies with the Friends of Craven Landscape and wish them every success in their efforts to prevent the rape of the countryside. CPRE will always support those renewable energy methods that do not impact negatively on the countryside and industrialise our cherished rural landscape. But since, of necessity, wind farms need to be prominent in the countryside it is difficult to visualise any circumstances in which they could be supported. And the turbines proposed by this particular scheme will be mega intrusive - the largest so far built on mainland Britain.

David King, chairman, Ribble Valley District Group, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Carr's Croft, Rimington

No turbines ... 2

Sir - What is the truth about wind farms? The EnergieKontor project manager, Conrad Atkinson, said the Brightenber Hill area "had been identified away from the borders of the Yorkshire Dales National Park . . ."

The area is, in fact, within two miles of the boundary and the turbines would be visible from large areas of the National Park.

Most of the area is between 600ft and 700ft above sea level and a prominent feature of the Ribble Valley. The wind farm would dominate the landscape of a very large area, reaching over 100ft above sea level. It would be visible from vast areas of lower-lying ground many miles away.

The granting of planning permission would set a precedent and the cumulative effect of a rash of wind turbines would devastate the landscape of Craven.

Wind farms' performance is very erratic as they don't work in very light or very strong winds and their output cannot be stored for future use by the National Grid. Conventional power stations must, therefore, be capable of meeting peak demand at all times, which must surely make wind turbines irrelevant.

John Prescott signed the Kyoto Treaty on our behalf, committing Britain to huge reductions in CO2 emissions and the development of renewable energy. This was excellent news for the fledgling wind farm industry, which can easily produce the "right kind of figures" to satisfy the bureaucrats.

It is significant that local councils are not allowed to comment on the technical aspects of wind power when considering planning applications.

A recent Radio 4 programme stated that the total contribution of Britain's wind farms to the National Grid was precisely zero!

Surely our council should actively pursue other means of meeting their obligations. Quite modest economies in power consumption and widespread adoption of renewable energy on a small domestic scale would be more effective and preserve our unique landscape for future generations.

Allan Heyes, Beck House, Tosside, Skipton

No turbines ... 3

Sir - I am opposed to the planned wind farm at Brightenber Hill.

When EnergieKontor met residents living near the planned structures, the company confirmed the price of houses close to the turbines will fall. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) estimates that the price of a house located close to a new turbine falls by 20 per cent, if the owners can sell at all.

Before I wrote to your newspaper, I wanted to be sure of my facts so I contacted the RICS who confirm my fears. They state: "The survey shows that 60 per cent of chartered surveyors with experience of house transactions near wind farms report that they negatively affect house prices, with most saying the biggest impact is at the time of the planning application. A smaller number say that values dip the most as construction starts, and fewer still point to the moment where the plant becomes operational."

After that, it all gets a bit woolly; some surveyors say prices start to recover after two years, but the RICS stresses there's not been enough study to say what will happen. It's all very interesting until it's your house on the line - heads you win, tails you don't.

Among those surveyors who say that house prices are reduced by proximity to a wind farm, most cite visual impact as the biggest cause for concern. Next is the general fear of blight, suggesting concerns that properties may not sell at all.

The closest villages to the proposed development are West Marton, Coniston Cold and Bank Newton. I have spoken to some residents who are already considering leaving Craven.

The only people who benefit from these massive structures are the developer and the land owner.

Stephanie Emmett, Bank Newton, Gargrave

Schools sense

Sir - Re Mr Hitchen's letter (February 29) about the selection system in our schools, may I ask what he wishes the council to do about it?

Does he wish to reduce the size of Ripon Grammar School so the "pass mark" there matches ours? Or does he wish to build a new grammar school here so Aireville is reduced in size? Do either of these options make sense?

If parents don't like the selection system they can either opt to go to South Craven School or, of course, move to Ripon. Why are parents so afraid of the selection system anyway? Without it the alternative is a comprehensive school - a large one. In the education press lately large schools have been blamed for current disillusionment of so many pupils as well as the fact that bullying is difficult to monitor.

So we are lucky in having the system we have. It is not perfect but there is no perfect system.

Incidentally, one of our children went to Aireville. She managed to pass nine GCSEs (including maths, English and science at grades A-C) and six of these were at grade A. These results were much better than some of her contemporaries who passed for the High School. At Aireville she learned many other skills because she was in an environment which valued her talents. As a result she transferred to the High School for her A levels, went to the university of her choice and obtained her BSc.

Mrs Mary Jones, Kirk Lane, Eastby, Skipton

Flooded fields

Sir - Re the letter (February 22) by Graham Whipp, of Gisburn Road, regarding Victory Park's paddy fields.

Mr Whipp's comments were amusing but thoughtful and were perhaps intended to sharpen the minds of those responsible for the choice of land to house two rugby pitches and a pitch-and-putt course.

The area chosen slopes diagonally down towards Barnoldswick Town football field. This area is part of the main flood plain, which covers virtually all of Victory Park.

The levelling that has taken place to form the pitches has pushed the plain water into a much smaller area, causing a mass of mud and water which can only escape under or over the town football field which is not in that club's interest.

Questions asked under the Freedom of Information Act of parks and gardens manager Colin Patten show it was P&G staff who were responsible for "planning, positioning and drainage" of the rugby pitch and training area.

Just who were the people who felt that this area, with a fall of 50 feet over 200 yards towards and including a flood plain, was a good idea?

Ernest Spencer, Gisburn Road,Barnoldswick

Deadly road

Sir - How I agree with your correspondent who said it was time something was done about the A6068 above Cowling. I live overlooking the road and it is only too often the scene of accidents on the big corner.

Last Thursday, at about 11.30pm, two cars collided with the wall on the far side of the road. This makes a total of 10 accidents in eight months. Not all are fatal - though we did have one last June - but all are upsetting for those concerned and not only the drivers, but also those of us who have to repair the walls at our own expense if we cannot find the drivers' insurance brokers. The accidents are all caused by cars coming up the hill from Cowling towards Colne and driving too fast. When you ask North Yorkshire Highways what can be done, they pass you on to Skipton and in the end we have been told there are not enough fatalities to warrant any remedial work. How many more people have to die before we get something done?

Betty Hardaker, Park Lane, Cowling

Disgusting dirt

Sir - My husband and I are part of a team who litter-pick around The Ginnel area of Skipton on a rota basis. On Saturday March 1 we collected a full bag of rubbish, which is bad enough when there are litter bins provided around the area.

Worse than that is the disgusting amount of dog dirt we had to avoid along the paths and in the grassed area, where children will soon be out playing football now the lighter evenings are approaching.

There are three dog bins in the area so there is no excuse. It's pure idleness and lack of responsibility. We have a dog ourselves and it's so easy to bag the mess and dispose of it correctly. We know a lot of other dog owners who also act responsibly, but there are still some who need to be brought to book for their behaviour.

Sue and Terry Bamford, Castle Street, Skipton

Milking relatives

Sir - I recently made a number of visits to patients at Airedale Hospital and had to pay the minimum charge of £2 for up to two hours' parking.

Bearing in mind that visiting hours are restricted to between 2pm and 4pm (two hours) and 6.30pm to 8pm (one-and-a-half hours), this seems to border on theft. It's unlikely that few, if any, afternoon visitors will park for the full two hours, but it's absolutely certain that none of the evening visitors will.

Conscious of the decision by the Welsh Assembly to remove parking charges from NHS hospitals and of the certainty that the same won't happen in England, it doesn't seem reasonable for a semi-rural hospital to milk the public in such a way. Shouldn't there be a lower charge for, say, one hour?

Christopher Knowles-Fitton, Knowles Lodge, Appletreewick

Human kindness

Sir - May I thank the considerate individual who took the time on Saturday March 1 to hand in to Skipton police station the lost wallet emblazoned with the words "I hate school".

This wallet belonged to my 13-year-old son who was distraught about the loss as he had just withdrawn nearly all his savings from the bank.

Could I also thank the lady officer who took the time to find out his home address and contacted his family almost immediately to say the wallet had been found with the contents intact.

I don't think anybody can overestimate the positive impact such seemingly small acts of kindness have on the recipients. The effect is profound, it restores faith and optimism in our fellow man and the feel-good factor it provokes is contagious. We just can't stop talking about it.

C Sunderland, Croft Terrace, Carleton

Salt peppered

Sir - Well, there you have it! A recent article in the "best local weekly paper money can buy" (Craven Herald of course), headed "Unhealthy salt levels in roadside cafe butties", only confirmed my concerns over salt pollution resulting from the winter maintenance of our highways.

Several months ago, you published a letter entitled "Salt Shaker" which voiced my concerns about piles of road salt dumped on the verges of our country lanes and how the run-off from said causes pollution to our waterways. Well, now it's even infiltrating the lay-by cafe butties!

So there you are, place the essential winter road salt in purpose-made bins and all who partake in a roadside bacon butty can relax in the knowledge that their salt levels will be at a safer level. Less salt...reduced blood pressure...lower stress levels...decrease in road rage!

PS: This is obviously "tongue-in-cheek", but it is a dig at the way winter road salt is placed in unnecessary piles at the side of the country back lanes.

Andrew Holden, The Green, Hellifield

Bin this move

Sir - As part of the current works in the Town Hall Car Park, Skipton, Craven District Council has taken the decision to relocate the recycling bins.

Apparently, near accidents have occurred when cars are parked next to the bins at the present location, on a bend within the car park itself. So what is to be gained by moving the bins to within a few yards of the busy junction with Rectory Lane?

Having witnessed the speed with which some vehicles enter the car park at this junction, the decision to combine this traffic with cars parked at the bins and pedestrians walking through with no pavement seems foolish and short-sighted.

Furthermore, as CDC does not need planning permission for the civil works, or for the change of use of the area involved (yes - quite surprising!), no consultation with nearby residents has taken place. Therefore, the usual rights of neighbours to object to any development which may affect their property or quality of life has been denied.

The unsightly outlook onto overflowing bottle bins, the noise of glass smashing, (hopefully into the bins but often onto the floor), the inconvenience of increased traffic congestion, and the ear-splitting noise of the glass bins being emptied into wagons early in the morning, is going to seriously affect the lives of people living in the vicinity.

I appeal to the councillors involved to consider the safety and views of the people who voted them into power. I also appeal to any other affected residents to lodge their complaints to CDC's property department.

Helen Shepherd, 20 Rectory Lane, Skipton

Carers Resource

In response to "anger 3 (Letters, March 7)", the group of people which meet at the Pavilion once a month are the Carers Resource and not carers from the Snaygill Centre. The Carers Resource started attending after the Pavilion was turned into a tea room in 2004. Sutton-in-Craven Parish Council has never received a request from them to keep the Pavilion open all year. As far as the council is aware the Carers Resource is happy with the arrangements and when we are closed have an alternative venue.

Sutton-in-Craven Parish Council converted the Pavilion into a tea room to offer a service to the community with the objective of becoming eventually self-sufficient without the use of ratepayers' money.

The Pavilion Tea Room is open from March to November although bookings for parties and room hire are taken throughout the whole year. A trial did take place in the first two years where the Pavilion remained open for a couple of hours each day in the afternoon.

The weather dictated the amount of custom. December, January and February were found not to be economical with regards to salary, heating and stock overheads.

Denise Emmott, Clerk to Sutton-in-Craven Parish Council

Despicable theft

Sir - I hope whoever took the small pot hedgehog from my mum and dad's stone in the Garden of Remembrance at Waltonwrays Cemetery, Skipton, on Mother's Day takes great pleasure in their acquisition. To steal from the living is bad enough, but to steal from the dead is despicable.

Julie M Holmes, Dalacres Crescent, Embsay

9:50am Friday 14th March 2008

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