Letters to the editor

However, we will not be returning to Skipton ever again. We moored opposite the bus station and Friday night was a bit noisy which, we thought, was to be expected on a Friday night.

But Saturday night was the night from hell - hordes of young(ish) folk roaming from pubs to club, crossing the footbridge, chanting, yelling and screaming (the girls) until at least four o’clock Sunday morning.

As a lone female I have to admit I was terrified, it sounded like a riot which was out of control.

The repetitive thumping noise from the club until around 2am to 3am was enough to send anyone not into that sort of “music” around the bend. How the local population put up with it I do not know. It is a wonder your councillors allow it - it must be a nightmare for the police (if they were in attendance) to attempt to manage.

It is a pity that Skipton has gained such an adverse reputation in my (and other visitors’) eyes.

Maisie Trotman Mercia Marina Willington South Derbyshire Shocked by dumping Sir - On Saturday morning I went into Skipton to do some shopping. I parked at Tesco and walked into town via Carleton Street.

I was shocked and horrified how much litter had been dumped on the street from the start of the street right to the end, rubbish literally everywhere - dumped.

What do the residents think with all this outside their door? What’s more what do visitors think? I for one think it’s appalling. Welcome to Skipton. It’s a dump - literally.

Mark Oldfield Sunnyroyd Bradley Skipton Slow death of buses Sir - Last Thursday, June 26, my wife went by bus shopping in Skipton. There was no problem going, the fun started on the return journey on the 12.45pm out of Skipton, the last bus of the day to Settle.

Conscious of the minute seating capacity of the present minibus she queued at the bus station and did get on. Several passengers did not, being left behind, the driver full of apology. He repeated his apology to those waiting at the High Street stop, including pensioners with their shopping.

More commiserations for four schoolboys waiting at the grammar school, passes at the ready. One wonders how they went on, apparently penniless. There were still more at Gargrave, and no even smaller little red bus following behind.

Settle was eventually reached at 2pm, half an hour late.

Quite clearly the county council does not give a damn. They were the basic cause of the loss of the much-loved Pennine buses and now seem intent on leaving the folk of Settle and district to a long lingering death by withdrawal by stealth of the remaining service.

Remember them when the elections next come round.

Bob Swallow Townhead Avenue Settle Cycling is so positive Sir - I am sorry that Bob Marchant (Letters, June 26) says that Dales businesses are having a bad trading year, and sad that he attributes this to cyclists. He seems to think that the Dales should be a playground for the rich and privileged, and cyclists should not be welcomed because they don’t spend enough money in local shops.

One reason for establishing national parks was so that all people, of all incomes, could access the best of our British countryside. They were never intended to be only for the enjoyment of high-spending motorists.

His letter provides anecdote about the low direct spend by cyclists, rather than the results of a survey, and I suspect that does not give a true picture; but national parks are not paid for out of visitor spend anyhow. Most money comes from taxes and British cyclists are subject to those the same as anyone else.

Foreign tourists, whether in cars or cycles, do not pay taxes so can only contribute via direct spend, but Mr Marchant’s figures show most cyclists are British. Many cyclists also have cars and will no doubt visit the Dales not only as cyclists but as motorists, with their families, and spend more money. Others would love to be able to stay overnight, only they don’t have the time or cash to do this as a result of rock-bottom wages, longest hours in Europe, student fees, caring commitments, high rents, etc.

Even with good equipment and clothing, some of it bought in Skipton where we have cycle shops, cycles are much cheaper to buy and run than a car. Car ownership amongst the under-26s is dropping and cycle use is booming.

Mr Marchant also accuses cyclists of causing congestion, but a cyclist takes up less space than a motorist and needs less parking space.

In this country we still have mainly shared road space because our governments, since the 1960s, have funded far less win-win infrastructure to allow cyclists and motorists to avoid each other than other wealthy countries have. The Connecting the Dales consortium made a bid to the government to fund a new cycle route into the Dales from Skipton, via Gargrave, but was turned down in 2013.

Perhaps Mr Marchant could help persuade our MP and government of the need to invest in such a route. Meanwhile, if any driver of a car finds that sharing the road with drivers of bicycles affects their blood pressure, then they may benefit from using their car less and taking up cycling to improve their health and increase their patience. We are a nation of car potatoes and we need to change that because it is crippling the NHS.

Claire Nash Hall Croft Skipton Having a Tour ball Sir - Not a lover of road racing, I have nevertheless been hugely impressed by the way the people of Silsden have responded to the call to “join in” with Le Grand Départ.

In Kirkgate and Briggate, the main streets, almost every shop and business window boasts a display of yellow bikes; yellow cyclists; yellow, green and red polka dot jerseys. One shop window is devoted solely to displaying yellow goods.

A pub has its windows decorated with paintings on them of cyclists. The churches have joined in. Bollards at the river bridge have been painted in the jersey colours. A “cyclist” is head-first in a hedge above a speed warning. Even the hanging baskets are yellow.

I hope the town enjoys itself fully on July 6. It seems to be having a ball already.

Allan Friswell Keighley Road Cowling Trees ‘a sad loss’ Sir - With reference to the article “Residents delight as potentially dangerous trees to come down” in last week’s Craven Herald, I would like to explain my view on this planning decision.

I have lived in Moorview Way for over 30 years and love the trees that are right at the end of my garden, they were here a long time before me and I was aware of this when we bought the house.

I know that they can cause inconvenience and do not always come in attractive shapes, but I did not realise that this was a reason for upturning a preservation order. I thought that a tree had to be unsafe or a danger to people to have a preservation order taken off a tree, and I am not sure what a “potential dangerous tree” means, because from the information I have read, these trees are not diseased or unsafe.

I am also concerned about this setting a precedent and that other trees can be cut down, when they become an inconvenience. Because the horseshoe of trees that surround “the Gully” is a wonderful resource for all types of birds and animals and for everyone that uses this recreation area, I feel that it would be sad and criminal to lose that.

I know that new trees will be planted, but these will take years to grow to maturity, but of course they will not be causing too much of an inconvenience for many years to come.

What is happening to our council and planning committee, that they make decisions on healthy trees, with comments “if trees are worthy of protection, they should be, but these are not”. Cllr David Ireton, please explain what you mean, why is a tree not “worthy”?

Lynne Wilkin Moorview Way Skipton Well done, Rebecca Sir - Well done to Rebecca Alton, 14, of Grassington who has received the ‘John Baker Award’ after being treated for leukaemia three times (“Brave Dales girl is an inspiration to others”, June 26). There should be more information given out on the causes of leukaemia. I have an encouraging story. Researcher Edward Priestley, from near Halifax, developed severe aplastic anaemia (bone marrow destruction) from workplace chemicals and doctors didn’t think he would survive. But decades later his blood count is normal. He found the causes of leukaemia and many blood diseases include toxic chemicals, radiation and certain medical drugs, which can damage family DNA. Benzene is a proven cause of leukaemia and yet is used by industry.

By avoiding chemical causes and eating healthily he survived and helps others. He has no magic cure – just natural common-sense information to give the body the best chance. Visit www.medicineandillness.com The EU now admit that many chemicals were allowed into common use without proper safety testing to see if they cause cancer. Preventing the disease in the first place would save so much suffering. Well done to courageous Rebecca on her special award.

A Wills Dulverton Road Ruislip Middlesex Court closure fear Sir - Regarding the new idea from North Yorkshire Police to take prisoners to Harrogate, will they be taking the “police” signs off their vehicles and replacing them with taxi signs instead? Also, does this mean that the custody suites will be used for the lazy Skipton police as extra sleeping accommodation?

This all seems to me, and I am sure to a lot of other taxpayers, that this idea is a back door to closing the Skipton courts eventually.

If they want to save money, why don’t they move the police station to one of the industrial estates? I would think they could get one for a lot less money than the one they have now.

A Munnerley Long Meadow Skipton Ban end disbelief Sir - I read with disbelief last week how a farmer, George Houghton of Bentham, received a life ban after RSPCA officers discovered his two dogs in a critical state.

One was tied up, both dogs had large cancerous tumours.

I don’t think the dogs should have suffered through his wife passing away through cancer. He should have been a responsible dog owner.

The magistrates, in allowing the life ban to be lifted, should have thought how those dogs suffered.They can’t speak for themselves.

And as for getting another puppy for his farm, I find it beyond belief.

People who behave this way should be banned for life and it mean life, no second chances.

Pamela Thompson Whinny Gill Road Skipton Supporting families Sir - Saturday was Armed Forces Day, an opportunity to thank our service personnel.

This is made more pertinent by the centenary of the start of the First World War in August, when we will pause to remember all those who have played their part, including my own great uncle, Private Samuel Wakeham, who was killed during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916.

The British collective memory of The Great War recalls the death and destruction in the trenches of the Western Front. However, there is another story that should be remembered; the story of the home front and the families, the women and children left behind by those who went off to fight. SSAFA (then the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association) was the only charity in 1914 caring for the families of troops sent to the front line. Without a welfare system in place the government asked for help to fill the gap in support for the servicemen’s families.

Through two world wars and every subsequent conflict involving Britain, SSAFA has been here for our servicemen and women and their families. Today we still support some 90,000 people each year.

The bottom line for us is providing support – for those who have done their bit for our country, and their families, making sure that when they are in need, we are there for them. They have made their selfless contribution and the least that we can do is be there for them in return.

Air Vice-Marshal David Murray Chief executive of SSAFA www.safa.org.uk SSAFA 4 St Dunstan’s Hill London EC3R 8AD Couple of comments Sir - Comment on a couple of recent letters.

Re “Le Tour” route householder complaining that they are being prevented from parking in front of their home. Traffic law indicates that obstruction is an offence. Anyone leaving a vehicle unattended is guilty of obstructing the space it is occupying and could be prosecuted accordingly. (The abundance of blocks of garages built in the mid 20th century is testimony to the now little used regulation.) Just think how fortunate it is that this not usually enforced.

Re the “Grassington” sign, have to agree with your correspondent that the “additional new feature” is ill-conceived and needs to be relocated as soon as possible; even scrapped. Confirm that the view from the the circular seat at the base of the tree in the “market place” has been ruined and the name “Grassington” will be obscured by the planting. Am a regular visitor and was totally unaware of its arrival. Admittedly any sign in this type of area needs to be inconspicuous like the two-hour waiting limit carved into a timber panel - not detrimental to the existing facilities - as is this large slab of stone. At the very least it needs to be built into of the wall of the raised planting bed on which it currently stands.

Mr R Shaw York Street Clitheroe Fighting a killer Sir - We’d like to ask your readers to get their running shoes on and sign up for this year’s Great North Run – the world’s largest half marathon – and help fight meningitis with every stride.

Meningitis Now is looking for extra runners to join its team, but hurry – registration closes at 10am on Monday, July 7. To tempt people to run with us we’ve lowered the registration fee to just £5. For that you get a running vest or T-shirt, an information pack on how to prepare for the run and a sports massage at our post-race reception.

Our friendly events team is also on hand to offer help and advice on how to raise the £300 sponsorship target too.

The 13.1-mile race takes place on Sunday, September 7, and this year we expect to see the millionth runner cross the finish line in South Shields. It could be you.

Tragically, meningitis continues to affect thousands of people in the UK each year and kills more children under five than any other infectious disease. Help us fight back on all fronts by funding research to eradicate the disease, raising awareness and supporting survivors. To take part visit our website at www.meningitisnow.org or contact me on 01453 769023 or email beckyj@meningitisnow.org Becky Jones Events co-ordinator Meningitis Now Stroud Gloucestershire Prince was right Sir - I firmly believe that Prince Charles is quite right to advocate grammar schools. They give children from whatever background the chance to make the very best of their talents. There should be one in every town.

Mike Hookem UKIP MEP for Yorkshire & North Lincolnshire Holderness Road Hull