Vital bus service under threat

This service ties those former parts of Yorkshire lost 30 years ago, with today's county.

It has become a lifeline which more people have progressively come to rely upon, especially those with no car available who have used it to visit or reach the doctor, the shops and increasingly, their jobs.

I hear that an employer's request for an earlier bus to Settle has been received. Thus the service is still growing. It also transports light parcels, as well as keeping people in the district who would otherwise have been forced to move.

This will increase as the DVLA disqualifies more people from driving on health grounds. Thus it satisfies numerous social inclusion targets and has even won two prestigious bus industry awards, a unique achievement.

HRH Prince Charles opened the service on March 1 2003 and said it was fantastic when he travelled on it.

However, despite satisfying most of its outcomes, the North West Development Agency sees fit to not renew its funding. No sooner had I heard about free local bus travel for the disabled and for pensioners in the budget than this happens!

I hope David Curry can knock some sense into this.

Robert K Starling,

Riversdale, Giggleswick.

SIR - Tuesday evening marked the final recital in Skipton Music Society's winter season of concerts.

Considering the absolute capacity audience it seems that the public also regarded it as the most worthy of patronage since the performer was the international concert pianist John Lill. Suffice to say that for this listener it was unquestionably the finest of the whole season. It was not solely the impeccable musicianship of Mr Lill, but the whole ethos of his presentation and platform manner.

Despite the generally first class standard of performance brought to these concerts by many of the talented younger generation of professional concert artistes, there is regrettably a sloppiness of attitude regarding the way they present themselves on stage. This is notable in the oft-times casual way they dress.

While it is all very well to say that times have changed and that we are all now far more casual than once was the case, is it not perhaps yet another sign of the insidious decline of standards in public life of almost everything?

Fine for a pop concert perhaps, but for serious music should not the manner of its presentation - and this certainly includes the way the performer dresses - reflect the stature of the music itself?

So often we are treated to performers who come attired as if they thought: "Oh! This is only a country bumpkin town, any old black boiler suit and tatty shirt will do" or if they are female performers they come similarly dressed, probably in totally drab, unappealing trouser suits and butch footwear as if they had come to repair the central heating boiler rather than inspire us with the greatest of the world's music.

Not so John Lill. He came faultlessly dressed in the formal white tie and tails, nor did he regale us with wise-cracking anecdotes about the music or some of his funny experiences in the past.

Without fuss or other gauche, embarrassing awkwardness, he just bowed to us and got on with the performance, reminding one of that other impeccable British concert artist, Sir Adrian Boult.

Sad to say that so much of the casual way that performers now treat us influences audiences too. What might be appropriate at a car-boot sale or afternoon tidying up the garden seems incongruous at a "proper" concert such as we have in the Town Hall. Some men even come without a tie. Women, who would once have prided themselves when out for an evening by wearing attractive clothes, similarly come casually dressed.

The excuse that it is too expensive nowadays is not a convincing argument, for most of our patrons are probably quite well-heeled and are by no means poor. Is all this just one other sign of the times: the gradual dumbing down of British society?

Arthur Butterworth,

Dales Avenue,

Embsay.

SIR - At last: a dynamic, innovative renaissance idea for Skipton! Well done to Margaret Carr (Letters, February 25) for her suggestion of a new, purpose-built indoor market on a central site in the town and to Geoff Hoyle (Letters March 4) for catching the ball and running with it.

Stallholders could be independent of the weather, have designated parking close by and have no need to erect or dismantle stalls daily, while we residents and visitors could reclaim and enjoy our High Street.

This is an ideal issue for the Craven Herald to promote, but there would need to be evidence of local support.

If you prefer the vision of a wide, accessible, tree-lined High Street to the existing conglomeration of slow-moving crowds and parked vehicles, not to mention the debris left behind, now is the time to speak up and do something about it.

Helen Handley,

Eshton Road,

Gargrave.

SIR - I refer, but only briefly, to your article about Burnsall School and Red Nose Day 2005 (Craven Herald, Friday March 18) and would like to make it clear, from the outset, that I write as a private individual and I do not represent any other person or interested groups.

I do not propose to comment on the article as the sooner this storm in a teacup is forgotten the better.

I am closely involved with the work and life of the school and I want to make it clear that Sheila Bloomfield, the headteacher, and all the staff are doing outstanding work for our children. I support them all wholeheartedly.

And don't just take my word for it. Read the recent Ofsted Report. Burnsall School is a good school, that's official. They don't deserve an article like this as it unjustly damages the school.

While I write as an individual, I am sure that there are some, maybe many, in this community who share my view.

I have taken the Craven Herald for many years now, both as a non resident and resident "offcumden".

The paper has a hard earned and well deserved reputation as a quality paper, reporting local news and provoking debate on important local issues. Long may that be so.

In my view, Sunita Bhatti's article comes into neither category but, if to err is human, then to forgive is divine. So you'll be relieved to know that I shall not be cancelling my order. But please stick to what you're very good at and consign this sort of thing to the waste paper bin, where, you might put this as well.

Rev Al Hodge,

Burnsall Rectory.

SIR - I am intrigued by your report "Youngsters left disappointed by Comic Relief ban" (Craven Herald, March 18). Was Burnsall School the only school in the area/county/ country not taking part in Red Nose Day?

If yes, when was the voluntary status of the day removed, and the event made obligatory by a national schools policy?

Perhaps the time has come for the Government to declare Red Nose Day a national holiday? If it did, then children with their parents and other family members would be free to focus their day on "wearing a red nose" and being "really daft" together as they turn their attention towards helping the less fortunate in a generous way.

Your report suggests that this may be the only way to prevent any further disappointment of children, parent protest and headteachers stigmatised unfairly.

Small wonder that many dedicated and committed teachers lose heart!

Sam and Mary Doubtfire,

Station Road,

Threshfield.

SIR - After reading last week's article about Burnsall Primary School not taking part in Red Nose Day I felt I had to reply.

I don't think there is anything in the school curriculum that says schools should support Red Nose Day or that it needs to be organised by teachers.

How many children actually know where the money raised by this event is spent? I suspect most, although knowing it is for charity, only know that it is an excuse to look ridiculous and skip a day of formal lessons.

I think, however, Mrs Longthorne could organise an event for Red Nose Day in Burnsall village hall and that way everyone can support it.

I also think Mrs Longthorne could teach her children about poverty and injustice in the world instead of teaching them that when things don't go as they want then find someone to blame.

I can't think why she felt the need to bring this to the Craven Herald and risk embarrassing her children in the process.

So come on Mrs Longthorne, apologise to Miss Bloomfield for the hurt this has caused and be thankful for the good education that your daughter is able to enjoy at Burnsall Primary School.

Elizabeth Hammonds,

Main Street,

Grassington.

SIR - Congratulations to Skipton St John cadets for winning the county first aid championship (Craven Herald, March 18).

I know this is a very good achievement and requires a great deal of skill having judged the competition several times at various stages in my capacity as assistant training officer of the county.

To those who are not aware, the cadets have a limited time in which to assess and treat the patient. Believe me, the competition between teams is very keen.

However, in the late 1950s, St John Ambulance cadets entered and won the area, county and regional competition and reached the final in London under the guidance of Cadet Superintendent W Annan. Alas they did not win.

Two team members were Michael Bray and John Brown and perhaps someone could name the others.

At that time Charles Greenwood was divisional superintendent, Jack Milner the divisional officer, W Annan, the divisional cadet superintendent, Mary Watts, the nursing superintendent and Josephine Lister, the nursing cadet superintendent. I was just an ordinary member.

Once again, Skipton, congratulations and well done. I hope you reach the finals and bring the cup home.

D Heslop,

Ex divisional superintendent

and county staff officer,

George Street,

Skipton.

SIR - I would like to reply to Councillor David Whipp's defence of his party's continued policy to sell off the Bawhead Road land to a private developer for housing, which flies in the face of all current local and nationally agreed planning policy and particularly planning policy guidance note three (PPG3).

It dictates that a sequential approach should be applied to all new housing developments in terms of land use - for example, brown-field land first, then previously developed land, and finally green-field land - not the other way round which is what he is proposing to do.

May I remind him and your readers that irrespective of past political/ planning decisions (which incidentally were based on the planning information available at that time) there is an over supply of housing land provision in Pendle.

In fact there is enough to see the borough through until 2015 and this has been known since March 2004.

Furthermore Coun Whipp and fellow Liberal Democrat councillors ram-raided the Bawhead Road planning application through the West Craven Area Committee in September 2004 against the wishes of many Earby residents and their elected representatives who had first asked for it to be deferred while an alternative site was looked at and then moved for it to be refused when this was not accepted by them.

Also this decision was made just five weeks before Pendle Council's Executive (of which Coun Whipp is a member) removed the Bawhead Road land as an allocated housing site from the Local Plan in October 2004 and more importantly long before any budgets were agreed.

On this subject, if CounWhipp as portfolio holder for resources, counted on this receipt to balance next year's budget, then more fool him.

Maybe his efforts would be better spent following up the ongoing campaign to get back the money which has been withheld from Pendle Borough Council in grant settlements over the last three years by a Labour Government and which amounts to a massive £1,883,000.

Finally may I point out that this is not a case of nimbyism (not in my back yard) because 69 houses are about to be built on two brown-field sites in the centre of Earby and that there is also more brown-field land available for any future house building should it ever be needed in Earby?

Coun Chris Tennant,

Earby Ward councillor,

Red Lion Street,

Earby.

SIR - I was very pleased to see Vivien Mason's recent piece informing us that the proposed enlargement scheme for Greenfoot Old Person's Home has been postponed, at least.

I sincerely hope your next article will tell us it has been cancelled - dead and buried! It is the pottiest idea I have heard of in a long time; it really takes the parkin!

Apart from the alleged unstable sub-strata and other objections mentioned, surely an alternative proposal could be an upgrade of the present building and expansion into the garden area.

I walk almost every day past the home and I have never seen anyone - summer or winter - in the garden, except rarely, a gardener. I am certain this alternative would be less expensive. Some garden space could be kept.

The mention of houses always gives me the suspicion that a developer's hand is behind it. Greenfoot car park would attract more visitors from the east and south-east if it is labelled "scenic car park" with tourist information signs at the roundabout and just before the Falcon. It would certainly give a better impression to newcomers.

Of course, coming from the opposite direction only the dreadful Whitefriar's car park awaits visitors. That could be a "service car park". A couple of attractive loos in Greenfoot car park would be a bonus.

Arthur Cookson,

Yealand Avenue,

Giggleswick.

SIR - I would like to point out, without bias, the coincidence between two articles in the March 18 edition of Craven Herald.

The article "Nature Watch" refers to the proliferation of goosanders in the Yorkshire rivers. In the Rural and Country Living supplement, it is stated that no-one knows why the grayling is vanishing from the upper Aire.

Incidentally, the former article states that it has been "shown that goosanders can coexist with fish and fisherfolk". I find this to be a peculiarly naive statement with regard to a predator and its prey.

JB Sunderland,

Braithwaite Road,

Keighley.

SIR - I was interested to note the 1908 Olympic Games commemorative medal relating to the Clough family from the South Craven locality.

Did that medal - for gymnasts - actually belong to Eddie Clough? If so, then two people from South Craven coincidentally received commemorative medals for gymnastics at those same 1908 Olympics.

I worked for many years as rent collector for the old Skipton Rural Council - later Craven - and over the years many people noted my sporting interest.

Hence, at the time of the Mexico Olympics 1968, Mrs Vera Stead, who lived in one of the old people's flats in Colne Road, Glusburn, showed me her 1908 Olympics commemorative medal for gymnastics.

Mrs Stead (I do not know her maiden name) had been a member of the Saltaire Ladies' Gymnastics Team which, due to them being recognised among the most talented in the country, had been invited to present a display at the games.

Alas, Mrs Stead is now performing her gymnastics up in the sky, so I wondered if the medal featured is the same one which may have done a few somersaults down the street when the flat was cleared.

Or did, South Craven possess two gymnastics stars at the time? If so, it was quite an achievement for such a small community.

Roger Ingham,

Aldersley Avenue,

Skipton.