Geese take flight

Over the last few weeks people in Wharfemeadows Park have become increasingly upset at the actions of the Grey Lag geese and how they apparently have chased off the resident swan population. Just a few weeks ago they killed a swan and at the weekend a second narrowly escaped after a passerby jumped into the water and beat the geese off with a branch.

So, for fear of their own safety, as much as that of the swans, the geese have been bundled up and removed to another lake where it is likely their flight feathers will be removed in case they try to return to Otley.

So, was it the right thing to do? Some will be very pleased, as it was clearly distressing to see the swans being attacked. We'll never know now, but the expert view was that the geese were in all probability about to nest and were merely protecting their territory. Given a few more days, or weeks, they could have calmed down and peace could have returned to the river. Then again, with feelings running so high, they might not have lasted that long.

An annual growth in sales of 40 per cent and UK sales figures of £130m are pretty good statistics by any company's standards. But when it comes to Fairtrade-marked products the bottom line is justice for all. There is no question that Fairtrade has been a success story. The UK is now the biggest market in the world, with more than 700 products carrying the Fairtrade mark. And it is a market which local groups around the country are determined to see expand.

A new group has been set up in Otley to work towards the goal of gaining Fairtrade Town status, and in Menston, too, campaigners have been doing their bit to promote the cause with a Tasting Stand last weekend to help show that you don't have to sacrifice quality in order to shop ethically. Everytime we buy Fairtrade we are helping farmers around the world to support families and communities. Surely a few extra pence is a price worth paying.