Priced out of my local village

I think they have missed the point of affordable housing completely. It isn't housing meant for the poor, it is, as the name suggests, housing that is affordable, relevant to the local economic climate.

At present, the housing market in Grassington is at an all time high and the only people who can afford to buy are either retired or "offcumdens" ("people who aren't from around here" for those unfamiliar with the term).

Young local people like myself (22) are simply priced out of the market and are being forced to leave the area to seek their own property.

My brother has had to move to Skipton in order to purchase his own home and I, along with many of my contemporaries, may have to follow suit if the current economic climate continues.

To suggest that people will pour scorn on families because they got their house cheaper because they are local is absurd.

Local people work just as hard as other people around the country but there is a major difference in incomes between the north and south. The local economy cannot afford to pay the salaries equivalent to the rising housing prices, which is why affordable housing is required.

Grassington is increasingly becoming a 'dying' village with the average age ever increasing.

The local character of the village that makes it so appealing is becoming lost as the infiltration of "offcumdens" grows larger by the month.

Affordable housing would go a long way to resolving this problem. However, the scheme is being held up by a few "old farts" and "nimbys" who can see no further ahead than the end of their own nose (I have a feeling Mr Wilcox may fall into both these categories!).

These people, obsessed by their own interests, cannot see the bigger picture and are worried that a few more houses may slightly affect the value of their own home.

If they love the village so much, why would they want to sell?

I would also like to point out that the council are involved in several successful housing schemes in many villages and are well equipped to run and maintain these properties to a high standard.

This experience makes a pilot scheme unnecessary. Running one would only be a waste of taxpayers' money, which I'm sure our penny-pinching scheme opposers would find horrific!

But then again, at least it will give them something else to whinge about.

Russ Aldersley,

Northwood Close, Grassington.

SIR - On October 24, as I was driving towards Skipton, I suffered a puncture in my nearside front tyre. Managing to pull in off the road on the busy B6265 road into Skipton, I started to set about changing the wheel.

As this was not my vehicle (I was driving for a friend who was walking the Pennine Way from north to south), I was concerned as to the correct way to release the locking bolts on the wheel, and where the jack should be placed. Whilst I was pondering these questions a Land Rover pulled up and entered the field behind me.

Some five minutes later this vehicle appeared again and the driver, looking at me, searching for the correct tools amidst a huge pile of bags and rucksacks, walked over and inquired if I was OK.

I was certainly not OK, and the young man, a farmer, as it turned out, without further question, took over and completed the wheel change for me.

For me, even as a reasonably fit 73-year-old, I do not think that this was a task that I could have easily completed by myself. May I, through your columns, thank this young farmer for the help and assistance he gave me. He even went to the extent of calling a friend on his mobile, who had a similar vehicle, to seek his advice.

He was a true gentleman, and when the job was complete, and I offered my profound thanks, he was in his Land Rover and away, before I could even get his name.

So, if that friendly farmer does read this, he will know that I will be forever grateful, and that he assisted in our marathon walk of the 256 miles of the Pennine Way, which was in aid of a local charity.

This was indeed Yorkshire friendship at its best.

Ken Hawkins

Elizabeth Way,

Uppingham, Rutland

SIR - At last Settle is waking up to the fact that the through traffic is too large and too dangerous to continue using the road through the town centre. Continuing action must bring results.

Our elected representatives must see we are serious, though I was saddened that Beth Graham observed the action in the market place and yet takes no action to take account of these views.

Many local business owners have expressed their support but could not attend a demonstration in working hours. I found your reporting of the morning's events very balanced and would like to thank all those who braved the (rough) elements to express concern at the current situation and the police who helped to make it possible.

Joy Calvert,

Settle.

SIR - I am wearily offended listening to people like Beth Graham and Richard Welch rambling on about so-called "offcumdens".

Do people who come to Settle from outside have no right to express their point of view, or their dismay at anti-social activities?

The fact is we are all offcumdens. When children leave Settle to go elsewhere in the world to earn their living, would their parents accept that they should have no voice in the community where they choose to live?

I came here 35 years ago. Three generations of my family live here now. By nature of my work I could have chosen to live anywhere. Having lived for most of my life in the Lancashire industrial belt, and been brought up in the dirtiest mining village in Yorkshire, I reckoned I was entitled to a few years peace and quiet in beautiful countryside, and lucky to be able to do so.

I chose Settle. It seems it was probably a wrong decision, but I'm stuck with it, so can people who have lived in these ideal conditions for all of their lives please stop condemning me for exercising my democratic right to protest without intimidation when the environment in which I too live is threatened.

A letter, possibly the most offensive I have ever read, has just been passed to me by a couple of people who were on the demonstration. If the couple had been black, the letter would have broken any existing law against racism. As it is, the rant against offumcdens incited by local people who are demonstrating their unfitness to represent the whole community, is creating a nastiness which Carl Lis might describe as "beyond belief".

It is to be hoped that when offcumdens are able to vote in the local elections their vote will demonstrate that far from being a minority, they have a voice which is going to be heard.

John Finch,

Settle.

SIR - As some of your readers will be aware, we are holding a school re-union for the class of 65 of Aireville School at the Hanover International Hotel on Saturday November 15.

This is the third re-union we have organised and one of the reasons we have chosen 2003 is because the class of 65 will be celebrating their 50th birthdays this year. Over 70 people will be attending this re-union including many of the former teachers, one of who will be Mr Davies, the former headmaster.

Harry Balderstone, who lives in New York and is a hairdresser with many famous clients, instigated the original reunion. Unfortunately Harry cannot make this reunion but he is in Yorkshire on the Friday and would like to meet as many former classmates as possible on Friday the November 14 at the Royal Shepherd in Skipton from 6pm onwards. For further information please ring Andrea Burton on 01535 634652 or me on 01535 632040.

Jill Wiseman,

Valley View, Glusburn.

SIR - I am becoming increasingly irritated by the commotion of our local church St. Alkelda's and its rather odd desire to raise vast sums of money for its church bells.

People who go to church know perfectly well what times the services are, and therefore do not need to be reminded by bells as in the days before clocks and watches were in use; so, it seems to me, to be a total waste of cash and effort.

Why not spend the money raised on helping and feeding the homeless, and the addicts, who really do need a helping hand, instead?

Would Christ have wanted us to fund church bells, or needy people?

J Canaway,

Giggleswick.

SIR - In response to the article 'Beech tree faces axe', two phrases spring to mind: "people in glass houses" and "jumping the gun".

Being the homeowners in question, we ask ourselves, is this the same parish council objecting to the felling of our tree which was fined only weeks ago for vandalising healthy beech trees without Craven District Council's permission?

And didn't we, the council tax payers, have to pay for their actions?

We did ask Craven District Council's permission and are still awaiting the professional opinion of a tree expert (not the opinion of three nearby residents who claim the tree is healthy, yet cannot even recognise one copper beech when they see it, not two).

If the tree surgeon confirms it is a healthy tree then it will of course be left alone.

We know it is a lovely tree but the safety of our family and that of our immediate neighbours is paramount.

So, with all due respect, let's see what the outcome is before passing judgement.

Julie and Nicholas Neale,

Cornerways, Glusburn.

SIR - Steeton Male Voice Choir (SMVC) is 96 years old. In that time it has given, and continues to give, much pleasure to its audiences and members. It has also contributed greatly to fund raising for all manner of good causes.

Currently, for example, it will participate in the Yorkshire Imperial Cancer Research Fund's concert in the Albert Hall, London, in early November.

It can be safely assumed that the choir will celebrate its centenary in 2007 with an exceptional programme, and will show its history, which includes activities at both home and abroad.

It is here that the choir appeals to readers for any mementoes and reminiscences. At this early stage nothing is to small to be deemed irrelevant. A programme, a lapel badge, a piece of uniform, a photograph, a newspaper article etc. would be of interest. Items are solicited either for loan or donation, please.

So, whether you are a former chorister, or an attendee at concerts, or the relative or friend of those that have retired to the choir-celestial, we should be gratified to hear from you. A current choir member would be pleased to meet with anyone who might not have a tangible item to share but had a pertinent story to tell.

Telephone Peter Lofts, 01535 634388 in the first instance, please.

Peter Lofts,

Cross Hills

SIR - If the traffic at the new traffic lights on Keighley Road backs up to the bottom of town and causes severe congestion (which it does), then what do you think will happen at the top of town when the traffic backs up from the High Street to the new proposed traffic lights at the end of Water Street? I think we will have one massive car park, or is this the idea to solve the car parking problems?

Ian Clarke,

Pennine Cruisers, Skipton

SIR - Notwithstanding that "the council" and the "renaissance team" have plans for the High Street car park, which in many years to come may see the abolition of heavy goods parking there, can I publicly ask why these vehicles are currently allowed to park there overnight?

The desire to keep large trucks off the High Street itself, unless delivering, is praiseworthy yet nightly up to 20 such vehicles damage the road surface in Jerry Croft, do untold damage to the main car park and then leave in the early hours.

Many leave between 4 and 5am - I know because I hear them.

And what do we get? Perhaps the sale of a portion of fish and chips for the driver.

No payment is made for the use of the space; the public lavatories are closed so no income there either. Where do the truckers go, the rear wheel?

Surely we have no obligation to provide overnight parking for trucks so why allow it? If someone at the council had the balls to do it, they would stop it immediately. I throw down the gauntlet.

B Wright,

Otley Street,

Skipton.

SIR - May I extend on behalf of all of us who benefit from the campaigning that The Countryside Alliance conducts on rural issues our heartfelt thanks for the marvellous generosity of the 45 people who attended a fundraising dinner at the Mason's Arms, Eastby. Special thanks should also go to those who donated prizes for the raffle.

A total of £502 was raised for the Alliance, a significant increase on the event last year and a wonderful achievement.

John Edwards,

Kirk Lane, Embsay.

SIR - What a wonderful treat we had in the Methodist Chapel at Silsden, when a capacity audience enjoyed a nostalgic programme of songs of yesterday - we knew them all.

It is good to know this group of lovely people are helping to keep the old songs alive. Our thanks to all concerned for a welcome change to the telly.

The closing scene with the national anthem was the icing on the cake.

Mr and Mrs N Barrett,

Bridge End,

Glusburn.

SIR - The devious methods apparently being used to contrive the fall in staffing at Skipton General Hospital's Physical Rehabilitation Unit revives bitter memories of the similarly deceitful manner in which Raikeswood Hospital was closed against the overwhelming opposition of local people.

At this late stage, the only protest I could think of was to write to the Secretary of State to urge him to review this unwanted change to a well-tried and preferred health care service.

It would be helpful if such requests fell on his desk in large numbers!

Mrs Raye Whitten,

Leys Close, Carleton.

SIR - I agree with the town council's efforts to have a town manager (Craven Herald October 17) so could one provide a town sweeper to clear the leaves off the pavement?

We once had a council worker using a vacuum but I was told that it had been sold.

What about a sum from the £1 million sale of Raikeswood hospital? We were told at the time that Skipton would benefit from this sale.

Mrs P Robinson,

Rockwood Close, Skipton.