Letters to the Editor

SIR, - I write in response to Pat Asquith's recent letter.

The campaign for a bridge over the River Wharfe at Burley is strongly supported by the Ramblers' Association. The stepping stones on the bridleway at Leatherbank are rarely useable even on dry summers.

A bridge over the river, by providing an all-weather link with the path network at the other side, will double the number of short recreational walks that are available in Burley.

It will make some beautiful countryside close to the village easily accessible throughout the year. For those wanting longer walks, it will provide a good route to the Washburn Valley.

These very clear benefits will be available to people who live in Burley (over four to one of whom are in favour of a bridge) and to people from further afield.

It is completely irrelevant whether those who want a bridge are born in Burley, or (in Pat Asquith's words) 'mostly incomers to Burley or live outside the area': the campaign is for a very desirable public amenity.

KEITH WADD

Vice-chairman and

Publicity Officer,

Ramblers' Association,

West Riding area.

Dismayed

SIR, - I was dismayed and angry at the report regarding the Burley Youth Shelter which appeared in the Gazette on Thursday, October 30.

The report had been published without any reference or contact with the Burley Youth Forum, who, as the officially responsible body, provided the funding and made all the arrangements for the shelter to be erected.

And while I would accept that some minor damage has occurred it was not left 'unfit for use'. Much of the mess was created by mud that has now disappeared after the recent rain along with a few scratches to the central pillar that will be painted over when the construction company return to complete the work.

The report distracts from the majority of young people of the village who have made major contributions, not only to the shelter but also to the basketball court and Queens Hall refurbishment. This damaging report has focused attention on the few and deprived the majority of the opportunity to celebrate their success.

Before the report had even been published, plans had already been made for a number of young people, who had volunteered, to repaint the central column. The two solid sides of the shelter are to be replaced with mesh so as to prevent any attempts at paint spraying. This type of writing only serves to divide communities and feed a few narrow-minded individuals who believe nothing good ever comes from our young people.

As the chairman of Burley Youth Forum I was one local who was not sickened by the damage, knowing that most young people are worth the effort.

I would like to invite the Ilkley Gazette to a meeting of the Youth Forum to observe some of the good work that is being undertaken and to the official opening of the shelter upon its completion.

Bob Jones

Chairman,

Burley Youth Initiatives

Group and Burley

Youth Forum.

Not worth it

SIR, - F Dickinson's support for the illegal war against Iraq can be described in many ways but most concisely as hypocrisy and inconsistency.

As each of his arguments is demolished he moves on to another. He should remember that both Blair and Bush used exactly the same arguments as Hitler to justify this war. He should also remember the deceit Blair used to persuade the House of Commons to support this action and failed to inform them he knew the weapons of mass destruction only referred to battlefield weapons and posed no threat to this country.

Blair also failed to inform us that he was warned there was a risk of increased terrorist action, which has proved to be the case as more soldiers have now been killed during the 'peace' than during the war.

If F Dickinson is genuinely concerned over the marsh Arabs (which is very laudable), why does he not express similar concern for the millions who die from starvation in Africa, through the actions of Western capitalism? Why do not Blair and Bush send troops there to save life if this is a genuine case of humanitarianism?

The answer is simple, Oil, not humanitarianism. After ignoring the countless deaths of innocent civilians, F Dickinson now claims that this war is justified to protect the marsh Arabs. Has he never heard of the United Nations, which is the legal organisation for dealing with such matters?

It is clear he will not deviate from his support for this war, no matter how many people and children, are killed in the process. In his final argument, he claims now 1,000 schools have been opened. But at what cost?

One mutilated body of a child is not worth 1,000 schools. He claims that the 20,000 protesters at the London march are insignificant! This was indeed significant and the tip of a very big opposition of the many who are unable to attend such meetings.

It was considerably more than went to any of the political party conferences. There are many organisations around the country, including the Otley Stop the War Coalition. I would like to think that F Dickinson would heed intelligent argument but on his record it is clear he will not and I appeal to the reader to treat his warmongering rants with the contempt they deserve.

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View

Otley.

l This correspondence is now closed - Editor.

Lorry ban

SIR, - Last week I read an article about the people of Settle protesting at quarry loads going through their town - just like Otley.

The option offered by the hauliers is the same as for Otley, ie split traffic between alternative route and the town route. Also note that the loaded lorries go through the town - just like Otley. Why?

To me the reason is money, they want the short route for the heavy load that consumes less fuel. The root cause is the responsibility of North Yorkshire County Council for giving permission for the extraction without considering the consequences for towns like Settle and Otley.

Solution? Ban them, they never consulted us over their route so why is Leeds City Council pussy-footing about?

We are still awaiting a reply to the question I put at the public meeting. 'why are heavy lorries allowed down a steep unregistered road that has no runaway stop lane in place?

John Morgan

77 St Richards Road,

Otley.

Adios, IDS

SIR, - There's a dead duck that's beat, retreats to his backbench seat, he's been an invisible man for the Tories, has been for two years, and he took no hints from the media or his MP's in the gutter, tried to blag the backstabbers and turn a deaf ear to the mutters.

He placed his faith in a stiff upper lip, and the grassroots who loved him were old fogeys. He never let on, but we soon knew it was all over.

Captain Chaos at the conference turned up the volume; they were wetting themselves in the City, time for doners to abandon the kitty. It was time to jump ship and push off! with a little bit of Dignity.

And he'll get a round of applause through constituency villages and towns, he'll be going on holiday and they'll keep going down. IDS will ask them next year how they're doing? They'll say 'We've got no money'. He'll say 'What a pity'.

Ain't life grand living with a little bit of dignity'. So all together now:

'Sail away, sail away, we will cross many oceans CREEPY Howard's way, sail away, sail away, we will disintegrate altogether by next May'...Exterminate!

Dan Cooney

P.S. If Dracula is the only candidate, would there be any possibility of deporting the charismatic Mayor Francis to London so we could have two heavyweights in the pantomime!!!

Casa Loco,

Alicante,

Spain.

A top team

SIR, - The Otley rugby team are currently stand at the 16th best in the whole of England from a league structure of some 3,000 clubs.

They are competing against teams who are made up of full-time professional players and who have heavy sponsorship.

The Otley club is owned by the paid-up members. The standard of rugby is, obviously, quite high. Otley is a small town. Every team above them comes from a large town or city.

This club is known as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. Why not come along and support your local team?

You will not find any rowdy behaviour. You can safely bring along your children and womenfolk (unless you think that your wife's/girl friend's sight of more than 30 tough rugby players would have a deleterious effect on your relationship).

You young men, who think that you are 'hard', come along and learn to play the game. We will soon know if you are as tough as you think you are.

Gordon Bradley

15, Kineholme Drive,

Otley.

No presence

SIR, - How condescending of Sgt Weldrick and his merry men to visit Otley for one whole week, for our 'bit of a problem'.

I can assure Sgt Weldrick, to the elderly it is more than a bit of a problem.

How did Weetwood's populace manage? We in Otley would appreciate a visible presence all year. Believe it or not, we also pay rates for the non-visible uniform.

Quite recently I had occasion to inform Weetwood about suspicious happenings in the early hours. As usual there was no feedback a simple telephone call would suffice. Communication!

READER

Otley.

Name and address

supplied.