Letters to the Editor

SIR, - I have read with some interest Paul Langan's article regarding the EU, issue dated October 9.

It was quite informative and ebullient. He mentions that with the enlargement, after the inclusion of the future new members, that it will provide an increased opportunity for exports. This may or may not be true, it is far from a certainty, but what does bother me are other definite certainties.

Recently, within the last few days, it is reported that France is to face a hefty fine for its fiscal spending outside the limits that had been set. They are wanting some sort of exemption, or understanding of their issues, for they intimate, 'this is a problem brought about because they could not vary their taxes to suit demand'.

In other words they cannot run the country efficiently because they have no fiscal control. If we join the euro, we could, and most likely would, be in a similar position, much to our detriment.

Both France and Germany, the two great proponents of the EU, have had what could be described as MORI polls. The question asked was: "How satisfied are you with the Euro". In both cases, satisfaction was in the minority.

I have been pontificating for some time that there are no sure advantages, but there are sure disadvantages, and therefore under the present information available, a 'no' to the euro must be the order of the day. I am available to be converted, but nothing over the latest years of our connection with what used to be called the Common Market, leads me in that direction.

A G GOLDSBROUGH

Flat 10,

Dale Court,

Fieldway,

Ilkley.

Wind farms

SIR, - Congratulations on another lurid, sensationalist front page; another nail in the coffin of accurate, objective reporting. I trust that the faked photograph of wind turbines behind the Cow and Calf rocks had the desired effect in stirring up controversy in Ilkley, whilst boosting sales of your newspaper.

Before the good citizens of Ilkley take to the streets in protest against this latest perceived attack on their way of life by our heartless Government, may I make a few points regarding last week's headline article? (New guidelines bring threat of wind farms)

The Government's policy document on the subject has not yet even been published. Therefore, your entire article was based on the hearsay of Councillor Greaves, who appears to be using the pages of the Gazette to mount an attack on the Government, under the guise of environmental concern.

By all means let us have free and open debate on the subject, but let us do so after the document is published and all its contents known, rather than in response to what appears to be an attempt at party political scaremongering.

At the risk of stating the obvious, to erect wind turbines on Ilkley Moor (or anywhere, for that matter) would require not only a developer prepared to make the necessary investment plus the appropriate planning permission, but also the consent of the landowner.

Ilkley Moor is publicly owned and administered as a public amenity by Bradford Metropolitan District Council, so unless the Government were to pass legislation to force councils to erect wind turbines on every piece of publicly owned land, or Bradford Council were to develop a malicious urge to destroy the jewel in its crown, it would seem extremely unlikely that Ilkley Moor is going to come under threat.

Councillor Greaves goes on to state that to supply Ilkley, Burley and Menston would require "30 masts dotted around the Cow and Calf rocks". This is nothing but alarmist nonsense. Why would any masts have to be sited around the Cow and Calf, or even on Ilkley Moor at all? There are many places that are more suitable as sites for wind farms; the National Grid makes it unnecessary for electricity to be generated close to where it is consumed.

Finally, Councillor Greaves, renewable energy is not solely for the benefit of John Prescott; it is for the benefit of everybody, now and in future generations.

Increasing the proportion of our energy generated by renewable means may result in an increase in the numbers of wind turbines, but as and when a better alternative becomes available, they can be removed with no trace that they had ever existed. Can the same be said of the energy sources upon which we currently rely?

Andrew Scull

42 Main Street,

Addingham.

l Wind farm threat - see Page 13

Our heritage

SIR, - I am delighted that Ilkley Parish Council are taking the time to help us define the 'heritage' buildings within the town and am only too happy for the parish councillors to take the credit for the proposed Asset Management Project. However, I would like to correct one or two misconceptions contained within your report.

Under the proposals approved by the council's Executive on September 18 the only transfer of operational buildings would be the city centre administrative property (except for City Hall). All other operational buildings will remain in the council's ownership.

The capital receipts will come from the sale of non-operational property such as three golf courses in Leeds, assorted agricultural land, shops and houses across the district.

Bradford Council's properties in Ilkley remain within the scope of the Asset Management Project in so far as the investment required to bring them up to standard will, in the large part, come from the project. Outside the project this investment opportunity may well be lost.

The Asset Management Project is, and always has been, about getting better buildings, better managed. It also presents an opportunity for the council to take fuller control over capital investment by reducing the pressure from central government and regional agencies to invest only in certain parts of the district.

We will continue to protect Ilkley's heritage and to ensure that the services to ordinary people in the town are of the highest standards.

Coun Simon Cooke

Deputy Leader,

City of Bradford

Metropolitan District

Council..

An answer

SIR, - I thank Mr Bob Tilley for his reassurances regarding the implementation and enforcement of the proposed bylaw to control skateboarding.He has more faith than I do, but, let's wait and see.

With regards to the letter from Mr Daure, which seemed to me to be more about denigrating me than about the actual subject, he appears to be inviting me to explain what I have done for the project and by further implication, the community at large, other than criticise the efforts of others,

I would not ordinarily respond to such an ill-considered assault, but on this occasion I feel I must. My contribution to the community over the past 55 years, 40 of which have been in Ilkley, is well known to those who have benefited directly.

I have had unsolicited testimonials in the press, for some of my work, both professional and more to the point, unpaid voluntary work covering my activities in the fields of:- church bellringing,(there are a number of successful business and professional people in Ilkley who were taught by me, and others when they were in their early teens.)

Art, beekeeping (I gave demonstrations and helped young people), the Church,

and road safety with particular regard to cycling proficiency. . and, oh yes, my wife and I also brought up our own family.

I have four framed citations for services to my fellow man, two signed by Heads of State, two by the Presidents of international organisations whose objectives were and are peace but who have had to go to war in pursuit of those aims.

I also have a number of medals for service to The Crown and my fellow man, including five for service in the Korean War.

I do not need anyone who cannot match or better my service, to write snide letters. There is only one thing that I readily admit to, that is I have been too busy to make any money, so, we do not own property or a car, but we can hold our heads up in pride in service, and in our family who went through the Ilkley schooling system and on to higher things, without the benefit of 'money'.

Victor M Bean

Flat 1,

114. Skipton Road,

Ilkley.

Big bang

SIR, - When is Bradford Council, and indeed the Government, going to get to grips with the problem we have year in year out with the letting off of fireworks weeks before (and after) Bonfire Night?

It seems ludicrous to me that we class knives and firearms as offensive weapons yet explosives in the guide of fireworks are readily on sale throughout the year and many shopkeepers appear to be irresponsibly selling them to young children, and thus flaunting the law.

On Wednesday, October 8, around our local area there was a constant barrage of bangers and it starts every day from early afternoon. The noise aside, there's the criminal damage aspect, eg throwing fireworks into rubbish bins, telephone kiosks and at people. And how do these kids afford it day in day out?

Of course, as soon as a child has had their hand blown off or are blinded it will be on the front page of the local papers, with the parents asking when something is going to be done about the sale of fireworks as above.

W WOLSTENHOLME

2, Kestrel Mount,

Bradford.

Lights, please

SIR, - With reference to the skate park. It would probably be used much more if it were floodlit. No parent in their right mind would let their children go to the park after dark. Without lights it will eventually become a haven for underage drinkers and possibly drug dealers just like the BMX Park at Yeadon Tarn.

JUNE TATE

Grove Road,

Ilkley.