Nothing wrong in seeking partners

I have already responded to a letter of complaint from one Parish Council and I think the matter has been misunderstood, leading to misconceptions and a lack of clarity as to the real facts.

In short, there are indeed issues and frequent complaints from the Settle and Ingleton area about speeding, in particular motorcyclists on the A65 and other minor roads. These are being pro-actively targeted by the Road Policing Group, who have three laser devices for use in Craven.

Additionally, we have mounted operations dealing with the preventative and education aspects of speeding, not only enforcement which is just one aspect.

The issue of speeding in villages with 20, 30 and 40 mph restrictions is, in my view, whilst an issue, no more of a problem than other areas of Craven and indeed other areas of the county. Accident statistics support this statement. Also speeding in villages is and always has been a main issue raised at public meetings across the county and no doubt nationally.

To turn to the crux of this issue, Craven has a number of speed detection devices, including the new laser equipment and the old style radar gun. Ingleton has recently acquired a laser gun, through the good will and support of local people by sponsorship.

This equipment can be utilised in the Settle area when not in use in Ingleton.

Road Policing Group at Skipton have three further devices and Settle is trained and can access a radar gun (old style). We have sufficient equipment within Craven.

Sergeant Spence through the local Multi-Agency Problem Solving Group decided to seek sponsorship for a laser gun of their own, additional to existing equipment. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places a statutory responsibility on the police, county councils and local councils (and more recently the health authority and fire service) to tackle crime and disorder, including road safety, together and in partnership - it is now recognised that crime and disorder is not just a police responsibility.

Seeking joint working and indeed joint funding initiatives and sponsorship is actively encouraged by the Government.

Finally, and in conclusion, yes the police precept increased recently by a significant amount and this additional funding will be wisely used across the Force.

The arrival of four police community support officers in Craven takes place in June. In my view there is nothing wrong in partners working together and seeking additional funds to add even more benefit.

Sponsorship of initiatives has taken place for some years and has not ceased purely because the police precept has risen.

Whether other agencies or organisations wish to contribute financially or in kind is obviously a matter for them.

Chief Insp Nick Smedley,

District Commander,

Craven area police,

Skipton.

SIR - the deputy chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park planning committee, Jerry Pearlman, is at it again (Craven Herald, May 16), poking his vice-chairman's nose into another purely local issue - the reinstatement of the fire-damaged chalet at Hawkswick.

If both the local parish council and a well-respected Littondale member of the planning committee, John Sayer, are comfortable with the situation, why fight against it?

What relevance has the fact that "when the chalet was first erected there were not the planning policies in place that there are now and that if there had been it would not have been built"?

The same principle could be applied to dry stone walls and field barns. If there were no such things now and somebody applied for planning permission to erect them, people would think they were off their trolley, so what strength is there in Mr Pearlman's argument?

The only conclusion one can draw from it is that it is part of his nature. The recent issues of the planning spat in Wensleydale and the Wharfedale rugby club's additional pitch spring to mind. Mr Pearlman is a lawyer practising in Leeds, with little local connection. He cannot be democratically removed by local voters as he is appointed to the national by the Ramblers Association.

For how much longer do we have to endure purely local affairs being influenced by city people with corporate outlooks.

PS - In a lighter vein, to please Mr "Cats Eyes" Abbey of Threshfield, how about a representative on the YDNP of the Morris Dancers and Flag Crackers Association?

John Eteson,

Hebden Road, Grassington.

SIR - In regard to Mr Kandt's letter in the Craven Herald (May 16), concerning Robert Heseltine. Many people in Settle regret to see this letter and the tone of its contents.

Mr Heseltine may have been convicted of a crime - he was the unlucky one - many things go by unnoticed, some people get away with their mistakes or so-called wrongdoings.

Mr Heseltine is held in extreme regard by the people of Settle; we have gained by the quality of his community work as expressed by members of our parish church and visitors alike. Robert has worked alongside members of the church, their job has not been easy - pulling out brambles, cutting grass etc - jobs too numerous to mention, then planting daffodils. The result is a churchyard which is a pleasure to enter at all times of the year.

For the flag festival in Settle on Friday, in the pouring rain, there he was at Settle Church at 7am cutting grass in between the graves, wet through. Saturday morning also at the same hour (when many were still abed) he was raking up the grass and disposing of it, no small job in our large churchyard.

Please Mr Kandt, let's be Christians, speak of people honestly when you know the true facts. Mr Heseltine has done his community work, thrice times over - a job well done indeed. Let's face it, there are far more important things happening in the world today: as far as concerns Mr Heseltine, let sleeping dogs lie; the past is gone.

Robert is now ready to take up a challenge in public work again. Despite your statement that the result was more or less due to the poor turnout of voters, it was a genuine vote, so wish the man well.

The community of Settle church and visitors to our church say 'Thank You' to him and wish him well.

Edith Carr,

Northfields Crescent, Settle.

SIR - As a keen barging enthusiast I am writing in response to Mr Marmot's letter (Craven Herald May 23) with regard to the issue of extended opening hours for the Lock, Stock and Barrel public house.

Firstly, the youth of today do not understand the meaning of the word temperance, an extra hour's drinking will simply mean an extra four pints of premium strength lager quaffed by these hedonistic louts.

We have all seen programmes such as 'Ibiza uncovered'; is this the sort of place we want our beloved market town to become with youths vomiting down my barge chimney? We knew how to have fun alright Mr Marmot, it just involved a quick foxtrot and a cheeky kiss rather than self destruction and illegal urination.

Lastly, I'm sure people would consider mooring at Bradley, if it wasn't for the mountain of McDonalds burger boxes now floating like mines in the waterway or the canal/road bridge that is about as reliable as North Yorkshire Police's pest control service!

Dr Harry Monk

Canal Basin

Skipton

SIR - Today I felt like the Queen. Why? As the oldest grandchild I was asked to officially open the Tot Lord Trail in memory of my grandfather.

The Craven Herald wrote an article about the creation of this beautiful walkway, which once formed part of the Townhead Estate, to the top of Castleberg Rock. The day dawned bright and sunny and the event was well attended by family, friends, local dignitaries and sponsors.

After cutting the ribbon to the entrance to the woodland walk I was presented with a bouquet by the youngest daughters of the last grandchild to be actually born at Townhead. Coun Geoff Craven and I then led the way to the gate at the top, pausing to enjoy the wonderful views towards Stackhouse and beyond at a specially created vista point, where he opened the adjoining gate to Castleberg Rock.

This walk through the wood has been designed to enable people who are unable to negotiate the Castleberg side of the plantation to get to the top and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views over Settle.

All credit for this goes to my brother-in-law, David Timmins, whose inspiration this was, and I would like to publicly thank him for giving us who live here and future visitors the chance to share in his vision.

A wonderful tribute to one of Settle's most colourful characters.

Margaret Hodgson,

Halsteads Cottages,

Settle.

SIR - Through your columns may we thank the people of Clapham for all their support during what has been a difficult time for our family.

After what happened to my husband and son I had no idea what the response of the community would be, but I was totally unprepared for what did happen.

To all those people who have offered us their good wishes and practical support we say a very big thank you. To those who have come round with flowers, gifts and masses of support, we want you to know what a real difference you have made to our lives.

I would also like to say a very big thank you to all the managers and staff at EH Booth's, Kirkby Lonsdale who have been really fantastic and helped me through a really tough time.

I don't think I could have managed without them. Thank you all very much, you are all great friends.

Bernadette Macauley

Sunny Bank Cottage, Clapham

SIR - I read in your paper that yet another person is complaining about the service provided by the Skipton Post Office.

My daughter is one of the staff working at the Post Office, and I know from first hand what the difficulties are for both customers and staff alike. There are times in any week (or month) when long queues are inevitable.

pension days are obvious, and the beginnings of each month can cause delays by customers renewing their Road Fund Licences and other things of this nature.

We all know that the Post Office service is looking towards cutting back in all sorts of ways, and one is to close branches. This is why there is only one other post office in Skipton.

I wonder what your complainant would do if he had to travel to Keighley or Harrogate to draw his pension (or whatever!)

The advent of e-mails has vastly decreased the number of letters being posted through a post box, and internet banking has also probably had an impact on the PO service.

I have always found all the staff at Skipton PO very helpful and usually very pleasant, even though I know they do get difficult customers (surprise, surprise).

On one occasion, I witnessed a male customer being very rude and abusive to one member of staff. So much so that I intervened and asked him what his problem was. He then decided to shut up and leave.

If the people of Skipton and district don't wish to lose the facilities of a post office in Skipton, then may I suggest they all use a little patience, and wait quietly in the queue like most normal citizens do.

Jim Monkhouse,

Craiglands, Cowling

SIR - On receiving the results of the Yorkshire in Bloom spring judging and subsequently Addingham achieving first place in the small country town category I would like to thank the volunteers of Addingham Garden Friends who help to keep the village maintained throughout the year with monthly working parties.

Thanks must also go to the staff of the various departments of Bradford Council (Ilkley parks and gardens and the street cleansing from Keighley), residents and all who helped in their own way including the primary school, parish council and businesses in the village.

But we mustn't be complacent as we have to maintain and improve the village to hold this placing for the summer judging in July.

Radio Leeds presenter Joe Maiden spoke to an audience of about 60 in the Memorial Hall and demonstrated ideas for hanging baskets, of which we are holding a competition within the village. Entry forms may be obtained from H&J Adams, Clayfields chemists or myself. Joe is revisiting the village in late July to judge the baskets and prizes will be presented at the Allotments and Gardens annual show in August.

Once again many thanks to all and let's hope for a successful summer judging.

Alan Haigh,

Chairman,

Addingham Garden Friends,

Moor Park Drive, Addingham.

SIR - Your issue of April 25 carried three separate, but not unconnected, articles which need to be brought together to display the greater picture.

Mr Bob Allen, the chief executive of Airedale General Hospital tells us that his "budgets are very overstretched". One of the major reasons for that is given by Dr Fleming, who reminds us of the evils of tobacco and of alcohol, and of the "waste and lack of efficiency" in hospitals.

Indeed, it is self-inflicted pathology caused by tobacco, alcohol, obesity, sexually transmitted diseases and inter-personal violence which largely fills our waiting rooms and hospitals.

Why should third parties, be they government, private, mutual or charitable, be required to pay for such illnesses? They, and the doctors, have no control over the patients' smoking, drinking, eating, copulating and fighting habits.

Mr Sheard warns us of the dangers of Airedale and other local hospitals being incorporated into Bradford. He continues that "in all large organisations, precious resources are always dragged towards the centre". He should go to Leeds for a better example, viz. the huge bureaucrats' palace on the Quarry Hill site at the eastern end of The Headrow.

There will be far more waste and inefficiency there than in the hospitals.

It will be interesting to be told what proportion of the NHS payroll never sees a patient.

Mr Perrow complains about the large number of North Yorkshire policemen who take early retirement on medical grounds. This well illustrates the truism that the disability grant, in whatever form, is a large cause of disability.

And finally, returning to Mr Allen, we are told that he started his career "handing out dole money" - making the similar point that the dole (or whatever euphemism is currently fashionable) is a major cause of unemployment.

Dr SA Craven,

Remington Road, Newlands,

Cape Town, South Africa.