Letters to the Editor

SIR, - It would be appreciated if you could inform me as to how I may become a member of probably the most prestigious and influential group that has ever existed in this area.

I refer, of course, to that tiny and elite group from Burley Woodhead who are responsible for the most ridiculous 'road calming' scheme there must ever have been. At the time of writing this letter there are 11 humps and apparently they are still breeding.

I presume enormous wealth and voting Conservative are two of the requirements, in which case I fail the initiation test already.

The narrow road was already so difficult to negotiate that only a fool would have driven fast in any case, and, let me point out, that such fools will gladly drive over the bumps as if they weren't there anyway.

Perhaps those councillors responsible may like to answer some questions:

1. How did the matter raise its head in the first place?

2. How many local residents supported the scheme?

3. How many motorists were consulted?

4. What traffic surveys were carried out and at what times and on how many occasions?

I doubt if these answers will be forthcoming for fear of them proving just how much the minority rule in this case.

Finally, at what cost to the council taxpayer were these calming measures implemented?

KARL D ZANFT

25 The Grove Promenade,

Ilkley.

Support poor

SIR, - as a visitor from Bradford, I was privileged - yes, I do mean privileged - to be one of the sadly all too few members of the audience at the Wharfedale Music Festival Gala Co ncert on Saturday, May 17.

Tell me what is wrong with Ilkley folk that they failed to turn up in droves to support this marvellous celebration of amateur talent? 'Amateur' refers only to the status of the performers.

Believe me, their performances could not have been more professional or displayed more genuine talent had they been appearing on the London stage or Festival Hall concert platform.

Tell me, where was the audience? Ilkley should be so proud that this wealth of talent is nurtured in its midst and given the opportunity to display itself in such a magnificent setting as the town's own Kings Hall.

Why is it not there to support and celebrate it? The organisers must work so hard to produce an event of this size and calibre. Do they alone no deserve the support and encouragement of an audience?

And, while I'm on the subject, I read copious thanks to all and sundry who helped to produce it, the secretary herself expresses a plethoria of gratitude to all who would appear to have even the smallest part to play, as seen in the full page report in your latest edition.

Who thanks the secretary? No mention is made of the part she plays in the organisation of this event, or what she must have put into it beforehand.

Although nobbut a Bradford lad, who felt uplifted by what I saw on that Saturday night, may I, on behalf of a dilatory Ilkley, thank the lass for all she does to give the town a Music Festival to doe for, even if the town fails to appreciate it, and a Gala Concert second to none anywhere.

D LOGAN

Waryn House,

Bradford.

Chairman praised

Sir, - Through your columns, may I express a huge vote of thanks on behalf, not only of the Wharfedale Music Festival, but also of the residents of the Ilkley Parish Council district, to the outgoing Chairman of the Parish Council, Coun Mike Gibbons.

Not only has he been an ace supporter of the Festival, especially during his second term of office, but he has also worked tirelessly and devotedly to raise the profile of the Parish Council, and in support of all local issues, projects and campaigns.

In terms of media coverage in Ilkley and beyond, he has put Ilkley on the map in a big way. We have much to thank him for.

I am sure I am not the only reader to be thoroughly sickened by all the hostile and adverse comments voiced on the Letters page in recent months. Ilkley should be proud to have had the wholehearted and selfless support of such a dynamic leader. Ben Rhydding should be proud of their ward councillor.

We thank you for what you've done for Ilkley over the last two years, Coun Gibbons, and whilst wishing your successor a happy and fulfilling term of office, may we also wish you every success in your continuing council career, and every other aspect of your future life.

Miss E M Holbrook,

48 Bradford Road,

Menston.

Trustees rapped

SIR, - I am, as I have been in the past, disgusted at the response from the chairman of the Clarke Foley Trustees, Dr Chris Molander, regarding the Clarke family grave in Ilkley cemetery.

My father, Henry (Harry) Hollings regularly cleaned and tidied the Clarke grave until his death in 1988. He did this as a mark of his appreciation and respect for James Clarke and Sarah Foley for making it possible for the day centre to be built.

My father spent many happy hours there playing snooker etc and he felt in some small way he was saying thank you. After my father's death I too occasionally cleaned the grave. On several occasions I tried to bring the matter of the upkeep of the grave to the trustees but met with the same negative response that they give today regarding the repair of the grave. The grave is in its present state as a result of a huge branch of the copper beech which is nearby breaking off and landing on to the Clarke and other graves.

As reported and pictured in the Gazette at the time, the branch was massive and probably weighed several tons. It was cut up and removed and the whole tree was eventually taken down. Should the responsibility for the repair be with Bradford since it was this tree which caused the damage?

Contrary to your report, the cross has not been taken away but lies on the grave covered by weeds and brambles. It did not fall down but was knocked down.

All it needs is for a small piece to be cut from the broken end and then it could be re-erected at what I imagine would not be a great cost. Surely my father was not the only one to appreciate the Clarke Foley Centre. There must be someone else out there who would like to say thank you; even if it isn't the trustees?

On the subject of many other headstones which are almost toppling or sinking into the ground, It is my belief, and the belief of some other people that I have spoken to, that the main cause for this is the excessive weed spraying around the graves which kills everything which holds the soil together.

With nothing to hold the soil it gets washed away over a period of time and the headstones start to lean and topple.

This weed killing is done at least twice each year. As on a railway embankment the trees and the grass etc hold all the soil together. Kill all those and the soil would just wash away with nothing to bind it. The same applies on a smaller size to the headstones.

Margaret Clark

18 Sunset Drive,

Ben Rhydding,

Ilkley.

Grave concern

SIR, - Your report relating to the sad state of Mrs Clarke's grave in Ilkley ceremony is incorrect in referring to it as the family grave. Only one member of the family - Bridget - is buried there. She died in 1913.

We do, of course, share the concern of others that no grave should become a danger ot the public. Your report reminds us that in such circumstances the council has a legal duty to make the structure safe.

The trustees formly believe that the Clarke Foley Centre, built with the generous bequest of James Clarke, is itself a fitting and a practical memorial. It is by far the biggest voluntary centre providing for the interests of those of more mature years in Ilkley. Its activities include the provision of lunches and a wide range of leisure activities from art to yoga.

At the same time it is a much needed venue for diverse interest groups in the town and beyond, which are in need of a suitable meeting place. In sum, the centre acts as a daily memorial to the Clarke family.

I am sure that all those volunteers who give so willingly of their time also feel that their efforts are a fitting and practical reminder of the generosity of the donor.

In the centre itself there is a large mural worked by the members of the tapestry group depicting the history of the family. This is much admired and well cared for and, in the view of the trustees, is an admirable tribute to the family. Alongside the pural is a photograoh of the benefactor, together with a plaque recording his generosity.

Your concerned readers need have no fear that the generosity of James Clarke has gone unmarked. However, the trustees do have a responsibility to ensure that the centre's income is deployed in the most effective manner.

In the meantime, might it be possible for some of the 'shamefaced Ilkley residents' to join Councillor Robinson in demonstrating their affection for the Clarke family in a productive way by offering their services as volunteers?

Dr CHRISTOPHER MOLANDER

Chairman of the Trustees,

Clarke Foley Centre.

No resignation

SIR, - In your report of May 22 regarding the handover of the chairmanship of Ilkley Parish Council, you wrongly report that I recently resigned from the parish council.

As I have made quite clear in all my public statements since January of this year, I decided not to seek re-election as a parish councillor at the May elections due to work pressures.At no point did I resign from my position as a councillor or Vice-Chairman of the parish council.

For the record, I continued to performa my civic duties as Vice-Chairman until the day of the handover meeting, my last engagement being a visit by Westvill House School pupils to the council chamber on Monday, May 19.

HEATHCLIFFE BOWEN

8 Woodlands Rise,

Ilkley.

Celebration time?

SIR, - This Government feels we do no need to have a referendum on the subject of the impending EU Constitution.

Perhaps it might be interesting to ask Tony Blair what plans he is putting into place to mark the tri-centenary of the 1707 Act of Union that brought Great Britain into being. Surely this is an opportunity to celebrate with at least as much national pride as that exhibiyted by the United States and Australia in recent years when celebrating their own centennials.

A J ARMSTRONG

Moorside Lodge,

Panorama Drive,

Ilkley.

Humps not councillor's decision

SIR, - I have a great deal of sympathy with the views of Mr Langtry-Langton (Letters, May 22).

Anyone who knows me and/or is an assiduous reader of the Gazette must be aware that I am not a great fan of humps and bumps and over-engineering. The Burley Woodhead scheme was requested by local residents, supported by Rombalds councillors, both district and parish.

As a local scheme, the decision to fund and the design consultation was made by the area committee (that section of funding having been delegated by the executive). Therefore, the decision was not mine to make. My comment in the press was linked with the start of the work.

I agree that executive politicians must avoid knee-jerk reactions and decisions made to satisfy strong local lobbying and that at times wider consideration has to be given.

I believe a less-engineered scheme would have been more appropriate at Burley Woodhead. At times local requests and wider considerations do produce conflict.

Coun ANNE HAWKESWORTH

Environment Portfolio,

Bradford Metropolitan Council.