Letters to the Editor

The dog in question did not have a lead. I, for one, think that dogs should have a lead on anytime, apart from when they are in an open space, not in a park, where small children play.

The owner of that dog said that it was harmless, which is predictable. When my mum said she disagreed, the owner got terribly cross.

RACHEL EVANS (Age 10)

(Address supplied)

SIR - Sunday, June 1, has been designated as a day of prayer for the Campaign Against the Arms Trade.

Britain is one of the top major countries involved in the international arms trade. Such trade is given much favoured support by the government, way above such support given to any other sector of British industry.

The trade in weapons and armaments affects adversely the peoples of the poorer countries of the world and so has implications for aid charities such as Christian Aid - which has just held its annual envelope collection.

The acquisition of weapons is a major factor in the lead up to any war. There are so many small arms circulating around the world that it becomes easy for "terrorists" to acquire guns for their needs.

Human and financial resources are being diverted away from socially useful products to products of death and destruction. So there is less funding for hospitals, schools and the needy of our society.

While it could be argued that the international trade in weapons is a political issue, it also has deep implications morally and spiritually.

To give local support to the Day of Prayer, anyone interested is invited to come to the Friends Meeting House (Quakers) on Sunday, June 1, from 3-4pm and to bring a short prayer, reading and perhaps a specific fact of concern regarding the international trade in weapons.

For any further information contact me on 01274 824271.

SYLVIA BOYES

Wimborne Drive,

Keighley

SIR - May I suggest that Mr Samuels pays homage to the comic genius of Spike Milligan and entitles his forthcoming book - Keighley Town Council - My Part In Its Downfall.

If he were to publish a book on the subject of Keighley Town Council's perceived shortcomings, who exactly apart from him would be interested in reading it?

May I suggest that instead of wasting his time on such a pointless venture he simply drives around Keighley Town Centre shouting out of the window "If I can't be Mayor then no one should be".

He would sporadically be able to stop and tell people how Keighley Town Council conducts meetings in secret, and even though he's not quite sure what they're talking about, it may have something to do with Councillor Leathley's attempts to forge an alliance between Keighley and North Korea.

But it probably doesn't.

Antony Silson

Skipton Road

Keighley

SIR - I attended the public gallery at the town council chamber out of curiosity!

And as I am an interested citizen in Keighley's future I made observances which I felt were worthy of passing on to the full council for note.

I felt that everything appeared to be carried out in a proper manner, and by the way congratulations to all.

From my position in the balcony I missed a great deal, which was aggravated still further by that fraility of human nature, of pitch of voice no matter how eloquently delivered!

I did manage to speak to a councillor after the meeting and commented on the sound effects, to which the reply was that microphones had been used in the past which had become a minefield of wires everywhere.

I could not help but reply that in 2003 I felt that the technicians should now be able to offer something akin to a centre console in the chamber, with a cordless microphone within arms length of each councillor.

I realise of course that nothing nowadays is cheap, but with respect no doubt financial help could be obtained from similar use of chamber!

JEFF BINNINGTON

Linden Rise,

Long Lee

SIR - I would like to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff for the treatment, care and kindness I received whilst I was a patient on Ward six for four weeks.

A very big thankyou to Airedale hospital from my family and myself.

DOROTHY INMAN

Robert Street, Laycock

SIR - I am the Chairman of The Bradford Branch of The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (R.N.L.I) and wondered if you could possibly help us please.

We are having a Flag Day in Bradford city centre on Saturday, June 21 this year but are having great difficulty in finding volunteers to collect for us.

We are only a small branch so are only able to find three or four branch members to help out on the day.

Would you be kind enough to appeal to your readers for help please? It would be greatly appreciated. Tel: 01274 418357 or mobile 07748013243

Martin Chappellow

142, Ravenscliffe Avenue,

Ravenscliffe,

BRADFORD, BD10 0JY

SIR - I was delighted the Keighley Target was supporting the MacMillan Cancer Relief Miles challenge by donating 10 per cent of their income from two pages of advertising.

However, I wish to tell the people of Bingley, Keighley and Ilkley who make up the Airedale Primary Care Trust (PCT) that they are the only PCT in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands without a MacMillan Cancer Nurse for people diagnosed and living with cancer.

How much longer are we going to be denied a MacMillan Cancer Nurse?

MacMillan Cancer Relief trains the nurse and pays the nurse's salary for three years, on condition that the PCT take over the salary after the three years.

For nearly 20 years we were told that the Craven Area of North Yorkshire was too rural to have a MacMillan Cancer Nurse, yet they have had one for nearly a year now.

I do urge people diagnosed with cancer to ask for this service. It is forecast that one in four of us will get cancer.

This letter does not in any way criticise the Hospice, Manorlands, or the services provided by the District Nurses.

It is a fact that the old Bradford Health Authority is now divided into four PCTs and the other three PCTs have MacMillan Cancer Nurses, only Airdale PCT does not.

Anyone wishing further information on the MacMillan Cancer Nurses can obtain a leaflet by ringing 01535 604119.

MOLLY JONES

Birchwood Drive, Utley.

SIR - Recently I saw a photograph and article about Bradford Breathe Easy Group.

They are to be congratulated on the money they raised towards buying a mobile pulse oximeter for BRI and a donation for research to the British Lung Foundation. Well done!

Many people living with lung conditions in Bingley, Keighley, Skipton and surrounding areas may be unaware that Craven Breathe Easy Group exists for them.

Meetings are held in the ESMI unit at Airedale General Hospital on the first Friday of each month from 2-4pm. New members are always very welcome. Anyone interested can find out more by contacting Malcolm 654979, Ellen 669188 or Lynn 292024.

B E SMITH

Group Secretary

SIR - If your local pub serves local produce, then now is your chance to reward it!

The Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Honest Food has launched Local to Locals, a competition to celebrate local produce and encourage pub visitors to take more interest in the food they eat.

Visitors are asked to find out how much local produce is served and, if they are satisfied the pub is supporting local producers, can nominate the pub for an award.

An overall winner will be announced later in the summer and a winner will also be picked for each region of the UK.

The competition, which was first run in 2001, seeks to promote and support local producers and suppliers through raising awareness of the benefits of seasonal and local produce.

It is only consumers, either directly or through the pubs they eat and drink at, who can keep the food producers of this country in business.

We need to show the Government that there is a great demand for locally produced food in this country and that British really is best.

More than 400 pubs were nominated for Local to Locals 2001 and all those short-listed met a high level of excellence, among them North Yorkshire's Sportsman's Arms.

In the wake of the devastation caused by Foot and Mouth Disease, the competition gave much-needed encouragement to food production in rural areas and the positive effect was felt right across the country.

Local producers depend on local outlets, and what better way to sell local produce than to the customers of a local pub? Nomination cards are now available from the Countryside Alliance at the below address or at www.countryside-alliance.org/honestfood/

Helen Szamuely

Director, Countryside

Alliance Campaign for

Honest Food

Kennington Road

London, SE11 4PT

SIR - Your readers are aware of worries about the Government's changes to the way benefits are paid.

Since April, some people have been unable to collect their pension or benefits in cash at their local post offices. They have to have the money paid into a bank account, or to open a Post Office Card Account and then withdraw the cash. But the Government has made it too difficult for people to open these Post Office Accounts.

This new system will apply to everyone within the next two years. It will put local post offices under threat because some people will stop using their counter services and shopping there.

It will also make life more difficult for many of the most vulnerable in our local communities and the arrangements for relations or friends to collect benefits for them are inadequate.

So far, almost 40 per cent of those asked by the Government to move to the new system have not done so. It is not clear what is to become of them when their order books are withdrawn.

It should be made easier to open a Post Office Card Account, and special arrangements should be in place to meet the needs of vulnerable people. If your readers are concerned about this issue, I would ask them to please write to me at Conservative Central Office, 32 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HH.

Oliver Heald MP

Shadow Minister for Work

and Pensions

SIR - If you're anything like me, you'll be looking ahead to the summer and getting excited about spending time in the outdoors. So can I tell you about a thoroughly good idea that not only makes you feel good outside, but inside as well?

It's a walking trip that the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer is organising in the Lake District this July.

The two-day challenge takes place in the idyllic Buttermere Valley over the weekend of July 4/6. Now I've worked in the Cumbria region, and it has quite rightly been awarded accolades as one of the most picturesque regions of Europe. It is fantastic for hikers. Lush is the word.

And that's not just me after a pint of ale in the many pubs which can be found dotted in useful places.

Surrounding the Buttermere Lakes are the majestic fells that form the Challenge: Whiteless Pike, Hopegill Head, Grasmoor, Wandope, Whiteside and Haystacks. The route has been broken down into two manageable sections, 10 miles on the Saturday and 8.5 miles on the Sunday.

The group will be in safe hands, as WalkWise UK Ltd will be providing a professional, knowledgeable and experienced walking guide.

You'll get great trekking and fabulous views. So just bring your camera, your hiking boots and a nice man.

If nothing else, they can be used as a tripod to make sure you don't get camera shake!

All funds raised will go towards Breakthrough Breast Cancer's programme of research and awareness.

The weekend costs just £125 including food, accommodation and expert guides. Walkers are required to fundraise £250 to help fund Breakthrough's programme.

For an information pack call 0207 557 6622or e mail events@breakthrough.org.uk .

PENNY SMITH

GMTV