Letters to the Editor

SIR, - It is with considerable regret that I finally relinquish my involvement in Ilkley Parish Council. However, I do not wish to leave office without putting on record my great appreciation of the work performed by all our parish council representatives.

I am always amazed that people democratically elected to represent the Ilkley parish area voluntarily give up large amounts of their free time to serve the community, attending countless meetings, often long into the evening, and become involved in a plethora of other activities, for example as school governors and members of voluntary service committees.

It is through the involvement of councillors in the extensive range of voluntary activities in the district that the parish council reaches out to the wider community and can seek to address issues of concern to local residents.

The commitment and determination of the outgoing chairman of the parish council, Councillor Michael Gibbons, also deserves the highest praise.

During his two-year term as chairman, Mike has been one of the main driving forces behind the council's plans to support groups within the community and to enhance services in the parish.

Mike took a leading role in organising the official civic reception for visitors from our twin town of Coutances two years ago and his efforts were applauded by the French delegation and the twinning committee.

He worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the Golden Jubilee and Black Dyke Concerts and the civic dinners over the past two years, with profits from all these events being donated to the Friends of the King's Hall and Winter Garden refurbishment appeal.

The success of the Golden Jubilee Street Party was due primarily to Mike's considerable organising abilities and his determination to mark this unique event with a wonderful community celebration.

During his 16 years on the council, Mike has served on all council committees and has been a prime mover in maintaining the status of the town as a top tourist destination.

Once again I am astounded that Mike finds time for a personal life, as I am well aware of the considerable efforts he puts into his voluntary civic activities.

It has been a tremendous pleasure to work with him in raising the profile of the parish council, attending numerous civic functions in his company and helping to develop a more active role for the council in the community.

Although the parish council faces difficult times ahead, with changes to the funding arrangements with Bradford Council, possible boundary changes and taking on new employees to fill the vacant position of parish clerk, I believe that a firm foundation has been laid for the development of the council's role in the future.

I wish all the members of our parish council, and especially the new chairman, Councillor Kate Brown, every success in the years to come.

Finally, I would like to thank the electors of Ilkley West Ward for having confidence in me. It has been a great honour and a privilege to serve them as their representative during the last two parish council terms.

HEATHCLIFFE BOWEN

8, Woodland Rise,

Ilkley.

Born an adult?

SIR, - I really could not believe what I was reading in last week's Gazette. I am absolutely amazed to think that people are already complaining about the skate park before it has even been built.

Were these people born adults and had no childhood? Were they not allowed to play or make a noise?

I cannot see how any noise is going to reach Wharfe View Road from the rugby club, with the river, a steep bank and allotments in between.

I wish that I had the final £5,000 needed, as I would give it with pleasure, just so there would be somewhere for these youngsters to skate and have some fun.

There is precious little else for them to do in Ilkley. Neither the parish council or Bradford Council have any interest in this town, only building more and more houses and thus bringing more families and children to the town, with nowhere to go and nothing to do.

I was born and bred in Ilkley and can remember when we used to have two cinemas in a time when the population was a lot smaller than it is now.

Please could you so-called grown-ups have a little more understanding of young people's needs.

SUSAN JOHNSON

22, Mayfield Avenue,

Ben Rhydding,

Ilkley.

Benefits warning

SIR, - Your readers may be 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 ,

Work and Pensions.

Rail booster

SIR, - The Countryside Agency has recently published its report into rail reopenings. A section of the report looks into reopening Otley Railway Station.

Reopening the railway station could benefit at least nine Parliamentary constituencies. It could benefit the three Bradford constituencies, because direct services could run between Harrogate and Bradford.

It could benefit Pudsey, because Bradford-bound trains could stop at Guiseley and Leeds-bound trains could stop at Horsforth. It could benefit Shipley because constituents in Menston could have a direct connection with Otley and Bradford bound trains could pass through Shipley.

It could also benefit Ilkley and Ripon, either through direct or connecting services, if Ripon was also reopened. It would benefit Leeds West, because services to Otley could stop at Burley Park.

It would not only benefit people in Otley but also everybody in North Leeds, because it would lead to a massive reduction in traffic.

Mick Beaty

Friends of the Earth,

74 Kirkgate,

Leeds.

Bloom thanks

SIR, - On receiving the results of the Yorkshire in Bloom spring judging, and subsequently Addingham achieving first place in the small country town category, and congratulations to Ilkley on their placing, 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 place for the summer judging in July.

On Tuesday, May 13, Radio Leeds presenter Joe Maiden spoke to an audience of about 60 in the Memorial Hall about Yorkshire in Bloom and demonstrated ideas for hanging baskets, of which we are holding a competition within the village.

Entry forms may be obtained from H and J Adams, Clayfields Chemist or myself. Joe is revisiting the village in late July to judge the baskets and the prizes will be presented at the Allotments and Gardens Annual Show in August.

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

ALAN HAIGH

Chairman,

Addingham Garden Friends.

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.

Show thank you

SIR, - Can I through your newspaper say a very big thank you to all the committee members, stewards and volunteers for all their help, before, during and after Otley Show on Saturday, without whose help the show would not be possible.

Also my thanks to my family for all their help and support over the past five weeks.

Janet M Raw (Mrs)

Show Secretary,

15 Bridge Street,

Otley.

Obstructions far from 'calming'

SIR, - I wonder if Anne Hawkesworth's 'consultations' regarding speed bumps on the Burley Moor Road included any of those overtaxed motorists going every week about their legitimate business, using this badly maintained public highway? Nobody asked me.

One does not expect support for control-freakery, even from a heavily-lobbied Bradford Conservative, especially when Labour-led Leeds is hell bent on bunging up the only alternative with 550 extra houses at Menston Hospital.

Bad enough is the general national transport arterial sclerosis, without compounding the felony with irrelevant obstruction in particular.

Nor does one expect a sensible politician to spin Orwellian 'newsspeak' describing spine-crippling obstructions as 'calming'.

Are there any figures on how many deaths there have been on this road? Perhaps if every motorist gave a sharp toot of the horn at every bump, this might encourage a movement from the over-indulged Burley residents to get the road straightened out again, to the benefit of the damaged majority.

Peter Langtry-Langton

15 Bark Lane,

Addingham.