Letters to the Editor

SIR, - Bramhope's signs on the A660 are not the only ones to disappear (see your report on May 1 about Clive Fox's concerns).

The wooden white-painted traditional 'Welcome to Otley' sign on the A660 approaching Otley from the east has also gone. Just the bare pole is left.

They may, of course, have been taken by trophy hunters (students or yobs) but Clive Fox asks whether their removal is part of an attempt by Leeds City Council to expunge smaller places from the map.

It does seem to a relative newcomer that the Leeds City Council directs itself towards furthering its ends in the city of Leeds while largely ignoring the individuality, needs and susceptibilities of the smaller outlying communities within the unitary area.

I believe that the Leeds Unitary Authority has lost the plot and genuinely believes that vast areas of open country are, indeed, part of the City of Leeds - as evidenced by a 'Welcome to Leeds' sign in the middle of a tract of uninhabited moorland to the west of Guiseley.

It is a shame that the country has been carved up by local government reform in such a way that cities rule the countryside. What is needed is a Rural (Wharfedale?) local authority, divorced from Leeds, Bradford and other such monoliths, which would better serve the interests of Ilkley, Otley, other small towns and the villages and hamlets round about them.

It is pointless to argue that such an authority would be too small to provide the necessary services as, nowadays, these can be contracted out to enterprises which are large enough.

Furthermore, the management of services could be much more sensitive to local needs and cause less upset than the recent school closures in Otley, which were immediately followed by a proposal for new housing which would probably require two new schools to be built.

Do other people feel as I do? What can be done about it? Is there a case for a campaign run, perhaps, by the Wharfedale Observer?

David Blake

Lyndholme

114 Leeds Road,

Otley.

Reminders

SIR, - Has Councillor Graham Latty totally lost his marbles? He says he has not expressed a view recently on the development at Banksfield Mill and asks where the report was on which I based my letter (Electioneering, May 8, 2003).

I will remind Councillor Latty. He was quoted in your newspaper on March 27, 2003, when asked about the demolition of Banksfield Mill as saying that he was disappointed with the demolition but more annoyed with the number of houses that were being built in its place.

My point was that he did not object at the time of the application even though he was a councillor. He asks how I know this, given that he did not tell me. Again I had better remind him that objections to planning applications are open to public inspection and he did not submit one.

The outcome of planning panel decisions are public knowledge and that is how I know that Conservative councillors did not oppose the development.

Mr Latty then goes on to say that he would not use his influence with other Tory Councillors because they represent two out of a panel of 12. Is this really what Councillor Latty means? That electing Tories as councillors is a waste of time because they will be outnumbered by others and not able to express a view?

If so, they had better stand aside and make way for people who are prepared to express a very firm view, even if it is a minority view.

Can I finally use this letter to thank those people in Aireborough who believed I was the best person to represent them on the council. That I lost by only 247 votes and increased Labour's share of the vote by 2.5 per cent is a massive reminder to the Tory councillors in Aireborough that they have work to do and that many people see through their posturing

.Mike King

1A Renton Avenue,

Guiseley.

Scores are a hit

SIR, - First, may I congratulate your Sports Editor in restoring coverage of local cricket matches, particularly with detailed scores, a feature that has been missing for several years.

Secondly, I regret to make a complaint. One of the main features of the 'Wharfedale' for me is 'Across the Years'. In fact, it is the first page I turn to.

Sadly for the past few weeks, this priceless section has been reduced in space by at least a third - inevitably, but regrettably, for an advertisement!

J H Kell

1 Low Hall Close

Menston.

(An avid reader for 70 years)

FOOTNOTE: Thank you for your comments. The space allocated to Across the Years has not changed for the last 12 months. However, recently the accompanying pictures have been larger and we will bear this in mind in future.- Editor.

Trust launched

SIR, - Leeds United Supporters Trust is one of the newest supporters' trusts in the country. Set up to strengthen the bonds between the club and the community which it serves, the trust aims to represent the interests of the community in the running of the club.

The Trust will do this by buying shares in the club and using the proxy votes of its shareholding members. One of its stated objectives is to have supporter representation on the football club's board.

You don't have to be a shareholder in the club to join the trust and membership is open to all who share our aims and objectives. Annual membership is just £10 and the trust works on the basis that each member has just one share in the trust and just one vote.

The trust is regulated by the Registrar of Friendly Societies and elects its officers annually at its AGM with properly audited accounts and a management structure agreed by its members. The Trust is a not for profit organisation.

Anyone interested in the joining the trust can find out more information on our web pages at http://www.lufctrust.org.uk or by writing to us c/o Social Enterprise Leeds, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY. There is a downloadable membership application form on the website as well as a full copy of our rules.

I would encourage all those who want a say in how Leeds United is run to support the trust by joining it and taking part in its day to day work. Community groups and businesses are also encouraged to join us.

Our motto is 'Passion with Purpose'. Hopefully others will make joining our trust their purpose!

Yours in the beautiful game,

John Boocock

Co-chairman,

Leeds United Supporters' Trust,

www.lufctrust.org.uk

Unbalanced view

SIR, - The front page of the Observer of April 3 carried the headline "Sainsburys under fire at traders' meeting". This, I believe, gave an unbalanced view of the meeting at the Civic Centre, hosted by the Otley Chamber and attended by representatives of Sainsburys supermarkets, on April 1.

There was a robust discussion on several issues arising from the proposed store on Bondgate but I was not aware that it was 'an often fiery meeting'. Points of view were put forward with some conviction but there was always someone ready to articulate a counter view, without any acrimony. It would have been useful if your reporter had highlighted some of the areas in which Sainsburys gave undertakings that matters would be addressed for the benefit of Otley and organisations directly affected by the development.

These included Park Lane College, the Fire Station, a guide map for the town, parking facilities and the future of the Tannery.

The Otley Market Towns Initiative Marketing Action Group has a stand at Saturday's Show which will have details on display of the Sainsbury proposals and we hope to have a representative from the company in attendance to answer people's concerns.

We will also be showing the new Otley Town website which can be accessed on "www.otleytown.info".

Tony Massarella

Secretary,

Marketing Action Group,

Otley MTI,

4 Garnett Villas,

Otley.

Heather's thanks

SIR, - I would like to thank any of your readers who so generously supported my bag packing event at Guiseley Morrisons on Good Friday. We collected more than £300!!

This is a huge boost to my target of £1,500 which I am raising for a service project at an orphanage in India. I am going with a group of Rangers and Guiders next summer for a month.

If anyone would like to make a further donation or if any local companies would like to sponsor our group either financially or in kind please contact me at rpinny@yahoo.co.uk.

Heather Pinn

45 Victoria Crescent,

Horsforth.

Voting thought

SIR, - Having studied the results of the recent elections I am now firmly of the opinion that a donkey, given the right political label, could be elected.

One of the worst and most inept candidates, possibly in the whole country, has won office. An outstanding candidate has come bottom of the poll in their area.

Do people think before they put their cross against a candidate's name?

Gordon Bradley

15 Kineholme Drive,

Otley.

Well done ....

SIR, - Otley Little Theatre invited the public to 'come to the cabaret' last week, and what a great night it proved to be.

The dedication and enthusiasm of this group of people showed through to produce a truly professional show once more. The chorus, soloists and duelists were excellent, and the dancers 'spot on'.

To the orchestra, sound and lighting, wardrobe, set, compere, front of house and performers - thank you all for a memorable evening.

Keep up the good work - you are appreciated and deserve the support of the town.

Rhona Smith

Whiteley Croft Road,

Otley.

.... and again

SIR - Otley Civic Centre Main Hall hosted Otley Little Theatre Cabaret last Friday. Along with some friends a full audience was entertained most royally.

The setting was super, the entertainment was really something. The pianist, the singing, dancing and enacting was quite beyond anything seen nowadays on television. My thanks go to Otley Little Theatre for giving me a really splendid night out.

Ray Dunn

42 St Davids Road, Otley

'Tunnel decision is incredible'

SIR, - I would like to add my voice to the protests about the use of the train horns in the location of the Bradford Road 'tunnel' near Menston Station.

I find it incredible that Metro Trains can make a unilateral decision to declare this road bridge a tunnel and therefore make it necessary for trains to sound the horn on approach.

Metro Trains is NOT British Railways. It is a local amenity, funded in the main by local community charge payers and whose customers are local people. I could not imagine any normal company surviving in the real world, antagonising its sponsors and customers in such a cavalier way.

When there was concern about noise from late night flying from the airport we had a public inquiry but Metro Trains can just please themselves.

We do in fact have local councillors sitting on the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. I would have thought that they might represent local opinion a little more vigorously.

Mike Ripley

76 Brooklands Lane,

Menston.