Letters to the Editor

I had the pleasure of using the excellent resources in the family and local history section of the library on March 5, for my family history research.

I was impressed with the wide availability of research materials which are relevant to the local and family history. The indexes of various records have been professionally prepared and therefore easy to use. The catalogue of books and paper is also very good.

The family and local history section has a great potential for further development so that it can become an attraction to visitors who wish to further their family history research.

Christina Harkness

Chestnut Hill, Eaton

Norwich

SIR - The article and the prominent photograph of myself in the Keighley News suggests that I was the person involved in making a physical threat to a Councillor whose photograph this newspaper also prominently displayed.

Cllr Nancy Holdsworth - no photograph of the lady was displayed - who made the serious allegations, while looking directly at me in the Council Chamber, quoted her views of an incident that I know nothing of.

At no time have I ever made threatening gestures or spoken words which would imply that I would physically harm anyone.

The Keighley News, previously known for impartiality, has created a news story which has damaged my reputation and good name in Keighley.

It has caused my family embarrassment, my grandchildren distress and my colleagues some concern.

What also causes unease to me, my family and those who know me is that while such bile can be said in the Council Chamber it remained unchecked.

I did however expect The Keighley News, who I have known all my life, and who have been aware of my character and reputation, to assess whether the statement had any resemblance of truth or not.

CLLR BRIAN HUDSON

Bronte Drive, Keighley

Editor's Note:- The story in last week's issue was an accurate and balanced report of the proceedings in the council chamber. We went to the extent of talking with him outside the chamber and included his comments in the story.

SIR - An open letter to the Press and to Keighley Town Councillors.

Cllr Brian Hudson, a Keighley Town Councillor has, indirectly, but with the privilege of the Town Council Chambers, been accused of threatening to 'slit the throat' of a fellow Councillor.

What utter and despicable nonsense!

What evidence is there for such an explosion of verbal violence towards a person who has always personified the spirit and well-being of Keighley?

Brian is a most generous and gentle man. He has done more for this region than all of the Keighley Councillors put together, myself included.

To say that I am disgusted, appalled and angry at the innuendo is an understatement; the list of words to describe my feelings towards those people behind such an innuendo is endless.

Let it not be forgotten that it was Brian who was the instigator of Keighley Voice. It was Brian and a few others, again including myself, who had previously fought for six years for the right of Keighley to have a democratic voice.

Keighley Voice was set up and organised by Brian Hudson in the first instance.

Without his contribution a lethargic Bradford Metropolitan District Council would still be dragging its feet regarding Keighley needing its own Town Council. A Town Council that would produce a dynamic and economic viability within this area.

Unfortunately the result of his work in seeking a democratic voice is that, in my view, Keighley has ended up with a leadership that will neither listen nor learn.

Brian, as have others, has been pilloried for daring to question and demand access to documents that is a legal right. Only after ten months of hostility have the books been opened up to Councillors.

The leadership have consistently refused conciliatory debate to those of us who were concerned with what we saw as breaches of local government compliance.

At the next local elections, those of us who will stand as Councillors and who demand a more open local council will publish documentary facts of our disquiet.

Next year, one would hope that a forward thinking and progressive leadership will be able to address the concerns which have left, in my opinion, a bad odour of this past period.

The reputation of Brian Hudson will not be destroyed by innuendo. Keighley people recognise that the character and honesty of the man is beyond reproach.

David Samuels

Ex Keighley Town Cllr

Station Road, Oxenhope

SIR - I am writing on behalf of the Great Pram Race Committee to let you know about the success of the Great Pram Race 2002 and to ask for the help of your readers with regard to this year's event.

Last year's Great Pram Race was our best ever in terms of fund raising and the day itself was enjoyed by a large number of South Craven residents, who obviously contributed to its success. The total amount distributed to our nominated charities was £11,000.

A total of £9,750 was donated to The Skipton & Craven Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and a further £1,250 was donated to the HAPPIE charity at Airedale Hospital.

On behalf of the Great Pram Race Committee I would like to thank all those who took part in any of the events which raised money for our causes, especially the 26 teams of 3 who took part in the race itself.

We are now in the process of preparing for the 2003 event and the committee would be grateful for any suggestions from your readers as to which charity should benefit from this year's fund raising.

They can write to the committee at the address below with their suggestions, as soon as possible please, in order that we can commence this year's events.

C M LONSDALE

Treasurer

The Bay Horse, Cowling

SIR - The Keighley Safe Rider bus service was saved from extinction last week by the efforts of just two people.

Pat Schofield (company secretary) and Betty Price (Vice President).

These two ladies, working entirely without help, spent four months putting together our successful lottery bid.

I am honoured to have been asked by all the members to publicly thank two people, without whom a part of Keighley welfare service would have ended forever. Thank you both.

From members and staff Keighley Safe Rider

ROY SMITH

(Safe Rider driver)

Upper Calton Street,

Keighley

Sir - I am writing a M. Phil thesis on worsted spinners Joseph Horsfall & Sons Ltd, Clarence Mills, Pellon Lane, Halifax.

The archive material in the Central Library, Halifax, has been a mine of information but lacks details which your readers may have.

From the 1880s, Horsfall's purchased quantities of machinery from Prince Smith and Hall & Stell.

These firms appear to have amalgamated in the spring of 1931 into Prince Smith & Stell Ltd. Could anyone confirm a definite date?

Also important is the construction of Clarence Mills, carried out "by a firm at Oakworth, Keighley".

The name of this firm would complete my references. I can find no plans or specifications for the building in the archives.

I would also like to hear from readers about their experiences of mills, including the conditions and products.

I would be most grateful for any help you could give me.

WL HORSFALL

24 St Mildred's Avenue

Birchington-on-Sea

Kent CI7 9LD

SIR - 1st Stage, the young people's Theatre Group based at St Stephen's Church, Steeton, had a complete sell-out, house-full for all three performances of the musical show "What a Picture".

The dedication, hard work and enjoyment combined to give pleasure to the cast, production team and helpers, and to the audiences who supported them.

Through all their endeavours, 1st Stage were able to donate £600 to St Stephen's, £100 to the Candlelighters, and £100 to the Children's Heart Surgery Fund.

Well done everyone, and congratulations on your recent successful show.

Don't forget the Party... Monday, March 24, 6.30-8pm.

MOLLIE, KAREN, DON

AND LYNN

Jacques Grove, Silsden

SIR - With reference to the article regarding the staffing of Keighley Library.

Your article says there are 17 employees (four full-time).

Mr Ian Watson, Bradford Met's Libraries Chief, says that there is a proposal to have at least three members of staff working in the main lending library at all times.

At the moment there is one checking books in, one checking and stamping books out, one putting books back on the shelves, one dealing with enquiries and setting up computers downstairs.

Could Mr Watson tell us what will happen at break times and dinner times?

I wonder, could three staff cope with this amount of work? I have heard that several library staff are off work ill at the moment and that retired staff have been asked to work.

Could the illness be stress related? More opening hours (Tuesday afternoons and evenings) would, I think, require more staff, or are the same staff to be expected to work more hours?

L W BROCKLESBY

Keighley Town Councillor

SIR - The nominations for The Stroke Association "Life After Stroke" Awards 2003 have now closed.

Our organisation would like to thank your readers for all the nominations that we have received.

We have accepted many worthy nominations for people who have suffered a stroke or been involved with the care of stroke patients in the community. The courage and strength that these nominees have shown is outstanding.

The awards will be held on July 16 at the Fishmongers' Company, in London, where each winner will attend the star-studded event and be presented with an individual sculpture.

AMY CAMPBELL

The Stroke Association

SIR - As a former resident of the area, I frequently view your website over the Internet.

It was disappointing to read recent articles which highlighted the decline of volunteerism in community activities.

You may be interested to know that here in Canada, in the province of Ontario, the Provincial Government formulated the following plan to address this issue.

High School Graduates (young people in the 16-18 range) will not be given a diploma or allowed to graduate with a certificate from school unless, in addition to their scholastic results, they have performed 40 hours of public service over their last three years of public education.

The means of achieving this are many, some quite simple and not onerous. The intent is to prepare young people to be more aware of community activities by becoming more involved and giving something back to the Community.

It also prepares them to become involved future citizens and understand the needs of people less fortunate than themselves. Could this happen in England? Probably not, but just a thought!

Jim Walker

Picton Street,

London, Ontario

SIR - I am writing to encourage your male readers to get on their bikes and raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Cycle for Life, which is now in its second year, brings together men across the UK in a series of bike rides to help raise vital funds for research into cancer. Last year over 3,000 people took part and this year we're hoping to make it even bigger by recruiting 9,000 participants.

This is the first year I've been involved with Cycle for Life and I'm delighted to be behind the initiative. I expect nearly everyone knows somebody who has been affected by cancer and that's why it's so important we all do our small part in raising money to help researchers carry on this much-needed work.

The 15 mile-long Cycle for Life, in association with NIVEA For Men, will take place in 18 locations across the UK, starting at the end of June and running until the first week of September. There's plenty of time to get organised and sign-up for the ride in your local area.

Last year the average age of entrants was 35. That's eight years older than the average age of a Premiership footballer, so there's no excuse for not taking part. If you would like more information or want to enter, call the Cycle for Life hotline on 08701 611 010. You can also enter by logging on to the website www.cancerresearchuk.org/cycle

It costs just £7.50 to take part. It would be great if your readers could set this as their sporting goal for the summer.

Sven-Gran Eriksson

On behalf of Cancer

Research UK