Violent use of our bridleways

I'd heard their approach from some distance and thinking it may be the first group returning, I had my camera ready. It seems to me that the second group had talked to the first group and had decided to take "revenge" on their behalf.

I ran after them to get a better look at number plates etc but of course they bravely sped away, leaving wheel ruts rivalled only by those of their trailing knuckles.

At five feet six inches, nine and a half stone and three to one against I'm clearly a more intimidating presence than I thought.

I've reported this incident to North Yorkshire Police and after this attack I felt moved to check out the Trail Riders Fellowship website.

For all their claims to promote responsible riding through their code, they do not seem to be representative of the majority of motorcycle trail riders. My consistent impression, over 15 years walking and cycling in the Dales, is not of responsible, cheery, considerate, conservation-minded outdoor enthusiasts (as is the impression from their website), but of surly, arrogant, damaging and, now I must add, violent, speed merchants more often encountered on bridleways than on vehicular rights of way.

This being the case, it seems that the TRF cannot be accorded any credibility in negotiation where they claim to represent trail riders.

I'm not even sure of the sincerity of the TRF itself. Their website states that, on encountering other trail users, "if they require your identity, ask for theirs first, then explain that only a Police officer in uniform has the right to yours. Then depart.......!". This "advice" to their members seems calculated to exacerbate tension. Why the evasiveness and duplicity if they're only enjoying a lawful ride on a public highway in the countryside?

The sooner the National Park Authority, in concert with the Police, can move to deter motorcycle trail riders from footpaths and bridleways and prosecute those who break the law, the better for the environment and economy of the national park.

In the meantime, perhaps the Park Authority could post notices warning legitimate users of the casual and deliberate danger posed by trail bikers.

Clive Nutton

Address supplied

SIR - In response to Mr and Mrs Hamilton's patronising comments with regard to the development of Tarn House.

Having kissed the Blarney Stone, we have these comments to make. We respect the fact that they are entitled to an opinion, but would suggest that it be based on facts.

We were amazed that someone who left the village six and a half years ago and doesn't use Tarn House had so much to say on the matter!

It is ridiculous to suggest that Tarn House is only there as a facility for Stirton-with-Thorlby. Regardless of how many villagers use Tarn House, it is not only local to Stirton, but is an amenity for Skipton and many other local villages.

Following a well attended parish meeting, an overwhelming majority were very much against this development, as are many regular users of the inn.

Without seeing the accounts, no one can make assumptions of profitability.

We have personally seen the many parties, weddings and a multitude of local clubs and organisations use the facilities not to mention it being the social nucleus for so many people. Tarn House hosted Stirton Sports, in the foot and mouth year, which the villagers were very appreciative of, especially when it was a particularly busy time for Tarn House.

What you class as an air of dilapidation, many would class as character!

Apart from the fact that the opposers to this development, do not want to lose the facility, the planning criteria has not been met.

Planning policy states that "It must be clearly demonstrated that the premises are no longer required for their existing use, despite extensive efforts to promote the existing use". Tarn House was advertised once in August 2002 as "A development opportunity"!

It was a complete surprise to so many to hear it had been sold for development.

The planning committee quite rightly refused the original application for the above reason and also the fact that planning regulations are very strict in this area, particularly on residential status, where business use with ancillary living accommodation is favoured. The aim is to encourage employment in the rural community.

There were, and still are, serious buyers "waiting in the wings". These are people wanting to invest a lot of money into the retention of Tarn House and keep it as a going concern. It is with this knowledge that the opposers to the development, want the appeal to fail and see Tarn House refurbished, opened up and provide a facility for Craven and beyond to enjoy.

With the correct management the potential for Tarn House is endless.

As more Craven people are coming forward to support the re-opening of Tarn House we ask them to write - in triplicate - to the Planning Inspectorate, 3/25 Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN quoting APP/C2708/a/03/110984.

The only "positive step forward" is for the appeal to fail and Tarn House to reopen.

Richard and Wendy Pratt,

White House Farm, Stirton.

SIR - In response to last week's comments about the Snaygill Centre, we think that Social Services in general have completely lost the plot.

Of course teaching people independence skills is a very worthwhile occupation. Perhaps they could explain to us how this is to be achieved?

How, for instance, do you teach an excitable 21-going-on-two-year-old who cannot comprehend hazards, that he hasn't to go though the lovely electronic door and into the road, or teach someone with epilepsy how to cook when they could easily upset boiling water on themselves with tragic results.

Why do these people think we are called carers? Of course as carers of many many years' standing we couldn't possibly know more than Social Services about the capabilities and needs of our charges could we? They seem to think that we are stuck in a time warp, and haven't ever changed or progressed.

We can tell these patronising people all about valuable roles in society.

Our people are already valued because they are lovely, frustrating, big-hearted, vulnerable "children" mostly in their 40s and 50s who bring a smile to the faces of people, together with a lot of kindness from people they meet on their trips to Skipton, Keighley and Ilkley. They are loved totally and unconditionally by their relatives and carers.

That is what valuing people is about, not trying to force unsuitable unrealistic situations on all of us. Stability and routine are everything.

Social Services think that flexibility is a must, and expect us all to change accordingly. We don't need the problems this would create.

Over the years the people of Skipton and surrounding areas, along with the Craven Society, raised thousands of pounds to buy all kinds of equipment for Snaygill.

Far from the service being improved by moving to a much smaller unit, these people are going to lose their workroom facilities where art and sewing take place and their flat where any poorly ones can lie down. They can also fit in aromatherapy, and yoga etc.

Snaygill Centre provides safety, security and the freedom to roam. There is also a lovely garden run by Stepping Stones, who take on various gardening jobs and hanging baskets for people in Skipton. They have planting tunnels, and a workshop and everyone enjoys warm weather outside whenever possible.

Social Services is wanting to move them to a rundown allotment, overrun with rabbits and covered in broken glass.

As for Social Services saying they will reassess all the users (what again!) the information is there in a filing cabinet drawer. Navigation House still wouldn't be suitable.

Now to Navigation House. In case there is anyone who doesn't know, this is on Belmont Bridge, a very busy road, near the canal! About a third of the ground floor has been leased without any of us being able to look at it or have any input.

The negotiation for this was started last year and only completed on March 4 2003. We were told in January that the lease had gone through, when in reality there was still something that could have been done to cancel the whole thing.

There is no parking for the four minibuses or the care workers' cars. There is no garden. It is on a very busy main road (how will the buses get in and out?). There will be one ordinary toilet, a disabled toilet, a small changing room, a wrapround kitchen, and a lounge area. There will be an electronic door, and therefore no security.

This is the sum total of facilities being offered in place of Snaygill. Of course, our people are then supposed to walk to destinations called "Satellites" such as Morrisons, Craven College etc.

They get transport to Yeadon House, which is sheltered housing where they can make a cup of tea or lunch once a week. We haven't yet been told where they are supposed to get a hot meal from every other lunchtime.

We are well aware that Snaygill is shabby at the moment, and needs some money spending on it, but this is due to years of cost cutting by Social Services. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who can sympathise with our predicament, and that very good saying "if it ain't broke don't mend it" comes to mind.

Catherine Parker,

On behalf of parents and carers of Snaygill.

SIR - I was saddened to read in the Craven Herald of March 7 of the death of Maurice Merrington, of Gargrave.

Maurice was appointed head gardener, of Skipton Urban District Council, in the early 1950s. He was the first gardener to be employed by the Skipton Council and he took over the kitchen garden of Aireville Hall for his nursery.

When the school took over, the nursery was moved to the bottom end of the park by Gawflat Bridge.

Maurice was very proud of the development of the nursery and he saw that there was always a good display of flowers at the War Memorial, Caroline Square traffic island, Holy Trinity and Christ Church yards, the gardens on Otley Street and Newmarket Street, Aireville Park, and the pitch and putt course.

Although this came under my department, I left Maurice to get on with it - after all you don't teach your grandma to suck eggs.

Maurice must have been sad to see the demise of Aireville Nursery and the decline in standards of the other areas for he was a good and conscientious member of the town's workforce.

S Phillips,

Keighley Road, Skipton

SIR - Three weeks for the closure of the A65 through Gargrave? I don't believe it.

Look at the length of time it took to resurface the road through the village of Foulridge. Broughton Road in Skipton saw weeks of work and traffic signs left all over the place. I hope the contractors are on financial penalties if not completed on time.

Gargrave residents beware - estimates are rarely correct and usually over-run. It could be much longer than three weeks.

J Crook,

Park Road, Barnoldswick.

SIR - In continuance of efforts to learn more of the reasons behind the 76 per cent increase in North Yorkshire Police Authority tax, an approach was made to Police Authority member County Councillor Mike Doyle.

In a response by e-mail he reported "the new chief arrived, did her research and found the force to be threadbare".

He went on: "At the budget meeting I carefully enquired whether we were paying more or less than people in the Lake District. The answer was less. This was my test of the chief's analysis. Given that there are people on fixed incomes in the Lakes just as here and that these people are asking for more policing, I agreed that as long as we were asking of our pensioners and business people no more than Cumbria, the rise was justified to get the service back onto a sound footing".

Readers may find the above a revealing indication of the quality of those people charged with ensuring our money is spent wisely.

What an astonishing revelation that a new Chief Constable, in post only since October last year, is able to tell authority members the force is threadbare. Didn't they know?

Incidentally, the new Chief Constable's assessment does not accord entirely with that of her predecessor. Chief Constable Kenworthy in his final annual report comments that the 41.5 per cent increase in police precept for 2002-2003 "gives a firmer base on which the force can operate".

As to the reasoning behind the assertion that a 76 per cent increase is justified because we will then be paying no more than the people of Cumbria, I dare say readers will wonder what is the relevance ?

We are told that Police Authority members voted unanimously in favour of the increase for 2003-2004. If that is the case and County Coun Doyle's reasoning is typical then we are all in serious trouble.

Peter Drake,

Walker Close, Glusburn.

SIR - As licensee of the Y Bar in Skipton, I read with some surprise the comments made by Sgt Kevin Wilson, the licensing sergeant in Skipton in last week's Craven Herald.

I fully support the introduction of alcohol free zones within certain areas of Skipton as this may alleviate the blame that is placed at the feet of licensees when the majority of bottles and cans that are consumed and then left around in these areas are purchased from off-licences and not public houses.

I am sure that a licensing sergeant is supposed to be concerned with matters of drink-related crime and the standard and conduct of licensed premises within his area and not the economic viability or otherwise of a given business. In making these comments he not only goes outside his remit but he also displays a huge lack of understanding.

He infers that on the opening of Wetherspoons other premises will have to fall in line and cut prices or go out of business. He is completely missing the point.

As luck would have it, human nature means we all need different things at different times in different ways. The same goes for the drinking public. So I can assure Sgt Wilson that the Y Bar will not be reducing its prices to compete with Wetherspoons as our pricing policy is one of the inherent reasons for our success.

Only in the last few weeks have the local police, led by Inspector Tad Nowakowski, and all licensed premises in Skipton embarked on a partnership called Skipton Town Against Night time Disorder (STAND). To work, this partnership will rely heavily on a great deal of collaboration and co-operation between us all and Sgt Wilson's comments do nothing to engender this spirit.

David Rogers,

Y Bar licensee, Skipton.

SIR - Following last week's Craven Herald report on the plight of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and having nowhere to store books and bric-a-brac for the charity, we are pleased to announce that a very generous reply from the Gledstone Park Business Estate at West Marton has come to the rescue and saved the closure of the fund raising by us, which now amounts to £14,000.

May we convey a very big thank you to all concerned.

Neil and Carol Stronach,

Church Lane, East Marton.

SIR - I am writing on behalf of the Great Pram Race committee to let you know of the success of this event in 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 £8,750 was donated to the Skipton and Craven branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and a further £1,250 was handed to the HAPPIE charity at Airedale Hospital.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank all those who took part in any of the events which raised money for our causes, especially the 28 teams of three who took part in the pram race itself.

We are now in the process of preparing for the 2003 events and the commitee would be grateful for suggestions from Craven Herald readers as to which charity should benefit this year. They can write to the committee at the address below, as soon as possible please, in order that we can start this year's events.

CM Lonsdale,

The Bay Horse,

Cowling, Keighley.