Clampers should follow police code

However, it would appear that not all businesses in Craven are committed to the police-backed scheme.

On Saturday I had to dash into Skipton to buy nappies for my three month old baby daughter. I took my 12 year old daughter with me and left the baby at home with my husband.

At this stage I would like to point out that I never use the car park behind Fractions on Swadford Street, I appreciate that companies pay for this space and as the owner of a business with limited parking, I am fully aware of the frustrations when non customers take up this limited space.

First I tried Rackhams car park - cars were queuing at both ends. Next I tried the main car park - I could have parked by the exit to Rectory Lane but as my baby was due to be fed (breast fed) I felt time was too pressing.

I then decided to drive up the back of Dacre Son and Hartley; I could wait in the car whilst my daughter ran through to Boots.

When I arrived by the entrance to the ginnel a car was pulling out of a space behind D,S & H, I noticed that the clamping sign, positioned on the actual wall of the building had gone, just an empty frame remained.

Two other cars were parked either side of the space being vacated - the time was 14.40, I knew the offices were closed on a Saturday afternoon, so rather than let my daughter go alone I left the car and went with her. I would not have taken the space had the business been open as again this is unfair.

Upon returning 10 minutes later I was shocked to discover a clamping sign had appeared on the wall and my car had been clamped. I phoned the emergency number and explained that the sign had been put up whilst I was away - there was to be absolutely no negotiation "£90 cash or the car is towed away"

By this time both my daughter and myself were in tears, I explained I had left my purse and cash card at home and that I had to get back to feed my baby - "tough!"

Eventually my sister, who luckily works nearby, came to my rescue - I must admit she was quite rude, although in no way abusive, to the man who came to remove the clamp, at which point he got in his car and drove off - refusing to remove the clamp even though we had the money.

I phoned the emergency number again and he was sent back to remove the clamp. I again reiterated that the sign was not there when I left the car; he didn't disagree but pointed to a faded sign glued on to the wall to the right of the space - this was obscured by a parked, unclamped car when I left mine.

My concern here is not that I was clamped - had the sign been visible I would not have "risked it"; I am not in the habit of breaking the law - but that I feel I was the victim of this unscrupulous company, the fact that I was clamped in such a short space of time leads me to believe the clamper was parked in view of the spaces waiting for ... dare I say, a vulnerable woman with a child - why were the other cars not clamped? They did not look like the type of cars driven by employees of D,S & H!

On the Sunday morning I returned to the site, convinced I had been the victim of "a trap" and indeed the sign was not there, my daughter found it on the floor behind a wall - we have photographs.

It would appear that it is quite legal to operate in this way and until all businesses sign up to the code of conduct then these companies will continue to make their living by picking on innocent victims.

Rebecca Roberts,

Skipton Road,

Gargrave.

Editor's note: A spokesman for Dacre Son and Hartley said they have instructed Yorkshire Clamps to suspend their operation on the car park while investigations are carried out on realistic other options.

SIR - In your issue of January 24, Wendy Milner asks about the Skipton folk singer Mike Donald.

Sadly Mike died 20 or more years ago and though I attended his funeral service, I am not sure of the exact year but around the early 80s I think.

Mike lived in Skipton with his wife Pauline and two daughters and for a number of years taught music on a weekly basis at Witherslack in Cumbria.

As most of his other engagements were in the evening he worked for many years on a part time basis for our removal company where, along with his friendly and agreeable nature, he was liked by everyone. Our staff were asked to be bearers at his funeral service held at St Andrew's Church.

I remember that Mike was one of the artists engaged to play at our end of conference dinner in York one year and as he knew I would be attending kept it secret as a surprise. He had a quiet, subtle sense of humour and was an engaging personality.

Jeffrey Willis,

Gainsborough Court, Skipton

SIR - Your correspondent's fond memories of Mike Donald are shared by many who admired his songsmith skills. His perceptive and wry comments in song captured well recognised Yorkshire and Dales themes. The loss of village facilities and movement of the young folk into the towns is the focus of his "Land of the Old and Grey".

Skipton is well portrayed in "It gets more like Blackpool each Day".

Mike was writing and performing these until sadly he died in the early 80s. His fine vinyl L.P. "Yorkshire Songs of the Broad Acres" is worth tracking down for the songs above and others.

So unfortunately, Mike can't come back. But he's left some very fine memories.

Jim O'Rourke,

Crosshills.

SIR - I am sorry to report that Mike Donald passed away suddenly in the prime of life many years ago.

I taught at Carleton School in the 70s and early 80s and remember teaching Mike Donald's songs about Dales life to enthusiastic children. His wonderful "Settle to Carlisle Railway" was a real favourite.

Headteacher, the late David Clough, and myself took the children for an outing on the famous line and we all went up and down the carriages singing the song with guitar accompaniment to smiling passengers. Needless to say the rail users received the children's efforts with surprise and delight. Those children must be approximately 30 years old now, but I bet they remember it!

Mike Donald had a unique talent for writing songs about the Dales that were humorous, true and very singable by old and young alike and any local people who have not heard his songs would benefit from discovering them.

Brian Beresford,

Moorview Way, Skipton.

SIR - I read your article about the police budget meeting in Skipton (Craven Herald January 17) and was left bewildered to say the least.

The opening assertion in the article is "Most Craven people don't care how much they pay for their police service". My view is that exactly the opposite is true but conclude that you make that assertion on the single fact that the said meeting was poorly attended.

Whatever the cause of the poor attendance, your logic is flawed because there are numerous other factors one would have to consider before passing an informed opinion. Not having attended the meeting, I don't know to what lengths the Chief Constable went to explain how police forces are funded, but I think most people will know that it is the joint responsibility of central government and local government and for Chief Constable Della Canning to conclude by saying: "The bottom line is you get the police service you pay for", is misleading.

It is misleading because she seeks to put the responsibility on each of us as rate payers and takes no account whatsoever of the contribution from the Government.

In so far as local funding is concerned, I find it difficult to choose appropriate adjectives to describe what is happening. "Staggering", and "unbelievable" are two that come to mind and I will try and explain why.

The April 1998 Police precept for a band F property was £70. In April 1999 it went up to £75.40. This was a 7.7 per cent increase against the annual inflation rate of 3.2 per cent. In April 2000 it went up to £82.39. A 10.6 per cent increase against an inflation rate of 3.3 per cent.

In April 2001 it went up to £90.41. An increase of 9.7 per cent against an annual inflation rate of only 1.1 per cent.

How do you feel so far? Not bad? Well wait for April 2002 because then it went up by the phenomenal amount of 41.5 per cent to £127.96!

So what does Della Canning propose this year?

Option 1. An increase for a band D property from £1.70 to £2.30 per week. My arithmetic makes that 60p. Doesn't sound bad does it? Only 60p per week, but looked at another way, it is another 35.3 per cent increase.

Option Two. An increase for a band D property to £2.60. Again not bad but virtually a 53 per cent increase.

Option Three. An increase to £3.00 a week which is an amazing 76.5 per cent increase.

Remember those halcyon days of 1998 when the precept for a band F property was £70?

Well if Della gets her way, and why should I even suspect that she already has, then the precept this year for a band F property will be:-

Option One - £173.13

Option Two - £195.65

Option Three - £225.85.

I am a great supporter of the police but have to confess that I am incensed by increases of this magnitude, particularly when I see no evidence whatsoever of an improvement in the service they deliver!

I wander if any of your readers have similar views? Does the situation prompt in their mind, questions similar to mine? Like for example: What on earth is happening?; What are the police, the Police Authority and elected councillors playing at?; Where would we be if everything else had trebled in these past 5 years?

Malcolm King,

Sutton-in-Craven.

SIR - I agree with Mr Perrow's comments (Craven Herald Letters, January 24) about the police tax rise. I for one cannot attend such meetings due to shift working patterns but Chief Constable Della Cannings' comment that they could raise the precept to any amount and no-one would care is ridiculous.

I think we are overtaxed all round as it is what with income tax, national insurance, council tax, value added tax, road tax, fuel tax and insurance tax to name but a few.

There's nothing left for enjoyment. No wonder everyone looks so miserable.

Frank Hall,

Colne Road, Cowling.

SIR - If Steve Maundrill feels Tarn House is nothing more than a village pub, he has obviously not visited the area when Tarn House was a venue for local weddings, birthday parties, dances, motor club meetings and "murder mystery" dinners to name a few.

Also had he walked back into Skipton in the opposite direction he would have seen the two large areas or housing not half a mile away.

However, he did notice the sheep (not usual for a farming area) but failed to notice all the caravans that surround Tarn House and are occupied from March to October swelling the population considerably.

It is true that Skipton has many small, cosy pubs but many are not suitable for large functions, or have hotel facilities to meet the needs the people of Skipton and its visitors.

We really then became confused about Mr Maundrill's derogatory remarks about Stirton and its good people but when we read the bit about the abattoir, we realised he had finally lost the plot.

Mr and Mrs TV Denton,

Skipton.

SIR - I am writing to say how pleased I am to see the council's housing plans are being submitted for the consent of the Deputy Prime Minister to the proposed transfer to a housing association.

This was a Conservative initiative started three years ago when we saw how the Government's approach to housing maintenance and stock management, the council's own financial restrictions and our inability to invest in housing stock would seriously affect our tenants and indeed our ratepayers in future years.

For more than two years the tenants have been involved in negotiations and selection of the housing association and out of an 80 per cent ballot, 75 per cent voted in favour of transfer.

The council has agreed and negotiated on behalf of our employees and should the transfer take place our housing department staff will become part of the new Craven Housing Association so making for smooth continuation after transfer takes place.

However, I was rather perturbed by the result of the council's vote - 12 to seven in favour, the seven all from the Independent and Liberal Democrat alliance. Out of those seven, four are on the council's panel appointed to help the process of transfer, including the chairman and vice-chairman.

I understand the chairman has done the decent thing and resigned from this panel. Nevertheless, the decision of the council on January 21 does not bind the council to complete the transfer and it is important that we councillors all pull in the same direction to complete the transfer for the benefit of our tenants, employees and the ratepayers.

Coun Marcia Turner,

Craven District Council.

SIR - As treasurer of the Skipton and District branch of the Leukaemia Research Fund, I would like to extend thanks on behalf of the committee to the staff at Morrisons and the many shoppers who generously contributed to the fund's collection on January 25.

In total, just under £360 was raised for the work of the fund.

The branch was set up in May 2002, and to date we have raised nearly £8,000 for the fund. This has been achieved through dance nights, coffee mornings, a 100 Club and now this collection.

If any reader would like to know more about the work of the fund, or would like to get involved with the branch, they can contact me at the address below.

Stuart Willis,

3 Park Lane Terrace, Carleton.

SIR - Sorry to bring up the subject again but I must say how appalled we were by the minefield of dog dirt we had to avoid out walking on Sunday.

Along Raines Road and Station Road in Giggleswick and Cammock Lane in Settle there must have been 15 heaps on the footpaths - disgusting. Perhaps a dog owner thinks the odd heap doesn't matter but added to the other 14 it is a disgrace.

There were also two footpaths in Settle town centre plastered with dog dirt last week. Come on dog owners, clean up after your dog and think about other people.

Helen and John Reid,

Tems Street, Giggleswick.

SIR - I have written twice to Tony Blair expressing my opposition to the war on Iraq. Each time I have received a soothing reply that no decision to go to war has been taken.

I joined the Bradford march of 3,000 people who had gathered to hear passionate anti-war speeches from a variety of speakers including the Bishop of Bradford. On the Monday it was announced that a quarter of our troops are to be despatched to the Gulf. Still we are assured that war is not inevitable...Durr.

I feel disenfranchised and so angry that without even a Parliamentary debate Tony Blair can drag our country into support of this oil-driven US aggression. So much for democracy.

I write to ask those people who share my viewpoint to register their opposition by writing to Downing Street. We know how Tony rates the polls. Our only hope is to make him understand how many of us there are and how strongly we care.

Someone once said that all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

Helen Handley,

Eshton Road, Gargrave.

SIR - Your correspondent, Lucy Irven (Craven Herald Letters, January 24) pointed at US imperialism in connection with Skipton's brand new McDonalds. She might have raised her sights a bit.

Junk food is one thing; the huge increase in misery and blood-letting almost certain to be unleashed on thousands of innocent Iraqis, who have already suffered many years of American and British bombing and economic sanctions, is quite another.

The unalloyed truth today is that, whether we like it or not, the rest of the world must find themselves in accord with the overweening ambitions of the power-drunk, oil-addicted and unelected leader of the most powerful nation-state the world has had to learn to live with.

Among other expressions of US power, President Bush and those closest to him have already indicated a willingness, should they deem it necessary, to use tactical nuclear weaponry in their determination to enhance US hegemony across the planet.

Hyperbole? OTT? Then read what, as far back as 1948, a former US strategic planner, one George Kennan had to offer his masters: "We have 50 per cent of the world's wealth but only 6.3 per cent of its population. In this situation, our real job in the coming period... is to maintain this position of disparity. To do so, we have to dispense with all sentimentality...we should cease thinking about human rights, the raising of living standards and democratisation."

Priceless, isn't it? Nicole Machiavelli's bones must have started up in shock. However, given all that happened subsequently, dare one doubt that Kennan's grisly prescription has been taken to heart with energy and enthusiasm? But where, one might well ask, does all this leave our own Tony Blair?

Well, we know now, don't we? Clinging spaniel-like to the coat-tails of his would-be crony, George W, of course, while doing his level best to convince us all that he is acting as some kind of bridge between Europe and America.

No longer is possession of an empire of "our own" (one that included, by the way, a "protectorate", Iraq, in which, applauded by Winston Churchill, British planes mustard-gassed some uppity Kurds), our political masters are reduced to the status of obsequious acolyte to school-yard bully. And to rub a little salt into our wounded pride, didn't a US senator recently declare, with exquisite diplomatic tact, that if Tony Blair wished to play lap-dog (sic) to George W Bush then that was up to him.

Richard Cooper,

Caxton Garth,

Threshfield.

SIR - Craven residents are faced with a proposed local tax increase of 9.5 per cent. Band D would be charged £802.47, an increase of £69.62 per year.

State pensioners are due to receive £ 100 per year increase, less tax, in April. This should cover the Craven tax increase!

This at a time when Blair, in support of President Bush, is planning to spend billions, no questions asked, on a war against Iraq.

A war that is overwhelmingly opposed in Britain, in Europe -and that millions in the United States are against.

A war for oil. A war in which millions will suffer and with untold consequences for Britain and the world.

Britain's infrastructure is falling apart - like our town hall! Have we not got our priorities wrong?

The plight of our future pensioners is frightening. The pension crisis can only be tackled by a fully funded state pension. All other schemes have been found wanting.

Brian Ormondroyd,

Brindley Court, Skipton.

SIR - I think that it is about time the UK and especially America gave up this whole charade as to the impending war against Iraq having anything to do with fighting world terrorism.

In this, the 21st century, I am saddened to say that Western imperialism is as strong as it ever was. However, the difference now is that whereas before you could say imperialism took the form of direct and even forewarned attacks on less fortunate states, today Western imperialism is very much cloak and dagger and underhanded.

To suggest that the UK and America are going to go into this war in the name of the "civilised world" is laughable. It was only a few months ago the George W Bush stood on the pulpit and lectured the UN on how in the name of truth and justice, they had to enact the resolution which called for complete co-operation by Iraq with weapons inspectors.

Yet America themselves have previously failed to co-operate with UN resolutions, for example during their incursions within South American countries.

Furthermore, on the one hand it took just two resolutions for them to enter Iraq in the original Gulf War, whilst on many many occasions they ignored equivalent resolutions raised against Israel through virtue of their veto.

Now that France and Russia show signs of using their veto, do America and the UK readily admit that they will follow international law and withdraw should any of the permanent members of the Security Council use their veto against a war with Iraq? Of course not.

In fact George W Bush has on many occasions said that if the UN defies them that they will go into war regardless. The American Government is no more than an international bully and what America wants, America gets. Great

Whilst saying the above, I don't for a second shun away from the fact that the likes of the Iraqi Government are run by evil dictators and that they perhaps deserve what's coming to them. However, the American Government has for more than 50 years appeared to be selective in dishing out so called justice and thus this leaves me very suspicious of what their true values are.

Yousef Walker

St Christophers Drive,

Addingham