SIR, - Through your columns I would like to pay tribute and thank the many members, past and present, who have served the Voluntary Broadcasting Service at Wharfedale General Hospital over the years since its beginnings in 1962.

Sadly, amidst all the furore of the new hospital, the organisation of which I have been proud to serve for over 20 years is having to disband as there is no room for us in the new building - not even a stable for us at the back.

It is ironic that this is to happen to us in this our 40th year but I would like to say how much we have appreciated the support, both in manpower and financially, we have been given by many individuals and groups.

Without this we would not have been able to exist as long as we have.

Over the years members have given of their time each evening of the week and at weekends in providing this service and I know have enjoyed it as much as I know those who have listened to us have.

Obviously we would like to have carried on but this was not possible due to lack of space but we have been able to pass most of our equipment to Chapel Allerton Hospital.

The number of people who have played a part in VBS are too numerous to mention but I would single out June Barley, our secretary who has given invaluable service for more than 30 years and on behalf of us all I say a big thank you to her.

I wish the hospital well when it opens in 2004.

Gerald Long

Chairman,

VBS.

No application

SIR, - On Tuesday, December 17, the US Federal Government applied to the UK Government for permission to develop facilities for use in its National Missile Defense (NMD) system, commonly called Star Wars at RAF Fylingdales, near Whitby.

There appears to be some speculation concerning the reason why a similar application was not made for the use of the US base at Menwith Hill, as the 'Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS) developments at this base have been identified as part of the Star Wars programme.

In 2001, Harold Best MP, on our behalf, inquired of the Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, why Star Wars structures had been erected at Menwith Hill, when no permission for them had been sought by the US, nor granted by the UK.

He received a reply from John Spellar, then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, on behalf of Geoff Hoon. The reply stated: "...SBIRS...is a replacement for ...Defence Support Programme satellites. DSP has ...contributed to the secretary of NATO...

"The US regards SBIRS as necessary irrespective of any decisions on missile defence, and it is being handled as a separate project. SBIRS would be capable of providing early warning of ballistic missile launches to a missile defence system should we agree to any request from the US for it to do so."

Thus, if Nato can use Menwith Hill's Star Wars installations, there is no need to apply for permission. The US Star Wars programme is not intended for the defence of the UK, but is for the US's unilateral defence. We are asking MPs to question whether use of UK Defence Land by a foreign state, acting exclusively in its own interests, is permissible in UK law.

Anne Lee

(WoMenwith Hill Women),

PO Box 105,

Harrogate.

Otley RUFC best

SIR, - Did you know that the Rugby Times, Rugby Union's leading weekly paper (available by ordering at any newsagent), has voted Otley's Cross Green ground top of their 2002 ground visits, scoring 80 per cent in total from the various categories?

There are ten categories in all, ranging from access and car parking to catering and bars. At this present moment Otley tops the list of the 14 clubs surveyed to date, including five Premiership clubs, London Welsh (79) London Irish (73), Wasps (70), Leeds (68) and Sale Sharks (68).

Otley RUFC play at present in Rugby Union's top leagues system. Only Leeds Tykes, Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons play at a higher level in the North of England.

Isn't it time the people of Otley in particular, but also a wider support base from Bradford, Aireborough, North Leeds, Harrogate and North Yorkshire recognised the level of rugby to be seen at Cross Green and got behind the team.

With a ground capacity of around 5,000, Otley comfortably copes with crowds in excess of 3,000. The ground has been selected as a World Cup venue should England and not France be given the 2007 World Cup 'nod'.

As for Otley's fixtures in 2003, homes games start on Saturday, January 11, when Otley play Rugby Lions followed by Coventry on January 26.

Both January and February look like being difficult months for the club with away games at Rotherham, Worcester, Orrell and Birmingham who are all in the top half of National League Division One.

So the two January home games need a home support boost if the club's league position is to be improved.

So why not 'Come on down' to Cross Green and give the lads a bit of support.

Peter Kelley

Bondgate Pottery,

8/10 Bondgate,

Otley.

Railway plea

SIR, - I was interested to read about Otley rail link action partnership and their campaign to open a railway station in Otley.

Otley railway station opened in 1865 and closed in 1965. Its hundredth birthday was not a cause for celebration.

Otley had a railway station in the 19th and 20th centuries and hopefully it will return in the 21st century.

Some of the damage done by Beeching is irreversible. Development means Bolton Abbey will never return to the rail network.

Otley can return to the rail network and it is time to seize this opportunity.

Frizinghall, Saltaire, Steeton, Silsden and Cononley all closed on the same day as Otley in 1965 but they now enjoy a new lease of life.

It has been suggested Otley should have more car parking, but this will mean more pollution and poorer air quality in the centre of Otley.

Otley deserves the best of both worlds - more visitors and no pollution.

The railway will be good for small businesses because it will bring people into the centre of Otley and good for children because they won't get asthma. If the railway is electrified, then there will be no detrimental effect on air quality.

I think Metro should be congratulated for securing £800,000 for public transport improvements in Otley. Hopefully this will encourage more people to use public transport.

It is a pleasure to travel on the new trains, which run on the Wharfedale line and it would be marvellous to see them run into Otley.

Hopefully Metro can persuade Alistair Darling to spend more on our railways and bring the railway back to Otley.

Mick Beaty

Leeds Friends of the Earth,

Holt Farm Close,

Holt Park..

Hospital praised

SIR, - First, may I say as a newcomer to the area how much I am enjoying reading your paper which I purchase from my local post office at Pool-in-Wharfedale. I am writing to inform you and reporter Anne Cooper in particular (the writer was pictured after being made an MBE in the December 19 edition of the Wharfedale Observer - Editor), that the news from the local hospital is very good and I am not suffering from cancer.

I must say I think I have been spared for a purpose and that is probably to continue and redouble my fund raising efforts for cancer research, and maybe also to help and support those who are suffering from the disease.

I would add that the staff in Radiology at Wharfedale Hospital in Otley were wonderful and once they had done the additional ex-rays and ultrasounds and they had gathered the relevant information required, they informed me of the results within three days by first-class post.

If there are any readers in the Pool area in particular who would like to join me in forming a local fund raising group, I can be reached every Wednesday morning at the Cancer Research Shop in Otley.

I take this opportunity of wishing you and your readers peace, health and happiness in the New Year -

Shirley Livingstone

Pool-in-Wharfedale.

No compensation

SIR, - Many of your readers will know that the present Labour Government has at last paid compensation of £10,000 each to former prisoners of war held by the Japanese between 1942- and 1945 and for this they must be given credit even if it came too late for many.

However, some may not know that this compensation was denied to members of the Ghurka Regiment who were prisoners also, on the grounds that those men were not part of the British Army! Their British officers have been compensated as presumably they were considered part of the British Army.

We are here talking about a few hundred old men now approaching 80 years of age, probably living in poverty

However, three of these men have taken the Labour Party, disguised as the Ministry of Defence, to the High Court and won their case for compensation - but to add insult to disgrace this caring Labour Party (still disguised as the Ministry of Defence) are to appeal against the decision.

Just how low can politicians sink - no wonder Mr Best is getting out of the kitchen when he has friends like this.

J M DAVISON

16 Willow Court,

Pool-in-Wharfedale.