Letters to the Editor

SIR, - With all the hustle and bustle of a busy life, like all of us, it's refreshing to do the things we enjoy.

And live entertainment always comes up tops with me. I went to see 'The Witches of Little Timble' in the stables of the Black Horse Hotel this weekend.

The venue for such a titled play couldn't have been more apt. Dark and chilling was the atmosphere but superb for the content of the play which told the chilling tale of the true story of the trial of three witches set back in 1621.

Once again the Otley Community Players have added another title to their extensive catalogue of superb plays. This latest production showed all the hallmarks of the true enthusiasm of the actors and production team and everyone who was responsible for putting it all together.

I've seen many productions from the community players. This one involved the participation of those in the audience, even if it was just for the hissing and booing or for the more jovial cheering.

Much singing was involved, not just from the players but the audience, too.

Otley folk are kind hearted souls, and the Otley Community Players are not an exception. Not a penny is taken for themselves (although I think that Robert Gobsiotch would have taken a slice) . All the money raised was for the Parish Church window appeal and the Courthouse project.

So nice to see good things happening in Otley. The same goes for Wharfedale FM, all voluntary work involved and all happening for Otley people to keep Otley well and truly on the map.

Trevor Backhouse

34 Westgate,

Otley.

Roles reversed

SIR, - Leeds City Council's imposition of means tested charges for services to elderly and disabled people should serve as a warning of the future society and direction of New Tory Labour.

The message is simple and clear. The service user will pay. After top fees for university students and charges for services to the disabled and elderly, the question is what next? Perhaps, charges for health care and primary and secondary education.

Blair has to get money for his military adventures from some where! In Leeds we have a lethal cocktail of unprincipled, hypocritical New Tory Labour Council and a patronising, parasitic Social Services Department. Both the council and Social Services restrict information and treat the public with contempt. Freedom of Information, like abolition of fox hunting, is still a pipe dream.

Leeds is more concerned with spending our money on prestige projects and increasing councillors' allowances than care of the disabled and elderly.

Councillor Harper, Labour Chief Whip, is wrong is his attacks on Conservative Coun Andrew Carter. It is not Councillor Carter who should be removed from the council. It is Big Brother Labour Leader, Brian Walker and his cohorts who should be expelled.

Brian Walker, prohibits the recording of his Executive meetings, fails to answer letters and treats the public with contempt. We can televise the House of Commons but in Leeds, openness and transparency are not on the agenda.

As a socialist, and having attended three recent council meetings, to me, Councillor Carter was one of the few voices of reason and fairness, arguing to abolish means tested charges.

New Tory Labour councillors, led by Sherry Bradley, exhibited a callous disregard for the vulnerable and were an insult to socialism. In short, Conservatives behaved like socialists and Labour like Tories. Be warned, people of Leeds, your future is bleak under a New Labour Council.

They are more Tory than the Conservatives.

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View,

Otley.

Yeadon Project

SIR, - I read with interest the letter in your newspaper by Moira Dunn (Hon Alderman) regarding Yeadon Town Hall and Project Yeadon.

As Chairman of The Yeadon Project, I felt I should write to point out a few facts regarding our group and its plans. The Yeadon Project was formed only a few months ago, following a public meeting organised by Councillor Dr Makhan Thakur to improve the environment around the town.

As Mrs Dunn points out, the town hall is indeed a wonderful building and at our first meeting we agreed that it and the square should be the focal point of our work. We also decided that we would try to improve areas at the Tarn and have already held an action day there.

Mrs Dunn asks for more imagination and for us to spend some of the city '"coffers' on the square. Well, as a group we already have this matter in hand. In fact we have set our sights even higher as we have contacted the City architect, Mr John Thorp.

He and his colleague from the planning department will be coming to meet us in the town so that we can hopefully get even more money spent on Yeadon and form a cohesive plan.

Once this meeting has taken place we hope that we will have a better idea of what other money might be available and then we can use any grants from the CIT to complement the work. I am sure Mrs Dunn would agree that it is better for us to get as much investment for Yeadon as possible and that we all work together to do the very best to enhance our historic town.

However, we can only do this with the support of local people. It is with this in mind that we will be holding a public meeting at the town hall on Friday, February 21, at 7.30pm so that we can hear everyone's view and hopefully enlist more support and help for The Yeadon Project.

Finally, I would be delighted to welcome Mrs Dunn and any other members of the public whenever we have our next action day.

Stuart Andrew

Chairman,

The Yeadon Project,

43 Green Lane,

Yeadon.

Charity thanks

SIR, - Our very grateful thanks to the companies and shopowners who donated gifts to help make our Christmas Fayre on December 7 so successful. Approximately £2,500 was raised. Thank you also to 'Look North' presenter Ian White, who opened the Fayre, to Santa and his lovely fairies, staff at the town hall, to the committee for all their hard work and of course to the public for your support.

Seasons Greetings to all, we hope to see you at the pantomime.

Winning tickets were: 3832, 1485, 0052, 5417, 0748, 2882, 5390, 0774, 2866, 0602. The Brandy Train Mr E Mathews, Hamper Mrs C Mathews.

WINNIE BROWN

Secretary,

Yeadon Charities Association,

5 Pendragon Terrace,

Guiseley.

Pathetic lights

SIR, - With reference to Otley's Christmas lights and Victorian Evening.

My wife and I decided to support (as we usually do) the Victorian evening in its modified form. What a total disappointment. The streets were deserted, the lights (or lack of them) were pathetic.

Once again Otley has been conned by local officials and Leeds who could not care less what happens in Otley. Very few shops stayed open and of those that did only one or two dressed for the part.

I hope next year when it is hoped we have a normal Victorian evening with proper coloured lights and the shopkeepers and stallholders make more of an effort to play the part - they are happy to take our money, so come on - more effort you shopkeepers.

P Giles

10 St Richards Road,

Otley.

Welcome lights

SIR, - I have to take issue with the editorial and letters concerning Otley's Christmas decorations. I think the 'low-key' decorations are a welcome contrast to the gaudy displays elsewhere.

The decorations are both more attractive and more in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas.

Jesse Bryant

(Address supplied)

The non-lights

SIR, - The Otley lights or rather the non-Otley lights:

One of our councillors says it's a matter of taste. Maybe his? However I would like to know why Nigel Francis went to so much effort to raise money to provide our previous lights. I understand Councillor Coyne took it on himself to organise this years non-Christmas.

Please correct me if I am wrong but I understand £10,000 has been spent on the lighting - £5,000 from Leeds and £5,000 from Otley. Where and how can you justify this amount of money?

Well now that you have ruined this year's Christmas can we have our lights back?

And, please, we have a natural beauty spot on the bridge and river - put some lights both sides.

B Kendall

Well Hill,

Otley.