Letters to Editor

Captain Geoff Clapham is the man seated on Scott motorcycle WS368. I assume he was a local man, being a member of the Ilkley and District Motor Club.

In 1922 he rode in the TT on the same machine as pictured when, together with team mates, he came in the first 10 finishers and won the team prize for the Scott company of Saltaire.

JOHN PRATT

Lower Wyke Lane,

Lower Wyke, Bradford.

Sir - Many thanks for the report you wrote last week in 'Wired' about the enterprise scheme that we ran at Ingrow Primary School.

The children made a combined profit of over £140.

There were several ideas as to how they might spend their 'wages'. They considered McDonalds, who were only interested in their business if there was some publicity for them.

Finally we decided to approach The Picture House Cinema, North Street.

I can't emphasise strongly enough how amenable and considerate they were to our needs.

We were able to arrange a private showing of the new animated film 'Spirit' on Friday afternoon, the children walking there and back to expand on the 'healthy' theme.

They did not request or expect any publicity, but we were so impressed with their help and organisation that they deserve recognition.

Maybe our very positive experience will bring this facility to the attention of other schools/organisations for future support.

The children would be delighted to see details of their profits and how they were spent, and I would appreciate some appreciation for The Picture House.

Barbara Cormican

Year 4 teacher

SIR - David Eglinton from the Esso Public Affairs Department must have been greatly concerned by the recent protests in Keighley.

He claims that his company takes climate change 'extremely seriously' and calls for action to tackle it, and yet Esso continues to deny what everyone knows - that its products contribute to the problem.

Esso has denied the link between oil and climate change for over ten years, but tries to hide this in Europe where its views are unpopular.

However, the company's head office policy is clear. In its policy on climate change, dated May 2000, it said: "Science is not now able to confirm that fossil fuel use has led to any significant global warming."

While this has now been removed from the website, last month Esso (ExxonMobil) chairman Lee Raymond said "Now we do not believe that the science required to establish this linkage between fossil fuels and warming has been demonstrated - and many scientists agree."

But the world's most reputable scientists do not agree with him, or with David Eglinton or with anybody who is paid by Esso to deny the reality of global warming.

For the full explanation of the Esso campaign and to find out how to get involved, visit www.stopesso.com.

Jane Howie

Address supplied

SIR - I am researching my family history and wonder if any of your readers, probably in the Silsden area, can fill in any gaps in the information I presently have.

My paternal grandfather, George Russell, was a railway guard in Silsden around 1893, being already married to Mary Taylor. Their children were William, George and Elizabeth Russell, although there may have been another son who died in the First World War.

So far as memory serves, Mary Taylor had a brother and sister, William and Agnes Taylor, but again there may have been other siblings.

My grandfather later moved to Glasgow and then Largs on the Ayrshire Coast before his death around 1930.

Any information the descendants of the Taylor side of the family can supply would be much appreciated, and if information on the Russell side of the family would be of interest I would be happy to reciprocate.

GEORGE RUSSELL

10 Vardon Drive

Glenrothes

Fife KY7 4EY

Tel/Fax: 01592-753729

SIR - I am writing to thank all of those involved in helping to bring the Queen's Jubilee Baton to Keighley last Friday.

Instead of the baton passing anonymously by in the back of a van (as had originally been planned), a fabulous team effort from people from a variety of organisations and backgrounds ensured that, despite the weather, the passing of the baton on its way to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester later this month was well and truly celebrated in Keighley.

The event also reflected a positive event in Victoria Park, which had previously been in the media for less than positive reasons.

Particular thanks go to the following, who contributed time and effort, on zero budget, in order to ensure that the event was a success: Hannah Lindsey and the Primary Care Trust team, Will Smith and all the Sport Camps staff, Leisure Centre manager Andy Bailey and all his staff, all the staff at Victoria Hall, Steve Bell and Matt Barrett and the staff at Oakbank Sports College, Graham Mitchell for last minute transport arrangements, Ann Cryer and her office staff, Linda Godden and all the staff from Eastwood Primary School, Allyson Maguire and the Bradford Council Marketing Team, John Heald and the Keighley News, Bradford Council Media Relations Team, all staff and helpers from the various primary schools that supported the event, Peter Halliwell, and finally the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay team, notably Mike Dalziel, Neil Pugsley and Rebecca Norlings.

However, the biggest thanks of all go to all of the children from numerous Keighley primary schools who ignored the rain and enthusiastically took part in all the activities.

They provided a memorable sight during the Jubilee Jog when one of the biggest congas Keighley has ever seen went round the park, and then welcomed the baton with a roar that is unlikely to be equalled even in Manchester!!

Not every individual child got to carry the baton (it was only with us for five minutes) but hopefully it got close enough to everyone for it to be a memorable experience.

If you're reading this and you were there: "Thank You!!"

It would be great to have a "Party in the Park" on similar lines every year, QJBR or not, and the sportKeighley partnership will see what can be done for 2003.

In the meantime, the Commonwealth Games provide a great excuse to keep flying those St George's flags, and of course there are numerous sporting activities for kids aged 5 to 80 in Keighley throughout the summer. See www.sportkeighley.com for details.

JOHN DENNIS

sportKeighley co-ordinator,

Branwell Drive, Haworth