Letters To The Editor

SIR - Going, going - but not quite gone.

It's with a great deal of sadness that I write this letter. In another week's time, I will have completed 25 years of dedicated teaching in Otley, a vocation which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

This final year of All Saints C of E Junior School has been as rewarding as all the previous years. The children taught here have been given the best possible education under the constraints of 'Education Leeds'.

Having taught hundreds of children (naturally including second generations!!), I would like to publicly offer my gratitude for all the happiness that they have given to me. Thanks must be given, over the years, to the wonderful encouraging parents, of whom there are so many, thank you so much.

An even greater thank-you to the Parents Action Group, who gave untiring support to the school - so few of you, but you were prepared to put forward the opinions of many Otley people in your winning campaign.

In regard to the staff in every aspect of school life (not just teachers), my excellent colleagues, past and present I leave what has always been a united, hard-working team; some of whom have jobs to move on to, some who are having to retire, others who are having to look elsewhere and teaching colleagues, like myself, with at the time of writing, no future teaching post.

To all the children of Otley, continue to make the most of the educational opportunities on offer, remain on the positive path in life, and my very best wishes for a happy, healthy future go with you all. Thank you to all!

Michele Smallshaw

97 The Whartons

Otley

Road damage

SIR, - With regard to the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer, July 4, 'Resident is telling the whole story'.

I have read with interest your article under the above heading, which follows from my correspondence with Bramhope Parish Council, and which was tackled at a meeting attended by your reporter Amanda Greaves.

Your report, however, is far from accurate. Apart from the Cross area mentioned in your article my survey also covered the length of Eastgate from the Cross down to the village memorial garden and also from the memorial garden down to Tredgold Garth, at the lower end of Breary Lane.

The patches I counted in the road areas numbered 173, not 100 as reported. There was no mention of a continuous scar traversing the Cross and extending to the bottom of Church Hill, nor a continuous scar extending from the Cross down to the Post Office in Breary Lane. Nor was there any mention over 100 metres of unrepaired road edge.

All the above were called up in my correspondence to the parish council. I understand from the Clerk to the parish council that my correspondence and photographs were to be sent to Leeds City Council.

I am pointing this out because your article gives a minimum interpretation of the issue. The observations of a nameless minion of Leeds City Council, which you quote verbatim at the end of your article, should give cause for concern to all people of Bramhope. If the most that we can expect from Leeds City Council is that potentially dangerous road damage, should be reported to them for further patching, as and when, then it really does sum up their general attitude relating to Bramhope, which appears to be a policy of down grading.

I wonder whether any Leeds City Council housing estate has any road system comparable in degradation with what is extant in Bramhope at this time, and which they have scheduled for priority attention.

I have now had my say in this matter, and have stood up to be counted. It is high time that Bramhope residents and the parish council formed a united front of protest relating to this issue. Leeds City Council is supposedly elected to represent the interests of the electorate, without political bias.

Derek Crowther

Old Forge Cottage,

Eastgate Close,

Bramhope.

Tribute to staff

SIR, - I would like to say a big heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Thomas Chippendale school, Otley, for all the hard work they have put in and the support they have given our children over the last 18 months.

We are sorry to see such a great team broken up. It's a shame that Education Leeds takes such a narrow minded monetary view of what they think we, the parents, want for our children's education.

Having just watched the last whole school performance of Oliver, I just wonder if we will ever see anything like it again in our primary schools in Otley. To all those involved a big thank you for putting on such a great show.

The background banner said it all "You want more", "No more Chippendale". I would also like to wish all the staff good luck in their new jobs and to those taking early retirement (what a waste of good people). Enjoy yourselves. Once again many thanks.

JOHN and KAREN RANFAGNI

99 The Oval,

Otley.

Top-class cycling

SIR, - Having attended the Otley Town Cycle Race again, can I congratulate the organisers and Otley Cycle Club and what I think is growing into the best and most exciting event in Otley's calendar. Nice to see the youths getting a chance to compete, as I doubt they get much chance at school!

Being a non cyclist, watching the adults' event is breathtaking, watching these fine athletes perform on roads that would not look out of place in New Delhi!

Burras Lane has finally been resurfaced, but how do these cyclists manage to negotiate Birdcage Walk and Leeds Road at 40mph, when it's dodgy in a car. One rider came off outside The Junction pub at 30mph and luckily got up and dusted himself down, suffering cuts and bruises.

It could have been worse. David Beckham (England football captain) would have been out for nine months. So come on Leeds City Council, give this great event the roads it deserves.

ROY ALDRIDGE

Birdcage Walk,

Otley.

Support praised

SIR, - I understand that Arnold Lavers have withdrawn their application to operate as a builders' merchant from Springhead Mill in Guiseley.

When first proposed, this development was thought to be imminent and unstoppable, but the well argued representations of local residents finally persuaded the Leeds planners to recommend refusal.

I would like to express my personal appreciation for the sustained, detailed and unequivocal support which the campaign received from Paul Truswell MP, from Councillor Mike Dunn and from former councillor Moira Dunn. Despite the constraints of planning law, which so often favours the developer, on this occasion a fair balance was achieved between the rights of the applicant and the wider public interest.

One can only hope that Lavers are now able to find a more appropriate site for their wholesale and retail operations.

A W Kennedy

Springfield Terrace

Guiseley.

Walking success

SIR, - I would like to express my thanks, through your newspaper, to all the people and organisations who made the Otley Walking Festival 2002 a great success. Thanks are due to the walk leaders, slide show presenters, behind the scenes helpers, generous sponsors, raffle prize donators, individual financial donators, and all those who took part in the Otley Walking Festival 2002.

A grand time was had by all! And thanks to everyone's generosity a substantial contribution was raised to help fund next year's Walking Festival. Planning for the Otley Walking Festival 2003 will begin in September - offers of help welcome. Contact Les Cross or Ruth Blackwell at Otley Civic Centre.

Ruth Blackwell

Chairman,

Otley Walking Festival Committee.

Otley Civic Centre,

Cross Green,

Otley.

Tory sickener

SIR, - I see that Iain Duncan Smith has recently written to some people asking them to donate to his cash strapped party.

For a bung of just £1,000 they may join the 'Team 1000', and if they do they'll be able to attend regular policy discussions with Sir John Knott and comedian Mr Jim Davidson.

Will they be provided with anything if they need to be sick? I wonder.

F Dickinson (Mr)

Larkfield Road,

Rawdon.

Tickets thanks

SIR, - Just a line to thank you for the tickets to the performance of Blue Remembered Hills at Harewood House.

The performance was very different and novel but extremely enjoyable. Thanking you once again

Gill Fawcett (Mrs)

Crofters Lea,

Yeadon.