Flood prevention work is needed

A lot of what they say I go along with. Sutton does need action to be taken by the authorities to prevent the flooding which occurs from time to time and which appears to be becoming more frequent.

It certainly causes a lot of misery and worry for the residents concerned. However, I must take them to task over their statement that the residents of Yeadon House and the bungalows in Croft Hill were helped by neighbours.

The only help given to these elderly and sometimes frail residents was provided by Craven District employees who worked hard until nearly mid-night on Friday and again on Saturday morning.

Certainly there was no offer of help from able-bodied neighbours of tea, clothes or even comfort.

Agreed, there was help on Saturday clearing the stones from the road in preparation for the gala but the only councillor who put in an appearance on Friday was busy videoing the scene.

Presumably this action was taken in order that he would have ammunition when putting in an objection to the plans for a vastly improved complex that would undoubtedly enhance the lives of these elderly people and others in need in the community but obviously these plans would not be fulfilled unless the problem of flooding could be overcome.

Margaret Pye,

The Hawthorns,

Sutton-in-Craven,

SIR - The Christian Aid Committee wishes to thank all those who supported the Christian Aid Week in May. We had door-to-door envelope drops, a High Street collection and a sponsored walk. Bradley, Carleton, Embsay and Thornton-in-Craven all played their part and together we raised £7,000.

Christian Aid Week is concerned with raising awareness of the plight and needs of people in the poorest regions of the world. Goodwill as well as money is needed to provide basic essentials like clean water, which we in Britain just take for granted.

But Christian Aid, along with CAFOD and other aid agencies, is also campaigning for a change in the rules governing world trade.

Cheap heavily subsidised imports are killing the livelihoods and communities of farmers in the developing world. They cannot compete, especially when high tariffs are put on goods which they try to export.

All those who supported Christian Aid Week have helped in this campaign to change the rules of global trading so that they are fair to all produces and traders.

On a small scale, Christian Aid helps farmers to get a better and fairer deal for their produce. Tea, coffee and cocoa are the produce of the developing world.

The power of globalisation and unfair rules of trade give farmers starvation level returns on their labour and vast profits for the large multi-nationals. The Fair Trade logo means that fair wages and conditions have prevailed.

When the rules of trade have been changed and implemented by the World Trade Organisation all farmers and producers in the developing world will have a fairer chance of prosperity.

Jan Gordon,

Co-ordinator, Christian Aid in

Skipton and District,

St Stephen's Close,

Skipton.

SIR - The West Craven Christian Aid Committee wishes to thank local businesses and members of the public for the support they gave to the Action Day held on May 18 in the grounds of West Craven High Technology College.

Local businesses provided raffle and tombola prizes, money to offset the cost of the day and contributions towards the refreshments.

Despite the rain, lots of people attended the event and enjoyed the stalls, refreshments, activities, games and competitions provided mainly by local churches.

Every year Christian Aid Week raises millions of pounds for the fight against world poverty. Christian Aid works for and with poor communities. Christian Aid campaigns to challenge and change the systems that cause poverty and keep people in poverty.

Thanks to all walkers, sponsors and everyone who contributed in any way to raise money to make a difference to the lives and hopes of poor people.

Margaret Nutter,

Lockfield Drive,

Barnoldswick.

SIR - Sorry to have to inflict another letter on your readers but Harold Rose (Craven Herald letters June 15) and in fact everyone from Kirkby Lonsdale to Leeds must be told that as soon as the Bingley bypass is constructed, all London-Scottish traffic will take this shortest route between the M6 in Cumbria to the M1 North of Wakefield.

Nothing can then stop a six or eight lane motorway replacing the present A65 west of Gargrave and Skipton southwards to Leeds and Bradford.

This was stopped in the 1970s because the Aire Valley from Skipton to Leeds, was known in coal fire days as "Smokey Valley".

Once Bingley bypass is finished and in use, that valley will be "Death Valley" from the car exhaust fumes - just what Mr Rose complained about. He will have a very noisy and polluting motorway just upwind from where he lives.

The economy will boom and everyone to do with the finance will love it - especially the undertakers.

Robert Leakey,

Sutcliffe House,

Settle.

SIR - I would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who made my recent mayoral year so special, to my husband, Paul, who acted as my consort, and to Paul's mum Jean, Shirley Taylor and Jean Phillip who "helped out" when Paul was not available.

I would also like to extend my thanks to the organisers of all the events to which I was invited, to Pat and Andrea in Skipton Town Council office who helped with all the sorting out of arrangements, and to all who supported my charity events.

And, finally, I would like to thank Craven Mind - my charity of the year - who supported me throughout the year with enthusiasm and friendship. I am proud to have raised £3,487.88 for you. We've had a wonderful year.

The cheque for this amount will be presented on Wednesday. We are having a final quiz night at the Three Links Club (Oddfellows Hall) at 8pm for a fun evening and to present the cheque. So please, come along, even if you haven't been to an event before.

Teams can be up to six members, and it is 50p each to enter. The prize for the winning team will be a wicker hamper full of goodies. All proceeds on the night will go to Craven Mind.

Thanks again.

Polly English,

Burnside Avenue,

Skipton.

SIR - Over the past two weeks I have observed that roadside verges in the Gargrave, Bell Busk, Airton and Hetton area have been sprayed with Systemic Herbiside.

The consequence to the verges in destruction of flora and fauna has been catastrophic. It is also worth pointing out that the act is illegal.

Neither North Yorkshire nor Craven District Council are responsible. The National Park Authority is not responsible. Unless, therefore, we are beset by a "mad weedkiller man", it would seem to be the farmers who are responsible, giving another example of their careful stewardship of the countryside.

Howard Davies,

High Street,

Gargrave.

SIR - May I through your columns thank the Craven Herald for organising their 'Draw the Queen' Competition.

The children at Gargrave School thoroughly enjoyed taking part and, as a school, we were delighted with the work the children produced.

May I thank everyone who registered a vote for their favourite drawing and may I also thank the people who wrote into "Letters to the Editor" to commend the children's efforts.

The prizewinners were delighted with their prizes which were presented in assembly.

Paul Duke,

Gargrave Primary School.

SIR - I was third from the right in your picture of Craven From Bygone Days (June 14). My name was Dianne Finn and I was a friend of Angela Walton for years until we left school at 15.

For the Coronation picture we were dressed in either orange or blue flowers and hats of paper and danced to Greensleeves at the Parochial Church Hall.

I was ill on the day and Diane Myers took my place. I didn't remember that but a few weeks ago we met and she told me.

Dianne Andrews,

Castle Street,

Skipton.

SIR - On Friday June 21, Macmillan Cancer Relief had a collection day at Morrisons and collected £637. We would like to thank everyone who contributed and special thanks go to volunteer collectors for their support.

Ann Barker

Chairman,

Skipton and District Committee

of Macmillan Cancer Relief.