Lettrers to the Editor

SIR, - I had long ago concluded that in our unsettled and unsettling age many had forgotten how to enjoy themselves, unless the high jinks had some connection with either pop stars or footy.

You know - "Long Live King Gareth or King Beckham etc". Mercifully the Palace were 'taking more water with it', sensed differently, and realised that we had all had plenty of that and what was really needed was a good old fashioned British national knees-up with plenty of Pomp and Circumstance, flags, cheers and red, white and blue.

All needed, especially as few present British youngsters had seen such a thing. In many respects we have been deluged by, particularly American, propaganda and such flag waving is hailed as a 'wonderful sense of their nation's history', whereas if we try it on its all a bit BNP or pure jingoism.

Anyone with the slightest powers of observation must realise that there are a lot of destructive forces at work which, in wartime, would be considered almost Fifth Column.. There used to be a quotation, attributed to Shakespeare, and mainly referring to England, that this country would be betrayed from within, not without.

However, the Golden Jubilee had great healing powers, and the British Lion enjoying a much needed grooming.

Leaving us warm with good taste party spirit, wonderful heart-tugging music and second to none exquisite ceremonial. When we are in the mood for it we can't be beaten.

Elgar touched all the right spots and, not least, the Queen was obviously deeply touched, one young man commenting on TV that: "When all is said and done the Monarch is at the heart of the nation, isn't she?"

We tend to forget that we enjoy a 'Constitutional' Monarch which preserves our historical grandeur without loss of national identity, yet is all but a 'republic', though without some colourless politician as Head of State.

In fact, we haven't had a bossy king since George II (1727-60) was told to take it a bit steady.

Anyhow, it was a splendid four days for me so VIVAT REGINA, VIVAT Rex and Thanks for the Memory.

In the few days since writing this, I notice that the media has recovered a little, renewing its anti-Royalist attacks with greater vigour and invective.

Mr D Wagstaff

Lilac Cottage,

Apperley Lan,

Rawdon.

Best of British

SIR, - Now that the Golden weekend is over and it must be said, it was remarkable, wonderful, emotional and simply the Best of British, I begin to wonder at the thoughts of some local authorities and universities who banned the display of the Union Flag and the Cross of St George on the grounds it might offend some of our overseas guests.

London in general, and The Mall in particular, were awash with these symbols of Britain and England and I do hope that the perpetrators of these displays had planning permission so to do.

I think it paramount that our Labour MP and his friends should investigate this matter and take appropriate action to stop it happening again - say during next year's Golden Jubilee of the Coronation.

It is not good business if we dare to offend our overseas guests, perhaps some will not come again.

J M Davison

16 Willow Court,

Pool-in-Wharfedale

Bloom efforts

SIR, - Firstly, I write to thank your paper, Otley residents, Neil Wilson and his team of parks' gardeners, Andy Dunn street cleaner, and business people of Otley.

The combined efforts of these numerous individuals and groups of people helped Otley greatly improve its overall position this spring within the Yorkshire in Bloom regional competition. The seven-mile judging route meant that much of Otley was seen by the judges.

The Otley in Bloom team of volunteers clearly relies on people working effectively together. This is what happened this spring and what a difference it made. In 2000 Otley came bottom in the spring judging, this year 7th out of 13. That is a marked difference in my opinion.

I hope similar preparations will happen over the next few weeks in readiness for the summer judging. The summer judging will take place on Thursday afternoon, July 11. The route is being finalised this week including the summer visits which will be planned to enable many different people to get involved. LCC Cleansing Department has for the past three months been addressing areas of concern across the town, but if you have any causes of concern please phone (0113) 2477500.

You will need to allow up to two weeks for your complaint to be dealt with. In my experience they are responsive as long as they are given accurate street locations and clear descriptions of the problem.

The roads and pavements have been sprayed recently with weedkiller. Looking across the town the weeds do appear to be dying off. It would be a huge help to Otley in Bloom if residents and businesses 'adopted' the area immediately outside their property and ensured that there were no weeds or litter there on judging day. Weeds and litter lose us valuable hard-earned points.

Otley in Bloom is a team of volunteers who are working hard with others to look after Otley's many different environments. The numerous people involved get no financial reward from these activities but the best reward is actually seeing the difference people can make when we're working together to look after this wonderful town.

Thanks to everyone for being patient, for these things do take time and we all know we have had our setbacks. Thanks to everyone doing their bit, no matter how little or how much, for it is the total sum which matters, which was clearly so evident this spring. Let's see if we can do even better this summer.

Sylvia Reid

Manor Books and Music,

Otley.

Class facts

SIR, - Last week a friend sent me a cutting from the Jubilee edition of 'The Wharfedale'.

Under the heading Across the Years was a photo of the 1936 class of lower fifth B (L.V.B) at Prince Henry's Grammar School. I have the original here but could not remember all the names so I was delighted to have my memory jogged.

The girl on the back row 'unknown' was Betty Miller and my name was Nancy Kettlewood not Kettlewell. I think Dorothy Stowe was also in the class as I have her autograph on the back of my copy although she is not in the photograph.

I was delighted last year when Mabel Aldersley called to see me while on holiday in the district. I had not seen her since 1949 but kept in touch.

If any surviving members of that class photo would let me have news of themselves on any other of the group, I would love to hear from them.

Mrs Nancy MacDonald

(Nee Kettlewood)

3 Church Street,

Gledfield, Ardgay,

Sutherland, IV24 3BNB.

Using the land

SIR, - Stanley Flesher, Addingham farmer, may have a point regarding asylum seekers. It seems reasonable if there is land available.

Unconnected to the above though, did Mr Flesher notice the recent report by the Environment Agency stating that damage to the environment by farmers cost £500 million per year? Mrs Beckett had nothing to do with this, Mr Flesher.

F Dickinson

Larkfield Road,

Rawdon.

Gardens boost

SIR, - I would like to express my thanks through your newspaper to all the people and organisations who made it possible to enhance the gardens at Linfoot Court and also to all who organised and helped with the party for the Jubilee.

This was mainly due to Leeds Safer Communities Millennium Award Scheme and the generosity of shops and residents. The difference is amazing.

Mrs O Westgarth

2 Linfoot Court,

Otley.

Trip thanks

SIR, - May I, through your newspaper, once again thank Yeadon Charities Association for another well organised outing to Southport.

Betty, Jean and Christine were like yo-yos, up and down all the time. Thanks also for the Golden Jubilee party. Good luck for the pantomime.

Elsie K Hudson.

Yeadon.

(name and address supplied)

No consultation

SIR, - Re the school closures: At no time do I remember any one of the powers that be during the consultation period mentioning the closure of Otley All Saints School (North Parade) for a week, thus depriving the children of their rightful education.

Sara P Drake

Westcroft, Station Road,

Otley.

Monarchy test

SIR, - Monarchist propaganda would have us believe the Royal Family are supported by the majority of the population. Cunningly they never gave us the opportunity to put this to a rigorous test.

Instead their arguments are propped by opinion polls taken at selective advantageous moments like a death or Jubilee. If Monarchists are so confident of their support would they be prepared to submit to the following test and put their money where their mouth is.?

1.Invite all monarchists to be registered for contribution to a Royal tax.

2. Stop all State Treasury funding of the Monarch.

3. Registered Monarchists only to pay a weekly tax, direct to the Royal Family for its upkeep.

Then we will see how many monarchists remain loyal when they have to put their hands in their pockets to fund this extravagance.

Republicans are sick of funding this class ridden parasitic, undemocratic system which preys on those too intellectually challenged to understand they are being conned.

Mr M Naylor

21 Grange View

Otley