Letters to the Editor

One would have thought that the local planning committee, as custodians of our land, resources and heritage, would have welcomed such an ambitious and thoroughly responsible project.

Well the plan has eventually been passed, albeit with certain conditions, but with one vote against it! Why?

Martin Leathley's comment that the new building will resemble a theme park is an insult to the integrity and sincerity of the architect and board, and just demonstrates how far from reality some of these 'ostriches' really are.

In case you failed to grasp the concept, Martin, this building minimises pollution and uses re-cycled materials.

The council should be giving out grants for this type of construction, not putting obstacles in the way of essential progress.

BARRY INMAN

High Street,

Sutton-in-Craven.

SIR - I support the comments of David Samuels (Safety First, letter KN 25/1/02).

To award Bradford European City of Culture would be hypocritical. Bradford, a city in decline, beset by drugs, no go areas and street riots, is no place for the unsuspecting tourist, let alone the ordinary law abiding citizen.

It is regrettable that Bradford's leaders still try to 'paper over the cracks', employing expensive monitoring committees and PR exercises, instead of acting on the words of Keighley MP Ann Cryer, who has tried to address the real problems.

We do have a city in Yorkshire which could carry away the award, due to its rich cultural heritage, that is of course Leeds.

Bradford has a long way to go before being even worthy of any consideration for any award. Hopefully those in judgement will see sense.

R P BEALE

Station Road,

Cononley.

SIR - Now the Euro debate has started in earnest it was refreshing to read in last week's KN a range of arguments against the Euro by four local businessmen.

One of them stated that he was paid in Euros, but treated it as a foreign currency, which is what it is in essence.

It is surprising how many companies in Italy, France and to a lesser extent Germany, send their invoices out for payment in US dollars, probably more so now with a question mark over the stability of the Euro.

After the Asian wives English language controversy, our local MP, Mrs Cryer, has proven once again to be her own person by shunning party policy and declaring the Euro not to be in Britain's best interest.

I wonder over the next few months whether any more labour politicians will come out of the woodwork, decry the Euro and defy Blair.

We know the Tories hold differing views on the Euro but, until now, Blair's control of his party, along with the sucking up effect of his minions, has maintained unity on the Euro issue.

The number one 'brown nose', and hypocrite extraordinaire, is the recently appointed minister for Europe, Peter Hain.

His political ambition has seen him leave the Liberals for Labour, turn a full circle and change his deeply Eurosceptic views into full blown Europhile ones, using the tired scaremongoring arguments about supposed job losses and a reduction in inward investment etc, along with the popular chestnut about how convenient it would be to go on your holidays on the Costas and not have to change your sterling, as if that was one of the most important issues in the Euro debate!

We should be thankful that we have the opportunity of a referendum to settle the Euro issue. Our European neighbours in Germany, France, Italy etc didn't have this luxury.

They were railroaded into the Euro by their politicians, even though polls taken at the time showed a majority against the Euro's introduction.

The downside of our referendum is that Mr Blair frames the question and chooses the timing, bearing in mind that the tests are a sham and that the timing will be when Blair thinks he can win.

We need to be extra vigilant because Blair's control freakery knows no bounds.

R I DEWHIRST

Elm View,

Silsden.

SIR - May I, through your columns, express my surprise that Oxenhope Parish Council are planning to rename the garden at 'Muffin corner'.

That area of Oxenhope is nicknamed 'Muffin corner' because the Greenwood family milled the flour with which muffins were made.

They hated the nickname. Miss Agnes Greenwood donated the land and left a bequest to the Oxenhope Church which the family attended regularly, therefore, it should be called Greenwood Gardens.

The name 'Muffin Gardens' will mean nothing to future generations or off-cumdens, whereas the name Greenwood will be associated with the village for ever, as it should be; they were the early entrepreneurs after all!

From one whose ancestors worked for the Greenwoods and knew the Misses Greenwood in childhood. Objectors please sign the form at Oxenhope Post Office.

NADINE HARKER

Moss Street,

Cross Roads.

SIR - In this day of modern technology it is obviously too much to ask that a relatively old-fashioned task could be carried out competently.

We are talking gas and electric meter reading here.

The last electricity meter reading was a fiasco. I was left a card (not being in at the relevant moment).

However, I couldn't just fill in the reading and leave on the door as in the past, no, I had to ring and leave the details on their meter reading answer machine service (freephone). "Please leave your customer number, which is printed on the card," it said.

Mine was not on the card as the meter man had not bothered to enter it. I had to look on an old bill to find it and leave my message.

Today, a card from the gas meter reader: "We were unable to read your meter, please fill in the card and return to Manchester within 3 days or ring our answer machine and leave details (not freephone)."

I opted for the returning of the card as I needed somewhere to point out that my meter is in its box, in the yard, where it has always been. No access to premises required.

If, on every occasion I have to read my own meter and then use my time and phone to record my reading, what purpose do meter readers serve? Why not just send out a card to each household at the right interval and we can all read our own?

However, could all these be freephone services paid for by the wages saved on meter readers?

C M THOMAS

Keighley.

SIR - I have read with interest your article on the problems facing the Bradford district and the low numbers of teachers in this area.

I have read also that experts have drawn up plans to reduce the teacher recruitment crisis by having, quote: "An enticing package of financial and non financial incentives."

What could this mean? Would these incentives be on top of the 13 weeks paid holiday a year, a seven hour day - a five day week, a year's paid sick leave and enough salary that enables you to retire at 55! (Average retirement age of teachers).

May I suggest to education officials that they try a recruitment drive for prospective teachers with people who are employed in offices, factories, industry, who have to meet targets hourly, have five weeks holiday and work long hours.

I am sure they will be inundated with candidates desperate to get out of the rat run and assist the teachers employed with their present workload and worklife balance that is forcing proud and satisfied teachers into early retirement.

NAME AND ADDRESS

SUPPLIED.

SIR - As chairman of Ittehaad Community Association I welcome the new Keighley Town Council, as it aims to break barriers and build bridges between different communities living within the district.

The Association highlights the needs of the local community, it raises awareness and areas of concern within the Asian community (in particular).

The Association has recently raised awareness to parents and carers about under-achievement amongst the Pakistani and Bangladeshi children.

The Town Council will be a forum for debate on Keighley's own ideas, needs and concerns and will help strengthen Keighley's identity.

We need to grasp this opportunity to develop a sense of community through the new set-up.

The vast majority of Keighey's Asian community were born here and relate strongly to the town. They want to play a full part in its future.

The fact that Bradford Council is looking to devolve some decisions and perhaps budgets to the Town Council means that we all need to proceed with a sense of responsibility.

MOHAMMED SALEEM

Lawkholme Lane,

Keighley.

SIR - For the first time in our history, later this year we will invite older people to become individual members of Age Concern to campaign on the issues which affect them.

The results of an Age Concern/ICM poll showing three years on from our original survey in 1998, 70 per cent of British people still believe age discrimination is widespread in the UK.

Older people are more aware of their right to live with independence and dignity. We have been fighting for a better deal for older people for over sixty years and are already in contact with several million of them.

Individual membership will join our experience with the voices of more older people to create a powerful combination.

In the meantime, everyone can join us in our campaigning work by writing to their MP if they have experienced age discrimination; whether at work, getting health care or benefits, or trying to buy consumer products or financial services.

We want MPs to know new laws are needed to stop ageism.

Send Age Concern's Parliamentary Unit a copy and we will keep in touch with you about the campaign and our membership plans: Age Concern England, Astral House, 1268 London Road, London SW16 4ER.

Or call our information line on 0800 00 99 66 and visit our campaigning website www.ageconcern.org.uk.

GORDON LISHMAN

Director General,

Age Concern England

SIR - I am writing on beahlf of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) to thank you for printing the recent letter from DRC Chairman Bert Massie asking readers to tell us about their experiences of disabled access to businesses and services in Keighley.

As a result of the letter appearing, I have received a substantial number of calls, enabling me to compile a list of case studies - mainly disabled people who have had both good and bad experiences accessing businesses and services.

As mentioned in Bert Massie's letter, a new Code of Practice on the Rights of Access for Disabled People will be launched on February 26.

The Code requires most businesses and services to change or remove any physical barriers that prevent disabled people using their service.

JON COPE

Disability Rights

Commission.

SIR - To have a stroke can be devastating, not only for the individual but also for family, friends and partners.

Do you know someone who has had a stroke or cares for someone whose life has been turned upside down by the effects of a stroke?

Nominations are now being taken for The Stroke Association's tenth annual Life After Stroke Awards.

The awards are held each year and recognise the extraordinary courage that has been shown by people of all ages who have had a stroke and also those who care for them.

There are seven categories: three for courage including an award for children who have suffered a stroke, one for art, one for community work, one for carers and one for volunteers.

All those nominated receive a certificate of recognition and the award winners will attend a ceremony luncheon, which is supported by a host of celebrities, in London on July 16.

The nomination forms are available from Life After Stroke Awards, The Stroke Association, Stroke House, Whitecross Street EC1Y 8JJ or telephone 020 7566 0315. The closing date for nominations is Friday March 15, 2002.

NICOLA RYAN

The Stroke Association