Willing to risk £7.50 on the council?

I'm flattered that anyone should think of such an absurd allegation.

What I have suggested (on my own account and in response to your inquiries) is that I am willing to risk £7:50 along with other residents to see whether our parish council can be responsible for its full costs and some modest projects.

That would mean that our extra privileges would no longer be paid from the taxes of the majority that are denied the same privileges. I'm willing to pay that sum because I believe that none of us should expect extra public services, and not to pay what we can towards them.

Barbara Cussons and her political friends believe in other principles. That may explain why £205 thousand million were added to National Debts during the Conservative Parliament of 1992-97. That's a debt of £8,500 for each family in the land.

Those debts have now been paid off and, consequently, we have a more stable national economy where more than a million jobs have been created (saving the cost of benefits that are now being paid to pensioners), and interest rates and inflation have fallen to manageable levels for most families. Ilkley has benefited mightily from that national prosperity.

Barbara also predicts that the census will record that there has been a very large increase in Ilkley's population since 1901. I entirely agree with that prediction!

The census in Ilkley will also show that the growth in our population has been at a lower rate than for our country over the century. We'll see that Ilkley's pensioners are well above average in numbers and that the number of children is small and continues to fall.

Consequently, the average size of households and especially the numbers of domestic servants will both be lower than the level of a century ago.

Our parish council needs the vision and resources to provide for the needs of a modern Ilkley, not those of 1901, as Barbara Cussons and her friends seek.

Andrew Dundas

2 Pines Cottages,

Parish Ghyll Drive,

Ilkley.

Guides appeal

SIR, - We are fortunate in this area to have facilities for all four sections of the Guide Association. These are Rainbows ( five to seven-year-olds), Brownie Guides (seven to ten), Guides (ten to 14), and Ranger Guides/Senior Section (14 to 25).

The girls are enthusiastic and have great fun owing to the tremendous team of leaders who gladly give up some of their free time because they care for young people and believe that the concept of Guiding works.

Over the past few weeks I have spotted two Brownie Units doing a 'litter pick' along the riverbank. They do this because they care for the community in which they live.

On Bank Holiday Saturday I joined in a campfire on the Curly Hill camp site where guides and brownies and their leaders sang together and enjoyed the companionship that only the glowing embers of a campfire can bring.

The sad consequences of foot and mouth disease have put annual camps and holidays in jeopardy but nothing daunted, one unit has arranged a week near London instead so that the girls may experience a spell away together. Another is preparing for a different sort of activity experience in the Lake District.

The waiting list for membership, especially in the lower age groups, is very long. Some girls never get the opportunity to join since they are too old before they reach the top of the list. This is simply owing to the fact that numbers are limited to a specific ratio of girls to leaders.

Last year, Addingham Brownie Unit almost closed since the leader there felt it was time she took a break after many happy years. In the nick of time, two mothers decided to step forward and saved the day.

Sadly, this may not be the case for 2nd Rombalds Rainbow Unit. This unit was opened only three years ago to take the overspill from 1st Rombalds Rainbow Unit and the ladies, who started from scratch, have done a wonderful job of building up a happy little group.

Now, however, they feel it is time to move on and to date, no one has offered to take over. Instead of space for 36 girls, there will now be only places for 18 and the long waiting list will be increased. (The recommended number is 12-15.)

There is a full training programme and plenty of local support for anyone who wonders if she would be able to become a leader. Men may not be uniformed leaders but they may be unit helpers where they take part in the activities and help with the execution of the programme.

If you are enthusiastic and feel that you could offer some time to help young people become independent, please make contact with me. My telephone number is (01943) 600083 and my e-mail address is: ann.peacock@bigfoot.com

I look forward to a great response.

Ann Peacock (Mrs)

Public Relations Officer,

Rombald's District Guide

Association,

24 Denton Road,

Ilkley.

Deserved praise

SIR, - I have in the past been accused of being a whinger and a nark by one of your readers

.I would, today, like to praise the actions of a young man who at about 7pm.on Sunday evening, cleared the riverbank at the bend upstream of the Old Bridge, of the masses of rubbish deposited by some of our visitors, and it must be said also, our residents, who, on a sunny weekend frequent the area.

I have subsequently been able, due to my wife's better powers of observation, to identify the young man concerned. I do not wish to embarrass him or his family by revealing his identity, but wish to thank him publicly.

I am sure that if he or his family read this, they will know to whom I refer. Well done, and shame on the defilers of the countryside.

Victor M Bean

112 Skipton Road,

Ilkley.

Tracing firm

SIR, - I am a research fellow at the University of Reading in the Department of Typography and Graphic Communication.

I am currently working on a project which is looking at the development of children's reading books from 1830 to 1959. In the course of my work I have found some publications which were printed and published by a business in Otley.

The company was called the Yorkshire Joint Stock Publishing and Stationery Company. They were certainly trading by the 1840s, but when they closed down I have no idea. They produced slim volumes of text books on a variety of subjects, to be used by children in school.

I have so far been unsuccessful in finding out anything about this business and was hoping that you might be able to publish a request for information for me in your paper.

I would be interested in any information on the company, and I would also be keen to know if any of your readers might, by any chance, have samples of material produced by this firm.

Dr Caroline Archer

c/o Wharfedale Observer,

9 Orchard Gate,

Otley.

Voting dilemma

SIR, - Here we go again. A whole month of political posturing and how to choose between such a bad lot, especially for the many undecided and naturally apathetic.

Four years ago we voted in Labour because the Tories had had too long; this despite Labour having to reclothe themselves in New Conservatism (it always amazes me how little the Conservatives made of this swift change on the part of Labour). Let's not forget either how successful the Liberal Democrats were, too.

Personally, I have always voted for the strongest candidate, the one who hows obvious leader qualities. This is difficult as no-one stands out, with most politicians appearing to be 'slytherin'. The transparent Tony Blair, the unfashionable William Hague or the diminutive Charles Kennedy.

You might need to go on past record or current policies at a national or local level. You might decide honesty, that little used word in politics, should win over. For me, the key issues are education, family support and our own identity in Europe.

Don't waste your vote and, if need be, change your voting behaviour at the last minute and make a mockery of the polls! Or you can become a lumberjack?

ROBIN SNOOK

21 Clifton Road,

Ilkley.

Which candidate?

SIR, - Democracy demands I use my vote or lose the right to criticise government. All parties I stigmatised as 'conservative', so there is little to choose from.

First is Liberal Mike Doyle. I'm a firm believer in giving the underdog a helping hand. Mr Doyle's party is son far devoid of sleaze. However, Liberal candidates are just a sacrifice to unrequited hope.

Simon Cook, Conservative, is the second challenger for the Keighley constituency. Simon is an unassuming personality. associated with a political party steeped in arrogance.

Lastly is Ann Cryer, Labour candidate. I have developed a personal antipathy towards her, ;primarily because of her failure to implement a promise made (prior to the last General Election) to the Aire-Worth Reform Association. I believe the feeling is mutual.

Who if the three 'conservative' parties should get my vote? Certainly no the Liberal.

The photogenic Simon Cook? His party will not allow me the democratic right of a referendum in the forthcoming European debate, so he is denied my support.

I will vote Ann Cryer, in spite of the personal dislike I have of her. I still think that of the the three the lady is the best person for the job.

DAVID SAMUELS

32-34 Station Road,

Oxenhope,

Keighley.

Hospital praised

SIR, - My visit to Ilkley Coronation Hospital this week as an outpatient, was a most pleasurable experience.

The welcome received from the receptionist, the porter and medical staff was first class. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and their caring manner much appreciated.

Ilkley is very lucky to have such a hospital.

Brenda Blakey

46 Benomley Road,

Almondbury,

Huddersfield.