SIR, - I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Naylor for his regular contributions to your Letter's Page. Mr Naylor continuously reminds us of how much more hard work there is to do if we are to begin to establish a fairer society here in the UK.

Last week's letter, however, made me feel exasperated and I feel I need to respond to his comments. I share many of Malcolm's concerns, but let's not forget 1979-1997, those 18 years when we were told 'there is no alternative', when the public sector was dismantled, our crown jewels sold off and society fragmented; when we regularly witnessed various acts of political and economic vandalism and as responsible citizens were left feeling totally helpless.

Like vandals, those Tory politicians quickly destroyed what had taken decades, even centuries, to establish. The Labour Government over the past four years has in my opinion been constructive and begun to re-establish a fairer society.

It would be unrealistic, however, if we thought they could repair the damage done over 18 years in four, or that they never make mistakes.

Here in Otley, however, within just four years we can actually feel the direct benefits of having elected a hardworking Labour MP who has spoken up and battled for Otley. Let's not forget that since the late 198's the future for Wharfedale Hospital was constantly under threat, even threatened with closure, which in economic terms would have been a damaging blow for the town because it is Otley's biggest employer.

Let's not forget that it was about five years ago that this paper regularly wrote articles about how Otley was dying, was a 'ghost town'. Just walk around the town centre now and you'll see a healthier and more confident trading centre.

Otley's future as business centre certainly continues to look even more promising now that Otley has been accepted on the Market Town's Initiative funding scheme.

Wharfedale Hospital's future is assured. Mr Naylor is mistaken to think that these outcomes are a 'pre-election bonanza'. I know at first hand that Mr Best has worked hard throughout his four years to fight for what people here in Otley and Wharfedale have identified as being important. He has worked with many different groups across the town to ensure these successes. This conscientious and democratic approach takes time and energy. Mr Best has given both generously.

Mr Naylor is right to constantly remind us of the iniquities and injustices which still exist. It would be an injustice however if Mr Best's hard work was not recognised through these pages, particularly at a time when the people of Otley are being given the opportunity to recognise these efforts.

Sylvia Reid

Ghyll Beck Drive

Otley.

Contradiction

SIR, Having read the headlines from The Wharfedale Observer (May 3) concerning the £1 million coming to Otley for the promotion and revitalisation of the town centre, we find it surprising that Otley town councillors are prepared to support the proposal by Education Leeds to close the central schools in Otley.

Otley Town Council has spent the last few years promoting the town centre and all its services, such as shops, market, education, through documents such as Otley Town Centre Action Plan (published in July, 2000) and yet the town council now endorses the closure of central schools - All Saints Junior and Chippendale. How incredibly contradictory - perhaps the town council ought to rethink its policies especially with an election looming.

Helen Jenner

Parent Action Group,

All Saints Junior School,

55 Boroughgate,

Otley.

Back to basics

SIR, - It is often very sad to read in local papers about vandalism and other crimes committed against a largely peace-loving society.

Tony Blair, and John Major before him, think we should all get back to basics. What are these basics and where did we used to find them? Christianity and the Church is the answer.

The behaviour of some clergy - politicians and Royalty have turned some people to look elsewhere for the meaning of life. I would say 'don't point the finger - lend a hand'.

We read about decline in church attendance these days, but it is surprising that immortality is on the increase or is it just a coincidence?

Moral issues face us and just two of these are abortion and co-habitation but there are others. We need to do plenty of reading and praying before we can face up to these issues in an informed manner.

Basics must go back to Him who said he was 'the way, the truth and the life'. I appeal to everyone who reads this letter to return to their particular church and give a hand.

I am sure people will be very welcome to help put this country back on its feet and return it to its former glory.

R H Proom

13 Silverdale Avenue

Guiseley.

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.

Children's issues

SIR, - As a local resident and campaigner for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, (NSPCC), I am writing to tell readers about the Children's Manifesto.

Produced by the NSPCC, Barnardos and Poverty Action Group, this document sets out a blueprint for government on children's issues. These charities are asking Parliamentary candidates to campaign for the following:

l independent children's commissioners.

l systematic review of all children's deaths.

l independent counselling schemes in all schools.

l the right to advocate (and uphold) children's interests in care cases.

I would ask all readers to ask Parliamentary candidates to support these measures.

Ian Hutton

Queensway,

Yeadon.

News welcomed

SIR, - I am delighted at the news that Otley is now to receive a £I million grant from the Market Towns Initiative.

This funding will give the town the opportunity to regenerate Otley and particularly to market the town in an attempt to attract the high quality retailers and restaurants that will bring in jobs and tourists.

Coming after the disappointment of Sainsbury's' decision not to develop the Bondgate site and the cancellation of the Otley Show and the Carnival, this richly deserved grant is a real shot in the arm for the town.

Adam Pritchard

Prospective Conservative

Parliamentary candidate,

Leeds NW.

3 The Parade,

Breary Lane, Bramhope.

Queen's Jubilee

SIR, - , Regarding the article in last week's Wharfedale about the Queen's Golden Jubilee, I would like to point out, respectfully, that Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne in February, 1952, not June, as was maintained.

George VI, her father, died on February 6 1952; Elizabeth was proclaimed on February 8.

Celebrations will clearly take place in June of next year, as they did for her Silver Jubilee in 1977, but that will be on account of the anticipated better weather, not because it is the actual anniversary of accession.

With references to any celebrations Otley might make, I look forward to hearing the suggestions that readers make; I hope they will be on a scale appropriate to the size of the town and the population. Much money can be wasted to little avail. We are still waiting for a sport and leisure centre for Otley; a new library and museum site would be wonderful - dream on.

Pat Hunt

Norwood,

Otley.

Store's dropout

SIR, - I'm surprised at the apparent disappointment that Sainsbury's have pulled out of their proposed Bondgate development. After all, Safeway is only 200 yards away and Netto is even closer.

The debate seemed to revolve around whether a new supermarket would attract new customers (and their cars) to Otley, with a beneficial knock-on effect for local traders, or whether existing customers would shop at Sainsbury's instead, to the detriment of established traders. No-one knew the answer, and the truth probably lay somewhere between.

Rather than worry about the self-interest of existing traders, perhaps we should wonder whether a large supermarket development was really appropriate at all on a sensitive prime town centre site.

There was certainly no need or demand for it, and the scale would only have damaged Otley's essential small town character. Agreed the site is unattractive as it is, but the feeling was that anything, even a supermarket, would be better than what's there now.

Why can't we now regard Sainsbury's withdrawal as an opportunity to propose the provision of some of the things that Otley has lacked for years? Like a decent library; a tourist information centre; an adequate home for the museum; a cinema/theatre/concert venue to replace Beech Hill, so wantonly bulldozed; or a sports centre. And if the Old Tannery was going to be converted to flats, can't it be converted into an hotel/conference centre?

It's about time Leeds spent some money on Otley, and perhaps a combination of public and private funding, and lottery money, could be found. It may sound ambitious, or even naive, but it must be better than a supermarket, and it may be a long time before such an opportunity arises again.

David Mowlam

7 Trinity Rise,

Otley.