Letters to the Editor

The phrases 'holding the country to ransom', 'bully-boy tactics' and 'putting innocent lives at risk' have been entirely absent in reportage of the current crisis, even though the actions of the pickets, and their consequences, have been identical or worse: there was no rationing of food during the miners' strike.

Could this have something to do with the fact that the fuel protesters are land/business owners, and that their action is against a Labour, not a Conservative government? If this is not the explanation, what is?

Incidentally, it took the Thatcher government a year to sort out the miners' strike, so why are some people criticising Mr Blair because he hasn't sorted this one in a week?

It's bound to take a while, since he hasn't called in the Met to harass pickets' families.

Robert Swindells,

Spring Row, Oxenhope.

SIR - I was born and raised in Keighley, and have lived in the United States (California) for the last thirteen years.

My family is still in Keighley, and I don't get over to visit as often as I would like. For some time, I subscribed to the Keighley News.

However, it was no fun getting it two months after the publishing date due to the slow pace of the mail. I have been visiting the "Keighley News" on the web for around a year now, and it just gets better all the time! Thank you, thank you, for providing this service. It brings home just a little closer to me.

Karen McAdams.

SIR - The proposed relocation of Project 6 needle exchange drug and alcohol advisory clinic into the prime high street location of Cavendish Street has been objected to in writing by around 300 Keighley citizens.

These people along with many other people in Keighley are being very specific about their concern which is; the inappropriate positioning of this facility in the main family-shopping street of our town.

It is not acceptable to the parents of the children who currently shop at the town's largest toyshop, at McDonalds, at the video games shop, the art and craft shop plus others adjacent to the clinic.

It is not acceptable to the residents of Cavendish Street, who already have a nuisance problem of discarded needles at the rear of their houses.

It is not acceptable to the traders who believe that they will see increases in theft, abuse, and nuisance for both themselves and their customers.

Should the problem of drug addiction be ignored; - No ! Has anyone said that it should be ignored; No!

Why then does Anne Flanagan in true politician's style seem intent on defending this point which is not in contention? Let us ask the question, is it in Keighley's best interests to locate this facility on Cavendish Street? No is the resounding answer from the people!

The town has other more suitable large premises where the social and economic conflicts of a main shopping street can be avoided. Project 6 clients are said to prefer discretion and privacy. If so, then wake up Ms Flanagan and find an alternative and more suitable location that does not conflict with your clients requirements or the overall development of Keighley.

S Stewart

Cavendish St, Keighley.

SIR - I write in response to the two self-appointed public spokesmen who wrote letters to your paper re the location of Project 6 to Cavendish Street (KN 15/9/00).

People are too ready to judge, to sideline, those groups they see as problems. If these people could stand back and look at the bigger picture they might see something more.

In my experience people who abuse heroin have grown up with financial, emotional, physical and/or spiritual deprivation. Because their childhood needs have not been adequately met, as adults they are ill-equipped with the skills needed to enjoy a 'successful' life.

Maybe today you feel some sympathy, albeit from a distance, for the children suffering in our society. The victims of poverty, abuse, neglect. Children who are given little, or no, opportunity to 'achieve'. Tomorrow your sympathy is replaced by contempt directed at the adults these children become. You change their labels from victims to criminals.

Every day in this town I see children who are tomorrow's drug casualties, tomorrow's long term unemployed, tomorrow's criminals.

The responsibility for these children lies with us all. The problems in this society are the fault of us all.

Everything we do, every minute of the day, makes our world the way it is. If you consider this maybe you will find it in your hearts to give love not judgement, understanding not criticism.

We need Project 6 in this town. By giving care and support to those who need it they are also giving care and support to the wider community. Without them there would be more needles on our streets and an even greater drug problem than there is.

I don't care where they are situated. I only care that they are there.

ZENA DAVIS,

Guardhouse Grove, Keighley.

SIR - I was astonished to read comments by both Ms Anne Flanagan of Project 6 and Ann Cryer MP regarding the location of a drug/alcohol advice centre and clinic in Cavendish Street.

Ms Flanagan has issued the same statement for weeks and apparently refuses to publicly address the legitimate concerns of Keighley people and businesses regarding the new location.

This is insulting and fails to cultivate neighbourly relations.

Ann Cryer MP seems determined to maintain the politically correct view so beloved of New Labour.

In doing so she is as out of touch with mainstream public opinion as her recently humbled boss Mr Tony Blair. Mrs Cryer must learn to listen to the majority who contribute most to society, or face the consequences on polling day. MPs are servants not masters.

I sincerely hope Direct Action is not the only way the majority can be heard in 'modern' Keighley.

NEIL A RAMSDEN,

Proprietor.

SIR - Memories of bus station. From leaving school in 1935 I worked at the West Yorkshire/Keighley West Yorkshire bus office which was on the corner of Russell Street and Scott Street.

There was one large office and conductors used to cash in over the counter; their takings checked by a clerk.

There was a small office for the manager upstairs and an enquiry office separate for the public's use.

It was with delight in 1940 the move was made to the new bus station.

Upstairs there was a large room where conductors kept their boxes in lockers and takings put in a bag into a safe - the other side of which was the ticket office where clerks worked and cash was counted, way bills checked for sales and mileage.

On this floor was the manager's and his secretary's office.

The cash was always checked by the chief cashier with a male helper, but later female staff also did this work.

On the ground floor was the waiting room with seats and a beautiful table, but as this was vandalised was soon closed and is now a newsagents.

Opposite was the enquiry office and booking office with Lost Property office included.

There was also a regulators office and public toilets but there was no way to get from ground to first floor without going outside.

The staff canteen was in the building next to the old theatre.

In the old days there was a close staff relationship but this deteriorated with the new building, as the only time drivers and conductors met with office staff was when collecting their wages on a Friday.

Many of the drivers and conductors came from Durham and Cumbria often pairs of brothers amongst them.

Before the war there were only about six conductresses who only manned the single deckers, now of course there's even lady drivers.

I left for service with the VADS but on my demob returned till 1950 when I left to bring up my family.

IVY ASPINALL,

Westview Way, Keighley.

SIR - Like other industrial areas during WW2 Keighley was prone to thick fog. This was the state of things when I arrived by train en route Haworth on precious leave from the Royal Engineers.

My spirit sank when I emerged from Keighley Station into dense vapour, a silent stillness. I couldn't imagine a bus running through this muck and headlight hoods on buses was another deterrent.

In those days pavement edges were painted white and bus crews were redoubtable and adaptable.

So, I was surprised and relieved when a pretty conductress waved the driver forward with a torch and walked as a guide with her light directed on pavement edge.

The pace was slow but the wheels were turning and once clear of congested fogbound Keighley the helpful conductress got on with collecting fares as she smiled on her customers.

CHARLES MEACHER,

Rosslyn Grove, Haworth.

SIR - The Keighley News rightly highlights Cavendish Street as an essential element of attractive shopping in Keighley. Because it encompasses more local traders than the Airedale Centre it should compliment that Centre and enhance the overall attractiveness of shopping in Keighley town.

Yet little has changed or improved in the last few years. Recent traffic control changes have merely aggravated already difficult conditions.

Why is there no long term plan for Keighley town centre? Other towns have a ten or twenty year plan which envisages and prepares for a positive future evolved from public consultation and careful planning.

That builds pride and engenders confidence. Keighley pride goes little further than a few hanging baskets and a meagre show of Christmas lights.

We elect local councillors to represent our aspirations for the town and strive to make them a reality. Where is that voice and concern on our behalf?

What is the future for Keighley town centre over the next ten or more years? Until such time as there is a will to address these difficult strategic issues with a sensitive and listening approach the future of Keighley and Cavendish Street in particular will be uncertain.

The old adage will apply that when you don't know which way you are going then one way is as good as another. That rarely leads to a desirable outcome.

JOHN FLETCHER,

Fletchers Stationery

SIR - Buildings, two or three school sites, middles schools, uniforms or not, the real value of education is clearly demonstrated in the advertisement in 'situations vacant' in your paper 8/9/00.

It matters not which school is advertising, what matters is that it is offering more pay per hour for a person to collect litter (an essential job I agree) than the authority offers people assisting with the direct education of our children, ie. non-teaching assistants.

Pay peanuts get monkeys.

DAVINA HARDACRE,

Scott Street, Keighley.