Memories of Dunkirk remain vivid

My unit, a field squadron of the Royal Engineer, was in Northern France when the German push started. We escaped their drive to the Channel by tearing hell for leather due south to Le Mans, east to Rennes, and finally to St. Malo. On the way to Rennes we came across an abandoned Salvation Army shop stacked with sweets and cigarettes, most of which we liberated.

On the counter was a battery radio which we switched on to hear the memorable words of Winston Churchill, to the effect that all the British Expeditionary Force in France had been safely evacuated to England. This statement, as you may imagine gave us food for thought.

Anyway, after sobbing on each others' shoulders, we pressed on to St Malo where the only vessel of any use to us was a French trawler. The captain was loathe to let us aboard but was eventually persuaded by a gentle prod from our officer's revolver. Sadly, the space on board was very limited and we had to leave our kitbags behind and the last thing we saw as we sailed away was what seemed the entire population of St Malo helping themselves to our belongings.

So, off we sailed and after a voyage without serious incident, finally pulled into Southampton docks where we were regaled with tea and wads kindly supplied by the ubiquitous WVS.

We then boarded a train which went non-stop to Leeds where we were distributed among private billets belonging to the good people of Meanwood. Next day I caught a Sammy Ledgard's bus and was home in Otley before tea.

E J Connolly

May Lea Drive,

Otley.

Judges' bloomer

Sir, - In response to a letter from Sylvia Reid, 'Bloom Pleasure', we read 'the judges went by bus up to the Broad Walk and met Betty Bevan'.

What happened to them walking a few yards further down the road to look at the beautiful, colourful display at the gardens of Bennett Court Sheltered Housing!

All the hard work put in by staff and residents at the complex. The money to buy plants raised by coffee mornings, raffles and donations, not done by professional gardeners but done by people proud of their complex and surroundings and indeed of Otley.

Wake up judges, catch another bus to Weston Drive, and have a proper look!

Freda Smithson

Joan Keighley

Bennett Court

Weston Drive

Otley

Concert success

Sir, - On behalf of Pool Mills Cricket Club I feel I have to write to you and say how much everyone who had the privilege to see the 'Sounds of the Century' concert at Guiseley Theatre last week enjoyed their evening.

'Ovation' are a very talented group of young singers and musicians who have been together for approximately three years. Their enthusiasm and enjoyment in what they are doing comes across so well in their most professional performance.

The concert was a fundraising event for Pool Mills CC and the group agreed to perform it as part of the Pool Mills new scorebox appeal fund.

The hard work involved in the production of such a show was plain to see and thanks must go to Caroline Cross, the group's founder, and Mark Wilkinson, their musical director. Many thanks to everyone who supported this event.

Keith Wilkinson

Hon. Secretary,

Pool Paper Mills Cricket Club,

Pool-in-Wharfedale.

All about image

SIR, - Freedom of speech, one of the few true freedoms left in our 'sham-ocracy' is under threat. Thankfully, the Wharfedale Observer still upholds those rights and allows people like F Dickinson, Curmudgeon and myself to have their say.

Open political argument is important for education, to stimulate debate and form opinions. It is also right that conflicting views are presented so the public can sift the wheat from the chaff.

However, F Dickinson's comments should not go unchallenged. He berates Ken Livingstone for talking to the IRA but ignores that Blair and Mandelson did exactly the same and recently released murderers from prison by the score. He has a very short and selective memory and picks out only those events which support his prejudices.

He clearly is the type of blinkered member New Labour and their Conservative cousins are glad to have. If Genghis Khan was the new Labour leader it would make no difference, provided Khan came packaged under the label of New Labour. However, I concede he is right in one respect.

Whilst ever there are people like him it will be a two-party state; albeit Conservatism rebranded as New Labour. This he doesn't seem to mind, as long as the word Labour appears in the title. Its actual substance is much less important than its image. Typical New Labour.

Personally, I believe one should use one's eyes and intelligence and ask, are things any different now than they were under the Conservatives? Do we have a new hospital? Is the NHS any better?

Are taxes any lower? Has there been a fairer distribution of wealth? Have we eliminated class and privilege? Are there more policemen than before and crime any less? Is education and transport any better? Are pensioners better off?

These are the commonsense questions the public should ask themselves.

However, F Dickinson should be pleased with New Labour's latest recruit, Ivan Massow. This senior ex-Conservative, master of foxhounds, homosexual millionaire was welcomed with open arms to New Labour by Mo Mowlam. I wonder why.

F Dickinson is indeed now in good company.

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View

Otley.

Dreaded spin

SIR, - I see even Wharfedale Diary mentioned Harold Best's Europe debate and the dreaded spin. Harold Best wouldn't recognise spin if he was on a merry-go-round - an excellent MP who doesn't need the jibes.

All the spinning by the Press re. Dump the Pump didn't do much good - a friend tried to get the Tories on the fuel price trail to say if they would bring prices down but got no joy. They agreed, though, that they introduced the fuel escalator which was got rid of - thank goodness!

What a whirl.We should all be quite dizzy after recent events.

F Dickinson

Rawdon.

(name and address supplied)

Photo search

SIR, - Having been born in Otley, and with my husband's family still living in the town, I am very eager to find anyone who has either negatives, or old black and white photos of Otley.

These can be of any part of the town, from any part of the 1900s, the earlier the better. I would like to copy and enlarge the originals and these would be returned in the same condition in which I borrowed them.

I have been to the Otley Museum, who were very helpful, and are a good source of local history, but they could only supply the postcards, which don't enlarge very well. If anyone could help it would end a very long and so far fruitless search.

Sandra Threlfall

12 Lumley Avenue

Burley,

Leeds. LS4 2LR.

Family search .. 1

Sir, - I am looking for the descendants of Douglas Berneville, Webster Claye and Irene May Palmer, who are thought to have lived in or near Ilkley in the late 1930s/1940s.

Douglas Claye was also known as Douglas Webster Berneville-Claye and he was married to Irene May Palmer at Thames Ditton, Surrey, in October, 1936.

Any children of this couple will be my half-siblings, and they also have a half-brother and four half-siblings in Australia.

I was born in 1935, my half-brother in 1940, and I would love to find out any more half-siblings and to have a family reunion if possible.

MARGARET METCALFE

19 Rochefort Drive,Rochford,

Essex,

SS4 1HT.

Family search .. 2

Sir, I would like to get in touch with anyone who is descended from Isaac Denison and Frances Holmes who were married in Leeds in 1743 and later lived in North Rigton.

I am particularly interested in finding someone who can throw some light on the parents and places of birth.

Eileen Gilgannon (Mrs)

Russett House,

Stag Hill,

Yorkley,

Lydney,

Glos.,

GL15 4TD.

Euro thanks

SIR, - On Friday evening I had the pleasure of chairing a lively and informative debate on the Single European Currency held in Otley. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all my constituents who attended the public meeting.

My thanks also extend to the speakers, Yorkshire and Humberside MEP Richard Corbett, and Bradford-born MP John Cryer. The meeting was well attended, with a wide variety of views represented and there was an intelligent airing of Britain's future involvement in the single currency.

The meeting was intended to provide a forum for what in my view is a much needed, sensible discussion on the pros and cons associated with membership of the euro.

The decision whether or not to join the single European currency is one of the most important issues facing us and I hope that this debate went some way to clarifying these matters for those who attended. I was pleased to be able to facilitate such a meeting enabling my constituents to have the opportunity to tackle these complex issues with elected representatives.

Harold Best MP

Constituency Office,

7 Iveson Approach,

Leeds LS16 6LJ.