CANCER is a subject which touches many people, whether directly or indirectly.

Do you discuss it openly or regard it as a taboo issue?

Ilkley's Linda Davies has shown how it can be tackled head on and still come out smiling.

Mrs Davies is not a woman desperate for publicity. Indeed, after her initial burst of fame last year (her plight hit the headlines after a friend decided to shave her own hair off in sympathy) she expressed a desire to retreat from the media glare. However, she has hit the headlines once again this week, both in the Gazette and other leading newspapers, by posing in her underwear.

Far from harbouring a secret desire to be an exhibitionist, we understand it took considerable arm-twisting for Mrs Davies to appear in a fashion show to raise breast cancer awareness.

It was a gesture typical of someone far more

concerned with getting an important message out to women, than her own reluctance to strip off.

A disappointing response to an appeal for would-be models reluctantly saw Mrs Davies step forward and on to the cat walk. Along with Menston's June Dixon, her fellow model, Mrs Davies has shown how a positive approach to an illness can make a real difference.

A truly inspiring story.

What price progress?

The recent rash of applications to erect phone masts throughout the district has led to much protest.

People say they are a blot on the landscape and

questions remain over their effect on the health of people living near-by.

The planning authorities, never normally groups to hold back from imposing conditions and curtailing unwelcome development, are powerless to act if the masts are less than 15 metres tall. With the huge expansion in the use of mobile phones, and an inevitable demand for more masts, it is ridiculous planners cannot act and it is vital this situation is rectified in the near future.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.