More Readers' Letters

I do not claim to be an expert on the German Nazi Party, however I am sure that the Swastika scrawled on the shutters was incorrect, (anti clockwise as opposed to clockwise). If these idiots took some 'time out' from their attempts to intimidate ordinary respectable citizens and 'read up' on the war crimes and atrocities inflicted on humanity in the name of fascism, they would probably not feel so inclined to deface both other people's property and the memory of our wartime heroes, (that is, of course, assuming they can read).

The ignorance and disrespect shown by these individuals' actions are inexcusable. I can only sympathise with Mr Raja and commend him on his resolve.

MARK CLARKSON,

Nashville Road, Keighley.

SIR - I would be interested to know exactly who is responsible for the ludicrous situation at Ingrow where 'temporary' traffic lights on the main Halifax Road have now been in place for well over six months.

It seems amazing that the original damage to Ingrow Tunnel, caused by Yorkshire Water's contractors, should take so long to make good.

I say 'amazing', but on reflection it's not really amazing at all - every time I go past, there has never been anyone working there (apart from a brief flurry of activity just before Easter).

Rumours abound as to the reasons for the delay. But ultimately Bradford Council are responsible for maintaining the road, and they should have ensured that the necessary repairs were undertaken PDQ, and any recriminations, blame or financial burden sorted out at a later date.

As it is, they have failed the people of Keighley, who, in my opinion, have demonstrated a degree of tolerance that would certainly not be found in other parts of the country. In a way, that is the problem. A bit more shouting from the rooftops would almost certainly have stirred someone into action to complete the repairs a bit earlier.

But the damage that the council are inflicting is far more serious than just adding a few minutes journey time for car drivers. I know of people who are avoiding the area because of the inconvenience of road works. Keighley town centre is quite simply losing out. And of course the 'few minutes' that single motorists are experiencing becomes cumulatively hours or even days of lost time. It means wasted petrol, erratic bus times and general inefficiency.

Above all, it makes people wonder about the incompetence of an authority that has allowed this situation to continue for so long.

PHILIP B BOUSFIELD,

Eelholme View Street,

Beechcliffe.

SIR - Six weeks ago I raised the issue of Kosovo. Three letters later R I Dewhirst decides to answer the original letter, using the same inflated imagination of which I complained about regarding atrocities.

Reporters on site, when giving these alarming reports, always admit they are subject to confirmation due to restricted movement caused by the activities of NATO.

Is Mr Dewhirst keeping Mr Blair, Mr Cooke, Mr Robertson, Clare Short and others in the government informed, or are they feeding him with the propaganda he is feeding us? He is well informed isn't he?

Either way I am not interested. All along my advice was to stay clear of these civil wars that are appearing all over the world. Mind you Labour is choosy.

To explain my views I gave an analogy of two drowning children for simplification, but it proved too difficult for him to understand. Would Old Mother Hubbard be above his comprehension if I gave the full quote then mentioned, that at the last budget we were short of cash for education, the National Health and the promise of a universal rise in pensions of £5 and £8 they made in 1992.

Compare that with an estimated cost of an extended war and an estimated cost of collecting and housing an increase in unemployment of 1,000 per week and you have an analogy.

If he still does not understand, then all I say is: "Go back to sleep and I will wake you up if your day dreams become the obvious nightmare."

FRED HIRLAM,

Gloucester Avenue, Silsden.

SIR - The ongoing fight to save Bront school playing fields is well documented. I would therefore like to draw people's attention to the broader issues surrounding provision of playing fields and those who use them.

When Howard Wilkinson took over as technical director of the FA he instigated the Charter For Quality, which not only included setting up of coaching academies at Premier League clubs but also provision of quality facilities for boys and girls at grass roots level.

In 1997 the National Facilities Plan was developed and integrated into the Charter For Quality. The National Facilities Plan included these key objectives:

Developing pitches for small sided football (boys and girls mini soccer up to 10 years of age.)

Raising the quality of existing pitches and changing facilities and urged Country FA's to work together with Local Authorities to implement any improvements.

Also instigated in 1997 was the Football Task Force. David Mellor was appointed by Labour Sports Minister Tony Banks to head a committee to investigate, among other things, racism in football and ticket and merchandising pricing. However, as the Task Force moved around the country compiling their report, they were appalled at the conditions at grass roots level.

Their report stated: 'The decline of football facilities in parks and schools can be traced to increasing pressure on Local Authorities' finances during the 80s and 90s.'

Indeed, more than 10,000 playing fields have been sold for development since the 80s. Minimum basic standards are recommended, including marked pitches with regularly cut grass, working toilets, heated changing rooms etc.

Is it not a paradox when the Labour Government is keen to stress how much a healthy, well funded game of football could do in the community; that the FA strive to implement the Charter For Quality and the National Facilities Plan, and that the Task Force has persuaded the Premier League Clubs to invest five per cent from the next TV deal with Sky into grass roots football (subject to a challenge by the Office of Fair Trading in the High Court), when the Labour controlled Local Authority wishes to add yet another playing field to the 10,000 already lost with the stroke of a pen!

We at Oakworth Juniors have spent untold hours building this club up to the high status it now carries in local junior football. I urge the local authority to put our minds at rest and remove any doubts we have over the future of the playing fields at Bront, for if they are lost our club will fold. I ask them to implement the recommendations in the Task Forces report and the National Facilities Plan and invest in the playing fields, not decimate them.

RICHARD HEWITT,

Oakworth Junior

Football Club.

SIR - On my most recent visit to Keighley (last weekend), I was intrigued to read in the Keighley News dated Friday April 30, your local history and opinion page and wondered if perhaps you would be so kind as to print an appeal for information for me?

I am researching my family history. I was born and lived in Lancashire, and my ancestors are Lancashire/Yorkshire people. My great grandfather John William Gill was born in Feburary 1856 in a cottage which was known locally as 'Paradise', his mother was called Mary Ann Gill, no father's name was on the birth certificate. I have searched all through the 1861, 1871 Census for Keighley, Bingley, Ilkley, Bradford, and even Colne in Lancashire, trying to find Mary Ann and John William (he would have been five years old in 1861). I have drawn a blank in each area searched.

As Gill is such a common name in the area, maybe someone else is researching the same surname and if they have a Mary Ann and a John William in their ancestry could they please contact me at 12 Rayleigh Close, Colchester, Essex CO4 4AT.

Any information or clues as to where to look next would be most appreciated, and I will answer all letters I receive. I do not need any information on the whereabouts of Paradise as I have now a map showing me its exact location.

BARBARA HOLT

SIR - I'm trying to find a family by the name of Smith!

The family originated from Kildwick Grange in the 19th century. John Pollard Smith married Sarah Netherwood, and their two surviving sons, Maurice and Hampden Pollard, were each given a middle name of Netherwood.

Hampden died in Harrogate in 1955, leaving a son John and daughters Fabae and Paula, who in the family tradition were given the middle name of Netherwood.

Maurice died in 1963 at Cliffe Green Farm in Laycock, leaving a son David (Netherwood) Smith. If anyone knows of any member of either family perhaps you could get them to contact me.

Pat Baxter

Chapel Close,

Crayford, Kent

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