Readers' Letters

I think he means that we should look after our own before others. I don't know how this fits into the Kosovan context, unless he means we should ignore what is happening in Kosovo, pretend everything is alright and just allow Milosovic's troops to murder, rape and pillage their way through Kosovo, because no British lives are at stake over there.

Fred Hirlam also writes about 'selected pictures' hinting at censorship. He never mentions the ethnic cleansing in his letters, only the bombings.

Does this mean that he thinks that the ethnic cleansing is not happening? If anything I would say the media reports are biased more towards Serbia than censored, especially John Simpson's reports from Belgrade.

Brian Maddock suggests last week that the strategic bombings in Serbia started before the ethnic cleansing.

Whilst the protracted peace talks were taking place in Paris Milosovic was massing his troops ready to commence the expulsion, murder, rape etc of Kosovar Albanians.

He was never interested in an agreement, and called NATO's bluff by his actions. The ethnic cleansing commenced well before the bombing, which was in direct response to these atrocities, as promised by NATO.

I have personally tried to think of alternatives to the actions of NATO and unfortunately cannot think of any, viz (1) Talking - has been tried, Milosovic didn't want to listen. (2) Ignoring what is happening. We live in a civilised peaceful Europe. This isn't an option in 1999.

R I DEWHIRST,

Elm View,

Steeton.

SIR - I share Miss Pearce's dismay, learning blankets donated for Kosovar refugees via Oxfam would be sold instead, probably for a relatively small sum.

I learned of another appeal last Wednesday, goods to be collected by Thursday, not only of clothes and bedding but dried foods, hygiene materials and medical supplies, but given such short notice all I could donate were items immediately to hand, ie soap, shampoo and some nappies.

I'm sure many people would donate these basic items but need more notice to get them together, so please give us more notice if you are a group collecting these items.

Can I also take this opportunity to mention you can donate surplus items of furniture, electrical items, fridges etc and furnishings to Keighley Voluntary Services for use in the local community. They are happy to collect any of the above in clean, serviceable condition. They also welcome any tools, paint and brushes for refurbishing furniture.

CAROL ALLAM,

North View Street, Keighley.

SIR - As an Oxfam Volunteer in Keighley, I feel I must reply to Miss Pearce's letter complaining that we could not undertake to send her gift of blanket rugs to the people of Kosovo. Many other people have been disappointed, in spite of the fact that we have posters in our windows and in the shop to this effect.

Oxfam's primary expertise in the face of a disaster is to supply the means to obtain pure water and sanitation as quickly as possible, and I think those of us who have watched our television screens and seen the thousands of people in the camps will agree that this must be the first priority.

Oxfam has experts ready to go immediately to diaster areas, and also has boxes already packed with the things most likely to be needed.

The disaster we are dealing with at the moment is a European disaster, and I am sure that other (nearer) countries will be supplying clothes, blankets, towels etc.

I would also like to thank all the local people who have so generously responded to our appeal for donations of money.

JEAN BOOTH,

Skipton Road,

Keighley.

SIR - Many of your readers may be aware of a new campaign to put an end to child abuse, of which thousands of cases occur each year in the UK.

I, like many readers, have often been concerned by cruelty to children but have done very little, either through fear, or simply because I did not know where to take these concerns.

However, I think we should all have to concern ourselves with what is happening and make attempts to stop this abuse, be it violence, sexual or whatever, it must stop.

If you would like to see an end to such cruelty then call NSPCC on 0845 6000366 now to pledge your support and put a stop to child cruelty forever.

MR L B CRAIG,

Devonshire Street,

Keighley.

SIR - Thank you very very much for your assistance in tracing John Besford, my shipmate. I have received letters from relatives and friends of John Besford who reside in Keighley.

I am so happy to have traced him via your newspaper's assistance, but saddened to know that he is now deceased, but proud to have served with him and elated to learn that he attained the rank of Deputy Chief of the West Riding Fire Service.

I will be attending a reunion of HMS Cossack (the few of us that are left) and I shall inform all present at that reunion of John Besford, how I traced him with your invaluable assistance.

Thank you most sincerely for your help and your wonderful newspaper!

MR J RHODES,

Kingston, Canada.

SIR - I am replying to the report in the Keighley News on March 26 about the rejection of funding applications submitted to the SRB Board.

Yes, the SHAPE application for a part-time administrative worker was turned down, but we were invited to apply again in September when there would hopefully be some more money with which to consider applications. The same arrangement was offered to other applicants.

To argue whether "regeneration money should be spent on such posts among the town's many voluntary groups" once again emphasises the divide between the statutory and the voluntary sector.

Organisations such as SHAPE with the good fortune of obtaining funding, and in some cases property, are now considered in legal terms as businesses and have to comply with all the regulations, reports, accountability and responsiblities which are part of that.

Running such organisations with the equivalent resources of two full-time workers takes up a lot of time.

The SHAPE application was a request for some admin help with the business side of things so that the present workers could be freed to do the work that they are funded to do - which is to reach the older people in the community and through support and the SHAPE services help them towards better health and quality of life.

Whilst recognising that an admin post may not be an exciting post to fund, it is a vital and necessary part of most businesses and it would provide part-time employment to some person within the SRB area. The fact that an admin worker would be on the premises to answer the telephone would help in a vital part of SHAPE'S work.

I am sure that all the Voluntary Sector send their congratulations to the Womens Centre on securing their lottery funding.

The voluntary sector can empathise with all the stress and worry that results from the insecurity of not knowing what the future brings. SHAPE is in the same position this year, and much time will be spent in trying to secure further funding so that we can continue after the 31st of March 2000.

It is now recognised in the corridors of power that the statutory sector must work alongside the voluntary sector to help the needs of the community. If that recognition could be supported by a little more practical help, understanding of the different work conditions and more financial awareness, then I am sure that the Voluntary Sector would be able to reach and help considerably more people in our community.

JEAN HEPWORTH,

SHAPE, Outreach and

Development Worker

for Carers.

SIR - We wish to congratulate the manager and staff for making the cafe area of Cliffe Castle Park a wonderful and spectacular garden for people to enjoy and admire.

We regularly visit Cliffe Castle every week. The cherry blossom, tulips, wallflowers and lovely lawns near to the cafe and conservatory give us enormous pleasure in a pleasant surrounding and we feel that we do have good things to enjoy and admire within reach in Keighley.

Let us be proud that we have such a lovely park and museum and show our appreciation by visiting it and keeping it going.

Also the introduction of new tropical birds, rabbits and guinea pigs in the aviary are a good attraction to the many visitors.

It is nice to know that the new birds and animals are well looked after.

Well done and keep up the good work.

CHARLIE AND CYNTHIA

BHOWMICK,

Keighley.

SIR - For those of your readers who wouldn't consider running the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon, national charity Macmillan Cancer Relief has a proposition - a mile-long challenge anyone can manage - because they can do anything they choose for a mile.

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