Readers' Letters

I do not doubt the description the master of the hounds gives of the excitement of the hunt and the fascination of watching beagles doing what they do best: sniffing out their prey.

Nor do I doubt the description of the spectacle. What I find incredible is the fact that the death of the hare is ignored. Admittedly there is a quotation from the League against Cruel Sports, but that is a dry, predictable piece of counter-propaganda.

Has Katie Frearson ever seen a hare? Unlikely, since their numbers have declined so much. I have. For the first time in my life I saw one a few weeks ago. I was amazed at its strength, speed and beauty. No fluffy bunny this. Indeed, if it had been, there would be no point in hunting it. The one I saw would certainly have given a pack of hounds a run for its money. But why on earth should it have to? Life is precarious enough for these creatures as it is, with their habitats being wiped out by urban encroachment.

If the likes of Simon Winpenny want to hunt and see beagles in action, why don't they lay a trail? This would show off the animals and give everyone an interesting day out in the country.

But that won't do, will it? Because what they really want is to see an animal hunted and killed - torn to pieces by dogs. I'm glad I don't know people like that.

MAVIS CURTIS,

Lidget, Oakworth.

Editors note: The League Against Cruel Sports was contacted and told a feature/story was being carried about beagling and the League was invited to put in full its point of view. The League chose to give only the brief comment carried in the story.

SIR - The article on The Airedale Beagles painted a very rosy picture of what I (and the vast majority of the British public) consider to be an extremely cruel pastime.

The emphasis was on fresh air, exercise, puppy walking, love of the countryside, the history of the pack and none at all on the sheer brutality of chasing a wild animal to near exhaustion before hounds kill it.

Death may not be instantaneous, as hunts people would have us believe, as they are very rarely on the scene when the kill is made.

Contrary to what the hunting fraternity would have us believe, hunting is not about love of the countryside, fox control or even about conservation, it is purely carried out because some people enjoy chasing wild creatures to their death; their bloodlust is proved by the fact that many smear the dead animal's blood on young children's (followers) faces.

They'd have us believe that they like to see wild animals in their natural environment and yet they see nothing contradictory in taking that animal's life away in a most savage and cruel manner.

The RSPCA made a promise to re-home unwanted hounds, yet hunts choose to shoot members of the pack that are no longer fit for hunting, although still healthy at 8-9 years of age - further proof (if that were needed) of the callousness of this particular breed of people.

L M DOBSON,

Height Lane, Oxenhope.

SIR - I entirely support the views expressed by Mr Donald Robertshaw (KN November 13) re the dangers of joining the European Single Currency. The single currency is the first move to total integration into the Euro Union-economic, political and military.

The motivation behind setting up the Euro Union is to create a strong business bloc against the USA and the Japan led Eastern bloc, leading to a 'fortress Europe'. This suits big business but not most of us. Two important figures to remember are Public Spending (includes welfare) three per cent and 60 per cent borrowing against GDP. If we exceed these figures without permission from Brussels, we could be fined!

Look how we have been waiting for the Bank of England to reduce interest rates, would it not be worse dealing with a remote Central European Bank?

Britain playing its part? Nonsense, we are one of a dozen and can easily be outvoted. Of course Germany and France want us to join, they want us to pay in. The Common Market admits to an imbalance of three billion dollars, it is impolite to term it fraud!

The European Parliament is a talking shop, real power lies in the Council of Ministers.

Mr Robertshaw rightly points out that we have other partners and there are other countries resisting the drive to Euro.

B WHITTAKER,

Scott Lane West, Riddlesden.

SIR - Keighley Rugby League Supporters' Hall of Fame tribute to former stars Norman Foster and Terry Hollindrake is an excellent idea.

Both Norman and Terry had strong associations with the Keighley Albion amateur club. Norman coached the tremendous cup-winning team of the 50s, and Terry began his career at the club.

Kevin Narey, another former Keighley RL player who started at the Albion, fondly remembers Terry's elusive sidestep. If he made a break with only the full back to beat, we didn't bother to back him up because he always left the last defender clutching thin air! Kevin considered Norman to be an outstanding coach and had the respect of all the players.

Both Hall of Fame stars are featured in the Albion's recent history book, 'Seasons to Remember'.

DON KIRKLEY,

Lynwood Court, Keighley.

SIR - I read with some alarm and annoyance about the decision of Bradford Council to withdraw funding from several local groups. In particular the news that Keighley Community Transport is to lose its funding from next year.

It seems totally wrong that a service that can benefit the whole community, but more especially the disabled and women, should suffer while other applications that are more specific in who they benefit are unaffected.

The Safe Rider Scheme run by the Community Transport does a sterling job in providing a safe form of travel for women in and around the Keighley District.

Given that the Government claims to be all for a society where everyone can play a full and active role, it seems bizarre that Bradford Council's actions will render a portion of our society prisoners in their own homes.

One just hopes that the actions of the council are not a cynical attempt to favour themselves when the local council elections come round. By restoring the funding just in time for polling day.

IAN SMITH,

Upper Calton Street,

Keighley.

SIR - As a member of the Keighley Parkinson's Disease Support Group I was very upset and angry at our meeting yesterday where I witnessed the distress among my dear friends at the decision by Bradford Council to cut the funding for Keighley Community Transport.

Without this transport, the majority of our members and their carers will no longer be able to attend our twice-monthly meetings and outings, and the group will almost certainly have to close.

Parkinson's is a very cruel, progressive disease which affects people of all ages, the worst symptoms being tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement, loss of balance, poor co-ordination, impaired speech and many equally distressing symptoms. Many have difficulty walking and are wheelchair bound, and therefore need the specialised facilities that Keighley Community Transport provides. Not surprisingly these physical problems create severe restrictions on the lives of the sufferers and their devoted carers, and especially those who live alone.

Our group meetings are a chance to meet up with others who have similar problems, and a wonderful bond of friendship and camaraderie, mixed with a good helping of love and laughter, exists between us all. This helps to keep at bay the ever present threat of depression. We need each other, we need our Group and we need our Transport. Please, Bradford Council, think again before you destroy any more lives.

MRS SHIRLEY LEACH,

High Cote, Riddlesden.

SIR - Last week's front page article featuring Stanbury's 'Lord of the Manor' and his crusade to save the village school being turned from a first to a primary school, gives the impression such changes will not be welcomed.

On the contrary, from the viewpoint of parents and member of the school's governing body, Bradford council's proposals will be encouraged as the likely alternative would be closure.

Will Mr Lee concentrate his efforts on saving neighbouring Oldfield School, whose future remains uncertain, and leave Stanbury school alone?

MRS A WRIGHT,

Bullytrees Farm, Stanbury.

SIR - I read with alarm your article headed 'Tom invites the Queen to his Manor' on the front page of last week's Keighley News (20.11.98) where you report that Mr Lee is crusading to save Stanbury School from being turned into a primary school.

I was under the impression that the majority of parents with children at Stanbury First School had voted for this move to primary when we were asked, via the questionnaire from Bradford, last year.

The Board of Governors also fought long and hard for our school to remain open, and for Mr Lee to start his crusade at this late stage is, to me, like putting a noose around our necks.

Supposing he does win and Stanbury stays as a first school, what will happen to our children during school years 5 and 6 - do we keep them at home?

MRS K NEAL,

Parent Governor,

Stanbury First School.

SIR - The tenacity shown by Mr Tom Lee in pursuit of his goal (the saving of Stanbury and Oldfield Schools) is to be admired, albeit misjudged.

Our old feudal system has long gone, as have the knights in shining armour so excitingly portrayed on the cinema screen.

It seems to me that our own lawyers have learned, from their counterparts in America, every way possible to part a man from his money as they perpetuate his vision of righting a wrong. They should be honest and advise him that he's flogging a dead horse.

Whilst the drama is hugely entertaining, surely it's time someone told poor Mr Lee that his £13,250 hasn't bought him a jurisdiction, only an ancient name. Does he not realise that we've moved on to elected democratic power, and even though the present incumbents of City Hall show little regard for the people's wishes, we can rectify this come polling day.

Not wishing to be unkind, I hope Mr Lee continues to enjoy his novelty title, but he shouldn't take it too seriously - we don't.

NAME AND ADDRESS

SUPPLIED.

SIR - Oakbank School - Keighley News, Friday 20.11.98.

Your article in last week's edition on the future of Oakbank School quotes a spokesman for the Keighley Education Action Group (KEAG) as saying that the Funding Agency's plan would create a school with 2,145 pupils on one site.

This is not the case - the Funding Agency's plan would mean that the school would grow to about 1,700 pupils, including a sixth form of about 200 pupils, on the present site. This is the maximum number that we - and the Local Education Authority - think can be accommodated on the site. We have listened to concerns that the council's plans would not provide enough places in Keighley, and that is precisely why we are proposing that Oakbank School should offer 150 more places than under the council's plan.

As a responsible planning authority, we have had to point out that the school's plan would create a significant number of surplus places, and that is why we have not been able to support the school's plan.

ROBERT LANWARNE,

Director of Planning,

Funding Agency for Schools.

SIR - Thank you for the tickets for the Italy v England game. My daughter and I went and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. An excellent afternoon out.

MOLLIE WHITCOMBE,

Carr Lane, East Morton.

SIR - I am writing to you as a concerned mother of two young girls. When are dog owners going to start being more thoughtful to the rest of the community?

I and many others are fed up to the back teeth of dog dirt all over the village. It is not only all over the paths, it is all over the park, football pitch and school conservation area.

I have even on occasion seen it in the school playground. It is not as if there is nowhere to walk dogs nearby, we have some beautiful moors only a five minute walk out of the village. Or if you do not want to walk on the moors, clean up after your pets. Nappy sacks can be bought very cheaply, and are scented so they will stop your dustbin smelling.

After all, a child's eyesight can be damaged through dog dirt.

I would like to end my letter with an apology and a 'well done' to all the dog owners who are responsible and clean up after their pets. I know how much pleasure pets can give.

But please, everyone has a right to live in a nice clean environment without fear of what you may be going through.

LORRAINE NORMINGTON,

Apple Street, Oxenhope.

SIR - I would like to object in the strongest terms, to the proposal put forward to use Keighley Town Hall and cenotaph as an organic vegetable market.

THOMAS GIBSON,

Branch Secretary,

Old Comrades Association, Duke of Wellington Regiment.

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