Readers' Letters

He's a wimp and I'll bet there was some rapid changing of underwear in Baghdad and Tripoli before he hit home base.

Although I wish someone would tell me why he should have sought approval from the UN before bombing the nasties. Did the terrorists seek approval before bombing the US embassies? The psychotic Osama bin Laden has declared war on the west, and as Keighley and district falls within that area then I take this personally.

What sickens me is seeing British Muslims leaping about and carrying on alarming outside the US embassy in London. One banner said 'Kill Clinton'. another said 'Holy war against the west now'.

And to think Thatcher called our miners fifth columnists. I find it odd that people advocating murder on the streets of Britain in what is a clear breach of the law are not arrested.

If, for instance, I suggested that this bin Liner bloke and his fellow travellers should be, say, captured, mutilated, cut into eentsie weentsie pieces and dropped on various capital cities as a warning to others then I'd be in trouble wouldn't I? But then what else is new? I repeat, bravo Bill Clinton.

FRANK BRAMMAH,

Northern General Hospital

Sheffield.

SIR - By the sound of Cllr Andy Mudd's letter attacking Brian Hudson, chairman of the Aire Worth Reform Association (KN 15.8.98), I am wondering if Cllr Mudd fully understands what he reads in this newspaper.

Would he be kind enough to point out at what stage of Mr Hudson's letter did he feel that the SRB committee were insulted, or a slur cast upon them? All Mr Hudson implied was that in view of a recent survey, the committee should review how some of the SRB monies are being allocated.

In fairness to Cllr Mudd, Mr Hudson did draw attention to his political ambitions, laudable as they may be it would appear, by the sound of Cllr Mudd's comments and letters over the past years, that he seems too inexperienced and too immature for the international scene. He must also realise that the armchair critics he refers to are the people who vote the politicians into power.

As for Brian Hudson 'getting off his backside', Brian's problem is 'he is never on it'. I do know that apart from the gala he is involved with a number of charities and funds his own expenses for such.

If Cllr Mudd really does want to make his debut in international politics, he might take time out to find out about the people and the issues he writes about, or it may not just be Bradford that is in a mess.

R P BEALE,

Skipton Road, Cononley.

SIR - I read with interest that planners have rejected proposals to build a new factory for Aerovac Systems on Belton Road, Silsden.

Councillor Eric Dawson who allegedly represents Silsden on Bradford Council, has stated he feels the application has been turned down on landscaping grounds. He is quoted as saying: "We are tittle-tattling over a few bushes."

I might politely request Cllr Dawson to view the last industrial premises that planners approved being built on Belton road - namely the Moorcroft development.

This building can be likened to a beige aircraft hanger planted in the middle of a residential and farming area. Its application was approved on the grounds it was to be a low-lying industrial unit, similar to nearby Laxton-Crawfords and that it was to be well screened by trees and shrubs.

If, on his visit, Cllr Dawson can direct my gaze to any screening vegetation my eyes might have missed as I stare at the mud and weed-filled area that surrounds the Moorcroft Development I might feel more inclined to support his views.

At present I feel that he should learn lessons from the past and applaud the planning committee's vision in insisting upon adequate screening and landscaping prior to further developments.

I might also add that any future development along this road should include a traffic management proposal vis-a-vis access to the site from Keighley Road. The present situation is bad enough, with the temporary cones acting as a traffic calming measure, representing an accident waiting to happen.

STEVEN WRAY,

Low House Drive, Silsden.

SIR - In response to the letter from Hamish Hay 'Promises Kept', as a parliamentary candidate in the last General Election, I am only too aware of the Labour Party's 'milk and honey' promises.

They promised no increase in taxes; they promised shorter waiting lists in the NHS, they promised smaller class sizes.

None of these promises have been fulfilled.

The facts are that since Labour came to power there have been 17 tax rises; primary school class sizes are increasing.

ANNE HAWKESWORTH,

Cllr, Ilkley Ward.

SIR - Re Obituary for Gladys Shackleton (KN 21.8.98).

My aunt resided at Cold Knoll from 1937 to 1943 when she and her husband George moved to Horton Croft in Stanbury village. George died in 1952, but Gladys remained in this house until December 31, 1994 after which date she became a resident at Royd Hill Nursing Home, Sutton. Hence, she spent 50 years (approx) living at Horton Croft.

This house is approximately 400 years old and during the 17th and 18th centuries was used as a meeting place for the local Quakers. They used the small field adjoining Horton Croft as a burial place for 45 members and with some reverence, Gladys had a stone cross built in the roadside wall to commemorate these people.

Over the years many academics have received a very warm welcome at Horton Croft and had informative chats with the usual cup of tea. These learned people came from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London plus some on Quaker research projects from New York and Philadelphia USA.

For some years she was the Stanbury correspondent for Keighley News and her encouragement and musical contribution to Scartop and Stanbury churches will be remembered for many years.

A remarkable achievement was to receive three telegrams from the Queen ie 100, 105 and 106 years. Surely this must be very rare. I am fairly certain that when she celebrated her 106th birthday she was the oldest person in this area and probably in Yorkshire.

S FIRTH,

Camborne Way, Exley Head.

SIR - I read your article in the Keighley News last week and I was amazed to read that I 'plummeted when my parachute failed to open'.

You know that's not what happened. My parachute malfunctioned and I was unable to completely clear it to open my reserve.

Furthermore on the front page I see another parachute 'failed to open'. Why do newspapers give skydiving such bad press? It may make sensational news but it gives Joe public the impression that parachutes only open 50 per cent of the time and anyone making a parachute descent is playing some kind of Russian roulette with their life.

Parachutes occasionally malfunction and it becomes necessary to get rid of the canopy and open the reserve - they don't fail to open.

Tandem passengers are strapped to the front of the instructor not the back.

On a separate note please could I take this opportunity to thank readers for their kind letters and good wishes to me over the last few weeks.

PENNY ROBERTS,

East Parade, Steeton.

SIR - A recent synopsis of the EU Amsterdam Treaty by lawyer/journalist Torquil Dick-Erikson highlights many disquieting facts. The British system of justice, jury trial and habeus corpus is in danger of abolition and the EU system of corpus jurus imposed on Britain without our consent. This could mean for instance that a German judge will be able to send a Spanish policeman to Britain to arrest a British citizen!

This prisoner can then be taken to any jail or camp anywhere in the EU. Held for up to nine months without charge, extradition procedures or right of habeus corpus, and can then be jailed, not by a selected British jury, but by a panel of unelected all powerful foreign judges, for up to seven years.

These draconian powers are unlikely to be used against criminals or murderers, the EU is no more inclined to stamp out crime than the British government.

It is likely that the European police will use these powers to crush political opposition to the totalitarian rule of the EU. Recent history shows us that many millions of political prisoners have died in custody right across Europe. Politicians will use these powers if they are to hand, don't think it can't happen again.

This may all sound rather far fetched but it is only one aspect of many such infringements of our liberty in the Amsterdam Treaty. Why are they in?

The most frightening thing is that we have heard nothing about this Treaty from either local or national media.

The so called eurosceptic Tory party of William Hague has also kept very quiet. It is time that the British people were told the truth, not only about this Treaty but about the whole pack of lies and corruption which is the EU.

BRIAN PARR,

Bottoms Farm, Laycock.

SIR - RAFA provides friendship and welfare support for all serving and retired RAF personnel and their dependents, as well as those who have served in Commonwealth air forces.

Over the past five years we have seen a new element in the demand for our services.

There is, of course, an increasing need for our assistance from the ageing WWII generation - those who risked and suffered so much in their youth to assure our future deserve all our support in their hour of need.

However, more and more we are now being called upon to assist those currently serving in the RAF who have experienced adversity, either themselves or in their immediate family. There is also an increasing need for help among those having to leave the service early as the size of the RAF is further reduced.

Every year this adds to the pressure on our services - our welfare support, our redundancy support scheme and also on our volunteers. I am therefore asking readers to support the RAFA, a registered charity, particularly during the two week of September 7-19.

This year we must increase our fundraising if we are to continue to meet the growing demand. I appeal to your readers to join us in rising to this challenge. Please be generous if you are approached by one of our collectors, but, better still, send a postal donation to me at The RAFA, Freepost (WR 60), Portland Road, Malvern, Worcs WR14 1BR.

SIR MICHAEL STEAR,

Air Chief Marshal,

RAFA president.

SIR - All over the country people are preparing to take part in the New York City Marathon and they are putting their efforts towards raising thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Macmillan guarantees a place for everyone wanting to enter who can raise £1,800 sponsorship plus £250 deposit. The charity will provide your return flights as well as three nights accommodation in New York. To join Team Macmillan and help raise valuable funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief, call Camilla Tarling or Jo Deverson on 0171 887 8412/8302.

STEVE CRAM

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