Letters to the Editor

included in traffic wrangle

SIR, - I do hope that when Councillor Anne Hawkesworth intervenes in the 'war over A65 traffic jams' (Gazette, December 29, Page 4) the contestants will not limit themselves to 'words' only but will include some facts and figures as well.

Your anonymous contributor from Addingham has expressed at length her or his own personal frustrations, but that is a game all can play.

I find, personally, that the traffic controls at Victoria Avenue break what is at peak times a continuous flow of traffic into Ilkley, and give me more opportunity to make a safe turn right from Stockeld Road to enable me to travel west, to Addingham for instance.

Even with the Victoria Avenue lights in operation it is still often the case that traffic going from the Addingham direction into the centre of Ilkley is queued back at least as far as Bolton Bridge Road, and sometimes much further.

It would thus seem possible that the lights do not lengthen the time overall from Addingham to Ilkley but simply divide it into bits. It would be interesting to know whether figures from traffic consultants could confirm or deny this.

Mike Atkinson

7, Old Bridge Rise,

Ilkley.

Lions' thanks

SIR, - On behalf of the Ilkley Moor Lions Club, may I take this opportunity to thank you for the support your newspaper has given Ilkley Moor Lions Club over the past year.

This has been much appreciated and may I also thank the businesses of and public of the Ilkley area for their support during 2005. This has enabled us to continue our successful main events, the duck race, bonfire and fireworks display and many other smaller events during the past 12 months.

Their help and support has been much appreciated and has helped considerably towards our service work and support of people less fortunate than ourselves.

Lions Clubs International is proud of the fact that all the money we raise goes towards its service and charity work. Nothing is taken for administration cost. All administration cost is paid for by the Lions themselves through their annual subscriptions.

Through the support of businesses and the local people, and the help we receive from the Wharfedale 1224 Squadron Air Training Corps, we have been able to make donations of £1,400 to the tsunami disaster to build houses, the building of which started within eight weeks of the disaster; £250 to 'Sightsavers'; £200 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and £100 to Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and many more equal or smaller donations to other deserving causes.

We have entertained more than 400 elderly and disabled people at a brass band concert in the King's Hall, Ilkley, taken a coach load to a concert at Todmorden and entertained 90 to a concert at 'The Recycled Teenager's Christmas Party' (Over-70s) at the Clark Foley Centre, Ilkley.

We have held Diabetes Screening sessions and more than 200 people have been tested, displayed posters in Burley and Menston to encourage more people to have blood tests, supplied 'message in a bottle' and since this started in May have supplied more than 800 bottles.

Our collection of spectacles and hearing aids for the Third World has continued and in two years we have now collected more than 3,000 pairs of spectacles and 60-plus hearing aids.

The 'message in a bottle' and spectacle collection points are at surgeries in Ilkley, Burley, Menston, Addingham doctors' surgeries and the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley. We have collected items for Martin House Hospice for Children Shop in Boston Spa and St George's Crypt in Leeds plus a few other places.

It may sound like a lot of hard work, but it is not. It is most enjoyable, with fun and a friendly atmosphere. Our motto is 'We Serve' and to maintain the standards the Lions have set over 40 years, we would welcome any new members, men and women who would like to join us.

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Red Lion, Burley-in-Wharfedale, at 8pm.

Wishing all your readers and our supporters a very happy and prosperous new Year.

JIM SHELTON

Secretary,

Ilkley Moors Lions Club.

Chernobyl

SIR, - This year sees the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident in the Ukraine.

Over the years thousands of children from the areas affected by the fallout from the accident have had holidays in homes around the world. Many of the children have suffered ill health, whilst others have been in families where members have required special care.

As a result of these visits the children and their families' have benefited both in terms of their health and their general wellbeing. At the same time the people here who have hosted children have enjoyed a holiday at home and had the pleasure of giving happiness and hope to many families.

A group of children from Belarus, to the north of Chernobyl, will again be coming to this area during the summer. If anyone would like to host two children for about a fortnight, please get in touch with the local group secretary, Robert Hodgson (tel 01943 839857), or visit www.chernobyl-children.org.uk for further information.

ROBERT J HODGSON

72, Moor Lane,

Addingham.

For animals

SIR, - As January dawns, I would like to round off 2005 by thanking everyone who took part in Animals Month during December - the final and furriest month of the Year of the Volunteer!

In a unique collaboration, the RSPCA teamed up with national volunteering charity CSV and nine other 'animal' charities to highlight and celebrate the vital, touching and fascinating un-paid work done by thousands of people across the country.

At a roadshow which toured the country, cat cuddlers, puppy trainers and shrew poo collectors discussed their work with members of the public. Animal fosterers, shop helpers and people who use skills of all kinds to help animals also took part.

David Blunkett MP joined in, meeting the volunteer who raised his guide dog, Sadie, while people across the country made cat toys for animals in shelters. It was a wonderful effort all round - and we hope it will inspire more people to give their time in 2006.

Whatever your skill or interest, you can probably use it to help animals - please call your local animal charity or see www.do-it.org.uk for more information.

Karen Shaw

Volunteer Recruitment and

Development Manager,

RSPCA,

Wilberforce Way,

Southwater,

West Sussex.

A dog for life

SIR, - Despite all the festive warnings, there may be some families who received puppies or dogs as gifts this Christmas.

Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, asks that all new dog owners take time to think about our famous slogan: A dog is For Life, Not Just For Christmas, and that they remember it all year round.

The early part of the year is often a hard time for dog welfare charities as they are under pressure to care for the many thousands of unwanted dogs given as presents at Christmas and discarded when they become a nuisance as the novelty wears off.

We would also ask that owners make a New Year's resolution to ensure their new pet has the best start in life, and think about booking training classes.

Organisations such as Dogs Trust are the ones that have to pick up the pieces when last year's Christmas present becomes this year's obligation.

So please take that time to train your new dog and make sure he stays with you for life.

Clarissa Baldwin

Chief Executive Officer,

Dogs Trust.