Letters to the Editor

Steven Smith Garden Centre Ltd, Wilsden, for the Santa Grotto, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for the 180 Santa Special seats, Colin Appleyard Ltd for supplying the towing vehicle, Richard Metcalfe of Bitch Image, Oxenhope, for signwriting on Santa Sleigh, Fire Station for storage, and the Explorers for their help in the collections.

I would also like to pass my thanks to all the businesses and organisations who support Lions' fundraising during the year. Finally, thank you to the people of Keighley for their continuing generosity and support of Lions in Keighley

David Ogden

Lion President

Westburn Crescent

Keighley

SIR - This year sees the twentieth 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

Moor Lane

Addingham

SIR - It is a Government initiative that "white goods" should be re-used and recycled.

We have received funding from Community Recycling and Economic Development to set up an electrical re-use workshop and provide employment for two full time electricians.

We can re-use/recycle electrical items, particularly cookers and washing machines.

We can also collect fridges and fridge/freezers in full working order.

Modern gas cookers can also be collected. A very important part of this project is the number of items that will be saved from landfill, thereby helping Bradford Council achieve its recycling target.

If anyone would like to donate any electrical items to us we do collect free of charge. Please telephone 01535 601999 to arrange collection.

Ann Sheriff

Project Manager

Keighley Furniture Project,

SIR - I recently read in the national press that the BNP leader is telling BNP members to infiltrate the Conservative Party and kill it off.

Conservative Party HQ meanwhile has merely said that Conservative Associations "should be aware that the BNP is attempting these underhand tactics".

Nothing you will note is said about taking action against the BNP, but then the Tories did absolutely nothing to defeat the BNP during the General Election. It was all down to the Labour Party, as it probably will be in local elections of May 2006.

Trevor Lindley

Worth Valley Labour Party

Springfield Mill,

Keighley

SIR - May I though the Keighley News thank the lady who, on December 13, found my wallet in North Street and handed it in to the police.

I have been unable to obtain further details from the police and I would be obliged if you would print this letter to let her know how grateful I am.

B HARFORD

Wheathead Drive

Keighley

SIR - Am I the only householder in Keighley to be disgusted by the useless receptacles that we have been given in which to re-cycle our waste?

I live in a two-bedroomed terrace house in Ingrow with my twin daughters -- so as you can imagine there is little room for any "extras" -- so all my re-cycling has to be put outside, which in turn causes an eyesore, not to mention the possibility of attracting vermin.

Why can't we be issued with the full size re-cycling bins?

My mum lives in Silsden and she has a full size bin. My sister who lives in Cross Hills has one as well.

So what's the problem? Are we who live in Keighley not entitled to the same as others?

Or doesn't it matter if our homes look a mess with bags of rubbish sat outside our houses for weeks on end (due to Christmas and the fact that the re-cycling is only collected every other week, it is over three weeks since it was last collected).

Surely in this day and age when we are being encouraged, and rightly so, to re-cycle and for our neighbourhoods to look clean and tidy and litter free, it's not a lot to ask for. I am sure it would encourage more people to re-cycle if they had a decent place to store the rubbish prior to it being collected.

DONNA HOOPER

Emerald Street,

Ingrow

SIR - Further to the recent coverage regarding the improving of Aire Valley Recycling's service by reducing collection frequency, I would like to bring to your attention the circle of blame and buck passing that has occurred.

Ann Cryer, through her diary secretary, said it was not under her control but that of the Bradford Council - specifically pointing out that it was a Conservative Council!

Keighley Town Council, through the clerk, said it was not something the council dealt with -- I'm sure that they would if it was scattered on the streets!

Bradford City Council say that the area is covered by AVR and to take it up with them.

AVR, through a member of the management team, tell me that Bradford Council have previously delayed allocating the 10,000 extra homes which are required to reach the necessary tonnage to keep heads above water -- the reason for the changing collection structure which is already imposed on the public.

With kerbside collections during the last two weeks being missed/delayed, along with the bureaucratic red tape which is holding back a commendable non-profit company trying to do their bit for the environment, I wait with some concern as to how Bradford Council will fare when the service is inevitably returned to them.

How they will be able to comply with Government instructions to increase their recycle target from a projected 17 per cent to 25 per cent in 2006 without major changes is still to be seen.

Mark Pullen

Thorn Street, Haworth

SIR - With many of us rushing down to the sales to bag that must have item, or complete that long overdue DIY project, I thought readers might like to know of an easier way to save over £100 without even leaving your home.

Firstly, by ensuring your home is not overheated, lights are turned off in unused rooms, computers and even switching off your mobile phone charger can save you more than £70 in 2006.

Secondly, if you live in one of the 10million plus UK households that have not yet switched gas and electricity supplier, then chances are you'll be paying around £100 too much. You can ring energywatch, the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog, from your armchair to help you with free independent advice on a range of issues related to the energy market in 2006.

Karl Brokes

Communications Manager,

energywatch