Letters to the Editor

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Thursday 3rd Mar 2005.

Is opposition to fish shop a

case of council snobbery?

SIR, - Why should we have to go all the way to Murgatroyds or Harry Ramsdens, Nash's or Skipton to enjoy a really decent, well cooked fish meal in delightful surroundings just because of some snobbery on Ilkley Parish Council?

A Wetherby Whaler would be a delightful added attraction for Ilkley.

I can't think of anything better for that derelict wasteland that used to be a petrol station - and which has been in a disgusting state for at least ten years.

Has Councillor Brown ever visited a Wetherby Whaler? They are a delight, which cannot be compared with such a small site as the old Little Chef site, which has no room for development.

She seems to think that a bomb site would be better than what she sees as a common fish and chip shop. If it is all right for the Generous Pioneer to trade at Burley-in-Wharfedale, then it should be OK for the Wetherby Whaler at Ben Rhydding.

Why have we to suffer such low quality, snobbish councillors who lack imagination and real insight?

HENRY CLARKSON

Warlbeck,

Ilkley.

Impartiality

SIR, - I refer to your lead story in the Ilkley Gazette of February 24. I find it incredible that a councillor (and a leading one at that) can be allowed to express a 'personal opinion' on the front page of such a credible newspaper.

What right does Ms Kate Brown have to say that 'personally I think I would be against it' when she refers to the proposed planning application for a fish and chip shop on the former Caracars site on Coutances way?

She states that many residents have already voiced their concerns as to the proposal. Well Ms Brown, what residents? The nearest will be what ... a mile away ?

I don't recall residents' concerns taken into consideration when other outlandish planning applications have been granted alot closer to home than the now decrepit eyesore formally known as Caracars !!

I for one would welcome a Fish and chip shop at this site, as I would also welcome an Indian restaurant opening on the former Little Chef site. After all, anyone who studies consumer surveys will know that the two cuisines are the most popular we British eat in this day and age.

Think of the benefits for local people:

1. The fish and chip shops presently operating in our area in the main close up by 7.30pm on the evenings when they can be bothered to open at all.

In fact, one recently retired owner couldn't even be bothered to keep to his posted times. Gone are the days when you could get a 'fish and a portion' on your way home from work or a night out.

2. This is partly (and rightly so in some cases) due to the fact that many of our 'takeaway' establishments are far too often used as meeting (and hanging around) places by rowdy, unruly and ill-mannered youths who monopolise the pavement, and generally make anyone's life a misery who just happens to pass.

3. One cannot go for a quiet meal out locally without having to suffer a) being charged a fortune for so called 'Nuevo cuisine' by overrated, over priced 'pseudo chefs' who have obviously spent far too much time watching cooking channels on the TV, and not enough time supplying what the 'man in the street' really craves, or b) having your evening spoiled by drunken louts falling into the place, obviously in a group competition as to who can be the rudest (to both customers and staff),loud and generally annoying all at the same time!!!

I could go on, but I think you may have my drift. I can hardly see young louts making their way to an establishment (or establishments) well away from where they can either get a drink, annoy local residents or generally be pains in the proverbial backside.

Put down your 'personal opinion' Ms Brown and start acting for the decent people of this valley. As chairman of the Planning Committee you of all people should be totally impartial in these matters, and keep your personal views to yourself, and NOT on the front page of this newspaper.

NAME SUPPLIED

Ben Rhydding.

Hunting ban

SIR, - Our local MP tells us she is proud of her part and her Government's part in the banning of hunting. I wonder if she realises what else she has achieved.

The Crown Prosecution Service has stated, and I quote: "Dog owners who let their pets chase squirrels, mice or any one of some 4,000 other wild mammals, could face prosecution under the Act - if convicted, the person who owns the dog can be fined up to £5,000 and the dog may be destroyed."

This makes every dog owner a potential criminal.

W JACQUES

30, Copy Road,

Addingham.

Bankruptcy

SIR, - I am the founder of the Bankruptcy Association and we are now into our 22nd year offering independent advice on debt and bankruptcy issues to people in debt or bankruptcy.

We have a vast wealth of experience to help people deal sensibly with their debt problems. We help people from every walk of life and our system of dealing with members is extremely confidential. The advice we offer is pragmatic and extremely well tried and tested.

By providing our members with regular newsletters and by offering advice directly by telephone or post or by e-mail, wew offer our members a very accessible and friendly service at a very low cost.

We operate very much as a small, friendly club. We are a totally independnet membership-based organisation with an annual subscription of just £15 a year.

During the past 22 years we have helped tens of thousands of people to deal with every imaginable type of debt problem. We also have available a range of specialist legal services to deal with more complicated debt and bankruptcy problems.

We have recently published our latest paperback, entitled `How to Settle Debts with Creditors', which provides a sensible plan for anyone in debt to come to an informal arrangement with creditors to avoid bankruptcy if possible.

The book also explains when it would be necessary to choose bankruptcy as the best option. This is available by return of post for £9.95 (post free) from our freepost address: The Bankruptcy Association, FREEPOST LA1118, 4 Johnson Close,Lancaster, LA1 5BR. More details about our work and publications can also be obtained by visiting our website at: www.theba.org.uk or by telephoning our inquiry line for further details on (01524) 782713.

JOHN McQUEEN

Founder and Chief

Executive,

The Bankruptcy

Association

Thank you

SIR, - I am writing to thank your journalist, Rachel O'Connor, for her sustained support and reporting of the build-up to our village pantomime.

She did a sterling job to highlight our production in the Gazette, which, I am sure, enhanced our attendance figures - well done!

D BRADY

Addingham Panto Group.

Prejudice

SIR, - The Hunting Act 2004 has nothing to do with animal welfare and everything to do with political prejudice.

Politicians have created a situation that has resulted in police officers being diverted from frontline policing activities and refocused on ensuring rural people are culling foxes within the law.

The British people don't want this legislation, rural communities are opposed to it, and more importantly, the police don't want it. To use the words of the head of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), this legislation `fills many of his fellow officers with dread'.

The Crown Prosecution Service and the ACPO policing guidelines on the Hunting Act indicate that this legislation is a low priority for police forces throughout England and Wales. Anti-hunting organisations have reported alleged incidents to the police, but so far, these have been proved to be nothing more than malicious accusations.

Anti-hunting organisations and hunt saboteurs should now stop their malicious, prejudiced attacks on the hunting community, understand that hunts intend to act within the law until this ridiculous and badly-drafted legislation is overturned, and stop causing unnecessary trouble in rural areas.

John Haigh

Regional Director,

Countryside Alliance.

Archive Home