Waiting for pensioners to die

Well Christmas has gone and the New Year is with us.

What a New Year, gas prices going up through the roof; train prices increased by up to 11 per cent; ramifications filter through meaning food and basic needs will increase, oh yes, of course, the dreaded council tax is not to be left out!

But cheer up you pensioners, you've got an astonishing state pension of £87.30 per week (single person).

Do you want "more". The Government says it will cost £300 billion to bring you in line with what you should be getting, however only £14 billion by 2010.

You see the National Insurance surplus of some £34.6 billion (our pension) is expected to rise to £60 billion by 2010 (interest goes where?).

There is also one more important reason for waiting until 2010 and that is an estimated 500,000 of us pensioners will be dead.

Perhaps our voluntary councillors can help to put pressure on their party leaders, who in turn could exact a restitution with the PM to our plight.

There is nothing good about getting old, that blip that inevitably comes toward life's end; that surplus to requirements, that embarrassment no-one wants to know about. Surely we can expect a few more pence a week, so as to make that final journey just a little easier.

Denis Walton Emily Street, Keighley

Thanks from Santa

The Give Santa a Gift appeal, which was run jointly by the Salvation Army, the Airedale Centre and the Keighley News in the run up to Christmas brought out the best in the people of this area once again.

As a result of your generosity we were able to help around 350 youngsters and their families allowing them to celebrate the joy of Christmas.

There were numerous stories of giving which gladdened the hearts of those of us who were involved.

For example, one woman had won a number of items as a result of playing bingo. She gave us one of the prizes - a child's bicycle still in its box.

You can imagine the smile on face of the youngsters who received that gift.

The Airedale Centre was a wonderful setting for the collection of gifts. Plus, of course, we were helped by a number of other firms and retail outlets which all made a major contribution to the success of this effort.

Our heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you. You made Christmas a happier time for those in need of help.

CHRIS BOWN Salvation Army

SUSAN MENDOZA Airedale Centre

MALCOLM HODDY Keighley News

Swimming times cause for concern

Further to Harry Plunkett's letter "Need for a proper pool". I agree that the pool at Keighley is of no use to a whole swathe of the swimming public.

Many of us like to swim lengths in lanes but are unable to because of the shape of the pool. People are expected to muddle through swimming during adult sessions.

There are no guides on the pool floor if you do the front crawl - so you can easily bump into others. Some sessions are entitled "swim for all", but it is not inclusive as it is impossible to swim seriously if non swimmers are allowed to splash around in the same water as others.

Aside from the pool design, the timetable (along with most others in Bradford district) is also a cause for concern. Adults may reasonably expect that they can swim lengths after a hard day at work, say between the hours of 3 and 6pm, but one look at Keighley's timetable gives me the impression that we are not wanted.

It is the same in Shipley and Bingley. At the very least, why not have one lane in each weekday for taxpaying adults?

My final issue is with the price of swimming in Bradford district - £3 50 it is too expensive. If Skipton can do it for £3 10, why can't Bradford? Come on BDC, we deserve better.

Patrick Goldon Laycock Lane, Laycock

HIP, HIP, Hooray

It was interesting to note that in last week's Keighley News, when there was no property section, someone decided to put our HIPS advert in the Golden Years Section.

Perhaps it was thought at a glance we were offering orthopaedic services to the elderly to reduce pain and suffering and give increased mobility.

To the contrary, our HIPS advert is for the Government's Home Information Pack, which is compulsory for all residential house sales from December 14, 2007.

The new procedure, intended to speed up conveyancing, is an additional burden and expense for property sellers before the house can be marketed, another layer of regulation and bureaucracy and another factor depressing the housing market.

Pain and suffering and mobility problems have all been increased by this HIPS requirement.

HIP, HIP Hooray!

John Broughton Armstrong, Wood & Bridgman LLP, Solicitors, North Street, Keighley.

A fantastic role model

It made my day to hear the news that Gareth Gates and Suzanne got engaged on New Year's Eve. What a wonderful start to the New Year. I wish them every happiness they are such a lovely couple He is a fantastic role model for young people and I wish more would follow his example. It's so much nicer to get engaged and married before having a family.

Elaine Rollins Cheshunt, Herts

Best friend was maligned

Following last week's story about a Vicar moving a service to a pub the following message was posted on our website.

As a fellow minister in the town and a friend of the Rev Derek Walmsley, I have to say how much I admire his enthusiasm and creativity in taking the church to the people, rather than assume people will just drop in to church to ask if there happens to be a better alternative to their present lifestyle; or for an explanation for theological terms like atonement and redemption.

However, my very best friend is Jesus and he has been maligned I feel. Not by actions but by words. To suggest Jesus was a party animal causes me some concern as with others at Worth Valley Community Church where I am pastor. Whether the wine that Christ drank was alcoholic or not is debatable but the character of Christ is not. Quite simply put, He was without sin.

This is not only essential to understand but also necessary if He is to be the only way of salvation for mankind via His sacrifice upon the cross. Keep preaching my friend but like Paul let's preach Christ crucified, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Pastor John Smith Keighley

Avoid mistakes of the past

May I thank Mr S Clarkson for his comments on my letter referring to the reopening of the Skipton to Colne rail rink, but the problems are not about fares, the authorities concerned could easily come to agreement, the reopening will, I feel be of considerable benefit in the near future.

In the next 10 to 20 years it is obvious that we will have to take a long look at how we get about, gridlock on roads, in towns and cities is becoming more common place, this is nothing new and will certainly get worse in the next few years. Railways efficiently operated with modern trains, I believe will be part of the long term solution.

Perhaps I can give Mr Clarkson a classic example, take the Airedale lines, Bradford to Shipley and Ilkley to Shipley, in the late Seventies closure was imminent then came Metro, what would the situation be today if these lines had gone? Let us not make the mistakes of the past, let both local and national governments think ahead and open this valuable link for the future while the track bed is still intact.

R P Beale Ridgemount Road, Riddlesden

Editor's note: This week I received two letters out of the blue, both singing the praises of different eating establishments. At first I was going to spike them as being free advertisments.

But after further consideration I decided to run them and at the same time invite readers to briefly tell us about their favourite cafe or dining out spot. What is it that makes it special?

You can either send a letter as normal or e-mail it to malcolm.hoddy@keighley.newsquest.co.uk

The best fish and chip shop in Yorkshire. The staff are always smiling and very helpful. It is a pleasure to walk in for a special (lightly battered) and a pot of tea. Where is this place? Brooks, at Lawkholme Lane, Keighley.

MARJORIE CASSON Birkdale Close, Cullingworth

No praise can be too great for the Bigfella's cafe, on Cavendish Street, Keighley.

Run by Roger Sutcliffe, his wife, Carol, and staff it is much more than "just a cafe". It's also a meeting place or forum where a regular clientele of friends and like-minded people can convene to chat about this and that, or have a good laugh over a meal or cuppa, even have a working lunch, in a happy, relaxed, if not family, atmosphere.

Indeed, this is Roger's primary objective and there are no holds barred as to who the participants may be, or what their business or interests.

Customers are not regarded as faceless economic units to be exploited in the interests of making a profit but more as friends, even new-found friends.

After all, profit ought to be the by-product of honest endeavour, not its purpose. To this end both Roger and Carol always do their best to make folk feel welcome and take a personal interest in them but not in any sort of intrusive way, only too happy to join in the conversation or take a back seat as mood and occasion demand.

BRENDAN C MURRAY Keighley