Re-erect sculpture in prominent position

Re the wheels of industry statue, in Keighley. With regard to the above we would like to place on record our dismay and disapproval of the recent removal of this sculpture and its subsequent re-homing at Our Lady of Victories School.

We recognise that the sculpture needed to be removed temporarily in order that the new covered frontage to the market can be erected but feel very strongly that this sculpture should then be re-erected in a prominent position in the town centre. It was, we understand, originally bought by the townspeople of Keighley and as it reflects the town’s industrial history. It should be in a position where the townspeople of Keighley and visitors to the town will be able to see it.

The sculpture could form part of a historical heritage trail around the town centre.

We hope you will be able to take this matter forward to the relevant people for us in the hope that the sculpture may then be returned to Keighley town centre.

Mr and Mrs W Palmer, Mrs Shaw,

Shann Avenue, Keighley

Put back crest as well as sculpture

I have been following with interest the comments in the Keighley News concerning the refurbishment of Keighley Market.

While Bradford Council’s investment in the market infrastructure is welcome, there are some issues that are causes for concern: the disappearance of the sculpture, “Flames and Wheels”, and the removal of the Keighley borough crest from the market frontage. The sculpture is, at the moment, destined to be housed at a local school; the Keighley crest was just propped up in a cubby hole adjacent to the back entrance to the market. As both the sculpture and the crest represent something of Keighley’s industrial and civic heritage, their removal could be seen as being a Bradford attempt to strip away something more of the town’s identity.

What I find even stranger about this is that the Conservative Party leader of Bradford Council, Kris Hopkins, a man who bases his political image on being the local man, should be in charge of the very organisation that is responsible, giving the appearance of the systematic Bradfordisation of Keighley. I would like to ask Mr Hopkins to confirm that “Flames and Wheels” and the Keighley borough crest, as part of Keighley heritage, will be re-incorporated into the market refurbishment scheme.

Keith E Dredge

(Keighley Trades Union Council) Ouse Street, Haworth

Diminished market sales

In regards to your recent article titled “Work reveals more of Keighley’s Past”, and as a current stallholder, who has been trading in Keighley Market for over 15 years, I would like to express my concern over Cllr Naylor’s comments.

The market itself has seen a downturn in trade during recent months and a reduction in takings has been inevitable.

Cllr Naylor’s profound statement “they haven’t seen a reduction in takings ...” has certainly not come from traders themselves.

We as market traders cannot understand why we have not been asked ourselves how business is during this difficult time.

As for the closure of the main entrance of the market, this has severely affected the footfall and has consequently diminished the general day to day sales.

Maybe the council should come and speak to the traders, some of whom have been here for over 30 years, in regards to the buildings found under the front entrance.

Hopefully, if the public get the opportunity to read this and can understand the concerns of us market traders, they will help and support us during this recession.

NAME and Address supplied.

Cheque for a pound of flesh

I am writing to you in response to the letter from a Mrs Chapman in the Keighley News about the grants from Oxenhope and Haworth parish councils towards the running costs of the bus service to North Halifax Grammar School.

My son is one of the children who uses this service and we pay £498 per year for this. I am sure that you would agree in these times that is no small amount to have to find, so the parish council grants are to ease the burden for those with more than one child attending North Halifax.

Mrs Chapman also seems to have overlooked the fact that children from the area attending Oakbank or Parkside have free bus passes, so their school transportation is entirely funded by her council tax. As for her defamatory comment: “Or is it just the school where the chairman of Oxenhope Parish Council goes that is going to benefit of this audacious stretching of the rules?", as a former district councillor myself, I can confirm that all councillors are made abundantly aware of the severe penalties for not declaring an interest in any agenda item and, having declared an interest are not allowed to take any part in any debate or vote on that matter.

Let me conclude by saying that if everyone was as community-minded as Mr Cameron and the other parish councillors, the Worth Valley would be a much better place to live. There are far too many people who have nothing better to do than snipe from the sidelines when someone does something to try and help the local community.

As a conservative estimate there are around 1,000 households in Oxenhope, which means that Mrs Chapman’s contribution to this grant has been approximately 50p. Seeing as she seems to be so keen to have her pound of flesh, I have sent her a cheque for £1, which should more than cover her loss.

Paul Barker,

Main Street, Stanbury

Farmers' market is needed

I am delighted that Keighley is going to host a farmers’ market from April.

This is just what we need to bring more shoppers into the town centre. May I re-assure Cllr Hudson and local traders who are concerned about the effect on existing shops that, as Geoff Johnson, from Otley said, a good farmers’ market which sells good quality, fresh and preserved local produce attracts people who would otherwise shop elsewhere — and once they are on site, will make use of other shops in the area.

In Bingley, where there was a very successful local produce market, local traders noticed a rise in sales on the days of the market. I was one of those shoppers.

Meanwhile, anyone interested in local food might also be interested in an event called “Rebuilding Local Food Networks”, in Victoria Hall, on Saturday, February 28, (free entry, tea/coffee, 9.45am-3pm). If there are any local people/traders/businesses who are interested in finding out where they can obtain local produce or perhaps want to join with others in growing their own food, they can meet like-minded people here. The event has received the generous support of Bradford Council’s Neighbourhood Services. More information is on the website transitionkeighley.org.uk

Marion Pencavel

Hospital Road, Riddlesden

Only hope for the future

The news of a collision between a Trident nuclear submarine and a French nuclear submarine must surely serve as a wake up call to campaign and work for nuclear disarmament.

Nuclear submarines not only carry nuclear weapons which could destroy life on Earth as we know it, but are also powered by nuclear reactors. So for a moment hold Hiroshima and Chernobyl in your mind.

Do we have to wait for an even more serious accident or even for these weapons of mass destruction being ordered to fire in a time of conflict before being willing to act to prevent such a catastrophe In 2010 there will be a review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Article VI of this treaty commits the nuclear powers to work for actual nuclear disarmament, not as over the years working only to stop other countries from developing these weapons. Let us make it clear to our Government that nuclear disarmament is the only hope for the generations of the future.

Sylvia Boyes

Wimborne Drive, Keighley

Protect senior citizens from age discrimination

In June last year, the Government took an important step forward — they finally acknowledged the injustices faced by older people every day in accessing basic goods and services.

They promised to abolish the last “ism” permitted in our society, by banning age discrimination in the planned Equality Bill. This decision was long overdue but now senior citizens face an even longer wait before they get any protection from discrimination.

An 18-month Government review of dealing with ageism in health and social care threatens to push the passing of any new law well past the next election — and at that point the chance for change could well be lost.

This is a huge disappointment. I’ve written to my MP to ask her to sign Early Day Motion 458 to call for swift action to ban age discrimination. I urge your readers to do the same by supporting the Help the Aged Just Equal Treatment campaign. They can take action by calling 020 7239 1982 or going to helptheaged.org.uk/justequaltreatment

John Harman

Epworth Place, Oakworth

Tips on crossing the road

Does anyone remember the old public information film about walking on an unlit road late at night? It suggested that you wore a white raincoat or carried a newspaper so that the lights of the oncoming traffic illuminated you? May I suggest a few other ways in which todays pedestrians might lessen their chances of being involved in an accident.

  • Think about whether that phonecall you are making is important enough to be conducted as you cross the road. Those few minutes in which you are texting and step out into the traffic may be better spent looking at what is coming towards you.
  • Try to keep your pushchair off the road until you can safely cross. Indicating to oncoming traffic that your intention is to cross the road is better done without the use of vulnerable children perched precariously on the kerb edge.
  • Hoods may keep your head warm but can you really see the traffic as you turn your head from side to side as you cross?
  • If you are walking with your friends six a breast on the pavement, who will come off worse if you are forced into the paths of oncoming cars?.
  • Cross at designated crossings, that is what they are there for. Why hobble or sprint across the road six yards on either side of a crossing place? Do you also find it too hard to walk those extra feet to your front door and always seem to end up climbing through the window into your house?
  • Not looking at traffic as you cross does not make you invincible to it.
  • Crossing the road outside a pub does not give you seniority over all other road and footpath users. Raising your hand in apology as drivers try to second guess your movements does not really suffice.

Antony Silson

Skipton Road, Utley

Disband this town council

Re the recent increases in the parish precept, may I ask Councillor Philips, chairman of finance, just what services his so called council provide and why a town council in Keighley is necessary?

Reports from council meetings in the Keighley News suggest that all these playtime councillors do is get together once a month for big fall outs.

Living in Bradford all my life, just moving to Keighley recently, I never thought I would pay a tax supplement and worse still, get nothing in return.

Bingley and Shipley get by without a parish council so why should Keighley people be penalised with an extra tax, an 8.8 per cent increase is obscene. My own observations suggest that amateur, unskilled so called councillors are a liability in these uncertain times, perhaps it would be better for Keighley if this council was disbanded.

Mrs G A Stack,

Riddlesden