Tolerance and respect for your neighbours

I’ve noticed that people from different cultures are having trouble living alongside of each other.

I’ve lived at my current address for well over 20 years.

Over the last few years a lot of Asian people have moved into the district. As I meet them I treat them, both young and old, with complete respect — show respect and you will get respect.

I am now 65 and every time I am poorly my neighbours come around and help me. Recently on my birthday, I was invited around to my neighbour’s house, showered with presents and they gave me a marvellous party.

I have the best neighbours in the world and I wouldn’t swap them for anyone, so come on you people of Keighley, with a little tolerance and a lot of respect, you can have neighbours like mine — the best.

Jeffrey Anness,

Devonshire Street, Keighley

Unsung sporting heroes

On TV we will once again see the annual “Sports Personality of the Year” awards.

The usual over-hyped athletes, gymnasts, footballers, racing drivers and boxers will be contesting for the trophy.

The young girl featured in your paper on November 26, Liane Llewellyn, from Denholme, her achievements far exceed anything that the so called celebrities have done.

To swim the English Channel both ways without a rest, a 45 mile round trip (at least) taking 27hr 35min in treacherous conditions, the mind boggles.

Liane’s swim also raised £3,500 for charities.

Let us recognise and give these prestigious awards to real unsung heroes of sport, not just celebrities.

Well done Liane, you have my vote.

Mr R Asquith,

Providence Lane, Oakworth.

Editor’s note: Do you know an unsung hero of sport who you would like to praise?

If so please email a note to malcolm.hoddy@keighleynews.co.uk

Town Mayor's Christmas greetings

May I, through your letter page, send my sincere good wishes to the people of Keighley in this season of goodwill.

During the last seven months as mayor I have had the great pleasure of meeting many good people of Keighley and seeing the very different projects and activities that are happening. Most especially it has been a pleasure to meet so many of our young people.

The pupils of Our Lady of Victories Primary had an anti- bullying day and collected £157.60 for the mayor's charities. Last week I visited Oakbank School where the year seven students had organised a collection of food for the Salvation Army's Christmas appeal, what super youngsters we have in Keighley!

The generosity of the people of the town to our charity appeal is overwhelming. Next week the Spice House, along with some local businesses, is hosting a charity supper for children with disabilities.

At this time of year we are more aware of those who have little and I thank you for the ways in which you have responded to the calls for help.

I urge you to give generously over the Christmas season; give of your time, your love and yourselves and Christmas will bring joy and blessings for all.

A very happy Christmas and a bright and hopeful 2010.

Cllr Margaret Ward

Town Mayor

What a terrific lights show in villages

I would like to say a massive thank you publicly to the landlord of the Cross Roads Inn and parish councillor Mark Pullen for their part in giving Cross Roads and Lees a terrific Christmas lights show this year!

It is many years since Cross Roads had lights anywhere and it looks fantastic Then we come to the tree.

I was part of the volunteer team from the Village Association which planned and organised the paved seating area in a corner of the Almshouses' garden. In those days we had a cut tree kindly donated by Roy Clarke and with the help of Bradford Council got the lights working in time for Carols Around the Tree. In the early years the hole left in the paving for the tree had been concreted up so we were left with a tree and nowhere to put it!

A few frantic phone calls later to Jacob’s Well, in Bradford, saw the flying squad out to put all to rights! Along with other village friends we arranged for a very small fir tree to be planted .

However, it was always an uphill battle between misguided individuals and the weather to keep the bulbs on the wire and the lights lit. In latter years we have had no village illumination but village children decorated the tree at the “carols” half-hour and that always held a special, simple charm.

That was then — and now? That little fir tree which only came up to my elbow dominates the roadside.

Kath Gower

Cross Roads Correspondent

Taking advantage of working class

While I may agree somewhat with Barry Thorne, he misses the point made by David Samuels that we should be worried by our inadequate democracy; the present government in particular.

John Ashton’s letter being a prime example for the following reasons. Jane Thomas may or may not be the perfect candidate for Labour but the method of her selection highlights I feel David Samuels free thinking approach.

She was not chosen by Labour voters in Keighley as their candidate but by a small clique of members who had imposed on them an all women candidate list. Democracy is about people making decisions in their own areas and not being coerced by executive power groups. The people of Keighley deserve a representative who lives, works and understands the issues we have to tackle here.

Local choice, local power, local representation are required to stop careerist politicians taking advantage of working class men and women, which new labour has done, and hence David Samuels’s insight into why the far right are winning and making much progress among labour’s natural supporters.

Bob Hallam Maister Place, Oakworth