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EVEN without its religious significance, the Bible is a wonderful resource. From it we get such useful words like Shibboleth'. Its origin lies in a battle long ago where one set of Biblical tribes was smiting another, quite a common occurrence in those days - also in these, come to think of it.

The melee of battle became so confused around the city of the Edamites that survivors escaping across a nearby river could not be distinguished from each other as they were dragged from the water to safety.

As both tribes spoke the same language, the only way the besieging Israelites could tell who was friend or foe was by their different accent. The word which exemplified this contrast in accent most starkly was Shibboleth'. So each survivor was asked to say the word as he was hauled out of the river and, depending on how he enunciated it, was either put to death immediately, or given a hot drink and a blanket.

Since that day the word Shibboleth has come to exemplify any issue which separates two opposing factions in stark contrast, and there are no surprises to learn that the Shibboleth separating two opposing factions on Addingham Parish Council is the Wharfedale Trail.

The recent decision not to support it unless the landowners jump on board was carried by a slim majority of one. At next month's meeting of the parish council in Addingham, there will be a vote for a new chairman and vice-chairman. There is expected to be a leadership contest with the aim of putting the weight of the parish council firmly behind the Wharfedale Trail even if it takes a palace coup to do so.

The recent proposal only to support the trail if the landowners agree was a clever side-step to avoid total commitment to one side or the other. On an issue which has led to so much ill-feeling within the village, the parish council has done well to try to rise above it.

Next month it could well be dragged back into the battle.

2:59pm Thursday 24th April 2008

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