It has become a sad fact of recent life that public services are being whittled down as local authorities try to balance the books and deliver the best services that they can for less money.

Inevitably, despite the best efforts of council bosses, some cuts will be seen as just too much by those affected, and the proposals to slash youth services is one of those issues.

The planned cuts caused large numbers of protesters to visit City Hall in Bradford this week, alongside a similar group of people protesting on a different issue – house-building on the district’s green spaces.

Peaceful protest is the right of every individual in this country and it is only right and proper that those who feel strongly about issues are allowed to make their point in great numbers and in a sensible manner.

Whether the plans to cut youth services go ahead, or building on the green belt is curtailed, remains to be seen.

But at least those opposed to these issues will have had their say and vehemently put across their point of view.

This is one of the most important rights available to people and as long as it is used in the proper manner then the voices of those who are affected by a wide range of issues will continue to be heard... and their battles may indeed be won.

Buttercross communality!

With yet another highly successful Victorian Fayre under our collective belt and a third dazzling Christmas Tree Festival just underway, it’s fair to say that – for Otley and the surrounding area, anyway – the festive season has now really begun.

The weather wasn’t kind to the thousands of people who flocked to town for Sunday’s fayre, unleashing unwelcome, icy downpours in the afternoon, but it didn’t seem to hinder anyone’s enjoyment of timeless attractions that included reindeer, street organs, carol singing and Punch and Judy shows.

In fact, if anything, there was something satisfyingly communal about joining others to take shelter under the Buttercross, in shop doorways or inside pubs or cafes and enjoy some mulled wine, mince pies, roasted chestnuts or other hot food.

The tree festival, meanwhile, now up and running through into Saturday, is something we can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone feeling jaded by the relentless commercialism or other pressures of the season.

For there is something genuinely comforting, and refreshingly innocent, about seeing so many painstakingly decorated trees all twinkling under the ceiling of the beautiful All Saints Parish Church. It is a sight designed to cure cynicism and lift the heavy heart and, with collection buckets out under many of the participating charities’ entries, also a great chance to give a few coins to those groups who work for all of our benefit throughout the year.