Gillian James

SIR, - With regards to the headline news article from the Ilkley Gazette of May 1 Ilkley school ban on girl found with drug is rescinded'.

I would just like to place on record my support for the head teacher and school governors for the decision they took to expel the girl for being in possession of a controlled drug.

Obviously I don't know the reasons why the appeals panel saw fit to overrule their decision. However, I do think that this case sends a rather worrying message to other children attending Ilkley Grammar School and any other school for that matter. Namely, its OK to bring drugs into school because there's little likelihood of you getting expelled.

Is this not yet another example of why school discipline is so difficult to control. It's not necessarily the children's fault but the fault of parents who seem to think it OK to support a child quite clearly breaking the law and thereby undermining the school trying to enforce rules which to me seem perfectly sound.

We must trust our teachers to make decisions that they feel right in the circumstances. Decisions like this undermine the whole fabric of school life.

This girl was caught with illegal drugs in her possession (it matters not what the quantity was or what the drug was). Do I want my child going to a school with this type person allowed to break the law and to get away with it?

No I don't, and I suspect there are many other parents out there struggling to bring up their children to know the difference between right and wrong who would also back the decision of Mrs James and the school governors.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Head praised

SIR, - How fortunate Ilkley parents are that the head teacher of Ilkley Grammar School is prepared to deal firmly with the presence of drugs in the school.

It is sad that a Bradford Appeals Committee has overturned that decision which was supported by the Governing Body whose members are drawn from many local walks of life.

Almost daily we read sad stories arising from the use of drugs, many of the users from good homes as this young lady no doubt is.

Nevertheless it is the nature of teenagers to idolise celebrities, far too many of whom are on this slippery slope. While one can sympathise with the family, how else is the school to act if the Drug Policy is ignored?

One hopes it is only media mischief that highlights the father's suggestion of a possible civil claim against the school. Will taking money from the education of others change the situation?

The compensation culture is yet another example of our upside down society. Hopefully acquaintances of parents and solicitor would distance themselves from such action. All contracts are two-way. It is a privilege as well as a right to be at a good secondary school nowadays.

Reduction of school resources could mean even more local children unable to get into the school.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Backing for head

SIR, -As a parent of two primary aged children who hope to join Ilkley Grammar School in the next few years, I wholeheartedly endorse the decision made by the head teacher and the school governors to exclude the sixth form student who was found to be in possession of cannabis in school.

As your front page report states, cannabis is a class C drug and possession is a criminal offence. The school has taken a clear and decisive stance regarding this situation and now finds itself likely to become embroiled in a civil claim.

That such a proposed claim will, once again, divert precious monetary and human resources from the task of educating the students at the school, beggars belief!

The right of all our children to be educated in an environment free from drugs of this nature should be given and I wonder what message the student's parents intend to convey to the wider school community by their proposed actions.

Have they considered the wider implications should they be successful' in their pursuit of justice'?.

Stephen Dicken Ben Rhydding Parent, Full address supplied.

Damage to moor

SIR, - I would just like to say I agree with the article in the Gazette of May 24 regarding Friends of Ilkley Moor.

Can you tell me how many more people are absolutely disgusted with the damage being done by cyclists on our beautiful moor land?

I walk every day on the moors and it really upsets me to see the deep gouges in the pathways and hillsides where cyclists have been. I don't have a lot of spare time but if Friends of Ilkley Moor need a willing pair of hands occasionally please forward my e-mail address on to them and I will try my best to find the time.

Litter clearing is something I usually do as I walk my dogs but am willing to get involved on a larger scale.

Jan Richards Ilkley.

Using vacant land

SIR, - I am interested to learn why the vacant land on Valley Drive, where the old middle school stood, cannot be made into a car park as a solution to parking problems in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding.

It is wonderful that the railway is so widely used, but with the Ben Rhydding goods yard having been sold off for one house, where many cars could have parked, the situation on roads in the surrounding area is chronic and very dangerous.

With cars speeding up Wheatley Lane, they must have their right of way, and today parking between Moorfield Road and Ben Rhydding Drive, trying to cross the road is extremely hazardous and driving, turning left out of Moorfield Road, well just crazy.

Lastly, if there were no more developments in the area, to generate more cars, surely this is just common sense.

P Robinson 9 Moorfield Road, Ben Rhydding,Ilkley.

Police concern

SIR, - I was very disappointed and concerned at the attitude of the police representative quoted in the report on vandalism in Darwin Gardens (Gazette May 1).

Oh for the return of the days when policemen saw fit to maintain order and prevent crime without having to wait for a succession of complaints from members of the public before becoming concerned!

Denise Errington Deaconess Court, Queens Road,Ilkley.

Ecology damage

SIR, - I read with dismay another article about a charity fund-raiser who feels obliged to take a long haul flight to an exotic location in order to raise funds.

I wonder what 40 return flights to Brazil will do to speed up global warming and accelerate the environmental damage done to the countries these people are aiming to help.

Do they have special skills that indeginous, unemployed workers can not provide?

Are there no projects in our own region which would benefit?

Isn't it time that we reconsidered the effects of our actions on the planet? Once the oil has gone, it's gone forever.

Janet Souyave31 Southfield Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale

Jilly's praise

SIR, - Because I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Ilkley, and particularly the King's Hall and Winter Garden on May 16, I have been reading some recent copies of the Ilkley Gazette.

I'd just like to say what a lovely newspaper it is; full of fascinating facts and beautiful writing, and also looks after the interests and problems and joys of its community.

I always enjoyed reading it when we lived in Ilkley during the forties and fifties, and it is wonderful that you've kept up the same terrific standards.

I'd also forgotten how ravishingly beautiful the scenery around Ilkley is. The town istelf looks splendid. Please keep up the good work.

JILLY COOPER Bisley,near Stroud,Gloucestershire.

Election thanks

SIR, - I would like to thank everyone involved in the local elections last week.

The level and strength of support has been overwhelming. I would like to thank everyone who helped me in Addingham especially those who delivered leaflets for me; those who displayed posters and those who sent messages of support all were very much appreciated.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank both of my fellow candidates for a well fought contest and all the volunteers and officers who manned the polling station, it was certainly a long day for all.

I intend to continue to ensure that everyone in Craven Ward has a voice in Bradford and to that end my fellow ward councillors and I will, as always, represent everyone.

Adrian Naylor Far Ghyll Grange Farm, Ghyll Grange Lane,Silsden.

2:55pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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