Prayers for your happiness: Leaders’ messages for 2013 (From Ilkley Gazette)

Prayers for your happiness: Leaders’ messages for 2013

11:31am Friday 4th January 2013 in Local news

ILKLEY

Councillor Heathcliffe Bowen, chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, writes: It gives me great pleasure to send a message to you, the people of Ilkley, at this time of reflection and renewal. The New Year provides us all with the chance to think about the events of the past year, and to look forward with hope to the year ahead.

During my time as chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, I have met many wonderful people working for the community groups in our town and have been struck by the high levels of enthusiasm, dedication and commitment they show to improving the lives of their fellow citizens.

I can look back on a very interesting and enjoyable term as chairman, with many civic events attended, several projects successfully completed and a number planned for the months ahead. Our links with voluntary groups and associations throughout the town continue to grow and are a source of much pride to both myself and my council colleagues.

My resolution is to continue to work for the good of all the people of the parish and to endeavour to improve the services and amenities we all enjoy.

With best wishes to you all for a happy and prosperous New Year.

OTLEY

Otley town mayor Councillor Mary Vickers writes: I would like to extend to you all my very sincere good wishes and greetings for the New Year.

I am very proud and, indeed, honoured to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role of town mayor and very proud of our fantastic town.

In Otley, there has been a real sense of community spirit and togetherness throughout 2012.

In the seven months since I have been mayor, it has been very busy and exciting.

Some highlights have been the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the support and welcome home the town gave to our very own Olympic medallist, Lizzie Armitstead, and the warm welcome the Brownlee brothers received when they came to switch on the Christmas lights.

I hope we can all look forward to 2013 with a sense of enthusiasm. In the final five months of my civic year I can reflect on what a wonderful experience it has been.

I have been fortunate and privileged to meet many people from all walks of life who are involved in such interesting and rewarding activities in our town.

To you all, as families and friends gather together, I pray you will have a happy and enjoyable time and wish you good health and happiness for 2013.

ADDINGHAM

Councillor Catherine Coates, chairman of Addingham Parish Council, writes: On behalf of the parish council, can I send to all Addingham residents best wishes for 2013?

Like all the UK, we had a rollercoaster of emotions this year.

From the joys of the Jubilee and the Olympics to the downs of the weather and the economy.

The weather tried to disrupt the Jubilee and the gala but, thanks mainly to the dedicated band of organisers, both events were a huge success.

From the council’s point of view, we have had several major projects. The refurbished football pavilion and the new scout hut facility are well under construction and we hope to complete on time and budget in early 2013.

The Christmas lights have been extended. To explain, we needed to replace the old strings of bulbs, so over the next years we will be extending the light show with new eco-friendly units.

The village supply of grit bins and grit have been increased in the hope of avoiding traffic problems on ice.

The council will continue to support the Village Garden Friends, whose efforts resulted in a silver gilt award in the Britain in Bloom competition.

Well done to all.

Moving forward, we want to work with the Civic Society to ensure future development in our village is sympathetic and does not damage the infrastructure of the Addingham we all enjoy.

Our main aim is to ensure that as the village changes – and change it will and indeed must to adjust to modern times – the village atmosphere and friendly feeling remain.

BRAMHOPE

Denis Johnson, chairman of Bramhope Parish Council writes: This has been a year when Bramhope and Carlton joined in the national celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee. The parish council took the lead in organising a programme of events, including music concerts and a spectacular bonfire and firework evening. The bunting displayed throughout Bramhope was judged by many to be the best in the area.

Bramhope also looks back on a year which saw two of its residents, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, win gold and bronze medals at the Olympics.

Jonny went on to crown a successful year with his final race providing him with sufficient points to become world champion.

The parish has successfully completed improvement works to the Puritan Chapel and, through the good offices of Bramhope Youth Development Trust, which funded the project, we have provided seating on the Knoll and Recreation Ground.

We are looking forward to continuing work on Jubilee Copse, a stretch of land on Leeds Road, to provide a pleasant amenity for the village.

Part of this land will be the site of a permanent commemoration to the Brownlee brothers and will hopefully take the form of a carving depicting the triathlon disciplines.

The Village in Bloom team go from strength to strength, with this year seeing us improve to an award of silver gilt.

From modest beginnings, they are now planting thousands of bulbs but are always in need of more volunteers.

It is hoped that 2013 brings peace to all (and some better weather for the flowers would not go amiss).

BURLEY

Councillor Sylvia Tilford, chairman of Burley-in-Wharfedale Parish Council, writes: This has been a good year for the council.

It achieved Quality Parish Council early in the year.

And we finally signed the management agreement for Burley House Field.

We hope to take this over early in 2013 and begin the programme of work to improve access. The field will be secure as a recreational asset for the village for at least the next 20 years, a tribute to the work of Burley Community Council over many years, and by the Parish Council for the last five years.

The council responded fully to the Bradford Local Development Framework early in the year.

It will be giving a detailed response to the final version, which is expected in February, and will be progressing its Neighbourhood Plan.

The Burley Summer Festival, initiated by the council in 2008, was the most successful so far in 2012. Now that it is fully established in Burley’s calendar of events, it will be run by an independent committee in 2013. On behalf of the parish council, I would like to extend thanks to my fellow councillors, to individuals and to organisations across the village who give their time unstintingly to the wealth of voluntary activities which make Burley a good community in which to live.

Burley also gives support to projects and communities outside the village. In particular we have had a strong connection, since 2000, with Tereli in Mali, West Africa.

The current political uncertainty in that country is of great concern. We extend our very best wishes for a peaceful New Year to the residents of our local community, the wider district of Bradford of which we are a part, and the people of Mali.

MENSTON

Peter Finlay, chairman of Menston Parish Council, says: I am pleased to report that 2012 has been a successful year for Menston. Villagers have a proven track record of working together for the benefit of the local community and this has, once again, been evident in the past 12 months.

Combined opposition to the controversial planning applications in the village has continued, and a large amount of effort was put into an application for village green status for a local greenfield site. A series of events to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, Olympics and Paralympics were organised and enjoyed by the whole village.

Work on the renovation of the former High Royds Chapel was completed; Menston in Bloom won a much-merited silver-gilt medal from Yorkshire in Bloom; and Dale Smith, village resident, ward councillor and member of the Parish Council, was installed as Lord Mayor of Bradford.

If you missed the year’s events the first time round, or would like to enjoy it all over again, you will soon be able to buy a photo-book of happy thoughts and memories. Watch this space.

I would like to end by thanking everyone who has contributed to making Menston a better place to live and work.

POOL

Chairman of Pool-in-Wharfedale Parish Council, Councillor Hazel Lee, writes: Once again it’s been a busy year for the volunteer parish councillors.

The road improvements through the main village have started but are not yet completed.

Children from Pool C of E Primary School planted trees in the Jubilee Copse and also planted bulbs to enhance the area.

The Queen’s Jubilee was celebrated in many ways – with a village dance, a competition for best gardens and decorated houses – and helped make Pool Feast a huge success.

The fields down by the river, soon to be renamed, have been enhanced by a bridge over the stream and work around the duck pond.

The Old Pool Bank Village Hall celebrated its 60th anniversary with a dinner for past and present residents, and received a letter from the Queen.

There have been several changes on the council and now we’re looking forward with vigour to 2013.

Best wishes to everyone for the New Year.

RAWDON

Robert Barber, chairman of Rawdon Parish Council, writes: On November 15, the people of Rawdon went to the polls and elected a Parish Council for the first time.

At the first meeting of the council, consisting of nine councillors representing four wards, I was very proud to accept the nomination and election as chairman.

On behalf of my fellow councillors, I would like to send greetings to the readers in general and to the residents of Rawdon in particular, and my good wishes to them for a prosperous and peaceful New Year.

Contact details for Rawdon councillors are: Larkfield – Robert Barber (chairman), 24 Larkfield Avenue, LS19 6EN, tel 0113 2505281.

John Davies (vice-chairman) Hillgarth, Canada Crescent, LS19 6LT, tel 0113 2504403.

Philip Gomersall, 14 Markham Avenue, LS19 6NF, tel 0113 2501528.

Cragg Wood – Neil Hunt, Wellroyd Lodge, Knott Lane, LS19 6JW, tel 0113 2502987.

Greenacre – David Ingham Jasmine Cottage, 17 Apperley Lane, LS19 6BJ, 2503836.

Jackie Shemilt, 2 Billing Drive, LS19 6QR, 0113 2506219.

Layton – Dawn Collins Wellroyd Lodge, Knott Lane, LS19 6JW, 0113 2502987.

Jonathan Lacey, Ivy Nook, Layton Road, Horsforth, LS18 5EU.

Michael Warrior, Allenbanks, Layton Road, Horsforth, LS18 5ET, tel 07779 619638.