There are possibly few people in the history of this area as important as William Edward Forster.

Not only was he a pioneering educationalist who changed the face of schools forever, as a Member of Parliament he was also vociferously anti-slavery and, on a more local level, set up a Board of Health in Burley-in-Wharfedale which vastly improved sanitary conditions in the village.

Now, almost 130 years after his death in 1886, a new headstone has been dedicated at the place of Forster’s burial, God’s Acre cemetery.

It is only right that we should continue to honour William Forster and keep his memory fresh and vital by ensuring his achievements are constantly at the forefront of public thought.

William Forster was an example to us all, whether we be currently-serving Members of Parliament or ordinary people who live in the shadow of his huge endeavours.

This new headstone will keep alive the memory of William Forster and show that his work has not gone unappreciated.

Everyone should know the name of William Forster and the facts about what he achieved, and in this age of celebrity he truly is an important person whose legacy is worth really celebrating.

More questions on Manor House

The announcement that Bradford Council is considering passing the Manor House Museum back to the community of Ilkley will not be entirely unexpected to all.

Given the worries a few years ago about the later-to-be-abandoned Bradford Council Asset Management project, there has been speculation for some time that some of Ilkley’s key public buildings could bear the brunt of local authority cutbacks some day.

Exactly what is part of the discussions held to date remains to be seen. The Friends of the Manor House, which many residents might assume is naturally best-placed to take on the role of museum management, simply was not set up for such a task.

It appears that what is now required is the formation of an entirely new group with the sole task of running the museum – and which may yet have to generate its own funding.

As the Council’s budget proposals are currently out to public consultation, it is vital that the many questions surrounding such a transfer of management are answered, so the residents of the Bradford District – the consultees – can make an informed response.