The family of Ilkley man John Stiles are going through a terrible time right now, and all our thoughts should be with them.

Mystery still surrounds the disappearance of the father-of-two while on a trek in the Caucasus mountains in Russia.

His family have maintained a tireless effort trying to co-ordinate the search for Mr Stiles, from Ilkley, though information is scarce and it has been a tough job trying to keep on top of the situation from such a distance.

With heavy snow in the region, hopes are fading for a safe return and now Mr Stiles’ family just want – and deserve – as quick a resolution to the situation as possible. It is the not knowing what has befallen him which must be one of the hardest parts of the whole tragedy.

A memorial service is to be held for friends and family of Mr Stiles, which might go some way to allowing people to try to come to terms with the terrible situation.

But it is to be hoped that the search eventually bears fruit and that Mr Stiles’ wife Isabelle and his young children soon have very definite answers about what happened on those distant peaks.

Taking on Manor House burden

Local councillors and many active community organisations in Ilkley work long and hard behind the scenes to preserve and further the interests of the community.

Admirable efforts have been made by local people in stepping into the breach when services have come under threat or leadership is needed to take initiatives forward.

Addingham Community Library is one such example of the community coming to the rescue, when the future of the village library came under threat.

But it cannot be taken for granted that someone else will shoulder the burden, and that someone is bound to come forward with a plan when the area looks likely to lose something of importance.

And such is the case with Ilkley’s Manor House Museum. There are talks taking place, yes, and potential volunteers on standby to help out if circumstances change at the museum.

However, an organisation both willing and able to take over the museum’s management has yet to be found, and time is now running out.

Bradford Council is proposing the cutbacks at the Manor House as part of a budget which may well be agreed next month. Consultation on these budget proposals is happening now, and there may not be a chance for the public to have its say on them if they are agreed next month.

If the town is to demonstrate that it wants to keep the Manor House open, it needs to make this point clear at this stage.