People power has won the day with regards to the threatened Manor House Museum and Art Gallery... but while the battle is won, the war goes on.

A 12-month stay of execution for the threatened museum is a great victory, however, and congratulations must go to the efforts of the Ilkley people who campaigned for this much-loved facility not to have its funding cut as Bradford Council tries to balance the books.

This is a great example of what can happen when people come together to fight for a cause that is close to their hearts. Venues such as Manor House are not merely words and figures on a balance sheet, they are vital parts of the community.

While this is a time for celebration, the campaigners must not be tempted to rest on their laurels. It is fantastic news that the museum is saved for another year, but plans must be put in place now for what happens this time next year.

Local authority funding is finite and the Council coffers have to be stretched in many different directions. It is a sad fact of modern life that not everything that needs funding can be allocated the cash, so strong representations must be made to justify spending.

The Friends of Manor House have won some respite but must continue their campaign to ensure the long-term future of the Manor House is secured... and local people can do their bit by ensuring they patronise the facility and show Bradford Council that this is a well-used museum which simply cannot be allowed to ever close.

Mindless criminals

No doubt the mindless vandals who trashed vital equipment at Addingham’s multi-use games area are feeling pretty pleased with themselves for the damage, upset and problems they have caused.

But they have no right to. Whatever was going through their tiny brains when they attacked the electricity meter which controls the lighting – in order, presumably, to gather the tokens used to operate the device – is evidence that they are simply idiots at best, and criminals at worst.

Their actions have meant young people have been unable to enjoy floodlit activities on the area over the school holidays, and money that was going to be used to provide sports coaching to youngsters has instead had to be diverted to repairing the damage.

These vandals ought to be ashamed of themselves, but it is doubtful whether they actually have the brain-power to realise that. These are thugs who think nothing of spoiling the fun of others for their own amusement.

Perhaps they might consider that instead of carrying out such hooliganism they could put their energy into some of the sporting activities available at the multi-use games area, but it is highly unlikely.

Instead, they can comfort themselves with the knowledge that their actions have been noted and are being investigated by the police, and when officers inevitably come knocking at their doors we will see how big and tough they are, and what their justifications for these mindless acts of criminality are.