Interesting debate on petitions and newspaper correspondence

Petitions. If one signs, does that mean one agrees with it? Or, like so many, do people sign without knowing the faintest idea what it is all about? Alternatively, the signatory may know a great deal more than the petitioner and, because of that, prefers not to sign. Petitions, like research and statistics, are only as good as what a person puts into them.

The same goes for correspondence to newspapers. While some may dash off quick missives without much thought, editors at our local papers know from experience mine are well researched, often drawing on experience from the wider community on the subject in hand. Newspapers may be likened to history books – they are only as good as that which is put into them and if correspondents can’t be bothered to research their subjects, that history book is as much use as a map without footpaths.

Many are the times I have visited our smaller shops and found them exceedingly short of change, usually after a rush of high denomination notes for small, by comparison, purchases. The writer of one letter suggests I don’t research. May I ask where they were when campaigning successfully had Footpath 20 reopened after near five years of blockage? Or had footpaths in West View Park re-opened? Did they ever look at Rambles around Rumbles on ilkley.org before their recent upgrade? Or the newer version on rombaldsrover.blogspot.com? Hardly things to come from someone who supposedly doesn’t like walkers yet walks everywhere. The above routes have been on the internet for the best part of ten years and soon to have routes 4 and 5 added.

Frazer Irwin

Queens Road, Ilkley

If ward campaigner had been at meetings, he would know

I really wonder where Andrew Dundas is ‘coming from’. In this instance I refer to his request for information under the Freedom of Information Act. He is, of course, quite right, in that it appears that the information he requested with respect to the boundary changes, has not appeared in the time that it should. So what? Is he in some judicial event that requires information by a certain date or he will lose the case? No, it is just that he likes to flex his muscles where legal processes are concerned, even if there is no end product to be gained. This is, of course, why he is following up the ward changes, no end product.

One also has to suspect his abilities to make informed and sensible arguments. Under the item Ward plan backer in bid to see responses, Ilkley Gazette, October 1), he states that due to the boundary limits we have at present, Ben Rhydding is missing out “in the allocation of local resources”. Where on earth did he get that misinformation from? As I have stated in a previous letter to the Gazette, he has never during the time I was a parish councillor, ever been at a council meeting to back up his assertions. However, I can state, ‘that during my time on council, no part of of the urban area was ever singled out for more or less attention’.

He further goes on to say that he does not approve of the thousands of pounds that Ilkley has on deposit, gained from the precept it charges. Again, if he had ever been at a meeting, he would have realised that a great part of it was already spoken for, and was just waiting for the right time to implement payment. There is, of course, a very good reason to hold reserves, and whether he thinks these reserves are too much or too little is of little consequence, as he has never been, as I have stated, at any meeting where any matters have been discussed.

I would like, however, to inform the ratepayers of Ilkley, that should we have had the reserves to which Andrew Dundas subscribes, there would not be a playground for the children by the riverside. This became possible because Bradford Council informed the parish council that they had certain monies available, and if the parish council could match fund, the required amount for this playground would be available. The parish council did have such funds, and so it went ahead. Had Andrew Dundas been an observer (as is his right), at such meetings, he would have known this, and then might start making more informed comments.

A G Goldsbrough

Fieldway, Ilkley

Leaflets delivery did not involve secret powers

Val Smith’s observations about receiving copies of my free Action for Keighley and Ilkley publication (Gazette Letters, October 1) brought a smile to my face.

I am happy to assure her that delivery of these leaflets was at no cost to the public purse, although I was very flattered that she thought I might possess secret powers.

Hopefully I will not disappoint her should I have the privilege to be elected as the new Conservative Member of Parliament for Keighley and Ilkley at the General Election.

Kris Hopkins

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley & Ilkley, Churchill House, North Street, Keighley

Article is an example of how Tory Party has not changed

The Conservative Party’s last conference before the General Election has been taking place this week.

Cameron and his allies are continuing to report that both he and his party have changed. He is now embarrassed about his Bullingdon years just as the party is now accepting embarrassment over previous opposition to legislation like the removal of Section 28 by holding its own pride rally.

However, what concerns me is what are the crop of prospective MPs are like? Are they future-looking? Modern? Compassionate? Are they willing to accept that writing children off at 11 years of age with the 11-plus is cruel and wrong? According to a publication being handed out at conference, this is not the case. The conference edition of the Thatcherite Conservative Way Froward magazine carries an article by Andrea Leadsom, Prospective Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire . The article can be found on pages 20 and 21 here: http://conservativehome.blogs.com/files/cwf-forward-magazine.pdf. In the article, Leadsom states, “It is also now believed that you can predict two-thirds of future chronic criminals by behaviour seen at the age of two.” The headline above the article reads, “You can predict two-thirds of future chronic criminals by behaviour seen at the age of two.” I don’t want to get hung up on whether Cameron has changed or not? Is he the real deal? A party is more than one person, it is its grassroots members, it is its supporters, its councillors, its MPs and for direction its candidates. Writing children off at two years of age as potential criminals seems incredibly illiberal and sinister to me. It sounds more like Tory paternalism; preaching those from less fortunate backgrounds are the problems of tomorrow. I believe this is one small example of how the Tory party has not changed.

Councillor James Alexander

Prospective Labour MP for York Outer

Holgate, York

Marathon runners urged to back meningitis charity

We would like to ask any of your readers who are bravely taking part in next year’s Flora London Marathon on April 25 and have an independent place, if they would like to run for Meningitis UK.

Meningitis UK has a single focus – to find a vaccine to eradicate all forms of meningitis. Tragically, meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia continue to affect thousands of people in the UK every year and kill more children under five than any other infectious disease.

Our Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7 million to fund research into finding a vaccine for meningococcal group B, the most common form of meningitis in the UK. This accounts for almost 90 per cent of all cases and there is currently no vaccine.

Everyone who runs for Meningitis UK will be part of the Meningitis Musketeers team, with the motto ‘All 4 One and One 4 All’ – to highlight the devastating fact that meningitis can kill in under four hours and the importance of our Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.

Full support will be given and everyone who participates will receive a free Search 4 a Vaccine running vest or T-shirt, and a handy information pack including hints and tips on how to prepare.

If you would like to take part in the Flora London Marathon and help us achieve our vision, please contact Lauren on 0117 302 6191 for a sponsorship pack.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Lauren Vincent

Events Fundraiser Meningitis UK

Do you have cancer? Do you struggle to pay fuel bills?

Have you been affected by cancer and had trouble paying fuel bills like gas, electricity or oil?

You are not alone, a recent Macmillan survey found that two-thirds of cancer patients struggling financially say paying fuel bills is their biggest money worry.

Macmillan Cancer Support is campaigning for more financial help and guidance for people having difficulty paying fuel bills.

To help us with this campaign we need to hear from you, please tell us about your experiences, either over the phone 01904 756414 or by email jreed@macmillan.org.uk.

Jane Reed

Macmillan Cancer Support, York

Red Cross launches Samoa Tsunami appeal

The Red Cross has launched an appeal for Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, to support people affected by the 8.3 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck on September 29 at 6.48am local time.

Samoa Red Cross and Tonga Red Cross staff and volunteers helped move people away from coastal areas as soon as the tsunami warning was issued and over 200 volunteers have been providing emergency support in the aftermath.

The tsunami devastated a coastal strip of 40 kilometres on Samoa where 40 villages once stood. Thousands of people have lost their homes and livelihoods. The Red Cross is rebuilding lives and getting communities back on their feet. Many people have fled to the hills, scared to return and be near the ocean.

The Red Cross continues to tackle immediate needs by providing food, water, blankets, cooking pots and tarpaulins to those affected, but is now looking ahead to providing safe water until damaged water supply systems are restored, preventing the spread of disease, and reconnecting families who have been separated.

The British Red Cross is one of the charities benefiting from the Disasters Emergency Committee's (DEC) East Asia Appeal currently raising money for Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

Due to the scale of the Red Cross operation in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, the British Red Cross has launched the Samoa Tsunami Appeal specifically to raise funds to help those affected in the region.

Head coach of the Samoan national rugby league team and assistant coach of Super League finalists Leeds Rhinos, Willie Poching, is backing the Samoa Tsunami Appeal and encourages readers to donate and support the life-saving work of the Red Cross.

To donate, visit redcross.org.uk/samoatsunami or call 0845 054 7200.

Mike Goodhand

Head of Disaster Management, British Red Cross