SIR, - Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Some people really do miss the point don't they?

They ignore the wider argument and latch on to one little sentence that they find pertinent to themselves. As well as disgust' being my general and preferred demeanour, it was intended for the computer service (note that I complimented the staff) at Ilkley library, not for the concept of shopping locally.

I merely illustrated the personal inconvenience that the constant network failure causes. I know that I am not the only Ilkley resident to voice such annoyance.

Now it is no wonder that your two correspondents ( November 15, Gazette) are able to wander around the local shops. Anyone who is able to write into you complaining about a letter clearly has plenty of time on their hands.

I long for the time that I am able to do this. Hoorah for local shops' say I, Three cheers for local diversity' is my cry.

However some of us are in full-time employment, toiling away, paying our taxes and unable to shop at will. We request little in return from our contribution to society save for an hour or so's subsidised access to a functioning internet.

Is that too much to ask for in a civilised land? No Sir, it is not Sir. I maintain that I am correct to remain

Disgusted of Ilkley - Full address supplied

Giving up meat

SIR, - Wave after wave of diseases continue to break out on British farms. Bird flu, foot and mouth, bluetongue and bovine TB are most current, but in the background are continuing worries about salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter and swine fever.

The common theme? The callous mass production and processing' of millions of sentient animals.

It is naive to imagine that we can incarcerate animals inside crowded, filthy factory farms without them suffering a high level of infectious diseases. Turkeys are kept, from days after birth, in windowless sheds - thousands packed together, standing in their own filth. Many will die during the brief growing cycle, rotting where they fall.

These animals never see the light of day or smell fresh air but are deprived of everything that makes life tolerable. Disease, broken bones and heart attacks are commonplace.

There is a solution: go meat-free. Animal Aid has free delicious Christmas recipes for anyone sick of animal suffering and wishing to have a merry, healthy and compassionate Christmas.

Contact kate@animalaid.co.uk or call 01732 364546.

Kate Fowler-Reeves - Animal Aid, The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1AW.

Bad conduct claim

SIR, - Having read your centre page feature on Remembrance Services across the area, (Monday 12th November), I felt I must share my extreme disgust at the conduct of certain members of our congregation at the Remembrance Service in Menston Parish Church.

This Service has been a hallowed pilgrimage throughout my life. For both my husband, retired long service member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces and myself, the occasion was completely ruined by the inappropriate behaviour of young children in Cub Scout uniform who chose to 'vocalise' during the two-minutes silence.

The adult in charge of these boys made absolutely no attempt whatsoever to quell them, giving them the unspoken message that it's no big deal to speak at that crucial time. The noise continued for many seconds. I understand this was the continuation of a previous fracas at the Menston Cenotaph.

I do realise that children must not nowadays be gainsaid. However, they were not babies (whose cries could be excused, had there been any). They are old enough to be taught the difference between acceptable and inappropriate behaviour on occasions such as these. Surely the Pack Leader sitting beside them could have found some means of gentle persuasion?

Surely some admonitions were made at their last Cub Meeting prior to the parade? If not, why not? These children should not have been allowed to continue in procession to the Church, and are a disgrace to their uniform.

Mrs Elizabeth M Sharp - The Gables', 48 Bradford Road, Menston.

Impact of cancer

SIR, - The shocking impact that cancer can have on someone's life at work is this week being highlighted by the charity Macmillan Cancer Support. As the UK's leading children's cancer charity, CLIC Sargent is happily backing this project.

CLIC Sargent wants to ensure that people caring for someone with cancer also have full rights at work. When a child is first born, parents are entitled to time off and other rights. But when a child has cancer and needs their parents most, such rights are not on offer.

In a survey of families, we found that parents caring for children with cancer are missing out at work: many resort to using their own holiday allowance or sick leave to care for their sick child; and some parents have had to give up work altogether.

Some employers have shown their courage in supporting parents caring for children with cancer, but others struggle to find practical ways of doing so.

Taking this into account, we have developed a package of advice and practical tips for employers to themselves help reduce uncertainty for their organisation and for their employees.

Organisations which support carers at work can find there are wider benefits for them, including increased productivity, reduced sick leave, and increased staff retention.

CLIC Sargent is hoping to attend the CBI's annual conference next week. By talking directly to business leaders, we hope to show them how they can support their employees if they are affected by cancer.

The Government should lend its support to these businesses and their staff through its forthcoming Carers Strategy, so that all parents caring for a child with cancer can expect planned, paid leave and an entitlement to a career break.

Dr Carole Easton - Chief Executive, CLIC Sargent, Griffin House, 161 Hammersmith Road, London W6 8SG.

Is land leasehold?

SIR, - Reading your article about the water filter station sale, I wonder that, as the Moor is Common Land belonging to the people of Ilkley, we will be safe in assuming that both in this case and that of Silver Well Cottage the developers/owners will be on leasehold land beholden to the Bradford Metropolitan Council who took over the moor on our behalf?

B J Cussons - 4 Curly Hill, Ilkley.

Help the children

SIR, - I would like to make a special appeal to your readers, to invite them to make a difference at Christmas by holding a special Christmas Cheer' event, in order to raise money for The Children's Trust, a national charity which provides care, education and therapy for children with multiple disabilities ad complex health needs.

To help you organise your very own special party, The Children's Trust can provide you with invitations, posters, leaflets, collection boxes and balloons. To find out more, simply call Sarah on 01737 365019, or email: scure@thechildrenstrust.org.uk. To find out more about The Children's Trust, visit: www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Sarah Cure - Fundraising Department, The Children's Trust.