From L Roger Livesey, Menston

WE hear a lot about the disadvantages of the pandemic but little of the advantages. One of the latter is surely the increased value of local newspapers, which must not be forgotten after the pandemic is over.

I look forward, each morning to the on-line update from the Gazette (and Wharfedale Observer), and to the paper itself. Let’s hope when the pandemic is over the office for the paper is moved back into Wharfedale, not Airedale (Skipton) as it is now.

It doesn’t need to be in a high-priced location like Ilkley; there are now plenty of cheaper possibilities in the Wharfe Valley where it would be welcomed and help the truly local economy.

Why do we need local papers? Where else would you get to see easily a collection of photos of Ilkley past - fascinating; where else can you get coverage of truly local issues; where else can you get good coverage of success stories such as ‘Like Nana Did’ in Otley, which I would not have known about otherwise? What is more, an extension of the local airport, apart from the general bad effect on the environment, increased number of flights will have the most deleterious effects on Wharfedale.

L Roger Livesey

Menston