SIR, - In the future management of Ilkley Moor it is important that the people of Ilkley have a say in the decisions that are made. Many people believe that Ilkley Moor was given to the people of Ilkley by the Middelton family.

But on June 29, 1893, Ilkley Board purchased the Moor from Marmaduke Middelton for the princely sum of £13,500. That would work out well over a million pounds in today's terms.

The money was paid in instalments over a period of 50 years. According to David Carpenter in his book, Ilkley the Victorian Era' the sale included the whole of Ilkley Moor, Silver Well, Panorama Rocks and Hebers Ghyll 2,062 acres in all.

About that time the well-known preacher from Ilkley, the Reverend Robert Collyer, was in America and wrote back with enthusiasm at the news: "This is brave news you sent me overseas about the purchase of the moors and upland pastures by and for Ilkley through all time.

"It is the best investment the town has ever made; Ilkley need only guard wisely what she has taken into her own keeping."

The management plan for Ilkley Moor is excellent and thorough in dealing with conservation of the ecology and archaeology and in dealing with public access and footpaths.

Danny Jackson and Richard Perham are doing a fine job in their task on the moor on the repair of footpath erosion and provision of gates and stiles, for examply, and I have seen some of their work in progress at the offices in Shipley but all on a shoestring.

I believe they should continue the good work they are doing with their long experience, but with the assistance of more funding, so that things such as bracken control, toilet facilities and car parking can be dealt with efficiently.

I support Bob Tilley's suggestion of a Friends of Ilkley Moor group which could raise funds and liaise with the council.

I believe that the future of the moor should stay in local hands, and that this would be the best way of moving forward.

The setting up of a Friends of Ilkley Moor group would also give a feeling that the moor was more in the control of the people of Ilkley, and that local residents could do something to help. The moor should never be given away.

David Leather, Woodlands, Panorama Drive, Ilkley.

Trust the Trust

SIR, - Your feature last week (Fears widespread over moor future) contained a remark by the tenants of White Wells claiming that bracken was a desirable feature of moorland.

Bracken is not an endangered species and does not have a scarcity value. The real point is that 80 per cent of the world's upland heather moors are located in Britain and in the case of Ilkley Moor it is precisely the advance of bracken which threatens this special heather-dominant habitat.

The feature omitted to report on my proposal at the public meeting that management of the Moor should be taken over by the National Trust. There was good support for this idea at the meeting.

I believe that the National Trust would save the Moor. They have vast experience in land management throughout the country and - importantly - have access to appropriate funding.

Such a move would take the issue out of the political arena and secure our heritage for the future. Residents volunteering donations to the National Trust would be sure they would be properly spent in maintaining the landscape.

The parish council has invited residents to make their views known. I would urge all readers who support the National Trust idea to write or e-mail to the Clerk to the Parish Council or telephone on (01943) 436212.

Ken Cooke, 14 Wheatley Road,Ben Rhydding,Ilkley.

Buildings fear

SIR, - Regarding the future management of Ilkley Moor, I am very concerned that the right decision is made by Bradford Council and Ilkley Parish Council about two buildings which are part of Ilkley Moor - whose future is uncertain.

Silver Well Cottage, in its extensive grounds just off the Keighley Road, was until fairly recently occupied by the old Ilkley Moor Ranger. It is now empty.

It is vital that appropriate and unobtrusive use is made of this property in keeping with the moor's status as an SSSI and an EU Protection Area.

The redundant water works building opposite Wells House is another feature on the moor which needs careful management. Please let's not introduce too much road/path surfacing, too many visually obtrusive signs, more interpretive boards into this sensitive area on the moor side of Wells Road.

Cafes, toilets and any other amenities (daffodil planting?) that people can't manage without should be on the town side of Wells Road.

Let's keep our moor as wild as possible!

Midge Leather, Woodlands,Panorama Drive, Ilkley.

Manage properly

SIR, - I couldn't help but feel that fate was intervening this week when a clearance of old papers yielded an article Purple Haze' from the magazine Yorkshire Life.

Having listened to the modern, over the top, solutions proposed at the recent meeting (will cost £70,000 to spray etc). as though everything needs doing at once, and in particular the fact that cutting the bracken leaves dead stems underneath where nothing will grow' I feel I can do no better than quote from the text of the article.

"It is extremely important that the heather is managed by a combination of grazing and rotational burning, otherwise it grows into a dense mass of long woody stems which prevents it from supporting wildlife and is very difficult to walk through.

"The controlled burning of small areas at different times means that there is a combination of young and old heather plants."

We do not want our precious moor turning into a tourist attraction' when that route will destroy other aspects of our town. We want it properly managing as Urban Common as was done in the past by the local authority and should be so done in the future.

Barbara Cussons, 4 Curly Hill,Ilkley.

Protecting dogs

SIR, - It looks like the heat wave is back again, and Dogs Trust would like to remind you that summer is here in full force and that means we all have to be careful in the heat.

You may not realise it but dog owners need to take extra care at summer time, even when it's overcast, as dogs can easily overheat. Tips for keeping your canine companion cool and happy when the temperature sky rockets include:

  • Keep a water bottle and a drinking bowl with you at all times. Dogs dehydrate very easily.
  • Keep your dog in the shade or indoors at the height of the day
  • Cover any pale skin on your dog's ears, nose or belly with a strong sun block as even pooches can burn
  • In a real emergency, submerge your dog's body in cold water to bring down his core body temperature wet towels aren't enough!
  • And whatever you do, don't leave dogs in hot cars, even when it's overcast and even with the windows down.

It's getting hot out there, but with our tips in mind we're sure you and your favourite pooch will enjoy the summer sunshine as much and as safely as possible.

Eleanor Silk, Head of Communications, Dogs Trust.

Bridge too far

SIR, - Once again I agree with Dina Roe (a bridge too far, June 29) on the matter of a river crossing at Burley-in-Wharfedale.

When will the Burley Bridge Association (BBA) understand Burley's industrial heritage? More to the point stop feeding the public dubious propaganda.

The picture in last week's Gazette clearly shows a current control barrier not, as Burley Bridge Association is trying to convince folk, stepping stones.

If there had been a need or want for them in years past, landowners bordering the river would have put them in. Such a need wasn't there, this was taken by the ancient ford, just below the current control barrier.

Why is it so difficult for the Burley Bridge Association and the ramblers to accept this fact? Equally, there used to be a bridge across the river at Burley downstream of the ford.

I submit instead of sending questionnaires they erect temporary suggestion boxes either side of the crossing. We would soon see how many are really wanting to use it.

Frazer Irwin, Deaconess Court,Ilkley.

Bloom thanks

SIR, -Following the visit of the Yorkshire in Bloom judges on Tuesday the Ilkley in Bloom Committee would like to thank all those who worked so hard towards this the volunteers who litter picked in the rain on Sunday; the businesses whose colourful floral displays brighten up the town; the many residents who help in a variety of ways throughout the year, and Bradford Council's parks and landscape department who give Ilkley tremendous support.

The results of the competition will be announced in the middle of September.

Kate Brown, Secretary of Ilkley in Bloom,12 Goodwood, Ilkley.