Readers' letters

I WAS saddened to read your front page article that Yeadon Cemetery has once again been disrespected by crowds of plane spotters. To many, this area is now a leisure facility.

This has been going unchecked for decades. In 1986 when Air France’s Concorde landed, the cemetery looked more like a rock stadium than consecrated ground. The problems were allowed to continue.

In the Wharfedale dated 14/8/2014, Leeds council said they would look to increase patrols in the area whenever possible. Evidently, they have not.

I would have thought a huge military Boeing C-17 landing at LBA would have prompted the council to put patrols in place around the cemetery.

Perhaps they didn’t want to ruin the “fun” for people. Anyone in there watching aircraft should have been asked to leave - it is quite simple really.

A cemetery is not a place to: play, let your dog roam, sunbathe, picnic, dump, plane spot, urinate or desecrate. The signs requesting respect on the cemetery wall do not work - the last time I looked, they too had been vandalised.

No sensitive design thinking has ever been put in place to mitigate these misuse issues. Nor is the council interested in ideas from locals; I know, I have tried over the decades. They cannot even police the double yellow lines!

I have lots of family buried there. Many were laid to rest when it was still peaceful and tree-lined. Now it is just an airport annex for “fun”. The double yellow lines are ignored as people drive up there to buy ice creams and blast out their car stereos.

No one should be parked around or in the cemetery, or blocking Haw Lane looking at the planes - these are not “viewing decks”.

Name and address supplied.

‘Viewing area’ call

I, LIKE most right minded people, was horrified to read your front page story about the desecration of graves at Yeadon cemetery last week.

I feel such empathy for the mum, whose infant son is buried there, and can imagine how she must have felt when she found the damage caused by the despicable behaviour of sightseers. My son died when he was five and his grave in Otley Cemetery is a very special place of commemoration and comfort to us.

I hesitate to call the culprits ‘plane spotters’ as I know the true enthusiasts can be found in the viewing area next to the cemetery in all weathers waiting to see that one special plane and they certainly do not behave as if they are ‘at a festival’.

I have joined them on a few occasions when I have been collecting family or friends from the airport and watched their plane land before I make my way to the free parking area to pick them up. They have always been friendly and informative.

It was wonderful to watch the C-17 circling our skies and we have fortunately been able to watch that and the other aircraft from both the RAF and Canadian Air Force from the comfort of our Otley garden, not only last week but over the last few months. I also got some great photos!

I can certainly understand the excitement these planes caused and that we should welcome and applaud the advancements that have been made at our regional airport.

I remember the excitement when my parents took me and my siblings for days out to Yeadon Aerodrome and again when I took my own children to spend many a happy Sunday afternoon in the viewing lounge at the airport. My grandchildren have also enjoyed many visits to view.

There is so much more to see now, but sadly there is no real dedicated viewing area and of course there is the thorny problem of car parking charges.

Maybe it is time that the new airport authority found a way of providing safe and accessible viewing areas for spectators without compromising on security with true ‘spotters’ possibly having a permit area.

I am sure the crews of the aircraft were thrilled with the enthusiasm and excitement their visits created but I am equally sure that they would be deeply shocked and saddened by the behaviour of those who desecrated sacred ground.

Pauline Garner

The Oval,

Otley,

Improve not build

IT seems completely unbelievable that Incommunities are intending to demolish blocks of apartments in Bradford because they can’t achieve 50pc occupancy rates and haven’t for years.

I have also read over the weekend that Bradford’s level of empty houses is in the national ratings, yet we are told because there are insufficient dwellings within the district and for that reason they have to allow building in the green belt here in Wharfedale.

Surely it is time for the government to reintroduce housing improvement grants which are properly policed and not allowed to be abused by the unscrupulous as in the past? Surely these apartments can be made desirable?

Cllr Anne Hawkesworth

(Ind, Ilkley)

Thanks for the help

PLEASE can I take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped stage last weekend’s very successful 209th Otley Show, especially all the stewards and volunteers who have given so much time leading up to and after the show to ensure it ran so smoothly.

Can I also personally thank my husband for his continued support throughout the year and all his hard work, particularly over the show period, plus friends and work colleagues, old and new, who have helped with this year’s show.

Janet M Raw

Show Secretary

Town needs a PA

I WAS at the Old Otliensians winning parade on Sunday which finished in the Market Place. They were given a huge welcome and well deserved congratulations but I, like many others, could not hear the speeches because the temporary PA system they have to use is far from adequate. It it time for the town to invest in a permanent, fit for purpose, PA system that could be used on these very special occasions.

An Otley resident

(Name and address supplied)

Thanks for the votes

I WRITE to thank each and every one of the 1,245 local residents who voted for me as the Green Party candidate in the Leeds City Council elections.

This represents a significant vote for protecting the environment, for the community to enjoy, from excessive housing development and increased traffic congestion. I will continue to work for local people as an existing Otley Town Councillor.

Can I also add that it was great to see the photo in the May 10 edition of the paper of some Ashfield Primary School pupils as wheel ‘spokes’ in a giant bike for the Tour de Yorkshire. Good to see so many children riding and scooting to school in the good weather.

Otley Town Councillor Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield),

Green candidate for the Otley and Yeadon ward in the Leeds City Council elections

Fitness challenge

I REALLY love being active, especially the feeling after and that’s why I’m supporting Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer’s latest fundraising campaign to get sponsored to do 30 minutes of physical activity for 30 days in June.

Step up for 30 is a fantastic way for you to be more physically active to reduce your risk of bowel cancer – the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. This can be anything from yoga, walking in the sunshine (I walk everywhere!) or taking your favourite class at the gym.

Whilst you’re getting fitter and feeling healthier, you’ll be raising money to fund the highest quality research and essential information and support services that will save lives from bowel cancer.

Take on the challenge and sign up here: bowelcanceruk.org.uk/stepupfor30

Gaby Roslin TV and radio presenter