Praise for staff at Red Gables Nursing Home

Like other relatives I was surprised and upset to be told that things were changing; however, I do think Queensland Care had realised where their weaknesses were and were addressing the situation prior to any investigations. This side of things is ‘business’ and not entirely what my point is about.

I would like to praise the staff for the care that is given, the tireless and at times thankless task they face each day and never once have they weakened through this difficult time.

The manager has always been there when I needed information and help with future plans without hesitation. She has been exposed to verbal abuse to the point that I’m sure many people would have walked away from, but still she remained strong and supportive to her team.

The senior care staff are a pleasure to speak to; they have worked extra hours and been in on their days off to attend meetings with the Social Services team who also couldn’t speak highly enough of them.

If relatives arrive at lunchtime they are offered a hot meal to have with their loved ones and always made very welcome.

The entertainment/marketing manager provides a variety of fun entertainers and enjoyable outings and all the staff work hard raising money for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s charities. I know things have been very difficult for families but given that we have to move on I think it’s time to appreciate what the staff have coped with, praise their efforts and respect the personal upset that they have also been through. They are a very friendly, caring team with a good leader who will ensure they go from strength to strength.

Beverley Lee, Burley-in-Wharfedale

Vitally important we get a study into development

Last week’s (April 17) news item “Experts could see if town can cope with new homes” reports on what is a significant first step towards the goal of appropriate and sustainable development for Otley.

A formal impact assessment of the combined effect of the planned development sites on the town’s overloaded infrastructure, with a commitment to make appropriate upgrades, is one of the objectives of The ODD Campaign. The other objectives are reconsideration of the Leeds Local Development Framework (as this relates to Otley), brownfield sites developed prior to greenfield sites, well-designed sustainable housing in a sustainable town and the delivery of meaningful levels of affordable housing.

The ODD campaign recently received cross-party support from Otley Town Council. The town council’s commitment to seek funding for an impact assessment report on the consequences of the planned 20 per cent more housing is welcome evidence of this support. It is vitally important for the future of Otley that an appropriate study takes place.

Residents are urged to support the town council in their efforts to secure funding for such a study. While real progress has been made, much more remains to be done!

The ODD campaign is now redirecting its lobbying from the town council to the city council, both to help secure funding for the study and to progress the other objectives.

It is vitally important that this activity is backed up by as many signatures as possible on our petition.

This is now available for signature in the Otley Core Resource Centre in Orchard Gate. For more information, visit otleydevelopmentdisgrace.webs.com or e-mail oddcampaign@gmail.com.

Alastair Watson, Otley

We oppose this decision on school bus transport

I was very disappointed with the decision taken by Bradford Council on Tuesday, April 8, to withdraw discretionary funding for free school bus transport from some of the children residing in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Councillor Jackie Whiteley and I attended that meeting and spoke in favour of the discretionary funding continuing, but to no avail. I believe this is extremely unfair and, as Coun Whiteley has publicly stated, is mean-spirited of Bradford Council. I am pleased to say that Councillor Dale Smith has registered a call-out against this decision, on the grounds of ‘unfairness’, which will be heard at a meeting to be held in public by the Child Services Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, May 6, at City Hall. It is my intention to be present, along with our councillors, and to support this call-out on behalf of the parents of the affected children, as all children should be entitled to receive the same consideration.

In the meantime, may I ask your readers to support me in opposing this unnecessary discrimination by signing my on-line petition at epetition.bradford.public-i.tv/epetition_core/community/petition/2674 May I thank everyone for their support so far.

Gerry Barker, Conservative candidate, Wharfedale Ward (Burley & Menston)

Where are 50,000 visitors going to spend a penny?

Apart from the coldness of its water, Spa town Ilkley was known for the strong diuretic properties of the wonderful liquid.

Media publications suggest the town is to expect around 50,000 visitors in the not-too-distant future.

According to the act for the removal of human waste, councils are not morally required to offer such services.

However, with the proposed influx of 50,000 people it would be most immoral for them to expect such numbers to use just three public inconveniences, when previously the town had 13.

I use that term as it has come to my ear that folk in wheelchairs are having problems accessing them.

Residents and visitors of Ilkley know there are other inconveniences which remain closed to those crossing their legs, namely at the Winter Gardens, which bureaucrats deem to remain shut. Neighbouring pubs and other establishments cannot be expected to have the hordes descend on them to spend a penny, or whatever it is these days. I doubt portaloos would offer much assistance either. Cost was given for them being closed.

Considerable money is taken in parking charges; I see no reason for some not to go towards their upkeep. Likewise that of the Manor House. Other councils are already looking at this way of financing their loos. Why not Ilkley?

Frazer Irwin, Ilkley

I must support councillors who work on local issues

I was astonished to read an article in last week’s Ilkley Gazette and Observer by Councillor Chris Greaves of the Wharfedale Ward, saying he was disillusioned and was stepping down as our local councillor.

How can Councillor Greaves be expected to represent the people of the ward when he is out of touch with the local community?

I fail to understand how any Independent councillor can exert any local influence if they are not part of a larger group, working actively as a member of a larger and stronger local team.

I feel I must support our current local Conservative councillors who work really hard on local issues and rally support to their campaigns. The Conservatives have and continue to speak out against unsustainable housing development in our area and have championed other local causes, such as saving the Children’s Centre and opposing the withdrawal of funding for children’s free school transport. Surely it’s far better to be active within a larger and more cohesive group than a lone outsider.

Bob Felstead, resident of Wharfedale Ward

Thanks to everyone who spared me a nightmare!

So much bad press is around about the British police when I’ve always considered them en masse to be the best in the world. But to cut a long story short, I managed to leave my purse sitting on the 20.02 from Leeds to Ilkley in a fit of both tiredness and utter stupidity.

The disaster registered as I was halfway home in a taxi, so I got my taxi man to do a quick turnaround back to Ilkley Station, only to find ‘my train’ and my purse were heading off on what became the 20.40 to Bradford. Hey, ho, here we go, I thought, £11 in my purse not such a big deal; but all those cards to be cancelled. I was, however, in luck.

Guardian angels appeared, aka PCs Andy and Linden who were there on duty, perhaps thinking they might just have a quiet Wednesday night until I came along.

Between the two of them and numerous phone calls and good humour, they managed to track the purse down in Baildon Station, and with the help of the Northern Rail guys, got it sent to Skipton for safe-keeping until the next day. That avoided having to cancel those wretched cards, and I could live with the idea of the X84 to Skipton the next morning. But even more luck came my way.

My lovely neighbour, Ian Robinson and friend from All Saints, insisted on taking me to Skipton by car on what amounted to be a cold, damp, foggy morning, and so we celebrated over a nice cup of coffee in a nice coffee shop.

So many people helped in the end, some of whom, like the train guard, I don’t even know. But to the police who did all the ringing around and spared me the worst nightmare of a job – I just want to say thanks guys, and enjoy the biscuits! I’ll try and keep my head in gear next time, practise a bit of Buddhist mindfulness, and keep my purse in my bag.

Una Barry, Ilkley (soprano)

Who will act for us to stop this noxious stink in the air?

Easter in Yeadon and surrounding areas was spoiled for many people by a noxious stink which pervaded everywhere. Walking in the countryside or around the Tarn, visiting the cemetery, sitting out in the fresh air, gardening, hanging out washing to dry and even sleeping with the window open was not possible for anyone with even a limited sense of smell. This is not the first time either – it happens often, especially at holiday times and when the weather is nice.

There must be some legal way to stop it, a human rights law, perhaps, that protects our right to enjoyment of fresh air in our own homes, or a caring politician perhaps itching for re-election.

Would it be perhaps a thoughtful farmer who pays attention to DEFRA’s guidelines on wind direction and nearby communities when slurry spreading or by chance a responsible landowner who has a duty of care?

Surely there is something that can be done, surely among all the officials we pay to protect our environment there is someone who can help.

Or is it too selfish of us to want to enjoy fresh and healthy-smelling springtime air.

Mrs C Schofield, Yeadon

Our pockets are emptied twice in unstable situation

I find the foodbank situation most distressing and disgraceful as we are called upon to give aid to those in poverty.

I associate such actions with the horrors of a famine in Somalia where food relief is given. However, this is the UK – and local too, because Ilkley as of last year opened up its own food bank.

Our MP Kris Hopkins recently defended Government cuts to the welfare system by saying that they “stopped a cycle of dependency.” Well hold on, aren’t foodbanks making people more dependent on others?

Foodbanks are paid for by us on top of the taxes we pay to the Government, so we are having our pockets emptied twice in an unstable economic climate.

When is this Government and our MP going to realise that these policies don’t work and that they only magnify the issues of poverty? This Government should be held to account.

Simon Osler, Ilkley

I intend to present myself to the electorate in 2016

Can I put Sandy McPherson’s fears to rest and scotch any rumours that I intend to retire from Council in 2016? Two years is a long time. However, at the present time I intend to present myself to the Ilkley electorate in 2016. I have no wish nor need to ‘retire.’

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley, Bradford Council)