I would like to thank all those who attended the Annual Parish Meeting on May 1, at the Memorial Hall.

The Parish Council has had another busy year, being involved in many projects, including responding on behalf of the village to Bradford’s Local Plan, working with ‘The Tour Addingham 2014’ committee to prepare for the many visitors that will come to the village for the Tour de France, including looking at parking and traffic issues. We have also been working with the Civic Society on many issues including the placing of blue plaques on buildings of heritage in the village.

The parish council continues to support the Garden Friends and work with other community groups such as the cricket club, supporting them by allowing them to use the William Hoffman Wood field for cricket nets.

We also supported the Christmas market organised by Totally Locally and the Christmas lights switch-on, which was a wonderful success.

The parish council have continued to supported ‘Heartstart’ with most of the councillors receiving training for the use of the increased number of defibrillators in the village this year.

I would also like to extend my thanks for the continuing support of my fellow councillors and the PC clerk, and thank them all for the unpaid work that they do on the parish council.

We have a lot of work ahead of us to address with the impending cutbacks planned by Bradford.

I am confident that as we move forward we will have to take on many more responsibilities from Bradford.

By acting now and addressing the proposed cuts and working with our neighbouring councils I hope that we can maintain the present services and keep the village as a picturesque place that we are proud of.

Catherine Coates, chairman of Addingham Parish Council

Council must implement the Care Bill effectively

Many people worry about what will happen when they or their relatives need support with everyday activities.

Deaf-blind people, for example, use social care support to get out and about and to communicate with others. Social care is vital for all of us. But the care system is at breaking point.

The Care Bill, which will come into force in April 2015, is a good opportunity to change this. It recognises the importance of preventing needs increasing, of providing information and advice and making sure that people’s needs are properly assessed and met.

The council must take every possible step to implement the Care Bill effectively. Doing so must be a top priority for those standing in the local election and for the whole council throughout the coming year.

Liz Little, Wharncliffe Road, Shipley

Mike’s knowledge of local railways is second-to-none

I am grateful for your many correspondents and indeed fellow residents in Ilkley who have contacted me directly regarding dating the archive photograph published in your edition of February 14.

I am particularly grateful to Professor Mike Dixon, whose knowledge of railways locally is second to none. Indeed his recent talk at Christchurch in Ilkley on the Ilkley to Bolton Abbey line was a sell-out.

I think we can now safely say that you can annotate the photograph “A view showing Brook Street looking West circa 1970/1973”.

This sort of photographic archaeology is becoming more common as organisations digitise their archives, so please keep the archive photographs coming and let us help you if we can.

Peter Settle, Mendip House Gardens, Ilkley

Be part of action for Tour and be a hub volunteer

As the UK gets set to once again welcome the Tour de France to our shores Marie Curie Cancer Care, the official charity partner of the Tour de France Grand Départ, is encouraging the people of Ilkley to be part of the action and volunteer and become collectors at the official Tour de France supporter hubs. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only get close to the action and see some cycling greats, but also be raise vital funds for the charity.

Marie Curie Nurses provide free care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes and in the Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford.

Supporting the Tour is about getting everyone in the community involved, so come down and help Marie Curie put on the biggest party Ilkley has even seen.

If anyone would like to register to take part, it couldn’t be simpler. Just visit mariecurie.org.uk/tourdefrance or contact the local fundraising office on (01274) 337017. 

Sharon Link, fundraising manager, Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford

A wonderful gesture that made happy memories

A massive thank you to the fair organisers Marshalls Amusements, who gave the LS29 Group free ride wristbands for children with special needs and their siblings on Sunday afternoon.

Over 60 children came along and were a complete joy to watch. It was wonderful gesture and made some very happy memories for families.

The LS29 group is all about children with special needs having good times together as a family and trying new activities in our community in an inclusive environment. Sunday afternoon was all of those things!

Particular thanks to Darren and Deana, a seventh generation Marshalls family, Andrew Stacey from the Ilkley Carnival Committee, and the ride operators, all of whom were welcoming and helpful.

The LS29 Group are honoured to be the main beneficiary of this year’s carnival. We are already seeing more interest from local families due to the publicity generated by Approach PR. The funds raised will be used to create good family experiences, decrease isolation and build up the mutual support that parents of children with special needs find so vital. As important as the funds though, is the feeling that our local community understands that raising a child with disabilities is fun, but also has more challenges for both parents and siblings. We are lucky to live in such an environment – thanks to everyone for your support.

Vicki Street, Nicola Scourfield, Rachael Edwards, Debbie Harris and Karen Goodman, trustees of LS29 Group, ls29group.co.uk

No surprise 130,000 more school places are needed

It comes as no surprise that an extra 130,000 primary school places are needed within three years.

Uncontrolled migration/immigration is to blame and it is causing huge problems in some areas, with class sizes rules being over ruled and children not being able to attend their first choice. Pupils are the victims of this problem and that is unfair for all of them.

Levels of immigration have been grossly underestimated and that on-going situation needs addressing urgently.

Trouble is, our hands are tied while we remain members of the EU. For the sake of our children we must get out.

Jane Collins, prospective UKIP MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincs