Rumours of bus service cuts are unfounded

I am appalled that there are some irresponsible people out there that are starting these unfounded rumours. Whilst we are always in need of more passengers to ensure the viability of services, there are no service reviews in the pipeline for Metro funded services until next April. I have asked officers to consider the services to the airport at this time, to see if services and be improved for airport connectivity.

As always though I would welcome feedback and comments about bus services in our area. The reinstatement of the 966 has been good news for Yeadon as has the 940 for Otley, as well as the replacement for the old 653 Harrogate-Bradford route which now has more buses and more destinations. I will continue to work hard for public transport provision in our area and throughout West Yorkshire.

Ryk Downes

Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon, and Metro Chairman Forum

Proposal is a more substantive issue

With reference to recent correspondence in your columns, the fact is that both the current MP, Greg Mulholland, and I have strong local credentials and connections. Mr Mulholland moved to Otley when he was elected MP. I’m a Garnett, born and bred locally, and live and work nearby. So let’s move on, because there are more substantive issues to debate.

The real issue is the choice people will have at the next election. The Liberal Democrats are focused on local campaigning, but are unlikely to form a government and are more likely to help Gordon Brown stay where he is. In this respect, the Conservatives present a fresh choice – the opportunity for a new government, helped in this marginal seat through the election of a hard-working local businesswoman, not a professional politician skilled at spin.

The Conservatives are also very clear about the NHS. We want to free the NHS from political interference. So there is a local choice on this issue as well – between the Liberal Democrats who want to get their hands on the Wharfedale and the Conservatives who would prefer it to be run by health care professionals with genuine input from the local community, shaping the services provided for local people.

This is evidenced by Lib Dem proposals for a new forum for the Wharfedale. In their document dated July 28, six members would be Liberal Democrats or members of their SWH campaign versus five health care professionals, only one from the hospital itself. This is not un-substantive. It is very important indeed.

Julia Mulligan

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Leeds North West

Conservation of treasures is crucial

All those people who are rightly spellbound by the revelation of looted Anglo-Saxon gold in a Staffordshire field should make haste to Otley Museum and the Parish Church to marvel at our very own ‘crown jewels’.

The fantastic beasts and symbolic figures of our Saxon and Scandinavian heritage – so recently celebrated by the British Academy in their Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture – is evidence enough of our cultural and ‘well connected’ past.

The proper conservation of such national treasures in a local context is, of course, crucial and precisely why the late Eric Cowling, founder of Otley Museum, was made an honorary citizen by Otley Town Council.

The smashed Staffordshire gold cross with its exhortation: ‘Rise up, O Lord, and may thy enemies be dispersed’ could well have been a peaceful battle cry for Eric’s life work in dispelling the dark ages.

Paul Wood and Christine Dean

Historical Consultants, Otley Museum

An opportunity to expand museum displays

I have to confess to feeling a little ashamed, having lived in Otley for all but three years of my life, I took the opportunity, along with one of my grandchildren, to make my first ever visit to Otley Museum during the recent heritage day. My principal reason for this was a fear that, once it is ousted from the Civic Centre, pictured, it could be some considerable time before the collection sees the light of day.

I have to say, that whilst the collection of artefacts is quite interesting it in no way does justice to the varied and interesting history of our local area. This must be, at least for the large part, due to the very limited space available within the existing rooms.

Additionally I do not think that the museum should concentrate solely on the history of printing machines. Otley is far too interesting historically to be considered simply the birthplace of automated printing, although I recognise this as being one of many very important parts of our history, along with such things as the Thomas Chippendale story, Prince Henry’s Grammar School, The Parish Church, The story of the Irish Fields and the Catholic Church, Otley Bridge . . . I could continue. Whilst I realise that these could not be artefact-related exhibits, many modern museums rely largely on storyboard exhibits and photography to create interesting and varied displays.

I do not know what the situation is with the future home for this museum, but I hope that whoever is holding the purse strings can have the foresight to create something which we can be proud of. It would be a shame to miss this opportunity to create something that would be interesting for local people as well as visitors to this part of Wharfedale.

Mike Norfolk

Otley

People of Leeds should learn from bin strike

It is now four weeks since we have had a refuse collection of any sort in Otley. As far as Leeds is concerned we don’t exist except when it comes to collecting council tax. That is one collection they will not suspend. What they are doing is daylight robbery. Leeds Council is behaving without any regard, conscience or legality and is stubbornly ignoring social fairness and decency with a complete disregard for public health.

The people of Leeds should take this as a warning of what a Conservative, Liberal Democrat or Labour government will bring if we are foolish enough to elect them at the next elections. Leeds Council is acting illegally to both its ratepayers by not providing services for which we have paid and its employees by threatening to cut their pay. The law is suspended and the Establishment is unaccountable. I hope that Leeds people will learn from this lesson.

The stink isn’t coming just from uncollected refuse. It is symptomatic of a much greater problem and comes from the rotting capitalist system that prioritises war, bonuses to bankers, privatisation, whilst closing day centres and cutting and means testing services for elderly and disabled people.

There are other alternatives to Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour. Do not fall for propaganda that uses fear of the unknown to persuade you to vote for any of these. There are other stars in the political universe. Just look and you will see and if there is not a suitable one nearby, resist the temptation to land on the familiar stinking Establishment slagheaps.

Malcolm Naylor

Grange View, Otley

Conservatives appeal for new councillor candidates

After five years serving Guiseley & Rawdon as a Leeds city councillor, John Bale has decided not to seek re-election in May next year due to increasing responsibilities with both his professional organisations and his family. All of us in the local Conservative Party are grateful to John for his service to the party but more importantly to our ward and city.

We must now seek to find a new candidate and we already have several members who are interested but we would not wish to exclude any Conservatives out there who we do not know but who might be just the person we are looking for.

So, if you live in the ward, are a Conservative and would like to be considered we would like to hear from you.

For further information or to apply please send details to our constituency office at Guiseley & Rawdon Conservatives, 249 Low Lane, Horsforth, LS18 5NY or call 293 5533.

Robin Rogers