Shedding floods of tears

One car ended up in a tree by the road and another hundreds of yards downstream. Where once was a mature garden, now there is only a mass of boulders and debris. We have shed some tears of sadness and frustration at the devastation, but we were not injured and the house still stands (albeit full of silt).

But we have also shed tears of gratitude for those (and there have been many) who have helped us and continue to help us at this difficult time. The neighbours and sister who mopped, cleaned, provided drinks and a steadying shoulder, including one who had been flooded herself and never mentioned her own plight. The farmers and contractors who provided machinery and expertise to move debris and remove our car from its dangerous perch in a tree. The contractors who dropped everything to respond to an emergency text and are working hard to restore some normality. Askwith Village School which delivered a beautiful colourful planter, the food box from the Parish, the cards particularly from those who have suffered severe flooding themselves, and the cakes, biscuits and flowers from neighbours and friends, and even from anonymous passers-by.

It has helped us so much to have the support of these wonderful people, and hope that through your newspaper you can pass on our sincere thanks.

Patrick and Anita Walker

Sundial Farm, Askwith

Clock is ticking on future of Otley Museum

Otley Town Council wants to see a bigger, better, modern and accessible museum, centrally located, open bank holidays and weekends and telling the history of our town to our children and visitors.

Last week’s letter from Paul Wood and Christine Dean outlines the museum’s problems which became apparent at least 15 months ago and are the reason why discussions have been taking place between the museum management and the council.

Resulting from those discussions, the council commissioned a feasibility study which, whilst commenting positively on a national museum of printing, has centrally concluded that a museum of the above type is feasible and that work on a detailed business plan should start immediately.

The letter from Paul Wood and Christine Dean points to the closure of the museum and the breaking up of its collections. I am strongly of the opinion that these collections are not the museum’s history to dispose of at their will. They comprise the history of Otley and the museum is the present custodian of it. If for any reason the museum management feel they can not continue with their custodianship or management of it into the new, bigger and better era, I believe they should ask the council to take responsibility immediately on behalf of the town, whose history is at stake.

The clock has been ticking for 15 months; every week of further delay makes the situation more critical. We continue to await the museum’s plan of action and remain ready to assist on the difficult road to a bigger and better museum.

Jim Spencer

Thorn Croft, Burras Lane, Otley

Advice and practical support for all businesses

In the current difficult economic times, it is heartening to hear how local resident Jackie Whitely has fought back from the most difficult of circumstances to create Strulch, a genuinely creative and original business with a unique product (Wharfedale Observer, June 25).

Setting up a new business is difficult at the best of times, and many who will be considering it today may be put off by the current economic climate, the astonishing amount of red tape, or the uncertainty of not knowing whether their idea will succeed.

Many existing small businesses in Wharfedale will also be wondering whether they will survive the recession.

However, current and potential business owners should take heart. In addition to support available locally from the organisations such as Burley and District Chamber of Trade, Bradford Kickstart can provide both the advice and practical support that all businesses need to succeed. So far, take up of funding and advice has been low from Wharfedale businesses.

I would encourage any local business to visit bradfordkickstart.com and find out about the support available.

Matt Palmer

Councillor for Wharfedale Ward, City of Bradford MDC

Peel Place, Burley-in-Wharfedale

Service-users need team-based care, not IT

Leeds Council’s social services department has been exposed for wasting £483,000 of public money on a failed digipen scheme and a major investigation should be carried out into the management incompetence of the executive and political ineptitude of the controlling Conservative and Liberal Democrat Councillors. This should be treated as seriously as the MPs’ expenses scandal.

Digipens, which were introduced to monitor the movement of care workers who assist the elderly and disabled at home, have now been scrapped and replaced by electronic rostering. This is not for improving care but a time and motion technique to cut overtime and the number of carers employed.

The public should consider that: 1 The wasted £483,000 comes from the public purse whether or not it was funded from grants.

2 Leeds social services are delivering poorer services than ever before as revealed by an investigation by the Commission for Social Services Inspection.

3 Leeds continues to spend money on madcap schemes, overpaid managers and consultants who have no experience of caring.

4 Leeds needs more carers who know what the job entails.

5 It is not IT that’s needed. Computers don’t give care.

6 The money wasted could have funded increases in the number of people receiving care and reduced means-tested charges.

Electronic rostering means that service-users will get a service delivered not by a regular carer who understands their care plan and is familiar with their needs but any carer who happens to be available and whom the service-user will have to instruct. Those who are unable to do this will receive a poorer service. A team-based system is needed where carers organise rostering themselves.

The social services directorate makes arbitrary decisions and councillors choose to go along with them against the wishes of the electorate and in defiance of consultation. If Leeds wishes to improve services it must start by cutting overpaid managers, employ more carers, and stop the executive from acting with one eye on meaningless awards from self-interested organisations.

Malcolm Naylor

Grange View, Otley

Carol Brown

Hennor conner Crescent, Leeds

Not against a bridge, but is it really what people want?

What happened to those outspoken Burley folk I knew? Are they, like Canute, hoping the Bridge Association will wash away in the next flood?

The Mill Dam area is a unique part of Wharfedale’s industrial heritage. As such, it should be kept that way, long with the ancient ford which, so I understand from fellow horse riders, is now blocked to those wishing to cross the river by this route. Also the current control barrier so often quoted, wrongly as it happens, as being stepping stones. Six times in their latest publicity sheet. Why the Bridge Association continue to call them such, when anyone with a bit of sense knows stepping stones stand upright, not laid on their sides?

Why do the Bridge Association never acknowledge Burley’s former footbridge across the river? D Roe (Letters, June 25) makes it very plain what will happen if their latest carbuncle gets planning permission. I’ll take it a step further. Already visitors have shown what they think of Ilkley’s country and riverside. How long before the same happens in Askwith, the so-called Nidderdale ANB, Weston and Denton? How long before their rural aspects give way to footpaths, lampposts, speed bumps and all the other attributes of urban living? How long before house prices crash on the north side of the river?

Last week’s flooding should be a warning to all who meddle with nature in Wharfedale. I’m not against a bridge at Burley if that’s what Askwith and Burley residents realy want. However, I am against the position the Bridge Association have chosen.

Frazer Irwin

Queens Road, Ilkley