Opinions of our readers (From Keighley News)

Opinions of our readers

7:56am Thursday 1st November 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

Help send Christmas treats to our troops

Each year since 2003 Support Our Soldiers have sent Christmas parcels to the British troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and on other overseas operations.

Last year, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of individuals, organisations and companies alike, nearly 2,500 parcels were dispatched.

The charity is now embarking on its appeal for 2007 and hopes to be able to send a similar amount this year. The parcels mean much more than a box filled with seasonal goodies - they represent the support and good wishes of the public, and show our brave soldiers that we are thinking about them The organisation has already had a tremendous response from companies donating goods towards the appeal, which means that this year their standard parcel will contain even more items.

These will include a Santa hat, selection box, miniature Christmas cake, nuts, snacks, raisins, candy cane, lollipop, biscuits, hot drink sachet, small jar preserves, chewing gum, socks, toiletry item, tissues, book, notepad, pen, balloon, and an individual gift!

This standard parcel costs just £5 and if anyone would like to make a donation, SOS will fill a parcel on their behalf and post to a serviceman or woman serving overseas.

Individual cards or messages are also welcomed.

Full details about the Xmas Parcel Appeal, including other ways to help, can be found on their website www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk Cheques/postal orders, made payable to Support Our Soldiers, may also be sent to: SOS Xmas Parcel Appeal, PO Box 70, Shipley, West Yorkshire BD18 1YE

KAREN WEBSTER

Back Children in Need

Keighley Town Centre Association in partnership with it's members has organised a fund raising event to support Children in need.

BBC Radio Leeds will be presenting their breakfast show from the Airedale Shopping Centre on Tuesday, November 13, from 9am until noon.

A team from Keighley Cougars will be either rowing or cycling as far as they can against a team from retailers and members of the public.

The Association is keen to involve other companies who might also be having fundraising events for Children in Need, so if you would like to be part of the event please contact Philip Smith the Town Centre Manager, 01535 618085.

Whilst I am writing about Children in Need, readers please do not forget our local campaign this Christmas and bring your present to Santa in the shopping centre from November 22, each Sunday and Thursday evening.

Susan Mendoza Centre Manager

Act on street parking of large vehicles

I believe the time has come to do something about the increasing number of commercial vehicles being parked on residential streets.

The public have tolerated this parking of neighbours and strangers in the day and night time recognising the convenience this is for them to get back to their families and to be ready for early morning calls.

Now this tolerance is being stretched to the limit by the increasing size and height of these vehicles.

With many modern vehicles being the length of a semi-detached house and with heights that stretch almost to - and sometimes above - first floor levels, the environment is completely changed by the presence of them.

However, more importantly and dangerously their width is a major problem. Car drivers parked by them have no chance of seeing vehicles coming from one direction or the other. Their own wing minors do not stretch far enough. They take theirs and other drivers lives in their hands as they try to inch out into the road to start their own journeys.

Also where there are no garages or off street parking, friction can develop as fewer and fewer parking spaces become available. Where there are off street entrances to homes the owners cars have great difficulty seeing traffic when they try to exit from their properties.

Finally the height of the vehicles together with the width gives approaching vehicles no chance of seeing in advance possible problems.

I'm therefore writing to Ann Cryer MP calling on her to back my plea for new legislation to outlaw, (apart from working access) residential street parking for these vehicles.

Additionally I am writing to the Prime Minister. He needs something to make him popular at the moment and I feel action on this matter will be welcomed by the majority of electors.

Let's fill our town's empty night time car parks with these commercial vehicles. There will be sighs of relief from most of the residents who no longer see these large vehicles parked outside their homes.

Come on readers! What do you think? Am I right?

ROBERT BECKWITH Hainworth Wood Road, Keighley

Nasty over rubbish

Which council numbskull thought up the latest scheme to charge householders to empty wheelie bins?

If this ever happens, will we see a reduction in our council tax? I think not. I estimate that the cost of weighing every bin, then invoicing each householder, followed by the inevitable legal proceedings against non payers, and then the ultimate clearing up of fly tipping which would be sure to increase, will cost more than what they could reasonably charge us to empty the bins.

British folk have proved themselves to be pretty nasty when it come to litter rubbish. No Sir, I would rather pay the council to do what they do best and remove my weekly rubbish - which I am happy to pay for in my council tax.

Jens Hislop Haworth

Westminster bedblockers

SIR - The demise of Ming Campbell, largely attributable to his age, raises the question at what age should MPs be required to retire?

Ann Cryer, the sitting MP for Keighley is allegedly older than Sir Ming yet is reported to be prepared to stand again in the next election which could be held as late as 2010 resulting in a parliament which may run until 2015.

If returned, Mrs Cryer would rejoin that band of MPs of all parties known as Westminster bedblockers. If I am correct, she will celebrate her 76th birthday in that same year, 2015.

Civil Servants retire at 60, magistrates at 70, yet MPs who are in the unusual position of determining the level of their remuneration, allowances, pensions etc (and what a splendid job they do here) can apparently cling to their seats without regard to retirement.

Harold Wilson in his resignation speech said "it is time to give others a chance". Is it not time that elderly MPs are required to do just that? The heavens will no doubt continue in their course without parliamentary ancients there to guide them.

I wish Mrs Cryer a long and happy retirement, but as she does not possess the secret of eternal youth, is it not time for her to call it a day?

D Y Smith Hebers Ghyll Drive, Ilkley

• Print
• Email
• Share