Family distressed after sentencing

Last week’s Keighley News gave front page coverage to the sentencing of Duane Bellamy and included comments from us.

As a result of that article several members of Mr Bellamy's family have been in touch with us to express their anger and distress at the coverage.

They have concerns regarding the circumstances of the initial incident and consequent prosecution which cannot be discussed here, and we hope they will take professional advice regarding these.

However the various conversations we had did give us an insight into the anguish and backlash that family members experience when a loved one is, as a result of a court case and criminal conviction, exposed to what they perceive as a ‘witch hunt’ by the media.

We have re-read our comments several times and shown them to professional colleagues and friends and feel they were measured. However in the context of the overall article and the other printed comments from local councillors we do understand why the family feel aggrieved and we are saddened at the additional distress the article caused them.

The family are not only upset by the outcome of the court case but also at the bullying and harassment of other family members as a result of the publicity the case has attracted.

COUNCILLORS JAN SMITHIES and ADRIAN FARLEY, Keighley West

Appeal to help fight station closure plan

I’m sure you are aware of the intended closure of Haworth Fire Station.

This along with the removal of a fire appliance from Keighley will mean much longer attendance times for the whole of the Worth Valley. Fire officers have said that we are a “very low risk” area.

If someone is unfortunate to have a house fire in Haworth, Oxenhope or Stanbury, they will be waiting for around 15 minutes for the first fire engine to arrive, that is if the crews can locate the fire if it is out of the way as they will not be familiar with the area. Given that a house fire doubles in size every minute this is very scary.

West Yorkshire Fire Service have said that as we don’t have many fires in this area they can remove our fire engines. One day we will have a serious fire and lives and property will be lost.

Even if this is not for 10 years it still does not mean we do not require the protection of a fire appliance in our area. A fire can happen at any time, anywhere.

To prove this point a firefighter had to call 999 to attend a fire at his own home due to an electrical fault! The fire crew from Haworth attended this incident. If this fire had not been discovered when it was, or the family had to wait for fire crews from Keighley, this could have been a very serious incident.

A fire can happen in anyone’s home, even someone as fire safety conscious as a firefighter.

There is a facebook group and twitter account that have been set up to save Haworth station that are encouraging the public to email their concerns to MP Kris Hopkins and the fire service consultation email – consultation@westyorksfire.gov.uk.

Campaigners are working hard to raise awareness and any help would be greatly appreciated.

PAUL CROMPTON, Victoria Road, Haworth

Local author’s book is due out on Kindle

A letter appeared in last Thursday’s Keighley News which, while highly praising a work of mine, The Circle Of Everlasting Life, indicated that it was now available on Amazon’s Kindle at this moment as a download.

Sorry, but not at present!

The person who wrote such praise had randomly been issued a hardback manuscript copy to read as had others, in both England and Scotland, and then invited to make comments and observations on the contents.

I am pleased to state that the work is now editorially finalised and hopefully is to be presented by Kindle within the next 14 days.

No public hard copy is at present available to purchase, a situation which is under review.

DAVID SAMUELS, Highcroft Gardens, Thwaites Brow

Plea for a safe route up to beauty spot

When are the powers that be going to lay a footpath plus cycle path leading up to the tarn?

All the main routes up to the top of Black Hill have a footpath which allows families and walkers a safe, enjoyable walk.

Then they have to take a big risk over the last mile to arrive at the beauty spot.

There has been lots of near misses and accidents on the three-quarters of a mile.

Is it going to take a fatal accident to bring the powers that be to act?

I drive up to the tarn every day with my wife for a stroll around.

Last week I saw a prominent sports person just miss getting killed as he was running up to the tarn.

The amount of traffic is great and the amount of speeding idiot drivers is on the increase.

I plead with the powers that be to act now before it is too late.

I would love to enjoy a walk up to the tarn again in safety.

 HARRY PLUNKETT, Shann Avenue, Keighley

Big thank-you to kind man in wallpaper shop

Please may I use your letters page to say a big thank-you to a very kind Yorkshire lad.

I am 80-odd years of age and hobble with a stick. Saturday was a lovely day so I thought I would have a ride out from Colne and go around the corner to the wallpaper shop on Lawkholme Lane.

Just far enough – with the help of a kind lady assistant I chose and purchased my wallpaper. Then, something you see rarely, if ever, the young man in the shop carried it all for me to the Colne bus stop.

What can I say except a big thank-you.

MRS MM PAYNE, Colne

Concern over thefts of stone around village

Not only is Sutton being attacked with people stealing York stone, they have removed stones from various places on the wall of Holme Wood Care Home, Fell Lane, Keighley, and this is not the first time.

SUSAN MACKLEY, Address supplied

Super show - yet again!

I went to see Happy Days by Keighley Amateurs, what a super performance yet again.

The cast and crew were brilliant.

Matt Gardner as Richie Cunningham, Carolyn Ellis as Pinky and Mark Allen as The Fonz. A flawless show by all.

Well done again KAODS. Roll on Aladdin. What more can I say but “HEYYYYY”!

KATH THOMPSON, Fell Lane, Keighley