We can help children with autism flourish


The return to school after the summer  holidays  is a difficult time for many children, but it can be particularly  hard for children with autism, many of whom find it hard to make friends and struggle with a lack of understanding  or support of their condition.
Forty-three per cent of young people said their teachers don’t know enough about autism, and 63 per cent said they have experienced bullying at school in a recent survey by the National Autistic Society. Taking time to understand the impact of autism on a child’s learning and experience of school can make a massive difference. For example, children with autism may take longer to process information so instructions should be broken down and they should be given more time to respond.
I am an ambassador of the NAS’ Autism Action Network. The NAS has resources for school staff on their website at www.autism.org.uk/teachers and I would urge all teachers and school support staff to familiarise themselves with the simple steps that can make all the difference to a child with autism. With the right support at school, children with autism can thrive.


DIANE MARCHEWKA
Spinners Way,
Haworth


War memorial plaque needs better position


My early years were spent in Keighley where I was born and raised but left the town in 1948 and since then have lived in various parts of Yorkshire. I do make infrequent visits, however, and it was on one of those visits I was very disappointed to see the commemorative plaque to those who gave their lives for the country in the 1939-45 war, which was placed in the foyer of the public library many years ago, is now obscured by the machines placed for the use of book borrowers.
I do not consider for one moment the decision to site the machine was intended to offend in any way but I don’t think a great deal of thought was given by the person(s) who made the decision. There are several people named in the plaque who were close friends or to whom I am related and in the past I have paused there and reflected. Now it is impossible to do so because of the machine being constantly in use. I am sure one or the other could be re-sited.


DEREK SUTCLIFFE
Marston Way, Wetherby


* Christine Dyson , Bradford Council’s principal libraries officer, said: “We are sorry to hear Mr Sutcliffe is not happy about the plaque being partly obscured. “We can move the plaque to an alcove between the side and main entrances. This would be in a less prominent place but means it would not have the self service machines in front of it. This new location would allow people to reflect without the constant interruption associated with its current position. “We are also happy to meet Mr Sutcliffe to discuss this with him.”

Delighted by ‘lovely’ town garden displays


It is an absolute pleasure to walk through Keighley this summer. The gardeners and those responsible for the hanging baskets and flower beds deserve a gold medal for patriotism and artistry.

The veranda from the top of Cavendish Street round to the post office is just wonderful and also the new civic centre, as are the flower beds – particularly the roundabout at Skipton Road and Hard Ings bypass portraying the Union Flag. The theme of red, white and blue is just lovely.


ELAINE MARSHALL
Shann Park,
Keighley.


Is recession making children go hungry?


In The Guardian on June 19 it was reported that there are an increasing number of children going hungry because their parents do not have enough money to pay for food for them, it stated “Four out of five teachers (83 per cent) see pupils who are hungry in the morning and 55 per cent said up to a quarter of pupils arrive having not eaten enough.

More than half say the number of children involved has been rising in the past year or two, which have seen some families hit hard by the recession, unemployment and benefit cuts”. Almost certainly this is happening in Keighley. I am sure that there are agencies and people trying to remedy the situation and I am sure others would be interested to know what is happening. Perhaps the Keighley News could investigate and produce an article. I am sure that many people in Keighley would want to help if they knew how and where?
 

KEN R SMITH
Calton Road, Keighley
* Editor’s note:  The Keighley News has run several stories on this issue along with appeals for food donations, especially by the Salvation Army.

Sweeping away years of history

 It appears not a murmur of disapproval was made when plans were passed to allow conversion of Silsden’s oldest public house, the Bridge Inn, into flats and sweep away hundreds of years’ history.

The public house was said to have been established in the early 1700s as the Coach and Horses. Above the property’s original front door, now the back, is a stone plaque bearing the letters L, I, S and the year 1799. The tablet also bears representations of inn’s name of that period, the Boot and Shoe Inn. Friday, October 25, 1816 saw a shooting take place at the then Thanet’s Arms.

The matter was reported in the London Gazette the following month. “While Thomas Hanson, gamekeeper of the manor of Silsden, in the West Riding of the county of York, was shutting the door of the public house known by the name of the Thanet's Arms, in Silsden, a gun was fired through the window the contents of which penetrated the thigh and leg of the said Thomas Hanson, of which wounds he shortly after died; and that there is every reason to suspect the said gun was fired by some evil disposed person.” No one was ever apprehended for the crime despite a reward of £150 being offered.

Rebuilding took place at the pub in 1826 when a new road and bridge, now Keighley Road, was built at the back of the inn. A new frontage was put up at the higher street level. The name Bridge Inn dates from the mid 20th century. Another pub in Silsden is now under threat, the Red Lion, up for sale. More flats for Silsden?

M TOFT

Windsor Avenue, Silsden