YEP Letters: October 19

Here are a selection of your letters covering topics as diverse as seeking shelter from the Germans in the second world war and jobs on the buses.
EMBARGOED TO 2025 SATURDAY OCTOBER 15

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Undated BBC handout photo of Ed Balls with dance partner Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 15, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.EMBARGOED TO 2025 SATURDAY OCTOBER 15

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only 

Undated BBC handout photo of Ed Balls with dance partner Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 15, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
EMBARGOED TO 2025 SATURDAY OCTOBER 15 For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Ed Balls with dance partner Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 15, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

Ed Balls - could you see him dancing to James Brown?

Richard Kimble, Hawksworth

So Ed Balls, a former local MP has beaten 3 dancers considerably better than him without even being placed in a “dance-off”?

Is this all Labour Party supporters paying the country back for voting in Cameron anc Osborne?

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Or is it Yorkshire people inflicting pain on the country for the same reason by forcing us to watch him lumbering around in a suit of armour like an elephant on Tramadol?

Or perhaps his former constituents enjoying making him look a complete fool? The only judge who has given the feedback he deserves is Monsieur Craig Revel Horwood whose “2” grade last Saturday was actually very generous . . for him. Whatever, get rid.

Or we may get him dancing to a James Brown number . . . please please please

Trump is no rival to our own British Boris!

Dr Glyn Powell, by email

It is my view that the US presidential candidate Donald Trump has only one serious rival, to being the most ridiculous politician in the world. That rival is the ludicrous UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, who has shown himself to be utterly clueless on leaving the European Union (EU).

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Indeed one could be forgiven for believing that he secretly wishes Britain to remain in the EU. As his words and actions have been totally unhelpful in Britain leaving the EU. The answer to which is simple - invoke Article 50 and withdraw from the EU’s single market. Giving Britain control of its borders and freedom to negotiate trade deals with the rest of the world!

Of even more concern is Boris Johnson’s views on Syria, as any UK military involvement on the side of the jihadi rebels risks confrontation with Russia - a confrontation that could rapidly escalate into a world war.

It is the jihadi Islamists and not Russia or Assad who pose a threat to Europe. It is the Jihadi Islamists and their financial and weapons backers, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who are holding 250,000 civilians in eastern Aleppo hostage. Russia and the Syrian military are right to cleanse eastern Aleppo of the Jihadi Islamists. This will unfortunately result in civilian casualties but it is a price worth paying.

Compassion restores faith

Ernest Lundy, by Email

They say all’s fair in love and war! It may well be! But in war it’s always ordinary folk who suffer, at the whim of those who lead us into them. I’ve had my own experiences.

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One of which was the occasion just after World War Two when a German couple, who had lost three sons, took a friend and me in - feeding two British soldiers from the little they had - When we knocked on their door after becoming lost in a forest in the Ruhr. Needless to say it made a tremendous impression on us both,not at all what we could have expected.

Recently on TV there was a programme on excavating Juno Beach, the site of the British forces landing on D Day. It introduced a local Frenchman who had become friendly with a young German soldier, who served as barber to his comrades. In the course of his conversations with the young man, hardly out of school, over some months he told the Frenchman that his two brothers had been killed on the Russian front, and that his parents had died in the Allied bombing of Cologne.

When the bunker he occupied was captured by the British, obviously they had little sympathy with their prisoners, and were treating them roughly. But when the old man saw the way the young German was being treated, he said: No! No! Not that one; and explained the circumstances.

I wonder what happened to the unfortunate young soldier. Did he survive the war; and did his luck change? Stories such as this will undoubtedly have been repeated a thousand times among participants of all countries. Which brings us back to the question. Are things really fair in love and war?

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I don’t believe they are. But stories such as this help to restore our faith in human nature. In times such as these we really need it!

Combat causes of stigma

Harold A Maio, retired mental health editor, by email

The real issue is “combatting the stigma” in mental illness, is people who say there is one. They do considerable harm. People have to be taught this prejudice. I wonder when we adults will stop passing it on.

Biggest waste on two wheels

Shaun Kavanagh, by email

How much more money does Leeds City Council want to waste?

The other Sunday I travelled the length of the Bradford / Leeds cycle track l) on a leisure day to observe the use of the cycle track and “Wow” I was amazed!! I actually saw but one cyclist travelling towards Leeds near to Bramley station, and not anyone the other way.

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There have been many knowledgeable people condemning the cycle tracks for being of bad design, dangerous etc yet Coun Richard Lewis defends their introduction and the cost in excess of £20+ millions.

Now to make matter even worse, we have Coun Keith Wakefield jumping on the bandwagon (Evening Post, October 10) wanting to offer free cycle training to get people on bikes.

Training might be said to be free to the trainees but not in reality, as it’s likely a cost is involved somewhere and, most probably, coming from the public purse. This harebrained scheme, bearing in mind those in the know say the current cycle track is dangerous in many ways, is likely to put inexperienced cyclist onto roads and cycle tracks thereby potentially increasing the danger of accidents

If Coun Wakefield, in his capacity as Chairman of Transport, wants to achieve something worthwhile and which will benefit many thousands of road users, then may I suggest his committee considers spending on proper road repairs to avoid the ever increasing patchwork quilt appearance we see on our roads.

Fancy a job on the buses?

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First West Yorkshire announced it has vacancies for 50 bus drivers due to a programme of investment and service changes. Here’s how you reacted on Facebook.

The old ones are the best!

Michael Smith, Via Facebook

No one will turn up for the interview for ages then three will turn up at the same time.

Are they good timekeepers?

Cordelia Frances Threapleton, via Facebook

Can you please check there cvs and make sure there great time keepers.

They could not pay me enough

Robert Harting, via Facebook

Should never have got rid of conductors. I would not be a bus driver for Triple the wage. It’s bad enough coping with all the stress of driving let alone coping with drunks and Belligerent passengers.

Ask why so many have left

Michael Andrew, via Facebook

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BECAUSE of investment? hahaha rubbish. Thirty two drivers left in a two week period because of the way they are treated by the company and the abuse from passengers

I’d have a go at this

Amear Ali, via Facebook

I would love to drive bus lol would be fun

They could not pay me enough

Anita Butcher, via Facebook.

Need to teach them some manners. When I get on the bus on a morning and say good morning to driver they never answer or smile.

Dr Glyn Powell, by email

It is my view that the US presidential candidate Donald Trump has only one serious rival, to being the most ridiculous politician in the world. That rival is the ludicrous UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, who has shown himself to be utterly clueless on leaving the European Union (EU).

Indeed one could be forgiven for believing that he secretly wishes Britain to remain in the EU. As his words and actions have been totally unhelpful in Britain leaving the EU. The answer to which is simple - invoke Article 50 and withdraw from the EU’s single market. Giving Britain control of its borders and freedom to negotiate trade deals with the rest of the world!

Hide Ad
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Of even more concern is Boris Johnson’s views on Syria, as any UK military involvement on the side of the jihadi rebels risks confrontation with Russia - a confrontation that could rapidly escalate into a world war.

It is the jihadi Islamists and not Russia or Assad who pose a threat to Europe. It is the Jihadi Islamists and their financial and weapons backers, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who are holding 250,000 civilians in eastern Aleppo hostage. Russia and the Syrian military are right to cleanse eastern Aleppo of the Jihadi Islamists. This will unfortunately result in civilian casualties but it is a price worth paying.

Compassion restores faith

Ernest Lundy, by Email

They say all’s fair in love and war! It may well be! But in war it’s always ordinary folk who suffer, at the whim of those who lead us into them. I’ve had my own experiences.

One of which was the occasion just after World War Two when a German couple, who had lost three sons, took a friend and me in - feeding two British soldiers from the little they had - When we knocked on their door after becoming lost in a forest in the Ruhr. Needless to say it made a tremendous impression on us both,not at all what we could have expected.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Recently on TV there was a programme on excavating Juno Beach, the site of the British forces landing on D Day. It introduced a local Frenchman who had become friendly with a young German soldier, who served as barber to his comrades. In the course of his conversations with the young man, hardly out of school, over some months he told the Frenchman that his two brothers had been killed on the Russian front, and that his parents had died in the Allied bombing of Cologne.

When the bunker he occupied was captured by the British, obviously they had little sympathy with their prisoners, and were treating them roughly. But when the old man saw the way the young German was being treated, he said: No! No! Not that one; and explained the circumstances.

I wonder what happened to the unfortunate young soldier. Did he survive the war; and did his luck change? Stories such as this will undoubtedly have been repeated a thousand times among participants of all countries. Which brings us back to the question. Are things really fair in love and war?

I don’t believe they are. But stories such as this help to restore our faith in human nature. In times such as these we really need it!

Combat causes of stigma

Harold A Maio, retired mental health editor, by email

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The real issue is “combatting the stigma” in mental illness, is people who say there is one. They do considerable harm. People have to be taught this prejudice. I wonder when we adults will stop passing it on.

Biggest waste on two wheels

Shaun Kavanagh, by email

How much more money does Leeds City Council want to waste?

The other Sunday I travelled the length of the Bradford / Leeds cycle track l) on a leisure day to observe the use of the cycle track and “Wow” I was amazed!! I actually saw but one cyclist travelling towards Leeds near to Bramley station, and not anyone the other way.

There have been many knowledgeable people condemning the cycle tracks for being of bad design, dangerous etc yet Coun Richard Lewis defends their introduction and the cost in excess of £20+ millions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Now to make matter even worse, we have Coun Keith Wakefield jumping on the bandwagon (Evening Post, October 10) wanting to offer free cycle training to get people on bikes.

Training might be said to be free to the trainees but not in reality, as it’s likely a cost is involved somewhere and, most probably, coming from the public purse. This harebrained scheme, bearing in mind those in the know say the current cycle track is dangerous in many ways, is likely to put inexperienced cyclist onto roads and cycle tracks thereby potentially increasing the danger of accidents

If Coun Wakefield, in his capacity as Chairman of Transport, wants to achieve something worthwhile and which will benefit many thousands of road users, then may I suggest his committee considers spending on proper road repairs to avoid the ever increasing patchwork quilt appearance we see on our roads.

Fancy a job on the buses?

First West Yorkshire announced it has vacancies for 50 bus drivers due to a programme of investment and service changes. Here’s how you reacted on Facebook.

The old ones are the best!

Michael Smith, Via Facebook

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

No one will turn up for the interview for ages then three will turn up at the same time.

Are they good timekeepers?

Cordelia Frances Threapleton, via Facebook

Can you please check there cvs and make sure there great time keepers.

They could not pay me enough

Robert Harting, via Facebook

Should never have got rid of conductors. I would not be a bus driver for Triple the wage. It’s bad enough coping with all the stress of driving let alone coping with drunks and Belligerent passengers.

Ask why so many have left

Michael Andrew, via Facebook

BECAUSE of investment? hahaha rubbish. Thirty two drivers left in a two week period because of the way they are treated by the company and the abuse from passengers

I’d have a go at this

Amear Ali, via Facebook

I would love to drive bus lol would be fun

They could not pay me enough

Anita Butcher, via Facebook.

Need to teach them some manners. When I get on the bus on a morning and say good morning to driver they never answer or smile.