YEP Letters: April 7

Paws for tea to help pet charity

Pam Ferris, Blue Cross Ambassador

I am writing to ask your animal-loving readers to Paws for Tea and host a tea party on Friday May 13 in aid of a pet charity very close to my heart, Blue Cross.

Their Paws for Tea tea parties are a really fun and simple way to help the thousands of sick, injured and homeless pets that need Blue Cross every year.

Whether it’s at home, in the office or at school, Paws for Tea is a good excuse to enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake whilst helping raise money for a good cause. My two dogs Stan and Elsie are very dear to me and they get so much love and attention – I wouldn’t be without them. But sadly not all pets are as lucky. Blue Cross works tirelessly to care for hundreds of vulnerable pets and to help find them happy new homes. So go on, put the kettle on and sign up now at www.bluecross.org.uk/teaparty or phone 0300 790 9903.

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Council should continue market rebate

Councillor Dan Cohen, Alwoodley Ward

I write in response to your recent article regarding rents at Kirkgate Market (Traders’ Fight Over Rent, YEP, April 2).

The market traders are the lifeblood of Kirkgate Market. Some stalls have remained in the ownership of the same family for generations, but all the stalls contribute to the unique atmosphere that shoppers love about the market.

Times have been tough for traders as the first phase of the market’s refurbishment has hit takings; further refurbishment is likely to have a similar effect. So why the council is deciding to end the 20 per cent rebate for traders now, before the first phase is even complete, is beyond me.

It was difficult to read of stallholders taking on huge debts to keep their businesses afloat. If they are prepared to take such financial sacrifices I think it is only right that the council, at the very least, considers continuing with the 20 per cent cut until all the refurbishment work planned in the market is complete.

More fines for cyclists?

Jaimes Lewis Moran, Seacroft

In response to your news story on Friday April 1 about the surprising lack of fines for cyclists in Leeds.

Maybe it’s worth keeping in mind ‘does the punishment fit the crime’ That being said though, cycling on pavements in my opinion is okay so long as it’s done at an appropriate speed (*even if it’s against an old law dating back to Victorian time of 1888) the same however cannot be said for car drivers...

If a cyclist rides around without lights, they’re a danger to themselves, if a car driver does this they become dangerous to everyone.

Also, the same too can yet again be said for running red lights; yes, a bike could indeed injure a person but if a car, bus or HGV did the same - a person could die...

Either way, a bad driver is a bad driver regardless of vehicle!

Support our industries

Terry Watson, Adel

Cameron, just like Tony Blair, has been a complete disaster for Britain.

Strictly enforcing the climate change act which Ed Miliband signed up to has destroyed our coal and steel industries. Coal fired power stations have been scrapped with no alternative source of energy to replace them because our spineless Prime Minister is too scared to take on the green lobby.

Fortunately for Germany they now have the “iron lady” in charge, with a Government prepared to ignore the man-made climate change lie, and are saving their country instead of that save the planet rubbish. They have scrapped nuclear power and have built 20 new power stations burning the most polluting coal there is, lignite. Forty five per cent of their energy now comes from coal with very little coming from sola or wind power. The dumping of cut price steel subsidised by the Chinese government should have been nipped in the bud immediately by the EU, eventually they put up the tariff to 23 per cent. They were unable to increase it because several EU leaders including Cameron objected! America put the tariff up to 275 per cent!

Some countries put their own interests first, Dave puts ours last. All the successful economies, China, India, America and others are all dependant on coal and just ignore the man made climate change rubbish and so should we. The taxpayers had to bale out those worthless bankers when the banks collapsed, so why not support the coal and steel industries? It would be a pittance compared with the cost of rescuing the banks.

Why not take half of the overseas aid and use that to support them? £6 billion a year would go along way to supporting something that we really need instead of just throwing it away to impress the world!

Help for farmers

June Warner, Kirk Deighton

The EU, through its Common Agricultural Policy, has tended to encourage giant farms - and of course, all French farms, irrespective of size. (The CAP was built around the needs of French farmers - courtesy of De Gaulle in the 50s.)

When we leave the EU, our government will have the freedom and means - both political and financial - to support all of our farmers.

If evidence be needed, both Norway and Switzerland, as non-EU members, are currently able to spend a great deal more per hectare on making their agriculture fully functional.

Look after your own areas

N Bywater, Morley

I response to the recent letters about litter, Councillor Mark Dobson has said that they have a rota for cleaning the streets every eight weeks.

In these times of massive cuts, we cannot expect any more. But I would be surprised if the minor streets are swept every eight weeks. Residents need to look after their own areas; myself and another local recently helped clear Glen football pitches of some dumped furniture. Sometimes just reporting it is helpful.

I often pick up discarded alcohol bottles when I walk my dog, some waste is just an eyesore, and some can cause real injury. I remember when local councillors used to take part in litter picks, they seem to be too busy these days. It’s a shame that local politicians cannot all group together, instead of making these things a way to muster support for their own party.

Where’s our British pride?

Olga Twist, Leeds 14

Many years ago during the 1939-45 war, our nation was in need of another battleship.

Every citizen contributed with pennies and pounds, the money rolled in, as much as one could afford. The battleship was built and went to war, so why can’t we all collect to help buy the iron works? Keep it in British hands and keep our foundries fully employed.

Where’s our British pride? Let’s try to keep the iron foundries British and working for us.

The Halifax bomber at war

Cliff Goodwin, County Durham

With more than 70 years since the end of the Second World War - and with those who took part fewer and fewer each year - I wonder if readers can help with my attempt to record some of the last remaining unpublished memories.

I have been commissioned to write a “personal” history of one of the RAF’s workhorse bombers, the Handley Page Halifax. Altough numerous technical books have been written about this four-engined bomber, which flew 82,773 operatons and dropped 224,207 tons of explosives and incendiaries, I am determined to make mine a book of personal memories and anecdotes and previously unused photographs. Should any readers be surviving aircrew or Halifax ground crew members I would be delighted if they would make contact. I would also like to hear form anyone whose relatives served in Halifax squadrons and who have inherited RAF documents, flight logs and diaries, letters and pictures, and who would be willing to let me use them as part of my research.

All items would be treated with the utmost respect. I would also be happy to cover all copying and postage costs. Any material used would be fully credited with an acknowledgment in the published book. Anyone who can help should email me at [email protected] or write to me at 29 Tudor Drive, Tanfield Village, County Durham, DH9 9QD.