YEP Letters: may 23

No other pointo but to vote no

June Warner, Kirk Deighton

The European Court of Justice has ruled that we no longer have the right to complain about, or even point out any negative, against the EU Commission.

It is illegal and, as from May 6, it has granted the Commission the right to legally punish “individuals who damage the institution’s image and reputation” in spite of any criminal acts or corruption discovered.

Any readers remember when we used to have free speech?No other point needs making. We MUST vote ‘out’.

Vital to consider education investment

John Appleyard, Liversedge

Received the Electoral Commission’s Guide on how to vote in the EU referendum: simply put a X in the box if you want to remain in the EU or X in the box if you wish to leave the EU. Talk about teaching us how to suck eggs!

However it is important that voters realise how we benefit from being in Europe.

The European Investment Bank is providing £56Million to build seven new school buildings in Harrogate, Keighley, Bradford and Leeds. Under the EIB’s priority school building programme over 8,500 secondary school students will benefit from new school buildings and facilities.

Investment in Education across the region has included construction at Bradford College, Leeds City College and the university’s of Hull and York. schools in Barnsley and Sheffield also benefit.

These are positives and something we should all consider carefully when we vote on June 23.

Scooters not safe for roads

Nathan Farnell, Morley

Mobility scooters are not suited to road use unless on very quiet roads.

I’m referring to the letter from Peter Thorpe (YEP Letters, May 16). He claims a woman shouted at him to ‘get off the road’.

Whilst this might’ve been a somewhat unpleasant experience I can sympathise with her.

Some mobility scooters might well be road legal, but they are far from being safe in my mind. If I ever get one of these things there’s no way I’ll be using it on the road!

Sharing the same space with cars, buses, HGVs and whatever else is an accident waiting to happen. And yes, I’ve seen three in the last few years and they all resulted in the death of the rider.

My late grandfather had one for a brief period, but after feeling like a ‘sitting duck’ and a ‘soft target for crime’, as he put it, he decided to use the bus more and sent it back!

Sad to see art leaving city

Dr Carol Atack, Cambridge

Like many other Wakefield Girls’ High School old girls, I was saddened to read of the school’s decision to sell the Barbara Hepworth sculptures which have inspired generations of WGHS students to share in the ambition and achievement of their famous predecessor.

While the stated aim of raising scholarship funds is laudable, it seems to me that depriving students of the school’s unique cultural heritage strips away a significant part of what made a WGHS education valuable.

By equating art only with its financial value, the headmistress and governors are providing a regrettable lesson for their students.

Their action is also a warning to any alumnae or parents who might have considered future gifts to enhance the school’s environment, in the way that earlier parents and teachers generously worked together to place these sculptures in the school.

I myself was inspired by these sculptures while at the school, both ‘Quiet Form’ in the library, and ‘Galliard’ on display in the headmistress’ office, as it was when Miss Hand was in charge back in the 1970s. They inspired my life-long love of art as well as being a visible symbol of achievement.

The opportunity to experience art while going about one’s studies and daily business, is very special; but even if that could not be preserved at WGHS, why not turn to the Hepworth Wakefield and arrange a permanent loan?

That these works should leave Wakefield during the fifth anniversary year of one of the UK’s most successful new museums, whose name links the sculptor and the city, seems sad and ironic.

I hope that some effort can be made to keep these sculptures at home in Wakefield to benefit future generations of residents of Dame Barbara Hepworth’s home city,

Long may our success last

Coun Noel Bullock, Morley Town Council

Over the past two weeks I’ve had the pleasure of helping raise over £2,500 towards Radio Aire’s Cash For Kids and Myeloma UK.

I had my legs waxed by Megan Katiee of Chocolate Beauty Spa in the Carriers Arms and promoted a race night staged at Morley Cricket Club. Both events were well organised/attended and the two nominated charities will no doubt benefit from your kind generosity.

I would also like to pass on my congratulations to Morley RFC in clinching promotion to National Three North, Gildersome Spurs Old Boys and LS27 FC U18s for winning the league and Glen Juniors U7sandU11s who both lifted the Garforth Junior Football League Challenge Cup in their respective age groups.

It is great to see and hear that we are really doing well on the sporting front and long may it continue.

Be wary of this unwanted caller

Malcolm Shedlow, Moortown

I would like to warn people, especially the elderly like me, about a gentleman who rings you and tells you that you have been receiving unwanted calls (with no one speaking at the other end) which I am sure we all have received (probably from this person).

He then proceeds to tell you your name, address and post code and obviously knows your telephone number as he has just called you.

He then goes on and tells you that as from tomorrow you will not receive any more unwanted phone calls at no cost whatsoever.

After I thanked him for this free service he asked me for my identification number.

When I asked him why he needed an identification number when he had all the information he needed he replied that it was necessary and I would find it on the back of my credit card.

Be warned.

Stand up and fight dementia

Rhod Gilbert, Alzheimer’s Society supporter

Dementia now affects 850,000 people in the UK alone – and that number is set to rise.

It’s no secret that it’s our society’s most feared health condition and, with an ageing population and no cure, dementia will undoubtedly touch all of our lives at some

point.

I have witnessed how devastating dementia can be first-hand and am acutely aware that something needs to be done to fight the condition.

That’s why I’m asking readers to join me in confronting dementia head on.

It’s more important than ever that we all join the fight against dementia.

Talking about the condition is the first step – but there is so much more that can be done.

We all need to gain a better understanding of the condition and be aware of the support available – because life doesn’t have to end when dementia begins.

Alzheimer’s Society is doing everything it can to keep people connected to their lives for longer so if you’re worried about dementia and in need of support or advice, get in touch with them this Dementia Awareness Week.

The time has arrived for all of us to stand up to dementia and confront it head on.

Don’t miss your opportunity to do so.

Anyone affected by can contact the Alzheimer’s Society National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 or visit alzheimers.org.uk/DAW.