YEP Letters November 26

Could Temple Works be home to C4?

Ivan Kovacks, by email

you asked if Leeds City Council should spend money weatherproofing someone else’s building (Temple Works) to preserve it.

Well having seen inside and on the roof of the structure I think it is well worth preserving. And considering the vast amount of money that the council has wasted on other projects over the years, it’s about time they did some good. I could say this is an iconic building, but it would be only deserving of this title were people to actually come to see it, instead if it being in a run down part of the city. Why not encourage Channel 4 to move into this building? I’m sure with some suitable modern refurbishment it could be made fit for them and perhaps that will encourage further development in the area, in the same way Media City has developed in Salford.

Brexit chaos was wholly predictable

Alec Denton, Guiseley.

In the referendum, we were asked only for our views regarding a principle, the detail was not available and it is now clear that insufficient thought had been given to the process.

Much more was at stake than the potential of financial gain for the City of London and the vague concept that we would ‘‘control our borders’’ – a phrase meaning different things to different people. I have heard it said that we should just walk away from Europe, but they are our major trading partner.

After 40 years of close partnership, breaking ties inevitably has consequences, including an Irish problem that would remain to haunt us, plus the potential loss of credibility around the world as a trading nation if it is perceived our word cannot be trusted.

The present chaotic situation was wholly predictable – the only certain outcome of an imperfect referendum was uncertainty.

Theresa May deserves support in her attempts to achieve a successful outcome and even though she cannot please everyone, like many others, I hope we can move forward.

Unfortunate comparison with Boycott

Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

IT was rather unfortunate for Theresa May to compare herself to Geoffrey Boycott.

If my memory is correct, Boycott was once run out by Ian Botham because he was batting so slowly. A bit like her progress on Brexit, hence why stumps 
will be shortly drawn on her premiership which has been more disruptive than Mr Boycott’s leadership 
of YCCC.

Recognise Albert with city plaque

Peter Rayner, Normanton

Regarding a recent letter about illustrious individuals with Wakefield connections who should be honoured with a plaque on the walk of fame on Westmorland Street.

My heartfelt thanks for the letter and the request to have Albert Rayner remembered with a plaque.

My dad Albert still has several unbeaten skipping world records to his name, also a record for swinging Indian clubs 17,000-plus revolutions in one hour, he was also the oldest man to break a world record in sport. He was the only professional rugby league referee to send a player off the field for smoking in what was then called the scrum.

This occured during acting as referree in the film This Sporting Life alongside acting greats such as Richard Harris and Jack Watson. He was also a good friend of Henry Cooper, heavyweight boxing champion.

He travelled the world as an ambassador for Great Britain in the Guinness Olympics, showcasing his skipping prowess.

He was invited into the ring and lifted onto the shoulders of world champion kickboxer Benny ‘The Jet’ Ucadez in Tokyo during the Guinness Olympics.

He was RAF boxing champion, he fought the army boxing champion, unknown at the time, later to be recognised the world over as the great Sir Norman Wisdom.

Other achievements cam through travelling around schools in Wakefield and the Five Towns promoting skipping for the Heart Foundation. He travelled to most of these venues on his bicycle with his kit on his back, and free of charge, during his retirement.

He was a special man, a phenomenon.

My father Albert Rayner should get appreciation by granting the request for a plaque in his honour.

What has happened to city’s markets?

Julie Shaw, by email

What on earth has happened to Wakefield city Christmas market or for that matter our city’s markets in general?

A few years ago Wakefield used to hold a fabulous three day Victorian Christmas market which drew people in from all over, coach trips used to come and it was heaving with shoppers, we now have a one day market with a few stalls which is held on a Friday same day as the switching on of the lights in the precinct.

Why put a Christmas market on a Friday for one day when most people are at work? it should be on a Saturday aswell as Friday so more people can attend and make it more profitable.

The council has gradually managed to decimate our Christmas market and our general market to oblivion. We have held markets in Wakefield city since 1203 when William de Warenne 5th Earl of Surrey received a grant to hold markets in the town and they have been held ever since, bringing in lots of extra shoppers.

We were told when the closure of the ‘new’ market hall was announced that there were plans for the market stalls to be set up in the Cathedral precinct so we would still have a market.

What they didn’t say was that there was only going to be about four or five stalls there at any one time, which is rubbish especially when we have city status we should be trying to protect it like other areas do and not get rid of the things that bring more visitors here.

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