Protect green sites

Why has it taken Mr Verity almost two months and a formal complaint from a member of the public to finally decide to defend his corner regarding the leaked e-mail scandal from July?

Perhaps it is linked in some way to his latest intent to submit yet another planning application for a greenfield site?

Does he seek some public support?

He states that Craven District Council is behind with its house building targets. According to the remit from Eric Pickles, regional housing targets have been abolished and the coalition government is to empower local people to have more influence where planning is concerned – how many houses and where to build them.

From where does Mr Verity get his “belief” that Craven needs to build 300 houses across Craven for the next 25 years in order to flourish?

Has there been an up-to-date housing needs survey done whilst I’ve been asleep? Is it not apparent to anyone who lives here that part of the attraction of Craven is its beautiful greenfield landscape?

If Mr Verity is so concerned for the future of Craven, perhaps he could put in a planning application to build new houses on a greenfield site directly in front of his own property. Unlikely there would be many objectors.

Or as such a concerned member of the Craven community, maybe he could have finished the village hall he started in Cowling as part of the Acre Mill planning consent?

It is interesting to note from your article that Mr Verity was also behind the Green Lane, Glusburn, schemes. Whilst we suspected it may have been the case, the applications and appeals were always under the guise of Muir Housing.

Perhaps if Mr Verity has run out of brownfield sites on which to build in Craven, he could change the name of the company to West Yorkshire Properties and concentrate on regenerating the numerous brownfield sites that are available over the border.

E Kildunne Ravenstone Gardens, Sutton-in-Craven

Seasonal superfood

Sir – October 1 heralds the official start of the pheasant shooting season. As the season gets into full swing, there will be plenty of affordable, locally-sourced and tasty game meat available.

Described by TV chef Mike Robinson as a “superfood”, it is healthy, sustainable and highly nutritious. The popularity of game has been increasing rapidly over recent years and independent market researcher Mintel says annual sales should reach over £84 million by next year. The UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), runs an innovative game promotion campaign which we have extended this year due to popular demand.

Watch out for events taking place as part of BASC’s National Taste of Game Fortnight, which will run from November 6 to 20.

Shoot providers spend £250 million a year on conservation and shooting is involved in the management of two thirds of the rural land area.

So, if you fancy trying game and would like some more details and some easy recipes, visit gameson.org.uk.

Debbie Collins, The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham

Seeking information

Sir – I am seeking information for a book about pregnant women and mothers with young children evacuated during World War Two.

Do any of your readers have memories they could share? If so, would they please write to me?

Sue MacArthur, The Church House, St. John Street, Bridlington, YO16 7JS

Denying justice

Sir – Re: The proposals on the provision of court services in North Yorkshire. I write to you as chairman of the Settle and District Churches Together.

At a recent meeting of clergy, ministers and church representatives from the 12 churches that constitute the group, I was asked to write to you to express our very serious concerns about the proposal by the Ministry of Justice to close Skipton Courthouse and move Magistrate Court work to Harrogate and County Court work to Bradford.

These proposals would have a severe detrimental effect upon many of the most vulnerable members of our rural communities.

It should be considered that Settle is 17 miles west of Skipton, and that Ingleton and Bentham are a further 12 miles west.

We foresee that many of these parts of North and West Craven would simply not bother to attend court if they would be required to undertake a round trip to Harrogate in the region of 100 miles.

Bearing in mind that the courts at Ingleton and Settle were closed some years ago, this proposal would create a huge geographical area of North and West Craven where there would be no visible judicial presence.

The negative impact of this upon public confidence in the judicial system is self evident.

As a lawyer myself, albeit within the tradition of Catholic Church law, it is my firm conviction that justice too remote from people is, in effect, justice denied.

We hope, therefore, that the Lord Chancellor will reconsider the proposals as a result of this consultation and rely on a variety of factors other than what is apparently merely a financial one – to save money.

We are aware also that figures presented to support the case for closure are grossly inflated and do not stand up to close scrutiny.

Reverend Monsignor Anthony B Boylan, JCD, Chairman Churches Together in Settle and District

Courts should stay

Sir - Re your editorial in last week’s Craven Herald, I agree – the courts, as all services in Skipton, should remain open.

You say the vulnerable would suffer etc… and for some it would be a 100-mile round trip, plus savings would be swallowed up by additional travel expenses.

To my way of thinking, these reasons are also linked with the proposed suggestion of re-aligning the use of concessionary bus passes to be in line with the rest of the country.

We in Craven do not have a comprehensive transport system, so access to buses at all times is crucial.

Mrs D House, Beech Hill, Carleton

Spoiling the peace

Sir – As newcomers to Skipton, I and my family have settled in happily and find this a very friendly and welcoming community. There are, however, two aspects of living here which have caught us by surprise. Perhaps as newcomers they strike us, while locals have maybe grown somewhat inured to them. I would be interested to know.

The first concerns the astonishing level of noise and disturbance generated by emergency service sirens.

I can confidently say the frequency of sirens around Skipton town significantly exceeds other, much more urban, neighbourhoods I have lived in. I write this letter at 9.15 on a weekday morning, and already we have had three siren incidents howling around the town. I cannot believe this level of usage (which I am resigned to on the days I have to travel to London on business as part and parcel now of our capital city) is necessary. The other day, I saw a patrol car leave the local police station (just around the corner from where I live) and drop down on to Newmarket Street, which was quiet and largely deserted of other vehicles. Nonetheless, on went not just the blue lights, but the siren. Perhaps the local commander for this police division can remind his officers of the need to balance the demands of safety and speed on “emergency” calls with maintaining the public peace.

The second shock is the level of drunken behaviour in the town and on local trains. Perhaps your sad story about the fate of some of the Skipton sheep models is sufficient comment here. Evidently Skipton does not escape the worst blight on public life in modern Britain.

John L Crawley Toller Court, Skipton

Train dilemma

Sir – Re Mr Bolton’s letter (Herald, September 9) suggesting reducing the number of coaches on services from Ilkley and Bradford to increase train lengths from Skipton.

I fear that travellers on these routes might not be so keen on this idea.

They may, unhelpfully perhaps, suggest that carriages be removed from Skipton trains to improve their own services. Unreasonable of course.

With this in mind, I thought I would make a suggestion along similar lines to Mr Bolton’s.

Why not simply keep the train doors shut at busy periods? This way nobody can get on the train and it won’t become overcrowded. It would also have benefits on punctuality.

I wouldn’t worry too much Mr Bolton. By the time the coalition of millionaires and tax dodgers have finished, there will be hardly anyone left working in Leeds, or any other northern towns, and overcrowding will be a thing of the past.

Lee Hall, Plantation Way, Baildon

Thanks for the vote

Sir – Through the pages of the Craven Herald, I would like to thank the members of Pendle for nominating me as next Leader of the Labour Party. Winning back the voters Labour lost won’t be easy. Labour has to change, to listen and to become the change that Britain needs.

We start this process by electing someone who is ready to face David Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions and stand as a credible alternative Prime Minister at the next election. That is why I am standing – to win for Labour.

I am honoured to have the support of Pendle party members in my campaign. I promise I won’t let you down and that together we will rebuild our party and win for our values.

Local party members have had their say. In a few days, millions of party members and members of trade unions will be asked to decide on who should be Labour’s leader.

I would urge all Craven Herald readers to use their vote and to visit davidmiliband.net to join the debate on Britain’s Future.

Rt Hon David Miliband MP, David Miliband Campaign HQ, Westminster, London

Search for heroes

Sir – In November, I have the great pleasure of hosting the 12th annual Pride of Britain Awards.

As your readers may know, it is an incredibly inspiring occasion where HRH Prince Charles and the Prime Minister join a star-studded audience to honour the nation’s unsung heroes.

This year promises to be bigger and better than ever. With the help of Prince Charles, we will be celebrating ten years of the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Award and we will also be launching a new category – the Littlewoods.com Young Fundraiser of The Year – to recognise young people, aged 16 and under, who have gone that extra mile to help others.

But, as always, we need help in finding the winners and wondered if your readers know an unsung hero or heroine who deserves recognition? Perhaps it’s someone who has worked tirelessly to improve their community, a dedicated charity fundraiser or campaigner? Or a courageous child or adult, an exemplary teacher or care worker. Or a member of our marvellous armed forces or emergency services who has put their lives at risk for others?

They can nominate them free of charge at prideofbritain.com Nominations must be received by midnight Sunday September 19 to be considered by our panel of judges.

Carol Vorderman, Pride of Britain Awards