Time for Ilkley to cut ties with Bradford – Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Alec Denton, Guiseley.

I CANNOT think of a better justification for devolving government to the regions and scrapping the present administrative structure in West Yorkshire than the inclusion of Ilkley in the lockdown of Bradford by the so-called experts in London.

Ilkley has nothing in common with Bradford other than that it was foolishly grouped with Bradford by civil servants acting on behalf of the Heath Government in 1974 and that both communities were at the time in the West Riding of Yorkshire (David Behrens, The Yorkshire Post, August 1).

These two places are in different Dales separated by a large area of moorland, do not even have a bus service between them and have completely different demographics. There is a direct train link to Bradford, but as Guiseley residents know full well, this proves on a daily basis that most commuters from Ilkley go to Leeds not Bradford.

I feel sorry for Bradford and hope their problems are soon resolved but the return of local government from Whitehall to Yorkshire is long overdue.

From: John Sanderson, Sheffield.

THE Local Government Act of 1972, that came into effect in 1974, did not do “away with the old North, West and East Ridings”, as David Behrens says.

The Act quite drastically redefined the make-up of local government but its changes were for administrative purposes only. The historic counties and their constituent parts were unchanged and, of course, continue today.

Their historical and cultural significance has been re-affirmed by successive governments, perhaps most forcefully, but not most recently, by Eric Pickles as the Minister responsible for Communities and Local Government in 2013.

From: Simon Foster, Beverley.

WHAT a terrible indictment of our social behaviour during this pandemic when we hear the stories of the way some people are acting in many of the popular tourist areas around the UK.

Places like Scarborough, the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District, Cornwall and the Scottish Highlands, for example, have been overwhelmed with a variety of serious anti-social behaviour.

Locals must be appalled at the behaviour and activities of visitors who will just not take personal responsibility and obey basic rules of the lockdown, nor practice decent civility.

As the American congressman said on TV last week: “Our biggest problem during this pandemic is that people do not respect one another. This is the reason we are experiencing such a massive surge in the virus.”

Let us learn a lesson from across the pond and begin to understand that the surest way to defeat the virus in the long term is to have respect for one another.

Hoarders will be at it again

From: Michael Green, 
Baghill Green, Tingley.

IF I’m driving on the motorway and see a sign saying “Slow – queues ahead”, I know it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because people see the sign, react by slowing down and the predicted queue happens as a direct result.

It will be the same with the House of Commons Select Committee report warning of threats of food scarcity because of the pandemic and a disorderly Brexit (The Yorkshire Post, July 30). People will see the report, react by getting supplies in, and the predicted shortage happens as a direct result.

When Corporal Jones rushed about in panic in Dad’s Army shouting “Don’t panic”, it was funny. But when members of the House of Commons (who should know better) do it, it’s not funny. It’s shameful.

Still waiting by the phone

From: ME Wright, Harrogate.

FOLLOWING a crackly line and several missed calls, I have been trying to contact my phone “provider”. Ironically, electronic means have failed completely.

I unearthed their postal address and sent them a postcard of a steam train on Knaresborough viaduct, briefly explaining my problem.

I pointed out that, just out of shot, was one of their old red phone boxes and if they still had one in Brighton, would they call me. I’m still waiting.

I’m struggling to accept MP Kevin Hollinrake’s unqualified assertion that “creative destruction drives prices down and service up” (The Yorkshire Post, August 4). For now, let’s not even start on public transport!

Give credit 
to Hardisty

From: Elisabeth Baker, Leeds.

I WAS delighted to see in The Daily Telegraph of August 3 the superb photograph of master cooper Jonathan Manby that featured in The Yorkshire Post on August 1.

Credit was given to The Yorkshire Post but what a pity none was given to the photographer, James Hardisty. His portfolio, like those of all the YP photographers, is excellent.

Maybe this letter will go some way towards redressing the balance for him.

Let’s have Sir Tom souvenirs

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

WE have been seeing a lot of dear Captain Sir Tom Moore in Yorkshire (The Yorkshire Post, August 3). I wonder if any of our factories have thought of making souvenirs with his image on?

I’m sure mugs, plates, tea towels and blankets depicting this wonderful man would sell well and give a great boost to the economy.