ONCE again, I read with some dismay Kirklees Council’s defence of their ban on bees, re: Huddersfield Daily Examiner June 23, orchestrated by Mr John Fletcher.

John Fletcher very quickly defends himself by quoting legislation, which I will state does not exist.

Facts about the 1950 Allotment Act section 12: Originally section 12 banned the keeping of chickens and rabbits on allotments.

In 1949, the keeping of chickens and rabbits was permitted by both Parliament and the House of Lords under section 12.

This was to enable the UK population to more effectively supplement the food allowed by rationing; bees were not mentioned nor were any other forms of livestock.

The new Section 12 was introduced into legislation in 1950, hence The 1950 Allotment Act.

I am sure that had our legislators realised how important bees were at that point, bees would have been encouraged and protected.

You will note at this point, that it is not the banning of something that John Fletcher keeps quoting but the enabling.

John Fletcher says that wild honey bees do not swarm. In the wild, honey bees swarm, part of the healthy life cycle of every honey bee colony.

Bee-keepers often attempt to reduce the incidence of swarming in domesticated bees, because they know the reasons why they swarm.

John Fletcher says honey bees are a danger to people. Generally honey bee swarms do not harm people. Swarming honey bees do not feed and their ability to sting is reduced.

Researchers believe that when a group of honey bees is away from the nest, they are less defensive.

Honey bees have become the primary source of pollination for approximately one third of all crops, they are the sole source of honey and beeswax and Royal Jelly. Its ecological value is tremendous.

John Fletcher says he enjoys a jar of honey – where on Earth does he think it comes from, a Star Trek replicator?

DAVID TOWNEND

Linthwaite

Sign of the times

THOSE people campaigning for road signs to indicate arrival in Huddersfield, don’t bother.

As I waited for a train the other day, I noticed brightly painted carriages depicting some of West Yorkshire’s most prominent attractions. They were labelled as follows: The Alhambra Theatre – Bradford; Wakefield Cathedral – Wakefield and Huddersfield Train Station – Kirklees. So let’s face it, folks, we appear to live in Kirklees rather than Huddersfield and so the present road signage will be sufficient!

ALAN STARR

Golcar

Successful schools

INSTEAD of Labour and Liberal Democrats defending the closure of Castle Hall, perhaps they might like to rethink the concept of what makes a successful school?

Let me give a few bullet point suggestions. It could be the number of grade A to Cs, it could be the low absenteeism rate, parental choice – parents recognising a good thing when they see it. It could also be that the council's preferred measure of attainment, added value from age 11 to 16, shows Castle Hall doing better than some destined to be not only saved but enlarged.

Castle Hall has larger class sizes than most North Kirklees schools and therefore is good value for money.

The school aims high with regards to GCSE and does not boost attainment by using dubious NVQ qualifications, which favour low ability children.

These are just a few points off the top of my head. This is to say I am not criticising the other schools. What has happened is that, by attempting to close a popular school, the other establishments are heaving a collective sigh of relief because they know it could have been them.

As one cynical teacher told me: “We know the process is all wrong, but who is going to stick their neck out for them when it could have been us?”

Instead of building on success we are now going to see an even bigger scramble for what is perceived as a good school place. Mirfield has a higher percentage of pupils from outside the local area than Castle Hall.

One can see a mass exodus from Kirklees schools if this happens, as surely Mirfield children will have a priority at the remaining Mirfield school?

One can see such an exodus in the Batley and Birstall area already. Batley Boys is way under capacity now. What makes the education officers believe that more will flock to the school by having an enlarged building?

Will sharing facilities with the boys’ school hit the comparatively more attractive, in terms of capacity, girls school? Would it not be better to build a high school in Birkenshaw?

Being a cynic myself, the need to cut government spending could see the plans shelved anyway.

Being a teacher, it would, in my opinion, be a shame to close any North Kirklees school. In one way or another they all offer a good education and try to educate children to the best of their abilities.

I have taught in many Kirklees schools primary, secondary and middle. I would be happy for my children to be taught in any of the schools I have mentioned.

It is not me that has to be convinced. It is the ordinary parent who looks at the achievements of a school and votes with his or her feet that has to be persuaded. If the present plans go through I cannot see that happening.

BERNARD MCGUIN

by email

Concert thanks

WE went to a most enjoyable and inspiring concert on June 27 at Leeds College of Music.

We heard an orchestra and some talented soloists with age ranges from 10 to 17. The programme was made up of a variety of music from jazz and classical to new compositions by some of the players.

We really enjoyed a wonderfully enjoyable and happy evening and the amazing thing was that it was performed by deaf children; an orchestra formed by the Huddersfield charity, Music and the Deaf.

Thank you all teachers, interpreters and particularly the pupils who looked smart and behaved so beautifully, a credit to music.

On behalf of the many admirers of the first deaf youth orchestra, thank you.

Name and address supplied

What a waste

WHY on an average market day at the open market is three tons of cardboard thrown away into landfill?

How many tons is that a year? Scandalous waste. This cardboard could be sold.

WHISTLE BLOWER

Slaithwaite

Hands off our orchids

WOULD the person or persons plundering wild orchids on a bridle path in Meltham please leave them alone?

It is illegal to uproot wild flowers in Britain. Fines can be as heavy as £1,000.

Over the last few years two colonies of the Common Spotted Orchid have established themselves on this bridleway.

I don't think they are unique in the area but they are certainly unusual if not rare.

Local people have enjoyed them immensely and have seen them gradually flourish and expand. In a few years there could be large numbers for all to appreciate.

Britain has about 50 species of orchids and it is a privilege to have the Common Spotted growing locally.

But in the middle of last week, someone tried, without success, to uproot all the major specimens by hand. When they failed they left the flowers, stalks and leaves on the verge to wilt and die.

On June 27, the other remaining colony was plundered in the same manner. All that is now left is young seedlings.

This is an utterly selfish, disgraceful and criminal act. There is no chance that these orchids can be transplanted into a garden. If anybody wants wild flowers they can now be bought at most garden centres.

Hopefully they will bloom again in future but if they keep being plundered they will eventually die.

In some parts of the country wild orchids have flourished spectacularly this year and have become a valued attraction. They could be in Meltham, if they are left alone.

TOM MONTGOMERY

Meltham

Peaceful protest

I WOULD like to make a few observations about your story published about the council meeting on Wednesday June 24.

1. Castle Hall School had approximately 10 supporters present. Supporters of Birkenshaw High School had approximately 300 parents and children in attendance.

2. There were no angry scenes – the Birkenshaw supporters were noisy outside as the chant was ‘listen to us hear our voices’.

3. There was no forced entry into the council chamber; we only did what is our legal right – to enter the council chambers. This was done in a controlled way.

Initially, the council official said that we were not allowed, which is not factually correct, then they wonder why people do not believe what they say. Unfortunately for them, we are not stupid and understand our rights and insisted in a professional way that we should be allowed through. There was a lot of organisation and effort made by all the supporters of Birkenshaw, which seems to be getting overshadowed by Castle Hall.

PAULA INGHAM

Birkenshaw First School parent