AS we approach the local elections it’s interesting to see how all political parties proudly claim to be the only ones who are going to protect our local communities, green fields and green belt from avaricious developers.

So who is telling the truth and who isn’t?

You certainly can’t tell from the election literature. So, perhaps we need to go back to two indisputable facts on public record.

Firstly that on March 6, 2012, Labour, the Lib Dems and two independents voted for relatively ambitious LDF proposals that included the release of almost 400 acres of green belt land for industrial and residential development.

Secondly, that the Conservative and Green parties voted for more modest proposals, promising “no green belt development” and “to scrap the current LDF and start again with the support of local people.”

OK, life is rarely that simple, but when you are trying to make sense out of all the election hype and misinformation that frequently pushes the boundaries of common decency you sometimes have to get back to basics.

The really silly part is that the LDF was rushed (some would say rammed) through just three weeks before the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published.

Goodness knows why our council leaders wanted to put the cart before the horse, but they did.

So you will not be surprised to know that the LDF doesn’t now comply with the NPPF and will have to be substantially rewritten.

It would be churlish to say “we told you so” but I hope I can be forgiven for having just a little wry smile on my face.

So, to save our green fields from the bulldozer we now urge you to vote for candidates of whatever party who promise to oppose the current LDF if given the opportunity to do so.

Robert Bamforth

Kirklees Community Action Network

Sad face of bullying

IT saddened me to see your piece about bullying and the photo of the young girl with her bruised face looking so forlorn, (Examiner, April 28, ‘Colne Valley High School pupil needed hospital treatment after staff ignored bullying’).

It reminded me of another girl aged 12 who was trapped in a cycle of bullying with nowhere to turn to for help.

I learned how to hide things from my family and the teachers rather than make things worse for myself.

The bullies, it seems, always seem to win in the end and this article shows that nothing seems to have changed.

Even when you make the brave decision to tell all, the powers-that-be still seem unable to deal with things correctly.

At 60 years of age I remember my school days with fear and trepidation and still bear the mental scars even now.

I hope this young girl finds a more sympathetic school where she gets the help she needs to enjoy her time there and her peers show her that bullying isn’t acceptable and won’t be tolerated.

Carol Ellis

Cowlersley

Tough times for fans

I’M usually bang in agreement with the Examiner’s Giants’ reporter Chris Roberts, but I was surprised he moaned about Sunday’s Galpharm crowd.

I was quite amazed that so many turned up. After just about drying out following the previous week’s Odsal trip I was mightily tempted to stay warm rather than shouldering my brolly again to sit, damp and chilly, through a foregone conclusion.

That’s what it was. No way this Giants squad was going to slip up.

How do you sell a no contest in these strained times?

My advanced years bring some benefits including reduced admission on Sunday. But I don’t think I would have shelled out top dollar for this match if I was juggling a family budget with yet more new shoes needed and the cash-guzzling car to be topped up.

Rugby League people tend to be quite pragmatic and I’m sure a lot of sensible decisions were made on Sunday.

Having said all that, Swinton – in the truest traditions of the sport – proved to be warriors.

They fought a lost cause with heart and soul and I confess I spent the last 10 minutes cheering for them to at least enjoy scoring.

They deserved that but life ain’t always fair.

Robert Wood

Huddersfield

Anger over ‘rough lot’

I’M writing to you regarding your story in the Examiner on Saturday regarding Lindley bar wins right to stay open later, (‘Lindley bar wins right to stay open later’).

I’m the licensee of The Black Horse in Lindley. I or my customers who visit Bar 10 do not appreciate Ms Nikki Schofield’s description of “the Lindley rough lot.”

This insinuates that every other licensed premises in Lindley does not have a pleasant environment and only caters for a certain class.

The Black Horse regulars watch football so it seems they are not welcome either.

I have loyal customer base from different backgrounds and Ms Schofield’s snobbish attitude has upset them all – and that’s not just in my pub.

Like myself, Ms Schofield is from this area and knows many people and, as far as I was aware, Ms Schofield was indeed a football fan, but obviously not in public.

It was nice to see that a local was reopening the pub instead of it shutting its doors for good.

Michelle Priestley

Licensee of The Black Horse, Lindley

I need to warm up

WOULD someone please tell me when this global warming thingy is going to start because at the moment all I am feeling is wet and cold.

R J Bray

Shelley

I agree with Barry

I AGREE with Barry Fowler’s letter on Monday, April 30 which simply hits the nail firmly on head (‘Bloated’ public sector’).

The public sector does indeed bleed the private sector dry and never a truer word has ever been spoken.

JT

Meltham

History repeats itself

ON Sunday the Red House Museum held a bicentenary of the Luddite uprising in the district that was very informative and well presented.

The Mikron theatre company acted out in costume as Luddites and also Lord Byron who was against some of the Luddites being hanged in York in 1813.

They also sang a superb performance. In the lower barn a man dressed as a local militia volunteer demonstrated firearms from the era.

During the Luddite riots some of the Luddite families where starving and a poor relief collection was set up Rev Patrick Bronte who donated one guinea which was lot of money in whose days.

History seems to be repeating itself with today’s recession and food banks being set up.

Imelda Marsden

Member of the Bronte Society

Never-ending hold-ups

THE disruption just goes on and on at Halifax Road in Birchencliffe up to the roundabout at Ainley Top and the start of Manchester Road at Chapel Hill.

Both sites are important routes and yet they are treated with so casual a disregard that staggers belief.

Businesses at Birchencliffe must despair at the continuing disruption.

On the occasions when I have struggled up to the roundabout I have never seen anyone working! Why not? Other countries have an urgent approach to such schemes and work through the night. Why not here?

In the meantime, of course, our roads are a national disgrace.

Perhaps priorities need a little attention and our council representatives could focus on this instead of planning more houses.

Trevor Woolley

Linthwaite

Doughnuts mean dosh

THE ever popular National Doughnut Week is fast approaching and I would like to make a special appeal to the public to support this annual charity event which takes place from May 12 to 19 in aid of The Children’s Trust.

All you need to do is to purchase doughnuts from participating High Street bakers – wherever you see the National Doughnut Week posters displayed. A percentage from each doughnut sale will be donated to The Children’s Trust, a national charity that provides care, education and therapy for children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs, and rehabilitation to children with an acquired brain injury.

Now in its 21st year, National Doughnut Week has raised an incredible total of £735,000 for children’s charities.

So bakers, if you haven’t done so, please register now and get baking – and all you lovely people get buying.

AINSLEY HARRIOTT

For The Children’s Trust