I’VE READ the article headed ‘We will clamp down on Ale Trail drunks’ the Examiner (June 7).

I welcome the promise of West Yorkshire Chief Constable, Mark Gilmore and West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson to tackle drunkenness along the trans-Pennine Real Ale Trail especially in Slaithwaite and Marsden.

However, I’m dismayed at Mr Gilmore’s comment: “I hope over the next three to six months a real plan can be made.”

The communities affected cannot wait six months for a ‘real plan’. They need action now.

High summer, the prime time for excursions to the Colne Valley and other local destinations, will soon be here (regardless of the weather!) and so will the drunks unless prompt action is taken.

I’ve not witnessed the trouble in Slaithwaite and Marsden personally, but I’ve seen how these louts behave at Leeds station on Saturday afternoons when they set out on their revels.

They are often well tanked up by the time they board the train, and their fellow passengers (who include young children) have to endure their raucous singing and filthy language – a most unpleasant experience.

I call on you, Messrs Burns-Williamson and Gilmore, to nip the trouble in the bud and take these drunken yobs off the trans-Pennine trains at Leeds and Dewsbury.

Surely their behaviour warrants arrest for being ‘drunk and disorderly’? That way, the miscreants won’t get to Slaithwaite and Marsden at all and responsible drinkers will be able to enjoy their pints in peace.

William A Kirby

Netherton

Happy ending?

TWO articles from Saturday’s Examiner (June 8) struck me as being particularly worthy of an email.

Firstly the Shelley College who have had their Prom Ball cancelled. This must be devastating for the pupils but it’s not the end of the world.

Disappointing I know but a fact of life that sport does sometimes take priority over other things in the UK. Did I say sometimes? Read all the time for that!

Secondly the story about Shelley Methodist Church needing £140k for roof repairs. Couldn’t these two organisations get together for mutual benefit?

I assume the church has a church hall somewhere which could be brought into use and probably a congregation who have A-levels in making suppers/ tea/ coffee/ squash.

The pupils are too young to be having alcohol so that shouldn’t be a problem. So Shelley College and church folk, what about a meeting and see if something can be worked out?

I would offer my church, Parkwood Methodist but we are too far away at Longwood. It might not be the Prom the pupils planned or envisaged but I bet the Shelley congregation would ensure an enjoyable evening. A night to remember!

Incidentally I have never paid £179 for a dress in my life. I think a lesson in money handling might be appropriate here.

Even when I went to Buckingham Palace my whole outfit cost less than £100 and venues don’t come posher than that.

I hope this story has a happy ending for everyone. Disappointment is a bitter pill.

Barbara Rushforth

Huddersfield

Why more houses?

MAY I refer to Lynne Heeley’s letter (June 6) regarding Nicholas Crane’s excellent documentary on our town and our council’s desire to build houses beneath Castle Hill towards Newsome.

I agree with Lynne that perhaps we should adopt Mr Crane to voice a national campaign to save our most iconic beauty spot.

I appreciate in the South East of England new homes are needed but in our area, estate agents are overstocked with unsold properties. Many council houses remain empty without talking about the private rental market so unless there may be a hidden agenda that we mere mortals do not have knowledge about what is our council thinking of?

Please all of you that enjoy green fields and pleasant views oppose these somewhat dubious development plans.

Castle Hill / Hall Bower resident.

Overall responsibility

I AGREE most definitely with Clr Christine Smith (Letters, June 8) regarding (KNH) Kirklees Neighbourhood House.

They are what I would call a ‘quango’. Who are they accountable to?

KNH is an ‘arms length company’ set up by the council because of an injection of Government money that was available to bring Kirklees Housing stock up to modern standards, which have been lacking for years.

A management team was set up from part of the Government income for wages – a Chief Executive and some officers – then it was decision time on which areas were being upgraded first, then which company had been successful to do the work on the properties.

Kirklees Council are still the landlord of the housing stock, so therefore someone within the council should have a portfolio of overall responsibility if tenants are having problems with KNH.

Unfortunately because it is a quango – it seems to be that with their response to the young family about their lovely kitchen having to be dismantled or else they cannot leave the property for another property – they are seemingly not accountable to anyone only themselves!

The young family who have made efforts to improve their home with the new kitchen should not be jeopardised because they want to move.

Whoever wants to move into their house would be grateful for a nice kitchen like that. But because of the antiquated ways of KNH it does not seem possible, as they seem intent on being dictatorial.

Maureen Jackson (MBE)

Dalton

Managing housing

AS A former employee of Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing working on the front line I am quite aware of Clr Christine Smith’s feelings towards this arms length company (Letters June 8).

It is evident, in my view, that she has very limited knowledge of housing management and should stick to making comments on what she knows best.

‘Improvements,’ whether to the house or garden, by KNH tenants have to be authorised prior to commencement and carried out by responsible trades persons.

If such authorisation is not sought or given that person runs the risk of being declined a move and also liable for the cost of making good any defective plumbing, electrics, materials etc.

Clr Smith is not aware of the circumstances in this particular case just to comment that ‘the kitchen looks to be much improved’. It looks ok in the Examiner photo – so it is fine for the next tenant to take on then.

Along with the new tenant it would then subsequently be KNH taking the flack if anything went wrong and I am sure Clr Smith would be the first to judge with gusto.

My advice Clr Smith is to take time out and shadow KNH officers to find out what housing management is all about.

Name and address supplied