THE saga goes on but I feel I must write again to support the Thandi Partnership as one reader put it recently that many objectors are ‘bordering on vindictiveness’ following their initial plans which I agree broke the planning regulations and which should have been followed more rigorously at the time.

One correspondent (Brian Horton, Mailbag, December 10) quite rightly talks about heritage being about people, not stone or flint chips.

The hostelry and site was a family affair, somewhere in a wonderful location where families or individuals could stop off during a scenic walk to overlook a proud textile town and beyond.

They could arrive by motor vehicle via an access road which some objectors think should not be there.

Maybe the architects designing the ‘ultra modern underground cavern’ could think up a way of beaming vehicles and their occupants onto the site, thereby rendering a road redundant!

Surely they cannot think of revamping it or even providing traffic lights or else objectors would be on their backs, not to mention Barry Sheerman, who is carrying out his ‘civic duties’ by taking the whole issue to parliament.

The Examiner asks if this new underground project idea is a design nightmare or a thing of beauty. I would go for the former and think it needs burying.

Someone might be able to provide the statistics of accidents over the past years from vehicles using the access road. I cannot remember any reports in the Examiner of such incidents during the life of a hostelry on the site. Therefore, if it’s not broken why fix it?

Lucy Jones (Mailbag, December 12) thinks the historical value should be shared by all. How many is all? Is she expecting a massive influx of visitors now the castle is standing alone? I think not. I’m afraid it is now the other way round – so much for enjoying the site.

Another correspondent ( Jeff Brook, Mailbag, December 13) asks how many of the objectors to the Thandi Partnership’s new plans have been up to Castle Hill of late (or even at all). An interesting thought.

Is it really bad practice, therefore, for someone to return the hostelry to the hill.

Remember, it was there long before the castle was erected and would provide employment as well as a service to its visitors.

The Thandis were willing to incorporate a visitor centre along with a presence on the site which the police have to visit regularly to ensure there are no ‘illegal goings on’ by vehicle occupants.

It would be pleasing to see Huddersfield Civic Society (with clenched teeth) go with the idea of the two initiatives working together for the sake of the general public as I believe the quiet majority are for the Thandi plans.

One last thought. In the Examiner (December 15) there was a full page report of the licensee of a thriving pub at Aspley (despite competition from cheap supermarket alcohol and the smoking ban) having to find a new home and employment following a decision by the building’s new owner to convert it into flats and a takeaway.

My message to the Thandis is to go for it and good luck. Don’t let the establishment grind you down.

As well as a thriving business I know you are trying to provide a service and employment, but what does that matter!

Chris Thomas

Huddersfield

Thandis at the George?

THE Thandi Partnership should forget Castle Hill and take over the George Hotel if they want to run a pub/hotel for Huddersfield to be proud of and not ruin an outstanding local viewpoint

David Taylor

Netherton

Thanks to hotel

IN light of our recent wedding on Saturday, December 22, myself and my wife would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff at the Hey Green Country House Hotel in Marsden for making our day so special.

From the moment we booked Hey Green as our wedding venue in December 2011 we have received nothing but the highest standard of service in addition to valuable support, especially from Kate the wedding co-ordinator, when planning our big day.

We have always felt extremely welcome whenever we have visited Hey Green to discuss any element of our wedding. We also made a number of special requests which were understood and delivered to the highest level of quality which was greatly appreciated by my wife and our families.

There has also been some negative press in the past couple of months regarding the operational status of Hey Green. However, I must commend the way in which this news was presented to myself and my wife and the reassurances provided to keep us both calm and focused on our big day.

Any questions were also answered immediately in what I am sure was a difficult time and all the staff must be commended with their approach to dealing with this situation. A big thank you once again.

the new Mr & Mrs Shoghi

Huddersfield

Show disappointment

HAVING booked for the family and our grandson’s first ever show, Beauty and the Beast at the LBT, we thought it would be a wonderful start to the festive season.

Sitting for the first hour we were speechless. It was terrible, obviously not written for children in mind, let alone adults.

Needless to say we didn’t stay for the second half as we could not stand any further disappointment.

We would rather have given the £50 to charity.

Joyce David

Huddersfield