MY LETTER is in support of Gary Johnson who you featured recently in an article opposing Shelley Academy’s proposals.

Well done Gary Johnson. That’s why the Middle Schools in the Shelley pyramid are successful.

His passion, energy and enthusiasm inspires staff, children and parents at Kirkburton Middle School.

Exactly the same passion for children’s education exists at Scissett Middle School. Standards are high, behaviour is good and parental support is unwavering.

Mr McNally must be one of the few people who doesn’t realise what a goldmine he has on his doorstep.

Any headteacher would give his right arm for pupils such as those on leaving Middle School – although I don’t expect Mr McNally to go that far!

Collaboration, not takeover, is the way to further improvements and progress.Working together is how successful schools, popular with parents, build on their achievements.

I hope Mr McNally and his governors realise this before their proposals cause terminal damage to an outstanding pyramid of schools and their communities.

Michael Moriarty

( former headteacher at Scissett Middle School )

It’s working well

MAY I register my opposition to the proposed alteration to the Shelley pyramid.

The pyramid has worked well for decades, producing good results year on year as it is today, yet the head teacher has chosen to ignore all protocol and democratically elected bodies with this proposal indicating this is the way forward with mega schools (we were told this about banks) to replace outstanding middle schools with his good performing school (Ofsted results) This is not the way forward.

There are lots of concerns with parents both educational and social to be addressed in this consultation proposed by Shelley school.

The only good thing to come out of this issue is the high esteem head teachers and staff hold in the community.

The way forward is to let Shelley complete the consultation. Other parties can then reply make both findings public. Then there should be a full vote on the finding not just parents, a full residents’ vote.

The vote should be funded by Shelley school. No doubt they will not agree to this motion on cost.

But let me remind them of the cost that would be incurred if their proposal went ahead .

Adapting first schools to accommodate year six which is not included in the proposal, not to mention possible job loses.

They cannot expect to create a situation like this. then walk away at no costs incurred.

Or do the most sensible thing and withdraw the proposal because the pyramid is not broken and does not mending

RAE THOMAS

GREEN PARTY MEMBER,HIGHBURTON/KIRKBURTON PARISH COUNCIL

Museum funds welcomed

THE recently formed Friends of Tolson and Ravensknowle are thrilled by the £100,000 for the Tolson Museum.

Money raised by the Friends and Huddersfield Area Committee contributed to the successful award by the Arts Council.

Tolson Museum, which was formerly Ravensknowle Hall, was given to Huddersfield in commemoration of two young men who died on active service in the First World War.

It is right, at this time, that the military collections in the Museum should be better presented.

The Friends key aim is to support this by developing a memorial garden adjacent to the house for those from Huddersfield who have died on active service since 1945.

It is good to see that the Tolson Museum should at last have some investment in it. This is the Museum of Huddersfield for Huddersfield, a town with a proud record.

Its history of world renown excellence in the textile trade and engineering are all recorded in the museum. This is alongside Huddersfield’s archaeology and fine musical tradition.

Much more still needs to be done to develop this fine resource. This money will help enormously and we look forward to the opening of the refurbished museum in March.

Ann Denham

Chair of Friends of Ravenknowle and Tolson

Why so long?

WHY does it take such a long time for this country of ours to get rid of a known terrorist sympathiser who blatantly preached hatred and destruction on anyone who didn’t agree with his agenda for life.

The millions of pounds spent that came from the honest hard working people of this country, to pay for the whole farcical legal and judicial operation and which could have made a massive difference to the people who need it.

I’m talking about young and needy families who can barely afford to put food on the table and look after their children.

After the loss of even more Yorkshire soldiers and the lads from our own town it really saddens the heart to hear some politicians talk of, we’re all in this together.

The powers that be especially those in Westminster have a lot to answer for.

Patrick Hynes

Ex Soldier

Facts and figures

IT WAS interesting to read the article from Clr Andrew Cooper on the funding from Tesco for the new sports centre in the Weekend Examiner.

If we the ratepayers in Kirklees are to supply some funding for the centre surely we are entitled to know how the costs are made up. Who is paying and how much they are paying?

When this first raised its head a number of years ago I was under the impression that Tesco were to build and fund the new centre in return for them getting the site on Southgate for a new store.

This latest fiasco sounds to be typical of our council. Do what suits them and don’t tell the electorate until it is too late.

I think the time has come for all the costs to be publicly aired stating who is paying what and in particular the contribution from Tesco.

No work should be allowed to start until we know the facts.

These facts should state how much Tesco has paid for the land at Southgate and has the planning permission been passed for the development at Viaduct Street.

The Old Almondburian

Callous attitudes

I CAN’T believe the degree of callousness expressed by some of your correspondents towards disabled people (Examiner October 24).

On the other hand, perhaps I can, because there seems to be a marked trend towards blaming the most vulnerable members of society for the economic mess that we are in, instead of placing the responsibility where it does lie – with the politicians, speculators and bankers.

It seems that the paralympics has in fact had a negative impact on the perception of disablity.

Because some disabled people can become achievers in sport there seems to be an idea developing that ALL disabled people should be go-getters and medal winners.

If they are not then they lack moral fibre, are scroungers and should be cast among the undeserving poor.

It is no wonder that hate crime against the disabled is increasing.

The fact is that disabled people, like able bodied ones, are all individuals, they all have there own particular problems and own way of dealing with them.

They deserve as much support as society can give them. There is a vast difference between being able to work and actually getting a job, as many able-bodied people know.

And, despite anti-discrimination legislation, many employers are reluctant to employ people with disabilities.

I wouldn’t wish suffering on anyone, but perhaps those devoid of empathy might understand if they could experience disability for just a week.

Besides, not everyone can be a Douglas Bader as Mr Huddleston suggests.

There is a distinct lack of local vacancies for Spitfire pilots.

Alan Brooke

Honley

Praise for spillway

I WRITE regarding Butterley Spillway, which I visited recently whilst visiting Marsden Jazz festival.

I am appalled to find that the plan is to cover this incredible work with concrete.

As a stonemason I can fully appreciate why this is already a listed structure and would encourage you to support the objection to altering a beautiful and unique feature, which is clearly a great attraction in your area.

I look forward to seeing it again on my next and future visits.

Peter Tennant

Aberdare