Letters, November 23, 2010
Nov 23 2010 by Sarah Bull, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
MAY I take this opportunity to thank members of the local community of Scholes for their continued support of Scholes J and I School?
It seems to be on almost a daily basis that we hear the new coalition government talk about the ‘Big Society’ and how we should plan to work together and support our neighbours who may be ‘in need’.
I have to say that within the village of Scholes we have a long tradition of society and the local community reaching out to help each other.
Over this last year we have received the support of the Holme Valley Area Committee and Parish Council for the majority of funding for our new outdoor Centenary Stadium.
This sporting facility will be used by children in school now, local organisations out of school time and for many more children in the future.
This new facility was opened during the worst downpour of the year (July) and is now in regular use – we are so grateful for this generous funding!
For many years Jean and Alan of Scholes Post Office have supported the school with all fundraising ventures. They have done this quietly without asking for recognition.
Parents, grandparents and ‘friends’ of the school give hours of their time to support children in class, with out-of-school clubs, gardening, parents’ association meetings and through the governing body.
We have members of voluntary organisations such as Friend to Friend, sports clubs, the Rotary Club and Holme Valley Business Association who give time and funding towards school projects.
Members of Scholes Methodist Church continue to be great supporters of the school. This year our school aims to work with the church community as they celebrate 150 years of life in the village.
For many years the customers of the Boot and Shoe have donated a third of their Harvest Home proceeds to our school; this year we received just under £900 – a marvellous total given the current economic climate.
For the very first time this money will go towards purchasing school essentials – reading books. In previous years the ‘Boot’ money has bought the extras such as additional sports, computer or library equipment.
Thanks go to David and Debbie from the ‘Boot’ and all the customers for their financial support; it is much appreciated and never taken for granted.
As a school we continue in the tradition of teaching children to consider others and prepare them to be members of society. This year we have chosen to support the RNLI, the flood victims in Pakistan, BBC Children in Need, Laura Crane Cancer Care Trust and the Methodist Mission Crisis Centre in Huddersfield.
On behalf of the children and staff in school I would like to extend our thanks to all members of the ‘Big Society’ within the small village of Scholes.
Yvonne Donkersley
Headteacher, Scholes J and I School
To the ‘benefit’ of all
I AND others through the Mailbag column have been expressing our concern over the continued abuse of tax payers’ money. One area of concern has been the systematic abuse of benefits.
We have had in return several name-calling letters objecting to our views, but for life of me I can’t see why. The more people pay taxes, the more money our government has to spend on services for the betterment of everyone. Is such prosperity a bad thing?
I, like millions of people, support the welfare state. It is our public duty to help the poor, sick and infirm along with those who fall on hard times. You never know when you may need the support yourself.
Very much like insurance, you pay your premiums hoping never to make a claim.
This problem that we face is a creation of successive governments over decades trying to sweeten the voters. Yes, these governments bought votes by their benefit give-away budgets, and now the Grim Reaper has come for payback.
The critics should give the government a chance to put things right.
R J Bray
Shelley
No sense in cutting jobs
LETTER writers such as ‘PF’ ( ‘Blame where it’s due’ November 13), R J Bray ( ‘No-one’s job is safe,’ November 12 ) and Richard Huddleston ( ‘Scapegoats,’ October 16) can criticise what I’ve written on the economy only by ignoring two things.
First, they ignore the dreadful mess Labour took over in 1997. There was no Tory Wonderland. We were still getting over the second home-grown Tory-made recession.
Twice, in the early 80s and 90s, the Tories drove our economy into a brick wall. There was no world-wide economic slump to blame. It was all their very own work.
I fear they’re going to do it again, but with the Lib-Dems acting as a ‘human shield’ to distract our attention.
Our hospitals, schools, police, roads – the things which hold our society together – had been run down, starved of money. But for the Tories, of course, ‘There is no such thing as society.’
Second, in my letter ‘We can’t ‘cut’ our way to prosperity,’ November 5, I asked if anyone who backs the cuts could please tell me how they were going to help. Nobody has answered that yet.
I presume PF, RJB and RH are in favour of the proposed level of cuts. I apologise if I’m wrong. Just to remind R J Bray, my letter quoted the head of the CBI saying ‘... where are we going to create jobs to offset the public sector cuts?’
Declan Curry was recently pictured handing out the local Business Awards. What did he say to the gathered business community? “The next three years could be just as tough as the last three. Taxes will go up and work from the public sector will be reduced. Workers will lose their jobs and consumers will be frugal.”
Those in favour of these cuts have to explain how they are going to be good for the private sector.
R A Vant
Holmfirth
Time for drivers to rally
THE latest public consultation is on the Local Transport Plan – what will happen in West Yorkshire between 2011 and 2026.
Given that this consultation is overseen by West Yorkshire Metro and executed by local councils, ie Kirklees in our case, it’s a safe bet that car drivers are once more to be targeted.
Hence it’s important that we all make robust replies to defend our corner.
The consultation can be answered via the internet at www.wyltp.com or email at ltp@wypte.gov.uk. Printed copies are available by calling 0113 348 1726 and at libraries. We have only until December 17 to answer.
Richard Huddleston
West Slaithwaite
Just the job
IN reply to the letter ‘What, no jobs?’ (Mailbag, November 17) well, congratulations, Christopher of Dalton. Three weeks out of work and six jobs to pick from! Lucky you!
I have applied for over 200 jobs via newspapers and also on-line. My details are registered with at least six sites that match my details to vacancies and I spend at least two hours a day searching the internet.
These have been jobs that I am over-qualified for and others at the same level as my previous role.
Pity you don’t mention what your qualifications are and what jobs you had your pick of? This could have made interesting reading!
AM
Deighton
Legion’s gratitude
I AM writing on behalf of New Mill British Legion to thank the following for participating in and contributing to our recent act of dedication and remembrance service at Christ Church, New Mill.
The Rev Sean Robertshaw, churchwardens and helpers, Geoffrey Lockwood and the church choir, Hepworth Band, Army and Air Force cadets, scouts, cubs, brownies, councillors, local police and New Mill British Legion committee all combined to provide a sensitive and moving tribute to the parish fallen.
A full church experienced the kind of special occasion which reflects the best quality of local and national tradition.
The church service was followed by a parade to the Legion Memorial Room and New Mill club – a special thank-you to parade master Warrant Officer Kevin Piccavey – following which, refreshments were provided by Jane Rogers, Susanne Pattison and stewardess Christine.
Long may our traditions continue.
I Conroy
President, RBI, New Mill
Visiting quality
IN OUR local health services (Bosses Winning, Examiner, November 17) the shortfall in the number of health visitors was reported as having been reduced from 4.7 to a ‘manageable’ 1.5.
This figure does not Šsay anything about health visitors’ performance. Have they been given sufficient clients, or too many?
Do they see each client Šfrequently – or not often enough? Are too many hours lost travelling, or knocking on unanswered doors?
GarfiŠ
Huddersfield
Anonymous Samaritan
THE family of Mrs Doreen Wood of Netherton would sincerely like to thank the gentleman who stopped to help her when she had a nasty fall in Moor Lane, Netherton on Monday, November 15.
Not only did he take her home in his car but called back later to check on her welfare. Unfortunately she did not get his name so we cannot thank him personally. From a grateful family.
Phil Langton
Huddersfield
Salt in the wound
WHY is it that if Kirklees Council can get it wrong, they will?
The council proudly claimed that it has bought three squillion tons of rock salt and grit to avoid the nonsense of last winter where some areas became impassable.
So what happens when the first frosts of winter turned Holme Valley roads into ‘ice rinks’?
Well, as usual, cars crashed and people suffered.
Of course the ‘council spokesman’ claims that the roads had been gritted, so there the explanation must be that they are misinformed or the roads were not gritted properly.
At least in June next year we will still have plenty of grit left.
Trevor Woolley
Linthwaite
