ON behalf of Kirklees Council, I would like to pass on our huge thanks and congratulations to Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership led by Cathy Burger and her superb team of volunteers, for the best ever Food and Drink Festival yet.

St George’s Square has been packed with visitors more or less constantly since the festival opened its marquees on Thursday morning.

The fact that Huddersfield must surely now host Yorkshire’s most successful Food and Drink event is testament to the sheer vision and hard work of our Town Centre Partnership and the commitment of local businesses, which have built the festival to its present size and appeal.

The council invests £10,000 in the festival, which equates to 10p per visitor, of the 100,000 who attend.

When I think of how much I saw those visitors spending and the repeat visits to restaurants, shops and bars to come, I imagine the return on our investment has been huge; and no better way to support local businesses in the current climate.

Standing in the Square this weekend, it was impossible not to feel proud of our town and the things we make happen here.

Very well done to all those involved.

CLR MEHBOOB KHAN

Leader, Kirklees Council

A job well done

I HAVE noticed that pavements and footpaths in Highburton/Kirkburton have been sprayed to kill off weeds.

This is the first time in a number of years that this has been done.

The spraying appears to have been done efficiently and has been very successful.

I congratulate Kirklees Council on a job well done.

G. WILKS

Highburton

Thanks for service

I WOULD like to publicly acknowledge and express my thanks to our local doctors’ surgery.

I recently needed medical attention, and as it was Friday afternoon, my thoughts were probably next week before an appointment would be available.

After speaking to a very pleasant and helpful receptionist, she said I would get a call within half hour.

I did get the phone call and was seen by a GP that afternoon.

Thank you Marsden Health Centre.

JANIS QUARMBY

Marsden

Save the grouse

I EXPECT that some, though not that many, of your readers on the eve of the Glorious Twelfth (Grouse Season to Start, Examiner August 11) will now be happily cleaning and oiling their weapons (or do they have that done for them, I wouldn’t know) in eager anticipation of paying a few hundred quid per shoot for the pleasure of blasting the hapless birds into oblivion.

After all, the grouse have a good life, and are carefully bred and nurtured, the only catch being ultimately having their heads blown off for the edification of their brave assailants possessing only the advantage of a twelve-bore.

Matthew Watson of Savills, York (the agents for the grouse estate owners) says: ‘For 2012 the good news is that moors are mainly reporting increases in numbers. This will mean that bag records will most likely be broken again’.

In the interests of balanced journalism, may I please put in a word for the grouse and, oh, also for our dog who is terrified of gunfire?

No, it’s definitely not the good news.

CHRIS LEYLAND

Marsden

Practical skills needed

BRITISH school-leavers are totally unprepared for the workforce. Many are lacking in basic skills, such as writing a letter. So say our top German firms that operate in our country.

They blame our government who has given the ‘gold standard’ to university learning and neglected practical skills.

In Germany those who do not qualify for universities are offered an apprenticeship, while still at school.

Does our education system realise that school life and working for a living are poles apart?

Pupils must be prepared years in advance for working life.

If our country cannot survive in the global market then dole queues will lengthen.

We owe our kids an education where basic skills are a standard to give them any chance of picking a job up and given them pride in a work place.

P SMITH

Huddersfield

Explain the hoo-ha

CONGRATULATIONS to Britain’s medal winners, especially the Yorkshire contingent.

Just one thing now the hoo-ha is over: can anyone explain to me what is praiseworthy, respectable, or in any way desirable about two women trying to punch each other unconscious?

Certainly it’s not seen as a “sport” when it happens on Cross Church Street on Saturday night.

Richard Huddleston

West Slaithwaite