Clitheroe 22324 (Editorial), 22323 (Advertising). Burnley 22331 (Classified) must decide on such key issues


WE note from the “Adver­ tiser and Times” of July 11th that, despite a firm request from the Chamber of Trade, the “results” of our latest public “survey” were published. The aim of the Chamber


with this current exercise is to place what we con­ sider the key points of the auction mart proposals before as wide a spread


funds, the service offered by the Citizen Newspaper Group provided a cost effective vehicle to reach


Working with limited


such a spread. In all, the Citizen handled 8,000 cir­ culars, in two weekly batches, with another 2,000 being available for the market traders and subsidiary distribution. As a spin-off to this


the market traders’ sur­


of the electorate- as possi­ ble.


exercise it provided a fur­ ther opportunity for the public to give collective voice — by returning the tear-off slip if they felt this appropriate. We allowed a week to 10 days for replies to filter back. Imagine our shock when


It’s all about compromise


THERE is some sort of illogicality to Paul Timson’s comments in the newspaper that appears to be a defensive screen.


questionnaire asks leading questions which lead to an ultimate conclusion by those that fill it in.


I would agree that the


it must be remembered that we live in a democ­ racy and the elected representatives of the peo­ ple must take notice of representation by the peo­ ple and quite clearly they are expressing views that must be listened to, how­ ever collected. Over the last five years


Having said all of that,


the'position of the market traders and the Chamber


Message loud and clear


got the message . . .no development of the old auction mart site other than additions to the exist­ ing market, which should remain as it is, plus improving and landscaping the existing car parking areas.


I HOPE the Ribble Valley Borough Council has now


OLD CLITHEItONIAN.


of Trade has not altered, but ask anyone in any business if the economic situation has altered. Too many so-called experts are making reports and ponti­ ficating on retail distribu­ tion without any first-hand knowledge. Statistics can be made


to back up any argument, but how many of the ex p e r ts have served behind a counter and know the intricacies of running a business serving the public? For crying out loud,


vey!” The structure and timing of this exercise were explained to your representative and it was stressed that, no comment could yet be made, as the slips returned had not yet even been collected by the Chamber, le t alone counted and collated. D esp i te our u rg e n t requests, you chose to publish an item based on incomplete information. To further muddy the


your reporter telephoned our press officer for com­ ments on the “results of


reacted on the basis of the brief given by your repor­ ter. When the exercise is complete the Chamber will submit a considered sum­ mary to the local authority for their reaction and action. We would hope that Mr


discounted the findings of this particular work when they were published!


waters, a comment was invited from RVBC and response was made by Mr Timson, who naturally


Timson will not dismiss this current exercise as his comments’ suggest — one cannot ignore public opin­ ion, whatever direction it might take. He shows favour for the survey con­ ducted by the grammar school — might we sug­ gest that he check with his colleague in planning, who


the council would take note of the views of everyone prior to embark­ ing on the development. Sadly, to date, this does not seem to have been the case. The results of all the published soundings of public opinion have been hgainst the proposals as they stand. There was nothing devious in the wording of our response slip — the plans are either acceptable or must be re­


Mr Timson stated that


Letters to the Editor Consider our young adults


I WAS most interested by Mrs C. S. Course’s recent letter and fully recognise the need for our very young children to have the undisturbed use of the Castle’s adventure playground without “hulking 14-year-olds contorting on the swings.” However, I believe that we must also consider the young adults (12-plus) in our


community whose love of swinging and contorting does not stop when they go to secondary school. Our town abounds in sporting and recreational activities but let us not forget the


transition stage between the playground and the sports club. May I, therefore, suggest that the planners give due consideration to the imagi­


native development of our recreational areas and incorporate a number of “fitness trails” and more advanced adventure playgrounds. Simple-standard equipment is available at relatively low cost. Thus a wide age range, from 12 years to SO can enjoy, at their own level, the challenges offered by these facilities.


destructive and remember that living in this world is all about compromise.


remember that if we don’t move forward we will die as a community. So be constructive, not


ROLAND HAILWOOD, Albion House, Kirkmoor Road, Clitheroe.


Trying to make political issue of everything


YOUR issue of September 5th carried a lengthy letter from County Coun. Ron Pickup in which he criticises the work of the Liberal Democrats on the Ribble Valley Council.


tries to make a political first speaker was the ward issue of everything coming member — a member of before the council and County Coun. Pickup’s automatically opposes party — who supported e v e ry th in g b ro u g h t the application for the forward by other parties, improvement (NB not I believe that much of extension) of the kennels, what goes on in local coun- j


County Corn. Pickup today, mentions that the cils has nothing to do with


many areas where there can be cross-party agree­ ment, but where there are distinct differences of policy, Liberal Democrats will oppose vigorously.


trate the point. l)alU' politics.^ ihei'e are t |1(. kenne|s have estab­ reiuctantly, because


lished use and, if the appli­ cation had been refused, the same number of dogs would have remained, but in inadequate buildings.


Recently, Ribble Valley Council met members of the D is t r ic t Health Authority and local GPs to consider the provision of maternity facilities at Clitheroe Hospital. I led the debate and was sup­ p o r ted by members reg a rd le s s of p ar ty, because this had nothing to do with party politics at local level. At a previous meeting,


impose a noise condition which was not previously


’


there. Let me, briefly, turn


from the destructive and negative and tell of some of the initiatives, taken at random, which Liberal Democrats have taken or which they arc supporting on behalf of others:


of particular drug prob­ lems related to young


© Drawing the attention


the council was asked to comment upon and sup- port applications Iron a th digablc(1 at the. number of hospitals m the mingbaths region seeking trust sta-


tus. The Conservatives supported the applica­ tions. Liberal Democrats opposed on principle because there has been no pilot scheme to justify such action. This was stated clearly and elo­ quently by Margaret Kelly and Frank Dyson and Liberal Democrats voted accordingly. I turn now to the five points raised by County


authorities of particular groups of children playing on the railway. (Fencing is now beiiig repaired.) G Highlighting the dan­


©Warning parents and -b...


people. © Encouraging the con­


tinuation of facilities for swim-


with the mem_


open your ears and minds unless you want to be known in history as the people who created a mon­ umental folly, regardless of the wishes of the people. But the people must also


MRS SIDONIE SINKER, Conservative Town Councillor, Eusthain Street, Clithcroe.


Why county councillor has shot himself in foot


I CANNOT claim to be an authority on every local issue, like County Coun. Ron Pickup. However, I do feel qualified to comment on aspects of one subject over which he has shot himself in the foot.


kennels to which he refers in his l e t t e r , I am obviously aware of most of the facts relating to the recent approval of our planning application. When our previous


As the owner of the


“the opposition” managed to muster letters from only nine households, despite door-to-door can­ v a s s in g , and th o se included le tte rs from Morecambe! As for the in te re s t


application was refused, neither County Coun. Pickup nor his erstwhile colleague, ex-Coun. Barrie Parker, bothered to visit the site or to verify the full facts. Indeed, Coun. Parker took it upon him­ self to appear at the plan­ ning committee meetings and la u n c h in to a 10-minute harangue, armed only with the innuendo, rumour, exag­ gerations etc. fed to him by the loud-mouthed minority. He did not bother to ascertain the true facts and was too shortsighted to consider the likely consequences of a refusal. Ribble Valley’s poll tax


ing in his familiar rhetoric and I find his prolonged attempts to make political capital at the expense of a small business beneath contempt. I wish to express my


shown by councillors, I should like to make it clear that I do not hold a brief for any political party. However, the facts are that Couns Frank Dyson, Steven Holt, Howel Jones and Denis McWilliam — all Liberal Democrats — took the time and effort, of their own volition, either to visit the site or to seek clarification of points by phone — a significant con­ trast to Coun. Parker and ■ County Coun. Pickup. Additionally, ward


payers owe the present planning committee a vote of thanks, both for saving the authority from humili­ ation at public inquiry and for saving themselves from having to bear costs running into four and pos­ sibly five figures (in fact, probably enough to pay for the ludicrous mini-round­ about experiment in


Whalley!) County Coun. Pickup


i


scoffs at the apparent dis­ regard shown by current councillors for the resi­ dents’ interests. Is he referring to the vested financial interest of our immediate neighbours — those who seek to increase the value of their houses, which have been built alongside a long-estab­ lished business? Does he not consider that other Ribble Valley residents are also entitled to have their interests protected? I refer, of course, firstly


councillors Bert Jones and John McGowan spent a considerable time on site visits. Contrary to County Coun. Pickup's assertion, Coun. McGowan then meticulously checked the accuracy of every point I had made and wrote to every member of the plan­ ning committee setting out the results of his efforts and outlining the possible consequences of refusal. Hardly sitting at home, is it, County Coun. Pickup! I note that in his letter


thanks for the overwhelm­ ing help and support that we have received from customers, friends and neighbours over the last 12 months and a particular thank you to the “mole” for keeping us forewarned of all the underhand tac­ tics employed against us.


DAVE BRIGGS, Clitheroe Kennels,


Edisford Road, Clitheroe.


worked — no ifs, buts or maybes! We look forward to sub­


mitting further comments when we have assessed the full response to our initiative.


stress to the public that THEY are the electorate, it is up to the PEOPLE to decide on issues of this magnitude.


Meanwhile, we would


CHRIS WOOD, President, Clithcroe and D is tr ic t Chamber of Trade.


Where the service was


better THERE was a man the other day who went into McDonalds and asked if he could get the roof of his council house repaired that week. He was to ld th ey


couldn’t help him as they sold hamburgers. He said he knew that,


but even so, the service was better. He’d only had to wait 30 seconds in one queue before being told he couldn’t have what he wanted. The place was clean and


Clitlieroe Advertiser & Times, September 10th, 1001 7


Charter for tenants is just comedy


I FEEL that I must reply to the article “Council is on its toes with charter for tenants” (September 5th). I’ve never read such comedy — the whole arti­ cle totally contradicts reality. My comments to some of the aims explained in the


article are as follows: 0 Clear and speedy replies to enquiries. What a laugh! Recently, it has taken the involve­


ment of councillors and our local MP to get any sort of reply from the council and then the reply was not direct to me. © An excellent, courteous and helpful service. Have you ever heard the statements “It’s being


monitored,” “Leave it with me and I’ll deal with it,” “We’ll get back to you,” “You’re in the wrong depart­ ment"? I know I have and to be sent from department to department to end up where you started is not “an excellent, courteous and helpful service.” G Complaints procedure to ensure that prob­


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lems are dealt with properly and quickly. Due to lack of action from the council after com­


certain matter which I now learn could have been solved quite easily 18 months ago. Very “quick” and very “proper!”


just be different words telling the same story. 1 think Coun. Mrs Kate Hodkinson has hit the nail


have a Tenancy Act which sets out quite clearly terms and rules of tenancy, but to a few these rules don’t apply and the council, in its wisdom, seems to turn a blind eye. What’s the point of having rules which don’t apply to everyone and which you are not prepared to enforce? These .proposed handbooks will


© Handbooks for all. Well this really does take the biscuit! We already


friendly and after listening carefully to his request


there again if he needed other local authority


they seemed genuinely sorry they couldn’t help. He thought he would go


services. Of course, the nearest


McDonalds to the Ribble Valley are in Labour-run Blackburn, Hyndburn and Burnley where Kinnock’s minions jail those having difficulty paying poll tax. Congratulations to Rib­


ble Valley Council on its new tenants’ charter.


S. WHITTLE, L i b e r a l p a r i s h councillor, 70 Billington Gardens, Billington.


Thanks for the memories


MANY, many, many thanks for the welcome that the residents of Clith- eroe gave to us who attended the RE reunion, and the memories it


brought back.


MR R. A. BICKNELL, 3 Sumner Road, Buriton Pctersfield,


Hants.


Plans decided on their merits


he sets out the parts played by Liberal Demo­ crat and Conservative councillors, but that he has studiously avoided men­ tioning the part played by Coun. Bert Jones. I assume that Coun. Jones is the leader of the Labour Party on the council, since he is that party’s only member. I owe Coun. Jones an


port and approval of the application. County Coun. Pickup t r i e d to g iv e th e


IN your letters column recently, County Coun. Pickup referred to the planning application for Edisford Kennels and quite rightly reported that Coun. Howel Jones pro­ posed and I seconded the application, but he omitted to add that his Labour Party colleague, Coun. Bert Jones, came specially to the committee, of which he is not a member, and asked to speak in full sup­


to be able to choose which rules it will enforce and which it will not. Whether a handbook will make any


wrong in getting my complaint heard in the last IS months, but I doubt it! I look forward to reading my copy of the hand


' S Kcmplc View, Clitheroe.


MRS S. BALSHAW,


Clitheroe, you did us proud!


THROUGH the courtesy of your columns may I say a most sincere “thank you” to all those Clitheroe people and others who organised the RE reunion and who entertained us.


Low Moor, both in 142 War Party and in Depot Company. Part of my time was as pontoon ground night watchman at the pontoon ground at Brun-


I spent six months at


several people at the civic dance and other functions whom we knew by sight. Clitheroe, you did us


gerley Bridge. Well do I remember the


proud. Thank you. As one ex-sapper said to me “Let’s look forward to the centenary celebrations.”


KSC canteen in Lower- gate and the YMCA van and the ladies who called with “char and wads” at Brungerley each day.


remain in my memory was the march from Castle


The event which will


impression that the deci­ sion was a political one, with his Labour Party against the application. May I add that I think it


is wrong of County Coun. Pickup to bring politics into planning applications. It is for each councillor to consider each one on its facts and merits and vote accordingly. I am quite sure this is the view of most of the planning committee.


B ow la n d , N ew to n , Slaidburn.


ger of children swinging on ropes near the river. © Following up com­ plaints from residents dis­


Coun. Pickup. 1. Whalley ro u n d ­


ab o u t . County Coun. Pickup is alone in wanting the mini-roundabout. The people of Whalley don’t want it. Coun. Mrs Kelly, quite rightly, aggressively opposes it. 2. Bull Bridge, Sabden.


turbed by taxi businesses operating from private residences and ensuring that action is taken. ©Arranging for local


to ourselves and secondly to our customers, a pro­ portion of whom are elderly, infirm or do not have the financial means to travel to kennels out­ side the immediate area. It may interest your read­ ers to learn that our appli­ cation was supported by letters from 44 Ribble Val­ ley households, whereas


residents to meet repre­ sentatives of the bus com­ pany to discuss problems caused by the over-inten­ sive use of the depot. © Meeting jocal resi­


Again, Coun. Mrs Lowe vigorously advocates a course of action which County Coun. Pickup opposes. She, however


people. 3. Ilollowhead Lane,


Wilpshire. I think County Coun. Pickup will find that the people of the area take the view of the MP and his council colleagues about traffic conditions and not those which he expresses. 4. Woonc Lane, Clith­


dents to discuss traffic problems on Chatburn Road. © Taking up numerous


has the support of Sabden emp]0yeeSj including the disabled.


opportunities for recrea­ tional facilities for young


• Exploring further


people. Much of this is not party


eroe. I am on record as having supported mea­ sures to improve road con- the Primrose


ditions at end of Woone Lane and to replace existing .industrial IIOWEL JONES, sites with sites for light L e a d e r , L i b e r a l industry. I also support recreational facilities at


Primrose Lodge. 5. Edisford Kennels. Your report of this item,


political, but I believe it is what the people of Ribble Valley want us to do, rather than perpetuate the confrontational politics which they rejected at the last elections.


Democrats, Ribble Valley Borough Council, 4 Warwick Drive, Clitheroe.


housing problems on behalf of the young and the elderly. © Investigating employ­ ment matters for council


Well aware of dangers


IN Ron Pickup’s criticism of Coun. Mrs Eileen Lowe, regarding Bull Bridge, Sabden, he men­ tions that there have been no accidents during the last five years. No, because villagers,


old and young, have been brought up aware of the dangers. This was a hazard some


apology. I have criticised his apparent attitude to the kennels in the past, through your columns. However, I have to take my hat off to him for hav­ ing the integrity not only to support the common sense approach to this matter, but to also take the trouble to attend a meeting of the planning committee, of which he is not a member, to speak in support of our proposals. I find this particularly


THE members of Slaidburn WI have asked me to place before you our concerns regarding the reforms proposed for adult and further education.


Importance of adult classes


cation and training for the 21st century,” which was published in May and is at present being prepared for introduction during the autumn session of Parlia-


praiseworthy, since both lie and Coun. McGowan have been subjected to disproportionate pressure from the objectors and attempts to intimidate them with threats of lost future votes. I wish I could speak as highly of our other ward member. My f inal p o in t on


Paper proposals have an(] WI classes; these peo- divided further education plej an(] especially the


It seems that the White villages rely upon village , . live in isolated farms and Many local people who


which lead people into jobs impossible to seek out and towards qualifications, transport and pay for B. Classes which cater courses elsewhere.


A. Vocational courses find it hard and often


County Coun. Pickup’s letter is that once again he tries to perpetuate the myth that we are carrying out an expansion. As to his comment that noise levels will increase, is he both psychic and an acoustics expert as well? I apologise for the


55 years ago and would have been remedied but for “the war.” A new bridge was to be


built, the road widened on the village side, ending where the car park is now, then known as Club Room End — surely a grandiose scheme, compared with the present one and the immense increase of traffic. How do I know?


of works! retired and older ones, will


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fo r a d u l t s ’ le i s u r e People can learn a whole interests.


these “leisure classes” may classes and these classes no longer receive Govern- can often be “ ta s te r” ment funding in the new courses, where confidence proposals.


We understand that ledge on non-vocational


length of this letter, but I feel the points in it should be made. Criticism of one’s political opponents is an accepted part of the local Government scene. How­ ever, I think that County Coun. Pickup should at least ensure that his facts are correct before indulg­


Because. I saw the plans, in the possession of a highly competent Sabden man, who was to be clerk


MISS E. WEBSTER, 15 Littlcmoor House, Sabden.


education falls into this The education of coun­ leisure category and we trywomen is a vital part of feel, without Government the WI programme funding, many local authority and WI classes will disappear. The grants to county federations may be lost and so their ability to set up WI classes will go.


A great deal of adult tional study later,


Women will be the .main losers, for almost eight out of 10 students in adult education in the UK are women. We have asked our MP,


As p re sen t leisure classes close — as close


a pseudonym in print. Anonymous letters - i.e. those arriving


without a full name and address - will never be considered for publication. Letters may be edited for reasons of length or content.


ALL letters must be accompanied by a' name and address, even i f you wish to use


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Michael Carr, to urge the Government to remove adult education from the new proposals for improv­ ing education and training for young people and to reconsider the importance of adult education and. its funding as a separate issue.


• 11 Chatburn Park Drive,; Clitheroe.


JENNY BRADLEY, Secretary, Slaidburn WI,


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COUN. MRS DOROTHY PEARSON,


Field to St Paul’s Church on September Sth. It was impressive to see the num­ ber of people who turned out to watch us and who clapped us so enthusiasti­ cally.


dier to hold Clitheroe peo­ ple in warm regard. This reaction to us brought home to me how much that warmth was reciprocated. We lived in Clitheroc for


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WI L L I AM E. M ARUNDEL, 18 Paddock Close, Castle Donnington, Derby.


on the head. The council does need something to keep a check on it, because at present it would seem


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book to see what my rights as a tenant of the Ribble Valley are. Whether these rights are recog­ nised is a different matter.


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