Clitheroc Advertiser & Times, October litli, 1092 Clithcroc 21.12!, (Editorial), 22.J2.) (Advertising). Blinden 422JJ1 (Classified) [Letters


I AM prompted to write to you following the diatribe which appeared in last week’s edition concerning the finances of local schools.


was mischievous, at worst l ib e l lo u s , and I am ashamed to admit that I am a m e m b e r of NASUWT.


At best this allegation


publicise the fact that this school currently holds


I am NOT ashamed to


budgetry surpluses total­ ling £11,500. this being KW, of its total budget. To redress the balance.


p e rh a p s you should acquaint the public with the following facts: • These surpluses have


in the summer term and, realistically, could not be expected to make spend­


been gained as the result of good management, good housekeeping and not a lit­ tle good luck.


schools only became responsible for their own finances on April 1st this year. Prior to that date,


• Most Ribble Valley


budgets had been man­ aged almost totally bv LCC.


official confirmation about their surpluses until late


• Schools did not have C om m i t te d s ta f f


AS the parent of two children attending Barrow School, which was reported last week to have had a recent cash reserve of 25.7%, I would like to express my views.


money until it gained control of its own budget in April" Secondly, money is by no means the only ele­ ment in a good education.


Firstly, the school was not allowed to spend the


work and give the children time, support in all areas of their development and a wide range of activities supplementary to the National Curriculum. These include chess, Italian lessons and an after­ school club once a week from 3-30 to 6 p.m., where


The staff at Barrow are highly committed to their


children can choose their own activities. The headteacher, Chris Wood, also took children


camping during the summer holidays and holds occa­ sional Saturday workshops to prepare for participation


in some church festivals. None of this costs the school a great deal of money,


but it does cost a great deal in terms of time, attention and motivation — factors which are too often over­ looked when educational deficiencies are under


scrutiny.The balance sheet is important, but nowhere near as important as the quality in all areas of educational experience provided by committed teachers.


SATISFIED PARENT.


I FEEL I must ought to have read


ing plans until now. • Headteachers have


received only meagre training in financial man­ agement. It is, therefore, to be expected that ini­ tially they will be cautious in advising their governors about expenditure. As Lancashire schools


The quarry controversy


THERE has been a good deal of correspondence recently concerning Castle Cement’s plan to reopen and ex ten d Bellman Quarry.


to be considered by Lanca­ shire County Council’s Development Control Sub­ committee in December. If you care for the Rib­ ble Valley and your pleas-


It is a typical example of ant living environment how Britain’s appetite for you should send a letter


building roads is literally consuming the country­


side. One part of the country­


currently hold almost £30.3m in surplus, perhaps a more pertinent question might be to ask where, in previous years, this money went, before schools assumed responsibility for their own finances? To allege that schools


side is damaged to bury another under tarmac. It has been termed the “environmental double­ whammy.” It is now time for the


objecting to the proposal to the County Planning Officer, PO Box 160,


Valley would wish to g re e n


convey. It would be seen from


many vantage points and screens of tre e s and bushes could not possibly


Preston. If the plan goes ahead,


the quarry will almost double in size in an Area of Special Landscape. The visual impact will be quite appalling! A great


debate to close and the decision to be taken. Cas­ tle Cement’s application is


are deliberately hoarding money and defrauding pupils and parents of their entitlement is, frankly, ridiculous and beneath contempt.


J. E. GREEN, Headteacher, Gisburn Forest Primary School, Tosside.


Insulting


I WRITE in response to the reported remarks of an official of the teaching union NASUWT, ques­ tioning the management of school budgets, of which


YOUR report last week gives the impression that I am an opponent of the Bellman Quarry scheme.


as the Cement Works has been in operation for over 50 years and forms an important part of Clith- eroe’s commercial and industrial life, we have to accept the present situa­ tion and also any reason­ able proposed devel­ opment that will improve its viability and is not seriously detrimental to' our environment.


In fact, I consider that,


this school is one. I find the remarks ill-in­


new hole in the ground, visible only from a few vantage points and of less


I do not think that a


formed and insulting. If I may paraphrase a famous politician, “Get your trac­ tors off our lawn, Pat.”


R. H. MAUDE, Headteacher, Chatburn CE School.


No trouble if rules followed


reply to a letter by “Countryman,” cl: “Desecrating my countryside.


born and brought up in the country, I know only too well the trouble that a thoughtless minority of people can cause to the farming community, but strongly object to the way in which all people visiting the countryside were


Writing as one who was


addressed. My husband has been a


walker for almost 50 years and has always been on amicable terms with most farmers he has met. If you obey the rules, there is no trouble. Indeed, lots have pointed out the paths when he has been unsure and he has seen recently


walkers.” The trouble is, we now


signs which read: “Farm- ers welcome car m g


have two types of country dwellers. The true coun­


1 1 *


1 WAS absolutely amazed to read such ill-informed comments in the recent letter from “Countryman and would like to inform the gentleman concerned


trymen are the farming community who work the land and also the local vil­ lagers living round about, but recently people from outside have moved into the countryside and once they have settled in and put down their roots they object to anyone else from outside coming anywhere near their patch. Only recently my hus­


" whose headline


more houses are encroach- f ields and


ing on to woodlands. As for the footpaths, which “ Countryman


states are not for town or city people to use, a foot­ path is for anyone to use when travelling on foot


band was pinned against a wall by three dogs, two of which were rotweilers, while walking near one of these properties. He was on a recognised path, walking alone, without a dog. This was a terrifying experience and, no doubt, against the law. Birds and wildlife have


from A to B. No doubt these town


than half the area of the present development, need significantly increase our problems


enormous eyesore formed by the present buildings; the 24-hour level of noise which is particularly apparent at night; the strong smell of sulphur dioxide which, fortuna­ tely, we notice on only perhaps a dozen or so days a year; and the level of


hide it.The present level of dust is already giving con­ cern to local residents and a huge increase in dust emissions is predicted, which might affect those wi t h r e s p i r a t o r y


hole at the centre of the kingdom is hardly^ the tourist image the Ribble


heavy traffic on the link


road.I am sure that Castle Cement can do much to reduce the impact of both the present site and the p r o p o s e d


development. The belt of deciduous


n e w


trees to the north of the plant provides consider­


able screening for six months in the year. The addition of conifers would help during the winter


months as well. I understand that much


environment ficed.


and


RFN BROWN Secretary


disorders. Five thousand people


live within one mile of the site and Clitheroe Commu­ nity Hospital, with elderly and terminally-ill patients, will be only 200 yards


away.Households will be sub­ jected to constant noise from blasting, drilling and crushing operations, and from lorry movements, for seven days a week,


one of the best quality to the paper. ■


grasslands in the area and a milk yield within the top 107o in Lancashire. It will also mear. the loss


r S t '


......


of a Site of Special Scien­ tific Interest, as well as


rare plants. We Ramblers respect


of the noise comes from unscreened motors in or around the new kiln. Can screening be provided? I don’t know whether


and care for the country­ side, including the natural beauty and wildlife of rural areas and the life of rural communities.


the sulphur dioxide emis­ sions are detrimental to health, but they are very unpleasant. Can they not be filtered out? Finally, we are told that


in West Bradford are the tially entail an increase in ’ the heavy traffic using the


The main concerns to us the new quarry will ini-


link road, but this will later be diverted through a tunnel under Chatburn Road. Why not right from


the start?


EDWIN GRETTON, Old Hall, West Bradford.


I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank your correspondent “Glad to be living” for making me aware of Castle Cement’s fine offer of free double glazing for


my property. Perhaps “Glad” would also be so kind as to let me


and city people think the same way about all the cars which converge on their towns, blocking their streets, parking in front of their houses, especially on market days, polluting the air and generally making


grievances and must now Fe a lis e


life unpleasant. Yes, we all have our


been on the decrease for years. This is only to be expected, when more and


our clothing, or scratch our arms and legs trying to cross a stile which has been blocked with barbed


wire, etc.


that the majority of ram­ blers do not act in the way he described.


cou n try s id e we walk through and always shut gates when applicable, even though they can sometimes be difficult to open, due to deliberate obstruction in the first place by the landowner. In some instances we


We greatly respect the


great uen


to us all; it is our heritage and Times” What’s On sec­ tion. Countryman would then see with his own eyes that


The countryside belongs and should be treated with simmc mat,


such a shame that a few nac respect. It seems


majority! C O U N T R YW O M A N .


tryman joins any of the walks organised by Clith­ eroe Naturalists or Glith- eroe Ramblers. They are advertised in the “Clitheroe Advertiser


people from both sides c ountry Code. He can tell should spoil it for the t j,em by the badges on


they observe n uuaciw the


their rucksacks. Every responsible dog


Disappointed with heading


help farmers by informing them of stock we have seen injured or in distress. We also respect wildlife


and try to cause as little disturbance as possible to both animals and plants. We keep our dogs under


MAY I thank you for printing an article and photograph with reference to a cheque that I received on behalf of the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf from the Rotary Club of Clitheroe. I was very disappointed


control, especially where sheep and lambs are con­ cerned. After all, we love our pets and do not want to see them sh o t or destroyed. We take home our litter


to read the heading “Cash to tra in dogs for the


blind.” There is much more


and do not leave it lying around where i t can become an eyesore, pollute or cause injury, as can re fu s e and d e r e l ic t machinery, which you sometimes find around


farms.We quite often take


verbal abuse from land­ owners and farmers for being on a public right of way. We sometimes tear


Anyone fined?


WHAT good do the people of Albion Street think dou­


ble yellow lines will do? Clitheroe’s streets and


cai’ parks are full of them, but no one takes any


notice.I counted five cars parked outside Kwik Save one morning last week. Every time I go into the


parking.”


Booth’s car park on two occasions by people parked on double yellow lines. I should like to know


I have been trapped in . .


what the duties of the traffic warden are, do the police ever do anything and is anyone ever fined. A f t e r a ll , 11 1S law-breaking.


IRRITATED MOTORIST.


awareness with regard to blindness than there is to deafness and it is due to this that I am promoting the Hearing Dogs for the


Deaf.In January of next year we have a new training centre opening in York­ shire. At present our only tra in in g c en tre is in Oxfordshire. By having two centres it is hoped that we can place nearly 90 dogs a year with deaf recipients. Besides being a working dog, a Hearing Dog for the Deaf also offers a sense of security and companionship.


JILL LIGHTFOOT, 37 Chatburn Park Drive,


Clitheroc.


#We are sorry for mistLake — editor.


im — vu ilu i


car park on Lowergate there is at least one car parked by the wall where it says “ s t r ic t ly no


the


owner knows full well that farmers may legitimately shoot straying dogs.


CATHIE S. COURSE, 14 Kirkmoor Road, Clitheroe.


An admirer of school’s


achievements


I CAN’T imagine why your letter writer in last


week’s issue felt that it was a “refreshing change to see Ribblesdale High School featured in the “Advertiser and Times. As a seasoned reader of


Englishman’s home is no longer his castle.


t h a t COUNTRY LOVER. T t ’ s o u r h e r i ta g e observing code j SUGGEST that Coun- a n


know when Castle Cement intends to have thisi work carried out, so that 1 may make arrangements to


hpoause he or she has chosen to use a nom-de-plume. This seems characteristic of correspondents who write to you regarding Castle Cement’s planning application to extend Bellman Quarry.


I am prevented from thanking Glad personally u


to remain under a blanket of anonymity, but I am concerned that in this.case it merely serves to umler- mine the veracity of the argument being presented.


I accept that, in certain cases, it may be advisable i It trulv amazes me the amount of ill-formed opin­


letters page, both for and against Castle Cements application, written by people who do not have the


on and woolly-thinking that appears m pnnt on you


nublic'meeting last Monday. No wonder the only per­ son to come through it smiling smugly was Peter


courage to identify themselves. No wonder there was an acrimonious debate at the


del Strother. Congratulations are due to him for preparing and


letters^jage and at public meetings means that permis­ sion for the extension will surely be granted.


The paucity of the debate that is taking place in your i


application That is the only way to ensure that proper and learned debate can take place and a democratic


There really should be a public inquiry into this


" I was going0toTsign5myself “Living on the edge,” but I think I should remain


MARK BLINKHORN,


Rydal PLacc, Chatburn.


THANK goodness for “No wool over my eyes. He/she has read Castle Cement’s statement, unlike the P>'L


... weeU’s letter from an employee, who quoted the movements wrong and time and days of working


‘% ’1‘


wrong. The firm may wash the road, but it cannot do any­


thing to clean the grass and the trees, which are


grey! Mav I add to the facts on the Bellman Quarry


the newspaper, I have often noted with admira­ tion the school’s various achievements, not only educational, but also as a caring establishment


w ith in th e l o c a l


community. So why the carping and


the sour-grapishness? Clitheroe should be proud of every one of its schools, each doing its best to cater for the needs of the chil­ dren. Verbal incivilities only serve to create bar­ riers where there should


be none. - CHILDREN (CRGS).


PARENT OF THREE SECONDARY SCHOOL


is very little left now; Brockhall and Calderstones hospitals in their heyday employed 4,000 people and we still have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the


rare; all will be displaced or killed! Clitheroe was founded on textiles, of which there


country. We have some really good expanding


in the area, who are environmentally friendly, not detrimental to the population and the beauty of the


area. This is one hole too many and just too invasive


,Ors S S 051


of time to wind down. Perhaps Tarmac could buy and use it for road stone?


? m ‘‘o f S » , M t In Lanchead - «


RIBBLE VALLEY RESIDENT.


e le ’i ---- understanding tin


at the Editor’ .s discretion.s discretion.


uderstandi‘ '


Mail-order justice next?


IN “The Guardian” page two article chief defends right to trial by jury, M r Justice Hid


don nresiding judge of the South Eastern Ci


Ilnw strange in a period of rising crime figures and in ? time t°hfatGitV


. . ----w i ,.f i*imi* cil-imti figures XinM^A^tatistFcl


commented oiftie current cost-cutting exercise of the Government in the judicial system.


,


justification whatsoever for removing the nght to tr al bv jury for offences considered serious enough to jus­


“Reducing costs is a laudable object.. . but.it^is no


tify that right for a respectable length of time. In Clitheroe, so far, we will shortly lose our magis­


trates’ court. The only believable reason put forward cost-cutting.


for closing it is cost. (Mail-order justice next.) In the same article, the Shadow Attorney Genera,


John Morris, suggested that the reason b^und t increasing number of empty courts is treasury


the number of cases the Crown Prosecution Semce has instructed the police to drop has risen by 78% in the


k The Lor^Chancellor’s Department has used the budget for part-time judges, recorders et alia, adding


t0Hoew wondm-fuTthat on the same day this story


wife to jail for 14 days for poll tax arrears. m r j . s . ken t,


5 Fairfield Close, Clitheroc.


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site- there are over 100 trees which are 100 years old, which will be destroyed; there are 69 bird species, 27 of them uncommon in this region; 22 animals nine


presenting a reasoned, structured and cogent argu­ ment, but then this is his job.


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prevent them from destroying the perfectly serviceable double glazing that is already fitted. Perhaps your correspondent will be a little less “glad” if he or she wakes up in the realf


for the Protection of Rural England, Friends of the Earth and other environ­ mental organisations, we oppose the extension of


Along with the Council


the quarry. Castle Cement has


money and influence and the odds are stacked in its favour. But we can take heart from the recent vic­ tory for Oxleas Wood, an 8,000-year-old patch of ancient woodland, which was to be destroyed by the


LAST week’s public meeting in Clitheroe Parish Hall was arrangedbu the Bellman Quarry Action Group to inform thepublic of its fears about the reactivation and


dren and our children’s i Irf we do, our enu- chil-


p le a s a n t to be sacri­


Clitheroe Ramblers.


children will not forgive expected the same courtesy from Mr del Strother. us.


People asked questions there, from through the chair. The Bellman


THATS DEMOCRACY! ^ORGANISER


CAN I suggest to our mayor that we take part in another “twinning” cerc- suggest Rotorua, in New Zealand, would be the perfect partner, since .


chimneys, instead of a geyser, just about complete it — except that we need some rainbow trout for the settlement ponds.


Mud pools in Coplow Quarry and the regular intermittent gushes from the tall .


„


They will have to make do with that until we get the lake m 16 years time. Any volunteers for Maoris to learn Poi-poi dances?


“HAERE MAI.” H a p p y m em o r ie s s t i r re d


loss of THE article about tripe has resulted in a number of readers writing in A Thank you for letting


me probe into your “bank of memories.” As we.get


older, we seem to dig back and, when you are in your 70s, there is quite a pile of memories to stir — but we must think about happy


ones.One person told me very definitely that Henthorn “tip” area was the spot and a big chimney there was part of the prepara­ tion. Also down there were a lot of gulls picking away like mad on the left­


still here — not for tripe — but picking all the bits I throw out to the little birds, who have no chance when the gulls bombard the bits. I try to shoo


overs. These bloomin’ gulls are


them off, because they are very greedy.


So now we have a few Mitton village cross


MR METHUSELAH.


REFERRING to the letters of M. O’Connor, of Church, and Mrs Anne-Marie Bailey, of Bilhngton, and the statement that “angry’ villagers have won the day,


comments to consider — who’s right?


we in the Ribble Valley seem to have so much m common with it. Ive couia quickly learn how to turn adversity to our advantage.


extension of Bellman Quarry. It was a public meeting, meaning everyone was


welcome to attend, the same as Castle Cements meet­ ing, in Chatbum, in February.


1


The Action Group had valid points to put and deserved to be heard. The public can then decide.


' Pungent sulphur (bad egg smell) fumes often fill the air. Tell the visitors it's good for them and they will flock in their thousands.


may I correct the facts? Ninety-nine per cent of Mitton villagers weie in


1993. G. AND T, Fair-minded parishioners.


Tu^TcongratuIate Bashall Eaves on its success in the


hamlet section of the Best-Kept Village Competition. I only wish it had supported us in the matter ol


the cross on Mitton Green. This cross was put there to remind us of a man who gave his life so that we could live in peace and free from want.


COUN. J. T. WILKINSON, Edisford Hall, Clitheroe.


favour of the cross remaining. It was 99% ol tne neighbouring parishioners who objected as the pho­ tographer proved in your issue of September loth,


building of a road to ser­ vice tne proposed East London River Crossing.


the talisman of every com­ munity in the UK today that is struggling to pro­ tect whatever it is that makes its own patch spe­ cial and precious.


Oxleas Wood became


gave up for political rea­ sons. It realised it simply could not d e fe a t the unique combination of overwhelming local sup­ port plus massive backing from the environmental movement.


The Government only


ters of objection, Lanca­ shire County Council will be forced to refer the plan­ ning application to the De p a r tme n t of t he Environment and a public inquiry will follow. We must not allow our


If there are enough let­


t j-r-p


1


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