: V'’ V' -0 * > ' ,*


•


Clitheroe 422324 (Editoria 16 Clitherbe Advertiser & Times, February 6th, 2003 Ciltheroe 422324 (Editoriai), 422323 (Advertising), Burniey 422331 (Ciassified), www.ciitheroetoday.co.uk


Write to: The Editor, Ciitheroe Advertiser and Times, 3 King Street, Clitheroe BB72EW, Editorial e-mail: vivien.meath@eastlancsnews.co.uk — I am grateful for a


non-British Saviour I STRONGLY support my friend and colleague, the Rev. Richard Atkinson, in his warnings about the British National Party. Life is hot perfect and, of course, there can be


problems, real or imaginary, when there is an influx of a different ethnic group into a particular area, or when houses drop in price. Differences of language and customs can cause


initial problems. I t is far better to overcome mis­ understandings than to exploit them. We have a proud tradition of hospitality to peo­ ple from overseas, without whom our transport sys­ tems and the National Health Service would have


collapsed. Where bridges are built across the racial divide,


people can appreciate and be enriched by the vari­ ety of cultures in our midst. To say that members of non-British groups get


better treatment or more generous allowances is mischievous and plainly untrue, as are the sugges­ tions that asylum seekers are to be blamed for our country's problems. Neither is it true that Britain receives more


refugees than other countries. Pakistan and Tanza­ nia are just two examples of Third World countries which have received millions of refugees escaping war over their borders while, here in Europe,


‘ Britain ranks 10th when it comes to the number of asylum seekers received. Indeed, as Richard says, we British are a thor­


oughly mixed-up racial lot - the product of many migrations over the last nearly two thousand years. The very terms England and Britain have an uncertain derivation. As a Christian, I am grateful for a non-British


Saviour, faith in whom resulted from overseas infil­ tration. We sing the nonsense words, "And did those feet in ancient time . . . 7" when the feet of Christ did no such thing as to "walk on England's pleasant mountains green". Christ was thoroughly Jewish, never leaving the Middle East, yet his death united people of different, classes, genders and racial groups. One last point. In a country where half the pop­ ulation is now either under 16 or over 60, we need


more young adults to generate wealth. Most asy­ lum seekers and refugees belong to the age group which the UK most needs.


RODNEY NICHOLSON, Vicar of St Paul's, Clitheroe.


, No one is safe from the


hatred of the hard right NOW we see the BNP letter writing machine in action. A recent issue of your paper had four letters from


BNP supporters. M of them were jumping on the asylum seeker bandwagon. They want to add to the hysteria whipped up by the tabloid press. Your letter writers repeat misinformation which needs to be corrected. A recent Home Office study shows that immi­


grants make .a net. contribution of £2.5 billion a year. This means that the country.can afford bet­ ter pensions for old people, improvements in educa­ tion and the Health Service that would not be pos­ sible without them. The BNP and others on the extreme right are seriously distorting the picture by trying to persuade us otherwise. One of your letter writers tries to tell us that


very few asylum seekers are genuine. This is more misinformation. The facts are available from Home Office statistics. Over half of all applications for refugee status are successful. Some national newspapers have been telling us


that Britain takes more than its fair share of asy­ lum seekers. Again this is a lie. The UK comes well down the list of European countries in terms of asylum applications as shown by UN statistics. Britain has a long tradition of welcoming people


fleeing persecution. There have also always been a few mean-hearted people who wanted to keep them out. The hard core of the BNP and others on the


extreme right are trying to make political capital out of the plight of people whose lives have been devastated. Why should they do this? To answer this question we need to know that asylum seekers are being used as scapegoats. If it was not them it would be another group. No one is safe from the hatred of the hard right.


They hate anyone who is different from themselves. They hate anyone who disagrees with them. They even hate each other. ' ' '


- ■ We need to be alert to their attempts to infect us.


with all with their hate. We can expect more misin­ formation over the next few montla from the BNP.


CHRIS GATHERCOLE, Clitheroe Road, Whalley.


We will continue to fight


for rights for all citizens THE BNP machine sprang into action with two letters (Messers McQuaide and Cave) which skil­ fully avoided the issues, misrepresented what I said and continued to propagate the idea that BNP is part of the respectabie face of British politics. In addition, Mr Frankland would deny me the


right to speak out against anything I believe to be inherently wrong and Mr Gudgeon provides statis­ tics with no indication of source. Are these thoughts to be allowed any serious consideration? Let us deal with some hard facts. In the last year


for which I could find Home Office Statistics (Oct. 2001 - Sept. 2002) the total number of applicants for asylum was 80,185. My accusers indulged in their tirade against economic migrants, but did not do me the courtesy of recognising how my letter indicated that this was a major problem. However, this should not deflect us from our


moral responsibility to the genuine asylum seeker, to continue the tradition of these islands in provid­ ing a place of refuge to all who fear to return home. The linking of the question of asylum seekers, homelessness and the strain on the NHS indicates a political naivety. The strain on the system cannot be blamed wholly on asylum seekers. I t is far too complex for such a superficiai anaiysis. For the information of Mr McQuaide, who questions whether I would be happy with my parents freez­ ing, I come from a tradition where material wealth is a thing to be shared. Whereas a distressed cry is a thing to respond to


notathingtoignora And before we leave this point about this sup­


posed stream to which we alone are being subject, let us remember that the subsistence allowance


given to asylum seekers b £37i77p a week; hardly, a life .of luxury. In-additibn the UK-j on alper capita basis, is lOth in the'EU in terins of number of asy­ lum seekers. So; we return to the central challenge l presented


'to the BNP, and again Lchallenge them to deny that they are racists. They claim to be patriotic, but define patriotism in ways that most thinking peo­ ple would shun. They claim to support the Native British People but do not define how they under­


stand this group. Being British is an interesting concept. Having


lived in Wales and with friends who live in Scotland, I know that many there do not like the idea of being British. I hope I will ever be moved to stand against racism wherever I might find it. I know that the Methodist church will continue


to fight for the rights.of all our citizens irrespective of colour and fight for these islands being a place where the genuine refugee will find a home. Yes, the process will make mistakes, but we should never allow ourselves to be diverted from dischargihg our moral responsibility toward the cries of brothers and sisters in distress.


REV. RICHARD J. ATKINSON, Minister, Trinity Methodist Church, Clitheroe.


Seize every opportunity


to oppose these people SUNDAY January 26th was Holocaust Day, when we remembered the millions of Jews, gipsies and other innocents murdered in the death camps of Nazi Germany. Nazism is rearing its head in Great Britain now,


in the opinion of many people. Hapless minorities, notably immigrants and asylum-seekers, are being targeted by some people seeking, as I see it, to offer the same false professions of patriotism and racial purity as the Nazis did in Germany in the 1930s. We are told that the BNP may be contesting


seats in the Ribble Valley soon. I believe it uses loaded questions which play on our fears and resent­ ments. Here are some questions from the other point of view which need to be answered before we use our votes in the local elections in May.


1. Are we troubled by the fact that several BNP national officials have criminal records?


. j 2. Do we fear the racist tension and violence . which such people are likely to provoke? * 3. Do we resent the high-jacking of the Union . .Flag and the Cross of St George by these people? ‘ 4. Are we angry that the beautiful and peaceful Ribble Valley has become a focus for racist activi­ ty? If we answer “yes” to these questions, then we


should resolve to seize every opportunity to oppose people who, I feel, are effectively the new fascists and to use our vote in support of those parties which traditionally favour tolerance and democra­


cy.


BRIGID HARDWICK, Waddington Road, Clilheroe.


Will the BNP campaign


against war with Iraq? IN view of the BNP’s concern about the allocation of resources in our tiny island (Letters, January 23rd) will we witness it campaigning against war in Iraq? We have already committed ourselves to 30,000


troops at a cost which would meet the basic require­ ments of all European asylum-seekers for 10 years. I t is estimated that four to five million of Iraq’s


26 million population will flee (the middle-classes in particular) at the outset of conflict. The surrounding countries like Iran have already


taken millions of Afghans as a result of the USA’s last military adventm^ and the entire area will see a mass exodus to Europe. The tens of thousands of injured and maimed


Afghans (mainly women and children) rely on aid agencies for basics like water, food and fuel. The USA will probably not abandon Iraq simi­


larly, after the war because of the oil, but it is unlikely we will secure a share of these spoils. Will the BNP be organising a coach to London on February 15th?


MICK RICHARDSON St Paul’s Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe


Show your contempt f ) MILL STORES This Weekend TOG 24 pm iM i


Massive Savinss SHERIOan


ofif RRP on Skiwear


A L E X O N eastex KALIKO


M I N U E T


|ofif last selling price on| AutuimiAVinter Stock


™ C E R OUTLET Designer Bra


& Knicker Set Was £42 NOW £ 2 0


' I , ofif RRP Sanderson


on Bedlinen, Fabrics & Wallpaper


ofifRRP


Centaur Selected Suits £ 451


A off RRP Va n H EUSEN


for BNP at elections I WOULD like to take this opportunity to support the Rev. Richard Atkinson in what was a much-needed statement against the racist bigotry. The comments by one of the recent letter


writers that it is a lawful political party is true, possibly the only piece of truth in the whole letter. But may I remind the electorate that the


German people had a leader from a proper political party in the 1930 election (Adolf Hitler), not perhaps by the votes for him, but by the votes which were not cast against him. Do not miss your chance to show your con­


tempt for this proper political party, the BNP, and vote to oppose them at the next local elec­ tions.


. The other letter having a go at Richard


mentions ministers taking a hard line stance about a political party. I give you the point Jesus made when


asked: “Which is the greatest command­ ment?” His reply: “Love God” and the sec­ ond, “Love your neighbour as yourself”.


B. JONES, Fairfield Drive, Clitheroe.


BNP swing is a cry for


ofif RRP on Selected Shirts


BALLY


|ofif last selling price on| Selected


roiNBlJRGH CRYSTAL THOMAS WEBB-


II‘An •thony’, 6 Glasses for £25


^\^ola’ 6 Glasses for £ ^ U •


ft;-* t 'Dm ' beriand Burnley Road, COLNE 01282 865229


Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm, Saturday 9am - 6pm. Late night Thursday until 9pm Sunday Viewing & ‘Brealdast at Boundary 10-llam serving FREE coffee & croissants until 11am Trading 11am - 5pm. Offers available whilst stocks last


Coats ^ n all


% off last selling price


help from electorate I THANK the Advertiser and Times for printing the excellent letters clarifying what the BNP is about and putting the Rev. Atkin­ son in his place, which should be promoting Christianity and asking himself why church congregations are dropping nationwide while Islam grows and grows. I personally have no ties with ^ y particu­


lar political or religious party, but I do object to the scaremongering by such as the “Ribble Valley Against Racism” and letters like that of the Rev. Atkiirson. I t is ridiculous to suggest this country could


turn into a Nazi or fascist nation; the British people would not let it, history’s alarm bells would ring and keep things in check. Perhaps the do-gooders nationwide should be asking themselves why the BNP is doing so well in areas up and down the country? In my view it is because we want our country back the way it was. Most people (no, all people) I talk to are fed


up of this politically correct nonsense. I will give two examples. We used to have firemen, now they have to be referred to as fire-fight­ ers; there are hundreds of silly things like that. Fairly recently, I understand a very popu­


lar comedian who compered a much-loved local radio show was carpeted for using the word “nignog” - he was so upset by this he retired from the show, all for using a word kids (sorry children) all over the North used to describe someone for doing something silly or being daft ^ d nothing at all to do with race, colour or creed. , - As I see it, the swing towards the BNP should be seen as a cry for help, help that the


major parties are not, or will not, give. W e


are fed up of being used as a bottomless


pocket for immigrants and potential asylum seekers to pick; this also applies to British nationals who sponge on the welfare system and are also helping to cripple it, while the rest of the native population (of any colour or creed) is being told there is no money for this or that and, as taxation and national insurance go up, the Government is telling us there will not be enough money in the pot in the future to pay the old age pension and we will have to pay into private pensions in the future because we are living longer and longer and the National Health Service is over stretched. -


. ‘ I am over 60 and have worked and paid tax


and national insurance all my life, and it upsets me that, up to being 60, it cost me a lot of money for each item on a medical prescrip­ tion while I know for a fact people that have played the system and never worked get theirs for free along with all the other handouts they get.,' • '' I believe we had a brilliant health and wel­


fare service that was being abused but man­ aged to keep.its head above the water. . - .',It is an insult to b l^ e the problem on the'


indigenous population for living too long. Most people know what the true problem is,i and we are looking for strong leaders to bring back some normality into the country.


’ WORRIED PATRIOT Look again at


of fluoridationl WE are delighted that the B lJ Primary Care Trust (PCT) fluoridation of water supplies! Since the Hyndburn and R|


the Burnley Pendle and Ros; fluoridation, there have been i we believe the public should b J A few years ago, the Goveij


a review of water fluoridatio the York Review. In Decemb entists involved in the York 1 Blears MP, Secretary of State! her that they were concerned) misrepresentations of the evief which could have implicatiel They made three key points: F 1. On the effectiveness of fhl


dental caries, the scientists s f not discover any reliable gool the literature worldwide. Wh J ed that fluoridation could haf but in fact the range could b(| substantial benefit to a SLIGl| children’s teeth. 2. On the effectiveness of fill


inequalities in dental health! the scientists stated that thiJ CONTRADICTORY and U J 3. On the safety of fluoriq


stated that apart from an III fluorosis (mottled teeth) the) tern among the possible negatT ined and felt that not enougl the quality of the evidence w:l One of the scientists has gol


that it is worrying that state) the public about the review! made in press releases and bif Dental Association, the Natid ty in Dental Health and the) Society. There have also been sel


against Dr Whittle, ConsullT Health and Dr Morton, Dire) and Health Standards, by the]


Was this lettei


with tongue ini I READ with interest the let| ed, so why not others” froii and wondered if this was | tongue in cheek? I think that if people were I


ments too seriously it may sti than weaken the case for the | Point one: the people fro


who migrated to new countij to populate the lands whicK the assets, were being taken! people in order to create spl build empire; we were not th(| this quest. Point two: this is not a nd


ing for population expansic) people who seek migration t|


support and services long t become unsustainable it pro! put on the numbers, includir] to come here illegally. I would agree that there i|


tion to take in genuine asyll refugees from countries whf ported or contributed to waif case if there is a war with Ird Indeed, if as Robin quotes)


Iraqis every month clair Britain” it is not surprising) Bush regime and Tony Blaiif war in that sorry country. As to the comments on hij


taxes for the working man, c| must be joking! Yes? TaxeJ middle earners are high eno| needed is a new morality anf structure to tax the higher e j so, those on obscene income^ all proportion to any individ) As a final comment, I thin)


most working people do not | is because of the way they I wasted by government; mail tax spending for involvemeni With few exceptions, if a)


tribute to solving the probleif believe in most cases there a|


HARRY KAINE, Langho.


Local electioni


about local iss I WAS interested to read detj policies. Local elections are i and administration. Voters a selves how will the BNP imp! ity and welfare of the Rib! BNP gave us few coherent ai Its core argument seems t l


to provide more resources ul “own people first”. Hence (l| from “outsiders” to give to) question arises, in our local! own people”, who is an “out! census suggests 0.6% of thj tion comes from “minority cl To put this in a personal c J


all do) - my partner is Germ! is Maltese, a friend in the boJ and the friendly guy that se) sag prawn is Bangladeshi, “outeiders” or “insiders”? If “outsiders”, should thi


our “own people” in the GPI haps be removed from their! to house “our own”? To re| “not our own” should they i of clothing or perhaps a coll mately they could live in a s| area - we could call it “the g| ’fhe stark reality is this!


elected - I believe it will! resources, community relaticf our image as a fine place to! and take a holiday will disaJ in doubt, ask Burnley peoplJ is now known for. A vote f j impact badly on us all - i )


siders. MARK FOORD, Walt Sired, Sabden.


• The Editor welcomes I subject, but correspondcnl that contributions may bif


densed. i i


• Letters with noms del accepted for publicaliol name, address and telcplf available, arc included.'


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42