Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) 22 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, March 31 st, 2005 www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Ciitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) Letters to the Editor — Write to: Tlie Editor, Ciithcroc Advertiser and Times, 3 King Street, Clitlieroe BB72EW Editorial e-mail: vivien.meath@eastlancsncws.co.uk — Shocked, but not


really surprised I WAS shocked to read the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times (March 24th) that the award-winning rural bus ser­ vice, Bowland Transit is under threat of closure; shocked but not surprised. It is symptomatic of our times that


money often seems to be poured down “black holes” while vital projects are neglected. Your report indicates that there has


been an appreciable increase in passen­ ger numbers, eight people are employed and the service is obviously a boon to the rmal community. Unfortunately it seems that the fund­


ing of rural successes like this is not high on the list of priorities. I hope that Nigel Evans MP will vig­


orously pursue this matter with the rele­ vant agencies. Only recently I saw the Bowland


Transit service highlighted in a national magazine as an added tourist feature of this area. Incidentally, I wonder how much


funding is required for the panopticons with which some groups are hoping to litter the countryside?


JOAN MARSH, Lancaster Drive, Ciithcroc


Parking: words and


sketch do not tally ON seeing the application by the police for two parking places for police only, I checked it out at Ribble VaUey Borough Council. On seeing the sketch of the area, I


pointed out that the proposed written part put them in front of the side win­ dow of the jewellers and Fur, Fish and Feather - the pet shop - but the sketch shows them outside the side door of the police station. Someone got it wrong. Secondly, a good number of years ago.


the police had double yellow lines put on the Station Hotel side, but when the road was re-surfaced, they were never replaced. I once pointed that out to a Lancashire County Council man, but nothing happened about it. Also there is no name for a street at


the side of either the police station or Station Hotel. The short piece of road is taken up with police and the Station Hotel building. It is also time the council did some­


thing about making the stretch of road from Eshton Terrace to the Brown Cow pub junction one way only. It is chaos at times, especially when a lorry is trying to get down the road.


HAROLD PUNCHARD, Manor Road, Clifhcroc


As if further proof


were needed ... IS further proof needed that a round­ about is long overdue? I am puzzled by Mr Cooper’s response


to my letter, but would like to thank him for emphasising his opinions so strongly. Maybe our differing views will act as a catalyst for having that much needed roundabout built. I sincerely hope so. I believe that Rule 148 in the High­


way' Code relates to junctions on ordi­ nary roads (i.e. non dual carriageways) so is not applicable to the A59 staggered junction with Clitheroe and Sabden. Rule 149 is for junctions on dual car­


riageways and includes the following for drivers turning right on to a dual car­ riageway, where there is a central reser­ vation that is deep enough for vehicles to wait: "treat each half of the carriageway as a separate road. “Wait in the central reservation until


there is a safe gap in the traffic oh the second half of the road." Bearing that in mind, I believe that is


why traffic turning right, off the A59, had the parallel broken "Give Way" lines


set back, plus a waiting lane, i.e. to give priority to traffic from Clitheroe turning right on to the A59. If not, then it raises the following


questions: • 'Why, when accidents continued to


occur, were the "Give Way" sign and "Give Way" writing on the road added and positioned for traffic turning right into Clitheroe, if those drivers had right of way? • 'Why, when accidents still contin­


ued, was traffic prevented from turning right into Clitheroe, if it wasn’t because of some drivers’ disregard of all those signs? This junction should never have been


built the way it was. It should have been a roundabout from the start. I appreci­ ate it is logical for traffic on a major road to have priority over traffic from a minor road but, I believe, both the Highway Code and the road markings do/did not state that. It is these misun­ derstandings that have been, and are, the cause of so many accidents at this junction, making it so very dangerous by design. If any good is to come out of this "dis­


agreement", preventing further fatali­ ties and injuries at this junction, then surely these totally opposing differences of interpretation are proof that a round­ about must be built at this junction: and as soon as possible? Let’s hope that those responsible for


this section of road, whoever they may be, will take their responsibility for making this junction safe: by building that much needed roundabout. On this need for safety, I believe there can be no dispute. Not only would a roundabout make it


obvious as to who had right of way, but also would prevent drivers speeding and recklessly overtaking at this junction, which is single lane only.


J.R. RATCLIFFE, Moorland Crescent, Clitlieroe


Young pay the price


of poor housing AS ever, local house prices are a hot topic, but there is rarely any mention of the flipside to the property boom. Every day in Britain, more than


one million children have to suffer in housing that does not have room for them to play or do homework, that is dangerous, or that makes them ill and it is happening near us. With property prices rocketing, and


affordable housing in short supply, will the next generation of children have anywhere to call home? In a recent survey carried out by


Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, I read that more than 90% of people believe that the answer is no. I urge this paper and its readers to remember the children who are pay­ ing the real price of bad housing, and take every opportunity to remind our politicians about this shocking situa­ tion.


NINA WHITFORD, Bushburn Drive, Blackburn


More praise for a


marvellous teacher IT gave me much pleasure to read David Bowker’s letter in last week’s Advertiser and Times, singing the


praises of Margot Downer-Bottom- ley.


When the article in the previous


week's Advertiser and Times regard­ ing Margot’s 90th Birthday celebra­ tions omitted to mention the years she spent as music and drama teach­ er at Ribblesdale High School, I was tempted to write in myself. The record has been set straight


now regarding this very remarkable lady.


I recall bumping into her in town one day some years ago and she told


Victory for Parliamentary democracy


I ALWAYS wanted to run the marathon, but my knee is sim­ ply not strong enough. My misery at not being able to


run 26.2 miles has been somewhat soothed by the marathon session of Parliament I took part in over the Bill on terrorism. I have been an MP for 13 years


and am a veteran of late-night sit­ tings under John Major. Many a night we ran until the


early hours looking at legislation. I do not recall during that peri­


od the sort of ping pong Herculean negotiations between the Com­ mons and the Lords which we have just been through. Many'people who observed the


events rolling through the evening and into the late afternoon of the next day must have thought we were somewhat mad. I simply did not know when the


whole issue was going to be set­ tled. As we went into the night voting I knew that we were fight­ ing to bring some sort of common- sense to a "bad bill". Every time the Bill went to the House of Lords we were told that


the unelected House should give way to the elected chamber and that the concessions that the Lord Chancellor (Charlie Falconer) was making would be the last. The Government would concede


nothing more. The Conservatives, combined


with the other opposition parties and some Labour Peers, would then proceed to amend the legisla­ tion.


It was then sent from the Lords


to the Commons. We would then debate it for


another hour or so before sending it back to the Lords saying that we could not agree with the Lords so think again. And so it went on and on and on


and on. We were never sure when it


would finally finish and we were told to be prepared to vote


through Thursday night and even possibly lose the Saturday as well. I went into the House of Lords


to listen to one of their debates on the Bill. They were fantastic and it was tremendous to see Lord Waddington, our former MP, take to his feet to argue with the Lord Chancellor as to why he was wrong. Following the Lords sending


back the Bill amended. Conserva­ tive Peers and MPs met in The Moses Room of the House of Lords to listen to Michael Howard arguing that we would not be giv­ ing way on the Bill as it stood. Margaret Thatcher was present


at the meeting and looked terrific. The Bill was sent back to the


Commons and that was when the Home Secretary (Charles Clarke) told the House that he was pre­ pared to introduce another Bill on


terrorism at an early stage of the next Parliament, which could then


supercede the Bill we were dealing with. This was the concession that the


Lords were waiting for - and they agreed to accept this amendment. Finally, about 5 p.m. on Friday,


I received a pager message stating that we would not be coming back. It was a tough fight and both


sides argued their case well. I was determined to stay up


through Friday night if need be until the Bill was improved. It was a spectacular Parliamen­


tary evening and I believe that it tested our system well.


The Commons was right to


press its case, but the Lords were right to revise and improve the legislation.


In the end the Commons got its


Bill, but it was much improved. I cannot say I want every piece


of legislation to go through the night like that, but who knows? Parliament worked in a different way last week - and Parliamen­


tary democracy was the stronger for it.


me of her adventures in the South American jungles!


She must have been into her 80s


when she still was driving her car. And yes, she certainly was a wonder­


ful and dynamic teacher. I recall her teaching us to roll our


eyes and to look as far to the left and right as possible in order to exercise the eye muscles and make them strong and versatile. This little gem of teaching I have


used all my life and never forgotten it. The same applied to stretching the


mouth muscles into as big a smile as we could, the whole purpose being to give lots of dynamic expression into per­ forming, singing and acting. Yes, David is right, the world does


need teachers like Margot. David I remember you well - we were


in the same class at Ribblesdale. No violence or drugs in those happy


days. We knew how to live life in a happy,


natural way. Long may you enjoy life Margot.


DORIS BROWN, Moor Field, Whallev


Your letters . . .


• The Editor welcomes letters on any subject, but correspondents are remind­ ed that contributions may be edited or condensed, must not exceed 350 words


and should reach us by noon on Tues­ day. Letters with noms de plume are now


only accepted for publication if the edi­ tor agrees that there is a valid reason for the writer's identity to be withheld. Letters can be sent by post to the


Clitheroe Advertiser and 'Times, 3 King Street, Clitheroe BB7 2EW, via e-mail to vivien.meath@eastlancsnews.co.uk, via fax to 01200 443467 or texted to 07799696447. Letters submitted by any o f these


methods must, however, include the writer’s name and full postal address.


Calderstones staff seem happy in their work


STAFF at Calderstones NHS Trust believe they are some of the best trained workers in the country, according to the results of the 2004 NHS staff survey published by


the Healthcare Commis­ sion. This is the second year


that NHS staff have been asked for their opinions on aspects of their work­ ing life.


From late September to


early October 2004, a pro­ portion of the Calder­ stones staff was invited to take part in the survey, along with about 370,000


staff from every NHS trust.


The survey contains questions about work/life balance, team working, job satisfaction, training, management and supervi­ sion, and health and safe­ ty.


In 12 of the 29 cate­ gories, Calderstones was


ranked in the country’s top 20 mental health and learning disability trusts. Russ Pearce, chief exec­


utive, said: “ I am delight­ ed at the response of staff to the survey. “ It provides us with an


excellent opportunity to hear what staff feel about their working lives and to see what we are doing well, where we need to improve and how we com­ pare against other similar NHS organisations. “ I am particularly


pleased with the results with regards to training. “The Trust is commit­


ted to ensuring the con­ tinual personal develop­ ment of staff and a great deal of effort is made into ensuring that all staff receive comprehensive training and the results from the survey indicate that staff acknowledge the effort which has been made.”


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worth of spending money


1st prize £250


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2nd prize £150


a Excellent hogg trade


GRITSTONE and Lonk prime hoggs met with an excellent trade at Gisburn Auction Mart’s first ever show and sale of the-dis- tinctive breeds. Topping the trade was J.


'V. Fox, of 'Withgill, who achieved £53.50 with his first prizewinning 46kgs Lonk hoggs, which sold to Alan Moorhouse, of Bolton-by-Bowland. Leading the Gritstone


section was Bernard Ogden, of Austwick, near Settle, with his first prize Gritstone hoggs. 'Weighing 43kgs, they sold for £53 to pre-sale judge Jim Holden, of Bamber Bridge, Pre­ ston. Auctioneers were Richard Turner and Son. Pictured is Lonk cham­


pion Peter Fox, left, of Withgill, with pre-sale judge Jim Holden, (s)


Company goes into voluntary


liquidation A RIBBLE VALLEY publishing company has gone into voluntary liquidation. Ribble Valley Pub­


lishing Ltd., whose reg­ istered office was Moor Close Farm, Wytha Lane, Rimington, was formed in April 1998. An extraordinary


general meeting was held at the Swallow Hotel, Preston, where it was proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the com­ pany, which published journals and periodi­ cals, could not by rea­ son of its liabilities con­ tinue its business. C. H. I. Moore, of K.


J. Watkin and Co., Anchor


Road,


Aldridge, Walsall, was appointed liquidator for the voluntary wind­ ing-up. The resolution was


signed by J. Nicholls, director.


Stone stolen


THIEVES stole a stone trough worth £300 from Shireburn Caravan Park, Edisford Road, Wadding­ ton, overnight on Satur­ day, March 12th.


Falklands veteran is the guest


A R E T I R E D Royal Marine who became a regional director for the Red Cross was guest of honour at a Royal British Legion branch dinner in the Ribble VaUey. Col G. Wells-


Cole and his wife, Jan, were guests of honour at the event held by the Waddington branch of the organisation at the Moorcock Inn. Col Wells-Cole


served in the Falk­ lands War and in Northern Ireland. He later became regional director for the Red Cross and is now chief executive for the North West and Isle of Man in charge of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. He spoke about incidents dining his active career and of the problems now facing the reserves. Col and Mrs


Wells-Cole are pic­ tured with officers and members of the W a d d i n g t o n branch. (T200305/6)


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, March 31st, 2005 23


Students score a first at Scots parliament


TEN pupils from a Ribble Valley school notched an over-the-bor- der first when they visited the controversial new Scottish Par­ liament building in Edinburgh. The final year A-level politics pupils at Stonyhurst College are the first from an English independent school to tour Holyrood, which opened last October. They were guests of Christine Gra-


hame, a Member of the Scottish Par­ liament for the South of Scotland.


The pupils are gaining on-the-spot


knowledge of the British government system and, over the next few months, will also be visiting the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff and the Houses of Parliament in London. The group listened in on First


Minister’s Question Time. Much of the debate prior to this was on the right to protest against the world leaders’ G8 Summit in July at Scot­ land’s Gleneagles Hotel. They toured the building, includ­


ing the Debating Chamber, and took part in a question and answer session with Scottish Nationalist Ms Gra- hame and Conservative Jamie McGrigor, MSP for the Highlands and Islands. "We were made very welcome and


the pupils gained an invaluable insight into the functioning of Scot­ tish government. They’re looking for­ ward to comparing the systems in Cardiff and London," said Mr David Ridout, the college’s head of politics.


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Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in partnership with InPartnership/Bovis Lend Lease has produced a masterplan for the regeneration of Blackburn town centre over the next 10 years.


An exhibition detailing the masterplan can be seen at the Blackburn Visitor Centre, Church Street, Blackburn until the end of April 2005.


Please go along and let us have your views.


Blackburn Visitor Centre is open: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm.


If you would like further information or an information and consultation leaflet please call 01254 585630 or email julia.simpson@blackburn.gov.uk


BLACl^UR(Sj Northwest


l i i n Bovis


Imdlmm Inpartnership


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