Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) 10 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, August 31st, 2006 www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified)


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Letters to the Editor — Write to: The Kditor, Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, 3 King Street, CUiheroe BB72EW Editorial e*mail: vivicn.mcaih(f castlancsncws.co.uk — Let’s have more of


the ‘black stuff’ WE have just returned from a holi­ day in France, having covered over 2,500 miles on their excellent road system. One thing that I noticed was their


very discreet use of the cautionary red bitumen that seems to be taking over from good old black Tarmac on British roads! Don’t get me wrong, anything that


contributes to road safety has my support, but dare I suggest that maybe we are going a tad overboard with this red stuff. The French seem to have it about right - only using it when there is a genuine need of cau­ tion, rather than liberal coating at every bus stop, intersection and town boundary! From what I remember the use of


red bitumen on our roads was an EU directive of the late ’80s or early ’90s for which we received EU money. Britain, as always, eager to please its European overlords creates a red bitumen lake that is taking 20 years to empty! I can almost imagine little men in offices creating new schemes for its depletion! Seriously, my real point of writing


this letter is because last winter, the condition of our roads in Clitheroe was very poor in many places and there are many streets now that are sub-standard. Red bitumen may serve its purpose, but it doesn’t fill pot holes. If anyone connected with road maintenance is reading this, perhaps we can hope for more liberal use of the black stuff in the coming months. The resurfaced roads of Wadding-


ton Road, Railway View Road, etc, done earlier this year are excellent and a credit to the company that car­ ried it out.


DAVID BOWKER, Park Avenue, Clitheroe


Thank you to our


wonderful police I WOULD like to thank the police (although another agency may have been involved) for their prompt action in dealing with a dangerous manoeuvre that occurred on the Cas­ tle playground around August 18th, morning of 19th. I am sure the culprits will know


who they are and if they read this will think again! They had placed a concrete waste


bin on one of the children's round­ abouts. Thank you again to our wonderful Clitheroe police.


PATRICIA HORNBY, by c-mail


Responsibility lies


with dog owners I WRITE in response to a letter from your correspondent Ron Loebell (Dirty dog owners must be prosecut­ ed, Thursday, August 10th, 2006.) Your correspondent queries RSPCA policy in respect of dog own­


ers that allow their pets to foul the pavements. The RSPCA believes that those


who keep animals must have the facilities, time, financial means and level of interest necessary to ensure a satisfactory standard of care for. and a long-term commitment to. their animals. Responsible animal ownership


comprises many factors, namely the provision of adequate insurance, per­ manent identification, the applica­ tion of vaccination programme where appropriate, companionship and, perhaps most significantly, the resourcefulness to keep a close eye on your pet at all times. This includes cleaning up after it and making sure it does not foul public pathways or behave in an anti-social manner. The raison d’etre of the RSPCA is


to promote kindness and prevent cru­ elty to animals and we exist to help and educate people in how to be responsible pet owners. We would only bring criminal prosecutions where an animal’s welfare has been compromised and against people who have caused suffering or been deliber­ ately cruel to an animal. It is the responsibility of the dog


owners to behave courteously towards others by cleaning up after their pet if it fouls in a public place. The RSPCA cannot enforce this duty of care - only advise dog owners to honour it for the benefit and wellbe­ ing of others.


SOPHIE CORLESS, RSPCA Nor(h regional press officer


Fine drivers who


park on pavement I HAVE just read your article on halving the parking in Clitheroe town centre. In this article you mention that it


would help save the council thou­ sands pf pounds in footpath repairs as vehicles park on the pavement. This is not just a problem in the


town centre, but it is a major prob­ lem on all the town’s streets and I am sick and tired of having to squeeze past illegally-parked cars. Sometimes you don't have a choice,


but to walk around them on the road, which puts extra, unnecessary danger on your journey. I have seen numerous parents


struggling with prams and it is only a matter of time before there is a seri­ ous accident. Plus, if you catch a car while having to breathe in to squeeze. past and put a mark on it, the own­ ers are furious that their car has been damaged, which in my eyes is their own fault for obstructing the pedes­ trian. Sometimes I feel like climbing over a car bonnet to teach car owners an expensive lesson on correct park­ ing. The police should start a clamp- down and fine the ignorant car own­ ers, giving part of the fine towards the cost of repairs to our footpaths. This problem should not only be


policed during daylight hours, but also in the evenings when the prob­ lem seems to escalate and, while I am on my soap box, the police should make an example of somebody whose dog has fouled the pavement. This problem is getting progressively


worse and some dog owners do not seem to care, but if action was brouca: against at least one person, :: may make the others think.


NIGEL McTEAR. Mayfield Avenue. Clithetw


Bus service worth


shouting about! IT is not often I can say thank ymu to Lancashire County Council, though I do feel a thank-you should be given to the county’s Trayeline and its drivers for the e.xcellent bus service in the Ribble Valley. The drivers are friendly and help­


ful, the buses are clean and on time. I would urge all pensioners to use this excellent service which is provided free of charge.


MARTIN JAMES, Grindicton


A concept which is


now long forgotten A MORAL dilemma. Do I put the last £1 I have in my


pocket into the church collection plate or do I use it to buy food? I t 's a difficult choice, but one


which many would have no difficul­ ties in making. As I live on £390 per month - most of which goes on utili­ ty bills and I have more going out than coming in - what should I do? Do I willingly give towards the


upkeep of the building? Or towards another “worthy cause overseas” - which parishioners have no difficulty in choosing - but what about closer to home? Do I give my last £1, go without


food for a week - starve even, make myself ill in the process; oh, but such things do happen in the UK, it just gets swept under the carpet as we are a “great and thriving nation” - and give to the same church whose parishioners can dig into their pock­ ets to those same “worthy causes” overseas, yet look down the nose at people in my position. A position I didn't create and nor did anyone else in the same boat. Then, I read, people complaining


about cats messing up their gardens in the area. At the same time, the lat­ est joke for “affordable housing” for the area’s “needy” is going to be in fact only available to those with at least £70,000 in their bank accounts as savings. I am sure someone, some­ where is laughing at this fallacy and paradox of what being “needy” actu­ ally means. So, do I give my last £1 to an


organisation, whose very supporters show no pity towards people in my position, treat us like dirt and vermin yet claim to worship a God whose very ideals are against such divisive virtues? Knowing all the time that these


same people would not do the same to me or anyone else in the same situ­ ation, down to their last £1? So, shall I give in the full knowl­


edge my £1 is going towards main­ taining the building, but I will starve as a result? Is this what God would want of his followers?


How about that £1 going towards


peace of mind, wellbeing and build­ ing the value of people like myself - towards building a soul? Or what about bringing that person back into the light and being accepted again. Well? Once there was a good


Samaritan who helped a man fallen by the wayside. How easily we all for­ get what our teachings should tell us. It's only a very simple concept of helping those in need. One long forgotten it would seem.


NAME AND ADRESS SUPPLIED Natural springs


are fast drying up I MUST congratulate and admire Mr Botterill on his undoubted efforts in trying to save Heys Brook in Chatburn and its associated wildlife. I believe the word Chatburn origi­


nates from “Chattering Brook” and for hundreds of years it has indeed had a brook. The article on the third page of last week’s Clitheroe Adver­ tiser is incorrect by saying this brook “traditionally dries up in the summer months”. It is only in recent years, due entirely to the massive de-water­ ing of the whole area by quarrying, that the brook dries. Water from Heys Brook was used


for a corn mill as far back as 1402, the Black Bull pub used to draw water for brewing its ale and Victoria Mill had a water abstraction licence to wash a huge amount of cloth. None of this could be done today. Ten years ago figures showed the


water table to be 50m. (163ft) below ground level at Lune Smalley’s Woodyard (Empress Fencing), I guess this is now even low'er. The local quarries don’t pump


“excess spring water”, it is ground- water from the draw down of digging to sea level or below. Many springs which have run for


time in memorium are now complete­ ly dry and will never run again. How far will this go? Nobody knows, but it won’t improve.


ANDREW COLLINSON, Sabden


Something for all


at Wiseman event OVER the past 150 years, many fam­ ilies called Wiseman have moved into Lancashire, mainly from Yorkshire village of Kettlewell. Around 1850, well over 100 people


called Wiseman lived in Kettlewell, a very small village, and the majority came with their familes to work in industrial Lancashire. If you’ve got anyone called Wiseman in your fami­ ly, ask them where their great-grand­ parents came from, and in most cases the answer will be “Kettlewell!” So, as a help to rediscovering our


past and as a means of bringing the branches of the family together, we are organising a “Wiseman Week­ end” at Kettlewell next summer (June 30th and July 1st). We will be having something for everyone - tours of the village, a picnic, a family dinner, tips on how to find your fam­ ily tree, an exhibition, something for the children, a hike and even a serv­


ice a t the local church. And that’s just for starters! If you are a member of the Wise­


man family and you want to learn about your family tree, do think of joining us for the weekend. You could be surprised by your family, and you’ll be delighted with Kettlewell. For full detains, please send a


stamped adddressed envelope to myself. I t ’s “first come, first served”, but you do need to book.


REV. DAVID WISEMAN, 4 The GinncI, Skipton, BD23 2HW (Tel: 01756 797443)


Can you help with


history project? TRUSTEES and friends of the for­ mer Lane Ends School, now Lane Ends Community Centre, near Grindleton, are putting together a history of the building. They will be delighted to receive


reminiscences, photos and stories from ex-pupils or parents and teach­ ers, or indeed anyone who can help to illuminate any aspect of the life of the school and community centre and the people and families connected with it. They should be sent to Hazel


Waddington at Stephensons Farm, Grindleton, Clitheroe.


REG POSTLETHWAITE, Rydal Road, Haslingdcn


Credit motorists


with a bit of sense IF I may, I wish to make an addition to the letter you generously pub­ lished expressing my concern about elements in the village of Chatburn, who presume to try to regulate the speed of motorists on the ex-A59 between Pimlico Link Road and the 30 m.p.h. limit at the Chatburn boundary. I have been more specifically


informed, the matter of concern is the corner of Rydal Place - as if motorists did not have the intelli­ gence and perception to slow at potential traffic hazards.


ROBIN PARKER, Si Chad’s Avenue, Chalburn


Your letters . . .


• The Editor welcomes letters on any subject, but correspondents are reminded that contributions may be edited or condensed, must not exceed 350 words and should reach us by noon on Tuesday. Letters with noms de plume are now


only accepted for publication if the editor agrees that there is a valid rea­ son for the writer's identity to be with­ held. Letters can be sent by post to the


Clilhcroe Advertiser and Times, 3 King Street, Clitheroe BB7 2EVV, via e- mail to Vivien.meath@eastlanc-


snews.co.uk, via fax to 01200 443467 or texted to 07799696447. Letters submitted by any of these


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


Format change proves a hit


HOW many of Ribble Valley’s many clubs and societies strug­ gle to entice members to their annual meeting, when the rou­ tine, but necessary, business is conducted? So when Clitheroe Concerts


Society held its AGM, it made sure there was plenty to attract its members. Around 50 turned up for its annual meeting in May... plus a free concert by the outstanding young cellist Gemma Rosefield. She was accompanied by


Simon Lepper, a graduate of Kings College Cambridge who undertook further studies at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was awarded the Diploma of the Academy, their


highest postgraduate award. The society was extremely


grateful to Richard Goodall, of Clitheroe Music, who kindly loaned an electronic piano for the evening. Cunningly, the usually poor­


ly attended AGM was held at the interval. Officers elected were: chairman Tony Cooper; vice-chairman Jean Hudson; secretary and concert organis­ er Ken Geddes; treasurer Mar­ garet Brookman; membership secretary Richard Neville; publicity officer Alan Brook- man. Other committee mem­ bers elected were John Bradley, Elizabeth Foster, Anne Hardy, Evelyn Gorst, Bob Parker and Jennifer Rae.


Farmers still await payment


HILL farmers in the remotest parts of Ribble Valley are among many across the region still awaiting vital cash support. According to the National


Farmers’ Union, some of the region’s hard-pressed hill fann­ ers are beginning to feel the Rural Payments Agency (REA) has forgotten them. The Hill Farm Allowance


(HFA) assists farmers in main­ taining the unique and beautiful upland countryside and in many cases helps to alleviate the hard­ ship that some hill farmers face due to high winter feeding bills. National uplands spokesman


and Keswick farmer Will Cock- bain said: “It is totally unac­ ceptable as we approach the autumn sales period that many farmers are still awaiting HFA payments which were due in the spring. We are being told by the RPA that the bottleneck which has occurred in the last two weeks is now clearing and pay­ ments should now speed up. While we have lobbied both Defra and the RPA over the unacceptable delays to this year's payment, we are also put­ ting pressure on to ensure the same mistakes are not made next year.”


Visit us any time for FREE advice or call


01200 427458 34 Castle Street, Clitheroe


(opposite Woolworths) PAIR


CHOOSE EITHER DISTANCE OR READING GLASSES


f t Talented music pair are the tops


TWO young Ribble Valley musicians proved they have the X-factor by tak­ ing trophies at a county music festival. C la r in e ttis t Harriet


Salvesen-Sawh (11), from Clitheroe, took the Festival Woodwind Trophy at the Blackburn Festival junior finals in only her second com­ petition. Harriet, who plays with the


Lancashire Students’ Sym­ phony Orchestra, had earlier won the 13-and-under prize to


earn her a place in the finals, competing against older and more experience musicians. And Whalley’s Emily Gal-


limore (12), took the Rosa Memorial 'Trophy for the 12- and-under piano class with a performance described as “dynamic” by the judge, international soloist Kathryn Page. Her achievement is even


more remarkable given that Emily has been learning to play the piano for ju s t 13 months.


1ST PAIR


CHOOSE SINGLE VISION. BIFOCALS ORVARIFOCALS.ANDANY FRAME, INCLUDING DESIGNER AND RIMLESS


Whalley musician Katherine Blebta. She said: “It takes a combina­


Both girls are students of


tion of hard work, talent and nerve to perform your best in a


music competition like this. “Their families and I are all


very proud of Emily and Harri­ et.”


Our picture shows the talent­


ed duo with their trophies, (s) masgseiMaMaB


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, August 31 st, 2006 11 Have you lost a set of small keys?


A SET of small keys was found on Thursday, August 24th, on the back street between the Clitheroe Health Centre and the rear of the Post House Hotel. The keys are ornamental


and possibly for a diary, wardrobe, jewellery box or sim­ ilar. If you think that these may be yours, call into the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times office at 3 King Street, Clitheroe.


’-A, " w


PAIR


CHOOSE SINGLE VISION, BIFOCALS OR VARIFOCALS, EITHER TINTED OR


CLEAR, AND ANY FRAME, INCLUDING DESIGNER AND RIMLESS


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