YEP Letters: June 24

Beautiful, but why so expensive Vernon Wood, by email. A RECENT Yorkshire Evening Post article: “Five things you should know about Lotherton Hall” was lacking a most important extra “thing” your readers should know about this beautiful country house, park and bird garden. It is simply that visitors should be aware that they will be charged £5.50 each for admission. So a family party of four arriving in a car will need £22 to gain entry – no matter how long they intend to stay. Perhaps the responsible Leeds councillor or parks official could explain to us why this extortionate fee should be demanded when, as far as I can establish, no charge is made for admission and limited parking at Leeds’ other parks such as Temple Newsam, Roundhay, Middleton, Bramley, Golden Acre and Pudsey. So why such an exhorbitant charge at Lotherton ? After all, the entire estate was generously donated for the enjoyment of Leeds citizens by the Gascoigne family. Let us ensure we are even more united Ednan Hussain, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Dewsbury and Mirfield It IS over a week since the dreadful events of last Thursday which left a husband without his wife, two children without their mother, and communities without the champion that gave them an effective voice in Parliament. As a Liberal Democrat, I had differences with Jo. But there was also much we agreed about, especially in her views about the European Union and how we should respond to the plight of refugees. Above all, like her, I am a local person who grew up in the area I want to represent. I with many others was devastated that such a thing could happen in broad daylight on the streets of a town so similar to many others in this part of West Yorkshire. It’s quite understandable that, mystified and horrified, people look for someone or some organisation to blame; and expect changes to make sure “it can never happen again”. I fully support the efforts of the police to investigate this murder. And I urge anyone with information that might help them to come forward. Once the facts are known, lessons need to be learned and action taken to prevent any repeat. But there are some things I don’t want to change, and nor would Jo. I want MPs to be more accessible to their constituents not less. I want all MPs to be as brave as Jo in speaking up for what they believe in, even when it’s against the grain of public opinion. Her death is an appalling glimpse into where the politics of hate and intolerance can lead, if we fall prey to it. The most fitting tribute to her would be a decisive rejection of those attitudes by all the diverse communities of North Kirklees. I, for one, pledge to work tirelessly alongside everyone– of all beliefs and none, from every walk of life – to make sure our communities emerge from last week’s events stronger and more united than ever before. But what would the Lord say? Stephen Knight, by email I HAVE read with interest the letters expressing different views on the possible outcome of the EU referendum, which we should learn today. No consideration seems to have been given to the hand of God in this matter, for as Daniel the prophet reminds us, “God rules in the Kingdom of Men and gives it to whom soever he will” (Daniel Ch4). Looking beyond Europe, there is a wide world with all sorts of problems which seem to be beyond the ability of human governments to resolve. Thankfully, the Almighty has promised to send his son Jesus, with great power and authority, at a time when the nations are in great distress. Christ is the one appointed to rule the world and bring the peace which human beings seem unable to achieve. Rod honoured for charity R Kimble, Hawksworth I ENJOYED, and still do, Rod Stewart’s music with The Jeff Beck Group on their first two albums (Tuth & Beckola) and his first two solo albums (An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down and Gasoline Alley) are, in my opinion, his best. I never really “got into” The Faces all that much. Like Jayne Dawson (YEP, June 15), I abhor Sexy but love The Killing Of Georgie, Angel and In A Broken Dream. You sometimes see him in one of those Sounds Of The Seventies type shows performing one of his singles in what someone thought was a “sexy” style but inadvertently he looks a complete idiot, especially when he turns his back to the camera with his tight trousers allegedly highlighting his non-existent bottom! I would like to point out to Mrs Dawson, however, that he got his knighthood primarily for a wide involvement in several charities and not his music. She made no mention of that in her put down of his private life. Never going underground A Hague,Haverhills, Leeds Paul Thomson asks why we can’t go underground? This was planned in Leeds in 1937, but this is not London. Overhead maybe, as far cheaper, but we would never get billions. There seems no limit to any spending in London but Leeds, never. Embarrassed by town centre Mrs C Foster,Pudsey I AM ashamed to say I live in Pudsey, it’s the dirtiest town centre I have ever seen. There is litter and overflowing bins everywhere. The worst part is at the crossroads outside the NatWest Bank. The Pudsey in Bloom volunteers have made beautiful flower tubs and around Pudsey, but what a shame it is spoiled by all the filth. Black Prince needs a clean A M Pickles, Guiseley, Leeds I am Edward (the Black Prince), the most famous of Leeds’ statues, apparently I am to be given a voice. The first thing I would like to say is: Isn’t it time that the council gave me a good wash, brush up and polish? Because I am in a filthy condition; the plaques on my plinth are so dirty it’s hard to tell what they are and my base is covered in pigeon dirt. I realise that the council is strapped for cash but surely I and my fellow statues in City Square should look our best for the city’s visitors? We are the first thing they see, after all. Swifts need a home too Lester Young, Featherstone Featherstone’s summer visitors, the swifts, arrived as usual the first week in May to find access to their nests blocked after Wakefield District Housing re-roofed the Victoria Estate. They breed in eaves of buildings and are unlikely to find somewhere else, which makes a wasted journey from Africa for more than 30 swifts. But they will come back to where they were raised again and again and live for up to 15 years, so there is still time to provide access and avoid more fruitless journeys. You can get swift access bricks that comply with building regulations easily (see Swifts Nests or RSPB online). Alarmingly, breeding numbers have more than halved in Yorkshire since 1995 and watching family “squadrons” of swifts screaming around like the Red Arrows could soon become a thing of the past. But down south, like in London, forward-thinking councils are insisting access is provided which has caused an increase in breeding numbers. These pioneering councils are working in partnership with the RSPB to help builders and developers be more eco-friendly for future generations so why doesn’t Wakefield Metropolitan District Council join this innovative partnership and take the lead in Yorkshire to reverse the decline? A decade back more than 60 pairs nested here now it’s as low as single figures. But, with all the factories and houses being built in the district, it’s a great opportunity to save this endangered species and others. The beauty is that it costs little to nothing on new builds and reroofing to provide sanctuary. I look forward to Wakefield Council and Wakefield District Housing’s response.