Lighten up a bit, James

My memories from working in Australia many moons ago are still treasured. I went with friends to the Australian Rules cup final in Melbourne. We allowed three days, which turned into seven days. When, rather shamefaced, I turned up at work, my boss said: "You're back early, I didn't expect to see you for another three days." No worries. I suppose it is simply a matter of commitment, or more likely I am easily led astray.

So, dear editor, could you please use your influence during the festive season and get chairman James to lighten up a bit.

MORRICE ROGER

Thornton-le-Dale

ONCE again the senior citizens' Christmas party was held at Pickering. The hall was packed. The food was delicious. We got Christmas cake and a drink and then it was time to say goodbye to the leaders of the committee who work all year to raise funds for this party. Mrs Bowes (Daphne to most of us) called the ladies up on the stage to say a big thank you. Each got a hug and a small token gift. Then someone from our council gave Daphne a bouquet.

Well deserved, I readily agree, but the whole event was spoiled by the remark that the council couldn't afford to give the other leaders a bunch of flowers. We as guests were astounded. I asked around to make sure I hadn't heard it wrong and all agreed. That's what was said. We can afford hanging baskets and tubs that are used for beer cans and crisp bags, along with the pansies, so why not a bunch of flowers for this committee of dedicated workers? I can only hope they are more generous to the scouts who have taken on the mammoth task for 2004.

MARGARET LAWSON

Pickering

THROUGH your letters column I would like to draw attention to the driver of the vehicle which hit and killed my Siamese cat on Scarborough Road on November 26 between 10.30am and noon.

He was a handsome, lovely-natured, affectionate and much-loved character of a cat, of some considerable size. Whoever hit him must have felt it, and could surely have had the decency to stop and check that he was dead and placed him into the side of the road or on the grass verge, instead of leaving him where he was mashed to a pulp, mangled and desecrated beyond recognition on the road.

My neighbour telephoned my eldest daughter in Kirby Misperton to come and check if it was one of my cats, as she couldn't tell from the bits that were left.

I myself was away for the day, and my daughter, who is six-months pregnant, had to scrape the pieces into a bin bag with a shovel. Not a pleasant job for anyone, but she knew my two younger children would be home from school at anytime.

It wasn't until I went through the matted bits of fur that I could see Mister's cream colour under the mud etc.

He was such a beautiful cat. To have laid him to the side of the road would at least have shown some courtesy to us, his family, and given him some dignity in his death, both or either would have been much appreciated.

The house is now emptier and quieter without him and he will be missed for a long time.

I know to some people he "was only a cat", but the speed that drivers come along Scarborough Road is ridiculous, and it is only a matter of time before a child will be hit. Then perhaps the powers that be will be inclined to take heed of the numerous complaints that they have had about speeding along there, and perhaps we will then qualify for speed humps/islands/police surveillance?

Hopefully not too little, too late, if someone is injured.

KATRINA E J ROBERTSON

Norton

RE your article, Rural Transport Needs Solution, November 19.

Buses from Helmsley are few and far between - that is unless you want to travel to Scarborough.

There are no buses going westwards and it would be useful to be able to get to Thirsk and Northallerton. I just keep hoping.

B CHRISTIE (Mrs)

Helmsley

AS a regular user of Langton Road, I often pass the racehorses and riders. I always reduce my speed to at least 20mph, which I feel is an acceptable level. Now we come to the riders of the horses and their lack of good manners. Some of them do thank you for slowing down but some of them won't ever raise their hand to thank you. But if you don't slow down, you get two fingers put up to you, hands waving all over the place.

Basically, the riders think they own the road and they don't even pay road tax. They throw crisp wrappers and coke cans on the road, and it annoys me intensely that we, as road tax payers, are treated like this. I don't mind slowing down in the least as I was brought up to have good manners and to respect other people. And all I expect is that the riders of these horses at least have the manners to take their rubbish back to the rubbish bin. And give me some sort of gesture for slowing down. As I say, this does not apply to all of them - some of them do wave and thank you. After all, it's only common courtesy.

I just expect the same respect as they get from me. Is that really too much to ask?

LYNDA RICHMOND

Langton

MY wife and I were in Malton for the last week of November, having picked up a rented car in Stansted Airport. The morning after we arrived, we discovered we had a slow puncture and so the car was immobile. The weather was not spectacular anyway, but we could have done without this extra black cloud.

A local garage was unable to help us but suggested we call Terry Elsey (Tyres Malton), in Showfield Lane, which I did. I put it to them that if I could get some air into the tyre, I could get the car to them. With a promise they would "send the chap around" I turned to my cornflake bowl with the phone still in my hand. Suddenly a big red van pulled up outside my mother's house, behind the police station. By the time I was outside, the compressor was running and the air-hose was applied to the tyre. A quick word of thanks and the chap was off again.

Later, we drove down to Terry Elsey (Tyres Malton) and were immediately guided into the workshop and a young lad got on with removing the wheel. It was not long before he found an old pop-rivet rammed through the tyre carcass. The tyre was removed, repaired and replaced, together with a new valve and balancing. We had expected to be hanging around all morning, but were able to continue our holiday within the hour. The young lad also took the time to check the other tyres before we set off, and all that for just over a tenner!

We were really impressed with the rapid and professional service we received in our moment of need. We hung around inside the workshop to keep warm and I am sure we were in the way at times, but there was never a cross word spoken, in fact there was a very relaxed feeling in the air. Perhaps we were fortunate in that the morning was quiet for the company, but we never felt that we should have considered ourselves "lucky".

Our words of gratitude go out to Terry Elsey (Tyres Malton) for a job well done - thank you!

PS The rivet is now in my anorak pocket, it will never cause another puncture!

SIMON J CROZIER

Leimen, Germany

IN support of C Christie's letter in the Gazette & Herald, I add that York City Council objects to water fluoridation. Also that the substance to be added to water for this purpose is hexafluorosilsic acid, which has never been safety-tested. Fluoride is a poison more toxic than lead and only slightly less so than arsenic.

Opponents of water fluoridation could consider joining the National Pure Water Association, which has campaigned for many years on this and other issues about water purity and is compiling a national register of those opposed to water fluoridation.

ELAINE HOPKINSON

Cropton

I FEEL I must write to you regarding the poor and shambolic switch-on of Malton festive lights. It took volunteers weeks to get these lights up. Surely as a town we can make the switch-on a special occasion, unlike this Saturday, November 29. Alex Hall from Radio York switching them on from a dark stage, no lighting. You couldn't see her! Santa arrived late. The children got bored, no stalls, rides.

It all seemed badly organised. When you go to a switch-on in Pickering, Thornton-le-Dale, York, they seem to get it right, it is a lovely evening, but Malton never quite gets it right.

Better organisation, advertising (this seemed non-existent). A lot of people were unhappy at the lack of substance to it this year. Let's hope next year the town does better.

ADRIAN WATSON

Malton

FOLLOWING Remembrance Sunday, this country is betraying its 12m pensioners who remain living, and are struggling to survive on their meagre state pension income, while also being means tested, and clobbered for council tax and income tax in the world's fourth richest economy.

Link-Age, based in Devon and Surrey, is a small but well-informed group of people from all ages and backgrounds which is campaigning for all British pensioners. Link-Age is non-party political, with no membership fee, charitable status or vested interests.

We have an ongoing manifesto campaign for the restoration of the estate pension link to average earnings, with an increase in the state pension to at least £200 per week for a single pensioner, with the abolition of the means test, and the abolition of the council tax.

In October, a Link-Age delegate had a meeting with Charles Kennedy, the leader of the Liberal Democrats at the House of Commons, this meeting went well and Charles Kennedy has asked to be kept informed of our progress.

As Link-Age founder and nowhere near pensionable age, I am anxious to hear from more people in this region so I can send more copies of Link-Age's manifesto so that more people can then send a copy of our manifesto direct to their respective constituent MP at the House of Commons. Our manifesto gives people a chance to stand and be counted with the backing of Link-Age.

To enquire about receiving a free copy of our manifesto, ring (01803) 857020 after 6.30pm Mon-Sun. Together we can make a difference.

MICHAEL THOMPSON

Devon

THE final share for the recent Christmas Fair came to more than £2,025 for St Leonard & St Mary's Church, Malton - and a similar sum was received by St Peter's, Norton, which shared the event at the Milton Rooms.

After expenses, including the hire of the hall and printing tickets, there was a net profit of £1,820 for St Leonard & St Mary's.

This was described by Father Tim Bywater as a "very satisfactory" result and the money will go towards rewiring the tower which is a landmark for people coming into town.

A parish music day is to be held at St Leonard & St Mary's Church, Malton, on May 15 next year.

Mr Phillip Jakob, who is the adviser for music and liturgy for the diocese of Hallam and is responsible for music at Hallam Cathedral (Sheffield), has agreed to lead the event.

Following the confirmation of 13 candidates at St Leonard & St Mary's Church, Malton, at the end of November by the Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Rt Rev John Crowley, he has written to thank parishioners for their "warm hospitality" during the weekend and asked for his appreciation to be passed onto all those involved in the events.

Updated: 12:14 Wednesday, December 17, 2003