Letters


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	Garforth RUFC Just a quick note to give you an update on the successful season of Garforth RUFC. We have won promotion from Yorkshire 5 to Yorkshire 4 which is the 10th level of Rugby in England after victory in the Yorkshire 5 play-off last month this follows a successful league campaign which saw us finish in 2nd place behind Burley RUFC. Full match report is on our web-site www.garforthrufc.org.uk Promotion this year is our first since 1993/94 season when the club won the old Yorkshire 6 division, however in 1997 and again in 2004 the league was restructured by the RFU andÂ we were effectively relegated to Yorkshire 5. Although we have consistently finished in the topÂ half of the tableÂ since 2004 we have struggled to finish in a promotion or play off spot. This season under our new Coach Andy Daw (who is also an ex-captain of the club) we have beenÂ consistent in our play and inflicted the only defeat of the season on run away league leaders Burley in March. As well as winning promotion the club reached the Quarter Final of the Yorkshire Silver Trophy (before been forced to withdraw due toÂ fixture congestion)Â and the 2nd Team Squad won the Yorkshire 5 Merit Table which is the league for clubs 2nd teams The club is still looking for new players for Competitive league rugby or social rugby, and we are also looking for new sponsors for the 2007/08 season including people who wish to advertise in the regular match day programmes. Also keep an eye open for the Garforth RUFC 2008 Club Calendar which will be back by popular demand after our 2006 calendar. Jon Fallas Garforth RUFCÂ Team Manager 07974 833516 0113 2872262 www.garforthrufc.org.uk ref Makins caravans Whoever writes the editorial talks a lot of sense to me .Unfortunately the person is not aware that Makins have proposed on several occasions a new site for the caravans near the farm but LCC planning will not allow permission for the drainage to be installed leaving Makins with no alternative but to use the old site that now has planning permission. I would be more than happy to sit around a table with everyone concerned and sort out this problem. On the railway issue I would be happy to discuss moving the Station onto my farmland Chris Makin Former Barleyhill Infants I just wondered if there was any news on the former site of Barleyhill Infants school site in Garforth, whether it has been bought, who by and what the proposed residential buildings will be Many thanks if you can help Rachel Regeneration Plans for Kippax The proposals to improve Kippax centre are in general very good. I just wonder how much of this is going to become a paper exercise, and not turn into reality. One thing that needs to be addressed is the need for more parking spaces. If the continued parking on High Street continues, there is a stong possibility that someone will be badly injured (or dead). The idea of setting an area in the village centre for a market, and better shopping is a very good one. Residents will no longer need to travel to either Castleford or Garforth for many of their shopping requirements. Paul S Smith Bus to Lotherton Hall How wonderful that a bus has been provided to Lotherton Hall, one of our brilliant local heritages. But, what a shame it does not pick up in Kippax. I'm sure lots would take advantage of it. Christine Illingworth I am utterly disgusted with the education authority - A supporting comment I have a lot of sympathy for Wendy Dimsdale and her plight with the education authority. I had similar problems with the Education Authority but my local MP intervened and encouraged Education: Leeds to speed up the appeals process. To my way of thinking Education:Leeds uses the appeals process to manage child placement rather than just getting it right in the first instance. My advice, Wendy, is to start making “quality of life’ arguments and remind the education authority that their actions are “discriminating against your children’ and finally start complaining to OFSTED and the Audit Commission and get you local MPs involved. Education: Leeds? Education: Bone Idol is more like it. Malcolm Gardner, Garforth I am utterly disgusted with the education authority - An Update The situation now stands that after some major deliberation my husband and my self accepted the offer of schooling at John Smeaton college as we felt our girls education was at serious risk if we continued to wait for an appeal.The school were contacted several times by the admissions team ( who may i add have been outstanding in their help to us).The school failed to acknowledge the request until 3 days after being contacted only to inform us it would take another week for an appointment to see them let alone establish a start date( which was increasingly looking like after half term).On Wednesday this week Tom Murray rang me to ask of my situation.During this discussion we decided to not accept John Smeaton and continue with our request for a local school.A short conversation with the admissions team has confirmed this and we now await news on an appeal date.I am still very dismayed and still think that during this process my girls should be receiving some sort of tutoring whether it be at home or elsewhere they have now missed their third week of school. Thanks for your interest Wendy Dimsdale Garforth & Swillington residents survey Dear Resident Volunteers delivered the survey to almost 7000 households throughout the area and I have received an overwhelming response. It is often the case that politicians and community leaders tell people what their views ought to be. In my opinion it should be the other way around. People should tell politicians and community leaders what they want and the politicians and community leaders then should act. After all, that is why they are elected and that is what this exercise has been all about. There is no magic wand and things will not change overnight. But, on your behalf, I will use the results of this survey as a tool to lobby and put pressure on those people who have the power to make positive changes to our community. I have already passed on many of your comments to your Conservative Councillor Mark Phillips who is always actively lobbying on your behalf to get things done. The results of the survey were very clear. People want: hedges kept neat and tidy a proper police presence roads repaired decent facilities for young people an end to the counter productive and sometimes outright dangerous traffic calming measures imposed on us by the previous administration proper parking facilities at our train stations action to ensure local businesses behave responsibly guarantees that developments will be in keeping with the character of the area Some would say this seems like a pretty big wish list. I think not. Considering the amount of tax we pay, I believe this is the least we should expect. Over the coming weeks and months we will begin to publish positive and constructive ways of tackling these issues. We will also meet with those who can do something about making our lives better. Please keep in touch with any ideas or suggestions you may have. Your views matter and should be properly represented to those who spend your money on your behalf. For too long, Garforth, Swillington & Great & Little Preston residents have been taken for granted and had a raw deal. We have not got out of Leeds what we have put in. We need to redress this imbalance. Kind Regards Alan Lamb Conservative Party Spokesman for Garforth & Swillington I am utterly disgusted with the education authority After moving to this lovely village of Swillington last month, i am utterly disgusted with the education authority. I have three children of school age one of which is currently in her GCSE studies. Only one of my children has been given a school placement. My two senior school children have been told after a 2 week wait that it will be another 4-6 weeks for an appeal to be heard to whether they can attend a local school. May i ask how this is justified as that is far too long for ant child to be away from school. Especially when such important exams are at stake. If i were to voluntarily keep my children off school for this length of time the education department would prosecute me. Do i see double standards? Is there anybody out there can help me? I`ve reached a complete brick wall my husband pays his taxes we are entitled an education for our children. Wendy Dimsdale, Swillington Marginal Seat If the Prison Service has Crown Immunity then there doesn’t seem to be much the Council can do to stop them. Our only hope would appear to be local MP Colin Burgon. I believe he has done a reasonable job for this constituency and I have voted for him in the past but if the Labour Government intends to build a prison near my home then I will not be voting for them again. I suggest Mr Burgon reminds the Home Secretary that Elmet is a marginal seat. I would regard the postponement of an announcement till after the General Election as a yes vote for the prison. Tony Johnson, Garforth Local Councillors I wrote to Councillors Tom Murray and Mark Phillips about the lack of car parking spaces at East Garforth station. Neither bothered to respond. I used the email addresses on your site. Are they correct? C Coyle Garforth We obtained the email addresses from the Leeds City council website and therefore assume they are correct. Perhaps they don’t read their emails