Frazer's
Ilkley
1999
Kill
or cure?
Ilkley
supplied e-coli in great quantity until an enterprising excavator
driver deprived the populace of it’s wholesome brew. The gentleman
who had water from the Canker Well tested some years ago, suggested
those who took it daily built up a resistance few today appear to
have. Might this be true for other out breaks in our ‘Whiter
than White Society’? If we took fewer baths, opened more
windows, turned central heating down and used feet instead of wheels,
we would save the environment in many ways. Do we really need to
wash clothes as often, using more and more water? Do we really need
central heating so high or use cars for short journeys? If we’re
honest, our answers should be NO!
Wharfe,
don’t run!
Again
the Wharfe valley escaped nature’s fury. One wonders, had
conditions been different, how high the river would have reached?
Again, the question of a bridge atop Burley’s mill dam must be
considered. If, in years to come the Wharfe floods with similar if
not more volume than the Derwent, will Burley’s bridge plus dam
survive? If not, we will lose more than the view! Without
stabilising river banks up-stream Burley’s bridge could easily be
‘a bridge too far’!
No
Brass!
Bradford’s
‘no brass’ tactics are wearing thin, as are Ilkley’s mature
trees. How many removed would, with selective tree surgery, have
survived to see a few more generations? Those moving into the
district should be made aware of their responsibilities to trees and,
where necessary, be heavily fined if tree removal is proved un
warranted. Perhaps equalling in Stirling the weight/height of the
tree, then trebling it. Selective tree surgery is more advisable
than none selective felling. If you accept ‘short cut’
policies, you have only yourselves to blame. What takes ten
minutes with a chain saw, often took a hundred or more years to grow!
Simply put “To create a little flower is the labour of ages.”
- William Blake (1757-1827),
A
Little knowledge can be dangerous
The
theatrical term ‘bums on seats’ should equate with
forthcoming local elections. In past years leaflets were hurriedly
pushed through letter boxes. Catching canvassers in the act nigh on
impossible. If at all. How is one to know anything about
prospective candidates from bits of paper? This years elections will
bring great changes in local council chambers. Are we to enter a new
millennium on the back of ‘little knowledge’ or, made more
aware of those who will receive our cross. Front door apathy leads
to polling booth apathy. Will there be a re-run of 1997 or,
something more worthwhile?
A
silent dawn.
I’m
often amazed at people who appear blind to problems of their own
making. A resident bemoaned the lack of bird life in their garden
and blamed it on all manner of things. Little realising their pets
were the likely answer. Apart from damage to ground nesting birds on
moorland, most dogs prefer to leave birds alone. Whereas the
feline species is recorded as killing a quarter of a billion wild
birds and small mammals a year. When next we hear of birdless
gardens perhaps we should look to the owners pets for the answer.
The
Leming.
Listening
to Local radio it appears Ilkley’s wish for more fragrant
facilities are within reach. Following intensive research a company
are to award their first ‘Limited Edition Millennium Interacting
Natural Generator’ to a deserving Yorkshire tourist town.
Fondly known to it’s creator as The Leming. This generator of
Public waste could replace Ilkley’s outdated inconveniences. The
ideal position for this first of many should be the former Winter
Gardens site. Being near to the Town Hall, would cut even more costs
as the generator relies on a steady supply of bureaucratic garbage.
Being fitted with CCTV, the units are vandal proof. It is expected
the first will be ready by the end of March to be fitted early in
April.
The
larger the better.
A
warning to Wharfedale gardeners preparing for local flower and veg
shows. Be on your guard.
On Radio 4 recently, I found the reason we no longer see large Melons
on supermarket shelves, they are ‘politically in-correct’! Why?
Because certain members of the community refer to parts of the female
anatomy as Melons. And politically correct buyers inform growers
only small varieties will do.
Could
the reason we hear of low sperm count in males, be under ripe Plums
on the same shelves? Over sensitive political correctness has gone
too far. Experience with commercially forced Rhubarb showed how
impassioned pickers become and not for reasons the politically
correct think. Only those who’ve worked Yorkshire’s Rhubarb
Tri-angle will understand the subtleties of early morning forays into
candlelit forcing sheds. Try putting the latter under political
correctness, if you dare!
Halcyon
days.
Work
in one of the town’s ghylls brought about the unmistakable sight of
iridescent blue wings flashing upstream. It’s many years since
this took place and hopefully, as work commences with overgrowths of
bracken and bramble being removed, more will witness the once common
Kingfisher
flying by. We may also see a more permanent return of the Dipper,
Wagtails and other partially hidden waterside birds, animals, insects
and plants.
Peace
at any price!
Visiting
an elderly relative this weekend, it struck me how noisy our once
quiet Sunday
afternoons had become. No-longer the gentle whirr of mower blades or
distant chatter across garden fences. Our ears were filled with
so-called music from multi watt Hi-Fi’s, banshee screams of
electric gadgets and the ever present roar of traffic from nearby
roads.
It
appeared the only time peace descended was during heavy rain or a
power cut. A once therapeutic activity of Sunday afternoon gardening
has given way to a level of noise induced stress which, in a modern
work environment, would be banned. There’s more to organic
gardening than compost heaps and flowers. It’s the feeling of
being one with Nature.
FUTURE
DISASTERS
Burley’s
quest for a footbridge reminds me of American microbiologist Barry
Commoner who wrote, ‘The first law of ecology is that everything is
related to everything else.’ Perhaps the Bridge Association would
join me in requesting Bradford do something to stop erosion of river
banks in East Holmes Fields Ilkley. Unless stabilised trees
washed down river will test the strength of their proposed bridge.
Far better to spend time upstream making things safe than wait for
future disasters.
Little
things grow into big things and big things cost money. Burley’s
bridge and Ilkley’s trees and river banks are all related by virtue
of being on, beside and eventually over the Wharfe. Lack of
foresight now could cost future generations dear and, the Bridge
Association cannot say they have not been warned. Ecology is not
just about plants and animals. It’s the whole environment,
including Burley’s perceived new bridge.
Find a
Flag!
Ilkley
and it’s Moor has seen many attractions over the years since
becoming a Spa Town. Derek and Christine Arnold, tenants of White
Wells on Ilkley Moor believe they are the first to add a fair ground
organ to the list, along with other attractions for the many visitors
expected at their Yorkshire Day festivities. Hopefully, IMOR’s
publicity has helped Derek’s wish to double last years £500
donated to Airedale Hospital’s Cancer Ward. Readers may be
aware of the ‘Quest for a Flag’ by Ilkley's 'Most Outspoken
Resident' to have a Yorkshire Flag flying at White Wells on 31st
July-1st August.
Following
extensive radio coverage by BBC’s Andy Peebles, Liz Green, even
Wogan and independent stations only one reply was forthcoming.
Undeterred, contact with PR companies brought a lady wishing to buy a
Yorkshire Flag specially designed for the 1999 festivities. It is
being made at this very moment. Asked by BBC Radio Leeds Mark
Brearley if Frazer Irwin would find a Yorkshire flag for Yorkshire
Day, Ilkley Business Forum spokesperson David Giddings quoted, ‘If
Frazer has been as determined as he has been over the past few years,
he’ll find it and do it’.
Please
close the Gate!
Is it any
wonder Ilkley people are fed up with various Bradford Metropolitan
Departments. Countryfolk know the folly of leaving gates open and
dangers this habit presents. It appears training given to certain
refuse collectors includes leaving gates open. Allowing stray sheep
and other animals including un-wanted persons access, while giving
young children freedom to wander into an un-safe world. Pointing
this out to the culprits only leads to outright denial, or worse
still, they haven’t time to shut gates. If rate payers hadn’t
time to pay local taxes, they would soon be brought to account.
Perhaps if refuse workers were given the bill for damage done after
leaving gates open, they would think twice before doing it again.
Maybe the reasons Bradford don't receive many complaints, are because
residents have neither the time to listen to taped music or push
telephone buttons.
Heat
exhaustion!
Recent
hot weather brought a rise in insect numbers, large and small and
strange ideas from pedestrians. A mid air collision over Ilkley went
un-witnessed by many in the town. A pair of large Dragonflies
collided while hunting over Mill Ghyll stream. The reactions off
passers-by when shown them ranged from great interest to being told
they were very dangerous and shouldn't we call in the Pest Officer!
The latter left me puzzled, until being told they were 'man eaters'
and hadn't I seen them at the cinema? Killer bees is one thing, but
man eating dragonflies! Who's fooling who?
.
