Ambitious plans to create extra parking at Steeton and Silsden railway station have been revealed.

And the plans, using land owned by Airedale Tree Surgeons (ATS) next to the station, would also see major improvements to one of the main entrances to Steeton.

Architect Roger Lambert, of JLR Architects, Bradford, said the plans were at a very early stage, but were possible with support from interested parties, such as Metro and Northern Rail.

Mr Lambert, who lives in Steeton, said the aim was to rid the village of the scourge of drivers abandoning their cars in roads around the station and also to improve the approach to the village.

"As a resident, I would not like to see Steeton lose the battle against the motor car. I would like to see some sort of urban tidiness," he said.

"The journey into Steeton could be much more attractive. At the moment, half of all the traffic and nearly all visitors come off the dual carriageway and they're faced with what looks like an American hick town, with cars parked on the grass and billboards. The whole thing needs a re-think."

Mr Lambert, who has discussed the plan with Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council, said he was keen to see if the ATS scheme could work.

"This idea has been floated by ATS and I was keen to offer a hand to see if it could work."

But he admitted the site of the proposed car park - close to the roundabout on the Aire Valley trunk road - had a difficult access.

"The access to the ATS site is close to the roundabout, which will take some very good engineering," he said.

One idea would be to use the existing access off Station Road, while another would be to create a one-way system by entering along the upgraded existing disabled access and exiting from the ATS site access.

Mr Lambert said he thought the second one-way option would be preferable.

"By upgrading the existing disabled access route for cars, a one-way system could be created for the station. Cars would come in off a roundabout on Station Road to a drop off and pick up point, with parking for people with disabilities. They would then either carry on to the ATS site where they could park their car or leave the site."

The idea would be to charge people to use the car park, which would have between 100 to 200 spaces. It would also be manned to prevent car crime.

Mr Lambert believes the scheme would cost in the region of £500,000, which would have to be partly financed by Metro and Northern Rail.

Talks with the planning office have revealed that nothing other than car parking would be considered - ruling out the possibility of a housing element in the plan, which could have helped towards the cost of the whole project.

Mr Lambert said he believed a source of funding could be available to improve disabled facilities at the station.

"My view is that the station does not comply with the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act)," he added.

He said the next step would be to talk to Metro and Northern Rail about possible funding.

Coun David Mullen, vice chairman of Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council, said the plan was a step in the right direction. But he believed simply providing more car parking spaces was not the answer to Steeton's traffic problems.

"We would like to see Metro carry out an audit to see where the cars come from," he added. "We understand that up to four people turn up in individual cars, they all park up in the car park and drive off in one car. They're using it as a free car park."

He believed charging at the car park would reduce the number of people using it.

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David Baxter was honoured for his services to football at Steeton AFC's presentation evening held at Steeton Hall Hotel.

He was presented with the coveted Football Association 50 Years Long Service medal by West Riding County FA representative Peter Marsden.

David started playing for Steeton in the 1940s. He played for the minors at 14 years old but was swiftly drafted into the seniors.

After his National Service, David went on to captain the successful first team in the 1950s and later followed this by becoming a committee member and joint first team manager before undertaking his current role as club president.

To this day he marks the pitch out every week, often seen riding his bike to the ground to do this, all at a youthful 72 years old!

He has dedicated his sporting life to Steeton Football Club and has played an important part in taking the club successfully through the local leagues in the early years, from the Keighley League, later to the Craven League, progressing into the West Riding County Amateur League through the divisions to the Premier in 2003.

In those earlier days he was influential in liaising with the local Parish Council to achieve improvements for the club. In the late 1960s he involved the local MP Joan Hall in a debate about sports grant funding to enable the club to relocate to their present site, which was taken to the then Minister for Sport, Idon Griffiths.

Despite being unsuccessful, David was one of the club members that took matters into their own hands, redeveloping the ground and building changing facilities through their own funding at Summerhill Lane.

David has also been involved significantly in fund raising for the club over the years, one of his trademarks was his raffling of a bottle of whiskey after each home match. He is still currently responsible for running a weekly raffle, "win a packet", at the club's headquarters, local pub The Goats Head.

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History almost repeated itself on Sunday for a local choir which had its tour coaches broken into 53 years ago.

Two men in Caerphilly, Wales, targeted a coach being used by Steeton Male Voice Choir, shortly after they had sung Ilkla' Moor Baht 'At.

In 1954, this same choir, then called the Steeton Male Glee Union, had its coaches broken into and ransacked, also during a performance in Wales of Ilkla' Moor Baht 'At. Peter Lofts, 69, the choir's archivist, said this was a remarkable coincidence.

"To have this happen again in Wales within minutes of us singing the same song was quite bizarre," he said. He said the choir had been performing at St Helen's Roman Catholic Church, alongside the Welsh Aber Valley Male Voice Choir. Master of Ceremonies, Len Wilson then described to the audience what happened when the choir sang this in the Welsh seaside resort town of Rhyl in 1954.

Dr Lofts, of Cross Hills, said: "He told them that as the choir was singing, its coaches parked outside were broken into. The press later reported the choir went home not only baht 'at but baht wallets, baht coats and baht a few other things'." He said choir members discovered that while Mr Wilson was telling the audience about the 1954 theft, two young men had tried to break into one of their coaches outside.

According to Dr Lofts, the 21st century offenders were "quite drunk" and not as competent as their 1950s counterparts. He said: "They smashed the window on the door but one of them then cut his hand quite badly on the glass. Someone spotted them and the police caught them both."

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Angry residents turned out to voice their concerns over plans to develop Eastburn playing fields.

Speaking at the start of Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council's latest meeting, residents who live near the fields complained that they had not been informed about the plans, which they said would have a real impact on their lives.

One resident said: "I feel that where issues relating to the playing fields are concerned people who live adjoining the site should be consulted."

He added that for the last two years the site had been plagued by young people drinking and swearing throughout the night and setting up camp in the field.

He said: "If you were to put something like this in our area our lives would be made intolerable."

Ideas to transform the fields so far include a trials bike park, installing new play equipment and planting more trees.

Cllr Dianne Lear, who is part of the Eastburn playing fields steering committee, said that at a recent site meeting the committee had decided residents should be consulted. But she said that they could not be consulted until formal plans had been drawn up.

The next steering group meeting is on Tuesday (June 19), when children from East-burn Junior and Infants School will show their ideas for what they would like to see at the playing fields.

Residents will be consulted over whether they want a seat at the top of Green Lane in Eastburn.

The decision to consult residents, at the next neighbour-hood forum meeting, was taken after one resident complained that the seat would be a place for drug users to congregate.

The resident, who was pre-sent at the meeting, said that his life and the lives of others in Green Lane had been made a misery by youths and drug users, who met at the top of the lane.

The idea to reinstate the seat, which has not been there for over 15 years, was put forward by elderly residents and walkers, who said it would be nice to have somewhere to sit.

Cllr John Hargreaves said a seat could not be installed until a boat at the top of Green Lane was moved, but the owner of the boat, who was at the meeting, said it was legally parked.

The crime figures for April were revealed at the meeting.

There was one incident of burglary, one of vehicle crime, nine of youth nuisance, eight incidents of anti-social behaviour and two of criminal damage.

The council is to write to the police chief superintendent of Keighley to ask if policing in the two villages can be increased.

The idea came after councillors listened to a complaint from one resident, in letter form, who expressed her concerns over vandalism problems at Keighley Road recreation ground.

Cllr Hargreaves said that there was not enough policing in Steeton and Eastburn.

A number of tickets have been issued by police to drivers parked illegally in Steeton.

Cllr Pam Blagden, who attended a recent police tasking meeting, said that police had visited problem areas, including Elmsley Street, to catch culprits.

Members agreed to invite the manager of The Willows Nursing Centre to the next meeting.

The idea came after councillors talked of how some residents of the centre were causing problems in Steeton, with one woman regularly seen drinking and even exposing herself.

Cllr Hilda Townend said she had already spoken to the manager of the centre who had suggested that he come to the next meeting of the parish council and try and work with the members.

She added that the centre was going to shadow the one woman who was going about Steeton.

A decision to defer plans to request a 20mph speed limit for Eastburn was made at the meeting.

Councillors agreed that be-fore they made a request to the highways department they should put the idea forward to the residents at the next neighbourhood forum.

Cllr Dianne Lear said she knew a lot of people who didn't want the speed limit imposed, but added that the school and other residents might want the 20mph limit.

A Parish Plan questionnaire sent out to residents has received around a 25 per cent response.

Cllr David Mullen said this was a high percentage rate compared to other councils.

The council has now also met all the criteria for achieving quality status. The clerk is to put together a portfolio of evidence in preparation for applying for the special accolade.

A grant for £50 has been given by the council in support of the Flower Club Flower Festival.

The three-day flower festival, from June 29 to July 1, will be at St Stephen's Church, Steeton.

Cllr Lorraine Harding said it was worth more groups applying for similar grants.

A sign is to be placed on the cemetery gates in Steeton to inform people of the opening times.

Members agreed to request that a sign be put up, after a man told a councillor he had been sad to find the gates closed when he went to visit the grave of his late wife.

Cllr John Weller, who often tends to the cemetery, said it was important that people knew the opening hours as he and others who looked after it could not be there at all times.

A suggestion to set up a gardening scheme to help elderly people tend to their gardens was brought up at the meeting.

Councillors agreed that it would be a good idea to look into a scheme to help the elderly.

Cllr David Mullen said that Keighley Volunteer Bureau al-ready had certain schemes in place. He said some elderly people just needed simple things doing like grass cutting.

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Parking restrictions outside Steeton and Silsden Railway Station have been delayed because of one objection.

In an attempt to stop parking problems in Station Road, Bradford Council had agreed to install double yellow lines. But after advertising its intentions, the scheme was opposed by one resident.

Keighley Area Panel will decide what to do at its meeting on June 21.

Plans to de-trunk the A629 and pass over control to local authorities have been delayed for "issues" to be ironed out.

The Highways Agency said this week that it was unable to give a date when the road would be passed over to North Yorkshire County Council and Bradford Council.

Meanwhile, Steeton with Eastburn Parish Council has withdrawn its objection to the plan.

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A Chance discovery of some antique lace has inspired a flower festival at a Steeton church.

Members of St Stephen's Methodist Church discovered the large bag of linen and lace hidden away.

They believe the decorative cloth originally draped the altar and could date back to when the church was built 125 years ago.

Now, the material has inspired a flower festival which will run at the church from Friday June 29 to Sunday July 1.

It will also include a concert and garden party.

Church member Janet Smithies, who is also a member of Steeton Flower Club which is organising the event, said it was believed the lace had been stored by the church's former vicar.

"The church is 125-years-old this year and we believe some of it dates back to that time," she said.

"Some of it would have been used to decorate the altar. It's very interesting because today, a lot of the altar dressings are very minimal and this is very decorative."

Mrs Smithies took the material to the Craven Lacemakers Guild where it was found to be hand crocheted lace and not bobbin lace. The lace is decorated with religious symbols and would probably have been made by members of the church.

"It's nice to celebrate the fact that we've got it, but it will probably be stored away again afterwards," added Mrs Smithies.

Called Lilies, Linen and Lace, the festival will include a preview on Friday June 29, which will be opened at 7.30pm by the chairman of Yorkshire in Bloom, Maurice Baren.

There will be a garden party on the Saturday, from 2pm to 4pm, featuring a demonstration on lace- making, stalls and the Salvation Army Community Band. The May School of Dance and soprano Beverley Shuttleworth will present a concert in the evening from 7pm.

And on the Sunday, there will be a morning service at 10am and a Songs of Praise service with guest choir, the Holme Singers, at 6pm.

The festival will conclude with an auction of flowers.

Tickets for Friday's preview cost £5, including wine, and tickets for the concert cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions.

For more information, contact 01535 216475 or 01535 271089.

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Councillor Lorraine Harding has been re-elected chairman of Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council.

At the same meeting Cllr David Mullen was elected as vice-chairman.

New councillor Su Thompson has taken over from Rita Budimir.

A new sign is to be put up at the football ground.

Members voted to have only the one sign put up, instead of the two suggested last month, which will say "The Doris Wells Memorial Ground". The sign is to replace one that was vandalised.

The crime figures for March were revealed at the meeting.

There were two incidents of criminal damage, nine of anti-social behaviour, five of youth nuisance and one incident of vehicle crime. There were no incidents of violent crime or burglary.

Police have suggested councillors talk to the owners of the village café to ask about the problem of large lorries heading through Steeton. The suggestion was made at a recent Police Tasking Meeting.

Speed Watch is coming back to Steeton to catch speeding motorists.

The sessions will be held between 4.30-5.30pm in Keighley Road and High Street.

Cllr John Weller expressed his concerns about problems in Elmsley Street, Steeton.

He said two cars had been damaged and that items were going missing.

A trials bike park is to be considered as part of plans to develop Eastburn playing fields.

Councillors agreed to consider the bike park after hearing from Cllr Dianne Lear about young rider Shelley Smith's input at a recent steering group meeting. Cllr Lear said: "She seems to have it all planned and she had gone to a lot of trouble."

Shelley, 15, was asked by the council to be part of the steering group.

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A case against a Keighley man facing a string of sex offences has collapsed - because police failed to hold a prompt identity parade.

This week a caring dad - whose "detective" work led to the man being arrested - told of his shock at the case being dropped.

The suspect, aged 32, had been charged with six counts of exposing himself to young girls.

The Steeton dad, a 40-year-old sales manager from Steeton, whose name is being withheld to protect his daughter's identity, said: "I'm completely enraged. It's beyond my comprehension how this could have happened."

He said last October his daughter, who was ten at the time, was riding her scooter with a friend on a road near her home.

They noticed a man slowly driving after them in a car, so turned into a snicket to avoid him. When they emerged out the other end the motorist was there waiting, watching them from his car.

The father's frightened daughter ran home and told him what happened. He took her out in his car to find the man and she soon spotted him and pointed him out.

He tailed the man's vehicle and got a description and a registration number, which he passed on to police that same afternoon. He said the local press had featured several instances of indecent exposure, in Craven and Keighley, all committed by a man matching the description of the person who followed his daughter.

He said when he reported these to the North Yorkshire crime desk, he was initially told it was a West Yorkshire Police responsibility.

On another occasion he was told by North Yorkshire Police that they did not know about some incidents in West Yorkshire, because their computer system was incompatible with that used by the neighbouring police force.

He said later in October, the North Yorkshire Victim and Witness Information Partnership contacted him to confirm a man had been charged with indecent exposure offences.

He added he was told the details he provided about the man his daughter encountered gave police the information they needed to arrest him for other crimes.

However, when he called the partnership for an update on the case earlier this week, he discovered it had been dropped.

He said he was told the judge refused to take it further because police had not staged an identity parade soon enough.

This man has got off scot-free due to complete incompetence. I can't get my head round it," he said. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "An identity parade was not held as part of the initial investigation, however this evidence was requested by the judge when the case was heard in Crown Court.

"Unfortunately, due to the length of time that had passed since the alleged offences were committed, it was not possible to secure a positive identification which was reliable enough to ensure a realistic prospect of conviction by a Crown Court jury.

"We sympathise with the distress caused to the victims and their families as a result of the case being discontinued and our aim is to prosecute all sexual offences robustly and effectively where possible."

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Steeton mum Karen Jackson tackled the Skipton Triathlon as a thank you to the hospital which saved her baby's life.

Katie Jackson was just a day old in November when she was transferred from Airedale Hospital to Leeds General Infirmary to repair a hole in her heart.

Surgeons carried out an operation when she was just seven weeks old and are confident that the small remaining hole will repair itself in time. Now, just over five months later, Katie is off all medication and is a healthy little girl.

Mum Karen, 28, said she wanted to thank the hospital and raise money for its Children's Heart Surgery Fund.

And together with husband Mark Jackson, 33, brother Andrew Hunter, 30, her brother's girlfriend Rachel Gray, 25, and friends, Paul Swanson, 30, and Mark Kinsella, 32, she tackled the Skipton Triathlon.

"My husband, Rachel and I did it as a team. I swam 400 metres, Mark cycled 20 kilometres and Rachel ran five kilometres, but the other three did all three events," she said.

The action was centred on Aireville Park, with runners doing three laps of the park and cyclists leaving the park and taking in Thornton-in-Craven.

Karen, who shrugged off a caesarean birth to take part in the competition, trained just once before the event.

"I used to be a member of a swimming club, but I did train just once before taking part. It was quite tough. I did manage it in just over seven minutes," she said. Her brother and friends Paul and Mark took part in all three disciplines and are keen to take part next year.

"My brother did do some training and is keen to do it again, but it was hard, they had to get straight out of the pool, run through the park and then get on their bicycles," she said.

Karen added that her family was indebted to the surgeons at the LGI and thanked all the people who sponsored her team.

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A May Day fun day in Steeton pulled in the crowds.

Monday's event, at St Stephen's Church, saw around 200 people come together to take part in a variety of games, competitions and a "pet and toy trail" around the village.

Games included skittles, "keep upee" - where children had to see how long they could keep a football in the air - various puzzles, cards and space hopper bouncing fun.

There was also face painting and a display of hand-drawn plates children had produced.

Organiser Barbara Marsh said: "It went very well. We had 54 families entering the competition to go around on the trail and we sold out on the tombola!

"It did stay dry for us and it was lovely to see all the families enjoying themselves together."

Preparations for next year's village fun day will begin in December and it is hoped it will get as good a turn out.

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Steeton Male Voice Choir will be giving a concert in St Peter's Church, Addingham on Saturday, June 2, at 7.30pm in memory of Ilkley resident Gil Davies.

Mr Davies was a member of Steeton Male Voice Choir for many years, including a term of office as chairman. He was also a lay reader at St Peter's, Addingham, for the last three years of his life before his sudden death in 2005.

All the proceeds will be given to The Living Waters Appeal, a project launched by the Bishop of Bradford to make new wells and provide clean water to the areas of Pakistan still devastated by the earthquake in 2005.

Tickets cost £5 and are available in advance by calling (01943) 817602. If there are any tickets left on the day they will also be available on the door.

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An experienced youth and community worker is to be the new priest in charge of St Stephen's Church, Steeton.

The Rev Mavis Nevill - who is due to be officially licensed by the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev David James, next month - was a senior community education officer in Calderdale.

She said: "I am pleased to have this opportunity to have another parish to love and enthuse.

"The St Stephen's congregation is active and hard working and I look forward to working with folk there to make our worship meaningful and the best it can be, and to reach out to the wider community."

Mrs Nevill, who will be moving into Steeton Vicarage with her husband, Gordon, a lay reader, spent her working life in youth and community work before taking early retirement.

While working in Calderdale, she spent four years as a non-stipendiary curate at Christ Church, Pellon, and after retiring, five years as a non-stipendiary priest in charge in Mixenden, Halifax.

"Mobility problems forced me to retire from Mixenden but following two successful operations, I have gradually been able to return to an active ministry," she said.

Mrs Nevill, who is originally from London, said she was looking forward to the church's three-day flower festival, from Friday, June 29.

And she believed the newly refurbished church hall offered many possibilities.

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New mum Karen Jackson tackled the Skipton Triathlon as a thank you to the hospital which saved her baby's life.

Katie Jackson was just a day old in November when she was transferred from Airedale Hospital to Leeds General Infirmary to repair a hole in her heart. Surgeons carried out an operation when she was seven weeks old and are confident the small remaining hole will repair itself in time.

Now, just over five months later, Katie is off all medication and is a healthy little girl.

Mum Karen, 28, from Steeton, said she wanted to thank the hospital and raise money for its Children's Heart Surgery Fund.

She tackled Sunday's triathlon, which was centred on Aireville Park, with her husband Mark, brother Andrew Hunter, his girlfriend Rachel Gray and friends Paul Swanson and Mark Kinsella.

"My husband, Rachel and I did it as a team. I swam 400 metres, Mark cycled 20km and Rachel ran five kilometres, but the other three did all three events," said Karen. "It was quite tough. I did manage it in just over seven minutes, but I don't think I'll be doing it again! My brother did do some training and is keen to do it again, but it was hard. They had to get straight out of the pool, run through the park and then get on their bicycles."

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A retailer is eyeing up expansion after another bumper year of trading.

The Original Factory Shop, based at Steeton's Millennium Business Park, near Keighley, boosted profits by 28 per cent in the year ended March 31 - its strongest year to date.
The budget retailer of clothes, toiletries and electrical goods, grew its turnover by 14.4 per cent to £60.5 million and has pledged to invest £10 million into a three year expansion programme for the chain.

The Original Factory Shop opens outlets in smaller towns with limited retail markets.

It offers discounted goods and lines which have been discontinued by other retailers.

Chief executive George Foster said: "We operate in a niche market. We go into little towns where other retailers have given up and steer away from big towns, although we do not mind going up against supermarkets. Increasing traffic congestion helps us a lot with people opting to stay in their towns to shop rather than face long queues to get into bigger places."

The Original Factory Shop operates from 72 stores nationwide and intends to open at least a further ten this year.

It employs 1,200 people, including 100 at its Steeton base.

The chain has enjoyed success for the past few years and underwent a management buyout from its top executives in 2004 as part of a multi-million deal.

Mr Foster said: "The company had been doing very well up to that point and what we are seeing now is essentially a continuation of a four year period of really good trading."

With the UK retail climate remaining uncertain in the face of internet shopping and increased supermarket dominance, the Original Factory Shop has continued its progress smoothly.

"The retail trade has changed a great deal compared with three or four years ago.

"It has become more polarised with less middle ground between the winners and losers.

"On one hand the likes of Tesco and us are continuing to do well but there seems to have been more profit warnings this year than there has been for years.

"We have not seen any real impact from internet competition but there may come a time when it comes under consideration from us."

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A woman died after being hit by a car while in the middle of the Aire Valley trunk road late on Tuesday night.

Police are seeking the identity of the woman following the 11pm accident between the Steeton/Silsden and Kildwick roundabouts.

A police spokesman said she was in collision with a red Saab travelling towards Skipton and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

The woman is described as being of mixed race or possibly Afro-Caribbean, about 40 years old, and 5ft 3in tall.

She had distinctive tattoos, brown eyes and short black hair, with grey streaks.

Anyone who saw the accident, or the woman beforehand, or can identify the woman, should phone Keighley police on 01535 617059.

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A young trials-bike rider from Eastburn is to be invited by Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council to join a committee to help with plans for Eastburn playing fields.

Shelley Smith, 15, attended a neighbourhood forum last month to ask for the help of residents and councillors to find a safe place for her and her fellow trials bikers to ride.

Councillors felt that Shelley should be consulted as to whether she would like to join the committee, which would look at ways of developing the project at the playing fields.

It was suggested at the forum meeting that a trials bike park could be included in the plans, which are set to include installing new play equipment and planting more trees.

Cllr David Mullen said: "If we have got a youngster interested then we should keep them on side." Other committee members are set to include the three Eastburn councillors, a representative of the police, a youth worker and a representative from Eastburn Junior and Infants School.

A financial agreement over orders to de-trunk part of the A629 road has caused concern amongst councillors.

The agreement - made between Bradford Council and the Highways Agency - was highlighted in a letter to councillors following their objections in January towards the plans.

Members said they feared Bradford Council, which is to take over the responsibility of the road from the Highways Agency, would not spend money on it.

Cllr David Mullen said: "I can see that this will become a money issue for Bradford Council again. The de-trunked road will need repairing and it won't get done."

The council agreed that it should write to Bradford Council to ask that the money be used specifically to maintain that part of the Aire Valley trunk road.

Two roads both named Park Way are causing confusion in Steeton.

Councillor John Weller brought up the issue at the meeting when he said a resident had been left waiting for an ambulance that had gone to the wrong Park Way.

He said the resident had asked him if anything could be done about changing the name of one of the roads. Cllr Lorraine Harding said the council would think on what could be done.

A call to invite the new divisional commander of Keighley Police to a future meeting was put forward by one councillor.

Councillor John Hargreaves suggested the parish council invites Chief Superintendent Eileen Bancroft to a meeting to question her over the lack of policing in the area.

An increased number of articulated lorries are heading through Steeton, say councillors.

Councillor David Mullen said he had seen more lorries, with three-axle trailers, heading through the centre of the village, when they should be using the by-pass.

Chairmen Cllr Lorraine Harding said it could be the satellite navigation devices that were bringing them along the old road from Keighley and through the village.

District councillor Andrew Mallinson could be asked to stand down as chairman of the Joint Transport Working Group.

The suggestion came from fellow district councillor Adrian Naylor, following reports that the working group had not met since October. The working group, which is made up of Silsden town councillors and Steeton-with-Eastburn parish councillors, is planning to meet next month.

Two new signs are to be put up at the football ground in Steeton.

The signs, which are set to cost the council £300, are to replace a sign that was vandalised. One will be a no dog fouling' sign and the other will say The Doris Wells Memorial Ground'.

The annual parish meeting will be on Wednesday, April 25 at the Steeton bowling pavilion.

Councillors have expressed their concerns over the height of a bungalow that could be built in Steeton if plans are passed.

The bungalow, which councillors noted was in fact a two-storey bungalow', would stand in place of an existing barn that could be demolished at Hilltop, in High Street.

Members agreed that they ultimately supported the plans, but had concerns about the height.

A question on the parish plan aimed at young people could be the key to forming a youth council.

Young people will be asked if they are interested in having a youth council and councillors are to wait until they get the replies before making a decision.

The parish plan, which is being delivered throughout Steeton and Eastburn, will help councillors to discover a local vision for the future of the villages. Deadline for returns is May 11.

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Airedale NHS Trust has moved a step closer to achieving foundation status after the Department of Health gave it the green light to formally apply to become a foundation trust.

Work is now beginning on Airedale's application, including a three-month consultation with public, patients and staff of Airedale General Hospital, near Steeton, starting on Monday.

The consultation Your Hospital in Your Hands will ask people for their views on the trust's plans for the future and on how the trust should be run as a foundation trust.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals became a foundation trust in the first wave of applications in 2004 and Airedale is now hoping to join the ranks of the other 62 NHS trusts nationally which are now foundation trusts.

Foundation trusts are still part of the NHS but are run by a local management team, free from central government control.

This enables them to work with local communities to make vital decisions about healthcare to meet the needs of that community.

The public can join as members and have a say in how the hospital is run, can be the first to know about new services, will be invited to open days and can stand for election to be a public member on a new membership council, representing the area where they live.

Foundation status also brings with it financial freedoms, including the ability to build up and re-invest money in developing new services.

Adam Cairns, chief executive of Airedale NHS Trust, said: "Only the best-performing hospitals are eligible to apply for foundation trust status and this is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff."

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I don't know about everyone out there, but this sports editor is all geared up for the local cricket season, which starts this weekend.

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of spending a day out in the glorious sunshine at Keighley Cricket Club.

The Lawkholme Lane side played Steeton Cricket Club in a friendly that was well contested by the two sides.

Keighley stalwart Richard Robinson, who is also the club's groundsman, opened the batting by putting on a fine knock of 77.

Keighley gave many of its youngsters a chance, and the Division Two Bradford side scored more than 180 runs.

But then Steeton skipper Gary Boulton's men showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the top division of the Aire-Wharfe League.

They only came up about 15 runs short of Keighley's total and were not bowled out.

In a chat with Boulton as Steeton came to bat, he said he hopes his side do not have a hangover from last season when, after leading the league for much of the season they collapsed in the final weeks and lost the title to Kirkstall Educational.

The death knell for Steeton's challenge, Boulton says, was a full-page spread on the club's title chase that was featured in the Telegraph & Argus.

After that feature appeared, Steeton did not win again!

"That was the kiss of death," joked Boulton.

But the club should be in for a few more headlines this season.

The club's new overseas player is Hagan Shakespeare, a top order left-handed batsman and medium pace bowler.

With a wonderful name like that, I'm already trying to think of some good headlines for games where he is very influential.

Boulton even said he has heard rumours that Hagan's middle name is William.

"I think that's going to have to be his nickname," Boulton remarked.

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A partial one-way system is to be introduced at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, to make traffic movement safer and easier.

It is expected to become operational between the accident and emergency car park and the day hospital for the elderly - in the direction of the day hospital - from Monday.

All three bus stops within the grounds will be changed to the opposite side of the road.

A hospital spokesman said: "The advantages are that large vehicles will have safer and easier access and there will be improved safety and convenience for patients, visitors and staff.

"People will no longer have to cross the road to get to the bus stops."

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Planners have given the go-ahead for an agricultural building at a Steeton farm to be converted into a dog grooming parlour and shop.

Last Thursday's meeting of the Keighley Area Planning Panel accepted that the development at Redcar Wood Farm in Redcar Lane would not harm the neighbourhood.

Residents who opposed the proposals complained there would be pollution of the water supply and increased traffic and that the development would undermine the area's rural character.

Their objection letters also cited fears over nuisance from barking dogs and argued the district already had plenty of dog grooming centres.

Planning officer Annette Middlemass explained the building currently comprised offices and a barn.

She said changing its use would allow the farm to diversify its means of income, enabling it to remain commercially viable.

She said the farm's survival would help preserve the greenbelt, not destroy it. She added there would be little extra traffic, as there would be no more than six dogs a day being treated at the parlour.

David Craig, the agent speaking on behalf of the applicants, said his clients were willing to comply with access restrictions to the property to minimise disruption to their neighbours.

Councillor Lynne Joyce said she had no problem with the application, as it would not have a negative impact on the area. She said she recognised how hard it was to generate extra business in the countryside without spoiling the appearance of the scenery.

The panel voted in favour of the proposals, imposing conditions to regulate vehicle access, opening hours and noise levels.

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Young cyclists have made an impassioned plea for a safe place to ride.

They attended a Steeton neighbourhood forum meeting to present their case. Shelley Smith, 15, of Eastburn, standing alongside her fellow trials bikers, read out a speech she had prepared before the meeting asking for the help of residents and councillors.

The youngster had emailed Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council asking if she could address the meeting, at Steeton Methodist Chapel.

Shelley, a pupil at South Craven School, said: "We ask the council to work with us to secure somewhere to build a trials bike park and we ask that the riders help to design the park."

She said they had nowhere safe to ride and had resorted to practising on walls in the village to develop their skills.

Councillor Lorraine Harding - who was at the meeting - said ways of developing Eastburn playing fields were currently being examined and the inclusion of a trials bike park would be considered.

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Recycling was among the issues discussed at a Steeton neighbourhood forum meeting.

Around 50 residents had attended the meeting to find out more about recycling and also to suggest how the current kerbside collection system might be improved.

The recycling manager for Bradford Council, Ian Quigley, and the general manager of Aire Valley Recycling, Richard Topham, gave presentations and residents could ask questions.

Parish councillor David Mullen asked Mr Topham if Stockbridge-based Aire Valley Recycling could take over from Bradford Council in the whole of Steeton and Eastburn.

But Mr Topham said it simply did not have the funds to do so and unless the council was willing to contribute to the scheme then it could not afford to cover the whole of Steeton.

Residents also raised a number of issues regarding problems with parking and speeding motorists in the village.

Coppy Road and Barrows Lane were two of the problem areas highlighted by residents.

One Coppy Road resident said that the grass verges had been churned up because vehicles were failing to keep to the road and another resident said Barrows Lane was plagued by speeding motorists.

PCSO Andrew Blood said he was aware of the problem in Barrows Lane. He said there was also a problem with parking outside Steeton Primary School at school leaving time.

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Steeton-with Eastburn Parish Councillors who visited Silsden Youth Council were left unimpressed.

Cllr John Hargreaves and Cllr John Weller, who were invited to attend the youth council by Silsden town councillor Pat Bottomley, said that overall they didn't get a good impression.

Cllr Hargreaves said that only three members were in attendance and Cllr Weller added that only the chairman and vice-chairman seemed to know what they were doing.

Cllr Weller said: "To my mind it doesn't seem to be much of a growing concern."

But PCSO Lawrence Walton, who was present at the meeting and is a Silsden town councillor, argued that this was unusual for a meeting that was usually full of young people.

Councillors agreed it might be best to invite the chairman of the youth council to a future meeting.

A new volunteer has been recruited to join the police Speedwatch scheme in Steeton.

The resident, who lives in High Street, will help to tackle the problem of speeding motorists, which councillors agreed was rife in High Street and Barrows Lane.

A grant for £2,000 has been assigned to a budget for youth issues. The grant, from the Area Co-ordinator's office, will be for use in the next financial year.

A new door for disabled access to the bowling pavilion in Steeton is in the pipeline. Future plans for the pavilion are to include improving the toilet facilities.

Parish councillors are now officially the trustees of Eastburn playing fields.

Following talks with the Charity Commission the responsibility was given to councillors who have now taken over from the original board of trustees.

The parish council plans to transform the field, with ideas for the site including installing new play equipment, introducing a wildflower meadow and planting more trees.

The estimated cost of transforming the field is set to reach £178,750. A donation of £50 has already been put forward by Steeton Methodist Church youth club.

The parish council is to invite the leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Kris Hopkins, to a future meeting.

The suggestion was made by Bradford district councillor Michael Kelly.

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Going up the wall in Steeton this weekend are these youngsters from the cast of Humpty Dumpty.

Members of 1st Stage theatre group, who all come from the village, present the show at St Stephen's Church Hall.

The show is staged tomorrow and Saturday, at 7pm, and Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £4 for adults and £2 for children, from Julie and Joanne's hairdressers, or by phoning 01535 653363 or 653010.

Picture shows: Sophie Laycock, Leah Heseltine, Kirsty Stokes, Alison Briggs, Kate Barton, Brianna Haunch-Smith

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Residents in Steeton and Eastburn are invited to find out more about recycling at the next neighbourhood forum meeting.

The meeting, at Steeton Methodist Chapel on Tuesday is a chance for residents to have their say about local issues, with recycling high on the agenda.

Anyone unable to attend the meeting can share their comments by contacting Bradford Council on 01274 431000 or by emailing council.contact@bradford.gov.uk.

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Residents have won a long running battle - fought out through two court hearings - to get their muck road surfaced.

Work can now go ahead to lay a proper roadway in Summerhill Avenue and Summerhill Drive, Steeton, after a tribunal of magistrates ruled in Bradford Council's favour.

The decision followed a four-hour hearing at Bingley - the second within a year - and ends a five-year ordeal for residents.

The project was stalled because a minority of the residents in the 37 homes objected to the "unfairness" of the costs, which ranged from a few hundred pounds to several thousand.

It has meant the price for carrying out the work has crept up from an original estimate of £64,000 to more than £70,000.

The campaign to get the road adopted was launched by Simon Bridge, 40, who lives with his wife, Alison, and three children in Summerhill Avenue.

The Bridge family's contribution to the cost is the highest at £4,387.

He said: "The decision is a great relief. It means we don't have to endure another winter negotiating the potholes and the mud.

"The children trail the muck in the house and they trip and fall in it. The road is a quagmire in winter and a dust bowl in summer."

He praised Bradford Council for persevering with the project despite the hurdles of the court cases and was now looking forward to the road being made up as soon as possible.

Mrs Bridge said: "I feel the apportionment is fair because we have a much bigger boundary than others." There were elderly people who did not have cars but were fearful of going out, especially in winter because of the uneven surface, she added.

Leading the objectors was electrician Ian Townley, of Summerhill Drive, who said he was disappointed with the decision. He is expected to pay about £3,000.

"I'm not against the road being made-up, just against the unfairness in the way the cost has been proportioned.

"We have been asked to pay too much. Our part of Summerhill Drive has been kept up with and is in better condition than lower down," he said.

Geoff Marsh, City Hall's principal engineer, said the council could now proceed to adopt the roads.

"We will now finalise the detailed drawings for the scheme and then invite contractors to tender for the work," he said. "We will also arrange for the street lighting to be installed and the service connections made by Yorkshire Electricity before the roadworks start.

"We expect the works to be completed this summer.

"The residents have all been given estimates of their individual costs but it is not possible to say how much they will have to pay until the works have been carried out and the actual costs established."

The original tribunal was held in March last year, but magistrates adjourned making a decision until another consultation had been held with residents in case some of the original home owners had since left.

Bradford Council needed to get a minimum of 80 per cent of the residents in favour of the work.

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Glusburn woman Nora Adams Clarkson is still knitting baby garments for charity - despite turning 100.

Mrs Clarkson is a keen fundraiser for Manorlands hospice and cancer charities and is still doing her bit for worthy causes. Born in Lincolnshire, in February 1907, she was one of nine children and, as the second eldest, she used to help look after her younger siblings.

She lived in various parts of Bradford and Leeds before moving to stay with relatives in Steeton. She met her future husband, Harry Clarkson, when they worked together at the village's Clough Mill.

He was a Rover Scout and Nora and a few other women went to Scout camps and cooked meals for them. She remembers travelling on the back of an open lorry, with the stoves.

The couple both rode bicycles, then a tandem and eventually progressed to a motorbike and sidecar. They were married at Steeton Parish Church, on May 14, 1932, and had two daughters, Ruby, who was born in 1937 and has since died, and Margaret, who was born in 1944.

The couple ran a shop at Steeton Top during the Second World War, before moving to Silsden and later to Sutton, where Harry began work at Hartleys Mill.

Mrs Clarkson has also knitted all her life and still knits baby garments for charity shops. And she used to make tab rugs from old garments and wools.

Mrs Clarkson, who lives in Glusburn, celebrated her 100th birthday with a visit from Craven District Council chairman David Ireton.

She has been a widow for 27 years and has nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

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People are invited to learn from one of Britain's greatest social reformers, William Wilberforce, by attending a five-session course at Steeton Methodist Church.

The first session starts on Friday at 7.30pm and will finish at 8.45pm. Methodist minister Rev Alan Raine will be leading the course.

The course is entitled "Can we build a better world? - learning from William Wilberforce", and has a variety of contributions from people including Rev Dr Leslie Griffiths, actress Wendy Craig and Archbishop John Sentamu.

Anyone is welcome to attend the sessions which are free and refreshments are available.

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Airedale Male Voice Choir will help a host of local and national charities by handing over the proceeds of concerts throughout 2007.

The choir's 40 members have planned 12 concerts at venues including Skipton, Steeton, Addingham and Cross Hills.

"Our annual charity concert on May 20 will once again be for the Manorlands Hospice and that organisation will also be the beneficiary in December when we sing at Cross Hills," said musical director John Smith, of Steeton.

"We will also be helping the Downs Support Group and the British Heart Foundation, in addition to providing valuable funds for local charities such as the Keighley Blind Association, the Salvation Army, the local MS support group and Yorkshire Air Ambulance."

Mr Smith added: "The choir, formed with a dozen men in 1997 and now with a membership of 40, has a simple philosophy - to produce a variety of music to a high standard, to enjoy ourselves in the process and to give all surplus funds to local charities. All these we have managed with the result that the diary is full and the financial help we have given now exceeds £48,000."

The choir's next concert takes place at Riddlesden United Reformed Church tomorrow (Saturday).

Local dates include St Andrew's Church, Skipton, on May 20; St Stephen's Church, Steeton, on August 25; Mount Hermon, Addingham, on November 17, and St Peter's Church, Cross Hills, on December 1.

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Young people in Steeton and Eastburn could get the chance to be part of a new youth council.

Steeton-with-Eastburn parish councillors discussed the idea of setting up the body after listening to guest Silsden town councillor Pat Bottomley talk about the Silsden Youth Council.

She spoke about how the Silsden Youth Council had come about, what was needed to set up such an organisation and how it benefited the young people taking part.

Cllr Bottomley said: "A youth council can be formed for lots of different reasons. It would be quite nice to have a project to start with as it brings the young people in.

"The Silsden Youth Council is well thought of and a lot of people help us."

Chairman of the parish council Cllr Lorraine Harding agreed that a youth council might be the way forward in Steeton and Eastburn.

She said that an area co-ordinator's office grant of £2,000 had been offered to the parish council which could be used to facilitate the setting up of a youth council, if that was what members decided.

Cllr Bottomley said that members might like to go to a meeting of Silsden Youth Council first before they decided. Cllr John Hargreaves and Cllr Margaret Moorhouse agreed to attend.

l The number of incidents of anti-social behaviour has dropped in Steeton and Eastburn.

There were seven incidents of anti-social behaviour in December, compared to 14 in November. Youth nuisance remained at 12 incidents and there was one incident of burglary and violent crime. There were no incidents of serious violent crime or vehicle crime.

l Double yellow lines are to be placed on Station Road in Steeton to combat parking problems.

The lines, which are part of a new scheme to improve Station Road by Bradford Council's highways department, will be along both sides of the deemed congested road.

Clerk Cheryl Brown said that the parish council had only applied two months ago for the double yellow lines to be put in place and that it could take up to three months.

l Motorists are still speeding down High Street, in Steeton, according to councillors.

Cllr John Hargreaves said that cars were speeding up and down the street and that the police Speedwatch scheme should be set up on the street to prevent it.

l Proposed improvements to a junction in Steeton were described as "a joke" by one councillor.

Cllr David Mullen slated the proposed highway improvements, planned for the junction of Thornhill Road with Skipton Road, which he said would cause more traffic problems.

The improvements would see an informal crossing set up for pedestrians, which Cllr Mullen said would narrow the road, making it difficult for cars to get around and to turn out of the junction. He added that cars also parked close to the junction adding further problems.

Councillors suggested that the yellow lines along the road be extended to prevent cars parking too close to the junction and they agreed to send their comments to the highways' department.

l A hamper of local food goodies could be up for grabs for residents who complete a questionnaire seeking ideas for the parish plan. Residents must fill in their full details to be entered into a draw for the hamper. The questionnaire is at the pilot stage and is to go out to all villagers in Steeton and Eastburn when the parish council receives the grant for the parish Plan.

l Plans to transform Eastburn playing field could start sooner than expected if funds to drain the field of excess water are granted.

The parish council agreed that draining the field, estimated to cost around £21,000, was its main priority, before it could start the process of revamping the grounds.

Ideas for the site include installing new play equipment, providing access for the disabled and a footpath, introducing a wildflower meadow and planting more trees.

The council agreed to apply to Yorventure for the starter grant and pledged to add a further £3,000 from this year's budget to the drainage plans. The estimated cost of transforming the field is set to reach £178,750.

l Two trees will be planted in the football field in Steeton.

The council has agreed to plant the trees, in the field on Summerhill Lane, at a cost of between £60 and £80, to replace the sycamore tree which was recently felled.

The council is also to donate a set of unused blue Christmas lights to Steeton Cricket Club.

l Amended plans to build 12 apartments and four detached houses in Steeton have again received objections from councillors.

The plans, for land at Longlands, in Skipton Road, still caused concern for, who felt that not enough had been amended for members to remove their objections. Concerns were raised about a protected tree on the site and parking spaces.

l Plans to build a new farmhouse on Steeton Moor have received the thumbs up from councillors. This is the second time the plans, for land off Redcar Lane, have come before councillors.

The council had first recommended them for refusal, until an independent assessment had been carried out, as they felt there was not a great enough agricultural need.

Owner of the land, George Emmott, who also owns Currer Wood Farm, in Steeton, put forward his case for approving the plans at the start of the meeting. He said there were a number of problems up there with livestock and equipment being taken and because the land was unsupervised it was hard to stop this from happening. He added that the review had now been carried out and the building had been justified.

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Wagon driver Jack Pearce's last wish was honoured this week.

Jack, of Main Street, Cononley, had told his family he didn't want to make his final journey in a hearse.

So this week he was taken to St Stephen's Church, Steeton, on the back of a restored vintage DAF 2800 haulage vehicle.

Mr Pearce - who died last Thursday, aged 76 - had been involved in haulage all his working life and even in retirement. He worked for various haulage companies, including Cowgill's, of Skipton, and Webbs Poultry.

Clive Smith, Jack's stepson, said: "Wagons have been his passion. He said I am not going in a hearse' so it was decided to take his coffin on his son's vintage wagon."

Jack and his wife, Jean, who survives him, were married on a vintage vehicle in 1997, in Cononley, an image of which appeared on the church service sheet at Tuesday's ceremony. Jack passed on his passion to his son, Vaughan Pearce, who is also an enthusiast.

He said: "We have done a lot of the major shows together. We did the London to Brighton trip together.

"We went to shows all over. We had quite a few wagons at one time for showing. I suppose I've lost my showing partner really."

Jack leaves behind his only son from his first marriage and three stepchildren from his second.

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Former Steeton woman Penny Roberts is preparing for another mammoth challenge.

Despite being paralysed, Penny is planning to cycle 400 kilometres along the banks of the Nile to raise money for charity. The ride will start with a visit to the Egyptian pyramids and finish at the Valley of the Kings.

Last year Penny completed another 400-kilometre ride, this time across Kenya, to raise money for the same cause, Regain.

The charity supports people paralysed in sporting accidents.

Now Penny, who was injured in a skydiving accident, is trying to encourage as many people as possible to join her in her latest adventure, which will take place in November.

"I can't wait to do it all again," said Penny. "As I'm disabled I had to learn to use a special bike and because I needed people with me we had to raise sponsorship money for three people.

"I wasn't sure I could do it. But I found out you are never alone. It just needs one person to make the effort and everyone joins in."

She added that last time there were 50 able bodied cyclists and five disabled cyclists.

"There was such a fantastic atmosphere of fellowship. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Everyone just looked after each other," she recalled. "I was the only disabled girl that had done this event and it looks like this year I'll still be the only girl."

Visit www.regainsportscharity.com for more information.

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A new farmhouse could be built on moorland after councillors gave their backing to the scheme.

It was the second time the application, for land off Redcar Lane, Steeton, had come before Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council.

The council had first recommended refusal, but an independent assessment had revealed there was an agricultural need.

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Parish councillors have objected to amended plans to build 12 apartments and four detached houses.

They felt the revised plans for land at Longlands in Skipton Road, Steeton, did not address their original objections.

Concerns were raised about a protected tree on the site and parking spaces.

Councillor Lorraine Harding, chairman of Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council, said: "They have only made one minor amendment and that doesn't affect our objections."

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A celebration of Yorkshire brass instruments and voices is to be held in Bradford Cathedral.

Steeton Male Voice Choir and the United Yorkshire Co-operatives Brass Band will hold the event at 7.30pm on Saturday, February 17.

Money raised will go to the Lord Mayor's appeal. Tickets, priced £5, can be pre-ordered by calling (01274) 569870.

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Double yellow lines are to be painted on a busy street to combat parking problems.

The lines on Station Road, Steeton, will form part of a new scheme to improve the road by Bradford Council's highways department.

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Councillors are demanding action on a street where motorists are breaking the speed limit.

Councillor John Hargreaves, from Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council, said cars were still speeding down High Street, in Steeton.

He said a police Speedwatch scheme should be set up on the street to prevent it and added that officers would need to be on the street for at least two hours to catch people.

His calls have been echoed by Coun Lorraine Harding, who agreed that there had always been a problem in High Street.

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Socks and chocs came flooding in at a church to help the district's homeless.

A total of 256 pairs of socks, 15 kilos of chocolate and 200 assorted biscuit bars were collected at St Stephen's Church, in Steeton, for the Bradford Soup Run.

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An evening of male voice choir classics, ballads and solo pieces will be held by Steeton Male Voice Choir at 7.30pm on Saturday at St Joseph's RC Church, Ingrow, Keighley. Tickets can be obtained on the door or by calling 01274 569870.

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Airedale Hospital has been praised for the quality of its keyhole surgery.

The Steeton hospital, under the lead of consultant surgeon Raj Kapadia, has been identified as delivering excellent care in the field of cholecystectomy in a new national report by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.

The report shows that laparoscopic cholecystectomy - the removal of the gall bladder by keyhole surgery - can be performed safely as a day case.

Sherie Hepre, matron for day surgery at Airedale, said: "Years ago if you had this operation by open procedure you would be off work for up to three months.

"With laparoscopic surgery done as a day case, patients can be back in their own home the same day and recover very quickly, meaning they can be back on their feet and able to get on with their normal routines much sooner.

"The number of day case procedures we do are increasing all the time and that's a real benefit for our patients."

Around 49,000 people have their gall bladder removed every year in England, making it one of the most commonly undertaken procedures in the NHS.

Airedale has been identified as a top performer in the field thanks to the percentage of gall bladder removal procedures performed as day cases and through keyhole surgery.

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A number of fixed penalty tickets have been issued to drivers in Steeton caught speeding in Barrows Lane and Mill Lane.

The tickets were sent out as a result of the police Speedwatch scheme, it was reported at Steton-with-Eastburn Parish Council. Two sessions had been planned for the area but one was cancelled.

Parking problems at Station Road, in Steeton, have improved.

Councillor Pamela Blagden reported from the January police tasking meeting that the cones placed along the road by the police had improved the situation.

A number of fixed penalty notices were issued and the cones are set to be removed shortly. The highways department of Bradford Council has now agreed on a scheme for Station Road for double yellow lines to be placed along both sides and for a new footway between Summerhill Lane and East Parade.

Parking problems at Steeton Primary School have also improved due to high visibility patrols and the publication of parking guidelines.

There were 14 incidents of anti-social behaviour in November according to crime figures circulated to the parish council.

There were 12 incidents of youth nuisance, one incident of burglary, one incident of vehicle crime and one of violent crime.

Concerns over the on-going problem of graffiti throughout Steeton and Eastburn are to be reported at the next police tasking meeting.

The offensive graffiti was highlighted in the Keighley News last month and again this month when the former Co-op, in Steeton, was branded with BNP markings and racial abuse.

The graffiti has been appearing throughout the village and non-racist graffiti has been daubed in various places, including on road signs. Cllr Blagden said she would raise the concerns at the meeting.

Orders to de-trunk part of the A629 road received a negative reaction from councillors.

Members objected to the order, which would transfer responsibility of the road from the Highways Agency to Bradford Council. They said unless an acceptable package for maintenance and future improvements to the local road network was agreed between the Highways Agency and Bradford Council that they could not support the de-trunking of the road.

Queries were also made as to whether or not the de-trunking of the road would become a financial burden to the council-tax payers of that parish.

Cheaper fares, better co-ordination of bus and train timetables and more evening bus services - these were just some of the transport requests from councillors.

Members at the meeting were asked to comment on the "Consultation Regarding Transport" from Bradford Council and were quick to come forward with ideas and demands.

Some councillors felt that bus services and timetables did not reflect modern working patterns and that many bus services were not geared up to the needs of the community.

Others felt that the crossing at Kildwick caused congestion and made traffic problems worse in Steeton and Eastburn and some felt there should be buses to Colne in the evening.

Councillors also felt that because ticket offers were cheaper from north of Skipton than from Skipton, train users were encouraged to travel by car to Steeton and Silsden Railway Station, which they felt exacerbated the parking problems there.

Parish councillors have agreed to levy the same precept on the council tax bill as last year, to raise £20,956.

Residents in a Band D property will pay £15.30.

Projects budgeted for in the coming year include £3,000 to go towards developing the Eastburn playing fields, £2,000 towards addressing the problem of disabled access to the bowling pavilion, where the council holds its meetings, and litter bins.

Also, £1,000 has been allocated to pay for tree work in the football field, in Summer Hill Lane, which the parish council owns.

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Orders to de-trunk part of the A629 road between Kildwick and Keighley received a negative reaction from Steeton-with-Eastburn parish councillors.

Members objected to the order, which would transfer responsibility of the road from the government's Highways Agency to Bradford Council.

They said unless an acceptable package for maintenance and future improvements was agreed between the Highways Agency and Bradford Council they could not support the de-trunking of the road.

Queries were also made as to whether or not the de-trunking of the road would become a financial burden to local council taxpayers.

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Parking problems have eased on a busy road after police put out cones.

A number of fixed penalty tickets have been issued in Station Road, Steeton. The cones are to be removed shortly.

Bradford Council has now agreed on a scheme for double yellow lines to be placed along both sides of Station Road and for a new footpath to be created between Summerhill Lane and East Parade.

Councillor Pamela Blagden said the situation had improved.

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A parish council has agreed to levy the same precept on the council tax bill as last year to raise £20,956.

Residents of Steeton-with-Eastburn will pay £15.30 for a band D property.

Projects budgeted for in the coming year include £3,000 towards developing the Eastburn playing fields and £2,000 towards disabled access to the bowling pavilion.

A further £1,000 has been allocated to pay for tree work in the football field in Summer Hill Lane, which the parish council owns.

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A former shop front in Steeton has again been daubed with offensive graffiti.

The former Co-op, in Main Street, was re-marked with words - painted in bright orange - in support of the British National Party, over the festive period.

Last month the same building was covered in racial abuse and BNP markings.

Keighley town Mayor Councillor Graham Mitchell said: "Whatever it is and whoever they are they have not gone away. The residents are still really upset."

After last month's incident the Keighley organiser for the BNP, Christopher Kirby, said the culprits did not represent the party in any way.

He said the BNP was in the process of looking at people who were not good for the party and that it wanted to distance itself from this kind of "disgusting" behaviour.

Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council discussed the offensive graffiti at the last council meeting and emphasised the importance of reporting all such instances to the police.

Cllr David Mullen spoke of how it had been appearing throughout the entire village.

A police spokesman said: "Officers have located the graffiti at the former Co-op building.

"They will be contacting the relevant officers to remove the graffiti and are now investigating the incident. Anyone with any information is asked to contact their neighbourhood policing team on 01535 617119."

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