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From Peter Breen                                                                                                                            19/09/2020   

Dear Sir,

I know that I speak for many people in our community and for my fellow Councillors in saying that Garry Schofield’s decision to resign from the Parish Council represents a great loss.

Garry has been a member of the PC for over twenty years and was already in place as its Chairman when I first joined in 2008.  Under his stewardship the community has changed, developed and grown in many ways and Garry has played a full part in shaping it, an achievement of which I believe he should be immensely proud.

I have found it very easy to be a PC member under his chairmanship principally because I have been able to trust his judgement without reserve.  His knowledge of so many aspects of the community and of Dales life and his ability to navigate a calm path through sometimes difficult circumstances will not easily be replaced.

Garry has served Buckden long and well and it only remains for me to express my sincere thanks to him on behalf of the community and to wish him well in the future.

Yours faithfully

Peter Breen

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From Terry Newman                                                                                                                              30/07/17

Dear Sir,

Apart from myself there will be others who were very angry about the ear-blistering noise emanating from the grounds of Buckden House for about 6 hours on Saturday, 30^th July.  For the record: ‘Heads of Agreement’ were signed off in 2008 with Education Bradford which were not followed on that day.  The first of these declared that “No ‘party’ type booking would be accepted in future”. The second stated “The Centre was to be operated as an educational facility”.  These should preclude events such as those on Saturday.  I suggest Mr Taylor read the recommendations approved earlier by Education Bradford.

Yours Sincerely,

Terry Newman      

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From Peter Breen                                                                                                                              05/11/16

Dear Sir,

Whilst I find your decision not to formally celebrate ten years of the Buckden Website wholly understandable, I feel sure that many in the community will want to offer their sincere thanks to you for creating, maintaining, and developing this service over a sustained period.  The Parish Council, in particular, finds it immensely helpful in communicating with residents and, on a personal note, I use buckden.org as my homepage in order to keep abreast of local events.  It is now a part of the weft and warp of life in Buckden and the fact that you undertake this work without payment or tangible reward serves as a tribute to your commitment to our community.  In addition to this characteristic generosity on your part, the postings are always sensitive to the subject matter and, wherever appropriate, humorous and interesting.  Saving your blushes, I hope you will post this message in the letters section as a permanent record of the gratitude of the residents of Buckden.

Yours sincerely

Peter Breen

Buckden PC

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From Lynne Farquhar                                                                                                                         22/09/14

Dear Sir/madam

I have just returned from a very enjoyable walking holiday, based in Wharfedale at Starbotton.  We walked to Buckden along the River Wharfe and picked up your leaflet 'A warm welcome to the Parish of Buckden' by the bridge as we entered the village.  I would just like to tell you how welcoming and informative the leaflet was to a first time visitor.  What a lovely idea and top marks to the Parish Council for creating the leaflet. We are looking to relocate permanently to the Dales in the near future (returning from the south of England to our home county) and are seriously considering living in Buckden as it has a good community spirit. (not to mention a fabulous pub!)

Well done for making a new visitor feel welcome.

Lynne Farquhar and family.

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From Christine Southall                                                                                                                          11/07/14

"Dear Residents of Buckden,

I would like to thank you  all for your wonderful response to the Tour de Yorkshire. We came up with neighbours and friends  and stayed at Heber Farm on the site run magnificently by Mr and Mrs Schofield and their helpers. Every minute in Buckden was an absolute joy - the organisation and infrastructure was superb, the atmosphere  welcoming and electric. You all live in such a beautiful place - we enjoyed walks along the river, admiring the pyramid orchids and curlews and the joys of Buckden Pike in Friday's rain.

We appreciate that putting on such an event required great optimism and belief that it would be worthwhile as well as a huge amount of coordinated effort to get everything into place. At times it must all have seemed too much. The peleton went by in a flash, but our warm feelings for Upper Wharfedale and for the folk of Buckden will be with us for ever. I do hope you all feel that the work and disruption was worth it. I am sure that The Yorkshire Dales will have an enormous boost to its tourism for years to come. We shall definitely be back with our camper van. Congratulations to everyone who  kept on giving to this event.

Gratefully yours.

Christine Southall and Christopher Bradley

Horspath

Oxford

PS the photos on the website are brilliant!

From Gwen Berry                                                                                                                                       16/06/13

Dear Sir,

May I be the first to congratulate all those involved in creating such a wonderful event.

What a wonderful sight greeted me as I reached the end of our lane. Bunting, Marquees, Tents, Stalls, People, Farmers, Sheep, Dogs, Runners and everyone looking so happy and occupied. Even the sun came out a little and most importantly no rain fell. My wheels did not permit safe entry to the field but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the fell runners, the difficulties of up and the dangers of down. The shouts of spectators many of whom were supporting the various groups of runners added to my enjoyment.

My mind goes back to 16 years ago when the Gala was under threat of closure due to a shortage of able bodied volunteers.  Tim and I have always felt Buckden is a special place, What a joy it is to be part of such a wonderful community.

Congratulations to all

Gwen

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From Debbie Roe                                                                                                                                         21/06/12

Buckden Gala

I would like to thank everyone who supported Buckden Gala in any way, shape or form last weekend.  Everyone puts in a massive effort to raise money for the village hall, and despite the awful weather and poor turnout we would appear to have still made a substantial profit (final figure yet to be confirmed, but Gordon indicated at the photograph that it was in the region of £2200).

So  please accept my thanks, on behalf of the village hall committee, for all of the effort that you put in personally – either in setting up, preparing food, running a stall, clearing up afterwards, donating raffle prizes, books, plants, bric-a-brac or cakes or just spending your money on the day!

The Gala is a great example of the community spirit that exists in this village and despite the rain it still managed to be a joyous (if exhausting) occasion.  So thank you again for every contribution.

Kind regards

Debbie

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From David & Susan Lusted                                                                                                                        26/03/12

Six Dales Trail has begun

Nine happy, hearty souls – plus two enthusiastic dogs – set out on Sunday from the Jubilee Town Clock, Otley, on the start of the Six Dales Trail from Otley to Middleham.

My, but we were blessed with the most perfect weather conditions for walking – and picnicking!  Oh, and coffee–breaking as well.

We were following a trail devised by a small team from the Otley ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ group – which included members of the Rambler’s Association and the Long Distance Walkers Association.  Semi-professional walkers who would, no doubt, question our numerous breaks and ambling (rather than rambling) pace.  But that is the Buckden Way – we stop when a bird flies or struts by, such as the fabulous low level aerial display of a pair of Red Kites or the visit of a Reeves Pheasant during our lunch stop.  See how useful these stops are?

 We walked out of Wharfedale and into Washburn Dale, stopping within sight of Swinsty Reservoir.  All who walked were full of praise for the route, describing it as ‘undulating’ or having ‘easy inclines’ – future, cautious, walkers take note!    The next section continues along Fewston Reservoir, then via Blubberhouses to end at a water tower and a nearby pub at Stonehouses – and is exactly the same distance as Section 1 (6.3 miles).  Do join us if you can.

Happy ambling.

David and Sue

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From David & Susan Lusted                                                                                                                        18/03/12

"Happy Birthday"

We’ve just returned home after escorting Nora and Jack to the 5^th Birthday Anniversary Concert of Buckden Singers in the Buckden Village Hall.

Nora summed things up so aptly – “Aren’t we lucky”.   They’ll both be 90 this year but we could see the years drop away – especially with the ‘community singalong’!

Sue and I were equally lucky to see the London production of Les Misérables quite recently and can say with conviction that the vocal power and passion shown this evening by the Buckden Singers left us both feeling every bit as moved yet again.

We were so glad that a member of the audience spoke up with gratitude for all the work put in by Anne, John, Peter and everyone to provide such a fantastic  performance.  Over the past five years their efforts have meant that we have been rewarded, time and again.  We felt it to be a privilege to be so entertained and look forward to the future.

Thank you, thank you.

David & Sue

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From Phil Topps                                                                                                                           06/11/11

Hi Peter,

Apologies that it's taken me so long to drop you an e-mail. Apart from a short holiday I've been covering our chef and I literally have had no time to myself!
I'd just like to thank you and to ask you to pass on my thanks to everyone for their support over the short time we had at the Buck. And also for everyone's kind words on the Wednesday evening that we left. Of course we had hoped that a different outcome would have occurred but we still stand by our never say never attitude and hope that, one day in the future we may return to the Buck in some form.
We all wish each and everyone of you the very best for the future and a very merry Christmas and happy and healthy 2012. We are definitely planning a trip up to see you all very soon.

Very warm wishes,
Phil Topps.

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From David Lusted                                                                                                                    31/10/11

‘End of a pub crawl’

24 hardy souls + 4 dogs triumphed over the final 10 mile stage from Kilnsey, via Arncliffe, Litton and over Birks Fell to Buckden.  Thus ended our version of The Inn Way.  76 miles in 8 Stages, which attracted a high number of walkers and a record number of those completing all Stages.  All participants survived!

A very special word of appreciation must be placed on record both to the National Trust, for their generous and continuing support in providing a minibus and – especially – to ‘Our Richard’ for driving the bus, for the second year running.

Quite apart from his time driving, a wider ‘thank you’ should go to all members of Clan Humpidge – to include Leanda, Scarlet, Rowan and Aidan – for their constant, cheerful and energetic support of Buckden Walkers over the years.  We wish them every personal success and happiness in their new lives north of the border – and hope that they might tramp the trails of the Dales with us, when occasions allow, in the future.

Additional sincere appreciation is placed here to all who gave their time and energy in leading us on their chosen paths in the programme of Monday walks and the popular Wednesday Evening Strolls.

A new framework of dates will become available shortly for 2012.  Your suggestions for ‘themes’ or individual walks will be gratefully received.  It has already been noted from your comments – and will be acknowledged practically – that 10+ mile sections are a few steps too far and so this will be reflected in the choice of walks next season.  Perhaps ‘bonus’ dates/walks might be included to meet the needs of those with hardier appetites; we’ll see what demand brings.

Details of further walks in Winter 2011/2012 will follow; we hope to include ones for the coming Boxing Day and New Year’s Day mornings.

David

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From David Hird                                                                                                                    05/10/11

I am so pleased to have seen the pictures of the 2011 Gala day, and to recognise all the faces I knew from days gone by!

David Pearson (near neighbour from Deepdale), Jimmy Sayer, Willie Bowdin, Charlie and Lynn Thornborrow, and many others from my memories in the 1980s.

Best wishes to all.

DAVID M. HIRD

Ex- West Deepdale

      White Lion Inn

      Vice Chairman, Buckden Parish Council

Now- Lighthouse Keeper, Cape Wrath, Sutherland

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From David Alderson                                                                                                            30/09/11

Hello,
 
I am hoping someone in your community may be able to help me.
 
I am researching my family history and I have a marriage certificate for the 4th of August 1923 for James Alfred Tennant and Emma Metcalfe.
 
They married at the Register Office in Skipton.
 
James Alfred is down as living at Eagle Bank Farm, Oughtershaw and his father's name was Thomas Tennant is is shown as a farmer.
 
Emma Metcalfe is 19 and a spinster, not working, and her address is more difficult to read. It seems to show her living at 'Cassion Houses', Buckden, Skipton.
 
From the marriage certificate it seems that she had a sister called Daisy Metcalfe.
 
Her father name seems to be William Metcalfe, deceased. His occupation is shown as a coal miner.
 
My questions are many!!!
 
Is the farm name correct and have you any idea if there are records available to try to trace Thomas Tennant at the farm?
 
Would you have any idea whether there was an address such as Cassion Houses or could you shed any light on what the address was?
 
Were there any mines around the area where William Metcalfe may have worked before his death?
 
Any help would be much appreciated - please email dpalders@hotmail.com

David Alderson

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From Kevin & Debbie Roe                                                                                                                        18/08/11

Dear Editor

It was with great sadness that we read the letter from Phil Topps announcing his, and Geoff and Barry’s, planned departure from the Buck Inn this weekend.  Are we to put up with another twelve months of a dilapidated building and falling-down walls in our beautiful village?

Phil and Geoff showed all the signs of great intentions to turn the pub around, and it was a great pleasure to pop in on a Friday night or after a choir rehearsal to enjoy a drink or two.  All the effort that they have put in over the last few weeks has been wasted - what do they and this village have to do to get Criterion to take this pub seriously?

The longer they continue to neglect the fabric of this hostelry, the more impossible it will be to recover.

Yours with disappointment

Debbie and Kevin Roe

For more letters about the Save the Buck Inn campaign, click here

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From John Blealkey                                                                                                                                18/08/11

Very sad news indeed, I came along the weekend of the opening.

That said the Buck Inn requires considerale investment if it is to be returned to its former glories.

Lets hope Centurion sell up as there is so much potential.

 

Regards

J D Bleakley

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From Lynn & Bob Aubery                                                                                                                        03/08/11

We would like to add our best wishes to the new Landlords of the Buck Inn as having viewed the Buck after closure we are only too well aware of the huge amount of work that was required to get this once lovely hostelry up and running again. 

As the Landlords of the Kings Head Kettlewell another of the Inn Way Pubs it will be of great benefit to the walkers and tourists to have the great "Refreshment" gap filled caused by the closure of the Buck. We are sure that the Buckden Residents will be pleased to have a true local again.

Once again we wish Phil, Geoff and Barry every success and plan to visit and pass this message on personally.

Lynn and Bob Aubery 

The Kings Head Kettlewell 

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From Paul Widdowson                                                                                                                             29/07/11

Hello from Park View where we are still busy emptying boxes! And thanks for the friendly welcome we have received from many people.  We're looking forward to getting settled in and meeting more, especially anyone who likes playing on swings! We love the village already.  Great news the Buck is opening tonight!

Best wishes to all,

Paul, Paula, Evie and Dolores Widdowson (and Charlie the dog).

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From Vivienne Carter                                                                                                                                17/07/11

Dear Sirs

May I take the liberty of using your page to wish all the best to the three guys taking on the mammoth task of turning The Buck around. I'm sure it will take a lot of work for a long time but sincerely hope they make a 'go' of it. It will be a great pleasure to see it open again amid many fears it had gone for good and look forward to a lovely meal there once again.

Good luck fella's and looking forward to meeting you.

Mark and Viv,

Low Greenfield.

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From Mark & Sara Barraclough                                                                                                                  12/05/11

Dear all,
 
We are moving into Chestnut Cottage on the 29th May 2011.  Both Mark and I would like to thank all the residents and guests for their patience and kindness during the renovation project.  We appreciate at times it was not easy.  Hopefully, you like what we have done to the property as much as we do.  Shortly our energy will be focused on the garden and any ideas and advice will be greatly appreciated.  I personally would like to suggest a garden party, but not sure if I have sufficient spades.
 
Samuel and Josephine are counting the days down and are so excited about the move.  
 
Any time I am spotted, please pop in and have a look around.  
 
Once again, thank you.
 
Mark, Sara, Samuel, Josephine and Pippa.

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From Mr Peter Breen                                                                                                                                    01/04/11

Dear Sir

I am utterly delighted by Anne Vetch’s choice of Striggio for the latter half of the forthcoming Buckden Singers’ concert and I wish her and the choir every success with this challenging piece.  How easy it would have been to fall into the obvious trap of choosing Ferrabosco or, heaven forbid, Cambio, or any of those others whose work, whilst charming is, I’m sure you’ll agree, unlikely to outlast the current fad.  How splendid to contemplate a spring evening walk by the Village Green with the strains of Group 5 led by Wilf’s quavering countertenor lingering on the breeze.   I feel privileged to live in a village where the Big Society operates as a matter of course.

Yours musitastically

Peter Breen

Rose Cottage

Buckden

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From Mr Paul Chattwood                                                                                                                                 27/03/11

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From Mr David Lusted                                                                                                       22/03/11

 “… And did those feet walk upon Yorkshire’s green and pleasant land?”     You betcha!  50 of them, plus 12 paws!  A great start to what we hope will be a very happy circuit of Dales inns. 

Amazingly 13 set out from (in front of) The Buck Inn, swelled by four opposite The White Lion, three more joined shortly after – then three more at Stake Road.  By Semer Water two more joined and so twenty-five happy wanderers descended upon the Rose and Crown at Bainbridge. The weather was a little cool, rather breezy - very bracing in fact – and low cloud at times made for restricted views, but after the rainbow (!) and when the sun came out the views were stunning.  Bev conjured up a dilapidated but welcome café for our coffee stop and the picnic site offered a wonderful view of Stalling Busk old church and Semer Water. 

“ … Was there a man dismayed?”  Not though the marchers knew, but we clocked up 10.1 miles – courtesy of Robins’ thingummy gadget – instead of the measly 9 as originally promised. Click here to see the pictures from the walk.

Stage Two, on Sunday 17th April, will take us from Bainbridge, via Worton and Askrigg to Gunnerside – a distance of 9.5 miles, according to the book. 

Do join us and enjoy the day.  See www.buckden.org for details of this and other walks. 

David

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From Ms Judi Aylett                                                                                                        06/02/11

We have stayed in Buckden many times indeed our first visits were spent at Hartrigg House before it became an – er place of leisure shall we say. Hartrigg was run by Paul and Mary Quantin  who eventually sold up and moved opposite into a bungalow before going back to Norfolk.

We have also stayed in many other  areas locally Cray, Kettlewell, Aysgarth, Reeth  and many more but we are always drawn back to Buckden and our very favourite walk from the car park over to Cray behind the White Lion and to Yockenthwaite. We just love this small area so much – getting goose bumps typing this.

We live just outside London so tend to come up for 3 or 4 days and although The Buck was not particularly nice once in the bedrooms we stayed there for the view etc. How sad it went downhill over the last 2 year - time was when you couldn’t get a table in the evening without queuing for an age – they used to do lovely cream teas in the Summer.

We are visiting again at Easter and staying in a local B&B so we do hope that for the sake of the community and their visitors it opens again soon and is shown the love it deserves.  We want to stay there again !!  

Judi

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From Mr Julian Hide                                                                                                        01/02/11

Dear Sir,

I am pleased to read that the Buck will hopefully be re-opening soon, I was saddened to see that it had closed down last year.  If I had £10 for every pint I’ve supped there in the last 45 years……………….!

In my early 20s I worked for Barclays and was privileged to run the sub-branches at Grassington, Kettlewell and, each Tuesday morning, Buckden.  We used the village hall and in winter Ernie Whitehouse from West Winds would ensure there was a fire lit, and during the morning would come across with a tray of coffee that, on the coldest mornings, was laced with rum.  Over 3 years I came to know and respect many of the residents at the head of the dale and my then girl friend and I started coming up to the Buck each Saturday night.  Being a bit of a pianist, I soon got to know Jack and Peter Beresford, Joe Slater and Norman “Banjo Willie”, and many were the nights when at closing time (ha ha) the door was locked, furniture and carpet removed and the dancing started.  Mushy Peas and the Huntsman’s Chorus were, I think, two of many and I’m sure that somewhere I still have a copy of the music for “6 Dances of the Yorkshire Dales”.  The owners then were Peter and Barbara Burton who had taken over from the Peckfields a year or so previously,  Peter’s military upbringing being very evident in the Military Twostep!

Consumption of William Younger’s produce occasionally enforced an overnight with Joe & Flo at Hartrigg and later in their new bungalow at Pike Foot.  I have fond memories of one particular occasion when Joe had been asked by the driver of the milk tanker to provide a band for his daughter’s wedding celebrations in Harmby near Leyburn.  Along with the jeweller from Hawes (I forget his name) on accordion, Joe on drums and me on piano we had a rare old night in the village hall and were invited back to the bride’s father’s house where he had “a few bottles”.  For bottles read crates!  Dawn was breaking as we came over Kidstones and seeing a light at the White Lion, Joe wondered if Major was still serving.  He was – just to the one customer, John Huck who I was sad to see passed away recently.  It was 6.00am when we eventually fell into bed at Hartrigg, but were back in the Buck at opening time after one of Flo’s legendary breakfasts!  Happy memories.

Julian Hide

Sutton-in-Craven

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From Mr Gareth Mutimer                                                                                                   29/12/10

Dear Sirs

I don’t know whether you could help me but following a recent stay in Buckden over the Christmas period, I would like to congratulate and say a massive thank you to the Carol Singers on Christmas Eve who stopped outside. It was magical to see and hear and really made our Christmas complete along with the snow on Christmas Day!!!

So please would you kindly pass on our thanks to all concerned and I hope we can return to this wonderful village again soon.

Happy New Year to you all,

Gareth

Gareth Mutimer
Stowmarket
Suffolk

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From Mr David Lusted                                                                                                   20/12/10

Dear Buckden Singers

A postscript to the 18^th December

I believe we are truly blessed that such a dedicated group give so much to this village.  It IS the start of Christmas, at least for Sue and I, when your Concert comes to Buckden.  The programme balance is perfect; ‘Christmas’ has become so commercialised that it is a breath of fresh air to get back to the true focal point of the Season.  The ‘good will to all’ is tangible and I think you are the epitome of our Community Spirit.  The faces of the choir are also those found supporting our Art, Whist, Walking, Quiz, Flower Festival and other local activities throughout the year – and especially the current ‘Save Kettlewell School’ campaign.  Maybe I should have asked for ‘Fight the good fight’ to be included in your repertoire. Possibly ‘Keep right on to the end of the road’ as well!

I hope and trust that you felt the affection and appreciation of us all in the audience.  Those unable to attend missed a treat!

Please don’t look towards this annual tradition as something of a treadmill – it was and always will be a time when the community comes together in the most positive way.  I know that you are the Givers and we, the audience, are the Takers, but I hope we play our part in sharing and valuing the spirit of Christmas by supporting your efforts.

Thank you

 David

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From Mr Chris Leach                                                                                                   21/09/10

Dear All,

My family and I have been regular visitors to the village of Buckden for over 20 years and have stayed both at Dalegarth and recently in the Buck.  It has been very sad that over the last few years the atmosphere in the pub has let the stay down, although the management tried it was never what it use to be and it was clear that something was wrong.  

This said, it won’t be the same holiday this autumn without the ability to stroll down to the Buck for a pint or two of “Black Sheep”. I’ve recently read your village letter page and I remember Chalky Whyte from the pub many years back. An impromptu quiz night that rewarded a correct answer with a conker was among the highlights!!

He has a very valid point that if the pub closes for a long time and eventually is boarded up or turn into homes, many visitors to your fantastic village may consider other locations for their breaks despite the wonderful setting.

We will be staying within the village soon and hope to find a positive outcome to the Buck Inn, and I’m optimistic you as a village can turn this situation into a favourable outcome and make the Pub once more the heart of the community as it was.  It would be a shame to loose this fantastic facility for long.

Chris Leach

 A friend of the Village

From Peter & Jeanne Breen                                                                                            10/09/10

Dear Sir

Chalky Whyte has done the village a service by raising the issue of the Buck Inn's future.  When we arrived in Buckden just six years ago, the pub was the focal point of the village, a good place to eat and drink, and a widely respected business.  We know that many people in the village and in the wider community share Chalky's concerns and we therefore propose that an open public meeting be held at which any possible courses of action can be evaluated.

Sincerely

Peter and Jeanne Breen

From Mr. Chalky Whyte JP                                                                                            07/09/10

Dear Sir,

Congratulations to Criterion Asset Management for their great achievement.

Two World Wars and Foot and Mouth Disease failed to close the doors of this well known Dales Hostelry  - but this conglomerate of international standing(?) has managed to do the job.

Seems to me a contradiction of  the term "Asset Management" as they don’t seem to be doing what it says on the tin.

This once-proud 18th Century Coaching Inn now lies dormant.

It saddens me every time I drive past OUR  Village Inn to see the empty seats , the empty car park , the empty bedrooms , the empty bar.

What about the long term implications of a closed Buck Inn.?

How long before it is boarded up just like the 50 odd pubs per week being closed all around the country. Then What?

It falls into disrepair that no one wants to pay to restore to its glory?

It becomes an eyesore on OUR landscape?

It becomes derelict?

It gets demolished?

All hypothetical Statements…BUT Are they…………..?

It could easily happen.

As a Village Resident and who knows The Buck Inn Inside Out I would like to know how the villagers feel  about what is happening to OUR Village Inn and if they have seriously thought about the long term complications of a village without a pub.

Your Thoughts are Welcomed

Chalky Whyte JP

 Buckden

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From Mr Vince Chancellor

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From: Mr David Lusted                                                                                                27/08/09

Dear Ed,

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From: Mr Peter Breen                                                                                                04/08/09

Dear Sir

I should like to be amongst the first to congratulate John Cowpe and Eric Dennis for securing a
grant for improvements to the Village Hall. The Hall is playing an increasingly important role in
the life of the village and seems set to do so into the future and the grant will ensure that the
facilities can be used in comfort by the whole community. As a former professional fundraiser I
am well aware of the substantial amount of work involved in applying for and managing a lottery
grant and I am most grateful to John, Eric and all others concerned for taking on the task for the
benefit of the whole village.

Yours faithfully

Peter Breen
Rose Cottage

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From: Mr Gordon Nowell                                                                                             15/05/09

Dear Sir

Re: "Three Dales" Ski Resort

I am at a loss to understand why nobody remembers that Buckden used to be a ski resort.

Recently I came across a photograph my sister took of me on one of our annual winter sports holidays here.

Perhaps this will jog people's memories.

Yours faithfully

Gordon Nowell

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From: Mrs Anne Newman                                                                                            09.04.09


Re: Proposed ‘Three Dales’ Development

Dear Sir

At a meeting of the Craven District Community Responders’ Coordinators last night the proposal for the ‘Three Dales’ resort development was discussed. Obviously such a large increase in visitor numbers would put extra stress on the Ambulance Service and on Community Responders and there would be a need for further volunteers. There might be long delays in Ambulance response times because of the greatly increased road traffic. A local air ambulance would obviously be of benefit it could, perhaps be based next to the Lifeboat Station for combined coastal and mountain rescue. Volunteer pilots would be needed. It was proposed that suitably trained dogs, equipped with appropriately sized barrels of an invigorating liquid (Yorkshire Tea was mentioned) be recruited. In addition extra equipment would be needed, a provisional list includes: 50m red nylon rope; a bucket of sand; crampons and ice axes; snow shoes; a rubber sheet and an extending ladder. Extra training would also be envisaged on the difficulties of treating casualties in deep snow whilst carrying the necessary apparatus.

The Community Responders will therefore be looking for sponsorship for the extra equipment (and will be happy to wear logos if requested), for more volunteers and for suitable rescue dogs.

If you are able to help with any of these please contact me.

Yours faithfully

Anne Newman

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From: Herr A. Nonymous                                                                                          09.04.09

Liebe Wharfedalers,

A massage in support of ze great idea to provide uplifts for Buckden in its quest to be the new ski center of the world.

Achtung! Kick not this great opportunity. To the glory of a New Age advance.

Come slide mit mir, let's slide down to the willage, crushing the willage folk on zer way. Spare not the pheasants - or zer peasants. Sharpen your skills and your skis. Together we can a New Order establish (Skiers first) that will stand for a 1000 years. Join me - and my Associates, Schmuszen und Graspen - and we shall overcome.

Ich bin piste off by those whose sight is short and vould try to stop us Super Troopers from achieving our destiny of "Ski today, ski tomorrow". Mein Gott, we shall never back look. We shall forward march, heads high held und eyes crossing to every chance seize for 'Ski Sunday' from Buckden come.

Nothing can us stop! With our superior intelligence and power of grammar ve vill their arguments defeat.

Mein eyes to the hills look and snow I see. It on our heads falls and ve vill blessed for ever be.

Gladys, join us. Let us off your cardie take. Throw up your tea. Trinken schnaps and change your toast for stollen.

Zer weak und timid vill slip und fall; ve shall by glide. We shall the Master Race enter - und ve shall vin!

mit freundlichen Gruessen

Wolfgang von Keitel auf Kumden
(aus Uber Keitelwell)

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From Mrs Gladys Ingleton                                                                                04/04/09

Dear Sir

As a frequent visitor to the Dale I must say I had to have a sit down and a nice cup of tea after reading about the Ski Resort proposals.  In fact I got so hot under the collar I nearly took my cardie off but then I remembered it was still only the beginning of April and I have always lived by the rule you do not take your cardie off before the 1^st May.   

But that’s by the by, what I always say is if the Good Lord had meant us to travel downhill at goodness knows what speed on two planks of wood with only a couple of sticks and an expensive pair of sunglasses to save ourselves from disaster, He would not have given us quad bikes and 4x4 Range Rovers would He?   

We should count our blessings and be thankful for the speed of light being as it is without worrying about such nonsense.  Just think, the speed of light is 186,282.397 miles per second which is probably too fast even for these young folk who think they are so clever “skiing” about at the drop of a hat, and frankly they deserve to drop their hat in my opinion, though I wouldn’t normally wish that on my worst enemy.  But suppose light only travelled at the speed of sound which is about one mile in five seconds (still too fast for the young folk I imagine).  It would take Corrie six minutes to reach us from Manchester!  Well I am sure we’d be prepared to wait but it would take the Bill twenty minutes to get here from London and what would we do for the fourteen minutes in between.  Well of course we could have a sit down and a nice cup of tea but what would happen at the end of the Bill if, say, that nice Mr Harry Gration was coming on from Leeds at 9pm.  Leeds is only one and a half minutes away at the speed of sound and we’d either have to miss the last twelve and a half minutes of the Bill or the first twelve and a half minutes of Harry.  Doesn’t bear thinking about does it? 

Anyway, I digress, the purpose of this letter is to put a word in for the lifeboat.  All this talk of skiing should not be allowed to take our minds off the need for the lifeboat.  I noticed the climate predictions for snow do not rule out the rise in sea level that originally made everyone aware of the need for a lifeboat and now the melting snow will threaten more floods than we have been used to.  Some say the melting ice at the end of the ice age actually helped to form the Dale (I think that is a bit far fetched myself we’ve had plenty of rain in recent years and the Dale is not turning into the Grand Canyon is it?).  But the melting snow still poses a threat and we may need that lifeboat. 

Well I’ve got that off my chest (if you’ll excuse the expression) and I’m going to have a sit down and a nice cup of tea while I try to stop worrying about things that may never happen.

Yours Truly

Gladys Ingleton (Mrs) (Retired).

(c/o Ivy Cottage, Buckden)

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From Mr Richard Barlow                                                                          21/1/2009

Dear Sir,

Those who attended the Bring Something Simple event may recall that Ted brought a small tin object which opened to reveal two rotating sections operated by a handle on its side. Someone (I am sorry I have forgotten who) pointed out that the rotating parts seemed to have the capacity to hold razor blades. 

The tin had the words “Rosbart Tank” in German script on the outside.  I searched those words on Google and somewhat scanty information appeared but the search produced results for “rotary blade stroppers” so that confirms the object was indeed for sharpening razor blades.  It appears that some such objects have been sold through eBay in recent times though I was unable to find out how much they fetched. 

I doubt if Ted’s friend who lent him the object will become a millionaire should he wish to sell, although having met him I am not sure that sharp razor blades receive much use in his morning ablutions. 

Many objects brought to the event were not examined as we ran out of time and I will suggest that another similar event should be held later in the year.  Thanks to everyone who brought so many interesting objects.