I read with interest Dr Matt Shepherd’s reply to Dr Thimmegowda’s letter highlighting the Nicholls report which condemns the closure of local hospitals and/or their services which then necessitates extra transport times to larger regional centres.

As clinicians we rarely want to enter into debate with colleagues in the pages of the media. However, we are concerned that the details contained in Dr Thimmegowda’s letter are misleading and may cause unnecessary alarm for local people.

The Mid Yorkshire Health Authority’s spin, supported by Miss Fishwick, consultant gynaecologist, in the Dewsbury Reporter, May 11, for changes in women’s and children’s services is yet again astonishing to say the least.

With the planned industrial development that will destroy the beautiful green belt land at Roberttown, Hartshead and Cooper Bridge, due shortly to be decided on by a government appointed official.

I am trying to find out about Pat Meehan who was a very generous benefactor of the Holy Spirit Church in Heckmondwike.

On February 23 I wrote to Kirklees via their website about the terrible traffic jams we now get all the time when entering Cleckheaton on the A638 from Heckmondwike. This was their automatic response:

Issues of health and safety should not be trivialised so I’m pleased that Sarah Hall who made criticism of the compensation culture in her recent column made clear her support of the importance of health and safety in the workplace.

If Tesco has held Cleckheaton to ransom for the last 10 years then it is because it has been allowed to do so.

Kirklees Council’s interest in becoming part of a Combined Authority for West Yorkshire and beyond is an important step towards addressing traffic congestion at Cooper Bridge and in Ravensthorpe.

It appears that the chair of North Kirklees CCG, Dr David Kelly, cares little for the NHS as an institution.

Whatever the reasons behind the Tesco announcement not to go ahead with its plans to develop the Cleckheaton site, I feel the decision is to be welcomed.

I paid a visit the other weekend to the St Luke’s arts festival in Cleckheaton and was impressed with the range of work on display.

Yes, the decision by Tesco not to build a new superstore at Serpentine Road in Cleckheaton is disgraceful.

Given the government’s hostility to council house tenants and anyone claiming benefits, it is hardly surprising only a few people have bothered contacting Dewsbury’s Tory MP Simon Reevell regarding the Bedroom Tax (News, April 26).

May I say how much I agree with Sarah Hall about the people who run marathons for charity. What some of them do, without a proper athletic background, and very often in heavy, outlandish, fancy dress, is quite awesome.

The FA Cup Final on May 11 between Wigan and Manchester City will be the 60th anniversary of what became known as the ‘Stanley Matthews Final’ – one of the finest footballers tat this country produced.

Regarding the farce about the attempted deportation of Abu Qatada, I have just been listening to the pearls of wisdom from Chris Bryant, the shadow minister for borders and immigration.

The Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Heckmondwike has been blessed with a number of outstanding priests in its 100 year history – from G K Chesterton’s great friend Father O’Connor to Father Paddy Roche, friend of the Apollo astronauts, the US Ryder Cup team and celebrities like Bing Crosby and Val Doonican.

We had a full room of those who attended the Facts into Fiction – focussing on The Luddities and the novel Shirley – event on Sunday afternoon in the upper barn at Red House Museum.

I have had a very enjoyable weekend. On Friday I attended the opening ceremony of the children’s notice board on Knowler Hill which has been put together by children of High Bank School.