Towards the end of the 19th century the vogue for cycling took off and contests and racing events became popular. Races on the track at Halifax Cricket and Football Club at Thrum Hall drew huge crowds.

IN the 1940s and ‘50s, when few people had fridges, shopping for food meant a regular walk to the shops. Fridges – big fridges! –were a luxury seen only in American films.

A COUNCIL allotment site that growers were told might be unsafe is to remain open.

CAMPING rights have been extended to 60 days on a West Vale sports field.

Regarding “Streets Ahead and the library debate”.

YOUTH unemployment is the biggest problem facing the nation. I am a typical unemployed young person facing a lifetime on the dole.

In response to Albert Williams letter (“Clean up these roads”, Yoursay, February 12) Old Lane, Halifax is notorious for fly tipping. We also have to endure derelict buildings, a pile of rubble following the demolition of Old Lane Public House; and a burnt out car this week!

IT IS thanks to the Halifax Courier that the people of Calderdale not only get information, both local and national, but are also allowed to air their views (within reason, of course), about a subject or topic they feel strongly about.

The ‘Orange Box’ project at Thomas Street has frequently been in the news lately (“Young people are our future: Now the Orange Box project aims to put them centre stage” 13 Jan), and is now a work in progress.

The Conservatives have come up with plans to link Calderdale up with Kirklees.

IS IT any wonder that fly-tipping is such a problem in our and so many other areas?

The Conservative’s rather vague proposals for a merging of Kirklees and Calderdale remind me of the Two Ronnies news announcement that East Sandwich is to be merged with West Ham to make East West and Ham Sandwich.

I write to express my serious concern re the Government’s Planning Reform White Paper introducing a “presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’”, regardless of the site of such development and its effect on the local environment.

It would seem the Labour Party is having a campaign of knocking the government in time for the council elections this year. However their choice of issues opens them up to more questions than the answers they suppose to seek.

Surely everyone supports the NHS? Even if you are lucky enough to enjoy perfect helath now you know it’s so important to have an NHS that looks after you when you need it.

I have just read an article in the courier about dog fouling by Christ Church school.

I SPENT Tuesday night at the Town Hall listening to Cllr Barry Collins and Dr John Hargreaves give their reasons for moving or not, the Central Library.

Much will be said about the Conservative plans for Calderdale and Kirklees to be run from Huddersfield, but I want to concentrate on just one aspect, the reduction in democracy.

I had occasion to go to Brighouse on Thursday morning. The bus station there was like an ice box.

I READ Eddie Pollard’s letter about cyclists paying road tax (Yoursay, February 9) with a raised eyebrow.