Education for our sake .sx The country's education system has undergone so many changes recently , it is not surprising that many are confused by its various aspects , and others have lost confidence in its effectiveness .sx No sooner had the old O-levels been replaced by the GCSE , the national curriculum was introduced with its attainment targets and tests , prompting at least some local primary school heads to take early retirement .sx " Education is in a watershed of gigantic significance towards mediocrity , " claimed one , adding that the new proposals would create a stratified society for the 21st century .sx Not content with those changes , the Government implemented the local management of schools , giving governing bodies more say over their spending .sx Very commendable , you might say , but the move again took teachers away from the classroom and into administration .sx And the dust had hardly settled , when , last week , it was announced that the further education set-up was to be tackled in a bid to narrow the divide between academic and vocational qualifications .sx Not only that , there was talk that the Government was considering replacing A-levels with yet another examination .sx Against that background , it is hardly surprising that the headmaster of Giggleswick School , Mr. Peter Hobson , felt it necessary to appeal for stability in education at the school's annual speech day on Saturday .sx The constant moving of goalposts is not fair on teachers , and it is certainly not fair on the pupils .sx Both should know where they stand , and what they are expected to achieve .sx Playing with youngsters' lives cannot be justified .sx Their achievements now will colour their future paths - and they have every right to demand a good grounding ; in fact , the very best the country can offer .sx We are forever being told about increased competition from overseas once the Single market comes into being next year , and we must be in position to meet that challenge .sx We can only do that if our education system is second to none .sx But , without clear goals , the United Kingdom will lag behind producing tomorrow's workforce because teaching staff will be too busy trying to unravel the paperwork to concentrate on the essentials .sx So come on , let's stop this bickering over the rights and wrongs and agree the way forward .sx Education is a service ; not a profit-making business .sx We must all pull together - for all our sakes .sx Don't trash the Dales .sx No-one can doubt the majestic beauty of the Craven Countryside with its rolling hills , picturesque villages , and breathtaking views .sx But its idyllic facade is misleading as it hides a very real , and disturbing , threat .sx For , unless action is taken now to stem the growing tide of erosion , many important features could disappear altogether .sx As traditional farming methods are discarded stone barns and walls are allowed to fall into disrepair , moorlands are being over-grazed , and meadowlands are being sacrificed in favour of fast-growing grasses .sx Not only that .sx Thieves are increasingly targeting isolated barns for their stone slates , and some farmers seem to have taken the view :sx " If you can't beat them , join them .sx " .sx We are told that some are selling stone from traditional buildings and walls to make ends meet .sx That trend has got to stop before the damage becomes irreversible , and Craven loses part of its identity .sx The National Trust has already announced it is launching pounds750,000 appeal sic !sx to help preserve the distinctive landscape of Yorkshire , and the Government is being asked to give Environmentally Sensitive Area status to the Dales National Park .sx That would mean that subsidies would be available for good environmental practices , and the park authority could protect walls and buildings .sx Of course these measures will help , and should be supported .sx But the statutory authorities can only do so much .sx They have to work within strict financial budgets , and it would be unfair to put the whole burden on their shoulders .sx It is up to every single one of us - whether we live or work in the area or just visit it - to ensure that it is preserved for future generations .sx Bolton Abbey has shown that commercial success and conservation can live side by side , with the estate taking the Yorkshire and Humberside Tourist Board's tourism and environment award .sx So what can we do ?sx It is true that we , too , are limited in our efforts , but there are simple measures we can take to help keep the countryside looking beautiful for both residents and visitors alike .sx For a start , we can ensure that we leave the area as we found it ; in other words we take our litter home .sx It is amazing how discarded cans and cigarette ends can be found even in the remotest parts of Craven .sx Opinion polls show that litter is consistently quoted as a major environmental problem in our everyday lives , and it is an issue with which we can easily identify because if affects us all .sx And we can do something about it .sx It is a frightening thought that over 85,000 drinks cans , forming a column 3,000 feet higher than Mount Everest , were collected from roadside verges last year on a litter-pick from Land's End to John O'Groats .sx Next week is Tidy Travel Week , which is designed to make people more aware of their own littering behaviour while travelling .sx Why don't we make it a Tidy Craven Week ?sx Saving our history .sx It came as no surprise to us to learn this week that a planning application had been lodged with Craven District Council for the demolition of the Chimney at Belle Vue Mills , Skipton , now the home of Kingsley Cards .sx For it was back in September that we first revealed that the chimney - regarded by many as a landmark - was under threat .sx It is known that Kingsley Cards recently installed a new heating system at what is perhaps best known as Dewhurst's Mill , in Broughton Road , and now no warm air reaches the chimney .sx But the structure is of such a design that it needs constant warm air to stay in one piece .sx The chimney , it would appear , has deteriorated to such a point where its owners feel it is unsafe - any other excuse for their application would have to be put down to wanton vandalism .sx It will cost money to knock the chimney down safely , and probably even more to maintain and preserve it .sx But it must be done .sx The structure is a landmark - some may say not the prettiest around maybe - but it does form a most important feature on the town's skyline .sx Craven District Council has made much of central Skipton into conservation areas , including many old mill cottages and terraces .sx What would be the use of that if the mill chimney - a symbol of what the houses were built for - were to go ?sx Belle Vue Mills were built between 1830 and 1914 - perhaps the greatest years of Britain's industrial past - and provide a rare surviving example of how cotton mills evolved .sx In many other areas , people are realising that our industrial heritage is just as important , if not more so , than our rural heritage .sx Without industry , there would have been no wealth , no real empire , little to be proud of in our past .sx The chimney , Skipton's most prominent icon of that great past , must be preserved .sx But where will the money come from ?sx Kingsley Cards , certainly , must bear some of the costs .sx The building they occupy is a listed one , and they knew that when they bought it .sx It is their responsibility , first and foremost .sx But others may be prepared to help in order not to lose such a valuable asset .sx Craven District Council has shown its willingness to preserve our heritage with its involvement with the Hoffman Kiln at Langcliffe - not to mention all the effort and money it put into the battle to save the Settle-Carlisle railway line and Ribblehead Viaduct .sx Over in West Craven , Barnoldwick's Bancroft Mill is privately-owned , but is grateful for the support of Pendle Council and others .sx Indeed , work is currently being undertaken on its chimney !sx .sx National bodies too , such as English Heritage , the National Trust , the Department of the Environment and the Victorian Society must all be approached with a view to saving the chimney .sx Thankfully , we know that some local officials are opposed to the demolition , if it is at all avoidable , and they have a good track record in this area .sx When Skipton's Victoria Mill was being redeveloped , they fought for the retention of its small , less important chimney , despite the pleas of the developers that to preserve it would be too expensive .sx The development went ahead , and the chimney still stands .sx But it pales into insignificance alongside its big sister .sx Many members of Craven District's Planning and Development Committee , we can rest assured , would also not want to see the demolition of our history .sx As the chimney is part of a Grade II listed structure , interested parties must be approached by the council for their opinions on demolition .sx Let us hope they agree the chimney needs preserving .sx It is too important to lose .sx A Year of Destiny .sx By the end of 1992 we shall all be Europeans .sx The stretch of water which has so long separated us from mainland Europe - and on more occasions than one been our salvation when foes would have invaded our shores - will shortly be bridged .sx Down will come the barriers , the customs posts which , to those in our islands have been a curiosity .sx We can drive into Wales or Scotland , and cross to Ireland , without let or hindrance .sx There are no policemen , guns slung menacingly at their hips , demanding our passports .sx Europeans will find themselves with the novel experience before 1993 dawns .sx But shall we be Europeans ?sx There are plenty of people in this country who are unhappy about the closer links with our European brothers and sisters .sx After all , one or two of them have done us few favours over the years .sx Ought we to ignore history , or learn from it ?sx Perhaps we can give heart to those who don't approve of the moves .sx Some of us , it will be recalled , were dragged kicking and screaming into Lancashire by local government re-organisation in 1972 .sx Has it made us Lancastrians ?sx Not a bit of it .sx We are Yorkshire to the core still .sx No artificial changes by faceless boffins in Whitehall have changed our allegiance .sx We still wear the white rose with pride .sx A new Europe will not change those of us who have pride in our heritage .sx We shall still fly the Union flag and have our own National Anthem .sx 'Land of Hope and Glory' at the last night of the Proms will still bring a lump to the throat .sx So will those immortal words " They grow not old , as we that are left grow old .sx Age shall not weary them , nor the years condemn .sx At the going down of the sun , and in the morning , we shall remember them .sx " We shall still remember that they gave their lives to ensure that some of the Europeans whom we are now joining by negotiation , did not conquer us by force .sx We shall find ourselves ever closer bound to our European partners .sx If it avoids another 1914 and 1939 , for that alone , it will have all been worth while .sx But we must not allow our sturdy individualism and love of true democracy to be submerged by Europe .sx Often we have had to defend the right of peoples to be free .sx We must remain free to make our own decisions about own destiny .sx That is our birthright and we must still defend it .sx Let us make that a New Year Resolution as we move into an historic 1993 .sx At home , let us hope that the problems which have confronted many businesses , and led to the collapse of some in 1991 are not repeated in the year ahead .sx In fact , we hope that industry of all descriptions will boom in 1992 .sx We would hope and pray that the year might be free of tragedy , whether personal or on a national or international scale ; that peace will come to troubled areas , and a start made on the task of tackling world poverty and hunger .sx