Web User Controls problem???

I hope someone can help…  I have an default.aspx page (Not a code behind) which is inheriting a class

<%@ Page Language="VB" Inherits="bf_include" %>

And in my page load I call a sub from the class which gives me some variables I can use on my page … All fine so far

Call BF_Getskin()

Now I am happily using the variables throughout the page where needed (strSkin in this case)

<%Response.Write("<link href=""/skins/" & strSkin & """ rel=""stylesheet"" type=""text/css"" />")%>

Now I have 2 Web User Controls in the page for the header and footer – Here is the Header (I am registering it at the top of the page in the normal manner)

<uc1:header id="Header1" runat="server"></uc1:header>

Now this is where I am tearing my hair out!!  I want (Sorry... NEED) to be able to use / reference those varibales (strSkin etc…) in the Header User Control.

But if I add this to the user control

<%Response.Write("<link href=""/skins/" & strSkin & """ rel=""stylesheet"" type=""text/css"" />")%>

I get this error??

Name 'strSkin' is not declared.

How can I make my usercontrols inherit from the main page?? ... any help appreciated