Bradford children so well behaved

SIR - I recently spent a few days as a private guest at Scargill House, near Kettlewell in Wharfedale.

This is a very comfortable guest house and conference centre with a Christian ethos.

It is run by a community of men and women of different nationalities and ages who offer a warm welcome and splendid hospitality to people of all faiths.

Also staying there was a party of boys and girls of top primary age from Atlas School in Manningham, Bradford, all of them of Pakistani origin.

I and all the other guests (all senior citizens) were very impressed by their behaviour, their good manners and their friendliness.

I want to congratulate the children, their teachers and the school on making a significant contribution to community relations and understanding.

Aileen Thomas, Dalecroft Rise, Allerton, Bradford.

Jumping the gun

SIR - The art of fait accompli with words was shown to its best effect by your Comment (T&A, March 1) about the development of the former Odeon site.

Many readers are aware of your stance regarding the Odeon and, having made your case so fervently, we understand it is more difficult to retract.

However, even though you may be privy to more of Maud Marshall's plans than us readers, could I suggest even you might be jumping the gun a little to suggest the site is 'former'? Last time I looked it was still the Odeon.

You're right about one thing, though. Yes, Bradford does deserve a special building on that site. But then it's already got one - the Odeon. And with some vision, like that shown by Norman Littlewood and his supporters, we could have a fully-restored, and still iconic, Odeon with which even Maud Marshall, and maybe even you, would be proud to be associated.

John Tempest, PO Box 163, Bradford.

l EDITOR'S NOTE: The former Odeon has been an empty shell for years because its former owners decided it was no longer viable as a cinema. It is our understanding that the only expert feasibility study carried out on the site has shown that full restoration is also not viable.

Well done, readers

SIR - Wonderful! At last some good news about the Odeon site (T&A, March 1) for which I think T&A readers should take a great deal of credit.

From the very outset of the introduction of the "Master Plan" they have voiced their horror at the thought of the total destruction of this remarkable and distinguished old building.

BCR has now reluctantly admitted this is one of Bradford's most prestigious city-centre sites and as such should have an outstanding building created on it. Preferably one providing conference and concert hall facilities which will, hopefully, put anything Leeds has to offer into the shade.

Finally it appears the unbelievably ludicrous suggestions of an "iconic" mushroom field and a museum celebrating aromatic, pungent vegetable substances have both been thrown into the trash can where they belong.

Let's hope the Centenary Square Litter, Sludge and Garbage Swamp follows them into the same place.

Malcolm Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

Love of the kill

SIR - The Government finally got the Hunting Act 2004 passed after being thwarted by the House of Lords for a number of years. The general public backed this act by an overwhelming majority.

It is the end of the hunt when the animal is torn to pieces that the majority of people do not like.

My heart bleeds for a stag which is hunted until it is completely exhausted and can go no further.

If the huntsmen used scent trails would all these jobs that are threatened be lost? The kill is the main enjoyment for the huntsmen. Without that it will not be the same for them.

The law has been passed, so it is up to the public majority to do the necessary to help the police in their difficult jobs.

Brian Shackleton, Holme Mill Lane, Fell Lane, Keighley.

Nothing racist

SIR - I don't know why Peter Wilson brought politics into the arena concerning my letter on health checks prior to travelling to the UK (T&A, March 9).

Also, it was not discriminating in a racist sense - only commonsense.

It is commonsense to screen would be immigrants for disease. Why does he think we have to have injections prior to visiting certain areas of the world?

Get real, Peter, and don't pay too much attention to what it says in the Lancet - please remember it was they who bestowed validity on thalidomide.

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke.