Letters to the editor

SIR - Summer is here at last. Just fine for sitting out and enjoying one's garden or the sound of birds.

Unfortunately, we cannot hear the birds because, come warm weather, we also have music blaring out for the entire weekend.

And on weekday evenings we have the sounds of motorised scooters, often driven by children of seven or eight. They have no protection whatsoever, even on the main road.

A new addition is a moped-like scooter speeding up and down our road and revving up in the lay-by outside our homes. Again no protection.

How come children can ride these things on the main roads yet older people need a licence, tax and insurance and must wear protective clothing when riding scooters?

Does a child have to be maimed or even killed before these things are banned for children under 16 or 17?

Should we complain to the police then our homes and gardens will be vandalised or we will be subjected to verbal abuse?

Is it fair we older people cannot enjoy the retirement and pleasure in the gardens we care for?

I could go on forever but what good will it do. None until the police begin to take notice of these silly scooters.

M Jennings, Reevy Avenue, Buttershaw.

Sheer stupidity

Sir - Your correspondent M Ali (T&A June 8) really hits the nail on the head concerning the rising acceptance of really right wing politics. What a refreshing letter.

Bowing and scraping to one section of the community, ignoring all manner of abuses of people or our systems has angered many, and the traditional politicians offer no solutions.

The crazy flag ban on taxis, now lifted, sums up the sheer stupidity of those who run the city. Combine that with the biggest licence to commit electoral fraud ever and we are in a rally sorry state.

I notice that lingerie adverts near a mosque have caused offence to Muslims, as well they might. Turning churches into carpet shops or curry houses may offend Christians but nobody would actually stop it.

Hasn't the time arrived for people to stop being insulted and offended at every turn and devote some energy to working hard and living together peacefully?

Mark Ashdown, Ling Park Avenue, Wilsden

Act of destruction

Sir - Recently you published a letter admiring the lovely show of scarlet poppies and other wild flowers growing on the new bypass roundabout at Cottingley.

That writer and many others will be saddened and angered that Bradford Council's aptly-named cleansing department have, this week, cut them all down.

As none had had time to set seed, this attractive feature and wildlife resource for insects and butterflies is now destroyed permanently, a very Philistine and thoughtless action.

Mrs J Avis, Toller Lane, Bradford.

l A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "This part of the A650 is a trunk road and the responsibility of the Highways Agency. The Council has not been involved in any grass cutting on the side of the road or on the new Cottingley roundabout."

Collection farce

Sir - You could not have said it better, Mrs Hine (T&A June 1). The intended collection of waste paper is a farce.

Our first collection date was May 19. When, after a week, we did not see them, I phoned the Council only to be told: "If they have not been, it will be at least another six weeks before they do." This puts us way past the next due date.

As far as Bradford Council goes, they could not organise a tea party. How is it other countries can get it right but not Bradford?

Mrs Barbara Rudd, Roger Court, Undercliffe, Bradford.

l A Bradford Council recycling spokesperson said: "During the last 12 months, we have delivered 80,000 paper-recycling bins to households across the district. Collection dates are clearly displayed on the bin lids.

"Grey bins were delivered to homes in the Undercliffe area in late April and the first collection was carried out on May 19 as stated on the lids. We are sorry that Mrs Rudd's bin was missed out and that she was wrongly informed about the next collection date, which will be on June 16 as scheduled.

"As with any new collection round there can be initial, bedding-in problems, but these will be quickly rectified.

"We are now collecting over 200 tonnes of paper a week. This figure is constantly increasing as new rounds come on, contributing significantly to Bradford's recycling effort

"If Mrs Rudd, or any other resident, has any further concerns or wants more information about recycling, they should ring our special hotline on 01274 438883."

Closed mind

SIR - The criticism of my comments regarding Ken Morrison (T&A, May 29) by Phil Boase merely displays his ignorance.

Closed minds are the ones who never respect the opinions of others but in reply rely on sarcasm.

I have supported City all my life - what have you done, Mr Boase?

Based on your letter nothing for anyone except yourself, just like Ken Morrison.

Granville Jackson, Paley Road, Bradford.

Fluorine damage

SIR - Geoffrey Thorn's anger at being deviously used as a guinea pig in war chemical trials in the early 1950s (T&A, June 5) is justified.

Not all war chemical trials were conducted at Porton Down. Some radiation exposure and enzyme inhibitions were carried out on civilian hospital patients.

On contacting the Wiltshire police investigating the deliberate exposure of Ronald Maddison and others at Porton Down, it was confirmed that MoD experiments were conducted in the field but that it was not within the remit of Wiltshire police to investigate them.

Now I learn from "The Fluoride Deception" by Christopher Bryson, an investigative journalist and TV producer, that fluoride experiments were being carried out on humans in Britain in 1943.

Sarin and Soman both contain fluorine. Occular damage, thyroid dysfunction, sexual impotency, cancer, neurotoxicity and bone disease can accrue from fluoride inhalation and/or ingestion.

The immune system can be irrevocably damaged. GSK are currently being sued for Seroxat induction of suicidal depression.

Like the nerve gasses Soman and Sarin, Seroxat contains fluorine in its formulae.

Dennis Edmondson, secretary, Calderdale Citizens' Protest Against Fluoridation, Duck Hill, Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge.

Stick to cricket

SIR - In reply to Peter Jones of Idle (T&A, June 7) it is obvious he is a cricket fan and not a football fan and totally out of touch with the present board at Bradford City.

About rich young footballers, City's top players are paid £1,000 a week but most get around £400 a week. The £18 admission and £2.50 programme are some of the lowest in the division.

The Rhodes family are doing a marvellous job trying to save the club after Geoffrey Richmond left them with debts of £36 million.

As for local businesses they would miss all the extra trade from visiting supporters.

The so-called begging bowl, started by the exceptional success of the T&A's Save our City appeal, has seen donations from thousands of City supporters and others from various businesses and all walks of life.

So, Mr Jones, stick to cricket.

A Thompson, Owlcotes Road, Pudsey.

Thanks for helping

Sir - George and Jackie Hickman would like to thank all the residents of Bradford Road, Riddlesden, for their help and comfort following their car accident near ATS in Bradford Road last Saturday.

They also wish to thank the police, who as a result of their fast response and with the assistance of witnesses were able to quickly apprehend the three youths who ran off following the accident.

They would also like to thank the paramedics who cared for them at the scene.

They had moved in to their house the day before the accident and were new to the area, so it has not been a brilliant start for them, but the actions of the local residents and police has gone a long way to helping them through this.

Mike Jones, Rylands Avenue, Gilstead

Flying the flag

SIR - It gives me joy and much pleasure to see the way people are showing off our flag at this time.

Let us hope this will continue long after the football is over.

Steve Walsh, Church Street, Bingley.