The real job for a teacher: teaching!

SIR - Just when school governors thought that they might be getting to grips with the problems of teacher workforce remodelling, M A Booth (T&A, February 13) comes up with the brilliant idea of teacher contracts being rewritten to include several hours a week of unpaid bus conductor work.

I really don't think this goes far enough. Clearly teachers should also be contracted to visit each pupil's home on a rota basis to ensure that they have a healthy evening meal, with the appropriate input of fresh fruit and vegetables, that they do their homework without sidetracking by loud music or Coronation Street, that they brush their teeth thoroughly and retire to bed before the televisual moral hazards of the 9pm watershed kick in.

On reflection, perhaps it would be better if teachers were allowed just to teach, if parents parented and the police arrested vandals. In addition bus companies should withdraw services in the event of persistent vandalism which would have the beneficial effect of making the little beggars walk, thereby contributing to the battle against childhood obesity.

M Pollard, Moorfield Drive, Baildon.

It's that man again

SIR - Lord Saville's seven-year long Bloody Sunday inquiry is finally drawing to a close. On that day in January 1972, 14 civilians were shot dead by British soldiers.

All of which reminds me of the initial inquiry, set up at the time under Lord Widgery which, preposterously, absolved the Ministry of Defence of all responsibility.

So here is a quiz question for you. Who was counsel for the Ministry of Defence at that inquiry 32 years ago? Well, of course! None other than a certain Brian Hutton, QC.

They do say that history tends to repeat itself. In view of recent events, I would suggest that applies with any number of knobs on!

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

Insult to majority

SIR - I fully agree with the comments of Sandra Wainwright (February 3) on the Regen 2000 scheme. Why should any private home have the opportunity to pay a few hundred pounds for a couple of thousand pounds' worth of work?

I am currently having to pay £140 to the council, simply to ask permission if I can pay for a wall on my own property. Fair?

I also agree with Malcolm Wood (February 3) with regard to further immigration. There are three fundamental flaws of this Government and its ideologies.

1) More people taking out of "the pot" who have either never paid in, paid in little or who "borrow" and never repay. Therefore this country will always operate on a financial negative.

2) Try to do the "right thing" and improve standards across the board and you will be met with taxation, obstacles, bureaucracy and restriction. Do the opposite and you receive abundant help and finance.

3) Why do most regen/rebuild/reinvest schemes occur predominantly in deprived/poor/ethnic areas? In an effort to appease the minority, they insult and anger the majority.

G Drake, Sangster Way, Bradford.

What about us?

SIR - '£50 million plan for better health care' (T&A, February 6). I would like to know how the Council comes to this partnership. Have they asked the people who will be more involved in the scheme, vulnerable people through better access to vital services.

In a booklet supplied by the Council and all primary care trusts it stated better care and you are our partners. Who is Kris Hopkins trying to kid? Look what has happened to the doctors' service - very poor quality from the out-of-hours company Primecare. Did the vulnerable people get asked what service they wanted? No.

Let our elderly/disabled have their say on our matters and support on all meetings by people who know better than office staff. District nurses are the people who should sit on these boards, instead of more bureaucrats once again dictating to the public what should be done.

Come on all you elderly and disabled, demand your rights!

J R Smith, Retired Pensions Action Group, Flawith Drive, Fagley.

Tenants needed

SIR - Walking across Centenary Square the other day I noticed a sign at the new leisure/retail development site advertising three units to let.

I wonder how close the developers are to finding three tenants in time for the completion of the building (in late March, according to the Centenary Bradford website).

This development is not being built down some hidden back street. It is on a prime city centre site surrounded by many civic buildings. It must not open half empty.

There are many restaurant, caf and bar operators out there so to find three to open new outlets in Bradford cannot be a difficult task. A bookshop would also be a great addition as would a good nightclub. Every effort must be made to fill this new building.

Also, just a thought, I wonder if Merrie England would consider opening a new coffee shop in the Rawson Quarter? I was in their Brighouse shop recently and I'd forgotten how nice their bacon sandwiches and coffee are. I'm sure it would prove very popular if they reopened.

Jack MacPherson, Killinghall Road, Bradford.

Do you remember?

SIR - I would like to ask any T&A readers if they can help me with some research into the gardens at Milnerfield, Saltaire.

I have an article from the Bradford Weekly Telegraph, 1885, that talks about the large conservatory attached to the house at Milnerfield housing which housed collections of African Stump Ferns, Phormium Tenax and Chilean Bell Vines, to name but a few species. I am seeking to expand this information about the once-beautiful landscaped gardens, boating lake, conservatory and walled gardens.

The gardens at Milnerfield were laid out by Robert Marnock, a veteran landscape gardener of the day who designed many gardens across the country. The sweeping drive of the Coach Road to Milnerfield were planted with laurel, yew and holly, still surviving today.

The old walled garden is completely overgrown now but between 1880 and 1920 melons, cucumbers, vines and figs grew there.

I am interested in the gardeners and the plants they grew - perhaps you have relatives or friends who were employed there? Perhaps you have photographs? I would be interested in hearing from you if you can help me in my research.

I can be contacted on (01274) 566725.

Alastair McKinna, Ferncliffe Road, Bingley

Bus chop unfair

SIR - I recently rote to Mr Hussain of Bradford First asking him to reinstate the half-hourly bus service on the City Circle line (601, 602) which we'd enjoyed since we came to Bradford in 1955. An hourly service is simply not acceptable in a city - we don't live far out in the countryside!

He suggests we catch the 620 into town and out again to St Luke's Hospital (which is where our family have most of our appointments). That would mean two lots of waiting and two lots of fares - the same on the return journey. How unfair is that, when we pay our council tax.

A decent bus service is the least local citizens should expect, and this should not depend on commercial feasibility.

Money should be re-directed from the gross plans for lakes in the city and a landscape from Star Wars, to cater for the ordinary, normal needs of the people.

Short-sighted planners (who don't even live here) have caused the city centre to die by excessive rates which drove out all the best little shops as well as stores, such as Pratts. And now, Mr Hussain is decimating our transport!

Mrs V M Davis, Selbourne Terrace, Heaton.

Turkish baths

SIR - Bradford had the only Turkish bath at King's Hall. It was a great experience. Is it never to come back again? Harrogate has a Turkish bath but it is being restored and won't open until July.

It would be great if Bradford could lead the way in Turkish baths again.

M Waters, Pellon Lane, Halifax.