Letters to the Editor

Let us now see it in operation. Bradford and Leeds both need a decent, modern, conference and concert venue but, as I see it, both have funding problems. Why not, therefore, consider refurbishing the Odeon cinema as a joint enterprise, possibly with other West Yorkshire towns, for such purposes?

It had a huge, eminently suitable auditorium that, according to reports, is still intact behind more recent alterations. It would provide a superb facility if developed and create much more wealth for the area than an oversized duck pond.

While we are at it, let us have a decent, high-speed road linking us with our important and prominent neighbour, instead of the choked county lane that Leeds Road has become, helping even more to enhance the co-operation between the two cities - which must be advantageous to both.

Keith V Watmough, Station Road, Greenhill, Keighley.

SIR - I would like to tell you my memories of our lovely "New Victoria." in 1938, Scouts, Guides and Sea Cadets from St Clement's Church, Barkerend Road, took part in a concert of young people with the renowned soprano, Emily Hargreaves.

On of the church members, Mr W Mark, wrote a song called Youth of the Empire which we all sang on the stage to a packed auditorium. Emily Hargreaves sang Land of Hope and Glory.

I remember the alcoves round the walls, with glass chandeliers, like water fountains. It was a wonderful concert, never to be forgotten.

There was a fantastic ballroom and lovely restaurant and waitresses in black dresses with white tea aprons, white cuffs and collar and a frill on their heads.

Barbara Walker, Baker Street, Bradford 2.

SIR - It is not before time that we had a Wrose Parish Council as there are so many problems here which require immediate attention - that is, if the new members are given enough authority to put things right.For starters, we need a clampdown on speeding traffic, especially in Westfield Lane. Traffic-calming measures must be introduced before, not after, a fatality. Any warehouse or factory holding stocks of flammable material needs to be relocated to an industrial estate.

Due to the present security climate this action is of paramount importance.

Policing has to be more prominent to rid this once-nice area of the loutish drug culture; people need to feel safe on our streets. We also need a big crackdown on litter louts and fly-tipping.

Large fines imposed could be put back into cleaning up and maintaining a pleasant area and also for zero-tolerance policing.

We have only a small amount of green belt left; let us protect it before it is too late.

Trevor Williams-Berry, Bredon Avenue, Wrose.

SIR - Interfaithism is a good way of finding out each other's beliefs, a chance to witness our truths to others and become good friends.

History teaches us many things about religions. Would we incorporate other beliefs into the Christian churches again as we have already Christianised Babylonian pagan traditions of Christmas, Easter and the Sunday being the Sabbath instead of Saturday, as we know it to be in truth?

Will we forget that there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism and only one way for salvation?

If we do have to compromise by accepting that all other religious beliefs, in many explainable ways, lead to the same one true God, then we will have a big problem regarding our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

V Sereika, Morley Avenue, Bradford 3.

SIR - In response to the controversy over the architecture of the proposed new police headquarters, only Bradford could be given a brick block complete with portable cabins stuck on top (visible for miles) by the likes of Abbey National. Pitched roofing and slate are the preserve of a more desirable place.

In a similar fashion, how boring are the grey cardboard boxes being passed off as the new cinema complex? A glance at Leeds should fill one with envy.

Glass, steel, brick or stone; they sure seem to know what to do with it, on buildings old and new.

It's high time we took a leaf from their book.

It might just stop the premature demolition of modern premises after only a few decades of use, hence saving millions in future building costs.

R P Singh, Hutton Road, Little Horton.

SIR - Another year has passed so it is time to give thanks to those who have helped me during it. I haven't been able to use buses at all during the past year and have had to rely on taxis, so thank you the drivers at the Eccleshill taxi firm and at the Bank Street taxi rank.

I would like to thank the staff at Barkerend Post Office, the family at Barkerend Newsagents, the staff at Rimmington's chemists, the staff at Yorkshire Building Society, Howard House branch, Morrisons Thornbury branch and especially all those who help to make the Talking Telegraph which brings me up to date with news and events.

But above all I would like to thank my friends Joyce, Gillian, Shane and Mandy, Derek, Hetty, Maureen and my carer Laura from the British Nursing Association for without their help and support it would have been a very hard year.

So I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Margaret Lee, Pool Court, Bradford.

SIR - The most worrying aspect of the city centre masterplan is the lack of democratic accountability. The Urban Regeneration Company has been voted funding of £20 million from Yorkshire Forward, making £40 million in total.

The URC has charge of promoting the masterplan with its nine directors, two of whom are councillors, ie Margaret Eaton and Ian Greenwood. Therefore, nine people, only two of whom are elected by the citizens of Bradford, will run the company.

These nine are the equivalent of one-tenth of our 90 metropolitan councillors who will know little or nothing of what is going on. If the Metropolitan Council can trust the nine directors to promote the masterplan for Bradford, then we might as well get rid of 80 councillors and allow just nine to run our council. We would then save 80 x £10,000 in councillors' salaries.

Bryan Russell, Heaton Crescent, Baildon.