Letters to the Editor

SIR - I was sickened to read Malcolm Wood's letter (T&A, (December 16) concerning the English "rugby" team. I and many others are not fooled by the hype of Rugby Union.

No violence or thuggery? Not while the ref is watching but what about all that stamping on someone's head in a ruck or eye poking in the scrum. Very gentlemanly conduct from public schoolboy thugs. These same "gentlemen" engage in cowardly off-the-field activities following huge drinking binges and act more like animals than human beings.

This is a game that has many secrets and is very good at covering them up. It is a game that collaborated with the Nazis in France and banned me and others from playing Union because I'd played Rugby League.

Rugby Union has a very tainted past and before its supporters start to criticise footballers they should take a long hard look at themselves first.

Paul Kempster, Clayton Fold, Cross Hills.

Police quandary

SIR - Regarding the letter from Keighley Conservative prospective candidate Robert Collinson and his views on policing (December 11).

They were very good until the last sentence: "We will fund more than 1,500 full-time police officers across West Yorkshire to make our streets safer."

I'm not even going to ask him about finance, simply this: "Where are you going to get these recruits from?"

The police today are desperately trying to recruit, but their credibility is at rock bottom, not an enticing career move for most, and it is a national problem.

This fits in well with my information from an excellent 'authority' that most of those being recruited at present would not have got in five years ago.

So please Mr Collinson, tell us how your recruitment methods will alter the situation, and most importantly, will your new men be brave enough to walk our dangerous streets?

Gary Lorriman, Long Lane, Harden, Bingley.

No benefit to us

SIR - I still insist that Bradford will not benefit one iota from a cross-rail link.

On December 6, I travelled to Chesterfield from the Interchange. I had to change at Leeds and caught a Virgin train going to Bristol. I had to change at Sheffield because Virgin have decided not to stop at Chesterfield.

After half-an-hour cooling my heels, I carried on to Chesterfield.

On my return I caught a train going to Dundee and again I had to change at Sheffield. Another hour later I caught a train going to Edinburgh, stopping at Leeds.

Both Chesterfield and Sheffield are through stations but that didn't do me any good. Exchange Chesterfield for Bradford and you will see what I mean.

If train operators refuse to stop what good is a through rail system?

I think our way is best; you only come to Bradford if you need or want to.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.

Save the Odeon

SIR - Whatever we may all think about the city centre regeneration plans, there is no doubt whatsoever that there is a growing groundswell of opinion against the proposed demolition of the Odeon building.

This city has lost far too many much-loved properties over the years, and this further suggestion really is totally unacceptable.

Bradford is crying out for a new concert hall, and here we have a property of the right size and in the perfect location. This opportunity must not be lost.

If any part, or all, of the regeneration plans go ahead, then provision must be made for the full retention of this building.

R S Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.

Great orchestra

SIR - May I express my appreciation of the performance of the Bradford Youth Orchestra at Morrisons Supermarket, Five Lane Ends on Saturday, December 13.

They really set the scene for the festive season. I am sure their playing was much appreciated by the shoppers and workers at Morrisons.

All who are connected with the Bradford Youth Orchestra work so hard - not least the young people themselves who regularly attend rehearsals as well as performing concerts.

The orchestra is going to perform in Budapest in July 2004 and surely they will be excellent ambassadors for this country. Well done to them all.

Thanks must go to Morrisons for allowing space and time for the performance.

S Knight, Norman Lane, Bradford.

Starting a chain

SIR - The undoubted delights of receiving Christmas cards are, hopefully, being enjoyed by your readers at present, especially those who are living alone or feeling a bit down.

Yet am I unique in getting a sinking feeling when they are accompanied by those tiresome mass-produced missives which regale us lesser mortals with the sender's achievements?

Of the two I've just received (one from a complete stranger) there is news of highly-intelligent offspring who have gained everything from a black belt in origami to a number of degrees which would make your average thermometer drop off the wall in shame.

Stunning grandchildren have had braces on their teeth and new kitchen units have been put in too while promotions at work, exotic holidays and new cars appear to be almost weekly events.

As I pondered what to do over my cuppa, I decided that I would share the burden. I've sent each letter to the other producing what I trust will be a quite ghastly chain.

Failing that, at least, as Humphrey Bogart was to tell Claud Rains in Casablanca, it could be the start of a beautiful friendship among these high fliers!

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.

Spiritual needs

SIR - Steve Brear's despair and bitterness concerning Bradford (Letters, December 8) can indeed be seen as honest and realistic but it actually reflects the helplessness of a people and nation that has rejected the authority of the sacred in their lives.

We live in a world where we believe all understanding must come from careful observation and experiment but the most vital understanding is spiritual understanding, something everyone needs and must seek.

This understanding is arrived at, not through experience, but through an act of surrender and submission to God.

If you really want to understand the darkness around you, Steve, get on your knees in penitence and humility.

As Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8 v12).

Michael Rudd, Marshfield Place, Bradford.

End of the myth

SIR - The breakdown of talks on the new European Constitution last weekend was a disappointment, but not the end of the world.

Difficulties arose over just one issue - voting weights for Spain and Poland. The rest of the document is acceptable to everyone.

And this weekend's events do at least demonstrate yet again that Europe is far from becoming a centralised superstate. What we've seen is 25 countries each representing their own positions around the bargaining table, trying to thrash out an agreement without compromising on national interests.

Like so much else in the EU, we can only move forward when we have a solution that satisfies everyone's national interests and the interests of the whole community.

So much for the mythical domineering superstate of Europe!

Richard Corbett MEP, Labour MEP for Yorkshire & the Humber, Blenheim Terrace, Leeds.