Letters to the Editor

SIR - Although the European Christmas Market was very nice and many people enjoyed it, I feel sorry for the Bradford market stall holders. They have paid hefty rates to the Council all year round. Then the Council invite these foreigners to come here and they take away some of the Christmas trade from our own traders.

I personally think this is a little unfair as our traders could have been asked to set up a Christmas outdoor market with stalls all trimmed up and decorated.

Someone could have been selling hot potatoes, roast chestnuts and hot drinks. I think the produce would be cheaper in price too.

I would like to ask the Council to think about this idea for next year. Or maybe the Council have invited these people over to make extra revenue.

They have done the same in Leeds where there have been 40 stalls in Millennium Square and another four near Debenhams and Harvey Nichols. This one is a German Market.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.

The greatest evil

SIR - It frightens me that good people from all sections of society (MPs, councillors, teachers, newspaper editors, archbishops down to all church laity, parents and all members of the community) and, in particular, those born in England, collude through their silence and misplaced notion of multicultural fairness, in removing all symbols and reference to Christ from England's religious festival of Christmas.

It also saddens me, both as an Irishman living in England and as a Christian of the Roman Catholic faith.

England and its unwritten constitution are inextricably bound to Christianity. Christ and Christianity are no less bound in union. To take Christ out of Christmas is, for any Christian, the greatest evil ever perpetrated by mankind..

When English governments, their officials and friends fail to give due respect to the predominant religion of its own English people, it shows its true incapability of every giving proper respect to other religious followers.

A person without respect for their own native customs and religion is most unlikely to demonstrate their true respect for the religions and customs of others!

Just imagine six million people of the Jewish faith being marched to their deaths in the gas chambers of the Third Reich while the whole Christian world remained silent.

Imagine the evil of such "silence" and then ask yourself "Will you remain silent while others around you try to kill of Christ?"

William Forde, Nettleton Road, Mirfield.

Going too far

SIR - Tessa Jowell, a Government Minister, feels the Christmas message is too politically incorrect to use on her greeting cards.

Isn't it incredible the lengths we go to pander to the ethnic minorities in this country? Apparently we must now dilute our own customs and traditions and deny our religion. What next - ban the Union flag?

Putting that aside, as this is Christmas, the season of peace and goodwill to all men, I was just imagining how wonderful it would be if the suicide bombers and terrorist thugs suddenly decided to call a halt to their murderous activities and give peace a chance.

The billions of pounds spent on war and anti-terrorist measures could be diverted to the people of Afghanistan and Iraq to rebuild their country and set up their own Governments. There would be no excuse for Israel and Palestine not to reach a settlement.

Millions of pounds and personnel could be sent to Africa to attempt to finally solve that desperate country's never-ending problems, and much, much more could be spent on combating world-wide disease.

Unfortunately the people carrying out these appalling atrocities do not recognise Christmas do they?

Malcolm Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

Police must act

SIR - I am in agreement with speed cameras and radar for catching motorists driving fast and dangerous putting persons' lives at risk. However, in response to your article (T&A, December 11) I noticed three police cars at the small roundabout in Wilsden with six officers early in the morning and evening.

I then travelled to the Haworth Road area of Bradford, where there were no police or cameras and several high-powered cars were being driven by various young males who were skidding, doing handbrake turns and performing dangerous high-speed acceleration up and down Haworth Road,with no regard for public safety.

This is where the police and camera presence is required and the sooner the better before someone is killed.

Philip Johnson, P O Box 157, Keighley.

Help find a cure

SIR - I'd like to ask you to help a very worthwhile charity over Christmas - in a very simple way. If you get a new mobile phone for Christmas, please think about recycling your old one on behalf of the Arthritis Research Campaign.

I'd also like to encourage people at work or college to collect colleagues' phones and send them in - 20 phones will raise £100 for the charity's vital research programme.

I need people to act now and help find the cure for this dreadful, crippling condition. Anyone can collect, whether at work, college, their club or pub.

You can visit www.arc.org.uk/ help_us/phones.asp or phone 01246 541106 (24 hrs).

Claire Sweeney, Arthritis Research Campaign, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Turkey cruelties

SIR - Turkey farmers in the UK are in a panic over blackhead disease, fearing an outbreak among their flocks after the drug they used to rely on, Emtryl, was banned because it is suspected to cause cancer in humans.

But a much bigger threat to the well-being of all turkeys looms: Christmas. An estimated 35 million turkeys are killed every year to supply festive dinner tables. The birds will be crammed into lorries and hauled to slaughter, at which time the "lucky" ones will be stunned before their throats are slit.

Caring readers who wish to avoid potentially hazardous drugs and reject the routine cruelties inflicted on turkeys can do so by simply going vegetarian. PETA offers free Vegetarian Starter Kits full of information about the health benefits of meat-free eating and fantastic recipe ideas, call 0800 328 9621 or visit GoVeg.co.uk to order.

Dawn Carr, Director, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals