Letters to the Editor

One dealt with the obscene killing of Tarquin Turner, an innocent, hard-working, caring individual, hoping to spend some leisure time among people he liked, and who, from all reports, liked and respected him in return.

That is the evil and, like Tarquin's family and citizens throughout the land, it makes one despair for our society.

The good and the hope came from your report of a teenager soldier who was awarded the George Cross for saving the life of one of his colleagues trapped in a blazing armoured car and attempting to save another. His courage and compassion are in stark contrast to those who condemned Tarquin Turner to an early grave for a few pounds and a mobile phone!

Your comment column expressed the sentiments of all who share Tarquin's parents' grief and hopes that the perpetrators are quickly brought to justice and suitably punished.

Donald Firth, Harrogate Street, Undercliffe.

SIR - Dr Tom Smith's article (T&A, October 28) attacking complementary medicine, was incorrect in many ways.

Firstly, as a scientist, I would like to state that science is based on observations - not theories. After all, orthodox medicine used Aspirin and anaesthetics for many years before their actions could be understood. The lack of an adequate theory does not invalidate the use of any method of healing that works.

Complementary methods do not change like fashions, osteopathy, chiropractic, homeopathy and acupuncture, for starters, are long established and scientifically proven. As for Devil's Claw being contra-indicated when using Warfarin, so is broccoli - but I cannot see it being banned from the greengrocer's. A "Which" survey of people who use complementary medicine showed 80 per cent were "very satisfied."

It is also, in general, extremely safe. Compare this with the million-plus people in the UK addicted to benzodiazepine "tranquillisers" and one can see why some medical practitioners attack safer alternative methods.

Arthur Bailey, Nelson Road, Ilkley.

SIR - When I saw the plans for Bradford centre in 20 years time, that night I had a dream...I saw tens of thousands of tourists getting off platform nine and three-quarters and making their way to the lakeside, where musicians dressed like the Pied Piper were playing to coax millions of rats out of the water, their homes lost when Bradford Beck was reopened.

Bemused councillors were at the windows of the Lord Mayor's office, besieged and horrified... What had gone wrong?

Further down old Thornton Road, poor prostitutes were having to walk along the new bridge after losing their old paths to make way for this progress...Pity poor Bradford!

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Long Lane, Harden

SIR - I recognise the idea of a mudbath next to City Hall as a sarcastic suggestion I made in a reader's letter last December headlined "Devil of the North."

My original version was to demolish everything around City Hall, build a dam from Lister Park to Peel Park, then flood the city centre to make an artificial lake.

Although neither plan would work to halt Bradford's general decline, my idea is more imaginative, spectacular and I submitted it free of charge.

Bradford's Legoland building planners have ruined many fine old buildings and have decades of experience in constructing oversized concrete bunkers. To be fair, it's nearly impossible to please all the different - and greatly divergent - people of Bradford.

Maybe complete sincerity in presenting our common problems would end the tug of war between local political, ethnic, social and other opposing groups. Then with proper priorities, valid rebuilding programmes and united forces, Bradford could become a better, safer and nicer place for all the people who live here.

K Novak, Kingsley Avenue, Bradford 2.

SIR - Having seen the artist's impression of the proposed redevelopment of the city centre (T&A, October 27), I have to say that two words spring to mind: "dinner" and "dog's".

As for the proposed lake, there is a small fountain and water feature on the proposed site already, which is not kept clean and rubbish-free, so what could we expect with something a hundred times larger?

I suggest the planners go back to the drawing boards and keep in mind why the developements of the 1960s and 1970s are being removed.

William Oliver, Fairhaven Green, Idle

SIR - May I thank the people who came to my aid when I had a bad fall at the junction of Leeds Old Road and Harrogate Road on Tuesday, October 28?

They were very kind to me but I was too shocked to ask their names. I think I said, "Thank you," but, if not, I am saying it now. Thank you all very very much.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.

SIR - Isn't it time for the Council to stop dreaming about the future and concentrate on the present?

It's no good having lots of staff going around telling us what needs doing when there aren't enough frontline troops or money to do it.

F Butterfield, Thornbury Renewal Group, Nottingham Street, Bradford 3

SIR - The good news is that the NHS has reported a dramatic 10.3 per cent fall in the cancer death rate compared with six years ago. Because cancer rates are twice as high for manual workers than for professionals, this dramatic change is especially important for people hereabouts.

This advance shows that the investment of our taxes is creating more than a reduction in overall waiting times, important though that is. We all know "speed is of the essence" in stopping the spread of a cancer.

Six years ago, more than a third of patients had to wait more than a fortnight to see a specialist. Now there's been an increase of a third in the number of cancer specialists (an extra 940 consultants), so only two percent now wait more than a fortnight. All this is expensive but the NHS expects to double these cancer improvements over the next six years.

Cancers are complex and difficult conditions where big advances take time to come through. More than 300,000 people have been helped by the NHS to give up smoking since special help was introduced.

That will generate further reductions in the scourge of cancer over the years to come.

Andrew Dundas, Parish Ghyll Drive, Ilkley

SIR - Why does it get harder to drive around these days? I'm not talking about speed cameras, but traffic lights, pedestrian islands etc.

My journey to work is now 20 minutes longer because of these so-called traffic measures. The most absurd one is on Harrogate Road, where there is a pedestrian island only a short distance from a zebra crossing with another island in the middle of it. Yet, where measures are needed, nothing gets done.

Something is required on Oak Lane where drivers - you know who you are - coming from North Park Road pull straight out instead of giving way, as they should according to the sign.

Every day I see this happen and I'm sure other drivers will agree it does our head in. It's an accident waiting to happen.

Tanver Khan, Lynton Drive, Heaton

SIR - No doubt some of your readers would consider that the Rev John Walker went a touch OTT with his dire warnings about the demonic forces threatening us during Halloween (T&A, October 29).

The political junkies are, no doubt, enjoying the Tory effort, though, involving "spooking" IDS and replacing him with "something of the night" to use the now blonde bombshell Ann Widdecombe's delightful phrase.

So now we move to Guy Fawkes who, too, had an interest in MPs so can we do our best to make it safe for everyone and ensure that our beloved pets are well out of harm's way.

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.

SIR - Robert Mugabe seized all white-owned farms in Zimbabwe, ruining the economy and crops which feed the people. He said at the time he wanted all white people out of the country. The UK did nothing about this.

Now I read the UK has sent £9 million since September 2001 to feed starving people of that country. Will Mugabe be eating his words about white people now? I think not!

J D Maude, Deanstones Lane, Queensbury.