Letters to the Editor

Now it's time for Bradfordians to be bold and back them.

It is right we should be consulted on the detail: this is our city after all, but as your comment (T&A, October 15) said, let's "do so with an open mind".

Bradford is "home" to my organisation, which is charged with changing people's lives through learning. We have no doubt there is a direct link between the environment and someone's ability or desire to learn.

So we take more than a passing interest in this masterplan and are certainly ready to play our part in bringing new life and learning right into the heart of the city.

While David West of Alsops is right to say Bradford has to take the time to have confidence in itself and not be in a rush to develop, I suggest the perceived lack of any "rush" has made many sceptical.

So we need some early "wins" on this development. Now is not the time for faint hearts. Let's go for it.

Gary Rae, Executive Manager for Corporate Affairs, West Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council, Manchester Road, Bradford.

SIR - While it would be easier to be cynical, given recent high-profile flops such as West End and Superdome, the plans announced this week should be fully supported by every Bradfordian if we are to arrest the steep decline of the city.

It needed something radical and now requires the combined will of public and private bodies to really make this bold plan come to life.

I cannot help feeling this is the best and perhaps final chance, so good luck to all concerned.

Steve Wilson, Westfield Lane, Idle.

SIR - Wow! Now that it's been proposed, the T&A and the people of Bradford have to make sure it happens. We owe it to our kids.

I don't care where the money comes from. When I recall the broken promises in the past and the wasted money, I doubt that our civic leaders are capable of pulling it off but, by heck, I hope and pray they can.

So, T&A, keep them on their toes. Let's make it happen. GO FOR IT!

John R Armitage, Sutton Avenue, Swain House, Bradford.

SIR - The bare-faced effrontery of the letter from Iftikhar Ahmad of the London School of Islamics (Letters, October 14) is incredible! He blames the "honour killing" of a Muslim girl by her father on her (westernised) education instead of on his. He describes the father's action as "un-Islamic". He, we must presume, had an Islamic education and that did not seem to have taught him it was "un-Islamic" to murder.

Can we be sure that a Muslim school would not defend such intolerant and primitive attitudes? Anyone in a non-denominational state school who taught that murder can be justified would soon be disciplined.

Only when all go to non-faith schools have we any chance of getting a tolerant and open-minded generation.

Robert Tee, Honorary Secretary, Humanist Society of West Yorkshire, Foxholes Crescent, Calverley.

SIR - It is implied by Mr Ahmad that a western education was at least partially responsible for the death of the young Muslim girl recently killed by her father. Surely a western education is most appropriate when growing up in a western country?

Is it not cultural intolerance on the part of the father that is the main reason behind the tragedy?

Schooling in the UK should be responsive to all faiths and needs, separate schools are not going to create a truly integrated society.

Tony Watt, Titus Street, Saltaire.

SIR - Anyone who thinks that Germans have changed from what they used to be - think again. Through the EU they are trying to rule the whole of Europe which we stopped Hitler doing in the Second World War.

If you vote for union with the EU, you are helping the Germans to achieve their goal and so you are traitors to England and all the people who died trying to defend you.

Tony Blair has no right to do so, but has denied a referendum. But I beg all of you to demand a vote, otherwise you will all lose your independence and liberty.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.

SIR - This is a letter of sincere appreciation for a branch of government which really deserves it. I am Bradford born and educated. I emigrated to Canada in 1957 but "home" is Yorkshire and I have been fortunate to be able to visit many, many times.

For the past ten years, I and family members in Bradford have had occasional meetings with the Bradford North Social Services personnel at Undercliffe with regard to problems concerning elderly parents.

I am so very pleased to be able to say that we have always been greeted in a courteous and professional manner both on the telephone and in person. From reception to duty social workers, everyone has always been caring about our problem and has always taken appropriate action quickly.

The results have always satisfied us and made things better for all people concerned. Social Service workers have so much responsibility in their work and it is impossible to satisfy all requests but, from my experience with them at Bradford North, they really care and they really try.

Please give them the respect they deserve.

Marina Midgley, Dunlop Crescent, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

SIR - The debate over the potential lowering of the age of voting to 16 is a cause for dismay. Far from increasing the number of voters with the power to influence costly decisions for which none of them have made any financial contributions, they should be reduced.

I object to anyone who has paid no council tax, no income tax and no National Insurance contributions having the right to vote into office MPs and councillors who have control over the spending of my hard-earned money.

The best way to encourage apathetic voters is for our elected representatives to convince them that they have learned from some of the stupid mistakes they have made in the past by getting Bradford and the country into a better state than they have got them into at present.

Alan Sigley, Bronshill Grove, Allerton.

SIR - Is it any wonder people are leaving Bradford? We appear to have a volume of mindless idiots whose only pleasure in life is setting off fireworks in daylight! Can someone tell me why?

For the last three weeks, they have also been setting them off as early as 3am. It is probably the same sad, mindless idiots whose only achievement in life seems to be riding screaming motorbikes around and around in circles.

These people do not care about anyone but themselves.

Will this Council follow the example of Sheffield and, I am sure, others who are clamping down on this loutish behaviour? I doubt it.

Mrs M Forrest, Kings Road, Bradford.

SIR - If anyone has bought any used electric saws or drills in the last few days, please think: they may have been stolen from an old age pensioner.

Thieves broke into my 80-year-old husband's shed last Thursday and cleaned out all the electrical items - despite double locks on the door.

The police do not come to see you; they only give you a crime number. I just hope this letter pricks the thieves' conscience.

Mrs W Taylor, Granton Street, Bradford Moor.

SIR - My nominations for persons to switch on Bradford's Christmas lights this year are: Jordan - for making us all laugh; Kimberley Walsh - we haven't seen enough of her; Gareth Gates - it's tradition; Robbie Paul - he's ace; Linda Barker - for being a survivor!

As for the demolition work in the city centre, the T&A's Mike Priestley should trigger the dynamite - it will cheer him up!

J C Taylor, Park Hill Drive, Bradford 8.