Letters to the Editor

Firstly, yes, Bradford does have problems with firework misuse and abuse. Inconsiderate use of these noisy but beautiful explosives cause the elderly, infirm or the very young grief because of the sudden and often prolonged noise.

Pets are also seriously affected. Because dogs' hearing is more acute than humans the noise causes panic and discontent. Guide dogs have been targeted and this causes great problems not only for the dog but also for their owners.

The more frightening aspects of firework misuse and abuse are the injuries caused mainly to young people. Bradford is top of the DTI injuries list. The laws regarding sales are dealt with by Trading Standards; noise is covered by Environmental Health; throwing, dangerous use and discharge of fireworks is dealt with by the police.

If anyone is still not happy then contact your MP.

Marsha Singh, Ann Cryer and Gerry Sutcliffe all support the changes in the laws that are being called for in Parliament.

Bradford Council and relevant agencies are running a firework safety and awareness campaign this year, so keep your eyes open. Competitions are running in schools, so everyone can be involved.

Elizabeth Hellmich, (SAFE Project and Firework Safety campaigner), Parkside Grove, Heaton.

SIR - I don't think we are all any more or less intelligent than we were, say 50 years ago. Whether GCSE and A-level exams have become easier, or modern pupils are better students or better taught, is a matter of individual opinion.

What is certain is that exam results are better than they ever have been, which means more smiling, happy pupils. So this must be a good thing.

The problem is that when you finally finish your education, the crop of good results does not necessarily result in a larger supply of good jobs. There will be more competition, and higher grades may be needed for the same opportunity.

If you want to become a doctor, you will find that many medical schools have more applicants with three or more A-level A grades than they can find places for. It may be wise to have a second choice of career.

I hope everybody finds a fulfilling occupation, which does not necessarily have to be a highly-paid one. I always think how lucky I am to do something I really enjoy. So good luck, everyone.

Keith Trobridge (Personal Tutor), Otley Road, Shipley.

SIR - Voluntary Service Overseas may have realised the benefit of my experience (T&A, August 27) at 63 years old by sending me on a fascinating assignment to Ethiopia from 2000-3. I was the adviser in educational management to the Ethiopian Civil Service College.

Africans respect age and so I was always heard politely - even if my suggestions were by no means always carried out! In two years I could not alter very much the mind-set of 1,700 undergraduates and 150 graduate staff. What I was trying to do was important since the key to development in African countries is a civil service capable of planning change and of using aid.

I benefited by learning a great deal about an ancient and cultured country - and about myself.

If anyone over 50 is interested in knowing about opportunities with VSO for people with technical or professional skills, they can e-mail me on dumelama2000@yahoo.co.uk.

The essence of aid is skill transfer, not famine relief.

John D Anderson, Gillbeck Close, Baildon.

SIR - Re C M Taylor's comments regarding Shipley Glen Tramway (Letters, August 27).

It is true the tramway is run entirely by volunteers (who deserve a medal) but untrue that it has only operated two days a week. It has run five days each week through the school holidays and from the beginning of September will revert to weekends only.

The bottom shop/station was burgled once earlier this month and a lot of damage was done but the volunteers did the repairs and cleaned up and ran the tramway the same day. The tramway has been broken into a total of four times this year.

Everybody wants the tramway to continue but volunteers are few and we would welcome C M Taylor to come along and help. Were there sufficient volunteers it would open every day through the summer.

The tramway is and has been since 1895 a heritage trip through natural woodland and is not overgrown and unkempt. A dedicated few give their own time to support it and plans for funding to implement the recommendations of experts' engineering, electrical and building surveys (which cost the tramway £8,000) are being made.

We are extremely positive about the future and are not under any circumstances defeatist.

Richard Freeman (Trustee, Shipley Glen Tramway), Ashfield Drive, Baildon

SIR - So Councillor David Ward and Mubarik Iqbal (T&A, August 26) both agree that those of us who disapprove of plans for Asian school children to be taught in non-English languages are "off our trolley".

Apparently the outcry at plans to introduce a policy that is unpopular and racially divisive, that lacks widespread support, and which will fuel further cultural isolationism is unjustified.

Coun Ward should remember the first rule of democracy: the will of the majority prevails, and that his inability and unwillingness to listen to the fair and reasonable view of this majority will be reflected in the next elections, when all those disgruntled correspondents he chooses to ignore and ridicule vote him out.

G Stevens, White Abbey Road, Bradford.

SIR - I have had three weeks' convalescence by the sea and I am back to my old self now. I thank the good doctors of Thornton for all their help.

Re Mr D Simpson's letter (August 7) about me taking antibiotics. He might not have any faith in his doctors but when he gets as old as me he could change his mind.

My point was that no-one cares about people today and are not bothered about sneezing and coughing over anyone. As for the spitting, we have more with TB.

As you get older your immunity is poor and you pick germs up easily.

I was brought up to cover my mouth when I had a cough and use a hanky when sneezing.

Veronica Farnell, Market Street, Thornton.

SIR - So Councillor David Ward thinks the Key Stage 2 results "aren't good enough". May I assure him, on behalf of all Key Stage 2 teachers, and Year 6 in particular, that we are working ourselves and our children into the ground, as are the subject advisers and course leaders.

The remedy is obvious...brain transplants!

Mary Greaves, Springswood Avenue, Shipley.