Letters to the Editor

One reader accused those who don't worship the mediocre Gareth Gates and Will Young as "talking out of their backsides" while another one labelled anti-bloodsport supporters as "sad plonkers" for daring to suggest that fish feel pain.

I find the dumbing-down of conversation, debate and argument in British society as tragic. Is "lager lout" language really going to replace carefully-considered debate?

As it happens I find it comforting that many people resent manufactured pop stars, and I also regard it as quite obvious that living things like fish feel pain! But I won't crucify those that disagree.

By all means challenge views and perceptions, but articulate it in a civilised manner. It's a desperate ploy for the vanquished in debate to sneer at their protagonists. It's much more difficult to take them on in an intellectual manner.

I suggest they study the perennial writers like Messrs Dallas, Houseman and Brotherton for outspoken but well-researched considered argument.

P J Hunter, Herbert Street, Saltaire.

SIR - It is no doubt as a result of internal squabbles in the conservative party that Peter Davies (the Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate for Shipley) makes his preposterous defence of Tony Martin who callously shot a defenceless youth in the back.

If only all such crimes were treated so leniently then I could put into practise my long-held view that the only fit treatment for politicians is hanging by the neck from the nearest lamp-post.

Five years would be a small price to rid the world of one of these parasites.

David Simpson, Hirst Avenue, Heckmondwike.

SIR - The Government spokesman on angling, Martin Salter MP, has declared that "The anti-fishing lobby is a few extreme vegans. It's nothing we take seriously." He deludes himself.

The angling world finds itself now in the position of the hunting world some years ago, when many hunting people thought that the opposition could be disregarded as the work of a few freaks and fanatics. There are, of course, no reasonable grounds for the banning of either fishing or hunting and both make substantial contributions to the conservation of our environment and wildlife. Both have many knowledgeable participants from all areas of the community, who would not engage in their pastimes if they found them cruel.

One thing is certain, however. If hunting were banned, all the fire of its opponents would undoubtedly be directed against shooting and angling and it would only be a matter of time before they were unjustly restricted and ultimately banned.

Mr Salter, if you wish to preserve your sport not only for yourself but also for future generations, you must cease your ill-informed campaign against hunting. The continuance of hunting is the bastion for the defence of every other legitimate country sport.

Peter Hole (Countryside Action Network), Green Lane, Shibden, Halifax.

SIR - Regarding last week's letter suggestion that the canal towpath be tarmaced for the cyclist, that would only make it a worse race track than it is now. May I also point out that fishing clubs have to take out public liability insurance to rent water from British Waterways. Cyclists do not pay anything for using the towpath.

If they knock somebody down or do any damage, the victim has to sue either the cyclist or British Waterways.

Keith Brown, Grange Crescent, Riddlesden.

SIR - I am hoping that T&A readers can help me to get a copy of a book published about 1929 (I think) of "Yorkshire Hill Folk" by Jenny Wren, AKA nurse Gaukroger who was the midwife in Queensbury around about that year.

Over the years, family and friends have told me that my Grandma Harrison was mentioned in the book, but not by name, only her very obvious similarities.

I hope someone can help me. Of course I am willing to pay for the book.

Mrs Irene Jones, 16 Long Lane, Queensbury, Bradford, BD13 2LN. Telephone (01274) 883003.

SIR - So we are in for another year of council mis-rule by the Keystone Cops, ie Cons and Lib Dems to the detriment of the council taxpayers.

A prime example is the advertising of the post of Chief Executive at a salary of up to £200,000 per annum which council leader Margaret Eaton justifies.

Personally looking around Bradford and district, especially at the run-down city centre and litter-strewn streets, it needs more than a Chief Executive on an obscene salary.

It needs a proper council working together, ie Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, and others.

What did the last big salaried Chief Executive achieve for the city?

Michael Breen, Bolton Hall Road, Wrose.

SIR - There is a humanitarian crisis that touches all coffee drinkers in Yorkshire. The price we pay for coffee in shops continues to go up while the price paid to coffee farmers is less than they can live on. Most small coffee farmers are losing money with every bag they sell and 25 million farmers face ruin.

Today, coffee industry leaders are meeting to discuss the crisis and to come up with a solution. So far, despite the worsening crisis, the response of world leaders and major coffee companies has amounted to little more then the froth on the top of a cappuccino. They have made statements and agreed something must be done but little concrete action has been taken so far to solve the crisis.

Oxfam is urging governments and coffee companies to seize this opportunity to turn their words into concrete actions and improve the lives of millions of coffee farmers. This is a critical test of whether globalisation can be made to work for the poor as well as the rich.

To join Oxfam's campaign to help coffee farmers, visit www.maketradefair.com or phone 01865 312610.

Kim Tan, Oxfam campaigns officer for Yorkshire, Park Square East, Leeds 1

SIR - I was astounded to hear that sufferers from ME were costing Bradford £31 million a year - £15,000 for each patient. I was told about three years ago that I had this disease and that there was no treatment.

I have severe muscle pain and exhaustion, and have cost the council absolutely nothing. I do what I can, when I can. The rest of the time I suffer in silence.

I am quite willing to send money for research into a possible cure, as I do regularly for cancer, but nothing seems to be happening.

Apparently it either suddenly disappears or you can stick with it.

We are told it is not terminal, but in my opinion it might as well be.

M Cook, Hall Bank Drive, Bingley.

SIR - Some 18 months ago, during an appeal for funds to provide respite care for severely-disabled children, this local Mencap Society was given a Bradford Bulls signed shirt and ball to use to raise funds for the appeal, which has now topped £60,000.

Sadly, we have had difficulty arranging an event which could include these precious items as a prize.

With the euphoria of the Bradford Bulls' recent Cup success, I wonder whether any one of your readers would be interested in either offering to buy the shirt and ball, or could suggest a way of raising some money through them?

I can be contacted at Mencap, 8 Prospect Street, Bridlington, YO15 2AL or telephone (01262) 400453 or email on bridmencap@btconnect.com.

Maureen Pepworth, manager of the charity.

SIR - So the prospect of total fluoridation has once again reared its ugly head. It is as expected for is not our Prime Minister known to be a control freak? As was Maggie Thatcher who forced the water fluoridation bill of 1985 through Parliament with the assistance of Government whips?

Why have successive Prime Ministers been so insistent that fluoridation should be introduced on the false claim that it is by popular demand?

Switzerland abandoned fluoridation on April 9, 2003. After 40 years they found that children had more tooth decay than before. Belgium, which does practise fluoridation, placed a ban on the sale of fluoride supplements and fluoride chewing gum last year.

That Tony Blair (pictured) and subservient Ministers now seek to make fluoridation of all water supplies compulsory, vindicates justifiable suspicions that the real intent is both population and social control.

Dennis Edmondson (secretary of Calderdale Citizens Protect Against Fluoridation), Duck Hill, Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge.