SIR - Recently in his "Three of the best" selection of favourite walks from 2002, Mike Priestley referred to Chellow Dene as one of them. We recently moved on to Rudding Avenue with direct access from North Parade over the quarry, down to the reservoir.

This is how directions to West Bradford's natural beauty spot would read:

1. Embark at Saffron Drive.Walk uphill towards North Parade. At the far end go down Farmers Lane. As you pass, notice the burnt-out remains of his allotments, recently set fire to. Straight ahead is the quarry. Pause to view the nine torched cars, some there since August 15, 2002! (Am I right that if you live in Saltaire they are an eyesore and removed within the hour?).

2. Carry on the top side of the quarry. Follow the path down towards the reservoir. This should be a breathtaking view, but alas is ruined with fly-tipping.

3. Now you've reached the beauty spot, the reservoir is full of lager cans, glass bottles and the fishermen's broken white plastic garden chairs.

Come on T&A, an article please to highlight what could and should be a safe, peaceful place to visit.

Janet Nicholson, Rudding Avenue, Allerton.

SIR - I do feel that someone should speak out for Sir Ken Morrison after the remarks by Daniel Penn and Carole Ver.

It's not that long ago that Ken gave thousands of pounds to the appeal to help raise money for a scanner.

Despite all of his wealth, what other person in his position helps out on the shop floor, queues in the restaurant for a cup of tea and pays for it, when he could just sit down and get someone to bring it to him?

I cannot speak for all the charities, but we at Cat Rescue are delighted we are allowed to have a bin in to collect cat food all year round, and a stall to raise funds at the Victoria Store.

Sir Ken helps us, so it's unfair to be criticised when only he knows how much he helps different organisations.

Not all donations should be given on the chance they will hit the headlines to make someone look good.

Jenny Sampson (Cat Rescue), Rossmore Drive, Allerton.

SIR - In a recent letter Carol Ver, of Allerton Road, asks if Sir Ken Morrison has given to local charities.

I would like her to know that when I was raising money for the equipment needed for the Talking Telegraph for the Blind of Bradford and district, I received a generous cheque from Sir Ken.

K Eastell, Rylstone Road, Baildon.

SIR - It was interesting to read that Bradford Ice Arena are going to match the Sportsmatch cash "in kind" for the Ice Hockey Club by providing the venue and facilities free of charge (T&A, January 9), when they have a couldn't-care-less attitude towards the people who are already committing their time and money to ice skating.

My children and I have been figure skating and have taken lessons for over five years and spend hundreds of pounds every year at the rink. We receive no special offers, benefits or anything "in kind" for the amount of money we pay, yet every time we go to the rink we are appalled because of what we have to endure there: litter strewn all over from the night before, including food; chewing gum that has been stuck to the seats and has ruined three pair of trousers; filth all over the place; and the ice itself that is often rough and unsuitable for skating on as it has not been properly re-surfaced.

Also there are not enough tutors to meet the demand for private lessons.

Maybe it's things like this that are causing falling numbers at the rink. It's put me off. I no longer skate but my children do.

The management should feel ashamed. There are NO excuses for the state of the rink. If they can't get anyone to clean up they should do it themselves!

Bev Pedley, Park Square, Wibsey.

l Mr J B Whitaker, director of Bradford Ice Arena, said: "I apologise to Mrs Pedley for the lack of response to her complaints. Unfortunately these have not been brought to my or my co-directors' attention.

"As rink operators we are totally committed to the sport of figure skating. We provide subsidised learn-to-skate classes and group lessons for beginners, subsidised ballet classes at our teatime sessions and for our committed skaters heavily-subsidised monthly season tickets which provide admission to all ice and ballet sessions. The costs of private lessons and ice at our rink are probably the cheapest in the country.

"The cleanliness of the rink first thing in the morning is a difficult problem. We accept that litter left at the end of a busy evening session can still be there when we re-open for figure skaters at 6am. We cannot afford to employ overnight cleaners so our cleaners start at 8am to get the rink ready for the public sessions. When our cleaners blob, management and staff, often assisted by customers, work to get the rink ready for the start of these sessions. I have done this myself.

"Getting tutors to provide private lessons at times that are convenient to customers is not a simple matter. About eight years ago, by subsidising his pay, we managed to recruit a top coach from the Ukraine. We did this because of the problem in getting experienced coaches to come to Bradford. He is now booked up at popular times but still has lessons available on morning patch ice, as do all our other self-employed coaches."

SIR - Some time ago I remember reading in your letters page about someone complaining about the length of time they had to wait to get an appointment at the audiology department at the Bradford Royal Infirmary.

My mum, who is 98 years young, has been waiting since October 9 last year. Six months ago I rang up about going privately and could have had an appointment the following day. The drawback being they could not give me an estimate of the cost involved.

I have just rung up again and the waiting list is still two years. This gives me great concern about our National Health Service.

Monica R Leyburn, Westfield Lane, Wrose.

SIR - Isn't there something even faintly obscene about a government spraying money, in the form of so-called Tax Credits, at people earning up to £66,000, yet at the same time taxing the savings and dividends of pensioners with incomes of around £10,000 who don't qualify for the pension Tax Credit?

Alan Carcas, Cornmill Lane, Liversedge.

SIR - It's all very well for Mr Paul Gates, Gareth's father, to make snide remarks about the tabloid press (T&A, January 14).

However, what does he expect from the Daily Star? This sexist title seemingly features Pop Idols and Girls Aloud and One True Voice every day (if possible).

If Gareth and his friends do not like publicity, they know where Bradford's Job Centre is!

John C Taylor, Park Hill Drive, Bradford 8.