Letters to the Editor

Every New Year celebrations force guide dogs and other working dogs to retire after being traumatised by the irresponsible use of fireworks. Others have to be sedated and some even retrained, leaving their owners without mobility for weeks at a time.

We are calling for the licensing of fireworks retailers and organisers of public fireworks displays; limitation of noise levels; and the specifying of a limited number of dates in the public calendar around which fireworks can be sold. Outside of these times, sales to the public would not be permitted.

Your readers can pledge their support by logging on to Guide Dogs' website www.guidedogs.org.uk and signing the petition. Alternatively phone us on 0118 983 8242 or e-mail, guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk for postal copies of the petition. All signatures will be presented to the Government in early 2003.

Geraldine Peacock, chief executive, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Reading, Berkshire.

SIR - Thankfully the powers-that-be have a positive, upbeat approach to Bradford's future despite the withdrawal of funding by Yorkshire Forward from the Forster Square redevelopment scheme and losing the Capital of Culture bid.

We as Bradfordians need to have faith in the city and faith in what is trying to be done for its betterment. There is no point in moaning for the sake of moaning.

National and local patriotism is something looked on as old-fashioned and not with this modern age but in my view until we begin to think more positively about our nation and our city there is little hope for the future.

Yes, there are many things wrong with Bradford and mistakes have been made, but the person hasn't been born who doesn't make a mistake. Criticise our city fathers by all means but ensure it's constructive criticism.

Collectively we can make a difference and raise both commercial and cultural levels. The heart needs to be restored to the city centre and ideas afoot to house our glorious historic archives either within City Hall or a new purpose-built central library would not only be the centrepiece but the catalyst for further improvements. Bradfordians need to open their eyes.

Graham Hall, Micklethwaite, Bingley.

SIR - I watched the BBC documentary about those protesting against the terms given to the individuals guilty of involvement with the Bradford riots.

I am dismayed firstly that the guilty are being turned into martyrs and secondly that their families believe the jail terms are a product of a campaign against Muslims. I simply despair for the future of the city in which I was born that such attitudes are prevalent.

The campaigners need reminding that the vast majority of Bradford citizens support the sentences and that a no-tolerance campaign on crime is long overdue. The city is in fear and being held to ransom by a visible and not insignificant anti-social and criminal minority of its residents.

The statistics and headlines speak for themselves. Bradford is no longer a desirable place to live. People have already given up on it as a shopping centre. The city is heading for meltdown despite all the attempts at feelgood stories. Leniency on crime is only going to accelerate the spiral of decline.

Phil Smith, Harewood Avenue, Heckmondwike.

SIR - I would just like to say how much I enjoyed the Women's Forum at the Carlisle Business Centre last Tuesday week. It was well-organised and the women were really enjoying themselves. It is a good way of getting women to socialise and good for capacity building.

Thanks to the organisers, and well done.

Rehana Kauser, Manningham & Girlington SRB, Carlisle Business Centre, Carlisle Road, Bradford 8

SIR - The decision by Yorkshire Forward to withdraw funding from the proposed Broadway development was undoubtedly a blow to the scheme, even though it does not put it in jeopardy.

However, to accuse the Government of deliberately trying to foil a major regeneration scheme in the city because Bradford has a Tory Council is blatant nonsense (T&A Comment, December 4).

How does this conspiracy theory square with the news, which came just two days after that Comment, that Bradford Council has received a "record spending settlement from the Government"?

I think you will find it was previous Tory governments in the 1980s and 1990 who starved Bradford of investment and funding.

I don't recall your newspaper ever springing to the defence of the predominantly Labour-led councils at the time as they battled to cope with the assault from Thatcher, Major & Co.

Bill Lowe, Moore Avenue, Bradford 7.

l EDITOR'S NOTE: Actually, we did have a go at the Tory Government on Bradford's behalf on numerous occasions. Mr Moore should also bear in mind that it was Labour MPs who described it as a "record settlement". And to answer his initial point, we didn't "accuse" anyone. We merely begged the question

SIR - How can BT expect to get people to pre-register their interest in Broadband when there is little or no advertising on this? Sure they spent millions of pounds on their national advertising but when people check to see if they can receive Broadband all they get is a negative response and alternative suggestions such as satellite, which is not cost-effective for most people.

BT need to advertise their pre-registration scheme in order to build up an interest.

Places like Burley and Addingham are mostly residential and this is where the main demand is. Today's online games for instance are unplayable on traditional modems now and most websites are very demanding, making normal browsing a chore.

People need to be made aware that there is something they can do to spur BT into action. But it all comes down to BT's need to inform potential customers that they can pre-register their interest.

Brian Ellwood, Willow Tree Gardens, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

SIR - Several years ago I was a volunteer with CSV (Community Service Volunteers), the national volunteering charity, although I have since lost touch with many of those I worked with.

I know that CSV is now hoping to get back in contact with some of the million-plus people who have volunteered through the charity over the last 40 years. It's no mean feat, as anybody who has reviewed their Christmas-card list will agree!

If you, or somebody you know, was a former CSV volunteer, CSV would dearly love to hear from you. The charity is trying to find out what former volunteers went on to do and the impact that their volunteering experience had on them.

Who knows - you might even manage to meet up with some of those other volunteers that you worked with. You can write to Georgina Stevens, CSV, 237 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NJ.

Keith Allen (actor), c/o Community Service Volunteers.

SIR - What planet does Les Brotherton come from (Letters, December 18)? He always seems to come across as so patronising and ill-informed.

He rants on about Saudia Arabia never giving anything towards famine relief. I lived out in Saudi Arabia for 21 years and they are one of the most generous and hospitable peoples on this planet. They don't need to shout from the rooftop what they have given the poor. It's one of the pillars of their religion.

During- Ramadan alone individual, private and government charitable contributions amount to more than $1 billion, which is given out to countries in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Leon Whittaker, Haworth Road, Bradford 9

SIR - In reply to various readers' letters about the lack of integration by the Asian community, can I point out some facts.

When the Asians first started to arrive it was the white landlords who put signs up in their windows saying "NO BLACKS". It was members of the white community who moved out of their houses if an Asian person moved in next door, as they did not like the smell of curry at the time. It was the white community who moved their children out of schools that began to take in a significant number of Asian children.

I am not in the least surprised that they in turn have not bothered to make the effort too.

Derek Bell, St Michael's Road, Bradford 8

SIR - I should like to see Great Britain working more closely with Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi will never be forgotten by India. I wish peace between India and Pakistan.

Finally I am glad to hear that Iraqis have met in London and I hope we can help them with democracy!

Derek Dunlevy, c/o Oakhurst Nursing Home, Bradford 8.