SIR - The T&A office building and the adjacent St George's Hall have been left isolated, so far in front of the "new" Hall Ings building line as to leave no doubt that both have already been condemned to death by Bradford's "culture" oriented planners.

Fortunately, on the Rue la Boetie in Paris, stands St George's Hall's identical twin sister, the Salle Gaveau, built in 1906-7 to the same structural plans by architect Jacques Hermant, using the same interior plasterwork moulds.

Paris is not governed by philistines and vandals. Therefore, in 1992, the city granted the Salle Gaveau "special historic status" and in 2001 undertook a full restoration of its structure and interior decor and fittings.

Several times a week, it presents orchestral and chamber concerts and piano recitals given by world-renowned artistes and conductors (details: www.sallegaveau.com).

Contrast the respective fortunes of these twin architectural treasures; the one lovingly restored and fulfilling its cultural role; the other dilapidated and filthy, awaiting execution by the city of non-European-only culture.

L K Gardner, Thornton Road, Thornton.

SIR - When you live in Bradford, opportunities to laugh at our predicament are few and far between. In fact, this year the first opportunity came on December 16 while reading your letters column.

Many thanks to your contributor, K Novak, for the splendid and wholly appropriate idea of our very own "Devil of the North".

Having regained my composure, I was once again depressed by the thought of our police who have "lost the plot" and a Council determined to implement an agenda alien to the wishes of most council tax-paying, law-abiding citizens.

H Chapman, Chellow Terrace, Bradford 9.

SIR - While David Ward's raising of my profile is I suppose quite helpful (T&A Letters, December 7), his last comments are inaccurate and misleading.

On the issue of Welfare Transport I attended one of his private meetings and shared concerns about past poor industrial relations and the effect upon service users. Prior to this I had notified Serco of a demonstration and asked for information, and attended a long meeting with the Council's Chief Executive and Serco management to try and assist the parties resolve the problems.

I suggested (as Councillor Dale Smith acknowledged in Council) that the Council enlist the help of the Hackney Carriage trade in making clear that contracted work could be available to those who can deliver drivers fully clear of criminal history. That would reduce the pressure and allow the most vulnerable to be prioritised.

But where was Coun Ward in all this? I am being slagged off for helping to try to resolve the problem as an Opposition member.

The Council meeting heard of the pain and anguish of parents who rely on a service procured within Coun Ward's portfolio. A discussion at a meeting not open to the public and which cannot make decisions is of no weight.

Councillor Ralph Berry, City Hall, Bradford.

SIR - Readers suggest that all is not well in regard to crime and disorder in Bradford. Incredible! Our highly-paid "spin doctors" - politicians, media and marketing experts who generally live outside the city of Bradford - suggest otherwise. After all we now work on business principles, marketing strategies, statistics, Capital of Culture, capital of Yorkshire etc.

Pensioners are not really getting mugged in Undercliffe and a 6ft 3in rugby player did not get car hi-jacked in Bradford. Alien abductions perhaps? It's a little bit like crop circles and UFOs. Can we believe these people?

Once Bradford had all those silly uniformed policemen on the streets. What a waste of money. Let the private security industry pacify these irrational people.

"Gated communities" already afford private protection to privileged residents in the UK. Those who can pay are separated from the rest by secure estates and security patrols.

The "rest" of those who imagine these crimes can take "pot luck". After all it seems to work with health and education so why not policing?

Les Vasey, Temple Rhydding Drive, Baildon.

SIR - Is there no limit to the arrogance of Mubarik Iqbal? Not satisfied with regularly running this country down, she now extends her rantings to demanding more Pakistani TV channels.

There's a lady lives over the road from me who comes from Fiji. She no doubt pays her TV licence fee, so perhaps there should be more Fijian channels!

What about the Chinese, the Polish, or the Jewish communities? We don't hear them whingeing about everything British, the reason being that they have accepted the hospitality of this country and also accepted our language.

Compared to the number of white viewers, the Pakistanis make up a small percentage of licence payers, and they most certainly do not merit any special consideration.

Jim Gladden, Ashbourne Way, King's Park, Bradford 2.

SIR - Having just been fitted with new specs, I started to read the T&A as usual. I looked in disbelief at the centre page with the architect's drawings of the proposed alteration to City Hall. I instinctively thought I should get my eyes tested.

But if what I saw was correct, all I can say is - "Beam me up, Scotty!"

Kenneth E Higgins, Bempton Court, Great Horton.

SIR - Re Cynthia Trasi's letter of December 11 in which she states that Britain became "Great" by taking from the rest of the world.

The word "Great" in Great Britain is used to describe an amalgamation of countries. There are many places in our country called "Great" or even "Little". Does she think there is some arrogance or vanity in these names as well?

She says she would like Britain to become "good" by giving to others! Many people in Great Britain are sickened by what we are giving to other peoples of the world at the expense of many of our own most vulnerable citizens, whose families have given far more than just money.

Great Britain is the most generous country in the world. That's why so many people want to live here.

Gary Lorriman, Long Lane, Harden

SIR - Yorkshire Cancer Research is delighted to be a member of the consortium of charities behind the national Remember a Charity campaign that seeks to encourage people to remember a charity in their will.

Since Yorkshire Cancer Research was established in 1925, thousands of Yorkshire folk have made donations in their wills to enable us to fund research into the cause and cure of cancer at centres in Leeds, Bradford, Hull, Sheffield and York. For this support, past, present and future, we are deeply indebted.

However, currently only 4.3 per cent of the UK population remembers a charity in their will, despite 67 per cent supporting charities on a regular basis. By being part of this national campaign we hope to convince charity supporters that leaving a donation to charity is just another easy way to give and show commitment to a cause.

The scientists, staff and supporters at Yorkshire Cancer Research believe that everyone can leave the world a better place - please give consideration to your legacy.

Mrs Elaine King, Chief Executive, Yorkshire Cancer Research, 39 East Parade, Harrogate.

SIR - As a member of the Bradford Heart Support Group, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the staff at Shipley Baths for their prompt and efficient action in the pool when one of our members (Ken) was taken ill on Monday, December 9.

The reaction to the alarm bell was swift, also the care and interest of the swimmers who had to vacate the pool was second to none.

Ken, I am pleased to say, is now back home. May I wish all the staff at Shipley baths a very merry Christmas and an accident-free New Year.

Mavis Silson, King's Road, Wrose.

SIR - As Mike Priestley observes (North of Watford, December 14) severe winters have melted into history.

This surely begs the question - why haven't OAPs' £200 winter fuel allowance done likewise?

Mick Booth, Corn Mill, Bradford Road, Menston.