Letters to the Editor

Obviously Mr Brown has an acute sense of social history, but equally obviously, has no aesthetic sense whatsoever. This structure is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture on the grand scale, and its destruction would be wicked act of cultural vandalism. It must be preserved for future generations to enjoy, long after crumblies such as Mr B and myself are no more!

If Norman's logic is followed, then the Colosseum in Rome should be bulldozed because of the ghastly events which took place there. Or, closer to home, the Leeds-Liverpool Canal filled in and the Ribblehead viaduct dynamited because of all the navvies who perished during their construction.

To assuage Mr Brown's historical sensibilities, might I recommend the frequently-quoted lines from L P Hartley's novel, The Go-Between - 'The past is another country. They do things differently there.'

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley, Leeds.

SIR - With reference to N Brown's letter of December 6, my mother left school at 14 and had worked half days since the age of 12.

She worked, along with her sister, brothers and father, in one of the dark satanic mills and had many happy memories. She was intelligent, healthy and happy and died at the age of 97.

It was a different era 100 years ago and these satanic mills made Bradford the proud and prosperous city it was in my youth. Neighbour helping neighbour, no vandalism or muggings - a much safer city.

Mrs M Sharp, Oakleigh Avenue, Clayton.

SIR - I have been a customer of Luther Wright's for many years. I used to buy gerbils and hamsters when my children were young and I still buy the occasional goldfish for myself - many of these fish have had to be released when they outgrew their tanks and I still occasionally see them swimming free.

I continue to buy dog and bird food there. I have never found the shop objectionable, hence my amazement at the allegation that it is 'one of the worst in the UK.'

A pet shop is not a chemist's or grocer's. I expect animals to do the things that animals must do. I would certainly object if I saw animals being pre-packed in clinically-clean containers.

Parrots, like dogs (and people!), get old. They can still have a decent quality of life. An old parrot locked in a super clean cage is a far more miserable creature than one that could happily wander the shop. I am very disappointed with The Consumer Association and our Council.

Brian Rhodes, Allerton Road, Bradford.

SIR - I have been a customer of Luther Wright's pet shop in Bradford for over 25 years. During this time I have got to know the owner Mr Peter Booth and his assistant John very well.

Peter has given me excellent advice and help in matters appertaining to the feeding of my Boxer dogs. He and John have always been helpful in obtaining for me information and other items that I have required from time to time.

I now give him all my support in view of the adverse publicity his shop has received in the local press and the media as I am sure will all his regular customers over his many years of business in Bradford.

May Bentley, Shelf Moor, Shelf, Halifax.

SIR - I write in response to the article in the T&A (December 5) headed 'Pet shop one of the worst in the UK'. In all the years I have been a customer of Luther Wright's, I've never heard anything so absurd in my life as mis-treatment of animals and have never witnessed such events. This article upset me tremendously. I am a loyal friend of both Peter and John and have been for a long time.

My daughter and I are regular customers just like Ian Collins and have never had course to complain about anything. As for the 'ill' parrot - Squawky is bald not ill as checked out by an international 2000 veterinary group vet. Furthermore Squawky is not for sale and welcomes new and established customers to the premises.

I do hope that the article does not damage the reputation that Peter and John have worked hard to establish over the years.

Joyce Clarke, Heatherlands Avenue, Denholme, Bradford BD13

SIR - May I express my sincere thanks, and those of my daughter Mrs Valerie Brown, to the Bradford Festival Choral Society for their wonderful performance of Handel's Messiah on December 7.

This choir - though sadly depleted, like the audience - never fail to give 100 per cent. As for the soloists, particularly the soprano who sang beautifully, may they all go on to greater things.

As for the Northern Sinfonia and the conductor Matthew Best, they are a joy to listen to and watch.

It was good, for a few all-too-short hours, to forget the doom and gloom and revel in the uplifting performance of Handel's masterpiece.

Mrs M Hardman, Church Street, Manningham.

SIR - What has happened to Bradford? On Saturday afternoon my daughter went to town and within ten minutes she had her purse stolen yet again. She was very upset and angry, but the police and the shop involved seemed not to be interested at all.

She and her friends usually go to Leeds. This was a one off but never again will she go to Bradford. How sad, not only because of what happened but she said that she felt very unsafe in town with gangs of youths hanging around. Nobody makes eye contact and there is a feeling of unease.

My grandad was a councillor for Bradford and was very proud, but I don't think he would be now. I say take a leaf out of Leeds; not only is it pleasant to shop there but also people smile!

Miss N Smith, Dallam Avenue, Saltaire, Shipley.

SIR - I have just returned home after a wonderful stay in Yorkshire. In my final week there, I was able to watch the Children In Need concert (November 15, BBC1) after putting my three-year-old to bed.

As a mother, if my child was in need of specialised care, I would want the care to be accessible both financially and physically.

To watch the concert and observe the public generosity was wonderful, although it is a sad world when funds needed for children are not provided by the Government. Instead, a celebrity concert is needed to rely on people's charity.

I applaud the overwhelming generosity of the viewers but at the same time these needs should be met by a Government that is for the people, especially the children, our future.

S Brook, Watson, Australia.

SIR - Having read the report about the mast in the bell tower at St Barnabas Church, if only 25 protesters from an area of Ashwell Road, Rossefield Road and Quarry Street bothered to turn up obviously no one takes the threat of danger very seriously.

Incidentally if these people are so concerned about the health of their children, why was a very small child standing outside the church on a very wet and cold morning without a head covering?

How many of these people have mobile phones?

M Sheik, Rossefield Road, Heaton.

SIR - A policeman runs after a man, catches him, pushes him. The poor victim falls flat on the ground. Another policeman drags him by the collar and throws him in the car. And off they go.

This is not a story from a third world country nor from an ignorant country where a dictator rules.

It happened here in Bradford in front of the Jobcentre just behind the T&A office in broad daylight watched by dozens of people.

The poor man did not look like a robber and did not carry any weapon. But what was his sin or crime to be treated like this?

Especially when Bradford is recovering its reputation from racist riots, this sort of behaviour will destroy all efforts towards achieving it.

Uzair Ahmed, Napier Road, Bradford BA3