SIR - At the invitation of the contractors, my husband and I watched with sadness from the Alhambra theatre as Provincial House was reduced to dust and rubble.

My husband was involved from the very beginning - first as a security officer while it was being constructed and when it became fully operational, then as resident caretaker.

He and I lived in an apartment on the seventh floor for over 14 years. We can recall many happy and sometimes exciting times, such as when the Queen paid a visit, when we received bomb warnings and had to evacuate the building, when the building trembled from an earthquake tremor which shook Bradford.

Interesting times, an interesting building (though there are many who would disagree), a part of the history and scenery of Bradford now gone in the interests of developers.

Mrs Sheila Scurr, Birkdale Close, Cullingworth.

SIR - I was interested in reading in the T&A of August 28 about the demolition of Provincial House but would query its description as a 1960s edifice.

I worked in the Bradford city centre in 1971 and this building was not there then. I would guess that it was built some time in 1972.

Brian Pickford, Summerbridge Crescent, Eccleshill.

l EDITOR'S NOTE: The T&A reported the "topping out" ceremony at Provincial House on March 18, 1970.

SIR - As a student I watched Provincial House in Bradford City Centre being built in stages. At 9am on Sunday I saw it come down in seconds. In the early seventies several historic buildings which could have been renovated were destroyed. Now the site is clear please can we have the Mechanics Institute back?

Jim Brown, Wetherby Close, Stevenage.

SIR - For the first time this century I have to admit I agree with Ms Iqbal. The fact that a terrified woman is to be stoned to death in Nigeria also horrifies me.

Furthermore the fact that this barbaric, medieval torture is to be carried out in the name of Islam is truly unbelievable.

I would have thought every civilised, sane, thinking Muslim in this country would be screaming to have this atrocity stopped and would be demanding that their religious leaders denounce those responsible for this appalling decision.

Possibly the pitiful group of misguided women who feel that a mob of thugs who firebombed a city, injured 300 police officers and attempted to burn a group of people to death should not be severely punished might divert a little of their energies into saving the life of this poor woman. Now that would show that they wanted justice for all.

M Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

SIR - A young woman who has had a child outside marriage has been sentenced by an Islamic court in Nigeria to death by stoning for this most human of errors.

I do not know if the father of this child is being or will be punished for his part. I suspect not.

We have been told by Muslims that these cruel atrocities have no part in the religion of Islam. If this is so, then let all true Muslims tell the people and the Islamic courts of Nigeria that this most vile sentence must not be carried out. Men of all nations must be made to understand that the word "mankind" does mean to rule over womankind. The word encompasses all of us.

I fear that God's teachings are twisted by men to suit their own ends in lots of religious beliefs.

V Griffiths, Crag Road, Windhill, Shipley.

SIR - In the aftermath of the riots it was heartening to see many Muslims assist the police in tracing these thugs. This was a great redeeming feature for the Muslims of Bradford. I felt slightly less embarrassed about it all.

But this goodwill is now rapidly going with the advent of the ludicrous Racial Justice pressure group whose only aim is to release the rioters.

The comparison with white rioters is a misnomer. If there is injustice in that respect they should concentrate more on campaigning for stiffer sentences for the latter to bring them in line with the Asian rioters.

Why can't they be allowed to take their medicine like men? The harm to Bradford was great, but the harm to the Islamic faith was even greater.

M Zafar, Fairbank Road, Bradford 18.

SIR - I am prompted to inquire if Bradford Council's priorities have changed in view of the "Capital of Culture 2008" bid?

It certainly seems as if they have when the Council can hand over £4 million to Bradford Bulls and find over £1 million to fund the aforementioned Capital of Culture bid, while at the same time cutting essential services such as old people's homes (as mentioned in Audrey Raistrick's letter of August 27) and placing interim restrictions on the day-to-day repairs that can be carried out on Bradford Council's housing stock (T&A, August 26).

Or have the Council simply adopted an Orwellian "Animal Farm" policy whereby all citizens are equal but some are more equal than others?

And once again it's the less well off that suffer.

Elisabeth Jennings, Vesper Place, Kirkstall.

SIR - In reply to Councillor Jeanette Sunderland's suggestion that the River Aire at Nab Wood could be used for the scattering of ashes by the Hindu and Sikh communities.

We the members of the Branksome Action Against Flooding group wish to make the following observations as it would appear that Coun Sunderland has not done her homework on this stretch of the river. If she had she would know that across the river from the point where she was sitting is the Dowley Gap sewage works. At times of heavy rainfall the storm overflows from the works also discharge raw sewage into the river.

At this point also the river eddies cause the nearby beck to back up and flood the adjoining land, our gardens and at times our houses.

Therefore before any amenity is provided for any reason whatsoever, flood prevention measures must be undertaken by the Council and/or the Environment Agency to prevent recurrence of the flooding.

We are not surprised that alternative sites are being suggested for the facilities proposed, but do not believe this area to be suitable either.

Bob Green and Howard England, joint chairmen BAAF, Branksome Drive, Nab Wood.

SIR - Bradford Council's official attitude as regards the cross- Bradford heavy rail link is inconsistent with Metro's rail plans which states that it aspires to a rail-compatible link between the two Bradford stations.

On the contrary Bradford Council's official response to a heavy rail link is that it is merely an aspiration, has not been proven to be "deliverable", and will not make a significant contribution towards reviving the city.

In fact the Council favour a retail development for Broadway which, if built according to the existing plans, would effectively prevent a heavy rail link from being built in the future. It is therefore important that the Council seek modifications of the development plans so that a rail corridor is protected between the two stations.

It is important that the long-term future is not sacrificed for short-term benefits. In fact without improved transport services, the full potential of the retail development will not be realised. The link is so strategically important, as Bradford would then be placed at the centre of the rail network, and new direct routes would become available.

Alec Suchi (secretary, Bradford Rail Users Group, Allerton Road, Bradford 15.

SIR - How can the Council propose closing Meadowcroft and other people's homes? Meadowcroft is a marvellous place, with dedicated staff, and some of the residents have lived there for a number of years.

The councillors were voted in to do what's right for Bradford, not to ride roughshod over those who can't look after themselves.

Think again you councillors, or one day you might find yourselves in the same situation, with cold-hearted people turfing you out.

Jane Bentley, West Road, Undercliffe.