SIR - Now we know where Bradford Council's priorities lie - not in its citizens who have helped to form this city in the past, but in how much money they can put in the bank.

At 99 years of age my mother had to go into Meadowcroft Home on Rooley Lane, and now at the tender age of 104 (105 in February) she is totally devastated to learn that her precious home in which she has been completely happy for the last five years is threatened with closure.

Does this Council not care any more about the elderly?

This home is a model of what care should be, with a staff totally dedicated to the care of the residents and where nothing is too much trouble either for the residents or the relatives.

To close this home could have disastrous effects on the residents whose average age is over 90.

So Bradford councillors, if you have any conscience at all. "Think again and keep this home open."

Dennis & Berenice Scanlon, West View Avenue, Wrose.

SIR - I share the anger and frustration that must be felt by those parents, teachers, pupils and governors whose education and working lives will again be disrupted at the end of this summer.

The failure to complete school building projects either ahead of or within time-scales is quite simply unacceptable. There can be no excuses for this continued inability to meet targets.

Your July 29 report quite rightly placed its focus on the disruption to education but made no mention of penalty clauses. Perhaps there will be at least one advantage in that penalty clauses will be invoked and this will ease the financial burden of the transition to a two-tier system of schools.

Surely Bradford Council did not enter into a contract well in excess of £30 million without penalty clauses. If so, it beggars belief.

Ivor Long, Highfield Road, Idle.

SIR - Congratulations to Bradford Council on their recent adoption of a Fairtrade policy. By guaranteeing a fair deal for Third World farmers, purchasing Fairtrade goods helps to make the world a better place for all.

For instance coffee prices are so low at the moment that there is pressure on some farmers to switch to less benign crops, such as cocaine, simply to feed their families.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Fairtrade Mark, what Fairtrade goods are available and where they can be purchased should, if they have access to the internet, visit the Fairtrade Foundation (www.fairtrade.org.uk) website or alternatively contact me on 01274 776978.

I would be particularly interested to hear from any businesses or organisations that already support Fairtrade.

Bob Jowett, Idle Road, Bradford 2

SIR - In response to Councillor Hanson's letter (August 13) concerning the reopening of Queensbury police station. He need not panic for he indeed did start a petition to re-open the station.

I on the other hand decided to open a restoration fund and kicked it off with a £1,000 donation and topped it off by donating £1 from every MOT that went to my testing station, hopefully to encourage further donations from elsewhere.

This resulted in fantastic media coverage. I invited Councillor Michael Walls (Conservative, Queensbury) to be joint fund holder with me to which he readily agreed as he is an ex-police officer himself.

West Yorkshire Police have now decided to fund the reopening of the station themselves. Bearing this in mind, PC Dave Ackroyd contacted me with regard to my purchasing an ex-police vehicle for the sole use of the community in Queensbury with the funds raised so far.

I have also agreed to service and maintain the vehicle at my own expense. Also, bear in mind my gesture was not timed to coincide with local election campaigns as I was not a candidate myself.

Paul Cromie, Station Road, Queensbury.

SIR - Last week I tripped on a raised pavement flag on Westfield Lane, Wrose, and landed face down causing two gashes to my left eyebrow. Fortunately a lady saw what happened and stopped her car and applied a pressure bandage to the gashed area. According to the paramedic who arrived shortly afterwards, this action saved me from further complications.

Many other motorists stopped to offer help, and the staff of Rivendell Equine Defence came out and gave assistance.

At the BRI, although they were very busy, everyone from the receptionist, x-ray staff and the nurse and doctor who treated me were most helpful, reassuring and professional.

I would like to say a sincere thank you to all who helped me in my time of need. It is nice to know that there are still people in this world who care about others.

Trevor Williams-Berry, Bredon Avenue, Wrose

SIR - I read in the T&A of August 12 of the £33,673 costs for landscaping the derelict land around the newly-built mosque in Thornbury. This comes shortly after the announcement of the mosque to be built on Otley Road, Bradford (the largest in the North).

Can we not please keep these green spaces for our children to play on?

We now have a new school built on St George's patch (Cliffe Road) - nothing was wrong with the old school as far as I could see apart from a few renovations - but it has been demolished to make way for a new one just a few yards away, leaving one less playing field for our children to play on.

Do we need another mosque in and around the Thornbury-Otley Road area, as well as the ones on Leeds Road and in the Barkerend Road area, also the part-built one just off the top of Hamm Strasse?

Isn't it about time grant money for these landscaping project went to local children who are in desperate need of a decent play area.

D Stillings (Friends and Neighbours of Wapping), Westminster Terrace, Bradford.

SIR - I would like to reply to Peter Wilson (Letters, August 9) and assure him my feet are firmly on terra firma. I have vivid memories of the "Winter of Discontent" and the time surrounding same.

I am well aware of the closed shop which "Baroness Whiplash" rescinded and the new union created by the amalgamation of several public service unions, which accepted 3 per cent rise at this time, and then asked council staff to strike to get nurses that which they themselves were denied (six per cent).

I fought for my freedom and that of my children and grandchildren. Men in a much higher position than I am ever likely to attain have torn up the union card that was at one time forced on to me, albeit for a short period.

Stephen Walsh, Church Street, Bingley.

SIR - As a person who attends the cruise at Brighouse or "killer car rallies" as they have been called, I would like to say the reports about them are a load of trash.

The only people who protest are the authorities because they have to work on a Sunday night instead of doing nothing.

People don't get hurt. They just like to show what they have got in terms of customisation to car and stereo. Personally I think its one of very few places you will see people from different ethnic backgrounds getting along with things in common.

Gary Howe, Bradford Road, Clayton.

SIR - Motor bikes are running round Fagley every day. Police are informed but nothing is done. Our local councillors do not care, after repeated complaints to them at forums etc.

Speed humps do not deter them. It has been proved on Fagley that a 20mph limit is also ignored.

We need more police and councillors to do the jobs they are paid for.

J R Smith, Bradford North Alliance, Flawith Drive, Fagley.