SIR - I read with interest Sally Clifford's article regarding new government legislation to safeguard sports pitches, playing fields and open spaces.

In this legislation, she said, there was an emphasis on local authorities to vigorously ensure communities' needs for open spaces, playing fields and recreational facilities are met.

I find it difficult to reconcile this with the fact that Bradford's Chief Executive Officer is determined to compulsorily purchase West Bowling Golf Club if they do not sell their course to a developer, even though planning permission has not yet been granted.

The 104-year-old golf course is a wonderful recreational open space used by the members and a cross-section of the local community.

I would be interested to hear the comments of the spokesman for Bradford Council's planning department who said in your article that building on any green fields is a last resort and that more should be done to convert existing buildings.

Tom Gurney, Thackley Road, Thackley.

SIR - I have had an allotment at Whetley Grove for 17 years and I was looking forward to spending a lot of my time there when I retire in a few years.

Now the Council wants to take the land and use it for a new school, while at the same time wanting to close seven other schools in the area. There doesn't seem to be any logic in this.

There has been a problem with vandalism on these allotments for many years with local children setting fire to greenhouses and breaking the locks off the gates. I always report any incidents like these to the Council straight away and spend time tidying the place up for them.

Closing the allotments will only make things worse though, because now that they've closed the ones at Woodhead Road that site's used for burning stolen cars.

If they want a new school building for St Philip's, they should built it on the present site in Girlington Road, or on the site of the Manningham Ward Labour Club.

H Green, Kensington Street, Girlington.

SIR - The Government's announcement that it has now spent more than £30 million on public sector preparations for the introduction of the euro should be condemned as a flagrant waste of taxpayers' money.

At a time when public services need every penny they can get simply to bring their standards of service up to an acceptable level, it is incredible that they should be required to divert such large sums for an event which may never happen.

The Government is also predicting that the total cost of the changeover for NHS hospitals and health authorities alone will be more than £225m. Surely this money would be better spent on reducing waiting lists to the level enjoyed by the citizens of other European countries.

Until this issue has been decided in a referendum, no more taxpayers' money should be frittered away on euro preparations.

Maritn Fojt, Toller Lane, Bradford.

SIR - With reference to the recent comments made by Chris Caisley bemoaning the drop in Valley Parade attendances.

On returning to my car after the Castleford match I found it smashed into and vandalised. In the many years that I parked around Odsal stadium I never had any such problems.

I don't suppose Chris Caisley or Jack Tordoff on any of the other money men who pull the strings at Valley Parade and watch the Bulls from their plush enclosures have to park their cars anywhere but their nice secure private car park at the rear of the stadium.

I am seriously thinking about not bothering to go down to Valley Parade after my season ticket expires. Please Mr Caisley, tell Mr Tordoff where he can shove his sponsorship money and get the Bulls back where they belong, Odsal.

S Holmes, Hew Clews, Great Horton.

SIR - I would like to say thanks to Bradford Bulls for putting on an excellent Open Day at Odsal Stadium on Saturday (July 27). All the players, Brian Noble, The Bullettes, Bull Man and Bull Boy went out of their way to ensure everyone had a good time.

It made me realise that this part of the Bulls experience is missing at Valley Parade. I'm sure quite a few other parents would like to see the re-introduction of bouncy castles, and all the other entertainment features young Bulls fans used to enjoy before the match.

Steven Spencer, Yardley Way, Low Moor.

SIR - Just who is in charge of our Council? I have been left astounded by the statements of the Tory/Lib Dem "leadership" to the ridiculous proposals to close Hoyle Court Primary School.

Councillor Margaret Eaton has said that she is "seriously concerned by the proposal... in particular the way in which the whole issue of surplus school places has been handled". As the putative Leader of the Council, is she seriously saying that she has no responsibility here?

Just as amazingly, the holder of the actual education portfolio, Councillor David Ward, has said in his letter to the school website that he "could do with help from someone with expertise to challenge the forecast pupil numbers being used by the LEA!" He is meant to be in charge of the LEA!

The sorry state of the Council is summed up by Baildon councillor John Cole - deputy to Coun Ward - who has said "what was relayed to schools is an officer proposal. As yet it has been nowhere near councillors."

Well, why not? Officers do not run a council. They should be under the direction of democratically-elected councillors who can then be held accountable for proposals in the public domain.

Christopher Leslie MP, House of Commons.

SIR - I am sick and tired of hearing about democracy, especially from George Bush who was appointed by the decision of a Court. Democracy means, in my opinion, the government elected by the people.

However according to Bush, only his allies such as Israel's Sharon and India's Prime Minister are democratically elected. Someone like Yasser Arafat isn't.

George Bush wants Muslim puppets everywhere in the world to rob, kill and commit atrocities as much as he likes without any question asked including murdering innocent people during the wedding in Afghanistan.

He or his allies won't stop killing innocent Muslims unless UN, NATO, Russia or Europe stop him.

Finally it's a saying that what goes around, comes around. America is paying one way or the other.

SIR - What on earth have they done to the junction of King's Road and Queen's Road? It's utter chaos! Why have lines suddenly been painted so that drivers can turn right coming up Queen's Road and right coming down Queen's Road?

Before there was only a right turning coming up Queen's Road. This was bad enough but now it brings traffic to a standstill as cars going up cannot get past those that are turning right. This junction needs a rethink before schools start again

Tanver Khan, Lynton Drive, Bradford 9