Letters to the Editor

SIR - When I read Suzy Poole's article about NHS managers going to Germany to sign up consultants (T&A, April 20), it reminded me of a story this paper carried in September 1993.

The article was about 400 would-be doctors who could not find a place at medical schools in Britain, so they decided to apply to study medicine in the Eastern Bloc.

It would be interesting to learn how many of these budding scientists were accepted and how many qualified. It would be more interesting to know where they are today.

It was obvious ten years ago that this country was not training enough doctors and nurses, but nothing was done until the situation became serious.

Now health managers are trawling the world for trained staff; often robbing developing countries in the process.

Our NHS is sick. It will take more than money to put it right. Depoliticisation?

Mrs Margaret Harrison, Brownhill Road, Birstall, Batley.

Getting the hump

SIR - Like other car owners, I now dread driving along Carr Bottom Road, Little Horton.

Any speed over 12mph leads to discomfort from the 16 new speed humps. They are more demanding than any I have come into contact with.

These "over-the-top" humps are not needed. As far as I can remember, they should have finished at Hutton Road anyway to stop vehicles from avoiding Mayo roundabout via Carr Bottom Road. They even involve access to the two car parks for some reason.

This could just have been avoided by a 20mph police notice with speed cameras in strategic positions. A few arrests, penalty points and fines would do the job. Even that speed is greater than what can now be achieved.

Our roads on Carr Bottom were a joy to drive on until mutilated by these contraptions. I have spoken to many old people and nobody can remember any serious accidents.

Bierley residents devised their own solution, without the need for humps. I don't think we were even consulted.

Lastly, the effect on the housing market doesn't bear thinking about. I suggest the whole scheme is looked into.

Kenneth E Higgins, Carr Bottom Grove, Little Horton.

Aerial delights

SIR - Last Sunday (April 21) at 2.10pm, BBC1 showed the first of a series of six programmes of aerial views of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire - a delightful programme which most people will enjoy, but it was spoilt because although some places were named many were not.

Trying to identify some of the places in the few seconds the helicopter flew over them, was frustrating.

There are another five programmes to be shown and I would recommend readers to watch them, - and perhaps record them to send to those people in the South who feel that there is nothing worthy North of Watford!

Peter A Rushforth, Sutton Drive, Cullingworth.

Rail link plea

SIR - Recently I had occasion to travel on our region's railways from Bradford Interchange to Huddersfield, via Brighouse, then to Leeds. From Leeds I travelled to Ilkley and returned along the Wharfedale and Airedale lines to Forster Square.

Throughout the journey, the trains were punctual and the information given on the screens proved reliable. I realise that other people's perception and experience may prove more negative, but my impressions were favourable.

However, the two railway stations in Bradford suffer from a lack of atmosphere as they do not have through lines, while in contrast Huddersfield is a very vibrant station for having through lines. This situation would be resolved if a rail link was to be built between the two stations, and would offer a direct link between the Airedale and Wharfedale lines with those of Calderdale and Kirklees.

The electorate should be asking all candidates in the forthcoming elections what are their respective commitments to the rail link.

Alec Suchi, (Acting Secretary, Bradford Rail Users Group), Allerton Group, Allerton.

Make waste work

SIR - I read with interest the feature "Let the rot set in with your own compost" (T&A, April 11) and some sound advice was offered to help the Bradford community develop their own backyard composting.

Composting is an excellent way to help the environment as our kitchen and garden waste constitutes a large part of the household waste stream which would otherwise be sent to landfill or incineration. Your article shows that ordinary "throw away" rubbish can be treated as a valuable resource.

Your readers should be interested to know that the local community organisation - Communities Using Resources Better (CURB) - can help householders set up their compost heaps by selling compost bins for only £15.50 including delivery.

CURB are striving towards reducing the impacts that our waste places upon the environment and to this end have developed a community recycling centre in Lister's Mill; we also offer a multi-material kerbside collection of household waste in Silsden and Addingham. This means we will collect not only paper, but also your plastics, textiles, cans etc.

Anyone wanting to know more about our compost bin offer, the recycling centre or our kerbside collections, should please ring 01274 408222.

Chris Mackins, Project Development Officer, Communities Using Resources Better (CURB) Ltd., Lister's Mill, Scotchman Road. Bradford.

Improve skills

SIR - A recent report said that Asian people were the worst-paid group in jobs like textiles and catering. It doesn't matter what ethnic group you come from, when you work in those areas you get paid the same money - the minimum hourly pay of £4.10p or weekly wage of £150.

These two types of job have always been low paid. I have worked in both, so I know what I'm talking about.

Textiles is a dying industry in Bradford and is being replaced by call centres, banks, takeaways and new hotels. And still we have low-paid jobs.

People should stop living in the past and move on to getting new job skills. If Bradford is to win the Capital of Culture bid, all Bradfordians must learn to get on with each other and move forward to a brighter future and get new businesses and jobs into the city.

Martin Palliser, Waincliffe House, Laisterdyke, Bradford.

Ridiculous idea

SIR - I totally agree with Eric Firth (Letters, April 18). He has hit the nail on the head. A true Englishman. Flying a "Union Jack" is a ridiculous idea.

This is England, not Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as one.

I hope everyone who supports England's soccer team this year hangs up the St George's flag with pride, as I will be doing.

Aaron Kershaw, Sundown Avenue, Great Horton.

Jubilee request

SIR - We are looking for contributions for our Golden Jubilee Street Party, but what a bad response we've had.

We're just two local mums trying to make sure everybody has fun and a great day. We've asked quite a few local businesses, bakeries, supermarkets, all with the same response: Sorry, can't help.

So if there's anybody out there who can donate prizes, party goods, hats, flags, cutlery, we'd be very grateful. We're also in need of a marquee to borrow.

Susan Tomlinson and Tracy Smith (organisers of Camberley Mount Street Party), 15 Camberley Mount, Holme Wood, Bradford, BD4 9HD.

Save your stamps

SIR - Before you next go to throw away an envelope which has a stamp attached, think that by simply saving that stamp, you could be helping a young child who has kidney failure.

The British Kidney Patient Association needs your used postage stamps, cigarette coupons, supermarket reward cards, Air Miles and other collectable items to help us raise much-needed funds.

The money raised by us selling these items goes towards giving young kidney patients a week of fun and excitement at adventure holiday centres as part of a rehabilitation programme.

So please, we beg, save your stamps/collect your coupons, and put them to a charitable use by sending them to the address below.

Mrs Mary K Jordan, Appeals Secretary, The British Kidney Patient Association, Bordon, Hampshire, GU35 9JZ.