Letters to the Editor

However, Bradford has such a dreadful reputation that it will need something special to attract the shoppers back, and banning smoking in the Arndale Centre is not the way to do it.

It is effectively saying that 30 per cent of the population are not welcome in the only decent shopping Mall we have!

What Bradford needs is some Unique Selling Point that will entice people back again, not a slavish following of all the misguided, trendy, politically correct fads which blight our country.

Although I am not a smoker, I ask: why not welcome smokers to the Arndale Mall? Provide a comfortable coffee bar where they can relax.

And instead of persecuting car drivers, why not welcome them and provide as many free parking spaces as possible? Put adverts in national papers saying smokers and car drivers are welcome in Bradford!

That should make the bobble-hatted, sandal-wearing do-gooders sit up but at least it would get us noticed for something other than rioting.

M. Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

SIR - Just over a week ago I went to see the Stage 84 "Spectacular" show at the Bradford Alhambra. Working in education myself, I felt compelled to write to you having seen a show that without question lived up to its billing.

To be so thoroughly entertained by so many talented young people was an absolute joy and the professionalism of the show was a credit to the students and staff of the performing arts school.

The tiny tots performing Bob the Builder was entertainment at its best (I understand that some of those on stage were only three) and the climax of 250 young people on stage dancing and singing songs from "Joseph", outshone most of what I have seen in professional shows lately.

I shudder to think of all the hard work that must have gone into producing such a professional, colourful and varied show.

All too often your paper is dominated by problems and complaints. Here Bradford has something to be very proud of. It is no wonder some of these students go on to be regulars on our television screens.

Well done Stage 84, and many thanks for a great value-for-money night out.

Jonathan M Smith, Northgate, Baildon.

SIR - I have no idea what the sensation of driving at 100 miles an hour on a motorbike feels like, but the noise and sight of bikes careering up Lane Side at tea-time is something I experience most evenings.

Motor vehicles too are all keen to get home quickly and very anxious to demonstrate their powers of acceleration on the narrow straight area of Lane Side just near the entrance to Honey Pot Farm. They drive in a terrifying manner, overtaking four or five cars on some occasions.

I would like to request that these fast drivers bear in mind that Lane Side does contain mothers with pushchairs, children and other pedestrians, joggers, horses and various farm animals which have been known to escape from the fields.

I would appreciate some consideration before yet another accident is being reported on.

Janet O'Hara, Lane Side, Wilsden.

SIR - Re the report in the T&A (October 22) about the roadworks in Harden causing chaos for bus users.

I have been contacted by residents of Harden who tell me that they were not informed that the bus service would be stopped for a week. One resident said there were no notices anywhere that they could see to tell them that the bus would be stopped. It just didn't come at all. I think it is rubbing salt into the wound to then leave them stranded a second time by running the shuttle from Wilsden only.

I will certainly bring this matter to the attention of the West Yorkshire Passenger Authority at their next meeting.

Councillor Ann Ozolins (Lib Dem, Idle Ward), Crofters Green, Idle.

SIR - The 99p a week the people of Fagley pay for a warden is wasted by the Housing Department. The warden has no tools to do the job, only a shovel and wheelbarrow.

He has to wheel most of rubbish half a mile to put into a sealed and locked container in black bags. When it is full it will be taken out, loaded on a wagon and carted away, causing twice the amount of work.

This is what Housing calls value for money.

I am not complaining about the warden's work. He is a good worker and very sociable to pensioners and disabled people. It is the way Housing have set this system up.

A horse and cart would help.

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

SIR - I am a 77-year-old pensioner and my hobby is giving lectures and talks on music and Egyptology, the proceeds of which are always donated to charity.

I was recently discharged from hospital and my daughter came up from London to look after me, bringing with her a second hand Bang & Olufsen cassette player to help me with the talks on music.

You can imagine our feelings when her car was broken into while parked in the lay-by on Old Park Road. Her husband's fishing tackle and the Bang & Olufsen were stolen.

I am writing this in the hope that anyone offered the B&O, which is a not-too-common piece of equipment, will realise it to be stolen property. I will willingly repay the cost of package as I do need it for my talks.

R A Downs, 49 Old Park Road, Bradford, BD10 9BG.

SIR - May I heartily applaud those who are sick of the dangers and nuisance caused by firework-wielding idiots. I am pleased to see Gerry Sutcliffe getting involved.

It is also good to have the police taking a stance since I have had precious little support when I have reported incidents to them in the past.

Let us enjoy the brilliant spectacle of fireworks delivered safely and not have to face the annual round of horrific accidents to kids who don't know any better.

Stephen Goodfellow, Westfield Crescent, Bradford 2

SIR - I agree that fireworks should be banned from being sold in shops weeks before Bonfire Night. They should be in shops on November 1 and removed on November 6.

I think five days to purchase fireworks for Bonfire Night is quite sufficient for everyone, and they should be sold to people aged 25 and over.

This will stop a lot of heartache and misuse of fireworks. After all they are not toys.

Joanne Noble, Kingfisher Grove, Bradford 8