Letters to the Editor

One of the aims of Rock Challenge is "to challenge people to be the best they can without the use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, and to celebrate youth culture."

Six upper schools from Yorkshire and Humberside took part in this live entertainment.

The standard of performance, costume, lighting and music was very, very high; all the participants enjoyed themselves, and it was a delight to watch young people giving their very best.

Much praise also needs to be given to the teachers for the amount of time they so obviously devoted to the production.

When one reads daily in the press of the state of education in Bradford today, of mindless yobs, vandalism and destruction, it was very gratifying to see so many young people involved in the "Be Your Best" Foundation - all of which augurs well for the future of our city and our county.

J Meggison, Jowett Park Crescent, Thackley.

SIR - Until recently it was often claimed that Bradford enjoyed "good" race relations between the various communities, and was held as an example to other cities.

It also seemed from official attitudes, that any acts of racism committed were invariably perpetrated by members of the indigenous population against those of ethnic minorities.

However, recent events seem to indicate differently.

One of the biggest difficulties is that certain areas of Bradford have become predominantly occupied by Asians, as members of the indigenous population have moved to other locations.

And this has resulted in the two communities living in effective isolation, with few points of contact.

As this process continues, the sense of isolation becomes more ingrained, eventually resulting in the development of "no-go" areas" as had occurred in Oldham.

At the moment there does not appear to be a ready resolvement of these problems facing Bradford.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Allerton.

SIR - So much money is being spent on Manchester Road for the buses. But what if a bus breaks down with an air lock or any other problem? How will they get the recovery vehicle up the lane to tow the bus?

And also, there'll be buses queuing up behind the breakdown bus. The buses will be really late. How will they keep their promise of running buses on time?

Buses are not reliable anyway. They are late most of the time.

Mohammed Faisal, Binnie Street, Bradford .

SIR - Please allow me to ask my local Parliamentary representative when his government intend to extend the £2,000 central heating allowance currently payable to all pensioner households in Scotland to all pensioner households in England?

If he doesn't know, would he please ask this question on behalf of pensioners in his constituency?

To his two election opponents, Tory and Liberal Democrat, I would like to ask: do either of your parties intend to give equality to pensioners in England either by making this grant available to the whole of the UK or taking it from Scottish pensioners?

Eric Firth, Wellington Street, Wilsden.

SIR - We want to tell you why we're backing The Cancer Research Campaign's Men's Cancer Awareness Month in June.

Every year in the UK thousands of men die from cancer, yet many of these deaths could be prevented. The key is greater awareness of the tell-tale signs and symptoms associated with testicular and prostate cancer.

We need to change attitudes and convince men to look after themselves and not to be embarrassed to see their doctor if they think something might be wrong.

All through June, The Cancer Research Campaign will be highlighting new treatments and arranging initiatives to raise funds for cures. The Campaign is also keen to recruit volunteers throughout the month.

Why don't you get involved? You can by phoning : 01274 233295 or visit the campaign's website: www.crc.org.uk

Gabby Yorath and Barry Venison, on behalf of The Cancer Research Campaign

SIR - In reply to Eileen Reevy's request for party candidates to state where they stand on the issue of council house privatisation, I am pleased to be able to respond that the Green Party is totally opposed to this proposal and urges all council tenants to vote against the sell-off of their homes once they get the opportunity in the promised referendum.

In Shipley we have initiated a campaign to get tenants involved in the fight against the privatisation plan. Along with concerned residents, we intend to hold an information stall in Shipley Market Place on the morning of Saturday, May 12, and would encourage anyone worried about the proposals to come and talk to us there.

I would also point out that this should not be of concern to just the working-class people Eileen mentions in her letter. Bradford's housing stock has been built and paid for by generations of all local people over the last century.

The present Council's desire, encouraged by the Government, to do away with it for as little as £1,980 per property is not so much "selling the family silver" as giving it away.

Martin Love (prospective Parliamentary candidate, Shipley Green Party), Farfield Road, Shipley

SIR - Re: Mr Sherwin's "Offensive remark" letter to the editor (May 2).

It never fails to amaze me how people get the hump and go flying off at tangents without bothering to read and properly analyse some of my letters! I am not blaming the veggies for the foot and mouth crisis. That would be ludicrous.

The point I was trying to put over is that the other 85 per cent of the population are meat eaters and as such, we are fed up with the "Join the veggies" brigade.

With regard to Mr Sherwin's remark "meat does not contribute at all to a healthy diet". This is debatable, but animal fat certainly does!

Trevor Williams-Berry, Bredon Avnue, Wrose.

SIR - In a week in which, I suspect, the sale of Everton mints in Bradford might plummet and Saint Helen may not be every Tyke's first choice for a special dedication, it's good to know, at least, that our noble Lords can still be counted upon to provide some light relief.

The statement by the eminent Lord Stevenson that "hairdressers shouldn't really be in the running" for "people's peers" as they'd not really have "the confidence to speak" in front of the other worthies had me splitting my sides (not to mention my short back).

Yet wasn't it that wise old buzzard George Burns who once observed about politics: "How come all the guys who should be running the country are either driving taxis or cutting hair"?

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.