Letters to the Editor

It must be very comforting for the club that acting Inspector Brian Pickard of Eccleshill police is "aware" of the vandalism problems appertaining to the club's outbuildings. Let's hope that the 30 undetected incidents in the last 18 months are suitably logged on the crime statistics.

It is particularly galling for Saltaire CC to be affected in this way when they provide recreation sport for youngsters at virtually every age group.

Their long and successful campaign for Lottery cash should have been the catalyst for sporting excellence for all. Instead, an unsavoury band of lowlife with a licence to wreak havoc is undermining all the hard work.

The club really do deserve a bit of pro-active policing in the park instead of bored, resigned voices on the end of the telephone at each reported incident.

If Saltaire do obtain their cherished world heritage status for the village, it would be prudent to warn the wide-eyed tourists about the anti-social elements in Roberts Park.

Reg Nelson, Westfield Road, Heaton.

SIR - If you apply for a drinks licence, then if you've run a disorderly house you won't be allowed to run a pub. Yet, according to a letter I have received from Councillor Clive Richardson, chairman of our local area planning panel, "Planning Law does not entitle the withholding of planning permission for a new application because of . . . an alleged breach of a previous permission".

He was replying to a petition by 200 of my neighbours objecting to a landfill application, which pointed out that the applicant was already in breach of a previous permission.

This has been pointed out to and acknowledged by planning officials, and they have promised to instruct the offender to remedy the situation, but he is proceeding regardless.

It appears that, in Bradford at least, you agree to what you like and do what you like, and you can get away with it. In Kirklees, of course, things appear to be rather different, as I learned from your report of an applicant who has allegedly spent £100,000 without permission.

Karl Dallas, New Toftshaw, Bradford 4.

SIR - Like, I suspect, many of your ex-evacuee readers, I was most interested in the remarks of Mrs Florence Birtwhistle on the subject (T&A, August 14).

Perhaps it would be helpful to mention that there is an Evacuees Reunion Association (tel 01777 719800) which is a really pleasant organisation. In addition, although it isn't the research field with which I'm mainly concerned, there is an expert who is doing some impressive work on the stress experienced (even after all these years) by evacuees.

For those interested he is Dr Steve Davies, Psychology Department, Mental Health Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex CH20 1QX.

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.

SIR - I agree with Mr B G Jowett's letter (August 10). Thornton Market Street could do with a good clean-up. The dog walkers don't help either. I have yet to see one person clean up their dog's mess and this is where the young children and mothers have to walk to school.

When I first came to the village we had three road sweepers. Two used a brush on each side of Market Street and the third one shovelled the rubbish into the cart.

Those days will never return, but couldn't we have a good sweep-up once in a while?

I feel proud to tell people I live in the village where the Bronte sisters were born and I do try to do my bit for Thornton: outside painted regularly, hanging basket every year.

We can live in hope that everyone will do their bit too.

Veronica Farnell, Market Street, Thornton.

SIR - May I take this opportunity to thank Sarah Walsh and your newspaper for your coverage of my plight regarding the care of my late wife, Kathleen, in BRI.

I cannot thank you or your paper enough. It has made a big difference to me.

Also I would clearly like to thank the extremely kind and warm-hearted people of Bradford and surrounding districts for their deep concern and best wishes to me. My heartfelt thanks to them all.

M Elliott, Brighouse & Denholme Road, Denholme.

SIR - I recently wrote a letter to my MP, Terry Rooney (right), regarding the Sarah Payne case and the tabling of a motion in Parliament on the re-introduction of capital punishment for child murder.

In his brief reply he stated that under the Human Rights Act it is no longer possible to re-introduce capital punishment. And he also states that he does not support the state killing of people.

What I would like to know, does this mean he is not bothered about people killing children?

He obviously thinks more of the so-called rights of killers than innocent children. These views will be noted when he comes up for re-election.

I personally will be voting for somebody who supports the victim. These killers have had enough do-gooders supporting them.

Michael Breen, Bolton Hall Road, Wrose, Bradford.

l Terry Rooney MP said: "Mr Breen's original letter to me asked that I table a motion in Parliament to introduce capital punishment for child killers. My response was factual as regards the Human Rights Act but I went on to say I have always opposed state killing of people. As your readers will know I have campaigned for many years for life sentences for paedophiles and will continue to do so.

SIR - Why was the 620/1 bus route changed to the 633 route for the people of East Bowling? To say that this change of service is an improvement, coupled with a "take it or leave it" policy, is deeply offensive to the bus-travelling people of East Bowling.

The "Cottee" report on the findings of the public inquiry on the re-siting of ASDA stores from Knowles Lane to Rooley Lane states, under the heading of "Public Transport Accessibility", that "bus lay-by facilities are proposed within the site for passing services thereby providing the nearby areas of, for example, Bierley and East Bowling with the opportunity to access the store by bus".

On paragraph 5.4 it goes on to state: "On the basis of my examination of public transport accessibility, I consider that the location of the new store and the facilities provided for buses will increase the number of local people using public transport to undertake food shopping."

Has First Bus any plans to implement these proposals? We have spoken to so many people who are so disappointed at the downgrading of their once-good bus route and hope one day soon the 620/1 might return to East Bowling!

Mr & Mrs V A Skelly, Brassey Terrace, Bradford.

SIR - Once again Trevor Foster has demonstrated the unique quality of selfless devotion to people in need.

Ever since he arrived in Bradford, Trevor has been admired for his citizenship. Surely it is time for the highest recognition to be bestowed upon him, namely the Freedom of the City of Bradford.

Dennis Rhodes, Allerton Road, Bradford.

SIR - During the 1930s and early 1940s in the vicinity of St Augustine's Church and Pollard Lane, near to its junction with Otley Road, there lived a family named Broadbent who produced handmade dolls as a small business. Their products were of exquisite quality and, I believe, are still avidly sought by collectors worldwide.

They worked at home as a husband-and-wife team and in the early 1940s moved to one of the number-named avenues parallel to Bradford Moor Park. Third Avenue, or possibly Fourth, as I recall.

At that time their son, Raymond Broadbent, a talented classical pianist of near-concert standard, was a form mate and friend of mine at Hanson School. He subsequently worked for Dunn's in Ivegate, Bradford, for many years.

I finally lost touch with Raymond during the 1950s by which time he had married and lived at Charnwood Road, Undercliffe, while I was serving in the RAF.

If any of your readers happen to know where Raymond lives now, I would be extremely obliged. My telephone number is (01274) 596117.

Bryan Owram, Main Street, Esholt.