Letters to the Ediitor

Urban authorities throughout the world for generations have failed dismally to control pigeons because they took direct action with airgun snipers, poisoning and even aerial attacks in the form of hawks.

The pigeon, whether mobilising airborne squadrons or its considerable land-based forces, is a formidable foe.

At last an authority has recognised correct military strategy in dealing with an overwhelming enemy.

As the famous Chinese military philosopher Sun Tzu wrote: "He who knows the artifice of diversion will be victorious".

Peter Fletcher-Dobson, Main Street, Addingham.

SIR - Words fail me when yet another daft idea comes from City Hall. Pigeon cafes where they serve pigeon as a meal, yes, but pigeon cafes where they feed pigeons and thus add to an ever-growing plague, NO!

May I suggest a solution to this problem? The Denby Dale Pie team are running low on cash, and cannot afford the meat for their forthcoming giant pie. Why not let the Denby Dale residents come into Bradford one dark night and catch all the roosting pigeons and cook them in their giant pie?

Problem solved and Bradford councillors will not have to get their hands dirty.

T Williams-Berry, Bredon Avenue, Wrose.

SIR - The great pigeon blitz stories which have featured in your pages over the last week or so have certainly a "our reporter in the front line" wartime ring to them.

It would appear that even the redoubtable Mike Priestley was successfully targeted at least twice, but who's counting?

He shouldn't really complain. His great namesake, J B Priestley, is often completely obliterated because, of course, a statue isn't nearly as agile as our good companion Mike!

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.

SIR - In Tuesday's T&A, there was a piece about a 16-year-old driver involved in a collision with a bendy-bus. It ended with a spokesman for First Bradford saying neither the bus driver nor the lone passenger was hurt but the bus was badly damaged.

Marvellous! One passenger filling a whole bendy-bus at 5pm, a peak time!

Do we really need bendy-buses?

Mrs Hilda Hewitson, Acre Lane, Wibsey.

SIR - It is with regret that I put pen to paper today after reading your report on the Three Chefs charity ball.

I, along with countless others, knew that Joanna Lumley herself (pictured) would not be attending, but a lookalike. Such was the case when Del Boy attended, or should I say for fear of being "named and shamed," a Del Boy lookalike, who was exceptionally talented and was a huge hit with all in attendance.

I thought that the T&A was a Bradford & District newspaper which would have jumped at the opportunity to back any charity function held in Bradford.

It seems so ludicrous that this charity ball should receive such negative publicity from the T&A.

Randolph Victor, along with Amanda Hall, has orchestrated several other charity functions which were packed to the rafters, and raised huge amounts of cash for various charities in and around Bradford.

I can honestly say that had it not been for Randolph's generosity in sponsoring an up-and-coming Bradford boxer, I would not have been in the fortunate position to train full-time, therefore would not have achieved both the British & Commonwealth Lightweight titles.

He has a good heart, and I feel that the T&A should lend more positive support in cases like this because without organised charity events like the aforementioned, a lot of needy people would be without the things you and I take for granted.

Robert Vanzie, Hollybank Walk, Bradford 7.

SIR - Re your report on the Salsa Ball (T&A, August 9). The directors of our company are disgusted with the T&A for featuring such an article! You should be helping to promote the Three Chefs in their fund-raising events, not hindering them!

The organisation is a local charity and a lot of people put a tremendous amount of time and effort into holding at least one big event each year.

With regard to Joanna Lumley's agent's comments, she's just doing her job - but the T&A didn't have to make a meal of it! What's the matter with you?

Nevertheless - as they say - "no publicity is bad publicity" and ticket sales will no-doubt shoot through the roof for this year's ball - and the Joanna Lumley lookalike will be fantastic. We can't wait!

The only organisation who should be named and shamed on this occasion is the T&A. Consider yourselves well and truly ticked-off!

B A Ridsdale, Genesis Patterns Ltd, Dockfield Road, Shipley.

SIR - The main point of the Salsa charity ball is to raise money for charity. There was a mistake made in the advertising, but to put a spread in the T&A on August 9 of such a size does no good for the intended charities.

My football club, Eccleshill United, went cap in hand for much-needed funds for jackets for the lads. Randolph Victor, the promoter of the Three Chefs, was only too willing to help. Good deed done.

A L Grimshaw (manager, Eccleshill United), Parkstone Drive, Eccleshill, Bradford

l EDITOR'S NOTE: Our story was not written to undermine the fund-raising efforts of the Three Chefs charity. We were reporting on a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority that the "Joanna Lumley" advertised as due to appear at the Salsa Sensation event on August 26 is in fact a lookalike. People who have supported these events previously might well have realised that and been quite happy to buy their tickets on that basis for a good night out, as Mr Vanzie suggests. However, Miss Lumley's agent was concerned that some other people could have been misled by the advertisement, paid £35 for their tickets, and been very disappointed when the actress failed to appear. While we appreciate the need to support local events which raise money for good causes, we also think it is important that our readers should be given the facts on which to make informed decisions. It is our duty, no matter how good the cause involved, to report the facts fully and fairly. We are sure that other organisations and individuals would want us to continue to do this.

SIR - Congratulations to Pam and Phil Fluke of the Reed Organ Museum for an intriguing and historical concert. They brought a musical taste of Japan to Saltaire, when Junko Hayakawa, in full traditional dress, played Sho music accompanied by Taihei Sato on harmonium.

The last time Japanese were formerly in Saltaire was on October 25, 1872, when the Imperial ambassador came to look at the village.

The concert was a fascinating interchange of cultures and the York Room of Victoria Hall gave it an enriching intimacy, showing what a very valuable asset the building is to Bradford.

Clive Woods (chairman, Saltaire Village Society), Victoria Road, Saltaire.

SIR - Regarding the Council reply to my letter printed in the T&A on August 11. For a council that cannot keep the streets clean, and fails to meet its school budget, I find the reply to my questions to be little more than patronising waffle.

What is the cost of Odsal stadium per year and what does this cost cover? For example, we are told bar receipts go towards these costs, but do they cover stewarding, ground maintenance, heating, lighting, business rates and groundstaff?

We are told that the rugby club both as Northern & Bulls have had a commercial arrangement with the Council since 1986, a confidential arrangement no less!

Sorry, but this simply is not good enough. Council tax payers have funded rugby at Odsal since 1986 so we are entitled to know at what cost.

Barry Wood, Knights Fold, Bradford 7

SIR - I have read with a great sadness of the vigilante groups taking the law into their own hands with regards to the paedophile problem.

I think everyone of us is horrified by what these vile men do to children and it is right that their name is placed on the sex offenders register.

But by taking the law into their own hands, these vigilantes have themselves committed a criminal act. Therefore, if British justice is seen to be fair to one and all, these persons who have taken the law into their own hands must be punished by the law.

No matter how much any of us love and care, and want to protect our children, this gives none of us the right to break the law.

Can you imagine what would happen if groups of people anywhere, and for any reason, can get away with unlawfulness. No one, not just evil men, would be safe.

Punish all lawbreakers and make them understand that "mob rule" is also an evil practice and will not be tolerated in a civilised country.

V Griffiths, Crag Road, Windhill, Shipley.