SIR - With all due respect to Mr David Hockney, after reading about the cost of the gifts handed over to him at the Freedom of the City ceremony it beggars belief that this sort of cash could be spent in this way.

He says he got a grant to go to art school. Well as someone who is on a low income myself, who has a son soon to be going to university and a daughter I am hoping will be able to follow him, seeing this sort of thing really is below the belt.

It must be like that saying "What do you get someone who has everything?" as I am sure we all know the Yorkshire saying "He's not short of a bob or two".

In the meantime, please come back to see us any time Mr Hockney.

George Watmough, Carr Lane, Shipley.

SIR - Re your report (June 22) concerning the tragic accident in which Megan Elwood was injured and her pony was killed. My sympathy goes out to Megan and her family who must be devastated by the incident.

Being an enthusiastic horse owner I am aware of the dangers that exist associated with the riding of horses on our roads. Those dangers usually arise from the ignorance that prevails among a large percentage of motorists who have a disregard for people like Megan and myself.

I have been riding horses for many years and ride daily around the Oakworth and Haworth areas. Although much of my riding takes place on land away from roads it is impossible to avoid riding on such carriageways and country lanes.

Ceaselessly I am amazed by the lack of awareness shown by those driving motor vehicles and the selfishness drivers display in hogging the roads and in general their manner of driving when around horses.

It seems that Megan was an experienced rider and I believe it is important and should be stressed that riders should have some experience before taking to the roads. In addition garments must be worn which show the rider to be clearly visible to other road users.

Amanda Oates, Moor Drive, Oakworth.

SIR - I read with horror of the accident you reported on June 21 involving Megan Elwood and her pony. I cannot imagine the distress that Megan and her family have suffered on having to watch their daughter lying injured on a road and her pony being destroyed.

My 17-year-old daughter now has her own horse and she rides daily with her eight-year-old friend and her pony. Unfortunately they have to ride on the main road to reach the bridlepaths and canter tracks.

I feel uneasy until they return home safely because I have walked out with them and witnessed drivers speeding past them, sounding their horns and on one occasion being abusive. It only takes two minutes to slow down and drive quietly past a horse and rider. Surely it is worth a little time and consideration in order to protect the lives of horses and riders.

We all have to make the best of a system that has evolved over the centuries. Horses come with the territory and deserve a little more patience and consideration.

Andrea Boardman, Fairway Grove, Bradford 7.

SIR - As a governor of two Leeds primary schools I am deeply saddened to think that Leeds council tax payers will have to find £600,000 a year to employ a private company to run our Local Education Authority. This money could have been far better used to support the needs of Leeds children.

There can be no doubt that we have reached this situation through the actions of successive Labour chairmen of the Education Committee, and by weak leadership in the Department of Education. While this situation saddens me, I have to agree that a private company is the only short-term solution.

What angers me is the fact that no-one seems to be considered accountable for the current mess! In my employment I have always been held accountable for my actions and I consider that any local politician who has been involved in the running of education in Leeds during the last ten years should do the honourable thing and resign.

It is also surprising that none of the senior officers in education have been required to go.

While Leeds has some very good schools, it is a pity that our city fathers seem incapable of facing up to their responsibilities and providing our schools with the support they so richly deserve.

J Richard Hardcastle, Hunger Hills Avenue, Horsforth.

SIR - Pam Wilkinson's article of June 20 was both bold and entertaining. What an extraordinarily good topic for an article and debate.

Being of the same Catholic background as the featured author, Susan Ni Rahilly, although I am somewhat older, I understood her points about how a prescribed way of life can in many ways be damaging.

I would agree that many of my own life options have possibly been limited - although I have led a contented life.

Times are changing for the better, I feel, when a woman can speak out about her beliefs in such a bold manner as the author does and when Pam Wilkinson is allowed to deliver a most upfront piece on the subject.

This is an example of good journalism. Well done T&A!

Elizabeth Day, Lytton Road, Girlington.

SIR - Are you running the Great North Run? Are you running for a charity? If not, why not turn miles into smiles and obtain sponsorship for the NSPCC and help children in your area.

The NSPCC is a leading childrens' charity providing a range of vital services in the North, not only in providing support for children who have been abused, but also in prevention work.

At the moment we are running our major "Full Stop" Appeal so please help us meet our aim of "ending cruelty to children - Full Stop." For sponsor forms and any other information, please contact Keith Dowell, telephone: (0191) 516 4600 or fax (0191) 516 4640.

Keith Dowell, Corporate Fundraising Administrator, NSPCC, Newcastle Road, Sunderland.

SIR - Terry Rawlinson in his latest letter (T&A, June 16) appears unable to grasp how seats are allocated under the proportionality rules on Bradford Council. Standing Orders were amended in May to allow local councillors to take local decisions.

The system favoured by the Labour Party last year allowed them to grab five of the eight seats and control of Shipley Area Panel, even though they held only five of the 18 seats in the constituency.

This year the system reflects the political balance in each panel area. In Shipley the Conservatives have 11 members, Lib Dems three, Labour three and the Greens one. All four parties are therefore represented on this year's Shipley Area Panel. Under the previous Labour system the Green Party would have been excluded.

The Liberal Democrats have two places on Shipley Panel to bring them up to the necessary number of places allocated to them across all five Area Panels. In the same way Labour have been allocated an extra seat on the Bradford South Panel. The new system reflects the political balance in each area, and enables local councillors to take local decisions.

Councillor Howard Middleton (Liberal Democrat, Bolton), Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, Harrogate Terrace, Bradford 3

SIR - In 1937 I was working at Whiteheads on Moorside Road when we were all called out in the yard to watch this huge airship in the sky. It was the Hindenberg, which was flying to disaster.

This was the second airship I had seen going over Bradford. In 1914 (I think) we watched one going over the Bowling Junction railway line. A searchlight was on it.

I wonder if any of your other readers remember either of these two incidents?

Mrs M Rhodes, Gain Lane, Bradford.

SIR - I write with our appreciation for your support and the professional help the Telegraph & Argus gave to this branch during National RSPCA Week in May 2000.

I am pleased to say that many of the animals featured have now been homed and much-needed funds generated by the publication.

Mrs M Blundell, General Manager, RSPCA Bradford branch, Mount Street, Bradford 3.

SIR - After two months I have returned from the USA to find that little has changed re Listers Mill. Yorkshire Forward has made no financial decision, probably unimpressed by the Mill Business Plan and the request for millions of pounds. So they should be! The Dome has soaked up another £30million for dubious reasons. And another riot has occurred, partly mill-related.

R G Jennings, Lady Park Avenue, Bingley.