Letters to the Editor

SIR - I was very heartened to read (T&A, December 21) that the Glen Tramway had had a good pre-Christmas period and at the same time quite disheartened to hear of the demise of the Prod Lane fairground.

Then came the news that the Council had accumulated a surplus of around £4 million in their coffers (T&A, December 28).

Could I suggest, therefore, that they now show a little initiative and spend a comparatively small part of that surplus on buying the Prod Lane site and then spend a further sum on building a near replica there of the excellent children's playground in Lister Park (and possibly also a small caf)?

This would ensure that for the foreseeable future children would continue to enjoy fun and adventure on a site which has provided similar pleasures for around a century, and would also no doubt much enhance the prospects of the tramway's survival.

Both tramway and fairground are very much part of our heritage, as well as being important tourist attractions.

But it is important that something is done now, before Prod Lane becomes just another housing complex.

I have used the word 'initiative'. Sadly our Council seems to have lacked that for many years. While they are busily 'talking the talk' the pathway for 'walking the walk' is often crumbling from under them.

Gordon Dean, Long Lane, Harden, Bingley.

Home education

SIR - I have been home educating my son for four years following similar circumstances to those described by the mother in the article on bullying (T&A, January 9).

Since I took my son out of school, I have read a lot about the law relating to Home Education and it is incorrect that parents have to apply to Education Bradford to remove their child from school.

Home Education is a legal right for every parent in this country and all they are legally obliged to do is to inform the school that they wish to de-register their child.

The school must then inform the LEA.

Also, regarding inspections, this does not mean Home Educators will be inspected regularly and tested along the lines of the National Curriculum and they do not have to have inspections in their own home, they can be at a neutral meeting place.

Inspections are not actually enforceable by law, although most Home Educators agree to them in order to keep good relations with the LEA.

I hope this clarifies matters, but if anyone would like to know more, I suggest visiting www.education-otherwise.org/

Lucy Armour, Southmere Crescent, Bradford.

Longer sentences

SIR - May I congratulate the police on smashing so many of the drug pedlars' rings (T&A, December 24).

It's so rewarding to know that the police take this crime so seriously, as they should, as consequences of drug pushers and users is a blight on the community.

It's sad, however, that the courts don't see the sentences given in the same light.

Two years, four years, five years is nothing considering the cost to the nation in getting drug users clean and the cost to the community's and families that suffer so much because of the need to rob, steal and mug innocent people to feed their dangerous habits.

When will the courts and the government give the police and the community the security in knowing that once caught, the gangs that sell drugs will be put away for a lot longer than they are at present?

Jenny Sampson, Rossmore Drive, Allerton.

Betrayal of T&A

SIR - David Barnett's rant at the public sentimentality about the stolen baby penguin (T&A, January 3) is so simplistic it conjures up a cub reporter.

Of course there is a scale of proportion that some sectors of the general public have probably breached, but it is also indicative of a nation who cares.

As for the major human tragedies, I reckon that the response from the British public in terms of caring, and funds raised can compare favourably with any other country.

I rather think that those who care about the penguin and animals in general are likely to be peaceful, upright citizens who have given generously to the human disasters.

In contrast those who have a callous attitude to animals invariably treat humans in the same vein.

For Barnett to trivialise the penguin's plight with ridiculously unfunny puns betrays the integrity of a great newspaper.

A Naylor, Claremont Road, Wrose.

Rail link chance

SIR - It was interesting to see our various transport councillors and MPs giving their support to the continuation of the Mini-Tram (T&A, January 10).

Whereas I am in favour of the general principal of moving people from one side of the city to the other, we have to face up to the fact that here we have another piece-meal job.

The so-called tram is not a tram and invades what are supposed to be traffic-free areas. Apparently it is unable to climb some of the hills in the centre of Bradford.

If only the various public bodies would get their acts together and make a serious attempt to create a through heavy rail link.

The time is ideal now with the Broadway development freeing up space and a new station could be created within the Broadway centre. Shoppers would step from the train straight into the shopping centre.

Such a link would create additional trains, bring more passengers to the city and raise Bradford's position from being a city at the end of two branch lines. It is the key to Bradford's re-generation

What about it councillors, MPs, etc?

Donald Watson, Hollybank Grove, Horton Bank Bottom, Bradford.

How to forgive...

SIR - Please allow me to give Gary Lorriman a brief lesson about Christian Forgiveness (T&A, January 5).

When Christ on the cross prayed 'Father, forgive them' for those who had crucified him, he set us all an example of how to forgive those whose words or deeds offend or hurt us.

It's an example followed by his disciples throughout the centuries, beginning with the first recorded Christian martyr, St Stephen, and most recently Mrs Gee Walker, mother of the murdered schoolboy, Anthony.

Of course Mr Lorriman is right when he says 'it is not in our human nature to do this' ie to show this kind of forgiveness. Our human nature is to err: it is only the divine in us, the God dwelling within us, whatever our religion or none, which makes it possible to forgive the murderers and violent criminals about whom Archbishop Rowan Williams was speaking in his Christmas Day address.

If we each made a New Year's resolution to practise such forgiveness, instead of harbouring anger and resentment or seeking retaliation and revenge, what a wonderful world it would be!

Miss D P Ellis, Woodrow Drive, Low Moor, Bradford.

Poorer value

SIR - As a former unpaid councillor I would like to endorse everything that R J P Warren (T&A, January 5) says about today's overpaid, under-achieving councillors.

In my day we were satisfied with expenses and the feeling of a job well done for the people of Bradford.

Bring back the parish councils!

For local government bigger is not beautiful, in fact in 1974 I openly opposed paying councillors as it would create a second-rate council.

J A Tidd, Killinghall Drive, Bradford.

Smoke-free joy

SIR - "No smoking" means "no smoking" in the hospital grounds of the BRI.

I went to the ENT unit one Friday at 9.45am. There were three smokers blocking the entrance.

In Spain on January 1, a smoking ban in all public places came into force with fines for those who ignored the ban.

The hotel I have been to for the last five years was free of smoke. I sat for the first time in the television room and it was great.

Will we ever have a smoke-free England?

Veronica Farnell, Market Street, Thornton.