Letters to the Editor

SIR - During a recent appointment at the BRI I found no improvement in the amount of help for patients who have no escort, especially those in wheelchairs.

The ambulance was kind enough to book me in, although I was already late for my appointment with the audiology department.

When I had finished there I had to depend on them to wheel me to the toilet which was out of order and in any case there was a step to get up and it is impossible to do so on your own.

What about patients who, through no fault of their own, have a poor memory and after seeing the consultant do not remember what he has said. They do need an escort.

When I went to my appointment I was the only patient in the ambulance, and the same happened on the journey home. My wife has never taken a patient's place when she could go with me.

This idea of no escort is not working, is proving more work for the ambulance drivers, and upsetting the patients.

J Rushworth, Brackendale Drive, Thackley.

Well said, Mike

SIR - As a member of Norman Littlewood's Odeon Action Group, I find it a welcome and refreshing change that a respected Bradford journalist like Mike Priestley should so wholeheartedly support saving Bradford's unique Odeon.

It is a cause that I am sure his namesake J B Priestley would agree with, standing proudly as he does in Bradford's West End.

I hope that more Bradfordians take the opportunity to speak out and try to save our West End 'Sleeping Beauty' before it is too late and the Rubicon is crossed.

John Wilkinson, Meadowbank Avenue, Allerton, Bradford.

Save this index

SIR - I don't know if your readers are aware that the Ministry of Defence plans to destroy the complete medal card index for World War One.

This index totals some six million cards with the details of the soldiers and the medals they received as a result of the brave actions and sacrifices they had made.

These cards have been stored in a facility in Hayes, Middlesex, which is to move this month. Due to the cost of moving, the index, which totals some 78 filing cabinets, will be destroyed.

The front of each card has been digitised for the national archive but on the reverse of ten per cent of these cards are names and addresses of the medal recipients which have not been scanned. These addresses are very important in their own right.

I would urge anybody who has an interest in preserving this historically important index, or feels any compassion for the great sacrifices made by that lost generation, to get in contact with their local MP and the Defence Minister Geoff Hoon before it is too late.

I hope the M.O.D sees sense and does not destroy the index but allows its preservation for future generations

Peter Carrington, Airedale Avenue, Cottingley, Bingley

What a day out...

SIR - Some condemn it but in my opinion the new building in Centenary Square is a fine piece of modern contemporary architecture.

It is a real shame that restaurant and bar operators have not yet seen the potential. I would have thought that one of the coffee bar chains would have opened here, while part of it could be used as an art gallery and exhibition area.

Its position makes it an excellent pre-theatre venue and could house more upmarket restaurants and bars, different to the common chain bars found in the Morley Street West End quarter.

This complex could play a big part in Bradford's future, of which a typical day may consist of shopping between the markets and Broadway, a meal at a Centenary Square restaurant overlooking the City Hall and new park and lake, followed by a concert at the New Victoria. Sounds like a great way to spend a day in a new-look Bradford city centre.

Jack MacPherson, Killinghall Road, Bradford Moor.

MEP's 'crowing'

SIR - Richard Corbett, Labour MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber (T&A, April 4) takes a swipe at us Eurosceptics for 'crowing'that France are so concerned about the new EU constitution, that they may say 'Non' themselves, in their own referendum at the end of May.

He then goes on to do his own 'crowing', that the new treaty is regarded by the French, as a triumph of British negotiation, and that is why they are complaining.

How surprising! Mr Corbett will soon be saying that the French are 'good on parade'.

He then enlightens us, by saying that the 'No' campaigns in France and Britain are based on contradictory assertions, about how each sees the dangers of a new treaty.

If this British victory results in a 'No' vote in France, what will it mean for the new EU constitution, as he has fails to mention this in his confusing euphoria.

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Harden

Why ask us?

SIR - Far be it from me to teach any newspaper man, much less an editor, his business but I always thought that if a subject was newsworthy then it must be reported except in the case where national security is involved.

That being so, why were you canvassing for your readers' opinions on whether or not you should report on Prince Charles's wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles?

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke.

l EDITOR'S NOTE: We are first and foremost a LOCAL newspaper and as the wedding has no immediate local impact it's a subjective matter as to how much space we should devote to it. So we decided to try an experiment and ask readers what they thought. Judging by the response, many readers were very pleased to be asked.

When will it end?

SIR - How much longer are we to suffer traffic lights and digging on Main Street, Wilsden? Having lived in this area for five years there has practically been constant temporary lights here.

Sometimes the lights are out of order. How appalling for people living and running businesses beside this noise, mess and pandemonium.

I have witnessed accidents, frayed tempers and schoolchildren battling congestion to get to school. What a nightmare for potential emergency services.

Surely the work has gone over schedule. Have contractors been fined as per supposed government legislation? Are we to get rate rebates for the inconvenience? I think not!

Susan Scott, Ryecroft, Harden

Parking for free?

SIR - So, travellers have taken over a city centre car park. Are they paying the appropriate fee and if not, being issued with a parking fine as would happen to me if I were to park there and not pay?

A Day, Lodore Road, Bradford