Sir - Oh, the travesty! How could he? Stop him, somebody, please!

What am I talking about? Well, today I decided to check out the Telegraph & Argus website to find interesting snippets of news that folks back home are reading. There was this article about the owner of the historical funfair at Shipley Glen demolishing the old Aerial Glide!

The Aerial Glide was always a thrill to ride as a child in the Fifties. Pay your sixpence - or was it a shilling? - sit in the little swaying seat with a seat belt across your lap, and then be 'launched into space' - well, about ten to 15 feet from the ground - and 'glide' in a big 100-yard or so clattery, bumpy, swooshing loop back to where you started. Oh the joy! "Can I go again, Mum? Please, Dad?" "No, not this time, it's your sister's turn now."

And now it's gone - or will be when this man demolishes it over the next few weeks. If only someone with the necessary funds could come forward and save it they would be my hero.

Jan Marshall, Astoria, Oregon, USA.

Taking turns...

SIR - You published an interesting and welcome article about the change of chairmanship of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority (T&A, July 26).

After the electorate had clearly shown they had lost confidence in Labour throughout West Yorkshire, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on the WYPTA came to an arrangement which will last for two years only.

This takes the form of the chairmanship for the first 12 months going to a Conservative, Coun Stanley King.

The Liberal Democrats have taken the deputy chair with Coun Kararr Hussain from Kirklees. Next year the chair will be a Liberal Democrat and the Conservatives will take the deputy chair.

Voting together will be agreed on issue by issue. Liberal Democrats believe that this will be the best basis for West Yorkshire to move forward with its plans for a better transport system for all.

Coun Ann Ozolins, Liberal Democrat Member of the WYPTA, City Hall, Bradford.

Shameful system

SIR - Thank you Mike Priestley for your "Who's Counting" piece (T&A, July 22) about the shameful policy being applied to those who are unfortunate enough to fall victim to Alzheimers, other forms of dementia, or other illness which the NHS does not recognise as health problems and therefore merely need 'social care' from the local social services, and which was has to be paid for...

Most people do not realise this callous discrimination exists until they are plunged into it either as a sufferer or a carer.

The defence of this shameful system put up by Stephen Ladyman MP, Minister of Health in the Panorama program on July 18 was truly appalling. Patronising would be a kind word to describe it as it demonstrated a complete lack of understanding and willingness on the part of the government to continue to discriminate appallingly against one section of the population.

I would urge people to write to their MP demanding an end to this discrimination and an end to 'means testing' - no-one knows when they may be plunged into this situation.

The Alzheimer's Society (Bradford 01274 733880) have been campaigning long and hard for a change to this terrible system and would welcome any help that may be available.

Mrs S Dewhirst, Dyehouse Fold, Oakenshaw.

Europe lessons

Sir - Estelle Lumb (T&A, July 23) rightly suggests we should be careful with statistics and facts about the benefits of a close relationship with Europe but she has missed some of those relating to the environment and public services.

While France has the best health service in the world and a first class railway system, Germany can teach us a thing or two environmentally.

They produce a third of the world's wind-powered electricity, are a world leader in the use of solar power, recycle 48 per cent of household waste, compared with our 11 per cent, and have returnable deposits on glass bottles, drink cans and plastic containers.

They are organised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent in the next 15 years while we will struggle to prevent our contribution rising. In addition they are on the way to making 20 per cent of their farming organic.

We have so much to learn from European practices rather than American ones and perhaps the main lesson is that proportional representation leads to the development of quality practices.

We need to be part of Europe rather than an extra state of the US.

Keith Thomson, Heights Lane, Bradford.

Brought to book

Sir - Last week Cross Hills Library reopened following its recent refurbishment. This community facility was again for the use of the people of the area -but not the opening!

Preparations began early; flower arrangements and bouquets arrived. The caterer delivered the buffet and the guests arrived... the great and the good as they say, but no public allowed.

A photographer recorded the event for posterity and departed. The great and the good began to disperse and the commoners were allowed to enter the hallowed portal. The caterer returned to take away the remains of the buffet.

The 'new' library closed at 5pm as usual. Naturally none of the local workers would want to see what their council tax provided.

The librarians left and the car park in the centre of the village was chained off. Library users are the only people allowed to use this facility in future.

North Yorkshire County Council's statement of aims includes care for the community and the need for communication with the community. Neither of those aims were being met at the opening.

L Smith, Cross Hills, Keighley.

Ridiculous situation

Sir - I and I am sure many other long-suffering motorists would like a satisfactory explanation as to why the road works in Allerton Road and Duckworth Lane have been allowed to take place all at the same time.

We all accept road works have to be carried out, for a variety of reasons, and that delays do occur, but the situation here is ridiculous and demonstrates the incompetence of those responsible for our highways.

M R Craven, Alpine Rise, Thornton.

l A Bradford council spokesman said: Yorkshire Water were doing scheduled work in Duckworth Lane/Pearson Lane when a large water main burst in Allerton Road spilling around three million gallons of water in about four hours.

Allerton Road had to be closed for almost a week because of flooding and damage to the carriageway. It opened again on Monday (July 19). Yorkshire Water is waiting until they have finished on Duckworth Lane before completing work on Allerton Road. There was no question of incompetence. It was a matter of public safety.

Praise for NHS

SIR - I'd like to say a word of thanks to the staff of the Audiology Clinic at the BRI.

I attended recently to have a hearing aid fitted and really appreciated the friendly, courteous service there.

We hear a lot of criticism of the NHS these days, and I'm delighted to say something positive and grateful about such a splendid institution.

Furthermore, both my sister and mother-in-law have recently spent time in hospital, and they took spoke warmly and appreciatively of the care they received there.

So thank you BRI and NHS - keep up the good work!

Geoff Stead, Effingham Road, Harden.

Heartless thief

SIR - I would like to ask the thief if he's proud of stealing two flower tubs from my front door, one of which was a birthday present from my daughter.

Is this how to treat old-age pensioners?

Mrs B Turton, Harbour Road, Wibsey.

The Green Wellies

Sir - Regarding the article about the possible merger of the Duke of Wellington's regiment with the Green Howards (T&A July 22), if this went through, would they then be called The Green Welly Brigade?

Brian L Turner, Cambrian Bar, Low Moor, Bradford.

Cane is the answer to combat crime

SIR - I'm so fed-up of writing to David Blunkett about how to combat rising crime in England.

He does not, or will not, listen to somebody, who knows just what this country was like, before the abolition of the cane in our schools and so condoning, rudeness and lack of discipline all over this country where children go to school and do what they like.

I feel I am writing like an ongoing record that nobody listens to.

The crime in our country started to grow when the cane in schools was stopped because people did not want their kids caned.

So much pressure was put on, on their behalf, little knowing just what future damage they would be doing to this country.

Bill Hudson, Woodside Close, Tyersal.