Letters to the Editor

SIR - The serious situation regarding Bradford City has at last been highlighted in the national press.

It is unthinkable that Bradford could lose a second football team or at best scraping the bottom of the barrel in administration for another season.

Perhaps a move to stay with the Bulls could be a blessing in disguise. Let's face it, Valley Parade was never going to be good enough for a tip-top stadium built on a tip in Manningham for the local rugby team a century ago and revamped as it is today.

If anyone is interested, a good look at the modernised Emsley's Rec might give someone with influence and ambition a vision of the possibilities here.

There must be influential, well-heeled people if the will was strong enough. If ever there was a case of a level playing field (literally) this is it.

We now know, as regards featuring sporting activity here, we can always count on the business sector and the Council to be single-minded in one thing - looking the other way when needed.

K Higgins, Bempton Court, Great Horton.

Expect nothing

SIR - Deputy chief executive David Kennedy's comments (T&A, May 14) that the Council cannot assist Bradford City financially, are somewhat devious and typical of himself.

Perhaps Mr Kennedy would care to publicly state in the T&A if he took any part in the payment of £5 million to Bradford Bulls recently. A single yes or no would suffice.

City fans can rest assured that all they will receive from the Council while Kennedy holds his current role, is nothing.

Granville Jackson, Paley Road, East Bowling.

Need for tolerance

Sir - In light of recent coverage on racism, immigration and related matters in the media, I thought it important to make readers aware of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly's position.

The Assembly, which represents the region's 22 local authorities, along with social, economic and environmental partners, has endorsed a request from our faith communities' representatives to condemn all forms of racism.

Sajda Shah, from the Black, Minority and Ethic communities sector, and Hilary Willmer, from the Churches Regional Commission, spoke passionately at our recent meeting about celebrating our region's culture and diversity and the threat of those trying to divide our communities.

Assembly members were delighted to unanimously support the statement, particularly in light of the forthcoming elections at local and European level.

One of the driving forces behind Advancing Together, the region's strategic framework, is the need to provide a first-class quality of life for everyone and be intolerant of discrimination.

That need extends to everyone living in Yorkshire and Humber and we must ensure the region continues to work together to tackle discrimination and challenge those who would seek to undermine those efforts.

Peter Box, Chair, Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, King Street, Wakefield.

Epilepsy help

Sir - This week is National Epilepsy Week. Epilepsy is much more common than people think, more than 300,000 adults in the UK have epilepsy, and about 75,000 children.

Because it's so common, it's important everyone understands more about what epilepsy is. If they have a couple of hours a week or fortnight to spare, they can also become NSE Epilepsy Information Service volunteers and help their local hospitals and health centres provide support to local people with epilepsy.

Through your newspaper I would like to urge everyone to find out more. They can do this by calling NSE's Helpline on 01494 601400, either to talk to a trained operator or to request an information pack, or they can log on to NSE's website at www.epilepsynse.org.uk. Please help us to increase awareness and understanding of epilepsy.

Alan Davies, Plantation Way, Wigginton, York

Thanks for support

SIR - Following the considerable interest, encouraged and accelerated by the T&A, I am now able to advise that we have made an application for 'listing' status on Bradford's former Odeon building.

An extensive portfolio has been delivered to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to try and convince the minister of the need and benefit to keep the building, and avoid its demolition as recommended in the 'Masterplan' of the central area of the city.

I would like to thank the many people who have supported our efforts: 4,000 signatures, 180 direct letters to us, photographs and documents received. Special thanks to Olwen Vasey, Colin Sutton, Michael Bottomley, Margaret Gray at BCB Radio, the Telegraph & Argus and others far too many to mention.

I would also like to say that we have no ulterior motive for all this effort which we have put in to try and save the Odeon building It is simply for the benefit of the city of Bradford.

My wife and I have enjoyed the whole time-consuming event. With fingers crossed, we are hoping for a successful conclusion. Our heart-felt thanks to all.

Norman E Littlewood, Huddersfield Road, Wyke.

Chance for change

Sir - Adult Learners Week (May 15-22) is probably the country's biggest festival of learning. Every learning organisation and venue from colleges to community centres will be opening their doors to celebrate all forms of learning.

Hundreds of employers will be giving their staff time to develop a new skill as part of Learning at Work Day.

But why should this be limited to one week per year? Every week should be Adult Learners Week. Learning, updating and improving our skills should be a part of all our lives.

Whatever our skills levels, whoever we are, it is never too late to learn and we should make it an essential element of maintaining our individual and community well-being - like taking care of our health.

More and more people are making the time for regular health checks and making changes to routines and diets to take care of their fitness.

Isn't it about time that we made the time for regular skills checks? Learning can open new doors for people both professionally and personally. Let's make this Adult Learners week a launch pad for that lifestyle change.

Karen Roberts, Ufi Head of Region for Yorkshire & Humberside, Victoria Place, Leeds

Shameful sport

Sir - The Countryside Alliance must be desperate if it is willing to commission a poll which confirms the blindingly obvious - the vast majority of the public want the Government to make further improvements in education and health care.

A more relevant question - and one the Alliance dares not ask - would be: "Do you believe the Government should fulfil its promise to ban hunting with dogs?" The vast majority of people would, I predict, say yes.

Far from being 'ridiculous' as Simon Hart of the Countryside Alliance (T&A, May 6) claims, MPs know just how unpopular blood sports are with their constituents.

To imply, as Mr Hart does, that MPs spend a significant amount of time on blood sports at the expense of other issues is misleading and insulting to the hard work MPs do for their constituents. MPs from all political parties have voted overwhelmingly to end hunting with dogs so the issue need not consume a great deal of Parliamentary time.

The public quite rightly expects Tony Blair to keep his promise to ban hunting with dogs and rid this country of this shameful so-called sport.

Jeanne Young, North West League Against Cruel Sports, Chorley.