Letters to the Editor

SIR - I am surprised by the lack of letters to the T&A regarding the intention of closing the off-road facility at The Flappit (T&A, April 16).

I would have thought the Reverend Chris Andrews would have received tremendous support for his campaign to keep the venue open.

I have ridden 'off-road' motorcycles since the 50s and The Flappit has been a maintenance-free, incident-free (as far as I know) venue for all types of off-road riding.

Landfill expert Mike Ellis says the activities that take place there are not causing any problems for anyone, so why should there be any thought of closure, either to the riding area or the lay-by?

I personally have not used The Flappit a great deal but I do know many that do ride there.

If you need to test a bike or have a bit of midweek practice it is the only place within 50 miles.

Colin Appleyard is correct in saying that it will encourage riders to go to other places in the district where disruption and nuisance will be caused.

The fact is that the facility should be kept open and money spent on improving the area for parking, etc, not closed down, and I would like to see more people come out in support of Rev Andrews and his campaign.

J Rhodes, Enfield Road, Baildon.

Too soft on pupils

Sir - Regarding the failure of Immanuel School, I see that the teachers are to be singled out as the main cause of the failure, whereas everyone knows that the real problem is discipline, but nobody dare tackle this subject. It's far easier to have a go at the staff.

The best teachers in the world cannot get results if they are not allowed to properly discipline the unruly behaviour that seems to be standard today.

When I was at Belle Vue in the 1950s, teachers did not have a discipline problem. On the rare occasions it cropped up, a swift piece of physical punishment reminded pupils that their behaviour was not acceptable.

Pupils were not allowed to talk in lessons, but some today cannot keep their mouths shut.

Teachers today, of course, have to put up with lots of nonsense, much of it due to poor parental discipline. Who would be the first to scream if their child was punished and want the teacher sacked?

Many of these little pupils then leave school un-educated, and carry on their anti-social behaviour on the streets.

The failure to address indiscipline by proper punishment is a victory for the do-gooders and defeat for children's education.

Gary Lorriman, Harden, Bingley.

Blair's naivity

SIR - Is Tony Blair so nave that he cannot see Ariel Sharon is giving up bits of illegally-settled land to gain much better West Bank illegal settlements - a sprat to catch a mackerel?

President Bush accepts this because he wants Jewish votes in the presidential election, a good reason also for permitting the Israeli-built wall to stay.

Is Blair (pictured) going to be a 'yes' man forever?

Mrs Audrey Rennard, Moorside Road, Eccleshill.

Our big chance

SIR - Alan Biggin, president of Bradford Society of Chartered Accountants, expresses his reservations regarding the proposed regeneration of Bradford (T&A, April 5).

He regards some of the developments as being more concerned with public relations than meeting the needs of the city, such as "loft-style" apartments and the caf development on Centenary Square.

Mr Biggin discusses certain "pre-requisites" as a basis of regeneration and regards linking the two separate railways in Bradford as important for the city's advancement. Bradford Rail Users Group (BRUG) has been actively campaigning for a cross-rail link, which enjoys the support of several enlightened organisations.

Unfortunately, Bradford Council and Bradford Regeneration have failed to promote the benefit of the scheme and instead emphasise the importance of the Broadway Development which, if built according to the current plans, will obstruct an alignment between the two stations.

In the process an opportunity to improve Bradford's infrastructure and place it on the main rail network will be lost for generations.

As Alan Biggin eloquently states: "Given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, how can we again spurn the chance to provide the city with a joined-up railway?"

Alec Suchi, secretary, Bradford Rail Users' Group, Allerton Road, Allerton.

Quit the EU now

Sir - The letter 'Another victim of a flawed policy' (T&A April 17) makes a number of valid points against Tony Blair's policy of almost unrestricted legal immigration from the expanded EU, where average GDP is around 45 per cent of UK levels and some 'roofers' apparently only have one leg.

Migrants from the former Soviet bloc will be willing to work for (or illegally below) a minimum wage and the worst effect is going to be on Britain's existing low-wage earners.

A significant number of first and second generation immigrants from the Indian sub-continent still work in low-wage industries and I would suggest they are among those at highest risk of being replaced by legal immigrants from Eastern Europe.

Do not expect Blair, Howard, or Kennedy, who all want the EU to control our immigration policy, to care.

To solve this immigration problem we must leave the EU and regain control of our own borders. We can then ensure that managed, sustainable immigration using a work permit system works fairly for the benefit of all our citizens, regardless of origin.

John R Walker, UK Independence Party prospective MEP candidate Yorkshire & the Humber, Woodhall Park Mount, Stanningley.

Save our City

Sir - It is not surprising some members of the Council, and indeed the public, are uneasy about assisting Bradford City FC financially, especially so soon after the payment of several million pounds of ratepayers' money to the Bulls.

The arguments for saving City are compelling. They are Bradford's most famous ambassadors and provide the area's stage and focus for the national game.

They occupy Bradford's premier stadium, one we should be proud of. The club contributes significantly to the local economy while the ground brings together people of every class and nationality, young and old, male and female.

But perhaps most importantly of all, the club has provided generations of Bradfordians with so many unforgettable memories.

The club should not be allowed to die in its centenary season. The Council should recognise the importance of the club to the citizens of Bradford, be creative in its discussions with the club and hopefully find a way to assist 'our' club before it is too late.

R Villermann, Bolton Hall Road, Bradford.

Tracing ancestors

SIR - A letter has been sent to me from Australia seeking to trace ancestors who may still be resident in the area.

The lady who wrote says her great grandfather emigrated around 125 years ago and she is mainly interested in the mid to late 1800s.

Her great grandfather, Haley Anderson Midgley, was born at Wilsden on November 5, 1862, and had a brother Sydney Midgley who also emigrated.

The lady's father was William Midgley, her mother Elizabeth Ann Leach.

If these names ring a bell and you can supply further information please contact 07986 294757.

N H Barwick, Kingston Close, Wilsden.

House price fears

SIR - Seeing Mr Andrew Hodgson in last Saturday's T&A grinning his head off about rocketing house prices made me sick. The greedy building societies should have put a stop to this price rise years ago. Still more profit for them and estate agents as people struggle to get their own homes.

As a parent of two young adults, one at university and the other too scared to go there (although qualified) because of the debt problem, I cannot see any way of them being able to buy a place of their own.

Still never mind, make money for lenders and estate agents.

George Watmough, Carr Lane, Shipley.