Letters to the Editor

SIR - Having walked through Bradford on Saturday, I was surprised to see the change of fortune that has befallen the retail space that was once Dillons.

Only the previous fortnight I had been there to view the new masterplan for Bradford city centre which, although I am sceptical, is at least an attempt to provide the loyal citizens of this once-great city a glimmer of hope for what could be.

This prime retail space has now become the temporary (I hope) home to a "cancelled orders sale" where piles of clothing sit atop rows of cardboard boxes.

Surely, when we are talking of losing some of our longest-established retailers because of a lack of appropriate space while the old Broadway is demolished, this store could be put to better use.

On Saturday, I could only hold my head in shame thinking of any visitors who may have been attracted to the city only to be met with this sight.

How can the Council expect any of its long-suffering community to buy into its grand schemes when this is the best it can come up with in our city centre?

M Gibbons, Gainsborough Close, Undercliffe.

Wonderful cafe

SIR - If you wish to enjoy a "Truly Scrumptious" experience then visit a caf in John Street Market of that name. There you will be treated like royalty, met by smiling faces, invited to sit down and your order taken with courtesy and promptness.

If, like me, you have had a shock and think you have lost your purse, you will be treated with the utmost kindness.

I did find my purse and, as it was Christmas Eve, my Christmas was made all the happier by the staff there. They all deserve to be on the New Year's Honours list. Well done and thank you.

Joyce Clifford, Southfield Road, Bradford.

Crazy propaganda

SIR - When will this propaganda cease? Why is it that you only hear people talking about how all the young drivers are maniacs and that they're to blame for every speed camera and every crash?

I am referring to suggestions that the Bingley relief road should already have speed cameras due to the number of crazy young drivers around.

I admit that there are some bad drivers who happen to be young, but there are also a lot of bad drivers who are not so young. Today, on the way to Manchester, we were cut up by two vehicles, both of which were driven by businessmen in their suits and ties and speaking on their mobile phones even though that is now illegal.

So from my experience today, 100 per cent of moronic drivers are middle-aged businessmen. Of course that is a stupid statistic to quote, but it serves my point that there are bad drivers in every age group.

Matthew Morley (age 23, careful driver, no points, no crashes, no fines), Hill Top Road, Thornton.

End the confusion

SIR - Your Letters page has recently resembled the "Church Times" with the number of letters devoted to religious discussion.

Those critical of religion have often commented that religious thought is not compatible with scientific development, such as evolution, and have likened it to superstition.

Religious apologists have tended to argue from authority to justify their beliefs, often quoting from texts such as the Bible.

A more intelligent approach would accept that religions are the product of past events, which are given importance and which offer inspiration to their adherents.

However religious adherents tend to treat their beliefs as incontrovertible facts which may lead to unnecessary confusion.

It is to be hoped, if this prolonged debate is to continue, that greater insights are shared, rather than continuing as before.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Allerton.

Join our forum

SIR - It has long been the ambition of the Forum Focused on Pensioner Power to establish a Pensioner's Parliament and, indeed, the proposal was put forward at our meeting, addressed by Rodney Bickerstaffe, President of the NPC, in February last year at City Hall, Bradford.

We have also made reference to it in the T&A. Maybe Mr Trevor Williams-Berry (Letters, January 1) should read our letters or, better still, join our forum where his feelings would have more validity. It is our intention to mount a Pensioner's Parliament this spring.

The membership of our forum is increasing daily and we shall soon hit the 1,000 mark.

Incidentally, our membership represents the entire area of Bradford MDC with a number of affiliated groups throughout the region.

It is our intention to invite representation from groups through the area to form a steering committee. Would it not be advisable for Mr Williams-Berry to join our ranks, so instead of throwing down the gauntlet he could be instrumental in people picking it up?

Audrey Raistrick (secretary, Forum Focused on Pensioner Power), Westgate, Victoria Road, Bradford 2.

Rural planning

SIR - With the latest protests against unrestrained rural development, it should not be forgotten that the purpose of a rural planning regime is to balance landscape conservation against the needs of the 13 million people who live and work in the countryside and depend upon a sustainable economy.

Conservation needs management. Non-residential historic buildings do not maintain themselves. Ten or 20 years ago income and employment from farming would have underpinned hedgerow-laying, the village shop and even the village school. This is no longer possible.

The future lies in examples like Broughton in North Yorkshire, where diversification of farm buildings has created 500 jobs that not only keep the local shop and school alive but also support farming, which maintains the landscape.

Planning needs to involve those who live and work in the countryside while supporting and encouraging imaginative solutions, for example old farm buildings being converted for commercial or residential use.

Blanket designations, which frustrate well-designed and suitably scaled employment or housing, will do nothing to support either our landscape or heritage.

The Government's draft guidance would not allow unrestrained building, either on green fields or in the green belt. It is a step in the right direction.

MCJ Willoughby (chairman, Country Land and Business Association Yorkshire), Spring Street, Easingwold, York.

No deterrent

SIR - In the wake of recent high-profile crimes, Laura Darnsbrough writes that "hanging is the deterrent needed."

Texas has a population of 21 million. In the year 2000, there were more than 1,200 murders in the state.

The United Kingdom has a population of 58 million. In the year 2000, there were just under 800 murders in this country.

So Texas has a murder rate almost four times that of the UK, despite the fact that over there the death penalty is almost routinely applied to murderers.

So much, then, for Ms Darnbrough's "needed deterrent". However, Old Testament-style vengeance is another matter altogether...

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

Problems ahead

SIR - Sir Ken Morrison is doing a fantastic job, community-wise. He looks after his customers well but, when he plans a new store, can he seriously look at the car park? Existing exits at the Mayo Avenue staore are terrible, even though a new one has been organised on Manchester Road.

I can't imagine what it is going to be like with a Matalan store next door, especially next Christmas.

Shirl Walker, Little Horton Lane, Bradford.