Letters to the Editor

SIR - I was delighted to read of the huge potential influx of wealth that Bradford's central redevelopment would generate (T&A, December 2). However, hidden within that report was the fact that the bulk of this potential increase in revenue would come from the proposed Broadway shopping centre.

This is exactly what the people of Bradford have been saying for years.

Bradford's rebirth will come from the creation of a decent, modern shopping centre with good quality stores and amenities. It will not come from a "sensory garden" or an "iconic bridge of learning" whatever they might be, or an "urban wetland", which would become a haven for drug dealers and fly tippers, or from a giant, rubbish-filled, flooded Centenary Square.

For heaven's sake forget the trendy, "green", politically correct designs and produce some sensible, workable ideas which will maximise the use of this very valuable area of our city.

The city centre redevelopment is not a pretend, paper exercise by students at architectural college. It is a plan for real people to live and work in, a real city that has to make money in the real world.

Malcolm Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

Glorious chance

SIR - I understand that the interior of the former New Victoria/Gaumont/Odeon theatre is largely intact, behind the "triple conversion" and could be restored.

I was house organist at the Gaumont from 1965 to 1967. It was a fabulous theatre with more than 3,000 seats, superb acoustics, plus a ballroom and restaurant.

Serious consideration should be given to restoring this building to its former glory as a multi-functional performing arts centre. Who knows, maybe a Wurlitzer organ could be re-installed!

David Lowe, Primrose Lane, Gilstead.

More please...

SIR - Having just arrived back from shopping in Bradford, I just want to say what a pleasant change the European market was.

Whoever had the idea and organised it has got it right for once. More occasions like this could maybe help Bradford out of the doldrums.

Dorothy Proud, Toftshaw Lane, Tong.

Grants injustice

SIR - How nice to see money is being given to householders in Bradford 3 towards the cost of property repairs (T&A, December 5).

However, I do feel a little aggrieved as my mother, who lives in Bradford 2, also has a property needing repair.

As a family, we do what we can to help her. Last year we paid for her windows to be replaced and we try to keep her garden tidy. My mother, whose husband died last year, is 81 and is greatly loved by everyone.

She gave up work when she had a family, always put her children's welfare and happiness before her own and has never asked for anything from the state.

It is only now, when I try to get her help towards repairs to her property, that I feel totally at odds with local government. No help is forthcoming as she has a small amount of savings - the money she has put away for her funeral expenses.

It appears we are again giving money to people who won't help themselves and not helping old people who want to live the rest of their days in comfortable, familiar surroundings.

A P Robb, Moorside Road, Bradford.

Not so depressing

SIR - Bradford's mills were depressing places for people to work in, says Charles Tunnicliffe (Letters, December 4). But Lister's Mill, along with Salts and Dean Clough, were designed to let in as much light as possible.

Before electricity, natural light was all there was. Of course basic manufacturing could be dreary but it was better than being an agricultural worker, miner or a fisherman in that period. At least the mills got women on to the economic ladder and slackened their dependence on the male economy.

These West Yorkshire mills are worthy of celebration. Along with the mines, they made this riding prosperous and populous.

They stand for our predecessors' heroic ability to struggle, survive and flourish and have now become the catalyst of dynamic ethnic and religious change which will set new courses for the West Riding in lifestyle and social policy.

George Moffat, Selborne Grove, Bradford.

Let's get tough

SIR - Again we hear the call for bringing back the death penalty. It will never happen because this country is too soft.

However, there is certainly a call for a system whereby offenders are given a death sentence which is commuted to life in prison - meaning they would die in prison. They would not receive the luxuries that lifers have today.

This sentence would apply to murderers, rapists or anyone convicted of offences against children, such as paedophiles. I would even apply it to drink drivers who kill.

We should also be increasing the punishment for other serious offences.

I also believe that offenders should earn remission and not have it given automatically.

Donald Oliver, Gerard House, Fairhaven Green, Idle.

Media blackout?

SIR - We receive almost daily reports of the coalition casualties in Iraq. However I am not aware of any similar reports coming from Afghanistan. This causes me some concern.

Does the lack of casualty reports from Afghanistan mean that there aren't any US or UK troops being killed there? Surely this cannot be the case. The Afghans are a battle-hardened people and history dictates that they will repel any foreign power perceived to be an occupier.

I can only conclude that there is some type of media blackout on Afghanistan as I imagine that UK/US casualties are far higher there than in Iraq. Are we simply being misled by omission by the media or government?

Dr David Goldstein, Alexander Road, Shipley.

Question of faith

SIR - Peter Wilson accuses me of insouciance (Letters, November 29) when I defend the right of people to hold religious views without fear of recrimination. It is disingenuous of Mr Wilson to presuppose that, in this world of religious intolerance, local politics and one's religious preferences are one and the same; they are not.

When out canvassing as an Independent councillor or as chairman of a local epilepsy group, I never comment on colour, creed or religion as I personally find conversations about one's faith can be open to misinterpretations, innocent or not.

Councillor Andrea Walker, Bar Lane, Riddlesden.

My miracle cure

SIR - Good on ya, Eddie O'Hara, on your success in giving up smoking (Letters, December 4)! I'd been smoking for 20 years before I left Bradford to come to Australia in 1976 and carried on the habit here.

Stopping smoking was easy, I'd done it hundreds of times, but about 16 years ago I saw a Geoffrey Robertson's Hypotheticals programme on TV, entitled What's Your Poison? I was feeling smug that I wasn't addicted to any drugs, then a former heroin addict on the panel said: "Tobacco is as addictive as heroin."

It was like a light going off in my head. I reached over and knocked my cigarettes and lighter across the room so hard they hit the opposite wall. Since that moment I have never wanted another cigarette and never went through withdrawal symptoms. It was truly a miracle.

Over the years since then I must have saved a fortune on cigarettes - but I'd love to know where it is!

Sandy Parkinson, Grigg Place, Hilton, Western Australia.

Common problem

SIR - I had to laugh when I saw the story about people in Bradford having to wait a week for pest controllers to come out and deal with rats.

I am a pest control operator in Aussie Land and we get a lot of calls for rats to be killed in houses in Perth. It's a massive problem and they will chew the wire in the roof. So don't complain about the pests over there - we have plenty more over here.

Gary Turner, Norman Street, Innaloo, Perth.