Letters to the Editor

We knew the children responsible, their addresses and who their parents are, and were more than happy to identify them. However, the police were disinterested and did not even attend the scene.

Each weekend, without fail, the same group cause damage and light fires at the school, yet nothing is done to stop them. This is because the school is derelict.

However, those of us who have to live near the building are in constant fear of a major fire which could endanger our property and, more importantly, our lives. These children need to be dealt with now, before it is too late.

Mrs Jordan, Rushton Road, Thornbury.

SIR - The death has occurred of Frank Marsden, former treasurer and later vice-chairman of the Bradford branch of the Arthritis Research Campaign. His sudden death has shocked us beyond belief, and I know we are all finding it incredibly hard to get our heads round it.

Frank was not only a firm friend but a man who would go the extra mile to help those in need, a man at the heart of his family and the wider community.

At our last Morrisons collection in Girlington last month, Frank and his wife Jean collected over £400, more than half the amount of the entire two-day collection. Who knows how many thousands of pounds he has raised for arthritis research in his 30-year association with the campaign?

While we struggle to come to terms with our cruel loss, our hearts go out to Jean and his family. May they be comforted by our love and prayers.

Miss Elizabeth M Holbrook (Bradford branch secretary, Arthritis Research Campaign), Bradford Road, Menston.

SIR - John Pennington, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, was recently quoted as saying: "Bradford needs a super-tram link with Leeds, and a link between the city's two railway stations before it will really start to thrive again."

This contrasts with the attitude of Mr Prestage, Metro spokesman, who considers that money would be better spent elsewhere or Mr Mainwaring, Director of Planning, who refers to a 1980 study which had then decided that a link was not a viable proposition (T&A, July 2).

It is heartening that Mr Pennington recognises what is required if Bradford is to be successfully regenerated in contrast to the short-sighted attitude of Bradford Council.

Bradford requires a cross-rail link and it is time that the Council promoted the city in that light, so that funding for it can be attracted in the future.

The Urban Regeneration Committee (URC) are involved in the Broadway development, and have commissioned a firm of architects to produce a master plan for the city. We would welcome an opportunity to explain the benefits of cross-Bradford to them so that the scheme can then be included in future plans. We are still awaiting to hear from the URC!

Alec Suchi (secretary of Bradford Rail Users Group), c/o Lloyd and Robinson Opticians, Westgate, Bradford.

SIR - Recently I read in the T&A Letters column another attack on fox hunting. This is a political issue. The left-wing troupe care not a jot for the fox, hounds or huntsman.

Without the huntsman, who will control the vermin?

The cities are as we all know over-run with crime, drugs and baseball bat thugs, mugging easy targets.

Sadly "the troupe" have obviously got their priorities wrong as they seek soft targets. What will be left of our heritage in a few years time?

G E Sykes, Jacana Way, Clayton Heights.

SIR - In the Muslim holy book, the Koran, it is stated: "Is there no wise man among you?"

I was amazed to find how relevant that verse is to the 21st century planners of Bradford Metropolitan Council.

The story is that a group of council officers and community activists are to visit the Netherlands to learn what road safety measures have been adopted on the continent. The aim is that similar measures can then be implemented in Bradford to reduce road casualties.

May I suggest that the administration of Bradford Council and its leaders throw in the towel and call in the receivers from the Netherlands to run Bradford Metropolitan Council.

Muhammed Azam, St Margaret's Road, Horton Grange.

SIR - You published three indignant replies to my challenge to the anti-EU brigade but none contained a coherent answer, so let me give them an example.

President Bush hopes that his 'Road Map' will provide the basis of peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians but his efforts are being undermined by the suspicion that deep down his administration favours Israel.

The EU gives financial assistance to the Palestinians but has seen attempts to mediate ignored by both sides because the individual members cannot agree a common strategy.

If however the current 'constitutional proposals' come into effect and a single foreign policy represented by a single minister is agreed, then the economic and political influence of a community of 350 million people would be in a position to impose a settlement.

This seems to me to be a good idea so perhaps one or both of Councillors Gill and Smith could explain why they disagree.

Brian Holmans, Longley Road, Bingley.

SIR - Six Muslim extremists killed a Catholic priest in Central Pakistan on July 5 in an attack on his house. It was a brutal and evil act of terrorism.

Armed with guns, they climbed over the wall of Father George Ibrahim's house and shot him dead. His assistant Pervez Masih was seriously injured.

The killing of Father Ibrahim in Renala Khurd town, 75 miles southwest of Lahore, came a day after Muslim extremists killed 54 and injured 70 Shia Muslims in Quettta when more than 400 Shia Muslims were praying in the Mosque.

On August 10, 2002, after the general election in Pakistan, Muslim extremists and leaders of religious parties who are ruling half of the country, announced that the blasphemy and Sharait laws would be the Islamic Supreme laws and all the cases of blasphemy will be dealt with in Islamic courts in Pakistan.

It will make a mockery of the federal judiciary constitutional structure and religions. It will also provide more power to Muslim extremists, religious parties and terrorists who destroyed Christian villages, churches, hospitals, schools and massacred the innocent Christian women, children, men and old people in Pakistan.

The people of Pakistan have to build a civilised society in which all faiths are committed to protect the interests of the entire society and promote a multi-faith community which appreciates the value of human life otherwise injustice and persecution will never end.

Jim Dutt (chairman, Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Organisation), Armidale Way, Bradford 2.

SIR - Following the recent heatwave, I am writing to urge your readers to take care in the sun. Over 65,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in this country every year, yet most of these would be prevented if people acted sensibly and took good care of their skin.

More people are dying from skin cancer in the UK than in Australia. This is not due to inferior treatment in this country but to lack of public awareness about preventing skin cancer and failure by people to check for, recognise and go to their GP with early symptoms.

I would like to bring your readers' attention to our new skin cancer awareness campaign, 'SunSmart', a joint initiative with the Government, which reinforces sun safety messages.

If your readers would like to know more about how to be SunSmart, they can visit our website at www.sunsmart.org.uk. To obtain our information card and leaflet, send an A5 size stamped addressed envelope to "SunSmart card & leaflet", Cancer Research UK, PO Box 123, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PX.

Dr Lesley Walker, Director of Cancer Information, Cancer Research UK.

SIR - I am writing about the X81 bus being taken of the road. Mr Hussain of First Bradford tells us it is no problem as we still have the 681 and 682.

I beg to differ, as this is one and the same bus, only changing its number at night and on Sunday. As we have more and more properties being built at Woodside, we need more buses, not fewer. The 613 turns off at St Paul's Avenue so is no good for going to Bankfoot or Morrisons.

Come on Mr Hussain, give Woodside a bus that serves Woodside through our estate. After all, we haven't all got cars.

Mrs Veronica Quantrill, Eskine Parade, Woodside.