SIR - I shall be paying no more council tax to Bradford Council. They have really got my back up now.

Do they not realise that the Odeon/Gaumont building is hallowed ground?

Bill Haley was the first to rock 'n' roll there, but the legend that Buddy Holly left behind is sacrosanct.

Only last Friday, on my way to an Old Thorntonians reunion at the University, I followed his footsteps, up Great Horton Road.

It was not until later years I realised Des O'Connor was the compere, when he talked about it on his show.

I shall be in the front row at St George's Hall to see Des on June 19, and I shall be wearing my stetson and all other Buddy Holly regalia, and I can promise you I will get Des's backing for the Gaumont.

Bradford Council just waste our money, so they are not getting any more of mine.

Christine Soothill, Caister Street, Ingrow, Keighley.

SIR - I'm glad to see something is being done about "aggressive begging" as I am sick of being approached in Bradford city centre and especially on my route to and from work at the university by people begging who have started following people and harassing them when they say no to them.

There are two in particular that bother people and I know that the police are aware of who they are as I have seen them talking to them before.

Let's hope this latest initiative works as people should not have to feel intimidated walking to and from work or indeed in the city centre they live in.

Laura Atkinson, Upper Piccadilly, Bradford.

SIR - Councillor Smith (Letters, May 14) felt that he had to respond to Mrs M Blundell's letter (May 7) regarding the Industrial Museum's lack of caf facilities and put us straight about "the facts" of why the caf is closed.

I am pleased to hear that the caf will be re-opening "shortly" but feel that it is a shame that the said councillor was unable to say when this is likely to be. "Shortly" could be next month, three months hence or perhaps next year.

Perhaps Mrs Blundell was inaccurate in her statement that the caf had been closed as a "cost-cutting measure" but Coun Smith's "shortly" is ambiguous and unhelpful to visitors, especially when literature regarding the Industrial Museum still advertises a caf and the caf opening times are clearly displayed on the museum doors.

Mrs M R West, Belmont Close, Baildon.

SIR - To answer Mr I Khan of Leyland Drive, I agree that the CRE should be scrapped. It is only a talking shop for one group of people. It was set up for all people but it is dominated by a minority group.

Race boards and race equality are big business and people are jumping on the bandwagon with frivolous complaints.

Do away with these quangos and save money. The bodies concerned cause more trouble than the BNP. In fact, people are turning to the BNP to stop this intimidation by the CRE and other bodies, so get rid of them now.

J R Smith, Bradford North Alliance, Flawith Drive, Fagley.

SIR - Re the letter from Mrs Harrison (May 8). As one of the organisers of the conference, I felt it necessary to reply.

If Mrs Harrison were to look at the facts and figures with regard to the issue of underachievement, she would realise that language barriers could not possibly be the cause of poor results as children in primary schools do very well, and it is only when they get to secondary school that they start to deteriorate.

If language was the problem, surely it would be more so at the primary level.

Also, look at Bangladeshi children in Tower Hamlets who are now outstripping their white counterparts! Also how is it that Muslim children at private schools do so well?

The language issue is just an excuse so that the Muslim community can be blamed yet again!

What we have to remember is that large numbers of the African Carribean and white community children are also being failed by the education system and instead of having a patronising "I know best attitude" we should be working to raise achievement and self-esteem among the youth of Bradford.

N Ali, Rayner Avenue, Bradford.

SIR - I should like to answer the questions put by Zohra Jabeen (Letters, May 20):

What makes a terrorist? The desire to kill innocent people at random.

Why do people become suicidal? Often through mental illness.

Is it easy to kill oneself? Yes, if one is mentally ill.

Why did the September 11 tragedy occur? Because evil maniacs wanted to kill as many innocent people as possible.

Where will this Muslim "hate and kill" drive lead the world? To the defeat of those Muslims who are so full of hate that they like killing, by rational people (including other Muslims) who prefer peaceful negotiation to random murder.

If Muslims are terrorists, what are American, British, Israeli and Indian leaders? In the main, defenders of democracy. Not all Muslims are terrorists, nor are all terrorists Muslims.

L Hobsbaum, Willow Crescent, Bradford 2.

SIR - Re the Party in the Park. I was interested to read that there is to be an entry charge to this year's event. I am bemused by the comment that a donation from the profits is to be made to charity.

If as is stated the only reason for the change is crowd control, I would have expected all the profits to go to good causes.

If the balance is not going to charity, it would be nice to see some of it being invested in the park which has been deprived of capital expenditure for many years.

As the people of Bingley suffer the inconvenience of the build-up to and aftermath of the event, it would be helpful if they were to benefit from the proceeds!

Malcolm Williamson, Primrose Drive, Gilstead.

SIR - Re Bradford becoming Capital of Culture 2008. A lot needs to be done if we are even to be considered. A dusting-down or springclean will not be enough.

We must act now on sorting the wheat from the chaff. A total refurbishment is required, including a shake-up of Council staff.

They must all be monitored, from top executive to minor supervisors, to ensure efficiency, honest and goodwill.

Some in managerial positions forget they are our servants not our masters. Better management is a must.

It is time those we vote in were given a free hand to do the job and make sure all staff, managerial and supervisory, were monitored and made to account for their actions whatever their position. Where does the buck stop?

S Walsh, Church Street, Bingley.

SIR - Through your letters page, I would like to thank you for recently printing our plea for additional volunteers to help us in our household goods shop.

Your readers responded generously and, as a result, we have now been able to extend opening times until 2pm each day which enables more people to access the goods available.

We are, however, still desperate for volunteers for our electrical repair and furniture restoration workshops. If any of your kind readers have some skills in these areas I would be very pleased to hear from them.

Fiona MacPhail, Volunteer Co-ordinator, CHAS Housing (telephone 01274 726790).

SIR - I have to agree with Mr Wood (May 17) about Leeds-Bradford International Airport. What a joke. No flights to America/India/ Pakistan and few European destinations, also only one low-cost carrier and destination.

Someone needs to get their finger out.

Tony Smith, Moorside Mews, Bradford 2