SIR - I was shocked to discover that a farm in Queensbury is the first in West Yorkshire to fall to foot and mouth disease. Shock quickly turned to thoughts of how devastating this must be for Mr Sutcliffe, his family and the effect on Bobby Green farm for the foreseeable future.

Indeed, there must also be many farmers within the district and neighbouring areas living on a knife-edge wondering whether they will be effected.

The Council have and will continue to work very closely with MAFF, and under powers have closed public footpaths, bridleways and other areas of land around the outbreak. These have been clearly signed and closed off.

It is therefore unbelievable to be informed that people have been ignoring these warning signs or, even worse, tearing them down.

This is not only wholly irresponsible but punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and/or six months in prison. If any person has information or sees people abusing the above, can they please call the Animal Health Inspector on (01274) 754629.

There is not much individuals can do to help, but we must all abide by the measures that are put in place by the Council and MAFF. We must do all that we can to make sure foot and mouth is contained.

Councillor Andrew Smith (Con, Queensbury), Chapel Street, Queensbury.

SIR - I read with some alarm the article in Saturday's T&A about ramblers flouting foot and mouth restrictions and tearing down warning notices.

The Ramblers' Association will in no way support such action. At all levels, national, regional and local, The Ramblers has asked its members to co-operate fully with the authorities and farmers. It has cancelled its own scheduled walks where these would run the risk of spreading any infection.

We are all missing our springtime walks and the sooner the disease is under control the better, but this requires that we all co-operate to the full with the authorities.

Can I once again ask all ramblers to help by obeying warning notices.

G Woodhead (chairman, Bradford Group Ramblers' Association), Reevy Road, Bradford 6.

SIR - I write regarding Stock Transfer, ie the sale or transfer of council housing to a private company.

How many of your readers in the Holme Wood/Bierley area understand that if Stock Transfer succeeds, Bierley and Holme Wood would become a part of Royds?

The Royds group are the instigators of and are the applicants who form the private company taking council stock. This new company (on present information) will be known as Greater Royds taking in Holme Wood/Bierley, Wyke and parts of Buttershaw etc.

As a Carwood representative on the villagers group on Holme Wood, I feel it is my duty to inform residents of Carwood village and indeed all tenants of Holme Wood of this.

I, and the people I speak to, don't want Holme Wood to lose its identity and become a part of Royds.

I am sure tenants on Bierley and indeed villagers of Ryecroft and Knowleswood will feel the same.

H Clough (Carwood village rep), Copgrove Road, Bradford 4.

SIR - From time immemorial, the backroom boffins and scientists have crossed swords with Mother Nature as to who is the more powerful in progress, regardless of the consequences, and she plays them like a fish on a hook.

These budding Dr Frankensteins now attempt to clone the human species, having progressed from animals. Should they succeed, one does wonder who, in the steel industry, will corner the market for neck bolts and Herman Munster boots?

They've spent billion of pounds, sacrificed billions of animals, to satisfy their egotistical ideals. Yet they still can't come up with a cure for the common cold.

Kevin Bailey, Knoll Terrace, Baildon.

SIR - It is now six weeks since I suggested a way forward in your newspaper about Manningham Mills and during that time I have had contact with all the parties involved. What has happened? NOTHING.

Nobody has complained in your letters page about my ideas, though one writer suggested something very much worse for the buildings than my proposals! The consulting engineers have said the building is falling down but all that is done is NOTHING. A planning application was made by Urban Splash Ltd to re-develop a long time ago but what have the planners done? NOTHING.

The Government has made it clear that it will not finance the work, so Yorkshire Forward said they would show the city how to re-order their finances to support progress but what has happened? NOTHING. Even English Heritage do NOTHING yet they should be the most concerned of us all.

What is wrong with everybody when all are agreed as to the historical value of the mills yet they prefer to see them collapse before their eyes rather than compromise some small part of their attitude so as to do something? Let us get a grip on this and get moving.

The article in the T&A (March 12) about a potential lifeline for the building tells us nothing new but at least the officials concerned should now be pressured to produce a firm answer so that something can in fact be done.

R G Jennings, Lady Park Avenue, Bingley.

SIR - Re your news story on March 9 regarding the woman who had been on the dole for 24 years.

No wonder the country is going broke. That story is unbelievable.

You Brits make it too easy for people to just go on the dole. Looking at the rubbish on the street in Oak Lane during my last visit, they should put people to work sweeping it up, instead of lazing around doing nothing.

When my son wanted a car, he went out and did a paper round, and saved up that way.

Over in the States, if you don't have a job in one year, they cut off your money, especially if you are able to work.

We made our money the old-fashioned way. We earned it.

Diane Duguid, E 4th Street, Deer Park, New York.