Letters to the Editor

Since 1986 when the then council took over all financial cost for Odsal in return for (I am reliably informed) a "peppercorn annual rent" from Bradford Northern, we taxpayers have contributed a sum in excess of £4 million, plus of course the on-going costs for the next two years.

Surely it is not a matter of whether this obscene waste of public money should come out of the recreation/leisure budget or central council finance.

The plain simple fact is no taxpayers' money should be used to part-finance Bradford Bulls Holdings Ltd., a professional sports club with a huge income from Sky Television, revenue from the best attendances in rugby league, and a highly profitable marketing/merchandising operation.

The Council should without delay terminate any contract that exists.

Bradford Bulls would then be faced with a stark choice: either fund themselves, or take our Council to court.

But would any court in the land rule in their favour bearing in mind the vast subsidy already provided, and the very strong depth of feeling over this disgraceful waste of our money?

Barry Wood, Knights Fold, Bradford 7.

SIR - I read with utter amazement (T&A, February 3) the report of the Council's intention to foot the bill of over £500,000 to enable Bradford Bulls to move to Valley Parade.

What a kick in the teeth to the people of Thornton and district who have been told by Council leaders that it is very unlikely that money can be found to renovate Thornton's only remaining asset, the Baths.

Why should the Council be left with a bill for this huge amount as a result of the developers, Sterling Capital, taking over the stadium for their proposed £60 million scheme?

All we ask is for Thornton Pool to be updated, so that the next generation of children can have the pleasure and privilege of learning to swim, as many others did, in the safe hand of "Auntie Kath".

Come on, Bradford Council, we in Thornton have never asked for special status. Now we ARE asking - for a little consideration.

Mrs Dorothy Fleming, Lower Clough, Denholme Gate.

SIR - I have complained in the past about Fagley being a forgotten estate. I would like to say it is getting something done at last.

The Newlands director and Jim Smith are working together with Fagley Action Group and have done a good job all round, ie fencing round the primary school, fencing and seats being put up by the play area, proposed fencing round the elderly complex in Foston Close, land being reclaimed on Fagley Lane.

I wish them all well and to keep up the good work.

The only thing we cannot get done is the roads.

Ian Doncaster and his staff at Housing have been positive also, so thanks to them.

J R Smith, Flawith Drive, Fagley.

SIR - Can someone at City Hall please explain why the cast of the Alhambra pantomime Aladdin are being treated to a free lunch?

For heaven's sake, these people are entertainers doing a job for which they receive a decent salary.

The money would have been better used by making a donation to charity.

Barry Foster, Gilstead Lane, Gilstead, Bingley.

SIR - About half way down Hollins Hill in Baildon a road sign on the left-hand side shows a stag with "1 mile" written underneath, warning drivers of the possibility of seeing these animals.

Almost directly behind this sign is another with the words "Reduce speed now", also supposedly to warn drivers. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to read this second sign until you are next to it!

Most people realise this road is an accident area and great care is required but this warning sign is so stupidly placed that drivers will not see it and the reminder to slow down will be missed, maybe with dire consequences.

I am quite sure the "stag" would not mind being moved some distance down the road. There is plenty of space and drivers would then be able to see both signs equally well.

Barbara M Schofield, Fairfield Drive, Baildon.

SIR - Re the letters about cycles and bells. Many years ago when I had my very first bike, I seem to remember it was an offence to ride:

l Two on a bike

l Without lights

l On a footpath

l Without a warning bell

I seem to remember a few 'five bob' fines being reported in the T&A at the time.

It does seem to be that lots of cyclists (especially the younger trick cyclists) would be unable to comply with these rules but are good at wearing out tyres and laying down cycles outside shop doors.

A E Robinson, Rowantree Drive, Bradford.

SIR - We recently cremated a miner and a guiding light has gone out of our lives. His inheritance was the General Strike, the Means Test, Great Depression, the war and post-war austerity. He experienced grinding poverty most of his life. He died disabled on Income Support. His last years were spent looking after his wife, a half-paralysed stroke victim.

His mother died having a back-street abortion. His father married again - a widow with another family. Together they had another family and there were literally too many mouths to feed.

Some children were institutionalised and were psychologically damaged for ever. He started work in the pit aged 14 in his patched short trousers and gave his working life to the coal industry.

He was barely literate but had more compassion and philosophical insight than an Oxford Don. He was wedded to a dying community which now cries.

We owe our education, National Health Service, Welfare State to this man and his generation - their wealth creation and their politics. For their sake we should not rest in the fight for social justice, the social justice that they never experienced and which they always wanted for others, not selfishly for themselves.

George Riseborough, Broad Left Against Blairism (BLAB) prospective Parliamentary candidate for Bradford South and Margaret Riseborough, election agent, Roper Lane, Queensbury.

SIR - The letter from Steve Tetley regarding the shabby treatment afforded by the Labour Group to Councillors Ryan and Longthorne hit the nail on the head.

If the Labour Group are to move forward, then surely the only way now is under a leader other than the petty-minded Ian Greenwood.

R Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.