SIR - For two days I attempted to travel home on the 615 bus to Cottingley from Bradford Interchange. On Monday, November 6, I waited in vain for the 5.15pm which failed to materialise. The next day I attempted to catch the 4.15pm bus which, although clearly visible, did not manage to make the move to the bus stop.

Fortunately I am able to travel by alternative bus routes which, although more circuitous and not as convenient, do at least enable me to arrive home, if somewhat later than usual.

This is not true, however, of people who must catch the 615 service in order to reach home. It is bad enough for these people who have to wait in the Interchange for half-an-hour, but the plight of those who are waiting en route in the dark and bad weather must be far worse.

If First Bus is to justify the regular fair increases, such as that imposed on November 5, then the advertised service must be maintained.

We receive no apology or explanation for the non-arrival of buses, but are left standing with no information.

Have First Bus forgotten, or did they never know, the magic words "customer service"?

Mrs B R Sheard, Whetley Grove, Girlington, Bradford.

SIR - I have heard, with some distress, the news that Thornton Swimming Baths are to close. This is very sad news.

I am now getting on in years, and remember how thrilled we were as children to be told we were having our own swimming pool in our village. No more going on the tram to Green Lane baths!

What a beautiful swimming pool it was! I got all my certificates and medals for life-saving. We went every day. My own daughters went too, also my grand-children. Where will my great-grandchildren go?

Why, for goodness sake, has this once beautiful facility been allowed to fall into disrepair? Is there nothing we can do to stop it?

This was once the "jewel in the crown" for Thornton.

Is there nowhere in this village our children can go? I think only the library. I do hope the Council has no designs on this!

Mrs Marjorie Hill, Headrow Court, Thornton.

SIR - The letter from Conservative candidate Graeme Tennyson ("Tenant's Choice", November 20) really takes the biscuit. It was his party when in control of Bradford Council that spent £22m of housing money on the Alhambra and the inner ring road.

This during a time when the Conservative Government slashed housing investment by 70 per cent!

Bradford tenants should not be fooled by this Damascene conversion to people power and should treat the current proposals as a Trojan horse.

Mr. Tennyson at least has the defence of being an outsider. The current Council leadership have no such claim.

Terry Rooney MP, 76 Kirkgate, Bradford 1.

SIR - In answer to Graeme Tennyson's letter, tenants should have their say on housing at all levels. According to our councillors, this has been the case over the years, but councillors have still done what they think and not what the tenants think.

The management of housing has let tenants down over the years and it is time for tenants to have a clean start and get rid of the present management.

J R Smith, Flawith Drive, Fagley.

SIR - Re: "Question of Pride". (T&A, November 14). To the best of my knowledge the "shed" that so affronts Mr Naylor was built on a site on which stood a very large derelict mill - not a pretty sight and certainly nothing to enhance the skyline.

The outer appearance of any building can be very deceptive and one wonders if he has ever been into the "shed" or read the article on page 14 of the same issue of the T&A headed "Church pulls in 600 young a week".

If so, he would realise that the building teems with life, and much good is coming from it.

No, the building isn't exactly pretty but it is very practical and certainly serves its purpose well for the good of the city.

Another point I would like to make is that we, as a church fellowship, paid for the building ourselves.

We haven't had the luxury of year after year receiving grants at regular intervals from local or European sources. Every penny was hard-earned.

Beryl O'Donnell, Thorncroft Road, Bradford

SIR - I am writing to tell you how much I always enjoy doing the T&A competitions. I received a prize of a kettle this week, which was very well timed as my old one had developed a leak, so the prize was much appreciated. Thank you.

Patricia Hall, Beldon Park Avenue, Horton Bank Top, Bradford.

SIR - Having driven through Bradford city centre on numerous occasions, I feel compelled to voice my opinion on our city centre Christmas illuminations. Pathetic!

May I suggest to the people responsible take a short journey to Leeds to see what illuminations are really like.

The old saying applies to Bradford, if a job is worth doing it's worth doing right. So either do a proper job or leave well alone.

C Willis, Mount Avenue, Eccleshill.

SIR - Poor old Bradford, as if it hasn't enough to put up with without having to contend with some people trying to inflict their own form of unofficial censorship on the city.

We have already suffered illegal book burnings, the picketing of Bernard Manning shows, the defacing of advertising posters and now a demand for the elimination of Piglet from Winnie the Pooh books! Whatever next!

There is a very simple answer to all these problems. If you don't like the contents of a book - don't read it. If you are a sensitive soul and easily upset- don't go to a Bernard Manning show. If you don't like looking at pictures of scantily clad young ladies - don't look. If you don't like the thought of Piglet in your home - don't take it there.

M Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram

SIR - May I, through your column, say thank you to the three ladies who came to my aid after I had fallen on Broadway on Tuesday, November 21.

One lady rang my husband and they all insisted on staying with me until he came.

Also thank you to the lady in Bradford Bulls shop and the young lady from Samuels.

Mrs M Jackson, Mill Lane, Birkenshaw.