Letters to the Editor

We left Bradford in 1959 to emigrate to New Zealand and over the past 41 years I have missed my old home town and the Yorkshire Dales where we used to go hiking in the 1950s.

Now with this modern technology I log on to your website and read what was our local newspaper two or three times a week. It's great to be able to keep up with the current news but how very different it is from when we lived there.

One of the things I was interested to read about was the change in the Bradford school system which is taking place, going back to the two-tier system that was in operation when I went to school there.

I also very much enjoy reading "Stories of the Century" and seeing the changes of lifestyle evolving through the years, though I still have quite a way to go to reach the article for the year 2000.

There are quite a few former Bradfordians here who are also regular readers of your paper and appreciate the presentation and articles which keep us in touch with the old country.

Thanks so much.

Eileen Hardisty (ex Lidget Green and Wibsey), Moores Valley Road, Wainiomata, New Zealand.

SIR - With reference to the T&A of August 31 and the two-page article on the bombing of Bradford in 1940 and 1941.

Very strict censorship was applied during the war years. Reporting restrictions were in full force. These rules were strictly adhered to by the T&A.

As I recall, your newspaper stated only, and on just one occasion, that a "town in the North East" had been bombed. It was Bradford. I knew that along with everyone else in the district.

It was first-hand knowledge that one German aircraft had dropped a stick of five bombs across Bradford, one of these landing in the vicinity of the Ritz cinema.

The only other bomb I am aware of was a "screaming" bomb, which everyone for miles around must have heard on its way down. It was reported to have killed some sheep in Heaton Woods, nothing more.

Government propaganda had to make it appear we were winning the war, following Dunkirk. Hence the strict censorship.

I am most certainly not aware of the prolonged air attack mentioned in the article, supposed to have taken place in 1940, incendiaries and all.

Perhaps some other people who were around at the time would care to comment.

P W Price, Wycliffe Gardens, Shipley.

SIR - I write to say how interesting I found Life Force, the Faith Experience at St Peter's House.

Housed in a building much altered (the old Post Office) in a pleasant environment, it is something to be enjoyed by all the people of the area.

My only concern is that admission charges are kept low, and that the necessary income be obtained through the restaurant and memorabilia.

Stewart Main, Acrehowe Rise, Baildon.

SIR - This letter was written in response to certain letters and reports printed in your column about animal slaughtering. The attitude and opinions of these responsible are very odious and they show little knowledge about our beliefs and our traditions.

Like the Muslim teachings of slaughter, our Jewish (kosher) ones are very similar, and contrary to what is believed are less cruel than the "stunning" method.

A swipe from a sharp blade to the jugular vein in the neck stops oxygen supply to the brain, therefore rendering the animal into a deep unconsciousness and due to this it cannot feel any pain.

A book by J A Bootha called "Bigtime Slaughter" compares both methods of slaughter and will explain to all about this subject. Please read this book.

Y Yohdi, Woodlands Street, Bradford 8.

SIR - Today, on the 503 Huddersfield and Calderline, I was told that now the Thornton 607 runs every ten minutes, the 503 will be finishing later this year.

Could anyone on Metro let the public know? I rely on the 503 for my weekly run to Halifax.

Will Bradford First run a bus through Thornton to Halifax and Huddersfield?

I am sure I am not on my own. Lots of Thornton people will miss the 503 service. The powers that be, please leave the 503 running.

Veronica Farnell, Market Street, Thornton.

SIR - I am dismayed at Councillor Valerie Binney's protest over Jenny Sampson's work with cats at her home in Allerton. I visit Jenny's home every week and I can assure you her home is clean and does not smell. The cats are well cared for and kept in clean conditions.

Which law states that a household can only have one family of cats?

If Coun Binney succeeds in stopping Jenny doing her work, will the Council then take on the mammoth task of cleaning the streets of Bradford of unwanted, un-neutered stray cats and kittens? Would they also introduce a cut-price neutering service as Jenny has done for people on low income?

Coun Binney only has to contact the RSPCA and other animal charities in this district to see the real extent of the problem on the streets of Bradford.

Cat Rescue is the only organisation on the streets today doing anything. They rescue these cats, neuter every stray that passes through their portals without a single penny from the Council.

I suggest the Council provide Mrs Sampson with a property suitable for her to carry on her unpaid voluntary community work. May I suggest an old church or school (plenty of those around now).

Mrs Susan Donald, Wesley Avenue, Bradford 12

SIR - I see that the animal rights people are having a go again, and the Government wants new laws to protect the people who run the animal experiment establishments.

This situation is an ongoing thing and will get worse as time goes on. Why does the Government always agree with the establishment? It is as if these experimental laboratories can do no wrong.

Nobody can justify the suffering of innocent animals tortured, yes tortured, endlessly in their thousands.

I can hear the do-gooders saying: "We have to experiment on animals to cure diseases." It would be interesting to know the ratio between animals maimed and tortured and diseases cured. It is also a known fact that experiments on animals do very little to cure human disease.

Recently, biothesists created life without copulation so we do not now require animals to experiment on. Diseases can now be cured by genetic manipulation.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford 4.