Young concerns must be heard

SIR - The Duckworth Lane Boys have again caused havoc around the local betting shop (T&A, May 31). A few residents have long urged the Council and other agencies to address the neighbourhood's situation - with spectacular lack of results.

We need proper debate about your editorial call for anti-social behaviour orders against these youths. Certainly some do regard themselves above the law, without civility or consideration towards remaining white and other non-Pakistani residents.

But young people's concerns must be heard too. And why have families not joined together to tackle divisions within our multi-cultural community?

Informal segregation and distrust predominate between generations, genders, and ethnic groups. Toller's Citizens Unity Project struggles to recruit members to work for shared understanding and solidarity. Many youths think local politicians and agencies deliver empty words.

Unemployment is high, skills are low. An under-resourced youth group, meeting one evening a week, is their sole neighbourhood facility for recreation, sport, self-development, or hanging out with friends.

Local tearaways have seen no benefit from engaging constructively with adult society, no evidence of co-operation yielding vital neighbourhood resources.

Without overdue major youth initiatives, Asbos will at best be fragile sticking plasters over deep wounds.

Ian Vine, Chairman, T-CUP Community Group, Little Lane, Bradford.

We're meat eaters!

SIR - When I read that Menston Primary School had been offering a special vegetarian menu (T&A, May 31) it posed the question should we really be encouraging our children to become vegetarians?

I doubt very much that the increasing number of centenarians will attribute their longevity to soya beans and pulses, rather to the Sunday roast.

After all, we are not herbivorous but carnivorous mammals and although not advocating a diet of hamburgers and chips I do not think that excluding meat from the menu is conducive to a healthy existence. It's going against nature.

I couldn't imagine a magnificent beast like the lion climbing over a carcass to get to a carrot.

David Rhodes, Croscombe Walk, Bradford.

Just an ego trip

SIR - I am uneasy when I read that 23 "experts" have been gathered to advise on the future development of our city (T&A, June 7).

Uneasy because these groups usually become an exercise in ego inflation and mutual adoration as each one tries to outdo the other with more and more outrageous suggestions.

We only have to see Will Alsop's designs for the preposterous lake, the giant mushrooms, the "iconic" bridge of learning and the urban wetland to see how these plans are greeted with adulation by the luvvy architects in New York, but with horror by most sensible Bradfordians.

I am just as worried by the trendy speak being used to make ridiculous statements like "Bradford's liquid assets should be used to bring movement, sound and music to the city". What on earth is all that about? The money saved by dumping the lake could be spent on redeveloping the Gaumont site into a wonderful concert hall that will give Bradford something not even our thriving neighbour, Leeds, possesses.

Let's have one or two ordinary Bradfordians on this panel to keep a lid on the egotistical excesses of these "experts".

Malcolm Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

No surprise...

SIR - In response to your article about recycling, we are not surprised by the poor figures concerning the amount recycled in Bradford.

Our paper bin has been emptied just once this year and that was only after many telephone calls.

When we ring they don't seem too interested. We have even had different days and dates when they will be coming.

If it continues we will join everyone else on our street and not bother.

Mr and Mrs B Maynard, Hydale Court, Low Moor.

Cracks showing

SIR - The recent referendums on the constitution shows a distinct crack in the EU itself, with two countries rejecting it, and now the Italians want their lira back and the Germans their mark.

This must show these people in charge that something is wrong with the whole set-up. This could be just the beginning of a complete breakdown if something isn't done quickly.

We have the chair in July and should use this opportunity to change it so it's more democratic, and if we can't do this we should consider our continued membership of the EU as it stands at the moment.

W H Morey, Sycamore Court, Sycamore Close, Bradford.

Brussels bandits

SIR - It is beyond belief that our national elected representatives can't grasp the much-published feelings of the electorate who put them there regarding getting out of the EU.

It has been known by them for years that our membership of this corrupt, non-elected, overpaid, non-accountable, underworked set of men and women has been bleeding the British taxpayer to the tune of £12 billion per year with very little in return. The British, French and Germans pay half the thousands of millions of pounds and euros towards the total sum required and the other 22 members the other half. In this latter half some don't pay anything, just draw from it.

As time goes on the latter 22 countries will draw more and more so we get less than the paltry sum we get now.

Now the bandits in Brussels are demanding the £3 billion pound rebate Maggie Thatcher negotiated on top of our exorbitant present donation.

Come on you representatives, we didn't elect you to ruin our beloved Britain, you were elected to look after us. Get us out of the EU now.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford.

Thanks for help

SIR - I would like through your paper to express my thanks to Councillor David Green for all the help he has been to me and my family during renovation work to Elmfield Drive.

I'm especially grateful for what he did for my daughter who, with two young boys and a baby due any day, was treated very shabbily by the workmen who seemed not to care about the tremendous upheaval in their lives that this development has caused.

Coun Green not only got jobs done but somehow persuaded them to show respect and politeness. It's comforting to know that we have such a good man to turn to in time of need.

Mrs Hanson, Brentwood Gardens, Odsal.

Cut the engines

SIR - Two thoughts about buses.

1. Why are the engines kept running when stopped at a terminus? There would be less carbon dioxide produced, and less fuel used, if they switched off. It can't be for heating in summer and a properly-maintained bus engine should start without fuss.

2. I wonder if local bus companies are going to follow the Stagecoach South innovation of spraying sheep urine into the exhaust fumes to reduce the nitrous oxide gas?

The result is inert nitrogen and water and cuts out another serious climate change gas, one almost three hundred times as powerful as carbon dioxide. First Bus and Dales farmers should get together.

Keith Thomson, Heights Lane, Bradford.

It's the car for me

SIR - I drive in my car everywhere I choose to go at the moment. Unfortunately it will be a bit expensive if charging for how many miles we drive is introduced.

But I'm not bothered. I would rather pay than risk my life travelling on trains and buses which do not have seat belts.

If I can't afford to travel by car I'll just walk or stay at home.

Gillian Norfolk, Heath Grove, Pudsey.

You saved my life

SIR - I would like to thank all the people who saved my life in Market Street on June 7 when I had an epileptic fit, and everyone at the BRI hospital, where I was given a cup of tea and sandwiches.

I would also like to thank the ambulance crews who took me to the hospital and back home.

Trevor Hodgson, Foston Lane, Fagley.