Letters to the Editor

SIR - I feel very angry and upset at the news the Millan Centre might close.

I have been going to this community centre for women and girls for many years and have seen how the courses people have done and the skills they have learned have changed their lives and given them confidence to take a fuller part in the wider world.

The Millan Centre is in the heart of Manningham and for many years has provided top quality child-care and relevant courses for women and girls, most of whom are Muslim with their origins in Pakistan.

At present there are classes in healthy eating and exercise, for example. Parenting classes, playgroups, toddler groups and English classes are enhancing the skills of women and small children and so helping their transfer to school.

The skills women have learned at the centre have helped them to step out into society and begin to bridge the gap between the "parallel societies" that Bradford is accused of fostering.

If the cuts in funding do go through it will be yet another example of Bradford Council shooting itself in the foot.

Mollie Somerville (management committee member), Heaton Park Drive, Bradford.

Better results

Sir - Praise for better exam results in Bradford secondary schools from the CBI is flattering and welcome (T&A, September 7).

What is less certain is whether the mild catch-up in results, which is still way behind the national average, is attributable to Serco.

The two biggest changes to our schools have been the ending of the wasteful three-tier school system five years ago, and the much better funding for schools - especially provided to under-performing districts such as ours. Those huge changes mean our children's education is no longer disrupted by moves from First to Middle and from Middle to Upper; and we can afford better teaching too.

That's why Bradford Council bid for the rebuild and most parents and teachers supported it too.

As the children who benefited most from the re-organisation reach GCSE age, we should expect their results to surge forward, as they did in Leeds after their re-organisation ten years earlier.

What is less certain is whether creating a separate tier of sixth forms in Bradford won't create the same sort of dislocation in learning that we abolished five years ago.

Andrew Dundas, Parish Ghyll Drive, Ilkley.

Come and join us

SIR - Did any readers at any time serve with 609 (West Riding) Squadron in any rank or trade, either as an auxiliary, regular or national serviceman? There is an active association of ex-members of the squadron, and the annual informal reunion is to be held on Monday, October 4, 2004, from noon until 3pm at The Stoop, Yeadon (on the A658 near Leeds and Bradford Airport).

If anyone would like to join us, just turn up (no need to book). You will have the opportunity to renew old friendships and recall the days before March, 1957, when the squadron was disbanded.

As in previous years we shall be pleased to be joined by members of our sister unit 3609 Fighter Control Unit.

Victor Titherington, Walshaw Walk, Tottington, Bury.

Staywarm facts

SIR - Re Mr J R Smith's letter (T&A, September 1) the information given is not correct.

When Staywarm was first introduced a number of years ago it undoubtedly offered cheaper energy costs for the majority of pensioner households. It offered unlimited use of energy for a monthly payment fixed for 12 months.

Things have changed since then. Following a number of price increases and a cap being introduced on the amount of energy which may be used, many pensioners, not all, can obtain better deals from other suppliers.

Secondly the insulation scheme has nothing to do with Staywarm. This scheme, which runs out at the end of 2004, is operated by Warmfront who can be contacted on freephone number 0800 952 1555 for full details of availability.

If Mr Smith is offering advice to pensioners will he please be sure of the facts, or better still leave supplying such advice to existing agencies such as Age Concern, Help the Aged or my own organisation, where information given will be accurate and up to date.

Peter Meer, chairman, Yorkshire & Humber Pensioners Convention.

Killing for fun?

SIR - I see that the new legislation to stop hare coursing becomes law this month. What a blessing! Both hares and dogs are now protected.

Another activity comes to mind scheduled for the next few weeks, called 'Autumn Cubbing'. This is where the young hounds are taught to rip apart thousands of baby foxes and their mums while still alive.

It's a terrible sight to behold as the mum and offspring die an inevitable death, none escape due to people surrounding the "killing for fun" area.

This is why the electorate on the manifesto promise by the government voted them in, so these barbaric activities will be stopped.

When more than two-thirds of the House of Commons voted democratically, regardless of party politics, to stop it, this in itself should tell the powers-that-be enough is enough.

The electorate should not have to keep reminding the powers-that-be to do their job properly, just follow their promises in the manifesto. It's as simple as that.

No licences should be available to anybody. A complete ban is a manifesto promise.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford.

Foundation's aims

SIR - You reported the start of a campaign in Bradford for an elected mayor in which it was stated that the steering group hopes to raise funds from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (T&A, August 19).

Could I make it clear, through your columns, that the Foundation is a registered charity supporting social research and development projects.

Although JRF is in the process of establishing closer links with Bradford and its communities, it could not become involved in political campaigning.

It may be that the campaign group has confused the Foundation with the non-charitable Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd, an entirely independent organisation founded by the same great Yorkshire philanthropist that furthers the cause of political reform.

David Utting, Associate Director (Public Affairs), Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Water End, York.