Letters to the Editor

SIR - From my point of view it's been an unusual couple of weeks. A lovely holiday in France, clean and attractive towns and cities. Pleasant cafes, smart-looking people, a relaxed attitude and, yes, clean public toilets.

Signs of a civilised society?

Arriving back in Bradford. Down Leeds Road - what an entry that is. Welcome to tat.

The town centre grid locked, litter everywhere, empty buildings awaiting demolition and the city starts its three-year reconstruction.

What a welcome. Will it really happen?

Leafing through my T&A I see that the local politicians are squabbling over power sharing. Didn't they do that after the last election?

In my new wards of Windhill and Wrose further arguments abound as to who shares power in the heights of the Aire Valley as Shipley MP Chris Leslie redefines geography.

My family and grandchildren, after a three-year wait, have just emigrated to a new life in Canada.

We'll miss them terribly, but I can't help thinking that they have made the right decision.

C'est la vie!

R J Lacey, Wrose Road, Bradford.

Time to think

SIR - The article by Prince Charles (T&A, June 25) should be read out to children in schools and congregations in churches. Most of all, it should be read very carefully by newspaper editors.

It cannot be hopeful to our understanding of our neighbours that the media has the power to make or break any effort at building peaceful relations between any groups of people.

The news on page five that mobs were actually throwing missiles at Portuguese soccer fans is horrifying. Do people need to be reminded that football is a game?

The frenzy that gets drummed up by some tabloids in an effort to merely sell papers is disgusting.

A recent awful murder of two little girls was in all conscience bad enough, but the storm of hatred, orchestrated by the media against, of all people, the murderer's girlfriend, makes me lost for words.

Yet we have nothing but grudging respect for a statesman who supplied Saddam Hussein with chemical weapons.

Where are the people like Bertrand Russell or Bradford's own Joe Corina to make us start to think?

Jack Mawson, Grove House Crescent, Bradford.

What an admission

Sir - After months of squirming, the Government has finally admitted it does not know if the 2.73 million animal experiments it sanctioned last year could have been avoided by using non-animal research.

This month, Home Office Minister Caroline Flint told the House of Commons: "The Home Office has not commissioned or evaluated any formal research to demonstrate that experiments on animals cannot be scientifically reproduced using other methods and subjects, and has no plans to do so."

This stunning admission comes after a panel of respected scientists published a report in the British Medical Journal claiming 'there is little evidence to support the view that animal research has contributed to the treatment of human disease'.

Despite this admission, the Government continues to blindly back animal experiments - highlighted so extraordinarily when it overturned the planning inspector's decision not to allow the new Cambridge University primate lab.

When an organisation like the National Anti-Vivisection Society is pouring more money into non-animal research than the Government, is this further evidence that the Government is basing policy on whim, not fact?

And, if this is the case, whose whim is the Government pandering to?

Jan Creamer, Chief Executive, National Anti-Vivisection Society, London, W12

Who's poor then?

Sir - After reading the latest pro-EU missive from Brian Holmans, I am more than happy to let the individual decide whose case is poverty-stricken.

No doubt most will share his calm acceptance of £50 million a day being sent to Brussels. It's not as if we could spend the money on anything else is it?

By "poorer regions", does he include France, which has received astronomical amounts of EU funds?

And so to the next "Eurosceptic myth" - the entire EU Commission was sacked for fraud a few years back (not a single prosecution has followed) and the auditors have refused to pass the EU accounts for the past ten years.

Over to you, Mr Holmans.

Tom Johnstone, Barraclough Buildings, Greengates

Bravo for Gareth

Sir - I read your article about Gareth Gates (T&A, June 21). Yorkshire and especially Bradford must be very proud of this wonderful caring celebrity.

He has fulfilled two of his dreams, firstly overcoming his stammer and secondly helping others. He has achieved so much in the three years since Pop Idol and has grown up in the public eye both personally and musically. He makes me proud to say I am from Yorkshire.

He is only human and has made mistakes along the way as we all have, but is a credit to Bradford.

I went to see him at Wembley Arena and his show was amazing. In fact I can honestly say it is the best show I have ever witnessed and I've seen a few.

He showcased his many talents and enthralled the audience by doing a drum solo, playing piano keyboard and electric guitar, superb dancing and his singing goes without saying.

But his biggest achievement was speaking to his audience for the first time confidently, fluently and proudly.

He certainly did his home town proud.

Elaine Rollins, Bullwell Crescent, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.

Uncaring people

SIR - I was collecting for charity on June 19 in Shipley shopping precinct.

I was collecting for Making Space who are a charity for the disabled and carers, such as people in wheel chairs and people with cancer problems.

I was also collecting for people with epilepsy, schizophrenia and all manner of mental illness, and people made fun of them by saying I will not give anything to those things and other remarks of unkindness.

There were many who were uncaring and sad. They were a bad lot but I will continue to collect for everyone mentioned.

Mrs P Wood, Downside Crescent, Allerton.

Near neighbours

SIR - It is rather strange that in the article of British Mohair Spinners' final demise (T&A, June 28) you did not mention the third famous name involved in its formation - C F Taylor & Co Ltd, especially since the photo featured was that of Taylor's Lower Holme Mills.

I started work there on January 12, 1948 and left BMS at the end of 1996 and I do not remember it ever adjoining W E Berry. Quite near, yes, but not adjoining.

P E Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley.

Thanks for voting

SIR - May I thank the people of Wrose and Windhill who voted for me in the recent Council elections, this was much appreciated. Unfortunately I did not get in.

Michael Breen, Independent candidate, Bolton Hall Road, Wrose.