SIR - It should come as no surprise that Yorkshire Forward has lost its nerve in supporting Bradford's much-needed Broadway redevelopment scheme, for lately a number of major initiatives have been knocked back by the bureaucrats. Is there a whispering campaign in Whitehall against us?

Paul Caddick, boss of the developers behind the scheme, is quite right to go ahead with the project but wrong to seek a modified version. We want attractive glass roofs and quality materials. It's a chance to say only the best will do for Bradford.

It's good news that Bhs and Debenhams are anchor tenants, but what about an Asian store coming out of the commercial cold and adding a third major commitment to Bradford? Wouldn't that be a major coup for that community and an exciting retailing venture?

Bradford Council could be a fourth major player, investing via the people. Dare I suggest it, a few more pence on the Council Tax, for a couple of years, will bring back in much more over the years.

So go for the top scene Mr Caddick. There will be no excuse to go to Meadowhall, White Rose or Trafford centres.

Quite the reverse. Bradford Forward, Yorkshire Follows.

R J Lacey, Wrose Road, Bradford 2.

SIR - Just which planet does N Brown originate from? He surely cannot be a Bradfordian with his twisted views on Lister's Mill chimney (T&A Letters, December 6).

When we have guests (quite often because people seem to be quite happy to visit "the mucky oyl" as we were once described on Wilfred Pickles's Have a Go show) it is the one thing that they always point to and say "What is that ?" and we tell them that it is a reminder of our once greatness in the field of textiles.

It is a lovely reminder of a golden age and as for growing old rapidly in that establishment - it did not seem to be doing too badly when I worked there when on "pension Day" there would appear many pensionersfrom Lister's well into their nineties and nifty to boot.

I have no doubt that there were a lot of young children "went under" in all places of work in bygone days but Lister's was no worse than any other place and considerably better than most.

What a jaundiced view of history you have NB - I feel sorry for your pessimistic view of byegone days.

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke

SIR - I too lived in the shadow of Lister's Mill - Silk Street. My dad was the steward of the small Labour club opposite Dowling's shop. Patent Street was always windy. All my aunties, uncles and cousins lived in the same street. I went to St Cuthbert's school with my sister, in Beamsley Street. But my cousins went to Lilycroft School. We used to go for our school dinners to Lilycroft School. In the summer holidays my mum worked at Lister's.

I still keep in touch with my school friend whom I started nursery school with when we were three years old. We are in our late sixties now. I moved to Shipley in 1948 when my dad and mum became steward and stewardess of the Shipley and District WMC.

Mrs Margaret Williams (nee Heiliger), Cliffe Gardens, Shipley.

SIR - Angry is not the word I would use on reading the plans for free aromatherapy, etc, for asylum seekers. Utter disbelief and disgust is more in keeping, for the waste of money for this venture.

We have people in this city who are suffering from cancer and other very distressing illnesses and injuries who can never have this care, and in many cases are not even told about it.

Why is it that this nation of ours never looks after its own people?

For myself I am sick of trying to get help for my needs, ie: plasters, white cotton gloves, white cotton socks, special soap, all because I have developed eczema in my twilight years, and I have to foot the bill myself, as they are not available on the NHS.

Is it any wonder that I get furious when I read this in the paper, when I have to buy these essentials out of my pension?

Barbara Rudd, Roger Court, Bradford 2.

SIR - When I came out of the forces in 1946, I decided to get married and start a family. I hit on hard times one winter working in the building trade. I decided to go to the British Legion for some help after going before a committee, something like a court martial.

I received a grant for a secondhand suit and a 15 shilling food ticket. Now, when I read about these asylum seekers getting all the perks going, what have they done for the country? Nothing! I received three medals for my trouble. Sometimes I feel like binning them when I read about these people.

M Jordan, ex-BLA, Rhodesway, Bradford 8.

SIR - I hear that one of the initiatives being considered by the spineless and discredited Bradford Vision is to recruit "ethnic minority" speech and language therapists.

Amusingly these experts in speech and language apparently need assistance in completing application forms properly. Presumably they will receive appropriate remedial education before being let loose on real people, or does political correctness now mean that we have to make compromises in the essential standards for the job?

Ah yes of course that's what Bradford Vision is all about: putting highly-paid and under-qualified people in charge of wasting our money.

David Simpson, Hirst Avenue, Heckmondwike

SIR - I was shocked to hear of the appalling report Luther Wright's pet store received from Which? magazine (T&A, December 4).

Luther Wright's is part of Bradford. I have been going there since I was a child, but more particularly since my return to Bradford 11 years ago. I go to the shop almost weekly, to get supplies for my own menagerie and can quite categorically say that I have never witnessed any evidence of any of the allegations that have been made.

The shop and cages are always as clean as animal cages can ever be.

Furthermore, I have frequently witnessed the care Peter Booth takes in the process of selling livestock and have seen him refuse to sell an animal if he has not been confident with the would-be purchaser's ability to care for it. He is always willing to give advice about care and feeding and indeed provides an excellent aftercare service.

Environmental Health need to do a reality check and concentrate on real issues - for example they can start in Manningham where I live, clearing up the rubbish, used condoms and syringes from the streets!

Wendy Shackleton, Marlborough Road, Bradford 8.

SIR - Re your article about Luther Wright's pet store. I have been a customer for more than 30 years, and in all that time I have always been impressed by their love and helpfulness.

They certainly do look after all their pets, and I would like to express my support for them.

Mrs L Beaumont, Queens Road, Crossflatts.

SIR - Councillor Ruding was stating statistics in his letter. Whose statistics? Crimes have not got down in the Otley Road area when old people are frightened to go out, even during the day.

It is all right having meetings discussing this but nothing is done to put bobbies back on the beat! He stated West Yorkshire had £18 million given to tackle street crime but it has not gone down. They should listen to the public and ask pensioners down Otley Road, not rely on pieces of paper. Anyone can fix figures.

Police are not winning the fight as Councillor Ruding states. He lives in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

J R Smith, Flawith Drive, Fagley.

SIR - I hope our so-called councillors realise what they expect OAPs to pay in the council tax bills on our meagre pension, which will rise by approximately two per cent against their 80 per cent.

Do they want us to starve? As our rents are rising also, so we will be living on less than we are now.

Many thanks for letting us fight a war for them.

J Frayne, Kipling Court, Greengates.