SIR - I was outraged when I heard about the 'Fair Justice For All' protests proposed by those who object to the sentences handed out to the Bradford rioters.

Fair justice? What about justice for those people trapped in the burning working men's club and still waiting for enough funding for a new club? Those people working at the University who have seen applications decrease by 20 per cent (Bradford University used to be highly respected and popular)? Those whose businesses were destroyed or affected? The police officers injured and traumatised while trying to do their jobs? People with higher insurance premiums as a result of their postcodes? The good people of Bradford whose city has been ruined?

To undo the judge's good work would be a slap in the face for all respectable Bradford citizens. The sentences almost make up for what has happened to Bradford.

The rioters and their families must understand that if a crime is committed the perpetrators should be adequately punished - and as the sentences stand, they have.

Mrs J Gill, Leafield Drive, Eccleshill

SIR - So relatives of rioters are to hold a mass rally to protest about "unfair" sentencing. Have they no shame? If one of these violent thugs were a relative of mine I should keep quiet about it and hope nobody would find out.

I looked again at the Telegraph & Argus of July 9, 2001, at photographs of a mob wrecking my city for ten hours. Later photos showed individual rioters in action, their faces ugly and distorted by hatred during their orgy of destruction, violence, looting and arson.

Harsh sentencing? In England? I think not. In some of the countries where they have fled to hide out they would have been publicly beheaded for such behaviour, or have had limbs amputated for lesser offences.

However, something has been learned. I hear that the next rioters will wear masks, so photographs will not produce arrests.

L Hobsbaum, Willow Crescent, Bradford.

SIR - I read on Teletext tonight about an unmarried mother in Northern Nigeria. Her appeal against being stoned to death for sex before marriage was turned down by an Islamic Court to the cries of "God is Great". However they are kindly postponing her stoning until she has weaned her baby in February 2003.

I should just like to ask the people who are demonstrating against the sentences handed out to the rioters what this court would have given them?

Fair Justice for All? Don't make me laugh!

Mrs K. Anderson, Idlethorp Way, Idle

SIR - In December 1979, aged only 14, I was lucky enough to see Adam and the Ants at the Royal Standard pub on Manningham Lane (a sadly missed venue).

Less than a year later, "Ant Music" was rocking the magnificent St George's Hall - my first-ever visit. Throughout the years I have seen countless bands play this wonderful venue, ranging from Clannad to the Cult (including the tremendous concert played in aid of the Bradford City Fire Disaster in 1985 which raised pots of money and featured a host of local groups).

Once again Bradford (capital of culture!) is contemplating selling out its own culture and heritage.

St George's has been and still can be one of the best venues of its kind in the country for both music and comedy. Please don't make Bradford's own rebel group New Model Army's lyrics come true yet again and "Drag it Down".

Save St George's, NOW !

Rob Porter, Spring Hill, Wrose

SIR - St George's Hall should be preserved even if this eventually means conversion to, say, an Indian restaurant or furniture superstore. It is a building that has stood the test of time, unlike the 1960s city-centre shops and offices now ear-marked for demolition.

Ian Midgley, in his feature on August 14, rightly debates the future value of St George's as a celebrity concert venue, although it has had other uses in the past. Various schools have staged their speech days there in years gone by. Perhaps educational use could be its future.

If anyone thinks this is not a trendy enough use, remembers David Bowie's visit with his band Tin Machine? It was a fitting venue for this aristocrat of pop.

J Taylor, Park Hill Drive, Bradford

SIR - Three-year-old Charlie Whitaker has a rare blood disorder. Unless he gets help soon he will die. Luckily help is available with an IVF technique that will enable his parents to have another child which is tissue matched to Charlie and could save his life.

But - no. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has said it will not allow it. So once again we, and poor little Charlie, have to suffer another bunch of misguided, holier-than-thou, interfering do-gooders deciding that their outdated views and bloated egos are more important than the life of a child.

Why do we allow these unelected quangos, these vociferous minorities, to have so much power in this country and to hold us to ransom on so many issues?

Whether they like it or not, IVF and human cloning, in particular when providing life-giving material, is here to stay and will grow in volume and success over the years. Just like the Luddites, these meddling mischief-makers will find they cannot stop the march of science.

M Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram

SIR - Re Mr Breen's letter "Fine Regiment" (August 12). I am an ex-Duke of Wellington's soldier of the 1st Battalion and very proud of it. I served for 12 years.

The amount of time and work that goes into these parades is exhausting for the lads. But to be given the honour of marching through a city makes all the work worthwhile.

Anyone who has to moan over a bit of chaos because of a proud regiment marching through a city has no idea of the meaning of "respect".

I watched the Dukes on that march and it made me feel proud to have been a part of them.

So instead of moaning we should be cheering these lads on for a fine job well done.

Laurie Lord, Sherwood Place, Undercliffe.

SIR - Animal campaigners around the world will be holding a day of action against adidas later this month to protest against their use of kangaroo leather.

Readers who are appalled by this merciless destruction of wildlife can ensure they are avoiding kangaroo leather by purchasing football boots made from state-of-the-art microfibre instead.

They can also contact Viva! For a free kangaroo action pack on (01273) 7776888 or write to: Viva! 12 Queen Square, Brighton, BN1 3FD.

S May (Bradford Animal Rights Group), c/o CVS Offices, Sunbridge Road, Bradford 1.

SIR - Your report on August 13 about a would-be student nurse being told that her accommodation was being allocated to foreign nurses is symptomatic of what ails this country. What chance has this country of ever having a decent health service when our own people are treated so unfairly?

If I was Rachel Simcock I would sue the Wythenshawe Hospital for loss of opportunity and discrimination. If she has the promise of accommodation in letter form then I would sue them for breach of contract too.

And while she is at it she may as well sue them for racial discrimination - ie being Yorkshire-born.

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke.