Letters to the Editor

What is to be seen on the stage of the Alhambra this year is the rubble of a once-great reputation!

Francis Laidler, who built up the Alhambra as a pantomime-producing house, must be turning in his grave!

I am aware of the economics of the theatre, and that the Alhambra may no longer be able to stage its own shows, but what we have on offer this year is an "off-the shelf" commodity, somewhat past its sell-by date, masquerading as a traditional Alhambra pantomime.

Like a Christmas pudding, there have to be certain ingredients to make it what it is, and most of those ingredients were lacking from this show.

It is a grave error of judgment to give the final bow to Cannon and Ball, who may be the stars of the show but are not the hero and heroine.

Aladdin is one of the best of the panto stories, but here it is confusingly told with people changing characters halfway through.

There has been no craftsmanship behind this show. It is not a first-class product, as the manager claims, and the public of West Yorkshire deserve better.

Anthony Homyer, Apple Street, Oxenhope.

SIR - On the subject of Environment Agency workers, Gerry Sutcliffe MP is tough on bullying at work but soft on the causes of bullying (T&A, January 5).

The period 1979-1997, with the help of economic recession, mass unemployment and a proselytising "New Right", saw the making of a "New Capitalism" (since adopted as its own Blairism).

There has been a destruction and reconstruction of work, few gains in real wages and a roll-back in trade union power. Employers have taken advantage, creating "the new flexible worker" - decent pay and work conditions have given way to a wide variety of increasingly abusive ones.

The interests of Capital have advanced so far at the expense of the interests of Labour that bullying at work is now normal.

Throw in poor financing of State agencies which must also incorporate this "New Ethic", together with a limp environmental policy which cannot adequately cope with the pollution of "New Capitalism", and the work situation is presumably stressfully intensified beyond endurance.

Our local Labour MP ought to be pushing the Government to redress the balance with radical policies in favour of the working class. Writing a letter to a boss will not do the trick!

George Riseborough, Broad Left Against Blairism (BLAB) prospective parliamentary candidate for Bradford South, and Margaret Riseborough (election agent), Roper Lane, Queensbury.

SIR - Tony Blair and his government have the audacity to pay over £1 million per hour into the EU budget without our consent and then say that petrol tax cannot be reduced without starving the health service and education.

A truly democratic country like Switzerland had a proper referendum and decided not to join the EU - petrol there costs 50p a litre.

It is time we were given all the facts and had a referendum - not just whether to adopt the Euro or not but whether to leave the EU completely.

Kenneth H Chappell, South Edge, Shipley.

SIR - I refer to your report concerning the disappearance of the beat bobby as a result of divisional changes in the West Yorkshire force.

I am afraid there is a more radical move afoot which will get rid of the beat bobby forever.

In another lifetime I was a Detective Inspector in the Bradford City Police, a career of which I was duly proud. Prior to the CID, I walked a beat for ten years and in spite of being supplied with the finest clothing and footwear, after eight hours outside we were frozen silly and ready for home.

So imagine my surprise when just before Christmas, a current West Yorkshire officer told me that in the New Year they were going on to Continental shifts. "This meant," he said, "that they would work two ten-hour shifts on nights; two ten-hour shifts late turn and two ten-hour shifts early turn; then four days off."

"That's impossible," I said. "You will be frozen and tired out at the end of the day in winter."

He laughed at me and said: "We won't. Everything today is done in cars and vans," he said. "The beat PC is a dinosaur. We might go out for an hour on a busy Saturday, but that is it."

So there you have it. The beat bobby has joined the dodo.

J Sutcliffe, Willow Villas, Wrose.

SIR - I write to support Mrs Kerpen in her attempt to ensure adequate free parking at the Kirkgate Centre for people with a disability. I believe the shops around the centre should also support her.

E Horsley, Hatfield Road, Bradford 2.

SIR - Further to the letter of Mr Keith Trobridge (T&A, January 10). In our opinion it is Mr Trobridge's attitude and people like him that is helping to cause the current deterioration in the general behaviour of children.

Children should be encouraged to behave with respect towards everyone and giving up seats on a bus is a good-enough starting point. We should remember that children are not adults and do not have the knowledge and experience that comes with age.

For children to be taught respect and manners can only help them to become well-mannered and well-adjusted members of our communities instead of the rude, selfish and arrogant children we see today.

If everyone was encouraged to be well-mannered and thoughtful, the elderly and infirm would not need to suffer the embarrassment of drawing attention to themselves by having to ask for a seat.

We were always taught from an early age the importance of manners and good behaviour, and never thought that this reduced us to the role of second-class citizens!

Lyn Taylor (Derby Road, Thornbury) and Ruth Wardell (Wyke).

SIR - Whatever next? After reading Mike Priestley's article about the Post Office changing its name to Consignia, I cannot understand why such an old-established firm would wish to change. Is it something to be being "with it" in the European Union?

I cannot see anyone ever referring to Consignia when they think of the Post Office. Who is going to cover the cost of £2 million I wonder? You can be sure it will be the customer. The cost of postage is bound to increase.

It will certainly provide a talking point to many people.

Mrs Mary Beveridge, Willowfield Crescent, Bradford 2.