SIR - I thought you might like to know that not only are our children at Cottingley being denied their education for two extra weeks so eight classrooms can move a quarter of a mile, but today we have been told that asbestos removal will be done this week and the upper-school children will be moved to the School Street site.

I believe they will not get their normal education on these days, so hindering them even further.

The letter also says that if children do not attend on those days, the absence will be authorised.

What sort of message are our children getting, I wonder? How many more allowances are to be made for Cottingley at the expense of our children's education?

I guess it was beyond the wit of man to do this work last week when there were no children in school, or to do it during half term?

How much more time off will the children be allowed before we are allowed to suggest incompetence?

Sara Giorgi, Leylands Grove, Bradford 9

SIR - Unlike in London with its ill-fated Dome, the politicians in Bradford are asking the electorate what we want to celebrate the new Millennium.

Like good citizens, Thornton people have paid their council tax money in the past - and in return recently received wringing of hands and gloom and doom from our politicians.

Could I suggest a fitting tribute to the new Millennium would be a facility where lives could be saved, good health enhanced and a community served?

Those people in the Bradford Met district who already have this facility will perhaps be unsurprised to learn that we in Thornton want our baths re-opened. And when that happens, we'll be the first to let off fireworks to celebrate.

Melanie Milnes, Thornton Road, Thornton.

SIR - To close a local swimming pool which provided the opportunity for all ages, but more importantly the young, to develop a healthy physical and mental approach to life is a retrograde step.

Recent media stated nine per cent of children are overweight. One in ten boys (a higher figure for girls) are obese. One suggested reason is lack of exercise.

Bradford Council should continue to honour the foresight of their predecessors and provide/maintain this important local facility ad infinitum.

J W & B M Grayson, Hughendon Walk, Chat Hill, Thornton.

SIR - I was so impressed with last week's artist's impression of the development that is to occupy the Provincial House site, that I came up with a fantastic idea.

Why don't we poll the good citizens of Bradford to find out which buildings they like the most, and then proceed with the demolition of the said buildings to replace them with garish and vacuous concrete blocks?

Just a suggestion.

T J Kearns, Hunters Park Avenue, Clayton.

SIR - I wish to commend Faqir Mohammed Awan (T&A, January 4) for his well-chosen words relating to the appointment of Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq to the position of Lord Mayor Elect.

I have known Coun Khaliq for the many years I have been on Bradford Council and support totally his selection by the council Labour Group to be the second Asian Lord Mayor of Bradford.

I realise the privileged position any councillor must appreciate when accepting this duty as I did last year when being the deputy Lord Mayor.

Although a born-and-bred local person, I was introduced during that year to facets of the diverse culture within this city that makes Bradford what it is.

Coun Khaliq has worked hard, not only for the people he represents in Bradford Moor but in the wider field of activities as a progressive elected member, which has had a positive affect on those within the whole of the district.

I hope Coun Khaliq and his family have a wonderful year as civic leaders of Bradford.

Councillor Peter Lancaster, (Labour, Eccleshill), Flaxman Road, Eccleshill.

SIR - In his letter prompted by Mike Priestley's column on the state of the NHS, Brian Holmans says that simple mathematics told him that deaths per hospital were only ten per year.

"Only ten"? One is too many, surely? These ten were breathing, warm-blooded people. Mr Holmans should go to the cemetery of those "only ten", look in the eyes of their families, and use simple mathematics on them to calm their grief!

As for his views on Lord Hunt's radio statement, I'm sure Lord Hunt will never feel an NHS hospital bed from under the covers (no disrespect intended to the hard-working staff of these institutions).

R McDonald, Ogden Lane, Denholme.

SIR - I would like to tell the residents of Rossmore Drive to get off Jenny Sampson's case and leave her and her cats alone.

Why don't they tackle some real problems of Allerton, like the vandalism, the thugs on street corners abusing passers-by, smashing windows, fences and the litter everywhere. Cats don't do all these things.

Why don't they get something done about this issue instead and get in the real world? What sad people they are. Leave Jenny in peace.

Mrs Coates, Allerton Road, Allerton.