SIR - As another pointless debate begins on the continuing destruction of our city centre, the proposed demolition of the Odeon building, the comments of architect Vijay Taheem give a view of the future.

Buildings in a city centre are landmarks and are important references in a life span. As a youngster I was taken by my mother to Lingards Emporium and treated to a Blue Riband chocolate biscuit, a rare event in those days.

Hitler destroyed the store and after the war our city fathers took the hint and put paid to many other fine buildings.

Swan Arcade, Collinsons Caf, the Mechanics Institute, Kirkgate Market were places to visit and meet, instantly recognisable, a comforting satisfaction of knowing where you are and what to expect.

What of today's centre? Where would you meet an out-of-town friend? Featureless Centenary Square if it isn't raining? Forster Square Retail Park with its garish tin sheds, pedestrian unfriendly, devoid of a bus service? See you at Parking Bay No 350? Arndale Centre, harassed by the kids?

Change is happening quicker than we can adapt and we are losing our way.

It seems that our politicians and planners are "yes men" for the developers who by the look of their buildings will be here for a few years then move on leaving another development mess behind.

R J Lacey, Wrose Road, Bradford 2.

SIR - As if to compound the moral and commercial decline of the city, we are now told that there are plans to demolish the Odeon cinema.

When it was built as the New Victoria in 1930 it was one of the biggest cinemas outside London. Its two minarets and two-tone, white and red, exterior with a frieze of cross-banded fasces have always been very striking, and it must revive great memories for many older Bradfordians.

But of course this means nothing to the civic vandals who are thinking about doing away with Provincial House (only 30 years old) and those who actually erased Kirkgate Market, the Mechanics' Institute, Swan Arcade, etc.

We all know that this is supposed to be in the name of progress and that a city cannot rest on its architectural laurels forever, but the only suggested replacement for our vanishing heritage appears to be bars, clubs and restaurants, as if we haven't enough of these already.

In our ailing economic situation, who is going to patronise these places of pleasure, when half of the city centre is boarded up? For heaven's sake let us halt the desecration here and now.

Derek Mozley, Moorhead Terrace, Shipley.

SIR - Even a five-year-old child would understand that we are letting them down.

The Government thinks that a Children's Rights Director is enough, but the appalling tragedy of little Sarah Payne and others like her every year shows vividly that they've got it wrong.

We (they) need a proper Children's Commissioner in England. Why can't we? Wales and other countries have managed to see further than their noses.

Cruelty to children is unforgivable and must stop - a Children's Commissioner would go a long way in providing the most vulnerable with a voice.

Marcia McGrail, Falsgrave Avenue, Bradford.

SIR - Recently, I read that somewhere in Wales the authorities had received only one application for the vacant post of Chief Constable. The job specification demanded that the applicants must be Welsh speakers.

In the post-war years, I was a student in a part of Wales where Welsh was widely used. My own attempts, alas, to learn the language met with little success. Later, I was fortunate enough to spend some years in two large, beautiful Welsh cities, where the use of the Welsh language was notable by its absence except on road signs etc.

But I've noticed, over the years, that all advertisements for teaching jobs in Wales have demanded that applicants should be bi-lingual. This condition, especially in the cities, seemed to be a bit of a wheeze thought up by people (often referred to jokingly in Cardiff as the Taffia ) to ring-fence teaching posts.

You reported last week that the police can fund 30-week courses at Bradford College for officers to acquire a working knowledge of South Asian languages. I would think that any policeman ( "plismon" in Welsh as I recall ), with an eye to promotion, should take full advantage of the opportunity.

Robert Hughes, Manor Gardens, Cullingworth.

SIR - We are about to embark on exciting but also worrying times, especially for Council tenants.

I would like to tell tenants and residents in the West Central area of Bradford there is a federation you can contact for information.

You will probably want to ask questions of the Council. What does this mean? Will my rent go up? What can I do? The federation will put forward your questions.

Want to start a tenant group but not sure how?

The federation can help. We are tenants just like you. For more information contact Michael Churley, Tenant Involvement Officer, on Bradford 752415, or me on Bradford 410940.

Jenny Scott, vice-chairman, Tenants Federation, Springhead Road, Thornton.

SIR - I note with sadness that yet another pro-Bingley Relief Road correspondent (T&A, November 1) has emphasised opinions without any thought or concern for the environment or the landscape.

In all the years that people have voiced - or penned - opinions for and against the concretion of our lovely valley, only one writer - Mr Sam Micklem of the local Lib-Dem Party - has expressed any concern about the effect of the realisation of this high-speed trunk road through a green area of wetlands.

I cannot help but maintain the view that this project will be an ecological disaster. Us "cranks" could, of course, leave the areas, as the same correspondent once suggested - "Even if we love the Bingley section of the Aire Valley."

I understand that new seats are to be placed at Five Rise Locks. Here is a golden opportunity for these people to observe the ongoing destruction of green meadows and woodland and express "in situ" their complete satisfaction.

Frank Dickinson, Nab Wood Crescent, Shipley

SIR - I am writing to ask if any readers have any information on the Marconiphone Company Limited. I have five or six old 78 rpm records ranging from William Tell's overture to one called In Your Arms Tonight by Richard Tauber. The record labels are Columbia, Parlophone Odeon series and His Master's Voice.

On the covers there is an address and an old four-digit phone number in Halifax. Does anyone know how old it is or any details on the company?

Mrs M Pearson, 16 Eastbury Avenue, Horton Bank Top, Bradford.

SIR - I am trying to make contact with anyone who knew the late John Goodfellow Hogg. He was born in Hexham in 1904 and died in Shipley in 1972.

I know that he was married to a lady called Ann and that they lived in Woodend Crescent, Windhill.

If anyone has any information or knowledge, no matter how small, please would they contact me at the address below or on 01670 797033.

William Metcalfe Hogg, 7 Downe Close, Parklands, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 3RX.