SIR - On the subject of Tony Blair (pictured right), it is not so much the policy shortcomings (though there have been some of those) but the fact that he has no understanding or concept of the job of Prime Minister.

He has a rather childish and immature view of this, obviously seeing the whole thing as a one-man band with every initiative and pronouncement flowing from Number Ten. His apparent obsession with issuing instant statements about anything from football to lager louts is just one symptom of this.

Personally I find it irritating and a complete turn-off. His sycophantic backbenchers show little understanding of their proper role either. If they are carrying out their duties as they should, they should realise they are not there just as glorified welfare officers but as a check on the executive and to scrutinise legislation.

It surprises me that so many people who have had expensive educations at the UK's best universities should show so little grasp of what Government is all about. Or maybe it is not so surprising after all!

SIR - I was appalled to read that Mr Mohammad Aslam's application to change his newsagent's to an Asian takeaway has been turned down.

Why is it acceptable for "Day and Nite" to be open until 11pm "causing disturbance" to us locals and not for Mr Aslam to serve local customers and make deliveries until the same time? Why is parking a problem for Mr Aslam (whose customers would mainly walk) and not for "Day and Nite"?

What is the logic behind the fatuous claim that "Day and Nite" is a similar retail store to the former electrical goods outlet? The superstore is just as different in nature from the electrical shop as an Asian takeaway is from a newsagent's.

Why have our elected representatives ignored the wishes of the majority of locals? We did NOT want the "Day and Nite" store imposed upon us. We DO want Mr Aslam to continue in business and would welcome an accessible takeaway, run by a neighbour.

The tragedy is that a respected member of the community is ruined because the basic tenets of democracy, justice and fair play do not seem to apply to the Shipley Area Planning Panel.

Margaret Ellis, Avondale Road, Shipley.

SIR - I have recently spend five weeks in hospital and I have nothing but praise for everyone involved.

Firstly, having lost the use of my legs, I was taken by ambulance to the BRI for a scan on that wonderful machine provided by the generosity of so many Bradford people. A young doctor was soon explaining the findings and stating it was necessary to go to Cookridge hospitable for radiotherapy and steroid treatment.

After a week of fantastic treatment and care at Cookridge, I was moved to Ward C2 at St Luke's. My four-week stay there was mainly for physiotherapy purposes.

The skill, devotion and dedication of the doctors, nurses, tea ladies, ward cleaners, porters, ambulance and therapy staff was just as professional and faultless as that experienced at Cookridge.

Meals at both hospitals were excellent and served by friendly staff.

As if that is not enough, what do some of these dedicated ladies plan to do with their valuable spare time but a ten-mile sponsored walk at Apperley Bridge on Sunday in aid of the Neurology Ward F6 at St Luke's. Please support them.

Following release from hospital, social service care, local nursing services and the Macmillan services are involved and much appreciated. We Bradford people are extremely lucky to have such NHS facilities and dedicated people looking after our every need, and I can only thank everyone involved.

John Boxall, Welbeck Drive, Bradford 7.

SIR - Further to your article about City Hall staff opposing estates' ownership (T&A, July 15). Every Council has a responsibility to provide quality services to all of its citizens.

The Council is currently "assessing ALL options" for improving such services to Council Housing tenants. No decision has been taken as regards housing stock transfer. It will be tenants themselves who make any final decision there.

Stock transfer is an idea supported by the Labour Government. It's also in the Bradford Lib-Dems' manifesto. All three main parties in Calderdale have supported it.

If Unison have particular concerns, I am sure the Conservative portfolio holder, Councillor Kris Hopkins, will be delighted to talk to them. However, let there be no doubt. The main concern is that there are £200 million of outstanding repairs for which this Council does not have the funds. Stock transfer is one option to solve this problem.

If Unison still do not wish to recognise this problem then here's an opportunity to explain themselves to the people who matter most - the tenants. Will a senior Unison official come to a tenants' meeting and explain themselves to those who must wait years for their houses to be repaired?

Councillor Robert Reynolds (Con, Wyke Ward), Westminster Crescent, Clayton.

SIR - I have just written to British Telecom about their scrapping of the BT savings stamps in favour of a BT payments card, commonly referred to as the swipe card.

I have nothing against this system of advance payment, though I wonder how many readers think as I do that BT are on to a good thing if we all use this system and that BT continue to also charge the £23.63 advance charge on every bill?

Mrs Dorothy Shepherd, King Street, Eccleshill.

SIR - Can readers inform me of the exact location of the East Lodge of Bolling Hall, which was situated on Wakefield Road? The lodge was demolished in the 1970s, due to road-widening.

Any information regarding the building would be appreciated. I can be contacted on (0113) 256 9738 most times. Thank you in anticipation.

A Shipman, Fernbank Avenue, Bramley, Leeds 13.

SIR - I write to express my reservations about the proposed sale of Yorkshire Water.

I am concerned at the methods of consultation. The details of the debt necessarily incurred have not been readily available and the date of July 17 unnecessarily early. I returned from holiday to find the deadline was immediate.

I am more concerned at the assumptions being made. Kelda's publicity focuses on the idea of ownership. But most of the people being asked to take on this debt will not have agreed to do so.

Most purchases involve the agreement of the purchaser. Many of the "owners" will be owners without their knowledge or will. The benefits are for the shareholders: not the "people of Yorkshire".

I am opposed to the sale in its present form in the current time scale.

Anthony J Hanney, Wilmer Drive, Bradford.

SIR - I am writing a book about grandparenting worldwide and would welcome contributions from interested readers.

This could be about their own experiences as grandparents - the pleasures and pitfalls - or perhaps their sons and/or daughters are lone parents because of divorce, widowhood, jail - or choice.

How do they maintain contact if they are far away from their grandchildren? What's it like to be a step-grandparent? Perhaps family circumstances have led them to obtain a residence order or even adopt their grandchildren.

Memories of their own grandparents would be valuable, and thoughts/ideas about "then and now" - does it matter if children have grandparents, and if so, why? And what makes a grandparent/ grandchild relationship a happy one, or not as the case may be?

I can be reached by e-mail janclark@supanet.com or by writing to me at the address below.

Jan Clark, 106 Coombe Lane, Coombe Dingle, Bristol BS9 2AP.