Letters to the Editor

SIR - Now we have guns on the streets of Bradford! Does that surprise us? No, because it will go with everything else we have got.

To name but a few... Drugs which are rife, burglaries, cars stolen and burned out, muggings, churches vandalised, estates that were once the pride of Bradford neglected by the people who live there, streets that are like rubbish tips, and threats and abuse to our services - (hospital staff, ambulance staff, firemen and police).

The list is endless, and the outlook is grim. We are sick of it all, and we are asking for action, not all this pampering and constant money being thrown about, because that has done no good.

We want this city cleaned up, in every way. Or do we stick with the name of the City of Crime and Filth, as we are known across the country?

B J Rudd, Roger Court, Undercliffe.

Give me New York

SIR - What next for Bradford? BOMBS? I just read about the shooting in Lumb Lane, and it saddens me to know this is the town I used to live in.

People complain about New York but where I live it is peaceful compared to what is going on there.

They have guns now in Bradford. What next? We border on Mexico and Canada, and we have our problems, but we are a big country. You are only a small island.

Wake up, this may only be the beginning!

Diane Duguid, E.4th Street, Deer Park, New York, USA.

Operation joy

SIR - I had a hip replacement operation at Airedale General Hospital in June.

As my experience was entirely different from that of the man featured in the article in your paper recently, I wanted to say how satisfied I was with the treatment I received.

My operation was very successful and the skill of nurses, physiotherapists and general care on Ward 9 second to none.

I am sorry the family of the man mentioned in your article were so upset.

Mrs K Attenborough, Thornhill Grove, Calverley, Pudsey.

Unhappy bunnies

SIR - Just recently I attended a fascinating gathering of "Who's Counting" folk who were recalling evacuation days in 1939-40. Despite the 60-year interval, their sharp memories provided some wonderful detail for the project in which I'm at present involved.

What strikes me quite forcibly is a comparison with the present situation in our local schools with closures, transfers, new circumstances and the need for both the children and their families to adjust to change through no fault of their own.

A popular tune in 1939 was "Run Rabbit Run" and, judging from what I've heard this last few days, our local parents and teachers are certainly not happy bunnies over this hare-brained scheme!

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.

Problem solved...

SIR - With regard to this "bins for needles" project. To my way of thinking, it would be a complete waste of time and money.

I think my own solution could solve the problem at a stroke.

I have been a hearing aid user for many years and to get new batteries, I have to go to the BRI and I can only get the same number as the number of spent ones I return.

If this system was adopted, the problem of disposal of needles would no longer exist.

J Lee, Wensley Avenue, Shipley.

Bus grumble

SIR - We understand that the 620 bus will soon not be going up Heights Lane, off Haworth Road. We are both disabled and there are a lot of elderly people living near us here. There is a residential home (North Dean House) on this road also.

We desperately need bus stops on this road as it is. If the change goes ahead, we will not be able to walk up this steep hill to Lynfield Drive and across to the bus stop they have planned. This was tried before and didn't suit, so why try the same route again?

There is a really sharp corner from Daisy Hill turning into Lynfield Drive. It is so sharp that cars nearly turn on their side turning round. But it will be a real problem if they go ahead and take off our bus up Heights Lane.

Please can the bus company think about the large number of pensioners lower down the road who are disabled, like us, and leave the bus as it has been.

Mr & Mrs J Pickles, Heights Lane, Bradford.

New service

SIR - With reference to the letter from I Burnley (T&A, July 14).

From July 23, First Bradford services in the East Bowling area now include the 633 (which has replaced much of the 620 route) operating from Bradford via East Bowling to Odsal/Mayo Avenue on a 30-minute daytime frequency.

As this service operates on Mayo Avenue, shoppers will be able to use the Morrison's Supermarket.

The new 620 service (Overground Yellow Line) will operate from Bierley to Bradford and Haworth Road via Wakefield Road while the new 630 service will still operate from Bradford to Tyersal but will run via Wakefield Road and Bowling Back Lane.

I would hope that this clarifies the position but if any further information is required please contact Metroline on 0113-245 7676 or call into the Travel centre at Bradford Interchange.

Khadim Hussain, Operations Director, First Bradford, Bowling Back Lane, Bradford 4.

Country first

SIR - The Royal public relations office is now busy promoting the Queen Mother's 100th birthday. I wonder if she would have reached 100 if, like my mother and mother-in-law, she had been left to feed and clothe two infants, thereby having to walk two miles, to work a ten-hour day in the mill and take washing in after work.

Unlike the Queen Mother they were not attended to by eminent doctors and nurses if they sneezed twice!

These are the things that made "favourite grandmothers" and mothers, notably self-sacrifice.

Let us leave the disjointed family to wallow in their wealth and privilege and sing our national anthem about our country, as America, Australia, France and Germany do.

We war veterans did our 6 years' service for family and country, not to be the lackeys of an acronystic system.

May I say I am not a member of any political party.

John D Kaye, Bank Close, Bradford 10