Letters to the Editor

SIR - The closure on December 2 of the Bradford branch of the Newcastle Building Society (and all the other branches in Yorkshire) will make it difficult for account holders like myself who have used this society for years. The staff have always been helpful and friendly. Most of them will have to look for new jobs just before the Christmas break.

I feel that the society has made the wrong decision by closing every branch in Yorkshire. Why not keep one branch open? The Bradford branch could be the main branch for whole of Yorkshire.

The chairman and all the board members of the society should resign and the executive officers as well. Perhaps the only way for this to happen is to get as many account holders as possible to form an action committee to call for an Emergency General Meeting to be held as soon as possible and for this decision of closure to be changed. They can contact me by e-mail gilbfrd@yaho/co.uk or the address below.

Fred Gilbert, 132 March Cote Lane, Bingley, BD16 1TH.

Shocking sight

SIR - Having read a letter from a lady now living in New Zealand who had visited Bradford, I must agree entirely with her.

I, too, live abroad and returned this summer for a quick visit. On my visit to Bradford last year after many, many years, I didn't have much time to look around as I was only there for three days. This year I stayed a little longer and had a look at old familiar places.

To be honest, I was devastated.

Although I am originally from Canterbury Estate and later Girlington, I don't think it was that bad then. I also drove down Little Horton Lane with my sister and was disgusted by the way it looked just below Thornton Lane.

Later I walked through the city and lost my way at the bottom of Church Bank and had to go through some sort of tunnel. The smell was almost unbearable.

Maybe there ought to be some laws to make people look after their areas and then there might be more tourists.

Helen Damm, Langenzenner Str. 25, D-90556 Seukendorf, Germany.

We're the loo-sers

SIR - If any ladies fancy a different experience while "Buying it in Bradford" then visit the ladies' toilets at the corner of City Hall.

First, fight your way through the bone-crushing turnstile, enter the huge uninhabited area and choose one of ten cubicles. Discover none of the toilets flush, but - not to worry - a male attendant armed with a pole will follow you in and go round flushing the toilets with it.

Next, wash your hands in a dirty basin then dry them with a dirty dryer.

Finally, battle your way out through the evil turnstile and escape while wondering how on earth Bradford Council can fashion to charge 20p for this joke of a loo.

S Bean, Bempton Court, Bradford 7.

Clean 'em up

SIR - Improving Bradford's image! Could the subways at Odsal Top please be cleaned and disinfected before the Bulls' next home game.

Mrs J Hainsworth, Westminster Avenue, Clayton.

Use your loaf!

SIR - Is there a tradition of eating part-baked bread along the Aire Valley?

I stay with my sister in Bingley occasionally, and I have been served pale, doughy sticks called "baguettes" in establishments in Riddlesden and Bingley.

I don't think many people yet think of the Aire Valley as a tourist destination, though it certainly has many attractive features. If your "baguettes" are indeed a local delicacy, perhaps their striking features of colour and texture could be presented more positively, avoiding a name that only serves to contrast them unfavourably with the golden-crusted, open-textured French loaves of the same name.

Dennis Harvey, Stork Avenue, Hucknall, Notts.

Closure delight

SIR - It was very pleasing to hear the guinea-pig farm in Staffordshire has closed down and will no longer supply innocent animals for a non-required medical science.

It has been proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that animals and humans do not react equally in any way from experiments on them. With recent successful research in stem cell genetic engineering, all required information is found without the need for animal participation.

Regarding grouse on the moors (T&A, August 7) it was nice to hear that Councillor Ian Greenwood would want to "look at the options" and after speaking to Coun Rupert Oliver he was against Anne Hawkesworth's policy of shooting these innocent creatures. Leave them alone, Anne. Let Mother Nature sort it out. Father Time is standing by.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford 4.

Thanks for help

SIR - I had a very bad fall in Undercliffe. I would like to thank the gentleman who took me into his home and tried to clean my face as best he could. Also I would like to thank the young boy who picked me up and took me to the doctors.

A very grateful thank you for all your help.

Mrs E Looby, Roger Court, Undercliffe.

Better safe...

SIR - Kate Sutcliffe, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator for Bradford South Police, said there were sometimes misunderstandings between older and younger generations (T&A, August 19) and quoted that an elderly woman was really frightened when two young lads stopped her in the street and asked if she wanted any help to carry her shopping. I'm not surprised she was afraid with the police constantly warning vulnerable older people about trusting strangers, no matter how young.

It's not really a case of misunderstanding; it's simply being wary, and rightly so. It's better to be safe than sorry.

D Rhodes, Ashton House, Croscombe Walk, Bradford.

Such fun days!

SIR - I feel I must pass my thanks and congratulations on to Bradford Council's Park & Landscape Division for their fantastic series of fun-in-the-park events held over the school holidays, and to the fantastic staff of the Early Years and Childcare Service.

Although the park events are billed for children aged four to 11, I would advise any mother with children under four to give the events a go next year as my two-year-old and three-year-old both thoroughly enjoyed all of the well-organised days.

Let's hope the Council gets funding for these events next year!

Michelle Sunderland, Mytholmes Lane, Haworth.

Big TV chance

SIR - I am writing to let your readers know that the BBC Series House of Tiny Tearaways will be back on TV this autumn, and the production team is currently looking for families to take part.

If you are a stressed-out parent in need of some guidance about potty-training troubles or mealtime battles, this could be the programme to help. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get advice from well-known and highly-experienced childcare guru, Dr Tanya Byron.

We are interested in hearing from parents of children from 18 months to eight years old looking for an end to sleepless nights, temper tantrums and any other behavioural problems. Whatever your parenting dilemma or problem, we may be able to help.

If you would like some more information about the show please email: tinytearaways@outlineproductions.co.uk or call us on 0207 428 6037. No commitment is needed at this stage and all calls will be treated wIth strict confidence).

Micaela Blitz, Production Team, The House of Tiny Tearaways, BBC and Outline Productions Ltd Co-Production.

Bad to worse...

SIR - The large European insurance firms are faced with steeply rising claims following the extremes of weather over the summer. Damage by fire in Portugal and France, drought-related problems in Spain and then destruction by the worst-ever summer floods in central Europe have stretched their resources to new levels.

We can all expect to pay more for our cover in the years to come and it is a sure sign that extremes of weather are now the norm and will become increasingly more threatening as we seem unable to adjust our lifestyles to reduce the problem.

Keith Thomson, Heights Lane, Bradford 9.