Letters to the Editor

SIR - How much longer must we put up with the noise of quad bikes and scooters in Holme Wood? It is not possible to listen to TV as the noise drowns out sound (especially in this warm weather, with the windows open).

It worries me as many of the riders wear no helmets. As I live on a bus route, I fear there will be a serious accident.

What are the police doing about this problem? At the moment nothing. I understand it is illegal to ride these quad bikes on the roads.

These riders seem to have a death wish at times, overtaking cars etc. If by any chance they fell off or "dithered" in front of a car, the driver would have no chance of avoiding them. Then the driver would be blamed.

They do not have lights on, and many of them ride in the dark.

Marian Bottomley, Kesteven Road, Holme Wood.

Harmless slaps

SIR - Re Bill Hudson's letter "Bring back the slap", I totally agree with him. All you get from the young ones are "I will report you to the authorities if you hit me". This I heard from my next-door neighbour's son. So the mother yells at the top of her lungs, nearly causing herself a stroke, trying to get her children to behave.

Our two sons got slapped as youngsters and they learned how to behave. It didn't do them any harm. They both grew up to be New York City detectives, great fathers to their children, and people tell me many times what polite people they are and I feel proud of that.

I am not saying to harm them, but to realise that rules have to be obeyed, and for them to listen. We are the adults, and they are the children, end of story.

Diane Duguid, E.4th St, Deer Park, New York.

Unfair to Muslims

SIR - Referring to posters advertising a women's conference discussing the role of Muslim women in the West, Jenny Sampson (Letters, August 26) described them as "glorifying the 9/11 attacks".

As a Muslim, I was deeply disturbed by her comments as it exemplified the extent of ignorance that exists within our communities. I attended the conference which discussed the response of Muslim women after those dreadful events that changed the world.

The poster did include the image of the plane crashing into the Twin Towers, and it included images of Muslim women. However it was in no way a glorification. This is another example of how Muslims living in the West are viewed.

It is perfectly acceptable for non-Muslims to hold events discussing the post-9/11 era. However the moment Muslims engage in such discussions, it becomes "extreme".

Likewise in the current climate it is acceptable for non-Muslims to criticise the war in Iraq and Western foreign policy, but when such criticism comes from Muslims they are accused of "inciting hatred".

The BBC and other media outlets have repeatedly broadcast images of the Twin Tower attacks, reminding us how the world changed on that day. I doubt that Ms Sampson would view that as a "glorification" of the events.

Soha Saiyer, Briardale Road, Heaton.

Out of context

SIR - Are Lionel Fitzsimons and I reading the same book? Anti-Islamic he is not but grossly misinformed most certainly yes!

Islam is an Arabic word derived from "SLM" which most certainly means peace. Those who bombed London are killers. Muslims can be killers as well as Christians.

How would Lionel classify the IRA? Christian terrorists?

He can quote as many verses of the Koran as he can but please quote them in CONTEXT. If he doesn't have knowledge of context and exact application of verses then he has no right to quote but a right to ask those who know.

The Prophet's treatment of non-Muslims was magnanimous to the end. Spain is a brilliant example of how Christians and Jews flourished under tolerant Muslim rule. The Koran teaches the dignity of all human beings, equality of mankind, freedom of belief, justice, democracy and rule of law. I can give all the verses for these emancipating ideas from the Koran as well!

Lionel should read the Koran with an open mind and I'm sure he will get a very different picture.

M Shaffi, Manscombe Road, Bradford.

A witty writer

SIR - I would like to appeal through your letter columns for any information about a suffragette called Lavena Saltonstall.

Lavena was born in 1881 in Hebden Bridge, where she worked as a tailoress. She heard Emmeline Pankhurst speak, joined the Votes for Women campaign and moved to Halifax.

In spring 1907 Lavena along with other Yorkshire suffragettes travelled down to London. Here she was among those arrested and sent to prison. After further imprisonment, Lavena decided to take the longer view. A witty and effective writer, she used her pen to make her point against those who persistently denied women their full citizenship.

We last heard of Lavena in June 1917 when she married George Moore Baker, a 40-year-old private in the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment. George then lived at 74 Great Horton Road, and it seems very likely that Lavena went to live in Bradford.

If any readers know of a Lavena Baker living in Bradford between the wars, or of any of their descendants, I would be very grateful to receive any information.

Jill Liddington, Foster Clough, Mytholmroyd, Halifax, HX7 5QZ.

Forget China...

SIR - With regards to the clothing being held in warehouses awaiting EU ruling, I for one will not be losing any sleep over this.

According to sources there is going to be a shortage of certain clothes this winter. It is laughable.

China of late, and other Far East countries, have ruined the clothing trade of Britain and other EU countries for far too long.

As for quotas being lifted, let's hope the Europeans stick together and impose them rigidly. Let's support our own textile market (what's left of it) and blow China.

Michael Breen, Bolton Hall Road, Wrose.

Giles memories

SIR - With our MPs taking a well-deserved rest (OK, just kidding) the cartoonists and satirists who help us laugh at them are also taking some time off.

Much as I enjoy the present-day ones, some of their predecessors like Pont in the 1930s and Low during the war were pretty impressive.

But Giles, with his formidable "Grandma", surely takes the prize and I am, at present, doing an article on him.

There were books published of his work and I wonder if any of your readers, doing a spot of late spring-cleaning, have any for which I'd be glad to pay. My phone number is (01274) 587249.

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.