Drug project has performed wonders

SIR - It is a disgrace that despite the millions of pounds Bradford receives to tackle drug misuse and related crime the Agape Project finds itself in dire financial needs (T&A, March 23).

Surely when different services are needed to help drug addicts needing shelter, support and access to treatment are located in the housing sector then why can't these highly-paid managers find a simple funding solution?

The attitude expressed by these managers suggests these pots of money are somehow mutually exclusive cannot be right. What happened to some so-called 'joined-up' thinking?

Agape has one of the best records in getting addicts clean and back into society and saves this city many millions of pounds in crime reduction and health costs.

I have had the privilege of supporting this project for seven years and have been incredibly impressed by the hard work and dedication of the staff.

One can only conclude that if this was not a Christian charity more support would have been forthcoming.

The people of Bradford cannot afford to allow this Project to go under due to PC and bureaucracy.

Les Vasey, Chairman of Agape Management Committee, Bradford Road, Idle

Freedom of speech

SIR - Re 'Insult to Jesus' (T&A March 13), does Andrew Dennison have proof Jesus was not how Jerry Springer: The Opera portrayed him?

The church sees the Lord Jesus, if He existed, as white, blond and blue-eyed. Being Christians and white, we accept that image. However, given where He was supposed to have lived, that image cannot be correct.

Believe me, if Jesus feels insulted in the way He is portrayed by the show then He, or His father, will gain retribution. Until then, Andrew, get over it.

I have seen the cartoons. Where do they indicate Mohammed was 'The Prophet' referred to by Muslims?

Religions are a belief and to that end cannot be proved true. If Muslims wish to say Jesus was a prophet not the son of God, it is correct, justified and acceptable, until Jesus proves them wrong.

However, this view would downgrade all our prophets to that of preachers. On that basis it would therefore be correct for us to accept Mohammed was a preacher not a prophet.

Religious grounds should never restrict freedom of speech even in such a musically-rubbish show.

William Oliver, Gerard House, Fairhaven Green, Idle.

Look to China

SIR - I expect we have to be grateful that Gordon Brown now recognises that vehicles that produce most climate change gases should pay more road fund tax.

It is but a small first step as the difference will not reduce the number of large vehicles in any measure and that is disappointing.

He should look to China to see how to do it as they have just more than quadrupled the tax on the largest vehicles and also taxed chopsticks for the first time to save the 25 million trees that are cut down each year to make them.

Keith Thomson, Heights Lane, Bradford

We're so fortunate

SIR - If B J Rudd (T&A, March 3) wants his dream to come true, he should move to somewhere like Sweden!

Are you serious by saying our armed forces, who besides being the finest fighting force in the world are also the greatest peace keepers, should stay at home while the genocide, tyrants, torture, rape, mass murder, terrorist breeding grounds and atrocities going on around the world is in your own words "nothing to do with us"?

We wanted help in 1942. If Roosevelt had said "no" goodness only knows what the future would have held for us

You go on to say "what an utter mess this country is in". The reality is we don't know how lucky we are. I am sick to death of people who moan and complain about the most mundane things. I was born in Bradford 66 years ago, I have always had food and drink and held down a job all my life.

When I need medical care it is there for me, absolutely free. Look around the world, Mr Rudd, and you may see just how fortunate we are.

Geoff Tasker, Park Road, Low Moor

More care needed

SIR - At the launch of Neighbourly Care Bradford on March 14, I reminded those present that the government produced, in 2000, the National Health Service Framework for Older People promising that healthcare would be free at the point of need.

The following year it was amended, placing the burden on Social Services.

We then discover that the government directed Social Services to bring their care homes up to standard or close them down. In the 1980s there were 44 care homes in Bradford run by Social Services and at the last count there were nine.

We now learn that the Council has decided to increase the charge for Care in the Community while, at the same time, increasing the community charge which places a double burden on the sick and elderly.

May we thank Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib-Dem) for her opposition to the increase of an extra burden for those in care and recommend that Care in the Community should mean just that, for the community they have served through taxation, etc.

Audrey Raistrick, Neighbourly Care Bradford, Westgate, Eccleshill.

Organ clarification

SIR - I was somewhat puzzled by the reference in John Pennington's letter (T&A, March 10) to the New Victoria/Gaumont Wurlitzer organ and the organ in the Ritz, Brighouse.

The former organ, which I played as house organist from 1964-1967, was, after removal in 1968, installed most successfully by the North East Theatre Organ Association in a former chapel now known as the New Victoria Centre, in Howden-le-Wear, County Durham, and has given sterling service ever since.

The organ has recently been refurbished, and enlarged, and will be back in use soon. The Wurlitzer in the Ritz Ballroom, Brighouse, came from the Gaumont cinema in Oldham via the Dale Hall, Hampsthwaite, and the Trinity Arts Centre, Pudsey, and is owned by the Cinema Organ Society.

I have the honour of tuning both of these fine instruments on a regular basis in readiness for concerts and events.

If the New Victoria/Gaumont/ Odeon Bradford were to be restored to its full splendour it would be most appropriate to install another fine Wurlitzer organ - perhaps a larger one than the original which was really too small for the huge auditorium and had to be amplified.

David Lowe, Carlton Court, Ossett

A work of art

SIR - I completely reject what Mr Rhodes wrote about Amrik Varkalis's painting (T&A, March 14).

It has a balanced composition, harmonious colours and has been carefully done. The painting's childlike quality is its strength. It is successful, abstract, modern. I like it very much.

Peter Cardwell, North Street, Keighley.