However, that is of limited use to us in Horsforth where for several years we have been campaigning for a swimming pool which would be particularly useful for young people and the elderly, two groups with the greatest reliance on public transport.
This would allow us to develop the sport in the town.

It is true, as we keep being told, that there are pools in Guiseley, Kirkstall and at Holt Park, the latter about to be redeveloped. If you are 10 or 80 and live in Horsforth these pools are hardly accessible.

I find it galling constantly to be told how important it is to keep young people fit and occupied and to receive glossy brochures extolling the benefits of sport in general and swimming in particular but when you form a group to campaign for better facilities in your home area, you are dismissed with the insulting nonsense that there is no
need for such a pool or, more to the point, no money for it. No wonder so few people in this country bother to get involved in community politics.

Moreover, I struggle to think of a single facility that we have in Horsforth, thanks to the generosity of Leeds, that is not a compulsory facility like schools or social services. We would be much better off if we followed the French model of towns retaining their independence – this would apply to all outer Leeds towns which are stifled by their subservience to Civic Hall. Who will join me in campaigning for the independence of Horsforth? Why not, as at present all three parties seem to view us as a cash cow for the rest of the city?

From: N Bywater, Airedale Terrace, Morley, Leeds.

IN reply to Neil Martin's letter (Yorkshire Post, May 3), here in the Leeds area the council has a similar policy which very much prevents parents encouraging sport for their children.

I have tried to book a "sports party" for my daughter's eighth birthday party, but all the children attending must be over the age of eight, so her younger friends would not be able to attend.

This eights-and-over policy is the same for tennis and bowls at the new John Charles sports centre. The chances of the next Wimbledon champion coming from the Leeds area is very limited.

So now we will have to choose between ten pin bowling or Pizza Hut.

Every sporting activity for children at my local sports centre seems to have a waiting list. Are they expanding these facilities? The answer is no.

What they are doing is knocking down Morley sports centre and when the new one is built, it will have a much extended gym at the expense of other facilities which can by enjoyed by children and adults.