Take the rap for dodgy scrap

THE scrap metal dealers who accept stolen metal, no matter where from and whatever excuse they give, should be the ones who are severely punished.

If they did not buy the metal, the thieves would not steal it. Any dealer found with stolen metal should receive a prison sentence and have all his property confiscated. In one fell swoop, all metal thefts would be brought to an end. It is the only way to stop this very dangerous practice.

Icon of courage

From: John Browell, Moorlands Road, Birkenshaw, Bradford.

READING that it was the centenary of Captain Scott’s expedition to the South Pole (Yorkshire Post, January 3)) in 1912 reminded me that another courageous and determined person’s anniversary occurs this month. It is 600 years since the birth of Jehanne Day (Joan of Arc) in 1412. She went on some remarkable expeditions and certainly put the wind up the English Army in the Hundred Years War.

No change

From: JG Waddington, Toller Lane, Bradford.

WITH reference to recent letters regarding Leeds Bradford International Aiprort, I thought that you might like to know that in 1996 the magazine Woman conducted a survey of British airports and found that Leeds Bradford was the worst place to fly to and from. Things haven’t changed much, have they?

Dark matter

From: Mike Gillson, Quarry Lane, Birstall, Batley.

WE were a day or two late, according to tradition, but that’s inflation for you. As we were tidying up after taking the Christmas decorations down, I thought I spotted a Higgs boson particle on the carpet but, before I could gather it, my wife went over it with the vacuum and it got mixed in with all the other dust particles. Not to worry. The failure to capture it didn’t cost billions of public money.