ON the vexed subject of fireworks I would like to begin by congratulating the organisers of Bradford's official display on producing something visually exciting but with a minimum of noise clearly this can be done.

But what can be done about those who have been exploding ear-shattering bangers in the town's green spaces, especially Barton Country Park, at all hours of the day and night?

In the two-week run-up to November 5 vandals have been disturbing the peace over a large area, often intimidating passers-by. Such antics, regarded by some as harmless, culminate in the kind of horrifying incident headlined recently in your newspaper (firebomb attack, Wiltshire Times, November 2).

I would also like to suggest that those holding noisy firework displays on dates other than November 5 should be required to give notice of them. Householders should at least have the courtesy to inform neighbours whom they know to have young children or animals, so suitable precautions can be taken. Life in Bradford is no fun for nervous people, dogs or cats at this time, and the period in question gets longer and longer with each passing year.

BARBARA CROSSLAND,

Barton End,

Newtown,

Bradford on Avon.

Charity card sales

I SHOULD like to take the opportunity of thanking all the customers who have supported the Charity Card Shop for so many years, and hope they will return to us in 2002. This year we can find no suitable premises for our shop in Trowbridge. We raised nearly £30,000 in the year 2000.

I should also like to thank the large band of voluntary workers who staff the shop, without whom we would not function, who are optimistically looking forward to opening in October next year. Eight of our local charities have been offered space to sell their Christmas cards at the United Church Hall tomorrow. Please support them there.

CYNTHIA MOSSMAN,

Charity Card Shop Committee,

Trowbridge.