Observer Comment: Ex-Marine's tale shows there is always hope

Yet that it just what Bexhill fitness instructor Chris Haines has managed to achieve over the course of the last decade, in one of the toughest arenas in the world.

As a youngster Chris was regularly in trouble: always in fights, expelled from three schools and later refused entry to the fire service as a result.

But Chris did not give up there and then - he took his quest for a better life several notches up and enlisted for the Royal Marines.

Of the original 53 candidates on the gruelling eight-month training course, Chris was one of only eight who passed the test and therefore eligible to join the Marines as a full serviceman.

Seven years on, Chris is seeking to pass on his experiences as a Commando as part of his new work as a fitness instructor.

His tale makes inspiring reading.

It just goes to show that with enough grit and determination, it is possible to rise above a chequered past and achieve something fantastic.

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Costly perhaps, but unwise to drop public loos

THE state of the town’s public toilets has come under the microscope as part of Rother looking at the possible refurbishment of conveniences across the district.

It is understood that this could cost the council a great deal of money, however with the amount already spent on the Next Wave seafront development and serious talk on regenerating the town centre, it would be unwise to let them fall further into disrepair.

Four Bexhill public toilets were named in Monday’s Cabinet meeting: West Parade, East Parade, Marina and Devonshire Square.

As pointed out to councillors, poor public conveniences can reflect badly on the area.

It would be a shame to see so much spent on the seafront and town centre with no thought given to what many see as an essential service, even if there is no statutory duty to provide one.