Let's do something creative with some of Worthing's wood

It boosted trade at a time of the year when normally shopkeepers struggle.

But that was about the only benefit Worthing gained from the wood mountain washed up on our shores '“ thanks to the dead hand of officialdom.

Previousl,y I strongly criticised attempts by the country's boring brigade to prevent the public from going to the beaches and collecting the wood.

It could have benefitted local residents so much '“ for fences, decking, boarding lofts to suggest just a few.

Instead, barricades were erected for miles on end to prevent the public getting onto the beaches, and there were dire warnings that anyone caught taking wood from the beach faced arrest, a court appearance and a fine up to 2,500.

Anyone would have thought the treasure washed- up on the beaches was crates of whisky '“ you can imagine the hatred whipped-up centuries ago when Customs and Excise officials attempted to prevent locals from helping themselves to booty washed up from shipwrecks.

At first the reason given for the "thou must not touch" edict was that the wood was still a valuable cargo and that there was someone out there prepared to buy it.

Now it has emerged that this was a lie, and the only use the wood now has is to be chipped and burned in power stations.

What a waste. Just imagine the cost of this ridicuous operation '“ the erection of the barriers, the lorries, the men, the lifting gear and chipping machines.

It will all have to be met by the insurance companies '“ if they don't go bust before we see the colour of their money.

But it's not too late for officialdom to redeem itself. Just take a look at what people have done with the wood in places where they can get at it.

There are some wonderful creations, log cabins, huts, camps '“ people have used their imagination to have fun with the wood.

So how about it, Worthing councillors, let's use some of the wood to make a great adventure playground somewhere along the seafront. Or some interesting and creative structures in children's playgrounds.

Charities like the scouts, I am sure, would really love to get involved and I'm sure local people could come up with some really imaginative ideas to use some of the wood '“ far better than watch it all chipped and burned.

Come on Worthing, let's be imaginative and creative for once and show the rest of the country what we're made of.