Your letters - April 2

Bexhill's Eden Project?

I WAS pleased to read the letter from Dave Walsh (Try Green Waste Project, March 26) suggesting green alternative uses for the Brickworks site.

Apparently the Eden Project was built on a disused clay quarry, and now we can see the amazing results. Why not Bexhill?

Why can't we as a community make this site a real option for green industry, cultivation and education for our area? Maybe on a smaller scale than the Eden Project, but still big enough to provide the community with a green alternative to landfill, that will serve the community with green jobs and preserve the environment rather than destroy it.

Maybe Rother District Council could convene a working group to consider and plan for the green options?

MADDY BERNARD

Hamilton Terrace

Bexhill

A case of deja vu

MARK Sivyer's letter of March 26 gave me feelings of deja vu.

When the MPs' expenses scandal broke, I wrote to David Cameron to state that I could not possibly vote for Greg Barker at the next General Election as I considered his actions as nothing short of criminal.

I told Mr Cameron that I would like to vote Conservative but I would not be able to vote for Mr Barker.

If he would withdraw Mr Barker's Whip then I would be happy to vote Tory.

I received a standard form letter back stating that "Mr. Brady" would be investigated, as would all Conservative MPs. Who on earth is Mr Brady?

With that unconsidered reply, I realised just how much contempt MPs have for the general public and how unimportant our personal views are.

So, as Mr Sivyer pointed out; do I hold my nose and vote for Mr Barker in an attempt to unseat Gordon Brown?

Do I not vote and give up my right to complain about the government?

Alternatively, do I give UKIP a pat on the back by way of my vote?

Truth is, I fear they are all the same.

So it doesn't really matter who I vote for.

R Harris

South Cliff

Bexhill-on-Sea

Homophobic rant

WHILE always defending the right of the odious BNP to state their political views I am angered to see your newspaper giving space to Nick Prince's homophobic rant.

There is little to be said for Greg Barker but his sexual orientation is of no relevance when deciding is suitability as a Member of Parliament.

As for Mr Prince's assertion that men kissing in public is offensive,he clearly displays his homophobia.

Did Mr Prince choose heterosexuality? Of course not.

As a heterosexual I have every right to kiss in public and it would be morally wrong to prevent those whose sexual orientation is different from enjoying that right,too.

Mr Prince talks of Greg Barker being confused.The words pot,kettle and black spring to

mind.

DAVID BARRY

Terminus Road

Bexhill

My manifesto

I'M going to put myself up for election as an MP, here is my manifesto.

I will commence by purchasing a property in London and do all I can to make you the public pay for the mortgage and furnish it for me as well as clean and decorate it. I will then 'flip it' as it suits if I want to claim exorbitant travelling expenses, my next task will be to see if I can obtain any of the freebie trips abroad so I and my family can holiday at someone else's expense. I would of course make full use of the dining and drinking facilities at Westminter, ensuring I employ most of my family would be a must as I have to keep as much of your money as is possible in my bank account. Ingratiate myself with the hierarchy of the party to get a junior minister's job which could entail having a chauffer-driven car to show off in.

Hopefully I can make enough contacts outside Westminster to enable me to have an easy life when I retire on top of my huge pension again courtesy of you electors.

I do not expect to work too many days a week as I can always say I am in my contituency instead of Parliament and of course vice versa

Sorry but as to those who live in my constituency, I won't be able to really help you as most things dealt with there are for local government in which I couldn't get involved and any that were my responsibility would have to be voted on according to the party whips and whether I wanted to keep any job I have in government.

I hope you would vote for me as my final act would be to put forward legislation that would ban all politicians from being able to do any of the above.

PM ADAMS

Hornbeam Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea

We do need change

YOU are absolutely right, Mark Sivyer (Letters, March 26). Any intelligent thinking person would endorse your sentiments entirely. Unfortunately, we are faced with undeniably, extremely corrupt people ruling us in the name of politicians. We do need change, but who to do it? Whom shall we trust? How many think like you in Westminster? I will vote, but with tongue in cheek. How sad is that?

Yvonne Lightfoot-St John

Nazareth Close

Bexhill

How gullible are we?

I WROTE to the Prime Minister regarding the ceasing of paying pensioners the SERPS part of our pension, something that we have spent our money on in good faith.

How gullible are we? We were given a promise that this money would not be plundered.

It is interesting that this was not actually mentioned on the broadcast of the Budget or Mr Brown's response?

Mr Brown hopes you will understand that as the matters are the responsibility of HM treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions he has passed my letter on...

Does the PM not know what is going on? I was under the impression that as Prime Minister he has to sanction whatever came out of his office. Or am I deluded?

J CAMDEN-FIELD

Marina Court

Bexhill

Protect open spaces

WHILST Councillor Deirdre Williams was quoted (Bexhill Observer, March 19) as referring to the controversial beach huts plans next to Herbrand Walk, her comments equally well apply elsewhere.

She is quoted as saying: "The need to protect open spaces is vital. I do worry about the pollution with the increase in the amount of traffic'¦".

In her own ward Gullivers Action Group continues its fight to save the Knole Road bowling greens from development. These bowling greens have been officially recognised as being one of the three highest-scoring green open spaces in the whole of the Rother district, and should be protected.

This part of Bexhill has also been officially recorded as short of such spaces, and so protection becomes doubly important.

Increased traffic is only one aspect of the impact that the planned extra blocks of flats would have on the neighbourhood where parking is already a problem.

An increased risk of flooding of surrounding properties is very real if the natural drainage provided by the greens is lost.

There is also the likelihood of subsidence to surrounding properties when the site is excavated, and of course the loss of a natural habitat for many species of wildlife, and loss of light and privacy for humans.

It is interesting to see, from results of the Bexhill Local Action Plan consultation, that 89 per cent want better protection and community use of green open spaces.

The plan's suggested action is: "Clear policy to protect green open spaces. Increase amount of communal spaces available for exercise and enjoyment."

This organisation is much encouraged by Bexhill's response and one of our ward councillor's enlightened comments. We do indeed need to protect these spaces.

DRU TRAMASEUR

Chairman

Cantelupe Community Association

Sport Relief support

I would like to thank everyone who supported the Glenco/Bexhill United by turning out to run, walk or jog the Sport Relief mile held at the Polegrove last Saturday.

It was wonderful to see people from four to 74 joining in together to raise money for such a worth while cause while having fun.

We raised 600 for Sport Relief by selling Sport Relief socks with the entrance fee.

I would like to thank those members of Glenco and Bexhill United who gave up their time to help organise and supervise on the day and Matt Hardes from Kaleidesign, Brett Drive, Bexhill who supports all events we put on.

I would also like to thank Rother District Council whose support is always appreciated in allowing us to provide these events for the community.

TRACY ASTON

Glenco secretary

Bexhill united committee member

Woodville Road

Bexhill

Dogs need to exercise

I am writing to protest at the proposals for dogs to be kept on leads on the Metropole Lawn, once again penalising responsible law abiding owners.

Keeping dogs on leads will not prevent fouling.

Fouling is just as easy on a lead as off.

It will also not stop dog owners who never put their dogs on a lead at all.

The dog owners who I meet early in the mornings are responsible and clear up their dogs' mess. The dogs are not aggressive. This is the only bit of grass in the town where a dog can run in safety.

Not everyone has a car or has the time to drive to other locations.

Dogs cannot run on stones and the part of the beach designated for off lead exercise is in an area which has no grass and is too close to a road.

Dogs need to be off the lead to get exercise and need grass to run on.

There has just been a huge rise in the council tax bill but the facilities for residents are gradually dwindling, the Metropole Lawn being but one.

G Ammoun

Amherst Road

Bexhill

Where's the support for museum?

I AM not totally surprised at the deafening silence in your letter columns to two items of good news in the March 19 edition of the Observer. I refer to the articles headed 'Museum punches above its weight' and 'Celebrating motor racing connection'.

The former refers to an impressive review in the Museums Journal, one of Britain's most prestigious museum magazines, of our town's redeveloped museum.

The latter outlines plans by Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and Tourism to create a motoring heritage trail in the town.

Both items must surely be welcome news for everyone interested in the fortunes and future prosperity of Bexhill.

As Sue Spice, spokesperson for the Chamber states, "The trail will be helpful for many of our traders, as we need to bring more people to the town".

A sentiment echoed in Bexhill Museum's Forward Plan 2010-2014 launched this week, which notes that one of the museum's aims is to attract more visitors to the town and just as importantly encourage them to stay longer to the benefit of the local economy.

So I ask, where are the letters of congratulations and support from Bexhill's 'concerned' residents? They are only too ready to put pen to paper to criticise the Next Wave Project, the De La Warr Pavilion, Rother District Council and indeed any attempt to make Bexhill more attractive to residents and visitors alike.

Indeed the more vociferous of our serial objectors must spend hours dreaming up schemes to thwart any such plans.

So, if you are so caring for the present and future of Bexhill just write a few lines of support for our museum and the heritage trail project.

John Betts

Eden Drive

Bexhill

He's missed my point

GRAHAM Barker, in his comments about my letter, appears to have missed the point I was trying to make, which was to get Rother District Council to focus on mundane matters such as the provision of decent toilets, instead of grandiose schemes that many Council Tax payers have no time for.

I used the word mundane as "relating to wordly matters", which is what we might hope of our elected representatives.

I can assure Graham that in my 70 plus years of walking there has been at least my fair share of "dog poo" on my shoes!

I am in total agreement with his views on the anti-social behaviour of a minority of dog owners and others who leave various litter in our "Green and Pleasant Land".

The challenge facing this country is not mainly about economics, but how we can restore some sense of pride in how we treat our neighbours and our enviroment.

Who do we turn to when politicians, religion and the family appear to be losing their influence?

DAVE SULLY

York Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Well done Battle Town Band

MANY congratulations to Battle Town Band, which draws its players, young and not so young, from Bexhill amongst other local places.

Our local band, for the second year running, are regional champions of their section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

On Saturday March 20, the band, who rehearse at Claverham on a Friday night, took to the stage at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre to compete in the London and Southern Counties Regional Championships.

Battle Town Band won first prize under the baton of Jon Penton their musical director as they did in the same contest last year.

Saint-Saens Variations '“ an arrangement by Philip Sparkes '“ was the "test piece" played by all 16 bands competing in Section Four. The band performance was highly praised and won them first place in their section, a place at the National Finals in Harrogate in September and promotion to the third Section.

For this sort of achievement a great deal of hard work is required over an extended period '“ and Battle do not have the support of celebrities and BBC TV as does the Dinnington Colliery Band!

Perhaps the De La Warr Pavilion would invite the band to perform there, so local people can "Listen to the Band" and to raise much needed funds for the finals in Harrogate.

The band website is www.battletownband.com

B P Ogonovsky

Winston Drive

Bexhill-on-Sea

Fortunate to celebrate Easter

THE supermarkets obviously feel that we must be tired of the hot cross buns and Easter eggs they began selling before Christmas, so I see they are selling boxes of crackers and chocolate logs for Easter.

But is this really confused thinking and a breaking with loved tradition? Or is this really led by the preaching I hear in many local churches?

You can't have Easter, the Cross of Jesus without a distant Almighty God becoming small as a human being at Christmas.

So this Easter perhaps buying a box of crackers, eating a Christmas chocolate log and other traditional Christmas food and also exchanging presents instead or as well as eggs may be an excellent idea?

I just can't limit God to one or two days a year, or even once a week on a Sunday. I love John's gospel chapter 3: verse 8: "The Holy Spirit like the wind is not limited to how I or anyone else describes Him."

So however you traditionally spend Easter or if you are totally anti man made traditions, God is there loving you.

As a Christian I'm very fortunate to celebrate Easter and Christmas every day of the year. If some of my brothers and sisters want to have 'special' days, may our Lord bless them too.

Paul Minter

Dorset Road

Bexhill

Supporting Our Sisters

MAY I say a huge thank you to all the ladies who donated their unwanted bras in one of the many Bra Banks that were put around the town by Soroptimist International Hastings and District during the week of March 6 to 13.

This project was run in conjunction with BCR Global Textiles.

The response was amazing and we were able to send off more than 20 huge bin bags full of bras of all shapes, sizes and colours!

The aim was to reduce items going to landfill, boost recycling and raise money for charity. Some of the underwear in good condition will be sent to developing countries where it is needed.

In addition, BCR has also pledged to donate money to

Cancer Research UK for all the bras that we collected during the week.

Once again, thank you to everyone who helped make a difference for their sisters around the world.

Hilary McCorry

Soroptimist International Hastings and District

Entitled to have my dreams

THE last mothering Sunday was quite memorable for us. Our daughter arrived early with a lovely bouquet of flowers and announced she was going to cook lunch for us and after lunch was going to take us for a local ride in Bexhill.

The lunch was very enjoyable and so was the local jaunt in her mini (JP1). She took us up to Galley Hill where we enjoyed good all-round views of Hastings and the coastline around Eastbourne on a fairly sunny afternoon.

Later we visited the De La Warr Pavilion where we enjoyed afternoon tea and cakes and settled down to enjoy the views from the cafe-restaurant. It was now extremely low-tide, exposing the petrified forest and rocks to a degree that I had not previously experienced. The sunset approached, the effect was really beautiful, and then it was I experienced a dream of what have been.

In my dream there was a covered bandstand on the Colonnade, with the band playing and an appreciative audience sitting under the corner of the Colonnade (subtly redecorated) being served with refreshments by the neraby cafe, while above overlooking the balustrade were more specators being served from the former downstairs restaurant of the Pavilion.

Just an idle dream of an old 91-year-old resident, who will probably be called a silly old fool. But surely at my age I am entitled to have my dreams of the Bexhill I wish for. Such a scheme would have cost considerably less than some recently suggested, and there might have been money left over to fill many of the potholes in our local roads!

John Perrin

Pebsham Lane

Bexhill

Consider the eastern beaches

SUCH double standards by our councillors concerning objections to the proposal for beach huts along the beach at Cooden (Hebrand Walk).

It seems the eastern stretches of Bexhill beaches are fair game for excessive beach hut development whereas the western end should not have these obstructions to a sea view built.

The number of people I have met who object to these awful beach huts spoiling any view of the beach or sea along the eastern part of Bexhill promenade is indicative of the general feeling that Bexhill is just becoming a source of income rather than a nice place to live or visit.

As a compromise-why can't halve the amount of beach huts be sited on the grass verges with plenty of space between each hut?

The beach could be handed back to nature and allow us once again to be able to admire the view from the promenade.

ROY GOODALL

Top Cross Road

Bexhill

Hands to fleet carriers!

DID you ever serve on board any of the light fleet carriers, HMS Bulwark, HMS Albion, or HMS Centaur?

Our association - the HMS Bulwark Albion Centaur Association - is open to anyone who served at any time on these ships. There is a magazine three times per year plus events including AGM/socials, sea-days with our new ships, HMS Albion and Bulwark, and anniversary commemorations at home and abroad.

This year's AGM and social is at HMS Nelson, Portsmouth on Saturday May 8.

We also sponsor sea cadets from our affiliated SCC on the Training Ship Royalist.

Membership is all of 8 per annum. Enquires to Leigh Easton, Glenmoray, Hayford Pl., Cambusbarron, Stirling, FK7 9JX, or email at [email protected] or visit our website for further details at www.bulwarkassoc.plus.com

Leigh Easton

membership secretary

Stirling

Thanks for stopping to help

I would like to thank the lovely young lady who stopped and assisted me when I fell in Wickham Avenue at the beginning of the month.

I was very grateful for her help especially the lift home. The bruises and breakages are on the mend.

Thank you again,

Val Phillips

Westville Road

Bexhill