Your Letters - August 31

Rage risk

READING the Observer of Friday, August 24, I was interested in the "Road Rage" incident involving the red Alpha Romeo in Parkhurst Road.

I can, in some respects as a driver, appreciate that drivers do become angry with pedestrians who seemingly on occasions (and I am sure not this one) do think that the road is theirs to loiter in or just take chances getting across.

We see it almost daily when someone wishes to cross a road and this is sometimes young ladies with pushchairs who possibly have a "you dare to touch me" attitude which sadly sometimes with drivers not paying attention and maybe with a lower standard of driving, do end with casualties.

Drivers also become frightened when there is what could be called a "near miss" and this can come out as aggression and is a part of human nature and not necessarily an indicator of the drivers usual demeanour behind the wheel.

This, of course, does not advocate the red Alfa driver's attitude which was wrong.

What I would say is that the driver of the Alfa and any other potential aggressor behind a steering wheel should (as I am sure the "get out and have a go" types usually do) is judge your potential victim well.

I would assume that had the gentleman about to cross the road been any taller, younger, wider or fit looking he would not have warranted the personal confrontation and would have just got the hooter sounded at him or possibly the seemingly ever present "one finger salute" that has become an almost de rigeur part of some drivers everyday "in car" exercise.

Several years ago in the suburbs of South London a work colleague was walking along a low pavement when a car screeched to a halt beside him catching his leg with the bumper.

He happened understandably, to look at the driver who immediately got out of the car and walked very aggressively (as in the Alfa case) toward my colleague asking the usual "have you got a problem?" etc etc, my colleague was quite a small slight man of middle age and about 5ft 6ins tall and the driver was a tall young man with a companion.

Sensing quite rightly, a problem, he, without saying a word felled the driver with a punch to the solar plexus and walked away leaving the passenger to tend his fallen comrade.

So, in the modern age of more people carrying guns and knives it does not always pay to be the aggressor in these cases and certainly not this particular one as my work colleague, in the 1960s was rated among the top professional boxers in England.

A lesson to be learned by all in some ways.

Paul Stewart

Duke Street

Christian outlet

PAUL Minter wrote last week about the lack of a Christian bookshop. It appears that he has not been to Bexhill's indoor market for awhile. As for the past 25 years there has been a Christian bookshop there.

If he had written about the need for a decent MP, a council which cares for Bexhill as a whole, pavements that are elderly-friendly - and I am not elderly, but have noticed the bad state of pavements around the town. If he had commented about the low-life racial abuse that was given to the foreign students as they walked past a bar on St Leonard's Road a few nights ago, behaviour that shames this town. Then Mr Minter would have reason to complain. But as it is his letter served no purpose - as previously mentioned Bexhill already has a Christian bookshop - and a very good and friendly one at that.

I must admit that there was a time that parents would attend church and considered it their duty to send their children to Sunday School. They considered that their children could benefit in learning how to love and care for other people - when they came home they would have a family meal together - during those times society was better behaved.

But when parents stopped attending Church and sending their children to Sunday School - the family gathering around a meal stopped - the behaviour of society got worse - hence present day. People considered it their duty to attend church with other people and thank God for their family and for the many other blessings that He had given them. Today gratitude to God has stopped. Now we are paying the price with the society that we have today.

Peter Fell

Buckhurst Road.

Narrow view

I AM writing in regards to a letter entitled "Speak Up" by a Mr Paul Minter in a recent edition of your paper.

It saddens me to discover that Bexhill beholds such narrow-minded individuals. If Bexhill's bowling alley want the help of spiritualists, I don't see how this is harming Mr Minter in any way (unless they're sending the spooks to his house?).

I personally don't know what to believe when it comes to spiritualism, however, the various spiritualists I have met in my time have been friendly, welcoming and all round nice people (oh, and many have been Christian!). They don't appear to ram their religion down one's throat, like some religion's can be guilty of!

I can't believe someone would think it is "evil" and to "Get it out of town". I remember a very famous army of people that were un-willing to hear the views and religion of others, and they were called Nazis. Bexhill would be a far happier place if people were to get on with their own lives instead of spreading their hate and negativity on to others.

Perhaps Mr Minter is hoping for Bexhill's equivelant of the Salem Witch Trials?

Watch out, residents of Bexhill, in case your religion or open-mindedness is persecuted too!

Lady Lyndz of Cooden

Empty souls

WITH reference to the on-going correspondence sparked off by Paul Minter, regarding the apparent rise of spiritualism in Bexhill.

Firstly, well done Paul for bringing this to our attention, there is no doubt as to the devilish origins of this and its associate activities, and is indeed another evil that needs to be purged from society.

Yes Paul, Christians do need to stand against this spiritual wickedness, along with all others evils that plague our town and indeed the nation. But forming an action group?

On the surface this may seem to be a good idea, but has not the Lord already done this, it is called the Church, and it is the Church that needs to get its act together and begin doing what it is commissioned to, namely, preach the Gospel and make disciples, as well as to follow Jude's exhortation to "Contend earnestly for the faith ". The formation of yet another para-church grouping is not I fear the answer, however if Christians were to gather together for prayer and leaflet distribution outside the places where these activities are convened then this is acceptable and would be a very positive and powerful witness.

Finally, we must be careful not to give those ensnared in this evil a persecution complex, as such would have an adverse effect. The answer is for the Christian to meet the need of these sad, deceived and empty souls with the Gospel of the living God. There is only one who can satisfy the hungry and thirsty soul, who can meet the daily needs of man and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. He said "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." To all those who seek the counsel of these spiritualist charlatans, we say beware, they may seem nice people, which we are sure they are, but they have been deceived by the father of lies, and will deceive all who consult them. Finally we have this wonderful assurance that "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Again well done Paul.

REV. DR AND MRS GADSDEN

Sewell Avenue

Plans despair

THE planning inspector in his assumed wisdom has decided that the historical green open space '“ currently the Knole Road bowling greens '“ can be lost for ever to make way for a massive four-storey block of yet more retirement flats, with another three-storey block behind!

That is 41 more retirement flats for the town and the irrevocable loss of valuable green space for the town centre.

This decision closely follows the demolition of Baird Court this month '“ an important building which was part of our heritage, and which should have been saved for the town. Anyone with vision could have made this an important attraction to complement our improving museums and even the De La Warr Pavilion.

And who is to blame for this vandalism of Bexhill on Sea? Rother District Council has allowed the demolition of Baird Court, and failed at the appeal to properly defend the original, unanimous decision of elected Councillors to refuse development on the bowling greens. Open spaces such as the Gullivers bowling green site are classified as 'greenfield' and as such are supposed to be protected by government legislation. And this when the council's own commissioned report into sport and leisure space - dated May 2007 '“ concluded that this particular corner of Bexhill is actually in need of more open space!

We despair for the future of this town with so many ugly blocks of flats being allowed. The appeal decision is a lost opportunity to make this treasured space available for the local and wider community of Bexhill and its visitors at large.

J. Bouchard

Cantelupe Road

Grim reality

SO Peter Webb is proud to be a member of a club that costs every household in Britain an extra 1,000 a year; that leaks vast sums of money to underpin the appallingly uneconomic French (and other European) farmers; that supports an ever-growing number of unelected civil servants (50,000 and rising) in two different cities to placate the French Government; that hosts financial corruption and nepotism; and which passes a bewildering number of unnecessary laws that often affects the UK adversely. I suggest that Mr Webb comes down from his Olympian eyrie and visits http://www.satsig.net/referendum.htm to become acquainted with the grim reality of the EU!

TONY HAMMOND

Gillham Wood Road

Fired up

I NOTE that letters regarding bonfires and incinerations are making your letters pages. Is anyone surprised?

Locally, we still have no garden-refuse bins, and have been told that we are only entitled to two extra black sacks.

A number of us have hutch animals, needing hay and/or straw.

Originally, we were told this would be treated as garden refuse. Now it's household waste. As some people have such pets in the double figure, burning waste on a regular basis is the only way to get rid of the stuff if you can't get to the tip.

People living on their own are being asked to accept rubbish from anyone with more than two extra bags. So, all the time this idea of limiting people to "X" amount of waste bags and bins, I expect burnings to increase. Yes: there is a best time for this - mid afternoon isn't it!?

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Holiday project

THROUGH your paper I would like to thank the Beulah Baptist Church, especially Marilyn and Gerald, for arranging a week at the church for the elderly called Holiday at Home.

It gave many of us who cannot go away through age and infirmity an opportunity to enjoy trips out, craft activities, easy exercise and fellowship with other people.

I would also like to thank the cook Jenny for providing lovely food each day and the many church people who helped out by being volunteers and also inviting us in to their homes for tea. It certainly is a church where care in the community is demonstrated. Thank you very much.

God bless you all.

Joyce Goble (Mrs)

Beaulah Baptist Church

Real nappies

Copy of a letter sent to Mr Keith Pollen, Community Services, Rother District Council.

SINCE receiving the news of the birth of our first baby in December, I have been investigating the pros and cons of various types of nappies.

I was interested, therefore, whilst searching on the web, to see the advancement in washable nappies ie `real' nappies. I was further interested to learn that a starter pack was available from yourselves at Surestart in Western Road for the price of 5.

Calling at Surestart, fully expecting to avail myself of this offer, I was horrified to learn that I did not `qualify'. The qualifications required? That I should be on benefit! I cannot believe that the Council have spent so much money on recycling accessories and yet refuse to encourage everybody, not just those on low income, to adopt this waste saving scheme. I am sure that I do not need to tell you the statistics of the impact of disposable nappies on land fill and on the environment.

I feel quite discriminated against and object that due to the fact I have never cost the government a penny in benefits, I am deemed unsuitable for a starter pack.

S. ANGEL

De La Warr Road

RNA cash

THE Bexhill branch of the Royal Naval Association wish to convey their sincere thanks to the customers of our local Sainsbury's supermarket who contributed so generously to our recent collections. Our thanks go also to the management of Sainsbury's who permit us the use of their shop forecourt each year. Our members enjoy the interest and the many questions they receive from the contributors during their spell of duty with the collecting tin. The total collection over the weekend amounted to 1,000.28p which will be included with our other collections during the year and allocated to local and national Naval related charities.

DON NEWNHAM

RNA (Bexhill branch) Publicity Officer.