Your Letters - November 2

Bypass need

THE road crash on the Pevensey marshes last week brings to light once more the stupidity of not having a major bypass from the Polegate roundabout to north of Hastings.

The building of a link road from King Offa Way to The Ridge at Hastings will only make congestion worse than it is now. The building of a new estate north of Sidley and Pebsham will only increase transport and pollution problems in our area.

The question is where are all the new residents going to work? Hastings Direct are about to lay off some of their staff. Other local firms are doing the same. Will our local services be able to cope with the new influx?

There is an increased risk of flooding in our area if more of our countryside is concreted over. Until our road infrastructure has been greatly improved especially the A259 and A21 companies will not move into the Bexhill and Hastings areas.

R SANDERSON

Top Cross Road

More carnage

IS anyone surprised? Yet another major accident on the Marsh Road.

Yet more people seriously injured.

Yet more long delays as a result.

Yet more inconvenience.

Yet more police, ambulance and fire service involvement.

How many more times do the people of Bexhill and Little Common have to see the scenes of carnage repeated and repeated yet again?

I wrote to the Bexhill Observer on this very subject on January 29, 2007, quoting official figures obtained from the police traffic department. Lest these statistics be forgotten may I take the liberty of quoting them again?

Since June 2000 to December 2006 a five-mile section of the A259 from King Offa Way to the Hooe section of the Marsh Road has accounted for five fatalities, 20 serious accidents and 97 less serious incidents. Since that date there have been several more incidents - such as a coach and cars crashing into residents' front gardens.

Motorists continue to speed along this section of the A259 and there are still no cameras to deter them. Instead there is a proposal to build an ill-conceived link road to facilitate the development of new housing and light industry. Such insanity will only increase the traffic, cause more congestion and bring yet more carnage on this section of road.

Please, please give Bexhill a decent by-pass which will bring some relief to this besieged town instead of just tinkering with this ever increasing congestion problem, which has been discussed ad nauseum by our political masters.

Mike Rosner

Hillborough Close

Bin disgrace

BIG headlines in the Bexhill Observer, October 26: "Uncollected wheelie bins are down to 150 a week, say Rother".

How disgraceful! How can a council take pride in leaving 150 homes with stinking, overflowing rubbish bins?

This topic has been in the letters every week since fortnightly collections began. People are outraged. Yet the council do not address the peoples' concerns in this column as they know it is deeply unpopular and they cannot provide a reason as to why it is good for the homeowner. If my council tax was cut because I suffer greater inconvenience I might be a bit more receptive. Typical government policy "Do not address the complaints and they will go away".

Please put this into perspective. If the council, nearly five months on, now only misses out 150 homes per week, how many homes were missed out in the first month? It must have been thousands. Is there council tax relief for uncollected rubbish? Surely residents cannot be charged for services not rendered.

But I'm sure by the next election the council will be down to only missing out 50 homes per week. We wouldn't want any councillors losing their jobs now would we?

R Harris

South Cliff

No closure

I would like to congratulate Bexhill MP Greg Barker for echoing the opinion of Liberal Democrat South East's MEP Sharon Bowles where he says Sidley post office must not close.

A situation where there is a Conservative Member of Parliament and a Liberal Democrat Member of European Parliament both fighting the corner of Sidley post office must surely send a clear message to the post office confirming that it would be detrimental to the village of Sidley if the post office were to close.

Sidley post office provides an extremely valuable service not just to our aging populous of residents but also to local businesses and it would indeed be a crime if we were not able to save this post office from closure.

I would suggest that everyone in the village signs the 'Save Our Post Office' petition as we must deliver a clear message: Thois post office must not close

BRETT MCLEAN

Sidley Liberal Democrats

Seaside Road

St Leonards

PO petition

Re: Post Offices

I HAVE a 1922 street directory and in this I have found that we had a Post Office in High Street Old Town, one in Station Road (now London Road) and one at Collington Mansions. We have lost the one in Old Town and now it looks like we are to lose the one in London Road. There goes our heritage!

So the main Post Office in Devonshire Square will surely have to be enlarged before long to cope with more customers and do you think we could lose "Gubby's Balls" in the square so that pensioners have somewhere to park while queueing to collect their money etc?

Parking for the elderly (we have so many) must be a nightmare and there will be more to find spaces for. I have already signed the petition at London Road.

M G STUBBERFIELD (Mrs)

St David's Avenue

Cycle joy

ON Sunday, October 21, I went for a very enjoyable cycle ride along Hastings seafront in the Autumn sunshine.

I was not alone; indeed I have rarely seen quite so many cyclists out enjoying a ride. The pedestrians were, equally, enjoying a stroll along the prom and both sets of travellers kept to their assigned area of the promenade.

Especially with the possibility of a beach cycle path between Glyne Gap and Hastings, the lack of a similar arrangement along Bexhill's (much wider) promenade seems a great pity. The benefits of providing cyclists with a safe route, the probability of the reduction in cycle accidents and the environment to train youngsters so that they do not become a nuisance on the road seems one too good to miss.

Can it really be that the citizens of Bexhill are incapable of keeping to a clearly defined area of the front if their Hastings counterparts have no such problems? Or is it that there are too many people in Bexhill prepared to do anything to prevent people having pleasure and keeping fit?. After all the county, the Government and people in general are doing all they can to encourage cycling as a healthy pursuit.

Those that complain of cycle nuisance on the seafront at present might be pleasantly surprised to find that, given the facilities, young cyclists may adopt a responsible attitude '“ as they have on the seafront at Hastings.

John Bennett

Ridgewood Gardens

Creative truth

IN order to comprehend the specious influence of Sea Space on some aspects of the "Creative Impact" Study it is necessary to have a knowledge of the history of the Sea Space proposals for "regeneration" of the town.

These included the construction of a hotel on the putting green, a seven-storey office block on the Pavilion car park and at least one, plus possibly two more, multi - storey flat blocks on the south side of Marina.

These destructive proposals were comprehensively rejected after the "Save Our Seafront" campaign, which attracted the support of over 12,000 signatories to a petition of objection.

In rejecting such ideas SOS submitted an "Alternative Masterplan" for regeneration, which contained many realistic proposals for town improvements, some of which have since been implemented and others are awaiting funding. Sea Space have made no contribution of funding so far.

I recommend John Betts (letter, October 26) and other seekers after truth to read the SOS Report dated January 2005, two copies of which were deposited in the Reference Library at the time.

J. Hodson

Cooden Sea Road

School action

Re: Article about police removing a boy from Bexhill High School after a fight

YOUR article about Bexhill High was very one-sided. We have an 11-year-old son at Bexhill High who has also been the victim of both verbal and physical assaults in the last few weeks.

However our experience has been completely different. The teachers reacted quickly and professionally to our concerns.

Incidents have been fully investigated and those involved were spoken to and disciplined.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a significant minority of children at this school who have no respect for their peers, teachers or themselves. My son comes home with stories about language and behaviour that would make your hair curl! I think it is a mistake to blame the teachers for their handling of this anti-social behaviour.

It is the parents and society as a whole who have created this situation, to the detriment of the children at the school who are ready and willing to learn and the teachers who wish to teach, but instead spend a lot of time sorting out bad behaviour.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Clamp advice

I HAVE a positive comment to make on the clamping company at Glyne gap.

In Letters September 7, one reader advised about parking at Glyne Gap and leaving the site.

As a newcomer to the area, I parked there one Sunday in August and left as the shops had not opened.

When I arrived back, I had been clamped "for leaving the site."

Although I explained this, the representative of PCN - the clamping company - informed me that they were unable to forgo the fee payable but that if I wrote to the their head office they would look into it.

My fee was repaid this week by PCN together with an letter from their managing director, Ian Cordingly, recognising that there was a mistake made.

I would urge anyone that has been clamped to write to him or failing that write to the retail park's owner, Land Securities, at 5 Strand, London.

As I understand it everyone can get their fee refunded.

A Gillougley

Battle

Royal treat

MY daughter and I went to the White Rock Theatre, Hastings, to see the King and I performed by the Hastleons. What an excellent show it was.

It was so good we went Friday evening and again to the Saturday matinee. It is such a great shame that the De La Warr are not showing such excellent shows.

Very well done to all the Hastleons.

MYRA WOOD

Watermill Close.

TRY to catch the BLODS' up-coming production of The Gondoliers at the pavilion;, you may be pleasantly surprised.- Ed.

Street cash

ONCE again may I say thank you to the generous people of Bexhill for their donations to Greyhounds in Need - a wonderful 121.21 on our Saturday street collection and continuing contributions through our collecting boxes.

RITA HAWKINS

G.I.N. Volunteer

Boreham Street Village

Paving mishap

I WOULD like to thank my neighbour and the lady, I believe her name was Wendy, who very kindly came to my aid when I tripped over a high paving slab in Sackville Road. I ended up in A & E with a fractured nose and stitches. Council please note!

CHRISTINE BARNES

Dalmeny Road

Roadside aid

I WOULD like to say a grateful "thank you" on behalf of myself and my mother to all those who came to her assistance when she suffered a stroke in Devonshire Road on Tuesday, September 25.

Special thanks to the nurse who resuscitated her - you saved her life.

Mum is now back home and making excellent progress.

HAZEL ABRAHAM (Mrs)

Roundacres Way.

Luxury homes

IS it just me or is Bexhill aiming to become a town full of luxury flats?

We have the Sackville Road development, the former Grand Hotel site development and now Egerton Place ("an exclusive development").

A few questions '“ why are all these developments aimed at the 'luxury' end of the market? What is RDC doing to encourage affordable housing within the town centre?

Are the plans for the hotel site in accordance with local conservation regulations '“ wasn't the previously proposed health centre and surgery rejected because its design did not satisfy these?

Why have Laing Homes plumped for 'Egerton Place' as the name for its development '“ it's hardly near Egerton Park or Road, and why didn't the council, if they have some sort of say over such matters, urge the developers to name it 'Baird Place' in honour of its former resident?

No doubt the forthcoming development of the Hollenden House site will also be a 'luxury' or an 'exclusive' one!

Mark ChrisTIe

Reginald Road

Elitist art

IT warms my heart that so many readers of the Bexhill Observer were moved to respond to my earlier letter in support of cultural elitism in the artistic management of the De La Warr Pavilion. While not everyone appeared to share all my views, we should not, I think, forget that in these sadly unlettered days the ability to marshall and express an opinion - however far-fetched - is no longer a common accomplishment and such a response, in my opinion, throws great credit on the town.

Among your respondents it seems that the Ms. Bialeska and Gardiner - unlike me - feel that social democracy should be the sole and unalloyed touchstone of DLWP commissioning policy, apparently much in the way that the lowest common denominator serves in the resolution of vulgar fractions. Indeed, Ms Bialeska concludes with an emotional, but no doubt sincere, reference to the provenance of funding for the Pavilion scheme in the 1930s.

Perhaps Ms Bialeska is unaware that the original Pavilion Competition and Project were entirely planned, judged and executed by a small committee of the educated elite, guided by external experts and under the stewardship of the 9th Earl De La Warr? The only plebeian involvement in the affair was in the contribution of small sums towards the cost of construction. And even in this regard, was it not an open secret that most of the amount raised came from a (very) few, significant amounts?

I would humbly suggest that the division of talents and resources revealed in the history of the original Pavilion Project is at least as relevant today as it was in the 1930s.

ASHTON DENT-GILBARD

Maple Walk.

Dark maze

I AM a senior citizen staying with relatives in Bexhill and was recently searching for a public convenience in the town when an apparently kindly passer-by directed me to the De La Warr Pavilion facilities.

I followed the directions as closely as I could in the circumstances but then almost immediately found myself in the middle of what appeared to be a fairground ghost train.

Trapped in a maze of pitch-black corridors filled with hideous groanings, I began to wonder if I was back in the London blitz or had been the victim of a particularly cruel Bexhill practical joker.

After several minutes of growing panic, I pulled myself together and managed to find my way out - just in time - to somewhere resembling the real world.

After recovering my senses - and my comfort - I discovered that I had accidentally strayed into something called Triple Echo, an "event" apparently occupying much of the ground floor of the Pavilion for the foreseeable future. I asked a nearby attendant what the experience was supposed to be all about and was informed that it was something to do with breaking things up, or things breaking up (my informant wasn't too sure). I could only respond at the time that the experience nearly broke something in me but I don't think my remark was fully appreciated.

I consider myself very fortunate to have escaped this undoubted hazard in good time and without embarrassing mishap to the Pavilion as well as myself. It clearly follows that others even older and frailer than I may not be so lucky in future. I therefore have to wonder if those having charge of this sort of thing at the Pavilion are fully aware of the problems they may be causing innocent members of the general public through lack of awareness - or concern - over age related issues and sensitivities (and I am thinking of small children as well as the elderly). At the very least the Pavilion authorities might post clear warning signs at the entrance - together with advice on evacuation - and might usefully consider having the blacked-out areas regularly patrolled by search and rescue teams (or even St Bernard dogs).

DUNCAN H MCFARLANE

Down Road.

Arts report

RE J. Hodson's letter, Bexhill Observer, October 26. Just to clarify that the report was commissioned by the De La Warr Pavilion and the Hastings and Bexhill Economic Alliance, in partnership with Sea Space. Sea Space were not co-authors of the report, which was in fact produced independently by SAM (Sussex Arts Marketing) and the University of Brighton.

SALLY ANN LYCETT

Head of Communications

De La Warr Pavilion.

Jack's plight

HELLO, my name is Jack. I am very friendly and, if I say so myself, very handsome. I like meeting people who chat and talk to me, and I enjoy meeting dogs. I always think of them as friends.

I was taken for a walk by my 'aunty', because my Mum was not well. We went along a path behind the Old Town Surgery.

I was enjoying my walk, taking in the fresh air and all the other smells, when I was savagely attacked by a large English Bull Terrier, whose name was 'Major'.

The dog lunged his full jaw into my side, and would not let go.

His mouth was full of my blood, and his owner punched his head to try and make him let go, but he wouldn't. He then tried to prise his jaw open to make him let go of me.

I was in a very sore state and in a lot of pain, and I cried for some time. I was taken to the doctors, cleaned up with special cleanser, then give antibiotics and pain killer.

My 'aunty' called the police, but nothing was done. She also called the Dog Warden, but no-one has contacted us.

For a few days, I was very unwell, and did not want to eat.

Then, a huge spanned hand size swelling came up on my side. It was very painful and hard at first.

I went back to the doctor, who had to operate on me. More medication has followed.

The lump may come back again, which might need another operation.

The English Bull Terrier, which was white and tan, has been seen with a muzzle on, but not on the day I was attacked.

My 'aunty' and my Mum, are very angry, because this dog could attack a child, and then there would be uproar.

I had to tell you this story, because something should be done about it..

Perhaps DNA should be taken from all dogs, so that this kind of thing does not happen again.

I still like people but am wary of meeting dogs like him.

I even received a get well card from my cousins, but I could not read it, because I am just a lovable Spaniel, named Jack.

Jack Gardner

De La Warr Road

History group

I BELONG to the Tyrrell Family History Society and as a society this is our 29th year.

In 2006 we went to France to meet up with a French group whose ancestors came across to Britain with William the Conqueror for the Battle of Hastings. While in France we visited many of the Tirel and Tyrrell places of interest. It therefore followed that we should invite the French back to England and what better place than Battle.

We are staying at the Powdermills Hotel until Sunday. Today we will be going to Battle Abbey for a talk by a Norman Knight at 10.30am in the Gatehouse function room followed by a visit in the afternoon to the 1066 Experience at the Abbey and a tour of the battlefields.

Tomorrow we will be having a talk by the Rye Historical Society followed by a visit to Rye - the Tourist Office to see the Sound and Light Show and seeing other places of interest.

We will have two of the original members with us of the Tyrrell Society who were part of the inauguration group - Mary ,2, and Colin, 16.

This is a brief note of our trip to Battle and Rye that I hope you will find interesting enough to feature in your paper.

Our group will be made up of English, French, Irish, Canadian and the USA. 64 in total.

GARET TYRRELL

Meadow View

Banbury

Oxfordshire

Baird's death

IT was both sad and ironic to note that Bexhill was immediately defined on Channel 4 on Friday, October 12 (A Place in the Sun - Home and Away) as "The town where J L Baird died in 1946". Of course, there was no footage of Baird Court as it was demolished this summer!

I couldn't raise any interest in this issue at the time or, indeed, the Baird 60th anniversary in 2006. Even the De La Warr 60th was invisible. There is a local conference taking place about seaside regeneration I understand!

DAVE WALSH

Paradise Street

Ramsbottom

Lancs.

Baird Place

I CANNOT understand why 'Baird House has been allowed to be sold to developers.

I always understood it was a listed building, and everyone I have spoken to about it has thought the same.

It was part of Bexhill's history, and even more so now that television is going through a further change to digital.

Why not call the new development Baird Place so as to at least commemorate the birth place of television, especially as the Egerton area is nowhere near Upper Sea Road.

D WOOD

Magdalen Road.

Wrong name

I AM grieved that not only has Baird Court been demolished, but all memory of it will be erased as the new development is apparently to be named Egerton Place. What relevance is that to this part of Bexhill? It is not even near Egerton Park. Is there no way the original name may be retained?

Does no one else feel strongly about this?

GILLIAN BEECHER

Normandale

Blind eye

YOU printed an article on the letters page in the Observer 10 years ago (August 7, 1998) to be precise. Nothing has changed in Rother District Council "Tempus Fugit" and how the wheels slowly turn in Town Hall politics. I will write and hope that it will be my letter and final on this subject. Question ... How many cycle riders were in fact shown prosecuted for cycling on the promenade in the last 10 years? Answer ... My answer is None. Cyclists on the promenade will simply not take heed. These totally inept riders pretend they cannot read.

Rother District Council is destitute of vision.

How the lessons "Tempus Fugit" is the Question? Footpaths are made for walking, morons flout the rules. Disregarding simple signs, common sense is not for fools. The majority are adults who are old enough to know.

Leading by example is not part of their show.

Communicate with your brainbox that sits astride the saddle. Dismount, alight, climb off or better still skedaddle.

I have come to the conclusion that nobody gives a damn. Enforcing laws is secondary and just a bit of a sham. Turn a blind eye to everything, hopefully it will go away

There is no real deterrent to keep the cyclists at bay. Take a good look all around, we are on a downward slide. "Discipline" is not in vogue neither is "personal pride".

ALAN PITCHES

De La Warr Road

Storage space

FOLLOWING a generous donation from the United Arab Emirates Training College in order to buy new tents and camping equipment, 1st Little Common Scout Group finds itself in a position where it has no storage space for this fantastic extra equipment. We would be extremely grateful if any reader who has a garage or lock-up available, in which to store these items, could please contact me on 01424 845308. Your help is much appreciated.

SIMON BULA-EDGE

Assistant Beaver Leader

1st Little Common Scout Group

Hospital sense

WITH all the talk in the media about C.DIF and MRSA, why hasn't commonsense taken over in our hospitals?

When the HIV virus hit the country in the eighties, everyone who worked with affected patients adopted safe nursing procedures so that infection was kept to a minimal level. Having worked on wards myself, all staff took responsibility for cleaning processes. So, let's stop passing the buck. Everyone should take on board that, as hospital staff, it is their duty to do their bit for the sick in their care and work as a team to get rid of these infections. If you see dirt and muck, either report it or clean it up yourself. Don't be a jobsworth!

DEE HEYFRON, St. James Road

Oil control

WITH Russia providing 25 per cent of the EU's oil and gas and now President Putin expressing his concern that the US missile proposals against Iran threaten Russians, is it not time for the UK to exit the EU and assume independent control over its sector of the North Sea oil?

As a State within the EU we have to give our oil reserves to where Brussels dictates; as an independent UK we control what happens to our oil reserves. The world revolves round energy; energy is power! Britain should be regaining its global power by regaining its warranted energy reserves.

Tony Smith, Ashburnham