Stepping down as reaction shocked

I discovered there was a significant need for volunteers willing to give of their time and expertise freely for the benefit of the village, local community groups, estates and clubs.

My agenda has always been to look ahead, anticipate needs in the future and not to look backwards.

While I was aware that in East Preston there was an ageing element who would always oppose change, I was unaware of the level of hate and spitefulness that they could muster against those in the parish council with an alternative view.

As a parish councillor, I was surprised to see the intemperate attitude of some in our village towards proposals made with honest intent for the good of the majority.

I was saddened by the extent of selfish falsehoods that I encountered, aimed at councillors who wanted to improve facilities for future generations.

As an ex-serviceman, I was particularly upset to feel that the centre of gravity for opposition to progress might be the local branch of that wonderful organisation, the Royal British Legion.

My military training emphasised the absolute necessity of listening to the views of others and treating them with respect, a trait that I find is not reciprocated by some of those in the East Preston village poll "Action Group".

Some of the content of the postings on the village website during the village poll went way beyond the bounds of honesty and decency that I would expect from reasonable people.

I have recently found that the cumulative effects of these unexpected attitudes, which, in the run-up to the village poll, have included personal threats to me and my family, have led me to question whether voluntary service in the local community is a good use of my time.

I have thus decided to withdraw from any such activity connected with or local to East Preston.

Capt C. P. Sherwin RN

The Circle

East Preston

-----------------------------

Click here to return toLittlehampton Gazette news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Gazette's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Gazette: [email protected]

Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.