Your letters - April 16

Defending RBL home

HAVING read your story Home Hopes Stubbed Out in last Friday's edition of the Bexhill Observer, I would like to come to the defence of Mais House, the residential home in question.

My 95-year-old father has recently gone to live at the home following several weeks in the Eastbourne General District Hospital, where he became seriously ill. Since moving into Mais House he is a different man, not only has his health returned, he is happy, chatty and once again like his old self.

Mais House is a really lovely home so I do understand Mr Davidson's disappointment at not being accepted. I have always found the staff to be really friendly and caring towards the residents so I cannot believe for one moment that he would have been turned down on anything other than genuine grounds.

In any situation one has to think of the greater good. Perhaps, like my father, the other residents would prefer not to share someone else's smoking habit.

DIANE REEVES

Beech Close

Bexhill-on-Sea

Landfill campaign

I READ with interest the letter published on Friday April 3 regarding a suggestion for the 'hole' at Ashdown Brickworks which is currently allocated in East Sussex County Council's Preferred Strategy for landfill.

The idea for a mini Eden Project is a lovely thought but sadly, Ibstock, the current owners of Ashdown, knows it can make more money out of dumping waste at the site than from any community use such as an Eden Project or, as BALI has suggested, a West Bexhill Countryside Park incorporating the Highwoods and surrounding countryside.

Only if and when the landfill proposal is defeated will it listen to such proposals.

And this must be defeated now as both East Sussex and Ibstock are interested in the use of this facility for landfill in the immediate future despite all the arguments against landfill there and the improved methods of waste management that are being introduced elsewhere.

BALI has been fighting this proposal for eight years. We now need more funds (as publicised by the BALI fundraising team in the last edition) not only to finance our supportive and knowledgeable legal-planning consultant to make submissions (objections) to East Sussex County Council on our behalf, but to look at the possibility of engaging a specialist barrister to prepare for a possible planning application by Ibstock (or most probably its waste contactor, Cory).

However, our work is, of course, not simply in employing 'professionals' to fight our cause. Our public campaign, harnessing the support of the people of Bexhill, is equally, if not more important. While we need more funds, it is wide of the mark to suggest (as did your article) that meanwhile the BALI Campaign against the landfill is 'flagging'. While further fundraising is taking place, our dedicated campaign committee is still working at full strength, meeting/ putting pressure on key decision-makers, liaising with key stakeholders and our supporters, addressing public meetings and publicising our cause by every means available.

The time to act is NOW. If we leave it too late we are going to be in a dire situation. The thought of a fourth landfill site in Bexhill is not to be countenanced.

TREVOR AND IVA BARNES

Pembury Grove

Bexhill-on-Sea

Rector's reply

I WOULD like to correct certain statements attributed to me in the article on page four of last week's Observer.

I did not tell the lady "you are not welcome here" at St Mark's, neither did I say "if you are not married you are not welcome here", and I did not refuse the Christening.

In a brief, business-like telephone call she asked some general questions about baptism.

We did not even get to the stage of her telling me her name and I still do not know it.

Had the conversation continued I would have offered her (and the child's father) the usual three-part baptismal preparation course.

Because the expense appeared to be delaying her wedding (she mentioned saving up 10,000) I offered her the church service followed by a reception in the new hall for 90-100 guests for a tenth of that.

This did not appear of interest to her and the call finished shortly after.

I wish her and her family well and would be delighted to welcome them to St Mark's in the future.

JONATHAN FRAIS

Rector

St Mark's Church

Couple are welcome

HAVING read Camilla Lake's article concerning the refusal of the Rector of St Mark's to baptise a baby, I feel that I ought to set the record straight, especially as the story was only half told.

It is quite untrue that the couple were told they were not welcome at the church. Everyone is welcome at St Mark's, as they are at every other church.

There was no mention made of the fact that this baptism is going ahead. The couple approached a priest in a neighbouring parish who agreed to conduct the ceremony in his church, provided that the Rector of St Mark's had no objection. Clergy and churches often cooperate in this way - it's by no means unusual.

Whether or not you agree with the Rector of St Mark's, I can assure Observer readers that he takes his responsibilities as a Church of England clergyman very seriously, and he would not have made this decision lightly.

REV DAVID FROST

Rural Dean of Battle and Bexhill

I have sympathy

TO the mother who was "led to believe" that "surely they accept everybody" for baptism, I have great sympathy. Why? Because the teaching of the Christian faith in schools, homes, even some churches is so poor in this country that many things are "believed" that have nothing to do with faith in Jesus Christ. I could write a long detailed biblical answer containing many texts, but instead I'll use just a single well known story '“ the Prodigal Son, Luke's gospel chapter 15: verses 11-32.

The younger son takes his share of the inheritance and goes away from the Father (God) and lives how he chooses. Yes when the son returns the Father rushes out and meets him and great celebrations are had. BUT and this is very important, the son had to repent of his sins and start back towards the Father. The Father watched and waited, but stayed where He was until the son made the first move.

Jonathan Frais as a loving minister of God is representing that Father. He is saying that for a person to stand in a church and say, "I turn to Christ" and "I repent of my sins", they must mean it and show it like the Prodigal son. John the Baptist even dared to challenge respected leaders of the religious establishment (Pharisees and Saducees) when they came to him for baptism. They probably took his loving challenge to show fruit of repentance before baptism as an insult, rather than God-given help.

Sixteen years ago I was in the same position you are, unmarried after the birth of my second son. A different local Anglican minister (probably smiling as he reads this) refused to baptise my sons for the same reason. At the time I was furious and upset. I also thought baptism was for everyone and knew friends and relatives who had had their children baptised who weren't Christians. Four years later I found faith in Jesus, got married and now have five sons.

I will happily come and discuss this personally with you both. Have a look at how the bible talks about baptism. I'll even offer to be a God parent. We all want the same thing, for you both as parents and your child to be part of God's family. Four of my sons are still not baptised. One was last year as a young adult.

PAUL MINTER

Bexhill Gospel Outreach

Dorset Road

Bexhill

I am astounded

I AM astounded at the un-Christian attitude of Jonathan Frais. Having stopped some elderly people from enjoying some healthy gentle exercise in his church hall, he now stops a baby from being christianed due because his parents have opted not to marry.

Children have no choice in their parents, and despite this Mr Frais feels it necessary to reject the child. Whatever happened to Christian love? With attendances dropping in established churches at an unprecedented rate, Mr Frais is doing his utmost to ensure this trend continues.

David Barry

Terminus Road

Bexhill

Deserve to be heard

The plans for the seafront gardens have now been released and they should look quite attractive.

Of course there is a general feeling that the money would have been better spent elsewhere in the town and only time will tell whether these new areas will withstand attacks from the weather and local yobs.

However the suggestions from the townsfolk seem, to some extent, to have been listened to. The seats are now to be slatted wood with backs and arms (so why get rid of the old ones I wonder?), there are now to be walls around the putting green (though sadly no actual putting green) and the grand boulevard has now become only a wide path - or so we are promised.

But still, the final designs for the shelters and kiosk are yet to come and we wait them with trepidation.

Tony Leonard, the director of services at the town hall, recently stated that "there was not overwhelming opposition" to these metal monstrocities. Maybe he should get out more. Let's hope, in this final revamp, these shelters will have changed beyond recognition and now will be what the ratepayers really want and need.

The chief executive, not so long ago, stated that "a shelter would not be commissioned unless it was fit for purpose in keeping people dry and protected from the wind".

I know him to be a man of his word who cares about the town. So let us hope that we do not end up with four useless and characterless metal boxes and a tin shed on our much-loved seafront. We've surely opposed this project enough and deserve to be heard.

Jackie Bialeska

Chairman, Vox Pop

Bell not the trouble

WITH regard to the claim made by Inspector James Scott concerning "the large numbers of youths in and around St Leonards Road", these groups of teenagers do not come to the Bell on their way to town and never have done.

The nearest they come is walking past as most of them are too young to drink, and are therefore not interested in trying to get served in a pub which asks for proof of age.

I have witnessed Rik Cowlard and his staff check ID on several occasions and politely refuse to serve alcohol to several people.

The implication that the town centre troubles are coming via the Bell is totally unwarranted and should be withdrawn.

M MAY

St George's Road

Bexhill

Foyle's War brings back memories of Russians

WATCHING Foyle's War brought back memories of when the Russian prisoners of war came to Little Common in August-September 1944 if my memory serves me right.

They were accommodated in the schools in Collington Lane, every day they were taken out to work a lot on local farms.

They were paid a small wage for this work and as they settled down they were allowed out into the village in the evenings, some spoke a little English and we young lads 15,16,17 years old would talk to them.

They were intrigued by the fact we had bikes and the lamps on the bikes.

In Godfreys cycle shop these lamps were on display and with their money they could buy a lamp, but they asked where did you get the permit for the lamp, you don't need a permit, then you need a permit for the bulb, no, aha then you need permit for the battery, no we said you don't need any permit just money 2/6 for the lamp and 11 pence for the battery.

On Saturday after they had finished work we took the first of them in to buy the lamps, they were like children and in the evenings they used to switch lights off in the schools and go around with their lamps.

We had the same problem when they bought their first bikes they thought they had to have permits if not for one part then for another.

They all knew what would happen to them if they were returned to Russia, if they were lucky they would be sent to the Gulags but most would be shot.

First because they had allowed themselves to be taken prisoner and secondly they had worked on the Atlantic Wall.

When the news came that they were being sent home they confined to the schools and armed guards replaced the stick guards who had been there before.

Several committed suicide although this was kept very quiet and then one day they were gone.

Not a very proud day for England.

KEN ISTED

Woodsgate Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea

Editor urges PUN-ishment?

HAVING just last week moved to Bexhill, I was naturally very concerned to read the stories of a hammer attack in the street and issues regarding mephedrone usage amongst local youth.

Your editorial, however, provided light relief: your assurance that the street meeting on Monday would provide an opportunity to "hammer out a solution" (re the hammer attack) and your question "How on earth do you crack down on a substance..." (re MCAT) were presumably a witty appeal for appropriate action - dare I say, PUNishment!

J Adie

De La Warr Road

Bexhill

EDITOR'S NOTE: Usually when we pun we mean it, but in the case of last week's leader it was purely accidental!

Our thanks to library

I would like to thank all at Little Common Library for the kind donation of some of their surplus books to Bexhill Lions Club.

These books will be sold at various fetes and other events during the summer, and the proceeds used to boost the Bexhill Lions Charity fund.

This fund supports worthy local causes and other initiatives by Lions International, particularly in preventing blindness, and disaster relief. Bexhill Lions are always interested in hearing from those in Bexhill in need of support, and can be contacted on 0845 833 9591.

Avril Earnshaw,

President

Bexhill-on-Sea Lions Club.

You'll like cinema venture

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to congratulate Andrew Sage for the weekly cinema that he is running at Manor Barn on Tuesdays.

I attended this evening's showing of the classic De Niro film, Raging Bull - and I can tell you that it looked and sounded great on the big screen.

The equipment that he has invested in is superb (the screen is huge and the picture quality and sound are excellent).

People complain that there is not much to do in Bexhill during the week.

Andrew is trying to change that and I would urge people to turn out and support this venture.

Please keep an eye on the Discover Bexhill website (www.discoverbexhill.com) for the latest information on upcoming Tuesday showings (normally a morning, afternoon and evening showing of different films).

These showings usually contain a mix of classic films and the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

So, go on, treat yourself and your children to a film and some popcorn this coming Tuesday.

ALASTAIR HAZELL

Discover Bexhill

Tourist information?

AS one of the great seaside planned resorts on the south coast I am very surprised to learn that there is no official tourist information point in Bexhill-on-Sea.

The first stop of many visitors is the Tourist Information Office to get a map of the town and to find out what is on and where.

This service can direct people unaquainted with the town to all of the delights of the area and can increase the business of those involved with the tourist trade and boost the local ecomomy.

Surely, the Chambers of Commerce and the local council can see the benefits to the town of having this resource.

After enquires, I find that both Battle and Rye have grants from the council for tourist information points but,so far, not Bexhill.

ROY ETHERIDGE

Colebrooke Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Bring back entertainment

I HAVE every sympathy for Julie Camden-Field. The De La Warr Pavilion also used to have a wonderful pantomime every year.

We had comedians such as Jethro, Lee Evans, Ken Dodd etc and other stars from stage and TV.

We had big dance bands and until quite recently pop bands such as Goldfrapp. Where are they now? Not on the stage of the De La Warr that's for sure!

All the money recently spent on the building and all we get is contemporary art for the few people that like it.

It certainly does not bring in the crowds. The Women's Guild and various lectures are not going to bring in the money!

Come on De La Warr, bring back the entertainment that people are desperate to see again.

GINNY GREENLOW

Amanda Close

Bexhill

The month of April

I REMEMBER it was April

The Spring had well begun,

The morning air was fresh and still

The garden full of Sun.

The daffodils stood tall and proud

And primroses hid beneath the trees

Blackbirds sang sweet and loud

To enliven the morning breeze.

Bluebells flourished in the wood

A waving sea of blue

And skylarks song, that's understood

In England now, quite impromptu.

In April, too, it showered with rain

So the meadows wouyld their green retain.

Ah! April when all the world is green again

And winter winds have lost their sting

The garden enjoys refreshing rain

And the lark is on the wing.

Migrated birds are home again

In England's fields and byways

Above the brightening skies to reign

Monarchs of song in heaven's airways.

The wickets are pitched

At the Oval and Lords

And life is enriched

By cricket's scoreboards.

April, life is reborn, the Earth is alive,

Spring is in the air and love will survive!

DR WHITLOCK

Newdigate House

Knole Road

Bexhill