Your letters - July 2

Staff are working hard

I AM writing this letter as a current teacher at Bexhill High School.

I have been working at the high school for a number of years now and have recently been shocked and saddened by some of the letters I have seen written by readers of your newspaper.

The findings of the recent HMI inspection have been a great concern to every member of staff at the school

A number of problems were identified but I believe we are well on the way to ensuring that these problems are resolved.

The current teaching staff at Bexhill High School are amongst the hardest working people I have ever had the pleasure of working with and the lengths that these teachers go to, to ensure that our students have the best possible chance of achieving their potential, is amazing.

I find it very hard to take that people from outside of the school community are willing to cast aspersions about what goes on at Bexhill High without knowing all the positive things that go in school and without considering the huge amounts of unbelievably talented, well mannered and happy students that leave our doors after five years.

As a teacher I understand how important exam results are to our students and their parents and I feel that all the extra interventions that have been put in place at the school over the past two years have greatly increased our students' chances of achieving at least 5 A* - C grades including English and Maths.

This is a very important time for everyone associated with Bexhill High School and every single member of the staff is working as hard as humanly possible to ensure that our students have the best education possible.

The move to the new school building and more importantly the new curriculum will provide our students with the platform they need to be whatever they want to be. I believe that with the support of the local community and with the current team in place at the school we can build a great future for the young people of Bexhill.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Not a nice place to live

THE residents in London Road have had to live with the Sanctuary housing since it got the go-ahead to be put there.

Racial abuse, anti-social behavior, loud music and drinking parties are carried out most days and more at weekends.

With reference the letter printed last week, I am so disappointed with it. Why do the youths need love and support when they are making the good people of the community suffer in silence?

It's now time to make sure the locals know what really is going on at the so-called hostel.

The old just want to enjoy their retirement and the young just want to bring up their families in peace.

Since it was placed here its stopping everyone from doing that.

I hope the council and the head of this project are taking this very seriously as these residents, more than words can say, are suffering - young and old.

I want to express that this road and the surrounding area to this hostel is now not a nice place to live in.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Beach huts in bloom?

AS the never-ending polemic continues to rise and fall, like tide tables, over the merits or otherwise (yawn, yawn) of the impending, to supporters, welcome Next Wave improvements, or to detractors, Tsunami-like degradation of Bexhill's seafront, perhaps thought could be given to an additional possibility of brightening up the parades at a minimal cost, and even at the same time stimulating some additional local creative enterprise.

The annual Bexhill in Bloom competition is a joyous tribute to the hard work and imagination of the town's many gardening and floral enthusiasts and gives much pleasure to all those who see the entries.

Above all the additional splashes of colour dotted about add more impact to the worthy efforts of the municipal gardeners, as do the many beautifully maintained seafront gardens which give a stroll on the promenade an extra dimension.

I have no idea if there is a local bylaw which makes it mandatory for a beach hut in Bexhill to be painted white.

All of them, and there are many, currently in place on the seafront, are.

The overall visual impression of this long line of identical small pleasure pavilions, is acceptable, but incredibly dull, harking back to Billy Butlin's holiday camps in their heyday.

The few differing colour fishing boats still on the beach and the sailing club's saucy spinnakers brighten up the views considerably.

Could there not be some kind of Beach Hut in Bloom stimulus to encourage owners or renters to paint their huts in differing colours, even perhaps a competition for the most imaginative designs and colour combinations?

Anyone who has visited the charming small resort of Southwold, in Suffolk - if not, take a peek at their website - will have been charmed by the array of similar sized but multi-coloured beach huts there, which far from being garish, blend beautifully with their surroundings, give multi-hued visual appeal and attract camera-wielding visitors.

Any effort to bring more colour to these greyish times and banish conformity and uniformity is surely worthwhile.

MICHAEL GREEN

Marina Arcade

Bexhill

Traffic calming wanted

I READ with interest L P Ramswell's letter (June 18) regarding the 'boy racers' in the Galley Hill area.

I, too, moved to Bexhill about six months ago and regularly observe cars, often in pairs, speeding down the hill and along De La Warr Parade.

While no fan of speed traps, I would very much like to see some form of traffic calming, such as speed bumps, introduced.

Of greater concern and irritation to me, however, are the motor caravan owners who appear to view the area as an impromptu camping site.

They invariably level off by putting two wheels up on the grass verge, and frequently 'overnight' there.

Indeed, some don't arrive until 10pm or after, presumably having spent the day elsewhere.

It does seem to me that while my new home is in most respects absolutely delightful, there is scope for a greater degree of town management/law enforcement, particularly along the eastern seafront.

After all, what is the point of investing millions in Next Wave and a new town centre if you don't properly manage what you already have?

MEL ROOKE

Sutton Place

Bexhill

Thanks from Friends

ON behalf of the entire League of Friends of the Bexhill Hospital Committee, I would like to thank all the helpers who gave their time and commitment to help make the recent annual garden party a success.

I am very privileged to play a part in helping organise this well-loved local event, and I have been struck by the willingness of so many people, local community groups and businesses to help, including Witham Brothers, the Northern Hotel, Bexhill and District Gardens and Allotments Society, St Andrew's Church, Bexhill Youth and Community Centre, Bexhill Photographic and KG Freeman Builders.

My thanks to all the volunteers on the day, including Lions, Rotarians past and present, Tangent, St John Ambulance and many others who make it run so smoothly and the ladies and gentlemen who supply and serve the numerous teas and cakes. And finally all the local people who attend the event. My thanks to you all.

Mark Sivyer

Gunters Lane

Bexhill

Books and puzzle

DURING the morning at Saturday's Armed Forces Day charity event in Egerton Park, an elderly gentleman bought a number of books and a jigsaw puzzle from the Homecall (Home visiting scheme for the visually impaired) stand, saying he would return later to collect them. However, he never did come back for his purchases, and we had no way of contacting him. If he would like to phone me on 01424 733283, I will be happy to deliver them to his home address, assuming it is in the Bexhill area.

Rita Wright

Cranston Avenue

Bexhill

No chance for tennis

As Andy Murray prepares to become the first British man to win Wimbledon in 74 years, the debate regarding the state of tennis in this country comes back to the forefront. Look no further than Bexhill on Sea in distinguishing why we haven't produced a champion. Last Sunday morning, my younger brother and I decided to go and play tennis at Egerton Park, which we try and do consistently throughout the year. Only half an hour into our game we were asked to leave the court as it was being locked for the rest of the day. During the weeks of Wimbledon, people suddenly find their tennis rackets and come out and play and this certainly has to be encouraged. From October until Easter, it is free to play at Egerton Park, throughout the summer months when it is more likely to have newcomers to the game of tennis; they are put off by the prices. Not only do the courts need to be open all the time, prices need to be lowered if we are to save British tennis from being viewed as a middle class elitist sport. I encourage everyone to get out in the sun, play some tennis and not let them lock the gates and shut people out of this great sport.

Nick Coughlan

Gordon Place

Bexhill

Hopes and dreams

THE final whistle blows. The players swap shirts. A nation's pride is hurt. The pundits begin tearing players apart.

What shall we do next? Pin our hopes and dreams on another sporting event? Perhaps there's a better way to find self-worth?

PAUL MINTER

Dorset Road

Bexhill

Lions youth awards

On behalf of the Bexhill-on-Sea Lions Club, we would like to thank you for the report that you published in the Bexhill Observer Friday June 18, covering the annual Bexhill Lions youth awards presentation. Thank you also for putting the amendment in Friday June 25 edition, reporting the 1,000 donation we had received for the awards this year from Alexandra Rose Charities special appeal fund. Alexandra Rose Charities plays a huge role in helping small charities raise funds for the needy through their Alexandra Rose Day collections. We, the Lions of Bexhill, have over the past few years raised monies with Alexandra Rose Charities and collections more recently have gone in the Youth Awards Fund helping the youth clubs and organisations continue their hard work.

Lion President Avril Earnshaw and Youth Chairman Lion Eddie Bell.

Car scrappage scheme cash is coming out of our taxes

"SO many people have benefitted from Labour's car scrappage scheme", so we are led to believe. However, this is a clear case of, "seemed a good idea at the time."

One repercussion of the scrappage scheme is that there are less cars going for MOTs.

New cars are exempt from MOTs for, I believe, three years.

This has resulted in many, many MOT garages and car repair facilities suffering a severe drop in their income.

Tax-payers have had to foot the scrappage allowance given to the dealers selling the new cars.

Come on, surely you realise that the scrappage money doesn't come from thin air? It comes from our taxes.

You might say it's a recycling of money from one section of workers who suffer loss to another that benefit.

Scrappage car dealers get their bonuses at the expense of MOT and repair centres losing business.

In a couple of years time these new cars will have to have their first MOT; most will probably get through. Established MOT centres and repairers have planned a desperate course through the recession but now find they have been robbed of their income by the subsidising of our taxes to dealers and manufacturers.

I have never liked the scrappage scheme; in many cases potential classic cars have been irretrievably lost.

I believe the cost of repair and MOT for a newish car far outweighs the argument for providing tax-payers money to scrap and buy a new car.

The fact that car manufacturers and dealers have been bailed out by tax-payers money, just like the fat-cat bankers, should be cause for concern for all of us.

I won't hold my breath that the new government will do anything about it, though.

Tony Smith

Brownbread Stud

Ashburnham

Battle

Bexhill at its best for parade

Bexhill was at its best last Saturday for the Armed Forces Parade event in Egerton Park. I am sure the very many people who attended enjoyed the spectacle on what was a beautiful summer's day. Congratulations to Chris Gadsden and all the organisers for a job well done.

For my part I would like to further thank all those who supported the Homecall stand thoughout the day enabling us to raise valuable funds to continue to support blind and partially sighted people living in Bexhill and surrounding areas. Grateful thanks also to my volunteers who came and helped and especially to Rita, who constantly works so hard in support of our charity.

If you have a little time to spare and would be interested in joining Homecall please contact me on 01424 848365 or email me at [email protected]. Helping a visually impaired person for about an hour a week makes all the difference!

Jenny Private

Homecall

Scheme Manager

Prince of Wales question

IF we are a real democracy, why is the Prince of Wales excluded from saying what he thinks?

I imagine most top businessmen spend most of their time trying to influence other people and businesses.

ANGELA BULA

Wickham Avenue

Bexhill

Crazy golf blow for family

OUR family has just heard that the crazy golf is to close.

This would be a great loss - speaking for my family and others who have great family fun on this open space beside the De La Warr. It is an old traditional site at any seaside resort.

Why must it go? It seems a crazy idea.

Fiona Carrick

Manor Road

Bexhill

I'd rather the seal than jetskis

LAST Sunday morning at South Cliff was almost like a scene from the past. Families were settled along the beach quietly enjoyng the sun, the light breeze and the sound of the waves lapping against the shingle.

Suddenly one family spotted an unusual head protruding above the water. It was a curious seal. The mother cried out "Well! I've never seen one of those before in all my life. That's made my day!" The seal after a while submerged and swam a long way underwater before popping up again nearer to Beaulieu Road.

Then sadly the scene changed as some jetskis started up, careering noisily and recklessly across the path of the seal. I should think the animal would hasten away never to return.

I know which visitor I would rather have.

Heather Morrey

South Cliff

Unable to rouse help for gulls

OVER the past few weeks, we have been watching two seagulls build a nest on a roof and try to raise three chicks; unfortunately one of the chicks died and the other two appeared to be flourishing until one of them got too brave and fell out of the nest.

He landed on a drainpipe and was attempting to climb back up the roof when he fell onto the path leading to the front door.

Being rather worried, I attempted to contact the RSPB in the morning and hearing an answerphone message telling me to leave my phone number and they would contact me,

I left details and then tried to contact the Barby Keel sanctury and after 10 minutes no-one answered.

A neighbour tried the RSPCA with the same result '“ no answer.

I tried the RSPB later in the day and received the same message.

It seems as though our local fox had a seagull chick supper.

We are asked to report such incidents yet nothing happens.

PETER MORGAN

Harewood Close

Bexhill-on-Sea

Stupidity of squirrel sniper

WHILE out walking my dog through the green area between Collington Lane West and Falconbury Drive, I heard a loud crack.

A squirrel fell to the path, it was in great distress but ran into the undergrowth.

Obviously I couldn't look for it with a dog to control, who was more than a handful seeing this squirming little thing on the ground.

I believe it was the crack of a gun I heard, as there was no snapped-off branch.

I would just like to say to whoever it was that did this, it was an extremely dangerous thing to do as not only do a lot of folk with dogs walk through there, but so do many on their way to the post box just outside the park as I call it, and children cycle through as well as play there.

How thoughtless as well.

So if you were the idiot who did this, not only did you not kill the poor creature you could have harmed a person by your stupid actions.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Looking for life-saving nurse

TO the wonderful nurse who helped to save my life:

Hello, we briefly met again at Alexander Park, Hastings, on Sunday at the War Veterans Association parade and fete.

I did not catch your name, I only know you had a jewellery stall.

You were the nurse who first received and worked on me after the dreadful attack 14 years ago.

I wanted very much to exchange telephone numbers and hopefully meet for coffee so that I may thank you properly.

But I was so very overwhelmed at our meeting.

Please will you contact me on 07871002007.

Anyone who knows this dear lady, please pass on my number.

She was on crutches at the time and finding the day, as we were, very hot.

By the way, it was a truly fabulous lovely day, well done to Cllr Richard Vallery-Peters for his organisation of this event.

The old songs and marches bought very much to the surface of our very brave soldiers who are fighting for a better world.

Heidi Child Glossop

Crossing Farm

Eatenden Lane

Mountfield

Conflict over free swimming

THE withdrawal of free swimming for pensioners seems to conflict with the new government's promises that common sense should be reintroduced into the country.

By enabling more people to take this exercise and keep fit it must reduce the need for visits to a GP and hospitals, thus saving more money than free swimming costs.

Pools are open anyway, so why not introduce a nominal charge just to cover adminisration?

Why cannot authorities work together to a common good?

This could apply to other considerations such as double summer time, where summer evening sports season could be extended by two months. The GP comment applies here as well, and energy usage would be reduced.

K G Beckett

Glyne Drive

Bexhill

This does seem wrong

FOR the past few months we have been plagued by the incessant barking of a dog not only during the day when we all like to be out in the fresh air, but in the evenings when indoors with all the windows closed.

I rang the council for advice as to what could be done and was told if I made an official complaint they would follow it up, but if I was ever to move I would have to declare I had done this.

So one selfish dog owner in Wentworth Close can ruin so many surrounding neighbours' peace and quiet, and innocent law-abiding people have to pay a penalty to get something done about it. This does seem wrong somehow.

G Dell

Address supplied

Thanks to those who helped

MAY I ask you to kindly publish this letter so the folk who helped me when I fell in St Leonard's Road last Saturday can be thanked.

N Crocker

Blackfields Avenue

Bexhill