Your letters - June 12

I'm grateful for care

I WOULD like to say thank you to all the kind people who sent donations for the palliative care Irvine Unit at Bexhill Hospital.

Derek Warner, who sadly passed away in January, would have been proud to call you all his very dear friends.

With your help we collected in the region of 1,300, which will help people like Derek get some extra comfort while they are in palliative care.

I would also like to say a big thank you to all the staff, from cleaners to matron, for their dedication in helping Derek through his final days.

Dr Lee (who has now retired) was his hero, a wonderful man and a truly dedicated doctor, thank you so much for all your help and God bless you.

And not forgetting the other woman in his life, Pauline Ablitt who we both loved dearly, a special thank you Pauline for being there for all of us in our hour of need,

God bless you all and thank you once again.

JOYCE WARNER

Address supplied

Don't let them back in

THE disclosure of the appalling personal standards of so many professional politicians has been truly shocking. Grave damage has been caused to our system of government and to our international reputation.

Even more serious than the venality and lack of probity displayed has been the arrogant and self-serving detachment of these people from life in the real world where the rest of us live.

Even now many of them remain in denial regarding this aspect.

That same arrogant detachment is equally manifest at the local government level. In Bexhill we have seen, and still see today, the same disregard by councillors for the views of residents. The prime role of councillors should be to hold the local executive to account on behalf of electors. Instead we see councillors in an unholy alliance with unelected officers to give residents what the council thinks is good for us. There are honourable exceptions of course but it is difficult for such councillors to act objectively within the prevailing "professional" political ethos at the Town Hall.

Within the next year, and possibly quite soon, we each of us will be able to hold our national politicians to personal account. At the local level we will be able to hold our Bexhill councillors to account some 12 months after that.

The council leader states his occupation as "Professional Politician" on his public website, which must surely qualify as the political oxymoron of all time in the present circumstances! More seriously it illustrates a mindset so clearly shared by the majority of his fellow councillors in Bexhill.

The present political hiatus will surely now stimulate and encourage Bexhill residents to require more than the usual perfunctory and platitudinous four-yearly leaflet when the time comes for Bexhill councillors to seek re-election.

JOHN LEE

Southcourt Avenue

Bexhill on Sea

Festival was success

AFTER all the weeks of planning and discussions, I believe the EdgyFest09 event that was held in Egerton Park was a success.

I would like to thank so many people from so many different places for their support and encouragement for this event.

In particular I would like to thank all the people from so many churches in town for their support, financial sponsorship, and hard work.

Without this support it would not have been possible. Many neighbours have given praise for the EdgyFest, but there were some who did not like the event, the music, or the crowds, and to these people I thank you for your tolerance.

If any reader wishes to give comments or suggestions for improving the event, the email address of [email protected] would welcome the feedback, and perhaps EdgyFest2010 will be even better.

CLLR MICHAEL ENSOR

Cranston Rise

Bexhill

They've all let us down

WE have an amazing MP, for whom blindly I have voted.

1. When initially he was chosen, we suffered because of allegations that our MP had been inaccurate with his CV.

2. Then he left his wife and children for a homosexual lover '“ which relationship did not seem to last very long.

3. Now he seems to have flipped capital gains tax allowances and has announced that he will pay about 16K in saved tax. He seems to indicate that the actual sum will be worked out in due course.

4. We have noticed that his expenses include help with his public relations. I now note an enormous silence.

I assume that having made a vague offer to repay, he is expecting us to forget.

I wonder what was the Capital Gains Tax that OUR Honourable Member of Parliament has not yet repaid.

If he has repaid it how did he work out how much of my and your money he should repay?

I am struck dumb.

I note that the local Conservative machine has supported him. And then I note that our local conservative party machine, which controls Rother District Council :

1. Supported the removal of cars from Devonshire Square.

2. Did not come out publicly against the plans for Herbrand Walk.

3. Did not organise the purchase of (or even buy) Herbrand Walk land when it was offered to the town at a low price.

I write because I wonder if I alone am feeling this way.

ROBERT MITCHELL

Cooden Sea Road

Bexhill

A fairer solution

I AM happy to see that Mr Hall has now modified the parking restrictions on his private beach. It's a much fairer way to deal with the situation.

As regards the travellers staying on his land, I'm afraid this problem goes with any open space, it is risk one takes in land ownership by authorities or private individuals.

It's certainly grossly unfair to inflict suffering on the general public by employing clampers in this situation, it was way over the top as Mr Hall no doubt now realises.

I feel the victims should be paid back in full.

I believe clamping in general to be a highly immoral way to earn a living, it's literally legalised highway robbery. I feel it needs to be banned '“ motorists are treated like criminals.

One day the clampers will get a taste of their own medicine; according to the law of Karma they will.

TONY LAMBERT

Dorset Road

Will we pay for it?

I READ the article supplied by Father Roger Crosthwaite on the new St Barnabas Church and was amazed as all the previous enquiries I have made were met with the response of "nothing has been decided".

I thought this building was protected and this area was a conservation zone.

Now we learn that there is going to be demolition and that this new church is to contain medical facilities, a community centre and social housing.

If this development is to contain all this then how large is this building?

The existing church is quite substantial and the Father is indicating there will be a larger thriving church on this site.

If this is so, where are all the people going to park in Sea Road? The road has difficulty with traffic already and I cannot believe that any more on this scale could be absorbed.

If the Father knows of the proposed plans, can the rest of us who he says will be consulted have some supplied to this paper as I can find no-on who has any idea of their scale.

Perhaps he would like to enlighten the rest of us with a public open day to view what is to happen and explain how all this is to be achieved in these cash-strapped times.

I thought the Church of England was broke like the rest of us, or is this Parliament all over again? Are we as members of the community going to pay for all of this by a rise in the community charge? I hope not.

WILLIAM WALTERS

Park Lane Court

Bexhill

The answer is 246!

THE British Heart Foundation held a Quiz Night at Grosvenor Park on May 29.

Chris Cox was the excellent quizmistress and Helen did the catering to provide a lovely ploughman's meal for everyone. We raised 246.

We would like to thank Louis' Fish Bar, florist La Collina Gardens and chiropodist Richard Talbot Associates for their generous donations for the raffle.

JACKY CHRISP

BHF fundraiser

Royston Gardens

Bexhill

I'm feeling safer

WHAT would you do if someone threw a punch at you, or threatened you with a knife, or tried to attack your partner or children, or you were involved in a road rage incident or someone broke into your house while you were in bed asleep?

Since I was attacked in broad daylight in the town last year, I have attended self-defence classes and have found these very helpful indeed, and I feel far more confident now as well as being fitter than I was before.

The importance of being alert, aware of our surroundings and reading body language are paramount.

We are taught ways of defusing confrontational situations and how to prevent them from escalating into physical violence.

If we are trapped and cannot escape or get help, we are shown how to take control of the situation, even if an attacker is much larger or stronger than we are, staying within the law of course.

In training sessions we perform katas (drills) but emphasis is placed on the practical applications of the katas (oyo) in order to be able to defend ourselves and to take control of the situation before an attacker takes control of us.

The age of pupils ranges from 16 to more than 80 years of age. The sensei (teacher) has trained police, council workers, bodyguards and doormen.

The Zazen Martial Arts Academy runs classes at Centre Stage, 87 London Road, Bexhill and the sensei may be contacted on 07970 308541 (the first two lessons are free).

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Thanks to the NHS

THROUGH your paper I would like to convey my thanks to sister Jo Stenhouse and all her nursing staff and therapists in the Cookson Attenborough ward at the Conquest Hospital.

The professional help, kindness and understanding they all showed to me during my stay there was quite extraordinary and I am extremely grateful to them.

I would also like to thank Little Common surgery.

Well done the NHS.

A GIBBS

Fontwell Avenue

Bexhill

Justice system needs kicking

A query about our dishonest MPs and banking practices:

Having lived and worked in approximately 25 countries over a 20- year period, I feel our so-called justice system appears to be lacking, as does our democracy, any form of strength to move forward on the subjects mentioned above. Everyone is under stress!

America, Japan, Italy and many others have prosecuted such actions which our MPs and bankers have carried out.

As an extremely staunch British subject, I think we fail (the population) to have persons of high moral, practical standards. Such 'groups' have made their own rules, regulations 'in house'.

Anyone of the population would be prosecuted for, for example, claiming expenses and so forth knowingly for homes, non-existing and personal beneficial items, expenses, etc.

An ordinary company would call one carrying out such actions a thief, and would prosecute. Bankers also! Our money, not theirs.

Meanwhile, I am so content in Bexhill but so sad to see so many businesses closing.

Valda Warren

Peterhouse

Church Street

Road surfaces are a lottery

I WOULD like to complain about the appalling standard of road surfaces present in our town.

Whilst driving around the town, one moment you are gliding along on perfectly smooth surface, the next you are traversing large craters and dips in the road.

I know on the news they claimed the cold weather to be a culprit and the problem was to be fixed, but as the summer is upon us I cannot see an improvement, and what is the council's excuse this time?

Outside the Bexhill College site a feeble effort has been made to improve the surface, but it seems to have succeeded in making it far worse, and the recent building works at the top of Sackville Road have made the surface more like a dusty trail than a quality road.

It is the road users who are paying the price for the lack of road care, and it needs solving!

O Grill

Millham Close

Bexhill-on-Sea

Post Office meets stern test

Everyone moans about the Post Office services but when they perform a miracle we should hear about it.

Friday 10.30am '“ got a phone call from my sister in the Outer Hebrides...could I send her a mirror from B&Q?

At 1.30pm '“ grandson calls in on way home to Hastings from Brighton University; 2.30pm '“ we go to B&Q, 3.15 '“ home here, 4pm '“ in Post Office to send parcel. Did I want delivery Monday '“ 7.50. No, thank you. First class '“ 2.50. Yes, please!

Saturday 12 noon '“ Thanks for parcel, just arrived. From Bexhill to Outer Hebrides in 20 hours. It takes longer to send goods locally. They mostly receive letters next day '“ but parcels? Well done, Post Office!

Paddy Hunnisett

Piltdown Close

Bexhill-on-Sea

Rowers unimpressed with MP

A LETTER from Row4Charity following a meeting with MP Greg Barker:

Would you please pass on to Mr Barker the following.

I have thought about everything since our meeting and I have to say I was disappointed by Mr Barker who came across to be very detached from the people he supposedly represents and events taking place either in his constituency, or by those from it.

I think admitting he knew nothing about the boys and that he had never heard of Row4Charity shows himself to be a man whose finger is definitely off the pulse! A great deal of effort and time has gone into this event, not just by the boys and their families, but by the Bexhill Rowing Club, and members of the Waterfront Club as well as our local councillors. The fact is that hundreds of local residents paid to have their name placed on the boat as well as local businesses who wholeheartily supported this event, plus that we have had large write-ups in the Bexhill Observer every week except one since last October including the front page, and been on both BBC TV (four times) and Meridian TV twice, covered by Radio Sussex, Radio Kent, Arrow FM and Sovereign Radio. Not to mention the small detail of the Bexhill Trust becoming our primary sponsor, and that most of the schools are following events, including Bexhill College, proves that our MP has either been in a coma for the past six months or cares little about Bexhill or its residents.

His offer to have the boys meet him at a reception at Westminster sounded good until he told us we would have to pay for it by charging invited guests, was I thought, derogatory! Unless he thinks we all have second homes in London? To be expected to ask people who have already given a lot to fork out for the train fare, pay for meals, not to mention lose a days pay and on top of that pay for the privilege by buying a ticket shows just how detached Mr Barker is (unless he thought we could also claim it on our expenses?).

So I respectfully decline his offers of 'help' and hope that he might in future take an active interest in those who voted him in to office, pay his wages (and ultimately his expenses) and support his lifestyle, all year around and not just when an election is looming.

Geoff Dixon

Shore Side Team Manager

Row4Charity

... we're all so proud

Mr Dixon, I was very sorry to get your email. I was certainly not unaware of the extraordinary Indian Ocean voyage the lads have embarked upon and I wish them every possible success.

It has as you say, been very well covered in the Observer.

However, when we met 10 days ago it was the very first time that you or anyone from the team had approached me or my office, or made any request for assistance at all.

I am still very happy to give such support as I can, but others may be better placed to help with the fundraising you are seeking, and the Mayor and Charter Trustees would of course be responsible for any civic welcome home.

I quite understand if you don't wish me to host an event at the House of Commons for the team on their return. This idea was only a suggestion.

However, many leading charities and voluntary organisations value holding such events at the Palace of Westminster.

I had thought that, as well as helping raise money for the Stroke Association, it might have afforded the boys the opportunity to gain some of the national recognition that their efforts richly deserve.

Should you still decide against holding a reception at Westminster, I would nevertheless like to extend an invitation to the crew to visit me at the Commons, as my guests, once they have safely returned.

Finally, when we met you did also promise to let me have the contact number for the boat, so that I might call and wish them luck in the final, gruelling stretch of the race.

I have still not had anything from you but I would be very grateful if you could let me have those details.

In the meantime, please pass on my best to the team and assure them that, when and whereever they cross the finish line, everyone in Bexhill will be extremely proud of them.

Greg Barker

Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle

Layout difficulties

YESTERDAY I went to Bexhill beach, near the marina, for the first time this year.

At first I was impressed by the new contouring and the cleanliness at the top.

However, when I wanted to go down to the water's edge I realised how dangerous it would be for me to try to go down the steep slope that has been created and how impossible it would be to get back up.

Has anyone thought of the difficulties the layout creates for small children and the not-so-young? It is positively dangerous.

One or two safe and gradual paths down should urgently be created.

Inge Killick

Standard Hill

Ninfield

It's an alien concept

SADLY, Peter Webb's final sentence is just not true. For many of us, under first past the post, to 'exercise our right to vote' is a waste of shoe-leather because 'democracy' has not yet reached the UK.

What does the term 'democracy' mean to the man in the street? Surely it means 'having a say' in the way one is governed.

Now aged 85, I have voted in every General and local election for 64 years, but have never 'had my say'.

My vote has always been confiscated by the current system.

For all the 'say' I have ever had, I might as well have died on the Atlantic and Arctic Convoys, or at the D-Day beaches, or later in the Pacific.

It would seem that my seven medals have no significance.

The recent talk about proportional representation gives me just a glimmer of hope that perhaps just once before I die I may have the pleasure of casting a vote which counts '“ that just for once I may 'have my say' '“ but I am not counting on it.

I recently wrote to our MP on this matter, and he has churned out his party's official line.

Mr Barker is quite content that I should never 'have my say'.

As far as he is concerned, I don't deserve to.

Name and address supplied

I'm there to assist

MAY I thank the voters of Bexhill for returning me to East Sussex County Council at the election last Thursday.

Thank you for coming out to the polling station and for your vote of confidence.

In receiving the highest number of votes in King Offa Division it gives me a real sense of responsibility to serve the residents of this largest part of Bexhill.

I will do my best to promote Bexhill and to encourage a vibrant community in this lovely town.

Please do contact me if you have particular issues that need attention. Then I will try to assist to the best of my ability.

COUNCILLOR Michael Ensor

Cranston Rise

Bexhill-on-Sea

MP rallies round

I HAVE read the various letters in the Observer over the past few weeks which have been critical of our MP Greg Barker.

However, from my own personal point of view I have had the pleasure of experiencing Greg Barker's genuine concern and compassion for his constituents .

To cut an extremely long story short, two years ago I had a total dental clearance due to failing teeth/crowns.

The operation left me having to undergo a further 'neaten up' operation on my gums six weeks later, which left me with not enough jaw bone to hold dentures.

I am 43 years old, no oil painting, but like any woman I like to try to make the best of myself! To compound the stress further, I am divorced with two sons, my youngest being severely autistic.

When Mr Barker and I met he was so empathetic of my plight and assured me he would do everything within his power to help me, and he most certainly did.

Initially, our PCT would not fund dental treatment and I had to live with the prospect of no teeth for ever '“ can you imagine the impact of that information? Devastating!

Having to hold your hand over your mouth every time you spoke to someone, hideous digestion problems, total lack of confidence, etc etc.

However, Mr Barker fought my corner, along with his helpful constituency manager, Louise.

Two years later, now with the support of the PCT, I am gummily smiling with two implants in my lower jaw to anchor a bridge of false teeth, and, 'on a wing and a prayer', the top set will stay up as the bottom ones will hold them in place.

This procedure has been carried out at Guy's Hospital in London.

I am hoping that in another couple of months I will actually be able to eat food rather than slop, the bliss of being able to bite into a sandwich, eat salad and, more importantly, smile!

Thank you, Greg, you get my vote every time!

Zo Morris

Glovers Lane

Bexhill-on-Sea

Sweeping clean

How many people who didn't vote, spoiled their ballot or voted for a minor party or an independent '“ all in order to punish the main parties over the expenses scandal, etc '“ were astonished to find that what they had actually done was to deliver a virtual Tory clean sweep at last week's local elections?

For the bottom line is that, despite a significant fall in their share of the vote, the Tories will completely dominate English local government for the next four years. Even David Cameron, the Tory leader, was surprised at the extent of the victory. But this is the reason why he is pressing for an early General Election.

Loyalty is the Tories' great strength. Not even the expenses scandal, in which Tory MPs are as deeply mired as Labour, can deflect it. And Cameron knows that no matter how large the non-Tory vote is, it will be too fragmented to have significant impact under our firstpast-the-post system. It is the classic double

whammy.

The lesson for the General Election is that while tactical voting is sometimes effective under this system, protest voting and non-voting merely reinforces the hegemony of the two biggest parties who will continue to be elected with large majorities by small numbers of voters. But neither of them is interested in electoral reform. Meanwhile, we had a great opportunity and muffed it. So would the last person to leave please turn out the lights?

Stephen Jackson

Second Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea

A close-run race

I WISH to thank, through your columns, all those residents of West Bexhill who voted for me in the recent local elections to be their county councillor.

It was humbling at the election count to see so many crosses against my name to achieve 45.6 per cent of the vote, only narrowly missing victory. I would have dearly loved the privilege of representing you.

I congratulate Brian Gadd on his re-election as councillor and trust the narrowness of his victory will prompt him to renew his efforts on behalf of the residents of this lovely part of Bexhill.

Clearly the issues on which I fought this election found a chord with many voters, particularly, Next Wave, the Link Road and the proposed landfill at Ashdown Brickworks.

Regarding the latter question Cllr Gadd is entitled to his view, although I believe it contrary to the facts, that an Ashdown landfill is unlikely to happen.

However, he should now make it clear to all Bexhill residents, and I invite him to use these columns, that he opposes such a landfill and if and when the prospect of it becomes closer, as I believe it shortly will, he will join BALI '“ a non-political organisation - in fighting it.

Nick Hollington

Liberal Democrat Candidate Bexhill West

Reform conundrum

PARLIAMENT has effectively neutered itself with the amount of corruption exposed by the Daily Telegraph.

An immediate General Election would not solve the problem as whoever wins power cannot be relied upon to give the UK the government it deserves.

For example, we are still waiting for Labour to honour its manifesto commitment for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty binding us to a federal Europe.

Surprisingly we have had a number of MPs from the three major parties declaring their belief in ways to improve democracy in the mother of Parliaments.

Ideas put forward include: proportional representation; fewer constituencies and, obviously, MPs; 'primaries' to select the MP; and power to recall the MP if he brings his position into disrepute.

All of these are good ideas that could be incorporated into a new system of government.

The chief objection to the present system of government is that the power of the Party Whips robs MPs of any independence of thought if they wish to remain supported by their party.

Personally, I would also give the Speaker of the House the right to call for a National Referendum, two or three times a year maximum, on the really big issues which would be binding on the Executive.

What is needed now is the appointment of an Electoral College of academics plus a few MPs to debate ideas on a regular TV forum with a view to devising a new form of government.

A televised debate would give the whole population the opportunity to follow the pros and cons of different ideas and expose those who would like to kick the whole idea of change into the long grass of Parliamentary commissions.

John Hayes

Claxton Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

I could not avoid cat

While I was driving along Birkdale towards Little Common at 9.35pm on the evening of Thursday, May 21, a cat ran out in front of me.

It was so close; I had absolutely no chance of avoiding it.

Sadly the worst happened. I stopped, picked the little one up and gently placed him/her on the grass verge.

Being the time it was, I didn't think it appropriate to go knocking on doors, although in hindsight maybe I should have done.

If the owner of the little one is reading this letter, I would like to express my deepest and heartfelt regret over the loss of your pet.

If you would like to speak with me, please leave your phone number with the Bexhill Observer and I will certainly contact you.

R Clark

Peartree Lane

Bexhill-on-Sea

What a good display

I WOULD like to take this opportunity publicly to thank Bexhill 100 Motoring Club for inviting the Society of Bexhill Museums to take part in their 10th anniversary seafront display.

What a fantastic day, lovely weather and a good turnout of residents and visitors to view the cars. Thanks are also due to the Society's Christine O'Grady, June Brewer and David Hughes who organised and manned the museum's display and sales counter. And of course to the public who by their generosity contributed 120 towards our funds. But I must make a correction to the Observer's excellent report on the display. The 1902 event along the Bexhill seafront was a race meeting not a 'motor trial', the first such event to take in Great Britain. This fact is now acknowledged by all of the major motor sport organisations.

Finally, just a reminder that motoring enthusiasts will be able to view the replica Serpollet, the St Richards-built world speed record holder 'Volta' and Bexhill's own 1958 Elva MkIII sports racing car, all in the new motoring/technology gallery, when Bexhill Museum reopens at the end of July.

John Betts

Head of Fundraising and Publicity

Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd

Follow this one up!

HOW nice to see a Sussex police officer protecting the rights of pedestrians (Bexhill Observer June 5, page 23) by fining someone for cycling on the pavement.

Would PC Warren now like to turn his attention to De La Warr Road where motorists have apparently decided that the pavement isn't for pedestrians, it's a car park. This is as much an offence as cycling on a pavement.

If the police are not going to take any action here would they like to explain why?

Graham Martin-Royle

Dalehurst Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Question over fees

I write concerning the correspondence on the appointment of the architects for the Next Wave project.

As there have not to my knowledge so far been any detailed plans or drawings published, it is not at this stage possible to make any constructive comment on this aspect other than to say I am fairly confident with architects of the calibre mentioned, a scheme of high quality and sensitive to Bexhill standards will be produced.

Where I do take issue is on the question of fees, as mentioned in the letter from your correspondent, Mr B Streat '“ 496,2000 is quoted '“ over 10 per cent of the estimate cost of the proposed contract. This colossal figure for architects fees has left me speechless.

I am now a long-retired architect but in my day an architect would have been lucky to justify a seven per cent fee for work of this nature.

Nowadays, as my architect son and his professional contemporaries find only too well, every claim for fees is challenged, is reduced and reduced and hard won by, and sadly only too often the small practitioner is left with no reimbursement at all, which is why so many small practises have 'gone to the wall'.

In the face of these harash realities of present day life, will someone please explain to the Bexhill taxpayer how these exhorbitant fees can be possible justified?

W A H Hills

Shellbourne House

Marina

Bexhill-on-Sea

Here is my promise

MAY I ask you through the medium of the Letters Page of the Bexhill Observer to give my grateful thanks to the people of King Offa Ward who voted for me in the King Offa Division last Thursday June 4.

I am truly grateful for their support and will do my utmost to work for all the residents of Bexhill as county councillor.

Joy Hughes

New Park Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea