Your Letters - June 27

Direct response

THE news on the front page of today's Observer (June 20) regarding the supposed crisis at Hastings Direct is very welcome to residents in the area.

If the company closes down, this would be greeted with even more relief.

For years now local residents in Collington Avenue and Normandale have had to endure the imposition of having the roads outside their properties blocked all day by Hastings Direct workers.

Entering into Collington Avenue from side streets is hazardous as the cars parked along both sides of the road, which is curved, block a clear view in either direction. We have even had vehicles dumped for months which the police are unable to move as long as there is a valid road fund licence displayed.

In general staff should use the on-site underground car parking facilities. Residents discussions with management in the past have got nowhere.

Staff frequently dump drinks cans and food wrappers from their cars on the street because they are too lazy to take them away and dispose of properly.

These problems did not occur in the past with previous companies as their employees used the on-site carpark.

If Hastings Direct were to close and the building converted into residential apartments, this would seem to be the ideal scenario and would I'm sure be supported by local residents. Staff will certainly get no sympathy in this area.

M A Peirce

MP International Consultancy

Normandale House

Accident action

ON Tuesday June 10, I was involved in a car accident (not of my fault) and I would like to express my thanks to the man who witnessed it, stopped, and swiftly called the police and ambulance.

He reassured both myself and the third party involved and kept us calm until the paramedics arrived, who were also great. These people showed care and concern in a world that is rapidly dwindling in these qualities. It is a shame I cannot say the same about the staff at the Accident and Emergency department! I fully understand that the doctors and nurses are rushed off their feet and under pressure to meet 'targets', but their bedside manner is nothing to write home about.

I felt like just another patient being put through the system; what happened to tender loving care or just a bit of basic hospitality? Perhaps they need training in bedside manner. A little warmth makes all the difference to an anxious patient, who has been through a pretty frightening experience, and is trying to hold on to her dignity!

EMMA GREENLOW-WILLIAMS

Pankhurst Rise

Toilet disgrace

I THINK it is an absolute disgrace that Rother council has decided (without any explanation) to close all public toilets in and around Bexhill, including all promenade toilets, at 7pm.

We are now coming into the main summer season with both residents and visitors out and about in the park, Polegrove or on the beach; often out well after 7pm!

What are people supposed to do when they need the loo - urinate in public places or on the beach?

I think this is a very retrograde step by the council and if this continues may have a very serious effect on the town's tourist trade this summer.

Thomas A. Carey

Church Hill Avenue

Policy void

WITH reference to Martyn Forster's letter last week, apathy may well have been one cause of the low turn-out at the King Offa by-election. But I suggest that the policy void between the electorate and politicians is another.

The flawed concept of the Bexhill Link Road, the faddish philosophy applied to the design and size of the new High School and totally inappropriate planned housing expansion are only just three of many possible local examples of this divide.

It will be claimed of course that electors were consulted on these matters whereas consultation as currently practised is quite meaningless.

Regarding the King Offa by-election specifically, I received literature from all three parties which I read carefully.

One of the parties enclosed a questionnaire seeking views on a variety of local matters including the examples I have just mentioned. I replied to this asking for an indication of the candidates' views in time for the election.

I received courteous acknowledgement but no answers!

If therefore I decided on that basis that my views were not represented by any of the candidates, it was not apathy that caused me to withhold my vote. I agree with Martyn Forster about the importance of voting but politicians must connect with their electorate and give them something to vote for.

The mendacious denial of the promised EU Referendum and the EU's imperious dismissal of the outcome of the Irish vote on the Lisbon Treaty are typical current examples of the chasm which separates politicians from their electorate nationally and internationally.

This disjunction is thus common to all parties.

The sacrifices to which Martyn Forster rightly refers were made so that citizens should be free to determine their needs and priorities and then to elect those whom they judge most capable of realising them.

Those sacrifices were not made just to sustain politicians, make them feel wanted or to provide them with a security blanket.

Votes are not an entitlement - they have to be earned.

John Lee

Southcourt Avenue

Station mastered

HEARTWARMING cuppa news indeed that the former monstrous carbuncle on the face of Bexhill, the main railway station, is set to enjoy additional improvements following its recent badly-needed renovation.

However, one problem still remains '“ and it is one exacerbated in a town often cruelly dubbed "The heart of the Costa Geriatrica" or even "Zimmer City" owing to the median age of the residents '“ the ramps leading up and down to the platforms from the reception area.

I have lost count of the number of times I have observed elderly rail "customers" (those former passengers) struggling painfully to pull their luggage up the Eiger north face on arrival, or tottering down the slope perilously trying to control it on departure and sometimes falling.

In the heady days when the station was built, and its destination boards correctly announced the town's name of "Bexhill-on-Sea" and not the present truncated "Bexhill" the uniformed, majestic all-knowing and all powerful station master controlled staff known as "porters", who, in addition to carrying baggage, also topped up the warming and welcoming coal fires in the no longer existent waiting rooms.

All alas have long gone, but the ramps remain. Handicapped people are also considerably hampered by these wretched inclined walkways.

The additional improvement budget presumably does not stretch to the installation of lifts, as at Hastings and Lewes. Not needed at Eastbourne '“ a direct same-level "walk through" facility. Yes, we all agree that Bexhill station should also have been at street level, and ideally sited in Devonshire Square, but we have to cope with it where it is.

Perhaps the provision of supermarket type trolleys, on a paying and return basis, as on most Continental European stations and even at Gatwick Airport, might partially help, and, being easier to push and control, ease the problem.

Or better still, additional action to install lifts. Then, and only then, can Bexhill station claim to be adequately refurbished.

Michael Green

Marina Arcade

Excellent BLODS

SINCE I settled in Bexhill four years ago, I have seen many stage shows in London's West End, Eastbourne and Hastings theatres but the matinee performance of 'The Music Man' by BLODS. in the De la Warr Theatre eclipsed all my previous theatre visits, excluding 'Les Mis'.

The direction and acting by the cast (including the dog) was worthy of a much larger audience than the one which attended this performance.

BLODS, keep performing for another 75 years; Bexhill, support your amateur theatre group in a manner worthy of their excellence!

ED KNIGHT

Hastings Road, Bexhill

Speed limits

IT must be over a year ago that I wrote to you on the subject of the flagrant disregard of speed limits and road safety in Little Common, shown by many motorists.

I then quoted two examples of this observed on a Sunday morning.

Today, also a Sunday, I saw two similar examples one of which was in exactly the same place as previously and the other only a few hundred yards away.

No. 1. A car in Cooden Sea Road passed me at not less than 45mph.

No. 2. As I walked up Little Common Road on the right hand side approaching St Mark's Church I heard behind me the noise of a motor car at full throttle; it was so loud that for a moment I thought it was out of control.

As I looked round it flashed past me on the wrong side of the road and I am sure the speed was at least 50 mph.

Its object was to pass another vehicle and it did this just past the church where visibility is limited by the brow of the hill.

A more irresponsible display of disregard for speed limits and road safety would be hard to imagine.

Motorists complain bitterly about the proliferation of speed cameras, yet most, even those who conform to the law, appear to condone the widespread breaching of it which prompted the introduction of the cameras.

L.K. Lyon

Collington Lane West

Great music

WELL done De La Warr Pavilion! Two fantastic gigs, Marc Almond and Goldfrapp, both sell-outs.

On each occasions the place was full of very happy people, enjoying great music and bringing the place to life.

Hundreds of people came to the town and filled the local restaurants and bars, bringing welcome revenue to local businesses. Both events were well organised and visitors were very impressed with the venue and facilities (just look at the band's web site forums). Many people came down early to take in the galleries too.

Keep it up DLWP, more of the same please!!

J Jameson

Fontwell Avenue

Election thanks

Re: Collingdon By Election

I WOULD like to thank those of you who took the trouble to turn out and vote for me.

We didn't win but there is always a next time and, perhaps then, there will be a better turnout - this time it was a little disappointing.

It was very nice to meet a few familiar faces whilst knocking on doors and, I must say, my reception from most people, no matter what their political hue, was both friendly and encouraging.

Once more, thank you for your support. I will be back!

CHRIS PURDY, Lib Dems

The Glades, Bexhill

Election thanks 2

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who helped me during he recent King Offa by election. In particular, our inexhaustible Agent, who, despite lack of support from some members, put on a most successful campaign.

I would also like to thank the 1,199 people who took the time to go out and vote for me - thank you. For those who voted for, and with, the 'Apathy Party' by staying at home, I ask, why?

JOHN A.J. KEMP, Lib. Dem.

The Oast, Catsfield

Blind club

WOULD you like to join us as a member or volunteer?

We are East Sussex Association for the Blind Bexhill Blind Club, a social club for the blind and partially-sighted people and meet the first Friday each month at 2pm to 4pm at St Augustine's Hall.

We have either music, talks or outings and transport for members can be arranged.

Please contact Rachel Galsworthy on 01323 832252.

A. Kendall (Mrs)

Entertainments Officer

Beacon Hill