Your letters - March 12, 2010

Deeply saddened

AS a Christian,I am deeply saddened by Jonathan Frais's treatment of Richard Odell's Tai Chi classes.

We all find our own spiritual paths and for Mr Frais to take this high-handed action is offensive to Mr Odell and his class as well as besmirching the good name of Christianity.

Mr Frais should hang his head in shame.

David Barry

Terminus Road

Bexhill

Good for rector

I HAVE written to Jonathan Frais (rector of St Mark's Church) privately; and now I would like to publically give him my full support for his decision to ask a Tai Chi class to find a new hall for their classes.

The Bexhill Observer's front page article clearly shows how Jonathan took time and effort in investigating the matter.

He has given them time to find a new hall, wished them well, and even apologised should any offence have been caused.

All Christians, especially Anglicans, should now rally round this loving Christian minister.

PAUL MINTER

Dorset Road

Bexhill

It's a serious offence

WITH regard to your opening letter entitled Warning To Drivers may I make the following comments.

It is the duty of every driver/rider of a motor vehicle to ensure that when they drive/ride on the public highway that they are legally entitled to do so.

Driving/riding without insurance is a criminal offence.

It is a popular misconception that having comprehensive insurance automatically entitles any of us to drive another vehicle.

It is incorrect to assume that any insurance policy covers the insured for anything. The paperwork will clearly state what is and is not covered. The accompanying letter with the paperwork will, in my experience, inform the insured to carefully read the documents to ensure that they are aware of the cover provided and that there are no errors in the documentation.

Failure to do so is not excusable in law.

I am sorry that the young lad found out the hard way but it has nothing to do with being a 17-year-old from Sidley. The rules apply to all of us.

We were all 17-year-olds once and all likely to be fined or otherwise punished for breaking the law, we still are.

The Police Stop type programmes regularly show uninsured drivers being stopped, in many cases the vehicle is seized and sent to the crusher. It is a serious offence.

Had the boy hit and injured a child during his ride his expenses would have been considerably greater than a 200 fine.

RICHARD J PORTER

Sutherland Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea

Council gets it wrong

WHY do the council officers keep on getting it wrong?

Last week we campaigners, who analysed the shelter design consultation forms, stated that only nine respondents approved of the new designs and that five of these were visitors.

Ms Windle, the council's project manager, replied that there was "no possibility" of knowing which were visitors.

I'm afraid she got her information wrong yet again.

Kindly provided on the council's own questionnaires was a set of little boxes requiring a tick for a "visitor" or "resident" - that's how we knew.

We were not distorting the facts. We are very careful with our reporting of facts.

Ms Windle also stated that it was "impossible" to count the number of favourable or unfavourable responses to the designs. Again, not so! The council itself asked on the form - What do you like about the shelter designs? When the writer responded with "nothing" or "rubbish" I would suggest that this is a clear enough indication of their opinion.

The truth is that, unlike us, the council attempts to ignore any information from the letters on the trolley or even from its own consultations demonstrating the public's obvious immense dislike of the perforated metal biscuit boxes masquerading as shelters which the council are so far traying to force upon their ratepayers. It has and has been for over a year determined to go ahead with the monstrous shelter/bench scheme whatever the public say.

The council tells us that the designs are to be modified but I cannot, for the life of me, see how architects who unashamedly commented that they "weren't actively seeking enclosed shelter" could ever come up with shelters to do the job the public requires of them. Let's hope that the councillors on the shelter steering committee fight hard on behalf of the people who beg for proper protection and comfort in their shelters.

There is still a fragile hope,

Jackie Bialeska

Vox Pop

Too long in power

I ATTENDED the meeting of the full council which you reported last week (Rother residents face tax bill hike).

Rational debate has long since been killed off in these now routine meetings and "rubber stamp" is exactly what they do.

Indeed, on a couple of occasions the proceedings degenerated into farce.

But the high point, or rather, low point was the extraordinary outburst by the leader of the council, Cllr Carl Maynard.

What seemed particularly to incense Cllr Maynard was the Liberal Democrats' proposal on councillors' allowances as a mark of sympathy with millions of people up and down the country in this time of great financial hardship.

I experienced a flashback when the councillor regurgitated the feeble excuse he dreamed up three years ago. (Letter, December 29, 2006).Superficially, all this could have been taken as the cut-and-thrust of politics. Except that it isn't.

These are the symptoms of a council that has been too long in power.

A rudderless, clueless fag-end council that will see wholesale changes at next year's local elections.

STEPHEN JACKSON

Second Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea

What about us?

OBVIOUSLY Bexhill councillors think they are MPs and we all know how they are perceived - a pay rise disguised as an expenses hike?

That alright then is it? What about our expenses? If all OAPs withheld the tax hike on our rates we would get into deep water. Could we not claim it as an increase to our expenses? Makes sense to me.

Isn't it time someone put a stop to this type of behaviour? Obviously not the Labour Party.

I hope people will write in and at least voice their disgust about this.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Unspoilt beach

I WOULD like to draw attention to the revised planning application for the development of the beach at Herbrand Walk.

The application this time is for 31 beach huts, parking for 60 cars, a kayak school and chemical toilets.

The planning application number is RR/2010/55.

If you wish to comment on this; you may do so by either writing to the planning department at Rother District Council, emailing the planning dept or making a comment after the actual planning number on the web page.

Representations and comments will still be accepted upto the morning of March 17. The planning meeting will be on March 18.

If you believe, as many of us do, that this beach should remain unspoilt, the infrastructure cannot cope with extra traffic and commercial gain should not be able to succeed over the environment, then please make your voice heard.

Once this area is lost, it will be lost forever.

STEPHEN ATKINSON-JONES

Collington Grove

Bexhill

Thanks for my care

I HAVE recently finished (hopefully successfully) almost two months of hospital treatment, and I want to say a big thank you through your newspaper to all the people involved.

First of all there is my wonderful wife who has been so supportive. She has helped me to keep my spirits up since, nine months ago after four months of tests, scans and biopsies, I was finally diagnosed with cancer.

Then there is my GP and the superb staff and consultants of Bexhill and Hastings hospitals.

Plus there are the volunteer car drivers of the Kent and Sussex ambulance services. They have been marvelous, taking me 400 miles a week between Bexhill-on-Sea and Maidstone in all weathers.

l also thank all my work colleagues at Adams and Jarrett in St Leonards-on-Sea. Although they are a motley crew they have been wonderful with their concern for me, and all the lovely gifts they bought for me and my wife.

Most of all I thank all the staff at the Kent Oncology Centre in Maidstone, especially the radiotherapists on LA3 (linear accelerator 3).

They are: the beautiful ladies Hayley, Teressa, Josephine, Verity and Kelly, and the not-so-beautiful men Julius and Moctar!

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

They deserve better

I WAS delighted to read and see the photos of the new High School with its spectacular new roof and modern facilities.

It would be such a shame if it has to share the same skyline as a landfill site with all its environmental hazards.

Lets hope not; our children deserve better than this!

Mike Rosner, BALI

Hillborough Close

Bexhill

Charities, come forward

ONCE again Bexhill Carnival is seeking deserving local charities to receive a share of the proceeds of the money collected along the route of the carnival procession.

This year the procession will be on July 24.

You are invited to write a brief resume of how your charity helps the town of Bexhill, and send it to Nim Whitmarsh, 6, Southlands Road, Bexhill, TN39 5HG. Nominations close on April 12.

We look forward to hearing from you.

NIM WHITMARSH

Chairman, Bexhill Carnival

Well done Jeannette

We would like to congratulate paramedic practioner Jeannette Yeoell on her nomination for NHS Hero Award.

Jeannette attended my husband when he was taken seriously ill last November - Jeannette was very professional but also friendly and reassuring at a very stressful time. Thank you Jeannette and every good wish for the future,

Mr and Mrs D Rodney

Gwyneth Grove

Bexhill

I wish them well

MAY I please offer two comments after your front page last week?

First, Richard Odell claims that Tai Chi is not teaching a religion yet he says, "I very much believe in the principles of yin and yang"

(google Richard Odell Tai Chi). This philosophy undergirds the Tai Chi exercises which are the 'worship forms' of the Taoist religion with its centering of the chi (life force), connecting with cosmic energy and emptying of the mind.

Second, I am sorry that the group claimed it had only one month's notice. In fact, my letter asking it to relocate was written on February 8 with a view to their last class being on March 30. If that were a problem I would have preferred that Richard had got back to me straightaway rather than wait till March and organise a surprise photo-shoot at the hall.

While I maintain that his teaching is incompatible with the Christian teaching that true peace is found only through the forgiveness of sins because Christ died for us, I nevertheless wish him and his group well.

JONATHAN FRAIS

Rector, St Mark's Church

Little Common

How disappointing

HOW disappointing to find narrow-mindedness and intolerance so close to home.

Millions of people all over the world, of many and no religions, practise Tai Chi simply as an exercise and relaxation technique, particularly suited to the older person.

I fail to see how a dozen people, many of them churchgoers, can pose a threat to Rev Frais and his church.

CAROLE O'REILLY

Green Lane

Bexhill-on-Sea

Love Thy Neighbour?

REGARDING Tai Chi Group Barred from Church Hall:

I could not believe what I was reading. As Christians we are taught and encouraged to embrace all religions. What has happened to Love Thy Neighbour?

Not a good message being sent to the children of St Mark's School. A sad day for the group and its leader Richard Odell.

In this age of violence, war and aggression to practise gentle exercise as Tai Chi should be encouraged by all.

Name and address supplied

A done deal?

I was under the impression that we were living in a democracy.

After the farce of the Public Inquiry, where ESCC was represented by two barristers, solicitors, 13 expert witnesses, secretaries, clerks, etc, at a cost of 2million from the public purse to promote the link road, us protesters did our best, taking time off work to attend the nearly three-week hearing and presenting the case against the link road as best we could.

I am now astounded to hear Hastings MP Mr Foster say: "There is no question in my mind the eventual outcome will be a yes. Even if its a no, there will be another way of doing it."

If this is the case, what was the point of spending 2million on a Public Inquiry?

Is there something the public is not being told, what this a 'done deal' even before the Public Inquiry?

ESCC and the Department of Transport need to answer these questions.

Laura Boggis

Bynes Farm

Crowhurst

Amazed over forms

I AM amazed the council finds it 'impossible' to divide the public comment forms into those for and against the proposed seafront shelter design.

It was perfectly clear to me that 85 per cent thought the design unsuitable.

Let us hope the message gets through to the architects and that we shall be pleased with their final design.

JACK SEABROOK

Richmond Avenue

Bexhill

Depths of despair

FOLLOWING on from recent comments regarding some local councillors being

incompetent, undemocratic and not being seen to represent the views of their

constituents, it occurs to me there may be an answer in sight.

We should all join the relevant local Party associations and de-select these people in favour of those who would undertake to faithfully, honestly and proactively seek out and represent the majority views of their constituents, even if they should differ from their own.

Recently I was plunged into the depths of despair when, at a local meeting, I witnessed one councillor being asked why they had not replied to a letter sent to them last November.

The response was, "my computer is down".

Another, when faced with an incensed group of residents offering genuine and

personal grievances, responded by saying they should, "have a sense of humour".

If this is an example of our local representatives working for the electorate,

then I sincerely hope the gods are looking after our best interests, for our detached councillors certainly aren't.

Before I hear the cry "we were only abiding by the rules guv", allow me to

mention the old saying, "some rules are made for the obedience of fools and the

guidance of wise men".

It is on these occasions that common sense and personal initiative are expected to be applied.

TONY CLARK

Peartree Lane

Bexhill

Parking problems

I sEE that the Bexhill business community turned out in force for the opening of the new venture by Hastings Direct, namely a shop to sell insurance.

I wonder if the East Sussex County Council leader Peter Jones noticed that the road outside was full of the cars belonging to the office workers at the Hastings Direct, and that the entrance to the car

park had double yellow lines on both sides for the entrance and exit of the said car park.

He would not have seen the problems that the residents of Collington Avenue, have to get into or out of their own properties, by the parking of the vehicles of the office staff at Hastings Direct.

The site is huge and in my estimation has room to park all of the cars belonging to the staff on the site if Hastings Direct really set its mind on doing so, and made the money available. Also where will the prospective clients park when calling to use the shop?

Because the roads are controlled by the county council, all local dignitaries who are aware of the problems caused by the parking difficulties to the local residents, seem to have washed their hands with the issue which was raised about four years ago by Councillor Ron Dyason unfortunately now deceased, who tried his best

to sort out our, the local residents' problems.

So Mr Euan McDonald, head of Hastings Direct, and you Mr Peter Jones of East Sussex County Council, what are you going to do for the residents of Collington Avenue and surrounding roads, to alleviate this situation that has not improved for at least five years, but could so easily have done by the necessary negotiation.

ANDREW GODDARD

Collington Avenue

Bexhill

Reply to letter on taxis

ROTHER District Council would like to correct some inaccuracies contained within a letter published in the Bexhill Observer on March 5, titled, Penalties For Taxis.

The writer claimed that Rother District Council taxi drivers are not permitted to pick up passengers from outside shops, banks and other buildings because they will receive three penalty points on their Rother-issued licence for parking on double-yellow lines.

This is not the case. Taxi drivers universally pick up and set down passengers on yellow lines and the police and licensing authorities do not object so long as they do not put other road users in danger or obstruct the highway.

However, leaving a taxi parked illegally on yellow lines or even on a taxi rank is not acceptable. If a taxi driver needs to park and leave his taxi, he should do so legally, as is the case with all drivers. Rother licensed drivers have received and will continue to receive penalty points on their driver's licence if they park illegally on yellow lines, bus stops or on private land without the owner's permission. Taxi drivers have to comply with the same laws and Highway Code as all other drivers. By their very nature taxi drivers are professional drivers and are expected to behave as such, which the vast majority do.

Rother District Council taxi drivers have a good reputation for care and consideration of their passengers and the high standard of driving they display; unfortunately it only takes one miscreant driver to spoil that reputation for the trade in general.

DANIEL COLLINS

Senior communications officer

Rother District Council

A 'letter to the general'

DEAR General:

I hope you don't mind me sending this but I couldn't find you in yellow pages and the MOD was no help.

To tell you the truth my pals and me are getting very worried about Old England. We don't like seeing it falling apart like this and we don't think there's much time left.

Come back home from Afghanistan as soon as you can - and bring the paras and marines. The Americans won't be pleased so try slipping them a couple of quid. If that doesn't do the trick, offer them a small island... the Isle of Man or Jersey would be ideal. When you get here, declare martial law. Everyone has to obey. You can lock up anyone who doesn't. Get rid of the BBC while you're at it. It won't take long, and when you're done, you'll go down in history like Guy Fawkes.

We'll invite you to a slap-up meal at the British Legion room at the memorial hall. Bring some friends if you like.

By the way, if you come across a chap called Cameron, have nothing to do with him. He's a troublemaker and we can't work out who he works for.

We old timers have done our bit, now its your turn to do yours. We know you won't let us down.

MICHAEL LE COIN

Corporal, 30 years service.

Battle