Your letters - March 19, 2010

Don't lose putting green to flats

Carole Woodland ('How Convinced? February 12 issue) is absolutely right in stating that "I am sure many others derive very great pleasure when we pass by and observe the very obvious delight of families sharing the experience of the putting green. Observing is as pleasurable as playing, as football fans know".

This is precisely the view of Gullivers Action Group in opposing development on the Knole Road bowling greens.

This historic, green open space is highly valued for what it is '“ a green open space in the town centre to enjoy all year and with bowls to watch in the summer.

The occupants of the large number of flats, rest homes and nursing homes in the immediate surrounding area benefit from its 'green lung'.

It should not be allowed to be lost forever to blocks of flats.

CHRISTINE MADELEY

chairman, Gullivers Action Group

Cantelupe Road

Frequent flaw in modern language

My third year in this truly unique town has brought me contentment.

The way the residents take active interests in all community difficulties, and much is so easily resolved!

The general apathy of a few areas elsewhere are put to shame.

The care I have received from the Conquest Hospital and Bexhill Hospital deserves my gratitude.

I have wondered,however, about the decline of our English Language!

When in conversation, apparently anything below our feet is the floor!

Even if one has a fall outside '“ I believe 'ground' has been made redundant.

Even on BBC/ITV news? Does that now mean in sport we have 'football floors', 'cricket floors' and 'sport floors'?

In many conversations, I have been totally confused, especially when describing an accident. I have always understood 'ground' is outside and 'floor' indoors,

Valda Warren

Peterhouse

Church Street

Twenty years on and various issues followed

Since moving to Bexhill nearly 20 years ago I have followed the various issues being debated in The Bexhill Observer, ranging from the fairly mundane problem of Dog-Fouling to the sublime heights of 'Gubby's Balls', The 'iconic' De La Warr and The New Wave.

Now that our Council have decided that our money is well spent on subsiding the 'artistic' minority of Rother, it may well be time to focus their attention on the mundane once more.

Instead of digging for gold under The Colonnade and paying 'experts' to design shelters and such, perhaps they might find someone capable of providing decent toilets, particularly in the town centre.

The so-called facilies in Endwell Road would shame a developing country. Last week only the disabled toilet was available in the ladies', causing a queue (I am informed!). There were no toilet paper or paper towels, and no hand drier. A vague excuse about flooding was made. Come on R.D.C. '“ this is East Sussex, not Bangladesh!

Many of your readers will have experience of other countries, supposedly lagging behind England, who manage to provide such basic facilities.

I am sure that most reasonable residents would be willing to pay a small charge for decent toilets, with an attendant, which are to be found not only in New Zealand but closer to home in Eastbourne!

This is never going to be the glory-seeking issue that our local politicians will relish.

We may see how their response illustrates a concern for those who elected them to deal with local issues, and not attempt to turn Bexhill into a clone of Somewhere-Else-On-Sea

Dave Sully

York Road

Bexhill

Thanks to all those people who helped

MAY I, through your paper, thank the people who came to my assistance when I tripped and fell flat on my face outside Halifax, Devonshire Road, on January 18?

The lady who gave me the hanky and tissue for the blood of my broken nose, and lady from the bank for the chair and phoning the ambulance, also the gentleman who stayed until the end.

I'm on the mend and thank you all again and the crew.

Name and address supplied

Beware the risks of besmirching...

I feel I must correct a couple of comments in last week's letters page by correspondents who identify themselves as Christian.

While it is true that people 'find their own spiritual paths' as Christians we believe there is only one correct spiritual path through Jesus Christ and the gospel message.

All other paths are wrong. We are NOT 'taught and encouraged to embrace all religions.'

Nowhere in the Old or New Testaments is this taught, quite the reverse in fact '“ it is a sin to do so.

It is asked by one person '“ What has happened to Love Thy Neighbour? My reply has to be that many people, without bible understanding don't understand what Jesus was saying.

He is quoting Leviticus chapter 19: verse 18, as when just before this he says Love God, he is quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

He is using a quote referring to fellow believers. Love those in the Christian community.

I am not saying we shouldn't love all people, we should, just Jesus in these words isn't saying this.

A little Bible knowledge, without being under good Bible teaching from a good minister, can be more dangerous than no knowledge at all. It can even lead to 'besmirching the good name of Christianity'!

PAUL MINTER

Dorset Road

Bexhill

Don't forget town's monuments

In the current Bexhillian brouhaha of debate, dissent '“ and even occasionally consensus '“ over such issues as seafront shelter design and other refurbishments, landfill sitings, flooding, floodlighting and, presumably shortly, the rapidity or tardiness of pothole refilling, perhaps a thought could also be given to the state of the few public monuments the town posesses.

Consultation of the excellent London-based website www.publicmonumentsofsussex.co.uk which surveys and lists them in admirable detail, reveals a depressing catalogue of "cracks, splits, breaks, chipping and heavy staining".

This last includes the war memorial obelisk at the junction of Sea Road and Marina and the one which surely should most be kept in pristine condition in tribute to the fallen.

The survey also notes that the Lane Memorial Fountain directly opposite the very seat of municipal majesty, the Town Hall, no longer functions as such.

The reason is perhaps that there are few passing horses or thirsty pedestrians, or the cost of water is now so high.

In the spirit of Rome's Trevi Fountain a few souvenir coins from Town Hall visitors dropped in the Lane Fountain, were it operating, could cover this.

In addition,the memory of Bexhill's imposing bearded municipal spiritual father is soiled by detritus.

It is evident that especially in those locations which are particularly exposed to the vagaries of the seaside weather, deterioration is inevitable.

But the cost of maintaining these marks of local history or special interest would be minimal at pothole repair rates.

Some form of surveillance, cleaning, vandal damage repair and crack and hole filling would be welcome.

Alas, the impressive fountain memorial to the Maharajah of Cooch Behar which once stood on the De La Warr Pavilion site before being transferred to Egerton Park and is surprisingly still listed in the survey, has mysteriously disappeared altogether.

Not unsurprisingly, the survey makes no mention of the iconic Gubby's Balls Memorial in Devonshire Square, which unfortunately has not yet suffered the same fate.

MICHAEL GREEN

Marina Arcade

Bexhill

On the subject of windsurfing...

The subject of windsurfing/boarding at Bexhill seems to be getting an airing.

It is clear that the surfing community will use their network and lobby accordingly. Some members of the public put forward the views that 'it does no harm', 'the seafront is for enjoying yourself' etc.

I would like to put forward the views of a swimmer who does no harm and uses the sea for enjoyment and exercise. Please remember that many people swim, bathe and generally play in the sea, covering all age groups.

Last year there were a number of 'boarders' using the beach in front of the cafe, near Brockley Rd. The fact is that, at times, they do create a problem for swimmers and sea-users. They set off from the beach and then seem to spend their time going out to sea, returning to shore, turning and setting off to sea again.

I had three such encounters last year where a boarder passed nearby and had no idea that he had endangered anyone.

On another occasion a 'learner' windsurfer used three groyne-widths to lurch/practice along while every bather had to beware of him for a whole afternoon.

Anyway, that's the view of a swimmer who would like to keep his head attached to his body.

Windsurfers need somewhere to follow their activity, but not at the expense of others who want to carry out their years-long activity of swimming off the seafront.

Look, the boarders will bombard the Council with their views. If you agree with me, then try giving another point of view by contacting the Council at [email protected]'

Patrick and Corinne Duly

Deans Drive

Bexhill on sea

'I have to take the writer to task...'

WITH reference to the letter in last week's Bexhill Observer entitled "Love Thy Neighbour", as a minister of the Gospel I have to take the writer to task over his comments.

Firstly, whilst it is perfectly true the Bible teaches us to "love our neighbour", it does not tell us to "compromise with our neighbour" as the writer implies.

Secondly, the idea that, and I quote, "Christians are taught and encouraged to embrace all religions" is alien to the teachings of God's Word and to traditional Christianity.

True Christianity actually teaches the very opposite, in fact Christians are to "have no fellowship with the works of darkness" and are to separate from them.

Now whilst simple exercises, such as those in question, may have the appearance of innocence, the roots go back into the darkness of false and pagan religions.

Again, as the Bible says: "Can two walk together except they agree".

Jonathan Fraise did exactly the right thing in asking this group to vacate Christian church premises, and I am sure he did so in a gracious, compassionate and Christian manner.

The writer of the aforementioned letter appears to be completely confused as to what true Christianity is, and I am sure Jonathan would be very happy to enlighten him.

PETER J. GADSEN

Minister of St Paul's Free Church

It is unfair to say class were left high and dry

It seems to me, after reading the article by Richard Gladstone, that Mr Gladstone was guilty of using emotive language in his report.

To describe the class as being left 'high and dry' is hardly fair since Mr Frais did give them a month's notice.

Jonathan Frais seems to have been quite fair in asking for details before making his decision based upon the facts.

Personally I am quite clear that such regimes are certainly not in line with Christian teaching.

MARTIN YIRRELL

Hemel Hempstead.

Hitting dogs is never the right answer

THANKS to an observant police officer, a man was stopped from hitting a dog in his car (Bexhill Observer, March 5).

Whatever the animal was being punished for, this treatment is never justified.

Perhaps the dog had been spiteful or chewed the car upholstery etc.

But, for whatever reason, this was the wrong response.

It is not the way to teach a dog to be trustworthy and reliable.

For more than 70 years, I have owned large dogs '“ eight in total '“ and it is obvious that man needs to be trained in proper dog ownership.

JOYCE

HUMPHREY

Reginald Road

Bexhill

Thank you for saving the life you love today

I am writing to thank all your readers who helped to make the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) National Heart Month campaign such a success this February.

It was great to see so many people going Red for Heart for National Heart Month. From wearing red to work or school on National Wear Red Day, buying our Red for Heart pin badge, writing a Love Note in their local BHF Shop to raising funds their own way by going red.

We are also extremely thankful to those people who gave their time for free and organised events and other fundraising activities.

To date we have raised a fantastic amount of over 1.4 million.

The money your community raised throughout the campaign really will help to save lives through our pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information.

It is only with your support that we can beat heart disease together.

Help save the life you love today.

If people would still like to donate to the campaign they can simply visit bhf.org.uk/red or call Kim Brophy on 01580 754 027.

Kind regards,

KIM BROPHY

Fundraising Volunteer Manager

Kent and East Sussex

Don't hold your breath over parking

MR GODDARD complains about the parking problems around the Hastings Direct offices. Just up the road from here, at Collington Mansions, there is a small parade of shops, one of which is a Tesco store.

The delivery lorries to this Tesco store continually drive over the pavement to access a small patch of land next to the store in order to make their deliveries. There is no dropped curb at this point making it an offence (section 184 of the Highways Act 1980). This has been pointed out before.

Tesco could apply for and put in a dropped curb (I had to, so I see no reason why a company of their size should be allowed to get away with not doing so).

Have any of the authorities concerned (R.D.C., E.S.C.C., The Highways Agency, Sussex Police) ever bothered to take any action? The answer is a big fat resounding no. On that basis I would suggest to Mr Goddard that he does not hold his breath in anticipation of anything happening at Hastings Direct.

GRAHAM MARTIN-ROYLE

Dalehurst Road

Bexhill

A link road will not ease our traffic problems

HOW angry I felt when reading your article ("Warning delay may derail road scheme") on the link road in last week's Observer.

Is this link road becoming the comical circus that most people thought it might be?

I find Greg Barker, the Conservative MP for Bexhill's remarks about the link road rather in bad taste

Most people I have spoken to in Hastings and Bexhill don't want the link road anyway '“ a road that is not dual carrigeway and will not ease any traffic problems at all.

As a matter of fact, it will cause more congestion at both ends.

But what angers me is that the Mr Barker is now using the road issue to drum up votes by telling people to vote for Amber Rudd in Hastings and Rye.

He would be much better off dealing with the bigger issues '“ improving the health service and social services come to mind.

And also to maintain our existing roads, not expecting the government to spend a vast amount of money on this road when everyone knows that the money is tight in all goverment spending, with needs far more important than a link road.

Also, how comical is it when the council blames the goverment and visa versa?

I hope the link road will never be built because I will be one of many who will suffer, unlike Mr Barker.

But despite this, I still feel enough money has already been spent to bring us this far, and I now feel after this last issue on whose fault it is that it has taken so long to get started.

It is time to put the scheme to bed and get on with the real issues in Bexhill.

MR M. TAYLOR

Alford Way

Bexhill

Looking for help with family history project

I AM looking for anyone who may be descended from James (born 1791) and Anna Russell (nee???) (born 1801) of Hooe, Sussex. They had several children; John (born ca 1821), William (born ca. 1828), George (born ca 1830), Mary (born ca. 1832) and Peter (born ca. 1834) and Jane (born ca. 1840). I believe that I am a descendant of this family via the oldest son John Russell (born 1821) who I believe married Ann Pook in 1842 in Wartling. Their son James (born 1844) I believe married Julia Webb in the Medway area and came to Canada ca.1870.

If any of these people are related to any of your readers I would be grateful to hear from them. I wish to try and establish if I am on the correct track or not and, if so, learn more about my Russell history.

BOB RUSSELL

142 Hearne Ave,Winnipeg, MB

Canada, R3J 2R3

Email: [email protected]