Rodmell and Southease

TECHNOLOGY: As I write this I'm in the '˜stop the world I want to get off' mode, having had all sorts of problems with technology of late. I recently had to go to a hospital in Ove and fortunately for me a kind friends offered to take me. The thing that was bothering me more than the hospital appointment, was getting there as I no longer drive to towns or cities other than Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford or Uckfield as I know they have sensible parking areas and systems. When we tried to use one of the parking meters where you pay by phone it didn't work, so we had to move and find a pay meter, which fortunately was right opposite the hospital and we could park for two hours. When a carload of us went to visit a friend in Eastbourne a few months ago it was raining hard and we were all trying to work out how to park using a phone and getting in a right old state, as well as getting soaking wet. Eventually the friend came and found us with a special permit to put on the car. What a senseless performance. When things have worked for years, why change them? Us oldies are getting more and more isolated because of technology and those that can and do use it have no idea how worrying it is for the hard of hearing, people with sight problems, disabled people and those with dementia to cope.
Rodmell & Southease newsRodmell & Southease news
Rodmell & Southease news

OVER 60S: We are, as over 60s, the greater majority of the people of the British Isles, we probably own our own homes, don’t have mortgages and have money to spend and time on our hands, but it appears no one wants to make life simple and easy for us to use our assets and help the economy. From the number of people that talk to me on this subject, I know it’s a problem, but when I say, well make your voices hears, speak to your MP, write to Care for the Carers, let people know how you feel, I usually get the same answer, ‘they won’t do anything’ or ‘we are not wanted now we are old’. In time the young will be old, it’s inevitable and comes to us all, but let’s hope they will have learnt how to cope better when they get the illnesses and the tiredness to cope with. As a person in their 70s who is a full time carer to one person of 70 and responsible for another in a nursing home who is 97, plus running a B&B, writing, going to the gym and looking after a large property and garden, I consider myself lucky to still be able to do it. But many are not in such good health physically or mentally to be able to cope with modern life. Such people need all the help and support they can get. I have friends in the village who need to go frequently to London for hospital treatment or work and their lives are becoming a nightmare because of all the problems with the trains. Thank goodness when I used to have to travel a lot for work in the 60s I never had such problems, life was simpler and more organised then. I feel so sorry for all those poor people who have to pay such large amounts of money for such poor service. Why don’t those in charge listen to the people, find out what they want, after all they are the ones paying the money.

PARISH COUNCIL: The parish council meeting on Monday July 4, had two members of the public present – Christine Isitt and myself. These people give their time and energy to help the village run smoothly so why are they not supported better? Years ago (there I go again) such meetings used to pack the hall and at times could get quite volatile, depending on the subjects of course. My thanks go to the members of the parish council as I feel they need some appreciation.

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COFFEE MORNING: Tuesday is the next coffee morning in the village hall at 11am.

SUMMER SHOW: Sandra Webb and Candy Thomas are organising the field events at our Rodmell Summer Show on Saturday, August 20, and need the following donations: Wellies for the Welly Wanging (old and holey wellies are ideal) and old soft toys (good condition). Donations for raffle prizes would be much appreciated. The door-to-door collection of books and tombola prizes will be on Wednesday August 17 after 6pm.

BUSY MONTH: August is going to be a busy month with a lot going on in the village, including Artwave in the Old Rectory. Many villages like Rodmell may be rather remote and not have buses at night, but there is still a lot going on in them. Many villages only have one or two buses a week and people are very dependent on their friends and neighbours to get them about, which in this so called modern day and age is ludicrous, don’t you think?

CINEMA: I’m really looking forward to the cinema opening in Lewes, but getting there and back by taxi, if I can’t get a lift, will probably cost more than the cinema cost. Okay, I can cope with that, but many can’t.

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APOLOGIES: For not having written last week, but what with mums move and hospital appointments life was hectic.

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