Your letters May 11

Where to go?

AFTER reading the article in Friday's (April 27) Bexhill Observer, "Do you know where your teenage son or daughter is?" yes, I do know where my daughter is, because there are not many places to go in Bexhill.

Where is there to go for young teenagers?

The beach is out of bounds, Collington Woods, and the town centre in the evening is not exactly buzzing.

So maybe the De La Warr Pavilion after all the money spent on it should offer something for the youngsters.

Kids go there and skateboard and you always read that some older person has written in moaning about it.

Give them somewhere they can meet up rather than having to hang around in gangs (to be safe) and be told to move on all the time.

Yes the youth club, but is it open on a Friday or Saturday night? The rest of the week teenagers will be revising for exams or enjoying after-school clubs, or even have part-time jobs.

Not all teenagers are drinking under age or making a nuisance of themselves. Bexhill needs to move on and get with it, remembering that it has as many young as old in its town.

I as a parent also think Bexhill has nothing to offer. If you drive round the town after six o'clock it is dead. Yes, there are a few places to go and people do try to do things to bring Bexhill up to the year 2007.

But give the teenagers somewhere to go and don't think that they are all the same, because they are not.

What about having a theme night or party night at the De La Warr Pavilion? Sell tickets. Use the money for cost and anything over put it back into the next event and ask them to write in and suggest what they need. Go to the High School and ASK them for ideas.!

Bexhill needs to think about its teenagers for a change and remembering that you too were once a teenager.

J. Luck (Mrs)

Holliers Hill.

Hygiene fears

I would like, through the Observer, to thank so many people who have supported me throughout this difficult time.

Not only have they given sympathy and condolences, but also support to bring to the attention of Conquest Hospital management the very serious concerns about its standard of hygiene. Without doubt, it MUST have a bearing on the safety of patients.

Many people have expressed their concern to me, but I would ask those same people to write to their MP or the press, because the voice of the people can speak volumes!

Writing to or phoning the hospital simply does not have the same impact as the media.

Everyone who feels strongly enough should keep the pressure on for the hospital to take responsibility, and be accountable.

Marion Ham

Amherst Road.

Bin concern

We possess a 'Wheelie bin' therefore technically could go two weeks without having our bins emptied as we recycle glass, cans, paper, garden waste etc. Having inadvertently forgotten to put the bin out last week, we 'experimented' with this in the recent Mediterranean weather.

When my husband took the sealed black bags out to place them on the side of the road for collection he reeled back in horror at the stench from the (very full) closed bin, which sits by our back gate. He then came indoors for rubber gloves as the said bin was also heaving with maggots, which had to be disposed of.

We then had to clean, wash out and leave to dry said bin.

Now. as you can tell, this does not bode well for those who have regularly wait two weeks for collection, do not seal their bags or do not use bags, do not have a fitted lid to their bin, have a normal sized smaller bin, forget to place the rubbish out on the day of collection, are unable to lift a bin full of water and leave it to drain, have nowhere to leave a bin to drain etc etc etc, do I really have to go on.

We already have the pervading smell of fried foods and burgers from the numerous take away outlets plus the rubbish that gets strewn around town. Add to that the invasion of foxes and seagulls when the said rubbish bags are put out due to the lovely smells that issue forth, all we are going to do is increase the smell, the mess from above said vermin and probably invite rats as well, is this really an improvement on the services we are paying for?

Penny Ruddock

Bexhill.

Tory thinking

Have the people no imagination, or have they no memory of what the Conservatives did to this area?

It seems to me that most people vote for the party their Mum / Dad, uncle, etc, voted for.

They have constantly wasted money on useless "facilities" such as the piazza outside of the Post Office, and depriving the senior citizens of the ability to have easy access to the Post Office.

They also made the road so narrow, so that if something is parked in that portion of the road there is a traffic jam, as I witnessed the other week. (I know it is illegal to park there, but it did happen), and held up a number of busses and other traffic for about twenty minutes.

They made more parking places round the town to make up for taking the P.O. car park away, but that has also caused traffic jams in lots of places.

I glad I'm not allowed to drive.

The other year the leader of the Conserv-ative council asked the members of the other parties of the council, to put their names to a letter to the Chancellor, to be exempt from the cap he had put on the Council Tax of that year, which they refused to do.

There was also a plan shown in our local Post Office and other locations in Sidley that there was a regeneration plan for Sidley, which would start in January 2007, it is now May. Where is it?

Also, the Conservatives have cut the subsidy to the public transport services to Sidley, so the evening buses don't come anywhere near Sidley.

When I worked for the old Hastings and District bus company we had a "real service" now no one calls it a service, as we don't know if a bus is coming even if it's shown on the timetable. I have a number of Conservative friends but I don't have to vote for them.

Philip Holloway

Norfolk Close.

Rubbish tip

LIKE many of your readers, I remember well the East Sussex County Council's public consultation, before, during and after their decision to nominate ONE household rubbish tip for the whole of East Sussex - here in Bexhill.

Well folks, they are at it again and "consultation" starts again this year on the same subject - where to "lose" up to 450,000 tonnes per year of rubbish within our county.

At the public inquiry in June 2005 we were told that the ESCC had to be "self-sufficient" in its disposal of waste and that the Government would fine them for every tonne disposed of outside our county. This cost would of course be borne by us, the ESCC ratepayer.

As a consequence of the ESCC-approved Waste Local Plan 2005-2015, there is going to be several years gap between Pebsham and Beddingham (Lewes) tips closing in 2008-2009, the new waste incinerator at Newhaven opening in 2010, the very high ESCC recycling targets being met and finally services and a new road access being provided for dual use of the Turkey Road, Ibstock Brickworks, Ashdown quarry - by 2010-2011?

Dual use? Yes! The ESCC expect rotting domestic waste to be tipped at Ashdown at the same time and place as where men are working to make bricks!

Neither ESCC Councillor Gadd nor the lead Councillor Locke will answer my simple question of March 21. 2007 - where will ESCC domestic waste be tipped between 2008-2011?

Will it be outside the ESCC boundary, with statutory fines paid by the taxpayer?

Can I suggest you all write to the ESCC chief executive.

I.M. Griffiths

Fontwell Avenue.

Kind gift

I AM overwhelmed by the gift of a lady for whom I have only the a name of Wendy. My mother, Mrs Ivy Holdaway, who was 100 years old on April 21, received a beautiful bouquet of roses from her. I am told Wendy arrived at Eridge House with flowers after reading your article in the paper, April 27.

Wendy told a member of staff that Ivy reminded her of her own mother who had always wanted to live 100 years as she thought it was so special.

I would like to personally thank her for such a kind and generous thought. It restores our belief there really are some genuine and caring people out there in our community.

Sheila Endersby

Address supplied.

Hospital thanks

IN view of the varied reports appearing in the press regarding the Conquest Hospital, I would like to report my experience at the cardiology unit where I had an angiogram - a day case procedure.

I have to say that I was most impressed by the prompt attention I received in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

This was a well-organised and spotlessly clean department with patient care the priority, culminating in a brief report from the consultant. My congratulations to all the staff concerned.

Peter Lewis

Clocktower Court.

Deferred plan

I WAS present at the Town Hall when the plans for the "Hood site" at Little Common were discussed and deferred yet again.

We were told by Mr Rallings that objectors were ruled by their hearts, whilst he in recommending was ruled by his head.

In response, I would say that I am ruled by logic. It is one thing having a forecourt with cars parked on it; quite another a 5,000 cubic metre building, comprising a store and two storeys of flats above, on this prime site.

Regardless of who runs the store, it will still ruin the village!

If Mr Rallings needs a planning reason for turning it down, the scheme is still far too big for the village - full stop.

The traffic chaos that will ensue will be horrendous and the 20,000 the developer has agreed to contribute to "road improvements" will have been wasted.

Ruth Hodson

Cooden Sea Road

Art talent

AT last! An art exhibition at the De La Warr Pavilion we can all appreciate!

The title of the exhibition, Conflict, is somewhat erroneous as the diverse collection of artworks by young, local, art students is, in the main, heart-warming, uplifting and reassuring about the future state of "the arts."

All of the exhibitors show a great deal of promise in their various disciplines and some display - what can only be discribed as - an emerging talent.

Having been given guidance by De La Warr Pavilion art advisors, the students have managed to overcome that handicap and create an exhibition that displays a 'joie de vivre' not seen in the Pavilion's galleries since it reopened.

So, congratulations to all the talented young people who created this highly impressive and most refreshing exhibition and the very best of luck to each of them in their individual careers as artists.

Trevor Hughes

Windsor Road.

Pavilion view

WE are indebted to Jackie Bialeska for exposing the self-serving DLWP spin about visitor numbers to the Pavilion (or "footfall" in DLWP director Alan Haydon's felicitous phraseology).

I for one had not realised that the DLWP's approach to statistics had been quite so flexible; but then I guess that we all tend to overlook the classic political proverb about "Lies, damned lies and statistics."

With this in mind, perhaps Mr Haydon would benefit from the reminder that while nearly all local people are favourably disposed to the De La Warr Pavilion, not many have anything at all positive to say about the DLWP.

I wonder if he can tell the difference?

T. Bryant

Harley Shute Road

St Leonard.

Knock-out

MAY I through your paper thank Bexhill Lions Club for inviting Bexhill Gateway Club to the annual It's A Knock-Out sports day at Heathfield Leisure Centre which was held on Sunday, April 29.

There were numerous groups of assorted ages and disabilities, who thoroughly enjoyed both the sports and the disco at half time. A great day was had by all. Thank you, Bexhill Lions.

Frances Rowland

Club Leader

Bexhill Gateway Club

Station Road

Lovely day

MAY I through your column express my grateful thanks to John Burt and his team of voluntary ladies of the Nan Wilding Day Centre for the lovely day out to Rye and very enjoyable lunch; not forgetting Daren our coach driver, of course.

Many thanks again John and ladies.

Here's to the next trip.

Esther Rowsell

Woodsgate Park.

Disaffected

AS someone born and brought up in Bexhill, and still a regular reader of the Observer, I have recently noted the growth of a strange phenomenon in your letters section - an increasing number of letters from disaffected Cockney Refugees in Bexhill (CRIBs).

These whingeing letters seems to share several depressing characteristics:-

1. Although most of these CRIBs have clearly only lived in Bexhill for around five minutes, they believe they alone know what is wrong with, and best for, the town;

2. It takes less than five minutes for the CRIBs to tell the natives which finger they should extract, (and how);

3. If the locals don't jump about to comply with the CRIB demand, they (the CRIBs) will huff and they will puff, and they will throw their toys out of the pram.

Perhaps these clearly discontented souls should be (gently) reminded that there is another option open to them.

If they are so unhappy with the state of things in Bexhill, they can always pack up their caravans and steal away (perhaps back to the Smoke?).

The CRIBs might be surprised to learn that Bexhill will scarcely mourn, or even notice, their loss.

It may even learn to function again after their departure.

Howard Grindall

Upper Dicker.

Traffic calming

Re: Missing Path - Cooden Sea Road

IN 1969, when I bought my house in Cooden Sea Road, there was active negotiation for the purchase of gardens to create a footpath. It has never happened.

So the long completion date of 2011 is not unusual and leaves plenty of time for change of mind!

I am glad it did not go ahead as the road would now be straighter and faster.

This stretch is at the bottom of the hill and understandably cars will be going quickly unless they are deliberately braked.

I wish there were a footpath where there is none and I would hope that it combined some traffic calming measure to force cars descending the hill to slow down.

ROBERT MITCHELL

Cooden Sea Road.

Desperate

THE latest editions of the Bexhill Observer have contained some strange letters of interminable length and immoderate tone from someone called Jerry Robinson, who appears to be a recent economic migrant to the town.

It appears from the letters that Jerry has just sunk a barrel-load of cash into a new women-only gym scheme on the edge of town.

This might appear to some to be a rather speculative venture in a borderline location and, to be charitable, to Jerry, the consequent economic stress may well be the cause of the verbal incontinence evident in the letters.

Equally, it may also explain the increasingly desperate (and transparent ) pleas for "something to be done" to liven up the town.

However, Jerry might do well, on balance, to reflect that his own particular business interests might not provide the best indications of what is good for the town as a whole.

Also, he might like to dwell for a moment on the consideration that those who wish to influence public opinion, in Bexhill at least, would do well to get first - not a life - but some manners.

Given a choice between Victor Meldrew and Del-Boy, there will only be one winner in Bexhill!

B. Cameron (Mrs)

Holliers Hill.

Hands of time

FOR several years now I have been a weekly visitor to Bexhill-on-Sea and stay in a seafront apartment within sight of the magnificent Victorian clock tower.

Over a period of the last five years this town treasure became a little more unkempt each year and very rarely displayed the correct time.

I was pleased to see that restoration and redecoration was taken in hand late last year and looked forward to a revitalised landmark in the town.

Sure enough, the tower was eventually repainted, restored and illuminated at night and now probably looks better than it did originally.

Alas, it has not displayed the correct time since and is now 20 minutes fast! I fail to understand the logic of spending a considerable amount of public money on a treasured clock tower and then leaving it to malfunction immediately afterwards. After all, a little adjustment of the pendulum is all that is required.

I would like to know who is responsible for the upkeep and why is nothing being done to adjust it's timekeeping?

Ray Oakhill

Hartfield Road

Saltdean.

Cat joy

I AM sorry that Mr Brown (of Ninfield) regards cats as pests rather than pets - and all because they hunt and defecate. I expect Mr Brown eats and excretes - so do all living creatures. Tolerance please.

Cat lovers could help the situation by providing a sandy area of their own garden or indoor litter tray to help minimise the damage to neighbouring gardens.

In return perhaps cat haters could take on board the fact that cats have to live in a man-made world, one obviously not of their making; and keen gardeners could regard them as friends for, in reducing the bird population, they must be helping the poor old worms.

I'm sure if Mr Brown visited the RSPCA or Cat Protection League hostels for homeless cats and acquired one (or preferably two) he would be very rapidly be beguiled by their charms (they are great comedians and expert communicators).

He would come to understand the joy and companionship they bring to many people, particularly the childless, the depressed, the lonely and the bereaved.

M A STEVENSON (Mrs)

Westville Road.

Cat control

IN reply to the letters from Messrs Butler and Rawlings in support of cats, I feel I should write in support of Mr Brown.

Yes, Mrs Rawlings, cats are clean animals, that is why they come into my garden and use my vegetable patch as a toilet rather than soil their own territory. And, yes, your cats may be well fed, but a cat's natural instincts are to hunt, and a cat will play with its victim for some time before killing it whether hungry or not.

I have owned cats but no longer do so due to the amount of small mammals they would bring into the house during summer.

The RSPCA has released figures from the Mammal Society which carried out a survey of 1000 cats to find out the impact on wild life. These cats were responsible for the deaths of approximately 14,000 mammals consisting of birds, mice, voles, snakes, frogs and toads and many other species.

With an estimated population of eight million cats this equates to the deaths of 275 million small mammals.

Cats are wonderful companions but should be kept indoors unless kept under control.

If I let my dogs loose in a cat owners gardens to chase their cats and defecate in their gardens I trust they will not object as they are only behaving naturally.

M COLEMAN

Cranston Rise.

Photo albums

SEVERAL years ago I bought two photo albums at the Rochester flea Market. I hated to think they would end up in landfill eventually.

I always meant to try to trace the owners but did not get around to it. Now, after living and working in Kent for six years I am to return to Australia. Here are few details that may help someone recognise the people involved.

The names Betts and Sadler are obvious and Hastings and Bexhill-on-Sea are mentioned.

Many of the articles and photos date from 1940 to the 60s.

At least seven weddings are depicted. Most of the photos are black and white. There are many articles and photos of flower grower and judge, Mr Harold Betts, who belonged to The Bexhill Horticultural Society in the 1960s.

Two very interesting items are a photo of a football championship side labelled "HQ. No 5 Pltn, Champions, RSA." and a telegram to Mrs Sadler, 125 Emmanuel Rd, Hastings, dated 1 Nov 1948.

The albums were in a plastic bag labelled Bexhill Lighting and Gift Centre.

I would be very happy to return these albums to the family concerned.

I can be reached at 01634 827084 until the end of May and after that claimants can write to P Ruby, 5 George Lane, Rochester to discuss the return of the albums.

Hoping you can assist me to return these albums to their rightful owners.

Patricia Draper (Mrs)

4 St George's Lane

Rochester

Kent ME1 1NW.

Litter menace

WE have been living very happily in Martyns Way, Pebsham for the last four years.

We live at the cul de sac end that leads to the footpath to the marsh land, Glyne Gap towards the garden centre.

We have been appalled at the amount of litter that is constantly left there, so although we both work full time, we decided to do something about it.

This morning, armed with a grabber and a black sack each, we went to clear up. After 100 yards our bags were full of plastic carrier bags, crisp packets, cigarette packets, plastic bottles, cans etc.

Do people realise the damage they cause wildlife and nature when they leave their litter?

This is not waste ground but a natural habitat that should be protected.

Please don't litter our lovely land. However, as keen as we were there was nothing we could do about the two-seater settee that had been fly-tipped!

Council, please take note.

Vic and Lindsey Brownsell

Martyns Way.

Mayor's Ball

THE De La Warr Pavilion was the venue for an amazing Mayor's Ball on Saturday night.

The De La Warr produced a superb meal and excellent service and demonstrated that they can come up trumps in all areas.

We were overwhelmed by the genuine support and friendship shown to us and wish to thank everybody involved for making it a night to remember. We are so glad that our steadfast positive attitude towards this town was rewarded by over two hundred people joining us on Saturday. Many thanks

Eric and Jeanette Armstrong

Mayor and Mayoress of Bexhill.

Top support

AS his year of office comes to a close, the De La Warr Pavilion would like to thank Cllr Eric Armstrong, Mayor of Bexhill, for his unfailing support of the Pavilion and his recognition of the work we do for the local community.

From hosting a glittering Mayor's Ball for over 200 people to raise money for local charities, to dressing up as Santa for children in the audience of our Christmas show, Eric has shown that, by working in close partnership with us, both Bexhill and the Pavilion can reap the benefits.

Thank you Eric and Jeanette, for a lively, productive and entertaining year!

De La Warr Pavilion staff and Trustees.

Thanks from election candidates

WE would like to thank the many local people in Sidley who we met during our recent campaign for their willingness to share their on-going concerns and regret that those that supported Labour candidates, firstly had non-elected Independents, and now for the first time in many years have two Conservative councillors.

Labour now has no voice in Rother - but we will continue to fight on your behalf about all the problems that you shared and that we observed in the ward.

It will take a lot to turn around the past council neglect of Sidley and we will watch with interest as we hope both Jimmy and Robert get to grips with the many issues that need vital attention in the ward.

Philipa Coughlan and Stephanie Webb

Labour candidates for Sidley.

MAY I thank the residents of St Stephen's Ward for their support in my election as a councillor for St Stephen's Ward.

I have very much enjoyed meeting many of the residents in person during the election campaign. I am looking forward to meeting and working with many more in the future as I undertake duties and responsibilities as a representative for all the residents of the ward over the coming four years on Rother District Council.

Bridget George (Cllr)

St Stephen's Ward.

I WOULD like to thank the many electors of St Stephen's who voted for me in the local elections and the tremendous support given by local party members. I am indebted to you.

Molly Webb

Spring Lane.

WE wish to thank the residents of Sackville Ward for demonstrating their support by returning us once again as their local councillors.

We shall continue to work ceaselessly on RDC to put forward the views of our constituents in the Ward irrespective of whether or how they voted.

Keith Standring (Cllr)

Deirdre Williams (Cllr)

Bexhill Sackville Ward

COUNCILLORS Christopher Starnes and Ron Dyason would like to thank all the residents for their support in recent District Elections and look forward to working with them and will endeavour to serve them to the best of our ability.

Christophr Starnes (Cllr)

The Barnhams.

MAY I take this opportunity to thank all the Labour voters in St Marks Ward for their efforts in increasing the labour vote by 44.5 per cent.

This is quite remarkable for the area, and although it may seem insignificant as far as the Rother elections are concerned, please don't forget, all your votes will definitely count when it comes to the European Elections.

With best wishes to all the residents of St Mark's.

John Heasman

Labour Party candidate.

I would like to thank the people of Sidley for putting their trust in me to represent them on Rother District Council for the next four years. I will do my best to represent the whole community.

If I can help to resolve any issue within my power, I will.

I will do my best for the young and the not so young to improve the opportunities and services available to everyone.

I will not make promises I cannot keep and will need the support of my new colleagues within the council if we are to see Sidley prosper again.

Again my sincere thanks to everyone for their support.

Jimmy Carroll (Cllr)