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This week's letters - June 11
THE latest letters from our readers.
IN SPITE of the disclaimer at the head of his occasional column, 'Another Point of View', implying that the populist views expressed are his and his alone, I suspect that district councillor Philip Circus represents the genuine feelings of a sizeable majority of Conservative grass roots activists.
His latest contribution deals with his perceived shortcomings of comprehensive education.
Perhaps it is timely to remind him that after achieving office and uttering a quotation wrongly attributed to St Francis of Assisi on the steps of Number Ten, that it was Margaret Thatcher who set about the closure of more grammar schools than any of her Labour predecessors.
Referring to comprehensive schools, Mr Circus ends his piece by stating, 'Unfortunately the Conservatives can do nothing while they are in hock to the Liberal Democrats'.
Just the sort of helpful sentiment designed to strengthen the newly appointed coalition!
A coalition that appears to have the wholehearted support of both David Cameron and Horsham MP, Francis Maude. In my view – and that of many others – our last chance of solving this country's dire economic problems left by a spendthrift Labour administration.
Just for once, could not Mr Circus put the urgent needs and aspirations of our country before the narrow ambitions of his own party? As David Cameron has said on numerous occasions, 'We are all in this together'.
And that includes Philip Circus and his local Tory chums!
ROBERT B. WORLEY
Ayshe Court Drive, Horsham
I ENJOY Philip Circus' column and generally agree with his views. However, I feel his remarks on education need expansion.
In the early part of the last century, the 'way up' was by night schools and institutes giving free or low cost education to working people. My father and his contemporaries used this to move up from extreme poverty to become teachers and managers.
This was then enhanced by state education and indeed the grammar schools enabled people like me to get a superb education and free entry to 'Ivy League' universities. However, sorry, I ran away to sea instead!
The problem was that the entry exam at 11 was a bit too early for some children. Public schools use the more sensible age of 13. There was a second chance, but it was rarely used and those who did manage it hit disadvantages, especially in Latin or Greek, prerequisites for Cambridge and Oxford.
The second problem was the extreme variation in grammar school place availability. In 1952, the ratio in Kent was one in ten, yet in Norfolk it was one in three: hardly fair, especially as they also had excellent technical schools as well.
Then we had the 'chattering class' socialist input which, as Philip Circus says, simply does not work. Grammar schools became a thing of the past, reverting to fee paying institutions for the better off.
So, what is the future? Build on what is best from both worlds, avoid experimentation and government 'idealistic' inputs, and most important, give everyone a chance, no matter what their background.
What annoys me most is the fact that potentially brilliant musicians, artists, scientists and doctors have been denied advancement by stupid experimentation and denied us the value of their contribution to our happiness, health and welfare.
PETER BURGESS
Haybarn Drive
Horsham
I READ the letter in your column regarding the new phenomenon of 'Security Tip Man' and I would like to warn your readers that this breed of rubbish spy is not confined to the Horsham site.
I live in Pulborough so my local tip is at Billingshurst. When this site was opened we found it a great asset as we could take most things there to be recycled.
It was at first a very welcoming place and was used by a great many people. However now we find that a lot of materials that could be recycled are not welcome.
As you approach the 'bunker' at the entrance to the site you are met by a man racing out to your car to inquire as to what you have in your car and where have you come from.
I recently took a load of hedge cuttings to the tip in my small trailer. I thought that it would be better to recycle this than to burn it in the garden, which is not very nice for the neighbours.
I was halted in my tracks by the tip detective who asked me all sorts of questions about my postcode, house number and phone number. He then filled in a form which I had to sign. The only thing that he did not want was a copy of my passport.
He then told me that next time I use a trailer to take it to Henfield 20 miles away.
On helping a friend tidy up his garden recently I loaded up my trailer at Littlehampton and took it to the local tip there.
Oh what a difference, The staff there were very friendly and helped me to unload my trailer and pointed me to the various bins.
So please, council, have a word with your rubbish police and help us to keep recycling in peace without the threat of being treated like criminals.
N. ELLIS
The Spinney
Pulborough
I HAVE just read the letter from Grant Laing about Horsham tip and felt I had to let you know about the Billingshurst tip - the staff there could not be more polite and helpful, even helping my husband to unload his car!
If they take car registration numbers they do it very discretely.
I would certainly rather go to the tip than the dentist and as Mr Laing lives in Billingshurst I would certainly recommend it.
DEE MORLEY
London Road, Pulborough
IT WASN'T until I noticed the banner heading 'SOUTH DOWNS', that I realised I had mistakenly picked up a different edition to my usual one. I was however pleasantly surprised to find a report of The South Downs Light Railway's anniversary gala within its pages.
I say surprised, because I cannot remember ever seeing a mention of our railway in the Horsham edition. On the basis that a great many of our supporters come from the northern part of the area (as well as much further afield ), it would be nice for them, as such, to be recognised.
Strangely enough, a picture of one of our locos appears within the usual edition this week within an item 'Pulborough on the Map', underneath a paragraph about Pulborough Brooks. Unfortunately we don't even merit a mention as to who and where we are.
Hopefully the County Times will endeavour to regularly include us within all its titles, but for those that can't wait you can follow us on our website www.sdlrs.com.
Finally, our very many thanks to ALL our supporters, and look forward to seeing you again soon, especially on June 20, at our Father's Day Special when once again there will be a draw to learn to 'drive a steam engine'.
ALAN JACKSON
Treasurer, South Downs Light Railway Society Ltd
Pulborough Garden Centre, Stopham Road, Pulborough
Editor's note: the County Times was pleased to carry a report and photograph previewing the gala in its Horsham and South Downs editions, and further coverage with photographs of the event itself.
THESE items caught my attention. West Sussex County Council has spent more than 10m on voluntary redundancy payments since 2005-06, it is employing 24 external consultants at a cost of 7m with a target of saving 50m over the next two years, and the new leader has waned that 1.6bn has to come out of local government and a looming cash squeeze will be the number one challenge over the next three or four years.
I bet it will!
OLIVER PALMER
Causeway, Horsham
RAPKYNS Care Centre, part of the Sussex Health Care Group, hosted work experience in May for four students from Tanbridge House School in Horsham.
We met four enthusiastic, polite and positive young persons eager to embrace our environment which was completely new to them. They showed empathy to our young service users but kept a sense of good humour throughout their visit (always helpful).
Tanbridge school and the parents for these young students should be congratulated. The experience was positive for everyone concerned.
PAULINE MCCANN, RSCN/RMA
Area manager, Rapkyns Care Centre
Guildford Road, Broadbridge Heath
THE HORSHAM and District Branch of Parkinson's UK held a fund-raising coffee morning on Saturday May 22 which raised an amazing 755. The event has been an annual one for the past five years and this is by far the highest amount which has been raised.
We are very grateful to all who helped in any way and especially to those who came and spent their money so generously.
The branch has monthly meetings and also arranges events such as outings and exercise classes taken by qualified physiotherapists. More information can be obtained from the honorary branch secretary, Carol Matthews, on 01403 263882.
EILEEN FARMER (Mrs)
Kingfisher Way, Horsham
I NOTE your request for suggestions for abolishing some current legislation, but I would like to reintroduce a law which seems to be totally ignored nowadays.
There used to be strict regulations about the height from the ground, positioning and brightness of vehicle lights, both front and back, and for traffic indicators.
However, some modern cars are so festooned with 'what an expensive car I am driving' lights that it is almost impossible to distinguish a winking front indicator.
The new bluish headlights seem much brighter than necessary for safe driving and, on some larger four wheel drive vehicles they appear to be aimed directly into the eyes of drivers of smaller cars.
When following some cars it is also difficult to distinguish brake lights or traffic indicators from the Christmas tree type masses of red rear illumination.
Absolute standardisation might be difficult to enforce but a sensible degree of control would, I think, have a positive effect on road safety both in the daytime and at night.
LAWRIE ELLIS
Lyntons, Pulborough
I WOULD like to take this opportunity to make your readers aware that on Saturday June 19 St Catherine's Hospice will once again be holding its 13-mile overnight sponsored walk around Horsham town.
We have had a fantastic response from women all over Sussex and Surrey signing up to take part, so are very much hoping to exceed last year's total of 134,000.
The success of such fundraising events does very much rely on the support of our local community and we are hoping to keep any disruption to those living along the route at a minimum.
If readers would like to see the route the walkers will be taking, there is a map available on our website under the FAQ section at www.stch.org.uk/midnightwalk
Once again I would like to thank the residents of Horsham in advance for their continued support of St Catherine's Hospice and the Midnight Walk.
JEN WICKHAM
Events fundraiser, St Catherine's Hospice
Malthouse Road, Crawley
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