Your letters - September 3

Dangerous A259

CLLR Martin Kenward is right to highlight the high accident rate on the A259. The section between Hastings and Eastbourne is officially the most dangerous road in Sussex.

Out of respect for the families involved, I shall not list them, but over the last 20 years there have been four fatal accidents along the half-mile section between the College Road junction and the Glyne Gap roundabout. A fifth took place just east of the roundabout near the Esso garage.

There have been countless other accidents over the years.

This is not in itself a bypass or link road issue. Although traffic is stationary or slow-moving for much of the day, De La Warr Road is a racetrack in the evenings and during the night when traffic is light.

Residents have to put up with excessive noise, especially from motorcycles travelling at high speed, and cars racing eastwards off the King Offa Way dual carriageway downhill from the Dorset Road lights to Glyne Gap.

The police recognise this and frequently conduct speed checks very late at night, and into the small hours.

I understand that motorists are regularly booked for driving at more than twice the speed limit (30 mph).

The current orthodoxy appears to be against new speed cameras, but the Highways Agency should consider other traffic calming measures, including installing more refuges in the middle of the road and changing the line markings to narrow the lanes.

Richard Madge

College Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Great Bank Holiday

WHAT a great Bank Holiday in Bexhill.

With the Bexhill 100 and 75th anniversary of the De La Warr I would personally like to thank both organisations for providing two wonderful events, and underpinning the recent Halifax survey of Bexhill being the number one seaside resort.

Cllr Paul Lendon

Buxton Drive

Bexhill

Thanks to the kiosk

MY family went down to the DLWP yesterday to join in the 75th birthday celebrations and we took the opportunity of a long walk along the prom as it was such a lovely afternoon.

Later that evening we discovered my daughter had mislaid her mobile and when we rang it, the lady running the ice cream kiosk by the Sailing Club answered and told us it had been handed in that afternoon! I was amazed the kiosk was still open at 7pm when we picked it up! We would like to thank the lady at the kiosk for looking after it and to the person who handed it in - thank you so much, it is a brand new phone and we are very grateful.

Carolyn Turner and the Turner family

Mitten Road

Bexhill

Delighted with town

We are delighted, but not surprised that Bexhill has the best quality of life compared to the other 124 seaside towns included in the recent Halifax survey. Having recently moved here from the Penzance area, we are in a good position to compare the two seaside towns. Bexhill scores heavily in the areas of health, leisure facilities, town beaches and public transport.

Property prices in Bexhill are lower than in Penzance, and the cost of living here is less. Dining out in Bexhill is cheaper than in Penzance, and the variety of restaurants is greater. Bexhill's climate is much drier and sunnier and the promenade here (even during the renovation works) is vastly superior to the dour one in Penzance. Both towns have a wealth of small, independent shops. These help to give the towns a unique sense of identity; hopefully people will do as much as they can to support them during the coming years of austerity.

Penzance is set within the dramatic landscape of West Penwith, while the countryside around Bexhill is to our mind just as beautiful and more varied, considering the South Downs and Pevensey Levels are situated just to the west, the Romney Marsh to the east, and the High Weald to the north.

When we moved here we thought we would miss the warm openheartedness of the Cornish people, but instead we have found most Bexhill people very friendly. Our main disappointment has been with the number of Bexhill residents who complain about the town and the weather. Perhaps if they spent some time elsewhere in Britain they would appreciate that Bexhill really does offer a very high quality of life.

Steve Gardiner and Barrie Wright

Cooden Drive

Bexhill

Opposed to link road

I HAVE written to both the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and his deputy, Nick Clegg, to say that I was most concerned when I read the article "County fighting for link road approval" (Bexhill Observer, August 13).

I myself objected to the proposed construction of a Hastings-Bexhill link road and read out my reasons at the public inquiry held in November last year.

I feel it is unacceptable if East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council are directly or indirectly bringing pressure to bear on those who are responsible for making the final decision on the link road after the independent inspector has submitted his recommendations to ministers.

Surely further lobbying of MPs at this stage is not admissible? Both councils and members of the public had ample opportunity to present their cases at the public inquiry.

NAME and ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Bexhill-on-Sea

Survey on Colonnade

THE street collection of your letters concerning the possible use of the Colonnade is going well.

So far the consultation on my trolley has shown that 96 per cent of respondents want either a simple cafe like we had before, and/or a family-type ordinary seafront restaurant. Only four per cent want a high-class restaurant. This is thought to be neither suitable nor financially viable.

The trolley survey continues from 9.15am-3.15pm daily at either the old Somerfield (now Co-Op) or near the old cinema in Western Road, depending on the weather.

In addition a few people who have written letters have voted for nothing to be changed. However, as the council has now appointed a company to do the work and is determined to go ahead all we can do is to demonstrate what the people who pay for the work, the ratepayers, want on the Colonnade. Of course it is understood that the rowing club is part of the Colonnade plans. This is a separate issue and we heartily support it as I think most people in Bexhill do.

Keep writing to the council. They cannot totally ignore you.

Jackie Bialeska

Chair of Vox Pop, seafront pressure group

Anger over pensions

I AM an ex-serviceman living in Bexhill, having completed 28 years in the Royal Navy as a submariner and as bomb and mine warfare chief diver.

My duties took me around the world, including a tour of Iraq in 2004 to clear munitions from occupied areas to reduce the danger of unexploded ordnance and the possibility of horrific injuries to the Iraqi townspeople.

I read with utter disgust that the government has decided to change the pension rules from April 2011 by switching from Retail Price Index (RPI) to Consumer Price Index (CPI) when calculating annual increases.

This change does not take into account the cost of utility bills and the average cost of living, so from 2011 it effectively means ex-servicemen and women being subjected to a stealth collection of monies from their annual pensions.

Someone having retired from the services at 40, and with an average life expectancy of 86, can expect to lose 225,222 over the intervening years. Anyone with the rank of major or equivalent will lose around 338,895.

How can the government be so insensitive and crass towards its military pensioners, especially after the current high profile comments regarding the government doing all it can to support its Armed Forces?

Like many before me, I paid for kit, put up with the bad conditions of service and the gut-wrenching fact that I even paid for my own dog tags to go to war with in case I got killed!

I now feel that I am having to pay the government back for my time in the Royal Navy. Is this my reward for 28 years of devoted service to Queen and country?

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Don't feed the cats

WHILST I think it very kind of FE Pearce (Letters, August 20) to feed the cat in her garden I must advise against it. The fact that the cat chooses to sit in their garden does not mean it is living rough. If it wears a collar and is well fed then it is just visiting because it likes their garden. We have a large cat who is on a very strict diet and medication and we guess he is now being fed by someone in our locality as he is not coming home for days on end, and this means we cannot monitor his diet or give him his medication. He is a very friendly and talkative neutered black-and-white tom, no collar, 13 years old and has never wandered before. Please, if a cat visits you do NOT encourage it to stay by feeding it. If left hungry they will always find their way home.

J JACKSON

The Gorses

Cooden

Suggestions, please

Students of the genealogy of the Next Wave who mourned the untimely passing of Twenty Metre Boulevard will be consoled by the news that his genes live on! We learned last week that before his unfortunate early demise he fathered a lusty son. Suggestions of names for this squalling infant are now invited. Mine is Five Metre Service Road. Are there any more?

John Hodson

Cooden Sea Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Thoughts on carnival

I WISH to briefly respond to the letter from Chris Cox (Bexhill Observer, August 13), on behalf of the Carnival Committee.

It is uncertain whether anything more can be done to revive interest and active participation in the carnival procession. Perhaps it has run its course, even in a town like Bexhill that tries to cling to all things traditional.

In view of the substantial loss on the Party in the Park concert, presumably the carnival day collection and Polegrove entry money will have to be utilised towards the shortfall rather than given to good causes.

My suggestion to the committee would be that they focus entirely on carnival day itself, rather than attempt to organise a week of speculative events beforehand.

P J WATSON

Cooden Sea Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Rowing club's 70k funding plea

AS president of Bexhill Rowing Club I write in response to the front page article of last weeks Observer and the rowing club's quest to raise 70,000 to fit out the new boathouse.

Considering this huge sum of money, it is important that the residents of Bexhill are aware of the way in which the club operates.

The club is a not-for-profit organisation, but strives by various means to provide for its members a facility within which it is possible to train, either on land or on the water.

This includes the provision of premises wherewith to operate from, with changing and shower facilities plus land training equipment.

For members to take part in all Coast Amateur Rowing Assoc (CARA) controlled events, the club has to register each member with that organisation were there is, of course, a fee to pay.

It also insures and maintains the craft, boathouse, and trailer, covers all other expenses pertaining to the boathouse and its maintenance, and deals with the general administration of the club.

These costs are calculated annually by the treasurer and in the main covered by the members' subscriptions.

We have been so lucky in recent years to have had the benefit of several generous benefactors, who have made it possible for the club to have the very latest rowing craft.

This has manifested itself in the club's most successful season ever.

The members have won a huge amount of trophies, numerous championships, and are arguably the most successful sporting club in the UK.

We will be proud to publish later on a photo of the silverware won this season. It will be, without any doubt, a sight that every Bexhillian can be proud of.

It is important to note that the members themselves fund their own racing activities.

Regatta fees, race entry fees, and transportation costs are all shared equally by the rowers at each regatta.

Considering that our competitive members are students or, young, married family people, on a double regatta weekend these expenses can be... well... expensive. The average cost is around 11 to 15 per person, per regatta.

Members also work hard to raise funds to provide racing craft.

They are, in some way or another, instrumental in the purchase of all the craft and equipment, gaining sponsorship for all manner of money raising schemes.

One has only to consider the 50,000 raised by the Indian Ocean rowers last year to see how adept and determined members can be in their fund-raising endeavors.

That endeavour took three years to achieve, and there lies the rub of our current situation.

From September we will be homeless. We are expecting to take over the shell of our new boathouse in April 2011, just at the start of the new rowing season.

We do not expect the fitting out to be completed until nearer the end of the season.

Indeed there may be serious implications for the Bexhill regatta but, regardless, training regimes and rowing practice will be seriously curtailed.

We are anxious to maintain current form and the completion of the fitting out is of paramount importance to this. It is therefore important that the club has the finance in hand in just six months. Hence the article on your front page last week.

The club has been an inherent part of the town's history, it proudly bears the town crest on its badge (the only club in town entitled to do so) and has done for 117 years. The new boat house is the beginning of the next 100 years of history for the club. I reiterate Matt Mitchell's plea, and ask for donations, sponsorships, or help of any kind to support the club at this time. Please contact in writing: The Development Committee, 31, Woodsgate Park, Bexhill on Sea, TN39 4DL.

Or contact the club at the boathouse on Sunday mornings or on the Tuesday or Thursday evening training sessions.

Gerald Matthews

President, Bexhill Rowing Club

Welcome, but missed point

ALTHOUGH I very much enjoyed reading the rather sarcastic and oh-so-witty letter by Andrew Franks ("Lets be having you", Bexhill Observer, August 20) I cannot help but disagree with many, if not all, the comments made.

I do understand that Bexhill Carnival does not just organise itself, and that it has to fundraise all year round just to pay for the Party in the Polegrove.

Are there events organised to help fundraise? I certainly have not heard of any. Cheaper entry fees would mean happier locals and therefore more local support.

I do realise that the tribute band does not perform for free, but would it not just be plain logic to reduce gate fees and consequently increase the crowd size?

It cannot help to raise money when people walk away on realising they cannot afford to attend the event. Also, I'm pretty sure that there are many local bands who would jump at the chance of performing for free, thus giving them a chance to get noticed.

I also think Mr Franks is completely missing the point of my original letter: the reason we didn't go into the Polegrove was that we didn't have sufficient means to pay the fees.

These were not shown on posters advertising the event, probably for fear of scaring off the remaining large families and younger people of Bexhill.

I do realise that all rides were half price on Wednesday and Thursday, but these were not the days that my original letter was referring to.

The reason I wrote before was because people were accused of not supporting local events, which referred to the Party in the Polegrove.

In sending my letter, I was simply saying why the event was so poorly attended. and voicing the opinion of many Bexhillians who, like me, could not afford the entrance fees.

Much as I would love to join in and help with fundraising, and as much as it sounds like fun, I'm afraid that as I am starting college this September I would not have the time.

I very much appreciate Mr Franks's letter and the hard work put into the Carnival. It's just a shame that some logical ideas and changes cannot be put into action to increase local support.

After all, the carnival would not exist without the maximum support of locals.

CLARISSA DAVIS

Eastwood Road,

Bexhill-on-Sea

They're surely having a laugh

I SEE Rother District Council is having a laugh again. The article in last week's Bexhill Observer regarding keeping dogs on a lead in Egerton Park, Manor Gardens and parts of the promenade or face a 75 fixed penalty can only be taken as a joke.

Rother will no doubt spend thousands of pounds of our council tax money to print up numerous notices, pay contractors to put up the signs and then do nothing more about it.

I base this theory on the council's past record, namely the signs posted all along the promenade notifying dog owners that to leave your dog's faeces on the seafront could result in a fine of up to 1000.

Yet I have never seen a dog warden of any description handing out fines to irresponsible dog walkers.

Lest we not forget, in the news recently a toddler accidentally got dog-poo in her eye (which was not picked up by the owner in a local park) and she is now in danger of losing the eye through infection.

If the local council cannot be bothered to enforce a health hazard risk, how can anyone believe that they are serious about fining owners of loose dogs?

R HARRIS

South Cliff

Bexhill-on-Sea

Irresponsible dog owners

We often take our small dog for a walk in the woods at Sidley. The woods are only a few hundred yards from us so the walk is very convenient. I like to think that we are responsible dog owners - we take appropriate bags to clean up any mess she makes and she is on a lead until it is safe and away from the horses. If any horses and riders come towards us, we put her back on the lead in good time and stand well back, and the riders always thank us. Our dog never barks while out walking - she is frightened of her own shadow! We always put her back on the lead if we think it necessary and we have never encountered any problems up until now. Other dog walkers in the woods are always polite and courteous and we all seem to follow an unwritten code of conduct, which is common sense.

Yesterday teatime we took our dog for a walk as usual but we had my niece and her two children with us. They also had their small dog with them, which is also good and well-behaved off the lead. We got so far into the woods and saw a woman with her dog. As soon as she saw us in the distance, she let her dog off the lead, why, I don't know. It headed straight for us and then chased my small dog for about 200 yards. I was waiting for her to shout her dog back, but before she did, it ran and hurled itself at me, almost knocking me off my feet (I am by no means a small person either!).

As my son-in-law ran after our dog and calmed her down, the lady then decided to shout to her dog, which looked like a Border Collie. I told her that the dog should be on a lead, to which she shouted: "It's a puppy!" I replied: "Well it's dangerous and not well trained." To this she told me to **** off - nice language in front of children.

Both of our dogs have attended several sessions of dog training, perhaps she should be heading there too. I just hope that she put the dog back on the lead before the two horses and riders passed us shortly after. People like her give responsible dog owners a bad name.

Jane Searston

Meadow Crescent

Sidley

Photos were of a high standard

AFTER visiting the Bexhill Photographic Club's annual exhibition, held at the Bexhill Museum, I felt the photographs were of a very high standard and the club should be congratulated.

But could someone from the De La Warr Pavilion please tell me why such events are not accommodated within its exhibition rooms?

We have a great wealth of local artistic talent which seems to be ignored by the "artistic" directors of the De La Warr.

So come on, De La Warr. Instead of rooms full of rubbish give our local talent a chance. After all the Bexhill residents contribute to your funding.

Very well done to the Bexhill Museum for its support of local events.

E DEEPROSE

Ian Close

Bexhill-on-Sea

Thanks for your support

WE would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped to make the recent Copse Road coffee morning in our garden such a success. We were able to send 425 to the Sussex Air Ambulance Trust and this would not have been possible without the help and support not just of our neighbours but from people throughout Bexhill, including the many local businesses who donated raffle prizes.

Thanks are due also to local residents' group The Bexhill Alliance, whose members joined in wholeheartedly with the preparations for the event and provided helpers on the day, as part of their commitment to a policy of supporting activities beneficial to the Bexhill community.

We are lucky here in Sussex to have had our own air ambulance for the last three years, giving the chance of that vital "golden hour" of early treatment to those who find themselves in urgent traumatic medical situations. As with all air ambulance services, it's able to exist only through voluntary donations from the public, so thanks everyone and well done!

ALLEN and JEAN BISHOP

Copse Road

Little Common

Well done, Conquest

THESE days everyone is very quick to moan and criticise the NHS. It seems to have become a British past-time and I know there are many situations which deserve that criticism.

However, when the system works (you rarely hear about this) you would have to go an awful long way before you find a better service.

I was recently admitted to the Conquest as an emergency with suspected menigitis and it took just over an hour from the moment my partner Harry rang the out-of-hours service to the doctor arriving and being admitted to the hospital MAU.

From then on there was a steady succession of doctors and nurses coming and going, drips, blood tests, lumbar puncture etc, all done with a cheerful smile, complete reassurance and full explanation as to what was going on.

Late that evening I was taken to Newington Ward where again, the care was superb and nothing was too much trouble.

The ward was spotlessly clean and everything was constantly washed, cleaned or replaced. During my five days there, I cannot recall hearing or seeing any member of staff with any kind of attitude that you hear so much of.

They all seemed to be as cheerful and caring at the end of their 12-hour shift as they were at the beginning and their total dedication to their work is humbling.

Thankyou so much to the staff in MAU, particuarly the South African lady doctor who did the LP with Fred, and to Sister Ruth, Dr Hawkins and all the staff in Newington Ward... yes I know some would say you are doing your job, but you do it with a real difference. Well done Conquest!

Lindy Morton

Maple Avenue

Cooden

I agree on costumes

HOW I agree with Mrs Hallett concerning the Old Museum of Costume and Social History, which was unique, both as a building and in its displays.

There was a good atmosphere and just so many exhibits that one could enjoy. In the main, exhibits were labelled with dates and descriptions, but if any further information was needed there was always a custodian to help.

The museum as it is now has a long way to go to make its exhibits more interesting for visitors, be they old or young. The costumes now seem to take second place to social history items.

The doll and toy exhibition could have been very interesting, but looks a jumble and has no information.

NAME and ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Bexhill-on-Sea

Offended by attitude

WHILST celebrating the 75th anniversary of the De La Warr Pavilion this week, my sister and I were outraged at the attitude of a young man working at the vicinity.

As we all know we have seen some of our great idols grace the De La Warr stage with their presence and talent, so whilst anticipating future shows from the likes of big band singers and comics we simply inquired as to what performances were approaching.

We were shocked to be told that if we wanted to view such acts then we must visit other theatres like the White Rock in Hastings and the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne. At the age of 77 both my sister and I have luckily managed to never have been insulted, until Bank Holiday Monday.

We were made to feel worthless and foolish for asking, what we thought was a worthy question as I hope many will agree.

Lord De La Warr was famously known to have built this wonderful theatre for the people of Bexhill, what is the purpose of having such a superb building in our town if we are instructed to look elsewhere for one of the buildings prime purposes: entertainment. For a place that was once alive and filled with the hearty spirit of the town, it has now been transformed in to something drab and dull. It really makes me question where all that money went.

Maureen Hamill

De La Warr Parade

Bexhill

Town losing its trees

OLD photographs of Bexhill show a lovely and leafy town but over the years Bexhill has lost very many of its mature trees and is still losing trees.

This at a time when we need as many trees as possible to lock up carbon, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce human stress and anxiety and improve the quality of our environment.

And in a seaside town that wants to attract visitors there is a sound commercial argument for trees. When we travel don't we instantly appreciate the benefits of trees and recognise, deeply, tree cover as an index of life in a place?

But our town is becoming a sterile desert with tree stumps as grotesque bollards '“ look at the pavement outside WHSmith in Devonshire Road or the ghostly group of stumps at the junction of Down Road and Woodsgate Park. Look also at the dead and dying trees in Sackville Road or the trees strangled by asphalt in Wickham Avenue.

But it is not too late to try and save at least one important Bexhill tree threatened with felling. There is a planning application in the conservation area that includes Parkhurst Road Methodist Church to fell a lovely mature pear tree in the church garden.

To my eye this is a healthy tree bearing good fruit, that could and should be shared in the community.

Some see the shade of trees as a problem but I see it as a positive feature and here in the church garden it provides a benefit, especially to the elderly. Go and see this pear tree, it is really is quite beautiful and a fine example of its type. It is of considerable amenity value and should be treasured, not cut down.

When we are faced with the prospect of such gross vandalism in a conservation area we really must object, and it isn't hard at all to do - just go online to Rother District Council, click a bit and enter Application Number RR/2010/1972/T - but do it soon!

And then let's plant some more.

Michael Bernard

Secretary

Bexhill Environmental Group

Hamilton Terrace

Bexhill

Reduce street clutter

THE government is urging councils in England to cut unnecessary street clutter in a bid to make streets safer and tidier.

Would this not be the perfect reason for removing the unnecessary and hideous spherical objects in Devonshire Square ?

CHRISTINE HAMILTON

Southcourt Avenbue

Bexhill-on-Sea

Helping Pakistan

IN the news last Monday, the director of emergency operations at UNICEF complained about the lack of support for the relief effort in Pakistan.

How about someone in authority putting

him in touch with a certain general commanding a force of 120,000 trained people currently working in a next-door country on what would appear to many to be a futile task?

It could provide the superhuman effort needed to overcome an awful human tragedy in Pakistan if those forces were deployed as quickly as possible.

I doubt somehow whether the necessary phone calls will be made.

STEPHEN HARDY

High Street

Robertsbridge