Your letters - May 1

Why the barrier? AM I being victimised for owning a car with a high roof rack? Since Whydown Woods has installed a height barrier at the front of the car park I am finding it almost impossible to park my car and walk the dog. For those who are not aware of the changes that this has brought for the many users of the walks, it is one frustration and bewilderment. There is now no parking for high cars and so people who do not have an option of using another car have had to abandon the opportunity of walking around the woods as there is nowhere to park. Whydown also has a great bridle path, but how on earth does it become accessible for those who need to transport their horses to that start of the walk? Due to the barrier there is now no where to park a horse box, so access is now denied. As an everyday user of the woods myself, and talking to others, we find it strange that no consultation document was visible or even a number displayed where it was possible to contact someone over the instalment or ways to open the gate if necessary. Which I am sure the dog excrement lorry would have welcomed when he came to empty out the bins. I would be interested to see a reply to this issue here from anyone who was instrumental in having the barrier installed. UNA REID School Farm Barn Hooe Thanks for coffee I WOULD like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Martin Bluhm for so generously allowing the Society of Bexhill Museums to hold a coffee morning at his home in Newlands Avenue. It was truly a wonderful experience viewing and touching so many treasures from the past. Thanks are also due to the society's events group of Christine O'Grady, June Brewer and Sheila Hayes for organising the refreshments on the day. Also to Gillian Beecher who helped to arrange the event. And we must not forget Dennis Hayes who, 'dragged along' by wife Sheila, helped as doorkeeper. Last but by no means least the dozens of visitors who contributed to the 46 raised for the Society's funds. Just a reminder that on the first Thursday of every month the society holds a coffee morning in Parkhurst Hall starting at 10am. It's just 60p for coffee and biscuits plus a chance to pick up a bargain at the book stall and buy from the selection of home-made cakes and pastries. And to finish up, you may be lucky and win a raffle prize. JOHN BETTS Trustee and Head of Fundraising Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd Answer to protests A RADIO show asked listeners "Who do you identify more with, the world leaders at the G20 summit or the protesters on the streets of London outside?" Most people phoning in gave the obvious answer of the protesters or somewhere between the two sides. But the question itself is loaded, because it assumes that there are only two groups in the situation, and therefore you HAVE TO take a side. Next we need to ask why we would identify with a particular group '“ what would we be looking to achieve together. Both sides say they are trying to solve global problems, but can't agree what those problems are or how to solve them. So how can we decide on the problems in the world, there root causes and how to solve them? This reminded me of the comments of Mohandas K. Gandhi to Lord Irwin (British Viceroy to India) when he was asked what would bring peace between the two countries (Britain and India). Gandhi picked up a bible and turning to Matthew chapter 5 replied, 'When your country and mine shall get together on the teachings laid down by Christ in this Sermon on the Mount, we shall have solved the problems of not only our countries but the whole world.' At Easter, whether Christian or not, it is hard to avoid the message of the Cross of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection. I even hear people connecting the message of Easter with the birth of Jesus celebrated at Christmas, a few short weeks ago. What I hear less of, hardly ever (even in churches) is that God/Jesus has been talking/walking with humans ever since creation. The answer to every problem has always been to include God '“ as one local minister/ friend says: "To invite Jesus to the party!" All through the start of Matthew chapter 5 we see God blesses, God blesses, God blesses. If we respond to the gospel message by acting correctly/ in line with the Will/ Wisdom of God in the whole bible then he will bless us. It's not a question of he may bless us or a he will probably bless us '“ it's a definite he WILL bless us! So I don't want to side with the G20 world leaders. I don't want to side with the protesters. I want to side with a God who became flesh and died an agonising death for me personally. But I recognise that God didn't interact with humans only for 33 years, he walked and talked with humans from the Garden of Eden to the present day. If I want God to sort the world's problems, I need to take him to those protesters and those world leaders. Jesus needs to be at their next party, both inside the meetings and outside on those streets. PAUL MINTER Gunters Lane Bexhill I'm wheely grateful CAN I through the auspices of your letters page, thank most sincerely the gentleman and his wife who came to my assistance in Town Hall Square on Saturday afternoon. I failed to notice a very flat tyre on my car, which the couple brought to my notice. The gentleman offered to assist with changing the wheel. His wife waited patiently by with her shopping in the car. It would have taken me some time to figure out my current car's finer mechanics, and I would probably have needed to buy a new wheel, if I'd driven on it. Thank you so much for your help. It was greatly appreciated. MARIA CREED Gatelands Drive Bexhill Dog-walk saviour THROUGH your letters page I would like to warmly thank the lady walking her little black dog in Sidley Woods on the afternoon of April 8, who kindly assisted my young grandson in recapturing our dog who had slipped his collar and run off. Although I soon caught up with my grandson I was too late to thank her in person. Needless to say we have ensured that Fred's collar has been tightened so such an occurrence does not happen again. Should the lady in question not see this letter perhaps someone may recognise her from the above description and pass on my grateful thanks, MRS SHIRLEY BRAND Gatelands Drive Fresh-air thinking WHAT a breath of fresh air to hear President Obama announcing the change of American outlook on climate change and his intention to bring his country into line with the majority of the world. It wouid be wonderful to hear our own MP, Mr Greg Barker, shadow environment minister do the same at the forthcoming public inquiry into the Bexhill Link Road and help stop the 50,000 cars and lorries a day which will pass through the Combe Haven Valley adding thousands of tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and devastating the countryside with pollution, noise etc. We all know cars and roads are not the way forward, so let's stop this ridiculous, unneeded road scheme now. G PLUMMER The Sackville Tribute to Harry Harry Hamilton's delightful weekly gardening columns must have given pleasure to numeous readers '“ gardeners and non-gardeners alike '“ over the years. If, as would sadly seem to be the case, Over the Garden Fence has been dropped as part of the reorganisation of the newspaper group, he mustn't be allowed simply to vanish without a word. His knowledge of plants is impressive, yet has always been presented with the lightest of touches, making it both informative and entertaining, while at the same time including plenty of practical seasonal and local advice. Any chance of a reprieve? The impersonal Homes and Gardens advertising feature just isn't the same... CYNTHIA REAVELL Friars Bank Guestling Hastings Wow! I'm guilty! THANK you Mr Kenneth Marston (letters April 24) for making me giggle! Because I am guilty of using, I think, these most descriptive words '“ wow, fantastic, and absolutely. It is my age, 70 going on 17, but I particularly value your input. Generally we do not like adverse criticism but I welcome it because writing is my passion, and I too like to see gentlemen in neckties. YVONNE LIGHTFOOT ST-JOHN Nazareth Close Generous public PLEASE could you find space in your columns to thank the general public for their support during the official collection for Guide Dogs for the Blind outside Sainsburys last weekend. The final total was 761.97, for which the chairman and commitee are most grateful. May I also remind your readers of the event on Sunday May 10 when there is a Sponsored Dog Walk along Bexhill Promenade? This begins at 3pm, from the foot of Galley Hill; sponsor sheets available from 01580 882204. Thank you on behalf of the local Guide Dogs for the Blind Commitee, together with all those with impaired sight who benefit from public generosity. LUCY YEARDSLEY Secretary, Bexhill, Hastings and Rother Branch Filsham Road St Leonards Jet ski threat to beach I WONDER how many people are aware of plans to fence off the beach at Herbrand Walk, build 20 larger-than-average beach huts and provide car parking, in the first instance for 100 cars, but with a view to add another 100 spaces if a further land acquisition is successful. The planning notice was initially attached to the fence running alongside the railway, hence invisible to beach walkers and could only be glimpsed by drivers as they negotiated the pinch-point between said fence and the beach. New notices have this weekend been erected on the beach. This proposal seems to be a gross overdevelopment of a rural area on a narrow road. The intention appears to be to encourage more water sports, in particular jet skiing. The application states that car parking will be free '“ initially, but for just how long? Should increased use of extremely noisy, smelly, polluting jet skis be encouraged in this eco-friendly environment? The beach is separated by the mere width of the railway line from both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a RAMSAR site. Full details of the proposed development can be found on Rother's website and the date for comments has been extended to May 12. VALERIE HAMILTON Clavering walk, Cooden Unspoilt beach in danger COULD WE ask you to look at Rother planning ref RR/2009/686/P and the 69, so far, letters against this development proposal on line? The planning department has put three notices up along the beach, which are continually torn down, and they state that they do not need to inform adjoining landowners individually! Herbrand Walk beach is a beautiful, unspoilt area which should remain so. The only reason that we have so many complaints against the proposal is that we and several others just happened to see one of the notices before it disappeared, and called other beach hut owners and the rest has been done by word of mouth to local residents. We really need our local paper to lead the campaign, not only to prevent this development from going ahead, but to secure a long term future for this beach. It is a RAMSAR site and next to a site of special scientific interest. Also, as you will see from all the letters to planning, nearly all object to these jet skis, not only for the proposed new school for them, but that they are on this beach now. All complain of the noise, pollution and health and safety issues as they will not comply with the rules set out for them by the council. We are continually fobbed off by the council which says it has no jurisdiction over these craft and the coastguards cannot get involved until there is an accident. Please could you cover this story for us; these jet skis are a menace to all who enjoy the tranquillity of this area. SIMON and CAROLINE ATKINSON-JONES Collington Grove, Bexhill Fears for peaceful beach ON SATURDAY we went on the Bexhill Museum's Stepping Out walk and learnt about the planning application for 20 large beach huts, 100 parking spaces and a water sports development including jet skis at Herbrand Walk. Like many residents I am horrified by the implications if this planning is allowed to happen. Just imagine the noise of 100 jet skis hurtling up and down the sea front '“ and the planning is for activity from dawn to dusk for six months, April to September. No more peaceful picnicking on Herbrand Walk unless you fancy one in the winter! Interestingly there is no mention of toilet facilities. Personally I would have thought this would adversely affect the Cooden Beach Hotel and the golf course. Recently I have been enjoying the improvements to the hotel but won't be going again if this development goes through! ELISE DAVEY Brockley Road, Bexhill Next meeting of the Wrens (The Hastings & District Association of Wrens) THIS APRIL the president welcomed us to the annual general meeting as our chairman was unfortunately still unwell. She gave a brief account of the past year's activities during which we had some very good speakers and members had some enjoyable outings. Sadly we had lost two very loyal and long-standing members of the branch, but were very pleased to have gained two new members during the course of the year. Various matters regarding the future were then discussed and it was decided that our charities for next year would be the WRNS Benevolent Trust and the Returning Heroes Fund. After a break for tea there followed a long discussion as to where our future meetings should be held, as it was felt that the rise in the cost of the hire of our present venue was too great for such a small group as ours to be able to afford. A ballot was taken as to whether we should meet in Hastings or Bexhill, and resulted in favour of Bexhill by quite a large majority. We therefore hope to meet at St Mary Magdalene's church hall, Sea Road, Bexhill, on Tuesday, May 5 and would be extremely pleased to welcome any other ex-Wrens who would like to join us there. For further details please ring our chairman on 01424 222721 or the secretary on 01424 211102. MOLLIE HICKIE Bexhill Reason for campsite's end I HAVE read with interest the saga of the sale of the St John Ambulance headquarters and campsite but would like to point out a few excuses made by County Commander Dr Walsh for selling the site which are not in fact completely factual. In last week's report the unsuitability of the campsite for use by young people and the subsequent loss of the cadet and badger units appears to be a major reason why the campsite had to be sold. To start with, the badger section never used the camp site for its meetings and so could not be a reason for their demise. Similarly the location of the campsite was in no way to blame for the closure of the cadet division. Each week the division's minibus was used to transport the cadet members from various pick up points around the town to take them to the campsite for the meeting and afterwards the minibus was used to drop them back again. One or two cadets were dropped off and collected by parents and a group of youngsters attended each week from St Mary's School, being delivered and collected by their own minibus. I was the officer in charge of the cadet division when the decision was made to close the unit, the sole reason being funding problems. Historically the adult division had paid the cadet division's share of the rent of the camp site for their help at events in the area requiring first aid cover, and in recognition that cadet members could be future adult members. However, the officer in charge of the adult division at that time decided that they would no longer support the cadet division financially and this therefore ultimately resulted in the closure of the division. It is ironic that the county management committee has agreed to meet the future rent payable by the adult division when they find new premises. If that offer was made seven years ago the cadet division may well still be thriving in Bexhill. GARY WAGHORNE Galley Hill View, Bexhill Chandler Race success I WOULD like to thank all those who competed in or helped in any way to make the Five-Mile Keith Chandler Memorial Race such a success. Especially to Val Vint and all her helpers from Hastings Lions Club and to Marcia Dart for all her help and to the volunteers from St Michael's Hospice. Very many thanks to you all. TONY DEMARCO Race Director, Hastings Runners Magnificent flowers I WOULD just like to comment on the very magnificent display of flowers on the seafront and in the Manor Barn. They are beautiful every year, but this year the gardeners and the powers that be have really excelled! A big thank you to all concerned! S SANDERSON Top Cross Road Praise for the gardeners WE would like to congratulare all the gardeners for the fantastic floral displays all along the seafront and in Egerton Park. Thank you for all your hard work, it is very much appreciated. ALAN PITCHES Old Town, Bexhill Maytime and the spring A blue haze of forget-me-nots hide In the flickering shade of the tress And slender bluebells jostle by their side Caught by the early morning breeze It is Maytime and the Spring Tenuous shoots tremble on the bough And busy nesting birds merrily sing Of love, for life is earnest now The woodland leaves are young and green And the hedgerows are in bud In the pregnant earth new growth is seen And crawly creatures creep in spring's primeval mud And all the world is fresh and new The grass is green and the sky is blue In our hearts the blood is pulsing red And youthful passions stir Adventurous thoughts within the head And we were young again, as once we were And childlike watch the fleecy shadows Float ghostlike from the far-off hills Into the sea, engulfed in the surging foam Lost, as are the shadows that spill over the horizon Into some nirvana, that is forever spring and home Where winter's rage has ne'er set foot thereon Where in the glad hearts of men spring ever stirs anew And the grass is green and the sky is blue Dr ROY V WHITLOCK Bexhill Thanks to Conquest staff ON BEHALF of my mother and my sister I should like, through the medium of your paper, to express our profound thanks to the staff of the Conquest Hospital, and especially those on De Cham ward. My beloved father was admitted for the last 10 days of his life and throughout the whole of that time all of us were shown unfailing care and loving kindness to the utmost degree. From the consultant to the cleaners, everyone was kindness and consideration itself and Dad couldn't have had better care anywhere. Everything was kept spotlessly clean and all was accomplished with consistently good humour and respect. We, his family, were kept informed at all times and, in our turn, were looked after as well. So, a great debt of gratitude to everyone involved; many thanks to you all. HILDA MOREY, VERA NICHOLLS, NICKY MORETON Maple Walk Cooden Moonwatch at De La Warr A BIG thank-you to Patricia Lochans and her staff at the De La Warr pavilion in supporting the Society's Moonwatch on the South Terrace. We had a large number of members of the public who saw the moon for the first time through powerful telescopes. Moonwatch was run in conjunction with the the International Year of Astronomy 2009. SIMON S ALLEN Secretary to East Sussex Astronomical Society, Heatheduen Road, Bexhill