State schools offering a great education, too

Like Mr Gibson (Chichester Observer, October 29), I believe we must provide an individual education that meets the needs of each child and encourages study of a broad curriculum not just focused on improving a school's place in the league tables.

I am delighted his grandchildren are doing so well academically. My daughter also passed her first GCSE at 13 years of age and obtained her first A grade at A-level at 15 years of age.

She has had amazing opportunities including kayaking down the Dordogne; visiting the Kremlin; singing at the Royal Festival Hall; quad biking on the Isle of Wight; playing the violin in the County Youth Orchestra; fencing in the British Youth Championships and joining a group trip to Auschwitz to reinforce the message it was the bigotry of ordinary people that allowed the holocaust to happen.

Unlike Mr Gibson's grandchildren, mine attend one of our excellent local state schools where they have benefited hugely from skilled and committed teachers, a wide extra-curricular activity programme and support for them to develop their particular skills and talents.

Additionally, they have learnt if you stop to help someone who is struggling to learn it doesn't lower your grades, it raises them. They have learnt to look after the children with additional problems within their classes.

My daughter has learnt valuable mentoring skills by working with younger pupils and team-working skills by planning a fund-raising fashion show with her peers.

I wonder if Mr Gibson has visited a state school recently?

Chichester is fortunate in having several very good state secondary schools that turn children into young people that we, as a community, should be proud of.

If he avails himself of the opportunity to attend one of their open evenings, I am sure he can dispel some of the tabloid myths he appears to hold as truths.

Terri Salt, Compton, Chichester



Wonderful wildlife in the harbour

I enjoyed reading Thomas Kral's letter on November 5 about seeing a deer swimming in Chichester Harbour.

Last year John Bassett and I, both members of the Apuldram Fishing and Boating Club based at Dell Quay, were fishing on the edge of Fishbourne Mill when we saw a deer swimming towards us straight down the middle of the channel.

It landed on the point where the stones of the old building form a small island only metres from us. Then it jumped back into the water swimming south towards Dell Quay at about four knots.

Our members often report seeing interesting and unusual sightings in Chichester Harbour, including seals with flat fish in their mouths, a heron trying to swallow a long silver eel and king fishers resting on boats.

What unusual sighting have others readers had?

Allan Blamire, Brandyhole Lane, Chichester


We often see deer around Bosham Hoe – of every variety large and small. They are seen frequently swimming across Furzefield Creek, as well as walking the fields and woods of Bosham Hoe. I am told the deer summer in the Downs and come down to the coast in winter.

We had a family of Muntjac deer (the little ones) breeding in the woods of Bosham Hoe a year or so ago.

Mrs A Bromley-Martin, Tuffs Hard, Bosham Hoe



We need to guard town's heritage

I was absolutely disgusted that anyone should think about removing Regis from the name of Bognor Regis – of course we should guard our heritage.

I was born in Chichester and have known Bognor Regis virtually all my life. I think the whole county wants to forget its rich heritage for whom many have died to protect.

King George V came here to convalesce and I am sure the name was bestowed, not on the council, but because of the hard work of the many people involved in the nursing and well-being of both him and the Queen.

I saw the two Princesses in the grounds where they were staying and I saw Her Majesty looking in the jewellers shop in South Street in Chichester, I am even in the photograph aged about four years.

Please let us keep Regis, it is part of our heritage to be proud of and let us try to build Bognor Regis back to what it was.

I do not expect any of the county council highways planning officers were even alive when this honour was given to Bognor Regis, so when we think of Regis we do not think of them.

Mrs D Sampson, Devonshire Road, Bognor Regis


What a lot of time wasting by the county officials and money to re-sign the town of Bognor Regis.

Surely efforts such as those being given to this matter could better used to consider the development of the town so it can live up to its betstowed name.

My partner and I moved into the area just over a year ago and were happy to learn money was being made available to regenerate the town for the local residents to enjoy.

Now most of this programme is now on hold, apart from the proposed massive development of farm land in Chalcraft Lane for a housing development that constituents by its size a 'new town'.

Please listen to the residents of Bognor Regis who, in the majority, are against this development on such a scale and those who would like to retain the name of the town.

Our councillors are elected into office by the community and should consider that, at the next election, they could be voted out.

Christine Hall, Langley Grove, Aldwick, Bognor Regis


When I read of West Sussex County Council's attempt to ban the use of the suffix 'Regis' on new town signage, my initial reaction was that it was either a very early April Fool joke or a pathetic attempt to devalue the unique heritage of our seaside town – the latter I think.

As for their reasons for reducing the prominence of this town's crest on the sign – 'trumpeting the town's civic pride' – that's an insult, and to say that 'if someone crashed into the sign it could be held it is an illegal obstruction' is stretching credence to the limit.

We know that our town could benefit from improvements in certain areas but nevertheless we should be justifiably proud of our history and heritage, and any underhanded attempt to diminish the status of Bognor Regis must be firmly resisted.
I am glad our local councillors are robustly challenging the highway planners proposals to ensure that their thin end of the wedge tactics are not successful.

Bognor has been a favourite watering hole for royalty, the aristocracy, and ordinary folk alike for more than a couple of centuries – unpretentious yet possessing a certain charm and blest with one of the sunniest climes in the UK.
King George V spent two months recuperating at nearby Craigweil House in 1929 and subsequently bestowed the honour of 'Regis' on the town.

Any attempt by the county planners to belittle the distinction or airbrush it out must be firmly resisted.

Long live Bognor Regis.

John Richardson, Churchill Avenue, Bognor Regis



Standing in the rain is a small price to pay

I was at the well-attended memorial service in Bognor Regis, the first time I had attended, and found it to be quite moving.
Although the public address system was not as good as it could have been, I was able to hear the Words of Remembrance and Benediction and thought it was very well thought out and moving and worth every word in the pouring rain.

It made me think of all the soldiers in the first world war in the trenches and the conditions for them would have been 1,000 times worse, and then, of all soldiers and back-up personnel in other wars that serve our country come what may and in all weathers.

If, as your reader recommended, the service was moved to The Regis Centre, I would not have attended as I wanted to be out in the open whatever the weather.

May I suggest to your reader, if the exposure to inclement weather conditions is a problem, there are many churches covering the Remembrance Day services out of the weather conditions.

I am sure it will probably rain on August 14, knowing our weather.

Well done to the Salvation Army and all in attendance on that day. We will remember them – in all weathers.

Andy Henderson, St Anthonys Walk, Bognor Regis


With reference to the letter from M Ayling suggesting changing the date of Rememberance Day to August 14 because of November's inclement weather.

Surely standing in the open for a couple of hours is small sacrifice to make to honour the millions of men who endured four long years of mud, rain, cold, lice, rats and the overpowering stench of decomposing corpses.

Not to mention poison gas in the bloody slaughter of the battles of Mons, Marne, Ypres, Neuve Shapelle, The Somme, Messines and Passchendale.

If you feel you are unable to brave the elements, then many of our beautiful local churches have war memorials and hold a Rememberance Day service.

For the past 91 years it's been the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Do not change it.

Mike Cole, Pagham



Our tired-looking town centre needs a 99p shop

With the demise of two more businesses in Midhurst's main thoroughfare, coupled with the ghastly apparition of a dirty, rundown unit where Tesco first traded, I think we should encourage a 99p business to take over.

This has been done most successfully in the empty unit left by Woolworths in Petersfield.

I have visited this store on two occasions and it was doing a roaring trade.

I think we have enough food and drink outlets in Midhurst. What visitors think as they walk up North Street from the car park beggars belief.

Our dear, rather tired-looking old market town is certainly in need of a little TLC to encourage the 'bustle' back.

The repositioned farmers' market has been a great success and having to form a queue to get served was a positive pleasure.

I wonder if other Midhurst residents who care what happens to their town have any other ideas for the town and county councils to consider?

Linda Graham, Meadway, Midhurst



We must support the Players

In response to David Baker's letter last week, I would like to lend a word of support.

As a former cast and stage management member of Midhurst Players, it was sad to see the production not receive more support.

Producing a production such as Hello Dolly takes an enormous amount of effort and not a little money.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and it would be tragic if, through lack of support, the Players disbanded and we had to use hindsight.

Let's use foresight instead and support future performances, and see the Players through another 60 years.

Dave West, Pretoria Avenue, Midhurst



To the point...

Why can horses get away with messing the streets but when dogs do it, it causes uproar?

My family and I were walking along Little London and there it was, or rather there they were... pile after pile of glistening road apples dumped by a bursting equestrian.

Coo, did it stink. And it got me thinking, horses get away with quite a bit if they can drop a load on the streets as well as hold up traffic all over the place whenever they want.

So why don't horse owners clean up their horsey mess just like dog owners do? You tell me.

Mark Chapman, Foxbridge Drive, Hunston


I see in the interview with Myles Cullen, it is hinted the new museum building in Tower Street may be delayed or even not go ahead.

If this is so, it provides an opportunity for a re-think.

The style of building proposed is very popular with architects just now – a style which has featured on one or two television programmes.

One perpetrator of a house in this style referred to it in loving tones as 'my crisp white box', while an admirer of another was overawed by 'this strong white cliff'.

The fashion has its followers among the less well off, too, and I know several people who are transforming the interiors of their houses into white boxes.

It is time we opened our eyes to see these things as merely the latest architectural fad, which will have its day and soon be out of date.

Let us remember 60s 'brutalism', so much admired by the progressives of the day, and learn our lesson before it is too late.

The Tower Street site deserves a design by an architect of imagination and originality, one who can produce a modern design of distinction which will at the same time be courteous to the existing buildings around it.

Elaine Bishop, Orchard Street, Chichester


I – and many others – are delighted a harmonious resolution of the issues threatening the St Richard's and Worthing hospitals' services has now been announced.

As a result the critical service areas that were so seriously at risk – to the alarm of many in the communities of each hospital – are now secured, if the recommendation for their retention at both sites is approved as surely will be the case.

The constructive dialogue between the boards of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust and NHS West Sussex has yielded a valuable and deserved harvest to the greater benefit of both hospitals, and lays the foundations for a sound future for all involved.

It is indeed an excellent result and those at the heart of the decision are to be congratulated. It is a victory for common sense, and a tribute to the professional skills of all those who work to make the merger the success that it is.

Peter Hatley, Walberton


In April, 2005, an historic ceremony took place, unveiling a granite memorial at the gateway to St Eval Church.

More than 1,000 air crew and ground staff lost their lives at RAF St Eval between 1939 and 1959 while the station was operational. It was one of the largest operation stations during the second world war.

All ranks from RAF, WAAF and WRAF or next of kin who served at RAF St Eval are invited to join the RAF St Eval Coastal Command Association. We have two reunions every year, in April and September, and two newsletters, in January and July.

Information is available from Ray Massey on 01925 755556, Peter Salisbury on 01460 61291 or Ken Wilson on
01514 243263.

Ray Massey, Sandy Lane, Lymm, Cheshire


I would like to thank the motorist who stopped to help me when I had a puncture in Hunston.

I am an elderly person and I am deeply grateful for his kindness. He changed the wheel for me and sent me on my way.

Mrs EM Roscoe, Winfield Way, Emsworth


Following the recent death of my father, Stanley Cole, all my family would like to say a huge thank you to the excellent first responders and ambulance staff who arrived at my mother's house within a staggering four minutes of her emergency call.

Their quick response and professional transfer from Selsey to St Richard's gave him the greatest chance of recovery but sadly this was not to be.

We would also like to thank all the staff at the ITU who did everything they could in the following 24 hours to save his life.
Their kindness and professionalism was a great comfort to us all and we are indeed very grateful.

We hear so much about failings in the health service but, bearing in mind that my father suffered deteriorating health over many years, we have only ever experienced the highest level of care, patience and dedication of service from the GPs and nurses at the Selsey Medical Centre also.

This care ensured he lived a full and happy life until the very end.

We count ourselves lucky to have this excellent service and wonder what we would do without it.

Mrs S Watkin, Selsey


We are grateful to the Arun District Council chief executive and his engineering staff for fulfilling his pledge to bolster defences before winter storms.

They have been working within a straitjacket of outlandish conservation constraints.

This work will win us a very small breathing space.

It is essential we now all work together in pursuit of a proper long-term solution.

Ray Radmall, chairman, Pagham Parish Council, Bognor Regis


I am a typical 17-year-old who is disgusted with the way people are talking about us youngsters.

Yes, some of us are badly behaved, but not all of us – and all of us should not get the blame.

I am not the best behaved but I am certainly not badly behaved.

I don't see why people must treat us all the same when we are all individuals.

I do go out and see people my age doing stupid things, but then again what else is there to do in Bognor Regis? Maybe instead of wasting money on a ice-cream scoop in the middle of town, why not get something to do for youngsters my sort of age?

I would be perfectly happy to come up with ideas and I know friends who would be happy to as well.

Gemma Rogers (and friends Amii Lupson and Daniel Newell), Bognor Regis


I read with interest the account of a reader's work as a signals operator on behalf of Bletchley Park.

All the publicity about Bletchley overlooks the fact there was more wireless intelligence in action in the field (often literally).
I was a member of one of two wireless intelligence units operating in Normandy in 1944. Our task was to intercept German army signals traffic and send the intercepts to code breakers at 21 Army Group.

We also used direction-finding equipment to calculate the position of German units. I am sure we made a significant contribution.

Incidentally, before we went to France, the unit was located in various buildings on the sea front between Littlehampton and Rustington. The officers' mess was in a house belonging to Teddy Brown, the well-known xylophonist. The working place was in a lunatic asylum (no comment), since demolished. The sleeping quarters were in a convalescent home, which is still there.

Adrian Poole, Kings Parade, Bognor Regis


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