Butter Market offers a chance for local traders

I have read with interest the debate over the past year or so regarding the refurbishment of the Butter Market site in North Street.
As a retailer trading in Chichester for almost 20 years, I was amused by the comments regarding a 'missed opportunity' to create a food hall on the site.
I have witnessed the loss of a first-class fishmonger and greengrocer from South Street, together with local bakers and butchers. All these traders were forced to close because of the public's preference to shop at supermarkets.
What those who wish to see independent food retailers return to the city centre must understand is these businesses must be supported 100 per cent by the residents to survive.
Sadly, most food shopping is tied to the motor car. The public wish to park close to the supermarket of their choice, purchase a week's provisions and return home. Try asking a supermarket to open a store without parking.
The success, if any, enjoyed by the so-called farmers' markets etc is because of the novelty factor. These traders could not survive in a permanent site with all the attendant overheads and trade six days a week.
The luxury of the independent butcher, baker and fishmonger etc has been lost because of the general public's preference for supermarket shopping.
Those who fight the supermarket corner claim variety, value and convenience. However, we have sacrificed local produce, product knowledge and personal service for
the privilege of allowing these national retail giants to dominate this sector of the retail market.
The Butter Market must be refurbished in such a way to allow small business to succeed in what is now a very poor trading environment. The traders should be unique in their merchandise or service, the units should be well designed from a merchandising point of view and, above all, be economic to rent.
Whoever takes on the task of selecting applications for this new retail area must have more than a concern for space letting.
One does not have to travel far to see vacant shops and stores and I fear the situation will not improve greatly in the near future.
Keep it special, keep for independents but please do not allow a poor unfortunate to try to sell food in it.

TA Webber, Barnham

The last butcher in the centre of town closed its doors on Crane Street several years ago, the space now a casual clothes shop, yet another one to join the overstocked shopping ranks of the city.
There is no greengrocers and no fishmongers either in the city centre. They, too, have disappeared alongside any local or regional food shops selling quality goods bar one excellent bakery and one delicatessen, the latter sadly not in the city centre.
Granted, there are regular farmers' markets selling local produce but it is hardly the same as they pitch up only twice a month.
Emsworth, that small town, has an abundance of excellent food shops including two butchers, a fishmongers and two greengrocers. They thrive and are highly prized by locals and others willing to make the journey.
Chichester had (notice the past tense) an excellent opportunity of regaining these vital community shops in the Butter Market with a plan submitted by developers: to add a food hall, a cookery school and quality, healthy food outlets.
This was rejected by the Chichester district and city councils. It is hugely short-sighted of CDC and the CCC. Quality food for sale is a huge draw and equally a tourist attraction. It is also good for the local economy, something which seems to have been either rejected or conveniently forgotten with this decidedly-blinkered, unimaginative decision.
Chichester has an excess of national and international chains, hence the great need for sites such as the Butter Market to fulfil our local food needs.
Bristol has a fabulous covered food market given over to local produce, where small food businesses are given the opportunity to thrive. Leeds has an equally impressive one. Why not here?
There are many excellent suppliers who would relish the chance to show off their superb produce and healthier cooking methods. When are they to be given the chance to prove themselves, the Butter Market, the most attractive, sensible of choices denied to them?

Carol Godsmark, food journalist, Chichester

We have a superb and extensive number of local food producers. Cannot Woolworths be made into a permanent indoor food market that local bakers, butchers, farmers can use? It would be wonderful to support our local tradesmen, to have fresh local food and all available in the centre of town and available daily.
Like many others I use the farmers' market and the thought of having it and more (fish, WI, seasonal foods...) I am sure would be much appreciated and supported by locals and tourists.

Sheela Curtis, Emsworth



Not very neighbourly...what about cats...it's hysteria...

Despite red bins being prominently displayed in my road, four within a fairly short distance of each other, someone picks up their dog dirt in a bag and then deposits it in my garden.
To add insult to injury, one of the bins is only 50 paces from the entrance to my driveway.
I'm sure you can imagine my dismay at this. How can anyone be so unfeeling as to do such a thing?
The garden is very well maintained and obviously well cared for. Not a comfortable feeling that someone, who obviously lives in the neighbourhood, should sink so low.

Maura Field, Grosvenor Road, Chichester

Much has been written regarding the minority of dog owners who allow their pets to foul in public areas.
While I totally agree this is indefensible, perhaps it is time to balance the equation, and dare to mention cats.
These creatures are usually free to roam where they please, and deposit their faeces wherever they feel the need, which is generally in a neighbour's garden where children might play, and in my experience another favoured spot is on to the freshly-cultivated soil of vegetable plots or flower borders.
Also, as instinctive predators, they are decimating our wild bird population.
Similarly to dogs, our feline 'friends' are able to pass on to humans many diseases via their faeces, which include toxocara, toxoplasmosis, salmonella and roundworms, to name but a few.
When confronted, owners instantly retort cats are different and cannot be confined. Perhaps it is now time cat owners, too, were called upon to accept the same level of responsibility for their animal's behaviour as is expected of dog owners.

Richard Ede, Haleybridge Walk, Tangmere

Is it conceivable the near hysteria generated by some members of the public has its origins in some Freudian connection with the present state of our society, and their own inability to bring about change, resulting in the seeking out of a soft target. No pun intended.
Lawlessness, stabbings, cruelty to children and animals, binge drinking, obesity, vandalism, financial incompetence, etc – you name it, we excel as a nation.
In the meantime I will continue to run the gauntlet of dogs' poos on my fingers, so others do not have the horror and trauma of it on their shoes, reflecting awhile on the skills of the dog in serving his master in so many ways, whilst giving a love and affection seldom equalised by homosapiens.
In anticipation of those who would endeavour to correct my thinking by referring to any health hazards, I would advise that I am ever watchful for those people whose personal hygiene leaves much to be desired, in locations where my dog is not even allowed.

D Brown, Roundstone Way, Selsey



We must think before building a multi-storey

It is good to know the subject of the provision of adequate public car parking is being constantly monitored. If Chichester is to remain a prosperous sub-regional
trading centre, it is imperative this subject remains high on the agenda.
Who are we providing these proposed additional car-parking spaces for? Are they for the considerable workforce that serves the public in offices, shops and other businesses within the city who, for choice or economical reasons, commute daily?
Or are they for the general public who come to shop, do business or be entertained?
Have there been any recent surveys of who uses our car parks? Such information is needed before deciding any expenditure on future car-parking spaces and park and ride.
If a multi-storey car park was to be built in the Northgate car park we can say goodbye to the Festival Theatre, for at least 18 months theatregoers would be driven away and the financial loss would without doubt close the theatre forever.
Equally, the Market car park is so well used that to close even a fraction of the area would result in traffic chaos and the loss of trade. So both of these sites should not be used for any future multi-storey car parks.
We must recognise that almost anywhere a needful but obtrusive structure will have a monumental impact on our city.
May I suggest the only place that such an industrial type building could be sited without such an impact would be on the south side of the Avenue Ravenna just to the west of Waitrose, occupying the former sidings and then above and across the railway line. Perhaps in partnership with Network Rail and Stagecoach?
Some of the older Cicestrians will recall the grand scheme of creating a dual carriageway ring-road. The only parts that actually came to fruition are Oaklands Way and the Avenue de Chartres. Both these dual roads fizzle out to single lanes at their ends.
All motorists know the highway authority allows parking along feeder roads into the city – Bognor Road, St Paul's Road, St Pancras, Spitalfield Lane, Oving Road etc, so perhaps some thought could be given to allow on-street parking along the nearside lanes of the Avenue de Chartres. If necessary the grass verges could be incorporated to achieve a slightly wider carriageway.
One last question – why should Midhurst and Petworth continue to enjoy free car parking subsidised by the people using Chichester car parks?

Len Eyles, Worcester Road, Chichester



Please, start getting it write

I am used to purchasing my fruit and vegetables in my local farm shop and buying apple's, banana's and even potato's, but it's time to fight back.
Let's stem the tide of lemon's, tomato's and even bunch's of daff's pouring not only out of greengrocers' stalls, but also from our schools and universities.
Even my dentist had a sign telling me I can buy toothbrush's from reception.
To all those who think it doesn't matter, once the correct use of apostrophes is dropped it is difficult to get the proper sense out of a collection of words. Don't even get me started on there, their and they're!
We shall fight them on the beach's, in the field's and on the street's – I shall never surrender!

Sue Long, Selsey



We'll all be affected by the mass of new homes

I wish to draw the attention to the proposed development of the agricultural land in Chalcraft Lane. Everyone in Bognor will be affected in some way.
There will already be a large influx of people when Site 6 is fully operational. Think what the impact of the occupants of a further 2,500 houses will add to the infrastructure.
The roads, already crowded, will be at a standstill.
Want to get to the hospital in a hurry? Better start off the day before.
There are very few offers of employment to be provided. It certainly will not help towards the regeneration of Bognor – no jobs, no money to spend in local shops.
West Meads estate is likely to become flooded with the excess water flowing off the newly-built area.
Please, go for a drive or a stroll around the proposed building site and see for yourselves whether you think 2,500 (that's just for starters) houses should be put on an area which is a known flood plain.
That's, of course, if you can get there – you might have a long wait in the traffic.

Beryl Hows, West Meads

I see the Arun councillors at various meetings have been recommending houses to be put in North Bersted as they don't wish to have them in Ford,Westergate
or Littlehampton.
Not in their back yard comes to mind.
These are the same councillors who don't want Bognor to have Asda.
So it's okay for Bognor to be lumbered with all the extra housing, but they don't want us to have shopping facilities to cater for the houses they wish to dump on us.
Please remember, good people of Bognor, these are the Arun councillors who do not live in the Bognor area yet lumber us with their their proposals and recommendations.

Michael Flanagan, Pagham

I am concerned about apparent misconceptions regarding the Church Commissioners' public consultation for North Bersted and its relation to the council's separate public consultation on its Options for Growth.
While Arun DC has been aware of consultation exercises being carried out by developers, the council is not part of their process – nor could it be.
In the case of the Church Commissioners' proposal for Chalcraft Lane, the agents were clearly told by Arun's chief executive Ian Sumnall at a recent meeting they could not claim their proposal was a 'preferred option' of the council.
Throughout the district there are developers working with landowners who have proposals they wish to see furthered through the plan-making process but these proposals must be justified against other considerations including transport, housing need, flooding potential and the effect on neighbouring communities.
At this stage of the Local Development Framework (LDF) or local plan process, no sites in the district can be described as 'Arun's preferred options' – that stage will be reached in the late summer or early autumn this year once the responses to the current Options for Growth consultation have been assessed.
As many will be aware, the government has imposed housing figures on the whole of Arun in the region of 11,500 additional dwellings by 2026.
Arun has sought to resist in every way possible this high number.
However, Arun is legally obliged to accommodate through planning policy the best way of delivering additional housing. Failure to do so would mean Arun would find it difficult to resist any developer's planning proposals.
Even if Arun refused a planning application, the developer could claim the district council had not provided for the nationally-imposed figure of 11,500 and therefore on appeal to a planning inspector by the developer their plan should be approved.

Cllr Ricky Bower, cabinet member for planning, Arun District Council

How on earth do people think the roads and car parks are going to cope with at least 3,000 more cars and the resulting pollution?

K Stone, Bognor Regis



Forget dogs - first, stop people using kiosks as a toilet

There is an ongoing problem of people using any rest shelter or kiosk on Bognor Seafront as a toilet.
I live opposite a shelter and it is used as somewhere to sleep by the homeless. A few clear up their rubbish before they leave in the morning, but most do not.
There are always people of both sexes using these buildings as toilets and they do not care who is watching. If my grandchildren are staying with us, we have to draw the blinds so they see nothing.
The council has put a notice on the end of one building at The Esplanade end of the promenade saying 'toilet' in large letters. That is seen by motorists as they come around the corner from Gloucester Road on to The Esplanade, so they park up and go up the prom to what they think is a toilet.
It is, in fact, a shelter, so they look up the prom and see the toilet is about 200 yards away along the promenade. So yes, you've guessed it, they use the shelter as a toilet, then stroll back to their car or truck, not thinking or caring who sees them. Before we bother about dogs fouling Hotham Park, what about the police or council doing something about the indecent exposure and the smell that comes from the shelter when you walk by?

N Fowles, Bognor Regis

I am concerned about the increasing amount of litter scattered to all points on the beach at Aldwick.
Along with a tireless group of fellow dogwalkers, we do our best to tidy up as best we can on a daily basis, but I fear we are fighting a losing battle.
If only these litterbugs knew what harm they were doing to the very environment in which they live.
However, some of us do care and to this end, may I pass on my heartfelt thanks to those who strive to keep the shingle clear of garbage. They are, in no particular order: Liz Newdick, Keith Hardwell, Pat Hynes, Tony Sivyer, Leslie Todd, Lou Tonjeam, Bob Stone and Jessica Harnett.

Martha Farquah, Canterbury Manor Walk, Aldwick



My plans to redevelop area to benefit of Boglins everywhere

Has all the furore over Arun Council's incomprehensible decisions regarding the development of Bognor Regis and surrounding areas completely died out?
My hope is people are so fed up with their lack of representation on the council they are quietly considering all options for the future and that a hero will emerge and stand for election at the next opportunity to defend the rights of Bognor people to have their say and challenge Arun's illogical plans (or lack of them).
However, my belief is Bognor has been b***ered so much since George V uttered his memorable words that unless a visionary appears a bit sharpish, we have
no hope and Bognor will remain the butt of the less-talented comedians' jokes.
The life-force of Bognor seems to have become inextricably intertwined with Butlins. Why don't we rebrand Bognor? Perhaps we could merge the two names a rename it 'Butnor' and all the inhabitants could be 'Boglins'.
And when we think about encouraging tourists, let's not limit development to the Regis Centre proposals put forward by St Modwen. Let's have something bigger and better. Build an artificial reef to encourage fish and marine life – then fishermen and snorklers and allow sailing dinghies in sheltered waters.
A reef could be made from inexpensive scrap car tyres wired together and anchored.
Eco-friendly, too. If they can build artificial islands off the coast in Dubai, why can't we?
We could put all the proposed housing for Felpham and Bersted on these islands, as well as the proposed Asda, as there would be less chance of flooding than on the sites currently proposed.
There were three flood alert warnings in February in Bersted – yet I assume the proposed housing for this area will still go ahead when the market picks up.
In a non Arun Council-run world, jobs would come first, then housing. Wake up, Bognor, or has narcolepsy taken over the entire population?

Mrs Wells, Bersted



Why can't cyclists and pedestrians be in harmony?

I frequently walk the prom from Aldwick to Bognor and have long argued that Arun District Council should either enforce its ban or give cyclists their own space.
Having trained myself never to deviate from the straight and narrow without first turning to check I am not at risk from some two-wheeled, bell-less projectile, I am now resolved that, if I am hit, I will join the council in any action I can take against the culprit.
The Gloucester Road – Outram Road proposal is but a pinprick in countering the blight of the bike to all pedestrians, everywhere, but I wish it well.

Geoffrey Favell, Old Rectory Drive, Eastergate

I regularly walk along the prom from the Marine Park Gardens into town and often out to The Lobster Pot at Felpham.
Apart from the very middle section, I cannot ever imagine cycling being a problem along any of this length. The prom is wide enough for all towards Aldwick and also Felpham.
I like to see everyone enjoying the prom and although I am an older resident, I can also appreciate it would be a much safer option for younger people, too.
Of course pedestrians and cyclists can successfully share what is mostly a very wide space that is under-used at present.
We go abroad a lot and other resorts open up their proms to all.

Lesley Smith, Aldwick

Pedestrians and cyclists cannot successfully or safely share the promenade at Bognor Regis seafront.
You take your life in your hands as it is now. The cycle lanes that have been painted on pavements in Bognor are nearly always ignored by cyclists, as are red lights.
There would be no end of accidents, especially in the summer season with all the holidaymakers. I would fiercely oppose this idea.

Julie Brigham, Headley Drive, Bognor Regis

It is good to read there is a dedicated track from Felpham. May I put in a plea for one between the Waverley or Park Road and the Royal Norfolk?
Cyclists are in danger, and a hazard to motorists, on the road between the traffic lights at Victoria Drive, Aldwick Road and West Street.
We could use the train track, when there is no train, or give it priority when its running.
It does not need to be an expensive project – we would just like permission.

Valerie Collett, Aldwick Avenue, Bognor Regis



Yellow lines are not the answer

All painting double yellow lines along Also Ashfield Road would achieve would see is residents losing the handful of precious parking spaces we have.
Some parents dropping off children would still ignore the road markings (as they currently ignore driveways and access points), their argument being they are simply 'dropping off', not parking.
Why not erect 'no entry' signs on the turn from Ashfield Road into Also Ashfield Road with the restriction to apply, say, 7am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm weekdays only?
Why not make parents walk to the school from the Grange Centre now, instead of waiting for the alleged pedestrian access point to be built?
As for 'rigid police enforcement' of the parking restrictions already in place, I won't hold my breath; a while back, I arrived home from work one evening to find cars had parked across the bottom of Also Ashfield Road so thoughtlessly I couldn't turn in (and I drive only a medium-sized car).
I went straight to Midhurst police station to report this and told the officers on duty there was no way a fire tender or ambulance could reach the school in an emergency, only for the officers to reply they were 'too busy'.
We have lived here for more than nine years, and the tangible improvements in stamping out illegal parking on Ashfield Road, and it being used as a rat-run, together with parents accessing the school during drop-off and collection times, can be summed up quite succinctly – non-existent.

Vic Warren, Ashfield Road, Midhurst



Saddlers Row pedestrians are being forced into road

I have been asking Petworth Parish Council for help for pedestrians in Saddlers Row for some months now.
At the best of times it is difficult to walk from the centre of the town to the Leconfield estate office in Park Road, but recently there has been scaffolding outside Swan House and you have no alternative but to walk in the path of the traffic.
Also, the owners of Garden House Antiques insist on filling the small amount of pavement there is beyond the scaffolding, with goods they are trying to sell, along with a large sign, which makes access to Park Road (north) even more treacherous than it already was.
For those going to pay their rent, or who work at the estate office there is no alternative but to walk in the road among all the traffic to get there.
I feel this is far more dangerous than walking along Angel Street.
The option to cross the road to the pavement in Angel Street is far easier than it is in Saddlers Row, where the traffic is constant and two lanes going the same way.

Tessa Williams, East Street, Petworth



Inspector's ruling is just too harsh

I in no way condone the construction of an all-weather manege and a tennis court at Great Trippetts Farm without planning permission.
However, I wonder if the government planning inspector who has declared both facilities should be dismantled is acting in the best interests of the local economy – and also if she is being entirely consistent in her ruling.
The Marquis of Milford Haven has given a considerable amount of employment through his polo operation and will continue to do so if he is not discouraged by planning restrictions.
There is an established need for a manege in which ponies can be trained and exercised; a need which can only partially be offset by an exercise track.
I am a supporter of the system of planning application but in this instance, as no third party would appear to be unduly inconvenienced by the manege, I suggest a fine would be more appropriate as punishment rather than the destruction of a much-needed facility.

Arthur Douglas-Nugent, Selham Road, Midhurst



City motorists subsidise your car parking

It is good to know the subject of the provision of adequate public car parking is being constantly monitored. If Chichester is to remain a prosperous sub-regional
trading centre, it is imperative this subject remains high on the agenda.
Who are we providing these proposed additional car-parking spaces for? Are they for the considerable workforce that serves the public in offices, shops and other businesses within the city who, for choice or economical reasons, commute daily?
Or are they for the general public who come to shop, do business or be entertained?
If a multi-storey car park was to be built in the Northgate car park we can say goodbye to the Festival Theatre, for at least 18 months theatregoers would be driven away and the financial loss would without doubt close the theatre forever.
Equally, the Market car park is so well used that to close even a fraction of the area would result in traffic chaos and the loss of trade. So both of these sites should not be used for any future multi-storey car parks.
One last question – why should Midhurst and Petworth continue to enjoy free car parking subsidised by the people using Chichester car parks?

Len Eyles, Worcester Road, Chichester



It's magic - animals playing a vital role helping us cope with modern-day life

The moving article about Endal, the Canine Partners dog belonging to Allen Parton (Observer, March 19) highlights the place animals have in our lives.
We have read stories about the heroic actions of dogs helping people with audio-visual problems, St Bernard dogs rescuing travellers in the Swiss Alps and the work of sniffer dogs at Ground Zero.
This is not only a canine aptitude – my two Burmese cats are very empathetic if I am ill or upset.
In fact, my blood pressure has dropped dramatically during the two-and-a-half years they have lived with me.
They came as kittens and at nine months were assessed by a qualified vet on health, temperament, suitability and stability grounds.
After I had submitted two character references, Mishka, Bruno and I began visiting a nursing home under the auspices of Pets As Therapy.
Pets As Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983 and has at present 4,200 dogs and 106 cats visiting hospitals, hospices and many other venues.
Some people who are in nursing homes feel isolated. Children with special needs may find it easier to communicate with a furry friend.
Visiting dogs and cats are kept on leads and harnesses at all times and volunteers wear a specific uniform.
The chief executive of Pets As Therapy, who knew Endal, told me he had been made an honorary PAT dog because of all the incredible work he had done.
For more information about Pets As Therapy telephone 01844 345445 or log on to www.petsastherapy.org

Carole Marie Irvine, Orchard Close, Petworth



To the point...

I read with astonishment and disbelief the district council were considering wasting council taxpayers' money on plans for an amphitheatre at Oaklands Park.
One would expect, in these financially-strictured times, they would finish paying for their previous extravagance, the Avenue de Chartres car park, before considering another white elephant.
Hopefully the full council will get a grip on their executive board and bring this flight of fancy crashing back down to earth.

Paul Cresswell, Merryweather Road, Old Bosham

It is some weeks since the severe floods but the metal warning signs and beacons are still scattered around many roads in the area.
Not only is this unsightly, but a waste of money for ratepayers, since more will presumably have to be bought.
The WSCC quite rightly has severe restrictions on advertising boards but do these not apply to the rusting heaps scarring our grass verges?

Mary Kendrick, The Street, Walberton, Arundel

St Philip Howard Catholic High School, formerly known as Blessed Philip Howard Secondary Modern School, is based at Barnham near Bognor Regis, West Sussex.
In September the school will be celebrating its golden jubilee, as it opened in September 1959.
If you are a past pupil, teacher or parent and would like further information about the celebrations planned, plus an application form, please go to
www.st-philiphoward.w-sussex.sch.uk or call 01243 558215
There is limited space at the events, so tickets – which are free – will be issued on a first come, first served basis. Please complete and send your form to the school, with a stamped, addressed envelope, as soon as possible.

Julia Janiec, Whyke Road, Chichester (On behalf of the co-ordinating committee for the golden jubilee celebrations)

Many congratulations to Karen Wallace and her team at Chichester Library for a fantastic revamp.
I do hope this will stimulate more people to join the library and take advantage of the improved facilities.
Sit in comfort and read the Chichester Observer and the many other papers and magazines!

JA Snell, Dolphin Close, Fishbourne

Things are indeed dire for the environmentalists. As CO2 levels continue to increase, the earth steadfastly refuses to warm, sea levels just won't rise and polar bears continue to multiply. And now disastrously, the global economy threatens their funding and dilutes their influence. Much more of this and they will have to get a real job.

Richard Ingram, Broad Road, Hambrook

I have been a parish councillor in Southbourne for about six years. In all that time, I, like many thousands of parish councillors throughout the country, happily give my time and effort to do this job, without or wanting financial rewards.
I am self-employed and yet take time off to go to planning meetings etc, spending a fortune on car parking and travelling. And like many of my colleagues, never claim a penny.
Which brings me to the subject of members of parliament and ministers' dubious claims for second homes.
Mr McNulty is claiming for his parents' home and the home secretary is claiming £116,000 for a bedsit.
Their excuse is because it is there to be claimed, it is within the rules.
For heaven's sake, whatever happened to community spirit? Quite honestly, I find these very well-paid people completely and utterly disgusting.

RA Gowlett, Fraser Gardens, Southbourne

I have just received a leaflet from the Conservative candidate in the forthcoming county council elections. The leaflet exclaims 'Top marks
for West Sussex County Council', claiming 'top four-star status for quality of key services'.
This is wholly misleading. The Audit Commission has just downgraded WSCC from being a four-star to a three-star authority on account of children's services now being rated only adequate and the safeguarding of children inadequate.
Do the Tories not regard services to children as a key service or do they intend to mislead the public through a succession of untruthful claims?

Andrew Smith, county councillor, Chichester East Division

Most of the figures bandied about concerning the financial crisis are so incomprehensible to most of us as the distance to celestial objects measured in 'light years'.
But a better understanding can be obtained from something published in the Telegraph business section that puts things into perspective.
On a timescale:
* A million seconds is 12 days.
* A billion seconds is 31 years.
* A trillion seconds is 31,688 years.
But don't let it worry you, it is only money they are talking about!

Alan Bloomfield, Fernhurst

I was very glad to see the report in the Observer about women's cricket. There is still a lot of prejudice in some quarters about women playing cricket and their successes are often not reported in the national press.
There are areas where girls' sport is still regarded as a 'nuisance' and snubbed. It is therefore particularly pleasing to see a report that not only praises an excellent local player, but also refers to the whole team's successes, and the support for Holly Colvin from the local men's team.
Well done!
Perhaps I should add that though I live in Middleton, I do not know Holly Colvin.

Lyndal Mulvany, Elmer Road, Elmer, Bognor Regis

Having read the front-page account of the sad death by suicide of Lara Edgell, 34, my question is why was she not in hospital being cared for with supervised medication in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1959?

Ms Hobbs, Felpham

During the recent mini rainy-season and subsequent waterweed cutting activities along the Aldingbourne Rife at Felpham, our 10ft sailboard, tied up alongside the bank, made an unscheduled trip and is still missing.
As the board is used for multifarious activities on a regular basis, it would be good to recover it.
If you are able to assist in its location, please telephone 01243 825695.

DF Smith, Rife Way, Felpham

I would like to say thanks to everyone who made a donation to last year's poppy appeal.
We collected £9,001.80 and the effort and contributions made by the people of Aldwick and surrounding areas were greatly appreciated.

John Pitts, secretary, branch committee, Aldwick British Legion

I have on many occasions criticised our local authorities, but on this occasion would like to praise them on two recent news items.
First the request by senior officers of WSCC to have their pay frozen this year; and secondly the decision by Arun planning committee to turn down (at this stage) the application by Tesco for a store at Felpham. Well done to both parties.

KJ Whitfield, Limmer Lane, Felpham

Some months ago, the government brought in free swimming for the elderly.
When I enquired, very recently, about this initiative at Arun Leisure Centre, Felpham Way, Bognor Regis, I was informed it was not being operated, although there were hopes it might be. Apparently, Chichester swimming pool is to operate the system.
Why the anomaly?

T Easton, Beaconsfield Close, Middleton-on-Sea

Whether or not we get Sainsburys or Asda, or neither, nothing is going to tempt me into Bognor to Morrisons or any of the current shops on offer in the town.

S Aldred, Felpham


What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news
Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news
Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP