Your letters - January 8

Broken slabs hazard

IN reply to L & M Sterling, I agree with the comments about the tarmac.

But lets be realistic - it would be lovely to see paving slabs or even brick pavers.

But when they are uneven or broken as in many areas of Bexhill they are treacherous and look unsightly, as many people who have tripped and fallen will tell you.

Until the council stops any vehicles, especially lorries, mounting the pavements and breaking the slabs, we will continue to get tripping hazards.

The ideal thing would be to have the metal bollards that are in Sea Road continued all around the town, then maybe we could have the slabs back.

At the very least it will stop vehicles mounting the pavements.

J BURTON

Millham Close

Bexhill

Model was pathetic

TODAY (January 1) I went along to the De La Warr Pavilion to see the selected model for the new seafront shelters.There were no directions to where the model was exhibited.

When I found it on the top floor I realised why our local government did not want many people to see it.

The model was pathetic. How a qualified architect could produce such a travesty eludes me. If it was not for the fact that thousands of pounds are to be spent on the project it would be a laughing matter.

The "shelter" as shown in the model provides no shelter from the elements, no comfort, is aesthetically poor and completely unsuitable for its purpose.

When will all the councillors involved listen and take into account the opinions of the Bexhill people?

Everyone I speak to says exactly the same. We are not all disgruntled residents who deride anything that is new or modern but have long experience to help make judgements.

TERRY CARTER

Knebworth Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Measuring Colonnade

SINCE my comments on December 24, I have taken the opportunity to carefully remeasure the diameter of the proposed glass tower on the roof terrace of the Colonnade from a larger scale drawing.

This diameter I now ascertain to be 5.65 metres (18ft 6ins). From the same drawing the diameter of the existing cupolas measures 4.65 metres, one metre smaller than the glass imposter.

Worse, the distance between the glass tower and the concrete wall boundary to the south side of the Pavilion terrace measures only 9.75 metres (29ft 9ins).

This means that the tower will loom very large in the foreground when the Colonnade is viewed from the Pavilion terrace, and will be intrusive when the Pavilion is viewed from any angle from the south.

I appeal to local artists to create A4 sized pencil sketches of this tower superimposed in the existing landscape, and forward to the editor as a matter of urgency so that the full impact of this scenic disaster can be assessed by your ueaders. The planning committee may even take note. The date for public consultation expires on January 7.

When preparing such sketches from the published drawings artists should note that the photograph of the alleged "model" of the tower is totally incorrect in its proportions. The model appears to be smaller in diameter than its 11ft height, whereas the drawings indicate that the diameter is nearly twice the height, at a ratio of 1.68 to 1.00.

I wonder what the Pavilion publicists think of all this?

Do they understand the impact the presence of this structure will have on their favourite photographic panorama of the Pavilion from the south?

JOHN HODSON

Cooden Sea Road

Bexhill

Go and have your say

BECAUSE of the general fiasco at the exhibition of the proposed seafront shelter at the De La Warr Pavilion, and because many of the consultation forms were the wrong ones, quite a few people turned away saying "it's no use, it won't make any difference".

However the public's opinion could still make a big and important difference.

The present design is a disaster - it affords no shelter to anyone, not even a sparrow.

The thing is wide open to the cruel gales and the hot sun prevalent on our seafront.

There is no protection for regular brave walkers or the disabled, no haven for little day trip families and certainly no private cosy corner for courting couples.

Your opinions could possibly change the council's mind.

It claims to be listening and is promising some changes. The tree is going, for instance.

The exhibition, poor though it be, is open until January 13.

If you go and have your say you can have a hand in the shaping of Bexhill seafront's future. If we don't try we'll end up with something as useless as the bandstand at the De La Warr Pavilion. If we have to have new shelters let's try and make sure they are truly fit for the real purpose.

JACKIE BIALESKA

Chairman, Vox Pop

A canine request

MY dog, Maddie, is requesting that the benches along the seafront are not removed, as she finds them useful for her games along the walk.

Similar benches were removed from Broadoak Park because according to an official no one used them. I personally used them and know of many others who did.

For the many others and I who can only walk a short distance, to be able to sit and recover in order to enjoy the park was great.

How silly of the officals to go spending considerable sums of money on supposed shelters of questionable design, at a time such as the country is going through now.

E BASHER

Mitten Road

Bexhill

Election is looming

The Christmas baubles are packed up again and the New Year wishes have faded away to be replaced by '“ a General Election campaign. This campaign promises to be the longest in recent memory. Gordon Brown has dug his heels in and wishes to remain in post as long as possible, which could be as late as June this year.

The leaders of both the other main parties are already pleading with Liberal Democrat voters to cross over. Their fear is that neither of them will have sufficient support to form a government. Both claim that we Liberal Democrats are closest to them. The truth is that we have such good policies which would solve many of the country's current problems, they wish to hijack them and claim them as their own. The solution is simple, to vote for the party which had the best ideas in the first place.

My wish for this New Year is that the electorate listens carefully to all that is said in this pre-election period before making their final choice. I would like to wish all your readers happiness for 2010.

MARY VARRALL

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman

Bexhill and Battle

Thanks for the chocs

THE students and staff of St Mary's residential living house in the town would like to take this opportunity to thank the very kind lady who brought a beautifully wrapped box full of chocolates to our front door, leaving before we had the chance to find out who she was or to thank her properly.

The chocolate was much appreciated over the festive period.

So once again many thanks.

ST MARY'S SCHOOL

Wrestwood Road

Bexhill

God bless you all

PLEASE could you through your paper say a big thank you to all the people who are helping me through a very tough time at present at the British Heart Foundation in Devonshire Road, especially Geraldine Poynter the manager. I have worked there for 18 years and they have been like family.

To all the doctors, nurses and porters at the Conquest Hospital, especially on Gardner Ward, the operation team in theatre and the support nurses Martin and Lyn and all other staff based at the Conquest.

Last but not least, the wonderful staff at Parkhurst Taxis, especially Ray and Rachel and all their caring and kind-hearted drivers who have all gone that extra mile to help me through my illness.

Many thanks one and all and God bless.

SYLVIA (AND MARK) GRIFFITHS

Salisbury Road

Bexhill

Sidley's Samaritan

THANKS to the person in Sidley who found my wallet just before Christmas and handed it in to my bank.

Sidley quite often gets negative press but my wallet containing cash and cards was returned untouched. Many thanks, stranger at Sidley!

SONNY NEW

Edmonton Road

Sidley

Of our own making

TONY Smith doth protest too much, methinks (letters, January 1). Incidentally, I have lived in Germany and other European countries.

UKIP's fear of the EU is irrational and its criticisms are misdirected. Demonising the EU is a cop-out. There are no conspiracies. No plots to flood the UK with immigrants. No determination to run our country from Brussels. Our economic and financial and social woes are of our own making, as I have written in previous letters.

The simple fact is that member countries don't subscribe to this manic vision of an all consuming super-state.

A happy New Year to one and all.

STEPHEN JACKSON

Second Avenue

Bexhill

A Soldier's Prayer

OUR fallen comrades with whom

We have marched against the enemy,

Whom they have killed in battle,

Are now no less dead than they;

They now lie united in a new brotherhood,

A brotherhood of those who made the supreme sacrifice

For their Country and their beliefs;

May they now lie peacefully together

In the earth

Where there is neither hate nor hurt,

And in heroes' graves;

Where there is one realm and one King

And one anthem for all to sing.

DR R V WHITLOCK

Knole Road

Feeble attempt at a carol

I'VE no objection to genuine carol singers calling at my door to spread a little Christmas cheer and perhaps collecting for charity, but I do object to people who seem to think it's alright to spoil that which good citizens have worked hard for.

In the week before Christmas during the evening, I heard laughing outside and my doorbell was rung furiously together with a feeble attempt at a carol.

Because I was recovering from a bout of flu, I was not able to get to the door in a hurry and when eventually I managed to open the door, three girls were running off down the road laughing.

I discovered that some decorations were missing from a pretty Christmas wreath I had on my front door; something I have put up for quite a few years with no problems.

It's sad to think they were probably stolen because I did not answer the door.

Did anyone else in the Eastwood Road area experience any similar problems? I would like to know.

GILLIAN SHRUBB

Eastwood Road

Bexhill

Please consider consequences

RECENTLY I walked out of my front gate, which is hidden by a nine-foot hedge, and onto a narrow pavement.

As I did so, I felt an impact with my back and then observed a teenage cyclist wobble off the pavement and into the road.

As I weigh 18 stone plus, the cyclist was always going to come off second best.

Peartree Lane is a very busy road, fortunately for him there was no traffic in the immediate vicinity otherwise he would have undoubtedly been decorating a car bonnet.

What is of more concern to me is that I might have been an elderly, frail person.

Had the cyclist, who was clearly travelling at speed, made contact with them, he might well have been facing a serious charge.

Sadly, young people (and I was young once), together with some older people, do not consider the possible consequences of their actions until it's too late and in that "lies the rub".

TONY CLARK

Peartree Lane

Bexhill-on-Sea

The kindness of helpers

ON Friday, December 18 I was unfortunate enough to have a slight accident on my bicycle.

I came off and banged my head. It was in the afternoon between Cranston Avenue and Walton Park Junction.

Two men, possibly father and son, helped me, as did a lady from Cranston Avenue.

I would like to thank them for their kindness to me and wish them a Happy New Year.

Although pretty shaken at the time I have recovered well enough now.

L COLEMAN

Cranston Avenue

Bexhill

Professional and dedicated

I FELT I must write and express my grateful thanks to the Conquest Hospital through my local paper.

In a society obsessed by greed and self-glorification, it was so refreshing to encounter such professionalism and dedication by all the team in CCU and James Ward.

I was in hospital for four days, very unexpectedly, having been invited in for a check on a problem I was experiencing, and told it would take 10 minutes!

I'd had a pacemaker fitted 17 days previously.

What was a very frightening experience was alleviated by the way in which I was treated with such kindness, empathy and respect from the consultant Dr McWilliams, right down to the staff who served the meals (which incidentally were very nice).

So, thank you from the bottom of my heart (now beating beautifully). With rest and recuperation I'm well on my way to recovery.

Well done Conquest Hospital, Aneurin Bevan would be proud of you!

I'm still awaiting a further operation, but my recent experience has reassured me, and I know I can encounter it confident in the knowledge that I will be in safe hands.

My very grateful thanks.

VIV BARLOW

Little Common Road

Bexhill

Thanks Mr Postman...

SNOW had fallen overnight on Friday December 18 reminding us that Christmas was very near!

I hobbled my way to the bathroom and my doorbell rang at 8.45am. Still in my dressing gown I fumbled with keys and cautiously opened the front door to find a tall, smiling postman, who handed me two parcels - one for myself, one for my son...

No, he left them on the floor and dashed off. I thank him most graciously!

I do trust that congenial staff such as this will be retained in the restoration of our "once upon a time efficient Post Office".

MARIA MOCKLER

Maytree Gardens

Bexhill

Contrast on letters page

WHAT a contrast in the two letters printed side by side headed "To pause and listen in peace" and "A case of Bah, Humbug" in your Letters Page.

Accidental, no doubt, but what a shame the negative words Bah and Humbug started with capital letters, yet the desires of all our hearts, surely, of the opportunity to Pause, Listen and enjoy Peace of mind to be without.

And yes, in this troubled world, these positives can, day by day, remain elusive.

For here we are, again just the other side of the real meaning of Christmas trampled on by commercialism and profiteering.

My heart goes out to those who in their quest for seasonal gladness find themselves overstretched as the January credit card bills fall on the doormat.

Yet, surely Christmas was a great opportunity to Pause for a moment and consider just why we indulge in such revelry.

Was it not a celebration of the arrival in our world of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ?

And, surely a further opportunity to Listen to the Christmas message, the real meaning of the season.

That Jesus came to forgive us our wrong doings, thoughts and sayings.

But we have the free will of choice, but the promise is for Peace regardless of life and its circumstances. And what I find really awesome is that not only is the Christian message the same now as it was in the days this nation became rooted in Christianity, but that it is freely available to all. Surely this is the one and only gift to be desired, with no strings attached, no small print. No more bah, no more humbug!

Isn't it amazing though that the message is not lost now Christmas is over, but that He is God of infinite forgiveness which has to be the real meaning for this, and every season.

Best wishes to all readers in 2010 and beyond.

MARTIN WEST

Piltdown Close

Bexhill

My favourite time of year

CHRISTMAS is my favourite time of year,

It brings joy to everyone either far away or near.

The best part of Christmas is putting up the tree

Looking at the presents wondering what they could be.

On Christmas Eve I wait for Santa to come,

To eat his milk and cookies and have lots of fun.

I wake up on Christmas day and run down stairs

Under the tree, I see all my presents there.

Before I rip the wrapping paper I look at the tag

It's from Santa Claus saying

"Here is your dream present instead of that old rag"

I was so delighted

I love this special day

It's my favourite of them all I have to say!

RUBY HAMMOND, aged 10

Bexhill