Your letters - October 8

Great news for cyclists

WHAT excellent news! I was delighted to read that we're finally going to get a cycle path between Glyne Gap and St Leonards.

My husband and I regularly cycle to Hastings and, while he trecks across the shingle, I take my life in my hands on the Bexhill Road, so this will be a welcome relief for us both. All we need now is a cycle path along Bexhill seafront.

A couple of Sundays ago, having cycled safely to and from Hastings, we were cycling along the road past Bexhill Sailing Club when a car passed me with centimetres to spare.

Before I had time to shout I was horrified to see the car clip my husband in front of me, sending him sprawling into the road.

The elderly driver did pull over and stop, but couldn't actually get out of her car '“ luckily my husband wasn't injured, and walked over to speak to her, although she would not give him her name.

As cyclists in Bexhill we are currently in a no-win situation '“ if we cycle on the promenade we are subject to abuse from pedestrians, and if we cycle on the road we are at the mercy of a minority of careless drivers.

Until we get our own cycle path, could I please ask Bexhill drivers to accept that we have to share the road and treat us with more consideration before someone is seriously injured.

SUE KLEIN

Cooden Drive

Bexhill-on-Sea

Speculative venture

AT the last meeting of the Town Forum Cllr Patten stated that "there couldn't be a better time to spend public money".

He and Councillor Maynard are key members of the Cabinet and joint holders of the Delivering Value For Money portfolio.

They haven't given much consideration to this with Bexhill's seafront.

I have always thought large sums of public money were only spent on projects that were absolutely vital and for which there was overwhelming public demand - not on speculative ventures like Bexhill's seafront and the Colonnade.

JACK SEABROOK

Richmond Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea

Looking forward to it

I AM getting extremely fed up with the negative letters written every week complaining about the Next Wave development of the seafront. The individuals concerned seem to assume that we all have the same views and opinions.

I would like to state that we do not. A lot of us (possibly even the majority) are looking forward to the modern, up-beat prom.

So, 400 complainers protested at the Town Hall last week against the planned shelters. Those of us who are in favour of the new look were either at work, college or school!

Those Edwardians that people keep harping on about were "forward thinking" so lets be like them and move with the times.

J HARRIS

Kewhurst Avenue

Bexhill

A lovely precedent

ARE you having problems with a planning application for removing a garage and replacing with a summerhouse, or replacing wooden windows with like-for-like upvc, or perhaps providing a hardstanding (and many more similarly significant developments)?

Well, help is closer than you may think. Rother District Council appear to be setting a lovely precedent for you, as they are in the process of changing our seafront beyond recognition, erecting shelters/windtunnels, which differ substantially from the shelters formerly in place and yet all of this without any planning permission!

One wonders if they had chosen to put up a giant tomato with carefully co-ordinated yellow plastic seating, this would also have been considered "permitted development".

The new kiosk, which was an integral part of the scheme, would according to my sources definitely have required planning permission.

Strangely this has not been applied for. And now we hear the new kiosk will not now go ahead because of the financial position!

When I raised a question about this at the Bexhill Town Forum an answer was not forthcoming.

So, if someone you know is having problems with a planning application and comes to you to see if you know someone who can help them, you will of course say shh... but you'll know who!

Carole Woodland

Cooden Drive

Bexhill-on-Sea

Thanks for donation

WE would like to thank the unknown "Bexhill Pensioner" for her most generous donation to the Bexhill Rowing Club Boathouse Fund.

RODNEY REEVE

Vice President

Bexhill Rowing Club

They're trying to hide?

First of all I would like to thank all those who attended the town hall rally against the designs for the seafront shelters.

However, what a pity not even one of the three main protagonists in this current drama dared to come out and defend their pet designs.

Could that be because they know they would be attempting to defend the indefensible?

These three men lurking in the shadows, the ones who are shamelessly promoting these 'Heath Robinson' designs are council officer Tony Leonard, Councillor Maynard, and the sponsor Councillor Starnes. This triumverate appear to have carried out a programme of secrecy and deceit under a pretence of a policy of transparency, clarity and consultation. The cult of secrecy has become so bad that Tony Leonard is even upset that the seafront works are in full view, enabling the public to ask questions of the workmen. What are they trying to hide?

The other councillors have had no view of the shelter design for 10 months. They did not see them until we did. No wonder many of them are hopping mad. The excuse for this secrecy was that the designs were being modified. What a joke. All that has basically changed is that the metal has changed to wood, and what a clumsy use of wood.

These designs were doomed from the start when the designers stated: "We are not seeking enclosed shelter... we want to be honest with the environment." Well, they got it wrong and now Leonard, Starnes and Maynard are trying to cover up the mistake.

These three conspirators should hang their heads in shame for trying to foist the horrendous so-called shelters on this delightful little town that we love and totally ignoring the opinions of the residents and even many councillors.

One mantra often used by Mr Leonard and his cohorts is - "of course, not everyone will like the designs". Well for once he got it right. You never said a truer word, Mr Leonard.

Jackie Bialeska

Vox Pop

Breaking my heart

AS a former councillor, town mayor, and chairman of several trade bodies, but more importantly a Bexhillian born and bred, it breaks my heart to watch our town slowly decay or be torn apart by those in authority.

I do not point the finger of blame at individuals; I myself should have done more during my time at the town hall to halt the decline.

From Brussels to Bexhill, the unelected pull the strings, and sadly, elected members either cannot object or are caught in political groups. So often the spirit of hard work and genuine passion to improve what we have is stifled because the group decides how the vote will go.

We, the electorate, are disenfranchised because our ward councillor has to toe the party line.

I am sure this administration will claim they have done huge amounts for regeneration, with the new Elva Business Park being the flagship, but why-oh-why do they keep telling us in such an arrogant way what is good for us?

I congratulate them for delivering this wonderful new site, as I am sure it will help the local economy and retain much needed employment. However, when it comes to wasting money and not punching their weight, just look at the De La Warr Pavilion.

More than 500,000 a year of taxpayers' money to support a closed shop of a few influential people and the Arts Council - not a lot for the majority of residents.

Then we have the seafront improvements. Right or wrong, here again the majority are being ignored and we are arrogantly being told what will be good for us.

We are rapidly approaching local elections, so regardless of party, ask your local candidates what they will personally try to do to improve our lives.

I have not written this letter to upset or annoy those currently doing their best, but to support them. However, I do feel we are quick to ridicule those whose views will never be heard because the current political group and cabinet voting system does not allow any form of dissent, free-thinking or democracy.

I love this town and our people - they have always been good to me personally and to my family business - and it saddens me when all we seem to hear is what is wrong.

We have a lot of untapped talent, great ideas to be explored and wonderful surroundings to enhance and preserve. Stop the madness, genuinely consult and give credible influence back to those who create the wealth and pay the bills - the residents and businesses of Bexhill.

STUART EARL

Former mayor

Great sense of dismay

IT is with a great sense of dismay that I I have been watching a gradual destruction of Bexhill's once lovely seafront, where I live.

When the idea of regeneration was put to

us, we were told there would be open discussions.

This turned out to be being told what was going to happen, despite most residents being against the plans, especially as it was going to cost us a lot of money.

Rother District Council's capital is our money.

I went to last Monday's protest gathering about the shelters - a misnomer for a start: has anyone looked up the meaning of shelter in a dictionary?

Apart from not being fit for purpose, they are so extremely ugly.

So now we will be having not only a badly-designed, trashy seafront, but these monstrosities. I cannot envisage what it will look like in five years' time.

I am a senior citizen, but these sorts of discussions cover all age groups, and not all youngsters favour these changes.

The councillors who reckon people are going to flock to our town to see this seafront are living in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

They did use to come, because they liked the seafront as it was.

I can only hope someone sees sense regarding the design of the shelters, but I suppose

it is a done deal and far too late to change anything.

And in any case, as it is not their money they are wasting, they don't care.

MRS PATRICIA CLEMENTS

West Parade

Bexhill-on-Sea

Well done seafront shelter protesters

CONGRATULATIONS to the team for organising yet another hugely successful demonstration giving residents the opportunity to air our grievences against the ongoing fiasco regarding the proposed "shelters" that are to be placed along West Parade.

I use the word "shelters" loosely as I, like countless others fail to see how these can possibly be considered fit for purpose. The new design should be refered to as an open sided "shed" which, I suppose, could be deemed within keeping when set alongside the other "sheds" that are placed on the beach area between the months of April and September.

That said, at least the beach huts do offer the occupant complete protection from the elements. Perhaps the council could have saved an awful amount of time and expense had they decided to produce four large "beach huts" and fitted them out with deckchairs or similar which would at least have given us the added bonus of back and arm rests!

I question as to how difficult it can be for a design team to continually fail in it's task of producing something that does what it says on the label, particularly when the basic criteria had already been met with the original shelters that we have now lost.

We have gone from having four seating areas on each side of the shelter which gives people the opportunity to sit in comfort whichever way the weather blows, to one communal "bench" set within an open sided shed. The idea is barking at the very least.

It is blatantly obvious from the letters in this paper alone, that the residents just cannot understand how these designs are going to afford the protection that is required from such structures. If the councillors are so sure that the shelters will comply to the remit with which they are tasked, then why did they not extend the courtesy of acknowleding our prescence on Monday and show us the proof/evidence they have that they will actually work. What tests if any have been carried out?

Why not produce one and see how it performs to the varied weather conditions that the seafront throws up. If the shelter fails, then I suppose we could resort to encasing it in polythene with a 'zipper for entry/exit, but this would deter from one's view.

Perhaps we could install a projector to show scenes of Beachy Head on a summers day!

John Ellis

West Parade

Bexhill

One of the failings

ONE of the failings of our present democratic system of government is that it allows incompetent or corrupt individuals to make decisions against the wishes of the majority of its citizens without fear of removal until election time, by which time damage may have already been caused.

This somehow needs to be changed so that voters can have more influence over decisions made on their behalf.

Ironic that the present government is pledged to giving more power to the people in the "Big Society".

Meanwhile we continue with situations like the present seafront saga.

For example, we already have a bandstand unfit for purpose and now the proposed seafront shelters also unfit for purpose.

D MAY

Osbern Close

Bexhill

Sensible to cut our losses

So much money appears to have been wasted already, without success, in the search for a suitable design for the seafront shelters. It would seem sensible to cut our losses now, and accept failure.

Of course this would cost money, but it would seem to be the only way to prevent the installation of these totally unsuitable shelters.

The rest of the West Parade development could proceed unhindered leaving spaces for more practical shelters to be provided at a later date, as and when funds permit.

If we wait to "see what they will look like" it will be too late.

Marian Milne

West Parade

Bexhill-on-Sea

Council has got it wrong

YOUR editorial and letters in last week's Observer (October 1) show conclusively that Rother District Council has got it wrong regarding Next Wave.

The council leader and his cabinet colleagues, together with the director of services and his staff, must be stopped in their tracks before they bankrupt the council.

It is not too late to take action, and I suggest:

1 An immediate full-scale review under a new chairman and with the support of all councillors and community representatives;

2 Instruct the architects to suspend any new works until the review has reported. Defer the start of all contracts;

3 Ensure the handling of the project by architects, quantity surveyors and contractors is strictly controlled and will not proceed if the concepts and pricing are as irresponsible as they are now;

4 Ensure the public is consulted;

5 Complete the ground work on West Parade at once, if necessary altering plans to save money;

6 Ensure that plans for the rowing club building and the colonnade are revised and brought into a sensible economic scheme;

7 Tell the trustees of the De La Warr Pavilion that they must co-operate fully with the council and cease their wayward attitude and programmes, which do not contribute to the economy of the town or the district.

BASIL STREAT

Cantelupe Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

We think it's an improvement

WE are writing to say that we believe that the improvements to Bexhill Promenade are going to help to make Bexhill a better place for tourists and people who live here.

There is a long stretch of the promenade which will allow adults to rest while the children play on the amazingly creative play equipment which is being installed at this very moment; this includes lounging logs and a wobble dish. There are also walls with holes in which would be brilliant for playing hide and seek as well as using for playing football and other activities. Another fantastic thing about the play equipment is that it is separate from the areas where people will be walking. We think that it will make a stroll along the promenade much more interesting and safer.

We are very enthusiastic about the water feature next to the Colonnade which will be fun and we are looking forward to interacting with it next summer.

We also feel that the brand new indoor caf on the Colonnade will be a useful addition to the seafront because you will be able to get out for a walk and have a drink by the sea even when the weather is bad. The extra kiosks will give us more choice of things to buy at the seaside.

Another good idea is that signs will be placed all along the promenade telling us how far we have walked. This will be excellent for keeping healthy and fit.

We believe that all these great changes will make Bexhill a helpful and friendly environment and will also make it an interesting place to be. We are really looking forward to seeing the project finished. Why not go and see the improvements to the seafront for yourself?

The Primary Schools' Council for Bexhill

FOOTNOTE: The Primary Schools' Council for Bexhill is made up of one year five and one year six student from each Primary School in Bexhill (All Saints, Chantry, King Offa, Little Common, Pebsham, St Mary Magdalene, St Peter and St Paul and Sidley).

Where is evidence?

AN article in The Economist of September 25 quotes the Labour leader of Hastings Borough Council as saying "the mooted new road link to Bexhill would reduce onward journey times to Brighton and London." But where is the evidence for such a statement?

The main argument in support of the link road is that it will enable areas of Bexhill to be developed for industrial parks and social housing, both of which would result in an increase of traffic along the section of A259 from the traffic lights in London Road, Bexhill, through to the Little Common roundabout and along Barnhorn Road. Yet at times this stretch of road is already severely congested.

Spending 100 million to transfer a bottleneck from one section of the A259 to another would not be a sensible way of spending our money. Incidentally, were the results of the inquiry held by Mr Tipping?

D W WOOLLER

Collington Rise

Bexhill-on-Sea

Gardening question

One of the things that catches out reporters for any newspaper is a sudden breakout of news and all at once.

In the so-called Next Wave project (a silly name in itself) there has been a deluge of reaction to the latest proposals as shown by the c.500 Bexhill people who demonstrated outside Bexhill's Town Hall last week.

However, while this was taking place I have just been concentrating on one subject and that is the "gardens" that are being assembled on the seafront and the choice of plants that is being made for the salt spray area of West Parade.

At the last council meeting I formally raised a question about this which was covered in your paper but, as there was no reporter present, the follow up question was not covered.

That question was: "Bexhill's sea front is just over three miles long and extends from Galley Hill in the east to Herbrand Walk in the west.

"Along that length there are 239 properties which include blocks of flats (each counted here as just one property) and which have direct access to, but no protection from, the sea.

"So, taking the very lowest conservative figure of just 239 people involved in gardening (unlikely though that is), can you tell us how many of these people were consulted about their practical experience of trying to grow plants on Bexhill's sea front before you embarked on the Next Wave gardening experiment: where were they and what was their advice?"

Councillor Maynard answered that no local residents had been consulted before this scheme was started.

The next day was the Bexhill Forum and, to everyone's surprise, it took on the appearance of a "public riot" !

It would have been remarkable for any reporter to have coped with the shouting and confusion going on. In anticipation of that happening again (Heaven forbid!) might it not be a good idea to bring along a tape recorder and be able to analyse it at leisure? On this occasion with your reporter at the back and active participants in the front, one very important point was missed. Having lectured the audience on "democracy" (seemingly ad nauseam) Councillor Maynard had the tables turned on him. What part did democracy play in the choice of the shelters was the question. Cllr Maynard declined to answer with a wave of his hand. The question was repeated. He still wouldn't answer. Finally, the chairman specifically asked Mr Maynard to answer the persistent questioners. He declined again.

For those of us in the front rows this was a classic case of "the biter bit" and it made our day!

A P Hamilton

Southcourt Avenue, Bexhill

As it used to be

IN this atmosphere of doom and gloom, particularly over Bexhill seafront, your readers may find a brief visit to the Eastbourne Movie Makers' web page - www.eastbournemoviemakers.co.uk - amusing.

Just click on "members' videos" and the picture labelled "fishing", then sit back and enjoy Bexhill again - just as it used to be.

JOHN PICKETT

Fontwell Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea

For the 21st century

WELL done to those who protested outside the Town Hall last week about the proposed shelters for the West Promenade. On paper, the shelters do not look fit for purpose.

But unfortunately their protest is greatly diluted by the fact that those concerned seem to be the usual "vox pop" suspects, led by Jackie Bialeska. She and her supporters are against any change in Bexhill, especially the ones being carried out in the Next Wave project.

Although the West Parade features were quaint in their way, the seafront was looking very tired and outdated.

The new promenade has something for people of all ages and the mixed materials and extensive planting is a design fit for the 21st century, excellently complementing the De La Warr Pavilion.

The Pavilion and the seafront are the jewels in the crown of the town and the money spent on them is an investment, not a waste.

Along with other improvements to the seafront, especially the development of the Colonnade and the Rowing Club, Bexhill will become even more of an attraction to people from all over the region who, in turn, will spend money in the town.

Good luck to the protesters with their campaign against the proposed shelters. In a democracy they have every right to protest about whatever they feel like.

However, I am sorry that they appear to want everything to remain exactly the same as it has been for decades and do not recognise that change in the right way and for the right reasons can bring many benefits to all those living in Bexhill.

There is an old Groucho Marx song whose recurring chorus is: "Whatever it is, I'm against it!" I only hope that, once the improvements are completed, the "vox poppers" will recognise the positive benefits of the Next Wave project and will sing as one: "Whatever we said, we're for it!"

ALAN BEARNE

Park Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

What's coming next

FIRST there were ... iPods. Then there were ... iPhones. Next there are to be iSores - all along Bexhill seafront!

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Suitable qualification?

THE article in last week's Bexhill Observer (October 1) concerning an accident involving a passenger on a Stagecoach bus at Herstmonceux contained a statement from Stagecoach management that "our drivers do not carry first aid kits as they have not been trained to use them".

The driver was not being asked to perform brain surgery or an amputation, but to possibly clean the wound and apply a clean dressing until qualified services arrived. A matter of common sense. Stagecoach must have a low opinion of its drivers if it believes they lack this.

The AA and RAC recommend that all cars carry a first aid kit, and in some countries it is compulsory. Presumably we can carry them but not use them unless trained? This, of course, would also apply to all households that have one.

As first aid kits are available in all good chemists and other outlets perhaps they should be banned from selling them to the general public unless they can produce a suitable qualification in first aid.

M COLEMAN

Cranston Rise

Bexhill-on-Sea

New manager

AS reported in last week's Observer, Margaret von Speyr has retired after five and a half years' sterling service as manager of Bexhill Caring Community.

As her newly-appointed successor, I should like to add my thanks for all that Margaret has done, including helping me to get started.

In my new position, I would like to formally thank all those who generously donated to the town centre street collection that we held on Saturday, September 25.

We were blessed with good weather on the day and I am pleased to report that we collected a magnificent 384. Donations may still be made through our office in Sackville Road in order that we may continue providing the services for which we are recognised.

MARTIN TURNER

Manager, The Bexhill Caring Community

Sackville Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Thank you, station

WELL done to Bexhill railway station and its staff for winning an award. Last year we had some American friends arrive from California and, not knowing when they would arrive, we awaited a phone call to go to collect them.

When it came, it was to find that they were at the Northern Hotel. Apparently, a lovely young lady working at the station had kindly taken one of our friends there to see if it was suitable for them, and had then gone back to fetch our other friend and to collect all their luggage.

I am sure it must have been Wendy Renshaw, as they said it was a tall blonde lady. I always meant to go along to thank her for such a lovely gesture towards first-time visitors to our country and our town. So may I say "thank you" now to Wendy or whoever it was.

Incidentally, I would just like to know why the station signs still say "Bexhill" and not "Bexhill-on-Sea". Come on, Southern - give us our full name.

Mrs C J CRILLY

Frirst Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea

Talking politics

The government has abandoned "progressive austerity" - it wasn't playing well with the public - and is now trying "fair cuts" either in the hope we will be fooled by the new label or that by suggesting everyone will suffer somehow that will make us happier.

Of course everyone will not suffer - wealthy ministers to start with - in particular those most responsible for our current difficulties. And who are they?

According to a recent public survey the banks top the list. Interestingly, they are followed closely by homeowners who speculated with their property (which led to the massive housing bubble).

Significantly, neither the public sector or the trade unions figure. And - this will give pause for thought in some quarters - the top political party blamed is the Tory party.

Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England, speaking at the recent TUC Conference, blamed "policy makers" and "people like me". He really did!

All of which brings us neatly to Tina. You haven't heard of Tina? She's the girl who can't say "yes" as in There Is No Alternative.

Tina is the latest in Coalitionspeak and actually means that there are alternatives "but we don't like them and you aren't going to get them." So much for democracy. We are repeatedly told that this is the "New Politics". It isn't. It is the parade of the Old New. Remember Tacitus? "They make a desert and call it peace".

Stephen Jackson

Second Avenue

Bexhill

For cross purposes

THERE has already been quite a lot of interest in the government's proposal to hold a referendum throughout the UK on the voting system we use to elect Members of Parliament. This is due to take place on May 5 next year, when there will also be local government elections in some parts of England.

Now is the time for your readers to make sure they have filled in and returned the annual canvass forms they will have received through the post, to make sure they are on the electoral register.

You can now even ask for a postal vote, so that no matter where you'll be on polling day, you won't miss your chance to have your say.

Our website, www.aboutmyvote.co.uk, has lots of information about the annual canvass and forthcoming elections and referendums.

PETER WARDLE

Chief Executive

The Electoral Commission

London

Wait For It

I've been waiting for this.

It's ten minutes past ten.

I wait a few seconds more,

ten seconds to be precise,

Yes it's ten seconds past.

Then I look at the calendar,

It's Sunday the tenth of October

in the year of our Lord

Two thousand and ten.

So it's all the tens then.

It's 10:10:10 on 10/10/10.

Well at least it was

a short time ago.

It won't happen again.

Thinking about it,

a thousand years ago

that two was not there.

It was actually the year 1010.

RAY RIPPINGALE

Firle Road

Little Common

Recovering well

Through the Observer, I'd like to thank the people especially the A&E nurse who called me to tell me about my husband's accident the morning of September 27 about 6am.

Thanks also to the ambulance crew, police and hospital staff for taking good care of my husband, especially my brother-in-law Jason Lear.

He's back and home and is recovering well.

Mr and Mrs Lear

Pankhurst Rise

Bexhill

Hope they will pay

THE vandals who wrecked Hastings Pier will no doubt pay for their crime in due course.

Let us hope then, that the vandals who are currently wrecking our West Parade seafront will pay for their crime at the next Council Elections.

Gillian Duly

Newlands Avenue

Bexhill