WHEN local MP Greg Barker joined Bexhill Health Walkers for a New Year stroll and posted comments on Twitter, little did he know that it would lead to a meeting with former Manchester United and England star Gary Neville, writes Lynda Turner.

Leaving no doubt about the power of social networking Greg’s comments on Twitter about his seafront walk with the Health Walkers on January 6 were seen by Gary who then tweeted the Bexhill and Battle MP.

David Beckham’s best man Gary has more than a quarter of a million followers on Twitter.

Following the initial tweet, to Greg, Gary visited the MP at his ministerial office in the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

Greg said: “I was delighted to meet Gary.

“Although he has now hung up his professional football boots he is now a real champion for sustainability and green issues, especially in sport and is building his own, sustainable home.

“We had a really useful and positive discussion about the power of sport to engage young people in a whole range of important issues and how we hope a more positive message around green issues could help us re-engage the public on the important climate change and green challenges of our time.”

Gary Neville is considering revising his plans to build an eco-friendly ‘Teletubby’ house on greenbelt land in Lancashire, complete with wind a 100ft wind turbine, after a number of residents objected.

PICTURED: MP Greg Barker and former England and Manchester United star Gary Neville talk about sport for young people and green issues at the MP’s ministerial offices in London.

A TEENAGER who stole legal documents and Disney stationery worth almost £300 was off his head on valium, a court heard.

Lee Johnson, 18, of London Road, Bexhill, was chased by police and arrested after stealing the items from WH Smith in Hastings on February 3.

He pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court last week.

It put him in breach of a conditional discharge imposed by a court on December 29 for two other offences of theft.

Mark Kateley, prosecuting, said: “He was in the town centre and had a bag which he dropped on the floor when police saw him. There was a chase and he was arrested after a bit of struggle.

“He admitted taking the items, which included packages on how to make a will and tenancy agreements, valued at £292.62, and told police that he had taken some valium that day which had affected him.

“He was given a conditional discharge in December after stealing a hoodie and two jackets worth £100 from TJ Hughes in Eastbourne and cufflinks worth £84 from another shop in Eastbourne.”

A probation officer told the court: “He is a vulnerable person who has been influenced by drug users in the community.”

Ronan Crummy, defending, said: “He was so spaced out he didn’t know what he was doing. You only have to look at the items he stole to see that. They would have had no street value. He does not even know why he stole them.”

Magistrates fined Johnson £75 and allowed the conditional discharge to continue running.

Chairman of the bench Gordon Waters told him: “Your life seems to be in a complete mess.

“Disney goods and legal packs is a strange concoction.

“Any more nicking and you will be back in court and likely to be sent to prison.”

ONE of Bexhill’s longest established businesses, Hampton’s, the menswear shop in St Leonard’s Road, has put up signs to announce a closing down sale.

But the shop, which came into being in 1904, is not a victim of the recession and continues to trade healthily. Rather, the reason for the signs is more simply explained.

Karen High, who has run the business with her husband Andrew over recent decades, said: “We are selling off stock because we have decided to retire.”

Mrs High said the decision for them to step down had not been taken lightly, and they were grateful to the many customers who had supported them over the years.

She added: “People have been particularly kind since we let it be known we would be going, and there’s not a night now when I don’t go home in tears at the many compliments and expressions of goodwill we have been receiving.”

No date has yet been set for the couple’s final day in business, and the shop will continue to trade for the time being - albeit with many bargains on offer.

THE Court of Appeal has upheld a High Court ruling that government plans to cut subsidies for domestic solar panels overstepped the mark.

However this has proved too late for a Sussex housing association which wanted to introduce solar panels at 178 homes in Bexhill.

AmicusHorizon said its ambitious scheme across the south east could save tenants £190 a year, but had to abandon the project as the proposed new rates no longer made the scheme cost-effective.

A spokesperson for AmicusHorizon said: “We noted the High Court ruling to uphold the solar panel subsidies. However, even if the ruling is also upheld by the Supreme Court we don’t have time to take advantage of the original feed in tariff before the cut off on March 3.

“This is very disappointing. We had to cancel our solar panel project, as under the new rates it’s no longer affordable for us. The original feed in tariff would’ve provided an income stream to generate a range of community projects, helping our residents in combating fuel poverty.”

Sidley councillor Maurice Watson (Lab) said the judgement was a ‘slap in the face’ for the Energy and Climate Change Minister, Bexhill MP Greg Barker, who is seeking the cuts to the tariff.

Cllr Watson added: “It’s just such a shame the decision came too late for Amicus Horizon and that tenants have been left out in the cold.

“We should be working towards a green local economy that could provide jobs and growth right on our doorstep. Helping more people to plug into clean British energy will help protect cash-strapped households from soaring fuel bills. The Tory-led Government has talked up a green future but actions speak louder than words.

MP Greg Barker said: “We disagree with the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold the High Court Ruling on feed in tariffs and we are seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

“I want to see the available funding spread as far and wide as possible making feed in tariffs a scheme for the many not a scheme for the few, supporting sustainable jobs in solar and in a whole range of small scale renewables.”

LAST week’s Nostalgia Spot line-up sparked a response from the chairman of Bexhill Cricket Club.

It was a photo of a team which Michael Dawes, of Willingdon Avenue, hoped readers might be able to identify.

Now Martin Phillimore tells us the trophy being proudly displayed was the Ward Cup for the winners of a 20 overs competition.

The photograph was taken at Bexhill Grammar School after Bexhill 2nd XI beat Little Common in a re-arranged match on a Sunday morning after rain spoiled play at the Central Ground in Hastings.

The missing names are Peter Winchester (middle back), Martin Cowley (back left) and Richard Matthews (back right).

Marin comments: “I am sure it was 1980 as Nicky Pratt (now Smith) looks about 14.

“Ernie Harris is a leading light in the local bowling community. Only myself and Richard Matthews still play cricket, although Nicky Smith is still a playing member hoping to make another comeback shortly.

“Clive White (seated centre) now excels at golf, being a member of Cooden Beach Golf Club A team; he gave up cricket soon after the photo as he only had one shot!

“Of the 12 people pictured Jeremy Lovegrove, Jeff Chinn, Dave Cowley, Ernie Harris, Mick Dawes, Martin Cowley, Ian Roughley’s family, Martin Phillimore, Richard Matthews, and Nicky Smith are all still involved with Bexhill Cricket Club 32 years later, a fact that the club is very proud of.”