MP sorry to see UAE project go

He was informed by the manager, Brigadier Khamis Al Nuaimi, that the project on Barnhorn Road “will cease to exist” from December 23 and that this decision had been taken for “operational reasons”.

“It is a real shame,” Mr Barker said this week.

“It is very disappointing news for the town which enjoyed a strong connection with the UAE technical training project for many years, and its generosity towards local good causes has been hugely appreciated and had a real effect.”

He added that as part of his ministerial duties he hoped to visit the Gulf in the New Year “to drum up trade and investment for British business” and that he would take this opportunity to discuss the closure of the training facility with the Abu Dhabi government.

Mr Barker’s reaction reflects those of local charities which have been given donations by the project in the past, such as Little Common library which is run by volunteers.

Jenny Private of Homecall contacted the Observer to express her “sadness” at the project’s departure.

She commented: “For several reasons they have been a great addition to our town for many years

“ It has already been reported that the economy in our town will suffer as a consequence, and indeed it will. The UAE generously supported Homecall on two occasions, once when we first lost our statutory funding, and secondly when the countywide scheme faced closure.

“Indeed, this enabled the Bexhill scheme to continue. The UAE project was not alone in its support of our plight but their generosity and prompt action certainly ensured continuing support for blind and partially sighted people in our town.

“The UAE students who studied locally have been a welcome addition to our community, their behaviour has always been impeccable, they can be rightly proud and I applaud them. “The UAE has occupied the site of the former Northeye Prison for the whole of their time in our town, I hope they have been as happy there as we have been to have them in our community.”