Your Letters - June 20

Water waste

AFTER months of people getting clamped on the Ravenside Industrial Park because of either misuse of the parking bays or not shopping in the stores and leaving their cars there, now how can the owners allow a car wash outfit to set up and use God knows how many parking bays to wash people's cars?

It is hard enough to try and find a parking space to use the shops, I have noticed people drive around for ages especially on a Saturday just to park and shop. Are the owners either not aware or are getting a kick-back, is there one rule for shoppers and one rule for the owners? Also in this day and age of being constantly reminded to go green and also save water etc don't you think we have enough of these car wash facilities on every corner. Wait until we have a so called drought again I bet my bottom dollar the car wash will still be there wasting valuable water.

MARK WHITLOCK

Address supplied

Vote apathy

I FEEL like joining the "Apathy Party". Why? They always seem to win at local elections. Most of us prefer to back the winning side, be it football, cricket or politics, so the result of the King Offa by-election made me think about changing parties. 'Apathy' polled three times as many votes as the others put together!

Of course, congratulations are in order to Michael Ensor on his win and I am sure all wish him well. After all, the county council provides more than 350 essential services for our community and Cllr Ensor's party are the majority group on it. But he has a mandate from only 15% of the people of King Offa because 75% did not vote!

Shame on those citizens of King Offa, when millions of people died in several wars and our soldiers continue to make the ultimate sacrifice (five in five days) in far off lands, just to secure your freedom to put a cross on that voting slip.

If you are moved at all by these words, then there will be another chance next year to make amends. For the good citizens of Sackville Ward in east Bexhill the chance comes on or before July 3. Don't let the 'Apathy Party' win again - they don't deserve to!

MARTYN FORSTER

Gwyneth Grove

Pavilion policy

AGAIN we feel we must correct some inaccuracies written in a letter by T. M Coleman last week (June 13).

As rightly reported on page 42 of the same edition of the paper, the Pavilion has enjoyed a number of sell-out shows recently. On the evenings when we are at full capacity, the Pavilion has taken the decision to restrict access to the building to everyone but the 1,000 members of the public who have bought tickets. This is for the health, safety, security and comfort of our ticket-holders and not because it is a private event. The next sold out event is on Saturday, June 21. Visitors should call 01424 229111 to check whether the building is open before they leave home or check on the website www.dlwp.com

Lunch is served at the De La Warr Pavilion restaurant between 12 and 3pm (12 - 2.30pm weekdays) but, when the restaurant is exceptionally busy or fully booked we, at times, have to take a short break in service. This is to ensure that our existing customers, and those who have reserved tables, are given the best possible service. To reserve a table in the restaurant, please call 01424 229119.

We look forward to seeing you at the Pavilion soon.

SALLY ANN LYCETT

Head of Communications

De La Warr Pavilion

Parking fee

I READ with interest another letter (T.M. Coleman, Observer, June 13) that some people seem to have a problem with the De La Warr Pavilion. I moved down to Bexhill about four years ago; I have visited the Pavilion once in that time and was not impressed.

We now have to pay 80 pence to park for one hour in the car park there, that is on top of any of the seemingly high prices for refreshments in the Pavilion itself.

If someone is not very good at walking they could possibly park for free further up the sea front but possibly cannot walk the distance back to the aforesaid Pavilion.

As we are apparentlyl funding the Pavilion out of our Council Tax why do we have to pay a car parking fee at all? I can understand visitors to the town being charged a small parking fee as seems to be the trend now in every car park but why can't local people obtain a reduced cost "season ticket" to park at a more acceptable rate as technically we own the Pavilion or is that being a little cheeky for our Councillors, after all if I wish to visit my bank I have to pay 80 pence for the privilege as parking in any of the streets around the shops is at a premium and more money is spent going round and round looking for a parking space than possibly spent parking at the Pavilion in the fist place.

If so many people do seem to have a carp about the place why don't they do what I do, just don't go there, plenty of other coffee shops and restaurant's in the area will welcome you with open arms and without the overheads!

Karen Stewart

Duke Street

The pavilion is run by the De La Warr Pavilion Trust. The car park is run by Rother District Council. -Ed.

Final curtain

I ENJOYED a fabulous concert with the Hastings Philharmonic Choir and friends on Saturday, June 14 - but I (and I am sure many others) was very sorry to see that nobody made an effort to publicly thank the conductor, Roger Wilcock, for putting together such an extravaganza.

Especially surprising since I understand that it was his last concert as musical director! There was something fun, something interesting, lots to think about, and all of it enjoyable.

So on behalf of all who have enjoyed your excellent concerts over the past four years, thank you Roger, for all your hard work! You've taken the choir on a tremendous journey. As the Mayor said, "Follow that!"

LINDA ALLEN

Cooden Drive

Another world

I WRITE this letter to publicly thank our social / activities / events team for their hard work in putting together a fine display including a montage of photographs showing the park through the years since it

opened. So thank you, Chris O'Grady, Sheila Hayes, June Brewer, John Malley and not least David Hughes who provided the transport.

It was a wonderful day, great weather and what a joy to see so many children and their parents enjoying themselves. At so many events in the town one sees only us oldies, so an event like the Green Day reminds us that there is another world out there!

John Betts

Head of Fundraising

Society of Bexhill Museums

Lions' cash

BEXHILL Lions Club would like to thank all those who donated to their recent collections in Bexhill, Sidley and Little Common, so providing funds for both the Alexandra Rose Special Appeal Fund and the Bexhill Lions Youth Awards Fund. A total of 206.84 was collected and, with no expenses, both charity funds will benefit from the generosity of the local shoppers.

Avril Earnshaw of the Lions' Youth Committee commented "With the Lions Youth Awards fund depleted following the awards to several youth organisations last month, we are very grateful for all contributions to enable us to rebuild the fund for the 2009 awards. Indeed, in addition to collections, we are also looking for sponsorship from local companies and residents, so if you can help please contact us."

DAVID BURTSOW

Bexhill Lions Fund Raising Chairman

Memorial Day

I AM writing to let your readers know that June 21 is Memorial Day, where at World Cancer Research Fund we remember those who have lost their lives to cancer.

This year we are marking Memorial Day with our Wildflower Appeal by asking people in the local area to plant seeds in memory of a loved one.

People can also make a donation to our cancer prevention work for Memorial Day in remembrance of someone they have lost.

The money raised will help World Cancer Research Fund continue to fund its research into cancer prevention. To make a donation, visit www.wcrf-uk.org/memorialday or call 020 7343 4205.

TERESA NIGHTINGALE

Head of Fundraising, World Cancer Research Fund

Baha'i prayer

Re: Baha'i Concerns, Bexhill Observer - Friday, June 13

SINCERE thanks from Bahai' s in Bexhill. Special thanks and gratitude to Mr Gregory Barker, MP for his kindest support and immediate response. Most sincere thanks to Bexhill Observer for their kindest voluntarily support and assistance. Many thanks to Bexhill Town Forum namely Mr Ken Hutchinson - chairman who brought the issue to the attention of the Forum regarding Bexhill Baha'is concerns of the arrest of their co-believers in Iran, during its meeting held on June 10. Copies of a fact sheet placed on the table and announced by the chairman.

Still no good news to share and no further development. But we believe firmly that prayers especially when collectively said will be heard by Good Lord. So let us all pray for people who are under persecution one way or another throughout the world wherever they are, whoever they are. Much obliged.

BEXHILL BAHA'I GROUP

Wickham Avenue

Party faithful

MAY I through your paper express on behalf of the members of the Bexhill Hospital League of Friends our very sincere appreciation to all the stall holders, sponsors and helpers who supported the garden party last Saturday. You may be assured the money raised will be put to very good use in purchasing invaluable equipment for the hospital.

It was a very successful event and very well supported by the community we are now in the planning stages for next years event which will be held on June 20, 2009. Thank you all once again.

DOUGLAS MAYNE

Garden Party organiser

De La Warr Road

Election thanks

FOLLOWING the results of the election last Thursday, and having been elected county councillor for East Sussex County Council Bexhill King Offa division, I would like to express my thanks to everyone who voted for me, and for all the helpers who assisted with the campaign.

It is my desire to represent all of the people in this county division to the best of my abilities, and I look forward to meeting and talking with you about the issues that are of most importance to us.

Michael Ensor (Cllr)

ESCC King Offa Division and Rother Central Ward

Election thanks 2

Re: Collington By-Election

I WOULD like to thank those of you who took the trouble to turn out and vote for me.

We did not win, but there is always a next time and perhaps then there will be a better turnout. This

time it was a little disappointing.

It was very nice to meet a few familiar faces whilst knocking on doors and I have to say my reception from most people was extremely encouraging and kind (whatever their political hue).

Once more thank you for your support - I will be back.

CHRISTINE PURDY

Liberal Democrat

Road upkeep

APPARENTLY the upkeep of our local roads is the responsibility of the ESCC.

If so could the people responsible inform the residents of Bexhill and Hastings when they intend to start?

R. SANDERSON

Top Cross Road

BHF collection

THE British Heart Foundation raised 467 from the collection outside Sainsbury's, Bexhill on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 and would like to thank all who contributed.

JACKY CHRISP

British Heart Foundation fundraiser