Your Letters - May 16

Valued guide

I NOTE with considerable interest the letters and articles in the Bexhill Observer concerning the annual Bexhill guides.

I am the proprietor of the Old Bathing Station Cafe on the De La Warr Parade sea front and over the course of a year I distribute in excess of 1,000 guides, particularly to visitors arriving at Bexhill out of normal opening hours, asking where they might stay overnight. As you are probably aware I am open till late on the seafront throughout the summer and over weekends during the winter and it is at these times that visitors find the guide so invaluable. I often provide refreshments while they read the guide and I often hear them making accommodation bookings on their mobile phones.

Many visitors use the guide throughout their stay and I do feel that it provides many out of town visitors with a wealth of information which helps to encourage them to use Bexhill as their base rather than stay at the busier towns such as Eastbourne and Hastings.

I think it would be a very great loss to the town if we were to lose this excellent publication.

STELLA BRENNAN- WRIGHT

De La Warr Parade

Tourism need

I AND my husband Michael have been hotel owners in Bexhill and we know the ups and downs of that profession. Independent hoteliers have to work very hard to keep their business on target, so the assistance of a good tourist/visitors service is very important. We were spoilt with the service we got from our last Tourist Office / Visitors Centre, it was well run and efficient. I have to say the alternative we have at the moment provided by the Battle office comes nowhere near.

We have a unique town by the sea - while we were trading we found our clients not only came for our sea and beautifully maintained seafront, they also came to do their shopping in our quaint shops. We had ladies who came from Lancashire twice a year to buy their shoes, there were others who liked the linen shops, I could give you a long list.

Other people came because of the lovely places to visit and the De La Warr to see the shows. We had artists who came to paint in the area, so I would say to those people who think it is a waste of time to have a Tourist / Visitors Office - think again these visitors spend money in the town, and we need that - we have enough here supporting shops elsewhere.

The Bexhill Brochure is very important for advertising, so is a good quality website - do not waste money on one of those stupid touch machines!

There used to be two machines of a similar nature about 14 years ago, they were a waste of time, put the money towards the brochure and a website. This is a lovely town to live in, the people are friendly and it is unique in today's world - we should be supporting the hoteliers who work very hard for the town. To recap: We need a Tourist Office, a new Bexhill Brochure and a Bexhill Website - let's get this business up and running.

B. GEBBIE

Old Mill Park

Refused entry

ON Saturday, May 10, wishing to make the most of a fine evening a friend and I visited the De La Warr Pavilion with the intention of enjoying a drink on the balcony.

Much to our surprise, we were refused entry into the building as we did not have tickets to the entertainment which was showing in the auditorium, surely this is a civic building which is open to all, to use the facilities on offer even if not wishing to see any show on offer.

I understand that previously the building has been closed in the evening if no entertainment is showing, is this the right way to attract townspeople to their 'icon'? I think not, as Rother council put so much money into this building I think they should be asking the management some questions.

R. ALLDER

Ridgewood Gardens

Musical secret

IS this Bexhill`s best kept secret? We have just returned from yet another great morning`s music and are surprised that it is not even advertised in the Observer.

Congratulations to the De La Warr Pavilion for this great series of concerts organised by Mike Hatchard. The auditorium is always filled by an appreciative audience and there is always a different team of musicians. We have greatly enjoyed the return of Herbie Flowers to the last few mornings.

G. & M. VINER

New Park Ave

Door incident

IN response to the obvious bland treatment handed out by possibly erroneously named "management and staff" at the De La Warr Pavilion to Rosemary Ingham after the unfortunate door incident (Observer, May 9) I must ask what could have been the outcome if this door handle had come into contact with the head area of a person of small stature or a child.

I would think that in any case and including a similar incident to Rosemary Ingham's a claim for personal injury and a possible litigation may help to focus the attention of what seems to me to be an irresponsible attitude by De La Warr staff presumably paid by council tax payers, including Rosemary Ingham.

Perhaps we should all watch this space carefully or obtain more safety conscious and competent, courteous staff at the De La Warr Pavilion.

KAREN STEWART

Duke Street

Early clamp

MY son parked his car in Ravenside on Sunday, May 4 at 6.50am; by 6.52am he had been clamped. The clampers admitted to him that they watched him park and then clamped him. There were at least ten others clamped, all before 7.45am. I know somebody who parks there every morning and has never been clamped; this man walks his dog on the beach.

These people knew there was a boot fair so it was easy pickings for them. Surely it is safer to park in an empty car park than on the road especially as the shops do not open until 10am. I am sure most clampers are not up at 6.30am every Sunday morning. I do find this unjust and morally wrong. The motorist gets screwed enough these days as it is without having to pay 95 to get their car back, the clampers made a fortune in easy pickings.

J. CARD

Martyns Way

Post sense

I NOTE with dismay the sub post office closures and I feel the Post Office has got it wrong. I accept that they are trying to get modern and save money etc but they are going about it the wrong way. They should close the main post office, open a small unit in the town centre and forget the title "sub" post office and make them all post offices. People like smaller units and the main office is now out of date and belongs to a much earlier "colonial" era. If every town centre post office was sold off for redevelopment, possibly converted to flats over, the capital yielded would be enormous and the post office running costs drastically reduced. The proposal would result in more (not less) post offices, none called sub post offices, with a much healthier business. Is there any way that common sense can prevail, the proposal is not, after all, rocket science!

DAVID FOSTER, FRICS

Henley Down

Catsfield

Gunters Lane

HAVING read recent letters and comments in our local Bexhill Observer regarding Gunters Lane and the increase in traffic leading to the new proposed school at the Turkey Road end, I wonder if anyone has in authority given thought and consideration to the lower end of Gunters Lane (ie those very bad corners) where those three cottages, number 1, 3 and 5, are situated, no frontage to the properties and no pavement, we step straight into the road highly dangerous, as cars come round the bottom at all speeds (good hearing is a must).

I have lived here for 46 years and in the early sixties it was a lane, now it's a by-pass for all traffic leaving Little Common Road to reach Ninfield Road via St Mary's Lane and Southlands cutting out Sidley and Bexhill. I know that the increased traffic to the school will be a nightmare especially at the Woodsgate Park and Broad Oak Lane junction, it already is and to put traffic lights at Beatrice Walk would be totally wrong as those cottages mentioned will be subjected to diesel and car fumes permanently, not to mention the devaluation of these properties.

East Sussex County Council need to look again at this end of Gunners Lane and discuss with the residents at this end before doing anything. Remember Gunters Lane begins at the end of Woodsgate Park, not Deans Drive or Glenleigh Park.

L. BINGHAM

Gunters Lane

Costly search

HAVING read about the recent wasteful air-sea rescue mission, will the individuals concerned be prosecuted? The article said that the cost of the search amounted to 15,000 so will these people be liable to pay any, or all, of this back? I very much doubt it, but unless action is taken then it would seem that our emergency services will continue to be put under unnecessary pressure by such idiots.

I understand that one current 'trend' around the country is for ambulance and fire crews to be attacked whilst on emergency calls - the perpetrators should be heavily prosecuted but also when they or a member of their family needs these services their attendance should be 'hampered'; let's see how they like it!

M. CHRISTIE

Reginald Road

Mayor's thanks

THANKS to everyone who attended my Mayor's Le Roc Ball. In so doing, you contributed to both my charities, Bexhill Museum and Crossroads. The amount raised was 4,000.

I would also like to take this opportunity as my mayoral year draws to a close to state what a privilege and pleasure it has been to meet so many of you in so many different ways, you have always received me most cordially, and I have gained a more informed insight into our delightful town.

Finally, Sun and Health to you all!

CLLR PAUL LENDON (MAYOR)

Buxton Drive

Eco-talk

HRH PRINCE of Wales' Prince's Trust does admirable public service. None is more important for the very survival of life on this island than the Trust's promotion of sustainable communities. We thank Gregory Barker for bringing to Bexhill Hank Dittmar, the chief executive of the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment. At Poundbury, the Trust's famous 'eco-town' near Dorchester, as in other Prince's Trust communities, work, shops and schools are just a few minutes walk from home.

Walking, bicycling, and efficient public transport are favoured. Unlike Bexhill, the car is servant, not master of humanity. As was noted in Hank Dittmar's talk land is precious and scarce, especially on this small island, and needed for food and rain permeability. We cannot increase human numbers and build on scarce land forever. Sadly, Bexhill may be forced to build houses north-east of Bexhill. If we must cover more land, our leaders must do so as ecologically and sustainably as possible. Poundbury is an excellent model to follow. Meanwhile don't cover gardens with non-permeable materials. Indeed roll back some slabs and asphalt and let life live in our gardens again.

DR & MRS EDWARD P. ECHLIN

Thornbank Crescent

People's Palace

AS a frequent visitor to Bexhill, over a period of many years, I am conversant with the conflicting views of the community regarding the usage of the De La Warr Pavilion.

I am given to understand that the late Earl De La Warr intended the Pavilion to be used as a 'People's Palace' and my purpose in writing this letter is to express the view that the current Mayor, Cllr Paul Lendon, demonstrated that use last Saturday (May 3), with his charity Le Roc Ball which extended far beyond the bounds of the traditional Mayor's Ball. As those who attended the whole programme will testify, it was an event that embraced many aspects of the community, both young and elderly, in a most entertaining manner, and running through the afternoon until midnight culminating in the Ball.

My family and I had a most enjoyable time. Congratulations, Mr Mayor, on having demonstrated, both inside and out, that the De La Warr Pavilion can be rather more than the White Elephant it has so often been dubbed.

N. ANGEL

Address supplied

Road warning

WE live in London Road and today our cat caught a beautiful lizard from beyond the back of the garden. This concerns us because this natural and undisturbed habitat, already supporting a thriving slow worm population (another species of lizard) will be destroyed when the Link Road arrives, the plans stating it will be built not far from the bottom of our garden, where the old railway line is situated.

We have sent an attachment showing a photo of the lizard, minus the end of her tail, which lizards lose when seized by predators, enabling them to make their escape.

We are glad to say she is now safely (until next Autumn anyway, when the road building is scheduled to commence) back where she belongs.

Sarah Kendall and Jake Buckton

Address supplied

Park cancellation

THE Friends of Egerton Park were very sorry to hear that the "Hope in the Park" weekend organised by Cllr Ensor has had to be cancelled.

Our committee know how much effort and commitment goes into bringing together such a varied itinerary and we hope that this will not dissuade Cllr Ensor or others from putting on events in Egerton Park in the future.

Christine Govier

Friends of Egerton Park

Library praise

I MUST give unstinted praise for the work which has been carried out in the Bexhill Library.

A lot of new space has been found within the limits of the old building to give a spacious and efficient layout. The dcor, carpeting and lighting all add to give a comfortable, relaxing but modern feel. As the project was completed to time, congratulations must go to all involved for their hard work on this project, architects, builders and library staff.

N. A. TAYLOR

Portfield Close

Purse find

WITH the help of your letters page, I would like to say "Thank You" most sincerely to the person who found my purse on Thursday, May 8, in Sainsburys store. When I reached the check out and it was missing, I was not hopeful, but it had already been handed in.

My faith in humanity has returned.

Thank you once again.

BARBARA LANGRAN

Address supplied

Nose care

MY thanks to paramedic Gavin and partner and the staff at A & E Conquest for looking after my nose when I fell on Tuesday, May 6 - my birthday.

MARGARET PENWARDEN

Cranfield Road

Fall thanks

I WOULD like to thank everybody who helped me when I fell down in Little Common at midday on May 2.

Thanks to the kind person who called the ambulance and to everybody who looked after me.

MRS RUSH

Tilgate Drive

Shabby town

I WAS lucky to be taken out in a wheelchair yesterday, on such a lovely day, but I was very sorry to see Bexhill looking so very shabby. I hope it can be improved a bit, it is not the Bexhill I know.

JACKIE LUCK (Miss)

Eversley Road