Silent tribute to victims of American terror

The entire staffs of the Town Hall and of Rother council s community services department in Beeching Road stopped work and gathered in Autumn sunshine to observe last Friday s Europe-wide three minute silence.

Town Hall keeper Paul Fuller fired a maroon at 11am signalling the start of Bexhill s observance of a tragedy which has brought the nations of the civilised world together in united resolve to fight international terrorism.

Nearly 200 people gathered in Town Hall Square to join Town Mayor Cllr Joanne Gadd, her fellow Charter Trustees and Rother officers.

Many car drivers stopped.

Shoppers streamed out of Sainsburys and neighbouring stores. Groups of people paused by the public library and other town centre street corners.

Union flags over the Town Hall and adjoining Royal British Legion headquarters flew at half-mast as a sign of respect.

A book of condolence was immediately opened at the Town Hall. It will be available in the reception office during working hours for the public to add their signatures.

The Town Mayor was first to sign, followed by the Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Fairhurst and the Town Mayor s husband and consort, Cllr Brian Gadd.

The book will eventually be sent to the American ambassador in London. The inscription reads: In memory of those who lost their lives or were injured in the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001 from the people of Rother District, East Sussex.

Crowds attending the brief but simple symbol of Anglo-American unity were locked in their own thoughts.

Joyce Angeloni and Rita Jones were among those who gathered outside the Town Hall to join in mourning the dead.

Joyce said: It is just so terrible. I don t know how they are coping with it over there.

My son s best friend is over there, in New York, on a back-packing trip.

He rang to say that he had visited the World Trade Centre only the day before the attack. He s waiting for a flight back.

Susan and Ernie Bee were also in the square to express their sympathy.

Susan said: We just feel a tremendous sadness for all involved. We felt we would like to do what we could by being here.

Our thoughts are with the people over there.

Deputy Town Hall keeper Al Manoukien hails from Boston where the airliners were hijacked. At his reception office desk later he said: I think this shows that in time of need we all stand together.

At the end of the day, I would like to think that people here remember all we in the US did for them in the past.

Everyone who wants peace in this world has to make a stand now.

Only by good fortune was Bexhill able to mark the occasion. The Town Hall has no safe storage for explosives.

Two maroons had just been ordered from Adams of Rye in readiness for Remembrance Sunday. Despite being inundated with calls, the firm was able to release these and order afresh for November.