Be grateful for not so small mercies

Bexhill is indebted to the Halifax for having put the town on the national map this week.

Its "quality of life" survey ranks Bexhill third among the country's seaside towns.

In this instance "quality of life" equates to the premium house-buyers are said to pay for the privilege of living near the sea.

Others would argue that there are many other contributory factors to be taken into consideration in assessing why buyers are prepared to pay a given amount for a property in one coastal town as against another.

However, be that as it may, Bexhill has reaped some national publicity this week which is not only free but also helpful.

Bexhill has long been proud of its seafront and beach. Since the birth of the town as a seaside resort in the late Victorian era it has sought to capitalise on this natural asset.

But it has many others.

Sometimes it takes the eyes of a visitor to put into perspective the other assets we enjoy. Taking part in Saturday's conducted Summer Walk by Highwoods Preservation Society were two holidaymakers from Venezuela. Clearly, they were captivated by all that they saw as with other less far-travelled walkers they were shown round the 87-acre wildlife habitat.

Though proud of their home city of Maracaibo and full of praises for its lake-side park, they were deeply appreciative of the fact that Bexhillians have an abundance of country walks to enjoy within easy reach of the town centre. We take for granted the opportunity to get away from the crowd and enjoy what Nature has to offer.

They don't.

Though in this blighted summer of 2007 many Bexhillians would not agree, they also appreciated our climate.

"Breezy Bexhill" might have done its best to blow holidaymakers off the beach this week but Saturday was a calm and sunny day. Clearly, it was preferable to life in a city of 11 million people where the humidity is stifling and temperatures are constantly in the mid thirties Centigrade '“ except in the hot season when they top 40!

The writer of old summed up Bexhill's situation.

"Count your blessings one by one."