Your Letters - September 15

Maggots shock

AS I put my two black bins out in readiness for the rubbish collection day, I noticed small white things inside. On closer scrutiny I realised that they were tiny maggots. My rubbish was all well wrapped in bags within black sacks with the lid tightly down, but because the weather has been quite humid the past two weeks the rubbish smelt terrible.

I have never before seen maggots in my rubbish bin. This would not happen if the rubbish was collected weekly. A fortnight is too long, especially in warm weather, to leave food rotting.

Other countries do not leave their rubbish rotting for weeks. In hot countries it is collected daily. I am fortunate that I do not have to store my bins outside my front door as do many of my neighbours. This is a public health hazard. There are already rats that come regularly to our garden and to those of my neighbours.

Also, I would like to know why a recycling scheme has been started before the facilities to accommodate it have been put in place. We were told that when we received our green garden bin we would be able to put thin cardboard in as well. Now we are told no cardboard is allowed. The facilities at Little Common for cardboard have been taken away because too many people were using them. Surely these facilities should have been increased rather than withdrawn. What kind of thinking is this? Are Rother serious about recycling? I and many other people cannot afford the time or petrol to either queue at Pebsham for two hours or drive a 24 mile round trip to Mountfield to get rid of cardboard that we used to be able to fit into our bins when we had a weekly collection. Apart from the effect on the environment of all the extra vehicles visiting the tip what do those without cars do? Hastings have a sack collection for cardboard, why can't we? Also, why, when in other areas they have wheelie bins or large sacks for recycling plastic and cans are we in Rother forced to put two weeks recycling in a small black box which is inadequate for the shape of many items.

I have no objection to recycling but please give the residents of Rother the proper facilities and the convenience to do the job properly.

G AMMOUN

Amherst Road.

A disgrace

I THOUGHT that I should just add my comments on what a disgrace the new system of rubbish collection is in Rother. The council never answers the phone on the helpline when you call for assistance and for the first time in 20 years since we moved to Bexhill we have experienced maggots in our dustbin. We have always recycled as much rubbish as we can quite often my car used to resemble a dust cart with all the cans, paper and bottles in it heading for the recycling bins. That is I must say a thing of the past as I now refuse to use my car for doing this job.

The new system just does not work, the ordinary bin is too small for a reasonable sized family of four's rubbish over a two week period despite all the possible recycling being done, and also where is the mythical green garden bin I don't believe they exist.

The refuse men also have the wonderful habit of just dumping the bin where they see fit as against the very strict instructions given to us as to how and where our bins should be left and at what time.

The whole system together with the reduction in access to the council tip at Pebsham is going to lead in the long run to more fly tipping I am sure.

I am quite convinced that the change to the various bins and twice weekly collection has nothing to do with being greener and increasing recycling but in Rother Council being able to cut costs at the expense of its rate payers.

I D STUBBS

Portfield Close.

Village bins

I HATE to say "I told you" so but .back in mid August I wrote expressing my frustration and anger at the non emptying of the cardboard recycling bins at Little Common.

I said then that the council did not take recycling "seriously" now we hear that they are to withdraw this facility,

I think the only aspect of recycling that interests them is "can we make any money out of it". While in the "told you so" vein someone is going to get seriously injured or even killed if something is not done to curb the speeding traffic in Woodsgate Park, we even have buses "flying"up and down at the moment....yes I know, I am definitely turning into "a grumpy old man" and I'm only 57. Thanks for letting me "let off steam" on your pages.

R.E.Wilks

Woodsgate Park.

Achievers 1

AMONG the many facets of the Mayoral year are the numerous opportunities that one has to participate in ceremonies commemorating the wealth of talent evident in our town. Such was the case last week when I had the privilege of attending the Bexhill Achievers Awards ceremony, when the outstanding achievements of so many of our citizens, irrespective of age, was demonstrated. In an age when the misdeeds of a small minority of people receives such media prominence, it was enchanting to hear Observer editor Peter Lindsey describe Bexhill as an amazing place.

In the context of achievements I cannot let this occasion pass without congratulating Sandra Melvin, chairman of Bexhill in Bloom, and all her colleagues in yet again receiving rewards in their welcome attempts to enhance the beauty of our town.

Pity about the roundabout!

Well done to you all.

PAUL LENDON (Cllr)

Town Mayor.

Achievers 2

CONGRATULATIONS to all involved with the Bexhill Achiever Awards. What a heartwarming evening with so many stories of courage in all its forms and service to the community.

On behalf of the Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd I would like to thank all who nominated the museum for the Best Leisure/Tourist Attraction Award. A real boost to our members now that we have closed ready for the redevelopment works to start next month.

I would also take this opportunity to thank the directors of Bexhill Museums Trading Ltd for sponsoring the Gill Hamilton Young Person of the Year Award. The two finalists fully deserved their recognition and it must have set the judges a hard task deciding on the winner.

JOHN BETTS

Head of Fundraising

Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd.

Clamp puzzle

FURTHER to the letter in this week's Observer (September 7) regarding the small car park at Glyne Gap, also the following article on the car clamping on same site. I wrote to you and had printed a letter on the same subject, in which I asked why was council land given over to a private company and was some payment received also what safeguard's had been put in place so that access to the car park and use of the beach would not change.

It is over a year since I wrote, RDC gave no response and it seems that the problem has not gone away. Will RDC or someone through your newspaper please tell the people of Bexhill for what reasons the transfer took place and who gained any benefit from it, certainly not the users of the beach.

R. ALLDER

Ridgewood Gardens.

Forum form

LAST week I was able to attend both the Rother District Cabinet meeting and the Bexhill Town Forum. I was interested to note that at the Cabinet meeting rural councillors felt that they were unable to commit on matters which they felt only affect the town and that at the Forum meeting, several slips of the tongue almost said 'Town Council'.

I read with interest the comments in your newspaper on the matter of the lights for Bexhill. However had there been a Town Council, the matter would surely already have received considerable attention, and attention from a larger number of councillors who were more supportive.

Reliance on district councillors to represent the town's interests is clearly insufficient for the future well being of Bexhill. It is currently reliant on well meaning and often effective voluntary bodies to pursue local causes. But, bodies which can only influence opinion and decisions but not ultimately take the decisions. A Town Council would be more able to concentrate on the matters which need a local decision.

Liberal Democrats believe decisions should be made at the level nearest to the issue in question. Local Liberal Democrats are organising a petition for a Town Council for Bexhill and we are receiving cross party support. Indeed a future council, as is the case with most parish councils across the district could be non-political.

Next time you are approached by a person with a petition, consider taking part. This could be the first stage in a future decision as to whether or not Bexhill has schemes, such as Christmas lights, for the greater benefit of the community and to ensure Bexhill continues to maintain its character and vibrancy.

MARY VARRALL

Liberal Democrat

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bexhill and Battle.

Helpful staff

IN the past I have criticised various art events and the general running of the De La Warr Pavilion. However, I have recently been visiting the cafe at the Pavilion and must congratulate the staff there, and generally in the building, for their helpfulness and their cheerful attitude. They take a personal interest in the regular customers and make everybody feel at home. I must say to them "Well done!"

By the way, they also do a generous pot of tea for 1.20p so you can sit up there and enjoy the fabulous view for very little.

My opinion of the poor quality of the so called "art works" still stands though, unfortunately.

JACKIE BIALESKA

Bexhill.

Pavilion views

ACCORDING to a report in the Observer Cllr M. D. Ensor in addressing the Bexhill Town Forum said the De La Warr Pavilion Working Group needed to ensure it had the views of the public. To this end 3000 copies of a questionnaire were being sent to households selected on a random basis. It would be interesting to know who made the random selection. Did 50% of the questionnaires go to Bexhill residents whilst the other half went to the residents in Battle, Rye and the rural areas? And I do hope as Bexhill has been consulted via the Town Forum all town and parish councils too have been asked for their views on funding for the De La Warr.

Of course the trick is in the wording of the questions. Asked if the questionnaire would appear on the Rother website Cllr Ensor said he saw no reason why not. I haven't tracked it down yet on the Rother site.

Given that the "Love Rother Love Recycling" campaign used the same method of assessing resident's views one has to question the sanity of Rother District Council. I doubt that a majority of residents if asked directly would have voted for a fortnightly collection of household waste whilst not objecting to such a timescale for tins and paper.

It was interesting too to read in the Observer report that a Bexhill hotelier supported by a publisher of a booklet about Bexhill appealed for the opinions of visitors to be taken into account. This against a background that Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and Tourism are unable to adopt the Christmas street lighting - something that other areas including Battle take on board!

More and more I am led to the opinion the De La Warr should be a charge on Bexhill residents.

J E GOLDSWORTHY

Glengorse

Battle

Proms upset

I HAVE been going to the Battle Proms for many years, taking a picnic tea and looking forward to the aircraft aerobatics followed by some lovely music. All this was as usual this year with one very large exception.

The family and I always arrive at the Abbey around 4pm, giving us loads of time to enjoy our picnic and be very settled when the concert finally begins. But this year ...!

We arrived as usual to be told we couldn't get in till 5.30pm! Lots of people obviously do as we do re. mid afternoon arrival, so a large number of folk, us included, ended up queueing in the road at the side of the Abbey for a good one and a half hours. We were all sure that the time "doors" opened was meant to be 2.30pm. It was in the paper at that time, and was also printed on our tickets, so what happened?

There were many dispirited people in that queue I can tell you. Also - no small programmes and a conductor who never said a word. I feel it was a good job we are a musical family and between us could name every piece that was played. The aeroplane was, as always, fantastic, the orchestra very good and Lesley Garrett was in great voice but oh - the rest of it - what a shambles.

PAT GIBBONS

The Gorseway

Sofa so good

I HAVE every sympathy with Mrs Swatridge (Letters, Observer, September 7), who has had a sofa and an armchair dumped near to her property. Unfortunately, I think I know why the council have resisted all requests to move these items. Apparently they have a strict policy of never taking suites from strangers.

TIM MATTHEWS

Harcourt Street

Luton.

Confused tree

EVEN my apple tree is confused by this summer's weather. Do any other readers have apple blossom right next to the apples on their tree?

ANGELA BULA (Mrs)

Wickham Avenue.

Festive lights

THOSE who observed the cabinet meeting on Monday saw Rother at its worst.

Leaving aside the item which put 45,000 back into the reserves instead of making a cost of living increase to the Citizens Advice Bureaux over the next three years, there was the important annual issue of the Christmas lights in the town, and who pays for what.

The money for the lights comes from the Bexhill precept, that is: money set aside for town projects. This is the money which would be used by a Town Council, if we had one.

It became apparent that the Chamber of Commerce had not been asked to consider contributing and had not volunteered an offer of money.

The old lights were not fit to use again and would need a budget to deliver something at Christmas, officers told us. Among the options were several different plans and one to do nothing and, so to speak, put Bexhill in darkness.

The make-up of cabinet was four rural and three town members so predictably, there was some apologetic debate led by rural members.

It all lasted a long time, highlighting the problem which Rother District Council faces with monotonous regularity: the council and its officers cannot possibly afford the time and has not the local mandate to deal with items specific to Bexhill Town.

In short, what we witnessed on Monday was the best possible argument for a Town Council one is likely to see. The Town Forum is going to be asked for an input into the debate, but they are no more representative of peoples' views than any rural member '“ they do not possess a mandate from the electorate of Bexhill.

Meanwhile, the town, as Cllr Kentfield observed, is on a knife edge and things could go either way.

Martyn Forster (Cllr)

East Sussex County Councillor for East Bexhill, Rother District member for St Michael's Ward.

Hotel site

IN his letter (Observer, September 7) Mr Stephen Jackson seeks to criticise my performance regarding the clearance and ultimate development of the former Grand Hotel site. He uses my sentence quoted in the Observer, August 24 when I said, "I am confident that the council will now be able to force through an improvement in the appearance of this prominent site at an early date" as somehow indicative of my alleged inaction.

Had Mr Jackson taken the trouble to inspect the site or read your article in the August 31 issue, before firing off his missive, he would have seen that the clearance work actually began on August 26.

There will soon be a cleared site, with existing planning permission for 24 domestic units.

This is ideal for any developer interested in a swift return on investment. This is entirely within the commitments made by me to the residents of Sackville Ward in the 2006 By-Election and the May Election 2007.

Clearly, Mr Jackson is as usual trying to make bricks without straw. In his last sentence he writes, "But there is a lesson to be learnt here." Indeed there is Mr Jackson. The lesson is get up to date and above all get your facts correct before going into print.

KEITH STANDRING (Cllr)

Bexhill Sackville Ward

People's choice

OUR Government has signed us up to a new EU Treaty which whilst it may not be called the EU Constitution, is in all but name. Despite this massive handover of power to the EU, Gordon Brown is denying the British people the right to have their say on the future of this country. We say "Enough is Enough". It is time that British people had a say on the future relationship between this country and the European Union. It is time to let the people decide! says Nigel Farage your local MEP.

Gordon Brown has now appointed nine acolytes to be Ministers of the Regions, foreshadowing the ultimate Brussels inspired idea of regional governance over our existing countries.

Graham Booth MEP said "The EU plans to govern not via traditional democratically-elected parliament in each member state, but through centralised bureaucracies dispensing funds for the regions in line with the Social and Economic Cohesion Fund and the Common Agricultural Policy.

They are not elected, not wanted and not appropriate for the UK" he said. "What is more across the EU as a whole they are responsible for perhaps the greatest amount of fraud in the entire EU budget; upwards of 85 billion per annum".

With around 80% of all our laws now emanating from the EU, the by-pass of Westminster is almost complete and only the unelected Civil Service will remain to process the tide of legislation.

Mr Booth asked 'What is the point of MP's now that even Number 10 has made clear by these appointments that it supports regionalisation". After all 75% of our laws now in reality bypass Parliament? Why should we continue funding them and their pensions?"

We could improve dramatically our health, schools and local services if we had the 85 billion lost by fraud plus if our own Government departments were operated properly and efficiently as in Japan and the United States we could also stop wasting over 70 billion of our UK budget and spend that money on improved services to use.

PAUL HARTFIELD

Chairman

United Kingdom Independence Party

Lewes Constituency.

Bloom thanks

SANDRA Melvin should be commended for all the time and effort she puts into Bexhill in Bloom along with her committee.

It is a shame that the Glyne Gap roundabout was the first thing the judges saw on entering Bexhill. I passed there recently and thought it looked an unsightly mess and it has been like that for a while.

This roundabout heralds the entrance to Bexhill and it should be welcoming, colourful and well kept as it is the first thing visitors they see as they enter Bexhill. I have heard all the excuses about not having displays that detract the drivers at that junction, quite frankly it is an excuse for doing nothing - a neat colourful low level arrangement would be quite acceptable.

Let's hope the Highways Agency will take notice, of course they could always ask for a company to sponsor landscaping the roundabout - perhaps one of the large stores in the Retail Park might like to do it.

I also think that it would not hurt the owners of the Glyne Gap Retail Park to do something about landscaping the area along the road side. It should be looked at on the basis that it would be easy care, as it is obviously not possible for them to have ongoing maintenance of the site.

A suggestion would be to remove those over-grown lack lustre bushes and replace them with an arrangement of gravel, stones, rocks and wood. It would also be a good idea if they took part in Bexhill in Bloom and get some floral arrangements outside the shops, make it a pleasant place to shop.

We should be taking pride in the areas where we live and shop, even if it is only keeping it tidy and litter free.

B GEBBIE

Old Mill Park.

Blood pressure

COULD you be one of the 'missing millions' of people in the UK who have high blood pressure but are unaware of it and are unknowingly putting yourself at risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease?

That's the question UK charity The Blood Pressure Association, of which I am a member, is asking as the BPA launches the nation's biggest blood pressure testing event, Know your Numbers! Week, from 10-16 September.

Quick, free and painless blood pressure checks will be available during KYN Week at thousands of convenient venues nationwide, from high street and supermarket pharmacies to health clubs, shopping centres, GP surgeries and workplaces.

16 million adults in the UK have high blood pressure, that's one in three, yet more than five million of them are unaware they have it because it has no symptoms. That's why it's known as the silent killer.

The good news is high blood pressure is treatable and often preventable - but the only way to know if you have the condition is to have a blood pressure check.

To find out where to get your free check from September 10-16, please visit the BPA's website at www.bpassoc.org.uk or call 020 8772 4992/3.

I hope that all your readers will take this opportunity to have a free blood pressure check during Know your Numbers! Week 2007 and make a vital difference to their future health.

PATRICK TUOHY

Hastings.

Carbon cuts

DESPITE all the media attention in this country, we are still increasing the amount of carbon dioxide we pump into our UK atmosphere. Figures just released show that during 2006 there was a 1.25% increase. Government response is to massage this away by saying it was due to the increase in coal fired power stations being used when gas prices spiralled up at the beginning of 2006.

This, however, surely ignores the fact that we should not simply rely on a switch away from coal to gas for electricity generation to curb our carbon emissions.

We need to put far greater investment into renewable energy sources and above all kick start a campaign to ensure greater energy efficiency in our businesses and our homes.

For example we need urgently to set stringent energy efficiency standards for electrical appliances.

The recent move in the UK to phase out inefficient light bulbs by 2011 is certainly a step in the right direction, but the lukewarm response from retailers like Tescos who have refused to stop stocking old style light bulbs is disappointing.

More of what is required is the plan unveiled last month by the EU Presidency which sets out plans for a mass switch off of traditional bulbs within one year for business and street lighting and within two years for private households.

Estimates indicate that this would not only cut EU carbon emissions by about 20 million tonnes a year but would also save 3-5billion a year in domestic fuel bills alone across the EU.

That would also have a dramatic knock-on effect on alleviating fuel poverty from which we generally in the UK suffer badly.

STEPHEN HARDY MBE

Press Officer

Rother District Council Liberal Democrats.

Gap menace

Over four years ago when I lived in Sidley I suffered an accident due to a wide gap in the road. Photographs, showing the date, were taken with a 50p piece indicating the size as evidence. Correspondence flowed between me and RDC for months.

They were not accepting liability and even disputed that there was such a gap, despite the photographs.

They told me inspections are carried out every six months!

I replied that a lot can happen in six months taking into account severe weather conditions both hot and cold, plus regular heavy traffic. It is not only the elderly who suffer. I am not old. A friend of mine, in her 30s, also suffered an extremely bad accident in Sidley breaking her arm in three places and her ankle.

Unfortunately her health was not 100% at that time and the trauma caused to her body had devastating effects. RDC were not interested or sympathetic. What or Who needs to have a similar accident before they "sit up and smell the coffee?"

Re recycling bins: I do not understand why people are experiencing problems disposing of their household rubbish, recycling and garden waste. All the boxes are a different colour.

To be absolutely sure, I suggest attaching a large weather-proof label to the lid of each bin clearly stating what should go in it; had I been responsible at RDC, I would have organised such information to be embossed on the lids.

Also helpful is to mark your calendar or diary with a bright pen on the days for REFUSE (in red) and days for RECYCLING (in green).

MARCIA LINDEN

Martyns Way.

RN electricians

READERS of 'Letters to the Editor' across the United Kingdom responded to my appeal for Royal Navy Electricians to join their new Association and they wrote in their hundreds. Well the proof that such an Association was needed was endorsed on the sunny coast of Bournemouth where we held an Inaugural Meeting and reunion over a weekend.

Those who didn't stay at the hotel but lived locally came in to swap yarns and reminiscences and 'Swing the Lamp' in general and packed into the Inaugural Meeting.

Many old ship friendships were renewed, one back 51 years! What will the next reunion, planned for Llandudno bring?

This is a thank you from the Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association first 'to the newspapers who printed my letters and to say 'They are read, keep up the Letters to the Editor section' and secondly to say thank you to the readers who have ex RN Electricians in their families who live abroad and have informed them. We have members in the States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and a bit closer, France.

If you, or a member of your family, served in the Royal Navy in the Electrical Department and would like to meet up with your old mess mates, send your name and address, service number (if you can remember it) and a couple of second class stamps to help Association funds to Mike Crowe, Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association, 7 Heath Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight. P036 8PG for details.

(Please leave the self adhesive stamps on their backing paper) or email me on [email protected]. Most important, what was your favourite ship and where you would like to be 'taken back to'?

Which ships are mentioned already? Here are a few, H.M. Ships Ark Royal, (old and new), Bacchante, Bermuda, Caprice, Dundas, Eagle, Gambia, Harrier, Kenya, Lincoln, Newfoundland, Protector, Ranpura, St Vincent, Superb etc. How's that for just a sample as an alphabetical appetizer?

Not convinced the Association is for you? Visit our website. www.rneba.org.uk

MIKE CROWE

Sandown

Isle of Wight.

Eco-bunnies

Re: Letter 'Fired up' in Observer August 31

WE too are having problems regarding bunny waste. Have made enquiries on clearance - approx cost to us of 42-50 per fortnight has been quoted. As we are a charity of volunteers this is not acceptable. Is there any kind souls with ideas out there to help us keep our bunnies eco-friendly?

SUE HORSMAN

& BRENDA DEEPROSE

Bexhill Cuddle Bunny Team

Buxton Drive

Call again

PLEASE could the gentleman who called me on Monday, September 10, in response to my 'Christian' letters, call me again. You spoke a lot of sense and perhaps could help clear my mind. Thank you.

PAUL MINTER

Uplands Close.

01424 224707.

Head cases

OH yes! ... I do agree with Roy Haynes re the 'Voices in the head' issue.

"Argy-bargy" is the right description Roy.

Well done that man!

JOYCE HUMPHREY

Reginald Road.