Your Letters - December 7

Firm intent

"THE recently restored De La Warr Pavilion has been criticised for failing to appeal to the public. More than 50 per cent of respondents to a recent survey said they had been dissatisfied with their visit to the multi-million pound iconic venue. Rother District Council has appointed a working group to review the future funding for the arts centre."

Not my choice of words, unfortunately, but those of Sussex Life in their "bad month for'¦" article, (December) a widely-read and influential magazine.

My point is that this is possibly the last chance Bexhill has through the district council working group to try and influence how that iconic building is run for our benefit. I say "our benefit" deliberately, because we make a sizeable contribution to its upkeep, it belongs to us through Rother District Council and it needs to change.

The statement of the working group chair concerning the possible inclusion of Tourist Information Centre facilities (Observer, November 30) does nothing to allay our concerns about the future direction.

A dialogue is desirable and I wish a successful outcome, but unless Rother is firm in its intentions and clearly resolved to achieve change, Bexhill and the De La Warr Pavilion will get more of the same, with financial decline and public disappointment guaranteed.

Martyn Forster East Sussex County Councillor

for East Bexhill

Rother District Councillor for St Michael's Ward

On condition

IF we are to have an information centre, make the taxpayers' contribution to the DLWP conditional upon the DLWP clearing out the tip known as the"DLWP. Off-site Premises", installing the TIC there, and deducting the cost of running the TIC from the annual taxpayers' grant to the DLWP.

DEREK DULY

Newlands Avenue

Just asking

GIVEN that the best feature of Bexhill is its sea shore, I would ask the following questions:

1. How long would the central part of the promenade be turned into a construction site? If the renovation of the De La Warr Pavilion is anything to go by - quite a few years.

2. Who will pay for the "costly" impact study, which could well be turned down on environmental grounds anyway?

3. Who would patronise an hotel and businesses situated out to sea in the winter? Nothing much here to attract local people.

4. Where are all the yacht owners who might benefit from a marina? Probably in the Mediterranean.

5. How would the sewage from an 83-bedroom hotel be dealt with?

V.A. White

Devonshire Road

Building sites

I HAVE just seen a letter regarding plans put forward by McCarthy and Stone to turn five houses into a development of 60-plus apartments in Barnhorn Road.

Why is Bexhill attracting so many of these kinds of planning applications '“ first there was the Chantry Avenue debacle and we've recently had the Pebsham case; are there really no other options open to McCarthy and Stone?

Why could they not await the building of the new Link Road and bid for one of the sites that will be opened up for development when this happens?

Every time one sees an application of this kind one is always fearful that it will get approval, despite local and council protestations (remember '“ applicants can appeal against the initial decisions but the process becomes much harder for those who oppose the developments).

But, what would happen if a developer buys up half a dozen houses, builds 100 flats on the site, then a few years down the line another developer (or member of the public posing as one, to test the water) made an application to tear down the flats so that they could build six family houses?!!

M Christie

Reginald Road

Art waste

I WAS among the many people of Bexhill who protested against the De La Warr being used by a pub chain in order that it became a centre for enjoyment of local people and those further away. What a disappointment!

I went there today (Saturday) to see the art project. What a waste of money and space!

Where are the vibrant entertainments which could be provided by talented individuals in local organisations?

Where are the works of the many local artists?

When will we have a proper pantomime which our small grandchildren can enjoy?

My husband and I have just returned from Italy and in one town saw a photographic display. This was a most enjoyable experience as the photographer had caught the local life with humour and sensitivity. The variety of emotions displayed really engaged the viewer.

We were among a crowd of local people but in the De La Warr I was on my own. Enough said?

All this has been said before but will the De La Warr Committee listen?

J. WELCH

Ellerslie Lane

So simple

ROTHER District Council needs money for the West Parade regeneration project.

Sea Space has money for the regeneration of Bexhill. Come on folks, a little joined up thinking here!

GRAHAM MARTIN-ROYLE

Cooden Drive

Craft skills

HOW wonderful that there is a revival of handcrafts now, my grandmother taught me how to crochet at a very young age and later on my mother (who is still an accomplished knitter at the age of 86) taught me her particular skill. Imagine my delight when the specialist knitting shop, Wa Waa Wool & Bits opened in Parkhurst Road three months ago.

The range of excellent yarns and wonderful upmarket patterns is astonishing, you can go there any time for a knit and natter and have a cup of tea or coffee for 1 with Fran the shop owner, if you would like to learn to knit or crochet lessons are available. I wish her every success with her new venture, another great new shop for Bexhill.

D PEARSON

West Parade

Old windmill

SINCE the letter from Gillian and Alan Beecher was so factually incorrect and since they accuse the residents of Old Mill Park of heritage vandalism may I be allowed to reply?

The Old Windmill Management Company is made up of all the residents of this road by virtue of an agreement in 1994 with the builders and Rother District Council under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The company title is forced upon us by the agreement.

As residents moved in they replaced the builders as parties to the agreement. We are responsible for everything, we sweep our own road, we pay for our street light bulbs we are responsible for the repair and maintenance of the road and pavements. We need planning permission to trim our own trees and the open land is maintained and the grass cut by the residents, if we do not do this the council can force us to have work done. If we do not comply they tell us they will do the work and send us the bill. This is despite paying full council tax.

We are also responsible for the maintenance of the remains of the mill, which came down in the mid sixties leaving the wooden structure exposed to the elements something it was not designed for. After it came down the inner wooden structure had been exposed for over 30 years before the first resident moved in. In the past seven years we have spent nearly 7,000 on maintenance of the mill until this year when we thought it was becoming dangerous.

I examine the mill at least once a week and constantly find bits of wood, which has fallen from the structure. This wood is so decayed it crumbles in your hand I also find evidence of people having been in the mill such a cans and cigarette ends. Because it was decaying so rapidly we had it examined by experts who deemed it to be unsafe and dangerous. One line in the report which concerned us most states 'the remains of the windmill as it stands has the potential to be dangerous should anyone interfere with it, or even be walking near it in adverse weather conditions'. We paid for the survey and because we are liable should anything happen in relation to health and safety we decided to apply to have the wood taken down. The report also states the wall is wobbly in places and potentially dangerous. That is the only reason we have embarked on a long and complicated procedure, which is where we are today. The mill is a listed building, which should never have been allowed to decay so badly before any of the residents moved in.

Our role is not to replace or rebuild but to maintain and ensure it is safe, the experts tell us it is beyond maintenance. It is estimated that to replace the wood alone would cost in excess of 20,000.

Remove our liability and we would be only too happy for it to remain till it falls down which we are told may not be long.

The other aspects in your correspondents' letter are unworthy of comment save to say there is no other motive other than safety, if the application for planning permission had been read in full I would not have to make this reply. We have to put up with bullying and discrimination from the local authority we do not have to put up with bullying and false accusations in writing.

M. E. F. BENNETT, MBE

Chairman

The Old Windmill Management Company (Gunters Lane) Ltd

No coats

DO our children think it's "cool" to go to high school without coats or macs when it's pouring down or the temperature isn't much above freezing?

The teachers must be fed up with dripping wet children arriving in the morning and sitting around all day in wet clothes.

What on earth are the parents thinking about letting their offspring out of the house without suitable winter clothing? Are these the same parents whose children call into the sweet shop for crisps, bars of chocolates and cans of fizzy drinks which they consume on the way to school?

DOREEN MILLS

The Briary

Manor Barn

LIFE is too short to keep protesting over the many calamities engulfing our town but I can't let the destruction of the Manor Barn gardens continue without a very strong protest. Two years ago the gardens suffered a massive clear out from which it still has not recovered. Many mature shrubs were removed because it was claimed that undesirables were using them as cover for drug taking. Eventually various new shrubs were planted but many having died, others are looking very weak and sparse. It takes but a few hours to chain saw and pull our trees and bushes but years for plants to establish themselves and make a balanced attractive vista.

I realise that all growing things sometimes need to be replaced but not by this wholesale slaughter. Where is the thought and planning in this operation?

I have heard that the stone horse trough by the toilet block is to be resited. This is usually planted with geraniums and a pleasant feature. Why should it be moved or is this a convenient way for it to disappear?

JUNE CONNOLLY (Mrs)

Sunningdale Close

Tory toll

SORRY to disappoint you, Mr Wright, because I'm sure the Labour Party would be delighted to hear I had gone over to them - but, no ("Reversal cost", November 30)! And can't Mr Barker speak for himself?

The bottom line is this: always have a fall-back position. And on current form the Tories, as on so many other things, haven't provided for an alternative over post office closures. Labour has closed some 4,000 post offices and the Tories closed some 3,500 when they were in power. The $64,000 question still stands.

STEPHEN JACKSON

Second Avenue

Live theatre

FOLLOWING up on a recent letter from Philippa Coughlan, our publicity officer, urging Bexhillians to support amateur productions at the De La Warr Pavilion, I would like to thank all those who turned out over the weekend, despite the appalling weather, to see "An Inspector Calls". The numbers were very encouraging. BLODS enjoy similar support also, proving we do fill a gap in this genre, and with your generous support we hope to continue to do so.

TRISH DALY

BATS chairman

Bright idea

I DO not object to the Christmas lights, but if council have 16,000 etc to spare, may we please have our post office car park returned.

"Just a thought".

JOAN MIDDLETON

Sutherland Avenue

Re: The closure of Collington post office

ON first hearing I found it hard to believe, this was enforced when I saw that an alternative post office suggested is the Windmill Drive office.

It is invidious that decisions of this kind are being forced upon us. Not greatly dissimilar to the choice forced upon starving sailors, stranded upon a desert island, having to decide which of their number they are going to kill first for food.

Further reflection raised the thought: "I wonder what criteria were used to arrive at this decision".

I examined the map. It looks as though the choice was arrived at with the aid of geometric dividers. The pin as tool of decision; which of course found that the Windmill Drive office is more centrally positioned than the Collington drive office. To look into the matter further I went to the Windmill Drive office, and had a look around. It is a small but well run corner shop and post office in a small arcade, typical of many small establishments which serve a residential village.

It is not true to say that there is adequate roadside parking around the shop. The estate in which it sits has narrow roads, typical of such post war estates, and heavy parking would greatly disturb the peace of the residents. The only other shop in the arcade which is of general interest is the hairdresser.

Collington - This is a large parade on a main thoroughfare leading to the town centre. This arcade has been selected by Tesco to develop one of its more important local shops.

The government owned Post Office could say that they have much more commercial sense than Tesco plc. and know better when it comes to selecting a retail site. Would the government have put the Tesco in Windmill Drive? We have to bow to respect this government's outstanding commercial success?

The Collington arcade also has an equestrian shop, hairdresser, and chemist shop, across the road from a doctors surgery.

Bexhill central post office - This is a very busy office which invariably has a queue snaking around the large shop to the furthest door. This is very tiresome and tiring particularly for the largely elderly population of Bexhill.

The closure of the suggested local offices will add to the load of work on this main post office and is likely to result in queues well into the main road.

If the post office should say they will increase the staffing, the question will be "Why is the staffing not now currently large enough to keep waiting down to, say, just half a dozen people?" Of course it could be that the post office like all government departments are interested only in themselves.

When this government says "service", (to their customers), they mean just to themselves. The meaning of a word is in its usage, (Wittgenstein).

In addition, parking in the centre of Bexhill is almost impossible during shop opening hours.

Spreading business away from a central point is regarded as good practice by large and successful companies. In this way turnover grows.

Tesco is an outstanding example of this. The reverse practice is the way of a socialist state. The extreme outcome of which is total collapse. The Soviet Union was greatest example of this.

Anyhow, this government will have its way, the majority are too timid to oppose them.

"Will the last person to leave, please put the light out!"

ALAN JONES

Knebworth Road

Copy of letter to Mr Gary Herbert,

Network Development Manager,

Post Office Ltd.

REFERENCE closure of Collington Mansions Post Office.

Collington Mansions Post Office is a well-used branch by young and old alike, many of whom are car drivers who, when this branch closes, will have to drive into the town centre, thus creating more congestion around an already-clogged area and adding to the queues in the main post office

I wonder, Mr Herbert, if you have personally visited Bexhill town centre between the hours of 9am and 5pm on a weekday and seen the chaos and queues already experienced by the residents of Bexhill.

No, of course you have not, you are only interested in cutting costs, with no regard to the needs of local people, answerable only to those men in suits who reign over us in Whitehall.

The writing was on the wall when we could no longer draw our pensions, child benefit etc from the post office, or pay our television licence fee - all in the long-term plan of this government to justify countrywide closure of our post offices.

If we still had benefit books, those missing discs would not contain quite so much personal information.

What a hypocritical farce the current TV advertisement is too, adding insult to injury; the customers' post office indeed - I think not - the customers are telling you loud and clear, all over the country, leave our post officers alone and concentrate on cleaning up your act - missing mail, pilfering, late deliveries, the list goes on.

Good service, helpful advice, the same friendly faces who recognise their customers and are willing to spend a few moments in conversation are far better than the impersonal service that bigger, busier, post offices offer - probably they have targets to hit as well!

It is up to you, Mr Herbert - listen to the customers and deliver what they want, not your masters in Government - have you got the backbone for it?

Probably not.

V. Zebedee (Mrs)

Eastwood Road

Copy of a letter to Gary Herbert, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd:

I AM writing to voice my strong objections to the planned closure of Collington Mansions post office in Bexhill.

The Collington Mansions post office certainly appears to be well used because whenever I visit there are always two or three people in the queue. It serves a large number of residents, it's right beside a Tesco's, street parking is readily available and access is easy either by bus or on foot. It's in an excellent location. To close this neighbourhood service and expect local residents to use the Bexhill post office is a huge mistake in my opinion.

The location of the Bexhill post office is a planning disaster. There is no convenient parking, no bus service and there are long slow-moving queues for service. Whether you're a busy young person or a senior citizen with aching feet Bexhill post office is a place to avoid if at all possible. It's also in a part of the town that no one has any reason to visit unless they need to use a public toilet.

I think you need to reconsider the plan to close Collington Mansions. The closure would be a huge disservice to the taxpayers of Bexhill.

D DUNCAN (Mrs)

Collington Avenue

WITH reference to D. J. Dickenson's letter (Observer, November 23)

I understand how concerned he/she is about the proposed closure of the Collington Mansions post office, as we all are. These closure decisions are not based on how much business is done by one post office or another, there are a lot more things taken into consideration i.e. how far away is one post office from another just to mention one from a long list. I agree it is not fair to close your branch as there is a high degree of elderly living in your area, as there are in the rest of Bexhill and as a result would cause problems.

I would like to point out that with the proposed closures plus all the flats that are now being built in Bexhill, the pressure on the main post office is going to get greater, the queues are going to get longer. Sadly the staff will not have the time to deal with clients the way the little local post offices do.