Readers' Letters - May 21 2009

Readers' letters from the May 21 issue of the Observer.

Parish council scores own goal over football

Following Greg Miles' article 'Footballers kick out at parish over negative attitude' (Observer, last week), I am disappointed to read the Bosham council has shown such disregard to the aims and aspirations of its football club.

Although I have recently moved away from the village, I spent 20 years or so as a Bosham parish councillor and the same amount of time as secretary of the football club.

During that time, I experienced times when I found it difficult to understand the negative attitude from certain councillors.

I would like to think that during my time as a councillor, I strove to achieve a balance between all the users of the recreation ground but would always support the activities of the football club.

The land that forms today's recreation ground was originally purchased by the parish council in the 1920s and it is no coincidence a football ground fits neatly within it. The council bought the land from a local farmer to protect the use of the ground by the football club, which incidentally was founded way back in 1901.

The council needed to borrow money to purchase the ground and to gain approval for the loan, had to show there was a need for a recreational field for use by the village. The village football club have played there ever since.

I have always failed to understand why certain councillors are not supportive of their football club and this latest article would suggest matters have got worse. If only the council could be more proactive in supporting the club instead of just acting reactively.

I'm afraid I believe some councillors always find it easier to say 'no' because they feel the football club offers the least line of defence, rather than saying 'yes' and getting aggravation from residents living near the recreation ground (who, of course, knew the existence of the football ground when they moved there).

Bosham Football Club is run by a dedicated team of volunteers and produces two adult teams and two youth teams and provides considerable enjoyment for many people from the village and the surrounding area – players and supporters.

Recently the club played in a Sussex cup final at Lancing (unluckily lost 1-0) and the number of Bosham supporters at the match, including some ex-Boshamers travelling down from London, was outstanding.

So the message to Bosham Parish Council is please support your football club. Communities need clubs and societies of all types to keep towns and villages alive.

Bob Probee, Seal Road, Selsey

Might as well face it, you could find you're addicted to art

If your eye is in tune with cranberry ceramic cog wheels you will already have been ratcheted in to explore Pallant House Gallery, but if modern art makes you anxious, here are my tips on how to overcome gallery phobia and have some fun.

Day one: go down East Pallant to the gallery entrance when you have five minutes to spare. Just go through the glass doors and immediately turn left. The shop is open to the public at no charge and you do not need a ticket. Look at the art postcards to get an idea of what you might find in the gallery. Open a few books if you feel brave and look at the pictures. The staff are quite used to browsers. Now go home.

Day two: when you have ten minutes to spare go in again and ask the receptionist for a leaflet about what is going on in the gallery this season. You don't need a ticket to go through to the cafe. Have a look round the lobby, enjoy the space and sharp lines of the glass, stone and wood.

If, like me, you hate the inanimate turquoise creature propped up on its stiff legs then ignore it and walk out into the leafy courtyard and look at the metal sculptures and stripy reeds instead.

That's it for day two. On your way out ask about entry prices and opening times as various concessions are available.

Day three: you will need about an hour for this and will have to pay a bit. Breeze in and get a gallery plan with your ticket. Don't hang about feeling baffled by the pictures, but if anything catches your eye mark the position on your plan so you can go back for a longer look.

Walk briskly round all the rooms to get your bearings then retreat to the Print Room in the foyer to rest your eyes on some easier works.

When you have had a break go back and see three or four of the items you have marked on your plan.

Ask the volunteer room guide to tell you what they know about the artist or the work. They are usually dying to talk and have good information and stories to tell.

When your brain is buzzing and your legs begin to ache go home. Warning – art can be addictive!

Ruth Brown, West Ashling, Chichester

Old rules are driving tractors into road chaos

The recent accident of a tractor and trailer overturning in Chichester will unfortunately be just the first of several this year.

These large and very heavy vehicles are driven by young and inexperienced drivers using rules devised at a time when the average tractor was little bigger than today's garden tractor.

In those days a tractor could barely reach 15mph, had no cab or power steering and the driver was therefore aware of his surroundings and forced to drive more cautiously.

Today's tractor weighs many tons and travels considerably faster. The driver, who may have taken his test in something the size of a Micra, sits cocooned in an insulated air-conditioned cab, radio, CD or iPod on full volume, mobile phone clamped to their ear and driving one-handed at full speed oblivious to the danger and damage they create on the roads.

These vehicles also pay reduced (or even no) road tax, but cause the most damage on the roads. They drive down single-track country roads at full speed. When they encounter opposite direction traffic they simply drive up the bank or push into the hedgerow, destroying both in the process.

They have to do this as their inexperienced drivers are often actually incapable of reversing.

Last year, on one occasion in our single-track lane, three tractors travelling in one direction were met by one travelling in the opposite direction. Between the four drivers not one was capable of reversing the trailer and it was left to me (an ordinary householder) to reverse it for them.

It is time tractors pay their fair share for the damage they cause and for their drivers to undergo adequate training and actually pass a test of competence.

Mike Hall, Dellfield, Funtington

It's criminal to ply for hire without licence

It is a serious criminal offence for private-hire vehicles (PHVs) to ply for hire at any time, anywhere, either on private or public land, as their insurance is invalidated.

Chichester District Council has consistently stated illegal plying for hire by PHVs is not a problem in Chichester.

In an effort to identify how serious the problem is, early in January 2009 the Chichester Taxi Alliance decided to carry out a number of test purchases.

During a two-week period, of 21 vehicles approached, only two refused our approach, as they had genuine bookings.

We were unable to prosecute those we knew were committing an offence as the district council refused to give us the names and addresses of the drivers, citing the Data Protection Act to shield their identities, even though these were criminal allegations.

Subsequently we were advised by a district judge we could prosecute the operators of the vehicles. At present we have five cases going through the courts.

The law of the land and district council bylaws state no person may operate or drive a taxi or PHV anywhere in the Chichester district without a licence.

Once again Chichester District Council does nothing about the Arun hackney carriages plying for hire in the district. And as for those cases which have gone before the licensing (general purposes) sub-committee, we are unable to comment on as they are heard behind closed doors.

Our aim is to make sure the public are able to travel safely and in properly-licensed and insured PHV s and hackney carriages.

LT Ballard, spokesman for the Chichester Taxi Alliance, Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis

MPs' expenses pale into insignificance...

Much has been spoken and written about regarding the MPs' expenses and, like many I think, I find it a shocking waste of taxpayers' money.

I would feel more sympathy if MPs attended parliament on a regular basis, but as anyone who watches the Parliament TV channel will know, great debates on matters of national importance are often conducted with members present who could be counted on one hand, rambling on for hours to nobody but a bored deputy speaker.

Maybe they should be paid by the hour for attending?

However, to be fair to MPs, they are not as well-paid as, say, bankers, GPs, vets, dentists or executives or directors of town and county halls throughout the land, or senior civil servants in all government departments.

These expenses pale into insignificance compared to the huge bonuses senior bankers award themselves. And then, of course, there are some who are paid obscene amounts of money – footballers for 90 minutes' work a week, TV personalities and so on.

Even the BBC wastes our money on a grand scale.

Jim Strudwick, Gordon Road, Emsworth

Bognor needs its own 'Boris' to resist plans

Readers should know the chosen developers of the Regis Centre site, St Modwen, have been blocked by London's mayor, Boris Johnson, from developing a fiercely-resisted scheme for Queen's Market, London borough of Newham.

This is an extract from a news release:

"St Modwen's plans would deliver a new market hall, including 164 market stalls and 6,374m2 of shop units and provide 350 homes in a 96-metre tower, a new civic building and library.

"In a statement the mayor's office said: 'When plans were submitted to the mayor for consultation in May 2008, the applicant was advised they did not conform with the London Plan on several counts, including the quality of the design of the proposed tower.

'The applicant subsequently revised the plans but these still failed to address the mayor's concerns on the appearance and, in particular, the attractiveness of the proposed tower.

'The plans also failed to demonstrate a tall building of the design proposed would be appropriate on the site.'

'Johnson added: 'I have carefully considered this application. However, it is obvious a tower of this size, so much higher than any existing tall buildings in the area, is neither attractive or in proportion or suited to any of the surrounding buildings, streets or the general urban realm of Newham.

'I am not opposed to the improvements to Queen's Market, but I am against this inappropriate tower and have, therefore, instructed Newham not to approve these current plans'."

There are lessons for us in Bognor who know the St Modwen plans will impose a dreadful legacy on Bognor including loss of theatre, an expensive cinema chain (prices will soar over those paid at the Picturedrome), an entirely out-of-place tower block at Hothamton and huge numbers of flats on the Regis Centre site.

Pity we don't have someone like Boris to overrule Arun who seem to have forgotten the reaction to their former arrogance which culminated in 'Out-of-Arun'.

Civic – time to revisit? On the cinema, I issue this challenge as a former town mayor to the owners of the Picturedrome: how can you justify the attempted hike in rental from 15,000 to 75,000 per annum? Even the arbitrated 45,000pa is monstrous.

I challenge you through these columns: are you trying to destroy the success and viability of this venue to remove our independent cinema to make way for St Modwen's plans?

If you are responsible people who care about Bognor, I challenge you in public to withdraw that increase and to go for something that is in keeping with the economic climate we inhabit. Anything else betrays Bognor Regis.

Jan Cosgrove, town mayor 2002-03, Longford Road, Bognor Regis

So, the cat is out of the bag: the worst-kept secret in the history of Bognor Regis and Arun is a secret no more.

Some of us have always suspected Brighter Bognor is the creation of Richard McMann and his regeneration team at Arun. Furthermore I suspect, despite their claims to the contrary, you could fit the entire membership of Brighter Bognor and their shopping into two people carriers.

But suspecting it and proving it are two different things, except now we don't have to as Arun's confession is to be displayed on a giant hoarding on the side of the A29 – and in case we miss the point, they are highlighting the word 'Brighter' in red letters.

Mind you, we have to feel sorry for Mr McMann as he has to keep putting a positive spin on things when, despite Arun ruling Bognor Regis for 34 years, all they have managed to achieve so far is the wholesale destruction of the town.

And now, in no small part due to the inept briefs put out for the Hothampton and Regis Centre sites, St Modwen has come along with mediocre plans that will finish Bognor Regis off for good if they come to fruition.

And the trouble is, those dreadful people in Bognor aren't a pushover and they will kick up a fuss over it. I mean, the scoundrels have called town polls in the past and will probably do it again!

Gary J Oakes, Pagham

Expenses' issue not a gay or straight matter

Nick Herbert MP accuses the Daily Telegraph of anti-gay bias. But is it possible Mr Herbert is himself playing the gay card to divert attention from the central question relating to his parliamentary expenses?

If I understand the press reports correctly, Mr Herbert and Mr Eades were friends at the time in question and not civil partners. It seems they were not partners according to any legal definition until December 2008.

The matter has nothing to do with being gay or straight.

The question is did Mr Herbert use taxpayer funds to pay for some of his friend's share of their joint house purchase or mortgage costs – before they became civil partners?

To put this question another way, would it be acceptable for a heterosexual MP to use taxpayer funds to pay for his girlfriend's share of any joint house purchase or mortgage costs?

Our former MP Howard Flight was in need of a fair hearing four years ago and was denied this by the Arundel and South Downs Conservative Association (ASDCA). ASDCA must now call our current MP to account for his actions and this time they should at least give Mr Herbert a fair hearing.

ASDCA must now decide whether to exonerate or deselect Mr Herbert. Failure to act with complete transparency would call into question the integrity of ASDCA and its officers for a second time.

Tony Dixon, Barons Close, Westergate

Do we really need so many new homes?

Like many local residents, I am horrified at the proposals for thousands of new houses in our area. However, my concern is not entirely about how this may affect our infrastructure, but whether they are necessary at all.

Albeit that southern England is more crowded (for its size) than any country outside Bangladesh, Britain's overall birth rate is below replacement rate.

Also, I can't help noticing last week's Observer carries 24 broadsheet pages of houses for sale and rent. This does not speak of a housing shortage to me.

Yes, for these past years, we have immigration, but immigrants can choose to leave as easily as arrive.

The reasons look more economic than actual. Immigrants are attractive for the main reason they are cheap labour – a strange philosophy for a socialist government, but this is New Labour.

It's not so attractive, however, if you are already living here and are seeing your wages undercut.

So, why build 3,000,000 houses?

One reason – for the temporary spur it gives the national economy – and there are few enough of those. Meanwhile, local infrastructure, quality of life and our environment can go to hell.

I would like to think Arun District Council shares some of these views but I don't think so. Our council has been leant on substantially by government to make it difficult and expensive to protest, but I would like to see some indication it is on local protesters' side.

It may be our protests result in a small reduction in new builds, but the figures have likely been previously inflated for just that eventuality.

Arun District has a commitment to improving the area. This is no improvement.

It is one step on the road to turning Bognor Regis from a semi-rural community into a shanty town.

William Partridge, Stoney Stile Close, Aldwick

Too many cars are to blame for traffic dangers

The density of the traffic in parts of the High Street causes the traffic problems in Bognor Regis. Drivers are so busy watching each other they miss signs and sometimes hit pedestrians.

I was hit at the junction with Upper Bognor Road as I was walking across the right-turning stream of traffic going from the High Street towards Felpham. Fortunately there was no damage.

There was another incident when I was making for the footpath towards Felpham from Hotham Park main entrance in mid-afternoon.

I assume the driver behind the vehicle moving out to the roundabout didn't see me because he was also looking for a gap between the traffic coming round it.

I would suggest motorists should be encouraged more to park at improved facilities, especially around the perimeter of the suburbs of Bognor, and the public transport system much improved. Footbridge and subway systems are also very good, as around Hotham Way.

How about a cheap travel card?

And Network Rail should speed up their engineering works.

DH Day, Linden Road, Bognor Regis

'Arrogant' attitude to campaigners

Further to the article 'Fury as campaigners' home used to promote a major housing plan' (Bognor Regis Observer, April 30) we would like to make readers aware that, to date, Hallam Land has yet to even acknowledge our letter complaining about the use of our home in its masterplan document, let alone reply to it.

Is Hallam Land so arrogant as to assume it doesn't need to reply to letters from the community which it is seeking to deluge with houses?

Is it this arrogant because it thinks it doesn't need to consider the wishes of local residents?

Certainly, its behaviour in not having the common courtesy to reply to our letter would suggest its claims in its masterplan document 'to work in partnership with both the local planning authority and the local community in developing these proposals' are just a load of flannel.

Melanie Burgoyne and Stuart Morris, Westergate Street, Westergate

Firefighters provide vital safety service

Alan J Green is on to a loser when he bets 1 our firefighting bikers will not be out in wet weather or between October and April (Observer letters).

Of course they will be; they'll be out in all weathers because the harsh truth is motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured in all weathers. Twenty per cent of fatalities on our roads are motorcyclists and we'll be attending many public events, mixing with them and promoting the road safety message.

He is also incorrect when he says road safety advice is solely a police responsibility as all the emergency services have to deal with tragic accidents. It makes us all determined to work together on educational projects that reduces the number of deaths and injuries we attend on West Sussex roads.

We agree with Mr Green on the need for 'proper training by qualified instructors'; our motorcyclists hold an Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists qualification and help police run the Bikesafe courses.

There is a minimal cost to the fire service thanks to support from Destination Triumph of Washington, who generously donated one of the bikes, and the biking firefighters who take on this role in their own time.

So, Mr Green, no-one is 'swanning around with no real brief other than to show the flag'. Indeed, early indications show this approach provides an excellent opportunity to promote the road safety message to a particularly high-risk group.

Of course, should Mr Green wish to make good his bet, he may want to donate it to BRAKE, the road safety charity, or RoadPeace, a charity providing support for victims of road crashes.

Max Hood, county fire officer, West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service

To the point...

I am dismayed at Chichester council's decision to revoke the busking licence from the wonderful opera singer Sylvia Rota, who, along with crooner Mike Gennings, cheer up the shoppers regularly at the Cross.

I thought Chichester prided itself on being an upper-middle class cultural city? Where better to go to hear operatic recitals on the streets of a city with a self-proclaimed cultural heritage.

I am disgusted. This wouldn't happen in Covent Garden and I hope the council choose to rethinks its decision.

VJ Clarke, Nyewood Lane, Aldwick

As an occasional Saturday visitor to Chichester, I have much enjoyed the music provided by the street musicians, the presence of whom reflects the city's nurturing interest in the arts.

I have, however, most recently missed the presence of a singing duo – a man and a woman – who alternate enjoyable classical pieces with those of a lighter nature.

They sang either at the Market Cross or outside the municipal building in North Street.

Does anyone know what has become of them? Perhaps they have found their way into the world of professional music.

Neil Combes, Ryde, Isle of Wight

I would like to plea for the return of my external hard-drive which I lost on the 3.03pm Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour train which stopped in Chichester at about 3.50pm on Tuesday, May 12.

It has 1,000 photos on it which wouldn't mean anything to anyone except me and my family.

It also has the entire coursework for my degree at Brighton University on it.

I am happy to give a reward for its safe return. I have a presentation to give next week and I need the drawings and work on it.

The hard drive cost virtually nothing but the work is irreplaceable as it's five years of hard slog.

I know I dropped it as I stood up to get off the train, so whoever found it would either have got on at Chichester or left the train at some westerly point beyond.

If the finder feels they want to keep it, then please let me have the work from it and I'll happily give you the hard drive to keep for helping me out.

Please contact the Observer if you can help, and they will pass details to me.

Ben Bristow, Chichester

Having heard rumours about the closure of the 1930s cinema in Bognor, I have to say if they are true then it would certainly be a great loss to the town.

A place like Bognor should keep its 1930s art-deco style cinema as an attraction in a seaside resort. Buildings like these should be retained rather than being turned into flats that few can afford.

Basically a town of this size ought to still keep a facility such as this for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. Despite multi-channel television, dvds as well as film downloads, the cinema still has a place like music and sports venues in a town like Bognor Regis.

Paul Scott, Woodgate Close, Woodgate

I would just like to thank the person who stole a Japanese Acer tree in a red pot from our garden. It will save us all bothering about that special treatment it needs.

H Haywood, North Mundham

The Chichester branch of Save the Children would like to thank everyone who helped make the recent Chichester street collection and the spring fair at Bishop's Palace such great successes.

Totals of 1,210 and 1,000.83 were raised respectively.

A tea party with stalls run at the Fernleigh Centre, in conjunction with the street collection, raised a further 160.30 and this, together with other donations received, resulted in a total sum of 2,792.13 being raised during the week.

Monies raised will go to help children in both the UK and in more than 70 countries around the world.

Of current date, Save the Children is working to help raise funds and relieve suffering in Sri Lanka.

Mr S Wood, chairman, Chichester branch, Save the Children

I should like to thank, and commend most warmly, Mr Russell and his staff at Somerfields, Steyning, for finding and ensuring safe return to me of an important membership card.

Customer relations at their very best.

Brian O'Gorman, Westergate, Chichester

I would like to offer my very sincere thanks to the unknown lady who handed my wallet into Chichester police station.

I managed to mislay it in the area of Sadlers Walk. The loss was not apparent for some little time, until I visited another shop.

Not being certain where exactly my wallet had gone astray, after a few inquiries, I informed the police.

To my great delight on Saturday morning, the police phoned to tell me the wallet had been handed in. I duly collected the wallet in the afternoon.

The good samaritan of Chichester wished to remain anonymous, so this is the only way in which I can express my gratitude.

Pete Smith, South Street, Havant

BW Fletton (Observer letters) worries about increasing council tax bills. Then they should keep an eye on the amount of expenses their local and county councillors claim on allowances.

Several years ago I drew attention to the fact the-then county chairman was drawing nearly 100 a day of allowances (34,000).

I suggested he was flying each day to New York and feeding on caviar and champagne.

Just keep an eye on these claims – many are drawing more than their constituents are drawing in wages. In fact, they treat it as a second income or, as in other cases, employment after pension.

Perhaps we should have an in-depth search into their claims as the MPs are having.

HS Taylor, Farnhurst Road, Barnham

The recent accident of a tractor and trailer overturning in Chichester will unfortunately be just the first of several this year.

These large and very heavy vehicles are driven by young and inexperienced drivers using rules devised at a time when the average tractor was little bigger than today's garden tractor.

In those days a tractor could barely reach 15mph, had no cab or power steering and the driver was therefore aware of his surroundings and forced to drive more cautiously.

Today's tractor weighs many tons and travels considerably faster. The driver, who may have taken his test in something the size of a Micra, sits cocooned in an insulated air-conditioned cab, radio, CD or iPod on full volume, mobile phone clamped to their ear and driving one-handed at full speed oblivious to the danger and damage they create on the roads.

These vehicles also pay reduced (or even no) road tax but cause the most damage on the roads.

They drive down single-track country roads at full speed. When they encounter opposite direction traffic they simply drive up the bank or push into the hedgerow, destroying both in the process.

They have to do this as their inexperienced drivers are often actually incapable of reversing.

Last year, on one occasion in our single-track lane, three tractors travelling in one direction were met by one travelling in the opposite direction. Between the four drivers not one was capable of reversing the trailer and it was left to me (an ordinary householder) to reverse it for them.

It is time tractors pay their fair share for the damage they cause and for their drivers to undergo adequate training and actually pass a test of competence.

Mike Hall, Dellfield, Funtington

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