Readers' Letters - May 7, 2009
Readers' letters from the May 7 issue of the Observer.
Don't drive us mad - get sense of humour
I have never written to a newspaper or magazine before last week's front page compelled me to send an email.
I am a 66-year-old pensioner who has lived in Selsey for 42 years and most of my friends are Selsey-born residents with an age range from 65 to 95,
all of whom received the flyer in question.
Not one was disgusted and all of us took it for what was intended – a humourous marketing ploy to draw attention to the service in question.
Having retired last year from the HR department of a large local firm, I do know about ageism and political correctness and can see the flyer for what it was and not an attempt to offend (dare I say it) the dignity of senior citizens or whatever it is politically correct to call us now.
Surely if Maribel French was so offended, why didn't she just bin the flyer, not use the taxi firm in question (if she ever did), and complain to the taxi office?
Not all older people are so thin-skinned they cannot see the humour in such a flyer.
I also plan to do a survey of the older population of Selsey but will not frighten them by going round knocking on their doors. Surely there are more worthwhile causes for Ms French to champion either in or out of Selsey.
As my partner is incapacitated we have lately made numerous trips to the health centre using this service, and I must say 2.50 from any home in Selsey to the village is excellent. I would also like to add all the drivers are very courteous and caring to us 'old biddies and codgers'.
Carole Grant, Selsey
I call my neighbours 'the old biddies'. They love it – they have a sense of humour! It is a form of endearment.
I can't believe someone can look so miserable and take it personally.
I'm sure the taxi firm's intention was to create a little fun and encourage the elderly folk to take advantage of their kindness and save them a few pounds!
I suggest this lady should see the funny side and smile.
Smiling is infectious,
you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner
and someone saw my grin
When he smiled I realised
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile
then I realised its worth,
A single smile, just like mine
could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin,
don't leave it undetected
Let's start an epidemic quick,
and get the world infected!
Everyone needs a smile!
Rosemary Burrow, Donnington, Chichester
When I saw the headline in the Observer, I could not believe my eyes – this poor woman seems to have had a humour bypass.
My husband and I are a somewhat older biddy and codger than Mrs French, but we haven't lost the ability to enjoy a bit of humour in what is a very stressful time.
On behalf of Area Cars (a company my family uses fairly regularly), I would like to say we have always found them extremely efficient, helpful and kind, and very reasonably priced.
May I suggest Mrs French finds something more useful to do than getting up petitions about something any reasonable person would find amusing. I will continue to use Area Cars and have a laugh!
Mrs JA Knight, Chichester
I strongly suggest Maribel French takes a taxi in search of some relaxation classes in the area.
I fail to see how any well-balanced person can get so agitated over such a trivial matter as the light-hearted advertising campaign being run by a taxi company.
Maribel, it is a joke – don't take yourself so seriously.
By the way, I am, at nearly 61, a bit younger than you and regularly refer to myself as the 'old git' as do others of my acquaintance. It does not bother me one bit!
Angus MacArthur (aka Old Git), Oval Lane, Selsey
Remember, we were all kids once...
As a mother of two teenagers and volunteer at Selsey's Snak Shak for teenagers, why can't teenagers be teenagers?
They are still children, after all, and when they meet up with friends they do make a noise, which is just excitement on their part. They are just letting off steam.
The warmer weather means they can go outside instead of being cooped up inside all winter – I have had quite a few in my home at any one time.
I don't know any teenager who intimidates anyone unless they are being intimidated themselves. If someone shouts at them they will shout back. Is this classed as intimidation? And to whom?
Where would you like teenagers and children to go? Stay at home watching TV or playing on computers and games machines all the time? That would mean no exercise or fresh air but at least there would be no noise outside.
W Brewer (Observer letters, last week) says should parents take the blame. For what? I ask. For having teenagers? Weren't we all teenagers once ourselves, in a more carefree world with more tolerance from the older generation, where you could play ball games and the like on any open grass space available. Not today – there are signs banning ball games or meeting of groups as this is then classed as a gang.
You say a gang leads to gang culture which leads to drugs and knife crime. All this because of teenagers and children being a little noisy.
As a parent, I can't say I know exactly where my children are all the time when they meet friends outside. So does this make me a bad parent?
Perhaps W Brewer could suggest a place were teenagers and children could meet. Why is a bit of over-excitement and noise from teenagers and children the start of an anti-social crime wave in Selsey?
P Honywood, Selsey
Don't assume gypsies have no sense of pride in homes
I would suggest Jane Bosson (Observer letters, April 23) visits gypsy sites.
My parents live at Easthampnett gypsy site, which is a lovely place where people are proud of their homes.
You will not find scrap or rubbish, only nice gardens and clean homes.
The children go to school and the parents work.
The majority of the sites are like this and, Jane, if you contact me I can give you a list of them.
Jane has obviously never been to a gypsy site or does not know any gypsy families to have this very ignorant view.
We have children at school who are trying to fit in with the rest of the community but what chance do they have with attitudes like this?
The properties in the Easthampnett area have not devalued and there is certainly no increase in crime.
Where would she suggest we all go? The gas chambers, maybe?
Is it just gypsies Jane would like to keep out of her village, or is there any other race or colour?
Kim Searle, Fontwell
Why we deserve more time to discuss last-minute plans
I alert the public to the just-released plans by Hallam Land to develop land to the west of Westergate. These plans were submitted to Arun District Council on the last day on the six-week consultation period, which left no time at all for anyone to comment on the plans or make submissions to Arun District Council.
The Villages Action Group was very active during the consultation process to alert the local residents of Westergate, Eastergate and Barnham to the threat of large-scale housing development in these villages.
Before and during this period VAG has persisted in requesting development plans from Arun District Council under the Freedom of Information Act.
All such requests were refused, and there were even denials such a plan existed.
We believe a 'masterplan' did exist and has always existed.
The word 'masterplan' appears in Arun DC's own definition of Option 3 (to build 2,500 houses in the villages of Westergate, Eastergate and Barnham), although no details were given to the public. The words 'masterplan document' appear on every single page of the Hallam Land submission. Is this a mere coincidence?
Development proposals for the other two options have been clearly defined and freely available for public viewing and research. The residents of Westergate, Eastergate and Barnham are the only ones who have had no access to a real plan to analyse and comment upon.
They have been given only rumour and counter-rumour.
We have been treated in a very shabby and unfair manner.
We request, at the very least, the consultation period be extended for a further six weeks so the residents of our villages may have their say, as those in other threatened areas have done.
If anyone wishes to view parts of the Hallam Land submission, some key pages may be found at www.villagesactiongroup.org or you may contact chief executive Ian Sumnall at Arun District Council, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, BN17 5LF.
MR Turner, VAG chairman, Aldingbourne
It is indeed refreshing to acknowledge all political parties have joined forces to fight against the proposed 2,500 houses planned for green land site at Chalcraft Lane (Observer letters, last week).
We are working as a committed group to ensure all local residents are kept fully aware the Church Commissioners are doing everything in their power to bulldoze planning permission through before the Arun District Council LDF preferred options document has been agreed by elected members of the council, which is expected later this year.
We now know the Chalcraft Lane development will take 370 acres of Church Commissioners' own prime farmland. We owe our thanks to Nick Gibb MP for the awkward in-depth questions he put to the Church Commissioners question time at the House of Commons, and his unwavering backing to our campaign.
Our thanks must also go to all our hard-working local residents in Aldwick and Bersted who have come up with positive ideas, many talents, and given freely of their time.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is chairman of the Church Commissioners, and in this role it is hard to see how he could condone the actions he preaches against when he warns about the 'excesses of greed and material possessions'.
Isn't this precisely the activity the Church Commissioners are engaged in as they are putting their financial goals ahead of the well-being of the people of Bognor Regis?
Cllr Mrs Ann Smee, Babsham Lane, Bersted
I am trying to understand the party politics of Arun's Local Development Framework (LDF).
Arun's Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Simon McDougal (Observer letters, April 23) advises us he is working with 'our MP Nick Gibb and other councillors across the political spectrum' to oppose development proposals at Bersted.
In a joint press release with Nick Herbert MP when announcing the formation of Communities Against Ford Eco-Town (CAF) (April 22), Nick Gibb MP stated 'this is a cross-party and locally-run campaign'.
If senior Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are working together politically to oppose LDF options 1 and 2, then who is representing the interests of residents in option 3, for instance, Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate and Angmering?
Has anyone noticed any cross-party declarations of support for these residents? Or even any public statements of support from their MP Nick Herbert?
Perhaps there is a clue in the cabinet member for planning Cllr Ricky Bower's comments on the BBC's Inside Out programme (September 24, 2008).
When interviewed about the possibility of development at Aldingbourne, Cllr Bower was asked by the BBC: How likely is it this would be developed?
Cllr Bower responded: "Well, I think there is a strong likelihood it will be developed at some point in the future."
Tony Dixon, Barons Close, Westergate
Parking charges will help kill off our town
I see from the front-page report in the Midhurst and Petworth Observer last week a councillor is still on about the lack of parking charges in Midhurst and Petworth.
What ward does this man represent? It certainly can't be one north of the Downs or he would know how difficult it is for businesses in this area to generate enough custom to remain viable.
The fact people can stop and pop into a shop to buy something without having to pay for parking is one of the attractions of Midhurst for local people and visitors. Without this facility, the income of many shopkeepers would be considerably reduced.
We already have more than enough empty shops and as the economy is not expected to improve in the short term, we might sadly expect more shops and businesses to close if the footfall were reduced.
It would be criminal for any action on the part of the council to discourage people from shopping locally.
Also parking charges will affect the income of the Grange Centre because many people will not visit the Grange for markets and fairs or exhibitions if parking has to be paid for.
It seems to me there is a lack of joined-up thinking on the part of our council representatives in that we have people like Andrew Smith screaming for charges to be brought in for parking in Midhurst, and on the other hand we have suggestions from another council department that parents dropping off children for Midhurst Primary School should use the Grange car park and walk from there to the school with their children.
Can you see the added expense (ten times 0.50 per week for example?) for these parents having to pay to take their children and collect them again from school being accepted? Dream on!
All it means is occupiers of houses in local roads such as Pretoria Avenue will have their lives made more of a misery because of schoolchildren being dropped off and collected outside their houses by parents who would decline to use paid parking areas.
Supporters of the scheme are reported to believe paid-for parking will reduce congestion and bring a boost to local businesses. Discouraging shop customers is not calculated to boost business and Midhurst has very little congestion overall.
Our councillors are supposed to be elected to serve our interests in good times and bad. Is this one suffering from a surfeit of sour grapes?
MJ de Jong-Smith, The Fairway, Midhurst
I am incredulous at the frequent illegal parking that goes on in Pound Street, Petworth.
Despite the existence of a perfectly good car park within a minute's walk of the takeaways in this street, it would appear many locals and visitors are simply too arrogant and lazy to use it.
This impedes traffic flow through the town as there is room for only one-way traffic when cars are parked along here. The other day I saw a bus struggling to get past a
lorry that had pulled up for fish and chips.
There is also noise and air pollution caused by traffic having to slow down suddenly.
I know from local sources hardly anyone has been ticketed along here and it is rare even for drivers to be asked to move on.
If our traffic wardens are not capable of enforcement in this area, then why doesn't West Sussex County Council put bollards in to prevent this anti-social behaviour? Let's keep Petworth civilised.
Matthew Cooke, Petworth
Parking charges for Midhurst? NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
Dave Simons, Elsted
Not enough is done to help victims of domestic violence
Once again a young mother lost her life in spite of all the warnings she gave that she was living with a dangerous person and was fearful of herself and/or her children being hurt.
The police get paid by taxpayers to protect and serve the public.
I hope the people concerned at Bognor police station can live with the decisions they made at that particular time when they refused to give help before this tragedy occurred.
I, too, fled from a dangerously-violent man to the far end of the USA after many court appearances in Brighton and a tut-tut warning that he would be jailed.
He strangled me and kicked me in the back and there were many more vicious attacks.
There were many signs early and even before the marriage of 25 years that I was living with a callous person.
I survived, nevertheless – surviving by pitting my wits against this monster.
I have lived here in America, in my new home, and realise how little has changed to protect women and children against these dangerous individuals.
So many women live on hope eternal that he or things will change. Many pay for this belief.
A more effective way must be found of dealing with these criminals, because that is what they are.
The mental hospitals are closed, the prisons are full and the perpetrators are roaming the streets.
SP Coler, Carlsbad, California
Council tax bills are too excessive
It is that time of year again, the time when the huge council tax bills drop through our letterboxes. These demands have now reached a level which is completely unacceptable.
My bill now amounts to one third of my state pension – enough to pay my gas and electricity together with most of my food bills for the year.
It is time to halt this upward spiral and for councils (all three) to deliver economies which will bring about a significant reduction in these demands.
Our councillors are not living in the real world. Don't they know the country is in the middle of a recession. The cost of fuel and food is sky high, pensions are falling in real terms, savings are earning little or no interest.
Pensioners are having a bad time and what about people with mortgages and young families, often worried whether they will still have jobs at the end of the month? How do they feel when these enormous demands arrive.
This year councillors are giving themselves a pat on the back, unusually they have kept the increases to the rate of inflation – big deal.
We can do without elephants on the sea front, firework displays, the rebuilding of our perfectly good library, glossy magazines and newspapers telling us what a wonderful job our representatives are doing. I believe what is needed is a real reduction in council tax bills.
BW Fletton, Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis
Cyclists should pay road tax, too
Your contributors writing on the matter of cyclists appear to be missing the point.
Cyclists' helmets and tuition obviously helps but why not make it compulsory for cyclists and cycle owners to have insurance and pay a road tax? Car and motorcycle owners have to pay for road tax, MoT and insurances.
Cyclists use the same facilities on the roads and therefore should contribute. Let them realise road safety is important.
D Maltby, Swandene, Pagham
All over-60s have been let down
Geoff Farrell's enlightening letter (Observer, April 23) about Arun District Council's refusal to accept government money to enable free swimming for the over-60s at local pools, was a blow.
As someone imminently about to be affected by ADC's fear of service to the health and enjoyment of the over-60s, I feel distinctly short-changed.
At present there are close to 10,000 residents in Felpham alone.
Let's assume a third of them are over 60 and a third of that number would welcome not having to pay 4.10 for a 30-minute swim.
Result of ADC's refusal? One thousand residents of this parish have been badly served by their elected councillors.
They appear to have been more concerned about Inspire Leisure's 'inconvenience' at having active oldies using their facilities.
Will someone shine a light into the darkness that envelopes our elected representatives?
Or maybe some tepid water put in their direction would be appropriate.
A King Turner, Summerley Lane, Felpham
Lazy students ignoring car park
Yesterday I walked into town from my property in Highcroft Crescent and passed through the car park in London Road set aside for students of the Bognor campus of the University of Chichester and noticed no cars were parked there, while both sides of Neville Road were full of cars.
I took the 67 bus back from town and, as usual, the driver needed all his skill to pass through the lines of parked cars.
I repeated the same double journey today. This time, one solitary car was parked in the students' car park in London Road (congratulations to that driver!).
It seems most students (anyone disabled excepted) are too lazy to walk for seven or eight minutes from their car park to the college.
The proposed solution of parking restrictions does seem the only answer, although I have sympathy with the residents of Neville Road.
One other solution might be to prohibit parking at certain times (eg 10am to 1pm) to discourage all-day parking from students, while still enabling residents of Neville Road to receive visitors at certain times in the day; even this may not be practical as the problem would then simply expand to Madeira Avenue.
Finally, the weather was fine both yesterday and today so there appears to be no excuse for students not walking for seven or eight minutes.
So, come on students, use your dedicated car park. Not only will this be considerate, but result in fitter and healthier students as well.
Tony Morriss, Highcroft Crescent, Bognor
Fluoride may be a big mistake
Fluoride is a compound of fluorine with another element. Fluorine is a chemical element of atomic number nine – a poisonous, pale yellow gas of the halogen series, symbol F.
Sodium fluoride or another fluorine containing salt added to water supplies or toothpaste in order to reduce tooth decay.
Who knows what effects (if any) will result from the introduction of fluoridation in this area.
Let the introduction of Thalidomide in the 1950s and 1960s be a warning.
D Maltby, Pagham
Remember the Hotham tunnels?
Several people have mentioned playing, when they were teenagers in the 1960s, in some tunnels under Hotham Park House, entered via a grill which was near the clock tower and is now sealed off.
We would like to find out more about these. Does anyone else recollect them and does anyone know when and why they were built?
Sheila Smith, Bognor Regis Local History Society, Pagham
Wake up to future of renewables
It is clear nobody should erect a building or structure without the consent, but I totally understand the frustration of Mr Dunn about losing the appeal for his windturbine.
I have seen this turbine on many occasions as I run a renewable energy business nearby.
The turbine is erected on his land, it helps to reduce the carbon footprint of Mr Dunn and there are not enough installations like his around this area.
Chichester council has to wake up to the future of renewables.
The number of cars used by bird watchers to visit the Sidlesham Quay is not good for the environment.
A low-geared turbine like the one Mr Dunn is using is not noisy and definitely less harmful than those cars that are being used.
Carsten Pump, director, AC Solartechnic Ltd, Chichester
Get the stamp problem licked
May I suggest Dr Wallis (Observer letters, April 23) does not waste his valuable time at the Chichester main post office for a book of stamps. These can be bought at various shops in the town – try the pleasant small paper shop at the rear of Marks and Spencer's.
Mrs HS Chandler, Fishbourne Road East, Chichester
We'd like our noticeboard back
What a pity, after the recent refurbishment of Chichester library, we have lost the informative noticeboard, giving details and showing posters of forthcoming events in the city. All at a glance!
Instead, there is now a tatty file (already falling apart!) and an apparent concentration on the sales of cards, pens, bags etc. Please may we have it restored?
A coffee machine (and loo!), as in Worthing public library, would also have been nice.
Mrs J Newton-Lewis, Jubilee Road, Chichester
Congestion charging madness
For any council to bring in congestion charges when the country is in a depression would be a folly. Chichester as with other towns and cities may well need to look to reducing parking charges to keep its share of shoppers when other areas are looking to bring in extra free parking. Far better to have traffic jams than to see more businesses close and extra empty shops with the loss of even more jobs.
P J Dunnaway, Dunnaway's Taxi
Impressive response to blaze
I am sure my neighbours join me in sending sympathy and best wishes to Simon Wedgwood and all the residents of Rose Court for their awful fire. Mercifully no-one was injured nor homes lost, but some treasured cars were sadly destroyed.
We would like to add to Mrs Jane Lawrence's praise of the fire brigade and police. Their joint response was prompt and impressive, and they kept those of us in the vicinity equally safe.
Because I was returning home on foot while the proceedings were still under way, I would like to send my personal thanks to those members of the emergency services who enabled me to reach my home.
Jan Chaundy, St Cyriac's
Jubilee Park gardens a delight
Could I compliment the gardeners of Jubilee Park. It looks absolutely gorgeous, lovely colours, kept neat and tidy.
Mrs I Leeks, Boxgrove
Shop worker deserves reward
Well done to Gail Harris! It would seem she saved RL Austen's thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, of pounds. The people who attempted to break into the jewellery shop were obviously not expecting any confrontation as it appears they may have committed similar crimes in other towns.
Too many people are afraid to have any involvement today. Gail Harris seemed to be outraged this should happen in her town when there were elderly shoppers and parents with small children nearby.
I do hope she will be rewarded for her brave effort.
M Rhodes, Cornwall
I want to bin those councillors...
I have recently moved to the Chichester area. I would be grateful if the names could be published of any county councillor, who is standing at the forthcoming elections who voted for the fortnightly refuse collection.
I do not want to make the mistake of being party to the re-election of these people.
G Gray, Halfrey Close, Chichester
No secrecy at West Wittering
In response to the letter from Mr and Mrs Smith of West Wittering regarding secrecy within West Wittering Parish Council, I would like to make the following points:
* West Wittering Parish Council manages the largest number of assets of any of the other Manhood parishes;
* In common with other local authorities, including Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council, it uses working parties to assist in managing its affairs. No decisions are made in working parties as all decisions are made by the parish council in public at its monthly meetings, save for those items which are permitted to be dealt with in closed session, such as the clerk's salary;
* These decisions are witnessed by those who attend meetings on a regular basis.
R Hutton JP, chairman, West Wittering Parish Council, Middleton Road, Middleton on Sea
Thanks for all your help
I would like to thank the lady doctor and all the other kind people who helped me when I had a nasty fall in East Street on Thursday afternoon, April 9. The kindness of the lady from the cafe in the front of Sadlers Walk who offered me a seat and drink while waiting for the ambulance was very much appreciated. The gentleman too was most helpful.
Thank you all so much.
Joan Elliott, Maybush Drive, Chidham
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Weather for Bognor
Sunday 27 May 2012
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