Learn a lesson fromwise King Solomon

It appears Bognor does have a history of jeopardising good things out of a lack of agreement.

We are in momentous times for our town and we are in danger of throwing away something truly special because we are fighting over who is right.

Nick Stuart-Nicolson is absolutely right in his comment '˜the main losers of the row will be Bognor Regis'.

Hugh Coster began his piece by stating: 'It is disappointing and frankly silly we now have a situation where there are two Bognor Regis Regeneration Vision Groups.'

I concur, and am reminded of a story which I feel is a warning to us now in Bognor.

In the time of King Solomon, two women came to him to solve a dispute over who was the true mother of a baby. Both had given birth to a child within days of each other, but one woman's child died in the night and each claimed the surviving baby was theirs.

Not knowing who to believe, the king called for a sword and said: '˜Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other'.

The first woman, filled with compassion, implored the king to let the child live and was prepared to give it up for that sake.

The second woman declared: 'Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!'

The point of this story is not to say who is the first woman and who is the second woman '“ the fact is, both gave birth to a child.

I would like to appeal to the people involved across this town in the regeneration process in Bognor '“ and I include in that people who have not been highlighted in this particular dispute.

Many people have their own visions for what should '˜come to birth' here in Bognor. However, over time, some of those visions will '˜die'.

The challenge in all of this is: do we fight to retain our own piece of the vision and refuse to let it go '“ at the expense of the wider issue and belief in our own rightness '“ or do we accept sometimes we must put our own visions aside to see a bigger thing emerge?

Stuart Nicolson said if these two sides cannot solve their differences, he can see neither of these groups will survive.

If you cut the baby in two, you may get your share, but at what cost? There is no longer any life in it!

On behalf of this town, which stands poised on the brink of a new beginning, let's stand together and call for what is best here.

The people saw Solomon had the wisdom to administer justice. Let that be our goal in Bognor Regis!

Kate Pollard,

Chichester Road, Bognor Regis

SURELY, common-sense must finally prevail with regard to the '˜debacle' of the two opposing Bognor Regis Regeneration Vision Groups.

We have been presented with a number of comments regarding this recent '˜spat' between Tom Frears (Vision 1) and Hugh Coster (Vision 2), but clearly the offer made by the much-respected and stalwart president and chairman of Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce Nick Stuart-Nicolson to arbitrate is an admirable suggestion.

I would therefore recommend the battling duo (Hugh and Tom) warmly accept his very generous offer of arbitration, and let the regeneration programme proceed with dignity.

HC Braid, Aldwick, Bognor Regis

IN THE September 25 issue of the Bognor Regis Observer, Hugh Coster writes the Vision Group was initiated by the Civic Society. In the same issue, the president and chairman of the Bognor Regis and District Chamber of Commerce correctly points out this is not true and that it was set up by Paul Rigg, the-then chief executive of West Sussex County Council.

The minutes of the first meeting of the group read as follows: 'Paul Rigg said he had been approached by a number of those present expressing their wish for a forum at which numerous key interest groups could work together through some overarching body and thereby air their views together and more fully on economic regeneration.'

Those present included the Chamber of Commerce, the University, Bognor Regis Ltd, the Civic Society and BEAM.

The minutes also state: 'The Duke of Richmond thanked attendees for responding to his invitation to join the special interest group.'

At the meeting a document was presented headed '˜Proposals for a new body proposed by Paul Rigg'. Under '˜proposed membership' it states '˜councillors will not be eligible for membership' and under '˜modus operandi' it states the group will have an independent chair.

It is clear beyond doubt Hugh Coster's account is completely inaccurate and that the breakaway group he has formed is not following the procedures of the original Vision Group.

Tom Frears, chairman, Bognor Regis Regeneration Vision Group

OH DEAR! Not content to being the UK's most ridiculous town, it appears poor old Bognor Regis is now suffering from double Vision.

Reading the many and various letters over the past three weeks, they seem to me to suggest rejected scripts from a cheap version of Spartacus.

I trust the two protagonists will soon take up the offer of mediation to resolve the issue with just a modicum of dignity.

Failing this may I suggest Bognor goes the whole hog and gets Harry Hill to have the battling pair on to his TV show to resolve the matter in his own inimitable style.

Brian Green,

Southway, North Bersted, Bognor Regis

Hugh Coster displays a total lack of vision! He parades the democratic credentials of Civic, of which he is vice-chairman, yet obviously ignores such principles in his conduct within other organisations.

Last March, as a member of the original Vision regeneration group, he called a secret meeting of all members to depose Tom Frears as chairman. Tom was not told or invited.

When the others wouldn't play ball, he and Derek Trotman, the treasurer of Civic, elected Hugh as chairman. Is that democracy? I think not!

Despite Civic's claim, they did not create Vision or invite the Duke of Richmond to chair future meetings.

That was undertaken in 2000 by Paul Rigg, the chief executive of West Sussex County Council. Civic was merely one of the seven organisations Paul Rigg invited to join Vision.

Civic cannot claim original ownership of Vision to justify mischievously forming a breakaway Vision group comprising sympathisers.

Neither can they claim the patronage of the Duke of Richmond as they tried to do until His Grace asked them to cease!

Small wonder Tom Frears' Vision group retains recognition of those who count and continues to flourish with enhanced membership including local church bodies and the university.

By his actions, Hugh risks not only becoming a laughing stock among the big players in the regeneration of the town but also makes Bognor Regis, the town he purports to cherish, the subject of further mirth.

Thus he diminishes the chance any of CIVIC's views being taken seriously, irrespective of their merit.

Such egotistic behaviour distracts everyone from the important task of regenerating Bognor Regis

Kate Whiteley,

Marshall Avenue, Bognor Regis

The story of double Vision is pure Enid Blyton. Really you couldn't make it up!

Tom and Hugh have an argument where Hugh seeks to deny his involvement in advice and decisions taken by the Vision Group.

Looking backwards '“ not a good idea when running forward '“ Hugh realises he was there when the Vision group backed St Modwen '“ 168 flats on the front and all. Woe! woe!

Hugh is upset and Tom, independent chairman of the Vision group, tells the group he will resign. Not one of the group accepts this.

Later, without telling Tom, Hugh tries to call a meeting of the Vision Group. Only one mate agrees to come. Guess what? The '˜meeting' of two people votes Hugh as chairman in place of Tom!

Sadly this is not a joke. Statutory councils are involved and they cannot accept such manipulative and undemocratic behaviour, hence the county and district councils have rejected Hugh Coster's crowning of himself. It's not a children's story, either. Such tactics are more like Kafka than Blyton.

Most important, however, this is about representing people living and working in Bognor Regis.

There are fundamental disagreements about moving the town forward or letting it stagnate. That requires difficult decisions and honest representation, not publicity-seeking huffs and puffs.

Peter Coles, Devonshire Road, Bognor Regis