Eastbourne: No mask on your face, you big disgrace

Flicking through Facebook the other day I saw an image obviously designed to encourage people to wear masks to stop the spread of Covid-19. It showed a picture of the late great Freddie Mercury with the words from the Queen hit We Will Rock You. It read, No mask on your face, you big disgrace; spreading your germs all over the place. It serves as a great reminder that as we ease out of lockdown this weekend, how important it is to wear a mask to protect ourselves and those around us. I have a lovely handmade pink mask and while my glasses tend to steam up when it’s on, I never leave home without it. That, and my trusty bottle of hand sanitiser. I don’t care much for the scientific evidence as to whether masks are good or bad in the fight against this pesky virus. All I know is I feel more comfortable wearing one than not. And would really appreciate it if other people did too when they’re out and about in public. It ties in nicely with conversations I have been having with my small but perfectly formed group of close friends as we prepare for our favourite drinking holes to re-open tomorrow (Saturday). Himself has booked a table at our local up the road for midday for drinks and the advice there is much like everywhere else I guess: if you choose to go to a pub, it’s not down to the landlord or landlady to keep you safe. While they have been installing screens and measuring up for PPE, they can only do so much. The rest is up to us, the punters – to keep ourselves and those around us safe. Cheers.

While most pubs, eateries and hair salons may be opening this weekend or in the coming days – I have an appointment with my hairdresser at 8.30am on Saturday morning to sort out my greying barnet and the fringe that makes me look like a surprised five-year-old after a hack at it at home – like many other people, I was sad to hear that the Flamenco Tapas Restaurant in Cornfield Terrace will not be re-opening for business after lockdown eases. After 16 years the owners say it is with deep regret and sadness they will be closing permanently and that many factors contributed to the decision, many of which were ‘out of their control’. Sadly I think there may be more of these kind of independent eateries to follow in the coming weeks and not re-opening. Now, more so than ever we need to support local businesses.

One business – or rather businessman – who knows how to run a successful enterprise is Langney Road cobbler Rod Neale, who I gather is retiring in the next few weeks after 40 years in the trade. Rod’s small shop has always been the place to go for shoe repairs and the like and it is sad to see him go although I am sure there will be many Eastbourne customers who will join with me and wish him every happiness in his well-deserved retirement.

A campaign to save some wonderful mature trees in Old Town is thankfully gaining momentum. The 15 trees line Victoria Drive by the new medical centre and developers want them removed. Best way to object to that plan is on the council’s website. We all know people power can sometimes just work.