More chaos
IMPENDING chaos (again) in St. Leonards, regarding King's Road - meetings have been held with the traders on the planned 'Regeneration' work by ESCC and attended by employees of HBC. Because this work comes under ESCC Highways, it does not need planning permission. Apparently the RESIDENTS of King's Road have not yet been made aware of the fact that the road will be closed for TEN WEEKS after Christmas to enable the work to be done. Work has been promised to take place in the evenings and at weekends. What about shops with late opening hours?
A survey has been done of the lorries that deliver to King's Road shops and the traders were told that it is only one lorry a day - who did the survey - someone with their eyes shut or who had difficulty with counting?
If anything is sure to kill off the trade in the area, surely this is it. Shops will lose their trade as, judging by the mess the contractors have left in other areas, residents and shoppers will be reluctant to brave the hurdles and piles of earth and broken paving, for their own safety. What about people with buggies or prams, or the elderly?
Also, Cross Street is to be closed off at the London Road end. All of this is said to be in the plans agreed and of which the community is aware. Really?
This is a total waste of money (although not our own council tax money - but money for regeneration of the area) - still money being spent, though.
The work on the A259 where it joins London Road is the stupidest alteration that has taken place, closing off the turn left lane and giving large vehicles the difficult task of turning into London Road. The London Road end of Pevensey Road is also a mess - will this ever end?
It appears that business in central St. Leonards has survived in spite of local authority legislation, which does not give encouragement and support, especially with regard to the supposed regeneration money.
Consultations that have taken place have raised objections from members of the community but these fall on deaf ears. Members of ESCC and HBC have fixed ideas and, as most of them don't live in St. Leonards, they have little idea of the feel of the place. People are fed up with contractors, their diggers, their bright yellow barriers and the blocking of the roads with their lorries. Just leave us alone!
A DISGRUNTLED ST. LEONARDS RESIDENT
Name & address supplied

Beach clean
ON Saturday a team of volunteers set about cleaning up a stretch of beach ready for the HOPE beach party we were holding later in the day. We were all impressed as to how clean the beach already was due to the council staff who had already been at work first thing. It was a good reminder to us of how much work continually goes on, unacknowledged, to make our town clean and attractive.
Throughout our preparations council staff and the local police were more than helpful. The day was a great success with several hundred people enjoying the activities put on by the local churches and the help afforded us throughout the planning was a significant contributor to that. May I also take the opportunity to give thanks to the many volunteers from across the churches who worked so well together, and so cheerfully too. And also to the local charity LOAF, who funded the event as part of their focus this year on funding church–based community projects, and to the Community Fruit and Veg Project, for generously supplying all the fruit we needed for the picnics. Thank you!
Revd Dr Richard Mortimer
Chair of HOPE for Hastings and St Leonards
Holes in road
I THINK someone can probably advise on this problem:
In the unmade section of Hillside Road, someone with a heavy vehicle has made deep holes which are nearly always filled with water. It is becoming increasingly difficult to pass now and impossible for a lady in a motorised chair who would like to take her dog for a walk.
Some rubble that at present is taken to Pebsham, would be very useful. The request cannot be made in the paper because of illegal dumping.
Suggestions would be appreciated.
AUDREY TURNER
Hazelwood Gardens

Arts centre
IN the Observer of August 15 you ran an article calling St. Leonards the new Notting Hill, quoting an article in The Times comparing it with art world centre, Hoxton. So, where does Hastings Council plan to put the new Arts Centre? In the Old Town, four miles away. Surely, commonsense, which in many cases seems sadly lacking, says put it where the arts centre is - St. Leonards.
MR. V. CHALCRAFT
Aldborough Road

Many thanks
I, like many others, would like to wish Pam Shadbolt a Macmillan nurse at the Conquest Hospital, a happy retirement and thank her for her sterling support at a very difficult and emotional time in my life. I'm happy to say that I am now in remission and living life to the full. Many, many thanks.
Deborah Worle
St. Leonards

Pier's future
WHAT is going to happen to our Pier now it has closed?
Another Hastings attraction taken away from our town. What will we have left to attract holidaymakers and residents?
This is one of our prized possessions to Hastonians, why don't you let the people of Hastings buy it, we could set up a share scheme where everyone (who wants to) pay say a sum of £10 for a share in the Pier.
We need to keep Hastings alive from the Old Town onwards towards West St Leonards expanding the beauty of Hastings and do something that benefits the town - no more bins!
Dee Jones
Newgate Road

MRSA targets
I WAS interested to see the article in last week's Observer, concerning the fact that the Conquest is struggling to meet the required targets, laid down by this Government to beat the Healthcare Infection, known as MRSA.
The Government created a target structure, in order for hospitals to aim to be seen to be eradicating MRSA 'bacterium' (blood borne - septicemia). This is the only form of MRSA that is recorded and registered, and what the Hospitals, Department of Health and the Government are concerned about, regarding publicity. It is the only MRSA that is likely to be placed on a victim's Death Certificate and furthermore, it is the only form of MRSA that the public is made aware of, statistically.
MRSA can and does attack other areas in the body, as a 'localised' infection. It can attack joints, organs and tissue. It's effect can be devastating and in some, fatal, but these figures are not considered important enough to register and record as part of the whole effect that MRSA can have. (Even though far more people, fall victim of localised MRSA than MRSA bacterium)
Naturally the Government do not want to cause worry and be a scare-monger, but to hide the truth from the public is disgraceful.
Only once the truth is made aware to everyone, will everyone take more responsibility to fight this 'killing machine'!
It must not be forgotten that the transmission of MRSA, in the main, is transmitted by touch, and therefore, every person, entering a hospital, must be responsible for cleaning their hands, but particularly the STAFF, after all our lives are in their HANDS!
I am pleased to see that most hospitals, nationwide, now adopt the CLEAN YOUR HANDS programme, but as members of the public, we must watch with vigilance, the staff, and be sure they to are adhering to the same practice...after all they are the ones who are most likely to TOUCH!
MARION HAM
Address supplied

Carnival
RE: Kris Morris and his reference to a 'damp squib' of a Carnival.
While I agree with everything you say about Carnival week, and the events surrounding this now famous week of our year, the comments you make about our Carnival parade are not fair to either the participants or my hard working committee.
Have you ever taken part or maybe built a Carnival float? If you have not had the pleasure put your money where your mouth is for a start. When participants turn up on the day with floats made of flimsy materials such as crepe paper, children are out to enjoy such an event expecting a fine, sunny day in August. And to be subjected to what could have been a November day, cold wet with no chance of getting dry or warm how can one expect the best? They have already proved their guts and determination by turning up in such inclement weather, and that also goes for the older generation including most of my committee, the marshals and many helpers too numerous to mention.
When you mention not enough floats, do you realise how difficult it has become to borrow or even hire trucks for such events at this present time?
I agree we do need more floats, I do hope yours will be amongst these in 2009. We cannot press gang these days, that has long gone. But like other towns the large companies who we would see in earlier years do not compete.
There are many issues regarding the running and planning for Carnival, and if anybody reading this letter, Kris included, would like to put in their three pennyworth and help, please contact me on 07757851634. I await your calls. And if you can provide me with a contact address I will send you an invitation and details to a meeting we plan to hold on September 17.
Robert. E. Morgan
The Ridge

Jerwood site
I HAVE read for many weeks now the arguments over the Jerwood Gallery and I thought it was time I joined in.
I think the West St Leonards site would be ideal, it would help regenerate this part of the town, that's of course if you insist on having an art gallery anyway. I feel the money would be far better spent erecting a Marina at Marina - flows well doesn't it (excuse the pun). If not this site why not extend the existing museum, it would then read Museum and Art Gallery, the two combine well together.
As for the roundabout to be sited at the Old Town, this is ludicrous. It will definitely cause problems with pedestrian access to the Rock a Nore area. The proposed art gallery site is ill-founded as I believe it used to be the old fishermen's net drying ground and its existing use as a coach park is ideal. If the coaches have to go off site and return to pick up their passengers it will cause traffic mayhem and if the weather is bad, people will get soaked waiting for their particular coach to arrive. I suggest this will be the last time they visit Hastings. Much better that they can make their way back in their own time to the coach park bearing in mind that a high percentage of these people are elderly.
As someone involved in architecture for many years I can see no logical reason why a modern art gallery should be positioned in the Old Town which is fine as it is and should be left as a place of historical interest and why on earth knock the old "Cabin" down - it's been there for years and is part of the Old Town scene. "Why mend it if it ain't broke". In discussions at our local the general opinion is 'who wants an art gallery anyway, how many local Hastings people will use it, not many I suggest.
Peter Jenner
Hillside Road

Cruelty to gulls
Recently we have read several accounts of seagulls being either found dead, hurt or people attempting to hurt them.
I am not surprised to see the sad little bodies of young gulls in the road recently, it seems to be an annual cull by even more sad motorist's who like the idiots who tried to run over a gull with bikes or the cretinous apology for an "intelligent" human being who throws food into the road deliberately to see a helpless creature maimed or killed (Observer August 22)
I imagine that these people have such a low self esteem that to feel important to themselves and possibly in an attempt to hike their "street cred" in front of their pals, they inflict pain and suffering on helpless animals.
I am sure the same thing happens on many of our roads with foxes, badgers and squirrells and rabbits falling prey to the great self centered among us.
Strangely, many years ago, through my work with offenders in London, one of the toughest men I have ever met, a bare knuckle boxer and club doorman, he would spend any time needed to rescue even a fly or spider trapped in a house and even dug up a neighbours garden when a frog fell into a clothes line hole, and then restored the post afterward.
These are the true real men who can show their toughness by kindness to innocent creatures not the people who get their kicks by cowardice.
Kelly Stewart
Duke Street, Bexhill

Racist scum
I WAS born in Hastings just over 50 years ago, I am proud to say I come from Hastings.
When I read about the racist killing of a sixteen year old child in Hastings I have to question why the scum responsible are allowed to walk the streets? Equally why the police do not take a strong stance or is this signs they are still institutionally blind?
How can the shopkeeper have been attacked 25 times?
May I through your pages express my sympathy to the family of Mohammed Al-Majed.
Next time an election comes around perhaps the electors who support the evil BNP in our town might think again.
Adrian Cirket
London Road

Local politics
FOR my sins, I am now the longest serving councillor on Hastings Borough Council, so I speak (or write) with a degree of experience in such matters. I held in true regard those who would grapple with tough political decisions that really could affect lives like setting the rate level and the amount for council-house rents.
Along with others at the time, I fought for a new shopping centre which was held back for 10 years by a backward vision, days when the word regeneration rarely got a mention. Then after 15 years of struggle came my own leadership of council and the swift realisation that a new government of the land was hell-bent on centralising decision making and leaving borough councils as little more than 'whipping-boys', so convenient when blame needed to be deflected. But despite difficult circumstances, the regeneration process began and we did get our shopping centre at last. As the millennium turned a new leader emerged who still had faith in the power of rhetoric and the ability to speak for so long and so loudly that it would wear any opposition down. Gradually some became more equal than others. The crumbs which dropped from the government's table were fought over at unrepresentative cabinet meetings and special responsibility allowances were dished out to the elite, causing the natives to be restless. The professional officers lost their civic pride and public respect, settling for previously unheard of salary levels, delegated powers and a protected career path. Reduced to little more than a 'talking shop', the elected members became even more tribal, fighting contrived verbal battles in the hopes of a 'sound-bite' quote from a journalist passing through. All friends in Pisarros but arch-enemies with no holds barred once within their Queens Road Coliseum. What goes around comes around and the Conservatives who had their rights of franchise, had dumped the pathetic dregs of authority straight into their laps. Flapping around like fish out of water they have struggled to understand where they are ever since. The players of this game whose rules are ever subject to change however, by no means just a motley crew of rogues and vagabonds. The vast majority, including the present leadership, want to preside over a thriving town where civic pride has been restored but as democracy and public confidence ebbs away, such ambitions become more difficult to achieve. To come up to date, in last week's Observer, the Lib Dem Parliamentary Campaigner directs his criticism towards the local press. You haven't learnt much in this game if you believe that your cause will be dramatically furthered by upsetting the piper who calls the tune. The job of an editor primarily is to give the punters what they want and thus sell even more newspapers? If only a borough council could be trusted with the resources needed to meet the hopes and aspirations of its populous by way of a transparent and democratically accountable process. In what must seem now a utopian dream-world, councillors, officers and even newspaper editors could well find therein a greater return on their product and the restoration of local consumer confidence.
CLLR. RICHARD STEVENS
Leader Lib Dems
Hastings Borough Council

Female yobs
HAVING taken my children to see Girls Aloud I was disgusted with the grown up women who barged, abused and swore at the young children at the front reducing the children to tears.
These women were fighting and causing upset for those that just wanted to enjoy the evening. All too often we hear about young teenagers who cause trouble but they behaved as they should letting the younger ones in front of them, one young guy even let some small children who were being abused by the grown ups sit on his shoulders, so to that man us normal people would like to say thank you, but to those grown women who should be disgusted with themselves thank you for ruining what should have been a fun evening. The security team who surrounded the stage were very good and I cannot fault their actions, they tried their best to stop the problems, one security guard even told the women he was disgusted with them.
Please could you put something in the Observer as I think these people should be shamed and the teenagers who behaved like humans should be praised.
MRS K. DAVIS
Ashburnham Road

Seagull cull?
Re: Readers letters 'Seagulls'
OR landgulls as they should be more correctly called, with the demise of natural predators and their ever increasing and successful scavenging from man, have unnaturally increased in number, in Hastings, to an extent whereby their aggressive behaviour can be very threatening, as observed on many occasions on the seafront, in their quest in sharing someone's snack.
Along with their feathered friend, the feral pigeon, they should be severely culled, a practise I am glad to note, some other councils are carrying out.
Personally when driving I do not deviate one inch so as to miss one, when it is carrying out kamakasi antics in the road, although disappointingly my hit score is low for the year ... must try harder.
KEN HEWITT
Playden Gardens

I WAS very sorry to see the 'Admiral Benbow' public house (London Road, St Leonards) all boarded-up and closed. This pub used to be one of my favourite haunts, and a place in which I made many friends.
Public houses seem to be closing all over this town now, and those that are still open, they seem to have few customers. Blame the insane 'smoking ban' - because that is what has done this!!! Add to this ridiculous law, a summer which could only justifiably described as 'soaking wet', and the outcome was somewhat inevitable.
I am sure that the 'anti-smoking brigade' are clapping their hands with glee, but this is of cold comfort to those licensees who have lost their businesses.
Erstwhile 'pub regulars' now meet up at each others' houses/flats on a rota basis... not to save money, but because smoking is still permitted in private dwellings.
I hope that your one-time correspondent Stephanie Beale (of the 'Marina Fountain' pub) is reading this; I have a more than just 'slight' notion that she might agree with my sentiments!
Smoking is here to stay - face the truth!!! Unfortunately, it is the pubs that are going.
MARK CALVER
Pevensey Road

Jerwood site
WHEN are our Council going to realise that this Arts Centre is not favoured by the majority to be sited on the "The Stade Coach Park". Like many others who have written to this page there are other more suitable sites that could be used, derelict at the moment, but could do with the injection of cash for such a venture. I am not against such a venue in our town and am sure to some it would be beneficial, but not the majority.
As for the idea to place, or more likely to waste, a vast area and money at the junction with "The Bourne and Rock-a-Nore Road", with a roundabout is ludicrous. If this is for the sole purpose for coaches to turn around there will not be any coaches to worry about. Take away the Stade facility for our important day time visitors, who deserve and need such a drop off and pick up point, I say with confidence that they will stay away and go elsewhere. Put yourselves in their position. Arrive in the Old Town; off they go to toilets and freshen up, somewhere to eat- more than likely some of that famous Fish-and-Chips the Old Town is noted for, not some fancy restaurant adjacent to some expensive Arts Centre. Bellies full, have a look around shops, maybe some golf and a little gamble in the amusement arcades thrown in for good measure and a giggle. I know this! have done it myself with my family. And we, after a while, well a month or so, go back for more especially if you've won a free go on the golf. I may visit the arts centre once but that would be all, not, as I say above, go back for more.
So I say to the Jerwood Gallery you are welcome to our town but stay away from The Old Town area.
Robert. E. Morgan

Parochial
I MOVED from London only a few weeks ago to come and live in St. Leonards. In one sense, the atmosphere here is fresher and cleaner but, in the other meaning of the word, it is as if I had arrived at 'Sleepy Hollow' by comparison.
For instance, the local newspaper (the Observer) seems to print readers' letters which are limited to local issues only - insular and proud of it. This seems a pity, as local residents must have travelled far and wide, with a wealth of knowledge to impart, which would widen the horizons of readers.
On Tuesday, August 19, the third Tuesday in the month, at the regular monthly meeting of Hastings Against War Group, MP, Michael Foster, was invited to speak and answer questions (or evade them). It was noticeable that questions and comments were mostly limited to peripheral issues, such as ID cards and the length of detention of 'Terrorist' suspects. Sadly, major issues, such as nuclear armed Trident submarine replacement, costing the odd billion pounds of OUR money, and disgusting use of nuclear waste weapons by British and US forces, were not aired
RICHARD CRUMP
Sedlescombe Road South

Coach park
INVESTMENT In the Jerwood Gallery will improve the attractiveness of Hastings but it's also important to appreciate the economic benefit of the coach park. Replacement facilities must be convenient otherwise substantial existing business will go elsewhere.
On many Monday evenings in school term, five to ten foreign coaches arrive carrying in several hundred youngsters. After arrival they have a few hours to spend in the Old Town and Priory Meadow. In early evening they are collected from the coach park with their luggage by host families. Glorified bus stops strung along the seafront are no substitute. Where will host families stop their cars? Where will the luggage go? During the week the coaches use the coach park for night-time parking. Many leave on Fridays when luggage is put on coaches but drivers do not come on duty to start the long journey across Europe until the afternoon. In the meantime the youngsters visit the tourist sites and shops. If the coach park is at Sea Road, how many groups will bother to walk all the way to Priory Meadow, Old Town, Castle, etc?
VIC BLANDFORD-CORP