Your Letters - January 9

We welcome your letters - email them to observer@trbeckett.co.uk Please include your name and address if your letter is for publication.

Repeating history?

TO the BNP: It wasn't just Jeremy Birch and Michael Foster who put pressure on the Ore Community Centre to cancel your "Christmas party" but a number of other concerned citizens who had a hand in your exclusion from Hastings.

Should the truth be known, and I am sure "Gauleiter" Nick Prince and his deluded followers would like the truth to be made public. In the same week they were were refused to hold their "party" they were also hassled out of town in Hove and Crawley. In Crawley they asked their supporters to meet in the B&Q car park so that they could give them the address of their "Christmas party". What legitimate and legal political party would ask such a thing of its members and supporters if they didn't have anything to hide?

And perhaps while we are suggesting you tell the truth would like to explain why the BNP are known to openly support extremist right-wing groups, not just in Europe, but all around the world? The truth is some of the BNP's leading members and supporters have criminal convictions. From incitement to racial hatred and the denial of the deaths of 12 million people in the Holocaust to stockpiling chemicals and bomb making equipment. From racially aggravated assault to attempted firebombing. From a shooting spree on the London Underground to the nail bombing of the "Admiral Duncan" pub in Soho that killed three people.

This is the "respectable legal political party" that is asking you, the British electorate, to vote for them.

Yes, the BNP may have the lawful right to meet and stand for elections, but by the same token, the electorate should have the right to be told who they really are and what they really stand for. I fully agree with Herr Prince that you should go to the BNP web site, but before you do please go to http://www.bnp.org.uk/2008/02/28/mission-statement-2/ ; and read their mission statement. This will give you some idea of what they really intend to do with 80% of the people living in Britain, when they form the next Government.

The British National Party may field as many candidates as it likes in the forthcoming elections in 2009 but they should be made aware that they are not wanted in Hastings, Haywards Heath or Sussex for that matter. You have been "run out of town" before and it will most certainly happen again.

It is in this present climate of unemployment, redundancy and financial uncertainty that the BNP will take advantage and play upon your fears. They will blame the asylum seekers, immigrants and anyone who is not "indigenously British." It was in 1933 that the German people found themselves in the same position as we are today and the BNP's fore-runners were swept to power.

2009 is the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War. Do not let history repeat itself. Do not vote or support the BNP, just pity them for their ignorance and poor judgement.

Sean Dooley

PCS Union Rep.

Church Road

Pension plans

I read the article concerning the Conservative party fund raiser with some interest, especially the piece in which Baroness Fookes drew attention to the dreadful attack on pension provision throughout Labour's current reign.

Given that Amber is often quoted as being a financial journalist I would suggest some bed-time reading for her if she really wishes to understand the history of cuts to pension provision in the UK.

Firstly the 1980 Social Security Act, when Thatcher's Secretary of State for Health and Social Security introduced what is probably in my opinion the most devious piece of Pension Legislation on the Statute Book when the link between pensions and earnings was broken. From then onwards the increase in State pension payments was linked to prices, which as a general rule increase more slowly than earnings. Baroness Fookes will remember this well as she served as the Conservative MP for Plymouth Drake during this very dark time for pensioners when the State Pension safety net was dismantled by the Tories.

Then in 1988 the first of the reductions were made to the accrual basis of State Earning Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) benefits with more reductions introduced in 1995 further eroding the State offering. With the famous ticking time bomb of the Social Security Act of 1986 cutting inherited SERPS from April 2000 continual reminders are provided of the Tory slashing of the State Pension Safety net during the 1980s coming home to roost some 14 years the Act was passed. Slashing Pensions with Stealth!

It is generally agreed that the average pensioner is now 30 per week worse off due to the change in the calculation of increases in basic pension.

A disadvantaged generation of pensioners, such as my own Grandparents, like many others of their generation who ironically served their nation during its darkest hour and then had their share of the wealth they helped create taken away from them by Tory cost cutting measures in the 80s, 90s and with the impact still felt today. The good news is that the link between State pension increases and the increase in earnings has been re-introduced by this Labour Government and will become effective during 2012-2014.

We must not forget the raft of positive reforms of the pension landscape since 1997 with Pension Credit, State 2nd Pension, Pension Simplification and Personal Accounts from 2012 onwards. All with the intention of providing a level playing field for all to enjoy their retirement.

Lee Clark

Fellow Personal Finance Society,

Chartered Financial Planner

The Glebe

Bad decisions

I READ with interest Melvyn Johnson's letter regarding the blocking of the Bourne Stream by developers which breached the conditions set by the Planning Committee.

I also note that the Borough Ecologist (Murray Davidson) remained silent on this illegal breach.

However, Mr. Davidson's "reluctance" to come forward is nothing new.

Some 10 years ago the same Borough Ecologist produced a 12 page report outlining why development should not proceed on Robsack Meadow. This report outlined compelling ecological reasons why this development should not go ahead. The application was subsequently withdrawn by Hastings Borough Council.

Last June an application to build two five storey blocks of flats with undercroft parking on this same meadow was approved by Hastings Borough Council. Mr Davidson's report of 1998 was not produced at the planning meeting and Mr. Davidson had little to say.

I have to ask, should a Borough Ecologist employed by Hastings Borough Council be part of the decision making process when the council is seeking planning consent for land that is owned by the Council? Why did the Borough Ecologist remain so silent in June when his 1998 report contained overwhelming evidence as to why no development should take place on this meadow which is surrounded by semi natural ancient woodland set within a local nature reserve?

Hastings Borough Council obviously puts monetary gain before the protection of our wildlife and woodlands. These deplorable planning decisions and failure to apply legally binding ecological conditions, will result in the erosion of our unique woodland and wildlife.

PATRICIA STEPHENSON (Mrs)

Whittlewoods Close

St Leonards

Jerwood questions

Via your newspaper we would like to ask Paul Joy to clarify some points he made in his recent letter regarding the fishermen's views on the Jerwood proposal.

*We would like to ask Mr Joy to provide details of those qualifying members in attendance at the Fishermen's Protection Society AGM in July 2008. We assume there was an attendance list, as is customary at AGMs.

*We would like to ask Mr Joy about the exact wording of the motion that was put to the meeting, presumably as noted in the AGM minutes.

*We would like to ask Mr Joy about the details of the vote taken, numbers, for, against and abstentions. We assume that there was a proper vote taken and it was properly minuted.

*Mr Joy refers to 'additions' that the fishing industry will attract as a direct consequence of building a Jerwood Gallery on the Stade. Exactly what are the 'additions' that apparently weighed so heavily in their consideration of the Jerwood project?

*We would like to ask Mr Joy to confirm, or otherwise, that like the Protection Society, the Fishermen's Institute and Hastings Fishmarket Enterprises are all led by.... Mr Paul Joy

In his declaration that the Stade Partnership represents 'all relevant organisations' he omits to mention that those otherwise qualifying for membership, but opposed to the Jerwood construction project, are excluded or ignored, hence they are not considered 'relevant'.

As regards the real views of the 25 registered boat owners, for it is they alone who are members of the Protection Society, we personally contacted them. 20 of them signed AGAINST the Jerwood proposal and 5 either refused or signed in favour. This survey was done in September when a lot more information was available to them, much of it unknown at the time of their AGM.

We would like to point out that all the so-called improvements, benefits or 'additions' mentioned by Mr Joy DO NOT rely on the Jerwood construction project and can be achieved without the Jerwood Gallery construction – if the fishermen and Hastings Borough Council wish to fund them, either directly or via external funding sources.

As regards future building on the remaining Stade area, the only threat of building comes from HBC when they are soon to become sole trustees of the foreshore. This is the same HBC that wanted to build a hotel complex on the Pelham car park, the same HBC that wanted to build the 'Slug' and the same HBC that is jumping through hoops to accommodate the Jerwood Foundation's extraordinary demands.

Finally, readers might like to know that Mr Joy has personally banned the SOS committee from holding meetings at the Fishermen's' Club in All Saints Street, by what authority we do not know, but clearly Mr. Joy rules his 'fiefdom' his own way.

Alan Smith

SOS secretary

This eyesore

Regarding the eyesore on The Ridge that is Hurst Court - and a potential equivalent next door at the Hastings Cottage former nursing home - if the council is not going to send its Grotbuster team in (which it surely would do if Hurst Court was located on the seafront in prime tourist land) - is it not time to name and shame the owners by putting up a poster board stating simply - "This building owned by ..." etc? Just possible that some negative advertising might stir things up - though one has to be realistic and realise it's probably too late, what with the current state of the economy and so on. But an idea all the same?

The town now has several large buildings lying vacant. Hurst Court has already fallen foul of the vandal brigade and inevitable deterioration as has the old Observer building, Hastings Cottage and the former Stamco complex in Bexhill Road will surely go the same way.

Again - just an idea - could the Observer building not be used to house the much discussed Jerwood art gallery - and taking things a whole lot further - how about the area occupied by Stamco's old home being used to exhibit a salvaged historical gem that lies covered by sand, high tide and hundreds of years of English red tape just a short distance away - the wreck of the Amsterdam?

Obviously there are associated issues - the Amsterdam in particular - salvage, access, parking, transport and impact on local residents - but surely these disused sites have potential that could be made use of to give Hastings something rather different from other traditional seaside towns?

As for the former Burslem building on The Ridge and its new function - well, rather that surely than seeing it boarded up and falling apart?

Happy New Year all.

Simon Stoddart

The Ridge

Borrowing policy

Throughout October, November and December, Michael Foster, Labour MP for Hastings and Rye Constituency has, in his regular Observer column "The Labour View" written at length about the economy and has recently referred to the Tories approach as being "intellectually deficient" this may well be true of the Tories, especially when we consider what the last Tory MP for Hastings and Rye, Jacqui Lait did to the fishermen.

The reality is that Foster is one of the last people on earth who should be penning lines calling others as being intellectually deficient. His articles have had headers such as "Economy", "The Time to Borrow," "Bank Bailout" and "Real Help for Tough Times."

Foster wrote that he was astounded by the enormity of the bank bailout package announced by Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer -- Michael before you brush too much under the carpet, let me remind your constituents that this bail out was all from public money raised through our taxes and that Richard Branson actually offered to buy one such bank that you bailed out!!!

Foster's opinion of "it's time to borrow" is very short sighted and to put it in another those who borrow to pay off debts end up in bigger debt, this will also be the case at national and international level. Did this Labour government and our illustrious MP not learn anything from the Tory Party, the property crash and the recession back in 1987.

The reality of the situation is as simple as this - one of the main ingredients of a credit crunch / recession, call it what ever you wish, is when first time buyers can't afford to jump on the first rung of the property ladder. Another is when a property boom or an economy is built mainly on credit and borrowing.

Even the recent budget was out of touch and half baked. The reduction of 2.5 % VAT in a bid to get people spending in the shops is one thing but to take 2.5% off petrol, only to increase duty further by the rate of inflation was economically suicidal.

Things would be cheaper in the shops if haulage firms did not have to pay so much for fuel and even be able to claim the tax on fuel back.

A 0% petrol and diesel duty extended to taxis, busses and other forms of public transport would see the cost of fares tumble then we would also see more people taking public transport instead, which can only be good for the environment.

On January 5, Woolworth's closes its doors in Hastings with the loss of 75 jobs and nationally 27,000 have lost their jobs as a result of this firm going under - 2009 would have been the centenary of Woolworths in the UK. An American economist has said that up to one in three high street shops will close between March and August 2009, among them a great deal of famous long established names.

Michael Foster and the government's policy of borrowing is incompetent and out of touch and has done nothing to save Woolworth's or the many that will follow on a daily basis in the new year. Michael with all due respect, is it not you that may be "intellectually deficient"?

Nick Prince

Leader

Hastings and Eastbourne British National Party

Communal bins

RE your communal bin row, you can go and tell Big Brother Council that 1984 has gone and passed, and they have no right to impose these ugly, filthy, monstrosities in our roads, taking up valuable parking space, which they have made us pay for, too. The degradation that these bins bring us to is unacceptable.

Now the council is asking me to cross a busy main road, take my life in my hands, just to empty my garbage, how lazy and uncaring can a council be? Next year the Bonfire effigy must be a communal bin with the council in it.

BOB SHAW

Braybrooke Road

Cemetery pictures

I would very much like to thank the gentleman,who took a picture of myself along by LY in the Cemetery at Hastings.When I went into the Cemetery Office last week, I was very upset to see a picture of myself mounted in a frame on a Christmas card. Not only was I upset at seeing the card of myself, but he had also written some comments about the work we all do.

I have worked at the Cemetery for some time now,and I very much like the work. We all have a laugh, but this was to much. Please, sir, no more pictures.I spoke to my union pep, Mr Gordon Butchers, about the matter, he said, it was a joke that simply backfired.

I hope this will bring an end to the whole matter.

Johnnie Elliott

Hastings Cemetery

Panto pleasure

I just wanted to add my comments to those others you must have already had about the recent panto by JW & JC Theatre Productions put on at the White Rock. In recent years I have been sceptical about what to expect from panto shows.

This was really such a refreshing and delightful pleasure to watch. A polished performance which was enjoyed by all. A true credit to an excellent cast and crew and the production team.

Please keep this up and keep coming back, maybe you could even convince the De La Warr to put on this sort of family show.

Claire Lockwood

Ninfield Road

Bexhill-on-Sea

Recycling drive

In the past few weeks it was reported that Hastings council was at the bottom of councils in Sussex. Then we are told by the Council these statistics were completely incorrect. Following all of this a national newspaper is reporting three out of four councils are sending their recycling to either the landfill or incinerator due to the economic downturn.

Irrespective of who is right or wrong on the local recycling figures the importance of recycling is like everything else, sadly influenced by what it is worth, not by serious dilemma of what we do with our waste. The situation will discourage people to recycle. I have no idea if Hastings council is one of those dumping recycling, perhaps this letter will raise an answer ?

We are frequently told of landfill space running out and the increase in fees to 40.00 a ton next year to dump waste at such sites. If the matter is approaching critical what are the local and county councils investigating to alleviate the problem. One successful solution used in some parts of Europe and USA is the plasma furnace, in particular that of the Arc technology. With this there is no burning or incineration and as temperatures can be as much as 10,000K there is virtually no air pollution. Such a furnace can safely handle toxic, medical, household and industrial waste.

If the waste system is going to be faced with market values and our landfills are running out - what other alternative is there to use?

Richard Heritage

Archery Road

Cllr Roy Tucker, lead member for the Environment, said: "I agree absolutely with Mr Heritage about the need to recycle. He is right that landfill sites are filling up at a vast rate and we have little choice but to make sure as much of our waste as possible is recycled and not simply sent to landfill. I can reassure Mr Heritage that we do not dump recyclable materials and such scare stories do not apply to Hastings Borough Council. We have an agreement in place with our partners at East Sussex County Council to process our recyclable materials and that is precisely what happens. We continue to look at how we can encourage residents to recycle more and how we can make this as easy and straightforward a process as possible. We simply must find more and more opportunities to recycle our waste and we will be exploring new and better ways to make this possible in 2009 and beyond."

Welcome gallery

WE are sending this letter to follow-up a workshop we held early in December. During our meeting we discussed the differing response of the community to the proposal to site the Jerwood Gallery on The Stade in Hastings Old Town.

We looked at the leaflet that the foundation has produced in partnership with Hastings Borough Council, and then at the letters pages and editorial of your paper.

We split into two groups, and while the over 10 year olds wrote letters explaining how, as children of the town, they feel, the under 10s had a lovely time painting their affirmation! At the end of our meeting, it transpired that 95 per cent of the group would really love to have such a fabulous facility in Hastings, while two children would like 'things to stay the same.'

We hope that all of the young people in the town will be as excited and inspired by the prospect of having the Jerwood here as we are.

Blue skies.

HASTINGS DISTRICT WOODCRAFT FOLK ELFINS AND PIONEERS

ATMA, KEIR, JOE, LAURIE, SHAW, FRAN, IONA, RUBY, GRACE, ANNA, NINA

Christian presence

So the Hastings Christian book shop is to closing down, following in the footsteps of the Bexhill Christian book shop. I guess Christianity and churches are on the decline, so it's to be expected? Which is odd because as I attended various services this Christmas at different churches of various denominations locally – all seemed very healthy to me. So how on earth can a Christian book shop not be full of customers every day and not be able to restock its shelves fast enough? How can 50 Local churches let this happen?

We need a Christian presence in town centres. We need the word of God as available as a tin of beans or a newspaper. I don't have any connection with the people who run this shop or know the details behind the closure – but I do believe we can reverse this process and make this shop successful. But it's down to each individual Christian! How much is this shop/ a Christian presence in the town centre worth to you? A pound? 5 Even 10? Also to authority of each church locally. I urge you to be the first to support this shop. Put ego and pride aside. Put aside denominational differences.

If you are planning to visit and grab a bargain – shame on you. May I suggest you offer to pay the full asking price, not the sale price. Then next time you need a Christian book, you'll still have somewhere to go!

To the owners I suggest you put a box on the counter and let local Christians make a contribution to the future of your/ our shop. I think you may be surprised at the response. Until then you are in my prayers and if there is anything I can do, just ask.

Paul Minter

Gunters Lane

Bexhill

Dog mess

We have just returned home, after spending our Christmas holidays visiting my family in Hastings.

We visit Hastings twice a year and always seem to have the same problem…the dogs' mess!

Roads like Manor Road, Hughenden Road or even the West Hill and Alexandra Park are appalling.

We have to clean the buggy wheels and even worse our children's shoes two or three times during our stay.

This year we spent the whole visit telling them "Keep off the grass! Don't walk there! Be careful! Watch where you're walking!"

We walked through the town centre the day before we left Hastings. And once again had to dodge in and out of dogs' mess. We didn't see much of the Christmas lights, we spent most of our time walking with our heads down to avoid treading in anything!

I know dog owners reading this article will say "It's not me!" But some dog owners in Hastings are doing it.

Is it difficult or just embarrassing to pick the mess up in a bag and pop it into a bin? You don't even have to get your hands dirty!

If you want a dog then you have to take the unpleasant jobs that come with it, too. One positive point worth mentioning, we didn't see any dogs unleashed.

With the financial crisis coming up, maybe the council should think about employing people to keep an eye open for these culprits.

With a high enough penalty their wages would be covered. One other point for criticism …the rubbish.

As we drove from the airport down to Hastings, we noticed that there was rubbish all along the countryside. (Don't blame the seagulls!) England is a country we should all be proud of. So please take a look around you.

Give the country the respect it deserves. Keep Hastings tidy! What a difference it would make if everyone did their part.

I look forward to seeing Hastings (hopefully) with its changes in summer 2009.

Mandy De Meza

Jagstzell

Germany

Planning rules

WE HAVE never encountered anything so hypocritical as the statement Cllr Paul Barlow made in the Observer under "Stick to Planning Rules" where he says "We need to send a message to developers that they have to stick to the planning conditions."

Perhaps Cllr Barlow, being a member of the planning committee, should take a look at the conditions on land adjacent to 126 Harold Road. The Planning Inspector set a 5 metre wildlife corridor on two sides protected by a permanent fence before any work commences. The block of flats is well advanced and there is no sign of any permanent fencing and the Borough Ecologist has informed us that there will be no wildlife corridor or fencing whatsoever! Perhaps Cllr Barlow should ensure that the planning committee and in turn the planning department practices what it preaches as they have the powers to ensure all developers meet the lawful conditions on all sites but in so many cases in this borough, particularly where they are vital to wildlife, they choose not to use them. In fact in many cases they actively encourage developers to break these conditions.

As, on the face of it, the only beneficiary of violated conditions is the developer, it begs the question - why are they not enforced?

VALERIE KING (Mrs)

Chairman, Hastings Badger Protection Society

Lost bag

I AM a bit absent minded at times and on the morning of December 21 at about 11am I left my 'cat' bag - a strong plastic bag decorated with rows of cats - on the promenade. A small bag, which I had bought in the Scope charity shop a few days before. (It had a new label attached, which I had left on.) The bag contained articles valuable to me.

So thanks to the person who emptied my bag on to the seat on the promenade - first bench after subway from the town. After reaching the White Rock Hotel I discovered my loss and turned back. To my relief I found my spectacles in their case, my diary etc. strewn on the bench.

So the finder of my bag, gave me great relief, and I hope they enjoy using the bag.

I have not been so lucky in finding the diamante bracelet I lost late in the evening on December 17 - but I remain hopeful.

AUDREY

Hastings

Survival thanks

I would like to send my thanks to all the many local people and organisations who have helped raise funds or collected food, gifts and clothing for the Surviving Christmas Appeal and I cannot think of a better way to reach as many people as possible than by a letter in the Observer.

Judith Wycherley

Chairman Surviving Christmas.

Opera House

I NOTICED in the Observer in November that there was a letter about an Opera House (in Warrior Square). This was from a Jan Gilham in Warrior Square.

The lady was asking if anyone knew anything about the Opera House.

Firstly it was The Royal Concert Hall, a large hall where functions were held, it was never in Royal Terrace, it was in Warrior Gardens, a few years later, as the lady said it became a cinema, yes, I went to the Elite cinema as a young boy during the last war, I saw Hoppity Come to Town, a Disney film in 1939, all there is now is a large car park for the flats of the building in Terrace Road, and bushes in Warrior Gardens where the Concert Hall and Cinema was. Later, after the advertised Film 'Fire at Noon', the Cinema caught fire and it burnt down, in 1945-46 approximately.

Details from some street directories:

1907 - Royal Concert Hall - Manager J.S. Wallis

1921 - Royal Concert Hall - Manager ??

1931 - Elite Cinema - Manager E.V. Delorme

1935 - Elite Cinema - Manager L.L. Lovell

1936 - Elite Cinema - Manager L.L. Lovell

1939 - 26 Warrior Gardens Southern Thor Services (Washing Machines) Elite Buildings. Closed owing to the War.

1960 - Gone for good owing to the fire in 1945-46.

Hastings and St Leonards had eight cinemas: Ritz in Cambridge Road, Regal in London Road, Plaza in Robertson Street - later it became Orion, then Smiths, then Yates.

Gaiety in Queens Road, Cinema Deluxe Pelham Place.

Roxy Cinema in London Road, Kinema / later Curzon in Norman Road.

RON FELLOWS

Local Historian

The Fairway

Going bananas

GB - Great Britain, Gordon Brown, Gone Bust (coined by US servicemen when they found we use u/s for unserviceable).

Gallery on the Beach. Good Byeee?

Gordon Bennett! What a Great Big mess we are in.

Michael Plumbe

Swan Terrace

Church thanks

May I, on behalf of the congregation of Hollington Methodist Church, thank the person who phoned the Fire Brigade in the early hours of Boxing Day on hearing the smoke alarm sounding from the church. We also thank the fire crews from Hastings, Battle and Bexhill for their prompt action, and their help throughout the day, their final visit being made at 6.15pm.

Whilst the congregation are devastated at the loss of so many items within the building, we give thanks that no lives were lost, and the building was not structurally affected. We ask that our neighbours will bear with us whilst work is carried out in the next few months to put right the ravages of fire.

We hope most of the building work will be covered by insurance but in case of shortfall, and give the opportunity to update, we are opening a Refurbishment Fund. Should any of our former Girls' & Boys' Brigade Companies, Youth Group or Sunday School members, or anyone else, wish to contribute, cheques should be sent to Church Treasurer, Mrs Pearl Page, 226 Battle Road, St Leonards on Sea. Our thanks to all who have phoned and written following the event, and especially to Clive Redknap and the congregation of St John's Church, Hollington, for the use of their church hall while we are homeless.

Dawn Novis

Church Council Secretary

Hollington Methodist Church

Survival thanks

I AM pleased to write that the 24th Surviving Christmas Project has been successfully completed. Over 1,300 local families in need received food vouchers during December and 450 food hampers were delivered over Christmas, mainly to elderly or housebound people. Despite an increase in the number of people attending, all guests were able to enjoy themselves at our three day "Open Christmas", where in addition to good food they could choose clothing from the clothing store and have their hair cut by one of the hairdressers.

In all over 4,000 people in Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill and Sidley were helped by Surviving Christmas during the festive season. None of this would have been possible without the help and generosity of local people who donated not only their time but also food, gifts, clothes and monetary donations. Thank you to every one of you for your contribution.

Our thanks go out to all our volunteers, especially the two new chefs and hairdressers, who worked tirelessly for the three days, and also to the young people from Darvell Bruderhof, who worked so hard both in the preparations and the clearing up afterwards.

Thank you to the local schools, churches and organisations who raised much-needed funds and collected food, clothing and gifts for us. We do appreciate their continuing support and special praise must go to St Richards College in Bexhill who raised the magnificent sum of 1,500 in addition to collecting a van load of goods for us. Last, but by no means least, we are indebted to the local Trusts and Charities who loyally support our work each year. We are also most grateful to Richard Stevens for his Sox Appeal, the Observer and Sainsbury's for tin collections, and local businesses and schools for the loan of equipment. On a personal note I would like to express my sincere thanks to Eileen, our Vice-Chairman, and Shirley, our part-time Administrator, who worked hard to ensure the success of the project when I was unexpectedly absent during the final month's preparations. Our appeal is not yet closed so if you have donations collected over Christmas please send them in to the address below. Looking forward in 2009, we are seeking people to run in the Hastings Half-Marathon on our behalf – please contact survivingchristmas@tiscali.co.uk

With best wishes for 2009

JUDITH WYCHERLEY

Chairman, Surviving Christmas

PO Box 290, Hastings TN34 9DT

Battle on

AS a history enthusiast I follow closely both cinema and television productions of fact based and fictional dramas. Over the years variations of notable events have been screened to the point of overkill; Henry VIII, Elizabeth 1, Charles, Cromwell, Napoleon, the Normans and religious blockbusters; enough is enough. It is now time to focus on the event of 1066, a landmark in English history where a foreign power, hostile to this country invaded our shores and won the Battle of Hastings. The production companies should "go for it." Foyle's War was successful, so should 1066 be.

D S STEADMAN

The Links

American slant

I SUPPOSE the Battle of Hastings 1066 is one which the Americans are not going to claim they fought!

I have always been incensed by the way they depict themselves winning battles in theatres of war they were nowhere near, or only in small numbers.

Men and women were fighting, suffering and dying long before America entered the Second World War; these American films should be banned and destroyed including Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers, so that generations of youngsters see history correctly.

L. BURTON

Address supplied

Gaza vigil

firstly, thanks for everyone who attended the vigil for peace in Gaza which was held in the town centre on Saturday. Check the Hastings Against War for local demos and meetings www.hastingsagainstwar.org/, for demonstration on a national level go to www.stopwar.org.uk/ or www.palestinecampaign.org

My second reason for writing in is that I have noticed a few local BNP activists are trying their hand at comedy in the Observer letters page recently. They really must put their train sets away and their pictures of Lord Nelson and realise the days of empire are over. We are all the children of immigrant people and people don't buy into your racist party's beliefs.

chris laverick

Hastings

Protect ruins

AS I understand it, the site now occupied by ESK is going to be part of the town centre regeneration plan. This being so I hope the council will take steps when developing this site to protect the remains of the old priory which survive below the present building, I have also been told by staff at ESK that there are some Roman ruins there as well. So much in Hastings is connected to the old priory that I feel it would be criminal if the town lost these remains as we are mainly a tourist economy town and history is our main claim to fame. I hope someone from the appropriate council department can assure us of their intentions to protect this area.

Mike tilbrook

Priory Road

Hastings

Cut above?

Does anyone know of a decent barber that will actually speak to my eight-year-old son whilst cutting his hair? All the ones we have encountered so far seem to treat him / us like we are not worthy of their custom .

AMANDA ELSEY

Hastings

Wizard show

THANK you to everyone involved in the production at the Stables Theatre of the Wizard of Oz. My granddaughter, aged just two-and-a-half years absolutely loved it. Congratulations and well done.

R. WHITE (Mrs)

The Ridge

Lions' review

Around this time there is a tendency to reflect on the doings of the last twelve months and we in the Lions Club are no different.

It has been a momentous year, not least for the record entry in the now famous Hastings Half Marathon, which we put on for the 24th time. To cap that, the germ of an idea in race director Eric Hardwick's mind, developed into the Centenary Marathon, which we were proud to underwrite and organise. It is not customary for our individual club members to be singled out but he deserves it.

These and other fund raising activities, such as the Highwoods Golf tournament, allowed us to make donations in excess of 52,000 in 2008, mostly to residents and organisations in Hastings and St Leonards. For instance, the generosity of the members of the Highwoods club plus our contribution allowed cheques for over 10,000 to be handed over to St Michael's Hospice.

At the other end of the scale we have made small and large donations to groups and individuals, to the young, the old, the talented, not so talented, for drug awareness, Kipling ward at the Conquest and many more. The smallest donation was but 29.95. We welcome applications from people and organisations in the Town and we consider each case on its merits.

For some years we have been the collecting point for old hearing aids from all over the British Isles and Ireland to recycle. Prisoners in a jail in the North Country repair them and we send about 4000 out each year to over 30 countries.

This year you may have noticed little white bottles with our logo and "Message in a Bottle" on them in green in pharmacies, the hospital and other outlets.

These are given to people with a medical condition to put in their fridge with their problem detailed on a note inside the bottle.

A sticker is put on the dwelling main entrance, so in an emergency the medical attendant knows exactly what action to take with the patient. We aim to have these bottles available in every pharmacy and surgery in the Town. They are absolutely free.

How does all this come about? We in the Lions Club are merely the conduit for your goodwill and generosity. Yes, you the kind people in the Borough.

Without your patience and support the half marathon could not run. The money we give out is largely generated by you, not perhaps by you personally dipping in your pockets again, though you do. But by the welcome you give to visitors and standing at the kerbside giving encouragement.

So may I thank you for all the support you continue to give us. If you feel that we can help you, do ask. I may not always be possible but nothing ventured nothing gained.

A Happy New Year to you all.

Valerie Vint

President of the Lions Club of Hastings

Why gallery would be good for whole town

AN open letter to the Save Our Stade group:

Dear SOS,

I am writing to you, as an ordinary Hastings citizen and resident of the Old Town, to express my full support for the Jerwood Gallery to be built on the Stade. I have read carefully your website, as I was initially surprised that there was such opposition to the project, and I thought it important to understand the arguments of the opponents fully.

While I will always respect thought-out and honestly held views, I have to say I disagree with you on practically every count.

1. It is not true as you say that everyone in favour of the Jerwood is either in the pay of Hastings Borough Council or an artist. I am neither.

2. It is not true that Hastings BC employees only churn out "regeneration babble" as you say. Only this week I had a full and frank discussion of the project with a delightful lady employed by the council in managing our attractions. She had much to say that was considered, impassioned, intelligent and from the heart. She is deeply saddened that some townspeople cannot see the benefits of this wonderful project.

3. It is not a valid objection that the art collection - which is one of the most important in existence - "does not relate to this area" (your words). Hastings has of course been much depicted by artists, and continues to be so. There are excellent collections of some of these works in the town's museums, including the Fishermen's Museum, the Old Town Hall and the main museum. A walk along George St and the High St will show that, on the basis of the number of commercial art galleries, modern artists depicting the town are doing a roaring trade. This is marvellous. The Jerwood collection offers something different, a collection of national and even international importance, and this can happily sit alongside our existing collections of art. The Jerwood should not be criticised because they wish to bring us Francis Bacon rather than yet more views of the Net Shops. Would you expect the National Gallery to hold on London art? Or only British art?

4. In answer to your question, yes it is realistic that people will want to visit this splendid collection. They will come from the town and from outside it, increasing the number of visitors.

I do not understand your assertion that culture-led regeneration does not deliver the promised benefits. It has certainly done so in Liverpool (City of Culture), in Newcastle-Gateshead (Angel of the North, the Baltic, the Sage), and elsewhere in the country. I do not accept that your comments about the De La Warr Pavilion have any validity, as they are based on letters to the local newspaper. They express opinions which again I have no doubt are honestly held, but this is hardly empirical evidence. By contrast, my perception is that the Pavilion has brought people into Bexhill (I am one - the only reason I have visited the town is to go there) and raised the profile of the town enormously, judging by the number of references to the Pavilion in the press and on television.

5. You say the Old Town is fabulous now. At last we find something I can broadly agree with - generally, it is. However, this is not just a project for the Old Town, but for the whole town, and we would be selfish as Old Towners to base our views on the Jerwood simply on Old Town concerns without considering the wider benefit to the entire town.

The benefits for Hastings as a whole are as follows. This is the third poorest town in England based on gross income per capita. It has no substantial economic base. Its history as a holiday resort needs to be rethought out: we have so much to offer as a town but we simply do not live in an age any more where people will come here for two weeks every summer. Instead, people will come for a day trip, or a long weekend.

They seek a great town with things to see and do. The presence of an art collection with international importance will increase the visitors to our lovely town (both the Old Town and the rest of Hastings). This is an opportunity not just to be welcomed, but to be grabbed with open arms.

6. I agree with you that transport and access must be carefully managed and the Old Town cannot absorb visitors' cars. However, this is not a reason not to go ahead with the Jerwood. Let us not forget that Arsenal Football Club have built a stadium with a capacity of 60,000 which is entirely reliant on public transport to get people to it and from it. If such a project is possible, it is surely not beyond the wit of Hastingers to manage the access issues to the Jerwood.

7. I detect a concern that the Jerwood will turn the Old Town into something different from the "working community" which you describe, with empty houses owned by absent second-homers. I doubt it, particularly in the current economic climate. But if this is your argument, it does smack of the nimby-ism of which you accuse others, and which again puts so-called Old Town concerns first.

Finally, in answer to your question "would it really be such a loss if Jerwood went to another town?" The answer is yes it would be the most appalling loss. The cause of economic development in Hastings would be set back years, if not decades.

One could then hardly blame the council, or any regeneration agency, for not bothering to try to get projects of this type for the town. Further, one could not blame any arts organisation for bypassing the town to go to other places where they would be welcomed with open arms.

Jane Purdon

All Saints Street

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