Your letters - August 13, 2010
We welcome your letters - email them to observer@trbeckett.co.uk Please include your name and address if your letter is for publication.
Forget posters – dog mess is real scourge
I READ with interest your in-brief story about the tough-line councillor Jeremy Birch is taking with regard to fly-posting.
What's the problem again? A few people are putting up posters where they shouldn't?
Hardly the anti-social crime of the century and not half as repellent as the tide of dog faeces one must navigate a way through when embarking upon any journey long or short in our lovely town.
I would suggest the task force and funding the council might have allocated to the fly-posting squad be redirected to the pavement-posters that are the truly anti-social scourge of Hastings and St Leonards.
It may seem a trifle to our council, but the volume of crud on our streets most likely has a greater impact on the quality of life of residents than anything else, and gives a far more negative impression to those all important visitors than a few tatty posters.
As delightful as it is to see the tender expression that comes over so many young people's faces when they are holding their first ever Staffordshire bull terrier pup wrapped in an old towel at a bus stop, it is equally horrible to see them a year down the line letting them besmirch the pavement outside your home, or in Priory Meadow with a dog dressed up like a shire horse, dragging their owner over to a similarly bejewelled specimen and starting a fight.
Perhaps it comes as a relief when this dog ends up in a rescue centre and is finally offered some real love and care by an adoptive family.
It seems like sometimes dogs get a better deal than humans and no doubt the people that only have dogs as 'protection' or some kind of status talisman have a pretty unenviable existence. It's time Hastings council got with the programme, our pavements are so 80s!
There must be a solution, anyone got any ideas, perhaps I could put some posters up? I hear the council has got some 'fairly hard-hitting' posters planned to deter the foulers. Hopefully they'll put them up in all the right places.
SARAH JANES,
Bohemia Road
St Leonards.
Seagull Street not suffering alone
I READ with interest you article concerning Magpie Close, unfortunately this isn't the only area affected by seagulls.
Alexandra Park also has a issue with the gulls. This is caused by people feeding them, in the lower area by the lakes.
The gulls here (mainly chicks) have overrun this area, defecating on the grass areas, killing the ducklings and making bowling an unpleasant experience. These birds will spread to other areas in the park i.e. the other grass areas which will cause ongoing issues.
At the moment when a bowler delivers a wood they are covered in droppings, and the bowler then has to use that wood again. This is a health hazard.
Okay the bowlers can take precautions, but what about families on a day out to the park, the runners who use the park etc?
Something needs to be done as soon as possible to prevent this getting out of hand and the park becoming a no-go zone.
The adult gulls regularly dive bomb visitors now, next year could be worse as more gulls realise that there is easy pickings to be had.
GEOFF HEAD,
Ledsham Avenue, St Leonards.
I AGREE with the residents of St Leonards, something has got to be done about the seagulls.
On Friday I took my two grandchildren to the park to feed the ducks, what ducks?
They took some bread out of the bag and within seconds there were at least 30 seagulls, the poor ducks did not stand a chance.
Also they surrounded us which was rather scary, just like something out of the Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds. We had to make a quick exit.
So we decided to go in the playpark, but there was not anything there that a four-year-old could go on, there was birds' mess on the play equipment which was not very nice.
So we came home and played in our own back garden.
A trip to the park which was meant to be treat turned into a nightmare.
Culling should be brought in, and the swings and slide replaced in the playpark.
SHIRLEY MEDHURST
Playden Gardens
Don't write us off after just one visit
LIKE Donald Cole, who wrote in last week's Observer, I attended the recent Stables Theatre production of the Farndale Macbeth.
I saw the show towards the end of its run and accept the performance and audience reaction may have been different on the evening Donald and his partner were there.
But when I went the house was full and the auditorium filled with appreciative laughter.
The Farndale plays, of which this was one of ten such irreverent comedies, are a particular genre and not everyone's cup of tea, but I would ask Donald not to judge the theatre on a single offering.
Donald, do try again as the Stables artistic planning team put together a varied programme made up of a mixture of its in-house amateur productions, professional shows, and bookings from other local groups.
Already this season the theatre's own productions, each with different casts and directors, have included plays by Terry Johnson, Jim Cartwright, Royce Ryton and Peter Shaffer.
The last author's play, Equus, performed in April, was outstanding and rivaled professional productions.
The theatre's planning group work hard to create a programme that will appeal to the eclectic tastes of all its audiences.
Please don't write us off on one visit after many years of absence. I am convinced you will enjoy and be impressed by the work of the theatre.
Contact me through the box office and I would be happy to provide you with two free tickets to any one of the next three shows by Stables members which are: Celebrating Shakespeare, The Wicked Lady by Magdalen King-Hall or Privates on Parade by Peter Nichols.
I would be especially pleased to provide you with tickets to this last one, as I am in it! My colours are now firmly nailed to the mast.
PHILIP BLURTON
Albany Road, St Leonards
I AM sorry Donald Cole did not enjoy the "Farndale Macbeth "at the Stables last Saturday. We take all comments very seriously, both good and bad.
In defence of the play, I would like to point out this is a family show of the pantomime type and not sophisticated humour so Mr Cole was possibly expecting too much.
We try to offer a broad spectrum of entertainment throughout the year and it is inevitable that some plays will have less appeal than others.
Mr Cole states he hasn't been to the Stables for many years, if he had he would have enjoyed some outstanding drama this year such as Two, The Boy Juliet, Nicholas Nickleby, and The Graduate.
Our actors and directors are mostly amateur but we do have a number of professionals in our group. We are all unpaid volunteers both on and off stage and we welcome newcomers of all abilities.
We receive no assistance from the council and have to pay our way like any other business. Please support us by coming to see the shows and if by chance you don't enjoy the experience, tell us before you tell the rest of the world.
If, of course you do happen to enjoy a performance, feel free to tell everyone.
GILL JENKS (Stables volunteer)
Harold Road
I CANNOT let the unfair criticism of the Stables production go unchallenged.
By his own admission, Donald Cole visited the Stables Theatre 'for the first time in many years'. The rest of his complaint shows his unfamiliarity with theatre.
As a member of the audience, one is required to accept as real something that is obviously false, and that is part of the enjoyment.
The Stables is an amateur organisation (although with professional attitudes), run and staffed by volunteers.
The play in question, a production of Macbeth, indicated from the start that an evening of disasters lay in wait.
For the cast to create a poorly produced, stage managed and acted performance so superbly well, spoke volumes for their expertise and application.
I was there on the first Friday, and the audience found it hilarious.
Other people to whom I have spoken, who attended on different evenings, agreed with this view.
I presume that Mr Cole also thought that the late Les Dawson was a rotten pianist.
LEN BOLTON
Harrow Lane, St Leonards
BBC coverage of Hastings unfair
WITH reference to the BBC News programme on Tuesday, July 20, I am absolutely disgusted with the way Hastings was portrayed as being in a poor state and rundown.
All the good points of Brighton were shown but nothing about the rundown estates and other places of no importance.
Yet the clip on Hastings showed the Melvin pub boarded up and empty offices. There are boarded up pubs all over the country, I expect even in Brighton, but that was not shown.
The news programme should have focused on the good parts of Hastings as there are plenty, i.e. Alexandra Park where there are loads of activities for people of all ages; the two excellent cable cars on the West and East Hill which are popular with locals and visitors; the country park; the caves and castle; lovely gardens across the borough; the Old Town Carnival - the list is endless.
Lots of people watch the BBC News and I feel that after the programme visitors might think twice about coming here.
BRIAN GRIFFIN
Githa Road
Hats (pirates) off to Hastings
I JUST had to write to say what a fantastic Old Town Week we have just experienced and I gather that the 'New Town' did well out of it too.
With all the pre-week talk of cuts, recession and general doom and gloom, Carnival Week was a welcome shot in the arm for us all.
Here we had the community coming together as only they can, giving freely of their time and effort for our residents and visitors alike.
As a member of the Old Town Carnival Committee for many years, I can honestly say that this year's week was something very special with a great supportive atmosphere at all the masses of individual events whether they were huge gatherings like the sensational Pirate Day or maybe an open garden or a guided walk.
I even heard from one lady with a tiny cottage garden who welcomed 600 visitors.
Hastings easily broke the record for the most pirates in one place at the same time but the Guinness Book of Records should also include an entry for keeping the most number of people amused, entertained and interested for an entire week.
Congratulations Hastings and to all who made Old Town Week 2010 happen.
RICHARD STEVENS
Old Town councillor
I WOULD like to thank Roger Crouch, John Hough, the town's traders and of course everyone who made the effort to dress as pirates, for making Pirate Day in Hastings last week a day to remember.
Roger should be singled out for his vision in bringing Pirate Day to Hastings and John for his significant contribution of funding that made the Guinness World Record attempt possible and the publicity for the town immense.
There were far too many others involved to name them all but they should all be congratulated.
Friday saw a town united in achievement. Traders in the town centre dressed as pirates and displaying pirate flags were plentiful whilst the Old Town simply looked stunning.
The excitement and atmosphere was palpable. It confirmed for me how much can be achieved by bringing skills, determination and funding together for the benefit of Hastings and I hope there will be more to come in the future.
ROB WOODS
Town Centre Manager
I HAVE attended hundreds of carnivals all over Kent, as well as others in Sussex, Surrey, Essex and the south Midlands, and without a doubt the carnival in Hastings last Saturday was the best I have seen for many years.
Most carnivals have something outstanding; maybe bands, noise, humour, participation by local groups and individuals, and visiting carnival association floats with their courts and music.
Hastings had it all; such a diversity of themes, and imagination and effort put into the floats.
The dedication by the regular participants, a Hastings fishing family (Tom's Cabin should be retained for permanent display!), Bollywood themed Elephant and group, Iceni Belly dancers, majorettes and twirlers, and many, many more, including the visiting courts from Bexhill and Kent, and the Hastings Carnival Queen with her two princeses.
This doesn't just all happen by chance; next week there is a meeting and outline decisions will be made for next year. The Old Hastings Preservation Society, Hastings Old Town Carnival Association (HOTCA), the High Street Traders Association and many more local groups and volunteer organisations swing into action.
Ian Porter, co-ordinator of Old Town Carnival Week and Robert Morgan, chairman of HOTCA, with their respective committees will plan for the next 50 weeks.
There are so many to thank for the spectacular parade; the wonderful support from the RNLI, fire crews, police, St John's Ambulances, marshals who do such a great job and of course the support of the council. All in the name of raising funds for charities and having a lot of fun while doing it.
Hastings people can be very proud of their carnival and should be equally proud of the dozens of people working behind the scenes, and the un-named drivers, chaperones and other volunteers who give freely of their time and labour to help organise or take part in this historical Old Town Carnival Week.
PATRICK JONES
Caterham, Surrey
(PIRATE) hats off to Hastings! I felt compelled to write about my experience of Pirate Day. This day was a triumph for the organisers and an even bigger triumph for the town.
Everyone was in high spirits and was on best behaviour. The sheer number of people that showed up to break the record all dressed up like pirates was fantastic.
There was no trouble at all that I could see and everyone seemed to have a really good time. That record will take some beating now!
My family and I and many other people on the day expressed a keen interest in this becoming a yearly event (if not to keep breaking the record then maybe for nominated charities).
Please could the organisers consider this for the same time next year, I know we'll be there, arrgh!!
SHANE DOVE
Aldborough Road, St Leonards
ON behalf of Hospital Radio Hastings I would like to thank French's Skip and Haulage Company of Ponswood Industrial Estate St Leonards for their continued support to us in helping us to enter the Hastings Old Town Carnival Procession each year by providing us with a lorry and a driver.
We had great fun and it was lovely to get the crowd singing along the route. We are all volunteers at Hospital Radio Hastings and provide a 24 hour free broadcasting service to the patients there giving them the opportunity to request and listen to their favourite music.
I would also like to thank the Hastings Old Town Carnival Committee for once again organising a really good carnival week.
WENDY BUTLER
Hospital Radio Hastings
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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