Seafront shelters: backlash expected

The final 10 designs for the seafront shelters are in - featured on pages four and five - and most if not all of them appear to be too aggressively modern for the town.

The idea to run a competition in conjunction with RIBA is a sound one in principle, but the results are likely to disappoint a great many people.

Bexhill's seafront does need to be brought into the 21st century, but it needn't be dragged kicking and screaming.

There is plenty of scope in the town's Edwardian nature and in the clean lines of the De La Warr Pavilion to come up with a design which is both elegant and has a neat modern twist.

The Observer agreed to run the final 10 designs to bring them to a wider audience, as the only other way people can see them is by logging onto the internet.

This way people without a computer - particularly the elderly - can take a look and see what they think.

Rother has made it clear it is seeking residents' views on the shelters, and it is highly unlikely people in Bexhill will be shy.

However our letters pages feature a view from a couple of residents who do like the designs, which just goes to show how opinions can vary.

Bexhill, it's over to you.

Great event for children

ONE thing Rother did get absolutely spot on this week was the fun day at the town hall.

By all accounts the event was highly successful, with crowds of children enjoying the range of activities during their half-term break.

It's a great way of getting youngsters interested and involved with the workings of local government.

And there's something gloriously subversive about turning a council chamber into a creche.