Your Letters - April 25

Gull attacks

I DISAGREE with remarks in last Friday's Bexhill Observer as I was attacked by a gull a few years ago which was nesting on top of the flats next door. As I entered my garden I was attracted by their screeching when it dove at me. Just as it was about to strike I managed to dodge back through the open patio doors. A very frightening experience I assure you! Gulls which were installed on our own roof at the time set up their horrific screeching every time we set foot outside or returned home. This made it very difficult to do any gardening. The whole episode was very unnerving. The only advice received from experts was to go out with a stick or an umbrella. Difficult to mow the lawn or do any digging! Since that event we have had spikes put on our roof (quite expensive). The gulls still come back and try to build a nest, but seem to be deterred so far thank goodness.

GORDON EDWARDS

Sutherland Avenue.

Bin mystery

WE'VE been conned. Yes, Rother Council, when you sold us the idea of re-cycling you told us that 40 per cent of waste was gardening waste. So where are the green wheelie bins you promised us?

At the very least you should own up to the fact that the system, if there ever was one, has gone wrong yet again and large chunks of Rother District have not, after almost a year, got this facility.

A press statement telling us what is happening would not go amiss or are we all being treated like mushrooms!

D. ILSLEY

Lynchgate Close

Flats shock

HAVING been out of the country for a longish period I had quite a shock when I saw the finished block of flats at the end of Sackville Road.

Having had property in the town centre in the past I know how pedantic the council can be over things like design of windows, shopfronts etc. In most cases citing the town centre conservation area and maintaining its Edwardian heritage as the reason. I have known them turn down small items such as the replacement of a window because it was not in the original material or precise style as used at the turn of the last century.

How then can they justify allowing this monstrosity of modern "rabbit hutches" right in the heart of the town? It is completely out of keeping with the surroundings and much too high.

I remember the term "Spirit of place" being bandied about by council officers when any proposal in the town centre was made, where is that spirit now?

Are we to expect a similar monstrosity on the other side of the road?

D. ATKINSON

Cooden Drive.

Bus problem

THE proposed works at Little Common, in particular the raising of the kerb at the bus stop on the roundabout, is somewhat stupid and a waste of money in that at times buses double park to allow passengers to alight and board and at times there have been four buses at a time at the stop, (two double banked, one behind, and one backed up in Chestnut Walk), but which also blocks up entry,and exit on to the roundabout from Chesnut Walk, and also can impair exit from the roundabout to Pear Tree Lane.

At times buses stop here for no apparent reason of allowing people to board or alight but for the bus to get back to time! Unless the bus companies are going to be instructed not to use this stop for this purpose, and if a second bus arrives, and a bus is already on the stop, it must go around the roundabout, again to allow the first bus to depart.

Then and only then, if the bus companies are so instructed and adhere to this, will the raised kerb be of any benefit, and the costs be worthwhile.

CHRIS OGBORN

The Gorseway

Bowls site

I HAVE recently moved to Bexhill from south London and am aware of Gullivers Action Group (GAG) and their attempt to halt the development of sheltered housing on part of the site in Knole Road, currently occupied by Gullivers Bowling Club, who need to sell part of its land to survive in these very difficult times.

The question that arises is: what is more important, to preserve an open space, just outside of a town centre, or to provide sporting and social activities for a population that is enjoying longer living?

The demise of clubs who offer sporting and recreational facilities for the benefit of a community is a national scandal and unless there is a concerted effort to protect community facilities we will be reduced to becoming TV addicts. Bexhill is noted as being a retirement area and therefore it is even more important to provide facilities that will enhance our enjoyment of community living as we all enter that region of 'growing old gracefully'.

If Gullivers were to close what would happen to the site? My guess is that it will remain "derelict" for some considerable time until its future is established and during that time, who knows what problems will occur.

The cost of fighting this action must be astronomic and rather than continue to line the pockets of the legal brigade, surely the answer is to seek a solution that will ensure/enhance the facilities offered by Gullivers for the benefit of the community as well as retaining the open space.

R. J. DEAN

Hawkhurst Way

Surprise party

I WOULD like to thank everyone involved in my "very" surprise retirement party. It was lovely to see so many past parents and pupils, I am aware that many travelled a long distance to be there.

I am delighted with my gorgeous gifts and would like to thank everyone for their generosity, I am wearing my pearls as I write.

Finally, many thanks to Piero Ines and their staff at the Trattoria I am aware of the effort that goes into such a delightful and smooth running evening.

Thank you all once again.

JANICE BLAKE

Bexhill

Tree danger

FOR many months, or even years, the pavement on the north side of the De La Warr Road has been in a dangerous state due to tree roots forcing up the surface. The temporary signs that warned of this have now been replaced with permanent signs attached to the trees themselves. Apart from the hazard to pedestrians it has now become impossible for anyone on a mobility scooter to negotiate these upheavals. The solution seems pretty obvious. The trees themselves will have to be removed. Whether this is the responsibility of the district council or the county council, somebody needs to do something. Alternatively, I suppose the pavement could be closed altogether.

C. R. DANIELS

Magdalen Road.

Stray trolley

ON, Friday, April 18 at 6.50pm my husband and I made one of our many shopping trips to Tesco at Ravenside. For the second time this year, our car was hit by one of Tesco's trolleys, which was left by one of the many ignorant shoppers that can't be bothered to put them back in a trolley park. We reported the first incident to Tesco, who denied responsibility. What is the point in reporting the second incident?

I originally suggested they use the pound coin system like other sensible supermarkets do, this fell on deaf ears. My husband is registered disabled and relies heavily on his car. It is down to the shoppers at Ravenside to use the trolley parks, which are situated at various points. You never know, it could be your car or even a child that is hit by a trolley left carelessly.

J. SEARSTON (Mrs)

Turkey Road

New tricks

TEACH your dog to pick up litter and give it to you.

Then you take the rubbish home and put it in your re-cycling bins!

Our council try to keep Bexhill free of litter and rubbish, but you don't have to go far to find some. This is an idea to give them a helping hand, or paw.

Maybe a generous reader could offer a prize to the best litter-picking dog in Bexhill.

How to choose the winner? Ideas please.

JOHN FOWLER

Clifford Road.

Free time

Re free bus passes

SINCE April 1, Hastings Borough Council's decision not to fund an early start has been inconveniencing Rother residents.

In spite of Rother District Council's generosity in paying extra money for this facility Bexhill free bus pass holders are no longer able to commence journeys to Hastings town centre just after 9 am.

9.01 am boarding of service 99 is now prohibited because the Glyne Gap bus stop is technically in Hastings even though the "Hastings / Birthplace of Television" sign is some 200 metres further along the road opposite Bexleigh Avenue.

Unfortunately the previous stop opposite KFC in De La Warr Road would be too early i.e. just before 9 am.

It is appreciated that the impoverished Hastings Borough Council is unlikely to invest any more money and bus service providers are unable to redefine local government boundaries.

Perhaps, however, Stagecoach would please be kind enough to resolve the problem simply by delaying departure from opposite KFC by just a minute or two.

Rodney King

Haslam Crescent

Bin jumper

I THINK I may have hit upon a way of maximising the amount of refuse that we can get the council to take away each fortnight.

With a decent pair of wellies (and for the appropriate administrative fee, of course) my daughter is willing to jump in the wheelie bin and jump up and down on the bags, thereby compacting the waste and increasing the amount we are able to fit in it.

Perhaps this could catch on as a way to earn some extra pocket money?

RICHARD MADGE

College Road

r Whisper it softly, but some of us have been doing something similar for months - Production Editor.

Village treat

ARE readers aware that there are some great shops in Little Common?

There's "Viva" which has just opened and sells natural goods from shampoos to buckwheat pillows - baby foods and teas.

There's a wonderful delicatessen; a super interior soft furnishings shop called "Select Interiors" and a fabulous bakers and butchers.

Little Common also has a brilliant Complementary Therapy Centre where various alternative therapies can be sought from aromatherapy and reflexology to counselling and crystal healing.

I know Bexhill also has some good shops but Little Common has great amenities, too! Use them or lose them.

HELENA COLEMAN

Little Common