Little return for despoiling Marsh
THE four correspondents of October 3 seem to have covered all the pros and particularly the cons of our wind farm fairly comprehensively.
However, the item on the farm the previous week gives some interesting figures which are worth a second look.
We were told the wind farm will 'meet the needs of up to 33,000' homes', a sharp fall from the 55,000 figure we were given at the original promotion of the project in Rye.
We were also told that its output will be some 60 megawatts, presumably when the wind is right for the achievement of its designed output.
Sixty million watts sounds impressive but, split among 33,000 homes, what do we get? 1,800 watts or 1.8 kilowatts (Kw) apiece.
For 55,000 homes that would have been just about one Kw! Will that meet the needs of your home? If you have gas central heating, cook by gas and warm your toes at a gas fire, 1.8 Kw of electric power wi11 help with the rest but an electric kettle is 3 Kw and an immersion heater about the same and even a vacuum cleaner about 1 Kw.
So all we will get for our money and the despoiling of our marsh is, intermittently, a relative trickle of current. Not a bargain!
Of course, every little helps but the main beneficiaries are the construction companies who get our subsidy and the Government which can parade its green credentials.
With the Dungeness pylons, which we disliked when they appeared and still dislike today, at least we had the compensation of knowing that they were part of a project that was to make a major contribution to our power needs.
Would that we could say the same about our wind farm! No doubt Npower will correct my figures if they are wrong.
Dr CHRIS PITCHER
Military Road, Rye

Apologies for increased bills!
I THINK I owe an apology to local residents who obtain their water supplies from Southern Water.
The reason being that, as some of your readers may recall, I recently received a certificate, signed by the chairman of that company (Les Dawson, no less) in recognition of the water conservation system I have installed in my garden.
However, as with other local residents, my recent Southern Water invoice shows that the cost of water has increased dramatically. So I telephoned Southern Water's customer service department to enquire why, and was told 'It is because of people like you, who are using less and less water, that we now have to charge more for less, in order to balance the books.
So my conservation system, installed at no little expense, is partly to blame for all you Southern Water customers having to pay more for your water - sorry about that!
Now, as I am trying to cut down on my use of gas and electricity, I am worried that the same fiscal logic will apply.
This situation probably explains why a priest, who sat-in on many meetings of political leaders and business leaders, said, when asked if, as he listened to their discussions, he prayed for them. 'No' he said 'on the contrary, as I listen to their discussion I pray for the general public.' It is my impression that he'll have to pray a bit harder!
JOHN HILL
Glengorse, Battle

You're out of tune
I WRITE in response to last week's letter from Ann Rachlin, the content and details of which are questionable. Is your trumpet loud enough, Ann? What a shame it's out of tune. You knew there was never going to be a new hall (except in your dreams) - there simply wasn't enough money.
You are also very well aware of your involvement in and 'contribution' to the hall plans and what you achieved.
Much has been given very quietly by local people to the realistic hall renovation plan and I find the content of your letter offensive to the village of Icklesham and detrimental to the efforts and hard work of the hall committee and all those involved in the renovation. Negative comments are no help whatsoever.
I suggest you put down your trumpet and tune up your voice to sing praises to those who deserve them.
MAUREEN CALLIS
Icklesham

Free swimming
THE Government's proposals to fund free swimming for the over 60s should be applauded.
I note Tory councillor David Russell says that the Government is making the money available only for two years and there is concern thereafter that it will have to stop if the Council do not pick up the bill.
What's certain is that if the Council Tax is frozen, as proposed by the Tories, there will be no money to pay for anything and there will be masses of cuts all over the place. I hope peope understand that.
Michael Foster MP
Hastings and Rye

Ragwort challenge
BECAUSE Ragwort attacks the liver in horses, cattle and sheep, the damage done is often signalled by a slow decline in health and the animals concerned are too damaged to recover.
The thistledown-like seeds can lie dormant for up to 200 years. I know of land in Essex which was dug into to quarry sand and which was suddenly surrounded by the weed.
If the plant has flowers near seeding the flowers need to be burnt to make sure that the seeds are destroyed.
Many people are ignorant of the danger of the weed but it should be reported to the landowner or the council.
Undisturbed and set aside can become a nursery for this killer.
I am sure readers will help to get it eliminated. Even cutting it down at least prevents it seeding into pastures.
S EVANS
Oakhurst Road, Battle

Bailing out bankers
SO the bankers dance into Downing Street singing 'Buddy Can You Spare a Dime?' and leave with 10,000 billion of the things. That money was intended for building homes, schools hospitals and for raising retirement pensions, not for bailing out international bankers. Verily, says the Good book, 'to those that have shall be given and those that have not shall be taken away'. It is so very, very true.
ERNIE BALLARD
Battle

Village 'vandalism'
I AM concerned about creeping vandalism in the Conservation Area at the top of Ewhurst Lane in Northiam.
Some years ago the delightful cottage garden, created by the late David and Kathleen Wise, was wrecked in preparation for building plans, which were rejected both by the Rother planning committee and on appeal.
Now a handsome climbing rose on the side of our Pet Shop, a grade II Listed building, has been cut down in preparation for the inappropriate conversion of this building into an undertaker's premises.
If Perigoe and Son need to be in Northiam, they would be much better place in the redundant Chapel in the cemetery where there is adequate parking space and their activities would be clear of the public highway.
This would also stop the resulting damage to the quality of life and an obvious decline in value in the neighbouring residential properties.
I am instructing my executors that they are in no way to entrust my final disposal to a firm so insensitive as to base themselves at 'Superstition Corner'.
D N MacOWAN
Northiam

Bonfire praise
I WOULD like to highlight the good work that the bonfire societies do especially at this time of year. I know there are many people who believe that bonfires and fireworks displays should be banned, but I would like to thank the Battel Bonfire Boyes for all their hard work. Their donation each year to the childrens unit at the Conquest Hospital enables us to take some of our chronically sick the children to see the pantomine, and we even had their support to take some of our older youngsters to Thorpe Park this year. Many of these children spend many weeks in hospital undergoing treatment. Thank you
Chris Fagan
Childrens Community Team
Conquest Hospital, Hastings

Bexhill is angry, too
I WAS prompted to write following last week's Battle Observer headline 'Battle fury over Rother's £3.5m seafront pledge'. Battle is not alone - Bexhill is angry too.
I was at the Rother District Council meeting when the provisional release of £3.5m from Rother's reserves was approved. This, together with £600,000 already committed, and a hoped for grant of £1m from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), is to be spent on 'regenerating' Bexhill's seafront.
Cllr Veraker's analytical comments attempted to bring some common sense and reason to the debate as did Cllr Prochak and others, but to no avail. Rother District Council is therefore now intent on spending £5.1m of public money on the 'Next Wave' proposals for the seafront, in the hope that it will regenerate the deteriorating town centre.
Like many areasin the district, Bexhill seafront does need renovation, maintenance and improvement. Save Our Seafront (SOS) would eagerly support a viable plan to bring new life and regeneration into Bexhill. Sadly we believe the 'Next Wave' is not that plan. The proposals have not been universally welcomed in the town and there has been an absolute outcry among both the residents and visitors against their implementation.
The most ludicrous part of the proposal is to build six underground retail units behind the Colonnade at an estimated cost of £2.3m. For a considerable period now, Bexhill has had a minimum of at least 30 retail units empty at any one time. Would six new retail units on the seafront really regenerate Bexhill's struggling town centre.
Rother District Council believes this speculative and hugely expensive scheme will halt the recent decline of Bexhill's town centre.
It would seem the majority of residents and Council Tax payers of the district do not share this naïve optimism. What other large organisation, at a time of economic uncertainty, would consider raiding its reserves in this way.
The 'Next Wave' proposals for Bexhill seafront are on view at the De la Warr Pavilion today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday), 9am to 4pm and thereafter at the 'Help Point' at the Bexhill Town Hall. Objections to and comments on the scheme must be received by Rother District Council before October 31.
SOS would also be interested and grateful to hear your views and can be contacted either at 5, Copse Road: Bexhill-on-Sea: TN39 3UA or e-mail:- jeanrbishop@tiscali.co.uk
JEAN BISHOP
Chairman
Bexhill S.O.S (Save Our Seafront)

Voting on party lines
BATTLE councillors, we are told, reacted with fury after learning Rother District Council had voted to spend £3.5m on a Bexhill Seafront Scheme. That they did so in the current economic climate is baffling, especially as they do not have detailed estimates of the capital and revenue costs. And £3.5m is a huge chunk out of a total capital reserve of £15m of which £9.4m is already committed. But this is not the only example of bias towards Bexhill. Three very recent schemes received favourable treatment.
The Bexhill Museum Renaissance Project reported in June that construction works now exceeded available funding. Rother Council acknowledged they had already provided 'substantial funding' and advised the architect and contractor there was no additional funding.
But come August the Cabinet had a change of mind. The architect has come up with an alternative cladding for the building and, hey presto, the Cabinet agree another £100,000.
Then we have the Sidley Community Association. Their Chief Executive reported a serious financial crisis and requested financial assistance. There was a forecast deficit of £80,000 by March 2009. The Cabinet agreed another £40,000.
And there is always the De La Warr Pavilion's £500.000.
I have never understood the supine attitude of the councillors representing the rural areas. Do they never look at the capital and revenue programmes? Or do they simply vote on party lines?
J E GOLDSWORTHY
Glengorse, Battle