Mystery why Marsh has been ruined?
NOW the full enormity, in every sense of the word, of the wind turbine forest east of Rye has been revealed one can only think that this stretch of coast was held in so little regard as to be completely expendable.
The prospect from, say, vantage points like Udimore, Pett Level and Rye itself, has been destroyed, one assumes, for generations. And this in the name of ecology and environmentalism.
I am still not sure who made the decision to foist this monstrosity on this rather special part of England, or why resistance was apparently so easily brushed aside.
Politics, I suppose; a nod by this beleaguered Government towards greenness in a desperate bid for support and votes.
Of course if Mr Brown has his way, we won't be spending much time outside to see such eye-sores. We'll all be too busy lagging our lofts.
What irony that BBC TV's South East news should, last week, have carried a report of an exhibition of photographs of 'the mysterious Romney Marsh'.
The only mystery, I would suggest, is why outsiders should consider they have the right to create such ruination to our countryside on such a massive scale.
Perhaps a so-called perfect storm will visit our shores, and knock them all down. I, personally, would be dancing on the wreckage,
Frank Barnard
Tillingham Lane
Peasmarsh


Transport links key to success
I HOPE the Observer will be taking up the important issue of the failure of our MP and the Labour Government to improve road and rail access to Hastings from the north.
It is clear a key part of a successful regeneration programme for the Hastings and Rye constituency must be the improvement of our links to and from London.
At the Hastings Borough Council Cabinet meeting last Monday, the relevant report stated that improvements to the A21 are to be delayed until 2011-12, and that Channel Tunnel-related rail improvements may benefit Kent, to the detriment of the Hastings-London line.
As if this is not bad enough, the local Conservatives - in cloud cuckoo land as usual - are saying that all is rosy in the garden.
When are the Conservatives going to get serious about representing our constituency with real vigour and talent?
They have shown that they can't do it at a local council level, and they don't cut it at parliamentary level either.
Liberal Democrats will be raising this important issue wherever and whenever we can.
And we will be fighting for the benefits that an improvement (particularly public) transport infrastructure will bring to the local area.
Nick Perry
Parliamentary campaigner
Hastings and Rye Lib Dems

Beware cyclists
THE Observer recently reported a sharp rise in the number of pedestrians and cyclists being injured or killed in Sussex, with the most significant increase being in the number of young cyclists involved in collisions.
I urge all cyclists to wear high-visibility clothing, yellow is the best, and to make all signals clear and positive especially when turning right.
Drivers please give consideration to cyclists, slow down and give a wide berth. In France by law you have to be a metre away.
Cycle paths would be the answer, we have two, one along the Harbour Road which is very good but very short. The Sustrans path to Lydd is poorly maintained and covered with a sharp aggregate that gives punctures.
On Sunday, October 19, the Rye Wheelers (one of the oldest cycling clubs in the U.K. - reformed in 2000 - now has over 60 members) and the Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club are staging their second 'Tour de Rye et Romney Marsh Challenge' fun cycle rides of 10Km, 25Km,50Km, and 100Km.
The 10 and 25 use the Sustrans Cycle path, the 50 and 100 go on the quieter lanes on the Romney Marsh. It is in aid of local charities and Global Polio Eradication, entry fee £5 (£6 on the day)
Derek Bayntun
Rye

Seafront scheme?
ARE readers aware that when Rother District Council meets on September 29, will be asked to approve the expenditure of 65% of the Capital Reserves of our local council taxes (ie £3.5million) on a re-development project for part of Bexhill's seafront?
Personally, I believe that, in the current economic situation, the council should not be using our savings at all.
How do we know what events may occur in the next few years that make it essential to dip into these reserves?
This grandiose scheme has never been publicised and, therefore, there has been no consultation about it with any residents of the district, nor was it included in any part manifestos before the last local election.
So, by whose authority are they contemplating this great expenditure?
Councillors are temporary custodians of our local finances and one expects them to display prudent management of our district savings.
I ask any reader who shares my concern about the profligate use of our district resources to write to their local councillor, before September 29, to express their opinion on this matter.
SHEILA LEE
Southcourt Avenue, Bexhill

Reliant on residents
IN his letter in the Mailbag of September 12, Simon Alexander claimed that, without tourists, Battle would become a boring dormitory community for retired people and commuters, who would spend their money elsewhere.
But, in 2006, when raising money for Beautiful Battle, I went to each business in the town and, on asking the owners for a contribution, also asked them if their business relied on tourists or local residents; almost all (except cafes, restaurants and estate agents) said they relied on local residents.
The fact that there are at least eight ladies' hairdressers in Battle, none of whom rely on tourists, rather proves this point.
On the other hand, the fact that there are no less than four ladies' dress shops but not a single gents' outfitters, might prove something else, although I'm not sure what, although I think it has to do with who controls the purse strings!
Anyway, I think it would be a good idea if a questionnaire were organised by an independent organisation (e.g. Rotary, Round Table, Lions) asking residents, local businesses and tourists for their opinion of the town and its facilities.
Then, to please John Harmer, the completed forms could be sent to India for quantifying!
Also, in the same week's Mailbag, John was kind enough to say he looked forward to reading my letters (an unusual experience) even though he does not always agree with them. You're not alone there, John, I often don't agree with them myself.
JOHN HILL
Glengorse, Battle

Traffic measures
I WAS very angry and saddened of hear of Rosie Pierpoint's distress in a letter in your letters page a few weeks ago, concerning her problems regarding lack of appropriate traffic restrictions and no current safe crossing area in the Military Road area of Rye, plus the totally ignorant and callous actions of the van driver concerned.
Again, this proves that certain parts of Rye are not safe for pedestrians to cross and that is why there are three petitions available to sign, located at the Rye Medical Care Centre, the GP Surgeries at Kiln Drive top of Rye Hill and the Top of the Hill pub.
I would also ask that Rosie contact me via this newspaper, plus her local MP and her local council, which I understand is Rye.
Despite my constant requests, campaigning and complaining regarding Rye Hill and Deadman's Lane, no-one ever gets back to me to let me know if any safety measures are going to be put in place.
Therefore, if anyone has more information, I would appreciate any kind of feedback via this newspaper.
I always understood that elected councillors were put in place to help the local community, why then, in my experience, does this not seem to happen in Rye?
CHRIS WARD
Hill Top Drive, Rye


Free prescriptions
I AM writing to support Macmillan Cancer Support's campaign for free prescriptions in England.
No-one should be in a position where they can't afford to pay for their prescriptions, yet for one in 10 cancer patients aged 55 and under who have to pay for their prescriptions, this is exactly what happens.
The government is due to publish a consultation to review prescription charges soon, but they have already said they are not prepared to spend one extra penny on prescriptions.
This means that any reform will inevitably involve some patients losing out - in effect, robbing Peter to pay Paul.
I am extremely concerned that this consultation will be nothing more than tinkering with an inherently unfair system and call on the government to make prescriptions free in England.
Mrs JENNY BLUNT
Nine Acres, Ashford

School photographs
I HAVE been trying to find two old school photographs - both July 1952 - of forms 1C and 1D at Rye County Secondary Modern School (as it was then called), New Road, Rye. I have asked several people but nothing has come of it. They make a complete set if I do find them, so I wondered if anyone might be able to help, please. I would be very grateful and will pay whatever is reasonable for them. If anyone can assist me with this, please could they call me on 01797 224458.
WILLIAM FANNON
Bankside, Rye

One way down!
FURTHER to Sally Crompton's letter in the Observer about traffic up Deadmans Lane, in addition to the school/college traffic trying to travel up the lane, we have the additional problem of elderly and sometime disabled patients attending the many specialist clinics for diabetes, eyes, ears, etc. and trying to return home down the lane. They are forced to reverse back on to the busy Rye Hill. One way down please.
LADY MARJORIE MURRAY
Gungarden, Rye

Courteous drivers
WHILE I sympathise with Mrs Pat Mash concerning the traffic on Udimore Road, Rye, she must appreciate that much of the trouble is caused by the many cars parked outside the houses, causing the road to be turned into the equivalent of a country lane.
It is not surprising that cars and lorries have to mount the pavements and in spite of the frustrations I have found a high level of courtesy from drivers going both up and down this irritating road.
N C R W Reid
Stubb Lane, Brede

Lesson in bonfire celebrations
AS a proud member of Battel Bonfire Boyes, I write in response to a recent article in the Observer from Conrad Bladey, to state my amazement and disbelief to his comments concerning the traditions of Sussex bonfires.
There are many bonfire societies in England but those in Sussex probably do more than most to maintain the traditions as much as we can, bearing in mind the practicality and viability of staging bonfire celebrations.
As far as I am aware, none of us have ever claimed to be a 'continuous tradition' as mentioned, so I am totally confused at this particular comment. In Battle we do, however, have more than 325 years of recorded history of bonfire celebrations with gaps, naturally, for the two World Wars.
For someone supposedly so well informed about bonfire tradition, he would do well to appreciate the practicality of staging the celebrations which try to take in to account the history England has with regard to The Gunpowder Plot and celebrating its failure, in a manner that is safe for everyone involved - both participants and spectators alike.
The event is not just the two or three hours a year that the majority see - it takes a full year to, firstly, raise the finance (in the case of Battle, £12,000 minimum ) and also 12 months to plan, taking into account the ever-changing requirements that are imposed on us.
We are not an exclusive society by any means, as claimed. If anything, we are totally the oppositite - always seeking new active members. Various Bonfire Societies are formed to, as much as anything, plan, organise, stage, supervise, police and be held responsible for the various celebrations held throughout our county each year.
You cannot just, as he appears to suggest, allow all and sundry to just build a bonfire, put a Guy on the top and let off fireworks. Maybe you can in America but not here.
As for Sussex bonfire societies reclaiming 'such customs as sending a Guy to protest corruption, dinners, bell ringing, pantomimes etc., more people could be involved' - as it is, Battel Bonfire Boyes have approximately 200 members, of which only 30 to 40 actively do any organising, fundraising and helping out in the lead up to Bonfire Day.
We struggle but, somehow, we always manage to cope and take on board the tasks we voluntarily undertake in order to maintain this particular celebration of an important event in England's long history.
To take on even more celebrations of historical events associated with the Gunpowder Plot, which the majority, other than perhaps historians and scholars, wouldn't be particularly interested in, would water down the spectacular effect I believe we societies provide for the public. We all want more but you have to be practical and realistic!
In this country, we are proud of the long history we have and also proud that we continue to celebrate important events, as best and practically as we possibly can, bearing in mind the ever more demanding requirements we, and various other societies, have to meet in respect of health and safety, insurance, finance, dealing with the public, etc.
I believe Mr. Bladey, although probably very learned on the history of The Gunpowder Plot and history of England, has totally missed the Bonfire Boyes Plot - which is to celebrate the failure and execution of Guy Fawkes after his conspiracy against England's King and Parliament, in a safe, carnival and fun type celebration, not in a schoolboy text book fashion.
As for getting 'the day back into the prayer book as a national holiday' I totally disagree with this, since the cost of this would reflect in wages to employees, costs to employers and affect the cost of living generally.
Seeing Mr. Bladey writes from the USA, I would, respectfully, suggest he concentrates on tradition to the US Open organisers of the recent Men's Singles Tennis Finals, in which our Union Flag was flown upside down at the prizegiving ceremony - witnessed by millions all around the world. Now, who's letting traditions slip?
SIMON MERRICK
Netherfield Road, Battle