Sorry to be leaving Battle
I HAVE been the manager of Phillips Man's Shops in Battle for more than 18 years.
Unfortunately we were forced to close our doors for the last time on Saturday, September 13, due to the end of the lease and rent increase after 28 years of trading.
I have had many good years there and I am sorry to be leaving the town.
I have made many friends from customers and staff and even found love in the form of my beautiful girlfriend Karen.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has shopped with us for their support and also for all the good luck and wishes I have received for the future. They have been much appreciated.
I would also like to thank all my staff members, past and present, for their hard work and friendship.
Just as we were closing on the last day, I received a phonecall from the manager at British Home Stores in Hastings offering me a department manager's job, so as they say, as one door closes, another one opens.
I look forward to seeing many of you in the future in my new place of work.
Raymond Brooker
Ex-manager
Phillips Man's Shops, Battle

Acknowledging unsung heroes
HELPLINES such as ChildLine and Samaritans provide guidance and support to millions of people across the country.
And yet the important work of the 60,000 people behind these helplines largely goes unnoticed.
These unsung heroes handle over 22 million calls per year on a vast array of health, social welfare, public service or educational issues.
I am writing to let you know about the awards scheme that is designed to give helpline workers the credit they deserve.
The BT & Telephone Helplines Association (THA) Helplines Awards, aim to recognise, reward and share significant achievement by organisations and individuals within the sector. Award categories include, Helpline worker of the year, New helpline of the year, Innovative use of technology to deliver a helpline service and Best helpline involving a diverse workforce.
If you work in the Helpline sector or you know someone who does, please visit www.helplines.org.uk to find out more about the BT/ Helplines Awards.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, if you would like further information or to discuss the work of Association at telephone number 0845 120 3767 or by email rekha.wadhwani@helplines.org.uk
REKHA WADHWANI
Chief Executive
Telephone Helplines Association
London

Recycling still a mystery
WHEN are we going to be able to recycle all our packaging waste? Some 90% of my waste in France can be recycled and all in the same container - no sorting necessary. That includes all plastics (including meat trays) and all cardboard and paper too. I have not seen the equivalent of the pathetic 'Sorry not yet recyclable' on any package.
TONY ASHBY
By email

Time to unite in town's interests
I WRITE to support Derick Holman (Rye Observer, September 19 - Marketing Madness).
He is quite right when he says 'Our town isn't and hasn't been fully marketed at the very time it needs it most'.
He is right to pay tribute to Cllr Lorna Hall who deserves great credit for her hard work to save the Scallop Festival and A Taste of Rye but he seems to be rather confused, and remarkably ill-informed, about other matters.
He correctly says Rother District Council, after extensive consultation, decided the marketing of the town should be undertaken by Rye Town Services with 1066 Country - but he then says Rye Town Services 'appears to be in meltdown'.
Surely, he cannot have it both ways! Incidentally, last March Rye Town Services put forward a detailed, practical and costed full marketing plan for the town and surrounding area and over the last 12 months has invested more than £10,000 in advertising the town for the benefit of all.
He also alleges Rye Town Services is 'divorcing' itself from Hotcats - where on earth did he get that idea? It is absolutely untrue, and impossible, as the company is, effectively, owned by Hotcats, as only members of Hotcats can be shareholders.
He then refers to 'the breakup of Hotcats'. What break up? The Association is already planning celebrations for its 50th anniversary in 2011 when it will have completed half a century of service to the industry in the area!
However, these inaccuracies should not divert us from his central message - he is absolutely right when he says other destinations will be bombarding the public with their 2009 offering and Rye is doing next to nothing.
I join Derick in fearing for the future in these very difficult times when we should be increasing our marketing effort in an ever more competitive market.
One positive note is that 1066 have taken over the production of a new-style Rye Guide and an enhanced 1066 Country Accommodation guide, both of which we can expect to be published on time.
1066 has the experience, resources, expertise and enthusiasm to be of enormous help to Rye and we should welcome, and be grateful for, their participation.
Do let us try and unite and concentrate on promoting our lovely old town - we have a wonderful product. We must make sure people know about it - otherwise we will all suffer.
Kerry de Courcy MBE FIH
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Rye Town Services Ltd

Museum servant
ON BEHALF of Rye Castle Museum I would like to say a big thank you and a sad goodbye to our retiring chairman Allan Downend.
He has been involved with the Museum for many years both as a volunteer, curator, director and most recently as the chairman.
He was actively involved in setting up the East Street Museum which is celebrating 10 years this year and more recently he took over the Ypres Tower project after the sad passing of the then Museum chairman Robert Clay.
We are very sad that he is retiring as this will be a great loss to the museum but he has promised to still 'be around' if we need him and hopefully he will still be around for the occasional bit of volunteering!
On a personal note I would like to say a big thank you to him for his support over the last six months and for helping me to settle in to this very rewarding - but demanding! - job.
I would like to wish him all the best and happy retirement!
Claire Eden
Curator of Rye Castle Museum
Rye

Ragwort infestation
THIS year has seen a particularly large infestation of ragwort over the countryside.
This poisonous plant is highly toxic causing liver damage and ultimately death, especially to horses.
If pulled up, with protective gloves on, even small rootlets left can resprout and the yellow flowers on one plant can produce about 150,000 seeds which can remain dormant for 20 years.
Even the pollen is nasty and in regions where there is masses of ragwort readers may seriously consider not purchasing local honey that will inevitably contain this pollen.
Indeed, the question should be asked of the government and local authorities if honey from such areas is ever tested for toxicity.
Ragwort is out of control in many areas and yet, despite being a notifiable and illegal to grow, there have been no recent prosecutions by 'Natural England', the body charged with enforcement under the 1959 Weeds Act or the 2003 Ragwort Control Act.
Farmers are generally concerned to keep their fields clear of the weed but probably the most noticeable infestations are on the verges of roads and motorways.
Highways Authorities and Local Authorities have a duty to eradicate the weed but either available money is insufficient or urban problems are given higher priority.
Local councils have an Enforcement Officer who should respond to reports of large infestations.
Natural England can be contacted on 0845 600 3078 and the Highways Agency for Motorway verges on 08457 504030.
Tony Smith
Brownbread Horse Rescue
Ashburnham

Cash registers not the only measure
IT IS the contention of many of your readers whose letters appear in the Observer Mailbag, that Battle needs to develop commercially and they predict, somewhat dramatically, that a failure to do so will result in the town's 'death'.
They urge that, whether as residents or visitors, more people and, therefore, more money, must be brought into the town.
Their clamour, together with that on the housing front, for lots of affordable 'starter' homes does, of course, reflect the interests of specific sections of the community, eg shopkeepers and the younger generation but has no regard for those of other sections.
What they fail to understand is that the very expansion they advocate will destroy that which makes Battle the unique, interesting and delightful town it has been and still (just) remains.
There are many Battle residents who have lived in the town all their lives and many more who have settled here before or after retirement, all of whom chose to live here because they saw the town as a small, attractive country town with great historical connections which offered a rather special quality of life.
They would prefer these increasingly rare features to be preserved rather than lost in a tide of ill-considered commercially and politically driven expansion.
They would not allow the town to die, but equally they do not believe the quality of life in Battle should be measured only by the ringing of cash registers.
To them, it is at least of equal importance to hear the ringing of ancient church bells and to enjoy the sense of peace and tranquillity they connote - given that this is still possible above the traffic noise.
They are entitled to hold these views and to have them heard and respected.
A question raised some time ago, albeit in a quite different context, is germane to these issues affecting Battle and, with appropriate adaptation, might now be posed thus: what shall it profit the town it it gains a larger market share and thereby loses its soul?
P R BELCHAMBER
Whatlington Road
Battle

Better than pylons
HOW many more complaints will come trickling in on wind farms? (Observer Mailbag, September 19, Frank Barnard).
Shock, horror! I love their tall slender design and I would like one in my garden to supply my electricity but, of course, the neighbours would complain!
My question is - why does no-one ever mention the hideous pylons which have been marching across Romney Marsh and elsewhere for decades?
Because they have become part of our landscape, go virtually unnoticed and are ignored - as will be wind farms given a few years for the novelty to wear off and the rubber-necking to cease.
I liken the 'twitching' at wind farms to drivers on motorways who cannot resist gawping at accidents.
Mrs MARGARET MERIFIELD
Rowbarns
Battle

Information centre should reflect town
YOUR letters page has recently shown a great deal of interest in tourism locally, and in particular Tourist Information Centres.
In a town such as Battle, where shops and jobs rely so heavily on Tourism, it is vital to have a dynamic and vibrant TIC managed by people who are passionate and enthusiastic about all the events and attractions in the local area.
This summer has seen a succession of gaudy banners on the front of Battle Abbey advertising English Heritage events at the Abbey.
There was one such when I walked down the High Street on Saturday morning and it dwarfed the TIC noticeboard.
This board was directing tourists who wanted the TIC to the English Heritage shop where it is situated, but there was no indication of what events might be happening in the town.
Battle is a lively town with a great deal going on to interest visitors and locals alike, as well as the permanent attractions.
Last Saturday, not 100 metres from the TIC, 'Battle Means Business' was happening in the Memorial Hall yet there was no mention of this important event for the town on the TIC board.
The decision about who will run Battle TIC for the next three years is likely to be taken by Rother District Council's Cabinet on October 6.
Although papers for this meeting will be published on the council's web site and on paper today (Friday) they will probably be confidential.
However the public is always able to make representations to the council's officers and the relevant one in this case is Graham Burgess, head of regeneration.
Battle is a beautiful town and is very lucky to have so many high quality visitor attractions; the town needs a TIC managed by people who are as enthusiastic as its residents.
Councillor Kathryn Field
Virgins Lane
Battle

Ode to green bin
FOR months and months I'v been waiting for my green wheely bin. I was so overjoyed when it arrived last Wednesday that I was moved to write this poem:

Oh! what joy and what rapture,
My words cannot capture
The surprise and delight
That filled me that night
On nearing my home.

Awaiting me there,
My tall, debonair,
Wheely, so manly!
Erect yet docile,
With dignified style,
He stood in the hedgerow.

Yes, I've waited awhile,
For this suave and mobile
Object of yearning!
No more plastic sacks,
No more breaking backs,
We'll glide smoothly along,
With a smile and a song.

What a glorious homing,
In the cool of the gloaming!
This sentry so smart
Is the joy of my heart
And forever with me.
So THANKS R.D.C.
MAUREEN JAMES
Netherfield Hill
Battle

Riverbank delight
YOU recently published a letter of mine (Mailbag, August 29) entitled 'Riverbank rubbish'.
I would like to thank Mr. Terry Reece, of Rother District Council, for meeting a respresentative from the Environment Agency and agreeing to work together on the clearing and disposing of the litter along the Tillingham River from Ferry Road to The Strand.
The work has been completed and I can't remember the last time we saw such a clear riverbank. It looks a treat.
They are agreed that they will continue to maintain the area. So, well done for responding so quickly and thank you to all those involved.
PATRICIA BAREFOOT
The Close, Rye