Serious questions
over the fire risks
IT IS scarcely two weeks since I was an unwilling spectator with a grandstand view of the spectacular fire at Rye.
Today a building less than two years old lies twisted and nearly useless and it begs questions about standards of construction.
Whatever the cause, the fire should never have been able to spread so quickly.
Mercifully no-one was injured or killed but fire suppression measures, whether inside or outside, were useless.
The fire service was quickly on the scene and clearly hampered by the building's design in being able to attack the fire.
The building itself either lacked any internal fire suppression systems (e.g. sprinklers and firewalls) or they were ineffective.
These are questions which come back to the architects, planners, building control authority and fire service, who presumably all vetted the design and construction for threats and risks.
Whatever the legal position it seems to me that one or more of these authorities owes us (the public) an explanation of how the review procedures failed to pick up these risks and ensure sufficient safety and fire suppression measures are installed in new buildings.
There are many similar buildings used for different purposes and it would be reassuring to know they are adequately protected.
MIKE SLAVIN
Rye Harbour

Splendid evening
I FOUND the presentation evening of the 'Battle in Bloom' awards in The Almonry Garden last Thursday evening, a very pleasant experience.
The combinaton of our town councillors, Friends of The Almonry, and supportive residents...all with the common aim to enhance our town...made the event very worthwhile.
Of course the venue was superb and the light refreshments, kindly supplied by the council were much appreciated.
As an aside it was pointed out by an observant guest, that the weather vane above the museum is currently not directionally sound!
We are very lucky to have a strong group of volunteers in Battle but Gary and Adrian, as employees of the council, do a splendid job, and contribute greatly to our town's success.
I am happily relegated to 'volunteer' activity, but I fully appreciate their cheerfulness and support over the entire year.
Robert Emeleus
Battle

Ruining the Marsh
HAVING been in hospital for a while I returned to Rye to find a new landscape feature: monstrous wind turbines disfiguring the previously unchanged prospect of Romney Marsh to the east.
What genius thought this was a good idea? How an earth was it agreed to? And how come there hasn't been an outcry? No doubt this hopeless Government expects this infestation to be a vote catcher, expecting to be lauded for their commitment to the environment.
There are more ways to commit to the environment than erecting these hideous structures that, no doubt, generate a largely footling amount of energy anyway.
Anyone who has driven through France recently will know the ugly future that appears to await us. How long before Rye Bay is similarly be-decked?

I first came on the new view of Rye approaching the town from Udimore and felt an enormous sense of anger and frustration that such things should be permitted with so little fuss.
And yet it seems typical of what happens these days; like the Government quietly pushing through rules, without debate, that will abolish householders legal right to have their bins emptied by local councils.
Is there no end to the nonsenses we, and the world in which we live, have to endure under the inexpressible chumps who lurk in the corridors of power?
The windmills that now have ruined the character of Romney Marsh are a monument to their stupidity and desperation to secure our votes.
I for one know where my cross is going at the next election, and the sooner the abberations on the Marsh are toppled the better.
FRANK BARNARD
Tillingham Lane, Peasmarsh

Enjoyable evening
WE thank the committee of the Brewery Yard Club and the organisers of the Macmillan Cancer Fund for a lovely evening at the Brewery Yard Club in Landgate, Rye. It was so nice to see many people enjoying themselves, but most of all a welcome donation to the Macmillan Cancer Fund. Looking forward to the next function, well done to all.
VIC & PAULINE VICAREY
Pottingfield Road, Rye

Losing identity
GEOFFREY Goodsell's letter regarding the future of Rother Homes was to the point and timely, as was the use both in the letter and headline of 'merger', which is what Rother Homes is keen to portray as a benefit to its residents, when in fact the definition is 'to lose identity or be absorbed'.
It should be remembered Rother Homes was formed 10 years ago after a ballot of all its tenants, after many true consultation meetings throughout the district attended by hundreds of tenants, yet its future will be decided on a sham.
For the three years prior to September 2007, I was and remain proud to have been the chairman of Rother Homes and, as an original tenant director, I feel perfectly placed to comment on the proposals, much (too much) for this letter gives me cause for concern - not least the proposed 'one new tenancy agreement for all our residents' (note lower case) which forms the very last paragraph of the recent propaganda, sorry consultation process.

Those tenants who transferred from Rother District Council enjoy an extra succession of tenancy, the loss of which would have serious consequences to future tenants, yet hiding away these very issues which are at the core of any merger show how consultation has been devalued.
The chief executive of Rother Homes as a paid employee cannot be, nor is free from bias, BUT the board of Rother Homes should be, and in this most important time when the whole ethos of what Rother Homes is is at stake I am afraid that it has shown a lack of character and independence, the very independence voted for 10 years ago.
BRIAN CHAMPION
Cooper Road, Rye

Retaining name?
THE closure of the Freda Gardham School will, regrettably, mean the loss of the name commemorating the wife of a former chairman of East Sussex County Council, who gave so much of her free time to doing charitable work.
On almost every flag day in Rye, in all weathers, Freda Gardham would be seen in the High Street with the respective charity box.
Perhaps the new primary school could name an area after this lady - for example, the library or archive section, so that the name of Freda Gardham is retained.
CLIFFORD JORDAN
Tower Street, Rye

Valuable asset
WHAT a paradox in last week's Rye Observer. 'Heritage Centre chaos' ; next page, 'Top award for Rye TIC' - but these are the same and there's a risk of throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Tourism is a major industry and the Rye Heritage Centre-TIC has an important part to play, not only for Rye but for the country as a whole.
More people are taking their holidays in the UK and, with the weakening pound against the Euro, there are more visitors from the continent.
There is an increase of bookings for accommodation online, so more emphasis could be put on promoting visitor attractions and events with special deals and free transport, perhaps a National Trust presence at the TIC, also more services for local people, like the Hastings TIC, which has a helpline.
A lot of effort and money have gone into the Rye Heritage Centre-TIC and this asset needs to be used and made the most of.
DEREK BAYNTUN
Rye

Wealthy MPs should lead way
IF AN ordinary person (by that I mean a non-MP) wishes to claim state benefits and allowances against rent, Council Tax, utility bills, even tuition fees - that person is means tested. Their savings and capital investments are also taken into consideration.
Greg Barker, MP, is proud to state that he, and his party, are leading the way in overt declaration of expenses. Well, well done to you! £21K in three months' expenses is more than some people's income for the whole year and double other MP's claims.
What is more Mr. Barker, is, by his own admission (back to over declaration, I suppose), a very wealthy man, a multi-millionaire via the city (well done, again!).
So, why aren't such financially advantaged MPs also subject to means testing?
He, apparently, had to pay a lump sum rent payment ... on what, might I ask? - also, £2,500 for a new I.T. system for his constituency office in Bexhill.
May I make a suggestion, Mr. Barker. Pay for your own I.T. system yourself. Don't expect your lowly-represented constituents to do it for you. If you want to lead the way, then wealthy MPs such as yourself and your one-time mentor, D.C., should use your own money, not mine and others like me.
I don't begrudge MPs claiming expenses if their only income and capital is from their salary as an MP. But, certainly, not from the wealthy.
I apply this rule to all MPs from all parties. Even multi-millionaire, Tony Blair, claimed tens of thousands in expenses, while he and his lawyer wife were investing in the property market.
I C LLEWELLYN-JONES
Sedlescombe

Make a Difference
I REALLY believe you get far more out of volunteering than you put in. It is great to know you are helping people in your local community or improving the area. I once helped volunteers spruce up a nature reserve and I was really impressed by their passion and commitment.
This is why I am supporting CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK's largest day of volunteering.
The campaign is all about giving time instead of money to improve the lives of others. Each year tens of thousands of volunteers take part in projects to paint community centres, visit isolated older people or build gardens for primary schools.
CSV Make a Difference Day is on October 25 and you can register now to receive free resources to help create an inspirational volunteer project. So whether you want to take part with your company, school, community group, or even go it alone, get in touch now by visiting www.csv.org.uk/difference or calling freephone 0800 284 533.
FIONA PHILLIPS
GMTV Presenter

Thanks to you all
SO much is written disparagingly about GPs, nursing staff and hospitals - a lot of it unkind and unfair. Through a distressing time in my life, I would like to thank our doctor and staff at Martins Oak Surgery, Battle; staff on Murray Ward, Conquest Hospital, Hastings; and the Hastings & Rother Health Team - all of whom helped to make a bad part of life a little easier. Much appreciation to you all.
JEAN SHEPPARD
Battle

Campaign for free prescriptions
NO-ONE should be in a position where they are forced to select medication based on what they can afford, rather than what is prescribed. Yet this is the reality for far too many cancer patients. Cancer patients do not just have the odd one-off prescription to pay for. They usually need multiple prescriptions to ease distressing side effects ofr treatment - like nausea, fatigue and severe mouth ulcers - and often spend hundreds of pounds each year paying for prescriptions. Macmillan wants the Government to make prescriptions free for all in England so the sick and vulnerable aren't penalised in this way. Visit www.macmillan.org.uk/campaigns where you can take part in an online survey or send a letter to your local MP.
STEPHEN RICHARDS
Regional Director, Macmillan Cancer Support