Coastal Railways and Walks
I HAVE produced the book 'East Sussex Coastal Railways & Walks', which has now reached the stage of the publisher editing the text and selecting the photos she wishes to publish and hunting for the last dozen pictures of views still required.
The book is for railway buffs to not just learn about the East Sussex coastal railways but also to enable them to turn a railway trip into a family day out, using the guided walks and local interest guide within the book. In addition, it's for enabling day trippers and holiday makers to use the coastal line to walk the coastline, thus increasing usage of stations and the railway, between walks. Naturally, this benefits local businesses.
I have been following the campaign to save Three Oaks, Doleham and Winchelsea stations in the Rye Observer (persuading Eastbourne W H Smith to stock more copies of your paper) and, when travelling by train to the Community Rail Festival (where some pages of my book were displayed), I did notice the protesters at the said stations. Sadly, my photos of them from the train are useless, as the train whizzed through those stations faster than usual.
I would like to obtain a photo or two of the protests at these stations but their action group, THWART, never give a contact address at the end of their letters or at the end of an article. I am appealing to them to get in touch if they have a photo of their demonstrations (I assume the Rye Observer didn't photograph them as no photos of the protests have ever appeared). I can be contacted at the address below.
I would also welcome from the Rye Observer readers any photos of the slam door DMU trains at Rye Station (as seen from the footbridge or from the platforms), Three Oaks or Doleham, which operated the Marshlink service - particularly of one passing over the river, passing the Rye Windmill. In addition, I'd also welcome a photo of a nuclear waste train on the much-reduced Dungeness branch and photos of the Rye & Camber Tramway.
For any photo published, I will pay £7 - the standard charge for old photos by the Lens of Sutton Association.
PAUL O'CALLAGHAN
1 Granville Road, Eastbourne BN20 7EB

Vile and over the top comments
Re: New Rye Primary School
I AM appalled at the comments made by Mr Howlett in last week's paper regarding the new primary school.
What a vile, over-the-top thing to say! So he would like to get a group of terrorists to blow the school up would he? Is that with or without our children in it Mr Howlett?
It's a bit late in the day for all the NIMBY'S to start voicing concern now, our children desperately need this new school, and it didn't matter where it went, someone was going to complain about it.
My children are getting really excited about the move to the new school and I cannot imagine their reaction if they read such comments. This is an exciting, positive time for them, and all the other children I would presume.
And finally, my children's father was at Aldgate tube station a couple of years ago, when a "group of terrorists" decided to blow that up. So, however your comment was intended, in today's endless fight against terrorism I find such a point of view abhorrent.
MS J. ELCOMBE
Peter James Close
Camber

Our public loos are dirty
EVERYBODY needs toilets and in Rye we have a particularly fine collection of dirty public loos for the delectation of visitors.
I notice that Rother, in its wisdom, has now decided to rent out the building that used to house a most useful comfort stop for tourists, in Tower Street. Rother knows, even if we are too stupid to see it, that it is much more important to have a gift shop than a toilet on that site. They know that we haven't got anywhere near enough gift shops in Rye! And, if it remains solvent, the rent from the new enterprise will help to keep the De La Warr Pavilion in good condition.
But don't you think that the future of Rye property should be decided in Rye? Could a bit of the car park income raised in our town be used to pay a proper wage for the necessary but nasty job of loo cleaning? Or - as this particular loo is in an attractive building - could an enthusiastic local person set up a Superloo and charge a small fee? And what about the soup kitchen at the back? Would children today like to know what a soup kitchen was and how the town bakers gave bread and the butchers gave bones? Are you happy to have the interior of this part of the building gutted to provide an income for Rother?
I think that this issue should be discussed in Rye and a consensus solution decided here, just as the problems of the new primary school and traffic dangers should be decided here.
There is no place for party politics in Rye Town Hall. These matters are too important. We can all do without squabbling politicians whatever the political colour!
CLLR. MARY SMITH
Tower Street

NHS: No Health Service
RECENTLY, I listened to a radio programme regarding the nation's health prior to the advent of the NHS. All consultations with doctors were on a private financial basis, accessible to only the well-off, as such consultations cost the equivalent then of two week's wages for the working man.
So, what did the less advantaged do? We've all heard about D.I.Y. tooth extractions but, to assist the ordinary working family, a medical doctor hosted a weekly radio programme, giving simple advice and remedies for illness and infections. No wonder, the mortality rate was high!
With the prevaling situation at GP surgeries, I fear we may be heading along that same road a lot sooner than we think.
If you wish to see your GP because you are ill; need a certificate for your employer; medication or a repeat prescription, the process resembles that of a lottery. You cannot make an appointment ahead - it must be done at the time the surgery opens its doors (8.30am) on that day only. With only a handful of appointments available, invariably, either by calling in in person or telephoning, you will be advised that all that morning's appointments were filled and to try again the following day. I have known this to continue for several days, which can create all sorts of problems for the patient. The stark choice is then to visit the local supermaket pharmacy (which will soon employ doctors, I understand) and attempt to treat your malady with 'off the counter' medication and advice by the phramacist.
Alternatively, of course, you can (hopefully) recover naturally over the course of time or visit A&E (I was actually advised to do that on one occasion) or go private.
Doctors are discussing extending surgery hours by three hours per week - even re-introducing evening and weekend surgeries (ah - the good old days!) But, if you can't get an appointment, what is the point?
Why can't we get back to basics and the good old open surgeries, where, if you were genuinely ill, or wanted a repeat prescription or a medical certificate and were prepared to wait in a queue, you would, eventually, be seen. For patients, read patience!
Perhaps the NHS should stand for No Health Service.
I C LLEWELLYN-JONES
Bowlings Corner, Sedlescombe

Race for Life was a great success
ON behalf of Cancer Research UK, I would like to thank all those women and girls who took part in our Race for Life event at Alexandra Park on Sunday, June 15. The event had such a great atmosphere and I am so pleased that nearly 3,000 women from across the town took part to show their support for the charity. Many were taking part in memory of someone, whilst others were taking part in celebration of their own lives.
I'd also like to express our appreciation to all the volunteers and supporters who worked so hard over the weekend, helping to make the event such a success.
I would now like to encourage all those who took part to return their sponsorship money as soon as possible to ensure the work of the researchers, doctors and nurses that we fund can continue, to help us beat cancer.
Thank you to you all for such a great weekend!
CARLY GIBBS
Area Events Manager
Cancer Research UK

High Court is the only option
COMMENTS published in the Observer mailbag, (June 13, 20 and 27), about the decision to grant outline planning permission on the Greenfield site north of Udimore Road are all valid, but sadly will have no affect on the situation. Apportioning blame or simply disagreeing with the decision cannot help the cause now. There is only one course of action available that can effect the outcome. An effective legal argument to challenge the decision in the High Court.
As one of the very few ordinary residents that were lucky enough to be able to find the time to attend the inquiry in its entirety, it quickly became obvious to me that the outcome would turn on a number crunching exercise.
Each of the issues raised by local residents such as flood risk, sewage capacity, transport and wild life etc., whilst all reasonable concerns, where systematically dealt with by the expert witnesses called by the developers QC. Whether or not you accept their solutions is another argument, but as a consequence these issues became virtually irrelevant.
This was further highlighted by the degree of cross-examination of these witnesses undertaken by the QC representing Rother.
Rother District Council's case was based on their projections of available sites that would fulfil the Government's requirements on numbers of houses deliverable within the time frame that they have set.
It is my belief that the inspector has reached the wrong conclusion by unjustifiably excluding the brownfield sites identified from that equation.
In an otherwise evidence-based inquiry one site was rejected because, a retailer had shown an interest in the site. Unless I missed something no evidence was submitted to support this statement and the council's position remained that the site had been designated for housing development.
The second is excluded for reasons that the re-development of any brownfield site will involve. If this is also justification to reject a site then the whole of the Government's avowed intent to develop brown fields first is exposed as meaningless rhetoric?
The remaining two were dismissed because the Environmental Agency had designated them as being in a flood zone. Sadly the Council's QC chose not to challenge this point, despite the existence of two sites within the town being built in a flood zone where innovative design solutions have mitigated this threat sufficiently to enable planners to grant permission.
Given that even without the inclusion of these sites, the number crunching undertaken by Mr Foster arrives at a shortfall of only 46, I truly believe that the sacrifice of a green field is still not justified. Especially when you consider that this shortfall is in overall numbers. It does not represent a shortfall in the affordable housing, (the identification of which is the Government's whole argument for development on the scale that has been determined). Applying the 40% criterion to the shortfall would amount to just 18.4 houses in the entire Rother District.
I believe there is still a case to be made and I urge the Council to pursue this on our behalf. Not only for the citizens of Rother District, but for the entire South East of England. For simply dismissing all brownfield sites in favour of quick, easy and cheap green fields, in order to satisfy numbers and time constraints set out by Government, has a huge implication for the sustainability and well being of this part of the country.
If you accept Rye as a microcosm of the overall planning strategy it is not difficult to imagine a situation where vast swathes of green field are built over whilst derelict brown fields continue to blight the area.
KEITH LOVEJOY
Udimore Road

Criticism for the Rye Partnership
ON a recent visit to Rye I was again impressed by Mother Nature's regeneration ability in the Central Garage site. Again she has returned the area to what it must have been like outside the town wall in the olden days. The reeds of many varieties have regrown in strength and have extended across the site.
I noticed much insect and bird activity enjoying this regeneration of old Rye; and was that a pair of great crested newts that were disporting themselves in the waters edge?
To be fair none of this regeneration would have been possible had not the Rye Partnership displayed great foresight in clearing the site in the first place albeit with a healthy expenditure of our taxes to the tune of £120,000.
My only criticism is of the ugly fence that prevents the people of Rye from an unobstructed view of this natural regeneration. I am sure it cannot have had permanent planning permission to be erected as a feature of Cinque Port Street. Perhaps the Partnership could arrange for its removal. It should not cost much and what is our money to them! Rye would then be one of the few towns that have a nature reserve in its middle.
MR. D. R. BOURNE
Abbott Way
Tenterden

Praise for Rye's new primary school
SO there I was on Thursday taking my afternoon constitutional and standing in admiration at the modern architectural splendour of the new school building and thinking of writing this very letter in praise of the architects and, indeed the County Council (and that would be a first, when what do I see when I open my copy of the Observer on Friday? - an almighty furore has erupted form the residents of Love Lane.)
Now, in this age of ever decreasing freedoms, we hold dear the right to freedom of speech and of opinion. However, I would hope that recent history, both here and abroad, would give Mr. Howlett pause to consider his remarks (see Friday's article) regarding his wish for the future of the building.
BRIAN CHAMPION
Cooper Road, Rye

Examples of the NHS at its very best
IN the past couple of weeks, we have had to call an ambulance at night, which arrived within 15 minutes, and have visited the Conquest Hospital A&E Department twice. the first time was in the middle of the day, when my husband, Michael, was seen within 30 minutes and the second time was at Midnight, when he was seen within five minutes.
On all three occasions, he was treated efficiently, thoroughly and with great kindness. So many people are quick to criticise the NHS but I don't think he could have had better help and service anywhere.
the was the NHS at its best!
SYLVIA HONEY
Stubb Lane, Brede

Totally repulsed by what I have read
IN response to the article 'Neighbours hit out at school eyesore', I was totally repulsed by what I read. I understand not everyone likes change and the new school is not visually going to be to everyone's liking, but to respond with talks of terrorism is just despicable and I, as I am sure do others, find your comments very offensive.
Don't you think we have enough terrorism and tragedy in this world without grown men making sick comments like that?
Living with the school in your full view may not be pleasing to your eye, so may I suggest, John Howlett, you draw your curtains, or better still, move!
S. KIMMITT
Marley Road, Rye

The fox who loved the bar of soap
I WAS recommended to put bars of coal tar soap in our rose garden to deter the deer from eating the rose buds. Imagine my surprise when I looked out of our bedroom window one evening and saw a fox (or vixen) sniffing round the roses and pulling a bar of soap (wrapped) off the rose bush and trotting off with it in its mouth. Meanwhile, a fat rabbit was minding its own business about ten yards away.
JENNIFER KEELING
Reservoir Lane, Sedlescombe


Thanks from Battle Lions Club for your support
BATTLE and Villages Lions Club would like to thank all those people who contributed to the street collection in Battle on Saturday, June 30, in aid of Alexandra Rose Day. Your generosity was very much appreciated by all involved.
The money (£356.45) will be distributed throughout the year to local charities within our community. Once again, thank you.
ROD ELDRIGE
Battle and Villages Lions Club