Major challenge for the planners
ROTHER District Council will soon be asked to approve draft plans for the massive development of North East Bexhill.
This development, they will be told, is 'sustainable'. However they will also be told it depends on the construction of the Bexhill Link Road.
Our group will ask the council to reject these draft plans and ask the planners to design a new scheme that reduces the need for car use so the development can proceed without the link road.
This will be a major challenge for the planners - involving some radical solutions. But we believe it is necessary and possible.
The Bexhill link road ranks nationally as one of the most environmentally damaging new road schemes in the UK.
The road forms part of the East Sussex County Council's long-held plans to construct a South Coast trunk road.
These road schemes and associated developments make a mockery of the UK Policy to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050.
Development is possible that meets the UK's objectives to reduce CO2 - investment in Rail infrastructure transformed the economy of Brighton with the introduction of the one hour service to London.
If - in the austere times ahead - ESCC still have access to the £100m of public funds they intend to spend on this road then they should spend it instead on improving rail services to Hastings and Bexhill.
CHRISTOPHER STRANGEWAYS
Secretary
Rother Environmental Group

New characteristic of forgetfulness!
WE keep reading and hearing a lot these days abut what it is to be British and that school leavers will be encouraged to swear some sort of allegiance in order to prove their commitment to this indefinable characteristic.
At the same time, we also read and hear a lot about members of the RAF who are banned by their station commander from wearing their uniforms off duty, because some so-called British people verbally abuse them.
How pathetic of the RAF Wittering Station Commander - it reminds me of the recent embarrassment caused to our Navy when an equally pathetic group was captured, supposedly in Iranian waters, who then co-operated in a propaganda exercise with their captors.
What are we coming to?! If this is being British, I don't think too many will want to join in.
One British characteristic used to be that of fair play, which brings me to my last point.
The MoD is currently distributing campaign medals and awards at a rate suggesting it is trying to make up for the poor quality of the equipment it provides to our armed forces in the least expensive way possible.
Included in all this is the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to a female Flight Lieutenant who braved heavy fire in Iraq in order to rescue an injured colleague.
No argument with that, but why is it then that crew members of WW2 Bomber Command, who flew not just once, but night after night, after night, to destroy vital war installations in Germany, losing thousands of their comrades to constant heavy ground and air attacks, are denied a Campaign Medal?
It would seem that fair play has gone, to be replaced by a new British characteristic - that of forgetfulness - for that certainly applies to those who are setting the standards for modern Britain.
JOHN HILL
Glengorse, Battle

'Marathon' effort
I WOULD like, on behalf of the Lions Club of Hastings, to say a big thanks to everyone who made Sunday's Hastings Half Marathon such a success.
Although the weather was wet and cold, spectators still turned out in their hundreds to cheer the runners on.
We know from the many comments and messages received from the runners that this is very much appreciated and helps to make the Hastings event the great race it is.
I would also like to thank all the marshals who every year give so freely of their time and this year made the task of manning the road junctions even easier.
I must thank all the organisations who turned out to man our drink stations, the start and finish line personnel and also the Red Cross who do a grand job in the first aid tent and around the course.
Neighbouring Lions Clubs members and local athletic clubs and organisations further enhance the event by giving their help in so many ways.
I must also thank all our sponsors. They help make this event one of the top races for runners to participate in each year.
We had nearly 5,000 entrants this year of whom about a third have never run the course before.
Thank you runners for supporting our event, both this year and in other years, and we look forward to welcoming you again on March 15, 2009 for our special 25th Hastings Half Marathon.
On behalf of all members of the Lions Club of Hastings I thank you most sincerely for making the event such a success.
JOHN CATTAWAY
President - Hastings Lions Club

Not so Mr Stuart
MR Roderick Stuart has a perfect right to hold what views he likes about the E.U. Treaty (or any other topic) and to express those views.
But he should be a little more careful when addressing Michael Foster, MP and not include us all in what he is saying.
It is most certainly not true that 'all about you hold you in disdain'. Neither is it true that they '...see you as immoral...'.
There are many constituents who greatly value Mr. Foster and what he has done for the Hastings and Rye area. Please do not include us all in the pejorative remarks you choose to make .
F WINCH
Fairlight

Homeless tears
SINCE the provision of new housing has become a topical issue for Rye's residents, how sad it is to see the loss of homes familiar to many of us over the years.
I refer to those wondrous spit and mud constructions that adorned the eves of the Conservative Club on Market Hill, providing homes to those marvellous migrants from Africa, the House Martin (Delichon Urbica).
As they begin that arduous and dangerous journey back to these undeserving shores, one can only sympathize with them over the disappearance of their repeatedly used dwellings and the unecessary hardship bestowed upon them in rebuilding and raising a family. Yours in sorrow.
BRIAN CHAMPION
Cooper Road
Rye

Save our swifts
LAST Friday evening the Friends of St. Mary's Church, which forms the pinnacle of the town, organised an excellent and informative talk by Edward Mayer, on the swift population of Rye. Edward lives in the town and is also organiser of www.Londons-swifts.org.uk
All of us know and love the sight and sound of families of screaming swifts, circling in the sky on warm summer evenings, but the population is in serious decline, primarily because their nest sites in taller buildings are being destroyed by refurbishment and redevelopment. Residents, often inadvertently, have netted off the eaves of their houses.
Swifts pair for life, live on the wing and will only breed at exactly the same nest site, after migrating back from Southern Africa.
Apart from their beauty, swifts are voracious consumers of mosquitoes and aphids, with which we are increasingly plagued as a result of relentless global warming.
What can be done to help? The website is full of useful information but practical action would seem to be needed by local bodies.
The ecology group of the Friends protect and enhance the nest sites on the church.
Another vital nesting site is the monastery on Conduit Hill, with its high eaves and small holes in the stonework.
It was suggested that Rye Town Council, with the planning committee and local ecology groups, could identify existing nest positions, monitor all planning applications and ensure, with the statutory powers available, protection during any rebuilding or refurbishment work in the town.
Following the Dutch and Italian examples, new nesting sites could be created in new-build schemes with special hollowed out 'swift bricks' built into gable end walls.
It would raise all our spirits if we could help the town's swift population to increase again by taking practical steps together to make Rye swift-friendly.
DAVID WYLSON
High Street
Rye

Remain objective
I AM not familiar with the case J. Hicks (Mailbag, March 14) is so incensed about but would of course agree that any false accusation from men, women and children, is unacceptable and brings hurt to the accused.
However, I do object to his generalisation 'women lie as much as men'.
Many people lie but if we talk about rape cases, I think J. Hicks would do well to look at the research concerning the treatment of women who in fact were raped (majority of the reported true and many not reported because of fear as to how they would be perceived and treated by the police, courts and society).
It is the woman who is interrogated as to her past/behaviour and dress code while the alleged offender/accused does not go through this rigorous questioning. (Thankfully some new legislations have made, if only a little, the process better now).
Yes, there have been false accusations by women and it is 'appalling' when it happens but I don't rant and generalise like J. Hicks about men, when it comes to the statistics which show, that, while some women are responsible for domestic/other violence towards men, in fact 90% of any kind of violence against women is done by men.
I would ask J. Hicks not to personalise his anger (wherever it stems from) but to remain objective even in the face of occasional injustice against men.
Many women globally have had to and still do endure injustices in all walks of life, perpetrated very often by the male population.
I would not take it upon myself to make a negative judgement of all mankind.
Heidi Foster
Rye

Britishness test
HERE we go again: on what planet does Michael Foster, MP and his New Labour 'government' live?
I am delighted he enjoys his 'pint' (Rye Observer, March 14) but will he still do so after his miserable pals have upped the tax? The swines have even upped the tax on my medicinal Kentish cider.
I hope Michael loyally promotes his 'Britishness' by supping a pint of real British ale - none of this 'furrin' fizzy gnats' wotsit lager.
But, you'd better make the most of it, Michael, for, as you know, your government is making it a criminal offence to order a traditional British lunch of a juicy 3" gherkin, a hunk of bread with 1/4lb of Stilton, soaked in 1/6 gill of Port and all washed down by a yard of ale.
Yes folks, Michael's EU-besotted New Labour showed their true colours in blind obedience to the EU by making it a criminal offence, under EEC Directive 80/181/EC, to quote Imperial measurements publicly in trade and within internal office documents as from January 1, 2010.
I hope he makes sure our prisons are emptied in readiness for this new breed of criminal.
Yet, in stark contrast, the EU has now, very wisely, accepted that Imperial measurements do have a very proper place in International Trade and (what's left of) Britain's culture.
They have now said that they have no interest in forcing Britain to comply with statutory metrication, yet Michael's pro-EU government have no intention of revoking the legislation.
But then New Labour really doesn't care what the British people say. They refused us their promised Referendum on the EU Constitution and, worse, refused to support Bill Cash's Clause 9 amendment to maintain sovereignty by our Houses of Parliament over EU laws! New Labour simply doesn't care.
Now there is an important trial-by-jury test case coming up over the sale of a pound of fruit at a market - Hackney v Deevers.
Those who truly value our Britishness, should support the British Weights and Measures Association in this legal battle. I doubt if Michael Foster, MP, will.
BARRY M. JONES
Beckley, Rye

Wonderful night
WE WOULD like to thank both Strangeface and the Memorial Hall at Battle for a thoroughly professional and enjoyable evening last Saturday.
Despite not being sure what to expect - the 'demon' mask depicted on the literature being a little disconcerting for some - we went along and were most impressed that such a wonderful production had been put on locally at such a low cost!
We only hope that this is the first of many such performances.
CAROL and ANDREW HARRIS
Delaware Drive, St. Leonards

Put yourself in their shoes
DOG control has been very topical recently as local authorities have tentatively started to consider some of the issues. I think the ensuing debate is very healthy and brings issues out that affect people's and dogs' quality of life.
Many feel very strongly that owners should be persuaded to take responsibility for their dogs. A significant number of responsible owners are happy to keep their dogs under control.
I clear up my dog's faeces and put my dogs on a short lead when approaching other people.
On the other hand there are many owners who do not wish to be bothered with training or controlling their animals at all.
They do not wish their freedom to allow their dog to defecate where people walk or children play to be limited in any way. They are too lazy to either train their dogs properly or to put them on a short lead when they meet other people.
The number of people killed by dangerous dogs each year may not be that great but that anybody should be killed by a dog is quite tragic and one too many!
Of course, most dog attacks do not end in a death - 4,000 people were treated in hospital last year for unprovoked dog attacks. As the injuries diminish so does the degree of nuisance caused by owners not taking responsibility for their dogs.
There are actual attacks on people in which physical injuries are inflicted; there is the unpleasantness and fear of dogs running at your, barking and baring their teeth to intimidate you; there are the overfriendly dogs that jump up at you when you do not wish them to, causing alarm and dirty clothing; friendly dogs that insist on sniffing you - sometimes getting saliva on your clothes and intruding into your privacy.
Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applies to all dogs that are dangerously out of control in a public place. It states that, 'if a dog acts in a way in which someone fears they will be attacked, then an offence is committed'. The fines are up to £5,000 and/or six months in prison and the courts may order the dog to be destroyed.
While walking my dog along Tillingham Avenue in Rye, and also the cycle path to Winchelsea, I have had several occasions where dogs have run at me, baring their teeth, growling and barking. Some have jumped up at me and my children. We have felt threatened and intimidated by the dogs.
Once you have been attacked by dogs in this way, you become fearful of other people's dogs.
The owners usually react by telling you the dog won't hurt you and playing the issue down. If they were responsible dog owners they would not allow the situation to happen in the first place.
On one occasion, I met a lady with seven dogs at Winchelsea Beach. None of the dogs were on a lead. Three of them ran straight for my children - barking, growling and showing their teeth.
A pack of dogs behaving like this is very dangerous and I called to the woman to keep her dogs under control She responded by shouting and swearing at me, telling me to mind my own business.
Other owners seem to think everyone should love their dogs as they do and somehow believe all others are pleased to be confronted by them. They seem unable to put themselves into other people's shoes.
I implore owners to train their dogs properly and to keep them under control in public places.
Most people do not object to dogs when they are kept under control and if your dog is proving difficult to train, there are some excellent dog training schools in Hastings and St. Leonards.
If you watch any of the excellent television programmes on dog training you will see that usually even the most difficult dogs can be brought under control. Usually, it is the owner that requires most of the tuitition.
Dogs are surprisingly intelligent if treated appropriately and can be taught to do all sorts of things. A well-trained dog is a happy dog - a joy for its owner and not a nuisance to anyone.
I love dogs but I accept ownership is a full time responsibility. If you are not prepared to train your dog to do the most basic things such as walk to heel or come when it is called, then you should not own a dog. During the training stage you should keep your dog on a lead when approaching other people.
Come on fellow dog owners, show you are considerate and responsible. Clear up your dogs' faeces, train your dog properly and keep your dog under control in public places.
Mrs P GREEN
South Undercliff, Rye

Coastal command
IN April 2005 an historic ceremony took place unveiling a granite memorial at the gateway to St Eval Church.
More than 1,000 aircrew and ground staff lost their lives at RAF St Eval between 1939-1959 whilst the station was operational. It was one of the largest operation stations during World War Two.
All ranks from RAF, WAAF and WRAF or next of kin who served at RAF St Eval are invited to join the RAF St Eval Coastal Command Association. We have two reunions every year, in April and September, and two newsletters, in January and July.
Information regarding the above from: Ray Massey on 01925 755556, Peter Salisbury on 01460 61291 or Ken Wilson on 01514 243263 or ken624wils@yahoo.com
RAY MASSEY
Vice Chairman
RAF St Eval Coastal
Command Association