Unpleasant tirade of verbal abuse
ON Thursday, May 8, it was a lovely sunny, bright day and the market was in full swing after many weeks of 'bad Thursdays'.
The town was 'buzzing' with visitors which all bodes well for a town like Rye reliant to such a large extent on tourists. Something had to go wrong!
As on occasions in the past, one of the visiting coaches pulled up in Station Approach, just at the time that local buses were due.
This was probably to ensure that the many elderly and disabled passengers did not have to find their way down to the bottom of the car park.
The numbers crowding the pavement were not all locals (on such a day people are drawn from as far away as Hastings and Folkestone) but one 'local' female decided she would be the spokesperson for us all and 'goaded' on by a group of others, one of which was a bus driver waiting to do a change round, she first berated the coach driver who remained passive as she ranted about 'this being a private stopping place'.
No joy here so she then verbally attacked the lady who was trying to get her passengers boarded.
Using language all too frequently heard by a certain 'celebrity' chef she said they should all get on the bus and clear off back to where they came from.
It is not the first time that tempers have been lost regarding this subject and perhaps the powers that be could recognise this as an issue worthy of 'another look'.
We do ourselves no favours when a coachload of visitors are abused in this way.
Full marks to the lady from Lincoln who kept her cool in the face of a most unpleasant tirade of verbal abuse.
STP
Rye

Green waste bins
IF, as reported in last week's Rye edition, the number of green bins is to be rationed by Rother District Council, then people living in Rye and the surrounding area must be given priority.
It is only fair that Rother should supply residents living furthest away from the household waste sites at Mountfield or Pebsham with those remaining bins that it can afford to buy from the contractor Verdant.
It also makes good environmental sense for the council to plan to reduce the number of the longest journeys made to tips by its residents.
We are already composting grass cuttings and some other green waste, but are left with some that is not suitable for composting and we cannot have a bonfire.
If - as reported - most homes in Bexhill and some in Battle have already been given green bins, then the fair allocation of resources within the district has once again gone badly wrong.
Mrs KATHARINE MANNING
Hiham Green, Winchelsea

Dog ban thanks
I AM writing to thank all the people who last year signed my petition to alter the proposed dog ban on Camber beach.
It is with pleasure that I see that the proposals that were put forward in that petition have largely been met and agreed by Rother District Council
These proposals are that there is a dog ban on the beach from the flagpole at the Suttons to the flagpole in the centre of the western car park (Zone C-K, penalty notices apply)
All other area of the beach are free roaming but all dogs are to be under control and excrement to be picked up and disposed of in the bins provided. Again many thanks
David Greenfields
Dunes Avenue
Camber

Election costs
I AM sure Councillor Bantick won't mind my picking him up on a comment made in his last Rye View (Observer, May 9).
The impression was given that the Town Council does not want a by-election to be held. At no point has the council adopted this position.
However, it is true that during meetings a number of councillors have expressed concern about the total costs of recent by-elections.
The two by-elections held in 2006 cost the council £5,671; the full (four-yearly) elections in May 2007 cost £3,139 and the estimated cost of next week's by-election is £3,500.
The total spent on elections over the last two years is therefore in the region of £12,000.
RICHARD FARHALL MILCM
Town Clerk
Rye Town Council

Hardly Draconian?
MANY people would disagree with the Town Council that the dog ban proposed by Rother District Council was in any way draconian.
To suggest that the stricter proposals were in any way harsh or cruel must have Drakon laughing in his grave at the preposterous comparison of some sensible proposals for the controlling of dogs with the severe laws that Drakon is said to have established in Ancient Athens.
It is ridiculous to suggest that local dog owners would be left with virtually nowhere in the town to exercise their pets.
If these pets were to be properly controlled by their owners, there would be no problem with their using the town and, if there were no complaints about the anti-social behaviour of dog owners, there would be no need for these orders.
It is a good idea to ban dogs from bowling greens and enclosed children's play areas.
I do not believe that the better dog control orders that the dog owning councillors have rejected were ever likely to stop blind people from using their guide dogs.
After all, the Guide Dogs for the Blind are carefully trained and are kept on a lead. I cannot imagine anyone complaining about them.
How many dog owners have been 'told off for walking dogs on empty beaches in Autumn at Camber Sands.'? How many dogs does David Russell own? Several?
I do agree with David Russell about the importance of signage. It would be nice if we had signs up telling dog owners to keep their dogs on leads so they do not upset the rest of the people who would also like to enjoy Camber Sands.
I think it is very wrong of our councillors to use their position to gain advantages for themselves.
I would like to remind them there are more people who do not own dogs than dog owners.
They are supposed to be representing all of us and they should not be putting self interest or the interests of their dogs before the rest of us!
M WILTON
Camber

Democracy priceless
I WAS horrified to read in the Playden Village Voice as reported in last week's edition, that East Sussex county and Rother district councillors, think that it is better for parish councils to co-opt councillors rather than call elections, because 'democracy is not cheap'. No sir democracy is priceless.
Chris Mears
Chair
Rye & District Labour Party

Called to account
YOUR report (May 9) 'Canoeist sparks another costly sea search' is a reminder of our good fortune in having such efficient emergency services.
But it raises another issue. Why should the ignorance, carelessness and stupidity of an individual bent on pleasure, result in a call on public funds? Surely, pleasure boat owners should be held directly responsible for the costs of any necessary rescue operation.
This certainly applies in Italy and, I would guess, in other European countries.
Motorists are required by law to have third party insurance, why not something comparable for boat owners?
At the same time, it was alarming to read that a small boat had set out to sea with neither radio nor a spare fuel tank.
Such boats should be required by law to be properly equipped, with heavy fines levied on those who do not comply.
JOHN GILLUM
Watchbell Street, Rye

Change your mind
WHEN the Observer is delivered Friday mornings the first page I turn to is the Observer Mailbag.
I scan the page to see if a letter from John Hill is included and, if so, read that letter first.
I was stunned to read this week that John does not intend to write any more letters to the Observer.
You can't be serious John! I do not always agree with your opinions, and sometimes your letters do not make sense to me, but John you add to the gaiety of the nation! Fridays won't be the same if you carry out your threat.
I appreciate your irritation that some of your letters are edited but John that is the Editor's raison d'etre (remember Ian Hislop and bananas?).
Come on John, bite the bullet, change your mind and put pen to paper again. Or do I have to organise a petition among your numerous friends and admirers? If that is what it takes I will do it.
Joan Goldsworthy
Glengorse, Battle

Tunnel vision
ON Saturday, May 10, there was a function convened by the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust: lunch at Brenzett village hall, to be followed by the annual meeting and address by the Dean of Canterbury at St. Mary in the Marsh.
The railway station at Brenzett was closed nearly 50 years ago and the branch line from Appledore across to Lydd and Dungeness via Brenzett was shut off as the populations of Lydd and Dungeness grew in number while Dungeness power station was being built and, later, to help operate the station.
The closure of that line was on the advice of that well-known buffoon, Doctor Beeching.
To get to the lunch at Brenzett, I needed to get a train to Appledore so that I could walk across to Brenzett in time to have lunch - allowing for my arriving late by about 10 minutes (Light Infantry pace at 120 per minute).
Having carefully planned details of my outing and having ignored an earlier vow never to travel by British trains at weekends, I walked along to Rye Station.
Yep - you've guessed correctly - no train to Appledore leaving at 11.54.
Trains were trundling back and forth between Rye and Ashford but at all sorts of times.
At about 12.10 the train for Ashford, via Appledore and Hamstreet, halted at Rye, "Sorry mate. You can't get on yet. We've got to go down the track and double back to the proper platform". Aaaarrrgraaah! (I think you'll find that's spelled correctly).
So, I minced out of Rye Station and found a taxi driver to take me direct to Brenzett, no problem.
Such a happy ending cost me £16, including tip. Rebate anybody? No, because it's always the victim's fault in such cases.
But, out of evil, good sometimes emerges. Ryers will be pleased to learn that I have solved the problems of the Marshlink Service (sic) and Rye's Post Offices.
The catering and organisation at Brenzett and St. Mary in the Marsh were superbly planned and conducted. And, without any fuss or faffing or pretension.
All we have to do is commission the Brenzett and Lydd and St. Mary branches of the WI to take over the day-to-day (and weekend) running of Marshlink, together with Rye's Post Offices in Cinque Ports Street and Tilling Green.
Meanwhile, if you have plans to organise a booze-up in a brewery or an orgy in a bordello, don't commission organisers and manager of the calibre of the managers (managers?) of Southern Rail and/or the Post Office. They're just not up to the task.
C R CHIZLETT
North Salts
Rye

My thanks to police
RECENTLY there was an incident at Iden Village Stores and I had to call for police assistance.
I would like to thank the various police centres who responded to our plea for help.
We were astounded at how quickly the police arrived, from Battle, areas in Kent, and from Rye.
The police crews involved acted proactively - checking various vehicles and pedestrians on the journey to the stores - in order to maximise the likelihood of gaining evidence which could be used later.
At the Stores they were professional and supportive in the way they handled the situation for us.
We hear a lot about the tardiness of response to calls for assistance, but in this case we have nothing but praise for all the policemen and control centres for their support.
IAN KNOX
Iden Stores

Rudge family
COULD you please help me with my family research by publishing this letter in the local newspapers.
I am searching for any members of the Rudge family, who lived at Sunning Hill, Warren Road, Fairlight, near Hastings, in the 1940s.
Are there any descendants of this family remaining in the area? I have one name with initials E.B. Rudge and also one with the initial L or W. Rudge.
I'm sorry I cannot be more specific.
I would be very grateful for any replies, which may be sent to the address below.
Thank you very much for your time.
MRS. A. PARTINGTON
10 Birch Road, Leigh
Lancs WM7 5SU
(tel: 01942 261925)

Freedom is an ancient right
THERE will be as many opinions on the poor showing of the Labour Party in the recent election as there are voters - and perhaps non-voters as well. My perception is that what we have seen is a fully justified erosion of trust leading eventually to mistrust.
It is like titrating alkali into an acid - the litmus stays stubbornly red as the alkali drips in until, suddenly, the addition of a single drop - no different from the rest- turns the whole mixture blue.
Consider some of the facts:
l One of his first acts as chancellor was to attack the pension funds with a tax of £5 billion a year. Clever, for though it destroyed the prospects of millions it was a 'pay now, notice later' tax. Ten years on people are beginning to notice.
l Then he sold our gold reserves at well below today's value. Clever again, for who but an economist looks at our gold reserves
l An effective gerrymandering was achieved by the Mid Lothian issue (in which Scottish MPs can vote on English legislation but not vice versa); Then came the postal ballot engineered in such a way that a judge described it as suitable for a banana republic
l On acceding to the premiership Mr Brown, either by fear of the result or by poor judgement would not face the electorate
l Then came the broken electoral promise for a Lisbon Treaty referendum. 'Cleverly' argued as an amendment not a treaty- but too clever because the electorate didn't buy it.
l Finally came the debacle of the 10p Income Tax rate which Brown tried to bully through. Generally the British people do not like people who are 'too clever' or those who bully. Perhaps the other reason is the growing disquiet about Britain's EU membership.
In an earlier letter I tried to point out the damage this is causing, and while this letter received much support none has contradicted it.
But there is a deeper reason for disquiet that comes from the guts and not the head. Like all gut feelings this is more difficult to describe and define than purely intellectual reasoning- but one should never overlook it.
In 1938, when our politicians were 'sold' on Hitler's good intentions the gut feeling of the British people was against. So let me try to articulate this feeling:
The British perception of personal freedom is an attitude that has grown haltingly but persistently since Magna Carta in 1215. The perception is we can do what we like unless proscribed by law - and the laws until recent times have not been restrictive.
Generally, on the Continent, the perception of personal freedom is conditioned by the repressive regimes they have experienced - from Salazar and Franco in the west, through Hitler and Mussolini and the shades of Napoleon in the middle to Stalin and Ceausescu in the east.
To the continental, freedom is a privilege to be rationed and doled out by laws at the grace of the politicians. Such laws can be changed at the drop of a hat.
To the British freedom is an ancient right that you meddle with at your peril.
Robin Dent
Peasmarsh

Demand that referendum
THANK you Robin Dent and Peter Belchamber for your very supportive letters (Mailbag, May 2). Keep up the good work.
After the people of this country justifiably 'slaughtered' Labour in the local and London elections, Gordon Brown has now said he will 'listen and learn'! I wager pigs might fly first!
The House of Lords votes on the Lisbon Treaty (aka EU Constitution) and the promised Referendum in early June and will, hopefully, press for Gordon Brown to honour his party's manifesto promise of that Referendum.
The other good news is Stuart Wheeler has now won the right to seek a judicial review of Gordon Brown's broken promise on the grounds it is 'plainly arguable there is no material difference between the provisions' in the rejected EU Constitution and the Lisbon Treaty.
It says much for the failed integrity of our MPs and our democracy that it takes a private citizen to bring the Government to account through the (very expensive) legal process. But then the proof of Gordon Brown's true integrity will be if he now honours his broken manifesto promise.
I urge you all to write to Michael Foster MP and demand he also now listens to the people by supporting democracy and this judicial review (he is a solicitor!) and demands Gordon Brown holds his promised Referendum.
BARRY M. JONES
Bixley Lane, Beckley

More understanding required
EARLIER this year, we asked readers to complete a survey if they had, or had had, the chronic illness known as M.E. or chronic fatigue syndrome, which affects 250,000 across the UK.
Some 2,763 people from all over the country responded, which is our greatest survey response ever - so thank you for your support.
The results are published this week - M.E. Awareness Week.
What they show is while health services overall are improving, one recommended treatment seems to be making one in three people worse.
There is as yet no cure for M.E., so the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence recommends symptom management, including graded exercise therapy.
Although some people who responded to our survey said they had found graded exercise beneficial, 34% said it had made them worse.
Some NHS specialists are obviously delivering excellent care but it seems other inexperienced or inadequately trained health professionals do not understand the illness.
Action for M.E. is now calling for additional funding for the provision of more M.E. specialists.
SIR PETER SPENCER
Chief Executive
Action for M.E.