Limited scheme is unacceptable
WOULD someone from Rother District Council's recycling department please address my issue with the fairness of the bi-weekly collection scheme.
What am I meant to do with excessive non recyclable rubbish? I live in a two-person household and the small black wheelie is normally only just sufficient despite us recycling everything possible from an ever shrinking list.
However there are occasions when there is simply too much for the wheelie.
Recently I had a delivery of new dining room furniture and it came in six large and thick cardboard boxes full of polyfoam packaging that couldn't fit in three or four wheelies.
Previously the solution was easy, put it out with the weekly rubbish and it was taken. Now a strict policy of not collecting side waste prevents this.
So I have two legal options - a 20-mile round trip to the tip at Mountfield and the cost of petrol on top of Council Tax, or burning it in the garden.
Rother District Council, how is either choice good for the environment which is ostensibly the reason for the new scheme? Must remember to buy that patio heater on the way to the tip to cut down my fuel emissions.
Rother's doorstep recycling scheme is extremely limited and precludes many plastics, most packaging and cardboard. There is an ever-shrinking list of what can be recycled.
Initially plastic bottle tops could, now not; plastic food trays labelled 1, 2 & 3 previously, now not; pink newspapers, yes, no, now I am not sure. Communication on the changes is very poor.
In conclusion Rother's recycling scheme is unacceptable. Until it is vastly improved we should not be penalised for tons packaging that is foisted upon us nor Rother's limited recycling scheme.
These are not our fault and therefore non recyclable side waste should be taken and bin lids allowed to be open.
The recent fine for the man in Cumbria who committed a heinous crime of leaving his bin lid open by four inches is a warning the recycling Stasi may be coming to Rother after a period of grace.
When the non collections of rubbish and financial fines start for petty reasons so will fly tipping or use of public litter bins.
It will show this recycling scheme is more about the council avoiding higher landfill charges and EU fines and as a way of raising revenue from an already over taxed community rather than about the environment or providing a service for the public.
I think we know that already.
Mike Grant
The Paddock
Northiam

Recycling fiasco
IF Madeleine Gorman is correctly reported on your Battle front page last week as saying 'We have never promised all residents they could have a green bin. We have always known that the service would have to be limited' then this WAS NOT communicated to the public in either the March 2007 public information booklet or the A4 publication introducing the recycling collection on June 6, 2007!
The council officers may have known that the service would be restricted but the public was not told. The first indication I had that our road may never get green bins was in a reply from Madeleine Gorman on November 6, 2007. On September 3 she had said 'Guestling will be included in the next phase early next year…'
This really has been a fiasco. If the recycling had not been hyped so much we would not have been so disappointed at its inadequacy.
LYNN JENKINS
Austen Way
Guestling

Have they fallen for that old trick?
BOTH our Mayor (Cllr. Ron Harris), in his annual report, and Kevin Dixon (our district councillor), in the first of his monthly columns in the Battle Observer, make reference to the housing development at Blackfriars (they should include Highlands Farm).
Both seem to be pleased that, as a result of their efforts, the number of dwellings will be reduced from the original 290 to about 245.
But have they not heard of the old trick, that all developers apply for a number vastly in excess of what they hope to get, so that a lesser number will appear reasonable?
District councillor Kevin Dixon says that this development has been in the pipeline since 1970; and he is right - but perhaps he has not heard of the following:
1. Blackfirars was originally purchased by the Battle & District Rural Council, for the future benefit of Battle residents; just as that same council also purchased the land in Mount Street to provide free car parking. unfortunately, when RDC was formed, it took over both sites, to the advantage of Rother residents generally, but to the disadvantage of Battle residents in particular.
2. In 1970, Highlands Farm was not included in the plan, but has been added since.
3. In 1970, the Battle & Langton Primary School was situated on Marley Lane. When it could not cope with increasing numbers of children, it was moved to its present inconvenient site and is already overcrowded.
4. In 1970, few people had cars; now most families have at least two cars, with the result that our town is often gridlocked and quiet residential road are littered with parked vehicles.
5. Since 1970, many hundreds of houses have been built in both Battle and the surrounding areas.
I think this is the longest letter I have written to the Observer and many of your readers will be pleased to know that it is definitely the final one.
The reason is, as happened last week, and has happened before, parts of my letters are not printed, thus altering their sense - if ever there was any.
JOHN HILL
Glengorse
Battle

Battle must retain tourist centre.......
WHEN I first saw the headlines in the April 18 edition of the Battle Observer stating that the Battle TIC may close, I was horrified and know that my late husband, Stuart Gray (Battle's Mr Tourism) would have been devastated.
However, on re-reading the article, I then realised that it only stated that Rother District Council were putting the TIC contract out to tender.
I did not write earlier as I was waiting for English Heritage to confirm whether or not they would be putting in a bid.
Unusually for English Heritage nothing has been forthcoming from them. If they do intend to bid to continue to run the TIC, I feel they should let the people of Battle know - so could they let us know their intentions in this matter.
If not, then Battle Council should step in and run the TIC for the town. As Marion Frost wrote, on April 25, and John Harmer last week, £30,000 is being offered (no increase since Battle Promotion ran the TIC).
However, as Battle TIC is also effectively Bexhill TIC as well then, as Marion implied, Battle should also have that income, so would suggest Battle Council offer to run the joint TICs for £50,000 - £10,000 less than the offer for two separate TICs as there will only be premises in Battle.
As Stuart is not able to campaign for retention of the Battle TIC, which is essential for such a historic town, if English Heritage does not plan to bid, I intend to take up the fight (or should I say battle!) in his memory and would ask everyone who loves our town to do what they can to ensure we keep our TIC.
We can start the campaign at the Battle Town Assembly on Tuesday (May 13) at the Memorial Hall.
SALLY GRAY
Norman Close
Battle

Paying the price of cheap borrowing
WHY is the whole nation obsessed with house prices? To most people it makes no difference to your daily life, if there is a problem it is the fault of the people who allow us to borrow too much.
We now have the possibility of food shortages and a higher cost of feeding ourselves.
One can blame supermarkets for a large part as they have kept the price down to suppliers for too long. Many farmers have gone out of business.
But now if we paid another £20 per household for food and £20 less on our housing, everyone could benefit.
We accept if anyone pays £10,000 for a car. It goes down in value year after year, so why can't we accept houses to go down?
I have two solutions. One, take housing benefit out of the private sector, this would save £245m a week then private rents would drop; and stop paying £30m a day into the European Union, this would save the tax payers about £455m a week.
Laurence Keeley
Fairfield
Herstmonceux

Dog ban should be more extensive
AN interesting article 'Revised dog ban orders welcomed'. Were all Rye councillors unanimously welcoming the dog ban, or was it just that the weakening of the proposals was welcomed by the dog owning members of the council?
How much have the council been swayed by council members who have little or no control over their dogs?
The ban is definitely welcomed by many people but I have to say that many wish it to go much further to include the use of short leashes in public places and for larger areas to be declared dog-free.
I do not believe that blind people with guide dogs or disabled people using trained assistance dogs have ever upset anyone.
I cannot believe that anyone has ever complained of this and exceptions for this are welcome.
However, many complaints have been made about irresponsible dog owners who fail to show any consideration for other people, particularly those without dogs, when they are out with their dogs.
Have they any idea how someone who has been attacked by a dog feels when they allow their dogs to intimidate them.
Personally, I object very much when dog owners allow their dogs to bark at me or sniff me.
I believe dog owners should put their dogs on leads when they meet others and, if their dog intimidates others, they have definitely not trained it properly and they are behaving irresponsibly.
Will use be made of the fine system to enforce the order? Have any dog owners ever been fined for not clearing up their dog's poo?
Perhaps we need a few more people who do not own dogs on the council, so that they can better reflect the views of the general public.
N WOODBRIDGE
Playden

Fruity Friday
I AM writing to let readers know it is not too late to get involved in this year's Fruity Friday on Friday, May 16.
Fruity Friday is World Cancer Research Fund's annual event that helps us raise awareness about the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables.
As well as being a fun way to get across an important message, it also helps to raise vital funds that help us continue with our research and education programmes.
It is a great chance for local people to support a worthy cause. So whether you want to organise a fruity breakfast for your friends and neighbours or make and sell healthy fruity snacks, there are lots ways you can get involved.
For more information about what you can do on Fruity Friday, call 0207 3434205 or visit www.fruityfriday.org
TERESA NIGHTINGALE
Head of Fundraising
World Cancer Research Fund

Step out for charity
WE, the Meningitis Trust, are looking to fill our guaranteed places for the Bank of America Chicago and Real, - Berlin marathons, both taking place later this year.
These events provide the ideal challenge for people hoping to achieve something impressive before the year is up.
By joining the Meningitis Trust's team of runners, participants will be raising vital sponsorship and helping people in the UK who are struggling to cope with the impact of meningitis.
The Bank of America Chicago marathon takes place on October 12 and is renowned as being one of the fastest courses in the world. It's flat, city landscape and cool fall climate make it an attractive route for all runners.
If you'd prefer a more historical backdrop to your run, The Real, - Berlin marathon on September 28 could be for you.
Another flat route; this race takes runners past some of Berlin's notable landmarks and even through the Brandenburg Gate.
We will provide all the support required before, during and after the challenge; including full training, dietary and fundraising advice.
To secure one of the guaranteed places, all we need is £50 registration fee and a pledge to raise the minimum sponsorship.
As we are not linked to a tour operator, people have the freedom to tailor their trip to suit them, meaning they can stay as long as they like!
Registering couldn't be easier, simply call 0845 120 4530 for a free information pack or visit http://www.meningitis-trust.org
SARAH LANGTON
Event organiser
The Meningitis Trust

Disappointing response
HAVE you ever had an occasion to contact the parish council regarding a local issue?
Did they listen to your concerns and fully support you or just offer lip service and hope the problem will eventually go away?
Do you really know how your local Parish Council operate? Are they proactive and get on with the job in hand? Are they committed and do what they say?
I first contacted Fairlight Parish Council in May 2004 regarding the flooding problem facing some residents who live in Meadow Way, and whose property backs onto Wood Field.
I became aware, after having spoken to several residents, that the water drainage ditches in Wood Field have not been maintained by the parish council for a considerable length of time.
Consequently, whenever, there is heavy rain the excess water, which the field cannot soak up naturally, flows into residents' rear gardens instead of being channelled away by the water ditches. If these ditches had been maintained I believe the flooding problem would not have arisen.
Several parish councillors have visited the properties affected to see first hand the volume of water involved and agreed it was indeed a problem that needed to be dealt with.
In my particular case and my adjacent neighbours, we are not talking about a small flow of water but instead a torrent.
Having not heard a word from the council, I wrote again in December 2005. This time they agreed they would do something but stated it was not the council's responsibility, however; they wanted to be a good neighbour so they said they would look into the matter.
I really find it hard to believe that water flowing from parish council land is not their responsibility.
At the council meeting in November 2006, after having waited 11 months, the council agreed work would soon start and they would get some experts to look at the field and come up with a solution. The council even appointed a council member to be responsible for overseeing the project.
Yet again, months past and still nothing happened. So in March 2007, I wrote to Rother District Council, drainage authority for this area, informing them of the situation.
Fairlight Parish Council then received a letter informing them that under the Land Drainage Act 1991, as the council were the riparian owners of Wood Field, they would be served notice unless the drainage courses were adequately maintained. At the August 2007 council meeting it was stated that this problem was to be given top priority.
At the council meeting in September 2007 it was stated that the work would be completed by the end of November.
Tenders went out to various contractors and one was appointed and then we were informed that the work would now be completed by mid-February 2008.
Here we are at the beginning of May 2008 and still the work has not commenced. It's now been four years since I first contacted the parish council on this matter.
Over the years the council have receive numerous letters from myself and other residents concerned about the lack of progress.
The council acknowledge receipt of these letters at the council meetings but are very selective as to which ones are read out and in most cases residents do not even get a reply.
During this whole episode not one parish council member has ever challenged as to why this problem is taking so long to resolve.
I believe the council has acted with total disregard throughout this whole ordeal, causing myself and other resident's unnecessary stress.
My trust and respect has completely gone as I no longer believe a word they say. I would suggest that all councillors take a long hard look at themselves and question whether they are there to carry out the issues, which have been agreed on, in a prompt, efficient and professional manner, or are they there for their own kudos?
P BUCKINGHAM
Meadow Way, Fairlight

Is there anyone for tennis?
IN the Review of the Year by the chairman of the Estates Committee, Paula Fisher, in Battle Town Council's latest newsletter there is mention of the plans drawn up for the refurbishment of the basketball court at the Recreation Ground to include a tennis (rebound) wall.
May I use this space to urge anyone who has enjoyed playing, or wishes they could play tennis, or knows how much tennis has to offer a community, to convey their support for this idea by writing a letter to the chairman of the estates committee, Battle Town Council, The Almonry, High Street, Battle, TN33 0EA.
Tennis affords exercise, develops co-ordination, offer opportunities for people to meet and can be played by families and by young and old, but it has a drawback.
It offers limited enjoyment until players have achieved a certain level of skill.
This is where the tennis wall comes in. It enables individuals to improve their skills at their own level.
Bjorn Borg, one of the greatest tennis champions, learned by playing against his dad's garage wall. Who knows!
I believe many in Battle would appreciate a tennis wall - talented keen youngsters longing to realise their ambition and others of all ages wanting to improve their skill to enjoy the game socially or keep fit.
TONY PERKINS
Lower Lake, Battle