Letters

UNIQUE: The Fisherman's Hospital in Market Place, Great Yarmouth, pictured by the Mercury photographer in June 1956. Writer David King says Yarmouth has “a locality almost unique in containing so many desirable features.”

I AGREE with councillor Jim Shrimplin that introducing free collection of unwanted items would not reduce fly-tipping. If the council delivered a letter to every house/flat in the borough stating that they would dispose of any unwanted items free of charge, as long as it was kept on owners' premises until the day of collection, there would still be a small army of people who would prefer to fly-tip to be rid of it or simply leave it outside in the garden.

When my parents first moved into council property in the late 1940s, the rent was collected weekly by a man with a stout leather bag (imagine that now?). He also took note of your surrounding area and woe betide anyone who had rubbish laying about.

These days, some people's gardens look like Steptoe's yard. The current system for collection and disposal of unwanted items is adequate and fair. If you can afford a new three piece suite, you can afford to dispose of the old one responsibly.

RICHARD HARRISON

Euston Road

Great Yarmouth

I AM the chairman of the Fritton Action Rescue committee regarding the Waveney Forest (aka Fritton Woods).

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the coverage and support you are giving us.

Secondly, I would like to thank the people who courageously covered the car park at the picnic area of the forest to gather signatures on Sunday, as it poured with rain but they stuck to their task admirably.

Thirdly, I would like to thank all the clubs/pubs, shopkeepers, etc for their support in letting us have our petitions in the premises; please keep up the good work.

Fourthly, I would like to thank all the people who have signed the petitions. Please keep passing the word and getting friends, family and everybody you know to sign as well.

And lastly I would like to thank the committee members who are spending their valuable time (and in some cases, hard-earned money) pushing this campaign forward in an orderly and professional manner.

ROWLAND DUNN

FAR Committee Chairman

MAY I make a comment about the current furore on turning Waveney Forest into a gravel pit. It is not only gravel pits the forest needs protecting from, but also from log cabins and golf courses, fly-tippers and youths on motorbikes riding over what's left of Belton Common - now an ugly mess in places.

Walking across the marshes, you also come across other forms of pollution - noise for one. The sound of tannoys from holiday camps and fireworks and gangs of youths partying in the forest, complete with plenty of shouting and screaming, is often apparent well past midnight. Not much chance for a pleasant, quiet walk then! Rubbish and beer cans thrown into the reed beds by passing boats and the picnic/car park area in the forest is a fly-tipper's paradise.

When the whole area was a proper farm, the forest ranger would have stopped all, or most of that. Then we are afflicted by the vast number of the dreaded dog-walker, fouling the footpaths, disturbing the wildlife and upsetting local farmers with their antics. Nobody has one dog any more - it's like the rare breed display at Crufts.

At the end of the day, extracting gravel is to build more houses for people to move here from the towns and cities to enjoy the countryside that they, of course, have changed and to then stop any other changes that may spoil their views or peace and quiet. My family moved here from Essex many years ago to escape the same problems that have started to afflict our lovely village and, indeed, we used to travel on the steam trains through the forest to visit our family. It certainly was a very beautiful and scenic journey then.

MICHAEL DIMMACK

Butt Lane

Burgh Castle

I HAVE been reading with interest about so-called Fritton Woods. The name is Waveney Forest, which is down New Road, Fritton, and not Fritton Woods. This may confuse some non-residents.

I am an ecologist and took people round the woods recently and there are many biodiversity action plan species there, but they can be re-sited, as long as the diggings are not used for landfill in the future. It will be of great ecological importance if it turned out to be something like the Whitlingham Broad: then I would agree with the plans. As I see it at the moment, it is all in the air and nothing has been decided as yet. Visitors, especially with dogs, should keep the site tidy and clear up after themselves to prove that it is a site worth protecting for the enjoyment of others.

I will in the near future be running walks there to show people what there is there, including fungus forays and butterfly walks, so keep an eye on the press for these events.

COLIN JACOBS

Field View Drive

Lowestoft

IS it me, or has the coast line of Gorleston gone further out to sea? On Sunday, at approximately 4.30pm, the sea was way out beyond the breakwater with sand all around it. Is this usual for the time of the year? Or are there deeper forces at work, ie the outer harbour, which we are led to believe will be of such a depth that it will take some of the world's biggest container ships, which in itself will not be required to be continuously dredged to stop this very apparent build-up of sand around our particular piece of coast.

JOHN SPOONER

Cherry Close

Bradwell

I HAVE just been made aware of some interesting facts that I think your readers and the public in general might appreciate.

We hear a lot about “Residents Only” parking zones, but how many people are aware that anyone can park in a zone between the hours of 6pm and 8am without fear of getting a parking ticket. Also motorcycles are permitted to park in a zone at any time.

I must admit that I was not aware of this information when I last went into town one evening, finishing up parking in King Street and walking in the rain to and from a restaurant located on the seafront.

I haven't seen any information or signs pointing out this parking policy and almost everybody I've spoken to is not aware of it. I wonder if the apparent secrecy is deliberate to deter non-residents parking and is purely to placate those residents who have paid good money, only to find it does not guarantee them a parking place outside their homes.

T ANDREWS

Northern Close

Caister on Sea

RE Allotment Society meeting: Further to the letter (Mercury, August 1) from Arthur Fisk, I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage all allotment holders to attend the meeting on August 29, 7.30pm at the King's Centre, Queen Anne's Road, Southtown.

This is our chance to vote democratically for a committee, who will manage the society for all members on all sites. I will be standing for election onto the committee.

A PITCHFORD

New College Close

Gorleston

GOOD to see a letter about the allotments, as nobody seems to care anymore. We have not had an annual meeting for two years. We have holes in fences, sagging fences, broken taps and nothing is done so allotment members, turn up in numbers at the meeting on August 29 at the Kings centre at 7.30pm and let's make our Allotment Association as good as any in the country.

MERVYN POSTLE

Ecclestone Close

Bradwell

I SEE in the Mercury that officers from Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team are, amongst other things, ensuring the safety of visitors and in particular children along the seafront.

Last Thursday I was sitting on the seats near the former first aid station. Clearly marked on the road, near the slope leading to the beach which has a barrier across it, in large letters: Keep Clear, No Parking.

Two PCSOs came strolling along the prom got near to the cars, illegally parked with owners eating ice cream inside, looked out to sea and carried on walking.

Probably one of the safest places for children to cross is blocked by car. So much for the safety of children on Gorleston sea front.

M LILLY

Humberstone Road

Gorleston

THE rules on street photography was discussed in the House of Lords on July 16 this year, when Lord Rosser asked Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for reviewing the rules on street photography. Lord Bassam said: "Although police officers have the discretion to ask people not to take photographs for public safety or security reasons, the taking of photographs in a public place is not subject to any rules or statute. There are no legal restrictions on photography in a public place and no presumption of privacy for individuals in a public place. There are no current plans to review this policy."

Photographers must be getting a rough deal, as there is even a petition on e-petitions for the Prime Minister to stop the crackdown on photographers in public places.

Your letter writer Mr Jacobs (Mercury, August 1) appears to have encountered one of the several ill-informed people trying to prevent a lawful activity, who conclude photographers are either terrorists or paedophiles. If these people had their way, local historians of the future would have little photographic evidence, and social historians will come to the conclusion that children never played in public, as there will be no photos, no films outside of records of private parties or official tapes of school performances.

J CHAPMAN

Laurel Drive

Bradwell

EXPERIENCING occasional criticism of Great Yarmouth, I accorded benefit of the doubt and embarked on a fact-finding mission lest the critics had been more observant than myself.

Whilst recognising flaws relevant to most communities and certain features lost which I regret, must confess I was unsuccessful in discovering aspects seemingly distasteful to them.

My perception was of a locality almost unique in containing so many desirable features, a resort originating on a sandbank with no need for land or cliffs to enhance it, developed on the asset of the sea and a superb beach recently enhanced by the seafront redevelopment and reinstatement of the Wellington Pier Pavilion (of course there are the amusement arcades, characteristic of most popular resorts); a shopping centre, currently being extended, which embraces one of Britain's largest and interesting open air markets, at whose periphery are to be found the quaint Fishermen's Hospital, Anna Sewell's birthplace and how could we miss England's largest parish church.

Across the river and at short distance is located the renowned Breydon nature reserve.

Other features include the elegant St George's Theatre, the historic town wall towers and tollhouse together with captivating South Quay in whose vicinity is to be found the recently developed and much acclaimed Time and Tide Museum beyond which is situated the graceful Nelson's Monument that overlooks over outer-harbour whose development is progressing - despite attempts by some to spurn it.

Considering the foregoing and in conclusion, the purpose of antagonists would appear to remain best known to themselves.

DAVID KING

Falcon Court

Great Yarmouth

I HAVE been visiting Great Yarmouth for the last 50 years as I have a lot of family there. I have just returned from a two week holiday and must say what a big difference all the attractions have made. It was a pleasure to walk along the seafront etc, the roads, lights and seating etc really were impressive. I am sure the outer harbour will bring a lot of business to the town in the future. Well done Great Yarmouth.

V R WILLITTS

Doncaster

Yorkshire

MAY I, through your paper, like to say how much I (and my family) enjoy coming to Great Yarmouth for our holidays. We enjoy staying at Vauxhall Holiday Park often and regular, but always enjoying coming into the town shopping and exploring.

The improvements to the seafront are superb, and your restaurants and shops all hold very friendly and helpful staff. My mother (who is 82 and has to get around in a wheelchair), I'm sure believes she's 22 when we are there with you, and believe me, if I could win the lottery we couldn't think of a better place to be.

I do read with concern though, through your paper, about the proposed local authority boundary changes. Many years ago, Brownhills, and our surrounding towns, sold our soul to become amalgamated into Walsall Council. This, they said, would build the Black County into a strong viable area with equal distribution.

We find and read in our local newspapers every week how Walsall always gets the lion's share eg multi million pound restructure of the town's ring road, art gallery, a new bus station (which has cost lives already and is deemed a white elephant by many people) and there's more.

To the people of Yarmouth, Lowestoft and all your beautiful outlying villages please beware, it isn't very hard to imagine where all the money will be heading should you unite with the larger towns or cities. We have been seeing over the years how our smaller towns over here have struggled whilst the fat cats have milked the cream.

May you continue to be a beautiful holiday resort.

STEPHEN DEVEY

Walsall

West Midlands

WE have just been to see “Vertigo” at the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome and would like to advise all holiday makers and people living in and around Yarmouth to visit this wonderful show. The combination of incredible acrobatics, comedy, water show and dancing coupled with great music and lighting effects made it a really spectacular occasion. It is a show which can be enjoyed by young and old alike and surpasses all previous ones. We are most fortunate in having Peter and Christine Jay and their family putting on such high class shows and we trust that your readers will support them by going to see this great event. They will not be disappointed.

HUGH and ANN STURZAKER

Hobland

Great Yarmouth

I HAVE just returned from a day trip to Gorleston's beach and I am disgusted with the amount of dog mess in the short distance from the cliff top car park down to the beach. Once, myself and two children were on the beach and struggled to find an area that was free of yet more litter and dog mess. In a fairly small area we counted six lots of it.

Don't these irresponsible dog owners think of the health issues and general inconvenience that just walking away and letting their dogs foul a public area cause other people - mostly parents of small children who are oblivious to what is on the ground and just want to run and play! I am sick and tired of having to walk along watching where my children are walking and telling them to watch what they are about to stand in.

I am a dog owner too, and I know that a lot of dog owners, like myself, always clear up after their dogs. I saw several people on the beach with dogs, and they all managed to clear up after them, so why can't everyone? Luckily my children are old enough to know what to touch and what not to, but a lot of young children and babies would not be able to.

Gorleston has a lovely beach but the fiasco today just trying to find a clean area to watch my children play makes my blood boil and makes me feel it would be easier to stay at home and play in the garden!

MRS K MOORE

East Anglian Way

Gorleston

IT was good to read that something is being done about those diving into the sea at Gorleston Pier. Let's hope the Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team will keep it up. It might give the fishermen a better chance, and allow the holidaymakers to enjoy their time in Gorleston.

MR AND MRS WOODS

Leman Road

Gorleston

ONCE again Mr Smith has responded to a recent letter of mine and again I say he is entitled to his views, however lop-sided or jaundiced I believe them to be.

Yes, I remember Tory sleaze and the accompanying frenzy whipped up by the (then) Labour-supporting tabloids. No talk of “feral media” then, eh? But the voters listened and exercised their right to kick the Tories out, to be replaced by whiter-than-white New Labour. Didn't last long, did it, Mr Smith?

I remember dodgy dossiers cut-and-pasted from internet sites; the number of times Peter Mandlesen was booted out of the Cabinet before even he became too much of an embarrassment and was given the plum non-elected post of European Trade Commissioner? I also remember donations in proxy names, the lies about the impact of the 10p tax band abolition and Vehicles Excise Duty changes; come on Mr Smith, take those rose-tinted glasses off, are this lot really any better?

Yarmouth probably got its recent spend because it was a marginal seat with its MP a member of the governing party.

DENNIS J BEAN

The Stables

Burgh St Peter

WITH reference to the article in the Mercury, July 25, about the application for planning permission for an extension to a bungalow.

I agree with councillor Gerry Cook when he says that granting the application would open the floodgates for similar developments. Unfortunately the floodgates seem to be already open.

We have the same problem; an oversize extension to a bungalow one door away from us, which takes up most of the back garden, is higher than our bungalow, and has windows in the roof. It is a waste of time protesting although we are told we have the right to. It's already cut and dried.

GILLIAN GIBBS

Caister

THE Salvation Army charity shop in Market Row, Great Yarmouth, is urgently in need of ladies' and gent's clothing, bedding, linen, paperback and hardback novels, bric-a-brac and jigsaws, etc. Items may be brought to the shop and deliveries by car can be made via the back entrance near Palmers car park. We are open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9.30am to 3.30pm. Enquiries to 853540.

Although Salvation Army clothing banks placed locally support our international work, the Salvation Army in Great Yarmouth does not benefit from items placed in them.

CAPTAIN NIGEL BYRNE