Letters, November 15, 2013

Regarding the permission issued to dredge our offshore seabed for aggregates, Jack Dye asks: “Are these licences ever granted?”

Regrettably and sadly they are, each and every one of them, despite the mass of scientific evidence showing the resultant erosion and despite the many objections emanating from Great Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis, many individuals and bodies that include Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the parish councils.

Only the “evidence” of “no erosive impact” readily supplied by bodies selected by, appointed by and financed by the dredging companies themselves is taken into account when granting permission. Independent findings are dismissed and no second opinion is permitted, with the result that not a single refusal has ever resulted.

PAT GOWEN

Heath Crescent,

Hellesdon

Council plan fails our retail sites

The Local plan is failing our existing retail sites. There are multiple flaws with the plan and one problem is in supporting the local economy.

The council’s policy is flawed by allowing too many retail units in an area that is supposed to be laid out to encourage development of industry, particularly in the technology and energy fields, in an attempt to bring skills and employment.

Instead, far too much retail has been allowed to site itself in this enterprise zone along with all the benefits that go with it, at the detriment of existing retail areas such as Gorleston High Street. This can hardly be protecting existing hubs of retail and the unique heritage of Gorleston.

Cllr MATTHEW SMITH

UKIP County Councillor

Gorleston St Andrews

Why can’t Britain invest in Britain?

It was good to read that the Chinese are taking an interest in our town, but I wonder what they made of our transport links with the Acle New Road gradually cracking up and our rail shuttle service and welcoming station area. The heliport must have some potential for such investors.

It is excellent news South Denes may be at last be comprehensively re-developed although the cautious words of John Cooper are a concern. It is interesting to see the councils have to take the lead in the absence of the private sector who are supposed to be leading the recovery.

Many towns have attracted foreign investors like China and Japan, and one wonders if South America and Africa will be next to rebuild Britain. Indeed, India must have some spare cash if they can send spaceships to Mars - no doubt our foreign aid helped. Yarmouth could do with some similar investors and aid.

What has happened to our nation? Our local railway is run by Dutch railways. State owned German and French railways run much of the rest of the network. No doubt they can invest the profits there! The French and Chinese may build our new power stations and feel free to charge us the earth and make our businesses less competitive. (EDF made a profit of £1.667m last year according to my bill and contribution).

Many key gas, electric and water companies are no longer British owned with foreign firms profiting from UK money such was privatisation. We even import huge quantities of coal (in spite of huge coal reserves) and steel, following the demise of those industries. British Coal and British Steel are almost gone.

Why can’t Britain invest in Britain and why are we unable to run our own key industries? Yarmouth needs investment in our infrastructure so we can attract new investment and get all the town working.

CHRIS WRIGHT

Victoria Street,

Caister

My neighbours cries for help

On Thursday, November 7, while taking my dog for a walk I fell over in Collingwood Road. In a great deal of pain I was unable to move and my neighbours heard my cries for help. They showed me great kindness and looked after me before the ambulance arrived.

May I take this opportunity to thank my neighbours, the ambulance staff for their compassion and the accident and emergency staff at the James Paget Hospital, who took care of me, I had in fact broken my right shoulder and am now recovering at home.

PENNY CARPENTER

Collingwood Road,

Great Yarmouth

Confusion of two hospice charities

I think everyone would agree there is a need for a hospice in our area, so what a shame to read we now have the confusion of two charities vying for funding to build a hospice in different locations. I totally agree with the comments made by Louise Gedge regarding her experience of having to go through A&E explaining her condition and being in the department for some considerable length of time.

No one should have to experience this. However, I have to ask why does the hospice have to be attached to a hospital? I have had experience of hospice care, been a fundraiser for one for many years and have listened to the many positive comments of patients and their families about the care they have received. This was in an independent hospice. How many hospices are part of a hospital?

The hospices of which I have had experience have all the staff and facilities that a patient would require, and for those who may have never seen inside of a hospice, more facilities than you may have expected, and not connected to a hospital.

We seem to be on the verge of getting a much needed hospice, let’s not waste this opportunity and split funding between two factions, let’s get this sorted and move forward together and build a hospice worthy of the people who live in Norfolk, one of only two counties in the country that still has no hospice of its own.

MARGARET WOOD

email

Please fix our street lights!

Can I please through your newspaper ask the council why the street light at the rear of the shops on Almond Road on the Shrublands Estate in Gorleston has been broken for at least two months, despite numerous telephone calls to GYB services?

This light is at one end of a walkway at the rear of houses and as you can imagine now the nights are shorter it is almost pitch black. Does someone need to be hurt or even worse attacked before the council pull their fingers out?

RICHARD McSWEENEY

email

Caister workers lack a shelter

Clearing my gardens of substantial overgrowth during the past year has necessitated frequent visits to Caister recycling centre. I would like to comment through letters of my experiences.

I have always and without exception, found staff to be very helpful, pleasant and full of cheer. Despite the frequent biting winds blowing from Breydon, they are still on the shopfloor helping customers, cleaning and sweeping, debris (from those who can’t be bothered to clean up behind themselves), and doing so in good spirits.

I must comment however, on the lack of shelter for workers, particularly during colder months: the wind can be bitterly cold. I am therefore, surprised the council permits working in these conditions with no obvious thought for their health and welfare. One suspects the council might argue: “they have a hut” or “they have PPE”, but the hut is located some distance from the work area and PPE should be a last resort, not a first!

Surely it is reasonable to provide covered shelters in work areas from inclement weather between customers? I suggest 2-3 bus shelter type covering around the complex.

It is difficult to comprehend why the council had not thought of this; maybe it is because those who designed the site, don’t have to work there!

ROGER HAYES

Beccles Road,

Bradwell

If you have made wrong choice...

In reply to Mr Gervais last week, does it do him any personal harm if millions of people in the world have a relationship with God?

We may not have, or even possess to know all the answers that get thrown about, but all I know is, is that I have a God who loved me enough to send “His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life”.

And this faith I possess is real to me, along with the knowledge that my sins are forgiven, due to the cross, due to the shedding of Christ’s blood. What hope is there in atheism? No hope and no joy. It is dead and lifeless compared to the promise of eternal life Christ will bring on all those that believe. Basically, if you are right Mr Gervais and Christians are wrong, then we haven’t lost anything, but if you are wrong, because you have chosen not to believe, then you have lost everything, as you will have chosen an eternity without the presence of God, which will be an eternity of misery and pain.

JOHN HUGGINS,

Turin Way,

Hopton on Sea

Would Brussels allow a vote?

It was interesting to read the column by MP Brandon Lewis entitled: “Immigration Bill moves forward”. But how much can you believe. Could this subject come to a halt if the Euro Human Rights put a stop to it? Will this government fight it? I think not.

In another paragraph he mentions others banging on about halting immigration, yet could not form a government. Was he referring to UKIP? If so, why did he not say so? Does he know or is he hoping? There is a saying: to live in hope is to die in despair.

Now to the referendum, a very sick and old joke for a start, is would Brussels bureaucrats allow this government to have one.

If they, doubtfully, won the next general election it is my opinion there will only be one referendum and that will be on election day. UKIP have already made their position clear, and that is out of Europe. If that is what the electorate want, problems solved.

JACK EDMONDS

Queensway,

Caister on Sea

Why no double decker trains?

I would be interested to know why there are only three blades on a windmill and why we do not have double decker train carriages?

Secondly, having watched a fully grown pigeon disappearing inside a roof solar heating and a few days later seeing a very new baby pigeon emerging to take its first flight, I wonder what other creatures will take advantage of a nice, safe, warm breeding place! Good luck to the fanciers!

Mrs A E LANGSTONE

Rampart Road,

Great Yarmouth

Louise needed a smooth move

I would like to add my support for a future palliative care beds unit to be located in the grounds of the James Paget Hospital.

It is simply commonsense to have it adjacent to the hospital offering on-site support of clinicians and services.

I speak from the experience of seeing my daughter’s (Louise Gedge) difficulties of gaining admission to the JPH through A&E, also the problems of her transfer to the GP unit at Northgate Hospital, at a time in her life when she desperately needed a smooth transition into palliative care.

All that could be done, with the present system, was done for Louise at the JPH. She is now at the GP unit of which I cannot speak too highly.Louise has her own room and the constant attention of the kindest and most understanding staff to be found anywhere. This is how I imagine palliative care works

From my own observations, the sooner we can achieve the new building of 10 bedrooms on the JPH land, the better, so that other people do not have to go through the traumatic time suffered by my critically ill daughter Please come on board East Coast Hospice, and help us in our desire to do the best thing for the patient. Tomorrow it could be you.

BRENDA TAYLOR

St George’s Road,

Great Yarmouth

Listen to cancer patient’s view

Thank you to Louise Gedge for telling her personal experience of a cancer patient in the mainstream of hospital patients, when she was at her most vulnerable.

Anyone with a little medical experience realises the importance of a hospice in the hospital grounds, for quick access to medical staff and for other medical needs.

Why don’t the health authorities and fundraisers listen to those who will need the hospice?

OLIVE PRICE

Former nurse

Hopton on Sea

Why hold awards out of hospital?

Whilst it was nice to see the achievements of staff at James Paget Hospital being recognised, I cannot understand why they had to go to Potters, to be presented. They, the staff that is, already have a building which was bequeathed to them, not being used for such purposes. All because someone on the hospital management decided to have it closed down, mysteriously.

GEOFF WILLIAMS

email

Police officers lifted my spirits

I would like to convey my grateful thanks to the people who came to my aid when I had a nasty fall on November 6 outside Marks & Spencer in Great Yarmouth. A special thank you to Alexa from M&S who administered first aid and stayed by my side until the ambulance arrived. Also to the ambulance crews and the two police officers who were very professional and lifted my spirits with their banter when I was in terrific pain.

JEAN BURRAGE

Caister on Sea

Tia’s thanks to three people

Please can you thank three more people for me from the Tia’s Treasures Halloween Fun Day: Beki Duffield for being on the door collecting money and handing out sweets; Siobhan Fellas and Darren Ferguson of the Cliff Hotel as I forgot to say them. I was sad so mummy said email you and thank you everyone who nominated me for the Local Hero Award. I won the gold award.

TIA HUTCHINSON

www.TiasTreasures.net

Special athletes are impressive

My son swims with the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Special Olympians (GYWSO). Last Saturday the club took 11 athletes, with various disabilities and additional needs, to compete in the Thetford Lions swimming gala.

Wow! What a testament to the dedication and passion of all the volunteers who run the club and coach the swimmers. We brought home an impressive haul of medals but more than that, what an inspiration all the competitors were.

Their behaviour poolside and in the water was faultless and the display of sportsmanship – all clubs cheering every athlete and congratulating each other’s achievements - a wonderful thing to be a part of. Congratulations GYWSO – keep up the good work!

MELANIE HARRIS

Caister on Sea

Please help to save children

This is not the sort of letter I usually write to the editor but the circumstances are extraordinary. I am secretary of the Gorleston and Bradwell Save the Children group which covers Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Save the Children are out in the Philippines right now helping with this unprecedented disaster.

Our head office has made an initial estimate that we urgently need a million pounds. We are now asking the people of Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Lowestoft to send what they can. The quickest way is by telephone to 0800 8148 148 or post cash cheque or postal order to Save the Children FREEPOST-LON 15890 London EC1B 1BR.

Please send what you can every little helps

DEREK BROWN

Royal Naval Hospital

Great Yarmouth

Are suitable checks done?

As a committed and responsible parent, qualified teacher and having been a volunteer with youth organisations for many years, I feel I must express my concern at how easy it is to set up a youth group, whether it is a social club, military youth organisation or support group.

It seems anyone can find premises, advertise, locate uniforms and just get on with it! But, as parents, whilst we applaud those who give their time and efforts voluntarily, we have a responsibility to do our own research and checks on newly formed groups and their leaders.

Have they carried out the essential DBS checks (used to be CRB) and can they evidence this? What is their history? Do they have references they can show? Can we really be satisfied we are placing cherished sons and daughters in their care when we know so little about them? To all those parents reading this, do homework and satisfy yourselves before sending your offspring into someone else’s care.

Name and Address withheld

Paget would take control

Re your front page publicity regarding a bid for a hospice at James Paget University Hospital and the disagreement between East Coast Hospice (ECH) about building its hospice on the grounds of the hospital and according to your article the talks broke down because the trustees of ECH refused the land. Not true.

If your reporter had got his facts right and looked at the Mercury June 14 he would have known why the talks broke down and been less biased towards the East Coast Hospice. ECH trustees said the talks broke down over the building of the proposed hospice in the grounds of JPUH because of the demands of the JPUH. Rather than build an independent hospice what they expected for ECH to agree to was a 10-bed ward which would take dying patients from other wards.

The word hospice was shunned, they would take control of how it was run, they would make all decisions, they were never willing to talk about the design of the hospice which had already been done and most outrageous of all they would dictate which of the East Coast Hospice trustees they would sit down with - a million miles away from building a charitable hospice on JPUH site.

There was a concern also that if it was attached to the hospital it would not be truly independent and at risk of NHS funding cuts which is already happening. Do I think the hospital is the best place for a hospice? Certainly not. Anyone would think the ECH is to be built miles away. Beacon Park is in Gorleston.

P ECCLESTONE

Well Street,

Great Yarmouth

Hunt for Jasper heartwarming

How heartwarming to read of so many people giving up time and efforts to help a family find their precious pet Jasper.

It might even have helped Mr Gervais to understand why so many of us still pray to God that we believe in for help. Anyway I like to think my prayers were answered on this occasion.

Mr Gervais sadly will never get the proof he wants in this life for our faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen.

Staying with the subject of free will perhaps it is time to stand up and be counted in answer to your question on the siting of the hospice. Whilst I have had and will continue to have every sympathy with supporters of East Coast Hospice I believe the time has come to set aside impossible aspirations and political wrangling and to face reality. PCE have said construction costs would be paid for using PCE cash, fresh charity donations and with several major donors in the wings. So please pool resources and let it happen.

DUSTY MILLER

Links Road,

Gorleston

Please charities, start to talk

When is commonsense going to prevail. I refer to the East Coast Hospice Appeal to raise funds and build a hospice on land at Beacon Park.

Although I applaud and respect those who have given their time and effort to run this appeal I have always felt, if it is going to be built it should be near the JPH and the spare land behind the Louise Hamilton Centre would appear to be the obvious place.

I can understand the trustees desire to have a totally independently run hospice but there are many factors that make the site at the JPH more attractive. I consider the community would be better served if the politics could be put aside and a link forged with the Palliative Care East trustees to build at the JPH.

Considering the public is being asked to come up with the money for the project it has to be seen to be cost effective by keeping the construction and running costs to a minimum. Savings could be made by siting close to the Paget, the land already being available.

Siting the hospice at Beacon Park would require patients to endure a stressful ambulance journey to and from the hospital at a difficult time in their lives. It would also take ambulance crews away from their normal duties.

What would be the choice of prospective patients? Having read the article in the Mercury and EDP recently from Mrs Gedge, a terminally ill cancer sufferer, if her heartfelt appeal to site the hospice near the JPH is typical of others, there is no other option. Their opinions must take precedence.

I appeal to the trustees to get it right before things get out of hand. If the current situation continues it will be many years before anything happens. Get it right now and hospice beds will be available much sooner.

BILL COOKER

Scratby

Madness of two projects

I understand you are interested in views vis a vis the two proposed sites for hospice care within the Waveney area. I feel strongly any hospice beds should be built on an independent site from the hospital. The ethos of the hospice movement initiated by Dame Cecily Saunders was clear a hospice should be a quiet independent haven for those at the end of their life. Somewhere as far removed as possible from the hurly burly of a hospital ward. I also believe it is madness there are two planned projects both fundraising from the same very small financial pot. It is clear consensus must be reached. I am in favour of building a hospice on the independent site bought by East Coast Hospice at Gorleston.

AMELIA CHADD

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