Bus sign query

I AM writing to ask if readers can advise me how to get a bus sign replaced. The actual sign has been knocked down and subsequently stolen from the bus stop on the Beccles Road, opposite Trafalgar Road, Gorleston. The bus drivers going towards Great Yarmouth do not know where to stop. I have written to the Town Hall, Transport Department and after two months have received no reply and no action. Can anyone please help me?

BERYL E BAKER

Fredrick Road

Gorleston

HAVING grown up in the Midlands in a town surrounded by the cooling towers and chimneys of coal fueled power stations supplying energy to keep the country going, I have followed with interest the much discussed topic of wind turbines in Norfolk and the Great Yarmouth area.

I've lived in Norfolk for 12 years now and greatly appreciate the natural beauty of both the landscape and the wildlife that we are lucky enough to live amongst. Norfolk's natural heritage should be conserved as best as possible but I think it is now time that people realize we have to bite the bullet of change.

Turbines do change the landscape, they may make noise and yes, building them means more noise, lorries and an inevitable construction site. They are tall and imposing. They may for some people destroy the view. I would rather we didn't have to build them. They also go some way to helping to solve the energy crisis which we and more importantly our children and grandchildren are going to have to deal with.

Our county and its coast is a prime location for turbines and we have to accept that we are going to have to help provide part of the solution. Not in my backyard doesn't cut it anymore.

I do not relish the alternative nuclear power stations and radioactive waste that nobody wants stored in their neighbourhood for hundreds of years and the risk to Norfolk and the wider country from leaks and accidents caused by inevitable human error.

DYLAN THOMAS

New Road

Acle

WHATEVER are our councillors doing? They are starting a major change to the traffic direction etc around St George's Church, St Peter's road area. Now in The Mercury, October 16, they state they are still planning details to minimise the disruption to buses and businesses in the King Street area. A further two road closures for pavement enhancement work (whatever that may mean) and resurfacing are due, but again diversion and traffic plans are still being planned. .

You have to assume the cost of these “plans” has been included in the costings. How are they able to cost something that has not been “planned”? Maybe councillors have a crystal ball? If so can they share it?

I will keep an eye on the fact they expect the work to be completed by spring 2010, but will not hold my breath..

M HOOD

Claydon Grove

Gorleston on Sea

I DO find the opposition to wind farms a little like that of the attitude of the “Luddites” in the 19th Century. I don't suppose for one minute that those who oppose the erecting of these turbines, on “their doorsteps”, would, in a future power shortage, refuse power generated from a similar device erected on “my doorstep”!

The truth of the matter is that this country is not providing for continuity of power, whatever the source, for the long term. Alternatives sources of power and conservation of power have to be found. Wind turbines might only be 20pc efficient, but!

We have been told that oil and gas are finite resources and will run out in time. Do we have to wait for that to happen before we do anything? After all, 20pc of something is better than 100pc of nothing!

The greatest tragedy is that due to lack of vision and poor (short term) planning by a succession of governments we are being led closer and closer to that scenario, and the time is running out. A recent report has indicated that Yarmouth has one of the highest rates of death during winter. This, the report says, is due mostly to the poor insulation and heat retention of the properties in the town and the high cost of heating them. Many old people living on the basic pension are having to make a choice, heat their homes or buy food.

What I find pitiful is that in places like Norway and Sweden they already make provision in their building regulations to take advantage of all the heat saving, power reducing/recycling innovations going. Where are the equivalent houses being built in this country?

The building standards in this country continue to play catch up with those on the continent. Lagging so far behind they have a long way to catch up and time is not on our side we still continue to build sub standard homes.

DAVID MORRICE

Villarome

West Caister

I READ in the national press and saw on TV that there is a real possibility that some county councils may have to discontinue financing concessionary over 60s bus passes on the grounds of cost. If my experience over the past week is anything to go by, and if it is reflected all over the country, then I am not a bit surprised.

I used my card to travel to Lowestoft and on my return, using the X1 service, I asked for a ticket to Gorleston High Street. On taking my seat I had noticed the driver had issued me with a “Lowestoft to Peterborough” ticket. On confronting him he said something must have gone wrong with the ticket machine. Anyway, believe it or not, I would strongly recommend bus pass holders checking their tickets very carefully because any overcharging would come out of the county council finances, which of course could mean increases in council tax, or even a cessation of concessionary tickets.

KEN OVERY

Gorleston

CAN someone enlighten me, please? I have recently taken to using my bus pass for which I am thankful. I am rather confused, however, trying to fathom out the ticket printouts. Boarding the bus opposite Tesco in Caister and requesting St Nicholas' stop, I find my ticket marked Police Station/Tan Lane to Market Gates. Presumably stage to stage. But when boarding in Acle and requesting Market Gates, I found my ticket stamped Acle to James Paget. Is this just the nonchalance of the driver or is someone working a fast one here? If costs are being put up by this, then who profits? Certainly not the taxpayer who eventually foots the bill. Is everyone smitten with the Parliamentary bug?

HELEN LANGSTONE

Rampart Road,

Great Yarmouth

AT the recent AGM of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Allotments Association there was concern expressed that the association is negotiating to sell off some of its land. I can categorically deny any of these unfounded rumours. As chairman I can clearly say there is no intention of selling any of its land whatsoever. Maybe in years to come a compulsory purchase order may arise over some of the Queen Anne's site if the third river crossing comes to fruition. If any member has any proof as to the contrary please make it known to me.

ARTHUR FISK

I READ with interest the comments made by Mrs Ellis of Hemsby regarding wind turbines. This seems to be a very emotive subject at present balancing the needs of the country for more energy against the personal view of not having them close to private property. A reasoned judgement is difficult to make when people put forward to argue their case information that at best is misguided at worst totally untrue. I quote from (Wind Power in the UK Sustainable Development Commission) that studies suggest that wind turbines take between three to 10 months to produce the electric consumed during their life cycle ie from manufacturing to installation through to maintenance and finally decommissioning. Every product we buy has a different time limit for carbon footprint. It would be interesting where Mrs Ellis information came from stating ten years.

CHRIS MADLE

Amhurst Gardens

Belton

THE Bin Saga. I noticed the bin men went round putting leaflets under the handles of all the wheelie bins this week. I feel it was an awful waste of resources because most of them were blown out and away by the wind. Most people who do leave their bins out all the time, causing havoc and eyesores, probably don't care anyway. The excersie was therefore somewhat futile and the bins will still be out for some time to come. Why didn't the council put them in several languages and have them delivered to everyone's letterbox? People may have actually read them, instead the man who picks litter all day now has his sack filled with them, instead of them going to the intended place.

LYN BYFORD

Exmouth Road

Great Yarmouth

I AM trying to trace my sister, Christine Kramer (or Cramer) married to a Colin Kramer/Cramer. I live in New Zealand and have never met her, though she will now be in her 50's. I think she may live around Gorleston on Sea and previously in Bungay.

I signed up to join the Navy at 15 and left home as soon as I could, being a bit of an adventurer. Sadly my father died when I was 17 and I returned to sea, and no-one knew of her exact whereabouts.

She did not attend the funeral. I don't think she was even told he had died until everything was all over.

I have thought about her often and recall the one photo I saw of her (about 18). It vanished when my Dad died. She looked very much like my other sister. I would very much like to be able to fill in a few historical gaps for both her and myself.

I have lived in New Zealand for a number of years and I plan to visit the UK, perhaps as soon as next year, and would like very much to get in touch. I can be contacted at 17 Oak Tree Lane, Rolleston, Christchurch, New Zealand or by email at carl@charityhospital.org.nz

CARL SHAW

TWO years ago when Great Yarmouth Port Authority (GYPA), with the concurrence of the borough and county councils, gifted the Port and most of its assets to International Port Holdings, it must have been known our pier was in poor repair. So why did they not use some of those assets to repair the pier before gifting them away, then gullibly expecting IPH to repair it?

In 2007, GYPA gave away almost everything to IPH. Subsequently, in 2008/9 the borough council sold the 10 acre Omni-Pac site (six acres undercover), to IPH. for �460,000, and now IPH is selling off the Port offices for �625,000. The profit from the “gift” will be about �165,000. Surely this could be used for repairing the South Pier?

Until March 23 2007, Englefield Capital was the backer of IPH, but by the following May contracts were signed by Global Infrastructure Partners - who bought IPH the same day.

The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) announced a new partnership with IPH in a joint press release; PSA 60pc, IPH 40pc, forming PSA East Terminal Ltd. Our port authority is now shown as having just one share in Great Yarmouth Port Company, an IPH subsidiary. I guess that “one” entitles it to attend the annual meeting?

In June 2007, IPH wanted a further �1.5m advanced; the county council gave a further �1m and the borough council �454,000, I understand after the contracts were signed.

I believe in the original public funding plan, the cash amount for building the Outer Harbour was intended to be phased with progress, and I am talking about the �18m+ in grants. This presumably was to ensure the investor was putting cash in at the same time?

It must be reiterated it had been specifically stated by EEDA, EU and the other funding bodies that the allocation of the public funding was solely advanced on “regeneration grounds”.

In November 2007, an executive director of the borough council wrote that the borough would receive offshore energy gas and wind power, roll on-roll off freight/passenger ferry, 1000 extra jobs,120,000 tourists. All this good news sounded like a contractual agreement but it has not materialised.

When the container service comes fully on stream we will have 500,000 TEU (Twenty foot equivalent unit (containers) per annum; the Container Terminal alone could well bring 1,400 lorry movements daily. The grain terminal, each shipload, say 30,000 tonne - about 2,000 truck journeys per shipload.

The aggregate (granite chippings?) quay may be similar. A planning application for the cement terminal (ready mix type) is now in.

With all this two points come to mind.

Knowing the small size of the South Denes Peninsular, how on earth can we expect to operate the promised and hopefully successful ro-ro ferry service with no lorry/car parking space as all the area is spoken for?

And when the Port is shut (due to adverse weather) as it will be, where will the 1,000 lorries be stacked?

Regarding the closure of South Denes Road and South Beach Parade, IPH said in a press release: “The Outer Harbour could not been built without them being closed.” It has been built. The main roads South Denes Road and South Beach Parade, are not included in closure, it is the South Esplanade (See Harbour Revision Order 2601).

Our port no longer appears to be “our's. This is the legacy the county and borough councils and Great Yarmouth Port Authority have negotiated for us and for our descendents.

JOHN L COOPER

Ex Port Welfare Officer

THERE is no need for an expensive two year study into the wildlife migration from old to new dykes as the science is fully understood and enacted on a daily basis thoughout Broadland. Those using the Acle Straight this summer would have noticed the process happening behind the river banks of the Bure as part of the programme for flood protection. This project also requires the landowners to be compensated so current land values are well established. All the expertise required are resident in a cabin complex on a marsh just east of Acle. If there is no political will to set the dykes back from the Acle Straight then say so, because we cannot afford to indulge in expensive delaying tactics. Too many lives have been lost already for want of a practical remedy.

NEAL DUFFIELD

High Street

Gorleston on Sea

ON Friday we went to the Britannia Pier to see Written In Dance, presented by The Dancers School and choreographed by Jayne King. I have to say what a wonderful and professional show it was, each act/dance was beautifully presented by all age groups from the babies through to the adults and the costumes were splendid. The whole show seemed to be done with such ease but we know what hard work was put in to make it look that way. Well done Jayne and to everyone else who was involved in any way.

JAVKIE and ROD STEARNE

Jasmine Gardens

Bradwell

IT was a great pleasure to read Peggotty's article in The Mercury, October 10, about smugglers' tunnels under Gorleston. Like Keith Cutler, I too went to Church Road School when I was nine to 10, just before my parents went to Australia. I remember going down to Darby's Hard after school and seeing the tunnel referred to, the steps leading down to the Quay and the big house on the High Street. As schoolboys will, we did have a way to get in as it was always vacant if I remember correctly. It was quite a place. Also very interesting is the mention of Mr Cutler's grandparents hay and straw store. My Father used to buy hay there for his pigs and then strap it the back of his bicycle and walk it up to his allotment in Beccles Road with me following. I have been back to Yarmouth once in 40 years and that was in 2005. I had the Yarmouth Mercury for my Mother, who passed last August. She could hardly wait for the next issue to arrive. Thanks for the memories.

TONY FARROW

California, USA

MY wife and I take our little dog down to the Gorleston Beach and the dog loves the beach. However, if I did not pick up her droppings I could get done. Yet twice I have seen people with two horses let them do their toilets right in the middle of the promenade, leaving two large piles of manure. How can they get away with it but not me with my little dog? I have to carry plastic bags to pick up my dog's mess so why don't these people carry sacks and shovels to clear up their animals' mess.

I STEADMAN

Oxford Avenue

Gorleston

JUST a short note. Following all the recent controversy over the outer harbour, I'm reminded of the old saying: "I see no ships, only hardships."

BRIAN BUNN

Harbord Crescent,

Great Yarmouth

I AM trying to trace the address of Maria Redmond who lived for a time at Coldham Close, Ormesby and also at Westfield Close, Fleggburgh. Maria was a staff nurse in the theatre at the former Great Yarmouth General Hospital when I was senior theatre sister. She returned to Malta a number of years ago - I wrote to her at the address given me, but it was returned. Maria sends me a card each Christmas and I would so like to send her one. Can anyone help me with Maria's address please?

JANITA BAILEY

Lound Road,

Blundeston

THE year 2010 will be a very important year for Big C. It is the year in which the charity will celebrate its 30th birthday, during which we will be holding a number of our own fundraising events to celebrate and raise funds for equipment, support, care and research. It will be the year in which we will encourage as many people as possible to fundraise on the charity's behalf in order that we can expand cancer support services to local people affected by this dreadful disease.

It is also the year in which Big C hopes to raise its profile as the local cancer charity for Norfolk and Waveney.

Since Big C began back in1980, there have been many people who have benefited from equipment funded by the charity, including patients using the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston and the QEH in King's Lynn as well as those diagnosed with cancer as a result of screening through the Big C funded mobile breast screening units.

There are hundreds of people who have used the Big C Centre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital since it opened in May 2006, either as patients or as family or friends of patients, and received support, information and advice from the dedicated staff. We would like to hear from anyone who has, at any time in the charity's history, been diagnosed, treated or supported, whether as a patient or family member, as a result of grants awarded by Big C and are willing to share their story with us to help us in 2010.

Please contact me on 01603 619900 or email sharon.hulbert@big-c.co.uk.

SHARON HULBERT

PR and Corporate Fundraising Relations Manager

Big C

I HAVE been approached to write a book on the East Anglian fishing industry mainly from its 19th century heyday to its demise in the 1990s. Ports covered in the work, which is hoped to be out late next year, will include Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, Southwold, Aldeburgh and Ipswich. Both Yarmouth and Lowestoft ceased as major North Sea fishing ports in the latter half of the 20th century. The book is intended to be an introduction to those coming into Norfolk and Suffolk of an industry that once, not so long ago, played an important part in our East Anglian culture and heritage. It would also act as an introduction to our once vibrant and industrious coastal ports. The works will also be a record of the memories of who worked in the industry. I worked for 19 years at Ross in Lowestoft.

I would like to hear from anyone who worked in the industry; fishermen, filleters, beesters , the fishergirls, the herring industry - in fact anyone who was involved, especially in the later decades. I can be contacted by letter at 70 Harris Avenue, Lowestoft NR32 4BE or by phone on 01502 564601.

IAN G ROBB