LAST year, 1st East, an un-elected Quango costing taxpayers around �750,000 per year since it's creation under Labour in March 2005, claimed that Lowestoft was “a port in decline”.

LAST year, 1st East, an un-elected Quango costing taxpayers around �750,000 per year since it's creation under Labour in March 2005, claimed that Lowestoft was “a port in decline”.

1st East and Waveney District Council wanted to take over the Hamilton and Waveney docks, rename it Fishers Wharf and redevelop the area including incorporating yuppie apartments. This would have been right opposite the flourishing SLP yard with full order books for several years.

Fortunately, Lowestoft harbour has Associated British Ports, who acted wisely in ignoring 1st East and WDC and invested �1.5m in new port facilities in Lowestoft, thus well placing them and other Lowestoft companies to service and support the huge offshore Greater Gabbard windfarm together with the offshore industry generally.

In 2005, 1st East commissioned consultants to investigate and report on “known market prospects etc” for port related requirements within the wind energy sector. It would appear both 1st East and Waveney Council chose to ignore the positive recommendations in the Halcrow study report and erroneously continued to propose that valuable and job creating port areas were re-designated for housing.

1st East had produced an Area Action Plan, put out for public consultation, which was patently “flawed” but which was “adopted” in late 2006 without question, contrary to much credible advice offered by various parties including ABP during the various consultation processes. Surely, under English Law, a consultation is an invitation to give genuine advice and genuine consideration of such advice and where such advice is not taken, a public authority should have good reason for not so doing.

Whilst 1st East consider themselves “a private company” and thus not subject to such legal constraints, this subtlety does not apply to local authorities such as Waveney District and Great Yarmouth Borough councils. Who was/were the architects of this gross error, one wonders?

Sadly, Yarmouth suffer the same 1st East URC and an equally docile and compliant GYBC, but have not the benefit of a forward thinking independent ABP. Someone once said “There is no money to be made by creating jobs” so should this regeneration company be more aptly named redevelopment company?

Many opportunities similar to the Greater Gabbard field will be forthcoming, but will the heavily blinkered 1st East and GYBC be up to recognising and responding swiftly and positively to them? On their present track record, one doubts it.

ROGER POLL

Dunston Drive

Oulton

IN reply to Mr Barkhuizen, the scriptures encourages us to reason together, not to argue, as that never brings things to a satisfactory conclusion. Of course, Jesus did warn us when he said: “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.”

But I do believe that when Jesus said “his father is greater than he” and that he came to do his father's will not his own that he meant what he said. Do we believe Christ or don't we?

As to Jesus having a myth, as Mr Brighton claims. Historian H G Wells, although not being a Christian stated: “That a man's greatness can be measured by what he leaves to grow and whether he started others to think along fresh lines, with vigour that persisted after him. By this test he says “Jesus stands first.”

I will not contribute to this discussion anymore, but I hold no animosity toward those who disagree with my beliefs.

PHILIP KNIGHT

Wherry Way

Great Yarmouth

THE Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and those who care for them.

As a charity, the Alzheimer's Society depends on the generosity of the public to help fund its services.

The Great Yarmouth branch would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have made donations either in memory of a loved one or from fundraising activities. Many of these donations are received anonymously and we are unable to thank people personally. These donations are gratefully received and help us to continue supporting anyone experiencing dementia.

Dementia UK, a report released in 2007 about the prevalence and cost of dementia stated that in the Yarmouth and Waveney area alone 2708 people were living with dementia, this figure is set to increase by 48pc in the next 25 years.

For more information regarding dementia and the services available or to become a volunteer please contact our office on 01493 655 989 to speak to a member of staff or email us on greatyarmouth@alzheimers.org.uk

JACKIE TIERNEY

Volunteer officer & branch administrator