Letters, April 12, 2013

The recent discovery of beheaded animals in the villages of Runham, Stokesby and Hemsby bare all the hallmarks of Satanic ritualism, and should not be lightly dismissed (Mercury, April 5).

It has long been known that a number of Norfolk’s quiet and little used rural churches are bases for Satanic covens and other disturbing occult practices!

Whilst secrecy is paramount for such perverse groups of people, the deliberate and very public display of these mutilated animals over the Easter period is seen as a provocative challenge to one of Christianity’s most significant annual events. It is vitally important therefore for local villagers to report anything that they know to both civil and Church authorities before the cancer of Satanic worship steps up another gear, caused through local apathy and disbelief at what could be on their doorstep.

ANDREW SHORT

Dereham Road,

Norwich

World expert giving advice

As a clifftop resident of Hopton, I was amazed to read the comments (Mercury, April 5) made by a borough councillor that Bourne Leisure is wrong to accuse the Outer Harbour of causing sand to shift to Gorleston.

Bourne Leisure has spent £500,000 over a two-and-a half year period to research this situation. They appointed a world renowned expert - Dr Phil Barber - to interpret the data collected over this period.

What qualifications, if any, does the councillor have to support his remarks?

RON BROWN

Sea View Rise,

Hopton on Sea

Why extra day for Easter fair?

I saw the Great Yarmouth Easter Fair had been given an extra day again with no thought, discussion or warning regarding the people living and working in and around the area affected. Why should we have had to suffer another day of intrusion in our lives, especially on a Sunday, and yet have had no say on the matter.

I dare say the decision was made by people living out of earshot of the fair or more probable out of the town entirely. And I ask, who actually benefited from the extra day, I wonder?

M PYWELL

Northgate Street,

Great Yarmouth

Fair takes cash out of the town

I agree with Mr Parry. It is reported that the fair brings extra money to the town but it takes far more out; I have been in the town since 1946, living on the seafront at the Majestic Amusements until 1953 and I know that over fair weekend we and other ventures had to virtually close our businesses.

But to allow them an extra day? What is the Town Hall thinking of? I am the sister-in-law of ex Mayor Edgar Barker and I feel he and my father Bill Ghigi would have agreed with me.

JOAN B BARKER

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Waveney reaping port benefits

Gorleston beach disappeared in late 1960’s when the Dutch pier was replaced with a sheet piled one. Gorleston beach came back when the outer harbour was built.

Borough councillors should be thinking of the “now”. How can they sleep nights when their outer harbour is proved unfit for purpose. £500,000 worth of rock is coming from Norway by Stema Aggregates, who are based in the outer harbour; this rock is to prop up the cliff face at Hopton.

Our outer harbour is unable to take in the rock as the quay loading is nowhere strong enough to support the five to seven ton pieces, so oh dear, through ABP Lowestoft, Waveney are reaping the benefit of jobs.

On the subject of £500,000 of which £200,000 was found from GYBC coffers. What about Hemsby? Don’t get me wrong I am very pleased for Hopton, but Hemsby too is in the borough of Great Yarmouth, is the council going to find £200,000 for them. It is about time councillors started concerning themselves with what the outer harbour is not producing, and what they stated back in 2006 about what we should expect it to produce.

JOHN L COOPER

Burnt Lane,

Gorleston

The skatepark was worn out

In response to the letter Mercury, April 4, Park Resembles a Rubbish Tip. The skatepark on the Gorleston Recreation Ground is being replaced because the previous skatepark was worn out, and becoming a danger for the young people using it.

There was full consultation between the council and users of the skatepark, as to the proposed construction and design. The monies being used to finance the new skatepark are not council surplus monies, and it does not come from local taxpayers.

The funding to carry out this type of work comes from 106 monies, these monies are provided by housing developers as part of the planning permission process, and normally have to be spent in the wards where the new developments take place, on new or replacement recreational facilities such as the skatepark.

This money cannot be used for other things, such as was suggested to continue with attended toilet staffing costs for one year.

Cllr BERNARD WILLIAMSON

Claydon ward

Easter fair is very welcome

Living within sight and sound, I look forward to our annual fair, sorry when it leaves and am pleased it is being extended by a day this year. Maybe it is because as a youth I witnessed a less pleasurable spectacle in this vicinity. The disturbance were cries of distress and illuminations from burning buildings. Our parish church was also a victim as incendiary bombs rained upon them. Fairground hilarity was absent as many youths were risking - and some forfeiting - their lives in the theatre of conflict.

DAVID KING

Falcon Court,

Great Yarmouth

Fair was here first Mr Parry

Just as the annual Easter Fair is invariably accompanied by the annual miserable fair weather, Emrys Parry invariably has to add his annual miserable moans about the number one additional day of pleasure for the rest of us.

Mr Parry moved into his home near the fair site knowing what the fair entailed. Yet he doesn’t seem to have got the hang of what Great Yarmouth is about or how much Yarmouth Bloaters enjoy their Easter fair.

ANTHONY STENHOLM

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Are we getting new chip stall?

As a stall holder on Great Yarmouth market, it has come to my attention that the current vacant stall (previously the Hog Roast, empty for a very long time) is now subject to a planning application for use as a chip stall.

I acquired this information from a friend living in Gloucestershire who recently made a telephone enquiry regarding the possibility of his renting the stall and was told of this proposal.

Apparently a long standing by-law preventing the sale of cooked fish has now been lifted. I was shocked to hear this information as in my opinion the market has more than its fair share of chip outlets and I cannot see how another similar stall can benefit the market or indeed the town. It is my view that the market place over the last few years has lost is long standing reputation as one of the most popular in the country and it appears that the powers that be lack the foresight or ingenuity to rectify this, not just in terms of the market place but in Great Yarmouth as a whole.

I would be interested to know if my opinion is shared by the community of Yarmouth and in particular, other small traders.

Mr I WRIGHT

Great Yarmouth

We’re slipping into the sea

I see Brandon Lewis seems to be resorting to spin and selective memory, Mercury, April 5.

We see his constituency slipping into the sea which may see our MP famous for being the first MP since the Middle Ages and Dunwich to physically lose much of his constituency. We need some government funding to save our villages and what we see is spending and tax cuts. The tax cuts will not help the unemployed who have no pay to tax.

The biggest tax cuts, ignored of course, are going to the already rich (with incomes of over £150K a year). Mr Lewis conveniently forgets the granny tax whereby pensioners lose their extra allowance. The number paying 40pc tax rates continues to rise as the threshold is adjusted. It is also important to note we are all paying more VAT.

Local MPs see the need for rail and A47 improvements, seek improvements to the ambulance service and the NHS remains under pressure. Meanwhile, unemployment is wrecking lives and wasting talent. Tory MPs complain about the cost of benefits yet a job creation and training programme would see the bill cut and useful community benefits obtained. There are so many projects that could be undertaken and be partly funded by benefit savings. The housing benefit bill is seen as a concern yet the Tories privatised social housing and private landlords reap the benefits. The unemployed could even be trained to build social housing.

I can no longer take the Government seriously as it fails to deal with key issues and generate growth. Unfortunately Labour are yet to spell out their solutions or regain our full confidence when millionaires Blair and Mandelson suddenly hit the scene again.

C R WRIGHT

Victoria Street,

Caister

JPH top earners can pay more

I would like to draw attention to the plight of staff parking at the James Paget Hospital. It seems to me yet again that it’s a case of bad management who are unwilling to consult with their staff. It is also a case of trying to hurt their low paid workers more.

What is happening to our country? To me, it’s a simple case of common sense and fairness. What should happen is that any worker earning less than £25,000 per year should have their parking free. Over £25,000 to £50,000 should be one rate, and then anyone earning over £50,000 should pay a top rate. Something like this would be a much fairer system because top earners can afford it and low paid workers can’t.

May I wish all workers who are protesting about this the best of luck.

PETER MANTRIPP

Leman Road,

Gorleston

Where are new political faces?

The Norfolk County Council elections on May 2 are just three weeks away, and it is clear that Labour and the Conservatives are offering some of the same old faces. The Tories have shuffled last year’s losing candidates, trying to find a seat they can win.

It would be very refreshing to have some new blood among our councillors. Forget the old boy network and family influences, it is time to see some real changes with different faces working for Great Yarmouth.

WILLIAM WEST

Church Close,

Caister

Jesus visited and taught in America

I was pleased to see the letter by Roger Hayes in last week’s Mercury, “Witnesses saw the Resurrection”. The New Testament is a wonderful witness to the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Mr Hayes has put the case forward very efficiently.

There is also another witness to the resurrection, and that is the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In John 10:14-16 Jesus promises to visit his “other Sheep”. After his ascension he did indeed visit his other sheep on the American continent, and we can read about that in the Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi chapter 11 and the following chapters.

There he taught his gospel and organised his Church. All the people at that time were able to see the risen Lord and physically confirm his resurrection by feeling the wounds in his hands, feet and side, as his disciples did in Jerusalem (see Luke 24:35-43).

Prior to the Book of Mormon being brought forth a young man called Joseph Smith actually saw both the Father and the Son when they appeared to him in 1820 to call him to be a prophet and establish Jesus’ Church once more upon the earth (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The Easter message is that Jesus Christ is alive today. This is a glorious message to everyone everywhere.

DENNIS COOPER

Cedar Close,

Bradwell

Resurrection a common belief

I read with interest Roger Hayes’ account of the resurrection. One comment I would make is that this sort of story of a god or religious leader dying at Easter and coming to life again is a very common one among many different religions.

Clearly it is a sacrifice with a resurrection by the gods to ensure that the crops grow in the coming year. I understand this was part of the Mithratic sect popular with the Roman Army at the time. Most of our evidence appears to come from the four gospels left in the bible by the Council of Nicaea presumably because they agreed with what the bishops at the time wished their followers to believe.

They did try and destroy the other 30 or so gnostic gospels some of which, we are told, do not even mention the crucifixion. Also the names given to the four gospels are misleading. As children we assumed and were encouraged to do so, that they were written by Jesus’ disciples of the same names.

However this does not appear to be so and in fact they appear to have been written many years after the events. Mark is believed to be the earliest one and is traditionally attributed to the Mark the evangelist who was a companion of Peter. Matthew seems to be a later version as some of his information appears to be taken from Mark. Bishop Papia of Hierapolis attributes the gospel to Matthew but fails to say which Matthew. It appears to have been written in Greek so it was certainly not one of the disciples. By the end of the second century it was accepted that it was Matthew the tax collector.

Luke is thought to have been a companion of Paul who also wrote the Acts of the Apostles. John is a particular problem as it appears to have been written by a number of writers and there was a Johnannine community that may well have collected and contributed to the gospel.

Why I am drawing attention to these things is while it is fine to accept the biblical accounts as a basis for a faith based belief. As an historical account, as Roger’s letter suggest it should be considered, it is on a very weak and unsubstantial base.

DEREK BROWN

The Royal Naval Hospital,

Great Yarmouth

The usual flurry of pamphlets

I have just received the first of what I suppose will be the usual flurry of pamphlets for the forthcoming local elections. The candidate promised to try to improve employment opportunities in the borough. What a pity the leaflet was printed in Manchester!

NICK POWNELL

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Care for breech birth fantastic

On March 20 I was admitted to the James Paget hospital to have my son. I was 36 weeks pregnant so I was a little concerned about his early arrival. I did not need to worry as from the moment I was admitted to the hospital all the staff involved in his care were fantastic.

My son was a breech birth, a footling, cord around his neck three times and the placenta had detached from the cord so he needed to be delivered very quickly. The theatre staff were professional and kept me as calm as possible through the emergency caesarean I had to have.

Once I was on the ward (ward 11) the care I received from the midwives and nursing staff was second to none. Myself and my son had to be admitted on two more occasions due to other health issues and the same level of care was administered. Far too often the Paget has had negative press and feedback but from my own personal experience I was more than happy with the service I received.

I would like to thank all the staff involved with my son’s birth and if it had not had been for their actions the outcome for us both could have been very different.

REBECCA DUNN

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Little interest shown to voters

We are currently being bombarded with adverts about telling us to ensure we are eligible to vote, but what exactly are we meant to be voting for and more importantly who are we voting for? I am under the impression that it may be county council, rather than borough council.

In general, the public get dealt a rough hand with regard to our perceived interest in Local Government issues when anything is reported in the press, however, little interest is shown to those of us who are interested but have absolutely no feedback from those involved on the side of the council.

SARAH WOODS

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Charity does not prey on people

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth an anonymous contributor to the Mercury states: the East Coast Hospice trustees should wind up the charity, it is a bottomless pit, and give its funds to a functional unit. This was followed by comments: stop playing with people’s minds and preying on their pockets.

What had caused this outrage against the hospice it would appear to be the fundraising accounts.

Before rushing in to print did the reader make any attempt to contact the trustees and clarify the position? From the trustees reply it looks as if he made no attempt at all. If not why not?

Was he implying trustees were not managing the charity correctly? And on what evidence does he base his statement the charity is a bottomless pit? No charity can afford to be a bottomless pit.

As far as the shops are concerned I am aware the charity does not employ professional shop fitters, they are painted and fitted out by volunteers, the fittings used are mainly pre owned. Hardly the actions of a bottomless pit charity.

The charity does not prey on people’s pockets. By definition a donation is a freewill offering, is the reader implying once again that all those who make donations and fundraise in aid of the hospice have been preyed on in some way?

My reply to the reader is there are two ways to go about setting up the hospice:

1 Build the hospice and set up a revenue stream to help meet the running costs.

2 Put in place a revenue stream in the form of the shops, then look at building the hospice.

It would appear the trustees have chosen the latter option. This will give the trustees a degree of flexibility to react to changes in available funding and also the changing needs in the healthcare sector. Hardly reasons to wind up the charity.

In conclusion I am sure the trustees would have put the reader in the picture if concerns had been addressed directly to the charity. I would also like to thank the Mercury for offering trustees the right of reply. It gave them a chance to put forward their viewpoint on this attack.

GEOFF SANDERSON

Belton

Penalised for un-fair parking!

On Wednesday, April 3 my wife and I went on the Heritage Walk along South Quay with several visitors, which was very enjoyable. We had parked our car on Fullers Hill car park just before 2pm and paid for three hours.

On our return to the car park at around 4pm we found a parking fine, as did several others for parking while the site was closed. Not seeing any warning signs getting the ticket, I stopped beside the ticket machine and had the A4 size notice pointed out to me.

This sign was at the furthest end from the machine. Had this sign been more visible I and other motorists would not have parked there.

I would also like to apologise for not helping the lady parked beside us who was having great difficulty getting her car out from the various fairground equipment placed around it, with no help at all from the men working around her.

There appeared to be no council people to help but I suppose with all the cuts being made by our borough council this is what we have to be prepared for.

C A HODDS

Main Road,

Rollesby

Young respect area they live in

We must disagree with P Hubbard’s views that creating a new skatepark facility for our youngsters was not a “deserving or worthwhile cause’”. In our experience the vast majority of youngsters respect the area they live in and as councillors we recognise we represent all residents, including the younger generation.

When some approached us about the lack of facilities in St Andrews we had no hesitation in seeking out the funding for the new skatepark and contrary to P Hubbard’s assumption, the funding came from section 106 monies from developments in St Andrews ward over the years. This was not out of the council tax and had to be earmarked for such a project.

We were also pleased that having raised the issue at the Gorleston Forum, which is a regular public event hosted by the councillors for the residents of Gorleston on Tuesday evening, there was overwhelming support for the project.

Cllr BARBARA WRIGHT

Cllr MARLENE FAIRHEAD

Yes, restore spire on the Minster

How I agree with Peter McKinna about the Minster Church of St Nicholas and its missing spire. If funds, and perhaps foundations, would not stretch to a fully-fledged spire what about a metal pylon-type as used at Coventry cathedral.

This would presumably be cheaper and easier to install and would at least give St Nicholas’ its height back. It deserves it.

Mrs MARY DAWKINS

Wolsey Road

Sunbury on Thames

No beach spells Hemsby downfall

I have no business sense, but even I fail to understand the thinking behind not putting sea defences at Hemsby. Every year people come here by the thousands for the beautiful sandy beach, but that beach has more or less gone and with it a large amount of the dunes. Surely no sand = no beach = no holidaymakers = no money spent = no arcades, funfair, cafes or takeaway businesses. That is not taking into account how it will affect employment, full and part-time. All that has been mentioned relies on the sand!

P ADAM

The Marrams,

Hemsby

Bridge memorial delay in China

I am writing regarding the amazing fundraising day I had in Priory on March 23 for the 1845 Suspension Bridge disaster. Even though the weather was bad we still had a great time, the help from friends and family came in all forms.

The raffle prizes donated from business in the town was amazing and the hall was filled with fun and laughter.

I had asked Carole Maran to open the fete as she was a descendant of one of the victims, then to my surprise a descendant of the bridge owner Robert Cory also came to meet me making it a very emotional day, but none of this could have happened without the help from The Priory itself who I am very grateful to.

I was hoping to have the memorial in place for May 2, but after an upsetting phone call I learned the stone is going to be delayed in China.

I am planning to mark the anniversary on May 2 with the release of lanterns in the evening, hopefully at the Suspension Tavern. This has taken me on a very strange journey and has become more than just a memorial. I now feel an end is in sight and I know it would have been so much easier to get a grant but it has never been about that.

When this is all over this memorial will have been created from the £1 coins donated by the public. It goes a long way into putting back the respect to those killed in 1845. I will be collecting in the town tomorrow, Saturday, and also at Julie’s car boot on Sunday, at Sainsbury’s next Thursday and other dates to follow.

Thank you so much for everyone’s help so far but the journey is not over yet. You can contact me on juliest800@yahoo.co.uk

JULIE BEALES

Email

Why wasn’t the spire replaced?

It was interesting to read of the spire which formerly stood on St Nicholas Minster, and mentioned by Peter McKenna in his letter. It must have been visible for miles and an iconic landmark.

Yes, money would have been tight after the war but surely people in Norfolk would have contributed. Or perhaps not?

I TAYLOR

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