Treat us like you
treat Yarmouth
HAVING attended the meeting regarding the south pier car park we have two observations.
Firstly we are pleased that Eastport have clearly had a change of heart over their willingness to positively talk about a third party’s (Ian Scott) takeover of the car park.
This is in contrast to their apparent attitude when first mooted earlier this year.
Secondly, the comments by Cllr Graham Plant that “we are a borough” and the “outer harbour is for the benefit of the whole borough”, isn’t it a pity that the council doesn’t treat the southern parishes the same as Yarmouth.
The point many people were trying to make when talking about the harbour was that it appears that whenever money via grants etc are given none comes over to the Gorleston area and beyond.
So if the ruling Tory group on county and borough accept we are all in the same borough, then treat us all the same and share that financial cake out fairly, and don’t forget Gorleston and the southern parishes.
Cllr MARLENE FAIRHEAD
Cllr BARBARA WRIGHT
St Andrews ward
Who are those
anonymous GPs?
AS a regular reader of your paper, I have been waiting keenly for some indication of the identity of those GPs responsible for the anonymous letter of complaint about the JPH.
In my experience, GPs are articulate, knowledgeable people, well able to use the procedures already in place for putting forward their concerns about the hospital and to discuss them openly.
I find it incredible that our MPs should be willing to act on the contents of an anonymous letter – even raising the matter in Parliament. If they know it is genuine and therefore know the identities of its authors – then all concerned should be responsible and confident enough to make these facts public.
If not, are we even to begin to consider that this letter may be a vindictive scam, causing upset and confusion and destroying the career of a conscientious and hard-working man? Anonymous letter should always be treated with scepticism and those who act on them may do little to enhance their own reputations. It is time more information about this letter was made available.
JAN NEWSTEAD
Black Street,
Martham
The bedlam of
town parking
I REMEMBER, living where I do just off Yarmouth seafront, the bedlam that occurred prior to the parking scheme coming into being. Let me give you a little example: immediately at the back of our house there are three parking spaces.
For three years prior to the residents parking permits scheme coming in, a car would turn up, wait for a space and then park in that space without fail. The following day, a converted ambulance painted bright yellow would turn up and park where the car had been.
Inside this converted ambulance were two adults and three children living in it for a full three weeks. A smaller transit style van would turn up and the driver locate himself one side or the other of the converted ambulance and in this van would be two adults and two children and they stayed there for the same amount of time.
Outside of both of these vehicles there was a container with water and another container for toilet waste. This was the extreme of what we suffered, but there was always situations where cars would arrive then not move at all for at least two weeks at a time and then other occasions when a local hotelier would make sure his car was in a spot and then keep that spot for a guest to park their car for the period of stay at the hotel.
The residents parking scheme stopped the misuse of the spaces and we don’t want to go back to the previous situations again. Please retain the parking scheme even if it means paying more.
Name withheld
Euston Road
Great Yarmouth
Parking scheme has worked
I LIVE in a small cul-de-sac in the centre of Yarmouth. If plans go ahead to scrap residents parking it is going to bring nothing but misery to me, my family and neighbours. The scheme has worked very well for us, and has continued to work well for many others in the town. We have had the pleasure of being able to park near, or even better, outside our homes.
If we lose this shoppers, traders, workers will be able to park as long as they like and when they like, making our lives a misery.
A JONES
Permits made
our lives better
RESIDENTS parking was a godsend to us after campaigning years to get it and if it is removed our lives will be a nightmare again. It will be a free for all, market traders, shoppers and workers parked all day. Residential parking works in other seaside resorts, so why not here? How can Cllr Charles Reynolds decide what is right for us. He doesn’t even live in Great Yarmouth.
Mrs L HOLMES
Bollards for the
pedestrian area?
IT was suggested at the Gorleston south pier meeting that because of the way cars parking in front of the shop overhang the pavement, making problems for pedestrians (and I agree), that the pavement in front of the shops/cafe be widened with tables and chairs for people to sit and enjoy. Would this not cause problems a) with parking, b) who would want to sit there with views of cars? Would bollards be a better idea and more cost effective?
JOAN BUTLER
Rejuvenate our
seafront
IT would be great if all Yarmouth residents thought of ideas to rejuvenate our town, especially after the recession is over. There seems to be too much doom and gloom in the news at present. We need to keep on a positive road and steer away from negative thoughts.
I personally would like to see the Waterways updated. In the 1950-70s there were children’s Disney character lights, along the banks of our Waterways. Children loved to see Bambi and The Seven Dwarfs peeping from behind the shrubs and plants, all nicely lit up. It would be great to have something similar to this. And now we live in a technological age, I am sure it could be done, with more of an air of fantasy and magical wonder.
Another idea when we are more affluent of course, would be to update our market area, perhaps extend the covered market. Maybe six stalls more facing the TSB and another six-eight facing St Nicholas Church, this would still leave plenty of room for parking.
The Waterways are not being used to full potential. The market area is long overdue an update. Residents, what are your views?
Cllr MARIE FIELD
Northgate and Central ward
Permit parking
has been blight
I AM amazed at the ongoing saga of the permit parking issue and feel incensed that the Mercury, in its so-called opinion, should support those who want it to be continued.
The permit parking has been a blight on this town since its conception. Great Yarmouth, and I’m talking about the area between the river and the sea, is totally dependant on tourism. Yet, over the last few years we have seen a decline in day trippers that is ruinous to us who have to make a living in the tourist trade.
The decline in the number of beds in this town means that businesses cannot make a living just from those who stay here. We need day trippers desperately, yet those who come cannot park, of if they do find a parking space, the cost is ridiculous.
I regularly deliver to my customers in the town and when I drive along the likes of Apsley Road or Albion Road. the number of spaces empty in August, for example, is terrifying. These spaces could be filled with tourists who would spend money in the town.
My family has traded here since 1896 and have owned a shop on Regent Road since 1922. I started working on Regent Road in 1959 aged 10, as all my friends did who were in family businesses. The decline is dreadful and most of it is due to the parking problem.
Okay, if you want permit parking then let’s be realistic. The majority of permits are for residents. Then make the permit be for the night-time and not the day. And as to cost, what’s a fair price, �1 a day - �365 a year? No, well have a discount of 50pc. Let’s make the permit �180 a year and see how many take it up.
I hope Charles Reynolds and all the other councillors who realise the stupidity of the scheme scrap this blight immediately.
STEPHEN DOCWRA
Docwra’s Rock Shop
Regent Road
Great Yarmouth
Marina Centre
site for mural
I WOULD love to see the mural from St George’s site attached to the outside of the Marina Centre. It is such a drab looking building which would be really brightened up by colourful artwork. I would also like to see local schools supplying further artwork to complete the decor. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful reflection of local talent!
MOIRA GRANGER
Dress properly,
walk to school
I AGREE with most of what John Huggins (Letters, December 2) says about the school run, but I disagree on one point. Why should it be understandable that parents use the car for “stone’s throw” distances when the weather is rough?
All you have to do is dress accordingly. It might seem a cliche to say we walked or cycled regardless of the weather in my schooldays but it is relevant. In any case, running home from school in the pouring rain and laughing at your predicament should be one of the joys of childhood.
On frosty mornings it would be funny if it wasn’t serious seeing parents battling to de-ice cars for such ridiculously short journeys. For many school runs the amount of traffic on the roads means it would be quicker to walk. I guess that may not be the situation in Hopton. However from what Mr Huggins and the anonymous writer (November 25) describe about the parking situation, it might still be quicker to walk. As Mr Huggins says, it’s sheer laziness. Parents think they are doing their children a kindness taking them in the car. They’re actually being cruel.
JOHN THOMPSON
Oulton Broad
Lowestoft
Slipway would
aid water sports
I WOULD like to respond to the article by Sam Russell about the potential for water skiing in the sea off the beaches at Great Yarmouth.
As a seafaing nation and a town steeped in maritime history we have failed to support the social skiers and others who enjoy their sport afloat by the denial to provide any decent launching facilities for years. The slipway near the RNLI is only accessible an hour or so either side of high tide and the only alternative is the slipway near the Eurocentre.
When the plans were announced for the outer harbour, I approached the authorities to enquire if there would be a launch facility incorporated within the harbour for social boaters to use (on paymat of an annual fee) but was informed that it would be a very busy commercial harbour and therefore social boaters were not wanted within the basin.
The annual fee could have contributed towards the upkeep of the slipway.
It would be great if a slipway / launch facility could be created to enable water-skiers, jet skiers, sports boats, fishing boats and others to make good recreational use of the North Sea along our holiday coastline (like Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Cyprus etc) but unless our elected officials recognise the benefits in providing this type of facility, we will never be Costa Del Yarmouth, instead we will simply remain Costa Too Much To Do.
Name and Address withheld
Costa del Great
Yarmouth? Yes!
I AM writing to you regarding the water-skiing idea for Yarmouth seafront for three reasons.
1. I am, and have been, a keen water skier and have been for 20 years since I started at the age of 5 on the river at Fritton.
2. In recent years my brother, nephew and I, all compete in the top division for kneeboarding and have to travel between 60 and 200 miles to train properly for national and international kneeboard competitions as they have banned making wakes big on the river for wildlife reasons.
3. Next year I have been picked to captain the GBR Kneeboard Team when we compete against the US, Australia and France.
I think it would be an absolute asset to have a recreational centre like a cable ski for enthusiasts like myself in the area. The fitness required to ski is hard to get from any other sport.
With people saying that all kids do is sit and play video games, the question has to be asked why? Skate parks I see around the area always have children playing on them but watersports has not grown in recent years like skateboarding, due to a lack of facilities.
In short, do I think we could attract water skiiers to Costa del Great Yarmouth? Yes!
OWEN LEWIS
Cable water ski
idea is silly
WHAT a silly idea - cable skiers on the site of Nelson’s historic jetty. It conjures up the spectacle of Lord Nelson closely followed by Lady Hamilton being hauled up and down and enjoying the wonderful views of the wind farm. This comes in the same category as the giant TV screens and the container service - it won’t work. Whatever next - abseiling from the top of Nelson’s Monument?
PAULINE LYNCH
Bradwell
Should road be
open to public?
RE Mike King’s very interesting letter in last week’s Mercury, “Re-open Peninsular Road”. On October 10, 2006, a map was produced by Cullim, Grummitt, and Roe, entitled Great Yarmouth Temporary TRO.
Quite simply Great Yarmouth Borough Council cabinet, and officers, decided confidentially on the May 23, 2007 without a mandate from central government or the ratepayers, to include the South Beach Parade Road as well as the Esplanade in the land given to the new owners of our Port. All of this is provable from Cabinet papers and Freedom of Information replies. So the gates should be taken down and a fence erected on the east side of the South Beach Parade Road, as per the 2005 Harbour Revision Order.
To simplify the above: It was thought to build the Outer Harbour the road (South Beach Parade) had to be temporarily closed to safeguard the public. To the east of South Beach Parade is the Esplanade and he 2005 Harbour
Revision Order states: “The Power To Stop Up Esplanade”.
The Esplanade would be part of the Outer Harbour. from the North Pier to Nelson’s monument, as maps show the Esplanade is the strip of raised concrete walk way on the east side of South Beach Parade. As it turned out, the public carried on using the South Beach Parade until nearly 2009 as the public did not interfere with construction work
A Green Cabinet paper signed by one councillor and one officer on May 23, 2007 quite clearly states “council land fronting South Beach Parade.”
On May 23, 2007 another cabinet confidential minute includes the public highway, but I contend this was agreed with IPH without the Secretary of State’s approval.
Until May 23, 2007 the directors of Eastport Great Yarmouth Ltd, were complying with the project briefing, the East of England Development Agency document and the 2005 Harbour Revision Order. What pressure was brought to bear on our council in the last two days before signing the contract, which forced the council to agree to take on the liabilities at the same time as handing over valuable assets such as the Harbour Peninsular Road.
JOHN COOPER
Burnt Lane
Gorleston
The empty pews
show empathy
I FULLY agree with the views expressed by David Morrice (Letters, December 2). Having visited St Nicholas on many occasions, it is indeed a beautiful church and I am delighted it has been elevated to Minster.
The empty pews however, reflect a widespread apathy. If the Minster gave away �50 notes, every seat would be taken. Ironic then the church is actually giving away vastly more than that: it is giving the opportunity to be happy beyond belief and wildest imagination: ‘the consequences of being saved by Jesus Christ!’
But saved from what?
Shakespeare got it completely wrong when he said that “Hell hath no fury like a [person] scorned”, the horror of hell is too awful to contemplate. But we Christians know and the Bible clearly illustrates that it can be only one of the two alternatives, there is no middle ground! “Waiting to see what happens” or “putting it off until later”, can have only one possible outcome.
If I saw someone about to get run over by a bus, I would want to save them from certain death. I guess most readers would feel, and do, exactly the same. The good news is that certain death is exactly what Jesus Christ is saving us from and more than that, eternal life and happiness forever.
Now that has to be worth more than �50 notes any day.
ROGER HAYES
Beccles Road
Bradwell
Infrastructure
debars progress
RE Cllr Steve Ames’ comments “Renewables jobs hopes.” (Mercury, December 2).
Having read the article, I was wondering if the councillor would like to explain where these jobs are coming from? I think I am right in saying that all the turbines which have arrived to date at the outer harbour have been completely fabricated in Europe, ie Vestas in Denmark, Siemens or Enercon, Germany.
When I say completely, that means blades, gearboxes, masts and even the base piles they stand on. They arrive on transportation barges from Europe and are then transferred by crane to the ships that install them, without even touching British soil. They are then taken offshore and installed, ready to be commissioned and run by a European owned utility company.
If this practice continues, could somebody please explain to me how this will create, and I quote “thousands of jobs”.
It’s hard to believe the amount of perfectly capable fabrication and engineering companies with years of experience in the offshore industry within Yarmouth and Lowestoft that have not been given chance to participate in this so-called offshore building boom. Once again we lose out to Europe!
Regarding the so-called renewable engineering centres, I think you will find history is against this area: the surrounding infrastructure such as roads, transportation etc.
When it comes to creating jobs it makes far better publicity for any government in power to announce it is looking after the North East, and Humberside where there are far more votes, rather than the backwater called East Anglia. CORE status, in name only?
RAY CARTER
Councillors! Stop
this bickering
I KNOW the harbour saga will continue well into 2012, but what must not continue is the petty bickering amongst borough councillors. I am fed up with now and again reading in the Mercury a disgruntled letter from a member of the minority party.
I thought councillors were elected because they made promises to us, the people, no matter their ward, to help bring back a vibrant, great looking holiday resort for people, who now cannot afford to go abroad.
We have heard from visitors how archaic our railway station is. How there is no one at the bus station to help visitors to which bus to get to where they want to be, and how dirty and it is. Councillors note.
I am amazed how councillors can vote in chamber on something as mundane as parking, parking permits etc especially in areas they know nothing about and have never visited. It also amazes me how they can so readily ignore the voters who live in the areas they are proposing to do various things to.
However, people are now fed up with the same councillors being elected year after year, and not producing all they promised at the doorstep. And have come to the conclusion they can do better, and so will be running for council come May.
All councillors should regularly visit each other’s wards, and talk over what might need doing there, or what plans they have for it. Grumpy here doesn’t care if you are a member of the Pink-stripe, Yellow Polka Dot Party, the Crazy underwear Party, all I want you to do is do everything together, listen to each other, and most important of all, any project that needs expert opinion and you know a constituent that has that expertise, don’t be afraid to ask.
And Cllr Ames thinks the letter regarding parking on the pier was a clincher, think again.
I’m also not sure if borough councillors read the Mercury.
DAVID BROWN
Yallop Avenue
Gorleston
Run a campaign
to support Paget
I AM writing re the recent reports of problems at the James PagetHospital. It seems a pity that all the reports lay stress on minor problems, mostly on one ward, while the good news of the over 90pc of satisfactory checks is not mentioned, let alone the fact that the mortality rate is in the lowest 10pc in the country.
Unfortunately the poor press has a very damaging effect on staff morale, and this will accentuate the problems, and eventually lead to difficulty in recruiting personnel of the high standards which we have enjoyed. As this campaign against our local hospital seem to have been started by an anonymous letter – which no-one has yet admitted to writing – it seems impossible to refute, although I gather the MP concerned has at last made a visit.
Would it be possible for the Mercury to run a campaign to support the JPH and praise some of the good work it does? We seem too quick to find fault without realising that all criticism should be constructive first, and it should be realised that none of us are perfect – and could those criticising actually do better? I fear that as the latest report only mentions paperwork it will increase pressure to fill forms rather than care.
Name and address withheld
Museum visit
was wonderful
I WOULD like to express my deepest thanks to the volunteers at The East Anglian Transport Museum for the wonderful day they gave to my grandson, aged almost seven, at the Santa Tram event held last Saturday. I am told it was the first time the museum has held this event, and that it’s volunteer staff were anxious to know what the public thought about their efforts. Now being rather old myself, over the years I have taken my children to Christmas events of many types, to places all over England all with great success and much enjoyment, so I have experienced a great many Christmas events and activities.
May I say that the Transport Museum put on the best Christmas event I have ever seen over more than 50 years. We had a most wonderful day there. Highlights for my grandson were Father Christmas, a good quality present, and face painting. For me, as I was not driving, I enjoyed a glass of punch, the very good band, and after dark, the excellent Christmas lights. Even an old man like me had first class and very enjoyable day. It was good value, well organised, and everyone I saw spoke to were full of praise. So once more well done all of you volunteers. For us as members of the public it was a great success and one you should repeat next year. You do not need to change a thing but you will need to keep the price of entry right.
BRIAN CALLAN
Busseys Loke
Bradwell
Directory for all
activity groups
I AM on the lookout for activity groups, new and old, in the borough of Great Yarmouth, who would like to promote their activity with free entry into the Ageless Opportunities Directory 6th edition 2012, which will be launched early next year.
The groups or activities must be available for any adult to attend, but can be almost anything and everything. They should not be commercial although we can offer commercial companies very reasonable advertising rates .
Examples of what is already in the directory, but this does not exclude any activities that are similar or the same.
Any social activities such as coffee mornings
Crafts or Arts – including photography groups and arts groups
Exercise – such as Pilates, zumba, keep fit or seated exercise
Sports – such as badminton, table tennis, bowls
WI groups
Lunch Groups
Absolutely any group, club or activity in the area.
We print around 7,000 copies and they are free for people to take. We try and deliver them to anywhere and everywhere! Including community centres, hospitals, and libraries.
If you are interested in either having a free entry to the next directory or you would like a copy of the current directory then please get in touch.
RACHAEL HARDIE
Priory Centre, Priory Plain, Great Yarmouth NR30 1NW
Allotment vandals
need to pay
THE allotment holders who have suffered vandalism at their allotments in Fremantle Road have expressed their views forcibly. What more can be said – except to hope that the perpetrators will soon be caught and severely dealt with.
What about putting them to long hours to putting the plots to rights? Long hours of such worthwhile work, supervised by those experts whose ground they have damaged, and replacements of the items they have stolen, might teach them a lesson or two.
Miss R L FARMER
Marine Parade
Gorleston
Hemsby light-up
a magical event
THE lighting of the Christmas Tree at St Mary’s Church, Hemsby on Thursday last week was attended by over 200 people from the village. The church was filled to capacity as the Norfolk Broad Concert Band, the children of Hemsby Primary School choir and St Mary’s Singers got the evening off to a terrific start.
Father Adrian Ling led the service and everyone gathered around the tree for the switching on of the lights.
We must pay tribute to Barrie Thornton and the Hemsby Festival Team for organising such a successful event. On Sunday, the Christingle Service was again held in the church, and this was very well attended with extra seating having to be brought in. The Hemsby Primary School choir were performing once again and were much appreciated.
Well done to everyone who contributed in any way to these events and long may you all continue to support the village in this way. Please keep an eye on the hemsbyvillagefestival.org.uk website for further events coming up.
P SUTTON
Hemsby
Thank you to an honest lady
I AM writing in to thank the very honest lady who handed in the �70 that I had dropped outside Great Yarmouth KFC. The money had been given to me earlier in the day by a friend to buy his wife’s Christmas present online as his computer was in for repair.
Can’t thank you enough for been so honest; it’s a shame there aren’t more people like you about, the world would be a much better place if there was.
Sorry I didn’t get to thank her in person, but I would like to wish her a very merry christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.
If the lady could contact me through the Mercury, I would like to thank her in person.
AARON PRETTY
Anson Road
Great Yarmouth
People will not
pay to park cars
WITH regard scrapping of parking permits: If the scheme was to be scrapped does Councillor Charles Reynolds really believe that the general public won’t look for free parking but will use car parks which they have to pay for?
It’s human nature for all of us to save money where we can, which of course means our roads will be full of parked cars and the car parks will be empty. What, I wonder, will Councillor Charles Reynolds blame that on when car park revenue is down.
Scrapping the scheme will affect many people living in the town centre areas, and while I agree we as residents choose to live in the centre, so those living outside of central Yarmouth made their choice to live elsewhere.
The parking permit scheme needs to stay, but needs re-structuring with the people-in-the-know dealing with it, and not those who don’t really care if it goes or not.
The Labour councillors are backing us up all the way and as the Great Yarmouth Residents Association we wish to thank them for their help. Come on you Conservative councillor, re-think and back us up, you know it makes sense.
S WILKINSON
Secretary
Priory Residents Association
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here