Letters, July 5, 2013

Having co-existed with the (winged) birds in Great Yarmouth market for over 80 years, I have never encountered any of the alleged inconveniences, unless they sense and target those who dislike them! So, how about extending our efforts by addressing the real problems that beset us, perpetrated by the human element, and leave these beautiful creatures alone?

DAVID KING

Falcon Court

Great Yarmouth

Park penalties will put us off

I visited Great Yarmouth with a friend last week. We had lunch followed by a pleasant afternoon, sightseeing and shopping. We visited the pier, made a number of clothes purchases and finished off with a cream tea.

When we returned to our car we discovered we had a parking ticket and were asked to pay £25 for over staying the time we had estimated our visit would take. I understand that overstaying the time you have paid for is an offence and I enclosed a cheque for £25.

However I would ask the council to consider what effect such a fine has on the future of the town. We did buy a ticket but underestimated the time our visit would take or indeed how much we would spend. We bought clothes and shoes as well as presents and mementos and each spent over £100.

We would consider carefully whether to risk another similar visit, if we were to be penalised in this way again, when our only mistake was to underestimate how much we would find to do and thus take longer than we thought.

I pointed this out to the council – and they cashed the cheque.

LYNN P MARTIN

email

Watch out for decay of town

We recently had a couple of days in Great Yarmouth as part of an East Coast trip - seeing a part of England we had never visited before. You have a number of attractions, both modern and historical you should be very proud of, although I feel your Nelson links could be marketed a little stronger.

However, I worry that the number of prominent buildings lying empty could eventually become eyesores if your council does not start thinking out of the box with regard to change of use, help for owners and buyers in the form of low cost loans, grants etc.

The Marine is a prime example - a lovely building in a prime location. But what can it be used for in today’s market? The hotel at The Tower, the large store in the shopping centre, the cinema in the town centre, two lovely buildings on the historical quay.

These all need to be brought back into use asap. Two attractions I was particularly looking forward to seeing was The Gaol (closed - open only one day in June) and, after it’s feature on national telly, The House of Wax (unfortunately closed down).

A couple at our B&B, who were in Yarmouth for the modern seafront attractions left two days early as so many of the “fun things” they had come for were not open yet.

Yarmouth Council and promoters need to keep their eye on the ball over the next couple of years otherwise I feel the decay will be very noticeable.

PS Loved the football stand.

BOB and PAT JONES

Broadlands Drive

Malvern

Norfolk pride? Born in Hopton!

I was in The Entertainer last weekend. There I met this bloke with one of them yeller footy shirts that you see so much of these last couple of years. He had downed a few and was tellin’ me about how proud he was to be Norfolk born an’ bred. Nothing wrong with that I thought.

A bit later he was talking on about how he had just moved from the house he was born in at Hopton. I looked at him, and he wouldn’t see 40 again and I said: “You’re an old fraud. You don’t come from Norfolk at all. When you were born your house was in Suffolk. And so that old shirt of yours is the wrong colour, it should be Blue! Gi’ us a point ta moild.

PATRICK SMITH

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Why opposition to a hospice?

I feel I must reply to David Wright’s letter of June 7, and Brian Potter’s of June 21.

Firstly, Mr Wright’s letter does not address the fundamental reasons for the talks failing.

Secondly, Brian Potter’s letter, whilst he scores points against the hospice on fundraising issues, he redeems himself by bringing to the attention of the public that UKIP councillor Matthew Smith is showing an interest in the issues surrounding East Coast Hospice and Palliative Care East and for that Mr Smith should be applauded. Maybe he can get to the bottom of what is going on.

Also Mr Potter does not address the reasons for the talks failing. Mr Wright was aware of the failings of the talks.

Mr Potter, would you like to share with the public why you are so opposed to ECH and the independent hospice they seek to build.

GEOFF SANDERSON

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Hospice serves Yarmouth area

I have read with interest the recent coverage regarding hospice care provision in your area and thought I would take this opportunity to highlight the fact that Hospice services are about more than the provision of a bedded unit.

Of the 2,000 people St Elizabeth Hospice supported last year 1,600 were cared for by our outpatient, community and day services. And of the 400 people admitted to our inpatient units, 250 were discharged home.

However, inpatient services are a necessity for many patients, particularly those with complex symptoms and through St Elizabeth Hospice at All Hallows Hospital in Ditchingham, near Bungay, we are already providing this vital inpatient care, with equal numbers of patients being admitted from Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

By working with other voluntary sector providers, using existing facilities and avoiding the costs of a new stand-alone building, we are focusing our available funding on the delivery of these much needed Hospice services for the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

However we cannot do this alone - we are your local hospice – and we rely on the local community to help us grow our services to meet the needs of all the local people who require them.

If readers would like to find out more please visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk

JANE PETIT

Chief Executive

St Elizabeth Hospice

I remember the Cockrill home

Reading the Mercury, June 14, about Mr Cockrill brought back memories of when I was 10 years old. In 1926, I used to attend piano lessons given by Dr Hayden Hare at 14 Euston Road. After the lesson I would call in at No 12 the home of the late Mr Cockrill and see my Aunt Ella King, who was the family cook for Mrs Cockrill who still lived there.

Also in service there was Florence Elrick who was the parlour maid. She went to them from Breydon House where girls who had no families were trained in domestic service and then went to families in the borough. When Mrs Cockrill died, Florence went to various homes before ending up in service at Gargrave House, Skipton in Yorkshire where she was in the employ of Mrs Coulthurst until the mid-80s.

Both my aunt and Florence spent all of their time in the kitchen area before retiring to bed at the top of the house. Also living in the house at the time was a Mrs Sill who I believe was employed as a companion to Mrs Cockrill.

I remember there being a grand fireplace in the hallway, the hallway led into a conservatory and from there out into the garden. I can also recall there being a library on the ground floor.

Mrs K NORFOLK

Wellesley Road,

Great Yarmouth

Hospice nearby would be easier

Following recent articles regarding palliative care and the proposed provision of a local hospice, I feel I must praise the support I have received via the Louise Hamilton Centre and the James Paget Palliative Care Team.

During a very difficult time, my family and I have been able to access emotional and practical support from the centre. It has provided me with a much needed sanctuary in between stressful hospital appointments, made easier by being located alongside the hospital.

I hope that common sense will prevail and that work will soon begin on providing a hospice within the hospital grounds, building upon the vision and excellent service already provided by Palliative Care East (The Louise Hamilton Centre).

I have experienced the positive integrated working between the hospital, the Louise Hamilton Centre and the Macmillan Nursing team in providing the care I need through the different stages of my journey.

I believe that like myself, future users of the Louise Hamilton Centre would find comfort in the sight of the hospice nearby, hopefully making the steps in our journey a little easier.

Sadly, ongoing delays continue to deny me the peace of mind that there will be a local hospice where and when I need it.

LOUISE GEDGE

email

Respect for older generation gone

I am very sorry for the couple in Hemsby who are being targeted by vandals and were featured on the front page of the Mercury, especially as they are true garden lovers. Unfortunately the days of respect for senior citizens appears to be long gone.

Re their ornaments - I would suggest they move them away from the wall so the individual/s concerned would be caught on their CCTV. I, too have yobs killing off my plants - only mine are believed to be middle-aged!

Take comfort in the fact you are both well and have each other and the fact that your yobs are basically “sick”.

Name and Address withheld

PCE refused to build a hospice

Mr Potter’s letter is full of inaccuracy. East Coast Hospice is the only hospice, Palliative Care East had its chance in 2005 and refused to build a hospice, instead working for a drop-in centre.

The independent free-standing hospice will go ahead regardless of Mr Potter’s letters. Dialogue and working together is paramount for all Great Yarmouth and Waveney people and his letter only drives a wedge between all parties.

It seem to me facilities adjacent to the Louise Hamilton Centre wouldn’t be a hospice, rather simply a means of relocating certain patients from beds on acute wards and providing different outcome statistics.

Sorry Mr Potter, you are in the minority, the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney want an independent hospice to protect their future end of life care.

VIC HARDWICK

Grove Road

Martham

Market seagulls can be terrifying

I do agree with Julie Mendicott about the seagulls in Yarmouth market place. Once upon a time it was a nice place to sit and watch the world go by. Not now with these birds flying low.

I was walking in the market place and this little girl was just sitting eating her chips when one of the gulls just went for her. She was in tears. I see people feeding these birds. I know the council say there is a sign saying not to feed them … l couldn’t see it. The council in this town should put a bigger sign up where everyone can see it. People nowadays wouldn’t take any notice, but put it where people can see it. As for the riders on bikes. Tell me about it. The same thing happen to me. This man just came along on his bike expecting everyone to get out of his way. I must have been thinking of the seagulls or day dreaming when he just came for me. The swearing that came from his mouth is unprintable. Lovely chap. The big policemen saw it and did nothing. Why they walk around together beats me. And that’s all they do.

Mrs THERESA WHITMORE

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Details please re old Gospel Hall

Could anyone supply me with history about the place of worship, the Gospel Hall in Fish Street, Great Yarmouth. The site was redeveloped for the Market Gates redevelopment about 40 years ago. Thanks in advance for your help. I can be contacted via email at pandsjonas40@yahoo.co.uk

PAUL JONAS

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Thanks for help to stay with son

In a follow up to last week’s front page story featuring Shayne Hill, I would like to use your letters page to extend my personal thanks to additional people and organisations that have also collected and raised funds that helped me to stay by my son’s bedside for six weeks whilst he was in Addenbrooke’s.

Without this help I would have been unable to do this for the entirety of his stay there although Shayne has the majority of these funds towards his aftercare.

These include Matty Lines of Bagnall Morris, BWell gym, both Caister FC and Hemsby FC, Play Stax, Peter Self, Caister Roofing, Josh my daughter’s partner and everyone else who donated personally or via collection tins. I am extremely grateful.

I would also like to thank the Great Yarmouth Mercury for following Shayne’s story and progress, and all the hospital staff at both Addenbrooke’s and now at the James Paget for their kindness and help in getting him back on his long road to recovery.

Last, but by no means least, the biggest thank you to my partner Darren who has been a tremendous support to myself and to Shayne during this awful time, to my daughters Cathy and Vikki, their partners Shaun and Josh and my eldest son Bobby; I couldn’t have got through this without you, love you all.

TINA HILL

Allendale Road

Caister

Do ministers like Victorian values?

Terry Rifkin’s letter in last week’s Mercury interested me. Like Terry I did not fail my O-level maths but was completely baffled by his figures. My thoughts turned to a TV programme on the previous Tuesday.

The Victorian Workhouse was an attempt to help the poorest people, the unemployed, the sick and the elderly and keep them from starvation.

This good intention was accompanied by a policy which set out to make their life in the workhouse as miserable as possible. Families were separated, the inmates wore drab uniforms and food was poor. If they died alone their bodies went for medical dissection.

One can’t help wondering if this same Victorian mindset isn’t still present in today’s ministers. There is sometimes a hint of lip-smacking satisfaction when they announce these cuts, do they enjoy making the poor miserable? At least the parties of the right behave as a political parties should ie reward your friends and punish your enemies. It’s a pity parties of the left don’t seem able to so the same.

LIONEL BALLS

Email

Picture not HMS Lapwing

Re your article about Arctic convoy survivors in the last edition of the Mercury. You have made a photographic error in that the ship pictured is not HMS Lapwing but the G20 destroyer, HMS Savage

Lapwing was an improved Black Swan class frigate.

Mr C WOOLLANDS

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Ferry boat built in Southtown?

I read with great interest the memory article by Peggotty on the Southtown shipyards. The reason I write is to ask if you are aware the Cremyll Ferry in Plymouth had, or still has, a boat built in those yards circa 1932 if my memory serves me right.

My first trip on it was as a schoolboy of 10 when the Priory School took us on holiday to Maker Camp on Maker Heights in Cornwall and we used the ferry after the steam train journey from Great Yarmouth to Plymouth.

It provides a short cut across the river instead of the much longer journey by road to reach Maker Heights.

I used it many times when I lived in Plymouth and up until seven years ago, when I moved out of England for more sunshine, it was still running with the brass plaque on the wheelhouse proudly displaying its birthplace.

Looking on the ferry website the photos appear to be that ferry but the information is only for steam vessels and not motorised ones as far as I can find. Can anyone else recall a Yarmouth-built boat used on the Ferry?

TREVOR HOLMES

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Wimbledon treat was ace

We would like to say a big thank you and lots of praise for the wonderful staff at Magdalen House for a lovely Wimbledon afternoon of entertainment and strawberries and cream. It was first class.

ELAINE PARKER

Caister

Dancing with partner heaven

Why do I come here? To dance of course, what else is there? The waltz and quickstep, heavenly. Our tracing patterns on the ballroom floor. Love stories writ by close embrace and motion.

Her shining hair softly brushing my cheek. Expressing thoughts, kindly reassuring me of her understanding.

Two souls both seeking paradise, here and now. But more than this must surely be. Ah yes, I remember now. A laugh and a giggle and a bit of slap and tickle. That is the reason I am here.

If you would like to join us try St Margaret’s church hall, Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft on Monday afternoons, or the old Tower Ballroom, now known as Kingfisher Boxing Club on Riverside Road, Gorleston on Tuesday afternoons.

JOHN NICHOLS

Emmanuel Avenue,

Gorleston

Praise for the Estelle show

I, along with three packed audiences, would like to say a huge well done and thank you to Estelle Clifton, principal of Dance Estelle, for the outstanding shows she has put on over the past weekend for her 10th anniversary of Dance Estelle.

Performers ranging from the age of three to 53 showcased an immense and varied variety of their class work with more energy and enthusiasm that I have ever seen in a show.

The “babies” of course, always steal the show but it goes without saying that each and every dance student gave 100pc and more. Former students of Dance Estelle returned to support Estelle by joining her in past favourite dances of the last 10 years.

Estelle delighted the audiences by appearing on stage and to roaring applause after a break from dancing six years ago when she gave birth to her first son. Well done Estelle, and well done to each and everyone who took part.

VANESSA BULLER

Poplar Avenue,

Gorleston