Look at good side of library

As a person born and bred in Great Yarmouth, I too am passionate about the town. That is why I and a small band of volunteers have created the Growing Together Community Garden.

We meet every Tuesday and since the garden was created in 2011 it has evolved into a pleasant space with raised beds growing flowers, tomatoes, cabbages, pumpkins etc attracting bees, butterflies and wildlife as well as some undesirable people!

We litter pick and clear up the cans and bottles as well as gardening. So many people stop me and say how lovely it is looking. We hold workshops and have the children in for different activities, planting seeds and bulbs and bug hunting.

Please can we look at the good side of our great library and not be put off by the minority of people who do not want to be helped.

GRACE EDWARDS

Chairman

Growing Together

Great Yarmouth Library

Our roundabouts are weed-ridden

When is the responsible council going to do something about most of the roundabouts in and around Great Yarmouth?

As you approach the town from all sides (Acle to Gorleston) you are confronted with over-grown, weed-ridden horrors which give the impression of what Great Yarmouth has become - certainly not Great!

Maybe the re-titling Greater was meant to suggest that it is greater rather than lesser but whichever way you look the impression is one of neglect and that certainly sums the town up in one lately.

ANN HARMAN

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Shrublands was a happy place

I read with interest the recent article about Shrublands House. It has so many happy memories for me.

I joined Shrublands at the age of 16 and am still in contact with many members from the 1950s.

In those days the house was a hive of activity in every room – play readings, chess club, music and discussions amongst them. Also there was a very well run canteen. I remember a large library which I was asked to re-organise.

I also recall typing articles for the Shrublands Times in the attic!

The mixture of people of all ages was hugely successful. Under the inspirational guidance of Julian Macey Shrublands was such a positive force in all our lives.

We in the 1950s were so lucky. It is extremely sad to see this building, which was the focal point of the centre, left abandoned.

Please Norfolk County Council, learn from the vision of the 1940s Great Yarmouth education committee and act before it is too late.

J R BROOKS

Orpington,

Kent

Searching for Tungate family

Who do you think you are? We are looking for any descendants of John Tungate born in 1883, Alice Edith Tungate (nee Nichols) or Ivy Mary Tungate born in 1914 in Runham. We would also love to trace relatives of Sylvia Mary Tungate.

John Tungate was my great grandfather and I believe he drowned in December 1917 on board the Drifter Piscatorial.

He is on the war memorial inside Runham church. We believe the L Tungate who is on the war memorial and who died in 1943 aged 30 may also be a family member.

The Knights family of Runham (who lived on Low Road in 1891) are also relatives. William Saul Knights, Priscilla Knights, Benjamin Knights and Eddie Knights all lived in Runham.

Does anyone have any information about these people? We would be most grateful if you could contact me on tjwatts@hotmail.co.uk

T J RICHARDS

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Blue plaque in wrong place

Reference to the article in last week’s Mercury concerning the placing of the blue plaque on the site of the George Loades Court at Newport Road, Hemsby.

It was stated as being the place where he was born, as far as I know there has never been any dwellings on that land before, it has always been farm land.

I have lived here since 1947 and the only houses here then were the row of council houses and old Bickley House. Newport Road was named Field Road then.

George Loades was living on Martham Road before he went in the army in 1914, he was a young gamekeeper. He died 13 October 1915 in Flanders.

He was not born on Newport Road.

PEGGY SUTTON

Newport Road

Hemsby

Ferryside had a sense of gravitas

As a resident of Great Yarmouth for many years I feel entitled to question the use of Yarmouth library as a registry office.

I have to visit the library on occasions and each time I wonder who could ever have thought it was a good cost cutting idea to move the ceremony of marriage from Ferryside, a building with gravitas and a sense of occasion, to an impersonal and characterless structure designed to house books.

The thoroughfare to the entrance is generally rundown and littered with bottles - on one occasion I had to wait inside whilst the police broke up a fight!

The rooms inside are functional and featureless – great for an efficient, well run library but not what you would expect or hope for on what is supposed to be one of the most memorable days of your life.

The selection of a building like this reflects poorly on Yarmouth –especially when compared to Norwich.

Recently I had register the death of my father and the experience was of walking through a library with people chatting and staring as I walked past the line of internet users - to the room itself, functional and featureless!

Whether you are getting married or registering a death these are important and relevant episodes in people’s lives and should be recognised as such.

Can you compare them to changing a library book or reading an email?

Ferryside is no longer an option but surely the Town Hall would at least offer some of the qualities needed to give these important events the recognition they deserve.

JANE KRUBER

Claydon Grove

Gorleston-on sea

Decide which is more important

An interesting juxtaposition of views and opinions in stories and letters this week in the Mercury. On the one hand a whole page devoted to the new homes proposed for the fringes of Ormesby and Caister.

On the other, two letters, ostensibly about the library but at the same time drawing appropriate attention to the very real problem of homelessness in the borough.

I suppose the bottom line here is this: which is more important - losing a vista of wildlife-rich fields and having other gardens backing onto your garden fence on the one hand; or giving homeless people a roof over their head and at least the modicum of a chance of getting on the housing ladder?

I’m sorry, but I’m afraid this is a no-brainier.

MIKE SPRAGG

Collingwood Road,

Great Yarmouth

Holds-ups on the new road

We have lived in Green Lane for 40 years. We do not like or want the new road link from the A12 to Belton etc.

A total waste of money, but having to endure the hold-ups, noise etc, which has been going on forever, the worst aspect is the hundreds of houses blotting the once lovely horizon again.

But my wonder is, we are all bombarded with phone calls about the wonderful invention of solar panels on our roofs, and how we should have them and they would save us all so much money.

Yes maybe, if you are young enough, but it’s not for the OAPs.

Anyway if they are so marvellous why isn’t Persimmon Homes putting these square objects on every roof of the brand new houses going up right now. Is there a reason please? Also, can’t wait to view the new proposed school, dentist and doctors surgery. Hmm I wonder if that was all talk!

JENNIFER ELLIOTT

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Tories said we would have say!

Once again we are being told that we “need” more houses built. Why is it that they all have to be built on agricultural land just outside the parish boundaries?

The objectors go through the same ritual every time, the developer applies for planning consent, consent is refused, developer re-applies for more houses and is granted consent even though the original reasons for the refusal of consent are still a problem ie flooding, traffic danger or services under capacity etc.

What happened to the Tory idea that the people of the area would have a say in any developments in their area. They are so bogged down in red tape and gobbledigook that the average man in the street doesn’t have a clue what it all means. Why can’t developers be made responsible for rectifying the problems before being allowed to build and be made to stand by them for an agreed period after rather than grabbing the money and running?

What we really need is “cheaper” houses so people can afford to buy them, at the moment the only people who are benefitting are the developers, estate agents and the Tories who are building their way out of the recession as they did in the previous recession.

There are plenty of brownfield sites in Yarmouth that could be developed leaving the countryside for future generations to enjoy, without the eye sore of urban sprawl. The one ideal place that springs to immediately to mind is the outer harbour. Fill it in and build on it!

VAUGHAN LEGGETT

King George Avenue,

Rollesby

Time to move register office

Sadly some of your correspondents have missed the point of the article about the registration service in the library in Great Yarmouth.

If there are no problems:

1 Why was there a meeting at GYBC to discuss the problems of the area around the library

2 The ex manager of the registry office put an email on the Mercury comments page saying there were grave misgivings about the move to the library but management wouldn’t listen

3 The police have been requested to do more visits to the library

4 A cleaning team have been round and cleaned some of the mess away

5 Radio Norfolk covered the story in depth until 9.30am on Monday morning, after the report in the Mercury, and was their lead story.

Nobody is saying that the library, Salvation Army and registration office staff don’t go way beyond the call of duty in very difficult circumstance, the only answer is for the registry office to move before it’s to late

PETER JONES

Bradwell

Holes caused by quicksand?

Some years ago there was big sewer project going on in Gorleston installing larger sewer piles feeding into a number of pumping stations.

During the installation of the Baker Street sewage outfall it was found the site chosen had a quicksand effect, which created a situation whereby the more excavation that was taken out the more sludge was running in, tons upon tons of it.

The caused concern as from where it was coming and this went on for some weeks. The excavation material had to be carted away without too much thought of its origins.

There must have been various voids created around the High Street and the like, which have started to leave us with nasty cave-ins. Or, what is the cause?

JACK DYE

Gonville Road,

Gorleston

Register office demise disgrace

The demise of the registry office in Great Yarmouth is not only shocking but a disgrace. From one of the most profitable and well organised parts of the local government service it has come to this.

Since the move from Ferryside to the public library it is impossible to give a proper and professional service.

What should be the greatest day in a person’s life as a bride or groom has been turned into a nightmare with some, sadly, suffering words of abuse on approaching the library premises.

People registering births and deaths are also subjected to sights that are unacceptable in the grounds of the library.

The move of taking wedding bookings and the organisation of weddings out of the local offices to the “Wedding Hub” in Norwich has been disastrous. The simple ability to answer a phone seems way beyond their capabilities.

After reading the article in the Mercury, who would want to get married in the library? Yarmouth is going through difficult times and for the council to charge exactly the same amount as the beautiful Churchman House and other registry offices in the county is an insult to the people of Great Yarmouth.

Move the registry office to somewhere more suitable and there are many buildings in Yarmouth which fall into this category. Put the Great back into Great Yarmouth.

Name and Address withheld

Town remains the trash can

I was pleased with the article of July 14 regarding Yarmouth library as it’s been a horrible area and eyesore for months. Do the staff not see what’s happening there for goodness sake? We are always shocked and annoyed at the state of the place, particularly at the health centre where one is more likely to catch something on entry than in the community.

I have complained several times to the town council but to no avail. They really do not seem to be bothered and as for Yarmouth being “upgraded” to a better family seaside resort it has no chance whatsoever while it remains the trash can it is.

Litter picking and cleanliness is obviously a very low priority and is progressively getting worse.

Keep showing them up!

TERRY WINTER

Chedgrave

Stop using a mobile in car

I cannot believe people still use their mobile phones while driving. I saw a young lady driver talking on her phone; away with the fairies. And to make it stand out she had a dog in the front as well.

l really think they leave their brains at home. When they kill someone or cause a serious accident they have to live with that. There was time there was no mobile phones...now they are just an everyday thing.

THERESA WHITMORE

email

Warmth attracts less fortunate

I was left horrified and completely disgusted after reading your article on Great Yarmouth Registry office.

Having been born and raised in Great Yarmouth, I was appalled to read that people, during the happiest time of their lives and indeed the saddest, have to endure the disgusting sight that confronts them.

After reading this I decided to research other registry offices around the country. I also visited Churchman House.

There is absolutely no comparison at all. They are clean, presentable and safe for a start.

I also noted that sadly, there is a large community of homeless residents around the area.

The safety, warmth, and covered areas within the library area, along with the nearby Salvation Army will only attract the less fortunate within our community.

However sad this is, and of course they should have a place of safety, this is not the setting of a wedding venue.

If I ask you is Great Yarmouth registry and wedding venue the worst registry office in the country? The answer will probably be Yes!

ANNIE MARSDEN

Yarmouth Road,

Ormesby St Margaret

Thanks for your UKIP votes

UKIP Great Yarmouth would like to say a big thank you to all who voted for us during Thursday’s county council by-election for the Gorleston St. Andrew’s seat. While it is unfortunate our candidate Adrian Myers was not elected, we are still on course to see success in next year’s borough council elections.

HAYDEN TURNER

Press Officer

UKIP Great Yarmouth

Sister Teresa is highly respected

Many thanks for your column on Sister Teresa Walsh (July 17) and the wonderful occasion of her 100th birthday. Sister Brenda as she is known and loved by her former babies in her reception class in St Mary’s.

As a cry-baby six year old who had recently moved from Wroxham to Great Yarmouth, I was a grateful recipient of her loving care and concern as were countless others in the town.

The old school situated in Roman Place was warm and friendly and I made many life-long friends there, with whom I am still in touch.

The Sisters of St Louis were well-loved and respected and were a modern order who instilled a love of learning, good manners and an inherent respect for their teaching. That is not to say they were a push-over and their discipline sometimes manifested itself in the infamous “tapsy” which resounded over knuckles when the right arithmetical answer was nor forthcoming.

But there were no hard feelings in those days and although times have radically changed there still resonates a real and valid respect for their education. I myself experienced this of the highest order and my love

of literature and history is largely down to them. Although unfortunately I cannot say the same of mathematics which I had no natural aptitude but managed to scrape through with their assistance.

The Sisters have now left the town but they still leave a legacy and their ethos continues today in St Marys Primary School in Gorleston. Sister Teresa’s photograph still radiates with her on-going love for people and all the children she has taught and I so enjoyed reading her very interesting back story.

As Father Simon Blakesley counted her many and well-deserved blessings so do her numerous children who have grown-up with an example of love and service instilled in them, from a very early and formative age. So I know we all extend her every good wish and more very happy years to come.

JUDITH A DANIELS

Winifred Road,

Cobholm

Pay for missed appointments

Why do people make appointments at the doctors, dentists, hospitals, vets etc and fail to turn up. I had to wait a week to get an appointment to see my doctor.

I find that 300 people a month failed to turn up in and 67 in one week. It takes less than five minutes to pick up the phone and cancel, so people like myself can get in. Do these people not feel guilty, this is all money the NHS is losing.

It think it’s disgusting. People should be made to pay.

C A BALLS

Bradwell

Hope the port sale will keep promise

In an article in the Mercury last week, the chairman of the Port Authority talks of how reducing the number of board members will not diminish the authority’s powers as a backstop.

I would point out the Great Yarmouth Port Authority has no powers over the port, only with the port pilots. It is worth pointing out the private port company has been controlled by the investment company Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) since May 2007.

If the authority had any power over GIP or the private Port Company Mr Pryke’s comment of “hope” that whoever bought the port company was an established port operator was not something to hope for but GYPA had the power to insist.

In the advert for applicants there is no mention of Port Users applying, one would have thought that with up to the minute knowledge the Port Users would be first to be offered a position.

Yes, the Port Authority has a vested interest they should have but not because they have one share (that gives no voting rights and only attending the AGM of the port company as observer).

As for his view of in the future the ferry could happen, this could be questionable as the south side is beach the west is filled with a mountain of granite and the north side is a storage berth for ships laid up.

What is absent from his article is any mention of what the outer harbour was built for, much needed Jobs and facilities to bring revenue to our holiday industry.

I would like to believe the sale of our river and outer harbour will bring the success that was promised us eight years ago.

JOHN L COOPER

Burnt Lane

Gorleston

Surgeries move to centre of town

We would appreciate it if you would allow us to bring to the attention of your readers, in particular, patients of King Street and South Quay Surgeries that we are moving to new premises, in central Great Yarmouth.

Our current surgeries no longer comply with latest healthcare regulations hence we will move to The Lighthouse on Howard Street South which is a short walk from our current surgeries.

The Lighthouse has recently been renovated and refurbished to meet the latest healthcare regulations. It is the tall grey building with a circular window on top with its entrance just behind the Greyfriars Walk-In Centre.

Please note it is not part of the Greyfriars Walk-In Centre, which is a totally different practice.

We believe moving will improve the service we provide and help to ensure this is protected and provided for years to come. Our planned relocation has already assisted in attracting three new GPs, helping us to continue to provide the highest standards of care. Patients will continue to see their existing doctor and health care team at the new premises.

We open at The Lighthouse on August 24 and will have an opening ceremony at 1pm on Friday, August 28 followed by an open afternoon until 3pm.

Letters to communicate our move are being distributed to existing patients and updates will appear on our websites and Facebook page.

THE GP PARTNERS

East Norfolk Medical Practice

Strangehold on resort’s tourism

As a lifelong conservationist I was delighted to read that, after decades of empty promises, the Acle Straight will not be dualled for some years, if ever.

Of course these tiny snails must be protected even if it does mean a few more costly accidents, some fatal, a restricted access to Norwich and the rest of the country and a stranglehold on tourism and business in general.

The various unelected and doubtless highly-paid experts have spoken so who are we to question their wisdom? The men in white suits can find me in Seafield Close.

NICK POWNALL

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