Letters, July 1 2016

Just thought I should correct one of the letters in last week’s paper from M Moss of Bradwell. They state overcrowding on Service 9 from the Shrublands and Gorleston Cliffs and state the previous service was every 20 minutes. This is incorrect. Up to May 28, the service 2 that used to serve Shrublands was every 30 minutes, as was the service 6, which it still is, every 30 minutes and operates down Crab Lane to Bradwell.

A lot of the scaremongering about these changes takes away from the fact that since the re-timetabling, allowing buses more recovery time in the traffic, has resulted in a more reliable service. I can say this as I travel widely across the borough, daily, only using public transport as I have no car and do not want one!

If all the people who were in the picture in a recent issue at Newport only came out and used the buses regularly then I am sure despite the problems with reversing at Newport, I can confirm is difficult, First would still be running down there through the summer.

STEVE HEWITT

East Norfolk Transport Users Association

Rest of Europe never liked us!

So we are now out of the EU and I can’t say I am sad because I never liked any of the songs they sang, most of which weren’t even in English. And the rest of Europe never liked us anyway. Over the years what they did to our representatives was disgusting. First they took away poor old Sandie’s shoes on health and safety grounds and then forced Sir Cliff to do that Dad dance during his appearance in their parliament.

Things did change for the better when the Swedish Abba defeated the French Napoleon at Waterloo in Belgium but that is all history now.

The final straw was allowing the Australians in, no one can understand what they are talking about and they make no attempt to learn our language. Their justice system is a throwback to yesteryear, with no court of human rights, just their own kangaroo courts.

My only concern is what will happen to the channel tunnel now we are not connected to the mainland of Europe. Will it just sink to the bottom of the sea?

DAVE GAHAN

Email

Brexit will not solve problems

The terms Royalists and Roundheads spring to mind, when during the English Civil War the Royalists supported the monarchy and the Roundheads supported parliament.

The terms Bourgeoisie and Proletariats during the communist revolution spring to mind when the Bourgeoisie supported anything that would not pose any ramifications on their wealth whilst the Proletariats supported anything that would hamper the Bourgeoisie wealth.

Now at this present time in the UK we have another two different sets of people, Pro-Europeans and Little Englanders or to quote an article in the Daily Mail “Those with Money and Those Without”.

This Brexit campaign has brainwashed people into thinking that leaving the EU will fix problems such as immigration and NHS funding which is all part and parcel of an intelligent party campaign. However, the way Nigel Farage has turned this referendum into a class vote is absolutely disgusting. This referendum should have been decided solely by educated (researched) commonsense votes. Instead Nigel Farage instilled voters with a sense of brother against brother. Votes turned personal and it seems Mr Farage was able to get people to vote with the emphasis being getting one over the middle, upper class, and anyone of non-British birth, instead of what was actually best for the country as a whole.

DANIEL CANDON

Isaacs Road,

Great Yarmouth

Common man was not listened to

Over the last three years there have been many incidents that should have triggered a question by those we put in charge of our leadership. But no, the common man was not listened to (are they ever?). In Margaret Thatcher’s day, they would not have come away empty as PM Cameron did. Why did we have silence from our own MP Brandon Lewis; he was aware that 72pc of his constituents wanted immigration reduced.

The bleating has started: £ cheaper, jobs moving to Europe, food prices up, youths saying pensioners stabbed them in the back, and it goes on! Mr Cameron, on his election as PM in 2010, promised to curb immigration, but how could he? He was not strong enough to face down the unelected bureaucrats that run the EU so more and more arrived.

Brexit tried to explain that Britain was very small compared to Germany and France and our public services could not cope, the lower class were losing out in schools, housing, NHS, jobs; nothing was done about the cries of the common man. Now, rather than address the problems arising from our leaving, David Cameron is passing the buck.

The EU could work but only under a totally different type of regime that is infinitely less dictatorial and autocratic but it won’t change because it cannot, due to the mindset of those in charge.

In 1973 I voted to join a Common Market, I did not vote to have our lives run by dictatorial Europeans.

A document drawn up last autumn by several key EU politicians states: “We are convinced that new impetus must be given to European integration” and that deeper integration “should not be limited to the field of economic and fiscal matters, or to the internal market and to agricultural policy. It should include all matters pertaining to the European ideal - social and cultural affairs as well as foreign, security and defence policy.”

More than 17,410,740 did not vote for this takeover of all aspects of our lives, and the majority of the 16 million Remain voters did not. In the meantime refugees are still flooding into Europe.

JOHN L COOPER

Burnt Lane,

Gorleston

In praise of all James Paget staff

I am writing in praise of all staff, day and night, on ward six of the James Paget Hospital. Having been an in-patient for two nights I was treated well with dignity, respect and courtesy.

Many thanks for an excellent job.

Mrs A DOLAN

Address withheld

Council to blame for bus route cut

Re the fact that the Anglian bus 61 is to be terminated at Kessingland, instead of serving the A12 road south, including Southwold. The possible reason is Southwold town council is stopping buses using the town centre to pick up and drop off passengers.

A visitor to Southwold would be expected to (often semi-ambulant) walk along badly maintained pavements for half a mile to reach the centre of this historical town. Also a few years back, Anglian also axed a service to Saxmundham, connecting Aldeburgh, along the busy A12 road, serving also Darsham station and Yoxford.

So Suffolk County Council... take note.

ALAN KRITUNAS

Gorleston

Big thanks to the staff at Paget

After my recent stay in the James Paget Hospital, I would like to say a big thank you to all the doctors, nurses, cleaners, and admin on ward five and the intensive care unit. Your kindness and helpfulness was very much appreciated

SID HOUSTON

Gorleston

Vote the result of Euro scepticisim

This referendum is the result of 40-odd years of Euro scepticism. Our EU view has been poisoned by many parts of the media who appear to have an agenda which totally ignored the realities of the situation. They wilfully overlooked all the good things the EU did and highlighted just the stupidities of the system.

Both Labour and Conservative politicians used the EU as a scapegoat to cover their own inadequacies. The biggest problem, immigration, was not dealt with effectively years ago and it was left to the poorest people in our land having to deal with the huge impact of this avoidance policy while politicians sat knitting by the guillotine!

A dear friend who voted to leave said it was because he could not see a future for his children inside the EU. That is a serious indictment of our leadership. The EU itself is not without blame. But within any fledging union of nations there are bound to be setbacks. After all, the USA is still a work in progress after 200-odd years – just look at Trump and Clinton to see this.

Let’s face it, our neglect of rigorous political debate - the cornerstone of any democracy - plus our wilful abandoning of voting participation in the political processes and electing (some) politicians who value progress within their party above sound policies for the country has led us to this result. Congratulations to the Leave campaign - I am contemplating a move to Scotland!

PENELOPE SCOTT

email

Hotel would add to more traffic

Why for goodness sake would Great Yarmouth need another Travel Lodge which would be adding more congestion to Pasteur Road. It’s bad enough now. If there is an accident Yarmouth comes to a standstill.

Not so long ago an application went in for Dunelms to build on that site but no, the council blocked it. Such a shame, it’s a lovely shop. Now will the council block this application, another hotel, coffee shop, do we need them? It will be nice when Iceland opens up over Gapton. No problem parking.

C A BALLS,

Bradwell

Claydon was once Gorleston Girls’

Re the time capsules under the development area in Beccles Road, Gorleston. Prior to the site being occupied by Claydon School it was home to Gorleston Girls’ School.

This opened in September 1952. I was appointed school secretary in June 1953 and I transferred to St Edmund’s RC School in July 1963. Miss Idea Kenyon was the headmistress in July 1963.

In September 1964, the first intake of boys moved from their Alderman Leach School and the Girls School was renamed Claydon. The head was Branson Jones.

PAMELA FOWLER( nee Lucy)

Hopton

June: A month of collective suicide

June is the month when Europeans excel in “collective suicide”.

n22 June 1941: Hitler invades Russia

n24 June 1812: Napoleon invades Russia

n28 June 1914: Archduke Ferdinand of Austria is assassinated

n23 June 2016: UK exits EU

The big difference between these collective suicides resides in a deeply different psychological profile of the leaders. In the past they were greedy, violent megalomaniacs; today they are frivolous mediocrities like Mr Cameron who played poker with the destiny of his countrymen, perhaps to secure the leadership of a political party?

DEREK LEAK

Brasnose Avenue,

Gorleston

Politicians are not in the real world

And now it is all over and Leave have won and but have shocked the establishment because most politicians are still totally disconnected from the people they are supposed to represent. They are not in the real world and expected Remain to win.

Now the Labour Party is in a total mess and Cameron is going in October and I am certain Osborne will be going with him. But when we have a new Prime Minster it is to be hoped he/she will be much more in touch with the general public because sadly Cameron never was.

The country can then start to unite and negotiate a good deal and get out of a broken EU for once and for all. This country’s long term future will be much better than it would otherwise have been if we had decided to Remain.

P J MANTRIPP

Leman Road,

Gorleston

Voted away funds for third crossing

As they say in showbusiness: Go big or go home! I had hoped to do both, and I want to thank Peggotty for exhuming my (quickly-forgotten) plan to turn Yarmouth into Norfolk’s gateway to the EU’s single energy market. However, the plan was not to build a brand new line, but to dual, electrify, improve and extend the existing Norwich-Yarmouth line through the town to the Outer Harbour.

Sadly, all for naught! The plan for the third bridge will bypass and further isolate our already isolated town, if it gets built at all. The EU funding that was guaranteed for it we have voted away, and as our economy has lost more money in four days than we ever gave to the EU in 40 years, an equivalent amount from our government is unlikely to be forthcoming.

Finally, thank you for the lovely picture of my grandfather and our fearless former Mayor, George Scott. He advocated a worldly Great Yarmouth that looked to the Continent with pride, partnership and welcome. He did a lot of good, and I am proud to be his grandson, and proud to be from Great Yarmouth.

ANDERS LARSON

Vienna,

Austria

Thanks for voting to leave the EU

I am writing to say a big thank you to all residents who voted in the referendum and a huge thank you to the 35,844 people who voted leave. We had 72PC of the count which was the 5th highest in the UK. No one can argue that is not a legitimate result!

The day itself was great with people from all over the borough eagerly going out to vote, with higher turnout than even the general election. The referendum has galvanised people and it was refreshing to see people who hadn’t voted for decades coming out.

This referendum has proven if people believe they have a genuine choice then they will vote. It should be a reminder to all politicians, parties and party leaders that if you engage with the public, listen and give them a genuine choice they will turnout.

It has empowered many citizens who feel disenfranchised because parties have become filled with elites and lost touch with the reality of what normal life is actually like.

It is now chance for leaders to reconnect with the people and could reinvigorate politics at a local and indeed national level.

The nation voted by a majority of 1.3 million and I urge national politicians to get on with the job of leaving the EU. Not one person from the Leave groups has said anything about turning their backs on Europe; this is about a new relationship, one in which will heal our divisions and in the long term boost our relationship.

I am concerned some of our leaders and some MPs propose to ignore the result or water it down and I urge all residents from all over the country to ensure the people’s choice is implemented.

To the people and especially the young who are concerned about us leaving I say you have nothing to fear, the Third World War will not happen and the stock market and pound falling is just hedge funds and currency traders betting against each other. The future is exciting for all.

To the ultra remainiacs I say it is time to start accepting other people’s views and concerns. Britain is a great country and exciting times lay ahead. Our future is now in the hands of the people we elect.

Politicians cannot hide behind the EU as an excuse for problems and true democracy has been restored.

ANDY GRANT

Vote Leave constituency coordinator

Ormesby

Trawl through the columns of press

If Norfolk’s new Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green really wants the public’s views on improving the policing of the county he could start by getting his researchers to trawl back through the correspondence columns of the local press to provide a precis of various complaints/ suggestions on the subject from readers.

However, if my own experience is anything to go by, embarrassing questions are usually sullenly ignored by those in authority.

I had a letter published in the Great Yarmouth Mercury on July 10, 2009, about sick leave complacency in the Norfolk Force, and am still awaiting a response.

JOHN KENNY

Habgood Close,

Acle

This grey and tatty place

I am, perhaps, fortunate in being able to remember seaside holidays in Scarborough in the 1940s and 1950s. I remember the amazing cleanness and smartness of the streets and public places near the sea. There were flowerbeds everywhere, all planted out with dizzying coloured bedding plants. Grassed areas were bright, green and not a blade of grass out of place, all edges trimmed, a bit like a Sergeant Major’s short back and sides but very smart and neat.

Peasholm Park was splendid, the boating lake, similar to our Waterways, full of small rowing boats, peddle boats and canoes, again with a profusion of bright bedding plants and ornamental trees and shrubs and full of happy holidaymakers.

I had recently looked round Hemsby and been so disappointed. We have some 20,000, yes 20,000, bed spaces for holidaymakers in Hemsby. There are a few small planted-up beds, supplied by local businesses and maintained by the Parish Council, the rest of the village is totally unkempt. Grass and weeds in the roadside verges either 18ins high or covered inches deep in brown or grey rotting cut grass after an infrequent cut.

I wondered if this state of decay was peculiar to Hemsby, so I looked round Yarmouth and Caister. They are much the same. A rough count showed about 10 small flowerbeds in Yarmouth, some on the seafront near the Wellington Pier and the remainder near the Town Hall and the boarded up banks. No Floral Clock outside the Carlton, no bright flowers anywhere. All the former planted areas along the seafront now have low maintenance (or no maintenance) dusty and tatty shrubs in them. One thing that Hemsby, Caister and Yarmouth do share are the grasses and weeds which proliferate in the gutters and in every crack or crevice in the pavements. I know the Council is financially restricted by the government but, surely, as a major holiday destination, we must do better than what is on display today? What must our holiday visitors think and will they visit this grey and tatty place again?

GORDON CRAIG

Pit Road,

Hemsby

Now repeal the Human Rights Act

It is my hope that government will have the courage, and post-haste repeal the most pernicious of laws: the 1998 Human Rights Act. If human rights supporters are sincere in protecting human rights, there is no better place to start than advocating for repeal of the shed loads of acrimonious legislation that has built up over the years that actually undermine the very freedoms they are supposed to defend.

R HAYES

Bradwell

Stop people from feeding seagulls

I can’t believe the story about the fire brigade rescuing a seagull, what a waste of resources. We are plagued with them nesting on our roofs in Caister and one dive-bombed me as I opened my garage door. What needs to happen before the council does anything to deter them?

Recently on a visit to Llandudno I noticed how free of seagulls the town and seafront was, mainly because of the signs everywhere saying “ Do not feed the birds”.

Maybe if this was implemented in Great Yarmouth Market Place it would stop people throwing them chips. If it carries on like this we could end up like the Hitchcock film The Birds!

ANN HAMILTON

Email

Accept result and the consequences

I attended the EU referendum count at Great Yarmouth Town Hall on Thursday night and it became fairly obvious early on that the electorate had voted by a majority of approx 2.5 to 1 to leave the EU.

Nationally the Leave group won by just under 4pc (nearly two million votes) with a 72pc turnout. We must now accept this result whichever way we voted and work out the consequences of it without recriminations, hatred, calling for a second referendum etc.

As predicted in my letter in the Mercury two weeks ago, the result would cause a serious political crisis eg resignation of the Prime Minister, leadership contests for both the Conservative and Labour parties causing deep rifts, calls for a second Scottish referendum to remain in the EU, implications for Northern Ireland, and most European countries telling us to hurry the process up etc.

Exchange rates and the Stock Markets are down - whether this will be a long term trend or a knee jerk reaction remains (no pun intended) to be seen.

Both the Leave and Remain campaigns probably made some exagerrated claims but the reality of the consequences will have to wait until Article 50 has been activated and the two-year countdown clock starts ticking.

No doubt there will be many other letters on the EU referendum in this issue but as I also mentioned two weeks ago it’s no use complaining if you were part of the approximately 28pc of the electorate who did not bother to vote.

The collective democratic voice of the country as a whole has spoken, we must all now accept the result, deal with the consequences and move on.

ANTHONY HARRIS

Churchill Road,

Great Yarmouth