Letters, June 19, 2105

Having just read this week’s Mercury, June 12, I would like to say how much very positive news about our wonderful towns of Gorleston and Great Yarmouth there is in it.

Last Saturday I helped man the Interfaith table upstairs in Yarmouth library where there were many beautiful displays from different and diverse cultural minorities, as well as social and community activities, all based in the town.

It followed the fantastic Arts Festival parade through the town. We were busy all day in the library and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many happy and creative people from so many far flung places. As well as the displays there were many performances by dancers, musicians and representatives of many of the multi cultural groups in the town. This is cultural integration at its best.

I felt it was a very happy celebration and coming together of the many vibrant and diverse groups which make our amazing place. But let’s not publicise it too loudly as they will all want to come here!

DAVID KELF

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Hospice beds always planned

I should like to reply to the claim that “the public will be confused” contained in the article published on the front page of last week’s Mercury.

Phase One of the Louise Hamilton Centre (LHC) appeal was mounted in 2006 – at least one year before the East Coast Hospice appeal was started - to raise money to build a centre on JPH land, to be funded entirely by publicly raised funds, to provide information and support for those suffering with life-threatening illness, and at no time was it stated that the provision of beds was to be included.

However it was always made clear the intention was that Phase Two would be to build a bedded unit hospice.

Phase One was completed in 2013 and the centre formally opened by Princess Anne, with Phase Two of the appeal to be announced as and when the time was right to do so. It has been decided that the time is now.

Knowing that all of the money raised would go directly into the fund to support the building and running of the centre, and that none would be used to pay the running costs of charity shops and salaries, I have been pleased to be associated with this very worthy cause.

My own husband died several years ago after a very serious illness, and he always said that he wanted to give something back.

I was in the fortunate position of being able to donate the cost of a treatment room in his memory, and I will continue my support of this charity through Phase Two.

To repeat: I do not understand why there is this confusion – we were there first and have already delivered all that was promised in Phase One. I am looking forward to the completion of Phase Two.

JULIA BOLCH

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We ‘raised the roof’ on hall

I was surprised to read East Coast Hospice claim the phrase “raising the roof” as it own. I believed it was in common usage.

We used the phrase some years ago our new village hall was being built; and in another village it was used to launch fundraising for a new roof for the church.

Does this mean in this area no-one is allowed to use the phrase for their own charity fundraising? I have actually contributed to both East Coast Hospice and Palliative Care East.

Name and Address withheld

The rundown look of seafront

I’m living in Norwich right now and always when finding free time I take my girlfriend and try to find a new nice place to go. This time we chose Great Yarmouth.

It was a nice sunny day, the mood was perfect for a walk by Yarmouth beach. We found free car parking before the funfair park and were thinking of walking the whole beach by the side of North Sea. The first thing when we came closer to the water was to see some old frames with wheels next to the water. On a public beach that was a shocking view but we decided to keep moving.

The funfair rides were already closed, it was about 5pm, and the rides looked from outside looked like they would be too old for use.

The water slide in the funfair park was working, but it was so noisy and while we watched, they closed it also.

As we walked to the beach centre the sea was dirty and we lost all our mood. The attractions looked so poor and close to bankrupt. Paints, ads, names, decorations quality was very bad. So we decided we should go back to the car as everything was closing. But on the way back we saw crazy golf with a really nice presentation, so we tried it and it was really good. Good that we tried it to lift up our mood otherwise probably we would be never coming back here.

We hope they will start do something about it, because the Yarmouth beach looks like it is dying.

NARIMANTAS TUBELIS

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Apology for use of ‘roof’ phrase

I am more than surprised to find that my use of the words “Raise the Roof” have offended members of East Coast Hospice, therefore for this reason I would wish to offer a public apology.

I would also wish to convey to the public the reason for using this commonly used phrase. Recently the Louise Hamilton Centre Choir were excitedly arranging their first public concert when a member turned to me expressing how great it would be for the choir to engage in a concert and, in her words, “ raise the roof on phase 2’’.

The comment remained in my mind when I wrote the article for the Mercury. I was unaware this was something East Coast Hospice had coined. I would also like to add that this is not something that we ever intend to use in our fundraising endeavour as our strap line is “Help us to complete the journey”.

ROBERTA LOVICK

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Put interests of the people first

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to reply to your recent article regarding charity’s anger at rival bid to build a hospice, Mercury, May 12.

In 2006 an appeal was mounted by Palliative Care East to raise funds to build the Louise Hamilton Centre on JPH land to provide information and support for those experiencing life threatening illnesses.

At that time, I assisted on a couple of occasions with collecting funds outside local supermarkets and at jumble sales.

In 2011 following a routine three yearly mammogram I was given the news I had breast cancer. Throughout the chemotherapy and since the resource centre at the Louise Hamilton Centre have offered a place of safety and psychological support plus invaluable resource information all situated in one place which is local and accessible.

My main fear is regarding the East Coast Hospice Appeal, that incidentally commenced fundraising a full year after Palliative Care East commenced their appeal, is their seemingly reluctance to work alongside Palliative Care East seeing themselves as a rival to them, and thus causing confusion amongst the general public.

Ms Beesley must be aware of the devastating consequences of her recent comments on the most vulnerable of people, those with life limiting illnesses and their families.

Without doubt each and everyone wishes for our family and friends, should the unthinkable happen, good palliative care and support as provided on the JPH site by the Louise Hamilton Centre.

Before making such comments Ms Beesley needs to revisit the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct dated 2015 which states: “work in partnership with people to make sure you deliver care effectively”. “Act in partnership with those receiving care, helping them to access relevant health and social care, information and support when they need it”.

Putting “The interests of people using or needing nursing (or Midwifery) services first.”

As a person who has had to “tap” into the services of Palliative Care East and also as a Registered Nurse I fully endorse the N.C Code 2015 that states: “that those receiving care are treated with respect, that their rights are upheld and that any discriminatory attitudes and behaviours towards those receiving care are challenged.”

This is why I have decided to write this letter to you.

SUZAN WHITELOCK

Louise Hamilton Centre Service User

Parking rules will hit stalls

I feel I must write regarding the tea stalls on Great Yarmouth Market, which for many years have been supported by very early morning customers. The customers park close by for a very short amount of time and cause no problem. They have now been told they must not park there as there are parking restrictions.

My husband and others have enjoyed these facilities for many, many years, having a chat over a bacon roll and a cup of tea.

These tea stalls need and rely on these customers very badly and it will be a great shame if this is the demise of them. It would not be a market without the tea stalls, not forgetting the chip stalls.

We know there are enough problems in Great Yarmouth without hitting the small market trader as well. They don’t want to ask for exceptions to the law, but can’t a compromise be found, or maybe a little commonsense could prevail.

Let’s all try and overcome these problems before it’s too late.

Name and address withheld

Memory book launch success

On Saturday, June 13, I had the launch of my latest book, Beighton & Moulton St Mary Remembered, at Beighton village hall.

Shirley Crosby and her team sold refreshments raising money for her charity. Even though there was heavy rain the hall was full of people, some travelling from miles away to meet up with old school friends they had not seen for 50 years.

I would like to thank everyone for the stories and photographs they supplied to me for the book: without people like this these books would not be possible. I also wish to thank Shirley Crosby for inviting me to come to the village hall to do the book launch.

If anyone is having difficulty obtaining the book please ring me on 01508 492239.

SHEILA HUTCHINSON

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Real nursing in the James Paget

I was recently in James Paget Hospital ward 7, bay 2, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to all staff. I feel I had real nursing whilst in for a knee operation. The staff were caring and always attentive to our needs. Thank you one and all.

MARIE HILTON

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Rockability’s still happening

I was reading with interest the letter about Pontins, Hemsby in the Mercury May 29, about the Rockability and Elvis Conventions. I can remember these and other conventions being held at Hemsby.

If I remember correctly, they used to be held in May and October. I would see the 1950s and 1960s cars come through my village. Since Pontins closed they have been holding the conventions at Seacroft, Hemsby. How do I know that? I happened to bump into some people who were at the convention in May this year.

I was reading a local paper a few days ago and it states a Rockability convention is going to be held in Pontins, Pakefield in July.

P TURNER

St Margaret’s Way,

Fleggburgh

Priory reunions are cancelled

To all 1940s–50s Old Priory Boys, it is of great sadness that due to falling numbers that the reunions will be cancelled from now on.

As I do not live near to Great Yarmouth I hoped others would (as they have done in the past) helped to arrange the venue but the feedback I have had seems that interest has waned.

However, in the short time I hope you all try to stay in touch, I will miss you all. At our age now keep fit and well. Your old Priory friend

COLIN BROWNE

St Neots

Cambs

Has anyone a tug of war rope?

Can anyone lend us a tug of war rope? Remember Caister Carnival, when all the local groups and charitable causes used to participate and raise much needed funds.

Caister WI are kick-starting the re-use of the King George V Playing Field with a Family Fun Field Day on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31, with stalls, candy floss, face painting, egg and spoon races and sack races etc.

Any local people who wish to participate are invited to have stalls, including home crafters and plant/produce sellers and the like, or even give a demonstration, we are only asking for a donation for a pitch as we are supporting the playing field.

Please call 01493 298477 and let us know, and leave contact details. And we really do need a rope!

RUTH BOND-HOLLAND

Caister on Sea WI

‘Forget egos and think of patients’

From 2006, people who gave large donations, my late husband being one of them, were deceived into thinking East Coast Palliative care was raising money for a hospice. Then, in 2009, East Coast Hospice became a charity to build an independent hospice, so I’m quite appalled at the letter last week from David Nettleship, former chairman of East Coast Hospice, stating he was happy about the plans for a hospice on the James Paget Hospital site.

He said he was disappointed at the time when talks between the JPH and East Coast Hospice broke down so he decided to resign because he was unwilling to put his name to, what in his opinion, was now pie in the sky.

After the late Brian Potter’s had a letter in the Mercury stating the East Coast Hospice would be too expensive to run, Mr Nettleship wrote a very long letter in the Mercury (March 30, 2012) supporting East Coast Hospice and I quote from that letter ”to enable local people to benefit from full patient choice and to have the kind of end of life care only available in a hospice setting”

He stated: “free land at the JPH would not have been a significant factor and five acres is the right setting because a hospice is not just a building; the gardens, landscaping and easy free car parking for visitors are essential.”

What’s changed, Mr Nettleship? Considering East Coast Hospice is going to start no construction next year is this sour grapes? On June 14, 2013 an article was printed in the Mercury as to the reasons the talks with the JPH had broken down: that the 10-bed ward would take patients from the hospital.

The word “hospice” was shunned and they would totally control how it was run. They were never willing to talk about the design or facilities, the size of the land and they would decide which of the East Coast Hospice Trustees they would or would not talk to.

Are we going to see the same thing happening again in the JPH-proposed hospice?

Long term patients being transferred from wards to the so-called hospice as we all know there’s an acute shortage of beds and nurses there. Roberta Lovick states the time is right to complete the centre to what it was always meant to be. Yes Roberta, we were all deceived in thinking that it was for a hospice in the first place.

The JPH had talks with East Coast Hospice to build on the hospital site and they fell through, why don’t they support East Coast Hospice now to get theirs built? Forget egos and think of terminally ill patients who will die in a beautiful environment and not near a car park at the JPH.

Mrs P ECCLESTONE

Well Street

Great Yarmouth

‘Set a pack of tigers on them!’

As the foxhunting issue has again surfaced, I could no better express my attitude towards the perversion than quote Ann Widdeombe who said: “If I had my way I would send them all to the jungle and set a pack of tigers on them!”

DAVID KING

Falcon Court,

Great Yarmouth

Black day for the town and county

This day is a very black day for the borough and indeed the county. A group of us have fought the past seven years trying to get to the truth of just why the deal made in 2007 appeared to be different to what was sold to the ratepayers.

It was never on the cards for the building of the outer harbour to include the gifting of the river port and all its assets which ended with the ratepayers being responsible for eternity for the £millions in support of the West Bank and Haven Bridge.

The winners will be the new owners who take over the port.

JOHN L COOPER

Burnt Lane,

Gorleston

Adventure that is outer harbour

“...There is something rotten in the state of Great Yarmouth....” The outer harbour adventure is a story that includes private company gain, public land being gifted and given away, grants from Europe, long held public access now closed and denied. All wrapped up in a 30-year D-notice by politicians having made grandiose community benefit claims.

Think on if you are a local politician about to put your head above the parapet in defence of this mirk and mire of your creation on the news of its impending sale.

STEVE TAYLOR

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Show wonderful, grateful for help

My husband and I would like to congratulate and thank all of the people involved in bringing to the Hippodrome Great Yarmouth the show, Return to the Forbidden Planet. It was a wonderful show and Yarmouth College performing arts section should be very proud of what was produced.

On that Saturday evening, I became ill and collapsed outside. I would like to thank the first aid person and all who came to my assistance, as well as the onward treatment given by the ambulance service and the staff at the James Paget Hospital. Thank you all.

Mrs M A DELAHAY

Harley Road,

Great Yarmouth

A showcase of our heritage

The Arts Festival is over for another year and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who supported it by attending events, giving sponsorship or helping to organise it.

Many thanks are due to the Great Yarmouth Mercury, her sister papers, local magazines, radio and television for covering the Festival so well. We are most grateful.

The aims of the Arts Festival are to increase interest and participation in the arts, to showcase the great local talent and our wonderful heritage, to develop a sense of pride in our town and to help the local economy by increasing the number of visitors.

It is so important to promote the many positive elements that exist here and we need to develop other festivals and activities every month so that visitors will be attracted throughout the year and not just for a few months in the summer.

We need to change the old perceptions of the town and work hard to keep it clean. Hopefully this will result in some of the empty shops becoming re-occupied.

Plans are already underway for the Arts Festivals in 2016 (June 3-12) and 2017 (2-11June) to be bigger and better so avoid going away during those weeks. Anyone wishing to help should contact info@greatyarmouthartsfestival.co.uk.

Hugh Sturzaker

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Gentlemen came to my rescue

Thank you very much to the two gentlemen who came to my rescue on Saturday, June 6 on Haven Bridge when I had a fall and cut my head badly. One of the men stayed with me until my husband arrived after the other gentleman went to Tescos to get my husband.

KATHY THROWER

Winifred Road,

Great Yarmouth

Pomeranian is my Chow Chow!

I have just read with great interest the article in last week’s Mercury on the Catfield dog show. It mentions a “fluffy Pomeranian” which I take to be the dog shown on Page 29.

I attended this show and watched with interest however did not see a Pomeranian of any description. This dog however, is a Chow Chow a now rare breed who’s name is Trixi, she is nearly three years old and belongs to me! If this could be made clear in this week’s paper what breed she is.

She is a great deal larger than any Pomeranian weighing over 23kg and could possibly eat Pomeranian for lunch (not really). It was a lovely event with Trixi winning third in Dog the Judge Would Like to Take Home.

S BURGESS

Belton