Letters, May 18 2018

It is now becoming unmissable to see the amount of grass growing on what once used to be a beach fit for international volleyball competitions and a proud landmark for locals to show off what could undoubtedly be a fantastic beach.

Now it is full of grass growing with little or no regard to a solution in getting it back to its finer days. Or is it that those who think they know how to do it are simply ignoring it and allowing the beach to be abandoned.

If the same attention was paid to the beach as to the bowing green area, an area not even in use, something and someone is not in the right job. I watch daily this transformation happening with individuals constantly telling me that something is being done.

Come see for yourself, speak to GYBC and ask why contractors are not cleaning and maintaining our beach. I’m sick of hearing lack of funding, resources and time.

We are a seasonal town, it is called planning for the future, which in turn means future funding, resources being programmed and suits to wear boots and get down to implement and have a viable plan. Get someone who is accountable for this and see if we can get them to explain why, but most importantly what are they going to do about it and when?

ROBERT DINELEY

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Busy Reco brought back memories

I just had to write to say what a joy it was to see the Reco (recreation ground) at Gorleston being used at the bank holiday weekend. I have not seen it so crowded since it was used by the Gorleston Football social club back in the 1960s for their annual garden fete.

It brought back so many happy memories, let’s see it being used more often.

D SAGGER

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Booming industry in drug cannabis

Do you remember the good old days when everybody worked in factories? It seems the industry is booming again and this time it’s producing cannabis.

Once again a factory has been shut down around the area of St Peter’s Road, which seems to be the drug capital of Norfolk. Does nobody living in houses use them for the purpose of living? And again it’s not the police doing great undercover work to seek out to shut down these places but found in error due to another reason.

Maybe some strong measures are needed. It sounds a bit like 1984 but perhaps the police should do a house-to-house search of people’s property to find out if it is indeed a house or looking like Kew Gardens. One quick peek around your living rooms could shut down these factories for good.

Once again it seems the law is indeed broken or that nobody wishes to give out a proper sentence to anyone dealing in criminal activities. A shop has been raided in King Street and a large sum of illegal and possibly dangerous tobacco products was found.

Having a quick look around the Internet I find that anyone caught supplying or selling illegal tobacco can face an unlimited fine or up to 10 years in prison as well as having a criminal record.

I know in the past the odd shop worker has got a few months in a jail cell over this but surely it’s the owner of the property that should take the responsibility. The business should be shut down and the owner have his licence removed.

I think it’s time to close up shop how about you?

ALAN SOWLE

Email

Port monitored on CCTV miles away

I feel I must be reading one thing in the Mercury but seeing a different view in reality.

The port is supposed to be doing well and jobs are being created. The council see jobs being created and the town will prosper. So if that is so why are Peel Ports taking the jobs of the port controllers away and running this service from Liverpool.

It will be operated by CCTV miles away from Great Yarmouth.

I cannot see how this can be done safely as the controllers here know the area and system very well and are on hand if a problem arises. Are they going to rely on volunteers to police the port area? This is such a crazy idea and an insult to the vessels that use the port and pay a large amount of money for a service that will fall short of the current service they receive.

I hope a situation doesn’t happen where this decision causes injury or worse. Sometimes it is better to put lives before profits.

ANDREW MACKLEWORTH

Cherry Road,

Gorleston

Who benefits from new river bridge?

Who is to gain by putting a bridge across the river at Gas House Quay? Not Commuters, not residents, not delivery trucks.

Eleven years ago we were told by our council that the third river crossing was needed for the busy outer harbour, but as we all know nothing to do with wind energy comes by road, there is no promised ferry, but connecting the A47 to the seafront with a bridge is once again showing our councillors putting the seafront before the rest of town.

Just look at what traffic comes to or lives in Yarmouth. Commuters go north and south, we have commuters from Suffolk and north of Yarmouth, and from the west we have Norwich. A bridge at Gashouse will be of no use to anyone.

Commuters and deliveries do travel north or south and the bottlenecks are Gapton Hall roundabout, Breydon Bridge and the Premier Inn roundabout which holds up all those coming in or out on the Acle Straight.

Deliveries, commuters, holidaymakers all come and go on mainly the Acle Straight, even traffic from Suffolk, Essex and London will mainly use the A11 fearing the long delays in Lowestoft, so many ratepayers view a bridge will not be beneficial or help the congestion at Gapton or Premier Inn roundabouts.

Use the £98m grant to put a fly-over at Gapton and dual the Acle Straight.

The third river crossing is already in place Bure Bridge. Improve the North River Road making traffic flow from South Denes to Bure Bridge then on to Acle.

Think back, there was a million and half spent on strengthening the road near South Quay for outer harbour container traffic, which never materialised. The ferry service to Holland and the 1,000 jobs at the outer harbour was going to be the saviour of the borough.

Now they expect us to believe that another river bridge would heal the traffic problems between Harfrey’s roundabout and Acle. It will only be used to get to the Golden Mile, and that only functions 12 weeks a year.

JOHN L COOPER

Burnt Lane,

Gorleston

Blame Joe Public for litter on streets

I wholeheartedly agree with reader Hugh Sturzaker regarding litter and rubbish in our town. I have also been to Singapore and if this country imposed the same deterrents as they do, our streets would also be spotless.

Certainly it is not the fault of the local councillors. The blame surely lies with Joe Public.

GLORIA WEBB

St Peter’s Plain,

Great Yarmouth

What would cuckoo PJ find in park?

Readers may be glad to hear that PJ the cuckoo has arrived home.

He has made the leap from France and was back in his breeding grounds in King’s Forest, West Stowe, Bury in Suffolk by the morning of April 17, ten days earlier than his time of arrival last year.

Good news indeed but it got me thinking what a pity he does not come just a little further north to, say, somewhere like Bure Park - and what would he find going on in this particular neck of the woods?

Well on the rather negative side of things he would see how nepotism works, how artist’s impressions, (new bridge, new school), tell us very little about the true state of affairs, and how the Air Show seems to be seen as the answer to all of our prayers.

There is much to counteract this on the positive side, however, with participation for all seeming to be the keynote in such activities as the Parkruns, the Big Sing event for the schools, Martham Scarecrow Festival, as well as the forthcoming Arts Festival week of events and the Circus Trail; this latter celebrating 250 years of circus with its animals, trapeze artists, clowns and so on.

A friend of mine had aspirations to be a clown and acquired all of the appropriate gear. Unfortunately he was very untidy and, when I asked him where he found space to get his costume ready, he took me over to a place he had cleared by the window, reminding me as he did so he thought I knew very well that every clown has a sill for ironing. Sorry.

MIKE SPRAGG

Collingwood Road,

Great Yarmouth

Public consultation on CCTV system

Proposed installation of CCTV at the Edgar Tennant recreation ground, Station Road, Ormesby St Margaret.

The parish council is considering installing CCTV at the recreation ground to protect the public from crime and antisocial behaviour, to promote crime prevention and improve community safety, following instances of crime and antisocial behaviour at the ground.

The system would be installed by Ormesby Lads Football Club at no cost to the parish and be run and managed solely by the parish council in accordance with all relevant data protection and protection of freedoms legislation.

As the recreation ground is a public open space it is important that we undertake a public consultation before making this decision, and we are seeking the views of residents of the parish and users of the recreation ground as to whether or not you would support this initiative, and consider it a suitable deterrent.

We welcome any comments you may have. Please send them to parish clerk, Lisa Callow at: ormesbyclerk@outlook.com or by calling 07825 266117 no later than June 4, 2018.

LISA CALLOW

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Thanks for voting me your councillor

I would like to thank the electors of Nelson Ward who voted for me on May 3 to be one of their borough councillors.

I would also like to thank the many people who helped me in my election campaign with leaflet distribution, canvassing and of course the election day organisation.

I look forward to joining with my co-councillors Michael Jeal and Kerry Robinson-Payne in working hard for all residents of Nelson Ward.

Cllr TONY WRIGHT

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I would like to thank the residents of Central and Northgate for their support in the recent Great Yarmouth Borough Election. I can assure voters that I will work hard to represent the whole community and will continue to fight for the future of Great Yarmouth. I will be holding ward walks each month and I look forward to working with residents, local groups and organisations over the coming year.

Cllr MIKE SMITH-CLARE

Email

A four-hour wait for an ambulance

On Wednesday afternoon I was asked to phone for an ambulance for an elderly lady who had broken her arm and was in a great deal of pain, on the beach near to my cafe in Great Yarmouth.

Having given our location, I passed the phone to her husband to describe the injury etc.

Ten minutes later I was called back by the ambulance control centre and told it would be at least four hours before an ambulance could attend, and that she should make her own way to the James Paget Hospital.

It seems there is no longer a reliable emergency service is this area.

M ALLEN

Website

Time to get out of Eurovision farce

Never mind Brexit. Surely it is time for the UK to leave and bow out of the annual Eurovision Song Contest.

I watch it, but with tongue-in-cheek attitude. Our entry by a woman called Surie gave a very good performance, only to be rudely interrupted by a guy storming onto the stage trying to seize her mike. She should have sung again but she declined.

It is time for the UK to call it a day with this cheese-fest held every May. With even the best songs that represent our country, the rest of Europe give us low points, if any at all.

Israel won it this year, virtue of the Televote, a song involving a chicken dance! Australia should have won, mind you neither they and Israel are even in Europe!

The one thing about Eurovision is that it should never be taken seriously, as there is a lot of singing talent in the UK. A singer does not have to win this annual European farce to be noticed.

JOHN HUGGINS

Turin Way, Hopton

Families and their dogs are penalised

Having walked with dogs on Great Yarmouth Beach and the Denes for many years, I have noticed the recent change in attitude by the local council towards dogs.

According to the current signs on the promenade: “Dogs are not allowed on the beach but can walk on a lead along the promenade”. This is certainly not a warm welcome attraction to encourage visitors.

It means the family pet is not welcome in Great Yarmouth, unless it is left in the car or in temporary accommodation. Is this the freedom that many have fought to maintain over many wars and legislation thrust upon us? Surely the local bye-laws should be thought through before being issued on public notices.

I wonder how many prospective family visitors have changed their minds on returning or even coming here in the first place? Does the Tourist Board warn people of this rule?

In truth, why doesn’t the council put up a placard alongside the A47 approaches simply stating “Welcome to Great Yarmouth – No dogs allowed!” letting the world know how they really think about families with pets visiting the town.

I confess from the days when I was a visitor, it would have deterred me from bringing my family here. I wonder how local residents feel about not encouraging visitors?

COLIN BRADISH

Princes Road,

Great Yarmouth

I learned Yarmouth song in the 1950s

With reference to your article concerning the official song of Yarmouth.

Although 75 years old I still know every word of the song, learned at the age of 12, at the Marina open air theatre and so do not need Utube or a CD to recall it.

Every word of the song represented the joys of holidaying in Yarmouth twice a year from the age of four until I was 65 – when I left Yorkshire to live here.

“Yarmouth, wonderful Yarmouth, the place that has everything.”

An open air theatre where parents could safely leave their children or accompany them to daytime shows; many pleasure boats leaving the golden beaches for Scroby ‘island’, celebrity shows on piers, the Regal, Regent Road, the Windmill (also showing cartoons for children every afternoon), the Aquarium Theatre, Salvation Army band, ice cream and fruit sold on the beach, open air swimming pool, Pleasure Beach.

“Yarmouth, wonderful Yarmouth, you’ll be as happy as a King.”

I certainly was, as were parents, extended family and friends.

“Strolling along the lovely promenade; Your worries disappear, Life is not so hard.”

It is and was a lovely promenade with cafes and views of the beach, sea, piers, Anchor Gardens, tennis court and bowling greens.

“Pretty girls, all out upon the spree. Give ‘em a kiss, give ‘em a hug, take ‘em on your knee.”

True, I was one! Not PC today but it was on the whole harmless fun on the part of both sexes. I remember dressing in my best clothes just to deliberately ignore boys. We called it ‘flirting’.

“In Yarmouth, wonderful Yarmouth; Lift your voices merrily; One-two-three, Jolly good company!; At wonderful Yarmouth by the sea.”

Every holidaymaker in the 1950s sang that song, but not as a result of the recording. It was mainly learned from children and adults who visited the open air theatre where the band and entertainers taught it.

“Going to Yarmouth” did not mislead people, judging by the packed beaches, no vacancies signs in hotels, boarding houses and B&Bs, and the fact it was renowned for having its own song only showed at the time it needed no “Great” to be more significant.

Mrs ANGELA PINDER

Beattie Road,

Great Yarmouth

Do homework and attend meetings

I attended the full council meeting last night (Tuesday) in the Town Hall, sitting in the public gallery and I am amazed at how some of these councillors acted and spoke.

I really wish more of the public would attend these meetings to see who they are voting for; the people knocking on your doors when campaigning before an election seem to change when entering the Town Hall doors.

Fairness seemed to go out of the window when the committees were put together. Please remember the Conservatives would not have had such a majority if the seven councillors who defected from UKIP to Conservative had stayed with UKIP.

The one remaining UKIP councillor has now gone independent.

When one councillor spoke I found them ignorant, pompous and arrogant and I hope he makes a written apology to the councillor for what he said about him. I hope the rest of his party also feel embarrassed by the words he used.

In Central and Northgate ward we do not have a Conservative councillor and before the elections I never had a Conservative leaflet or any knock on the door.

Luckily I witness how some of these people behave when in the meetings so I know who to vote for.

Next year, all 39 councillor seats will be up for election. Please, residents of Great Yarmouth, do your homework before you vote next year and go to some of these meetings and see for yourself how some of these councillors behave.

JOSIE FITZGERALD

Nursery Terrace,

Great Yarmouth

Take action to keep our NHS staff

I worked in the NHS for 30 plus years and retired some 20 years ago.

In those 30 plus years I saw and worked with people who had a real commitment to providing a service.

I have just returned from The Royal Papworth Hospital and experienced the NHS from a patient perspective.

It seems as if the same commitment and desire to help and achieve great things is there amongst the staff. I have witnessed first-hand such dedication and determination from a group of individuals doing different jobs with the same end.

It was a multi-national work force made up of both experienced trained staff and those who were in training and working for their future.

I could find so many positives to say about the care, advice and attention I received, but my point in writing is that I want to shout out to those who can, to do something for the people who provide the essential ingredient to the NHS which is so dependent upon its workforce, to provide support and reward for their commitment.

No one person or political party can provide the answer to the problems which face health care. Stuff your political rhetoric away, store your phony jealousies, forget your differences, the NHS is worth more than anything else in this country and the staff are such an essential ingredient - nurture them, prioritise them and the rest of what is required may become easier.

Only an honest appreciation by everyone of what this international team, this group of caring individuals, bring to the service will suffice.

I wrote this on Monday, May 14 and was pleased to see the same plea echoed by Prince William in the press of that day.

Not only that, but an article concerning the “£1.5bn spend on agency nurses” begs the question whether that problem could not be reduced by taking supportive action to retain some of the 70pc who leave within 12 months of qualification.

PETER HARRISON

Bradwell