Letters October 21, 2011

ALTHOUGH I own a guest house within Band A parking in Great Yarmouth, I am also a resident. This area is the most densely populated holiday area and as a resident the end of parking permits would be a real problem. In the main holiday period I can recall getting a taxi back home from the supermarket and cash and carry because I knew if I moved my car I would not be able to park anywhere near my home.

At a recent council meeting I attended, the most vociferous person to want the scheme disbanded was Cllr Charles Reynolds, whose ward is Ormesby, so I cannot understand why he is so much against the scheme as it does not affect his constituents.

TRICIA LEISI

Royston House

Leave seafront as it is please

PLEASE leave Gorleston seafront as it is, unspoilt and enjoyed by the local people. We don’t need extra parking for essentially only a few weeks at the height of summer. There are plenty of spaces around the area without intruding into a much valued part of the lower promenade. The wonderful letters these last two weeks made so many positive points against this council proposal. Listen to the local people, listen to what we want. In the meantime, sort out the pier car park.

HELEN GEORGE

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Parking idea is so wrong

I AM not surprised so many people have written in expressing opposition to the proposed incursion of parking onto the seafront. It is so wrong for so many reasons. Once again the council show a totally insensitivity to the feelings of locals who use that area for recreation. The disability issue is merely a ploy as the council can easily just mark up some of the existing sea front parking spaces.

The loss of spaces for the able-bodied can be rectified by making better us of the car park close to the lifeboat station which is under-utilised and in a state of some disrepair. The money that would be spent making the new parking available on the front could be spent resurfacing and remarking this underused car park and making sure it is well sign posted. It is a very pleasant walk from there, along the river wall, to the seafront.

DELLA ANVERALL

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Well done Mercury

I HAVE been an avid reader of the Mercury and EDP for many years and frankly much prefer their content and format to that of any national paper. I have this morning, had the pleasure of time to read my Mercury from first to last page and feel it is high time that we, the readers had the chance to express our congratulations to the Mercury editor and her small team on the truly excellent publication we look forward to reading every week. We thank them for their truly dedicated efforts in providing an end product of such interest and high calibre.

Dr W H HAMILTON-DEANE

Gorleston

JPH needs more staff

IT is about time that the general public are made aware of what is going on at the James Paget Hospital. All the flack about nurses not answering bells and such like; it’s about time that someone hit out at the management. I can say from experience that the nurses and doctors do their utmost to look after the patients. It is about time someone spoke up and told the management you do not employ anywhere near the amount of staff needed to control wards etc.

The doctors and nurses and others who look after patients do a splendid job under extreme pressure. When you are looking after a ward of say 30 or 40 people how can just one, two, three or four staff look after everyone and answer bells. They need six pairs of hands at times.

I challenge you to employ more people on the floor and get rid of most of the management team with their large payroll.

MR A H SAYERS

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Don’t take our bus passes

I THINK I speak for the many of the bus pass holders. Don’t take them. We old people don’t have much to ask. First it’s the swimming passes, then a cut in the winter fuel bill and now the higher up want to get rid of the passes.

A lot of people who use these buses use it to get their weekly shopping and want to get out and about. Single people do not have a car and these people have worked most of their lives. Why hit the older person? If this government have made up their minds then there is nothing the public can do about it.

Mrs THERESA WHITMORE

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Parking idea is ill conceived

THE suggestion that car parking be extended along Gorleston lower promenade seems to have been met with universal condemnation, and understandably so, I only hope the local council is listening. Along with my son and two grandchildren, and well over 100 others, I took part in Saturday’s Parkrun, which finishes on the site of the ill-conceived extended car park.

This event started almost three years ago, and has grown from strength to strength. Parkruns take place all over the country but Gorleston is unique as it is one of only a comparatively few seaside towns to have one, which makes it attractive to runners, and holidaymakers alike, far and wide. It is also unique as there are very few sports events in which participants of all ages can take part together, making it a very popular family event.

However, my main concern is not so much the continuation of parkruns, as a grandparent I am more worried about the increased traffic in an area so popular with children and the increased accident risks.

The local council should think again and instead apply what ever pressure they can on Eastport UK to spend some of their money towards upgrading the Pier car park. KEN OVERY

Gorleston

Why not leave jetty to ‘fade away’

BETWEEN my father, my son and I, we have nearly 100 years service “at sea” in the Navy. So, it goes without saying that for a seafaring family living in Norfolk, Nelson’s association with the county and Great Yarmouth is an important historical fact remembered by most, with pride.

Returning to Norfolk by road it is always a heart warming experience as there is that sign that welcomes you back to “Nelsons County”.

We cannot boast of many true national heroes in Norfolk and, apart from Burnham Thorpe, Yarmouth has long been associated with the one and only Nelson. It was at the Yarmouth Jetty that he landed back in England after the Battle of the Nile after having annihilated the French Fleet and then sailing off to do battle with the Danish Fleet at Copenhagen.

This is the same Jetty that Yarmouth council now wishes to demolish.

By doing so they will sever one of only three tangible connections the town still has with Nelson. From my school boy memories the others were the “Wrestlers Pub”, where Nelson was taken and stayed (with Lady Hamilton?) on landing at the Jetty.

The other is the Norfolk Pillar which was erected on the South Denes by grateful local people long before the London monument. If the Jetty cannot be refurbished, rather than have it demolished, why not just leave it to “fade away”?

DAVID MORRICE

West Caister

No complaints with hospital

WHY do people keep on knocking the James Paget Hospital? Maybe some wards are not up to scratch but I have no complaints. I have been in hospital several times and I never felt as if I was a nuissance. I am just home after a spell in Ward 2, while I was there my husband was taken in with a mild stroke and was in Ward 1. Every day I was wheeled down to see him by members of staff. Nothing was too much trouble even though they were very busy and short of staff. As for the food I have had worse meals in a restaurant. There was always a choice of three different meals and they were always hot and very appetising, also plenty of it. I am 82 but I was always treated with respect. Nothing was too much trouble.

Mrs THELMA FRENCH

Kingfisher Close

Bradwell

Runners will lose out

I AM a regular park runner, along with over 100 others, every Saturday morning at 9am. There is always plenty of parking for everyone and their supporters. We are lucky enough to run 5k along the upper and lower paths, with amazing views across the sea. If this new parking plan goes ahead, then us and many other people will lose out as there are always cyclists, joggers, walkers and others enjoying this fantastic scenery in safety. Cars will make this a dangerous place for all pedestrians who currently use the prom. I, and many others, plead with the council to seriously think again.

TABATHA SIMS

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Elected mayor proposal

MR HUDSON was kind enough to reply to my letter, via last week’s Great Yarmouth Mercury’s letters section. It’s a shame that party politics seem to have clouded his judgement.

With a Tory/LibDem Government, a Tory MP and a Tory Council, you would expect some kind of joined up writing in terms of policy. It’s a shame that the party faithful cannot understand the plot. If I may, can I explain, yet again. This Government is putting a Localism Bill through the House of Commons and the House of Lords that has many proposals regarding putting power into the hands of local communities.

One of those proposals is having Elected Mayors, and referendums, should local demand warrant such action.

Therefore, how can Mr Hudson ask the leader of Great Yarmouth Council to write to Westminster to stop such Legislation, as per his first letter on the September 30? Are the cracks appearing amongst the grass roots of party politics?

I have no party allegiance or following, which leads me to Mr Hudson’s comments about the Leader of the Ruling party of Great Yarmouth Borough Council. My comments have no bearing on who is the leader, or what party they belong to. My concerns are with the system. Please try to understand how local politics works.

Local elections take place, on a yearly, rotational, basis. The party that holds most wards wins. The largest party elects a leader. Shall we repeat that, 20 odd members elect a leader that makes a large number of important town decisions, totally ignoring the hopes and wishes of the 70,000 voters of Great Yarmouth? Elected ward members may be required to vote along party lines, shunning the needs of those who voted for them.

Is that Democracy? No, Mr Hudson, the leader isn’t accountable to his cabinet or officers, or even to all of us.

Only 15pc of the electorate voted for an Elected Mayor, on a 3-2 basis, against.

The vote yes had a campaign fund of just over �500.The Party Political parties declined to form a Vote No group, deciding to hide behind local election publicity. That is party politics suffocating the will of the people. I challenge the party faithful, the leaders of the Council and his Cabinet, the opposition and all those who support or oppose an Elected Mayor to meet in an open session, at my expense, to discuss the Elected Mayor proposal. I will provide time and venue details in due course, should they accept, through the Mercury. Please call 01493 733578 or email peter.kirkpatrick@virgin.net

PETER KIRKPATRICK

Ormesby

Why is jetty to be demolished?

I HAVE been reflecting on the letters and articles in the Mercury in the last few weeks, and the report of a number of events seem to emphasize commemoration, endeavour, and the need to preserve the town’s historic heritage. “The Endeavour”, which incidentally was the name of Captain Cook’s another of Britain’s maritime heroes, circumnavigational vessel, a replica of which visited the port a few years ago. Endeavour is also part of the life of Pat McNamara, once the Deputy, now the Harbour Master of our Port, who sailed in the replica vessel as Navigation Officer in the spirit of adventure, from Great Yarmouth back to Boston. He reflects the maritime endeavour of Yarmouth’s past. Endeavour is also part of the life of octogenarian Dr Bill Deane who has been swimming in the last few weeks a mile for each of his 86 years to raise funds for the Papworth Hospital, and the Cardiologist responsible for his recovery. Bill Deane was recently at a ceremony held at the High Street in Gorleston, when his Father, Dr William Hamilton Deane, was commemorated by a Blue Plaque. I remember Daddy Deane quite well as he was my first doctor over sixty years ago, and a man like his son, who gave much to the town. Bill Deane’s Papworth swim, which has been sponsored by a number of people in the town, can still be supported by contacting the intrepid swimmer at 79, Middleton Road, Gorleston. Bill Deane, like myself, is also a great supporter of the town’s heritage, and as a past winner of the one thousand yard Ulph Cup, offered to swim the last mile of his marathon in a retrospect of the pier to pier race between the Britannia and Wellington Piers, in support of the saving of the jetty. In the event, in our changing autumnal climate, Bill’s cardiologist had her way and the swim was thought to be inadvisable. Commemoration involving Nelson, who was famously associated with the jetty in Great Yarmouth at the height of his fame, does continue. On Trafalgar Day, the regular service around “Nelson’s Monument” will take place and the Mayor, Barry Coleman, a great supporter of local history, will be giving the toast to the “immortal memory” of the Norfolk hero. Barry, as a supporter of the town’s heritage, had, I read, already been appointed as champion for the restoration of the Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens, purchased by the town in the 19th century, and now in need of substantial repair by the Council on the Yarmouth seafront. There appears to be no champion from the Council, on a more historic site to the north of the Winter Gardens, where it is likely that the remains of the well documented earlier jetty lie partially beneath the 1960’s work which the Council has neglected and now proposes to demolish. If the Council really believes in heritage, and over the years fought to keep the “Nelson Monument” open, wishes to restore the Winter Gardens, and holds an annual Maritime Festival, celebrating Great Yarmouth’s links to the sea, it beggars belief that it has neglected to repair the jetty and proposes to demolish it on “safety grounds” rather than commission a professional and thorough archaeological investigation to attempt to unearth the oldest marine structure in the town and possibly one of the earliest piers in the country. Might there be any ulterior motive as has been expressed by Council sources which have hinted that the Jetty lies too close to the Marina Centre which the Council might like to demolish and replace with another building – perhaps a Casino?

MICHAEL BOON

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Article brought back memories

I WAS very interested to read your article regarding “Ferryside” (Stone House) on High Road, Gorleston-on-sea.

It brought back a vivid memory of the time in 1934/35 when I had to attend the surgery at that adrress of Dr Wyllie (I believe) to be told I would have to wear glasses in the future as I could not see the blackboard clearly at school.

I came out of the surgery with my mother and walked down the High Street to M Jaques the opticians, opposite the “Palace Cinema” to be given some horrible round rimmed brassy glassses which I continued to wear until joining the Army. What an experience!Also in future years, having joined the staff of a large assurance company, I had many a visit to see Mr T Nichols to obtain death certificates and birth certificate with and for clients.

Mr D J BULLARD

Elm Avenue

Gorleston

Thank you for help

THIS is a thank you to the Yarmouth Mercury and all those people who responded to my earlier letter asking for help in researching HMS Midge. My special thanks go to Tony Overill and Alexander Robertson who have both been of immense help in getting our projects under way.

DAVID WILKINSON

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Seafront is so popular

I WOULD like to pose the following questions to my councillor John Burroughs relating to extra parking on Gorleston Prom.? He said: “It will be a good thing”. Please would he give me his reasons for this?

He said: “It will be good for business” Has he thought this through? Ask yourself why do so many people come to Gorleston seafront? Gorleston is as popular as it is because like Southwold and many other small places it has the ambiance, serenity of its surrounds and it makes for a marvelous day out for all the family with its wonderful beach. That is why our seafront is so popular. If this attraction is damaged how many will go elsewhere? How much business will lost, not gained? He is a business man. He should understand these things.

DENNIS DURRANT

Brett Avenue

Gorleston

Thank you Gateway Club MY autistic daughter Kelsey, niece and I have just returned from a brilliant weekend at Valley Farm Parks in Clacton. We were kindly invited there by Ray (Humphreys) and Pauline (Ash) from the Gateway Club in Great Yarmouth, who had raised enough money to pay for about 75 disabled people and carers to go there.

All I can say is “wow”. What a fantastic job they did. They hired five mini-buses to transport most of the people there. They paid for 22 caravans for everybody and also provided endless supplies of food and drinks etc for the caravans. On top of that they organised a delicious carvery in the restaurant for the whole group on Sunday afternoon. One of the ‘Teamstars’ (that my 21-year-old daughter took a shine to) told us that the staff at the park had had a lovely weekend and that it was the first time all season the dance floor had been full. Well done Ray and Pauline. We had a fab weekend and thank-you so much for inviting us.

ALISON SMITH and KELSEY

St Mary’s Close

South Walsham

Photos evoke memories

THERE have been so many old photographs in your paper recently which have evoked many memories. First was the one about a school production of Miss Hook of Holland. Now we have a delightful photograph of “The Merry Makers”. One girl referred to as Nellie Hill was of course Helen Hill who was recently referred to in your paper when she sang for the BBC regularly in the 30’s. The one of great interest to me is the girl Vera Fuller, a Gorleston girl who had a lovely voice and who sang lead roles in the Great Yarmouth Operatic Society productions such as “The Desert Song”, “Rose Marie”. The male role in these productions was a tenor. I’m afraid I cannot remember his name, but he eventually married Vera Fuller. H Durrant was a tailor also in the High Street.

Mrs CECILIA EBBAGE

Lovewell Road

Gorleston

JPH was a real gem to me

I AM an old codger and at 74 have spent many days, weeks in fact, being cared for in JPH. With staff being cut, admissions being heavier, and waiting times shorter, there are bound to be a few hick-ups.

Take a look around the hospital. The JPH is a gem; it’s clean, tidy, but terribly short of working nursing staff. There are a lot of “matrons” but it’s “hands-on” physical staff that are needed. If the MPs paid more attention to the real problem, “funding” and not take �20 billion out off this year’s budget then the hard worked nurses would have time to hold patients hands.

I was on a ward for three weeks after major cancer surgery. Yes there were short comings, not because the staff did not care but because there are not enough staff full stop. So instead of complaining about the supposed poor quality service, start telling your MP to increase hospitals funding to improve staffing numbers. I would not like to be a nurse on a ward by myself containing 20 complaining old codgers.

JOHN L COOPER

Burnt Lane

Gorleston

What a very splendid show

WE went to watch “Gallery of Dance” at the Britannia Pier on Saturday evening. What a splendid show! What talented performers! Jayne King, you are to be congratulated! The whole performance was slick and well choreographed. We are looking forward to 2013 already!

Mrs SANDRA WEST

Garnham Road

Gorleston

Fitting tribute to doctor

I HAVE been reading the Mercury, although I left my hometown of Great Yarmouth many years ago. I have the Mercury sent to me each week. I am pleased to see that Dr Kenneth Hamilton-Deane is to be getting a fine tribute to remember him by. He deserved it, he was a lovely man, the kindest doctor I’ve ever known. I lived in Gorleston at the time I met him and my husband and I were patients of his when he had a surgery on the high street. We went to stay at my parents house on Caister Road for a while. I became very ill one night and by 2am he arrived in his pyjamas and overcoat at the house, examined me and and drove me to the General Hospital himself. I was examined and was told I had kidney stones and spent a week in hospital. How many doctors in these days would do that? He was a true gentleman and I have always remembered his kindness. All this was in the early 50’s and nothing is the same anymore. My best regards to Dr Dean’s family.

V SANDERSON

Petty France

Badminton

Parking plan a waste

MORE concerns about Gorleston Prime Seafront Promenade. A few questions that all of us would like to know?

Why are the Council wanting to waste �50,000 on allowing cars on a conservation area, as well as on-going maintenance costs. WHAT a waste of money. If it’s not broke, don’t fix It. Not the other way around, break it and then you can fix it.

What about health and safety, cars, motor homes, motor bikes, travellers, boy racers, etc don’t mix in the same area as children playing, walkers, disabled scooters, dogs, prams, small bikes.

If the Council want to waste our Council tax payers’ money, I along with hundreds more people have got many more worthwhile suggestions what to do with the money.

JULIA BOLCH, Gorleston Chamber of Trade

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No to parking proposals

WITH the deluge of letters in the last two issues of the Yarmouth Mercury against the proposal to create 44 parking spaces on Gorleston promenade hopefully our councillors have got the message. If however they go against the wishes of the electorate and proceed with this ill conceived idea I trust this newspaper will publish the names of the councillors who voted for it and the ‘chickens come home to roost’ at the next local council elections! Unfortunately these days those in authority seem to go for soft options, the real issue is the reinstatement of the lost parking spaces on the pier!

Mr A J GRICE

Wensum Way

Belton

Only one judge

ONE thing I notice about all the letters dealing with religion is that they are all judgemental whereas surely one is our judge, our Creator. With all the diverse views as to what it means to be a Christian, all need to remember what Christ said Matthew 7:14 “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading to life and few are the ones finding it.” It would seem that many so-called Christians will be sadly disappointed. I certainly would not take it upon myself to judge anyone.

PHILIP KNIGHT

Wherry Way

Great Yarmouth

PMs preserve the status quo

PROMPTED by the unemployment situation is it relevant to suspect governments and prime ministers in particular are primarily professional scape-goats for the failings of an economy - their main task - apart from the parliamentary “Punch and Judy” shows between “Tweedle Dum” and “Tweedle Dee” - being preservation of the status quo by steering the ship of state smoothly as possible upon its turbulent seas?

DAVID KING

Falcon Court

Great Yarmouth

Minster joy is an honour

I AM confident that I speak for all my fellow members of the Saint Nicholas Church Preservation Trust in expressing pleasure that our ancient Parish Church is to be a Minister. This not only honours those who work so hard in all the activities and duties within the church but reflects to the credit of the Borough of Great Yarmouth and our outstanding heritage. It will do much to improve our reputation as something more than just a seaside holiday resort.

We should be justly proud of our history and I should like to add my pleas to the Council to find a way to preserve our jetty. We are all aware that the present structure is relatively recent but it is the site of Nelson’s landing when he visited the town and, as such, is a significant part of that history and a valuable asset that can never be replaced.

NICK POWNALL

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Think before overtaking

THE Acle straight I know has been a talked about subject for many a year. The road itself in my opinion is not the problem. Heading towards Yarmouth on Tuesday the 18th at 8.40am, I could not believe what happened. A car overtaking coming towards me. Slamming on my brakes on a damp road the only thought was working my brakes as hard as possible without skidding. I couldn’t believe there was no accident. I could only think the driver did not see my car. It was that close I dont even know what colour the car was. I was shaking for minutes after as well as bringing a tear to my eye looking at my one year old in the back seat. I’m writing this letter to hopefully make drivers think twice before overtaking.

CARL CRAMP

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