A traditional

service appeal

BEFORE moving to Belton in December 2009 I was delighted to know that Belton Anglican Church was within walking distance from my future home. Following residency in December 2009 I was very disappointed to learn no traditional services are held in the Belton Church and that the Church is not utilised on a permanent basis. Therefore, to attend a traditional service as I have done over many many years, I am obliged to travel further afield.

Recently I had the opportunity to speak to the Rev Rosie Bunn at the church’s tea afternoon at the Rectory and to David Park (churchwarden) on the Church’s Open Day about the lack of traditional services at the Belton Church and utilisation of the Church throughout the year. I was given the following answers:

a) The church is too cold as it does not have central heating

b) The previous vicar, who retired in late 2010, held one traditional service and only four worshippers attended

c) The traditional worshippers like contemporary services

d) The floor presents a health hazard as it is uneven

As far as the first three answers are concerned, I am of the opinion these are flimsy excuses and as the flooring presents a hazard for Health and Safety reasons, a notice could highlight the problem.

I request the PCC review their decision not to hold traditional services in Belton and in fairness to the people in the Belton community, a compromise should be made whereby traditional services are available throughout the year at and in Belton Parish Church.

Mrs H M BEACH

Belle of the East Way,

Belton

We should work

with neighbours

IS it possible for the local Conservative-run borough council to come up with any more bizarre collaboration plans with other councils than they have thus far? They abandoned a sensible co-operation with neighbouring Lowestoft - when we on the Labour side could actually see the merit of working with our immediate neighbours. Then they piled instead into failed negotiations with North Norfolk trying to create a big unitary council running all the way round the coast from Hunstanton to Hopton. That was nicknamed the “Nut cracker”, and lacked sensible geography and was soon consigned to the dustbin of history.

Then last year a plot was hatched to completely “merge” South Norfolk and Great Yarmouth Borough councils. The geography of that one was also pretty bizarre and when the figures for savings didn’t add up either, councillors took fright. Guess what?

Their latest idea is even nuttier. They now want to investigate a three-way sharing of council managers with Breckland District in the west of the county and South Holland District in Lincolnshire. I’d have more faith in a link-up with the Holland across the water.

MICHAEL CASTLE

Borough Councillor,

Yarmouth Central and Northgate

When will the

quay be fixed?

GORLESTON Pier is in the throes of a makeover and soon we will be able to walk all around the perimeter, but the fence around the car park has truly placed it out of bounds, Gorleston councillors have done a wonderful job for their residents, I don’t think.

The Great Yarmouth Port Company accounts tell us the river port is doing well under their guidance. The puzzle is, what is Eastport UK doing with the money the river port is earning?

Gorleston is still waiting for the borough council to repair the quay north of Gorleston Ice House, and we have on record managing director Richard Packham saying the several million needed for the piling is no problem, it will come from leases.

But I am puzzled: how can the council, which has taken over the leases, then charge themselves and use the charges to repair the quays?

JOHN COOPER

Burnt Avenue,

Gorleston

The dangers of

Halloween

HALLOWEEN is almost here again. And many shops will try to profit by selling satanic toys to children and teens. Eyeballs, devil masks, severed arms…

And many parents buy these disgusting, evil things for their children! But Halloween is not just harmless fun. Watch this free video of Doreen Irvine, ex Queen of Witches in Europe, where she warns of what you expose your child to at Halloween: http://bit.ly/o7hzcz.

Witchcraft is now very popular among children and teens, largely due to books and films like the Harry Potter series.

And amazingly, even many who claim to be Christians let their children read these books and go to these films! But watch this: http://bit.ly/n7pb3w.

Just coincidence that the Harry Potter story begins on Halloween night?

E BARKHUIZEN

Albemarle Road

Gorleston

Thanks for the

picture of dad

IT was a nice surprise to open the Mercury, September 23, and on page 8 see the photograph of some of the workmen who helped with St Nicholas Church Restoration. It shows my brother Garth Dunnett (front row, third from right with his whites on) and my dad Bob Dunnett, standing toward the back (fourth from the right wearing tammy). My brother was a painter and did quite a lot of the gold leaf work and my dad was a labourer there, sadly both now deceased. Many thanks for the photograph.

PAT LACEY, nee Dunnett

email

Democracy is in

action here

I AM aware the supporters of the elected mayor campaign are preparing another vote in four years. With the state of the Britsh and world economy, surely anyone wishing to orchestrate such a campaign, should fund the cost. Why should the citizens of the borough fund the egos of some councillors.

The vote has been held and it was lost. I would suggest the council leader writes to the powers that be in Westminster and ensures legislation stops a second vote.. No political ruling group needs such a wicked waste of money at budget time.

Leader Cllr Stephen Ames was elected democratically by the electorate and by his group. Cllr Castle should spend more time learning true socialist beliefs and encourage more of his party to join a trade union. The two things go hand in hand.

RICHARD HUDSON

Clarendon Drive

Martham

Abandoned car

is a problem

THERE has been an abandoned car on a council car park for several weeks. On Friday I telephoned Great Yarmouth Borough Council and was told that it’s up to the police to deal with the matter.

So I called the police but they said it was down to the council or DVLA. I have tried to contact DVLA with no luck. We pay council tax and we work, yet we get no help for the money we pay. Who is responsible for removing this abandoned car?

C ELLERY

Email

More parking

problems in air

AFTER being tackled by John Cooper over the outer harbour, Brandon Lewis MP suggested meeting John Cooper and myself on Gorleston Pier to listen to our concerns. So when he suggested meeting us both a little subterfuge was required to prove other residents were concerned. We took the opportunity to invite others to come along, then a problem arose when the first date was cancelled at the last minute so we both went to the pier to tell the 70 to 80 disappointed residents gathered there the change of date.

At the subsequent meeting two days later, with 50 residents present, Mr Lewis agreed to arrange a meeting to answer residents’ concerns. We understood this meeting would cover other outer harbour aspects such as the closed road by the outer harbour itself rather than just parking in Gorleston generally.

For some reason the meeting has taken four months to organise and will be on November 21 at Gorleston Pavilion by kind permission of the managers. It is imperative all possible residents attend this very important meeting for our town. This is a wake up call!

Residents are very concerned with the loss of their pier car park and why, when we had an ideal car park at the heart of the resort, it had been given away ignoring its importance to the resort without placing restrictions.

Having created the problem the cuoncil is now desperate for a fix. As Mrs Steward of Norfolk County Council will possibly be the only other person on the front table I can only presume it is because the county is responsible for highways. Here I smell a rat: is the prom once again at risk of becoming the replacement for the pier car park? This has been mooted several times and rejected because of the dangers of the congested area, particularly to children.

It would still not replace the pier park but take away much of Gorleston’s popularity by spoiling the aspect. Furthermore, I can foresee following such a move it wouldn’t be long before the prom would become a one-way road. This, together with the possible removal of the roman shelters is a thought I fear for our resort.

Another item could be to charge for parking on Marine Parade which would add to the problem on smaller, already congested, roads.

DENNIS DURRANT

Brett Avenue,

Gorleston

Bandstand music

was a treat

AS we read about so much controversy with regard to various council decision in your letters page, could I, for a change congratulate the council with good reason.

On Sunday afternoon, September 18, my partner and I strolled to Gorleston Bandstand to witness a really entertaining afternoon of music. The band involved gave a great performance, full of good humour and great music. I understand from the band this was organised by the tourism department of the council. Judging by the reactions of the audience, we were not the only ones who really enjoyed the afternoon. Well done.

D WESTERN

Tottenham Street

Great Yarmouth

Bowls festival

is a winner

HAVING just completed the 66th Great Yarmouth Annual Bowls Festival, may I though the Mercury say a few well earned thanks. Once again we were blessed with reasonable good weather and over the four weeks large crowds saw some top class bowling.

My sincere thanks to our valued sponsors and advertisers for their continued support, and also to the greenkeepers for maintaining the greens in such good conditions for the four weeks.

Many thanks to my hardworking committee, the umpries and the markers for their help; to David and Sheila and all the staff at Great Yarmouth Tourism office for their help before and during the tournament; and to my wife Irene and sister Doris who fed and watered us.

My I say an extra special thanks to the Great Yarmouth Mercury and the Eastern Daily Press for their brilliant coverage. Last, but not least, many thanks to everyone who donated to our charity which raised �900 which was presented to Caister Lifeboat.

I look forward to seeing you all in 2012.

DEREK WEBSTER

Tournament Manager

Doctor was

much loved

WITH reference to the interesting article in the Mercury (September 23) about the plaque erected in memory of Dr Kenneth Hamilton-Deane.

When we moved here in 1927 he became our doctor and attended by father, who had a life-threatening illness. Dr Deane was always on call and would visit patients night and day, and they all adored him.

His son William also practised in Gorleston, similarly to his father, and like him is much loved by his former patients.

CECILIA EBBAGE

Lovwell Road

Gorleston

The bus station

needs moving

IF Market Gates is to be extended to Regent Road, the bus station will need to be relocated, and has any consideration been given to this? Perhaps the former Beach coach station would be a good alternative?

Part of the present bus station is in darkness and no amount of electric light can compensate for natural light. When Debenhams was built, there was a lot of disruption with bus stops changed, lack of information etc.

For obvious reasons, bus stations are located in open areas - not underneath a shopping centre.

With King Street being “regenerated”, brand name shops opening there will increase footfall.

With the re-opening of St George’s Theatre next spring after years of closure, surely this where new shops are needed, to attract shoppers to that part of the town?

JULIE GRINT

Springfield

Acle

Canon was a

man of vision

I AM writing to say how much I especially enjoyed reading Peggotty’s Column in last week’s Yarmouth Mercury. I think Mr Boon’s book about St Nicholas Church will be on the top of my wish list for Christmas presents this year!

In 1981 St Nicholas Church had a Flower Festival and I put together a display about the restoration of the church. I spent many hours going through the box files of letter and press cuttings meticulously kept by Canon Gilbert Thurlow who was Vicar at the time of the rebuilding of the church. I even found a press cutting attributed to Peggotty!

Early in 1981 I put out an appeal for more information and artifacts connected with the reconsecration of the church in 1961.

Mr John Mobbs and his late wife Nora very kindly gave me press cuttings and service sheets to include in my display.

While the Flower Festival was going on someone found a Victorian pew end that was left after the fire that destroyed the church in 1942. They insisted this (rather ugly) pew end should be included in the display.

It was at that time I found a quote from Canon Gilbert Thurlow: “Much of the interior of the church was heavily Victorian and it’s destruction was not to be regretted.”

Apart from the pew end it would appear the ornamental screen (or reredos) also survived the fire almost unscathed as the photograph in last week’s Mercury shows. I was given a book about the church, printed after the fire, that contains photographs showing just how well preserved the reredos was.

I can remember a conversation with Mr Charlie Jones (one time churchwarden at St Nicholas) saying he often wondered what had happened to the reredos. He thought it was removed and preserved quite quickly after the fire with a view to putting back in the church after it was restored. Perhaps it was too fragile or weathered and damaged to be re-used? Or perhaps it didn’t quite fit in with the vicar’s and architect’s vision of the thoroughly modern church interior?

Canon Thurlow was a man of vision determined to rebuild the church. Trying to maintain such a large church places a massive burden on the finances of the Parish of Great Yarmouth. According to some of the press cuttings I read, not everyone agreed with the rebuilding of the church.

My Nanny Clara would recall going to evensong before the war when you had to arrive early to get a seat. Maybe the people who objected to the time and cost that rebuilding would take realised that days of completely filling the church, that can seat in excess of 4000 people, every Sunday were over?

Recently The Church Restoration Fund Committee has organised some wonderful events that have drawn people back in.

These events are a lot of fun and also help raise money for the ongoing maintenance of the church. Individuals such as Dr Paul Davies and his wife Molly have worked hard on projects such as restoring the church clock.

The letters from Canon Thurlow about the tune the bells should play also make for very interesting reading!

Let us hope Mr Boon’s book will encourage more people to take an interest in the largest Parish Church in England.

PAUL THURTLE

Chertsey

Surrey

Why not apology

for van damage?

I HOPE this letter is read by the person who must have driven too close to my Fiesta van and ended up smashing my wing mirror on the driver’s side. He or she could have left a note apologising and leaving an address.

My van was parked on Links Road near Newton Cross on Monday morning. As I am a window cleaner, I was working on Newton Cross. When I returned to my van, I found the wing mirror smashed. Now I have to go and get that mended with the cost and the time involved.

JOHN HUGGINS,

Turin Way

Hopton on Sea

Are we going to

be listened to?

AT last the leader of the council has agreed to have a forum but we cannot talk about the harbour, or anything else, except the Gorleston Pier and parking.

I wonder sometimes if they look back at the promises they made to be elected, and realise like we do, that it was just hot air, or does this mean, hopefully a new beginning, a listening council, a caring council, and a council which, as one lady wrote last week, that will put the Great back in Yarmouth.

Is this just a forum to appease and shut up the dissenters, or does the council leader feel that this is now the time to listen to the masses. We now wait and hope.

DAVID BROWN

Yallop Avenue,

Gorleston