Bognor Regis Post issue 37 by Post Newspapers

24 Letters

postnewspapers.co.uk

Friday, January 13, 2017

Community News & Views My Sisters' House WELCOME to our latest column provided by My Sisters’ House CIC Arun & Chichester Women’s Centre. THese columns will draw on, and briefly question, relevant issues in the Post circulation area and shows existing community provision that can help. It is not a direct promotion of the centre's services but raises issues and increases access to what is available.

HAPPY New Year to my loyal readers. It has been a pleasure writing the column so onward we go. I have decided to relate a subject that has been in the press recently about the CEO of Arun District Council being given a payrise of £6,000 this year to the state of politics generally. Arun District Council’s chief executive will receive a pay rise of more than £6,000, councillors have decided. Nigel Lynn’s salary will rise from £110,603 to £117,011, taking into account his performance and to bring it in line with comparative salaries of other council chiefs. THe increase was agreed by full council last night. But Liberal Democrat councillor Dr James Walsh refused to back the rise, branding it ‘outlandish, outrageous and immoral in every way’. He said: “I think that is exactly why people are alienated from the elite, who look after themselves and this is from a council that is currently shrinking in size, providing fewer services, has no local plan in place, is slow on social housing.” For years many people have had zero or below inflation 'cost of living' increases because of austerity or cutbacks – ADC doesn’t have such then for its management team? But we know the council IS planning to make £millions of savings and hardpressed council tax payers are struggling, so it can clearly be argued that pay increases of this magnitude are just not right – not least the fact the pay rise is almost equivalent to a year’s minimum wage! I was excited recently to be told about the ‘ Independent for Frome’ project which was made up of people from across that community who believed national party politics had no place in their town council and who wanted to hand control of local decision making back to local people. If backed 17 independent candidates in the local elections on May 5, 2011, and ran a positive, inclusive campaign which saw it win 10 of the 17 town council seats. So could this work locally? – Could we do this starting this year to campaign and work toward encouraging and giving local community people the confidence, training, coaching and support to put themselves forward from the Bognor Regis area – enabling truly independent candidates to stand – and win – local elections in 2019. THe councillors elected can then work without party political ideology to make the best decisions they can for their community without a 'whip' or formal leadership and ADC will look very different! Who's with me on this ? Checkout: http://iffrome.org.uk/meet-the-candidates

SEVEN decades of dance are being celebrated in Bognor Regis. A reunion is being held for former pupils of Denisdor School of Dancing to get together for a chat and a catch up. THe occasion is taking place at 7.30pm on January 21 at the Jeneses Arts Centre in Linden Road. Current Denisdor principal Wendy Leadston has arranged the special event after a host of ex-dancers made contact following the death last year of one of the school's founders, Enid Read. Wendy said: "It was wonderful to hear from them. Sadly, a lot of them were unable to make the funeral and we hit upon the idea of having a reunion in tribute to Miss Read and in honour of the school's 70th birthday." Miss Reid and Doris Fradd

began the school on January 13, 1947. Miss Fradd left and moved away and Miss Reid continued as Denisdor's principal until she retired in 2002. She passed away last September, aged 91. THousands have passed through the school learning ballet, tap, modern, ballroom or Latin and appeared in its annual shows. "Back in the 80s, I remember there being over 300 of us squeezed backstage for our shows," said Wendy. "I also have very fond memories of dancing in the Esplanade THeatre as a small child. Anyone attending the reunion should take refreshments. THey are also welcome to take along any old costumes or photographs. Further information from Wendy on denisdordance@ yahoo.co.uk

REPRESENTATIVES of many of 20 or so churches around Bognor Regis will be gathering next week to celebrate working together. THe occasion will be the annual meeting of the town's Churches Together body established to build links between people in different member churches. THe meeting will take place from 7.30pm-9pm at St Mary Magdalene Church in South Bersted. THose who attend will hear about the work of Churches Together as well as some of the many organisations and projects established by or with christians in the area. THese include Arun Angels, Stonepillow,

L'Arche, Christians Against Poverty, YOB Camp, family support week and the town's foodbank. THe meeting takes place during the week of prayer for christian unity. During the week, Churches Together will be encouraging members to visit each other's churches. Secretary Chris Bemrose said: "THis is seen as a way of experiencing the diversity and unity of different churches, as well as getting to know people in different churches. "Churches Together has produced a leaflet outlining the different services and activities on offer." Refreshments will be available from 7pm before the meeting again from 9pm.

Dear Sir ONCE again, Beryl Kingston, writer of fiction, (letters 16 Dec 2016) seeks to muddy the waters in respect of Blake’s Cottage in Felpham where she chooses to assume what I meant in a previous letter. To make matters crystal clear to her and to readers of the Post I will explain in detail what I did mean. When I was approached to lend support to the purchase of Blake’s Cottage I attended several meetings with Tim Heath, pictured below centre, a trustee of the cottage. THese meetings were held well before the purchase of the cottage contrary to what Beryl Kingston alludes to. THe plan as explained to me was that the project was to be split into three parts, the first being the initial fund raising (about £500,000) in order to purchase the cottage. Once the cottage had been purchased, the next phase was the renovation work estimated at another £500,000 in order to deal with the deterioration that was evident to all, not something new since the purchase as is alleged by the detractors who are busy spreading malicious rumours throughout the village of Felpham. THe final phase - estimated at another £500,000 - was to build a modest reception centre at the rear of the property to accommodate visitors, the construction of which would follow the removal of the 1970s extension to the cottage which had been a functional but inappropriate extension in a conservation area added by the previous owner. I have seen much damage done to the heritage of this country by the modernisers. THis is evident in not only in Bognor Regis but all along our coastline where so many fine buildings have been lost and replaced with 60/70s architecture. Bill Bryson, in his recent book, commented on this in his travels. Just lately, we have seen the ugly brutalist public realm works in London Road and Station Square that have done nothing to improve the appearance of the town centre. I mention this as I just cannot believe anyone who cares for Blake’s Cottage, could possibly wish to see that modern carbuncle that was added on to the cottage remain as it is. THe aim of the trust was to return the cottage to a period style when William Blake lived there. All this was clearly explained to me well before the cottage was purchased and was NOT news as Beryl alleges. It may be that it does not fit in with what she wants but the trust have been very open with me and the leader of WSCC as to how they wished to proceed. If Beryl truly wants to see Blake’s Cottage saved then she should restrain herself from this pathetic campaign she is waging. THe public will have access when the work is complete but it will have to be carefully managed. THe last thing residents of Felpham want is coachloads of visitors descending on the cottage, hence the need to carefully manage the site. Has she thought of that? Graham Jones West Sussex County Councillor for Felpham

Dear Sir Justice for Bishop George Bell of Chichester is likely to be restored later in this new year by the Lord Carlile Review - but only partly. THere will be little doubt 'Carol' was sexually abused as a child by a Cathedral cleric, but there will be serious doubt it was Bishop Bell. Who, then, was the abuser in the Diocese of Chichester? Justice - not only for Bishop Bell - will only be fully restored when that question is answered. It is not in Lord Carlile's remit to answer that question - that is our responsibility. Richard W. Symonds, THe Bell Society Lychgate Cottages, Ifield Street, Ifield Village Crawley, West Sussex