By The Editor
Bowing to Pressure
It seems that the spotlight that “Rye’s Own” and the “Rye Observer” have been putting on the unfair favouritism shown towards Bexhill to the detriment of Rye, Battle and the villages by Rother District Council has embarrassed the Rother Cabinet.
They have reversed their decision to release £500,000 of capital partnership funding to Bexhill High School for a project to improve its sports facilities and have a ‘Tennis Academy’ on the site. So they should, the bias shown towards Bexhill when it comes to spending our cash borders on the obscene.
If Rother District Council were a commercial business company they would have gone bust long ago. Is it possible that their officers are paid too much? Can they justify their salaries against what they do? New legislation, mainly from Brussels, has escalated costs and requires more paperwork. More paperwork means more secretaries and more secretaries require new computers. Rother did not exist before 1974 so all this expense could be cut out at a stroke. Lets get back to the far less expensive local Borough Councils and throw out stupid European laws which result in the desecration of cemeteries and endless miles of paperwork. Lets dispense with jobs for the boys we don’t know and have local people who we do know in charge of our affairs again.
Brave People Deserve Better
When I was young I played soccer for Udimore Football Club. Dennis Brown was in the team, he played on the left wing. Ten years ago I suffered a heart attack and had to have an operation to open up the arteries in my heart. I was very lucky, today I am fit enough to take part in cycle races and can do 50 mile rides with ease.
Dennis has not been so lucky. He suffered a heart attack and underwent a quadruple bypass. He left hospital and soon after, while helping to organise a church parade, had a serious stroke in St. Mary’s Church. His whole left side was paralysed, he spent 25 weeks in the Conquest Hospital. The day he was discharged in a wheelchair with two straps holding him in an upright position, the consultant, told him he would improve but would never walk without a stick. Dennis replied that he would not be living like that and would prove him wrong.
At home in Beckley his wife has to look after his every need around the clock, seven days a week. He cannot climb the stairs to the bathroom to bathe and has to spend his time on the ground floor.
He was introduced to the Friary Day Care Centre at Rye Memorial Care Centre. “What a life saver” he said. “I attend three days a week and enjoy every minute. I get a bath and the nurses give me remedial treatment that has seen me improving a little each week. I can now stand and even walk to the bus “if the wind is not blowing” Dennis went on to tell me that he had bumped into his consultant on a visit to the Conquest. His wife was pushing him along a corridor. He stopped and demonstrated that he could stand and walk unaided. The consultant shook his hand, he was amazed at Dennis’ improvement.
Talking with great passion about the Friary Day Care Centre Dennis said. “My wife is also indebted to them. It gives her a break and allows her to do a bit of shopping in Rye – What are we going to do if it is closed down? I went in the first time supported by two belts and six pillows and now I can walk in. I owe so much to the facility as do the 30 or so disabled persons who use it every day, seven days a week. Some go five times each week, it is their life support and it gives a break to those that care for us all at home. We are all happy at our local Hospital and do not want to be bused to Hastings. The Rye Memorial Care Centre was built with money raised locally for the benefit of local people, why do they want to close an important section of it?”
Dennis Brown is a brave man fighting a terrible disability, he always had guts as a footballer, never frightened of even the largest of right backs. I asked him if he would play in goal if we got another team going in Udimore. “Yes!” came the reply, “but only once a fortnight!”
Dennis and all those that enjoy the fun and therapy on a daily basis at the Day Care Centre should not have to suffer the worry of what will happen to them in October. They have all paid their contributions during their working lives, they warrant the very best that can be provided. That best is The Friary Day Care Centre.
This Magazine applauds the efforts that “Rye Observer” and Rye MP. Michael Foster are doing to get this stupid, thoughtless and completely unnecessary decision overturned. “Rye’s Own” will also do everything in it’s power to get the powers that be to reverse their sentence on those in our local area who deserve better.
BLOOM’S NEW BINS
The Rye in Bloom team have got off to a great start in 2006 by purchasing six new seagull proof litter bins which are now located at Tilling Green, Ferry Road and in Rope Walk.
‘Whilst on their regular litter picks they noticed that some of the older bins were looking very shabby and the seagulls were having a field day in some parts of Rye distributing the rubbish around. They wanted to tidy up the street furniture and stop the gulls making a mess.’ Rother District Council will empty these bins along with the others in the town.
Rye in Bloom will be running an Easter Fair which will take place at The Buttermarket, at Rye Town Hall, on Good Friday 14th April from 10am – 12noon where there will be a lovely selection of interesting plants for sale, a home produce stall and tombola. They would be very grateful for any contributions to the tombola, the produce or the plant stalls. Perhaps you might have a few seedlings left over that you could spare. Please call 01797 229808 if you have any items for collection.
Due to popular demand the Rye in Bloom 2006 competition judging will take place between the 3rd and 7th July which is a week later than usual but will still accommodate the school entries. The subject for this year’s school competition will be ‘Best Queen’s Birthday Garden display’. There will also be the judging of the ‘Best Newcomer Display’ which will be open to first time entries both residential and businesses.
Rye in Bloom plan to decorate Station Approach and Crownfields again with hanging baskets. Local businesses have been very generous, with donations from The Hope Anchor Hotel, Rye Lodge, Rye Town Services, HotCats, Durrant House Hotel, The Forge Restaurant, Jeakes House, Rye Town Council, Arena Sports and the Chamber of Commerce.
The In Bloom committee is also in discussion with Nerina Headde at Rye Railway Station and is planning to help her plant up troughs to decorate the platform. Watch out for further details on this project.
After the great success of last year’s Flower and Vegetable Show it will be repeated again this year at the Community Centre on 2nd September. It is hoped there will be even greater support and more entries for this years event.
Further information and entry forms will be distributed later in the year for the various events. If you would like to know more call Lorna Hall on 01797 229808 or go to www.rye-tourism.co.uk/inbloom. Rye in Bloom are always looking for new members it can be a great way to meet new people and get to know Rye.
Common Sense
Gareth and Ann Bateman of Torquay sent me the following, perhaps this is the reason we get none from Rother and County!
Obituary:
“The Sad Passing of Common Sense”
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing life isn’t always fair, and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer paracetamol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I’m A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.
If you still remember him pass this on….
If not join the Silent Majority, and do nothing…..
Rye Will Fight Back
Well done Rye Observer, your fight to save the Friary Centre will not go in vain. 2,000 signatures may not count for much in Lewes and Bexhill where East Sussex and Rother Councillors make decisions that are against Rye’s interest, but it has lit a flame in this town that will not be extinguished.
A bye election has been called to fill the vacant slot left on Rye Town Council as a result of vacancy left by Councillor Parkes who is leaving Rye. This position needs to be filled by someone who will galvanise the Council into action.
It’s too late for words, deeds are required now, if the Friary Centre is to be saved.
A protest, led by Rye’s Mayor and Councillors, accompanied by a group of those that attend the Centre, could be organised in a way that could cause extreme embarrassment to East Sussex County Council
Demands to Rother should be made for the return of Car Parks, The Salts, Gungarden, Cemetery and Planning, to the jurisdiction of Rye Town Council, along with the Public Toilets they are trying to foist upon us.
It is abundantly clear that neither Rother or East Sussex County Council can be trusted to look after this town. The time has come for Rye to look after its own affairs again as it did for 900 years before 1974 when Rother was created.
Let us be done with them and their false promises, they are slowly strangling this town.
Jim Hollands
“Rye’s Own” March 2006
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