You're in: Home » Society » Newsletters

 

Newsletter 198 - October 2004

In this issue:

• How was it for you?
• Any real complaints?
• Here we go again!
• That's your lot!
• A visit to the local mosque
• A stroll on the sand
• A date for your diary
• Sign of the Times
• More Houses in the Mews
• Bulb planting time is back again
• A tree dies in Clarence Square
• More plans for the pier
• More Dates

How was it for you?

The Labour Party and its entourage have gone, leaving behind the usual debates and complaints.

Is it really a big boost to the town's economy, as the Council claims, or does it actually drive people away, as many local businesses seem to have experienced?

One thing is certain; we have never before seen so many police officers in our area at one time. And since the conference has ended, where have they all gone? It is definitely a case of feast and famine.

Any real complaints?

Of course it is disruptive to have such a huge security operation on our doorsteps, but were there any genuine grounds for complaint?

Members in and around Queensbury Mews were annoyed that the contractor installing the security gates chose to do it at midnight. They chose an equally inconsiderate time to take the gates away at the end of the conference.

Given that heavy lifting equipment was needed to move the things, this resulted in an unacceptable level of noise. One member who owns a noise meter registered 95 decibels, well above acceptable levels!

Here we go again!

How about you? Did you suffer any inconvenience or nuisance as a result of the conference? Do let us know, because it's all going to happen again next year: the Labour Party will be back in town from 24-27 September 2005.

Of course if we have a general election next spring, it's just possible that the security operation may be on a smaller scale!

That's your lot!

We have been pressing the Council for additional litter bins in Regency Square. Some very small new bins have been fitted to lampposts but we had been hoping for some full size ones in the gardens, similar to those in Clarence Square.

Council officer Graeme Rolf has been to inspect the square and has talked to the foreperson responsible for the area. The conclusion is that there is "not a major litter problem here".

Mr Rolf is therefore "reluctant to increase the number of bins as they do tend to attract bags of domestic waste which people leave on the floor next to them. These are then torn open by the seagulls, and any problem is then grossly exacerbated."

He has promised to monitor the situation regularly and reconsider his decision if things change.

We are disappointed with this decision. Recently rubbish has been dumped in and around the dog bins in Regency Square. The rubbish won't go away just because there are no litter bins.

A visit to the local mosque

A chance to see our local mosque and meet Imam Hanif who will show us around

Saturday 20 November Meet at 11 am in the vestibule. The mosque is at number 24 Bedford Place.

Visitors will be expected to remove their shoes, but there are no other specific dress requirements for either women or men.

If you have any queries about the visit call Roger Hinton (01273 321794)

A stroll on the sand

It is pleasant to stroll along the sand on a fine day at low tide. But beware! If you walk under what is left of the West Pier you could get a painful surprise.

Pieces of wood and worse can fall from the remains of the temporary walkway, which linked the concert hall to the shore.

We have suggested to the Council that they should do something to stop people from walking on this bit of the beach, or at least warn them of the danger.

No action has been taken because of uncertainty about who is responsible for the beach below high water level. The West Pier Trust has accepted that it may be liable if someone was injured.

A date for your diary

We are planning a quiz evening. It will be on Thursday 2nd December at the Havana Club in Regency Square. The questions will test your knowledge about popular music and entertainment from the past. Full details next month. Put it in your diary now!

Sign of the Times

A while ago the Society notched up a small success when we persuaded the Council to put up a sign directing people to the toilets in the NCP car park.

We were moved to do this because for several years a beer festival was held in the Metropole exhibition halls. Visitors leaving the event mistook Queensbury Mews for a urinal, a mistake which residents of the street failed to appreciate.

At our suggestion, the sign has now been taken down. The beer festivals are no more, but the reason for our suggestion was that the toilets in the car park have now been closed because of vandalism.

More Houses in the Mews

A planning application has been submitted for two semi-detached houses on the north side of Regency Mews at the back of number 20 Castle Street.

In the past we have queried the parking arrangements in Regency Mews which is an unadopted road. It will be interesting to see if this application results in any change in its status.

Bulb planting time is back again

We are planning to plant more bulbs in Regency Square this autumn. The Society will be spending £50 on bulbs and we have asked the Council if they would be able to make a contribution as well.

Planting will take place on the morning of Sunday 24 October. Please come along if you are free. All help and encouragement will be most welcome. Meet at 11 am on the top green in Regency Square.

If you want more information contact Diana Dunn (01273 725898).

A tree dies in Clarence Square

Sadly, one of the trees in Clarence Square has died and has been cut down by the Council. A rather large stump has been left.

The new path runs around the stump so it will be difficult to remove the roots. We have asked the Council what, if anything, they are planning to do with the stump.

More plans for the pier

The West Pier Trust held a rather lacklustre AGM last week. Apart from the formal AGM business, the directors seemed to have no wish to say anything. As a result of a question from Clive Buxton, ("Save our Seafront" campaign secretary), they did reveal three possible future options.

One is to find a new partner, in place of St Modwen, to support full restoration. This would still require the Heritage Lottery fund to put in £15 million, which they have already said they will not do.

The second scheme is similar to the first except that a more modem sub-structure could bring the required Lottery contribution down to £10 million.

Finally there is the "stabilised ruin" option which would only cost the Lottery £5 million and would leave us with much what we have now, only safer.

Trust chief executive Geoff Lockwood warned that if none of these schemes were to be adopted the Council might be forced to build a new development at beach level in order to finance demolition.

Meanwhile the Trust itself has enough funds to carry on until next spring.

More Dates

The Kingscliffe Society has announced two events, at which our members will be welcome:

Sunday 7 November 3-5pm: an illustrated talk about "Magnus Volk and his Railway" at Hampshire Lodge, Hampshire Court, Upper St James Street. Admission £2 at the door (includes tea and biscuits).

Thursday 9 December at 12 noon for 1230: Christmas Lunch at the Pelham Restaurant in White Street. £16. Places are limited so booking is essential. Contact Jean Penney for details (01273 694240).

Return to top of page