A Monthly Publication

KNITTING, CROCHETING AND SEWING

I am writing to ask if there is anyone who might be interested in attending an informal basic knitting, crocheting or sewing evening. The venue will be Hunstanton Methodist Church Hall on Wednesdays starting at 7pm 17^th March 10.

For any further information please contact Pauline Scotney, tel 01485 535001

Pauline Scotney

 

OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

Whilst reading your excellent magazine I was reminded of just how important to us locals all the adverts you display are. When you need help, just open the pages, and there is help readily available.  

I have at various times used builders, butchers, plumbers, electricians, restaurants, garden supplies, even hair dressers though they find difficulty with the lack of raw materials I offer them!

Imagine then my delight when despite extensive searching I couldn't find a particular shape of corner unit, so I contacted Mr P Cook, carpenter and in no time he has made me a wonderful piece of bespoke furniture exactly to my needs . Without the advert staring me in the face I would never have thought of having the item made to suit, so thank  you to all and

keep up the good work.
David Crowson

 

ARTICLES IN THE MEDIA 

I would like to respond to various articles that I have read in the Lynn news over the recent weeks regarding Hunstanton’s down turn, Increase in parking charges and substantial increase in business rates due to the new rateable valuation listings.

  Hunstanton has lost extensive footfall over this last year, largely due to the loss of our Flagship store, namely Woolworths. Various shops have had to close due to the downturn in business; our variation of shops has deteriorated, leaving us with a lack of variety and quality.

  We have far too many charity shops and offices in an area where you would expect to see retail stores, the town is in desperate need of retail outlets to make it an interesting and more inviting place to shop. This can only be done by help from our Borough Council. Packages need to be put together to make it inviting to start a business or move a business to our town. In my opinion existing businesses need to have their business rates reduced, And to attract new businesses the first years rates should free.

  In my opinion the council need to take more care and attention in Hunstanton for the 12 months of the year rather then viewing it as a seasonal seaside resort for only 6 to 8 months, They have always been content to have an attractive and tidy town at a time when they are extracting the massive revenue from our car parks of over 1 million pounds. Where dose this money go I ask?? why is it that we are about to see the closure of our theatre because it shows a shortfall in revenue, surely money from the car parks should be used to help keep our theatre open! We are very lucky to have such an excellent venue in our town. Unfortunately since the Corn Exchange in Kings Lynn was refurbished various acts have been transferred from Hunstanton to Kings Lynn hence a downturn in recent years in the theatre’s revenue.

  I have recently read the Chief Executive and council leaders have said that they would like to see our annual Pantomime moved to the Corn Exchange to make it bigger and better. Do they honestly think they can get a Panto theatre atmosphere in hall type arena?

  Today we have read our car parking charges are being increased by 20% at a time when we are desperate to have visitors in the town, What on earth are they thinking of? Most car parks in Hunstanton are pay and display which is not attracting visitors, surely the first hour should be free.

 We have not had a traffic warden in our town for a number of years, yet on a winter’s day in January we have a warden monitoring our streets, this would surely be more beneficial in the summer when there are visitors exceeding the parking limit on our streets.

  I would like to finish off by mentioning the forgotten word " regeneration". 2 years ago our Borough Council spent allot of money inviting a company called BDP to carry out a master plan for our town, was this ever going to happen? Was there ever any money available to be spent in Hunstanton? I think not! Hunstanton has always had a raw deal from the Borough Council, it will always come second to Kings Lynn. As stressed previously they seem quite content to take our money out of this town with a minimum put back, they are happy to promote us as a seaside resort in the summer but then walk away for the winter at a time when we need help most. Before too long Hunstanton will be a seaside resort without a town centre.

  As a businessman in Hunstanton who's stepfather started this business in 1939 I am very saddened to see this happen, I am sure as an ex Town Mayor, Borough Councillor, Borough Mayor and Honorary Alderman, Tom Legge would turn in his grave to see the downturn in the town today, and the lack of help it has received from the Borough Council.

Kevan Fleming
Legge`s Menswear & Ladies Fashions, High Street, Hunstanton

 

HUNSTANTON!

In response to the article in The Lynn News Friday 12th February 2010:

  While I have the utmost respect for our Mayor Christine Earnshaw, whom I can say is my friend, I believe her to be a little naive in her point of view and thus her comments.  Firstly with all respect to those businesses mentioned, two of which have only been open a few weeks, I would ask with what information Mayor Earnshaw speaks?  Please do not misunderstand, I would not wish for her office as I prefer to please all of the people all of the time.  A task I believe to be impossible for any politician, just by its very nature.   Thus, on that note I have the pleasure of free speech...I hope!

  Having owned a successful business in Hunstanton for over 10 years, I consider myself, along with Kevan Fleming and a handful of other business owners a veteran trader in Hunstanton.  Thus I believe I am qualified to give my aspect of the problems Hunstanton faces.

  Irrationally the problem could be summed up with one name; Tesco.  However, this is now unproductive and thus not a solution.

  Hunstanton is, and I quote, "the jewel in the West Norfolk Crown", and while I and fellow traders believe it, let's hope Mayor Earnshaw can successfully squeeze the Borough Council for appropriate funding to preserve this fine gem.

  I believe Hunstanton's problems are too many to list but here's a few...

 1.    Obviously the closure of Woolworths, which created a huge void slap bang in the centre of town.  While every trader is grateful to Warehouse Clearance for filling that void, albeit temporarily, even they are not a sufficient force to draw custom through the town. 

 2.    I am fortunate enough to have parking at the back of my premises, but other traders parking in prospective customers spaces all day cannot be considered helpful.

 3.    Local radio stations have in the past stated that traffic is at a stand still into Hunstanton and that any attempt to go to Hunstanton would prove futile.

 4.    Weather forecasters...Anyone who knows Hunstanton understands it has it's very own Microclimate.  More often than not the weather in Hunstanton is different from even its neighbouring village, Heacham.

 5.    Parking charges in Hunstanton are obscene, and where does the money go?  Not to Hunstanton...

Fact : our fine Country is in recession.  Times are hard, and not only for Hunstanton.

              If Hunstanton is "the jewel in the crown"; and believe me I know my gems; why is it not treated as such?

Some years ago we were promised regeneration having filled in lengthy questionnaires.  It's as much as we (traders) seem able to achieve to NAG the borough council to repair the ever growing pot hole at the beginning of the High Street.

Fact : The King's Lynn Borough Council is more interested in King's Lynn than it's "jewel in the West Norfolk crown". What's the answer?  I wish I knew. I am unsure. However, I believe Hunstanton needs the people who represent the town to represent with louder voices and better still take the reins of Hunstanton away from the Borough Council and look after ourselves.  After all, let's face it we couldn't do a worse job!

John Pesci III

Enrichettas Jewellers Hunstanton

 

MORE HEADLINES

Regarding the recent Headlines - car parking charges increase - I would comment as follows:- 

To the business people of Hunstanton: Be assured you are heard and your SOS window campaign is clearly seen.

  Leading the promotion of Hunstanton (in no particular order is your Hunstanton Newsletter - read it - write to it - circulate and display. Hunstanton-on-Line - log on - advertise - tell others. The Civic Society is not a one issue group - check out their agenda at www.hunstanton-civic-society.org/home.htm - come to their monthly meetings - join Friends of the Green & Pier - google them at www.hunstantonpier.co.uk.

  However, the councils, both Town and Borough, appear oblivious to the problems highlighted by the town's SOS campaign. For example: A full double page advert [Lynn News, Friday 22 01 10] announcing car parking charge increases! Continued  and increased charges for coaches (and I know coach operator opinions - many of which start with - Don't stop off at Hunstanton)  and, despite the obvious impact on visits, a £1 parking charge for bikers who want to congregate at the foot of  The Green - providing a visitor attraction in their own right - what a welcome!  Apparently this income offsets losses incurred at the Oasis and the Princess Theatre - while a prime site on The Green pays just £1 a year in rent. You couldn't make it up as the saying goes!

  And that is without the punitive, after 6pm parking vendetta, carried out so efficiently when the 'Day Ticket' expires. Visit for the day, but clear off come 6pm!

  What was the Council's response to the Unitary proposals? And who authorised that expenditure to challenge the recommendation of the Boundary Committee? Has the Town Council drafted a response to the Wash Shoreline Management Plan? What lead are the councils taking in response to the tidal threat to the cliffs and adjacent coastline? All I hear is managed retreat.

  The Town Council supports registration of The Green, but this will be seriously undermined by an agreement to manage The Green in partnership with the Borough Council, which opposes Registration.

  However, I do urge all the businesses with the SOS window displays to put on a collective brave face, with a smile and welcome, to remove same [SOS signs - not the smiles] before the tourist season arrives proper!  The locals understand, even if the councils don't - others in the town and behind the scenes are working to promote and protect Hunstanton - but the SOS signs detract in photo promotions and lead articles on websites; and from a visitor perspective they will be counter-productive. The economy is right for 'staycations' and the UK should benefit this year -  so be prepared to make the most of this opportunity.

Anthony R Gooch

 

RESPONSE TO THE RESPONSE!

In response to Luke Loades letter in the February newsletter I would firstly want to unreservedly apologise for my assumption that his agency is not in fact an estate agent instead being a residential lettings and management agency.
However, I do take issue with his opinion that those people like myself who whether rightly or not lump property purchase and lettings agencies all together, deter potential businesses from opening new shops in the town. I very much doubt that my views or those of others have any impact on potential local businesses and I certainly do not want to see empty shops here.
However, I’m sure we would all welcome a greater variety of shops that provide services to meet differing needs of the local community and this obviously needs to include estate agents and letting and management agents.
Unfortunately, it seems that increased business rates and the apparent lack of any clear vision for this seaside town from KLBC prevent rather than encourage this from happening.
 To end on a positive note, I welcome the proposed opening of a new clothing shop in the old Woolworths shop and hope that this will attract additional custom to the existing

 retailers within the town.
Mike Shaw

 

UNEXPLODED BOMBS

Reading Kingsley Pearce’s piece about an unexploded bomb, took me back many years ago to about 1953. At the time I was a dog handler in the 1st Btn Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regt. serving in Malaya during the “Emergency” At the time I was at the Suffolk Regt’s. HQ at a place called Wardeburn my regiment had a company there. It was a good place to be, because we could sometimes get into Kuala Lumpur, have a good meal a few pints , and see a recent film .

On this particular occasion the patrol I had been on came out of the jungle on a Friday, and was picked up , and taken back to camp . The next day there was a chance to go in a small armed convoy into Kuala Lumpur for the evening. We started off  with a few pints in the Naffi, then on to our favourite restaurant, it was very crowded but we managed to get in and get seated on a long bench seat. By now we had all had more than a few beers. A sergeant came in by himself, looked at where we were sitting. Got room for a little ‘un he asked?  Yeah come on Sarge, and we all moved up, and he sat down. We started chatting to him some of us were in uniform, a few n civvies, he noticed what regiment we were in, Ulu Bashers are you he said? I’ve never been in the jungle, horrible place, I wouldn’t go in there for ten pensions. Dangerous as well. While he was chatting away I had been looking at him, I can’t remember what regiment he was in ,either RAOC, Reme, or RE’s, and he had some cloth sign on his arm as well as his three stripes "Bomb Disposal", I gave a couple of my mates a nudge, we were impressed to say the least . But this  didn’t really add up here is this Sergeant telling us of how dangerous our job was,and what a horrible dangerous place the jungle was, and he plays around with UXB’s.

There wasn’t one of us who would have done that job, we had our meal, and a few more pints, and the question was put to this Sergeant. Do you get scared when your dealing with a UXB? He just laughed, and said, no of course I’m not scared. We couldn’t imagine anybody doing that job and not being terrified. No he said I’m never scared, do you know why  I’m not scared? No, we had no idea. Well, he said if I make a mistake, and I do something wrong, and the bomb is going to explode, it slowly swells up to about four times its normal size before it goes off. So I’ve got all the time in the world to get well clear. That’s why I’m never scared. Can I buy you blokes a drink?

What did we know? Bomb disposal was not our business, half a dozen eighteen year old squaddies all well on the way to being well drunk. The penny didn’t drop until the next day. I’m sure he had told that story a hundred times or more. We had a good laugh about it .

       I mentioned my regiment, and where we were in the Suffolk’s HQ camp with the thought that there might be an old West Kent, or old Suffolk Squaddie who may read this and would fancy a chat , or an E-mail chat . My No is 01485 534432 , or CLOAKING

Maurice Lowe

 

SELF SERVICE

I hate ‘self service’! If I had the nous & the wherewithal, I would open a website for fellow sufferers.

I can cope with filling my own diesel tank & walking the line with my tray in the supermarket restaurant, or even McDonald’s, (though I rarely clear up after myself) but that is the extent of my compliance. It is partly due to my working-class roots that I think I am doing someone out of a job but mostly it’s because I am a social entity. I like some one to serve me, talk to me & help me.

I have twice put notes in the ‘cash out’ slot at the machine inside Nationwide & had to return at closing time to retrieve it.

The library system is a joke. I use most Norfolk Branches from time to time, so far as I can see they all have as many if not more staff than before ‘modernisation’. I always seem to have one item that will not scan so I have to get help. The machine does not give change so if you don’t have the exact fee, you either have to go to the counter or loan the Libraries Dept money. A bit like the car park machine, you always pay more than you intended. I know several people who have ceased to use the service.

The latest example of ‘progress’ I have encountered is in the new Tesco Express at Heacham. They have two self service tills & the policy seems to be to make you use them unless you search & find a staff member & drag them kicking & screaming to the counter. The last time I used the store, I was obliged to use one of the self service tills; a young woman was using the other. Through no fault of mine, the thing would not scan. I pressed the ‘assistance required’ button but aside from an obvious management type in a suit with a mobile phone to his ear who refused to make eye contact, nobody came. By this time the woman on the other outlet was experiencing difficulty. She pressed the ‘help’ button with no more success than I had. A customer, who was an off-duty staff member, sorted it out & I left ten minutes late for my pick-up & vowing never to return. The ‘manager’ was still on his phone.

How long before we have self serve pubs, betting shops & fish & chip shops? Perhaps prescribe your own medication or DIY surgery in the future. The mind boggles!

Tom Adams

 

PRINCESS THEATRE HUNSTANTON   

I have been a visitor to Hunstanton for the last 6 years, and this has instigated me into thinking about retiring there.  I have in fact stayed in Hunstanton for the whole of November last year, to get a real feel for the town and have noticed during my stay and also when I first visited Hunstanton that the theatre is really the hub of the town.

  I was indeed surprised to see on my return to Hunstanton that there were petitions in the theatre together in the shops that the Council are thinking of closing this theatre for lengthy periods of the year.

  Upon speaking to different people it would seem that the theatre is attended by lots of people coming from outside the Norfolk to visit the theatre for the shows that are put on there - one lady I spoke to had come from Worcester was spending the weekend in Hunstanton after seeing Brendan Shine, and I am sure that there are lots of other visitors like this lady and her husband who do the same thing.

  If the theatre is closed not only will it affect the local people that put on their plays, ie the Lavender Hill Mob, the Princess Theatre Club but I also understand that a lot of the youth are involved in the theatre - can you imagine what will happen to this youth if there is nowhere for them to go?

  I presume that it will also be closed off over the Christmas period which will mean that the pantomime will be discontinued which is a very focal part in everyone's lives at Christmas and if people don't visit the theatre throughout the year, they most probably do at this time of year with their children and grandchildren.

  If the theatre is closed over this period, it will hit a lot of people in the town, not only those who are involved in the running and playing there, but also to the revenue of the town, I see that a lot of shops have already started to close due to high rents and loss of income, can you imagine what it would be like if the theatre closes for long period of times.

  I hope that the councillors will look more into trying to keep this theatre open for the sake of the lives of the local people of Hunstanton and surrounding areas and the local performers who love to entertain the community.

Mrs Christine Cooney

 

OVERPOPULATION AND FOOD SHORTAGES

Your agricultural correspondent Joe Parker has written a typically informative article on the probable future of food production both here and abroad, and there can be no doubt that modern techniques have a vital part to play.

 But I feel that the widespread fear of massive food shortages caused by over-population is much overdone if reasonable adjustments are made.

 Firstly, there should be a gradual but accelerating move away from a meat-based diet to a vegetable based one, one or at the most two, generations should be long enough. This would increase the food production capacity from land threefold.

 At the same time, all inducements to have more than two children in a family should be abolished, indeed ultimately benefits for any children at all.

 Both moves are quite feasible without any great distortions of human existence. If they are not made, then even Mr Parker’s well-informed prophecies will not save the human race, always assuming it deserves saving.

Mr E Piggott

 

THE GREEN

I read with interest and enjoyment the contents of the magazine but I must ask why so many people are interested in preserving that muddy patch of grass known as the green.

 This area is commercially viable real estate. It must not be tied up in such a way that it cannot be commercially developed.

 I suggest that a wind generator farm or a rock concert venue with tiered seating might be built on the site. High rise luxury blocks with grand views across the Wash could be built providing a good tax for the council.

  The pier ‘Hangar’ is a very good example of useful development of what would otherwise be an unprofitable empty space. If a further two ‘Hangars’ could be built on either side an Ice Rink or a Go Cart Racing Track could be great possibilities.

              We must not live in the past, the Victorian period included. This was an age of slums, typhoid, cholera and other diseases which carried away thousands of people. So lets get with it as they used to say; commercial development, lots of noise, bright lights and bags of movement and speed. We must have speed, we will then know that we are all alive.

 Any legal difficulties that may be encountered can easily and smoothly be dealt with by those that make a profession out of this sort of thing.

 I hope that a sufficient number of people reply favourably to the magazine so that I may decide if it is worth pursuing my aims and objectives further.

R A Bullard

 

Editor’s note: Past experience tells me that this letter may well result in a very large postbag. I have Mr Bullard’s address and will forward all responses to him.