Merchant and Mills

Opinions

Which road closes next?

Road closures on the Peasmarsh Road caused traffic chaos in Rye itself as signs appeared in town before the railway bridge, diverting traffic across the marsh - or so it seemed. John Stedman raised the issue with East Sussex County Council and reports back on what he learnt, none of which is good news for the motorist as the long hours of daylight and occasional sun, seem to be resulting in a flood of roadworks

What our council must do now

The last time Rye's Town Council set out to co-opt a councillor, it was because of a row over whether the flag (in the photo above) should fly at half mast after former Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher died. Former town councillor Mary Smith comments on how the co-option process should be as public as possible, and on what else the council can and must do. Local government is an expensive mess and poor old Rye, with its decaying infrastructure, bumps along at the bottom of this mess, she says. Major change may not come soon, but there are things the council can do now.

Tourist questions needing answers

Rye lost its Tourist Information Centre in Lion Street earlier this year and tourists still come into nearby St Mary's church asking where it is... and are re-directed to the Heritage Centre on the Strand. Visitors need information, and Rye needs its visitors. But does Rother Council care? Paul King from Rye Bay Marketing questions how Rother have handled the changeover

Tales of a transport campaigner

Derrick Coffee, a seasoned transport campaigner, spoke at Rother Environmental Group to reveal some of the shocking facts behind the decision to build the Bexhill Link Road. His latest campaign concerns a new train stop at Glyne Gap. Christopher Strangeways reports.

Hospitals: ‘think about diabetics’

A month ago one of our readers shared with us his deplorable experience of an A&E hospital department. Now Nicky Frith of Fairlight Cove asks hospitals to rethink their policy on what drinks and nibbles they stock in snack bars. She also highlights the problems that beset Type 2 diabetes patients who must queue for hours to see a doctor

Bikers! Think pushchairs

For too long now I have watched some of...

Local groups ‘need a temp home’

Local groups, including the Quakers, may have nowhere to meet for a long time, once the redevelopment of Tilling Green Community Centre gets under way

The trouble with democracy

The very capable Amber Rudd has been returned as MP for Hastings and Rye and while our columnist John Howlett praises Rudd's work for all her constituents, he wonders whether the success of her party at national level is a judgment on society's willingness to care? Here are his personal reflections . . .

Amber, a word in your ear please

What would you say to Amber Rudd if you met her in the constituency now that she is Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change? Here are some thoughts you might like to raise with her writes Christopher Strangeways

Paying for acid burn operation

Wendy Vu flies out shortly to see a Vietnamese child terribly scarred in an acid attack. She raised funds for an operation to help the child, and now wants to take other help with her to the child's village

Landgate – update and questions

Former Rye Town Councillor Mary Smith has worked hard to get the facts about Rother's plans for the Landgate Arch. She reveals some of her latest discoveries and asks some searching questions about the future of this important historic landmark

Northiam housing concern grows

A plan submitted by Persimmon proposes building over 60...

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