Your Say

YOUR SAY

Comments on Wheelie Bins

Residents are asked to leave wheelie bins out early, which, in my case, means the previous night. I leave it just inside the gate, but it is always on the pavement after it has been emptied. If we are out for a few hours, or for the day, I worry about the danger to the frail and elderly who have to negotiate a way past it. Fortunately, I know of no blind residents around here, for which it would be an even greater hazard. Any chance of pushing it back inside the gate, chaps? - Joe Reid

Dear nikki,

here are my views as promised some weeks ago. Very nice area, nice houses and nice prices too! You probably guessed we were staying at the Grand ocean hotel. Food was very poor, and standards in dining hall very low. I don't know how they get away with it these days. Half of the facilities i.e. swimming pool etc were not even open. However, the entertainment every night was first class and the performers worked so hard. They deserve to be working somewhere better. We still had a very good holiday, and the weather was kind. I did feel that the Grand Ocean was an ugly blot on the landscape.
One disappointing note to our holiday was when I was conned out of £10 change by a wide boy and his mate on the little train along the seafront at Eastbourne. I should never have tendered a £20 note. You live and learn!

Best wishes from the North East of England,
Les from Houghton-le-Spring (get your map out to see where this is)

Hi - Here is the latest news on the bill to control fireworks. It is going to report on 16 May and as many local MPs need to attend to support it. Can I ask you again to lobby your MP in support of the RSPCAs campaign. Message from RSPCA below:-

Thanks, best wishes Debbi.

Dear Supporter
The bill to control fireworks and restrict their use passed yet another crucial stage last week when it successfully completed its committee stage. A huge thanks, once again, to everyone who wrote to their MP to support the bill and make sure it progressed this far.

The bill will now proceed to report stage in the House of Commons on Friday, 16 May and we need to make sure we get as many MPs as possible to attend and support the bill. But time is very tight. In order to get the support this bill needs to succeed, please write to your MP asking him/her to attend the report stage on 16 May.

Find out more about the campaign, including how to contact your MP, at http://www.rspca.org.uk/fireworks.

Best wishes, RSPCA Online

ROUNDABOUT - In the last issue of Saltdean Residents Association's ‘The Resident’ newsletter they wrote about the Council’s response about no fund funding available for the long awaited roundabout at the junction of the A259 South Coast Road and Arundel Drive West, which they advise would cost £70,000. The SRA continue to pursue this issue.

However the Council states that there have only been FOUR MINOR accidents at this junction in the last THREE YEARS with NO INJURY accidents reported. The SRA believe this to be incorrect!

To prove this the SRA will require your assistance in providing details of dates and details of accidents at this junction. Please email the website with any details which will be passed to the Secretary of the SRA so that evidence can be given to the Council.

Letter posted April 23rd April

Greetings friends.

Attended the annual town meeting this week. A couple of issues came up of interest.

First the Civic centre. It's that building in Telscombe Cliffs with the turret. It's extremely under-used and the councillors asked us to spread the word. So if you have a group that meets in your home or in a drafty church hall, think about moving your meetings to this splendid building.

I say splendid. It's not very practical in many ways. Whoever designed this building never actually gave any thought to the type of uses our community might like to put it to.

But lets have a go working with what we have. Maybe changes can be made (can you believe it was designed with no storage facilities?!!!!!!!?)

There might even be grants available to help with the rent.

What the civic centre would be good for is parties. They've had weddings and funerals, we were told by councillor Liz Lee. But no christenings or barmitzvahs yet.

Anniversaries, engagement celebrations, special birthdays, book launches, art exhibitions, keep fit and yoga would all work in the space. I wondered if we could organise an organic food fair. Any takers?

Call Marina on 300 116 or email marinabaker@btinternet.com if you're interested in any of the above or have ideas of your own.

Peace and love as always

Marina Pepper
xxx
PS: The other point of interest is a revamp of how the council communicates
with us. V bad right now. This would involve giving the Town Crier an overhaul or putting it out of its misery. Maybe an e-news system could be set up, similar to that provided by saltdean.info. All ideas re communication will be gratefully received and discussed at length (gosh I sound like I'm already a councillor. What I mean is discussed and implemented if promising).

Letter posted 19/03/03

Two exciting bits of community news for all from your friendly neighbourhood eco-warrior! I have managed to secure a deal, supplying us with leaflets,
photo-degradable plastic bags and poop scoops. Now I just need some volunteers to come up to the Tye of a Saturday to hand them out.

Now we all know lots of dog owners are responsible and respectful. It's the tiny minority who don't make a connection between what comes out of their
dogs bottoms and what ends up on our shoes, that I believe need informing.

Any takers for a spot of polite and cheerful vigilante action can contact
me. 300 116.

Second bit of news: the glass recycling bins have arrived and are situated in the small scrap of a car park between Threshers and the Spanish Lady.
Separate bins for clear, green and brown glass. Since you ask, blue glass goes in with the green. Enjoy....

Peace and love
Marina Pepper
xxx

Letter posted 09/03/03

Reading through the pages of the Saltdean.info there is a very strong feeling of anger about the fact that there could be a possibility of housing asylum seekers at the Grand Ocean Hotel, and that residents are angry about the fact that property price's are falling in the area, don't get me wrong but I would also feel bitter about these fact's seeing as I'm in the process of moving and have considered Saltdean as a possible area to move too. But the reason the property price's are falling is not because there may be asylum seekers at the hotel but the fact that resident's just might as well shout from the top of the hotel that Saltdean is not the place to move too.

Letter posted 03/03/03

I have been contacted by a new resident to Saltdean who has uncovered this in his garden.....I have recently moved to Nutley Ave, on clearing some overgrown plants in the back garden I have found a small hole or shaft. It measures about 3ft wide by 2ft long, the edge is made of brick and concrete. The hole appears to go under the garden, because the hole is partly filled in with soil it is difficult to see how big it is. This hole is about two thirds of the way down the garden and is on the left hand side. I have looked at the plans and the land registry papers but they show nothing. My question is? Do you know of any papers, people, or places that could shed some light on this matter?

Anybody out there have any ideas? If you have email me here and I'll pass them on.

UPDATE 03/03/03: have had this back from Duncan on the SRA.....In answer to the "shaft thing in Nutley Avenue" - this could be the old cess pit for sewage. Lots of properties were not connected to the mains sewerage this came later as Saltdean developed. This would apply to the older properties. We have the same in our garden as the property was built in the Thirties, the property is now on mains sewerage. Hope this helps.

Letter posted 03/03/03

Mr Greenstein.what are you talking about?
A group of about 15 concerned residents of Saltdean sat down one night to discuss what we should do about Asylum Seekers at the Ocean Hotel. There were no BNP in attendance, no one was connected to the BNP, we were just very concerned residents. So get it into your head - WE ARE NOT BNP. If you spent 30 years active in anti-fascist and anti-racist politics, I'm sorry but you could not have been very good!
Now if BNP members did turn up at the demo, they certainly did not make themselves known to any of the organisers of the demo, they did not leaflet drop at the demo and the Police took no action against anybody. We have said it before, and will say it again, if we could ban BNP members from demo's, we would also ban people like yourself, Mr Salkie and his followers.
'Majorities are often wrong' - A majority of this country do not want to go to war with Iraq - are they wrong?
I'm sorry Mr Greenstein but your letter just does not make sense.
Regards
Matthew Cooper - Saltdean Vale

Letter posted 03/03/03

Greetings from an eternal optimist.

The front-page story on today's Argus (28th February 2003) suggests asylum
seekers won't be staying in our community after all. NASS and the Home
Office may still have other ideas, but we could safely assume this would
mean a change of management at the Grand Ocean Hotel.

However, let us for a moment imagine the story to be not only accurately
reported but actually true.

Over the past few months I have been mightily impressed with the dedication
of so many to a common cause: the well being of our community here in
Saltdean. Letters have been written to politicians, newspapers and
saltdean.info, leaflets distributed, a demo and a counter demo organised and
many regular meetings held.

What are we to do with all this new-found community spirit? Well, I have an
idea. Let all those taking sides and all those in the middle not sure what
to think, join together as one.

Together I'm convinced, we can achieve anything. We could sort out the
nightmare parking on Longridge Avenue and around the school. We could
persuade dog owners to pick up their dogs' doo doos. We could find something
for our wayward teenagers to do of an evening, instead of leaving them to
hang out looking for things or people to vandalise (I think a samba band
could work).

I haven't thought of a name for our new community group, but I have come up
with a few ideas for pamphlet headlines. How about:

This is Saltdean, not a dog toilet!

Or:
Yes to rational parking, let's open our eyes and spot the double yellow
lines!

Or: Teenagers on the tear: the facts and the myths - Fact: Saltdean can't cope.
Myth: They'll grow out of it (well okay, they might, but how will we know? Meanwhile property prices near our fish and chip shops are plummeting!).

Not perfect, I agree. So please everyone, reply via our website with ideasfor vital campaigns, a group name and some witty headlines. We'll need some
good one-liners for placards, too, should a demo be deemed necessary.

The author(s) of those I judge to be the best can have a free pint on me at our first community group meeting.

Yours, as ever, in peace and love

Marina Pepper

Hotel says no! News here

January 27th My name is Carrie and I am a 3rd year student at Sussex University, studying Media studies. My group has been asked to make a documentary about asylum seekers in Britain and I wondered if any residents from Saltdean would like to be interviewed about their views (we are looking for people who are both for and against asylum seekers). I would be very grateful if you could leave a notice on your web page with my contact details or if you know of anyone who would like to participate then it would great if you could give them my email address / telephone numbers. We are only at the primary stages of this project so at present I am just trying to accumulate a list of people who are interested in giving their views about asylum seekers. Thank you for your time
Regards
Carrie Lukas
01273 677 040
07950 339394
carrie_lee81@hotmail.com

Letter posted 27/02/03

I was relieved to see the STAR leaflet, as I had begun to worry that I was living in a very selfish and intolerant community.

We've never batted an eyelid at the endless coachloads of tourists who come down to Saltdean - would asylum seekers really stretch local resources more than this? Even if they did, I don't mind having to queue at the chippy. If it is true (though I don't see how) that they would place a sudden burden on the taxpayer, for once I'd think this was a good use of council money. And - horror of horrors - should the market value of my property be reduced by public alarm at their presence, I'd feel angry about the public alarm, not about the asylum seekers. There are more important things in life than property values - and I say this as someone whose tiny bungalow is my only investment.

History and geography have been kind to us so far: we've never had to seek safety in another country. We might not always be so lucky. In the meantime I hope we can show some compassion towards those less fortunate, instead of accusing them of pretending to have had a rough time of it in their own country in order to come here, rape our women and steal our jobs. It is depressing to see the same old bigotry trotted out in these situations. Don't we ever learn from history? The way the good folk of Saltdean have reacted to the "threat" of accommodating asylum seekers reminds me of the saying, "History is always repeating itself. It has to; no-one ever listens".

Alison Terry
Saltdean

Letter posted 27/02/03

If Mr Bishop was with the group of men observing over 70 people gathering to deliver the STAR information sheet, he saw me liaising between STAR and security personnel employed by Saltdean Tavern who had been misinformed that there was going to be a demonstration. Mr. Bishop's prejudices against me have no foundation in fact.

I have been consistent in my views that residents should be consulted on issues that affect their community but must be given accurate facts on which they can make informed judgments. A view repeated to me by residents over the 4 years I have been an elected Councillor on issues as diverse as Asylum Seekers, Portobello and Grass Verges.

The Telscombe Town Council Notice of Motion (posted on this website) to which Mr Bishop refers was passed unanimously by Liberal Democrat, ESRA and Independent Councillors. The Council resolution addressed the lack of consultation and information and also recognised that in Saltdean intimidation has already taken place.

Councillor Liz Lee

Letter posted 27/02/03

As someone who has been active in anti-fascist and anti-racist politics in
Brighton & Hove for nearly 30 years, I note with interest the attempts of
Greg Bishop, F Green and others to pretend that the BNP were somehow not
involved in the protests against the use of the Ocean Hotel for asylum
seekers and refugees.

I can categorically state that we know for a FACT, that members of the
British National Party were present at the demonstration, as well as being
involved in subsequent leafleting, which I don't think anyone would deny,
of Saltdean.

Greg Bishop makes great play of 1,600 signing a petition. But majorities
are often wrong (if they are indeed a majority). If 1,600 people signed
something on the basis of rumour mongering, innuendo and false reporting
then that says more about the gullibility of those who signed. Those who
remember the 'silent majority' of Richard Nixon will also remember how that
majority quickly became a minority. Asylum seekers come here, as did Jews
and others before them, because we went to their country. It's no surprise
that Afghanis, Iraqis and Kosovians are in the top 3 categories of asylum
seekers - all countries we've waged war in.

And as for house prices being affected, this is a wonderful example of
economic racism. What if having Jews next door affected your house prices,
would you campaign for Saltdean to be Judenrein? Don't forget that Bible of
the middle classes, the Daily Mail, was saying the same about the Jews in
the first half of this century as it does about asylum seekers today.

Tony Greenstein

Letter posted 27/02/03

In reply to Mr Salkie's misleading posting below, there was a maximum of 50 people mostly from outside of the area. If this is the level of support, it
shows the overwhelming majority of people are against the plans. This is highlighted by the fact that they had to be drafted in from far and wide...how much do they know about Saltdean and it suitability for asylum
seekers?

One of your so called helpers was from London, and when this person was asked a question about the leaflet, the Saltdean resident was immediately called a racist! What a surprise. This again goes to prove that you are not for open and rational debate because everyone that doesn't agree with you is called
racist or branded BNP members.

Why don't you and your group stop using the racism card every time just to cloud over the real issues. It is you and your group causing the friction in the community.

Letter posted 25/02/03

It is all very well for Cllr Liz Lee to rightly go on about open and rational debate. However, is this possible with Cllr Lee when she was one of the 'pro asylum seekers in Saltdean' that helped deliver the STAR leaflet which contained several misleading facts.

I hardly think that this represents democracy when she displays such strong views that are not supported by the majority.

With regard to the Telescombe Town council statement regarding racism and BNP groups, I would suggest that the pro asylum seekers are largely responsible for whipping up hysteria as I have heard several of their supporters mention specific people are BNP members when they are not. They are just against the plans for the hotel.

This does not make them racist nor automatic members of any right wing groups. I have also witnessed a verbal attack by one of the 'pro asylum seekers' which was against a man who helped organise the demonstration outside the hotel and is in no way connected to the BNP or is a racist as the foul-mouthed assault claimed...so much for not spreading lies and whipping up hysteria!

Please stop making these totally unfounded accusations as they are creating the hysteria which you claim to want to avoid and they are total myths. Over 1600 residents signed the petition against the plans, I do hope that you are not claiming we are all racist because we are NOT!

Greg Bishop

Letter forwarded to the website 24/02/03
Date: 24 February 2003 09:47
Subject: Thanks for helping in Saltdean for the STAR leaflet drop

It was a fantastic turnout -- over 70 people. You all did an excellent job. One or two people had abuse shouted at them, but there were also positive responses from local people.

Below are some of the positive email responses from local people in response to the leaflet.

Thanks for your help, and best wishes. – Raf

I have just read your leaflet delivered this morning, & wish to register in agreement with all you say in it. I have lived here for 11 years & have found a wonderfully friendly community. I certainly would not return to Surrey! I agree we should give these people a chance.

Regards

Thank you for posting your Flier through our door this morning. It is very reassuring to see others who share my flatmate's and mine opinions regarding asylum seekers the prejudice and bigotry which is alive and breeding in Saltdean. We to have been shocked and disturbed by the hysterical and inaccurate leafleting, I presume that you are aware that the BNP have leafleted out home on Thursday, and this has been the last straw, to have racist literature put into our home. I would like to offer any support that I can give to counter this bigoted menace. We are happy to leaflet, letter write and anything else that our skills might be appropriate for. Please contact us if we can be any help at all.

Thanks

This is a letter I've sent to the Argus today. I thought the leaflet Was excellent. Will also email Des Turner (I too gave up my time to help him get into Parliament - what a disappointment). Have also registered my support formally on the website.

Dear Editor

As a Saltdean resident, I was delighted to receive, through my letterbox on Sunday, a leaflet published by STAR - Saltdean for Tolerance & Respect - which sets out the myths and facts about asylum seekers. At last, the voice of sanity and common sense! I appeal to other residents to support this movement, as it is surely time that those of us who are motivated by humanity and concern for our fellow man, rather than suspicion and hatred, made ourselves heard above the mindless prejudice and xenophobia of the vociferous few.

Just got the leaflet.

Count us in!

Hi and congratulations on providing a positive and humane response to the negative and unpleasant reactions to recent rumours/proposals. 100% support for STAR - Call me, contact me for any assistance I can offer. Please make sure that you use email to inform of local meeting etc. Nothing made my blood boil more than receiving leaflets through my door recently from the BNP. I work for non profit making organisations and I travelled to Croatia and Bosnia as part of Aid Convoys in early 90's - Firmly believe that not only charity but tolerance begins at home.

Keep up the good work.

Dear Sir, Thank you for your green leaflet concerning the hysterical intolerance which a small minority of those in Saltdean are displaying towards the prospect of the Ocean Hotel being used to house Asylum Seekers. These irrational people make me ashamed to live in the same village, and obviously are the type who take their cue from the gutter Tory press who are simply using the issue to promote their usual anti-government Rancid Right Ranting. The trouble is that present BBC and ITV leaders also take their cue from this gutter press, and give an undue prominence to this minority group, so your leaflet was most reassuring that there are thinking people still alive and working towards tolerant and caring values. One thing I must disagree with however is your declaration of being " non-political". I can understand you wishing to prevent casual readers from being scared away, but because every person has a different concept of what "political" means, this debased word (like "love") should never be isolated without further elucidation. I have an idea you probably meant non-PARTY-political? Talking of Rancid Right Ranting (from three R’s nutters) reminds me of the old Monty Python sketch where John Cleese interviews someone with three bottoms, but can’t actually bring himself to say so. Whether you like it or not, your aims are blatantly political SO BE PROUD OF IT!

Letters posted 23/02/03
Hi,
As a father of a two year old boy, I'd like my son to grow up in a multicultural Britain enriched by the diverse experiences, talents and cultures of people from all over the world.
All immigrants, legal or illegal, as well as asylum seekers and refugees, are welcome in my country.
Racism, intolerance, ignorance and the British Nazi Party are not.

Paul Dean
Wicklands Avenue, Saltdean

Letters posted 23/02/03
Hi there

I have recently found out that the RSPCA has launched a report entitled 'Quiet Please' on 13 February. Thousands of pets each year are treated for injuries and shock/fright because of loud fireworks. On Friday 28 February a Bill is going to be discussed (second time) at Parliament. 100 MPs are needed for there to be any chance that this Bill may progress. Please can you go to this address and use the auto fax form to lobby your local MP i.e. ask him to attend the second reading. The address is www.rspca.org.uk. Go to the hyperlink 'Fax your MP' and follow the instructions, it only takes a few minutes and you could save lots of pet distress.,
Thanks for doing this.

Debbi.

THIS IS WHAT I WROTE IF YOU WANT TO COPY IT (MAKES IT REAL EASY!)

Sunday 23 February 2003
Dear Rt Hon Des Turner,

I understand there is to be a Private Members Bill to control explosive fireworks discussed. I also understand that for this Bill to progress through Parliament and, perhaps, into future legislation, 100 MPs must attend and support the second reading next Friday,28 February. For the sake of so many pets/animals who are injured and frightened each year I would ask you to support this Bill.

Thank you for taking time to read this fax.

Regards, Debbi Lobert.

Letters posted 23/02/03

People who oppose an 'asylum hotel' aren't necessarily lacking in compassion or hateful. Not only would many of them prefer the resources allocated to be spent on the NHS, but it ought to be remembered too that there are blacks who support racial separatism& repatriation, eg, the late Labour MP & Anti-Nazi League Steering Committee member Bernie Grant.

I have posted both these article onto the news page for your convenience. See photos of the 'Downing Street Petition-giving' on the news page.

Letters posted 20/02/03
Thank you to everyone who signed the petition against the use of The Grand Ocean Hotel for housing asylum seekers. The petition with over 1600 signatures was handed in at Downing Street with copies to NASS (who are responsible for the decision) and Brighton and Hove Council.

Unfortunately, the plans are still going ahead and it seems that the latest figures for the planned in take is in excess of 250 asylum seekers. We must continue to fight the plans as it is a simple fact Saltdean CAN'T cope!

Greg Bishop - Saltdean Vale

Letters posted 18/02/03

Press statement from Star - please see more info: www.saltdeanstar.org

Saltdean residents say YES to asylum seekers. A meeting took place in Saltdean on Sunday (9 February) to plan a campaign to welcome refugees to the Grand Ocean Hotel.

Campaigners have been inundated by messages of support since they took a stand against the anti-asylum seeker protest at the hotel last month.

The meeting produced the following statement:

"Recent media coverage of events in our town has focussed on the protests against the plan to accommodate asylum seekers at a local hotel. These reports fail to represent the views of the majority of local residents who have not signed petitions or joined demonstrations.

"A meeting last weekend saw a cross section of the Saltdean community discuss how we could promote a positive view of refugees to our neighbours and plan activities to welcome and support asylum seekers when they arrive in Saltdean.

"We welcome support from all those who are appalled by the hysteria surrounding the asylum issue and would like to help those willing to welcome refugees in Saltdean."

Letters posted 12/02/03
Any ideas out there regarding a 'funny shaft thing'???

Anybody out there have any ideas? If you have email me here and I'll pass them on.

Letters posted 15/02/03
Any info out there 34 Arundel Drive East, Saltdean, E. Sussex?

I am trying to find information about the above property. If anyone can put me in touch with the owner or a representative, please call:

L. Bonoldi 01273 306656 - 07944 204941

or Email me at: GaryBoldi@Hotmail.com Thank you.

Letters posted 12/02/03
Help! As you know St Martins preschool has a gathered a growing army of bag
ladies, - cloth bag ladies that is. And now we're running out of cloth.

Can you ask everyone you know if they have spare material/old curtains/whatever, hanging around in cupboards? Or perhaps you have a
contact in the rag trade who has more offcuts than they know what to do bwith. We still need more sewing people, but we really do need more material NOW!

Feel free to pass on this email. They can respond to me or email jane.mitchell3@virgin.net

Letters posted 11/02/03

As a researcher I must refute Prof Salkies claims of BNPers at the hotel protest. Racist sentiments were expressed, but uniformed police wouldn't know who BNPers were - they barely exist locally. I saw none there, inc. organiser Darren Copeland or ex-leader John Tyndall. Councillors who liaise with the police, also deny they were there. If they were there why didn't they leaflet? The sensationalist media would have reported their presence. Nor am I BNP either, despite idiots misjudging my appearance! That retired ex-BNP leader John Tyndall lives in Hove means nothing - he'd be embarrassed by activity! I doubt Prof Salkie is hysterical or ignorant, but may have a crafty political agenda of both smearing opponents and for Left-wing student troublemakers to make capital out of the issue. Like they did in 1992, calling a march over a nonexistent desecration of Brightons Jewish Cemetery, oblivious to the distress that it caused relatives. Perhaps people like Prof Salkie are there REAL BNP supporters - just look at the publicity that he gives them.

Yours F. Green

Letters posted 11/02/03

If I were the BNP, I'd thank the likes of Prof. Salkie for all the free publicity he's given them! What an absent-minded birdbrain - small wonder his students can't get jobs.

Letters posted 8/02/03
I would like to make a few points, in response to some of the letters responding to Professor Salkie.

The links between asylum seekers and crime are the source of much misinformation. In areas where they are housed, the increase in crime is almost exclusively in the form of racist assaults and similar crimes against the asylum seekers. Police and government information show that asylum seekers are no more likely than anyone else to commit a crime, but are many times more likely to be the victims of them. The perpetrators of these crimes are usually the kind of slow-witted people who believe the lies and propaganda spread by the BNP and similar organisations.

The presence of the BNP at the demo is not in doubt. The BNP are not stupid enough to bring banners, Mr Elliott, they realise that they are not too popular and act accordingly. One policeman explained to me at the demo that the BNP has several unofficial uniform elements which make them easy to spot, and the police and security services are briefed to observe and report these.

The numbers of people at the demo is debatable, but rather irrelevant. The fact that 560 signatures were collected is meaningless; my friend was able to sign the petition for himself and his family, none of who were present, or residents of Saltdean. Signatures were also collected from passers-by, and so on.

As to the attack on a protester, I witnessed a woman being approached by two men, one of whom stood behind her and hit her on the head with a wooden placard, breaking it. If this is not an assault, then I am very much mistaken.

Mr Cooper describes the “plan” of asylum seekers “to escape the country they are being persecuted in, claim asylum in the UK, settle in an area and then send for their family members at a later date” This may well be true, and I hope that if myself and my family were being persecuted I would have the courage to do the same.

I am proud to be a resident of Saltdean, and have always considered it a pleasant, welcoming home for people of all ages and backgrounds. I hope the spirit of fascism does not find a home here, but if it does the blame will not be with asylum seekers. The people of Britain fought a war, and many gave their lives to destroy fascism in Europe. I hope we in Saltdean have learned something from their sacrifices.

A Saltdean resident

Letters posted 8/02/03

The hotel has just taken delivery of several hundred brand-new chairs.
There are now many many more in total than they used to have. Do you think
that they are anticipating a large influx of "guests"?

Letters posted 4/02/03
From Mrs Babbage.

I must say I'm very excited about all the activity in Saltdean at the
moment. I'm not talking about the A word, or the AS words. What a sorry
business.

No what has me beaming as I water my plants in the morning is all these
young people getting stuck in to community business. They've asked if we can
all write a letter to Defra asking for Telscombe Cliffs to be included in
the National Park boundary. This is a good idea. Those splendid campaigners
at CRAP (what a name) have worked for so long and hard on this issue. With
this one final push we can all help to save Portobello forever. Hooray!

One can also write a letter to that lovely lady Liz Lee (82 Bevendean
Avenue) who is a councillor for Telscombe and Lewes District. She's trying
to get us a kerbside recycling service as soon as possible. It's an
excellent idea. I met her out walking the other day and she said if we all
write to her she can prove how committed we all are to the project and can
hopefully have the service sooner rather than later. I'm going to get out my
Basildon Bond note paper as soon as I've finished surfing.

I'm also making some cloth bags for the children of St Martins preschool.
I've had some old curtain material knocking around for ages. The children
are going to give them away at their Easter Fair on April 12th. They say it
will be so much nicer than plastic bags. I have to agree. Plastic is a nasty
thing. I do hate all the bags that get caught up in the bushes in my garden.
Anyway, there's a sweet girl called Jane who you can ring. She turns up with
a template and a ready made bag as an example. And material if you don't
have any. Jane's number is 390 493. I wish my daughter in law was as
energetic and enthusiastic as Jane. Jane said they might need some more
material so even if we can't sew, we can still help them with this worthy
cause.

And how wonderful for us to be able to do something for the children. Maybe
we should give their mothers a few sewing lessons. I fear needlework is a
dying art.

Pip pip everyone.

Letters posted 4/02/03
Residents of East Saltdean will receive a letter through their door accompanying this month's community newsletter, FOCUS. (I'm delivering as fast as I can. Any volunteers who would just do their road are most welcome).

The letter outlines the issue of the National Park boundary. If this does not include Telscombe Cliffs, south of the A259, Portobello could developed in the future. Let's not allow this to happen. LET'S GET IT PUT IN THE PARK! Please write to Defra. A personal letter is always better than a mass mail out - a personal letter has to be read. So come on everyone, here's a bit of community action we can all take part in. Please do your bit. And don't forget to sign the CRAP petition - there's one at the post office.

Many thanks

Marina Baker

Well done to Saltdean's favourite webmistress on the website makeover.

Now, Does anyone mind me changing the subject? Good. If you have a sewing machine and can use it, St Martins preschool is desperately seeking volunteers to make cloth bags.

These will be given out for free at our Easter Fair (12th April, St Martins church hall, all welcome). These bags will be used instead of plastic carrier bags. We all know plastic isn't the best thing to be making bags out of. They cause such a litter problem, they pollute rivers and seas, they cause flooding and they don't biodegrade.

Our dream is for everyone in Saltdean to have a cloth bag which can be re-used ad infinitum when we pop out to the shops.

We have material and suggestions for size. Please contactmarinabaker@btinternet.com and I'll get our resident seamstress to get intouch.

Many thanks. Lets keep building our community, celebrating all we have in common rather than focus on our differences.

Marina
xxx

Letter posted 2/02/03
Mr Salkie

I refer to your letter that was posted on saltdean.info website on 27/01/03.

We collected 560 signatures from the protest Saturday morning. That should give you a better indication of the amount of people who came out in support of us in the freezing cold and rain. I was one of the first people there and one of the last to leave and thought the protest went very well and peacefully.

I'm sorry you thought it necessary to bring up BNP members being involved in the protest. As we clearly have said all along this is NOT a racist issue and that the protest was organised by residents of Saltdean and we have NO connection what so ever with the BNP or National Front. Ask yourself this - the BNP have only ever leaflet dropped Saltdean twice and on both occasions after the Government have thought about using Saltdean to house asylum seekers. If Saltdean did start to home asylum seekers, do you think we would see more or less BNP representatives? I fear we would see more of them and that they would gain a bigger support within our community! Do the residents of Saltdean want that? Also it would be wonderful to be able to organise a demo and be able to choose who should or shouldn't attend. If we were able to do this, yes of course we would alienate both BNP and NF supporters but we would also alienate people like yourself - you can't have the best of both worlds Mr Salkie.

The hotel is to be used as an alleged induction centre. 7-10 days stay is a complete myth. If you check out the NASS website it can take up to 6 months for each asylum seeker to be checked. That means that Saltdean will be the first port of call for many asylum seekers waiting for a yes / no answer from NASS. They could be anyone. Most asylum seekers are young men - it makes sense as they are usually the fittest and strongest within their families to make the long journey. Their plan is usually to escape the country they are being persecuted in, claim asylum in the UK, settle in an area and then send for their family members at a later date. NASS claim that flats and houses will be used to house families, hotels and hostels to house single people. Who do you think will be in the hotel?

Once holidaymakers realise what the hotel is doing, do you think people would still holiday at the hotel? The hotel will struggle to keep running and then be in no other position other than to accept even more asylum seekers. I don't believe for one minute they will fill the 590 beds up with asylum seekers on day one, but next year or the year after, how many beds will be full of asylum seekers then?

Mr Salkie I suggest you visit places like Hastings, Folkestone or Dover. Saltdean is NOT an ideal place to home asylum seekers. What do they do in a small town 5 miles from the city centre with little or no money? They can't go for walks along the cliff tops everyday! They will, as they do in the towns above hang around in groups. Women, children and the older people in the community will feel threatened by this.

I read your myths and facts sheet. You put down a fact about immigration and crime has no connection. I'm sorry but you don't know that to be a fact. Crime figures do not get published splitting what race or nationality commits a crime. I have looked up Hastings and Folkestone's overall crime figures, and guess what Mr Salkie, they have gone up!

I suggest you knock the racist and BNP argument on the head. Just because people are concerned about the community in which they live does not mean they are racist or members of the BNP. Any suggestion that we are is not only ignorant of you but also insulting to us. You Mr Salkie you are scaremongering people!

Finally, a certain shop in Saltdean was vandalised for showing a poster about the protest. He was being branded a racist! It wasn't done by the 97% of the people in support of us on Saturday. Who could it have been I wonder?

Regards
Matthew Cooper, Saltdean Resident

Letter posted 28/01/03
In answer to Rafael Salkie’s Open Letter

I wonder if Mr Salkie was on the same demo that I was. Councillor Hyde who was on his side of the road witnessed no such behaviour and was told by the Police that the demo outside The Grand Ocean Hotel Saltdean was one of the most peaceful they had ever attended. I challenge him to obtain the police report and prove your story that the BNP were present. I do not recall seeing any BNP banners and nor does anybody else that was there. Organisers of the protest expressly stated from the outset that the BNP was not to be involved and walked amongst the protestors collecting a petition.

Mr Salkie was seen yesterday on the Kilroy program accusing the protestors of ”scaremongering”. Now he has the audacity to try and use the non existent presence of the BNP at the demo to support his views.. If that is not “Scaremongering” then I don’t know what is.

Most of the people of Saltdean and indeed Brighton are racially tolerant people. Unfortunately the views put forward by Mr Salkie and his sympathisers that the asylum system is not being abused on a grand scale at immense cost to the taxpayer have little credibility.

This only serves in common parlance to “wind up” the normally tolerant people of this country and push them to the right. Unwittingly his statements and those of his sympathizers only serve to polarise an ever larger proportion of the population against asylum seekers and do not serve the cause of racial harmony in general or the fate of the genuine asylum seeker in particular.

David Elliott

Letter posted 28/01/03

Can I suggest that people making comments about getting facts correct and not scaremongering get their own information right before commenting.

Firstly, the protest on Saturday was attended by 564+ people. We know this as we collected this amount of signatures that morning.

Secondly, overhearing a policeman say 10 BNP members were there is scaremongering. This is not a fact! The police said to me that they thought there was 150-200 in attendance which is very different from the actual number which proves they are not always correct!

The organisers are in no way associated with the BNP. Stop trying to cloud the issue and veil our legitimate concerns by playing the racism card. If there were some members of the BNP they were not invited. However, you can't stop people from attending...the pro asylum seekers came without invite (even if it was only a dozen or so)!

With regard to the so called attack on a 'For' protester, this is absolute rubbish. The only trouble was when this lady thrust her banner in the face of some of the protesters and tried to cause trouble. She was ushered away by the police not hit and attacked as you claim.

Finally, I suggest you take a trip to Hastings and similar areas where they currently house asylum seekers, ask for the locals opinions and you may realise that your so called facts about the benefits of asylum seekers in the community are nothing but myths!

Greg Bishop - Saltdean Vale 564 + Against

10-12 For (Doesn't this speak for itself?)

Your friendly webmistress (sitting firmly on the fence) is just glad that both sides could be represented and I think it always takes a lot of courage to be on the side of least support!

Letter posted 28/01/03

SIR:
I have no wish to tarnish Saltdean with allegations of possible extremism, but are suggestions by some on the 'asylum hotel' demo that the British National Party recently distributed leaflets in Saltdean true or not?
yours, C. Leeves. charon732001@yahoo.co.uk

I have answered yes (I got one myself) but have emphasised that they have come from outside Saltdean!

Letter posted 27/01/03

Dear Saltdean Info,
I was one of the residents of Saltdean who demonstrated outside the Ocean Hotel on Saturday in favour of welcoming asylum seekers to our community. Saltdean is actually a very sensible place to house asylum seekers. We have a park, an outdoor swimming pool, a library, the beach and cliff-top walk just nearby, and a large parade of shops next to the hotel which sell all the basics. If I was in the government and was looking for somewhere to put refugees for induction courses, large under-used seaside hotels are an obvious choice.

What worries me, though, is that there was a significant and menacing British National Party presence among the anti-asylum seekers on Saturday. The organisers of the rally, to their credit, said in their leaflet that "This protest has been organised by residents of Saltdean and is in no way connected with the British National Party or National Front." I am not accusing any of the organisers of racism: they have a legitimate point of view and they are entitled to express it. But standing with them, happy as birds, were numbers of BNP members from outside Saltdean who are certainly racists. BNP leaflets had previously been distributed in parts of Saltdean as well.
I assume that the organisers were as disgusted by this as I was. I call on the people who organised the rally to publicly and clearly say that the BNP are not welcome in Saltdean. Then maybe we can have a calm and rational debate about the fears of some local people, and we can all move forward for the benefit of our community.
Yours sincerely
Professor Raphael Salkie

Raf's weekend adventures
I spent last Saturday morning a few hundred yards from my home, having abuse shouted at me (and my wife and daughter) by an angry crowd of about a hundred local people. A number of British National Party members glowered at me during most of this time. In the afternoon I went to a crowded meeting in the community centre near my home, where the local MP and town councillors said things that I found alarming. When my turn came to speak, some people heckled, though the majority reaction was a gasp of disbelief. The chairperson compared me to King Canute.

What was going on? Why was Raf making trouble in this way? Has he finally lost his marbles? Read on if you are interested. If you aren't, please delete this message right away.

I live in Saltdean, a fairly leafy suburb of Brighton along the coast from the Marina, next to Rottingdean. By far the largest building in the area is the Ocean Hotel, owned for many years by Butlins though now part of the Grand Hotel Group. The Daily Express recently described it as a "luxurious, £100-a-day hotel", which is laughable: it's a place of fading charm, with peeling paint over much of the outside. A few years ago you could stay there for a week, full board, for £60. It has a shabby swimming pool where I have often been swimming with my children, while occasional quiz evenings and line-dancing classes take place in the "ballroom". The clientele seems to be mainly coachloads of elderly people from the North: the latest Shearings Catalogue offers a package of four nights including travel and excursions from £185.

Last October the Brighton newspaper, the Evening Argus, announced that the Home Office was in discussion with the hotel about possibly housing asylum-seekers there. To my shame, I did not find out about this until my daughter hit the roof. We received a leaflet through the door just before Christmas from our two conservative councillors. The leaflet said that they were "jubilant" and "delighted" that they and other local people had made such a fuss about the proposal that the Home Office had dropped the idea. My 14-year old daughter was so angry about this jubilation that she wrote to the Argus and said so. Would Mary and Joseph have been welcome at the Ocean Hotel, she asked. Whatever happened to the spirit of Christmas? A few weeks later, the Home Office announced that it had changed its mind, and that negotiations were continuing with a view to housing asylum-seekers in the hotel for a short induction period (7 to 10 days) before they were relocated to other parts of the country.

The campaign to oppose the placement of asylum-seekers in Saltdean started up again, and I noticed it this time. The letters pages of the Argus were full of protest letters, so I wrote a letter saying that I was delighted to welcome asylum-seekers to our community, and that I would be glad to work with other local people who felt the same. Some other local people wrote letters expressing similar views, and Attila the Stockbroker wrote a poem in the paper which satirised the protestors. A few people wrote to me to say that they agreed with my views. As of today, the contract to place asylum seekers in the hotel has not been signed.

Last week a leaflet was pushed through my door calling for people to demonstrate outside the hotel against the asylum seekers plan. Headed "Saltdean is not Sangatte" it invited people to "an official and peaceful protest". The leaflet went on:

"This protest has been organised by residents of Saltdean and is in no way connected with the British National Party or National Front."

You can see the leaflet on <www.saltdean.info/yoursay.htm>.

I was determined not to sit quietly in my house while a protest like this was happening so near to us. With some people who had contacted me, and another family who felt exactly the same as us, we prepared a few placards saying things like: 'Saltdean have a heart', 'people not profit', 'the caring community?', 'what price do you put on human lives?', etc.. The main body of protestors had posters with 'house values will fall', 'Saltdean can't cope', etc. There were about 10 BNP members there: I heard one of the policemen present radio in and report this fact to HQ.

We were met with loud boos, expressions casting doubt on our sanity, and so on. I had prepared some leaflets called "Myths and facts about asylum and immigration", extracted from a web page put up by the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns at www.ncadc.org.uk. A few people took them and looked at them, others tore them up and threw them back at us. The verbal abuse was particularly strong against my daughter and her friend: people swore at them, shouted abuse at them, and came right up close and screamed in their faces. One woman who walked with a pro-refugee placard near the main body of protestors was attacked by a group of men who hit her with their placards until the police intervened. It was not a pleasant experience.

In the afternoon I went to a meeting of the Saltdean Residents Association which was mostly about this issue. There were about 100 people there, most of them elderly couples who hadn't been on the protest in the morning. The local labour MP, Des Turner, said:

"We don't think the Ocean Hotel is an appropriate place to house asylum seekers for a number of reasons" and "I shall try and prevent any contract being signed for Saltdean".

I have a confession to make at this point. During the 1997 election I was a member of the Labour Party. Our house was the committee rooms from where people were organised to take numbers outside polling booths, and to encourage people to turn out and vote Labour. Des Turner visited us late in the day, thanked us, shook our hands, and was elected to the House of Commons. Since then I have left the Labour Party (the decision to cut benefits to disabled people was the last straw). I am appalled that Des Turner should adopt this position. He has made it clear that he hopes that racists will not use the protest as an opportunity to promote their views. Well, I've got news for you, Des. The BNP have already leafleted houses in Saltdean. Several of them were at the protest. If you'd been there, you'd have been on their side of the road. I didn't work to get you into Parliament so that you could do things like that.
At the meeting I eventually got a chance to speak, and I said two things:
1. I am not here to call anyone a racist.

2. I disagree completely with the protest against housing asylum seekers in Saltdean. I believe that the fears of some local residents are entirely groundless, and I intend to talk to people over the coming weeks and months and show them that they have nothing to worry about.
I also read out a letter from this week's Guardian, which says:
"Dear Sir,

I have lived for eight years next to a hotel which houses refugees. ... The children who have stayed there are utterly delightful. The adults are gracious and quiet. Would that all neighbours were the same."
So where are we now? Here are some thoughts:
1. Apart from the fear and anger of some of the local residents, Saltdean is actually a very sensible place to house asylum seekers. We have a park, an outdoor swimming pool, a library, the beach and cliff-top walk just nearby, and a large parade of shops next to the hotel which sell all the basics. If I was the government and was looking for somewhere to put refugees for induction courses, large under-used seaside hotels are an obvious choice. That's fine with me.
2. I am confident that the fears can be allayed and that the views of local protestors can be changed. I intend to be calm, friendly and approachable, while remaining totally convinced that the fears are groundless. I am determined to win this one.
3. This is a Brighton issue, not just one for Saltdean. Some local councillors from the Greens, Lib Dems and Labour have been very supportive about welcoming refugees to the town. I'm very pleased about this. Please write to the Argus if you support my views, and make your views known as widely as possible.
That's all for now. If anyone has advice, messages of support, or would just like to pat me on the back and say "What a nice guy", please do so.
Best wishes. -- RafRaphael Salkie

Letter posted 25/01/03
As a former resident for many years who still visits Saltdean several times a month I would like to add my comments to this debate.

The attitude of Mr Marco Pasquale of the self-styled "Grand" (sic) Ocean Hotel is nothing short of breathtaking in its arrogance, especially, what I assume to be, his statement of
17th January which displays contempt for local residents and their feelings.

This is exacerbated by his crass statement addressed to Simon Bradshaw of The Argus - who I am sure will produce all the evidence necessary to support his allegations at an
appropriate time, not on the demand of Mr. Pasquale.

This has absolutely nothing to do with racism. I has simply to do with life-style. Most people who live in Saltdean CHOOSE to live there because THE COMMUNITY appeals to them. A
varied community of, generally, like-minded folk with similar values, who have always welcomed newcomers openly.

The present situation is the result of residents genuine concerns about the impact on their chosen way of life through the IMPOSITION, by Central Government, using underhand means, of a fundamental change to the character of the neighbourhood with no consultation with the residents.

This is being imposed on us by an incompetent Government which is clearly unable to protect our national borders.

Mr. Pasquale and his apparently, conveniently, off-shore shareholders have one interest and one interest only - and from their viewpoint quite acceptable - fill the beds and make as much profit as possible. As mentioned by others,on this site, they have no interest in the welfare of this community, being non-residents, and with the added benefit of having their profits swiftly removed off-shore too.

Given that ALL their holiday-making customers will, undoubtedly, cancel their bookings for 2003 when they hear they are accommodating in these (mostly bogus) "asylum
seekers" how long will it be before the "Grand" Ocean are packing them in, five to a room?

The most sensible suggestion to come out of this debate is one which I have ceaselessly supported since first moving to Saltdean more than 40 years ago - let's bulldoze it -
and redevelop the site with some more appropriate accommodation.

Any property developers out there up for that? Let's do it!

mzee@mzeemzuri.com

Letter posted 25/01/03

The current frenzy over asylum seekers in Saltdean has been, as far as I can see, an evidence-free-zone. This is convenient for those who assert that the same old tedious myths are 'facts'. This whips up self-righteous indignation. It mobilises normally placid people into ‘peaceful protest’ (I look forward to their protests over Iraq, Burma, Tibet etc.). It generates fear and anxiety, but not compassion. But we’re now seeing the true colours of some of the pillars of our community. The Estate Agent, altruistically concerned about house prices (on our behalf, of course); the butcher & the postmasters worried about ‘trade’. And, of course, nobody is a racist (how dare we even whisper it?).
So, what are the facts underlying the popular myths? Try these for size.

Asylum seekers cause increases in crime. Home Office statistics show no evidence that crime rates increase where there is a high density of asylum seekers. A report published by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) recently confirmed that there is no evidence of a higher rate of criminality among refugees and asylum seekers. In fact, according to ACPO, having fled danger in their home country, asylum seekers are more likely to become victims of crime in the UK. Nothing to do with vigilante activity among over-reacting racists, of course.
Asylum seekers jump housing queues. Housing regulations prevent asylum seekers being given Council Housing. Asylum seekers are primarily being housed in ‘hard to let’ accommodation that people on council waiting lists don’t want. Evidence is growing that asylum seekers are also being exploited by unscrupulous private landlords
The UK is a ‘soft touch' for asylum seekers. Even within the EU, the UK ranked 10th in terms of asylum applications in relation to the overall population in 2001. We receive 90,000 applications each year. Yet over 150,000 people emigrate from the UK each year. I’m sure we wouldn’t call these people ‘economic migrants’.
Asylum seekers get massive state handouts. The replacement of cash benefits with the voucher scheme means that asylum seekers will exist on less than 80% of basic income support levels (i.e. a significantly lower level than that for UK citizens). No Council Tax money goes to asylum seekers.
Asylum seekers are taking UK jobs. Asylum seekers are legally unable to work for the first six months while awaiting the outcome of their applications. In some ways, this is a pity because over a third of asylum seekers have degrees and post-graduate qualifications at a time when the UK labour market still has skill shortages. Perhaps people in Saltdean are worried that taking 10 families will raise the average IQ of the area.

Hey, I don’t expect mere proof to sway people from their prejudices. Why let the facts get in the way of a good protest? All I ask is for a little balance, reflection and compassion. Saltdean is a small community. Please don’t let it become a small-minded, introspective and ‘little Englander’ community. I was brought up to celebrate diversity, not to strangle it at birth through ignorance.

Steve Bevan Saltdean Drive

Letter posted 24/01/03

I've just been listening to my old Glenn Miller albums. I was reminded of the war. How I wish we'd done more to help refugees back then, instead of leaving Mr Hitler to deal with them in his special way.

It's National Holocaust memorial day this Monday. Let us all take a moment to reflect on what this day commemorates. And let us pray it never happens again.

Mrs Babbage, Saltdean.

Letter posted 24/01/03

Saltdean values badgers more than people.

Badgers are black and white.
The issue of providing asylum to people who seek it is not.
I was worried I had lost my compassion after working as a GP in the area for 10 years... but now I find I still have some.

Dr Steve Waters (Saltdean resident since 1987)

Letter posted 23/01/03

Reply to Marco Pasquale's Open Letter

Thank you for confirming once more that you are the Chief Executive Officer of The Grand Hotel Group and therefore directly responsible for its actions.Thank you for confirming that your company's readiness to accommodate asylum seekers has an adverse affect on the value of our homes. When you mention "our homes" I note that you apparently do not include your own home as you do not appear to be on the electoral roll..

Perhaps you would like to recount to this web page the answers that you have given to our local councillors' questions. Would you also like to confirm or deny that your company has no connection whatsoever with the company that has made the application to the Home Office, which like your own, according to the last published accounts, is controlled from the channel islands?

According to the last accounts of your company filed at companies house, namely those for the year ended 31 October 2001, the consolidated accounts showed a net loss for the year of £288,000 , negative asset position on its balance sheet of £127,000 and net current liabilities of £21.728 million. Please would you like to confirm or deny that earlier this month your company paid back substantial loans to The Arab Bank Ltd, and how given your company's parlous financial state it was able to do this. If this is true did your company raise more borrowings or sell substantial assets, and if the latter would this have been a hotel?

There is no need for anyone to get hysterical Mr Pasquale, just give us the facts.
David Elliott

Letter posted 23/01/03
100 years ago hardly anybody lived in Saltdean. Now it is home to thousands of people. My family and I moved here from Brighton six years ago. Nobody told us that we had to ask the permission of the Saltdean
Residents Association to live here. Did anybody else ask if it was okay for them to come and live in Saltdean? So what's different about refugees?

Saltdean is a great community, a mixture of people from all over the world including different parts of the United Kingdom. Surely that is something to celebrate.

Let's show the rest of Brighton that we are a friendly bunch of people, not people who care more about the value of their houses than the safety of their fellow human beings.

Chana Moshenska

Letter posted 23/01/03
The race card is an easy one for everyone to play.
Let's all get off our soapboxes (including the local council) and stop talking about racism.

I have some colour in my cheeks and can honestly say that you experience racism very rarely in Sussex, let alone little old Saltdean!
If we are to face facts most of us are capable of some sort of racism even if it is only reserved for World cup matches.

The main issues with the Asylum situation are caused quite rightly by people's fears for the future.

The communication around the local area regarding this has been poor at best, and considering the amount of bad press that has surrounded Asylum seekers over the past few years I stand behind anyone who has major
concerns with what they are hearing.
Fact - Because of people's fears, homeowners in the area are already worse off. If the proposals go ahead in any shape or form this will become worse and the more people that are housed there the worse the situation will become.

Sorry for sounding like a complete capitalist and just thinking about the change in my pocket but what I have in my pocket is important to both my future and that of my family.

There has recently been a lot of press on this issue and this will also have an effect on people planning to stay there in the future. It will cause people to rethink their holiday plans. It happens. I work within the travel industry and it is a very volatile business. Customers are swamped with choice and people will start to look away from the Ocean Hotel. I would be extremely surprised if the Ocean hotel has an 80% occupancy. That would make it more successful than most hotels in Sussex and their occupancy levels would rival that of some of the most successful hotels in the Far East. Most international hotel chains cost their rooms on a 70% occupancy level year round. The Ocean Hotel must be doing something very well if their figures are to be believed! If business does drop, then more rooms could potentially be used to house the asylum seekers. I could be accused of inciting fear, unfortunately I believe I am just stating the thoughts that most people have.

I would also like to reiterate a point previously made that the majority of genuine asylum seekers should and probably would have applied for asylum at there first safe point of entry. In most cases (unless they arrive
hanging from a plane) that is not the UK. The genuine ones are desperate people and are happy to be alive - they are not looking for a labour party hand out. A lot that arrive in the UK do not fall into this category.

Both myself and my wife have been unfortunate enough to live in a country that oppressed a huge number of its people. We have also had to live with the fallout from this. It is not pleasant for either side and when forced
to live together by your government rather than by your own feelings the situation unfortunately degenerates. This manifests itself in many ways and over a course of time creates a huge amount of resentment and anger.

This is why the council needs to listen to the concerns of the locals. There is no racism in Saltdean at the moment, but believe me, there will be.

Please feel free to reply directly to rogerdeanwilson@hotmail.com
Roger Wilson

Letter posted 22/01/03

Letter to Jo Anne Good:

"Dear Joanne Further to your item on Tuesday.

It is clear that the criticisms from people outside Saltdean that the views of the residents have been misinterpreted. It must be made clear that some residents would not be opposed in principle to a tiny number of asylum seekers being housed in the Saltdean area provided adequate support systems were to be available. Unfortunately they are not. Facilities are severely limited, especially in respect of medical services and education. The area is a small residential area with a large hotel in its midst.

The total lack of prior consultation and absence of accurate information has left many residents wondering about numbers and possible effects upon local services. As a result there has been a great deal of rumour and speculation, which has left many residents, fearful and aggrieved.

Had there been proper prior consultation and accurate information much of this furore could have been avoided.

The meeting due to take place on Saturday 25th January is for members of the Saltdean Residents' Association. The hall is limited by safety and fire regulations to a total attendance of 200.

Duncan Ward
Secretary
Saltdean Residents' Association."

Letter posted 22/01/03

I have noticed (How could anyone not notice?) The posting "Saltdean is not Sandgatte"

Speaking for myself as an individual and I know from a large number of our employees here at the Grand Ocean Hotel, feel very strongly against housing a LARGE NUMBER of asylum seekers at our hotel, in particular for a period of more than 2 to 7 days.

If we were to do so, we would have to dispose of the business that we already have on our books as it would jeopardise our business that has been our "Bread and Butter" for years.

Unlike some individuals that may wish to make sensational stories or political gain, I can well understand the concern of those of us who work and live locally when reading such news.

We are not concerned, because we know very well our type of business and we have no intention of damaging it. Furthermore we do not believe that anyone can force us to take business that could damage our "Bread and Butter" of groups and private leisure.

Marco Pasquale
Chief Executive Officer
Grand Hotel Group
Kate Hellyer
Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer
Grand Hotel Group Limited
t: 01273 391702
m: 07779 147695
f: 01273 391723
www.grandhotelgroup.co.uk

Letter posted 21/01/03
The plans for the use of asylum seekers in the Grand Ocean Hotel have only been put on hold until policing, health issues etc have been resolved by the Council. This does NOT mean that it will not be going ahead.

For all residents concerned about the plans, please still attend the protest on Saturday 10.00am outside of the hotel.

Also, the council are meeting tomorrow at 4.30 at Brighton Town Hall where some of the residents will be presenting a deputation which will detail our concerns. If anybody wants to show support, there should be places in the public gallery if you arrive before the meeting starts.