GORLESTON HERITAGE

Joan showing Martin who came across from Holland after corresponding with her to find out more about his ancestors and where they lived.

MILENNIUM PLUS TEN AT THE CHAPTER HOUJSE 10.30am to 5pm ,SATURDAY 19TH JUNE,, 2010

A new collection of words and pictures to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the millennium manuscript.

YOU are invited to include poems, watercolour paintings, sketches and photographs on A4 size paper on the theme of GORLESTON-ON-SEA PAST AND PRESENT

What does Gorleston mean to you? People, places, events, memories captured in words and pictures

People really do have power if they aren't frightened or too apathetic to support people who are prepared to state the case and fight for it. Remember it was people power that stopped the notorious Riverside development, the misplaced restaurant on the prom, the filling of the yacht pond with sand. Don't think the improvement of our seafront just happened because it has improved greatly over recent years, no it is the pressure from a small group of activists that finally bore fruit. The Mercury is our local paper prepared to take up the case when we want action and your letters do help because the Audit Commission really do take notice of what you say. The Audit Commission report is on the Council website and makes interesting reading. I always say and think OUR council because people tend to forget this and have allowed it to take decisions without considering 'us others' who just pay the council tax. Do you realise the real decisions are made by literally a handful of people which our elected members have to rubber stamp. We allow them to do this and should be taking an interest to take back control. Question your councillors, especially at election time, the only time they feel vulnerable. Forget party allegiance in local elections and vote for the person "Not red or blue but the PERSON for you?"

OK so you are wondering where all this is leading? Well the subject of the moment is the pier car park and we need help to ensure our views and needs are taken notice of. It is called democracy and remember "if you don't use it you will lose it" We can do it but only if you, you and you support those who want the car park back . Please go to my website www.gorleston-heritage.co.uk or just google "gorleston heritage" which will find it, click on "Links, News, events and Conservation", scroll down read the details and click on the link to the petition. Please tell all your friends and relations about this. If you haven't got a computer get a friend or relation to do it. If you signed the petition at the Gorleston Gala and a wonderful 560 people did, please remember this internet petition is a separate petition addressed to the government and your support will count. Anyone who moans about the car park tell them to be positive and do something about it. Please remember the aim is for all the car park area to be reinstated because the elderly and disabled, residentsvisitors deserve to be able to take advantage of this unique facility and this is only possible if they are able to park on the seaward side.

The Borough Council Leader, probably the most important and influential person in the town made one of the most negative statements I have ever heard when his comment to the Mercury was "It would not be possible to provide any council funding for the repair of the car park because it is privately owned" (for owned read leased from us). How's that for executive imagination. Come on Mr. Coleman you can do better than that. In a council lease is the upkeep of the property the responsibility of the leasee and is the leasee responsible for dilapidations, it is after all a conservation area

If you need some help on this occasion as you did with the reef problem (another win for people power), how about inviting a sub committee of interested people to help you?

SHIP WATCH http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?centerx=1.724&centery=52.593&zoom=15