Have Your Say

(By email to our Editor-in-Chief, Jim Livesey)

Hi Jim

I wrote to you some months ago, concerning the railings in Norfolk Square, and how there would be some who would like the square to be an antique, with prying eyes and gates...you very kindly published it.

Lo and behold, there's now somebody saying that there should be restrictions, to keep the 'undesirables' out. First of all, it is a public square, everybody should be allowed to use it. Secondly, who will police it? The prying eyes? Thirdly, it may even be my partner who is identified as the person who is at the bottom of Norfolk Square, and ignores the 'no dogs' signs.

Lastly, why don't people live and let live? Some people use the square to have a lie down and snog; others drink; others walk their dog; others sit and smoke. That's what public life is, a tolerance of others and a sense that we have a shared space. Not some archaic backwater with the life and public kicked out of it, and a load of people watching in the hope that we return to some mythical georgian/edwardian fairy tale.

With best wishes to you, Jim,
John Riches 17 June 2007

(By email to our chairperson, Mr William Cowell)

Hi Bill

I have had a letter from David Lepper regarding the railings in the square that he is looking into my suggestion that when the railings are installed that we could look at some restrictions to the opening hours of the square ie closed at nighttime. I am concerned that the square is vulnerable to Anti Social Behaviour and drinkers at night especially in the summer. Similar to Pelham Square in Brighton which also has very good signage if you have ever seen that square.

I have notice an upsurge in Dogs using the square and one lady in particular who appears to live in a house somewhere in the lower part of Norfolk Sq and appears to think that any no dogs signage does not apply to her.

Many Thanks
Peter G Browne
6 April 2007

Dear EBRA,

Congratulations on your work, but I hope you won't mind me disagreeing with one of your aims.

I note that you are petitioning the Council to replace the railings that were removed as part of the war effort. I live on the corner of Norfolk Square and Bedford Place, and cannot for the life of me think why any money - let alone the great deal of time it will take a Council Officer to submit a Lottery application form, have the consultation etc (should we would all like our Council Tax spent on more useful outcomes?) - should be spent on 're-creating' what was once there. The Square looks fine, and functions perfectly well. It once had railings. They were taken down. End of story.

Architecture should be about harmonising of the best of the past with a modern outlook, and the Square does looks better now than it used to. It is 'easy to enter', has a sense of space and openness, and is rather welcoming, inviting people to sit and enjoy it. However, what you are proposing is retrogressive, and I get the feeling that, should the scheme succeed, the railings, and inevitable gates, will once again demonstrate a parochial, archaic feel, and will be 'policed' at all times by a multitude of eyes watching from the surrounding houses...

Best wishes
John Riches
4 March 2007

Dear EBRA,

My cat went missing last week. She answers to the name Snookins, but she has a tartan collar with a metal tag with the name Conseuela, that was my other cat that died and I couldn't afford a new collar. She is very friendly so if you have acquired a cat that is black and brown with one white ear she likes fresh tuna and chorizo sausage from Waitrose, water, no milk please.

Elderly of East Brunswick (phone number suppied) 26 February, 2007

Click here to contact EBRA if you have seen this cat.

Dear EBRA,

Casting my mind back to BB (Before Bins). I remember stepping over rotting rubbish every morning after the gulls had done their work. I endured three years of littered streets and stepping over bin bags. Poor Phil, our hardworking, street cleaner had an impossible task trying to keep the street tidy.

Then finally, after much pressure from EBRA, letters, emails, calls and thankfully pressure from Bill Cowell we received our communal bins. These arrived in September last year and almost immediately the difference was felt. The gulls had nothing to pull apart and I no longer had to step over festering garbage. And gradually residents stopped tying bags to railings and leaving bags on the doorsteps for days on end.

The next stage was to get the many fast food outlets in our area (too many we think!) to toe the line and use their bins - with EBRA and Phil's help this has also improved.

This has been a success story and a tribute to what can be achieved if people pull together and make the council accountable - after all we pay council tax and should receive a good service.

...and finally I am surprised that there have been any objections to this scheme in other areas of the city. Brighton and Hove still have some problem areas and as we are a tourist destination we should be able to pride ourselves on having immaculate streets.

So let's hope the council and residents see sense and implement the bins city-wide - OK they are not exactly pretty but they are a huge improvement on rubbish strewn pavements and will help to keep the gull population down!

Well done EBRA!

Jane Austin, Waterloo Street 28 November 2006

Dear EBRA,

An old guy with white hair keeps photographing my house! He says he is 'photographing Estate Agents' boards for EBRA'. I have told him to go away but he keeps coming back. If this is EBRA's doing than please ask him to stop!

Nervous of East Brunswick, 3 September, 2006

EBRA says: Nothing to do with us!

I agree with "Disgusted of Golden Lane" about the unsightly Estate Agents' Boards. It is outrageous that the council has allowed Estate Agents to spoil the city for so long. They are totally unnecessary, unsightly and are most definitely a blot on our architectural landscape.

I say, ban them throughout the city!

Western Street Resident, 8 August 2006

What use are these boards, even to estate agents?

Do folk still roam the streets looking for the home of their dreams with a board out in front? I think not. They would find an area they like, go to an agent with an office nearby, or pick up the property pages, or go online and see what was on offer in that area.

In fact a recent survey reported that no less then 65% of closed sales were from an initial internet enquiry!

But there are two things in favour of boards from an agent's perspective, they are dirt cheap, and they are allowed, a privilege no doubt granted at a time this was their main way of getting business. But advertising the property is not really the point any more, these boards advertise the agent!

Can we please get rid of these eyesores?

Disgusted of Golden Lane, 1 August 2006