LETTERS to the EDITOR

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or of the BDRA. Information is published in good faith but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience arising from error or omission

I was very interested to read the letters section of the may issue of the resident and to see the varied views. However, I was disturbed by the headline letter which seemed to contain a personal attack on a reader with legitimate views, along with a fatalistic resignation about issues that are beyond resident’s control.

Far more useful was the letter raising the issue of the swimming pool  (something I am very interested in as a regular user with my 3 kids)  and a second letter (implicitly) pointing out how the association in the past might have been able to address the issue.

So, if the BDRA is to have some point (apart from as an advertising  funded joke sheet) perhaps it could provide an answer to why Mrs Lee  isn't entitled to free swimming under the government’s new £140m 
initiative or a campaign to ensure she is.

Guy Saward (Dr)

Dear Editor,
 
I was very pleased to see the report in the May 2009 issue about the sad death of former BDRA Member Zoë Binning.  I remember her as a good neighbour for some 36 years.  A very intelligent lady with a fondness for her garden and someone who did not suffer fools gladly.
 
Your readers may also be interested to know that she served during World War 2 in the top secret RAF “Section Y”, which is where she met her husband Joe.  Section Y, which remained top secret up until only very recently, was similar to the present GCHQ and was set up to monitor enemy radio broadcasts and feed information to other intelligence organisations such as the code-breakers of Bletchley Park.
 
After the war ended, Zoë’s husband Joe kept up his interest in radio, becoming Regional Controller for Essex for the Radio Amateurs emergency support group known as RAYNET.  I had the pleasure of working with him on the Essex County Council’s Emergency Planning Team.  Sadly Joe passed away almost a year to the day before his wife Zoë.
 
I shall miss them both as good neighbours and kind friends.
 
Ron Capes.

Dear Sir 

I notice the full page advertisement in the April issue for First Strokes, the new operator of the Lake Meadows Swimming Pool.

The procurement of the pool’s lease by First Strokes seems to be widely viewed as a good thing. Certainly they have brightened up and smartened up what was becoming a rather run-down and dingy facility. But there is also a downside in terms of cost and availability for the casual swimmer. For example the admission price for the popular lunchtime casual swim has increased to £5 for one hour only (with no concessions), representing and effective increase of 70%ona per hour basis. The pool’s management argues that cheaper swimming can be obtained by purchasing their monthly or six monthly plans at £30 and £150 respectively. But not everybody swims frequently enough to merit that outlay. The emphasis is now very much on swimming lessons, which itself is worthy, but it is a pity that this is apparently at the expense of the regular casual swimmer. And anyone wanting to get their money’s worth by staying in the pool for the full lunchtime hour can expect to find that the next school party has already arrived, including women teachers appearing unannounced in the men’s changing room.

Basildon Council has apparently withdrawn the remaining subsidy for this pool with the result that the town does not now have a proper all-round swimming facility at reasonable prices. I would sooner drive over to the Brentwood Centre to enjoy a larger pool, a much better facility, and a more pleasant all round experience, where I can swim all afternoon for £3.60 if I choose.

Yours sincerely

Peter Sharp

PS I would like to add my voice to those who would rather see readers’ letters or items of local interest in The Resident rather than unfunny funnies.