Welcome to the 36 Grays Lane guestbook.

Please feel free to express your feelings below, but try to keep it polite!

It seems that the guestbook software is throwing a few glitches. We've had a few reports of random "permanent bannings" and posts disappearing. Please accept our apologies if either of these happen to you and, if you want to enter a message but it won't allow you, feel free to email your message and the name / location you'd like put to the email on the home-page

We've found that the vast majority of Ashtead residents are overwhelmingly supportive of SSAFA, Headley Court, the Armed Forces and our campaign. The 90 or so objectors, and their attitudes, do not represent most Ashtead residents from everything we've seen. Please, in thanks to all those people, bear that in mind when posting!

Thank you to everyone who's helped achieve this wonderful result. We've known from the outset that the concerns raised were misplaced. SSAFA and the families concerned will now have the chance to prove that. We know they'll be more than equal to the task.

Oh, and thanks for all the fish

36 Grays Lane - guestbook

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Submitted by Comments:
Name: ARCHIE SMITH
From: GRETNA
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		I SERVED IN THE BRITISH ARMY FOR 31 YEARS
THANK GOODNESS I DID NOT HAVE TO RELY ON SOME OF THE RESIDENTS OF ASHSTEAD, FOR MORAL,OR ANY OTHER SUPPORT
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: George McPherson
From: Stowmarket
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		These people have a responsability to the Armed forces and should be proud to offer this facility.
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Alison
From: London
 I do not believe the objections to the 36 Gray's Lane planning application stand up very well, and have written to the Council planners in its support, making the following points:

1. Gray's Lane is one of the closest residential streets to Headley Court with properties of a suitable size for such a purpose.

2. The route between the two locations is less than three miles, avoids the main roads and is likely to impact minimally on local traffic.

3. Judging by the details for a similar property on the same street currently on the market with Rightmove, the property lies in substantial grounds with ample room to accommodate the maximum number of guests likely to be staying at the property, and the noise and movement associated with that number.

4. There will be a warden based at the property who will be in a position to manage any possible disruptiveness and act as a point of contact for any residents raising complaints.

5. A retreat such as this, accommodating different families in sympathetic surroundings, is likely to be run according to clearly stated ‘house rules’ for the benefit of distressed guests, never mind its sensitive neighbours!

I hope those defending the proposal will focus within their submissions on how the house will be run, as I would imagine it is important to show the planners that these factors have been carefully considered. Best of luck to you!
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Mick
From: West Norfolk
 The fact that such a facility is not already in place is an unfortunate indictment on this country and how it treats its volunteer Armed Forces especially in these demanding times. It has fallen once again to a charity to provide what is needed, a charity however that has much respect and this alone should allay what look to be largely unfounded fears of the local residents. Lets see the local authorities get behind this or provide alternate options and do it quickly.
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Daphne Young
From: Cobham, Surrey
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		It would be great if the objectors, having been apprised of the truths of the proposal, could now be big enough to acknowledge that they were wrong and withdraw their objections.

It only takes a few wrong-minded people to spread rumours and anxieties for something as inoffensive as this proposal to escalate as it has. This facility would obviously be such a boon to so many, that it is very hard to imagine how anyone could possibly have any objection at all!

The very best of luck tomorrow!
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Wolfman
From: Norfolk
 A facility akin to this is well overdue, however with all the public sector cut backs, it is unlikely to ever happen from the public purse. Those objecting residents should, perhaps, remember that it was their great-grandfather, grandfathers and father who were prepared to sacrifice themselves to give them the right to make their protests. Perhaps they should, therefore, be displaying a little humility towards the modern forces who are doing the same job. Well done SSAFA for taking a stance.
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Jon Elson
From: Stowmarket, Suffolk
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		This is a wonderful idea and helps in a small way to address the appalling support our Forces receive from the Government. Those selfish people who objected should hang their heads in shame.
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Hilary & Douglas Watt
From: Bromley, Kent
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

 

Private post. Click to view.

Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Marion Flett
From: Hampshire
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		My 25 year old son is a Royal Marine with 40 commando. On 30th September he will return again to Afghanistan for his second tour. God willing he and his men will all return safely after 6 months, but he knows the risks are high. I hope my family will never need Headley Court but I am thankfull that people care enough to provide this accomodation for such brave young men and women.
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Phill Hatton
From: Wolverhampton
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		Having read some of the objections I am even more amazed. Similarities with the village in the film Hot Fuzz come to mind! I am surprised that the objectors haven't claimed that the area is unsuitable for recovering war veterans because some of the locals are brain eating zombies (which would be more plausible than their actual objections).
However I have a solution for this. In WW1 and WW2 many large country houses were taken over as hospitals - it wouldn't surprise me if Headley Court originated in this way. My suggestion is this - forget about 36 Grays Lane and seize all the houses belonging to the objectors and let visiting famillies stay in them instead.
The objectors can then be re-housed either in sub-standard army housing or, even better, a hostel.
Any surplus housing can be sold off and the proceeds given to SSAFA.
Added: July 31, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  

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