36 Grays Lane - guestbook

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

We have 733 entries displayed on 74 pages.
<< First | < Prev | 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 | Next > | Last >>

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Julia
From: Ashtead
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

It's a shame that the old Parson's Mead site couldn't be used for a worthwhile cause like this, I live in Ottways Lane & would gladly welcome this rather than the housing estate that it's one day destined to become. We're not all NIMBY'S living in Ashtead!

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Disgusted at the attitude
From: Staffs

I have never heard such selfish and ignorant comments in all my life. You "locals" should be openly, publicly and vigorously shamed for your selfrighteous attitudes over the rehabilitation of injured service people.
If we were to upload these patients onto the NHS you'd be the first to complain would you not?

You have the right to complain but to do so intelligently would be more constructive than greedily trying to maintain your extortionate house prices.

Admin reply: D-ata,

Honestly, the vast mjority of the Ashtead "locals" are a far cry from the impression given by the objectors! I'm disappointed that I haven't been able to go to Ashtead myself because, by all accounts, almost everyone spoken to there has been supportive and interested to hear more.

Please keep this in mind - it's a few residents (some of who may not even have had full information), not the general people of Ashtead, who've objected.

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Nick Lambe
From: South West
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

There can be no better cause.

I was on of the fortunate ones to have gained from time in the centre, but fortunately only from an injury in training. After a 10 months with a snapped tendon, i returned to duty having been told that it was unlikely that i would be able to return to duty.

This story is nothing when compared to the impact that DMRC Headley Court has on the lives of service men and women being injured on operations today. Their families deserve better from the people of the UK.

This opposition must not be permitted to stand.

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: David Murphy (ex Para)
From: Berkshire
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

Well done lads, Keep up the good work, sadly due to work commitments I won't be able to be with you all on Wednesday 1st. July to give you support, My thoughts will be with you,
God Bless,
Spud.

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Victoria Farrow
From: Aberdeen
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

Well done for making a stand, I am posting a link to this page and to the Downing Street petition on as many sites as possible.

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Jill Sutcliffe
From: Fife
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

I am saddened that it is SSAFA, a charity, that is buying this much needed house in Ashstead, it should be the government. However I fully support the amazing work SSAFA do and I wish them luck for the meeting on Wednesday. Our brave men and women deserve far better than this attack by a minority in Ashstead.

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: PJI
From: Germany

We fight and put our lives on the line for those who want to protest and contribute nothing. For the dead its easy, we shall never forget. For the living its hard as we can never forget. Shame on those who do not recognise the value of life and the sacrifice in war.

SSAFA - you have to get this fantastic facility

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Audrey Hughes
From: Kent
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

These soldiers risk their lives to protect us, so we can sleep better at night. How dare residents petition against something that is well needed for families of wounded soldiers. I have lived through a war in africa and wouldn't wish the experience on anyone. Our wounded soldiers went to the village to an army hospital and the local farmers didn't bat an eye lid about taking in the their relatives while they recovered.

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Chris Walker
From: Epsom
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

When I first saw this, I assumed that there had to be a real risk for the residents of Grays Lane that this would set a precedent for other properties around them to have their use changed in ways which could seriously impact the value of their homes. I assumed this because I simply could not, or did not want to believe that any of my countrymen in a country which I love dearly could be so vindictively petty-minded without at least having an exceptionally compelling reason to fall back on.

It didn't take me too long to find out that any of these concerns could be easily addressed and should not be of any concern to anyone. It does indeed seem that the residents of Grays Lane really are taking the view that they simply don't want to see those dreadfully unaesthetic wounded soldiers and their horrible lower-class families amongst their perfectly manicured lawns. Shame on the residents of Grays Lane and their neighbours. No doubt they wouldn't have complained about a residential home for retired generals, but then that would've added to the cachet of their little enclave, wouldn't it!

Having said that, I would like to thank the residents of Grays Lane! I have driven and cycled through Headley Court on many occasions without really registering it as anything beyond "just" being a military medical facility, and I am sure I have not been alone in that, so thank you to the residents of Grays Lane for raising the profile of the seriousness of the work done at Headley Court.

When my sister was deployed to Northern Ireland and Bosnia, there was always the thought at the back of your mind that she or some of the troops serving under her might one day need a facility like Headley Court, but it was easier not to dwell on that, and to focus instead on how cheap the beer was in the mess! Reading some of the stories of patients at Headley Court serves as a strong reminder of the fact that, whether or not people support the politicians in sending our troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, the troops themselves don't protest - they just get on and do their job, despite knowing the risks they are taking themselves, and the strain this places on their families. Thank you again to the residents of Grays Lane. Their selfish spitefulness has provided a powerful vehicle to remind the nation at large that going to war is not a game of politics for the troops and their families, nor is it a video game where you can just start again if you get shot. It is a very real dedication to this country and the people who live in it, and something which the country and the people who live in it should be supporting to the full extent of our abilities.

I will be going to Dorking on Wednesday evening to show my support for SSAFA. If there is anything I can do to help the SSAFA in their work in general moving forward, I would be delighted to help. Hopefully, if a few more people feel the same way and act on their feelings, then in spite of themselves, the bitter little people of Grays Lane might actually have been beneficial to the forces. Wouldn't that p*** them off a treat!

Yours,

Chris Walker (aka Kermitpower on Pistonheads and now also on ARRSE).

Added: July 30, 2007

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: P Martin
From: Yorkshire(Ex-Ashtead)
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com

I left Ashtead many years ago, firstly to serve in the Forces (RCT) then to move nearer my wifes family in the North. I have always been proud of where I am from, my bungalow is even called Ashtead.

I cannot believe that the wonderful place I remember from my childhood has degenerated into such a pit of selfishness.

I talked last night to the members of the village I now reside in, in Yorkshire, (parts are almost as exclusive as Grays Lane) and told them the tale of the objections to this scheme. Not one single person could believe the objections being made,

One young couple in particular (who I know struggled to be able to buy a nice house in this village) said If this would needed here they would gladly sell it to SSAFA for what they paid for it a few years ago, and not take any profit from the rise in house prices, even if it meant they had to move out of the village.

This is the attitude of Yorkshiremen and women, something that the residents of Grays Lane should learn and understand, the premium you pay to live there is nothing compared to the premium these service people and their families have paid to enable you to have that lifestyle.

To the other residents of Ashtead who are supporting this scheme, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me that in parts of Ashtead there are still some remnants of the proud and honourable community I was bought up in

Added: July 30, 2007

<< First | < Prev | 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 | Next > | Last >>