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: EdwinSPARROW
From: essex
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		Perhaps the unsaid underlying fear of the red team is coming to terms with seeing the wounded.
I suggest when the dust settles on this application that to help them to better understand, that they go on Remembrance Sunday and take the children to the Cenotaph & join the crowds.
There will be veterans from not only World War 2 but from Aden. Afghanistan, the Berlin Airlift, Bosnia, Cyprus, Falklands, Gulf War parts 1 & 2, Iraq, Kenya, Korea, Kossovo, Malaya, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Suez & Ulster amongst others. As each contingent goes past there is spontaneous applause for each group from the crowd but most applause goes to those in wheel chairs pushed by former generals amongst others. Particularly moving is the "Eyes Left" given to the Saint Dunstan’s contingent, as those unseeing eyes are turned sharply to the Cenotaph.
Afterwards, take the children down the road to Trafalgar Square & point out the statue of Britain’s greatest hero. A man with one eye & one arm, who died on HMS Victory in the thick of the battle.
Then their children may understand the high regard the general public hold for those who died & those crippled in mind or body protecting us. It will help them see those from Headley Court in a different light. See them as " the heroes" they undoubtedly are.
I SUPPORT THE APPLICATION
Added: July 29, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Dave Waterman
From: davidwaterman638@hotmail.com
 Just posted this to the Ashtead Residents Association website, I urge all other Ashtead residents who have a moral conscience to do similar:

Hi,

Just like to say that I have been a very happy resident of Ashtead for 16 years. I am a lucky recipient of the benificence of Haig Homes, a housing association that provides accommodatiion for ex-service people and their families who happen to have four estates in Ashtead, upon which I reside in one home.

I was very interested when a neighbour of mine stated that she had joined the ARA and was encouraging her neighbours to do the same. I can now say that I am very glad I did not join and want nothing, whatsoever, to do with ARA since it appears that you have supported the opposition to the planning application at 36 Grays Lane.

I am astounded at the lack of compassion, lack of benevolence and lack of support demonstrated by a minority of Ashtead residents and certified by the ARA.

As an organisation you disgust me and I am ashamed to call myself a resident of this village.

Admin reply: Thanks for your support Dave, but please don't be ashamed of your village.

As we keep finding, the vast majority of Ashtead seem to be supporting this campaign. In fact, the ARA themselves have posted on their wesite at http://www.ashteadresidents.org.uk/Page%201.htm confirming that their committee were, as individuals, in favour of the proposals and have posted helpful links for anyone wishing to express their personal views. We, in turn, asked the BBC to include their site as a link from their news story (see our links page for that).

Since we heard of the matter, we've worked hard to negate any possible bias in the information available and, it seems, many have re-evaluated the application as a result.

Added: July 29, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Victoria Willis
From: Wiltshire
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		Reading the letters of the local residents in Ashtead expressing their objections 'in the strongest possible terms', I am dismayed by their lack of humanity and compassion. I have found the objections at best insulting. Families visiting injured service personnel will be spending as much time as possible by the bedside of their loved ones, and are hardly candidates for late night parties. The real scandal however is that a charity has had to step up to the plate to provide this essential facility for families of patients at Headley Court, where the government has failed, despite years of requests for family accomodation.
Added: July 28, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Schultz
From: Chorley Lancs
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		23 years ago I spent 6 months in a Military Hospital hundreds of miles from home I am sure I would have recovered quicker if my family could have visited more often. The residents of this area should be proud to be chosen and welcome these people with open arms.
Added: July 28, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Mark Chappel
From: Inglestan
 It seems that there are cocerns about the traffic on this quiet residential street.

Does anyone know how the planners had previously allowed the building to be used as a Montessori Nursery. Are ther similar objections on file ?

If there are so many concerns about traffic, perhaps some of the households should cut back from three or four cars and 4X4s, perhaps try walking, cycling or public transport.
( for those who may be fortunate to have sufficient limbs to walk or cycle)
Added: July 28, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: LeeH
From: Warwickshire
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		Let the voices of reason be heard and stop the Nimby's in their tracks
Added: July 28, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Ron Smith
From: Manchester
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		You have my wholehearted support.
I have 'signed' the e-petition.
I have written to MVDC in support of the app.
If I could do more then I would.
Added: July 28, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Mal
From: Sunderland
 The local residents hear/see that another serviceman/woman has paid the ultimate price for their country and probably don't give it a moments thought, but for every death there are 10 injuries, some of which will leave that person disabled for life. Everyone of the NIMBYs should work a week in the Hospital to appreciate the horrors and difficulties these brave families have to face and then be asked if they are proud to continue their objections.
My thoughts and prayers go to our brave service men/women fighting so ignorant people are free to exist in their own backyards.
Added: July 28, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Lisa Miller
From: Ashtead
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		There is bound to be an increase in traffic with the amount of people staying here & their visitors. Although there has been quite a lot of re-development in this area over the past few years & people have been inconvenienced by site traffic as this is only a short term problem it's tolerated knowing it won't be indefinite. I think the main problem here is that people just don't know what to expect & don't intend to come across as being bigoted or show hostility.

Admin reply: Lisa, there may well be a change in traffic with the scheme but, given the size of the property, with a future private buyer there could be anything up to 5 or 6 cars. SWih seven bedroom, it could easily become home to an extended family with two adult generations and a couple of teenagers, all with their own transport.

As you say, it's an unknown. What we DO know is that, unlike a possible private buyer, SSAFA and these visiting families will have every reason to ensure that, in time, the area accepts them. Any family gaining the incredible benefit that this scheme offers really won't want to mess it up for the next in line.

What they're going through are life- and perspective-changing events where any act of generosity and support which helps them really will be welcomed and warmly repaid in respect.

Added: July 28, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  
Submitted by Comments:
Name: Colin Pugh
From: Surrey
E-mail: nospam@nospam.com 		The Planning Authority should be overruled by the Minister responcible to ensure this can go ahead without further delay
Added: July 28, 2007 Delete this entry  Reply to entry  View IP address  

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