There has been a ban on dogs in Hailsham Cemetery for as long as I can remember, as written on the notice at the gates. We found this to our cost when we took our small dog there, on a lead, for quiet contemplation at the memorial to our deceased relatives and was accosted by an extremely unpleasant and vocal man who pointed out the error of our ways.
Apart from the fact dogs can do very little damage in a cemetery, as they do not cause vandalism or steal flowers from graves, and if they inadvertently defecate it can be cleared up. The footpath that crosses Vines Farm leads on to a dangerous part of Ersham Road and it would make sense to divert it across the cemetery so that dog walkers (dogs on lead) and hikers would be safe.
Our town is having its heart torn out by a major supermarket, and I know very few who support this project. The Battle Road allotments mentioned on the same page have been relentlessly vandalised, our roads are clogged and hundreds of new houses are to be built but our councillors are blowing their trumpets over old news. Is it any wonder very few bother to vote? Nobody is listening to us. – Susan Tester, Sherwood Green, Hailsham.