Had we wanted to look at seemingly endless lines of ugly metal fencing we would have chosen a building site and not Eastbourne. Whilst appreciating that visitors to this four-day event generate considerable income it is galling to realise that the holiday experiences of those staying 10 days beforehand are apparently deemed less
valuable.
We will not recommend Eastbourne as a summer holiday destination to anyone unless they have a real fondness for unsightly metal barricades and a desire to see everything from behind bars!
Jane Vearncombe and Graham Lewis, Delrene Road, Shirley, Solihull

I have just bought the
programme for this year's Airbourne and I have to say I'm really disappointed.
Not only does the Thursday
airshow not start until late (1.45pm) but the airshow is yet again missing the F16, Tornado and Harrier fast jets. Also the Typoon is only displaying on three out of the four days and the RAF Police Dog Display Team is not even here this year.
The RAF is celebrating its 90th Anniversay yet the organisers have failed to attract the RAF's most impressive jets past and present and its most popular dog display team. I must say I paid for tickets for the Thursday and Friday and I am now considering myself short changed for the money I've paid. It seems to be, for the second year running, a poorly diluted airshow compared to previous years' events when Airbourne on all four days started promptly at 11am and could
display numerous fast jets.
It does unfortunately seem that Airbourne is now on its last legs, or should I say wings, if the organisers can no longer attract the heayweight celebrity jets such as the F16 and Harrier and has to rely on the much cheaper civilian propeller plane displays.
Carol Hagburn, Falmouth Close, Eastbourne

The caging of the seafront is an abominable eyesore. If one did not know any different you could be led to think this is either to defend us from an expected invasion from France or to stop any Brits escaping from the UK via the Eastbourne coast.
Not only will this new strategy for Airbourne not achieve any more profit for the event it will just drive residents and visitors away during the current economic climate.
If the event was still free it would encourage residents and visitors into the town
bringing more trade for hotels, restaurants, cafes etc.
It would not surprise me if we get some very disgruntled
visitors who have already booked their holiday in the town to
coincide with this event to find they are going to basically be ripped off by the council for an event that they have enjoyed free of charge up until now.
Even the week before the event no one could enjoy a walk along the seafront without feeling like a caged animal!
Felicity Wright, Stone Cross.

I spoke to the events section running Airbourne and
mentioned that in Grand Court, on the corner of Wilmington Square, there were some six
disabled residents who needed carers attending them, often
several times a day, and asked what provisions had been made for the carers' parking. The answer was none.
I asked, therefore, where they were expected to park and was told that they would have to take their chance like everyone else. "But we do sympathise with them"! I said this sounded like crocodile tears.
Apart from the total disruption around the square, the carers will now have great difficulty carrying out the duties. And what about our disabled? They are needy people. I call this heartlessness on behalf of our council showing up the rather murky side of capitalism.
Patrick Galvani, Grand Court, Eastbourne

Like the Nazis, the Liberal Democrats have succeeded in closing off the beaches of our lovely town and making the front look like Stalag 99! I hope they will get their comeuppence at the next election.
J Michel, Church Lane, Eastbourne