Thanks are due to so many people for winning the fight to keep maternity services at the DGH – mainly for never accepting defeat. There were some who thought it wasn't worthwhile protesting, or joining in with the consultation because there was little point – but on this occasion it showed it is worth while, and that people power really can make a difference.

It is also remarkable that the first time political leaders from all parties have actually worked and campaigned together in a meaningful way, they have had success… perhaps there's a lesson there.

A few thanks and acknowledgements are needed. Liz Walke and Monica Corrina-Kavakli are two local heroes who deserve much of the credit for the result. This hasn't been a short campaign, it's almost 3 years since it started. This has taken perseverance and determination over the long term to get the right result. Liz and Monica are not people to mess with!

Much credit should also go to MP Nigel Waterson, who has led the campaign from the start.

The Primary Care Trust (PCT) should be hanging their heads in shame. They have disgraced themselves. I'll never forget the meeting last December in Uckfield, when their heavy handed tactics were evident as the Bishop of Lewes, Wallace Benn, who is one of Earths most decent men, was removed from the stage for having the audacity to ask a question of the Chairman, when the panel had just voted to shaft Eastbourne residents.

The PCT, unlike local councils and governments will not have to put themselves up for election, so we cannot vote them out. If they had any decency there would be a large number of these people considering their position this weekend.

There is also the small matter of the wasted £400,000 which is the estimate of how much the consultation exercise cost. Imagine what that could have bought to help our hospitals!

But what is really outrageous, is that the health bosses who were recommending the downgrading are professional people, earning vast sums of money. They were making the case based on safety, for centralising services in Hastings and were putting forward their arguments to justify it. And the PCT (who are supposed to lead), followed their thinking.

We the people of Eastbourne knew this was wrong, but when you're up against such a machine it makes the battle so much harder.

And that is the real lesson of all this. Perseverance is the key, and that is what Liz bought to the table, even being prepared to put her house on the line to underwrite a potential judicial review, had that been necessary. That's what I call commitment!

Airbourne.

This column has been dominated by Airbourne over the last few weeks, and there's still so much more to say, especially after the scandal of the £360,000 hole in the councils budget. However that will have to wait until next week.

In the meantime, I should acknowledge that Cllr Tutt has at last apologised for the debacle, and that is at least something, so well done David. However, I'm afraid there are so many more questions still to be answered, and I'll list them next week. I fear it won't make good reading for the Council!

Have a good week!