VISIONING

I've made a discovery. After my confusion last week over what constituted "Visioning", I have found out. On the council website we have the "Better Mid Sussex" document. Apparently, the council has been conducting focus groups as to the future of Burgess Hill.

At this point, I feel I should be wearing sackcloth and ashes. For on this very report it does lament the "increasing tendency of residents to moan and complain." The miserable sods! Did you miss the invite to join these groups? I think not. The total sample was of 22 "key opinion formers", and that doesn't mean you. The Chief Constable of Sussex and the Managing Director of Bright 106.4 amongst others were invited.

These wealthy people are so typical of the people who live in Burgess Hill, aren't they? You can tell by some of the reports findings: "There is unmet demand for indoor tennis and indoor bowls facility." Something for the youngsters there! Apparently, the Broadway is given as an example to which Burgess Hill should aspire: "affordable family restaurants." I'm sure eating out is very affordable on their wages, but not on mine or most other people's. As for an example of redevelopment: "Good examples in Romsey and Henley." I so agree. I remember, as I sipped my Pimms during the Regatta, I made the very same comment.

Of course, such plans would be nothing without sanctimonious do-gooders encouraging others, though of course not themselves, to make for an environmentally friendly town: "Look beyond car access - pedestrian, bike access." It's this logic which meant that the town council didn't bother with insisting on parking as part of the agreement to build flats around the old Courts site. Firstly, they said that the residents could use public transport. Then Councillor Gill Balsdon said they should be given free places in the council's pay and display car-parks. Now, I read in the Middy that both the town and the district council have "fears that the new flat owners will park on nearby streets." You don't say!

Finally, the jolly-hockey-sticks nature of this document cannot be ignored; it talks of "Brand - Burgess Hill." This comment says it all: "Strong involvement in Burgess Hill into the Future is leading to an increasingly optimistic feeling around 'Team Burgess Hill.'"

MID SUSSEX TIMES

With the "inclusive" mentality which meant that the London Congestion Charge leaflet was available in Braille, we have the case of the Fireman who did a tandem parachute jump for charity. "I suppose I have overcome my fear of heights now," said Bill Woodfine. Yes, really, a fireman who was afraid of heights. I had a friend who tried to get into the local fire service. He had to take two hours worth of exams, and what did he fail on? The algebra test! At least, I'm sure Mr Woodfine's maths is exemplary. Pity if you're stuck on the fourth floor of a burning building, though.

LEADER

After Eddie Benson resigned, leaving Gary Croydon sole director on the board of Burgess Hill Town Football Club, Mr Croydon makes an interesting point: "Eddie is a local lad. He was very disappointed by the response from local councillors. They have not been supportive of the club. In fact, certain councillors have been working against the club with some residents."

Sounds familiar? You can't help but compare the plight of Burgess Hill Town with that of Brighton and Hove Albion: the need for somewhere to play and the determination of councillors to make things as difficult as possible. In the Evening Argus of Friday 25 November, Seagulls' supporter, Tim Calder, is quoted after Lewes Council instigated legal action against the building of Falmer stadium: "I can only conclude that Lewes District Council is seeking to delay the building of the stadium in the hope that the Albion go under for financial reasons."

"Ideally it should be moved to purpose built site...but there's no specific site that I know of." That was Councillor Gill Balsdon on Burgess Hill Town. She is clearly one of the councillors to whom Gary Croydon refers. She wrote to the Middy back in November 2004, suggesting that the people of Leylands Park would prefer housing to a football club. This was when the furore over the lights began. How Burgess Hill Town were supposed to play in pitch black darkness has never been explained. They have tried to speak to the council regarding new lights. Needless to say, the Town Council doesn't want to know. Better take them to court and fine them once again. Sooner or later they will go bust and the council can get all that juicy money from the developers, as the land is turned into a housing development.

The council makes no secret of its aims. From the "Small Scale Housing Allocation Development Plan Document - Preferred Options Report" of Mid Sussex District Council, May 2005: "PD/12 Land at Burgess Hill Football Club, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, Site Area -1.5ha, Potential capacity 30 - 45".

How different were things in September 2004. I have an issue of About Town, the magazine of Burgess Hill Town Council, from then. On the cover is a picture of the football club. Inside, praising of the building of a 300-seater stand costing £60,000, in addition to the £50,000 of improvements in their other facilities. David Carden, Burgess Hill's Town Clerk, said: "Burgess Hill Town Football Club are great ambassadors for our town and are one of the most successful sporting teams in our area."

So what made the council turn? Greed, maybe?