LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ETC.
	May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to remind you that the Police Surgeries are still taking place every Thursday alternating between the two village halls as follows. St Osyth between 1.00pm and 3.00pm and Dumont Avenue, Point Clear between 12.00 noon and 2.00pm If you would like to speak to me at the surgeries and are not sure which hall I am at just phone Clacton Police Station and the switchboard can tell you where I am on that particular day. Rob White Pc 1351
	SIR HENRY COLE Dear Editor, In your December/January issue I read “A Mr Cole is credited with starting the habit of sending Christmas cards”. This is a rather unflattering way of referring to Sir Henry Cole (1808-82), an eminent Victorian if ever there was.  As an assistant keeper in the Public Records Office he saved many important documents previously neglected.  He founded a firm for ‘art manufacture’ which published children’s books, and indeed, the first Christmas card. More importantly he planned and largely organised the Great Exhibition of 1851 under the patronage of Prince Albert; he set up a national system of art education; and from 1853 to 1873 he was Director of the South Kensington Museum, now the V & A. We don’t have such titans these days. D.B.
	VILLAGE HALL BOTTLE BANK THIS area is designated for empty bottles and clothing.  Please do not leave other items on the ground that could cause injury to people using this facility. Over the holiday period, scrap metal and other sharp objects have been left in this area, which is dangerous to everyone, especially to young children who use the hall on a daily basis. Please be considerate! Roger Squirrell, Clerk to the Council
	FESTIVE DECORATIONS Dear Editor, May I congratulate those responsible for the festive decorations in the village and my Mill Street neighbours for the great effort they made to make the street cheerful including, of course, the boatyard for their Christmas tree in the sky!  This is something I have always wanted to see and look forward to a repeat performance this year! Oh and while on the subject, congratulations to Jean the Cycling Granny on her award.  Overdue but well deserved. Syd Bruce
	MORE FESTIVE DECORATIONS May I, through your parish magazine, say how wonderful I thought the angel greeting signs looked on the side of the butchers and Social Club, also the star that shone on the church tower.  But, please get rid of those awful blue lights that hung in various ways in front of local businesses.  Did they look Christmassy?  Well let’s hope they’re not used next year but maybe some that are more warming to greet us. Anon ST OSYTH IS SPECIAL! I THINK I have always known that, but in November when Mum, Betty Jones, died I realised just how true those words were. Mum was born in the village and never moved out of it.  Mum and Dad made their home in St Osyth and as children we always felt secure in the knowledge that we were village children.  As adults with our own families we still all live in St Osyth (and all in the same street!) Mum took an active part in village life and it was such a comforting feeling to walk into a packed Church on the occasion of her funeral, knowing that we were surrounded by her many friends, neighbours and villagers. These same people have been such a support to us over the past few weeks and made us all realise how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful village and amongst so many extraordinary people. So, yes, I really believe that St Osyth is so very special. Stephanie Smith GARDENING ON A GRAND SCALE Dear Editor, I feel that I must put pen to paper in respect of the gardening column in our parish magazine by our own Marjorie Collis.  I wouldn’t want to be in her employment in her gardening department.  I hope that you have all read her report on the correct way to grow runner beans.  If you look at the measurements stated you would need a JCB tractor to carry out all this activity.  Also, not forgetting an extendable ladder to get in and out, the plot size intrigued me (18 metres wide and 2 metres deep), goodness knows what size runner beans would be produced, enough to supply our village, also that a 20 ton lorry would have to be sent with a full complement of manure to cover the bottom of the trench.  Carry on with your gardening column Marjorie, it all ends up for good reading for our residents. Happy Gardening. Johnnie Austin