Dear Editor,

As a full time visitor to Sheringham from March to November each year I was very disappointed to read the article in issue 56 30th November [page 9 Tesco at Sheringham] by Mrs E. Loromine.  Is the writer seriously attempting to gain support for Tesco in Sheringham?   With respect all in Sheringham should be very careful of any support that they give to this scheme.  Be warned, we live just north of Cambridge, we have four large Tesco stores within easy reach of our home.  The largest being the Tesco Extra at Bar Hill, just off the A14.  This store offers everything, yes I mean everything there is nothing that any small shop in Sheringham could offer that this store cannot provide.  Tesco is a mean machine, a company that will walk over everyone, local communities, individuals and staff.  Your writer states that jobs will be forthcoming from Tesco, yes that is true but staff don't stay long, most are part time and are critical of the company.

Tesco have provided bus transport to their stores from surrounding settlements, those settlements served do have their own small village shops.  Surprise, surprise when the shops close within those settelments, the free transport also disappears. Beware local people of Sheringham, don't be fooled by the Tesco presentation teams and their promises.   They are poor bedfellows for any community, large or small.  I hate to think what various settlements will be like in twenty years time.

Stick to your local traders, help them, support them, in Sheringham you should be proud of what you have, remember Sheringham and your local readers will be the losers when they are crushed by Tesco.   As a matter of interest, can anyone remember seeing the documentary on TV about the [monge two pea] how it is grown under contract in Africa and communities await the visit from Mr Tesco.  I was sad to see how a large company can control a workforce from afar with threats of moving their contracts to another source.   Tesco does not give a dam for anyone, least their own workers and suppliers.
Peter Sanderson, Cottenham, Cambridge

SHERINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

Dog Fouling - The Town Council has noticed, with concern, the rise in incidents of dog fouling in the town and seeks help from residents and visitors in reporting such offences.  It would like to receive information from anyone seeing a dog owner allowing its dog to defecate, and not clearing up, to report to the Town Council with times, places and photographs, which can then be passed onto North Norfolk District Council's Animal Control Officer, when if there is sufficient evidence the dog owner will be prosecuted.

Sheringham Town Council has managed to keep its Precept level down - the Precept being the funding it receives from North Norfolk District Council via Central Government.  The next financial year will see a drop from £97,290, for the present year, £96,276 for 2006-2007.  Isn't it good to see things do not always go UP!

It is the time of year once again when it becomes more noticeable when street lighting columns are not working.  Sheringham Town Council office - 01263 822213 - is happy to take calls for all street lighting faults.  If the light is one which does not belong to the Town Council the fault will be passed to either Norfolk County Council or North Norfolk District Council.  Norfolk County Council lights will have a number painted onto the column and it is most helpful if this can be given when reporting the light - if you wish to report direct to Norfolk County Council its Street Lighting number is 0844 800 8008.

The Town Council is at present in negotiation with North Norfolk Railway to lease the area of Otterndorf Green not taken into its new rail line extension.  It is hoped that the area will be upgraded eventually with Regeneration funding - a new design, additional seating, different planting scheme - making it more attractive whilst at the same time easy to keep trim and tidy and open for public use.
Cherry Ashton, Town Clerk