IN LAST week's Isle of Thanet Gazette we published a letter attributed to Serena Bean from Margate which was not in fact from her. We would like to apologise for any confusion.

I HEREBY wish to register my opposition to the demolition of the Richborough Cooling Towers for the following reasons:

I consider them to be an excellent landmark. Whenever East Kent is on the news, people are aware of the area when seeing these towers – for example the recent Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's in Sandwich.

This in turn publicises our area.

Many people feel this landmark is welcoming, especially following journeys away from home, as these towers can be seen for miles from all roads that approach East Kent.

They can also be seen from the air and sea when one is approaching the airport and ports of Ramsgate and Dover.

Also, peregrine falcons (a fabulous bird of prey) have nested on top of the narrowest tower for many years. Another great loss for East Kent!

This area is famous among bird watchers, but who knows whether the removal of the towers will reduce bird numbers.

Finally, I don't feel enough opportunity has been given to residents to air their opinion on this matter!

The deadline for comments to be received by TDC is October 28. Comments should be sent to planning.services@thanet.gov.uk

Save Richborough Cooling Towers!

Sue Smith, by e-mail

I HAVE been involved in the protest against Live Animal Exports from Ramsgate Port of Shame since it began.

Compassionate veganism and nonviolence is my motivation – seeing trucks crammed with crying animals that have been standing for hours in their own excreta.

I have been arrested and shortly after dearrested for writing down truck number plates to ascertain where the journeys began.

I have witnessed one protester being stop-searched by police at the port, the only protester to have been stop-searched and he just so happens to be black. The same protester was held in Margate police custody for more than 16 hours, while all other arrestees have been released after a maximum detention of six hours.

When I sought to enquire from the police how long they intended to keep video footage of protesters, one senior police officer told me police could keep such material indefinitely, which directly contradicts the legislation which only allows police to keep material if they have reason to suspect those on the video footage have criminal records or are likely to commit crime.

Video footage contains images of mums, dads, children and grandparents. Worryingly, it seems even the police are not aware of the law they are supposed to be upholding.

Just last weekend while packing up a market stall in aid of animal rescue three police officers dismounted from their van, one officer asked me to come to one side so he could discuss giving me a ticket for apparently causing an obstruction.

When I obliged him, he asked me why I wasn't down at the port. I told him I didn't see how that was relevant to his taking me to one side, and I suggested he was using intimidation as he knew I was involved in the stop live animal export protests.

I asked for his number and that of his colleagues, he and they declined and made off in their van.

Chief Inspector Brian Whittaker is in charge of policing the port protests. I think he needs to address this litany of roguish police behaviour.

Gerard Bane, Ramsgate

I HAVE recently spent two nights, October 20 and 21 at the Port of Ramsgate, waiting to witness the Live Export shipments.

On October 21, a total of eight lorries turned up at the Port to cross to Calais, crammed full of sheep.

We were extremely concerned about whether the ship would be able to sail safely with this number of lorries aboard.

On October 22, it transpired that the ship did not sail until 4.27am, instead of its allotted time of 11.30 the night before.

This resulted in the ship missing the tide at Calais, leaving it stuck outside Calais until it could berth at 8pm.

These poor animals had to endure hours of travelling on these lorries to Ramsgate prior to boarding the boat, and by the time the ship was allowed to berth at Calais they had been on that boat for almost 24 hours.

On top of that, they would then have to travel again, for how long we do not know, through Europe.

I say, shame on the Port of Ramsgate and its owners, Thanet District Council, who along with Defra's Animal Health department, would have known about this delay and for allowing this boat to sail from Ramsgate.

This has to stop now, no more pussyfooting about – do something.

Denise Bottali, Westgate

I APPLAUD the efforts of all the campaigners endeavouring to bring an end to the cruel and degrading exportation of live animals from Ramsgate and other UK ports.

Many of these poor animals are mere babes and were it not for man's wickedness would still be with their mothers.

Regrettably the export of live animals is only one of many cruelties inherent within the meat and dairy industries, and so long as humans eat meat these cruelties will continue.

I have evidence showing that the meat industry's claims of good welfare standards and humane slaughter are a complete myth.

Indirectly, meat production also causes human suffering. In a world where a third of humans lack adequate food – with many starving, 70 per cent of agricultural land is used to grow grain to fatten livestock, when food could instead be grown for direct human consumption.

The world's human population is expected to rise by 50 per cent in the next forty years or so, and unless radical steps are taken to reduce meat production, human famine will escalate. It is an established fact that many more people can be fed on a vegetarian diet than can be fed on a diet based around meat.

So, if we really care about animals, our children, grandchildren and the future of our beautiful planet, a move towards plant-based diets in place of meat is essential.

As a bonus, health studies have shown that vegetarians are less likely to suffer from various cancers, heart disease, obesity and diabetes, and can therefore look forward to a longer life.

Mr Chris Pope, Broadstairs

I KNOW there has been a lot of coverage and letters concerning the Live Exports going out from the ferry terminal at Ramsgate.

I do go down to peacefully protest when the lorries come through.

Last night, the faithful few turned out in freezing temperatures, there was a police presence there to "protect" us and it was decided that all protesters should stand in one place behind barriers "for their own safety".

I had just settled myself sat on a wall with a blanket around my legs ready for what could be a long wait.

This is a blog of what happened next.

Stuck my heels in last night, surrounded by six policemen, one with a video camera filming me all the time. What was my crime? Oh Yes! sitting on a wall. I know it sounds stupid but I was threatened with being arrested for sitting on a wall and refusing to move over the road to stand for five hours behind a barrier.

I was considered a problem because I was there "with intent to take part in a peaceful demonstration!" and the officer in charge told me he "may have to consider arresting me, and I didn't want that now did I?"

The only crime committed last night was all those sheep going through the port for ritual slaughter.

But if anyone wants my opinion, I truly believe we do not live in a free country any more or have freedom of speech.

I ask you. Six policemen against one mature woman! What is this country coming to? I wrote this when I got home because I have to be honest I felt thoroughly intimidated by six policemen and one video camera filming my every move.

I am a mature woman and compared to some of the protesters, pretty young!

Someone said last night that their dad had fought in the War to keep us free and have freedom of speech – well my dad did too, and he would be devastated to see the treatment some of the protesters are receiving.

Being told where to stand, being told off if voices are raised.

I wouldn't let those policemen see how frightened they made me feel, and wouldn't move until I was ordered to do so.

I would like to take this opportunity to say here, I did as I was ordered to do under sufferance and intimidation from the police force. What a sad state of affairs.

Sue Cox, Sheerwater, Ash

REGARDING the letter from cabinet member for the environment Simon Moores in response to the issue of public toilet closures ("Not just a matter of convenience", Your views, Isle of Thanet Gazette, October 14); Simple Simon needs to stop using money as an excuse!

I have just been to St Ives for a week and they have many clean, comfortable toilets that are open all year, from dawn to dusk! No vandalism, no graffiti, no excuses about money.

Just a service provided to holiday-makers and locals who enjoy their coast as much as I enjoy Thanet's greatest asset!

Come on Simon, think positive! If there are no loos, people will stop coming here on holiday.

David Wheatley, Margate

WHEN will our councillors and officials at TDC, the Environment Agency, Southern Water and the NHS speak up about the sewers, water supply and sea discharges of faeces? Or shall we have a heated debate and a vote on typhoid?

This Thanet. This Kent. In the 21st century. You couldn't make it up could you?

Are we paying for these people to do their jobs?

Tim Garbutt, Ramsgate

SMUDGER was correct (Isle of Thanet Gazette, October 21) regarding Roger Gale and the EU debate.

He did in fact launch a "constituency consultation exercise to determine his electors' real attitudes towards the prospect of a referendum on the United Kingdom's continued membership of and relationship with the European Union", asking all those he represents to submit a yes or no answer.

I for one regard this as a very important moment, giving as it does a chance for a real debate on the issue and for all to air their views, as we can through our MP.

Unfortunately, soon after another missive was received from Roger Gale telling us that he would not be able to cast a vote on the issue as he would be in Tunisia. Anyone who can't represent me will not be getting my vote in the future.

Christopher Chambers, Margate

IT IS very sad, but the derelict old ruin that has stood on the corner of Fort Road in Margate for decades is now proven to be well past her sell-by date (Council campaign fails to find hotel developer, Isle of Thanet Gazette, October 21). It is time to switch off the red light on the roof, no one appears to be interested in what it has to offer any more. The tenant pigeons will be furious, but the TDC should demolish ASAP this crumbling old eyesore that won the Civic Society's town shame award as far back as 2006.

Councillor John Watkins, Margate central ward

WHAT a sorry state we seem to be in over the skate park! Broadstairs' children are banned from using the Bandstand; Birchington children have to play in the woods alongside Crispe Park, much nearer to residential premises than the proposed Skate/BMX park on the far side of Crispe Park, alongside the Canterbury Road. We wonder why our children have no faith in the older generation – let's resolve this skate park issue in Birchington once and for all. Please do not locate this park outside the village boundaries, making our children feel disenfranchised.

Brian White, Birchington

I REFER to Councillor Worrow's letter ("Stop putting off the decision", Your views, Isle of Thanet Gazette, October 7). Is this the same Councillor Worrow who, as a parish councillor and chairman of the Parks Committee failed to come to a decision, and then at the parish assembly having now been elected as a district councillor left the assembly meeting immediately prior to the skate park being debated that evening and since being elected has not been present at the majority of parish council meetings where the debate continues?

He makes reference to Councillor La Roche proposing that the park be ruled out, yet Councillor La Roche, as a member of the parish council, agreed that a working party be given the task of looking at all location options and the report has not yet been finalised. The chairman quite rightly ruled that the council would wait for the recommendation of that report. It would seem that any procrastination is coming from he who doth protest too much.

Roger Latchford, Birchington