IN response to some of the points raised in last week's letters pages by supporters of Shoreham Rugby Club, most day-to-day users of Buckingham Park support the playing of rugby, alongside football, cricket and tennis in our park.
Any sporting activity that encourages people, particularly young people, to take part in is an excellent thing.
We are not anti-rugby and, as for not drinking coffee with rugby players, this is clearly ridiculous.
Rugby players, their suppo
rters and everyone else are welcome in the café.
The issue many park users have is that of a "rugby clubhouse". Why does Shoreham Rugby Club feel it needs its own clubhouse?
Are the football players, the cricketers, the tennis players, mums with young children and the many dog walkers not worthy of such a facility?
The issue of decent changing facilities and public toilets certainly needs to be addressed, but for all and not for just the rugby club.
The letters from the rugby club supporters use the word "community", but not one of them has suggested a community clubhouse.
Regarding Cup Cakes Café, again, not one of the letters gives due credit to Alison and Amelia for the successful business they have created.
My wife and I have been using the park for over 12 years and applaud the council for the investments it has made in the new tennis courts, the children's play park and the youth activity area.
However, it was Alison and Amelia's Cup Cakes Café which gave the park a heart and community focus.
If successful in winning the lease, the rugby club management have said that Amelia can continue to manage the café.
Frankly, this is a little condescending and somewhat arrogant of them.
The rugby club has some support, but, reading last week's letters, one would think that it was only the rugby club that patronised the café.
Conveniently, it has forgotten to mention the 1,500 people, including some rugby club supporters, who have signed the petition, calling on the council to let Amelia carry on with her business.
The only fair and just outcome for this situation is for the rugby club to concentrate on playing and promoting its sport, as the footballers, cricketers and tennis players do, and for the Cup Cakes Café to remain as it is – a wonderful facility run for and used by all the community.
Robert Spence
Downside
Shoreham-------------------------------------
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