COLUMN: Dozy's Rambles on signs, skateboards and festivals

Well done to the group of parents who did get together to put on the Beach Dreams festival on Shoreham Beach at the weekend.

A magnificent variety of events was carefully selected in order to entertain all possible age groups within the community and, of course, the weather played its part as well.

It was great to see so many family groups enjoying everything that was on offer, there was even a marquee just for the young ones to dance, play and sing in.

It looks like this event will now live on in the safe hands of its own community, with profits being ploughed back in to pay for next year’s extravaganza.

– So, the new owners of the business centre at Ropetackle in Shoreham have decided to remove the ‘Ropetackle’ signs and replace it with their own trade name, ‘Basepoint’.

No notice was given to the tenants, just a cherry picker arriving a couple of weeks ago at the Old Shoreham Road side of the tower, removing the familiar signage and replacing it immediately with the new name.

Over the hot weekend just passed, once again a cherry picker arrived. The High Street facing tower was sanded down, with sawdust flying everywhere.

People working in the business centre had to close their windows in the heat, and the café had to have the windows and doors closed because of the dust flying around.

I have been inundated with emails and calls about the name change. I contacted the council’s planning officers, who have agreed to look into the matter.

It appears as owners of the property, Basepoint can name it as they please but an advertisement would need planning permissioin.

I would think that many living at Ropetackle will want to make their own protest. Come on Basepoint, the building is Ropetackle, you have the Ropetackle Arts Centre at the base of your building, the public will always know your building as Ropetackle.

– Several years ago, the council was lobbied by a lot of youngsters who wanted their own skate park, a way to keep them off the streets.

The campaign was brilliantly run, it impressed the council so much that they built a first-class facility in Ham Road, just past Adur Civic Centre.

Over the past few weeks, there has been accusations of bullying of the younger children at the park and allegations of other wrongdoing.

A number of concerned parents have been discussing on social media ways of dealing with the problem. I would never agree or suggest that vigilantes take control of any area, but with police resources being stretched I can understand the frustration being felt.

Some youngsters have contacted me to say they will not go to the park as they are scared. This situation can obviously not be allowed to continue and I am hoping that a compromise can be made with the police and parents to make sure that the facility is open to all to enjoy and stay safe.

– Don’t you just love the term health and safety? That was one of the reasons, together with massively high insurance charges, for the cessation of the Bath Tub Race along the River Adur.

This was a massively popular event run annually in the cause of charity. To the best of my knowledge, no one was ever killed during the event.

Yes, a few of the contestants may have got slightly hurt by spectators throwing bags of flour, but never anything serious. So, I am delighted to hear that dragon boat racing is to be introduced to the upcoming River Fest taking place in August.

I have just looked at the programme for the event and it is really first class with so much happening this year, we are going to be spoilt for choice.

All that said, I would still dearly love to see the good old bath tubers back on the river. Time to get the placards out!