Bill Bryson & the Downs

[Dover]

This is the one thing I have feared. An eloquent, well spoken, funny, and dare I say it well read by many, spokesperson for the South Downs, is now on the scene.

Now hopefully our planning application is rock solid and no one can put any spokes into our front wheels, so we go sailing over the handlebars, and loose our front teeth, which are ever present, due to our present state of elation.

I may be overreacting, but please someone tell me, that he cannot do anything to change the planning process that has been finally given.

 

[Beach Hut]

This is the one thing I have feared. An eloquent, well spoken, funny, and dare I say it well read by many, spokesperson for the South Downs, is now on the scene.

Now hopefully our planning application is rock solid and no one can put any spokes into our front wheels, so we go sailing over the handlebars, and loose our front teeth, which are ever present, due to our present state of elation.

I may be overreacting, but please someone tell me, that he cannot do anything to change the planning process that has been finally given.

Nothing unless there is appeal lodged that no-one as yet knows about.

Shame about this for Bill Bryson as his books are superb reading.

 

[Bry Nylon]

As is the American tradition when it comes to battles, I think Mr Bryson has turned up little late.

 

[Yorkie]

I think Bill Bryson is more concerned about Arundel, Midhurst and the South Downs National Park rather than our stadium.

 

[Beach Hut]

I think Bill Bryson is more concerned about Arundel, Midhurst and the South Downs National Park rather than our stadium.

But what is he concerned about as there is no planned building there ?

Or is there a major retail outlet about to appear on the Sussex Downs

 

[Yorkie]

But what is he concerned about as there is no planned building there ?

Or is there a major retail outlet about to appear on the Sussex Downs

That they haven't been included in the National Park recommendations.

 

[Dover]

Nothing unless there is appeal lodged that no-one as yet knows about.

Shame about this for Bill Bryson as his books are superb reading.

His opening fron "Notes From a Small Island" describes Folkestone Road in Dover so well I could smell the place with every sentance.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

A brilliant travel writer (although not as good as Pete McCarthy) who stated that the whole of England should be deisgnated a National Park. He has a very good point that we are gradually eroding our beautiful landscapes and I am with him on the demand for the Western Weald to be included.

I am not sure it makes sense to include all the settlements in the National Park - certainly if we are to make the most of already developed regions and the need to expand/redevelop would face huge barriers if in a the Park.

Yorkie, he is the President of the CPRE, so I would imagine that he has been in touch with the case against Falmer Stadium.

 

[Brovion]

Is he actually on record anywhere as saying anything about the stadium? I always thought he was quite intelligent and thus would realise that the stadium wouldn't mean the irrevocable desecration of thousands of acres of beautiful downland. Obviously because of his position he couldn't come out and say that so he's maintained a diplomatic silence.

However I could be wrong and he could be as wilfully ignorant as all the other members of the CPRE.

 

[Les Biehn]

I've been reading Notes and have to say I'm not that enamoured with his writing, entertaining enough but not as funny or as interesting as I was led to believe.

 

[bhaexpress]

I've been reading Notes and have to say I'm not that enamoured with his writing, entertaining enough but not as funny or as interesting as I was led to believe.

I tend to agree with that although I was amused to the reaction to him in the US. There are those who having read 'Made in America' regard him with nearly as much disdain as Michael Moore as that book pours scorn on many myths about the birth of America and it's history.

 

[Seagull's Return]

Regarding development within the proposed South Downs National Park, I think a lot of the debate about the NP and its boundaries reflects the status of the NP Authority as the planning authority; I believe County Councils are particularly unenthusiastic about losing their powers over large swathes of the south in this way.

NP Authorities have tight planning restrictions, generally, but they also have a dual role to fulfill of conservation and leisure provision; in a site as oddly shaped and as man-made as the South Downs (unlike Snowdonia, for example), it's not entirely clear how the NP Authority will reconcile the environmental requirements with the car parks and other facilities increased leisure use will surely bring.

 

[Easy 10]

Bill Bryson could write a beautifully worded, compellingly argued, factually flawless 900 page essay on why there should not be a stadium at Falmer, but it would not make one JOT of difference now. The deadline has passed, Hazel has confirmed in writing to the club that no objections were received, and that, my friends, is that.

 

[Curious Orange]

Bill Bryson could write a beautifully worded, compellingly argued, factually flawless 900 page essay on why there should not be a stadium at Falmer, but it would not make one JOT of difference now. The deadline has passed, Hazel has confirmed in writing to the club that no objections were received, and that, my friends, is that.

Or, to quote Porky Pig, b-der, b-b-der, b-b-that's all folks!!

 

[queens park pete]

I've been reading Notes and have to say I'm not that enamoured with his writing, entertaining enough but not as funny or as interesting as I was led to believe.

His "Lost continent" is well worth digging out, as his tour of European stereotypes, "Neither here nor there"

Personally, I haven't found a funnier travel writer than Redmond O Hanlon- especially good on obscure Amazon fish which can swim up your piss stream and embed themselves inside the head of your old fellah. Apparently the pain victims endure from there is so awful most will chop their own baby maker off to escape further agony!

 

[Yorkie]

Yorkie, he is the President of the CPRE, so I would imagine that he has been in touch with the case against Falmer Stadium.

Yes I know. I read the article in the Argus about his statement on the National Park which was why I quoted the Arundel/Midhurst bit.

He can't do anything about the stadium now because it is done and dusted.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/search/di...rk_may_lose_finest_landscapes_says_author.php

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Will everyone stop panicking about the planning issue. That is over.

The real issue now is how to afford the actual build and running of the stadium, which goes back to having a consistently successful team and a plentiful fan base who are willing to stump up large amounts of cash every week on tickets and associated merchantising - and bigger TV money if we are in the Championship regulaly (I think the Premiership might be a bit over ambitious at the moment, but if no hopers like Reading and Wigan can survive then there is hope for everyone - given a big enough sugar daddy to bank roll it)