Terrington elderly told to remove satellite dishes
DISTRESSED residents of a West Norfolk sheltered flat complex face losing their TV life-line.
Elderly viewers of Sky at Clement Court, in Terrington St Clement, felt "intimidated" by a letter from Freebridge Housing Association telling them to remove their satellite dishes within 14 days or risk a bill for their removal.
The modern flats, in Caves Court, receive poor television reception and the promise of digital television further down the line has proved little comfort to the pensioners.
North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham has joined the debate and described television as a "life-line" to the elderly.
Avid sports fan Joyce Bullock (84) has lived at Clement Court for nearly five years and her family say the news came as a blow.
Her daughter-in-law Jeannette Bullock said residents were very distressed and concerned they would "get into trouble" if they don't comply.
"I'm mortified by what has been going on. My mother-in-law was ticking along nicely but the letter has made her very anxious.
"I think the residents found the letter very intimidating and I think it's disgusting.
"It's not right – they are taking away their rights. Elderly people fought for us to have their freedom in this country and they are taking away the small thing that matters to them.
"She loves her football and darts – all sports really – it's all she watches," she said.
Mr Bellingham said: "I will certainly be writing to the head of Freebridge. My strong view is the quality of life of old people is incredibly important.
"If you are incapacitated and you are confined to your home television is a life- line. Sports fanatics can watch a lot of sports on satellite television which are not available on terrestrial television and the digital roll-out is a long way off.
"I would urge Freebridge to be as understanding as possible. It's not as though this is a listed block of flats – it's a fairly modern building. I would take a different view if every single flat had a satellite dish."
Mrs Bullock (52) of Northgate Way, said the family had been given verbal permission to install the dish when Joyce moved in and without the equipment she would only receive very poor television reception.
"We might be fighting a losing battle but I think they deserve a voice," she added.
A spokesman for Freebridge housing said the installation of more than one satellite dish contravened Government planning policy and residents' tenancy agreements.
Freebridge said enforcement action was a last resort, but Clement Court could not be treated in isolation.
"We appreciate how important television is to people, especially elderly people."
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