I have spent the past 11 years in Falmouth, Cornwall, where I work as a volunteer at the Maritime Museum.

We volunteers are very proud of our beautiful building, which won an award for the best attraction in Cornwall 2007.

The architects, Long and Kentish, did a wonderful job designing the buildings and the centre has a variety of uses, including welcoming Dame Ellen McArthur.

Our maritime museum has a tower with look-out at the top and nine panes of glass at the bottom giving endless fun viewing various sea creatures.

Most floors are accessed by gangways, giving wheelchairs and children good free movement.

The restaurant also has beautiful views. The lecture hall with tiered seating provides endless uses, lectures on Shackleton, films, holiday Disney for children, an education room for art, activities of all descriptions and parties for children.

We also have a library, which is used to trace every boat ever made.

The museum had more volunteers than paid staff. Southend Pier could have these facilities and achievements. It could have visitors from all over the world.

No to rollercoasters.

Now is the time for people of Southend to say what we would like.

No developers - unless they listen to us and bring sense and stability to the town.

We have enough amusements, we want some culture, beauty and fun for our town and the longest pier in the world.

Sally Edwards
Plas Newydd
Southend