They first came to our attention - via an anonymous email - last Friday afternoon, and we placed a story on our website that same day along with one of the pictures. There is no doubt some of the images are pornographic, despite claims to the contrary, but does that matter in this day and age? Not according to the Old Town Carnival Committee who have given their full backing to Gemma. Or indeed to many of the people who left messages at the bottom of our web story at the weekend. The aim of the story was not to make a judgement - it was simply to ask the question. Some have accused us of 'character assassination' - far from it, we were simply reporting a story on a local public figure who had decided to pose for glamour, or porn images.

Personally, I have no problem with them. I am surprised however that the Carnival Committee feels the same way. Still, its their decision. Let's be honest about this - we have a Carnival Queen, who goes around the town and indeed the south-east representing our town as Miss Hastings, she has posed for some porn pictures, and hasn't liked it when we have brought them to the public's attention. They are on a website, available for all to see - so why all the storm from her family and friends? I really don't understand it. The public can now judge whether she should remain our Carnival Queen. Gemma has made her decision - she's carrying on - and the carnival committee is backing her 100 per cent. Fine. Time to move on.

I WAS lucky enough on Wednesday evening to be compere of The Show at the White Rock Theatre. Its a marvellous concept from Helenswood School, via its amazing head Dame Sheila Wallis who is currently recovering from a serious operation. We wish her well, and although her two-year reign at the school is officially coming to an end, The Show is just one example of what a difference she has made to young people locally. The Show has expanded to three nights this year, ending last night, and the concept is very simple - giving youngsters the chance to perform on stage, something many have never done before, and all to support charity. A wonderful concept - albeit a very simple one - and it is superb that so many schools in Hastings have joined this initiative and taken part.

WE had some disruption this week from the two-day UNISON strike. The Tourist Information Centre was closed, Torfield School was affected as were some local council services. A six per cent pay rise in the current economic climate? Crazy.

THE schools plan to close Hillcrest, The Grove and Filsham Valley continues to cause debate, and indeed on Tuesday some parents were demonstrating before a governors' meeting. Letting people have their say is a good thing, but the reality is that the decision has already been reached and there will be two new academies. People have been moaning for long enough now that educational standards in Hastings aren't good enough. And yet some moan when something positive - indeed radical - is being done to tackle the situation. The reality is academies are the only way forward - this is the only way the government will fund such big changes. They have made that clear to the county council. Sir Dexter is here for three years, and as I have said before he will make an impact. And then we move on to academies. Loads of change yes for the youngsters, but the alternative is the unacceptable situation that we have now.

WHAT great news that the Beer Festival was such a success. So much credit is due to Hastings Round Table who defied the odds and turned around such a good event in such a short space of time. Onwards and upwards next year we hope.

FINALLY, some people have said to me we are only bothering to publish anti-Jerwood Gallery letters. Not true.