August 2018
SUSSEX LOCAL
Arundel - Amberley - Climping - Fontwell - Ford - Slindon - Walberton Local news and events through the door to 6,400 homes in this area every month
COMMUNITY ENERGY Power to the people
ARUNDEL HISTORY Hiorne Tower
NEWS
Council, Schools Charity & Community
WIN!
Tickets: Spirit of the Horse Book: Sussex Folk Tales for Children
GARDENING
Sussex Prairie Gardens
WHAT’S ON
Summer Holidays
PLUS
What’s On, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Young Readers’ Puzzles, Local Walks, Local Groups & Charity, Business Directory
through the door
2
SUSSEX LOCAL
3
August 2018 Cover image “The water’s lovely” at Arundel Lido arundel-lido.com
Welcome... So the school summer holidays are upon us, let’s hope the warm weather lasts. Our What’s On guide starting on page 4 has plenty of ideas to keep the children amused over the summer break and more events are listed on our website at sussexlocal.net This month our main charity feature is on Community Energy South (CES) a not-forprofit organisation helping generate and supply local energy and reduce fuel poverty. See page 26. Our August recipe is for feta and herb couscous, a healthy and delicious barbecue accompaniment. See page 34. Horse lovers should see our competition on page 9 to win tickets to see ’Spirit of the Horse’. This impressive touring show held in a 2,000 seat arena at Fontwell Park promises beautiful dancing horses, thrilling stunt riding and even a winged Pegasus! You can also win a book - Sussex Folk Tales for Children on page 17. This month we are pleased to bring news from Walberton and Yapton Parish councils as well as Arundel Town council. The council news starts on page 30. We are always happy to promote the valuable work of local councils and support the volunteers who do so much for our communities. Please do get in touch if you have a local story you would like us to cover. Happy holidays!
Kris & Jeff
Quote of the month “Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” - VAN MORRISON Disclaimer - Whilst advertisements are printed in good faith, Sussex Local (Kay Publishing Ltd) is an independent company and does not endorse products or services that appear in this magazine. Sussex Local cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions or claims made by contributors. The views and opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.
4 9 10 12 14 16 17 18 21 26 30 32 34 37 39 43
...........................................................................What’s On ...................................WIN! Tickets to Spirit of the Horse ...................................................................Arundel History ..............................................................................Property .....................................................................Local Schools ............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page .......................WIN! Book Sussex Folk Tales for Children ........................................................................Local Walks .........................................................Charity & Community ....................................Community Energy Charity Profile .............................................Town & Parish Council News .................................................................Prize Crossword .................................................................................Recipe ....................................................................In Your Garden .............................................................Business Directory ...........................................................Index of Advertisers
SUSSEX & CHICHESTER LOCAL 01903 868 474
info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH Sussex Local & Chichester Local magazines are published monthly and delivered free to over 37,700 West Sussex addresses. There are six editions and display advertising starts at just £24 a month per edition. Business Directory adverts £10 per month per edition.
1. Arundel edition - Arundel, Amberley, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total addresses - 6,400 2. Barnham edition - Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate, Aldingbourne, Oving, & Tangmere Total addresses - 5,400 3. Chichester edition - Chichester centre & suburbs Total addresses - 7,800 4. Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total addresses - 6,200 5. Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common. Total addresses - 5,500 6. Storrington edition - Storrington, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total addresses - 6,400 The combined circulation of all six editions is over 37,700 addresses.
4
What’s On
SUSSEX LOCAL
through the door
5
6
What’s On
SUSSEX LOCAL
through the door
What’s On
7
8
What’s On
SUSSEX LOCAL
through the door
Competition
9
Win tickets to Spirit of the Horse: Renaissance Sunday 19th August, 2pm at Fontwell Park Racecourse Featuring a cast of equestrian stars including Arabians, Friesians and Lusitanos as well as Thundering Cossack Horses and stunning ‘dancing’ Andalusians – the classic horse of Spain. Choreographed to a specially-arranged musical score, blending spectacle, dramatic action, humour and aweinspiring lighting, Spirit of the Horse: Renaissance weaves the magic of myth and legend through man’s bonding with his oldest and most trusted ally - the horse. For more info visit www.spiritofthehorseshow.com
Win tickets to Spirit of the Horse Spirit of the Horse: Renaissance is staged in the specially designed Equestrian Touring Theatre’s 2,000 seat arena with state of the art lighting and sound. This is truly a world-class show appealing to all ages – and not just those who enthuse about horses. Firmly established as one of the country’s most popular touring shows, having been seen by more than one and a half million people, Spirit of the Horse has won a unique place in the hearts and minds of the British public, consistently performing before large audiences of all ages.
To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: Which country is the Andalusian horse from? a) Cyprus b) Greece c) Spain Send your answer and contact details to: Spirit of the Horse Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 14th August 2018. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.
SUSSEX LOCAL
10 History
Hiorne Tower - Sheer folly, or is it?
Arundel Park & Hiorne Tower
By historian Mark Phillips One typical definition of the word ‘folly’ says, ‘A costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park.’ I refuse to accept this clearly flawed definition as I stand here on a high plateau in the grounds of the Duke of Norfolk’s park, admiring the perfect setting and unique architecture of the stunning Hiorne Tower. I view it through the inquisitive eyes of a local historian and the critical eyes of a landscape archaeologist. As a child in the 1960s I was aware that even then, the tower had a most important function. A function that everyone growing up in the town was made very aware of at a young age. When the red flag was flying on the tower one must never walk too far down and beyond the nearby Swanbourne Lake as this indicated that the Duke’s rifle range in the valley below was in use. Over the years numerous regiments have put up their tents and camped around the tower while on their yearly training camp in Arundel Park. Courtesy of Henry, Duke of Norfolk and following his death, his son Duke Bernard. 89 year old Mr Bailey Bernard Duke of Norfolk & passed away in the Duchess Lavinia, 1965 tower where he had lived with his wife for the past 62 years. They had been married for 72 years when Mrs Bailey passed away a few months earlier. Clearly this building was not a folly, but a well-loved family home albeit owned and let to the couple by the Duke of Norfolk. So, what is the story of this Gothic style prospect tower that stands on the Duke of Norfolk’s estate a short distance from its south entrance? Now a grade II Listed building, it was designed and built in 1787 in the newlyestablished park under the superintendence of the The unusual triangular structure architect Francis Hiorne of Warwick. A 50ft-high triangular structure in Gothic revival style consisting of three octagonal corner turrets made in flint and stone chequer-work with pointed and mullioned windows.
Rather than being built with ‘no practical purpose’ as per the definition of the word ‘folly’, Hiorne’s architectural masterpiece was built with a very definite purpose in response to a direct request from the Duke who wished to see an example of his building style as he was planning to commission him to undertake the restoration of the Castle. It is said that the Duke was unimpressed by this design and decided against employing Hiorne and the work on the castle went ahead to the duke’s own design. However, I suspect Hiorne inconveniently passing away shortly after his tower was completed was no small matter, easily ignored. The tower, restored in 1992, was occupied up until around 1960 when Mr Foster, the last resident moved out. Since then it has been used for storage and as the Duke’s shooting ranged closed in the 1970s, the red warning flag flies no more.
Mr Henry Leslie Foster
However, although it could do with a little bit of tender care, it remains a magnificent landmark in all its isolated gothic beauty. Hiorne Tower, love it, loathe or ignore it, but to call it a folly is sheer folly itself.
Biplane next to the tower
through the door
11
12 Property
Maintenance free windows? By Chris Ennis FRICS It is easy to assume that replacement plastic windows are maintenance free, however this is not the case. That said, the days of old ungalvanized steel (crittall) windows and draughty timber frames are mainly past. Modern replacement windows are constructed in a upvc frame. Upvc stands for plasticized polyvinyl chloride which to ordinary mortals like you and I is ‘plastic’. Windows constructed in this material require minimal maintenance but are not maintenance free. In urban locations the Upvc can discolour and periodically the white plastic parts should be cleansed with a upvc cleaner. Care should be taken not to abrade the plastic surface…………. No scouring pads or ‘Jiff’ or steel wool. All moving parts should be lightly oiled. In the absence of lubrication exposed south and west facing windows may become jammed and undue force to open them could cause expensive damage to hinges. Any silicone exterior sealant around the edges of the plastic where it meets the adjacent walls should remain pliant and not be cracked.
WINDOWS - DOORS -PORCHES FASCIAS - SOFFITS - GUTTERING SHOPFRONTS -CONSERVATORIES ORANGERIES - EXTENSIONS PATIOS - DRIVEWAYS BI-FOLDING DOORS ALL DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR WORKS UNDERTAKEN
01903 765 506
info@attwaterwindows.com www.attwaterhomeimprovements.co.uk 116 Cokeham Lane Sompting BN15 9SQ
SUSSEX LOCAL Any glazed panels which have misted up should be replaced… This is probably a job for a professional glazier. The misting is caused by condensation forming between the inner and outer pains of glass where the original vacuum has broken down. The opening casements are lined with a rubber draught proofing strip. On exposed elevations this rubber can dis-disintegrate and require renewal. In my house the rubbers have lasted 10 years. You should ensure that all windows can be easily locked, and that the window keys are close by for use in the event of an emergency. You should plan an escape route from the upper floors in the event of fire. The building Inspector may specify special wide opening escape windows. These days windows have to be approved by either the Building Inspector, or member of a ‘competent Person Scheme’ the most common of which is either FENSA (fenestration self-assessment, or Certass Ltd). Without appropriate documentation, there may be problems when the property is sold. Chris Ennis FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor www.propdoctor tel: 01903 261217 or email surveyor1@talktalk.net
through the door
Property
13
14 Schools
Amberley School Beech Class visit Littlehampton On a very hot Wednesday in July, Beech Class from Amberley Primary School enjoyed a fabulous trip to Littlehampton. Our wonderful caretaker, Mr Patel drove the children there in the minibus and the educational exercises began with a beach-study, the children logging what they found on different sections of the shore. No doubt some were slightly distracted by the joys of being on a beach on a glorious summer's day! The class then walked along the promenade to the little lighthouse on the bank of the Arun river and tried to work out why it was needed there. The current light was installed in 1948 and the letterbox light, which is visible for 10 miles, helps guide ships into the river Arun. Apparently the early lighthouses which were affectionately known as the Salt and Pepper Pots were demolished in 1940 to stop enemy shipping identifying the port. Heading north along the Arun they soon arrived at the Look and Sea Centre which offered fascinating information about Littlehampton’s past and in particular the children loved the stories about shipwrecks off the West Sussex coast and smugglers sailing into Littlehampton under cover of darkness.
SUSSEX LOCAL Next was a real highlight as the children visited the RNLI lifeboat station which is very close to Look and Sea and found out about how the lifeboats are launched and even tried on the kit! They had such a great time, learnt such a lot about how the RNLI works and came away with great admiration for the dedication and bravery of the RNLI volunteers. As we come to the end of another academic year, we at Amberley Primary celebrate a momentous period. For the first time in its long history, the school became a Primary in September 2017 and our Year 6 has recently taken their Key Stage 2 exams. The school currently has the most pupils we have ever had the pleasure to educate at Amberley and with a sterling effort from all involved with the school we have achieved a Good from Ofsted. The future for Amberley Primary is bright. If you would like to explore sending your child to Amberley Primary School please make an appointment to see our Head Teacher Mr Gilbert by calling 01798 831612. Ray Jackson, Chair of Governors Find out more at www.amberley.w-sussex.sch.uk
Arundel C of E School Sporting Excellence Our ACE children achieve many great feats, and as a school we always encourage each and every one of them to strive to constantly improve and reach their full potential. This was evident more than ever during our recent performance at the 2018 School Games. For the second time in our history our school won a significant sports team event at the School Games, with this being the fourth time in six years that we have represented the Southern Area at the national school games. Over 500 schools take part in this event, further highlighting what an amazing achievement this is. The children who represented ACE at the event showed all the characteristics we encourage as a school: the ACE way; determination; team spirit; resilience; and heart and courage in the face of adversity. The children were also praised for their sportsmanship towards other schools as well as showing true grit and determination to not let one another down. A member of the school games committee commented, "In my thirty years in the professional I have never seen such a well-oiled team who were intent to work for one another.
They truly understood the concept of a team and the idea that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one. So they worked as one unit rather than as individuals." I would also like to take this opportunity to celebrate the success of Makz, Lucas and Loui, who represented the Southern area and our school in the football team. The children performed really well with Makz being the top scorer in the competition with an incredible five goals. The Southern team came an impressive second overall. To be the best in West and East Sussex and Brighton and Hove is quite an achievement. So, next year we have got something to really aim for – two winning teams! www.arundelchurchofenglandschool.org.uk
through the door
15
SUSSEX LOCAL
16 Puzzles
Young Readers’ Puzzle Page Wordsearch - Big Find the listed words in the grid. Words may be hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and in either a forwards or backwards direction.
BROAD HUGE MASSIVE
ENORMOUS HEAVY IMMENSE JUMBO MIGHTY VAST
Anagram Trace the lines connecting the circles to find out what the 2nd word is
HEFTY LARGE WEIGHTY
Maze
Win a pair of tickets to Help the pirate find her treasure chest! Start at the arrow on the top of the maze.
Win a pair of tickets to Pirates on the Run: a colourful bouncy fun run for all the family, to raise treasure for St Wilfred’s Hospice. At Chichester High School from 11am on 1st September. Dress up as a pirate, go on a treasure hunt, and much more! Please send your completed entry to: Pirates on the Run, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or scan and email to: competitions@sussexlocal.net
Closing date of competition will be Monday 20th August. Winner will be first entry drawn.
Name: .......................................................................... Age: .............................................................................. Full address: ................................................................ ...................................................................................... Postcode: ..................................................................... Email: ........................................................................... Phone: .......................................................................... Mobile: .........................................................................
Competition
through the door
17
Win a copy of ‘Sussex Folk Tales for Children’ A captivating and enchanting new book Mythical creatures, fairytale characters and mysterious goings-on all linked to local places in Sussex. These tales – specially chosen to be enjoyed by 7-11 year old readers – sparkle with magic and explode with adventure. Not only will children love to read them, or listen to them being read, these stories will also stimulate an interest in the county, and help children engage with their own surroundings. Published in association with The Society for Storytelling and as part of the popular folk tales series, The History Press is delighted to announce the forthcoming release of ‘Sussex Folk Tales for Children’ by Xanthe Gresham Knight and Robin Knight. The book includes a specially commissioned illustration by Sherry Robinson.
Did you know that if you’re walking the cliff tops you may spot a fiery-eyed stranger? Or that if you’re dancing in the forest and hear a singing in the wind, it must be fairies? Or that if you’re swimming in the sea and feel a tendril winding around your ankle, it’s not seaweed but the hair of a mermaid who wants you to swim with her until the stones turn to sand. To purchase ‘Sussex Folk Tales for Children or for more information, please visit their website www.thehistorypress.co.uk
Win a copy To enter the competition answer the question below: Q:
What do all the folk tales have in common? a) Sussex b) Fairies c) Dragons
Send your answer and contact details including phone number to: Sussex Folk Tales Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st August 2018. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.
SUSSEX LOCAL
18 Walks
Local Walks - August These walks are supported by Chichester District Council, are led by volunteers and are designed to cater for all ages and abilities. No booking is required but please arrive 10 mins before the walk is due to start. Dogs are welcome unless otherwise stated but must be kept on the lead. Timings are for guidelines only. If the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled, if unsure please check, contact 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk. L = Walk Leader Wed 1st Fri 3rd Sat 4th
Mon 6th Tues 7th Mon 13th Wed 15th
Sun 19th Tues 21st Tue 21st Thurs 23rd Fri 24th
Wed 29th Thurs 30th Fri 31st
10:30 am Bignor Hill L: Chloe 2 hrs Circular walk from Bignor Hill returning through The Rise of Northwood project area. Meet in Bignor Hill car park 10:30 am Sidlesham to Church Norton L: Peter 2 hrs A walk along the foreshore to the Saxon church of St Wilfrid's. Meet in Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve car park 9 am Isle of Wight - Ryde L: Dominic All day Bring water and lunch. Approx. cost ÂŁ12. Meet at Chichester or Barnham Train Station. Contact Chichester Wellbeing to book your place info@chichesterwellbeing.org.uk or 01243 521041 10:30 am Petworth Ancient Trees Walk L: Gerald 2 hrs Fascinating walk through the trees from 350-800 years old. Meet in Petworth Park, London Road, north car park 10:30 am Slindon Park Lane L: Janet 1 hr 30 mins A walk through the woods and up onto the Downs. Meet in National Trust Car Park, Park Lane, Slindon, BN18 10:30 am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins Meet at Chichester Canal, PO19 8DT 10:30 am Kingley Vale L: Peter 2 hrs Enjoy a walk around the perimeter of this beautiful Nature Reserve containing one of the finest yew forests in Europe. Meet in West Stoke car park, Downs Road, PO18 9BE 10:30 am Burpham L: Dominic 2 hrs Hilly walk with some stiles. Lovely views. Meet in the public car park behind the George at Burpham, BN18 9RR 10:30 am Chichester City Walls L: Janet 1 hr Meet by the aviary just inside the entrance to Priory Park in Guildhall Street 10:30 am Buriton Village L: Bruce 2 hrs Hilly walk in Ludgersham Copse and Buriton Chalk Pits. Meet at Buriton Church 10:30 am Sutton Common L: Peter 2 hrs Through woodlands and sandy heathland. Meet at Lord's Piece car park 10:30 am West Marden L: Jane 2 hrs 30 mins A pleasant walk with some hills and stiles through woodland and open countryside with some good views. Meet in West Marden on the corner of Noredown Way 10:45 am Arun Riverbank L: Dominic 2 hrs Flat river bank walk returning by same route. Meet at Arun Yacht Club 10.30am Stoughton Down L: Jane 2 hrs 30 mins Meet at Stoughton Down Car Park - Forestry Commission car park east of Stoughton on the sharp bend 10:30am Amberley Village L: Peter 2 hrs Through Amberley village and back round the castle and along the river Arun. Meet at car park at Amberley Station
4 miles 4 miles --
4 miles 3.5 miles 1 mile 4 miles
4 miles 1 mile 4 miles 4.5 miles 5 miles
4 miles 5.5 miles 4 miles
through the door
19
SUSSEX LOCAL
20 What’s On
Happy Birthday Arundel Festival! Between Saturday 18th - Monday 27th August, Arundel will celebrate the Festival’s 40th birthday The award-winning Arundel Festival is a major annual attraction in the town’s events calendar. From Saturday 18 – Monday 27 August 2018, the Festival offers a cultural showcase of visual arts, theatre, music, street performance and more. Venues include everything from a front room in a tiny cottage to the dominating Roman Catholic Cathedral, galleries and roads, public parks and gardens to the River Arun. 2018 is a very special year for the Festival as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. The Gallery Trail, the largest and oldest walking trail in the UK, also celebrates its 30th birthday and now showcases the work of over 400 artists. The Duchess of Norfolk will officially open the Festival, accompanied by local opera singer Jane Clarity and the childrens’ choirs from Arundel C of E and St Philips RC Schools. Free entry still prevails for the ten-day programme of contemporary music at Jubilee Gardens. Here are some of the street event highlights that you can see across the two weekends: Dragon Heart Beats Saturday 18th Aug 2pm onwards The opening day of Arundel Festival will see a giant 30 foot-long and 20-foot high moving, fire- breathing, musical dragon descend into Market Square! A dramatic live music and street theatre experience. Jane Clarity Saturday 18 August 2:30pm Arundel’s own opera singer will accompany the flagraising ceremony led by the Duchess of Arundel. Tot Rockin’ Beats Sunday 19 August 11am- 1pm Sunday morning will be a party in Market Square as DJ’s, dancers and lots of bubbles and games get tots and toddlers and their parents dancing. Juggling Jake Saturday 18 August 11am Your chance to learn Circus Skills including plate spinning, juggling and the Diablo. Juggling Jake will finish each session with his own circus show. Balloonatic Saturday 25 August 2pm onwards Highly talented and fabulously dressed, Balloonatic are Britain's most extreme balloon artists. They make wondrous creations out of latex balloons but also entertain crowds of people. Bubble Jo Sunday 26 August 12 noon Bubble Jo is the King of Bubbles, making super-size bubbles that will astound audiences Poi Passion Sunday 26 August 1pm Join Juggling Jake and an amazing Circus skills workshop to learn the art of juggling, Diablo, platespinning and poi sticks
(c) Charlie Waring BIMM Acoustic Saturday 18 August 5pm This is the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. Come and listen as the best of the musicians from this Brighton-based College perform special semiacoustic sets for us. Other acts performing at this year’s Festival include Sussex Steel Band, Eight Beat Jive, South Downs Folk Singers, and who would want to miss two all-time favourites, the Dragon Boat Race and the Duck Race, 2,000 ducks in all. Both outdoor events make a substantial contribution to charities, this year, Help for Heroes and Arundel Lido. Monday 27 August Bank Holiday 11.30am onwards Everyone is invited to join us in the Town Square to celebrate the Festival’s 40th, where there will be a huge birthday party. Themed to the 70s, audiences are invited to dress in the style of the decade. Bell Bottoms to Fringe From hippy and glam rock to disco and bohemian, the 70s encapsulates numerous iconic fashion styles that are still wearable today. Enter the ‘Best Dressed of the 70s’ competition, where ten finalists will be picked on the day, with a fabulous prize for the winner. The Great Arundel Bake-off A birthday party isn’t complete without a fabulous cake. All the entrants will be showcased and the audience will vote for their favourite. You Can Dance, You Can Jive... Come and have the time of your life and enjoy some dancing in the streets to all the popular tunes from the 70s. Fireworks Finale 9.15pm Traditional annual firework display to wrap up the tenday celebration. For the full programme, see arundelfestival.co.uk
Charity & Community
through the door
Sussex Snippets Places are filling up fast for an exclusive Arundel Castle Abseil organised by Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice. The two-day event involves abseiling 180ft down the iconic Bake House Tower at Arundel Castle while raising vital funds for local life-limited children and their families. Places are available for Friday 28 September. For the chance to abseil, sign up now at www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/arundelabseil Primary school children in West Sussex are being invited to fight plastic pollution by taking part in a global Plastic Planet Challenge. West Sussex Council is urging all of its primary schools to take part. Schools can access a range of great resources to explore plastic and recycling in the classroom and will be invited to ask their children to design a plastic pollution poster. The winning designs will be made into a customised design on a refillable drinking water bottle. Schools can find out more about the challenge by visiting www.wastebuster.global More than 40 West Sussex projects, from a choral festival to a drop in centre for veterans, have embraced a new funding scheme. The West Sussex Crowd brings together worthwhile projects which aim to improve their local areas, with those willing to offer funding and support. So far £22,657 has been donated. West Sussex
Making solid wood kitchens!
Cabinet Furniture Specialists Including bedroom, dining room, study furniture. Beautiful collections in oak and pine, or painted in the colour of your choice. Crafted in our own workshops near South Bersted. Visit us for a bespoke, friendly, personal service. South Bersted Business Park, Dickinson Place, PO22 9QU
01243 865010
www.cfsfurniture.co.uk
21
County Council is also making a £330,000 Community Initiative Fund available to pledge to projects on the site. To upload an idea or pledge support, visit: www.westsussexcrowd.org.uk The new West Sussex Care Guide 2018/19 is now available. It is full of useful information and advice about the adult social care services that are available around West Sussex. The guide lists day care providers, extra care provision and more. The Care Quality Comission recently surveyed 1000 people looking for adult care either for themselves or a loved one with 70% saying the process was more stressful than finding a wedding venue or a school for a child. The Guide is available online or as a printed book, which can be found in libraries and GP surgeries across the county. View online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/careguide CLA South East, an organisation which represents landowners and farmers across Sussex, is urging the public to respect the countryside this summer. They warn not to litter, fly-tip or leave dog litter, as severe penalties will be served. Not picking up dog litter can result in sickness in sheep and cattle. For more information visit www.cla.org.uk The third Behind Closed Doors conference bought together national experts and local public services to discuss how to prevent the rise of criminal exploitation in the area. The conference focussed on how to identify and protect vulnerable people in the community, and particularly the rising threat of so-called ‘county lines’. This is where drug gangs from urban areas, particularly London, recruit children and adults in more rural areas to sell drugs for them. Recent statistics have shown that 50 per cent of the drug lines into West Sussex come into Worthing. Speaking at the conference, Mark Pearson, a national expert on criminal exploitation, praised the level of cooperation in Adur and Worthing between community and public service organisations. A joint letter signed by the leaders of Adur and Worthing Councils states that schools in West Sussex would receive almost £100 extra per pupil a year if the government funded the county. The letter to the Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds, points out that West Sussex has the eighth lowest funding per primary school pupil in the country and the sixth lowest for secondary school pupils. The letter has been sent to the Chancellor, Philip Hammond and all West Sussex MPs. Sussex Wildlife Trust wants to provide wild activities for thousands of children in Sussex this year. Children’s contact with the natural world is in decline. Only 10% of children now spend time in wild places, compared to 40% of their parents when they were young. Sussex Wildlife Trust is ready to provide wild activities for thousands of children in Sussex this year, with their new programme 'Rewild a Child'. They need your support to help them raise the remaining £60,000 for the programme. To find out more visit sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/get-involved/appeals
22 Charity & Community
South Downs National Park I was not surprised at the recent news that the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) has decided to use public money to start a judicial review to challenge the decision made by Highways England (HE) to recommend route 5a. The meeting was held in secret, the anti road campaigners got advance notice of that meeting and knew the decision before any of the general public: e.g. the collusion between the Authority and anti bypass supporters (I have proof of all this). The reason I wasn’t surprised is because the Chairman, Margaret Paren, OBE, after taking early retirement, became involved in the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE). CPRE were paramount in ensuring that the SDNPA park border was moved to south of the A27 rather than using that as a natural border of the park. One Arundel (a campaign group for an offline A27 bypass) has recently carried out a Freedom of Information request and a huge number of documents have been supplied showing and proving collusion between the Park Authority and South Coast Alliance for Transport and the Environment (SCATE) and key environmental campaigners. All these documents have now been passed to the Highways England’s lawyers to enable them to robustly challenge the Judicial review.
SUSSEX LOCAL SDNPA had many private meetings with HE and were kept abreast of the entire consultation process and had plenty of opportunity to input to that process. To then turn around and challenge the decision that was so widely supported by the local community is disrespectful to local feelings. Margaret Paren has been in position for over 8 years. She is not elected but was appointed by the Brown Government back in early 2010. All local councils (who have a democratic mandate) at all levels: County (WSCC), District (Arun & Horsham), Town and Parish have all supported route 5a apart from Walberton who were against and Lyminster who were undecided. So when there is proof that the Authority has been partisan and has been meddling and undermining the will of the local population, I think the person at the head of that Authority should take responsibility, so Margaret Paren should consider her position. I believe the SDNPA does not serve the needs of the local population. Storrington's air quality is truly awful and is caused by HGV’s rat running through the Downs to avoid the Arundel Bottleneck. It is in the 30 most polluted cities (Storrington is not a city but joins many cities in that enviable position). So you wonder why SDNPA is expending so much energy and public funding fighting the HE decision when they should be worrying about the air quality in Storrington. Paul Dendle is a councillor for the Arundel & Walberton Ward. www.pauldendle.org
through the door
23
SUSSEX LOCAL
24 Charity & Community / Finance
Unleash your laugh
Midhurst Way Staircase
Harnessing laughter as a form of exercise may sound strange, but it works! Laughter "yoga" is the latest buzzword in health and wellbeing - it's fun, sociable, enjoyable and has many benefits for the body, mind and soul. Try a one day workshop on Saturday 18th August at the Wave Community Centre in Worthing (£45) or as a one hour session on Monday 23rd August at the Norfolk Arms Ballroom, Arundel (£6). Contact Lesley Raphael 01903 212349/07557 932293 for full details.
Courtesy of West Sussex Council Public Right of Way Volunteers, a new, 22 step stairway with railing has been constructed up Henley Hill, adjoining the A286, making it easier to access the Midhurst Way Long Distance Path. Twenty nine miles long, the path starts at Haslemere Station and finishes at Arundel Station. It is a relatively new route, first mapped by John and Rosemary Trueman in 2012. The path at the base of Henley Hill above the Duke of Cumberland Inn has always posed a challenge for walkers with its aquifer and steep-growing wildwood. Now, splendid views of Blackdown, the park's highest hill to the North, may be had with relative ease.
Arundel Rotary Club This year Arundel Rotary Club will abseil down the castle walls for Chestnut Tree House, run the Brighton marathon for Cancer United (an Angmering based charity), provide engineering services and funds for the Arundel Lido swimming pool, carry on the beach clean movement in Littlehampton and Climping. They also plan to bring an amazing band to Arundel to raise funds for the local youth club, send two local Rotary Youth candidates to learn new leadership skills, keep up polio eradication, run the Arundel Festival car park and rumour has it a crazy dragon boat team called the Rotary Dragons are racing to support the festival. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or visit www.arundelrotary.org
Arundel Museum Exhibition Arundel Museum will be presenting its Summer Exhibition of artworks created by students aged 15 -18 years all of whom who attend local secondary schools. The participating schools are: Bishop Luffa CE School, Chichester High School, Christ’s Hospital, Lancing College, The Regis Academy, Slindon College and St. Philip Howard Catholic High School. The exhibition in the Jubilee Gallery runs from Monday 6th August – Sunday 2nd September, open every day from 10am to 4pm and is also part of Arundel Festival and Arundel Art Trail which takes place during the exhibition period. The Museum is situated opposite the Arundel Castle entrance. Learn more at www.arundelmuseum.org
Advice or Guidance? By Richard Cohen FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner The new pension’s freedom rules effectively allow anyone over the age of 55 unrestricted access to their accumulated pension funds including the option to withdraw it all as a single lump sum. With this in mind some may question whether there is still a need for advice in the pension taking process. Obviously I’m far from an impartial observer but I would argue that the new rules create an even greater need for advice. For example, from a tax perspective how and when you take your benefits can make the difference between paying no tax or 60% tax on a withdrawal. It can also mean money that would have passed to your nominated beneficiary’s tax free, suffers 40% inheritance tax. Ultimately a personal pension is just a tax wrapper around investments and most people are still going to need an income for the duration of their retirement therefore advice to help ensure that the fund doesn’t run out and that they maximise their investment returns whilst minimising the risks will be very important to them. As an alternative, the Government have promised that all those at retirement will be entitled to free
‘guidance’ on their options for taking their pension benefits. To draw a parallel to medicine, I liken the pension guidance that is being offered to seeing a nurse or pharmacist and being told you should stop smoking because it’s bad for you. Their guidance may involve providing a list of nicotine replacement treatments and giving the advantages and disadvantages of each. Guidance works brilliantly for clear cut situations where arming you with the relevant information can enable you to make decisions yourself. However, when it comes to something serious that is when advice is needed. Just as you would go to the doctor for something potentially life threatening, surely you should seek advice for something that is going to determine the money you have to live on for the rest of your life. Seeing a good adviser should be like seeing a good doctor it should involve a diagnosis, a prognosis and a discussion on and recommendation as to the best treatment options and then the implementation of those. For more details visit www.nsurefinancial.co.uk or to arrange a free review please call 01903 821010
through the door
25
SUSSEX LOCAL
26 Charity Profile
Community Energy Helping power the community by Lynn Smith Climate Change is something that concerns most of us. Fossil fuels have had their day, gas and oil reserves are dwindling. But many of us are confused, not to say disheartened, when we read that governments are still providing fossil fuel generators with subsidies, and that the United Kingdom has dropped well behind the rest of Europe in terms of green energy. But it isn’t simply a matter of personal concern: over the next decade the UK must prepare to meet national energy targets by moving to low carbon technologies. Seeking guidance from your local authority may not provide a great deal of clarity – most local authorities are wrestling budget cuts and the threat of future reductions in core funding; even with the best will in the world, green energy may not be top of their agendas. More and more, people are seeking greener solutions themselves; looking locally for like-minded people who share their concerns and desire to find a different way to produce energy. But finding or establishing a group in your own community or organisation is only the first step. Where do you go from there, how do you translate the desire into the deed?
Community Energy South Community Energy South (CES) is a not for profit organisation providing information to local community energy groups and helping them to connect with more experienced energy developers and so achieve their goals. So, what is community energy? CES‘s definition is that it is people coming together to reduce energy use, and purchase, manage and generate low carbon heat and power that community energy projects are often delivered collectively by a group or organisation; focussing upon engagement, local leadership and strong positive outcomes for the local community. Community groups often have distinct, specific localised goals with an overarching benefit of tackling climate change, energy security and making energy affordable.
Community Energy South Put simply, CES helps groups generate and supply local energy, develop a local energy service, and reduce fuel poverty. How it does this is explained by Office Co-ordinator Liz Sleeper: “We run training and networking events; we support groups in grant applications; we provide a regular newsletter full of information about activities and we support the Big Energy Saving Network and its community energy champions to provide bill checking and switching advice to those in fuel poverty.” When was it born? Set up in 2014 by Ovesco, (Ouse Valley Energy Services) a community benefit company run by local volunteers for the local community in East Sussex, CES is an umbrella organisation and regional hub enabling its members to grow themselves as sustainable low carbon businesses in the South East of England. Local groups range from the Cuckmere Community Solar Company - where the community is set to become joint owners of a part-commercial, partcommunity owned solar farm - to Energise Sussex Coast - whose projects include rethinking energy production in order to benefit the local community and eradicate fuel poverty.
through the door
27
28 Charity Profile Who is behind CES? The driving forces behind CES are: Ollie Pendered, Chair and Director of Partnerships, and Directors Kayla Ente, Chris Rowlands and Richard Watson, all of whom have strong Community Energy credentials and commitment. Chris Rowlands has been with the organisation since its inception and he explains the ethos behind CES as: “Not for profit. The ethos of the community groups is to recycle any profits made back into their local communities. We have a vision of community owned renewable energy and fair energy supply to residents in the South East.” Projects
SUSSEX LOCAL “Particularly,” Chris Rowland says, “to work on the Big Energy Saving Network which advises people, particularly those in fuel poverty, on how to switch and or reduce bills.” In 2016-17 CES supported twenty energy advisors across the region whose services included setting up local energy advice clinics, giving individual energy bills a health check and offering advice on home energy. Wind energy
Chris Rowlands gives examples of the organisation’s projects in West Sussex: “CES has a community owned 5MW solar farm at Merston, Chichester, called Meadow Blue. We have a community energy group called SOLESCO – also Chichester based, and one called HKD energy (Hassocks Keymer and Ditchling).” CES’s advice is open to everyone regardless of their financial situation and the organisation is especially looking for more volunteers in West Sussex and Kent. Chris Rowlands advises that, ideally, volunteers should have some background or experience in energy, councils, legal, financial or social and cooperative areas.
“CES has a community owned 5MW solar farm” Liz expands the list: “We support some really exciting projects including Ovesco's "Sunny Schools” a project to put solar on 25 schools in East Sussex - the project will be funded by share offers which are opening shortly. We are also still looking for schools who would like to take part … Ovesco are particularly keen to find schools open to installing solar on their roofs and reducing their fuel bills significantly. “CES also supported the village of Balcombe with their "Riding Sunbeams" re-power project, which is a ground-breaking project to get solar into the National Rail Grid.” Who runs CES? At present CES is staffed by two part time paid employees, plus Directors and volunteers, and has recently received EU funding from LoCASE (Low Carbon across the South East). Working with the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform, CES can provide twelve hours of specialist support and a £10,000 grant scheme for Community Energy Groups or Community Organisations to develop new renewable energy, innovation and energy efficiency projects. The organisation is keen to find more volunteers.
through the door There is plenty for volunteers to be involved in – CES is setting up a grant giving charity, which they hope will launch in the next few months, and which will provide small grants to community and other organisations to set up community energy projects and teach people about renewable energy. Challenges Unusually for a not-for-profit organisation, when asked about key challenges CES doesn’t mention funding but rather education. What Chris Rowlands describes as, “A lack of understanding about the significant benefits for local communities from community energy projects. Decision makers don’t always recognise that there are both financial and social benefits from having such projects in these areas. We are,” he adds, “way behind countries like Denmark and Germany in this regard.” Liz Sleeper echoes this when she says, “Because so many of our projects are pioneering, there is often a big learning curve for people before they grasp the benefit.” In 2017 the first State of the Sector report was issued by Community Energy England, setting a benchmark for annual community energy generation, energy savings and CO2 projects in England Wales and Northern Ireland. The second report was launched in June of this year and amongst its key findings is a call for clearer strategy from government and local
Charity Profile
29
authorities; a warning that the sector faces increased risks due to retractions and reductions of subsidy and tax incentives and – hearteningly – the resilience of the community energy sector in the face of difficult conditions. Community Energy South offers consumers the chance to take some control over how their energy is produced, becoming actively engaged in the production of energy - as individuals and as a community. Find out more about Community Energy South at www.communityenergysouth.org To get involved or find out more about the Sunny Schools Project email patrick@ovesco.co.uk, To get involved or find out more about Big Energy Saving Advisors please could you email membership@communityenergysouth.org.uk To get more information about LoCASE email ollie.pendered@communityenergysouth.org
30 Parish Council News
Arundel Town Council Making Arundel a Zero Food Waste Town Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Planning and Environment Committee 23rd May 2018 The Mayor is keen for the Town to work on the notion of making Arundel a ‘zero food waste’ town. UKHarvest gave a powerpoint presentation on their vision to make this happen. UKHarvest is a perishable food rescue operation, collecting quality excess food from commercial outlets and delivering it direct and free of charge, to charities that support vulnerable people in West Sussex. Their Patron is HRH Duchess of Cornwall. Their aim is to educate communities, vulnerable and non-vulnerable alike, engage with the corporate sector and Innovate by revolutionising the way food is being rescued and used to support vulnerable people. Three grants were approved: a) CAB - receiving £500 to provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice in the Community. b) Cruse -receiving £500 to promote the wellbeing of bereaved adults, children and young people, helping them to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Currently several of their volunteers live in Arundel. c) Arundel Festival - receiving £5000 towards the costs of the street entertainment which is provided as part of the Arundel Festival which takes place over a ten-day period. Claire Ellis from WWT asked if ADC could replace the yellow signs reinforcing the double yellow lines along Mill Road. Claire commented that the road yellow lines are very faded and people do not take much notice and the area is not often enforced by Arun. Ian Fricker, Chair, welcomed the new yellow lines near the Baptist Church, but said that they did not go far enough along. The danger issue has now been shifted towards the junction with Ford Road. Cars sometimes have to queue on Ford Road to get passed parked cars, in front of the Church with cars coming the other way. Arundel by Candlelight is set to be on the 8th/9th December. On the 1st December there will be the lighting of the Christmas Tree, and on the 15th December the Christmas Farmers Market. Cllr Wheal voiced his disgust at the decision by SDNPA to go against the public consultation, in view of them taking their decision to go to a judicial review at a recent meeting and he re-iterated this again to the Full Council. Cllr Wagland requested her comments be recorded with regards to her preference to see the Draft copy prior to the Full Council Meeting. Cllr Harriott noted that the SDNPA meeting was not bought to the attention of the Town Council. www.arundeltowncouncil.gov.uk
SUSSEX LOCAL
through the door
Walberton Parish Council We will be bringing news from the activities of Walberton Parish Council on a regular basis, as and when there is news to report. We start by looking at the the Council’s aims and the work of each Committee. The Council’s aims: To represent the interests of parishioners for the benefit of the community and give residents the opportunity to influence their future To create a socially inclusive and caring community which embraces all residents, irrespective of age, gender, culture, income, race or religion and to develop mutual cooperation To conduct council business in an open manner and keeping residents informed of issues and events through newsletters, meetings and the website To work in partnership with local organisations, agencies and other government authorities To manage the Parish Council’s assets and finances effectively and efficiently to achieve best value Meetings take place in Walberton Pavilion at 6:30 pm, normally on a Tuesday and members of the public are invited to attend and participate at public question time. As well as regular Full Council meetings there are several committees that also meet; Planning, Financial and Legal together with General Purposes, and their work is divided as follows:
Yapton Parish Council Hiring the Village Hall The Janet Phillips Hall is the largest of the three halls for hire. This has a large kitchen facility attached, extensively refurbished in 2011, with access into the hall via a serving hatch. The hall also has a stage facility, a sound system and can accommodate 150 people at tables, or 300 in close seating format. Crockery and cutlery can be supplied at no extra charge - for weddings we have crockery and cutlery sufficient for a large number of guests. There is full wheelchair access into the hall, and disabled toilets. Please note that the use of the Bar is subject to a small additional charge. If you are planning a commercial event and wish to charge customers for alcoholic drinks, then you would need to obtain a Temporary Event Notice from Arun District Council. The Club Room has extended views out over the playing fields, and can cater for 100 guests. Tables and chairs can be provided at no additional cost, and the club room has it's own private entrance separate to the main hall. Designed with ease of use in mind, this room has it's own separate toilet facilities and a small kitchen area attached to it which was fully refurbished in 2011.
Parish Council News
31
Planning Comments and recommendations on local planning applications; Liaison with planning authorities; Conservation issues that relate to plan- ©Chris Thomas-Atkin (cc-by-sa/2.0) ning; Structure and other local plans; South Downs National Park; Highways, including street lighting and traffic calming; Neighbourhood Plan - traffic; Cluster Liaison. General Purposes Playing field; Play area; Pavilion and Parish office; Village green and pond; Car park; Bus shelters; Seats; The Pound; Grass/hedge cutting; Litter control; Dog bins; Rights of Way; Street lighting; Allotments; General Conservation issues; Village environment; Getting around. Finance and Legal Annual budget / precept; Accounts; Internal Audit; Banking procedures; Insurance; Grant awards; Risk assessment & Health & Safety; Review of legal documents; Grant applications Community Resilience Emergency planning including flooding. Others Parish News, media; Village hall; Joint Western Arun Area Committee; Allotments; Police liaison; Community Play Centre. Forthcoming meetings: August 7th - General Purposes Committee www.walberton-pc.gov.uk This room is ideal for family events, smaller wedding receptions, or for clubs to hold meetings or ©www.yaptonhall.org talks. The club room is often booked by groups offering children’s activities, as it is a more compact environment than the Janet Phillips hall, and it's therefore easier to see where everyone is ©www.yaptonhall.org at a glance! The Small Hall is an ideal meeting room, or would make a suitable venue for smaller parties. The room has its own small kitchen integral to it, which was fully refurbished in 2011, and has its own doors to the outside of the venue. Up to 50 people can be accommodated in the small hall, and tables and chairs, crockery etc can all be provided at no additional charge should these be required. Contact Mandy Keet, Hall Manager on 07940 325844 or 01243 699315.
SUSSEX LOCAL
32 Crossword
Prize Crossword
Win a ÂŁ10 Marks & Spencer voucher
Arundel August 2018 June 2018 answer below:
Winner: Ruth White from Arundel. Congratulations and thank you to all who entered. Finish the crossword and fill out the box below with the letters from the shaded squares. Work out the anagram
Down
Across 1 9 10 11 12 13 16 18 21 22 23 24
Difficult and intricate (11) Essential (5) Small numbered cube (3) Take hold of (5) Functions correctly (5) Individuality (8) Wrapper for a letter (8) Bronze medal position (5) Picture border (5) Not new (3) Verbalise (5) Reason given for doing something (11)
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 17 19 20
Policeman or policewoman (7) State of being very poor (7) Purpose (6) Permit (5) Senior figure in a tribe (5) Differentiation (11) Quantification (11) Without flaws (7) Cigarette constituent (7) Country (6) Alphabetical list in a book (5) Lived (anag) (5)
Name: ............................................................................................................... Full address: .................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................... Postcode:.......................................................................................................... Email:................................................................................................................ Phone: .............................................................................................................. Mobile: ............................................................................................................. Answer from yellow box: .................................................................................
Send the word above to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter it online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 31st August 2018.
Win a ÂŁ10
M&S voucher voucher provided by
SUSSEX LOCAL magazine
Sussex Local may wish to keep in touch with occasional information and offers. We will never share your details with third parties. Please tick if you would like to receive such information.
through the door
33
SUSSEX LOCAL
34 Recipe
Feta & Herb Couscous A healthy & delicious accompaniment to BBQ’s Ingredients - serves 4
150g couscous, ready to use
1 x 250g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and drained
225g small plum tomatoes, halved
2-3 tbsp mixed fresh herbs
175g feta cheese, cubed
2 red onion, finely chopped
6 tbsp vinaigrette dressing
Salt and pepper
To serve
110g mange touts
1/2 cucumber sliced
Mixed salad leaves
Method 1) Prepare the couscous as directed. Allow to cool. 2) In a large salad bowl mix the chickpeas, tomatoes, herbs, feta cheese and red onion together and season to taste. Stir in the couscous and the dressing. 3) Mix the green salad ingredients together in another bowl and serve alongside the couscous. Cookery Courses for all Why not give a Voucher for the perfect gift? Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk
through the door
35
36 Health & Wellbeing
SUSSEX LOCAL
Gut Health By Heather Smith, Personal Trainer, Fitbiz Training Useful health advice is becoming much more easily available these days, which is only a good thing as far as I can see. There seems to be less and less cabbage-soup type diets, and more and more real food, truly health-promoting diets. Many diets are beginning to focus on gut health, which I believe to be the foundation of good health. Inside our guts there are millions of bacteria, known as the Microbiome. The Microbiome qualifies as an organ, and the exact combination of bacteria making up each individuals Microbiome is pretty unique. The microbiome adjusts based on what you eat, where you live and what you do – I find this completely fascinating! We get a lot of our bacteria during birth and childhood, and so have something of a natural ‘base’ which we can then either build on or not, depending on lifestyle choices as we age. The gut is intrinsically linked to every aspect of health; the direct link between our gut and brain illustrates its
importance – what is happening in our guts is communicated to our brains, and vice versa. This is why you get butterflies in your tummy when you’re excited. It’s also why a poor diet shows on your skin, and how nutrition can play a huge part in depression. Research suggests that the diversity of bacteria in our guts is very important. So, how can we optimise gut health? The bacteria in our guts enjoy fibre-rich seeds and vegetables, especially the fibrous parts of vegetables which we often bin, like broccoli stalks or cabbage hearts. The idea to ‘live dirty, eat clean’ is a simple one to follow in order to improve your gut health. It means not worrying about a bit of dirt under your fingernails or disinfecting everything all the time, and making sure you eat a really good quality, whole food diet. Fermented foods are appearing more and more on our supermarket shelves, they are great natural probiotics and can be a helpful addition to your diet. Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer. www.fitbiztraining.co.uk
Gardening
through the door
37
In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens farm. Not only that, they created a huge Herrigbone Sussex Prairie Gardens irrigation network to stop the clay from collecting water The Wild West on our doorstep and water logging the dry-loving Prairie plants. They
then had a two and a half week planting party where friends and relatives planted solidly for a fortnight. “We just fed and watered them and then fed and watered them!” “It was a risk. We used all our money and it was a leap into the unknown but we knew it would pay off.” In ten years they have not only created an award winning garden where bus-loads of garden lovers arrive each day, but also a community. Currently they have students from France, Russia and China, an army of volunteers who love spending time in the garden and artists who exhibit their work amongst the great grasses and tall flower stems. “It has become a whole life for us. We treat our volunteers well with cake and tea and work beside them. We have students from three or four colleges plus
Decades ago, when Pauline met Paul, a Scotsman tending the Commonwealth War Graves in the Somme, she not only met the unequivocal love of her life, but their union began an adventure into the horticultural world of Prairie flora that has dazzled the South of England for the last 10 years. With 35,000 plants, it is Britain’s largest Prairie or ‘Naturalistic’ gardens. Pauline and Paul travelled through Europe designing people’s gardens until a billionaire businessman in Luxembourg commissioned them to design his garden. He took on board Piet Oldorf as an advisor, the European ‘Rembrandt’ of planting combinations and leader in a style that was just beginning to sweep across Europe and the rest of the world. Over the next few years, Pauline and Paul took master classes in this Prairie style of planting. For 10 years they worked on a single garden until they decided to realise their dream of bringing their skills back to the UK to create their own public garden. Pauline returned to the farm she grew up on and they embarked upon turning it into a prairie amidst the placid cows and hay bales just outside Henfield. They grew thousands of plants from seed and brought in hundreds of tonnes of soil to improve the clay of the
SUSSEX LOCAL
38 Gardening some from Sheffield University. We have also been accepted as an RHS garden recently. We run all sorts of garden workshops and work experience programmes as well.” Pauline agreed with me about the whole world now coming to them. “Yes but we still love to travel. Obviously we can only leave in the Winter but last year we went to South India and were so inspired that we have now created a little tropical garden as you enter the main space” Why the Prairie style? Pauline can’t say exactly but her eyes brim with passion before she shoots off to serve a customer a slice of one of her cakes. When she comes back she talks about the beauty of this style. ‘Most English gardens peak in the Spring and early Summer. Prairie plants come into their own in late Summer and Autumn as that is how long they take to develop in the mild English weather. We do add bulbs for Spring interest and over the years we have added strong Winter structural plants like Ilex crenata and Hornbeam. “Prairie plants have so much to give. The leaf texture, stem colour and structure, seed heads and flowers. We even factor in the way the buds look. We restrict the planting pallet to create strong visual impact.”
Ornamental grasses, so often looking like out of place in suburban gardens, come into their own in this garden and because flowers are woven in amongst them the whole effect is like a wild tapestry. How do you maintain this many hectares? As well as an army of volunteers the sprinkler is on permanently at the moment, and it takes a full 6 weeks of moving it to different areas to cover the whole garden - and then they start again. “In the late winter we wait till its a very still and dry day and then burn everything to the ground, just as it would happen in the wild.” Anyone nervous about pruning their grasses or prairie originated perennials should take note of this! Pauline and Paul have created a space one wants to revisit. The tea house is a comfortable, eccentric mix of found objects, coloured throws, chairs and sofas and they even have a little nursery selling more unusual plants.
Gardening / Business Directory
through the door The passion and generosity of the founders is everywhere. When I asked if she had kids Pauline told me evenly - “This is our baby” Any more ambitions to expand? “We don’t think so. We have enough work to keep up with everything here. We would like to do a garden at Chelsea. We are just waiting for the right sponsor to come along!” Where to visit this August Sussex Prairie Gardens, Morlands Farm, Wheatsheaf Road (B2116), near Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9AT Opening until the 14th October 1pm to 5pm open every afternoon apart from Tuesdays.
39
August tasks Keep up the watering in this sustained hot weather, especially with plants in pots and new plants. Top up the mulch to retain moisture and keep weeds down Keep pinching out your tomatoes and sowing new rills of lettuce, radishes and spinach Prune the bigger shrubs that have just finished flowering like Wygelia, Philadelpus, and Sprireacut out the old flowering wood back to new growth that next year’s flowers will bloom from Mow your lawn on a higher setting to keep moisture in the grass and help mitigate against summer browning Apply a nitrogen feed if Red Thread fungus is taking over your lawn
Plus events coming up at Sussex Prairie Gardens including: 17th-27th August - Indian Summer Bizarre - 5 big marquees 2nd September - Unusual Plant and Garden Fairspecialised nurseries Visit www.sussexprairies.co.uk for more details.
Sit and relax in your favourite garden chair or hammock things slow down in the garden now, and so can you!
Business Directory Advertisers call 01903 868 474 or email info@sussexlocal.net or book online at www.sussexlocal.net. 3cm box £10 + VAT per month (including design) min 6 months. Any category. Accountants
Aerials cont.
Bike Shop
Aerials Your advertisement here
£10 a month plus VAT - includes design Book and pay online at www.sussexlocal.net or call 01903 868 474
SUSSEX LOCAL
40 Business Directory Blinds & Shutters
Chimney Sweeps A&M
Computer Services cont.
CHIMNEY SWEEPS
Brush and Vacuum No mess, No fuss All areas covered Established in 1972 Weddings attended
PROMPT RELIABLE EFFICIENT
01903 821354 07711 987663
isweepchimneys.net
Curtains/Soft Furnishings
Carpentry
Carpet Cleaning
Cleaning
Clearance & Removals
Computer Services
Decorating
Business Directory 41
through the door Decorating cont.
Electricians
Groundworks
Your advertisement here
Dog Boarding
ÂŁ10 a month
plus VAT - includes design call 01903 868 474
Kitchens Garages Drains / Cesspits
Locksmiths Grass Cutting
Logs
SUSSEX LOCAL
42 Business Directory Pest Control
Property Services
Roofing
Plastering
More to say? New Double Size Business Directory adverts just
£20 a month plus VAT - includes design. Book & pay online at sussexlocal.net or call us on
01903 868474
Plumbing & Heating
Your advertisement here
£10 a month plus VAT - includes design Book and pay online at www.sussexlocal.net or call 01903 868 474
Your advertisement here
£10 a month
plus VAT - includes design call 01903 868 474
through the door Security
Business Directory / Advertiser Index Tree Surgeons cont.
Taxis / Private Hire
Tree Surgeons
Aerials and Satellites FT Solutions.TV Ltd Bathrooms Bathe in Safety Blinds Direct Blinds Carpets & Flooring Coastal Carpets (West Sussex) Ltd Childcare Brightstar Childminding Cleaning Astonish Cleaning Miss Mop Ltd Molly Maid Middleton On Sea Conservatories and Garden Rooms Greenspace (UK) Limited Drains Drainjet The Drain Fixers Ltd Elderly Care Barnham Manor Ltd Clapham Village Care Home Oakland Grange Energy & Electrical Bright Spark Energy Family Leisure Arundel Lido Flights and Holidays Lolo flights Furniture CFS Furniture Garage Doors The Doors Group Limited Garden Design
36 29 26 35 15 34 34 35 9 38 13 19 28 11 44 7 22 21 27
43
Glorious Gardens 37 Holiday Park Lakeside Holiday Village 30 Home Help Your Fairy Godmother 35 Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd 37 Independent Financial Advisors Nsure Financial Services 25 The Mellor Practice 19 Kitchen Doors Dream Doors 5 Kitchen Worktops Sussex Granite & Quartz Ltd 27 Mortgages Award Mortgages Southern Ltd 23 Optician North Opticians & Eyewear 36 Pest Control Temppest Enviromental Services 13 Plumbing and Heating Top Joints Plumbing & Gas 12 Property Maintenance Valentine Property Maintenance 34 Roofing and Gutters The Roof and Gutter People 13 Solicitors Green Wright Chalton Annis 33 Tree Surgeon Ashwood Tree Surgery 38 TV & Electrical Hamilton Cole 15 Vet Arun Veterinary Group 32 Windows Doors Conservatories Attwater Home Improvements 12 Britannia Windows 2
September issue Booking deadline 1st August Copy deadline 7th August 01903 868474 info@sussexlocal.net