Sussex Local Magazine - Arundel/Barnham FEBRUARY 2023

Local Stockist

HELLO!

AftertheNewYear celebrationsandsettlingback intoaroutine,Februarycan feellikeanopportunityto pauseanddrawbreath.It’sno coincidencethatthismonthis namedfromtheLatinword februumwhichmeans purification.There’sasenseof optimism,thatSpringisjust aroundthecornerandthat everythingwillgetbrighterand warmersoon.

ThismonthourCharityspotlight ison“TheWellderness”a CommunityInterestCompany helpingpeopleandthe environmentthrough engagementwithnature.Also inthismagazine;ourregular selectionoflocalguidedwalks, Februaryeventlistings,a satisfyingbreakfastrecipe, gardeningtasksforFebruary, motoring,health&wellbeing pluscompetitionsandpuzzles.

Thismonthalsomeans Valentine’sDay,HalfTerm(see ourWhat’sOnsection),Black HistoryMonth,PancakeDay, andRandomActsofKindness Day(onthe17th).

Untilnexttime, Kris&Jeff

7,100 addresses STORRINGTON andsurroundings– 6,611 addresses

What’s On - February/March 2023

Event organisers please enter your event details on www.sussexlocal.net/events-add/ We regret that we cannot accept submissions by email. We take the details from our website for the magazine listings which can appear in up to all eight editions distributed to over 54,000 addresses. Charity, community and non-profit events are free of charge (subject to space). Commercial events can be listed from just £25 plus VAT which includes promotion through Facebook & Twitter. Deadline for March events to be put on website - 4th February

CHARITY

18/03/2023 2:00 PM 4Sight Vision Support Fundraising Wellbeing Walk A fundraising Walk around Horsham Town Centre £10 £5 Fundraising Team 01243 828555 fundraising@4sight.org.uk www.4sight.org.uk

25th & 26th Mar 9:00 AM Arundel Castle Abseil Abseil down the side of the 180-foot tower for St Barnabas Hospice to be knighted with your bespoke castle medal. Arundel Castle BN18 9AB events@stbh.org.uk stbarnabas-hospice.org.uk/ events/arundel-castle-abseil

CHILDREN'S EVENTS

13th - 17th Feb 9:30 AM Paint a Bird Flowerpot in half term at Squire’s Garden Centres Keep the little ones entertained this half term with Create & Grow activities Squire's Garden Centre Washington RH20 2BP £6.50 to paint a birdshaped flowerpot - free to go on a bird treasure hunt A24 Washington Tel: 01903 893902 www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk

15th - 17th Feb 10:00 AM 'Family Fun Week' in Bognor Regis Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN Hazel hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk 01243 867676

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

2nd & 9th Feb 1:30 PM Chalkpath Community Theatre Group A local adult community theatre group for beginners and upwards, learning skills and making friends St Michaels Church Hall Amberley BN18 9ND £12.50 Vicky Paine 7799260621 chalkpaththeatre@gmail.com 03/02/2023 6:45 PM Graphic novel book club Comic book club looking at graphic novels aimed at adults Private house Barnham PO22 0EF Paul Wilson paulw21erin@gmail.com 04/02/2023 10:30 AM Parkinson's Support Group in Washington for people with Parkinson's Washington Village Memorial Hall RH20 4AP £2 01903 746871 gillian.chard@btinternet.com

06/02/2023 8:00 PM Felpham Singles Social Club Social club for mature singles. The George Inn Bognor Regis PO22 7PL Anne 01243 821530 anniecook555@yahoo.co.uk www.felphamsingles.yolasite.com

07/02/2023 2:00 PM Pulborough Computer Club AGM, social event & panel for Q&A's at Pulborough Village Hall RH20 1LP £2 / £3 £3 chrissie@wisborough.com pcclub.org.uk

07/02/2023 2:00 PM The Arts Society West Sussex in Fittleworth ‘Travels with a Trowel’ Fittleworth Village Hall RH20 1EJ Visitors £7 theartssocietywestsussex.org 01903 411086 westsussex@theartssociety.org 13/02/2023 7:30 PM Pulborough Meadows WI February Meeting Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF 07920 326000 mary.walker50@gmail.com 16/02/2023 7:30 PM Storrington Camera Club Speaker Evening Chris Philipson talk on USA Road Trip Chesswood Room Thakeham Village Hall RH20 3GW Janet www.storringtoncc.org.uk chair@storringtoncc.org.uk 21/02/2023 2:00 PM West Chiltington Floral Club - February Demonstration Monthly floral demonstration by an Area Demonstrator West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ Visitors £5 01798 813608 wchiltfloralclub@gmail.com 22/02/2023 2:30 PM Storrington Flower Club Monthly demo Sullington Parish Hall RH20 3PP £6 1903742102 chrissyldesmond@gmail.com

23/02/2023 7:00 PM Sugar and Spice, Sugarcraft Club in Washington Sugarcraft club with workshops and demonstrations Washington Village Memorial Hall RH20 4AP £25 annually Sue Rudge i.rudge@sky.com 01903 695700 04/03/2023 10:30 AM Parkinson's Support Group in Washington Washington Village Memorial Hall RH20 4AP £2 Gillian Chard 01903 746871 gillian.chard@btinternet.com

More events on www.sussexlocal.net - please contact event organisers to check for changes

06/03/2023 8:00 PM Felpham Singles Social

Club Social club for mature singles The George Inn Bognor Regis PO22 7PL Anne 01243 821530 anniecook555@yahoo.co.uk www.felphamsingles.yolasite.com

Every Mon, Wed & Fri Various times West

Chiltington Table Tennis Club West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ hosts Table Tennis Club Iain and Coral McLaren 01403 731341 iainandcoralmclaren@gmail.com

Every Wed 11:30 AM Wednesday Lunch Club

Weekly lunch club for the over-55’s with social activities before lunch Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF £5 Louise Kaiser louisekaiser4807@gmail.com

Every Wed 7:00 PM Worthing Short Mat Bowls

Club West Park School Worthing BN12 4HD Betty Potts 01903 260218 bobetty_highsalvington@yahoo.co.uk worthingshortmatbowls.weebly.com/#

Every Sun 11:00 AM West Chiltington Sunday Badminton Club West Chiltington Village Hall Pulborough RH20 2PZ Vivian Jones vmjones18@hotmail.co.uk

COMMUNITY

17/02/2023 6:30 PM Worthing Climate

Engagement & Action Meetings for those concerned about the environment XR Worthingtwice monthly meetings CREW Worthing BN11 3AL xrworthing@protonmail.com

25/02/2023 8:00 AM Men's Breakfast

Community Event in Chichester Keith Varney talks about Mission Aviation Fellowship Chichester Park Hotel PO19 7QL £9.50 Peter peter@ppsutton.co.uk immanuelchichester.com/ community/mens-breakfast/ 07813 024585 17/03/2023 6:30 PM Worthing Climate

Engagement & Action Meetings for those concerned about the environment XR Worthingtwice monthly meetings CREW Worthing BN11 3AL xrworthing@protonmail.com

25/03/2023 8:00 AM Men's Breakfast

Community Event in Chichester Colonel Edward Armitstead CBE ex Coldstream Guards talk Chichester Park Hotel PO19 7Q £9.50 Peter peter@ppsutton.co.uk immanuelchichester.com/ community/mens-breakfast/ 07813 024585

COURSES & TUITION

03/02/2023 9:30 AM Birding for beginnersWinter Wetlands at Pulborough Brooks Lean more about the winter visitors at RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £20.50 members /£25.50 Non-members. Lydia: 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk events.rspb.org.uk/ pulboroughbrooks

6th & 13th Feb 10:00 AM WEA class in Chichester - Hearth and Home: Sussex Vernacular Buildings 5 sessions with WEA tutor Geoffrey Mead on the history of housing locally. New Park Community and Arts Centre Chichester PO19 7XY £50 WEA (Workers Educational Association) 0300 303 3464 www.wea.org.uk chichester.branch@wea.ac.uk

11th & 21st Mar 8:30 AM Birdsong Masterclass at Pulborough Brooks Learn how to identify birdsong at RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £20.50 members / £25.50 Non-members. Lydia: 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk events.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks 26/03/2023 9:30 AM Birding for absolute beginners at Pulborough Brooks If you’re new to birdwatching, this is the session for you. RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £20.50 members /£25.50 for Non-members Lydia Fletcher 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.org.uk events.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

Every Wed 1st Feb - 22nd Mar 2:00 PM "Judge and Jury" WEA Course in Billingshurst The course will study the people, issues and outcomes of 10 trials from British History Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre RH14 9QW £100 for 10 sessions David 0300 303 3464 david@daviddaley.plus.com

EXHIBITIONS

7th - 18th Feb 10:00 AM Ukrainian Renaissance. Unbowed. The Ukrainian refugees’ dozen will present their culture with handmade works. Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk colonnadehouse.co.uk/event/ ukrainian-renaissance-unbowed/

More events on www.sussexlocal.net - please contact event organisers to check for changes

18/02/2023 2:30 PM 'Snowdrops - where you least expect them' Photography Exhibition Denmans Gardens Fontwell Contact Lucy: 01243 572433 office@snowdroptrust.com

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

05/02/2023 3:00 PM Family friendly theatre 'My Family and Other Animals' in Lewes Join the Durrell's on a Mediterranean adventure this Winter in All Saints Centre Lewes BN7 2LE £9.50 / £7.50 Lewes Drama Collective enquiry@dramacollective.com www.ticketsource.eu/lewes-drama-collective

16/02/2023

2:00 PM 'Journey to the Stars' in Bognor Regis

A blend of puppetry, storytelling, live music & comedy. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £8.50 Hazel Latus 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

25/03/2023 12:00 PM Point to Point Racing at Parham 6 jump races, stalls, fair and food. Enjoy a day out Parham Point to Point. Pulborough RH20 2ER Carolyn Gorman caroylngorman@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ p2patparham

FAYRES & FETES

19/02/2023 11:00 AM Spring Wedding Fayre at Avisford Park Hotel Ideas and options for your big day. Avisford Park Hotel Walberton BN18 0LS marketing@avisfordparkhotel.com avisfordparkhotel.com/ FILM

08/02/2023 7:30 PM

Rotary Film Night in Storrington

Fisherman's Friends One and All Starring James Purfoy with Bar + Raffle Sullington Village Hall RH20 3PP £5 Ken 1903740745 kandjcoll@btinternet.com

More events on www.sussexlocal.net - please contact event organisers to check for changes

09/02/2023 7:00 PM Worthing Twinning Association Foreign film evening The Worthing Twinning Association present a classic French film evening. West Worthing Baptist Church BN14 7LU £5 Pam Bennett 01903 232196 pambennett8@btinternet.com

GARDENS & HORTICULTURE

Open by arrangement from 16th Jan - 7th Oct for groups of 12 to 30 Tuppenny Barn. visit ngs.org.uk for information and booking details Southbourne, Chichester Tuppenny Barn PO10 8EZ £5 Maggie: 01243 377780 contact@tuppennybarn.co.uk ngs.org.uk

Open by arrangement from Feb - Nov Mitchmere Farm Stoughton. visit ngs.org.uk for information and booking details Chichester Mitchmere Farm Stoughton PO18 9JW £5 Neil & Sue Edden 02392 631456 sue@mitchmere.co.uk

Open by arrangement from 6th Mar - 12th Sept for groups of 6 to 20 6 Plantation Rise, Worthing. visit ngs.org.uk for information and booking details 6 Plantation Rise BN13 2AH Nigel & Trixie 01903 262206 trixiehall008@gmail.com

19th Feb, 5th & 21st Mar 2:00 PM Manor of Dean, Petworth - garden open for the National Garden Scheme Traditional English garden of approximately 3 acres Manor of Dean Petworth GU28 9AP £5 01483 211535 ngs.org.uk

23rd & 25th Feb 2:00 PM Beautiful snowdrops and daffodils on display Buddington Farm Easebourne GU29 0QP open for the NGS £5 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

Every Thurs from 9th Feb 10:30 AM The Old Vicarage The Street, Washington open for The National Garden Scheme The Old Vicarage Washington RH20 4AS £7 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

MUSIC

03/02/2023 7:30 PM 60 Minutes of Classical Music in Bognor Regis Studio 1, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £6.50 Hazel: alexandratheatre.co.uk 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk

More events on www.sussexlocal.net - please contact event organisers to check for changes

07/02/2023

2:00 PM 2 O'Clock Club in Bognor

Regis Karen Etherington. Studio 1, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £6 Hazel alexandratheatre.co.uk 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk

11/02/2023 8:00 PM Le Freak CHIC & Nile

Rodgers Tribute UK's premier CHIC & Nile Rodgers Tribute band. Empire Hall, Graffham Petworth GU280QB £20 Jim Kirke empirehall@gmail.com empirehall.org.uk

Every Mon 8:00 PM Fernhurst Choral Society

Weekly rehearsals Fernhurst Village Hall GU27 3EH See website for information Nigel Roberts or Tina Litchfield 07485 145141 or 01730 816542 fernhurstchoral@gmail.com www.fernhurstchoralsociety.org.uk/

SALES & MARKETS

04/02/2023 9:30 AM Cheeki Monkeys Big Baby & Children market Buy or sell used babies' and children’s toys, clothes and equipment. The Shoreham centre BN43 5WU £1.50 Delphine www.facebook.com/Cheeki-Monkeys-BrightonBN2-and-Shoreham-by-Sea-107135655022217 delphine.cheekimonkeys@gmail.com

18/02/2023 9:00 AM Arundel Farmers Market

Local growers, bakers, meat, poultry, flowers, plants and food and drink makers. Arundel BN18 9AA www.arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk 18/03/2023 9:00 AM Arundel Farmers Market

Local growers, bakers, meat, poultry, flowers, plants and food and drink makers Arundel BN18 9AA www.arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk

18/03/2023 9:30 AM Cheeki Monkeys Big Baby & Children market Buy or sell used babies' and children’s toys, clothes and equipment. The Shoreham centre BN435WU £1.50 Delphine www.facebook.com/Cheeki-Monkeys-BrightonBN2-and-Shoreham-by-Sea-107135655022217 delphine.cheekimonkeys@gmail.com

14/02/2023 6:00 PM Petworth Late: An Artful Valentines An exclusive evening for adults Petworth House and Park GU28 9LR £15 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk 01798 342207 nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth

18/02/2023 7:30 PM Eastergate Motown and Northern Soul Evening Motown and Northern Soul played on pure vinyl. Dancefloor and free parking Eastergate Village Hall PO20 3RP £5 Tony Cassini di_cassini@hotmail.com fb.me/ e/5RsMT1F5O 07718 415620

25/02/2023 7:30 PM Comedy Night in Walberton an evening of laughter Avisford Park Hotel

Walberton BN18 0LS £15 Jeunais Farrell 01243 558300 avisfordparkhotel.com/ marketing@avisfordparkhotel.com

TALKS

01/02/2023 10:00 AM Researching the history of your house a workshop to get you started with your family and local history research. West Sussex Record Office PO19 1DD £7.50 Matthew record.office@westsussex.gov.uk 01243 753602 www.westsussex.gov.uk/ro

03/02/2023 2:30 PM A walk around the Cathedral City of Chichester An illustrated tour and talk of Chichester & its history, buildings, architecture and Cathedral. Storrington Museum RH20 4LL £8 01903 740188 storringtonmuseum.com 07/02/2023 7:30 PM Worthing Antique, Arts & Collectors' Club Talk on the History of Crown Jewels. Field Place Worthing BN13 1NP £7.50 Andrew Pescott 07984 403890 worthingantiqueclub@yahoo.co.uk www.worthingantiqueclub.com 13/02/2023 10:00 AM The Arts Society, Steyning “All Done On Ginger Beer” by Sarah Benton. The Steyning Centre BN44 £10 donation for visitors steyning@theartssociety.org www.theartssocietysteyning.org.uk 20/02/2023 11:00 AM 'Promise of Snowdrop' at Denmans Gardens Visit and Talk Denmans Gardens Fontwell Lucy Ashworth 01243 572433 office@snowdroptrust.com

More events on www.sussexlocal.net - please contact event organisers to check for changes

28/02/2023 7:00 PM The Pallants: Chichester's Town within the City Alan Green talk, hosted by West Sussex Record Office PO19 1DD £8 Matthew Jones 01243 753602 record.office@westsussex.gov.uk

01/03/2023 10:00 AM Getting started with Ancestry.co.uk a workshop to get you started with your family and local history research. West Sussex Record Office PO19 1DD £7.50 Matthew 01243 753602 www.westsussex.gov.uk/ro record.office@westsussex.gov.uk

07/03/2023 7:30 PM Talk by Nick Hall from BBC's Bargain Hunt small club that meets on the first Tuesday of the month. Field Place Worthing BN13 1NP Non members £7.50 Andrew Pescott 07984 403890 worthingantiqueclub@yahoo.co.uk www.worthingantiqueclub.com

THEATRE

6th & 7th Feb 7:00 PM Dance House 2023 Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £12 Contact Hazel: hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

24/02/2023 7:00 PM The Alex Comedy Club in Bognor Regis age guidance - 16+. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £10.50 Hazel Latus hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

28/02/2023 7:30 PM Henry V in Worthing Witness Henry’s bombastic pursuit of power, in this highly acclaimed co-production of Henry V by Shakespeare’s Globe and Headlong with Leeds Playhouse and Royal & Derngate at Connaught Theatre BN11 1LG wtm.uk/events/henry-v

Sussex Walks - February 2023

Please note that walks with duration of 90 minutes or more are the “Heart Smart Walks” managed by Chichester District Council. They must be pre-booked up to 7 days in advance, see below. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the walk. These walks are led by volunteers and if the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled.

IMPORTANT: You must pre-book the 90 min + walks on the Chichester DC Website www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart or call 01243 521041

Wed 1st 10.30am

Houghton Forest

L: Alison 2.5 hrs 3 6 miles

Walking up through Houghton Forest and back along the South Downs Way with panoramic views Meet: Whiteways Car Park, BN18 9FD. New car parking charges

Fri 3rd 10.30am Burpham & Wepham

L: Jane 2 hrs 5 miles Hilly with several climbs. Lovely views. Has stiles. No dogs please Meet: The public car park behind the George at Burpham, BN18 9RR

Every Mon 10.30am Chichester Canal

A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT

L: Sarah 30mins 1 mile

L: Sandy 2.5 hours 5 miles A farm track leads up to a very peaceful walk up through the Charlton Forest Meet: Corner of Singleton Road & North Lane, Charlton

Mon 6th 1pm Charlton Forest

L: Bruce 2 hours 4 miles Ascent: 150m. Woodland walk through Goodwood Country Park and up the Trundle for the views Meet: Goodwood - Counters gate car park. (Nearby postcode PO18 0QE)

Wed 8th 10.30am Goodwood Counters Gate

Thurs 9th 10.30am Lurgashall

L: Richard 2 hrs 15 mins 5 miles

A continuous ascent through woods and fields takes us to an elevated position with lovely views Meet. North side of the village green near 'The Noah's Ark' pub, GU28 9ET

Sat 11th 10.15am Graylingwell

L: Sarah 40 mins 1.25 miles A flat walk at a gentle pace, enjoying the history, surrounding areas, the buildings, trees & wildlife Meet: Outside Pavilion glass building looking onto Havenstoke Park, formerly Linden Homes site Tues 13th 1pm Kingley Vale

L: Sandy 2 hours 4 miles Revisit this old favourite known for it’s wonderful views from bronze age burial mounds. No dogs Meet: West Stoke Car park, PO18 9BE

Thurs 16th 10.30am Tillington’s Mini Stately

L: Gerald 1.5 hours 3 miles A lovely walk via the Tillington vineyards & then to see the outside of Pitshill House. Dogs welcome Meet: The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF. Gerald 07748 597 568. Sun 19th 10.30am Slindon Woods L: Dominic 2 hrs 3.5 miles Lovely views. Generally flat, gravel path. Some muddy areas and short inclines. Last ¼ mile uphill Meet: National Trust car park, Dukes Road, Slindon Mon 20th 10.00am Lavington Common

L: Sandy 2.5hrs 5 miles A lovely year-round flat walk through heathland, shady woods, open parkland. No dogs Meet: Lavington Common & Plantation Car Park, nearest postcode GU28 0QL

Wed 22nd 10.30am City Walls

L: Ian 1 hr 15 mins 3.25 miles A gentle walk, along the wooded Centurion Way and Oaklands Park Meet: The western end of Westgate, near Bishop Luffa School Bus turning circle

Thurs 23rd 10.30am Plaistow

L: Richard 2 hrs 4.2 miles A walk along a quiet country lane before crossing fields with grazing sheep, ending with a coffee Meet: On East side of village green opposite shop

Fri 24th 10.30am Stansted: Walk

L: Andrew 2 hrs 4 miles East to Watergate Hanger, then coffee Meet: Stansted House Garden Centre car park PO9 6DU Tue 28th 11am Midhurst Jubilee Walk

L: Richard 45 mins 1.5 miles Various flat walks around Midhurst at a gentle pace passing interesting historic buildings Meet: The Grange Leisure Centre, Bepton Road, Midhurst, GU29 9HD. Free 2 hr parking

No one is perfect all the time!

By health coach & trainer Heather Smith

Do you find life pulls you off course on your healthy eating plan and exercise routine?

Having to repeatedly pick yourself up from the same start point over and over again is a really disheartening cycle to find yourself in, and it is no surprise that at some point so many people think 'what's the point in trying'.

What I'd love you to know is that you don't have to have everything figured out in order to move forward and achieve what you want to achieve. I love the phrase "eat your elephant one bite at a time". It means don't get overwhelmed by the length of the journey ahead of you; just go one day at a time and make the best decisions you can on that day.

With the best will in the world, things will go wrong sometimes and when they do, you have a turning point. How will you react? Will you figure

out how to get through in the best way you can, or will you throw the towel in and give up?

There is no magical secret which you don't know. Everyone has problems, everyone is rushed off their feet sometimes, everyone lacks knowledge or practice at achieving their goals, everyone gets derailed with an injury - etc.

You can choose to not let any of these things pull you off course any more than is necessary. Things don't have to be either all or nothing.

You can choose a middle ground - and that can still lead to success!

Remember consistency is more important than perfection

Do your best, be good enough and also realise that is it totally fine just to coast for a while until you are ready to move forward again. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good!

You can always make progress, even if things are not as perfect as you would like them to be. www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

In Your Garden

Monthly gardening ideas & tasks

by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens

February - Invest now for summer returns

February is an important month for your garden. It is the last month where there are not absolutely urgent tasks, yet if these February jobs are not completed you will be chasing your tail for the rest of the year. It is the great set up month, and if you put the hours in, you will ride the wave for the rest of the year.

We have had a very mild winter so already plants are beginning to shoot and bulbs are up even earlier this year.

Clearance

In order to allow space for new or dormant plants to thrive, a full scale clearing and cutting back is needed. Once this is achieved you will be able to see where to plan new beds, create a planting scheme and perhaps put in some stronger evergreen structural interest that will create a powerful contract to the froth and colour of Spring and Summer.

If you are going to design a new bed, or get help with a garden designer, now is the last time you’ll be guaranteed availability!

Firstly, this is the month to clear away all the old leaves you were leaving in the beds for wildlife, gathering up piles and relocating them to corners of your garden and under shrubs where they can’t be seen. Old seed heads and perennials, now pretty much eaten and cleaned out by birds and the weather, can be cut to ground level. Deciduous ornamental grasses can also be shorn to ground level and composted. Evergreen grasses like Anamanthela lessoniana and the Carexes can be thinned out and trimmed if necessary. The old foliage of perennials like old Aquilegia and any brown or yellowing leaves of Hellebore leaves take be stripped out to allow

more light for new growth. Sedums can be pruned to ground level.

Pruning

Shrubs like Dogwood, Willow and Cotinus can be strongly pruned back, even to 40cm from ground level depending on the new height you need it to attain this year. Dogwood can even be pruned all the way to the ground.

The famous Buddlea pruning is also done now and you can be as rigorous as you like with these.

Most winter flowering plants, like Viburnum bodnantense, Mahonia and Jasmine nudiflorum can be strongly pruned back once they have finished flowering, and climbers such as Wisteria, Grape and Climbing Roses can be cut back to two buds from the main leader or structural stems. The Clematis in your garden that flower after June can be pruned hard back now, the ones that flower before June just need a light trim now- if at all. In general, Group 1 Clematis only need a light touch tidy up eg Alpina, Macopetala and Montana, Group 2 more of an intelligent prune and Group 3 a vigorous prune as these latter will flower later on in the year. Any deciduous hedges can be pruned hard back now before birds start setting up their nests and autumn fruiting raspberries can be taken right

back to the ground. Fuchsias can be taken back- normally I just prune them with big shears into the shape I want them to begin new growth from. You will need to assess how robust a plant they are in order not to clobber so much they won’t Spring back.

Evergreen shrubs and hedges can be pruned now.

Last chance to prune apple and pears, as well as give them a good feed of potash around their roots. Hygranges can be reduced up to a half with some old craggy stems removed from the base.

Moving and planting

This is the last time shrubs and trees can be moved around the garden now if they have become too big or you need the space for other plants. It is surprising how good the success rate can be if you manage to dig out a good proportion

of the root ball. We moved many huge shrubs and trees last year and so far haven’t lost one.

Perennials of course can be moved or split in half to get an extra one to give away or replant. There is still time to plant bare root trees, shrubs and hedges. These are cheaper than pot grown plants and sometimes take to the new conditions more quickly.

Seeds

Once you have cleared your garden, you can start preparing designated areas for vegetables, annuals or new perennial and shrub planting. Creating a fine tilth in your vegetable beds will set you up for the first seed rows to plant at the end of this month. You can get ahead of the game by bringing on seeds in your greenhouse or lean-to: Ammi major, Marigolds and Cerinthe major as well as runner beans, french beans, carrots, beetroot and spinach. If you have a frost free warm pocket in your garden you can start to chit potatoes ready for planting out early. If you experienced a lot of blight recently, try the Sarpo varieties.

Hardy plants like kale can even be sown directly into the soil now.

As well as seeds, clumps of snowdrop bulbs can be divided after flowering to help multiply your collection and summer/autumn flowering bulbs like Gladioli, Nerines and Dahlias can be ordered online now, or bought from a nursery. You can also force Rhubarb now.

Protection

Fruit trees can be protected with cloche to keep the frost away from tender blossoms. Your soil

can be kept moist and considerably weed free this year by applying a thick bark mulch (not too thick that your bulbs can’t emerge) and tender seeds can be covered with horticultural fleece to keep them warmer.

Wakehurst garden launched it’s Winter Garden two years ago with 33,000 plants in unusual bold combinations, so if you need some late winter inspiration that’s the place to visit. You will need to book a time slot ticket and it is open from 10-4pm. Arundel Castle will have its usual large Tulip display in March/April.

Where to go in February - Garden inspiration

Don’t forget your home this Valentine’s!

By Nick Roberts RMR Group

Our homes are like the perfect partner - come rain or shine, they show us love every day of the year. But it’s important to remember that they too can get a little tired and run down. Thankfully though, all they require is often just a little love in return to spruce up the relationship, and what better month is there than February!

New habits such as working from home mean that we need them more than ever before, and with that extra dynamic, existing layouts can become unsuitable or too small. However, between bathroom and kitchen renovations to knocking through walls or even extending, the right changes can transform the way your home helps day-to-day life.

But with the huge variety of options available comes the equivalent number of mistakes that can be made. The key here is to find the right architect who can help you find the right solution.

Simple changes to your home may end up being far more cost effective than moving to a large property, and it’s that experience that is invaluable.

Architects will also be able to determine if planning permission is required, help obtain permission, and guide you through ideas, designs, structural calculations and building regulations. That’s why we always recommend forming a relationship (don’t tell your partner!) with the right architect, one that loves what they do. They hold your hand through the entire process, and your home will be left blushing.

With so much to take onboard, having the right team on your side is essential. The right team will be able to both save you money and provide the quality service you expect. So, for this Valentines, don’t forget to give your home some love and attention, your home deserves it.

www.robertsmillerredshaw.com

The UK Housing Market in 2023

Since the financial crisis of 2008, the housing market’s been on an upwards trend – pausing at the start of the pandemic. Has the bubble burst?

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says high interest rates, falling house prices and a drop in demand have all had an impact. Estate agents report fewer enquiries each month since Sept 2022 and stock levels are at historic lows.

If interest rates and living costs increase, the Bank of England predicts the number of houses struggling to pay mortgages could rise to levels unseen since 2008. At the end of 2022, Lloyds forecast a 9% fall in the market, Capital Economics a 12% fall and Credit Suisse a 15% fall. Is it all gloom and doom?

Knight Frank forecast a fall of 5% in house prices in 2023 and 24 before returning to growth. They believe shortage of homes, sensible loan-to -value lending and low unemployment rate will keep prices stable and repossessions low.

Zoopla believe people’s motivation to move won’t change. Buyers look for more space, a

home office and what’s cheaper to heat and run.

“The housing market in 2023 mainly looks set to be one of readjustment as we return to normal levels of mortgage rates.”

What about first time buyers?

First-time buyers could benefit from the turmoil. In the Sept 2022 Mini Budget, the Government increased the threshold for Stamp Duty to £425k for first time buyers. No-one truly knows how much prices will fall by. You could be waiting ages for them to hit rock-bottom. You could ride out the predicted downturn by staying home for 3 years. Putting down a large deposit reduces chances of being in negative equity. Firsttime buyers may have more advantage for quick sales as there’s no chain to hold up the process.

Helen Say, freelance copywriter

Not sure of your next move? The advice we offer is always impartial and based only on what’s best for you. Our friendly teams of specialists have all the local knowledge you need to help you make your next step the right one. We’ve been here before and you can count on us to get results – we’ve proven it for over thirty years.

Afraid of the dark

Highwaymen of the 1800s by local historian Mark Phillips

on condition that he did not move until the bandit was out of sight. He later claimed that he was taken by surprise and was unable to get close enough to use his cudgel.

However, the authorities did have a suspect in James Allen, a known army deserter and a native of the small parish of Graffham, near Petworth. James was under suspicion as it was noticed that he and his black mare were never seen on the nights of the hold-ups and that he always appeared to have plenty of money, even though he was not known to work.

There was a time during the first years of the 1800s when many people in the Arundel area were afraid to travel at night due to highwaymen holding up coaches and robbing individuals.

It became so bad that in 1807, a ‘troop of horsemen’ was raised to patrol roads in the local area, especially in the nearby Whiteways area where most of the hold-ups had occurred.

The dense woodland in this area was a perfect setting for armed robbers and masked men on horseback. Although the horsemen kept watch over the area at night, the robberies continued; sometimes very close to the areas they were patrolling.

It was thought that there must be several robbers carrying out these attacks, sometimes on horseback and other times on foot, but the robbers always had their faces covered with black masks and all worked alone.

The story goes on to say that a large, burly Arundel butcher jeered at his neighbours’ fears saying that all one needed was courage and a large stick with a heavy knob. He claimed that with such a weapon he would ‘not care a damn’ for the bandit.

Unfortunately for him, the butcher was armed as such during one of his regular daily journeys when he encountered the robber. After handing over his valuables, he was only permitted to live

However, James Allen made a terrible error in November 1807, as for some reason he departed from his usual pattern and method. At about noon on the first Sunday in November, without a mask or a horse, he held up elderly Mr Rhoades on the main road out of Graffham and stole his gold watch and money.

Several of the mounted men quickly arrived and went in chase of the culprit. One of the riders, Capt. Sargent, a military man on leave, saw a suspicious-looking man enter the wood and gave chase.

Catching up with the man, he was overheard by a nearby shepherd to say, ‘Ah, Jem, I have found you. I don’t want your life, but you must surrender yourself.’ Seconds later a shot was heard, but it was the young captain who fell down from his horse, dead.

As the light was failing, the search party agreed to continue the pursuit in the morning. At daybreak, many others turned out to join the hunt and were assisted by the local Militia. Eventually James Allen was cornered and shot dead by one of the search party while preparing to put up a fight to the end.

He was buried in Heyshott churchyard in the parish where he was cornered. The grave, although without a tombstone, is still known to this day.

Practically all local robberies ceased at the death of James Allen, with his confederates taking fright and leaving the district in peace.

Hampshire Chronicle – November 1807

Yapton Walking Club

By Allen Misselbrook, Yapton & Ford Local History Group

Regular readers of my series of articles on Yapton will know that there is very little organised sport played in the village today. This was not always so. One little known local sporting club which enjoyed great popularity, especially during the 1930’s, was Yapton Walking Club. It was formed in c.1930 and grew in popularity year by year up until the outbreak of WW2.

Details about the early years of the Club and its annual series of Walking Races are a little vague, with only fleeting references recorded. By 1932 reports relating to the event were appearing in local newspapers, especially The Bognor Observer and The West Sussex Gazette. Many village family names started to appear in the lists of competitors and officials, which many of today’s village residents will recognise. Names such as Arthur Lillywhite, William Hunt, John Forster and A.D. Norgate. The organisers and officials included Mr. R.T. Woolgar (Chairman), Mr. H. Holden (Secretary & Treasurer), Lord Moyne (President), F. Osbourne, Mr. A.E. Page and Jim Diggance.

The Club swiftly grew in stature and changed its name to the Yapton and District Walking Club and became affiliated to the Sussex A.A.A. (Amateur Athletics Association). The races were open to all residents Of Yapton, Ford, Clymping, Barnham, Eastergate, Walberton and Binsted. Classes of races, which included Juniors and Seniors, increased rapidly, being competed over various distances. The full course as published in the 26th July 1934 edition of the West Sussex Gazette was: Yapton Village Hall, Bilsham Lane (now named Bilsham Road), Grevatt’s Lane, Ford Aerodrome, Crookthorne Lane, Clymping Church, Ford Road, Ford Canal Bridge, Ford Lane, North End Road, Black Dog finishing back at the Village Hall. The Junior course again started at the

Village Hall before following Church Road, Church Lane to the School, turning left into North End Road and left again finishing back at the Village Hall. The crowning glory came in 1937 when the Club hosted the Sussex County A.A.A. 10-mile Walking Championship. The following year saw the addition of a women’s class where contestants had to complete two laps of the Junior course.

Contestants competed for various cups donated by local dignitaries. These included The Langmead Handicap Cup (boys between the ages of 9 and 12), the Walkinton Handicap Cup and the Waddy Fastest Time Cup (boys between the ages of 12 and 16), and for the Seniors, The Guiness Fastest Time Cup donated by Walter Guiness (Lord Moyne) and the Milner Handicap Cup.

The event in July 1937, which included the SCAAA 10-mile Championship, was reported in the Bognor Observer which described the main race in great detail as well as giving the names of all the Trophy winners and their times in the various categories. These cups were presented by Lady Cobham (wife of Sir Alan Cobham) to the successful contestants during a Presentation Dance which took place in the Village Hall following the day’s events.

The Club appears not to have reformed after WW2 and the whereabouts of the cups was forgotten. That was until the Post Office was sold in the 1970’s. The retiring Post-master, Gordon Diggance, was clearing the loft when he discovered the missing cups which he donated to the Parish Council. The sporting clubs of Yapton resurrected the ‘Yapton Walk’ which they held annually for several years during the 1980’s to raise funds for the New Village Hall. The course this time was a half mile track around the playing field, the winners of the various classes were the ones who covered the longest distances in 7 hours. Fittingly, the Parish Council loaned the cups to the organisers to present to the victorious competitors.

To contact Allen Misselbrook on a local history matter please email: allen@yaptonhistory.org.uk

TheGuiness Cup

TheWilliamBranson Novices Cup

Waddy Cup

Coastline Interiors

A personal touch for your renovation project

Home Improvements on the High Street

Established since 1991 and centrally located in Bognor Regis, Coastline offer a variety of home improvement options. Over the years, Coastline’s products have expanded to include a broader provision and not just the bathrooms the business was originally known for. Today Coastline offer bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and tiles from a vast range of manufacturers. They have a diverse range of clients, director Tina Tayman told us, “We enjoy seeking out the latest trends and designs for younger and family markets and we are often also asked to help more senior clients who may have reduced mobility and need extra useable space from their rooms.” Coastline offer supply-only or a full design and installation package.

Skilled installers

Tina told us that Coastline use the same skilled installation team rather than different installers for different jobs. This ensures a high level of workmanship and every project is overseen by one of the directors who will be in close contact with the customer from start to finish.

Local, friendly service

The Coastline team comprises two local couples who are all directors of the business. The two joint owners have a plumbing background with qualifications in heating and gas and all four have a passion for interior design.

Tina told us that their longevity in the town has given the business a loyal customer base and that Coastline have many repeat clients. “Our aim is always to provide a professional, friendly service with a personal touch by having consistent familiar faces in the showroom.”

24 – 26 Queensway, Town Centre, Bognor Regis PO21 1QT 01243 869966

www.coastline-interiors.co.uk

The team in the showroom

Tips to prevent invalidating your insurance

By Geoff Cudd, Find The Best Car Price

and some other dangerous conditions, but they need to be aware of a few loopholes in their insurance that could cause pain financially should they have an accident on the roads”

Not de-icing your car properly

If you fail to de-ice your car properly, it could invalidate your insurance especially if the police believe that the visibility potentially contributed to the accident in question.

Snow on the roof

Insurance loopholes for low temperatures

With temperatures plummeting, and commuters frantically sorting their vehicles out for a busy rush to work, Geoff Cudd from Find The Best Car Price has delved into a few insurance loopholes that drivers should bear in mind before setting off on their commute in the cold weather. “Drivers up and down the country will naturally be nervous of the thought of driving on black ice

If there’s snow on your roof, this could also invalidate your insurance This is purely because the snow on your car can be hazardous if it goes flying off the roof during a drive.

Leaving your car whilst de-icing

Going indoors to warm up whilst de-icing. If someone was to steal your car with the ignition running, whilst you’re inside having a brew, you won’t be covered.

Geoff

Cudd

Founder of FindTheBestCarPrice www.findthebestcarprice.com/?s=warranty

'David’s workmanship is second to none. He is cost effective and will only charge what he is doing, I look forward to continuing our relationship for a long time to come. I feel treated like an extended member of his family' - Sheila Lawrence, Customer.

Arundel C of E Primary School

Forest School report and a visit from The Dogs Trust

Forest School Fun a report written by Eloise, Lyza and Keziah in Year 2

We were fortunate to have visitors to support our quest to further enhance our Forest School status as a school. Mary, Cecily, Sue and Kate spent the afternoon with Butterfly Class and told us all about Oak trees.

We had to go into the woods, through squelchy, sticky, muddy puddles to find an enormous oak tree that was over 500 years old. We had to find a seed of an Oak tree, this is called an acorn. We then dug up some soil from the woodland floor and put it in a wheelbarrow. It was good fun but very dirty and mucky.

We walked back to school through a very big puddle and planted our acorn in a bottle with rolled up newspaper and three spoonful's of soil that we had dug up.

Over the next couple of months, we are going to make sure that our acorn is happy, well-watered and we are going to keep an eye out to see what happens to it. We think it will start to grow.

The Dogs Trust come to ACE

Since 2003, the Dogs Trust Education Team have been delivering educational programmes to young people across the UK, and we had them visit ACE. Below are examples of when dogs enjoy being given time alone to be shared with ACE pupils:

• Dogs need their own space to sleep, rest, or relax. Dogs may choose to sleep in a place other than their bed, but it’s important for them to enjoy that time undisturbed.

• Whatever resource a dog is enjoying, dinner, treats or toys - it’s best they are left alone. A dog may feel unsafe/uncomfortable if they think an important resource may be taken away.

• We should give dogs the freedom to move away from a person or situation, without being followed, to ensure they feel safe and comfortable and helps build a loving, trusting bond.

We hope this session helped our children learn more about how they should behave around dogs. www.arundelchurchofenglandschool.org.uk

Amberley C of E Primary School

Children's spiritual development

As I write this article, it is the end of December, even though you will be reading it in February! Christmas has just ended and we are in the slightly strange ‘tween’ time following Christmas but before New Year.

Relationship with the local church

With the last half-term being filled with seasonal festivities, I have reflected on how many celebrations took place in collaboration with our local church, St. Michael’s, and were supported by Rev Gerry Burgess who supports the school spiritually. Rev Gerry is a popular figure with children and we see her every week when we visit St. Michael’s for Collective Worship on Tuesdays.

As a Church of England school that cherishes its relationship with the local church, many parents/carers ask me about whether our school is purely Christianity-focused. I thought it would be good to share my answer with the wider community to give people an understanding of our vision for the spiritual development of children in the diverse and multicultural society we live in.

Understanding and exploring various religions

Like all schools, we have a statutory duty to reflect ‘that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian..." (Education Act 1996). Christianity is integral to our school life is and we aim to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of its core beliefs. However, we also focus on beliefs of other major world religions so children can explore faith and belief systems to develop their own point of view. Our vision is for our children to leave our school equipped to live in our diverse, multicultural world as open-minded individuals with respectful attitudes to everyone, regardless of their belief. We are proud to be able to give children opportunities to explore their own spirituality or beliefs and develop a relationship with the local church to be part of Christian traditions, like Christmas and Easter. Long may we celebrate the many faiths and beliefs that we are free to have!

Mrs

Lizzie

Martin, Executive Headteacher, Arun Villages Federation amberley.w-sussex.sch.uk

Come What May

The ultimate tribute to Moulin Rouge, starring Robin Windsor

sexy, disreputable, and glamorous underworld of Paris. It’s a ‘Spectacular, Spectacular’ evening of unforgettable dancing, dreams, adventure and above all – love!

Win a pair of tickets to see Come What May at the Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre on the 28th March at 7.30pm. www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

We present to you an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza as you enter the secret world of one of the greatest movie musicals of all time. Featuring Strictly Come Dancing’s sensational Robin Windsor and a cast of top West End performers. Bursting at the seams with timeless classics including Come What May, Your Song, Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, Roxanne and Lady Marmalade plus hit songs from The Greatest Showman and other iconic movie musicals. Travel back in time as the children of the revolution take you on a thrilling non-stop journey into the

Luxury care home opening soon

The Wellderness C.I.C

Improving people’s lives through nature by Lynn Smith

Founded in January 2021 by Matt Dumbleton and Mark Cropley, The Wellderness is a non-profit community interest company, bringing people together in nature for workshops, courses and events, to improve physical and mental wellbeing through wilderness rehabilitation.

The idea for The Wellderness came, Matt and Mark say, on the back of 2020 and lockdown. Both men, by separate routes, realised just how important the influence of nature and the outside world had been to their mental health and wellbeing during that unprecedented time.

Offering space for those essential parts of what helps our species thrive

Mark believes that COVID helped other people rediscover the joy of being outside too. “We were almost prisoners in our own homes and … one hour a day everyone went outside, and they discovered new places around them.”

Matt goes onto say, “Lockdown itself brought a pandemic of loneliness … a need to connect with each other. I mean, we’d been allowed to be outside but (not) outside with other people. We're social pack animals. The Wellderness … offers a space for those essential parts of what make our species thrive.”

These benefits have been validated by science; recent discoveries show that infra-red from a blazing fire and phytoncides, organic compounds produced by trees, have beneficial effects on our bodies too.

Having met when they worked together at another CIC, (Dad La Soul), Matt and Mark began to share ideas for something they could do together that would make a difference to people’s lives. “Literally, we poured our brains out on to a notepad,” Matt says, “We knew we wanted to be a community interest company. We knew that it was about being not for profit … to be selfsupporting as much as possible.”

Having realised just how important the outdoors and nature was to them both, “The stars,” Matt says, “aligned … and wellbeing, wellness and the wilderness became The Wellderness.”

Working to create a 1,000-year legacy

The Wellderness is, Matt says, “Working to create a 1000-year legacy through three core principles

that hold up The Wellderness.” Which Mark lists as, “Reconnection to nature, new skills and experiences. It’s really important that we do stuff out in nature, but it's also important that we’re learning something new that we can take away and teach someone else.” Social connection is, he says, a vital component of the process. “We can go out and we can feel the benefits on our own, but the benefits are accelerated when we’re there as a community.”

To improve and positively affect the lives of 10 million people worldwide through wilderness rehabilitation and connection to nature

Currently The Wellderness operates in Wild Heart Hill in Findon, Furzefield Campsite in Dappers Lane, Angmering and Streamside Campsite over in Lancing. There are also, volunteering days in and around the South Downs National Park and beach cleans on Worthing beach.

Next year, The Wellderness is hoping to expand further, with permission granted by Friends of Hurtwood, in Surrey, for them to use the woodland with a small donation, which has been put forward by a business local to the area.

This brings us to what’s next for the Wellderness and how the company’s expansion will be accommodated. Currently, Matt and Mark host all of the organisation’s events and, Mark says, there will come a point when this is no longer possible. “So, I think the next stage is to bring in people to run the already established groups

and then us to move on to set up the new groups.” Mark envisages developing a package for people to use, possibly through a licensing programme, enabling other The Welldernesses to be set up across the country - to become a “local national organisation.

The Wellderness would also like, “Land to call home,” Matt says. Possibly on a long term lease, with The Wellderness community working with a landowner to help manage the land, or even through their own land purchase, eventually.

Providing access for adults and children – avoiding a disconnect from nature

So, is there a target audience for The Wellderness’ services?

Matt says. “At a structural level now, schools have outdoor learning as part of their curriculum. The world is waking up to the fact that that nature's really beneficial and important for people and it's quite rightly working to build a deep connection between children and young people in the outdoors.”

Mark points out that there is a caveat - that no matter how deeply connected, the kids aren't going to access it (the outdoors) if the grownups

aren't inspired to support them accessing it. So the target audience has to be grownups.” He goes onto say that their classification of an adult is maybe over sixteen, i.e. school leaving age, as it’s at this age that children tend to lose their tie to nature.

Most

The Wellderness also collaborates and partners with other groups and organisations, giving access to service users from different demographics whom they might not otherwise be able to reach. They are particularly keen to work with men’s groups – approximately seventy

people become more involved once they’ve attended something– a desire “to give something back to the organisation and share something with the community.”

percent of The Wellderness’ service users are female, and to make it easier for those of a lower socio-economic status to attend events, by providing a number of free tickets to each event, where possible. This model is made possible, Mark says, as premium events, like the recent Wim Hof Icebox event, command higher ticket process and generate sufficient income to cover the cost of a small number of free tickets. However, Matt says, they’re reluctant to put all of the costs onto ticket purchasers as they don’t want to put off those who might struggle to afford events. Having had previous experiences of CICs, both Matt and Mark are conscious of competition for funding and have been reluctant to make the organisation’s viability dependent upon community funding –although, Matt isn’t ruling out the possibility of funding applications in 2023. Currently, the organisation is supported by a team of Volunteers and by, Funders and Supporters, who make it possible for The Wellderness to continue its work.

Queen’s Green Canopy Tree of Trees

Between October 2021 and March 2022, The Wellderness community planted 1,100 trees in the South Downs National Park and in October last year, The Wellderness announced that it had

been chosen as custodians of one of the trees from the Queen’s Green Canopy Inititative. This honour was celebrated at Wild Heart Hill Campsite on 26th November, in a special tree planting event attended by Lady Emma Barnard, the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, and local dignitaries. The Wellderness is also keen to fund -raise with other organisations whose ideas align with its own core principles. In September they joined the “Waterproofs and Wellies” campaign via the Outdoor Guide Foundation, raising money to put waterproof clothing kits into primary schools.

Contact: The Wellderness C.I.C, A2 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing BN13 3QX Tel: 07818 414 758 www.thewellderness.org.uk

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

Glyndebourne has announced that it will no longer be able to tour as planned in 2023, following a reduction to its Arts Council England (ACE) funding for touring and its learning and engagement work. The Glyndebourne Tour launched in 1968 with support from ACE to take the company’s operas to broad audiences around the country and provide a launch pad to emerging talent. In the more than fifty years since, it has been responsible for launching the careers of numerous UK and international artists. A new scheme is giving people the opportunity this winter to pay less to travel by bus in West Sussex – and the whole of England. From now until 31st March, a single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on most routes under the Department for Transport's Help for Households funded Bus Fare Cap. Local participating companies include Brighton & Hove, Compass, Stagecoach, Metrobus and Southdown Buses.

West Sussex charity 4Sight Vision Support has a long-established recycling scheme which helps to raise funds to support blind and sight impaired residents across the county. Items include stamps and foreign currency collections; jewellery, watches, games consoles, cameras, tablets and mobile phones (any condition or age) and ink cartridges (not laser). They would even love to have your old car, as they have the resources to turn old cars into cash via auction or scrap. They will also welcome unwanted Christmas gifts. Call 01243 828555 or send an email to: fundraising@4sight.org.uk.

West Sussex Libraries are inviting everyone to read for pleasure in 2023 and share a love of books by taking part in a Reading Challenge. The February challenge is to read a book that has been adapted for the screen. So whether you have always wanted to get around to reading Lord of the Rings or want to read the books connected with recent film adaptions such as Where the Crawdads Sing, Death on the Nile or Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, now’s your chance. You can join as an individual reader, as a reading group or why not take on the challenge as a family? For more information pop into your local library or visit www.arena.westsussex.gov.uk/westsussex-libraries-reading-challenge-2023.

Family history buffs can now access the Sussex electoral registers free of charge on the Ancestry website either at the West Sussex Record Office in Chichester or at your local West Sussex Library. You will need to register for an Archives Card at www.archivescard.com. The West Sussex Record Office also holds a range of talks and events around the subject. Search online or call 01243 753602.

The new West Sussex Lane Rental Scheme (WSLRS), which came into force on 1 December 2022, allows the council to require payment of charges by promoters of street and road works for the time their works are in place. The scheme applies to selected roads, not the whole of the county. The focus will be on areas where roadworks will cause the highest levels of disruption, which currently equates to around 10% of the county’s roads. Different charges apply depending on the type of work being undertaken and how disruptive the works will be.

A new secondary school for children living in the Burgess Hill area has been given the green light with planning permission. West Sussex County Council and co-applicant Homes England’s plans to create a zero-carbon school were approval by Mid Sussex District Council’s planning committee on 15 December 2022. The ambitious design will allow the school to generate its own renewable energy on site without using any fossil fuels. It aims to be the first school in West Sussex to achieve “Passivhaus certification”, the highest standard of energy efficiency a building can reach, and offer excellent educational facilities to 900 local children Meanwhile the much older facilities at Steyning Grammar School’s (SGS) Shooting Fields and Rock Road sites - home to around 2,000 students - continue to creak at the seams with the latest issue of parent Bohunt’s BET News magazine reporting that details of new funding to renew the facilities have yet to be agreed by the Department for Education.

Charity & Community News

Chestnut Tree Hospice needs volunteers

At Chestnut Tree House (CTH), volunteers are at the heart of their hospice community. They have roles available throughout the organisation, from retail and fundraising to event hosts and play volunteers.

No matter what your skills, experience and interests, there will be an opportunity for you to make a real difference. The main quality they look for in our volunteers is that they reflect CTH valuesthey must feel passionate about the cause, they must reflect our caring ethos, they must be reliable and honest.

You can chat to staff and volunteers at an open afternoon on Friday 24th March in the Pavilion Atrium, Worthing Pavilion Theatre 12pm-3pm . You can book your place by email to volunteers@stbh.org.uk, call 01903 706315 or visit www.chestnut.org.uk/volunteer-recruitment.

New homes for Eastergate

Housebuilder Miller Homes Southern has been

given planning permission to build 67 homes at its newest development, The Paddock, in Eastergate. The six-acre site will deliver a selection of one, two, three and four bedroom energyefficient homes. Out of the 67 new homes, 30% will be affordable housing, providing a mix of rented, shared ownership and First Homes. The new neighbourhood is the first in the region that will deliver properties to buy under the First Homes scheme, the Government’s new scheme to offer discounted home ownership for first time buyers. www.millerhomes.co.uk Chichester builders merchant creates woodland

As part of Covers Timber and Builders Merchants’ 175th anniversary celebrations, and the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, the builders merchant planted 175 beech trees at Selhurst Park near Chichester in November.

Flavoursome overnight oats

A healthy breakfast to keep you fuelled for the day

Ingredients - Serves 1

• 1 medium banana, mashed

• 4 ‘Cocoa Loco’ dark chocolate buttons, roughly chopped

• 125ml‘Susana&Daughters’kefirmilk

• 1 tsp Sussex honey

• 40g jumbo oats

• ½ tsp ‘Carla’s seasoning’ ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

• 3 walnuts, roughly chopped

Method

1. Combine the mashed banana with the chopped chocolate, honey, cinnamon, mix well.

2. To the banana mixture, add the kefir, oats, and chia seeds, mix well.

3. Pour into a jam jar, top with walnuts and refrigerated for a minimum of 6 hours or overnight before enjoying.

Hollies Top Tips-

• Double the recipe to make enough for a couple days ahead to save time.

• Why not swap the banana with grated apple and switch the dark chocolate for mixed vine fruits, swop honey for peanut butter or sub kefir with oat milk? Overnight oats are so di- verse and a perfect way to start the day.

Find all ingredients at the Village Larder and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more weekly meal inspiration - @village_larder www.villagelarder.co.uk

A production by Shakespeare’s Globe & Headlong

expand his green and pleasant land. But at what devastating cost? Witness Henry’s bombastic pursuit of power, throwing into question what it really means to be English. Win a pair of tickets to see Henry V at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing on 3rd March at 7.30pm or 4th March at 2.30pm or 7.30pm. Winner can choose the date, subject to availability. For more information visit www.wtm.uk

Civil unrest, trouble with Europe, the death of a monarch… Experience Shakespeare’s unnervingly relevant Henry V in a production that offers a different perspective on England’s fifteenthcentury hero.

Henry, the young and newly crowned king, is impatient to assert control over the people of England. Having received a humiliating gift from overseas, his bruised ego leads him to double down on a military invasion abroad in a bid to

Andrew Griffith MP

Member of Parliament for Arundel and South Downs

Extra funds for those hosting Ukrainian refugees

We continue to observe the tragic devastation caused by Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. I commend the efforts made by the thousands of Sussex households who have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into the warmth of their homes. Indeed, the County is one of the most generous in the UK in the number of Ukrainian refugees safely housed here. In recognition of this, all hosts will receive an increased ‘thank you’ payment of £500 a month for guests who have been in the country for over a year. The ‘thank you’ payments to hosts will also be extended from 12 months to 2 years, so that our Ukrainian guests can remain where they are until the war ends – and we hope this outcome will come sooner rather than later.

Cap on bus fares for single journeys

In January the Department for Transport announced a cap on bus fares at £2 for single journeys until the end of March. This is excellent news for those who rely on and regularly use our

bus network, and most Sussex operators have signed up. This subsidy is part of the wider cost of living support provided by the Government.

Building regulations and ‘Project Gigabit’

Whilst we saw good progress on faster and more reliable broadband in 2022, some of the most rural households - those furthest from exchanges - continue to struggle with browsing speeds. Representing a rural constituency, I welcome the news that all new homes in England will be built with gigabit broadband connections. The Government has amended building regulations to ensure all new homes constructed in England must enjoy ‘lightning-fast’ gigabit broadband. This is in addition to upcoming funding for West Sussex from the £5 billion Project Gigabit to connect 68,000 households and businesses with superfast broadband. I am hopeful this will help to improve the battle-for-bandwidth in our homes. Andrew Griffith MP for Arundel & South Downs Andrew.Griffith.MP@parliament.uk www.andrewgriffithmp.com

Arundel Town Council

River Road, street lamps & Environment Working Group

Edited extracts from draft minutes of the Town Council meeting on 8th December 2022.

River Road: 700 signatures obtained on Petition objecting to proposed erection of Airbnb on River Road garage site. More are needed and all Councillors urged to find more signatories. Likely to be a factor in May 2023 District Council elections.

Street Lighting: Andover lighting company asked to produce a steel design lamp that would replicate appearance of cast iron heritage lamps. Details would be available for Council meeting. Design hasn’t arrived but contact made with Petworth Parish Council who took over responsibility for 5 cast iron lamps and obtained quotes for public liability and accidental insurance in respect of assets and maintenance person responsible for them. Situation not comparable to Town Council as Petworth Parish Council only have 5 lamps with none on roadside. Request made to Insurers Zurich for public liability and accidental damage quote for streetlights. Unable to provide quote without re-instatement cost which was requested from WSCC.

Environment Working Group: Following Council Climate Change workshop 7th Nov, working group reviewed input generated by attendees and decided they’d focus on addressing issues of waste, recycling and ‘refilling’. Actions to be pursued:

1. Establishing a “Recycling Hub” alongside Repair Cafe in Norfolk Centre once a month. Would be launched as part of Sustainability Weekend (18th19th March). Hub would be opportunity for residents to recycle materials that go to landfill. Could be extended to refill centre, seed and plant exchange, clothing exchange and energy advice station.

2. Possibility of setting up a community compost station would be investigated.

3. Continue to campaign for green recycling bins. St. Philip’s School plan to create wildflower meadow at front of school. ACE and St. Philip’s propose to offer “satellite” “Repair Cafes” where pupils could learn to use tools and repair items. Working group to address WSCC’s continued use of toxic weed killer on Arundel verges and cobbles. arundeltowncouncil.gov.uk

Barnham & Eastergate Parish Council

Planning Applications

Edited extracts from draft minutes of Planning & Environment Committee meeting 13th Dec 2022. To consider new applications to Arun District Council: BN/163/22 Barnham Trading Post PO22 0ESNew Warehouse. Application in CIL Zone 2 (zero rated). Resolved to submit objection on grounds submitted on previous application at location. Concerns surround parking and access safety.

BN/157/22 Warwick Nursery Barnham Road PO20 3RT - Variation of conditions imposed under BN/153/20/PL relating to conditions 2-approved plans. Resolved to submit no objection. Comment about Tree Protection Plans. Damaged trees bordering Boweries development site with some removed. Requested Arun DC investigate BN/155/22 Boweries Barnham Road PO20 3RTVariation of condition imposed under BN/135/20/ PL relating to condition 2- approved plans. Resolved to submit a no objection. Comment about Tree Protection Plans. Damaged trees bordering Warwick Nurseries development site with some removed. Requested Arun DC investigate.

BN/153/22 78 Barnham Road Eastergate PO22 0ES - Single storey extension of existing Class E commercial premises to incorporate new kitchen facility to serve restaurant/cafe. Site in CIL Zone 2 (Zero Rated) and may affect setting of listed building. Resolved to submit a no objection providing environmental impacts given consideration, namely neighbouring properties.

BN/176/22 Land West of Fontwell Avenue Eastergate - Approval of reserved matters following outline consent BN/147/21/OUT for 7 No dwellings with associated landscaping and infrastructure. Application also lies in parish of Aldingbourne, is in CIL Zone 3 and is CIL liable as new dwellings. Resolved to submit objection to proposed property designs. BEPC commented design doesn’t align with BEPC Design Guide and would like to see this considered. Resolved: Assistant Clerk be authorised to submit responses to Arun District Council as approved by the Committee. barnhamandeastergate-pc.gov.uk

Walberton Parish Council

Highways. Playing Field area, Maintenance & General

Extracts from the minutes of the 6th December General Purposes Committee meeting

Highways

• Extra weeding of Walberton’s pavements and verges completed. Fallen trees and missing bridge planks Old Scotland Road reported to WSCC. Litter bin for Blacksmith’s Corner requested from Arun District Council; response awaited.

• WSCC Highways has been asked to add double yellow lines on both sides of Arundel Road, Fontwell west of the London Road junction.

Playing field area

• Quote requested for playing field for mini goal with side panels, cricket wicket and targets.

• The path around the playing field with interest and landscaping and to connect to the tennis court is being investigated. Planning permission requirements are being determined.

• Barrier post by playing field being replaced.

• Traveller incursion wastechippings being removed.

• Repairs to pond headwall completed shortly.

• Resurfacing of play area soft surface begun. The replacement swing has been ordered.

Maintenance

• Fontwell noticeboard completed shortly; Barrack Row board’s perspex to be replaced.

• Allotment fencing work has been completed.

• Jubilee archway/fencing repair quotes sought.

General

• Gardeners Club intend to expand Flower and Dog Shows by inviting other organisations and creating Summer Fayre. Music night may be held. Insurance cover for playing field to be confirmed.

• Concerns regarding soil quality and flooding on Fontwell Meadows estate allotments passed to developer. Old Bottle Store building demolished.

• A printed Neighbourhood News concerning the A27 Arundel Bypass further consultation is being hand-delivered to all Parish residents. www.walberton-pc.gov.uk