Charity&Community News

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

Discover your local library! West Sussex Libraries have asked us to remind readers about all the things your local library can offer: • Free, warm welcoming spaces for everyone • Computers for people to use • Free Wi-fi in every library • Regular free activities – children’s rhyme times & story times, knit and natter sessions, reading groups, board games and jigsaws • Digital volunteers to help people get online if you are nervous or new to the internet • Take home toys – children can take home up to three toy bags (for up to three weeks, with no late fees!) • Newspapers and magazines • Books for people wanting to start new hobbies, learn a language and more They also offer Home Library Direct for people who are unable to visit personally. Lastly they are always on the lookout for more volunteers. www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries. Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne is inviting residents to provide their thoughts on policing priorities in a survey about police funding through council tax. You can provide your views on potential increases and tell Katy what you want the police to focus on. The short online survey is at www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk. A new initiative from the West Sussex Waste Partnership (West Sussex and District/Borough councils). is aiming to improve recycling rates in students aged 15-24. The partnership is working with the University of Chichester and the Chichester College Group (at Brinsbury, Chichester, Crawley, Haywards Heath, and Worthing). Concern about children’s mental health and the negative messages in children's media has led two dads to launch a fun and satirical podcast and magazine aimed at promoting kindness and mental resilience in children. Martin Spinelli is a professor at the University of Sussex while Lance Dann teaches at the University of Brighton. Their podcast is called The Rez and it has also just been accredited to be taught in schools as part of the PSHE curriculum. www.jointherez.com South Downs MP Andrew Griffith has made the views of his constituents known in his response to the new routes published by the Rampion 2 proposed windfarm, calling it a “cable motorway” that would “leave a scar on the South Downs”. Andrew says that “vast swathes of delicate chalkland in the South Downs will be trenched” to accommodate the cables and accompanying access roads which will run from Climping beach through to a new substation at Cowfold, via Storrington and Washington. Rampion say that all disturbed land will be restored after the work is completed. See the routes at www.rampion2.com/consultation-2022. A fresh and redesigned website has been launched by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to support those living with mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity conditions. www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk. West Sussex-landscaper Paul Greenyer is baring all for the horticultural charity, Perennial, in its ‘Naked Grubby Gardener’s calendar” for 2023. Proceeds are going towards its work helping people from the horticultural industry to improve their financial and mental well-being. The calendar is available to purchase online at www.perennial.org.uk. Potholes are a big source of frustration for all road users, and in the six months from April 2022 West Sussex Highways say approximately 22,000 were filled. They are also taking a holistic approach to the condition of our roads, with whole roads and larger sections completely resurfaced to make them more resilient to potholes, and “vastly reduce the need for smallscale, disruptive repairs”. You can report a pothole at www.westsussex.gov.uk or by phone to 01243 642105 if it is an immediate safety risk. The Sussex Sunday Walkers programme runs from October to March with walks usually 12 16 miles long, starting and ending at the same car park, with a pub stop along the route. www.sussexsundaywalkers.org.uk

Charity & Community News

Fire Service awards West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service celebr -ated the courage, selflessness and dedication of its staff at its annual Recognition and Achievement Awards Ceremony. Those honoured at Arundel Castle included serving firefighters, support staff and members of the public. A total of 31 long service and good conduct medals were given to members of staff that have served within the fire and rescue service for 20 and 30 years, with medals being presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard. CRRC’s Rescue Pet of the Month This month we would love to introduce you to a lovely pair of female rabbits called Hersheys and Reeses. These two sisters have been at The Centre since April as their owners had separated and realised that they couldn’t provide them the life they deserved. These beautiful sisters are now one year old and would love to find their forever home together. They are both very friendly girls that love to explore and be active. They would be suitable to live with children as they are happy to be handled. As they are so young and active they would benefit from a home where they are provided with lots of things to keep them busy. If you think you may be able to offer Hersheys and Reeses a loving home please give the centre a call on 01243 967111. www.crrc.co.uk. Gardening talk Jane Reeve of Manhood Wildlife Group will be giving a talk on "Wildlife in the Garden in a Time of Climate Change". Chichester Organic Gardening Society, January 30th, 7.30pm at Bassil Shippam Centre, St Pancras Chichester PO19 7LG.

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Charity & Community News

MP’s Christmas card competition Arundel & South Downs MP, Andrew Griffith, had a busy day of prizegiving at the schools of those children who have won his annual Christmas Card competition. Andrew announced the winning design and six runners-up whose pictures will be featured on his official Christmas card and sent to over 1,500 people including Prime Minister. Children from primary schools across the constituency sent in their colourful designs which can now be viewed on Andrew’s online gallery on his website. The MP invited Hassocks-based children’s author and illustrator Louisa White to help him choose the pictures for his card. View the cards here: www.andrewgriffithmp.com/xmas2022 A painting by Poppy Pritchett, a pupil in Year 3 at Arundel C of E Primary School, was picked as the overall winner. Her ‘Reindeers at Arundel Castle’ was chosen for its stand-out design and use of paint to create the local Christmas scene. Runners up included Amber Grimmet, who is also a student at Arundel CofE Primary School, Alice Andrews and Barney Wadell at Dorset House School, and Layla Marsh at St Peters CofE Primary School in Henfield. Poppy and Amber are pictured with Andrew Griffith above, and Andrew is pictured presenting the Prime Minster with the card featuring Amber’s design.