Charity&Community

Community news from across the counties

More than £400,000 has been raised in one year so far to help find new spaces for nature in the South Downs National Park. The ReNature campaign is looking to create an extra 13,000 hectares of habitat where plants and animals can thrive. More at www.southdowns.enthuse.com/ HelpNatureReNature. The South Downs Way, the 100mile chalk path between Winchester and Eastbourne, celebrated its 50th birthday as a National Trail in July. For more information and to plan your visit go to www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/ trails/south-downs-way. Adur District Council has amended its procedures so that councillors can impose tighter restrictions on the felling of trees in major developments. The new approach will mean that planning committees can specify that trees are to remain in place by attaching specific conditions to new planning permissions. The Summer Reading Challenge is back at all 36 West Sussex Libraries. This year’s theme is Gadgeteers and aims to inspire children to see the science and innovation behind everyday objects, showing that reading and science is for everyone. Sign up by visiting your local library or you can register online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/src and look out for the secret code word! The service is entirely free. West Sussex charity 4Sight Vision Support has announced it will be running a Make a Will Fundraising Scheme in September. The charity, in conjunction with accountants Kreston Reeves, is inviting people to have their Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney written (or Wills only, amended) for free, in return for a donation. Call 01243 828555, email fundraising@4sight.org.uk or alternatively visit www.4sight.org.uk.

Some West Sussex fire stations are holding open days where firefighters will be running a series of practical displays as well as being on hand to provide fire and road safety advice and answer any questions that people may have. The dates are : Crawley Fire Station 6th August; Haywards Heath Fire Station 27th August; Midhurst Fire Station 3rd September. The Weald & Downland Living Museum in Chichester has been named Sussex (c)Mischa Haller Family Attraction of the Year in the 2 0 2 2 M u d d y Stiletto awards. Home to over 50 historic buildings from across the Weald and Downland area the Museum’s collection represents almost a 1,000 years of rural life in South East England. The Museum has a packed programme of family fun planned throughout August. including outdoor theatre, nature trails, singing, puzzles, and crafts www.wealddown.co.uk The largest-ever local authority roll-out of electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the UK was launched in June in West Sussex. Thousands of chargepoints will be installed on streets, in public sector car parks and on community facilities across the county within the next ten years. The infrastructure will be installed and maintained by the company Connected Kerb. RISE, Brighton & Hove’s domestic abuse charity, has announced its signature annual fundraising event, the 8k Undercliff Run for Women, is now open for registrations. The race is on Sunday 16th October, for more information and registration visit www.RISEuk.org.uk. Baptism, confirmation, marriage, death and burial records spanning 457 years of Sussex history are now available to search online at Ancestry. Access to Ancestry is free at The Keep and all libraries across East and West Sussex. The Keep is an archive centre and home to historic documents from East Sussex Record Office, Brighton and Hove City Council, and the University of Sussex. The public are welcome to visit to carry out research on family history or academic study, free of charge. www.thekeep.info.

Charity & Community News

£1,000 Rotary charity donation Chichester Priory Rotary Club was pleased to donate a cheque for £1000 to The Dementia Support Group in Sage House, Tangmere. Peter Fuller, Chichester Priory President for 2021-22 said “We are delighted to be able to help the Dementia Support Group because of the services it offers to sufferers and carers. Earlier in my Presidency we gave £250.” The photo shows, left to right, Peter HaydnJones (Chichester Priory Rotary Club), Lisa Hoare and Diane Gill (Fundraisers for Dementia Support Group) and Peter Fuller, (Chichester Priory Rotary Club). www.dementiasupport.org.uk. Rotary email secretary@rotarychichesterpriory.org. Midhurst Rotary handover At the beginning of July Rotarians, ladies of Inner Wheel and friends gathered at Cowdray Park. Simon Flint said how much he had enjoyed his year as President. Simon made awards to two members who had given exceptional service to their community and the wider world by presenting them with Paul Harris Fellowship Awards - an award given to those giving 'Service above Self' in a magnificent way. As chair of the Community and Vocational Committee Hazel Morley has organised Rotary presence at a large number of events in Midhurst and Petworth and beyond and continues to do so. The Youth Activities team has been led by Robert Morrison who has given unstinting time and expertise throughout the years and will continue to do so in the Rotary year ahead. Simon Flint handed over the Presidential regalia to Julian Goodale and wished him well for the coming Presidential Year. The picture shows Chris Barrett, Inner Wheel President, with Julian. Stories to info@sussexlocal.net

YOUR COMPLETE LOCAL STORAGE

Whether you need to make more space at home, moving house or looking for business storage, we have storage containers available

Please see our website for latest prices and offers

SAFE, DRY & SECURE

Access 7 days per week 7am to 6pm

07875 597807

Charity & Community News

Have you applied for your £150 energy rebate? Chichester District Council is now urging the 4,867 households that have yet to claim their £150 energy rebate to come forward. Most householders in Council Tax band A to D properties qualify for this rebate. If someone doesn’t know which band their property is in, they can find it on their latest council tax bill or check www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands. You can apply for the rebate online at www.chichester.gov.uk/ energybillsrebate2022. Film festival marks its 30th year

Derek Malcolm, is one of the UK’s greatest living film critics, at the age of 90, will officially open the annual Festival, which runs from 5th-28th of August. This year’s Festival promises to be an outstanding event with over 130 feature films including exclusive premieres and previews from around the globe as well as tributes and retrospectives, silent film screenings accompanied by live music and inspiring talks from special guests. The Festival will commence with three open-air screenings over 5th-7th August in Priory Park; Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story; and the family favourite Lightyear. www.chichesterfilmfestival.co.uk Pop-Up Shop initiative welcomes year-round applications Chichester District Council’s Pop-Up Shop initiative is now welcoming applications from budding entrepreneurs and start-up businesses at any time throughout the year. The initiative enables local entrepreneurs and small businesses to trade in a high street location without the commitment or cost of a longerterm lease. As part of the scheme, people can apply to rent a council-owned shop in Crane Street, Chichester, for a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of eight weeks, giving them the chance to engage with customers and launch products and services. The retail unit costs £75 per week, plus VAT, which also covers rates and utility bills. www.chichester.gov.uk/popupshop, email popupshop@chichester.gov.uk or call 01243 534669. Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge a success The exciting Dragon Boat Challenge took place on Sunday 3 July at Chichester Canal Basin. This is supported by Cancerwise and Chichester Priory Rotary Club, with funds raised being split 50/50. The leader of the winning Adult team – The Redcaps said “We are delighted to have won and done so much to support local charities.” The Junior Winners were from the 12th Chichester Scouts who were particularly happy having set an all time Junior record in the final!

This August, Chichester International Film Festival (CIFF) will celebrate its 30th anniversary with an outstanding programme of quality film screenings and special events to mark three decades of bringing the best in cinema to the south coast.

It will be a few weeks yet before the final financial outcome is known, however, things look very good. President Bob Syme of Chichester Priory Rotary Club said “The Dragon Boat Challenge is a big event for us each year which is enjoyed not only by the participants but also by many supporters and local residents. This year the excellent weather, the fantastic condition of the Canal and its surroundings and the professionalism of both our Dragon Boat Events team and all the other helpers made this a very special day. We are pleased to have been able to help CancerWise with their excellent work.” Chichester Priory Rotary Club can be contacted on enquiries@chichesterprioryrotary.org., and Cancerwise on cancerwise.org.uk. Community stories are free of charge. info@sussexlocal.net