Sussex Local Magazine - Chichester/Midhurst DECEMBER 2022

HELLO!

WithChristmasrapidly approaching,itlookslike “businessasusual”forthe organisersofthenumerous Christmasmarkets,fairs,pantos andconcertsinourregion.Do takealookatour comprehensiveWhat’sOn listingswhereyou’llfindplenty toputyouinthefestivemood. I’vecomeacrossseveralheartwarminginitiativesaimedat helpingthosestrugglingto makeendsmeet,nevermind extraChristmasexpenses. LocalcharityMySisters’House Women’sCentrehelped306 localfamiliesputsomething underthetreefortheirchildren lastyearandwanttodothe samethisyear.Theywouldbe sogratefulfordonationsofany new,unwrappedgiftsfor childrenandyoungteenagers, theyalsoneedsmallitemsfor stockingfillers.Theyare collectinguntilSaturday10th December,youcandonateat www.mysistershouse.info /donateortheyhavetheirown Amazonwishlist: www.bit.ly/MSHxmas22 Howeveryoucelebratethe festiveseason,wewisha happy,healthyandpeaceful breaktoallourreadersand advertisers.

Untilnexttime,MerryChristmas &HappyNewYear, Kris&Jeff

What’s On - December 2022

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 seven editions distributed to over 46,000 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 January events to be put on website 4th December

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

1st Dec 2nd Jan 9:00 AM The Nutcracker Christmas Trail Follow the trail and discover the names of the 11 Nutcracker Kings guarding the city of Chichester PO19 1LQ Chichester BID office@chichesterbid.co.uk www.chichesterbid.co.uk/christmas

1st, 8th & 15th Dec 10:00 AM Needlefelting

Christmas Decorations A WEA online adult education class in 7 sessions, with tutor Valerie Evans. Course ref 3748118 Online on Zoom 47.6 / concessions Catherine chichester.branch@wea.ac.uk www.wea.org.uk/ 1st Dec 2nd Jan 10:30 AM Tree Mendous Christmas Explore Petworth House to see Christmas trees taking centre stage this season. Petworth House and Park GU28 9LR 01798 342207 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth 02/12/2022 10:00 AM Squire's Garden Centres

Christmas Wreath Masterclass Come along and create a traditional Christmas wreath in a seasonal masterclass at Squire's Garden Centre Washington RH20 3BP £35 wash.shop@squiresgardencentres.co.uk 01252 333671 www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk/ shop/customer events/groupid/5411/day/2/ month/12/year/2022.html

3rd, 10th & 17th Dec 12:00 PM Santa's Grotto Visit Father Christmas this December, every child will receive a gift. Arundel Museum BN18 9PA £5 David office@arundelmuseum.org 03/12/2022 7:00 PM GLORIA A Celebration of Christmas Bersted Community Choir, Christmas Quartet & Southdowns Concert Band perform a Christmas Concert St. Wildrid’s Church Bognor Regis PO21 2SG £10 connect@berstedarts.com www.berstedarts.com

04/12/2022 10:30 AM Tree Dressing at the Weald & Downland Museum A magical Tree Dressing event for all the family. Weald & Downland Living Museum PO18 0EU 01243 811363 office@wealddown.co.uk www.wealddown.co.uk/events/tree dressing 2/ 04/12/2022 7:00 PM Evening of Christmas carols Join Sandgate Singers for an evening of carols and refreshments. All are welcome. Our Lady of England Church Storrington RH20 4LW £12 / under 16s free Sandgate Singers johnandsylvi@btinternet.com

5th 10th Dec 7:30 PM Christmas Concerts at Chichester Festival Theatre The Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood and Chichester Cathedral Choir with Christmas music Chichester Festival Theatre PO19 6AP From £10 01243 781312 box.office@cft.org.uk www.cft.org.uk

06/12/2022 2:00 PM Regis Centre 2 O'Clock Club Xmas Show 2 O'clock Club Xmas Show. Studio 1, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £6 / discounts for children and £4.50 for 'friends' Hazel Latus 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

9th 11th Dec 1:00 PM Cowfold Christmas Tree Festival St Peter's Church, Cowfold RH13 8BW will be filled with Christmas trees! £5 Friday, £2 Saturday & Sunday Helen Stanfield 01403 865038 hstanfield4@gmail.com

09/12/2022 7:30 PM 'Christmas Concert' A show of musical theatre hits together with festive songs & treats. Studio 1, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £10 Hazel alexandratheatre.co.uk hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676

10/12/2022 10:30 AM Dear Santa A Christmas show for ages 2 7, who can meet Santa in his grotto as well. Chichester Festival Theatre PO19 6AP £16 / half price under 16s box.office@cft.org.uk www.cft.org.uk

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

10th 23rd Dec 10:30 AM Green

Father Christmas This December the Weald & Downland are welcoming a very special guest Green Father Christmas. Weald & Downland Living Museum PO18 0EU 01243 811363 office@wealddown.co.uk www.wealddown.co.uk/events/meet green father christmas/

10/12/2022 11:00 AM The Nutcracker

Experience Day Go on a free Nutcracker adventure across the city of Chichester PO19 1LQ Chichester BID office@chichesterbid.co.uk www.chichesterbid.co.uk/christmas

12/12/2022 1:00 PM 4Sight Vision Support

Christmas Concert with Seaford College Chapel Choir. St Mary de Haura Church Shoreham BN43 5DQ £5 Fundraising Team 01243 828555 fundraising@4sight.org.uk www.4sight.org.uk/ fundraising events/

13th 17th Dec 10:00 AM Space to Make Festive

Tech Workshop This festive season get creative with tech to craft & personalise your own gifts at Colonnade House, Worthing BN11 3DH Paula Tollett 01903 221142 paula.tollett@adur worthing.gov.uk colonnadehouse.co.uk/

14/12/2022 6:30 PM Let Christmas Begin

Community Carols A Community Christmas Carol Evening on behalf of The Mary How Trust St Marys Church Pulborough RH20 1AF Lynda Vowles 01798 877640 www.maryhowtrust.org lynda.vowles@maryhowtrust.org

15/12/2022 6:30 PM Carol Service

Chanctonbury Lions Club in conjunction with local churches are holding a Carol Service The Square Storrington RH20 4DJ Phil Abbott 07503 219499 pkabbott1@tiscali.co.uk

15/12/2022 7:30 PM The Midhurst Society

Christmas event The Siena Singers entertain for Christmas South Downs Memorial Hall GU29 9DH £3 Tina Litchfield 01730 816542 tms@tinagavin.com www.midhurstsociety.org.uk

17/12/2022 9:00 AM Chichester Festive Family Day Enjoy a line up of music and entertainment to keep Christmas Spirits High in Chichester City Centre PO19 1LQ office@chichesterbid.co.uk www.chichesterbid.co.uk/christmas

17/12/2022 10:00 AM Willow wreath making workshop Get crafty with nature at RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £20.50 members and £25.50 Non members Lydia 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk events.rspb.org.uk/events/25302

21/12/2022 6:00 PM Petworth Late: Tree mendous Christmas Winter Solstice See the Christmas display in Petworth House out of hours on this winter solstice. Petworth House and Park GU28 9LR 01798 342207 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

03/12/2022 10:30 AM Parkinson's Support Group 1st Saturday every month support group for people with Parkinson's Washington Village Memorial Hall RH20 4AP £2 Gillian Chard 01903 746871 gillian.chard@btinternet.com

3rd Dec & 3rd Jan 6:45 PM Comic book club looking at graphic novels aimed at adults including literary adaptations, biography, history, journalism, travelogue, memoir, politics etc Private house Barnham PO22 0EF Paul paulw21erin@gmail.com 05/12/2022 8:00 PM Felpham Singles Social Club Social club for widowed, single or divorced of mature age. The George Inn Bognor Regis PO22 7PL Anne Cook 01243 821530 anniecook555@yahoo.co.uk www.felphamsingles.yolasite.com 06/12/2022 2:00 PM Windows 11 What's New? Pulborough Computer Club Pulborough Village Hall RH20 1LP Members £2 Guests £3 Chrissie chrissie@wisborough.com www.pcclub.org.uk 12/12/2022 7:30 PM Pulborough Meadows WI December Meeting A Talk by Katherine Minchin on Christmas Miscellany. A Quiz and Seasonal Refreshments. Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF Mary Walker mary.walker50@gmail.com 14/12/2022 7:30 AM Sullington Windmills WI December meeting Sullington Parish Hall RH20 3PP Erika Brichta 01903 742039 erikabrichta@hotmail.co.uk 17/12/2022 10:00 AM Sew What? Stitch Club A small and friendly, independent group run one Saturday morning a month for children aged 8 16. The Marriott Scout Hall Goring BN12 4NR £5 Liz Moon 07912 303367 yeworthing2000@gmail.com

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

Visit

Drinkcoach.org.uk

COULD ALCOHOL BE AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH?

Find out how risky your drinking is, access personalised advice online and find out where you can get support in West Sussex.

Take the 2 minute alcohol test today at DrinkCoach.org.uk Its free, quick and confidential.

Take the alcohol test at drinkcoach.org.uk

04/01/2023 8:00 PM Felpham

Singles Social

Club Monthly social club for single, widowed or divorced of mature age. The George Inn PO22 7PL Anne Cook anniecook555@yahoo.com www.felphamsingles@yolasite.com

COURSES & TUITION

04/12/2022 11:00

AM Nature photography safari

This workshop is designed for people who are looking for opportunities to photograph nature RSPB

Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £48.50 members / £60.50 non members Lydia 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk events.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

09/12/2022 9:30 AM Birding for beginners

Winter Wetlands Learn a little more about winter visitors at RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £20.50 for members and £25.50 for Non members Lydia Fletcher 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk events.rspb.org.uk/ pulboroughbrooks

EXHIBITIONS

01/12/2022 10:00 AM ‘Mavericks: gone AWOL’ A joint exhibition by Chris Dawson and Teresa two artists who share a tendency to break the rules and reinvent the traditions of painting and sculpting Martin Shoreham Art Gallery BN43 5WA shoreham.gallery@gmail.com 01273 272063 www.shorehamgallery.co.uk

1st 4th Dec 10:00 AM Elizabeth Mienert, Worthing Elizabeth's exhibition features watercolour sketches taken directly from her travel sketchbooks Colonnade House BN11 3DH Paula paula.tollett@adur worthing.gov.uk 01903 221142 colonnadehouse.co.uk/event/elizabeth mienert musing and meandering/ 13 24th Dec 10:00 AM A Festive Winter Pop Up Discover local art at the Festive Winter Pop Up at Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH 01903 221142 Paula: paula.tollett@adur worthing.gov.uk colonnadehouse.co.uk/event/a festive winter pop up More events on www.sussexlocal.net please contact event organisers to check for changes

20/12/2022 10:00 AM Walter Wall: Fragments

2 Local artist, Walter Wall is back with this latest collection of work at Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH paula.tollett@adur worthing.gov.uk 01903 221142 colonnadehouse.co.uk

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

1st 31st Dec 4:15 PM Christmas At Cowdray A magical mile long light art trail set in the grounds of the Cowdray Estate GU29 9AL £22 hello@lightuptrails.com lightuptrails.com

1st Dec 1st Jan 4:30 PM Glow Wild at Wakehurst The enchanting winter lantern trail is back at Kew gardens, Wakehurst Haywards Heath RH17 6TN From £14 / Children from £11 Under 4's free. glowwild@kew.org www.kew.org/wakehurst 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th & 18th Dec 9:00 AM EDGE Cracking Christmas Pop Ups Find pop up stalls from over 13 different Sussex makers at Edgcumbes Tea & Coffee Arundel BN18 0DF Molly 01243 555755 hello@edgcumbes.co.uk www.edgcumbes.co.uk

17/12/2022 9:00 AM Chichester Festive Family Day Enjoy a line up of music and entertainment to keep Christmas Spirits High in Chichester City Centre PO19 1LQ office@chichesterbid.co.uk www.chichesterbid.co.uk/christmas 26/12/2022 11:00 AM Morris Dancing and Mummers Play with Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men On Boxing Day there will be Morris Dancing and a performance of the ancient Steyning Mummers Play at The Castle Inn in Bramber (BN44 3WE) and then at the Frankland Arms in Washington (RH20 4AL) at 12.30pm Les Blows 07947 014630 lesliegblows@gmail.com

FILM

08/12/2022 7:00 PM Worthing Twinning Association foreign Film Evening The third foreign film in a series of alternating classics. West Worthing Baptist Church BN147LU £5 Christopher c.doidge@btinternet.com 13/12/2022 7:30 PM Rotary Film Night. Downton Abbey A New Era Starring Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery. Bar + Raffle Sullington Village Hall RH20 3PP £5 Ken 01903 740745 kandjcoll@btinternet.com

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

HEALTH & FITNESS

1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th Dec 9:30 AM Weekly Yoga Classes in Ashington with Manna Yoga Small, friendly personal Yoga Classes in Ashington Scout Hut RH20 3JX £9 per class Manna Bates 04477 98616821 mariannebates_@hotmail.com

5th & 12th 11:45 AM Wellness Yoga in Bury New Yoga Classes in Bury Village Hall RH20 1PA Wellness Yoga wellnessyoga332@gmail.com

HORSERACING

12/12/2022 10:30 AM Festive Raceday at Plumpton Seven horse races and Christmas fun Plumpton Racecourse BN7 3AL £16 01273 890383 racing@plumptonracecourse.co.uk www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk/events/ goodwin racing christmas raceday/ 20/12/2022 10:30 AM Festive Fun Raceday in Plumpton Seven horse races and festive fun Plumpton Racecourse BN7 3AL £16 01273 890383 plumptonracecourse.co.uk/events/ festive fun raceday

02/01/2023 10:15 AM Sussex National Raceday Enjoy the historic Sussex National. 7 races, live music, food & drink, Plumpton Racecourse BN7 3AL £17 01273 890383 racing@plumptonracecourse.co.uk www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk/events/ goodwin racing sussex national raceday/ MUSIC

02/12/2022 7:30 PM 60 Minutes of Classical Music A monthly 60 minute concert in Studio 1. Studio 1, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £6.50 Hazel hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk 08/12/2022 7:00 PM Blues rock artist Chanel McGregor and band tour vocalist and guitarist Chanel McGregor and her three piece band will perform at The Factory Live Worthing BN14 8BX From £16 Stephen sheldrakepr@gmail.com 07412 237772 www.thefactorylive.co.uk 15/12/2022 7:30 PM Dixieland/Trad Jazz Evening of Dixieland and Traditional Jazz with the Featherstone Jazz Four. DRNK Coffee House, Lancing Manor Leisure Estate BN15 0PH Derek 01903 249900 dglittle@ntlworld.com More events on www.sussexlocal.net please contact event organisers to

17/12/2022 6:00 PM Leconfield

Singers

Featuring ‘Little Jazz Mass’ by Bob Chilcott and other Christmas Carols St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAE £10 £20 (under 18s half price) Ruth treasurer@leconfieldsingers.co.uk www.leconfieldsingers.co.uk/events

SALES & MARKETS

3rd 23rd Dec 9:00 AM Chichester Christmas Market A 21 day Christmas Market offers an array of festive stands, gifts, food, drink & more Chichester City Centre PO19 1LQ 01243 641306 info@woodlandcrafts.co.uk www.chichesterchristmasmarket.co.uk

3rd & 4th Dec 10:00 AM Midhurst

Contemporary Craft Fair Contemporary Craft Fair with over 50 of the Sussex Guild members showing their crafts. Midhurst Rother College GU29 9DT £3 / Students free. info@thesussexguild.co.uk thesussexguild.co.uk 03/12/2022 10:30 AM Arundel Museum Winter Gift Sale Crafty, quirky, delicious Arundel Museum BN18 9PA Contact Museum Manager: office@arundelmuseum.org www.arundelmuseum.org 01903 885866

03/12/2022 2:00 PM Christmas Fayre 12th Chichester Scout Group HQ PO19 3AB 30p / kids free secretary@12thchichester.org.uk 07796 144541 www.12thchichester.org.uk

10/12/2022 9:00 AM

Pulborough Farmer's Christmas Market Christmas Special with usual produce and cafe.

Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF Terri 07711 470635 terriashpool@uwclub.net

15th & 22nd Dec 4:00 PM

Chichester Twilight Christmas Shopping With the Christmas Market and shops opening late, visitors can enjoy festive entertainment Chichester City Centre PO19 1LQ chichesterbid.co.uk office@chichesterbid.co.uk 19/12/2022 9:00 AM Arundel Farmers Market Stalls with fresh/seasonal produce Arundel High Street BN18 9AA arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk 24/12/2022 10:00 AM Cheeki Monkeys Big Baby & Children Market Buy and Sell Preloved Clothes, Toys and equipment; The Shoreham centre BN43 5WU £1.50 cheekimonkeys.co.uk

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

SUSSEX BUSINESS

1st Dec & 2nd Jan 12:00 PM Sussex Innovation Networking events Free series of events aimed at local businesses & entrepreneurs. The University of Sussex Business School Brighton BN1 9SN exteng@sussex.ac.uk

TALKS / DEMOS

02/12/2022 2:30 PM Margaret Watson harpist returns by demand Margaret Watson's demonstration of the harp with display and explanation Storrington Museum RH20 4LL £8 / £6 members storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com www.storringtonmuseum.com 01903 740188 06/12/2022 2:00 PM Arts Society West Sussex ‘Tchaikovsky to Tin Pan Alley’. Talk given by Sandy Burnett Fittleworth Village Hall RH20 1JB Free for members. Visitors welcome for £7 Jackie westsussex@theartssociety.org 01903 411086 theartssocietywestsussex.org

07/12/2022 6:00 PM Inaugural lecture from Professor Claire F Smith Professor Claire Smith explores lessons from the deceased, examining what motivates donors and why donors are still needed. Chowen Lecture Theatre, BSMS Medical Teaching Building Falmer BN1 9PX Professor Claire F Smith 01273 877579 C.Smith@bsms.ac.uk www.brighton.ac.uk 13/12/2022 2:00 PM Christmas a celebratory history Talk by Andy Thomas plus social gathering. Methodist Church Hall GU29 9DU £2 members, £3 visitors 3a 01730 816459 midhurstu3a@gmail.com midhurstu3a.org.uk 09/01/2023 7:15 PM 'The Red Arrows' A talk at Chichester Park Hotel Westhampnett PO19 7QL £8 David Batcock 07502 400657 david.airaces@hotmail.com 11/01/2023 10:00 AM How to start your family tree help with family and local history research. West Sussex Record Office Chichester PO19 1DD £7.5 01243 753602 record.office@westsussex.gov.uk www.westsussex.gov.uk/ro

THEATRE

/ PANTO

1st Dec 2nd Jan 10:15 AM Jack and the Beanstalk Fe Fi Fo Fun with this family pantomime full of magic, fun and laughter. Worthing Pavilion Theatre Marine Parade BN11 3PX Tickets from £10 01903 206206 boxoffice@wtm.uk wtm.uk/events/jack and the beanstalk the pantomime

9th Dec 2nd Jan 10:30 AM All New Adventures of Peter Pan With lots of audience participation and amazing special effects, this promises to be our biggest and most spectacular pantomime ever From £29 01293 553636 www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the hawth/whats on/all new adventures of peter pan 7th Dec 1st Jan 2:00 PM 'Beauty and the Beast' pantomime It's Panto time again, ‘Be Our Guest’ and join Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN for a ‘Tale as Old as Time’ £18.50 £20.50. Discounts for under 16s alexandratheatre.co.uk hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676

8th 31st Dec 6:00 PM Cinderella Panto at the Capitol Horsham Boasting a brand new set, spectacular sequences and a few new twists. This year’s traditional pantomime will sweep you off your feet and carry you to the ball! Capitol Theatre Horsham RH12 1RG. From £15 13/12/2022 5:00 PM The Nutcracker & The Mouse King A magical Christmas production from This Is My Theatre that all ages will love. St Nicholas' Church Bramber BN44 3WE £15 / £10 children info@thisismytheatre.com 07732 253311 www.thisismytheatre.com 17th Dec 9th Jan 7:00 PM The Wind in the Willows Chichester Festival Youth Theatre presents the classic tale of Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger. Chichester Festival Theatre PO19 6AP £10 box.office@cft.org.uk www.cft.org.uk 22nd 27th Dec 11:00 AM Aladdin Follow the story of Aladdin and Princess Jasmin as they embark on their true love story. The Brighton Centre BN1 2GR From £15 01273 290131 brightoncentre.co.uk/whats on/2022/aladdin

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

The Wind in the Willows

A Christmas cracker of a show at Chichester Festival Theatre

Chichester Festival Theatre’s Christmas show is an adventure through the Wild Wood in The Wind in the Willows ideal for over 7s. Playing from 17 31 December, it’s a fun alternative to traditional panto with a cast of over 60 young people between 10 and 21 years old in this professionally produced show.

Mole abandons spring cleaning his burrow and discovers the river where he meets Ratty, a water vole with a passion for boats. Soon the two are friends and settle down to life in Ratty’s riverbank home, surrounded by neighbouring otters, rabbits, fieldmice and hedgehogs.

At Toad Hall, Toad persuades them to join an excursion in a horse pulled caravan, only for disaster to strike when they are overturned into a ditch. Mole can’t resist another adventure, braving the Wild Wood to find the elusive Badger, who welcomes Mole and Rat into his own cosy home. Can the three save Toad from his terrible driving,

and defeat the hungry, wily weasels and ferrets?

The Wind in the Willows will be showing at Chichester Festival Theatre from 17th 31st December. Win a family ticket for 4, plus free ice creams, to the show on 20th December at 7pm.

Find out more at cft.org.uk/forfamilies

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

Dear Sussex Local. I much enjoyed your article on Sussex Cattle. My Great Great Grandfather was also an enthusiast of this breed and had a prize winning herd at Hugget's Furnace Farm, Mayfield. Unfortunately, unlike the Leconfield herd, his was sold in 1902. There is one thing on which Kier Hartley must have misheard or been let down by his word processer. Oxen were not shod with clay shoes. I don't think they would last very long. Oxen were shod with iron shoes called 'cues'. These were like half a horseshoe but smaller, two for each foot because of the cloven hoof. Also called Queues because two together resembled this shape. Oxen were not easy to shoe and had to be thrown and restrained. P.S. Hugget's Furnace was an iron works which gave rise to the couplet, 'Old Master Hugget and his man John. They did cast the first can on.' But that was some centuries earlier. Norman Allcorn, Findon.

We contacted Keir, who replies “It was great to hear from Norman, and to learn more about this interesting breed. I was given the information about the shoes during research. But my thanks for providing this extra information which I did not have at the time of writing the article”. Editor

The South Downs National Park has received a flat cash settlement from the Government of £10.486m in every year since 2019/2020 and this amount will remain the same until 24/25 the same cash funding over a period of six years at a time of rapidly rising costs for all services. Inflation continues to erode this sum, meaning we continue to have to make cuts in delivery as well as seeking alternative funding.

Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel & South Downs, has been reappointed City Minister and Economic Secretary to the Treasury in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Government reshuffle. The MP will be responsible for a wide ranging brief including regulation in the finance sector, access to cash and introducing legislation to make the UK a more competitive place to invest.

West Sussex County Council reports that for the year to April 2022 its renewable energy systems generated more than 16,000 MWh of clean electricity for the grid, which is enough to power more than 5,500 average UK homes. This prevented 3,700 tonnes of CO2te being released

into the atmosphere compared to generating the same amount of electricity from fossil fuels. By selling much of the electricity to the grid and making use of its batteries at Westhampnett solar farm, the County Council earned more than £2.5 million after running costs. This is helping to offset, but not completely cover, the increase in the authority’s own energy bill.

West Sussex County Council are warning consumers to be wary of online scams during the busy Christmas buying period. Tips are available from www.getsafeonline.org/buyingonline

Katy Bourne, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner reports that, following the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) pledge that police officers will attend all home burglaries, Sussex Chief Constable made this commitment two years ago . Ms Bourne will be probing further into the Force's response to tackling burglary, robbery and acquisitive crime

People with Down syndrome who are 30 years old or above, and have a GP based in West Sussex, are being invited to come forward for a healthy brain assessment. During the assessment they will be asked to carry out some fun activities, like puzzles and tasks, when their memory is at its best to help identify if there are any changes as they get older. For older aged adults with a learning disability the team is offering a dementia assessment. People interested can find more information on the website: www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/service west sussex community learning disability teams

Charity 4Sight Vision Support is getting ready for Christmas with its annual Christmas Concert and Grand Draw, as well as providing its supporters with card and gift ideas. Proceeds will help the charity in its work supporting blind and sight impaired residents of all ages throughout West Sussex. Their events are in the What’s On section, and for further information and to purchase draw tickets call 01243 828555 or visit their website at www.4sight.org.uk.

Community stories are printed free of charge. Please email us your stories via: info@sussexlocal.net

Charity & Community News

A27 Bypass additional consultation

The Highways Agency say that they have made changes to the scheme design including further mitigation to traffic levels through Walberton and they would now like to present those changes and gather feedback on them.

Until 16th December 2022, there is a Supplementary Consultation.You can take part in the online or at one of the following events:

Saturday 3 December 2022, 10am to 4pm

Arundel Town Hall, Maltravers Street BN18 9AP, Monday 5 December 2022, 11am to 7pm

Fontwell Park Racecourse BN18 OSY

Saturday 10 December 2022, 10am to 4pm

Walberton Pavilion The Street, BN18 0PJ

All consultation documents will be also available to view at the following locations throughout the consultation period:

Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton BN17 5LF. Mon Fri 9am 1pm and 2pm 4pm

Arundel Town Hall, Maltravers Street, BN18 9AP. Mon to Fri 9am 1pm

Arundel Library, Surrey Street, BN18 9DT. Mon Fri 1pm 5pm, Thu Sat 9am 1pm

County Hall, Chichester, West Street PO19 1RQ. Mon Thu 8:30am 5pm, Fri 8:30am 4:30pm

Fontwell Park Racecourse, BN18 OSY. Mon Fri 9am 5pm

South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, GU29 9DH. Mon to Thu 9am 4:30pm, Fri 9am 4pm

Walberton Parish Office, The Street, BN18 0PJ. Tues 9am 12pm, Thu 9am 12pm

Worthing Library, Richmond Road, BN11 1HD Mon Fri 9am 6pm, Sat 9am 5pm

www.nationalhighways.co.uk/our roads/south east/a27 arundel bypass/

© Highways Agency

Charity & Community News

Children’s charity Christmas cards

The 2022 Sussex Snowdrop Trust Charity Christmas cards are now available to buy. Six festive designs (4 exclusively designed for Snowdrop).

Packs of 10 cards from just £3. Order online at www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com, or call 01243 572433 or pop into their Walberton office to collect William Booker Yard, Walberton, BN18 0PF. Snowdrop supports families with very sick children at home, through community nurses, care assistants and counsellors.

Chichester Christmas market

returns

East Street and North Street in Chichester city centre will be abuzz with festive cheer again as Chichester District Council welcomes the return of the Christmas Market from the beginning of December Organised and managed entirely by Woodland Crafts Events Management, the council is delighted to welcome the market back once more with much valued co operation from the Chichester BID team.

The market will be open daily beginning between Saturday 3rd December and Friday 23rd December. Mon Sat 9am 5.30pm, Sun 10am 4.30pm, with 7pm closing on Thursday 15th and 22nd. www.chichesterchristmasmarket.co.uk

Charity Christmas tree recycling service

Would you like to have your Christmas tree collected and recycled by kindly volunteer elves after Christmas? No hassle for you, no needles in your car, St Wilfrid’s Hospice volunteers collect your tree from your front garden in early January and take it away to be recycled into chippings and mulch! All you need to do is make a donation to support people with a life limiting illness in your community. Book online at www.stwh.co.uk/christmastrees

St Wilfrid's Christmas Cards

The hospice has a range of 18 Christmas cards on sale. They say that to keep their cards sustainable, they now use card wallet style packaging and

have no foil or plastic on them to make them better for the environment. You can shop for Christmas cards and 2023 diaries in their charity shops or online www.stwh.co.uk/online shop.

Rotary bridges the generations

It is often said that the generations don’t communicate well with each other, perhaps this has been a long held view.

For some years now, Chichester Priory Rotary has been working to change this, holding regular monthly meetings with young people within the community. Rotarians Judy Shaw, John Bumfrey, Catherine Cunningham, Mike Harvey and his wife Susan have been active to great effect, and this has been well received by everyone. Mike said “The project started in 2013 and was aimed to alleviate loneliness and isolation in the Chichester Community. The older adults have a fun day out helping students understand their world and the students get valuable practice in communication skills and gain experience and knowledge coming from two generations away.

If you want to share in this contact Mike or Susan on 01243 697186, or for further information secretary@chichesterpriory.org.

Could you be a charity trustee?

St Wilfrid’s Hospice is looking for Trustees to join the Board. This voluntary role is rewarding and interesting, and allows you to use your skills to support a local charity. To find out more, visit www.stwh.co.uk/vacancies/trustee

Impact Initiatives

Supporting people living in Sussex to live healthy & fulfilling lives

Sussex Charity Impact Initiatives was founded over 40 years ago and has, CEO Caroline Ridley tells me, supported the people of Sussex to reach their potential and live healthy and fulfilling lives ever since.

“‘Nothing quite like this has ever happened before’ were the words of the then Chair of the County Council as he addressed a conference at the University of Sussex in September 1977.” Caroline explains, “The reason for this conference was to explore the idea of creating a charitable body that Sussex could truly call its own through the participation and cooperation of different churches, voluntary organisations and the local councils.

“In the collaborative world we work in today it is hard to believe that those bodies coming together at that time was a first. The organisation that was borne out of that conference to ‘fill the gaps’ and ‘help the needy and dispossessed’ (not words we would now use) remains today as Impact Initiatives.”

Now working as an independent charity, Impact Initiatives supports over 8,000 people each year, through a team of over 90 staff who are in turn supported by a team of volunteers. The charity works with people of all ages across Sussex, the services are varied with a common thread of helping people to live healthy and fulfilling lives and reach their potential.

Workability supporting people with disabilities into employment for over 25 years

One of a number of services aimed at Adults and Older People the Workability scheme has, Caroline Ridley explains, an expert team helping people with disabilities and carers to identify their specific skills and ambitions and match these to employment opportunities. “They then help people through the job search, application and interview processes and into employment that is realistic, focussed on their abilities, enjoyable and a positive experience.”

“They told me I would never walk again but Heather at Workability had faith in me, not only that I would walk again but that I could work again” Workability user.

Additionally, Caroline Ridley says, “Impact’s West Sussex Advocacy services have given people a voice since 1994 when the Grayling Well Hospital (now one of Chichester’s newer housing developments) closed, moving its longterm residents into their own homes.

“We worked with 21 adults many of who had lived in the hospital for many years to ensure their voices were heard and they had choice in where they moved on to.” Since that time Impact has ensured that 1,000s of people with disabilities have had a voice in what matters to them including where they live, the support they receive and how they live as parents. The focus is on empowering and enabling people to speak up and live the lives they choose. Information on Advocacy referrals can be found on Impact’s website.

Developing services to increase skills and,

reduce

loneliness and isolation

Caroline Ridley tells me that over the years, Impact has continually developed services as the needs of local people have changed and this

was particularly apparent over the last few years when services had to be quickly developed through the Covid pandemic. Key being the ability to, “Provide and teach people how to use IT so they could maintain contact with [us], other support and their friends and family. Isolation was a huge issue for many and for more so for many people with disabilities as this was compounded by additional vulnerabilities, issues with getting out and about and less people being able to visit them.”

This allowed Impact’s teams to keep in touch online and ensure vital support was in place and also to help groups set up online peer social groups, so they could support and give each other company. Some of these groups including the Self Advocacy groups for people with Autism, continue online as they became a key part of people’s lives and continue to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Impact’s Aspie Trainers offer training sessions to improve services for people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs); offering a range of training sessions to suit the needs of any team, organisation or individual working with, supporting or working alongside autistic individuals. During

Covid, the Impact team quickly redesigned their training, so this could be delivered online.

Other services include Ageing Well a programme of services and activities for those aged 50+ living in Brighton and Hove, including support and information for people living with dementia, and Food Services working to make sure that nobody in Brighton and Hove has to go without food.

45 years on from that original conference Impact continue to ‘fill the gaps’

Caroline says, “We are now very excited to bring one of our longstanding Brighton based

every month

services to West Sussex. Our Stopover supported housing service for young women currently provides a home and expert support for 45 young women across nine houses, two of these for young women and their babies. The service is unique providing a pathway from 24 hour support to just an hour a week as young women move through our houses and on to living independently. We have a track record of successfully supporting the most vulnerable and troubled young women through giving them a home where they feel safe, often for the first time in their lives and consistent expert support based on understanding the trauma they have experienced.”

“Stopover is the first place I have lived where I feel I am safe and belong. They have taught me it is OK to cry and be angry and helped me managed how I feel. I kicked against all the rules they have at first but now I am the one telling girls who move in that the rules are there to keep us all safe and because they care about us”.

Over the last year Impact has worked with the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) Leaving Care Team and will be opening its first house in West Sussex later this month with four young women

already waiting to move in. “We are looking forward to welcoming them and helping them to make our house into their home and continuing to work towards our aim for Sussex people of all ages to reach their potential whilst living healthy and fulfilling lives.”

After school play for children along with a safe space for young people

In addition to Stopover, other services for Children and Young People include Whitehawk After School Project (WASP), which provides an Ofsted registered after school club and holiday play schemes at City Academy, Whitehawk where the skilled team ensure the club is nurturing, inclusive and fun. And a Young People’s Centre (YPC) in Brighton a safe space where the Impact team works alongside other organisations to provide a one to one and group sessions.

Impact are funded through a range of grants and donations, if you would like to find out more about the charity’s work or are able to support through a donation or by running a fundraising event. Contact: Impact Initiatives, 19 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XA. Tel: 01273 322 940 or visit www,impact initiatives.org.uk

By Lynn Smith

Slade - win tickets for Southampton show!

A blend of perfect rock’n’roll, outrageous flamboyance & pure fun

world. They are firm favourites on the lucrative German festival scene and undertake an annual UK "Merry Christmas Everybody" tour in December. They have a huge following of fans and regularly play concert dates across Europe.

Win a pair of tickets to Slade at Engine Room in Southampton on Tuesday 20th December 2022. Tickets available at www.premier.ticketek.co.uk

Slade Without doubt one of the most exciting bands to come out of Great Britain in the past 50 years. With their unique blend of perfect pop rock'n'roll, outrageous flamboyance and pure fun, and no less than 23 Top 20 singles of which 6 were No 1 smash hits… plus 6 smash albums, Slade have become a firm favourite in the hearts of pop fans all over the world.

Slade first hit the road in 1966, touring throughout Great Britain and Europe and becoming a regular concert . Slade have continued to tour the

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas & tasks

by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens

Designing your own Rose Garden

Roses have been in cultivation since 500BC in the Mediterranean, Persia and China though they first appeared on earth about 50 million years ago. In China they symbolise eternal Spring and longevity, in Persia beauty and perfection and in the West they have been associated more with the Goddess Aphrodite and love.

There are over 300 species and today there are tens of thousands of cultivars so when you design your rose garden this Winter you are adding to this great tradition. Today’s species roses mainly originate from 18th Century China.

Type of Roses

A typical Rose garden will consist of Hybrid Teas, bush roses and climbing roses, with some taller ‘lollypop’ standard roses. Hybrids have more of that perfect single stem rose that are favourites of weddings whereas modern shrub roses are floribundas with more open flowers and often repeating during the season.

Ramblers are used more for outbuildings and large walls, or grown up the trunk of feature trees. They normally just flower the once, but ‘Phyllis Bride’ and ‘Malvern hills’ are repeat flowerers.

The Rosa rugosa family are bullet proof and great for hedging, planting as a backdrop or in a shrub border.

Type of rose garden

First you need to decide if you want a formal rose garden, or something more integrated into

the rest of your planting. A formal rose garden is often contained with geometric shaped evergreen hedging and apart from some minimal undercover flowers, the main interest is the roses. Because in Winter a rose garden is quite barren, this is normally a good choice for the larger garden.

Integrated rose design uses roses amidst other planting. In the 70’s a front garden had a rose, then a shrub and then a rose and then a tree. These days a lot of people want a more wild contemporary setting for their roses, mixing them up with ornamental grasses, perennials, wild Geraniums and Dahlias.

Colours

Because roses come in all colours except blue, colour combining is an easy art form with a

broad pallet to choose from. You can opt for clashing colours, or go for more harmonious colour schemes like pastel oranges and yellows, purples, pinks and whites, or pure single colour swathes of red, or white or lilac. Scent

David Austin categorises the smell of roses into 5 scents: Myrrh, Musk, Old Rose, Tea rose (meant to smell like a freshly opened pack of China tea eg Rosa Harlow Carr), and Fruity.

Underplanting

To maximise your garden space and to provide contrasting or harmonious colours, you can underplant roses with Geraniums, Lavender, Salvias, Campanula or even Penstemons and of course Summer bulbs likeAllium and Camassia. Gypsophilia Baby Breath is lovely as is Perovskia.

Conditions

The soil is really important. Roses like well drained, slightly acidic rich soil, and though I have seem them survive on clay, which they like because of the mineral content, they prefer a good loam. If you have the luxury of preparing the bed from scratch, lots of compost dug into

the soil will be welcome, and manure (horse manure from a stable, where Hydrated lime is used to counteract odours, can eventual make the soil slightly alkaline). They prefer to be sheltered from contact with strong winds and like mulch to keep the moisture in the soil in Summer. They will need at least 5 6 hours of sunlight each day. You can however get roses that will tolerate, grow and flower on a North facing wall such as Rosa Generous Gardener.

Planting Roses

Once again, there are lots of videos online. At lest 60cm spacing is needed as they need a good amount of air circulation to avoid mildew building up on their leaves and in the soil. Buying roses can be done anytime but over winter they can be purchased as ‘bare root’ which means they are dug directly out of the fields. They tend to be stronger and about 30% cheaper.

What to do in December

Check your local Christmas Fairs. Horsham Sunday Christmas market, plus the Ukfield Festival of Christmas, Arundel by Candlelight and ice skating at the Pavillion in Brighton are just a few ideas.

December tasks

• It’s the right time to plant trees and hedges taken straight from the field. As with the roses, they are normally called ‘bare root’ as opposed to ‘container grown’.

• It is still ok to order and plant bulbs. The soil is still very warm even if the air isn’t.

• You can prune heavily sapping trees like Birches now and Grape vines before the winter sets in.

• Harvest the rest of your root crops and lift and store your Dahlia, Canna and Ginger Lilly bulbs.

• Don’t worry if your garden looks messy. The more mess the better for wildlife that needs a place to hide away during the winter.

• Continue to rake up leaves and store them separately from the summer’s grass clippings as they need a different process to break down quickly.

Ice skating at Pavillion in Brighton

The 'harsh' bathroom environment

By Nick Roberts RMR Group

It’s easy to forget just how harsh the environment can be on your bathroom. Large temperature swings combined with steam and condensation relentlessly target the nooks and crannies hidden around the room, and it’s this daily ritual that means bathrooms are usually the first rooms to require a renovation.

Getting inspiration for the refurb is the fun part. Design trends have been changing recently for many years now, white sanitary ware, a grey theme with chrome was the norm, but now we’re seeing more matt black and brass fittings with vintage furniture that provide that opulent feel becoming popular. This new trend includes warm, earthy colours that emphasise natural materials and an organic feel. And with so many professional images online and on social media, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s an easy job to replicate.

But getting that showroom quality is easier said than done. Dipping your toes into going DIY can be a slippery slope to disaster, and that’s after

you’ve wrestled with the soil pipe you never wanted to touch in the first place!

Ultimately, what we all want is space we can relax in, space that we can enjoy and a space where we’re the ones getting hot and steamy, not the bathroom walls!

With bathrooms, there’s a mix of science and art to get that photo quality you’ve been getting your inspiration from. And it’s the experienced professionals that have a habit of getting the delicate balance of style and practicality just right. Available space, room shape, lighting, sanitary ware choice and design are all key components that interact with one another and drive the all the decisions and details that experts understand.

If you’re looking to reinvigorate your bathroom, just give your local expert a call and they’ll be happy to help.

www.robertsmillerredshaw.com

Lakeview Grange

A new care home coming to Chichester

First residents set to move in soon

Lakeview Grange care home will soon welcome its first residents, transforming a site that has been many months in development to a warm and hospitable care home.

Lakeview Grange will provide residential and respite care and support people living with dementia, offering a ‘home from home’. People living and working at the care home can enjoy facilities and be involved in social activities mirroring interests and hobbies. There’ll be an opportunity to watch a movie in the cinema, be pampered in the hair and beauty salon or relax in a comfortable lounge. Bedrooms will be comfortable, light and spacious with a walk in shower room and furnished with older people in mind. There’s a limited number of care suites with an en suite bedroom and separate lounge with kitchenette ideal for people looking for space and independence.

The Chef and team provide a dining experience where mealtimes will be a highlight of the day as people come together to socialise and enjoy dishes. They’ll create nutritionally balanced menus to reflect preferences and will include adventurous and traditional recipes. Homemade bakes will be on offer. There is a private dining room for special occasions that residents can enjoy.

They have a community aiming to build people’s abilities and experiences so they live fulfilled lives.

Part of an Award Winning group

Lakeview is part of the Cinnamon Care Collection, recognised by Carehome.co.uk, leading UK care home review website, as a ‘Top 20 Large Care Home Groups’. Awards are based on reviews from residents and friends and relatives. With over 17k care homes in the UK caring for about half a million people, being selected is a big honour.

For more information about their limited Pre Opening Promotion at or to book a tour of the Show Suite, call Jackie on 01243 684 215 or email lakeview.enquiries@cinnamoncc.com

Windows to increase property value...

& improve efficiency by Helen Say

Here’s a list of latest developments that you may want to consider when renovating your home.

Frameless structural glazing As the glass used is thicker and stronger you do not need framing systems to help support the installation.

Floor to ceiling windows Help bring the outside in. Particularly popular in kitchen designs, flooding the space with natural light. Plus the reduced lighting load cuts down on utility bills.

Structural glazing Describes glass that is integral to the design of a building. It involves large glass panels, which usually bear some weight in the structure. Can include sliding glass doors, roofs, extensions, entrance ways and canopies, Coloured frames Give great flexibility in personalising your home, perhaps in a shade which will complement the existing architecture and stay in keeping with surrounding homes

Glass canopies Attractive, yet highly practical architectural feature typically located over a building’s entrance. Made from toughened glass,

and more than capable of withstanding a build up of snow.

Solar control glass A hi tech product with a metallic coating applied to one side allowing light to pass through the window while radiating and reflecting away some of the infrared part of the sunlight itself. Helps the indoor area to stay brighter and cooler than with plain glass.

Energy efficiency The more efficient a window is, the more it will help to keep the heat in your home and save you money on your energy bills. The BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) rate the thermal efficiency of windows from A to G, with A being the most efficient. To meet “Energy Saving Recommendation” certification, the windows must be C rated at the very least.

Wild winter wonderland!

By Rob Yarham, RSPB Pagham & Medmerry

The days are getting much shorter now, and it’s time to get ready for Christmas. You’ve been busy sending cards, finding presents, sorting out the festive menus and looking forward to seeing friends and family. And you’ve even started the advent calendar! But Father Christmas isn’t the only visitor from the far north to drop by this time of year.

If you intend to enjoy a fresh winter walk at RSPB Pagham Harbour and Medmerry reserves this month, you won’t see a reindeer (roe deer, maybe) or hear sleigh bells, but you will experience the wonderful sights and sounds of our wintering waders and wildfowl the many water birds, ducks and geese that have flown thousands of miles from the Arctic to spend the season with us. But why have they come all that way? Well, it might seem a bit chilly to you and me, but compared to the conditions in the Arctic, it seems positively Mediterranean to these visitors from the cold and, at this time of year, the continuous darkness of the polar north. And our reserves are packed with lots of the special types of food these birds like to eat. So what might you find at our RSPB reserves over Christmas and the New Year?

Let’s start with two of the wader species you’re most likely to see. Black tailed godwits are large wading birds, rather plain grey above and pale below at this time of year, with long legs and long, straight bills, which they use to fish in the pools of water and mud for invertebrates, including worms and snails. Although we do have some black tailed godwits which breed in the UK, they fly south to Africa for the winter; the black tailed godwits you see here now will have come from the land of ice and fire Iceland!

At the other end of the wader scale are the dunlin. These common, small waders are about the size of starlings and are short and round, with brown grey backs and pale bellies, and short, slightly down curved bills. You’ll see them flying or running around in large flocks, digging their little beaks in the mud, looking for molluscs, worms and small crustaceans. Our winter visiting dunlins will have flown all the way here from Scandinavia and Russia.

Then we have the many ducks and geese species which come to stay through the winter.

RSPB Pagham Harbour and Medmerry reserves are nationally important sanctuaries for these birds at this time of year. The wildfowl are also drawn to our food rich wet fields, saltmarshes and muddy harbours and estuaries. The ducks include wigeon, teal and a nationally important number of the rather smart looking northern pintail duck. I often think that the sound of hundreds of ducks whistling at dusk on the marshes is one of the most atmospheric sounds of the winter. It’s worth staying out and braving the colder, darker winter evenings to hear them!

Finally, this month is a great time to look for the brent geese for which our reserves are famous at this time of year. Our smallest goose about the size of a mallard duck they nest on the boggy tundra in the Arctic during the very short summer in the far north, and begin to arrive on our coasts in large flocks from early October onwards. In the UK, we mostly see two forms of Brent geese. Pale bellied Brent geese nest in Svalbard and Greenland and mostly spend the winter in northeastern England and in Ireland. While in East Anglia and here on the south coast, we see flocks of dark bellied brent geese, which nest in eastern Siberia and fly about 3,000 miles each year to spend the winter with us. When here, they divide their time between feeding on eelgrass in estuaries and the Solent at low tide and feeding, and roosting in the coastal fields at high tide. Look up to see flocks of these small, dark geese fly out to see and back again, calling softly to each other. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the team at RSPB Pagham Harbour! Join us on one of our guided walks this month to learn all about our wonderful wintering waders and wildfowl! Find out more by visiting our website or call 01243 641508.

www.rspb.org.uk/paghamharbour

Wintering flocks of brent geese credit: Andy Hay

Easebourne C of E Primary School

School council, poetry by heart & Pallant House gallery

Our school council is busy working alongside our four house captains to explore the idea of ‘courageous advocacy’ it’s big idea for young children, but a really important one for us this year. Our children are passionate about the injustices they see in the community and the wider world around them and they want to be part of the change that makes a difference.

We are working together to discuss the key issues that the children really care about and these are local, national and global concerns. The list is long and so far includes loneliness, hunger, homelessness and issues surrounding the environment and sustainability. Once they have agreed on four, our house captains will each take one to champion over the year. And, as a school, we will work together with them to try and make a difference, through fundraising and by giving the children a chance to have their ideas and hopes for change heard.

We have just launched this year’s Poetry by Heart competition; all children from Reception to Year 6

choose a poem to learn from memory just before half term. They will recite them to our wonderful panel of judges in a couple of weeks’ time and they will select those children who have done well enough to be put through to the regional finals. Last year we had a national winner and the year before a national finalist so the children have been working hard and are hoping to build on that success again this year.

Squirrels have been out to Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, spending an amazing afternoon creating their own art works inspired by artist Joe Tilson. We have bought some second hand picture frames and have created our own art gallery in school to display the children’s work.

Midhurst C of E Primary School

School trips, forest school & Sumdog West Sussex maths contest

As usual, we have had a busy term at MPS so far. Lots of classes have been out and about on trips to learn from first hand experiences and to enjoy the many features of living in the heart of the South Downs.

Years 1 and 2 have been on two trips so far this term. They have been to visit Pizza Express at Haslemere, making their own margherita pizzas and learning about the history of pizzas. They donned their chef hats to knead the dough, make their pizzas and add their toppings. We then returned to school to enjoy eating the pizzas!

The Key Stage 1 children have also had a brilliant day at Goodwood Home Farm, learning about where our food comes from. They had a tour of the farm, saw the cows being milked, learnt all about organic farming and even churned their own butter.

Our Year 3 and 4 children have been on a trip to Coultershaw Heritage Site where they saw a working beam pump and an Archimedes Screw, made and tested boats, identified creatures

from the river and then created their own from clay and followed the Wind in the Willows trail. It was a brilliant day with lots of learning and seeing the beam pump in action was a real wow moment.

This term, Years 4 and 6 have been having their Forest School sessions. So far they have cooked popcorn, hot dogs and damper bread along with the usual marshmallows and s’hmores with hot chocolate. The children have also experienced whittling, weaving, den building, fire lighting, clay modelling and playing games in the woods.

Years 3 and 4 took part in the Sumdog West Sussex maths contest. The children had to answer 1000 maths questions each over 7 days which they did both in school and as part of their homework. They amazingly, Year 3 came 1st overall and Year 4 came 2nd!

www.midhurst primary school.co.uk

Caroline Hulbert, Deputy Headteacher. www.easebourne.w sussex.sch.uk

Midhurst Rother College

Beyond the classroom

time Local Schools 35

students at Midhurst Rother College with opportunities for wider life experiences on offer for all to take advantage of.

Music and theatre featured strongly with 250 students from across the College venturing out and about for performances. Key Stage 3 students visited Chichester Festival Theatre to see Famous Five the Musical, Key Stage 4 travelled to The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton to see An Inspector Calls supporting their study of this for GCSE English and Key Stage 5 music students took a trip to the famous Glyndebourne Opera.

For some this was the first educational visit during their time at the College, for others their first since Covid and for some their first ever visit to the theatre. All thoroughly enjoyed their chosen

With Yapton Lane, Walberton, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0AS

back in full swing, Walberton Place Care Home Our family, caring for yours Walberton Place Care Home provides the highest standards of familyled residential and dementia care. Our home is luxurious and beautifully furnished, whilst retaining a warm family atmosphere that makes Walberton Place feel extra special. • Warm inclusive family atmosphere • Person-centred dementia care • Daily fine dining To find out more about life at Walberton Place contact our Customer Relations Manager Monica Winnett on 07568 128 209 or email monica.winnett@countrycourtcare.com

been an • Spacious en-suite bedrooms • Café, pub, cinema & hair salon • Landscaped gardens

performances, enriching their time at MRC. Upcoming for the music and drama departments, is the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. A spectacular concert like no other where full scale symphony orchestras are showcased alongside some of the best young jazz bands, chamber groups, bands and singer songwriters from across the UK.

To support their studies, Year 10 and 12 textiles students took a trip to the Knitting and Stitching Show Trip to Alexandra Palace, which brought together hundreds of workshops, demonstrations, interactive features, professionally curated textile art galleries, as well as leading specialist suppliers. The visit provided inspiration and ideas for upcoming projects for their GCSE and A level studies and resources.

Winner: Denny Rose from Chichester. 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

October anagram solution: JOURNEY Send the answer above to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter details online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 31st Dec 2022. Sussex Local may wish to keep in touch with

Prevention is better than cure!

5 ways to prevent scratches by ChipsAway

How to avoid paint scratches

Finding a scratch on your car can be an unpleasant and upsetting experience. However, there are some simple ways to avoid scratching your paintwork. Here are a few tips:

1. Park Cautiously To avoid suffering a paintwork scratch in a car park, always park within the white lines, avoid parking near trolley parks and park away from other cars if possible. Plus, park your car in a safe location during the day and at night.

2. Drive Carefully Low hanging tree branches and overgrown hedges on narrow country roads can scratch your vehicle. To avoid this, always allow enough room when driving on narrow lanes or near low hanging trees and reduce your speed when driving past any object that could potentially scratch your car.

3. Hand Wash Car Always try to hand wash your vehicle and add a car wax to help prevent scratches. Car wax smooths the paint’s surface, which will reduce the friction between road debris and your paintwork.

4. Paint Sealant Supagard is just one of many paint protection sealants that protect the car’s paintwork by creating a tough polymer barrier. Unfortunately, paint sealants cannot provide protection against vandal scratches or car parking mishaps but they do provide protection against UV rays, road salt and even acid rain.

5. Repairing scratches like it never happened Unfortunately, not all scratches can be avoided, and if a mishap does happen, repair specialists, such as ChipsAway, can repair the damage so it’s ‘like it never happened’. Many specialists can come to you at home or work and some specialists operate from conveniently located fixed base Car Care Centres. Call 0800 145 5118 or visit www.chipsaway.co.uk/free estimate/ for free no obligation repair estimate.

Brandied Raspberry Meringues

Cook time: 1-2 hours, makes - 12 Ingredients -

• 3 large free range egg whites, at room temperature

• 1heaped tsp cornflour

• 1tbsp vinegar

• 200g caster sugar

• 150ml double or whipping cream

• 1 2tbsp brandy

• 100g raspberries (or other fruit of your choice)

• 2 3 brandy snaps, broken up Method

1 Have ready at least two baking trays covered with non-stick baking parchment or tray liners. Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/gas Mark3.

2 Whisk the whites until stiff, then gently whisk in the cornflour and the vinegar. When stiff again whisk in half the sugar until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Now carefully fold in two thirds of the rest of the sugar slowly and gently to keep the volume and stiff texture.

3 Spoon the mixture into a large piping bag with wide star nozzle. Pipe about 12 nests keeping the sides as high as possible.

4 Place in preheated oven but reduce the heat immediately to 160C/300F/ gas Mark 2. Bake for at least one hour, reduce the heat if they are browning too much.

5 Leave them in the cooling oven if you like them slightly crisper. Leave to cool.

6 Whip the cream until softly peaky, then gradually beat in the brandy with remaining sugar to taste. Spoon a little into the base of each nest. Fill with raspberries and finish with pieces of brandy snap.

Cookery Courses for all Why not give a Voucher for the perfect gift? Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

Sticking to the rules over Christmas

By Heather Smith

A different approach to eating over Christmas Christmas happens once a year, and my usual advice is that a couple of days off plan won’t make a huge difference to the results you see in the long term. This said, a lot of us find that this approach makes it hard to get back on plan again afterwards. So, I thought I’d share a trick I use with my clients to come up with a different approach to eating over Christmas. This is not about denial or willpower, it’s about planning and pre deciding how to approach Christmas rather than finding yourself continually inhaling Quality Street’s then feeling guilty afterwards.

We eat for reasons other than nutritio and it’s reasonable to want a few glasses of wine and off track foods over Christmas but how much is acceptable to you? Decide while you’re in control, rather than in the heat of the moment. Maybe you would feel like you found the right balance if you had two glasses

of wine at each social event, and none when you’re at home. Maybe you have a weakness for mince pies and want to have a one a day over Christmas. The key thing is to remember this “rule” you’ve made for yourself and stick to it.

A ready made plan for better decision making Clearly this approach isn’t a long term solution to getting, or staying, in shape but it gives you a good place to work from without either depriving yourself or completely going off the rails.

I think if we can play by a set of rules all the time, it makes it easier to tighten the rules back up again afterwards. It is also much easier to follow through on a plan you’ve already made, than it is to put the brakes on in the heat of the moment. Your logical self can make better decisions than your ‘heat of the moment’ self. I’d love to hear how you get on with this, slightly unusual, approach to staying on track over Christmas (you can also use this approach for holidays, or any time) please do send me a note!

www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

Sussex Walks - December 2022

Please note that any walks with duration of 90 minutes or more are not accredited by The Ramblers but are managed by Chichester District Council. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the walk, the walk will leave on time. 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 District Council Website or call 01243 521041 www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart

Fri 2nd 10.30am Goodwood to East Dean

L: Jane 6 Miles 3 hours A hilly walk through woodland and fields, taking in the village of East Dean. Meet: Counters Gate Car Park Goodwood. Mon 5th 1.00pm Midhurst & Iping

L: Sandy 5.5 miles 2.5 hours Interesting terrain of Heathland, Pine Forest & Commons. A mostly flat walk. No dogs please Meet: Iping & Stedham Car Park

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 1 mile 30 mins

Tues 6th 10.30am Christmas Walk & Lunch Lunch at Billy’s on the Beach, Bracklesham Bay. Please email health@chichester.gov.uk for further details & booking form

Wed 7th 10.30am Climping

L: Dominic 2.5 miles 1hr 15mins Gentle stroll along dunes and beach to Climping Mill, then across fields to the Yacht Club Meet: Arun Yacht Club Car Park, Rope Walk, Littlehampton, BN17 5DL

Mon 12th 1pm Angmering Park

L: Sandy 5 miles 2 hours

Fairly level terrain with great views from Patching Hill. No dogs Meet: Car Park in Butler’s Copse

Wed 14th 10.30am Cocking

L: Alison 6.5 miles 2.5 hours A lovely ramble along the paths of West Dean woods. A moderately strenuous longer walk Meet: Cocking Hill car park (nearest postcode GU29 0HT)

Fri 16th 10.30am Festive Nature

L: Elinor 1 mile 1 hour Encounters on the Common. A gentle, relaxing and festive walk around the beautiful heathland Meet: Iron Hill car park, which is just south of Liphook on the Midhurst Nearest postcode GU30 7LP Sat 17th 10.15am Graylingwell

L: Sarah 1.25 miles 40 mins

A flat walk at a gentle pace, enjoying the history of Graylingwell Park and surrounding areas Meet: Outside the Pavilion glass building looking onto Havenstoke Park

Mon 19th 10.30am Fishbourne

L: Ian 2.6 miles 75 mins

A leisurely circular, flat walk but has some stiles Meet: Fishbourne Center Car Park, PO18 8BE, off Blackboy Lane

Tue 20th 10.30am Middleton Beach

L: Peter 3 miles 1.5 hours

A flat walk along Middleton's shoreline and through Elmer woods. Maybe muddy in places Meet: Free car park just off Elmer Road in Middleton village by the Jubilee Hall and playing fields

Wed 21st 10.30am Stansted Forest

L: Peter 6.5 miles 3 hours

A more strenuous longer walk with great views taking in Rowlands Castle Meet: Stansted House Car Park, PO9 6DX

Wed 28th 10.30am Compton

L: Alison 6 miles 2.5 hours

A good walk along lanes and through woodland and fields. Two up hills and one stile Meet: Compton Recreation Ground Car Park

Fri 30th 10.30am Iping & Chithurst

L: Jane 6.75 miles 3 hrs

Several stiles and hilly in places. A pleasant walk with lovely views. No Dogs Meet: Outside the Hamilton Arms Stedham, GU29 0NZ

Chichester myths

By local historian Andrew Berriman

Falsehood or truth?

I call them Chi myths. There are rather too many of them. It is sometimes hard to work out which facts about the city’s history are correct, and which are falsehoods. Maybe I should be more charitable, and call them mistakes or unintentional errors, rather than deliberate lies. Of course they aren’t that. No doubt those who say or write them believe they are true. And so these myths get lazily passed on, by word of mouth, or written in books. With constant repetition and re assertion these Chi myths become accepted as fact, the gospel truth, even though they are not. Whenever I come across a sentence in a local history book that begins with “It is believed that” or “It is thought that” or “The story goes that”, my heart sinks and my hackles rise in expectation of yet another myth about to make a regrettable appearance, and in need of being challenged.

Myth of Earl Roger de Montgomery

Let me give you a prime example. After the Normans, led by Duke William, had defeated the Saxon king, Harold, at the Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066, large amounts of land in Sussex were granted by William the Conqueror, now King of England, to Earl Roger de Montgomery. He who built the wooden castle in Chichester in about 1070, and the larger stone castle in Arundel, which became his main stronghold, and which still stands to this day. In book after book about Chichester it is stated, often in the first paragraph of the first chapter, that King William gave this land to Earl Roger in recognition of his great military prowess on the battlefield that day at Hastings, where he supposedly commanded a division of French mercenaries with much expertise. However, the stark and simple fact is that Earl Roger did no such thing, because he wasn’t even there. In fact he’d been left behind in Normandy. Duke William had great trust in Roger, so instructed him to assist the Duke’s wife, Matilda, in governing Normandy during her husband’s absence. Earl Roger did not actually step foot in England, or Sussex, until November 1067, long after the battle had been done and dusted. A classic Chi myth.

Myth of the French prisoners of war

The oft repeated tale that hordes of French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic Wars constructed local buildings such as the Barracks on the Broyle

in 1803, and that long flint wall which still surrounds Goodwood Home Farm estate. Again, this is not true. These prisoners were kept under close guard, far from Chichester, either in Portchester Castle or old hulks in Portsmouth Harbour. They were never allowed out, unsurprising as they were enemy prisoners, nor did they build the stables and riding school at Itchenor for the 3rd Duke of Richmond in 1787, as stated in a book about Birdham, for the simple reason that Britain wasn’t at war with France until at least five years later!

In Search of Chichester

To challenge myths such as these I decided to write ‘In Search of Chichester’. In the book, which is illustrated in full colour, I’ve attempted to provide 50 answers to 50 questions about the city. Examples include: Should Bishop Wilfrid really be called a Saint? Why is the Vicars’ Close no longer a Close? Why isn’t Priory Park called Friary Park? Why is the city’s Coat of Arms in North Street incorrect? Why isn’t county cricket played in Chichester? Why is the Market House wrongly called the Butter Market? Plus many more. It’s available from Kim’s Bookshops (in Chichester and Arundel), the Novium Museum in Chichester or from me (andrew.berriman@gmail.com / 01243 528845). It will make a good Christmas present for friends and family. It has 192 pages, 204 illustrations and costs £15.

By local historian Andrew Berriman

“Here be I, Old Father Christmas”

By David Johnston

Christmas always reminds me of the old Sussex Mummers play: the “Tipteers” during which, a well known figure dressed in brightest red costume announces “In comes I , Old Father Christmas, be I welcome or be I not.”

A farmhand, known as Mr Foard, aged about 40, revived in 1911, the ancient “Tipteers”, in which he took the part of Father Christmas. His version of the play was handed down to Frank Dawtrey, a carter of Chithurst and Iping, and with this the gang of Tipteers went out each Christmas to perform in large country houses, either in the Servants Hall, or at the hands of the Master and Mistress themselves. The number of visits and the hospitality provided, made it a matter of some self denial on their part to keep sober enough to perform the play at the last house.

The Great War came, and the old Tipteers Fiddler, Mr Sharp, being one of the fortunate ones, returned, and eventually settled in Chichester. Here in 1927 he set up the Boxgrove Tipteers; they carried on the old tradition.

And so it was, that on searching in 1991, for surviving members of this old Sussex mummers play, I discovered (the now late) Harry Gilbert, aged 90; the very last member. He was one of the “Boxgrove Tipeers” in 1927 and recalled with vivid accuracy, the folk drama in which he took part in those bygone years.

“The Boxgrove Tipteers performed with enthusiasm” he chuckled. “And it was our determination that proved to be the key to the success of the play in those early years. We performed in a number of large country houses in the area, and were eagerly awaited during the long winter months. We would proclaim our arrival with the expected beating of drums, and much joyous singing: “We come, we come, we merry, merry, come. Sound, sound yer trumpets and beat yer, beat yer drums.”

Among the many venues the Tipteers performed were Petworth House, Arundel Castle, West Dean House, and the Royal Albert Hall in

London. There, it was reported in 'The Times', “The distinctive singing of the Boxgrove Tipteers must be selected for mention,” whilst an old shepherd who had accompanied them to the Albert Hall, greeted their return to the high up seats with; “Very good. It rattled up here something beautiful.”

During the winter months the Tipteers often met at the Anglesea Arms, Halnaker, to learn their old Sussex songs over a beer and pipe of tobacco. The fiddler Mr. Sharp and Harry, who played the accordion, acted as accompaniment to the melodious singers, who rehearsed consistently until note and word perfect. Harry Gilbert was also substitute for the 'Noble Captain' and all other parts in the play, which numbered six characters in all.

He can recall the excitement they caused in many of the remote villages, where the only outside entertainment was the arrival of the Tipteers and their play. The children were often so excited on hearing the singing of the Tipteers as it drifted from the Downs on their approach that they flocked from their gardens with hoots and shouts of glee, gathering round them to look in wonder at their painted faces, and to admire their bizarre costumes.

These costumes took shape from the slender means available. A few garments were 'handme downs' from father to son, such as the ancient smock of Harry's brother, also a member of the Tipteers. It was said to be 100 years old in those days, when he inherited it from his father, a Sussex shepherd, as was his father before him. Old Harry Gilbert, with his soft speech and long accurate memory recited to me the many verses that made up the Tipteers Play. His memories are all that remains of a tradition which spanned hundreds of years. For these old customs are of a time now forgotten in the rush of this modern age.

David R.G. Johnston: Sussex author: photographer and Artist. www.davidjohnston.org.uk or email: johnston.david.rg@gmail.com

Harry Gilbert, last of the Sussex Mummers

Chichester City Council

Public question, Business Plan & twinning link

Edited extracts from draft minutes of the Council meeting on 28th September 2022.

Public Questions Question received concerning minutes of Planning & Conservation meeting 18 Aug item 62 regarding 'Speed reduction on the A27'. "Members concerned there was insufficient data in report; confused about recommendations and pointed out changing speed limit on A27 before limiting speed on roads in city centre which would drive more traffic at higher speeds through the city."

1.What data do Members require to lift concerns?

2.What is confusing about recommendations?

3.What is the basis for asserting that changing the A27 speed limit would drive more traffic at higher speeds through the city?

Response from Committee Chairman:

1.Item was important and want it back on the Agenda with more information to inform response.

2.Discussed National Highways data and WSCC information they wished to see on reducing speed from 70mph to 50. Report on the subject had no clear recommendations.

Midhurst Town Council

3.Changing A27 speed before limiting city road speedwoulddrivemorehighspeedtrafficthroughit Business Plan Working Group Complete framework for Business Plan by May 2023 elections.

• Plan’s focus should be on city and residents.

• Business Plan would incorporate aspects of Neighbourhood Plan as both projects developed, as well as interfacing with Local Plan.

• Ideas put forward at Business Plan away day would be incorporated if thought to be relevant.

• Creating structure for Business Plan and ensuring that success of Plan could be measured.

• Business Plan to be practical and about actions to enact visions in Neighbourhood and Local Plan. Speyer Twinning Link City of Speyer, Germany, voted to form a twinning link with Chichester. Expressed that City Council should investigate making someone responsible for managing City Council’s twinning and friendship links to ensure consistent and joined up working. Resolved to accept recommendations to establish twinning link with Speyer. www.chichestercity.gov.uk

Christmas street party, farmers & artisan market & new sign

Parking is available at North Street Car Park and Grange Road Car Park. This event will be followed by our monthly farmers and artisan market on Saturday 3rd December from 9am to 2pm, in Midhurst's historic Market Square and Old Library. More information is available by visiting our website.

Midhurst Town Council are pleased to announce that the second phase of a three year project, to erect a new sign at the northern gateway to the town, has been completed and the corten steel sign, depicting a mass of trees, is now in situ at the entrance to Midhurst.

Midhurst Town Council are preparing for the annual Christmas Street Party, a popular event that is due to take place on Friday 2nd December between 5pm and 8pm. Late night shopping will be available in all of our fantastic Midhurst independent retailers, as well as a thriving artisan market inside The Old Library. There will be a Santa's Grotto, live entertainment, fairground rides and a wide range of food and drink.

The next phase will include structural planting around the new sign to make the entrance attractive for residents and visitors and will take place in the coming months. Midhurst Town Council would like to thank Ecoscapes, Tara Signs, Chichester District Council and South Downs National Park for their support in the project. www.midhurst tc.gov.uk