Sussex Local Magazine - Chichester/Midhurst FEBRUARY 2023

HELLO!

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

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

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

What’s On - February/March 2023

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

CHARITY

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

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

CHILDREN'S EVENTS

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

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

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every Mon, Wed & Fri Various times West

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

Every Wed 11:30 AM Wednesday Lunch Club

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

Every Wed 7:00 PM Worthing Short Mat Bowls Club West Park School Worthing BN12 4HD Betty Potts 01903 260218 bobetty_highsalvington@yahoo.co.uk worthingshortmatbowls.weebly.com/#

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

COMMUNITY

17/02/2023 6:30 PM Worthing Climate

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

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

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

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

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

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

COURSES & TUITION

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

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

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

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

EXHIBITIONS

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

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

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

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

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

16/02/2023

2:00 PM 'Journey to the Stars' in Bognor Regis A blend of puppetry, storytelling, live music & comedy. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £8.50 Hazel Latus 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

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

FAYRES & FETES

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

08/02/2023 7:30 PM

Rotary Film Night in Storrington

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

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

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

GARDENS & HORTICULTURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

MUSIC

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

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

07/02/2023

2:00 PM 2 O'Clock Club in Bognor

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

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

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

Every Mon 8:00 PM Fernhurst Choral Society

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

SALES & MARKETS

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

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

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

Local growers, bakers, meat, poultry, flowers, plants and food and drink makers Arundel BN18 9AA www.arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk 18/03/2023 9:30 AM Cheeki Monkeys Big Baby & Children market Buy or sell used babies' and children’s toys, clothes and equipment. The Shoreham centre BN435WU £1.50 Delphine www.facebook.com/Cheeki-Monkeys-BrightonBN2-and-Shoreham-by-Sea-107135655022217 delphine.cheekimonkeys@gmail.com

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

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

Avisford Park Hotel

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

TALKS

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

03/02/2023 2:30 PM A walk around the Cathedral City of Chichester An illustrated tour and talk of Chichester & its history, buildings, architecture and Cathedral. Storrington Museum RH20 4LL £8 01903 740188 storringtonmuseum.com

07/02/2023 7:30 PM Worthing Antique, Arts & Collectors' Club Talk on the History of Crown Jewels. Field Place Worthing BN13 1NP £7.50 Andrew Pescott 07984 403890 worthingantiqueclub@yahoo.co.uk www.worthingantiqueclub.com 13/02/2023 10:00 AM The Arts Society, Steyning “All Done On Ginger Beer” by Sarah Benton. The Steyning Centre BN44 £10 donation for visitors steyning@theartssociety.org www.theartssocietysteyning.org.uk 20/02/2023 11:00 AM 'Promise of Snowdrop' at Denmans Gardens Visit and Talk Denmans Gardens Fontwell Lucy Ashworth 01243 572433 office@snowdroptrust.com

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

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

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

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

THEATRE

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

24/02/2023 7:00 PM The Alex Comedy Club in Bognor Regis age guidance - 16+. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £10.50 Hazel Latus hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk 28/02/2023 7:30 PM Henry V in Worthing Witness Henry’s bombastic pursuit of power, in this highly acclaimed co-production of Henry V by Shakespeare’s Globe and Headlong with Leeds Playhouse and Royal & Derngate at Connaught Theatre BN11 1LG wtm.uk/events/henry-v

Lingerie to love!

Pay a visit to Smitten Chichester this Valentine’s Day

from 28A to 46K and we specialise in fitting ladies who have previously struggled to get their size right. We spend a lot of time sourcing lingerie brands and up and coming designers to bring you the best lingerie on the market which offers great support but without losing out on the prettiest and most beautiful designs.”

Their passion, says Rachel, is to help people feel amazing! She continues, “Our mission is to get everyone in the right fit. Whether you have a daughter that needs a first bra fitting, or if you would like a size or style check or if you are looking for a sports bra or swim fit or something to go under that tricky outfit, we can help.” Other services include maternity/feeding bras, post surgery bras (there is a specialist breast care fitter instore), and also bridal lingerie.

A correctly fitting bra can make you feel more comfortable, look better in your clothes and also give you a big confidence boost says Rachel. “Come and see us and find out why Smitten Lingerie to Love is so highly recommended.”

59 North Street, Chichester PO19 1NB 01243 816667 www.smittenl2l.co.uk

Facebook and Instagram @smittenl2l

Friendly lingerie shop, Smitten Lingerie to Love, is based in North Street Chichester. The experienced team provide a unique consultation and fitting experience that centres around you as an individual with the aim of finding you the perfect bra - not only in fit but also style and shape. The Smitten team, headed up by business owner and local resident Rachel, welcome you into a relaxed environment and the approachable staff use all their expertise to find you something that meets all of your specific needs. Rachel told us, “We are here for youany size, shape style and for whatever life event, we really can cater for all! Our sizes range

Sussex Walks - February 2023

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

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

Wed 1st 10.30am

Houghton Forest

L: Alison 2.5 hrs 3 6 miles

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

Fri 3rd 10.30am Burpham & Wepham

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

Every Mon 10.30am Chichester Canal

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

L: Sarah 30mins 1 mile

L: Sandy 2.5 hours 5 miles A farm track leads up to a very peaceful walk up through the Charlton Forest Meet: Corner of Singleton Road & North Lane, Charlton Wed 8th 10.30am Goodwood Counters Gate L: Bruce 2 hours 4 miles Ascent: 150m. Woodland walk through Goodwood Country Park and up the Trundle for the views Meet: Goodwood - Counters gate car park. (Nearby postcode PO18 0QE)

Mon 6th 1pm Charlton Forest

Thurs 9th 10.30am Lurgashall

L: Richard 2 hrs 15 mins 5 miles

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

Sat 11th 10.15am Graylingwell

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

Tues 13th 1pm Kingley Vale

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

Thurs 16th 10.30am Tillington’s Mini Stately

L: Gerald 1.5 hours 3 miles A lovely walk via the Tillington vineyards & then to see the outside of Pitshill House. Dogs welcome Meet: The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF. Gerald 07748 597 568. Sun 19th 10.30am Slindon Woods

L: Dominic 2 hrs 3.5 miles Lovely views. Generally flat, gravel path. Some muddy areas and short inclines. Last ¼ mile uphill Meet: National Trust car park, Dukes Road, Slindon

Mon 20th 10.00am Lavington Common

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

Wed 22nd 10.30am City Walls

L: Ian 1 hr 15 mins 3.25 miles

A gentle walk, along the wooded Centurion Way and Oaklands Park Meet: The western end of Westgate, near Bishop Luffa School Bus turning circle

Thurs 23rd 10.30am Plaistow

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

Fri 24th 10.30am

Stansted: Walk

L: Andrew 2 hrs 4 miles East to Watergate Hanger, then coffee Meet: Stansted House Garden Centre car park PO9 6DU

Tue 28th 11am Midhurst Jubilee Walk

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

No one is perfect all the time!

By health coach & trainer Heather Smith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remember consistency is more important than perfection

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

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

In Your Garden

Monthly gardening ideas & tasks

by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens

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

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

Clearance

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

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

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

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

Pruning

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

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

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

February - Invest now for summer returns

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

Evergreen shrubs and hedges can be pruned now.

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

Moving and planting

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

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

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

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

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

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

Protection

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

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

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

Where to go in February - Garden inspiration

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

Don’t forget your home this Valentine’s!

By Nick Roberts RMR Group

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.robertsmillerredshaw.com

The UK Housing Market in 2023

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

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

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

Is it all gloom and doom?

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

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

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

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

What about first time buyers?

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

Helen Say, freelance copywriter

Was Pallant House a Jacobite symbol?

By local historian Andrew Berriman

little or no evidence exists to support this assertion. I ought to have written about him in my recent book, ‘In Search of Chichester’, about these ‘Chi myths’.**

The Jacobites were supporters of James Frances Stuart, the King of England from 1685 to 1688; Jacobus was Latin for James. In 1688 he had been deposed from the Crown and forced into exile abroad. Jacobites wanted to restore him to the throne of England, as the rightful King, despite his Catholic faith, which had made him unpopular with many in England. Jacobites opposed the rule of the Protestant, William of Orange (1689/1702) from the Netherlands, who had married James’ daughter Mary. They also opposed King George I (1714/27), the Elector of Hanover, a German who spoke little English, and spent most of his reign in Hanover. The Jacobite cause gained most support in Scotland, with two Risings, in 1715 and 1745 against the Hanoverians. The first was in favour of James Stuart, ‘The Old Pretender’, and the second in support of his son Charles, ‘The Young Pretender’. The rebels reached as far south as Derby, causing much panic and alarm. Many Tories, who supported the Stuarts, drank treasonable toasts, drams of whisky, to ‘the Prince across the water’. So what has all this got to do with Pallant House, built in 1712? It is remarkable in so many ways. With its seven bays and two storeys this huge red brick structure must have dominated the Pallants when first built. The flight of steps, set well back well from the pavement, was a statement in itself, as were the wrought-iron gates, railings and tall gate piers with those pesky stone birds atop them. They later were to give the house its nickname, ‘Dodo House’. They were supposed to be ostriches, a pun on the house-owner’s surname, Peckham.

It is this chap, Henry Peckham, on whom I wish to focus. He is often referred to as ‘Lisbon’ Peckham, being an importer of wines from Portugal. Actually this may be another Chichester myth, as

In all honesty Peckham was a bit of a rogue and a bounder. His father died in 1700, heavily in debt. Henry married in 1711, aged 28, and used much of his wife’s substantial dowry of £10,000 to build Pallant House. The quality of the workmanship is stunning, particularly the brickwork. The bricks are a warm red, almost vermilion colour, thanks to the presence of iron in the local clay. The red-rubber bricks are made of highly refined clay to make them softer and suitable for carving. The window heads are in gauged (or shaped) bricks, and cut back in a recessed curve to resemble softly draped curtain pelmets. Quite stunning. Of great interest are the thirteen emblems carved, again in brick, on the central keyblocks above each window, to represent Royal Families. The lower three windows are each topped with two Fleurs de Lys (France), two Thistles (Scotland) and two Roses (England). Above them are two tulips (House of Orange) and an exquisitely carved Harp (Ireland). But the remaining four are all Oak Leaf with Acorn, the symbol of the House of Stuart. Was Peckham showing his allegiance to the Jacobite cause? It’s quite possible, as he was known to be a strong Tory. There are other local instances of possible Jacobite treason, such as the nearby Charlton Hunt, which may well have been a cover for aristocratic plotting in the 1720s by Jacobite sympathisers.

** ‘In Search of Chichester’, £15, Kim’s Bookshop, South St., Chichester.

Pallant house

Harp

Oak Leaf and Acorn

Okinawa: The last naval battle of WW2

Precise, factual appraisals of each stage of the naval encounters during the battle for Okinawa in 1945. An unbiased account written soon after the battle by a naval officer for other naval officers, with detailed information in the deadly kamikaze attacks on Allied warships It reveals the enormous logistical effort involved keeping the Allied ships in theatre and in action. Including an account of the Battle of the East China Sea. The Allied warships included those from the United States, the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Describing the last naval battle of the Second World War – one that may also prove to be the last ever battle at sea between waring nations.

Worthing author, John Grehan has written, edited or contributed to more than 300 books and

magazine articles covering a wide span of military history from the Iron Age to the recent conflict in Afghanistan. John has also appeared on local and national radio and television to advise on military history topics. He was employed as the Assistant Editor of Britain at War Magazine from its inception until 2014. John now devotes his time to writing and editing books. Available to buy from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

Plan for the inevitable Community Interest Company offering legal services in Sussex

Making a will is something many people will put off, not wishing to think about later life and death. It is important to remember, however, that when a person dies intestate (without a will) the rules of intestacy will designate how the estate will be allocated and this may not be in accordance with the deceased's wishes and can lead to disharmony and acrimony within families.

Ensuring affordability for low income families

If cost is a worry then Sussex Wills CIC could provide an answer as Radford Chancellor explained to Sussex Local that they offer a range of highly affordable services including single and mirrored wills, trusts, Power of Attorney, Probate and legacy planning. Being a “not for profit” Community Interest Company means that 70% of profit is reinvested in their community interest activities. For those in financial hardship or with a terminal prognosis, a free will writing service is available. Radford is fully aware that some legal services are simply unaffordable to some low income families and he feels strongly that the

establishment of this social enterprise will go some way to address this inadequacy so that crucial guidance to complicated issues will become more readily available.

Estate Planning Practitioners

Sussex Wills he confirmed are full members of the Society of Will Writers and Estate Planning Practitioners and are regulated by them. They aspire to their objectives of advancement, education and ethical standards within the Estate Planning Practitioners profession. In today's society, divorce, remarriage, children and step children can have a pivotal affect on families so the importance of making suitable arrangements for the future is paramount.

Outside of his business, Radford enjoys cycling, skiing, cooking and is an active member of the historic House Association.

Sussex Wills CIC 0800 8870475 sussexwills.org

Radford Chancellor

The ghost of St. Andrew’s church Didling

Part 2 by David Johnston

The fundraising vicar of St. Andrew's Church, Didling, sent a true account in 1943, of his own experience to the Sussex County Magazine –entitled: ‘The Ghost Voice of Didling’. “The church of Didling, near the northern slopes of the Downs not far from Midhurst, is credited with a ghost – or at least a ghostly voice. The late. Rev. W.W. Whistler recorded an experience of the phenomenon. “One Sunday afternoon,” he wrote, “I was taking the afternoon service. There was only a handful of worshippers, all adults, and to my astonishment I heard, as I thought, someone singing in a high-pitched soprano, almost like a falsetto, but very pure, and in tune with the hymn. I was much puzzled, as it was impossible for anyone present to have such a voice. I heard it two or three times for a line or two of the hymn, and then no more. The organist (since left) was delighted I had heard it, as she had done so several times. I have never heard it again, but two others, both at the harmonium, have heard it and told me afterwards.” The inevitable volume of publicity that this strange story eventually achieved proved worthwhile, for sufficient funds were made available in 1945, to repair the damaged roof and crop the yew tree. The workmen were sent out to lop the offending limbs, but due to a misunderstanding, they began to cut the whole tree down. (A deep notch cut out of the lower section of this old yew tree, can still be seen.) Luckily, a local farmer caught them in the act and the tree was spared. St. Andrew's church is almost entirely Early English, dating from the first part of the 13th Century, although undoubtedly it stands on far more ancient foundations. This is testified to by traces of Norman or Saxon work incorporated in the building, and in particular by the Saxon font, hewn by

hand from a block of Bracklesham Stone, and one of the oldest in the country. The black oak benches are Pre-Reformation, of early 15th Century workmanship. They are almost certainly of village craftsmanship; some sections being pitted and gnarled with age: yet too, worn smooth as glass by the thousands of hands that have brushed over them. To run fingers over these time polished seats, puts the visitor as it were, directly in touch with the past; for such ancient worthies as widow Goldock, or farmer Smythe, who lived some five hundred years ago, may well have occupied the very same bench, that is now

The two above mentioned disciples of long ago, were indeed, both natives of Didling; the pair of them having no doubt been born in the village –both certainly died there – their last will and testaments proving the profound faith that they had in this tiny church. Says Joane Goldock, who died in 1532, “my body to be buried within the church of Didling, before Our Lady’s alter. Item. I bequethe unto the church of Saint Andrew of Didling, ¾ [three farthings] and a torch.” The other will, made by Robert Smythe, farmer, who died in 1544, says “I bequeath my body to the churchyard of St. Aundre of Dedlinge.” So, old farmer Smythe, along with his family, would it seems, have regularly attended the weekly services: his troop of farmhands, may well have had to show their presence on Sundays too; the only exception to the rule being the shepherd – his work will have kept him for most of the year, up on the downs. This is certainly the reason why so many generations have labelled St Andrew’s, The Shepherds Church.

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

Oak Seats - Didling church

The Font - Didling Church

Tips to prevent invalidating your insurance

By Geoff Cudd, Find The Best Car Price

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

Not de-icing your car properly

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

Snow on the roof

Insurance loopholes for low temperatures

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

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

Leaving your car whilst de-icing

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

Geoff

Cudd

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

Flavoursome overnight oats

A healthy breakfast to keep you fuelled for the day

Ingredients - Serves 1

• 1 medium banana, mashed

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

• 125ml ‘Susana& Daughters’ kefir milk

• 1 tsp Sussex honey

• 40g jumbo oats

• ½ tsp ‘Carla’s seasoning’ ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

• 3 walnuts, roughly chopped

Method

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

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

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

Hollies Top Tips-

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

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

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

A desire to create

Art Classes for all skill levels in West Sussex

New art classes for the New Year

Artist Leticia Silva dos Santos based in Midhurst hosts new workshops every month with different class subjects and mediums. Leticia’s classes are for those who need guidance to get started or improve their art, and Leticia hopes to inspire people in her classes to “tap into their inner creativity”. Leticia’s plans for 2023 include introducing new shorter courses.

Drawing hands, feet and faces

In Leticia’s classes, every student comes away with unique artwork as they are taught how to draw what they see, not just copy it.

Leticia’s pride in her teaching comes from when her students’ gain more confidence with each class and when they overcome an element that they struggled with before.

Many people struggle drawing body parts such as hands, feet and faces. Leticia teaches her students her trick to mastering these elements that makes drawing them much easier.

A love of teaching Leticia tells Sussex Local that she has been establishing her own art practice since she completed her BA in Contemporary Arts at Bath Spa Uni back in 2018. She discovered her enjoyment of teaching art when she got a job leading a drawing class at the V&A in 2019.

The pandemic interrupted this and Leticia made the decision to move out of London in 2020. She started her business, Art Classes in West Sussex, in Midhurst in August 2022 with classes in Chichester hopefully starting this year.

When she’s not teaching students how to improve their art skills, Leticia also enjoys a walk in the woods and perusing charity shops.

artclassesinwestsussex.eventbrite.com leticia_artist@hotmail.com

The Wellderness C.I.C

Improving people’s lives through nature by Lynn Smith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Working to create a 1,000-year legacy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Queen’s Green Canopy Tree of Trees

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

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

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

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charity & Community News

New homes for Eastergate

Housebuilder Miller Homes Southern has been given planning permission to build 67 homes at its newest development, The Paddock, in Eastergate. The six-acre site will deliver a selection of one, two, three and four bedroom energy-efficient homes. 30% will be affordable housing, providing a mix of rented, shared ownership and First Homes. The new neighbourhood is the first in the region that will deliver properties to buy under the First Homes scheme, the Government’s new scheme to offer discounted home ownership for first time buyers.

Make a Will Fortnight

There is still time to sign up to Make a Will Fortnight from 20th February – 3rd March and have your Will written or amended by a local solicitor, in exchange for a donation to St Wilfrid’s Hospice, to help them continue to deliver care to our local community. stwh.co.uk/MAWF

St Wilfrid’s Moonlight Walk tickets available

St Wilfrid’s Hospice is offering earlybird tickets for their much-loved in memory event, the Moonlight Walk on June 17th. Ticket prices in February are £10 (adult), £5 (child) and £25 (family), after which they will go up to £18, £12 and £45 respectively. Book tickets here: www.stwh.co.uk/moonlight

Want to take part in the Great South Run?

St Wilfrids has a number of places available for the Great South Run on the 14th-15th October 2023. These exclusive spaces are available at a discounted rate of £25, with a suggested minimum fundraising target of £200. Call 01243 755184 or email fundraising@stwh.co.uk

Charity & Community News

Chichester will host a fringe festival in June Applications are now open for a new season of fringe events in Chichester. Chichester Fringe is playing host to a series of theatre and comedy nights, spoken word, dance and music performances in local spaces throughout the community from 1st to 18th June 2023. Performance spaces will include more traditional venues as well as cafés and local entertainment hotspots and will include a popular canal boat. One special aspect of Chichester Fringe is that no fee is required to take part. The organisers are looking for passionate performers of all backgrounds and experience, to take part. Theatre companies, comedians, spoken word artists, dance groups, musicians and solo performers are encouraged to apply before the end of March at www.chichesterfringe.co.uk.

175th anniversary celebrations, and the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, the builders merchant planted 175 beech trees at Selhurst Park near Chichester in November. The company, which has depots on Station Yard, Bognor Regis and Quarry Lane, Chichester, also gave £5 for every purchase during its annual Help for Hospices charity week last year, raising over £32,000 for hospices in the south, including St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

MP welcomes Chichester College investment Gillian Keegan, the Member of Parliament for Chichester and the current Education Secretary has welcomed news that the Government will be investing almost £6 million in Chichester College Group as part of efforts to boost skills training across communities. This new funding will mean providers can invest in state of the art facilities,

Chichester City Council

Planning Applications

Edited extracts from draft minutes of Planning and Conservation Committee meeting 10th Nov 2022.

Applications for Planning Permission:

CC/22/02382/FUL - 23 Lavant Road PO19 5RA

- Redevelopment with creation of 5 flats, parking, landscaping and associated works. (Variation 20/03226/FUL - entrance gates alteration, landscaping, fenestration alterations, grey timber detailing, additional roof light, balcony alteration).

Objection for the following reasons:

- Alterations affect appearance of building. Gable window replaced with full width glazing. Wooden porch replaced by cast iron. Timber painted grey.

- Ground floor flat to be 2-bed, new double doors to access side of property from main bedroom, close to bin store. Security issue and proximity to neighbour risks amenity being affected.

- Third bedroom in flat with limited space and no access to garden or balcony. Study in formerly open space. Utility and bathroom extended into rear roof spaces. Additional rooflight windows.

- Rear garden to be laid to lawn, with trees removed and wildflower meadow no longer provided.

- Change front gates height and design from 1.5m open top design to 2m closed boarded style.

CC/22/02401/FUL - 1 Whyke Lane PO19 7URDemolish Christian Science Society church, erection of building to accommodate community facility, 16 apartments, communal facilities, associated access, car parking and landscaping. Objection for the following reasons:

- Removes a community use building without appropriate replacement or justification.

- Proposed room is small and inappropriately sited within retirement apartment building.

- Design includes dead frontage across building and undercroft parking. Scale, bulk and busy design of building would harm conservation area.

- If approved, condition relating to archaeological investigation works be applied to preserve heritage.

- Food production must be allowed to continue. www.chichester.gov.uk

Petworth Town Council

2023/2024 Budget and Interim Internal Audit

Edited extracts of draft minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee 15th Nov 2022

2023/2024 Budget - Chairman presented first draft of 2023/2024 budget, advising that taxbase for 2023/2024 hadn’t yet been received.

• Committee considered budget and agreed to establish whether Council would enter the In Bloom competition in 2023.

• Grounds maintenance budget lines may change following upcoming review of specification and tendering of contract.

• Asked Clerk to include £20k CIL award for sports & recreation equipment in the budget.

• Asked Clerk to consider if budget should be included for potential redevelopment of Market Square & review of Neighbourhood Plan.

• Clerk to request inflationary increase on funding provided by Chichester District Council to contribute to cemetery grounds maintenance costs.

• Resolved to set up a £5k ear marked reserve to mark Coronation of His Majesty in Petworth.

• Salary, pension & HMRC budget lines may change after review of Clerk employment T’s&C’s.

• Clerk to update draft budget and circulate it to committee for review prior to next meeting.

Interim Internal Audit - Noted interim internal audit report and considered 3 recommendations:

R1) Give consideration to confirming Council’s continued eligibility to use General Power of Competence and readopt at Council Annual Meetings.

R2) Clerk/RFO and Members must ensure that Notice of Exercise of Public Rights is published for a period of 30 days, as required.

R3) Encourage Council to seek financial advice on protecting public funds under its management and consider alternate investment opportunities like CCLA Public Sector Deposit Fund.

Committee noted recommendation 2 and 3 and agreed it was actioned having resolved to invest £20k in a 1-year bond. Include agenda item regarding recommendation on 1st Jan 2023 Full Council meeting. www.petworth-tc.gov.uk