Sussex Local Magazine - Chichester/Midhurst MARCH 2023

& Chichester Local

Win!

Tickets to Sunbirds at Southampton p14

Books: The Magic of Misty Nook p47

Death in a time of Conspiracy p4

Mar

2023

CHICHESTER | MIDHURST | PETWORTH | NORTHCHAPEL | DUNCTON

Local news & features through the door every month to 13,288 homes via Royal Mail

OUTTAPUFFDADDYS

Dad dancing for mental wellbeing

REVAMP

Spring Gardening

INSULATE

To reduce bills

CARS

Options for '23

PAST TIMES

200 year old beech tree

Bignor military hospital

...PLUS charity walks, property

health & wellbeing

prize crossword

young readers’ puzzle

business directory

HELLO!

Springisfinallyhere–orisit? AccordingtotheMetOffice, “meteorological”springstarts on1stMarch,butthe“vernal equinox”isnotuntil20th March.

Thismonthourcharityfocusis onthebrilliant“Outta Puff Daddys”.Startedasajoke,the BrightonDadsdancegroup championmentalwellbeing whilstnottakingthemselvesat allseriously.

Anddon’tforgetthatthe clocks“springforward”on Sunday26thMarch.British SummerTimewasbroughtin duringtheFirstWorldWarin 1916toconservefuelby lengtheningthedaylighthours oftheworkingday.Ifwekept toGreenwichMeanTime,it wouldbelightat3amanddark by9pmintheheightofthe summer.

So,let’sforgetaboutthatlost hourofsleepandlookforward tolonger,lightereveningswith moreopportunitiestoget outsideandenjoythefreshair andtheglorioussignsofspring!

Untilnexttime,

Kris&Jeff

ARUNDEL andsurroundings– 7,006 addresses

BARNHAM andsurroundings– 6,316 addresses

CHICHESTER citycentreandsuburbs– 6,310 addresses

FINDON andsurroundings– 7,287 addresses

MIDHURST/PETWORTH andsurroundings– 7,139 addresses

PULBOROUGH andsurroundings– 6,091 addresses

SOUTHWATER andsurroundings– 7,108 addresses

STORRINGTON andsurroundings– 6,733 addresses

Establishedin2007,wepublishandhand-delivereight editionsfreeofchargetoover54,000homesandbusinesses everymonth.Wewelcomereaderlettersandcommunity noticeswhichwepublishfreeofcharge.

What’s On - March/April 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 April events to be put on website - 4th March

CHARITY

2nd Mar & 2nd Apr 8:00 PM The CancerWise 2023 Fundraising Challenge Quiz Supporting people, families and carers affected by cancer across West Sussex info@virtualquizevents.com £5 www.VirtualQuizEvents.com

19th Mar 9:30 AM The Children's Trust Surrey Hills Hike Take on the Surrey Hills, starting and finishing at The Children's Trust Tadworth KT20

5RU Adult: £10 Child: £5 Lucy enquiries@thechildrenstrust.org.uk www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/surreyhillshike

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

28th Mar 7:30 PM Date2Donate - find love while spreading love Meet local singles and raise money for a good cause Muchos Nachos Pub

Chichester PO19 8HT £5 Jovita 07515 597297 jovita.ivinskaite@act4africa.org www.meetup.com/date2donate-find-love-whilespreading-love/events/291436383

15th Apr 10:00 AM Billinghurst Macmillan Coffee Morning including cakes, preserves, crafts, Tombola and raffle Billingshurst Centre RH14 9EW 07711 470635

terriashpool@uwclub.net

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

1st Mar 12:00 PM West Chiltington Probus Club

Members lunch for retired professional or business men resident in or near the village Roundabout Hotel West Chiltington RH20 2PF David 01798 812481 david.g8tfk@gmail.com

4th Mar & 1st Apr 10:30 AM Parkinson's Support Group Support group for people with Parkinson's and their families Washington Village Memorial Hall RH20 4AP £2 Gillian 01903 746871 gillian.chard@btinternet.com

6th Mar & 3rd Apr 8:00 PM Felpham Singles

Social Club Friendly singles club for over 55's

The George Inn Bognor Regis PO22 7PL Anne 01243 821530 anniecook555@yahoo.co.uk

www.felphamsingles.yolasite.com

7th Mar 2:00 PM

Pulborough Computer Club The Latest Scams & How to Avoid Them Learn how to spot scams, and how to protect against them Pulborough Village Hall RH20 1LP £3 / Members £2 Chrissie 01798 872 266 chrissie@wisborough.com www.pcclub.org.uk

7th Mar 7:00 PM Storrington Museum AGM Members only meeting followed by talk from local author on writing historical fiction for Children Storrington Museum RH20 4LL 01903 740188 storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com

12th Mar 11:00 AM Caring for CoultershawVolunteer Day Coultershaw Heritage Site near Petworth GU28 0JE Tony 07860 186847 admin@coultershaw.co.uk coultershaw.co.uk

13th Mar 7:30 PM Pulborough Meadows WI Visitors welcome Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF £1 Mary Walker 07920 326000 mary.walker50@gmail.com

21st Mar 7:30 PM West Chiltington Floral Club

Area Demonstrator: Barbara Caldecourt West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ Visitors Free. Carol 01798 813608 / Brenda 01798 813712 wchiltfloralclub@gmail.com

22nd Mar 2:30 PM Storrington Flower Club

Affiliated to NAFAS welcome new members and visitors Sullington Parish Hall RH20 3PP £6 01903 742102 chrissyldesmond@gmail.com

COMMUNITY

17th Mar 6:30 PM Worthing Climate

Engagement and Action XR Worthing - twice monthly meetings - all are welcome CREW Worthing BN11 3AL xrworthing@protonmail.com

- please contact event organisers to check for changes

25th Mar 8:00 AM Men's Breakfast Community

Event Talk by Colonel Edward Armitstead CBE ex Coldstream Guards Chichester Park Hotel PO19

7Q £10 07813 024585 immanuelchichester.com/ community/mens-breakfast peter@ppsutton.co.uk

29th Mar 10:00 AM Carer Marketplace Unpaid carers can learn more about local services and support available Norfolk Centre Arundel BN18

9PA luke.hutchinson@carerssupport.org.uk www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arundel-carermarketplace-event-tickets-522387905287? aff=odcleoeventsincollection

COURSES & TUITION

1st Mar 10:00 AM Getting started with Ancestry.co.uk workshop to get you started with your family and local history research West Sussex Record Office PO19 1DD £7.50 / £6.50 for members www.westsussex.gov.uk/ro 01243

753602 record.office@westsussex.gov.uk

11th & 21st Mar 8:30 AM Birdsong Masterclass

Identify birdsong at RSPB Pulborough Brooks

RH20 2EL £20.50 members / £25.50 nonmembers Lydia lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk 01798

875851 events.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

26th Mar 9:30 AM Birding for absolute beginners If you’re new to birdwatching, this is the session for you RSPB Pulborough Brooks

RH20 2EL £20.50 members / £25.50 nonmembers Lydia lydia.fletcher@rspb.org.uk 01798

875851 events.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

5th Apr 10:00 AM Reading old handwriting One workshop to get you started with your family and local history research West Sussex Record Office PO19 1DD £7.50 / £6.50 members 01243

753602 record.office@westsussex.gov.uk www.westsussex.gov.uk/ro

EXHIBITIONS

1st - 5th Mar 10:00 AM

Natalia Samarina: My Art exhibition Join Natalia Samarina for her first exhibition Colonnade House BN11 3DH Paula 01903 221142

paula.tollett@adur-worthing.gov.uk colonnadehouse.co.uk/

1st Mar - 2nd April 10:00 AM Birds & Beasts: The Wild Escape Discover a wild array of prints and drawings of birds and beasts by artists Pallant House Gallery PO19 1TJ 01234 774557 info@pallant.org.uk pallant.org.uk/

1st - 24th Mar 11:00 AM Anne Grebby in Chichester | Artist Residency artist Anne Grebby will undertake a three month residency at Chichester Cathedral PO19 1PX info@chichestercathedral.org.uk www.chichestercathedral.org.uk

7th Mar 10:00 AM Stemmed exhibition

presenting Lucy’s soft, woven forms and Ellie’s defined, linear glassworks Colonnade House BN11 3DH Paula 01903 221142

paula.tollett@adur-worthing.gov.uk colonnadehouse.co.uk

16th Mar - 30th Apr 10:00 AM Arundel Museum

Exhibition: Ralph Ellis - Artist and Inn Sign

Designer The Arundel resident who was one of England’s most successful inn sign painters

Arundel Museum BN18 9PA Adult: £4.50 Child: £3.50 01903 885866 www.arundelmuseum.org office@arundelmuseum.org

18th Mar 10:30 AM Slindon History Exhibition of Local Scenes dated mid-1900's Exhibition of watercolour paintings by former Slindon House Butler Coronation Hall Slindon BN18 0QZ Free. Moira www.slindon.com 01243 814725 moira.wordpower@btinternet.com

21st - 26th Mar 10:00 AM

Steve Gallagher at Colonnade House: "Cloth, Paper, Steel" Fine art photographs

exhibition by Steve Gallagher

Colonnade House BN11 3DH 01903 221142

paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk colonnadehouse.co.uk

1st & 2nd April 10:00 AM The Sussex Guild Contemporary Craft Show The Sussex Guild is exhibiting again in The Henfield Hall BN5 9DB £3 01273 479565 info@thesussexguild.co.uk thesussexguild.co.uk/sussex-guild-events/ henfield-contemporary-show/

4th - 8th Apr 10:00 AM Mark Munroe-Preston Mark Munroe-Preston “Treescapes” Colonnade House BN11 3DH paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk colonnadehouse.co.uk/event/ mark-munroe-preston-treescapes/

11th - 15th Apr 10:00 AM Rosemary Jones: Fabric Printing with Linoblocks Artist specialises in linocut printmaking Colonnade House BN11 3DH paula.tollett@adur-worthing.gov.uk colonnadehouse.co.uk

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

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

25th Mar 12:00 PM Point to Point Racing at Parham See the INEOS Grenadier 4x4 off-road and enjoy a day out Parham Point to Point RH20

2ER Carolyn caroylngorman@gmail.com www.facebook.com/p2patparham

FAYRES & FETES

2nd & 16th Apr 2:30 PM High Salvington Windmill Open Afternoon High Salvington Windmill BN13 3BP £1 - extra for tour of the mill 07799 333267 lucindafbrooks@outlook.com

15th Apr 9:00 AM Ploughing Match & rural exhibition Vintage Tractors ploughing as they did in 1920 - 1960 The Venue Woodmancote BN5 9BA £8 Gilly 07767 621387 cebvintage@hotmail.co.uk

FILM

8th Mar 7:00 PM Storrington Rotary Film NightElvis Starring Tom Hanks & Austin Butler Bar + Raffle Sullington Village Hall RH20 3PP £5 Ken 01903 740745 kandjcoll@btinternet.com

9th Mar 6:45 PM Foreign Film evening The Worthing Twinning Association classic French Film evening West Tarring Baptist Church hall BN14 7LU £5 Pam 01903 232196

pambennett8@btinternet.com

20th Mar 7:30 PM Pulborough Film Night

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF £7 Terri 07711 470635 terriashpool@uwclub.net

GARDENS & HORTICULTURE

5th, 21st Mar & 23rd Apr 2:00 PM Manor of Dean garden open for the National Garden Scheme Manor of Dean Petworth GU289AP £5 01483 211535 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

8th Mar 7:15 PM Talk by Nikki BarkerRhododendrons, Camellias & Magnolias

Experienced horticulturalist talks about her favourite group of plants West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ £3 visitors / members free Carys carys.pickett@btinternet.com 07792 817399

www.westchilthortsoc.wordpress.com

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

Expert advice on paying for care

Long-term care in your own home or in a residential care home is expensive, but with expert advice from independent financial specialists, Carewise can help you to make informed decisions on choosing and paying for the right care.

The Carewise care fees specialists are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and members of the Society of Later Life Advisers, so you can have peace of mind when discussing your finances.

Contact Carewise to find out how you could benefit.

12th Mar & 10th Apr 10:30 AM Beautiful Garden at the Old Vicarage This Garden opens for The National Garden Scheme The Old Vicarage Pulborough RH20 4AS £7 01483 211535 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

25th & 26th Mar 1:30 PM National Garden Scheme garden at Down Place South Harting Enjoy an afternoon at the National Garden Scheme garden at Down Place Petersfield, GU31 5PN £5 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

25th Mar 2:00 PM Walberton Gardeners Club Spring Flower Show Walberton Village Hall BN18 0PJ £1 www.walberton-gardeners-club.com walbertongcshows@outlook.com 07881 552980

31st Mar 11:00 AM National Garden Scheme: Judy’s Cottage Garden Judy’s Cottage Garden open in March, June and September Judy’s Cottage Garden Worthing BN13 2AE £5 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

11th Apr 2:00 PM The garden at Peelers Retreat Pick up the National Garden Scheme booklet at local outlets Peelers Retreat Arundel BN18 9EX £5 01483 211535 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

16th Apr 2:00 PM National Garden Scheme: Gardens and woods full of bulbs and wild flowers open garden Newtimber Place Hassocks BN6 9BU £5 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

Every Thurs 10:30 AM The Old Vicarage The Street open for The National Garden Scheme

The Old Vicarage Washington, Pulborough RH20 4AS £7 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

HEALTH & FITNESS

Every Mon 7:30 PM HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) Free taster to all new Clients - Suitable to all levels Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF £10 07872 968708 ldlovesfitness@yahoo.com www.instagram.com/ldlovesfitness

MUSIC

3rd Mar 7:30 PM 60 Minutes of Classical Music Studio 1, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £6.50 under 25's - £3.50 Contact Hazel Latus: www.alexandratheatre.co.uk 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk

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

“ I feel very fortunate that we found Sussexdown for my mother – she is very happy there and is treated as an individual with dignity and respect. ” A real review taken from carehome.co.uk

5th Mar 3:00 PM Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra presents A Spring Concert Elgar

Cockaigne Overture Rachmaninov Piano

Concerto No.2 Walton Symphony No. 1

Worthing Assembly Hall BN11 1HE Various prices worthingphilharmonic@gmail.com www.worthingphil.co.uk/

7th Mar 2:00 PM 2 O'Clock Club Mitchell

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

16th Mar 7:00 PM Stripped Back 3 Acts Totally Acoustic, Totally Stripped back Fauna Taproom

Arundel BN18 9AT Marcus 07786 156897 marcusjones7@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/PublicImagePromotions

18th Mar 7:30 PM A Spring Spectacular Concert The Southdowns Concert Band and the Midhurst Community Choir Midhurst Memorial Hall GU29 9DH £10 bbailey93@btinternet.com 07881 552980 southdowns-concertband.com

18th Mar 7:30 PM Chilcott Requiem & Rutter Requiem By Arun Choral Society with The Sinfonia of Arun Arundel Cathedral BN18 9AY £15 / under 18s £7.50 www.arunchoralsociety.co.uk enquiries@arunchoralsociety.co.uk

24th Mar 7:00 PM Music Makes Memories

Charity Concert for Dementia Support My Special Event a charity evening of music

Newtown Sports and Social Club Bognor Regis PO21 5EU £5 12+ only myspecialevent.co.uk 07587 158999 info@myspecialevent.co.uk

24th Mar 7:00 PM

PiP Presents | Underground Sessions Four performers brought together for one evening of music. Arundel Jailhouse BN18 9AP £10 07786 156897 marcusjones7@hotmail.com

26th Mar 7:00 PM Sandgate Singers Choral Concert Spring Concert Our Lady of England

Church Storrington RH20 4LW £12 01903 741256 johnandsylvi@btinternet.com www.SandgateSingers.com

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

WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT LAUNDRY

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Unit 6 Littlemead B. C. Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 2EU 01243 971987 or 07857 914716 ironmaidens.co

26th Mar 7:30 PM Passiontide Meditation The Chantry Quire at Boxgrove Priory PO18 0EE £15 Sarah webmaster@chantryquire.org.uk www.chantryquire.org.uk

30th Mar 7:30 PM PiP Presents | Mr Jones

Community Open Mic The Maypole Inn Yapton

BN18 0DP marcusjones7@hotmail.com 07786 156897 facebook.com/PublicImagePromotions

30th Mar 7:30 PM Spring Concerts The Rowland

Singers Choir concert before Easter Offington Park Methodist Church BN14 7TN Adult: £12 / Child: £4 Janet jan@robertsummers.co.uk www.rowlandsingers.co.uk

1st Apr 7:00 PM 80s night in aid of Wolfram Syndrome charity event with 80's electro pop from Synthony 101 The Factory Live Worthing BN14 8BX £15 admin@wolframsyndrome.co.uk www.wolframsyndrome.co.uk

2nd Apr 3:00 PM Maya Irgalina at The International Interview Concerts what makes Maya tick in interviews @rtsspaces@sionschool

Worthing BN11 4BL Adult: £14 / Child: £2 interviewconcerts@gmail.com www.facebook.com/TheInterviewConcerts

SALES & MARKETS

18th Mar 9:00 AM Arundel Farmers Market

Discover local growers, bakers, meat, poultry, flowers, plants and food and drink Arundel BN18 9AA www.arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk/

18th Mar 9:30 AM Cheeki Monkeys Big Baby & Childrens market Buy or sell toys, clothes and equipment The Shoreham Centre BN43 5WU £1.50 www.facebook.com/Cheeki-MonkeysBrighton-BN2-and-Shoreham-by-Sea107135655022217

18 Mar 1:00 PM 12th Chichester Scout Group

Jumble Sale 12th Chichester Scout Group HQ PO19 3AB 30p 12thchichester.org.uk 07796 144541 secretary@12thchichester.org.uk

25th Mar 9:00 AM Pulborough Monthly Market

Eggs, bread, cakes, crafts, vegs and cafe

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

15th Apr 10:15 AM Junktique, Collectables & Clutter Sale Indoor sale of quality items West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ £1 Carol 01798 813608 / Brenda 01798 813712 wchiltfloralclub@gmail.com

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

SOCIAL & ENTERTAINMENT

25th Mar 9:30 AM Fishbourne Literary Festival with authors, stalls and refreshments

Fishbourne Church & St. Peter's Place Near Chichester PO19 3XT £25 Simon www.fishbourneliteraryfestival.co.uk 07718 512860 fishbourneliteraryfestival@gmail.com

TALKS

3rd Mar 2:30 PM Weather Lore in StorringtonFact or Fiction? How reliable are weather sayings? Storrington Museum RH20 4LL £8 / £6 members 01903 740188 storringtonmuseum.com storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com

7th Mar 2:00 PM The Arts Society West Sussex Monthly Talk Fittleworth Village Hall RH20 1JB Visitors £7 Jackie theartssocietywestsussex.org westsussex@theartssociety.org

7th Mar 7:30 PM Talk by Nick Hall from BBC's Bargain Hunt Small friendly club Field Place

Worthing BN13 1NP Non members £7.50 07984 403890 www.worthingantiqueclub.com worthingantiqueclub@yahoo.co.uk

8th Mar 7:30 PM Lavant Horticultural Society

Talk by Martin Duncan Lavant Memorial Hall PO18 0BA Non-members £3 Susan 01243 527725 suejackson23@tiscali.co.uk lavanthortsoc.org.uk

9th Mar 12:30 PM Nelson Mandela Talk by Colin Chambers, visiting Prison Chaplain Robin Island Cape Town Chichester Park Hotel PO19 7QL £20 Frank 01243 527068 frankgriffiths@yahoo.com chichesterprobus.club

13th Mar 10:00 AM The Arts Society Steyning Making Sport: Jane Austen and the Art of Satire by Annalie Talent The Steyning Centre BN44 3X Members free, £10 donation for visitors The Chairman steyning@theartssociety.org www.theartssocietysteyning.org.uk

16th Mar 7:30 PM

Midhurst Camera Club Speaker Evening Talk by David Smith "The Great Silk Road Today" The Old Library Midhurst GU29 9DQ Visitors £6 midhurstcameraclub.co.uk membership@midhurstcameraclub.co.uk

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

21st Mar 7:00 PM Arundel Museum Talk: Ralph Ellis A complementary talk to the exhibition

Arundel Museum BN18 9PA £7 members/£9 non members marketing@arundelmuseum.org

22nd Mar 7:15 PM The Great Train Robbery1963 The story about what happened Bassil Shippam Centre Chichester PO19 7LG £3donation rcts.org.uk/branches/branch-chrchichester 07403 885061 chichester@rcts.org.uk

4th Apr 7:30 PM A talk on Georg Jensen, Danish Silversmith Small friendly club Field Place Worthing BN13 1NP £7.50 per talk 07984 403890 worthingantiqueclub@yahoo.co.uk www.worthingantiqueclub.com

12th Apr 7:30 PM Lavant Horticultural Society

Talk by Steve Edney Lavant Memorial Hall PO18 0PA Non-members £3 Susan 01243 527725 suejackson23@tiscali.co.uk lavanthortsoc.org.uk

THEATRE

9th - 11th Mar 7:30 PM 'London Road' Best Musical in 2011 Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £18 Child: £10 Hazel Latus 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

17th Mar 7:30 PM 'ABBA Forever' at the Regis

Centre Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21

1BN £29.50 Hazel www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk

23rd - 25th Mar 7:30 PM 'High Society' from theatrical DNA of the highest order

Alexandra Theatre Regis Centre PO21 1BN £20 Hazel alexandratheatre.co.uk 01243 867676

28th Mar 7:30 PM 'Come What May’ starring Robin Windsor Alexandra Theatre Regis Centre PO21 1BN £32.50 Hazel alexandratheatre.co.uk 01243 867676

hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk

30th Mar 2:00 PM 'When You're Smiling'

Afternoon of music Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £14.50 alexandratheatre.co.uk 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk

WALKS

7th, 10th & 22nd Apr 10:30 AM Reptile safari RSPB Pulborough Brooks WF17 0EE £12.50 members / £15.50 Non members 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.org.uk events.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

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

Sunbirds land at Southampton

Beautiful South founder Dave Hemingway returns with new band

Although born and bred in England, the band's sound predominantly features the instrumentation of traditional American roots music combined with the occasional outburst of guitar heavy melody more associated with Seattle in the late 80's/early 90's.

Win a pair of tickets to see Sunbirds at The Brook, Southampton on Friday 24th March 2023 at 7.30pm. Visit www.the-brook.com

Win a pair of tickets to Sunbirds at The Brook

Having retired from the live scene at the back end of 2016, Dave has been keeping busy together with erstwhile South colleague, guitarist/ songwriter Phil Barton, new discovery singer/ violinist Laura Wilcockson and drummer Marc Parnell.

‘Cool To Be Kind’ was released in November 2020, on the independent label Nectar Records signalling the arrival of Sunbirds with new songs and a new sound.

Specialising in professional online GCSE and A-level tuition

To enter answer the following question: WhatisthenameofSunbirdslatestsingle? a) Every Road b) Every Sound c) Every Way

Send your answer and contact details to: Songbird Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter online at: www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 19th March 2023. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

07862

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) needs your support! Having just announced that 2022 was the busiest year in its 33-year history – the life-saving charity responded to 3,224 incidents last year, with 947 call outs in SussexKSS is urgently seeking to recruit more volunteers in order to help with events and activities in the coming year. Visit: www.aakss.org.uk

The Sussex Showcase is a week-long series of collaboration dinners in some of the most exciting restaurants in the counties and features the best chefs from Sussex and around the world. Each ticket includes a donation to organising charity Table Talk Foundation, raising funds to provide food education to children in Sussex and support the hospitality industry. There is also an online charity auction linked to the event. Details and bookings at: www.tabletalk-foundation.com.

You can now access digital copies of the Sussex poll books and electoral registers for free at The Keep, following their launch on the Ancestry website. The registers include more than eight million East Sussex records from 1705-1963. The Keep, in Brighton, is open to anyone who has an interest in family or building history, academic study or a particular historic topic. More details at www.thekeep.info.

The Worthing Twinning Association (WTA) would like to invite residents outside their area who are interested in learning more about French and German culture but which do not have their own twinning group. WTA has links to towns in both France and Germany and hold visits, talks and other activities. There is a visit to Elztal in Germany (pictured) planned for July. More details from Pam Bennett 01903 232196 or send an email to: pambennett8@btinternet.com

Explore a different side to the Lewes district, delving into history, folklore and landscape with Walk This Way - a programme of walks led by local experts in March. Walks will be charged at £5 and free for under 12s, with limited spaces. Details and bookings at www.visitlewes.co.uk.

The recent extreme weather has caused delays in the completion of the A259 improvements scheme in Angmering and Littlehampton. The scheme, is now estimated to finish in April rather

than early this year as previously estimated.

March is Wellbeing

Month in West Sussex Libraries when everyone can celebrate the many ways that libraries support wellbeing, You can borrow a title from their Unwind, Recharge and Relax book displays, or maybe join the Reading Challenge and read a book from March’s theme of “A book that celebrates the great outdoors.” Libraries also have Reading Well booklists on mental health for adults, young people and children, long-term conditions and dementia. All the books on these lists are available from libraries and are free to reserve and borrow. They can also come to you if you are unable to visit.

If you're a young adult, wanting to make a genuine difference, The Wildlife For All Trust is a registered charity looking to expand its team of volunteers. Amongst other projects, they have beautiful nature reserves in West Sussex and in South Africa (pictured). No previous conservation experience is required as they provide all necessary training. Interviews are on 20th March. www.wildlifeforall.org for details.

West Sussex County Council, working with South Gloucestershire Council and partners, has been given the green light to move forward with a new three year joint project ‘Greenprint’, which aims to explore how plant material mowed from our roadsides can be used forbio fuels and road materials.

During this year’s National Bat Monitoring Programme in January, members of Sussex Bat Group (SBG) were astonished to find a second greater mouse -eared bat hibernating in disused railway tunnels. This is in addition to the single existing known male, who has been hibernating in the area for the past 20 years and known as “Britain’s rarest mammal”. SBG is now working to restore the “Greater Horseshoe Bat”, (pictured) which was identified in a stable block in West Sussex in 2019. The Group is now trying to raise funds to purchase and restore the building. www.sussexbatgroup.org.uk

© Peter Schmelzle

© Ryan Greaves

Charity & Community News

St Wilfrid’s Hospice Raffle

The St Wilfrid’s Spring Raffle has launched with a top prize of £2000! Second prize is a £500 Marshalls Furniture voucher and third prize is a £250 Lazy Susan Furniture voucher. Play from only £1 and buy tickets from www.stwh.co.uk/raffle, or scan the QR Code. In other St Wilfrid’s news, they say they have plenty of affordable (and sustainable) Mother’s day presents in their shops, as well as pre-loved wedding and bridesmaid dresses in their Terminus Road, Chichester branch. www.stwh.co.uk

Chichester & District Probus Club

The Club largely comprises retired professional and business people aged over 60 living in the area. There are various meetings each month - a lunch followed by a speaker; a drop-in coffee morning, especially for new members; and a leisure walk group which follows a circular route back to a pub for lunch! There are also a variety of social outings – September saw a cruise of the Portsmouth Dock Yard followed by lunch.

Newcomers to the area are especially welcome. For more information contact John Hargreaves, secretary@chichesterprobusclub or alternatively visit www.chichesterprobus.club.

Charity to host dating event

Act4Africa, who describe themselves as “a grassroots charity with big aspirations” has been supporting up to one hundred young mothers for over twenty years and is currently educating seventy nursery age children in the district of Mayuge, by Lake Victoria in Uganda. They are holding a “Date2Donate” event on 28th March at the Muchos Nachos Pub PO19 8HT. They are raising money by participants donating what they can for the evening’s fun. Book your ticket via jovita.ivinskaite@act4africa.org or send her a WhatsApp on 07823558156. Stories

Charity & Community News

Arundel & Chichester Citizens’ Advice news

The new cost of living pack aims to 'Maximise your Money' and is filled with lots of useful information, hints and tips to help West Sussex residents with the rise in the cost of living. There is both a downloadable version and a fully interactive digital version. They are also now offering winter warm packs for those in need of essentials such as blankets and hot water bottles Finally, a new telephone system installation means the usual lines will not be open on 8th March. The National Helpline is still open on 0800 144 8848. www.arunchichestercab.org.uk

Show home contents donated for charity

Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, gifted the entire contents of one of its show homes to a local family in need via the Chichester Harbour Rotary Club’s Furniture Project. Organised by the housing provider’s charitable foundation, Clarion Futures, the furniture and home accessories were brought from the Conningbrook Lakes development in Ashford.

Mini orchard planted to increase wildlife

A mini orchard has been planted at the back of Chichester District Council’s short stay accommodation in order to help boost wildlife on the site.

The orchard has been planted on a previously unused, grassy area at the back of Westward House in Chichester.

Improved air quality monitoring equipment

A new and more detailed air quality analyser will be installed near the A27 Stockbridge Roundabout in Chichester thanks to a £26,400 government grant awarded to Chichester District Council. Installation is hoped for this Spring.

Energy efficiency grants from Chichester DC Residents can apply for grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. Household income and other restrictions apply. 0800 038 5737 or visit www.warmerhomes.org.uk

In Your Garden

Monthly gardening ideas & tasks by Andrew

of Glorious Gardens

Revamping your garden for Spring March is a great time for taking a long, hard look at your garden. Asking some simple questions with some gardening principles in mind will help you create a stunning garden for Spring and Summer.

This winter we have had heavy rainfall and then strong, long-lasting frosts so it could be you have lost perennials with root rot or more exotic plants that haven’t liked the frosts freezing the cells in their leaves and stems. You may not know until next month how much you have lost.

Garden Focal Points

In the Winter and early Spring, a garden is obviously pared down to its structural bones. Then Spring starts and shoots begin to push up. If you have some solid points of focus in your garden it can make the new Spring growth that much more delicate and magical. Large pots at the end of a path, interestingly shaped hedges screening or dividing different areas and water features like circular bird baths sunken into the middle of a low-lying perennial bed reflecting the sky. Also, you can create woodland paths through your shady areas so that you are encouraged to enter into these parts of your garden. You can use bark chips or shingles edged with wooden planks bent into curves.

You can also think about mowing your lawn selectively this year, letting some areas grow long and mowing paths can take different routes each year.

Farmers are being encouraged to leave 5% of their land to be rewilded. You can do the same with your lawn.

I always ask my clients before I visit them to create a mood board of images online that they love. Often when all these images are laid out together people can see a pattern of what draws them, and good design decisions can be made from this.

Staib

Bulbs

They obviously come into their own in Spring. Tulips are my favourite because they are so unashamedly colourful. If you are lucky, they will continue year on year but be prepared to have to replace them each Autumn. It is not too late to buy English bluebells and Snowdrops ‘in the green’. This means that they have finished flowering this year, but you are able to purchase the whole plant, bulb and stem, which when planted will guarantee a good survival rate ready for next year’s display.

Crocus are fantastic, scattered through the lawn and by the time you are ready to do your first mow of the season their blooms will have faded and you can mow around and then eventually mow up their fading foliage.

If you have any space at all in corners and along the edges of paths think about Miscarii armeniacum. Their miniature purple bunches of grapelike blooms will delight you.

Plus, it’s not too late to plant some Gladiolus and Ranunculus around any water features you may have.

March is also the time to look at where you want colour to appear in your beds. If you make sketches showing where the bulbs come up, then in Autumn you will know more for next year. Don’t forget to leave stakes in the middle of bare earth to remind you to plant Dahlias and Nerines in late Spring ready for late Summer.

Sowing seeds

You can now sow directly into you veg bed, all the hardy vegetables like spinach, lettuce radishes and beetroot. Ideally with some protection you can even save hundreds of pounds and sow seeds for Geraniums, Bergenias and Antirrhinums. You can sow Poppy seeds, Nasturtiums and Forgotme-nots straight into cleared areas of the beds directly outdoors.

Smaller shrubs and plants

If you don’t have acid soil, why not plant up some big pots with acidic soil and plant Rhododendrons and Azaleas. They are the great trumpeters of Spring and once they have finished flowering the whole pot can be moved to a shadier corner of the garden. Other shrubs that have a good Spring presence are Hydrangea quercifolia and the 90cm Philadel-phus Miniature Snowflake.

Smaller plants

A rare and very striking plant usually only used by designers is Amsonia hubrisctii. It has delicate white flowers in the Spring with phosphorescent yellow foliage in the Autumn.

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Other plants for you to look up (Go to Google then click on ‘Images’) are Iris Acoma and Iris reticulate Harmony, the delicate Puschkinia scilloides, Sanguiaria canadensis, Anemone nemorosa, yellow Trillium with its white marble foliage and miraculous ability to disappear by June.

Feature Trees

Depending on the size of your garden you can make a tree calendar. This is making a list of all the months that you want your trees to shine as a main event. There are great trees for Spring,

and I have chosen smaller trees that should go well in even small gardens.

Amelanchier Ballerina - coppery foliage and large white blossoms, Hawthorn Prunifolia has wonderfully large white blooms and can be pruned into any shape you want. The Rowans are delicate in the Spring and Sorbus vilmorins has crimson berries that turn almost white. There is also a nice Cherry tree that is very compact and vertical called Prunus amanogawa.

The Weeping Silver Pear tree is both bright and silver in the Spring and with its weeping habit can become a feature tree in its own right throughout the season. As well as the small magnolias and Cornus Porlock you might want to think of the smaller apple trees such as Discovery on a small root stock or the upright Ballerina. Lastly there is the wonderful Cercis canadensis, Witch Hazels and traditional fragrant Syringa vulgarise.

What to do this March

March is a great time to explore woodland. Try visiting Angmering Park Estate Trust, Burton and Chingford Pond, Petworth House Woods, Slindon and The Warrens.

March tasks

• Do a last tidy up and cut old perennials

• If you think the frosts this year have taken a plant beyond repair hold off a bit- it’s amazing what April can do, and you will often find plants sprouting again from the base.

• Finish pruning your Roses and Wisterias.

• This month, start to prune to the ground your deciduous ornamental grasses before new green blades appear.

• Hardy shrubs like Cornus, Salix and Cotinus can be cut right back as well as Buddlea.

• Anything that has flowered during the winter can be pruned back into shape now like Winter Jasmine, Winter honeysuckle and Mahonia.

• After your Snowdrops have flowered you can lift them out of the ground and separate them and then replant them in different areas of the garden.

• If you have a greenhouse, you can start sowing leeks and onions.

24 Property

A record-breaking winter

But for all the wrong reasons says Nick Roberts

When I hear the term ‘record -breaking’, connotations of achievement and success spring to mind. But unfortunately, this winter’s records are nothing to get excited about – soaring energy bills have been piling on the pressure to people already under strain. So, as we enter the final leg of winter, you’d be forgiven for feeling that summer can’t come soon enough.

However, regardless of a summer reprieve, the problems remains that no matter how many times we turn the lights off or how early in the year turn the heating off, our rising energy bills keep on rising.

The next phase of saving beyond prudent energy consumption comes in the form of insulation. Many of our homes simply aren’t equipped with modern insulation and energy efficient heating systems. The good news is that there are some anti-inflation measures you can take to try and offset those nasty bills.

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• Local experienced air source heat pump and ground source heat pump specialists

• Approved installer of the government grant, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, offering homeowners £5000 per installation

• With over 25 years’ experience we’ve installed systems for old and new, large and small homes.

If you’ve been thinking of ways to save carbon and money, give us a call, we may be able to help!

01798 307000

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Solutions range from cheap to expensive but all make a difference to your annual bill. Let’s start with a couple of cheap options - fitting your hot water cylinder with an insulating jacket will save you and draft-proofing your offending windows to reduce heat loss will also add up.

From there, value per option really depends on specific homes and where the most significant inefficiencies lie. But options include cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, floor insulation, roof and loft insulation and replacing windows and doors.

We often find customers addressing insulation issues during larger renovations and extensions but there are important factors to consider here. Some solutions are more cost effective to carry out during certain works and others are unaffected, meaning that the sooner you apply them the sooner you start saving. So, it might be worth reaching out to your local experts this year.

Nick Roberts is a director of Roberts Miller Redshaw. www.robertsmillerredshaw.com

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From the city to the countryside

A West Sussex “property bubble” by Martin Lundy Lester

The housing market in our beautiful little corner of the South East has always felt more resilient to change than other areas of the country. It's as if we live in a property bubble in West Sussex.

Almost half of buyers from South London & Surrey

Balancing out the housing market

As such, I’m seeing fewer and less dramatic price amendments downwards whilst the UK housing market finds itself shifting from a period of "supercharged" activity. There's a little cooling of

asking prices, as agents and sellers come to terms with the move from a "seller's market" to something more balanced than the last couple of years. Of course, if one is buying and selling in the same area, then any dip in selling price may also be negotiated with the onward purchase. Local families moving up the property ladder Industry commentators suggest that downsizers will form a larger part of estate agents' databases over the coming months. This combined with increased mortgage availability and lowering of High Street lenders' mortgage rates (despite the Bank of England's recent forecast of an increase in base rates), may mean that local families take the opportunity to move up a rung of the property ladder. Rents are rising too, prompting cash rich savers to move their money into Buy To Lets across segments of the market. No matter what happens in 2023, buyers will continue to buy and sellers will continue to sell. It's a super area to live and work in and always will be.

www.kwuk.com/agent/martin-lundy-lester

Outa Puff Daddys

Group supporting male mental wellbeing & social connections

Brighton’s over 40s, male only, amateur dance crew “Outta Puff Daddys” uses its profile to encourage change in society’s approach to male mental health. The Group’s Leader and Artistic Director, Paul Jukes tells me that the group was initially founded in 2012 “We first got together as a bit of fun after taking our children to street dance classes. We rehearsed secretly to perform at their annual dance showcase and were hugely successful, so we vowed to continue dancing, and we have been ever since.”

Paul says that it was the death of a founding member in the group’s early days that drew them all closer together and was, Paul realised, “The first trigger for me on how vital this unique male social network was for our mental well-being.” This realisation was further compounded in 2017, when Paul suffered a period of depression, an experience that took Paul and those around him by surprise. He describes himself as: ”A bright, happy guy with a wonderful family … the last person you’d expect to experience such challenging emotions.” The strong social bond of the group was, Paul says, integral to his recovery.

“I believe you never truly fully recover from depression, but you can learn how to better manage your emotions and strategies to take action as soon as early signs re-appear. The crew remain an integral part of my on-going mental wellness ... and I know it is also vital to their own well-being too.”

Dancing to promote mental health awareness amongst men

Then in Spring 2020 Paul took over leadership of the group. Having no previous dance experience, he admits to having found the prospect daunting, but with a hugely supportive crew he embraced the opportunity – recognising the potential to promote mental health awareness, particularly amongst men. However, lack of experience wasn’t Paul’s only challenge, his leadership coincided with the onset of the pandemic - and lockdown.

“My first challenge was to figure out how we would stay united and continue dancing together during times of enforced isolation. I knew

pandemic.” Once the rules relaxed again, the group began meeting in open spaces, with Paul teaching the crew “short, fun routines,” which he then posted online. “Along with underlying mental health messaging and strategies based on my own experiences.” Paul tells me the group’s social media content, on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, attracted thousands of followers and millions of views. “Our profile and mental health message was truly being heard and supported around the world.”

Sharing experiences and learnings

Paul is keen to highlight that the group’s members, “Are not counsellors or medically qualified in the subject of Mental Health. Instead, we use our own life experiences and learnings to share the strategies, actions and behaviours that have benefitted us. They might not be right for everyone, but it is clear from the messages we receive back from our followers that we really are making a positive impact, and this is hugely rewarding.”

Currently the group has fifteen members and everyone dances: “The dance element is really important. Working together and supporting

Outta Puff Daddys

each other [with] the same objective is a really positive experience. Particularly when after weeks of rehearsals it suddenly comes together … crew members go from “I’m never gonna do this” to “Wow, we can actually do this.”

Creating fun routines and promoting our message

Now that the group is able to meet in the dance studio once more, they continue to meet weekly and their story has been picked up and broadcast not only nationally but globally, having featured on BBC, ITV, NBC and Channel10, along with radio broadcasts, podcasts and printed features. Paul also welcomes invitations for the crew to perform live, “As this provides a fantastic opportunity to promote our underlying message in a highly unique and engaging way. Plus...we just love it!”

Additionally, Paul offers motivational talks at colleges, workplaces and events, about the importance of mental health awareness, providing insights into his own mental health experiences and strategies, and how a “bunch of dad-dancers became social media influencers.”

Encouraging men to discuss mental health issues

Paul says that he regularly receives, “Heartwarming and often emotional messages from our

the biggest killer of men under 45 is suicide, which is, Paul says, not only profoundly tragic but also largely preventable.

“In some shape or form, mental health impacts everyone globally, yet the stigma still causes so much shame, fear, doubt, isolation and misunderstanding. Traditionally men have been seen

Paul Jukes

as weak if they are to express vulnerabilities and show emotion. This stops men speaking freely for fear of ridicule or lack of understanding. Until we start to view mental health the same way we view physical health, we’ll continue to face the devastating consequences caused by stigma.” To anyone struggling with mental health issues, Paul would like to highlight. “You are not alone and there is help out there. In order to break the stigma we must all be more honest and open with our emotions. We need to normalise these conversations.”

The group believes that their close bond provides a safe space where they can share vulnerabilities, emotions and freely discuss their mental well-being. “Breaking through stereotypes around traditional masculinity and encouraging others to talk openly about their mental health, to seek and ask for help … and for others to listen without judgement. We are not weak to express our feelings, in fact we are stronger for it”.

Self Care – a better version of yourself

Paul also promotes the importance of self-care and social connectivity, “Research has found that loneliness can treble by late middle-age and

that shared experiences have a number of positive influences on our emotional wellbeing and connectedness… participating in a noncompetitive group activity provides a sense of value and belonging.” Paul believes that self-care is vital to creating a better version of yourself, “which will only ever have a positive impact on those around you.”

Paul would like to develop a global Outta Puff Daddy Community, “Empowering and supporting the development of other likeminded dance groups.” Targeting those over the age of forty, he envisages community focused groups for men and women interested in creating new social connections and mental wellness from the shared experience of learning fun, noncompetitive dance routines.

Contact: Email: paul@outtapuffdaddys.co.uk www.outtapuffdaddys.co.uk

By Lynn Smith

When goals can be a bad thing

By Heather Smith

Impacts of focusing on a single target

Setting a goal can be great as it gives you something to work towards and help you stay on track. But, if you only eat well and exercise for the sake of one goal, you’re not making the same connections to the bigger picture and are likely missing out on other benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Being exclusively focused on a single goal can lead to a cycle where you’re on-plan for a while, then off-plan. Whereas if you’re open to the bigger picture, you can see things differently. This is one of the most common things I hear from clients. They realise they no longer even want to eat off plan. They’ve made connections between the way they eat and exercise and the way they feel. Their actions become about much more than a means to an end. Similarly, if you only have one reason for eating or exercising, you can end up disappointed. Progress isn’t made in a linear fashion and if all you want is to see fast change, you’re likely to find yourself discouraged at some point and fall off-track

Olympic athletes can lose their drive to exercise after they’ve competed. They can’t think why they’re bothering to exercise anymore, there’s just no point to it after they’ve already reached their goal – there’s nothing to work towards next Alternative things to focus on

It is great to have a goal in mind, but it shouldn’t be the most important reason to take action. Learn how to enjoy the whole process, how to enjoy eating well and exercising. Notice things other than those directly related to what you want to achieve. How do you feel in yourself? How’s your digestion? How’s your skin? What’s your energy like? Are you sleeping better?

There must be more to the process than the exclusive focus on your goal if you’re to stick the course and really feel the benefits of making what can be difficult lifestyle changes.

www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

Elegy to a 200 year old beech tree

A local landmark is no more.

By historian Andrew Berriman

The beech is such a noble tree, in all seasons. Along with the oak and the ash, it is my favourite tree. And it is by far the pre-eminent tree of the chalky South Downs. Despite its height it can root very shallowly in just a few inches of soil, above the deep chalk. This gives it a great advantage over more deeply-rooted species of tree, but this also explains why so many beech trees fell during the Great Storm of 1987. At about 1.20a.m, just after Hallowe’en Night last year a much-loved beech fell victim to the stormy weather. Half of this magnificent tree split away in the high winds, and fell alongside the City Wall in Market Avenue. The remaining half had to be cut down, with the trunk now little more than a stump.

I must mark its passing, in the form of an elegy. We can’t let it leave us without letting it know just how much pleasure it gave all of us in Chichester, down the years. On my Walls Walks, as Treasurer of the Walls Trust, I always paused at this magnificent beech.

It stood on earth which had originally formed the internal sloping bank of the Roman city Wall. When first planted it was part of the garden boundary of Cawley Priory, which once had been owned by the family whose most famous, or infamous, son was the regicide M.P. William

Cawley. It was he, of course, who had signed King Charles’ death warrant in 1649. In more recent times, this garden became the Cawley Priory car park.

It’s not easy to to date trees accurately, but this tree had stood there for well over 200 years, maybe a good deal longer. Its total girth made it by far the largest of any tree in Chichester. It had been pollarded at an early stage, so this explains its mighty trunk. Pollarded trees have their crown cut off at about six foot above the ground, to encourage new growth above the browse line, so they cannot be eaten by deer. For some years the tree has grown patches of plate fungi, which is a sign of incipient decay. However, during the summer of 2022 with its prolonged drought, its leafy canopy of soft, pale green foliage was simply lovely. Perhaps it was a final burst, a swansong for a tree which may have known that its end was nigh. This does happen with trees.

It is fortunate, though poignant, that a photograph of the tree’s lower branches and trunk appears on page 134 of my recently published book, ‘In Search of Chichester’ (£15), which can be purchased from Kim’s Bookshop in South Street. In chapter 39 I wrote about this tree, as one of my four favourite trees within Chichester’s City Walls. Now it is no more.

A friend, who lives opposite the beech, has collected and planted some of its seeds, so that the tree will not be wholly lost to us. With luck these seeds will take root, and bring pleasure down the years to future generations of Cicestrians yet unborn. Let’s hope so. Shown here are some images of this tree, so atmospheric and poignant. A tree has such beauty.

The Market Avenue Beech

Farewell - the much-loved beech as it is now

Extracts from a WW1 autograph book

'A priceless antique' was rescued by David Johnston

Some years ago, while perusing the shelves of a Midhurst antique shop I stumbled upon an autograph album dated 1915, owned by one Beth Richardson, a nurse who cared for wounded soldiers recuperating at Bignor House. The house had been requisitioned in the first world war as a military hospital. This fascinating little book I took home, photographed the dozens of messages and sketches from the soldiers within it, then contacted Viscount Ned Mersey, of Bignor House, before donating it to the Record Office. Here are a few pages that reveal the history of Bignor as a Military hospital.

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

David Johnston - Kathleen Slay - Viscount Ned Merseyin Bignor house

Sussex Walks - March/April 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

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

A longer strenuous walk to the folly and through Slindon Woods, with some steep gradients

National Trust Car Park at Park Lane, Slindon BN18 0QY

east to Racton Tower, then coffee Meet: Stansted House Garden Centre car park PO9 6DU

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,

Mainly flat headland path, grass, gravel

Meet: Walberton Village Hall car park, BN18 0PQ

Interesting terrain of Heathland, Pine Forest & Commons. A mostly flat walk. No dogs please

Meet: Iping & Stedham Car Park Wed 15th Mar 10.30am

A walk through Eartham Woods, coming back along Stane Street. No stiles

Meet: Forestry Commission Car Park, Eartham

Starting from the car park for Cowdray Farm Shop across to Benbow Pond and back

Meet: At the entrance to the car park on the grass verge by the footpath fingerpost sign

A lovely varied walk with two hills and an opportunity to visit St. Hubert’s No dogs please

Meet: The Castle Inn pub, 1 Finchdean Rd, Rowlands Castle

Walk 4

North west to Stansted Forest, then coffee

Meet: Stansted House Garden Centre car park PO9 6DU

Lovely flat shoreline walk, no stiles. There will be an opportunity for a coffee stop. No dogs please Meet: Emsworth Town Square. PO10 7AW

miles

A walk to Walderton via West Marden, including lanes and walking through woods and fields

Meet: Stansted House Car Park, P09 6DX

Fri 31st Mar 10.30am

Down

Jane

mins

Not suitable for beginners. A hilly walk with great views . No dogs on this walk please.

Meet: Stoughton Down Car Park - Forestry Commission PO18 9JQ

Mon 3rd Apr 2pm

A gorgeous, but up-hill, walk through farmland and forest up to the SDW. No dogs on this walk

Meet: All Saints Church. East Dean

Thurs 6th Apr 10.30am

Richard 2 hrs

miles

miles

miles

We walk along a quiet country lane before crossing fields with grazing sheep, through woodland, and finishing at the village stores

Meet: On East side of village green opposite shop

New car options for 2023

A brief run through of some top makes by Emma Russell

As a car is a major investment, you need to consider running costs, safety, comfort and efficiency.

City or Small Cars: City cars are easy to park, fuel efficient and manoeuvrable. Vehicles in this range include Toyota Aygo, Fiat 500 and VW Up. A small car is generally an easy drive, simple to control with an optimum acceleration to overtake between 30-60mph. Small options include Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and the Mini range.

Medium to Large Family Cars: These optimise safety, efficiency and comfort. They need to adapt to conditions and be easy to park in different places. Medium cars include Ford Focus, Hyundai i30 and Honda Civic. Larger cars offer more legroom, smoother suspension and roomier seating. Bigger engines and fuel tanks can cope with extra loads. These include Skoda Octavia, Ford Mondeo and VW Passat.

SUVs and 4x4: These offer plenty of room, manoeuvrability, a high driving position and additional safety features. Crossovers include Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Juke and Kia Sportage. Bigger vehicles like Honda CRV and Peugeot 3008 are also among this range.

Electric vehicles (EV): Pure battery EV’s have zero CO2 emissions and are road tax exempt. This is set to change in April 2025 but you must still go through the motions and ‘tax’ it on the gov website: www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax. EV’s have matured over the past few years with the Tesla Model 3, Kia EV6 and Audi Q4 e-Tron between £40-50k. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: These currently pay a reduced road tax, but if it‘s worth more than £40k it’s subject to an annual supplement for five years, from the second time the vehicle is taxed. They cost between £0 and £105 depending on emissions, then £145 per year after that. Some examples of these include BMW 3 series, Mercedes C-class and Skoda Superb iV. Emma Russell is a freelance motoring writer.

Butternut & Carrot Soup

The perfect healthy lunch for a cold Spring day

Ingredients - Serves 4

• 500g butternut squash, diced

• 400g carrots, diced

• 1 large onion, roughly chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed but left whole

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp cumin

• 3 sprigs thyme

• 1 tablespoons of honey

• 3 tablespoons of oil

• Salt & pepper to season

• 4 slices of pancetta

• 1 litre of vegetable or chicken stock

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180 C. Roast the carrots for 10 minutes, then add the squash, onion, garlic and oil and roast for a further 30 minutes.

2. Put the roast vegetables into a large pan or soup pot. Add the paprika, cumin, honey and then cook on the hob for five minutes, before adding the stock. Simmer for 30 mins.

3. Meanwhile, place your pancetta on a baking tray, and crisp in the oven for about 10-15 mins. Remove and allow to cool.

4. Blend the soup until it is smooth; taste, and season if required.

5. Crack and sprinkle over the pancetta to serve. We often add thyme and a dollop of crème fraiche!

The Noah’s Ark is a beautiful 16th Century pub in the picturesque village of Lurgashall. For more information, or to book a table, please visit www.noahsarkinn.co.uk.

The first flutter of the butterfly

Sibylla Merian, born in Germany in 1647, was a superbly talented naturalist and illustrator, despite her lack of formal education (women were not admitted to universities in the seventeenth century). In 1699, aged fifty-two, she defied all convention and set off with her twenty-one year old daughter Dorothea on a twomonth sea voyage to the South American country of Suriname.

last few months, you are not alone. Most butterflies and moths will overwinter in a ‘dormant’ phase (as technically they don’t hibernate) either as eggs, larvae, pupae or adult butterflies. This month look out for early arrivals: the bright yellow of the Brimstone, the Orange Tip, the Peacock, the silvery Holly Blue or the jagged wings of the Comma.

The season of renewal

Spring, of course, is synonymous with new beginnings; something perfectly epitomised in the butterfly’s transformation from a caterpillar. But how does it actually make this journey?

A soupy slush

During its relentless leafy feast, the caterpillar (larvae) will go through a sequence of skin moults, eventually spinning itself into a chrysalis to hang from the underside of a leaf or rock. The body will then release enzymes which dissolve most of the cells and reduce the caterpillar’s body down to a mushy, soupy slush. The cells which survive this process do the work in forming the body parts of the butterfly – the wings, the eyes, the legs. Once completed, the butterfly is ready to start its life, find a mate, lay eggs and begin the cycle again.

Journey of discovery

The groundwork for understanding metamorphosis started over three hundred years ago. Maria

Merian trekked into the depths of the dark, tangled undergrowth of the rain forests, under the high canopies of the treetops, and immersed herself in Suriname’s flora and fauna. Faced with merciless insects, snakes, oppressive heat and the threat of disease, she meticulously observed, sketched and documented not just the process of metamorphosis in butterflies and moths, but the life cycles of cockroaches, cicadas and beetles - as well as some mammals and reptiles.

Comprehensive catalogue

Merian spent two years in Suriname creating a comprehensive catalogue of intricate scientific illustrations and later published a book: ‘Metamorphosis in the Insects of Suriname’. She was also one of the first to understand biology from direct observation, helping to establish our modern concept of field studies and ecology. Her work is said to be useful to present day scientists and their studies of species and climate change.

So, if you find yourself at Pagham Harbour or Medmerry, admiring the ephemeral beauty of a butterfly, consider not only the incredible transformation it has made, but also the intrepid journey Maria Sibylla Merian made in order for us to understand it.

See for yourself!

Why not join us on one or our guided walks this month to look for signs of spring, including the first butterflies of the year? Find out more at www.events.rspb.org.uk/paghamharbour or call 01243 641508.

www.rspb.org.uk/paghamharbour

The brilliant yellow-green Brimstoneis one of the first butterflies to emerge and be seen flying, basking and feeding on nectar on flowering plants in March. Credit: Katie Nethercoat

Prize Crossword

Win a £25 voucher at The Seal

January 2023 solution below:

Across

8 Its capital is Kiev (7)

9 Jewelled headdress (5)

10 Pawnbroker (5)

11 Ignorant (7)

12 Deep-pitched band instrument (4,4)

15 Fourth Gospel (4)

17 Above (4)

18 E.g. Germaine Greer (8)

21 Glass containers (7)

23 Cutting instrument (5)

25 Vision (5)

26 Advantage (7)

Down

1 Urban commuter belt (6)

2 Voracious aquatic reptile (Abbr.) (4)

3 Fruit drink (7)

4 List from which to choose (4)

5 Water vapour (5)

6 Tubular pasta (8)

7 Collapse (4,2)

13 Dearth (8)

14 Exploit (3)

16 Going down (7)

17 Surprise attack (6)

19 Agreement (6)

20 Roofing stone (5)

22 Weeps (4)

24 Gen (4)

Name: …………………………………………………………………………………….

Full address: …………………………………………………………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Postcode: ………………………………………………………………………………..

Email: ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Phone: …………………………………………………………………………………….

Answer from yellow box: …………………………………………………………..

January anagram solution: KINDRED

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 March 2023.

Win a £25 meal voucher to use at The Seal Bar & Restaurant

www.the-seal.com

Valid for 3 months after issue. No change given. Cannot be exchanged for cash value. Hillfield Rd, Selsey, PO20 0JX

Sussex Local and our sponsor may wish to keep in touch with occasional information and offers. We will never share your details with third parties.

Please tick if you would like to receive such information.

Death in a Time of Conspiracy

An authentic thriller crafted from real world experiences

Geoffrey Seed’s fourth novel – ‘Death in a Time of Conspiracy’ will be published on 28th March.

The author has well-placed sources across law enforcement who know the ways of Whitehall. Their experiences together with his own, underpin an intriguing narrative where good guys and bad guys operate by the same murderous rules and are almost impossible to tell apart. Readers are left to guess which aspects of the plot were hatched in his imagination and which might be true events.

About the Author

Chichester’s Geoffrey Seed is a journalist and television producer specialising in investigations into terrorism, corruption and human rights abuses for programmes like BBC Panorama and ITV’s World in Action. In that time he spoke with terrorists, undercover agents, police, intelligence

officers and the figures who give their deniable operations political cover “in the national interest”. His work has led to his being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and investigated under the Official Secrets Act. These experiences have given him a unique perspective, allowing him to craft an insightful story that deviates from the standard ‘good versus bad’.

Purchase from www.cranthorpemillner.com

Win a signed copy of Death in a Time of Conspiracy

To enter answer the following question: What genre of book is Death in a Time of Conspiracy?

a) Romance b) Thriller c) Poetry

Send your answer and contact details to: Death in a Time of Conspiracy Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter online at: www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st March 2023. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

Independent schools explained

Help for parents from The Good Schools Guide

Difference between public & private school

All are funded mainly by school fees paid by parents and not by the state. Children of any age can be privately educated. All independent schools are private schools, and these terms are often used interchangeably but technically, independent schools are all overseen by a board of governors or trustees, whilst other private schools may be run by their owner with no governing body. While these schools all charge fees, like every registered school in the country, they do have to conform to official standards of education, health and safety, are regularly inspected.

What is a public school?

In the UK, ‘public school’ is a misleading and archaic term. It is not a school freely open to the public - in the UK this is called a 'state school'. ‘Public school’ originally referred to a small group of boys’ schools. There are now several hundred

schools which may be described as ‘public schools’, including many girls’ and coeducational schools, nearly all with a proportion of day pupils, and many with boarding fees upwards of £40K.

Difference between a prep & primary school

Prep schools and pre-prep (from age 3 or 4) schools are all fee-paying, whilst state primary schools are state funded. Pre-prep schools feed into prep schools at 7 or 8. Preparatory schools prepare pupils for entry into private secondary schools usually via Common Entrance (CE) exams (or Prep School Baccalaureate) taken at age 13. Are private schools selective?

Some more than others. For a handful of junior schools (mostly in or close to London) the only way to be sure of gaining a place is to put your child’s name down early. At the majority, though, things are a bit more relaxed, with many more rural prep and senior schools happy to take on pupils who can pay the fees.

Instant online access to all reviews. From £17.99 for 1 month www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk

Saturday 11th March 2023

Saturday 23rd September 2023

Saturday 9th March 2024

Slindon College is an Independent Day and Boarding school for boys aged 8-18 located in Sussex

Slindon College provides a stimulating, broad and balanced educational experience for pupils of all academic abilities, taking into account their strengths and talents.

Petworth C of E Primary School

School trips to the O2 and Houses of Parliament

Sports activities

Our sporting activities continue as we recently participated in Quad Athletics, tag rugby and basketball tournaments and a cross country event.

A variety of school trips

Singing with Young Voices at the O2

Once again there are so many diverse opportunities our children can engage with. A group of children had the amazing experience of singing with Heather Small at the 02 in London as part of the Young Voices choir.

The children were inspired by world class musicians, beatboxers and dancers as our children were part of an incredible choir.

The

Head Alison Napier and her senior management team are thrilled at the outcome of the Independent Schools Inspectorate visit to the school in November 2022. This was a focused Compliance and Educational Quality inspection and the first full inspection since 2015.

Firstly, the school met all the regulatory standards for independent schools and for the statutory framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Secondly, the findings of the Educational Quality inspection were rated as excellent. ‘Excellent’ is the very highest grading that the ISI awards (and equates to the ‘outstanding’ grading used by Ofsted in its inspections).

The key findings of the inspection are that the quality of the pupils' academic and other achievements is excellent and the quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent.

The children have also visited the Houses of Parliament, completed a geography project ab-out the environment at Slindon and an art expedition at Newlands House. All of these experiences complement the curriculum we offer all of our children. To find out more please visit the school website.

Headteacher John

Galvin www.petworth.w-sussex.sch.uk

Drilling down into the report further, the inspectors made the following headline judgements on pupils’ academic and other achievements

• Pupils attain very highly and make typically fast rates of progress particularly when they are actively engaged in their learning.

• Pupils exhibit advanced verbal and written communication skills.

• Pupils’ mathematical skills and knowledge are excellent.

• Pupils display exemplary attitudes to learning and achievement.

Turning to personal development, the inspectors reported

• Pupils’ academic and nonacademic achievements are outstanding

• Pupils display outstanding spiritual and moral awareness for their age.

• Pupils demonstrate an excellent appreciation of diversity.

• Pupils’ social skills are of a very high quality. They collaborate extremely well, including in the choir.

• Pupils exhibit strong selfconfidence and awareness. Mrs Napier is delighted with the outcome. ‘It is a privilege to have such wonderful children at The Prebendal School and a first-class staff team who work so hard. This excellent report is a testament to our community, and I am proud of them all”.

52 - 55 West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RT

Prebendal School Chichester judged ‘excellent’ across the board by ISI

Midhurst C of

E Primary School

Eco warriors discover what happens to recycling

plants and have sewn the seed bombs they had made.

Eco warriors at Ford Recycling Centre

ing for ways to raise awareness of ‘green’ issues and look after the planet. Our Year 1 teacher runs a successful ‘Eco Club’ and they have been busy taking part in a project in partnership with the South Downs National Park Trust. The children have made insect homes to place in our school grounds. They also painted some plant pots and upturned some saucers, filling them with pebbles so that the bees have water stations throughout the year. They have also planted out an area of the school with seasonal

This term these eco warriors visited Ford Recycling Centre. They used their know-ledge to decide if the waste collected could be recycled or should be taken to another facility to be reused or was actually rubbish. They had a guided tour of how waste is moved around the recycling facility and then completed a quiz on what they had learnt. The eco warriors and staff were fascinated with what happened to our recycling and thoroughly enjoyed their visit.

The eco warriors have fed back what they found out to the other children so that we can continue our quest for a greener planet. We continue to recycle pens and felt-tips, milk bottle tops and stamps alongside our usual recycling bins.

www.midhurst-primary-school.co.uk

Midhurst Rother College

Enrichment activities & the MRC Dance team performs on stage

Outstanding enrichment opportunities

Midhurst Rother College has an outstanding programme of enrichment opportunities for all students. Rather than offering these opportunities as after school clubs, all students take part in Period 6 lessons. Year 7 have three sessions each week, Year 9 and 10 have two, and Year 11 one. This lesson time is dedicated to enrichment activities. Activities are delivered by college teaching staff and external coaches who are specialists in their field. Choices include sports coaching, creative writing, debating, cookery lessons, science, orchestra and many more.

MRC Dance team

Through these enrichment sessions, in September 2022, the MRC Dance team was born. Recently the team completed their first public out of college performance at the Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis as part of 'Dance House 2023'. Dance House is a local arts driven initiative dedicated to supporting and encouraging the development of innovative and exciting dance.

The event celebrates diversity, inclusivity and provide students with a life enhancing dance experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Ultimately dance binds people together and brings great joy, providing us with a universal language that helps us to bond with other people without the need for words.

The MRC Dance Team, made up of 26 students from years 7 to 10 took part in the event performing a jazz inspired Gatsby' piece and a contemporary piece exploring the reality of body image for young people.

The students’ hard work paid off when the director of Dance House commented on their great level of confidence and professionalism.

www.mrc-academy.org

MRC Dance at Bognor

The Magic of Misty Nook: Little Frank

Latest in a series of children's books inspired by animal rescue

Christine Skippins is a local author, from Chichester, whose Magic of Misty Nook children’s stories about animal rescue is inspired by volunteering at a local Animal Centre.

As the animals recovered, she found renewed admiration for the animals and the teams that rehabilitated them. At that moment, her series, The Magic of Misty Nook, was born.

Little Frank’s story is her latest children’s book. He is a very young cat who in his four short months of life has already used at least two of his nine lives!

A naturally sweet, impetuous boy, he has not had anyone to care for or protect him from all of the dangers awaiting a small kitten.

But all of that changes when the magical elves hear of his plight and take him in, heal his injuries and show him what it feels like to be loved. They also introduce him to a beautiful young kitten called Sparkle, can they find a forever home together?

www.christineskippinsauthor.com

To enter answer the following question: What type of animal is Little Frank? a)

Chichester City Council

Local Plan update & new default speed limit

Edited extracts from draft minutes of Planning and Conservation Committee meeting 2nd Feb 2023. Local Plan update - Informed of District Council’s formal Regulation 19 consultation for presubmission Local Plan taking place from 3rd Feb -17th Mar 2023. Consultation focused on legal tests of soundness, compliance and duty to cooperate. Respondents have the opportunity to raise issues relating to Plan. Main policy changes from “preferred approach” version outlined. Housing Allocations within Parish would be 180 within remaining Southern Gateway sites with additional 270 for rest of Parish. Improvements to A27 at Fishbourne roundabout would be funded by developer contributions, likely to be the case for Bognor roundabout depending on outcome of a “monitor and manage” approach.

Whitehouse Farm Phase 2 developers to continue paying agreed £1,803 per dwelling to continue delivering advanced scheme. Similar for scheme at Tangmere. Future housing developments required to pay new contribution of £7,728

District Council hadn’t confirmed when they’d begin implementing policy. They could wait until Plan went to examination, but possible to introduce earlier. Potential issue of delivering Local Plan if too many large scale housing developments permitted before new policy started, as amount raised through developer contributions over Local Plan period could fall short of cost of A27 improvements required. Updated on possible National Planning Policy Framework changes relevant to housing need and rules on housing land supply relevant to Local Plan.

20MPH Default Speed Limit - Summarised 20MPH Default Speed Limit project purpose. Recommend creating Working Group to discuss speed limit and develop proposals for policies and actions to present to Planning and Conservation Committee. Unanimous support. Request to form Working Group approved and exploratory meeting of interested parties be called with intention of forming a Working Group for 20MPH Default Speed limit policy and action plan. www.chichester.gov.uk

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