Charity & Community News

Community news from across the counties

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

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

New Worthing Blood Cancer Community Group Are you, or have you ever experienced blood cancer? Or know someone who has? Worthing Community Group has been set up to ensure you never face it alone. Blood cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK. While huge improvements have been made in treatments, it is still the third biggest cause of cancer deaths. Through walking, laughter, music, and more, Worthing Community Group will not only be there to help raise awareness of blood cancer, but to help raise funds to enable Blood Cancer UK to continue their vital research, which has already led to a long line of breakthroughs that have improved treatments and saved lives. For more information visit the group on Facebook (@bloodcancerukworthing) or email bloodcancerukworthing@gmail.com. Worthing re-designs Heritage Trail maps Nature lovers and history fans will enjoy a summer boost thanks to the redesign and update of five of Worthing’s heritage trails that highlight some of the area’s best-loved assets.

Time for Worthing has worked in partnership with local historian Chris Hare to update the existing network of natural and cultural heritage sites. The five new trails have been funded by Worthing Borough Council with some additional sponsorship from the Rotary Club. The trails start at and cover: Highdown Gardens and Hill; Tarring Village; Cissbury Ring; Worthing town centre; Pier, Parks and Seafront. The new trails, which include advice about suitability for those with access requirements and mobility needs, have all been given a modern twist as maps of the networks will be available digitally Time for Worthing website. Free-of-charge printed leaflets will also be available from Worthing libraries including Central Worthing, Broadwater, Durrington, Findon and Goring, as well as from the Visitor Point at the Coastal Office on the promenade. Information includes distance of the routes, the duration of walks, as well as information for people with mobility requirements. www.timeforworthing.uk. Community venues could host Council meetings Venues across Worthing could be used to host Council meetings to allow more members of the community to get involved. Worthing Borough Council is looking for potential sites such as community centres, social clubs or church halls so that those who want to get involved in influencing decision-making in their community do not have to travel to the centre of Worthing to have their voices heard.

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