Charity & Community News

Charity & Community news from across the counties

Dear Sussex Local. I much enjoyed your article on Sussex Cattle. My Great-Great Grandfather was also an enthusiast of this breed and had a prize winning herd at Hugget's Furnace Farm, Mayfield. Unfortunately, unlike the Leconfield herd, his was sold in 1902. There is one thing on which Kier Hartley must have misheard or been let down by his word processer. Oxen were not shod with clay shoes. I don't think they would last very long. Oxen were shod with iron shoes called 'cues'. These were like half a horseshoe but smaller, two for each foot because of the cloven hoof. Also called Queues because two together resembled this shape. Oxen were not easy to shoe and had to be thrown and restrained. P.S. Hugget's Furnace was an iron works which gave rise to the couplet, 'Old Master Hugget and his man John. They did cast the first can-on.' But that was some centuries earlier. Norman Allcorn, Findon. We contacted Keir, who replies “It was great to hear from Norman, and to learn more about this interesting breed. I was given the information about the shoes during research. But my thanks for providing this extra information which I did not have at the time of writing the article”. Editor The South Downs National Park has received a flat cash settlement from the Government of £10.486m in every year since 2019/2020 and this amount will remain the same until 24/25 –the same cash funding over a period of six years at a time of rapidly rising costs for all services. Inflation continues to erode this sum, meaning we continue to have to make cuts in delivery as well as seeking alternative funding. Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel & South Downs, has been reappointed City Minister and Economic Secretary to the Treasury in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Government reshuffle. The MP will be responsible for a wide ranging brief including regulation in the finance sector, access to cash and introducing legislation to make the UK a more competitive place to invest. West Sussex County Council reports that for the year to April 2022 its renewable energy systems generated more than 16,000 MWh of clean electricity for the grid, which is enough to power more than 5,500 average UK homes. This prevented 3,700 tonnes of CO2te being released into the atmosphere compared to generating the same amount of electricity from fossil fuels. By selling much of the electricity to the grid and making use of its batteries at Westhampnett solar farm, the County Council earned more than £2.5 million after running costs. This is helping to offset, but not completely cover, the increase in the authority’s own energy bill. West Sussex County Council are warning consumers to be wary of online scams during the busy Christmas buying period. Tips are available from www.getsafeonline.org/buyingonline Katy Bourne, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner reports that, following the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) pledge that police officers will attend all home burglaries, Sussex Chief Constable made this commitment two years ago . Ms Bourne will be probing further into the Force's response to tackling burglary, robbery and acquisitive crime. People with Down syndrome who are 30 years old or above, and have a GP based in West Sussex, are being invited to come forward for a healthy brain assessment. During the assessment they will be asked to carry out some fun activities, like puzzles and tasks, when their memory is at its best to help identify if there are any changes as they get older. For older aged adults with a learning disability the team is offering a dementia assessment. People interested can find more information on the website: www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/service-westsussex-community-learning-disability-teams Charity 4Sight Vision Support is getting ready for Christmas with its annual Christmas Concert and Grand Draw, as well as providing its supporters with card and gift ideas. Proceeds will help the charity in its work supporting blind and sight impaired residents of all ages throughout West Sussex. Their events are in the What’s On section, and for further information and to purchase draw tickets call 01243 828555 or visit their website at www.4sight.org.uk. Community stories are printed free of charge. Please email us your stories via: info@sussexlocal.net

Findon Village animal sanctuary “hectic” Paws Animal Sanctuary in Findon Village say their telephones have never been busier. With adults at work and children back at school, dogs acquired during the pandemic were not used to being left on their own for hours and owners have given up their pets to rescue centres, which are becoming full. Paws have recruited a couple of helpers who have built kennels and taken in some, but even these are now becoming full. Paws have also taken in lots of cats this year either strays or cats who have sadly been abandoned by their owners. They put pictures of them online Facebook every week as 'cat of the week' and eventually many have found new homes. In addition to this, the sanctuary has resident guinea pigs, rabbits and even chickens, all of which need to be looked after and, of course, fed. Paws has a reliable hard-working team of volunteers who clean, feed and groom the animals. Paws can be reached on 01903 872734 or 0790 447 6819. Registered Charity 1 0 9 6 2 3 1 . P a w s a n i m a l s @ h o t m a i l . c o . u k www.pawsanimalsanctuaryfindon.co.uk Green bike share scheme could be expanded Since being introduced in 2017, the Donkeybike system in Worthing has provided residents and visitors with an easily accessible and sustainable bicycle rental service to get around town. There are currently 34 bikes located in the borough along the promenade, Worthing and West Worthing train stations and the town hall. The proposed deal would also see the existing fleet in Worthing refurbished and additional bikes added to new locations at Brooklands Park, Goring Road and George V Avenue. Prices for the existing fleet in Worthing currently start at £1.25 for 30 minutes and memberships can be bought for those who may look to use the bikes more regularly. Please send your stories to info@sussexlocal.net

Reflections on a young life with disability Worthing resident, DJ, sportsperson, sports coach, and disability awareness speaker Adam Hayes has recently published his first book, titled Thirty Years of Me. It is a reflection on his first thirty years of life, detailing the ups and downs as a young person with a disability in the UK, from school to navigating the care system to living independently. Having previously taken part in the Brighton Marathon, Adam teaches disabled kids sports, and gives talks to students about living alone, Adam hopes to give other young people the tools that they need in order to avoid letting their disability be an obstacle. This memoir is accessible to all, giving valuable advice about money, mental health, and simply growing up and the responsibilities that come along with it. Thirty Years of Me demonstrates the wisdom that only comes from a life well-lived, showing everyone: where there's a wheel, there's a way. The book is available for pre-order from: olympiapublishers.com/book/thirty-years-of-me. Planning aims to deliver a greener Worthing Developers will need to provide more detailed information about trees they intend to retain and plant in new developments as a result of a new policy report adopted by Worthing Planning Committee in late October. Members of the committee expressed frustration about the gulf between what developers offer in their plans for new sites and what is delivered in practice. Worthing Kestro Stroke Club Kestro is a social club in Worthing for stroke survivors and their families. The club meets every Friday at Goring Church Hall, BN12 4PN at 2pm. People interested can email Steve for more information: steve@steveandcarol.plus.com or visit www.kestro.wordpress.com. Email community stories to info@sussexlocal.net