Sussex Local Magazine - Findon FEBRUARY 2023

Feb 2023

Cover image: Warren Hill Sunrise by Kris Thomas

HELLO!

After the New Year celebrations and settling back into a routine, February can feel like an opportunity to pause and draw breath. It’s no coincidence that this month is named from the Latin word februum which means purification. There’s a sense of optimism, that Spring is just around the corner and that everything will get brighter and warmer soon.

This month our Charity spotlight is on “The Wellderness” a Community Interest Company helping people and the environment through engagement with nature. Also in this magazine; our regular selection of local guided walks, February event listings, a satisfying breakfast recipe, gardening tasks for February, motoring, health & wellbeing plus competitions and puzzles.

This month also means Valentine’s Day, Half Term (see our What’s On section), Black History Month, Pancake Day, and Random Acts of Kindness Day (on the 17th). Until next time, Kris & Jeff

Disclaimer - Whilst advertisements are printed in good faith, Sussex Local (Kay Publishing Ltd) is an independent company and does not endorse products or services that appear in this magazine. Sussex Local cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions or claims made by contributors. Views and opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Quote of the month...

“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.” - LINUS PAULING, CHEMIST

SUSSEX LOCAL “ ”

CONTENTS

Children's Puzzle Page

Win Ticket to Ministry of Science Live!

Charity & Community News

Local Guided Walks

Motoring - prevent invalidating your insurance

Prize Crossword - Win a £30 voucher for The Highdown

The Wellderness - helping people through nature

Health and WellbeingDon't try to be perfect!

SUSSEX

LOCAL

Gardening - Februarythe set-up month

Housing Market '23 - Has the bubble burst?

Property - Show your home some love!

History of Cricket in Findon

Recipe - Overnight Oats

Local Council News

Findon Valley Residents Association

Advertising from only £10 per edition

Established in 2007, we publish and hand-deliver seven editions free of charge to over 45,000 homes and businesses every month. We welcome reader letters and community notices which we publish free of charge.

ARUNDEL and surroundings – 6,829 addresses BARNHAM and surroundings – 6,063 addresses CHICHESTER city centre and suburbs – 6,227 addresses FINDON and surroundings – 7,196 addresses MIDHURST / PETWORTH and surroundings – 7,074 addresses PULBOROUGH and surroundings – 5,952 addresses SOUTHWATER and surroundings – 7,100 addresses STORRINGTON and surroundings – 6,611 addresses

Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237 Pulborough RH20 9AH info@sussexlocal.net |www.sussexlocal.net | 01903 868474

What’s On - February/March 2023

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

CHARITY

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

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

CHILDREN'S EVENTS

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

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

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every Mon, Wed & Fri Various times West

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

Every Wed 11:30 AM Wednesday Lunch Club

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

Every Wed 7:00 PM Worthing Short Mat Bowls

Club West Park School Worthing BN12 4HD Betty Potts 01903 260218 bobetty_highsalvington@yahoo.co.uk worthingshortmatbowls.weebly.com/#

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

COMMUNITY

17/02/2023 6:30 PM Worthing Climate

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

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

Community Event in Chichester Keith Varney talks about Mission Aviation Fellowship Chichester Park Hotel PO19 7QL £9.50 Peter peter@ppsutton.co.uk immanuelchichester.com/ community/mens-breakfast/ 07813 024585 17/03/2023 6:30 PM Worthing Climate Engagement & Action Meetings for those concerned about the environment XR Worthingtwice monthly meetings CREW Worthing BN11 3AL xrworthing@protonmail.com

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

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

COURSES & TUITION

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

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

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

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

EXHIBITIONS

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

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

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

05/02/2023 3:00 PM Family friendly theatre 'My Family and Other Animals' in Lewes Join the Durrell's on a Mediterranean adventure this Winter in All Saints Centre Lewes BN7 2LE £9.50 / £7.50 Lewes Drama Collective enquiry@dramacollective.com www.ticketsource.eu/lewes-drama-collective 16/02/2023 2:00 PM 'Journey to the Stars' in Bognor Regis A blend of puppetry, storytelling, live music & comedy. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £8.50 Hazel Latus 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

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

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

08/02/2023 7:30 PM Rotary Film Night in Storrington Fisherman's Friends One and All Starring James Purfoy with Bar + Raffle Sullington Village Hall RH20 3PP £5 Ken 1903740745 kandjcoll@btinternet.com More events on www.sussexlocal.net - please contact event organisers to check for changes

09/02/2023

7:00 PM Worthing Twinning

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

GARDENS & HORTICULTURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

MUSIC

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

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

07/02/2023 2:00 PM 2 O'Clock Club in Bognor Regis Karen Etherington. Studio 1, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £6 Hazel alexandratheatre.co.uk 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 11/02/2023 8:00 PM Le Freak CHIC & Nile Rodgers Tribute UK's premier CHIC & Nile Rodgers Tribute band. Empire Hall, Graffham Petworth GU280QB £20 Jim Kirke empirehall@gmail.com empirehall.org.uk

Every Mon 8:00 PM Fernhurst Choral Society

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

SALES & MARKETS

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

events on www.sussexlocal.net -

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

Local growers, bakers, meat, poultry, flowers, plants and food and drink makers. Arundel BN18 9AA www.arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk

18/03/2023 9:00 AM Arundel Farmers Market

Local growers, bakers, meat, poultry, flowers, plants and food and drink makers Arundel BN18 9AA www.arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk

18/03/2023 9:30 AM Cheeki Monkeys Big Baby & Children market Buy or sell used babies' and children’s toys, clothes and equipment. The Shoreham centre BN435WU £1.50 Delphine www.facebook.com/Cheeki-Monkeys-BrightonBN2-and-Shoreham-by-Sea-107135655022217 delphine.cheekimonkeys@gmail.com

SOCIAL & ENTERTAINMENT

14/02/2023 6:00 PM Petworth Late: An Artful Valentines An exclusive evening for adults Petworth House and Park GU28 9LR £15 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk 01798 342207 nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth

month

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

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

Avisford Park Hotel

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

TALKS

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

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

07/02/2023 7:30 PM Worthing Antique, Arts & Collectors' Club Talk on the History of Crown Jewels. Field Place Worthing BN13 1NP £7.50 Andrew Pescott 07984 403890 worthingantiqueclub@yahoo.co.uk www.worthingantiqueclub.com

13/02/2023 10:00 AM The Arts Society, Steyning “All Done On Ginger Beer” by Sarah Benton. The Steyning Centre BN44 £10 donation for visitors steyning@theartssociety.org www.theartssocietysteyning.org.uk

20/02/2023 11:00 AM 'Promise of Snowdrop' at Denmans Gardens Visit and Talk Denmans Gardens Fontwell Lucy Ashworth 01243 572433 office@snowdroptrust.com

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

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

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

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

THEATRE

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

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

Picture this!

Framing Art, J Keffert & Sons Framing & Mirror

A picture paints a thousand words and pictures have an important role to play in the furnishing of our homes and commercial spaces. Consider your own home devoid of pictures or mirrors or a nearby restaurant or hotel similarly lacking in any wall decoration - lots of empty space! Harvey and Jason Keffert of J Keffert & Sons have been talking to Sussex Local about their photography and framing business. Jason told us that he has been a commercial photographer for 30 years and introduced the framing element some 12 years ago firstly for commercial clients but now open to the general public.

Harvey and Jason work out of two workshops on their own property which means that they do not have the additional expense of a shopfront and can, thus, keep costs to a competitive level. Furthermore, they explained they keep a relatively

small range of mouldings so as not to overwhelm clients, the majority of whom prefer simple black wooden frames. Where required, they can provide frames of any design from heavy gold to tray frames. Since offering their service to the general public they have found it very rewarding to be tasked with framing personal artwork and take pride in gaining a satisfied customer be it for 2,500 pictures and mirrors for a hotel chain, or a single certificate for an individual.

Tastes and fashions change over time and Harvey and Jason have invested in new automated machinery which can initiate a speedier turn around for clients' artwork. They are more than happy to offer suggestions and advice to anyone who needs a picture frame.

www.jasonkeffert.com tel: 07771 930156

4 Castle Goring Mews, Worthing BN13 3UD

largest

ever made was created in the UK in Rochdale, in 1994. It was 15 metres wide and weighed three tonnes.

Henry V - live on stage in Worthing

A production by Shakespeare’s Globe & Headlong

expand his green and pleasant land. But at what devastating cost? Witness Henry’s bombastic pursuit of power, throwing into question what it really means to be English.

Civil unrest, trouble with Europe, the death of a monarch… Experience Shakespeare’s unnervingly relevant Henry V in a production that offers a different perspective on England’s fifteenthcentury hero.

Henry, the young and newly crowned king, is impatient to assert control over the people of England. Having received a humiliating gift from overseas, his bruised ego leads him to double down on a military invasion abroad in a bid to

Win a pair of tickets to see Henry V at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing on 3rd March at 7.30pm or 4th March at 2.30pm or 7.30pm. Winner can choose the date, subject to availability. For more information visit www.wtm.uk Send

RH20 9AH

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charity & Community News

Free computer training and energy advice

If you are struggling with a new laptop, tablet, iPad or mobile phone, you can take advantage of free help with getting started with your device, navigating the web, security and online safety as well as some popular apps you can use. The volunteers at Worthing Homes Resource Centre (WHRC) have digital volunteers who, in a recent collaboration with Climate Resilience Centre Worthing, have also been trained to offer energy advice and accessing grants. Individual help is also available for support with job searches, CV tailoring and interviews

WHRC is opposite Davison House in North Street BN11 1ER, open every Wednesday 10am -5pm. Call 01903 703198 to book an appointment.

New Climate Resource charity opens

A new charity - the Climate Resilience Centre Worthing (CREW) - has been set up to bring an

alliance together consisting of several local groups working in the related areas of climate emergency, sustainability, recycling, repairing, wellbeing, green travel and building community.

The centre is one of forty across the UK working to improve mitigation and adaptation to the Climate and Ecological Emergency.

In light of the cost of living crisis CREW volunteers will also be offering free support and advice on energy saving and accessing grants.

If you would like to join the CREW team they are looking for volunteers to help the following teams: Crowdfunding, Donations, Health & Safety, Centre Coordination, Budget Planning and manning the centre. Most roles would involve 24 hours a week. Email: info@worthingcrew.co.uk.

Their offices are at 8-9 South Street BN11 3AL. Wednesday 10am - 9pm, Thursday 10am - 4pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm. We print

Charity & Community News

Worthing public toilet upgrades

Public toilets across Worthing are set to receive some special attention following a survey by Council officers and the borough’s Cabinet Member for the Environment. Cllr Vicki Wells (pictured) joined officers on an inspection of the town’s public loos to assess their condition. The results of the “Toilet Tour” identified a series of improvements that could be carried out on 10 of the town centre’s toilets.

Following the tour, the Lido and the High Street multi-storey car park toilets will be prioritised for renovation in the next financial year. In the meantime, these loos will receive some TLC from Council teams who will also carry out minor redecoration works to the ladies, gents and disabled facilities at Worthing Pier and the public loos opposite the Dome Cinema.

Stories to info@sussexlocal.net

Steve Crockett joined West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as a retained firefighter in 1980 whilst working full-time at British Telecom. In a varied career, Steve helped fight the fire at the old Warnes Hotel and worked a 24 hour shift helping residents in the Great Storm of 1987. Steve commented: “It’s been a real juggling act between doing my main job, being a family man and a part-time firefighter - but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world”.

Fire fighter Steve retires after 42 years A retained Watch Manager retired on Christmas Eve after serving the communities of Worthing for 42 years over four decades!

Sussex Walks - February 2023

These walks are supported by Horsham District Council & Chichester District Council and are led by volunteers. If the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled.

IMPORTANT: You must pre-book the Chichester DC “Heart Smart” walks (90 mins+) up to 7 days in advance on www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart or call 01243 521041 There is no need to book the Horsham Council walks but for more details see: www.horsham.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/walking/wellbeing-walks

Horsham District Council - Weekly Walks

Please check website for the full monthly schedule (not available at time of print)

Every Mon 10:45am North Heath Horsham 2 miles 30 or 75 mins A gentle walk around the North Heath area riverside. Refreshment and toilets in pub Meet Sussex Barn pub car park, off North Heath Lane, RH12 5PJ Ann & John 01403 268885

Every Wed 10:30am Horsham Park Stroll 1+ mile 30 or 50 mins

Suitable for all. Dogs on leads welcome. Friendly group and stop for a coffee at The Pavilion Centre Meet at bandstand in Carfax (RH12 1FD) Emmy 01403 255517 or Doreen 01403 230293

Every Wed & Sun 2.30pm Horsham Heritage 1.5 miles 1 hr 45 Find out about the hidden history of this old and interesting town with an experienced guide Meet: Horsham Museum, Causeway Nigel Friswell 01403 261905

Every Thu 11:00am Billingshurst

2.3 miles 60 mins Walk around Billingshurst‘s footpaths or Jubilee Fields. Stay for coffee afterwards. Dogs on leads Meet at Billingshurst Library, Mill Lane, RH14 9JZ Chris 01403 782745

Every Fri 10:30am St Mary’s Church, Horsham 2.5 miles 90 mins Gentle walk around Chesworth Farm or Denne Hill; no styles or steep hills. Suitable for all. Meet: St Marys Church, Horsham Peter Tobutt 01403 260783

Chichester District Council

Wed 1st 10.30am

Houghton Forest

L: Alison 2.5 hrs 3 6 miles

Walking up through Houghton Forest and back along the South Downs Way with panoramic views

Meet: Whiteways Car Park, BN18 9FD. New car parking charges

Tue 7th 10.30am

Chanctonbury Ring

L: Peter Brook 4 miles 2 hrs A circular walk to Chanctonbury Ring hill fort and return via Washington village with some steep gradients.

Meet: Opposite site of Frankland Arms pub, RH20 4AL

Wed 8th 10.30am

Climping

L: Dominic 3 miles 1 hr 15 Along dunes and beach to Climping Mill, then across fields to Ferry Road and Rope Walk to the Yacht Club. Refreshments are available at the Yacht Club on the return

Meet: Arun Yacht Club Car Park, Littlehampton, BN17 5DL

Thurs 16th 10.00am

Wisborough Green

L: Louise 6.5 miles 3 hours

A walk up Harsfold Lane over the Wey & Arun Canal to Lee Place then via bridleways and footpaths to Lordings Lock. A walk with uphill and downhill parts, 6 stiles, 1 fence. No dogs sorry

Meet: Park at the green in the laybys

Sun 19th 10.30am

Slindon Woods

L: Dominic 2 hrs 3.5 miles

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

Tue 21st 10.30am

Angmering Park

A mainly flat walk through woods and meadows

Meet: Car park in the woods at the Dover BN18 9PX

L: Peter 4 miles 2 hrs

Tips to prevent invalidating your insurance

By Geoff Cudd, Find The Best Car Price

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

Not de-icing your car properly

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

Snow on the roof

Insurance loopholes for low temperatures

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

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

Leaving your car whilst de-icing

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

Geoff

Cudd

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

Lasting Powers of Attorney

By Will Writer Emma Cohen MIPW

Life is full of surprises

I don’t often get the chance to sit down and watch much on the TV, but I recently delved head first into a couple of episodes of 24 hours in A&E. I realised 3 things - firstly, I’m not great with blood, secondly, our NHS staff do an incredible job under stressful situations and finally, none of us know what the future has in store. Whether it’s a freak accident or the decline in mental capacity, none of us know what’s around the corner. We speak to people daily about the conditions of Lasting Powers of Attorney, and there’s a common theme that most people think you only need one when you get old. My few hours of binge-watching demonstrated that life is full of surprises and if we want to make sure our best interests are future proofed, it’s worth investigating options before something happens.

What is a Lasting Powers of Attorney?

A Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) is a way of giving someone you trust, the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the mental capacity to do so. There are 2 types of LPA, one is based on financial situations including the sale of property and money management the other on the provision of health and care. They are not mutually exclusive and can be either planned together or written separately. It’s probably also worth pointing out that they are not linked to your Will and effectively the agreements die with you.

Why should I have an LPA?

The benefits of having an LPA in place are that you get to choose who makes your decisions if for any reason you no longer can. For many, there is certainly comfort in knowing that whatever awaits us, you have plans in place to make sure someone has your best interests at heart. Please do get in touch with me on 01903 821010 or email: emma.cohen@nsure.co.uk

The Wellderness C.I.C

Improving people’s lives through nature by Lynn Smith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Working to create a 1,000-year legacy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Queen’s Green Canopy Tree of Trees

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

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

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

No one is perfect all the time!

By health coach & trainer Heather Smith

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

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

What I'd love you to know is that you don't have to have everything figured out in order to move forward and achieve what you want to achieve.

I love the phrase "eat your elephant one bite at a time". It means don't get overwhelmed by the length of the journey ahead of you; just go one day at a time and make the best decisions you can on that day.

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

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

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

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

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

Remember consistency is more important than perfection.

Do your best, be good enough and also realise that is it totally fine just to coast for a while until you are ready to move forward again.

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good!

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

ELIEVE

In Your Garden

Monthly gardening ideas & tasks

by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens

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

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

Clearance

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

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

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

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

Pruning

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

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

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

February - Invest now for summer returns

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

Evergreen shrubs and hedges can be pruned now.

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

Moving and planting

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

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

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

Seeds

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

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

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

Protection

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

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

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

Where to go in February - Garden inspiration

Pension planning

By Oliver Suter DipPFS, financial adviser

The New Year is where we set goals for the future, so what should you consider when setting your retirement goals?

When do you want to retire?

Many people consider retirement at state pension age. The government are increasing the state pension age to 67 by 2028 and further increases are planned. If you want to retire sooner, consider pension contributions.

How much income is needed in retirement?

The state pension is currently £185.15 per week. For many, this is not enough to support their desired lifestyle. To spend more in retirement, consider pension contributions.

How much should you invest?

Once you’ve answered the above questions, you can predict how much you need to contribute.

Have you reviewed your investments?

Investment performance has a huge impact on your retirement pot. Regular reviews ensure you are on track to achieve your goals.

Capital at risk, The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested.

‘Investment Solutions’ is the trading name of Investment Solutions Wealth Management Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Investment solutions group photo

The UK Housing Market in 2023

Has the bubble burst?

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

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

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

Is it all gloom and doom?

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

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

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

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

What about first time buyers?

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

Helen Say, freelance copywriter

Don’t forget your home this Valentine’s!

By Nick Roberts RMR Group

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.robertsmillerredshaw.com

Balmy summer days of Findon cricket

Let us look forward to summer arriving and

a little more and bought Beer at the Gun Inn, brought it home and drank it in the afternoon".

A jolly time appears to have been enjoyed by all the men folk in Findon that summer.

In those far off days, it is said that by the 1840s, a cricket bat could be found behind the back door of every cottage in the village - or else stored up in the bacon rack. The game was played by local shop workers, tradesmen and labourers for whom the cricket provided enjoyment and relaxation after a hard day's work.

moved to the village.

The earliest game of cricket I can discover in Findon was that playing against the Horsham lads in August, 1773.

I have also unearthed a merry piece from Thursday 12th June 1794 appertaining to three employees found absent from their duties at Muntham Court in Findon "Osburn, Glassbrook and Dick got drunk and kept holidays".

The following week on Wednesday 18th June 1794 two men from Muntham were again absent from their daily tasks. This was the same mentioned Dick… and another named Thorp. They were caught watching a cricket match. I know this because it went on record that they missed out on the distribution of their "beer ration to employees" at the mansion on that particular afternoon.

On the occasion of the said cricket match on Wednesday 18th June 1794, a banker by the name of Mr Hore, in the company of three ladies from Worthing visited Muntham Court. They had called to see William Frankland’s display of Machinery. Upon their departure, it was recorded that five shillings was handed out to the workers

"They gave Mr. Hasted 5 shillings, with which Osburn and Glassbrook went to Mr. Gravely at Storrington and bought beer at the rate of 14d. per Gallon, brought it home and gave every one their proper share about the house, except Dick and Thorp, who were at cricket".

The day after the above visit, on Thursday, 19th June 1794, a further shilling was earned by the Muntham Court workers

"Miss Wyatt and Niece - the Housekeeper from Mitchelgrove... and Mrs. Tate from Findon came to Muntham to see the Machinery, and gave Osburn a Shilling. To which the Workmen added

This proves that cricket was popular long before there was an official cricket club in the village. The Findon Cricket Club was not formed until 1867 and it was an auspicious year for the inhabitants, especially for those who were anxious to join in taking up the bat and be players.

The ground for the newly formed Cricket Club was donated to the village by William Westbrook Richardson's Estate. It took the villager's men some six years long years to landscape the designated area. This was carried out in their spare time and it was eventually transformed into a state useable for cricket. Hence the steep mound of excavated earth seen behind the pavilion today.

The Findon team ended up playing on one of the most picturesque pitches in the country by courtesy of the Findon Place Estate. The pitch was locally known as Kennel Bottom, receiving its name from the nearby Kennels where foxhounds were lodged in readiness for the fox hunting season.

The elected Treasurer was William Goater Senior and J. P. Millen was the Secretary. The Committee members were well-known village namesE.Burchell; A. Hewett; James Carter; Walter Brown (he became the innkeeper of the Gun Inn c.1874); and Albert Short Junior (farmer of Findon Farm then in The Square).

I will now take you little southwards as the crow flies. To where a notable cricket match was played between ladies and gentlemen in Homefield Park in nearby Worthing in the summer of 1889. You may be astonished to learn that the girls won by a grand total of 53 runs on the day.

I quite forgot to mention that the guys had to bat with broomsticks and field using only their left hands.

Cricket has been played here since 1773, says Valerie Martin

Flavoursome overnight oats

A healthy breakfast to keep you fuelled for the day

Ingredients - Serves 1

• 1 medium banana, mashed

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

• 125ml ‘Susana & Daughters’ kefir milk

• 1 tsp Sussex honey

• 40g jumbo oats

• ½ tsp ‘Carla’s seasoning’ ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

• 3 walnuts, roughly chopped

Method

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

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

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

Hollies Top Tips-

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

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

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

Penny Strachan Funeral Director

Findon Parish Council Planning Applications

Edited extracts from draft minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held 1st December 2022. To consider the following: SDNP/22/04269/FUL –Downside, Stable Lane, BN14 0RR - Demolition of dilapidated stables to be replaced by a horse exerciser. Councillors reviewed application planning documents and location. Referred to guidance in Equestrian Technical Advice Note issued by SDNPA. Resolved: Clerk informs SDNPA Findon Parish Council (FPC) raises no objection.

SDNP/22/04955/HOUS – 1 Ivy Arch Close, BN14 0RX - Extend north side of existing dwelling, new porch to east elevation, raise eaves and ridges on west facing projection and new roof extension on eastern roof slope to form first floor accommodation. Reviewed application planning documents and location. Previous location applications provided. Resolved: Clerk informs SDNPA FPC raises no objection. SDNP/22/05123/TPO– Findon Place, Horsham Road, BN14 0RF - Various tree works across entire site. Reviewed application planning documents and location. Attention drawn to SDNPA’s refusal of Dead and Dying Tree element of application

regarding two Beech trees. SDNPA recommended site visit for other trees in application. Application deferred for consideration by FPC until this took place. Resolved: Clerk informs SDNPA of deferral.

SDNP/22/04397/HOUS – 24 High Street, BN14 0TA - Single storey rear extension. Reviewed application planning documents and location. Question raised whether addition of sky lantern is needed to comply with Findon Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy CFW8 Dark Night Skies Policy and SD8 of South Downs Local Plan. This was considered on case-by-case basis by Planning Officers. Resolved: Clerk informs SDNPA FPC raises no objection, subject to policy compliance.

SDNP/22/05141/HOUS – High Bank, 45 Cross Lane, BN14 0UB - Detached outbuilding in front garden. Reviewed application planning documents and location. If SDNPA approves, FPC expects a Condition be imposed to prevent subsequent conversion of office space to non-ancillary independent residential use. Resolved: Clerk informs SDNPA FPC raises no objection, subject to Condition being met. www.findonparishcouncil.gov.uk

Findon Valley Residents’ Association

Events in 2022, Cissbury fields, cycle/pedestrian path & meetings

Main events in 2022

Were the Jubilee Party and Christmas Extravaganza, and both were very popular so we’ll soon be making plans for community activities in 2023. To keep in touch do sign up for our emails, Facebook and Instagram. For email see our website fvra.org.uk then click ‘Email the FVRA’ and sign up. Even better if you are not already a member do join us now! We have held our membership annual subs at £5 per household, and just £3 for single occupants. Use safe Direct Debit Donation via the Charities Aid Foundation - details on our website. Re-naturalising the Cissbury Fields Worthing Borough Council are progressing with proposals for re-naturalising the Cissbury Fields. When the Council is ready to provide an exhibition (in Findon Valley Library) FVRA will help publicise this so everyone can have a say. It’s a pity that the hay bales cut in Autumn 2022 cannot be used by farmers due to the problem of dog waste contamination.

New cycle/pedestrian path

At the time of writing County Council contractors are progressing well with the new shared cycle/ pedestrian path from Bost Hill to the Black Horse, then new signage and minor junction alterations will be actioned along May Tree and Lime Tree Avenue roadways to complete a continuous safe cycle route from Findon to Offington Roundabout. FVRA encourages safe cycling and walking - always an opportunity to “Give the Car a Break”.

Meetings

Our Members’ Open Meeting and AGM will be at the Free Church Hall, 2.15pm on 11th March. After a few years of online “zoom” meetings it’ll be great to have a face-to-face event again.

Craft and farmers’ market

Our next craft and farmers’ market in Lime Tree Surgery car park is on 26th February, 10am till 2pm. See you there! www.fvra.org.uk

Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value

Had an MOT and service done 28/9/22. Nice man came and picked up the car for us, on time, always polite and very helpful, brought it back all done. Would highly recommend them.

H.F. Oct 2022