Sussex Local Magazine - Findon JANUARY 2023

SUSSEX

LOCAL “

Jan 2023

Cover

HELLO!

Welcome to 2023 and hopefully some respite from the turbulence of the past couple of years.

As is our tradition, the January issue has a larger health and wellbeing feature. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s the importance of looking after our own physical and mental health and wellbeing so we can also help those around us. It may be cold outside but a walk with like-minded people can be a real tonic. There are guided walks taking place in our area most days and we have a dedicated page of listings. Being homeless is wretched but even more so in the colder, darker months. Brighton charity Sussex Nightspot provides a vital service helping to house young people with vetted host families in their community.

“Gardens are fourdimensional” says horticulturalist Andrew Staib. Find out how to design your garden from the roots up and make the most of the space. Don’t forget we are happy to print charity and community information, news and events for free.

Happy New Year!

Kris & Jeff

Quote of the month...

"New year - new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours." - ALEX MORRITT

CONTENTS

SUSSEX

LOCAL

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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.

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.

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

image: Cissbury Ring summit Lance Allen

What’s On - January 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 February events to be put on website - 4th January

BUSINESS

02/01/2023 12:00 PM Sussex Innovation Networking events A series of events launched aimed at local businesses & entrepreneurs. The University of Sussex Business School Brighton BN1 9SN Free. University of Sussex Business School: exteng@sussex.ac.uk

CHARITY

18/01/2023 2:00 PM Friends of the South Downs Zoom Webinar with George Monbiot How can we be effective in the issues facing our environment? Zoom £10 Gill 01798 875073 enquiries@friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk/public-events/ 20/02/2023 11:00 AM 'Promise of Snowdrop' at Denmans Gardens Denmans Garden Visit and Talk at Denmans Gardens in Fontwell BN18 0SU Lucy Ashworth 01243 572433 office@snowdroptrust.com

CHILDREN'S EVENTS

1st & 2nd Jan 9:00 AM The Nutcracker Festive Trail in Chichester Follow the trail and discover the names of the 11 Nutcracker Kings guarding the city of Chichester City Centre PO19 1LQ Chichester BID office@chichesterbid.co.uk www.chichesterbid.co.uk/christmas

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

2nd Jan & 6th Feb 8:00 PM Felpham Singles

Social Club Social club for widowed, separated or divorced of mature age. monthly The George Inn Bognor Regis PO22 7PL Free/donations Anne Cook 01243 821530 anniecook555@yahoo.co.uk www.felphamsingles.yolasite.com

5th Jan & 2nd Feb 6:45 PM Comic book club Novels aimed at adults including literary adaptations, biography, history, journalism, travelogue, memoir, politics etc monthly Private house Barnham PO22 0EF Free. Contact Paul Wilson: paulw21erin@gmail.com 7th Jan & 4th Feb 10:30 AM Parkinson's Support Group in Washington Support group for people with Parkinson's and their families Washington Village Memorial Hall RH20 4AP £2 Gillian Chard 01903 746871 gillian.chard@btinternet.com 09/01/2023 7:30 PM Every Monday, and Wednesday and Friday West Chiltington Table Tennis Club West Chiltington Village Hall hosts Table Tennis Club three days of the week West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ Ron Ladley ronfayeladley@hotmail.co.uk 09/01/2023 7:30 PM Pulborough Meadows WI January 2023 Meeting A friendly, small group who meet every second Monday of the month at Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF Mary Walker 07920 326000 mary.walker50@gmail.com 13/01/2023 3:00 PM Rosehill Book Club New members welcomed to this small, friendly club Rosehill Book Club Pulborough RH20 4NL Carol Davison carol953@hotmail.co.uk 18th Jan & 15th Feb 7:30 PM Sullington Windmills WI A friendly group of around 60 ladies, meet monthly on the third Wednesday of each month. Parish Hall Sullington RH20 3PP Erika Brichta erikabrichta@hotmail.co.uk sullingtonwindmills.org/ 19/01/2023 11:00 AM South Downs Probus Club in Findon Monthly Club Lunch for retired gentlemen to make new friends and enjoy trips and events in Storrington area. The Black Horse Findon BN14 0SX Don Johnston 01903 740904 donjohnston@btinternet.com 25/01/2023 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

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

Every Sun (except b/holidays) 11:00 AM West Chiltington Sunday badminton club meets weekly on Sundays from 11AM to 1PM at West Chiltington Village Hall Pulborough RH20 2PZ Vivian Jones vmjones18@hotmail.co.uk

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 Contact Louise: louisekaiser4807@gmail.com

Every Wed 7:00 PM Worthing Short Mat Bowls Club Short Mat Bowls Club in Worthing play every Wednesday St. Andrews School Worthing BN14 8BG Contact Betty Potts: bobetty_highsalvington@yahoo.co.uk worthingshortmatbowls.weebly.com

Every Thurs 10:30 Thakeham Table Tennis Club playing for fun and exercise with coaching available. Thakeham Village Hall RH20 3GP andytttc@gmail.com thakehamtabletennis.co.uk

COURSES

11/01/2023 and weekly for 10 weeks 2:00 PM "Judge and Jury" WEA Course in Billingshurst Study the people, issues and outcomes of 10 famous trials Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre RH14 9QW £100 for 10 sessions (benefit claimants 2 hours free) David 0300 303 3464 david@daviddaley.plus.com

COURSES & TUITION

9th, 16th, 23 & 30th Jan and 6th & 13th Feb 10:00 AM WEA class in Chichester - Hearth and Home: Sussex Vernacular Buildings 5 sessions on history of housing locally New Park Community and Arts Centre Chichester PO19 7XY £50 (income related benefit concession) WEA 0300 303 3464 www.wea.org.uk/ chichester.branch@wea.ac.uk

28/01/2023 9:30 AM Birding for absolute beginners at Pulborough Brooks Get to grips with birding on this absolute beginner course RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £20.50 for members and £25.50 for Non-members Lydia Fletcher lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk 01798 875851 events.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

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

EXHIBITION

18/02/2023 2:30 PM 'Snowdrops - where you least expect them' exhibition in Fontwell Garden Visit and Photography Exhibition Denmans Gardens Fontwell BN18 0SU Lucy Ashworth 01243 572433 office@snowdroptrust.com

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

Last day - 1st Jan 2:00 PM 'Beauty and the Beast' pantomime at The Regis Centre It's Panto time again, with 'Beauty & the Beast'. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £18.50£20.50 £17 - £19 under 16's Hazel Latus 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

1st & 2nd Jan 10:30 AM Tree-Mendous Christmas Explore Petworth House to see Christmas trees taking centre stage this season. daily Petworth House and Park Petworth GU28 9LR Petworth Property Office 01798 342207 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth 25/02/2023 2:30 PM Ministry of Science Live! Science Saved the World Join presenters as they dive into the world of science and look at how science shapes our modern world Worthing Pavilion Theatre BN11 3PX £17.50 01903 206206 boxoffice@wtm.uk wtm.uk/events/ ministry-of-science-livescience-saved-the-world

FILM

11/01/2023 7:30 PM

Storrington Rotary Film Night - Phantom of the Open Starring Mark

Rylance Tickets £5 from Card Shop Bar + Raffle Info Ken 01903 740745 Sullington Village Hall Storrington RH20 3PP £5 Info - Ken Collins: 01903 740745 kandjcoll@btinternet.com 16/01/2023 7:30 PM Pulborough Film Night Mrs Harris Goes To Paris is a 2022 Drama/ Comedy 1h 56m Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF £7 Terri: 07711 470635 terriashpool@uwclub.net

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

GARDENS & HORTICULTURE

1st Jan (Last day) - 4:30 PM Glow Wild at Wakehurst The enchanting winter lantern trail is back at Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden, Haywards Heath RH17 6TN From £14 (Adult Kew/Wakehurst Member) From £11 (Child). Under 4's go free. Wakehurst glowwild@kew.org www.kew.org/wakehurst

HEALTH & FITNESS

28/01/2023

8:30 AM Bluecoat Sports Open Day in Horsham Kickstart the New Year at this Open Day. All activities on offer will be free to everybody!

Bluecoat Sports Health & Fitness Club Horsham RH13 0YB Free. Bluecoat Sports Health & Fitness Club 01403 247572 info@bluecoatsports.co.uk www.bluecoatsports.co.uk/

HORSERACING

02/01/2023 10:15 AM Sussex National Raceday at Plumpton Racecourse Enjoy the historic Sussex National. 7 races, music, food & drink, under 18s free! Plumpton Racecourse Ltd Lewes BN7 3AL £17 01273 890383 racing@plumptonracecourse.co.uk www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk/events/ goodwin-racing-sussex-national-raceday/ 18/01/2023 11:15 AM January Jumps Raceday at Plumpton Racecourse Come along to Plumpton Racecourse to enjoy six races Plumpton Racecourse Lewes BN7 3AL £16 Free for under 18s racing@plumptonracecourse.co.uk www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk/events/januaryjumps-raceday/ 01273 890383

MUSIC

07/01/2023 7:00 PM Mozart Symphony No. 41 Lewes Music Group Orchestra and Lewes Singers present Vivaldi - Gloria, MozartSymphony No. 41 All Saints Centre Lewes BN7 2LE £15 Child: £8. lewesmusicgroup.com Daniel: admin@lewesmusicgroup.com

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

09/01/2023 8:00

PM Fernhurst Choral Society

Weekly rehearsals leading to concerts in March and May. Fernhurst Village Hall GU27 3EH See website for prices Nigel 07485 145141 or Tina 01730 816542 fernhurstchoral@gmail.com www.fernhurstchoralsociety.org.uk/ 19/01/2023 7:30 PM Dixieland/Trad Jazz in Lancing Evening of Dixieland and Traditional Jazz with the Featherstone Jazz Four. DRNK Coffee House, Lancing Manor Leisure Estate Lancing BN15 0PH Free. Derek Little 01903 249900 dglittle@ntlworld.com

SALES & MARKETS

28/01/2023 9:00 AM Pulborough Farmers

Market Eggs, bread, home made cakes, crafts. Plus popular cafe with full English breakfast, teas & coffee Pulborough Village Hall Pulborough RH20 2BF Terri Ashpool 07711 470635 terriashpool@uwclub.net

21st Jan & 18th Feb 9:00 AM Arundel Farmers

Market 3rd Saturday of every month - local growers, bakers, meat, poultry, flowers, plants and food and drink makers. Arundel BN18 9AA www.arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk

04/02/2023 9:30 AM Cheeki Monkeys Big

Baby & Children market Buy or sell quality, gently used babies' and children’s toys, clothes and equipment. The Shoreham centre Shoreham-By-Sea BN43 5WU £1.50 Delphine delphine.cheekimonkeys@gmail.com www.facebook.com/Cheeki-Monkeys-BrightonBN2-and-Shoreham-by-Sea-107135655022217

SOCIAL & ENTERTAINMENT

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

TALKS

06/01/2023 2:30 PM Weather Lore - Fact or Fiction? talk in Storrington How reliable are weather sayings such as ‘cows lying down mean rain imminent’ or ‘red sky at night? Storrington Museum RH20 4LL £8 / £6 members 01903 740188 storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com storringtonmuseum.com/

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

09/01/2023 10:00 AM The Arts Society, Steyning Cubism Explained by Steven Barrett The Steyning Centre BN44 3XZ Free to members, £10 donation for visitors. The Chairman steyning@theartssociety.org www.theartssocietysteyning.org.uk

09/01/2023

7:15 PM 'The Red Arrows' in Chichester A talk about 'The Red Arrows' with Lt. Stuart Roberts at Chichester Park Hotel in Westhampnett, PO19 7QL £8 David Batcock 07502 400657 david.airaces@hotmail.com 11/01/2023 10:00 AM How to start your family tree This is one of a series of workshops to get you started with your family and local history research. West Sussex Record Office Chichester PO19 1DD £7.50 / £6.50 for members of West Sussex Archives Society Matthew Jones: 01243 753602 record.office@westsussex.gov.uk www.westsussex.gov.uk/ro

17/01/2023 2:00 PM The Sinking of the Laconia Talk in Midhurst Talk by Jeremy Prescott and social event. Midhurst Methodist Church Hall Midhurst GU29 9DU £2 members, £3 visitors thinking of joining Midhurst u3a midhurstu3a@gmail.com midhurstu3a.org.uk 23/01/2023 7:15 PM 'A Day at the Antiques Roadshow' & 'About Military Medals' in Chichester Mark Smith - the BBC TV Antiques Roadshow 'medals & militaria' presenter, coming to Chichester. Chichester Park Hotel PO19 7QL £8 David Batcock 07502 400657 david.airaces@hotmail.com

01/02/2023 10:00 AM Researching the history of your house This is one of a series of workshops to get you started with your family and local history research. West Sussex Record Office Chichester PO19 1DD £7.50 / £6.50 for members of West Sussex Archives Society Matthew Jones 01243 753602 record.office@westsussex.gov.uk www.westsussex.gov.uk/ro

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 Join local historian Alan Green for this fascinating talk, hosted by West Sussex Record Office West Sussex Record Office Chichester PO19 1DD £8 / £5 to attend online Matthew Jones 01243 753602 record.office@westsussex.gov.uk

THEATRE

10/01/2023 2:00 PM The 2 O’clock

WALKS

Club

The Reunion Band ‘Fun Filled Folk’ Performing a wide range of great songs and tunes people can easily recognise, drawn from English and Irish folk traditions. “Just Let Yourself Go”. Alexandra Theatre Regis Centre PO21 1BL £6 / Friends of the Theatre £4.50 01243 861010 info@regiscentre.co.uk alexandratheatre.co.uk/ events/the-regis-2-oclock-club/2023-01-10

19th – 21st Jan 7.30pm

Marvellous Musicals

This romp through Musical Theatre moments includes selections from Legally Blonde, Six, Jesus Chris Superstar, Sister Act and more Alexandra Theatre Regis Centre PO21 1BL Adult: £17 / Child: £8 info@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 861010 alexandratheatre.co.uk/events

21/01/2023 7:00 AM Dawn of the Ducks at Pulborough Brooks – wildlife watching walk with breakfast Join them at dawn and watch the brooks come alive with waders, ducks and geese. RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £20.50 for members and £25.50 for Nonmembers Lydia Fletcher 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk events.rspb.org.uk/ pulboroughbrooks Y

OGA

Every Mon varied session times Wellness Yoga

Classes focus on mindful movement paired with awareness of mind body and breath. New Classes at Bury Village Hall Mondays Slow Flow 11.15-12.15 & Chair Yoga 12.30-1.30. Slow flow also in Southwater Mondays 9-10am & Wednesdays 6-7pm,7.308.30pm. email to book or for further info wellnessyoga332@gmail.com

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

Ministry of Science Live!

Science saves the world! An explosive show at the Pavilion Worthing

Expect 20ft liquid nitrogen clouds, exploding oxygen and hydrogen balloons, fire tornados, hydrogen bottle rockets, ignited methane and even a self-built Hovercraft!

The UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever! Join our presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way! They’ll take an anarchic approach to science communication, looking at the scientists, engineers and inventors who have shaped the modern world that we live in whilst proving that every single person has the ability to change our world for the better!

Win a family ticket to Ministry of Science Live! Science Saved the World at the Worthing Pavilion Theatre on the 25th February 2023 at 2.30pm. For more information visit www.wtm.uk Send your answer and contact details to: Ministry of Science Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter online at: www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st January 2023. Please indicateifyouwishtoremainonourmailinglist.

New Headteacher announcement

Slindon College’s first female Headteacher

Heading up a highly qualified team

Joining Slindon College in 2016, first as an Assistant SENCo and Specialist Dyslexia teacher (Level 5 Dyslexia / SpLD) and then SENCo, Mrs Vlahodimou completed her NPQH in 2021. Her extensive knowledge of educating pupils who struggle to fulfil their potential in mainstream environments is motivated by her own personal experiences of education.

When she was at school she was told that she was not academic enough and not very good with languages. This led Mrs Vlahodimou to dedicate her teaching career to working with children to remove barriers to their learning. Most recently she has had a very successful track record as Acting Headteacher at Slindon College. These experiences shone through in the recruitment process amongst a strong field of candidates. Becoming the first female Headteacher in the College’s 50 year history, Mrs Vlahodimou heads up a highly qualified team in a supportive and calm setting which enables pupils to engage in a learning style that is accessible to them.

Over 10 years experience in special education

Following a thorough and competitive recruitment and selection process the new Headteacher of Slindon College has been announced as it looks forward to further growth in Academic Year 2022/23 and beyond.

Slindon College Board of Governors announce Mrs Sotiria Vlahodimou as the new permanent head of the College with immediate effect. Mrs Vlahodimou (BSc, MSc, Post. Grad. Diploma, PGCE, NASENCO, NPQH) has over 10 years of experience in special education in both the mainstream and independent sectors. She studied for her first degree in Medical Microbiology at the University of Surrey and gained her MSc and Post. Grad. Diploma whilst working full time. Following a successful career in paediatric vaccines in the Pharmaceutical Industry she gained a PGCE from the University of Chichester. Mrs Vlahodimou worked in an outstanding West Sussex special school where she refined her own pedagogy in helping children enjoy and achieve in education and gained her SENCo qualification (NASENCo).

Mrs Sotiria Vlahodimou, Headteacher, said: “I feel deeply honoured to be able to lead Slindon College going forward and I am very excited about the future. You can be assured that as Headteacher, I will strive to create the best education for each pupil here by nurturing their happiness and self-confidence as learners.”

Independent day and boarding school for boys Slindon College is a day and boarding school for boys aged 8-18. If you’d like to find out more about how Slindon College could help your child or to make an enquiry, contact the college or visit www.slindoncollege.co.uk.

Slindon College holds Open Mornings in September and March. To register for an upcoming one, visit their website, call: 01243 814320 or email: registrar@slindoncollege.co.uk.

Headteacher Mrs Sotiria Vlahodimou

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

Discover your local library!

West Sussex Libraries have asked us to remind readers about all the things your local library can offer:

• Free, warm welcoming spaces for everyone

• Computers for people to use

• Free Wi-fi in every library

• Regular free activities – children’s rhyme times & story times, knit and natter sessions, reading groups, board games and jigsaws

• Digital volunteers to help people get online if you are nervous or new to the internet

• Take home toys – children can take home up to three toy bags (for up to three weeks, with no late fees!)

• Newspapers and magazines

• Books for people wanting to start new hobbies, learn a language and more

They also offer Home Library Direct for people who are unable to visit personally. Lastly they are always on the lookout for more volunteers. www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries.

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne is inviting residents to provide their thoughts on policing priorities in a survey about police funding through council tax. You can provide your views on potential increases and tell Katy what you want the police to focus on. The short online survey is at www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk.

A new initiative from the West Sussex Waste Partnership (West Sussex and District/Borough councils). is aiming to improve recycling rates in students aged 15-24. The partnership is working with the University of Chichester and the Chichester College Group (at Brinsbury, Chichester, Crawley, Haywards Heath, and Worthing).

Concern about children’s mental health and the negative messages in children's media has led two dads to launch a fun and satirical podcast and magazine aimed at promoting kindness and mental resilience in children. Martin Spinelli is a professor at the University of Sussex while Lance Dann teaches at the University of Brighton. Their podcast is called The Rez and it has also just been accredited to be taught in schools as part of the PSHE curriculum. www.jointherez.com

South Downs MP Andrew Griffith has made the views of his constituents known in his response to the new routes published by the Rampion 2 proposed windfarm, calling it a “cable motorway” that would “leave a scar on the South Downs”. Andrew says that “vast swathes of delicate chalkland in the South Downs will be trenched” to accommodate the cables and accompanying access roads which will run from Climping beach through to a new substation at Cowfold, via Storrington and Washington. Rampion say that all disturbed land will be restored after the work is completed. See the routes at www.rampion2.com/consultation-2022.

A fresh and redesigned website has been launched by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to support those living with mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity conditions. www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk.

West Sussex-landscaper Paul Greenyer is baring all for the horticultural charity, Perennial, in its ‘Naked Grubby Gardener’s calendar” for 2023. Proceeds are going towards its work helping people from the horticultural industry to improve their financial and mental well-being. The calendar is available to purchase online at www.perennial.org.uk.

Potholes are a big source of frustration for all road users, and in the six months from April 2022 West Sussex Highways say approximately 22,000 were filled. They are also taking a holistic approach to the condition of our roads, with whole roads and larger sections completely resurfaced to make them more resilient to potholes, and “vastly reduce the need for smallscale, disruptive repairs”. You can report a pothole at www.westsussex.gov.uk or by phone to 01243 642105 if it is an immediate safety risk. The Sussex Sunday Walkers programme runs from October to March with walks usually 1216 miles long, starting and ending at the same car park, with a pub stop along the route. www.sussexsundaywalkers.org.uk

Charity & Community News

Unattached people - new year, new beginning! Many people find that those weeks after Christmas and New Year provide a time to reflect and make changes. The Group, a Sussex club for unattached men and women aged 55+, has venues in Worthing, Burgess Hill, Brighton, Lewes and Horsham. The Group isn’t a dating agency but it does offer a great opportunity to meet new friends of both sexes in a welcoming atmosphere. There are walks, pub evenings, theatre trips, golf, galleries, lunches and dinners, live music, holidays, and much more. The Group, a non-profit organisation, has been operating for 17 years with over 300 members. www.thegroup.org.uk

Fire Service awards

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service celebrated the courage, dedication and selflessness of its staff at its annual Recognition and Achievement

Awards Ceremony. Those honoured at Arundel Castle included serving firefighters, support staff and members of the public. A total of 31 long service and good conduct medals were given to members of staff that have served within the fire and rescue service for 20 and 30 years, with medals being presented by the LordLieutenant of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard.

Cash for emergency homes for families

Worthing Borough Council has been awarded more than £100,000 of Government money to kickstart plans for more emergency homes for families. The Council wants to redevelop the former RAF Air Cadets site in Victoria Road to create flats for families who are at risk of becoming homeless. The Government funding will be used to remove the existing huts from the site. Overgrown bushes will also be cut back and cleared.

Former RAF Air Cadets site

Charity & Community News

Have fun & stay fit Morris dancing!

Chanctonbury Ring Morris

Men will celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2023 and are looking for new recruits. Morris dancing involves mostly a set of six or eight dancers and Chanctonbury have devised some dances of their own in a more recent tradition. The group meets on Wednesday evenings, dancing at local pubs most weeks in summer. In winter they practice at Henfield on Wednesday evenings, after which they retire to The Plough for a convivial beer! www.crmm.org.uk, email bagman@crmm.org.uk.

New Worthing industrial estate proposals

Plans have been submitted for Worthing’s first new industrial estate this century. Worthing Borough Council would like to convert the former landfill site at Decoy Farm in Willowbrook Road into a seven-hectare business park. Detailed plans have now been submitted for 18 modern units on the land between existing units in Dominion Way and Worthing’s household waste

and recycling centre. The Council believes the new industrial estate could create more than 350 jobs on the site, in addition to those involved in its construction. Picture shows before and after views. Decoy Farm was used as a landfill site between 1970 and 1979, so the Council secured almost £5 million of government funding to clean up the site before it could be developed. Hundreds of snakes, lizards, mice and voles were relocated to wildlife havens elsewhere in the borough. www.adur-worthing.gov/planning, and search for application AWDM/1745/22.

Community stories printed free of charge. Please send your stories to info@sussexlocal.net

Sussex Walks - January 2023

Please note that any walks with duration of 90 minutes or more are not accredited by The Ramblers but are managed by Chichester District Council. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the walk, the walk will leave on time. 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 District Council Website or call 01243 521041 www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart

Sun 1st 10.30am Binsted woods

L: Dominic 2 hrs 3 miles Gentle Pace. Mainly flat headland path, grass, gravel Meet: Walberton Village Hall car park, The Street, Walberton, Arundel, BN18 0PQ

Wed 4th 10.30am Slindon

L: Alison 3 hrs 6 miles A longer strenuous walk to the folly and through Slindon Woods, with some steep gradients Meet: National Trust Car Park at Park Lane, Slindon BN18 0QY

Thurs 5th 10.00am Wisborough Green

L: Louise 3 hrs 7 miles

A level walk over the Wey & Arun Canal & along the tow path. 4 stiles. Sorry no dogs Meet: Park at the green in the laybys

Saturday 7th 10.30am Wander on Wiggonholt

L: Olivia 1 hr 45mins 2.5 miles A gentle circular walk taking in a variety of wildlife with stunning views Meet: RSPB Pulborough Brooks, RH20 2EL.

Mon 9th 1pm Tillington - Railway Station

L: Sandy 2.5 hrs 4.5 miles An easy, almost flat walk without stiles through farming countryside, over the pretty River Rother Meet: At the Red Telephone Booth near the Old Post Office house on Upperton Road, Tillington

Tue 10th 10.30am Plaistow

L: Richard 2 hrs 4.2 miles

A walk along a quiet country lane before crossing fields with grazing sheep, walking through woodland, and finishing at the village stores, Sorry no dogs Meet: On East side of village green opposite shop

Wed 11th 10.30am Eartham Woods

L: Alison 2.5 hrs 5.5 miles A walk through Eartham Woods, comingback along Stane Street. No stiles Meet: Forestry Commission Car Park, Eartham Fri 13th 10.30am Petworth Park

L: Gerald 1.5 hrs 3 miles Discover the history and see one of the oldest deer herds in the country Meet: The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF

Sun 15th 10.30am Mill Road to Black Rabbit

L: Dominic 1 hr 2.4 miles A flat riverside walk, 1 stile Meet: Mill Road car park by the river in town centre (charge) BN18 9AA

Mon 16th 1pm Benbow Pond & Cowdray

L: Sandy 2.5 hrs 5.25 miles This outstanding walk through archetypal Sussex countryside has scenic rolling parkland, quiet drove roads, forestry tracks, wildlife & wonderful views. One stile. No dogs please Meet: Benbow Pond Car Park

Tue 17th 10.30am

Littlehampton Riverside

L: Peter 2 hrs 4 miles Walk along both sides of the river Arun through the West Beach sand dunes Meet - car park at East Beach cafe (on the seafront at the end of the greensward) Wed 25th 10.30am Climping - Gentle Pace

L: Dominic 1 hr 15 mins 2.5 miles Along dunes and beach to Climping Mill, then across fields to Ferry Road and Rope Meet: Arun Yacht Club Car Park, Rope Walk, Littlehampton

Mon 30th 1pm Eartham Woods

L: Sandy 2.5 hrs 6 miles Climb upwards through Eartham Wood through indigenous woodland to the highest point of Upwaltham Hill and return via Great Down. Great views to be had. No dogs on this walk Meet: Free Forestry Commission Car Park, Eartham Wood, PO18 0LU

Storing your Classic Car this Winter

7 Tips from Toyota Master Technician Graham Bothamley

With rain lashing down and gales blowing Britain’s classic car owners are putting their cherished vehicles away for winter; but what are the pitfalls to avoid which can lead to heartbreak and big bills when you come to retrieve it next Spring?

Graham Bothamley has more than a hundred Toyota and Lexus vehicles in his care, from 1960s examples to new cars just delivered. Here are Graham’s top tips:

1. Put your car up on axle stands if possible, it really helps to keep it off the ground, especially to protect your tyres. If this isn’t possible pump your tyres up to the highest safe level you can.

2. Fit a “trickle charger” to the battery, ideally one which conditions as well as charges.

3. Clean your vehicle inside and out before storing, using a good-quality wax on the exterior. Invest in a car cover, ideally a breathable one.

4. Ensure the hand brake is left off. If the handbrake is applied the mechanism can seize during storage. However, it’s vital to make sure that the wheels are firmly “chocked” if you’re not using axle stands so that car doesn’t move.

5. Leave your windows slightly open to prevent condensation which can damage upholstery and other surfaces, and allow mould to breed. Remember to remove anything in the vehicle which could rot or cause smells.

6. Ensure the vehicle’s antifreeze level is at the recommended maximum – enough to prevent engine freezing.

7. Finally, consider placing a humane rodent trap close to the vehicle and check it every few days. It’s amazing how much damage one little mouse can cause if it decides to build a nest in your engine or wheel arches and feast on your wiring!

Legacy Planning

By Will Writer Emma Wells MIPW

Firstly, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year.

As we go

from 22 to 23, no doubt there are a number of you that have made some resolutions or goals for the coming 12 months, there may even be a few of you, like me, that have failed miserably already. Christmas is often a time when we get together with loved ones, whether that’s old friends, new friends or family members. It’s a chance to catch up, eat too much and even grab an afternoon nap. The New Year tends to bring with it a new energy, we plan, we dream and we start booking up our social calendars.

January is a busy time for us too. It’s noticeable that people reflect on what’s important over the festive period and so we see an increase in enquiries for Will Writing and Legacy Planning.

We have a very strong belief that making your Will isn’t and shouldn’t feel like a morbid experience. You’re not planning death, you’re planning what happens to your belongings, assets and estate when the inevitable time comes. It’s about taking control and being able to make those important decisions in a relaxed and stress-free environment.

It still surprises me that so many of our clients say that “getting it done” has been on their to-do list for a number of years. Writing your Will obviously isn’t one of those impulse purchases and rightfully so, it should be well considered and we are huge advocates of discussing your plans with your nearest and dearest first, maybe just not at Christmas!

So, if planning how to leave your legacy is on the agenda this year, feel free to give us a call or drop us an email to see how we can help. We promise to make it an enjoyable experience.

Please do get in touch on 01903 821010 or email emma.cohen@nsure.co.uk

Sussex Nightstop

Community-based response to homelessness by Lynn Smith

Brighton and Hove has one of the highest rates of rough sleeping in England, with numbers increasing since 2010. A 2021 Shelter report cited Brighton and Hove as the second highest ranked local authority outside of London, with 1 in 78 people in the City experiencing homelessness. Additionally, polling conducted by ComRes, in 2017, suggested that two-fifths of 16-25-year-olds in the UK have sofa-surfed at one time because they had nowhere else to live and that one in ten of these young people did so for more than a month in total.

Sussex Nightstop, Executive Director, Alison Marino tells me, was founded in 2009: “By a handful of determined locals who were moved and motivated by the visible experience of young people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping in Brighton and Hove.

“Local residents motivated to make a practical difference”

“Local residents became increasingly aware of the number of young people they saw sleeping rough in the City, “And wondering how they might make use of the assets they held within their spare rooms they looked further afield to see how other communities were responding and discovered the Nightstop model.”

Nightstop originated in 1985 in Leeds, where local church groups responded to the problem of young people rough sleeping through homebased hosting. The first formal Nightstop service launched in 1987 and Sussex Nightstop is now one of over 33 Nightstop services across the UK, accredited by the youth homelessness charity DePaul Uk, and operating across the Brighton and Hove area.

Providing practical solutions through collaboration and kindness

Nightstop, Alison says, is a community-based response to homelessness. “We believe that through collaboration and kindness, people power can provide practical solutions with big impact. Keeping young people safe from the very real and known dangers whilst providing them with housing advice, wrap-around support and kindness provides the very best chance for a young person

to flourish and reach their potential.” The model has a reassuring success rate, “Over 75 per cent of young people who stay with Sussex Nightstop go on to achieve a safer place to call home – our ultimate goal.”

The concept behind Night stop is, Alison explains, simple. People see the injustice of roughsleeping and homelessness and they want to respond. “We facilitate that by recruiting and training them to open up their spare rooms on a nightly basis and in a safe way to young people aged 16-24 years experiencing homelessness.”

Every young person who stays with Nightstop is carefully appraised and vetted by the charity’s small team of highly skilled staff, ensuring that Nightstop is the best place for that young person, and working closely with them during their stay ensuring they have access to, “The advice and support they need to make a positive next step in relation to their housing.”

‘’I have come such a long way since finding Nightstop. We have been on such an amazing journey together, I have had such a positive experience.” – a young Sussex Nightstop Guest.

Currently Nightstop has a pool of seventeen host households, all of whom are supported by a 247, on-call service. Alison describes the hosts as, “The lifeblood of what we do. Their kindness, freely offered at a point of crisis, often has a profound impact on young people.”

Alison explains that all of Sussex Nightstop’s volunteers undergo a robust recruitment process. Volunteer hosts will undertake interviews and home checks, will undergo Enhanced DBS checks and be trained in the policies and

procedures of the charity’s Host Handbook, covering an overview of homelessness and the experiences of young people, the importance of communications, hosting boundaries, safe hosting measures and safeguarding.

“Through their roles as volunteer hosts, on-call volunteers, community champions, business ambassadors, trainers and trustees they bring huge breadth and depth to the work that we do. Having the broadest and most inclusive representation across our volunteer and staff team is what we aspire to.”

Which brings us to one of the greatest challenges facing Sussex Nighstop – a need to re-grow its host volunteer pool, following a reduction in numbers thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst at the same time cost of living increases and steep rent rises leave young people with few options and a greater demand for Sussex Nightstop’s services.

The charity is seeking new hosts particularly, but not exclusively, in the Brighton and Hove area, people willing to offer their spare room for short nightly stays, ranging from four to seven nights

in a row. Although sometimes only one night is needed. Nightstop welcomes all people, regardless of colour, ethnicity, race, faith, gender, sexuality or ability. Although, Alison points out that the service is “Disproportionately used by young people of colour - being 60 per cent of our placements last year. We would like our host pool to reflect this and particularly welcome applications from hosts of colour.”

Alison summarises the qualities sought in volunteers: “The ability to treat everyone with dignity and respect, without judgement and to be able to volunteer within the boundaries of the scheme, with a commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of young people. No formal qualifications

“Young people need Nightstop and they need us for longer”

Nightstop team

are required but strong communication skills, patience, understanding and commitment are all sought after.”

In addition to the 49-strong volunteer team the charity has a paid team, of 27 full time equivalent staff, “Governed and supported by a highly experienced and professional board comprising six Trustees.”

“We move out of Covid into an ever-challenging funding environment”

Alison Marino tells me that Sussex Nightstop is funded through a range of income streams. “We enjoy support from the local authority, the fundraising of schools, churches and other community groups and are enthusiastically supported by local businesses who understand clearly the vital contribution that they can make to the problem of homelessness facing young people living in the community in which they operate.”

Which brings us to the charity’s other challenge: Post-COVID, Alison explains that Sussex Nightstop faces an ever-challenging funding environment.

“Building on the generosity of our varied supporters to date we are looking to grow that supporter base and welcome the opportunity to

speak and collaborate with businesses and community groups who would like to make a material difference to the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. “

Fund raising activities are therefore of vital importance and the charity is building on the success of its 2019 ‘Sleep Safe’ campaign, encouraging people to share on social media to generate new donor support, and increase collaboration with local businesses. Alison Marino says, “We are really excited about our Autumn Tryathlon event on 16 September. With volleyball, a quiz and baking contest there is something for everyone and we are inviting businesses to join us on the day for a lot of fun.”

“Sussex Nightstop.” Alison concludes, “welcomes the generous support of all members of the community. By following and sharing our socials you help us to reach new and different audiences that can get behind our cause.”

Contacts:

Liz Wakefield – Volunteer enquiries, Tryathlon and Business enquiries. Call 07887 492872 or email liz.wakefield@sussexnightstop.org.uk www.sussexnightstop.org.uk

Easy ways to create a calorie deficit

By Heather Smith

In November’s issue, I discussed factors which can influence the energy our bodies use, and we can make many of the factors work in your favour!

I am going to give you action points. By increasing the energy our body needs to stand still, and decreasing the energy we take in without starving ourselves, we can make losing weight a bit easier. There are two sides to a calorie deficit. The calories we eat and the ones we use. Let’s look at both.

Ways to increase the calories our body uses

- Increasing Exercise

Exercise burns calories, either a structured workout or using the stairs, parking further away or getting up from your chair more often. It’s not always a case of ‘the harder the better’.

- Increasing Muscle

This will increase your daily energy requirement and help create a natural calorie deficit.

- Eat More Protein

Protein needs energy to be digested, by replacing some calories with protein calories, you're creating

an extra calorie deficit without reducing intake. Ways to decrease the calories we eat

- Increasing Fibre

Filling up with low calorie vegetables is a great way to feel satisfied with fewer calories, not to mention that being topped up on nutrients reduces food cravings too.

- Eat More Protein

Eating enough protein will help you reduce your caloric intake naturally.

- Eat Slowly

It takes time for the ‘I’m full’ signal to be created, and the faster you eat, the easier it is to go beyond what your body needs.

- Look after your Lifestyle

Work on your sleep quality and duration, and learn how to manage stress, in order to reduce food cravings and hormonal fluctuations. www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

ELIEVE

Health and wellbeing benefits of gardens

Kate Harrison West Sussex National Garden Scheme Publicity Officer

How a garden benefits physical and mental health Studies show spending time in a garden can reduce blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol.

In winter time, walking around a garden can give you a sense of peace. In Spring, the first sight of developing buds and bulbs can fill you with anticipation and joy. Gardens provide space for a break from the stress of everyday life, trees, plants, bird songs and water are easy on the senses and can bring stress levels down.

Gardens enable you to be more active. Being more active is associated with better physical and mental health, including reduced risks of cancer, heart disease and depression.

Gardens provide socialising and relationship building opportunities with neighbours. Opening your garden for the NGS is a great way to show off your hard work and make new friends.

Visiting an NGS open garden

in 2023

Not everyone has a garden. However, visiting someone else’s can provide all these benefits. A garden visit can lift spirits and help you feel connected. Volunteering at an allotment or community garden can also provide that sense of wellbeing. In 2023 you can find links to all the NGS gardens opening in West Sussex on the Sussex Local Website, starting with Snowdrop Gardens in January. Some local gardens will also be featured in Sussex Local Magazines.

Raising funds for charity and community

Founded in 1927 by the Queen’s Nursing Institute to raise funds for community nursing. Every ticket bought, garden visited and cake/cup of tea savoured translates into millions of pounds in donations to nursing and health charities, garden charities and community projects. For more information on the NGS and gardening benefits, visit ngs.org.uk. You can also pick up a free copy of the Sussex National Garden Scheme Booklet from local outlets from February.

In Your Garden

Monthly gardening ideas & tasks

by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens

Four Dimensional Design for your garden

A garden has many more dimensions than we could possibly fathom. We are finding out more and more about the intricate communication systems trees have developed with their roots to other trees, seeds that make the ground infertile for other rival plants, colonies of insects with complex social systems, fungi that transform debris in different ways. Our gardens are little microcosms that exhibit all these details and more. Time is an extra dimension - how plants will perform over time, what plants will die out after a few years, which ones need to seed each year to keep the species alive, what pruning is needed for particular types of trees knowing the way in which they grow and how you want them to look. We are involved in a shifting, flowing 4-D sculpture. If you take a walk in nature you will realise that plant life tries to occupy all the different layers of space. From tall trees to a canopy of small trees underneath, to shrubs then ground cover, bulbs and climbers. Different plants survive on different levels depending on their light requirements and due to other factors such as wind, soil stability and ability to grow next to different species. The result is powerful and achieves a complexity that most urban gardens lack.

Of course in many ways gardens are simplifications of nature, bringing out the essential elements whilst allowing for more functional human spaces as well as ease of maintenance.Yet it is possible to bring some of that rich ‘wovenness’ into the smallest of gardens and the results will give you a deeper satisfaction and more four dimensional beauty. So if there are gaps in your beds or just one or two layers going on compared with the eight I have mentioned below, you can notice what is missing and plan to enrich your layering for next year!

Trees

Choose your trees carefully. Often I arrive at a client’s garden and there is either one massive tree that dominates the rest of the garden space

or there is a lack of trees. People sometimes assume that planting trees will create too much shade but if your garden is small/medium, well positioned trees with a delicate and spacious leaf and branch character can create a canopy that will give your garden a sense of height, enclosure and intimacy.

Some trees for the smaller gardens are Amelenchier lamarki, Weeping Birch, Malus, Sorbus, Viburnum Tinus, Cercis, Albezia and Rhus. All of these trees will give your garden a lovely sense of breadth without a tree surgeon being called in every year.

Taller Shrubs

We will be looking at shrub combination in a future article, but one can start thinking of shrubs in a more complex way.

Underneath the tree layer one can plant a layer which I call Tall Shrubs. These plants can contribute lots of height when needed but can also be pruned severely each year depending on the plan you have for the shapes in your garden. Some of them can be also be developed as multi stemmed plants.

Some are Sambucus ‘Sutherland’s Gold’ and Sambucus ‘Black Lace’, Philadelphus, Forsythia, some of the taller Cornus, Ceanothus, Fatsia, most of the the Pittisporums and the different types of Laurel.

They are the aesthetic bridge between taller trees and the rest of the garden creating a more natural context for the smaller perennial beds and lawn.

Malus Tree

Smaller Shrubs

Smaller shrubs can then be chosen that will tend to give longer periods of colour and fit snuggly under the ‘umbrellas’ of the taller trees and shrubs. Some interesting shrubs are: Rosa rugosa, Teucrium fruticans, Japanese Quince, most of the Hebes, Hydrangeas, Cistis, Pittisporum ‘Tom Thumb’ and the Choysia range. Lavatera ‘Barsley Baby’, Mahonia Soft Caress, the smaller Phormiums and variegated Euonymous.

Ground Cover

Ground cover can be used as the ‘glue’ that holds all the different layers together. Not only can you plant these in large ribbons and drifts to give your border a sense of flow and unity but they solve the practical job of suppressing the weeds whilst the trees are establishing themselves.

Some tried and tested ground covers that I like are the smaller height Geraniums, Sedums, Chaerophyllum ‘Roseum’, White Bay Willow Herb and Persicaria. Grasses can also be used here, with dotted planting of Pennesetum Fairy Tails.

Smaller Ground Cover

The smaller ground covers tend to be at the front of borders where they won’t be swamped by the

bigger plants. Some nice examples are: Pachysandra, Ajuga, Brunnera, Galium odoratum, Epimedium, Bergenias, Lilly of the Valley and Periwinkle.

Climbers

It is surprising how many gardens I visit and see unsightly spaces that a well chosen climber could easily transform.

Climbers hide fences, can shoot up trees like rambling roses or drop languidly down from shed roofs or pergolas. They are a first choice for many an unsightly wall or tool shed and with their exuberant need to spread out can give your garden a new dimension of space.

More unusual climbers are Akebia, Campsis, Berberidopsis coralline and Solanum.

Bulbs

The bulb range is enormous. Some come out before the trees have come into leaf to grab the early sunlight when they can, others push through other plant life tenaciously. As I have written in previous articles plan your bulbs with the months of the year in mind and you can have bright splashes of colour almost all year.

I would like to include another dimension to designing you garden with layers - and that is what is called ‘Window Plants’ . These are plants that even though some are quite tall they can be planted in the middle or even the front of a bed and you can see through their spacious foliage to other plants.

Examples of these - and please look them up as they have a great ethereal feeling, are Sanguisorba ‘ Pink Elephant’, Dierama, Qaura, Molinia Tranparent and Molinia ‘Karl Foestar’, Allium Sphaerocephalon and the more commonly known Verbena Bonsariensis and Stips gigantia.

See what is performing well and see where you can add extra depth.

January tasks

• Start to force your Rhubarb by placing as big a pot as you can find over the heads.

• Sow in your greenhouse all sorts of vegetables ready to be transplanted in Spring into your plot.

• The biggest jobs are the pruning of deciduous plants like Roses, Wysteria and fruit trees.

• The best place to go to learn proper pruning methods is a professional gardener, the RHS Pruning Manuel or Youtube! If you type in “Pruning a small apple tree” you will get all sorts of well meaning gardeners showing you what they do. Choose to listen to an expert though there are different options. Try RHS first. Also make sure the apple tree looks like your one as there are different types.

A garage full of opportunity

By Nick Roberts RMR Group

After the entire family has taken up every inch of space during the festive period, Christmas seems a distant memory. In hindsight one extra room with all the trimmings would have been ideal.

Life has changed, we’re at home more than ever before. But the idea on an extension could just be a step too far when you consider the national crisis about soaring utility bills and thermostat rationing. This is when your garage might just provide the cost-effective solution to adding an extra bedroom, office or whatever you need.

Let’s face it, we store a lot of junk in garages! And most would struggle to home a motorbike let alone a modern-day family car! They’re a convenient place for all bits and pieces for the ‘tomorrow’ that never comes. But, hidden within those three walls, lies a huge opportunity to expand your living area and create a transformative improvement to your property.

In most cases, garages already have the fundamental requirements to extend into but it’s important to know that there are far more details

than you might think when embarking on a conversion. Whilst planning permission isn’t usually required, it’s imperative that building regulations are met with regards to ventilation, fire safety, thermal performance and structural elements. Most garage conversions are straight forward but it’s not unusual for projects to turn complex when work gets underway, and the layers are stripped back to reveal what surprises are in stall to ruin your day. Our advice: instruct an architect or builder you can trust to – at the very leastassess your garage before starting the project. It may stop that swear jar from overflowing!

Unsurprisingly, demand for conversions is at an all-time high - they’re a brilliant way of transforming your home. They don’t encroach on our valued gardens, they cause minimum disruption as far as building work goes and they boost the value of your home. This is why they’ve become one of the most popular ways to gain space.

www.robertsmillerredshaw.com

Lifetime Mortgages

by Paul Davies, About Mortgages Ltd

Freeing up wealth tied up in your home

You may have heard Equity Release or Lifetime Mortgages mentioned more frequently recently. They can offer many benefits in later life and something you may not have considered before.

A lifetime mortgage is a loan secured against your property and doesn’t need to be repaid until you go into long-term care or on the event of your death. Lifetime mortgages free up wealth tied up in your home and you can continue living in it.

There is a variety of reasons we’ve seen enquiries increase; it could help purchase a holiday hideaway, provide home deposits for family, replacing lost income when retiring and a range of other needs. But the primary reason appears to be the amount of wealth tied up in a property.

How do Lifetime Mortgages work?

Lifetime Mortgages are a form of equity release. They enable you to borrow money secured against your property, but the property must be your main residence whilst retaining ownership of it.

In some circumstances, there might not be enough money left from the property sale to repay the mortgage, which could leave beneficiaries having to repay extra above the home’s value. Equity Release Council lenders offer no negative equity guarantee which ensures your beneficiaries never have to pay back more than your home’s value. Depending on the lender and the mortgage product, you can ring-fence part of the value of the property as an inheritance for your beneficiaries.

Different types of Lifetime Mortgages

The two primary types of lifetime mortgages:

• Interest roll-up mortgage

• Interest-paying mortgage

It’s important to understand the difference in these Lifetime Mortgages before applying. Ensure any discussions about later life finance schemes are provided by an FCA regulated adviser.

About Mortgages Ltd specialise in mortgages, lifetime mortgages, financial protection contact: 01403 283928 / www.aboutmortgages.co.uk

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to

A brutal Findon murder

By Valerie Martin

Above is my photo showing the site of the original village of Findon to the north of the church viewed from the Racing Gallops in May 1999.

Muriel lived in the village of Findon over 7 centuries ago. 200 years on from the Battle of Hastings the influence of the Norman French had spread throughout the country, even encompassing insignificant rural communities such as Findon. A proportion of the populace was of Norman descent with obvious French names.

The following is my attempt to re-enact a potted version of Findon history. There was a church in Findon in the 13th century and it’s assumed the village inhabitants clustered around it. From the church an intriguing glimpse of the dingy roofs of the dwellings, smothered in ivy and scrub, could probably be seen between the trees. Shards of medieval patterned pottery and glassware have been unearthed in the field opposite the church. The simple dwellings would have seemed homely to their occupants with primitive hearths, adorned with domestic ironwork, perhaps with iron cauldrons, pot-hangers and kitchen pottery hanging above three-legged skillets.

Muriel had a son, Richard. He was a wellfavoured and energetic young man who she considered had great qualities and joie de vivre. They had a neighbour named Robert Shaldewyn who lodged in the household of Ralph Cucku. There is no known motive for the events of 1278 A.D. but it appears that Muriel’s son and Robert Shaldewyn waylaid each other. A quarrel ensued, ending in a heated argument. Both participants were outraged and punched out wildly. The reason for the fistfight is unknown; perhaps

their grievance was with a business deal or, maybe an affaire du coeur cherchez la femme. The law in medieval Findon required every able bodied man to keep a weapon in readiness to assist his sovereign and the realm in crisis and emergency. Maybe Robert Shaldewyn was older and could just handle himself better than Richard and had a stronger sense of preservation. The result of the encounter was that Muriel’s son was struck down with horrific butchery, and with the final coup de grâce he suffered such severe wounds in the fracas that he died.

Robert Shaldewyn feared for his life and decided to flee. Not waiting to face the consequences he headed west - his destination was Chichester. He sought refuge in "the Great Church of Chichester". The Assize Roll records what occurred in that year in the "Hundred of Brightford".

It is known that three of Muriel’s neighbours promptly came forward, (likely witnesses to the crime). They were not held under any suspicion. Another neighbour, named as Gilbert le Coveror, failed for an unknown reason to put in an appearance at the inquest. It was left to two men, William Frewyn and John le Clerk to arrest Robert.

Robert Shaldewyn was eventually brought before the Coroner of the City of Chichester and charged with murder. It was revealed he did not own any belongings whatsoever and had been living under the roof of Ralph Cucku. The accusation of killing Richard was quite specific and damning.

Robert confessed to slaying Richard and was sent "into exile for his crime". This was the normal punishment for a guilty person who had chosen to flee and take refuge in a church. His banishment meant he might well have sailed from the ancient seaport of Shoreham, which was at the time, the closest important town to Findon. In the absence of real proof that the murdered Richard was an Englishman, it was assumed he was of Norman descent. He was, therefore assumed to be of some consequence in the community of Findon, and by reason of that, a fine was levied on the unfortunate "Hundred".

Findon’s so called "nearby townships" of Washington, Clapham, Offington and Broadwater did not attend in full number to the inquisition before the Coroner of Chichester so were also liable to a fine for their non-appearance.

Tomato Lemon & Thyme Chicken

With a warm cranberry & sprout salad

Ingredients - Serves 4

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• Juice from 3 lemons

• 4 tbsp ‘Loft Pickles’ cranberry sauce

• 1 large cox apple, cut into match sticks

• 300g brussel sprouts, thinly sliced, or whizz in a food blender

• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

• 4 tbsp, Sussex charmer cheddar

• 4 chicken breast

• 3 tsp, ‘Carla’s Seasoning’ dried thyme

• 60g cooked chestnuts Method

1. For the salad dressing, whisk together in a bowl, 2 tbsp of oil, the juice of 1 lemon, the cranberry sauce and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss in the apple matchsticks and coat.

2. To the dressing add the sprouts, spring onions and cheese, stir well and set aside.

3. Heat the remaining oil in a large pan on a medium to high heat. Season the chicken breast

for a further 15 minutes, covered with a lid.

5. Remove lid and add the sprout salad to the pan, cover for 4 minutes then remove the lid for a final 4 minutes, top with the cooked chestnuts and serve with an additional spoonful of cranberry sauce.

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

Gifting & inheritance tax planning

By Oliver Suter DipPFS, financial adviser

Investment solutions group photo

Christmas is the time for giving, and with inheritance tax thresholds frozen until 2026, let’s look at the gifting allowances in terms of inheritance tax planning.

Gifting is a great way to reduce the value of your estate for inheritance tax purposes. Gifts to spouses and charities are exempt but the government also makes allowances for some gifts.

Annual gift allowance

Each individual can gift £3,000 a year, without it being added to your estate for inheritance tax purposes.

Wedding Gifts

Individuals are allowed to gift £5,000 to children, £2,500 to grandchildren or £1,000 to other relatives or friends as wedding gifts.

Gifts of less than £250

You can give up to £250 to as many individuals as you want, providing they haven’t received a gift of your whole £3,000 annual exemption.

If you have any questions on gifting or require ‘Investment Solutions’ is the trading name of Investment Solutions Wealth Management Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Findon Valley Residents’ Association

Round up from 2022 & looking ahead to 2023

As we enter another new year, FVRA would like to thank all our members and supporters throughout 2022. Our Platinum Jubilee celebration in June was enjoyed by around 500 people. Little did we know that her Majesty would sadly pass away just a few short months later. We arranged a Book of Condolences in Findon Valley library, and are finalising the new Jubilee Memorial garden at the library. The Brighton Big Band concert at the Free Church Hall on 11th November was a new venture for FVRA but was a great evening, that deserved a bigger audience! Our monthly Craft and Farmers markets have become

increasingly popular, sadly November was cancelled due to the dire weather forecast. Our Christmas Extravaganza took place on 15th December. This article was written before that date and we are very much hoping for better weather!

A date for your diary: our Members’ Open Meeting and AGM will be at the Free Church Hall , 2.15pm on Saturday 11th March. Our MP and councillors will be there supporting us, and the speaker is a park ranger, to discuss our local and precious green open spaces.

Are you a member of FVRA? If not do please join us. Only around 25% of the Valley’s household are members and at £5 per (£3 single occupancy) hopefully we are seen as good value! Payment by direct debit via the Charities Aid Foundation is convenient and safe. See our website or pick up a form at the library. www.findonvalley.org

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