Sussex Local Magazine - Findon JULY 2023

July 2023

HELLO!

On average, July is the warmest month in the UK. On July 19th last year temperatures hit 40.3°C in Lincolnshire by contrast July 5th 1978 was the coldest July day on record, maxing out at just 9.1°C.

July 15th is St Swithin’s Day, and legend has it that if it rains that day, it will be followed by another 40 days of wet weather. Let’s hope for a warm, dry spell this year, so we can enjoy a whole host of summery events as featured in our What’s On section. There’s also National Barbecue Week from 4-19th, National Picnic Week from 17-25th and Love Parks Week from 29th to August 5th.

July is also Independent Retail Month, celebrating all the fantastic independent businesses in our community –many of whom are featured within these very pages, please do support them!

Until next time, Kris & Jeff

Quote of the month...

"If I had my way, I’d remove January from the calendar altogether and have an extra July instead." - ROALD DAHL

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Cover image: Matt White Paraclimber

What’s On - July/August 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 August events to be put on website - 4th July

CHARITY

2nd July 8:00 PM The CancerWise 2023

Fundraising Challenge Quiz www.VirtualQuizEvents.com £5 Cliff info@virtualquizevents.com

26th July 10:00 AM Andy's Angels Hope Hive

Worthing BN13 1AA Kayla Shepherd 07465 242321 kayla@andysangels.org.uk www.andysangels.org.uk

28th July 7:30 PM Date2Donate find love while raising money for charity The Escapist

Chichester Chichester PO19 1LJ £5 Jovita Ivin 07823 558156 jovita.ivinskaite@act4africa.org www.meetup.com/date2donate-find-love-whilespreading-love/

CHILDREN'S EVENTS

1st-16th July 10:00 AM Elmer's Art Parade

Petworth House and Park Petworth GU28 9LR Petworth Property Office 01798 342207 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.ukpetworth

1st-20th July 10:00 AM Mog’s Remarkable

Adventures Nymans

Handcross RH17 6EB

Adult: £16 Child: £8 Property Office

01444 405250 nymans@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.ukvisit/sussex/nymans

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

3rd July 8:00 PM Felpham Singles Social Club

The George Inn Felpham Bognor Regis PO22 7PL Free Donations Anne Cook 01243 821530 anniecook555@yahoo.co.uk www.felphamsingles.yolasite.com

4th July 6:45 PM Graphic (comic) novel book club Private house in Barnham PO22 0EF Free. Email: Paul Wilson on paulw21erin@gmail.com

4th July 7:30 PM Pulborough Computer Club –AI Knows Best – Or Does It? Pulborough Village Hall RH20 1LP Members £3 Visitors £5 Chrissie chrissie@wisborough.com www.pcclub.org.uk

19th July 7:30 PM Sullington Windmills

Women's Institute Sullington Parish Hall Storrington RH20 3PP Liz Allen-Williams (President) 01903 741078 ljaw2@hotmail.com www.sullingtonwindmills.org

26th July 2:30 PM

Storrington Flower Club Sullington Parish Hall

Storrington RH20 3PP £6 Chris 01903 742102 chrissyldesmond@gmail.com

Tuesdays 6:30 PM Ashington Short Mat Bowls Club Ashington Community Centre Pulborough RH20 3PG £4 Gillian Weston 07962 016927 gillianhweston@gmail.com

Weds/Thus 7:45 PM Thakeham Table Tennis Club Weds evening, Thurs morning Thakeham Village Hall RH20 3GW £5 ad hoc £12 monthly Andy andytttc@gmail.com www.thakehamtabletennis.co.uk

COMMUNITY

Wednesdays 9:00 AM Pulborough Pop-In Pulborough Library RH202BQ Isla 075 226 89948 islasherwell@gmail.com

Fridays 10:00 AM Drop In - Free Coffee, chat & local information Eastergate Village Hall, Community Hub PO20 3RP Free. Bridgette 01243 543816 bridgette@bnegct.org.uk

barnhamandeastergatecommunitytrust.com

Fridays 10:00 AM Blue Idol Open Day in Coolham Blue Idol Quaker Meeting House

Coolham RH13 8QP Free Blue Idol Quakers admin@blueidol.org

EXHIBITIONS

2nd July 10:00 AM Marquetry exhibition The Downs Worthing BN13 3BD £2 David 07801 669837 davidmckeancraig@hotmail.com

- please contact event organisers to check for changes

1st-2nd July 10:00 AM

Amanda Beck: Watercolour

Wanders Colonnade House

Worthing BN11 3DH 01903 221142

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

1st-2nd July 10:00 AM Daniela Maria Gargiulo: I Know Where I’m Going Colonnade House

Worthing BN11 3DH paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk www.colonnadehouse.co.uk

1st-2nd July 10:00 AM Gwen John exhibition: Art and Life in London and Paris Pallant House

Gallery Chichester PO19 1TJ £12 Child £5

Pallant House Gallery 01234 774557 info@pallant.org.uk www.pallant.org.ukwhatson/gwen-john-art-and-life

1st-9th July 10:00 AM Art Exhibition Oxmarket

Contemporary Chichester PO191YH Entry Free Christine Wheeler 07709 287012 chi.art.soc.info@gmail.com chi-art-art-soc.org

4th-14th July 10:00 AM Nora Young: 'All About Life' & 'Faces' Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH 01903 221142 paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk www.colonnadehouse.co.uk

4th-8th July 10:00 AM Carly Marie Brown: Symphony of the Soul Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk www.colonnadehouse.co.uk

11th-13th July 10:00 AM Durrington High School: Best of the Best Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk www.colonnadehouse.co.uk

14th-16th July 10:00 AM Slindon Artists Exhibition St Mary's Church Slindon BN18 0RE Free Donations welcome. Christine Wilkinson 01243 814352 christinawilkinson99@gmail.com

18th-23rd July 10:00 AM Jan Barnett: Absentia Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH paula.tollett@adur-worthing.gov.uk www.colonnadehouse.co.uk

18th-23rd July 10:00 AM

A Spirit of Place - A dialogue between two visual artists Colonnade House Worthing BN11

3DH Colonnade House paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk

colonnadehouse.co.uk

25th-30th July 10:00 AM Ros Lymer: Lasting

Impression Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH 01903 221142 paula.tollett@adurworthing.gov.uk www.colonnadehouse.co.uk

1st-10th Aug 10:00 AM Me and Mr P Colonnade House Worthing BN11 3DH 01903 221142 paula.tollett@adur-worthing.gov.uk www.colonnadehouse.co.uk

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

8th-9th July 10:00 AM Arundel Castle’s Medieval Festival weekend Arundel Castle BN18 9AB £25

Child: £11 (Under 5s go Free) Arundel Castle 01903 882173 visits@arundelcastle.org

www.arundelcastle.org

8th July 1:00 PM Washington ‘Party in the park’ fundraising day St Mary’s CE School Washington RH20 4AP St Mary’s CE School PTA

stmarysptaw@gmail.com

14th-16th July 10:00 AM C13 Music Arts Holistic Lifestyle Festival Wise Field Steyning BN44 3RF Cognisance 13 Organisation admin@cognisance13.org cognisance13.org

25th-30th July 10:00 AM International Jousting Tournament Arundel Castle BN18 9AB £29

Child: £12 (Under 5s go Free) Arundel Castle

01903 882173 visits@arundelcastle.org

www.arundelcastle.org

29th July 9:00 AM

Supercar Track Day

Goodwood Motor Circuit Chichester

PO18 0PH Free.

Saywell International 01243 572433 office@snowdroptrust.com

www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com

6th August 2:30 PM Classic cars at High

Salvington Windmill Worthing BN13 3BP £1 enquiries@highsalvingtonmilltrust.co.uk

www.highsalvingtonwindmill.co.ukcontact-us

FAYRES & FETES

1st-2ndJuly 10:00 AM Chichester Cheese & Chilli Festival Oaklands Park Chichester

PO19 6AP From £8 Simon Stewart

admin@cheeseandchillifestival.com

www.cheeseandchillifestival.com/locations/ chichester-cheese-chilli-festival

8th July 12:00 PM Loxwood School Summer Fair

Loxwood School Billingshurst RH14 0SR

Rebecca McDowell palsloxwood@gmail.com

8th July 12:00 PM Summer Fayre Care for Veterans Worthing BN11 4LJ Entry by donation

Care for Veterans 01903 218444

myra.jasper@careforveterans.org.uk careforveterans.org.ukevents/summer-fayre

8th July 2:00 PM

Summer Flower Show, Dog Show & Village Fete Walberton Village Hall BN18 0PJ Free Walberton Gardeners Club 07881 552980 walbertongcshows@outlook.com www.walberton -gardeners-club.com

15th July 2:00 PM Bosham Church Fete The Manor House Bosham PO18 8HS £2 Clare Williams 07979 755634 mayford49@btinternet.com

FILM

17th July 7:30 PM

Pulborough Film Night Book Club 2: The Next Chapter

Pulborough Village Hall RH20

2BF £7 Terri 01798 848039 terriashpool@uwclub.net

GARDENS & HORTICULTURE

1st & 8th July 2:00 PM The National Garden Scheme: Open Garden: Peelers Retreat Arundel Peelers Retreat Arundel BN18 9EX £5 The National Garden Scheme hello@ngs.org.uk www.ngs.org.uk

1st-21st July 11:00 AM

'Expressions of Nature' Sculpture Trail Sussex Prairie Garden Henfield BN5 9AT £10 Gabrielle 07887 812346

Contact for details: gabrielle@theglassgardendesign.co.uk www.sussexprairies.co.uk

5th July 1:00 PM National Garden Scheme: Foxglove Cottage Foxglove Cottage Horsham RH13 5NF £5 National Garden Scheme hello@ngs.org.uk www.ngs.org.uk

12th July 7:15 PM Talk - Shrubs & Climbing

Plants for your Garden West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ £3 for visitors - Members Free 07792 817399 carys.pickett@btinternet.com

www.westchilthortsoc.wordpress.com

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

13th & 20th July 10:30 AM Beautiful garden at The Old Vicarage open for the National Garden Scheme every Thursday The Old Vicarage

Pulborough RH20 4AS £7 The National Garden Scheme 01483 211535 hello@ngs.org.uk

www.ngs.org.uk

15th July 11:00 AM

The National Garden

Scheme: Open Garden: Oaklands Farm Shipley

Oaklands Farm

Horsham RH13 8PX £6

The National Garden Scheme 01483 211535

hello@ngs.org.uk www.ngs.org.uk

15th July & 9th Aug 11:00 AM National Garden

Scheme: Award winning garden in Midhurst 54

Elmleigh Midhurst GU29 9HA £4 National Garden Scheme 01483 211535

hello@ngs.org.uk www.ngs.org.uk

16th July 11:00 AM The National Garden

Scheme: Garden Open Days: 4 Hillside Cottages

West Stoke 4 Hillside Cottages Chichester PO18

9BL £5 The National Garden Scheme hello@ngs.org.uk www.ngs.org.uk

23rd July 2:00 PM The National Garden

Scheme: Garden Open Days: The Folly Charlton

The Folly Chichester PO18 0HU £5 The National Garden Scheme 01483 211535

hello@ngs.org.uk www.ngs.org.uk

5th August 2:00 PM Lavant Horticultural Society

Lavant Memorial Hall Chichester PO18 0PA

Free admission to Flower Show Susan Jackson 01243 527725 suejackson23@tiscali.co.uk www.lavanthortsoc.org.uk

MUSIC

1st July 7:30 PM Chantry Quire present Songs of Love and Devotion Champs Hill Pulborough RH20 1LY £20 Chantry Quire 07799 847868 webmaster@chantryquire.org.uk www.chantryquire.org.uk

1st July 7:30 PM Summer

Spectacular Concert

Paul’s Church Chichester PO19 6FT £15 Free for under 16s Southdowns

Concert Band

bbailey93@btinternet.com

www.southdownsconcertband.co.uk

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

Summer Cream Tea

Indulge with our exclusive treat

Raspberry & white chocolate cheesecake, scone, jam & clotted cream, served with a regular cup of coffee or tea, only £8.95.

Available daily

Squire’s Garden Centre, London Road, Washington, RH20 3BP

Visit squiresgardencentres.co.uk

LimitedEdition

2nd July 2:00 PM Featherstone Jazzmen 40th Anniversary Celebration DRNK Coffee House, Worthing Leisure Centre Worthing BN12 4ET Free. Derek Little 01903 249900 dglittle@ntlworld.com

13th July 8:00 PM Come Together: A Celebration of The Beatles The Factory Live Worthing BN14 8BX £17 Daniel admin@lewesmusicgroup.com www.lewesmusicgroup.com

15th July 7:00 PM Walberton Music Night with Willie Austen Walberton Village Hall BN18 0PJ £13 Child £8.50 Under 12s free. Fiona Horton walbertonvillagehall01@gmail.com

29th July 12:30

PM CDRA Gig on the Green 2023 Down Crawley Down Village Green

Crawley Down

RH10 4HY £10

Crawley Down Residents Association 01342 885 280 help@cdra.info www.gigonthegreen.cdra.info/

SALES & MARKETS

18th July 9:00 AM Arundel Farmer’s Market

Arundel BN18 9AA

www.arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk

22nd July 9:00 AM Pulborough Farmer's Market

Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF Terri Ashpool 01798 848039 terriashpool@uwclub.net

Fridays 9:45 AM Storrington Community Market

Storrington Village Hall RH20 Free Katie Bridge 07909 681884 katiebridge17@gmail.com

SOCIAL & ENTERTAINMENT

22nd July 7:30 PM Murder Mystery Evening

Avisford Park Hotel Walberton BN18 0LS

£69.50 Jeunais Farrell 01243 558300

www.avisfordparkhotel.com

28th July 6:30 PM

‘Feast & Fire’ Three course menu with a welcome cocktail

Sullington Manor Farm

RH20 4AE £65 01903

745754 info@sullingtonmanorfarm.co.uk www.sullingtonmanorfarm.co.uk

TALKS

1st July 2:00 PM Five Colourful Histories - 1 Hour talk Petworth House and Park GU28 9LR £15 Petworth Property Office 01798 342207 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.ukpetworth

4th July 7:30 PM Storrington Museum Monthly Talk: What's in a View Storrington Museum RH20 4LL £8 / Members £6 01903 740188 storringtonmusum@hotmail.com

4th July 2:00 PM The Arts Society West Sussex

Fittleworth Village Hall RH20 1JB Guests welcome £7 Jackie Buckler 01903 411086 chrisparker4@hotmail.co.uk www.theartssocietywestsussex.org

5th July 10:00 AM

Newspapers for family and local history 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.ukro

5th July 10:30 AM The Arts Society South Downs

Fittleworth Village Hall RH20 1JB £7 or Free to members Jane Allison 01798 813314

jane@theallisonfamily.co.uk

www.theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk

11th July 6:30 PM Murder in the Family: an evening with author Cara Chichester Library PO19 1QJ £5 01243 777351

chichester.library@westsussex.gov.uk

chichesterboxoffice.ticketsolve.com/ ticketbooth/shows/873635267

THEATRE

1st July 7:45 PM Shakespear-ience Balcombe

Victory Hall Haywards Heath RH17 6HP £10 Jane Horrell janey.h.green@gmail.com

www.ticketsource.co.ukvictoryplayers/ shakespear-ience/e-mmpkqm

7th-9th July 6:00 PM Henfield Theatre Company presents 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Sussex Prairie Garden Henfield BN5 9AT £17.50

Henfield Theatre Company

secretary@henfieldtheatrecompany.com www.henfieldtheatrecompany.com

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

10th July & 10th Aug 7:30 PM The Sound of Music Chichester Festival Theatre PO19 6AP

From £10 01243 781312 box.office@cft.org.uk www.cft.org.uk

11th-17th July 7:30 PM

Rainbow Shakespeare: The Tempest Highdown Gardens Worthing BN12

6FB £20 / Child £10 / £36 for booking Comedy of Errors as well Rainbow Shakespeare 01903 206 206 rainbowtheatrecompany@yahoo.co.uk

www.rainbowshakespeare.co.uk

12th-15th July 7:30 PM The Government Inspector by Nkiolai Gogol presented by Southwick Players Barn Theatre Southwick

BN42 4TE £12 Southwick Players 0333 666 3366 info@southwickplayers.org.uk www.southwickplayers.org.uk

16th July 2:00 PM Macbeth

Lewes Castle & Museum BN7

1YE Drama Impact 07940

567724 info@dramaimpact.com

www.eventbrite.com/cc/macbeth

-1612789

18th-23rd July 7:30 PM Rainbow Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors Highdown Gardens

Worthing BN12 6FB £20 / Child £10 / £36 for booking The Tempest as well Rainbow Shakespeare 01903 206 206 rainbowtheatrecompany@yahoo.co.uk www.rainbowshakespeare.co.uk

21st July 5:00 PM Robin Hood The Paddock Upper Beeding BN44 3HZ £15 Open air theatre at it’s best! This is My Theatre 07732 253311 info@thisismytheatre.com thisismytheatre.com/ upper-beeding-robin-hood

24th July - 26th Aug 7:15

PM Rock Follies Chichester

Festival Theatre PO19 6AP

From £10 01243 781312 box.office@cft.org.uk www.cft.org.uk

4th - 19th August 7:00 PM A Midsummer Night's Dream West Dean Gardens Chichester PO18 0RX £25 Half price for up to two Under 16s attending with every full priced adult (except Saturday evening) Chichester Festival Theatre 01243 781312 box.office@cft.org.uk www.cft.org.uk

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

13th August 3:00 PM Robin Hood Danny House gardens

Hurstpierpoint BN6 9BB £15

This is My Theatre 07732 253311

info@thisismytheatre.com

thisismytheatre.com/ hurstpierpoint-robin-hood

WALKS

1st July 8:30

PM Night-time safari –nightjars on the heath RSPB

Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £16.50 RSPB member and £20.50 Non-member Anna Allum 01798 875851 anna.allum@rspb.org.uk www.events.rspb.org.ukpulboroughbrooks

8th & 22nd July 10:00 AM East Grinstead Town

Tour East Grinstead Museum RH19 3BJ £6

Jonathan Parrett 01342 302233 manager@eastgrinsteadmuseum.co.uk www.eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk

More events on www.sussexlocal.net

See Hairy by Spymonkey in Worthing

Comedy-meets-rock-band-meets-punk-clown-mayhem!

locked and shorn. Hair to be striking, funny, scary, surprising, gorgeous and greasy. Long, short, curly, straight, thick, thin, in-growing, upcovered, unwanted or removed. Where’s it going to turn up next?

Hairy will be staged at the Pavilion Theatre from Thursday 24 August to Monday 28 August 2023. Tickets available from £13.50. For Information or bookings www.wtam.uk or call 01903 206 206.

Top hits Comedy-meets-rock-band-meets-punkclown-mayhem, Hairy is a playful and frankly laughable exploration of that most versatile and significant feature of human anatomy.

Spymonkey’s first show created especially for young people, Hairy will have few words and great generous dollops of bold visual comedy. Hair seems to be everywhere! And sprouting in the most unlikely places! Hair to be styled, waxed, fashioned, shaved, plucked, jeri-curled, dread-

Win a pair of tickets to see Hairy by Spymonkey

To enter answer the following question: Q: Hair can be a) Permed b) Shaved c) Straightened

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

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

West Sussex County Council has said a huge thank you to the many volunteers who help to deliver services and support communities to mark Volunteers’ Week in June. More than 1,100 volunteers regularly give their time to assist with roles such as working with young offenders, being a Digital Champion or volunteering with the Fire Service, Library Service or waste prevention team.

Sussex-based LGBT+ youth charity, Allsorts Youth Project, has launched a new fundraising campaign called "Across Sussex With Pride." The campaign aims to complete a 148-mile challenge over three months, supporting the charity's LGBT+ youth and family services. Participants can choose any means of completing the challenge and are encouraged to sign up online at: allsortsyouth.enthuse.com/cf/sussexwithpride

Starting on Saturday, July 8th, children aged 411 can join the Summer Reading Challenge at their local West Sussex library, reading books, collecting stickers and participating in activities like the Character Hunt. Completing the challenge by the end of summer earns them a medal and certificate. To register for free and learn more, visit: westsussex.gov.uk/src.

Repair Cafes are springing up all over West Sussex. If you haven’t come across the idea before, these are volunteer-led sessions where you can take all kinds of things along for possible repair instead of throwing them out. For a list of locations, visit www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/repair.

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) provides 24/7 prehospital emergency care to millions of people in its region. With its busiest year in 2022, responding to 3,224 incidents, the charity needs to raise £16.6M annually to continue operations. Fundraising events this summer include hosting a Cuppa for your Crew, covering 100 miles in July, and participating in the KSS Ride. For more information, visit the charity’s website at www.aakss.org.uk.

National charity, Canine Partners, closed its Midhurst base in May and is now operating from the Midlands. The move aimed to address financial challenges and focus funds on delivering assistance dogs to disabled individuals. However the charity still maintains links in West Sussex and is urgently seeking Puppy Parent volunteers in the county to help with early socialisation and training of puppies destined to become fully-rained assistance dogs. Further information is available at www.caninepartners.org.uk/puppyparents or email: volunteer@caninepartners.org.uk.

Parkfield Equine Solutions, a West Sussexbased charity known for their work with The Horse Course, received a grant of £4,750 from the Safer in Sussex Community Fund. The fund is operated by Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police Commissioner. The charity offers innovative support programs to young people facing challenges such as mental health issues, ADHD, or are at risk of offending, and the funding is making a tangible difference in their impactful work. See more at www.parkfieldequinesolutions.com

A "Pounds for Ponds" campaign has launched, aiming to revive and create 100 dew ponds across Hampshire and Sussex with an investment of approximately £1m over the next decade. Led by the South Downs National Park Trust and Froglife, the initiative seeks to restore derelict ponds and secure funding, including support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Bannister Trust, and BMW, to bring back these vital habitats for wildlife.

Charity & Community News

Accessible croquet sessions launched Residents of Care South's Sussexdown residential care home in Storrington enjoyed a wheelchair croquet lesson by local croquet expert John Coventry. Adapted to accommodate residents in wheelchairs, the lesson took place in the home's well-maintained gardens, allowing everyone to participate. The activity will now be held weekly, providing a new and enjoyable experience for the residents. Pictured are resident Peter with John at the inaugural session.

Choir for those with memory problems

As evidence shows that music can help people to feel and live better, Trinity Methodist Church, Storrington is trying to assess interest in establishing what they term as a "dementia friendly" choir. Aimed primarily at those aged 55+ experiencing memory problems, but open to all, the choir would meet on a Wednesday morning,

probably fortnightly. There would be no auditions or music scores; just the words of the songs led from the keyboard. Anyone interested in findng out more should contact Robert Gamble on 01798 815335; 07955 189704 or email him at robertgamblerc@gmail.com.

New park for West Durrington

Plans have been unveiled for a new community park in West Durrington, co-designed by local residents and groups. Following engagement events organized by Worthing Borough Council and housebuilders Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey, and Vistry Homes, the park will feature inclusive play areas, a parkour section for teenagers, and a multi-use games area. Changes to the original plans include three junior-sized football pitches and additional allotment plots. The design incorporates communal spaces, cycle stands, and community feedback-led features like a community orchard and garden. Construction of the park is set to begin in August 2023, following the tender process.

Charity & Community News

Chanctonbury Probus Club

Chanctonbury Probus Club have had numerous events this year, including Ten Pin Bowling, Skittles, Annual Dinner and a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, stopping off at Stratford upon Avon on route. Some of the future events are Croquet, Petanque, tour of a fort and a visit to Wimbledon. The club has monthly lunches with speakers and organised walks. Nearly all social events involve a friendly lunch at various eateries. If you would like to be involved and part of this very active and sociable club, email the Secretary for more information secretary@chanctonburyprobus.org.uk.

New look for Montague Place

Montague Place could once again be a green oasis in the heart of Worthing town centre. Worthing Borough Council is planning to transform the space into a green and welcoming urban park - and residents are being invited to have their say on the proposed design.

During The Big Listen last summer, Councillors and council officers travelled around the borough asking local people what they thought

about the town. Residents were clear that they wanted a green, welcoming community space at Montague Place.

With this in mind, the Council has been planning how best to transform the space in a way that reflects the needs and aspirations of the community. In January, the Council undertook conversations with a range of local organisations, town centre groups and businesses. They explored vital considerations for the space, such as how the new design could be sustainable, accessible, safe and welcoming.

The consultation will be open until 5th July. To see the new concept for Montague Place, and have your say on the plan, visit: www.adurworthing.gov.uk/montague-place-worthing.

Stories to info@sussexlocal.net

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Charity & Community News

Runners Raise £2,000 for Veterans' Care

On Sunday, June 4th, a dedicated group of individuals participated in the Worthing 10k, raising nearly £2,000 in support of veterans' care. The team comprised both seasoned and new runners, along with three wheelchair participants: Stephen Merridue, Morgan Woods, and Steve Boylan.

Steve Boylan, an Army Veteran who served in Kosovo and Afghanistan, suffered a life-altering brain injury from a road accident, affecting his mobility and speech. With the assistance of Care for Veterans, Boylan has been striving to live as independently as possible. In a remarkable show of solidarity, Boylan's fellow Royal Engineer colleagues and friends pushed his wheelchair throughout the lively event, ensuring his active participation.

For over a century, Care for Veterans has been providing exemplary long-term nursing care, respite services, and award-winning end-of-life care for physically disabled ex-Service personnel. As the charity does not receive regular government funding, events like the Worthing 10k play

a pivotal role in sustaining their high-quality care. To those seeking a fresh challenge, Care for Veterans invites participation in the upcoming Goodwood Inflatable 5k on September 2nd. This exhilarating event features an obstacle course with 32 inflatables, offering a fun and exciting way to raise crucial funds for disabled veterans and their families.

www.careforveterans.org.uk

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Government falls short on EV charging goals

280,000 - 480,000 public charge points needed by 2030

The British government is unlikely to meet its target of having six or more rapid or ultra-rapid electric vehicle chargers at every motorway service area in England by the end of 2023, according to a recent RAC study.

Out of 119 motorway services examined, only 23% currently meet the desired charger count for the estimated 760,000 battery electric vehicles in the UK.

Notably, six motorway services in England have no high-powered chargers. These findings contradict the government's electric vehicle infrastructure strategy, which aimed to accelerate the rollout of high-powered chargers through the £950m Rapid Charging Fund.

The government's goal is to have 300,000 public chargers of all speeds by 2030, along with over

6,000 high-powered chargers on strategic roads by 2035. However, forecasts suggest that between 280,000 and 480,000 public charge points will be needed by 2030.

Insufficient charging infrastructure is often cited as a barrier to electric vehicle adoption. Rapid and ultrarapid charging is crucial for longer journeys and to support the government's goal of 80% zero-emission new car sales by 2030.

Automotive journalist Quentin Willson urges accelerated development of a long-range, high-powered charging infrastructure to boost electric vehicle drivers' confidence and attract global investors. Insufficient charging infrastructure remains a major concern impeding electric vehicle adoption.

www.rac.co.uk

Prize Crossword

Win a £30 voucher to spend at The Highdown

May 2023 solution below:

Across

1 Drunk (6)

5 Ornamental flowering shrub (6)

8 Omelette essential (3)

9 Whine (6)

10 Yearn (6)

11 E.g. the Romanovs (5)

13 Athletic shoe (7)

14 Pains (5)

17 Periodic (5)

20 Fuzzy (7)

22 Long-continued practice (5)

25 Leaning letter (6)

26 Mature animals (6)

27 Did possess (3)

28 Stump up in advance (6)

29 Creeping (6)

Down

2 Republic containing the northernmost point in Africa (7)

3 At no time (5)

4 Vale (4)

5 Con (7)

6 Clap (7)

7 Strange and mysterious (5)

12 Observe (3)

15 Facial deformity (7)

16 Incomplete (7)

18 Acknowledgement of debt

(1,1,1)

19 Become less dark (7)

21 Coming after (5)

23 Moved back and forth (5)

24 Instructed (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May anagram solution: YOUNGER

Send the answer above to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter details online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 31st July 2023.

Win a £30 voucher to use at The Highdown

www.thehighdown.co.uk

Valid

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Please tick if you would like to receive such information.

Writing a Will

By Will Writer Emma Cohen MIPW

Writing a Will is one of those tasks that often goes overlooked. However, the benefits of creating a Will extend far beyond just financial considerations. A Will acts as a powerful document that can provide peace of mind to loved ones and ensures the smooth transfer of assets after you have gone.

Crafting your Will enables you to have full control over the distribution of your assets after you die. By explicitly stating your wishes, you can ensure that any property, investments and personal belongings are distributed how you want. You will often hear me coin the phrase “Your Will, Your Way!” This can prevent confusion, reduce the likelihood of disputes and it can eliminate the need for expensive legal processes.

A Will is not just about assets though, it allows you to protect your loved ones in various ways. Guardianship provisions can be included to designate who will care for children, additionally, a Will can provide some security for elderly or dependent family members who require ongoing support.

There are also many options to leave financial help to the Charities closest to your heart.

The absence of a Will can leave loved ones in a difficult and emotionally challenging position. Having a roadmap in place can sometimes relieve them of the burden of making complex decisions during an already distressing time. It provides a clear set of instructions, making the estate settlement process smoother, faster, and less stressful. By avoiding intestacy laws, a Will also minimises unnecessary costs and preserves the value of the estate for your beneficiaries.

At Nsure we believe writing a Will is a responsibility that we should all embrace. Beyond the financial considerations, it allows you to take control of your legacy, protect the people who matter the most to you and alleviate difficult decisions after you have gone.

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

The Mystery of Cooper's Barn

By Valerie Martin

If you are reading this and live in Findon and have heard of Cooper's Barn then you maybe interested in learning of my discoveries. If you have not heard of Cooper's Barn you will be wondering where the site is and will want to read more...

When I first moved to Findon in the autumn of 1993, I could see from my bungalow the outline of a wall or building high on West Hill. Perhaps there was the beginnings of a mystery on the skyline? Trees have since grown up and the building has disappeared from my view. Eventually one day I climbed West Hill and found the site of my "mystery" to be of a substantial building of brick and flint of an underdetermined date. It was hidden among the trees and the crumbling derelict walls were encompassed in ivy and almost slipped from view. It was a mystery that I was unable to solve at the time.

Top right is a corner of the remaining barn in 2003 as my photograph shows.

A section of the wall on the northern side at the same date.

With some excitement I quite by chance discovered a well situated immediately to the north of the buildings. The sinking was now filled with rubble and flints. The well surprised me as being so high on the downland I thought there would be no available water. It seems an underground spring that runs through the hillside had been tapped in ages past. This spring continues down to Rogers Farm and was still monitored by the Environmental Agency.

I received an email in April 2003 from the late Tony Hammond of East Preston regarding the ruinous site… "During the war as boys we occasionally made excursions to Cooper's Hill barn which was regarded as being a bit of a spooky place, and it was close by that we discovered crates of World War II highly dangerous phosphorous grenades.

There was also a complex of trenches cut into the hill, and some very dank and smelly underground dug outs.

I have no idea who owned the Barn during the war, the strange thing about it was that whilst it was a bit of a mess there appeared to be signs of something going on there.

We had ideas of German spies hiding out there or black marketers at the very least. Tony". All then went quiet on my subject of the derelict barn area.

At end of February 2015 I acquired by complete chance the above fascinating pencil sketch bearing the caption "Cooper's Barn, Findon". This had been executed at some time between

1940 and 1943 by a teenage boy known as G. K. Hunt.

He had been born in 1926 and attended Scholing Boy's School at Southampton. (Aside: Scholing was the name of the school at that time… it was in later years to became "Sholing"). Maybe his parents lived in our area and he was sent away to this boarding school at Southampton? Perchance he spent his school holidays in Findon and executed the sketch.

More importantly, I had now discovered a full portrayal of my "mystery building" Cooper's Barn and the surrounding area on West Hill.

Corner of the remaining barn in 2003

Section of the wall on the northern side

Cooper’s Barn. Sketch by G. K. Hunt. c.1940/1943

My continual searching came to fruition and I was rewarded when I contacted the late Dennis Weston of Findon. He clearly recalled as a boy actually seeing the big door at the front of barn in the sketch - and also remembered cows standing patiently in the yard. Maybe waiting to

be milked? I assume the cattle lazily spent their days wandering and grazing in the surrounding fields.

Dennis did not know why the place was named Cooper's Ban and we deduced that surely a Mr. Cooper owned the place in the dim and distant past.

A few facts. Cooper's Barn is indicated on the 1875 map of our area and appears as quite a complex with two buildings joined by an enclosing walled area this I now know at one time contained stock.

A more recent map dated 1914 indicates that the barn was still standing at the beginning of the First World War. After this date, the barn complex disappears from any maps I have, although the area has stood the test of time and survived both the First and Second World War the latter in a rather derelict state. The barn ended its life with the remains being known merely as West Hill Barn.

Abandoned well now filled with rubble and flints

Sussex Walks - July 2023

These are the “Heart Smart Walks” run by Chichester District Council. They must be pre-booked up to 7 days in advance, see below. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the walk. All walks finish at their starting point unless otherwise stated. These walks are led by volunteers and if the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled. Full programme of walks available on www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart

IMPORTANT: You must pre-book all walks on chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart or call 01243 521041

Fri 7th July – 10.30am – Washington & Sullington – Leader: Jane / 2.5 hrs / 5 miles

A downland walk taking in the village of Sullington and parts of the South Downs Way. Hilly with stiles. Meet: Frankland Arms pub RH20 4AL (map ref TQ122130)

Sun 9th July – 10.30am - Slindon Woods – Leader: Dominic / 2 hours / 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.

Mon 10th July – 2pm – Lavington Common, Duncton – Leader: Sandy / 2.5 hours / 5 miles.

A lovely flat walk through heathland, shady woods, parkland and green meadows. No dogs. Meet: Lavington Common & Plantation Car Park, nearest postcode GU28 0QL (Grid Ref: SU 948 188)

Fri 14th July – 10.30am – South Downs Way 5, Houghton – Leader: Andrew / 2.5 hrs / 5 miles

Up to SDW, then back down to the Arun.

Meet: Amberley railway station car park (free)

Sat 15th July – 10.30am – Mill Road to Black Rabbit - Leader: Dominic / 1.5 hours / 3.5 miles.

Gentle pace - flat riverside walk, 1 stile. Mill Road car park to Offham, return via Black Rabbit.

Meet: Mill Road car park by the river in town centre (charge) BN18 9AA.

Wed 19th July – 6.30pm – Bosham Quay Southwards - Leader: Ian / 1.25 hrs / 3 miles

Walk along Shore Road, then a small part of Chichester Harbour Coast Walk back the same way. NB: the tide will be out, so small muddy patches, fantastic views of Bosham/harbour! Car Park should be free after 6pm. Meet: Bosham Car Park, PO18 8HZ, at the pedestrian area near WCs.

Thu 20th July – 10.30am – Graffham - Leader: Richard / 2 hrs / 4.4 miles

Through woodland and open countryside with fine views of the South Downs. Reasonably level and easy walking with one 200 yd ascent. Some stiles. Meet. In the car park along the Lane adjacent to the War Memorial. 50 yds to the South of the 'Foresters Arms' GU28 0QA.

Fri 21st July – 10.30am – Burpham & Wepham - Leader: Jane / 2 hrs 30 / 5 miles

Hilly with several climbs. Lovely views. Can be uneven and muddy in the woods. Stiles. No dogs. Meet: The public car park behind the George at Burpham BN18 9RR.

Mon 24th July – 10.30am – Chichester Canal - Leader: Sarah / 30 mins / 1 mile

A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners.

Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT

Wed 26th July – 10.30am – Binsted woods - Leader: Dominic / 2 hrs / 4 miles

Mainly flat headland path, grass, gravel.

Meet: Walberton Village Hall car park, The Street, Walberton, Arundel, BN18 0PQ

Thu 27th July – 10.30am – Iping Common - Leader: Bruce / 2 hrs / 4.3 miles

Ascent 80m. Lovely heathland area. On paths, no stiles, might be muddy in places.

Meet: Iping Common car park - SU852220, (Nearby Postcode GU29 0PB)

Fri 28th July – 10.30am – Cissbury Ring - Leader: Peter / 2 hrs / 4 miles

Circular walk up and around Cissbury Ring (5,000 year old hill fort) with phenomenal 360 degree views of coast and countryside.

Meet: Car park left off the A24 southbound about 3/4 mile south of A280 roundabout.

Be a Friend of the South Downs

If you love the South Downs, then you should join the only membership organisation dedicated to looking after them. As of this year, The Friends of the South Downs has been working to protect the area for 100 years.

The threats to the Downs may have changed over the last 100 years, but we still remain vigilant to protect the natural beauty of the area, promote access and conserve the landscape. We monitor all planning applications in the South Downs National Park to ensure that they will not damage the landscape and we fund conservation projects such as path improvement and replacement of stiles with kissing gates to improve access. We also run projects to encourage children to know and use the Park.

Our Centenary in 2023 provides a great opportunity to celebrate the Downs and includes a number of significant events and activities

• Stimulating talks

• Themed walks and strolls and a cycling festival

• Lottery funded projects to help children learn about the Downs

• A project to improve a footpath for wheelchair use.

We are the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting the South Downs. Why not join us to help with our work or to meet new people on our large programme of guided walks? friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk

Matt White…

“Using pain as fuel” by Lynn Smith

Matt White’s achievements would be impressive by any measure – his CV includes a career of over twenty years built around cyber security and leadership, former Global Head of Information Security Strategy with luxury brand Chanel, CEO of his own start-up – XaaS Ltd and, currently, Interim Group Chief Information Security Officer for Arriva plc. Plus, Matt is a member of the GB Paraclimbing team.

However, Matt’s achievements are even more remarkable when you realise the amount of grit and determination it must have taken to get where he is today.

When he was twelve years old, Matt crushed a carpal in his right-hand playing rugby. Matt’s injury was to have a profound impact upon his life, rather than getting better over time the pain grew worse and a year after his injury Matt was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

CRPS is a debilitating condition - sufferers experience persistent severe pain that is out of proportion to the severity of the original injury. Matt White sounds almost matter of fact when he describes his condition as feeling as though he has, “A blowtorch in my arm, 24/7.”

A side effect of CRPS is that he doesn’t sleep much and his brain is always trying to distract from the constant pain, it also means that he has no fear about causing himself further painhis analogy being, “Once you’re in a swimming pool you’re wet. Not matter how much someone splashes you, you aren’t going to get any wetter.” Consequently, Matt realised that he could push himself harder and for longer.

In 2020, and two months into lockdown, whilst trying to put on his socks, Matt discovered that he couldn’t lift his foot. He could see no visible sign of injury. After a full MRI he was diagnosed with Perineal Nerve Palsy, also known as Foot Drop. The MRI also revealed that Matt had a number of bulging discs in his back and a stenosis, a narrowing of the spine that can lead to compression of the nerves travelling into the legs.

“Always

a silver lining”

Matt had discovered climbing in 2016. PostCovid, he began climbing at Volume 1 gym in

East Grinstead, where he met the GB Paraclimbing Coach, Belinda Fuller who spotted Matt’s potential and offered to train him. Matt’s CRPS and other injuries put him into the Paraclimbing category. In October 2021, Belinda entered him for the Nationals, which saw him competing with members of the GB Team. Matt came third and realised that he: “Had found my tribe.”

He says, “I felt really comfortable competing, I loved the crowds and the people,” and he describes the community warmly. It’s rare, he feels, to have … people with a such a positive outlook. “They’re there for themselves, a real community.”

Having decided to try to qualify for the GB Paraclimbing team, in December 2022 he was selected. When I talk to him, Matt is just days away from his first Paraclimbing contest as a team member, in Caernarfon, Wales* Although not yet an Olympic sport, the Paraclimbing community is waiting to hear the result of its bid for inclusion in 2028s LA Games.

Matt also suffers loss of grip in his hands due to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) – when he raises his arms above his shoulders after a few minutes the circulation to his arms is cut off. Again, Matt is matter of fact as he explains that the TOS doesn’t really impact on a day-to-day basis. Which brings me to ask the question, how does someone who loses the circulation in his arms when he raises them get on, on a climbing wall? It's all about resilience, determination and problem solving

Matt explains that the competitive wall is fifteen metres in height and competitors have six minutes to complete the wall – Matt loses his grip after two-three minutes. Fortunately, time

isn’t the only factor when grading a climb, “It’s important, but so are tactics.” Before a climber begins his climb, he has two minutes to survey the wall from the ground and determine his route to the top. “Each route has a series of different holds and the more you can reach, the more points you’re awarded.” It is all, he says, about resilience, determination and problem solving.

In January of this year, Matt underwent an operation on his leg in a bid to cure the Foot Drop. Two weeks after the operation Matt realised that the pain wasn’t getting any better. Although he is now able to lift his foot and should have use of his calf again, once he has built up muscle strength, he still suffers pain. It may not be the outcome he’d hoped for, but he feels, he says, much better off now. He doesn’t want to sound glib but he can, he says, “Handle pain.” “A life without pain would have been a very different life.”

Matt explains his interpretation of pain by saying, “There is a level of energy when feeling pain that almost gives a power surge. Pain can almost be a fuel.” He agrees that pain can be debilitating but he feels that it doesn’t have to be.

As a result of the pain and not being able to sleep, Matt does a lot of reading and he has read a lot around pain. “Lots of people experience pain and never talk about it,” he says. ”All of the elite military services go through physical and mental hardship training, where their bodies are pushed to their limits.” The question is, “Are you ready to embrace and tap into the mindset.”

Matt believes that everything he has achieved is because of the constant pain he suffers. Before he was diagnosed with CRPS he was, he tells me, a difficult child with “a chip on my shoulder” and after his diagnosis suddenly his brain “switched on.”

He considers his affliction to be akin to a “superpower” and that he would be a very different person, less driven, less focussed, without it. This is not just supposition. In 2019 Matt was given the opportunity to try a drug that rendered him pain-free for the first time in years. He took the drug for three months, during which time he “lost the ability to think properly,” before choosing not to continue with the medication, but rather “to feel the pain and be more high achieving.” He concedes that there is an element of ego involved, that he isn’t happy performing at any level except the absolute highest he can. Value is determined by our impact upon others. Matt’s focus is upon helping people, doing things for others – mentoring, training, speaking -What he describes as a “level of servitude that makes suffering easier.” There are bad days, he admits, when he wants it all to go away but every time that he’s felt like giving up, he’s been contacted by people who have found him, usually on Instagram, fellow CRPS sufferers, who tell him how much hearing his story has helped them.

“It seems that the human mind is more capable when it does something for someone else.” He describes himself as being the “perfect mix

of optimism and insanity,” with enough realism to accept and enough insanity to push through regardless.

“You can always give up tomorrow”

Matt clearly embraces the challenges he faces as opportunities for change and when I ask what advice he might offer someone facing their own challenges, he doesn’t hesitate. “’You can always give up tomorrow.’ It’s a phrase that my grandfather used and one that I live by.” It is, he feels far more effective than telling someone things will get better, and “one of the most powerful phrases I know.”

Contact: Please email: matt.white@xaas.co.uk, www.facebook.com/p/Matt-White-Paraclimber www.thisismattwhite.com

*Matt came 1st in his category (AU3 Male) at Caernarfon on 21 May.

Managing your food cravings

By Heather Smith

Stress Eating

Does stress cause you to make food choices you wish you didn't? Instead of letting the guilt slip in, be kind to yourself and approach with interest rather than emotion.

Figure out the Pattern

There is usually something alongside the feeling of being stressed which triggers the urge to over-eat. See if you can figure out what it is.

It might be that you let yourself get too hungry, or it might be an emotion, a sight, a particular time - or something else entirely.

Whatever you learn is useful. When you're aware of something, you can start to make a change.

Put a Barrier in Place

Now, we need to give you an opportunity to slow down between the urge to over-eat and the action. You might simply not keep the kind of food you don't want to eat in the house. So, if you want it, you'll have to go to the shops. Maybe, you could take a 10 minute walk in the fresh air before you eat. Maybe even drinking a glass of water willgiveyou timetothink.

Keep Practicing

Whatever you do, you won't get it right straight away, or all the time. There will be some trial and error. But, with continued practice, you'll start to see patterns and figure out how to stop cravings before they grow.

Get in touch via www.fitbiztraining.co.uk to receive a free video about gaining control of your food cravings.

In Your Garden

Monthly gardening ideas & tasks by

Andrew Staib of

Glorious Gardens

The food of the Gods

Each Saturday morning, standing sturdy and indomitable in all weathers behind his stall in Florence Road market, Brighton, is softly spoken James Hull, from the J. Cocoa company.

James the only craft chocolate maker in Sussex and one of only 16 in the UK.

This means, unlike other big chocolate companies that import chocolate and then just melt it down, reshape and flavour it, James actually imports the fermented beans and roasts and filters them himself before grinding them into a liquid form, ready to flavour and set into moulds.

His chocolate is wonderful, with original flavours and a deep earthy taste that you won’t find in cheaply available chocolate.

What got him into it? “I was interested in cooking so did a course in Pastries and Confection. Then life took me elsewhere and I ran my own fishmongers for 5 years. When by chance I visited a chocolate fair I became intrigued about the process of making chocolate from scratch.”

That was 8 years ago and since then James has won many awards including a Gold Medal for his milk chocolate at the International Chocolate Awards.

“When I first started, I was using hair driers, rolling pins and Indian spice grinders until they kept breaking. Not being able to afford the enormous chocolate producing machines from overseas, I designed and had built my own stainless steel equipment. “James proudly looks around

his large wooden hut at the bottom of his parent’s gardens. It resembles an industrial kitchen painted by Dali with strange shiny pipes, ovens , crackers and sifters. “Everything here was born out of necessity. It has certainly turned me into a very organised person.”

“It is a very very complicated process. Coco beans are like grapes, each batch tastes different depending on the country they are from and the soil type. Plus when making it, the different stages of production involve different temperatures. There are no Ompa Lumpas to help out and it is very time consuming but I trust when people have tasted craft chocolate, like coffee, they find it hard to go back to the cheap stuff. When someone asks me how to start up a chocolate business I tell them - Don’t Do It!”

But he has done it and winning the Great Taste Award amongst other awards kept him going.

“It started as a curiosity and now I am becoming known by quality buyers in restaurants and cafes. Preparing for Xmas and Easter means a non stop 6-7 working days per week but in the

Harvesting the Coco beans from the pods

Summer I slow down and can experiment with new flavours and I have just started making chocolate ice-cream”

I ask him about the ethics of even importing the chocolate bean. It is estimated that over two million children around the world, the majority in East Africa, work in the industry and are often terribly exploited or trafficked. “I take this so seriously. I interview each small supplier for each batch I buy and I have become good at judging those that take fair pay and working conditions seriously. But it is a big problem.The big chocolate companies pay a lot in legal fees to stall any progress on human rights.”

James’s dream is to have his own cafe one day, with a glass panel allowing customers to see the chocolate making process in action as they sip their hot chocolate.

Do you still eat it? “Oh yes all the time!”

Some chocolate facts: Chocolate was first drunk 4000 years ago and the beans were even used as currency in Central America: 100 of them were worth a turkey, three of them worth a ripe avocado. Chocolate came to Europe and by the 17th Century was enjoyed at first in the Spanish Court and then spread throughout Europe. By the

cacao tree fruit

19th Century it was being combined with milk and sugar and was an integral part of the slave trade. Today it is a 50 billion dollar industry.

Where to visit in July

If you haven’t been to the National Trust garden, Nymans to the east of the village of Handcross, then a visit will be thrilling to you. The garden was developed, starting in the late 19th century, by three generations of the Messel family, and was brought to renown by Leonard Messel. So it is a horticultural collection of fascinating plants.

July tasks

• Vegetables - Make sure you can mulch bare earth and water when the sun is down to save on evaporation.

• Water well and consistently - Irregular watering can lead to problems such as blossom end rot in tomatoes and splitting of root vegetables, so make sure to water well during dry spells.

• Weeding - Weeds compete with vegetables for water and act as hosts for pests and diseases, remove them regularly by hoeing.

• Marrows - Should be raised off the ground slightly, to prevent them discolouring from contact with the soil.

• Celery and Carrots - Continue earthing up celery, putting a layer of paper between the stems and the soil and take care when thinning out any late-sown carrot seedlings to prevent the scent released attracting carrot fly females.

Nymans gardens

The blueprints to success

“Reputation, is earned project by project” Nick, RMR Group

The essence of teamwork is often best described by an old adage - success is the combined effort of many, not the glory of one. This philosophy holds true across all disciplines, not least in the challenging and multifaceted world of construction.

Imagine an orchestra, where each instrument has a unique role, yet together they create a harmonious melody. Construction echoes this orchestral order. A myriad of key players - material suppliers, architects, structural engineers, builders, regulators - each with a unique 'note' to play, come together to compose the 'symphony' of a finished project. In unison, they strive to create a masterpiece - a new, awe-inspiring structure, delivered on time and within budget. Each member in this construction ensemble holds a pivotal role, with the ability to either enhance or disrupt the rhythm.

Success in construction, much like in music, is rarely an accident or a fortuitous event. It's the result of a united, well-synchronised team consistently outperforming a group of individual talents working in isolation. For instance, a seasoned painter is likely to have a trusted plasterer they work with regularly, creating a smooth handover and superior finish. Likewise, satisfied clients become the greatest advocates for the team that transformed their vision into reality. Reputation, then, is earned note by note, project by project, providing an assurance of the team's ability to deliver beyond expectations.

Choosing the right team is paramount, and more often than not, these professionals have been honing their skills and collaboration over several years. The architect often pioneers the process, being the first to bring the conceptual plan to paper. This interdependence underlines the fundamental tenet of any successful project - teamwork is indeed the key to making the dream work.

By Nick Roberts www.robertsmillerredshaw.com

Improve, don’t move!

Maximise the value of your home. It’s

We’ve been trusted by 100,000 customers to transform their home.

It’s no wonder we’re the most recommended on Trust Pilot and Check-a-Trade, so you can rely on us when we say we are the UK’s number one! Our straightforward approach is backed by our trusted local engineers who are on-hand to guide you through the whole process.

Reviving Your “Naff” Conservatory

Tips from Homebuilding & Renovating Show experts

Conservatories have become a popular addition to homes, but homeowners and prospective purchasers can be concerned about comfort, energy efficiency and outdated aesthetics.

Challenges & Downsides

Conservatories lack heat retention in winter and suffer from excessive heat build-up in summer due to their glazed structure. Building regulations mandate a separately controllable heating system and an insulated door to mitigate energy loss. This impacts comfort and efficiency.

www.blinds-2go.co.uk

Enhancing Efficiency

The roof is a major source of heat loss and overheating. Lightweight solid roof conversion systems and insulating blinds can regulate temperature and reduce energy loss.

Making it More Attractive

Repainting uPVC frames in fresh colours, softening the flooring, adding pot plants, contemporary furniture and vibrant cushions can create a more inviting atmosphere. Plantation shutters or Roman blinds can enhanceaestheticsand temperature control.

Conclusion

The 'Naff' Factor

Conservatories are often perceived as dated due to their mass-produced uPVC construction and Victorian-inspired designs. They lack consideration for energy efficiency and overall design, making them less appealing in contemporary architectural trends.

Despite their downsides, conservatories can be improved in terms of energy efficiency and aesthetics. Upgrading the roof, installing blinds, and considering a structural transformation with professional guidance can create a comfortable and stylish space. By Julia Kendell interior designer andarchitect Paul Testa.

www.surrey.homebuildingshow.co.uk

Peanut butter, honey & granola cookies

A quick & easy snack

Ingredients - Makes 12 cookies

• 260g nutty crunch granola

• 130g Perrins ‘just’ peanut butter

• 1 large egg

• 1 pinch salt

• 1 tbsp West Chiltington honey

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180c and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whizz three thirds of the granola into the food processor and pulse until finely ground: transfer to a medium bowl. Add the peanut butter, egg, and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture at a low speed until smooth. Add the remaining granola and beat the cookie dough until just combined.

2. Form the cookie dough into 12 balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten the balls with the back of a fork to 2 inch rounds. Bake one sheet at a time in the centre of the oven for about 15 minutes, until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges. Let the

cookies cool completely on the baking sheets before spreading a little honey on each cookie. www.mrandmrscheese.co.uk

Ingredients at Village Larder - villagelarder.co.uk

Weekly meal inspiration - @village_larder

Is now the time to buy an annuity?

By Oliver Suter DipPFS, financial adviser

Annuities provide a regular guaranteed income in retirement. You can buy an annuity with some or all of your pension pot. It pays income for life or for an agreed number of years.

The annuity rate that you receive will depend upon gilt yields, your age, health, and lifestyle. Additionally, you can build in guarantees such as inflation linking, capital protection and guarantee periods.

The rates offered by annuity providers are closely linked to interest rates. In short, when rates rise, annuity deals typically improve. We are currently seeing interest rates at their highest levels for 15 years and annuity rates appear more attractive than they once have.

If you have any questions about annuities, Please remember that individual circumstances apply and the product may not be suitable for all. ‘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

Soft Cell in Steyning

Electronic pop group with special guest Heaven 17

Love, Marc Almond and Dave Ball, achieved six Top Ten singles, three Top Ten albums and inspired synth acts from The Pet Shop Boys to Years & Years. Their latest album, *Happiness Not Included, came out in May to reviews including “Here is how you’d hope the 21st century would sound” and “Buoyed by an undimmed pop instinct and Almond’s waspish wit”. Buy tickets from wistonsummersounds.com

Win a pair of tickets to see Soft Cell

To enter answer the following question:

Top hits and albums produced

Soft Cell will be taking to the stage at the beautiful Wiston Estate in Steyning on 9th September 2023 at 4pm with very special guests Heaven 17.

Q: How many Top Ten singles have the duo achieved?

a) Six b) Three c) Four

Clapham Parish Council Annual

Parish Meeting

Edited extracts from draft minutes of Annuak Meeting 18th May 2023.

Recreation Ground

i. Tree Survey - Beechdown Arboriculture Limited had been asked to provide this.

ii. Play and Adult Gym Inspections (4 weekly checks). Arun District Council’s latest inspection, May 3rd 2023, was noted and Councillor Monger undertook to make a further attempt to adjust the timing of the gate closure, failing which a contractor would be sought.

iii. New Commemorative Seats - The two seats had been purchased at a cost of £1372.91 net of VAT, including delivery and fixing kits, the wording for the plaque and a delivery address to be confirmed before delivery, which could be up to 12 weeks. Quotes for installation to be considered at the Council’s June meeting.

iv. Path Surface

Balfour Beatty had visited the site and enquired regarding the removal of the existing material, whether the width of the path could be in-

creased and the preferred surface type. The Clerk had sought clarification as to how wide the path might be and explained that any changes would need the Trustees’ consent.

Grants - The Clapham Litter Pickers had applied for a grant to cover their annual insurance premium of £129.10 and the application was approved.19. Coronation Celebrations

Assets of Community Value

The nominations for the Church and the Junction had been rejected by the District Council on the grounds that they did not meet the criteria. A decision was awaited on the third nomination for the school, with the Multi Academy Trust adding further supporting evidence in 2023. All nominations had been made in 2020, supported by the best evidence available throughout the assessment process. No further action was proposed. The benefit of a classification provides a period in which to raise finance to purchase an asset on the open market.

www.clapham-wsx-pc.gov.uk

Findon Valley Residents’ Association

Update for July 2023

Artisan markets

Our May bank holiday Artisan Market was held in glorious sunshine, and it was delightful to see so many people enjoying the friendly atmosphere, and browsing the fascinating range of stalls present. The July market will be on Sunday 30th, 9.30am to 1.30pm. Do come along!

Community orchard proposals

There’s a lot happening in the background. We are liaising with Worthing Borough Council and the South Downs National Park on Cissbury Fields, particularly the proposal for a Community Orchard including apple, pear and plum trees. Also, we’ll be meeting

way issues. Speeding, rat-running and parking congestion are all examples of the challenges that most communities face.

Re-surfacing of Vale Avenue

West Sussex County Council have confirmed that Vale Avenue is timetabled for re-surfacing this August. Residents have been patiently awaiting this, and FVRA have been campaigning in support, for a long time.

Pictures from coronation street party

Photos of the enjoyable and popular Coronation Street Party are now up on our website www.fvra.org.uk in the ‘Gallery’ section.

Vale-School summer fete

We’re looking forward to having a stall and ‘quiz' at the Vale School summer fair on Friday 7th July. Hoping for good weather! www.fvra.org.uk

ELECTRICIAN FXT ELECTRICAL SERVICES

• Fault finding & testing

• Lights, sockets, fuse boards

• Highly competitive Worthing based / fully insured

Free no-obligation quote: paul@ftxelectrical.co.uk

07887 341826 fxtelectrical.co.uk

Honest, efficient, friendly and trustworthy garage. MOT and Service completed nice and easily yesterday.

Will be back! Thank you!

- Sam Austwick

March 2023