Sussex Local Magazine - Findon OCTOBER 2022

HELLO!

Welcome to October

As we go to print, the country is gearing up for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. By the time this reaches you the period of mourning will be over and the adjustment to a new era will be beginning. We would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone well with these changes and the challenges that many of us will face this winter.

This month we have a bumper crop of events in the What’s On – and there are always more on the website which didn’t make the deadline, so be sure to take a look there. Our Charity Profile this month features Home Start, which provides practical assistance to parents who are struggling to cope with the pressures of bringing up a family. Andrew takes a look at bees in his gardening feature, and our Property slot takes a timely look at how to heat our homes sustainably. With health, council, charity, schools and community news we hope you enjoy this month’s issue.

Kris & Jeff

Quote of the month...

Every address every month 3SUSSEX LOCAL “Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” HERMANN HESSE

CONTENTS

4 What's On

11 Win tickets to see Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes

12 Charity Profile - Home Start

17 In Your Garden

20 Property - The dos and don'ts of home décor

22 Heating our homes sustainably

26 Prize Crossword - Win £30 voucher for the Highdown Ferring

28 Motoring - Prepare your car for winter

SUSSEX

LOCAL

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.

30 Recipe - Baked Aubergine Roulade

32 Health - Targets to help with Weight Loss

34 Local Guided Walks

38 Valerie Martin - Delving back in Nepcote time

39 Charity & Community News

42 Findon Valley Residents Association

43 Local Council News

44 Classified Business Directory

Index of Advertisers

Advertising from only

ARUNDEL and surroundings – 6,829 addresses

BARNHAM and surroundings – 6,063 addresses CHICHESTER city centre and suburbs – 6,227 addresses FINDON and surroundings – 7,196 addresses

MIDHURST / PETWORTH and surroundings – 7,074 addresses PULBOROUGH and surroundings – 5,952 addresses SOUTHWATER and surroundings – 7,100 addresses STORRINGTON and surroundings – 6,611 addresses

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

What’s On - October 2022

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 seven editions distributed to over 46,000 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 November events to be put on website 4th October

CHARITY

1st 31st Oct 6:00 AM

The Big October Cake Bake For Children on the Edge Hold a Bake Sale or host a Tea Party childrenontheedge.org/thebigoctobercakebake fundraising@childrenontheedge.org 01243 538530

01/10/2022 10:00 AM 4Sight Vision Support Wellbeing Walk fundraising ‘Wellbeing Walk’ West Park Aldwick, Bognor Regis PO21 2RB Adult: £10 Child: £5 fundraising@4sight.org.uk www.4sight.org.uk

09/10/2022 9:00 AM Worthing 10k Care for Veterans needs people for their running team Worthing seafront BN11 3QD £23 01903 218444 myra.jasper@careforveterans.org.uk careforveterans.org.uk/events/worthing 10k 2

21/10/2022 7:30 PM “Wear it Pink” for Breast Cancer & 3D Nipple Art Wear it pink, learn about the art of 3D nipple tattooing & raise funds for Breast Cancer Thakeham Village Hall RH20 3GW Taania 07484 118255 taaniapca@gmail.com www.taaniawood.com/wearitpink

25/10/2022 11:00 AM The Macular Society's Storrington Coffee Morning spreading awareness and information at The Old School Storrington RH20 4LL Stella Black stella.black@macularsociety.org

29th & 30th Oct 2:00 PM Stonepillow Big Sleep Out Sleep Out for a night to raise funds for the homeless. Chichester Cathedral PO19 1PX A donation of your choice. Georgie Smith 01243 537934 fundraising@stonepillow.org.uk stonepillow.org.uk/

CHILDREN'S EVENTS

24/10/2022 2:30 PM Comedy Club 4 Kids entertainment for everyone over 6 years. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN Adult: £10.50 Children: £8 Hazel 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

26/10/2022 11:00 AM Wicked Wednesday family event day at RSPB Pulborough Brooks family days at RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL Adult Members free £8 per child / Non Members £4 £10 per child Lydia 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk events.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

29/10/2022 11:00 AM Spooky Saturday family event day at RSPB Pulborough Brooks nature at RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL Adult Members free £8 per child / Non Members £4 £10 per child Lydia 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk events.rspb.org.uk/ pulboroughbrooks

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

01/10/2022 10:30 AM Parkinson’s support group support group for people with Parkinson’s and their families. Washington memorial hall RH20 4AP. £2 Gillian or Ian 01903 746871 03/10/2022 6:45 PM Graphic novel book club Comic book club looking at novels aimed at adults. Monthly Private house Barnham PO22 0EF Paul Wilson: paulw21erin@gmail.com 04/10/2022 8:00 PM Felpham Singles Social Club Social club for single, widowed or divorced of mature age. The George Inn Bognor Regis PO22 7PL. Annie Cook 01243 821530 anniecook555@yahoo.co.uk www.felphamsingles.yolasite.com 10/10/2022 7:30 PM Midhurst Garden Club social Garden Club with Gardening related talk South Downs Memorial Hall Midhurst GU29 9DH visitors £3 members free midhurstgardenclub@gmail.com 10/10/2022 7:30 PM Pulborough Meadows WI October Meeting Downland Ensemble Harvest Supper and Entertainment. Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF Mary mary.walker50@gmail.com 12/10/2022 5:00 PM Pentalpha Lodge (3164) regular meeting at Pulborough Masonic Hall RH20 1AH Brian Hunter 01798 875253 brian.a.hunter@btinternet.com

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

13/10/2022

7:30 PM Midhurst Camera Club

October Speaker Evening Jon Mitchell talk on “Impressions of India”. Midhurst Memorial Hall GU29 9DH Shaun midhurstcameraclub.co.uk publicity@midhurstcameraclub.co.uk

13th & 27th Oct 7:45 PM Worthing Folk Dance Group, Grasshoppers Folk Dance Club Every 2nd and 4th Tues of the month. St Lawrence Church Hall Goring by sea BN12 4BY £2 Helen hdoswell@googlemail.com

14/10/2022 3:00 PM Rosehill Book Club, Pulborough Small group, new members welcome. Members’ homes Pulborough RH20 4NL Carol Davison carol953@hotmail.co.uk

16/10/2022 7:30 PM Sullington Windmills

Women's Institute group of ladies who meet on third Wed each month. Storrington Parish Hall RH20 3PP Erika erikabrichta@hotmail.co.uk sullingtonwindmills.org

18/10/2022 7:30 PM Durrington WI October Meeting Line Dancing with Wendy Holden. Durrington Community Centre BN13 3FJ Linda lindaturner100@hotmail.com 07515 516854 mywi.thewi.org.uk/welcome to my wi

26/10/2022 2:30 PM Storrington Flower Club Sullington Parish Hall RH20 4PP £6 Chris 01903 742102 chrissyldesmond@gmail.com

26/10/2022 7:15 PM Six Decades of Steam Railway Photography Tony Storey

A selection of steam railway images from the South of England Bassil Shippam Centre PO19 7LG £3 07403 885061 chichester@rcts.org.uk rcts.org.uk/branches/branch chr chichester/ 29/10/2022 7:00 PM Quiz Night Museum's Quiz Night with tables of 6. Storrington Parish Hall RH20 3PP £10 storringtonmuseum.com 01903 746569 storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com

Every Thurs 2:00 PM Circle Dancing/European Folk Dancing Dance in lines and circles to diverse music, dances taught. Storrington Parish Hall RH20 3PP £6 Sue 01903 744929 suekewley@outlook.com

COMMUNITY

01/10/2022 10:15 AM Junktique, Collectable & Clutter Sale Indoor Table Top Sale of good quality items West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ £1/under 12’s free. Carol 01798 813608 wchiltfloralclub@gmail.com

14/10/2022

7:30 PM PACT Supporting Ukrainian Refugees and Asylum Seekers by Roger Pask. St. Mary's Church Petworth GU28 0AE Gerald 01798 342151 geraldgreshamcooke@gmail.com

22/10/2022

8:00 AM Men's Breakfast community event Men's breakfast with David Campanale Chichester Park Hotel PO19 7QL £9.50 peter@ppsutton.co.uk 07813 024585 immanuelchichester.com/community/mens breakfast/

COURSES & TUITION

08/10/2022 9:30 AM Birding for absolute beginners at Pulborough Brooks For those new to birdwatching RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £20.50 RSPB members/£25.50 non members Lydia lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk 01798 875851 events.rspb.org.uk/events/18631 15/10/2022 10:00 AM Brinsbury College Open Morning opportunity to ask about courses available at Brinsbury College RH20 2JJ Kerry 01243 786321 sharpk@chichester.ac.uk 16/10/2022 10:30 AM Nature photography safari at Pulborough Brooks nature photography workshop at RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL RSPB members £48.50/Non members £60.50 events.rspb.org.uk/events/18927 01798 875851 lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk

Every Wed 7:30 PM Is there more to life than this? Free Alpha course exploring questions of life. The Village Hub Storrington RH20 4DJ Stuart Spinney 01903 743547 alpha@lccstor.org

Every Wed 08:00 AM & 6:00 PM Sompting Village Morris Beginner course For over 16’s who wish to learn and be part of Sompting Village Morris. St Georges Church, Worthing BN11 2DS Mike mikerayment227@yahoo.co.uk www.somptingvillagemorris.org.uk

EXHIBITIONS

01/10/2022 11:00 AM Artists at Oakbank an Exibition and Sale A show of work by Sussex Artists in a variety of media. Oakbank Storrington RH20 4BU Free. John Mulligan 07974 933282 johnsmulligan@btinternet.com 08/10/2022 11:00 AM The Sussex Contemporary Art Exhibition showcasing Sussex art and artists with Sussex connection. British Airways i360 Brighton BN1 2LN Free enquiries@thesussex.co.uk www.thesussexcontemporary.co.uk

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

Every

month

14/10/2022 10:00 AM

Chichester Quilters Show Exhibition of Quilts made by Chichester Quilters with raffle, demos, sales Assembly Rooms Chichester PO19 1LQ £4 chichesterquilters.com sallybotwright@gmail.com

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

15th & 25th Oct 10:30 AM Fascinated by fungi guided walk RSPB Pulborough Brooks RH20 2EL £16.50 for RSPB members and £20.50 for non members Lydia lydia.fletcher@rspb.co.uk 01798 875851 events.rspb.org.uk/events/18729

19/10/2022 7:30 PM Follies reunion of ex Follies performers in his crumbling theatre. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £18 Hazel hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

21st 31st Oct 7:00 PM The Famous Five: A New Musical A musical family adventure based on Enid Blyton’s books Chichester Festival Theatre PO19 6AP From £10 Half price for under 16s 01243 781312 www.cft.org.uk box.office@cft.org.uk

More

on

22nd 30th Oct October Half Term Fun Spot the pumpkins hidden across the Pleasure Garden and have fun strolling through crunchy leaves. Petworth House and Park GU28 0AE Free 01798 342207 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth

26/10/2022

2:00 PM Morgan & West: Unbelievable Science Morgan & West present chemistry Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £10.50 Hazel www.alexandratheatre.co.uk hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676

27/10/2022 2:00 PM Christopher Nibble Topsy Turvey Theatre's blend of storytelling with unreserved seating. Studio 1, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £8.50 £8.50 Hazel Latus 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

FAYRES AND FETES

22nd & 23rd Oct 10:30 AM Craft and Design Show at Lancing College contemporary and traditional art, craft and design Lancing College BN15 0RW £4 Accompanied children free. Woodland Crafts info@woodlandcrafts.co.uk 01243 641306 woodlandcrafts.co.uk

please contact event organisers to check for changes

GARDENS & HORTICULTURE

12/10/2022

7:30 PM Storrington Film Night

Belfast Starring Jude Hill and Ken Brannagh Bar + Raffle Sullington Village Hall RH20 3PP £5 from Card Shop Contact Ken: 01903 740745 kandjcoll@btinternet.com

13/10/2022 7:00 PM

Worthing Twinning Association

French Film evening Series of French and German films £5. West Worthing Baptist Church BN14 7LU Christopher c.doidge@btinternet.com

14/10/2022

7:30 PM Charity screening of Romantic Road Rupert & Jan Grey will bring their 1936 Rolls Royce to this showing of their film. Stedham Village Hall GU29 £7.50 Sam 01730 817191 fiona_askew@btinternet.com www.stedhamvillagehall.com

17/10/2022 7:30 PM Pulborough Film Night

Elvis a Musical/Drama 2022 running for 2hr 39m starring Tom Hanks. Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BF £7 Terri terriashpool@uwclub.net

12/10/2022

7:30 PM Small Garden Designs West Chiltington Horticultural Society by Nigel Philips West Chiltington Village Hall RH20 2PZ Visitors £3 westchilthorts@gmail.com www.westchilthortsoc.wordpress.com

29/10/2022 10:00 AM Denmans Garden, Fontwell is opening for the National Garden Scheme Denmans Garden Fontwell BN18 0SU £9 / £7 Gwendolyn van Paasschen 01243 278950 office@denmans.org denmans.org

Every Mon 9:00 AM NGS Open Garden, Old Cross Street Farm, West Burton Garden open for National Garden Scheme in Old Cross Street Farm Pulborough RH20 1HD £6 Belinda Wilkinson belinda@westburton.com findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/37847/old cross street farm

Every Tue 2:00 PM Garden and gift shop open for the National Garden Scheme, Peelers Retreat Arundel gift shop and teas Peelers Retreat Arundel BN18 9EX £5 Tony & Lizzie Gilks 01903 884981 timespan70@tiscali.co.uk www.timespanhistoricalpresentations.co.uk

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

Every Thurs 10:30 AM The Old Vicarage, opens for the National Garden Scheme The Old Vicarage Washington RH20 4AS £7 the National Garden Scheme 01483 211535 hello@ngs.org.uk ngs.org.uk

HEALTH & FITNESS

4th 27th Oct Various Weekly Yoga Classes in Ashington with Manna Yoga Small, personal, friendly Yoga classes for all. Ashington Scout Hut RH20 3JX £9 Manna 07798 616821 mariannebates_@hotmail.com

16/10/2022 9:30 AM Guided Trail Run

A guided trail run on the South Downs led by running coach £5 per person. Tanya Boardman tanyaboardman.co.uk tanya@tanyaboardman.co.uk

Every Tue 6:30 PM All abilities running group build confidence in running with Arun Valley Runners £5 per person, contact Tanya Boardman: tanya@tanyaboardman.co.uk www.tanyaboardman.co.uk/running groups pulborough

MUSIC

01/10/2022

7:30 PM Motown and Northern Soul Evening Soul Evening at Eastergate Village Hall PO20 3RP £5 Tony & Di Cassini 07718 415620 soulinthesouth@hotmail.com

07/10/2022

7:45 PM Chichester Jazz Club present The Power of 3 a trio of musicians in The Pallant Suite Chichester PO19 1SY £15 non members Peter peter@stoakley.myzen.co.uk 01243 774736 www.chichesterjazzclub.co.uk

08/10/2022

7:00 AM Songs of Love and Hope opera singer Thomasin Trezise returns to Cathedral Centre Arundel BN18 9NY £35 malcolm@farquharson.me.uk 01903 89918

09/10/2022

7:45 PM Steve Hackett Genesis

Revisited Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights Tour Steve returns to the UK with 25 date tour The Brighton Centre BN1 2GR £44.45 01273 290131 brightoncentre@brighton hove.gov.uk brightoncentre.co.uk/whats on/2022/steve hackett 15/10/2022

7:30 PM Albert Lee in concert

Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £26 Hazel hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

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

month

15/10/2022 7:30 PM Arun Choral Society's Autumn Concert Mozart and Nail Requiem in Arundel Cathedral BN18 9AY £15 £7.50 Maggie Somerset boxoffice@arunchoralsociety.co.uk www.wegottickets.com/event/540060

15/10/2022 8:00 PM An evening with The Big Smoke Family a full London gig Live gig of New Orleans funk rock Empire Hall Petworth GU28 0QB £17.50 www.empirehall.org.uk

20/10/2022 7:30 AM Dixieland/Trad Jazz Evening of Dixie/Trad Jazz by the Featherstone Jazz Four DRNK Cafe Lancing BN15 0PH Free. Derek 01903 249900 dglittle@ntlworld.com

28/10/2022 7:30

PM The Legends of American Country returning for another night of Country songs showcasing tributes. Alexandra Theatre The Regis Centre PO21 1BN £25 Contact Hazel: 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk

29/10/2022 7:30 PM Orchestra Night 60 Minute String Orchestra. Unreserved seating in Studio 1 Regis Centre PO21 1BN £15 Hazel hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

Every Tue 4:45 PM New Youth Choir in Storrington Choir rehearsal for children aged 8 to 11 Trinity Methodist Church Storrington RH20 3NG £3 Robert robertgamblerc@gmail.com

Every Wed 8:00 PM Learn to Sing Course learn to sing harmony songs in Acapella style. Dial Post Village Hall RH13 8NS vocalfusionacapella.co.uk vocalfusionacapella@gmail.com 01444 482183

SALES & MARKETS

08/10/2022 10:30 AM Children's Nearly New Sale Children's nearly new sale of clothes, toys, prams, baby equipment etc. Steyning Grammar school RH20 3AA. Storrington baby and toddler group storringtonbtg@hotmail.com

19/10/2022 9:00 AM Arundel Farmers Market

3rd Sat monthly local growers, bakers, meat, poultry, flowers, plants, food and drink makers Arundel BN18 9AA arundelfarmersmarket.co.uk

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

22/10/2022

9:00 AM Pulborough Monthly

Market fresh veg, eggs, crafts, cakes plus breakfast choices in the café. Pulborough Village Hall RH20 2BD Terri terriashpool@uwclub.net

SPIRITUALIST

TALKS

03/10/2022

7:30 PM Tony Stockwell Psychic. Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £21 Contact Hazel Latus: hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk 01243 867676 www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

24/10/2022 7:00 PM Angel in Blue Psychic evening Social/support evening & Psychics

Medium demonstration. Storrington Village Hall RH20 4DZ £6. Val vharber@btinternet.com

SPORT

09/10/2022 11:00 AM Goodwood Racecourse

Season Finale Harvest hops and horseracing at Goodwood's Season Finale. Goodwood Racecourse PO18 0PS £26 Under 18's free ticketoffice@goodwood.com goodwood.com/ horseracing/fixtures events/season finale/

05 & 19th Oct 10:45 AM The Arts Society South Downs Chopin and the Polish soul by Rosamund Bartlett. Fittleworth Village Hall RH20 1JB £7 Jane: jane@theallisonfamily.co.uk 01798 813314 theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk

05/10/2022 2:00 PM Romantic Women Poets by Anne Rowe Talk for Chichester Literary Soc. Boxgrove Village Hall Chichester PO18 OEE £7 non members infochichesterlitsoc@gmail.com www.chichesterliterarysociety.org

06/10/2022 6:30 PM Speaker An evening with Jeremy Mainwaring Burton (LVO) Queen Mother's Equerry insight of life at Castle Mey with the Queen Mother. Leconfield Hall Petworth GU28 0AH £15 The Sussex Snowdrop Trust 01243 572433 office@snowdroptrust.com www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com/event/the queen mother at the castle of mey an evening with jeremy mainwaring burton lvo/

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

07/10/2022 2:30 PM Life as a Journalist A talk by Stuart Flitton Storrington Museum RH20 4LL £8 01903 740188 storringtonmuseum.com storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com

10/10/2022 10:00 AM The Arts Society, Steyning The Field of Cloth of Gold: 6,000 Days by Joanna Mabbutt The Steyning Centre BN44 3XZ £10 for visitors steyning@theartssociety.org www.theartssocietysteyning.org.uk

13/10/2022 7:00 PM Rupert Tovey on Art in Arundel and the Surrounding Area Arundel Museum BN18 9PA £10 Members/£12 non members office@arundelmuseum.org 01903 885866 www.arundelmuseum.org

25/10/2022 7:00 PM Battle over West Sussex Battle of Britain in WWII as it was fought in the skies of West Sussex Zoom webinar £8 in person/£5 online westsussex.gov.uk/leisure recreation and community/history and heritage/ west sussex record office/whats on at the record office record.office@westsussex.gov.uk

THEATRE

5th 8th Oct 7:30 PM The House They Grew Up In Local community theatre production at The Barn, Southwick BN42 4TE £12 0333 666 3366 info@southwickplayers.org.uk www.southwickplayers.org.uk

13/10/2022 8:00 PM Rich Hall: Shot From Cannons by Rich Hall Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre PO21 1BN £17.50 Hazel Latus 01243 867676 hazel.latus@regiscentre.co.uk www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

WALKS

3rd, 10th & 17th Oct 10:30 AM Deer Rut Guided Walk annual deer rut two hour guided morning walk Petworth House and Park GU28 9LR £5 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk

7th, 14th & 21st Oct 2:00 PM Deer Rut Guided Afternoon Walk annual deer rut on two hour guided walk Petworth House and Park GU28 9LR £5 petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth

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

Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes

Performing award-winning hits and festival favourites

house Sessions’ while Steve and Phil will perform new material generated over the last two years. During the second set the trio will play a host of anthemic Show of Hands classics plus one or two hitherto unheard surprises.

Win a pair of tickets to see Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes at Assembly Hall, Worthing Theatre on 17th November 2022 at 7.30pm. Visit www.wtm.uk

Win a pair of tickets to see Show of Hands

The band are finally reuniting with formidable folk singer Miranda Sykes to captivate audiences at a long awaited autumn tour. The trio will perform brand new tracks, live renditions of their award winning hits and festival favourites for the first time in five long years. The opening half of the show will see them playing as duos and soloists. Miranda will feature songs from her lockdown album ‘The Farm-

To enter answer the following question: Q: What is the name of Miranda's lockdown album?

a) Farmhouse Sessions b) County Sessions c) Grange Sessions

Send your answer and contact details to: Show of Hands Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter online at: www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st October 2022. Please indicateifyouwishtoremainonourmailinglist.

Providing a lifeline for local families facing tough times

Struggles of parenting

When Dawn was first referred to Home Start Arun, Worthing & Adur (AWA) by social services, neither she nor her two year old daughter, Betsy, spoke. So mentally traumatised by previous abuse, Dawn was self harming and found it hard to interact with Betsy in any way. As a result, Betsy had been referred to a speech therapist.

Being a parent can sometimes be lonely, frustrating, and overwhelming many struggling with the daily tasks of parenting, made more difficult by poor mental and physical health, living in unsuitable accommodation, multiple births, lone parenting, poverty, domestic abuse.

What they do

Home Start AWA supports local parents like Dawn through their most challenging times. A child’s early years are critically important, they build a foundation upon which all their later learning, behaviours and health depend. Early intervention resulting in positive outcomes for vulnerable children is well documented and Home Start knows that children do best when they are cared for by their parents and parents get the help they need.

All the volunteers have parenting and/or grandparenting experience and are fully trained, DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked and matched carefully to provide families with children under 5 years of age, with free, practical, emotional, non judgemental, weekly 1 2 1 support in their home, or on the phone.

Some families attend one of the weekly Family Groups, providing opportunity to meet other families in a low pressure environment. They are a steppingstone building confidence to meet new people and access other services.

From introvert to chatterbox

Dawn attended one of these groups and over time, with support from volunteers and staff, she eventually stopped self harming, learned to interact with Betsy and no longer needs specialist input from health services.

Dawn says, “Due to Home Start’s support, I now have a wonderful bond with my daughter, and am completely aware of the impact my mental health has on her. I’m now more aware of my triggers and when the right time is to ask for help.”

The Group Volunteer says, “From being a quiet and introverted child, she is now cheerful, inquisitive and talks constantly! We role modelled positive interactions which Dawn noticed, and we’ve seen her grow in confidence as a mum. Their relationship is now much closer and more fun. It’s wonderful to see!”

Home Start volunteers support parental mental health and wellbeing, vital to enable bonding, language development and socialisation with their children. Their support allows parents to feel less consumed with adult issues and refocus on their children’s wellbeing, enabling them to better provide a safe and nurturing home, giving their children the best possible start in life.

The challenges local families face

Since the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis, life has become tougher for so many more local families. Last year Home Start supported 172 families and 414 children, but they have already seen a 25% increase in referrals since the beginning of this year.

Many of the children they help are living in poverty. 30% of the families referred last year lived in four of the Lower Super Output Areas which are in the top 10% most deprived areas in the UK.

An increasing number (over half) report facing financial difficulties. Volunteers now provide more practical support, including help with

the household budget, foodbank vouchers, providing milk, nappies and clothes. A quarter live in unsuitable accommodation and staff support with benefit and housing applications. Last winter, they supported a family escaping domestic violence, living in their car during the day, providing them with clothes, food and blankets.

After the closure of many Children & Family/ Young People's Centres across West Sussex, families are telling Home Start they feel without a 'place' in which to meet other parents and engage with support staff.

Due to the pandemic, many primary schools confirm an increase in children starting school without the basic skills to help them succeed dressing/toileting independently. Many were denied the opportunity to mix with others and have limited communication skills and ability to socialise and play.

Last year, over ¾ of referred parents were experiencing mental health difficulties.

During the pandemic Home Start introduced Buggy Walks with volunteers and their families proving good for mental health fresh air, exercise, play time essential for children. They also started an in house therapeutic counselling service for parents facing mental health difficulties impacting on their ability to parent.

Who refers families to Home Start AWA

Only 36% of parents self refer, and a wide range of professionals refer families to Home Start including West Sussex Family Support Services, health visitors, midwives, mental health, and social services, West Sussex Coastal Mind, and domestic abuse support services.

A family story

Sarah was first referred to Home Start AWA by Carers Support. She was really struggling to cope. At 31, her partner Simon had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Simon had to give up his job, Sarah became his carer and, whilst having to hold down a full time job,

Every address every month

they discovered Sarah was pregnant. She became anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, and worried about how they would cope financially. A beautiful baby girl was born but Sarah experienced several infections afterwards and Simon was unable to provide practical help or hold his daughter for any length of time.

Over time, with 1 2 1, non judgemental, confidential practical and emotional support from their Home Start volunteer Lizzie, the family are in a much better place.

Sarah says; “It’s been a challenging journey but support from Lizzie has given me space to breathe and has contributed to my mental health, keeping my head just above water, allowing me to be the mum that I want to be. I’m looking forward

to going back to work. Lizzie has been an essential part of my recovery and I’m not sure where I would be without her support.”

How you can help

Over 21 years, intervention from Home Start AWA has had a proven and positive impact on the health and welfare of 2,278 local families and 4,783 children. Each year Home Start fundraise to continue to offer their services, and they can not do this without community support. Local families often call their volunteers a ‘lifeline’ each visit costs just £25 to provide this vital support. If you would like to donate you can scan the barcode, or go to: www.home startawa.org.uk. You can also visit the website for support ideas. www.home startawa.org.uk/ fundraise

If you need support, know a family who might, or are interested in volunteering, contact 01903 889707 or visit the website.

There are two other Home Start services within West Sussex. If you need help or to wish to donate to Home Start Chichester & District, go to: home startchichester.org.uk. Or contact Home Start Crawley, Horsham & Mid Sussex at www.homestartchams.org.uk

In Your Garden

Monthly gardening ideas & tasks by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens

Sussex Bees

Bees are the golden angel engines of nature. Under severe threat from our agricultural practices, you can provide them a safe haven in your garden or even better, get yourself a bee box and groovy white outfit! Almost 90% of wild plants and 75% of leading global crops depend on animal pollination. One out of every three mouthfuls of our food depends on pollinators. Crops that depend on pollination are five times more valuable than those that do not.

The solitary bee (Halictus eurygnathus), thought to be extinct, has been discovered after 76 years at seven sites in Sussex!

Remarkable bee facts:

• They pollinate 76% of the world’s crops and add £690m to the UK economy each year.

• Every year a hive can produce up to 11kg of honey, and to produce just half a kg they fly up to 55,000 miles to find the flowers!

• Honeybees have a dance move called the ‘waggle dance’ a clever way of communicating to hive mates where to go to find the best source of food. It took researchers at Sussex University two years to decode the waggle dance. The bees can indicate where the best flowers are up to 6km away.

• There are over 250 UK species of bee but are under threat from crop spraying and loss of habitat. There can up to 75% more bees on an organic farm, due to the lack of insecticide spraying.

Families and species of bee

There are six different bee families found in Sussex. The Colletidae bee is one of the most species rich families within the clade Anthophila, holding roughly 2,000 species. The Andrenidae are medium sized solitary mining bees. The females excavate tunnels in the soil that branch off to individual cells that the female stocks with pollen balls and nectar, on which she lays her eggs. There may be one or two generations per year. The Halictidae are one of the six bee families in the order Hymenoptera. They are often referred to as sweat bees as they are attracted

dant than most bees with the exception of Apis (honey bee) species.

Melittidae bees are short tongued. Megachilidae bees nest in beetle borings in dead trees in the wild, and these can be mimicked to provide a place for them to nest. The Apidae are the largest family within the superfamily Apoidea, containing at least 5,700 species of bees. The family includes some of the most commonly seen bees, including bumblebees and honey bees, but also includes stingless bees (also used for honey production), carpenter bees, orchid bees, cuckoo bees, and a number of other less widely known groups. Many are valuable pollinators in natural habitats and for agricultural crops.

Beekeeping

If you're looking to share your love for bees, why not join the West Sussex Beekeepers Association. There are four divisions; Central Sussex, Chichester, Wisborough Green and Worthing so depending on where you live in the county you won’t be too far from one. If you are new to the world of bees this is the association to join, they offer support in a variety of ways. If you plan to start beekeeping you should attend their apiary meetings, this is where you will learn how to correctly handle bees.

A word of caution here: Honeybees tend to take away habitats and food from UK native bees so while they are important, if you wish to help with wildlife conservation, try building more homes for native bees.

Sussex has six different bee families

How to get started

After joining the West Sussex Beekeepers Association and attending their meetings you need to decide where you want to keep your bees. Good places are; in your garden, on a roof and at a nearby apiary.

Don’t worry if you’re concerned about the cost of equipment to get up and running. The association offers secondhand equipment so you are able to get started quickly. You will need to get; a hive, hive frames with a wax foundation, a one piece bee suit, gloves and wellington boots for basic personal protection, a smoker, a hive tool, and a nucleus.

Local Sussex honey has many benefits: it is rich in antioxidants and it's traditionally used to help relieve coughs and colds. Like all honey, it has antiseptic qualities and can be used on small cuts and grazes. And there is nothing like fresh white bread, butter and your own honey dripping down the sides.

What plants will attract Sussex bees?

The Allium siculum, has a very unusual appearance which drips nectar that is very popular amongst bees, in particular the red tailed bumblebees. Apple trees are favoured by queens

during April and May and crab apples tend to draw them in the most due to their fragrant and attractive flowers.

Aquilegia, Penstemon and Foxgloves have their nectar at the end of their very long tubes which means long tongued bees, such as Bombus hortorum bees will visit.

If you're wanting an easy to grow plant the Borage plant is the one for you. It attracts short tongued bumblebees and honeybees with its rich, sweet nectar and you can use the petals to spice up your salads. Early Spring bulbs help in the early months, and then garden favourites can feed them for the rest of the growing

Allium sisulum

nectar, bees

season: Lavender, Teasels, Hawthorn, Heather, Sedums, Rosmary and Honeysuckle.

Double flowering plants like Roses and Dahlias are either hard to penetrate or very poor in nectar for bees.

What should you do if you see a bee that appears to be struggling?

It may be that it is just resting, particularly if the bee is a queen in early spring. If you think the bee is struggling the best thing to do is gently put the bee onto a bee friendly flower. If there are no bee friendly flowers around, mix 50/50 white sugar and water to give the bee a one off energy boost, providing the carbohydrates it needs to fly. Simply offer a drop or two of sugar water up to the front end of the bee on a teaspoon or an upturned drinks cap in a sheltered place and allow the bee time to recuperate.

Where to go in October

Plenty of bees at the Knepp estate. Isabella Tree’s pioneering work to rewind a part of West Sussex. You can turn up at the car park (before 5.30pm) and you will be given a map of the rewilded areas. Knepp Estate, West Grinstead, Horsham RH138L, call 01403 7412235.

October tasks

• Move plants around or plant up new ones. The soil is still warm the roots to establish but there is less chance of the plants drying out.

• Divide most Perennials including Rhubarb and balance up your garden by taking the other half to a different place.

• You can still plant lettuce and can start sowing Chinese winter greens and Spring Cabbage.

• Start repairing your lawn now with the cooler weather, either using pre grown turfs or seeding into prepared earth.

• Start lawn treatment this month with aerating using a strong fork and raking out moss and thatch.

• Cut back shrubs like Buddlea and Lavatera to about half their height to neaten them up and prevent strong winter winds rocking them about more fundamental pruning happens in Spring

• Order and plant bulbs.

Alex

The dos and don’ts of home decor

your home by Helen Say

Planning how to decorate your home

We're used to seeing “before and after” shots of home renovations in magazines or online. Although it might look easy, a lot of thought and planning will have gone into making the space work. Decorating your home can be daunting, putting coherent schemes together can be anything from tricky to terrifying. Decorating is all about the things you do; the colours you pick, the furniture you love and the accents you choose to finish the space. Decorating is also about what you don't do, as you may need to undo it later.

Do think about how you use the space

While it’s nice to have a beautiful home, it also needs to be practical. Think about how you use rooms, if you have children/pets and whether you entertain a lot or prefer nights in.

Do remember the mantra ‘less is more’

Subtle accessories and accents are more tasteful than trying to fill a room with things in the same colour/print. Once a room starts to look cluttered, stop filling it or add storage space.

Do make a budget

It’s easy to get carried away when decorating. Make a budget and stick to it, decide which elements are most important and which you can do without. Don’t choose the wall colour first

When remaking a room, never choose wall colour first. Paint/ wallpaper is available in thousands of colours and can be easily changed. Choose expensive items first and build a colour palette around them.

Don’t stick to one colour

A colour theme is a good way to pull your home together. However, an entire room with matching walls, carpet and furnishings will make the space feel claustrophobic and old fashioned.

Don’t opt for style over comfort

There are a lot of items that look great but are uncomfortable or impractical. Think about how you're going to use the piece before purchasing.

Helen Say copywriter/blogger cblservices.co.uk

Now is the ideal time for a boiler service

S J Marley, Plumbing & Heating Services

With energy costs soaring and set to climb even higher, almost everyone will be only too aware of the need to economise where possible. It makes sense to ensure that our boilers are operating at their most efficient and regular inspection and maintenance is more important than ever.

S J Marley established for 15 years in West Sussex and previously working with British Gas for 17 years, offers installation, service and repair of Natural Gas, LPG and Oil boilers. Owner Steve Marley told Sussex Local he and his team of experienced engineers aim to provide a high standard of work. He said this means attention to detail whether they’re undertaking a full bathroom installation or a repair to an ageing boiler. At all times he and his team are aware they’re working in the customer's home which should be treated with respect and minimum mess and upheaval.

Steve explained that as well as servicing and repairs to all types of boilers, His company offers bathroom and wet room installation from initial advice and design through to completion. His teams fulfil the project with as little disruption to customers as possible, working in their house as if it was their home, keeping it clean and tidy at all times.

“

Early autumn is the perfect time to service your boiler before the weather turns cold and you really need the heating” said Steve. He pointed out that anyone thinking of replacing an old or poorly functioning boiler, S J Marley Services can offer competitive prices with all boilers carrying a 10 year parts and labour warranty.

S J Marley Gas Plumbing and Heating Services Tel 01903 411788 / Mobile 07888 997840 www.sjmarleyservices.co.uk

ARUNDEL

BASED: 01903 411788

Owner & engineer Steve Marley

Heating our homes sustainably

By Nick Roberts RMR Group

Rising costs and heatwaves

The way we heat our homes is changing. Going green was always on the agenda but the sudden rise in costs and macro economic factors are turning a steady transition toward sustainable domestic heating into an accelerated game of chess as we move away from international dependence.

After a record setting summer of heatwaves and temperatures, the impact of those price rises hasn’t been fully felt yet. However, we know they’re waiting for us this winter, so the annual game of ‘who can wait the longest before putting the central heating on’ will be more competitive than ever.

Benefits of Air Source Heat Pumps

It’s not all doom and thermostat games, the government wants to phase out oil and gas boilers to help reach their target of carbon net zero by 2050. They’ve opened a new grant for installing Air Source Heat Pumps to get the initiative underway.

Air Source Heat Pumps are the eco friendly alternatives to traditional boilers. These green replacements use a combination of outside air and

refrigerant to transfer heat indoors and are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home.

With the cost of oil and gas increasingly straining budgets, the incentives of switching to Air Source Heat Pumps are looking more attractive. Running costs far lower than what you'd pay for a al heating system, and the set between them is only headed in one direction.

Replacing traditional boilers

With the government’s goal to make heating more efficient by 2035, the £5k Renewable Heat Incentive grant scheme came into play. The grant makes the process more affordable, bringing the cost inline and comparable to replacing traditional boilers.

If your boiler has had better days, you want to reduce monthly heating bills or you want to do your part for the environment, installing an Air Source Heat Pump might be a good place to start.

www.robertsmillerredshaw.com

Air Source Heat Pump

Win a £30 voucher to spend at Highland Hotel

August anagram solution: SPARTAN

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

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Please tick if you would like to receive such information.

Winter weather: prepare your car

By Nadia Goldsmith

October is the perfect time to prepare your car for winter weather so here are some useful tips to get you started this month.

Invest in winter tyres

Winter tyres work best at temperatures lower than 7 degrees Celsius, so are a wise investment for long winter months ahead. Indeed, they outperform conventional ‘summer’ tyres with improved traction, cornering grip and braking in unpredictable wintery conditions. Make sure to take time to check your tyres for tread life, wearing and sidewall cuts. If there are visible signs of extensive use, it is time for a change.

Check the battery

It’s worth checking on your car battery to ensure posts and cable connections are corrosion free, secured correctly and ensure fluid levels remain at the correct level. For detailed insights into the health of your car battery it may be worth booking your vehicle in with your trusted mechanic.

Check fluids

Look at your vehicle handbook to check the optimum oil viscosity you need in winter to avoid

unnecessary thickening and clogging in the system. Ensure your oil level is sufficient and not running low to avoid preventable engine problems.

Inspect all car lights

Replace burned out bulbs and make sure plastic headlight covers are free from scratches or haze to avoid unwanted effects on the brightness of incoming headlights. This will help to avoid difficult driving conditions this winter.

Build an emergency kit

Shovel/spade, road flares, flashlight, extra batteries, tyre inflation kit, jumper cables or battery booster. Preparation is a must for safe winter motoring.

Credit: Autotrader

Baked Aubergine Roulades

Great with crusty bread & salad

Ingredients Serves: 4

• 2 or 3 aubergines, cut into 6 thin long slices and brushed with olive oil

• Salt and pepper for seasoning

• 1 jar of ‘Slightly Different’ smooth Bolognese sauce

• 100g Sussex charmer cheese, grated

For the filling

• 500g mince beef

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 500g ‘Nutbourne Nurseries’ san marzano tomatoes, chopped

• 1 white onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 50g sundried tomatoes, chopped

• 2 tbsp chipotle seasoning

• 1 tsp dried oregano

To Serve

• Crusty ‘Real Patisserie’ sourdough bread

• Mixed salad leaves

• 50g pine nuts

• Handful fresh mint, chopped

Method

1. For the roulade filling, heat the oil in a non stick pan, add the onions and cook gently for 5 7 minutes until tender. Add the garlic, sundried tomatoes, chipotle and oregano, cook for a further 2 minutes before removing from the pan.

2. Add the mince to the pan and brown well over a high heat. Return the onion mix to the pan along with the chopped tomatoes. Season well and cook over the hob for 20 to 30 minutes until thickened.

3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 190oc.

4. Grill the aubergines until tender and charred.

5. In an oven proof dish, pour the Bolognese sauce into the base of the pan. Lay the aubergines slices flat onto a work surface and spread with a layer of the mince filling. Roll up the slices one by one placing the roulades skin side down on top of the Bolognese sauce, sprinkle with the cheese and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.

6. Serve with crusty bread, scattered with pine nuts and fresh mint.

Open 7 days a week www.villagelarder.co.uk

Targets to help with weight loss

By Heather Smith

When we’re aiming to lose weight and improve our health and fitness, there are very few absolutes. But, below I’m going to share some good general targets you could put in place to get started. The reason we look at all of these areas is because they all link together. For example, it’s no use encouraging you to prepare meals from scratch if you’re already rushing around all day and likewise, it’s not going to be beneficial to suggest you get up earlier to fit in a workout if you’re not sleeping well. Achieving most of these targets will improve your life and quite possibly make it last longer too!

1. Aim to get two to four full body resistance workouts in every week. Any type of resistance will work (even your own bodyweight!).

2. Aim to get one or two faster, interval type, workouts in every week. Pick any activity you enjoy, be it walking, running, swimming, skipping.

3. If you’re not already reaching 10,000 steps per day try to get closer to that each week.

4. Eat at the very least 1g protein per kilo of your bodyweight. This will keep you feeling satisfied and reduce food cravings as well as helping to maintain and gain precious muscle.

5. Get your five a day (at least) The fibre will help to keep you full, and the nutrients are crucial too.

6. Drink a good litre of water a day to be sure any food cravings aren’t just thirst in disguise.

7. Get at least 7 hours of good quality sleep every night to help your body function at its best, and to avoid food cravings caused by tiredness. www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

Sussex Walks - October 2022

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

Every Mon 10.30am

Chichester Canal

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

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

Every Tue 11am Midhurst Jubilee Walk

L: Sarah 30 mins 1 mile

L : Richard 45 mins 1.5 miles

Various flat walks around Midhurst at a gentle pace passing interesting historic buildings

Meet: The Grange Leisure Centre, Bepton Road, Midhurst, GU29 9HD. Free 2 hr parking

Thurs 6th 10.00am Wisborough Green

L: Louise 2.5 3 hours 7 miles

A walk up Harsfold Lane over the Wey & Arun Canal, then right along the tow path, follow the bridleway to the footpath up to the Fittleworth Road. Follow the road for ½ mile and then along the bridleway back to Wisborough Green. A fairly level walk, 4 stiles. No dogs

Meet: As you enter Wisborough Green, pass the Three Crowns and then turn right and park

Tue 11th 10.30am Pulborough Brooks

L: Peter Brook 2 hrs 3.5 miles

This is a flat walk with stiles, which can be wet and muddy if there has been bad weather.

Meet: RSPB Reserve car park, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, RH20 2EL

Wed 12th 10.30am Slindon

L: Alison 3 hours 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 13th 10.30am Petworth Park

L: Gerald 1.5 hours 3 miles

Hopefully we’ll see the famous 'Rut' in Petworth Park. Certainly we will see some deer. Binoculars can be useful. Sorry no dogs. Contact Gerald if uncertain, on 07748 597 568

Meet: The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF

Sun 16th 10.30am Burpham

Hilly walk with some stiles. Lovely views.

L: Dominic 2.5 hrs 5 miles

Meet: The public car park behind the George at Burpham BN18 9RR

Mon 17th 4pm Tillington Old Railway Station

L: Sandy 2.5 hrs 4.5 miles

An easy, almost flat walk without stiles through farming countryside and over the pretty River Rother to view the restored Old Railway Station. Numbers limited to a max of 6. No dogs

Meet: At the red telephone booth near the Old Post Office house on Upperton Road, Tillington

Wed 19th 10.30am Mill Road to Black Rabbit

L: Dominic 1 hour 2.4 miles

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

Sat 22nd 10.30am Mindfulness walk

L: Elinor 1 hr 1.5 miles

A gentle and relaxing, fairly flat walk around the beautiful heathland at Iron Hill & Serpent Trail.

Meet: At the Iron Hill car park, which is just south of Liphook on the Midhurst Road, GU30 7LP

Thurs 27th 10.30am South Harting

L: Bruce 2 1/4 hours 4.5 miles

Ascent 200m. A strenuous walk taking in the South Downs Way, Harting Down and East Harting

Meet: South Harting, GU31 5QA

Sun 30th 10.30am Binsted woods

L: Dominic 1¾ hrs 2 ¾ miles

Mainly flat headland path, grass, gravel. Coffee will be available at the post office

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

Pre-paid probate plans

By Will Writer Emma Wells MIPW

As a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Will writers who also sits on the council I thought that it would be appropriate to elaborate on the recent statement on pre paid probate plans and why the plans are not supported by the professional body.

Pre paid probate plans are sold under the guise of protecting your estate from rising probate costs in the future, however, the plans just appear to be ‘plucking numbers’. In real terms, the cost of setting up a pre paid probate plan (I’ve seen figures for between £2,500 and £7,500) far exceeds the actual current cost of obtaining a grant of probate and administering the estate and any realistic potential rise. You may remember that the attempt at increasing probate fees based on the size of the deceased estate was shot down in flames back in 2019. I can’t see an attempt at a price hike coming anytime soon and certainly not one of any real significance. The potential savings by using a pre paid probate plan are often wildly exaggerated by the plan providers when compared to actual cost of

the average probate administration fee.

When asked by our clients about probate at the Will drafting stage, we highlight to them that if they have chosen a competent lay person as executor, outside of the probate application fee the costs involved in settling an estate should be minimal. The STEP provisions allow lay executors to get help if needed; this means they are able to shop around and obtain fixed fee quotes and avoid a time costs quote. Whilst there absolutely is value in using a professional for probate administration, the costs incurred by the estate should not be excessive if using a professional who knows how to work efficiently, and these costs should be transparent in what they cover. Advising the public to spend thousands on an unregulated barely tested product, cannot be considered best practice. Whilst the funds are apparently ‘ring fenced’, due to the unregulated position the Financial Services Compensation Scheme provides you with no protection, should anything go wrong. Emma.cohen@nsure.co.uk 01903 821010

Delving back in Nepcote time...

By Valerie Martin

Below: Findon Tower (water tower) with Nepcote

Early one morning in June 2003, a hot air balloon glided over the Findon Gallops from a north easterly direction... made it to Nepcote Green and nearly landed there... but managed to gain enough height over the wall into the Cissbury Estate... where it finally landed at 7.30 a.m. This is the view from "Threshers" across to Nepfield Close.

The place ignited like a tinder box and the corrugated iron roof panels of the workshops crashed to the ground as the timber supports gave way. It was a scary time for the inhabitants of Nepcote. It is said that the blaze was of such intensity that the paint blistered on the window frames of the cottages on the opposite side of Nepcote. By the next morning the woodyard was a scorched charred ruin and the business had to start again

The pond on Nepcote Green 24th December 2012. Nepcote and Nepcote Green has always formed a part of the Findon parish but has long existed as a separate settlement node, along with East End. I have heard that on one particular map, a mound of "archaeological interest" is shown within a few metres of the cottages situated at the western side of the Green. Not having seen the map myself has prevented me from mentioning this until now.

I have found a later Ordnance Survey 6 inch map dated 1875 does indicate a "mound" on this spot but bears no description as being of "archaeological interest".

Proof materialised yet again. In August 2022 I noticed with interest that the circumference of the site of the grass area did appear just east of the tree commemorating Diana's marriage to Prince Charles on Nepcote Green. This showed up during the "drought" period thus proved the existence maybe of something of "archaeological" interest. The mystery remains until this day.

The scene of the fire at William

William Ockenden's woodyard entrance

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

Work starts soon in West Sussex on part of a new national coastal path which, when completed, will be the longest coastal trail in the world. A short section of the England Coast Path is open in Shoreham. Initial work on the next stretch from East Head to Shoreham is scheduled to start this month and is likely to take until Spring 2023 to complete. Search England Coast Path on www.westsussex.gov.uk.

A date has now been confirmed for the full inquest of the Shoreham Airshow crash victims by West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield. The full inquest is planned to start on 30th November and last three weeks, and will be held at County Hall North (Parkside) in Horsham. Could you help support your local NHS this winter? Various hospitals across Sussex are looking for people to join as volunteer ward helpers as they make a real difference to the care provided especially over the winter months when staff are at their busiest. Most volunteering takes shifts last two to three hours. For more information call 01273 696011 ext 8388 or alternatively you can email SC TR.Voluntary Services@nhs.net

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has launched a free interactive Business Fire Safety Awareness Tool to help business owners understand their legal duties when keeping workplaces safe from fire. You can search for the tool on www.westsussex.gov.uk

The Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races take place on Sunday 26 February 2023. The 1 mile event is aimed at youngsters of all abilities aged 7 17 years old Brighton based charity Rockinghorse is the official charity partner for the Youth Races in 2023.

Balancing the Score, Glyndebourne’s development scheme to support composers from underrepresented backgrounds, is now open for applications. This part time residency will start in February 2023 and last for three years. The successful candidates will receive an annual bursary of £1,000 to cover expenses and time spent at Glyndebourne and also have the opportunity to apply to a Research & Development fund to

create works during the period of the residency. www.glyndebourne.com.

The South Downs National Park Trust has given 11 grants this year to create new wildflower oases at farms, community fields, recreation grounds and road verges. It comes after eight projects received funding last year and have now blossomed into beautiful areas for bees and butterflies to flourish. Early reports show biodiversity has increased significantly in the new wildflower patches.

A new campaign ‘A Life Less Ordinary’ has launched to find parents for the children waiting longest to be adopted. These include children aged five or over, children with additional and/or complex needs, brother and sister groups, and those from an ethnic minority background. The campaign showcases the many life changing benefits of adopting these children, highlighting that while some children may be ‘harder to place’, they are not ‘harder to love’. To find out more visit www.adoptionsoutheast.org.uk or call 0300 330 9470 or search for the campaign video on YouTube Shoreham Wordfest which celebrates local creativity and attracts high profile authors takes place from 3rd 16th October. Amongst others, there will be appearances from former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and BBC newsreader Clive Myrie amongst many others across various events from poetry readings to an Environment Day and a whole day dedicated to the art of writing crime fiction, attended by Kate Mosse Tickets www.shorehamwordfest.co.uk

CAGNE, the umbrella aviation community and environment group for Sussex, Surrey and Kent, is holding a free online Q&A session with the Gatwick Head of Airspace Strategy and Engagement, Andy Sinclair. Items to be discussed will be the impact of night flights. as well as low flying arrivals, loud departures, and the introduction of concentrated flight paths. Thursday 13th October at 7.30pm. Register at www.cagne.org.

Stories to info@sussexlocal.net

Charity & Community News

Scout Group risks closure

Currently one of the Storrington Scouts groups may be forced to close, leaving 14 young people without a group. If you would like to discuss how you might help, please contact Stuart Coggan by email on stuartc@storringtonscouts.org.uk

Council improvements in Worthing

Altogether, 75 schemes in the Council’s capital investment programme for this year have been completed or are progressing satisfactorily. Despite delays and external supply issues, a further 24 other projects are also due to be completed over the coming months.

Among the projects progressing well are:

• Gigabit A state of the art internet service that will upgrade digital infrastructure and connect more than 70 public buildings and public spaces to new, lightning quick broadband services.

• AW Workspaces Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is set to move into a renovated Portland House in the town centre, saving the Council more than £188,000 in total.

• Decoy Farm Work to transform the site into a

•

new business park and employment hub is well advanced and the area has been handed back to the Council following preparation work.

Changing Places Facilities The Council has secured a £100,000 Changing Places facilities grant to create a new disabled toilet in the borough. Discussions are ongoing about where the larger, accessible toilets should be sited.

• Broadwater Pavilion Work is due to be carried out to replace the leaking roof and is expected to be completed mid October.

Cash boost for community groups

Two Worthing community groups have received cash boosts thanks to Adur District Council’s small grants programme.

• Cycall, operating from Brooklands park, provides adapted cycling equipment and outdoor games for children and adults, £7,500 to improve and maintain its adaptive bike fleet.

• Sid Youth CiC, delivers support to young people in Adur, Worthing and the surrounding areas, received £7,500, including a sum of £1,500 to develop safe places for girls in Adur.

Charity & Community News

Twin Town visit

The Worthing Twinning Association (WTA) has recently returned from a successful and enjoyable twinning visit to the twin town of Les Sables d’Olonne in France. The formal purpose of the visit was for the mayors of each of their four twin towns to sign a new charter owing to the amalgamation Les Sables d’Olonne, Chateau d’Olonne and Olonne sur mer into one corporate entity Les Sables d’Olonne. The French Mayor Yannick Moreau and the members of the French twinning group could not have been more welcoming and friendly. They genuinely enjoyed having the group and organised an interesting four days.

WTA events of start with the first French film on Thursday October 13th. New members are always welcome. Contact Pam Bennett on 01903 232196 or pambennett8@btinternet.com.

Worthing Theatres Appeal

Worthing Theatres needs your help to ensure

that everyone in our community can access a creative future. The organisation needs to raise £50,000 by March 2023 to ensure it is accessible for everyone, removing physical and financial barriers to arts and heritage and providing learning and creative opportunities for everyone.

£5 could ensure a child can explore their creativity at a museum workshop £10 could provide a ticket to the theatre, ensuring everyone can be inspired by the magic of theatre no matter their financial situation. £50 could support a whole primary school class to access an educational workshop, inspiring a love of creative learning.

To donate visit www.wtm.uk/creativefutures or call01903206206quoting“CreativeFutures”.

Charities in Prostate Testing drive

On 3rd of September, three local charities (Care for Veterans, Worthing Lions Club and Prostate Cancer Support Organisation) came together to offer Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing to the local community. PSA testing is a blood test which can detect prostate cancer in men. The early detection of this cancer hugely increases survivability rates.

Findon Valley Residents’ Association

Christmas, crafts & farmers market, ‘Bioblitz’ & library volunteer

Christmas isn’t far away, and our Christmas Extravaganza at King’s Parade is a must for your diary! This is on the evening of Thursday 15th December, 5pm to 8.30. Many of the shops will be open late, we’ll have numerous local arts and crafts stands, street food, music and choirs, children’s entertainments and a friendly festive atmosphere. Father Christmas has checked his diary and says he can come along too! Note that the side road in front of the shops will be closed to traffic, giving us a safe family environment. Forthcoming dates for our popular Crafts and Farmers markets in Lime Tree Surgery’s car park are October 30, November 27 and December 18, 10am till 2pm. If you haven’t been to one of the markets yet, do come along, we’d love to see you!

The Cissbury Fields ‘Bioblitz’ on 4 August was very successful, and will be repeated at least annually. The South Downs National Park Authority, Worthing Borough Council’s Rangers and “Big Listen”, Shoreham and District Ornithological Society and of course we at FVRA were there

Dream Doors Barnham

Wake up your kitchen

The heart of the home

A kitchen is the heart of the home. Not only are so many everyday tasks carried out here but it is frequently the meeting place for family or friends to enjoy a coffee and chat. We are often so familiar with our surroundings that we may fail to notice that perhaps our kitchen is looking a little “tired” or in need of a lift. A replacement kitchen may be beyond the means of many of us, particularly in the light of the present cost of living crisis but there is an alternative.

Revamp vs replacement

Sussex Local recently spoke with Neil of Dream Doors at Barnham who explained that by revamping rather than replacing, a kitchen can be transformed at a fraction of the cost of a complete refurbishment. Replacement doors he said are available in a huge variety of designs and colours, both traditional and modern and can completely transform a kitchen without the waste and mess associated with a total refit. In addition, replacement worktops, sinks, taps, or lighting can further update the available space.

talking with visitors and offering short nature walks.

Do you like books and reading? Would you like to help someone else who feels the same way? West Sussex Libraries is looking for volunteers for its Home Library Direct service to deliver books and other items to people who are unable to go to their local library, including the Worthing area. This is a hugely rewarding role that is greatly appreciated by customers, many of whom find the service a lifeline. If you like spending time with people, are patient and understanding and interested in books and reading, then please visit: www.westsussex.gov.uk/volunteerinlibraries or contact the local library to find out more.

Membership: do please join FVRA if you are not already a member. See our website or collect a form from Findon Valley library or at our markets. At just £5 per annum (£3 for single occupants) we are great value. www.findonvalley.org

Reuse for price & sustainability

Neil told us that sustainability is at the core of his business and he actively encourages clients to reuse existing units. With finishing touches like handles and splashbacks or modified storage space, a kitchen can have that brand new feeling in as little as 2 3 days. Any units or worktops which have to be disposed of are dealt with in an environmentally friendly way.

No obligation advice

From a complete set of new doors to a single drawer unit, the customer's choice is paramount and Neil guaranteed that clients will not be pressurised into additional expense but can always be assured of advice and support a 'phone call away. Contact Dream Doors

Dream Doors, Unit 13, The Square, Barnham PO22 0HB. Tel. 01243 554732

www.dreamdoors.co.uk

Findon Parish Council

Grant application, Homewood and Working Group

Edited extracts from draft minutes of the Parish Council Meeting 1st August 2022.

Grant application Council reviewed available grant application form from Findon Swimming Club with three quotes for Phase One work on pool liner. Council invited Chairman of Findon Swimming Club to provide further background to application for £4k. £14k was raised through Crowdfunding and a further £4k donated by a resident. The cost of the work was circa £22k. Phase Two would be for new air source heat pump and funding opportunities would be explored. Suggested existing air source heat pump could be used but may take several weeks to run fully. Clerk explained South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) Community Infrastructure Levy amount of £3.6k could be used for this (subject to confirmation) and a grant from Findon Parish Council (FPC) of £400 would make up difference. Resolved that FPC agrees to grant of £400 to Findon Swimming Club for financial year 2022/23 in conjunction with £3.6k SDNPA Community Infrastructure Levy funding for a total of £4k.

Homewood play area regeneration ed that play area was virtually completed, in use and well received. Plaques were put in place acknowledging collaboration between FPC, Arun District Council (ADC) and SDNPA. Council would contact ADC to ask for old equipment to have new coat of paint, outside of play area be tidied up and if turf was appropriate under climbing frame. Council referred to opening of play area organised by ADC, to which Andrew Griffith, MP, would be invited. Open Spaces Working Group Council introduced the report and drew attention to para 1.3 regarding wild grass areas. Comments had been received that the areas looked ‘messy’ and advice would be taken on the most appropriate areas for wild grass/flowers. Updated that Sheep Fair Committee had agreed that donated bench would be located on North Green. Council would contact ADC to see if bench due for replacement at Nepcote could be refurbished and relocated to Homewood play area. Resolved that FPC approves formation of a Working Group as detailed in report. www.findonparishcouncil.gov.uk

We have just moved to the area and forgot all about the MOT needing to be done on my son's car. They fixed a door that wouldn't open did the MOT and service and were brilliant, keeping me updated throughout the day. The best bit was the price. For that quality and efficiency I was expecting my bill to be huge, but they were so reasonable. I am definitely booking my car here too.

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Jill Dean, April 2022