Charity&Community News

Sussex Snippets

Charity & Community news from across the counties

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

Charity & Community News

Can you contribute to Rotary Christmas sacks? Rotary Storrington and Pulborough are making up sacks of goodies – children’s toys, gifts and other items plus a Tesco voucher that will make a real difference to local families. There are collection points for gifts at: Meadow Stores in Thakeham during shop hours, the Rotary book Stall in Place Villerest, Storrington on Saturdays before 12 Noon, Tesco in Pulborough and Mansell McTaggart estate agents in Storrington. If you would like to donate, please email: rotaryxmassackappeal@gmail.com or, if you have a PayPal account, scan the QR code above. South Downs Probus Club looks for members South Downs Probus Club is a club for retired and semi-retired gentlemen and which is looking for new members to join and share our activities. The Club meets for a monthly lunch with a guest speaker; monthly coffee mornings and quarterly lunch with wives and partners. Several times each year the club enjoys a visit to some notable building or business (recently to Goodwood) and have activities like skittles or croquet. If you would like to meet new friends please contact Donald Johnston at donjohnston@btinternet.com Storrington Festive Day - 3rd December Come and join the fun on Saturday 3rd December 1-5pm when Storrington traders will be putting on their festive hats and perhaps offering visitors a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine. As well as carol singers around the village, Santa's grotto and festive market stalls there will be a children's snowman trail to keep the young ones busy. Frosty the Snowman has lost his friends who are hiding in shops around the village. Help Frosty to find them all and there's a prize up for grabs! Free parking in Old Mill Square and the Library Car Park. Please send your stories to info@sussexlocal.net

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Charity & Community News

Storrington Conservation News On 5th November the work party continued to clear Hurston Warren SSSI of saplings which damage the heathland. Our next work party is on 3rd December at 10am and we plan to meet at Fryern Dell to continue the conservation work there. Please check our website to confirm. www.storringtonconservation.org.uk Chanctonbury Leisure award from MP The Trustees and staff at Chanctonbury Leisure Centre have been announced as the first ‘Community Champions’ award recipients by Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith. The MP visited the leisure centre in Storrington in late October to present them with his new award of recognition after reading their Community Impact Report 2022. The leisure centre was closed in August 2020 when the former managing company went into liquidation. It was with the support of Storrington & Sullington Parish Council, West Chiltington, Washington and Thakeham Parish Councils, Horsham District Council and local engineering business Tesla, that a charity could be established to re-open the centre as a health hub for all. Classes include Gentle Fit and yoga, to circuit training and Zumba. The café lounge area hosts a Nostalgia Café for those living with dementia and their carers, and the sports hall is open for a visiting roller disco. Alongside the regular weekly activities, the centre also hosts a number of sports clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion’s powerchair football for the disabled - one team competes in the top division of a national league. The leisure centre has provided work and training opportunities for four young people through the Government’s Kickstart scheme. Pictured (l-r) Andrew Dunstan, Operations Director, Andrew Griffith MP, Phil Pickard, Chair of Trustees, Lisa Smith (Operations Manager).

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Volunteers leaders are urgently needed - can you help?

Girlguiding were sad to learn of the passing of our Patron and member HRH Queen Elizabeth II. A lot has changed since her majesty was a Guide but the core values remain the same. New badges such as aviation, geocaching and animation now join the traditional skills of camping along with confidence and leadership building. Throughout their guiding journey girls can work towards bronze, silver and gold awards in each section. Gaining the gold award is a major achievement. An award ceremony recently took place for Girlguiding in West Sussex. Awards were presented by the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Mr James Whitmore. Chanctonbury district had a number of gold awards presented with 1 of 3 Guide golds awards in the County presented to a Storrington Guide. Another county award presented was also awarded to a Storrington Guide in recognition of the commitment they make in youth leadership. An amazing achievement. The district youth can only achieve these skills/ badges/awards with sup por t from the Girlguiding volunteers. These leaders are possibly your next-door neighbours, someone’s mum or gran. We have jobs/ responsibilities and families. We just have a passion to nurture and grow the skills of the children in Chanctonbury district. Along the way gaining new friends in fellow leaders. Girlguiding needs your help… Since Covid several leaders have retired/moved. We are sad to say the future of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers in the district is uncertain without new volunteers coming forward. Can you confirm our future by volunteering with us? Please sign up today. Any time is gratefully received. www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-avolunteer/register-your-interest/

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