Sussex Local - Arundel - July 2018

July 2018

SUSSEX LOCAL

Arundel - Amberley - Climping - Fontwell - Ford - Slindon - Walberton Local news and events through the door to 6,400 homes in this area every month

BUILDING HEROES A future for veterans

ARUNDEL HISTORY An Arundel Tomb

NEWS

Council, Schools Charity & Community

PLUS

BODY CONSCIOUS

Dr Claire Smith & body donation

WIN!

Tickets to Loxwood Joust plus seats in the Pavilion

GARDENING

Clay gardens

What’s On, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Young Readers’ Puzzles, Local Walks, Local Groups & Charity, Business Directory

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July 2018 Cover image Weald & Downland Museum, Singleton Working Animals Show 21/22 July wealddown.co.uk

Welcome...

It’s July, the month of summer fairs and the start of the school summer holidays. For plenty of things to entertain all the family please see our What’s On guide starting on page 4 with more events on sussexlocal.net Before you reach for the sun cream, read Heather Smith’s health article on page 35.

Many of us are deficient in Vitamin D, vital for the heart and immune system - a small amount of exposure to the sun can help.

Our charity profile this month spotlights “Building Heroes” providing military veterans with skills and connections to begin a new career in construction, page 26.

We are also pleased to bring you an exclusive interview with Dr Claire Smith the head of anatomy at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, page 30.

This month there’s a chance to win a family ticket to the Loxwood Joust, page 11. Watch the gallant knights battle for honour and enjoy all sorts of Medieval-themed fun over two weekends in August.

Historian Mark Phillips writes about the memorial effigies of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel (d. 1376), and his second wife, Eleanor of Lancaster (d. 1372). See our history article, page 13.

“Don’t despair if your garden is mostly clay” says Andrew Staib in our gardening article, page 36. Plus the month’s key tasks.

Enjoy July!

Kris & Jeff

Words of Wisdom “Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us.”

- L. THOMAS HOLDCROFT 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.

The views and opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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...........................................................................What’s On ........................WIN! Family ticket to The Loxwood Joust ...................................................................Arundel History .....................................................................Local Schools ............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page ........................................................................Local Walks ..............................................Arundel Town Council News .........................................................Charity & Community .......................................Building Heroes - Charity Profile .....................Body Conscious - Dr Claire Smith Interview .................................................................Prize Crossword .................................................................................Recipe ....................................................................In Your Garden ..............................................................................Property .............................................................Business Directory ...........................................................Index of Advertisers

SUSSEX & CHICHESTER LOCAL 01903 868 474

info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH Sussex Local & Chichester Local magazines are published monthly and delivered free to over 37,700 West Sussex addresses. There are six editions and display advertising starts at just £24 a month per edition. Business Directory adverts £10 per month per edition.

1. Arundel edition - Arundel, Amberley, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total addresses - 6,400 2. Barnham edition - Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate, Aldingbourne, Oving, & Tangmere Total addresses - 5,400 3. Chichester edition - Chichester centre & suburbs Total addresses - 7,800 4. Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total addresses - 6,200 5. Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common. Total addresses - 5,500 6. Storrington edition - Storrington, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total addresses - 6,400 The combined circulation of all six editions is over 37,700 addresses.

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Competition

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Win a family ticket to the Loxwood Joust Plus pavilion seats to watch a live joust! 4th-5th and 11th-12th August times when crime and punishment was a grim affair, nothing brings that reality to light more than the gruesome and frightening apparition that is the Executioner dressed all in black.

Join the blacksmith to master the art of metalwork, undertake chain-mailing as you create your own jewellery, or try your hand at copper bowl making, whilst younger ones create a badge in pewter and punch their name or initials on to copper charms.

Jousting Knight Lance Clash The Loxwood Joust’s unrivalled programme of mediaeval revelry and mayhem guarantees a fun and educational day out for all the family on the 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th August.

Experience the verve and vigour of a world where lives were harsh and hearts were passionate as you walk through the Living History Village and see the inhabitants go about their daily life. Then in the battlefield beyond, harken to the call of booming cannon fire and the clash of steel on steel as the mighty battle takes place in front of your eyes.

Watch the magnificent fully armoured jousting knights earn honour and valour with the pounding of horse’s hooves, as they present a fast-paced, all action jousting tournament that will always amaze and astound. And explore the Mediaeval Market Place where traders bring their wares to sell just like peddlers of old.

Treat yourself to a meal with The Queen of Loxwood at her sumptuous five course banquet and be entertained by court jesters, live music and riddlers as you dine. Then at the Mead Shack in the woods, sample the ‘Nectar of the Gods’ whilst the Mediaeval Baebes entrance and soothe with magical voices, and the hypnotic belly dancers dance.

Meet the Faerie Goddess, impart your wishes and place her blessing at the Crescent Moon Temple as she brings you closer to the Loxwood nature spirits; and perhaps you will take part in a true pagan ceremony to renew your vows or have a full bespoke handfasting wedding.

Over the bridge dwells the den of the witches where these creatures most foul will lure and beguile you with their spells and incantations. And in mediaeval

Then in the far corner of the Midsummers Meadow nestles the Children’s Kingdom; a festival within a festival, where the Mediaeval Groat is the currency. Here you will find all manner of exciting activities, including have-ago archery, pelt the peasant, face and wound painting, donkey rides, jester school and of course the bouncy castle.

Devilstick Pete Carina Rose

Both adults and children can learn some long sword moves at sword school, and try their hand at hitting the life-size boar and stag as they test their bow skills against the exciting range of targets.

So there you have it, The Loxwood Joust is a festival like no other, as history comes to life each day from 10am to 6pm. Advance tickets are available at www.loxwoodjoust.co.uk

Win tickets to the Loxwood Joust To enter the competition simply answer the following question: Q: In which time period is The Loxwood Joust Set? a) Mediaeval b) Victorian c) Tudor Send your answer and contact details to: Loxwood Joust Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 18th July 2018. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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12 Computers

Computer Care Clear Appeal Duplication, Duplication...

by Alan Stainer

There are lots of reasons why a computer might be slow. One of the biggest causes I have found while fixing different machines over the years is duplication. Put simply, it’s when you have more than one program running in the background that does the same thing, each one using up vital processing power and resources. Take cloud storage as an example.

Most people will only need to have one cloud storage client installed locally. Even if someone shares a file with you using a different cloud service, you can access that using a browser without installing anything. Windows 10 users will most likely have Microsoft’s OneDrive installed by default, which is silly if you use DropBox or something else. The simple answer is to uninstall those cloud storage apps you don’t need or use. Your files will still be safe and accessible via your internet browser. Another common example is the duplication of security software. You don’t need more than one antivirus program installed. Generally it is good practice to remove programs that you don’t need (whether they are duplicates or not). Your computer won’t thank you, but it will be faster. www.alansitsolutions.com

Windows, doors & conservatories For many people the words "double glazing" evoke images of over enthusiastic salesmen. Thankfully nowadays reputable companies tend to adopt a more customer-focused approach.

Brian Attwater has over 30 years experience in windows and home improvements. Brian has been in business since 2008 with his son Mark and told us that he believes the future growth of the company depends upon dedicated customer service. In his opinion an open and honest approach is of prime importance both at the quotation stage and during fitting.

He described the company’s wide range of windows, doors and conservatories with designs and colours selected to satisfy the most discerning client. He particularly praised the Kommerling Valentis Curve PVCU windows and the bi-fold scenic patio doors. Brian also offers the service of building orangeries, driveways, patios and shop fronts.

Brian is happy to offer a quotation by phone or via the website and offers a follow up survey to ensure there are no hidden extras. Tel 01903 765 506 or visit www.attwaterhomeimprovements.co.uk

WINDOWS - DOORS -PORCHES FASCIAS - SOFFITS - GUTTERING SHOPFRONTS -CONSERVATORIES ORANGERIES - EXTENSIONS PATIOS - DRIVEWAYS BI-FOLDING DOORS ALL DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR WORKS UNDERTAKEN

01903 765 506

info@attwaterwindows.com www.attwaterhomeimprovements.co.uk 116 Cokeham Lane Sompting BN15 9SQ

Local History

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An Arundel Tomb By historian Mark Phillips “Side by side, their faces blurred, The earl and countess lie in stone,” …the opening lines of ‘An Arundel Tomb’, written by the poet, the late Philip Larkin.

One of my favourite poems, it refers to a pair of memorial effigies of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel (d. 1376), and his second wife, Eleanor of Lancaster (d. 1372). Richard FitzAlan was ancestor of John Fitz Alan, who married Isabel d'Albigny and went on to inherit Arundel castle in 1243, thus becoming the first earl of Arundel of the Fitz Alan line.

In a twist to the heading of this article, the ‘tomb’ is not actually in Arundel but located in the north aisle of Chichester Cathedral. Larkin wrote the poem, published in 1964, following a visit there in c1956.

The tomb chest was transferred to the cathedral from Lewes Priory after its dissolution in 1537. As the body remained at the priory, this would make it a memorial rather than a tomb, but I would argue that ‘An Arundel Memorial’ is a far less memorable and connecting title for the reader.

Richard FitzAlan & Eleanor of Lancaster tomb in Chichester Cathedral Larkin is on record saying that the effigies were unlike any he had ever seen before and that he found them ‘extremely affecting’. The poem touches on several different themes and especially the enduring nature of love, the passage of time and our attempts to outlast it.

Whether or not Larkin agrees with the idea that love can survive after we are dead, he at least acknowledges that this is what today’s visitors may feel when they view the effigy.

The English decorative design of the ‘tomb’ was very much of its time for a person of high status. This one has a lion at Richard’s feet while Eleanor has a dog at hers. The lion generally indicated valour and nobility (for men), while a dog indicated loyalty (for women).

The last of the seven verses of this immenselymoving poem is the most memorable and contains the oft-quoted final line:

The most unusual and moving part of the design is that Richard has his right hand un-gloved, and Eleanor’s right-hand rests lightly upon his. Larkin was decidedly unimpressed until he noticed this feature that prompted him to look closer.

They hardly meant has come to be

It is very unusual to show such informality in a memorial design from this period. In the early 1800s the figures were in a very poor condition and in need of restoration which was carried out by the sculptor Edward Richardson. It was once believed that the joining of the hands was carried out at the same time. However, recent research would indicate this part of the sculpture is likely to be original.

“Time has transfigured them into Untruth. The stone fidelity Their final blazon, and to prove Our almost-instinct almost true: What will survive of us is love.”

All seven verses of An Arundel Tomb read by Philip Larkin can be found online via the following link.

Read as it was intended to be read, Larkin has left us with this 2 min 55 sec piece of pure magic. www.youtube/acXxM2WAeNE The poem, ‘An Arundel Tomb’ is copyright - Estate of Philip Larkin.

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14 Schools

St Philip’s School Reception Class have been learning about life cycles and as such had ten hen eggs delivered in an incubator. There was great excitement and lots of chatter as the children were able to watch the eggs rocking, starting to crack and finally see the chicks hatch out. The chicks were able to be studied and handled for two weeks and then were rehomed with families of children in Reception Class.

Reception Class also had a Transatlantic visitor into their classroom to talk about her work as an Artist. The children were able to hear first-hand from an artist and then get hands on with some art of their own.

Almost a third of the school took part in our Music in May concert.

Our Music professional, Juliet Robinson, worked with children, families and peripatetic teachers to collate together over twenty different items in the concert which were performed to parents, siblings and grandparents. The items included the choir, individual instrumentalists and the orchestra. A feast for the ears for all.

One aspect of being a school community means that you also link in with the wider community. Our Year 4 children have done this by linking with Arundel Museum to work on a National Lottery Grant project.

The project involved research into the role of the Red Cross hospital set up in St Wilfrid’s Priory in Arundel during World War 1. The children were able to use eye witness accounts from the Museum to learn about the way Arundel supported the wounded during this time. The Museum then loaned display boards to the school to put on display in the school entrance.

Year 4 children also took part in Maypole Dancing at the local Arundel Orchard. They learned routines and dances from a fading tradition.

Finally, all of the children in the school have been weeding, planting and watering the school allotment in readiness for the ‘Open Gardens’ taking place on Saturday June 9th 2-4pm in order to raise funds for St Wilfrid’s Hospice. All are welcome to come and will see that our Summer Fair is also being held on the same day.

Arundel C of E School Goblin Car Race At ACE we always try our best to provide a rich variation of opportunities for the children. One of these opportunities is the Goblin car race, which we participate in every year. It is organised by Greenpower Education Trust, a UK-based charity, which gets young people enthusiastic about science

and engineering by challenging them to design, build and race an electric car. It is a project that is great fun that not only allows the children to learn about how to design and race a car, but also the importance of working as a team. We are also very lucky as a school to have many volunteers who support us, but particularly Mr Thornburg and Mr Grover who work closely with the children. The children in Year 5 enjoyed their first race day at Ford Airfield last month.

The team did exceptionally well, especially at it was their first time to race around a real track, and reached the quarter finals. We are now looking forward to the next round, which is due to take place at Dunsfold Park, the Top Gear test track. As you can imagine, the children are very excited!

Sports Relief at ACE It was so lovely to see all the staff, children, parents, governors and visitors who came into ACE on Sport Relief day take part in some fun activities. Mrs Ward and Mrs Jones were simply amazing at organising the event and motivating the children and staff, and it was inspiring to see so many people take part in order to raise money for a great cause. We combined the day with a dress-down day where the children were invited to dress as their real-life sporting heroes.

A special thanks to those parents who went that extra mile and made their children look really special for the event. www.arundelchurchofenglandschool.org.uk

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Amberley School Reaching new heights Gallant attempts to scale the mountain, that is Amberley Mount, on Ascension Day have been thwarted for the past three years as a result of torrential rain or extreme weather - so typical English weather.

However, the children and staff at Amberley school are made of stern stuff and this year the pupils, staff, parents and even a few well behaved dogs finally made it to the summit of Amberley Mount. Beautifully clear, sunny and warm weather, blessed Ascension Day this year as all walked together to the summit of this nearby peak which towers about the school and its grounds.

The views from the summit were spectacular and the children enjoyed using their binoculars and telescopes to take in the vista of their school, Amberley village, Parham House, the Arun Valley and the many other villages and hamlets spread out below. On the southern side of the South Downs, there were views of

Schools 15 Littlehampton, Bognor Regis and even as far as the Isle of Wight The children’s strenuous efforts were rewarded with a well-deserved picnic and they used their binoculars and telescopes to take in the views of Amberley and other tiny hamlets and villages below. They flew their colourful kites and enjoyed playing on the hilltop before descending along the South Downs Way back to school.

Amberley School has reached other peaks this year, successfully accommodating a new Year 6 class (which recently sat their Key Stage 2 SATs tests) and attaining a ‘Good’ Ofsted report with ‘Outstanding’ personal development and welfare for pupils.

The school is holding an open afternoon on Wednesday 18th July from 1:30pm- 4:00pm where the children's work from the year will be exhibited and there will be activities for pre-school children. The afternoon is for parents of children already at the school and for parents who are interested in sending their children to Amberley in the future as well as for the general community of Amberley and surrounding areas.

Ray Jackson, Chair of Governors Find out more at www.amberley.w-sussex.sch.uk

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16 Puzzles

Young Readers’ Puzzle Page Wordsearch - Dinosaurs

Anagram

Find the listed words in the grid. Words may be hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and in either a forwards or backwards direction.

Trace the lines connecting the circles to find out what the 2nd word is

CLAWS FOOTPRINT REPTILE

DIPLODOCUS EGG FOSSIL HUNTING SCARY T REX

EXTINCT JURASSIC TEETH

Sudoku

Maze Help the hungry mouse reach his tasty cheese! Start at the arrow on the top of the maze.

Answers can be found on our website after the 1st of July www.sussexlocal.net

Place the numbers 1 – 6 once in each row, column and 3x2 bold-lined box

To sponsor this feature please contact us on 01903 868474 or email info@sussexlocal.net Sponsor for just £25 per month plus a monthly prize

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18 Walks

Local Walks - July These walks are supported by Chichester District Council, are led by volunteers and are designed to cater for all ages and abilities. No booking is required but please arrive 10 mins before the walk is due to start. Dogs are welcome unless otherwise stated but must be kept on the lead.

Timings are for guidelines only. If the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled, if unsure please check, contact 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk.

L = Walk Leader Sun 1st Mon 2nd Thurs 5th Mon 9th Wed 11th Thurs 12th

Fri 13th Mon 16th Wed 18th Thurs 19th Sat 21st Mon 23rd Wed 25th Thurs 26th Fri 27th Tues 31st

10:30 am All day walk - Cobnor Peninsula L: Dominic Flat harbourside walk on footpaths and beach. Bring packed lunch. Meet at Thornham Marina car park, PO10 8DD 10:30 am Petworth via Shimmings Valley L: Gerald See "Little Switzerland", as the locals call the beautiful Shimmings Valley. Meet: Petworth Library, GU28 0AU 10:30 am Pulborough Brooks L: Jane This is a flat walk with stiles, which can be wet and muddy if bad weather. Meet at entrance to the reserve 10:30 am Boxgrove to Halnaker Windmill L: Anne Through the fields then up Mill Lane to the Windmill. Meet in car park by the Village Hall in Boxgrove 10:45 am Climping L: Dominic Along dunes and beach to Climping Mill, then across fields to club. Meet at Arun Yacht Club Car Park, BN17 5DL 10:30 am Petworth Park L: Simon Through Petworth Park to Upperton and Tillington.

Meet at Sylvia Beaufoy Car Park 10:30 am Watergate Park L: Jane Through woods and fields. Meet at the junction of the B2146 and the Walderton Stoughton Road 10:30 am Emsworth to Westbourne L: Anne Through meadows to Emsworth and back.

Meet in Emsworth Town Square 10:30 am Madehurst L: Bruce Through the picturesque Dale Park; includes a couple of moderate climbs. Meet at Madehurst Church 10:30 am Poling Ponds L: Peter Via Angmering village to Poling Ponds. Meet in Rustington Golf Centre car park, BN16 4NB 10:30 am Black Rabbit L: Dominic Easy, flat riverside walk, no stiles. Meet at Mill Road car park by river in town centre (charge) BN18 9AA 10:30 am Chichester Canal L: Janet A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners. Meet at Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT 10:30 am Slindon Woods to Folly L: Dominic Generally flat, gravel path. Some muddy areas and short inclines. Meet National Trust car park, Dukes Road, Slindon 10:30 am Pagham to Hunston L: Jane Meet: At the harbour end of Church Lane where road ends 10:30 am Scotland in Sussex L: Peter Tortington Common and Binsted woods. Meet in park on Dalloway Road near Birch Lane, BN18 9HW 10:30 am Bognor to Felpham L: Jane Starts Bognor Regis pier and goes along the seafront to Felpham. Meet at Bognor Regis pier

All day

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2 hrs 30 mins

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Arundel Town Council Flooding - current issues being addressed - but the long term could be bleak Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Planning and Environment Committee 23rd May 2018 Ongoing actions in respect of the flooding issues in and around Arundel include: River Road Cottages (Nos. 23 – 25). No solution has yet been found to repair the breach in the wall. Discussions are still underway concerning a number of options.

The River Wall between the Bridges. Some excellent work is underway by the Nineveh Shipyard Residents Association and the Old Slipway Residents Association, and more is planned elsewhere along this privately-owned section of the river wall.

Main River Maintenance. The £0.5m low spot river bank maintenance programme is underway, and a number of repairs to fixed assets in SU4 and SU5 are planned.

The Arun Vision Project. Although there is no clear vision of the way ahead. Unless the Group can come up with some proposals either to change or slow down the LTRAS recommendations, then in the worst

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case in 100 years time:  The whole valley will be salty wetland.  There will be no farming.  Lower Arundel will be flooded and uninhabitable.  The freshwater protected sites will have been turned saline.  The river will be silted-up.  Southern Water will be in difficulty providing fresh water to its customers.

Fitzalan Road Foul Water Drainage Problems. A meeting with Southern Water took place in February, and we are hopeful the outstanding problems are recognised and will be resolved before long.

A27 Hospital Hill Drains. At long last - the drains on the south side of Hospital Hill between the Ford Road roundabout and Jarvis Road have been cleared. This should reduce the surface water flood risk in the Ford Road area.

The Arun Valley Railway. The east bank of the River Arun alongside the railway in the vicinity of Offham and South Stoke is deteriorating and could impact on the railway in the foreseeable future. Current policy seems to be to await the inevitable disaster. Is this acceptable or does action need to be taken now? www.arundeltowncouncil.gov.uk

20 Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets The Group is a club for unattached men and women aged 50+. In its twelfth year, The Group has meetings in Brighton, Burgess Hill, Lewes and Horsham and a diary full of events. Lunches, golf, cinema, galleries, theatre, walks, holidays – just about anything that people like to do and The Group’s diary is emailed to members twice every month. The Group isn’t a dating agency but it is an opportunity for people to meet new friends in a comfortable environment. www.thegroup.org.uk Sussex Police have adopted a new protocol to help speed up the search for missing people living with dementia. The Force is adopting the 'Herbert Protocol' which gives carers, relatives or friends the ability to prepare, in advance, information that officers need quickly when a loved one goes missing. Family or carers of those living with dementia complete a form that records crucial information about the person and should the person then go missing, the form can be handed straight to the attending police officer, along with a photograph. This will provide officers with the most up to date information about the vulnerable missing person, helping to accurately guide their search, and avoid further unnecessary questions for families. www.sussex.police.uk/advice

SUSSEX LOCAL In West Sussex almost 32 per cent of an average household bin is food waste, but did you know that a large proportion of this is ideal for making compost?

If you’re not already an avid home composter and want to do more to reduce your carbon footprint why not get yourself a compost bin? West Sussex County Council is offering their residents a reduced rate on 220 litre and 330 litre bins. Find out more about composting and get your hands on a bin at www.compost4westsussex.co.uk.

Choosing where to eat could be getting easier thanks to a new survey by West Sussex Trading Standards service. Everyone who eats out in West Sussex is encouraged to answer a few short questions about the food hygiene of local restaurants. These include whether businesses should have to display their food hygiene rating, if you would buy food from businesses that don’t display their rating, and if there is a level of hygiene that would affect your decision to buy food from a business. The results will be used to influence local businesses and encourage them both to display and improve their hygiene rating. At the moment it is voluntary to display the food hygiene sticker in England. To find out the scores on the doors for your local food businesses and to answer this short poll please go to www.haveyoursay.westsussex.gov.uk Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has given his backing to a national ‘Nature Recovery Network’ to link up green spaces and protected areas across our towns, cities and countryside. Mr Herbert launched a new report calling for the creation of the innovative network. The report highlights the positive benefits the initiative would have both for wildlife, through increased green connectivity, and to people as a result of the health benefits arising from a greater exposure to nature.

More families than ever before have registered their new baby with the West Sussex library service. This is thanks to an initiative which encourages the very youngest in the county to join the library by automatically offering membership to babies as part of birth registration appointments. On average 8,700 births are registered each year in West Sussex. Of this, 7,500 (86%) opted to join the library service this year compared with 6,000 (69%) the year before.

West Sussex County Council and Public Health England are urging all adults to make the most of the summer weather and find 10 minutes a day to improve their health. Walking briskly for 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference to your health, both in the short and long term – it gets the heart pumping faster, can make you feel better, more energetic and improve your mood. Public Health England is encouraging adults to download the free Active 10 app to help complete 10 minutes of brisk walking daily. Visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/active10 to find out more and to download the app.

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22 Charity & Community

Hold a Big Get Together this summer for charity St Barnabas House has launched The Big Get Together, its annual summer fundraising campaign which encourages people to get together with friends, family or colleagues, have fun and raise money for charity at the same time. Wendy Bardsley, Community Fundraising Manager at St Barnabas House, said: “It’s really simple. Just get together with friends, family, neighbours or colleagues and hold a barbeque, coffee morning, garden party or try out your own unique ideas. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a loved one on a special date or anniversary.”

Last year, Steve and Debbie Brattle from Worthing hosted a Mexican-themed Big Get Together, decorating their garden with Mexican flags and cacti.

The party featured a cocktail bar serving tequila, a selection of Mexican food, a chilli eating competition and a Mexican-themed quiz.

Steve said: “It was a really great night and we raised £3561.60 towards a great cause. Following last year’s Italian night which raised £2,650 we now intend for this to be an annual event with this year’s get together having an American theme. These events will raise money for St Barnabas House in memory of Debbie’s father, Spencer Rayment, and her sister, Dawn Madell, who both received fantastic care and support from St Barnabas.”

Mel Murrell, who volunteers in the St Barnabas House shop in Littlehampton, hosted a cream tea Big Get Together with friends and family last year. She invited £20 guests and charged £5 entry which included cream tea, while there were party games including a tombola and ‘Play Your Cards Right’. Mel said: “I wanted to support my local hospice for all the good work they do and to raise a good sum of money for them.”

Mel Murrell and friends To find out more about holding your own Big Get Together visit www.stbh.org.uk/tbgt or contact the St Barnabas House Fundraising Team 01903 254777.

Double Celebration for local author A number of close friends, long-time colleagues, neighbours, and family members joined Sandra Saer for a Reception at Sandra Saer Gaskyns Café, in Queen Street, Arundel. This special party marked both the Official Launch of Sandra’s children’s book, Star Sandwhiches and Moon Custard, and also her thirty years successfully publishing SMH Books, publicising and marketing the titles, as a one-woman band.

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24 Charity & Community / Finance

Littlehampton 10k celebrates fifteen years Last year, a record-breaking 1,450 people took part in the Littlehampton 10k, raising around £50,000 for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice. In 2018, as both the hospice and event mark fifteen years of being part of the local community, Chestnut Tree House is seeking runners to sign up and get involved.

Taking place on Sunday 9th September on Littlehampton beach promenade, the 10k route passes through residential Littlehampton, Rustington and Mewsbrook Park. The run attracts a variety of participants every year, from individuals and groups of friends to corporate groups and running clubs.

From keen runners pushing for a personal best to people taking part in fancy dress, it is an event for both experienced and first-time runners.

One team taking part is hoping to attract 200 runners and raise over £20,000. ‘Team Essie’ is led by Lorna and Steve Cobbett, and inspired by their triplet daughter, Essie, who sadly passed away last August.

Dressed in bespoke red t-shirts, Team Essie played a prominent part in last year’s Littlehampton 10k with 119 runners, something the Cobbetts are hoping to exceed this September to raise money for Chestnut Tree House – a “place that is very close to our hearts”. www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/10k

Climping signs fixed Dear Editor, Thank you so much Sussex Local for taking the time and effort to print my letter regarding the new Climping signs! I’d just like to mention that you were the only ones to respond to this, regardless of complaining to those actually at fault! Shameful!

Thank you again, I can now look at the recently corrected signs without cringing, and it’s all down to you! Keep up the excellent work you are doing for our community! Best Wishes, Debbie, by email

Arundel Flower Club Arundel Flower Club was established in 1973 and 44 years later is still going strong today. It meets on the third Friday in the month, between 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. and welcomes anyone from all age groups. The club is affiliated to NAFAS, and provides demonstrations by top class arrangers. It holds workshops, a flower competition table, flower raffle and social events.

Club year is from May to April with a dinner at the annual AGM. In November it has an open meeting at Walberton Village Hall with a national demonstrator which caters for 120 guests. The club currently has 40 members and are looking for new members to join. Membership is £27 a year, which includes a joining pack, discount card at a local florist and a warm welcome. If you would like to learn more, you can attend as a guest for just £4 per evening. Email Secretary susan.bayford@gmail.com for details.

Is Equity Release a solution?

By Richard Cohen FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner I often meet people who consider their home to be a key part of their retirement planning, usually by downsizing. The reality is, in the past fifteen years dealing with clients approaching or passing retirement I can only think of one who has downsized, realising a significant amount of money, i.e. equivalent to at least one year’s income requirement.

Moving home is a relatively expensive transaction taking into account stamp duty, estate agent and legal fees and therefore many decide it is not worthwhile bearing in mind they will have to leave the home they love. For those who do proceed, whilst they may move to a smaller property, typically this is in a better area or is not to their liking so they have reinvested realised funds into the new property.

So where does this leave someone who has banked on their home forming part of their retirement plan?

Equity release by way of a lifetime mortgage can, for some people, be a solution. At its simplest you remain in your home and receive a sum of money, which is repayable when you are no longer able to live there, due to death or infirmity. At that time you or your estate must pay back the original amount

borrowed plus the accumulated interest. Due to the effect of ‘compounding’, this means paying back substantially more than you originally borrowed.

However, even taking this into account it is often still more cost effective than downsizing.

In the 1980s the lifetime mortgage market gained a bad name but standards have improved with organisations such as the Equity Release Council in place to ensure advisers and lenders are adhering to robust guidelines. A typical lifetime mortgage will have a “no negative equity guarantee” meaning you or your estate will never have to pay back more than the value of your home and guarantees that you can remain in your home for the whole of your life. There are even products that let you pay the interest as you go to avoid the effect of compounding.

Equity release certainly isn't for everyone, but it should certainly be considered by the property rich and cash poor. It's a complex area that is best dealt with by a suitably qualified independent adviser who is ideally a member of the Equity Release Council.

For more details visit www.nsurefinancial.co.uk or to arrange a free review please call 01903 821010

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SUSSEX LOCAL

26 Charity Profile

Building Heroes Constructing a future for veterans

by Lynn Smith There are approximately 120,000 unemployed military veterans of working age in Britain today; fit and healthy ex-servicemen and women who, having served their country, have a great deal to offer a civilian career.

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A converse statistic is that the UK construction industry is facing a 230,000 person skills shortage – the highest since 1998.

Since 2013, registered charity Building Heroes has provided military veterans with a rapid transition into a new career in construction by equipping them with a broad range of trade skills and connecting them with a network of employers.

Building Heroes was the brainchild of Brendan Willliams who, after 25 years at leading global investments banks – and ending up as Chief Operating Officer - decided it was “time to give something else a go.” Now the charity’s CEO, he started the charity with his brother-in-law, a Master Builder, who was delivering construction skills training skills at the Queen Elizabeth Foundation in Surrey.

Through them he engaged with some of the wounded veterans using the facilities at the military rehabilitation centre at nearby Headley Court. It became clear that, whilst there were charities supporting those that were wounded, injured or sick, there was no opportunity for ex-service personnel to take a rapid transition pathway to careers in construction.

The charity opened in a dedicated skills centre in Cuckfield but, since May of this year, has been working in partnership with Chichester College - delivering an intensive five week Foundation Property Maintenance Course at the Brinsbury campus near Pulborough. Veterans and service leavers attending the course stay onsite during the week and are able to use the gym facilities provided by Billingshurst Leisure Centre. Attendees are enrolled on a Level 1 qualification in Construction Skills and assessed on a range of skills. In addition they receive a Level 1 Health and Safety in the Construction Environment and a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (SCSC) card, which is essential for working in the construction industry.

What happens after the course will depend upon an individual’s personal situation and their career ambitions. Building Heroes aims to support individuals in their career in the building trades, or onto continuing training, providing guidance and advice appropriate to individual needs.

Brendan Williams has been responsible for driving the charity forward to its current position as a recognised and effective career change option for veterans and service leavers.

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28 Charity Profile

SUSSEX LOCAL

In 2017 Building Heroes trained 150 veterans and service leavers, with over 90 per cent of them progressing into employment, self-employment or further training. Having opened two more delivery centres last year – at Reaseheath College in Cheshire and Colchester Institute in Essex Building Heroes is on target to deliver 250 training places this year and wants to expand their programme nationwide aiming to achieve 1,000 places a year and have nine delivery centres by 2020.

Building Heroes goal is to provide a rapid transition pathway for all military veterans and service leavers who wish to pursue a career in construction. The charity offers its programme free of charge to all ex-service personnel, irrespective of how long they have served or when they left the services. With 120,000 unemployed veterans in the UK today and up to 14,000 leaving the Armed Force every year, the charity is keen to support those who have served their country and help them find new careers in ‘Civvy Street’.

Building Heroes is fortunate as its college partners have access to government funding, which pays for the five weeks skills training. However, the charity remains responsible for costs such as welfare, accommodation and workwear - which amounts to around £1,250 a head. The support the charity offers is vital to help the beneficiaries attend regional centres and achieve a high rate of positive outcomes, and Building Heroes seeks to raise money through a combination of grants, sponsorships, donations and fundraising activities.

In March of this year, Building Heroes held a Dinner Dance at the Langstone Hotel in Hayling Island; having successfully raised over £7,000 the dinner dance is set to become an annual event. A Beer and Blues Festival, organised by the Chairman of the charity’s Trustees – Pete Bradbury - at The Sloop Inn, Scaynes Hill, held over the May Day Bank Holiday raised £2,000 from the sale of raffle tickets and entry donations, and helped to build local awareness of the charity. Amongst other activities coming up this year is the charity’s third annual golf day, taking place on Thursday 12th July at the London Golf Club, Kent there are still team spaces and hole sponsorship available, and details are on the website. Then on 9th September there is a Biathlon, to be held and run by with Billingshurst Leisure Centre.

In common with most small charities, Building Heroes greatest challenges centre around increasing their public profile and raising funds essential to support their beneficiaries. There is not an infinite pot of funds available and Building Heroes is in competition with larger, more well known charities for a slice of the pie.

through the door Building Heroes has three full-time and five part-time staff members; six of whom are salaried. Although the CEO and Office Manager donate their time – as do the Board of Trustees.

The charity is keen to hear from anyone who would like to become a volunteer and help raise its profile in the local area. Although, over the last ten months, the charity reports an increase in support from local groups and associations – for instance, a fundraiser held by The Weald Lace Makers group raised £450.

Volunteer roles encompass a range of skills – such as helping out at events, contacting potential supporters, organising community events and monitoring collection boxes.

The charity’s success at tackling unemployment amongst Military Veterans by offering them a seamless transition to a new career in construction can best be illustrated by the testimony of someone who has benefited from Building Heroes training scheme.

Nathan Blewer was a Tank Commander with the Royal Tank Regiment who, when he was given a medical discharge after thirteen years service, was keen to learn a trade - “Unfortunately,” Nathan says “Tank Commanding isn’t a requirement in Civilian life” - and decided to train as an electrician. However, after completing the Building Heroes Programme and Level 2 & 3 City & Guilds electrical course, he has refurbished a house from plumbing, electrics and

Charity Profile

29

central heating to plastering and kitchen and bathroom fitting, using skills he learned on the course, and works for a local building contractor. Having multi - trade skills has allowed Nathan to carry out a wider, broader scope or work, and has meant that he hasn’t had to rely on other trades either prior to or post installation work.

“The course,” Nathan says, “not only gives you a new skill set, it also helps you decide on a specific direction to train in, equally importantly it also gives you confidence to try something that you wouldn't have before.

“It is all about having confidence, confidence to try something new, and then more importantly confidence to get out and do it for a paying customer.”

You can find out more about Building Heroes by calling 01798 874521, emailing info@buildingheroes.org.uk or checking out www.buildingheroes.org.uk

30 Local People

Body Conscious

SUSSEX LOCAL Dr Claire Smith

Kris Thomas meets Dr Claire Smith, Head of Anatomy at Brighton & Sussex Medical School Dr Claire Smith is softly spoken and looks smart in a black linen dress. She stops to chat and introduce me to various staff and students as we make our way to her office. She seems to be on great terms with everyone, enquiring about team members' days and making small talk.

Claire is in charge of this entire facility where donor bodies are examined by both medical students and qualified doctors and surgeons. This operation is a key part of training the country's medics and it is no overstatement to say that it helps save lives. It is a colossal responsibility and Claire reports to the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). If HTA regulations are not strictly adhered to here, ultimately it is Claire who could end up in prison. Claire is also an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons, a highly regarded position which takes her around the country and overseas giving lectures and assessing medical students during their exams. She tells me that the recognition attained through the Royal College of Surgeons' appointment has been one of the highlights of her career to date.

I decline the offer of gloves, "Don't worry, I won't touch anything" I say. Claire has advised me that there are bodies in the dissecting room which are covered up and checks again that I am happy to go in for a look around. I confess that the bodies are a huge fascination for me.

The medical science building on the site of Sussex University is undergoing renovation at the time of my visit. The number of medical students they can accommodate is increasing in the next academic year from 130 to 200 in line with government promises to get more doctors into the NHS to meet the ever increasing demand.

The Dissecting Room (DR) is brightly lit and large - it accommodates 70 students at a time. There are nine stainless-steel trolleys, two of which hold bodies concealed under blue plastic covers elasticised like a bed sheet to encase them. Claire shows me the sinks where the students wash their hands and on the facing wall the sinks where they wash their equipment after use. Although the 'patients' here are no longer alive, hygiene is still of paramount importance. Claire explains that mould can develop on the bodies if the environment is not kept sterile and to achieve this the air in the DR is completely changed ten times an hour. The bodies currently on the tables are preserved with formaldehyde and will last for as long as they are needed which could be up to a year. Claire tells me the bodies can look slightly unreal, the flesh becomes sallow and puffy-looking from the formaldehyde - "it is the oxygen in our blood that gives our skin its pink colouring" Claire explains. I feel a sense of complete awe that this person lying here has willingly handed themselves over to Claire's care to be examined and used by doctors in-training in whatever way is needed. "It's a truly amazing gift" says Claire who tells me that many donors themselves have a medical background and know of the need for bodies to study.

We enter the large cloakroom where students and staff adorn their overalls - the "scrubs". I have to leave my belongings and phone here but am allowed to take my notebook. Two skeletons on wheeled stands watch over the bags and jackets, a few things are seemingly out of place due to the renovations...

If she could go back in time Claire tells me, she would love to meet Adreas Vesalius, often referred to as the founder of modern human anatomy, or William Hunter or his brother John - both pioneers of anatomical research in the 18th century 'golden age' of discovery.

Claire tells me she also very much admires colleague

Claire lives in Storrington with her husband and two daughters. How does she balance her busy career with her family life? "When I'm at work I'm Dr Smith but when I get home I can't wait to put on my jogging bottoms and be the best mum I can be". I suggest that she must have to compartmentalise her life to some extent which Claire agrees is true. Mostly it would not be appropriate (or desirable) to discuss her work over dinner. Husband Trevor is hugely supportive Claire says, and is incredibly proud of her achievements. He has also helped a great deal with suggestions and proof reading of her new book due out later this month.

Local People

through the door Susan Standring chief editor of the 39th edition of Gray's Anatomy and an influential advocate of women in the mostly male-dominated field of anatomy.

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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Claire has herself recently written a book called 'The Silent Teacher' to raise awareness of body donation.

It's a fascinating read full of facts and some great insider anecdotes.

She told me that at times there simply aren't enough bodies (although there are alternatives, including 3D printing and using animals). Most in the medical profession think there is no substitution for studying real human material. Donors range in age from 40-100 and some bodies show little sign of the cause of death. It is not possible to accept a body donation from anyone who has died of HIV but as doctors will need to treat living people with all sorts of disease it is useful to see a wide variety in the donated bodies.

We look at antique exhibits in glass jars. Legs, testes, other body parts unidentifiable to me, some are normal, some misshapen by disease or deformity.

Many of the exhibits are bubble-wrapped ready to be moved to their new more spacious home in the autumn. We also look at bones, lots of bones and skulls. The real ones are dark grey and Claire treats them with the utmost care, most are hundreds of years old and would smash if dropped. There are also the plastic bones - each group of eight students has their own entire skeleton in a box, each plastic skeleton set costs around ÂŁ2,000. "What's the advantage of studying the real bones?" I ask. Claire shows me a real skull next to a plastic skull, "Whilst all the features are shown on the plastic skull, it's so much more apparent on the real one, look at all the beautiful detail" she says indicating the tight zigzag joins on the cranium.

where frozen parts are stored. Once a body part has been defrosted it cannot be reused so frozen material tends to be reserved for specific doctor/surgeon requests. "A surgeon may be preparing for a particularly complicated operation, and will make a request for a particular body part to practice on" Claire tells me "once a part has been defrosted it is just like live tissue" she continues. Claire shows me the row of mortuary-style refrigeration units. If there was one image that would disturb me it was seeing all the thick plastic bags filling the steel shelves in these dark, cold cabinets - 'Silent Witness' meets 'Saw'.

Claire first became interested in the human body as a child when she was diagnosed with epilepsy.

Although she is completely unfazed by cutting up dead people she admits that she doesn't enjoy dissecting feet. There have also been occasions when students have fainted on seeing the donor bodies but Claire and her team have become adept at dealing with these situations and most students recover quickly, aside from a little embarrassment.

Claire is keen to impress that all donors are treated with care and respect at all times. It is up to the students if they wish to know the names of the donors - most do.

At the end of their time in the research facility the donors are given a proper funeral service, Claire and her team attend them all along with the donors' families and friends. The families of donors do not have to pay for the funeral - this is part of the arrangement when you donate your body. Claire has plans to plant a memorial tree in the University grounds as a permanent thank you to all the body donors and their families.

We move into an adjoining room where the lab technicians prepare the bodies and where dissected body parts are stored. Claire shows me the freezers

Dr Claire Smith's book 'The Silent Teacher' is priced at ÂŁ11.99 / Kindle edition ÂŁ4.99. Order online at www.anatomicallycorrect.co.uk

There are more skeletons on wheels in here too, one is a child, it is not clear if it's a boy or girl as the pelvis hadn't developed significantly at the time of death.

SUSSEX LOCAL

32 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a ÂŁ10 Marks & Spencer voucher

Arundel July 2018 May 2018 answer below:

Winner: Mrs S Nichols from Yapton. Congratulations and thank you to all who entered.

Finish the crossword and fill out the box below with the letters from the shaded squares. Work out the anagram

Down

Across 1 4 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 20 21 22

Bring into action (6) Spectator (6) Movement of vehicles en masse (7) Useful (7) Opposite of outer (5) Put into service (5) Number of deadly sins (5) Standpoint (5) Colour of snow (5) Outline; silhouette (7) Person proposed for office (7) Oppose (6) Six-legged arthropod (6)

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 16 17 19

Nitty-gritty (6) Mapping out in advance (8) Proposal (5) E.g. a resident of Rome (7) Predatory canine mammal (4) Actually (6) Accomplishment (11) Forbearance (8) Earnest (7) Seem (6) Turn down (6) Adult human female (5) Chances of winning (4)

Name: ...............................................................................................................

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

Postcode: ..........................................................................................................

Email: ................................................................................................................

Phone:...............................................................................................................

Mobile: .............................................................................................................

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

Send the word above to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter it online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 31st July 2018.

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SUSSEX LOCAL

34 Recipe

Oven Roasted Nectarines Delicious cooked on the barbecue with a splash of Amaretto and wrapped in foil Ingredients - serves 2 

2 ripe nectarines, halved and stones removed



25g butter, softened



25g (gluten free - optional) ginger biscuits, crushed



1 tbsp chopped roasted hazelnuts



1 tbsp soft light brown sugar



few drops of almond essence

Method 1)

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F Gas Mark 5.

2) Scoop out a little flesh from the nectarines, roughly chop and mix in a bowl with the butter, the biscuits and remaining ingredients.

3) Divide the mixture between the nectarine halves, cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, remove the foil and return to the oven for 5 minutes until tender.

4) Scatter over the remaining biscuits and serve with dairy free ice cream.

Sidenote: This recipe can be gluten free if you use gluten free biscuits. Peeled peaches or pears could be used instead or large ripe figs when they are in season.

Cookery Courses for all Why not give a Voucher for the perfect gift?

Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

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Health & Beauty

35

Vitamin D

By Heather Smith, Personal Trainer, Fitbiz Training The sun seems to call us outside in the summer, our bodies seem to instinctively know that getting the sun on our skin is a good thing.

And good it is. The sun allows our bodies to produce vitamin D, which despite its name, acts more like a hormone. It’s one of the most important nutrients for keeping us healthy in every way possible, from immune system function to mental health to heart health. It’s also unfortunately something which a huge percentage of us are deficient in.

which explains why we tend to feel a bit tired, fed up and start to crave more sugary foods (for the serotonin release which vitamin D would otherwise promote) around December / January time.

There has become a lot of worry about exposure to the sun without sun cream or being covered up, but actually, for someone who is not at a high risk of skin cancer, the benefits of the right amount of sun outweigh the risk.

This is partly due to the UK’s position on the globe (we don’t get a huge amount of sun all year round), partly due to our indoor lifestyles and partly due to the excess body fat some of us carry. Vitamin D is fat soluble, which means that the more body fat you’re carrying, the more vitamin D you’ll need.

If you’re not at a high risk of skin cancer, you can relax more than the current guidelines suggest and enjoy some time in the sun without sun cream. The right amount of exposure to the sun depends on your skin type and how easily you burn, as well as the strength of the sun. The time can vary between a minute and an hour, before you’ll want to either go inside, cover up or put on some sun cream.

We store vitamin D in our liver, and if we’re fully topped up, our stores can last for up to 3 months;

Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer. www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

SUSSEX LOCAL

36 Gardening

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks

by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens Clay Soils: Make clay your best friend When I visit people in their gardens for a design consultation they often look at me with despair in their eyes, and apologetically admit they have clay soil. For most people clay soil is the bane of their gardening lives, limiting the type of plants they can grow, flooding in the Winter and cracking up in the Summer.

But do not lose hope! There are ways to work with clay and get the best out of it, as well as skirting round the problem.

What actually is clay?

You know if you have clay soil if you take a clod of earth from your garden and roll it into a sausage shape between your hands. Rather than it crumbling, if it keeps it’s shape and doesn’t crack, you have clay.

If you then rub it and it becomes shiny, congratulations, you have heavy clay!

Clay is made up of minute particles that are many times smaller than a grain of sand. They have a thin plate like structure so you can imagine bread slices stacked on each other held in place by electromagnetic forces. Therefore they have a greater surface area then the surrounding soil. These particles easily stick together and tend to form great lumps as you will know when you put your fork in the soil in Spring and a great clod comes out in one go.

Soils with 30% minimum clay particles are considered clay soils. They are very easily damaged.

Even walking on them a few times over Winter can compact them and make it hard for the gardener to then achieve a light, fluffy, workable soil.

Because they hold water, like a clay vase, they tend to get waterlogged easily. Who hasn’t lost free draining plants like Lavender over the Winter or waited for their Tulips and Alliums to come only to find rotten bulbs.

They are also slow to warm up in the Spring because they are still wet and their drainage can be painfully slow. On the plus side, because the clay is negatively charged it attracts and holds positively charged substances like potassium, magnesium and calcium, compared to a sandy soil which you have to continually top up with fertilisers. Clay can be either acidic or alkaline.

Working with Clay The best way to break down clay is what farmers have done for centuries. Turning up the clods in Autumn and then letting the frosts break down the lumps.

Once clay breaks down and plant material is added it has a greater tendency to keep aerated and looser.

through the door Flocculation, where you add lime to the soil, is a chemical process which helps the clods of clay break down (don’t use at the same time as manure as you can then create ammonia gas).

Once with a client the clay was so heavy we removed the entire clay content down 40cm.

After seeing 100 tonnes of clay removed and bringing in better top soil I will think twice about doing this again - but it did work and all the drainage problems were resolved. This would especially work if you had a small bed and you were desperate to grow free draining plants.

In the past we were encouraged to add grit or pea shingle to the clay. According to the RHS you would need to replace 50% of your soil with grit to make it properly workable. Obviously this is not going to be possible with most people’s gardens let alone factoring in the environmental impact.

Elevation is a solution that works well. There is the NoDig method where rather than rotate the clay, you leave it in place and each year you add a generous layer of compost on top of the clay. Over time you build up the level of workable soil without disturbing the clay.

Gardening

37

Raised beds - this is avoiding your clay altogether and building raised beds of brick, wood or stone. It works especially well for vegetable patches and at a raised height of 40cm you can hand select exactly the type of soil you want.

Also a thick mulch around your plants in Summer can prevent your clay drying out too much (which creates those famous cracks in the ground).

Lawns can become waterlogged with resulting moss domination but golf courses get around this problem by simply adding 15cm of sharp sand on top of the clay, then laying the lawn!

Using the Right Plants Obviously clay occurs naturally so there are vast plant communities that happily live in clay which the gardener can select from.

Because the clay is rich in nutrients and holds moisture in Spring and Autumn there are many plants that thrive.

Early season vegetables struggle with the water logging in early Spring, but main crop vegetables can really thrive: potatoes, leeks, brassicas, pumpkin and squash, lettuce and chard. Soft fruit like strawberries and raspberries not so well.

Woody fruit trees like apples and pears and generally most shrubs can live in clay, especially the larger wonder ones like Spirea and Ribes sanguine.

VALENTINE MAINTENANCE SERVICES Internal & External Painting Patios Plumbing Tiling All Gardening and Fencing Work All House and Garden Clearance All Guttering Work General Building Call Phil on 07789 278677 FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

SUSSEX LOCAL

38 Gardening Some medium sized plants they enjoy soil are Rodgersia, carex, Moilina, Ligularia, Hostas and Iris.

Some ground cover examples are Bergenia, Alchemmila, Pulmonaria and Phlox.

In terms of climbers Clematis and Honeysuckle are happy in clay. Suitable bulbs are Daffodils ad Snowdrops but not Alliums or Tulips. Roses love the nutrients in clay and really thrive, as do wisteria hysteria, clematis and honey.

In short, don’t let clay get you down. There are interesting ways to work with your soil without having to move house. And if you fancy a trip to Devon you can check out RHS Rosemoor Garden in Great Torrington which is built on clay and you will see what can be grown there. Hyde Hall Gardens in Essex is another heavy clay garden.

Places to visit The National Garden Scheme is still running.

Founded in 1927 the scheme encouraged people to open up their gardens to the public to raise money for the newly formed district nurses role in poor urban areas. It has moved on since then, from “a shilling a head” to raise over 20 million pounds for a variety of charities in the last 10 years.

If you go to the NGS website and type in ‘Sussex’ the dates you are free and you will find 36 gardens that are opening their gates in July though each garden is just open for a day or two only. Most serve tea and cakes.

July tasks  Deadhead perennial flowers as they will often create a new flush of buds as you inhibit the energy of the plant going into seed production. Plus the first flush of Hybrid and Patio roses may have finished so deadhead them back to a couple of new, outward facing buds  Bring any tender plants out from your conservatory now and let them get a good dose of sun now as who knows how long it will last!  Make sure any ponds don’t get swamped with blanket weed  Cut back any shrubs that flowered in June e.g.

Wigelia, Choysia and Philadelphius  Water any new plants that went in this year as they will dry out much faster than established plants as their roots are not as plugged into the surrounding soil  Keep pinching out side shoots on your tomatoes  Keep sowing salad for a continuous crop

Property / Business Directory

through the door

The good old days?

By Chris Ennis FRICS I have reached one of life’s milestones recently – to my astonishment I find that I have been in the property business for more than 44 years – initially working in an estate agency then, after qualification in 1979, as a surveyor.

The years roll on, and I have given thought to the things I remember from those early days. I was reminded only recently when, during a survey of a house, I warned the lady owner that I was about to “pull the chain” (to test sanitary fittings). She rightly pointed out that there are very few of the old highlevel flushing cisterns remaining, and youngsters wouldn’t know what I was talking about. Do you remember the very imperious-sounding names of these old cisterns, like “The Viceroy” and “The Burlington”, many of which were rusty and noisy? Few properties were insulated, timber window were invariably rotten and draughty.

There are many phrases and things that probably wouldn’t mean much to today’s youngsters. We might frequently use the term “spend a penny”. Do you

39

remember the big brass locks on the public convenience toilets – the ones with a large sliding knob on the front face? Public phone boxes with press buttons A and B? An open coal fire, might heat a small house but many of today’s kids wouldn’t know what a ‘coal bunker’ was.

I remember the “rag and bone” man collecting scrap metals on a cart. I recall that my first small car (a Morris 8), had a “side valve’ engine. In youthful optimism, I stripped the engine out for repair and couldn’t get it back together again. Shame …if I still had the car, it would be worth good money now.

Petrol was three shillings a gallon (that’s 15p) and I never did fill the fuel tank up…..couldn’t afford it!

Time marches on, and in the future today’s young people will wonder what we did before electric cars were invented. They will accept the ever-burgeoning wind farms, and solar voltaic panels will become the norm. Draughty windows will be a thing of the past; chimneys will be a rarity, I guess I am sounding like a bit of a dinosaur as I struggle to master the new ‘Windows 10‘ on my computer.

Chris Ennis FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor Tel: 01903 261217 visit www.propdoctor or send an email to: surveyor1@talktalk.net

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40 Business Directory Blinds & Shutters

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Curtains/Soft Furnishings

Carpentry

Carpet Cleaning

Cleaning

Clearance & Removals

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Electricians

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42 Business Directory Pest Control

Property Services

Roofing

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Business Directory / Advertiser Index Tree Surgeons cont.

Taxis / Private Hire

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Aerials and Satellites FT Solutions.TV Ltd 12 Bathrooms Bathe in Safety 7 Beauty Therapy Elm Lodge Beauty Studio 35 Blinds Direct Blinds 20 Carpets & Flooring Coastal Carpets (West Sussex) Ltd 27 Childcare Brightstar Childminding 14 Cleaning Miss Mop Ltd 34 Molly Maid 34 Conservatories and Garden Rooms Greenspace (UK) Limited 38 Drains Drainjet 15 The Drain Fixers Ltd 17 Elderly Care Barnham Manor Ltd 33 Clapham Village Care Home 28 Energy & Electrical Bright Spark Energy 21 Fostering & Adoption West Sussex County Council Fostering & Adoption 22 Furniture CFS Furniture 26 Garage Doors The Doors Group Limited 9 Garden Design Glorious Gardens 36 Grocer / Deli Fittleworth Community Shop 8

43

Home Entertainment Bowers & Wilkins 27 Home Help Your Fairy Godmother 33 Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd 36 Independent Financial Advisors Nsure Financial Services 25 The Mellor Practice 29 Kitchen Doors Dream Doors 44 Letting Agents/Estate Agents Arundel Lido 6 Mortgages Award Mortgages Southern Ltd 23 Optician North Opticians & Eyewear 35 Pest Control Temppest Enviromental Services 17 Plumbing and Heating Top Joints Plumbing & Gas 15 Ponds and Water Features Just Ponds 37 Property Maintenance Valentine Property Maintenance 37 Roofing and Gutters The Roof and Gutter People 17 Schools Amberley CoE School 22 Solicitors Green Wright Chalton Annis 5 Tree Surgeon Ashwood Tree Surgery 37 TV & Electrical Hamilton Cole 27 Vet Arun Veterinary Group 29 Visitor Attraction Amberley Museum 8 Windows Doors Conservatorie s Attwater Home Improvements 12 Britannia Windows 2

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