Charity & community news

18 Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets A total of £462,000 has been awarded to fund 560 taser devices between the Sussex and Surrey police forces. This will mean an extra 291 new tasers for Sussex Police, bringing the total to more than 1,100. Both forces can now achieve their ambition of making Tasers available for any police officer who wants one (estimated to be 80% of the frontline). In other news from the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, more than £500,000 in grants was awarded from the Safe Space Funding Network to 17 local charities. This is to help support victims of child sexual exploitation, domestic and sexual violence, stalking and harassment, along with other forms of trauma and modern slavery. Meanwhile an interesting example of one of Sussex Police’s many modern challenges where, through better use of technology, a positive outcome was achieved. Chief Constable Giles York said: “Over 300 victims had been subject to 3,000 malicious telephone calls from an unknown male, often of an offensive sexual nature. This was difficult to trace as he used different numbers and phoned at different times of the day. One of my analysts had the idea of locating where the call was made from and correlate that with ANPR (number plate recognition) data. "Through this information he was able to identify a man in Burgess Hill who was buying second hand phones and using software to reignite old contact lists. Officers seized over 200 phones from his premises. He has pleaded guilty this month and is due to be sentenced next month.” The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is developing handy downloadable guides that will include some of the best circular routes across Sussex and Hampshire. The Authority is keen to hear from horse riders about where they like to ride and what their favourite routes are. They need a) start point –ideally with horsebox parking; b) the length of ride; c) a short description of the route and a simple map showing the route. Initially they are keen to hear from riders who use the following areas, but routes in other areas are also welcomed: • Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire • Harting Down, West Sussex • Heyshott Common, West Sussex • Eartham Woods, West Sussex • Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex • East Dean, East Sussex. Email responses to: access@southdowns.gov.uk From the end of last year, West Sussex recycling centres have asked users to show photo ID with proof of residence within West Sussex. The scheme is set out on the WSCC website, where there is also a

recognition that the policy will produce a negative impact on the environment. “The proposal will mean that some non-West Sussex residents will need to travel further to a site in their own area.” However “It is hoped that this may be mitigated by some residents making fewer trips and/or selecting alternative and more sustainable routes for managing their waste such as home composting and use of kerbside collection services.” The section on “sustainability” on the WSCC website states: “We want sustainability to be more central to the way we all work. We believe this approach will help us combat climate change; ensure that all our work benefits society, the economy and the environment in the long-term.” West Sussex County Council have agreed proposals to invest almost £200m in road schemes over the next five years (including £44.2m for the re-alignment of the A29 in Bognor Regis and £19.1m for improvements to the A2300 in Burgess Hill), as well as £45.2m to produce renewable energy and generate income through solar farms and battery energy storage schemes. The £712m five-year ‘capital programme’ also includes an investment of £47.5m for the Fire and Rescue Service, for a proposed new fire training centre and Horsham Fire Station, planned improvements to fire stations, as well as new state of the art equipment and vehicles. Winter’s Tale charity ball returns November seems a long way off, but in these troubling times maybe we could benefit from something to look forward to! The glamorous black tie Winter’s Tale charity ball returns to the Hilton Avisford Park on 7th November. There will be entertainment, a four course dinner with a half bottle of wine per person, casino tables, a band and DJ. The fun starts at 7pm and goes through to 1am, at just £55 per ticket or £500 per table of ten. Discounted accommodation is available at the hotel at just £80 per double room with breakfast included. Proceeds go to the DM Thomas Foundation which is dedicated to helping disabled, sick and disadvantaged young people and children (from 0-25) to transform their lives, as well as other local charities to the hotel. For further details or to buy tickets, contact Philippa Redwood on 01243 558306 or email her on Philippa.redwood@hilton.com Email notices to: info@sussexlocal.net

through the door

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20 Charity & Community

Aldingbourne Easter Fun For a great day out during the Easter Holidays join us at the Aldingbourne Country Centre where we will be hosting two weeks of fun-packed events. Including Wipe Out Zone on Monday 6th April, where children can race through the inflatable course, trying not fall off and get “wiped out”. Tom’s Talking Reptiles visit on Tuesday 7th April and First Class Falconry on the Thursday 9th. Bounceabout returns for the Wednesday 8th and 15th April, where children can have fun bouncing around on a range of different bouncy castles. We will be having an Easter Egg Hunt on the Saturday and Easter Monday all around the Country Centre - see if you can find an egg to win a prize. Open every day (except Easter Sunday) from 9.30am to 4.30pm Aldingbourne Trust, Blackmill Lane, Norton, PO18 0JP www.aldingbournetrust.org Squires donate trees to hospice Squire’s Garden Centre has donated ten Silver Birch trees to Chestnut Tree House in Arundel as part of their ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign. The trees were planted on 5th March, in a joint effort by the charity and employees from Squire’s in Washington. “The Woodland Walk is a special outdoors space, designed to give the children lots of things to see, explore and discover. It’s a firm favourite with the families!” says Caroline Roberts-Quigley at Chestnut Tree House. “We are so grateful for the amazing support of Squire’s Garden Centres. Just a few weeks ago I was chatting to the Head Gardener at Chestnut Tree House and he was saying how much we needed some Silver Birch Trees for the Woodland Walk, so this was very timely! Thank you to the team at Squire’s for this wonderful donation and helping us plant the saplings.” Rough sleeping cash boost MP for Arundel & South Downs Andrew Griffith has welcomed news that Local Authorities in the constituency will receive an additional £880,117 to tackle rough sleeping this year to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. The Conservatives have announced councils will receive a share of an additional £112 million through the Rough Sleeping Initiative to help get people off the streets and in to safe and secure accommodation. An additional £236 million will also fund ‘move on’ accommodation for up to 6,000 rough sleepers, ensuring no one has to sleep on the streets at night. Nick (Chestnut Tree House gardening team), Theresa Scattergood & Chris Dartnell (Squire’s), Ollie (Chestnut Tree House gardening team)

Notices: info@sussexlocal.net