Chichester Local Magazine - December 2019

December 2019

Local news & events through the door to over 8,000 homes in this area every month

SUSSEX PATHWAYS Charity helping offenders HISTORY

Turner’s Chichester canal

NEWS

Local council & charity

PLUS

WIN!

Wizard of Oz Panto tickets Glider flight

GARDENS

Winter Gardening

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

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December 2019 Cover image Chichester Cross courtesy of Barry Parker

Welcome... to the festive December issue where you’ll find lots of seasonal events included in the What’s On section starting on page 4.

Our December recipe is also geared towards the celebratory season - Festive Fruit Jelly. Do let us know if it forms part of a special family meal.

There’s plenty to look at in this month’s issue including our competitions with a chance to win Panto tickets (insert own quip here!) and a trial glider flight.

Our main feature this month profiles the charity Sussex Pathways. A small charity supporting people leaving prison, helping them resettle into community life and not revert to their former ways. Another local charity deserving attention is Brent Lodge Wildlife hospital - read about their work helping all creatures great and small.

Chichester historian Andrew Berriman looks at Turner’s paintings of Chichester Canal, he painted two quite different versions.

Our new motoring feature looks at the rise of the Electric Vehicle (EV) and the winner of the 2019 Best Electric Car Award. Did you know EVs are poised to become a more popular choice than Diesel cars?

Andrew Staib looks at what to do in the garden at this time of year. Get the youngsters involved and have some fun making a winter collage or singing carols around an open fire.

Season’s Greetings, Kris & Jeff Quote of the month "There's no such thing as a vote that doesn't matter." - BARACK OBAMA

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.

What's On Motoring - the rise of the EV Chichester History - Turner’s Chichester canal Local council news Young readers' puzzles WIN! Wizard of Oz Panto tickets RSPB Pagham nature reserve news Walks Charity & Community Brent Lodge wildlife hospital WIN! Trial glider flight Sussex Pathways charity profile Health & Fitness - seasonal indulgence Prize crossword Recipe - Festive fruit jelly In Your Garden - Winter gardening Property - Boundary walls Business directory Advertiser Index

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Seven editions across West Sussex Arundel - Arundel, Amberley, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total addresses - 6,700 Barnham - Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate, Aldingbourne, Oving, & Tangmere Total addresses - 5,400 Chichester - Chichester centre & suburbs Total addresses - 7,800 Findon - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total addresses - 6,200 Midhurst & Petworth - Midhurst, Petworth, Easebourne Total addresses - 7,100 Pulborough - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common.

Total addresses - 5,500 Storrington - Storrington, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total addresses - 6,600

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What’s On

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What’s On

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What’s On

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Motoring

Motoring News Electric cars set to overtake diesels in popularity According to research by DrivingElectric.com double the number of drivers are planning to buy an EV compared with two years ago.

More than one in five drivers now say their next car will be all-electric overtaking diesel and hybrid buying intentions for the first time - shooting EVs into second place as motorists’ preferred power option.

The findings are especially significant because they come from the mainstream car market, rather than an audience specifically interested in electric vehicles.

Vicky Parrott, Associate Editor of DrivingElectric.com, said: "This is a big moment for the EV market, with electric cars poised to become the second most popular type on the road. We’re now seeing a breakthrough in the perceptions of electric vehicles, from a niche phenomenon to a genuinely mainstream choice.”

EVs have now shot up to 22%, with diesel sliding to 19%, hybrids falling to 16% and petrol also significantly down, at 37%.

Kia e-Niro Wins Best Electric Car 2019 Kia scooped the title at the Business Car Awards 2019. These awards recognise manufacturers that demonstrate outstanding customer service as well as innovative products, and are judged by industry experts, including well-known road testers.

Delivering the verdict from the judges, Stuart Thomas, Director of Fleet and Accident Management at the AA, commented: “The Kia e-Niro combines the range capability of a premium electric car with the accessibility of a high-specification family crossover. The Kia makes the ownership experience of an electric car very easy and sets a new benchmark.”

All New Maserati Models to be Electrified Maserati has announced that all of its new models will adopt hybrid and battery electric propulsion systems. It has also said that all new Maserati, including the updated current models, will offer a range of autonomous driving capabilities. This is earmarked to happen in 2020 and the Maserati Ghibli, produced in Turin, will be the first hybrid electric propulsion for the brand. They add: “The first of the totally new Maserati to appear will be the eagerly anticipated sports car – packed with technology and reminiscent of Maserati’s traditional values.”

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Delivering the goods Big or small they deliver it all!

Delivery services have come a long way since the Pony Express! Today, customers do not want to wait and courier services have flourished.

Ex-Taxi driver Russell Skinner of Door to Door Couriers, Bognor, realised this poten- Urgent package to Dubai tial almost 30 years ago and Russell drew the short straw! with Jason who joined him shortly afterwards, they have been taking parcels here, there and everywhere ever since. Russell told Sussex Local, “driving boxes is a lot easier than driving people”.

The personal touch is key says Russell. “The same voices on the end of the ‘phone builds confidence”. Russell was also in the Royal Navy, “I have been to the North Pole, America, Africa, Middle East and the Falklands, I love travelling as well as a good old logistical challenge”. With vehicles at their disposal from a small van to a 7.5 tonne tail lift truck, there is little they cannot tackle and they operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Primarily we are a same day courier for UK and Europe but we also offer an overnight service to rival the Post Office for parcels, Ebay goods or even Christmas presents”. www.dtodcouriers.co.uk 01243 829222

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History

Admiring Turner’s painting of ‘Chichester Canal’ By local historian Andrew Berriman Turner’s Chichester Canal version 1 c.1828

Each painting is in double-square format, looking out towards the lake. Petworth is home to twenty Turner oil paintings, the largest group outside Tate Britain.

Until the Earl’s death in 1837 Turner was a frequent visitor to Petworth House, and he was very fond of his supportive patron.

The Earl allowed him to use the Old Library, right above the Chapel, as an artists’ studio. The room still has its huge window and strong north-east light.

Having written last month about the Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation, I sense that I’ve still got unfinished business with our local canal. As do some of my readers who have asked me, in quite an accusatory tone, why I hadn’t mentioned JMW Turner’s painting of the canal? And they do have a valid point. Indeed, even as I type this article a large print of this ‘Turner’ hangs on the study wall behind my laptop. But what has this view to do with December? Well, it has sometimes been used as a local, if somewhat unseasonal, Christmas card!

Turner painted two, almost identical, views of the canal from near Hunston Junction, both probably in 1828. In the first it is dusk, the sun has almost set (albeit due north!), the water is slack, the trees untroubled by wind, the anglers in their rowing boat unhurried. Nor does the three-masted barge or collier brig seem to be showing any sign of movement, not that a vessel of that size and draught would have actually managed to sail this particular stretch of water. Everything is serene, emphasised by Turner’s use of pastel shades. Only a moorhen, or is it a coot, shows any movement, keen to hide in the bankside reeds. This painting is now in Tate Britain, part of the Turner Bequest in 1856 to the nation.

You all know the story. Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775/1851), to give him his rather splendid full name, often stayed at Petworth House, home of the 3rd Earl of Egremont. The Earl was hugely wealthy, generous and kind; he Turner’s Chichester Canal version 2 c.1828 once closed the main entrance gate because the gatehouse porter was old and ill, and not to be disturbed. He sired over 40 children by 15 women, who all lived together in reasonable harmony in his household, though no one seemed too sure whose child was whose! He was keen on canals; he used his own estate labourers to dig the Western Rother Navigation in 1794, linking Petworth to Midhurst. He was the main promoter of Chichester’s Turner’s second painting is the one chosen by the canal. It was only right that ‘Egremont’ was the name Earl, and still on show in the Carved Room. It is much chosen for the first narrowboat used for passenger more striking, the hazy sky an intense shade of deep trips on the newly restored canal in 1993. yellow. It has been argued that Turner is making beBut the canal never paid a penny in dividends to sharelated reference back to the huge volcanic eruption of holders. The Earl had invested £15,000 in the project, Mount Tambora in Indonesia, in April 1815. It was as well as guaranteed an Exchequer loan of £40,000. the most powerful ever recorded, affecting the whole By 1826 he had to surrender the first, and repay the globe, causing a ‘year with no summer’ in 1816. The latter. Despite these losses he still commissioned huge cloud of ash and sulphur in the atmosphere led Turner to paint what had been ‘his’ canal. It was hung to spectacular, fiery sunsets. in the panelled Carved Room at Petworth, with three other Turner paintings of the Park. All four landscapes were hung quite low so that they could be seen at eye level by diners, surrounded by Grinling Gibbons’ exquisite limewood carvings, the finest in Britain.

Was Turner making reference to this earlier natural disaster? Or is the explanation more prosaic; was he aware of the Earl’s preference for oils with a distinctly golden hue, and wanted to keep happy his very kind patron?

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Chichester City Council Edited extracts from the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 2nd October 2019.

CC/19/01134/REM—Land West Of Centurion Way, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 3PH During the discussion, members sought clarification on a number of points. With regards to the road, footpaths, comments from the Highways authority, number of solar panels, additional car charging points and whether the additions made by the developers in response to climate change were sufficient. Following the discussions of previous meetings, the Committee was reminded that although it was accepted that the declared climate change emergency required appropriate response, policy had not yet changed and this must be considered first. Recommendation to amendment to plan numbers, amendment to condition 12, for officers to discuss with developer the potential for safeguarding hedgehog corridors, and two informatives to encourage developer to provide a noticeboard and allow off plan purchasers to purchase further solar panels was agreed.

EWB/19/01724/FUL - Longacre, Bracklesham Lane, Bracklesham, PO20 8JF During the discussion, members sought clarification regarding whether it would be possible to ensure that the development is not used as a separate dwelling.

It was responded that a condition could be added

01243 888 342 07508 475 442

Council News 13 which could be monitored, although there was no indication that this would be a separate dwelling.

The Committee resolved to permit the proposal.

Chichester Council House EWB/19/00934/FUL- Unit J Hilton Park, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 8RL Mr Barrett gave an apology prior to the introduction of the application: ‘I would like to offer my sincere apologies for the mis-informed remark that I made about the Harbour Way Country Club, that it was “just a drinking club for its members”. I understand that the Club provides a range of sports and fitness facilities, including two gyms, for its members.’

During the discussion members expressed support for the application and sought clarification regarding the demand for the premises for B1 use and the hours of operation. It was confirmed the times proposed were 6.45am until 7.45pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 7.00am until 7.00pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. It was decided that this would not be reasonable. As only half the building was being used by the applicant, it was asked whether the other half could then be let for B1 use as discussed. The recommendation was overturned due to the need of an amendment of description with additional conditions to be drafted and agreed. www.chichester.gov.uk

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Puzzles

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Wizard of Oz

A traditional family pantomime

This pantomime season promises to be the best ever at the Alexandra Theatre. After an outstanding Box Office smash last year – ‘Cinderella’ – Spillers Pantomimes have teamed up with the Regis Centre once again, to create one of their best ever Family Pantomimes – ‘ The Wizard of Oz’.

Why not join us for a fun packed show, a production full of laughter, comedy, spectacle and traditional pantomime nonsense. With a little something for everyone, this has to be the best value for money pantomime on the South Coast. A traditional pantomime for the whole family.

Competition 15 Dorothy and her dog Toto get transported to the wonderful world of Oz, where they learn that the only way to get back home is to visit the great and powerful Wizard. On their journey to the Emerald City, they meet a Scarecrow, who is in need of a brain, a Tin Man, who is in need of a heart, and a Lion, who could do with some courage. The four together embark on an adventure to see the wonderful Wizard of Oz! We have a family ticket available to see the Wizard of Oz panto at the Regis Centre, Bognor Regis between 18th Dec to 4th Jan 2020 excluding 24th and 26th Dec, subject to availability. Shows at varying times.

For more information call Box office on 01243 861010 or visit www.alexandratheatre.co.uk.

Win a family ticket to see Wizard of Oz To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: What is the Scarecrow in need of? a) Brain b) Eyes c) Courage Send your answer and contact details to: Wizard of Oz Panto Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 15th December 2019. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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Pagham Harbour & Medmerry’s winter wonderland By Roy Newnham, Visitor Experience Officer, RSPB Just as the numbers of our winter wildfowl and waders build up at this time of year, large flocks of songbirds gather in the fields around Medmerry.

These mixed flocks are typically made up of Chaffinch - Andy Hay finches, pipits and buntings. Goldfinches are immediately recognisable with white cheeks, red face and yellow wing bars.

Chaffinch have white shoulder patches and stripes on their wings. The males have a blue-grey head and pinkish breast. Linnets, a finch of open countryside and farmland, are typically brown but the males sport crimson chests and foreheads. Corn buntings, yellowhammers and meadow pipits usually make up the other species in these mass accumulations, which may number well in excess of a thousand birds. Like an explosion, the air erupts in a cloud of birds signifying the arrival of a hunting peregrine or merlin hurtling onto the scene like a missile. The sight of predator and prey locked in aerial pursuit is an experience to quicken the pulse and never be forgotten. This is nature in its rawest and most fundamental form, an intense life and death battle of agility, strength and guile. It may not be the Serengeti, but these natural spectacles can be just as exhilarating.

Meanwhile, the bleaker weather draws some more unusual finches to our feeders outside the Visitor Centre.

Siskins and redpolls are resident all year round, but their populations are boosted in winter with migrants, from Scandinavia and Northern Siskin - Ben Andrew Europe. These pretty little finches normally feed in the countryside but are attracted to nyjer and nut feeders at this time of year.

Siskins have streaky green-yellow bodies with yellow wing bars and redpolls have stripy brown bodies, red foreheads and little black bibs.

It is worth taking a closer look at chaffinches, both in flocks and underneath feeders… Brambling, another member of the finch family and a winter migrant from the continent, can sometimes be found mixed in with their similar looking cousins and are easily overlooked. They have bright orange breasts, white bellies and wings of black with shades of white and orange.

Their heads are a mottled grey-brown, which on the

males turns jet black in summer.

When they fly up they can also be distinguished by their white rump.

Scan our harbour, offshore, or the Breech area of Medmerry for grebes, divers and sawbills seeking the relative shelter of our coasts and Redpoll - Jenny Tweedie estuaries. At first glance Slavonian and great crested grebes look almost identical in winter with simple black and white plumage. Although both have long slender necks, the great crested grebe’s is the longer, giving it a more elegant appearance. The great crested grebe also has a longer body, dark eye against a white face and just a hint of its impressive summer crest. The Slavonian grebe sits higher in the water, appearing more buoyant with a black cap that extends down the side of its face just encompassing a red eye.

Divers swim low in the water and as their names suggest, dive powerfully for a minute or more in search of fish and crustaceans. Sawbills are so-called because of their serrated bills, which aid catching and holding on to fish. Like divers they swim low in the water but have a habit of dipping their heads below the water regularly, as well as diving. One of the sawbills we most often see is the red-breasted merganser. The male has a very long, thin red bill, dark green head and white collar while the female’s head is a greenish brown. Both sport a delightful whispy crest.

Join us on New Year’s Day for a guided walk and see how many species you can find or if you Brambiling - Ben Andrew would like help identifying our winter birds, we are running a Birdwatching for Beginners workshop on Sunday 19th January.

For more information on joining our team of volunteers, guided walks and all our other events, pop into our Visitor Centre on the B2145 south of Chichester, or visit our website www.rspb.org.uk/paghamharbour or call 01243 641508.

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Walks

Local Walks - December

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 check, contact 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk L = Walk Leader Tue 3rd

Wed 4th Thurs 5th Fri 6th Mon 9th Tue 10th Wed 11th

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11:00am A Midhurst Meander L: Harvey & Jon 30 mins 1 mile New weekly walk. Jubilee Walk & South Pond Meet: The Grange Leisure Centre, Bepton Road, Midhurst, GU29 9HD 10.30am Kingley Vale L: Alison & Pete 2 hrs 4 miles Meet: West Stoke car park, Downs Road PO18 9BE 10:30am Pagham to Siddlesham L: Jane 2 hrs 4.5 miles Meet: At the harbour end of Church Lane, where road ends. (Nearest postcode PO21 4NR) 10:30 am Pulborough Brooks L: Peter 2 hrs 3.5 miles Meet: RSPB Reserve car park, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, RH20 2EL. 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins 1 mile Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT 10:30am Kirdford L: Richard 1.5 hrs 3.5 miles Meet: In front of the Half Moon pub in Kirdford, RH14 0LT 10:30am Asdean Farm Shop L: Bruce 2 hrs 4.25 m 150m ascent. Moderately strenuous climb up to Asdean Down Meet: Asdean Farm Shop car park (Nearby Postcode PO18 9DN) 10:00am Chichester Cathedral L: Jane 2 hrs 4 miles A flat walk which takes an urban route quickly out of Chichester Meet: Chichester Cathedral PO19 1PX 10:30am Burpham L: Dominic All day 7 miles Hilly walk with some stiles. Lovely views.

Meet: The public car park behind the George at Burpham BN18 9RR 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Peter 30 mins 1 mile Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT 10.30am Tillington Via Pitshill L: Gerald 1.5 hrs 3 miles Come along and enjoy the picturesque and peaceful countryside in and around Tillington Meet: The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF 2:00pm Emsworth Harbour L: Helen 1 hour 3 miles Option of a shorter 1 mile, 30 minute walk. Return to the church hall for refreshments Meet: The New Life Christian Church car park 10:30am Chidham Peninsula L: Alison 2.5 hrs 5 miles Meet: Cobnor Farm Amenity car park, Chidham Lane, PO18 8TD 10.30am Heathlands Reunited L: Charles 1.5 hrs 1.3 miles A gentle circular walk Meet: Lord’s Piece, Coates Lane, Sutton, Chichester, RH20 1PZ. 10:30am Compton L: Jane 3 hrs 6 miles Meet: Compton Recreation Ground car park, PO18 9HA 10:45am Climping L: Dominic 1hr 15mins 2½ miles Refreshments are available at the Yacht Club on the return Meet: Arun Yacht Club Car Park, Rope Walk, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DL 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins 1 mile Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT 11:00am Jubilee Walk & South Pond L: Harvey & Jon 30 mins 1 mile Meet: The Grange Leisure Centre, Bepton Road, Midhurst, GU29 9HD 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins 1 mile Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT 11:00am Jubilee Walk & South Pond L: Harvey & Jon 30 mins 1 mile Meet: The Grange Leisure Centre, Bepton Road, Midhurst, GU29 9HD

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Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets In November new named Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) began being assigned to their areas. Every community across Sussex will now have one or more dedicated PSCO to enhance public confidence and collate vital community intelligence. Sussex is also well underway with the recruitment of the extra 250 police officers as promised in last year’s precept. www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk Sussex Wildlife Tust are selling calendars and Christmas cards, all profits support the Trust’s work. www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop Local business owner Carol Ives is organising and participating in the World’s Big Sleep Out raising awareness and money to combat homelessness. The local event takes place at Hove Lagoon and will be supported by DJ Norman Cook. Carol will be sleeping out in just a cardboard box. To donate please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/carol8ives The Aldingbourne Trust is one of this year’s finalists for the Sussex Business Awards 2019, having been shortlisted for the Charity of the Year award. They are hosting a disability friendly club night on Wed 4th December to provide a full on clubbing experience for people with a learning disability and/or autism. www.aldingbournetrust.org Chestnut Tree House (CTH) children’s hospice are inviting schools and groups to have “Reindeer Fun” this December. CTH will provide free reindeer antlers and red noses, posters, helpful hints and sponsorship forms. www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/reindeer-fun Local Solar farms are generating more electricity than expected. Tangmere solar farm is out-performing original predictions and Westhampnett solar farm, opened on a former landfill site in October 2018, is also well on track. WSCC is also installing solar panels on more than 80 schools and plans to develop other energy projects, including a large battery storage facility on a former waste site in Sompting.

From 2 December, opposite sex couples can give notice of intent to form a civil partnership The signing of the schedule or a ceremony can then take place from New Year’s Eve. www.westsussex.gov.uk/ registration.

Small Business Saturday on 7th December is the UK's most successful small business campaign. Now in its seventh year, last year saw an estimated £812 million spent in small businesses across the UK on the day, according to research commissioned by founder and principal supporter American Express. www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com The Planning Committee of the South Downs National Park Authority voted to approve 31 new gateway signs at locations across Sussex and Hampshire. The

new signs, made from iron or a mixture of wood and iron, will be installed during 2020.

Following the resignation of Ms Louise Goldsmith as Leader of WSCC, Paul Marshall will be appointed as the new leader of the Council for the remainder of the four-year term to 2021.

During October this year there was a 7,000 increase in 101 callers compared to 2018. However call waiting times have improved. In October 2018 there was an average wait of 17m 57s for the 101 nonemergency number, that has now reduced to an average of 7m 39s.

From 1 December anyone using a West Sussex household waste recycling site (HWRS) will need to provide proof of residency in West Sussex. The sites are funded by West Sussex council tax payers and access will be denied if proof of residency is not shown. www.westsussex.gov.uk Organisations across Sussex now have the opportunity to bid for funding of up to £5,000 to help keep Sussex safe. To qualify, projects should demonstrate how they will increase or promote community safety within the local community. Applications are open until 11 December. For more info and to apply please visit: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/apply-forfunding/

Charity/community notices to: info@sussexlocal.net

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£250,000 funding available for Chichester District communities

New children’s play equipment, improvements to community buildings, and traffic calming measures are just some of the projects that have been funded as part of a scheme overseen by Chichester District Council. More than 40 projects in 28 parishes have received a share of over £250,000 through the council’s New Homes Bonus (Parish Allocations) Scheme, including Midhurst’s recreation ground at Carron Lane, and Chichester Rugby Football Club. The scheme is open to all communities that have taken new homes. The Grants and Concessions Panel reviewed the applications and distributed the money for local projects within the district. See the full list of projects at, www.chichester.gov.uk/newhomesbonus

Tools With A Mission

For more than 30 years, Tools With A Mission (TWAM), a Christian charity based in Ipswich, have been recycling tools and sending them across the world to enable those without means to earn a living and bring their families out of poverty. These otherwise unobtainable resources, provide dignity and independence to those who need it most. Tools are sorted into trade kits and 20 containers filled with over 300 tonnes that are sent every year. 4 tonnes are processed by the Chichester group attached to Chichester Baptist Church. The impact on a community is huge. Having been trained to use and maintain them, the kits are given to men and women who go on to set up businesses and invariably employ others.

One inspiring story came from across the world, where the women from a Ugandan village called Nakakabala, formed a cooperative and applied to TWAM for a sewing machine. Now they can afford to feed their families, send their children to school, and in uniforms they have made themselves. TWAM having seen the transformation have sent more machines. Potential donors can contact the nearest collector on twam.uk

The team at Tools With A Mission

Children’s Trust Supercar Event Building on the success of last year’s event, The Children’s Trust Supercar Event will be back at Goodwood for two days next year. They have a pre-Christmas offer of 20% off all entrance tickets, so if you don’t know what to buy “petrolheads” for Christmas, tickets

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to the event make a great gift as well as raising vital funds for The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury. The Supercar Event is a two-day family festival celebrating some of the world’s most luxurious and high-performing sports cars whilst raising vital funds to support the work of The Children’s Trust. The event is on 24th & 25th July and as well as supercar rides on the historic circuit, there are other attractions for all ages including helicopter rides, a driving school for teenagers and a dedicated children’s area. www.thesupercareevent.com

The Arts Society Boxgrove

The Arts Society Boxgrove (formerly Walberton) is now enjoying its new venue at Boxgrove Village Hall for monthly lectures. The Arts Society Boxgrove is a friendly, sociable and vibrant society and is welcoming new members to join and share their enthusiasm for the arts. 10 monthly lectures are held each year, membership is £45 p.a. and guests £6. However, to introduce their society to the new community, they are offering a first free lecture and anyone joining before 31st December will be extended an invitation to attend their surprise relaunch party in January. For information: www.tasboxgrove.org.uk

Community notices printed free email info@sussexlocal.net

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Charity & Community

Spooktacular Charity Event Visitors were thrilled during the Halloween Spooktacular event at the Aldingbourne Country Centre near Chichester. With record numbers of over 4,000 people attending this annual event held in their woodland walk, which was transformed into a spooky wood extravaganza. There was also a non-scary trail and story time, and everyone was invited to dress up for the occasion, with witches, wizards, skeletons, princesses and fairies attending over the three-day event. The Country Centre is now busy getting ready for their Breakfast with Santa days on the 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th December. For more information, visit: www.aldingbournetrust.org/breakfast-with-santa

Healthwatch West Sussex They have a simple ambition - to make local health and social care services better for people that use them. They are here to listen, take action, and influence positive change for local people living in West Sussex. Healthwatch are supporting the proposed Midhurst Integrated Health Hub engagement work by

providing updates on their progress. Watch their latest video update: www.healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk If you have any feedback about the proposed Midhurst Integrated Health Hub contact Cheryl Berry at cheryl.berry@healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk

Resources for charities

Are you a local charity or community group working in Arun or Chichester? Would you like help with fundraising or recruiting volunteers? Perhaps you need help to put policies and procedures in place? Or maybe you just want the chance to meet other local organisations to swap ideas and best practice? Whatever you need, whether you’re just starting out or have been active for years, then Voluntary Action Arun & Chichester (VAAC) can help you!

Membership of VAAC is free and as well as one-to-one advice and support from the development team, it also entitles you to: access to training and networking events, weekly e-bulletins with news and events from the local voluntary sector, the monthly Funding Focus newsletter, funding searches, publicity and policy templates, help with volunteer recruitment, as well as resources and equipment to borrow.

If you would like to speak to VAAC, or find out more about how they can help your organisation, see their website at www.vaac.org.uk, call 01243 840305 or email admin@vaac.org.uk.

Notices to info@sussexlocal.net

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Charity Profile

Brent Lodge Wildlife hospital Year round care for wild animals & birds Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital based in Sidlesham near Chichester, provides life-saving care and rehabilitation facilities to over 3,500 sick, injured and orphaned UK wildlife patients a year, from across West Sussex and East Hampshire. The welfare of the patients is the primary concern and the aim is to get them fit and healthy to be responsibly released back into the wild where they belong.

After starting as a small bird hospital in 1971 they now have the on-site facilities and knowledge to expertly care for and rehabilitate over 120 different wildlife species. Wildlife patients are brought in for a variety of reasons which include cat, dog or predator injuries and the effects of disease, infections and naturally caused casualties. But sadly most are admitted due to the actions of mankind. Victims of road traffic collisions, pollution, habitat or environmental damage, gardening injuries, deliberate cruelty and orphaned wildlife. They have no rescue service, so patients are admitted directly from the public, the RSPCA, or pre-assessed patients from local vets that require ongoing care and rehabilitation.

Being an all year round busy wildlife hospital means each season brings its own challenges to wildlife.

During the festive season it is mainly hedgehog casualties. Many juvenile hedgehogs born later in the summer are too small to survive the winter hibernation and require overwinter care at the hospital. By the end of the winter season, over 250 sick, injured or juvenile hedgehogs are cared for.

Staff and volunteers are under pressure to clean out each pen, provide fresh bedding, feed and weigh all the hedgehogs each day – particularly at Christmas when many of the regular helpers have friends and family commitments.

Through educational outreach work visiting schools, talks to community groups and raising awareness online, Brent Lodge aim to educate the wider public about the dangers faced by wildlife. Leaving plenty of

fresh food and water out for birds and other wildlife, supplementing them with energy enriched foods – seeds, peanuts, fatballs, mealworms and fruit can really help sustain hungry wildlife especially if the weather is extremely unforgiving and food is scarce.

Brent Lodge receive no government funding, so depend on the generosity of voluntary donors and their charity shops to generate vital income to keep running. It costs over £20 an hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to fund staff training, food, medication, veterinary care and patient welfare.

To make a £5 donation instantly by phone text message, simply text BLWH 5 to 70085. You will also be charged your network rate.

If you would like to find ways to help wildlife in need or find out more about Brent Lodge, please visit their website www.brentlodge.org or call 01243 641672.

Cow Lane, Sidlesham, PO20 7LN.

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Competition

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Southdown Gliding Club Fantastic views over Sussex

Southdown Gliding Club has a fantastic position beside the South Downs, the views of Sussex are just super. They are a volunteer run club using a lovely modern fleet of both 2 seat and single seat gliders, which stay up using the up-currents called thermals.

They have about 240 members from all walks of life, usual flying days are Wednesdays and the weekends. Well qualified instructors can teach you to fly so that you can fly safely across the countryside when conditions are suitable.

The club distance record is over 800 kilometres, out and back home in a day. An exceptional feat, which won the “Skysailing” trophy for the greatest distance, which has been awarded since 1930. A more normal day’s distance may be 300km. Gliding is a brilliant leveller, anyone can do it. Youngsters can even go solo when they get to 14 years old and venture across country when they’re 16.

The club have winch evenings for groups like the Scouts. It’s exciting and helps pilots to keep their hand in. The children come down with beaming faces every time! About a quarter of the membership are juniors, they are very good at letting each other know what’s going on. If conditions are good enough they may have extra flying days during the week.

An instructor may run a course to teach a group of student pilots. Learning with others at the same time really helps. They have recently updated the clubhouse, it’s a smart and comfortable place to relax after a wonderful flight.

For more info visit www.southdowngliding.co.uk.

Win a trial glide at Southdown Gliding Club To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: What is the club distance record? a) Over 800km b) Over 300km c) Over 500km Send your answer and contact details to: Southdown Gliding Club Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st December 2019. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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Charity Profile

Sussex Pathways

Supporting ex-offenders to build successful futures in Sussex.

By Georgia Brown 46% of adults are reconvicted within one year of their release from prison. For those serving sentences of less than 12 months, this increases to 58%. When considering why individuals reoffend in Sussex, factors including lack of housing, reduced employment and increased risk of homelessness play a significant role in the reason why people are returning to crime after their release. Furthermore, with a January inspection placing East Sussex’s largest prison, HMP Lewes under “special measures” for prisoner violence, extreme drug abuse and increased self-harm, the unstable reality many offenders in Sussex face, both during and after their sentence, holds an uncertain future.

Help to resettle For over a decade, Lewes-based charity Sussex Pathways has worked tirelessly to tackle the negative reality for many people leaving prison. Their volunteers support ex-offenders both before and after release, helping them to make positive life choices, and to resettle into the local community. Sussex Pathways achieve this through the provision of their Volunteer Key Worker services for prison leavers, as well as rehabilitation support within prisons and a restorative justice service that works pre and post-release with perpetrators and victims of crime.

Shirl Tanner, CEO at Sussex Pathways explains that it is often harder for offenders to leave prison than it is to enter prison. “Consider this, someone facing prison with a drug or alcohol addiction has the opportunity to get clean during their sentence, gain self respect and mutual respect from their peers and the Officers. Yet, when they leave prison, they have nothing to return to but the lifestyle they once had. They quickly slip into old habits, return to sleeping under the Pier, continue lacking support from others.” A Sussex Pathways Volunteer Key Worker can make the difference to an exoffender’s life by giving them an alternative narrative to focus on. Shirl says having support from a volunteer can determine the difference between an exoffender relapsing on drugs, alcohol and crime as soon as they have been released, or never going back to drugs and homelessness again. Sussex Pathways volunteers work with those in prison for up to six weeks before their release date to ensure they have support in getting accommodation and attending prerelease appointments to steer them in the right direction towards independence.

Support in prison Sussex Pathways also run courses in prison, focusing on life skills and mindfulness, giving prisoners the tools to understand how they can take responsibility for their actions. The volunteers help prisoners to recognise what skills they may be lacking and how they can develop these before being released back

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Charity Profile

into the community. The volunteers also create a safe space within the prisons where offenders can go to discuss their concerns about facing life when released back into the community. All this contributes to reducing reoffending and creating safer communities in the local area.

No government funding Shirl continues, “We take referrals on a daily basis, we have leaflets and posters around the prison, staff wear t-shirts stating they are from Sussex Pathways we always make ourselves approachable to prisoners, and work alongside other agencies in the prison to increase the support. If anyone needs our help, all they need to do is reach out.” According to Shirl, Sussex Pathways is only a small charity that relies entirely on funding and donations as they have no support from the government. Shirl says, “funding helps to pay for everything from the courses we have to offer, to core costs, to staffing. Without funding, Sussex Pathways simply wouldn't exist.”

Success stories Lucy Edwards, Project Manager at Sussex Pathways reflects on a time an ex-prisoner benefited from the services the charity has to offer. The letter ‘D’ will be used to protect the individual’s identity.

“D was due to be released from HMP Lewes with no fixed abode, despite having a mental health diagnosis and having received no housing support whilst in custody” Lucy said. Before his release, D engaged with a Sussex Pathways mentor who helped him arrange a meeting with the housing officer based in the prison, in an attempt to secure accommodation ready for his release. Lucy continued, “on D’s release day, a mentor from our charity met him at the gate and attended the Council to present as homeless.” From the moment he was released, a Sussex Pathways volunteer supported D in his journey towards securing permanent housing. This is part of the charity’s ‘Through the Gate’ Volunteer Key Worker scheme, where volunteers are trained to work alongside individuals leading up to release from prison. Volunteer Key Workers will begin supporting people in prison approximately 6 weeks pre-release and will meet with them at the gate on the day of release and continue to provide weekly support in the community for up to six months.

Lucy continues, “However, despite D having acquired medical information pre-release stating the medication he takes to treat his mental health diagnosis and a letter from the prison’s healthcare department, he was told that he did not possess enough evidence to place him in priority housing.”

D had been successful in securing a fund to finance some B&B accommodation, which he and his mentor used in an attempt to secure some temporary accommodation instead. However, D had not yet received his necessary identification documents that he had applied for, meaning he was unable to book a bed in temporary accommodation. Lucy recalls D becoming

increasingly frustrated, “he even began to speak of committing another offence in order to go back to prison, as at least he would have somewhere to sleep if he did so.”

Eventually, with support from his Sussex Pathways Volunteer Key Worker, D was placed in temporary accommodation. However, leaving prison had an increasingly negative effect on his mental health. D became paranoid and felt unsafe in his own accommodation. Lucy said, “after this incident, D fled Brighton as he did not feel safe and went to London, yet he continued to have telephone contact with his Sussex Pathways mentor, where she was able to form links

through the door with the local Salvation Army in an act of continued support. Although D was very unwell, he continued to make contact with his mentor requesting help and guidance. D was visited in hospital and the mentor liaised with hospital staff and attended a review meeting that took place. D was displaying very paranoid thoughts and would not trust any hospital staff, eat the food or allow them to attempt to support him.”

Most importantly, Sussex Pathways did not give up on D. His mentor took forward actions that needed to be resolved, including helping to set up his bank account and organising his benefit payments, by talking with a money advice service and providing necessary information to the hospital and D on this matter. Lucy said, “D remains in hospital; however, his mental health is improving and he is beginning to engage with staff there. Sussex Pathways aims to support D again in the community once he is discharged.”

The Volunteer Programme & Restorative Justice Sussex Pathways prides itself on its volunteers, who run the charity completely independently without any government support. They train and support the volunteers to achieve the effective resettlement into the community for people leaving prison and directly provide a range of services, as well as mobilising the support of partner organisations.

The Volunteer Key Worker programme promotes progression towards education, training and employment. It supports the development of life skills such

Charity Profile

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as improving personal relationships and interpersonal and communication skills as well as helping to integrate into the community. Furthermore, Sussex Pathways run a unique “Restorative Pathways” programme, which provides a volunteer-based Restorative Justice service; enabling victims to tell offenders about the real impact of their crime and to get answers to questions. Restorative Justice also offers the offender an opportunity to understand the impact and to say ‘sorry’, hoping to make amends with those who have been affected. This is an incredibly moving and empowering opportunity for all parties involved and is managed in a safe and structured environment.

If you would like to support Sussex Pathways and their extensive efforts to secure a positive future for ex-prisoners and their communities, please donate at www.sussexpathways.org.uk/make-a-donation

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Health & Wellbeing

Weight Gain Over Christmas

By Heather Smith

When you’ve made big steps towards your targets during the year, it’s easy to worry about gaining huge amounts of weight over Christmas and having to start again in January. One day of eating off-track is not going to make any difference in the long run. If you're going to eat off-track, do it consciously and feel no guilt!

But as we all know, Christmas Day itself isn't even the half of it. Add in the Advent calendar chocolate, the coffee shop Christmas specials, a few mince pies, several glasses of mulled wine and the leftovers after Christmas and we see the worry about gaining weight could be legitimate.

The first thing to keep in mind is that Christmas is not celebrated purely with food. You don't have to overeat in order for Christmas to be Christmas. It's a time to spend with people who are important to you, sharing experiences and making memories. Food is of course part of it, but it isn't the whole experience.

The next thing is to accept that there are some foods you only see at Christmas, and you are bound to want

to enjoy your favourites. That's fine, of course it’s fine.

Just plan in advance what you can't pass on, and what you're happy to skip.

Next, make it easy for yourself to stick to your plan.

My suggestion is to eat a healthy meal before you open the door to off-track foods or drinks. If it’s a party, have a proper meal before you go. If it’s Christmas Day, fill your plate with meat and veg before adding anything else.

Try to forward plan exercise as well as food. It’s too easy over Christmas to sit around eating excess calories. A workout a couple of hours before a big meal is a great idea as it will make sure more of the calories are actually needed by your body. Fasting is another good way to achieve this calorie need; but approach fasting with caution - if you're starving hungry and faced with a box of chocolates, it’s likely to not end well!

Finally, try to learn from past experience. Remember how uncomfortable that feeling of having overeaten is; the tummy cramps, the lethargic feeling - and getting out of breath just walking to the loo!

Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer.

Get in touch for a free five-day meal plan www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

Contact Parfitt Podiatry T: 077911 04311

HCPC REGISTERED Sports Injuries, hypermobility

E: info@parfittpodiatry.co.uk Chichester Practice at: 9 Belgrave Crescent, Chichester PO19 8RY

Nail Surgery

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Health & Wellbeing

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32 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a ÂŁ25 voucher for The Seal

Chichester December 2019 October 2019 solution below:

Winner: Sonia Coates from Chichester. 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

Across 6 Under-employment? (4-4,3) 8 Places to go after school? (4) 9 Vigorous exercises (8) 10 Features of tornados (6,6) 12 Climatically warm (4-8) 15 Squeezing firmly (8) 16 Reporter's output (4) 17 Mix new lemonade for a fabric expert (11)

Down 1 Unresolved issue (4,8) 2 French vineyards (4) 3 Epistle Apostle (2,4) 4 Lacking any sense of standards or principles (6) 5 Horn of Africa republic (8) 7 Effusive display of approval (12) 11 Quantified (8) 13 Rotates rapidly (6) 14 Punching combination (3-3) 16 Summer getaway (4)

Send the word above to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter it online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 31st Dec 2019.

Win a ÂŁ25 meal voucher to use at

The Seal Bar & Restaurant

www.the-seal.com

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Recipe

Festive Fruit Jelly

An attractive Christmas dessert A delicious alternative for younger members of the family and those who like a less rich seasonal pud.

Can be made with port or Rosé wine if you want something more sophisticated!

Serves: 8

Ingredients 2 strawberry jellies 1 raspberry jelly 450g strawberries, hulled and halved or sliced 225g raspberries To decorate: Fresh berries, mint leaves, holly

Method 1. Melt the strawberry jellies together in 300 ml boiling water and, when dissolved, make up to 1 litre with cold water. Chill until beginning to set.

2. Dissolve the raspberry jelly with 200 ml boiling water and put aside until beginning to set.

3. When both are nearly ready add the fruit to their respective jellies. Then place a layer of strawberry jelly in the base of a 1.5 litre fancy mould, leave until beginning to firm before adding a layer of raspberry jelly.

4. Continue layering until all jelly is used. Then chill covered for 2-3 hours or overnight. To turn out, dip mould into a bowl of warm, not hot, water for about 10 seconds. Loosen top edges with a round bladed knife, invert onto serving plate and shake gently. If it will not come out, repeat. Chill immediately and decorate with whipped cream or ice cream. Tip: For an adult version stir three sachets of gelatine into 200ml boiling water and set over a pan of boiling water until fully dissolved. Make up to 900ml with red or Rosé wine or port, then stir in 3-4tbsp cassis, sugar to taste and a pinch of mixed spice. When beginning to set, stir in the fruit and pour into mould or a terrine, as above. Serve with vanilla flavoured whipped cream or crème frâiche.

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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Legal

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Is Inheritance Tax payable on property gifted during lifetime? By Lucy Thomas It is often a mistake to think that Inheritance Tax (IHT) can be entirely avoided by giving away assets during lifetime. It may be beneficial to pass on gifts during lifetime but there could still be an IHT liability.

Gifts made in the seven years before death may need to be counted when calculating IHT. Up to £3,000 can be given tax-free each tax year, or £6,000 if no gift was made the previous year.

Each parent can give their child £5,000 tax-free towards a wedding or civil partnership, and a grandparent can give £2,500 and other relatives £1,000 towards such an event.

Gifts in the seven years before death will need to be included in IHT calculations. It is the job of the executor or administrator to find out what gifts have been made and account to HM Revenue & Customs for any IHT due.

Where gifts exceed the tax free allowances, they will be deducted from the nil-rate band, ie. the amount an individual can leave tax-free on death. This is currently £325,000.

Small gifts of £250 or below can be given tax free, as can gifts made from excess income.

Your whole estate can be passed free of IHT to your spouse or civil partner and lifetime gifts to them are also tax free. If you put money into a trust, this may create a tax liability. It is a complex area of law and it is advisable to speak to an expert tax and trusts lawyer.

An experienced adviser will also be able to help you make the most of IHT allowances and suggest ways of structuring your assets to minimise tax payable.

Contact: 01243 282 826 info@legalmatters.co.uk

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Gardening

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks

by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens Gardening in Winter There’s lots to do in our gardens in Winter but we can go out with our welly boots in a leisurely way, knowing there’s not much that is urgent.

You can really clean your greenhouse now, washing down the insides of the glass and opening up all of the doors and windows for the frosts to kill any insects.

Old grow bags can be composted and tools sharpened.

Vegetables Everlasting Spinach and Kale can still be harvested, as well as potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes dug up from the ground, or pots emptied, to reveal these golden delights. If you find any green tomatoes these can be made into green tomato chutney and figs into a green fig jam.

Tender plants Exotic plants like Australian Tree Ferns and Bananas can be wrapped in cloche once you have removed the leaves to stop the frosty air penetrating the cells of these tropical plants. Also pots that might not be as frost hardy as they seem can be wrapped in bubble wrap and stowed away in sheds or in a sheltered part of the garden. If they have tender plants in them, they can be stored in a greenhouse but they will need some watering over the Winter months.

Leaves You can keep tidying leaves and can create mounds of them in different corners of the garden to give hibernating hedgehogs and insects a place to sleep and be protected from birds.

Leaves can be composted and it’s best that they have their own separate container as they break down in a different way from other garden and compost waste. By the Spring, depending on the softness of the leaf, they might even be ready for next Summer to put onto the beds. (Oak leaves take forever).

Make sure that there are some containers lying about where fresh water can collect for wildlife. Also resist the urge to prune ivy until later in the Spring, as over the Winter it is a valuable food source for all sorts of creatures.

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Outdoor fun with (or without) children As well as foraging on a country walk, you can collect an assortment of interesting foliage and berries for a front door wreath. Take some gardening wire and use a few rounds to make a sturdy circle of wire. Then you can simply weave in the foliage. Ferns, branches of Yew, Pyracantha berries, Holly leaves and berries, variegated or normal Ivy plus sticks of cinnamon and dried orange slices.

You can forage with the kids or grandchildren and

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collect leaves, nuts, old pieces of crockery, bones and wood and using PVA glue, stick them onto a wooden board, making a collage that you can then enhance with glitter or paint. These can make thoughtful and cheap Christmas presents as well!

Snail Races, this is only for the brave. Collect some snails with the kids, put them on a path, draw a finish line and yell “Go!� Mesmerising fun, though quite dangerous.

Finally, it is tempting in Winter to snuggle up indoors with the TV but there is nothing more wonderful than toasting marshmallows around an open fire. Print off some carol sheets and start a new family tradition.

New planting If your garden is lacking colour at this time of year, think of introducing some of the great famous hardy Winter plants like Witch hazel (Hamemelis), Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera purpusii) and Winter Cherry (Prunus autumnalis).

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Gardening

December events Obviously it is the time of Christmas Fairs. Horsham Sunday Christmas market, the Uckfield Festival of Christmas, Arundel by Candlelight and ice-skating at the Pavilion in Brighton are just a few things to do!

Happy Christmas Everyone and give your back a wellearned rest.

December tasks • Plant - It’s the right time to plant trees and hedges taken straight from the field. They are normally called ‘bareroot’ as opposed to ‘container grown’.

They are half the price and settle nicely into the cool moist earth. It is still ok to order and plant bulbs. The soil is still very warm even if the air isn’t.

• Prune - You can prune heavily sapping trees like Birches now and Grape vines before the Winter sets in.

• Harvest - the rest of your root crops and lift and store your Dahlia bulbs.

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Property

A Boundary Wall

By Chris Ennis FRICS These days I frequently find myself resolving disputes over building matters, and workmanship issues‌ sometimes with owners, sometimes with tenants, sometimes with managing agents.

I have just returned from one such visit to mediate between managing agents and residents over the need for repair to a substantial garden wall. Let me explain‌ the property involved is a large block of high-quality prestigious sea front flats probably constructed about 125 years ago. The flats occupy a very exposed location but all have well-manicured and attractive front gardens. The boundary between the flats and the seafront is defined with a 33 cm-thick rendered dwarf wall about 40 cm high and 100 metres in length. The wall is penetrated by substantial gate piers with ornate decorative copings. Originally there would have been cast iron mouldings between the gate piers though these had been removed during the war years. A wall of this type would be very expensive to reconstruct.

The managing agent’s attention had been drawn to extensive cracking in the rendered surfaces and they concluded that the wall was affected by foundation inadequacy caused by the proximity of some adjacent

decorative hedging. They wanted to rip out the evergreen hedge, and embark on a programme of expensive wall re-construction. Acting for many of the residents, I braved the recent wind and rain to make a more detailed inspection.

I saw many fractures in the lime rendered wall surfaces, most less that 2mm in width. I saw loose render, and evidence of ancient repair over many years. I saw no sign of any foundation inadequacy or structural movement. The cause of all the damage was the incorrect use of hard Portland cement to repair deficiencies in the softer lime mortar render. Portland cement is stronger than lime mortar and this had allowed rain water to penetrate the wall and then be affected by frost causing both render and brickwork to disintegrate.

It will be for the residents to instruct the managing agents, but as far as I am concerned, the hedges may remain and the wall does not require reconstruction.

With proper repair using the correct materials this attractive structure might last another 100 years.

Chris Ennis FRICS email: surveyor1@talktalk.net 01903 261 217 or www.propdoctor.co.uk

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Business Directory & Advertiser Index Tree Surgeons cont.

Removals

Roofing / Chimneys

Tuition

Shoes

Tree Surgeon

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The Arts Society Boxgrove Computer Services Bruised Apple Ltd Couriers Door to Door Couriers Dentures Bosham Dental Laboratory Ltd Domestic Appliances Carters Domestic Appliances Electricians Danny H Electrician Let's Power On Energy & Electrical Frost Electrical Events St Pauls Chichester Furniture CFS Furniture Garage Doors The Doors Group Limited Garden Design Glorious Gardens Gliding Lessons Southdown Gliding Club Groundworks Cathedral Landscapes Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd Hotel/Restaurant The Royal Oak Kitchen Doors Dream Doors Logs J Hopkins Logs Nursery Little Harriers Limited Optician North Opticians & Eyewear Pest Control Temppest Enviromental Services Pet Services The Meadows Pet Crematorium Podiatry Gaitway podiatry Parfitt Podiatry Property Letting Mick Rumsby Letting Property Maintenance That's Handy Harry Psychological Therapy Changeworks Roofing J P Roofcare The Roofers of Sussex Roofing and Gutters The Roof and Gutter People Solicitors Legal Matters Limited Storage South Downs Storage Ltd Water Softeners Scott Jenkins Water Softeners Windows Doors Conservatories Barnham Windows & Conservatories Britannia Windows Unbeatable Conservatories Ltd

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