February 2019
SUSSEX LOCAL
Findon - High Salvington - Salvington - Clapham - Patching
Local news and events through the door to 6,200 homes in this area every month
AMBER FOUNDATION Transforming young lives
WIN TICKETS!
Vampire Rocks George Lewis’ Comedy Show
HISTORY Tin Castles
NEWS
Community, Council Charity, Schools
GARDENS
Colour
HEALTH Back Pain
PLUS
What’s On, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Young Readers’ Puzzles, Local Walks, Local Groups & Charity, Business Directory
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February 2019 Cover image Snow for Valentine’s?
Welcome... It’s February, the month of Valentine’s Day... We are sharing some love with the chance to win tickets to see comedian George Lewis at Brighton’s Komedia Club (page 14). You can also win tickets to see hilarious musical comedy “Vampires Rock” in Worthing see page 16 or enter via our website. Our charity profile feature this month is on the Amber Foundation (page 26). Providing accommodation and training for homeless and unemployed young people, the charity gives the opportunity of a fresh start to disadvantaged individuals aged 18 to 30. Andrew Staib has some ideas to help brighten up your garden (page 36) plus the main gardening tasks for the month. Our Health article on page 46 looks at lower back pain, the causes and what you can do to help yourself if you suffer. In this month’s property feature (page 40) Chartered Surveyor Chris Ennis discusses the “Horror” words no one ever wants to see on a property survey - Settlement, Subsidence and Damp...
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.........................................................................What’s On .....................Win tickets to George Lewis Comedy Show .........................................Win tickets to “Vampires Rock” .......................................................................Local Walks ........................................................Charity & Community .....................Charity Profile feature - Amber Foundation .................................................................Prize Crossword ................................................................................Recipe ....................................................................In Your Garden ............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page ...........................................................Local Schools news .........................................Local History by Valerie Martin ...........................................................Health & Wellbeing ..........................................................Parish Council News .............................................................Business Directory ...........................................................Index of Advertisers Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237 Pulborough RH20 9AH info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net
01903 868474
Established in 2007, we publish and hand-deliver seven editions free of charge to over 42,000 homes and businesses every month. Display advertising starts at just £24 a month per edition (1/8th). Business Directory £10 per month per edition. We welcome reader letters and community notices which we publish free of charge.
Local historian Valerie Martin visits the ’Tin Castles’ off the South Downs Way above Windlesham (page 44). As usual we have event listings for the month starting on page 4 and our regular local Charity & Community news from page 20. Please get in touch with anything you’d like published and add event details directly to our website.
Kris & Jeff
Quote of the month “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” - GEORGE SAND 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.
Seven editions across West Sussex Arundel - Arundel, Amberley, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total addresses - 6,400 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 - 4,750 rising to 7,600 from April 2019 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 - 6,400
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Win tickets to George Lewis: A Man, A Plan, A Girl With Fake Tan Friday, 22nd March at Brighton Komedia Following on from a very successful, criticallyacclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival in August, the self-effacing George Lewis – a BBC New Comedy Award finalist – is taking his show on tour in the spring of 2019. ‘A man, a plan, a girl with fake tan’ tells the story of when George was 12 and he fell for the most beautiful, most orange girl in Stockport. To win her heart, he decided he needed to act less like a boy and more like a man. Specifically, the coolest man in Britain at that point: Liam Gallagher. In this show, George looks back on life as a teenager in a world that was going crazy for Britpop, Minidiscs and New Labour. He was a self-assured geek who was trying so hard to be cool but getting it so, so wrong. He’d like to think that this is just something every teenage boy goes through, but the odd story of his life as an adult shows that he’s not changed that much after all. Stockport born and bred, George Lewis is one of the most exciting comedians to burst onto the scene in recent years. A multi-award-winning stand-up, he has recently written for BBC Radio 4, is soon to appear on ITV2's Stand Up Sketch Show, has hosted BBC’s Top
Gear-Extra Gear, was named on the BBC New Talent Hotlist, and has won Celebrity Mastermind. He has also appeared on CBBC (The Dog Ate My Homework), Comic Relief 2017, and Jokes (ITV2). Last year, George supported Tom Allen on his UK tour. www.georgelewiscomedian.com
Win tickets to George Lewis To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: Who did George think was the coolest man in Britain? a Liam Gallagher b) Noel Gallagher c) Paul Weller Send your answer and contact details to: George Lewis Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 28th February 2019. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.
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16 Competition
Win a pair of tickets to ‘Vampires Rock’ Friday 22nd March at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing Including tracks from Queen, AC/DC, Meat Loaf, Journey, Guns n Roses and many more. In 2019 X Factor winner Sam Balley will be stepping into the shoes of legendary singer and actress Toyah Willcox who played the part for two years performing over 200 shows. For the past fifteen years Vampires Rock has played to more than a million people and has a growing army of fans. Prepare for a night of mischief and mayhem. Visit worthingtheatres.co.uk for more details.
Win tickets to Vampires Rock To enter the competition answer the question below: This Rock-tastic, hilarious, musical concert lives up to its rocking reputation. A tongue in cheek story, spellbinding cast, fangtastic fire routines, guitar gods and sexy vampettes take you on a ride through some of the Greatest Eighties Classic Rock Anthems ever! Throwing just the right amount of fun and humour into his script ensures that Steinman always has the audience roaring with laughter.
Q: Which talent show did Sam Balley win? a) The X Factor b) Britain’s Got Talent c) Rooster Send your answer and contact details to: Vampire Rocks Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 28th February 2019. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.
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Worthing Independent Network Join the fun breakfast networking group and grow your business We like to make sure our members get ‘value for money’ so breakfast is £10.00 and our annual membership fee is just £30.00.
Are you running or working in a local business? Fancy breakfast with a fun group of people? Why not try out Worthing Independent Networking. We are a group of like-minded, local businesses who meet every other Tuesday for breakfast at The Dome in Worthing. We have been up and running for over 8 years and our committee is made up of members who give up their time for free to run the meetings and expand the network. We don’t have targets, we don’t push for leads but we do business in a natural and communicative way. Our membership is capped at 40 people and the group is a ‘lock out’ allowing one type of business in the membership. Our website gives you details of the type of businesses not already registered with us. We always make time in the meetings for 1 to 1 networking but also, we interchange presentations from members with fun activities including topics such as marketing, communication and goal setting.
This fee covers marketing of the group and we spend wisely by attending the ‘Better Business Show’ in February held by Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce, local advertising and local marketing events. Check out our website at www.winworthing.co.uk where our members are listed and also our Facebook page at Worthing Independent Network where we post our latest information and activities. We like to think that business can also be social, so we hold an informal BBQ in the summer and a Christmas celebration at a Worthing based eating establishment. Significant others are also invited at reduced rates. Why not come and see how we can help you, we love meeting new people, you can come for one meeting just to see if you like us. Contact us at winworthing@gmail.com or visit our website for more details winworthing.co.uk.
Become a WINner Breakfast
WORTHING INDEPENDENT NETWORK www.winworthing.co.uk
with local business owners & professionals Bi-weekly meetings at the Dome in Worthing £30 annual fee for membership Fun, friendly, focused, informative meetings Non-profit based with social activities
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Local Walks - February All walks are led by friendly, trained volunteers - please do check with the organisers for full details and for any last minute changes. Health walks are 30 – 90 minutes, supported by Walking for Health & Horsham District Council. Level 2 & Level 3 are more challenging, for fitter walkers, supported by Horsham District Council Fri 1 Sat 2 Sun 3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Sat 9 Sun 10 Mon 11 Wed 13 Sat 16 Mon 18 Wed 20 Sat 23 Sun 24 Wed 27 Thu 28
11:00 am Southwater 2.6 miles 75 mins Meet in car park of the Country Park RH13 9UN Alex 01403 273751 2:00 pm Sullington Church 3.3 miles 1.5 hrs Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG Mick 01903 745971 10:00 am Wiggonholt Common and Parham Park 5.2 miles 2 hrs Meet in the RSPB Wiggonholt Overflow Car Park, RH20 2EL. Through the RSPB reserve to Parham Park Mick 01903 745971 10:00 am Coldwaltham 5 miles 2 hrs Meet at the Labouring Man pub car park in Coldwaltham Irene 01403 783637 10:30 am Old Rudgwick Brickworks 5.5 miles 2.5 hrs Meet in the Old Brickworks Public Car Park, RH12 3DH Jan 01403 783889 9:00 am Wiston/Steyning Downland Dog Walk 2 miles 75 mins Meet at Steyning Cricket Pavilion, BN44 3LE Ann 01903 297553 10:00 am Pulborough Brooks 5 miles 2 hrs 15 mins Meet at Pulborough Library car park, RH20 2BQ Mick 01903 745971 10:30 am Slinfold Stroll 3 miles 1.5 hrs Meet at St Peter’s Church in Slinfold, RH13 0RR Jean 07734 323321 10:00 am Guided Cycle Ride - Sumner’s Pond 8+ miles 3 hrs Park and meet at Broadbridge Heath Village Centre Social Club, Wickhurst Lane RH12 3LY ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk 2:00 pm Sullington Warren & Church 4 miles 1 hr 45 mins Meet in Storrington Rec. Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG. Visit Sullington Church, a pretty little country church Mick 01903 745971 10:30 am Horsham Going South 5 miles 2.5 hrs Meet at the Hop Oast Park and Ride, Horsham Worthing Road, RH13 0AR Jill 07780 701184 10:30 am Storrington Riverside Walk 2.5 miles 90 mins Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG. Explore Storrington's lovely Riverside Walk Mick 01903 745971 2:00 pm Rackham Hill & Springhead 3.7 miles 1.5 hrs Meet in Kithurst Hill car park Mick 01903 745971 10:00 am Sullington Hill 5 miles 2 hrs Meet at Storrington Rec. Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG Mick 01903 745971 10:00 am Henfield Byways 2-3 miles 1 hr Meet Henfield Library, High Street, Henfield, BN5 9HN Anne 01273 493671 7:00 pm Ron’s Evening Walks 5-6 miles 3 hrs For experienced walkers over difficult terrain. Bring a torch! Very social walk that usually ending in a pub Ron 07933 106663
Health Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 2 Level 2 Level 3 Level 2
Level 2 Level 2 Health Level 2 Level 3 Health Level 3
Arun Adur Ramblers – www.arun-adur-ramblers.org.uk Sun 3 Sun 10 Sun 17 Sat 23
10:00am Horsham 10 miles Moderate Meet in Leechpool Woods car park 10:30am Snowdrop Walk 10 miles Moderate Meet in Lavington Common National Trust car park 10:30am Chichester Harbour 8.5 miles Leisurely Meet in car park in West Itchenor 10:30am Shipley 5.5 miles Moderate Meet at car park, School Lane, Shipley. Walk via Knepp Wildland Safari, Mill Pond and Dial Post
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20 Charity & Community
Sussex Snippets The Youth Emotional Support (YES) team has received national recognition for the work it does to support young people in West Sussex with a range of mental health and wellbeing needs. YES were finalists in this year’s Children and Young People Now awards. The service was runner-up in the Mental Health and Wellbeing category. YES is a free service for 11-18 year olds, supporting young people with a range of things, including anxiousness, mood, relationship issues, self-injury and unhelpful thoughts. YES received approximately 2,500 referrals last year and provides one-to-one and group support, with a community-based, young person-centred approach. Visit www.westsussex.gov.uk Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. Their purpose is to provide specialist help to support people to cope and recover to the point where they feel they are back on track with their lives. Their volunteers provide emotional and practical support to people affected by crime. They always need new volunteers to join their Sussex teams so please get in touch – email SussexVolunteering@victimsupport.org.uk or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk
SUSSEX LOCAL Are you or is someone you know interested in training to be a teacher? There are 284 schools in West Sussex looking for teachers. Whether you want to teach, become a school bursar, a governor, a governing body clerk or apprentice, there is something for everyone. There are two recruitment fairs that will give you the chance to find out what our schools can do for you. One on Saturday 2 February, 10.00am-2.00pm at Fontwell Park Racecourse, BN18 0SY. Another on Saturday 9 February, 10.00am-2.00pm at Ifield Community College, Crawley, RH11 0DB. For more details visit www.westsussex.gov.uk Would you like one of the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex volunteer speakers to visit you? If you are a member of a local group, club or society, then you can book a talk with them - free of charge. The volunteer will talk about how they work, innovate and save lives. It promises to be an interesting and inspiring meeting for your members, whilst enabling them to raise vital awareness of the charity. Get in touch now to book a talk at a time and place that suits you. Please note the presentation is only suitable for audience members over the age of 16. Get in touch via 01634 471 900 and talks@aakss.org.uk It can be difficult to get all the information and advice needed to support you in your day to day activities. That’s why West Sussex Council have created West Sussex Connect to Support – a website that brings together a wealth of information and resources that you can access with just a few clicks. You can get information and advice, find things to do locally, buy products and services, and find out about social care support. Visit www.westsussexconnecttosupport.org Neighbours everywhere are invited to join The Big Lunch on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of June, when millions of people living locally come together to share food, have fun and get to know each other better. It’s a glorious moment of fun in the year that anyone, everywhere can share. Research in 2018 found that 4.5million people who went to a Big Lunch made new friends. Over 5 million people believe The Big Lunch creates stronger communities. The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project made possible by the National Lottery. www.thebiglunch.com Choosing care for yourself, or supporting a family member to do so, is an important decision to take. The good news is that there is advice and support available to help you with this important financial decision. Carewise offers advice and guidance, so that you choose the most cost-effective way of paying for your care. It has an approved panel of care fees specialists who are all qualified independent financial advisers. Your first consultation with a care fees specialist is free. Arrange your free consultation with a new ‘request a call back’ service. Visit www.carewiseadvice.com where you will find a list of all the care fees specialists, choose the adviser you would like to talk to, and request a call back from them. You will be contacted within one working day.
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Growing Communities
Spooky Findon Story
Over the last year the Growing Communities scheme, backed by Adur & Worthing Councils, has been running a whole series of free events and activities including bushcraft, hula fitness, green gyms, community walks and parent and toddler gardening sessions.
In response to Valerie Matins’ history article in the January 2019 edition
Two areas of priority, Eastbrook in Adur and Northbrook in Worthing, are the focus of the schemes and residents have responded in their thousands. Growing Communities is run by national charity The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) with the simple philosophy that natural green spaces help reduce stress, raise spirits and can play some part in helping people avoid long-term mental health conditions such as depression. A report to Adur and Worthing Councils’ Joint Strategic Committee says 3,359 attendees have taken part in the first year of the project significantly exceeding targets set by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. In a study many taking part said the activities had improved their wellbeing including one anonymous participant who said, “I am starting to see that I can do something good and make a difference.” In the future the project will continue to involve residents to work and improve green spaces in both areas.
Dear Editor, Don’t we love to know our relatives are still around us….or someone else’s relatives? I’ve read Sussex Local over the years and quite often read the odd spooky tale in it and although I could tell a tale or two of my own experience, today I’d like to tell one of my Nan’s. I was brought up by my Nan as my Mum went to live in Australia in ’71. My Nan came from Tarring Road, Worthing but joined the Land Army during WW2 and enjoyed years on various Sussex farms. The story I have is this. She was on Old Erringham Farm, just South of The Shoreham Cement Works, off the A283; I don’t recall the year but it was just before Christmas time and she was quite new to this farm. The Farmer and his wife were going to see a play at Worthing one night and the farmer’s wife said to her not to worry, if there was anyone around the farm their dogs would start barking. As the pantry was warm with the stove having cooked their dinner before they went out, my Nan stayed there reading her book. After about an hour or so the dogs started to bark, she knew it was too early for the farmer and his wife to return so sat up right and alert. All of a sudden the trap door in the pantry that lead to a store room in the basement flew open... During the story I ask my Nan, “what was it?”. She replied, ‘I don’t know as I shot upstairs to the attic where my bedroom was, shut the bedroom door and didn’t stir till morning to feed the cows.’ She mentioned it to the farmer’s wife who told her it had happened before and not to worry as the wind creeps up the path to their house and the dogs bark at it. No mention of the trap door opening. Well, that’s what the farmer’s wife would say anyway. Who knows? Does anyone else know anymore about Old Erringham Farm? Hope you enjoyed, Julian Warrick
Free energy advice With the forecast for colder weather in the coming days, have you checked whether you might be eligible for free advice on getting the lowest tariff on your energy bills? And if you don’t have gas central heating you might also be eligible for fully-funded first time gas central heating. LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership), is offering local residents a completely free service for advice on their energy bills. If you're eligible, you will get a free visit from a friendly qualified Home Energy Advisor. Call LEAP now on 0800 060 7567 to book your free home visit.
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Heroic One Hundred
Turning Tides Sleep Out
This year, Worthing-based charity, Care for Veterans, celebrates its centenary, and to help commemorate the anniversary, is looking to recruit 100 people to take part in this year’s Worthing 10k. The Worthing 10k is one of the largest and friendliest running events in the south east, welcoming runners of all abilities to the flat seafront course on Sunday 2 June. Care for Veterans has charity places for this year’s race and has already begun recruiting members for its ‘Heroic One Hundred’ team, who will be running to raise money for the disabled veterans in the charity’s care. Christine Gillott, Fundraising Officer at Care for Veterans, said: “Running for us is a rewarding experience and we will be there to support you all the way. Now is the ideal time to start training, so make sure you contact us ASAP to secure your place.” Registration via Care for Veterans is just £22, and the charity asks that you raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship. In return, runners will receive a free Care for Veterans t-shirt or running vest, there will be a hospitality tent on race day with refreshments for before and after the run, plus entry into a prize draw to win a fabulous prize, and a party the week after the event. As last year, some veterans will also be taking part in their wheelchairs, so you’ll be able to run alongside them proudly. If you’d like to run the Worthing 10k for Care for Veterans, call Christine on 01903 218444.
Turning Tides are once again holding their annual Worthing and Littlehampton Sleep Outs, where participants can experience rough sleeping for a night, helping to raise both vital funds and awareness for the charity. The Worthing sleep out will take place on Saturday the 2nd of Feb and Littlehampton will be on the 23rd of Feb. The importance of highlighting the hardship and danger of sleeping rough in our community is more poignant than ever. Homelessness is increasing rapidly and Turning Tides have seen a rise in the use of their services, they helped 1,700 in the last year and see on average 65 people a day in their Community Hubs. There are many reasons people become homeless, however the current housing crisis and changes to the benefits system play a large role. Joining Turning Tides sponsored Sleepout is a great way to show your support for those homeless and insecurely housed in our community. The event brings much needed funds and awareness to the cause. Previous participants feel that, while sleeping out for a night in these circumstances can be fun, it also gives us an idea of what it must be like for those who have no choice but to do this every night of the year. If you feel like a challenge and want to know more you can get involved by signing up today just visit turning-tides-sleepouts-2019.eventbrite.co.uk or you can email fundraising@turning-tides.org.uk
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Trends in baby boomer retirement plans By Ivan Lyons, MD Investment Solutions, Worthing Living through decades of increasing prosperity has undoubtedly given baby boomers a lot of advantages, but they can also face a number of challenges. Today, many feel pressured into working past their normal retirement date, often because of the number of demands being made on their finances by their families. If they are unable to work, they can have concerns about outliving their savings. They may face the need to give emotional and financial support to their very elderly parents as well as their children, and sometimes their grandchildren too. All this while working out how they can best provide for their own retirement and worrying whether they will have sufficient funds saved to pay for their own later-life care. These concerns have played their part in the growing trend in semi-retirement. The state retirement age is now widely viewed as less of a milestones, with many choosing to work on past that date, for financial reasons or for the mental stimulation that work provides. A growing role for advice Research carried out for The London Institute of Banking & Finance shows that many baby boomers have yet to put plans in place for the years that lie ahead. The findings show that 35% worry about how they will manage financially in retirement, 47% say they know they need to save more for the years ahead, 72% realise that they will have to provide for their own care costs. Interestingly, only 20% of those ages 50 to 59 who took part in the survey had taken financial advice, despite 44% freely admitting that they don't have sufficient knowledge to make the best decisions for their future. Seeing the bigger picture A long-running survey carried out by think-tank the Internationals Longevity Centre found that those who took financial advice between 2001 and 2007 had significantly higher savings than those who did now. If you're approaching retirement, having a financial MOT now could help you put in place the plans you need to provide effectively for you financial future. Contact Investment Solutions: Grafton House, 26 Grafton Road, Worthing, BN11 1QT. 01903 214640 or send an email to Ivan at: ilyons@graftonhouse.net or visit www.investment-solutions.co.uk Twitter: @investment_sols
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Amber Foundation Providing space & support to transform young lives. By Lynn Smith The Amber Foundation provides accommodation, training and new life experiences for homeless and unemployed young people, offering support and enabling them to move forward to positive and independent futures. Bartholomew (Barty) Smith OBE founded Amber twenty three years ago, as a result of his involvement with the ‘Youth Opportunities Programme’ – a training programme that ran in the 1970s and 80s. He realised that a number of the young people with whom he worked had troubled backgrounds, low aspirations and low self-esteem, and were struggling to survive. Barty Smith’s desire to help these youngsters by giving them the chance to transform their lives gave rise to the Amber Foundation. He is now Chair of the Foundation’s Trustees. Amber’s CEO Paul Rosam reiterates the Founder’s aims when he says, “We’re here to offer a fresh start to people who have encountered difficulties in their lives at an early age.” Paul came to Amber Foundation sixteen years ago, from the St Loyes Foundation
– a disability charity set up to support WW1 veterans. Before St Loyes, Paul worked with HFT, a national charity providing services for people with learning disabilities. Before that – having graduated with a Politics & Social Sciences degree – Paul’s first job was with Together UK, a London based mental health charity. The latter he describes as a “tough job … it was at the time when large mental hospitals were closing, under the Community Care Act, and lots of institutionalised people were struggling to adapt outside of these hospitals.” “At Amber,” Paul explains, “we’re working with a broad range of people.” The Foundation often takes people who have already been through other services and programmes. “So some of the most complex and disadvantaged young people around.” Amber has three residential centres – in Devon, Wiltshire and Farm Place, Surrey. Just 200 metres from the border with Sussex, Farm Place has strong links with the county – around thirty percent (around twenty young people) of its referrals per year come from Sussex, and Mid Sussex MP, the Right Hon Sir Nicholas Soames is a long-standing trustee. The centres support approximately 200 individuals each year – young people aged between 18-30 – and the average length of stay is six months. This last fact contributes to Amber’s success rate, the Foundation can offer individuals sufficient time to make changes, something that a lot of Government run programmes are unable to offer. Young People may come to Amber foundation through a broad range of routes via social services, probation service, homeless shelters, their families may refer them or they may self-refer. So what can a young person expect to find when they arrive at Amber? “The programme recreates a working week,” Paul says, “the sort of day you or I might have. The day starts at 7.30am and there are chores and responsibilities.” Individuals work in small teams, each with a team leader, and focus on four key areas – independent living, employment, health and wellbeing, and fun and participation. Through a weekly timetable Amber Foundation staff deliver training and activities that
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include: life skills, team work, core educational skills, community engagement and movingon support. However, “progress is not binary”, Paul says and an individual may need more than one chance, returning to Amber after a period away. But he goes on to say that the biggest reward is “Seeing someone transform themselves, having provided an environment where change is more likely.” That Amber Foundation is successful is in no doubt, in 2017/18 the Foundation produced its first “Impact Report,” which Paul describes as “very, very useful.” This is possibly an understatement, as he is clearly delighted and excited by the evidence in the report reflecting “the very positive year Amber has had in making a difference to the lives of those we work with.” The report is a very interesting read with case studies and revealing figures. For instance that the greater percentage of the people helped by Amber are male (76 percent), and that the biggest age group (46 percent) is 17-21 years. Most residents joined Amber after a period of sofa surfing (26 per cent) or following a breakdown in family life (24 percent). But it is the Measuring Impact section that drives home the considerable benefits resulting from Amber’s activities. Here are given details of a Ministry of Justice Data Lab evaluation –the Data Lab being a department within the Ministry of Justice that evaluates the impact that organisations such as Amber have on reducing reoffending. Published in July 2018 the report significantly endorses the positive effect on reoffending rates for young people on the Amber programme. In response to this research Amber independently commissioned a Social Return on Investment (SROI) study, to measure the Exchequer savings and social benefits of those completing Amber’s programme – the conclusion being that for every £1 invested, Amber generates £12.24 in social value over three years. So, how does Amber fund its essential programme? Paul says that Amber enjoys a good relationship with statutory services – Surrey County Council funds four bed spaces at Farm Place – and good local support, but that they need to raise £1.2million of their income from fundraising.
As do most charitable bodies, Amber has a number of “challenge-type” activities, such as marathons, Prudential Surrey bike ride, and they have “very good corporate take up” - not only in the form of cash donations but in offering opportunities for young people to experience workplace taster days, CV writing days and mock interviews.
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30 Charity and Community / Legal Amber also has a "One Day” Campaign, where people can support Amber by funding running costs for one specific day. Launched in 2018, this is a major gift campaign (£5,000+) and people may choose a significant date to sponsor. Paul says that the campaign has, “had really good success with twenty plus days taken up and £100,000 raised so far.” Amber also enjoys support from a group of “highly valuable” volunteers – including volunteer yoga, rugby and cookery teachers - the key attributes for a volunteer Paul says are an open mind and a wish to see young people develop.
Surely society as a whole benefits when the next generation is settled, responsible active citizens, with a home and a job. To contact the Amber Foundation you can email info@amberweb.org or call 01769 581011. The helpline number is 0800 652 1081. You can also visit www.amberweb.org To find out more about the One Day Campaign, please contact Stephen Ballantyne, Head of Fundraising by calling 01761 221 557 or by emailing stephen.ballantyne@amberweb.org or
Which all sounds like good news, but Paul says, “More young people are coming through with severe mental health difficulties.” As statutory services, such as the NHS, are reduced, it’s harder to access them and so more and more people arrive at the doors of agencies such as Amber. Paul feels that Amber is successful but that more money is needed from grant -making funds and Foundations. Paul acknowledges that there are many, many causes people can support and that supporting homeless and unemployed young people may not be everyone’s first choice. “But,” he says, “everyone makes mistakes, not everyone has the same start in life and this isn’t a place that people aim to be at, but the point is that they are here, and they are the next generation.”
Care Home Fees by Emma Wells MIPW Will Writer I’m regularly approached by people who are worried about care home fees and want to put their home into a trust to avoid it being used to fund long term care. I understand that you’ve worked and paid tax all of your life, so you don’t want to pay out any more than you have too. The good news is that there are a few things that you can do to reduce the care fees that you may face. Before I get to them however, it is important to make you aware of what doesn’t work. Many of you will have heard of or worse been advised to put your property into a trust to avoid your property being used to fund care home fees. If you do this your actions may be considered deliberate deprivation by the local authority and in most cases won’t work. The local authority are wise to such trusts and should you require care they simply set aside the trust as though it doesn’t exist and value your estate with your property included- the onus is on you to prove there
was a legitimate reason for creating the trust that wasn’t anything at all to do with care home fees. You are considered guilty until proven innocent. For the trust to work, you would have to fail to disclose its existence at the point of assessment, and in doing so you’ve probably committed benefit fraud. To protect at least some of your Estate you can use a life interest trust in your Will. This works by leaving your half of your property to the second level beneficiaries but with a life interest in the property for your partner. This means that they can carry on living in the property or sell it to downsize for example. The person with the life interest needs takes precedence over the beneficiaries until stipulated within your Will. It is also a very good safety net against your children failing to inherit due to second marriage, sometimes referred to as a ‘Bloodline Will’. If you wish to talk please call me on 01903 821010 or email emma.wells@nsure.co.uk
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SUSSEX LOCAL
32 Crossword
Prize Crossword
Win a ÂŁ10 Marks & Spencer voucher
Findon February 2019 December 2018 answer below:
Winner: Sue Mason from Worthing. 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 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 19 20 21 22
2nd smallest continent (6) Microphone inventor (6) Probability (4) Fragile (8) Join (5) Couple (7) Long established (3-4) Mature (5) Yes (3,5) Profane expression (4) Reduce (6) Vestige (6)
Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 15 17 18
Painful abdominal complaint (8,5) Maiden Castle county (6) Is inclined (5) Colours developing in Autumn (7) Performing animal show (6) Reflection (13) Conceive (7) Shove (6) Gadget (6) Hiding place (5)
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 you can enter it online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 28th Feb 2019.
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SUSSEX LOCAL
34 Recipe
Washington Sausage & Ale Casserole
Locally made sausages with a Sussex Ale Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil 12 Washington Wonder sausages (our local butchers’ special recipe) 2 medium red onions, chopped 2 celery sticks trimmed and thinly sliced 2 carrots, peeled and thickly sliced 2 medium leeks, trimmed and cut into 2cm rounds 500ml Cosmos Ale (Greyhound Brewery) 2 tbsp quince jelly (Loft Pickles) 1 bay leaf Splash of Worcester sauce 1 tbsp plain flour Salt and pepper for seasoning
Method: 1. Using a large pan, heat the oil and fry the sausages over a medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning regularly. Remove and put to one side. 2. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook for 5 minutes. 3. Return the sausages to the pan and coat with the flour, stirring for 2 minutes then add the bay leaf, quince jelly and Worcester sauce, continue to stir. 4. Pour the ale into the casserole gradually, continuously stirring. Bring pan to a boil then reduce heat and cover with lid whilst it simmers for 40 minutes. 6. Add the leeks to the casserole and simmer for 10 minutes, increase the heat if the sauce has not yet thickened. Remove the pan from heat, season and serve alongside freshly steamed broccoli and creamy mash potato. Recipe kindly supplied by Hollie from Village Larder, Squires Garden Centre Washington. Follow Hollie on Instagram and Twitter @village_larder
35
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36 Gardening
In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens February can be a joyless month in the garden. Andrew takes a look at some interesting plants to “light up” your garden in the winter February is a tricky month. Sometimes clear days have us running out to turn over the soil and dig in some compost, other days have us sheltering indoors looking out of a rainy window. If you are one of those gardeners who don’t start visiting their local nursery until Spring and then buying the flowering plants you see, you will miss out on the January and February performers. We can embolden our gardens with very interesting planting at this time of year. A visit to your local gardening centre will show the planting shelves quite bare but the plants they will have will add an extra dimension to your garden.
Plants for February Shape Obviously evergreens have a prominent place in February. Hedges of Yew, Box and Lonicera can subdivide your space allowing for the creation of interesting rooms. Architectural beauties like Phormiums, Yukka gloriosa, Chinese Cabbage Palm and Corokia can come into their own especially laced with frost smitten spider webs. The twisted Hazel, Corylus avellana ‘Contorta Red Magic’ can give endless interest as well as too the conifers like Minus Mungo and the monkey puzzle tree, Araucaria. Leaves, Stems & Berries When the wide and quite boring leaves of Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’ give way in Autumn the amazing stems of the Cornus enliven a garden. ‘Midwinter Fire’ starts orange at the base and then finishes with a blazing red at the end of the stems. When this is planted en masse it becomes a memory of fire in the centre of February’s cold. Skimmia japonica has bright red berries at this time of year as well as a fresh green and compact leaves. Photinia Red Robin, which can now be purchased in dwarf and variegated forms, begins to set its new shoots in late February and if you want to light up a dark corner try Choisya ‘Sundance’. Ilex crenata ‘Convexted Gold’ brings more of that fresh yellow into the garden.
Scent A well placed Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ near the front door will give you a pretty scent for weeks and look good in the Summer with its evergreen foliage. In a shadier spot Sarcococca humilis and
Gardening
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Trees Trees in Winter are beautiful anyway but if your garden is large you need to have a Tibetian Cherry for it’s lovely, shiny red bark. Garrya eliptica can produce millions of catkins which hang down like earrings, while Viburnum minus and especially Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ is full of bright pink blooms. Cornlian Cherry Dogwood, Cornus mas, has small yellow flowers that cling close to the branches. For ultimate colour over February the Witchazels come into their own. Try Hammamelis mollis Plaida and Hammamelis Jelena. Flowers cortorta have a delicate and fragrant white flower moving on to dark purple berries. Perhaps the queen of Winter scent is the Winter honeysuckle, Lonicera purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’. It can get to 150cm tall and has an unexpectedly intense scent. Mahonia x media ‘Winter Sun’ has a tall upright structure and is best at the back of a border where its stiff plumes can rocket up through other shrub’s branches. Don’t forget Winter Heather, they are actually ok in a range of soils and planted generously in one area can create a shimmering compact look.
Of course low to the ground we have the bulbs at this time of the year. Snowdrops, Crocus, Anemones and the beginnings of Daffodils that seem to bloom earlier each year. There is also the old fashioned and valiant Winter Pansies and Winter Violets to grace your pots. Then there are the hardy February performers like Helleborus niger. In shady corners, especially if your soil is on the acid side, you can opt for one of the many Japanese Camellias eg Elegant. The tall Cherry, Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis can flower all the way from November till the Spring and had lovely purple foliage in the Summer.
SUSSEX LOCAL
38 Gardening Climbers Clematis never ceases to surprise me in the Winter as there are some varieties which flower quite profusely, like Clematis Winter Beauty and Clematis Jingle Bells. the Chinese Jasmine, Jasmine nudiflorum has bright yellow flowers and can pick up any North wall. In Chinese its name means “the flower that welcomes Spring”. So try a nursery visit soon and enrich your garden with some unusual and valiant plants!
Where to visit this February February is a great time to explore woodland. The bare bones of the earth are at rest and the quality of the forest is still and waiting for Spring with some small delights emerging. Also the evergreens like Ivy, Yew and Holly come into their own. Try visiting Angmering Park Estate Trust, Burton and Chingford Pond, Petworth House Woods, Slindon and The Warrens.
February tasks A last tidy up - cut old perennials and ornamental grasses to ground level (as long as they are not the evergreen ornamental grasses!) Pruning - Now is the time to finish your Roses and Wysterias. This month start to prune to the ground your deciduous ornamental grasses, Hardy shrubs like Cornus, Salix and Cotinus can be cut right back as well as Buddlea. Anything that has flowered during the winter can be pruned back into shape now like Winter Jasmine and Mahonia. Bulbs - After your Snowdrops have flowered you can lift them out of the ground and separate them and then replant them in different areas of the garden.
Burton and Chingford Pond
Sowing - If you have a greenhouse you can start sowing leeks and onions.
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SUSSEX LOCAL
40 Property
The ‘S’ words
By Chris Ennis FRICS
The horror words in any written s ur v e y ar e ‘ se t t l e me n t’ an d ‘subsidence’, then closely followed by ‘dampness’. These are defects which my colleagues and I see on a daily basis. Dampness is very common and can take many forms. Defective rainwater goods, defective / absent damp proof courses, condensation and plumbing issues can affect all ages of property. Repair is most likely to be a relatively simple building function using the many new repair methods and materials currently on the market. Settlement and Subsidence are potentially more serious issues, but it is important to differentiate between the two. Settlement issues are caused by where the ground in which the foundations are formed compresses over time by virtue of the weight of the building. It frequently affects older buildings, very often where there have been major alterations to the structures such as extensions or loft conversions.
Stop!
In particular we often see settlement where a new extension wall abuts the wall of the original building. Vertical fracturing at the joint may exist where the ground adjusts to the new loads imposed on it. We refer to this as ‘differential’ settlement. Subsidence is the result of changes in the very nature of the ground which robs the foundations of their support causing cracking, in the walls. This type of movement is commonly caused by deficiencies in the underground storm or foul water drains, and by volumetric changes in soils…. notably clay soils in the proximity of deciduous trees. I remember the hot summers of 1976 and the 1990’s when there were numerous insurance claims following evidence of cracking in walls. If any householder notices cracking following the last hot summer, call in a surveyor initially, and if foundation movement is confirmed, an insurance claim may be initiated under the direction of a loss adjuster and structural engineer. All but the most severe foundation inadequacies can be remedied. Repair works may include the removal of nearby trees, repair of drains, the insertion of metal reinforcement and in some instances foundation underpinning or reconstruction. Chris Ennis FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor. Call him on 01903 261 217 or you can send an email to surveyor1@talktalk.net or see www.propdoctor.co.uk
“Call me before you buy your dream home”
To make sure your dream home doesn’t hide any nasty surprises! Shockingly, many people do not obtain a professional survey before buying a house. This can result in future misery and thousands of pounds of repair work. I will report on the current condition of a property and also forewarn you of any major problems which may arise. I am a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and have over 30 years local experience. Based in High Salvington, I pride myself on my speedy and personal service. Feel free to call me for an informal chat.
Chris Ennis FRICS 01903 261 217 07703 131 686 www.propdoctor.co.uk
- Homebuyer reports - Probate valuations - Defect diagnosis - Pre-sale inspections - Condition reports - Building surveys
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42 Puzzles
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Schools
43
Findon Vale School ‘Outbreak’ in the school
Through role-play to introduce our Science learning about bacteria and viruses, the children experienced confusion, concern and bewilderment gaining a valuable insight into the panic created by a pandemic outbreak. All of the children here at Vale School have settled back into the school routine following their Christmas Break. Many of our year groups thoroughly enjoyed performing nativities, concerts and Christingle services to their parents, carers, grandparents and siblings leading up to Christmas. Within two days of being back in school, Year 6 experienced a serious ‘Outbreak’ within their year group. The children arrived at school to find their teachers clad in protective clothing and masks - an outbreak had occurred in school!
The year group attended a press conference later in the day where they were able to direct questions to a panel about the incident - the panel included a representative from the police as well as ‘science experts’ (who strangely resembled some of the Year 6 teaching staff!). Thankfully the ‘outbreak’ was contained to Year 6 only and hadn’t spread to the younger year groups! It was certainly an unusual day! More information at www.vale.w-sussex.sch.uk
44 History
SUSSEX LOCAL
The Mystery of the Windlesham “Tin Castles” By Valerie Martin This is the story of how the Mystery of the Tin Castles unfolded in February 2010 and concluded with my own visit to the site in July later that year. This particular puzzle started with an email from Alastair Cook.... a former pupil of Windlesham House School...... "I'm a former pupil of the school (I left around 1998), and I found your excellent website whilst trying to find some information on a pillbox I used to play in when I was younger. Whist at Windlesham we found a weird looking iron/ concrete construction on what I now know is the South Downs Way or Highden Hill. Needless to say, we found this fascinating and great fun to play in at 11 and 12 years old, nicknaming it the Tin Castle. I recently returned to the location, and even today I find it very interesting as it's such an unusual design with metal plates over it. The location was well out of school bounds, so we had to keep our trips to it very quiet. I guess the secret's out now though.” Obviously I found all of this very intriguing. I gleaned that the Canadian Armed Forces arrived in Sussex during late 1940 and early 1941. In 1942, Windlesham House just north of Findon on the A24, was taken over by the Royal Canadian School of Infantry and was the Headquarters of the Department of Petroleum Warfare. In July 2010 I eventually found time to go on a quest hunting for the two spots named as the Tin Castles and here are my photographs to prove it.
Here are my useful reference points. Grid references: Defence Bunker (1) TQ113 119 Defence Bunker (2) TQ107 117 and Training Pillbox for soldiers TQ109 114 The "castles" appeared to have been constructed of concrete breeze blocks cemented together as shown clearly in the photograph below with Suzie an Katie. The outer of these blocks steel plates were subsequently ingeniously bolted to leave a 2 inch gap to be filled up with bitumen. Chunks of the material are now laying on the ground. It is known that the Canadian engineers tested various methods of construction and perhaps this was an experimental method of protection against the enemy and a dreaded German invasion........ and they were trying it out in our area. Further data is lost in the mists of time. Above right is the entrance to Defence Bunker No. (1).... rather narrow-gutted..... "Guys must have been much slimmer in those days than they are today! Phew! Pongs a bit round here!" echo my stalwart canines Suzie and Katie. Defence Bunker (2) (below) has suffered more from the ravages of time and much of the cladding has come off and a portion of the roof had caved in. I would go as far to describe it as "collapsed". A couple of holes in one of the roofs looked suspiciously round to me and could be from a friendly shell or gun perhaps. I also noted a big crater hole in a roof.... likewise... target practise maybe?
You will agree it was an excellent vantage point to watch for the approach of rumbling German tanks. Back in the Second World War the Canadian engineers built two experimental defence bunkers (or had them built by an unknown hand) on the downland. As they are obviously not "castles", I will call them their correct titles of Defence Bunker (1) and Defence Bunker (2) for identification purposes.
I can see how the whole area would make an absolutely wonderful playground for the pupils of Windlesham House School of yesteryear.
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Paws for thought Dental hygiene The importance of good dental hygiene in humans is widely reported but, when it comes to pets’, pet owners are often unaware that they Dr Imogen can help to prevent problems before Wainwright-Jones they develop. Bad breath in our pets is not pleasant. For many owners, this is the first sign that there might be a problem in the mouths of their pets. For some owners the smell can get so bad that it affects their interaction with their pet. As vets we can sometimes smell the “dental smell” as the pet walks into the consulting room. In a study by VetCompass, that looked at the prevalence of disorders in dogs recorded in primary care veterinary practices, periodontal disease was in the top three disorders seen. It is without a doubt a real and prevalent problem that not only affects the pet but can really affect anyone close to the pet’s mouth! Toothbrushing isn’t just for humans Bad breath doesn’t have to be a problem for our pets. It is something that we can help to prevent and often successfully improve. However, the prevention side is often put in the “too hard” pile by owners. The thought of trying to brush the wriggly pet’s teeth is daunting and therefore avoided.
Pets 45 Yet we know that brushing pets’ teeth can be one of the most effective ways of preventing dental disease. Education is the key Educating owners about dental disease in their pets and helping them to successfully brush their pets’ teeth can make a real difference for pets and owners. The veterinary team is ideally placed to help owners in this to make sure that they are brushing safely and effectively. The other aspect, and one of particular importance for rabbits, is diet. Getting the diet right can also help with dental disease and aid in reducing obesity which is one of the major welfare concerns in companion animal practice – a real win win. Encouraging owners to see the benefit of prevention Prevention is not feasible for all owners and even when owners do all the right things, dental disease can still occur which is why it is vital that pets get regular dental check-ups. Potentially painful dental disease can only be treated if it is spotted and given that most owners don’t look in the mouth of their pets, it is often an unseen problem - an unseen problem that could be causing significant discomfort and other potential problems. I would encourage all pet owners to see the benefits prevention, correct diet, regular dental check-ups and prompt treatment can make to the health and welfare of pets. Crossways Veterinary Group, Findon Road Findon Valley, School Hill Storrington & High Street Steyning 01903 877325 www.crosswaysvets.co.uk
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46 Health & Wellbeing
Is Your Back Pain Really In Your Back? By Heather Smith, Personal Trainer Lower back pain is one of the most common physical complaints. Sometimes it just starts aching, other times it seems you injure yourself and are left dealing with the aftermath for much longer than you would like. In an overwhelming majority of cases, low back pain is caused by some variation of poor posture and the solution lies in locating and correcting the problem area; which, surprisingly, is not usually your actual back. Of course, there are exceptions to this, and pain should really be assessed by someone who knows what they’re talking about. Then you can be confident you’re taking the right course of action. Although back pain often feels like stiffness, your lower back is supposed to be a pretty stable area. Excess movement is often a trigger for pain. Your lower back can start to move too much to compensate for a
lack of movement elsewhere in your body; most often in the thoracic spine (your upper back) or the hips. Stand side-on next to a mirror and try lifting your arms in front of your body. Watch your lower back and see how high you can lift your arms before your lower back has to start moving. This is your lower back compensating for a lack of mobility in your upper back. Staying side-on to the mirror, try standing on one leg and extending your other leg out behind yourself with your knee straight. Again, watch your lower back and see how far you can take your leg behind your body before your lower back starts to move. This is your lower back compensating for lack of mobility in your hips, and it may be different on both sides. Mobility exercises which will help release tightness in the thoracic spine and hips are pretty easy to find online, otherwise please get in touch with me and I will happily talk through some with you. It’s worth building some mobility exercises into your daily routine for a few weeks, you may be surprised at the improvements you can make with just a few minutes a day. Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer. www.fitbiztraining.co.uk
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Get mind fit in 2019
By Jo Johnson, Mind Your Head If for the whole of 2019 you eat only sugary foods, smoke and don’t take any exercise, by next year your body won’t be fit for purpose. If you have a body, you also have a mind and the same principles apply. As flawed human beings our minds naturally want to keep us in thinking gear all the time. Even when we are supposed to be relaxing, ill disciplined minds will drag us into the past, create fears for the future or encourage us to compare ourselves with others. Often before we have noticed what is happening, we are feeling stressed and restless. Then, we do our favourite things to make us feel better, over eat, over work, drink too much, shop or go to withdraw all without any understanding as to what drives us into being ineffective or making life worse not better. If this happens to you, it shows you are normal but perhaps need to invest in becoming mind fit. Here are a few tips to get you started:1. Recognise without conscious effort your mind can be as vulnerable as your body to becoming unfit. 2. Choose one routine activity that you do every day and see if you can pay conscious attention using all your senses as you do it, eg boiling the kettle, having a shower. Take a moment to pause and notice five things you can see, smell or hear.
Health & Wellbeing
47
3. Type “values list” into a search engine and choose the ones that you want to live by. Choose a small action each day that brings one of your values to life. 4. Become more aware of what your mind is up to and notice the patterns your mind bullies you into. E.g. when I have a bad day, my mind tells me I am rubbish, I then feel anxious and run off to find the biscuit tin. 5. Notice when you are listening to unhelpful thoughts and then imagine tugging out your mental iPod as if it were playing music you hate. Alternatively, write the thought on paper lots of times. 6. Keep a gratitude diary. At the end of each day, write down five things that have gone well or for which you are grateful. 6. Treat yourself with compassion. When you feel low or make a mistake, do you treat yourself like a friend and offer yourself support and understanding? Or do you tend to self bully, harsh and critical? 7. Learn more about your mind. Read “The Happiness Trap” or my own book “Shrinking the Smirch”. Watch on YouTube: “The Struggle Switch”, “Passengers On a Bus”; or visit ww.getselfhelp.co.uk Jo Johnson Consultant Clinical Psychologist runs the consultancy “Mind Your Head” in Storrington.
DURRINGTON St
Symphorians Church Hall, New Road Mon 9.30 AM
WORTHING Charmandean Centre
Tues 9.30 AM & 11.30 AM (Forest Road off A27)
FINDON All Saints Church Hall Cissbury Drive Tues 7 PM
WORTHING Emmanuel Church Hall Heene Road Entrance Wed 9.30 AM
Sarah: 01903 218261 / 07769 611034
48 Parish Council News
Findon Parish Council Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10th December 2018. Winter Preparations WSCC Cllr Urquhart reported that the Highways Hub were taking on additional staff and the gritters and grit bins were in place for winter weather. Reference was made to the management and reponsibility advice available to owners of ditches and watercourses. Redundant bus shelter It was reported that the redundant bus shelter on the A24 at North End could be available for relocation. He suggested that possible locations might include Homewood, opposite the Quadrangle, or the Metrobus stop in the village. It was requested that Nightingales be included in the location review. WSCC Cllr Urquhart advised that Clapham & Patching were looking for a bus shelter. A Working Group was proposed to investigate feasibility and report back at a future meeting. Parking in Homewood Following the recent refusal of planning permission by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDPNA) for a dwelling on the parcel of land east of 47 Homewood, it was suggested that this was an opportunity to request Arun DC, as owners of the land, to convert the land to parking spaces to ease the ongoing parking issues. It was felt that up to ten new parking
SUSSEX LOCAL spaces would become available. It was decided to ask ADC to convert the space to parking. Community Infrastructure Levy The SDNPA reported 400 projects had requested in excess of £53m against a pot of £156k. FPC were unsuccessful in bids for that round of funding. It was suggested that a bid for a bothy type structure on Pond Green could be worked up and brought back to FPC on 21 January 2019 for consideration. The closing date for CIL bids was 15 February 2019. Road signs Suggested that FPC approach the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Office directly regarding funding for improved road safety signage for Findon, in particular where children have to cross the A24 at the Church. WSCC Cllr Urquhart clarified that the PCC sets the budget, not the policy, for such initiatives. Cllr Urquhart also advised that signage at the Quadrangle could be dealt with by a straightforward Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for consideration in November 2019, or FPC could pay for the signage in the meantime. Resolved: that the Chairman and the Clerk investigate costs etc if FPC pay for the Quadrangle signage. www.findonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Local News / Business Directory 49
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Findon Valley Residents’ Association (FVRA) Residents’ Surgery - Saturday 2nd February 10am – 12 noon Residents’ Surgery in the library. FVRA 2019 Calendar Thank you to everyone who purchased our calendar. The final amount donated to Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice will be published on our notice boards. Annual Subscriptions 2019 subscriptions, £3 per household or £1.50 for a single person, are now due and can be paid by setting up a Standing Order with your bank or in cash at the Findon Valley Post Office. To aid our small band of street collectors we would ask that you do so prior to the end of March as we print the collection sheets in early April. Payment by Standing Order (SO) If you have already set up a SO please check that the amount is correct and that payment is made prior to March 31st. If you wish to set up a SO please complete your bank details as follows: Name: FVRA Sort Code: 40-47-22 Account Number: 31381768 Reference: Your Post Code followed by House Number or House Name (if no number)
Please ensure you complete the Reference field as requested, this will ensure that we update our membership records correctly Payment at the Findon Valley Post Office Subscriptions can be paid by completing the FVRA payment slip available at the Post Office. Volunteer Collectors Help is needed for more subscription collectors to join our team calling on local residents for their membership payment during early summer. To find out more information please contact Jim Booth, FVRA Membership Secretary, on 07757 703127 or email membership@findonvalley.org. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting of the FVRA will be held on Wednesday the 13th of March at the Vale School commencing at 7:30 pm. Our guest speaker is to be Katy Bourne the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner. All residents are invited to attend to find out the latest information about policing in Sussex and how it will affect us all. Our local MP and councillors have also been invited to attend. www.findonvalley.org
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52 Business Directory Gutters & Fascias
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Offington Therapies
Foot and facial reflexology:
Plastering
Plumbing / Heating
Aid relaxation Ease tension Promote sleep Improve mood Increase energy levels Helps the body self heal
Repair, Restore, Recharge Contact Hannah Ware on
07787 542430
www.offingtontherapies.co.uk
Roofing
Plumbing / Heating.
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