Chichester Local Magazine - January 2020

January 2020

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

SAMARITANS Bringing hope to life HISTORY

Chichester canal towpath

NEWS

Local council & charity

PLUS

WIN!

Wine tasting dinner at Chichester Festival Theatre

GARDENS

Winter garden

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

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January 2020 Welcome...

Cover image Halnaker Mill Christian Lawrence www.clphotos.co.uk

...to the start of a new year and a new decade! We hope 2020 brings us all peace and good health.

Sadly many find January a very difficult time of year. Extra family and financial pressures from Christmas can add to the gloom that often follows the festive period. The Samaritans are there to help and we spotlight this amazing charity which was established in 1953.

Many readers will be thinking of making changes to improve their health this year and Heather Smith gives advice on how to get in shape - for free!

Keeping with the healthy theme, our January recipe of hearty Beetroot soup can help you on your way to your “five-a-day”.

As usual, we have community news from schools, councils and local good causes. If you know of a local community group or a charity that could benefit from promotion in this magazine please email us. There’s no charge to publish details about local charities or not-for-profit organisations.

If you’re thinking of buying a new car this year, a fully electric car is the best choice for 1 in 5 buyers! Read more in our regular motoring feature.

It’s a quiet time of year for gardeners, Andrew Staib encourages planning and quiet contemplation in this month’s gardening article.

Happy New Year!

Kris & Jeff Quote of the month "You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great" - ZIG ZIGLAR 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 news Young Readers Puzzles Local Walks Charity & Community Health & Wellbeing RSPB Pagham Nature Samaritans charity profile Chichester history Prize crossword Recipe WIN! Wine tasting dinner at Chi Festival Theatre In Your Garden Property Business Directory Council news Advertiser Index

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Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237 Pulborough RH20 9AH info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net

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Established in 2007, we publish and hand-deliver seven editions free of charge to over 45,000 homes and businesses every month.

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Business Directory £10 per month per edition. We welcome reader letters and community notices which we publish free of charge.

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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01243 888 342 07508 475 442

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Motoring

Motoring News A Fully Electric Car Is the Best Choice for 1 in 5 Buyers An electric vehicle is the best option for nearly one-infive new car buyers in the UK, according to exclusive research.

The What Car? What Fuel calculator found a whopping 63.8% of new car buyers should opt for a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle as their next car.

Analysis of the daily mileage, driving habits and vehicle requirements for more than 8400 users of the What Fuel? Calculator shows 19.2% of drivers could use a fully electric vehicle (EV) as their daily vehicle without compromising their routine.

Editor Steve Huntingford hopes that the more people learn about the benefits of running and owning an electric car, the faster the technology can reach its full potential.

Volkswagen Delivers 100,000th e-GOLF The model was launched in 2014 as the brand’s second battery electric vehicle and is now one of the most successful electric vehicles in Europe.

The anniversary vehicle was painted in “Pure White” (pictured).

The delivery milestone of 100,000 vehicles is confirmation of the e- 100,000th e-Golf Golf’s success.

Ford wins International Van of the Year award 2020 Ford of Europe scored a unique 1-2 in the International Van of the Year Award 2020 competition. It secured the title with its range of Transit Custom Hybrids, which won comprehensively, scoring 97 points, with its nearest challenger (coincidently from its own stable) the new Ford Transit EcoBlue Hybrid in second place on 54 points.

Bentley turns 100 and plants 100 Trees Bentley Motors is planting 100 native British trees around it’s site in Crewe. As Bentley continues to focus on sustainablility, they feel this is a practical initiative for them to take as well as a fitting way to mark the end of their important centenary year.

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Puzzles

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16 Walks

Local Walks - January

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 Wed 1st

Fri 3rd

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10:30am Black Rabbit L: Dominic 2 hrs 5 miles Easy, flat riverside walk, no stiles.

Meet: Mill Road car park by river in town centre (charge) BN18 9AA 10:30am West Marden L: Jane 2 hrs 30 mins 5 miles A pleasant walk with some hills and stiles. No dogs please.

Meet: West Marden on the corner of Nore Down Way. Nearby postcode PO18 9ES. 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30mins 1 mile A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners.

Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT. 10:30am Tangmere L: Peter B 2 hrs 3 miles Flat walk via Aviation Museum to Tangmere Church. Then around the old airfield.

Meet: Oving park roadside, Church Lane, meet outside church. Nearby postcode PO20 2BT 10:30am Houghton Forest & Bignor Hill L: Alison 2hrs 30mins 6 miles A fairly strenuous walk with two long uphill stretches.

Meet: Whiteways Car Park. BN18 9FD. 10:30am Stoughton Down L: Jane 2hrs 30mins 5½ miles This is not suitable for beginners. It is a hilly walk. No dogs on this walk please.

Meet: Stoughton Down Car Park, nearby postcode PO18 9JQ. 10:30am Whiteways to Bignor Beacons L: Dominic All day 7½ miles HILLY. Bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.

Meet: Whiteways car park on A29. BN18 9FD. 10:30am Eartham Woods Stane Street L: Peter Br 2 hrs 4 mile Meet: Free Forestry Commission car park, ¾ of a mile north of The George PH at Eartham. PO18 0LU. 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30mins 1 mile A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners.

Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT. 10.30am Lord's Piece Pootle L: Charles 1 hr 30 mins 1.3 miles Suitable for pushchairs and off road trampers, but not wheelchairs.

Meet: Lord’s Piece, Coates Lane, Sutton, Chichester, RH20 1PZ. 10:30am Nutbourne to Printsted L: Jane 2 hours 4 mile It can be muddy and uneven. Does have stiles. No dogs on this walk please.

Meet: Entrance to Maybush Copse. Parking is very limited. PO18 8SR. 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30mins 1 mile A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners.

Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT. 10:45am Climping L: Dominic 1 hr 15 mins 2½ miles Along dunes and beach to Climping Mill, then across fields to Ferry Road and Rope Walk.

Meet: Arun Yacht Club Car Park, Rope Walk, Littlehampton, BN17 5DL. 10:30am Fairmile Bottom L: Peter B 2 hrs 30 mins 4½ miles Meet: Park alongside the A29 after the Madehurst turn, close to the green and white "Bridleway" sign.

10:30am Around Itchenor L: Peter 2 hrs 4 miles.

A walk from Itchenor across farmland and along the shoreline path.

Meet: West Itchenor car park PO20 7AE (pay & display).

10:30am Sutton Common L: Peter B 2 hrs 4½ miles Through woodlands and sandy heathland (3 stiles).

Meet: Lord's Piece car park, RH20 1HG.

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Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets Turning Tides, in partnership with Brighton Women’s Centre and Safe in Sussex, have successfully secured a Tampon Tax funding grant. This will help support women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in areas across West Sussex. www.turning-tides.org.uk Aldingbourne Trust WorkAid team won the Employee/ Team of the Year award at Arun Business Partnership Awards on 15th November at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel, The WorkAid team work across West Sussex helping people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum conditions into work. For more details see: www.aldingbournetrust.org/workaid The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children opened two new Bright Spaces for Sussex Police on 21 November. The Bright Spaces are located in two Victim Suites in Sussex police stations. Victims and witnesses across Sussex are now able to give evidence in a safe and secure environment without having to travel a long way or have to face their perpetrators in court.

The Home of Rolls-Royce was recently honoured to become the stage for a fundraising evening for The Sussex Snowdrop Trust. Over 100 guests gathered at the Goodwood site in aid of this Walberton based charity, which provides nursing care at home for children who have a life-threatening or terminal illness, and offers emotional and financial support for their families. www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com CLIC Sargent supports children and young people with cancer. Volunteers are needed to help with events in 2020; they are looking for help with bucket collections taking place across Sussex for World Cancer Day, 1 – 4 February. Also for longer term volunteers to help with collection tins, events and raising awareness in the local community. Please email Rose at rose.bailey@clicsargent.org.uk.

Volunteers are joining Sussex Police to support victims of fraud. 23 volunteers will work with officers to contact local individuals and businesses who have recently reported scams to Action Fraud. They will be offering tailored prevention advice on areas such as telephone/mobile phone scams, identity theft and online hacking. They will also signpost victims to Safe Space Sussex for free access to local support services.

A major new initiative has launched to plant 5,000 trees across the South Downs National Park. Coinciding with National Tree Week in November. “Trees for the Downs” will aim to restore trees that have been lost due to pests and diseases, including Ash Dieback and Dutch Elm Disease. The South Downs National Park Trust, the official charity for the National Park, is now aiming to raise £61,500 to plant the trees. www.southdowns.gov.uk Ditchling Museum, King Edward VII Sanatorium in Easebourne, The Riverside House in Lewes, Nithurst

Farm in Upperton and Easebourne Community Space, near Midhurst all won awards at the South Downs National Park's first Design Awards. These awards recognise outstanding design projects in the first decade of the National Park. www.southdowns.gov.uk Bee Lines campaign which aims to restore flower-rich habitats for pollinators in the South Downs has now raised more than £27,000. The latest fundraising boost has come from Forest Holidays, which gave just over £9,400. Midhurst Rother College pupils also raised funds recently. The campaign is aiming to raise £75,000 to help farmers and other landowners create new wildflower corridors – essentially a “road system” for insects – that will link habitats and encourage pollination. Mark.Rose@southdowns.gov.uk Arrests of children in Sussex have been reduced by 69% in eight years, research published by the Howard League for Penal Reform revealed. Research has shown that each contact a child has with the criminal justice system drags them deeper into it, leading to more crime.

100 solar panels from a Sussex school are looking for a new home. If you know of a good use for them email: hello@ovesco.co.uk and write up to 200 words on how you would use them. The panels will be gifted to a not-for-profit project or if you want to buy the panels for commercial reasons, a donation to the OVESCO Sunny Solar Schools project will be requested. Applications by 31st January.

Charity/community notices to: info@sussexlocal.net

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Charity & Community

Call for rescue centre friends The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre was founded in 1986 to rescue and rehome Cats, Rabbits and Guinea Pigs. They tell us, “We have helped over 25,000 animals and rehome about 1,000 every year. Just a minimum of £3 per month will help feed our 250 hungry residents and contribute towards their veterinary care. Regular donations are so important to us, as they are to all charities, to help us budget and continue to rescue and rehome cats, rabbits and guinea pigs that need our help. Friends receive a copy of our newsletter 3 times a year, which is packed with information, news and stories about the work we do for animals.”

The January Pets of the Month have been living at the Centre since December 2018 when they were born there. These siblings can be quite shy at first but they are both very inquisitive and love to play. All these two know is life at the Centre and the team would love to finally get them out and into a forever home together. They would prefer a quite home with no children or older children but they could live with other cats. info@crrc.co.uk 01243 641409. www.crrc.co.uk

Iron Age warrior at the Novium The secrets of an Iron Age warrior — who may have fought alongside King Commius during Julius Caesar’s wars with the Gauls — will finally be told through a major exhibition at The Novium Museum, Chichester. The ‘Mystery Warrior’ was discovered 12 years ago in the most elaborately equipped warrior grave ever found in England and was thought to have been a real-life Asterix resistance fighter. The ‘Mystery Warrior: The North Bersted Man’ exhibition will open on 25 January. This will be the first time that this extraordinary warrior and his burial possessions will be on public display. www.thenovium.org.

Chichester Cathedral news Chichester Cathedral has a choice of stunning venues in the historic Cathedral Close for holding wedding receptions.

There will be an ‘open house’ style Wedding Reception Showcase on Sunday 26th January 2020 from 11am – 3pm offering a chance to explore the options available. These include the beautifully restored former archdeaconry at 4 Canon Lane, an adaptable venue suitable for small wedding breakfasts with access to a peaceful walled garden via a pretty conservatory. There is the medieval Vicars' Hall, a beautiful banqueting hall ideal for larger receptions, with private dining for 60 – 100 guests.

The Eastern Arm of the Cathedral Cloisters is also perfect for an intimate drinks reception, full of character and ambience.

Meanwhile The Friends of Chichester Cathedral have marked the start of their 9th decade by launching The Corporate Friends – a new membership category especially for the local business and commercial community.

The Cathedral is central to the wider community in Chichester, primarily, of course, as a centre for Christian worship. However it is also a major feature in the Chichester landscape, attracting many visitors and enterprises to the city and surrounding region each year from which the local business and commercial community derives considerable benefits. Membership of the Corporate Friends provides businesses and enterprises with the opportunity to support the Cathedral and to ensure that it continues to thrive and serve the local community. Subscription costs £100 per year and, in addition to contributing to the funding of the Cathedral, Corporate Friends will enjoy full Friends membership benefits as well as an annual invitation to a Corporate Friends Reception. www.chichestercathedralfriends.selz.com email: friends@chichestercathedral.org.uk

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Charity Prom a great success

On Wednesday 11th December the Aldingbourne Trust hosted a Winter Wonderland Prom night at the Royal British Legion club in Lucknow Street Portsmouth. The Winter Wonderland theme was chosen to make it a socially inclusive event, so that people of all backgrounds and beliefs would feel welcome to come and have fun together. The night was attended by over 130 people, which included the people the Trust support, adults with learning disabilities and/or autism throughout the South coast and their families and friends.

Sarah and her team were overwhelmed by the support they have received from local businesses and the local community in putting together this event.

The Royal British Legion Club supplied the venue for the evening, and local businesses including: Tepee Emporium who donated a flower wall, Victory Events for the balloon arches, Holly Walker and Luarla Events donated chair covers and bows. Along with the decorations made by the team at MAKE the venue looked like a winter wonderland.

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Rolls Royce host charity evening

The Home of Rolls-Royce was recently honoured to become the stage for a fundraising evening for Walberton-based children’s charity The Sussex Snowdrop Trust. Over 100 invited guests gathered at the Goodwood-based Global Centre of Manufacturing Excellence in aid of this unique charity which provides nursing care at home for children who have a lifethreatening or terminal illness, and offers emotional and financial support for their families.

During the evening, guests had the opportunity to take a glimpse into the future of luxury - the marque’s revolutionary Vision Vehicle, 103EX - which has recently returned home to Rolls-Royce after touring the globe for almost four years.

The highlight of the evening, however, was an opportunity to enter the Rolls-Royce Studio, an area normally reserved for discerning patrons of the marque. Guests were treated to the dramatic unveiling of a unique, Bespoke Rolls-Royce Cullinan. www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com

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Health & Wellbeing

Free ways to get in shape in January

By Heather Smith

So much about getting healthy seems to be expensive, but actually, there are plenty of things you can do which will improve your health hugely which don’t cost a penny.

Changes to our lifestyle and environment are often overlooked, but are actually some of the most powerful things we can do to improve our health and energy levels, and to cut some body fat.

The first has to be sleep If you sleep well, you feel good, and you’ll find it easier to make good food choices. People who don’t sleep enough eat an average of 20% more calories than people who do sleep well.

Pay attention to your nightly routine as a first step to improving your sleep. Turn screens off at least an hour before bed, have a soak in the bath and read a book!

Next, is daylight Morning daylight boosts your serotonin, which is the wake-up hormone which helps you feel happy, and hopefully has a knock-on effect on the choices you make for the rest of the day!

Whatever the weather, you’ll get a boost in serotonin if you get at least 30 minutes of daylight before noon.

This will have a positive effect on your sleep too.

Down-time Stress is a big deal.

Lose the guilt and start prioritising time for yourself.

Meditating, walking and reading are all great options.

The ultimate free – fasting!

Going for periods during the day when you’re not eating is the ultimate time-saving freebie! A great entry level to fasting is simply waiting to eat breakfast until you’re hungry, having lunch when you’re hungry, then eating dinner as early as possible. This should give you at least 12 hours without food overnight.

Or, you could take a more planned approach. You could skip breakfast altogether and not eat until lunchtime to give a longer fast, but a better option is to eat your calories at breakfast and lunch, then skip dinner altogether. This is more difficult for most of us to achieve, but remember that fasting doesn’t have to be something you do every single day.

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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Nature

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Winter sights & sounds of Pagham Harbour & Medmerry By Roy Newnham, Visitor Experience Officer, RSPB the winter they have grey-brown backs, grey breasts and white underparts. They fly in compact formation, showing white and grey alternately as they bank and turn. Both these waders typically breed in the uplands with resident populations bolstered in winter from birds from the continent.

Tawny owl - Ben Andrew

Most of us associate birds courting and breeding with spring. However, the tawny owl starts in winter and explains why you are more likely to hear them at this time of year. In autumn young birds are chased off by their parents and seek to set up their own territories, while the parents set about re-establishing their breeding territory. Their calls penetrate the darkness and can be heard through to late winter. This is the ‘twit-twoo’ call we learn as children, but it is actually two owls communicating, rather than one. The male proclaims his presence and courts the females with a more accurate ’hooo-hoo-hooo’. The female provides the ‘kee-wick’ part of the duet. Typically, she will use a tree cavity to raise her family but is happy to use nest boxes, with the first eggs being laid in February.

With this in mind, our owl box and nest-cam has already been serviced. Last year we had fantastic views of her and her chicks, following their progress right the way through from egg laying to when the youngsters left their home. Hopefully this year will be just as successful.

Meanwhile, our waders and wildfowl, continue to feed and shelter on our reserves as we hit mid-winter. It is worth scanning the Ferry Field and Pool edges a more closely. Sneaky snipe can sometimes be picked out.

These are masters of camouflage, disappearing into the surrounding vegetation with the ease of ninja. Snipe have short legs, long straight bills, mottled brown Snipe - Andy Hay upperparts with pale buff stripes on the back, a dark streaky chest and pale underparts.

Vast flocks of dunlin can be seen feeding out on the harbour’s mudflats. They are small waders with black legs and slightly down-curved bills which they use to probe the mud for molluscs and crustaceans. During

Dunlin - Andy Hay

Another bird attracted to our coasts in winter is the Dartford warbler. This is a small skulking bird of thick cover but will occasionally venture into the open and the top of low bushes. It has a conspicuous red eyering, dark gey-brown back, grey domed head, reddish underparts and a distinctly long tail which it often cocks while perched. Scan the gorse bushes on our Medmerry reserve for the best chance of a sighting.

In the past I have written about the decline of our wildlife (most recently ‘The State Of Nature Report’ in November’s article), and the importance of surveys. Now it is your chance to help. January 25th – 27th is the Dartford warbler - Chris Gomersall return of Big Garden Birdwatch weekend. Being an annual survey, it allows us to monitor trends, understand how birds are doing and plan conservation, and your results really do help. All you need is a pen, paper, an hour and a comfy seat. Cup of tea and biscuit are optional! For full details on how to take part and identification tips, check out our website, where you will also find a handy online counter or pick up a leaflet from our Visitor Centre on the B2145, south of Chichester.

Alternatively, why not join one or more of our beach cleans. Our first of 2020 is on Saturday 4th January at 11.30am followed by Sunday 2nd February at 10.30am. Both start at Church Norton car park, Rectory Lane, West Sussex, PO20 9DT. 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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Charity Profile

Worthing Samaritans Bringing hope to life

By Lynn Smith For fifty years Worthing Samaritans has been offering people a safe place to talk, at any time, in their own way and about whatever is bothering them. From its current location in Lennox Road the Worthing branch is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week – providing emotional support to anyone who needs to talk to someone anonymously, regardless of age.

Set up nationally in 1953, the Samaritans began opening branches throughout the United Kingdom and in 1969 Worthing and District Samaritans opened in rooms in Rivoli Buildings, Chapel Road. The President was Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk and in that first year 175 people called the branch. The Lennox Road centre opened in 1976 and demand for services has grown year on year. In 1982, calls to the branch topped 10,000 for the first time, the increase in demand being attributed, at least in part, to recession and high unemployment. The Worthing Samaritans branch celebrated its silver anniversary in 1994 and the following year it received over 14,000 calls and was recognised by the Mayor in Worthing’s New Year’s Honours. In 2008 the branch began supporting the Samaritans Prison Listening Scheme in HMP Ford. In the branch’s fortieth year it began supporting callers via text messaging.

In 2010 a new sort of Outreach began, when the branch began working with staff at a local school, delivering Emotional Awareness sessions to around 350 senior pupils, and the following year it began working more closely with GP surgeries, to encourage GP referrals to Samaritans. Free calls were launched in 2015, also the year the branch joined Twitter. Significantly 2015 was the year that the Worthing branch became an affiliated branch of the Samaritans, a charity in its own right, rather than operating entirely under the central office umbrella.

Last year saw the branch celebrating its 50th anniversary with a number of events being held throughout the year, including a visit from HRH Duchess of Kent

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Charity Profile

who unveiled a commemorative plaque and met volunteers. Director Liz Riach tells me that during the month of February last year, Worthing Samaritans answered 1,703 calls, spending 347 hours on these calls, compared to the 175 calls taken in the very first year.

Changing Times There have been tremendous changes in the way we live our lives over the last fifty years, particularly so in the area of technological changes and with the birth of social media. This made me wonder whether there have been significant changes in the types of issues people are presenting, compared to those issues seen in the early days. Liz Riach tells me that, “The need for emotional support for our callers is no different now than it was fifty years ago but day to day life has changed, especially with developments in technology.

Worthing Samaritans continue to support our callers as we did in 1969 offering a non-judgmental, confidential service.”

But Liz also says that, the “Samaritans Central Office is currently developing new methods for callers to contact us, such as Instant Messaging and the use of a “Listening App.” Keeping the Helpline open Worthing Samaritans is funded purely by donations.

Donating even a small amount every month can have an impact on the charity’s ability to answer more lifesaving calls – for instance, £5 per month could cover the cost of one call for help every month. For every £1 donated, 85p goes on services and 15p is invested in raising the next £1.

Additionally, Liz tells me, Worthing Samaritans is very fortunate to have a Charity Shop in Strand Parade, Durrington. “The income from the shop, raised by the tireless efforts of the Shop staff and volunteers, funds the costs of the Lennox Road building allowing us to continue to offer our service to the Community.” The branch also receives donations from various Outreach events. Liz Riach also says the charity receives a great deal of support from local people. “We promote awareness of Samaritans locally by giving talks at

businesses, schools and other organisations. The support we have was really apparent at the Worthing Pride Parade last year, which was a fantastic event.”

Providing a lifeline Statistics on the charity’s website reveal that every six seconds someone contacts the Samaritans, and that answering a single call costs £5.

A team of trained volunteers is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2017 there were 6,213 suicides in the UK and Republic of Ireland, tragically every single day around sixteen people decide to end their own lives across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In the UK, men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women. Liz Riach says that there is, “A continuing need to ensure we have enough volunteers to provide our service; also we ensure we are able to cover the costs of operating the service from Lennox Road.”

More than 5 million calls for help nationwide Every six seconds Samaritans respond to a call for help. There is always a need for more volunteers and the Samaritans offer thorough and in-depth training, preparing volunteers for the different types of conversations they will have, providing them with new skills

through the door and the confidence to use them, including the ability to understand people and manage difficult conversations. There is no requirement for volunteers to be from a certain walk of life or to have been through a particular life experience; key attributes are to be over 18, to have a desire to help others and to be tolerant, non-judgmental and open-minded, and to be a good listener – to be able to listen without telling people what to do.

There are many ways to volunteer for the Samaritans, listening volunteers help answer calls and messages from people who need support, but other volunteers are also required to provide support with marketing, fundraising or by helping out in the shop. There are volunteer roles to suit a range of skills and available time. Anyone who has a few hours to spare a week may apply via the website or via the Recruitment line, details of which can be found on the website.

“The fact that somebody understood, did not criticise, did not palm me off, did not judge or advise... gave me back my confidence in me as a person.”

Samaritans caller.

Anyone can call the Samaritans and talk about whatever it is that is getting to them – you don’t have to be suicidal to ask for their help. Only around one in five calls are from people who are feeling suicidal, people call with all kinds of problems – depression, loneliness, stressful home or work situations, financial worries or abuse. Samaritans allow people to talk about

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their issues and talk them through with a supportive, empathetic and respectful listener. The Samaritans is an entirely confidential service.

Contact: Samaritans Worthing, 2 Lennox Road, Worthing, BN11 1DA Tel – 01903 205 555 Freephone – 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org Twitter: @worthingSamswww.Samaritans.org

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History

Walk along the Chichester Canal towpath By local historian Andrew Berriman Out with the old year, in with the new. Or maybe not, as I still have unfinished business from last year with the Chichester Canal. After all, there are very few canals in West Sussex where a troop of circus elephants regularly used to be taken down to the Canal Basin to have a good drink, soak and scrub. Photographs taken in 1895 and 1903 provide the proof of this. And what about that boxing match between Ned Neal and Whiteheaded Bob, in July 1828? In the publicity poster the fight, called a ‘setting to’, was held in the Richmond Arms, at the head of the Canal Basin.

Suspiciously, the fight took place twice that day, at both 2pm and 7pm. Was it ‘fixed’?

Poyntz Bridge, 1820

and was the bridge from where Turner painted his view of the canal, back in 1828. It was moved to this site at Padwick Bridge (which had been melted down for armaments during World War Two), alongside the High School field, in 1988.

Just as there were seven swing bridges from the Basin to Birdham, so were there too on the nine miles of the canal from Hunston to the River Arun at Ford, plus eighteen brick-arched fixed bridges. That part of the canal is well worth exploring. From Hunston to North Mundham on the B2166, the water-filled ditch on your left is the old canal.

Poyntz swing bridge, Kingsham

My article this month will celebrate the canal as a superb piece of industrial archaeology, a real asset to the local landscape. A walk along the canal is lifeenhancing and peaceful. As you walk the 1.5miles from the Canal Basin south to Hunston you pass the sites of seven swing bridges, which permitted the passage of masted vessels, and allowed farmers to access their fields across the canal. They are named after the canal’s original shareholders: Padwick, Poyntz, Crosbie, Dudley, Cutfield, Casher, Egremont. If you’re a resident of Donnington and live in Crosbie Close, or Cutfield Close, or Poyntz Close, you’ll know why each road was so named.

If you walk 200 yards south from the Basin, however, you may be a little confused by the location at South Bank of the single span, cast iron, Poyntz swing bridge. It is a magnificent structure, weighing four tonnes, and made of cast iron with a wooden deck. It is so well balanced that it can still be pushed out smoothly across the canal by hand. It rests on a turntable; the original ball bearings were 24 cannon balls.

The bridge still proudly bears the name of its construction firm, Tickell of Southampton, and is dated 1820. This bridge was originally at Hunston Junction,

St Giles bridge, looking from NW

St Giles bridge, eastern parapet, from NE

History

through the door Further on, ‘in some corner of a foreign field’, inaccessible on private land, is the brick arched St Giles Bridge, superbly restored by Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society members in 2005/08. It was probably an accommodation bridge, providing farm access to fields on the other side of the newly built canal.

swung. Four inch cast iron ball bearings sat in the circular groove. In 2002 the abutment walls were dug out, and are now visible, free of vegetation. As you approach Yapton you can marvel at the beguiling beauty of Tack Lee Bridge, spanning the dry canal bed. Leave the bridge and walk along The Pines in what was once the actual canal bed. Finally turn left into Canal Road (another clue) and reach Yapton village centre. the children’s playground on the playing field was the site of the canal winding hole, where canal boats could be turned round in the enlarged space. Go on, see if you can search out these canal artefacts this winter. Each one of them is so special, so restorative, so evocative of the land we have lost.

Well…they are for me.

Park Lane bridge, Merston

But just to the east of this bridge, down a public footpath from Merston village duckpond, you can view a small fragment of the Park Lane bridge brick arch, about five feet high. At Colworth, after crossing the busy A259, you will come across No. 1 Bridge Cottages, which is a helpful clue as to the canal’s former location. Best of all, though is the towpath walk from Church Farm, Barnham, to Yapton.

Tack Lee bridge, Yapton

Hollinsworth bridge stone pivot

Park opposite Barnham Church, and visit Stewart and Hollinsworth swing bridges, both with intact pivot stones with bearing rings on which the bridges

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Hollinsworth bridge signage 1820

32 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a ÂŁ25 voucher for The Seal

Chichester January 2020 November 2019 solution below:

Winner: Mark Elliot 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 5 Local drug dealer (8) 8 "Rule Britannia" composer (4) 9 Orcas (6,6) 10 Top doctor? (12) 13 Started a rumpus (6,1,5) 16 Actor saw jet stream in a turbulent state (5,7) 19 Israeli arms (4) 20 Prelude to a strongly held opinion (1,4,3)

Down 1 Gets emotional (6,2) 2 Provide space in the day (4,4) 3 Sightsee in the Serengeti (6) 4 Little sister of Charlotte and Emily (4) 6 Saint's body part (5) 7 Swerve off course (3) 11 Extract with care (5,3) 12 Papeete resident (8) 14 Low-quality (6) 15 Ill-chosen (5) 17 Wood-shaping tool (4) 18 Snow runner (3)

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 Jan 2020.

Win a ÂŁ25 meal voucher to use at

The Seal Bar & Restaurant

www.the-seal.com

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Legal 33

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Planning and preparation

By Lucy Thomas With a new year, what better time, than to turn our attention to how we plan and prepare for looking after our loved ones if anything untoward happens to us.

Here at legalmatters, we spend our lives advising our clients as to how best to protect their family and assets and how to preserve assets from the reach of unintended recipients – such as the tax office and a divorce or bankruptcy court.

Whilst making or reviewing a Will or considering Lasting Powers of Attorney may not be the top of your ‘To do list’ after the festive period, it is nonetheless important. We offer friendly, approachable, fixed fee and pragmatic advice to ensure that your plans and preparations go smoothly, when the time comes.

Let us guide you through the process and help you prepare and plan for when the unexpected occurs or

for a time when you are no longer here to nurture and care for your loved ones.

Here at legalmatters, we can ensure that your nearest and dearest are the recipients of your generosity as opposed to the tax office!

If you need help to administer an estate professionally and without undue delay, please call one of our experts at legalmatters.

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

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Recipe

Beetroot Soup A hearty winter soup Ingredients (Serves 4 - 6) • 450g raw beetroot • 25g butter or 2 tbsp oil • 2 large red onions, roughly chopped • 2 sticks celery, chopped • at least 600ml good chicken stock • salt and black pepper • little freshly grated nutmeg • 3-4 tbsp thick cream, soured cream / Greek yoghurt • Little dill to sprinkle on

Method 1. Trim any leaves off the beetroot but do not cut the ends before cooking as all the colour will leach out during cooking. Place in a pan of boiling water and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until just tender. Drain and rinse in cold water and peel when sufficiently cool.

2. Meanwhile heat the butter in a large pan and cook the onions and celery gently until very soft. Add the peeled beetroot, chopped, the stock and seasoning to taste. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the beetroot is tender enough to puree.

3. Liquidise all the ingredients together with some of the liquid and then sieve back into the pan if you

want a really smooth texture. Add the remaining stock to give the preferred thickness and reheat gently.

Season to taste and serve with a swirl of cream and hot fresh bread.

This hearty winter soup can be left thick and chunky if you wish or smooth and creamy. Good hot or cold and served with chunks of rye bread.

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

Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

Competition

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Hennings English wine tasting dinner Part of the Taste season to serving freshly produced food and drink wherever possible from local and regional suppliers.

This event is part of Taste season - a selection of delicious dinners, entertaining evenings and gintastic get-togethers.

We have a pair of tickets for Hennings English wine tasting dinner at Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester on 28th March at 7:30pm.

For more info visit www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/ hennings-english-wine-dinner

Win a Hennings English wine tasting dinner for two Join Caper & Berry to celebrate English wine with local wine merchants, Hennings Wines. You will enjoy the best local, seasonal produce across a fourcourse menu, accompanied with four glasses of outstanding English wines with experts on hand to guide you. Taking place at Chichester Festival Theatre with views across Oaklands Park, it’s the ideal place to relax.

Caper and Berry have provided catering for Chichester Festival Theatre since 2014. They are dedicated

To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: Which country is being showcased at this event? a) France b) Spain c) England Send your answer and contact details to: Hennings English wine tasting dinner Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st January 2020. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

36

Gardening

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks

by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens January Resolutions- to enjoy impermanence On a Saturday morning, when you look out of your window, does your garden invite you in or does it look wild, cold and without interest?

There is a trend to want our gardens to be like our new kitchens. Spotless, shining and minimal, with plastic decking and AstroTurf that will last not just for our lifetimes but for hundreds of thousands of years hygienic immortality.

But there are other ways to look at nature in January.

The frosts, snow and rains wreak havoc over the land and the perennials, with millions of years of experience, have scuttled their energy below ground to hibernate. The ghosts of our ancestors sow and repair and pray that they will survive.

The remaining stalks, seedheads and saggy stems are slowly becoming next year’s rich soil. In amongst this decaying fabric there are still many signs of life: bird prints, insect cocoons, spider webs lit up with dew and the profound smell of rotting leaves.

It is also possible to have a vibrant and colourful garden in this month, which will entice you outside.

Armed only with a camping chair, hot-water bottle, blanket and a flask we can soak up the end of beauty and the beauty in the middle of nature’s ruination.

A garden can be full of colourful berries and brightly stemmed shrubs, the bark of selected winter trees, interesting structures like internal hedges and topiary plus colourful evergreens peppered amongst winter branches.

A January garden can be a thing of great beauty, with both death and life intertwined.

As the cold and the lack of sunlight have denuded the garden and the rich juice of Summer has retreated into roots and trunks and bulbs, the bare bones of a garden can give a deep sense of artistry and peace.

We accept that things die, the twilights of winter remind us that all things come to an end, and yet life is powerful and patient. Even in January, often the coldest month of the year, we can sniff the stirrings of new beginnings. And while we are busy vowing never to overeat or drink again, the lean times of Winter can offer us something essential - a monochrome impartial beauty where things are not set up to entertain us or sell us something.

A Good Structure A garden no matter how small needs to have a well-

proportioned and interesting structure from which Spring and Summer can burst out of. As a designer I know that if the structure I have created looks good in Winter nothing much can go wrong with the infilling of plants later on. That’s why garden designers put most of their energy into making sure the layout works first before anything else.

through the door A good structure can be created by many elements.

Internal hedges can paradoxically make the garden feel bigger by separating areas and making smaller ‘rooms’ in which a person needs to wander and explore from space to space.

Good hedging that looks good in winter are Beech, Yew, Holly and Portuguese Laurel (please avoid Cherry Laurel. There is enough of it already in the world plus the bright green, plastic-looking leaves can almost deny that Winter is here, which I think is a shame.)

Topiary Topiary doesn’t have to be just Box balls and squirrel shaped shrubs. You can ‘cloud’ prune all manner of hedges and shrubs into interesting pyramids, clouds, saucers, columns and blobs, which can create a strong presence in Winter, especially if you have a few of them well balanced in different areas.

Also you can choose plants that have a sculptural appearance. Imagine lots of the conifer Prunus mugo Carsten’s Wintergold placed throughout the beds.

Pots and Sculpture Once the flower show is done, ornamental pots and sculpture come into their own in Winter and they are no longer having to compete with the effulgence of nature. If you place them in focal point locations they will lift your garden to a different level. If at all possible, go Big with them. Even in a small garden they will get lost and look twee if too small and cheap-looking.

Gardening

37

Small evergreen plants As well as the obvious Winter shrubs and trees that don’t lose their leaves think about combinations of a few plants dotted around together.

Some examples of perennials with striking Winter foliage are: Cotton Lavender, Stacys bizantia, Rosemary, Bergen delavayi with its fat purple leaves, Hebes, Liriop miscarry and Tiarella Spring Symphony.

Seedheads Seedheads are very popular today. They are good for wildlife and look great in Winter sunsets or in the morning covered in frost.

Some examples are: Rudbekia laciniata, Sedums, Monada, Verbenba bonsariensis, Veronicastum virginicum and Phlomis plus the great, slightly goofy, flower heads of Hydrangeas.

Colourful deciduous plants Shrubs and trees with interesting colours and textures are: Acer griseuk, Acer negundo ‘Winter Lightening’, Betula Grayswood Ghost, the twisted branches of Corylus contort, any of the Cornus especially Midwinter Fire, dwarf Willows like ‘Nana’ plus Rubus cockburnianus (this name sends giggles into any horticultural class as you can imagine).

Grasses Half the value of having ornamental grasses in your garden is that during Winter they go a hay/bronze

38

Gardening

colour and still move wonderfully in the wind. Grasses that really retain their shape are Calimagrostis Karl Foerster, Panicum Heavy Metal and any of the Miscanthus varieties.

Berries Pyracantha, Catoneaster and Berberis all keep their berries way into Winter and are great cheap birdfeeds.

Fruit and Flowers Some trees and shrubs have learnt to come on stage when for most the show is over.

Malus Red Sentinal keeps its bright red fruit on its branches almost the whole way through Winter. Mahonia Lionel Fortescue has lovely fragrant yellow flowers, plus other flowering plants make their appearance. Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’, Helleborous, some of the Clematis, Winter Jasmine, Winter Heather and of course Snowdrops.

Water Having water in the garden can be a really wonderful luxury but in Winter it becomes essential. It reflects the ethereal sky and emphasises the stillness of Winter. So after a day Xmas shopping and having retreated yourself from steaming at the queues, the worries that you have forgotten something and the extra mince pie you know you shouldn’t have eaten, let your Winter garden help you pare down to what is most important and beautiful in life.

Where to visit I was struck recently by a visit to West Dean near Lavant, West Sussex. It has some wonderful Winter structure with flowing hedges, smart rows of Victorian greenhouses, cloud pruned Yew trees plus classical pergolas and a pool. Also there are lots of trained fruit in different shapes and Winter is the perfect time to see how they have been pruned and how the structure of the branches has been created. Well worth a trip this month.

January tasks • Time to prune your roses.

• All the shoots from last year’s Wysteria growth can be pruned back to two buds from the flowering spur, apart from any runners that you want to direct into a framework.

• Apple and pear trees need reducing depending on their age.

• You can begin to force Rhubarb now.

• Greenhouses and sheds can be cleaned and sorted out.

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39

40

Property

Energy performance certificates (EPCs)

By Chris Ennis FRICS We have all seen them, multi coloured slips on new electric appliances, and on estate agents’ sales particulars. An EPC is a review of a property’s energy ‘rating’ used to determine energy consumption and it is a useful tool enabling home owners to improve the efficiency and running costs of their home. We must surely all be mindful of climate change and ‘green issues’ and I would urge you all to study the EPC to help save both the planet, and some cash.

The EPC is shown on a colour and numeric coded scale from A (<100) to G (1>), ‘A’ being the most efficient with the cheapest fuel bills. The EPC on any property which has changed hands in the last few years is available to inspect online at the EPC register and once issued will be valid for 10 years. All properties should have an EPC when either sold, or let.

Rented property should have an EPC of ‘E’ or above, or the landlord could face a substantial fine.

The EPC shows the effect on energy consumption of making environmental changes at the property…

maybe changing to low energy lighting, changing the water boiler, upgrading window systems or providing photovoltaic /passive energy systems.

The EPC document is, of course, the product of a computer program which is currently programmed to the standard assessment procedure 12 (SAP 12) guidelines. These guidelines will soon be revised to a new standard of SAP 10 in which, amongst other things brings ‘rating equity’ between both gas and electricity where previously disparity had existed.

This alteration will encourage the use of more electric central heating systems and other green energy measures to facilitate the government aim of phasing out gas fired boilers and hobs in new property from 2025. This may affect some property values.

Fortunately, the newest generation of electric heaters are attractive, efficient, easy and cheap to install, and easy to control with in-built timers and thermostats.

Having installed and used the newest electric heaters I can speak highly of them. Don’t worry, you won’t freeze in 2026!

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

Council News / Business Directory 41

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Chichester City Council Edited extracts from the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday 6th November 2019.

Planning applications BI/19/01396/FUL - Houseboat Living The Dream, Berth No.1, Chichester Marina, Birdham, PO20 7EJ During the discussion members sought clarification regarding the size of the proposed houseboat, whether it would present any issues with through navigation and the suggested conditions received from Chichester Harbour Conservancy (CHC). It was confirmed that the dimensions of the proposed houseboat were acceptable, and there are no proposals to develop the Canal further and therefor through-navigation would not present any issues. Agreed to permit the application.

BI/19/01408/FUL - Harbour House, 22 Greenacres, Birdham, PO20 7HL During the discussion members sought clarification regarding whether the north facing glazing would have any impact on navigation and how the blinds for the rooflights would be operated. It was noted CHC had not made any comments in relation to impact on navigation of the glazing and drew the Committee’s attention to a condition which required rooflights to have automatic ‘dusk till dawn’ blinds, to be retained and maintained to an operational manner, and that the wording could be adjusted to include storm shut-

Blinds & Shutters

ters.

Members sought further clarification regarding the potential request to use recycled building materials. It was confirmed that this Chichester Council House could be explored with the applicant and added as an informative. The Council agreed to permit the application.

CC/19/00666/DOM - 125 Cedar Drive, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 3EL Members sought clarification regarding whether any of the work could be carried out under permitted development, conditions regarding obscured glass, issues of the development overlooking neighbouring properties, screening with vegetation and potential Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). With regards to the trees and their protection by TPO, this would only be possible where it was considered to be in the wider public interest and not private interests, and further explained that of the four vertical windows, the two outer panes would be required to be obscured as included in the conditions, which would provide light to, and outlook from, the room but limit the overlooking of neighbouring amenities. The Council agreed to permit the application. www.chichester.gov.uk

Building Design

Carpentry / Building

Cleaning

42

Business Directory Clearance

Groundworks

Logs cont.

Lawn Mowers

Hairdresser

Locksmith

Painting & Decorating

Computer Services

Logs/Fuel

Counselling

Pest Control

Driving Lessons

Plastering

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Business Directory & Advertiser Index 43 Tree Surgeons cont.

Removals

Tuition Roofing / Chimneys

Shoes

Tree Surgeon

Building and Construction Stonehurst Properties Ltd Car Dealership Hendy Ford Chichester Carpenters & Builders Maciver Carpentry & Building Services Charity Ellie's Friends Cleaning Astonish Cleaning Services Clubs and Societies South Downs Society The Arts Society Boxgrove

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Computer Services Bruised Apple Ltd Couriers Door to Door Couriers Courses Wessex School of Philosophy Dentures Bosham Dental Laboratory Ltd Domestic Appliances Carters Domestic Appliances Elderly Care Walberton Place Electricians Danny H Electrician Energy & Electrical Frost Electrical Events Chichester Singers Footwear Charles Clinkard Furniture CFS Furniture Garage Doors The Doors Group Limited Garden Design Glorious Gardens Groundworks Cathedral Landscapes Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd Hotel/Restaurant The Royal Oak Kitchen Doors Dream Doors Nursery Little Harriers Limited Optician North Opticians & Eyewear Pest Control Temppest Enviromental Services Pet Services The Meadows Pet Crematorium Photography CL Photos Pilates Precision Poise Podiatry Gaitway Podiatry Parfitt Podiatry Property Letting Mick Rumsby Letting Property Maintenance That's Handy Harry 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 Windows Doors Conservatories Barnham Windows & Conservatories Britannia Windows Unbeatable Conservatories Ltd

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34 6 10 26 12 36 37 36 8 27

15 23 18 21 15 23 23 22 15 38 9 33 40 33 29 19 2 17