March 2020
Barnham - Aldingbourne - Eastergate - Oving - Tangmere - Westergate Local news and events through the door to 5,400 homes in this area every month
GIG BUDDIES
Concert befriending scheme WHAT’S ON March listings
GARDENS Arundel Castle
WIN TICKETS!
John Illsley - ‘The Life & Times of Dire Straits’ T. Rextasy (T.Rex tribute)
NEWS
Council, charity & schools
PLUS
Recipe, Prize Crossword, Young Readers’ Puzzles, Property, Health, Local Walks, Local Groups & Charity, Business Directory
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March 2020 Cover image March Hare courtesy of Wendy Ellison
Welcome... To March, we are a third of the way through the year and Spring is nearly here with warmer weather to look forward to. Keep our March What’s on guide to hand for lots of events and activities for all the family. Our charity profile this month spotlights Gig Buddies, a befriending scheme for adults with learning disabilities and autism. Pairing up music enthusiasts who may not be able to attend concerts on their own with “buddies” who share similar musical tastes means a great night out for both parties. Andrew Staib visits the ’fairy tale’ gardens at Arundel Castle and takes tea with the head gardener. Plus the usual monthly tasks in our regular gardening feature. You can win tickets to see Dire Straits longtime bass player, John Illsley in 'The life and times of Dire Straits'. A fascinating eyeopener with some wonderful music thrown in. We also have tickets to see T.Rex tribute T.Rextasy. Hailed as; “The best live tribute band in the UK” (BBC1) - if you want to know exactly what a Marc Bolan concert was like in the 1970s, this show is for you! Our “Property Doc” looks at the invasive Japanese knotweed and the damage it can wreak on property. We also have a special education feature. If you’re considering a private school for your child, read our article from The Good Schools Guide. Finally, don’t forget to get in touch with any news or community items for publication. Until next month,
Kris & Jeff
Quote of the month "Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there." - WILL ROGERS 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 WIN! Tickets "Life and Times of Dire Straits" WIN! Tickets to T Rextasy Schools news Education feature by The Good Schools Guide Young Readers Puzzles Local walks Charity & Community News In Your Garden - Arundel Castle gardens Property Doctor - Japanese knotweed Gig Buddies Charity Feature Motoring news Prize Crossword Recipe Health & Wellbeing Parish Council news Local business directory Advertiser Index
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What’s On
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Competitions
John Illsley 'The life and times of Dire Straits' An evening of memories and music
John Illsley first took his show on the road last year. It played across nationwide venues, even taking in Glastonbury festival, and proved such a rip-roaring success that he’s doing it all again this Spring. Joined by old friend and Dire Straits co-manager Paul Cummins who will be quizzing him on times past, John will also be playing many Dire Straits’ classics together with three members of his band. Of course John Illsley is well placed to talk about life on the road and what it means to be in a band. He knows all about it, from humble beginnings to international travel, hectic schedules, massive arenas and exotic places to record. A founder member and long-time bass player of Dire Straits, John Illsley was a major part of one of the
biggest bands of all time. They sold well over 100 million albums, spent 1,100 weeks on the UK album charts alone. The show is a fascinating eye-opener with some wonderful music thrown in - an utterly entertaining and unique night out. We have a pair of tickets available to see John Illsley at Regis Centre, Bognor Regis on 25th March 2020 at 7.30pm. www.alexandratheatre.co.uk
Win a pair of tickets to see John Illsley To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: How many weeks did Dire Strait spend in the UK album charts? a) 1,000 b) 1,100 c) 1,500 Send your answer and contact details to: John Illsley Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 19th March 2020. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.
T.Rextasy greatest hits tour “The best live tribute band in the UK” - BBC1 The band has been described by many as ‘beyond the boundaries of tribute’. Truly a rock’n’roll concert for all ages – If you would like to know exactly what a Marc Bolan concert was like in the 1970s, this show is for you! T.Rextasy – awarded the accolade of ‘The best live tribute band in the UK ’ by BBC 1 tv. We have a pair of tickets available to see T.Rextasy at Regis Centre, Bognor Regis on 16th April 2020 at 7.30pm. www.alexandratheatre.co.uk Marc Bolan, with his band T.Rex, was one of the most flamboyant and charismatic stars of the original glam rock era. With Bolan’s special ingredient of Rock-aBoogie songs, the band had a string of huge hits throughout the 1970s including love to boogie, telegram Sam, jeepster and 20th century boy. T.Rextasy have now been performing around the world for over 20 years, a career that ironically out lives Marc’s very own T.Rex. The band is now accepted as the world’s only official live tribute band dedicated to Marc Bolan and T.Rex, also the only band endorsed and approved by Marc Bolan’s family, estate, original ex-members of T.Rex, and Bolan’s catalogue management.
Win a pair of tickets to see T.Rextasy To enter the competition answer the question below: Q:How long have T.Rextasy been performing for around the world ? a) over 20yrs b) over 30yrs c) over 25yrs Send your answer and contact details to: T.Rextasy Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/ competitions Winner drawn after 31st March 2020. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.
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Barnham Primary Roman day
"Carpe Diem" Horace said in his Odes and indeed the day was well and truly seized by our children in years 3 and 4 as they all fully immersed themselves in our Roman Day. Arriving at school in full Roman attire there was much chatter and excitement, comparing of swords, shields, head wear and dresses, with costumes ranging from Goddesses to Centurions to slaves. The morning was a fast paced rotation - In classroom 1 we learned the rules of Nine Men Morris and it wasn't long before children and staff alike were competing to be the winner in this relatively simple but strategic game. With up to 15 games taking place simultaneously the classroom was a hive of discussion, tactic talking and debate on the next best move. A thoroughly enjoyable session for all. Classroom 2 saw the children making Laurel Wreaths. In ancient Rome laurel wreaths were worn as a symbol of triumph. They were worn as a chaplet around the head or as a garland around the neck. The Roman general Julius Caesar wore a wreath of laurel on the head to show that he was a powerful and strong leader. Classroom 3 held some edible delights from the Roman Era. With many of the first responses sounding
Schools 11 something like "Urgh, I'm not going to eat that," we began to wonder if this would be the least favourite activity but many of the Year 3 and 4 in full Roman attire more reluctant children followed the lead of the more adventurous and decided a taste was within their comfort zone. Many of these just served to confirm their distaste for a particular food (feta in particular seemed to gain few votes) but others discovered new likes and some even went as far as to say they'd be asking for these foods at home! The excitement of the day culminated in the afternoon with a visit from The Rainbow Theatre, a stage production done with, and amongst, the children. Some of the children got to act parts - from traders, children of the rich, slaves, scholars and many more. All the children were fully engaged in the experience, their faces lit and lively with anticipation as they joined in with enthusiasm. Even sat at the side watching I almost felt like I was in Ancient Rome. The day was a fabulous way to really bring history to life for our year 3/4s and continue them on an amazing journey of learning and understanding. www.barnhamprimaryschool.co.uk
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Schools
Choosing the best school for your child Advice from Janita Gray at The Good Schools Guide
Whether you’re looking for a day nursery, boarding school or sixth form, finding the school that is right for your child means lots of homework for parents. For most parents the school search starts with a browse through websites. Educational marketing is highly professional these days so be prepared for buildings that look like country house hotels, acres of playing fields, perpetual sunshine, high-tech laboratories, professional standard theatres and many, many grand pianos. After a while you may start to feel as though you have been assaulted, in the nicest
possible way, by a combination of Downton Abbey, Enid Blyton, Child Genius and the Olympics. Some parents try reverse engineering to help them choose a school, starting with top universities and working backwards. They identify schools that send a large proportion of leavers to Oxbridge or Ivy League colleges and then register their child at linked or ‘feeder’ preps. It’s not uncommon for spreadsheets to be drawn up with every detail of a child’s educational future specified. Of course there’s nothing wrong with forward planning, but where’s the contingency? The plan B? After all, the baby whose future is being mapped out so meticulously may not have got the Oxbridge memo. Parents’ educational experience, good or bad, will be hugely influential on any decision. Try writing down the things you liked and disliked most about the schools you attended and then think about these in the context of what you want for your child. You also need to think about whether you want co-ed or single sex education, any religious preferences and, for day schools, chapter and verse on bus routes and realistic travel times. Look beyond league tables Many parents say they don’t want their child to go to an academic ‘hot house’. What they want is for their
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Schools
child to enjoy learning in an unpressurised environment. Oh, and by the way, they also want their child to get in to Oxford. Good Schools Guide advice is to ignore league tables and look at trends in exam results over a few years. If most of the children are getting A/A* with only a few Cs and Ds, think about how the child who got the C might feel. Open days An open day is often the first contact parents have with a school in which they are seriously interested. There’s no substitute for setting foot in a school – you may find that a place that looks perfect on paper just ‘feels’ wrong and you shouldn’t ignore this. Try and attend the head’s talk. Prep school heads have your child’s future in their hands – you’re paying them to know your child, advise on the best senior schools and, if necessary, intervene on your child’s behalf if an entrance exam doesn’t go to plan. In senior schools the head may be more of a figure head and most of your day to day dealings will be with tutors or housemasters, but the leadership of the school is still key to its ethos. If you’re considering boarding for your child make sure you get a good look round. The norm is cabin beds, shared rooms until GCSEs, empty noticeboards in boys’ dorms and lots of bunting in girls’ dorms. Ask how many children stay in school after matches on Saturday. If nearly everyone else is going home it’s not much fun to be left behind – even if the school does lay on trips.
If you think you’ve found the perfect school then get yourself in the system as early as you can. Make sure you visit, register and pay the deposit in good time – for popular schools that can be several years in advance. You also need a back-up school (but don’t tell your child that this is what you’re calling it). You should also be prepared for change. A new head or move from single sex to co-ed can have profound effects. And last but by no means least, there’s your child. He or she may turn out to have very different plans from the ones you have drawn up. For more information, advice and school reviews visit: www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk
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Local Walks - March
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 Mon 2nd Mon 2nd Wed 4th Wed 4th Thurs 5th Fri 6th Mon 9th Friday 13th Sun 15th Wed 18th Fri 20th Mon 23rd Tue 24th
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Tues 31st
10.30am Shimmings Valley L: Gerald 1 hr 30 mins A little hilly to climb to Brinksole Heath Meet: Petworth Library, Rosemary Lane, High St, Petworth GU28 0AU 10.30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT 10:30am Ham View Point L: Peter 2 hrs An easy flat walk. Mostly good paths but also crossing fields that will be muddy Meet: Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve car park, PO20 7NE 10:45am Climping L: Dominic 1 hr 15 mins Refreshments are available at the Yacht Club on the return Meet: Arun Yacht Club Car Park, Rope Walk, Littlehampton BN17 5DL 10:30am Chantry Hill L: Jane 2hrs 45mins No stiles but a hilly walk with some uneven ground. No dogs Meet: Chantry car park, Chantry Lane, Storrington, nearby postcode RH20 4AB 10:30am Salvington Hill L: Peter B 2 hrs Circular walk towards Findon with superb views Meet: Car park on the left at the end of Honeysuckle Lane, BN13 3BT 10.30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT 10.30am Storrington L: Peter B 2 hrs 30 mins Hilly walk down into Storrington and return with super downland views Meet at Springhead/Kithurst Hill car park. Nearby postcode RH20 4HW 10:30am Slindon woods to folly L: Dominic 2 hrs Lovely views. Generally flat, gravel path. Some muddy areas Meet: National Trust Car Park, Dukes Rd, Slindon, nearby postcode BN18 0SL 10.30am Black Rabbit L: Dominic 2 hrs Easy, flat riverside walk, no stiles Meet: Mill Road car park by river in town centre (charge) BN18 9AA 1.00pm Petworth surgery walk L: Gerald 30 mins Flat walk at a gentle pace. A steady incline at the end. Dogs welcome Meet: Petworth Doctors Surgery, Grove Street, GU28 0LP 10.30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT 11.00am Jubilee walk & south pond L: Harvey 30mins A flat walk at a gentle pace with a steady incline Meet: The Grange Leisure Centre, Bepton Road, Midhurst, GU29 9HD 10:30am Slindon L: Peter 3-3.5 hrs A longer strenuous walk with some steep gradients. Can be muddy Meet: National Trust Car Park, Park Lane, Slindon, nearby postcode BN18 0QY 10:15am Grayingwell L: Sarah 40 mins Meet : Outside the glass building looking onto Havenstoke Park Parking is very limited around the park. Nearby postcode PO19 6AB 10:30am Slindon Estate L: Simon 2 hr Passing through Slindon Estate on good paths with no stiles Meet: National Trust Car Park, Park Lane, Slindon, nearby postcode BN18 0QY
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Charity & Community
Sussex Snippets West Sussex families, friend and neighbours who are acting as unpaid carers will shortly be able to benefit from a range of discounts at local businesses and services with the new Carer Discount Card (CDC) from local Charity Carers Support West Sussex. For full details visit: www.carerssupport.org.uk Local charity, West Sussex Mediation Service, are celebrating their 20th anniversary. The charity helps people suffering conflicts in their lives find lasting solutions to their problems and specialises in resolving neighbour disputes and conflicts within families. Most services are free of charge, so fundraising is important. This year they are holding an ‘Auction of Promises’. This is where individuals, or businesses can make a pledge of an item of value, an experience, or their skill or talent for an hour or two. Call 0300 200 0025 or email info@wsms.org.uk A group of 17 volunteers from the Heathlands Reunited project were highly-commended in the National Parks’ UK Volunteer Awards, which recognises outstanding volunteers across the UK’s 15 National Parks. For more details on volunteering please visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/care-for/volunteering-2 After being hunted to extinction in the 16th century, the Beaver is coming back to Sussex. A partnership led by Sussex Wildlife Trust and the rewilding project at the Knepp Estate near Horsham, is re-introducing two pairs of beaver in either late spring 2020 or in the autumn, in Knepp’s Southern Block. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service needs more retained (on-call) firefighters across the county particularly in East Grinstead, Turners Hill, Hurstpierpoint, Shoreham, Storrington, Petworth, Arundel and East Wittering. www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire. West Sussex County Council Fostering Team run regular information evenings for those who might be considering fostering. You can come along and have your questions answered, meet some of the team and hear from foster carers who want to share their experiences of fostering. 033 022 27775 Kelp once stretched along 40 km of the West Sussex coastline from Selsey to Shoreham, forming an underwater forest that extended at least 4 km seaward. It provided a vital sealife habitat and locked up huge quantities of carbon, helping us to fight climate change, while improving water quality and reducing coastal erosion by absorbing the power of ocean waves. But within living memory, kelp in Sussex waters has diminished to almost nothing due to trawling and the dumping of sediment spoils by dredging boats. To support the Help Our Kelp campaign and watch the film narrated by Sir David Attenborough, visit: sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/helpourkelp
The Sussex Pathfinders is an independent club with around 200 members, who share a common interest in walking for pleasure in the Sussex countryside, and beyond at weekends. Walks are not limited to Sussex as the club has an annual exchange visit with a French group, and also organises long distance walks and short breaks around the UK. Trips to Hadrian’s Wall and Derbyshire are planned for later this year. They also have occasional social events and visits to places of interest. For more details: www.sussex-pathfinders.co.uk or 07842 792962. West Sussex Connect to Support have updated their website bringing together lots of information about • ways to remain independent at home • equipment to help you around your home • advice on improving your health and wellbeing • ideas for things to do locally • support for carers www.westsussexconnecttosupport.org. For help using the website, call Adults’ CarePoint on 01243 642121 or email socialcare@westsussex.gov.uk Sussex Police & Crime Panel members have backed the decision to increase the police precept by £10 per year (for an average Band D property). 66% of snap poll respondents supported the increase.
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Charity & Community
Busy year for Hamblin Centre
The Hamblin Centre just outside of Bosham will be celebrating 2020 as the ‘Year of the Garden’ as it opens up its grounds as part of the National Garden Scheme. There are three open days, each celebrating a different flower. On 8th March the focus will be on the daffodils, on 14th June it will be the turn of the rose while on 19th July dahlias will take centre stage. Its three acres of beautiful gardens include a wildlife pond, a wildflower meadow and a rock garden. Boundary areas are left to nature providing a rich range of wildlife habitats. A biodiversity hotspot, the grounds also contain a wide variety of butterflies and moths as well as a huge range of other insect species. The Hamblin Centre is a place to regenerate, to learn and to unfold ones inner potential. Local people attend wellbeing workshops, talks or fitness classes, or visit for individual therapeutic treatment. Other people come to discover the Hamblin Centre’s tranquil gardens or to stay in one of the peaceful retreat lodges on site. www.hamblincentre.org.uk
Arundel Festival needs you!
Are you available between 21st – 31st August? Become an Arundel Festival volunteer and play a vital role in making the award winning festival shine even brighter! The organisers are now actively seeking new volunteers to support delivering Arundel Festival 2020 and assist in contributing to an established, exciting, community creative arts event. Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people, gain experience in the festival world and be an Ambassador for our beautiful town. If you have two hours or two days let them know your availability and competencies and they will find you a role. sharon@landonsounds.com
Charity seafront walk in March
The Aldingbourne Trust are inviting people to join their coastal charity walk on Saturday 14th March, where you can enjoy a beautiful eight mile walk along the seafront from Littlehampton to Bognor Regis. The Trust now urgently needs to develop their private space for the adults with disabilities that they support. With over 60,000 visitors a year at the Country Centre it is important that there is a private area away from the general public for the people they support and train, spend their breaks, socialise with each other, receive advice and support. The Charity Walk will help the Trust to raise these much-needed funds to provide this inclusive space for the people they support and enable the Trust to provide more spaces to support adults with learning disabilities and/or autism within West Sussex. There is a fee of £10 per person to take part in the walk, which will go towards the Trusts current fundraising project.We would also welcome any additional fundraising through sponsorship and donations, if you would like any more information about how you can support their current fundraising project you can contact their fundraising team on 01243 544607 or lenar@aldingbourne.org. To register for the walk visitwww.aldingbournetrust.org/fundraising-events
Arundel Lido new changing huts
Arundel Lido have raised over £34,000 to pay for new changing huts and a Toddler Play area, thanks to the generosity of 55 backers from the community. The Duke of Norfolk and Earl of Arundel kindly donated £5,000 each and WSCC contributed £1,000. Arundel Lido would like to thank all its supporters and suppliers, Roundstone Bespoke and Sovereign Playgrounds who will install this no-maintenance build and play area ready for the start of the 2020 season. The summer season starts with free entry to everyone on Saturday 2nd May 2020 from 10am-7pm, and there is a Thai Food evening on 24th April. www.arundel-lido.com.
Community notices printed free of charge. Please send yours to info@sussexlocal.net
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Scout group seeks volunteers Week by week, volunteers at 1st Barnham Scouts empower young people to learn new skills, make new friends and stand on their Barnham Cubs at own two feet. They’re eveBognor Fire Station ryday heroes. They shape young people’s lives for the better, and find out a whole lot about themselves in the process, too. With three Beaver Scout Colonies, three Cub Scout Packs and two Scout Troops, the friendly team at 1st Barnham are kept busy, but it’s not always easy to keep up with the demand. The team are currently seeking new volunteers to join them. Whatever your skill set, you could lend a hand for as little or as much time as you can spare. Whether you’re helping a leader to run an activity in the local park, organising a night away, or buttering 120 slices of bread for a group of very hungry beaver scouts – no two scout activities are the same. The Scouts provide training, so all you need to is show up, get stuck in, and start making memories for life. Extra help is currently needed with Beavers and Cubs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Barnham and Walberton and with behind the scenes tasks including book keeping and secretarial duties as part of the trustee committee. For more information contact Mark Guy join@1stbarnhamscouts.org.uk
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Arundel gets a PCSO In November 2019 Sussex Police reintroduced area coverage for Police Community Support Officers having withdrawn this in 2016. PCSO Ollie Smith who has been in post covering Arundel and Courtwick since November and has been in and around the town during the course of his duties since this time so if you see him, do go up and say hello. When they are not responding to incidents and assisting with emergencies, PCSOs main areas of responsibility are: dealing with anti-social behaviour including driving related, investigating low level crimes and visiting victims, safeguarding vulnerable people, gathering community intelligence, problem solving and providing reassurance and crime prevention advice. You can contact Ollie via arun@sussex.pnn.police.uk. Residents can also help by passing on any information, reporting crime and antisocial behavior via 101, 999 or the Sussex Police website www.sussex.police.uk
Arundel Project update At the end of last year, 200 residents attended "Love Arundel? Let's talk!” meetings and posted 1,700 thoughts and ideas about the town. If you want to learn more about the project there is a resident debrief presentation at the Town Hall on Wednesday 1st April at 7pm. www.letstalkarundel.com
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Gardening
In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens Fairy Tale Gardens
Exquisite is the only word to describe the Arundel Castle Gardens. From the tropical beds, the vegetable areas or the newly renovated wilderness down by the lakes, the castle gardens join seamlessly a variety of styles and landscapes. Of course the well-proportioned, fairy tale looking castle helps but it is also the rolling hillocks, winding paths and secret rooms that give the gardens an exploratory and fascinating atmosphere. Much of the recent inspiring originality is due to the passionate endeavours of Martin Duncan, Head Gardener for the last 10 years. He takes me on a tour and I can barely keep pace with his lanky strides as we move from area to area. He takes time to greet his staff and make sure they are ok. It becomes clear that his wish to develop the gardens further points to an artistic sensibility. Everywhere is evidence of his projects.
“We have the Tulip Festival in April. There will be over 60,000 tulips and each year we are adding more. We
have also created the first Tulip labyrinth in the world. In the new English orchard over there, we have planted white and yellow Apeldoorn tulips that will combine with blue Camassia bulbs. And here we have the Stumpery - I created this a few years ago”. We look at giant tree stumps turned upside down with a host of Euphorbias, Ferns and Echiums sprouting from the gaps in the arches of the roots. It looks prehistoric but oddly suits the gothic looking Arundel Cathedral, which serves as a backdrop just 25 metres away. This area joins the tropical beds which, given Martin’s Zimbabwe origins, is a feast of well researched and successfully growing palms, tropical shrubs and ground cover. There are huge pollarded Paulownia trees, the Sapphire Dragon tree, plus Catalpas and Chinese Cabbage palms. We walk to the back of this area and come across a thatched hut. Again a structure like this could potentially look out of place but it is a natural fit amongst the vegetable parterres and sculptural Yew hedging. “We aim to build another of these down at the lakes
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and use it as an educational space.” Martin’s fine features light up and he strides on to the next area. “This is one of my favourite areas. We have dredged the lakes, cleared some undergrowth and now are introducing all sorts of species here, including 1500 water plants.” Two swans swan by an unblemished, holy white against the dark waters. They stick their heads deep under the water. Martin fetches some grain and gives them a couple of handfuls. He ruminates on his garden design philosophy.
and most things will thrive.” Amidst TV documentaries and meetings, Martin still manages to physically tend the garden half the day, next to his team, in whose growth, he takes as seriously as the plants under his care. “Each staff member has an area of responsibility so that they not only know what needs doing but can increase their knowledge”.
“Good structure is everything, like Box hedging, holding back the cascade, typical of the English Cottage style. And a garden needs a strong backdrop, then everything else will look good. Soil is vital, get it right,
He never stops learning. Throughout our walk he drops little gems of insights. “2 tablespoons of Epsom Salts mixed into a watering can will feed 8 roses….do this three times a year….Apeldoorn tulips are
I ask Martin, a Kew Guild Medal winner in 2018 for his services to horticulture, what is the secret of his success. “Hard work and knowledge.” says the man who has worked throughout the world on prestigious gardens. He seems just as content weeding a vegetable bed to making beautiful detailed sketches of tulip displays for Autumn planting. These he will hang up in his office for future reference and show the owners of Arundel Castle, the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, who have keenly supported the forwardthinking developments that have taken place in the gardens over the years.
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one of the best ones for surviving the Winter and coming back each year… keep a natural flow to borders… you can vary the height of your perennials, it doesn’t have to be perfect.” We finish our tour with tea served in proper china in his kitchen on the Estate. Elegant and practical, like the gardens under his watch. Martin’s relaxed and passionate personality will continue to make a mark on what is one of West Sussex’s most intriguing spaces.
Where to visit in March High Beeches Gardens, Sussex. This is a 25 acre garden, which is a botanical treasure trove that includes historic Magnolias. Laid out by the Loder family, but inspired by Victorian horticulturist William Robinson’s wild garden style, is it really worth going to when all the plants are coming into leaf. It is open every day except Wednesday, 1pm -5pm. 01444 400589. And don’t forget the Tulip fair at Arundel Castle on the 1st April 2020.
March tasks Apart from being busy in the vegetable patch; what else to do in March. • You can give shrubs like Cornus and Salix a hard prune back - look on the RHS website to see how ruthless you can be! • If the water starts warming up you can start feeding the fish. • If you haven’t finished pruning your roses now is the last time to do them before they come into leaf. • Lastly, look up summer flowering bulbs and tuber plants such as Dahlias. They can be planted now.
Property
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Japanese knotweed By Chris Ennis FRICS As I write, I note that trees are budding, and in just a few short weeks, spring will with us. ‘Not before time’ I hear you say. Watch out for signs of Japanese knotweed! I have seen this destructive plant in Findon, and also growing by the roadside in Angmering. Japanese knotweed is a highly invasive non-native plant that has the potential to damage buildings and overpower native species, eventually eradicating them from their own environment. It is prescribed under the Wild Life and Countryside act 1981 which makes it an offence to allow the plant to spread. All parts of the plant and any soil contaminated with the rhizome root system are classified as controlled waste and have to be carefully destroyed. So what does it look like? In the spring, young purple/ red asparagus like shoots appear which turn green as they age. Some plants leaf initially, but can grow 50 cm as a straight rod.
In the summer, the shoots turn into bamboo like hollow stems, with regular swollen red joints and nodes. Stems can grow up to 3 metres in height. Leaves are lush green and can be described as heart shaped. In the autumn, flowers bloom 80-120cm in long clusters of small white / green flowers which start to fall in the late autumn. In the winter the stems turn brown / yellow and eventually fall off at about the time of the first frost. This is a difficult plant to eradicate. The root system can regenerate from small fragments of rhizome and can remain dormant in the soil for four years or more. The roots may spread up to 7 metres from the plant, and up to a 1 metre deep. If left untreated it can spread rapidly at a rate of up to 15cm a day and cause damage to paths, roads, driveways and foundations. It may well affect the suitability of a property for a secured mortgage advance. There are specialist companies that deal with eradication, but their services can be costly and time consuming. A proprietary glyphosate weed killer like ‘Roundup’, carefully applied will kill the weed, but it is (I am told) a long process. Chris Ennis FRICS email: surveyor1@talktalk.net 01903 261 217 or www.propdoctor.co.uk
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Charity Profile
Gig Buddies in Sussex Concert befriending scheme for adults with learning disabilities & autism by Lynn Smith For music fans seeing your favourite band or musician perform live has to be one of life’s joys. Imagine, though, the frustration if, just as the band got into its stride, you had to leave because your companion called time. Or, if you couldn’t be there in the first place because you weren’t able to travel and enjoy the gig unaccompanied. This is the situation that many music fans with learning difficulties or autism face. However, there is a solution in Sussex thanks to local charity, Gig Buddies - a volunteer befriending scheme for adults with learning disabilities and autism, matching them with a volunteer sharing the same interests.
Music Gigs aren’t the only option … Gig Buddies is not only about music. Malcolm Hill, the project coordinator for the charity in West Sussex, says that “It doesn’t have to be about music. We encourage people to define what the ’gig’ is for them. It could be playing or watching sport, going to the theatre, walking or going to museums.” Gig Buddies is a project run under the umbrella of the charity Stay Up Late, which was formed in 2006 out of the experience of the punk band Heavy Load. Three of the members of Heavy Load had learning disabilities and they were tired of seeing fans leaving their gigs early due to their support staff working inflexible rotas. The band split after fifteen years but decided to set up Stay Up Late to continue their campaign. Gig Buddies was started by the charity in 2013 with the aim of supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism to be less socially isolated and to give them control of their own lives, which would become healthier and more fulfilled as a result. Apart from the occasional fundraising gig the charity does not organise gigs, as the intention is for people with learning disabilities to become involved in mainstream community life. Finding your own Gig Buddy … Anyone interested in finding a Gig Buddy can “selfrefer” by visiting the charity’s website or they can get help by asking a carer, support worker or family member to get in touch. The scheme is open to anyone with a learning disability and/or autism aged eighteen or over.
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Charity Profile
We’re always happy to have a chat with people in the first instance to make sure that Gig Buddies is right for them.” says Malcolm Hill. “People tend to want a gig buddy to support them to get out to music events but not exclusively. Part of our role is to empower people to try new things so many of our gig buddy pairs go to the cinema, clubbing, theatre or even just an evening out to the pub. It’s entirely up to them what they want to do.” Currently, there is a waiting list for buddies, partially due to funding constraints and also because the organisation prides itself upon the quality of its service and the care taken in matching individuals. “Before I had a Gig Buddy I felt lost at the weekends. I had never been to a gig but having a Gig Buddy has meant that I’ve discovered new music. It means that I can travel to places I couldn’t before. Once you start going out you are more able to do other things. It improves your confidence.” A Gig Buddy participant. As project coordinator Malcolm Hill’s role is to recruit, train and match volunteers with their Gig Buddy. “I then provide ongoing support and supervision to ensure the match is going well and iron out any issues that might arise.” The project is short of volunteers across West Sussex, and Malcolm is particularly keen to find volunteers in Chichester, Worthing and Crawley. What does it take to be a Gig Buddies volunteer? Volunteers can come from any background and, Malcolm explains, no previous experience is required. “Ideally they will have an interest in music and/or the arts and be willing to give up around six to eight hours a month to meet up with their buddy.” “Friendly and positive attitude with the ability to build up a rapport with their buddy are the main attributes we look for.” Additionally, all volunteers are DBS checked and fully trained before being matched with a participant. Training is given at Gig Buddies’ offices in Portslade, with training sessions taking place each
month, on a Saturday between 10am - 3pm. The training covers an introduction to learning disabilities, communication, safeguarding and “what to do if” scenarios. For Malcolm, the beauty of the volunteering opportunity is that it can be fitted around a person’s existing commitments. Clearly the process of matching buddies is key to the scheme’s success, and Malcolm says that, “Where possible we match people based on where they live and what they are interested in doing. Ideally people will be attending events that they would have been likely to go to anyway – although a willingness to try new things is never a bad thing!” As Gig Buddies is all about developing friendship and expanding an individual’s social circle and informal support networks, the project does not provide volunteers on a one-off gig basis. Funding Gig Buddies … As with the majority of charities, Gig Buddies relies upon funding to keep them afloat. Gig Buddies is a free service but does expect a participant to pay for their own event tickets and travel costs. Volunteers
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Publish your Charity and Community news for free in this magazine Email us your local interest stories and we will publish them for free for you. Don’t worry about spelling and grammar just email the details and any accompanying photos to us at info@sussexlocal.net along with your contact details and we can get in touch if we need more information. There is no charge to publish anything which is not-for-profit
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Charity Profile
are reimbursed for their expenses, and their gig tickets can also be reimbursed up to £10. Malcolm runs the project in West Sussex and is paid on a three day a week basis. In terms of funding, West Sussex County Council funds the charity to provide the Gig Buddies scheme across West Sussex. Additional funding has come from the Big Lottery and donations from private individuals. Although, there are no fundraising events in the pipeline at the moment, Gig Buddies would appreciate any offers of support. Past fundraising events include - organising fundraising gigs at the Komedia in Brighton and Resident Records in Brighton donating the monies raised by sales of their carrier bags – which totalled £1,154 last year. The charity
also has supporters who regularly run an ‘open garden’ throughout the summer to help raise funds. How Gig Buddies can transform lives … Malcolm Hill tells me of Gig Buddies David and Mark. David was matched with his Gig Buddy volunteer Mark in June 2019. “When David applied to have a Gig Buddy he was isolated and had very little in the way of a social life. He told me that he had never seen a live band and never went out with friends.” In just three months following his match with Mark he had been to three live gigs, attended a social where he met and befriended others in the gig buddy ‘community’ and signed up for an art class and the gym. “David is an example of how with a little bit of encouragement and support lives can be transformed in ways which may have seemed unlikely after years of isolation and demotivation.” For more information visit: www.gigbuddies.org.uk Stay Up Late; email: info@stayuplate.org or you can telephone: 01273 418102
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Motoring News Hyundai slashes wait time for new Kona electric In response to significant customer demand, Hyundai Motor UK has announced that customer waiting times for the new 2020 Kona electric will be significantly Hyundai Kona electric reduced. The move follows a significant increase in availability of its fully electric model. Recently awarded a Which? Best Buy. It carries the same expressive design as the rest of the Kona family, with a series of recently introduced enhancements. Ford develops 3D-printed locking wheel nuts As car security systems become increasingly more sophisticated, thieves are targeting car parts instead, including alloy wheels. One method to deter wheel thieves is to use locking nuts, which require a special adapter, or key. But even these are vulnerable, leading Ford engineers to harness 3D printing tech- Ford 3D- printing locking nology to develop next- wheel nuts
Motoring
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generation locking wheel nuts. Ford has created locking nuts with contours based on the driver’s voice. The design also includes second-level security features that prevent the nut from being cloned or copied. Renault scoops prizes at the great British fleet awards Renault is celebrating victory for the new Zoe, all-new Clio and latest Renault Trafic van Trafic van. The new Zoe was awarded the prize for the ‘best green fleet car’, the all-new Clio came out on top as the ‘best fleet supermini’ and the new Trafic took the accolade as the great British fleet awards ‘medium van of the year’. Exhausted drivers pose significant safety threat Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM motoring assist is urging drivers to be wise to the dangers of fatigue on journeys. The risks are particularly high among those who drive for their work. Statistics show that those most at risk from a fatiguerelated collision include young male drivers, shift workers, truck drivers and company car drivers. Around 85% of drivers who cause fatigue-related crashes are male, and more than one third of these are aged under 30.
32 Crossword
Prize Crossword
Win a ÂŁ20 meal voucher for The George, Eartham
Barnham March 2020
January 2020 solution below:
Winner: Denise Whitmee from Bognor Regis. Congratulations and thank you to all who entered. Finish the crossword and fill out the box below with the letters from the shaded squares. Work out the anagram
Across 6 Swathed (8) 8 Ho-hum (2-2) 9 Place in the earth (5) 10 Compel (6) 11 Warwickshire town sounds short of food (8) 12 Programming problem (3) 14 Colour changer (3) 15 Price of admission (5,3) 16 Run off the track (6) 18 Labour party? (5) 19 Sound of a strong wind (4) 20 White Sea turns stormy, just like that (4,4)
Down 1 On the way out (8) 2 Tasty tuber (4,9) 3 Custom-based rule (9,3) 4 Where cars are made (8,5) 5 Very short time, for short (4) 7 Breaks down (12) 13 How seasickness suffers are sometimes said to look (8) 17 "Odours of --- and offerings divine" (R Heber) (4)
Name: ............................................................................................................... Full address: .................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................... Postcode:.......................................................................................................... Email:................................................................................................................ Phone: .............................................................................................................. Mobile: ............................................................................................................. Answer from yellow box: .................................................................................
Send the word above to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter it online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 31st March 2020.
Win
ÂŁ20 meal voucher for
The George, Eartham
Valid for 3 months after issue. No change given. Cannot be exchanged for cash value.
Eartham, PO18 0LT Sussex Local may wish to keep in touch with occasional information and offers. We will never share your details with third parties. Please tick if you would like to receive such information.
Legal 33
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Tips for the reluctant executor by Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers At Sussex Will Writers we encourage our clients to speak with the people they wish to appoint as executors in their Wills to inform them of their choice. However some people will one day find themselves surprised at finding they have been appointed without their knowledge or just forgotten about it! It is also likely to be the first time they have ever acted as an executor and the road ahead may look daunting. If you find yourself in this situation and don’t want to act, then there are a couple of options available to you. One option is to keep on the role as executor but appoint a specialist as your attorney to apply for probate for you or assist you with the probate process. Fees will be payable out of the estate. According to research carried out by the office of Tax Simplification last year, only 11% of respondents who did not use an adviser to assist with probate stated that they found the process simple and user friendly. 38% of respondents who did not use an adviser stated that they spent 50 hours or more on estate administration. The other option is to renounce. An executor who doesn’t wish to act is not forced to. As long as you have not ‘intermeddled’ in the estate you can formally
step down. As this is a legal deed it should be drafted by a professional. If there are other executors appointed, then they may carry on acting and apply for probate. If you were the only executor, then someone who is entitled to act will need to make an application to the court to be appointed as an administrator. Call Sussex Will Writers for straightforward advice and a 10% discount for any probate work. For more information call Steve Worsfold at Sussex Will Writers.
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Recipe / Health & Wellbeing
Stuffed Breast of Lamb Slow cooker winter dish
This cut also has gone out of fashion as it needs slow gentle cooking, ideal for a slow cooker of course, but seriously economical and delicious.
Ingredients (Serves 4 - 6) Cook time: 90 mins • 2 breast of lamb (boned) • 1 small onion, finely chopped • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1tbsp sunflower oil • 150ml stock • 50g red lentils • 1/2 packet of sage and apple stuffing mix • 1 apple, grated • Salt and black pepper
Method 1.Slightly overlap the lamb to make an even rectangle. Sprinkle with seasoning. Fry the onion and garlic gently in the oil until just tender. 2.Stir in the stock and lentils and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often, leave to stand for 10 minutes. Heat the oven to 160C/325F/gas Mark 3. 3.Make up the stuffing mix as directed and mix in the
lentils, apple and seasoning. Spread evenly over the first third of the lamb and roll up neatly to enclose all the filling. 4.Tie firmly with string at several intervals. Brush all over with oil and sprinkle with seasoning. Cover and roast for 1 hour, then uncover, baste or brush with more oil and continue cooking for another 15-20 until the skin is crisp and the meat is tender. Serve thickly sliced, with green vegetables, roast potatoes and a light cider gravy. Cookery Courses for all Why not give a Voucher for the perfect gift? Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk
No food is ‘free’!
A calorie deficit is needed to move the scales By Heather Smith
However you want to look at losing weight, one simple truth of any program which holds a chance of success is that a calorie deficit is required. There are a million ways to create a calorie deficit through either food or exercise, and there are a million ways to make it harder or easier through food choices and other habits. But the truth remains that a calorie deficit is required if you’re going to see the scales move. If you’re eating a diet full of processed food, a simple change to eating what is considered by some slimming clubs as ‘free food’ is almost guaranteed to lead to weight loss. It should easily create a natural calorie
deficit, show you how much better you can feel when you’re eating a less processed diet and hopefully lead to long term adherence. This is of course, excellent news, and is my preferred first-step for clients coming from a place of little knowledge of nutrition. Starting a weight loss plan when you already have a relatively healthy diet, however, needs a real life understanding of how these ‘free foods’ add up calorie wise. You could very easily already be eating mostly ‘free foods’ at the start of your weight loss plan, and this is when a true understanding of how to choose the right ‘free food’ becomes essential to unlocking further weight loss. No matter how healthy a food is, if you’re eating too many calories, you simply won’t lose weight. This said, losing weight should never become a game of simple calorie counting, it should also include getting as many nutrients from as many real foods as possible in order to assist long term progress, adherence and health. Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer. Get in touch for a free five-day meal plan www.fitbiztraining.co.uk
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Parish Council News
Aldingbourne PC (APC) Report on Aldingbourne Parish Council meeting February 4th 2020. New police community support officer (PCSO) for the Fontwell area Caroline Wilson, addressed the meeting. She is keen to find out about issues affecting the community and to assist with spreading the word about how to avoid falling prey to scammers. The clerk can provide contact details. March Spring Clean - 1st March 10am The annual litter pick will take place on 15th March, 10.00am – 12.00pm. Meet at Aldingbourne Community Sports Centre (ACSC) where equipment will be provided and groups allocated to footpaths around the parish. Ormiston Academy 180 Project Plants have been moved ready for replanting, the site cleared and an outdoor classroom designed. A community day will be held in March. Volunteer help is welcome to install a path, clear more of the site and install raised beds. Fencing to be installed to match existing. Work to be completed by December. Garden will be available to other local schools. Habitat for slow -worms would encourage spread from the allotments. Aldingbourne Village Hall Trust Trust Chair, Dennis Leonard, advised two new trustees
are required to replace APC nominees. Names to be put forward for APC approval. The Trust administers the income from the investment of the sale of the old Village Hall, now £80K, which assists the maintenance of Aldingbourne Community Sports Centre. Hook Lane and other developments Cllr Warden met Arun’s senior drainage engineer, Paul McCann. Enforcement action is being taken regarding ditching and fences. Illegal dumping of spoil and grass cuttings in the ditch by Footpath 299 to be taken up with site Management Company. Footpaths FP 299 will be resurfaced in the summer – a semi permeable surface requested. APC felt staggered barriers should be retained for safety. Aldingbourne Community Sports Centre (ACSC) User groups met on 27th Feb to plan for the Open Day on 7th June. Cllr Warden stepped up as Vicechair following the untimely death of David Ives. A management committee will take forward tasks. APC agreed to progress the contract with AirS for transfer to a chief information officer (CIO). Barnham Trojans would be re-locating a dug-out to provide shelter, to be placed between the path near the Rifle club and senior pitch. Date of next meeting: Tues 3rd March 7pm at ACSC. Planning committee meets 2nd Tues of month 6.30pm.
Parish Council News
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Barnham & Eastergate Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Barnham and Eastergate Parish Council meeting held on 14th January 2020. County and District Councillor inputs The County Councillor reported that County Council budget discussions were currently taking place and a public Cabinet meeting would be held; Angels Nursery site highways comments have been submitted to the recent planning application; arrangements had been made for the repainting of the various parking lines in the centre of the village, which will assist with future enforcement. It was asked if the ownership of the land behind the railings of the railway car park could be confirmed, whilst assistance was asked for in respect of potential library service provision at Eastergate Village Hall. The District Councillor, mentioned that Adur District Council (ADC) had sent a supportive response to the recent Transport for the South East consultation, with the main hope being better public transport in the area in the next 5 years. She also mentioned the Climate Change agenda approved by ADC and asked how the Parish Council could be involved. It was agreed to build something into the Annual Parish Assembly meeting which was confirmed for 14th April. ADC’s consultation on the proposed Design
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Guide has opened. The District Councillor needs comments in advance from Councillors and a discussion would be held at the Planning & Environment Committee on 19th February, prior to submission to meet the 21st February deadline. Budget and precept for 2020/21 A short discussion took place following 3 budget options, where it was noted that the Parish Council costs to the residents still represented excellent value for money, even at an increase of precept to the higher level. The anticipated increase in the Tax Base due to recent housing development completions had not been forthcoming. The Council was keen to invest in the Parish with funding being included for potential improvements to the playgrounds and some investment in looking at road safety issues, such as speeding within the Parish. The Council also wished to build up reserves to enable it to look at having funds available to potentially resist future developments in the Parish above those already being identified following ADC’s Local Plan approval. The Council agreed Option 2 to approve a precept of £123,966 and that sum would be requested from ADC. Whilst this represented the largest increase in Council Tax the figure was still below the average figure across the country. www.barnhamandeastergate-pc.gov.uk
Aerials
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Business Directory Cleaning
Garden Machinery
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Logs /Fuel
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Plumbing
Business Directory & Advertiser Index 39 Roofing cont.
Security Alarms
Taxis / Private Hire
Roofing / Chimneys
Tree Surgeons
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