Bersted in Focus December 2020 January 2021 by InFocus

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December 2020 January 2021

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Hello again, here we are with the final magazine of 2020. What a strange year this has been, so hard for many people. At the time of writing there is a lot of talk about vaccines against Covid 19 becoming available soon. Let us hope this will bring a return to a more normal way of life in 2021. It has been wonderful to see how the local community has responded to the situation and has rallied round to help where they can in so many ways. Whilst we are still unable to hold many of the Christmas events that would usually take place at this time of year there are still some plans where possible. Santaâ€™s sleigh, supported by the Rotary Club will be out & about - see page 26 & their website for full information. We have an uplifting article from the RSPB on page 18 reminding us to take a minute to look at the beauty of the natural world around us. The next magazine will be the February 2021 issue with a deadline of 7th January. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas & a happy & healthy New Year. Stay safe. Best wishes

Many thanks to Mary Hite for her lovely cover picture this month of a chilly robin. Email: infocusmagazines@btinternet.com You can see more of her work at www.infocusmagazines.co.uk www.maryhitepaintings.co.uk

Sarah

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How the robin came to symbolise Christmas illustrations, sometimes delivering the letters. Middle class Victorians loved all things sentimental and charming, so the trend caught on and continues to this day, with the robin adorning everything from wrapping paper to Christmas jumpers.

Think of winter in the garden and you'll most likely think of a robin. Think of Christmas cards and you'll probably think of the same. Why do robins have such a strong association with winter? There is actually an increase in robin numbers during the winter months. They migrate from Scandinavia, Russia and Europe swelling the ranks of our resident robins when the days become too cold and food becomes scarce in their own countries. There are several legends relating robins to winter and Christmas in particular. The first legend hails from Victorian times, when the tradition of sending Christmas cards started. Royal Mail postmen of the time wore bright red uniforms, which earned them the nickname of ‘robin’ or ‘redbreast’. Victorian artists usually illustrated Christmas cards with pictures relating to the delivery of letters, such as post-boxes and postmen. Eventually artists began to play on this word association and postman 'robin' was exchanged for the familiar little brown and red bird, who began to appear in

Even before the Victorian era, robins had a strong association with the traditional Christmas story and Christianity. In one tale, it is said that when Mary was giving birth to baby Jesus in the stable, she noticed the fire Joseph had lit was in danger of going out. Suddenly, a small brown bird appeared and started flapping its wings in front of the fire, fanning the embers, and causing it to roar back to life. As the bird flew around tending to the fire, a stray ember made its way towards the tiny creature, scorching its breast bright red. Mary declared that the red breast was a sign of the bird’s kind heart, which would be passed on to its descendants to wear proudly ever after. There are also Celtic-based tales which link the robin with wintertime. One tells of the feud between the wren, known as the Holly King of Winter, and the robin who was known as the Oak King of Summer. The Holly King was driven away by the Oak King on the Winter Solstice, and the robin took his rightful place. However, on the Summer Solstice, the Holly King gets to take his revenge, and the wren replaces the robin. This story repeats every year and represents the changing of the seasons. It was probably told by way of explaining why we see more robins during the winter months. Whatever the truth, the robin is a beautiful cheery symbol of this time of year, and if you can spare a little food, particularly meal worms, and some water, he will reward you by visiting your garden daily. Happy Christmas. By Tracey Anderson

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December 2020 Update from the Arun Prevention Team You can contact your local team in the following ways: Call us: on 101 to report a crime or 999 if it’s an emergency Email us: arun@sussex.pnn.police.uk Operation Signatureis the force campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud. Increasingly fraud is becoming more complex & deceptive, much of it is targeted at the vulnerable & elderly. Did you know? One in 5people fall victim to fraud every year. Nearly 50 % of all adults have been targeted. Technology enables fraudsters to carry out attacks quicker and employ more complex behaviours to remain undetected. Go to:‐ https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice‐and‐information/fa/fraud/personal‐fraud/ to see information and advice on different types of fraud. For specific Romance fraud information please visit this page:‐ https://www.sussex.police.uk/police‐forces/sussex‐police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/romance‐ fraud/ You can also go to the Action Fraud website for more information and to report fraud. https:// www.actionfraud.police.uk/ Key things to remember Never send or give money to anyone you don't know or trust. Check people are who they say they are. Don't share your personal information. Make decisions in your own time. If in doubt phone a relative or a friend. Trust no‐one who cold calls you about your bank account or a problem with your computer. Under no circumstances would the bank or police: request a card PIN or security details over the telephone, or arrange collection of bank cards from a home address Scams are fraud and fraud is crime – report it to us by calling 101 or online:‐ https://www.sussex.police.uk/ ro/report/ocr/af/how‐to‐report‐a‐crime/ In an emergency always call 999. For further advice and information please operation.signature@sussex.pnn.police.uk Front office opening hours Bognor Regis: London Road, P021 1BA Mon to Fri 10am ‐ 2pm 3pm ‐ 6pm. Littlehampton: County Buildings, East Street, BN17 6AR Mon to Fri 10am ‐ 2pm 3pm ‐ 6pm Arun West Neighbourhood Watch Drew Millar on mobile 07484 861710 or email andrew.millar.m@btinternet.com To advertise in Bersted in Focus please email infocusmagazines@btinternet.com

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Secrets of Kingley Vale Beneath many parts of the South Downs National Park lies a secret landscape revealing the lives of people who resided, visited and worked on the hills. This months featured trek explores the National Nature Reserve of Kingley Vale, which not only is one of Englands most important archaeological sites containing 14 scheduled monuments but also has a unique ancient Yew forest. This moderate 9km (5.5 miles) trek starts at the West Stoke car park and follows a nature trail route around the reserve. From the car park take the well trodden path passing between arable fields for about 1km where a gate and wooden sculpture marks the start of the special area of conservation that is Kingley Vale. The nature trail starts by gently ascending through the centre of the Vale, where in the late 1800’s through to WW2 the enclosed hills were used as a military firing range. Evidence of this can be seen by the shrapnel marks in some trees and craters on the ground. In 1990 a clearance of the site removed over 6000 munitions of varying types. Keeping to the eastern edge of the reserve the path passes through some of the oldest, gnarled and twisted trees, a short way on and the ascent becomes steeper leading you through more ancient Yew woods on the side of the Vale up to Bow Hill. The tangled grove of trees are amongst the oldest living things in Britain, several are at least 500 years old with some claiming to be between 900 & 2000 years old, the oldest of the Yew trees measure more than 5 metres in girth. Very little daylight filters through the entwined branches which gives an eerie feel as you walk amongst them, the ground is very bare and carpeted with dry needles. At the top follow the wooded trail northwards for about 1km and take the Monarchs Way path downhill a short way to the iron age settlement of Goosehill Camp. The undulating ground hidden in the woods was once a small settlement probably for a family group, who may have only spent time here when tending to their flocks. The views from here in 500BC would have been fantastic across the valley and up to the Trundle Hill Fort. Double back up the hill and take either path through the open access woodland back towards Bow Hill. Nestled in the woodland just below the summit is Tansley’s Stone, a memorial to 20th century ecologist Sir Arthur Tansley who was instrumental in the campaign to get Kingley Vale registered as a national nature reserve. A few hundred metres to the west of Bow Hill are the Devils Humps (Kings Graves) the most familiar archaeological feature of Kingley Vale. These large tumuli are superb examples of bronze age burial mounds. There are four barrows in total consisting of bell and bowl barrows, the difference is down to the ditch that surrounds them, the bell barrow ditch is separated from the mound by a narrow step whereas the bowl barrows ditch take the shape of an upturned bowl. Many folklores and legends surround these barrows such as how the men of Chichester defeated a Viking war party in the Vale, the Viking leaders were buried in the Devil's Humps hence their alternative name of the Kings Graves. Many of the Vikings died where they fell, under the Yew trees and on the slopes of the hill. Their ghosts are said to haunt the Yew groves, and the trees themselves are said to come alive and move at night. This folklore may have had its origin from a battle in AD 894 between the men of Chichester and the marauding Danes. From the Devils Humps the route descends through Yew Tree Grove on the western edge of the reserve. Look out for the WW2 ‘Home Guard Auxiliary Units’ observation post which would have been linked to an underground patrol base near the bottom of the valley. Follow the same well trodden path back to the car park to complete the trek. For more information and further walks please visit my blog at piertopiertrekking.com Simon Baker Irons To advertise in Bersted in Focus please email infocusmagazines@btinternet.com

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This month - Hardworking ivy The Holly and the Ivy, When they are both full grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood, The Holly bears the crown. Holly is much coveted festive greenery but what about ivy, or Hedera to give it the botanical name? It makes up the trio of festive plants, the other being mistletoe, and frankly it's usually seen as a bit of a poor relation, misunderstood and mostly unloved. Yet ivy is a great workhorse in the garden. It’s evergreen, it attracts wildlife and is excellent on those north -facing walls and fences where nothing else seems to grow. It's not just a dark green cloak either; there are many cultivars with different leaf shapes and variegated foliage. The variegated varieties are great in those areas that catch just a little sunlight during part of the day as they suddenly seem to illuminate a usually dull spot. Ivy is great for disguising an ugly wall, a bare fence, or an old tree stump. It’s a reliable and self-clinging climber if you choose the right variety and remember to prune it correctly. The young climbing stems are slender and flexible with small aerial roots that fix the shoot to a surface. Adult stems are thicker, self-supporting and do not have roots. Unlike mistletoe ivy isn't parasitic so won't harm trees but be careful about letting it grow on the walls of your house as it will damage weak mortar and pebbledash. If growing on a property it needs to be clipped back in spring and summer, so it doesn't do any damage to

structure underneath. Don't let it get into gutters because it will clog them then infiltrate under tiles or slates. Ivy is excellent ground cover. It will scramble over areas of poor soil and brighten the ground between shrubs during the dark winter months. Persian ivy, Hedera colchica ‘Dentata Variegata’, is lovely because of its large, yellow-edged leaves. Hedera canariensis ‘Gloire de Marengo’ is also good. Its red stems and large leaves with splashes of yellow looks rather splendid. If you need an area covered quickly try Hedera Hibernica, which is a vigorous native ivy. Hedera helix is the other native ivy and this one has numerous cultivars including Goldheart, which has yellow -centred leaves, Green Ripple, with frilly edged leaves and ‘Buttercup’ which is bright yellow. If you love to support the wildlife in your garden, then ivy is a terrific plant. During autumn and early winter adult ivies produce small greenish-yellow flowers. These are especially rich in nectar so attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other insects, providing them with a place to overwinter. Birds like thrushes, blackbirds and robins enjoy the purple black berries which ripen from late winter to mid-spring, providing a much-needed winter food source. I hope I've made a good case for growing ivy in your garden. Holly might bear the crown, but I reckon ivy deserves a tiara at the very least! Happy gardening Christmas.

and

Merry

By Rachael Leverton

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Out of the gloomâ€Ś At the beginning of November I had to pop down to Church Norton before going home. The sun had already set, dusk was giving way to night, but there was just enough light to make out where I was walking. It was still, not a breath of wind. The smell of autumn rose from the damp decaying leaves, soft under my feet. Nearing the harbours edge the gentle babbling of brent geese greeted me. Redshank piped, interspersed every so often by the curlews evocative, haunting call, the embodiment of wild open places. Transfixed and unable to help myself, I stood alone in the gloom soaking up the moment. It was beautiful. A simple interval in time that was so much more. Sometimes it is these moments that ground us, help us to forget the stresses in our lives, clear our minds and leaves us feeling good. This year has been a challenging year in itself and now for many, we are in the season of melancholy, but winter doesnâ€™t have to be like that at all. Get outside and take a moment to reconnect with what we take for granted. As well as the babbling geese, our reserves of Pagham Harbour and Medmerry are full of overwintering wildfowl and waders at this time of year, of all shapes, colours and sizes. We often hear of spectacular starling murmurations, but many waders fly in flocks as well, and like the starlings, the shifting patterns they create as they twist and turn are delightfully mesmerising. Sometimes I have to motivate myself to take a walk along the beach on a winters day, but there is something reassuring about the sound of shingle beneath the feet while breathing in the salt air as it pinches at the face. Along the strandline you have a good chance of encountering turnstones busily doing exactly what their name suggests as they search for food underneath. They can be quite confiding. At first glance, like many wading birds, they can appear quite dull to look at, but if you are patient and get a good view of their individual feathers, their plumage is quite striking. I always come back from the shoreline invigorated and grateful that I made the effort. Turnstones - Ivan Lang As you walk, take a glance around at the trees. They may look lifeless, but look again, much closer. You will find buds forming at the tips of their branches. Catkins, although still tightly shut, are appearing, hinting at a promise of the next season. The natural world around us is amazing and can lift the spirits whatever the weather or season. We just need to make time to appreciate it.

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Local History © S. Endacott

As 2020 draws to a close let us look forward to 2021, to events, activities and visits so missing from 2020. We will fondly remember the pub that closed, the shops that closed but we will also hopeful‐ ly record the new shops, businesses etc that arrive on our scene. We can look forward to village fete’s, beach runs, festivals, and the meetings with groups of friends.After the austerity of the War years, from the 1950’s the town received thousands of its visitors who would send home the obliga‐ tory postcard telling of their enjoyment showing pictures of busy beach scenes often saying “Wish you were here.” to those at home. As we moved through the 20th century, holiday styles changed considerably. Holidays progressed from the two weeks at home; to holiday’s abroad with the advent of cheaper flights.

Initially when the promenade was built it was just that, to be seen and to see who else was on holiday. The prome‐ nade was considered sufficient entertainment. Now this area is utilised for entertainment purposes, trampolines, rides etc., to encourage children and their parents to stay, enjoy the beach and other features.

Throughout time and all the changes some things have remained constant that of the beach and climate. We still hold our high position in the annual “Sunshine League.” Take care and I will see you in 2021.I feature local history of today but foresee quite different articles in the future with aspects of our lives scrutinized like never before. To advertise in Bersted in Focus please email infocusmagazines@btinternet.com

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Bognor Regis Tide Table December 2020 & January 2021 Time Zone GMT

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! …. that felt strange, I was sat writing this in my office back in October. What has this pandemic taught us? It is hard to say, so, what can we do? Well, take control of what we can, do not put off until tomorrow what we can do today. Over this unknown time, we have conducted a lot of Will reviews. How?

1. Office Meeting Room ‐ We can provide safe socially distanced meetings. We have Perspex screens in place both at the front of the office upon entry and in our meeting rooms. 2. Home Visits ‐ We offer home visits (when weather permits) to sit in your garden or talk through windows. 3. Zoom/Skype/Facetime – We can meet up virtually for an informal Chat

These are just a few of the methods we now have in place to keep our clients and staff safe. We want you to feel comfortable with us as your choice of Solicitors. During this pandemic we have seen an increase in enquiries around Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, so why are they important?

The benefits of making a will Though people often avoid thinking about death – particularly in their youth. There are several reasons why making a will should become a priority, regardless of age…

1. To ease the strain on loved ones ‐ Having a will in place can make it easier and less stressful for family and friends during an upsetting time. 2. To maximise your assets ‐ A well‐considered will can help reduce the amount of tax due on savings, investments, and property. 3. To communicate additional wishes

How to go about it A will can be as simple or as complex as you wish. Start by identifying the assets you plan to leave and to whom you plan to leave them. A will protects your interests after death, but it is important to ensure your wealth and welfare are protected while you are still alive. If you lose capacity to manage your own financial matters or make medical decisions yourself, it is advisable to have a trusted friend or family member to deal with these matters on your behalf. Many people believe the power of attorney is automatically granted to a partner or close family member when they lose capacity, but this is not the case.

The Office of Public Guardian (OPG) launched a campaign last year – Your Voice, Your Decision – to draw attention to the importance of arranging a Lasting Power of Attorney. The OPG’s research sampled 25000 people across England and Wales. It found that 73% of people believe if a couple have a joint bank account and one account holder can’t make decisions for themselves, their partner can legally make decisions on behalf of both of them. In addition, 72% of people believe their next of kin would automatically get final say in treatment decisions if they were unable to make those choices themselves. Neither of these are the case. Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) involves appointing a representative (or more than one) who can be trusted to make decisions with your best interests in mind should you lose the capacity to do so.

It is time to stop putting it off. Creating a will and arranging an LPA are two of the most important ways to help safeguard your future and that of your loved ones. To discuss the options please do not hesitate to get in touch on 01243 945054 or email mark@mjrsolicitors.co.uk To advertise in Bersted in Focus please email infocusmagazines@btinternet.com

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Christmas Float Update Father Christmas and his Christmas Float helped by the Rotary Club of Bognor Hotham have visited the streets of Bognor Regis during December playing seasonal music and collecting for those in need locally for over 30 years. Over ÂŁ10,000 has been collected annually and used to help those disadvantaged. Covid-19 has been difficult for so many people and current regulations severely limit Rotary Christmas Float activities. Although we cannot tour and collect with buckets in the traditional ways we are determined to bring as much normality and fun to Christmas as possible. Current plans include: Non-Stop drivebys by Father Christmas and his Sleigh playing seasonal music on selected street Routes. Static displays of Father Christmas and his Sleigh at selected locations such as local Supermarkets. The float be not be permitted to stop (or turn in cul de sacs) or make bucket collections. As we cannot make these bucket collections, on-line facilities for donations are available. Current Float plans and locations, as well as the means to make a donation are shown on the Rotary Club of Bognor Hotham Facebook and Website pages We are immensely proud of the help you have given in the past, those in need are immensely grateful for your generosity. Website: www.bognorhotham.rotaryweb.org Facebook: Bognor Hotham Rotary Club - Bognor Hotham Christmas Float

Merry Christmas to all The Rotary Club of Bognor Hotham.Â Registered Charity No. 1039210 To advertise in Bersted in Focus please email infocusmagazines@btinternet.com

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Turning your room thermostat down by JUST 1 DEGREE, can save up to 10% on your heating bills Plus VAT

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