Felpham in Focus December 2022

Dear All,

It’s December and another year has flown past. There is no doubt that this winter period is going to test us all, both personally and professionally, as we battle with the rising cost of everything.

It will be a time for resilience and digging deep and a time to remember that individual fortitude is not something you do or don’t have but it comes from your friends, your family and your community. I like the idea that resilience is a team game and, hopefully, time spent with your ‘team’ who care about you over the festive period will be a huge boost for you all.

There is good evidence that the more we feel part of something bigger than ourselves, the more it positively impacts our mental and physical health, so let’s try and remember that we are all in this together and the time and support we can give others is the best Christmas present ever.

Thank you once again to local photographer Jaqueline Rackham and the Felpham Sea Dippers for our wonderful front cover photograph (see page 6). To find out more about Jaqueline’s work visit jaquelinerackhamphotography.co.uk

Thank you all for your support and kindness in 2022 and all good wishes for Christmas and the New Year to you the readers, all the advertisers and all those in the In Focus team, Kate x Copies of Felpham in Focus are available to collect from Felpham Village Post Office.

Please mention FELPHAM IN FOCUS when responding to adverts

DIPPING IN FOR THE RNLI

We are a group of chill swimmers called Felpham Dippers and we have put together a fun 2023 calendar to raise funds for the RNLI – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

This is an important emergency service that is reliant on volunteers and donations.

All the calendar photos have been taken on local beaches, as well as at Selsey and Littlehampton Lifeboat Stations, by the amazing Jacqueline Rackham, and Ritchie Southerton has taken the drone pictures.

Everybody involved in the pictures has given their time freely to bring this to you, and sponsors have paid for the first round of printing. This year we are also holding a separate raffle with wonderful prizes from many businesses, both local and national. The calendar can be purchased by emailing us at felphamdippers@gmail.com.

More details about the £10 calendar and where you can buy it, the raffle and joining our group can be found on our website: felphamdippers.com.

Thank you to you all for your support and have a very Merry Christmas!

To contact FELPHAM IN FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

2 n d

S

T h e S i l h o u e t t e S h o w a s F u n k y

F u s i o n

T h e u l t i m a t e p a r t y s h o w f u l l o f u p b e a t f l o o r - f i l l e r s M u s i c f r o m t h e 1 9 5 0 ’ s t h r o u g h t o p r e s e n t d a y R o c k & R o l l S o u l & M o t o w n , C o u n t r y & W e s t e r n , D i s c o , C l a s s i c P a r t y , P o p P a r t y E l e c t r o 8 0 ’ s 9 0 ’ s & T h e N a u g h t i e s

S a t u r d a y 1 7 t h

F u n k y J u n c t i o n

D

B a n d

F u n k y J u n c t i o n a r e a d y n a m i c , f u n k - s o u l - d i s c o b a n d w h o c o n s i s t e n t l y d e l i v e r e x c i t i n g a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l p e r f o r m a n c e s

W

E C A N C A

“The food, service and presentation for our celebration was fantastic All of our guests had a great time and we wanted to extend our thanks to you and the team for everything!”

NON NON MEMBERS MEMBERS WELCOME WELCOME

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

THE ORIGINS OF THE ADVENT CALENDAR BY KATE MCCARTHY

I loved the arrival of the Advent Calendar when I was growing up. Every year we had a cardboard one from Woolworths, printed with a Christmas scene, each little door opening to reveal a tiny picture such as a teddy, a reindeer or a bauble. My brother and I would take it turns to be ‘odds’ or ‘evens’. I always wanted to be ‘evens’ so I could open the Christmas Eve door which was always slightly larger and had a picture of the Nativity or Santa on the roof of a snow-covered house. When some of the kids at school started boasting about their ‘chocolate’ Advent Calendars we begged my dad for one and eventually he gave in. We were disappointed when we realised that once the chocolate was removed there was no picture, just an empty space where the chocolate had been. The ‘open’ chocolate Advent calendar had all the charm of a mouth with missing teeth. We never asked for another one.

The Advent calendar originates from Germany. It began with German Protestants marking the days of Advent either by burning a candle or marking a wall with chalk. This morphed into the practice of hanging a devotional image every day and ultimately to the creation of the first known wooden Advent calendar in 1851. The first printed calendars appeared just after 1900. Small doors were added in the 1920s. Often short bible verses were hidden behind the doors alongside the picture. During the World War ll cardboard rationing put a stop to advent calendars but when hostilities ceased Richard Sellmar of Stuttgart obtained a permit from the US officials to begin printing and selling them again. He designed a calendar based on a German winter town scene. By the 1950s, they were mass-produced and affordable and exported across the world.

Chocolate Advent Calendars might seem like the new kids on the block but they have been around longer than you might think. Fry and Son produced the first chocolate Advent calendar as early as 1958 and Cadbury popularised them in the Seventies. Lego got in on the action in 1998 with a set that contained a Santa Claus minifigure and simple brick-made structures, which could be finally reassembled into a bigger model or scene. They’ve produced at least one every year since. My oldest teen begs me for their Harry Potter one every year.

Over the past decade Advent calendars have gone ‘luxury’ and become a key marketing strategy for many companies. This started around 2010 when Selfridges department store launched a beauty-themed Advent calendar with the cosmetics giant L’Oréal. It was filled with product samples from fragrances to body creams. There is now a advent calendar catering for pretty much every taste, most of them marketed at adults rather than children. There are advent calendars for ginlovers, tea-lovers, and nail-polish addicts; there is even one for pets, and they are not cheap! Some cost upwards of £150!

It’s all worlds away from Sellmar-Verlag, now run by Richard’s grandchildren, which still produces traditional card Advent calendars to this day. The company’s most popular advent calendar is still Richard’s original design, called Little Town.

A few years ago my husband (knowing my love of traditional Advent Calendars) bought me a wooden one which is reusable and is a beautiful Christmas decoration in its own right...in fact my teens actually argue over which one of them will inherit it when I die (that’s the festive spirit guys!).

However you choose to mark the occasion ... Happy Advent!

Jan 12-15

Eastergate Village Hall eastergateplayers.org.uk

Please mention FELPHAM IN FOCUS when responding to adverts

Foreign Names

25. Blackboys?

26. Bohemia?

27. France?

21. Amen? 22. Worlds End?

28. Canada?

24. The Devil’s Jumps?

Odd Names Where is:

29. Gibraltar?

30. Via Ravenna?

23. Seven Sisters (West Sussex)?

Animals

Where is:

20. The last Sussex toll-bridge to operate?

Where in Sussex is:

19. A former overhead cableway?

18. ‘Daddy Long Legs’?

17. The first railway to be operated in Sussex?

16. The first electric railway in the country?

Transport Where was:

15. Bungalow Town Halt?

14. Bognor’s first station?

13. Ham Bridge Halt?

12. Ferry Station?

11. Cliftonville Station?

Where was:

Old Railway Stations

10. The sculpture in North Street, Chichester?

9. The monument at Cocking Causeway?

8. The ‘V’ at Streat?

7. The Chattri at Patcham?

6. The dewpond on Bignor Hill?

5. Spike Milligan? Commemorations Who are commemorated by:

31. Frog Firle?

32. Mickey Mouse Town?

33. Dragons Green?

4. The ‘Gentle Kate’ of Shakespeare’s Henry IV?

3. Gustav Holst?

2. Henry Bishop, inventor of the postal frank?

34. Turkey Island?

Memorials Where are memorials to:

kimleslie@ymail.com before 2 January 2023.

18. Where was ‘Daddy Long Legs’?

To which places do these refer:

at Patcham?

35. The Knuckerhole (Knucker = a legendary water dragon)

12. Where was Ferry Station?

36. ‘Away to Sweet – for Heaven is there’? (Blake)

37. ‘Kind, cheerful, merry Doctor –’? (Thackeray)

39. ‘That’s a Kremlin!’ ? (Cobbett)

40. ‘– Hill is in Desolation’? (Belloc)

Sport

7. Who are commemorated by The Chattri

Gustav Holst?

38. ‘Old Mother Goring’s got her cap on, we shall soon have wet’? (proverb)

1. William Huskinson, the first person killed by a railway engine?

3. Where is the memorial to

awarded for the first correct answers received. Answers should be emailed to

A prize –a book A Sense of Place: West Sussex Parish Maps –will be

Felpham in Focus

41. Ebernoe?

42. Tinsley Green?

43. Cowdray Park?

44. Slindon? 45. Pagham?

Miscellaneous

47.

40.

28. Where is Canada in Sussex? Please mention

Pagham? Miscellaneous

Cowdray Park?

Tinsley Green?

Which sports and games are associated with:

41. Ebernoe? SUSSEX CHRISTMAS QUIZ BY KIM LESLIE

‘–Hill is in Desolation’? (Belloc)

47. Which village is associated with ‘Fox’s-brewings’?

Greenwich Meridian?

Sussex town is on the

50. Which Victorian poet lived near the highest point in Sussex?

Which village is associated with ‘Fox’s-brewings’?

37. ‘Kind, cheerful, merry Doctor –’? (Thackeray)

36. ‘Away to Sweet –for Heaven is there’? (Blake)

Quotations To which places do these refer:

46. Which ancient East Sussex town is on the Greenwich Meridian?

48. In which church is there a Danish raven?

49. For what purpose was Hassocks gasworks originally built?

Answers will be available at Felpham on Focus online on 3 January 2023.

49. For what purpose was Hassocks gasworks originally built?

Which ancient East Sussex town is on the Greenwich Meridian?

35. The Knuckerhole (Knucker = a legendary water dragon)

50. Which Victorian poet lived near the highest point in Sussex?

refer? (Blake) 46. Which ancient East

to Sweet –for Heaven is there’

36. To which place does ‘Away

34. Turkey Island?

33. Dragons Green?

32. Mickey Mouse Town?

31. Frog Firle?

Via Ravenna? Animals Where is:

36. To which place does ‘Away to Sweet – for Heaven is there’ refer? (Blake)

28. Where is Canada in Sussex?

Foreign Names Where in Sussex is:

Answers will be available at Felpham on Focus online on 3 January 2023.

46. Which ancient East Sussex town is on the Greenwich Meridian?

THE SIDLESHAM SNAIL BY SIMON BAKER IRONS

The ‘Selsey Tram Way Trail’ is a great walk with something for all the family or on your own if you want to escape the Christmas chaos. The 19km (11.8 mile) trail can be done in its entirety or broken down into smaller walks.

The trail which has been created by the ‘Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group’ follows much of the route of the old tram way that once ran between Chichester and Selsey from 1896 to 1935, it had eleven stations enroute, but much of the old tram way is now over private land and not accessible. However, the old route is very evident in many areas and some features and infrastructure are left which shows where it once passed by. A very informative and useful leaflet has been put together which tells you a little bit about the history of the tram way and has a detailed write up and map of the route (link below). It is recommended, if possible, to follow this publication.

The ‘Selsey Tram Way Trail’ begins at Chichester Railway Station and finishes at East Beach in Selsey, it is fairly easy going underfoot and straightforward to navigate as new footpath signage has been put up. Information boards detailing the area and history of the tram way can be found wherever the route crosses the line of the old track or where infrastructure once stood.

The route can be completed in one go or can be walked in smaller sections. There are bus stops at Hunston, The Anchor at Sidlesham, The RSPB Visitor Centre and East Beach in Selsey. I did the route in two sections catching the bus to and from Sidlesham.

Two particularly good small sections that are ideal for all the family which can be done as straight or circular walks are:

1. The start of the trail at Chichester Railway Station where you can enjoy the facilities and festive attractions of Chichester before following the route south out of the city and joining the tranquil canal down to Hunston.

2. A circular walk from RSPB nature reserve visitor centre in Sidlesham follows the tram way route at the edge of the mudflats of the harbour, where the shrill call of terns can be heard. Many information boards along the route describe the history of the tram way along with details about the local nature and wildfowl.

The Sidlesham Snail as it was known by locals was one of the nicknames for the tram way that was the brainchild of Colonel Stephens. It opened in 1897, having taken just four months to build. It also had many other ‘nicknames’ such as the Blackberry Line, the Hedgerow Train and the Clickety-click which illustrate its quirky reputation, in the 1920’s a folk group even wrote a song about it.

The line closed in 1935 due to a combination of its own unreliability and the competition of the Southdowns Bus Company.

The pdf download of the route can be found here: https://www.thegreatsussexway.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/02/Walk-the-Selsey-Tramway-Leaflet.pdf

LOCAL HISTORY BY SYLVIA ENDACOTT

With Christmas approaching parents and children will be seeking toy shops for their purchases. The first reference to a toyshop in Bognor was in 1823 when James Binstead ran a small library and toyshop on the seafront, now occupied by the Royal Hotel. It remained for approximately 20 years until the business moved to Waterloo Square in the 1840’s when Miss Binstead and her sister were operating it.

By the late 1860’s a Henry Townsend ran the business, but most people will remember the site best when it became known as the Burgess’s Bazaar, when James Reeve Burgess took over the business in the late 1870s. In 1929 Queen Mary reputedly paid three visits to the shop whilst staying at Craigweil House. It is reported that she bought a bucket and spade for her granddaughter – the late Queen Elizabeth.

Each Christmas the Arcade was decorated and would have created great excitement amongst the children. Around 1910 there was a Commissionaire named Mr. Randall who became Father Christmas, providing a bran tub of excitement for children at 6d. a dip.

Another famous enterprise for children, remembered by many was Goodacres which was situated on the corner of York Road and the Esplanade. One write up about the shop mentioned that they sold fairy cycles and pedal cars, which would not entice children today to their shop! Goodacres also had a second store at 46 London Road, which sold nursery and kindergarten apparatus and toys. Today much of the excitement for Christmas is advertised on television and thus much buying is completed online. A world away from the first shop in 1823.

WATER MAINS RENEWAL: DOWNVIEW ROAD, FELPHAM

Portsmouth Water renews approximately 1% of its water mains network each year in order to reduce the risk of bursts and leakage which can often result in interruptions of supplies and unexpected disruption to customers. This essential work ensures high standards of water quality are maintained for many years to come. We have a planned project in your area to undertaken by Cappagh, an experienced main laying contractor, under Portsmouth Water’s supervision.

The planned start date for works to commence is 3rd January 2023, the mains renewal scheme will cover 4500 meters, and it is likely to take up to 34 weeks to complete. To finish as soon as possible, the works will be undertaken by two teams working on opposite sides of the scheme in an effort to minimize disruption. Portsmouth Water Infrastructure Team will be writing to all customers within the works area closer to Christmas, with a more detailed break down of where and when we will be working in your roads, this will be followed by updates cards at regular intervals.

The plan below shows which roads we are planning to renew, the purple and green highlighted areas show where the two teams will be working simultaneously.

If there is a particular difficulty we can help with (our ref: F5162) please call the Mains Renewal Team via our switchboard on 023 9249 9888 or email m.renewals@portsmouthwater.co.uk

Yours sincerely,

Chris Knight – Senior Contracts Engineer

THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOGNOR HOTHAM’S FATHER CHRISTMAS SLEIGH

Press Release

The Rotary Club of Bognor Hotham’s Father Christmas Sleigh

Father Christmas and his helpers are looking forward to seeing you all again this year as we tour the routes shown during December. This has been an annual event for more than 40 years, raising over £410k for local causes.

As this is just one of our Rotary club projects we organise each year, all requiring large numbers of helpers, so if you feel the urge to get involved with helping those less fortunate and have a few hours to spare per month, we would be pleased to hear from you. Contact Peter on 07771 542680

More street detail is available on www.bognorhotham.rotaryweb.org

Facebook- Bognor Christmas Float (we hope to provide “Google share live location” each day)

Online donations via the QR code

December 2022

Sunday

Unfortunately all routes are subject to weather conditions, availability of collectors and complying with government guidelines.

WILD WINTER WONDERLAND!!

BY ROB YARHAM (Volunteer Coordinator and Guide)

Father Christmas isn’t our only visitor from the far north this season – many water birds, ducks and geese have flown thousands of miles from the Arctic to be here. But why have they come all that way? Well, it might seem a bit chilly to you and me, but compared to the winter conditions in the Arctic, it seems positively Mediterranean to these visitors from the cold and, at this time of year, continuous darkness of the polar north. And our reserves are packed with lots of the special types of food these birds like to eat. So what might you find at our RSPB reserves over Christmas and the New Year?

Let’s start with two of the wader species you’re most likely to see. Black-tailed godwits are large wading birds, rather plain grey above and pale below at this time of year, with long legs and long, straight bills, which they use to fish in the pools of water and mud for invertebrates, including worms and snails. The black-tailed godwits you see here now will have come from the land of ice and fire – Iceland!

Now is a great time to wrap up warm and go for a walk at one of our coastal reserves to look for wintering flocks of brent geese, which have come here to enjoy our comparatively warmer weather, before they return to breed in the Arctic in spring.

At the other end of the wader scale are the dunlin. These common, small waders are about the size of starlings and are short and round, with brown-grey backs and pale bellies, and short, slightly down-curved bills. You’ll see them flying or running around in large flocks, digging their little beaks in the mud, looking for molluscs, worms and small crustaceans. Our winter-visiting dunlins will have flown all the way here from Scandinavia and Russia.

Then we have the many wintering ducks and geese. RSPB Pagham Harbour and Medmerry reserves are nationally important sanctuaries for these birds at this time of year. They are also drawn to our food-rich wet fields, saltmarshes and muddy harbours and estuaries. The ducks include wigeon, teal and a nationally important number of the rather smart-looking northern pintail duck. The sound of hundreds of ducks whistling at dusk on the marshes is one of the most atmospheric sounds of the winter.

Finally, this month is a great time to look for the brent geese for which our reserves are famous at this time of year. Our smallest goose – about the size of a mallard duck – they nest on the boggy tundra in the Arctic during the very short summer in the far north, and begin to arrive on our coasts in large flocks from early October onwards. In East Anglia and here on the south coast, we see flocks of the dark-bellied brent geese, which nest in eastern Siberia and fly about 3,000 miles each year to spend the winter with us. When here, they divide their time between feeding on eelgrass in estuaries and the Solent at low tide and feeding and roosting in nearby fields at high tide. Look up to see flocks of these small, dark geese fly out to sea and back again, calling softly to each other.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the team at RSPB Pagham Harbour! Join us on one of our guided walks this month to learn all about our wonderful wintering waders and wildfowl! Find out more by visiting our website https://events.rspb.org.uk/paghamharbour or call 01243 641508. And support the RSPB’s conservation work by joining or donating at: www.rspb.org.uk/join-anddonate/join-us/

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

FESTIVE TERRINE

A delicious and easy terrine that looks impressive but is easy to adapt to ingredients you have available.

Preparation time: 30 mins

INGREDIENTS

Cooking time: 2 hours plus chilling time

• 1 tbsp. olive oil, plus extra to brush

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp. brandy, (optional)

• 12 rashers smoked streaky bacon (optional)

• 2 skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces (about 1cm)

METHOD

• 500g minced pork or turkey.

• 50g frozen peas OR 50g roughly chopped pistachios OR 50g chopped walnuts

Serves: 8

• 50g dried cranberries OR 50g chopped dried apricots OR 50g chopped dried prunes

• ¾ tsp freshly grated nutmeg

• leaves from two sprigs of fresh thyme.

• Plenty of seasoning.

• Preheat oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / Gas mark 4. If using the bacon, line a 2lb loaf tin with 10 of the rashers making sure you leave part of the rashers hanging over the edge of the tin. To the cooled onion in the bowl, add the chopped chicken, minced pork or turkey, and the rest of the chosen ingredients, with the thyme leaves, nutmeg, and a generous amount of seasoning. Mix thoroughly.

• Press the resulting mixture into the loaf tin, levelling off the surface. If you’re using bacon fold the overhanging rashers over the filling. Fold any overhanging bacon over the filling and cover with the remaining rashers. Press down again. Cover the top with a lightly oiled sheet of cooking foil and press this down on top of the loaf tin. Then wrap the tin securely in a double layer of foil and place put into a roasting tin.

• Boil the kettle then half-fill the roasting tin with boiling water and carefully transfer to the oven. Cook for 90 minutes until the terrine feels solid when the top is pressed. Lift tin out of the water, remove the outer layers of foil, leaving only the greased foil layer in place. Then carefully pour out any liquid from the terrine to prevent it setting as jelly. Leave to cool. Place a weight on top of the foil layer (tins of beans or even a house brick will do) and chill overnight.

• Remove the terrine from the fridge and release it from the tin a couple of hours before serving, to allow it to come to room temperature. Slice and serve with chutneys, and warm crusty bread.

To contact FELPHAM IN FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

ALL CHANGE FOR CHRISTMAS

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW BY TANIA

BROWN

I spent Christmas 2019 working hospital shifts until Christmas Eve. Using logistical planning worthy of the British military I shopped, attended two concerts and a Nativity play in three different schools (on the same day of course), bought and wrapped gifts, decorated the house, attended two work parties, entertained my extended family, offended my mother over our choice of food, and my aunty over allowing our 17-year-old to have a beer, and I cried myself to sleep on Christmas Night.

I spent Christmas 2020 working on the front line in COVID care. My family celebrated the day without me or a turkey and I cried myself to sleep on Christmas Night.

Last year, in early December, while discussing how much of a ‘normal’ Christmas might be possible, my husband announced, ‘I don’t want to go back to normal Christmases.’ And suddenly I loved him more than ever.

Last year we kept Christmas small, just us and the kids and a small twinkly tree. We ate chocolate for breakfast, played board games, went for a walk, watched a film, ate my husband’s amazing sticky Chinese chicken wings for lunch, read books, played cards, then ate Christmas pudding for supper followed by marshmallows toasted on the fire...I relaxed completely and shed no tears.

This year I asked what everyone wanted to do. The consensus was that last year was great but there were some aspects of our previous Christmases that my kids and my husband missed. So, we took the chance to recalibrate the festive season, and this is what they came up with.

Things we loved about Christmas last year:

NO HOUSE GUESTS (everyone)

• Playing board games (everyone)

• Toasting marshmallows (the kids)

• Long walk (me and husband)

• Things we missed about Christmas last year:

• Singing in the church carol service (my husband)

• Ice skating (everyone)

• Going to see The Nutcracker (ballet-mad ten-year-old)

• Attending the Christmas lights switch-on (everyone)

• Family tobogganing night in the snow dome (everyone)

• New things we’d like to try this year:

• Go to a local stately home to see the lights (everyone)

• Go to a German market (husband and me)

• Make a gingerbread house! (the kids)

We’re still hosting immediate family for a couple of days between Christmas and New Year, and extended family are invited to visit for one of those days. Not everyone is happy about this state of affairs but I’m not going back to the pre-2020 madness of festive martyrdom, trying to be all things to all people and stressing over whether everyone else’s Christmas is perfect at the expense of my sanity. If Covid showed us anything, it’s that life is precious, fragile, and unpredictable. It forced us to make decisions about who we wanted to spend our time and energy on. The pandemic was a catalyst for change for our family, and I suspect it might be the same for other folk too.

Will Christmas ever be the same? I don’t know, but different doesn’t mean worse. We can make new traditions that are more personal and meaningful than before and may even look back and wonder why we didn’t shake things up earlier.

Merry Christmas

HOME HELP BY NICKIE

PETTITT

My name is Nickie and I set up Gastons Home Help after my father sadly died from terminal cancer. He lived 40 miles away and it was a huge adjustment to take care of him. During the later stages of his illness it made me realise what was missing in the industry. He didn’t need a carer or personal care, but someone to visit each day to make sure he was still eating and drinking efficiently and raise any concerns to his relatives.

I set up Gastons to build a bridge for other families and their relatives to take the strain off and give them peace of mind. Each plan is tailored for individuals so their needs are met. Some of my clients have a 2-hour clean once a week, others I visit up to three times a day to give them a wake-up call, breakfast, put some washing on, change bedding, prep a lunch and an evening call to check in and make a light evening meal and give them a bit of companionship. These small check-ins have been invaluable in keeping people safe whilst keeping their independence at home.

I communicate regularly with relatives and respond to queries or concerns out of office hours. I know that sometimes just knowing relatives are ok gives peace of mind and it’s my duty to make sure that happens. I visit many clients in the Felpham area. The business is a domestic support-only service, with no personal care involved and it’s just me which means I build a great rapport with my clients. I hold a full enhanced DBS, Level 1 and 2 hygiene certificate and I undertake regular training courses. Everyone is offered a free pre-assessment visit to give a good evaluation of what is needed, to see if I can help and to introduce myself.

Please visit www.gastonshomehelp.co.uk to find out more or contact me on 07949823296 or email: gastonshomehelp@yahoo.com

SPEEDING UP THE HEALING PROCESS IN 2023

BY DAPHNE HAZELL, LEAD GP AT HOMEWOUNDCARE

Many people with bumps and knocks and slow healing wounds (which are known as ulcers) are keen to do everything they can to get back to normal. As we look to a new year and fresh start, here are some of the things you can do to help your wounds heal quicker.

Eat more protein

Studies have shown that people with wounds need a lot more extra protein in their diet for healing. We need a higher percentage of protein in our diet as we age anyway, and your protein need can triple with a particularly nasty, wet wound. Protein in meals delivers the amino acids necessary for wound healing and if deficient the body will prioritize protein needed for muscles over that needed for wound healing.

Achieving the recommended protein intake for wound healing, can be extremely challenging. People naturally think of eating more meat and fish but many people don’t like to eat meat at every meal or are vegetarian.

Simple ‘swaps’, our experienced wound care nurses suggest, are eggs with your morning toast, high protein yoghurts instead of standard ones, cereal swaps (such as weetabix ‘protein’ for weetabix), protein pasta – available in health food shops and made from pea protein, high protein snack bars, protein ice-cream and protein shakes.

Vitamins, antioxidants and minerals in fresh fruit and vegetables also help improve wound healing, and it may be worth discussing taking a supplement to boost these as well.

You should aim to maintain your weight whilst healing, and then if you need to lose weight to start this again when you have healed.

Cut down alcohol

Alcohol exposure significantly reduces the level of key components of the immune system involved in healing and significantly decreases healing rates. High alcohol use doubles the risk of wound infections. It is amazing to see how even tiny little antimicrobial peptides in the outer layer of skin are reduced in number by a few glasses of your favourite tipple. We recommend cutting down alcohol to an occasional drink, and no more than two drinks on any one occasion.

Continue to exercise

Exercise reduces oxidative damage to tissues, reduces inflammation and maintains wellbeing.

Keeping on with physical activity is an important part of healing

By using dressings and medical adhesives that stay secure longer, it is possible to exercise without dressings falling off. We tend to use waterproof dressings for people who exercise vigorously as sweat can break down some adhesives. Many people find being told not to swim an unpleasant aspect of having a wound and there are multiple ways around this. It is important however to speak with your practice, community or homewoundcare specialist nurse to find the right way for you. We often recommend our clients to schedule a wound dressing appointment for shortly after they exercise.

Homewoundcare.co.uk provides specialist wound care nurses, focused on faster, effective and convenient wound care in your home or office.

FLANSHAM PARK HEALTH CENTRE

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY & HAPPY NEW YEAR

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your support and understanding during this exceptionally difficult and challenging year for us as a practice and the NHS as a whole.

FACEBOOK

We now have a Facebook page. Please take a moment to visit, share and like our site.

https://www.facebook.com/ FlanshamPark HC

OUT OF HOURS CARE

Don’t forget to keep yourself well and book in for your flu jab. You can email flansham.fluclinic@nhs.net or call 01243 210086 after 10.00am to make an appointment in our dedicated flu clinics but hurry as vaccines are going fast.

For a life threatening emergency – ring 999

Otherwise consider using a pharmacist or the NHS website for advice

Ringing 111 will direct you to the Out of Hours Services for Doctors and Nurses . Out of Hours appointments are available during the evenings & at weekends. Clinicians working for the IC24 team (Integrated Care 24) provide the face to face & telephone advice service – this is a not-for profit company which has the contract to provide this care.

Please only use the Accident and Emergency facility at St Richards if your condition is a true accident or emergency.

OUR CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS

Saturday 24th December CLOSED

Sunday 25th December Christmas Day – CLOSED

Monday 26th December Boxing Day – CLOSED

Tuesday 27th December Bank Holiday – CLOSED

Wednesday 28th December 08:00am – 18:30pm

Thursday 29th December 08:00am – 18:30pm

Friday 30th December 08:00am – 18:30pm

Saturday 31st December CLOSED

Sunday 1st January 2023 New Years Day – CLOSED

Monday 2nd January Bank Holiday - CLOSED

Tuesday 3rd January 08:00am – 18:30pm

GET THE RIGHT TREATMENT

stocked

Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home for minor ailments, such as coughs and colds

Ask your local pharmacist for free professional health advice on common illnesses . Phone 111 for medical help of advice outside of normal surgery hours

Minor Accidents & Injuries should be seen at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital not at your GP Surgery.

This is a much more convenient way to contact your GP, wherever you are. No more early morning queuing or trying to get through on the phone lines.

Simply go to www.flanshampark.co.uk and complete a simple form to get advice and treatment by the end of the next working day. You can also request sick notes and test results .

Please mention FELPHAM IN FOCUS when responding to adverts

GIVE US A KISS FOR CHRISTMAS … BY TOM HANCOCK

So goes the vintage Pinky and Perky song. A kiss under a sprig of mistletoe is a well-known festive tradition. But why?

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant which attaches itself to a tree by means of something called a haustorium, and through this it extracts water and nutrients from the host plant. So how did it become associated with romance?

Mistletoe’s medicinal uses can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where they used it as a cure for everything from menstrual cramps to spleen disorders, and the Romans used as for epilepsy, ulcers and as a poison. No obvious romantic overtones there!

Enter the Celtic Druids around 1st century A.D. Mistletoe thrives during the coldest winters, so the Druids adopted it as a sacred symbol of vivacity, and used it in both humans and animals in the hope of restoring fertility.

Then there is the Norse myth of Odin’s son Baldur, who was prophesied to die, so his mother Frigg, the goddess of love, went to all the animals and plants of the natural world to secure an oath that they would not harm him. But she forgot to ask the humble mistletoe, so the god Loki cunningly made an arrow from the plant and used it to kill the otherwise invincible Baldur. But the gods were able to resurrect him, so (somewhat counterintuitively perhaps) Frigg declared mistletoe a symbol of love and vowed to plant a kiss on all those who passed beneath it.

Mistletoe’s associations with fertility and health continued through the Middle Ages, and by the 18th century it had become entwined with Christmas celebrations. Unusually the kissing tradition spread upwards from the lower classes of servants to the middle classes.

The old custom was that men were allowed to steal a kiss from any woman caught standing under the mistletoe, and refusing was viewed as bad luck. Some versions have the men pluck a single berry from the mistletoe with each kiss, and to cease their amorous intents when the mistletoe was bare.

Do you love or hate the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe?

ROTARY CLUB

This year has been a busy one for our club members and our friends’ group. At the beginning of the year, we ran many CPR and defibrillator training sessions for local groups and members of the public and these were very well received by those attending.

During the summer we organised themed music events in Hotham Park which were well attended by over 500 people sitting on the grass and listening to both country and Rock n Roll groups.

At the beginning of October, the Arun Sports Association for the Disabled, ASAD, reopened after a break of several years due to Covid. Our club has for many years provided volunteers to run these weekly Sunday events at The Arena Sports Centre. Between 2.00pm and 4.00pm every Sunday afternoon the disabled in our community can play boccia, short mat bowls, darts, table tennis and cross bow archery. All of these activities have been adapted for the disabled. If you are disabled and would like to attend or you are someone who would like to help at these sessions, please contact the Chairman Mike Fildes on 01243 828718 during office hours or email him at fildesroofing@yahoo.co.uk

December is always busy with collections at our local supermarkets and this year we will be at Tescos on the 15th and 16th December and at the Marks and Spencer’s Food Store on the 17th and 18th. Please come and say hello and if you can donate some money, we will use it all to help people in our local community.

From all the members of our club, A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

FELPHAM ART GROUP

BY JOHN KING

The Felpham Art Group enjoyed a very successful post pandemic comeback with a full calendar of activities thanks to the dedicated work of their Chairman Terry Collins. The events were well attended by members who enjoyed meeting up once again with friends after the long covid lockdowns were lifted and they were able to share their art at the painting workshops and demonstrations in various mediums and styles presented by well-known professional artists.

During the lockdowns, members were able to make full use of the many YouTube demonstrations and Zoom workshops that Terry also organized, there were also tutorials on television that helped inspire and detract from the isolation brought about by the covid invasion. Some members also formed small groups where they were able to share and discuss their art interests.

The Felpham Art Group also presented seven exhibitions, three of which were at the Norfolk Centre in Arundel and four at the Felpham seafront. All in all, this year turned out to be one of the most successful years ever for our members’ art sales, no doubt, some of which are now adorning many of your walls.

It is possible that some In Focus readers are interested in art and like to paint but don’t think that their work isn’t good enough to join an art group. However, that is the best reason to join a group. The Felpham Art Group’s membership comprises beginners to professional artists so lots of helpful guidance and advice is available. Why not be our guest at one of our demonstrations and see for yourself, just contact Terry to find out when our next demonstration is at this address:

terrycollins6@outlook.com

The Summer Exhibition was attended by the president Lady Caroline Marshall who presented her special award to Geoff Ackroyd for his beautiful painting ‘The Barges on Rye’.

The Visitor’s Choice was awarded to Eric Bobby for his painting entitled ‘Arrrrgh dropped it’ of engineers working on a magnificent steam engine of yesteryear.

Please mention FELPHAM IN FOCUS when responding to adverts

How to Play Sudoku

It’s simple! Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

Friday 2nd December – 7.30pm.

60 Minutes of Classical Music. (in studio 1 – unreserved)

Tickets - £6.50 / Under 25s £3.50

Tuesday 6th December – 2pm.

2 O’Clock Club. (in studio 1 – unreserved seating)

Tickets - £6 / £5 cons. / Friends £4.50

Booking Now!

Wednesday 7th December – Sunday 1st January 2023

‘Beauty and the Beast’ – Pantomime.

Tickets - from £17.00

It’s Pantomime time again in Bognor Regis…. And the Regis Centre have really got a show for you this year!!

Friday 9th & Saturday 10th December 2022 – 7.30pm, Sat Mat – 2.30pm

Christmas Concert. (in studio 1 – unreserved seating)

Tickets - £10 / Cons £9

WHAT’S ON

Friday 6th January – 7.30pm

60 Minutes of Classical Music.

Tickets - £6.50 / Under 25s £3.50

A monthly 60 minutes concert in Studio One at the Alexandra Theatre. This month with cellist Roger Clayden.

Tuesday 10th January – 2.00pm

The 2 O’clock Club. Tickets - £6 / £5 cons. The celebrated Reunion Band will be performing a wide range of great songs and tunes that people will easily recognise, drawn from English and Irish folk traditions.

Thursday 19th - Saturtday 21st January

Marvellous Musicals. University of Chichester

Ticket prices - TBC

Enjoy a journey through songs from the musicals with the students from the University of Chichester’s Cabaret course.

GINGERBREAD BY SARAH

DAVEY

RUN, RUN, FAST AS YOU CAN, YOU CAN’T CATCH ME, I’M THE GINGERBREAD MAN!

Who hasn’t eaten a festive gingerbread man? You may even have attempted to make a gingerbread house. Gingerbread is strongly associated with Christmas but how did that happen?

Ginger root originally came to Europe via the Silk Road, which was an ancient trade route, and in the Middle Ages it was used for medicinal purposes and in the preserving of meats.

By the late Middle Ages, Europeans had begun to bake sweet gingerbread biscuits. These were shaped like animals, kings, and queens, and were sometimes gilded with gold leaf. They were a staple at Medieval fairs across Europe, particularly in England, France, Holland, and Germany. Queen Elizabeth I is even said to have had some made to resemble the dignitaries visiting her court.

So popular was gingerbread that the fairs became known as Gingerbread Fairs, and the gingerbread biscuits were named ‘fairings.’ As the fairs took place throughout the year the shapes of the gingerbread changed with the seasons: flowers in the spring and leaves in the autumn.

The gingerbread houses we know today originated in Germany during the 16th century. Bakers created elaborate buildings were decorated with foil and white icing in addition to gold leaf. The Brothers Grimm penned the story of Hansel and Gretel, who discover a house made entirely of sweet treats, deep in the forest, but it’s unclear whether the popularity of gingerbread houses were a result of the fairy tale, or whether the fairy tale borrowed from an already established tradition.

Quite why gingerbread became associated with Christmas is also unclear but is probably due to a number of factors. Christmas markets were big ‘whole town’ events, and gingerbread is easy to make, and keeps well, so it’s ideal for selling on a stall. It’s likely that the combination of white icing and foil decoration was easily adaptable to create miniature snow-covered dwellings which provided pretty centrepieces for the festive dinner tables of middle-class households. The longevity and structural integrity of gingerbread also lends itself well to creating edible decorations for hanging on trees or giving as gifts. Historically diets of ordinary people were simple and bland because sugar was an expensive luxury. People could only afford to splash out on ingredients for cakes, biscuits, and sweets occasionally, and Christmas was the time when even less well-off people spent a little extra on fancy food and drink.

Whatever its history, gingerbread is now firmly entwined with the festive season, from sweet little gingerbread reindeer to gingerbread lattes, the sight, smell, and taste of gingerbread is synonymous with Christmas.

SPARKLE IN STYLE THIS CHRISTMAS

BY FELPHAM FASHION GURU VICKY BOOKER

It’s party time! Whether you’re living it up at glitzy do’s, or keeping things relaxed and simple with drinks at home, there’s a look to suit every occasion this festive season. Let’s talk colour

I know the default is often to go for black - the classic LBD (little black dress), black trousers and a ‘nice top’, or maybe a black jumpsuit. But, why not step out of your comfort zone and try something different when it comes to colour!

Black isn’t always that flattering on everyone. It can look heavy or draining, especially if you have lighter hair and fair skin. So, rather than a black party dress, how about a cobalt blue velvet leopard print dress by Roman? The wrap-style is super-flattering on most body shapes, and the fabric has lots of stretch so is great on curvy figures (and more forgiving if you hit the buffet hard!). And it has longsleeves which is a bonus if you prefer to keep your arms covered.

Continuing the velvet theme, I absolutely love this Red velvet tuxedo-style suit from Reiss. This certainly has the wow factor! You can’t get more Christmassy than red velvet, and the trousers are a very on-trend kick-flare style. What’s great about this suit is the versatility. Wear with a silky Cami and sparkly heels for a ‘black-tie’ dress code event. Then team the jacket with some leather trousers, or even jeans and boots for a meal out, or drinks party. The trousers would work with smart leather pumps, a slogan t-shirt and a bomber jacket, or a simple polo-neck knit for Christmas day.

Sparkle and Shine

It wouldn’t be Christmas without sequins and sparkly things, and this season there’s lots to choose from. Try a sequin skirt and team with a fluffy knit to play it down (left), or heels and a corset top for full party glamour. This stretch silver skirt is by TU at Sainsburys, so you can pick up your sprouts at the same time – and it’s just £24!

Or try this sparkly jumpsuit by one of my favourite brands – Sosandar. Again, a sleeve for a bit of coverage, and the pewter shade is universally flattering for most skin tones.

If you’re after something a little more relaxed, or aren’t keen on super-dressy partywear, try an embellished shirt, or a stylish Christmas knit. A pink blouse from River Island comes in four colours (yes, including black if you must!) and would go with everything – a leather skirt or jeggings, jeans, or wide-leg silky trousers. Or try a stylish take on the Christmas jumper with this fitted fairisle knit from Karen Millen. It would look fab with a maxiskirt and boots – the ideal Christmas Day outfit.

Hopefully that’s given you some ideas for your celebration outfits. As ever, if you need help with picking the best looks to suit your style, get in touch – I also offer gift vouchers if you’d like a unique present for someone (or yourself!).

Thank you all for reading my fashion musings this year, and I wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year – Cheers!

If you’d like some help with staying stylishly cosy this winter, get in touch to see how I can help – I offer a Personal Shopping service as well as styling.

www.vickybooker.com and email: vicky@vickybooker.com

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) Specialists

The beauty of LVT is the ability to create unique designs and patterns as you would with natural materials. It is possible to mimic real stone, ceramic and wood flooring using tiles, planks and more recently parquet.

Today's manufacturing techniques give incredible realistic results almost indistinguishable from the real thing as they are also textured to mimic the real materials, yet it is incredibly hard wearing, designed to withstand the rigours of modern day life.

The diversity and practicality of LVT makes it a winner anywhere in the home, office or any other area that needs floor coverings.

We will be delighted to help you realise your ideas. We can also provide creative input and expert advcie during the planning phase of your project.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY.....IS THAT LITTLE EXTRA

ST MARY’S AT CHRISTMAS BY REVD. JOHN

In Felpham we run Open Stable in a our church hall over Christmas. Open Stable is a place for those who are not feeling Christmassy and for those who are! It is for singles, married, families, pensioners, teenagers it is for everyone. Love is the simplest, and yet the most complex of states of being. Showing love comes in many guises. To ‘feel Christmassy’ I would suggest, is to feel excited but also wanted, cared for, and loved. Humanity had lost God, but God in His infinite love came and gave himself back again. We see Open Stable as a way of saying to the wider community of Felpham, come, whoever you are, join us, sit eat, drink in the company of others. We of course feel this sense of wanting to share all year round but perhaps more acutely at Christmas.

My first Christmas as a curate (trainee vicar) I wasn’t married, and I led the Crib service for many of the families and then the Midnight Mass service. I returned to an empty house. From my house I could hear parties happening and Christmas celebrations. I had been wishing many people a joyous time at the church door, wished others on the street a Merry Christmas and then found myself almost on my own in a dark house. I knew I was back on duty leading the Christmas Day services in just a few hours’ time and yet I didn’t feel Christmassy at all. In one sense I was surrounded by all that could make us feel Christmassy: church, choir, people in the holiday mood, children dressed as shepherds but the overwhelming mood for me was one of loneliness.

I had a dog, a black lab (of course) and he and I spent that Christmas night walking in the woods and sleeping on the sofa together. I did catch up with my family when I came off duty later, but I had a sense of what a lonely Christmas can feel like and how it can be a tough time.

It can be hard at Christmas when we have seen death in our family during the year, hard when we are single , it is also possible to be lonely in a crowd. I see the imagine of Jesus, the image of God born in human form lying in a feeding trough, called a manger as a vital one. For some it is a twee image that means very little. It will appear on Christmas cards and for them that is as far as it goes. But for me it is a startling image. Seeing the image of the Christ child in a feeding trough,

makes me understand the fragility of life and that God came to feed us, His sheep. Jesus begins His life of giving by symbolically being seen in a place where sheep and cattle eat. He will come later to feed His flock in a different way. His bread and His wine are the simplicities of His love which brings life to those who seek Him. As a babe He brought life to those who first found Him on that Christmas morning.

Christmas Ser vices at St Mar y’s, Felpham

27th November : 6pm

Advent Carol Service

From darkness to light

4th December : 9.30 & 11am

Toy Service

11th December : 4pm Christingle

18th December : 6pm

9 Lessons & Carols

Christmas Eve : 5pm

Crib Service - A service for all ages with retelling of Jesus’ birth

Christmas Eve : 11.30pm

Midnight Mass - The traditional way to see in Christmas day

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Christmas Day : 8am : Said Service

10am : Eucharist of Christmas Day for all ages

At Open Stable we hope to bring a sense of belonging and love to others. This Christmas, I pray that we all have a moment where we feel we have been able to experience a little bit of the joy of the Christ Child, and to feel that we are able to pass on such joy and love to those around us. Please join me and the team at Open Stable. You know you will be welcome. It is about slowing down and sharing time together. Come, old and young, you are welcome to simply sit, be and know that we care.

Christmas Ser vices at St Mar y’s, Felpham

27th November : 6pm

Advent Carol Service

From darkness to light

4th December : 9.30 & 11am

Toy Service

11th December : 4pm Christingle

18th December : 6pm 9 Lessons & Carols

Christmas Eve : 5pm

Crib Service - A service for all ages with retelling of Jesus’ birth

Christmas Eve : 11.30pm

Midnight Mass - The traditional way to see in Christmas day

Christmas Day : 8am : Said Service

10am : Eucharist of ChristmasDay for all ages

Unisex Hairdresser based in Felpham. Colour Work Cutting & Styling Children

Mobile visits available for those unable to come to the salon. Over 20 years experience. Fully insured.

Laura Johnson 07961 088749

To contact FELPHAM IN FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

CHRISTMAS IN FELPHAM ... BARBARA’S PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS, IN CONVERSATION WITH JANE SUMMERVILLE, CHAIR OF FELPHAM VILLAGE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

A Christmas tree is delivered by one of the Keen brothers, on a horse and cart, to a house in Felpham …

“The Keens had a greengrocer’s shop in Waterloo Road: one brother delivered greengrocery (and Christmas trees!); one worked in the shop; and the third had a smallholding off Flansham Lane. Once World War II started, there were only four of us at home for Christmas: my mother, one of her five sisters, my sister and me. My father had been a naval reserve and was called up six months prior to the start of the war. He had previously worked for the Bognor Gas and Electric Company (we used to get free coke for the fire because of his occupation). Before he left for service, I remember sewing the white tape stripes onto his sailor’s collar. Later, I remember our receiving a telegram saying that he was missing in action; I was 12 years old. We then heard that he had been killed when his ship, HMS Vortigern was torpedoed by an E-boat and sunk off Cromer, in 1942 whilst defending a coastal convoy against attack.”

That is very sad. I know you went to St Mary’s church and that St Mary’s has been part of your life; what do you remember about the church at Christmas?

“The church had a Christmas tree, as they do now. Many years ago, it was a real tree, sited by the lectern although, later, by the church door like today. The tree was donated by the greengrocer in Felpham Road, nearly opposite the church. A teacher at the Felpham school, Miss Doreen Brigden known as “Briggy” oversaw flowers for the church and it was decorated with holly. When I was older, I joined the girls’ choir and sung at Midnight Mass. The boys’ choir was separate and did not sing at Midnight Mass until the organist at the time, John (who later became my husband) requested that the boys’ and girls’ choirs should sing together.”

I’m digressing slightly but tell me about the church organists.

“There were several organists over the years. I originally remember Molly Manners who was the vicar, Father Manners’ sister. There was the old pipe organ that had some of its workings in a trunk. Every now and then, Molly had to ask someone to “get up and kick it”. Molly was followed by Betty Bristow. I don’t recall who came next but soon after John had moved to Bognor Regis, the church needed an organist for Matins and he took that role. Gradually, he took on the other services except for Evensong.”

What else do you remember about Christmas in Felpham?

“I sang with Toc H who used to sing carols in Felpham. Don Iveson, one of the two brothers who had Ivesons Bakery on Felpham Way, had asked me to do this. We had a trumpet player, an accordionist, and, of course, the singers. We sang for two or three nights before Christmas, in Flansham Lane, Manor Close and elsewhere in the village. People would come out of their houses to listen.”

…. The Christmas tree is placed in a bucket on a table at home and decorated with real candles put into candlesticks clipped to the tree. Not something that can happen now, of course!

A Merry Christmas to all readers and a Happy and Peaceful New Year

To find out more about Felpham Village Conservation Society, see: https://felphamvillageconservation.co.uk

To contact FELPHAM IN FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

Photograph of Christmas card sold by St Mary’s Church 30-40 years ago. Not to be reproduced without permission of Graham Crouch.

A GOOD READ

BY NATASHA DONOVAN

One Day in December by Josie Silver

It’s the time of year for a feel-good romantic novel, one that can be enjoyed curled up under a blanket with a nutmeg-spiced hot chocolate.

Laurie is unlucky in love and stuck in a career rut. One day she is sitting on a bus when she spots a man reading at the bus stop. He looks up, their eyes meet and somewhere there is a spark. Laurie can’t stop thinking about him, wondering if they will ever meet. Her best friend and roommate Sarah is Laurie’s opposite. She introduces Jack, her new boyfriend to Laurie, anxious that they will hit it off except... her boyfriend is the man from the bus, the guy that Laurie has been dreaming about. No surprises here...classic romantic chick-lit so far.

Cue heartbreak and hiccups, and the quest not to hurt a friend while pursuing your own ‘happily ever after’. But this novel actually spans a decade (unusual for a romance) of friendship, fate, unrequited feelings, forgiveness, heartache, and love. It’s not a typical love story...there’s good character development. It’s told both from Laurie and Jack’s perspectives, with the reader privy to their thoughts and feelings. It has all the nostalgia (and a few of the cliches) of a Richard Curtis film, but the trio of central characters clearly care deeply about each other. Their friendship feels genuine, which in turn makes us care about them and gives the story its heart.

If this book doesn’t get made into a film at some point, I’ll be surprised.

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould

This enthralling tale tells the story of Father Christmas as a boy. It’s touching, funny and packed with memorable characters

Nikolas and his lumberjack father Joel are poor. Miika (a mouse) is his Nikolas’ only friend. In his whole life Nikolas has only received two Christmas presents: a sleigh and a turnip doll.

Then Anders the Hunter comes to recruit Joel to work on a mission for the King. If they can prove the existence of Elves they will be rewarded handsomely.

Keen to improve their circumstances, Joel heads off, leaving Nikolas to be looked after by his horrible Aunt Carlotta.

When Joel doesn’t return Nikolas begins to worry and eventually sets out with Miika on the long and treacherous journey to find his father.

Along the way there is Elf Village, a kidnapped elf, a naughty Truth Pixie that likes to watch people’s heads explode, and an unpleasant Troll named Sebastian. There is also of course, a flying reindeer. Haig does not disappoint with the ending, explaining how Nikolas finally finds his purpose, by becoming Father Christmas.

A Boy Called Christmas is the perfect festive story to read to children on the run-up to Christmas. As a bonus it is beautifully illustrated by Chris Mould. One you will return to each Christmas.

FELPHAM PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

THE YEAR THAT WAS IN 2022 FELPHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Here is a snapshot of just some of the things we have been doing in the past year

Monitored all planning applications in the Parish and, using our local knowledge, advised Arun District Council of the action we believed that they should take. Felpham Parish Council lodged strong objections to the proposed Bognor Regis Golf Club Development and issued further objections in October having reviewed the information from West Sussex County Council’s Highways Department.

Paid for free parking in two Felpham car parks. In March 2022, Councillor Glen Hewlett attended the Arun District Council Environment Committee meeting to represent Felpham residents and ensure that the planned introduction of charges did not take place.

Installed a Queens Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Bench at Binsted Avenue and maintained many other assets including further benches, lighting, a village flagpole, bus shelters, picnic tables and gateway signs.

Planted flowering verge trees throughout Felpham to improve the environment and surroundings for residents.

Installed solar lighting at Felpham promenade and repaired broken footpath lighting.

Continued to run a Community Resilience Partnership, assisting residents in crisis and emergencies.

Held our annual event ‘Fun on the Prom’ for Felpham residents and their families, with entertainment, stalls and refreshments throughout the day and evening.

Launched a Platinum Blue Plaque Trail to discover the stories of some of the Village’s remarkable people and explore some of Felpham’s key landmarks.

Considered road traffic mitigation schemes for Felpham. This year we have lodged a Community Highways Application to mitigate speeding in Felpham and a Traffic Regulation Order request to alleviate problems at Snooks Corner which we hope will prove successful.

Installed two public use barbecues at Felpham beachfront which we hope Felpham residents will enjoy using next year.

Purchased a further public use defibrillator.

Ran and maintained the Community Hall

Plus …

• Continued to support the Aldingbourne Rife Footpaths and Country Park Action Group in their work to save Aldingbourne Rife and its wildlife.

• Made grants to benefit local residents.

• Assisted parishioners with all enquiries to the Parish Office.

• Launched a Youth Club at the Felpham Community Hall in conjunction with Sussex Clubs for Young People and Worthing Homes.

• Worked to improve the environment by introducing Community Road Verges in Felpham where wild orchids have been spotted growing.

• Provided two allotment sites for Felpham residents and worked to create additional plots.

All of us at the Parish Council, wish you all a Christmas that is safe, warm and comfortable. Seasons greetings and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to you all.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR WORK FOR FELPHAM RESIDENTS IN 2023.

Felpham Parish Council, Felpham Community Hall, Meaden Way, Felpham, West Sussex, PO22 8FA, Tel:01243 827470, Mon-Fri, 10.00am-3.00pm. Email: clerk@felphampc.gov.uk

Dr Davina Mahoney Dr John Harker Dr Mauricio Carrillo Dr Sharad Patel

If you have moved to this area, or are looking for a new dentist, we would love for you to come and join our friendly Bognor Regis practice. We pride ourselves on a partnership built on trust and mutual respect to improve your dental health. We aim to work with you to provide optimum dental care with the latest and advanced dental treatments, transparent costs and a friendly experience every time you visit us.

• Free initial consultation

• Latest implant technology including on-site 3D CBCT scanner

• No more gaps or dentures

• Eat, chew and smile with complete confidence

• We accept referrals from other dental practices for complex single and multiple dental implants

Felpham Dental Implant Clinic

At Felpham Dental we offer a full range of cost-effective treatments for both general and cosmetic dentistry. These include whitening, veneers, crowns, white fillings, dental implants, root canal treatments and facial aesthetics including intradermal wrinkle treatments.

We accept referrals for complex root canal treatments with Dr John Harker, and oral surgery referrals including facial pain and migraine, with Dr Mauricio Carrillo.

Invisalign Teeth Straightening

• Free initial consultation

• Almost invisible teeth straightening

• Faster straightening of teeth

Direct Hygienist Access

You can directly access our full team of dental hygienists: Elizabeth Goodchild, Jane Gander and Helen Carter even if you are not a registered patient.

Emergency Dental Care

Please call 01243 864663 and speak with Chrissie or Tracey.

Contact us:

Felpham Dental

83 Felpham Road

Bognor Regis.PO22 7PF

(Opposite Milestones Garage)

Tel: 01243 864663

felphamdental@aol.com

www.felphamdental.com

Ashton Domiciliary Care

OUR FAMILY CARING FOR YOURS!

Reliable help with indoor and outdoor tasks, a caring ear, a friendly familiar face and making a cup of tea so you can put your feet up - that’s what we do. Our dedicated team are trained to support mental wellbeing and to help you access support groups in your community.

Showering, Bathing, Toileting Needs, Oral Mouth Care, Hair Care, Foot Care, Incontinence Care.

Shopping Trips, Transport & Attending to Classes, Attending Appointments, Accompanying to Lunch and Dinners.

Food Preparation, Cooking, Shopping, Monitoring, Food Rotation, Companionship: Social Calls, Help and Hobbies, Stimulating Mental Health Activities, Pet Care.

• Domestic: Cleaning, Washing Up, Laundry, Bed Change, Taking the Bins Out.

• Everything Else: Dementia Care, End of Life Care, Medication Management, Arranging Appointments, Collecting Prescriptions, Short Term Respite Care.

OUR DAILY BREAD BY

LOUISE ADDISON

A BREAD MAKER MEANS YOU’LL NEVER BE WITHOUT FRESH BAKED BREAD AGAIN

If there was a Top Twenty for aromas then surely the smell of freshly baked bread would be number one. Top three at least.

But how many of us have the time to bake our own bread? Enter the bread maker. I bought one twenty years ago and have never regretted it. It’s still working, but I’m tempted recently to upgrade, and bread makers have moved on light years since my initial purchase.

My old Panasonic is a bit of a behemoth. It takes up a lot of counter space, and I was surprised that some newer models are even larger! But there are compact appliances available now too.

So, what do modern bread makers have to offer?

Well, they will all cook standard white and wholemeal loaves, and if that is all you require, a basic model is all you will require. Why pay more for features you won’t use?

But if you’re interested…

• Automatic ingredient dispenser - I paid a premium for this feature twenty years ago but it’s more common now and I would definitely recommend it for adding dried fruit and nuts easily.

• Alarm – You can’t add moist ingredients like cooked onions of grated cheese or ingredients that might melt like chocolate chips, into the automatic dispensers of most bread makers, so an alarm to let you know when to do it manually is useful.

• A delay timer – My delay timer is now a bit temperamental, which is one of the reasons I’m looking to upgrade. A delay feature means you can add ingredients to the mixing bowl several hours ahead, so you have freshly baked bread at a time to suit you – in the evening with supper, or first thing with your coffee.

• Viewing window - A few new models offer this. I managed for 20 years without one but it’s a cool feature for checking on the progress of your loaf.

• Keep-warm - This setting keeps your freshly baked bread warm for up to an hour after the programme has finished. Handy if you’re delayed.

• Speciality breads - Modern bread makers have mastered brioche, rye, sourdough, Italian and French (though not baguettes obviously because of the shape!). Some have even mastered gluten-free, though some models manage this better than others (The Tefal PF240E40 Bread Maker has many GF fans). Some bread makers make a great pizza dough and /or fresh pasta dough (Gastroback 62823 Automatic Bread Maker Advanced, Morphy Richards 48281 Bread maker, Sage the Custom Loaf Bread Maker). I love making pizzas and I do love fresh pasta, but find it a faff to make the doughs by hand, so they would be bonus features for me.

• Yoghurt - I learned to make yoghurt in a thermos over lockdown. Apparently it’s a similar process in a bread maker but how useful it would be for me I’m not sure.

• Jam - Some models promise to cook the sugar and fruits at the right temperature to make jam, so that it can be decanted straight into jars. If you’re into jam-making as well as bread-making it’s something to consider.

If you’ve always wanted to have a go at making your own bread but never have the time, try putting a bread maker on your Christmas list this year. It’s the gift that will keep on giving.

THE PENSION WISE SERVICE

This is a free service provided by the Government’s Money Helper Service and is available to anyone who is 50 or over and has a Defined Contribution pension. These are pension pots which you, and possibly an employer, may have paid contributions to, and which are generally available to draw from the age 55. They are not for people who only have a Defined Benefit pension (Final salary) or only have a state pension.

The service offers telephone, and face-to face appointments at neutral venues, offering impartial guidance, (we tell you what you can do, not what you should do with your pensions) and helps explain the various options available. The appointment will discuss the income tax implications for drawing pensions depending on which option you wish to choose, along with the option to leave your pension for later.

During these turbulent economic times, you may have concerns about whether to draw your pension but may have little idea about how best to do that. Pension Wise has been running since 2015 and has been extremely successful. Approximately 320,000 appointments have been carried out nationwide and even offers the telephone service to those with UK pensions who live abroad. All Pension Wise Guidance Specialists are accredited through the Chartered Insurance Institute or the Pensions Management Institute. Furthermore, all the information you share will be recorded confidentially and will not be shared with any third party

To book a free Pension Wise appointment, telephone 0800 011 3797 or visit www.moneyhelper.org.uk

The Pros and Cons of a DIY Will

by Mark Riley, Founder & Managing Partner, MJR Solicitors

A DIY Will is exactly what you think it is. It’s a Will you write yourself, by using an online Will writing service or completing a Will pack by hand, rather than having an experienced solicitor write it for you. Writing your Will this way is popular and provides you with standard templates and resources. It’s cost-effective, and it gets the job done. But here are a few things to consider with DIY Wills:

Pros

• It’s a cheap, or even free, easy to complete

• Online and paper documents widely available

• Completing a DIY Will can be done quickly

• It will provide enough detail for small estates

Cons

• Easy to make mistakes, meaning can be invalid

• Mistakes can add significant delays to probate

• Errors can cause financial or other problems for your family

• It can cost more in the long run to correct any mistakes

• They still require legal witness(es)

• Not enough detail for larger or more complicated estates

• There can be a risk of legal challenges

This is just a small selection of cons for a DIY Will. If you’re thinking about a DIY approach, you probably won’t know how to write a Will properly like a qualified solicitor with plenty of specialist experience will, who will make sure it complies with all legal requirements.

The Importance of Using a Solicitor for your Will

By using a Solicitor, you are ensuring peace of mind as they will make sure the Will is written properly. A Solicitor will:

• Ask the right questions so nothing is missed

• Draft your Will properly so it’s not invalid

• Understand your complexities

• Fulfil your estate planning (Inheritance Tax, Probate, and Power of Attorney)

• Supply safe storage

A Will should be created with care and consideration, following all the required rules and procedures, and only an expert Solicitor can do that for you.

With a range of affordable fixed fees, our experienced team at MJR Solicitors can help you, giving you all the legal advice you need – without the legal jargon – on your Will and any estate planning or administration matters. Contact us today to book your free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Tel: 01243 945054

info@mjrsolicitors.co.uk

www.mjrsolicitors.co.uk

Recent Client Feedback:

“Having never used a Solicitor before we found the whole experience easy, relaxed and, although a legal matter, it had an informal feel whilst being professional.”

Trusted, knowledgeable, by your side

Just as we prepare for the festive season, it’s really important to prepare and think about effective estate planning, especially in these ever-changing times. Regardless of your age, wealth, health or status, planning for your future can guarantee that your wishes are followed and ensure your loved ones get the full benefit of your legacy. Our experts will guide you through the process.

GARDEN VIEW

MAGICAL POINSETTIAS

BY RACHEL LEVERTON

In the UK, poinsettias have become as entwined with Christmas as holly and mistletoe. Yet poinsettias are actually sub-tropical plants, native to Central America and Mexico, requiring temperatures of between 10 and 21 degrees centigrade to survive.

The bright red ‘flowers’ are really bracts, surrounding the real flowers, which are tiny and insignificant.

They are notoriously difficult to persuade to flower again so it is with some pride that I tell you my current poinsettia is seven years old, huge, and flowers every year.

If you want to try this, fertilize the plant once a month then cut back the stems in February to promote new growth. In May repot it to a larger container.

From late September to 1st December cover the plant between 6pm and 8am as poinsettias need long periods of darkness in order to persuade the bracts to turn red. Around December 1st you should have a beautiful flowering poinsettia.

But if this sounds too much like hard work...well, you can always buy another one!

As it’s the festive season I thought I’d finish with a traditional Christmas story, explaining how the poinsettia came to be associated with this time of year.

If you buy a poinsettia for someone this year it might be nice to tell them the story when you give them the plant:

In Mexico, there once lived a little girl called Pepita who came from a very poor family. Every year, she and her brother Pablo looked forward to the big Christmas festival in their village. A manger scene would be set up in the church and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. On Christmas Eve the whole village would attend church and all the children would place a gift for the baby Jesus next to the manger.

One year Pepita’s family had no money at all to buy such a gift so it was with a sad heart that Pepita walked to the church that Christmas Eve and as they drew closer she began to weep.

“Little Pepita, why do you cry?” asked her older brother Pablo.

“Because I have no gift for the Christ child,” she answered.

“Oh Pepita, even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be accepted by him,” said Pablo, comforting her.

Pepita considered this for a while then gathered a handful of weeds from the roadside verge and fashioned them into a small posy. But as she entered the church her heart felt heavier than before. With her head bowed she approached the altar and knelt to lay her posy before the manger. Suddenly the tiny bouquet burst into blooms of brilliant red starry flowers and all who saw them were sure they had witnessed a Christmas miracle.

The flowers are known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico which translates as Flowers of the Holy Night.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Solution to Mind Benders

Helen Gagan Solicitor

HELPING FAMILIES PLAN THEIR FUTURES

HELPING FAMILIES PLAN

THEIR FUTURES

A specialist in inheritance and succession planning Helen advises families on how best to preserve their assets for future generations.

A specialist in inheritance and succession planning Helen advises families on how best to preserve their assets for future generations.

FOR PEACE OF MIND why not make a no obligation free initial appointment to either come into the office, chat over video call or Helen will pop out and see you at home to talk through your present circumstances and those of your loved ones.

FOR PEACE OF MIND why not make a no obligation free initial appointment to either come into the office, chat over vid eo call or Helen will pop out and see you at home to talk through your present circumstances and those of your loved ones.

To be properly protected you need an up to date WILL in place that fits with your current situation and LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY documents covering both Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare matters in case your health deteriorates.

To be properly protected you need an up to date WILL in place that fits with your current situation and LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY documents covering both Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare matters in case your health deteriorates.

We look forward to meeting you and until then, Helen and her team wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas and very happy 2023.

We look forward to meeting you and until then, Helen and her team wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas and very happy 2023.

Please note the office will be closed over the Christmas period from 4pm on Friday 23rd December until 9am on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

Please note the office will be closed over the Christmas period from 4pm on Friday 23rd December until 9am on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

Helen Gagan Solicitor ……. listening to her clients Felpham Chambers, 60 Felpham Road, Felpham, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 7NZ Office telephone number: 01243 867330 Mobile: 07584 991081

Felpham Chambers, 60 Felpham Road, Felpham, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 7NZ

Office telephone number: 01243 867330

Mobile: 07584 991081

Email: helen@helengagansolicitor.co.uk

Email: helen@helengagansolicitor.co.uk www.helengagansolicitor.co.uk

www.helengagansolicitor.co.uk

Arun Neighbourhood Policing 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

Throughout December, we will be launching our Christmas crackdown on drink and drug driving. Sussex Police will be working with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership to provide motorists with thought provoking information and statistics on the risk and impact of driving when under the influence whilst also preventing and detecting incidents of drink and/or drug driving. This will be in addition to the routine work that our Roads Policing unit carry out every day.

At Sussex Police we are committed to improving the safety of all road users and reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured (KSIs) on the roads of Sussex.

Sadly drink and drug driving is one of the most common causes of collisions resulting in death or serious injury on our roads. Hundreds of drivers are arrested each month – many of those believe that they are fit to drive the morning after a night out. Others give the excuse that they felt “fine to drive”.

By raising awareness of this serious issue, we hope to discourage people from getting behind the wheel once they have consumed drink or drugs. The smallest amount of drugs or alcohol can impair your judgement and ability to drive safely.

This festive season many people are likely to go out socialising with colleagues, friends and family. Our message is to make sure that if you do, please make alternative plans to get home safely afterwards. Don’t make a choice that puts your life and that of others at risk.

We are always very grateful to the local community for reporting those who drive whilst under the influence. If you suspect someone is driving under the influence of drink and /or drugs, please call us straight away on 999.

One Police resource that we are often asked about is the Police helicopter. Our helicopter is provided by NPAS – National Police Air Service who have 15 bases across England and Wales supplying 19 helicopters and four planes.

Arun and Chichester is mostly served from the Redhill base which has officers from Surrey, Sussex and Kent Police working on the helicopter as Tactical Flight Officers (TFOs) alongside pilots who are directly employed by NPAS.

The helicopter is an EC135T2+ which has a standard set up of four seats. One TFO sits in the front with the pilot and their main role is to operate the cameras. All the aircraft are fitted with daylight cameras capable of reading number plates or seeing a suspect’s clothing. They are also equipped with a thermal camera which can search large areas for suspects, or a missing or vulnerable person.

The second TFO sits behind the pilot and operates the mapping computer software, the radios to communicate with control room, officers on the ground or other police aircraft, the public address system and the “Nightsun” a large search light that can illuminate an area the size of a football pitch or be focussed into a thin pencil beam to identify a particular point or individual to officers on the ground.

Using the helicopter to search for missing or vulnerable people means that large open areas can be covered in a short space of time, saving ground officers having to spend hundreds of hours searching those same areas on foot. In the event of the helicopter crew locating a person who appears to be in need of medical attention, they are able to land (if it’s safe to do so) and deploy from the aircraft with a defib machine and first aid kit if they assess that the location is very remote or if the nearest ambulance is a long way off. Last year NPAS flew 220 hours and attended 225 incidents for Sussex. During that time they found 16 vulnerable people, 23 missing people, 62 suspects and 17 stolen vehicles.

Wishing you all a safe and Happy Christmas.

FRONT OFFICE OPENING HOURS: Bognor Regis: London Road, Bognor Regis, P021 1BA Mon – Fri, 10-2pm and 3-6pm. Littlehampton: County Buildings, East Street, Littlehampton, BN17 6AR Mon – Fri, 10-2pm and 3-6pm. We work closely with Neighbourhood Watch. Visit the Arun Neighbourhood Watch website: arunwestnhw.org.uk or email info@arunwestnhw.org.uk for more info.

FELPHAM

FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

Do you want our local businesses to thrive? We do too!

FFS! is a relaxed friendly networking social for local businesses. All businesses welcome. Come and make valuable connections and enjoy the following FREE business showcases:

Fri 25th November A Christmas Cracker!

Last networking of the year with some bonkers Bingo for a bit of fun with good & bad prizes! and Gift Vouchers available to buy (great Christmas present ideas!)

Fri 27th January

Fitness and Healthy Living

Come and meet some local Fitness and Health businesses.

@The

(look out for our pink banners!) 5pm-7pm - and best of all, IT’S FREE!

Please mention FELPHAM IN FOCUS when responding to adverts