ST ROCHE’S ARBORETUM BY SIMON BAKER IRONS

from Villages in Focus July/August 2023

THE POWER OF COLOUR

During the summer months many of us are looking for a day out and living in Sussex provides us with so many opportunities to do this. For the summer edition walk, I have taken a visit to the West Dean Gardens that is nestled in the South Downs just north of Chichester. I have visited on many occasions and usually walked around the various gardens that contain working Victorian Glasshouses, a 300 foot pergola, the River Lavant with flint bridges over and sculptures which are set amongst the trees and plants. However, on my most recent visit to the gardens I ventured a little further and followed the 3.6km parkland walk to the lesser-known St Roche’s Arboretum.

• From the front of the house follow the waymarked track across the Front Lawn and cross the River Lavant, a winterbourne that rises at East Dean and flows south to Chichester. The route continues into open parkland where sheep are freely grazing. As you head away from the house, see if you can spot the 14th chalk sculpture by Andrew Goldsworthy as featured on a previous walk.

• The track gently rises towards the trees of the arboretum. Just past the gate, the path splits into three ways, take the centre path which is known as the woodland walk. To the left is Grave Glade, which is the burial place of Edward James, who inherited the estate in 1912. As he had no children of his own, he set up the Edward James Foundation in 1964, which later inherited the estate and now runs as a charity. The Grave Glade has a discreet sign to enable visitors to identify it more readily.

• Leaving the Grave Glade, the parkland walk passes through the 20 hectares of the Arboretum. The path meanders past many rhododendrons, azaleas, an amazing handkerchief tree and a collection of large North American conifers that grow surprisingly well on the downland soils. The Great Storm of 1987 devastated the arboretum, felling many exotic trees. However, the storm that initially appeared disastrous has enhanced the park by changing it from being overplanted to a much better balance of open woodland and large glades.

• The path continues into the upper part of the landscaped park, where fantastic views can be had of the Jacobean West Dean Manor House that was built in 1622 and its surrounding gardens. A couple of benches strategically placed here give you the opportunity to rest your legs and admire the amazing views.

• The route descends steeply from the arboretum through more sheep grazed parkland. Views across to the Weald and Downland Museum can be seen to the right. After crossing back over the River Lavant the route conveniently finishes at the shop and café.

The featured walk requires access to West Dean Gardens which incurs an entrance fee, however there are many free walks that can be done on the estate and a leaflet can be downloaded from their website.

To see more photos and walks please follow me on Instagram @piertopiertrekking

Inheritance Tax

You can’t have your cake and eat it!

When a person dies, in general terms Inheritance Tax is payable on the value of the assets comprised in their estate at the date of their death, together with the value of assets given away by them in the previous 7 years, if together the aggregate value is more than the available nil rate band (current maximum being £325,000 per person).

A lot of people conclude that to avoid paying Inheritance Tax all they have to do is gift the whole or even half of their house, bungalow or flat, to their son/daughter, live for 7 years and then that’s it, the value of their asset will be less than the nil rate band. Not so!

If you continue to live in your property after making the gift then this simple avoidance tactic is caught by the Gift with Reservation of Benefit Rules.

Property caught by these Rules is treated by HMRC as if it still forms part of the donor’s estate on their death, irrespective of the number of years that have passed since the date of the gift. It can give rise to the worst of circumstances in that Inheritance Tax still has to be paid on the value of the asset, but the beneficiaries lose any Capital Gains Tax advantages, such as the Tax Free Uplift on death.

If you are worried about Inheritance Tax and want to talk through your options, please feel free to make a mutually convenient appointment for us to meet.

Don’t forget I can also help you with:

• Wills and Trusts

• Inheritance Tax

• Care Fees Planning

• General & Lasting Powers of Attorney

• Probate

• Administration of Estates

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

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

SUNDAY 23rd JULY from 12:30pm

Shrubbs Field, Middleton-on-Sea in aid of Dementia Care UK

CRAFT FAYRE - DOG SHOW

CLASSIC CARS

Events and Entertainments including Vintage Vocal Trio

(The Silhouettes)

Children’s Entertainer Steel Band Bouncy Castles Trampolines

To book a stall (inside or outside) contact 07885 838402

Giant Boot Sale

(No Booking Required) ON FIELD FROM 10:30 A.M.

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

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.

• 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.

Felpham Dental

83 Felpham Road

Bognor Regis.PO22 7PF

(Opposite Milestones Garage)

Tel: 01243 864663 felphamdental@aol.com www.felphamdental.com