Happy New Year and welcome to the January edition of our community publication! As we step into 2025, I am thrilled to bring you a collection of inspiring and engaging stories that reflect the vibrant spirit of our community.
On p20 we feature an article on a world-first football kit collaboration as George Dowell and Jake BakerCliff focus on improving disability inclusivity. This innovative partnership highlights the power of collaboration to bring great results.
Journey from hope to health on p6 if you are prediabetic or living with Type 2 diabetes.
This edition has an emphasis on some of the clubs and groups that form the backbone of our community. I hope you feel inspired to get involved and perhaps even join a new group this year!
As always, I am grateful for your continued support and readership. I’m looking forward to the articles that arrive in my Inbox and celebrate the unique and diverse fabric of our community throughout the coming year.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Bryan Turner MRPharmS | Caroline Osella | Simon Rigler
Chris Hare | Henry Parish | Clive Leach | Matilda Cutting
Beth Sarah | Paul Ackerley
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Accidents and safety
Accidents, whether at home, at work or just out and about, are a public health issue and are increasing in the UK. This is a problem for us. Everyone who has a serious accident may have to give up work, or take a long recovery break. They may well be limited in what they can achieve in their lives, recovering in the best way they can. This is in addition to the pain and suffering.
The latest statistics release sets out a stark picture. Deaths due to accidents have risen by a shocking 42% in the past decade. Across the UK, over 20,000 lives were lost due to accidents. That is a shocking 55 every day. Accidents are now the second biggest cause of deaths in people under 40. The current cost to the NHS for medical care related to accidents has reached £6 billion, after a 48% increase in admissions due to serious injuries in the past 20 years. Within that figure is around 7 million visits to A&E last year costing £613 million. In addition, the cost of lost days at work is estimated at £5.9 billion. In 2022/23, accidents led to 29 million lost working days, which is 10 times more than were lost to strike action.
We all hope and believe that being at home would keep us safe from accidental harm, but the frightening reality is that
Bryan Turner MRPharmS
55% of all accidental deaths occur in the home, and only 0.6% at work. Most of us would think that deaths due to falls would most likely be at work, or caused by trips on pavements, but again 53% of fall deaths happen in the home. The number of deaths caused by falls has risen by a shocking 90% since 2013.
The same picture emerges with accidental poisonings (76% in the home) and burns (78% in the home). Accidental poisonings (e.g. overdoses) have almost doubled since 2013, and in 2022 caused over 5,600 deaths. Young children seem to be particularly vulnerable to accidental poisonings, under 5s accounted for 1,900 admissions to hospital in 2022/23.
Accidental deaths and injuries due to house fires have fallen over the past decade, as fire services (including in West Sussex) have prioritised fire prevention advice and home safety. But still there were 32,600 house fires in GB during 2022/23, resulting in over 300 deaths.
If we are honest with ourselves, we have been cynical about all aspects of the Health and Safety industry. However, where Health and Safety rules and guidance are applied, primarily in the workplace, accidents and injuries are comparatively low - given that the risks may be higher. Few of us show the same concern about
Health and Safety in the home. Loose and worn carpets, especially on stairs, are a risk. Steps up and down into other rooms will cause falls if your attention is elsewhere, or your vision or steadiness on your feet are impaired. Electrical and gas maintenance need to be done when due, and not put off till another day. Falls from ladders while doing DIY or gardening can be avoided by making sure the base is stable, all catches are in place and locked, and you should not try to carry or put more weight onto the ladder over and above that for which it was designed. Power tools are another cause of accidents. Spend some time reading up on how to use them safely, and wear protective clothing if it is recommended, e.g. safety glasses. It is no exaggeration to say that we are facing an accident crisis. The evidence shows that all of us are more likely to be involved in an accident now than we were 10 or 20 years ago. The Government, together with the Public Health departments at County Councils, need to work constructively to give more leadership on this issue. We, as individuals and families, need to take time and consider what we can do to make our homes, work places and environments safer.
Photo credit Matthew New
A ‘ True
Experience’ since 1889 For full details, please contact our office 01903 717170 or manager@littlehamptongolf.co.uk www.littlehamptongolf.co.uk
contact
01903 717170 or manager@littlehamptongolf.co.uk www.littlehamptongolf.co.uk
Littlehampton Golf Club was founded in 1889, and is the only ‘True Links’ golf course in West Sussex, one of just 247 ‘True Links’ courses globally and the closest to London. Situated on the west side of Littlehampton, near the mouth of the River Arun, the course has West Beach sand dunes guarding the course from the sea. The course and surrounding areas are a haven for wildlife, some say a “Twitters Paradise”. The Duke of Norfolk is club President. Littlehampton Fort (1850), a 19th Century artillary fort, sits behind the 1st green, close to the 2nd tee. Being 18 hole, par 70, the course is a superb test for all levels of golfer. It never plays the same day to day, with changing wind
conditions making each hole set up diff erently. That said, a consistent feature is the quality of the course, it’s all year-round playability and stunning views of the sea and South Downs. The club is always striving to improve its appeal and safeguard its future for generations to come. Members and visitors will always enjoy a memorable golf experience, whether looking for membership, a society golf venue or function hire, Littlehampton Golf Club is a great location, with quality facilities and superb views from the clubhouse across the course.
The club has a relaxed, inclusive, friendly atmosphere on and off the golf course, dogs are also very welcome on the course.
From hope to health for people with diabetes
Can Pre-Diabetics and Type 2 Diabetics recover Metabolic Health? Read on to discover the exciting opportunity, offering real hope for people like us. These conditions are now widespread in the UK with 1 in 14 diagnosed as Type 2 and 1 in 9 as Pre-diabetics. Although frequently associated with weight gain that is not always the case. The late Dr Michael Mosley was one of many diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes while Thin Outside Fat Inside (TOFI).
It was once seen as a chronic progressive condition meaning no way out once diagnosed. That depressing view is now a disproven theory and recognised as such internationally, although UK healthcare practice often feels as if it still lags some way behind.
Dr David Unwin, a GP in Southport, is the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) expert clinical advisor on diabetes. In his Practice, around 150 former Type 2 Diabetics have recovered their health, and sustained that for many years by applying the third route back to health, described in this article. One patient has achieved remission for over 20 years.
UK Research, by Professor Roy Taylor in Newcastle, showed that a fatty pancreas and liver resulted in Type 2 Diabetes. Removing that fat reversed the condition.
Three main routes to recover health have been identified over the years, although drugs are now being used too.
The first was bariatric surgery (weight loss stomach surgery) which produced surprising rapid results. It is a drastic but possible route for serious obesity but cannot guarantee long-term benefits.
The second route is traditional low calorie dieting, in all its many forms, which can also achieve remission. It is a long time favourite of academic medicine and is still the mainstay of many offerings from
public and commercial organizations. Like any dietary change that reduces insulin, it can work in the short-term “diet phase”. However, the high failure rate in the long-term is recognized by research, and experienced by many serial dieters. Unfortunately, research also showed that to maintain success, a reduced calorie intake must be maintained for life. That requires motivation which is difficult to sustain for many. It is used by the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme which offers a Soup & Shakes diet for those under 65 who have been diabetic for under 6 years.
The third alternative, suitable for almost everyone, (cue drum roll) is a transition to a Real Food Low Carbohydrate lifestyle. Yes lifestyle, it is not a quick fix like a “diet” but an approach which reduces the production of insulin throughout the day thus easing the strain on insulin-producing cells that leads to reducing insulin resistance.
This lifestyle has an ever increasing wealth of scientific evidence,
demonstrating superior results for overall health, as well as being safe and effective for most adults. It leaves behind sugar and starchy processed foods and delivers benefits that arise from restored metabolic health. It is not an instant fix and can require some effort to start the journey. By learning how to follow a well formulated Real Food, Low Carbohydrate lifestyle most find pleasant surprises. There is no need to count anything like calories. The meals are satisfying and leave one hunger free. Weight can be lost steadily or maintained as required. Taste preferences soon adjust to the lack of sweet foods enabling us to retain the benefits for life. Remission of Diabetes is achieved by many. Improvements are achieved by all who make the transition. Unfortunately, those who return to their old unhealthy diet do relapse and may need to resume medication.
The Real Food Low Carbohydrate lifestyle offers the potential for sustained drug free healthy living. It is usual to see improvements in blood pressure with reduced or eliminated medication. Increasing research in the area is showing benefits in many other areas such as heart health, kidney function, sleep apnoea, polycystic ovary syndrome, mental health and more. It is beginning to appear that very many chronic conditions may not be “drugable” for recovering health but many chronic conditions are being found to be “foodable”.
For those who choose to learn how to embrace a real food lifestyle, there are many opportunities for learning about the transition. Books, websites and apps are available and have their place for those who prefer learning by themselves.
Adults often prefer learning in a group. This is where the Public Health Collaboration offers support. It was set up to support the NHS to apply the benefits of “Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction”. Projects are undertaken in a number of areas. Locally, we offer a free face-to-face course run by the Worthing Ambassador for the charity. Based on the experience of leading Doctors, researchers etc. and many years of practical application by successful patients, the course is an opportunity to recover damaged metabolic health. Each of the eight one hour sessions starts with illustrations and explanations captured on video and is followed by discussions which address the needs of each participant. The graphic illustrates the results achieved by one participant in a PHC course.
The next local course for both Pre-Diabetics and Type 2 Diabetics will be held in the Durrington Community Centre, Romany Road, BN13 3FJ starting at 2:30pm on Friday 7th February. For further details and to apply for one of the places email peter.adamson@phcuk.org
High adventure in Findon Valley
Think of the ‘happy birthday song’. It’s in your head before you can say ‘…to you!’? Indelibly stamped. We all know the tune. What about wedding songs? It’s usually one of two that we recall, isn’t it? And what about chase music?
By Paul Ackerley
There probably isn’t a Baby Boomer in Britain who hasn’t supplied a tuneless but enthusiastic quote of ’the Dick Barton’ theme while running around after a sibling on a rainy day indoors! Go on, try it now. The song, not the chasing. The sound you make is a bit like ‘daddle-addle-ah’. Repeat twice and change to ‘da-da-da-da’… Yes, you’ve got it. Who wrote that then? And what’s it got to do with Worthing? Read on to find out!
I moved to Worthing in 2009. Born in Coventry, brought up in Hastings and having lived in Oxford, I was used to resident pride over a town’s history and its alumni. Coventry had the motor industry. Hastings, a slightly famous skirmish and Oxford, more historic totems than you could wave a gown at. So, what about Worthing? Well, on arrival I soon discovered references to Oscar Wilde and Harold Pinter and the splendid Elizabeth Frink heads in Liverpool Gardens. However, when I asked my new neighbours for others, few people could name any more and most hadn’t come across even these. Fifteen years later I find Worthing residents much more alert to its past and wanting to promote its present. And in this article, I’m going to introduce another name we can all celebrate. That name is Charles Williams.
As silent cinema transitioned to sound in 1927, an emerging young composer saw an opportunity to contribute music
to this new era of ‘the talkies’. Born Isaac Cozerbreit, in London’s Shadwell in 1893, Charles Williams became a professional violinist, accompanying silent films and in 1926 conducted his cinema orchestra for the opening of the Odeon, Kensington with his own composition ‘Kensington March’. With the British film industry expanding almost daily towards its golden age, he joined Michael Balcon’s GaumontBritish Films with studios in Sheperd’s Bush and Islington as a composer.
Charles Williams very much landed on his feet. Among the Gaumont-British directors, a young Alfred Hitchcock had just enjoyed a critical come-back with his thriller “The Man Who Knew Too Much” and began assembling the team that would create one of English-speaking cinema’s most enduring masterpieces, The 39 Steps. Based on the John Buchan novel, former Findon Valley resident, Charles Williams contributed to its distinctive musical score. He would compose again for Hitchcock, this time for his no less iconic 1938 feature, “The Lady Vanishes”. Both film scores would stand the test of time to be reproduced as Suites in the modern era. You can stream them today. So why haven’t we heard of him, and didn’t those films get credited to someone else?
Well, yes , that’s right and we are only just learning about Charles Williams’ impact and influence on early cinematic scores because in those early days, the musical team was rarely featured in the credits. Audiences still mostly cared about who they were watching, certainly not what music was accompanying it, used to, as they were, the anonymous pianist in the orchestra pit. The music score was just the recorded version of that, and all the better that there was less of it and more talking! Selling a film on the strength of
its composer was still a few years away. If a music contributor did get credited on the title card, and early cinema drawing its operational architecture from two centuries of theatre, it tended to be the Musical Director who got it. Since they would often also contribute to the score, theirs was the only name that became attached to the film. However, often there was a team, and on a Hitchcock film, to which everyone and everything must serve the director’s vision, for variety, he got three composers.
With such an auspicious start, Charles Williams would go on to score a further twenty feature films between 1938 and 1960. But for Williams, the best was yet to come. And it wasn’t for the movies, it was for radio.
And so we arrive at that famous chase music. On October 7, 1946, the BBC Light Programme (now Radio 4) broadcast the first of 711 episodes of Dick BartonSpecial Agent. It was aired in 15-minute episodes each weekday evening and at its peak had 15 million regular listeners. Its enduring appeal was sealed with Charles Williams’ thrilling opening music, The Devil’s Galop. The rollicking theme was to be used consistently throughout the rest of the twentieth century for TV chases including on Dad’s Army, Dangermouse, The Goodies and my personal favourite, Monty Python’s Flying Circus in the famous Spanish Inquisition sketch. When it wasn’t accompanying something on TV, my dad would hum it.
Fast forward to this summer, and in my recent Senior Lecturer, Music role at University of Chichester Conservatoire, I noticed that Charles Williams had come to live in Findon Valley. And so it was that a couple of weeks ago having peer-reviewed my research, I popped along to an address at The Heights to be greeted by Gerry Brown who now lives in the home that Charles Williams once occupied in the late 1960s until his death in 1978. I promised Gerry that we wouldn’t encourage coachtrips to park outside his house, but he’d be amenable to a local authority blue plaque, for which I’m now preparing a case. Contact me, by emailing liana@ insidepublications.ltd if you can assist.
This short article couldn’t possibly do justice to Charles William’s significant output, but check out some excellent collections including ‘The Music of Charles Williams’, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Barry Wordsworth on the White Line label and on streaming platforms. He also featured as Alan Titchmarsh’s Classic FM Great British Discovery. Why not revisit The 39 Steps again in its 90th anniversary year.
I’m indebted to Brent Reid (brentonfilm. com), Classic FM and Getty Images for research and images.
Even dogs have their treats
It’s cold, rainy and windy, but we’ve met up at Goring Gap anyway: dogs demand walkies, no matter what the rest of us feel like.
Harjit grins at us all,
“How’s January treating you, then?”
Kerry’s shoulders droop -
“Don’t ask! We’re supposed to be doing Dry Jan at home, but Dan’s like a bear with a sore head. He’s so irritable and bored, missing the pub and his mates; and I’ve been out twice so far for lunch with the girls and fallen o the wagon. I haven’t even confessed that to Dan - I feel terrible.”
We look sympathetic, but can’t dig in further about whether Dan could still get to the pub but not booze while there, or whether Kerry’s friends could agree to no-booze lunches for a bit - because Marlene needs to speak. She looks anxious and miserable -
“I signed up for the gym, but I’ve only made it in twice. At this rate, every class I manage to go to is going to cost me £30 quid a hit! I’m wasting money that I really haven’t got”.
Harjit laughs,
“Oh, I know that one alright! I gave up in the end, and I just do it at home now. It’s not the same as doing it in company, and I never workout as often as I’d like to, but it was hard to find any pay-as-you-go classes.”
Abi chimes in, “Yeah, or classes that you can just turn up to, and not have to commit and pre-book.
With my life, I can never be sure if I’ll make anything when it comes to the day!”
We all nod energetically - we know that Abi’s shiftwork job and two small kids make her life a constant balancing-act; she often bails on our group dog walks at the last minute, because she’s had to make lastminute plans to adjust her day. Harjit turns to Louise, and asks“How about you?”
Louise looks down at the shingle and speaks slowly, sadly, “Me and my mates are doing no-gan Jan, but all the WhatsApps are all about how we’re gonna smoke a foot-long when we get to the end of it. It’s beginning to feel like a really pointless exercise.”
We stand for a moment and watch the dogs. Some of us wish we were dogshappy with a beach walk and a ball, a drink of water. But even dogs have their treats, don’t they?
As we walk and talk, we begin to pick apart the systems that we live in, and the culture that surrounds us.
“There’s this idea that, cos you work hard, it gives you an excuse to use substances irresponsibly.”
“It’s hard to stop this abstinence sandwiched with bingeing pattern – you’re actually encouraged to live like that.”
This has been written about in many spaces: public health studies, anthropological research into UK culture, police manuals and courses around addiction training, counselling and therapy literatures. Everyone’s aware of that “work hard, play hard” mentality. Daniel Briggs wrote about what he called “capitalismo extremo” in his study of the drug-andbooze filled holidays that young Brits go on: rooted in the UK’s cultural binary that expects to see us hard at it - or getting wasted, to let off steam. This mindset exists even in spaces designed to patrol us: young and older police alike engage in a heavy boozing culture: the youngsters in heavy pub sessions, the senior ones in “fine wine groups” and “malt whisky clubs” - and all without either group realising or acknowledging that they have anything in common with the substance-dependent people that they arrest.*
Gerda Reith studies gambling addiction and frames it, not as individual pathology, but as part of UK capitalism’s “unhealthy commodity” market, where people are actively sold addiction in all kinds of ways. David Courtright, in The Age of Addiction, talks about how all our “bad habits” are courted and fed - even produced - in the market system and how limbic capitalism is deliberately keeping us all hooked and bought in, with everything from apps through alcohol and on to sugar. Talking of sugar, historians such as Peter Ackroyd have traced how UK families and traders who were making money out of the new post-1700 capitalism and empire used ships: to carry stolen humans out to slavery and then the addictive substances of sugar, rum and tobacco back, to sell to the folks at home.
As we round the turn and see our patch of trees come back into view - so precious for humans and dogs alike! - we decide that we’re going to stop taking our situations individually and think more about the culture and society around us. We’re going to stop blaming ourselves. We’re also going to think about how micro-habits of small change or doing those “just one thing” actions all year long might be better for us all than a “feast and fast” mindset.
We finish the walk feeling cheered up, and go for a cuppa. Some of us have caffeine, some of us have sugar, some of us have cake; nobody has a spliff or a boozy hot chocolate. We do what we can, right?
*anonymous insider respondent info.
Caroline Osella writes @ Rewilded Anthropologist - https://carolineosella.substack.com/ You can find out more about carcinogens (things that cause cancer) on the Cancer Research UK website.
Caroline Osella
Henry Parish
Worthing United manager: Relating to players becomes harder with age
Bill Clifford’s notebook is not simply doodles about messages to players and strengths and weaknesses of opponents past and present. It gives a glimpse into the meticulousness required for success in any field of life, where his “constant process” of “self-de-briefing” takes place, the historical basis of his every interaction. He impresses upon me that confidence has never been in short supply, but that he’s never become arrogant. The reason? He is grounded in realism. He follows his notebook revelation by telling me about an 8-week stand-up comedy course he recently took part in. Clifford said, “I wanted to know if I could do it.”
Clifford’s venture into stand-up comedy grabs my attention, though it’s not surprising given his engaging nature. Despite the limitations of video calls, his enthusiasm shines through the screen. His child-like excitement and passion for football is infectious. His bold honesty and sense of humour keeps me engaged, and his clear preparation endears him to me.
Clifford’s affinity for football began when his dad took him to the Goldstone Ground to watch Brighton. “It was Brighton v Stoke in 1971/2. We went up the back of the Goldstone Ground and came out with the floodlights on, everything was lit up and I just thought: Wow! This is fantastic.”
Young Clifford soon found himself entirely absorbed by football. He would phone people at school to organise the after-school football club, which was so popular that lad and dad matches soon followed. He would carry the clipboard before cup final weekend asking his friends who they thought would win, and he established the football society at Brighton College. He happily attributes Brighton’s 1982/83 FA Cup run as the reason he flunked his A-levels, thereby denying him university entry. Despite Brighton losing the replay, he brands that day as the “best of my life”.
When his friends returned to Brighton after university, Clifford volunteered to run their football team called Inter Brunswick – sponsored by his local pub. Over the eight years he ran the club, Clifford was top scorer, secretary, treasurer, founder, chairman and manager.
Clifford’s defining characteristic is his confidence to take the initiative. But what granted him that ability? “I’m thinking aloud here,” Clifford says. “If you have a private education, part of that, I think, is to instil upon you that sort of confidence. They give you that confidence to go and do stuff, to think for yourself.”
“I had a very good upbringing. My parents were very supportive; didn’t mind me being on the phone to organise the football team (which cost money back then). Maybe it is just my nature. My dad used to run the Mid-Sussex cine society. He
Credit: Worthing United Football Club
was always talking about how he was improving the club.”
Towards the end of his time at Inter Brunswick, and realising he was considerably older than his teammates, a move into management beckoned. His first management foray was Grand Parade, helping a group of art students at the University of Brighton. “They were very creative on the ball,” Clifford jokes. Clifford had stints at Portslade Athletic, Hurstpierpoint and Montpelier Villa FC, before heading to Worthing United as U21s manager in 2017.
“I knew a little about the club because of how well they handled the Shoreham air disaster,” Clifford says. “I wanted to get into senior football, so I knew how they were doing. I was always keen to look out for clubs that were struggling, I think my strength is turning bad things around. I would never want to go into a club doing well, you’re on a hiding to nothing. Which is what really impresses me about the last couple of Brighton managers.”
The first team were relegated that season, leaving Clifford feeling he was the obvious successor. “Before that conversation even came up, the secretary said, ‘the chairman is leaving, why don’t you become chairman?’ I thought about it. I’d been a manager for a while, maybe the challenge of being chairman was the natural progression.”
The club had a precarious financial situation
which needed attention. “My first few weeks, (people) would say, ‘we’ve got a bill coming, but we can’t pay it. What do we do?’ I had to gain further support from the sponsors and cut back spending to get us sustainable. That happened fairly quickly.”
With financial fortunes rebounding, matters on the pitch took precedent. The managerial department resembled a revolving door for a while, until Danny Wood was appointed for the 2019/20 season with the pandemic. “(Danny) was young but keen to learn. He started off really well, got us stabilised and then moving forwards. (The) two seasons (that) were curtailed by Covid, both occasions we were doing well. We got to a semifinal of a cup.”
Optimism swept round the club after the pandemic and continued until three or four key injuries reversed their progress. Clifford was forced to part ways with Wood, and faced trying to find a manager in February 2022. With no obvious candidate, Clifford volunteered to take over until the end of the season. He’s remained manager since, coming tantalisingly close to promotion last season when they were knocked out of the playoffs by Wick on penalties. Next year will be the longest time Clifford has spent with a single club. The answer of what has kept him at Worthing United is simple – promotion. “When I took over as chairman, my target to make this worthwhile was to get us back into the prem (of the southern combination – step 5 in non-league football). I haven’t finished the project yet. We came so close last year.” United sit well within reach of the playoffs and even league leaders Forest Row (at time of writing) should they win games in hand.
“It’s a funny one,” Clifford says, as he explains what football means to him, “it’s 22 players kicking a ball between two sticks and yet we’re obsessed by it. I’m obsessed by all parts of it – by playing, watching, managing, coaching, organising. The thing within all of that is the sense of moving forward.”
Clifford brings the ticking clock into our conversation when he discloses that he turns 60 next year. With the ever-growing age gap between Clifford and his players (no Worthing United player is over 30 this season), analogies to Gary Lineker aren’t as potent as they once were. “There will no doubt come a point where I think: maybe I can’t do this anymore.”
Worthing United’s next home fixture is against Dorking Wanderers B on Saturday 11 January. Fixtures are played at the Robert Albon Memorial Ground (BN14 9FL). For more information, head to https://worthing-unitedfc.co.uk/
You say you want a revolution Well, you know
We all wanna change the world . . .
Though we’d love to think the Beatles are singing about us, we’re not quite a revolution. But, you may have seen in the news that changes are happening globally - governments in Australia, France, Finland, New Zealand, and some states in America have introduced restrictions childrens’ access smartphone technology.
Slowly, but surely, this change is now happening in Worthing. Most recently, Homefield Primary School has joined the SFC campaign - encouraging parents to wait until the end of Year 9 before giving their children a smartphone.
Why all the fuss? Surely, with appropriate guidance from parents, there’s no harm letting your children use mobile phones? If only it were that simple. Research shows that, however much parental input there is managing a child’s use of mobile phones, the dangers are ever present, including:
• Exposure to harmful contentsmartphones act as a gateway to pornography, violent and extreme content. Often kids are exposed via algorithms and messaging apps. Once seen, these things can never be unseen. 90% of girls and 50% of boys say they’re sent explicit content they didn’t want to see.
• Addiction - tech companies intentionally make apps addictive to harvest data. 1 in 4 young adults show signs of addiction to smartphones.
• Distraction from school - the average teen receives 237 smartphone notifications a day, making focusing
on schoolwork hard. Studies show that excessive smartphone use has negative impacts on academic performance. Children at schools with effective smartphone bans get GCSEs 1-2 grades higher.
• Grooming - Sites like TikTok, Snapchat and Roblox are used by sexual predators to target children with their first smartphones, blackmailing them into sharing sexual content. Sextortion is now the fastest growing crime against teens. Since 2022, there has been a 66% rise in “self generated” sexual abuse imagery of children under 10.
• Cyberbullying - Disagreements between pupils used to stop at the school gate, now they follow kids wherever they go, 24/7. Young people who experience cyberbullying are twice as likely to attempt suicide and self-harm.
• Mental Illness - Rates of depression, anxiety and suicide in young people have spiked globally since 2010, when children first began getting smartphones. The first generation to grow up with smartphones are now adults – data shows that the younger they got their first smartphone, the worse their mental health today. Underpinning all these harms is one that is potentially the most significant of all. For the first time in human history, children are spending more time on devices than
they are playing – an activity crucial to our healthy development. Smartphones are experience blockers, distracting children from engaging in the real world. The average UK 12-year-old now spends 29 hours a week – equivalent to a parttime job – on their smartphone. This leaves little time for real world activities and relationships that enable us to learn essential life skills needed to transition into adulthood. The average daily time teens spend with friends has plummeted by 65% since 2010. We want to raise awareness of these dangers and help parents understand the alternatives to smart phones that won’t leave children feeling they’re missing out. We all know technology has benefits, but in the case of smartphones and children, any benefits are outweighed by the potential harm smartphones can have at such a young age. Children aren’t equipped to have a healthy relationship with something almost all of us find addictive. They simply aren’t ready. Admit it, it’s hard enough for us grown-ups!
We’re not advocating a ban on all new technology. There are decent, affordable alternatives that allow children to make calls, or for parents to keep track of their kids when they’re out and about.
It isn’t in the interests of the Big Tech companies to help children understand how unregulated smartphone use might be damaging to their mental health, or to restrict the use of their products to ensure our children have a happy and healthy upbringing. Computer games and films are classified and restricted according to age. The same needs to be done for smartphones - but this is likely to be a long way off. Likewise, teachers don’t have time to individually manage the out-ofschool tech use of their pupils. It’s down to “parent-power” to make this important change happen. Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that tobacco companies marketed their products to children as healthy. We believe that, in the future, we’ll be looking at smartphones the same way. Change will be a challenge, as with so much in life. It’s the initial steps that start to make change possible. There’s a groundswell of support amongst parents throughout Worthing’s schools. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to help make this change a reality. The first step is easy - sign the pact! It’s anonymous and free, but by signing, helps spread the word. With increased numbers, we hope to shift in our approach to giving our children smartphonesl. Findthe link below and click “West Sussex” to sign the pact and join SFC West Sussex Group.
https://linktr.ee/joinsmartphonefreechildhood Hopefully together we can normalise saying “not yet” to our kids.
Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC), the national campaign calling for a collective delay on giving our children smartphones, is coming to Worthing.
Managing change in a heritage environment
By Sue Belton, Chair of The Worthing Society
Worthing has an incredibly rich heritage environment. It includes 27 Conservation Areas and over 300 Grade I or Grade II listed buildings. Grade I listed include Castle Goring, The Bishop’s Palace in Taring and St Mary’s Church in Broadwater. We also have several hundred on what is called the “Local Interest List”, these being buildings that play an important role in defining the character of the town. They include many residential houses, perhaps yours is on the list? You can check by going to the planning section of Worthing Borough Council’s website.
The role of The Worthing Society is to help protect this environment as our town develops. This does not mean mothballing the town, it means managing change so that we preserve and enhance these conservation areas and historic buildings, including both our green spaces and blue infrastructure (sea and beach areas). It means maintaining the essential character of our environment as the town grows. This includes our listed buildings which must find a useful role in today’s modern society – The Dome, Stamford Cottage (Pizza Express), Beachwood Hall (Brewhouse and Kitchen) and The Colonnade are all good examples of this. The pressure for more housing continues to provide challenges and we fully understand the need for more affordable homes. However, as we all know, Worthing is located between
the sea and the South Downs and, therefore, there is a limit on what can be achieved. We very much hope that the new government will recognise that applying standard methodology for allocating centrally driven housing targets in Worthing is not appropriate. We have several large sites that can be developed in a way that enhances the built environment and provide hundreds of homes (Teville Gate, Union Place, Gas Works) so it should not be necessary to use green space or give in to poorly designed buildings in the name of building more. In our opinion there is no excuse for poor design and all developments should be of good design and add to the enjoyment of our surroundings.
The Worthing Society are official consultees on all major planning applications so can comment on all new proposals, sometimes at the consultation stage. Hopefully in this way we can influence the size, density, and design of these new buildings. Sometimes it is necessary to object outright to a planning application which we feel will harm our built environment.
The Worthing Society currently has around 200 members, but we would very much like more. We have a rich programme of events through the year
including our quarterly meetings at Worthing Library Lecture Theatre so if you are interested in Worthing’s heritage, and particularly our buildings, please join. You will find an application form on our website or e-mail us at contact@ worthingsociety.org.uk. At the time of writing our 2025 calendar looks as follows:
February 25: Members meeting and talk: Chris Hare – Sussex Folk Songs – an Unexpected Source for Historians
March 20: Tarring walk and ploughman’s lunch
April 29: Members meeting and talk: James Sainsbury - New Discoveries of Burpham, 2014-2024
May 22: Heene walk and cream tea June tba: Heritage Festival talk ‘Pioneers of Worthing’
July 10: Members talk: Buildings of Worthing
September 30: Members meeting and talk on Shoreham Fort
November 25: Members meeting and talk: Speaker tba
Sue Belton, The Worthing Society, susanna@belton77.plus.com
New Year’s resolutions: A Pointless Idea or a Purposeful Tool?
FA:ST
Welcome to FA:ST (Future Adults: Shaping Tomorrow), a section of INSIDE that responds to requests from young people to write and have their say. If you are a young person with something to say, email liana@insidepublications.ltd.
Everyone of us has made a New Year resolution at some point in our lives, but how many of us have actually stuck to them? This time last year I was telling myself that come 2024 I would go to parkrun every weekend. I went six times before I quit. Meaning I only achieved three percent of my original goal. As I think about what my New Year resolution should be this year, I’m wondering is there any point? Yes, there is.
After falling down an internet rabbit hole, I read countless articles on the tradition. These ranged from newspaper articles to think tank columns, and in the end I learnt quite a lot. New Year’s resolutions, I discovered, are far more than just personal promises; they’re steeped in history and psychology. The tradition dates back over
Matilda Cutting age 15
4,000 years to ancient Babylon, where people would make promises to their gods to repay debts or return borrowed items at the start of a new farming season. Centuries later, Romans carried the practice forward by making vows to Janus, the two-faced deity of beginnings and transitions, whose name gave us January. Even though our goals today are less about divine favour and more about personal growth, the essence remains the same: a fresh start.
But why do so many of us fail? According to behavioural scientists, it’s often because our goals are too vague or overly ambitious. Instead of resolving to do “parkrun every week” I could have committed to something more manageable, like do “parkrun twice a month”. The key is setting goals that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Psychologists also recommend habit stacking—linking a new habit to an existing one. To quote a health website I found, habit stacking “involves making an intentional plan to fit a particular behaviour into your daily routine instead of waiting for the motivation to make it happen”. For example, if I’d combined the parkruns with my habit of listening to podcasts, it would have made the run easier and less daunting.
Interestingly, research shows that despite their high failure rates, resolutions can still be transformative. A study from YouGov shows that sixteen percent of Britons made New Year’s Resolutions at the start of 2024. Even though some of the people within the sixteen percent may have failed by now, the act of resolving, even if imperfectly executed, creates a sense of accountability and sets a direction.
So, as 2025 approaches, I’m rethinking my approach. Instead of trying to overhaul my life in January, I’ll focus on small, incremental changes that align with my values. Maybe I’ll start with a single parkrun a month and increase from there. Or perhaps I’ll pivot to a resolution that excites me more, like spending more time reading and less time doom scrolling or learning to make a different meal each month.
New Year’s resolutions aren’t magic. They won’t transform you overnight or turn you into someone completely different. But they are an opportunity - a chance to pause, reflect, and make deliberate choices about the person you want to become. And even if you fall short, there’s value in the effort. After all, progress is progress, no matter how small.
So this year, I’m not aiming for perfection. I’m aiming for better. And maybe that’s the best resolution of all.
Safeguarding Marine Life: The Mission of the Atlantic Whale and Dolphin Foundation
When discussing how to tackle climate change, most people, rightly so, think about turning to renewable energy and sustainable production. Whilst these are highly important, what goes overlooked is the power in nature itself. It’s not just about what we do for our environment, but what it can do for us.
In recent years, marine biologists have discovered that whales play a significant role in removing carbon from the atmosphere. Whales accumulate tons of carbon in their bodies during their lives (on average 50 years). When they die, their bodies sink to the bottom of the ocean, burying the carbon for centuries. In comparison to trees, the typical green lungs, one whale takes out 33 tons of CO2, whereas over a 500-year lifespan,
one tree takes out 12 tons.
At the beginning of July, I was invited to go to Tenerife to work for the Atlantic Whale and Dolphin Foundation (AWdF).
“The AWdF, through its operating base in Tenerife, runs a conservation and research programme where it has run its volunteer programme on the whale watching boats for some twenty-five years”
The organisation strives to raise awareness concerning the importance of conservation. My time in Tenerife taught me about the importance of protecting marine life, giving me a new and personal perspective. By being given the opportunity to work on the boats, helping the crew on tourist boats and noting and photographing whale patterns, I was able to see the pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins and turtles at first hand! Seeing how they communicate and migrate
By Ella Clark
as a family is truly incredible and really makes you understand the importance of protecting these creatures.
The urgency of acting to protect this marine life has an undeniable importance. Across the Atlantic Ocean, whales are on the verge of extinction, a fact many may not be aware of, especially here in West Sussex, where a whale is simply a lucky spot! The increasing mass of plastic pollution has a devasting impact across the globe, poisoning our oceans with toxic chemicals, slowly infecting its inhabitants. Whilst problems with plastic are no new enemy, learning and understanding that the other inhabitants of our home will be affected by climate change is important, and raises the profile of these issues. Whales place an endearing face on this issue, giving it a reality that we should want to help.
Central Worthing Explorers are launching and need volunteers
The Scouts offer over 200 different activities. From funfilled thrills and wild adventure, to creative activities and historic learning, there’s something to suit everyone. With 85% of young people taking part in activities through Scouts they have never tried before. Volunteer Chris said, “Being a volunteer has changed me quite drastically. I never thought I’d be able to lead children in activities. I didn’t have the capability or confidence. Now I do.”
Across the UK, 160,000 volunteers like you, help more than 460,000 young people each year to build #SkillsForLife. Volunteers play on their strengths, from DIY-ers to science teachers, there are many ways to get involved and share your skills with the next generations. Try more. See more. Do more. At Scouts you’ll get the chance to dream big, find your place in the world and make memories to last a lifetime.
The group had their first taster session in November, with lots of young people keen to start their journeys in Scouts, 92% of young people say they learn skills for life. Chief Scout Dwayne Fields says “let’s never forget that Scouts is powered by volunteers. We can only offer these great opportunities if we have enough adult volunteers to deliver them. As a volunteer myself, I know that it can be as much fun for us as it is for the young people. We make friends and learn new skills along the way.”
Central Worthing Explorers are looking for additional volunteers to support the growing Unit. We’re talking about students who want to boost their CV, and parents who volunteer so they can spend more time together as a family. This could be working directly with the young people, or as a Trustee, or doing some work in the background which might be IT, administration or fund raising to name but a few. Worthing Scouts say “our door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and we’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand.”
Whatever your skillset, lend a hand for as little or as much time as you can spare, and we promise you’ll get more out than you put in. Because whether you’re helping a leader to run an activity in the local town hall, organising a night away, or buttering 120 slices of bread for a group of very hungry Explorers – no two Scout meetings are the same. The difference you make, though, is always great. The Explorer group (ages 14-18) meet on Friday evenings at their Scout Hut in Worthing. Ready to join the Adventure? Contact Mike at leadvolunteer@worthingscouts.org.uk or visit https://worthingscouts.org.uk/ for more information. We provide the training. You show up, get stuck in, and make memories for life. Sounds fun? Worthwhile? It is…make a difference, volunteer today.
UNMASKING MASCULINITY
Unmasking Masculinity:
Exploring men’s mental health and vulnerability
Back in November, I was invited by activist and leading light for men’s wellbeing, Dan Flanagan to Unmasking Masculinity: Exploring Men’s Mental Health and Vulnerability. The event’s aim was to address the multifaceted influences on men’s mental health by; breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and vulnerability, exploring practical solutions for improving mental health outcomes, and providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration among community organisations, policymakers, health professionals, and the public.
The evening featured two panel discussions focused on different aspects of the theme, enhanced by live Mentimeter data collection to explore root causes and identify practical solutions. A cross-section of stakeholders were united, including health professionals, policymakers, youth mentors, and the local community.
The audience was as diverse as could be for its size, creating a
rich environment for dialogue and shared learning, including youth workers and educators, health and mental health professionals, parents and carers, policymakers and local government representatives, creative practitioners and the general public. Community members with lived experiences of mental health challenges enriched the dialogue by sharing personal stories and insights during the Q&A sessions. Creative expression by young men from AudioActive’s “Room to Rant” through rap and spoken word demonstrated experiences, frustrations and an alternative outlet for expression to the traditional forums.
PANEL 1: EXPLORING ROOT CAUSES AND CHALLENGES
The first panel discussion centred around understanding the root causes of men’s mental health struggles. Panellists brought diverse expertise and experiences, addressing issues such as emotional literacy, social pressures, and intersectionality.
UNDERSTANDING CONTRIBUTORS TO POOR MENTAL HEALTH
Ed Richardson, who represented the YMCA emphasised the impact of “poor emotional literacy” among young men, noting how many struggle to articulate emotions beyond basic terms such as “happy,” “sad,” or “angry.”
ADDRESSING INTERSECTIONALITY
Ben Dew from Allsorts Youth Project (who support children and young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity), discussed how race, sexuality, and class amplify mental health challenges, particularly for LGBTQIA+ individuals. “Pack rules” that enforce rigid definitions of masculinity, often ostracise those who do not conform.
THE ROLE OF ONLINE INFLUENCES
Nicholson Davids from AudioActive highlighted how the internet both connects and isolates young men. While some online communities provide belonging, others foster extremism or harmful behaviours. Disenfranchised young men can be influenced by figures like Andrew Tate, which sheds light on the need for young men to have critical thinking skills when they navigate online content.
IMPORTANCE OF PARENTAL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Panelists explored how parents and guardians can better equip their sons to navigate modern challenges. Dr Beccy Cooper highlighted the importance of embedding a sense of community, particularly for boys and men who may feel undervalued by society.
PANEL 2: EXPLORING SOLUTIONS AND PRACTICAL STEPS
The second panel focused on practical solutions and resource allocation.
RIPPLE EFFECTS OF MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
Hatter from AudioActive discussed how unresolved struggles in men affect their families, workplaces, and
communities, often perpetuating cycles of poor emotional regulation and harmful behaviours.
PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION EFFORTS
Sue Hawker, from West Sussex Mind, emphasized the need for early intervention and community-based solutions such as peer-led groups and social prescribing initiatives. Dan Flanagan, from Dad La Soul, highlighted innovative approaches, such as informal gatherings disguised as recreational activities to build trust and connection while avoiding the stigma of seeking help. Matt Bannister, a safeguarding professional, shared his personal experiences with mental health challenges. He stressed the importance of safe spaces in educational settings for boys to discuss emotions and pressures.
CULTURAL AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE:
The whole panel stressed the need to change how masculinity is discussed in schools, workplaces, and communities, with role models playing a crucial role in reshaping narratives. Hatter advocated for “positive masculinity,” promoting traits like responsibility and reliability while rejecting toxic behaviours and misogyny.
INCLUSIVE, ACCESSIBLE SUPPORT SYSTEMS:
Discussions focused on creating low-barrier opportunities for men to connect, such as Room to Rant, Dad La Soul events, and activities like walking football, which prioritise shared interests over formal therapy.
Combining live questions, Mentimeter responses and the discussion from the floor throughout the evening, gave an evolving picture of changing perspectives and understanding around masculinity - credit to the title of the event. The event was very engaging and lively, and was definitely the first of many more discussions needed.
Let’s keep the conversation going.
Liana Naylor (information provided by Dan Flangan)
New Food Partnership launches in Adur and Worthing: A vision for healthier, sustainable and resilient communities
The UK has seen a rise in Food Partnerships, with communities across the country rallying around a common goal: ensuring access to healthy, sustainable, and affordable food for everyone. From city centres to coastal towns, food partnerships have emerged as powerful networks that bring together local organizations, charities, businesses, and residents to create positive, lasting change in the food system. Now, Adur and Worthing have joined this national movement, officially launching their own Food Partnership with a 6-point charter aimed at building a resilient and inclusive local food culture.
SO, WHAT IS A FOOD PARTNERSHIP?
At its core, a Food Partnership is a collaborative network of organisations and individuals who work together to address issues within the local food system. Food Partnerships aim to make it easier for residents to access affordable, healthy food while also promoting sustainability, reducing food waste, and supporting local producers. These initiatives often include a wide range of stakeholders, such as local councils, community groups, schools, healthcare providers, farmers, food banks, and businesses, who all bring unique perspectives and resources.
In recent years, food partnerships have rapidly developed across the UK, responding to growing concerns about food security, food poverty, and environmental sustainability. These partnerships strive to meet local needs, but also to promote national priorities such as reducing food waste and improving public health. With increased awareness of issues like the environmental impact of food production and the importance of nutritious diets, food partnerships play a key role in addressing these challenges at the grassroots level.
BENEFITS OF A FOOD PARTNERSHIP FOR ADUR AND WORTHING
By establishing a food partnership, Adur and Worthing join a national network of towns committed to improving their food systems like Chichester, Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne, and Lewes. This new local partnership will bring several benefits, including:
• Enhanced Access to Healthy Food: The Partnership aims to improve access to nutritious and affordable food for all residents, particularly vulnerable groups who may face barriers to access.
• Reduced Food Waste: The partnership will promote awareness and initiatives to reduce food waste across the community, benefitting both the environment and household budgets.
• Support for Local Businesses and Farmers: A core objective is to strengthen the local economy by supporting farmers, food producers, and small businesses. By encouraging residents to buy locally, the partnership will help keep money circulating within the community.
• Educational Opportunities: The partnership will provide resources and programs to educate residents about healthy eating, sustainability, and ways to reduce waste.
• Community Cohesion: Bringing together people from all walks of life around shared food initiatives helps build a sense of community. Volunteers, residents, and organizations alike will have opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
• Environmental Benefits: Promoting sustainable practices, such as reduced packaging, less food waste, and increased support for local agriculture, will have positive effects on the environment by lowering the community’s carbon footprint.
WHY ADUR AND WORTHING NEEDS A FOOD PARTNERSHIP
As living costs rise and the impacts of climate change continue to unfold, Adur and Worthing face challenges that mirror those of communities nationwide. Many households are feeling the squeeze on their food budgets, and food banks are seeing increased demand. At the same time, our community is increasingly aware of the environmental impact of food waste and the need to support local, sustainable food production. With these challenges in mind, the Adur and Worthing Food Partnership has been established to create solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term goals. By working collaboratively, local
groups, businesses, and residents can build a more resilient food system that is prepared to meet future challenges.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
The success of the Adur and Worthing Food Partnership depends on community involvement, and there are many ways residents can contribute. Whether you are interested in volunteering, have ideas for local food projects, passionate about food, or simply want to learn more, the partnership welcomes your input.
YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS WAYS:
• Volunteer: The partnership is looking for volunteers to help with various projects including, community gardens, educational programs, and events. No matter your skillset, your support is valuable.
• Join Events and Workshops: Look out for upcoming events where you can learn more about sustainable food practices, food waste reduction, and more.
• Share Your Ideas: If you have a passion for food and community, the partnership encourages you to bring your ideas to the table.
• Join the membership list: to get information and updates
• Follow us on social media: to stay updated
To get involved or learn more about the Adur and Worthing Food Partnership, residents can contact us on food@ communityworks.org.uk or visit the website at awfood.org.uk. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, donate, or participate in local food initiatives, every action helps bring the vision of a sustainable, healthy, and inclusive food community closer to reality.
The launch of the Adur and Worthing Food Partnership marks an exciting new chapter for the community. With a shared vision and commitment, this partnership has the potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents. By joining forces, Adur and Worthing can create a food system that not only meets today’s challenges but also prepares the community for a healthier, more resilient future.
If you would like to connect with CREW, volunteer, be a trustee, deliver an event or join our mailing list, get in touch info@worthingcrew.co.uk
worthingcrew.co.uk
Charity no. 1198526 www.worthingcrew.co.uk
We are asking for your help to ensure our climate centre has a sense of security and stability, enabling our community to become more resilient, prepared and able to adapt to the changes occurring now and in the coming years. Please consider making a donation no matter how small.
Thank you.
Mervyn Peake’s Sussex inspiration
Mervyn Peake was born in China in 1911 to English missionary parents, and it was in China that he spent much of his childhood. The family later returned to England and young Mervyn began to hone his talents as an artist, poet, and writer. He was a rising star of his generation, and soon came to the attention of the Royal Academy, where some of his early works were exhibited. During the 1930s Peake moved to the Channel Island of Sark and joined Eric Drake’s bohemian artistic community that thrived on that remote feudal outpost, far from the distractions of modern England.
On the outbreak of the Second World War, Peake and his wife, Meave, returned to England. Meave was expecting their first child, and Mervyn’s father, Dr Earnest Peake, who was now living in Wepham, near Arundel, had promised to deliver the baby. It was in wartime conditions, that baby Sebastian was born in Littlehampton Hospital, with Dr Peake bringing him into the world.
The young family found a small cottage to rent close to the railway line at Warningcamp. Mervyn was convinced that the damp dwelling was haunted, and the family shivered together through the cold, bleak and snowy winter of 1940. Across the frozen water meadows, Mervyn was transfixed by the looming spectre of Arundel Castle, and once again his imagination transported him into a fantasy world that would become that of Titus Groan and Gormenghast Castle. Peake’s trilogy of Gormenghast novels, published in the 1950s are regarded by many as one of the truly great works of twentieth century English literature.
Peake, whose mental and physical health was always fragile, was called up to enlist in the army, as all young men of his age were in 1940. He knew that England faced a great evil in Nazi Germany, and he wanted to do his bit to help the war effort. However, he was not soldier material. On his first day on the parade ground, the sergeant barked at him to “get your bloody hair cut!,” adding “you look like a poet!,” to which Peake unwisely replied, “I am a poet.” Things went no better when Peake’s battalion first marched passed their commanding officer. Whereas all the other men firmly saluted, Peake gave the Colonel a cheery wave. Oh dear. And things only got worse. Eventually Peake
Chris Hare
Mervyn Peake was painted by his wifealso a talented artist - Meave Gilmore
had a total nervous breakdown, unable to conform to army discipline and life. After a short stay in a mental hospital, he was invalided out of the army and back to his family, who by now were living in Burpham, where Meave had given birth to their second child.
It was here in Burpham, that Mervyn Peake recovered his physical and mental strength, and it was here he would have come to know Tickner Edwardes, now retired as the local vicar, but still a great presence in the village, and one with whom Peake may have found time to talk about the world and the world to come, as well as country life and living. At this time Peake was in his early 30s and Edwardes in his late 70s: much wisdom can pass between the young and the old.
Tickner Edwardes died on Boxing Day 1944, and the following year the war
ended, and Peake left Burpham, eventually returning to Sark with his family. But what a different island he was returning to: one that had been under German occupation for five years, and whose little community of farmers and fisherman were on the brink of starvation when they were finally liberated.
Peake, being a very sensitive man, would surely have felt the pain of the islanders, and heard of those who had been sent to Nazi camps in occupied France, and others who had collaborated. There was much healing to be done on the island of Sark.
Peake’s 1953 novel, Mr Pye, tells of a man - Harold Pye - who has come to Sark on a mission to redeem its people and bring them to salvation with the help of the ‘Great Pal,’ the name Mr Pye gives to the Almighty in the novel. So good and kind is Mr Pye to all whom he encounters, that he starts to grow wings, which he has to strap down and hides beneath his clothes. Perhaps - he thinks - he has been too good, and therefore he must do evil to make the wings go away. The ‘evil’ he commits includes letting down bicycle tyres and knocking away a child’s ice cream. He even cavorts with a goat, believing it to be a Devilsh animal. His wings do indeed wither away, only to be replaced by Satanic horns!
This reminds me very much of the saintly Tickner Edwardes, who turned to God after his experiences in the First World War, who previous to that had been a successful writer and journalist. He was a man who lived two very different lives, just as Mr Pye does in the novel. What really made me connect together the character of Mr Pye and Tickner Edwardes (when I first came up with my theory in the 1980s), was Tickner Edwardes’ novel-writing. Those of you who read last month’s article, will
Civil War exhibition and videos
Peake’s 1953 novel, Mr Pye, tells of a man – Harold Pye - who has come to Sark on a mission to redeem its people and bring them to salvation with the help of the ‘Great Pal,’ the name Mr Pye gives to the Almighty in the novel.
It has been a great joy to work with Arundel Museum Curator, Heather Gayler, and Arundel history researcher, Sue Godfrey, on an Exhibition of Arundel and the Civil War that is available to view at Arundel Museum until January 28. I have also been working with Arundel film-maker, Chris Evans on a documentary video about Arundel and West Sussex during the Civil War. You can find this video, and others, including Civil War songs and a Civil War guided walk if you scroll down the homepage on the Arundel Museum website https://arundelmuseum. org/. All free to watch.
remember that Tansy was one of Ticker Edwardes’ romantic novels, and featured a virtuous young shepherdess who resists the advances of the village cad to find true love with a wholesome farm lad. This was the novel that was made into a movie in 1921, starring Alma Taylor as Tansy. In Mr Pye there is a young woman, who indeed - at the end of the novel - turns out to be the most virtuous person on the whole of Sark and helps Mr Pye escape not only the vengeful islanders but to literally fly away to a better world. Her name is ‘Tanty’ - surely not a coincidence? Yet the ‘virtue’ of Tanty is very different to the virtue of Tansy. Whereas Ticker Edwardes heroine is virginal, Tanty has many lovers and is known throughout the island for her open sexuality. She swims naked and meets Mr Pye early on in the novel one evening after one of these swims. The gallant Mr Pye insists on giving her his jacket, but he is not shocked by her, nor does he judge her.
I think Mervyn Peake, as well as being inspired by Tickner Edwardes, was also having a bit of fun at his expense. Poor Peake suffered from a rare brain disease in his middle years, very similar in its effects to dementia. He died in 1968, aged only 57. The inscription on his gravestone reads: “to live at all is miracle enough.” He lies buried in Burpham churchyard, just a short distance from Tickner Edwardes’ grave. Over the Christmas and New Year holidays, I would thoroughly recommend watching Channel 4’s 1986 adaptation of Mr Pye, starring Derek Jacobi as Mr Pye. It is really excellent, and the supporting cast are perfectly chosen, including Robin McCaffrey as Tanty, who even perfects the French inflections of the old Sark dialect. You can watch it for free on You Tube, https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=01zvTokH-0Y, it will make you laugh and cry, and it will make you think too.
Mervyn and Maeve’s gravestone in Burpham churchyard
Worthing FC launches disability-inclusive kit in world-first Charitable Partnership
In a world first, Worthing FC launched a new limited-edition kit, designed in collaboration with accessible clothing brand, wecanfly, to raise awareness of disability and promote inclusion in sport at all levels.
Following the official launch on December 3, 2024, a limited-edition range of shirts are available to buy with 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these shirts going towards further improving accessibility at Worthing FC’s home ground, the Sussex Transport Community Stadium. Worthing FC men’s team debuted the kit when they hosted St Albans City on Saturday, December 14.
This is the first-ever collaboration football kit created to celebrate Disability Awareness Month, and the project is the result of the friendship between Worthing FC owner, George Dowell MBE, and wecanfly founder Jake Baker-Cliff. Wecanfly is an accessible clothing brand on a mission to change the perception of disabilities in society, and the inspiration behind the brand is Jake’s twin sister Daisy, who has a disability.
Club House Hire
BUFFET MENU • RESIDENT DJ • DECORATION
WORTHING FOOTBALL CLUB CALL 01903 233444 OR EMAIL venue@worthingfc.com
George and Jake first met on a panel hosted by footwear brand Foot Patrol for Disability Awareness Month in November 2022. From there, a friendship grew, based on a mutual love of football and a passion for disability inclusion. Jake suggested creating a special edition kit for Worthing FC in honour of Disability Awareness Month, and the work began. From the start, it was decided the project would be a charitable one and in order for it to be successful, Worthing FC’s kit manufacturer, Macron, had to be on board. This led Jake and George to Macron’s headquarters in Italy where they pitched the idea. The response was positive, with Macron firmly in favour of this one-of-a-kind collaboration.
Ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, engagement parties, special occasions or wakes OUR CLUB BAR has the capacity for 120 people. It’s a completely self-contained venue with a long bar offering many drink options, several screens for your picture showcase or videos and wc facilities.
Our resident caterer can prepare your BUFFET or you can bring your own food.
Jake and George worked through a meticulous design process to ensure the kit honoured Worthing FC’s close-knit community. The colour purple was chosen to represent pride, dignity, respect and empowerment, and the shirt features a wave pattern in a nod to Worthing’s seaside location. Mackerel from the Worthing FC badge are woven into the mesh side panels which are wecanfly’s signature green, and the lower back of the shirt displays wecanfly’s slogan: ‘Disability is not inability’.
George says, “The marriage of the two things I’m most passionate about – football and raising disability awareness – has made this kit an absolute joy to work on. There is no other project like this, I’m immensely proud to have been a part of it, and I’m really excited about what this means for people with disabilities.”
He continues, ‘We are so pleased with the incredible look of the kit and we think it sends a loud, clear message: that sport, and football especially, is for everyone. By buying a shirt, you’re supporting disability inclusion – and becoming a part of history.”
Hello, and welcome to NEW MUSIC REVIEWS!
by Beth Sarah, blueskymusic.fun
If you were previously unaware of the sheer amount of musical talent packed in to this small town, then I’m here to let you know all about it! These are just some of the tracks and albums released recently from Worthing based artists.
KSENIA LEWISPANIC IN PARADISE
There’s quality, and then there’s QUALITY. I’d say Ksenia Lewis hits the mark for the latter with this new single, Panic in Paradise, exploring how the world feels like it’s falling apart and the only things we have for respite are fleeting and habitual. With her influence lying mainly at the door of Greenday’s American Idiot for this particular song, Lewis dips into 00’s pop punk in a way that makes me want to dig out the black lipstick and hair dye and head to the mosh pit (realistically I’d have to wind my body back 20 years too but hey, we can dream!). To top it off, the song is expertly arranged and produced, with appropriately timed lulls and highs that catch the listener’s attention. Very happy to have this one on our playlist. Look out for the bonus track ‘Hush Puppy’ tooa worthy addition with more of a Lady Gaga vibe.
SANZTONEEQUAL RIGHTS FOR WEIRD BIRDS
It’s hard to listen to the lyrics of the songs on this EP and not get emotionally invested. The culmination of a project by Tony Whiting of the Golgis (with the help of Chris Godfrey, Wolfington Stanley and Shirley Roden) creating songs from lyrics written by his friend Sandy Peters who passed
away from cancer in 2021, these songs are meaningful and poignant. Anyone who has experienced serious or long term illness (myself included) will find that this EP resonates on a deep level. I was planning to pick one song to discuss here but I just can’t choose; each song holds something special that is worth listening to. You can tell that this has been a labour of love on the part of everyone involved, with gorgeous instrumentation and arrangement and the distinct voice of Whiting. What better way is there to honour the legacy of a friend than to create something beautiful for the whole world to hear? Sandy was also an excellent cartoonist and his art features on the cover of this EP. A fitting tribute.
BETH SARAH –LIMBO
You may have noticed that the artist on this record is the same as the person writing this, and you would be correct. So I can’t really give my opinion on this song (that’s extreme bias!) but I’d still like to tell you about it, because it feels like an important subject. I was admitted to hospital on December 27, 2023 with severe acute pancreatitis, nearly dying twice throughout my various inpatient stays which lasted through till May. Worthing Hospital has a digital piano in the Sanctuary which became my only creative outlet while I was an inpatient. The process of playing regularly gave me the inspiration to write when I became well enough to start processing the trauma my body had been through. In writing Limbo, I was able to discharge these emotions and allow them to flow
through me. My hope is that this song will serve as that coming alongside those experiencing chronic illness; joining them in their heart cry for some reprieve. Limbo is one of fours songs on the Catharsis EP due for release at the end of January.
MOTHER’S BOYHOME TOWN
Mother’s Boy are an exciting band of experienced musicians from the Worthing area. Having seen them live, the only way I can describe their genre is ‘original party band’! Even though I didn’t know any of the songs, they still feel familiar because they just seem to hit the spot that makes you want to tap your feet and bop your head. When you press play on this song, it starts with a snareled drum beat for four bars before the rest of the instruments come in. This is a classy way to start a song - Queen did it, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, even Michael Jackson and Paul Simon. You can tell that these guys grew up listening to alternative 90s music, as it has that Britpop vibe to it, probably because of the instrument line up of guitars, bass, drums and various vocals. There are some moments of great vocal harmonies and the turnaround has a catchy ‘ooh’ that will be the main part of the song I imagine people will end up humming along to. Side note - words like ooh with no meaning are called ‘vocables’; think Pompeii by Bastille or Viva la Vida by Coldplay for prime examples. See their socials for details on upcoming gigs: https://www.facebook.com/ MothersBoyMusic
Email review submissions to reviews@blueskymusic.fun Find out more about what we do at www.blueskymusic.fun
FRIDAY 3
Eat The Beat Egremont pub
8:45pm 01903 530180
SATURDAY 4
Dead Red Lips The Broadwater
Legend Has It Egremont pub
8:45pm 01903 530180
FRIDAY 10
Billy Joel tribute Smugglers Return
8:30pm
Soul Traders Egremont pub
8:45pm 01903 530180
SATURDAY 11
Better Call Paul The Broadwater
Juice Band Egremont pub
8:45pm 01903 530180
Suspiciously Elvis The Factory Live www.thefactorylive.co.uk
SUNDAY 12
End of exhibitions: “A New Roman Landscape in Sussex” and “Edwardian Legacy - Worthing at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century” Worthing Theatres and Museum
FRIDAY 17
Retro Ralph Smugglers Return 8:30pm
Strange Brew Egremont pub 8:45pm 01903 530180
The Class of ‘58 The Velvet Club, St Mary’s Church Hall 7:00pm
The Dolly Show with Kelly O’Brien The Factory Live www.thefactorylive.co.uk
SATURDAY 18
Imposter Syndrome The Broadwater
Robbie Williams tribute Egremont pub 8:45pm 01903 530180
L1NKN_P4RK The Factory Live www.thefactorylive.co.uk
SUNDAY 19
Wayfinder Band Egremont pub 5:00pm 01903 530180
FRIDAY 24
BB Jukebox Smugglers Return 8:30pm
DJ Ade Karaoke & Disco The Broadwater Iron Tyger
LIVE LISTINGS INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪
SATURDAY 25
Cafe 80s Egremont pub 8:45pm 01903 530180
DIRTY BOOTS Cellar Arts Club
Mel the Pocket Rocket Smugglers Return 8:30pm
Synthony 101 - 25 Years The Factory Live www.thefactorylive.co.uk
SUNDAY 26
Hurricane Shack Egremont pub 5pm 01903 530180
Walk Right Back - The Everly Brothers Story
Worthing Theatres and Museum FRIDAY 31
Blue Dakota Smugglers Return 8:30pm
Fat Freddie And The Queens The Factory Live www.thefactorylive.co.uk
Ministry of Anthems Egremont pub 8:45pm 01903 530180
The Mighty Groove Robbers O’Connors, 25 Warwick Street 9:00pm
REGULAR LIVE MUSIC (WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY, ETC.)
SUNDAYS
Jazz Sundays (every Sunday) The Cricketers 6:00pm 01903 233369 www.thecricketers.pub
Open Mic (every Sunday) The Broadwater 7:00pm – 10:00pm 01903 238675 www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/westsussex/broadwater
TUESDAYS
Open Mic Night (every second and fourth Tuesday of each month) The Corner House 7:00pm 01903 216463 www.cornerhouseworthing.co.uk
WEDNESDAYS
Open Mic Night (bi-weekly from October 9) The Beach House 7:30pm 01903 367313 beachhouseworthing.co.uk
Open Mic Night (every Wednesday) The Goose 7:00pm – late 01903 203851 www.instagram.com/the.goose. worthing
Open Mic Night with Miss Kate (every Wednesday) The Lock Inn 8:00pm – 10.00pm
London Symphonic Rock Orchestra
Murdoch’s Crazy Eyes 80s Night
Happy New Year from everyone at the Findon Valley Residents Association!
Thank you to all of those who have supported our events in 2024. We were thrilled to work with Sheila, at Umbrella Events, to return the Findon Valley Dog Show back to our calendar. The date for 2025 will be Sunday May 18 on the Gallops.
We have recently passed on a donation of £200 to the Vale School for their Quiet Garden Project, which our Friends of Findon Valley Volunteer Coordinator, Matthew, has been helping them to plan.
We also introduced the Findon Valley 5K to the Valley in 2024, which was a huge success! This event allowed us to proudly present a £1,000 donation to PCaSO, the Prostate Cancer Support charity to help them in their vital work. The FV5K will return in 2025, so diaries at the ready!
Our Christmas Extravaganza helped everyone to end the year on a festive note. We thank the Findon Valley Free Church for helping us to stage the 2024 event safely indoors and away from the weather! Thank you also to all of the local businesses who generously donated presents for our Grand Christmas Present Draw.
We are very proud to have launched the Findon Valley Local History Group in 2024. The Group regularly attracted 50+ keen local enthusiasts who enjoyed sharing maps, images and information about the development and history of our unique Valley community. Terry, our Historian, is working on the 2025 calendar. The first meeting of 2025 will be on Frida, January 31 at the Findon Valley free Church Hub from 2:00pm until 4:00pm. Everyone is welcome.
Do join us in the Community Orchard, on the lower Cissbury fields, on January 4 to Wassail our trees into the New Year. Check for more details on our website fvra.org.uk and on our noticeboards.
Lorraine Taylor Chair FVRA
How to reduce pollution and avoid another economic disaster
Chris Gould discusses how he feels the future should be regarding internal combustion engines (ICE).
It just needs the Government to be brave enough to abandon the banning of ICE vehicles. Contrary to popular opinion, electric vehicles (EV) are by far the worst polluters. The total pollution during a vehicles life time should be considered, not just what comes out of the tail pipe.
Motorcycle Action Group, the Alliance of British Drivers and Fair Fuel UK commissioned research to consider resourcing raw materials used for the manufacture, utilisation and final disposal of both ICE and EV, including emissions from the production of both electricity and fossil fuels.
If it was to show any theoretical advantage, a battery powered vehicle would have to be manufactured and recharged using power as close to Net Zero as is currently scientifically achievable. Wind, solar and hydro power require wind farms, dams and solar panels. Manufacturing these would produce considerable CO2. The electricity produced by renewable energy is intermittent and cannot provide the National Grid with reliable electricity, requiring constant topping up with power provided by fossil fuels. Even now the Grid is not reliable. At the moment we are being warned of power cuts due to cold weather. EVs would come to a halt if the cuts lasted for long. If all vehicles are electric, much more electricity is needed and power cuts would become more frequent.
Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside lithium batteries, reducing the driving range of the vehicle. Tests in the United States showed an Audi e-tron had the least loss at 16% and a Volkswagen ID 4 had the highest at 46%. EVs also require energy to heat the cabin, as opposed to ICE vehicles that use waste heat from the engine.
The research showed that making an average size EV creates approximately 20 tonnes of CO2 compared to as little as 6 tonnes for an ICE one. The CO2 in making and using the EV is unlikely to be “paid
off “ in its life time. One study estimated that it would take up to 380,000km to break even with an ICE when considering the CO2 produced in both making and using both vehicles. Using 150,000km as an example, the EV will generate 130gms of CO2 compared with only 60 or 70gms for a similar size ICE vehicle, although this varies according to where the vehicle is manufactured and operates.
The effective life of EV is about half that of ICE ones due to battery durability which has a large effect on life time emissions. Up to 95% of ICE vehicles can be recycled. The conventional parts of EVs can be as well, but the battery is a different matter. A shredded battery can yield recyclable materials, but it is cheaper for manufacturers to use new ones, so the batteries frequently end up in landfill, often in the poorest countries. Enforcing mandatory recycling would put the costs of EVs even further from the reach of the general public.
Electrically powered heavy duty vehicles are only practical for short distances. They need very heavy batteries, reducing the payload capacity. The International Integrated Reporting Council estimate the payload for a 7.5 tonne vehicle could be half that of an ICE one. That would mean twice as many vehicles would be needed to convey the same load, doubling the cost of transport and adding to congestion. EVs are also much heavier than ICE ones and their tyres wear out more quickly causing more pollution.
Regarding the economic effect, the 2019 Cambridge University - led FIRES report “Absolute Zero” clearly stated that by 2050, the Grid would only have 60% of the capacity required if the current number of vehicles on the road were all electric.
The costs of expanding the National Grid
to include National and local charging points to accommodate the proposed volume of street and driveway parking is astronomical. The Government’s 2019 estimate of 3 trillion pounds is a huge underestimate. The costs of the trade in of all 35 million private vehicles currently in use has not been publicised by the Treasury.
Does this mean that it will have to be subsidised by household electricity bills or from general taxation? This would means the electorate will pay subsidies for products that only the most affluent will be able to afford, at the same time as being denied the use of ICE vehicles that will never require subsidies or wholesale national infrastructure replacement.
The cost of dismantling the current fuel distribution system and the loss of local employment adds materially to the costs of the electrification policies. Are petrol stations likely to have space to accommodate several charging vehicles for what could be several hours at a time, or overnight?
EVs are prone to catching fire. Not long ago, all the vehicles in one storey of a multi-story car park were destroyed when one burst into flame. I know of an electric car fire that took four days to extinguish. It could cause complete havoc if one caught fire in the channel tunnel or on board a ship or aeroplane.
I believe that the CO2 emissions we produce are insignificant compared with other countries, the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, volcanoes and by nature itself. In fact it is less than 1% of the total emitted world-wide and road transport is only a portion of the 1%. In my opinion, it is not worth the vast expense and reducing our quality of life for us to achieve Net Zero just to look good on the World stage.
If
‘Paws for Wellbeing’ with Miss May
Happy New Year everyone from PERMAH Pup Miss May! She hopes that you are all able to identify, strive for and reach your goals in 2025! To help you this month Miss May will focus on the ‘A’ of PERMAH which stands for ‘Accomplishment’
Dogs like Miss May can certainly feel a sense of accomplishment and thrive on positive reinforcement. Although they don’t think of it the way we do, their behaviours show they experience a positive emotional state when they do something good, rooted in instinct, reward and connection. Simple things can help them feel a sense of accomplishment and earn them a reward when they complete a task. When Miss May retrieves her ball, she is always happy and excited. She and her pup Fin Boy love sniffing out hidden cheese, and she even gets a sense of pride when she finishes her dinner, always wanting her dad, Clive, to go and see her empty bowl!
Miss May’s greatest achievement is being a Pets As Therapy Visiting PAT Dog at Worthing Hospital, accomplishing a great deal by helping to reduce stress and anxiety for patients and staff. She boosts the mood on the ward, encouraging social interaction, enhancing morale, providing comfort for visiting families and contributing to a positive healing environment.
Fin Boy has a big goal for 2025 as he is training to be assessed as a PAT dog, like his mum. He is learning to be calm in busy places, gentle when he greets people and patient when Clive is talking. Watch this space to see how we go!
From a human perspective, a sense of accomplishment results from both working towards and reaching our goals. We know we are not always going to be successful – that’s all part of life, but having goals to strive for is very important. Accomplishment is also about having self-motivation to finish what you set out to do. It includes combining perseverance with having a
passion to attain our goals. This is called ‘Grit’ and it’s a trait that is known to be a predictor of success in school, work and life – more so than simply IQ or talent. It’s about maintaining effort and interest, even when faced with challenges and setbacks. Accomplishment contributes to our wellbeing as we look at our lives with a sense of pride, inspiration and satisfaction. The goals we create do not necessarily have to be long term or have high lofty aims. Everyone is unique with different personalities, priorities and resources. The most important thing is that goals we set should be meaningful, things we WANT to do and achievable. Examples of goal starting points might include:
Outcome-based – ‘I want to lose 10 pounds’ Values based – ‘I want to spend more time with loved ones’
Habit-based – ‘I want to walk 5000 steps each day’ Skills-based – ‘I want to learn a new language’ Strengths-based – ‘I want to enhance my writing’ Problem-based – ‘I want to improve my work-life balance’
DO YOU HAVE A PERMAH PUP?
How does your dog support your wellbeing or that of those around you? Miss May would really love to hear from you!
Write us a short story (max 200 words) telling us all about your dog and let us have a photo too.
Miss May Instagram @may_redgoldengirl #bemoremissmay #permahpup PAT details more information on volunteering t. +44 (0)1865 590 308 w. https://petsastherapy.org
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Voluntary Services
Tel: 01903 205111 Ext: 85615 or Email: uhsussex.volunteers-wash@nhs.net
Well-being benefits of goal striving and attainment are many, including increased selfefficacy and resilience; reduced stress hormones, anxiety and inflammation; enhanced performance and productivity; more ‘feel good’ hormones associated with pleasure and reward; mental clarity; better sleep; and increased energy and vitality.
Here are some ‘Pawsitive Pointers’ from Miss May and Clive to help you to cultivate ‘grit’ and strive towards your New Year goals!
1. Visualise success – Imagine your ‘best future self’ – what would life be like if your goals were achieved? Think about what you want in life? Be guided by your values and strengths and what makes you feel good, feel engaged and gives you a sense of meaning.
2. Set sub goals - Remember that larger goals can take longer to achieve. To sustain motivation, set yourself a series of smaller steps as markers and stepping stones towards your big goal. Always try and make goals SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time specific.
3. Growth mindset approach - Remember that failure is the route to mastery. Try to maintain a positive approach that supports you to regard mistakes as part of the learning process.
4. Anticipate obstacles - Plan for them, try not to let setbacks derail you. Acknowledge them, learn and refocus. Be kind to yourself and selfcompassionate along the way.
5. Be inspired – Look to role models for motivation. Try not to compare yourself with them. You are unique. Remember comparison can be the ‘thief of joy’!
6. Be accountable – Share your goals with a friend or mentor. Check in with them regularly. Use a journal to reflect and log your progress.
7. Reward yourself – Savour the journey. Take a step back and celebrate how far you’ve come.
Dogs show GRIT – persistence and determination and can inspire us to do the same. They help us to be reliable, consistent and self-disciplined. Training a dog requires patience and persistance over many months and we can see the gradual process as behaviours improve over time. Their success helps owners to feel more accomplished and confident.
Who knows, we might be able to feature your story in a future ‘Paws for Wellbeing’ page in the New Year. We look forward to hearing from you! Please send entries to coach@cliveleach.com including contact details.
For more information about Miss May meet and greets or workshops please contact: Email: coach@cliveleach.com Insta: cliveleachcoach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliveleachconsultancy/
In recent years we have completely refurbished the Club. As well as having been totally refurbished we offer a warm welcome to new members who would benefit from; bar prices that are cheaper than most pubs, Sky Sports TV, £500 jackpot fruit machines, pool table, darts, regular entertainment, weekly meat raffle, weekly lucky numbers draw etc..
We also have available for hire our upper floor function room which includes a fully stocked bar and can be used for parties or other functions, please call us to discuss your requirements.
We would like to invite you to visit our Club to see what we have to offer.
There is no requirement to have served in the RAF or any of the other services, membership is available and is open to all.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON
Take on the Worthing 10k for disabled veterans
Run the Worthing 10k on Sunday, June 8 for Care for Veterans and discover the positive impact you can have on the lives of disabled veterans.
The majority of residents at Care for Veterans are in wheelchairs and are working to maintain and regain their strength and independence through the use of multiple therapies available at Gi ord House. For the service to continue, £1.5 million must be raised every year, and with no government funding available, supporters like you are crucial to the future of our charity.
The Worthing 10K is over a fast, flat, coastal route along Worthing seafront. Whilst you enjoy the spectacular sea views, you’ll also be highly motivated by the cheering supporters along the course, and the knowledge that you are running for an important cause.
In previous years, we have been joined by over 100 runners taking part for Care for Veterans at the Worthing 10k.
This year we are looking for 80 runners to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War. This could be your chance to be a part of our fantastic team!
All proceeds raised will go towards the care and rehabilitation of disabled veterans at Care for Veterans.
To sign up, head to our website: www.careforveterans.org.uk/worthing-10k
The Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) Club is a small, friendly social club which is welcoming new members.
You are accordingly invited to come and visit a great club where a friendly welcome is guaranteed.
Have a glass of your favourite tipple, enjoy a comfortable and friendly club and make new friends.
The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Club is located at 74 Ashacre Lane, Worthing, BN13 2DE.
We offer a great, family-friendly atmosphere with very competitive bar prices, Sky TV, meat raffle every Sunday lunchtime, pool table for only 50p per game, darts, regular entertainment and lots more.
Although we are a RAFA Club, membership is open to all, with no requirement to have served in the RAF or indeed any of the other armed forces. Of course, current and ex-armed forces personnel are most welcome.
Annual membership is just £14; this gives a full 12-month membership from the date of joining.
We also have a great function room, which is available to hire for parties, meetings, etc.
Over the coming months, we have some great entertainment to look forward to from Funk Soul Nation, Halo, Liz Angioni, Blue Dakota and more.
What are you waiting for? Come and see us and become part of a great club with even greater members.
Tel: 01903 263804
Email: rafaclubworthingbranch@gmail.com
CROSSWORD January 2025
1 Available or occurring only at certain times of the year (8) 5 Wit (6) 9 The art of operating aircraft (8)
Not present (6)
A sweet on a stick (8) 12 Aristocratic Italian family who ruled Florence in the 15th century (6) 14 A virulent epidemic or contagious disease (10)
18 Provocative; likely to cause trouble or violence (10)
22 Wardens (6)
23 Dweller (8)
24 To drink; absorb (e.g. an idea) (6)
25 Chaos (8)
26 Number represented by XI as a Roman numeral (6)
27 Excessive concern with correctness, precision (8)
1 Steady; secure (6)
2 Passionately (6)
3 Acquire (6)
4 Sorry (10)
6 Device carried to give shelter from rain (8)
7 Well-behaved (8)
8 Merchant; vendor (8)
13 Appealing; good-looking (10)
15 Mask (8)
16 Scratch or claw frantically (8)
17 Not suitable for food (8)
19 First light of day; Goddess of the dawn (Roman mythology) (6)
20 One-armed __ - fruit machine with a long handle at the side (6)
21 Level or floor of a building (6)
Centre Ladies Badminton Club
Come and join us! We are looking for new members who would like to play ladies doubles. All you need is enthusiasm and a reasonable standard of badminton. Maybe you played before and gave up, or you want to improve your overall fitness.
January is always a time for dusting down the racquet and taking up more exercise. If you are a bit rusty we can also offer free coaching from one of our lovely members.
We play on Monday and Thursday mornings at South Downs Leisure Centre in Goring, from 10:00am until 12:00. We do not play competitions, but we offer an opportunity to play friendly, engaging badminton on a regular basis at a reasonable price.
We also have social events you can join if you wish, an annual bluebell walk, restaurant visits, hilarious card evenings to mention but a few.
If you think you might be interested then send me a message and come along to see for yourself.
Paula Taylor-Moore tm.paula@gmail.com
Worthing Veterans Association
DROP-IN CENTRE
1st Monday of every month (except Bank Holidays) 10:30 - 12:00
The Gordon Room, Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing (in the Town Hall) Tel: 07948 920339 or email: worthing-veterans@hotmail.com
We offer a location for all of Veterans from the West Sussex area to “dropin” for a chat, drink and snacks. If you are a local Veteran, come along to our welcoming and relaxing place where we offer friendship, social support and access to a range of welfare services, including advocacy on issues relating to Veterans and their families.
Worthing Twinning Association
Worthing Twinning Association Foreign Film evening will show the 2018 Cannes prize winning film ‘Les Misérables’ on Thursday, January 9 at 7:00pm. Inspired by the 2005 Paris riots, it is set in 2018 Paris which is beset by racial tension and centres on the relationships between the police and the local populace. Non WTA members are welcome. Full details on www.WorthingTwinningAssociation.org
Simon Rigler
South Downs Woodturners
We’re a friendly and welcoming Woodturners club for Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and surrounding areas. Our aim is to promote, educate and encourage woodturning as a craft and art. As well as our usual monthly evening meetings, we have introduced a series of afternoon workshops as an ideal opportunity for members to get some tuition, advice and access to club lathes and tools.
Meetings are the last Wednesday of the month evening session at 7:00pm (afternoon sessions begin at 2:00pm) at Beeding and Bramber Village Hall, BN44 3WN.
You can expect demonstrations, competitions, practical evenings, informal chats, help and advice. There is also a shop with woodturning related supplies and timber, a raffle and free tea/coffee and biscuits at each meeting. Members benefits also include use of a Toolbank and a library of books and DVDs. We encourage members to bring items along for the ‘Show and Tell’ table.
If you are interested to find out more, come along for an informal chat and see what we are all about. Complete novices to those with experience are welcome to join and our annual subscription is good value.
Our programme for 2025, all professional guest woodturner sessions include an afternoon workshop and an evening demo.
January 29
February 26
March 26
Freestyle competition and hands on practical evening.
Professional woodturner - Richard Findley.
Professional woodturner - Kevin Hutson.
April 30 AGM and member demo.
May 28
June 25
July 30
Professional woodturner - Martin Saban-Smith.
Professional woodturner - Mick Hanbury.
Professional woodturner - Emma Cook, aka the Tiny Turner.
August 27 Hands on practical evening.
September 24 TBC
October 29 Hands on practical evening.
November 26
Professional woodturner - Les Thorne.
December 17 TBC but expect mince pies!
Please see our website for more details. https://www.southdownswoodturners.com
Sussex Gruffs
Male
Voice Choir
NEW YEAR – NEW VENUE!
Due to the choir’s continuing expansion – we now have 40 members – we are moving our rehearsal venue to a larger space. From the January 14 2025 we will be rehearsing in the Shaftesbury Room at Worthing Leisure Centre, Shaftesbury Avenue, Goring-by-Sea, BN12 4ET. We rehearse every Tuesday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Sussex Gruffs Male Voice Choir is a community choir, who perform regularly, both to entertain and to raise money for local charities and other worthy causes. We are always happy to welcome new members to our thriving group. We don’t hold auditions, and you don’t need to be able to read music. In addition to singing, we also organize social events for our members and their family and friends to enjoy.
Potential new members can come along to one of our rehearsals on the first Tuesday of every month. If you would like to know more, why not visit our website at:
www.sussexgruffsmvc.co.uk
Highdown Hillwalking and Mountaineering Club
We are a friendly hillwalking club based in Worthing. Our members include some from further afield in Sussex, plus a few in the West Country and Scotland!
Our aim is to provide members with opportunities to experience the joys of hill walking in the beautiful British countryside over a long weekend around once a month. We also try to do at least one more local 10-12 mile day walk once a month on either a Saturday or Sunday. We like to do challenging mountain walking and scrambling as well as more gentle hillwalking and mostly use bunkhouses and hostels - share driving to keep costs down. We also do a foreign trip and a Scotland once a year. In recent years we have been to Albania, Brittany, Crete and Madeira, and are hoping to go to Corsica in 2025.
We follow the British Mountaineering Council’s guidance on risk, responsibility, duty of care and liability. These guidelines require us to ensure that everyone involved in club activities is aware and accepts that those perceived of as in charge of, or leading walks, are not necessarily qualified or technical experts. We are amateur hill-walkers or mountaineers with some experience who are happy to impart our knowledge.
GET
IN TOUCH OR TRY US OUT
You are most welcome to join us for a day walk to get a feel for the club and to see if our sort of walking is for you. You will find our website showing day walks and trips planned at: www.highdownhmc.org.uk
Durrington YOU Group
We are a community outreach group who meet on the third Tuesday afternoon every month. Anyone is welcome to join us. 2025 is our 10th anniversary year, so we have a very interesting programme.
On Tuesday, January 21 at 2:30pm we have a Sussex Police Officer who will talk to us about “Scam Alerts” and how we can avoid them.
Join us at the Main Hall in St Symphorian’s Parish Centre, BN13 3HU. Access via the church car park in Durrington Hill. Cost £3.50pp including refreshments. Please arrive by 2:15pm. Further details available from the Parish Office 01903 268109 or email: theoffice@stsymphorians.co.uk
OUR 2025 CALENDAR
February 18 - History of the Tower of London Part 2
March 18 - Enigmas of Ancient Egypt
April 15 - Rise of Mods and Rockers
May 20 - Hitch Hiking around the World
June 15 - Cream Tea
July 15 - South Down Film Makers
August - No Meeting
September 16 - Great Train Robbery 1963
October 21 - Waste Prevention
November 18 - Festive
December - No Meeting
Advertiser Index
Golf Clubs
Littlehampton Golf Club 5
Carpentry & Handyman Services
Ultimate Handiman 2
Cleaning
Ben Daniels Carpet Cleaning 1
Community RAFA Club 27
Education
Lancing College Prep School at Worthing 3
Steve Spotswoode Guitar Tuition 1
Liana Naylor
Dear Distribution Team
Feedback Letters to the Editor
Sphere Business Centre, Northbrook College Broadwater Road BN14 8HJ liana@insidepublications.ltd
What a great job you all do delivering Inside. Keep up the good work you all do and work as a team is so important. I’m sure sometimes you will somtimes think no I don’t feel like this today! But as a start into work you will remember doing this in years to come. Thank you all and well done!! Lynda and Paul. The Drive
Useful Information
All Saints Church and Hall
allsaintschurchfindonvalley.co.uk
Findon Village Hall findonvillagehall.net
Findon Village Preschool www.findonvillagepreschool.co.uk
Residents’ Association High Salvington pamela.hsra@shawz.me.uk
Findon Valley Residents’ Association www.fvra.org.uk
Doctors Surgery
Lime Tree Surgery Lime Tree Avenue Findon Valley Worthing BN14 0DL tel:01903264101
In today’s digital landscape, where online platforms are saturated with advertisements, direct marketing offers a refreshing and effective alternative. Direct marketing, which includes branding on print materials, touchpoints, repeated adverts, and door-to-door deliveries, provides unique advantages that digital platforms often cannot match. This article explores these benefits and highlights some environmental considerations regarding paper use.
BRANDING IN PRINT
Print materials, such as adverts in publications, flyers and business cards, offer a tangible way to connect with potential customers. Unlike digital ads that can be easily ignored or blocked, print materials are physical items that recipients can hold, read, and keep. This tangibility creates a lasting impression and can significantly enhance brand recall. Community related print materials also convey a sense of professionalism and credibility, which can be particularly appealing to consumers who value trust and reliability in brands.
TOUCHPOINTS AND REPEATED ADVERTS
Direct marketing allows businesses to create multiple touchpoints with their audience. By repeatedly exposing potential customers to your brand through various print materials, you reinforce brand recognition and increase the likelihood of conversion. For example, a customer might receive a branded flyer, and later receive a publication with an advert, then see a van with the same branding - each reinforcing the brand message. This repeated exposure is crucial in building familiarity and trust, which are key components of successful marketing.
DOOR-TO-DOOR DELIVERIES
Door-to-door deliveries offer a personal touch that digital marketing often lacks. Hand delivered material is particularly effective in local marketing campaigns, where businesses aim to build strong community ties. Additionally, doorto-door deliveries can be tailored to specific demographics, ensuring that the marketing message reaches the most relevant audience.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
The paper industry has made significant strides in sustainability. Many print materials are now produced using recycled paper and eco-friendly inks. Responsible sourcing of paper from sustainably managed forests helps mitigate environmental impact. Businesses can also encourage recycling by including clear instructions on their print materials. Digital marketing has a hidden environmental cost as every piece of information stored on the web sits on a server somewhere. The phenomenal amount of servers needed to support our relationship with the online world requires a substantial amount of energy that many of us are not aware of.
COMPARING WITH DIGITAL PLATFORMS
The sheer volume of digital ads has led to a phenomenon known as “ad fatigue,” where consumers become desensitized to online advertisements. This saturation can diminish the effectiveness of digital campaigns, making it harder for brands to stand out. In contrast, direct marketing cuts through the digital noise by providing a more personal and engaging experience. The physical nature of print materials and the personal touch of door-to-door deliveries create a memorable impression that digital ads often fail to achieve. Direct marketing can also complement digital efforts, creating a multichannel strategy that maximizes reach and impact.
In a world dominated by digital marketing, direct marketing is a valuable tool for businesses looking to connect with their audience in a meaningful way. By leveraging the benefits of print branding, multiple touchpoints, repeated adverts, and door-to-door deliveries, businesses can create lasting impressions and build strong customer relationships. Sustainable practices in the paper industry are helping to address these environmental concerns. Ultimately, a balanced approach that combines direct and digital marketing can offer the best of both worlds, ensuring that brands effectively reach and engage their target audience.
RE-LOVED WORTHING STYLE
Kathy Kohl and Sally Lemsford redress fast fashion with local upcycling project, supported by a Creative Commissions award, and culminating in an exhibition from January 9-11 , at Colonnade House, 47 Warwick Street, Worthing, BN11 3DH.
In the age of fast fashion and a significant failure of efficient textile recycling, people need SOLUTIONS and HELP to redress this creatively, individually and by collaborating with others. Using familiar activities to talk about difficult issues is a way to have meaningful conversations now, not in 2050.
Kathy Kohl and Sally Lemsford instigated regular Stitch it upcycling sessions at CREW in September 2023. RE-loved is an offshoot of that, involving new partnerships – working with local people, local charity shops and local charities. It is an innovative concept, helping local people of all ages and abilities to upcycle items of clothing, revamping them and adding style by re-structuring and embellishing their own or unsellable garments from local
@stitchit_crew
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https://worthingcrew.co.uk/
participating charity shops. It’s supporting creative development while addressing incredibly important environmental issues.
The project has developed throughout the year, moving to SHOUT WSK café hub in June 2024. It will culminate in January with an exhibition at Colonnade House RE-loved Worthing Style New Year Resolutions and will include “before” images and the upcycled items.
As Sally Lemsford says “It will highlight the PROBLEM and demonstrate the SOLUTION”. By putting Adur and Worthing on the map in terms of Eco-creativity AND inspiring the other UK Climate Emergency Centres, CREW are showing that Adur and Worthing are at the creative forefront of making a difference to the climate emergency.
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