Inside Tarring, Issue 82, February 2025

FEBRUARY 2025 ISSUE 82

TARRING

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

TOY STORY

CHRIS HARE’S

THE INSIDE

IN THE REPAIR SHOP

POWER OF LOVE

STORY

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CONTENTS INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ 3 Welcome To the February edition of INSIDE After a long and gloomy December and January, February warms us up as the month of love.

The front cover image has hearts of many colours.

Traditionally, hearts have always been represented in red, but in recent years, different colours represent different sentiments. true love, passion, and romance and can also express gratitude, happiness, and hope. comfort, care, and serenity. friendship, happiness, and positivity. nature, growth, and harmony - also jealousy or envy. trust, loyalty, peace, calmness and tranquility. luxury, spirituality, and deep affection.

It’s also used to show support for certain causes, like Alzheimer’s awareness. Can signify dark humor, sorrow, or grief. It adds a mysterious or edgy element to messages. A white heart represents purity, peace, and deep love. Shows genuine care and affection, Community whether romantically or of the Month platonically.

Tarring So, a soppy edition for February, be prepared for a more edgy edition in March!

Happy reading and keep in touch

❤

💜

💚

💙

🖤

💗

🧡

💛

🤍

FOR ENQUIRIES

HEALTH AND WELLBEING Allergies- what are they and what should we do? �������������������������������������������������������������������� 4

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COMMUNITY ���������������������������������������������������� 5,7 PAWS FOR WELLBEING ������������������������������������ 6 NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME ������������������������ 8 CROSSWORD ������������������������������������������������������� 9 THE INSIDE STORY ������������������������������������������ 10 INSIDE OPINION Cancelling Democracy? �������������������������������������11 Are there any more Hughs out there? ������������11

Founder & Editor - Liana Naylor Designer - Andy Beavis Illustrator - Russ Iden

FA:ST English lessons need an upgrade ������������������ 12 @WORTHINGETHNOGRAPHIC Happy New Year - for real, this time ������������� 13

CONTRIBUTORS Bryan Turner MRPharmS | Caroline Osella | Simon Rigler Chris Hare | Henry Parish | Clive Leach | Matilda Cutting Beth Sarah | Matt Marchant | Hugh Rowlings

THE REAL REPAIR SHOP Toy stories ����������������������������������������������������������� 14

Delivered free to your homes. Copyright Inside Magazines 2025.

Inside Magazines cannot be held responsible for the claims and accuracy of adverts or editorial content, or the effects of those claims. All dates and details are believed to be correct at time of going to press. No responsibility can be taken for subsequent changes.

LOCAL HISTORY The Power of Love: three Sussex examples ��16 #LETSSUSITOUT ���������������������������������������������� 18 SPORTS ����������������������������������������������������������������20

You can join INSIDE on social media

MUSIC New music review ��������������������������������������������� 22

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EVENTS ����������������������������������������������������������������24

Liana :)

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⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ INSIDE HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Allergies- what are they and what should we do?

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he Food Standards Agency estimates that over 2 million people in the UK have a diagnosed food allergy. The number of people admitted to hospital as a result of allergy has doubled since 2013.

Allergies happen when the body recognises a new substance, usually a protein, as a threat. The immune system then reacts to counter the threat. If there is an overreaction, a mild case of allergy could result in itching, sneezing or a rash.

A severe case could lead to anaphylaxis, which involves shortness of breath, irregular heart beat and, in tragic cases, can lead to death.

Probably the widest known food allergy is that involving peanuts. About 8% of children in the UK have a some sort of food allergy, and of those a quarter are allergic to peanuts. This means many families in Worthing will have a peanut allergic child, or know another family who does. In any nursery or school there will be one or more sufferers. For many years new parents have been told not to feed peanuts to their infants for fear of inducing an allergic reaction. However, a recent report

Bryan Turner MRPharmS

by King’s College London has said that this advice is wrong. The team split the chidren into two groups. Group one had peanuts in their diet from infancy until aged 5 yrs, and group two avoided peanuts completely during that time. The result was that group one had a 71% lower risk of peanut allergy in teenage years.

When my wife and I had our children in the 80s and 90s, we were given the standard advice to avoid feeding them peanuts. We did not see the sense in this, it conflicted with what we knew about allergies, having studied the subject at university during our pharmacy degrees.

Our children were fed peanut butter sandwiches, as a good source of protein, to no ill effect.

Professor Lack of King’s College said “Decades of advice to avoid peanuts has made parents fearful of introducing peanuts at an early age. The evidence is clear that early introduction of peanuts in infancy induces long term tolerance and protects children from allergy well into adolescence. This simple intervention will make a remarkable difference to future generations and see peanut allergies plummet.”

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The number of people with food allergies is growing, and one of the reasons for this is the ever increasing range of foods available to us. For example, it was unheard of for anyone in the UK to be allergic to kiwi fruit in the 1970s. They appeared on supermarket shelves in the 80s, and suddenly doctors were seeing kiwi allergy, and so the number of sufferers needing help grows.

Another common allergen is house mite dust. I recall a customer in my pharmacy seeking help because she was waking up and then sneezing all morning but it cleared up in the afternoon. She wanted to know what could be the cause for this, it was puzzling for a while. Then one day I said to her “I don’t want to be cheeky, but when was the last time you gave your bedroom a deep clean? I think you have an allergy to house mite dust and the reason your sneezing clears up in the afternoon is because you are exposed to it during the night” Luckily she wasn’t offended, and she took my advice. She came and said that she had given the room a spring clean, and her sneezing cleared up in 24 hours.

COMMUNITY INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪

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A last look back at Christmas Hugh Rowlings

HIGH Street Harmony, Tarring’s singing group, raised nearly £200 for charity during their annual carol singing outing.

They visited The Vine and George and Dragon pubs and found a lot of support from householders as they wound their way up the High Street, ending up here enjoying mulled wine at a fellow singer’s home.

LAUGH AND LEARN RAISES £1,800

By Jess Fedarb, Trustee.

F

UN was had by all who attended Laugh and Learn Preschool’s Christmas Family Funday, in aid of Chestnut Tree House, at West Tarring Young People’s Hub. Opened by Worthing’s fabulous town crier Bob Smytherman and Chestnut Trees mascot Sidney the Squirrel, there were plenty of very reasonably priced festive themed activities for children, icing biscuits, hook a duck, making decorations, playing Christmas games and amazing face painting by Georgina.

Hundreds attended with over 100 children visiting Father Christmas, in his very sparkly grotto, who took the time to ensure that all the children who visited him had a great experience. Elsa and Anna were in attendance and there was also an additional session before opening for SEN children to attend and meet Santa before the crowds arrived.

The grown-ups loved the outstanding coffee from ‘Howies Coffee and Co’, Charlotte’s Christmas sing-along, the tombola and raffle, and all said how great it is to have a funday with so much for children, and what a great way to start the Christmas celebrations.

There were so many amazing donated raffle prizes, afternoon tea at Avisford park, breakfast at Bluebird Café, many vouchers for family days out, hampers, toys, and plants as well as a fantastic signed Brighton and Hove Albion football shirt donated by Alex Burrows, and kindly framed by AOT Framing - auctioned off for £300 on the day.

Huge thanks must go to all the supporters and volunteers from Laugh and Learn Preschool, West Tarring Young People’s Hub and Chestnut Tree House who made the day such a success with special mention to all the bakers who made the cake stall so delicious!

An outstanding £1,857 was raised for Chestnut Tree House at this magical Christmas event, with more events being planned for the upcoming year.

TARRING residents descended on village pub, the George and Dragon, for their annual Christmas party dinner.

The pub, decorated with hundreds of Christmas lights covering almost every wooden surface, was an ideal location for this popular event.

TWO adjoining homes at Fairfields in Tarring joined forces to present this striking “Santa’s Grotto” effect.

It definitely had the wow factor as passers-by were constantly saying “Wow, look at that!” As they caught sight of the Christmas spectacular, especially children who found it all a memorable treat.

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⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ PAWS FOR WELLBEING

‘Paws for Wellbeing’ with Miss May This month PERMAH pup, Miss May, focuses on the final pillar of PERMAH, Health, and how our physical vitality and wellbeing supports overall happiness, fulfilment and performance in work, school and life!

P

ERMAH is a scientifically validated framework. Each letter represents a building block for both enhancing and sustaining our wellbeing - Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health.

Although we all know how important health is, we can take for granted how directly it can influence other components of the PERMAH model.

• Positive emotions are easier to experience when we’re physically and mentally well.

• Levels of engagement and productivity are higher with good energy levels. Healthy relationships thrive when we feel at our best.

• We are more likely to set and pursue meaningful goals when we feel healthy.

• We are then better able to persist and strive towards accomplishing our goals. Our physical health acts as a buffer when we face inevitable adversity and setbacks, bolsters our resilience to navigate through, and builds our capacity to adapt to life’s challenges and embrace it’s opportunities.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DOG OWNERSHIP Having a dog in our lives can have a positive impact on our physical health in several ways: 1. Increased Physical Activity Daily Walks: Over 60% of dog owners meet the recommended weekly amount of exercise, meaning they get 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

Playtime: Playing fetch or running with a dog can add extra movement to your day.

P

Positive Emotions

E

Engagement

AND WHAT ABOUT THE DOG’S HEALTH? Good health is obviously essential for dogs too and Miss May is one healthy pup! Healthy dogs exhibit several physical and behavioural signs that indicate wellbeing; a thick, glossy, clean coat, clear bright eyes and a shiny wet nose!

Clean pink ears, healthy pink gums, white teeth and good breath. Miss May has great energy, is very playful, agile and active, but sleeps well too.

Here are a few ‘Pawsitive Pointers’ from Clive and Miss May to help you stay healthy.

It’s important to choose activities that suit your needs and situation. There is ‘no one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to health. We shouldn’t compare ourselves with others. Talk to your health-care provider before trying new exercises or activities.

ENGAGE IN NATURE WALKS Walking in nature, particularly without our phones can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall wellbeing by allowing individuals to be present in the moment. If you don’t have a dog to walk consider joining ‘Borrow My Doggy’ at https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/

Miss May is a healthy pup!

2. Improved Cardiovascular Health Lower Blood Pressure: Pet owners typically have lower resting blood pressure than people who don’t own pets.

Heart Health: Dog owners are at a lower risk of heart disease and have better survival rates after a heart attack.

3. Reduced Stress and Cortisol Levels Physical interactions like petting a dog can decrease stress hormones and promote relaxation, indirectly benefiting physical health.

4. Improved Immune System Exposure to dogs, especially in childhood, can help strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of certain allergies.

5. Chronic Pain Management Therapy dogs like Miss May can help people with chronic health conditions by encouraging movement and distraction from pain.

EXERCISE Small changes to our exercise routine can make a big difference over time. Get some FREE NHS exercise plans by checking out ‘How to be More Active’ at https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/ get-active/how-to-be-more-active/ STAY HYDRATED Increasing your daily fluid intake, particularly water, is crucial for maintaining health. Aim for 6-8 cups per day, depending on your exercize levels, as you may need more. Check out some guidance on ‘Water, Drinks & Hydration’ at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/foodguidelines-and-food-labels/water-drinksnutrition/ EAT WELL Good nutrition is essential for good health.

Check out the NHS ‘Eating a Balanced Diet’ page at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eatwell/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/eating-abalanced-diet/

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.

R

Relationships

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

M

Meaning

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.

A

Accomplishment

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/

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H

Health

COMMUNITY INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪

CYCLING ON PAVEMENTS

A

KEEN Worthing runner is calling on the Worthing West MP, Dr Becci Cooper, to tackle the “cycling menace” on pavements that he says “plague us.”

Paul contacted INSIDE after a report in INSIDE Tarring highlighted a similar problem, pavement parking.

He said, “The cars, whilst blocking the pavements, are at least static and can, for the most part, be negotiated.

“Cyclists, on the other hand, move at speed and either have no bell or lack the courtesy to share the space.”

He claims Cllr Rita Garner promised, when elected, to provide safe walking routes, but three years on nothing has changed.

He concludes; “As a keen runner, I’m almost bowled over by cyclists using the pavement on a daily basis and even though I’ve highlighted it to our newly elected MP, again, nothing has changed.”

In a letter to Paul in August, Dr Cooper wrote, “I understand your frustration regarding the unfulfilled promises you’ve mentioned.

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“It can be deeply disappointing when commitments made during election campaigns are not followed through.

“As your newly elected MP, I am determined to ensure that promises made to our community are kept.”

Dr Cooper told Paul that his concerns were “valid and pressing” and she would be pushing for resources to address them.

“Our community deserves to see real results from the taxes we pay and I am committed to ensuring we get value for money.”

She concluded; “Finally, I want to emphasise my commitment to being a true local champion. My role as your MP is not just to represent you in Parliament but also to actively engage with and address the issues that matter most to you here in West Worthing.

“I will promise being visible and accessible whether through surgeries, community events and direct communication so that you can be confident that your concerns are being taken seriously.”

TARRING ROAD £250,000 CROSSING PLAN A £250,000 scheme is on the cards to put a signalised crossing in front of West Worthing station in Tarring Road during the early part of 2025.

It will be built by the county council and be paid for by Active Travel England, a government backed agency with responsibility for improving walking, wheeling and cycle routes.

The works will include building out the footway in front of the station entrance to reduce the width of the road, making it easier and safer to cross.

The location has a history of collisions involving injury to pedestrians including a fatality in 2009.

The crossing will be to the west of Valencia Road and will maintain two eastbound lanes on the approach to South Street/ Tarring Road signals and minimise the impact on queues.

In addition to the crossing the county council is promoting a cycle contra-flow southbound along Valencia Road to improve cycle access.

Cyclists will simply be able to cycle against the flow of traffic in Valencia Road.

No parking spaces will be lost in the one way Valencia Road.

The new signals in Tarring Road will be linked to the ones already at the crossing to ensure that, when the rail gates are open, traffic outside the station can clear. In addition there will be footway improvements including kerbing, surfacing and drainage.

There will be relocation of existing street furniture including recently installed planters to provide more room for pedestrians and people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Subject to the outcome of the consultations which are now over, the council envisages the works will start in the first half of 2025 and take six to eight weeks.

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LOVERS of archaic Sussex rituals were treated to the annual Wassail and Mummers play at The Vine pub in Tarring High Street.

Both were performed by Sompting Village Morris.

In keeping with tradition, on the eve of Twelth Night, the dancers and performers embark on a torchlit procession up and down the street ending with the ritual Howling (Sussex term for Wassail) which wakens the apple trees’ spirits with chanting and loud music round an apple tree in the pub garden.

Onlookers are invited to place toast in the branches for winter robins who carry off any bad spirits.

Wassail comes from Waes Harold ‘Good Health.’

Afterwards the performers took over for

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the Mummers play in the High Street.

One of the oldest local traditions, it can be traced back to the era of the Crusades in the 11th and 12th centuries. Mummers’ plays – also known across Sussex as Tipteerers’ plays – are enacted in streets or pubs by a troupe of amateur male actors (known as tipteerers) at Christmas and feature a short interlude of St. George fighting and killing a Turk.

A doctor who appears from within the crowd then brings the victim back to life and the slayer is taken away by the press gang.

The Vine version was performed in rhyming couplets with lots of current political personalities and references which raised a laugh along with hints of bad language hidden in the dialogue and which amused the large crowd of enthusiasts.

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⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ INSIDE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME

Snowdrops

Highdown Gardens Worthing

The National Garden Scheme season gets off to a wonderful, bejewelled start with Snowdrop and Spring Flower gardens. From swathes of snowy white blooms to colourful mixtures of Aconites, Hellebores, Iris and Crocus under early blossom there is a garden visit to lift your spirits as the year begins.

F

our inspirational snowdrop gardens will be opening in West Sussex this February, and Crosslands Flower Nursery, Walberton will be holding two-hour tours of their three acres of glasshouses filled Sussex grown Alstroemeria. This is just the beginning: 81 fabulous West Sussex gardens welcome you over the next nine months including 19 for the first time. To find out more about the gardens featured below, visit ngs.org.uk, download the National Garden Scheme app or pick up a free copy of The Sussex National Garden Scheme Booklet in many local stores, garden centres and libraries.

by arrangement February 3 to May 18 for groups of 20+.

CROSSLANDS FLOWER NURSERY https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/45634/ crosslands-flower-nursery

THE OLD VICARAGE WASHINGTON https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/21793/ the-old-vicarage The 3½ acres gardens at The Old Vicarage are set around an 1832 Regency house (not open). The front is formally laid out with topiary, wide lawn, mixed border and contemporary water sculpture.

The rear features new and mature trees from C19, herbaceous borders, water garden and stunning uninterrupted views of the North Downs. The Japanese garden with waterfall and pond leads to a large copse, stream, treehouse and stumpery.

Each year 2000 Tulips are planted for spring as well as another 2000 Snowdrops and mixed bulbs throughout the garden.

The Old Vicarage, The Street, Washington, RH20 4AS, is open for the National Garden Scheme every Thursday, Feb 6 to Oct 2 (10-4). Admission £8, children free. Pre-booking essential. Self-service light refreshments on Thursday (cash only) and picnics welcome. Monday 21 Apr, Monday 26 May, Sunday 27 July, Monday 25 Aug (10-5). Admission £8, children free. Purchase ticket in advance or at the gate on the day. Home-made teas. Visits also by arrangement March 17 to October 2 for groups of 12 to 30. No private group visits on Thursdays.

SANDHILL FARM HOUSE ROGATE https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/19183/ sandhill-farm-house Home of author and principal of The English Gardening School. The front and rear gardens at Sandhill Farm House are broken up into garden rooms including a small kitchen garden. Front garden with small woodland area, planted with early spring flowering shrubs, ferns and bulbs.

White and green garden, large leaf border and terraced area. The rear garden has rose borders, small decorative vegetable garden, red border and grasses border. Snowdrop day on Sunday, Feb 9.

Sandhill Farm House, Nyewood Road, Rogate, Petersfield, GU31 5HU, is open for the National

Garden Scheme Sunday, Feb 9 (12-4), Saturday 12 and Sunday, April 13 (1-4) and Sunday, April 27 (2-5). Admission £8, children free. Pay on the day.

Home-made teas.

HIGHDOWN GARDENS WORTHING https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/6351/ highdown-gardens Highdown Gardens were created by Sir Frederick Stern. Home to rare plants and trees, many grown from seed collected by Wilson, Farrer and Kingdon-Ward. A fully equipped glasshouse enables propagation of this National Plant Collection. A visitor centre shares stories of plants and people behind the gardens. Highdown is offering Snowdrop Identification tours on the Feb 13 and Peony Identification tours on May 1, for more information and booking please see garden website http://www.highdowngardens.co.uk Highdown Gardens, 33 Highdown Rise, Littlehampton Road, Goring-by-Sea, BN12 6FB is open for the National Garden Scheme Thurs, Feb 13 (10-4.30), Thursday, May 1 (10-8). Admission by donation.

THE MANOR OF DEAN PETWORTH https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/3616/ manor-of-dean The Manor of Dean garden is a 3 acres traditional English garden with extensive views of the South Downs. There are herbaceous borders, early spring bulbs, a Bluebell woodland walk, a walled kitchen garden with fruit, vegetables and cutting flowers.

NB under long term programme of restoration, some parts of the garden may be affected. Manor of Dean, Tillington, Petworth, GU28 9AP, is open for the National Garden Scheme Sunday Feb 2 (2-4), Sunday, March 9 (2-5) and Sunday, April 27 (2-5). Admission £5, children free. Teas. Visits also

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A two hour, all access tour of a fourth generation, award-winning, sustainably run flower nursery with 3 acres of glasshouses filled to the brim with Sussex grown Alstroemeria. There will be an opportunity to purchase flowers at the end of the tour. Crosslands Flower Nursery, Barnham Lane, Walberton, Arundel, open for the National Garden Scheme Thursday, Feb 20, Tuesday, March 4 and 11 (10-12). Admission £10, children free. Pre-booking essential. Visits also by arrangement, Feb 3 to Mar 28 for groups of 10-30.

2024 was another landmark year for the National Garden Scheme with the charity donating a record £3,501,227. The impact of these donations to our major nursing and health beneficiaries means that thousands of people who live with health conditions such as cancer or Parkinson’s, who have poor mental health, or who struggle financially as unpaid carers have been supported by our funding of nurses, health professionals and case workers who support them. Our funding has also provided support to those in the Gardens and Health sector, Community Gardens and supported gardeners through traineeships.

MAIN BENEFICIARIES: Queen’s Nursing Institute £500,000, Marie Curie £450,000, Macmillan Cancer Support £450,000, Hospice UK £450,000, Carers Trust £350,000 and Parkinson’s UK £350,000 GARDENS AND HEALTH: Maggie’s £122,227, Horatio’s Garden £90,000, Army Benevolent Fund £80,000, John King Brain Tumour Foundation £50,000, Cancer Help Preston £50,000, Country Trust £25,000 SUPPORT FOR GARDENERS:English Heritage £125,000, Perennial £100,000, National Botanic Garden of Wales £26,000, Bankside Open Spaces Trust £21,000, Professional Gardeners’ Trust £20,000, The Garden Museum £10,000.

SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY GARDENS: Community Garden Grants funded 89 new projects with £232,000. This supports community allotments and gardens, rehabilitation and regeneration projects. Applications launched for 2025 grants in October 2024. Read the Impact Report on https://ngs.org.uk

CROSSWORD INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪

Simon Rigler

CROSSWORD February 2025

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ACROSS

DOWN

1 Shorten (e.g. a long word) (10) 6 Twinkle; radiate (4) 10 Seat for one person (5) 11 Erratic; random (9) 12 Put together (8) 13 Consecrate (5) 15 Circus performer of balancing acts and other athletic tricks (7) 17 A ship’s captain (7) 19 The world’s fastest land mammal (7) 21 Branch of mathematics using letters and symbols (7) 22 Popular citrus fruit (5) 24 Outskirts of a city; residential area (8) 27 Happen; come to light (9) 28 Tool for boring holes (5) 29 Trickle; dribble (4) 30 The past in general (10)

1 Curve (4) 2 Restaurant (9) 3 Spooky (5) 4 Occupy (7) 5 Wearing nothing from the waist up (7) 7 Depart (5) 8 Rife; common (10) 9 Betting (8) 14 Computed (10) 16 A biologist specialising in the science of plants (8) 18 Broadcast; promote (9) 20 Unfriendly (7) 21 Music genre focusing on atmosphere and tone over rhythm and structure (7) 23 Coastal city in the US state of Florida (5) 25 __ Cup, biennial men’s gold competition between Europe and USA teams (5) 26 Insult; disparaging remark (4)

Expert advice on paying for care Long-term care in your own home or in a residential care home is expensive, but with expert advice from independent financial specialists, Carewise can help you to make informed decisions on choosing and paying for the right care.

The Carewise care fees specialists are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and members of the Society of Later Life Advisers, so you can have peace of mind when discussing your finances. Contact Carewise to find out how you could benefit.

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carewiseadvice.com

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carewise@westsussex.gov.uk

0330 222 7000

10

⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ INSIDE TEAM

The INSIDE Story

A

s we head into the 9th year of INSIDE, it is fitting to write a piece about us and the incredible journey that INSIDE has travelled and become.

I’ll begin with a little about me. In a previous life, I worked for the NHS as a Health Visitor team leader which gave me a privileged insight into the town I grew up in, and a deep and grounded knowledge of the community within it. After an accident, I took time out from my career, which as we know now, I never returned to. Some of you might remember that I dabbled with publishing in 2007-9 when I created Broadwater Pages.

INSIDE Broadwater, a very different and more naïve publication to the one you’re reading was launched in January 2017. Until 2023, they were A5/B5 glossy magazines. Editions grew yearly to the 8 we have now. I have always been highly content focused, driven by my MSc in Sustainable Development. I firmly believe that connected communities are more resilient, and my vision is that these papers serve to connect communities through whatever we face going forward. I’m not a journalist and focus on the community voice, very rarely writing myself.

THE TEAM Freelance designer, Andy Beavis, social media manager, Jordan Whittingham and Russ Iden, illustrator, form the paid team around INSIDE. We work very well together.

INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS 2019 heralded some changes for INSIDE. Potential writers started to contact me, wanting to get involved. It is incredible when I look at the strong team of writers for INSIDE, who submit their articles every month without fail.

with a keen interest in public health and has been writing for INSIDE from the beginning.

CAROLINE OSELLA Joining us in 2019, Caroline is an anthropologist (Dr). Caroline’s human approach, to sometimes tricky topics, brings us new ways of thinking, or simply resonates with what you are already thinking in a unique story telling fashion.

Caroline brings a great “edge” to INSIDE. CLIVE LEACH Miss May joined us last year in her capacity as a local PAT patient visiting dog. She brings insight into healthy ways of living, exploring ways in which dogs can enhance our lives and is, of course, steered by her “dad” Clive who is a coach.

Liana Naylor

CHRIS HARE If you are interested in local history, Chris Hare is a name you will have been familiar with for a very long time in Worthing. Chris is an active historian involved in many local initiatives and groups, and has campaigned about various things in the area. Chris has published several books and leaflets. You might catch him singing with the Duck Pond Sailors if you’re lucky!

HENRY PARISH Henry is midway through his second year of writing for INSIDE, joining us when he was just 19. Henry wanted to grow his passion for both sports and writing in his gap year between college and university.

His dream is to be a sports correspondent.

Henry writes and interviews prolifically, and

is continuing to do so despite being in the first year of his degree.

HUGH ROWLINGS You will only have seen Hugh’s writing if you live in Tarring. Hugh joined INSIDE a few months ago to boost the community content in INSIDE Tarring. It has transformed the reader experience. What I didn’t know to begin with was that Hugh had a longstanding career as editor of the Eastbourne Herald, and other versions of the Herald around the county. Aren’t we lucky!

MATILDA CUTTING Matilda contacted me after I spoke to a teacher at Durrington High School, inviting contributions from students. Since then, Matilda, who is just 15, has led the FA:ST section of INSIDE which is aimed at voices of young people. It’s easy to forget how young Matilda is when you read her articles.

MATT MARCHANT Now, Matt is quite a character. I printed a blog of his, about repairing your things, in 2019, with his permission, and he has written for INSIDE bi-monthly ever since with tales from his workshop. In his day job, his work gives him great insight into what we throw away which motivates a passion to educate people to waste less.

SIMON RIGLER Last but not least, Simon compiles the crosswords. He has done so without fail for many years. This time last year he missed a month as he was away…boy did I receive some complaints! You all LOVE his crosswords!

The photo below is from our Chritmas meal and has many of the contributors pictured. I think you will all join me to say a big THANK YOU to all of the wonderful contributors.

BETH SARAH Beth is the newest contributor, giving the publications a stronger leaning toward the live music scene. Beth is one of the founders of Blue Sky Music, providing opportunities for local musicians to play their music to audiences across Worthing.

Beth is multi-talented with a strong academic and creative background. Beth writes the New Music Reviews.

BRYAN TURNER Many will remember Bryan for his local political career as a local and county councillor where his focus was public health. Bryan continues to be a pharmacist

From left to right: Simon Rigler, Hugh Rowlings, Henry Parish, Bryan Turner, Clive Leach, Jordan Whittingham, Caroline Osella, Russ Iden, Chris Hare, Liana Naylor and Matt Marchant

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OPINION INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ 11

Are there any more Hughs out there?

Cancelling Democracy?

E

lections in Britain have only ever been cancelled during the First and Second World War. Yet, at the time of writing, the leaders of West and East Sussex county councils, are asking the government to cancel the county elections due to take place on Thursday, May 1. Why? The new government has declared its intention of reorganising local government, with the principle aim of merging existing authorities and creating more so-called unitary ones.

There is sense in this argument. Very few people know the powers and responsibilities of the existing county and district councils, and merging the two would, it is argued, simplify delivery and save money.

However, there are also strong arguments against: bigger, merged authorities would be more remote from the people they serve, and have tenuous connections with local communities. It should also

be added that so many powers and responsibilities once enjoyed by local councils have been put out to private contract or handed over to trusts, thereby eroding local democracy and accountability. This reorganisation could just accelerate that process.

The leaders of West and East Sussex county councils want to create a new Sussex Council, with a powerful executive mayor, which they envisage coming into being in 2026. Why, they argue, have elections to the existing county councils, as they will cease to exist next year?

How arrogant is that? They are assuming that they will get what they are demanding of central government, but worse than that, they seem to be overring the people - the electorate - surely we should have our say? Cancelling elections is not the right way to proceed: the voters should have the final say, not the politicians.

Chris Hare Director, History People UK www.historypeople.co.uk | 07794 600639

In the community of Tarring, a local hero has emerged, bringing neighbours closer and bringing positive change to INSIDE Tarring. Hugh, a dedicated member of the Tarring community, has become a volunteer correspondent for Tarring. His contributions to INSIDE Tarring have not only informed but also uplifted our readers, making our publication highly talked about, and more cherished in Tarring.

Hugh got in touch after reading one of the introductions to INSIDE Tarring. I had described how, since Covid, many contributions have become town wide articles, which has reduced the local feeling to each publication. I suggested that if people want their INSIDE to represent their community more, then need to send me information. One of the downsides of having 8 editions is that I can no longer go in person to each area to collect information. Hugh decided to meet with the various community organisations that he was involved with and start sending information each month. Since then, he has highlighted unsung heroes of Tarring. Through his engaging articles and heartfelt stories, he has shed light on local activities that make Tarring community thrive. Little did I know, at first, that he had a career of journalism before retiring and was a hief editor for the Herald group for many years.

So, as a result I am seeking “Hughs” in all communities. Would you like to send in community information? All are welcome to send me little snippets, even randomly and sporadically! Simply email me liana@insidepublications. ltd You are also welcome to call me on 01903 357003 Looking forward to hearing from you!

Brain-Teasing Fun to Blow Away the January Blues

G

rab your friends and family for a fun-filled evening of headscratching, brain-boggling questions that are sure to get your minds whirring at Care for Veterans’ Quiz Night on Tuesday, February 11. There will be a wide variety of topics covered, refreshing drinks available, a tasty food menu on offer and a chance to win in the raffle at the end of the night.

The event will be at Worthing Rugby Club, from 6:30pm until 10pm, and hosted by Worthing’s own Town Crier Bob Smytherman. Teams can be made up of a maximum of 6 people, and the entry price is £5 per person. It’s worth bringing your competitive side to this occasion, as the winning team will receive a prize!

All proceeds raised will go towards vital care and rehabilitation services for disabled veterans and their families. For 105 years, Care for Veterans has provided respite, palliative, long-term and rehabilitative care for disabled exservice personnel and their families. Through in-house services including a wheelchair clinic, physiotherapy, wellbeing hub, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychological counselling, residents can access everything they need to achieve independence and the best possible quality of life.

The opportunity to hold the event at Worthing Rugby Club is following the kindness of the club to have named Care for Veterans as their Chosen Charity of the Year - for which we thank them.

To secure your place for the Quiz Night, head to: www.careforveterans.org.uk/quiz-night or call 01903 218444.

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⚪⚪⚪⚪

FA:ST

English Lessons need an upgrade 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.

F

rom Year 7 to Year 11, I’ve studied a handful of stories and poems by female writers and even less by nonwhite authors. Among the writers I’ve encountered are the likes of Shakespeare, Dickens, and Priestley—great names in literary history—but why is it that writers such as Woolf, Austen, or the Brontë sisters are often absent?

Some may argue that studying traditional authors is important because it’s part of our cultural heritage. But, I believe that traditions should change and adapt to reflect the world we live in today. Our grandparents and parents studied these same books, but they grew up in a society that was vastly different—less diverse, less open-minded, and facing different challenges. The world has changed, and it’s crucial that our education system adapts alongside it.

Take Shakespeare, while his work is undoubtedly clever and insightful, the language itself can be a barrier for modern students. It’s a fascinating part of British history, but it often lacks the

Matilda Cutting age 15

direct relevance needed for a GCSE exam.

Similarly, while A Christmas Carol by Dickens teaches important moral lessons about kindness and generosity, it’s more relevant for younger students. For older students preparing for their GCSEs, I believe the curriculum should reflect contemporary issues and challenges.

However, not all classics should be discarded. If it were up to me, An Inspector Calls would stay on the curriculum for eternity. J.B. Priestley’s critique of human greed and selfishness remains incredibly important to today’s society, and the play’s message—that the consequences of inequality and selfishness will eventually lead to society’s downfall—is a timeless warning we still need to hear in this day and age.

To make the curriculum truly reflective of today’s world, we need to include a broader range of voices—especially from women, people of color, and other marginalized groups. Not only would this allow for greater diversity in the stories students read, but it would also ensure that the themes explored are relevant to the issues young people face now.

Two modern works I believe should be added to the GCSE curriculum are Prima Facie by Suzie Miller and The Hate You Give

by Angie Thomas.

Prima Facie tells the story of Tessa, a brilliant young barrister who, after experiencing sexual assault, comes to realize that the legal system is stacked against women, upholding patriarchal values. This powerful play addresses the taboo issue of sexual assault and the inadequacy of the justice system in

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providing support for survivors. Introducing Prima Facie into the curriculum would open up important conversations about consent, justice, and gender equality. It could play a key role in educating young people about sexual assault, helping to end the stigma around these experiences, and giving them the tools to advocate for change.

The Hate You Give explores the harrowing effects of police brutality on black communities, as seen through the eyes of Starr, a young girl who witnesses the murder of her childhood friend by a police officer. The novel dives into issues of race, identity, and social justice, offering a profound look at the lived experiences of those who face systemic racism. In a time when conversations about race and privilege are more urgent than ever, this book can help students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by marginalized communities, making it a vital addition to any curriculum.

If we are to prepare young people for the challenges of the modern world, we need to equip them with the tools to understand and engage with the complex issues of our time. By expanding the GCSE curriculum to include works like Prima Facie and The Hate You Give, we can provide students with a more inclusive and relevant education—one that reflects the diverse, interconnected world they are inheriting.

These texts not only offer compelling narratives but also serve as important tools for teaching empathy, critical thinking, and social responsibility. It’s time for the GCSE English curriculum to evolve.

@WORTHINGETHNOGRAPHIC ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪

13

Omar shakes his head, laughing.

You know what I mean - what if our ancestors are in Africa or Asia, and we’ve got no connection to this land or to Celtic traditions?

We turn to Josh. Omar’s got a good point.

Ah, well that where it gets really interesting.

Have you ever heard of a bard, or a shaman?

Mmmmm, yeah, sort of …

Well, there’s one who works in Sussex, Jonathon Huet, and he’s got a really cool take on all of that.

Hmmmm?

Happy New Year for Real, This Time Late January. I spot a group of friends having coffee in town. They’re waving at me through the window and I pop into the cafe and sit down with them.

Josh grins.

Well, it’s in the old Celtic calendar. You know about summer solstice and winter solstice, right?

Hey! So - how’s everyone doing? Dry Jan, Veganuary, exercise regimes, all that?

Michelle opens her eyes wide in mock shock, grins, points to the chocolate pretzel brownie in front of her Na, I always think January is just about the worst time ever that you could be thinking about fresh starts and stuff.

Kimberly and Omar nod, listening, while Michelle goes on.

I don’t know about you, but I’m broke, low mood, low energy, eating out of the freezer and the cupboard to save money; there’s no way that this is the moment to be starting up some ‘morning run and salad lunch’ kind of vibe. This brownie and coffee is my one treat of the week and I’m gonna enjoy it!

We all nod.

There’s 8 special days in the old calendar; Imbolc is the official end of winter and start of spring.

Omar looks at his feet.

I feel you, he says, with a wincing grin on his face. I started strong on Jan 1st and by the second week, I was back to the old ways. Too grim, January is.

Michelle nods vehemently and Kimberly exhales a loud, True, true!

Josh says, I’m not even trying. I always start my New Year on Imbolc, February 1st. That’s a much better time for new things.

We all lean forward, as Michelle asks, Imbolc - what’s that, then?

Caroline Osella

Kimberly frowns, But spring’s later, isn’t it? I mean, February can be awful!

She’s so right! Josh goes on, Imbolc is more about the first signs of spring, I suppose. It’s like - end of winter, a fresh start, the turn of the year. Snowdrops and daffodils, a thaw in the frost, lambs being born. Anyway, the old calendar set February 1st as the natural end of the annual cycle and the start of the new. It’s always made more sense to me than January 1st.

Omar is looking a bit sceptical.

What’s up?, we ask.

Well, talking about Celtic roots and ancestors and stuff. I dunno - what about those of us whose ancestors don’t come from here?

I can tell that Kimberly’s not convinced: and I know why. I’ve been around many of those scenes, and witnessed how people can too-easily get caught up in land-soilpeople, resources, ancestors, nature spirits and - oops, before you know it, have gone full-blown ecofascist. It’s a well-studied paradox.

Josh is excited. He starts waving his hands and telling us about how we all have both horizontal and vertical relationships with the land and all the creatures and spirits who live on it.

Anybody who is currently living on this land is in relationship with the land and its spirits; this is the horizontal relation. Any land that you have ancestral connections to is your vertical connection.

This pleased our group.

Josh explains that Black British and Global Majority folks, who live here but have ancestors from far away, belong according to Bard Jonathon - just as much as anyone who can claim to be 10 generations deep on this land.

Kimberly puts her coffee down, nods with high energy, and says, That’s beautiful! No ‘blood and soil’ rubbish!

Michelle smiles.

Yeah, no ‘Viking blood’ nonsense.

Josh is nodding hard.

That’s exactly it! No ‘7th son of 7th son thinking’: we’re all in equal relationship.

We grin at each other. We all belong.

Because we’re here. We live here. This land, this ecology - it’s ours, we’re all part of it, and it speaks into all our hearts.

Imbolc, then: a New Year for us all.

Kimberly laughs, That’d be a lot of us in Worthing then loads of us are DFL*s or OFB*s! We’re all only getting to know the Sussex Downs and the sea now.

*DFLs - Down From London *OFBs - Over From Brighton

Caroline Osella writes @ Rewilded Anthropologist - https://carolineosella.substack.com/

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14

⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ INSIDE THE REAL REPAIR SHOP

Toy Stories

Recently, I’ve been spending far too much time on eBay and YouTube (nothing new there), researching 1980s iconic collectables for a little side-project I’m working on with a friend and colleague (Insta retrorob86) who also shares a passion for classic toys, bikes and interesting design. I’ll let you know how it goes, but for now, it’s all top secret! All I can say is that if you like iconic toys and gadgets with a smattering of chat and banter from two classic ‘nostalgic nerds’, then you’re in for a treat.

Matt Marchant

W

hile doing this part-time workshop thing, I’ve been lucky enough to have operated on many vintage games and toys, amongst the more mundane items, and I really enjoy doing it. Bringing an old toy back to life is often very satisfying, as I know that things like this will be cherished in a different way to say a vacuum cleaner. It’s also nice to imagine the item being handed down to the next generation, working once again. And whilst I don’t claim a 100% repair record with old toys and tech, a repairer like myself is often in with a fighting chance of success as products like this from 1970s to the 1990s tend to have proper soldered joints and other components that can been seen with the naked eye. Very different to now of course.

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It turns out that I’m really not alone when it comes to wanting to own some of the toys now, that I didn’t have as a kid and there’s often fierce online auction competition for the must-have toys of yesteryear that many parents simply couldn’t afford back in the day. And, as a gentleman of a certain age who grew up in the 1980s, I still lust after those iconic items such as original Scalextric Le Mans, Technic Lego and BigTrak, all toys which are now fetching good money and even bigger prices still, if in boxed, mint condition. My advice is to not go on eBay after a glass on a Sunday evening as auctions finish! It can do serious damage to one’s wallet. The retro market is huge business and manufacturers can’t supply enough to support their addiction. Indeed, Star Wars, Lego, Marvel, My Little Pony and Sylvanian Families are all still massive institutions with their own clubs and clientele, not to mention merchandise. And while it was once a bit of a tease to call someone a ‘Trekkie’ (Star Trek follower), I’ve got a sneaky feeling that it’s now totally cool to be a nerdy fan. Bring it on!

Fast forward to now and watching my kids open their presents around the tree this Christmas after the big man had visited. I began to wonder which presents being unboxed for the first time, would go on become the most coveted in 30 years’ time. There was certainly no chance of future ‘still in original box classics’ being preserved past Boxing Day in our house, as carboard and plastic containers were ripped to pieces with reckless abandon, blowing any chance of a future retirement pot!

Back to the past for a moment, and this

THE REAL REPAIR SHOP INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪

little project mentioned earlier has caused me to study interesting preloved games and toys such as Astrowars, Atomic Pinball and other gems in more detail, and what’s become clear is that the best of the vintage had a lot of things in common.

Firstly, all the games that have stood the test of time, were well made. I mean, it stands to reason because if they were not well made, well they probably wouldn’t be here 40-odd years later, duh! Plastics were being used widely for many products in the 1980s and around this time, manufacturers had seemingly mastered the art of solid construction, still with an eye on repairability and service. A little bit of internet surfing, and it appears that some toy manufacturers actually listed service sheets and spares availability for some of their offerings. I remember a science kit I received as a birthday present coming with a spares sheet, and remember ticking off the parts that had run out. How cool is that? No? Just me then.

Secondly, most of the classic toys that were desirable back then were incredibly expensive and therefore simply unobtainable for many.

Collectables, such as a single Teddy Ruxpin, or Cricket the Talking Doll were worth several birthdays and Christmases in one go.

To illustrate the point, an original MB BigTrak cost around fifty quid in 1980 and that was without the optional trailer accessory costing another £20 or so. That might actually seem like good value now to some, given the level technology on offer for the time. However, with inflation, it’s around £240 today. “So what Matt” you say, that’s the price of an Xbox Series S in Argos right now, so hardly a useful comparison.

But price adjustments based on inflation alone is not enough to give us a

comparable sense of value and at a time when Madness, The Police and Wham! were all in the charts, one could go on a package holiday for a week to Spain for less.

You might think that I’m labouring the price-point here, but just another example of how damn expensive these things were.

My school in Shoreham-by-Sea had one… to share with all the pupils. I guess that it was probably supplied via an educational grant at the time, with the vague hope that some of the kids were inspired learn computer programming later. It had a lasting effect and no doubt contributed to my interest in robots, toy cars and other gadgets. All I can say about it now, is that I can confirm that our school had one, but I don’t really remember much about it as I think it spent much of its life in the staff room, rather than the class room! Happy days.

Lastly, the toys that seemed to have stood the test of time, just work.

They’re easy to use, have real push-click buttons, flashing lights and make cool noises. The ones that took batteries in the 1980s can use the same or improved batteries of now, and because they were designed to be repaired, it’s not out of the question to dig the screwdrivers out when something doesn’t work, to see what the problem might be. They’re interactive without the faff.

In Net-Zero Britain, where scores of manufacturers constantly green-wash would-be punters with all sorts of (possibly misguided) sustainability claims and credentials via online influencers, many toys and games sold now, are simply disposable after a short life. Precise, almost prescribed,

15

planned obsolescence means that the toys around the Christmas tree in 2024 are not serviceable, repairable, and may have non-replaceable batteries. Progress huh?!

Despite trying to train my daughters in the dying art of CD player maintenance, Santa delivered Amazon Kids Echo Dots (the owl version, in case you were wondering) last year and once we worked out which Amazon account and services to link with each device (not as easy as one might imagine), kids’ radio and audiobooks were just a voice-command away. It’s fortuitous that we don’t have a child called Alexa.

However, call me cynical, but I know how it will all play-out. I give it a couple of years, and another couple of firmware updates before our Echo Dots will no longer be compatible with the latest streaming sites and will effectively become an ornament.

Hopefully someone will figure out a hack for the coding so that it will work after the official support, no doubts, stops.

OK, look. I don’t want to be on a perpetual downer and say that everything back in 1985 was better. It wasn’t of course. Poo-pooing all new tech isn’t the message here. The constant threat of nuclear war, lead in petrol, E numbers in kids’ drinks and smoking at work was all the rage and most of us don’t miss those. By 2015 they were all but distant memories, well almost all of them. But things sold back then didn’t rely on a whole suite of connected, complicated, energy burning, subscription-based services, just to keep them functioning. Just sayin’!

What will be the future collectables we’ll all be hunting for in 30 odd years? We need a time machine to find out, preferably one you could drive. However, using history as our guide, the smart money will be on the ubiquitous toys available today, which are not connected to the Internet and don’t have sealed batteries i.e. not Smart. Just as people are now digging out Nintendo Gameboy and Tamagotchi to enjoy now after a 30-year slumber, I predict that it will be toys such as Ikea’s Toy Kitchen, Harry Potter figures and maybe Bitzee Interactive Characters (as long as you can hack the old battery out), that will fetch antique prices in future. Someone, please hold onto this article, so that you can prove me wrong in the future. You can tell what film I watched over the Christmas break… Until next time.

Got a cool toy story to tell? Do get in touch.

fixitworkshop.co.uk X @fix_it_workshop Insta @repairyourthings Email fixitworkshop@btinternet.com

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⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ INSIDE LOCAL HISTORY

The Power of Love:

three Sussex examples

A knight and his lady were separated by rebellion and the siege of Pevensey Castle in 1399

February 14 is St. Valentine’s day, so this month I am recounting three tales of love, romance and endurance across more than eight centuries of Sussex history.

Chris Hare

T

he history of Pevensey Castle in East Sussex,as detailed on the English Heritage and Wikipedia websites, will tell you that in 1399, John Pelham withstood a siege undertaken by forces loyal to King Richard II. Pelham had been appointed bailiff (what today we would probably call an estate manager) by John of Gaunt, the king’s uncle. When Gaunt died, all his lands and properties passed to his son, Henry Bolingbroke, who was living in France, having been exiled there by King Richard for his supposed plotting against the king.

During the summer of 1399, when King Richard was leading a campaign of

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conquest in Ireland, Bolingbroke seized his opportunity and landed with a small force in Yorkshire, where he believed many would support him. His gamble paid off, and a nation weary of the excesses and extravagances of the king, joined the rebellion.

However, the king had supporters too.

While he made haste to return from Ireland, loyalists sought to quell the rebellion.

The measures they took included laying siege to Bolingbroke’s formidable castle at Pevensey. According to the websites I referred to, Sir John Pelham valiantly defended the castle and defied the king’s forces. Following the capture of the king, Bolingbroke declared himself the new ruler of England – Henry IV, thereby beginning a series of dynastic struggles that would culminate in an aristocratic civil war, which Sir Walter Scott, many centuries later would romantically name ‘The Wars of the Roses’ after the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York – the emblems of the two opposing parties.

However, all is not what it seems. It was not John Pelham who led the defence of the castle, but rather his wife, Joan. It was she who defied the king’s forces. We know this because a letter survives – one of the oldest – perhaps the oldest letter that survives written in the English language.

Before this time, the nobility wrote in Norman-French and the clergy in Latin, but Joan Pelham wrote in the language of her ancestors – English.

Joan’s letter is written to her husband, who was obviously cut off from Pevensey by the conflict, and may have been attempting to join Bolingbroke’s forces in the north. She begins her letter by expressing her devotion to “My dear Lord” and that he was “best beloved of all earthly lords.” She informed him that “I am here laid by in manner of siege,” and that she is without food, but hopes to ensure “the salvation of your Castle and withstand the malice” of those who have “so despitefully wrought [sic] to you, and to your men and your tenants,” adding, “for this country have they wasted for a great while.”

In conclusion she writes: “Farewell, my dear Lord! The Holy Trinity keep you from your enemies, and soon send me good tidings of you.” Joan refused to surrender and her tenacity was rewarded with

LOCAL HISTORY INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ 17

The old Registry Office at Steyning where Charles Parnell and Katherine O’Shea were married in 1890

Braving civil war and treacherous roads, Lady Mary Springet visited her dying husband at Arundel in 1644

Bolingbroke’s victory and the eventual relief of the castle. Let us hope, as Lady Joan Pelham, she enjoyed the ample rewards for her courage and devotion, and that Sir John was appreciative of his wife’s resilience.

During the winter of 1643/44, parliamentary forces, commanded by General William Waller, besieged the Royalist garrison in Arundel Castle. This was at the height of the English Civil War, and at this stage no one could predict which side would be victorious. Many of the leading officers in both armies were young men, including Sir William Springet of Ringmer, one of the Waller’s foremost commanders, who was just 23. His wife, Mary, was in London and heavily pregnant when news reached her that her husband was dangerously ill. Despite her condition and the danger of travelling across treacherous country in winter, Lady Mary, without hesitation, set out for Arundel.

She travelled in great discomfort by coach along roads that were little more than dirt tracks, where ambush by hostile forces was a very real danger. Eventually she arrived late at night on the outskirts of Arundel, as she recounted many years later in a letter to her grandson; “When we came to Arundel, we met with a most dismal sight; the town being depopulated, all the windows broken with the great guns, and the soldiers making stables of all the shops and lower rooms; and there being no light in the town but what came from the light in the stables, we passed through the town towards his quarters.”

When Sir William, suffering greatly with fever, was told that his wife had arrived to see him, he would not believe it could be possible. Lady Mary, fully nine months pregnant, had to make her way up narrow stairs to reach the bedchamber where he husband lay. Only then would Sir William believe the news was true;

“He seeing me, the fever having took his head, in a manner sprang up, as if he would come out of his bed saying, ‘Let me embrace thee before I die; I am going to thy God and my God.’ I found most of his officers attending on him with great care and signification of sorrow for the condition he was in, they greatly loving him.”

Despite their love and hers, and the doctor that Mary had brought with her, William could not be saved.

In his delirious state, he repeatedly attempted to get out of bed and had to be restrained; Mary recalled that “he spake no evil no ranting words at all, but spoke seriously about his dying.” After his death, his body was placed on an ammunition waggon and conveyed back to Ringmer.

This was a time of war, and there could be no pomp or ceremony. Lady Mary led the tributes, recalling her husband’s religious zeal, his generous charity, adding, “he was of a most courteous, affable carriage towards all; most ingeniously inclined from a very lad…”

My final account of great love comes from the Victorian era. In 1886, the liberal prime minister, William Gladstone, had tried and failed to get a bill passed through parliament to give home rule to Ireland.

He pleaded with MPs not to reject his proposals; “Think, I beseech you, think well, think wisely, think not for a moment but for the years that are to come, before you reject this Bill.”

The great reforming prime minister did not give up. He had persuaded the leader of the Irish Nationalists, Charles Parnell to support home rule and to reject the use of violence. It was a profound moment.

If Gladstone could persuade enough of his own Liberal MPs to back him, with the support of the Irish Nationalist MPs, his “mission to pacify Ireland” could yet be achieved. And so it might have been, had Parnell not been mired in scandal; the handsome leader of the nationalists was having an affair with Katherine O’Shea, the wife of another nationalist MP. Parnell and Katherine O’Shea carried out their romantic liaisons in Sussex. Meeting in

The blue plaque gives no hint of the scandal that preceded their marriage

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Brighton and Shoreham, and taking walks on the South Downs, which Katherine later remembered, “appealed so much to both our natures, we forgot all care and trouble.”

However care and trouble they would soon have in plenty. Captain William O’Shea petitioned for divorce from his wife, citing her adultery with Parnell as the cause. In an age when sexual indiscretions needed to be kept strictly private, this was bound to cause a scandal. That Parnell was having an affair with a fellow nationalist MP’s wife, only made matters worse.

In despair, the two lovers, walked along Brighton’s West Pier in a storm. Parnell was overwrought, as Katherine later recalled; “As I turned to get a fresh hold on him, for I could not stand against the wind, and the motion of the sea sickened me, the blazing fires in his eyes leapt to mine, and, crushing me roughly to himself, he picked me up and held me over the sea, saying, ‘oh my wife, my wife, I believe I’ll jump in with you, and we shall be free for ever.’ Had I shown any fear I think he would have done it, but I only held him tight and said, ‘As you will my love, my only love, but the children?’ He turned then, and carried me to the upper deck, hiding my eyes from the horrible roll and sucking of the sea beneath our feet.”

Of course, they were not actually married at that time. The ‘children’ were theirs, but as far as the public were concerned Captain O’Shea was the father. Even in our more tolerant days, that would still be quiet a scandal.

Captain O’Shea got his divorce and Parnell was forced to resign as leader of the Irish Nationalist Party, which promptly split between the majority who disowned him and the minority that remained loyal to him. The Liberal Party also split, with anti-home rule liberals forming their own party. It would be another 108 years until the Good Friday Agreement finally brought peace to Ireland.

On June 25, 1891, Charles Parnell and Katherine O’Shea were married at Steyning Registry Office. With little or no access to their children and Parnell’s career in taters, theirs was not to be a long and happy marriage. Within four months Parnell had died of pneumonia, aged only 45, his health having broken down under the strain of the scandal and impossibility of Irish home rule being agreed by parliament. Katherine died in 1925 and was buried at Littlehampton Cemetery.

History remembers Katherine as ‘Kitty’, but neither Parnell nor any members of her family or friends ever called her by that name. In late Victorian England ‘Kitty’ was regarded as a common name, often associated with prostitutes. It was used by the press and Parnell’s political enemies to denigrate Katherine, or Katie, as she was really known to her friends.

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⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ #LETSSUSITOUT

Bibliotherapy the Healing Power of Reading Jane Reid - CREW volunteer, founder of CREW’s monthly Mindful Collaging workshops “Many years ago, while working in literature development, I became very interested in the idea of bibliotherapy. This involves the use of prescribed books to help with specific problems and issues. It has since become a professional practice in the mental health field but I was more interested in it as a self-help tool; in my personal reading life I have sought out books that could help me in some way.

Books are doors to other lives and can give us new insight into situations we haven’t experienced or perhaps we have, but need to be reminded? Not only can books be straightforwardly informative, but they can offer us completely different perspectives

or lead us down a path to discovery.

Certain books, for example those written

by Matt Haig, have impacted dramatically on my mental health and I have definitely found them to be therapeutic! When I enjoy a book, for whatever reason, I always like to share that experience and I have found The Open Book Club to be the ideal forum for this. I find the type of book group/club where you all read the same book and come together to discuss it rather too constraining. The Open Book Club is more of a booklovers gathering. The themes are loose and the group choose them together.

During our discussions, we get to share books we feel passionate about and hear of others passions. This leads to lively conversation, and some great new book recommendations too! Because it is more open, it also means that new members can join at any point and if you miss a session, you can easily join back in at any time. I find the club very relaxing and enjoyable and the venue of the quiet back room of the lovely Toad in the Hole pub, just adds to this. It has become my own bi-monthly slice of bibliotherapy and I would highly recommend a dose!”

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#LETSSUSITOUT ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ 19

CREW’S OPEN BOOK CLUB Sally Lemsford (visual storytelling and Tiny Acts, CREW volunteer and cofounder of the Open Book Club, Mirth for Earth and Stitch it at CREW. “Hard on the heels of Mirth for Earth, the CREW open-minded mic night described in December’s INSIDE, the Open Book Club was born. What a joy, no prescribed book titles that have to be read, discussed and dissected by the group. No, no... our Open Book Club chooses a theme, and we all go away to enjoy the research through fiction, non-fiction, hardback, paperback, digital, huge tomes, slender novellas, audio or graphic - and we can share as many as we like... a veritable literary smorgasbord.

Traditional book clubs share a book at a time and readers might see different things in the characters and story. For us the table is piled high with possibilities; the literary landscape is all that limits us.

I’d read Charlotte Runcie’s Salt on Your Tongue a while ago, but reread it for the first book club theme SEA – this time I found far more between the covers than I remembered. The second theme, AIR, was much trickier. I chose A.L. Kennedy’s book The Little Snake, a tenuous link maybe, but I really could feel the snake tasting the air, could hear the unspoken life-giving and life-taking of the story. I wonder what GREEN (March’s theme) will bring to the table…”

Kathy Kohl - CREW trustee and volunteer, co-founder of the Open Book Club, Mirth for Earth and Stitch it at CREW. “Over the past few years, I’ve made myself sick with anxiety about the Climate Crisis, reading dystopian fiction and depressing non-fiction. Amazingly, our Open Book Club has brought back the pleasure of reading again. Being able to sit in a great pub, sharing our thoughts on books we’ve loved, with a loose link to the environment, has been a joy! In the first meet-up (theme: The SEA), I was struck by the range of ways we all read; in our small group, we had library fans, second-hand bookshop devotees, an e-book person and one who gets audio-books from Worthing library. In

the second meeting (with the theme AIR (or the Sky/Heaven/Space), the first real ‘new’ book ‘Orbital’ (by Samantha Harvey) was discussed and then announced as the Booker prize winner the following day. It was great to get an insight into that before I promptly read it. And conversations on other writers such as Matt Haig, mentioned

by Jane above, led me to read the Midnight Library which I enjoyed hugely and learnt that regrets are a complete waste of time perfect therapy for me!”

CREW’s Open Book Club meets on the third Monday of every other month in the back room of the Toad in the Hole on Newland Road, Worthing (thetoad@ handbrewco.com) so the next one is on March 17, with the theme: GREEN (Well, it is St Patrick’s Day!).

Buying new books isn’t essential; keep using Worthing Library which has its own Reading Challenge for 2025 celebrating 100 years of West Sussex Library Service with interesting themes for each month.

Or visit Train of Thought, now Worthing’s only second-hand book shop, stocking a really eclectic mix of books and records thanks to owner Kevin Hough.

Other ethical/environmental places to get your books include charity shops, World of Books worldofbooks.com, Awesome Books awesomebooks.com, BIBLIO biblio.co.uk, sharing books with friends and donating them rather than throwing them out.

Traditional book clubs share a book at a time and readers might see different things in the characters and story. For us the table is piled high with possibilities; the literary landscape is all that limits us.

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.

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.

EVENTS Stitch it, Don’t Ditch it. 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 3:00-5:00pm at WSK cafe on Tarring Road.

See worthingcrew.co.uk for events info.

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⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ INSIDE SPORTS

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SPORTS INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪

21

Half term report: Henry Parish

Historic cup runs, promotion pushes and fights for survival

I

t is at this time of year that seasons become compelling. For some, dreams become illuminated by trophy presentations, and the type of glory sports people dedicate their lives to enjoy. For others, the strain of attempting to squeeze themselves into playoff or league title contention becomes ever more acute. For a few, early season optimism fades into late season stress, as threats of relegation begin to appear on the horizon. For all, the pressure ramps up as season’s end comes ever closer.

This season has seen both glory and despair already for our local sides. Join us in looking back at what this season has already entailed.

(Correct on January 5, the time of writing) WORTHING FC: VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH ■ POSITION: 7TH (WITH GAME IN HAND ON SOME ABOVE) Predict this one at your peril. This National League South season looks as if it will go right to the wire, and there is no reason Worthing shouldn’t play a pivotal role in it. They are four points off the top, sat in 7th position. Just seven-points separates league leaders Torquay United from 8th place Weston-Super-Mare.

Maidstone United are the side in the ascendency at present, having picked up a perfect record over the festive period, though don’t be surprised if the pack chasing the leaders starts to thin over the coming weeks. The form has dipped for Truro City and Weston-Super-Mare recently, with both picking up only five and three-points respectively over the festive period.

Torquay, Boreham Wood, Maidstone, Worthing and Dorking Wanderers, by contrast, all attained double digits.

Worthing face a crucial run of games from the end of January through to mid-February. Their visit to Maidstone on January 25 preceeds their hosting of Boreham Wood on January 28 and Torquay United on February 11.

In other competitions, they’re fortunate to still be in the FA Trophy. Gosport Borough, who beat Worthing on penalties on the day, were retrospectively chucked out of the competition after being found to have fielded an ineligible player in the round prior. They maximised that luck, beating Torquay United 5-1. A first half hat-

trick from Muhammadu Faal, along with goals from Danny Cashman and captain Joel Colbran sent the Rebels sailing into the round of 16.

WORTHING FC WOMEN: FA WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH WEST ■ POSITION: 6TH Worthing’s women made history earlier this season after reaching the third round of the FA Cup, a feat not achieved by any senior side in the club’s history. Sophie Humprey’s 56th minute opener unfortunately wasn’t enough for the Rebels to see off Southern Premier Division highflyers, Exeter City, who beat Worthing 3-1 after forcing extra-time.

Their league season sees them sat 6th, sevenpoints adrift from leaders, Swindon Town, with three games in hand. Second place AFC Bournemouth, on 27-points, have five games in hand on Swindon in what is a messy looking league table. Tierney Scott leads Worthing’s scoring totals with 11 goals, Humphrey is 2nd, with seven.

Worthing host Bridgewater United on February 2, Portishead Town on February 9 and Keynsham Town on February 23. They visit Moneyfields FC on Thursday, February 13.

WORTHING UNITED: SOUTHERN COMBINATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ■ POSITION: 5TH When you read Worthing United are sat in 5th place, 18-points adrift of division leaders Forest Row, you’d imagine their season is one of fighting on the periphery of playoff positions in an incredibly spread-out league. However, such has been the number of games postponed due to pitch conditions (not, by any means, a unique plight), they have four games in hand.

When they have been in action, Daniel George Kingston has led the side in scoring with 11 goals, followed closely by Taylor Harding with 10. This month sees them travel to AFC Uckfield Town and Alfold on February 1 and February 8, before hosting Banstead Athletic on February 15, then rounding off the month with a visit to Mile Oak on February 22.

What stood out from speaking to manager, Bill

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Clifford, before Christmas, was the desire to right the wrong of narrowly missing out on being in the playoff final last season. Should they be in that position again, watch out for an eager, young team with a point to prove.

WORTHING THUNDER: NBL DIVISION ONE ■ POSITION: 12TH The start to Worthing Thunder’s 25th anniversary season has been challenging. They’ve battled visa issues with new signings, changed coaches and had to integrate a myriad of new players into their squad during the season.

Yet, if you were to search for optimism, the first half against Hemel Storm provided that in buckets. Against undefeated opposition, they found themselves 15-points ahead at one stage in the 2nd quarter. Storm subsequently went through the gears and eventually ran out decisive victors by 18-points.

Thunder needs victories to drag themselves away from the battle at the foot of the table, something Thunder’s leading scorer, Elijah Maynard, is all too aware of. After the Storm match, he told me: “It’s tough integrating new players, but we’re playing in a professional league. We have to gel quickly. We can’t use that as an excuse. We’ve had plenty of time to practice and get to know each other. We have to pick it up.”

Thunder host Loughborough Riders on February 1, and Newcastle Knights on February 16.

WORTHING RAIDERS: NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 EAST ■ POSITION: 11TH The big news surrounding Worthing Raiders prior to Christmas was the appointment of Sam Portland as strength and conditioning coach. Raiders hope he can help them to turn the tide this season, with them currently sat bottom of the league after their only victory against Colchester in November.

Portland has a wealth of experience working with different rugby bodies, including the Lebanese Rugby Union Federation, the Kenyan Rugby Sevens side, and, on the home front, Roslyn Park and Wasps.

Raiders visit Old Albanians on February 8 before hosting Bury St. Edmunds on February 15.

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⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ INSIDE LIVE MUSIC REVIEWS

Hello, and welcome to

!

S W E I V E R C I S NEW MU

by Beth Sarah, blueskymusic.fun

I

f 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.

MOTTY – OCTOBER Whenever I get submissions from regular open mic attendees I find it quite exciting, because having only heard their songs with a solo instrument I’m always fascinated to hear the recorded arrangement. Motty’s October does not disappoint. Press play and you get birdsong fading out to a rhythmic acoustic guitar, reminiscent of Turin Brakes or dare I say a bit Ed Sheeran?!

This song certainly could be played on a looper, which could make for a fun performance (there’s a challenge for you, Motty!). The production is well done, with just the right effects on the vocal to make it stand out perfectly against the gentle instrumentation. There are lulls and highs throughout, with additional elements introduced in each chorus, culminating in lots of layered vocals that compliment each other in an almost haunting way.

There’s something about this song that feels really emotional. Motty asks us if he will be remembered, although it’s a very personal question aimed at those he feels he has impacted - is he going to keep supplying us with words and songs for us to remember? Will we become part of that circle? I very much hope so.

NATURAL RIGHT – ROUNDABOUT If you like brass sections then you’re going to love this new track from contemporary

ska band, Natural Right. (While their name might cause confusion to some, apparently the word ‘right’ was intended to be ‘rite’ by meaning, but the original spelling has stuck!). Roundabout is quite an obvious reference to the writer’s heart being mucked about by someone who clearly can’t make their mind up about what they want - ‘my poor heart forever is a roundabout’. Taken in conjunction with their previous slightly more chilled out two-tone offerings, Roundabout is is little more upbeat, while remaining firmly within the Natural Right vibe (which I am a big fan of, by the way). The song starts with some intense brass stabs that lead into how-many-words-can-you-fit-intoeach-line vocals, with a boppy chorus to follow. All round very easy to get into, very hard to get out of your head.

Having played at a festival at Highdown in Worthing in 2023, these guys are currently on the up, with a few sold out support shows for Buster Shuffle under their belt and festival slots aplenty. Well worth following.

SPOCK ON THE BUS – BISCUITS In my view, there are two types of music; music that was created specifically to be recorded and music that was created to be performed, and I’d say this album falls under the latter. It’s really hard to capture the energy of a band in a recording and in my view this album, although full of great songs, just doesn’t do them as much justice as Spock on the Bus deserve. You can tell that they’re throwing their all into these tracks (and having fun in the process!) but without the facial expressions and comic timing of stage interactions between band

members, something about the very essence of this band is lost in translation.

However, despite this, it’s still very much worth listening to! The overall vibe reminds me of Jilted John - tidy punk with clever lyrics and plenty of shouty vocals over a steady oompah drum beat and distorted guitar. The track which inspired the title, Twice Cooked (The Biscuit Song) makes me smile as the band sing about one of our very important British cultural subjects - biscuits. Despite the perceived silliness of the subject, the everyday routines that we have are as valid to be recognised and put into song as big feelings like love and heartbreak.

I commend Spock on the Bus for doing this in such a way that it brings the listener a smile. What’s your favourite biscuit?

DESIRE PATH – LANGUAGE OF LOVE (AMBIENT VERSION) Vocalist Shelle Luscombe and producer Richard Bignell have been creating gorgeous tracks together since 2019 as Desire Path, and this recent release re-works a song from the their debut album, removing the drums to create a more ambient vibe throughout. Featuring seductive whispers and ethereal vocals, Language of Love would not be out of place in a Lord of the Rings movie - it gives me those Enya vibes. When I listen to songs for review, I have them on repeat and often get to the point where I’ve had enough - but not so with this track. It’s quite happily spinning for perhaps the seventh time!

This is testament not only to the beautiful vocals, but also the masterful production which has created a fully finessed sound; a feast for the ears.

Email review submissions to reviews@blueskymusic.fun Find out more about what we do at www.blueskymusic.fun

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LIVE LISTINGS INSIDE ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪

23

To get your music event listed email events@insidepublications.ltd SATURDAY 1 Rub A Dub All Night If you like reggae, it’s THE place to be.

Cellar Arts Club 7:30 - midnight FREE ENTRY Spring into Soul Community Gospel Choir Winter Concert St.Botolph’s Church 7:00pm (doors open 6.30pm) Tickets from Seetickets.com TreeAnna Party Hits Smugglers Return 8:30pm

SUNDAY 2 Rock n Roll Bingo with Scott Smugglers Return 7:45pm

SATURDAY 15 Accoustica Smugglers Return 8:30pm

SUNDAYS

Red Heaven The Egremont 8:45pm 01903 53018

Jazz Sundays (every Sunday) The Cricketers 6:00pm 01903 233369 www.thecricketers.pub

SUNDAY 16 The South Coast Blues Jam Audioactive, Beats Cafe 2:00pm - 5:00pm Half-Term Wrestling Spectacular The Charmandean Centre 3:30pm 01903 239349 www.thecharmandean.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 5

FRIDAY 21

Northbrook College Music Department “huge number of talented young bands” Factory Live £4/5 7:30pm - 11:00pm

Absolutely Fakes The Egremont 8:45pm 01903 53018

THURSDAY 6 Speakeasy Cellar Arts Club 7:30 - 11.00

FRIDAY 7 Legend Has It Smugglers Return 8:30pm

SATURDAY 8 Absolute 80s The Egremont 8:45pm 01903 530180

SUNDAY 9

REGULAR LIVE MUSIC (WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY, ETC.)

The Golgis and Mothers Boy Smugglers Return 8:30pm

SATURDAY 22 Ask the Girl Smugglers Return 8:30pm Go Commando The Egremont 8:45pm 01903 53018

Open Mic (every Sunday) The Broadwater 7:00pm - 10:00pm 01903 238675 www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/westsussex/broadwater Live Jazz – (every Sunday) Toad in the Hole 3:00pm - 6:00pm The South Coast Blues Jam (3rd Sunday) Audioactive, Beats Cafe 2:00pm - 5:00pm

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

SUNDAY 23 Dead Bottomleys The Egremont 5:00pm 01903 53018

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 Drumheads Samba - Community drum group (every Wednesday) Audioactive, 86 Montague St 8:00pm - 9:30pm Sean@drumheadslive.com 07815307218 Insta @Seanquinnpercussion Homeward Bound Sea Shanty Sessions (1st Wednesday) Toad in the Hole 7:30pm

THURSDAYS Croak Club (1st Thursday) Toad in the Hole 8:00 - 11:00pm

FRIDAYS Band Friday (weekly) Smugglers Return 8:30pm Spuntaneous - live music improv session (7 and 21 then bi-weekly) Spun Records, 1Portland Rd 7:00pm - 11:00pm Sean@drumheadslive.com 07815307218 Insta @Seanquinnpercussion

SATURDAYS Spun Out - (1st Saturday) Toad in the Hole 6:00 - 11:00pm

FRIDAY 28

Horndogs The Egremont 5:00pm 01903 53018

Iron Tyger Smugglers Return 8:30pm

Michael T Clayton (Rockabilly Style) Smugglers Return 8:30pm

Juice Band The Egremont 8:45pm 01903 53018

FRIDAY 14

To get your event listed email events@ insidepublications.ltd

Cher tribute with Treeanna The Egremont 5:00pm 01903 53018 Pounds of Soul Smugglers Return 8:30pm

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24

⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ INSIDE EVENTS

Worthing Antiques, Arts and Collectors Club Est in 1968, we are a small friendly club that meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 – 9:00pm at Field Place, BN13 1NP. Each month we invite a guest speaker, many from shows like Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow. Each talk is about an hour long with Q&A to end. We also have a monthly raffle. All are welcome to come along, non-members £7.50pp each talk, or why not join us for just £35 pp/pa

More information about speakers for 2025 and the club history can be found on our website http://www.worthingantiqueclub.org.uk. To contact us, email worthingantiqueclub@yahoo.co.uk or call Andy on 07984 403890

Spring Fair, Seed Swap, Sow and Grow Saturday, March 1, 10:30am-3:00pm Maybridge Keystone Centre, Raleigh Way, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, BN12 6JD Transition Town Worthing’s annual event at the start of the growing season is a great opportunity to get your seedy supplies, find out about volunteering, and enjoy some refreshments. As well as the veg, herbs and flower seeds and plants, there will be a number of projects selling local products. You’ll can find out about Worthing Food Partnership, Green Tides and the Wildflower Trail, Worthing Homes’ nature projects (including a seed bomb activity for children), Sid Youth’s Junior Club at Maybridge, the RSPB, and Brinsbury College’s horticulture courses. At 11:30am Dr Steve Millam from Chichester College will talk about ‘Balancing Your Garden’ with Q&A. From 12 noon there will be woodfired pizza. At 1:30pm is a mindfulness session in the yurt on ‘Inner & Outer Activism’. Coffee Cycle will be doing barista coffee and there will be the usual tea and cakes too.

Come and join us! Entry is free, donations welcome. Bust stops, trains and on-street parking nearby.

Sussex Gruffs Male Voice Choir NEW YEAR – NEW VENUE! Due to the choir’s continuing expansion – we now have 40 members – we have moved our rehearsal venue to a larger space. We are now 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

Worthing Twinning Association Worthing Twinning Association will show the entertaining 1935 film La Kermesse Héroïque on Thursday February 13 at 7:00pm. The film is set in the early 1600s when a Spanish occupying force arrives in a small Flemish village and when the cowardly men seek cover the women take over. Cost £5 includes a glass of wine/juice.

Full details at www.worthingtwinningassociation.org

Durrington YOU GROUP A community interest outreach group. We welcome the return of our speaker Alan Kingshott, on Tuesday, February 18, with some more stories of the Tower of London, including ghost stories, the Tower during the Blitz and other secrets not generally known or seen about the Tower. He will do a quick refresh from the last talk.

Venue: Main Hall in St Symphorian’s Parish Centre, BNI3 3HU, at 2:30pm.

Please arrive by 2:15pm. Cost: £3.50pp to include refreshments.

Further details available from the Parish Office 01903 268109, or email: theoffice@stsymphorians.co.uk

Sussex Family History Group Sussex Family History Group - Worthing Meeting Centre, Chichester Room, Field Place, The Boulevard, BN13 1NP. Thursday, February 20, 2025. 7:00pm – 9pm.

TALK BY NORMAN ALLCORN - THE OXLEY DIARIES Nicholas Oxley and the transcription of his farming diaries from Sussex in the early 1800s. Including the influence of weather across the globe, religion, farm workers, family, crops and much more. Norman Allcorn provided the background information necessary for the understanding of the farmers’ year.

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25

Feedback Letters to the Editor INSIDE

Liana Naylor

The Sphere Business Centre, Northbrook College Broadwater Road BN14 8HJ liana@insidepublications.ltd

Dear Sir or Madam I read the opinion piece titled “How to reduce pollution and avoid another economic disaster” in the January 2025 issue of Inside Cissbury with growing alarm. While the article raises several important points regarding the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the broader goal of achieving Net Zero emissions, it lacks balance and omits critical information that is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the issue. It uses some incorrect, yet often repeated “facts” that do not bear scrutiny.

The piece opens with a claim that electric vehicles (EVs) are responsible for more pollution than vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). It even points to lifecycle impacts without any evidence. In fact, numerous studies have shown that, despite higher emissions during manufacturing, EVs typically produce fewer emissions over their lifetime compared to ICE vehicles, especially when charged with renewable energy sources, of which more are being created by the week.

The claim that electric vehicles (EVs) need to be driven 380,000km to achieve net-zero emissions is not widely supported by current studies. Most research indicates that EVs reach a break-even point much sooner.

For example, a study by the Argonne National Laboratory using the GREET model found that a Tesla Model 3 needs to be driven about 13,500 miles (approximately 21,725 km) to become cleaner than a comparable ICE car This distance can vary significantly depending on the energy mix of the electricity grid used to charge the EV. In countries with cleaner energy grids, like Norway, the break-even point can be as low as 8,400 miles (approximately 13,518km). The evolving energy grid in the UK will reduce this further.

While it is important to consider these challenges, the article does not adequately acknowledge the significant environmental and health benefits of reducing emissions through the adoption of EVs, nor the constantly evolving improvements in technology in this area. It mentions the that eHGVs are not practical unless over short distances, this is demonstrably not the case as the Mercedes eActross (https://www.mercedes-benz-trucks.com/int/en/trucks/eactros-600. html#range) shows with its 500km range and fast charging capability.

While it is true that EV battery recycling is challenging, advancements in recycling technology are ongoing. Valuable materials such as nickel and cobalt can be recovered, and the industry is moving towards more sustainable practices. The assertion that EV batteries frequently end up in landfills is incorrect, in fact that is illegal under UK law.

The article suggests that the costs of transitioning to EVs are underestimated.

While significant investment is required, the benefits of reduced emissions and improved air quality should also be considered. The UK National Grid is preparing for increased demand and integrating more renewable energy sources to ensure reliability. The requirement for all new chargers to be “smart” will add to the demand side flexibility of the grid by using the car’s batteries as back up. Anyone currently using home fitted solar panels will be aware of these schemes.

The article mentions that the 2019 “Absolute Zero” report by UK FIRES, which includes researchers from the University of Cambridge. This report does not

explicitly claim that the grid would only have 60% capacity for new EVs contrary to the article.Instead, the report discusses the challenges and necessary changes to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 using existing technologies.

Another much repeated, and wholly untrue claim in the article is the risk of fires in EVs. While they can be challenging to extinguish, it is important to note that ICE vehicles also pose fire risks.

Data from (Car Fire Statistics in the UK: 2024 Update - House Grail) shows that ICE vehicles are significantly more likely to catch fire compared to EVs when adjusted for the number of vehicles on the road. Specifically, ICE vehicles have a fire rate of approximately 249.38 fires per 100,000 vehicles, whereas EVs have a fire rate of about 18.38 fires per 100,000 vehicles. This indicates that EVs are about 13.6 times less likely to catch fire than ICE vehicles.

This proportionate comparison highlights the relative safety of EVs in terms of fire risk, contrary to the concerns raised in the article.

Another tired old trope is the significance of the UK’s CO2 emissions in the global context. As well as considering the substantial historical emissions the UK has created, it is important to consider the concept of offshoring emissions. Many of the goods consumed in the UK are manufactured in countries like China, where emissions are higher. Therefore, a significant portion of China’s emissions can be attributed to consumption in the UK. In 2019, the UK’s consumption-based emissions were estimated to be around 772 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e), nearly double its territorial emissions. That means that for every tonne of carbon emitted by our activities within our border, twice that figure was emitted overseas specifically because of us.

Our rates of consumption are speeding the planet’s demise.

In China, the emissions we generate are from electronics, textiles, machinery, and other manufactured goods. We generate emissions in the EU as well via automotive, machinery, chemicals, and food products. In the rest of the world, we emit when we consume imported agriculture products, manufacturing, and services.

Addressing consumption-based emissions is crucial for a comprehensive approach to reducing the UK’s carbon footprint.

By considering both territorial and consumption-based emissions, we can better understand our true carbon footprint and work towards more effective climate solutions. Reducing emissions domestically is part of a broader effort to address global climate change and should not be dismissed.

I understand the original article is an opinion piece, however most of it is inaccurate and borderline hysterical. Nobody is saying this will be easy, or not initially expensive. But we have no choice. We have arrived a point in our planet’s history where, if we don’t take significant action now, we will not be leaving a world for the next generation to enjoy as we have.

I hope this response contributes to a more balanced and informed discussion on this important topic.

Christian Phipps Parham Road Findon Valley Hi Liana

Liana Firstly, congratulations on a packed January 2025 issue - something for everyone.

In particular, the article from Chris Gould raised a number of valid points relating to the current obsession with moving to electric vehicles. The need to compare the total “pollution” costs of EV versus ICE is overlooked in the drive towards EV utopia. I am convinced that in the fullness of time, the long-term costs of developing and maintaining EVs will not justify the current enthusiasm for this approach.

The cost of purchasing an EV is also beyond the means of many, if not most, current ICE vehicle

owners. What are they supposed to do if there are no ICE alternative options.

I fully understand and support the need to reduce pollution and protect the environment. However, using misleadiing and erroneous comparisons to justify specific policies will, in time, become more obvious. I just wish that those who currently seem unwilling to look at the total impact of current policies would be prepared to look at the wider, total impact of the current drive to ban ICE vehicles.

Barry Ward

01903 357003 | www.insidepublications.ltd

Good speaking to you yesterday. Thank you for all that you do. Many thanks , Steve and happy new year!

26

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Letters to the Editor INSIDE

Liana Naylor

The Sphere Business Centre, Northbrook College Broadwater Road BN14 8HJ liana@insidepublications.ltd

In response to Chris Gould’s article in the Inside Durrington paper January 25 Issue 62:I was so pleased to read your article in the paper which is exactly how I feel about EV’s, how they are built, the batteries and disposal. Not to mention the slavery involved in making the batteries. I would go further and say that the net zero agenda is hugely over blown and will do nothing to achieve the proposed benefits once we reach 2050, if it is even possible to reach.

I met a friend this week who said that the wind was so strong a few days previously that she had to stay indoors as it was so dangerous outside. I responded by reminding her that 40 - 60 miles an hour winds are not severe weather conditions as I recalled 50 years ago, as a 20 year old, walking into my place of work in Worthing bent at 45 degrees as the wind literally blew me to work. That weather condition lasted for weeks and I wondered if I had made a mistake moving to Worthing. So this kind of wind is not new, I said. I told her that too many people cling to the words coming from fanatics on TV and the radio and are persuaded they know what they are talking about. Look and check yourself I told her. Step outside and see if you think it is too windy to go out. My husband and I went out that day and did not notice it was windy and we live in Durrington as she does. A few flakes of snow and schools close and people are told not to go out….why? I come from Norway and they laugh at the English attitude to weather conditions.

I could go on but this is not the place to do so. But thank you for writing sense in your excellent article.

Jessy Seymour Hi Liana, Just a quick note to express my thanks for your generosity in publishing my article about my efforts for the PHC course for Type 2 diabetics.

The response has been astounding. Hoping for 10 or 12 applications, I soon found more applications arriving. I was able to increase the number of places to 20.

As a result of your extensive coverage, I was oversubscribed by the 2nd of January. Who knows how many more will apply before the end of the month? I now have a different support problem to address.

Useful Information St Lawrence Doctors Surgery 79 St Lawrence Avenue, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7JL Tel: 01903 222900 email: cwsccg.stlawrencesurgery@nhs.net

Thanks again Kind Regards Peter Adamson

Tarring Community Forum and Neighbourhood Watch Secretary Iona Hart harteiona@gmail.com

Dear Chris Hare

Tarring Flood Action Group tarringfloodgroup@outlook.com

Crossword Solutions ACROSS 1 abbreviate. 6 glow. 10 chair. 11 haphazard. 12 assemble.

13 bless. 15 acrobat. 17 skipper. 19 cheetah. 21 algebra.

22 lemon. 24 suburbia. 27 transpire. 28 drill. 29 drip. 30 yesteryear.

DOWN 1 arch. 2 brasserie. 3 eerie. 4 inhabit. 5 topless. 7 leave.

8 widespread. 9 gambling. 14 calculated. 16 botanist. 18 publicise. 20 hostile. 21 ambient. 23 Miami. 25 Ryder. 26 slur.

I would like to thank you for the excellent article on Mervyn Peake. I remember picking up a copy of Titus Groan when I was at university (early 70s) and flicking through the pages, then beginning to read at a random point. Others in my department were all going for the normal coffee break, but I was hooked. To cut a long story short, the trilogy became one of my favourites (behind Lord of the Rings). I later introduced it to my brother who soon after studied it with his sixth form group.

I was not aware of the link between Arundel Castle and Gormenghast which instantly endeared me to the books even more. My wife and I spent our honeymoon on Sark, so there’s another link! I have naturally read Mr Pye and loved the TV adaptation.

Both Tolkien and Peake inspired me to take up writing fantasy and a number of other genres, and though so far unsuccessful I have really enjoyed the experience and felt I have achieved something worthwhile.

Many thanks for the article David Mackenzie

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