Chichester Post Issue 142

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Friday, January 18, 2019

N-ice times in store for the skaters in city

See page 3 XX

Available 2.30pm to close

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From Chef’s Special Board able Monday, Wednesday and Friday n-2.30pm only (Excluding Bank Holidays)

is always a massive factor as well and having a roof worked in our favour.

"CHiCE is definitely coming back. We kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk are undecided on the location. There tandard OPERATORS plate sizeofonly Chichester's ice rink were cost implications being at Priory have said they brought joy to the city and Park from noise, security and things that was imposed in the planning and will be back this year to do it all again.

Speaking exclusively to the Chichester premises licence meetings.

"We wouldn’t necessarily have to Post, Edward White, of S3K Limited, the operators of CHiCE - Chichester Ice Rink, have those at another site. Locationsaid the ice rink which opened in Priory wise, at Priory Park it works for the city but operationally for ourselves with the Park last year was a success.

He confirmed that over 21,000 skaters build, it wasn’t great. It was manageable came to the winter wonderland in the though. Our eyes are open, I’m not Available 9.00am - 11.30am heart of the city and described the public saying we wouldn’t look at Priory Park again." support as overwhelming.

A lot of members of public have He said: "It has been exactly as we queried the length of time in which the predicted for a first year event. process appeared to be rushed through.

"We went running into that event,West Bognor Road, Chichester, Sussex, PO20 1EJ Mr White explained: "We had an idea semi-blind, not knowing how the public Tel. 01243 756170 BrickKilnGardenCentre would take it and we only had ten days of to put an ice rink in to Chichester about two years ago and we went to the council social media marketing.

"It was nice to see 20,000 plus skaters with the idea and they directed us to come to the rink. We have changes and the cathedral. That as an option didn’t tweaks on our side to make for next time materialise but took 12 months to get to but they are operational tweaks that we that point.

"We kept asking the council if they were can now learn from.

"There are things we could do interested and then in July they said they differently to streamline it but it was were looking at doing it for winter 2018 pretty much on par to be where we and would be back in touch when they thought we would be. Operationally, it would be going to tender. " See page ten has run without a hitch. The weather

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Canal boat and pontoon get a lift

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2 News

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Friday, January 18, 2019 f Itchenor Memorial Hall

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Ki at

Memorial hall gets council's approval

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk PLANNING permission for an extension to a memorial hall has been granted by members of Chichester District Council's planning committee.

Councillors on Wednesday went against the recommendation of officers, who had advised them to refuse the plan.

The application concerned the change of use of land and alterations involving moving the car park to the north west of the hall.

Itchenor Memorial Hall has an existing gravel parking area which accommodates 35 parking spaces and lawn areas. Planning permission was sought to change the use of agricultural land to a car park and the laying of a hard surface to facilitate this.

The proposal would result in 36 proposed parking spaces, including three disabled parking bays.

In addition, a new cycle way would be provided, the existing public footpath would be retained, a new path between the hall and the car park would be provided and a van barrier would be installed.

Officers explained that the agricultural land was Grade II and it was against the local plan to develop on this.

Arguments were raised that the land was currently not in use agriculturally and speaking as a supporter, Mr Green who was selling the land, said it made up less than 0.7 per cent of the farm's total agricultural land and was less than half an acre so would have no effect on the farm’s viability.

Mrs Bailey, an objector, said at the meeting: "Nobody is in any doubt that Itchenor Memorial Hall needs renovation and that plans enabling that

should be approved today.

"However, I am here today to discuss specifically the car park. In my personal opinion, this element of the planning application should be refused.

"Firstly, the existing car park, arguably with some improvements, is more than sufficient to serve the users of the hall.

"Secondly, the revised car park and cycle lane only come into being if the council agrees to a change of use of grade II agricultural land for a municipal car park. Arguably, this could be seen to set a precedent and because too much of our beautiful countryside and farmland is being converted."

Chichester Harbour Conservancy raised no objection but the planning consultative committee from the BY KEL conservancy did express concern overkelly.wickha the conflict between the public footpath, the Salterns Way cycle path andAN ANNUA proposed access into the car park whichCanal Basin will be complicated for users and havemorning.

One of Ch an impact on the landscape.

No objections were raised byKingfisher, w supporters, objectors, officers orthe biannua councillors to the extension or alteration Malcolm said: "Seein to the layout of the hall.

Cllr Tricia Tull put forward thethe water w recommendation to approve planning.lot of intere She said: "There is a huge car park instopped to Itchenor down at the bottom whichwith many t leads down to a footpath. That is also in Every year the AONB (Area of Outstanding Naturalbe inspected passengers, Beauty)."

"I think we have got to be realistic about this. The AONB is to be protected of course but we are talking about a minute corner of a field.

"Certainly the safety issues which people are concerned about - death by cyclists and cars in Itchenor is way beyond the national average i suspect!

I think that can be addressed by extra signage."

C

Citizens Advice service gets council funding for two years CHICHESTER’S community advice service will continue to be funding by the district council for another two years.

The current contract is between West Sussex County Council as well as the district and borough councils, with Central and Southern Sussex Citizens Advice as the lead provider.

In this area, the service is run by local charity Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice, with its main centre in East Pallant House and outreach locations in Selsey, East Wittering and Midhurst.

A new contract, due to start in April, for an initial two years with an option to extend for a third year, would reflect the changing nature of welfare

advice particularly with the rollout of universal credit.

Chichester District Council cabinet members agreed to continue contributing funding towards the service, subject to partner funding, at a meeting earlier in January.

District council funding to cover the proposal of £82,100 a year is included in the base budget with an inflationary increase for 2019/20.

In the Chichester district, the service is delivered by Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester. across the area.

The district council is proposing funding of £47,600 per annum for up to three years subject to continued partner funding.

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Kingfisher flies above at the canal boat lift

News 3

f Peacock Close in Chichester

Refusal for extra bedroom in house f Kingfisher is lifted out of the water at the canal basin

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk AN ANNUAL boat lift took place at the Canal Basin in Chichester on Wednesday morning.

One of Chichester Canal’s trip boats, Kingfisher, was lifted out of the canal for the biannual safety inspection.

Malcolm Maddison from the Canal said: "Seeing the boat being lifted out of the water was a spectacle and caused a lot of interest. Members of the public stopped to watch the work in progress with many taking photos of the action."

Every year, one of the trip boats has to be inspected, because these boats carry passengers, the Marine and Coastguard

Agency (MCA) has to ensure everything is in good order. The lift out is necessary so the MCA can check the hull.

While the boat is on land it gives the canal volunteers the opportunity to clean the hull, and after inspection apply blackening for protection. The steering, propeller and other accessible equipment are also checked.

Measures were put in place the evening before to prevent vehicle access to the Canal Basin and preparation for the lift started at 7am.

To complete the lift, Coussens Cranes, a specialist Hampshire company, were contracted and used a 160 ton crane with an attendant lorry and supplied all necessary equipment. Though Coussens is responsible for all the work, the

Canal Trust ensures there are always two experienced volunteers on hand to answer any questions they may have.

Trestles and sleepers were brought up from Hunston to support the boat while it was placed on land. The lift was risky work so canal volunteers manned the work area to ensure the public remained safe.

Usually, the contractor also lifts out a work boat for inspection at the same time. However, this year it was decided to lift and repair the digger pontoon as it had sprung a couple of leaks. This caused quite a stir last summer when the digger landed up in the water, stopping all canal boat trips for six days.

The first boat trip of the working year is due to be on February 17.

Council receives letter from Highways England - See page five

OWNERS of a house of multiple occupancy in Chichester have been refused permission to increase the number of bedrooms by one.

On Wednesday, Chichester District Council planning committee members went against officers' recommendation to permit the proposal.

The planning application was to change the use of a six bedroom house in Peacock Close, Chichester, to a seven bedroom house for a maximum of seven professionals.

The detached, two-storey house is in a cul-de-sac near the city's hospital where parking is known to be an issue.

The front driveway has parking provision for three or four cars which complies with West Sussex County Council's maximum parking standard guidelines of 0.5 car spaces per room.

Peacock Close resident Mr Henry Marshall said: "I and my neighbours are very concerned.

"In our neighbouring estate we have seen many families moving out and a large number of tenants moving in.

We have noticed with some concern the increasing problems that are occurring as a result.

"The most obvious problem is the thoughtless and careless parking that

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comes when a family home is turned into a tenement with up to six tenants.

"Cars are parked on pavements, blocking it to all pedestrians. Cars are parked over neighbouring driveways, in our off-road spaces and in the amenity grass areas on the estate which is a nuisance to residents and their visitors."

Comments from West Sussex County Council's parking manager stated: "Whilst not aware of any concerns raised from this particular road, parking within the entire area surrounding the hospital has been the source of much comment/complaint over the years.

"If the district council were to support an application that potentially added more vehicles to the currently unrestricted roads, this could be viewed by many as going directly against what the county council and the hospital are currently trying to promote, less car use and parking in the area in the long-term."

Cllr Simon Oakley put forward the proposal to refuse on the grounds of change of character of the area and changing the nature of the accommodation and change of use in this residential area.

4 News

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` Xmas present thief A MAN who was caught in possession of stolen Christmas presents has been jailed.

Edward Butler, 44, was spotted by officers driving dangerously along Sheepwash Lane, Lavant, on Wednesday, December 12. Officers pursed the vehicle into Chalkpit Lane and Butler was arrested.

Butler, of Tangley Walk, Havant, was arrested and charged with three counts of receiving stolen goods, theft from a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop and driving without insurance.

He was remanded in custody and appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, January 11. He was convicted on all charges and given a 12 month custodial sentence and banned from driving for two years.

Chief Inspector Kris Ottery said: “Butler was a district target for us as he had links to Operation Mini, which relates to vehicle break-ins across Arun and Chichester.

“We welcome the sentence imposed on Butler and hope it sends out a clear message to the public of how serious we treat matters like this.

“We are aware of the impact vehicle crime has on the community and the increase in officers has allowed us to run operations such as Operation Mini and robustly tackle this criminality.”

Friday, January 18, 2019

More arrests over postbox explosions

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk POLICE have arrested two further men in connection with the damage of post boxes and telephone kiosks in the Chichester district.

Men aged 22 and 23, both from Chichester, were both arrested on suspicion of causing explosions likely to endanger life or injure.

The arrests come after eight postboxes and telephone kiosks were damaged in Bosham, Lavant, Charlton, East Dean and Oving on Boxing Day between 10pm and midnight.

The locations were identified as follows: • Postbox outside The Reach, Smugglers Lane, Bosham • Postbox at the entrance to Bosham Hoe, on Hoe Lane junction with Smugglers Lane, Bosham • Postbox on the A286 junction with St Nicholas Road, Lavant • Postbox outside The Fox Goes Free public house, Charlton Road, Charlton, pictured right • Postbox near the Star and Garter pub, East Dean • Postbox Folly Lane, Barlavington • Telephone kiosk on the corner of Richmond Road, Westerton • Telephone kiosk at the High Street junction with Highfield Lane, Oving Last week, The Post reported that a 22-year-old man from Chichester and a 23-year-old from Hampshire were

arrested on suspicion of causing an explosion likely to endanger life.

A 22-year-old man from Chichester was arrested on suspicion of causing an explosion likely to endanger life and possession of a class B drug. All three were released on police bail until February 5.

Detective Sergeant Vicky Guy said: “We have now made a total of five arrests but this still remains a live investigation “We continue to appeal to the public and ask anyone with information to report it to us without delay.

“You can do this either online or by calling 101. Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

The two men were released on police bail until February 8.

Laughter is the best medicine at the Bosham Hamblin Centre ONE OF the UK’s longest running laughter clubs is lending its expertise at a workshop in West Sussex designed to help women focus more on themselves this year.

The historic Hamblin Centre in Bosham is to open its doors on Sunday, February 3, with a fantastic line-up of speakers including life coach and author, Lisa Sturge, founder of the Chichester Laughter Club.

A spokesperson for The Hamblin Centre said: "We’re inviting women to step off the treadmill and spend a day focusing on themselves and what they really want in 2019."

The retreat will be led by women’s life coach and children’s author, Lynne Healy, pictured above.

She said: “Participants will be guided to start practising profound self-care. I call it this because it’s a huge challenge for many women but over and over I have seen the transformative effect taking those first steps has.”

Meditator in residence at The Hamblin Centre, Andrew Henley, completes the line-up for the lifechanging workshop.

The cost of the event, which takes place from 9.30am until 4.30pm, is £69 and includes all workshop sessions, refreshments, lunch and a goody bag.

The Hamblin Centre is set in the grounds of the former home of Henry Thomas Hamblin, the Christian mystic and prolific author and publisher, known as ‘The Saint of Sussex’.

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Highways formally tells the council there's no A27 funding

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk A FORMAL written response regarding the rejection of the A27 proposals from Highways England has been received by Chichester District Council.

The letter, from Highways England, follows a meeting that took place last month between Chichester District Council; the West Sussex County Council; and Chichester MP, Gillian Keegan.

Leader of Chichester District Council, Cllr Tony Dignum said: "The detailed letter confirms the discussions that we had with Highways England, in December.

"We are still extremely disappointed with the response, but we remain determined to continue to campaign on this issue to ensure that a positive solution is found as an improved A27 is absolutely vital for the whole district.

"I will be meeting with Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, and Gillian Keegan on January 25 to discuss and reflect on the letter and talk through what the next steps should be."

The letter outlines the reasons why neither of the options would be feasible.

Highways England write that it is clear that both presented options, the Mitigated Northern and Mitigated Southern routes, have ‘considerable

issues to delivery that cannot at this time be overcome’.

It states: “This, along with the considerable costs without increased benefits mean the scheme would not represent value for money and therefore it is not possible to take a major improvement of the Chichester bypass forward at this time.”

MP for Chichester, Gillian Keegan said: "I am very disappointed that Highways England were unable to support either of the proposals put forward by the Build A Better A27 (BABA27) group and Systra.

"It is clear any scheme will need the approval of the councils and Highways England before we are able to secure funding, so I have requested a meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, to discuss the next steps for the Chichester A27 upgrade.

"Highways England, as the national road building authority, have offered to come and present their findings to the community and I hope they will attend and further explain their position at the next meeting."

Last week, the Chichester Post explained how an A27 action group, the A27 Alliance, claimed that West Sussex County Council is solely responsible for the loss of funding for the road.

Louise Goldsmith, Leader of the county council, said: "I totally refute the comments made by the A27 Alliance in their recent statement.

“Representatives from the Alliance attended the BABA27 meetings and signed up to its agreed guiding principles to work together to achieve a consensus on the A27 with Systra, the appointed highways consultants. We achieved consensus on a scheme and we were hopeful that funding in RIS2 would be available.

“In my blog before Christmas, I detailed how the original consultation, due to commence in March 2016, was dramatically withdrawn just under two weeks before the consultation was due

to start. The 11th hour withdrawal of the consultation caused considerable confusion and division and that's why we are where we are now.

“I have asked MP Gillian Keegan to arrange a meeting with Chris Grayling Secretary of State for Transport.

“It is imperative at this time that we work together to push for a long term solution that has been so long denied to Chichester. Making inaccurate accusations does nothing to progress towards the end goal we are all committed to."

f The A27 in Chichester

News 5

` Police reports OVER the two weeks between Monday, January 7, to Sunday, January 13, several reports were made to Sussex Police, including: In Hunston, Chichester, on Tuesday, January 8, a barn was deliberately set alight. Serial 0069 08/01.

On Wednesday, January 9, in Hannah Square, Chichester, a property was broken into. A vehicle was taken off the driveway after keys were stolen from the property. Other electrical equipment was also stolen.

Serial 0183 9/1.

In Millfield Close, Chichester, also on the Wednesday, a van was broken into and a Samsung tablet computer stolen. Serial 1068 09/01.

On Thursday, January 10, in Taylors Field, Midhurst, a property was broken into and a wedding ring stolen. Serial 0117 10/1.

Also in Hannah Square, Chichester, on Friday, January 11, police received a report that a vehicle was broken into on January 9. A small amount of cash was taken from the vehicle. Serial 0603 11/1 On Friday, January 11, a vehicle window was smashed but nothing was stolen in Church Road, Singleton. Serial 1331 11/1 In Storrington Close, Chichester, on Sunday, January 13, police received three separate reports of a garage break-ins with bikes being stolen. Serial 0190 13/1, 1161 13/1 and 1191 13/1 On Sunday, January 13, in Downs Road, West Stoke, police received a report a vehicle had been broken into. A wallet and mobile phone were stolen. Serial 1194 13/1.

f Joanna Lilley | Pic: Marten Berkman

Open mic poetry season will kick off with a special guest from across seas CANADIAN poet Joanna Lilley will launch the 2019 Chichester Open Mic Poetry season at New Park Centre at the end of the month.

Organiser Barry Smith said: "We have a fantastic line-up of visiting poets for 2019 with lots of treats in store, but it’s great to kick off the season with one of our internationally recognised regular contributors.

"Joanna, who lives in the Yukon, has family connections with Sussex and always tries to fit in a poetry reading during her visits. We’re delighted to welcome Joanna back to Chichester, reading from her new collection, If There Were Roads."

Joanna’s first poetry collection, The Fleece Era, was nominated for the Fred Cogswell Award for

Excellence in Poetry. Joanna lived in Bognor Regis from the age of 11 and as an adult lived in Wales and Scotland before emigrating to Canada in 2006 where she settled in the Yukon. She has received an Advanced Artist Award from the Government of Yukon to support her literary work.

Barry added: "After Joanna’s reading, local poets will get the chance to read their own new poems to a supportive audience in the open mic section. Just sign up on the door. Listeners are equally welcome."

Open Mic Poetry will be held at the New Park Centre, Chichester, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 30.

For more infromation, visit: chichesterpoetry. simplesite.com

Got a story? Email news@sussexpost.co.uk

Saturday 19th January, 1–5pm If you’re considering care options for yourself or a loved one, join us for our Open Day. Our friendly team will be on-hand to answer any questions about our care home and services.

• Care tailored to each individual • Daily programme of varied activities • Nutritious and delicious home-cooked menus

Residential Care • Nursing Care • Respite Care & Short Breaks We hope you can join us – we’d love to show you around our care home!

Tel: 01243 928 095 Tollhouse Close, West Sussex, PO19 1SG

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Community tool shop opens in city Husband and wife team, Susan and David have created a friendly shop for all your hardware needs 34 Southgate, Chichester, PO19 1DP 01243 786700 A much needed community hardware store has opened up in Chichester as a local, friendly alternative to the larger DIY stores.

The Mr Arkright’s Tool Emporium is a relatively new franchise. The Chichester branch has been set up by husband and wife team, Susan and David Corben and the couple are excited to be bringing this new venture to the city centre.

Susan said: “We noticed there was a gap in the city centre for the community to visit a friendly and helpful hardware store. People often come in to the shop looking for help and advice and we can offer those personal touches.

“We are a traditional and friendly tool store dedicated to offering everyday household, garden products and tools suitable for keen DIYers, and even the handy builder.

“We sell a large range of household goods, hardware, tools, decorating supplies, cleaning products, gardening tools and products we also provide a key cutting service.

With thousands of products in store we provide an eclectic collection of hard to find traditional items.

“We aim to be the best at what we do and to offer an unrivalled product range at competitive prices within a well- branded, eye-catching retail environment.”

Despite the quirky name, the Mr Arkwright store isn’t quite ‘Open All Hours’ but within the shop, visitors can find a friendly, local alternative to the large DIY store.

With local high streets, including Chichester, struggling and stores closing regularly, the Mr Arkwright’s Tool Emporium franchise is helping to bring life back to the high street.

Regular customers can be assured they are receiving the same, high-quality standards every time they visit and receive personal touches by getting to know the team.

Mr Arkwright’s Tool Emporium was established in 2012, the business has three company-owned retail outlets in Leeds and Harrogate. Having established the business locally and regionally, the company have sought hands-on franchise partners

nationally to share in the growth of the Arkwright’s brand.

Susan and David are very excited about their new venture and are proud to be part of Chichester retail community and are look forward to welcoming their new customers to their shop.

` “We are a traditional and friendly tool store dedicated to offering everyday household, garden products and tools suitable for keen DIYers, and even the handy builder.

We aim to be the best at what we do and to offer an unrivalled product range at competitive prices within a well- branded, eye-catching retail environment.”

Find the best tools for the best solutions At Mr Arkwright’s Tool Emporium we are happy to help to choose the right tools for any task you are supposed to solve.

Pop in at 34 Southgate, Chichester, PO19 1DP

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Friday, January 18, 2019

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk A GREENER method of construction is being used in the A285 safety improvement scheme which includes recycling.

Roadside safety edges are being built between Halnaker and Petworth to give people more chance of staying on the carriageway if they lose control of their vehicles. But road planings, soil and other materials being removed to make way for the new edges are not going to waste – they are being recycled, significantly reducing costs and environmental impact.

West Sussex Highways project manager Simon Osborne said: "The new safety edges are created by planing and excavating a one metre-wide strip along the existing carriageway and verge. But instead of the road planings, soil and other materials going to waste, they are taken to our highways depot at Drayton.

"There, they are processed to separate the various parts, including stone, sand and soil, put into a recycling machine and a binder added to the reusable material to harden it through a reaction with water.

"This ‘hydraulically-bound material’ is transported back for use in the construction to refill the trench before the new surface is laid."

Don't miss out!

f Recycled materials are delivered back to the A285 to refill the trench

help for Financial and practical it most when they need

CELEBRATING

150

for the benefit of families visiting the pub and restaurant," said Cllr Sarah Sharp, who leads the action group.

"We are asking people to donate and share their games for the benefit and enjoyment of others.

"Having fun by sharing and not buying a new game helps your pocket and also helps the environment."

The Games Chest is the latest addition to regular events and activities such as a book club, knit and natter sessions and pub quizzes.

There are also plans to run a film evening as well as supporting local musicians with music events which proved extremely popular last year.

For more information, visit the new Crown website - ccpubhub.co.uk

Got a story? news@sussexpost.co.uk

Bognor Regis Post

BognorRegisPost

Friday, January 11,

er independ ent newspap Your FREE weekly

the Jack Rabbit Slims alterations, namely the bay window at to be given to a neglected facade, alterations to to the lower NEW LIFE is set Regis. floor and enclosure former hotel in Bognor Ltd has ground level amenity areas will greatly The ground Metamorph Management especially when plans to restore enhance the building, submitted the latest promenade. are viewed from the additions Royal Hotel. proposed wants Arun District "The the The company the existing building, scheme for flats on Slims sympathetic to Council to back its the former Jack Rabbit floors and a restaurant building's upper the sea harmonisingwith the former Royal Hotel." diners can enjoy to coalesce on two floors so is expected to have seeks to refurbish, The new restaurant12-18 staff. views. Its application and reconfigure extend some 60 covers and externally alter, on The Esplanade, conversion to The five-storey hotel, historic area the previously permitted and provide 27 flats. in 1888. It is in an rebuild the restaurantevenly between one was built Regis, The Steyne Conservation of Bognor These will be split with a three-bed Area, but is not a listed building. converted into and two-bed properties, was Some of the building ago alongside its to flat on the third floor. several years adding two storeys once apartmentsuse for visitors.

This will entail of the building Plans continued the western side the past decade. ten Rabbit Slims nightclub.

But it closed in a further occupied by Jack architects, its use by adding in 2015. This Metamorph's by change to A statement council approved by Arun Group, to the Randell Design property has been left flats werefailed to be developed. for 18 flats was says: "The existing and is in great need scheme Another application years later. But to fall into disrepair to ensure its long-term backed by councillors two of extensive work taken place. work has again not planning future." which are needed Jenny Keith, Metamorph's to Arun: The costly repairs new and restored in a statement loss of the new agent, says include re-roofing, rendering, acceptance of the new level "Despite and the grant of permission for ironwork, lower ground hotel use to flats, uPVC windows, rewiring. conversion schemesand not vacant waterproofing and the proposal will result two different the hotel has remained interest.

"The outcome of of the iconic former attracted any commercial attributes this to in the restoration high quality apartments "The current applicant the scheme Royal Hotel into says the the flats making restaurant," of size the destination market." and a in the local housing 1970s unviable Randell Design Group. removal of the "The proposed

ISSN 2397-8724

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Your favourite independent FREE newspaper is proving hugely popular— but you needn’t miss out if you don’t get your hands on a copy. It goes quickly but get your paper easily by going online to www.postnewspapers.co.uk for an electronic copy.

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WICKH kelly.wick AM ham@sus offences sexpost.co listed showing public caught .uk MEMBER members depositing throwing of the cigarette S of the public down cigarette , dropping Council’s caught dropping ends in main shopping cabinet or plan the city's butts Paignton, Eastbourne, reduced since October, discussed Gate Leisure to tackle streets and in the four streets have THe offence, Weymouth, Llandudno, plus many more an action problems fouling 2017.

Park.

Chicheste THe offenders if around 1,221 cigarette r followingand fly-tipping with litter, West-s-Mare, Bournemouth,Isle of Wight, Babbacombe £220 andcaught, carries a Chicheste Torquay, Bideford, Fareham across the dog £185. fine further Blackpool, Yarmouth, Expenditu butts. r but alsowere mainly the level complaints from area, Cosham, Portsmouth, court costs of Regis, Emsworth from of Exmouth, Scarborough, came from resources re of £26,000 On a Worthing Chichester, Havant, of At that litter and mess the public at was agreed and Guildford.

Bognor Bognor Regis, A project dated DecemberMagistrate and the to support public around time. the councilacross the area. for Local Pick up points: refurbishm take action was set up in £1million campaign 21, 2018, s court register proportion October, ent and district and on litter a year was spending s there were city and and fly-tipping2017, to A district of litter and dog re-signing of a beyond.

15 over one in a litter pickon cleaning the bins.

Members in the that took “Offences council spokesper of litter day in June, 2017, place of Chicheste were son said: beginning have reduced 1,478 pieces food wrappers,picked up, r District relatively of the project since the receipts, which included packets. constant but remain bottles and It also seven tickets at between included crisp being issued an incredible five each day." and

f Children enjoying games at Muchos Nachos

A POPULAR community restaurant in Chichester has launched a new website and games to help the pub campaign.

The Muchos Nachos Mexican restaurant in Whyke Road, Chichester, has introduced a Games Chest for families.

It’s all part of building community involvement and events at the former Crown Inn public house, which a local action group wants to retain as a community asset.

Last year, a planning application by a property developer to build housing on the site occupied by the Grade II listed building was turned down.

"The Games Chest will provide an assortment of board and card games

See page 13

YEARS

1867 - 2017

Issue: 141

Traditional construction methods involve excavating to a depth of half a metre; the strength of the hydraulically bound material allows for a shallower depth of material, saving time and costs.

There is also a reduced risk of disturbing buried services, such as pipework, within the road.

Lloyd Allen, principal operations manager for contractor, Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: "We estimate a total of approximately 8,000 tonnes of material will be recycled over the duration of the A285 safety improvement scheme.

"Through this new innovative recycling method, very little waste will be taken to landfill, significantly reducing overall waste disposal costs and environmental impact."

The scheme started in October, 2018, and is being funded through a £2.4million award from the Department for Transport’s safer roads fund.

Improvements also include introducing a ribbed edge line, similar to the ones found on motorways and dual-carriageways. More than half of the serious accidents on the A285 involve drivers leaving the road. The ribbed edge line will introduce an audible and tactile warning to drivers if they leave their lane – the width of which will also be made more consistent as part of the scheme.

Subject to factors such as severe weather, the scheme is on course to be finished by April, 2019.

Games and website launched to help community restaurant

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Celebrations for a first birthday

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk A GROUP of residents in Fishbourne gathered on Tuesday to celebrate their first year together.

Actor and city resident, Dame Patricia Routledge, and West Sussex County Council leader Louise Goldmsith joined the Fishbourne Companions group with their celebrations.

Companions was set up to provide support for the lonely and isolated in the village.

Lynda Hunter, who helped establish the group a year ago, said: “Fishbourne companions set up a year ago to get together lonely and isolated people in the village. We meet every week, we do lunches, activities, keep fit and outings.

People come along and make new friends. It's been a wonderful year and we’ve had some wonderful things going on. People are here not only to improve their bodies but their minds as well.

"Some weeks we have as many as 34 people attending -- often people who didn’t get out much before, or who have recently been bereaved; they tell us we’re making a real difference to their lives."

Pupils from Fishbourne Primary School also attended and got the group singing songs with actions. A spokesperson for the school said: "We were thrilled to be invited back to Fishbourne Companions yesterday to help them celebrate their first birthday.

"Dame Patricia Routlege, a folk band and our children entertained the companions during the morning. The children sang a variety of songs while

Mr Servant played the keyboard, with everyone joining in, making it a very special morning."

Cllr Goldsmith said: "Any community like this is really fantastic because its all about people supporting each other and as you get older you can get into social isolation which can be very negative for people.

"This way, when people can come together, meet up and share has got to be the right thing. A lot of praise should be given to Lynda Hunter and her team for making it such a vibrant and active group.

"I was invited along to say a few words today and its my pleasure because I've been watching this and hearing how it's been going and these sorts of groups are vital for our rural communities."

A birthday made by two members of the group was cut and enjoyed and a raffle was held by district councillor Adrian Moss.

Dame Patricia Routledge visited the group and joined in the celebrations.

She said: "It's a wonderful day today and I feel its a great honour to be asked to come along and share it with the Fishbourne Companions on their very first anniversary.

"They are all in great voice and there’s a wonderful atmosphere here. It's just so thrilling to be here and I was amazed when I came in to see so many people.

"Thinking of this celebration, I've been thinking about celebrating the city of Chichester and this whole area that surrounds it. My association with this city began in 1969. I came first of all to be part of the theatre season and play opposite one of my great idols, Alistair

Sim. "Many a time you can arrive at a place and you can feel an immediate rapport and I felt this about Chichester.

"We have a very fine hospital, a wonderful hospice, the musical life of the city is vibrant, based on the cathedral and its wonderful choir. We have a symphony orchestra of which I'm very pleased to be patron. We have a wonderful library, good schools and we have all this countryside and the seaside not too far away."

Dame Patricia went on to say how she never intended to spend her life the way she had, pretending to be someone else and she said she looked for the signs which led her down an exciting and fulfilling life.

She then recited a poem by Robert Frost called The Road Not Taken.

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f Dame Patricia Routledge receives flowers from Lynda

f The Fishbourne school sing to the group

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Hacking, planning and licences did not stop CHiCE skating to success From page one "The email for tender came out in early August with a very tight return to get responses back in. We had everything to go so that made the application really easy.

"I believe four applicants responded.

At that point, it was providing the council with an ice rink, it wasn’t for a promoter to come in and do his own. The response came back in our favour and we had a series of meetings afterwards on timing.

"The council still had the view that they were going to do it themselves. As it was the council going to planning on their own grounds, it was a longer process than for me, as an individual, going to planning. It was then on us to decide if we wanted to take it on and we just went for it."

The operators said they were overwhelmed with the support they received from members of the public, many who got behind the hashtag #bringjoytochi "What overwhelmed us was the public support," said Mr White. "We recruited all our team for Chichester and the surrounding areas, It shocked us how many people had skating experience but what was refreshing was that everyone who was with us went beyond what we asked them to do.

"A lot of the reviews and feedback we had, all mentioned the staff which, for us, was a massive pat on the back and a win."

Lauren Wilson, operations manager of SK3, added: "We got our team together, marketing and got our booking system up and running in just ten days. Our crew worked so hard to get everything ready.

"Our marshals were brilliant, they picked people up and helped them.

The first aid guys were quick to jump on anything. Operationally it went really smoothly for us, especially for a first year project."

CHiCE also confirmed they delayed setting up the rink due to a wedding taking place at the Guildhall in Priory

Park and also closed for three skate sessions for a wedding.

Problems still arose for the operators when they were subject to what they describe as a barrage of abuse and harassment.

The ice rink held a VIP party on the Friday before officially opening as a thank-you to supporters and some local businesses. Lauren told The Chichester Post that a ‘troll’ tried to hack the guest list and wrote some awful things to people. CHiCE say they are fully aware who the person responsible is but will not name anyone and they have not gone to the police.

Lauren said: “They changed some people’s names who then got an email to say this. The language was just awful. The individual targeted us, our friends and family and people who we had reached out to in the community."

Mr White explained they dealt with the issues behind the scenes. He said: "We have been very professional with how we have dealt with this. We have dealt with it quietly and not involved the police to date.

“The main backbone of this has been about noise, we welcomed the Council to install noise monitoring equipment onsite which showed we were compliant. The troll was operating a fake social media account which through technology we have linked to an address adjacent to Priory Park.”

Mr White described some of the calls on their 24 hour helpline as being used to harass them, through the night, including at 2am and 4am.

“We were getting a barrage through the night with aggressive and threatening language being used. All of us have got young children and families and it became almost breaking point for us and there was no justification behind it.

These people have been utterly unkind in their approach and deeply unpleasant throughout." he said.

“They threatened to break into the ice rink, to disconnect the plant.

They removed their fake account and

comments but we have all the comments as screenshots and the link to the IP address. It has been a huge battle, especially when we were fully compliant with all the regulations.”

“There are many positives around CHiCE and the fact we wish to return.

I don’t want to return off the back off this horrid negativity. Now we know the city wanted the ice rink, the public have spoken. There is no need to bring a dark cloud down on this.

"We brought joy to Chi. The positive reviews, the smiley faces, people who were taking the time to come and tell the staff what an amazing job they were

doing, the people who came back week on week, sharing stories, making memories, all of that was really cool.

"Parents who told us their kids were spending their pocket money every week on the rink and seeing it with 150 people on it. The numbers were good.

"It was never crowded, so from a customer's point of view, their experience was much better.

"In ten days we created a very smart, effectively a London rink, in a park in Sussex. With 12 months, we could make it much smarter."

Peake f Astronaut Tim rney f Pic: Dovee Give

f hyhyh

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` Indecent exposure POLICE are looking for a man who indecently exposed himself to a woman in Chichester car park.

The woman was parking her car in the Avenue De Chartres car park around 9am on Wednesday last week when a man approached the driver’s side of her car and exposed himself.

The victim shouted at the man who then walked off in the direction of the car park entrance.

The man was described as white, in his 50s or 60s, 5ft 9in, of stocky build, clean-shaven and was wearing a beige flat cap and a high visibility jacket.

If you witnessed a man matching this description in this car park or have any other information please report online or call 101 quoting reference 256 of 09/01.

` Hannah Square TWO PEOPLE have been charged in connection with a Chichester burglary. Overnight on January 8 and 9, a property was broken into in Hannah Square and a Mini Cooper was stolen along with bank cards.

The car, white with a black roof and black stripe down the side, has not been found. Anyone who has seen it is asked to contact police online quoting serial 183 of 09/01.

Darren Betsworth, 32, unemployed, of Fontwell Avenue and Mark Courtney, 38, unemployed of Osborne Crescent, Chichester, have been charged with burglary and will appear at Worthing Magistrates' Court on February 12.

Friday, January 18, 2019

Push opera goes to London

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk A SPECIAL opera has wound its way from the city's cathedral to Westminster on Monday, January 28.

A production with Chichester performers, which re-tells the true story of Simon Gronowski’s escape from Nazi terror, is being staged at the Speaker's House.

The opera, Push, has already been performed at the cathedral and St Paul's church in Chichester and will now be performed in London to mark international Holocaust Memorial Day and remember those who died in concentration camps.

Simon lived in Brussels, where he was taken at the age of 11, along with his mother and sister. Simon and his family were deported three Belgian resistance members stopped the train and fought the German train guards. Simon’s mother helped him down to the footstep and pushed him off the train.

There will also be another performance in Chichester at the Assembly Rooms at the City Council house on the Saturday before.

Cllr Clare Apel, chairman of Chichester Marks Holocaust Memorial Day Committee, has campaigned to get the opera shown at Westminster and worked with the mayor, Cllr Martyn Bell and MP for Chichester, Gillian Keegan.

Mrs Keegan attended the performance for International Holocaust Memorial Day in 2018 at the cathedral and Cllr Apel said to her: "This should be shown in Parliament with all the anti-Semitism and anti-migrants going on, it's so

relevant now. She agreed and I told her I wouldn't let it go!

"Part of the group had never even sung before doing this opera and they are now going to do it in the House of Commons.

"They are absolutely amazing. It's incredible what you can do with a community involvement when they are really focused on something that is really at the heart of what people should be thinking.

Mrs Keegan and her husband, Michael, spoke to The Speaker, John Bercow, and managed to arrange the performance with the main guests being MPs from all

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parties.

Cllr Apel said it had been challenging organising the event with high security issues and a smaller choir due to space restrictions.

Composer Howard Moody even had to change the music slightly as there is a restricted band because they are unable to take a double bass or drums into the Speaker's House.

Cllr Bell said it was a great honour and privilege to be invited to Westminster.

He said: "I will be meeting Simon Gronowski and looking after him as he will also be in attendance for thid

performance.

"It is a lovely opportunity for the children to go there and be part of it.

"It all started this time a couple of years ago with Anthony Cane, now the Dean of Portsmouth, asking if we would put on an opera in the cathedral."

The Westminster performance is part of a combination of events including a performance of Push on Saturday, January 26, at the Assembly Rooms and a free film screening at New Park Road Cinema on Sunday, January 27.

For more information, visit: chichesterhmd.com

f The opera was performed at St Paul's Church in April, 2018

Taking you to magical destinations in 2019

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Mystery Tours 3 March, 12 May & 15 Sept - 3 Days

Springtime Tours

Suffolk Spring 10th March– 5 Days Severn Valley Spring Steam Gala 14th March – 5 Days Cornwall Spring Flower Show 5th April– 6 Days Springtime Dorset 14th April– 5 Days

Our popular Mystery Tours represent exceptional value for money as we whisk you away for an enjoyable three-day short break. Our Mystery Hotels are a minimum of 3-star standard and all rooms have private facilities, TV, telephone and hospitality tray.

Bournemouth & The RNLI

11 March – 5 Days

Discovering Yorkshire

29 April – 5 Days

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26 May – 8 Days

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RNLI Training College

York Minster

Loch Katrine

We visit the beautiful seaside resort of Bournemouth and experience a fascinating tour of the RNLI Training College in Poole. This is where our courageous volunteer lifesavers train for sea rescue. We also have a local guide as we explore the villages of Dorset.

Spend time in the magnificent city of York, and stroll through the narrow streets and little alleyways that make it such a pleasure to explore. We also include a steam train ride across the North York Moors and a cruise through the city on the River Ouse.

Our four-star hotel is ideally situated between Glasgow and Edinburgh, from where we visit the Trossachs National Park including a boat trip on Loch Katrine; visit the Royal Yacht Britannia; and see the Falkirk Wheel and the remarkable Kelpies.

Black Forest Rail & Sail

Cardiff & The Royal Mint

Shropshire Parks & Gardens

2 June – 7 Days

7 July – 5 Days

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Lake Titisee

Based in the pretty little town of Gengenbach which is surrounded by the rolling hills of the Black Forest, we experience lush meadows, pine clad hills, rushing rivers and chocolate box villages. A cruise on Lake Titisee and two wonderful railway journeys are also included.

22 July - 5 Days N E GLNT SIN PPLEME SU

Brecon Mountain Railway

We return to Cardiff and the wonderful Royal Mint. Included on this holiday is a guided tour of the city, an insight into life at Cardiff Castle and a journey into the Brecon Beacons on one of the Great Little Trains of Wales.

Shugborough Estate

Planned with our single travellers in mind, we have a wonderful itinerary which includes historic houses, beautiful gardens and the fantastic open-air museum at Blists Hill. A special treat is a visit to David Austin’s Rose Garden – a truly beautiful experience.

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The Affordable Quality German Kitchen Largest German kitchen retailer in the U.K Supply only or fully installed Free design service Factory built rigid carcases Finance options available Kütchenhaus Chichester 5-7 Ambassador’s House, Crane Street, Chichester, PO19 1LL All enquiries to our Chichester Showroom on 01243 780087 showroom@chichester.kutchenhaus.co.uk

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postnewspapers.co.uk

Friday, January 18, 2019

News 15

Plans on hold for community funding grants WEST SUSSEX County Council has been asked to hold back on plans to cut a community funding grant in half.

The Community Initiative Fund allows the 11 County Local Committees to give cash to community projects – and the county wants to cut its budget from £280k to £140k.

The fund looks set to be the latest victim in West Sussex’s battle to cut its spending by £145m over the next four years – and the plans divided opinion at a select committee meeting in Chichester on Monday.

In April, the council changed the way groups applied for fund grants, introducing its own crowdfunding platform – West Sussex Crowd – through which all applications were processed.

The system, which is due to be reviewed in the spring, allows businesses and other organisations to pledge their own funding to the projects.

While £118,000 has been contributed, figures put before the committee showed that the number of fund applications received and funded had fallen significantly.

Questions were raised about the difficulty of using the new system, especially for smaller groups.

Cllr Daniel Purchese (Rustington) said:

“There’s a lot of organisations that are after small amounts of money who don’t necessarily have the time, ability or whatever to go through a crowdfunding process.

“And quite frankly, if they did they would do it through one of the mainstream providers and not have to jump through our hoops."

There was an opposing view from Cllr Simon Oakley (Chichester East), who suggested reducing the CIF budget to zero.

He said: “Though these grants are going to causes that are of benefit, compared with the other priorities that this council has overall, I’m afraid I believe that we should cease being involved in this whole process of sending out micro-grants.”

The committee recommended that the plans to cut fund grants be postponed until after the review had been conducted.

They also asked that all unspent fund money be put back into the system next year and not diverted to the council’s reserves.

The final decision will be made by Debbie Kennard, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, who said she had ‘taken on board’ what had been said about West Sussex Crowd.

Report by Karen Dunn, local democracy reporter

f Last year's Running Festival at Goodwood | Pic: Ben Lumley

Running fest tickets on sale

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk EARLY BIRD tickets have gone on sale for this year's Running Festival at Goodwood The event returns for 2019, and UK Run Events has confirmed that lots of entries have already been snapped up for the second edition which takes place on Sunday, July 14.

The 2019 event launched shortly after the highly successful inaugural event in October, 2018, and promises to be even bigger and better, with a new summer running party taking place in addition to the three main races: a Family 1.1 Mile, a 10K and a Half Marathon. The Family 1.1 Mile also represents the final 1.1 mile of the West Sussex Primary Schools Half Marathon Challenge part of Schools

Half Marathon. Both the 10K and Half Marathon are UKA accredited.

Discounted early bird fees run until January 31 and competitors can look forward to running on the smooth Tarmac of the race track and to a glorious finish in the pit lane, with masses of cheering from spectators in the grandstand and immense runner support throughout.

New for 2019 and in celebration of the new July date will be the summer party. Taking place from 11am, there will be a BBQ and a full prizegiving awards ceremony for the winners and age category winners, with special on-the-day prizes.

As well as being a stand-alone race, the Family 1.1 Mile will welcome primary school children from across West Sussex completing the final 1.1 mile of their Schools Half Marathon challenge. These children will be working towards their

very own cumulative half marathon at school during the summer term and celebrating the last leg of their challenge at Goodwood on race day.

Race director Joe Williams said: “We are thrilled with the uptake for The Running Festival at Goodwood 2019 and can’t wait to deliver another memorable event for runners this summer. Here at UK Run Events we believe that running is very much about the community and our Summer Running Party will give us a fantastic chance to celebrate this, bringing together runners of all abilities and backgrounds and making the event so much more than just a race. We hope that many will make the most of our extended early bird discount to secure their place at #RunFestGoodwood this July.”

Visit: ukrunevents.co.uk for further event details.

Helping children believe they can do anything Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds stagecoach.co.uk/chichester chichester@stagecoach.co.uk 01243 587885

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Enjoy a great British holiday with value for money coach specialist FORGET the airports and the queues, if you remember last year's long, hot British summer - and are hoping for another one in 2019 - there are hundreds of wonderful seaside resorts and attractive areas to explore.

Here are some suggestions - Torquay, Llandudno, Isle of Wight, Bournemouth, Brighton, Scarborough, Bideford, Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Exmouth, Skegness, Cotswolds and Shakespeare country, Paington, Tenby, Blackpool, Great Yarmouth, Eastbourne or Somerset.

Perhaps a number of those destinations look a bit far away to travel from the Bognor Regis and Chichester area but if you had a local coach pick up and a warm, friendly hotel ready to welcome you when you arrive, doesn't that sound rather tempting?

What's even better is that all-inclusive

travel and accommodation packages to these interesting and relaxing destinations can be made through one company, Torquay Travel, which has decades of experience in looking after discerning mature travellers who appreciate the personal service it offers.

The firm's value-for-money holidays, which are usually five days, include halfboard accommodation at established quality hotels, often in seafront locations, as well as excursions and evening entertainment.

A number of the hotels are based in Torquay, where the business was founded and continues to be based, but its success has led to expansion across the country with a special focus on customers from areas including West Sussex.

For example, this means passengers can be collected and returned from

NO CHANGING COACHES central points in Littlehampton, Felpham, Bognor Regis and Chichester.

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Special promotions are often available for individuals while bespoke holidays for groups and clubs with particular interests or destinations with the same

high standards can be arranged.

Offering a combination of modern, efficient service and old-fashioned customer care, Torquay Travel looks forward to helping many more great British holidaymakers enjoy a break whatever the weather.

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Record sales for Rolls-Royce

BY KELLY WICKHAM kelly.wickham@sussexpost.co.uk ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Cars has achieved the highest annual sales in the marque’s 115-year history.

A total of 4,107 cars were delivered to customers in over 50 countries around the world in 2018, and continues to generate a positive contribution to its shareholder, the BMW Group.

In a year of multiple records, the company also enjoyed unprecedented demand for its bespoke creations, and launched the new Cullinan – the RollsRoyce of SUVs – to great international acclaim.

Reflecting on the company’s performance for the year, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief execuive, RollsRoyce Motor Cars, said: "2018 was a most successful, record-breaking year for Rolls-Royce. We have seen growth in all our regions around the world.

"At Rolls-Royce we are deeply focused on each and every one of our customers and are delivering on their demanding expectations.

"The home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood is acknowledged and celebrated as a global centre of luxury manufacturing excellence, where our

` Energy switching HELP for households to save money on their energy bills will be given at a series of events held by Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice.

The charity will be hosting the occasions in the next two weeks.

The first is on Monday, January 21, at Arun District Council's offices in Littlehampton.

It will be followed on Tuesday at Petworth Children and Family Centre and Wednesday at Granddad's Front Room in Bognor Regis High Street.

The Grange in Midhurst will be the venue next Friday, with Wittering Health Centre on January 30 and Bognor Regis Library on February 1.

The events take place from 10am2pm, except for 9.30am-2pm at The Grange and 10am-2.30pm at Bognor Regis Library.

` Fire budget cut f Production at the factory skilled, dedicated team create the world’s finest, most sought-after luxury products.

"We set a formidable mark in 2018. I am confident it will prove the spur to

even greater success in 2019."

The Americas remained the company’s largest market last year.

Sales also grew across all regions.

To meet growing worldwide demand

f The site in Chichester

for its products, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars employed 200 new associates, mainly in skilled manufacturing roles, during 2018. These new appointments mean the total workforce at the home of Rolls-Royce now exceeds 2,000 people for the first time since the plant opened in 2003.

The year also saw a record intake of 23 new entrants to the company’s highly successful apprenticeship programme.

Since its launch in 2006, more than 100 candidates have completed the remarkable transition from total beginner to confident, highly-skilled specialist. Most are still with the company, many in senior technical and supervisory roles.

High workloads for social workers SOCIAL workers in West Sussex are still dealing with much heavier caseloads than expected, despite improvements to the system.

At a meeting at County Hall, Chichester, pictured below, councillors were told that, on average, social workers were expected to deal with around 15 cases at a time.

In December, though, 21 had more than 25 cases on their hands, 40 had more than 20, 12 had more than 17, and 1 had more than 30.

Andrew Fraser, interim director of children and family services, said: “The caseloads have been high and we need to do a lot of work to get them down. The quality of our social work depends on social workers having manageable caseloads.”

It is a situation reflected all over the country, and figures from August – which included one social worker balancing a workload of more than 40 cases – showed that, in West Sussex at least, progress was being made.

A major issue faced by the council has been the recruitment of social workers – and then persuading them to stay in the job.

A multimillion pound recruitment scheme to find 37 new staff saw a steep rise in applications and resulted in 23 people being offered jobs between

News 17

September and November.

In addition, more than 200 staff have committed themselves to West Sussex for the next five years in return for an extra £3k per year in their pay packets.

Members of the children and young people’s services select committee were pleased to see how much work was being done but asked for assurances about the state of the services being provided.

Anne Jones (Con, Burgess Hill East) stressed the need for a solid all-round service.

She said: “You may have a good social worker but if we haven’t got good support services to bring in for families then the social worker is on a hiding to nothing.”

When asked by chairman Michael Cloake (Con, Worthing Pier) if he was confident work was being carried out as needed and the service was operating safely, Mr Fraser said improvements were ‘a journey’.

He added: “There’s nothing so far to suggest that children aren’t as safe as they can be given the circumstances.”

Report by Karen Dunn, local democracy reporter

PLANS to cut £600k from the West Sussex fire service budget have faced a rejig after the government announced it would be cutting a grant worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

West Sussex County Council had proposed savings including £200,000 from the fire service’s technical rescue unit budget.

But a meeting of the environment, communities and fire select committee was told that, from April, 2020, a £450,000 government grant would be stopped.

Debbie Kennard, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities at West Sussex County Council, told the meeting that a letter had been received from the Home Office on Wednesday last week.

Because of this, the decision was made to ‘pull’ the £200k cut for the time being.

f Musicians who took part in last year's concert

Popular 60s event returns MUSICIANS will be taking to the stage again in Bognor Regis to raise money for charity.

The line-up of band members from the swinging decade will be joined by a special guest at this year's Back to the 60s concert. DJ Mike Read is taking part in the special night on February 16 in aid of Bognor Regis and Chichester Samaritans.

Organiser Roy Haines said: "Mike will be joint compere for the evening and will also be performing a vocal set with The Fenmen, one of the bands taking part.

"Mike has had a long and distinguished career in television and radio, including many years presenting Top of the Pops.

"He is also the author of many books, including The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s, which features all of the bands involved in Back To The 60s."

This year's concert will be the tenth anniversary event. In that time, the annual celebrations of the music of an unforgettable period have raised more than £50,000 for charities and good causes in the surrounding area.

The latest event will be staged from 7pm to midnight at the usual venue of the Riverside Caravan Centre, in Shripney Road, Bognor Regis.

Tickets are priced £12.50 each. They are available from the caravan centre (01243

865823) and GB Music in Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis (07795 566801).

Those taking part will be the original artists from The Detours and Friends, Johnny Devlin, The Diamonds with Pete Manville, The Southbeats and Dave Harris from The Concords.

The Bognor Regis and Chichester Samaritans are based in Argyle Road, Bognor Regis, and offer a safe way for people to talk at any time they would like using any means they would like about an issue which is upsetting them.

They can help a person to explore their options, understand their problems better or just listen.

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Friday, January 18, 2019

aceWhat'sOn

Picturedrome Cinema listings from Jan 18 GLASS (15) Daily: 5pm, 8.30pm Sat, Sun and Tues: 3pm Fri/Mon/Wed/Thur: 11.45am, 2.45pm

The hottest picks of the week. To promote your event, send us a mail at: entertainment@sussexpost.co.uk.

4 Cinema

Chichester Cinema at New Park

THIS week sees two strong contenders for Oscars awards season: The Favourite and Stan and Ollie.

The Favourite is director Yorgos Lanthimos' (‘The Lobster’) deliciously catty comedy about the power struggle inside the castle of Queen Anne, played by a sensational Olivia Colman who won the Golden Globe Award for best actress in a comedy this month. Rachel Weisz is Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, Anne's right-hand woman, her proximity to the throne affording her great political power, but is threatened when Abigail Hill (Emma Stone), a maid, begins jockeying for Churchill's position.

Steve Coogan, actor-writer, and a guest at the cinema’s most recent film festival, stars as Stan in Stan and Ollie, John C. Reilly taking the part of the comedy duo as Ollie who made over 100 films together. Past their heyday, Stan has angered the head of the studio by continually asking for more of the profits from their work. Ollie is getting pressured to make movies without his partner. To jump-start their flagging careers, the men go on

a theatre tour in Britain. Coogan is excellent as Laurel, conveying how his slightly carefree side offfilm set belies a serious-minded business ambition.

Reilly is every bit his equal, hinting at some of the heartbreak underneath Hardy's comical surface.

This must-see is joined by Papillon, a 1973 film remake of the same name with Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek as Henri ‘Papillon’ Charrière and Louis Dega, roles made famous by Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. Based on Charrière’s book, it follows his life as a Parisian jewel thief who, in an unlucky frame-up, was banished to a penal colony in French Guiana in 1931. He tries to escape but lands himself in solitary confinement for years at a time, Dega trying to help him to freedom.

Two performances this week are La Bayadère, live from the Bolshoi Ballet (Jan 20), The Queen of Spades also live from the Royal Opera House (Jan 22, with encore on Jan 27).

Book seats now for the Holocaust Memorial Day screening on January 27, the theme, Torn from Home. Details of the event are on www. chichestercinema.org The new awards programme of films is out now. Pick up your copy at various outlets or at the cinema or view online - and to find out about the cinema’s ruby anniversary year with special events and a dedicated magazine. Hats off to Roger Gibson, founder of the 40-year-old cinema!

Ace 19

- Music

Humour at the keyboard Elizabeth Harrison January 27 Felpham Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Felpham PO22 7DZ www.organfax.co.uk/players/elizabethharrison/ AN AFTERNOON of musical entertainment will be given by nationally-recognised organ player Elizabeth Harrison at Regis Organ and Keyboard Club.

Lancastrian Elizabeth's varied musical repertoire with her cheerful humour has made her one of the country’s favourite performers over the past 27 years. She plays both electronic and theatre organs in a range of refreshing styles.

Her performance will be at Felpham Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, on Sunday, January 27, at 2.30 pm. All are welcome, with entry costing £6 on the door, to include refreshments.

STAN & OLLIE (PG) Daily except Tues: 2.45pm, 5.30pm, 8.45pm Sat & Sun: 12.30pm Tues: 2.45pm, 6pm, 8.45pm Fri/Mon-Thur: 11.30am MARY POPPINS RETURNS (U) Fri/Mon/Wed/Thur: 11.45am 2.30pm Sat & Sun: 11am, 2pm Tues: 12.30pm RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET (PG) Sat & Sun: 11.45am MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (15) Daily: 5.15pm, 8.15pm Sat & Sun: 2.30pm Fri/Mon-Thur: 12pm, 2pm THE ROYAL BALLET QUEEN OF SPADES Tues, Jan 22: 6.45pm THE FAVOURITE (15) Fri/Mon/Wed/Thur: 5.45pm, 8pm Sat & Sun: 6pm, 8pm Tues: 12.15pm, 3.45pm BUMBLEBEE (PG) Sat & Sun: 11:30am

Chichester Cinema listings from Jan 18 FRI, JAN 18 1pm Stan & Ollie (Cert TBC) 3.15pm The Favourite (15) 6pm Stan & Ollie 8.30pm Papillon (15)

4 Cinema

Glass Release date: January 18 Cinema: Picturedrome Tickets: www.picturedromebognor.com Genre: Mystery, science fiction, thriller The narratives of Unbreakable and Split collide in the riveting culmination of M. Night Shyamalan’s explosive comic book trilogy. Unbreakable’s David Dunn and Elijah Price come face to face again as Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson reprise their roles. Joining from Split are James McAvoy, as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive The Beast. Following the conclusion of Split, David Dunn pursues Kevin’s superhuman figure The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Elijah Price - aka Mr Glass - emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.

SAT, JAN 19 1.15pm Stan & Ollie 3.15pm Papillon 6pm The Favourite 8.45pm Stan & Ollie SUN, JAN 20 12.30pm Stan & Ollie 3pm La Bayadère 6.45pm The Favourite 9pm Stan & Ollie MON, JAN 21 1pm Stan & Ollie 3.15pm Papillon 6pm Stan & Ollie 8.30pm The Favourite TUE, JAN 22 11.30am The Favourite 2pm Stan & Ollie 4.15pm Stan & Ollie 6.45pm The Queen of Spades WED, JAN 23 12.15pm Stan & Ollie 2.30pm The Favourite 5pm Stan & Ollie THU, JAN 24 12.45pm The Favourite 3.30pm Stan & Ollie 6pm Papillon 8.45pm Stan & Ollie

20 Advertising Feature

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Friday, January 18, 2019

acefood

Although there is a menu of main courses and pasta dishes, including child-size portions, most people go to enjoy the choice of freshly-made tapas, a number of which have a Middle Eastern slant as well as traditional Spanish dishes.

A tapas banquet for four people at £19.50 is popular for groups with a selection across the menu but my husband and I, with help from Beyhan, settled in comfortable chairs, made our own choices from the vegetarian, meat and chicken, and fish and seafood sections, washed down with a house white pinot grigio and a lemonade.

Vegetarians and vegans can enjoy a variety of

A taste of sunshine in the city

By Alicia Denny Delevante, Victoria Court, 24 St Pancras, Chichester PO19 7LT 01243 788700 info@delevante.co.uk IN THE middle of January's post-Christmas gloom, it's delightful to find a ray of summer sunshine both on a plate and in the relaxing atmosphere of De Levante in central Chichester.

Key to the happy ambience of the converted wine cellar is the philosophy of owner Beyhan Cumali who treats everyone as guests rather than customers.

Beyhan took over the former Spanish restaurant El Castizo in St Pancras early in autumn last

year and, after a lot of hard work in a complete refurbishment, including new kitchen equipment, custom-made furniture from Turkey and interior redecoration, opened the Mediterranean restaurant and tapas bar in November.

Spanish artefacts and murals adorn the refreshed walls and gentle guitar music adds to the laidback setting where Beyhan plans to hold regular Flamenco-type events when the restaurant is fully established.

Loyal patrons and friends from her Selsey restaurant of the same name, which she has run since 2015, filled the tables for the two launch evenings and since then word has gradually spread about the revival of an old favourite of the Chichester eating-out scene.

Sunday Offer

Buy One Main Meal

15 options and we plumped for champignons al ajillo (mushrooms), zazilki - a Greek-style yoghurt - and pimentos rellenos, which was an ovenbaked sweet red pepper stuffed with spinach in a cheese sauce. The chefs are happy to adjust ingredients for dietary requirements on request, a typical example of the warm and pleasant attitude of all the team.

For meat tapas, we added pollo Marbella, which was pan fried chicken with chorizo, onion and peppers in a creamy paprika sauce, then the succulent chef's special prawns in sauce.

Luckily, there was enough ciabatta to mop up the flavoursome sauces and, feeling pleasantly full but not overstuffed, I was able to enjoy a moist, light tiramisu from the list of home-made desserts.

But as Beyhan said: "Seeing is deceiving, tasting is believing." And De Levante is a worthy successor to the legacy of El Castizo.

`Delevante are ready and waiting to serve you up that holiday feeling in their newest restaurant in Chichester

Now open in Chichester

Get Starter or Dessert FREE (only applicable sundays) Viento De Levante, Victoria Court, 24 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7LT Email: info@delevante.co.uk Book a table now: 01243 788700

Weekdays Offer

3 Tapas £9.99 Every Tuesday - Friday from 12pm to 5pm

Come inside Viento De Levante and discover Mediterranean menus bursting with tapas – the delicious and flexible dishes made to share and Mediterranean wine, sangria and beers in a friendly atmosphere.

Open 6 days a week

Tues, Weds & Thurs 12noon to 10pm Fri,Sat & Sun 12noon to 10.30pm Viento De Levante, Victoria Court, 24 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7LT Email: info@delevante.co.uk Book a table now: 01243 788700 Find us on  &  @Delevantechichester

Viento De Levante, Victoria Court, 24 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7LT Email: info@delevante.co.uk Book a table now: 01243 788700

umped for mushrooms), hurt - and as an oventuffed with The chefs are for dietary a typical nd pleasant

dded pollo ied chicken peppers in then the wns in sauce. ciabatta to sauces and, not overmoist, light home-made

"Seeing is ng." And De ssor to the

Reina Kitchen Meze & Bar

Authentic Turkish cuisine in the heart of Chichester We combine the freshest local produce with traditional Turkish herbs and spices imported from organic farms in Northern Turkey. Our chef and his highly trained and experienced team create delicious traditional Turkish dishes, including old favourites, traditional family recipes and chefs own specialities.

Our menus reflect the finest flavours Turkey has to offer and our warm and welcoming front of house team deliver first class service to complete the genuine Turkish experience.

 11/12 Market Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1JW  01243 788717 or 1243 787303  info@reinakitchen.co.uk www.reinakitchen.co.uk   

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22 Ace

Friday, January 18, 2019 4 Cinema

 Art

Mary Queen Of Scots

Creative honesty

Release date: January 18 Cinema: Picturedrome Tickets: www.picturedromebognor.com Genre: Biography, Drama, History QUEEN of France at sixteen and widowed at eighteen, Mary Stuart defies pressure to remarry and instead, returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence.

Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening

Oxmarket Centre of Arts January 22 - February 10, 2019 St Andrew's Court, off East Street, Chichester PO19 1YH www.oxmarket.com THREE contrasting exhibitions open 2019 at Chichester's Oxmarket Centre of Arts, in St Andrew's Court, off East Street.

Creative Redemption is a moving

exhibition by artists, all of whom, in their own way, have benefited from the restorative powers of their personal creative process. In the honesty of revealing the wounded condition, powerfully sensitive works of art have been born; beautiful in their own right, but also serving to offer empathy, encouragement and hope.

Alongside are beautifully crafted and unique African stone sculptures,

Actors all at sea

Raw and spontaneous

5 Theatre

Bluesclub January 25 - 26, 2019 The Chichester Inn, West Street, Chichester PO19 1RP www.chichesterinn.co.uk

Rough Crossing February 11-16, 2019 Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichesteer PO19 6AP www.cft.org.uk

(harmonica), Sophie Lord (bass), Paul Bevis (drums) and Steve Smith (keyboards).

There’s a strong Dire Straits and The Who connection, with musicians who share a passion for the Blues of America from the 1930s to the 1970s.

A BluesClub performance is raw and spontaneous and the set-list often includes songs from artists as varied as Leadbelly, Son House and Charley Patton to Slim Harpo, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal and Canned Heat.

Boards will be buzzing 5 Theatre

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee January 21-26, 2019 The Priory Playhouse, London Road, Arundel BN18 9FA www.arundelplayers.org.uk SIX AWKWARD spelling champions learn that winning - and losing - isn't everything as Arundel Players prove in their next production.

Elizabeth’s sovereignty. But betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones - and change the course of history.

varied in size, ideal for adding sophistication to interior or exterior spaces. All sculptures depict mainly human and animal life native to South Africa.

Brenda Midgley will also be showing her drawings and paintings of animal subjects.

Entry to all three exibitions is free.

Opening times are Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4.30pm. For more information, call 01243 779103.

- Music

GET RID of the January blues with two nights of top music from Bluesclub at The Chichester Inn in the city's West Street.

Returning by popular demand, under the umbrella of Roots Around the World, the line-up has been amended from previous appearances and now comprises Robbie Macintosh (guitar), Helena May (vocals), Peter Hope Evans

f QUICK

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humour.

Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score

by William Finn, this bee is an unforgettable experience. An eclectic group of six youngsters vie

for the spelling championship of a lifetime.

While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, they spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soulcrushing, life unaffirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, is in store.

CHARLIE Stemp, who shot to fame in 2016 playing the lead in Half a Sixpence, returns to Chichester Festival Theatre in Tom Stoppard's high seas comedy Rough Crossing.

Stemp will be reunited with Half a Sixpence director Rachel Kavanaugh and the cast will include John Partridge, who won last year's Celebrity Masterchef but, as well as being known to TV audiences as Christian Clark in EastEnders, is one of musical theatre's leading men.

They will be joined by Issy van Randwyck (Fascinating Aïda), comedy TV favourite Matthew Cottle (who was in The Chalk Garden at CFT), Holby City’s Rob Ostlere, and Simon Dutton, who portrayed Simon Templar in The Saint.

André Previn wrote the songs and music in this absurd tale centred on two famous but desperate playwrights (Partridge and Cottle) stuck in an ocean liner headed for New York, feverishly trying to rehearse their latest show before reaching land, and opening night.

But they are constantly distracted by their delicate composer’s attempts to end it all, having overheard his lover confess her feelings to the leading man. Add an unorthodox waiter (Stemp), a mistimed lifeboat drill and a vanishing glass of brandy and these colourful characters become tangled.

f LAST W

postnewspapers.co.uk

Friday, January 18, 2019

Puzzles 23

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You have been given a start word and an end word.

In order to win the game, you must change the word progressively, creating an existing word at each step. You must only on each step change a single letter.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

22

Across 1. Academy Awards (6) 4. Of the universe (6) 9. Process of wearing away (7) 10. Line that touches a curve (7) 11. Endures (5) 12. Alphabetical list in a book (5) 14. Armature of an electric motor (5) 15. Stagger (5) 17. Lentil or chickpea (5) 18. Egg white (7) 20. Banners or flags (7) 21. Entangle (6) 22. Be present at (6)

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Check out all the solutions next week

f WORDWHEEL

RECRUITER

COIN COIL TOIL TOLL TELL WELL

Can you solve our fiendishly tricky crossword?

Take your time, you may need to

24 Advertising Feature

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Friday, January 18, 2019

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Advertising Feature 25

Hearing is the only sense which never goes to sleep Sight & Sound 5 High Street, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 1RQ Tel: 01243 823144 Email: info@sightandsound.org. uk www.sightandsound.org.uk OUR HEARING is the only one of our senses which is always active even when we are asleep.

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26 Community

postnewspapers.co.uk

Friday, January 18, 2019

Community News & Views SIGHT-IMPAIRED residents in the Post Newspapers area can receive free audio copies of magazines.

Those who are blind and partially sighted can sign up for a monthly memory stick of spoken versions of three top Sussex magazines.

The service is provided across Sussex by Wealden Talking News with the help of the publisher of two of the publications.

Details about it were revealed at the latest meeting of the Macular Society charity's Bognor Regis support group, pictured below. Wealden Talking News' trustees Dianne Steele and Mike Hollis demonstrated the value of receiving the recordings.

Dianne said the magazines covered were Sussex Life and Sussex Living as well as the charity's compilation - called Listeners' Sussex - of its listeners' views and contributions.

"Sussex Life is a fabulous magazine. It is full of all sorts of interesting articles on history, wildlife and local events going in around Sussex. They have allowed us to record the monthly copies for free," she said.

The talking news charity is based in Heathfield, East Sussex.

Its studio has been refurbished recently with £10,000 of national lottery funding.

Dianne said: "It would be good to have as many people as possibly benefiting from the studio. Although we are based in East Sussex, the magazines' service is available across Sussex.

"We launched it last August and have 60 listeners. It's now a case of getting the word out about it."

One of the Macular Society members at last Thursday's meeting, Felpham Patricia Claridge, said: "It was an interesting talk and has encouraged me to find out more about the service.

"I'm finding it difficult to read newspapers and using a magnifying glass is the next step."

Sign up to the magazines' mailing list on: 01435 862304 or email: secretarywtn@gmail.com

WORK is going on behind the scenes to protect Pagham from flooding in future winters.

A working group of various organisations has produced an initial report about a range of options which could be used.

Pagham parish councillor Phil Hayley told its latest meeting: "There is a draft report that has been produced within the action group to have a look at and see what comments there are about it.

"This is before the main report comes out. The aim is that that should be by Easter."

The possible coast protection schemes include the installation of new groynes or taking shingle from further out to sea to shore up the beach.

"There are a lot of consultations going on behind the scenes," said Cllr Hayley, "to get a lot of the approvals which will be needed put in place.

"These will be between organisations like Arun District Council and Natural England so Arun can go and move shingle within certain parameters rather than seeking permission every time they do it."

Planning permission already exists for a proposal to create a channel through the Church Norton Spit, which has grown offshore in recent years to channel the tides in and out of Pagham Harbour on to the foreshore and scour its shingle away.

This has severely eroded the beach to cause alarm to many of the resident living on and near the foreshore.

Cllr Ray Radmall, the parish council's chairman, has warned a large number of properties inland are at risk of flooding if waves overtop the remaining beach.

It was reported at last Tuesday's meeting that Arun had been moving shingle around the beach to add protection to areas which had become exposed.

THREE fire services are joining forces for the first time to run a joint training course for full-time firefighters.

West Sussex, Surrey and East Sussex fire and rescue centres have combined to stage the course from Monday.

A total of 24 recruits, pictured above, are taking part in the 13 weeks of tests and exercises to become wholetime community firefighters.

Of those hopefuls, eight are from West Sussex, 12 from Surrey and four are based with East Sussex.

The course is taking place at Surrey's training centre, Wray Park, with instructors from all three services as tutors.

Marvin Smith, the course commander and training delivery manager for the West Sussex service, said: "This is an exciting opportunity to work with our neighbouring

services in Surrey and East Sussex. I am very pleased this programme will pool our skills and experience to help our new staff be the best they can be.

"Being a firefighter is not an easy role, but I am sure our recruits will rise to the challenge as we teach them a range of new skills. I can't wait for them to get started."

Hannah Scott Youlden, the assistant training and assurance for the service in East Sussex, said: "We are really pleased to be welcoming new recruits and it's great that they will be training alongside colleagues in our neighbouring fire and rescue services."

The skills the recruits will receive include how to keep themselves, their colleagues and residents safe by preventing fires as well as responding to them.

KEEN adrenaline junkies are being called upon to help raise money for a local hospice.

St Wilfrid's in Chichester is looking for people to make a sponsored 10,000 feet freefall parachute jump.

There are now four opportunities to take the Leap4Love this year. Choose from Saturday, March 23, (applications close Friday, January 25), Saturday, June 8, Saturday, September 7 and Saturday, November, 16.

St Wilfrid's leaps with GoSkyDive in Salisbury, the country’s premier site for first time skydivers. If you raise

enough sponsorship you can jump for free.

If you’re ready to take the leap like Myrtle Green from Bognor Regis, pictured above, did last year, visit St Wilfrid’s GoSkyDive charity page at: goskydive.com/st-wilfridshospice to sign up.

This summer the hospice is also offering two dates to choose from where you can abseil 100 metres down the iconic Spinnaker Tower on Saturday, June 29 or Saturday, July 20.

Talk to the St Wilfrid’s Hospice fundraising office on 01243 755199 or email: fundraising@stwh.co.uk

Dear Sirs Chichester marked a number of important centenaries in 2018: the end of the First World War; the Representation of the People Act that paved the way for universal suffrage ten years later; the gift of Priory Park to the citizens by the 7th Duke of Richmond and Gordon; and the birth of Leonard Bernstein.

The Bernstein in Chichester festival celebration, pictured below, of the city’s close ties with the American composer joined Chichester to London, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Tokyo and other towns and cities across six continents in the global remembrance of one of the 20th century’s greatest musicians.

At the close of the performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms in the cathedral at the end of November, a member of the audience approached us, the organisers of the festival, and said the evening made her proud to be part of the Chichester community. In a packed cathedral, some 850 stood and passionately applauded Marin Alsop, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the choirs of Chichester, Salisbury and Winchester cathedrals. Everyone present will forever remember and cherish that glorious occasion.

Reflecting on the success of the eight-month programme of events, as organisers, we must give special thanks to everyone who supported our concerts, ballet, workshops, revues, jazz, talks, film shows and exhibitions - all the private donors, sponsors, participating organisations, performers, and above all the brilliant audiences whose numbers exceeded our expectations.

We were proud to welcome Leonard Bernstein's son, Alexander, back to the city, which he first visited as a ten yearold when he accompanied his parents to the first performance of Chichester Psalms in the cathedral in July, 1965. He flew in from New York to join our closing weekend and spoke of how proud his father would have been to know how much Chichester values that legacy.

As we enter the new year, we are exploring opportunities to host a short annual festival to build on last year’s success, and to ensure continuing recognition of the close bonds between the city and Leonard Bernstein.

Yours sincerely, Edward Milward-Oliver and Emma-Jane Wyatt, organisers of Bernstein in Chichester.

Dear Sir A little while ago our Chichester MP, Mrs Gillian Keegan, met with the transport minister to discuss the proposed A27 bypass.

No mention was made at that time of the proposed A303 tunnel to alleviate Stonehenge. Why is this important?

It certainly is, as the £1.6bn payment for this work was planned to be by a PFI contract (private finance).

There is, however, considerable uncertainty that this funding will be coming forward and thus monies would have to be found from the government purse for Highways England.

If this is the case and central government has to find the funds for Stonehenge and cover the £3bn PFI required for the Lower Thames Crossing, then say goodbye to A27 Chichester bypass (as well as other major projects in the south) as there will be no money left, for many years.

Perhaps our MP needs to go back and ask again and get a more constructive answer together with a timescale (I have been told 25 years, I hope they are wrong)!

Yours sincerely Dr Anthony A. Preston, Selsey

Contact us: news@sussexpost.co.uk or 01243 908506 or 63 London Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1DF

s

Friday, January 18, 2019

ChangingTimes

postnewspapers.co.uk

27

In association with 01243 775888

www.thenovium.org.uk

Remembering Woolworths ten years on

By Amy Roberts, collections officer at The Novium Museum THIS JANUARY marks the 10th anniversary of the departure of a much-loved and wellknown shop, Woolworths, from high streets throughout the country.

The Woolworth company was founded

by Frank Winfield Woolworth of Rodman, New York, and his first ‘Great Five Cent Store’ opened on June 21, 1879, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The concept was extremely successful and later that same year his younger brother, Charles Sumner Woolworth, came on board as manager of a second store in nearby Harrisburg.

The company went from strength to strength and Frank encouraged friends and relatives to join him, establishing a group of five ‘friendly rivals’ operating independently, but stocking goods he was able to supply.

This grew Frank’s buying power, allowing him to track products to their source, cutting out any middle men and increasing profits.

Frank Woolworth opened his first UK based store on November 5, 1909, in Church Street, Liverpool. For the UK market ‘5 cent and 10 cent’ instead became ‘Threepence and Sixpence’ and hence the UK based stores were called F.W. Woolworth & Co 3d and 6d Stores. The very first store sold children’s clothing, stationery and toys.

In 1912, the five ‘friendly rival’ store chains under then names S.H. Knox & Co, F.M Kirby & Co, E.P. Charlton & Co, C.S.Woolworth & Co and W.H. Moore & Son joined forces in a merger. Each became a vice president of the F.W. Woolworth Co, while Frank became the company’s president. Britain had 12 stores and by the outbreak of the First World War this had grown to 44 stores.

Frank Woolworth died from septic poisoning from a tooth infection on April 8, 1919. One of his obituaries read, "He made his money not by selling a little for a lot,

Chichester was one such branch opening at number 10 North Street in May, 1927.

It caused something of a shopping revolution.

f North Street during its pedestrianisation c.1976-1978, before the new surface was laid. Woolworths store is just visible on the right hand side.

f Shop front of F.W. Woolworth & Co. Ltd, department store, 1965. Taken by a member of the Chichester Camera Club as part of a project to record the city’s main streets.

but by selling a lot for a little." His brother, Charles Sumner Woolworth, became the company’s chairman, whilse F. D. Hubert Parson took over as president.

Woolworths took off in the UK in the 1920s with 336 stores opening across the country. Chichester was one such branch, opening at number 10 North Street in May, 1927. It caused something of a shopping revolution. It was the 254th store to be opened in England, offering quick turnover bargains to local shoppers. It launched as a ‘3d and 6d Store‘ and gave local businesses an abundance of competition. Later, in April, 1939, an application was made for the erection of a completely new building on the site which incorporated both 10 and 11 North Street.

The outbreak of the Second World War caused prices to rocket, making cheap goods hard to come by. This forced the company to raise its upper 6d limit.

In 1940, Woolworths' staff across the country raised a total of 202,680 sixpences, matched by the company’s four directors.

This enabled the RAF to buy two Spitfires.

The number of UK branches reached its peak in the late 1960s with 1,141 stores.

Back in Chichester, in 1963, an application was made to reconstruct and incorporate no 12 North Street into the existing Woolworths store. By 1977, 50 years after its opening, the number of staff had trebled to 85.

In the 1980s, the Woolworth range was rationalised to six main areas – sweets, toys and stationery, children's clothes, entertainment, home and garden, and fashion accessories. In 1982, the company broke ties with its American counterpart, as the British stores were purchased by Paternoster Stores Ltd, which later became Kingfisher PLC. In October, 2003 a devastating fire broke out in Chichester’s North Street store, ripping through three floors. A team of 75 firefighters tackled the blaze. It is believed the fire was started deliberately when a pile of rubbish was set alight outside the shop and it spread from the ground floor into the roof of the building.

In November, 2008, the Woolworths Group sadly entered administration. The group’s financial performance had been in decline, and this, exacerbated by the financial crisis and recession which also occurred at this time, took its toll on the business.

The Chichester store closed its doors on January 3, 2009, a day later than had been expected as staff were given an extra day to clear the shop’s shelves. There was concern that as the store was so large it would be difficult to find another retailer for the location. However, in June, 2009, it was announced that Boots would take over the former Woolworths store in North Street, where it has remained ever since.

postnewspapers.co.uk

28 Classified

Friday, January 18, 2019

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postnewspapers.co.uk

Friday, January 18, 2019

Sport 29

Derby day clash with Havant gives PostSport Blues prime chance to stop the rot CHICHESTER RFC fans are being urged to turn out in their droves as Blues take on local rivals Havant tomorrow looking to arrest a poor start to 2019.

The Oaklands Park side are slipping down the standings in London One South after losing four on the bounce.

The latest came away at fourth-place Camberley last weekend with a 38-11 defeat.

But, despite sitting fourth bottom, Chi will believe they can stop the rot tomorrow as they travel 12 miles along the A27 to face off against their local rivals at Hook Lane (3pm).

Much of that belief comes from the reverse fixture in September when Chi edged a feisty encounter 39-32.

Even with the prospect of playing on a new 4G pitch, Blues will be hoping a large number of fans will cheer them on to similar heights and gain a crucial win to pull them away from the drop zone.

They will need to be better than last weekend in Surrey when Scott Ashley’s side were very second best to their high-flying hosts.

Things started well for Chi as from the kick off a high tackle gave them a penalty which was easily converted for a 0-3 Blues lead.

Camberley, though, soon took charge and crossed for two quick tries to put them firmly in the driving seat.

A third followed before the break with Chi only able to add another penalty to narrow the deficit to 19-6 at the half.

The rugby at the start of the second period was not the finest played by either team this season. But Camberley's strength in the scrum saw them take control, particularly as Chi were reduced to 14.

A further try for the hosts followed on the hour mark before Blues grabbed a consolation. Then, after another yellow for Chi, Camberley scored twice in the final five minutes to seal a comfortable win.

--Bognor RFC go into a cup match against cup tie against Hastings & Bexhill tomorrow on a high after dismantling Gosport & Fareham IIs. Ten tries were racked up by the Purple and Greens in the convincing 66-0 away win.

Those five points keep Bognor in third in Hampshire Premier, although the gap to second-place Sandown & Shanklin has been narrowed to five points after they lost to leaders Basingstoke.

DARTS: QE2 Cobras' Richard Ragless had luck on his side as he edged a classic to scoop the Double In Double Out Darts League Division One singles crown.

More than 50 players took part in the event at the Newtown Social Club with action spread across two divisions.

Ragless faced Graham Hollis (Fishermans Joy) in the final with both players racking up impressive scoring en route to the deciding match.

Hollis won the bull and started well, hitting 140 and 135 before nailing the double to take the opener. Ragless hit back, hitting a couple of 160s in winning the next two legs.

Leg 4 saw both players hit a ton and a 120, but it was Hollis that finished the leg to take it all the way.

The last leg saw Ragless get the jump start, but a 131 surrounded by high scores from Hollis game him first chance.

There was no joy for the Fishermans player though as he missed 4 darts at the double, giving Ragless a go at 65 which he took to take the crown.

f Blues break through the Havant defence

In Division Two, Nathan Warren (Lamb Orange) made his way to the final after hitting a 180 in his semi-final victory over team mate Lee Passey.

He faced another Lamb Orange player in Mike Few, who edged out Larry Chant (the Lamb).

After even scoring in the first leg, three tons from Warren left him 96, which he hit in two darts. Leg 2 saw a ton and a 104 from Few, and a 125 & 134 from Warren as the former took the leg.

Leg 3 saw 100 & 140 from Warren, but Few kept up with a 140 of his own. After misses from both players, Warren hit double 16 to go 2-1 up.

Leg 4 saw Few start slow while Warren hit two tons and 139 to leave a shot at 70, which he hit with his last dart to take the leg and match.

f Chi head to Havant tomorrow hoping to replicate the 39-32 victory against their rivals at Oaklands earlier this season

Lessons learned as Chi academy thrives

oot

f The college academy continues to flourish

THE future of rugby in Chichester looks bright as a training school for some of the best players from across the region goes from strength to strength.

Chichester College’s Rugby Academy launched 15 months ago as a place for teenage boys and girls to hone their skills while gaining an education.

The setup is continuing to thrive with players coming from clubs across Sussex and Hampshire to sign up.

Reflecting on the work so far, Steve Woolcombe, the college’s director of rugby, was happy with the progress - but said lots more was planned for 2019.

He said: “Rugby continues to flourish here at Chichester College. We have a new team this year with mixed ability - from having never played to accomplished county players, and we continue to recruit new players each week who are studying here; many of whom have never considered playing rugby before.

“After our amazing first year, the coaching

team and I recognised the huge task ahead to achieve the milestone year two goals of our three-year plan with the RFU. "As an RFU Focus college, we have regular meetings with the England Colleges team who provide the infrastructure for us to build the academy here and have been so supportive through year one." With 33 students signing up last year, Woolcombe said much of the focus of 2019 was on improving facilities.

A new fence around the first XV pitch is planned while a partnership with the University of Chichester sees students act as coaches for the college sides.

Visits to local schools are planned in the coming months to recruit new players.

Woolcombe said: "Longer term, we're looking to develop a sports course specifically designed around academy players, which will provide them with the opportunity to pursue their rugby aspirations whilst receiving excellent study programmes here at the college.”

Send your reports and pictures to us: sport@sussexpost.co.uk

RUGBY: Bognor under-17s' impressive progressive continues after the youngsters from Hampshire Avenue inflicted a 43-10 rout on Portsmouth Colts in what was a fiercely contested friendly last weekend.

It was a slow start for the Purple and Greens as a number of new faces failed to settle.

But Bognor took the lead before the break, first through full back Tyrone Masaki, before Brad Wright added a second to ensure a 12-0 lead at half time.

Into the second period and the Purple and Greens found their stride as the attack was widened out.

Fly half Conner Herrington got things going before Lewis Decarteret collected his own kick to feed Freddie Hayes for the fourth try of the day.

The visitors then opened their account before prop Dylan Collier collected in his own half and showed a quick turn of pace to cross for a remarkable score.

Decarteret was next on the score sheet as he used pace and footwork to race over for his 14th try of the season. Back came Portsmouth before Herington collected his own chip to touch down and finish the scoring.

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Chi urged to improve to avoid being stung by Wasps again

f Pagham have won once in nine games

Tame Lions hunting a win FIRST it was a feast, now it is a famine - the Lions of Pagham remain hungry for a win as the hunt for three points shows no sign of stopping.

Two months ago, things looked extremely rosy for Richie Hellen and Tom Simmonds, who are at the helm of the Nyetimber Lane side.

Lions were challenging for a promotion spot at the top of SCFL Premier as well as reaching the last 32 of the FA Vase.

But a purple patch which saw them go undefeated in the league for the first three and a half months of the season ended suddenly away at Eastbourne Town at the end of November.

Since then, Lions have won just one of nine matches in all competitions, a run that has seen them slip to eighth in the league - 17 points behind the promotion spots.

Throw in defeats in the Sussex Senior Cup and the FA Vase and all of a sudden a promising season looks to have firmly been shunted into the sidings.

Pagham's poor run continued last weekend when they were pegged back twice

by struggling Little Common.

Howard Neighbour opened the scoring, latching on to a sublime Daryl Wollers' cross to give Lions the lead in the opening minute.

Pagham had chances to extend their lead before Common nabbed an equaliser just after the 15 minute mark through Lewis Hole.

Ryan Cox restored Pagham's lead after the break, ensuring he signed off his season in style before heading to Australia for a few months.

But a second yellow for Ryan Davidson saw Lions reduced to ten.

Try as they might, they could not hold on with Common taking just two minutes to get the leveller.

It could have been even worse for Pagham as the visitors spurned a number of chances late on to get an unlikely winner.

Simmonds and Hellen have spent the last week trying to restore confidence to the line-up and they will go again tomorrow with a trip to Shoreham in the SCFL Premier (3pm).

A home match against Crawley Down Gatwick then follows on Tuesday (7.45pm).

f Lewis Hole equalises for Little Common

Email: sport@sussexpost.co.uk

CHICHESTER City Ladies boss Aaron Smith is urging his side to learn from experience as they look to avenge a cup defeat to Sussex rivals Crawley Wasps.

The Oaklands Park side head to Oakwood on Sunday for the Sussex Women's Challenge Cup semi-final to play a side who are one league below them but yet to lose a game all season.

Chi will have revenge in their sights having been stung by Wasps in the second round of the FA Women's Cup last month.

But they will need to be much better than last weekend when they were defeated by fellow National Southern Premier side Coventry United 2-0 in the league cup.

Smith could not hide the disappointment about the result which came in a tournament which he said the club had targeted in preseason as one that the club could win.

He said: "We need to make sure we learn from this and go on while not making the same mistakes that we did last weekend."

"It's going to be a long week of training and have a really really tough game next week against Crawley. We need to be ready and we cannot play like we did against Coventry."

f Tiffany Taylor gets in a cross

Leaders next for in-form Sids

IN-FORM Sidlesham will face the ultimate test this weekend when they welcome leaders Steyning Town to the Recreation Ground (3pm).

Steve Bailey's side have found their feet in recent weeks and started to pull themselves away from danger in the SCFL Division One. Last time out, Sids defeated Worthing United 2-0 at home to extend an unbeaten run to four matches.

Goals from David Rough and Ben Mepham secured all three points for Bailey's men and lifts them to tenth in the 17-team division.

They will need to show more of the same tomorrow when Town visit as the leaders have lost just twice all season, conceding ten goals in 22 matches.

Fellow SCFL Division One side Selsey are also on a good run, losing just once in eight matches.

After drawing 1-1 at home to Littlehampton Town last time out - Joe Bennett netting early on - the fifth-place Blues have a weekend off.

They return to action on Tuesday, making the relatively short trip to Wick (7.45pm).

In SCFL Premier league, leaders Chichester

f Sids shoot on goal in the win over the Mavericks

City will be looking to make it ten matches without defeat when they host fellow promotion chasers Saltdean United.

Miles Rutherford's side are two points clear at the top after a 3-0 win away at basement side Eastbourne United.

Ben Pashley, Ryan Peake and Josh Clack got the goals for Chi in what proved to be a routine win for Chi. They will expect a tougher test in the form of Saltdean at Oaklands Park tomorrow (3pm).

This is despite the fourth-placed visitors tasting defeat in three of their last four - which includes a loss to Eastbourne United.

Chi will also have an eye on a midweek cup clash at Bostik South East side Haywards Heath in the RUR Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).

In SCFL Division Two Bosham will want to get back to winning ways as they head to Falmer to face Montpelier Villa tomorrow (3pm).

The Robins' remarkable revival came to an end in cruel fashion at home to Roffey last weekend.

After falling behind in the first period, Alex Barnes drew Bosham level before the break.

But the visitors struck in injury time to take the win and end a run which has seen the Walton Lane side pick up 16 points from a possible 18.

Despite the loss, Bosham are eighth in the 15-team division - albeit just four points ahead of Villa who are third-bottom.

Infinity and beyond for mat bowls club SHORT mat bowls club Infinity continue to go from strength to strength as the club sealed the county pairs doubles championship.

Robin Armstrong and Chris Page represented the Boxgrove-based club in style, beating Malcolm Rollings and Steve Adsett from Martlets in the final last weekend.

It was a weekend to remember for the redshirted club as Chris and Steve Jeffrey also made it to the semi-finals against the best players from around the county.

Unfortunately, they lost out and also tasted defeat in the third/fourth play off to Clive and Pam Andrews from Bognor Goodwoods.

It rounds off a good start to the year for Infinity who have won every county title on offer this season so far!

The team continue to perform well in the league, too, sitting top of a competitive Sussex division.

The first match of 2019 saw Infinity overcome Comptons from Horsham.

On mat one, John Simms, Anne Kean, Robin Armstrong and Chris Page won 27-15. Whilst Denise Kirby, Pauline Jeffery, Steve Jeffery and Charlotte Rollings won 23-17, despite dropping a 6 on the last end.

Infinity play at Boxgrove Village Hall on Tuesdays from 7.30pm.

The game is similar to the flat green game except it is played on a mat which is between 40 and 45 foot long. This allows it to be played indoors and in all weathers.

New players of all ages are always welcome.

f Chris Page & Robin Armstrong

in a cross

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By Harvey Whyte

f Jimmy Muitt forces a save from the Burgess Hill keeper during the 2-0 away win | pics: Tommy McMillan

Jack down to the bare bones as injuries mount up for Rocks Next Game

POTTERS BAR (H) Tomorrow, 3pm

BOGNOR boss Jack Pearce is facing a major injury crisis as the club heads into two games in a week with barely 11 fit players available for selection.

Rocks have rallied in recent weeks with last weekend's 2-0 away win at Burgess Hill lifting them up to fifth in the Bostik Premier and wellplaced for a late season push for promotion.

But with Potters Bar visiting the Nye Camp tomorrow, a lack of available players risks the brakes being quickly slammed on Bognor's charge.

At last count, Pearce said he had seven players unavailable for the match tomorrow and also the visit of East Grinstead in the Sussex Senior Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Along with long-term absentees such as Corey Heath, Keaton Wood and Calvin Davies, Gary Charman (shoulder) and Theo Widdrington (hamstring) are the latest additions to the injury list.

In between the hunt for new recruits this week, Pearce summed up the whole situation quite bluntly, saying: "It drives you crackers".

He added: "It's a thankless task at the moment - we get people in and they are getting injured but we still have to pay them.

"We have done well against the other Sussex clubs and the spirit in the camp is good.

"But it is a challenge to get players coming in, especially as we have players on the wage bill who are getting injured for the long-term.

"We will have to ring round and call in favours and see what we can do."

There is also uncertainty around the future of Portsmouth loanees Dan Smith and Brad Lethbridge as both are on the fringes of the League One's first team squad.

Both missed the match at Burgess Hill and neither are expected to be available for the midweek cup match against East Grinstead.

Pearce said: "I'm hoping both will stay for the rest of the year but we'll have to wait and see. At the moment [the issue of player availability] is a difficult situation to be managing."

Despite the injuries, Bognor remain in good form, the Burgess Hill win meaning Rocks have picked up 13 points from a possible 18 in the last month. It was not the easiest match on the eye. But Jimmy Muitt struck twice, the second in injury time, to seal the win.

Included in the Rocks ranks were Pompey scholars Freddie Read and Leon Maloney, who both look set for more game time as Bognor push on for a top five finish.

Given the issues over player availability, tomorrow's opponents, Potters Bar, are perhaps the ideal side to face given that the Essex side have lost their last five in the league.

Bostik South side East Grinstead may be a tougher prospect, especially considering Rocks' poor track record against lower division sides in the cups this year.

'No replacement' for Charman HIS return to the Rocks kick-started a minirevival which has seen Bognor surge back up the Bostik Premier table.

But Gary Charman's most recent run in the white and green looks to have come to an end after the centre half suffered a shoulder break during the 2-0 away victory at Burgess Hill.

Charman - who is affectionately known as Zorro due to the protective mask that he wears - will be a major loss to the Rocks.

The experienced centre half has been in stellar form since rejoining Bognor after a short spell at Burgess Hill, marshalling the defence on and off the pitch.

His injury means Bognor have lost four of five central defenders to injury this season, with Corey Heath, Keaton Wood and Portsmouth loanee Joe Dandy all joining Charman on the treatment table.

With right back Calvin Davies also on the sidelines, manager Jack Pearce admitted it would be tough to plug the gaps.

He said: "It's a very difficult situation for any manager to find themselves in as it's hard enough to find people who are good enough to play at this level. As for Gary I'm not sure there is a like for like replacement, there is no one as good as him for me to go and get."

f Gary Charman clears the ball against the Hillians

WE may be in the top five having won three of our last four but it's not the easiest of times for the club at the moment.

As it stands, with Gary Charman out, uncertainty around the Pompey lads, Theo pulling a hamstring, along with Calvin and Keaton out, we're struggling to get a team together at the moment.

All of the above are players who would have been starting if they were be fit.

When you add those who have niggles like Doug Tuck, it's a tough position that Jack and Robbie are in.

Despite the lack of players we are on a good run.

From what I've heard, Burgess Hill was not the easiest game to watch - it was not great to play in either!

I think the penalty we got was a bit dubious but it does work both ways so you have to take the rough with the smooth.

Fair play to them though as we were holding on for the last 30 minutes.

We kept going and managed to get the second which meant the scoreline was probably a bit flattering given that Dan pulled off a couple of worldies and we were under the cosh for large periods.

What was good was that we dug in and did the ugly side of the game as I don't think we have a problem doing the nice things.

If we take Brightlingsea out of it then our form has been good. That game was a car crash of a night.

We had a lot of players missing and it took four and half hours to get there,.

We then had a ten minute warm-up before playing and we did really struggle.

I've got to mention the lad Kaleem [Haitham] who stepped in from Chichester as he did really well to come in for us.

If I would have received a call asking if I fancied playing for another team away in Essex

on a Tuesday evening then I'm not sure I would have done it!

These are the things that happen in non-league though, when you get as many injuries as we have.

I have to admit the situation is probably the worse since I have been here at the club.

We are lucky that up front Jimmy Muitt is on fire and Mason is playing well.

I think the biggest absence will probably be Gary as you can tell the difference when he doesn't play.

He organises the defence and wins the first header.

Jack must be having an absolute headache trying to get players in.

The chances are that if people are already good enough for this level then they will be signed up already.

It's hard to find people who are not only local and good enough but also who are prepared to play at our level with the budget the club has.

Whatever happens, we will do our absolute best on Saturday against Potters Bar and East Grinstead on Tuesday.

I like the Sussex Senior Cup and have played at The Amex two or three times. It is an unbelievable stadium.

The reason is that it is very rare that you can enjoy a game of football. There's less pressure than in the league which means you tend to play with a bit more freedom.

It will be tough but there's no saying that we cannot carry on our form at the moment.

We had a good Christmas period and when you have a good period you want games to come thick and fast.

The table is tight and there are only a few points between the playoffs and bottom half I think in the next few weeks we will start to see some separation.

I like to think that if we pick up a few good wins we will be right back up there towards the back end of the season.

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