August 2018
SUSSEX LOCAL
Barnham - Aldingbourne - Eastergate - Oving - Tangmere - Westergate
Local news and events through the door to 5,400 homes in this area every month
COMMUNITY ENERGY
Power to the people
LOCAL NEWS
Charity, Community & Parish Council
GARDENING
Sussex Prairie Gardens
WIN TICKETS! Spirit of the Horse at Fontwell Park
PLUS
What’s On, Local Walks, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Puzzles Local news, Local groups & charity, Business Directory
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August 2018 Cover image Boxgrove Priory ruins courtesy of Mrs Sheila Mills
Welcome... So the school summer holidays are upon us, let’s hope the warm weather lasts. Our What’s On guide starting on page 4 has plenty of ideas to keep the children amused over the summer break and more events are listed on our website at sussexlocal.net This month our main charity feature is on Community Energy South (CES) a not-forprofit organisation helping generate and supply local energy and reduce fuel poverty. See page 25. Our August recipe is for feta and herb couscous, a healthy and delicious barbecue accompaniment. See page 12. Horse lovers should see our competition on page 10 to win tickets to see ’Spirit of the Horse’. This impressive touring show held in a 2,000 seat arena at Fontwell Park promises beautiful dancing horses, thrilling stunt riding and even a winged Pegasus! We also have a profile on local charity Extra Cover (p14). Helping Sri Lanka’s poorest children, they recently organised a fundraising walk from Bognor to Brighton pier. As usual we are pleased to bring news from the area’s Parish councils starting on page 28. We are proud to promote the valuable work of local councils and support the volunteers who do so much for our communities. Please do get in touch if you have any local news you wish to publicise. Happy holidays!
Kris & Jeff
Quote of the month “Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” - VAN MORRISON Disclaimer - Whilst advertisements are printed in good faith, Sussex Local (Kay Publishing Ltd) is an independent company and does not endorse products or services that appear in this magazine. Sussex Local cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions or claims made by contributors. The views and opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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...........................................................................What’s On ...................................WIN! Tickets to Spirit of the Horse .................................................................................Recipe ...............................................Charity Profile - Extra Cover ............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page .................................................................Prize Crossword ........................................................................Local Walks ....................................................................In Your Garden .........................................................Charity & Community ....................................Community Energy Charity Profile ...................................Aldingbourne Parish Council News .........................................Barnham Parish Council News ......................................Eastergate Parish Council News ........................................Tangmere Parish Council News .............................................................Business Directory ...........................................................Index of Advertisers
SUSSEX & CHICHESTER LOCAL 01903 868 474
info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH Sussex Local & Chichester Local magazines are published monthly and delivered free to over 37,700 West Sussex addresses. There are six editions and display advertising starts at just £24 a month per edition. Business Directory adverts £10 per month per edition.
1. Arundel edition - Arundel, Amberley, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total addresses - 6,400 2. Barnham edition - Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate, Aldingbourne, Oving, & Tangmere Total addresses - 5,400 3. Chichester edition - Chichester centre & suburbs Total addresses - 7,800 4. Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total addresses - 6,200 5. Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common. Total addresses - 5,500 6. Storrington edition - Storrington, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total addresses - 6,400 The combined circulation of all six editions is over 37,700 addresses.
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What’s On
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What’s On
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10 Competition
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Win tickets to Spirit of the Horse: Renaissance Sunday 19th August, 2pm at Fontwell Park Racecourse Featuring a cast of equestrian stars including Arabians, Friesians and Lusitanos as well as Thundering Cossack Horses and stunning ‘dancing’ Andalusians – the classic horse of Spain. Choreographed to a specially-arranged musical score, blending spectacle, dramatic action, humour and aweinspiring lighting, Spirit of the Horse: Renaissance weaves the magic of myth and legend through man’s bonding with his oldest and most trusted ally - the horse. For more info visit www.spiritofthehorseshow.com
Win tickets to Spirit of the Horse Spirit of the Horse: Renaissance is staged in the specially designed Equestrian Touring Theatre’s 2,000 seat arena with state of the art lighting and sound. This is truly a world-class show appealing to all ages – and not just those who enthuse about horses. Firmly established as one of the country’s most popular touring shows, having been seen by more than one and a half million people, Spirit of the Horse has won a unique place in the hearts and minds of the British public, consistently performing before large audiences of all ages.
To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: Which country is the Andalusian horse from? a) Cyprus b) Greece c) Spain Send your answer and contact details to: Spirit of the Horse Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 14th August 2018. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.
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12 Recipe
Feta & Herb Couscous A healthy & delicious accompaniment to BBQ’s Ingredients - serves 4
150g couscous, ready to use
1 x 250g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and drained
225g small plum tomatoes, halved
2-3 tbsp mixed fresh herbs
175g feta cheese, cubed
2 red onion, finely chopped
6 tbsp vinaigrette dressing
Salt and pepper
To serve
110g mange touts
1/2 cucumber sliced
Mixed salad leaves
Method 1) Prepare the couscous as directed. Allow to cool. 2) In a large salad bowl mix the chickpeas, tomatoes, herbs, feta cheese and red onion together and season to taste. Stir in the couscous and the dressing. 3) Mix the green salad ingredients together in another bowl and serve alongside the couscous. Cookery Courses for all Why not give a Voucher for the perfect gift? Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk
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14 Charity Profile
Extra Cover Helping Sri Lanka’s poorest children Extra Cover was set up by Chichester Businessman Matthew Hansford and his wife Jill in 2004 in the wake of the Boxing Day tsunami tragedy.
Matthew with a family helped by Extra Cover
The charity helps some of Sri Lanka’s poorest school children. Extra Cover provides 28 extremely remote village schools with the basic essentials of food (feeding over 1000 children every school day), clean water and toilets. In addition, it provides text books and, as funds allow, renovates classrooms, installs playground equipment, runs tea and cinnamon growing cooperatives and provides extra food for those in dire need.
The trustees regularly visit the area (at their own expense) to ensure each and every penny is spent exactly where it can best help. This has resulted in other initiatives: including opening three small schools for children with disabilities. Before Extra Cover, disability meant no school, at all, ever. Extra Cover has purchased a number of 3-wheeled ‘tuk tuks’. This has given many disabled children their first opportunity to go to school which in turn enables them to understand how to be in a social situation and therefore become more acceptable to their society. When the children first arrive, they find it very difficult to be with others, but within a few months they have permanent smiles on their faces and are having fun with their new friends. Extra Cover has built 2 Vocational Training Schools for disabled young adults, giving them the opportunity to learn a skill that can help them at home or to earn money in the future. Several have already started their own small businesses (with the help of some seed money from Extra Cover) and hopefully many more will follow. On Sunday 1st July Matthew organised a sponsored walk from Bognor pier to Brighton pier in aid of the charity. The walk was kindly supported by Woods Travel who supplied a coach for the whole day.
Matthew told us, “You may well think it is a hardship to walk 27 miles in a day but these Sri Lankan children have endured more physical hardships in their young lives than most of us ever will”. He continued, “Jill, Robert, Newton and I have organised and overseen the charity for 13 years now. We have seen how Extra Cover has changed children's lives, so please support us and help raise funds. A small donation would mean so much: just £5 pays for a day’s breakfast for all at a small school, £10 buys textbooks for a whole class, £30 feeds a child at school for a year.” Matthew also confirmed that the Charities’ expenses are kept to well below 5% which is reassuring for anyone considering supporting them. To learn more about the excellent work of Extra Cover please visit www.extracover.org.uk At the time of printing the Pier to Pier walk had nearly raised their £10,000 target. There is still time to make a donation, please visit www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/extracover Some of the Extra Cover Pier to Pier walkers 37 completed the full 27 miles on 1st July
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16 Puzzles
Young Readers’ Puzzle Page Wordsearch - Big Find the listed words in the grid. Words may be hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and in either a forwards or backwards direction.
BROAD HUGE MASSIVE
ENORMOUS HEAVY IMMENSE JUMBO MIGHTY VAST
Anagram Trace the lines connecting the circles to find out what the 2nd word is
HEFTY LARGE WEIGHTY
Maze
Win a pair of tickets to Help the pirate find her treasure chest! Start at the arrow on the top of the maze.
Win a pair of tickets to Pirates on the Run: a colourful bouncy fun run for all the family, to raise treasure for St Wilfred’s Hospice. At Chichester High School from 11am on 1st September. Dress up as a pirate, go on a treasure hunt, and much more! Please send your completed entry to: Pirates on the Run, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or scan and email to: competitions@sussexlocal.net
Closing date of competition will be Monday 20th August. Winner will be first entry drawn.
Name: .......................................................................... Age: .............................................................................. Full address: ................................................................ ...................................................................................... Postcode: ..................................................................... Email: ........................................................................... Phone: .......................................................................... Mobile: .........................................................................
Crossword
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Prize Crossword
Win a ÂŁ10 Marks & Spencer voucher
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Barnham August 2018 June 2018 answer below:
Winner: Leslie Lynton from Tangmere. Congratulations and thank you to all who entered. Finish the crossword and fill out the box below with the letters from the shaded squares. Work out the anagram
Down
Across 1 9 10 11 12 13 16 18 21 22 23 24
Difficult and intricate (11) Essential (5) Small numbered cube (3) Take hold of (5) Functions correctly (5) Individuality (8) Wrapper for a letter (8) Bronze medal position (5) Picture border (5) Not new (3) Verbalise (5) Reason given for doing something (11)
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 17 19 20
Policeman or policewoman (7) State of being very poor (7) Purpose (6) Permit (5) Senior figure in a tribe (5) Differentiation (11) Quantification (11) Without flaws (7) Cigarette constituent (7) Country (6) Alphabetical list in a book (5) Lived (anag) (5)
Name: ............................................................................................................... Full address: .................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................... Postcode: .......................................................................................................... Email: ................................................................................................................ Phone:............................................................................................................... Mobile: ............................................................................................................. Answer from yellow box: ..................................................................................
Send the word above to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter it online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 31st August 2018.
Win a ÂŁ10
M&S voucher voucher provided by
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18 Walks
Local Walks - August These walks are supported by Chichester District Council, are led by volunteers and are designed to cater for all ages and abilities. No booking is required but please arrive 10 mins before the walk is due to start. Dogs are welcome unless otherwise stated but must be kept on the lead. Timings are for guidelines only. If the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled, if unsure please check, contact 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk. L = Walk Leader Wed 1st Fri 3rd Sat 4th
Mon 6th Tues 7th Mon 13th Wed 15th
Sun 19th Tues 21st Tue 21st Thurs 23rd Fri 24th
Wed 29th Thurs 30th Fri 31st
10:30 am Bignor Hill L: Chloe 2 hrs Circular walk from Bignor Hill returning through The Rise of Northwood project area. Meet in Bignor Hill car park 10:30 am Sidlesham to Church Norton L: Peter 2 hrs A walk along the foreshore to the Saxon church of St Wilfrid's. Meet in Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve car park 9 am Isle of Wight - Ryde L: Dominic All day Bring water and lunch. Approx. cost ÂŁ12. Meet at Chichester or Barnham Train Station. Contact Chichester Wellbeing to book your place info@chichesterwellbeing.org.uk or 01243 521041 10:30 am Petworth Ancient Trees Walk L: Gerald 2 hrs Fascinating walk through the trees from 350-800 years old. Meet in Petworth Park, London Road, north car park 10:30 am Slindon Park Lane L: Janet 1 hr 30 mins A walk through the woods and up onto the Downs. Meet in National Trust Car Park, Park Lane, Slindon, BN18 10:30 am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins Meet at Chichester Canal, PO19 8DT 10:30 am Kingley Vale L: Peter 2 hrs Enjoy a walk around the perimeter of this beautiful Nature Reserve containing one of the finest yew forests in Europe. Meet in West Stoke car park, Downs Road, PO18 9BE 10:30 am Burpham L: Dominic 2 hrs Hilly walk with some stiles. Lovely views. Meet in the public car park behind the George at Burpham, BN18 9RR 10:30 am Chichester City Walls L: Janet 1 hr Meet by the aviary just inside the entrance to Priory Park in Guildhall Street 10:30 am Buriton Village L: Bruce 2 hrs Hilly walk in Ludgersham Copse and Buriton Chalk Pits. Meet at Buriton Church 10:30 am Sutton Common L: Peter 2 hrs Through woodlands and sandy heathland. Meet at Lord's Piece car park 10:30 am West Marden L: Jane 2 hrs 30 mins A pleasant walk with some hills and stiles through woodland and open countryside with some good views. Meet in West Marden on the corner of Noredown Way 10:45 am Arun Riverbank L: Dominic 2 hrs Flat river bank walk returning by same route. Meet at Arun Yacht Club 10.30am Stoughton Down L: Jane 2 hrs 30 mins Meet at Stoughton Down Car Park - Forestry Commission car park east of Stoughton on the sharp bend 10:30am Amberley Village L: Peter 2 hrs Through Amberley village and back round the castle and along the river Arun. Meet at car park at Amberley Station
4 miles 4 miles --
4 miles 3.5 miles 1 mile 4 miles
4 miles 1 mile 4 miles 4.5 miles 5 miles
4 miles 5.5 miles 4 miles
Gardening
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In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens farm. Not only that, they created a huge Herrigbone Sussex Prairie Gardens irrigation network to stop the clay from collecting water The Wild West on our doorstep and water logging the dry-loving Prairie plants. They
then had a two and a half week planting party where friends and relatives planted solidly for a fortnight. “We just fed and watered them and then fed and watered them!” “It was a risk. We used all our money and it was a leap into the unknown but we knew it would pay off.” In ten years they have not only created an award winning garden where bus-loads of garden lovers arrive each day, but also a community. Currently they have students from France, Russia and China, an army of volunteers who love spending time in the garden and artists who exhibit their work amongst the great grasses and tall flower stems. “It has become a whole life for us. We treat our volunteers well with cake and tea and work beside them. We have students from three or four colleges plus
Decades ago, when Pauline met Paul, a Scotsman tending the Commonwealth War Graves in the Somme, she not only met the unequivocal love of her life, but their union began an adventure into the horticultural world of Prairie flora that has dazzled the South of England for the last 10 years. With 35,000 plants, it is Britain’s largest Prairie or ‘Naturalistic’ gardens. Pauline and Paul travelled through Europe designing people’s gardens until a billionaire businessman in Luxembourg commissioned them to design his garden. He took on board Piet Oldorf as an advisor, the European ‘Rembrandt’ of planting combinations and leader in a style that was just beginning to sweep across Europe and the rest of the world. Over the next few years, Pauline and Paul took master classes in this Prairie style of planting. For 10 years they worked on a single garden until they decided to realise their dream of bringing their skills back to the UK to create their own public garden. Pauline returned to the farm she grew up on and they embarked upon turning it into a prairie amidst the placid cows and hay bales just outside Henfield. They grew thousands of plants from seed and brought in hundreds of tonnes of soil to improve the clay of the
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20 Gardening some from Sheffield University. We have also been accepted as an RHS garden recently. We run all sorts of garden workshops and work experience programmes as well.” Pauline agreed with me about the whole world now coming to them. “Yes but we still love to travel. Obviously we can only leave in the Winter but last year we went to South India and were so inspired that we have now created a little tropical garden as you enter the main space” Why the Prairie style? Pauline can’t say exactly but her eyes brim with passion before she shoots off to serve a customer a slice of one of her cakes. When she comes back she talks about the beauty of this style. ‘Most English gardens peak in the Spring and early Summer. Prairie plants come into their own in late Summer and Autumn as that is how long they take to develop in the mild English weather. We do add bulbs for Spring interest and over the years we have added strong Winter structural plants like Ilex crenata and Hornbeam. “Prairie plants have so much to give. The leaf texture, stem colour and structure, seed heads and flowers. We even factor in the way the buds look. We restrict the planting pallet to create strong visual impact.”
Ornamental grasses, so often looking like out of place in suburban gardens, come into their own in this garden and because flowers are woven in amongst them the whole effect is like a wild tapestry. How do you maintain this many hectares? As well as an army of volunteers the sprinkler is on permanently at the moment, and it takes a full 6 weeks of moving it to different areas to cover the whole garden - and then they start again. “In the late winter we wait till its a very still and dry day and then burn everything to the ground, just as it would happen in the wild.” Anyone nervous about pruning their grasses or prairie originated perennials should take note of this! Pauline and Paul have created a space one wants to revisit. The tea house is a comfortable, eccentric mix of found objects, coloured throws, chairs and sofas and they even have a little nursery selling more unusual plants.
Gardening
through the door The passion and generosity of the founders is everywhere. When I asked if she had kids Pauline told me evenly - “This is our baby” Any more ambitions to expand? “We don’t think so. We have enough work to keep up with everything here. We would like to do a garden at Chelsea. We are just waiting for the right sponsor to come along!” Where to visit this August Sussex Prairie Gardens, Morlands Farm, Wheatsheaf Road (B2116), near Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9AT Opening until the 14th October 1pm to 5pm open every afternoon apart from Tuesdays. Plus events coming up at Sussex Prairie Gardens including: 17th-27th August - Indian Summer Bizarre - 5 big marquees 2nd September - Unusual Plant and Garden Fairspecialised nurseries Visit www.sussexprairies.co.uk for more details.
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August tasks Keep up the watering in this sustained hot weather, especially with plants in pots and new plants. Top up the mulch to retain moisture and keep weeds down Keep pinching out your tomatoes and sowing new rills of lettuce, radishes and spinach Prune the bigger shrubs that have just finished flowering like Wygelia, Philadelpus, and Sprireacut out the old flowering wood back to new growth that next year’s flowers will bloom from Mow your lawn on a higher setting to keep moisture in the grass and help mitigate against summer browning Apply a nitrogen feed if Red Thread fungus is taking over your lawn Sit and relax in your favourite garden chair or hammock things slow down in the garden now, and so can you!
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Sussex Snippets Places are filling up fast for an exclusive Arundel Castle Abseil organised by Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice. The two-day event involves abseiling 180ft down the iconic Bake House Tower at Arundel Castle while raising vital funds for local life-limited children and their families. Places are available for Friday 28 September. For the chance to abseil, sign up now at www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/arundelabseil Primary school children in West Sussex are being invited to fight plastic pollution by taking part in a global Plastic Planet Challenge. West Sussex Council is urging all of its primary schools to take part. Schools can access a range of great resources to explore plastic and recycling in the classroom and will be invited to ask their children to design a plastic pollution poster. The winning designs will be made into a customised design on a refillable drinking water bottle. Schools can find out more about the challenge by visiting www.wastebuster.global More than 40 West Sussex projects, from a choral festival to a drop in centre for veterans, have embraced a new funding scheme. The West Sussex Crowd brings together worthwhile projects which aim to improve their local areas, with those willing to offer funding and support. So far £22,657 has been donated. West Sussex
SUSSEX LOCAL County Council is also making a £330,000 Community Initiative Fund available to pledge to projects on the site. To upload an idea or pledge support, visit: www.westsussexcrowd.org.uk The new West Sussex Care Guide 2018/19 is now available. It is full of useful information and advice about the adult social care services that are available around West Sussex. The guide lists day care providers, extra care provision and more. The Care Quality Comission recently surveyed 1000 people looking for adult care either for themselves or a loved one with 70% saying the process was more stressful than finding a wedding venue or a school for a child. The Guide is available online or as a printed book, which can be found in libraries and GP surgeries across the county. View online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/careguide CLA South East, an organisation which represents landowners and farmers across Sussex, is urging the public to respect the countryside this summer. They warn not to litter, fly-tip or leave dog litter, as severe penalties will be served. Not picking up dog litter can result in sickness in sheep and cattle. For more information visit www.cla.org.uk The third Behind Closed Doors conference bought together national experts and local public services to discuss how to prevent the rise of criminal exploitation in the area. The conference focussed on how to identify and protect vulnerable people in the community, and particularly the rising threat of so-called ‘county lines’. This is where drug gangs from urban areas, particularly London, recruit children and adults in more rural areas to sell drugs for them. Recent statistics have shown that 50 per cent of the drug lines into West Sussex come into Worthing. Speaking at the conference, Mark Pearson, a national expert on criminal exploitation, praised the level of cooperation in Adur and Worthing between community and public service organisations. A joint letter signed by the leaders of Adur and Worthing Councils states that schools in West Sussex would receive almost £100 extra per pupil a year if the government funded the county. The letter to the Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds, points out that West Sussex has the eighth lowest funding per primary school pupil in the country and the sixth lowest for secondary school pupils. The letter has been sent to the Chancellor, Philip Hammond and all West Sussex MPs. Sussex Wildlife Trust wants to provide wild activities for thousands of children in Sussex this year. Children’s contact with the natural world is in decline. Only 10% of children now spend time in wild places, compared to 40% of their parents when they were young. Sussex Wildlife Trust is ready to provide wild activities for thousands of children in Sussex this year, with their new programme 'Rewild a Child'. They need your support to help them raise the remaining £60,000 for the programme. To find out more visit sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/get-involved/appeals
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Happy 100th Birthday Priory Park! The Friends of Priory Park and Priory Park Festival combine for 10 days of birthday celebrations in the Park from Saturday 22nd – Sunday 30th September. 100 years ago this September the Park was given by the 7th Duke of Richmond and Gordon to the people of the City, for their leisure and as a perpetual memorial to the fallen in the First World War. Find out more at www.priorypark100.com
Roman remains in Priory Park Local archaeologists returned to Priory Park in Chichester in July for a second public dig to uncover more of the Roman secrets hidden beneath the ground. This year’s project extended the work carried out last year, which uncovered the very well preserved remains of part of a Roman bath-house, complete with its underfloor heating system, probably part of a luxurious Roman townhouse, occupied by one of the city’s wealthiest citizens. The dig was led by Chichester District Council’s own archaeologist, James Kenny, with volunteers from the Chichester and District Archaeology Society. Two years ago the remains of three Roman buildings were identified using penetrating radar equipment. The discovery was confirmed following a small dig carried out by James and the volunteers in 2016.
Scans appear to show two large masonry houses, which would now be the equivalent to Chichester’s grand Pallant House Gallery building, and would have been owned by someone of great importance. The 2017 dig showed that the third building was part of a small but well-appointed bath suite, probably privately owned and associated with an affluent nearby town-house. Datable pottery and coins indicate that it was built after the 2nd century AD and used until the 4th. The find is of great national importance because it so unusual to find the remains of Roman buildings that have survived in such a good condition in a built up area. Find out more at www.cdas.info
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Unleash your laugh Harnessing laughter as a form of exercise may sound strange, but it works! Laughter "yoga" is the latest buzzword in health and wellbeing - it's fun, sociable, enjoyable and has many benefits for the body, mind and soul. Try a one day workshop on Saturday 18th August at the Wave Community Centre in Worthing (£45) or as a one hour session on Monday 23rd August at the Norfolk Arms Ballroom, Arundel (£6). Contact Lesley 01903 212349/07557 932293
Arundel Rotary New President
This year Arundel Rotary Club will be focusing on local needs within the communities of Arundel, Angmering, Slindon, Barnham, Yapton and the surrounding hamlets. Keen to drive this further is their new incoming President Fiona Rose. Currently Fiona has a small Interior Architecture firm based in heart of Arundel. Prior to that she worked for the British Council who sent her all over Africa to countries in great conflict to help work with the leaders on negotiating. On return to England she was offered a post at Sussex University as a lecturer in the same field. Fiona says “I’m a firm believer in leading from the front. I’d never ask anyone to do anything I wouldn’t do. Rotarians are hard to find. You need a genuine desire to help those in need, a driving force to handle the things you see and feel, be able to work through the unexpected and maintain a professional attitude to service at all times”. This year the club will abseil down the castle walls for Chestnut Tree House, run the Brighton marathon for Cancer United (an Angmering based charity), provide engineering services and funds for the Arundel Lido swimming pool. They will also carry on the beach clean movement in Littlehampton and Climping, and bring an amazing band to Arundel to raise funds for the local youth club. Also, rumour has it a crazy dragon boat team called the Rotary Dragons are racing in the Arundel Festival. Visit www.arundelrotary.org to find out more.
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Charity Profile
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Community Energy Helping power the community by Lynn Smith Climate Change is something that concerns most of us. Fossil fuels have had their day, gas and oil reserves are dwindling. But many of us are confused, not to say disheartened, when we read that governments are still providing fossil fuel generators with subsidies, and that the United Kingdom has dropped well behind the rest of Europe in terms of green energy. But it isn’t simply a matter of personal concern: over the next decade the UK must prepare to meet national energy targets by moving to low carbon technologies. Seeking guidance from your local authority may not provide a great deal of clarity – most local authorities are wrestling budget cuts and the threat of future reductions in core funding; even with the best will in the world, green energy may not be top of their agendas. More and more, people are seeking greener solutions themselves; looking locally for like-minded people who share their concerns and desire to find a different way to produce energy. But finding or establishing a group in your own community or organisation is only the first step. Where do you go from there, how do you translate the desire into the deed?
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Community Energy South Community Energy South (CES) is a not for profit organisation providing information to local community energy groups and helping them to connect with more experienced energy developers and so achieve their goals. So, what is community energy? CES‘s definition is that it is people coming together to reduce energy use, and purchase, manage and generate low carbon heat and power that community energy projects are often delivered collectively by a group or organisation; focussing upon engagement, local leadership and strong positive outcomes for the local community. Community groups often have distinct, specific localised goals with an overarching benefit of tackling climate change, energy security and making energy affordable.
Community Energy South Put simply, CES helps groups generate and supply local energy, develop a local energy service, and reduce fuel poverty. How it does this is explained by Office Co-ordinator Liz Sleeper: “We run training and networking events; we support groups in grant applications; we provide a regular newsletter full of information about activities and we support the Big Energy Saving Network and its community energy champions to provide bill checking and switching advice to those in fuel poverty.” When was it born? Set up in 2014 by Ovesco, (Ouse Valley Energy Services) a community benefit company run by local volunteers for the local community in East Sussex, CES is an umbrella organisation and regional hub enabling its members to grow themselves as sustainable low carbon businesses in the South East of England. Local groups range from the Cuckmere Community Solar Company - where the community is set to become joint owners of a part-commercial, partcommunity owned solar farm - to Energise Sussex Coast - whose projects include rethinking energy production in order to benefit the local community and eradicate fuel poverty.
26 Charity Profile Who is behind CES? The driving forces behind CES are: Ollie Pendered, Chair and Director of Partnerships, and Directors Kayla Ente, Chris Rowlands and Richard Watson, all of whom have strong Community Energy credentials and commitment. Chris Rowlands has been with the organisation since its inception and he explains the ethos behind CES as: “Not for profit. The ethos of the community groups is to recycle any profits made back into their local communities. We have a vision of community owned renewable energy and fair energy supply to residents in the South East.” Projects
SUSSEX LOCAL “Particularly,” Chris Rowland says, “to work on the Big Energy Saving Network which advises people, particularly those in fuel poverty, on how to switch and or reduce bills.” In 2016-17 CES supported twenty energy advisors across the region whose services included setting up local energy advice clinics, giving individual energy bills a health check and offering advice on home energy. Wind energy
Chris Rowlands gives examples of the organisation’s projects in West Sussex: “CES has a community owned 5MW solar farm at Merston, Chichester, called Meadow Blue. We have a community energy group called SOLESCO – also Chichester based, and one called HKD energy (Hassocks Keymer and Ditchling).” CES’s advice is open to everyone regardless of their financial situation and the organisation is especially looking for more volunteers in West Sussex and Kent. Chris Rowlands advises that, ideally, volunteers should have some background or experience in energy, councils, legal, financial or social and cooperative areas.
“CES has a community owned 5MW solar farm” Liz expands the list: “We support some really exciting projects including Ovesco's "Sunny Schools” a project to put solar on 25 schools in East Sussex - the project will be funded by share offers which are opening shortly. We are also still looking for schools who would like to take part … Ovesco are particularly keen to find schools open to installing solar on their roofs and reducing their fuel bills significantly. “CES also supported the village of Balcombe with their "Riding Sunbeams" re-power project, which is a ground-breaking project to get solar into the National Rail Grid.” Who runs CES? At present CES is staffed by two part time paid employees, plus Directors and volunteers, and has recently received EU funding from LoCASE (Low Carbon across the South East). Working with the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform, CES can provide twelve hours of specialist support and a £10,000 grant scheme for Community Energy Groups or Community Organisations to develop new renewable energy, innovation and energy efficiency projects. The organisation is keen to find more volunteers.
through the door There is plenty for volunteers to be involved in – CES is setting up a grant giving charity, which they hope will launch in the next few months, and which will provide small grants to community and other organisations to set up community energy projects and teach people about renewable energy. Challenges Unusually for a not-for-profit organisation, when asked about key challenges CES doesn’t mention funding but rather education. What Chris Rowlands describes as, “A lack of understanding about the significant benefits for local communities from community energy projects. Decision makers don’t always recognise that there are both financial and social benefits from having such projects in these areas. We are,” he adds, “way behind countries like Denmark and Germany in this regard.” Liz Sleeper echoes this when she says, “Because so many of our projects are pioneering, there is often a big learning curve for people before they grasp the benefit.” In 2017 the first State of the Sector report was issued by Community Energy England, setting a benchmark for annual community energy generation, energy savings and CO2 projects in England Wales and Northern Ireland. The second report was launched in June of this year and amongst its key findings is a call for clearer strategy from government and local
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authorities; a warning that the sector faces increased risks due to retractions and reductions of subsidy and tax incentives and – hearteningly – the resilience of the community energy sector in the face of difficult conditions. Community Energy South offers consumers the chance to take some control over how their energy is produced, becoming actively engaged in the production of energy - as individuals and as a community. Find out more about Community Energy South at www.communityenergysouth.org To get involved or find out more about the Sunny Schools Project email patrick@ovesco.co.uk, To get involved or find out more about Big Energy Saving Advisors please could you email membership@communityenergysouth.org.uk To get more information about LoCASE email ollie.pendered@communityenergysouth.org
SUSSEX LOCAL
28 Parish Council News
Aldingbourne Council
He reported that the majority of the comments made about the Planning service were not complimentary.
Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting 3rd July 2018
Community Land Trust Steering Group
District and County Council reports Members were very disappointed that no District Councillors had attended the meeting for the third month in a row, which made engagement with Arun District Council even more challenging. New Clerk 1st April 2019 Members noted that the process to appoint a new Clerk would start in August 2018 with a meeting with Trevor Leggo of SSALC who would be handling the appointment process. It was envisaged that a handover period would assist the new Clerk in providing a seamless transition. The vacancy will be advertised in September 2018 and interested candidates should contact the Clerk. Cllr Warden attended the Arun District Association of Local Councils AGM It was noted that this forum was becoming generally less effective and Members discussed if this was because of Arun District Councils general perceived unwillingness to engage with Parishes. Cllr Warden also attended the Arun Planning Department Peer Review and gave feedback from the Parish Council.
Barnham Parish Council Hiring the Village Hall Barnham Community Hall is easily accessible by road, rail and foot. There is ample free parking on site and full disabled facilities. The Hall has a total of four event spaces which can be hired separately or as part of a package. The Hall also has a fully-equipped, catering-grade kitchen and separate bar area which can serve both the Murrells Hall and the Cutten Room. The Hall is situated within 8 acres of beautiful green space with access to a children's playground and multi-use game area. What’s on? There is always a lot going on at Barnham Hall. Some of the upcoming events include: Community Coffee Morning - every Wednesday from
10.15am - 12pm. Drop in any time to meet fellow
Members noted that progress was being made and that the legal form of the Land Trust had been agreed and also an appropriate bank account for the grants available for set up. A housing need questionnaire was to be designed and circulated in Aldingbourne Barnham and Eastergate. Also agreed to start the process of acquiring the affordable housing element of the Wing Nursery site for the Community Land Trust. Once the Trusts own web site is finished all information regarding local affordable housing will be found there. Parish Newsletter The Editor requires 4 weeks to prepare the newsletter so all contributions should be sent to the Clerk by the end of July 2018 Village Signs Cllr Harbord agreed to have some plans and designs drawn up and now had the appropriate paperwork required by WSCC. Footpaths No 299 (Lamorna Gardens to Hook Lane). This will be cleared by the local volunteer group. www.aldingbourne.arun.gov.uk villagers and friends and enjoy a coffee and a chat. Everybody welcome. £1.50 entry. For more information please ring 01243 551167 Apulstock
- Saturday 18th of August from 11am - 10:30pm. A festival of live music, see more at www.apulstock.co.uk
Quiz Night - Friday 28th September - 7pm. £3 entry
per person £6 with a ploughman's supper. Licensed cash bar and raffle. Teams of up to 6. Call 01243 278110 to book a table. Further Quiz Nights on 26th October and 23rd November.
Autumn Wedding Fayre - Sunday 7th October 11 -
3.30pm. Come along and talk to hand picked, local suppliers about unique ideas for your wedding day or special occasion. Free entry.
There are a host of other activities going on at the village hall including; Al-anon meetings, baby ballet classes, Tai Chi classes, child health clinics, Girl Guides, kickboxing, Pilates, a retired musicians workshop, a Spiritualist Pioneer Centre, sewing buddies and Squirrels Den Day Care. To find out more or to hire out the hall, please visit www.barnhamcommunityhall.org or call 01243 278110
through the door
Eastergate Parish Council Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 7th June 2018. County and District Councillors’ report District Councillor Mr Hughes advised the outcome of the engineer’s inspection at 97 Barnham Road. It was felt that the hole complained of could be anything. County Councillor, Mr Whittington mentioned crossings over the railway line being part of useful discussions with the Church Commissioners. Project and Facilities reports Members had received written reports, with supporting documents, from the above. Hall bookings for May were very good. The cricket pavilion gets considerable use in the summer with lots of children involved. Members noted that the cricket club invited all councillors to the president’s match. As long term users were taking the Table Tennis slot at the hall, efforts were being made to encourage the Table Tennis club to utilize the Pavilion. The coffee morning was a continuing success and efforts were being made to cut costs. It was recommended that the hall refuse now only needed to be collected once every fortnight as non-user rubbish was no longer being received in the lockable bin. There was very positive feedback regarding the film
Tangmere Parish Council Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Village Centre Committee Meeting held on 5 June 2018 Management Team reports A query was raised as to whether Barnham Trojans under 13 football team really do require a full sized pitch; Cllr Birkett was to double-check and to clarify the team must hire the changing rooms – it is a package deal. The accessible toilet was discussed and it was agreed to remove the rigid bar and assess further whether the provision was adequate. Projects a) Tarmacing of the Village Centre car park – Cllr Irwin tabled plans for the resurfacing of the car park which had been submitted to Chichester District Council (CDC) for pre-application advice. The recommended material is a permeable paving product manufactured by SureSet (www.sureset.co.uk/ commercial-paving/car-park-surfaces) although quotes for the work have yet to be sought. b) Replacement of the Village Centre front doors – ideally this project will link the youth hall/café and the foyer and create an air lock between the front doors and the foyer. A concept designer is required to develop the project.
Parish Council News
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night which was sold out and mention was made of the Wedding Fair and the Bellacapella choir concert. Funds now gathered were sufficient to fund 1.5 defibrillators. © N Chadwick (cc-by-sa/2.0) A budget meeting between the Clerk and the Chairman was to take place on the 12th June. The Project Manager’s report was noted. Members thanked Mr Marsden for his efforts in resolving difficulties with Microsoft. The website address will need to be changed to https from http. This is a government requirement and will cost £350.00 plus VAT for 2 years. It was suggested that a re-direct be arranged on the ADC website to automatically transfer traffic to the new website. The possibility of providing a locked skip for pavilion users was discussed with emptying once per fortnight. The possibility of a donation towards the cost from the cricket club was considered. National Lottery Grant for Eastergate A grant from the National Lottery Awards for All has been awarded to EPC for £9346 for the Multi-Media Audio Visual Project to upgrade Eastergate Village Hall. This work is expected to be undertaken in September 2018. www.eastergate.arun.gov.uk c) Village Fete (16 September 2018), Cllr Ware is leading this project and in his absence there was no further discussion. d) Village café – the (c) tangmere-museum.org.uk pop-up café for the Royal Wedding had not been the success that had been hoped. More regular, routine opening should be pursued. e) Stage sound, lighting and projection – quotes received for the upgrade of lighting in the main hall were considered – total costs will be in the region of £25,000 and it was agreed to apply for New Homes Bonus/S106 funding for this project. An application is to be considered at the Finance Committee on 19 June 2018. f) Emptying of container – it is time to get rid of the contents of the container. g) Painting of the main hall A quotation received for the painting of the main hall and dado rail. It was agreed that a second quotation be sought and that the decision be delegated to the Management team to select the contractor for the work – subject to maximum expenditure to £1,250 www.tangmere-online.co.uk
SUSSEX LOCAL
30 Business Directory
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Aerials & Satellites FT Solutions.TV Ltd 26 Bathrooms Bathe in Safety 27 Coastline Bathrooms 32 Beauty Therapy Elm Lodge Beauty Studio 7 Blinds Direct Blinds 22 Carpets and Curtains TJ Interiors 7 Cleaning Astonish Cleaning 25 Conservatories & Garden Rooms Greenspace (UK) Limited 13 Council Littlehampton Town Council 33 Elderly Care Barnham Manor Ltd 9 Oakland Grange 15 Garage Doors The Doors Group Limited 13 Garden Design Glorious Gardens 19 Shakespeares Landscapes 19
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Garden Services Lawn Science (Chichester) 20 Holiday Park Lakeside Holiday Village 24 Home Care Angelcare Southern Ltd 24 Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd 25 Kitchen Doors Dream Doors 2 Mortgages Award Mortgages Southern Ltd 11 Roofing and Gutters The Roof and Gutter People 12 Tree Surgeon Ashwood Tree Surgery 20 Vet Arun Veterinary Group 29 Windows, Doors, Conservatories Britannia Windows 5
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