Chichester Local Magazine May 2017

May 2017

CHICHESTER LOCAL and events to 7,800 5,900 homes homes in in this this area area every every month month through the door LocalLocal newsnews and events to over through the door

STEVEN EDWARDS

PUZZLES

Masterchef winner & restaurateur

For younger readers Plus Prize Crossword

WIN!

GARDENING

etch. Chef’s apron

Ideas, tasks & more

LOCAL NEWS

Charity & Community

PLUS

What’s On, Local Walks, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Local Groups, Local area & charity news, Business Directory

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May 2017 Cover Photo Steven Edwards Masterchef winner and etch. Restaurant owner

Welcome...

To May and, at the time of writing, the weather is gloriously warm and sunny. It is a wonderful time of year to get out in the lovely Sussex countryside and enjoy nature’s plumage. Why not join one of the local guided walks? See page 18.

We’ve a culinary theme this month with acclaimed chef Steven Edwards as interviewee in our main feature, see page 26. Steven was the youngest ever winner of Masterchef: The Professionals in 2013 and talks about his career to date and his new Hove restaurant “etch.” Steven has also kindly donated an etch. Chef’s apron which you can win in our competiton on page 17.

Our gardening article is more ‘mindful’ than usual and Andrew Staib suggests taking time to really get to know your garden, see page 23. Sitting and contemplating the flowers sounds good to us!

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...........................................................................What’s On ............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page ................................................................................Recipe ....................................................Win! etch. Chef’s apron ........................................................................Local Walks ..............................................Charity & Community News ...................................................................In Your Garden ......Steven Edwards Masterchef winner & restaurateur ................................................................Prize Crossword ...........................................................Index of Advertisers ..............................................................Business Directory

June Deadlines Bookings, editorial - 1st May Finished artwork, events - 7th May

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 of charge to over 38,300 homes and businesses in West Sussex. There are six editions and display advertising starts at just £24 a month per edition.

The debate on the A27 bypass/upgrade continues following the decision by the Secretary of State to withdraw funding from the proposed scheme. Our Community pages feature a reader letter in support of WSCC leader Louise Goldsmith’s position.

Please do get in touch to add your thoughts to the discussion.

Finally, a reminder that it is the County Council elections on Thursday May 4th, please use your vote.

Thanks for reading,

Kris & Jeff

Words of Wit “An enemy is someone whose story you have not heard” - SLAVOJ ZIZEK 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.

1. Arundel edition - Arundel, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total addresses - 6,500 2. Barnham edition - Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate, Aldingbourne, Oving, & Tangmere Total addresses - 5,200 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 - 6,000 5. Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common. Total addresses - 5,500 6. Storrington edition - Storrington, Amberley, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total addresses - 6,200 The combined circulation of all six editions is over 38,300 addresses.

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THE MUSIC MIX DISCO Groups of friends/anybody & everybody Come & Party!

Saturday 20th May 2017 The Best Music Sounds From 60’s to Date Lavant Memorial Hall PO18 0AH 7.30pm – 11.45pm Tickets £6.50 Contact Linda 07527 581370

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10 What’s On

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12 What’s On

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14 Puzzles

Young Readers’ Puzzle Page Wordsearch - at the dentist

Maze

Find the listed words in the grid. Words may be hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and in either a forwards or backwards direction.

Help the hungry mouse reach his tasty cheese! Start at the arrow on the top left of the maze.

BRUSH DECAY NERVES

CAVITY FILE PLAQUE

CHEW FLOSS TISSUE

CLEAN NEEDLE TOOTH

Anagram

Number Tower

Trace the lines connecting the circles to find out what the second word is

Fill the tower so that every square contains a number.

The value of each square in the number tower is the sum of the two squares directly under it.

Answers can be found on our website after 1st May www.sussexlocal.net

To sponsor this feature please contact us on 01903 868474 or email info@sussexlocal.net Sponsor for just £25 per month plus a monthly prize

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16 Local History

Beef Pepperpot Make the most of an inexpensive cut by marinating first, then slowly cooking until tender.

Ingredients.

Serves 4

 500g lean braising steak; 2 tbsp sunflower oil; 1 large onion sliced;  1 large clove garlic, crushed; 1-2 tsp Hot Pepper or chilli sauce;  300ml stock; 2 tsp dark brown sugar; 3 tbsp clear honey; few sprigs  thyme; salt; 1/2 yellow pepper sliced  Also meringues, small biscuits marshmallows are great dippers

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Method: 1. Trim and chop or cube the meat. Fry in hot oil until browned all over. Add the onion and garlic and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.

2 Add the sauce, stock, sugar, honey, thyme and salt. Cover and simmer gently for 40 - 50 minutes, stirring occasionally until the meat is tender. Add the sliced pepper for the last 10-15 minutes and serve with rice.

Tip: To help tendersie the meat marinade it with the chilli sauce, honey and garlic for 1 hour before cooking.

Cookery Courses for all Why not give a Voucher for the perfect gift?

Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

Competition

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Win! etch food apron Quality chef’s apron RRP £50 Steven Edward’s and his team use their own professional merchandise in the restaurant and these stylish hand-crafted items are available to buy for your own home.

Enter our competition for the chance to win this stylish apron.

www.etchfood.co.uk

Win an etch apron worth £50 Q: Where is etch restaurant located? a) Chichester

b) Brighton/Hove

c) Glasgow

Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: ‘etch competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after the closing date 31st May 2017. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our/etch’s mailing list.

18 Walks

CHICHESTER LOCAL

Local Walks - May 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. If the weather is poor the walk be cancelled, if unsure please check, contact 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk. L = Walk Leader Tues 2nd 10.30am Arundel L: Andrew 2 hours 4 miles Walk through the Park to South Stoke and the Arun riverbank. Swanbourne Lake Lodge Weds 3rd 10.30am Bignor L: Simon 1 ½ hours 3 ½ miles Walk around Bignor starting from Bignor Roman Villa Thurs 4th 10.30am Iping and Chithurst L: Jane 3 hours 6.75 mile Several stiles and is hilly in places. No dogs. Outside the Hamilton Arms Stedham, GU29 0NZ Fri 5th 10.30am Goodwood Country Park L: Peter 2 hours 4 miles Free car park on the right after passing Goodwood racecourse, map ref SU897113 Mon 8th 10.30am Petworth Pleasure Grounds L: Gerald 1 ½ hours 3miles Magnificent 40 acre Spring Garden. The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington GU28 9AF Mon 8th 10.30am Chidham L: Andrew 2 hours 4 miles Clockwise around the peninsula. Opposite ‘The Old House at Home’ inn, Chidham Weds 10th 10.30am Black Rabbit L: Dominic 2 hours 3 miles Easy, flat riverside walk, no stiles Mill Road car park by river in town centre (charge) Weds 10th 10.30am Benbow Pond Easebourne L: Bruce 2 ½ hours 5.2 miles Ascent 190m. A moderately strenuous longer walk with one steep climb and 9 stiles. Easbourne, Benbow Pond. SU913222 Thurs 11th 10.30am Amberley Village L: Peter 2 hours 4 miles Walk through Amberley village and back round the castle and along the river. Amberley Station Fri 12th 10.30am Chalton L: Jane 2 ½ hours 5 miles Open countryside and country lanes from the old village of Chalton. Some hills. Not suitable for beginners. Chalton Village Car Park which is just before the pub if travelling from Finchdean Mon 15th 10.30am Itchenor Coastal Walk L: Anne 2 hours 4 miles Easy and flat, 2 stiles, some road walking. In public car park (charge) or on road, not in pub car park Mon 15th 10.30am Selsey L: Andrew 2 hours 4 miles from East Beach along foreshore to Church Norton. Selsey East Beach car park (pay) Mon 15th 10.30am Midhurst L: Helen 30mins 1 mile Entrance to Grange Leisure Centre Bepton Road, Midhurst GU29 9HD Tues 16th 10.30am West Wittering Circular L: Judy 1 hour 2 miles A gentle pace walk, suitable for beginners Meet: On the green opposite The Old House at Home pub at West Wittering Thurs 18th 10.30am Lavington Common L: Fiona 2 hours 4 miles A walk through the woods and heaths at the heart of West Sussex. Meet at Lavington Common car park Fri 19th 10.30am Yapton L: Peter 2 hours 4 miles Around the rifes and canal, very flat, two stiles, distant Downs views. Free car park opposite the shops in Yapton (main road). SU980031 Sun 21st 10.30am Slindon Woods to the Folly L: Dominic 1 hour 15 minutes 2¼ miles Generally flat, gravel path. Some muddy areas and short inclines. NT Car Park, Dukes Road, Slindon Mon 22nd 10.30am Itchenor L: Andrew 2 hours 4 miles Around the foreshore and Itchenor Park. Itchenor car park (pay) Weds 24th 10.30am Elsted L: Bruce 2 hours 4 miles Ascent 200m. Moderately strenuous with one steep climb to Pen Hill for glorious views.

Also visits the lost churches of Treyford. Elsted Church (not the Recreation Ground) SU816196 Mon 29th 10.30am Bignor Hill L: Andrew 2 hours 4 miles On top of the Downs along the South Downs Way. Bignor Hill car park high above Bignor village Weds 31st 10.30am Walberton to Binsted Woods L: Dominic 1 hour 45 minutes 2 ¾ miles Mainly flat headland path, grass, gravel. Walberton Village Hall car park, The Street, BN18 0PQ

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20 Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets Recently Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne held her first crime summit to discuss how we can tackle the problem of fraud and elder exploitation here in Sussex. Representatives, including from policing, banking and charity publicly debated the scale of the problem and discussed potential solutions. www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/news Safe in Sussex currently offers local support to victims of domestic abuse via their Freedom Programme and provides vital out of area refuge for those in immediate danger. The new Safe in Sussex Amber House is set to open in Littlehampton in May and will offer a new style of shelter; the first of its kind in the UK, the refuge will not be hidden in the community but visible and recognisable, offering support and services all under one roof, the aim of this assistance is not necessarily focused towards ending relationships - the fundamental goal is to stop domestic abuse. www.safeinsussex.co.uk The Labour Party is fielding candidates in every seat in the Arundel and South Downs constituency for the West Sussex County Council Elections on 4th May the first time after trebling its local membership. The local Labour Party is campaigning for more investment in schools; it wants improved transport services

Lazy leaflets.

Don’t put up with them.

You know the ones. They’re in the cupboard, behind the envelopes and last year’s accounts. Let’s get those leaflets working for you. We’ll deliver them with next month’s copy of Sussex Local for just £40 per 1,000 (minimum quantity 2,000).

Full details on www.sussexlocal.net or contact 01903 868474 email info@sussexlocal.net

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CHICHESTER LOCAL in a rural community and for Social Care to be funded adequately to enable people to be looked after in the best place. Contact: Arundel & South Downs Constituency Labour Party. SSPlabourparty@gmail.com Facebook www.facebook.com/southdownslabour Sussex Wildlife Trust is expressing “major relief and heartfelt thanks to everyone who voiced their love of the downland and showed their grave concern” at Eastbourne Borough Council’s plan to sell 3,000 acres of the Eastbourne Downs. The Council has taken the bold step to reverse its decision, in response to the huge public outcry, and now Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) has agreed not to sell the two key sites that remained on its disposals list, the internationally rare chalk grassland escarpment at Plumpton and the foot-slope field of the Devil’s Dyke estate at Poynings. www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news More than 300 candidates will be contesting the West Sussex County Council elections on Thursday 4 May; the current constitution of the council is: Conservative 43, UKIP 10, Liberal Democrats 7, Labour 6, Independent members 3, and two vacancies.

A detailed guide to the election, including the full list of nominations, can be found on the County Council website and votes will be counted on Friday 5 May with results published on the County Council website, or you can see the results as they come in by following @WSCCNews on Twitter. www.westsussex.gov.uk Ford resident Jacob Garrod has signed up to take part in St Barnabas House’s new off-road cycling event, Hit the Downs MTB,cycling in memory of his father, Andrew Garrod, who was cared for at the hospice at the end of his life having suffered from lung cancer. Hit the Downs, which takes place on Sunday 7 May, offers participants the chance to experience a new challenge across the South Downs Way, whilst raising money for their local hospice, and the undulating course will test riders with a multitude of tricky climbs and rapid downhill descents, with a 20 mile and 40 mile route ensuring the event is suitable for new and experienced cyclists alike. If you wish to donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Jakegarrodwww.stbh.org.uk/hitthedownsSt Barnabas House Events Team: 01903 706354 Saving money and reducing carbon emissions are just some of the benefits West Sussex schools will enjoy as they switch to solar power. West Sussex County Council recently made the decision to invest £3 million in the scheme, enabling 48 schools to install the renewable energy.

Notices to info@sussexlocal.net Please enter events on our website www.sussexlocal.net for printing

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Chichester Bypass Dear Editor I was truly appalled at your article in the April 2017 edition of Chichester Local.

The article in question concerned the fall-out from the decision of Secretary of State Grayling to withdraw funding from the proposed Chichester Bypass scheme. The piece was clearly an overtly political response to a long standing debate which has divided the people of Chichester who are now attempting to move on constructively.

What I found particularly despicable was the attack on WSCC Leader Louise Goldsmith, which was as factually incorrect as it was deeply personal. I am no card carrying Conservative supporter but have taken a lively interest in all aspects of the current debate on the A27 upgrade proposals. Louise Goldsmith has behaved honourably and impartially in this debate and at no time has she supported a northern bypass.

She has, like many of us in Chichester, been horrified by the inept and bungling performance of Highways England in managing the whole Bypass Improvement Scheme and has complained openly about their lack of transparency and openness, the unsuitability of the five southern options and asked repeatedly for an explanation as to why the northern options were mysteriously removed for consideration.

Louise Goldsmith is now using her position as Leader of WSCC to try and find an agreed response to Mr

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Grayling by convening a series of local workshops, involving all stakeholders, with the intention of going back to the Secretary of State, when the community agrees a local solution to this long standing problem and seeking the re-instatement of the originally allocated funding. Mike Harper, By email Dear Editor I would like to put the record straight dealing in the facts and not personal attacks.

The Highways Agency A27 Consultation was very badly managed from the start being withdrawn just before the consultation was due to commence then reintroduced four months later. Very many residents were extremely unhappy at the lack of transparency.

The results of this flawed consultation was 47% against any option and 32% for Option 2. This meant that any decision on any of the options could be open to legal challenge. For many the Secretary of State’s announcement was the right decision.

Now we need to find solutions short, medium and long term for the A27, solutions that can command community support throughout our special Chichester area.

After the announcement I went into action by initiating a Community led approach to finding the best solution for the A27 and most importantly fully involving the residents who live and work in and around Chichester.

This means we can go back to Highways England and the Secretary of State and actively demonstrate we are united in finding a solution to secure the funding to bring about solutions that command community support. This is a positive way forward and it is one supported by Parish Councils and Community Groups and residents in and around Chichester. To date we have held two ‘Build A Better A27’ workshops which have been well attended with so many people from diverse groups showing they are committed to finding the right answers. This is the way forward. Louise Goldsmith, Leader, West Sussex County Council Editor’s note. We are not biased politically and, as we say on Page 3, contributors’ opinions are their own.

We invite anyone with opinions on local issues to get in touch and we do our best to print all submissions.

Open Studios Art Trail 2017's Open Studios Art Trail offers an opportunity to see different styles and a chance to meet artists, with maybe time for discussions on painting methods and to watch an artist at work. On view will be works in a variety of mediums – including oil, acrylic, pen and wash - as well as mixed media. Venues are south of the A27 and are signposted by green arrows. The studios may be viewed in any order and the trail is an easy drive along the A259, or A29/A284 south, and within walking cycling distance of many villages. The Trail is open on Bank Holiday Monday 1st May and Saturday and Sunday 6th and 7th May, and from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Entrance is free. Contact: www.chichesterarttrail.org.

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Pets of the Month This month The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre is hoping to re-home two seven-month old kittens who arrived with their mother and littermates aged just one month, having been found as strays. Both are a little nervous of people but are playful and will interact with the Centre’s staff when playing., but need a home with someone who is patient and who has time to give them the confidence they need – because of this they would be best suited to a calm quiet home with older or no children. The Centre has a Viewing Day on Saturday 27th May from 12-2pm, when anyone thinking of adopting a cat can go along without an appointment. Otherwise the Centre re-homes seven days a week by appointment only. The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre Sidlesham PO20 7RJ tel: 01243 641409 ninfo@crrc.co.uk www.crrc.co.uk www.facebook.com/catandrabbitrescuecentre

Dine for Dementia Dine for Dementia has been created so friends can get together and hold a social event in aid of the charity. The event can be any type and any size – a black-tie dinner, cocktail party or afternoon tea - the

CHICHESTER LOCAL idea is for the host to invite friends to ‘Dine’ with them and ‘Donate to Dementia’. Guests can then be inspired to host their own Dine for Dementia event for the charity. The event will also serve to raise awareness about dementia and will encourage people to talk about the disease. The charity is encouraging people to host Dine for Dementia throughout the year, however with National Dementia Awareness week taking place 15th – 21st May, this is an ideal fundraising event that anyone can hold to raise money for dementia. The charity can provide a fundraising pack for your event.

Contact: Nicki Clarke on 01243 888 691 or email: nicki.clarke@dementia-support.org.ukwww.dementiasupport.org.uk

Make a Will Fortnight From 5th-16th June, during St Wilfrid’s Hospice Make A Will Fortnight, local people can have their will written, or amended, by a local solicitor without paying their fee. This fundraising initiative invites people to consider making a donation to the Hospice rather than paying the solicitors. Several local solicitors are kindly donating their time and services to the Scheme to benefit the vital work of the Hospice in the community. Appointments are limited so the Hospice advises anyone interested to call a participating solicitor in good time. Contact: Michelle Sidney 01243 755827, fundraising@stwh.co.uk www.stwh.co.uk/MAWF

Gardening

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In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens A really helpful thing to help you with the exercises below is to time limit them. They can be quite powerful and in my experience if I give myself, say 5 minutes on any one, then I can concentrate without the fear of being overwhelmed by the new things that are happening inside me.

“Being” in our garden As a garden designer I try to create meaningful spaces for people. An intimate seating area, abundant colour combinations or a calm glade. Each place that I apply my attention to needs to serve different functions and some of those functions are often not just physical but spiritual.

For example, a path might be needed to get a person from A to B. But alongside that function one can create a mini life journey for a client: a curved path that slows our walking pace to help us calm down, a beautiful focal point like a Greek vase which might symbolise something beautiful we are heading towards in life, not just earning enough to pay the bills. The path might enter a canopy of small trees that makes us feel held and protected by nature or the path might disappear and reappear allowing us to feel the sense of mystery that our lives are not mapped out and predictable.

I am really trying to design experiences for people.

Yet being able to experience what a design achieves in physical form is a whole other ballgame.

In my life I have at times been miserable in beautiful natural settings and been happy in ugly places which has led me to realise that the appreciation of nature is also very much an internal affair.

In the following paragraphs I’d like to share some of the internal ways I have learnt to BE in my garden more.

Choose a good spot - Find a spot in your garden that can be yours alone. A chair, or log to sit on that overtime comes to represent your contemplative intention. Make sure it is comfortable and leave your mobile phone in the house. This can become your time and your space even if it is only a few minutes a day.

Make a promise that during this time you don’t look around and start deadheading or weeding. You are cultivating a new relationship with your garden and need to keep this separate from maintenance.

1) Close your eyes and start by listening to all the different sounds you can hear. At first you may hear a crow calling out, a car driving by or kids next door.

See if you can gently separate the cause of the noises from their actual sounds. Eg a man coughing in the next garden becomes a rough barking sound, an insect becomes a low hum. The more you do this the more the sounds reduce to their pure form less attached to the meanings and origins we give them.

Your experience can become more orchestral. In this state of mind there is no good or bad sounds just the different vibrations.

2) Focus on your breathing. This exercise never ceases to fascinate me. By concentrating on the area just below your nostrils where the breath can be felt

24 Gardening moving in and out you can just observe the pace of your breathing. The important element here is not to make the breath do anything, not to make it come in and out with any evenness but just observe it’s natural rhythm. Eg my breath is often very fast for a good few minutes or quite sporadic. Then it changes again.

All we have to do is observe this change like a curious scientist or a child watching clouds form shapes.

You may observe how not only does breathing influence mental processes but allows us to connect to the space around us.

3) The Mind - It seems the mind’s job is to rove around and constantly produce thought and images.

Normally we are quite invested in what our mind has chosen to focus on. In this exercise you simply observe what your mind is thinking about. Try not to give what is happening a value judgment but just like the breathing exercise you can observe ‘your mad monkey mind’ jumping around. Oh that’s interesting..I am thinking about work…that person I had an argument with…the lawn that desperately needs a mow. The core point here is that you can find a separation from your thoughts. They are always there but your ability to observe them in a compassionate and patient way can bring on a calmness. People often say “Oh I can’t do meditation my mind won’t shut up”. But effective meditation if not fighting the mind and wanting it to be different but finding a calmer place within it to observe its never endingness. And sometimes a lucky

CHICHESTER LOCAL by product is that is does become more still.

4) The Senses - Each sense can be engaged in our appreciation of our garden.

The first sense we have already looked at is hearing.

With our eyes closed as if we were truly blind how do we experience the sounds and how do the sounds give us a different experience of different spaces. A far off seagull, a plank of wood falling from a truck, a plane overhead? The sounds interweave and overlap.

This is your very own “Spotify” without advertising!

Sight - When I look at nature I like to feel that, as the self conscious product of millions of years of evolution, I am nature’s way that it discovered to look upon itself- to appreciate itself and care for itself.

Let your eyes wander - This is a simple game where you get comfortable and then let your eyes wander where they want to go. Then let them fix on one particular thing. It may surprise you what happens. They may go onto a half buried stick or a woodlice struggling on it’s back, or a star shaped Echincea flower.

Let yourself be taken in by whatever it is and let yourself be moved by what it is you are looking out. It is often unpredictable what comes up and if you stay as long as needed something important often emerges.

Squinting - No not because of the sunlight but because this can help us see the whole visual field, including the merging of colours and the different dark and lights. Being in this state can let us see

Gardening

through the door nature for the first time rather then seeing specific things - a bit like imagining you are a baby which hasn’t differentiated the world into particular things yet.

This can be quite hypnotic.

Touch - Rather then touch the garden with your Green Maintenance Fingers, you can let yourself wander the garden and notice spontaneously what you want to touch. As with all these exercises let yourself be surprised by what your hands want to do. In this way your garden will always provoke in you different responses and it will feel like the relationship you can have with it is ongoing and can continually be created afresh.

Your hands might be drawn to the cool moss in the lawn, a scratchy trunk or even the thorn of a rose.

Smell - I find this easier with my eyes closed. Sensing what I can smell from one position in the garden then moving out. To broaden your sense of smell trying smelling everything not just the Jasmine on the fence: decaying leaves, the compost bin, the leaves rubbed together between your fingers of different plants not just your herbs.

There is so much more I can write here about this topic. Let me know if you want a follow up.

The most important point I would like to make is that we can have a garden but can we also know it. Can we create a relationship with it and keep this link constantly fresh. In that way even if we don’t have a huge garden or budget we can have a meaningful partnership with our green space outside our window.

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What to do in May There is an old gardener’s adage that ‘one looses the gardens in May’.

There is so much to do.  Annual flowers and other frost sensitive plants like v e g e t a b l e p lu g s tomatoes, runner beans, peppers, aubergines and chillies - can be bought and planted now if you didn’t have the opportunity to grow them indoors this year.  Feed lawns  Water any new plants and fertilise and water pot plants  If Pennstemons show lots of new basal growth prune them back to the fresh green shoots  Thin out the clematises that have already flowered this year.  Hoe weeks to save you having to get on your hands and knees - little and often

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CHICHESTER LOCAL

etch… MasterChef Winner Steven Edwards Launches Brighton Restaurant Steven Edwards; "There is a gap in the market for someone to do for Sussex what Rick Stein has done for the Southwest".

Steven Edwards is a busy man, in just over three weeks time the youngest ever winner of MasterChef: The Professionals, will realise what must be every chef’s dream - the launch of his first restaurant.

Opening its doors on 24th March, ‘etch’ is already fully booked for the first few Fridays and Saturdays. In fact, Steven Edwards who – despite his stellar rise through the culinary ranks – comes across as a down to earth and pragmatic man – confesses to being “a bit taken aback,” when ‘etch’ had gathered 500 reservations by the fourth day of the booking system going live.

Born in Oxford, Steven grew up in Windsor and says that the idea of being a chef was not a childhood dream. He had always enjoyed eating and tasting everything his mother cooked, describing himself as being “excited about food and replicating tastes.”When asked if there is one meal that takes him back to those days he is unequivocal – “Shepherd’s pie, ” is his ultimate comfort food after a long day in the kitchen.

At school he did Home Economics but it wasn’t until he was fourteen, “quite late”, that a school careers advisor suggested he might want to be a chef. Initially, Steven’s parents were against his career choice. “They’d both worked in the industry – dad as waiter and general manager and mum as a house-

keeper. So they knew all about the long hours and hard work.” In an effort to deter Steven his father used his contacts, sending his son up to London to work in the kitchens of Paul Rankin and Gary Rhodes.

Rather than deter, Steven’s experiences there had the opposite effect.

Following training with leading chefs, such as Raymond Blanc and Chris Wheeler, Steven moved to Sussex in 2008 joining a new team at country house hotel South Lodge, under Michelin starred chef Matt Gillan. Then came MasterChef: The Professionals.

At first, when Lewis Hamblett, South Lodge’s executive chef, asked if he wanted to enter, Steven said no.

“I already had my dream job, I was Head Chef in a

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five star hotel.” But Lewis Hamblett, it seemed wasn’t taking no for an answer. “Lewis forced me to take part,’ says Steven. “He has always believed in me and he literally filled in the application form for me.” Lewis’s faith paid off and Steven’s own worries that he might go out in the first round proved unfounded as, one of the programme’s youngest competitors, he went on to win the competition. An achievement that he describes, unsurprisingly, as “career-changing.”

Following Masterchef the offers came rolling in – calls from restaurateurs asking him to head up their kitchens, from investors wanting to set up restaurants and organisations offering him development opportunities.

The impact on his life was dramatic, he had to get an agent and found he was spending part of the week at South Lodge and the other part out around the country promoting. Steven describes the year after MasterChef as a “whirlwind” and he doesn’t think he had a single day off. Despite the deluge of offers coming in, Steven didn’t make his mind up in a hurry – he used that year to test out what he wanted to do.

What he did realise was that, much as he’d loved his job, going back to South Lodge was no longer a challenge. But if it was a challenge Steven was looking for, opening his own restaurant delivered: “It was a lot harder than I’d thought. Money brings other personalities.” But Steven was focussed; he wanted his business plan, his decisions and vision - it would be, after all, Steven Edwards’ name above the door. Keen to find people who shared his values and passion, he sought investors who wanted to invest for the love of it. As he says, “ If you want to make money, invest in the stock market, don’t open a restaurant.” He found ten local business entrepreneurs, whom he describes as “brand ambassadors” for the restaurant.

However, having the business plan and money in place was only the start, Steven still had to find premises.

Meantime, following requests to do dinner parties and pop-ups, Steven and his business partner set up

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‘etchfood,’ which, in its first twothree years did around 100 days of pop-ups (what Steven describes as “simpler versions of the restaurant”), in venues such as Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and Nyetimber Vineyard in West Sussex. All the while, Steven was looking for the right premises for a restaurant.

At first his search covered the southeast, including London – but he narrowed it to Brighton. It had, he felt, a certain draw: that people who had been to his pop-ups, say in Leeds, would be willing to travel to an accessible, seaside city like Brighton for a weekend and visit his restaurant. Having decided on Brighton it took him two years to find the right premises. ‘etchfood’ will continue to provide pop-ups and home dining experiences alongside the restaurant - they are, Steven says, still very popular. Which is easy to believe; the home dining experience involves a team turning up at your house with not only fabulous food but also all crockery, cutlery, glassware and wine to match, serving and cleaning down afterwards, ensuring the guests are entertained and the host enjoys a stress free evening.

CHICHESTER LOCAL

28 Local People / Finance So why ‘etch’? Naming the restaurant was tricky, Steven wanted something modern, catchy, and when the word ‘etch’ came up in conversation it seemed to encapsulate Steven’s vision – to deliver a dining experience etched on diners’ minds. A concept cleverly reinforced by the restaurant’s strapline: imprint – define – impress.

Steven Edwards is clearly passionate about delivering an unforgettable dining experience, and his menus feature pared-down, but enticing, descriptions of dishes based around the seasons and local produce. Interestingly for such a lauded chef - Michel Roux Jnr described Steven’s food as “lovely … expertly cooked… fault-free” –Steven believes that food is just thirty percent of the dining experience, fifty percent is service and the rest is the wine list and staff who can talk knowledgably about a dish. Diners at ‘etch’ may well find one of their dishes brought to their table by the chef himself, explaining the dish, its origins and where key ingredients have come from.

Focussing on the freshest produce from the local region is another of Steven’s passions and he feels “one hundred percent,” that: “Sussex offers everything we need – fresh fish and seafood, and the South Down’s fantastic lamb and venison. There is a gap in the market for someone to do for Sussex what

Rick Stein has done for the Southwest. Not only for food suppliers but also for wine producers.”

So, what’s next for Steven Edwards? With what appears to be his usual focus and drive, for now Steven is concentrating on ‘etch.’ Not that he’s ruling out future expansion, it’s just not something he’s thinking about at present. Although, he says that if he does expand it would probably be a different venture, perhaps a pub, which would offer a different style of menu – possibly a chance to taste Steven’s version of his favourite Shepherd’s pie?

Contact: etch, 216 Church Road, Brighton BN3 2DJ 01273 227485 www.etchfood.co.uk

Voluntary Taxes

By Richard Cohen FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner People often complain about tax but many are in practice, voluntary. I’m not suggesting taking illegal actions, such as not declaring income so you don’t pay income tax or “paying cash” to avoid VAT, I’m talking about the simple legal steps that can be taken to eliminate certain taxes altogether – take Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for example.

Most people only come across CGT a few times in their lives - they make a gain, pay the tax and grumble. However, with simple planning it may be avoided altogether. Everyone has a CGT allowance and can make gains of up to £11,300 in any tax year without paying any tax, the mistake people make is realising more than that by not planning the sale of an asset properly.

For example, let’s imagine you invested £100,000 in the ABC UK Equity Fund two years ago and it is now worth £120,000. If you sell your investment in one go, the gain you have made will be £8,700 over the allowance and you will have a tax bill of between £870 and £1,740, based on your individual circumstances. However, if you sell half of the investment

this tax year and the other half next year both gains would be under the allowance and there would be no tax to pay. Furthermore, if you are married, you can transfer the asset into joint names before selling it and then you have two lots of the allowance.

But what if you really like that fund and don’t want to sell out of UK Equities just for the sake of taxation?

You can either sell the fund and buy it back in a month’s time (although you run the risk of missing out on growth in the month you don’t hold it) or sell the current fund and with a bit of research, buy a similar UK equity fund. Either way the gain is under your combined allowance so there is no tax to pay and the acquisition cost of the new investment is now £120,000, so any further gains will be based on this.

All of this is completely legal and shows how voluntary some taxes are.

For more details visit www.nsurefinancial.co.uk or to arrange a free review please call 01903 821010

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Budget 2017 – How Will It Affect You?

By Mark Lloyd, Senior Financial Adviser, Investment Solutions, Worthing The Budget was the First of two due in 2017. It was Philip Hammonds first and last Spring Budget and to that end new announcements were kept to a minimum, perhaps saving major announcements for the autumn?

We have taken a closer look at what he had to say and summarise the most important changes that we believe affect most people. From April the Personal Allowance rises to £11,500. The threshold for higher rate tax goes up to £45,000. The ISA allowance increases to £20,000.

The Capital Gains Tax allowance grows to £11,300.

The personal savings allowance and dividend allowance mean you could each receive an income of £22,500 (Personal, dividend and savings allowances) in 2017/18 free of personal tax.

We will also see the introduction of the Lifetime ISA. The lifetime ISA will be available from 6th April and will allow younger adults to save up to £4,000 each year and receive a bonus of up to £1,000 each year on these contributions. Funds can be withdrawn tax free to put towards a first home or saved until a person turns 60.

Pensions The Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) will be reduced to £4,000 from £10,000 from April 2017; the ability for pensions to fit the increasingly flexible approach people have to work in later life is one of the huge benefits of pension freedom. Reducing the MPAA restricts options and if one accesses their pension, future savings are limited.

Need advice?

At Investment Solutions, we are an Award-winning Chartered Firm of Independent Financial Advisors.

Feel free to contact us on 01903 214640 Further information is available via our website: www.investment-solutions.co.uk The information in this Article does not constitute advice. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily a guide to future returns. The value of units and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

The Major Changes from the spring budget that were most notable are: Dividend allowance The most significant change to investors is the reduction of Dividend income from £5,000 to £2,000 from April 2018 – Those most affected are employees and directors of small businesses who remunerate themselves partly or wholly through dividends rather than salary. The cut will also hurt investors with dividend generating shares and funds held outside of ISAs and pensions. This is a reminder to make full use of your tax efficient savings vehicles and invest the maximum into ISA’s and Pensions each tax year.

NS&I Investment Bond National Savings 3 year Investment Bond announced at the Autumn Statement 2016 will be available from April and will pay an interest of 2.2% per annum fixed.

The 2.2% represents an improvement over most cash savings, but you will be limited to a maximum of £3,000 per individual over the age of 16 and will only be available for 12 months from April 2017

   

Trusted and Experienced Chartered Financial Planners

Investment Advice Pension Advice and Planning Equity Release & Mortgages Estate Planning and advice on Inheritances  Specialist advice for High Net Worth Individuals and High Earners Investment Solutions, Grafton House, 26 Grafton Road, Worthing BN11 1QT 01903 214640 / ifa@investment-solutions.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/financialadviserworthing

Twitter: @investment_sols www.investment-solutions.co.uk ‘Investment Solutions’ is the trading name of Investment Solutions Wealth Management Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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32 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher

Chichester May 2017 March 2017 solution shown below.

Winner: Mrs Chichester

D

Rose

from

Congratulations and thank you to all who entered.

Entries to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or scan and email the page to crosswords@sussexlocal.net

Across

Down

1 9 10 11 12 13 16 18 21 22 23 24

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 17 19 20

Measure of heat (11) Conclude (5) Intelligence; humour (3) Certain to end in failure (2-3) Perhaps (5) Provided a service (8) All-round view (8) Clean thoroughly; vegetation (5) Musical times (5) Mixture of gases we breathe (3) Give a solemn oath (5) Act gloomily (anag) (11)

Wind together (7) Sons of sovereigns (7) Shuffle playing cards (6) Monotonous hum (5) Raucous (5) US politician (11) Testimony (11) Nasal opening (7) Injuring (7) Agreement (6) Rustic (5) Broom (5)

Name: ...............................................................................................................

Full address: .................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................

Postcode:..........................................................................................................

Email:................................................................................................................

Phone: ..............................................................................................................

Mobile: .............................................................................................................

Closing date: 31st May 2017 Good luck!

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34 Business Directory

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Beauty Therapy Carefree Beauty 27 Conservatories and Garden Rooms Greenspace (UK) Limited 11 Room Outside 36 Dentures Changing Faces Denture Clinic 15 Electricians Danny H Electrician 8 MJA Electrical 26 Events Soulstar Events 7 Furniture CFS Furniture 21 Garden Design Glorious Gardens 23 Groundworks Cathedral Landscapes 24 Home Entertainment Bowers & Wilkins 12 Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd 23 Independent Financial Advisor Investment Solutions Wealth Management Ltd 31 NSure 29 The Mellor Practice 17 Kitchen Doors Dream Doors 5 Motorhome & Caravan Servicing Motorhome & Caravan Services 30 Nursing & Care Services Inter-County Nursing & Care Services Ltd 13 Office Administration Verbal Felicity 20

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