Chichester Local Magazine Nov 2016

November 2016

CHICHESTER LOCAL and events to 7,000 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

WIN!

Beauty & The Beast Theatre tickets

GARDENING Ornamental grasses

WHAT’S ON

November events

PLUS

SEARCH DOGS

Serving the community and saving lives

NEW PUZZLES

For younger readers

MOTORING Safe & Sound

Local Walks, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Local Groups, Property, Local area & charity news, Local Business Directory

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CHICHESTER LOCAL

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November 2016

Cover Photo St Richard Walk, Chichester by editor Kris Thomas

Welcome...

“Remember, remember the 5th of November....” We love Bonfire night and have listed the best local firework events in our What’s On guide from page 4. Expect more fireworks on November the 8th in the US presidential election. An historic month.

Our charity profile this month is on Search Dogs Sussex. The Lowland equivalent of the Mountain Rescue, founded following the disappearance of Sarah Payne. These highly trained search dog teams support the emergency services looking for missing people. See page 24.

We are pleased to introduce a Puzzle page for our younger readers this month. See page 29. Can you complete our wordsearch, Sudoku, maze and number tower?

Our recipe this month on page 28 is for pumpkin soup, seasonal and comforting enjoy with warm crusty bread - after a country walk perhaps? Local walks p18.

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...........................................................................What’s On ..........................Win! Tickets to see Beauty & The Beast ...................................................Motoring - Safe & Sound ................................................................Prize Crossword ...................................................................In Your Garden ........................................................................Local Walks ..............................................Charity & Community News ................................Charity profile; Search Dogs Sussex ................................................................................Recipe ............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page ..............................................................Business Directory ...........................................................Index of Advertisers

December Deadlines

Bookings, editorial - 1st November Finished artwork, events - 7th November

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 30,800 homes and businesses in West Sussex. There are five editions and display advertising starts at just £23 a month per edition.

Be swayed... Our gardening article this month looks at ornamental grasses. Invoke the spirit of the countryside with lovely swishy grass - see page 15.

Our motoring piece on page 11 considers new car safety features.

Finally, you could win tickets to see Beauty & The Beast at Bognor's Alexandra Theatre in December. See our competition page 10.

Thanks for reading,

Kris & Jeff

Words of Wit & Wisdom “The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do” - JOSEPH STALIN 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.

Arundel edition - Arundel, Barnham, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total homes - 7,000 Chichester edition - Chichester suburbs Total homes - 7,000 Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total homes - 6,000 Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common.

Total homes - 4,800 Storrington edition - Storrington, Amberley, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total homes - 6,000 The combined circulation of all five editions is over 30,800 homes.

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What’s On

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What’s On

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What’s On

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What’s On

01243 850076 01903 890129

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What’s On

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10 Competition

Win a family ticket to see Beauty and the Beast at Bognor's Alexandra Theatre on Sunday 18th December Want fantastic panto fun for all the family this year? Just whizz down the A259 to Bognor Regis and be our guest!

Arguably the most magical of all the pantomimes, Beauty and the Beast will be the seasonal show at the Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis this year. A tale as old as time, brimming with comedy, song, dance, romance, action and good cheer, there is something for everyone in this lavish production, which boasts a first-class professional cast, ably supported by talented young dancers from The Art of Dance and Fitness school.

Adding a generous sprinkling of fairy dust on proceedings, Director Bev Berridge said: “Beauty and the Beast is a great show and I’m sure that audiences will have a wonderful time cheering for the goodies and booing the baddies. It’s got all the traditional panto ingredients, including brilliant slapstick, so everyone from toddlers to grandparents can come along together and enjoy real family fun.”

A beautiful girl, a beastly beast, one of the most outrageously dressed Dames in the world and a host of other colourful characters, including Fairy Go-Go, Mrs Potts and daft French Franc, beside the seaside is where the fun is most definitely at this Christmas. We hope to see you there. Oh yes we do!

Beauty and the Beast at The Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis runs from 12 December - 2 January.

Box Office: 01243 861010 www.regiscentre.co.uk

Win a family ticket to see Beauty and the Beast Q: What is the name of the Fairy in this production? a) Go-Go

b) Go-Wild

c) Go-Slow

Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after the closing date 10th December 2016. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

Motoring 11

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New Car Safety Features

by Foxy Lady Drivers Club Founder Steph Savil When you go car shopping, chances are you've done your homework thoroughly. Most of us start with the practicality of the car, having agreed the ideal number of doors and seats, the required onboard space and such like.

Then there's the familiarity factors to consider; does it have the automatic gearbox or 4 wheel drive options we need, and should we stay with the brand we're used to, even if cheaper others seem to be more popular in motoring surveys? And finally should we be looking at new fuel alternatives now that hybrid and electric cars are more affordable choices?

driver fails to respond to an emergency situation.

The What Car? UK Safety awards recognise the best cars in this area and this year's winner is the Volvo XC90 by a good distance. To find out more about this award, car safety standards and whether your car is as safe as others, please visit the Thatcham Research website www.thatcham.org.

This article was written by Steph Savill of FOXY Lady Drivers Club. Subject to terms, eligible Club members enjoy generous affinity car discounts when buying a brand new car (including the Volvo XC90). www.foxyladydrivers.com

Often the deal breaker is price but one area that women drivers take particularly seriously is that of car safety.

Whilst leading manufacturers compete for five-star Euro NCAP safety ratings it's a shame that some include lifesaving features in their selling prices whereas others don't and by charging extra can deter cost conscious shoppers.

So I'd like to draw your attention to Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), a safety feature that can stop car crashes causing serious injuries and accidents. It's fitted to vehicles to monitor traffic conditions ahead and it automatically brakes the car if the

The What Car? UK Safety awards winner - Volvo XC90

CHICHESTER LOCAL

12 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher

Chichester November 2016 September 2016 solution shown below.

Across: 7 Neighbourhood, 8 Training, 9 Kind, 10 Fearful, 12 Asked, 14 Spear, 16 Density, 19 Gain, 20 Athletes, 22 Encyclopaedia.

Down: 1 Pear, 2 Uglier, 3 Obvious, 4 Lungs, 5 Shakes, 6 Youngest, 11 Explains, 13 Perhaps, 15 Annoys, 17 Seemed, 18 Rally, 21 Evil.

Winner: Mrs Chichester

J

Merry

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 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 21 22 23 24 25

1 2 3 4 5 6 12 14 16 18 19 20

Secure a boat (6) Sign of the zodiac (8) Life force (3) Long and very narrow (6) Document of ownership (4) Coarse twilled cotton fabric (5) Inactive pill (7) Mediterranean coastal region (7) Test or examine a metal (5) Leaf (anag) (4) Big cat (6) Residue from a fire (3) Vehicle with one wheel (8) Fixed periods of work (6)

Closing date: 30th 2016 Good luck!

November

Very cold (of weather) (6) Hot pepper (6) Garden tools (5) Immature and childish (7) Foretells (8) Majestic; wonderful (6) Source of annoyance (8) Win a £10 M&S voucher Piece of research (7) Eg Iceland (6) Make an unusually great effort (6)) voucher provided Sailing vessels (6) Stares at amorously (5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

£10 by

CHICHESTER LOCAL magazine

Sponsor this Crossword - call 01903 868474 for details.

Chichester Local magazine may wish to keep in touch with occasional information and offers. We will never share your details with third parties. Please tick here if you consent to receive such information.

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Gardening

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In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens How to know which ones to select for the garden?

I’ll give my favourites here but here are literally thousands to choose from and some nurseries now specialize in grasses alone.

Ornamental Grasses- give your garden some movement The South East is a windy place. Rather than fight the climate why not surrender and introduce some beautiful ornamental grasses into your garden. When it is breezy other garden shrubs are stubbornly immoveable but the long hair of grasses flow out across the beds and make one feel alive and wild!

They also invoke the spirit of the countryside like no other plant which is why they are becoming so popular in the middle of out concrete cities.

If you are going to go for some grasses don’t do it by halves. One or two in a bed will look lonely and the full ‘grass effect’ won’t be achieved. If you have a large garden you can even plant them in large blocks or ribbons that run through the beds like a river.

Grasses are very easy to maintain. They take awhile to get going but by July they are making their presence felt and creating interest in the garden as the early Summer plants begin to fade.

The great benefit of grasses is that they can be left all winter. As the green sap is withdrawn into their roots they turn a sandy golden colour and can catch the dew and then the frosts. Once a few little sprigs of green appear in Spring you can be radical and cut them down to the ground. At the Praire Gardens near Henfield they burn almost the entire garden down to the ground! Some are evergreen of course and so just subtle thinning out is needed.

Big Beauties. When choosing big grasses really make sure they fit into the proportions of your garden. If they are too big they can look like hairy, scarry Triffids intimidating all the little plants.

The great queen of grasses are the Pampass GrassesContaderia. They were used as a feature plant in the 70’s in front gardens but now are an object of ridicule mainly I think because they did not achieve any integration in the rest of the planting scheme. However they

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can be planted with other large grasses and their creamy white flower heads appear like beautiful spears amongst a mass of other grasses. Try planting one with Miscanthus Zebra Grass, Miscanthus Flamingo with it’s ridiculously graceful pink seed heads and Miscanthus Yukkashuma. Also Cortaderia ricardii is a much more arching delicate Pampas which fits better into most medium sized gardens.

There is an annual grass I have discovered recently called Pannicum ‘Frosted Explosion’. It has the most frothy delicate foliage and seed heads imaginable and even though it is an annual, it self-seeds so if you have a nice sunny bed, let it do its stuff.

The mid range of grasses. For years Stipa giganta has been the great must have for it’s well behaved structure and golden oats effect in the setting sun - but have a look at the more explosive Molinia Karl Foester. Other mid-sized grasses include Calamagrostis Karl Foester and Pannicum Shenandoah which is very upright and has a red tinge to the foliage.

The smaller grasses. My favourite is Anemanthele lessoniana. It has coppery, green and hay coloured foliage, has a relaxed habit and doesn’t mind some dry shade. It gets to about 2/3 foot high.

For really dry conditions look to the Carex range such as Carex diva and Cares Ice Dance.

Then there are the little bullet proof grasses for the small garden, the black grass Ophiopogon, Vestuca gluuca and Stipa tennuisima. I like Sessleria as it is bright green in the spring, fades in the Summer, then comes back for another green showing in the Autumn. Blue Oat grass is a sturdy small grass too but doesn’t like to be waterlogged.

Companion planting If you study grasses in the English countryside you will see that flowers poke up through, whether it is a wildflower meadow or the verge of the road, and we can reproduce this in our gardens.

Have a look at these combinations. Stop tennuissima with Agapanthas, Miscanthus Yukkashuma with Sanguisorba Pink Brushes, Molinia Paul Peterson with

Gardening

through the door Allium Purple Sensation and Pennisetum Viridesence with Helenium Moorhead Beauty.

If you decide to go for it make sure the grasses are well balanced across the garden so that when a wind arrives you can see its passage via the grass movement. Also make sure the grasses are planted in positions that make sense, ie as if they have always been there! Good luck.

Places to visit this November If you go to pickyourownxmastree.co.uk you can find a place in your area where you can either choose the tree you want for Christmas or cut it down yourself. We go to Wilderness Woods for ours in Hadlow Downs.

November is full of activities especially at the lovely old houses with their classic gardens that we have been visiting in the summer.

Petworth House is hosting a Literary Festival, Hastings has its annual Herring Fair, there is the Lewes Bonfire night on November 5th and in Horsham The Great Christmas Market is open on November 26th.

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What to do in November  Clean out the Glass Houses now and wash down  Keep collecting leaves and compost  It is not too late to order some more bulbs  This is the time to order bare root plants- for roses, trees and hedges. You will save up to 50% compared to buying them in pots and if the soil is still warm their roots will establish well.  Turfing and seeding can still be done now.  You can finish the tidying up of beds but you can think about leaving seedbeds and foliage so wildlife can have something to eat and shelter during the Winter.

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Local Walks - November 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 may be cancelled, if unsure please check. 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk. L = Walk Leader Weds 2nd 10.30am Tortington Common L: Peter 2 hrs Flat circular walk across Tortington Common and through Binsted woods.Dalloway Road.

5 miles

Thurs 3rd 10.30am Chalton L: Jane 3 hours Chalton Village Car Park, which is just before the pub if travelling from Finchdean

6 miles

Fri 4th 10.30am Canal Walk L: Janet Return by bus. Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT

3.5 miles

Mon 7th 10.30am Petworth Park L: Gerald The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF

1 hour 30 mins

1 hour 30 mins.

3 miles

Weds 9th 10.45am Climping L: Dominic Arun Yacht Club Car Park, Rope Walk, Littlehampton, BN17 5DL

1 hour 15 mins

2½ miles

Thurs 10th 10.30am Ford Car park outside Climping Church. Map ref TQ002025

2.5 hours

4.5 miles

L: Peter

Fri 11th 10.30am Charlton L: Andrew 2 hours Over Levin Down to Burntoak Gate. ‘The Fox Goes Free’ car park, Charlton village

4 miles

Mon 14th 10.30am Emsworth to Prinsted Easy flat walk. Meet in Emsworth town square

3 miles

L: Anne

1 hour 30 mins

Tues 15th 10.30am Birdham L: Judy 1 hour Fine Harbour views. Suitable for beginners. Car Park by Boat House Cafe

1.5 miles

Weds 16th 10.30am Midhurst Common L: Bruce Severals Road, Bepton, Midhurst. (nearest post-code GU29 0LR)

4 miles

1 hour 45 mins

Thurs 17th 10.30am Marina to Dell Quay L: Janet 1 hour 30 mins Flat walk, can be muddy. Park at Chichester Marina car park (free), PO20 7EJ

3.5 - 4 miles

Sat 19th 10.30am Slindon L: Dominic Circular to the folly. National Trust Car Park, Dukes Road, Slindon

3.5 miles

1 hour 30 mins

Tues 22nd 10.30am Chichester Westgate L: Helen 30mins 1 mile A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners. Entrance to Westgate Leisure Centre, PO19 1RJ Weds 23rd 10.30am Midhurst River Rother Walk L: Fiona 2 hours Midhurst car park by the bus stop near Cowdray ruins. Phone Fiona 07767400039

3.5 miles

Fri 25th 10.30am Droke L: Andrew 1.5 hours Up through woods to Selhurstpark Droke car park, on right of minor country lane

3.5 miles

Tues 29th 10.30am Siddlesham Stroll L: Judy 1 hour 2 miles A flat walk with no stiles and with lovely views over Pagham Harbour. Suitable for beginners. Pagham Nature Reserve car park PO20 7NE Weds 30th 10.30am Amberley Village L: Peter 2 hours 4 miles Walk through Amberley & back round the castle and along the river Arun. Car park at Amberley Station

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20 Charity & Community

Sponsor a St Wilfrid’s Nurse St Wilfrid’s Hospice has launched a new fundraising initiative aimed at engaging the community with the work of its nurses who provide such vital care for patients both in the Hospice and in their own homes.

The ‘Sponsor a Nurse’ scheme will ask supporters for a monthly donation of their choice to help support local people at their time of need. As little as £3 per month will allow the hospice help every patient to make the most of each day. The nursing team enables patients to come to the Day Care facilities, to come into the Ward for symptom control, or end of life care, and to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Contact: Fundraising Department on 01243 755837; email: fundraising@stwh.co.uk www.stwh.co.uk/sponsoranurse St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Grosvenor Road PO19 8FP

Patients Help Buy Hospital Equipment Local prostate cancer patients have helped buy equipment for Western Sussex Hospitals Trust

Left to Right - John Harmer, Upper Marden, PCaSO fundraiser.

Mr Paul Carter, Head of Surgery, WSHT; Mr Barnaby Chappell, Consultant Urological Surgeon, WSHT; David Hurst, Pulborough, PCaSO Secretary; Ian Graham-Jones, Westbourne, PCaSO trustee.

(WSHT) to make testing easier for the next patients.

Prostate cancer patients in the south have donated £25,000 to their local hospital trust to help buy a hitech biopsy machine. Almost every prostate cancer patient has to have samples taken of their cancer

CHICHESTER LOCAL tumour so that doctors can see how aggressive the cancer is. The biopsy is a standard part of the diagnosis. The new £85,000 equipment draws together ultrasound and MRI scan information, presenting it on a screen, which enables the surgeon to accurately pinpoint the tumour to get the required samples. Previously patients attending St Richards, Worthing and Southlands Hospitals would have to travel out of West Sussex to get this treatment but now the equipment, based in St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, will allow men to be treated much more locally.

PCaSO Prostate Cancer Support Organisation is the largest patient-run support organisation for prostate cancer in the country, with 1000 members living along the south coast and support groups in Chichester, Pulborough and Rustington.

Contact: prostatecanceruk.org

Starting School in September 2017?

If your child’s date of birth is between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013 it is now time to apply for their school place. You need to apply online before the closing date of Sunday 15 January 2017; you cannot apply online after this date and failure to apply before this date will seriously disadvantage your application.

If you do not have access to the internet, free access to apply for a school place is available in all West Sussex libraries and Children and Family Centres. The website provides information needed for completing your application, including details of all the schools in West Sussex, your catchment school, and important information for parents. Please read it carefully before making your application.

There are some benefits to applying online and we strongly advise all parents to do so. However, if you really can’t access the internet you can obtain a paper form by calling 03330 142 903.

Contact: www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions.

Notices to info@sussexlocal.net

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Festive Farmyard Fun Day Russell’s Garden Centre is celebrating its 70th birthday and raising money for The Sussex Snowdrop Trust by holding a fun day. Santa’s Festive Farmyard Fun Day will take place on Sunday 27th November, from 10am to 3pm, when visitors will be able to tell Santa what’s on their wish list, receive a gift and meet the animal stars of the living nativity scene.

Along with a special Santa and a farm experience, attractions include free food tasting, fun with Elsie the Elf, the Penny Black Choir, a Christmas fancy dress competition and gift shopping opportunities.

The garden centre’s award-winning restaurant will be open for meals and snacks.

All proceeds will go to The Sussex Snowdrop Trust.

Contact: Russells Garden Centre, Main Rd, Birdham, Chichester PO20 7BY 01243 512525 Further information from www.russellsgardencentre.com www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com

Local Charity Card Shops The festive season gets under way in Chichester with the opening of the Cards for Good Causes charity Christmas card shop. Staffed by a team of local volunteers, the pop-up shop is part of a network of 300 temporary shops run by Cards for Good Causes, the UK’s largest multi-charity Christmas card organisation. It represents more than 250 charities including Cancer Research UK, Barnardo’s, NSPCC,

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Alzheimer’s Society and RNLI as well as selling cards from a number of local charities including Canine Partners; Sussex Snowdrop Trust; Friends of Chichester Hospital; SASBAH; Air Ambulance and The Aldingbourne Trust. In the past ten years, charities have received more than £40 million from Cards for Good Causes, representing at least 70p in every pound, out of which charities have had to pay for the production and distribution of their Christmas cards and any VAT. The shop is open Monday to Saturday, from 9.30-4.30, until 17th December at Old Court Room,The Council House, Chichester PO19 1LQ .

Facebook/Twitter or www.cardsforcharity.co.uk

West Sussex County Council in Rydon FOI Breach The closure of Rydon school in Storrington won’t go away. Louise Goldsmith, Conservative Leader of West Sussex County Council, who in July took the decision, after a one hour meeting with officials, has delayed twice in answering our Freedom of Information request about her handling of the final decision - the first time was in direct breach of FOI legislation.

On 24th August we asked for a list of the points submitted by the public in the final consultation in June, together with Ms Gooldsmith’s responses. We also asked how much time Ms Goldsmith had spent on the matter. The Council didn’t respond until prompted, and after the statutory deadline had passed. They then said they didn’t understand the first question, but that that Ms Goldsmith had spent an hour with officials in a briefing before making the decision.

We have asked for an internal review - but have now been told that apparently the person who has the information is “off sick”. So only one person in the whole of WSCC has these records. Go to www.whatdotheyknow.com search for “Final consultation re Rydon Community College Closure”.

Please email your community notices to info@sussexlocal.net.

Events on www.sussexlocal.net

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22 Charity & Community / Finance

Sussex Snippets

West Sussex Family Information Service (FIS) is now on Facebook, and the service is keen for this to be a place for you to ask questions, share ideas and engage in activities. Visit the FIS page for information on: childcare including free childcare places, health information, activities in your area, key dates, for example primary school place applications, helpful tips and activities, and national and local campaigns. www.facebook.com/FISWestSussex The scale and health risks of fracking threatened in West Sussex were exposed at a public meeting organised by Chichester and Bognor Regis Green Party in Chichester, where actress Sue Jameson, local anti-fracking campaigner, told those who attended that large areas of the county were covered by licenses that could lead to drilling. The Green Party is urging everyone concerned about issues around fracking to put much pressure on Business Secretary, Sajid Javed, to limit this harmful process by emailing or writing to him at the House of Commons. www.chichesterbognor.greenparty.org.uk Sussex teenager Georgie Hudd, 18, has won the recent FAD (Fashion Awareness Direct) awards, one of twenty-one teenage finalists, the youngest designers to showcase at London Fashion Week shortlisted from over 100 teenagers who took part in

FAD workshops earlier this year. They presented garments inspired by the artistic heritage of the Indian subcontinent fused with London street-style, and Georgie’s work was praised by the expert jury panel for its impeccable construction, attention to detail and thorough research. www.fad.org.uk West Sussex County Council libraries are commemorating the centenary of the Battle of the Somme this November with free cinema shows featuring an original, full-length film shot during the World War I battle. The Battle of the Somme film, which was shot in 1916 and is courtesy of the Imperial War Museums, will be shown on Thursday 10th November, from 7.30 - 9.45pm at Chichester Library, PO19 1QJ, admission is free, but tickets must be booked in advance. Tel: 01243 777351.

West Sussex residents who care for relatives, partners or friends are being reminded about the free digital resources available to help them find information and juggle tasks - carers guides, elearning tools - as well as the ‘Jointly’ app, created by the charity Carers UK. Jointly enables users to set up circles of care, where all those involved in someone’s care can share information and messages between them, the app but is free for West Sussex residents when they register for the online tools and use the promotional code DGTL2948. www.carersdigital.org

Notices to info@sussexlocal.net

Getting tense about tenses

By Richard Cohen JP FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner People of often say their investments are GOING down or, hopefully more frequently, GOING up in value. Whichever one they are saying they are wrong.

Their investments HAVE gone up or HAVE gone down.

We know what has happened to the value historically but we have no idea of the future direction of travel.

Whilst correcting this may sound pedantic, I frequently feel the need to do so because I believe it is symptomatic and perhaps even a cause of why investors get caught up in bubbles and often buy high and sell low.

Throughout 2011 I lost count of the number of people who were talking about investing in gold because “it was going up”. Over the next four years it lost around a third of its value before recovering some of that this year. At the moment I hear that the stock market is going up, house prices are rising and the pound is falling. All three of which are incorrect, the stock market has gone up house prices have risen and the pound has fallen. All three may or may not continue their previous trajectory and whilst we have an opinion on that, we cannot be sure.

The use of the present tense gives a sense of security and certainty based on the premise that the past performance will continue. Worse still, people feel even more comfortable that an investment “is going up” after a prolonged period of strong performance, when often an asset is getting more and more overvalued meaning the correction will be even harder.

Saying “this has gone up and I believe it will continue to do so” sounds much less certain. A far less comfortable but often far more accurate statement is “this has gone down and I think it will recover”.

Everyone knows you want to buy towards the bottom of the market, when values have gone down and you expect them to go up and sell at the top, when values have gone up. Whilst it seems common sense I can assure you persuading people to do so is somewhat harder.

Locally based at 93 Rowlands Road, Worthing BN11 3JX. For more information please visit www.nsurefinancial.co.uk or to arrange a free review please call Sarah Gray on 01903 821010

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24 Local Charity

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Search Dogs Sussex Serving the community, saving lives By Lynn Smith There is undeniably a special relationship between man and dog. Throughout history the two species have jogged along pretty much side by side, each aiding and abetting the others development; a relationship benefiting – for the most part – both species.

Dogs have evolved to exploit the benefits of living closely with man – shelter, food – and man has profited from a companion offering superior senses along with an unquestioning devotion. Dogs work alongside man in many roles, guide dogs for the blind, sniffer dogs, sheep herding dogs, all are familiar sights to most of us, but, there is a less well known branch of service dog that carries on its work with very little notice from the general public.

Since March 2003, Search Dogs Sussex (SDS) has provided nationally qualified search dog teams to support the emergency services - looking for missing people - working 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, regardless of the weather. When someone considered to be at risk goes missing the police are the first point of contact. However, the missing person may not want to be found or if in a confused state, may try to hide from the searchers. Searchers on foot from the Search and Rescue teams and police, and drones may have been deployed, but if the missing person is able to evade the searchers or has fallen and is hidden from sight there is a chance they will not be spotted. Which is where SDS comes into its own, unfazed by poor illumination, rough terrain or camouflaging undergrowth a search dog’s phenomenal scent receptors will lead him or her along the trail of a missing person as clearly as though that person had been floodlit.

The Lowland equivalent of the better known Mountain Rescue, SDS was founded following the disappearance of Sarah Payne, the ensuing search highlighting the need for a professional volunteer search and rescue resource for the Police to call on within Sussex and surrounding counties. Called out directly by the emergency services, SDS is often placed on “standby” whilst the Police make their enquiries so that they can deploy quickly when asked.

Chairman, Steve Ball has been with SDS for around twelve years and says that the charity receives between 25 to 30 callouts a year, but that, “We are up to 25 already this year (at the end of September) making it our busiest yet.” SDS may be called out to look for anyone that the Police determine to be vulnerable – ranging from a child to dementia sufferers and despondent (suicidal) people. And, because the dogs are what Steve calls “air scenting,” they are normally given rural areas to search, typically woodland and hills.

Steve explains that, “On average a search dog is worked for around four hours, but this depends on the environment the dog is working in. Searches can go on for a really short period, for instance if the missing person turns up at home, or it can go for several days until all leads are exhausted with the available information.”

SDS is a member of the national umbrella organisation The Association of Lowland Search & Rescue (ALSAR), which assesses all dogs and handlers, at quarterly held national assessments, prior to them becoming operational. Dogs and handlers are a team, training and qualifying as a pair, one cannot work without the other, and are re-assessed every two years ensuring all teams maintain the required national operational standards. “Training a search dog takes commitment, patience and practice, practice, practice, with a typical dog and handler needing to

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25

26 Local Charity

train once a week, often more, for a period of time that could be up to two years or more.”

Currently, the SDS team comprises twenty members, serving as dog handlers, dog support, and nonoperational support, such as fundraising and media management. All are unpaid volunteers, most of whom fit their constant training and search activities around full time jobs. SDS receives no government funding, relying solely on donations and sponsorship to keep the team operational and provide essential search and safety equipment such as dog first aid kits, radios and hi-visibillity clothing. All other expenses come from the team’s own pocket.

Steve Ball says, “Predominantly I would say every member of the team wants to look after the most vulnerable members of our community and has a strong desire to make a difference and save lives. They are all great outdoors people and thrive on the challenges of working in a small team in all weathers often under a lot of pressure to find someone quickly before the elements overwhelm them. Obviously we are all dog lovers and then there are core skills like navigation radio operating and first aid, in which we are all trained.”

There is clearly an extraordinary level of commitment involved with the average search dog retiring around ten or eleven years old. Retirement is at the discretion of the dog handler, whose dog will continue to work as long as it remains fit, enjoys the work and can keep going. Similarly, the handler continues to work for as long as he/she is fit enough to do the job – all operational members undergo an annual fitness test.

At present, SDS does not have vacancies for dog handlers, although they do require volunteers in the vital

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support role of deploying the search dog and handler, which, Steve Ball explains, is a harder role to fill: “We require people to meet a basic criteria … [the role] is physically demanding and we are out in all weathers and in the remote woodland at night, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.” He adds, “Perhaps the biggest issue we face when recruiting is the amount of time a volunteer has to be prepared to put in, which is considerable and no expenses are paid, which is also a barrier for a lot of people as a considerable amount of travelling is required.”

Fundraising is key for SDS, and they have the usual funding streams – including buckets and collection tins in local businesses, Just Giving pages. They attend shows such as Sussex Paws in the Park, and receive some funding from the National Lottery and the Libor fund etc., which is used for purchasing specialist training and to fund vital equipment and clothing. From time to time SDS also organises a fun search and rescue introduction course, giving people the opportunity to experience the very basic levels of search dog training, raising funds and also talent spotting suitable dogs and handlers, whilst helping to spread the word about the work of the charity.

Steve Ball says that the charity is becoming more well -known locally: “We enjoy a fantastic relationship with Sussex Police who support us wherever possible, we also work closely with other search and rescue assets such as Sussex Search and Rescue … who attend the callouts alongside us, and Neighbourhood Watch search teams.” The organisation enjoyed media coverage last year when it was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Services, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, and there are a number of television interviews featured on the website – well worth a look. www.searcgdogssussex.com

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28 Recipe

Squash or Pumpkin Soup Enjoy these gorgeous bright orange vegetables in a delicious winter soup. Make a large batch to freeze for bonfire night or Halloween.

2. Stir in the squash and cook over a gentle heat Ingredients.

Serves 6: 2tbsp vegetable oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves, crushed; 1kg pumpkin, peeled, seeded diced; 1 litre good stock; Salt & pepper; 1-2tbsp smoked paparika; 300ml milk or buttermilk; little soured cream to serve

Method: 1. Heat the oil in a large heavy based pan and cook the onion and garlic for 4-5 minutes until softened without browning.

for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the the stock, season with salt and pepper, bring to the boil, cover with a lid, and simmer for 20 minutes or until really tender.

3. Blend the soup in a food processor, adding milk to thin down as you blend. Return the soup to the pan, adjust the seasoning to taste, and cook for 5 minutes until hot.

4. Spoon the soup into serving bowls, and serve immediately topped with a swirl of soured cream.

Tip: Don’t forget the seeds - wash, rinse, dry and roast in medium hot oven with a little oil and seasoning or spices until crisp and crunchy!

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

Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

Puzzles

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Young Reader's Puzzle Page Wordsearch

Number Tower

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

ACORN COBWEB FRESH

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Mouse Maze Help the mouse reach the cheese

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.

Sudoku Place the numbers 1 – 6 once in each row, column and 3x2 bold-lined box

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

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30 Business Directory

Business Directory Advertisers please call 01903 868 474 or see www.sussexlocal.net 3cm box is just £10 + VAT per month (minimum six months) price includes design. New categories can be created.

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Independent Financial Advisors nsure 23 The Mellor Practice 8 Motorhome & Caravan Servicing Motorhome & Caravan Services 9 Nursing & Care Services Inter-County Nursing & Care Services Ltd 25 Nursing Home Marriott House 14 Painters & Decorators PCP Painting & Decorating 17 Solicitors Anderson Rowntree Solicitors 5 Storage Southdowns Storage 10 Visitor Attraction Amberley Museum 6 Will Writing Thy Will be Done Ltd 28 Windows Doors Conservatories Britannia Conservatories 2 Rustington Windows UPVC LTD 21

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