Sussex Local - Findon - December 2018

December 2018

SUSSEX LOCAL

Findon - High Salvington - Salvington - Clapham - Patching

Local news and events through the door to 6,200 homes in this area every month

WEST DEAN

College of Arts & Conservation

GARDENS Running a nursery

NEWS

WHAT’S ON

Festive Issue

WIN TICKETS!

Santa’s Little Trolls Worthing Ice Rink

Council Charity Community School

PLUS

What’s On, Local Walks, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Local Clubs, Gardening, Local Charities, Local Business Directory

through the door

2

SUSSEX LOCAL

3

December 2018 Cover image Aladdin at Pavilion Theatre 30th Nov – 1st Jan worthingtheatres.co.uk

Welcome...

...to our festive issue. As you would imagine, our December What’s On guide (pages 4 12) is packed with seasonal events as well as the regular listings for clubs and groups.

Also in keeping with the season you can win a family ticket to see “Santa’s Little Trolls” at the Connaught Theatre Worthing, page 15 and tickets to go ice skating at the Steyne Gardens Ice Rink in Worthing on page 14.

By the end of December we will have given away 146 pairs of tickets and 79 books this year alone! We would like to thank all our competition partners as well as everyone who has entered one of our competitions.

This month we feature West Dean College, see page 26. An arts and conservation college, part of a registered charity, which champions traditional art and craft practices.

Nutritionist Heather looks at ’being good’ over Christmas, page 47. On the subject of festive food, Hollie from Village Larder has a delicious recipe for cauliflower & broccoli cheese with chestnuts - a tasty Christmas dinner accompaniment, page 34.

4 14 15 16 18 20 26 32 34 36 42 43 47 48 50 54

..........................................................................What’s On ..................................WIN! Tickets for Worthing Ice Rink ................................WIN! Tickets for Santa’s Little Trolls .....................................................................Local History ........................................................................Local Walks .........................................................Charity & Community ............................................................West Dean College .................................................................Prize Crossword .................................................................................Recipe ....................................................................In Your Garden ............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page ...........................................................Local schools news ...........................................................Health & Wellbeing ...........................................................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.

Valerie Martin has some ghostly tales from the past on page 16 and we have our usual parish council news starting on page 48 and school news on page 43. Findon Valley Residents’ news is on page 49 and for other local updates please see our Charity & Community pages starting on page 20.

Seasons Greeting’s,

Kris & Jeff

Quote of the month “We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.”

- WINSTON CHURCHILL 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, 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.

4

What’s On

SUSSEX LOCAL

through the door

5

6

What’s On

SUSSEX LOCAL

through the door

What’s On

7

8

What’s On

SUSSEX LOCAL

through the door

What’s On

9

SUSSEX LOCAL

10 What’s On

DURRINGTON St

Symphorians Church Hall, New Road Mon 9.30 AM

WORTHING Charmandean Centre

Tues 9.30 AM & 11.30 AM (Forest Road off A27)

FINDON All Saints Church Hall Cissbury Drive Tues 7 PM

WORTHING Emmanuel Church Hall Heene Road Entrance Wed 9.30 AM

Sarah: 01903 218261 / 07769 611034

Computer Problems?

Jargon-Free Service & Support for the home user Over 20 years experience Virus/Spyware Removal Repairs & Maintenance iPads/Tablets Setup Photo & Video Editing

Training and Advice No Call-Out Fee Competitive Rates References Available

contact Les Burstow

01903 267 688 07887 987 980

les.burstow@vipernet-tech.co.uk www.vipernet-tech.co.uk

through the door

What’s On

11

12 What’s On

SUSSEX LOCAL

through the door

13

14 Competition

SUSSEX LOCAL

Win a pair of tickets to Worthing Ice Rink

Open 17th November until 24th February in Steyne Gardens Worthing's fully covered ice rink ensures fun whatever the weather may throw at us. The colony of penguins, led by Puddles will be returning from the South Pole to assist the younger skaters.

All ages over four years are welcome to skate whatever level of ability. This year Worthing Ice Rink will continue to offer special sessions during off peak times for younger children (under 4 years) to have a go when the ice is quiet. These sessions will be Monday – Friday off peak from 12.30am – 3.00pm. OffPeak times are all sessions Monday – Friday during school term time and 6.45pm and 8.00pm on weekends and school holidays. Peak times are weekends and school holidays from 10am – 5.30pm. Ticket prices start from £7.

The café offers hot drinks and snacks so skaters and non-skaters alike can enjoy the atmosphere in the giant marquee. Worthing Ice Rink also cater for children’s birthday parties and Christmas parties.

Find out more at worthingicerink.com/wp

Win a pair of tickets to Worthing Ice Rink To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: Puddles leads a colony of _________: a) Seals b) Penguins c) Polar Bears Send your answer and contact details to: Worthing Ice Rink Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st December 2018. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

Competition

through the door

15

Win a family ticket to Santa’s Little Trolls Sunday 23rd December at Connaught Theatre, Worthing those cheery, little elves and that red nosed reindeer celebrated at Christmas, while the hard working trolls miss out. Not once have they been on an advent calendar or featured in a carol, so this year, unless they get their ugly mugs on at least one Christmas card, there will be NO SNOW! Winners will receive a family ticket to the showing at Connaught Theatre, Worthing on Sunday 23rd December. Winners can choose to see the show at 11am or 1pm. worthingtheatres.co.uk

Win tickets to Santa’s Little Trolls To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: Who never gets any of the credit at Christmas?

Jeremy really, really loves Christmas. All he wants is for each Christmas to be perfect; mince pies, stockings, mistletoe and especially, (and this is the icing on the Christmas cake)…lots and lots of SNOW! But, who exactly brings the snow? Santa? Rudolph?

Jack Frost? No, it’s the one job left in the heavy hands of the Trolls of Winter. However, the trolls are fed up with never getting any of the credit. It’s always

a) Elves

b) Reindeer

c) Trolls

Send your answer and contact details to: Santa’s Little Trolls Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 13th December 2018. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

16 Local Tales

SUSSEX LOCAL

Hauntings at Muntham Court by Valerie Martin

Part of the Muntham Court wall remains at the Crematorium

Here are some ghostly tales for you to tell around the hearth on chilly December nights.

The mansion of Muntham Court (demolished in 1961) which used to be in Findon on the site which is now Worthing Crematorium is shown right. It was purported to be haunted during the latter days when the Marchioness of Bath was in residence... or perhaps early in the days of the Thynne family. This means that the building was perceived as being inhabited by disembodied spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents. It has been suggested that “haunting” by such spirits could have occurred after the effect of violent or tragic events in Munthum Court's past such as murder, accidental death or suicide.

I will leave you to make up your own minds on the incidents... one such occurrence allegedly happened to a maid and also to a cook at the mansion. Being servants to the family they both had their quarters at the very top of the house... these remote attic regions would be enough to send shivers down the spine on a winter's night.

First I will take the case of a young girl employed as a maid in the mansion of Muntham Court. Her name has been lost in the mists of time but she may have appeared as in the picture left. In those days the household would have comprised of many personnel such as a butler, footman, cook, housekeeper, lady's maid, housemaid, under housemaid, sewing maid, kitchen maid, scullery maid and most likely more.

This young maid would have risen early each day probably at around 6.30am, washed and dressed and tied her hair neatly back beneath her maid's cap.

During her daily labours she said she could see the ghost of the former housekeeper constantly following right behind her in the old house. Dare I put forward the theory that she was merely afraid of the creaking floorboards behind her making her think the past dreaded housekeeper was near?

(c) Worthing Museum & Art Gallery

Secondly, I come to a kitchen staff member employed in the Muntham kitchen as the cook. Legend tells that one winter night there was a clattering as the cook's footsteps were heard running from her bedroom. She was said to be screaming as if the devil were after her. Apparently she was terrified as every time she pulled her bedding around her it seemed as if some unknown hand tugged it down again. Were the bedclothes yanked by some unknown force or did they simply slip of their own accord?

This latter tale brought to mind a similar story from the 1960s, unfortunately not connected to the local area.

My father, Leonard, announced one day that if he was the first to die and there was any possible way he could get a message to Dorothy (my mother) from “the afterlife”, he would. This put my mother in quite a predicament. She told me that she was very startled after his death when she would be awoken at night with the feeling of his hand on her bed. She confessed to me that she wished he had never made that promise to her and it worried her no end.

Did the happenings at Muntham Court have rational explanations, such as the misinterpretation of strange creaking noises naturally present in the structure of the old mansion and the howling of the wind around the attic windows. Did these experiences reach the ears of the owners of Muntham Court I wonder or were these just whispered gossip between the staff below-stairs?

I have no dates for these haunting Muntham happenings and I will leave you to make up your own minds as you sip your wine around the hearth this Christmastide.

Meanwhile, a Happy Christmas from Valerie and Dolly (above)!

through the door

17

18 Walks

SUSSEX LOCAL

Local Walks - December All walks are led by friendly, trained volunteers - please do check with the organisers for full details and for any last minute changes. Health walks are 30 – 90 minutes, supported by Walking for Health & Horsham District Council. Level 2 & Level 3 are more challenging, for fitter walkers, supported by Horsham District Council Sat 1

2:00pm Under the Downs 3.6 miles 1 hr 45 mins Meet at Storrington Rec. Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG. Short walk towards the South Downs escarpment Mick 01903 745971 Sat 2 10:00am The Burgh 4.5 miles 1 hr 45 mins Meet at Kithurst Hill car park (TQ070124). A pleasant walk which takes us into the very heart of the South Downs Mick 01903 745971 Wed 5 10:00am Henfield Byways 2-3 miles 1 hr Meet Henfield Library, BN5 9HN. Lovely walk around the twittens, ginnells and snickets of Henfield.

Anne 01273 493671 Sat 8 2:00pm Sullington Church 3.3 miles 1.5 hrs Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 ` 4BG. See picturesque Sullington Church Mick 01903 745971 Sun 9 10:00am Figure of Eight 5 miles 2 hrs 15 mins Meet at Kithurst Hill car park (TQ070124). This walk explores the South Downs around Kithurst Mick 01903 745971 Thu 13 10:00am Southwater Footpaths and Lanes 5.5 miles 2.5 hrs Park in the car park of the Country Park, RH13 9UN Lynne 01403 268157 Sat 15 10:30am West Grinstead Mince Pie Walk 3/5 miles 2.5 hrs Meet WSCC car park adjacent to the Downs Link, RH13 8LY. Walk with option to do 3 or 5 miles along the Downs Link Jill 07780 701184 Sun 16 10:00am Sullington Hill & Storrington Christmas Social 5 miles 2 hrs Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG. Walkers are invited to join us in Storrington Village Hall for a traditional Christmas Social at 12:30pm Mick 01903 745971 Sun 16 11:00am Parham Glider Field 3.6 miles 1 hr 45 mins Meet at Storrington Rec. Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG Mick 01903 745971 Wed 19 10:30am Storrington Riverside Walk 2.5 miles 90 mins Meet at Storrington Rec. Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG Mick 01903 745971 Sat 22 2:00pm Sandgate Park & Sullington Warren 3.6 miles 1 hr 45 mins Meet at Storrington Rec. Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG Mick 01903 745971 Thu 27 7:00pm Ron’s Evening Walks 5-6 miles 3 hrs Very social walk usually ending in a pub.

Please ring for details Ron 07933 106663 Sat 29 2:00pm Nutbourne 3 miles 1.5 hrs Meet West Chiltington Village Hall, RH20 2PZ. See vineyards, llamas, a windmill and lovely houses Mick 01903 745971 Sun 30 10:00am Cootham 3 miles 1.5 hrs Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG. Dogs welcome. Refreshments provided Mick 01903 745971

Level 2 Level 3 Health Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 2 Level 3

Level 2 Health Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 2

Arun Adur Ramblers – www.arun-adur-ramblers.org.uk Wed 5 Sun 16 Wed 19 Sun 30

9:45am Findon 5 miles Meet at Nepcote Green 10:30am Petworth Park 7 miles Meet in National Trust car park on A283 10:30am Mince Pie Walk 7 miles Meet in Lancing Ring car park. Mince pies and ginger wine at the end of the walk.

10:00am Washington 5.5 miles Meet in Glaseby Lane, south of Washington Roundabout

Leisurely Moderate Moderate Moderate

through the door

19

20 Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets West Sussex Music has announced brand new Key2Music beginner classes which will offer children the opportunity to learn a new instrument, alongside friends and peers in a fun, group environment. To be held on Saturday mornings at five Music Centres in Chichester, Crawley, Haywards Heath, Horsham and Worthing, children will get the chance to learn instruments such as bassoon, brass, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, oboe, saxophone, viola, and violin, for as little as £60 per term which includes Music Centre membership; low cost instrument hire can be added for just £20 per term. There are also classes in theory and musicianship as well as groups for pre-school children. To register your interest in the classes email music@westsussexmusic.co.uk St Barnabas Hospice provides end of life care services to adults with life-limiting conditions. Millie’s mother and husband were both referred to St Barnabas, she said: “My mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2015. She went to St Barnabas for pain management. She was so happy there, and it made a massive difference to her. In December 2016, my husband, Paul, was diagnosed with CJD. It’s like dementia fast forward times ten.

Only 66 people a year in the country get CJD. He was

SUSSEX LOCAL just so unlucky. By the time he got to St Barnabas, everything was shutting down. I never felt like I was putting the staff out. They can never do enough for you. Paul died with dignity at St Barnabas. He slipped away really peacefully. There are loads more families who need help right now. Please, will you help St Barnabas be there for them, by making a donation this Christmas? Thank you so much. Millie.” To make a donation to St Barnabas, visit www.justgiving.com/ stbarnabas-christmas-2018 St Barnabas House hospice has also launched its successful ‘Wear it Festive’ fundraising campaign.

This year, anything goes, from simple seasonal socks to outrageous festive frocks. Local businesses, schools and individuals are being invited to hold an event and fundraise to support the vital hospice care services provided by St Barnabas over the festive period. You can join in with Wear it Festive at home, work or school on Friday 14 December or alternatively pick a date that suits you best. Register to take part and receive a free fundraising pack at www.stbh.org.uk/wearitfestive or call the Fundraising Team to find out more on 01903 254777.

To see and purchase designer crafts in Sussex visit the Sussex Guild Contemporary Craft Show in Midhurst on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd December. The Sussex Guild is a group of selected, professional designer makers of contemporary and traditional crafts. The annual Sussex Guild event will be held in Rother College. Visitors will find a variety of beautifully made crafts which have been created in workshops and studios across Sussex and the adjoining counties - handy to look for Christmas gifts. Admission ticket of £3 allows you to return throughout the two days, students and children free admission. The venue is a short walk from Midhurst town centre, with free parking in the town and at the college.

For more information about the Sussex Guild see www.thesussexguild.co.uk Young people in West Sussex with mental health needs can now benefit from a reshaped counselling service provided by YMCA DownsLink Group. People aged 11-18 who present with mild to moderate emotional wellbeing and mental health needs can get face-to-face counselling at various locations across the county. Now, thanks to a new support platform called ‘e-wellbeing’, the service also offers online sessions with an experienced and qualified counsellor. Another new development will see young people able to take part in a new group work programme, due to be available at set locations near the end of the year. Referrals to the counselling service can be made at the county council’s Find It Out centres, selfreferrals and by contacting YMCA DownsLink Group by calling 07739 893 707 or emailing community.counselling@ymcadlg.org

Community notices printed free of charge. info@sussexlocal.net

through the door

21

SUSSEX LOCAL

22 Charity & Community

Findon Village Pre-school

Light Up a Life

Dear Editor, We are a small village preschool that is charity run looking to refurbish our building. We have children from Findon, Worthing and the surrounding areas who attend our preschool.

The building we have now was once a wooden shed type café on Bognor seafront. Over 30 years ago the village community dismantled it and brought it to the village for the Youth Club which we jointly shared until 14 years ago. Now we are sole users.

The building is now in need of a complete refurbishment to make it more efficient and fit for purpose. We are in the process of looking for sponsors or donations of finance or materials towards our building be it large or small.

There will be a plaque on our new building and a list on our website listing those companies who have donated towards our build.

So far we have raised just over £20,000 and we need another £60,000 to make our dream of a new building happen.

If you are interested in helping us or for more details please feel free to email us on fvpreschool@gmail.com Thank you for reading, Kim Fessey, Preschool Manager, Findon Village Preschool

St Barnabas House hospice is inviting the local community to join together to remember and celebrate the lives and memories of their loved ones this Christmas.

The hospice’s annual Light Up a Life appeal enables supporters to make a dedication in memory of a loved one, and if they wish, a donation to help support the work of the hospice. Every dedication received will be included in a specially printed commemorative Order of Service at the Light Up a Life services.

This year, the community is warmly invited to come along to one of the Light Up a Life services on Monday 10 December at 4.30pm and 7pm at Worthing Assembly Hall. Everyone who attends will receive a special Light Up a Life candle to be lit at home in memory of a loved one. Friends and family members are also invited to bring along a photo of a loved one which can be displayed on a ‘Memory Wall’ after each service.

Proceeds raised from these special dedications will help St Barnabas care for people with life-limiting illnesses over Christmas and the following months.

Last year, the appeal raised in excess of £30,000 which helped provide over 2,000 hours of specialist nursing care to patients in their own homes.

You can find out more information about Light Up a Life or download a donation form at www.stbh.org.uk/lightupalife. If you have any questions about Light Up a Life, please call the St Barnabas House Fundraising Team on 01903 706329 or email james.millen@stbh.org.uk.

Trekkers raise £77,000 A team of 42 trekkers from across the local area raised in excess of £77,000 by taking on the Dalai Lama India Trek for St Barnabas House.

The team have all been fundraising for Worthingbased hospice St Barnabas House, and between them they have raised in excess of £77,000.

St Barnabas House has just opened registration for its next overseas trek, the ‘Great Wall of China Trek’, which takes place in October 2020.

For more information about the trek please visit www.stbh.org.uk/china or contact the Events Team by emailing events@stbh.org.uk or calling 01903 706354.

23

through the door ALL FIVE SERVICES INSPECTED BY CQC GOOD! SEPTEMBER 2018 Though the new regulations, standards and inspections seem endless, the ethos at Woodlands has not changed here in thirty years. “Treat each resident as if they are your own parent”. Not ROOM AVAILABLE NOW! difficult to understand, though challenging at times. The staff, all highly qualified and very experienced in the field of Dementia Care, take enormous pride in their work with the results of a “GOOD” in all five categories of the CQC Inspection Report.

However, the greatest reward is daily… seeing residents content, secure and comfortable, feeling at home without social pressures. Being a small home, only fourteen residents, most residents get on together well but there is always a quiet corner if someone feels a little “Me-time” is in order!

Woodlands House is a care home for elderly people with short term memory, dementia confusion, and Alzheimer’s disease. The families of residents at Woodlands have recognised, that whilst becoming less able to live independently, even with home-care, their remaining skills and abilities can be more successfully maintained given specialist care earlier, rather than later.

The environment which is comfortable and homely with all soft furnishings, gives the warmth and understanding normally associated with family care. It is also borne in mind how families feel when first leaving and later visiting loved ones. It is important they feel comfortable and confident in the care being provided and their activities both daily and specifically tailored around each resident.

Christmas is coming, and like everyone else we will be preparing homemade mince pies, Christmas cake and loads of shortbread!! Decorations will cheer us up as we look out at the birds and squirrels scurrying around for their supper while residents patiently wait for the warm aromas of baking indicating supper and Christmas are on their way. Another year at Woodlands!

Oonagh Manager/Proprietor: house.woodlands@gmail.com 01903 725458 or 07815 762623

SUSSEX LOCAL

24 Charity & Community / Finance

Bike ride raises over £1,400 for veterans Keen rider and bicycle mechanic, Keith Hicks, took on an epic cycling challenge and has raised £1,416 for Worthing-based charity, Care for Veterans. Now in its sixth year, the Transcontinental Race is a 4,000kilometer bicycle race across Europe.

Starting in Belgium, the sixth edition of the race took riders through several countries, including Austria, Slovenia, Poland and Bosnia, where mandatory Control Points guided them across the continent to finally cross the finish line in Greece.

Keith’s father, who was ex-Army, was once a resident at Care for Veterans before he passed away in 2010.

Keith explained, “My Dad was very poorly for a long time before he passed away. He needed a lot of specialist care around the clock. This difficult time was made so much easier by everyone at Care for Veterans, so I decided to take on the Transcontinental Race in aid of this amazing charity.”

Another huge motivation came just before he left for Belgium – Keith found out he was going to be a Dad! He said, “I am extremely thankful to my lovely girlfriend for letting me go, considering the circumstances. I called home a lot so that I could check on her, but also to reassure her that I was ok. There were times I questioned myself, but I knew I had to keep going.”

The money Keith has raised will go towards the care and rehabilitation of disabled ex-Service personnel at Care for Veterans. He said, “I am so thankful to everyone who sponsored me, as this really helped get me through the race. I’d also like to say thank you to Rapha, Knog, Jam Cycling and Metier Cycling for all their support. I couldn’t have done this without them.”

When is a gift not a gift?

By Richard Cohen FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner Imagine if Santa gave you a toy but told you it was still his to play with. You probably would not consider that a gift. Neither would the taxman, he would say it is a “gift with reservation”. In the grown-up world this occurs when people attempt to avoid inheritance tax by giving something away but still having use of it.

The most common example I’ve come across over the years is when people have given their home to their children but are still living in it themselves in the mistaken belief it will avoid inheritance tax. In reality, the taxman says because you are still living in the property it is not a real gift and therefore doesn’t count. In such circumstances the “gift” is added back into the estate.

Very often, these people wouldn’t have had an inheritance tax problem anyway; the residential nil rate band that is being phased in means that structured correctly, from 2020 a married couple can give away £1 million on second death before any inheritance tax is due.

As well as failing to avoid a non-existent inheritance tax bill, they have often created their children a capital gains tax (CGT) bill for when the property is eventually sold, that wouldn’t have existed if they had

simply left it to them in their will. This is because only your primary residence is exempt from CGT, not additional properties that you own. Therefore, the gain between the date it was gifted to them and when they come to sell it is taxed at up to 28%.

Worse still, they are still deemed to own a property for stamp duty purposes. This means they are not a first-time buyer and so don’t benefit from the stamp duty exemption, and if they purchase a property they are likely to be liable to the 3% stamp duty surcharge.

The two combined can cost up to £20,000 in extra stamp duty!

If you’re thinking of making a gift and want to avoid any nasty tax surprises, you should really take regulated financial advice or at the very least as ask yourself, “what would Santa do?”

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

through the door

25

26 Local Places

West Dean College of Arts and Conservation

SUSSEX LOCAL Conservation students

High quality education in arts and conservation

by Veronica Cowan Idly thinking of branching out into screenwriting, under the illusion that it is easier than writing a book, I reflected that I have never knowingly written fiction (honestly!). But as Mark Twain might have said: “Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story,” so where to start?

Well, there are numerous courses on screenwriting, and Channel 4 annually offers twelve writers, new to television drama, an insight into how the industry works. It provides a “dry-run” of what it can be like to write a television drama commission, for a one-hour series and serial drama, as well as the experience of working with Channel 4 to write an original drama script.

The down side is that thousands of aspiring screenwriters apply each year, and I don’t think I am keen enough to compete, so I’ll leave that to younger, ambitious and enthusiastic starters.

A number of colleges around the country run screenwriting courses, some for beginners and others for more established writers who want to develop their material and learn from established writers. But not wanting to stray too far from home, I rang West Dean College to see if they were running such a course.

They weren’t but they did have a copy-writing course coming up, directed at writing for the theatre, so I signed up for a three-day residential course. It was a happy and useful few days, and I discovered that there are all kinds of courses running simultaneously at the College.

Situated in the West Dean Estate, near Chichester, the college is the former home of the poet and patron of the arts Edward James, who inherited it on his father’s death. An admirer of the Surrealist movement (a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature which sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind) he formed one of the largest collections of their works.

In 1939, he wrote to Aldous Huxley (an English writer, novelist and philosopher), expressing his fear that after the war, certain arts, particularly the techniques of the craftsmen, would be lost. In order to prevent this, James suggested his Estate be set up as an educational community where the techniques of craftsmanship could be preserved and taught, whilst restoring old work and creating new art works.

In 1964 he conveyed the Estate to the Edward James Foundation, which established West Dean College in 1971 as a centre for the study of conservation, arts, crafts, writing, gardening and music, providing both full-time and short courses.

I wondered whether the college is a registered charity, or a different kind of structure. Francine Norris, its director of education, explains: “[It] is an independent Higher Education College supported by The Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust (charity number 1126084). The Foundation also covers West Dean Gardens, West Dean Estate and West Dean Tapestry Studio (a professional Studio that also operates closely with the College's School of Art).

through the door

27

28 Local Places

SUSSEX LOCAL

The courses included on West Dean’s programmes include MA degrees and diplomas in Conservation Studies, and Visual Arts, validated by the University of Sussex.

The college is developing its partnerships and professional networks to extend impact, both nationally and internationally, and to increase graduate opportunities.

Many West Dean College alumni have gone on to work with significant collections in some of the world’s top museums and heritage organisations, or have successfully exhibited their work around the world. Conservation Graduates from West Dean have gone on to work at renowned institutions, including the Bodleian Library, the British Museum, the Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum. Many have ended up abroad, including at Royal Swedish Palaces, Smithsonian Museums in America and the Vienna Clock Museum, while others have gone into private practice.

As to how the courses are selected, Francine notes that the choice is influenced by the College’s founding principles: “Our courses range from one-day arts and craft courses to Foundation, Diploma and Masters degrees.” Learners can be beginners, or more advanced students.

She continues: “Whether it’s our relatively new FdA Historic Craft Practices degree or one of 800 short courses, the choice of courses reflects the founding aim of teaching and preserving crafts and supporting emerging talent. This was the vision of College founder, poet and arts patron Edward James, who is best known for his collaborations and support of surrealist artists including Dali.”

Most popular are the short courses, which range from art, craft, gardening, music and textiles to metalwork, ceramics, woodworking, writing, photography and more, Francine said, adding: “Among the most popular are painting, drawing and pottery because there is a huge variety of courses within these fields. Many of our tutors are very well known and their courses book quickly. New courses are continuously introduced and we find the appetite to try something new is always strong.”

Painting student One thing I liked about the script-writing course on which I had enrolled was the varied background and age of the participants, and one thing that united us all was that we wanted to sell what we wrote. Therefore, as well as being able to share experiences, and test our character plotting, we wanted to learn about the varied outlets for scripts.

Local Places

through the door But I asked Francine whether there was a typical age demographic for the uptake of the College’s longer courses.

“Students are attracted to West Dean College of Arts and Conservation from across a wide demographic,” she said, continuing: “Our degree and diploma students come from across the UK, Europe and internationally, attracted by our reputation for conservation and arts education.”

She added that those registering for the arts and craft short courses range from those who haven’t stepped into an art studio since their school days to practising professionals: “Then there are those who are embarking on a second career to pursue their art, [and] many more are here because they now have the time to develop their creativity.”

29

significant proportion come from across the South, including London. She adds: “Sussex students tend to come more often and our one-day taster courses appeal as they don’t need to stay overnight.”

As to the teachers, I wondered whether it was difficult to recruit people to run courses.

“Because we are purely an arts and conservation college we’re very invested in those spheres and have extensive networks and knowledge,” Francine explains, adding: “We keep a close connection with what's happening professionally and we’re always discovering talented individuals to deliver our courses. There’s a Jewellery for beginners class lively cultural programme of events here with visiting artists and authors, and these are open to the public and often free.”

As to what proportion of course participants are local, as in across Sussex, Francine said that whilst students come from across the UK and internationally, a

Find out more at www.westdean.org.uk You can also ring the reception on 01243 811301 or email reception@westdean.org.uk

SUSSEX LOCAL

30

Less jargon, more conversation!

by Emma Wells

MIPW

Will Writer

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting with some of the residents of a retirement apartment block in Worthing. I was invited off the back of previously meeting their lovely manager who advised me that as part of her role she is asked to provide the residents with a speaker every so often.

The term ‘speaker’ led to a fewer number of residents attending their coffee morning than usual as quite rightly no one wants to be ‘spoken at’ particularly in their own homes. Despite the smaller numbers we actually had a really nice morning that involved conversations about later life planning such as Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney and funeral plans but we also discussed the height of my heels, David Beckham and what caused Victoria Beckham’s rather sour face at the recent royal wedding! I left after just over an hour and the ladies assured me that they didn’t feel talked at which was really important to me.

Too many people put off making their Wills and asking what’s involved in making a Lasting Power of Attorney.

They say they feel intimidated by the jargon that can be used and the stiff approach that many firms take.

I like to think that we are different, we always try and put ourselves in our clients’ shoes and our approach seems to be working. The reviews that we have been given on the Institute of Professional Will writers website include comments such as: “Very professional, handled with sensitivity, and felt comfortable discussing with Emma” “Extremely grateful for all advice and services in a difficult family situation” “A very sensitive professional approach, concisely explained line by line and more than met our needs.

They are an incredibly diligent professional business and would not hesitate in thoroughly recommending their services to anyone.”

If you’re one of the many people who have yet to write your Will or arrange your Lasting Power of Attorney then please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would also be delighted to attend any coffee mornings for a chat (my sister is a chef at Ami Bistro so if you want I’ll also get her to make a cake to bring with me), my number is 01903 821010 or you can email me emma.wells@nsure.co.uk. I hope to hear from you soon.

through the door

31

SUSSEX LOCAL

32 Crossword

Prize Crossword Win a ÂŁ20 voucher for The Village House, Findon

Findon December 2018

October 2018 answer below:

Winner: Dave Roberts from Worthing. 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 6

Relinquish a throne (8)

8

Tibetan oxen (4)

9

Mayonnaise (5,8)

10 Expert in atmospheric conditions (13) 14 Rebirth of the soul in a new body (13) 17 Meteorologist (13) 20 Unknown (4) 21 Freeze (8)

1 2 3 4 5 7 11 12 13 15

Turkish currency (4) Outlaw (6) Breakfast food (6) Power of vision (8) Related by blood (4) Blind system of writing (7) Lack of variety (8) Belonging to us (3) Exhibitionist (4-3) Prejudice against old people (6) 16 Baby's feeding bottle cap (6) 18 Sicilian volcano (4) 19 Clarets (4)

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 Dec 2018.

THE VILLAGE HOUSE FINDON

Where great food and hospitality is our speciality WIN a ÂŁ20 food voucher www.villagehousefindon.co.uk

01903 873350

Sussex Local & The Village House may wish to keep in touch with occasional information and offers. We will never share your details with third parties.

Please tick if you would like to receive such information.

through the door

33

SUSSEX LOCAL

34 Recipe

Cauliflower & broccoli cheese with chestnuts A family favourite to accompany Christmas dinner Ingredients  1 large cauliflower  1 broccoli head  500ml milk  50g butter  3 bay leaves  3 tbsp plain flour  200g Sussex Charmer (you can visit Village Larder’s cheese counter for many more cheese)  25g coarse textured bread, torn into chunks  Grated nutmeg  80g ready cooked chestnuts, roughly chopped

Method: 1) Separate the cauliflower and broccoli into evensized florets, then bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the cauliflower and boil for 4 mins before adding the broccoli florets for a further 4 minutes or until just tender. Once fully drained arrange the florets in a large casserole dish.

2) To make the sauce, pour the milk into a pan with the butter, bay leaves and flour, and heat gently, stirring all the time, until it thickens into a smooth, creamy sauce. Remove the bay leaves, add 100g of the cheese and season to taste. Pour over the florets and scatter with the remaining cheese and grate the nutmeg over the top.

3) Heat your oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Scatter the chunks of bread and chestnuts over the florets and bake for 25 mins until golden.

Why not make ahead of time and pop in your freezer for Christmas Day? Order your turkey from Village Larder in-store or online.

Recipe kindly supplied by Hollie from Village Larder, Squires Garden Centre Washington or Old Mill Drive Storrington every Thursday. Follow Hollie on Instagram and Twitter @village_larder

through the door

35

SUSSEX LOCAL

36 Gardening

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks

by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens What’s it like to run a small garden nursery?

Garden designer Andrew Staib talks to Ed Nugent from Garden Sage Nursery in Hassocks about the joys and difficulties of running a nursery.

Ed Nugent

It was a great leap of faith three years ago when Ed Nugent and his wife Josie decided to set up their own nursery in Hassocks.

It was 2015 and they knew both they were in the shadow of two large commercial garden centres and despite a life time working in retail horticulture, they had never had to put their own savings into such a venture.

It was a risk that has paid off, despite working their fingers to the bone. During the summer Ed starts work at 5.30am and doesn’t finish sometimes until 8pm. Josie, who works as a professional gardener during the week, comes in to work on the weekend.

And they have kids! Hasn’t the hard work of running a nursery orphaned their children. “Luckily they are still at an age where they can run around and have adventures here!” The sacrifice is worth making.

“I’m lucky” Ed says, taking a sip of tea as we sit in the

nursery cafe, “I earn an income from the thing I love the most - talking about plants. It has been my whole life. I have been around plants since I was 16 and I’ve worked for all the major plant nurseries as well as doing the plant arranging for Chelsea and Hampton Court displays.”

through the door

Gardening

37

“Our goal here is to offer something very different to other nurseries. Give excellent advice to members of the public about which plants to buy that will suit their garden and how to care for them. People come in here ready to invest in their garden and we take that responsibility very seriously. We don’t sell people plants because we have a lot of a particular plant in stock. If we don’t have the plant that we think will be the right one then we will order it.

“Yes that’s it” Ed continues, “we sell good plants with good advice. That’s our ethos. I have worked in lots of big garden centres and it becomes all about squeezing money out of people. I was fed up with the commercial aspect and wanted to do something different. It is for this reason I will only employ people with a solid horticultural knowledge and an appetite to learn more”.

Ed takes me on a tour of the nursery. It is a delicate maze of paths with well presented plants in interesting combinations, so different from the rows of the same plant arranged in alphabetic order in a typical garden centre.

“One of the things we do here is concentrate on unusual species like Helwingia chinensis and sometimes this means returning to old varieties that have gone out of fashion like the green Ophiopogon. We make sure we

have plenty of standard plants in stock but it is exciting to offer unusual plants to the public not just designers.”

The cafe is a work in progress and the coffee and food is of unusually good quality.

“We will also bend over backward trying to source unusual plants. It takes way too much time to do this and I don’t get paid for it but, at the end of the day it is not the time it takes but not wanting to be beaten. I get obsessed with trying to find particular plants!” He grins. Ed comes over as a very hard working but gentle and honest man and you have a feeling that the plant choices he would give you would be spot on.

SUSSEX LOCAL

38 Gardening “We would like to expand over the next ten years but not get too big. I’m worried we would loose our ethos.”

And Ed would loose the very thing that is dear to himtalking about plants and caring for plants all day long!

They are open all throughout the winter from 8.30am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10-4pm.

If you bring this magazine along they will give you complimentary 30 Allium Drumsticks.

Where to go in December It is the time of Christmas fairs - Horsham Sunday Christmas market plus the Uckfield Festival of Christmas Trees are some you can visit. There is also Arundel

by Candlelight and ice skating at the Pavilion in Brighton, which are just a few things to do! Happy Christmas everyone and give your back a well earned rest.

Uckfield Festival of Christmas Trees

December tasks  It’s the right time to plant trees and hedges taken straight from the field. They are normally called ‘bareroot’ as opposed to ‘container grown’. They are half the price and settle in nicely into the cool moist earth.  It is still ok to order and plant bulbs. The soil is still very warm even if the air isn’t.  Prune heavily sapping trees like Birches and Grape vines before the winter really sets in.  Harvest the rest of your root crops and lift and store your Dahlia, Canna and Ginger Lilly bulbs.  Don’t worry if your garden looks messy. The more mess the better for wildlife that needs a place to hide away during the winter.

You will have plenty of time to clean your beds in Spring. Just think - your laziness now is creating a 5 star hotel for wildlife. However where needs must, continue to rake up leaves and store them separately from the summer’s grass clippings as they need a different process.

Garden Services

through the door

39

Making Saving Energy Simple       

Install Solar PV in your Home, Business or School Solar PV and Battery Storage Packages Electrical Services EV Car Charging Points Instantly Save Money Improve Living, Working & Teaching Environments Government Feed-in-Tariff until April 2019

01903 443 321 www.brightspark.energy info@brightspark.energy

@brightsparkenergy

@BrightSparkEn

Quote SUSSEX10 for your 10% DISCOUNT

SUSSEX LOCAL

40 Property

Energy performance certificates

By Chris Ennis FRICS Energy performance certificates (EPC’s) have been around now since 2008 and I imagine that most of us have seen the multicoloured ratings on fridges, freezers and other electrical equipment.

A similar rating regime is shown on all sales and letting particulars prepared by estate agents. The aim of the EPC is to alert owners and purchasers of the property’s energy efficiency and identify areas where capital expenditure could reduce running costs.

Some years ago, there was considerable debate concerning the Home Information Pack (HIP) which was, at the time likened to a house ‘MOT’ and included a type of survey, legal documents and an EPC. The HIP was proposed to be included with most sale and letting documents, but from the outset there were many legal and other issues to overcome. The need to provide a HIP was dismissed by the Conservative Liberal democratic government in 2010, but due to EU regulations the need for an EPC was retained.

Stop!

Currently an EPC is required when any self -contained residential building is sold or let.

Listed buildings are exempt as are properties sold privately and not publicly advertised. A listed building is exempt since by its very nature and likely construction it cannot be insulated or improved with modern materials.

An EPC is provided by a specially trained inspector who will call and assess the construction of a property, and examine the insulation, windows, water tanks, heating systems and boiler controls. In the Worthing area, the preparation of an EPC might cost between £50 and £100 excluding VAT and could take up to say 1 hour to complete.

The EPC visual rating chart shows a coloured and alpha-numeric scale ranging from green (very efficient) to red (poor efficiency). The report indicates how the expenditure of capital might reduce household bills. Energy efficiency is highly topical in this era of global warming.

EPC’s are logged in a central database at the Ministry of Housing Communities and local government and can be readily accessed on the internet.

Chris Ennis FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor www.propdoctor.co.uk call 01903 261 217 or email surveyor1@talktalk.net

“Call me before you buy your dream home”

To make sure your dream home doesn’t hide any nasty surprises!

Shockingly, many people do not obtain a professional survey before buying a house. This can result in future misery and thousands of pounds of repair work.

I will report on the current condition of a property and also forewarn you of any major problems which may arise. I am a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and have over 30 years local experience.

Based in High Salvington, I pride myself on my speedy and personal service. Feel free to call me for an informal chat.

Chris Ennis FRICS 01903 261 217 07703 131 686 www.propdoctor.co.uk

- Homebuyer reports - Probate valuations - Defect diagnosis - Pre-sale inspections - Condition reports - Building surveys

through the door

41

SUSSEX LOCAL

42 Puzzles

Answers on www.sussexlocal.net after 12th December

Win tickets to Santa in the Park Win a pair of tickets to Santa in the Park plus your own Santa costumes to take home. Join in our big Santa Dance, play our snowball fight game, have story time with Santa, and explore the park on our Elf treasure hunt. Help us raise £4,000 on the day for St Wilfrid’s Hospice. At Priory Park from 10.30am on Saturday 16th December.

Please send your completed entry to: Pirates on the Run, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or scan and email to: competitions@sussexlocal.net Name: ..........................................................................

Age: ..............................................................................

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

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

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

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

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

through the door

Findon Vale School The Living Rainforest

An Autumn term highlight for Year 6 at Vale School is an exciting trip to The Living Rainforest in Berkshire.

As part of our study of the history and geography of South and Central America, we learn about the Amazon - the largest rainforest on earth.

The children have the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a lush, tropical rainforest environment and explore how plants and animals have adapted to live there. The centre is home to over 700 plants and animals including rare and endangered species of global conservation value.

Seeing animals and birds such as toucans, monkeys, pygmy marmosets, boas, pythons and poison dart frogs is an amazing way to reinforce the learning that has taken place in the classroom and truly inspires a sense of wonder and awe in the children.

Wandering down the narrow pathways, looking up at the canopy of leaves and vines overhead encourages the children to imagine just what it would be like in the rainforest. Some of the animals - lizards and small birds - are free roaming and delight the children as they spot them! A truly magical experience.

Vale School, Findon Valley. 01903 872 322.

More information at www.vale.w-sussex.sch.uk

Schools

43

44 Finance

SUSSEX LOCAL

Make your cash work harder for you

By Ivan Lyons, MD Investment Solutions, Worthing

parts of the UK; please ask for details. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor.

Investment Solutions are Award-winning Chartered Firm of Independent Financial Advisors. Contact 01903 214640 or www.investment-solutions.co.uk.

You cannot carry over your ISA or JIDA allowance once the tax year has ended - use it or lose it! Don’t risk missing out on these valuable allowances!

The tax year-end deadline is 5th April 2019.

It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding of taxation and HMRC rules and can be subject to change in future. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different

Computers / Legal

through the door

45

Computer Care What device to buy for Christmas

by Alan Stainer

Christmas is the time of year that a lot of people may be thinking about buying a new computer, either for themselves or most likely for someone else.

Are you looking for a traditional desktop or tower PC, a laptop, a smartphone, smartwatch or tablet, or maybe a games console? Are you going to use Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, Android or something else entirely?

Then of course there are the new breed of smart devices that are cropping up. You must have heard of the Amazon Echo that sports the Alexa assistant and you have probably heard of Google Home too. They all come in different sizes to fit your needs and there is even a new Google Home Hub smartscreen, so you aren’t just relying on it talking back to you, but can actually read things if you prefer. Useful if you are trying to follow a recipe for Christmas pudding.

What’s the point of all this? Well it’s just that you shouldn’t feel confined to the old stereotypes of what makes a computer a computer. There are lots of different types and they all have their part to play in our future and that future looks pretty smart. www.alansitsolutions.com

Will divorce rates increase?

By Karen Fleming, Fleming & Co It is possible that English divorce law will soon undergo significant reform with the introduction of "no fault" divorces.

The Ministry of Justice is seeking to remove the concept of fault, or blame, from divorce legislation, meaning people will no longer need to ‘blame’ their partner and will simply have to state that the marriage has collapsed. If, after a period of time (six months has been suggested), a spouse maintains that the marriage has broken down irretrievably, they will become entitled to a divorce. Essentially, divorce will be easier.

Would this result in an increased divorce rate? Looking at recent events in Italy, one might be inclined to say ‘yes’. In 2006 the Italian divorce rate stood at only 0.7 in 1000, very low compared to the rest of Europe, which was between 1.6 in England and as high as 2.2, in Spain.

During the years after 2006, the Italian divorce rate steadily rose, and there was a marked increase, when new laws came in, in 2016, by which time the Italian divorce rate had increased to 1.6 per 1000 people.

The new Italian laws made divorce more accessible.

Prior to 2016, an Italian couple who wished to divorce had to separate for at least three years for their case to even be considered. In 2016, the separation

period reduced to just six months, when both partners agree to a divorce, and 12 months when only one partner seeks divorce.

The increased divorce rate, in 2016, was no doubt influenced by the new divorce legislation, so should we expect to see a similar pattern in the UK? Well such a conclusion could be considered premature. Divorce rates in most countries are either stable or slowly drifting higher over time, though ours, as I have stated in an earlier article, has decreased over the last decade.

Whilst divorce became easier in Italy leading up to and after 2016, coinciding and without doubt effected by the introduction of new laws, divorce was already on the increase. Perhaps this demonstrates that more important factors were, and are at play, such as the fading social stigma around divorce.

What will happen in the UK? Our trend, unlike in Italy, has been on a steady decrease since 2003, so who knows what will happen. Divorce may even continue to decrease here.

It will be a wait and see scenario, I think! Watch this space!

Karen Fleming. Visit www.flemingandco.co.uk, contact karen.fleming@flemingandco.co.uk or 01903 446698

SUSSEX LOCAL

46 Pets

Paws for thought Diet & exercise A British Veterinary Associations (BVA) survey showed that over 60% of vets said that pet obesity is their biggest health and welfare concern.

Dr Imogen The Veterinary Animal Welfare Wainwright-Jones Coalition (a group of leading veterinary organisations and vet-led animal charities that aims to help pet owners better understand their pets' five welfare needs) polled over 500 vets and vet nurses and “recognising when a pet is overweight” was the top issue that vets and vet nurses wish UK pet owners were able to identify.

The health costs of obese pets are very like those for humans as well as the concurrent welfare problems.

The causes of obesity are also similar, with the overwhelming reason being inappropriate diet (too much, wrong type etc) and lack of exercise.

Diet and Exercise Giving the right diet to a pet is about education and will power and your veterinary team can really help owners get this right for their pet. Dedicated weight clinics can give advice and motivation to help make a meaningful difference. A health change in diet is good for pets but they are not always going to enjoy this immediately.

However, exercise is something that pet and owner can really share together, get great enjoyment from and improve both of their physical and mental health.

Taking the dog for a walk costs significantly less than a gym membership and is much more fun. Most dogs are very keen to go for some exercise and are probably the only ones in the house that are delighted to see their owner at sunrise and be ready to go out and exercise. Exercise is a great way to start the day.

BVA’s five point plan to get fit 1. Go the extra mile – do an extra circuit around the local park or go a bit further on country walks, but remember that your dog should be on a lead in the countryside when there is livestock around 2. Think toys not treats – toys that a dog can play with and get fun exercise from can get that tail wagging as energetically as treats can 3. Get the right diet – make sure that your dog’s diet is right for its breed, size, age and lifestyle 4. Ask your local vet – your vet will know and be able to offer the best advice on your pet and its needs 5. Join the veterinary practice weight club to motivate you to help your pet to lose weight.

Wishing all pets and their owners a very Happy Christmas.

Crossways Veterinary Group, Findon Road Findon Valley, School Hill Storrington & High Street Steyning 01903 877325 www.crosswaysvets.co.uk

Health & Wellbeing

through the door

47

‘Being Good’ Over Christmas?

By Heather Smith, Personal Trainer Christmas is such a tricky time of year nutrition-wise.

There’s delicious looking food everywhere you look, everyone tells you to relax your rules (‘it’s Christmas!’), and you’re being invited out for drinks and food every other day. It leaves you stuck constantly needing to use your willpower to fight off the urge, temptation and encouragement to give in. And we all know willpower runs out fairly quickly!

you’re not that bothered by it, decide in advance to only accept a half glass, or none at all if she won’t be offended.

My answer is that it only happens once a year. Have what you want, but don’t have everything; if you fancy a mince pie, have a mince pie. Don’t eat the whole pack.

Forward planning is also a great practice to use for small things you might not otherwise think about until the moment is upon you; like how many Quality Streets you’re going to have when Corrie comes on Christmas day. Know yourself well enough to know how detailed your plan needs to be.

Of course you’ll put weight on. And that’s ok, if you’re making conscious decisions. Christmas is really only 2-3 weeks, and whatever weight you do gain will go quickly once you get back to your usual way of eating.

The key is in deciding IN ADVANCE what you’re going to do. Always decide beforehand, never when you’re hungry and trying to decide how much willpower to summon.

If your friend makes a mean mince pie, its ok to accept one, and enjoy it guilt free! If you also know she’s likely to try to pickle you in mulled wine and

Above all, it IS Christmas, and if everything goes to pot and you find yourself needing to start afresh in January, that’s ok, no punishment required. Just pick yourself up and get back to what worked for you before Christmas.

Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer. www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

SUSSEX LOCAL

48 Parish Council News

Findon Parish Council

Edited extracts from the minutes of the Parish Council Planning Committee meeting held on 27th September 2018 Public Questions Two residents spoke against the application: SDNP/18/04375 FUL (land adjacent to 47 Homewood, Findon, BN14 0XA) as close neighbours. Their objections covered the existing issues with vehicle and emergency services access/egress/parking at Homewood, lack of neighbour consultation by Arun District Council (ADC) as applicants and land owner, proposed dwelling would be un-neighbourly and not low impact, and a more suitable use for the parcel of land could be for additional car parking or allotments.

Applications SDNP/18/04375/FUL – Land adjacent to 47 Homewood, Findon, BN14 0XA Erection of a 2 bedroom chalet bungalow with associated parking and landscaping.

Councillors had reviewed the available documents and site location. The Committee shared the views of the PQT speakers and made the following comments in objection to the application: • The proposed design of the dwelling was a ‘step up’ building, not a ‘step down’ low impact building as indicated in the plans, and unneighbourly; • The site plan was misleading in that the concrete

Clapham & Patching Village Hall Clapham and Patching Village Hall and Recreation Ground is very conveniently located on the A280 (Long Furlong) near the A27 junction. Both hall and grounds enjoy extensive views across the National Park towards the South Downs, Patching Pond and Highdown.

The building features large French windows looking out over the extensive grounds and beyond. Despite being located on a main road the hall enjoys a surprisingly peaceful location.

Facilities The village hall has two rooms available for hire as well as being set in extensive grounds (suitable for outside events). There is a small kitchen for catering and of course Ladies, Gents and Disabled toilets.

There is also free Wifi available.

Main Hall The main hall is suitable for all kinds of events dances, jumble sales, wedding receptions, quiz

access area to the existing garages had been incorrectly included in the site plan.

Therefore the actual site was much smaller than indicated; • Vehicular access and egress from the proposed two parking spaces was unsuitable – vehicles would need to reverse in or out of the spaces onto the public highway; • Traffic and parking were already major issues in Homewood, with parking already restricting access to the garages adjacent to no. 47 Homewood; and • The proposed development and additional cars would exacerbate the existing problems including those that emergency services, refuse collection, deliveries etc already had gaining access in and out of Homewood, particularly with an aging population in the vicinity.

The Committee felt that although the application from Arun District Council was for affordable housing and therefore accorded with the relevant Findon Neighbourhood Development Plan policies, the above objections outweighed any benefits. Resolved: that the Clerk informs the SDNPA that Findon Parish objects to the application on the grounds above. www.findonparishcouncil.gov.uk evenings, birthday parties etc.

It can be laid out either theatre style or café style; the maximum permitted capacity is 100 people. Regular groups such as yoga and bowls also meet here.

Committee Room The committee room is suitable for smaller meetings; it can also be used in combination with the main hall, for example as a food serving area. It seats up to 25 theatre style or 15 café style.

Outside Space Four acres of level ground laid to grass, immediately adjacent to the hall. Ideal for outside events and erecting Marquees for which there is a separate electrical supply provided. There is hard surface parking for approximately 25 cars plus additional parking on the grass subject to ground and weather conditions.

Booking For more information on special fees for large events, weddings, parties or caravans, please contact the Bookings Secretary Cheryl Casebow, Tel: 01903 871138. candpvillagehallbookings@gmail.com

Local News 49

through the door

Findon Valley Residents’ Association (FVRA) We would like to thank our members for their continued support and wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Community Garden A big thank you to resident Chris Van Helden who has given both his time and expertise to design and plant the main bed in our community garden. These plants have been generously provided by the Findon Wyevale Garden Centre. The planters are gradually being adopted from within the community.

This garden is now beginning to take shape and we hope that you will take the opportunity to come along to see the progress being made. We are still looking for volunteers to cut the grass on a regular basis.

Contact Maggie Winter on 01903 263038 or email chairman@findonvalley.org FVRA 2019 Calendar The 2019 Findon Valley calendar is now on sale at the Post Office. It is also available at Curtis Estate Agent and Keen & Betts Garage who are our joint sponsors. All proceeds will be donated to Chestnut

Tree House Children’s Hospice. Please do support this worthwhile cause.

Annual Subscriptions 2018 is drawing to a close and we would ask those of you who have not paid to pop along to the Post Office or visit our library surgery on Saturday December 1st between 10am and 12 noon to pay your subscriptions before year end.

Residents’ Surgery - 1st December 10am Just a reminder that the surgery is there as a service to our membership, you can raise issues and pick up leaflets such as Operation Crackdown, Neighbourhood Watch, Countryside Matters etc. This months surgery is on Saturday 1st December 10am – 12 noon, in the library.

Join our committee!

We still need committee members to help with the tasks that are ongoing or to deputise for existing members. Any member is welcome to attend our committee meetings held on the second Monday of the month at 7:30pm. If you are interested in supporting the FVRA contact Maggie Winter on 01903 263038 or email chairman@findonvalley.org to apply or for further details. www.findonvalley.org

SUSSEX LOCAL

50 Business Directory

Business Directory

Carpet Cleaning cont.

Advertisers call 01903 868 474 or email info@sussexlocal.net 3cm box £10 + VAT per month (including design) Accountants

Building cont.

Aerial & Satellite

Chimney Sweeps A&M

CHIMNEY SWEEPS 

Brush and Vacuum No mess, No fuss  All areas covered Established in 1972 Weddings attended 

 

Carpentry

PROMPT RELIABLE EFFICIENT

01903 821354 07711 987663

isweepchimneys.net

Chiropody

Building

Carpet Cleaning

Business Directory

through the door Chiroprody cont.

Computer Services cont.

Exterior Cleaning

Drainage

Fencing

Clearance Electricians

Computer Services

Garden Services

51

SUSSEX LOCAL

52 Business Directory Groundworks

Handyman / Property cont.

Logs

Gutters & Fascias

Painting & Decorating Hair Dresser

Locksmiths Advertise on these pages

ÂŁ10 a month

plus VAT - includes design call 01903 868 474

Handyman / Property Svs.

Business Directory

through the door Your advertisement here

ÂŁ10 a month plus VAT - includes design Book and pay online at www.sussexlocal.net or call 01903 868 474

Pest Control

More to say?

53

Plumbing / Heating cont.

New Double Size Business Directory adverts just

ÂŁ20 a month plus VAT - includes design. Book & pay online at sussexlocal.net or call us on

01903 868474

Plumbing / Heating

Plastering

Private Hire / Taxi

54 Business Directory / Advertiser Index Roofing

Security

Soft Furnishings / Curtains

Tree Surgery

Bathrooms Bathe in Safety 23 Blinds Direct Blinds 20 Car Dealership Barons Farnborough BMW 55 Car Servicing DK Garage & Classics Ltd 33 Keen & Betts 5 Stedmans Garage 56 Carpets & Flooring Carpets & Vinyls Direct 39 Wall Bros 27 Charity St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House 7 Cleaning Miss Mop Ltd 34 Molly Maid 34 Clubs and Societies Southdown Gun Club and Activity Centre 9 Computer Services The Laptop Workshop 45 Vipernet Technology Services 10 Conservatories and Garden Rooms Greenspace (UK) Limited 38 Courses The Arts College 10 Domestic Appliances Carters Domestic Appliances 2 Drains Drainjet 28 Elderly Care A Woodlands House 47 Clapham Village Care Home 26

SUSSEX LOCAL Country Court Care Group Ltd Heaton House Energy & Electrical Bright Spark Energy Furniture CFS Furniture Furniture Restorers Barcombe Wood Finish Ltd Garden Design Earth Architecture Glorious Gardens Greenacre Garden Design & Build Garden Machinery Servicing Findon Garden Machinery Handyman Simons Handyman Services Health and Wellbeing The Awareness Key Home Care Acre Care Home Entertainment Bowers & Wilkins Home Furnishings & Gifts Gifted Worthing Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd Independent Financial Advisors Investment Solutions Wealth Management Ltd Nsure Financial Services The Mellor Practice Jewellers Alexander Jewellers Ltd Kitchen Doors Dream Doors Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms Dovetail Kitchens Osteopath Rebecca Wangi Osteopath Oven Cleaning Oven Cleaning King Ovenu Printers A Loving Tribute Limited Property Maintenance Valentine Property Maintenance Railings The Handrail People Ltd Roofing Ark Roofing Ltd G&S Roofing Ltd Slimming Cambridge WIth Karen Slimming World Findon Solicitors Fleming & Co Miller Parris Solicitors Surveyors Property Doctor Surveys Tree Surgeon Ashwood Tree Surgery Vet Arun Veterinary Group Crossways Animal Care Ltd Water Softeners Scott Jenkins Water Softeners Will Writing Nsure Estate Planning Services Limited Windows Doors Conservatories Unbeatable Conservatories Ltd

19 29 39 22 21 39 36 37 37 21 49 19 27 6 36 44 25 14 33 17 35 47 35 35 30 35 39 21 33 47 10 45 15 40 37 89 46 13 31 41

through the door

55