Chichester Local - November 2017

November 2017

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

MEMORY BOOK LANE Learn how and why to record your life story

GARDENING Prepare for Spring

WHAT’S ON

Bonfire Night Special!

WIN!

Tickets to see “Aladdin” Tickets to see “The Sleeping Beauty”

PLUS

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

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November 2017 Cover image Kindly supplied by Robert Maynard robertmaynardphotography.com

Welcome...

Sparklers at the ready! It’s Bonfire Night this month and, if like me, you love a roaring fire (not to mention standing around in cold, damp fields eating hot dogs) we have the best community firework events listed for you in our What’s On section - see page 4.

They say everyone has a book in them and this month we have an interesting article on writing your life story, see page 26.

We also have two competitions this month.

You can win tickets to see the Moscow City Ballet’s performance of Sleeping Beauty (p13) also tickets to see the fun-filled pantomime Aladdin at Alexandra Theatre in Bognor (p17).

Andrew Staib is looking ahead and planting bulbs for Spring in this month’s Gardening article, page 35. Don’t forget to keep raking those leaves...

It may be getting colder but Autumn days are among the most lovely to enjoy the outdoors. Why not join one of the many free local walks - organised by Chichester District Council, see page 18 .

4 ...........................................................................What’s On 12 ..............................................................Computer column 13 ........................................Win! Tickets to Sleeping Beauty 14 ..................................................................Property Doctor 16 .............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page 17 ......................................................Win! Tickets to Aladdin 18 ........................................................................Local Walks 20 .........................................................Charity & Community 26 ............................................................Memory Book Lane 32 ..................................................................Prize Crossword 34 ..................................................................................Recipe 35 .....................................................................In Your Garden 37 ...........................................................Index of Advertisers 38 .............................................................Business Directory December booking deadline 1st Nov

SUSSEX & CHICHESTER LOCAL 01903 868 474

info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH Sussex Local & Chichester Local magazines are published monthly and delivered free of charge to over 38,300 homes and businesses in West Sussex. There are six editions and display advertising starts at just £24 a month per edition.

“Property Doctor” Chris Ennis talks about 1960s architecture when the average house price was £2,500, see page 14.

We’ve also our regular Charity & Community news pages starting on page 20. If you have a local issue or news you wish to share please do get in touch.

Thanks for reading!

Kris & Jeff

Words of Wisdom “A desperate disease requires a dangerous remedy” GUY FAWKES 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 - 6,500 2. Barnham edition - Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate, Aldingbourne, Oving, & Tangmere Total addresses - 5,200 3. Chichester edition - Chichester centre & suburbs Total addresses - 7,800 4. Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total addresses - 6,000 5. Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common. Total addresses - 5,500 6. Storrington edition - Storrington, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total addresses - 6,200 The combined circulation of all six editions is over 38,300 addresses.

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10 What’s On

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12 Computers

Computer Care

Using the Cloud?

By Alan Stainer

One of the great shifts in computing right now is the transition to the cloud.

‘The cloud’ refers to any service where you log in to a remote server. I use the cloud all the time.

It still surprises me when I hear people say they don’t trust the cloud and that they would rather keep their things safe in one place on their PC. So let’s talk about the trust issue. The main reason given is the fear that someone else may be able to hack into your account and get at all of your things. The sad truth is that as soon as you connect to the internet, you are exposing your device to malicious attacks and malware which can indeed rob you of your personal information and files. That is why it is so important to use a good anti malware program and to make sure you keep everything up to date. When it comes to your login details for your online accounts, there are ways to protect them.

1. Make sure your password is complex using a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.

2. Don’t use easily deciphered words or phrases.

3. Enable 2 step verification. That will stop anyone from logging into your account without also having access to your phone. www.alansitsolutions.com

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Competition

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Win tickets to see ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ Performed by Moscow City Ballet, 7:30pm, Sun 7th Jan, Chichester Festival Theatre A Moscow City Ballet returns to the Festival Theatre with two stunning ballets, each presented in classic Russian style with full orchestra.

The ballet has marked the new year at the Theatre for over a decade – and is an unmissable climax to the festive season.

The enchanting and romantic story of The Sleeping Beauty inspired Tchaikovsky to write some of his most glorious music, and the ballet has captivated audiences for well over a century.

Featuring the delicate Princess Aurora, her gallant

Prince, wicked Carabosse, the beautiful Lilac Fairy and a host of fairy-tale characters, this truly magical production showcases the company’s exquisite dramatic and lyrical talents.

If you are one of the lucky winners, you will also receive a programme to go along with the tickets.

For more information and to buy tickets visit www.cft.org.uk

Win tickets to ‘Sleeping Beauty’ To be in with a chance of winning answer the following question: Q: What is the Princesses name? a) Aurora b) Cinderella c) Rapunzel Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: Sleeping Beauty Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after 6th Dec 2017. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

14 Property

The 1960’s

By Chris Ennis FRICS

I remember them well! I remember Francis Chichester sailing solo around the world (1960), the great train robbery (1963), the assassination of President Kennedy (1963), clashes between mods and rockers (1964) and England winning the world football cup (1968), I remember my school days in Chelmsford, Essex, and my first job in a London Bank, steam trains, my first moped and fashionable but uncomfortable ‘chisel point’ shoes. Housing was then mainly of pre-war design and construction, and of course most of that era of housing stock remains. Employment and income levels were high, and a new architectural style emerged from the austerity and gloom of the 1940’s and 50’s.

Housing appearance became angular with rigid geometric designs and the first of the ‘Tower blocks’ of flats started to appear in city centres.

The average house price of a residential property in 1960 was about £2500 (about 2.6 times the average wage), but by 1969 the average house price had risen to the order of £4600. The typical 1960’s house was constructed with cavity brick walls topped with a concrete tiled pitched roof. Floors were likely to be

SUSSEX LOCAL constructed of concrete, and single glazed windows and other external joinery formed in timber.

Asbestos containing materials were in common use, and apart from asbestos insulation and roof coverings asbestos was a component in paints, floor tiles, textured plaster finishes and many other products.

When I inspect a 1960’s house I usually find that the original windows require replacement or major repair, kitchens and bathrooms require renewal, and insulation to loft spaces and walls is inadequate.

Original electrical circuitry will be suspect and the electric consumer unit will likely to be formed in Bakelite incorporating rewireable fuses……. all now obsolete. I always look for the electric extension lead indicating that there are inadequate power outlets for modern requirements. Central heating and space heating systems are invariably in need of some improvement.

The layout of gardens is also in my mind... shrubs and saplings planted too close to the walls of a house could have grown to damaging proportions over the 50 years or so.

A full structural survey should not usually be required on this type of property since a ‘level 2’ home buyer inspection should suffice.

Chris Ennis FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor Tel: 01903 261217 email: surveyor1@talktalk.net

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16 Puzzles

Young Readers’ Puzzle Page Wordsearch - Bonfire Night

Anagram

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

Trace the lines connecting the circles to find out what the 2nd word is

BANGERS COLD DISPLAY FLARES GUNPOWDER NOVEMBER

COLOURFUL CROWD FUNFAIR LIGHTS SPARKLERS WHOOSH

Number Tower

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

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

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.

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

Competition

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Win tickets to ’Aladdin’ Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis Pick any date between 12th Dec and 2nd Jan 2018 A cracking story, an exotic setting and plenty of magic and sparkle, Aladdin is this year’s spectacular pantomime at Bognor’s Alexandra Theatre. Jam-packed with comedy, song, dance, romance and audience participation, there is something for everyone in this sumptuous production, which tells the tale of a beautiful princess, a brave hero, a dastardly villain and a host of comical characters.

Performed by a top-class professional cast, including Christopher Marlowe (celebrating his 29th year in panto!) as Widow Twanky, tickets are flying out of the box office faster than a turbo-charged magic carpet!

Director Bev Berridge said: “Aladdin is a terrific story with all the much-loved pantomime elements, including hilarious slapstick. The Alexandra Theatre has a reputation for putting on a great panto, but this year’s is going to be our best yet.”

Info at: www.alexandratheatre.co.uk/event/aladdin/

(c) youreventphotography.co.uk

Win a family ticket to ‘Aladdin’ To be in with a chance of winning fill in the gap: Q: This is Christopher Marlowe’s __ year in panto: a) 29th

b) 9th

c) 19th

Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: Aladdin Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after 29th Nov 2017. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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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 be cancelled, if unsure please check, contact 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk. L = Walk Leader Wed 1st 10.30am Slindon Estate L: Simon 2 hours Walk passing through farmland, woodland as well as visiting Slindon Folly. Meet at the road entrance to Slindon College and the National Trust Slindon Estate Thurs 2nd 10.30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30mins A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners. Meet at Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT Fri 3rd 10.30am Cissbury Ring L: Peter 2 hours Circular walk up and around Cissbury Ring (5,000 year old hill fort). Meet: Car park opposite Nepcote Green in Findon (off Nepcote Lane, signposted to Cissbury Ring) Mon 6th 10.30am Hayling Billy L: Anne 2 hours Along the track to the Theatre and back. Meet behind the Esso garage Wed 8th 10.30am Black Rabbit L: Dominic 2 hours Easy, flat riverside walk. Meet at Mill Road car park by river in town centre, BN18 9AA Thu 9th 10:30pm Marina to Dell Quay L: Janet1 1½ hours Flat walk, can be muddy. Meet at Park at Chichester Marina car park Mon 13th 10.30am Emsworth to Prinsted L: Anne 1½ hours Easy flat walk. Meet in Emsworth town square, PO10 7AW Thu 16th 10.30am Petworth to Shimmings Valley L: Gerald 1½ hours See "Little Switzerland", as the locals call the beautiful Shimmings Valley. Meet at Petworth Library, Rosemary Lane, High St, Petworth GU28 0AU Mon 20th 10.30am Woodland Walk L: Chloë 1½ hours Tortington Common and Binsted wood. Meet: Park on Dalloway Road nr. Birch Lane Weds 22nd 10.30am Stansted L: Janet 1½ hours Meet at Stansted Garden Centre Car Park, Rowlands Castle, PO96DX Thurs 23rd 10.30am Amberley Village L: Peter 2 hours Amberley village, back round the castle and along the river Arun. Meet: Car park at Amberley Station Thurs 23rd 9.30am Chichester Westgate L: Helen 30 mins A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners. Meet: Entrance to Westgate Leisure Centre, PO19 1RJ Fri 24th 10.30am Washington and Sullington L: Jane 2 hours A downland walk taking in the village of Sullington and parts of the South Downs Way. Meet at Frankland Arms pub RH20 4AL (map ref TQ122130) Mon 27th 10.30am West Dean to Binderton L: Anne 1½ hours Meet: At The Dean car park (no parking at The Dean unless you are eating there afterwards) Tues 28th 10.30am Rake Chapel Common L: Bruce 2 hours Starts on Chapel Common a sandy heathland. We skirt Weavers Down and beyond descending to Folly Pond. Meet: Rake - Chapel Common Weds 29th 10.30am Walberton to Binsted Woods L: Dominic 1½ hours Mainly flat headland path, grass, gravel. Coffee will be available at the post office.

Meet at Walberton Village Hall car park, The Street, Walberton, Arundel, BN18 0PQ Thurs 30th 10.30am Bognor to Felpham L: Jane 1 hour Starts at Bognor Regis pier and goes along to seafront to Felpham where there is an optional coffee stop. We return the same way. Meet: Bognor Regis pier Thurs 30th 09.30am Selsey East Beach L: Helen 30 mins Meet at East Beach Car Park in Selsey

4 miles 1 mile 4 miles 4 miles 5 miles 3-4 miles 3 miles 3 miles 3 miles 3 miles 4 miles 1 mile 5 miles 3 miles 4 miles 2½ miles 2½ miles 1 mile

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20 Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets A recent South Downs Society (SDS) meeting welcomed a local, more integrated approach to the town’s traffic problems than relying on a big new bypass; as local residents joined speakers from regional and national organisations in questioning the evidence submitted in their current public consultation

by Highways England. The meeting was chaired by the Policy Officer for SDS, Steve Ankers, who concluded, “We need to look closely at what the actual problems are that we’re hoping to solve … from the evidence that Highways England have put forward the grand bypass options don’t score well. Arundel and the National Park deserve better.” 01798 875073 enquiries@southdownssociety.org.uk Already over 15million people live in local authorities, which are adopting or have adopted the “20’s plenty where people live” policy – where people have changed their behaviour to drive slower in residential streets and where people walk and cycle.

20's plenty for us is a 'not for profit' organisation and now have nearly 400 local campaigns around the country and many of our most iconic cities in the UK have already adopted a 20mph limit for most of their streets. For more info go to Twitter: @20splentyforus www.20splenty.org

CHICHESTER LOCAL The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently advised that people at highest risk of developing diabetes should be given intensive support, including being referred to cookery classes.

The guidance has been welcomed by Storringtonbased social enterprise company Health Champions, which has been running free cookery classes across West Sussex for over seven years with course leaders having taught more than 1,000 people to cook and eat more healthily, an experience, which is lifechanging for many participants. www.healthchampions.co.uk info@health-champions.co.uk 01444 318649 The leaders of both Adur District and Worthing Borough Council are urging the transport secretary to visit the area in a bid to find a long-term solution for the A27, following on from the Councils sending the “strongest possible message” in officially opposing consultation plans to ‘improve’ the major east-west trunk road. This summer Highways England unveiled only one £69 million option to try and combat congestion on the stretch through Lancing and Worthing, but, in a letter sent today to transport secretary Chris Grayling, the leaders of both local authorities wholeheartedly rejected the proposal and are calling for the government to do more to improve this crucial section of infrastructure. www.highways.gov.uk/a27Worthing-and-Lancing.

Out There West Sussex is a sports and leisure project, providing activities in the local community for people 16+ with learning disabilities and Autism. The Out There team including volunteers, help to support over 400 people a week throughout West Sussex, to access activities including cooking, ten pin bowling, football, swimming, gym, badminton, cricket, social clubs, cycling, dance, arts and crafts, live music and trampolining. www.facebook.com/outtherewestsussex/ Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has made funding available for projects that specifically support vulnerable victims of crime, particularly hate crime. For the first time, grants of up to £20,000 are available from the Victims’ Services Fund for initiatives which aim to help victims of hate crime, including race, religion, gender identity, sexuality, disability, age, and those that have been persistently targeted. Contact: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/policecrime-planwww.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/apply-for-funding/ If you think you are at risk of catching flu this winter, you could be entitled to a free NHS flu jab to help stay ‘flu free’ over the coming months. To find out if you or someone you look after could be entitled to the free NHS flu jab, then contact your GP surgery or pharmacy. www.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk/fight-flu

Notices to info@sussexlocal.net Events on www.sussexlocal.net

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22 Charity & Community

CHICHESTER LOCAL

Shop in the High Street Local high streets have so much to offer is the message from Chichester District Council’s new Rural Towns Coordinator, Steve Hill, who is encouraging residents to shop in the High Street.

Steve will be working with local businesses and residents in Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey to build on each town’s unique identity. Part of Steve’s role is to make residents aware of the many shops and services they have on their doorstep, which will help local businesses attract and maintain a strong customer base. Steve will also be working with businesses to improve signage in town centres, monitoring vacancy rates and ensuring the shopping areas are attractive.

Another key focus of Steve’s role will be helping to boost local employment in rural towns. Steve will be working in partnership with Chichester District Council’s Choose Work programme to help businesses tap into local talent. Steve Hill: 01243 534752 shill@chichester.gov.uk

Visit Chichester: New Appointment Visit Chichester, the official destination management organisation for Chichester District, which represents the interests of the tourism sector, are delighted to announce Craig Gershater as their new Chairperson

with effect from 1st October. Craig succeeds Andy Clegg who stepped down in April.

Craig comes to Visit Chichester with a wealth of experience in major business including being CEO of his own scientific consultancy company and previously as a senior scientist/manager at SmithKilne Beecham (later GSK). He lives in the city and is a qualified and prize winning Institute of Tourist Guiding Blue Badge Tour Guide in Chichester, Portsmouth and elsewhere across the south east of England. www.visitchichester.org

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Looking for a Challenge?

St Wilfrid’s Hospice is offering the chance to take part in some spectacular challenges in 2018. Firstly, the Hospice has been allocated five entries in next years London Marathon. Successful applicants need to raise a minimum of £2,250.

In addition, there is an exclusive St Wilfrid’s abseiling day on 21st July at Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower, and, new for 2018, there are spaces in the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 mile bike ride.

And finally, there is a ‘Leap for Love’ tandem skydive at Old Sarum Airfield on 24 March. More details at www.stwh.co.uk 01243 775302

November Pet of the Month This month The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre would like to introduce Meti, a two year old tortoiseshell cat, who arrived at the centre in May. She was found living as a stray with five kittens. From being frightened and wary upon arrival Meti is now

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playful and loves attention. Although she does not like being picked up and for this reason the Centre would like her to find a home with older people or with no children. Meti arrived with digestion issues, which are improving with correct feeding and which the Centre hopes will clear up with time. The Centre has a non -appointment viewing day on Saturday 25th November; from 12noon to 2pm. Otherwise it re homes seven days a week by appointment.

The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre, Holborow Lodge, Chalder Lane, Sidlesham, PO20 7RJ. Tel: 01243641409 Email: info@crrc.co.uk www.crrc.co.uk

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24 Finance

Help to Buy Extended

By Richard Cohen FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner The Government have recently announced that the Help to Buy scheme will receive an additional £10 billion of funding, that will help an additional 135,000 people to buy a new build home they would be unlikely to otherwise afford. The scheme involves the Government providing an equity loan of up to 20% of the purchase price towards the cost of a new build property, therefore reducing the size of mortgage a buyer needs. The Government then shares in any increase, or decrease, in the value of the home.

This scheme is only available on new build property.

Just like new cars, new build properties lose some of their value as soon as they are ‘driven off the forecourt’. So whilst there maybe lifestyle reasons to buy new, from a value for money point of view you are usually better off buying second hand. Of course, over the long term property is usually an appreciating asset whereas a new car is almost always a depreciating asset. This initial dip in the value of new build homes will be particularly problematic to those who use the scheme to get onto the property ladder and hoping to take a step up in a couple of years’ time.

They will need house prices to rise just to maintain the value of the equity they put in.

Some argue that the Government has no role interfering in the housing market in this way. If the scheme works and prices remain stable or increase then millions of people who cannot afford to buy will remain unable to do so.

The argument continues that without Government support prices will fall and become more affordable to millions more people and eventually the market will reach an equilibrium.

The final concern is what happens when the scheme eventually ends? As well as losing buyers using the scheme, there could be a flood of property onto the market as people seek to repay the Government’s loan, which could lead to a perfect storm making the 2007 crash look like a calm breeze.

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

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26 Life

Everyone has a story to tell

To your family, your life story will be as interesting as any celebrity autobiography. By Helen Gregory.

Many of us regret not knowing more about our parents and grandparents. Photographs are fine while they’re still around to explain who’s who, but will a dusty album mean anything to future generations?

Writing your life story can help your children or grandchildren to learn more about you. You might not have been famous, adventurous or influential but your family and friends will find your story as interesting as any celebrity autobiography. Everyone has a story to

tell; no one has had a completely ‘normal’ life. Quite often, your nearest and dearest only know about the bit of your life that they’ve played a part in.

Writing your life story can heal past wounds, deal with unfinished business or even reveal family secrets – and the result will inevitably become a family heirloom.

If you fancy having a go yourself, you could start by penning a short memoir, which doesn’t have to include every detail of your life - it’s a story from a life, a snapshot of a particular time, which focuses on a key event, such as your childhood, hobby or a particular relationship.

But if you want to tackle your whole life story – an autobiography - start by selecting up to 20 key life events. List all the important and not-so-importantbut-memorable things that have happened during your life and think about how you can link them to create a narrative.

It’s not always a good idea to start with your earliest childhood memory and move through your story chronologically; it can be more helpful to make a list of turning points in your life, big decisions and significant events. You can then flesh out the story by remembering why you made those decisions, and your feelings or regrets about the path you took.

Before you start to write, do plenty of research. You might think you remember everything that has happened over the years, but look back through old diaries and photographs, listen to music, or visit an old address or school to trigger memories. Asking yourself some key questions, such as who the significant people in your life have been, can also help jog memories and remember people that might not have come up in linear recollections. And once you start, you’ll often find that one memory will spark another.

Write down the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given, favourite pets or most memorable meals and this will get you thinking about certain periods of your life and the important people in them. It’s also satisfying and even cathartic to record your values, best qualities and religious beliefs as these are things your family and friends will enjoy remembering or even discovering, often for the first time.

It’s important to include your feelings and reactions to what’s happened in your life; remember that your book isn’t just about dates and facts, it’s an emotional story. Description is key, so this means more than just listing events. Include all the senses: what could you hear? Smell? What did you feel? Writing about wonderful meals or favourite songs of the time can evoke powerful memories, allowing you to remember details and give your writing more depth and

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28 Life Grace Parker’s autobiography cover

feeling. A bit of dialogue can also work well, if you particularly remember what was said and by whom as this can bring a story to life - but don’t get bogged down in unnecessary detail that slows down the narrative.

Once you’ve collected a number of scenes, you might find that there is one central theme emerging and driving your life story such as perseverance, gratitude or regret, or a combination of these – which is the main message you want to convey.

Decide on the structure and create summaries for each chapter before you start to write. And once you do, it’s important to choose a style and tense and stick to it.

It’s more common to write in the past tense and first person, however, it’s sometimes nice to finish your book with a certain amount of reflection and using the present tense to talk about your life as it is now, to bring your story up to date.

And remember that a life story isn’t just about you, it’s about other people, so talk to parents, siblings and other key people for their take on events. While you might not remember every detail about a certain time, family members or friends might, while they can also give you a completely different perspective. Once you get started, it’s also not uncommon to realise deciding what to include can be challenging, maybe for fear of upsetting relatives or even boring them!

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30 Life Questions to help kick-start your life story writing What was your childhood like?

Who were the important people growing up and what was their impact on you?

What were the circumstances of your leaving home?

What were the big turning points in your life?

What lessons has life taught you?

What skills or talents do you have and how did you acquire them?

What has been the biggest sadness in your life?

The whole experience can even make you feel quite vulnerable and emotional. Penning and publishing a book can also be daunting; while everyone has a story to tell, many of us need help telling it. Why not start out by imagining you’re writing a letter to a longlost friend, telling them everything that’s happened since you last saw them?

Not necessarily a writer, but still want to record your story somehow? Try making audio or video recordings which you could then take to someone who’s able to type out your story in a logical order. But if you need more help, working with a ghost-writer can help you remember, order and interpret what went on in your life. A life story writing service makes the process much easier. During a series of personal visits, an interviewer will chat about your life to gather stories and recollections before shaping them into a narrative.

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Your words are edited, written and proof read – and you get to check and approve the story as you go through the process. After each session, the chapters are written and approved before finally being printed in a hardback book along with photographs chosen from childhood, right through to the present day.

A good personal history life writer will review the text with you and get your feedback and corrections. They’ll also have the ability to bring your story to life in an interesting way, using vivid detail and the insight you share with them.

So go on, dig out those boxes of photos and diaries and start putting those memories down on paper.

If you’d like to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime project, contact Helen Gregory at Memory Lane Books a Sussex based life story writing service on 07799 764414 or you can email helen@memorylanebooks.co.uk www.memorylanebooks.co.uk

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Telephone 01243 926078

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CHICHESTER LOCAL

32 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a £10 Marks & Spencer’s voucher

Chichester November 2017 September 2017 solution shown below.

Winner: Peter Chichester

Nippard

from

Congratulations and thank you to all who entered.

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

Across

Down

1 3 9 10 11 12 13 15 17 18 20 21 22 23

1 2 4 5 6 7 8 14 16 19

Small restaurant (4) Throwing out (8) Mischievous (7) Friend (Spanish) (5) Correct (5) Indefinitely many (7) Domineering woman (6) Form-fitting garment (6) Get back (7) Woodland god (5) Nationality of Pierce Brosnan (5) Left out (7) Able to read and write (8) Solely (4)

Contentious (13) Hurled (5) Full of happiness (6) Type of contest (12) Coolness (7) Amiably (4-9) Cameraman (12) Acknowledge payment (7) Bring into the country (6) Colossus (5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Closing date: 30th 2017 Good luck!

November

£10 Win a £10 M&S voucher

voucher provided by

CHICHESTER LOCAL magazine

Sponsor this Crossword - call 01903 868474 for details.

Chichester Local & Comfort Keepers UK 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.

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CHICHESTER LOCAL

34 Recipe

Curried Pumpkin Soup A spicy low carb soup to keep you warm on Bonfire Night!

Ingredients - serves 4        

1 small onion, chopped 1tbsp sunflower oil 1-2tsp curry powder 450g pumpkin flesh, roughly chopped or other squash Squeeze of orange or lemon juice 600ml chicken stock Salt and black pepper 150ml creme fraîche or thick yoghurt

Method: 1. In a large pan heat the oil and fry the onion until softened. Add the curry powder and fry for 1 minute, stirring. Add the pumpkin, orange or lemon juice and stock, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, until really tender.

2. Blend or process the soup and then sieve if you wish..

Season and stir in half the creme fraîche.

Heat through and then serve with a little crème fraiche or yoghurt.

Tip: Pumpkin Seeds are easy to roast Wash well and wipe dry. Place in a roasting tin and toss with olive oil, salt, spices or curry powder. Roast at 190C/375F/gas Mark 5 for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove when crisp but not too brown,cool.minutes. Add the sauces, well drained noodles, little sesame oil and soy sauce to taste.

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Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

Gardening

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In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib, Principle Designer of Glorious Gardens Invest in Spring now!

Nothing heralds Spring with greater brass band fanfare than bulbs. Just when Winter is dragging on and you have forgotten you have a garden, bulbs herald forth the beginning of the warmer seasons and ones aspirations and plans for the year.

This Autumn why not be a bit bolder in your choice of bulbs and the amount you plant.

You can hardly have enough bulbs so you could double up with the quantities you order. Rather than clumps of 5 Daffodils or Alliums here and there why not go for clumps of 12. If you want a lovely display of Snowdrops why not go for 1000 rather than 50. you won’t regret it. don’t rely on last years Tulips. Assume none of them will come up again and plant a load more.

Also most bulbs try to get up and out into the light before the trees have come into leaf so you can make maximum advantage of this by trying to plant bulbs in combination with other ones.

Below are some tips on what and where to plant this month.

Woodland Look around and see if you have any shady areas under trees. Bulbs love this space as it is free from footfall, the trees are not yet into leaf so there is plenty of light and there is reduced chance of being waterlogged.

Choose natural colonizers like Daffodils, Crocus, English Bluebells, Snowdrops and Grape Miscari. They will multiply year upon year and make the shady area the great focal point of Spring’s arrival. Also think about large swathes of Anemone blanda as it will spread and be with you forever.

Lawn It is not fashionable these days but why not plant up a large area of your lawn with Crocuses. (If you have Astro turf you could invent plastic ones and make a fortune!)

Crocuses will delight you when they push up through the grass and in that 70’s colour scheme of purples, whites and yellows and they are easily mown over once they have wilted away.

You could also collect saffron which are made from the red stamens inside the flower!

Meadow If you have a meadow section of your garden Fritillaria meleagris is an endangered species in Europe so why not plant these chequerboard patterned beauties amongst your daffodils.

Pots Now is the time to cram your pots with tulips. Tulips are a living meditation on impermanence as most

36 Gardening don’t come back the following year- so a few weeks of display and that’s it. But what a way to awaken colour in your garden. If you have a very sheltered and in a hot spot try Freesia- their scent will intoxicate you.

Plant in big groups Don’t be tempted to buy 5 of these and 6 of those. If you want maximum impact buy in bulk online. It is cheaper and the different between 20 daffodils and 200 creates a completely different effect. Even in big pots go for 12-15 tulips rather than a few.

And if you are planting them in borders it is better to have three clumps of 15 than 45 bulbs dotted about the place looking lonely.

Go for the unusual Try Frittilaria Crown Imperials, the mad looked Allium ‘Hair’, Narcissi ‘Rip Van Winkle’ or Tulipa ‘Wow’ and again plant in a couple of nice big clumps, maybe on both sides of your doorway so you enjoy them many times a day. You can also try the giant Snowdrop Leucojuim in a quite corner of the garden.

Plant in amongst other plants You can plant your bulbs in amongst evergreen ground cover which doubles the use of the space and also hides the foliage once the bulbs have finished.

CHICHESTER LOCAL Try planting in amongst an area of Perriwinkle, Ajuga, Violets or even Ivy. Bulb Combinations Try these combinations Agapanthas and Wild Garlic, large pale pink Hyacinths with the pale blue of Miscarri Baby’s Breath, Tete-a-Tete Narcissi with Fritillaria. Also look at the maximum and minimum heights of your borders and position accordingly. eg Allium altissima at 1.5 m and Allium Christophii at 35cm Successional planting Make a column where you make sure you have bulbs coming up all the way through the year as if they are passing the baton to each other. For example you can buy Very Early, Early, Mid and Late flowering Tulips and Daffodils.Then Allums take over the baton for Summer. You can then factor in the corm families as well with Agapanths, Cannas and Irises as well as Dahlias.

There are also Crinums for the end of summer, bright pink Nerines and Cyclamen hederifolium for Autumn as well as autumn flowering Colchicums with their ghostly translucent hue.

Planting Advice The packet that the bulbs arrive in will normally tell

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through the door you the depth and spacing for planting up. If you are planting in clumps dig a whole section of the bed up of about 40cm in diameter rather than try to plant them individually. Bulbs as a rule need very well drained soil so if you are in a lot of clay really prepare the soil well with grit and organic improver and even then you will have to experiment with what survives.

Taking Care If you have planted in pots make sure they don’t dry out which is possible if we have a dry Autumn or Winter. Bulbs like a mulch feed whether in pots or in the open ground so this can be done now after you have planted them. If you deadhead the old flowers once they have finished then you will stop the plant having to produce seeds which can weaken it. Most people though like to leave the old seedheads of Alliums to dry out as they look very sculptural over the Summer and Autumn.

Lastly if you leave the foliage to die back naturally then more of the energy of the plant can return to the bulb increasing its health.

Places to visit

What can I say? Sheffield Park is the place to be.

Huge trees on fire with Autumn colour with lakes reflecting their light like giant mirrors.

Bands and Orchestras The Hanover Band Foundation Bathrooms Bathe in Safety Beauty Therapy Carefree Beauty Cryosculpt UK Charity Shipwrecked Mariners Society Conservatories and Garden Rooms Greenspace (UK) Limited Room Outside Curtains and Blinds Hope and Ted Dentures Changing Faces Denture Clinic Electricians Danny H Electrician MJA Electrical Financial Advisors GilesSmith (Littlehampton) Ltd Furniture CFS Furniture Garden Design Glorious Gardens Gifts Memory Lane Books Groundworks Cathedral Landscapes Holiday Property Mrs J Simms Holiday Rental Home Care Caremark Limited Home Entertainment Bowers & Wilkins Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd

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What to do in November  Now is the time to move plants around the garden or plant up new ones. The soil is still warm for the roots to establish but there is less chance of the plants drying out.  Harvest the last of your tomatoes as the frosts can get them. even if they are green they will ripen in a bowl.  Lift your Dahlias and store them in a dry, dark place (some people leave them in the soil over Winter but this is a risk)  If your Roses are particularly tall you can prune them back to reduce the rock to their roots a strong Winter wind can wreck on them.  Put bubble wrap around any precious tropical trees like Bananas or Tree Ferns.  Plant Perennial and trees. Trees can be bought as bare root specimens, so will be cheaper plus the plants will have five moths without any real need of watering before Spring arrives

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