Sussex Local - Findon - April 2018

April 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

MY SISTER’S HOUSE Helping women affected by domestic violence

HISTORY Grey Point

WIN!

The Extraordinary Life of AA Milne Milkshake Live tickets

GARDENING

John Brookes MBE

LOCAL NEWS School, Charity & Community

PLUS

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

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SUSSEX LOCAL

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April 2018 Cover image High Street Findon village kindly supplied by Sheila Mills

Welcome...

Our main article this month is a profile on Bognor Regis based charity My Sister’s House. Helping vulnerable women affected by domestic abuse, we speak to founder and CEO Julie Budge, see page 26.

Andrew Staib talks to Garden Designer John Brookes MBE at his home at Denmans Gardens Fontwell. Plus some garden tasks for April, see page 36. Keeping with the outdoor theme, why not take advantage of the longer days and join one of the many free guided walks listed on page 18?

We have news from; Vale school p17; local area charity and community groups p20, Findon Valley Residents’ Association and Findon Parish Council on page 46. We also have our regular history article from Valerie Martin, this month looking at the historic Findon village property Grey Point - see p45.

Also in this issue, you can win tickets to see Milkshake! Live featuring celebrated preschool favourites including Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam - page 15. Also up for grabs, a moving biography about the author of the world famous Winnie the Pooh stories - The Extraordinary Life of AA Milne, p15.

4 ...........................................................................What’s On 15 .......................................WIN! Tickets to Milkshake! Live 15 ..................WIN! Book The Extraordinary life of AA Milne 16 .............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page 17 .....................................................................Local Schools 18 ........................................................................Local Walks 20 .........................................................Charity & Community 26 ....................................My Sister’s House - Charity Profile 32 ..................................................................Prize Crossword 34 ..................................................................................Recipe 36 ....................................................................In Your Garden 45 ..................................................Local History - Grey Point 46 .............................................Parish Council & FVRA news 47 .............................................................Business Directory 51 ...........................................................Index of Advertisers May booking deadline 29th March

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.

Finally, for ideas to keep the children amused during the Easter holidays see our What’s On Guide starting on page 4. For more events across the whole county, please visit our website sussexlocal.net Until next month,

Kris & Jeff

Words of Wisdom “Your mind is the garden, your thoughts are the seeds, the harvest can either be flowers or weeds.” - WILLIAM WORDSWORTH 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.

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What’s On

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SUSSEX LOCAL

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SUSSEX LOCAL

What’s On

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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

14 What’s On

SUSSEX LOCAL

Competitions

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Win tickets to “Milkshake! Live: The Magic Story Book” Thursday 31st May 3pm, Pavillion Theatre, Worthing Starring Milkshake! favourites Bob the Builder, Little Princess, Noddy, Wissper, Fireman Sam, Pip from Pip Ahoy!, Winnie and Wilbur, Shimmer and Shine, Milkshake’s very own Milkshake Monkey and two Milkshake! presenters, this all singing, all dancing, musical masterpiece, will take audiences on a journey through the world’s favourite fairy tales.

Set amongst Milkshake’s magical bookcase, this brand new live show is sure to amaze and delight!

The Milkshake cast will be singing songs and sharing stories that audience members, young and old, will know and love. ★★★★★ “Kids loved the show!! Their faces when shimmer and shine came on was amazing!!”

Gemma Scott See more at worthingtheatres.co.uk

Win tickets to ‘Milkshake! Live’ To be in with a chance of winning answer the following question: Q: What is the name of the famous builder? a) Brian b) Bob c) Billy Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: Milkshake! Live Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after 30th April 2018. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

Win a copy of The Extraordinary Life of A A Milne An insight into one of the world's most beloved children's authors Very few authors can ever dream of coming close to the legacy left by A A Milne.

He remains a household name in almost every corner of the globe, thanks to a popular collection of whimsical children’s stories about a boy named Christopher Robin and his beloved teddy bear.

Generations of children have grown up loving the tales of Winnie The Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood, which are still among the most popular fictional characters in the world.

But while the adorable poems and stories have brought unparalleled joy to millions, Alan Alexander Milne himself was never able to enjoy the fame and fortune they brought him. He died deeply resenting Pooh’s success, as far as he was concerned those stories were just such a tiny fraction of his literary work, but nothing else he produced came close in terms of public appreciation.

Milne died still unable to reconcile the fact that no matter what else he wrote, regardless of all the plays and stories for adults he had published, he would always be remembered as a children’s storyteller.

And his son, widely hailed as the inspiration for the adorable character of Christopher Robin, could never accept his unique place in literary history either. He had barely reached his teens before he bitterly accused his father of exploiting his early years.

The Extraordinary Life of A A Milne tells stories untold. www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

Win a copy To be in with a chance of winning answer the following question: Q: Which famous bear starred in A A Milne’s books? a) Winnie b) Wilfred c) Walter Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: AA MIlne Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after 30th April 2018. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

SUSSEX LOCAL

16 Puzzles

Young Readers’ Puzzle Page Wordsearch - Easter

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

BEGINNING CHICKS FAMILY

BLESSING BONNET CHOCOLATE EGG HUNT HOLIDAYS JESUS

BUNNY FAITH SPRING

Maze

Sudoku

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

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

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

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

Schools 17

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Findon Vale School Vale School are lucky to have a wraparound child care facility available to all parents. Cherrytree Childcare offer Breakfast and After School Clubs and also run a variety of school holiday activities.

Cherrytree had a fantastic week during half term; the main theme was “Chinese New Year” celebrating the year of the dog. The week was spent trying Chinese foods, playing traditional games, building the Great Wall and making lots of Chinese crafts some of which were lanterns, fire breathing dragons, terracotta warriors, origami dogs, lucky red envelopes and kites.

They had a visit from “Our Amazing Animal World”, are always a firm favourite with the children who had the opportunity to handle and learn about some incredible creatures and “not so mini” beasts! They were very lucky to be able to watch Mavis the snake shed her skin and meet the Madagascan hissing cockroach, giant African land snail and the very unusual Axolotl or “walking fish” which is actually an amphibian and not a fish! The theme was carried on in the afternoon with lots of exotic animal crafts.

Valentine’s Day was busy making a delicious lunch, homemade truffles and biscuits, followed by Valentines cards, bracelets and heart related crafts.

Debbie, the school’s fantastic face painter was also back creating unicorn, rainbow, flower, superhero, animal and insect designs in the sunshine.

Despite having all four seasons in one week, this didn’t stop the children and there was a lot of outdoor games and activities as well the ever popular go karts, scooters, roller racers and archery.

Children love having their faces painted!

Vale School are excited about all the activities we have planned for the Easter Holiday Club. The “circus is coming to town;” and children will be taking part in a circus workshop, learning lots of exciting skills. “Let’s Face It” Face Painting will be back, as well as “Our Amazing World” with some cute and cuddly animals and a visit from the Easter bunny.

Vale School, Vale Avenue, Findon Valley. 01903 872 322. More information at www.vale.w-sussex.sch.uk

18 Walks

SUSSEX LOCAL

Local Walks - April 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 Sun 1 10:00am Kings Building and Houghton Forest 4.3 miles Meet at the car park just off Whiteways roundabout, BN18 9FD Tue 3 9:30am Buchan Country Park 3 miles Meet in the car park off Horsham Road (A2220), RH11 9HQ Wed 4 2.30pm Horsham Heritage Guided Walks 2 miles Meet outside the Museum in the Causeway. Learn more about Horsham’s history. Supported by The Horsham Society Thu 5 7:00pm Ron’s Evening Walks 5-6 miles For experienced walkers over difficult terrain. Very social walk that usually ending in a pub Sat 7 2:00pm Sullington Warren & Church 4 miles Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground car park, RH20 4PG Sun 8 10:00am Nutbourne 3 miles Meet West Chiltington Village Hall, RH20 2PZ. We should see vineyards, llamas, a windmill and lovely houses Tue 10 10:00am Warnham 2+ miles Meet at Village Hall car park in Hollands Way, RH12 3RH Tue 10 10:00am Sidney Wood/Wey and Arun Canal 5.5 miles Meet Forestry Commission car park (TQ026350) Fri 13 11:00am Southwater 2.6 miles Meet in car park of the Country Park, (off Cripplegate Lane, RH13 7UN) Sat 14 9:00am Wiston/Steyning Dog Walk 2 miles Meet at Steyning Cricket Pavilion, BN44 3LE Sat 14 10.30am Sumners Pond 4 miles Park opposite the Barn, RH13 0PR. A lovely walk around a working farm, through beautiful woodland and peaceful meadows Mon 16 10:30am Slinfold Stroll 3 miles Meet at St Peter’s Church in the middle of the village, RH13 0RR Wed 18 10:30am Storrington Riverside Walk 2.5 miles Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 4PG Sat 21 8:30am Storrington – Amberley Circular 9 miles Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground car park, RH20 4PG. Onto the Downs and returning via Parham Deer Park Sat 21 2:00pm Thakeham Circular 3 miles Meet in Thakeham Church car park, RH20 3EP Sun 22 10:30am Leechpool & Owlbeech 2.3 miles Meet at Leechpool Wood car park, Harwood Rd, B2195 Thu 26 10:00am Below the Tower 5.5 miles Meet at Starveall Corner car park on the Leith Hill to Abinger Common Mon 30 10:30am Stunning Sussex Bluebell Walk 3 or 5 miles Park and meet at St George’s Church, West Grinstead, RH13 8LR

1 hr 45 mins Level 3 Mick 01903 745971 1 hr Level 2 Emmy 01403 255517 90 mins Level 2 Jill 07780 701184 3 hrs

Level 3

Ron 07933 106663 1 hr 45 mins Level 2 Mick 01903 745971 1.5 hrs Level 2 Mick 01903 745971 60 - 90 mins Health Emmy 01403 255517 2.5 hrs Level 2 Geoff 01403 258180 75 mins Health Jill 07780 701184 1 hr 15 mins Level 2 Hilary 01903 368625 2 hrs Level 2 Pauline 01403 240419 1.5 hrs Level 2 Jean 07734 323321 90 mins Health Mick 01903 745971 4.5 hrs Level 3 Mick 01903 745971 1.5 hrs Level 2 Mick 01903 745971 1 hr 15 mins Health Armelle 01403 260342 2 hrs 45mins Level 3 Lynne 01403 268157 2 hrs Level 2 Jill 07780 701184

Arun Adur Ramblers – www.arun-adur-ramblers.org.uk

Mon 2 10:30 Easter Walk to Highdown 8.5 miles Meet village green, Sea Road, East Preston. Roadside parking Wed 11 10:00 Honeysuckle Lane 5.5 miles Meet at top of Honeysuckle Lane, Higher Salvington. Via Clapham Church - Bluebell Walk Wed 18 10:00 Amberley 5 miles Meet near Sportsman PH, Amberley Sat 28 10:00 Slindon 5.5 miles Meet at Dukes Road. Bluebell walk via Slindon Folly

Moderate Leisurely Leisurely Moderate

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20 Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets Home-Start Arun, Worthing and Adur are part of a new tech initiative to support children with their speech.

LENA (Language Environmental Analysis) is a tool licensed by Home-Start UK and your local Home-Start is one of the first to start to explore the initiative for local families. The child wears a “wearable tech vest” during the day to measure the number of spoken words the child hears - a clever word counter. The trained volunteer will encourage parents to talk, read and sing using new words to increase their child’s vocabulary. If you are interested in this new initiative please call Scheme Manager and LENA lead, Bridget Richardson on 01903 889707 The Sussex Wildlife Trust is reporting on new figures that point to a 30 percent decline in water vole distribution, and are calling for a number of actions in order to prevent the “national treasure Ratty” from disappearing altogether. Actions include: calling on Government to provide better funding for water vole conservation projects and landscape-scale restoration schemes; landowners to manage river bank habitat to help water voles and for people to volunteer as water vole surveyors with the SWT and/ or donate to charities supporting water vole recovery work. www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk

SUSSEX LOCAL A recent report, Spotlight on Violence Against Women and Girls, published by the Revolving Doors Agency, showcases the innovative work by Police & Crime Commissioners across the country to tackle this serious issue. Ground breaking 'Drive Project' in Sussex has been highlighted within the report for its response to domestic abuse – the project aims to reduce the number of child and adult victims by tackling perpetrator behaviour; the root cause of the cycle of domestic abuse. www.revolving-doors.org.uk A giant observation wheel – standing 35 metres high has rolled into Worthing, offering visitors to the south coast the chance to go spinning high into the air as the temporary attraction is brought to the town’s Steyne Gardens. The wheel is one of the tallest transportable attractions of it’s type currently available in the UK - giving those boarding the chance to see up to ten miles in the distance - the 144-capacity attraction is operating until mid April. www.adur-worthing.gov.uk Sussex Police recruited new police officers during February and March. They are aiming to attract 200 police officers each year for the next four years. This has been made possible by the public’s support to pay more for local policing. The additional funding also means the force can protect 476 police posts that would otherwise have been lost. Sussex Police wanted to ensure that the organisation reflects the communities it serves and encouraged applications from diverse communities and women. New recruits will be joining at a challenging time for policing and a transformative time for Sussex Police. Find out more by visiting www.sussex.police.uk Women in the South are being urged to lace up their hiking boots and join the fight against cancer as Cancer Research UK launches The Race for Life Hike at South Downs Way, which is returning an enthusiastic response to the inaugural event last year, the event will take place on Saturday 1 September. South Downs Way is one of just eight iconic locations in the UK, which have been specially selected to hold Race for Life Hike events. These take place between May and September, and are a series of one-day, long-distance walking events open to women of all ages and abilities, to help raise money for Cancer Research UK. www.raceforlife.org A Preview Exhibition for the Chichester Art Trail is to be held at The Oxmarket Centre of Arts in Chichester, running from Tuesday 24th to Sunday 29th April, from 10am-4.30pm. The exhibition is a collection of sample pieces from each artist participating in the 2018 Art Trail, and offers an excellent opportunity to choose those you would like to visit and plan your own trail route ahead of the trail. This takes place the first two weekends in May.: www.chichesterarttrail.org

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22 Charity & Community

SUSSEX LOCAL

Trekkers to raise funds

MP Calls for Creative Thinking

A brave team of trekkers will travel to Wales in September to summit Mount Snowdon while raising vital funds for local Sussex charity St Barnabas House.

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has called for ‘creative thinking’ to maintain banking facilities in rural towns and villages through the Post Office network. Mr Herbert has joined MPs from all sides of the House in making the case for retaining banking facilities for local communities.

The MP acknowledged the ‘march of technology’ and the huge growth in customers who now use online banking services. He also recognised the commercial need for some bank branches to close because of unsustainably low footfall, saying that it was unrealistic “to look backwards and think that we can somehow set a retail banking model in aspic.” Instead creative and innovative solutions were needed.

Mr Herbert said that local post office branches could provide banking facilities in smaller communities.

Registration is now open for the Worthing-based hospice’s newest event, which gives challenge seekers the opportunity to summit the highest mountain in England and Wales at 1,085 metres, witnessing the beautiful sunset across Snowdonia.

The team of trekkers will meet at St Barnabas House in Goring-by-Sea on Saturday 8 September, transferring to Llanberis in North Wales where they will stop for lunch before the start of a five to seven hour ascent of the Llanberis Path. The trek will finish at around midnight and the team will celebrate with breakfast and a glass of bubbly before travelling through the night, arriving back in Worthing on Sunday 9 September. www.stbh.org.uk/snowdon

Pledge to Provide Affordable Housing As part of a wider strategy to ensure local people are not priced out of the town, Worthing Borough Council has taken a stand against government planning guidelines, by pledging to get tougher on developers building on brownfield sites.

In recent years the Government has been keen to encourage house building, particularly for small sites.

Part of this approach has been to provide an incentive for brownfield development on sites containing vacant buildings – offering developers a Vacant Building Credit, which can offset any demands from the local planning authority for affordable housing contributions. But Worthing planners said the acute nature of the town’s housing problem and the high reliance on brownfield sites meant that adhering to this guidance would reduce the ability for the town to meet affordable housing demand.

For these reasons, planners recommended that Vacant Building Credit will not be applied to brownfield developments in the borough. The council will also continue to seek development contributions towards affordable housing from developments of six to ten dwellings. www.adur-worthing.gov.uk

Worthing’s Dome Cinema to Open Third Screen Worthing’s historic Dome Cinema is set to expand, with construction of a third screen now underway.

The auditorium, situated in what used to be the Tourist Information Centre, will feature comfortable armchair style seats along with a number of twoseater sofas, and will seat between 40 and 50 audience members at a time.

While an opening date for Screen 3 is still to be confirmed, the management team has stated that the work should be completed before the release of Avengers: Infinity War at the end of April.

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24 Charity & Community / Finance

Brookland Lake’s Snappy Surprise Workers removing silt as part of the regeneration of Worthing's Brooklands Lake got a shock when they spotted something slithering around in the mud. Like a scene from cult film the Creature from the Black Lagoon, arising from the Brooklands depths was a fully-grown Common Snapping Turtle, hissing and looking pretty put out at the disturbance to her habitat.

Ben Sharp and Jimmy Griffiths from environmental company Five Rivers managed to retrieve the creature before it was swept up in the dredging work and found her a temporary home with Littlehampton Exotics where she is in quarantine until a suitable sanctuary can be found.

Native to North America Common Snapping Turtles are well named - they can take a human finger off with their jaws and are usually at the top of the food chain in their natural habitat of North America.

Skydive for Worthing Churches Homeless Project On Saturday 19th May, Worthing Churches Homeless Projects (WCHP) are encouraging people to take the leap and try a tandem skydive to help raise funds for

SUSSEX LOCAL charity! The jump is from 12,000ft and brave people completing the challenge can expect a 40 second free fall before the parachute opens for a slower, breath-taking descent to the ground.

Worthing Churches Homeless Projects offer a variety of services to support people who are homeless or insecurely housed in our community. St Clare’s Day Centre provides a cooked breakfast for 50p or tea, toast, cereals and as much tea and coffee as you can drink for free. There is a clothing store full of warm jumpers and coats as well as sleeping bags kindly donated by the local community to give out to people in need. It is from here that staff at the charity build relationships with people and can find the best way to support them. The accommodation projects offer support to people around drug and alcohol needs as well as mental health support and one to one life skills help. It is the charity’s mission to end rough sleeping in our local area and to help people to achieve independent living.

The latest count shows that homelessness has risen 168% since 2010 and we are really noticing this in Worthing and Adur for the first time.

The money raised from the event will go towards helping the people that turn to the service each year for advice, a hot breakfast or longer term residential support and to keep these vital services running.

For more information contact Sophie on 01903 680740 – 252 or email sophie.moore@wchp.org.uk

Pension Theft

By Richard Cohen FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner I have written many times over about the dangers of “pension release” or “pensions liberation” and warned of the dangers that these schemes bring.

These were schemes that claimed to be able to offer early access to pension funds, due to “legal loopholes” but often led to the majority of your fund being stolen and the other half being taken in penalty charges applied by HMRC. Fortunately, there seems to have been a slowdown in these types of frauds. Unfortunately, there is a resurgence in more traditional frauds that are causing people to lose their pensions. Conmen are promoting investment schemes that at best are high risk and frequently frauds. They persuade people to transfer their hard-earned pensions into such a scheme and then disappear.

From a conman’s perspective targeting pensions has two advantages. Firstly, as pensions are for the long term it may be many years before the victim asks where their money is, giving them plenty of time to have disappeared. Secondly, record high transfer values are putting hundreds of thousands of pounds in people hands that they weren’t expecting.

With the sums involved fraudsters are willing to put in effort to sound convincing and the amount of information we make public can make it easy for them. A list of former employers on LinkedIn or Facebook together with your address from the electoral roll or a telephone number somehow acquired means they can call or write about your “ABC Ltd Pension” giving them credibility from the start.

The way to avoid being the victim of such cons is to remember the old saying “if something seems too good to be true it probably is”, be on your guard when it comes to what could be your biggest asset and to take advice from an FCA authorised financial adviser.

Of course a regulated adviser could make a recommendation for investments that lose you money but if the advice is unsuitable or worse still fraudulent you at least have the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) to appeal to and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) to reimburse you if the firm has ceased trading. With an unregulated salesman pushing his “limited time opportunity” your protection is non-existent.

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

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26 Charity Profile

My Sister’s House Local charity inspires women to live to their full potential.

By Lynn Smith.

Community Interest Company My Sister’s House has been providing safe shelter to women who are victims

SUSSEX LOCAL of domestic violence since 2015, and is the only community women’s centre in West Sussex that “seeks to improve the status and situation of women.” Embedded in the Bognor Regis community My Sister’s House works across the coastal area (Arun and Chichester).

Piloted by founder and CEO Julie Budge who, in 2014, sat down at her kitchen table with a group of local women. Those women became My Sister’s House’s first board – some of whom are still on the board today.

Since its inception, in June 2015, My Sister’s House has worked with 456 women – 95 per cent from Chichester and Arun areas –with the numbers of clients steadily increasing, the centre sees an average of 30 new clients per month.

Amongst its offering My Sister’s House runs a general drop in service (Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm); offers a range of Peer Support groups; holds a domestic abuse surgery and runs confidence courses. There is also a scheme to help with going back to work - Step Forward; money advice; emotional support; self-esteem workshops and other services inspiring women to live their potential. My Sister’s House offers advice and information, signposting and referral, low-level casework, complex casework as well as advocacy and representation.

Providing what My Sister’s House describes as an “independent frontline service co-produced by local women, safe, supportive and community based, trauma informed, holistic and in a gender specific way.”

Many of the women who use the Women’s Centre services are described as being highly vulnerable.

Many are experiencing, or have experienced, physical and sexual abuse and may also be substance abusers, suffering from associated trauma and mental health issues. They find forming and maintaining relationships difficult and may come from a background where inter-generational disadvantage is common.

Julie Budge, explains: “We have learned that many of our clients have been unable to benefit from mainstream services because their needs have been considered too ‘complex or challenging’ for the structures of conventional one-off services.” The women can be trapped in a vicious circle arising from a bad childhood, poverty, mental health issues and abuse.

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SUSSEX LOCAL

28 Charity Profile My Sister’s House can stop the circle, working with the women to help them turn around their lives.

The organisation has, Julie says, “a unique reach within our community and fill essential gaps in statutory provision.”

The organisation also helps women who may be having a difficult time at one point in their lives – for instance a recent event such as job loss, a bereavement or a relationship breakdown.

My Sister’s House provides a women-only space where issues can be addressed safely, in a physical and emotional sense, but they also balance support and empathy with boundary setting challenging women’s behaviour. Part of this involves recreating a ‘family environment’ where boundaries are My Sisters’ House Women’s Centre set and where expectations are When I talk to Julie, it’s early March when the whole placed on the women– establishing a relationship country is in the grip of fiercely icy weather and she tells between workers and peers, and clients based upon a mutual trust that My Sister’s House views as me that My Sister’s House has done “amazing work in essential to creating the first steps towards change. the last few days alone helping homeless women.” She describes the social return on investment as being Julie Budge sums up the approach as creating an “huge.” For instance, one donation of £5,000 is half informal social support network, “So that women have somewhere to go … as though they were sitting around the kitchen table with their sister or mother.”

My Sister’s House’s first drop-in centre was what Julie Budge describes as “ …a little shop front … an eight by ten foot space.” Then in January of this year they secured a 2,000 square foot rent free space, which has become their Women’s Centre, with the previous shop front space becoming the My Sister’s House’s Women’s Community Hub. Both spaces enable the organisation to raise income and open up more training and counselling services and additional funding opportunities.

My Sister’s House relies entirely on donations to expand further and, as is common to all charities, generating the funds necessary to maintain and grow services is a key issue. Julie Budge says that main funders want to fund frontline staff but can be reluctant to fund core staff; that is, the administrative and management team essential to keeping an organisation running. Currently as CEO, Julie is paid a part-time salary, although she works around 60 hours a week and manages six part-time staff, fifteen ‘really active’ volunteers, a university intern and eight freelance staff, including student counsellors and social work placements. Last year, My Sister’s House’s running costs were £88,000, which Julie believes to be a small cost compared to the effect My Sister’s House has on the lives of those who use the Centre.

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through the door the cost of a domestic abuse outreach worker, enabling women to drop in and talk to an experienced listener. Recently My Sister’s House was a beneficiary of the Tesco “blue coin” scheme and received £2,000, which funds four Peer Support groups for a year – for instance, peer groups such as women losing children to fostering or adoption.

My Sister’s House is keen to encourage local people to become involved by organising fund raising events on its behalf, just a small donation can have a positive impact on the work of the centre. In December last year, My Sister’s House launched a search for local patrons not only for the financial/ donor aspect but also to help raise the organisation’s profile and generate awareness around domestic violence. It is particularly looking for inspirational celebrities and influencers to become brand ambassadors and patrons of the centre.

Julie Budge says, “My Sister’s House needs funding to become a fully operational women's centre equipped to offer practical, emotional, and therapeutic support through tailor-made interventions that aim to address a range of underlying issues.

“Our unique approach offers help to women to access multiple, integrated services and improve health, personal and socio-economic opportunities, and we are in urgent need of local patrons with high profiles to help us raise awareness for domestic violence.”

Charity Profile

29

Support from high profile patrons would allow the organisation to secure the key management roles in the short term to lead vital future areas of work, including securing contracts and more funding for key services in the longer term.

From its earliest days the organisation has changed the lives of its clients for the better.

Building trust and relationships that endure – Julie Budge tells of one former client, whom she describes as being on the poverty line, who Julie Budge CEO collects toiletries and products throughout the year, then at Christmas she wraps them individually and drops them at the Centre to be given as gifts to the women who use the Centre.

Finding the right patrons will allow My Sister’s House to not only continue its essential work but also to raise the funds necessary to expand its services.

My Sister’s House, 108c London Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1B. Contact by ringing 01243 697800, visiting www.mysistershouse.co.uk or you can email office@mysistershouse.info

SUSSEX LOCAL

30 Finance

Ready to Invest?

Here’s how to get started.

By Ivan Lyons Director Investment Solutions, Worthing If you’re looking to get a better return from your money than you can from your bank account, then the time might be right to think about investing for the future. Before you begin, here are some golden rules to consider.

Hold Some Cash You’ll need to have ready access to a cash fund to cover everyday living expenses and unforeseen expenditure. Obviously, there’s no point rushing into investment if you’ve got substantial debts or if you know you’re going to have to make major financial commitments that will take up all your spare cash. A vital part of your financial planning must be providing adequately for retirement, not at least because of the tax breaks available on pension contributions.

Define Your Goals You need to be clear why you’re investing and what your goals are. The sort of life events that people often invest for include a child’s education, a daughter’s wedding, to repay a mortgage, retire at 55 – the list can be a long one. Knowing your time horizon helps to ensure you put in place the right investment strategy for your needs.

Know Your Risk Profile You will need to establish how much risk you’re comfortable with, and the impact that has on the rate of return you can realistically expect to earn. You should bear in mind that the level of return can vary from year to year, and that past performance is not a guide or a guarantee of future returns. The value of shares can go up and down.

Go For Diversity A portfolio that includes a range of assets alongside shares, such as bonds, property, and cash, has been shown to perform better over the longer term than one that is only invested in one type of asset. This process is known as asset allocation, and is almost always the starting point when deciding where to invest.

Getting Investment Advice Makes Sense We will be able to help you in a variety of ways. Firstly, we can work with you to review and assess your current situation, any existing holdings you may have, your family circumstances and tax position. Drawing on our expertise and extensive knowledge of the market, we will recommend the asset allocation that will meet your requirements, together with the investment options that are suitable for you.

While building a potentially profitable portfolio means taking a longer-term approach, we will want to schedule regular review with you so that your investments can, if necessary, be altered or rebalanced in response to economic and market forces.

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.

Contact Investment Solutions: Grafton House, 26 Grafton Road, Worthing, BN11 1QT. 01903 214640 or send an email to Ivan at: ilyons@graftonhouse.net or visit www.investment-solutions.co.uk

Legal

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31

50/50 Division on Divorce

By Karen Fleming, Fleming & Co, Angmering People say: ‘On divorce, she’ll get half of everything’. Some solicitors have a client gender bias but I have always had an equal number.

This article is intended to be informative and is not in any way intended to suggest what is right or wrong. It is simply the current law if the matter proceeds to court. I will of course act my absolute hardest to affect the outcome, for my clients, and there are ways that an experienced solicitor, depending on the situation, can do this.

When we think of ‘contributions’ in a marriage, we often think of who earns the money. This will usually be the husband, because he’s the provider and she’s the child carer. Husbands can further their career without the interruptions of time off work for childcare.

Current case law is awarding the wife half unless there is an element of ‘genius’ in how the husband has acquired the enormous wealth. (If the wife was the huge earner, then the same rule would apply).

Will Ant of Ant and Dec be able to retain more than half of his wealth because he and Dec are considered to have an element of genius?

Historically the wife was awarded only what she ‘needed’. In the 1985 case of White v White the wife’s contribution as a homemaker and primary

carer of the children was for the first time considered an equal contribution to the husbands earnings. Although ‘equal’, subsequent cases awarded the wife one third to 40% of the assets.

The 2017 case of Work v Gray decided that the 225 Million pot should be split equally, there being no ‘special contribution’ to justify a departure from equality. The parties were in their forties, married 23 years, and the husband gained his financial success in Japan. The judge felt that it was extremely important to avoid discrimination against the homemaker, giving the wife huge credit for up rooting herself and the children to Japan.

When however the assets are small, and there are children and the husband is the higher earner, it will be the husband fighting to get half.

What if the wife (or the husband) takes a back step in their career but still works, does all the household duties and meets the needs of the children (whilst the other spouse becomes more and more successful financially at work). Would this Superman/Wonder woman be successful in claiming more than half? No, not under the present law.

Karen Fleming. See: www.flemingandco.co.uk or email karen.fleming@flemingandco.co.uk t: 01903 446698

SUSSEX LOCAL

32 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Findon April 2018

Win a ÂŁ20 voucher for The Village House, Findon

February 2018 solution shown below.

Winner: Pauline Bexley from High Salvington Congratulations and thank you to all who entered.

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

Across 1 Slender freshwater fish (4) 3 Bewilder (8) 9 Woven woolen fabric (7) 10 Small streams (5) 11 Lover of Juliet (5) 12 Looked quickly (7) 13 Abandon a plan (6) 15 Ukrainian port (6) 17 Upward slopes (7) 18 Stamping ground (5) 20 Lacking meaning (5) 21 Reversing something (7) 22 Symbols representing musical notes (8) 23 Coloured (4)

Down 1 Removal of trees from area (13) 2 Appeal (5) 4 Constrain or compel (6) 5 Preservative (12) 6 Sets free or releases (7) 7 Deprived (13) 8 Awkward (12) 14 Bewitch (7) 16 Spurious (6) 19 Oneness (5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Closing date: 30th April 2018 Good luck!

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.

Business Profile 33

through the door

The Mellor Practice expands!

New office to open in central Worthing The Mellor Practice independent financial advisors, are shortly opening a new office at 31 Chapel Road Worthing. This is in addition to their existing premises just outside Arundel.

Managing Director Laurie Mellor told Sussex Local, “For some time I’ve wanted us to be more visible and we are now right in the heart of Worthing. It’s important to us that we can serve the local community, right on their doorstep. We continue to offer professional, unhurried, face to face Independent Financial Advice. Our qualified advisers, both male and female have well over 120 years combined experience!”

The Mellor Practice can offer independent financial advice on all the main savings and investment related topics including; investing an inheritance, assessing pensions, low risk alternatives to cash ISAs and equity release. They can also help with life assurance and critical illness protection and funding for long-term care.

With ever changing legislation and myriad options, ensuring your future financial security can seem daunting. It is imperative to seek guidance from professional, fully qualified advisors. To get the best outcome, it is important to trust the advisor and feel

totally comfortable discussing your own circumstances with them.

Laurie continued, “We offer the first New Chapel Road Office 45 minute consultation at our expense, either in our comfortable offices in Worthing or Arundel. This first meeting is an informal discussion to find out more about you, your aims and objectives and your attitude to risk. All our fees are transparent and will be discussed with you prior to producing a comprehensive report with recommendations if you decide to proceed. We look forward to being of service!”

Please telephone Hilary Peyman on 01903 882007 or email hilary.peyman@themellorpractice.co.uk to book a free initial consultation. The Mellor Practice, Unit 1 Park Farm, Chichester Road, Arundel BN18 0AG 01903 882007 or 31 Chapel Road Worthing BN11 1EG www.themellorpractice.co.uk

SUSSEX LOCAL

34 Recipe

Mediterranean Tagliatelle Excellent for dinner & lunch the next day Ingredients - Serves 4               

4-5 tbsp olive oil 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tsp dried chili flakes 1 tbsp oregano 2 medium aubergines, diced into small cubes 2 red peppers, diced into small cubes 2 courgettes, diced into small cubes 1 tin Mr. Organic chopped tomatoes 2 tsp tomato puree 2 tbsp baby gherkins diced 50g dried fruit 3 tbsp red wine vinegar 50g toasted nuts (I used pine nuts) To serve Tagliatelle pasta and grated Sussex Charmer Cheddar Plenty of salt & pepper

Method: 1. In a heavy based pan heat the oil and start to brown the aubergines. Once cooked, add the other veg along with the garlic, chilli and oregano, stir for 2 minutes before adding the dried fruit, chopped tomatoes and puree. Cook on a medium heat for 15-20 minutes so the flavours come together.

2. Finally add the gherkins and the vinegar and leave on a low heat while you cook your pasta in plenty of boiling salted water. If the mixture becomes to thick add 100ml of water.

3. Toss the pasta through the veg sauce and sprinkle with toasted nuts and grated cheese.

Recipe kindly supplied by Village Larder, Squires Garden Centre www.villagelarder.co.uk. Visit us where you can find all the above ingredients and loads more recipe ideas. Follow us on Instagram & Twitter for more recipe inspiration @village_larder Squires Garden Centre, Washington 01903 891744

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SUSSEX LOCAL

36 Gardening

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib, Principle Designer of Glorious Gardens Garden Designer John Brookes MBE - A West Sussex Treasure

even in the Autumn of his life still swears like a sailor at empty trendy fads and clients who don’t dare to be themselves and go for what they really want.

One of the most well known landscape designers in the world, John has for 60 years been creating stunning and innovative gardens and spearheaded the revolution in garden design in the 20th Century. He has a passion for passing on his knowledge and has helped thousands of students around the world, writing over 25 books and countless articles. There is even a John Brookes School of Landscape design in Argentina.

He is beginning to slow down though. “I’m 84 and all this tripping around the world is a killer, I have a nice design in Scotland I’m doing at the moment and I am finishing off one in Russia.” Gwendolyn adds, “He is starting, after 37 years in his own garden, to take things out and rethink. He is not sentimental about plants, so when he took a mature golden holly out a few weeks ago even though we all wanted to save it, he was right, it was better gone”.

John Brookes MBE (c) Gwendolyn van Paasschen John is sitting in the large kitchen of his home called the Clock House, a converted stable block set in Denmans, a garden he has fashioned for 37 years and opened to the public each year. Glass doors reveal a small, light filled terrace with strong shaped plants and a large palm tree.

Gwendolyn van Paasschen, an American designer and the chairman of the John Brookes Denmans Foundation, is with us as well. She has known and worked with John for 20 years and has for the last two and half years worked at Denmans, helping John write his memoir, organize his archives, and with the ongoing renovation of the garden, which until last year, had been open to the public. It is now set to reopen on the 1st May. The Clock House used to host his thriving design school and is full of original paintings, sculptures, books and ornaments. It is the kind of house where every inch is bursting with creative focal points and well thought out proportioned furniture and balanced colour. It feels personal and there are no cliche furnishings. This originality reflects John himself, a no nonsense, pragmatic and highly dedicated garden designer who

through the door Gwendolyn has had first hand knowledge of John’s skills. “When I have seen him walk into a new space, John’s brain is like a computer. As soon as he enters a space he sees shapes, he sees negative space, positive space, he thinks how can I rearrange this space, create a view - it’s always about the shapes, the space and the proportions.”

John says, “Every customer is different, with unique needs and wishes. A garden is for people and an extension of the family home, but most people can’t think beyond a lawn, decking and a BBQ. They need to get inspiration from others. The lifestyle, the culture and the person and what they want all need to come together. I will try to look inside their house and that can tell me what they like. I want to know about my clients.”

John takes many photos of his gardens from the inside of client’s houses as this is where people experience their garden a lot and for him it is very important that the inside and the outside marry up.

“Smart magazines just show smart country houses which can be inhibiting for people with smaller gardens. People need to think about who they are and what they want to do, not just follow the trends.”

Gwendolyn opens John’s latest book, his soon to be published memoir, “A Landscape Legacy”. “Look” she says excitedly, “there is a picture here which John calls The Happy Lady.” Gwendolyn describes the picture: “She is sitting in her tiny garden with her back to us,

Gardening

37

with a glass of wine in her hand and she is completely content. This is the same in Denman's. John wants us to feel that it is a private garden in the country that is completely peaceful. This is what he is wanting to do.”

Denmans gardens While John describes himself as a designer not a gardener or a plantsman he uses plants exquisitely for their structural beauty. This is seen very well at Denman gardens which he has nourished and reinvented for many decades. “I want to simplify the garden – I want it to be less fussy. At Denmans I’m focusing more on Winter interest as the garden has to look good for the 6 months of Winter. Yes I like plants with big personalities- houses are big things.”

Denmans Gardens (c) Gwendolyn van Paasschen

SUSSEX LOCAL

38 Gardening Denmans is a garden dedicated to the shapes and forms plants can provide - tall, wide, domed, explosive, elegant, contained - they are all present working with each other. Through the middle of the garden runs a river bed made from Sussex rocks that the previous owner, the plants woman, Joyce Robinson, who lived at Denman's from 1947-1996, built in the early 1970’s. It ends in a real pond that John built in 1984 and is now reshaping.

Gwendolyn adds, “We are doing a lot of renovation to Denmans and hope to open again on the first of May, at least for a preview of what we are doing. We also hope to be back with a revamped cafe sometime later in the year. We have also started the John Brookes / Denmans Foundation to perpetuate John’s design legacy by teaching excellence in garden design, not just what is trendy.” Gwendolyn says of John and retirement - “He couldn’t do anything else.”

For more information on when Denmans will open to the public this year please write to JBDF.Information@gmail.com or email Glorious Gardens at andrewstaibuk@yahoo.co.uk

Places to visit Wisley Gardens! One of the UK’s most visited gardens, and one of the major 4 RHS gardens, the variety and inspiration you will get there is mind blowing. It covers 240 acres so expect to spend a whole day there or more! Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB.

April tasks  Hoe any bare areas of earth before the weeds take hold – if you do this once a week you will be weed free all year  Sow sow sow. A lot of your summer vegetables can be sown directly into the ground now  Mulch your beds with compost and bark chips to seal in the moisture from winter and prevent growth of new weed seeds  Feed all your shrubs and roses with a handful of bonemeal dug about an inch deep around the base of each plant.  Feed iron loving plants that are grown in pots with some Iron Fertilizer  Cut back Dogwood and Willow  Apply both Moss Kill and Broadleaf weed killer to your lawns –wait a couple of weeks then vigorously rake out all the dead thatch. You can also reseed the lawn where there are obvious patches  Sow annuals indoors or in your greenhouse – you could try growing Marigolds and Lobelia in trays

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39

SUSSEX LOCAL

40 Property

Stairs

By Chris Ennis FRICS Stairs occupy a central and very visible area of an average house.

Moneys spent on the creation of an attractive stairway and entrance hall are likely to enhance a property’s value.

There are many design features these days. Consider the sweeping classical solid stairways in period property, hardwood bespoke systems, and modern glass and chrome designs.

Approved documents K, M1 and M2 of the building regulations lay out the design requirements for stair structures. The building control officer will be paying considerable attention to regulations in order to avoid personal injury. I frequently see properties where the original structures have been altered.

In a typical modern stair structure, the vertical post at the base of the stair is known as the Newel, vertical balusters are located beneath the hand-rail, and are connected to the ‘string’ which is the wide sloping timber at the edge of the stair. There is no specified minimum width of a stair case, but most commonly they are between 800mm/900mm wide.

The minimum headroom above a staircase is 2 meters, but the building control officer may allow

Stop!

some tolerance on occasions.

The maximum pitch of a stair is 42 degrees, and this will be set by reference to the number of stair treads, and the height (called the riser) of each stair. There must be at least one handrail, and the space between individual balusters should not exceed 100 mm. Each stair tread must be level, and each riser should be the same height, a nosing on the riser should be minimum of 16mm. The forward motion of each tread is known as the ‘going’ and should be uniform. At both the bottom and the top of the stair there should be a ’landing’ no smaller than the width of the stair.

I have seen many older flat conversions where the entrance door to the property opens direct on to a stair…very dangerous. In some of the older cottages in the Findon area, stairs can be very steep, and staircases narrow. Some so called ‘paddle’ stairs can be constructed where space is at a premium, but these are not encouraged and they are difficult to use……. I have fallen from one!

Chris Ennis FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor Tel: 01903 261217 visit www.propdoctor or send an email to: 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

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Home / Property

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info@attwaterwindows.com www.attwaterhomeimprovements.co.uk 116 Cokeham Lane Sompting BN15 9SQ

www.homeiswherethehearthis.co.uk

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42

SUSSEX LOCAL

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43

44 Pets

Paws for thought Dental Health The importance of good dental hygiene in humans is widely reported but, when it comes to pets, pet owners are often unaware that they can help to prevent problems before they develop.

Bad breath in our pets is not Vet Emma Suckling, pleasant. For many owners, Findon Valley this is the first sign that there might be a problem in the mouths of their pets. For some owners the smell can get so bad that it affects their interaction with their pet. In a study that looked at the prevalence of disorders, gum disease was in the top three disorders seen by vets. It is without a doubt a real and prevalent problem that not only affects the pet but can really affect anyone close to the pet’s mouth!

Of course, the smell is only one aspect of dental disease – gum disease can lead to loosening of teeth and painful mouths and can also contribute to kidney and heart disease.

Bad breath doesn’t have to be a problem for our pets.

It is something that we can help to prevent and often successfully improve. However, the prevention side is

SUSSEX LOCAL often put in the “too hard” pile by owners. The thought of trying to brush the wriggly puppy’s teeth or the not very impressed cat’s teeth is daunting and therefore avoided. Yet we know that brushing pets’ teeth can be one of the most effective ways of preventing dental disease. The other aspect, and one of particular importance for rabbits, is diet. Getting the diet right can also help with dental disease and, just as importantly, will aid in reducing obesity – a real win win.

Prevention is not feasible in all cases and even when owners do all the right things, dental disease can still occur which is why it is vital that pets get regular dental check- ups. Potentially painful dental disease can only be treated if it is spotted and given that most owners don’t look in the mouth of their pets, it is often an unseen problem - an unseen problem that could be causing significant discomfort and other potential problems.

I would urge pet owners to think about prevention, correct diet, regular dental check- ups with the vet and prompt treatment and how these can all make a real difference to the health and welfare of pets.

During April my own surgery is offering 10% off all dentals plus an additional 10% off for clients on our range of Pet Health Plans. Furthermore any client on a Pet Health Plan can benefit from 25% off pet food.

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

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Local History

45

Grey Point, Findon Village by Valerie Martin drawing room with a surrounding belt of fully grown specimen trees, such as tulip trees, magnolias, weeping ash and maiden hair trees of outstanding beauty. A substantially built tiled roof summer house stood at the corner of the boundary wall overlooking the lawns.

1930s: Grey Point in The Square in Findon as a private hotel with tea gardens in the grounds.

Having direct access from the main London-Worthing road with what was considered at that time to be "a large volume of traffic" — it was thought that the vehicles had to be slowed down at this point in Findon because of a 10 mile limit! This has made me smile as a new Speed Limit in Findon has been introduced this winter through Findon of 20 mph. I hope that motorists took more notice of the speed limit in the thirties than they do today.

The back garden was enclosed by this time and partly utilized as a full-sized tennis court surrounded by herbaceous borders with a box hedge. The east and west borders were stocked with plum trees, gooseberry and currant bushes.

The kitchen garden was also well planted with matured apple, pear, fig, plum and other trees. In all it was a feast for the imagination and a splendid area.

The entrance hall of the house was said to be haunted by a ghost. This apparition was in the form of a solemn elderly gentleman with a walking stick.

The late Herbert Sydney Thriscutt (at one time residing at Grey Point with his parents) says that as a young boy the ghost did not worry him at all and he "did not even clap eyes on it".

The Dining Room at Grey Point when it was a private hotel in the 1930s.

The above is a plan of Grey Point (and the garages) in 1931 when it came on the market and was described as "Ripe for immediate development into tea gardens, petrol station and future shop property".

At this time the property had a main frontage of about 218 feet and a rear frontage onto Cross Lane of 260 feet and the area of the property covered some 1¾ acres. The whole of the grand grounds were completely surrounded by a brick and flint built wall. It is interesting to note that there were fourteen bedrooms at this time, a bathroom, four reception rooms and land on the opposite side of the road with garages for nine cars.

The matured grounds of Grey Point in thirties were laid out with lawns and flower beds to the east of the

The cost of accommodation at Grey Point at this time would be 2½ guineas to 3½ guineas per week according to season and type of room. For car owners, garage accommodation was 1s. per night. Dogs lucky enough to visit Findon with their owners were charged at 5s. per week. (I cannot help but wonder if that included their food). Packed lunches were provided if required and charged extra. Those were the days.

Grey Point continued to be run as a hotel until the Second World War years when a nightclub opened at the premises. I have found that no further details of the nightclub have come to light.... yet. The years have rolled by and no one has so far reported seeing the phantom elderly gentleman complete with walking stick. As Grey Point is now turned into flats it may have frightened him away.

SUSSEX LOCAL

46 Parish Council News / FVRA

Findon Valley Residents’ Association and in the library. Isobel Sheppard was the winner Saturday 7 April, 10am – 12 and received a £25 Amazon voucher. noon, Residents’ Surgery in the library.

With the help of volunteers, the overgrown bushes Friday 20 April, 7.15pm for and plants in the library bedding area have been 7.30pm start, AGM in removed. Do you have any ideas to help us plan a Findon Valley Free Church great display of nature for everyone to enjoy? Please Hall. contact Maggie Winter on 01903 263038 or email chairman@findonvalley.org We’re on Facebook! Search FVRA – Findon Valley Join our committee!

Residents’ Association. If you use social media The Publicity/Press Officer looks after the marketing please like, share and follow us. This is another way to increase FVRA profile. to promote FVRA allowing you to share photos, The Highways Officer liaises with thoughts and stories while being various agencies to improve safe informed of any events or news. use of the roads, footpaths and £821.03 was generated from the access to open areas. sales of our 2018 calendar. It was The Environment Officer helps thanks to the support of Keen & maintain the beauty of Findon Betts and Curtis & Son who funded Valley. the calendars’ production. All the money will be donated to Chestnut The Events Officer organises a few Tree House Children’s Hospice. social events to build the community spirit. Please call Five FVRA logo designs were Maggie Winter on 01903 263038 shortlisted from the many entries of or chairman@findonvalley.org to Vale School children. The final apply or for further details. choice was given to the Valley Winning design by Isobel Sheppard community to vote via our website www.findonvalley.org

Findon Parish Council Planning applications Edited extracts from the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 1st February.

Declarations of Interest.

Cllr Ball declared a pecuniary and prejudicial interest in Agenda item P 18.07a (SDNP/18/00213/FUL – land adjacent to 1 Paddock Way) as a close neighbour and would leave the meeting for this item and take no part in any discussion. Cllr Ball would also leave the meeting for the Public Question Time.

Public Question Time The Chairman explained that Findon Parish Council was a statutory consultee for planning matters and that the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) was the planning authority and decision maker for Findon. Residents should submit their comments in writing to the SDNPA. Several members of the public spoke in opposition to the revised scheme proposed for SDNP/18/00213/FUL – land adjacent to 1 Paddock Way. Objections to the earlier application remained unchanged for the revised scheme, namely unduly cramped form of development, parking, road access/ egress, unneighbourly and overlooking development, flood risk, and development of a designated Local

Green Space and area of historical significance in Findon. It was noted that the Design & Access Statement proposed for woodland planting to be undertaken on the area of ground between the proposed parking space and Nepcote Lane. This would then be gifted to the local community via Findon Parish Council.

(c) Sheila Mills

David Hutchison, Findon Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group, welcomed the proposal to remove the unneighbourly hedge and advised that the Working Group’s remit was to review areas in the Neighbourhood Plan other than housing allocations such as Local Green Spaces. Although Cllr Ball was an observer on the Working Group, he would take no part in any discussions regarding Local Green Spaces. Should this planning application be approved, it would count as a ‘windfall’ site.

Consideration of Planning Applications The Committee considered a number of applications.

With regard to SDNP/18/00213/FUL – Land adjacent to 1 Paddock Way, it was resolved to advise the South Downs National Park Authority that Findon Parish Council raises a strong objection to the application. All other applications were not objected to, although two responses were marked with comments on some details. www.findon.arun.gov.uk

Business Directory 47

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Business Directory Advertisers call 01903 868 474 or email info@sussexlocal.net or book online at www.sussexlocal.net. 3cm box ÂŁ10 + VAT per month (including design) min 6 months. Any category Accountants

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48 Business Directory Chiropody cont.

Computer Services cont.

Exterior Cleaning

Fencing

Drainage Clearance Garden Services

Electricians

Clock Repairs

Computer Services

Business Directory 49

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SUSSEX LOCAL

50 Business Directory Plastering

Plumbing / Heating cont.

Plumbing / Heating cont.

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

Private Hire / Taxi

Plumbing / Heating Roofing

through the door Roofing cont.

Security

Tree Surgery

Business Directory / Advertiser Index 51 Tree Surgery cont.

Bathrooms Bathe in Safety Blinds Direct Blinds The Blind Lady Car Servicing Keen & Betts Stedmans Garage Carpets & Flooring Carpets & Vinyls Direct Wall Bros Cleaning Miss Mop Ltd Molly Maid Middleton On Sea Computer Services The Laptop Workshop Vipernet Technology Services Conservatories and Garden Rooms Greenspace (UK) Limited Domestic Appliances Carters Domestic Appliances Drains Drainjet Elderly Care Clapham Village Care Home Fires and Fireplaces Home is Where the Hearth Is Funeral Director The Southern Co-operative Ltd Furniture CFS Furniture

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Furniture Restorers Barcombe Wood Finish Ltd Garden Design Earth Architecture Glorious Gardens Greenacre Garden Design & Build Garden Machinery Servicing Arun Mowers Ltd Gardeners Joshua The Gardener Home Care Acre Care Heaton House Highgrove House Home Entertainment Bowers & Wilkins Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd House & Rubbish Clearance Regan and Carter Independent Financial Advisors Investment Solutions Wealth Management Ltd Nsure Financial Services The Mellor Practice Jewellers Alexander Jewellers Ltd Kitchen Doors Dream Doors Osteopath Rebecca Wangi Osteopath Oven Cleaning Oven Cleaning King Ovenu Personal Training KL Personal Training Picture Framers Nicholas Gentle Picture Framer Property Maintenance Valentine Property Maintenance Pub/Restaurant The Village House Hotel School Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing Slimming Slimming World Findon Solicitors Fleming & Co Miller Parris Solicitors Surveyors Property Doctor Surveys Travel & Holidays Loloflights.co.uk Ltd Tree Surgeon Ashwood Tree Surgery Vet Arun Veterinary Group Vintage Teas Teatime Sussex Windows Doors Conservatories Attwater Home Improvements Unbeatable Conservatories Ltd

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