Sussex Local - Arundel - October 2017

October 2017

SUSSEX LOCAL

Arundel - Amberley - Climping - Fontwell - Ford - Slindon - Walberton

Local news and events through the door to 6,500 homes in this area every month

RUSSELL HASTINGS Exclusive interview with Bruce Foxton’s “From the Jam” bandmate

ARUNDEL HISTORY

Arundel Castle Cricket field

WIN! Tickets to “From the Jam” Tickets to “As You Like It”

GARDENING Delightful Dahlias

PLUS What’s On, Local Walks, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Gardening Local news, Local groups & charity, Business Directory

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October 2017 Cover image Russell Hastings & Bruce Foxton

By Derek D’Souza

Welcome...

October is here, the month of pumpkins, changing leaves and ghosts and ghouls...

Parents of young children prepare for an overload of your sweetie tin!

See our What’s On guide (starting page 4) to find plenty of autumnal harvest and Halloween events to make the most of this lovely season.

Our main article this month is an exclusive interview with Russell Hastings, a member of ’From the Jam’ who plays alongside Bruce Foxton. There is also the chance to win tickets to see them live. See page 26 Shakespeare enthusiasts should see our competition with Worthing Theatres on page 24 to win tickets to see ’As You Like It’.

Our local history article (p14) this month looks at the gorgeous Arundel castle cricket ground and how it used to be.

Also, on page 35, Chris Ennis, the Property Doctor, tells us how to save energy this winter. “Waste not, want not” as granny says.

This month’s gardening article is all about Dahlias, and a local hidden haven that grows a multitude. Our thanks as ever to the green-fingered Andrew Staib from Glorious Gardens (p19).

As usual we have our regular prize crossword p32, local walks p18, and young readers’ puzzle page p16.

Until next month,

Kris & Jeff Words of Wit “When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ’tis near Halloween” UNKNOWN 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.

4 ...........................................................................What’s On 14 .......................................Arundel History: Cricket Ground 16 ..............................................Young Readers Puzzle Page 18 ........................................................................Local Walks 19 .....................................................................In Your Garden 22 .........................................................Charity & Community 24 ............................................Win! Tickets to As You Like It 26 ................................................Russell Hastings Interview 30 .....................................Win! Tickets to see From the Jam 32 ..................................................................Prize Crossword 34 ..................................................................................Recipe 35 .............................................................Business Directory 35 ..................................................................Property Doctor 38 ...........................................................Index of Advertisers November booking deadline 1st Oct

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.

1. Arundel edition - Arundel, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total addresses - 6,500 2. Barnham edition - Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate, Aldingbourne, Oving, & Tangmere Total addresses - 5,200 3. Chichester edition - Chichester centre & suburbs Total addresses - 7,800 4. Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total addresses - 6,000 5. Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common. Total addresses - 5,500 6. Storrington edition - Storrington, Amberley, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total addresses - 6,200 The combined circulation of all six editions is over 38,300 addresses.

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14 Local History

It’s Just Not Cricket? Well, it’s not JUST cricket! – Early Town Defences and an Enclosed Saxon Settlement. By Arundel historian Mark Phillips

Panoramic photo of Arundel castle cricket ground from April 2014 Sitting here on a grassy bank within the castle park and looking across at what must surely be one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world, it’s hard to imagine this was the location of a small settlement that would eventually evolve into the town we now know as Arundel.

In the surrounding woodland just out of public view are the large earthworks, comprising of a double bank and ditch, of a late Anglo-Saxon burh (Fortified settlement) very near to the site of a much earlier Iron Age settlement. These once surrounded the area marked on maps as the ‘Little Park’ that today is the castle Cricket ground.

The town was naturally defended on the south and east by marshy ground and the river. By 1295 a defensive ditch and wall had been built that ran from the castle to the Mary Gate then down the western limit of the town, the left side of Mount Pleasant, (to the rear of the current houses) and onto the Marsh/ Water Gate, finally linking up with the river completing the defensive circle.

In December 1643 during the English civil War, Lord Hopton strengthened part of the earthworks of the old Saxon burgh and deepened its ditch following his capture of the town for Charles I. After Waller recaptured the town and castle for Parliament in January

1644 the fortifications were raised and strengthened once again.

The northern earthwork and ditch is cut through by an early track descending the downs and during an excavation in 1988 the remains of a late 11th -century or early 12th -century chalk rubble and Caen stone gateway was excavated that could be succeeding an earlier one. The gate would appear to be the Red Gate mentioned in 1570, since the London road to the north was once called Red Lane.

Most of the lost or unidentified streets and lanes known to have existed in Arundel appear to have been in the area of the Mary Gate, something I am currently researching. Examples are, Potente Street (recorded 1311), Dyde Street (recorded early 15th century), Jennet Lane (recorded 1570) and Slutters Lane (recorded 1636) lay beyond the Marygate. Records indicate the defensive town wall had been demolished by 1659 although its route that followed the natural chalk escarpment can still be seen behind houses in Park Place and the lower part of Mount Pleasant.

In the mid and later 1800s the Little Park was a private pleasure garden for the Duke who used to enjoy promenading around the area with his wife and guests after lunch or dinner. The area was sometimes opened to the public until it was levelled and landscaped in 1895 to create the spectacular castle cricket ground. The earthen banks and ditches that protected the Saxon settlement still partially surround the cricket ground that was built within them; particularly to the north and north-west.

The castle cricket ground is still in regular use and many professional players regard it as the most picturesque they have ever played on. More information on Arundel Castle Cricket Club can be found at www.cricketatarundelcastle.co.uk

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16 Puzzles

Young Readers’ Puzzle Page Wordsearch - Horoscopes

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

AQUARIUS LEO SCORPIO

ARIES LIBRA STARS

CANCER PISCES TAURUS

GEMINI PLANETS VIRGO

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 Oct’ 17 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

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Computer Care Staying up to date

by Alan Stainer Staying up to date is one of those phrases that has a dual meaning for me. On the one hand it can refer to the fact that technology is constantly changing, so that I have to keep myself up to date with everything that is going on. On the other hand, it refers to the requirement for all of us to make sure that we keep our software up to date. It’s that second explanation that I am going to talk about now.

There are two main reasons why we should keep software up to date. The first is that software vendors often add new features and fix bugs, which is nice. It is most definitely not the most important reason though, as the second one is really big. Vendors often release security updates to patch vulnerabilities. That’s a technical way of saying, it helps to keep your computer safe from viruses and hackers.

Before you all rush ahead and install every update you come across, remember this very important bit of information. A lot of malware (nasty malicious software) will trick you into doing things by prompting you to install an update. So check that it is genuine software you use before clicking on that OK button. www.alansitsolutions.com

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18 Walks

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Local Walks - October 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 Mon 2nd 10:30am Petworth Park L: Gerald 1 hr 30 mins Come and see the fallow deer in Petworth Park. Meet at The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF Tue 3rd 11.00am Selsey Beach East L: Helen 30 mins Meet at East Beach Car Park in Selsey Wed 4th 10.30am Drovers Estate Singleton L: Fiona 2 hrs Enjoy an autumnal walk through gentle valleys and woodland. Meet at cricket pavilion in Park in Singleton Thurs 5th 10.30am Tortington Common L: Peter 2 hrs Tortington Common and through Binsted woods. Meet at Dalloway Road, Arundel Fri 6th 10.30am Compton L: Jane 3 hrs A pleasant hilly walk through open countryside with lovely downland views. Meet at Compton Recreation Ground Car Park Mon 9th 10.30am Walberton & Watergate Park L: Jane 2hrs Meet at the junction of the B2146 and the Walderton Stoughton Road Thurs 12th 09.30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30 mins A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners. Meet at Chichester Canal Fri 13th 10.30am Sutton Common L: Peter 2 hrs Through woodlands and sandy heathland (3 stiles). Meet at Lord's Piece car park (SU993169) Tues 17th 10.30am Burpham & Wepham L: Jane 2 hrs Meet at The public car park behind the George at Burpham BN18 9RR Sun 22nd 10.30am Cobnor Peninsula L: Dominic All day Flat harbour side walk on both footpaths and beach. Meet at Thornham Marina car park Mon 23rd 10.30am Emsworth & Wicker Bank L: Anne 1 hr 30 mins Meet at Emsworth square, PO10 7AW Tues 24th 10.30am Pagham L: Jane 2 hrs A flat walk taking in parts of Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve and Seashore. Meet at Car park at the junction of Sea Lane and The Parade Tues 24th 11.00am Selsey East Beach L: Helen 30 mins Meet at East Beach Car Park in Selsey Weds 25th 10.30am Canal Walk L: Janet 1 hr 30 mins Meet at Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT Weds 25th 10.30am Selham Three Moles L: Bruce 2 hrs 15 mins Visit Graffham Common, Fitzlea Wood and the disused railway line. Meet at Three Moles Pub, Selham SU934205 ( Nearest postcode GU28 0PN ) Fri 27th 10.30am Eartham Nore Hill L: Peter 2 hrs walk up Nore Hill, through Eartham village and along a lesser known “atmospheric� section of Stane Street. Meet at Free Forestry Commission car park Mon 30th 10.30am Emsworth to Warblington L: Anne 1 hr Meet at Emsworth Town square, PO10 7AW Tue 31st 11.00am Selsey East Beach L: Helen 30 mins Meet at East Beach Car Park in Selsey

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1 mile 3.5 miles

3.5 miles 6 miles

4 miles 1 mile 4.5 miles 5 miles 6.5 miles 3 miles 4 miles

1 mile 3.5 miles 4.3 miles

4 miles

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Gardening

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In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib, Principle Designer of Glorious Gardens Dahlia Magic - The Largest Dahlia Collection in the UK on your doorstep Tucked away just outside Storrington along Fryern Rd is an amazing feat of horticulture -the UK’s largest Dahlia collection.

Run by the very passionate couple Phillip Godsmark and Mary-Ann Joyce, they grow literally thousands of Dahlias each year from seeds and tubers.

If you pass by in your car, or the local bus (Phillip swears that he has noticed more people sit on the side his farm is on so they can marvel) you will see fields of multi coloured blooms.

Though they grow mainly for cut flowers, each wedding normally requiring up to 300 blooms, Phillip’s real passion is creating new varieties. He bred Ryecroft Jan, a creamy white Pompon, which is currently one of the most popular Dahlia in the the world.

“I collect about 5000 seeds each year from the cream of the crop. I then grow the seeds, as well as take cuttings and divide tubers, and trial them for 5 years before I send them out as a new variety as I

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want them to be world class. My favourite moment is when I walk down the rows and see what the seeds have grown into. I don't know what the bees have fertilised and cross pollinated so it is a complete surprise that I can’t predict. For every one new Dahlia that I discover I have planted 1000 seeds!”

Which is very true- top designers use Dahlias for their amazing colour variations and heights, especially billowing over from the back of the border. When Summer has peaked these flowers really do hold centre stage and can flower well into October and even November.

“Yes” says Mary Ann “and we have run out of females in the family to name them after. That one there is called Sam Sunset named after our little dog who died when still young. Jan was named after Phil’s late sister.”

Though they still exhibit at The National Dahlia Show at Wisley each year unfortunately for Phil and MaryAnn, discovering and growing on new discoveries is not very profitable. After a year, their ownership of the variety ends and then anyone can make a cutting a sell the variety on.

Phillip first came across Dahlias when he a boy.

“Like everyone else in the 1960’s, my father grew them. I still love their variation of size and colour and shape. There is no flower like them. A local nursery used to exhibit them. They went out of fashion in the 80’s but they are back now.”

“Every year we say we are going to give up but it’s difficult. People come for miles for them. Recently 4 Australians got off at Gatwick and came straight here.

We grow and test Dahlia varieties sent to us from all around the world”.

But it is back breaking work. Every October, before the cold and damp set in, they dig up over 8000 tubers by hand, clean off the mud, label and store them in dry boxes under cover. “Because they originated from Mexico they don’t like wet feet and can only last a couple of days before they begin to rot. Even though we have good sandy soils here we sometimes have to hand wash and dry them.”

through the door On the 10th April each year they plant them all back again along with the new seedings that carry the hope of discovering even more new varieties. “ I developed the first scented Dahlia in the world by crossing two that had a mild scent.”

Along side personal injuries and thefts from their farm it is hard work to keep such a big plot of land going as they also grow vegetables, Zinnias and Gladioli and sell direct from their farm shop to the public.

But they are still there! So if it is a warm Autumn you may still have a chance to see and buy some of the most beautiful Dahlias grown anywhere in the worldand some vegetables too!

Places to visit Obviously visit Phil and Mary- Ann’s lovely Farm shop!

Also have you visited Borde Hill with its magnificent garden near Haywards Heath? It is well know for its Autumn colour display and has 80 ‘champion’ trees’ which are either the tallest or have the largest girth of their kind in England.

You may even get to see the last of the Summer Roses in its large Rose Garden. It is open from 10am to 6pm (or dusk whichever is earliest).

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What to do in October  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.  You can divide most Perennials now including Rhubarb and balance up your garden by taking the one half to a different place.  You can still plant lettuce and can start sowing Chinese winter greens and Spring Cabbage.  Repairing your lawn can start now with the cooler weather, either using pre grown turfs or seeding into prepared earth.  Your lawn treatment can start this month with aerating the garden with a strong fork and raking out moss and thatch.  Lastly you can cut back shrubs like Buddlea and Lavatera to about half their height to neaten them up and prevent strong winter winds rocking them about- the more fundamental pruning happens in Spring

VALENTINE MAINTENANCE SERVICES Internal & External Painting Patios Plumbing Tiling All Gardening and Fencing Work All House and Garden Clearance All Guttering Work General Building Call Phil on 07789 278677 FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

Grounds maintenance Seasoned Commercial mowing logs for sale Fencing & gates Digger plus driver hire Land clearance & treeworks Green waste removal

Fully licensed waste carrier 07968 346387 / 01798 879248 hjslandservices@iCloud.com

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Sussex Snippets Influential business partnership, Coastal West Sussex Partnership has said that the entire stretch of the A27 in West Sussex should be dualled and treated as one project and that Highways England’s piecemeal approach to the A27 was working against a viable long term solution to the crucial road link.

The Coastal West Sussex Partnership is a businessled body formed to develop the region with a central mission to ensure the area is well connected to support sustainable economic growth.

Now that the Bonfire season is on its way, Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital is urging anyone planning a bonfire – whether at home or a community bonfire event - to be more aware of hedgehogs before lighting their pile. They advise not constructing bonfire piles until the day of the festivities or, if a large bonfire needs to be built in advance, that they are surrounded by chicken wire, secured at an angle so hedgehogs cannot climb, and ask that before lighting, bonfires are checked for any signs of sleeping hogs. Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital - 01243 641672 www.brentlodge.org

SUSSEX LOCAL Hospice Care Week is an annual week of activity that helps change people’s perceptions and raises the profile of hospice care across the UK, and this year it takes place over the week of 9-15 October. There are many ways you can support your local hospice, St Barnabas House, during Hospice Care Week - you could hold a fundraising event, pledge to volunteer, make a donation, visit one of their charity shops, or simply join in with the conversation on social media. www.stbh.org.uk/hospicecareweek If you have a child due to start school in September 2018 the application process will begin on Monday 2nd October - the key points of the application process are – applications can be made between 2nd October 2017 and 15 January 2018; parents/carers can apply online; Special rules apply for house movers until 15th February; an Information for Parents booklet will be available on the website from 2nd October. Parents are actively encouraged to apply by the closing date, as applications made after this date cannot be considered until all on time applications have been processed, which may mean it is not possible to offer a child a place at a local school. 03330 142 903 www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions For the first time, and just in time for Halloween, an exotic fungi known as devil’s fingers or octopus stinkhorn, has been recorded on a Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) nature reserve. Native to the Antipodes, the fungi is believed to have been introduced into Europe in military supplies in 1914, and is characterised by tentacle like arms that eventually reach a length five to ten centimetres and are covered in a brown foulsmelling secretion that attract flies that help to disperse the fungi’s spores. If you spot this amazing fungus, please let SWT know. For more details please visit, www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk Employers in the county are being challenged to change attitudes and behaviours around mental health in workplaces – by signing up to an employer pledge – and businesses are being invited to a Time to Change West Sussex employers' event on World Mental Health Day, 13th October, to hear about the pledge and how it is already changing how people think and act about mental health in the workplace.

Time to Change is a government-supported movement to change attitudes and behaviours around mental health across the UK, and earlier this year, West Sussex became one of the first counties to become a Time to Change hub.

Contact: The Time to Change West Sussex employers' event: Horsham’s County Hall North 9.30am to 1pm.

To book, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk

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

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Runners Join Trekkers Challenge Local charity St Barnabas House’s annual South Downs Trek will be open to runners as well as trekkers for the first time since the inaugural trek in 2015. The trek takes place on Saturday 7th October, when Participants will set off from Devil’s Dyke at 8am on a challenging 21 mile route over the South Downs, taking in views of the stunning Sussex countryside, before finishing at St Barnabas House in Goring-by-Sea. Registration to walk or run in the challenge costs £25 per person.

Participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £250, which goes towards funding the specialist palliative care provided by the hospice, both at the hospice and in the comfort of the patients homes across West Sussex. www.stbh.org.uk/southdownsrun

Art for Home Start There is a public viewing of an art exhibition to support registered charity Home-Start Chichester and District at The Assembly Rooms, Chichester on 13th and 14th October, from 10am to 5pm. A perfect chance to buy that early Christmas present and help make a difference in your community by helping Home-Start provide support and friendship for local families. Contact: The Assembly Rooms, North Street Chichester, PO19 1LQ.

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Bypass Route Options The options have been announced and I have been talking to a number of residents.

Option One - an online solution, a dual carriageway through the middle of Arundel - has only one good thing going for it and that is cost, on every other measure it’s a disaster for Arundel.

The negatives are: it splits the town, its construction will cause a huge amount of disruption, it will bring traffic close to homes, it will have roads entering directly onto a dual carriageway and a huge foot bridge over Ford Roundabout.

But, what is WSCC up to? Buried in the consultation documents, on page 13, paragraph 1.3.3, is the statement that Option 1: “incorporates the route suggested by WSCC.” This is the same WSCC who has always supported the Pink Blue route (Option Three), but suddenly and clandestinely changed policy without public debate, the same WSCC who said: “We at WSCC are taking a neutral position on the options pending more details becoming available.” So not quite so neutral as postured, and again WSCC have meddled in the A27 Bypass, firstly at Chichester and now in Arundel. I have put in a Freedom of Information request to WSCC and the Highways agency, and will have the information this month. Paul Dendle is one of the District Councillors for Arundel & Walberton ward on Arun District Council. cllr.paul.dendle@arun.gov.uk www.pauldendle.org

Community Network Update

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Highways England (HE) has begun an official public consultation on its plans for an A27 Arundel bypass.

HE is proposing a new dual carriageway bypass for Arundel, which would link together the two existing dual carriageway sections of the A27 either side of Arundel. All Arundel residents should by now have received a letter with details of the consultation events, which will run until 16th October. If not, information can be found on Highways England’s website. www.highways.gov.uk

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24 Competition / Finance

Win tickets to ’As You Like It’ Saturday 21st November, 7:30 pm, Connaught Theatre, Worthing Shakespeare’s poetic and irresistibly funny comedy of mistaken identity and love.

Set in the modern world of alternative facts and fiercely jealous leaders, the young Rosalind and her friend Celia find themselves pawns in a power struggle. Together they decide to flee the city and its politics for the forest where they discover a countryside wonderland of peace and harmony.

Disguised as a boy, Rosalind meets Orlando and, amidst the intoxicating atmosphere of the forest, counsels him in the art of love.

One of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies, with the most witty and wise-cracking heroine of them all, is transformed in a bold new production by Kate Saxon.

The award-winning Shared Experience return with an evocative new production of As You Like It, giving a new lease of life to their unique and inventive storytelling.

To book tickets call 01903 206 206 www.worthingtheatres.co.uk/as-you-like-it

Win tickets to ‘As You Like It’ To be in with a chance of winning answer the following question: Q: Who originally wrote ‘As You Like It’? a) Shakespeare b) JK Rowling c) Lewis Grey Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: As You Like It Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after 31st Oct 2017. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

Cashing in your pension to buy property?

By Richard Cohen FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner The property vs pension debate never seems to go away. Despite the massive tax penalties associated with property some people are still looking to “cash in” their pension to buy an investment property. The numbers just don’t add up, just look at the following.

Let’s assume you have a fund of £200,000. You can have 25% tax free with the remainder being added to your income in the year or years that you take it. If you took the whole £150,000 in one go, you are going to lose your personal allowance, meaning some of that income is taxed at 60% and if you have any other income at all some of it will be taxed at the additional rate of 45%.

finding yourself, never have a month without a tenant nor a repair bill, that gives you £7,200 per year. Of course, the income is taxable so, assuming you’re a basic rate tax payer you are left with after tax income of £5,760, or a net yield on your starting amount after tax 2.88%.

However, if you plan carefully and take the income over a couple of tax years you may only pay 40% tax on the income. This means you are left with £90,000 from the taxable portion, which leaves a total fund after tax of £140,000. Then you find a property to buy, with stamp duty (including the 3% surcharge for a second property) and solicitor’s fees to pay, realistically you can buy something around £134,000. Locally that buys you a one bed flat that will rent for around £600 per month. If we assume you don’t pay an agent, do all the management work and tenant

To make things worse you are now dependent on the fortunes of one person for your entire non-state retirement income. If they lose their job you likely lose your income too! Compared to a diversified portfolio of bonds, shares and property held through a pension and with the income drawn tax efficiently through “phased drawdown” cashing in your pension and buying a property may easily be the biggest financial mistake you could make. For more details visit www.nsurefinancial.co.uk or to arrange a free review please call 01903 821010

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26 Local People

Interview with Russell Hastings plus win tickets!

Lynn Smith speaks to Bognor musician Russell Hastings, now a member of ‘From the Jam’ alongside Bruce Foxton

It’s been a busy year for musician Russell Hastings.

Bognor Regis born and bred, Hastings has been touring, alongside The Jam’s Bruce Foxton, with their band From the Jam to celebrate not just one, but two musical anniversaries.

In fact Hastings can truly be said to be living the dream, having gone from successful, tribute artist to playing alongside his idols in a career that has taken him all over the world and currently sees him touring to mark the 35th anniversary of the Jam’s final studio album The Gift.

Russell Hastings and Bruce Foxton - “From the Jam”

This year has also seen the band embark on the 40th anniversary tour of The Jam’s first studio album In the City – which included a visit to Hong Kong to play at the opening of the Rugby Sevens. But when I speak to Hastings he sounds relaxed, coming over as down to earth, passionate about his music and touring as well as being a veritable font of anecdotes, particularly when it comes to The Jam - the band he’s been a huge fan of since his brother brought home In the City, back in the seventies. Hastings began playing the guitar aged twelve, inspired by the punk explosion. (c) Derek D’Souza

Later he kicked off his musical career in Bognor Regis band Maximum High, and in the nineties was enjoying a successful career playing, amongst other songs, The Who and The Jam covers when he had his “lucky break.” Mike Rutherford, of Genesis, asked him to do backing vocals on a Mike & the Mechanics album and although the album was shelved, the experience led to Russell crossing paths with a number of musical icons, amongst them Ringo Starr and, significantly, The Jam’s Rick Buckler.

Rick and Russell became friends and when Rick decided he wanted to get back behind the drums again he asked Russell to join him. They toured as The Gift in 2006, one of their gigs being at Guildford University. Also on the bill was the Casbah Club featuring another member of The Jam, Bruce Foxton. Rick and Russell invited Bruce to join them on a couple of Jam songs, including Smithers Jones and Down in the Tube Station at Midnight; the audience loved seeing

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28 Local People two members of The Jam playing together again and Bruce joined The Gift for a few more of their shows.

Russell remembers that, “News leaked out, gigs sold out and we attracted lots of press attention.”

Following this the three men met in a Surrey pub: “No management, just the three of us,” and decided to work together, with the result that in May 2007 From the Jam was launched. Rick Buckler left the band in 2009, and Mark Brzezicki, (Big Country, the Casbah Club) drummed with them for five years, before fellow Sussex lad Mike Randon took over in 2014.

Original Jam member Bruce Foxton

Hastings describes Bruce Foxton as his best friend and illustrates his down to earth approach to working with his musical idol by describing how sometimes the pair can get out of the car to find a crowd gathering around them and how he’ll wonder “what do these people want?” This neatly echoes a story Russell heard from The Jam’s touring days, when the band were driving past a venue they were due to play in Manchester that evening and, seeing the crowds outside, asked themselves: “Wonder who’s on there tonight?”

But best friend or not, surely there must be times when Hastings is on stage – singing and playing the Jam’s back catalogue alongside one of the band’s original members – and he has to pinch himself? The man’s reply is self deprecating. He has, he says “been doing it a long time now – longer than The Jam 3 were actually together – but I never take it for granted. As the shoes got more comfortable to wear my own voice came through.” Hastings does consider himself to be “very, very lucky,” but believes that even stronger than the band are the songs, which he feels, “belong to the public.” And From the Jam does have a fantastic array of material at its fingertips – the huge number of successful Jam songs, including four number one hits, and the critically acclaimed songs cowritten by Foxton and Hastings.

This begs the question, how, with such an extensive back catalogue at its disposal does the band decide upon a set list? The Gift tour will cover a lot of tracks from the album - including, Ghosts and The Gift, plus others that please the band and will certainly delight the fans.

As well as pleasing fans with Jam classics, From the Jam has produced two albums in the last four years, “Back in the Room” and “Smash the Clock,” both recorded in Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studios. The Jam broke up in 1982, reportedly a less than amica-

(c) Derek D’Souza

ble event, so how does Hastings get on with the man who split The Jam? “Paul is,” Russell says, “nothing but gracious and kind, a sweet and lovely guy.” In fact Weller has played on a couple of the albums tracks, as have other musical icons such as Paul Jones and Wilko Johnson. A live album – the eponymous From the Jam Live – is due for release in December to mark The Gift Tour, which began on 22nd September and ends on 16th December at Brighton’s Concord2.

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30 Local People / Competition

SUSSEX LOCAL play the music, just the music and the band.” Which, for anyone who saw The Jam in their heyday sums up the spirit and raw energy of the band. The Jam Live is released on 1st December. www.russellhastings.com www.fromthejamofficial.com www.facebook.com/FromTheJam/ twitter: @FromtheJam1

Win a pair of tickets to see “From the Jam” Live!

Russell Hastings

(c) Derek D’Souza

The Jam was, undeniably, one of the biggest selling bands of its day and pretty much era defining, so who makes up the audience of a From the Jam gig these days? Russell says that the audience is very much a mixed bag, “As well as the hard-core Jam fans, (It’s) great to see 17, 18, 19 year olds in the crowd – the converted,” he laughs, “and they know all of the words.”

And what about the sound? The Jam was a threepiece known for a very full sound, and Hastings is emphatic that the band is true to the original sound, “No modern technology, except for in-ear monitors, and I hardly use any foot pedals. We just go out and

You can see them yourself, live in action in Southampton on Thursday 26th October!

Win tickets to ‘From the Jam’ To be in with a chance of winning answer the following question: Q: Where was Russell Hastings born? a) Bognor Regis b) Brighton c) Crawley Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: From the Jam Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after 18th Oct 2017. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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SUSSEX LOCAL

32 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a delicious hamper worth ÂŁ20

Arundel October 2017 August 2017 solution shown below.

Winner: Greg Kosa from Arundel Congratulations and thank you to all who entered.

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

Across

Down

1 4 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 20 21 22

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 16 17 19

Relating to a wedding (6) Part of a school uniform (6) Go back over again (7) Bridgelike structure (7) Tiny aquatic plants (5) Remnant of a dying fire (5) Handle a tool effectively (5) The beginning of an era (5) Opinions (5) Pasta pockets (7) Make less intense (7) Edits (6) Leaf stems (6)

Administrative body (6) An engraved design (8) Not asleep (5) Found (7) Domesticated ox (4) Errant (anag) (6) Respectful (11) Sport popular in America (8) Yelled with excitement (7) Moon of the planet Jupiter (6) Plus points (6) Go to see (5) Climbing plant (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Closing date: 31st October 2017 Good luck!

Win a food hamper kindly supplied by:

High Quality Homecare Call 01903 691762 www.comfortkeepers.co.uk Sussex 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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SUSSEX LOCAL

34 Recipe

Ten minute Chicken in Yellow Bean Sauce If you can't find yellow bean sauce use black bean instead - they’re both delicious! minutes. Add Ingredients - serves 4 - 8 the sauces,          

1 layer ready to cook egg noodles 1tbsp sunflower oil 225g chicken fillet cut in strips 7-8 small corn 30g mange tout ½ jar yellow bean sauce ½ tsp chilli sauce Little sesame oil Soy sauce 1tbsp cashew nuts

Method: 1. Soak the noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes.

2. In a wok heat the oil and stir-fry the chicken 23 minutes. Add the vegetables and fry for 2

well drained noodles, little sesame oil and soy sauce to taste.

3. Toss will for 1 2 minutes until it is well mixed, and then serve it sprinkled with cashew nuts.

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

Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

Property

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Energy Savings

By Chris Ennis FRICS

Yes, it’s that time of year again …. Chilly nights, rising fuel bills and it won’t be long before I get the first phone calls concerning dampness! Many energy providers have announced price rises, and it is now estimated that the average ‘dual fuel’ standard tariff will rise by more than 7% from this September.

Now is the time to take steps to freeze your energy bills.

Until recently I had not changed my energy provider for several years, I was concerned that the effort involved was onerous, I had the fear of disruption to supplies. The time came when I was switched to a dearer ‘standard variable tariff’, and I made my move.

It was very straight forward and I estimate my cost savings to be about £200.00 per year.

There are many price comparison web sites where one can find better energy deals including Uswitch, go compare, money supermarket and others.

In my efforts to reduce fuel costs I arranged for a smart meter to be installed…..Its a very simple procedure and the actual installation only took a couple of hours and was entirely painless. I can now quantify energy usage in real time….and it does concentrate the mind!

Boilers should be maintained on an annual basis both for safety and efficiency. Expect to pay about £100.00 excluding parts for this service.

Upgrade the central heating system with thermostatically controlled radiator valves and while you are in the mindset, investigate the costs of replacing an older boiler with a more modern and efficient condensing unit………… likely cost about £2000.00.

Energy efficiency is of paramount importance.

Ensure that roof insulation is adequate (a minimum of 10 inches of fibre glass or the equivalent) should be laid over or between the ceiling joists. Insulate the upper surface of the loft access hatch. Insulate and cover water tanks, insulate plumbing within the roof, consider the installation of cavity wall insulation, replace any single glazed windows with double glazing. An energy performance certificate (EPC) prepared by a trained inspector will cost in the order of £80.00 and will advise on the actual energy usage, and potential energy savings.

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

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Advertisers call 01903 868 474 or email info@sussexlocal.net 3cm box £60 + VAT for 6 months, artwork included.

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38 Business Directory / Advertiser Index Taxis / Private Hire

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Arundel Barnham Chichester Findon Pulborough Storrington to 38,300 homes every month November Issue: Booking deadline 1st October Copy 7th October

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