Sussex Local Magazine Barnham - January 2020

January 2020

Barnham - Aldingbourne - Eastergate - Oving - Tangmere - Westergate Local news and events through the door to 5,400 homes in this area every month

SAMARITANS Bringing hope to life WHAT’S ON January listings

WIN TICKETS!

Exciting Science

GARDENS

Winter gardening

NEWS

Council, charity & schools

PLUS

What’s On, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Young Readers’ Puzzles, Health, Local Walks, Local Groups & Charity, Business Directory

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January 2020 Cover image Nuthatch in the snow

Welcome... ...to the start of a new year and a new decade! We hope 2020 brings us all peace and good health.

Sadly many find January a very difficult time of year. Extra family and financial pressures from Christmas can add to the gloom that often follows the festive period. The Samaritans are there to help and we spotlight this amazing charity which was established in 1953.

Many readers will be thinking of making changes to improve their health this year and Heather Smith gives advice on how to get in shape - for free!

Keeping with the healthy theme, our January recipe of hearty Beetroot soup can help you on your way to your “five-a-day”.

As usual, we have community news from schools, councils and local good causes. If you know of a local community group or a charity that could benefit from promotion in this magazine please email us. There’s no charge to publish details about local charities or not-for-profit organisations.

If you’re thinking of buying a new car this year, a fully electric car is the best choice for 1 in 5 buyers! Read more in our regular motoring feature.

It’s a quiet time of year for gardeners, Andrew Staib encourages planning and quiet contemplation in this month’s gardening article.

Happy New Year!

Kris & Jeff Quote of the month "You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great" - ZIG ZIGLAR 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. Views and opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.

What's On WIN! Tickets to “Exciting Science” Prize crossword Motoring news Young readers puzzles Local schools news Local walks Health & Wellbeing Recipe Charity & Community In Your Garden Property Samaritans charity profile Business Directory Parish council news Business Directory Advertiser Index

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Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237 Pulborough RH20 9AH info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net

01903 868474

Established in 2007, we publish and hand-deliver seven editions free of charge to over 45,000 homes and businesses every month.

Display advertising starts at just £24 a month per edition (1/8th).

Business Directory £10 per month per edition. We welcome reader letters and community notices which we publish free of charge.

Seven editions across West Sussex Arundel - Arundel, Amberley, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total addresses - 6,700 Barnham - Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate, Aldingbourne, Oving, & Tangmere Total addresses - 5,400 Chichester - Chichester centre & suburbs Total addresses - 7,800 Findon - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total addresses - 6,200 Midhurst & Petworth - Midhurst, Petworth, Easebourne Total addresses - 7,100 Pulborough - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common.

Total addresses - 5,500 Storrington - Storrington, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total addresses - 6,600

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What’s On

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What’s On

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What’s On

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What’s On

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Exciting Science Extreme fun alert!

This brand new, exciting and educational show will amaze and astound all ages from four years and upwards, as we put the “exciting” back into “science”.

Learn and be amazed by our super scientist, happy helper Henry and Lab Nerds.

With fun and fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as we recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with our smoke blaster!

So stand clear and prepare for action, as this show is

01243 888 342 07508 475 442

Competition

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full of wiz, bang, pop… and splurt.

Exciting Science – prepare to be amazed!

We have a family ticket available to see Exciting Science at the Regis Centre, Bognor Regis on 20th February.

Winner can choose a time at either 11.30am or 2.30pm.

For more information call the 01243 861010 or visit www.alexandratheatre.co.uk.

Win a family ticket to see Exciting Science To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: What is the vacuum cleaner turned into? a) Rocket b) Missile launcher c) Volcano Send your answer and contact details to: Exciting Science Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st January 2020. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a ÂŁ20 meal voucher for The George, Eartham

Barnham Jan 2020

November 2019 solution below:

Winner: David Shaw from Barnham. Congratulations and thank you to all who entered.

Finish the crossword and fill out the box below with the letters from the shaded squares. Work out the anagram

Across 5 Local drug dealer (8) 8 "Rule Britannia" composer (4) 9 Orcas (6,6) 10 Top doctor? (12) 13 Started a rumpus (6,1,5) 16 Actor saw jet stream in a turbulent state (5,7) 19 Israeli arms (4) 20 Prelude to a strongly held opinion (1,4,3)

Down 1 Gets emotional (6,2) 2 Provide space in the day (4,4) 3 Sightsee in the Serengeti (6) 4 Little sister of Charlotte and Emily (4) 6 Saint's body part (5) 7 Swerve off course (3) 11 Extract with care (5,3) 12 Papeete resident (8) 14 Low-quality (6) 15 Ill-chosen (5) 17 Wood-shaping tool (4) 18 Snow runner (3)

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

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

Send the word above to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or you can enter it online at our website www.sussexlocal.net/crosswords Closing date: 31st Jan 2020.

Win

ÂŁ20 meal voucher for

The George, Eartham

Valid for 3 months after issue.

No change given.

Cannot be exchanged for cash value.

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

Eartham, PO18 0LT

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

Sussex Local may wish to keep in touch with occasional information and offers.

We will never share your details with third parties.

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

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

Answer from yellow box: .................................................................................

Please tick if you would like to receive such information.

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A taste of Peru!

By Travel Counsellor Mike Frank Having recently had clients returning from a Peru trip I booked and giving great feedback, I decided with my wife that Peru would be our main holiday destination this year.

After treating ourselves to fly business class on Latam’s 787 Dreamliner, and an overnight stay at Lima’s airport hotel, we flew to Cusco, an hour’s flight, to begin our guided tour adventure. First stop was the Incan sites of Moray and Maras, before visiting the Salineras natural salt pans. The first three nights were spent at the Casa Andina Sagrado hotel in the Sacred Valley, the hotel had it’s own pet alpacas grazing on the lawns. After three days touring the attractions and Inca sights of the Sacred Valley it was off by train to Aguas Calientas, the town at the foothills of Machu Picchu. Our guide met us at the crack of dawn, as did the rain that morning, so after taking the bus up the winding mountain track to reach Machu Picchu, we waited a while for the rain to cease before being taken around this magnificent sample of Inca architecture. The swirling clouds often coming from well below in the valley added to the mystique of the location.

After several hours up at Machu Picchu, it was time to get the bus back down to town and onwards on the train to Poroy, near Cusco, a slow leisurely scenic journey of nearly four hours. Our hotel was the colonial Costa del Sol Ramada, very different from the Casa Andina. The same guide met us next morning for a

Travel 11 tour of the city and surrounding Inca ruins in the hills above the city. After a free day, next was a ten hour bus trip to Puno. Happily this was a luxury coach, complete with tour guide and hostess. The trip stopped at more historical sights and a beautiful Baroque church en route and we enjoyed a lovely buffet lunch at a scenic stop half-way. Later, the bus stopped at the highest point on the route, at over 14,200 feet, which didn’t affect me as much as I thought it would. Given the amazing Andean scenery and interesting information from the tour guide, the journey actually passed much quicker than expected.

Puno is the main city on Lake Titicaca and the Casa Andina, a few minutes out of the main city was again our hotel choice. Next day was a full day spent on Lake Titicaca and it’s islands, where it’s inhabitants show their ancient cultures, way of life and display textile techniques and other traditions. After a lunch cooked in traditional underground ovens using hot stones, it was onwards on the boat to the floating islands, where reed bales are made in sufficient numbers to turn into small islands that support the communities that live on them. A very unique way of living for sure.

From Puno, our flight back to Lima was from the airport at Juliaca, an hour away, which it has to be said is an unattractive city so thankfully we didn’t stop there. Another guide met us to take us to the Miraflores area of Lima which is the location of Huaca Pucllana pre-Inca temple and it’s Larco Herrera museum. We decided to avoid central Lima and it’s awful traffic and stay in Miraflores, with another excellent Casa Andina hotel stay.

It was a superb trip that went even better than we had expected, with lovely hotels and superb guides escorting us. Our trip was arranged by our ground handlers for South America, so I will be delighted to source your South American holiday through them too.

Mike Frank, Travel Counsellors Barnham, contact: 01243 885910 mike.frank@travelcounsellors.com

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Motoring

Motoring News A Fully Electric Car Is the Best Choice for 1 in 5 Buyers An electric vehicle is the best option for nearly one-infive new car buyers in the UK, according to exclusive research.

The What Car? What Fuel? calculator found a whopping 63.8% of new car buyers should opt for a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle as their next car.

Analysis of the daily mileage, driving habits and vehicle requirements for more than 8400 users of the What Fuel? Calculator shows 19.2% of drivers could use a fully electric vehicle (EV) as their daily vehicle without compromising their routine.

Editor Steve Huntingford hopes that the more people learn about the benefits of running and owning an electric car, the faster the technology can reach its full potential.

Volkswagen Delivers 100,000th e-GOLF The model was launched in 2014 as the brand’s second battery electric vehicle and is now one of the most successful electric vehicles in Europe.

The anniversary vehicle was painted in “Pure White” (pictured).

The delivery milestone of 100,000 vehicles is confirmation of the e- 100,000th e-Golf Golf’s success.

Ford wins International Van of the Year award 2020 Ford of Europe scored a unique 1-2 in the International Van of the Year Award 2020 competition. It secured the title with its range of Transit Custom Hybrids, which won comprehensively, scoring 97 points, with its nearest challenger (coincidently from its own stable) the new Ford Transit EcoBlue Hybrid in second place on 54 points.

Bentley turns 100 and plants 100 Trees Bentley Motors is planting 100 native British trees around it’s site in Crewe. As Bentley continues to focus on sustainablility, they feel this is a practical initiative for them to take as well as a fitting way to mark the end of their important centenary year.

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Puzzles

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Barnham Primary

Bridging the gap between young and old

Playing games

As part of our Community Project lessons, pupils in years 1 and 2 suggested that they would like to spend more time with the older generation. We invited grandparents, great uncles and aunts, friends, neighbours and relatives into our brightly coloured classrooms for afternoons of fun!

The pupils and their special guests played Drawing

Schools 15 board games, sang songs, coloured and read stories.

It was truly a wonderful atmosphere where young and old had a thoroughly enjoyable time!

Shoebox Surprise!

To continue the Community Initiative, the pupils decided that they Rotary Shoebox Scheme would like to support the Rotary Shoebox Scheme. They learnt about disadvantaged children from Eastern European countries, such as Ukraine, Moldova and Romania. The pupils brought in a multitude of gifts and spent a few exciting afternoons sorting through and organising these into age relevant items. The desks where covered with jigsaws, pens, crayons, bubble blowers, toys, stickers, and cards.

The children also included mittens, gloves scarves and hats. By participating in projects like this our young minds can appreciate how lucky they are and understand that by providing this shoebox full of special gifts it would spread happiness across the world. www.barnhamprimaryschool.co.uk

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Local Walks - January

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.

Timings are for guidelines only. If the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled, if unsure check, contact 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk L = Walk Leader Wed 1st

Fri 3rd

Mon 6th

Mon 6th

Wed 8th

Fri 10th

Sun 12th

Mon 13th

Mon 13th

Thurs 16th

Fri 17th

Mon 20th

Wed 22nd

Fri 24th Wed 29th

Fri 31st

10:30am Black Rabbit L: Dominic 2 hrs 5 miles Easy, flat riverside walk, no stiles.

Meet: Mill Road car park by river in town centre (charge) BN18 9AA 10:30am West Marden L: Jane 2 hrs 30 mins 5 miles A pleasant walk with some hills and stiles. No dogs please.

Meet: West Marden on the corner of Nore Down Way. Nearby postcode PO18 9ES. 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30mins 1 mile A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners.

Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT. 10:30am Tangmere L: Peter B 2 hrs 3 miles Flat walk via Aviation Museum to Tangmere Church. Then around the old airfield.

Meet: Oving park roadside, Church Lane, meet outside church. Nearby postcode PO20 2BT 10:30am Houghton Forest & Bignor Hill L: Alison 2hrs 30mins 6 miles A fairly strenuous walk with two long uphill stretches.

Meet: Whiteways Car Park. BN18 9FD. 10:30am Stoughton Down L: Jane 2hrs 30mins 5½ miles This is not suitable for beginners. It is a hilly walk. No dogs on this walk please.

Meet: Stoughton Down Car Park, nearby postcode PO18 9JQ. 10:30am Whiteways to Bignor Beacons L: Dominic All day 7½ miles HILLY. Bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.

Meet: Whiteways car park on A29. BN18 9FD. 10:30am Eartham Woods Stane Street L: Peter Br 2 hrs 4 mile Meet: Free Forestry Commission car park, ¾ of a mile north of The George PH at Eartham. PO18 0LU. 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30mins 1 mile A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners.

Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT. 10.30am Lord's Piece Pootle L: Charles 1 hr 30 mins 1.3 miles Suitable for pushchairs and off road trampers, but not wheelchairs.

Meet: Lord’s Piece, Coates Lane, Sutton, Chichester, RH20 1PZ. 10:30am Nutbourne to Printsted L: Jane 2 hours 4 mile It can be muddy and uneven. Does have stiles. No dogs on this walk please.

Meet: Entrance to Maybush Copse. Parking is very limited. PO18 8SR. 10:30am Chichester Canal L: Helen 30mins 1 mile A flat walk at a gentle pace, suitable for beginners.

Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT. 10:45am Climping L: Dominic 1 hr 15 mins 2½ miles Along dunes and beach to Climping Mill, then across fields to Ferry Road and Rope Walk.

Meet: Arun Yacht Club Car Park, Rope Walk, Littlehampton, BN17 5DL. 10:30am Fairmile Bottom L: Peter B 2 hrs 30 mins 4½ miles Meet: Park alongside the A29 after the Madehurst turn, close to the green and white "Bridleway" sign.

10:30am Around Itchenor L: Peter 2 hrs 4 miles.

A walk from Itchenor across farmland and along the shoreline path.

Meet: West Itchenor car park PO20 7AE (pay & display).

10:30am Sutton Common L: Peter B 2 hrs 4½ miles Through woodlands and sandy heathland (3 stiles).

Meet: Lord's Piece car park, RH20 1HG.

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Health & Wellbeing

Free ways to get in shape in January

By Heather Smith

So much about getting healthy seems to be expensive, but actually, there are plenty of things you can do which will improve your health hugely which don’t cost a penny.

Changes to our lifestyle and environment are often overlooked, but are actually some of the most powerful things we can do to improve our health and energy levels, and to cut some body fat.

The first has to be sleep If you sleep well, you feel good, and you’ll find it easier to make good food choices. People who don’t sleep enough eat an average of 20% more calories than people who do sleep well.

Pay attention to your nightly routine as a first step to improving your sleep. Turn screens off at least an hour before bed, have a soak in the bath and read a book!

Next, is daylight Morning daylight boosts your serotonin, which is the wake-up hormone which helps you feel happy, and hopefully has a knock-on effect on the choices you make for the rest of the day!

Whatever the weather, you’ll get a boost in serotonin if you get at least 30 minutes of daylight before noon.

This will have a positive effect on your sleep too.

Down-time Stress is a big deal.

Lose the guilt and start prioritising time for yourself.

Meditating, walking and reading are all great options.

The ultimate free – fasting!

Going for periods during the day when you’re not eating is the ultimate time-saving freebie! A great entry level to fasting is simply waiting to eat breakfast until you’re hungry, having lunch when you’re hungry, then eating dinner as early as possible. This should give you at least 12 hours without food overnight.

Or, you could take a more planned approach. You could skip breakfast altogether and not eat until lunchtime to give a longer fast, but a better option is to eat your calories at breakfast and lunch, then skip dinner altogether. This is more difficult for most of us to achieve, but remember that fasting doesn’t have to be something you do every single day.

Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer. Get in touch for a free five-day meal plan www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

Beetroot Soup A hearty winter soup Ingredients (Serves 4 - 6) • • • • • • • • •

450g raw beetroot 25g butter or 2 tbsp oil 2 large red onions, roughly chopped 2 sticks celery, chopped at least 600ml good chicken stock salt and black pepper little freshly grated nutmeg 3-4 tbsp thick cream, soured cream / Greek yoghurt Little dill to sprinkle on

Method 1. Trim any leaves off the beetroot but do not cut the ends before cooking as all the colour will leach out during cooking. Place in a pan of boiling water and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until just tender. Drain and rinse in cold water and peel when sufficiently cool.

2. Meanwhile heat the butter in a large pan and cook the onions and celery gently until very soft. Add the peeled beetroot, chopped, the stock and seasoning to taste. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the beetroot is tender enough to puree.

3. Liquidise all the ingredients together with some of the liquid and then sieve back into the pan if you

want a really smooth texture. Add the remaining stock to give the preferred thickness and reheat gently.

Season to taste and serve with a swirl of cream and hot fresh bread.

This hearty winter soup can be left thick and chunky if you wish or smooth and creamy. Good hot or cold and served with chunks of rye bread.

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

Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

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New Year - New Will?

by Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers Research from Royal London suggests that 54% of the UK adult population don’t have a valid Will. A Will may be invalid for a number of reasons. It may not have been signed properly. Your circumstances may have changed meaning some gifts will fail, or it may no longer be fit for purpose.

Our advice at Sussex Will Writers is to review your Will every three to five years to ensure that your estate planning is up to date, your family and friends are provided for and to give you peace of mind knowing that your affairs are in order.

There are several factors that might encourage you to write or rewrite your Will. The death of a loved one, the birth of a new child, purchasing a house, and getting an inheritance are all reasons which motivate people to write their Will and it is a very important legal document. The document itself allows you to leave assets to your loved ones, particularly your partner if you’re unmarried, allows you to choose guardians for your minor children, appoint executors who you trust to handle your estate, make gifts to charity and to ringfence assets where you suspect the asset will be mishandled or squandered.

You can add your funeral wishes to your Will and

remove the stress for your family at what will be a very difficult time.

Writing your Will can be a complex process so speak to Sussex Will Writers for support or information. Sussex Will Writers are members of the Society of Will Writers.

To start the New Year we are pleased to offer a 10% discount off the price of our range of Wills, Trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney, just mention Sussex Local when calling or emailing us.

For more information call Steve Worsfold at Sussex Will Writers.

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Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets Turning Tides, in partnership with Brighton Women’s Centre and Safe in Sussex, have successfully secured a Tampon Tax funding grant. This will help support women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in areas across West Sussex. www.turning-tides.org.uk Aldingbourne Trust WorkAid team won the Employee/ Team of the Year award at Arun Business Partnership Awards on 15th November at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel, The WorkAid team work across West Sussex helping people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum conditions into work. For more details see: www.aldingbournetrust.org/workaid The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children opened two new Bright Spaces for Sussex Police on 21 November. The Bright Spaces are located in two Victim Suites in Sussex police stations. Victims and witnesses across Sussex are now able to give evidence in a safe and secure environment without having to travel a long way or have to face their perpetrators in court.

The Home of Rolls-Royce was recently honoured to become the stage for a fundraising evening for The Sussex Snowdrop Trust. Over 100 guests gathered at the Goodwood site in aid of this Walberton based charity, which provides nursing care at home for children who have a life-threatening or terminal illness, and offers emotional and financial support for their families. www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com CLIC Sargent supports children and young people with cancer. Volunteers are needed to help with events in 2020; they are looking for help with bucket collections taking place across Sussex for World Cancer Day, 1 – 4 February. Also for longer term volunteers to help with collection tins, events and raising awareness in the local community. Please email Rose at rose.bailey@clicsargent.org.uk.

Volunteers are joining Sussex Police to support victims of fraud. 23 volunteers will work with officers to contact local individuals and businesses who have recently reported scams to Action Fraud. They will be offering tailored prevention advice on areas such as telephone/mobile phone scams, identity theft and online hacking. They will also signpost victims to Safe Space Sussex for free access to local support services.

A major new initiative has launched to plant 5,000 trees across the South Downs National Park. Coinciding with National Tree Week in November. “Trees for the Downs” will aim to restore trees that have been lost due to pests and diseases, including Ash Dieback and Dutch Elm Disease. The South Downs National Park Trust, the official charity for the National Park, is now aiming to raise £61,500 to plant the trees. www.southdowns.gov.uk Ditchling Museum, King Edward VII Sanatorium in Easebourne, The Riverside House in Lewes, Nithurst

Farm in Upperton and Easebourne Community Space, near Midhurst all won awards at the South Downs National Park's first Design Awards. These awards recognise outstanding design projects in the first decade of the National Park. www.southdowns.gov.uk Bee Lines campaign which aims to restore flower-rich habitats for pollinators in the South Downs has now raised more than £27,000. The latest fundraising boost has come from Forest Holidays, which gave just over £9,400. Midhurst Rother College pupils also raised funds recently. The campaign is aiming to raise £75,000 to help farmers and other landowners create new wildflower corridors – essentially a “road system” for insects – that will link habitats and encourage pollination. Mark.Rose@southdowns.gov.uk Arrests of children in Sussex have been reduced by 69% in eight years, research published by the Howard League for Penal Reform revealed. Research has shown that each contact a child has with the criminal justice system drags them deeper into it, leading to more crime.

100 solar panels from a Sussex school are looking for a new home. If you know of a good use for them email: hello@ovesco.co.uk and write up to 200 words on how you would use them. The panels will be gifted to a not-for-profit project or if you want to buy the panels for commercial reasons, a donation to the OVESCO Sunny Solar Schools project will be requested. Applications by 31st January.

Charity/community notices to: info@sussexlocal.net

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Charity Prom a great success

On Wednesday 11th December the Aldingbourne Trust hosted a Winter Wonderland Prom night at the Royal British Legion club in Lucknow Street Portsmouth. The Winter Wonderland theme was chosen to make it a socially inclusive event, so that people of all backgrounds and beliefs would feel welcome to come and have fun together. The night was attended by over 130 people, which included the people the Trust support, adults with learning disabilities and/or autism throughout the South coast and their families and friends.

Sarah and her team were overwhelmed by the support they have received from local businesses and the local community in putting together this event.

The Royal British Legion Club supplied the venue for the evening, and local businesses including: Tepee Emporium who donated a flower wall, Victory Events for the balloon arches, Holly Walker and Luarla Events donated chair covers and bows. Along with the decorations made by the team at MAKE the venue looked like a winter wonderland.

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Rolls Royce host charity evening

The Home of Rolls-Royce was recently honoured to become the stage for a fundraising evening for Walberton-based children’s charity The Sussex Snowdrop Trust. Over 100 invited guests gathered at the Goodwood-based Global Centre of Manufacturing Excellence in aid of this unique charity which provides nursing care at home for children who have a lifethreatening or terminal illness, and offers emotional and financial support for their families.

During the evening, guests had the opportunity to take a glimpse into the future of luxury - the marque’s revolutionary Vision Vehicle, 103EX - which has recently returned home to Rolls-Royce after touring the globe for almost four years.

The highlight of the evening, however, was an opportunity to enter the Rolls-Royce Studio, an area normally reserved for discerning patrons of the marque. Guests were treated to the dramatic unveiling of a unique, Bespoke Rolls-Royce Cullinan. www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com

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Gardening

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks

by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens January Resolutions- to enjoy impermanence On a Saturday morning, when you look out of your window, does your garden invite you in or does it look wild, cold and without interest?

There is a trend to want our gardens to be like our new kitchens. Spotless, shining and minimal, with plastic decking and AstroTurf that will last not just for our lifetimes but for hundreds of thousands of years hygienic immortality.

But there are other ways to look at nature in January.

The frosts, snow and rains wreak havoc over the land and the perennials, with millions of years of experience, have scuttled their energy below ground to hibernate. The ghosts of our ancestors sow and repair and pray that they will survive.

The remaining stalks, seedheads and saggy stems are slowly becoming next year’s rich soil. In amongst this decaying fabric there are still many signs of life: bird prints, insect cocoons, spider webs lit up with dew and the profound smell of rotting leaves.

It is also possible to have a vibrant and colourful garden in this month, which will entice you outside.

Armed only with a camping chair, hot-water bottle, blanket and a flask we can soak up the end of beauty and the beauty in the middle of nature’s ruination.

A garden can be full of colourful berries and brightly stemmed shrubs, the bark of selected winter trees, interesting structures like internal hedges and topiary plus colourful evergreens peppered amongst winter branches.

A January garden can be a thing of great beauty, with both death and life intertwined.

As the cold and the lack of sunlight have denuded the garden and the rich juice of Summer has retreated into roots and trunks and bulbs, the bare bones of a garden can give a deep sense of artistry and peace.

We accept that things die, the twilights of winter remind us that all things come to an end, and yet life is powerful and patient. Even in January, often the coldest month of the year, we can sniff the stirrings of new beginnings. And while we are busy vowing never to overeat or drink again, the lean times of Winter can offer us something essential - a monochrome impartial beauty where things are not set up to entertain us or sell us something.

A Good Structure A garden no matter how small needs to have a well-

proportioned and interesting structure from which Spring and Summer can burst out of. As a designer I know that if the structure I have created looks good in Winter nothing much can go wrong with the infilling of plants later on. That’s why garden designers put most of their energy into making sure the layout works first before anything else.

through the door A good structure can be created by many elements.

Internal hedges can paradoxically make the garden feel bigger by separating areas and making smaller ‘rooms’ in which a person needs to wander and explore from space to space.

Good hedging that looks good in winter are Beech, Yew, Holly and Portuguese Laurel (please avoid Cherry Laurel. There is enough of it already in the world plus the bright green, plastic-looking leaves can almost deny that Winter is here, which I think is a shame.)

Topiary Topiary doesn’t have to be just Box balls and squirrel shaped shrubs. You can ‘cloud’ prune all manner of hedges and shrubs into interesting pyramids, clouds, saucers, columns and blobs, which can create a strong presence in Winter, especially if you have a few of them well balanced in different areas.

Also you can choose plants that have a sculptural appearance. Imagine lots of the conifer Prunus mugo Carsten’s Wintergold placed throughout the beds.

Pots and Sculpture Once the flower show is done, ornamental pots and sculpture come into their own in Winter and they are no longer having to compete with the effulgence of nature. If you place them in focal point locations they will lift your garden to a different level. If at all possible, go Big with them. Even in a small garden they will get lost and look twee if too small and cheap-looking.

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Small evergreen plants As well as the obvious Winter shrubs and trees that don’t lose their leaves think about combinations of a few plants dotted around together.

Some examples of perennials with striking Winter foliage are: Cotton Lavender, Stacys bizantia, Rosemary, Bergen delavayi with its fat purple leaves, Hebes, Liriop miscarry and Tiarella Spring Symphony.

Seedheads Seedheads are very popular today. They are good for wildlife and look great in Winter sunsets or in the morning covered in frost.

Some examples are: Rudbekia laciniata, Sedums, Monada, Verbenba bonsariensis, Veronicastum virginicum and Phlomis plus the great, slightly goofy, flower heads of Hydrangeas.

Colourful deciduous plants Shrubs and trees with interesting colours and textures are: Acer griseuk, Acer negundo ‘Winter Lightening’, Betula Grayswood Ghost, the twisted branches of Corylus contort, any of the Cornus especially Midwinter Fire, dwarf Willows like ‘Nana’ plus Rubus cockburnianus (this name sends giggles into any horticultural class as you can imagine).

Grasses Half the value of having ornamental grasses in your garden is that during Winter they go a hay/bronze

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Gardening

colour and still move wonderfully in the wind. Grasses that really retain their shape are Calimagrostis Karl Foerster, Panicum Heavy Metal and any of the Miscanthus varieties.

Berries Pyracantha, Catoneaster and Berberis all keep their berries way into Winter and are great cheap birdfeeds.

Fruit and Flowers Some trees and shrubs have learnt to come on stage when for most the show is over.

Malus Red Sentinal keeps its bright red fruit on its branches almost the whole way through Winter. Mahonia Lionel Fortescue has lovely fragrant yellow flowers, plus other flowering plants make their appearance. Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’, Helleborous, some of the Clematis, Winter Jasmine, Winter Heather and of course Snowdrops.

Water Having water in the garden can be a really wonderful luxury but in Winter it becomes essential. It reflects the ethereal sky and emphasises the stillness of Winter. So after a day Xmas shopping and having retreated yourself from steaming at the queues, the worries that you have forgotten something and the extra mince pie you know you shouldn’t have eaten, let your Winter garden help you pare down to what is most important and beautiful in life.

Where to visit I was struck recently by a visit to West Dean near Lavant, West Sussex. It has some wonderful Winter structure with flowing hedges, smart rows of Victorian greenhouses, cloud pruned Yew trees plus classical pergolas and a pool. Also there are lots of trained fruit in different shapes and Winter is the perfect time to see how they have been pruned and how the structure of the branches has been created. Well worth a trip this month.

January tasks • Time to prune your roses.

• All the shoots from last year’s Wysteria growth can be pruned back to two buds from the flowering spur, apart from any runners that you want to direct into a framework.

• Apple and pear trees need reducing depending on their age.

• You can begin to force Rhubarb now.

• Greenhouses and sheds can be cleaned and sorted out.

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Property

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Energy performance certificates (EPCs)

By Chris Ennis FRICS We have all seen them, multi coloured slips on new electric appliances, and on estate agents’ sales particulars. An EPC is a review of a property’s energy ‘rating’ used to determine energy consumption and it is a useful tool enabling home owners to improve the efficiency and running costs of their home. We must surely all be mindful of climate change and ‘green issues’ and I would urge you all to study the EPC to help save both the planet, and some cash.

The EPC is shown on a colour and numeric coded scale from A (<100) to G (1>), ‘A’ being the most efficient with the cheapest fuel bills. The EPC on any property which has changed hands in the last few years is available to inspect online at the EPC register and once issued will be valid for 10 years. All properties should have an EPC when either sold, or let.

Rented property should have an EPC of ‘E’ or above, or the landlord could face a substantial fine.

The EPC shows the effect on energy consumption of making environmental changes at the property…

maybe changing to low energy lighting, changing the water boiler, upgrading window systems or providing photovoltaic /passive energy systems.

The EPC document is, of course, the product of a computer program which is currently programmed to the standard assessment procedure 12 (SAP 12) guidelines. These guidelines will soon be revised to a new standard of SAP 10 in which, amongst other things brings ‘rating equity’ between both gas and electricity where previously disparity had existed.

This alteration will encourage the use of more electric central heating systems and other green energy measures to facilitate the government aim of phasing out gas fired boilers and hobs in new property from 2025. This may affect some property values.

Fortunately, the newest generation of electric heaters are attractive, efficient, easy and cheap to install, and easy to control with in-built timers and thermostats.

Having installed and used the newest electric heaters I can speak highly of them. Don’t worry, you won’t freeze in 2026!

Chris Ennis FRICS email: surveyor1@talktalk.net 01903 261 217 or www.propdoctor.co.uk

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Charity Profile

Worthing Samaritans Bringing hope to life

By Lynn Smith For fifty years Worthing Samaritans has been offering people a safe place to talk, at any time, in their own way and about whatever is bothering them. From its current location in Lennox Road the Worthing branch is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week – providing emotional support to anyone who needs to talk to someone anonymously, regardless of age.

Set up nationally in 1953, the Samaritans began opening branches throughout the United Kingdom and in 1969 Worthing and District Samaritans opened in rooms in Rivoli Buildings, Chapel Road. The President was Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk and in that first year 175 people called the branch. The Lennox Road centre opened in 1976 and demand for services has grown year on year. In 1982, calls to the branch topped 10,000 for the first time, the increase in demand being attributed, at least in part, to recession and high unemployment. The Worthing Samaritans branch celebrated its silver anniversary in 1994 and the following year it received over 14,000 calls and was recognised by the Mayor in Worthing’s New Year’s Honours. In 2008 the branch began supporting the Samaritans Prison Listening Scheme in HMP Ford. In the branch’s fortieth year it began supporting callers via text messaging.

In 2010 a new sort of Outreach began, when the branch began working with staff at a local school, delivering Emotional Awareness sessions to around 350 senior pupils, and the following year it began working more closely with GP surgeries, to encourage GP referrals to Samaritans. Free calls were launched in 2015, also the year the branch joined Twitter. Significantly 2015 was the year that the Worthing branch became an affiliated branch of the Samaritans, a charity in its own right, rather than operating entirely under the central office umbrella.

Last year saw the branch celebrating its 50th anniversary with a number of events being held throughout the year, including a visit from HRH Duchess of Kent

through the door

who unveiled a commemorative plaque and met volunteers. Director Liz Riach tells me that during the month of February last year, Worthing Samaritans answered 1,703 calls, spending 347 hours on these calls, compared to the 175 calls taken in the very first year.

Changing Times There have been tremendous changes in the way we live our lives over the last fifty years, particularly so in the area of technological changes and with the birth of social media. This made me wonder whether there have been significant changes in the types of issues people are presenting, compared to those issues seen in the early days. Liz Riach tells me that, “The need for emotional support for our callers is no different now than it was fifty years ago but day to day life has changed, especially with developments in technology.

Worthing Samaritans continue to support our callers as we did in 1969 offering a non-judgmental, confidential service.”

But Liz also says that, the “Samaritans Central Office is currently developing new methods for callers to contact us, such as Instant Messaging and the use of a “Listening App.” Keeping the Helpline open Worthing Samaritans is funded purely by donations.

Donating even a small amount every month can have an impact on the charity’s ability to answer more lifesaving calls – for instance, £5 per month could cover the cost of one call for help every month. For every £1 donated, 85p goes on services and 15p is invested in raising the next £1.

Additionally, Liz tells me, Worthing Samaritans is very fortunate to have a Charity Shop in Strand Parade, Durrington. “The income from the shop, raised by the tireless efforts of the Shop staff and volunteers, funds the costs of the Lennox Road building allowing us to continue to offer our service to the Community.” The branch also receives donations from various Outreach events. Liz Riach also says the charity receives a great deal of support from local people. “We promote awareness of Samaritans locally by giving talks at

Charity Profile

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businesses, schools and other organisations. The support we have was really apparent at the Worthing Pride Parade last year, which was a fantastic event.”

Providing a lifeline Statistics on the charity’s website reveal that every six seconds someone contacts the Samaritans, and that answering a single call costs £5.

A team of trained volunteers is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2017 there were 6,213 suicides in the UK and Republic of Ireland, tragically every single day around sixteen people decide to end their own lives across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In the UK, men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women. Liz Riach says that there is, “A continuing need to ensure we have enough volunteers to provide our service; also we ensure we are able to cover the costs of operating the service from Lennox Road.”

More than 5 million calls for help nationwide Every six seconds Samaritans respond to a call for help. There is always a need for more volunteers and the Samaritans offer thorough and in-depth training, preparing volunteers for the different types of conversations they will have, providing them with new skills

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Charity Profile

and the confidence to use them, including the ability to understand people and manage difficult conversations. There is no requirement for volunteers to be from a certain walk of life or to have been through a particular life experience; key attributes are to be over 18, to have a desire to help others and to be tolerant, non-judgmental and open-minded, and to be a good listener – to be able to listen without telling people what to do.

There are many ways to volunteer for the Samaritans, listening volunteers help answer calls and messages from people who need support, but other volunteers are also required to provide support with marketing, fundraising or by helping out in the shop. There are volunteer roles to suit a range of skills and available time. Anyone who has a few hours to spare a week may apply via the website or via the Recruitment line, details of which can be found on the website.

“The fact that somebody understood, did not criticise, did not palm me off, did not judge or advise... gave me back my confidence in me as a person.”

Samaritans caller.

Anyone can call the Samaritans and talk about whatever it is that is getting to them – you don’t have to be suicidal to ask for their help. Only around one in five calls are from people who are feeling suicidal, people call with all kinds of problems – depression, loneliness, stressful home or work situations, financial worries or abuse. Samaritans allow people to talk about

their issues and talk them through with a supportive, empathetic and respectful listener. The Samaritans is an entirely confidential service.

Contact: Samaritans Worthing, 2 Lennox Road, Worthing, BN11 1DA Tel – 01903 205 555 Freephone – 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org Twitter: @worthingSamswww.Samaritans.org

Parish Council News

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Aldingbourne PC Report on Aldingbourne Parish Council meeting December 3rd 2019.

Hook Lane development Councillor Warden has visited to discuss drainage issues with the developer. Discharges into ditches are creating flood issues and will require remedy.

Spoil and grass cuttings being put into the ditch by Footpath 299 will be taken up with ADC enforcement officer. Development intruding onto the footpath has created a trip hazard and will require a ramp. Complaints about noise issues from motorbikes etc are being taken up with Clarion Housing.

The bus shelter close to the Woodgate crossing has been relocated but may need further work and a new noticeboard.

Footpaths Advance Payments Code (APC) to ask West Sussex County Council (WSCC) to use a semi permeable surface when remedial work is carried out in 2020, to avoid exacerbating drainage issues.

District Councillors Councillor Hughes reported on the Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate (BEW) Strategic Site meeting and circulated the route of the northern end of the A29 by pass, which is due to start winter 2020, fully funded by housing development. The BEW meeting

Aerials

agreed the need for an overall Masterplan, not piecemeal development. Hughes was asked to check that this would cover the whole site, ie including the Cala Homes land in Westergate. A recent letter from Arun District Council (APC) appeared contradictory, asking for information already provided by APC. APC to ask for disclosure of officer meetings on BEW. The Fontwell Dandara site developers had re-jigged the plan so as to provide better green space. Concerns about having only one access to the site onto Fontwell Avenue has been raised.

Cllr Thurston sent apologies and a written report.

ADC have declared a Climate Change Emergency and hope to engage Parishes in follow up in 2020.

Cala Homes are seeking to change the infrastructure provision in the development of land in the APC biodiversity corridor.

New PCSO The new Police Community Support Officer Caroline Wilson would like to identify key people and places to meet and will attend a future meeting.

Aldingbourne Bowls Club Cllrs were pleased to note the Club had been praised by local dementia support for the efforts they make to encourage involvement by those with Dementia. www.aldingbourne-pc.gov.uk

Blinds / Shutters cont.

Cleaning

Clearance

Blinds / Shutters

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Carpentry / Building

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Business Directory Computer Services

Home Minding

Logs/Fuel cont.

Logs /Fuel

Drainage

Garden Machinery Pest Control

Groundworks Pet / Animal Services

Hairdresser

Business Directory

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Plumbing

Roofing cont.

Taxis / Private Hire

Tree Surgeons

Roofing / Chimneys

Blinds Direct Blinds Car Dealership Hendy Ford Chichester Elderly Care Oakland Grange Walberton Place Furniture CFS Furniture Garage Doors AW Garage Doors & Repairs Ltd The Doors Group Limited Garden Design Glorious Gardens Home Care Angelcare Southern Ltd Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd Kitchen Doors Dream Doors Legal Services Sussex Will Writers Optician North Opticians & Eyewear Pest Control Temppest Enviromental Services Pet Services The Meadows Pet Crematorium Roofing J P Roofcare The Roofers of Sussex Roofing and Gutters The Roof and Gutter People Shutters Just Shutters Travel & Holidays Travel Counsellors Mike Frank Tree Surgeon Ashwood Tree Surgery Will Writing Respect Wills & Estate Planning Windows Doors Conservatories Barnham Windows & Conservatories Britannia Windows

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