Sussex Local Magazine Storrington February 2017

February 2017

SUSSEX LOCAL

Storrington - Amberley - Ashington - Thakeham - Washington

and events to 6,000 5,900 homes in this area every month through the door LocalLocal newsnews and events to over through the door

SULLIVAN’S HEROES Helping disabled children

FAREWELL

Storrington’s Appia Restaurant closes

WIN!

Tickets to see Half Man Half Biscuit

MOTORING Industry News

PUZZLES

For young readers Plus Prize Crossword

PLUS

GARDENING

Creating a pond

HISTORY

Local Chapels

LOCAL NEWS Council & Charity

WORTH LESS?

West Sussex Schools face massive funding crisis

What’s On, Local Walks, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Community news, Clubs & Groups, Charity, Local Business Directory

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February 2017 Cover Photo Alfredo & Rosetta at Appia Storrington. Art’s Eye Photographic

Welcome...

To February the month of Chinese New Year, Shrove Tuesday (aka Pancake Day 28th February), Valentines Day and already another school holiday... and so the new year charges on.

Our main article this month puts the spotlight on local charity Sullivan’s Heroes.

See page 24. Set up in 2014, Sullivan’s Heroes offers fundraising support to help families with disabled children make vital adaptations to their homes.

Andrew from Glorious Gardens talks about ponds with plenty of ideas and tips for how best to incorporate one into your garden.

Gardening page 35.

This month you can win tickets to see Indie band Half Man Half Biscuit in Worthing, see page 14.

Village Larder have a warming and tasty recipe for us on page 32 and it’s vegetarian.

4 ...........................................................................What’s On 14 ........................Win! Tickets to see Half Man Half Biscuit 15 ...................................................................Motoring news 16 ............................................Young Readers’ Puzzle Page 18 ........................................................................Local Walks 20 ..............................................Charity & Community News 24 .....................................Charity Profile: Sullivan’s Heroes 30 ................................................................Prize Crossword 32 ................................................................................Recipe 35 ...................................................................In Your Garden 40 ..................................................Storrington Past Pictures 42 ..........................................................Parish Council news 47 ...........................................................Local Schools news 50 ..............................................................Business Directory 54 ...........................................................Index of Advertisers March Booking Deadline 1st February

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 30,800 homes and businesses in West Sussex. There are five editions and display advertising starts at just £23 a month per edition.

Take a look at our What’s On guide (from page 4) for ideas for things to do with the children during half term at the end of this month. Plus local markets, community groups, theatre and talks. Extra events which don’t make our print deadline are also listed on our website.

It is free to add a charity or not-for-profit event, simply add details online at: www.sussexlocal.net/whats_on.htm Thanks for reading!

Kris & Jeff

Words of Wit & Wisdom “There is no point at which you can say, ‘Well I’m successful now. I might as well take a nap.” – CARRIE FISHER 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.

Arundel edition - Arundel, Barnham, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total homes - 7,000 Chichester edition - Chichester suburbs Total homes - 7,000 Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total homes - 6,000 Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common.

Total homes - 5,500 Storrington edition - Storrington, Amberley, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total homes - 6,000 The combined circulation of all five editions is over 30,800 homes.

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What’s On

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STORRINGTON COMMUNITY MARKET Village Hall, opposite Stable Antiques Every Friday in February 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th 10am-11.15am

Friday morning is local community market day at the Village Hall in Storrington and you will find a warm welcome awaits you  Delicious home-made cakes & savouries  Jams, marmalades & chutneys—orders taken  Local eggs, local free range pork, mushrooms & fresh fruit & vegetables  Beautiful plants, & flowers  Handicrafts including baby & children’s clothes, gift ideas, jewellery & hand-made cards  Aloe Vera products  Refreshments All are welcome especially if you are new to the village and if you are interested in getting involved please call Gilly on 01903 743888 or just come along!

www.storringtoncommunitymarket.com

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What’s On

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Just a phone call away!

For a professional personal and local service Over 22 years experience! Contact us now.

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14 Competition

Win tickets to see ‘Half Man Half Biscuit’ At Worthing Assembly Hall on Friday 17th March Back in 1985, Half Man Half Biscuit sat comfortably at the top of the indie album chart.

This may not seem so much of an achievement, unless you take a look back at the other contenders in the chart at that time. Acts such as Depeche Mode, New Order and The Cult were all on the scene, and you could guarantee that none of them managed to hit the number one spot with an album that had been recorded in just a couple of days and for around £30. Throughout changing times they have spanned the decades, released 13 full-length albums and dropped a thousandand-one pop culture references; from BBC Radio's Charles Nove to former England cricketer Fred Titmus.

Their latest album 'Urge for Offal', sees more of lead man Nigel Blackwell’s surreal observations on everyday life. A few shining examples are 'Old age killed my teenage

MOTOR BIKE MOT TESTING

bride' and 'Baguette dilemma for the Booker Prize guy".

So grab your Joy Division Oven Gloves and don your Dukla Prague away kit, as The Biscuit are coming to town.

Tickets for the Worthing Assembly Hall show on Friday 17th March are available from the Box Office on 01903 206 206 or visit the Worthing Theatres website www.worthingtheatres.co.uk/half-man-halfbiscuit. Tickets (advance) - £21.50.

Win a pair of tickets to see ‘Half Man Half Biscuit’ Q: What is the name of Half Man Half Biscuit’s latest Album?

A: DHSS B: Urge for Offal C: Mondays Mornings Send answer and your name, address, daytime telephone and email to: ’Biscuit’ Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email all the above details to: competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after closing date 28th Feb 2017. Please indicate on your email or tick here if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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Motoring 15

Motoring news

Ignorance of AdBlue could cause 20,000 breakdowns in VW agrees to pay $4.3bn fine in 2017 says AA Ignorance could lead US over “Dieselgate” to more than 20,000 Volkswagen has agreed to pay a $4.3 billion (£3.5bn) fine in the US in a draft settlement with the American authorities over the Dieselgate emissions scandal. It will plead guilty to breaking US laws in a move aimed to close off the legal action in the States before the Trump administration change. www.carmagazine.co.uk

Car of the Year 2017 The seven shortlisted finalists for COTY 2017 are:  Alfa Romeo Giulia (below)  Citroen C3  Mercedes E-Class  Nissan Micra  Peugeot 3008  Toyota C-HR  Volvo S90/V90 The 2016 winner was the Vauxhall/Opel Astra. www.carmagazine.co.uk

diesel car drivers breaking down this year because they have run out of AdBlue, says the AA. The organisation is currently attending more than 1,000 AdBlue-related breakdowns a month, and it claims that number could almost double if consumers and companies don’t swot up on the technology.

AdBlue is a urea-based substance used to reduce the emissions of harmful nitrogen oxide particles from diesel engines through a process called selective catalytic reduction, or SCR. Although many modern diesel engines use the additive, the AA says it is not yet widely understood by motorists.

It seems that some drivers may be totally unaware that cars with AdBlue tanks may need a top-up between services, particularly if the vehicle does high mileage, and that the car will not start if the AdBlue tank runs dry. www.pressassociation.com

SUSSEX LOCAL

16 Puzzles

Young Readers’ Puzzle Page Wordsearch

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 second word is.

BACON BANANA CEREAL

COFFEE EGGS JUICE

MILK TOAST PANCAKES TOMATOES TEA

Sudoku

Find the Sum

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

Three of the numbers in the box below add up to 46.

But can you work out what those three numbers are?

Answers can be found on our website after 1st February www.sussexlocal.net

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

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18 Walks

SUSSEX LOCAL

Local Walks - February All walks are led by friendly, trained volunteers - please do check with the organisers for full details and for any last minute changes. Health walks are 30 – 90 minutes, supported by Walking for Health & Horsham District Council. Level 2 & Level 3 are more challenging, for fitter walkers, supported by Horsham District Council Wed 1 10:30am Horsham Park Stroll 1+ mile 30 or 60 mins Health Meet at bandstand in Carfax (RH12 1FD) Emmy 01403 255517 Thu 2 11:00am Billingshurst 2.3 miles 60 mins Health Billingshurst Library, Mill Lane, RH14 9JZ Jill 07780 701184 Sat 4 2:00pm Fryern Park 3 miles 1 hr 15 mins Level 2 Glebe Surgery car park, Monastery Lane, Storrington, RH20 4LR Mick Denness 01903 745971 Sun 5 10:00am The Burgh 4.5 miles 1 hr 45 mins Level 3 Kithurst Hill car park (TQ070124) Mick Denness 01903 745971 Mon 6 10:00am West Chiltington 5+ miles 2 hrs Level 2 West Chiltington Village Hall, Mill Road, RH20 2PZ Irene 01403 783637 Tue 7 11:00am Health Centre, Steyning 2 miles 75 mins Health Steyning Health Centre, Tanyard Lane, BN44 3RJ (TQ176113) Ann 01903 297553 Fri 10 10:30am St Mary’s Church, Horsham 2.5 miles 90 mins Health St Mary’s Church in Causeway, Horsham, RH12 1HE Chatter Cheema 07720 714306 Sat 11 2:00pm Rackham Hill 2.7 miles 1.25 hrs Level 2 Kithurst Hill car park (TQ070124) Mick Denness 01903 745971 Sat 11 9:00am Wiston Downland Dog Walk 2 miles 1 hr 15 mins Level 2 Steyning Cricket Pavilion, BN44 3LE. Max two dogs per handler Ann 01903 297553 Sun 12 10:00am Downs Farm 6 miles 2 hrs 30 mins Level 3 Kithurst Hill Car Park (TQ070124). Dogs welcome Mick Denness 01903 745971 Tue 14 10:00am Wey and Arun Canal 5 miles 2 hrs 15 mins Leisure Forestry Commission car park (TQ026350) No dogs Geoff 01403 258180 Wed 15 10:30am Storrington Riverside Walk 2.5 miles 90 mins Health Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 4PG. Suitable for buggies Mick Denness 01903 745971 Fri 17 11:00am Southwater 2.6 miles 30 or 75 mins Health Car park of the Country Park, (off Cripplegate Lane, RH13 7UN) Jill 07780 701184 Sat 18 2:00pm Under the Downs 3.6 miles 1 hr 45 mins Level 2 Glebe Surgery car park, Monastery Lane, Storrington, RH20 4LR Mick Denness 01903 745971 Sun 19 10:00am Houghton 4.4 miles 2 hrs 15 mins Level 3 Whiteways car park Mick Denness 01903 745971 Mon 20 9:45am Pulborough (Bus & Walk) 4 - 5 miles 3 - 4 hrs Level 3 Pulborough’s public car park, Brooks Way, RH20 2BQ. No dogs Mike P 01798 874319 Thu 23 10:00am West Chiltington 4 – 5 miles 2 hrs Level 2 Public car park adjacent to West Chiltington Village Hall, RH20 2PZ Sue 01403 255710 Sat 25 8:30am North Stoke 7.4 miles 3 hrs Level 3 Kithurst Hill car park (TQ070124) Mick Denness 01903 745971 Sat 25 10:30am Slinfold 3 miles 1 hrs 45 mins Level 2 Red Lyon PH car park, The Street, RH12 0RR. Sorry no dogs Liz 01403 263920 Sat 25 2:00pm Sandgate Park 3.6 miles 1 hr 45 mins Level 2 Glebe Surgery car park, Monastery Lane, Storrington, RH20 4LR Mick Denness 01903 745971 Tue 28 10:30am Park and Panakes 2 miles 60 mins Health Hop Oast Park and Ride, Horsham Worthing Road, RH13 0AR. Join us for a gentle walk into Horsham where we can celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a coffee and a pancake.

Jean 07734 323321

Arun Adur Ramblers – www.arun-adur-ramblers.org.uk Sat 11 10:30 The Dover Moderate The Dover car park. Via Perry Hill, Wepham Down and Angmering Woods Sun 19 10:30 The Manhood Peninsula Leisurely East Head car park. Via West Wittering and Itchenor Sun 26 13:30 Arundel Leisurely Arundel Castle Cricket Club. Via Arundel Park and the River Arun

8 miles 9.5 miles 5 miles

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20 Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets Recycling rates are rising across the county, rising from 41.6 percent in 2014/15 to 42.3 percent in 2015/16, representing a 2,400 increase in tonnage, which equals a saving of over £200,000 in landfill tax. Recycling initiatives have included rewarding residents who recycled correctly with a ‘gold star’ bin sticker across some parts of Adur and Worthing and trialling the use of recycling bags in poor performing areas. For more details: www.recycleforwestsussex.org @westsussexwaste on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest.

West Sussex County Council has announced that the charity Carers Support West Sussex is to continue to provide specialist support to the county’s family and friends carers, having retained the contract to provide a countywide carers information, advice, assessment and support service. The service includes: a helpline; carer assessments; referrals to carer respite services; individual and group support; carer support in hospital settings; carer support in hospital settings and help for young adult carers aged 18-25 years. Contact: Carers Support West Sussex on 0300 028 8888 www.carerssupport.org.uk The RAF has announced a new £410m military transport contract, part of which has been awarded to Thales, a defence contractor with offices in Manor Royal, Crawley.

SUSSEX LOCAL West Sussex County Council is advising poultry owners that the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone will be extended until 28 February. To protect birds from avian flu, anyone who keeps poultry such as chickens, ducks and geese, even as pets, must stop them coming into contact with wild birds, and there is also a nationwide ban on poultry shows and gatherings. Contact: www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu Did you know that West Sussex residents have free access to a huge range of books, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers and comics 24 hours a day seven days a week at the eLibrary? The eLibrary is part of West Sussex County Council’s library service and is completely free with library customers able to download ten books and ten audio titles for up to three weeks; loans automatically expire at the end of the lending period so there are no late fees. Contact: www.westsussex.gov.uk/ebooks The RSPB is encouraging everyone to look out for something with a WOW factor this winter – from deer ruts and starling murmurations to amazing views. For instance, they say, you could use the longer nights to wrap up warm and go stargazing as a family. Contact: ww2.rspb.org.uk/kids-and-schools/kids-and-families/ wild-challenge/activities/nature-wow West Sussex Trading Standards has been advising restaurants and takeaways that mutton is not interchangeable with lamb in menu descriptions, after restaurants have been found to be advertising lamb dishes but using mutton in the actual recipe. If you have concerns about the description of a meal, contact Trading Standards via Citizens’ Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 or report it online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport.

Social workers in West Sussex have been described as ‘brilliant’ and a ‘life saver’ in an independent survey of local families – the recently published West Sussex Parent Survey, collated feedback from 90 parents currently receiving services from Children’s social care and early help support from the Think Family service.

The survey was conducted by Professor Eileen Munro whose influential review of child protection was published in 2011.

Chichester District Council Cabinet Members are recommending to its Full Council to support a re-run of the Chichester A27 consultation, including the options that were previously dropped. Cabinet Members want the council to formally request that a new consultation on improvements to the A27 around Chichester is carried out by Highways England. They believe that this should include a range of options, including the two previously developed northern bypass options; and want Highways England to urgently publish the results of the consultation, held between July and September of last year. This recommendation was due to be put to the Council in late January.

If agreed, they will write to the Minister.

Notices to info@sussexlocal.net

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Residents’ views sought on crime A survey seeking the views of West Sussex’s residents on crime in their local area has launched. Run by the Safer West Sussex Partnership, the aim of the survey is to seek the views of residents on their experience and perceptions of crime together with what is important to them in their local area. Made up of organisations including West Sussex County Council, District and Borough Councils, Sussex Police and Probation services, the Safer West Sussex Partnership works to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, ensuring that West Sussex remains a safe place to live, work and visit. The Partnership carries out an annual review to understand how national and local crime trends may be impacting on residents, and the survey will help inform that piece of work. You have until Sunday 5th March to have your say. Contact: www.westsussex.gov.uk/ crimesurvey2017

Storrington Conservation Society There is a Storrington Conservation Society (SCS) work party on Saturday 4th February starting at 10am as usual, when the work will continue in Fryern Dell around the pond near the waterfall - all part of the

SUSSEX LOCAL restoration programme to bring back some of the Victorian splendour lost over the years. Details of the Thursday work party on 15th February, at 2pm, can be found on the website. As ever, the group welcomes new volunteers to join the regulars on any occasion.

On Saturday 25th February at 2pm in the Village Hall there is a SCS talk and tea event. The speaker is Dr Nikki Gammans, FRES Short-Haired Bumblebee Project Manager from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, who will be talking about the work of the Trust with particular emphasis on the reintroduction of rare bumblebee in the southeast. All welcome, not only members. Entrance £3. Contact: Mick Denness 01903 745971, www.storringtonconservation.org.uk

Storrington Film Night Storrington Film Night, also known as Rotary Film Night, is a community event organised by the Rotary Club of Storrington and Pulborough District, and has been running for nearly ten years.

Films are shown on the second Wednesday of each month, at 7.30pm, at Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road. The Rotary Club can provide transport to the film night, if required. February’s film, on Wednesday 8th February is “Bridget Jones’s Baby,” starring Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth. Listings can always be found in our monthly What’s ON guide in the magazine or on our website. Tickets are £5, and are on sale from the Card Shop in Storrington. Contact: Ken Collins - 01903 740745. For information on the transport service: Marion Emery - 01903 813014

Canoeing Facilities Upgraded CANOEING and kayaking on the Wey & Arun Canal has been made easier with the installation of two new landing stages.

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust (WACT) installed the new facilities, and inexperienced paddlers in particular will now find the waterway at Loxwood in West Sussex more accessible. The stages have been built using a generous grant from Canoe England, which is part of British Canoeing, the national governing body for paddlesports in the UK. They are next to the Drungewick slipway and near Drungewick Lock, at the southern limit for navigation on the canal to the east of Loxwood village.

WACT welcomes canoeists, kayakers and paddleboarders by arrangement on navigable sections of the canal in West Sussex and Surrey. www.weyarun.org.

Notices to info@sussexlocal.net. events to www.sussexlocal.net

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Commuters call for change Labour Party members spent the morning and evening rush hours talking to commuters at Hassocks, Pulborough and Arundel Stations recently. The action happened as rail fares in Sussex went up by nearly two percent - double last year’s increase - despite a year of cancellations, delays and a failing service from Southern that has seen commuters lose jobs, move home and miss vital appointments. Labour member and Pulborough commuter Jane Mote said “The majority of commuters we spoke to have lost days at work and had their family lives severely disrupted because of Southern’s appalling service and backed our call for the Government to strip Southern of their franchise. They were pleased to see our protest and promised to write to their MPs to ask the government to put passengers first, not profit." Labour is calling for the railways to be brought into public ownership and put passengers before profits. www.southdownslabour.com

Sussex Wildlife Trust Courses Sussex Wildlife Trusts (SWT) has published its programme of wildlife courses for 2017. SWT education courses typically consist of an indoor teaching ses-

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sion followed by a chance to get out ‘in the field’ with an expert. There are courses to suit everybody from beginners to amateur naturalists. Last year almost all of the Trust’s courses sold out and hundreds of people learned about, experienced and enjoyed the wildlife of Sussex. There are a range of courses, and this year’s programme includes a new course from bestselling author Tristan Gooley teaching a Natural Navigation Course (7 July) as well as courses for insectlovers, bird-watchers, botanists and courses teaching you how to mange your garden and other areas for wildlife. Full details can be found on the SWT website. sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk

Rotary thanks supporters Dear Editor Rotarians at the Rotary Club of Storrington and Pulborough District thank everyone who gave so generously during our annual Christmas collections outside of the supermarket stores in our area.

We have supported many local good causes in Storrington, Pulborough and surrounding villages for many years and the £2,800 raised will help us continue our work and commitment to be of real benefit in our community. Yours, Mike Barker President, Storrington & Pulborough District Rotary Club, by email

Notices to info@sussexlocal.net

24 Local Charity

SUSSEX LOCAL

Sullivan’s Heroes Building brighter futures for disabled children. By Lynn Smith There are numerous families in the United Kingdom living with disabled children who find that they need to adapt their homes to meet the child’s care and health requirements. Whilst specific council grants may be available towards the cost of adapting properties, in many cases these may fall short of the total costs and families find that additional funds, which can often be quite substantial, are required for the building project. Finding these additional funds can be an issue.

Based in Turners Hill, West Sussex, Sullivan’s Heroes supports disabled children in Sussex, Surrey and counties further afield, by offering fundraising support specifically for these vital home adaptations. The charity provides a fundraising platform and financial grants to help families create the optimal environment to continue to care for their disabled child at home, safely and with dignity.

Fiona and Richard Smith set up the charity having

been through the process of adapting their house for their son Sullivan, discovering in the process that there was little in the way of financial assistance towards costs of adaptation that exceeded the council awarded Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The overall costs of the Smith’s adaptations were way in excess of that provided by the DFG and, unable to find a specific charity that might help with their funding, Fiona and Richard set about organising their own fundraising.

Born in December 2011, Sullivan was diagnosed as having an extremely rare form of muscle myopathy, called Congenital Fibre Type Disproportion, resulting in general muscle weakness. He was also diagnosed with severely impaired cardiac function, cardiomyopathy. The extreme rarity of having the two conditions combined is illustrated by the fact that Sullivan was only the fourth recorded case worldwide.

During 2014, with the support of friends, family, the local community and sometimes complete strangers – all now known affectionately as Sullivan’s Heroes – ninety percent of the target was raised. The Smith’s describe the response and support received as, “overwhelming and heartwarming.” Sadly, after successfully raising funds themselves through various initiatives, to meet the costs of their home adaptations, Sullivan passed away in January 2015 shortly before the work on the family’s home was completed.

As a result of their experiences, Fiona and Richard decided to set up a charity to assist other families in situations similar to their own, to help those families carry out their own fundraising for their child’s needs.

As Fiona says: “Each one of them also classifies as one of ‘Sullivan’s Heroes’, for the obstacles they tirelessly endure and overcome each and every day.”

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26 Local Charity Registered in August 2015, Sullivan’s Heroes website was officially launched and became operational in February 2016.

Fiona and Richard vowed to drive the charity in Sullivan’s name: “As a lasting legacy to our inspiring and truly amazing little boy.”

Since then they have strived to build brighter futures for other families in their son’s memory through the fundraising efforts of Sullivan’s Heroes; seeking donations from individuals and businesses alike to ensure ongoing grants are available for families and their disabled children. In addition to providing grants towards the cost of home adaptations, the charity provides a website platform where families can set up their own fundraising towards building costs. Families such as the Gee family whose nine year old son, Noah, suffers from Cerebral Palsy, and who needs to be lifted everywhere. The Gee’s are aiming to raise £45,000 towards property adaptations that will allow a wheelchair accessible lift to be installed straight into Noah’s bedroom along with a ceiling hoist and an adapted bathroom so that all of Noah’s personal care needs can be met with dignity.

Since its launch, Sullivan’s Heroes has supported eleven disabled children and their families, through fundraising for their child’s home disability adaptations. The charity has also provided advocacy and information around their home adaptations for over sixty other families and their child’s relevant social care and health workers. The charity’s plan is to increase the number of families being supported year on year as the charity grows, and to support more families nationwide as funds increase.

Fundraising success has already been seen with two families having reached their targets required for their building adaptations works. Plus grants have been paid to three families towards their works in progress, which will enable them to complete those home adaptations, necessary to fully meet their child’s care, health and safety needs.

Richard Smith says, “It took us over eighteen months to overcome all the hurdles to get Sullivan’s Heroes off the ground, but we are absolutely delighted that

SUSSEX LOCAL we have now been able to realise this incredibly important resource in our son’s memory for families who are in the same situation we were, with nowhere to turn.”

He added, “We don’t have the skills to save lives, but we certainly have the ability to change lives and that is what we are setting out to do, just like the many people who have helped us as parents and Sullivan throughout his life.”

Sullivan’s Heroes receives no government or statutory funding and so relies heavily on donations from companies, charities and the general public as well as various fundraising events and activities. The charity has also received support from local organisations and charities donating both direct to the

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Local Charity

through the door charity and to the families it supports, with local companies providing funds, services and resources to the charity; fundraising events hosted by local organisations plus direct donations together with sponsored events and fundraising activities - such as marathons, skydives and cycle races - undertaken by members of the public. Key fundraising events throughout 2016 included popular sales of jewellery and gifts at local fetes, carnivals, school fairs and companies, and Sullivan’s Heroes will be attending many events throughout 2017, continuing with the jewellery and gift sales, and running fundraising campaigns throughout the year.

Fiona and Richard are the charity’s sole members of staff, unpaid, and, as yet, there is no requirement for volunteers to assist with the running of the charity, although Fiona Smith says that this requirement may

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change as the charity grows. The charity welcomes volunteers to assist at fundraising events and activities throughout the year, and potentially for administration duties. Interested volunteers need have no particular expertise or background – “just a desire to help raise awareness of the charity and raise funds for disabled children” - although a current driving licence would be beneficial, home working opportunities are also available.

When asked what she sees as the greatest challenge faced by Sullivan’s Heroes in the future, Fiona Smith’s reply echoes that of most self-funded charitable organisations: “The greatest challenge faced by Sullivan’s Heroes is to raise sufficient funds to ensure that all families applying to the charity for a financial grant for their disabled child’s building adaptations can be supported.”

Fiona and Richard would like to thank all everyone who has helped them build the charity to this point – and to invite anyone who has any fundraising events, activities and ideas they’d like to share; or who would like to apply for a grant or to fundraise through Sullivan’s Heroes, to get in touch with them.

Sullivan’s Heroes Contact: hello@sullivansheroes.org www.sullivansheroes.org

Internet Prices with Personal Service

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30 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a ÂŁ20 voucher for The Village House, Findon

Storrington February 2017

December 2016 solution shown below.

Winner: Martin Storrington

How

from

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 Sector of a population (11) 9 Boredom (5) 10 Pot (3) 11 Pointed weapon (5) 12 Eg incisors and molars (5) 13 Military people (8) 16 Study done to prepare for an event (8) 18 Path to follow (5) 21 Small firework (5) 22 Also (3) 23 Breed of dog (5) 24 Quality of being timeless (11)

2 Ardently; keenly (7) 3 Position on top of (7) 4 Pierre-Auguste ___ : French artist (6) 5 Inapt (anag) (5) 6 Accustom (5) 7 Revive (11) 8 Unimaginable (11) 14 Variant of a thing (7) 15 Small rounded lumps (7) 17 Musical dramas (6) 19 In the company of (5) 20 Nearby (5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Closing date: 28th February 2017 Good luck!

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31

SUSSEX LOCAL

32 Recipe

Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs Time 25-30 mins - serves 2 Ingredients        

1 Tbsp Olive Oil 2 Red Onions, Peeled and chopped 1 Red Chilli, Deseeded and finely chopped 1 Garlic Clove Sliced 1 small bunch of coriander, leaves and stalks chopped separately 2 400g cans of Mr Organic chopped tomatoes 1 tsp Caster sugar 4 Free Range Eggs

Method Heat the oil in a frying pan that has a lid, then soften the onions for 5 minutes then add the chilli, garlic and coriander stalks for a further 5 minutes until soft.

Stir in the tomatoes and sugar, then bubble for 810 minutes until thick, at this stage it can be frozen for 1 month so double you measurements if required.

Using the back of a large spoon, make 4 dips in the sauce, then crack an egg into each one. Put a lid on the pan then cook on a low heat for 6-8 minutes, until the eggs are done to your liking.

Scatter the coriander leaves and serve with your favourite Village Larder loaf.

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Cleaning Services 33

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34 Garden Services

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Gardening

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35

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Andrew Staib of Glorious Gardens will forever be netting the leaves out in the Autumn though you can get a large sheet of netting to prevent them getting in.

A Natural Pond To make a pond look natural, as if has always been there and should be there and no where else in the garden, is one of my greatest challenges as a garden designer.

Ponds: The Heart of The Garden A pond in your garden is one of the most precious things you can do for yourself! It is a veritable "All-YouCan-Eat" restaurant for wildlife, with birds, insects and mammals using the water to breed, drink, hide, feed and clean themselves.

There is always something going on, from the landing of a noble dragonfly onto a lillypad, the primordial wiggle of Spring tadpoles to a Blackbird drinking on a hot day.

A pond opens up to the sky and acts like a mirror lighting up a corner of the garden and it is a sensitive skin that trembles with every breeze. Whether formal or natural, a pond gives the garden a deeper, cooler dimension and offers a calming influence especially if you have a stream or a small fountain bubbling away.

Positioning a Pond With smaller gardens you often don’t have a choice where to put one as there might not be many options.

With a medium to large garden you can look to where a pond might naturally occur. Normally this would be at a low point of the garden where you could imagine a stream would find its way to.

If you decide to have a more formal pond then you have more choice as the statement you are making is: Here is a perfect body of water that I am placing here. Especially in modern gardens the geometry of the design or the view from house can determine where it goes.

Generally a pond does like an open sunny aspect but if you are limited you can put one under trees but you will need to factor in more maintenance time as you

The amount of ponds that try to look natural and just look naff and cliched is heart breaking. So care must be taken in forming your vision of how you want the pond to look. The shape of the pond, what goes around the edges and the plants you choose both inside and around the pond will all contribute to the feeling that the pond is embedded into the landscape rather than sticking out like a well meaning but artificial creation.

A natural pond won’t have ornamental fish as they will eat all the eggs and little creatures in site. I will mainly talk about natural wildlife friendly ponds in this article.

SUSSEX LOCAL

36 Gardening

Construction At its most basic, a pond is a hole in the ground with a pit of plastic to keep the water in! It is easy enough to make one yourself. The deeper you go, the colder the water will stay helping to prevent excessive weeds from growing on the water surface. Also if you decide to have fish they need this depth to hibernate from the colder layer of water that is exposed to the air above.

I always advise the bigger the better with ponds as once a grassy verge is created around the outside and marginal plants are grown on the shelving inside the pond, the size of the pond looks as if it has decreased considerably.

Shallow shelving that is built into the initial excavation of the hole is very important as it allows wildlife to have easy access (frogs spend most of their time outside a water source). Shelving also allows the growing of plants that need a shallow water base - normally 10-30cm deep. Some plants such as water lilies can eventually be encouraged to root at the very bottom of the pond but still often need to start their new life on a shelf.

Safety If you have young children who can't swim, or for some reason the land you are on can’t be guaranteed childfree, I would always recommend a plastic grid over the entire surface of the pond. Drowning is a real possibil-

ity before the kids get older but once they are confident in the water you can take the grid off.

Maintenance This issue turns a lot of people off ponds but if you are intent on having your pond as a wildlife sanctuary without fish there is very little to do. In fact new research suggests in takes up to 7 years for a full ecosystem of plant, insect and microbe life to establish in a new pond- so trying to clean it out all the time can interfere with this process. Once every 5 years you can take out some of the silt that has collected at the bottom though again research shows that many creatures depend on this for their habitat. The obvious skimming of the surface for any pondweed will be necessary but it quite a pleasant job and the weed can be composted.

If you are wanting fish or a clear water effect, this is where things get complicated when filters and pumps to oxygenation the water are needed. You will need a power supply and a place away from the pond to house the machinery.

Planting up Your Pond I would recommend getting expert advice when it comes to choosing plants. The reason for this is that some pond plants can be really invasive and after a couple of years take over. The RHS website has suitable warnings for some of the pond plants one needs to avoid.

Gardening

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37

Plants

What to do this February

You will need oxygenating plants that maintain the health of the pond water. Try Rigid Hornwort and Water Crowfoot. For floating plants, and ideally for wildlife you want 70% of the water surface covered up away from direct sunlight and prying predator birds, have a look at Frogbit and Amphibious bistort.

February is a great time to explore woodland. The bare bones of the earth are at rest and the quality of the forest is still and waiting for Spring. Also the evergreens like Ivy, Yew and Holly come into their own.

For marginal plants, that live on the shelves, try the delicate Water Forget-Me-Not and Marsh Marigold. Find out how tall water irises become before you try them in your pond. You want to be careful that they won’t look out of proportion as some can get to 6 foot.

Bog Garden Another addition to your pond can be a Bog Garden.

This is an area that is next to the pond (or it can exist as a separate space in your garden if you can't have a pond). This is a lined hole where you puncture the plastic to allow for minimal drainage. Then after you have put the soil back in you can plant all sorts of moisture loving plants like Rodgersia, Cookooflower and Astilbe that you might not have been able to if your garden is too dry.

Life is too short not to have your own pond. At a time when natural ponds are disappearing in our landscape you can also do your bit for giving wildlife a sanctuary and a place to cool off and replenish itself.

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Try visiting Angmering Park Estate Trust, Burton and Chingford Pond, Petworth House Woods, Slindon and The Warrens.

What to do in February  Now is the time to finish pruning your Roses and wysterias  Start to prune to the ground your deciduous ornamental grasses  Cut right back hardy shrubs like Cornus, Salix and Cotinus as well as Buddlea  Prune back into shape anything that has flowered during the winter like Winter Jasmine and Mahonia  Lift out any Snowdrops that have flowered and separate them and then replant them in different areas of the garden.  Start sowing leeks and onions if you have greenhouse.

Happy Gardening!

SUSSEX LOCAL

38 Finance

Cash ISAs Are you fed up with poor returns? There is an alternative says The Mellor Practice

Help is at hand.

Many of our clients are complaining bitterly that returns are so poor that they are looking round for alternatives. It may be that you can identify with them, but are hesitant about riskier alternatives.

Some well established companies are offering a ‘new breed’ of ISAs which smooth out returns from stock markets. They have no ‘lock-in’ period with near instant access and are suitable for the cautious investor. Because of the potentially better returns, many use the monthly income facilities to supplement pension income. We all need to make our money work harder for us, especially with inflation creeping up.

ISAs provide one of the few remaining tax breaks, with no income or capital gains tax to pay. They are versatile, in that Cash ISAs can be transferred to Investment ISAs - and vice versa. Transferring ISAs

from previous tax years doesn’t affect one’s current year’s allowance.

Why not telephone Hilary Peyman on 01903 882007 to book a complimentary appointment? It’s an excellent opportunity to find out if The Mellor Practice may be suitable for you, with no obligation or pressure.

Meetings can be held either at their spacious offices just outside Arundel with easy free parking, or if you prefer an advisor can visit you at your home.

If you’d like to discuss this over the telephone, please call Laurie Mellor on 01903 882007.

The Mellor Practice, Unit 1 Park Farm, Chichester Road, Arundel, BN18 0AG Telephone 01903 882007 or visit their website at www.themellorpractice.co.uk

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SUSSEX LOCAL

40 Local History

Storrington Past Pictures - Chapels The New Mission Hall in the High Street opened in 1907 (Below)

This aerial view from 1955 shows both the original tin chapel on the corner of High Street and Old Mill Drive on the right of the picture, the river Stor runs between the chapel and what is now Guy Leonard estate agents.

The new chapel is at the top far left in North Street.

When the new chapel was built in North Street in 1932 the Greenfields purchased and used the building as a chapel of rest and workshop as well as to store the firms vehicles. By 1971 the building was demolished and now the site is Place de Villerest.

(Top right) Photos and text courtesy of Storrington Museum The Old School, School Lane, Storrington, RH20 4LL Open: Wednesday, Saturday 10am-4pm & Sunday 10am-1pm. Telephone: 01903 740188 or visit www.storringtonmuseum.org.uk

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Local News

41

Farewell to Appia Well loved Storrington restaurant given just one month’s notice to close its doors by Waitrose Alfredo and Rosetta Paradisso have run the Appia restaurant in Storrington for almost 25 years, over which time built up a massive following of loyal customers through a combination of great quality food, very affordable prices, and great personal service.

Many of the customers have turned into lifelong friends. That's why around 100 people turned up on a cold Sunday afternoon in January to say farewell to Appia, after discovering it was to close abruptly. Alfredo had received a phone call in late November 2016 from the his landlord, namely the John Lewis Partnership (owners of Waitrose) informing him that the building was being sold and he had just one month to close the business and empty the restaurant.

Alfredo held the phone stunned and unable to respond for almost a minute. He was aware that his lease had expired three years previously as a result of the intended, but ultimately abandoned, plan by Waitrose to expand the store, which would have seen his building demolished. However. he had gained the impression that he would be given at least three months notice, and that he possibly had another two or three years left in the building.

Afredo says the landlords informed him that the building was impossible to insure, that it had “health and

Alfredo and Rosetta (c) Arts Eye Photography

Christmas period? This delayed the closure until the end of January, so by the time this article is published a firm favourite for many will be no more.

The news was especially hard to bear as 2017 would have seen the 25th anniversary of Appia. Alfredo and Rosetta were planning to hold a party for their customers towards the end of the year in celebration.

Instead the party was brought forward and the occasion was naturally tinged with some sadness.

The couple are devastated. They were looking to stay in Storrington as they have made many friends and loyal customers in the village. Alfredo was indeed

Appia was full at the closing party in January

Guests during the closing party in January

safety issues” and to bring the building up to standard would cost in excess of £200,000. Alfredo thinks that the building will be sold to a developer, demolished, and turned into flats.

Alfredo did manage to squeeze another month’s stay of execution - after all, he pointed out, what restaurant is able to suddenly plan to close during the busy

quite upset at the thought that he may not have been able to say goodbye to all his customers, due to the short notice he had been given. In the meantime he asked us to pass on his grateful thanks to all of the customers and friends who have come to the restaurant over the years.

The couple are hoping to stay in Storrington and are looking for new premises but it isn't an easy as we all know that there are very few retail units available, and those that are do not have the requisite planning permission for a restaurant.. However they tell us they will keep on trying. We do hope so and, in the meantime, wish these lovely people all the very best.

If you have some memories of Appia to share, or comments on the story, please do let us know by emailing info@sussexlocal.net. We will publish as many as we can next month.

SUSSEX LOCAL

42 Parish Council News

Ashington Parish Council Update Neighbourhood Plan

You may have read in the local Press of some difficulties that Henfield Neighbourhood Plan has experienced recently. In light of a successful legal challenge to their Neighbourhood Plan, by a housing Developer, Henfield are having to review their work and re-write part of their Plan. What this means is that all Parishes are reviewing all of the work done to date to make sure that it is robust and correct before moving forward with their Plans. Horsham District Council has recently offered Parishes more help with the preparation of their Neighbourhood Plans, rather than their previous ‘light touch’ approach, to increase the likelihood of preparing a successful Plan. To date, only ONE Neighbourhood Plan has been successfully adopted in Horsham District although many others are at various stages of preparation.

You may think that the Neighbourhood Plan has been ongoing for ages, and it has, but it is a complex planning document, there has been no prescribed format/template to follow and Parishes have largely

been finding their own way. All the time with the knowledge that Developers with their huge resources are watching, waiting and able to challenge if all of the work is not 100% robust. Ashington Neighbourhood Plan team representatives have already met with Horsham District Council and the work done to date is good although there are other technical pieces of work that still need to be done.

Residents’ Survey February

The planned detailed Residents Survey will still go ahead and it is likely that this will be delivered to all households in February 2017 – watch out for Facebook posts, posters, banners and other advertising around the village. There will be some prizes available for submitting completed surveys…….!

Updates are regularly published on the Parish Council website. www.ashingtonpc.org.uk

07712 677329

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Parish Council News

43

News from Storrington & Sullington Parish Council by Anna Worthington-Leese – Parish Council Chairman The Year Ahead

Public Toilets

I hope that 2017 has started well for all of you and thought that you might like to know what projects the Parish Council hopes to complete during 2017.

As reported last month, the Parish Council will be working with Horsham District Council in an attempt to resolve the issue of the lack of public conveniences in the village. A meeting has been arranged to discuss the options and possible funding sources and I will report on progress as it happens.

Neighbourhood Plan We continue to work closely with Horsham District Council (HDC) to produce a Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents that will pass examination and stand up to any challenge from developers.

We were hoping that HDC would have completed its analysis of the sites by now but unfortunately this is not the case. Whilst we are somewhat frustrated at the lack of progress we appreciate that other Neighbourhood Plan groups are also turning to HDC for support following the changes in how much detail is required for the Plans to pass examination. I hope to be able to report significant progress in the next couple of months.

Anti-Social Behaviour – Report it.

There continue to be posts regarding anti-social activities on the Storrington Village Facebook Page but as mentioned last month, these are not being reported to the police. It seems that there is an attitude of “What’s the point? The police are never around!” This perception has been relayed to the Horsham Neighbourhood Policing Team and they have responded to say that if reports are received they are then able to build an evidence base to demonstrate that more policing is required in our area and act accordingly. Last month, I referred to the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

44 Parish Council News Katy Bourne's consultation for the Sussex Police Precept 2017/2018 which proposes to increase the police element of council tax rise by around £5 per household to fund over 100 new police officers and specialist staff.

Should this increase be imposed, we need to be in a position to provide enough evidence to show that a police presence needs to be assigned to this area. Reports can be made via telephone to 101 (999 if the incident is taking place at that moment) or online at Sussex.police.uk.

Storrington Recreation Ground and Skate Park After three years of hard work, we will shortly be placing the order with our chosen contractors and the installation of the new toddler playground and skate park will take place this year. We hope that the facility will be available for use before the summer holidays.

Hormare Field Improvements Following the work undertaken last year to level the surface, we will be pleased to open the field in time for the Storrington Vipers to commence its football season.

It has been noted that groups and clubs from other parishes have been making use of the Spierbridge Road Recreation Ground for training on frequent occasions without the consent of the Parish Council. These activities have obviously impacted upon the condition of the field and we will be monitoring this over the coming year and will be requesting that permission be sought before the ground is used for any organised group training.

If you would like any further information on these topics or any of the Parish Council’s activities, please contact the Clerk on 01903 746547.

Meetings February 2017 Infrastructure, Communications & Environment Committee - 1st Feb – 7pm Recreation and Property Committee - 1st Feb - 8pm Planning & Development Committee - 9th Feb – 7pm Full Parish Council Meeting - 22nd February – 7pm All meetings are held in the Chanctonbury Room, The Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington RH20 3PP. Dates and times are subject to change so please refer to our website: www.storrington-pc. gov.uk

SUSSEX LOCAL

Parish Council News

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Thakeham News Mid-winter weather can bring problems.

If you need help, e.g. with clearing a path or getting to the shops, contact the parish office (01798 815305) and we will try to assist.

Latest news on housing Following recent consultations, Abingworth Homes have applied for changes to ‘phase 2’, i.e. the zone designated for 51 bungalows for those aged over 55.

The developer wants to remove the age restriction and to increase house numbers to 62, with a 50:50 mix of 3 and 4-bed houses, including 22 bungalows and 4 more affordable units. The application suggests that further community benefits could be linked to the changes, including more traffic calming measures on the B2139 at Abingworth, works to enforce a lower speed limit on the B2139 south of Jackets Hill

and enabling a safe walking/cycling route between central Thakeham and Storrington. The Parish must agree in January a position that tries to reflect the views of the majority of Thakeham residents, and the proposals then go to HDC for decision.

Get involved!

This is a great time to get involved in helping the parish council and the Village Hall Trust to prepare to run the new community assets that will be delivered in 2017. If you would like to help run the new facilities and enliven village life, contact us via our website www.thakehamparish.co.uk or on 01798 815305.

Neighbourhood Plan Lastly, now that our draft Neighbourhood Plan has passed external examination, we are working with HDC to bring it to referendum in early 2017.

Owen Richards, Thakeham Parish Clerk. For more information please visit: www.thakehamparish.co.uk

SUSSEX LOCAL

46 Parish Council News

Washington Parish Council Projects achieved The Parish Council was delighted to start 2017 with two long standing projects finally under way. Motorists using the stretch of the A283 east of Washington roundabout are being warned by new flashing solar powered signs of the pedestrian crossing on this stretch. This serves as an important link to the village for pedestrians from the area west of the A24 underpass, and the new signs should make it safer to cross here. On the recreation ground, a £34k upgrade of the Children’s’ play area has been agreed, and work should be completed by early Spring.

Neighbourhood Plan

Washington has partnered with Storrington and Sullington to create a plan for the whole area. Members of both councils are currently meeting frequently with HDC to enhance the plan’s evidence base in preparation for re-examination in the Spring.

Traffic in Heath Common Lanes

Residents express continued concerns regarding unauthorised access to the lanes by motor vehicles unconnected to residents. Heath Common Residents Association (HCRA) is working on a project funded by

Barratt David Wilson Homes, to provide new clearer signage and “dummy gates” at the entry points from the A283 and Rock Rd.

Millford Grange

Pathways have now been created through the green space above the housing development, with a new “kissing gate” access from Hampers Lane. This land has previously been fenced off, with no public access.

It will join up to a new footpath being created by National Trust, across the adjacent field to Warren Hill – part of the long term goal for a “green walk” from Washington to Storrington.

Grit Bins

With potential icy weather this month, all grit bins in the parish have been kept topped up, either by WSCC – or in the case of unadopted roads, by the Parish Council. www.washingtonparish.org.uk 0777 6771921

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Thakeham First School New year, New Site. By head teacher Samatha Norton Thakeham First School is looking forward to something of a metamorphosis in the coming months. Our school is one of the last 6 remaining First Schools in West Sussex, which teach children aged 4 to 10 years (Reception to Year 5). As part of West Sussex County Council’s school re-organisation, we will become ‘Thakeham Primary School’ and our children will complete their Primary education with us.

This means a fond farewell to our current school site.

Built in 1875, it is Grade II listed and lies within a conservation area. However these factors, along with

the limited size of the site, mean the school cannot expand at its current location and instead will relocate, 1.5 miles down the road, still within the parish of Thakeham. Thakeham Primary School will occupy part of the Rock Road site (currently Rydon Community College) alongside an additional campus of Steyning Grammar School (for Years 7-9).

Our school will expand from 3 to 4 classes, still retaining its small family ethos, with an emphasis on nurturing and celebrating each child’s individual skills and talents, but benefiting from much improved facilities and resources. Purpose built classrooms, a new library, cookery room, extensive sports facilities including large field spaces, and the onsite indoor MXT swimming pool hold exciting prospects for our school.

Staff and children are looking forward to saying ‘goodbye’ to their Baby Belling oven which has served the school well and ‘hello’ to their brand new cookery room, just perfect for any budding Mary Berry or Jamie Oliver!

Our parents value the care and attention and creative learning opportunities each child has at Thakeham.

This will continue to be our focus as we prepare for our move and development. The school has already seen a steady increase in pupil numbers since Septembe and tt is an exciting time in the history of the school.

Schools 47

48 Schools

Worth Less?

Worth Enough?

West Sussex schools are 149th out of 151 local authorities in funding terms, and the situation is dire. By Marion Smith, Head Teacher, Storrington First School Following publication of the second part of the National Funding Formula (NFF) consultation, school leaders across West Sussex are saddened by the fact that for many schools the financial situation does not look like it is improving either in the short or longer terms.

Key headlines are as follows:  As yet, no interim funding has been offered to West Sussex schools for the year 2017/18.  The NFF will begin in April 2018. The new proposals allocate funding with greater fairness and transparency as all schools across England are funded via the same methodology.

These new arrangements are, however, being severely undermined by:  The ongoing introduction of unfunded costs being placed upon schools, such as increasing employer National Insurance and pension contributions as well as Educational Service Grant costs.

These “stealth taxes” lie outside of the NFF.  Schools not receiving adequate “core funding” to meet basic staffing and equipment costs.  The government’s decision to make £3 billion of “efficiency saving” from school budgets.

Using data from West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and the Department for Education’s (DFE) own database, under current NFF proposals the following will occur:  In 2018 West Sussex schools will, on average, gain a further £79 per pupil rising to £144 in April 2020.  After the introduction of NFF (2018), unfunded cost burdens will, however, mean that such gains are offset to the point where the vast majority of schools in West Sussex will be no better off (or even worse off) than the current dire financial situation.  In terms of funding received, West Sussex schools will remain 148th out of 151 Local Authorities.

Headteachers in all West Sussex schools are dismayed that our financial situation looks so bleak. As a consequence, our fears about reduced staffing

SUSSEX LOCAL levels, increased class sizes and reductions in curricular and pastoral provision are likely to become a reality in either the short term, medium term or both.

School Leaders are united in their belief that the current situation is both unfair and unsustainable. Previously we were made to feel that pupils in West Sussex were “Worth Less”, under the new arrangements they simply don’t appear to be “Worth Enough”.

Our first step is to raise important questions with ministers from the Department for Education and our own local MPs. We are happy to share these questions with you and would urge you to raise similar concerns with your local representatives.* We will continue to do everything in our power to maintain standards of care and provision but also feel that it is important to let everyone you know just how bad matters are at present. The support of the community as we continue with our campaign will be vital.

Editor’s note.

The new NFF arrangements can be found in a document prepared by West Sussex Headteachers entitled “National Funding Formula – response to consultation (part 2) – January 2017” which is available in the news section of our website. The document states that three significant issues are undermining the new funding system:  There is less money in the system – The National Audit Office states that £3 billion is being withdrawn via ‘efficiency savings’ from school funding.  Rising student numbers- this means that funding per s tu de nt is going down.  Rising cost pressures on schools including staffing costs Inadequately funded schools are, therefore, being forced to:  Increase teacher pupil ratios to unacceptably high levels  Consider modification of school hours  Request parental contributions to fund basic equipment and services  Reduce curriculum provision to minimum levels * A list of the questions which you could put to our MP are included in a sample letter, which can be downloaded from the news section of our website www.sussexlocal.net. What is your opinion on school funding? Please email us at info@sussexlocal.net

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49

SUSSEX LOCAL

50 Business Directory

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M.C. SERVICES

Dance Lessons

Plumbing & Heating

Installation, Service & Breakdown Call Matthew No job too small for prompt No VAT to pay reliable local service

  

553992

For All Your Electrical Needs Ian Porter

Drains

M. LINDFIELD Natural Gas Qualified

Qualified Electrician Friendly and Professional No job too small - Fully insured Ashington based - Free Estimates

Gutters - Gullies

07725 816 823 01903 892 350

High Pressure Cleans Drives - Patios - Plant Machinery - Buildings - Tennis Courts - Car Parks Other services CCTV Surveys - Excavation & Repairs - No Dig repairs

077483 31766 / 01903 892627 acedrainage@outlook.com

Gas Heating Plumbing

Boiler Install, Service and Repairs Fires and Surrounds All plumbing undertaken

Part P, 17th Edition

Unblocking Toilets - Sinks - Sewers - Manholes -

07979 746239

520049

07825 234 176 01903 505 136

PDQ PLUMBING & HEATING    

Small, Local Company Including Female Plumbers Gas & Oil Heating Installations Landlords Certificates Serving

C7020

07906 588 839 07795 096 767

pdqpipework@btconnect.com

Health & Beauty Electricians

A.S.H. Electrical (Sussex) Ltd

All electrical work undertaken Full & Part rewires New Consumer Units Lighting Extra Power Points Free Quotes Fully Insured All Work Guaranteed

01903 529199 07786 240424 C & C Electrical Services Ltd

Colin Mayo QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN Any work considered  ‘Part P’ & Fully insured  Large or small jobs 

01903 700938 M: 07703 253808 T:

www.c-and-c-electrical.co.uk

FOREVER LIVING PRODU PRODUCTS CTS Katie Bridge Forever Business Owner

Natural Aloe Vera health, skincare & nutrition products

07909 681884 katie@bridgehealth.biz

Heating/Plumbing

AM PM

PLUMBING HEATING

info@whittington.co

&

Full bathroom installation EST 1979 Boiler replacements Heating installations Small jobs welcome Call Andrew Registered Plumber No call out charge 01903 873 886 07850 431 809

Your advertisement here

£10 a month

plus VAT - includes design call 01903 868 474

SUSSEX LOCAL

52 Business Directory Heating/Plumbing cont.

Jewellers & Repairers

Locksmiths cont. ur

All aspects of Plumbing and Heating.

o 24EMEhRGEsmNCitYh k

Bathrooms, Boiler installations & Repairs



Loc

 

01903 740 538 07871 725 133



    

Boiler & Central heating installations & upgrades Radiators OIL & GAS Engineers Powerflushing Servicing Landlord certificates 01903 791491 Plumbing 07584 650669 www.sussexboilerreplacements.co.uk

Holiday Let HOLIDAY/SHORT HOLIDAY/SHORT--TERM LLET ET – CENTRAL STORRINGTON

 2 bedrooms  Sleeps max 7 + cot  Quiet garden location  Off-street parking  Pet friendly

Call Caroline: 01903 741769 c.bradbeer@btinternet.com

or

LEE’S LOCKS NO CALL OUT CHARGE!

Lock outs/Door Jam  Garage/Window Locks  UPVC Specialist  Fully Guaranteed 

01903 650 062 07921 068 564

pipelineplumbingservices.co.uk info@pipelineplumbingservices.co.uk 

k

New & Secondhand Watch battery service Quality leather straps Watch & jewellery repairs

Opening hours Tues, Thurs, Fri Saturday

10.00 - 4.00 9.30 - 1.00

01903 743 579

SouthDowns Firewood

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS

• Half Load - £70 • Full load - £130 FREE LOCAL DELIVERY

01903 882 531 07793 500 129

ARUNDEL BASED G.D Triggs Log Company

LOGS

Quality Sussex Hardwood Cut & Split to Your Reqs We deliver to you

6 High Street Storrington RH20 4DU

Landscaping

All locks to

BS3621

Logs

G RAHAM & C ADELL JEWELLERS FOR 50 YEARS    

OAP Discounts Insurance Work CRB checked NO VAT!

call Colin

Established since 1936

Home Help

01243 920 299 07976 750 259

Massage & Wellbeing

Silve HOME HELP lining A friendly and reliable service       

Accompanied appointments Personal care, bathing Meals, light housework Pet care & dog walking Shopping contact Gill King Errands 01798 872 022 Companionship 07763 117 589

Specialist in all aspects of hard & soft landscaping

House Clearance

House & Garage Clearance

Committed to Recycling Peter Deacon Jumble Cleared 01903 741 431 Licensed Carrier 07990 915 159 Reasonable Rates kate1deac@yahoo.co.uk

Locksmiths

MASTER LOCKSMITH & Security Consultant

Friendly Service from a Family Firm Free Estimates - OAP Discounts CRB Checked - BS3621 Locks Est 1998 - Contact Robert

A.I.S. 01903 877 810

LOCSKMITHS

07980 981 901

Painting & Decorating

DAVID HUGHES

Painter - Decorator - Property Maintenance

   

30+ years experience Exterior & Interior Free quotations Fully insured 01798 875 033 07774 676 115 david.hughes10@btinternet.com

Business Directory

through the door Painting & Decorating cont.

Pet Sitting

J.H. BROWN LTD

  

Property Services cont.  Door Hanging RIVERSIDE HOME  General DIY MAINTENANCE  Painting & Decorating  Kitchen & Bathroom

PAINTING AND DECORATING  

53

20+ years experience Free written quotes Exterior & Interior Fully insured 01903 532984 All areas covered 07713 147280 jameshaigbrown@fsmail.net

Fitting & Tiling

 Wooden Flooring  Patios & Decking  Flat Pack Assembly  Fencing & Sheds

For a free quote please call Nigel on

07768 510 463 01903 745 685

www.riversidehomemaintenance.co.uk

Plastering

Roofing

PLASTERING

RENDERING PAINTING AND DECORATING 25 years experience Qualified Excellent references

01903 411 507 07917 341 535 www.love-your-home.org

All areas covered Free quotations Fully insured

northyathome@msn.com

01903 504 877 07920 798 071

Reliable & friendly service Free quotations discount with Fully insured this advert Many satisfied clients City & Guilds Qualified 01798 872 832 Mr P Nelson 07904 537 686

R & R Roofing

15%

N BEST & CO

PAINTING AND DECORATING

    

Exterior & Interior 25 years experience Free estimates Fully insured 01903 745942 Storrington based 07880 692270

nigelbest@sky.com

01903 77369 9

Specialists

Property Services     

30 years experience Flat Roofing Leadwork 01903 746 487 Tiling 07795 821 627 RandRRoofing.co.uk Slating

Pest Control

STEVE CHISWELL

Harry Jackson

Roofing & Building

Pest Control

New roofs, Chimney repairs, Re-pointing, UPVC fascias/guttering, Flat roofing, Leadwork. Est. 30 years

INSECTS - RODENTS - BIRDS 01903 200 278 07718 355 716

01903 872365 07801 295889

i n f o @ hj p e s t c o nt r ol . c o . u k w w w . hj p es t co n t r o l . c o. uk

YOUNGER ROOFING        

Flat Roofs Slating /Tiling UPVC Soffits Fascias Guttering Lead work Free estimates Fibreglass GRP roofs

Roofing since 1988

No VAT

01903 713 423 07984 884 642

younger.roofing@yahoo.co.uk

SUSSEX LOCAL

54 Business Directory / Advertiser Index Satellite Installers

Tree Surgery cont.

SUSSEX TREES & HEDGES For all aspects of Tree Surgery

 C o m p l e te

Removal  S t u mp G r i nd i ng  P r u n i ng  H e d ge T r i m m i n g

 C r o w n R ed u ct i o n  D e a d W ood i ng  G a r de n C le a r an c e  F u l l y Q ua l if i ed  Fully Insured

Garry Miller 07786 447 554 sussextrees and hedges@hotmail.co.uk

Satellite & Aerial Installation - Service - Repairs

Installation - Service - Repairs

All Systems Covered Fully Insured Storrington & Surroundings Rob Belding

07752 410 208

rbelding@gmx.com

Tree Surgery

Window Cleaning

Window Cleaning Traditional & Professional Interior & Exterior  Conservatories  Year round 01903 745 949 07971 000 270 Services 

justaskjay@talktalk.net

Window Cleaning Services 01903 873 365 07517 368 468 rbdakin@aol.com Fully Insured - NPTC Trained & Qualified

KEVIN L. JONES

TREE SURGERY All aspects of tree surgery & hedge cutting. Fully Qualified & Insured.

01903 741278 / 07968 858087

Climbing Reductions Felling Stump Grinding Pruning

JONATHAN CARTER

Covers Storrington, Ashington Washington & Thakeham NPTC City & Guilds. Insured Call or Text

Locally Based

0800 677 1712 ppcwindowcleaners.uk Accountants ACS Direct Monks Business Services Ltd THL Accountancy Aerials and Satellites Apex Aerials Southern Ltd Antiques GOD Tusler Art Blinds Direct Blinds The Blind Lady Builders Miller Redshaw Padwick Builders Ltd Cakes Henrys Kitchen Car Servicing LMC Auto Services Wigg's Auto Repairs Ltd Carpentry R&M Carpentry Carpets and Curtains Funnells Cleaning Miss Mop Ltd Community Markett Storrington Community Market Computer Services Cissbury PC Repair Conservatories and Garden Rooms Room Outside Dance Classes Strictly Dancing with Lisa Dentist Green Arbor Dental Practice Dentists South Downs Denture Services Domestic Appliances Carters Domestic Appliances Elderly Care

31 39 2 40 11 24 10 42 31 12 14 15 9 44 33 7 40 55 8 44 21 56

Clapham Village Care Home Estate Agency Cubitt & West Fencing & Gardening Worthing Fencing & Garden Services Fibreglass Gibson Fibreglass Services Ltd Food Delivery Services Phoenix Frozen Foods Ltd Furniture CFS Furniture Garages O J Motors Ltd Garden Centre Village Nurseries Garden Design Glorious Gardens Greenacre Garden Design & Build Gardeners Chantry Green Tom Hoadley Health Club Impulse Leisure Heating and Boiler Engineers David Cooper Gas Technician Home Entertainment Bowers & Wilkins Home Furnishings Spall Fine Furnishings Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd Independent Financial Advisors The Mellor Practice Kitchens & Bathrooms Design at 32 Trueloves Beautiful Bathrooms Ltd Land Services HJS Land Services Letting Agents/Estate Agents Batcheller Monkhouse Guy Leonard & Co Osteopath Nicholas Coysh Osteopath Oven Cleaning Oven Rescue Group Ovens and More Painters & Decorators PCP Painters & Decorators Picture Framers Nicholas Gentle Picture Framer Restaurant Appia Roofing BG Roofing Icon Roofs Ltd Schools Great Ballard School Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School Security and Locksmiths Invader Security Solutions Ltd Solicitors Anderson Rowntree Solicitors Tools - Sales & Hire Vintage Tools Travel & Holidays Old Mill Travel Roadmark Travel Tree Surgeon Andrew Gale Tree Surgery Ashwood Tree Surgery TV & Electrical Hamilton Cole Upholsterer Appalossa Upholstery Vet Arun Veterinary Group Visitor Attraction Amberley Museum Worthing Ice Rink Windows Doors Conservatories Attwater Home Improvements Rustington Windows Southcoast Windows

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