Sussex Local Magazine Pulborough - March 2020

March 2020

Pulborough - Bury - Fittleworth - Nutbourne - West Chiltington Local news and events through the door to 5,500 homes in this area every month

GIG BUDDIES Concert befriending scheme EVENTS In March

NEWS

Charity, councils & schools

GARDENS Arundel Castle

WIN!

Wilko Johnson 90 minute massage

HEALTH No food is ‘free’!

PLUS

Recipe, Prize Crossword, Young Readers’ Puzzles, Local Walks, Local Groups & Charity, Business Directory

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March 2020 Cover image Spring blossom

Welcome...

To March, we are a third of the way through the year and Spring is nearly here with warmer weather to look forward to. Keep our March What’s on guide to hand for lots of events and activities for all the family.

Our charity profile this month spotlights Gig Buddies, a befriending scheme for adults with learning disabilities and autism.

Pairing up music enthusiasts who may not be able to attend concerts on their own with “buddies” who share similar musical tastes means a great night out for both parties.

Andrew Staib visits the ’fairy tale’ gardens at Arundel Castle and takes tea with the head gardener. Plus the usual monthly tasks in our regular gardening feature.

You can win tickets to see Wilko Johnson, the original Dr Feelgood guitarist, actor (Game of Thrones) and all round national treasure, live in Worthing. You can also win a therapeutic 90-minute full-body massage with Richings Health. The treatment is tailored to your own specific requirements a wonderful treat to improve your wellbeing.

Our “Property Doc” looks at the invasive Japanese knotweed and the damage it can wreak on property.

We also have a special education feature. If you’re considering a private school for your child, read our article from The Good Schools Guide.

Finally, don’t forget to get in touch with any news or community items for publication and add your event details to our website.

Until next month,

Kris & Jeff

Quote of the month "Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there."

- WILL ROGERS 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 Local walks Charity & community news Health & wellbeing Gig Buddies charity feature Prize crossword Recipe In Your Garden - Arundel Castle gardens Property Doctor - Japanese knotweed Motoring news Schools news Education feature by The Good Schools Guide Young Readers Puzzles WIN! Tickets to see Wilko Johnson Property - How did property fare last decade?

WIN! Full-body massage 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

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

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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 - 8,000 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 - 7,000 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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16 Walks

Local Walks - March All walks are led by friendly, trained volunteers - please do check with the leaders named below for full details and for any last minute changes.

Health walks are 30 – 90 minutes, supported by Walking for Health & Horsham District Council (HDS). Level 2 & Level 3 are more challenging, for fitter walkers, supported by HDC. Sun 1st 10:00am Wepham Down 6.5 miles 2 hrs 45 mins Level 3 Meet at Kithurst Hill car park. Off the Storrington to Amberley Road (B2139) Nearby postcode RH20 4HW. This is a downland walk. Dogs welcome Mick 01903 745971 Tue 3rd 11:00am Steyning Health Centre Walk 2 miles 75 mins Level 2 Meet at Steyning Health Centre, Tanyard Lane, BN44 3RJ. Includes some stiles and inclines. Can be muddy across fields. Toilets available in Health Centre Ann 01903 297553 Fri 6th 11:00am Barns Green 2 miles 60 mins Health Meet in new car park above the Village Hall, RH13 0PT. Dogs welcome Chatter 07720 714306 Sat 7th 2:00pm Parham Glider Field 3.6 miles 1 hr 45 mins Level 2 Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 4BG. A flat and easy route. Dogs welcome.

Mick 01903 745971 Sun 8th 10:00am Harrow Hill 6.5 miles 3 hrs Level 3 Meet at Kithurst Hill car park. Off the Storrington to Amberley Road (B2139) Nearby postcode RH20 4HW. Hills and stiles. Dogs welcome Mick 01903 745971 Wed 11th 10:00am Henfield Byways 2-3 miles 1 hr Health Meet Henfield Library, High Street, Henfield, BN5 9HN. No dogs Anne 01273 493671 Thu 12th 11:00am Billingshurst 2.3 miles 60 mins Health Meet at Billingshurst Library, Mill Lane, RH14 9JZ. Can be muddy. Dogs on leads allowed. Parking 75p per hour - annual parking permits are available Chris 01403 782745 Sat 14th 9:00am Wiston/Steyning Downland 2 miles 75 mins Level 2 Meet at Steyning Cricket Pavilion, BN44 3LE. A walk for dog owners, includes a hill. Maximum of two dogs per handler Ann 01903 297553 Sat 14th 2:00pm Washington Common & Rowdell 3.5 miles 1 hr 30 mins Level 2 Meet Old London Rd, Washington RH20 3BN. A pleasant circular route which starts at the National Trust's Washington Common woods. Dogs welcome.

Mick 01903 745971 Sun 15th 10:00am Chanctonbury Ring & Wiston 6.5 miles 2 hrs 30 mins Level 3 Meet in Washington South Downs Way car park. Nearby postcode RH20 4AZ The route contains stiles, steep hills and can be muddy. Dogs welcome Mick 01903 745971 Wed 18th 10:30am Storrington Riverside Walk 2.5 miles 90 mins Health Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground Car Park, RH20 4PG. This flat, well surfaced walk. Suitable for children's buggies. Dogs welcome Mick 01903 745971 Mon 23rd 10:00am Bax Castle, Going South 5.3 miles 2.5 hrs Level 2 Meet in the car park of the Bax Castle pub, Two Mile Ash Rd, RH13 0LA Some stiles, can be muddy in places. No dogs Graham 01403 269232 Thu 26th 10:00am Countryman Inn, Shipley 5 miles 2.5 hrs Level 2 Meet at the pub car park, Countryman Lane, RH13 8PZ. A flat circular walk Some stiles and could be muddy in places. No dogs Geoff 01403 258180 Sat 28th 9:00am Storrington Amberley Circular 9 miles 4.5 hrs Level 3 Meet at Storrington Recreation Ground car park RH20 4BG. Stile(s).

Mick 01903 745971 Sat 28th 2:00pm Knepp Castle Rewilding 5.6 miles 2.5 hrs Level 3 Meet at Knepp Walkers Car Park, off Swallows Lane, Dial Post, RH13 8NN (ÂŁ2 donation requested). Flat walk, can be very muddy. Dogs welcome Mick 01903 745971 Sun 29th 10:00am Three Woods Walk 8 miles 3 hrs Level 3 Meet at Georges Lane National Trust Car park RH20 3BN. A lovely circular walk Great views. Some very steep steps and stick(s) are advised. Dogs welcome Mick 01903 745971 Mon 30th 10:00am Pulborough Brooks 5 miles 2.5 hrs Level 2 Meet in overspill car park, Wigginholt, RH20 2EL. A varied walk. Some stiles and some low gradients. Dogs are allowed on leads through fields.

Irene 01403 783637

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Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets West Sussex families, friend and neighbours who are acting as unpaid carers will shortly be able to benefit from a range of discounts at local businesses and services with the new Carer Discount Card (CDC) from local Charity Carers Support West Sussex. For more details visit: www.carerssupport.org.uk Local charity, West Sussex Mediation Service, are celebrating their 20th anniversary. The charity helps people suffering conflicts in their lives find lasting solutions to their problems and specialises in resolving neighbour disputes and conflicts within families.

Most services are free of charge, so fundraising is important. This year they are holding an ‘Auction of Promises’. This is where individuals, or businesses can make a pledge of an item of value, an experience, or their skill or talent for an hour or two. 0300 200 0025 or email info@wsms.org.uk A group of 17 volunteers from the Heathlands Reunited project were highly-commended in the National Parks’ UK Volunteer Awards, which recognises outstanding volunteers across the UK’s 15 National Parks.

For more details on volunteering visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/care-for/volunteering-2 After being hunted to extinction in the 16th century, the Beaver is coming back to Sussex. A partnership led by Sussex Wildlife Trust and the rewilding project at the Knepp Estate near Horsham, is re-introducing two pairs of beaver in either late spring 2020 or in the autumn, in Knepp’s Southern Block.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service needs more retained (on-call) firefighters across the county particularly in East Grinstead, Turners Hill, Hurstpierpoint, Shoreham, Storrington, Petworth, Arundel and East Wittering. www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire.

West Sussex County Council Fostering Team run regular information evenings for those who might be considering fostering. You can come along and have your questions answered, meet some of our team and hear from foster carers who want to share their experiences of fostering. 033 022 27775 Kelp once stretched along 40 km of the West Sussex coastline from Selsey to Shoreham, forming an underwater forest that extended at least 4 km seaward.

It provided a vital sealife habitat and locked up huge quantities of carbon, helping us to fight climate change, while improving water quality and reducing coastal erosion by absorbing the power of ocean waves. But within living memory, kelp in Sussex waters has diminished to almost nothing due to trawling and the dumping of sediment spoils by dredging boats. To support the Help Our Kelp campaign and watch the film narrated by Sir David Attenborough, visit: sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/helpourkelp

The Sussex Pathfinders is an independent club with around 200 members, who share a common interest in walking for pleasure in the Sussex countryside, and beyond at weekends. Walks are not limited to Sussex as the Club has an annual exchange visit with a French group, and also organises long distance walks and short breaks around the UK. Trips to Hadrian’s Wall and Derbyshire are planned for later this year. We also have occasional social events, and visits to places of interest. www.sussexpathfinders.co.uk 07842 792962.

West Sussex Connect to Support have updated their website bringing together lots of information about • ways to remain independent at home • equipment to help you around your home • advice on improving your health and wellbeing • ideas for things to do locally • support for carers www.westsussexconnecttosupport.org. For help using the website, call Adults’ CarePoint on 01243 642121 or email socialcare@westsussex.gov.uk Sussex Police & Crime Panel members have backed the decision to increase the police precept by £10 per year (for an average Band D property). 66% of snap poll respondents supported the increase.

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ALL FIVE SERVICES INSPECTED

BY CQC GOOD! I could tell you all about Woodlands House and its facilities as if I was describing a hotel, for example the beautiful individual rooms, the designer bathrooms, wi-fi, HD TV, telephones, spacious gardens, etc all of which Woodlands has!!!! However when I was searching for a room for my own Mother 5* GOOD AT EVERY LEVEL all those years ago I do not remember any of these concerns being uppermost in my mind. What I do remember is the fear of making the wrong decision, whether I was "doing the right thing...� remembering "Don't ever put me in an old peoples home"; but knowing in my heart and head that this was the very best decision I could make. What was so heart-breaking was the role reversal of taking and accepting the responsibility of making such a life changing choice on behalf of a loved one, and it was the hardest decision I had ever had to make.

Finding the type of care available within the many different homes is daunting in itself. Do I want a new large modern home with all the "facilities" bright walls, all new staff.. or do I want the home that offers the nearest possible likeness to a home? With familiar staff, many who have been at the same home for years and years with the maximum experience and ongoing training within that same home with a Manager who is in daily contact with every residents and staff?

Do I want to see every certificate for every course and pictures of member of staff because there are so many, or do I want to be greeted by the same team week in week out? These same staff knowing my loved one not only during the day but also at night, when they are alone and feeling lost? Knowing - without referring to records - that it's Horlicks and not chocolate that she will appreciate at 2am?

If you are thinking along these lines come and visit Woodlands House for a chat and feel the homely atmosphere for yourself. 5* GOOD AT EVERY LEVEL {CQC Inspection} Reviews on www.carehome.co.uk Oonagh Manager/Proprietor: email: house.woodlands@gmail.com or telephone: 01903 725458 or 07815 762623

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Charity & Community

Duck Race call for stalls Last year’s Pulborough duck race was a great success, despite the weather’s attempts to scupper it! It was a great community event in the heart of the village, with 20 plus stalls, rowing challenges, raft races, ducks and the fabulous floats made by the children of St Mary’s school.

Over 1300 tickets were sold and with charges for business stalls and sponsorship and prizes kindly donated by local businesses, funds generated included £500 to St Mary’s school, plus more monies to go to two other good causes.

This year’s event is going to be even bigger, the organisers would love to see you there this year, so save the date - Saturday 6th June 2020 - booking forms and further details will be coming soon.

Bury photo competition Bury Village Hall Day was a great success, with lots of visitors who had the opportunity to cast their vote for the winners of the first ever Bury Parish Photo Competition.

With around forty entries, visitors to the hall were treated to a feast of photos all depicting scenes from Bury Parish, which includes the village of West Burton. Photos included scenery, sunsets and events, with the winners declared as Ewan Flowers from Bury with his Christmas road sign and Katka Marconi from Bury with two winning photos, one of a child and her dog on the bank of the River Arun at Bury and a frosty scene of this winter’s flooding.

Sarah Nelson, Village Hall Manager who oversaw the competition on the day said, “We were thrilled to have so many amazing entries showing what a truly beautiful part of the country we live in and it was great that so many people took the time to send their entries in. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who entered.”

The winning entries are being made into pictures and will hang in the foyer of Bury Village Hall, with each year’s winners adding to the display.

To see all the entries please visit the website at: www.buryparishcouncil.org.uk

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Charity & Community

Horsham DC Local plan

Horsham District Council (HDC) is reviewing its Local Plan which will set out planning policies and proposals for new development in Horsham District up to 2036.

The Government requires all local planning authorities to review the Local Plan every five years. It has set a minimum target for the District of at least 965 new houses each year to 2036. HDC is also obliged to see if it can meet the housing needs from surrounding areas such as Crawley. This is a legal requirement. This could mean our housing number will rise to over 1,200 per year.

This is an unprecedented challenge for the Council.

The aim of the Local Plan is to allocate specific sites where it believes the new homes can be built over a long period so that everyone knows what is happening and for the council to be able to resist any inappropriate development. The Plan will set out how developments can be delivered in a sustainable way and support the delivery of community infrastructures, transport links and opportunities for local jobs.

The Council is now consulting on the first complete draft of the Horsham District Local Plan 2019-2036.

Your involvement in this process is very important to us. Please see the advertisement on page 29.

The Draft Local Plan is available to read on the Council’s website and a copy is also available to view in local libraries and at the Council offices in Horsham.

Find out more and be ready to have your say by registering online at www.horsham.gov.uk/localplanreview Tel. 01403 215100

Free CPR and defibrillator course Heartstart is an initiative from British Heart Foundation to teach emergency lifesaving skills to the British public.

The course includes: how to: recognise a heart attack and a cardiac arrest, help an unconscious person, perform CPR, help someone choking, respond to serious bleeding.

A free ‘Heart Start’ session will be held at West Chiltington Church Hall Monday 16th March at 7pm and lasts around 2 ½ hours. There will also be a course in the same venue on Saturday 2nd May at 10am. The course is delivered by members of CHART, Community First Responders for West Chiltington and Pulborough. Numbers are limited but we can add your name to a waiting list. If you would like to attend a course, please go to the website www.chartonline.org.uk or phone 01798 812619.

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

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Prize photograph of Cissbury Joe James from Horsham has won People’s Choice Award in the South Downs National Park’s Annual Photography Competition. “Pony Heaven” received 2,020 unique votes – winning with just over 70 per cent of the online public poll. Joe ventured to Cissbury Ring to take the picture as he and his son Simon watched the sun go down.

Joe, a 38-year-old security manager, who wins a £100 prize, said: “To win really means the world to me. The picture was just a bit of fun initially – I was trying out my new camera. We went up to Cissbury Ring and saw these ponies gathering around the tree.

I just thought it was a perfect moment so I captured it straight away.”

Joe, who is a local advocate for autism awareness through his own Facebook page, has been taking images for the past two years and has been honing his talent. “I’m autistic and proud,” said the dad-oftwo, who has never entered a photo competition before. Being autistic means I learn differently – so when I first got into photography, I looked at amazing photographs of landscape. I didn’t know what the composition was, but I was looking at what other photographers were doing. So I basically learned photography by looking at photographs. Being autistic

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

also allows me to hyperfocus on photography to really hone this skill so I can get the perfect image.”

Charity seafront walk The Aldingbourne Trust are inviting people to join their coastal charity walk on Saturday 14th March, from Littlehampton to Bognor Regis. The Trust completed their new Quarry Building at the Aldingbourne Country Centre, which has enabled them to offer an additional 175 training spaces in their café, conference rooms and shop to support people with learning disabilities and autism living in the local area.. All ages can take part, and dogs are welcome too. The fun starts at Littlehampton Golf Club at 8.30am.

Registration for the walk can be made by visiting www.aldingbournetrust.org/fundraising-events.

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Health & Wellbeing

No food is ‘free’!

A calorie deficit is needed to move the scales

By Heather Smith

However you want to look at losing weight, one simple truth of any program which holds a chance of success is that a calorie deficit is required. There are a million ways to create a calorie deficit through either food or exercise, and there are a million ways to make it harder or easier through food choices and other habits. But the truth remains that a calorie deficit is required if you’re going to see the scales move.

If you’re eating a diet full of processed food, a simple change to eating what is considered by some slimming clubs as ‘free food’ is almost guaranteed to lead to weight loss. It should easily create a natural calorie

deficit, show you how much better you can feel when you’re eating a less processed diet and hopefully lead to long term adherence. This is of course, excellent news, and is my preferred first-step for clients coming from a place of little knowledge of nutrition.

Starting a weight loss plan when you already have a relatively healthy diet, however, needs a real life understanding of how these ‘free foods’ add up calorie wise. You could very easily already be eating mostly ‘free foods’ at the start of your weight loss plan, and this is when a true understanding of how to choose the right ‘free food’ becomes essential to unlocking further weight loss.

No matter how healthy a food is, if you’re eating too many calories, you simply won’t lose weight. This said, losing weight should never become a game of simple calorie counting, it should also include getting as many nutrients from as many real foods as possible in order to assist long term progress, adherence and health.

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

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FREE publicity for charities & community groups If you are a charity or a community group, email your press releases, updates & announcements to info@sussexlocal.net and we will publish them online and in our magazines free of charge.

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Charity Profile

Gig Buddies in Sussex Concert befriending scheme for adults with learning disabilities & autism by Lynn Smith For music fans seeing your favourite band or musician perform live has to be one of life’s joys. Imagine, though, the frustration if, just as the band got into its stride, you had to leave because your companion called time. Or, if you couldn’t be there in the first place because you weren’t able to travel and enjoy the gig unaccompanied. This is the situation that many music fans with learning difficulties or autism face.

However, there is a solution in Sussex thanks to local charity, Gig Buddies - a volunteer befriending scheme for adults with learning disabilities and autism, matching them with a volunteer sharing the same interests.

Music Gigs aren’t the only option …

Gig Buddies is not only about music. Malcolm Hill, the project coordinator for the charity in West Sussex, says that “It doesn’t have to be about music. We encourage people to define what the ’gig’ is for them. It could be playing or watching sport, going to the theatre, walking or going to museums.”

Gig Buddies is a project run under the umbrella of the charity Stay Up Late, which was formed in 2006 out of the experience of the punk band Heavy Load. Three of the members of Heavy Load had learning disabilities and they were tired of seeing fans leaving their gigs early due to their support staff working inflexible rotas. The band split after fifteen years but decided to set up Stay Up Late to continue their campaign. Gig Buddies was started by the charity in 2013 with the aim of supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism to be less socially isolated and to give them control of their own lives, which would become healthier and more fulfilled as a result.

Apart from the occasional fundraising gig the charity does not organise gigs, as the intention is for people with learning disabilities to become involved in mainstream community life.

Finding your own Gig Buddy …

Anyone interested in finding a Gig Buddy can “selfrefer” by visiting the charity’s website or they can get help by asking a carer, support worker or family member to get in touch. The scheme is open to anyone with a learning disability and/or autism aged eighteen or over.

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Charity Profile

“We’re always happy to have a chat with people in the first instance to make sure that Gig Buddies is right for them.” says Malcolm Hill. “People tend to want a gig buddy to support them to get out to music events but not exclusively. Part of our role is to empower people to try new things so many of our gig buddy pairs go to the cinema, clubbing, theatre or even just an evening out to the pub. It’s entirely up to them what they want to do.”

Currently, there is a waiting list for buddies, partially due to funding constraints and also because the organisation prides itself upon the quality of its service and the care taken in matching individuals.

“Before I had a Gig Buddy I felt lost at the weekends.

I had never been to a gig but having a Gig Buddy has meant that I’ve discovered new music. It means that I can travel to places I couldn’t before. Once you start going out you are more able to do other things. It improves your confidence.” A Gig Buddy participant.

As project coordinator Malcolm Hill’s role is to recruit, train and match volunteers with their Gig Buddy. “I then provide ongoing support and supervision to ensure the match is going well and iron out any issues that might arise.” The project is short of volunteers across West Sussex, and Malcolm is particularly keen to find volunteers in Chichester, Worthing and Crawley.

What does it take to be a Gig Buddies volunteer?

Volunteers can come from any background and, Malcolm explains, no previous experience is required.

“Ideally they will have an interest in music and/or the arts and be willing to give up around six to eight hours a month to meet up with their buddy.”

“Friendly and positive attitude with the ability to build up a rapport with their buddy are the main attributes we look for.”

Additionally, all volunteers are DBS checked and fully trained before being matched with a participant.

Training is given at Gig Buddies’ offices in Portslade, with training sessions taking place each

month, on a Saturday between 10am - 3pm. The training covers an introduction to learning disabilities, communication, safeguarding and “what to do if” scenarios. For Malcolm, the beauty of the volunteering opportunity is that it can be fitted around a person’s existing commitments.

Clearly the process of matching buddies is key to the scheme’s success, and Malcolm says that, “Where possible we match people based on where they live and what they are interested in doing. Ideally people will be attending events that they would have been likely to go to anyway – although a willingness to try new things is never a bad thing!” As Gig Buddies is all about developing friendship and expanding an individual’s social circle and informal support networks, the project does not provide volunteers on a one-off gig basis.

Funding Gig Buddies …

As with the majority of charities, Gig Buddies relies upon funding to keep them afloat. Gig Buddies is a free service but does expect a participant to pay for their own event tickets and travel costs. Volunteers

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Charity Profile

are reimbursed for their expenses, and their gig tickets can also be reimbursed up to £10. Malcolm runs the project in West Sussex and is paid on a three day a week basis. In terms of funding, West Sussex County Council funds the charity to provide the Gig Buddies scheme across West Sussex. Additional funding has come from the Big Lottery and donations from private individuals. Although, there are no fundraising events in the pipeline at the moment, Gig Buddies would appreciate any offers of support. Past fundraising events include - organising fundraising gigs at the Komedia in Brighton and Resident Records in Brighton donating the monies raised by sales of their carrier bags – which totalled £1,154 last year. The charity

also has supporters who regularly run an ‘open garden’ throughout the summer to help raise funds.

How Gig Buddies can transform lives …

Malcolm Hill tells me of Gig Buddies David and Mark.

David was matched with his Gig Buddy volunteer Mark in June 2019. “When David applied to have a Gig Buddy he was isolated and had very little in the way of a social life. He told me that he had never seen a live band and never went out with friends.” In just three months following his match with Mark he had been to three live gigs, attended a social where he met and befriended others in the gig buddy ‘community’ and signed up for an art class and the gym. “David is an example of how with a little bit of encouragement and support lives can be transformed in ways which may have seemed unlikely after years of isolation and demotivation.”

For more information visit: www.gigbuddies.org.uk Stay Up Late; email: info@stayuplate.org or you can telephone: 01273 418102

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32 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a ÂŁ20 discount from a Rising Sun meal

Pulborough March 2020 January 2020 solution below:

Winner: Geoff Ball from West Chiltington. 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 6 Swathed (8) 8 Ho-hum (2-2) 9 Place in the earth (5) 10 Compel (6) 11 Warwickshire town sounds short of food (8) 12 Programming problem (3) 14 Colour changer (3) 15 Price of admission (5,3) 16 Run off the track (6) 18 Labour party? (5) 19 Sound of a strong wind (4) 20 White Sea turns stormy, just like that (4,4)

Down 1 On the way out (8) 2 Tasty tuber (4,9) 3 Custom-based rule (9,3) 4 Where cars are made (8,5) 5 Very short time, for short (4) 7 Breaks down (12) 13 How seasickness suffers are sometimes said to look (8) 17 "Odours of --- and offerings divine" (R Heber) (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 March 2020.

www.therisingsunnutbourne.co.uk

Prize - ÂŁ20 discount for a meal for 2 (min of 2 people) Sussex Local may wish to keep in touch with occasional information and offers.

We will never share your details with third parties.

Please tick if you would like to receive such information.

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Recipe

Mince Beef Biryani Healthy delicious rice dish

Ingredients Serves 4 - 6 • • • • • • • • • • • • •

500g diced beef and 800ml beef stock 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp curry powder 1 onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely grated 1-inch piece fresh ginger, finely grated 1 chilli, deseeded and finely sliced 250g basmati rice 1 small courgette, finely chopped 150g cauliflower, cut into very small florets 150g broccoli, cut into very small florets Serve with Sussex Slipcote sheep’s cheese

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Spread mince on baking tray and cook in oven for 40 minutes, break up the mince every 10 minutes, until the mince is dark, remove from the oven.

3. Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the onions and cook until softened for around 5 minutes. Add a little water to the pan every so often if onions start to stick. Once softened add the carrots and cook for 3-4 minutes.

4. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and cook for 2 minutes before adding the curry powder and stir for 12 minutes to cook off the spices.

5. Add the rice to the pan and stir for 2 minutes. Pour in the beef stock and bring to a rapid boil for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid has evaporated and the rice is slightly undercooked.

Lower the heat to a simmer.

6. Add the roasted mince, courgette, cauliflower and broccoli. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the rice and veg are cooked and all the liquid is absorbed.

7. Serve with a crumbling of ‘Sussex Slipcote.’

Recipe supplied by Hollie from Village Larder at Squires Garden Centre Washington, RH20 4AL. Open Mon - Sat 9am-5pm Sun 10am-4pm. 01903 891744. www.villagelarder.co.uk

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Gardening

In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks

by Andrew Staib, Principal Designer of Glorious Gardens Fairy Tale Gardens

Exquisite is the only word to describe the Arundel Castle Gardens.

From the tropical beds, the vegetable areas or the newly renovated wilderness down by the lakes, the castle gardens join seamlessly a variety of styles and landscapes.

Of course the well-proportioned, fairy tale looking castle helps but it is also the rolling hillocks, winding paths and secret rooms that give the gardens an exploratory and fascinating atmosphere.

Much of the recent inspiring originality is due to the passionate endeavours of Martin Duncan, Head Gardener for the last 10 years.

He takes me on a tour and I can barely keep pace with his lanky strides as we move from area to area.

He takes time to greet his staff and make sure they are ok. It becomes clear that his wish to develop the gardens further points to an artistic sensibility.

Everywhere is evidence of his projects.

“We have the Tulip Festival in April. There will be over 60,000 tulips and each year we are adding more. We

have also created the first Tulip labyrinth in the world. In the new English orchard over there, we have planted white and yellow Apeldoorn tulips that will combine with blue Camassia bulbs. And here we have the Stumpery - I created this a few years ago”.

We look at giant tree stumps turned upside down with a host of Euphorbias, Ferns and Echiums sprouting from the gaps in the arches of the roots. It looks prehistoric but oddly suits the gothic looking Arundel Cathedral, which serves as a backdrop just 25 metres away. This area joins the tropical beds which, given Martin’s Zimbabwe origins, is a feast of well researched and successfully growing palms, tropical shrubs and ground cover. There are huge pollarded Paulownia trees, the Sapphire Dragon tree, plus Catalpas and Chinese Cabbage palms.

We walk to the back of this area and come across a thatched hut. Again a structure like this could potentially look out of place but it is a natural fit amongst the vegetable parterres and sculptural Yew hedging.

“We aim to build another of these down at the lakes

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Gardening

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and use it as an educational space.” Martin’s fine features light up and he strides on to the next area.

“This is one of my favourite areas. We have dredged the lakes, cleared some undergrowth and now are introducing all sorts of species here, including 1500 water plants.”

Two swans swan by an unblemished, holy white against the dark waters. They stick their heads deep under the water. Martin fetches some grain and gives them a couple of handfuls. He ruminates on his garden design philosophy.

and most things will thrive.” Amidst TV documentaries and meetings, Martin still manages to physically tend the garden half the day, next to his team, in whose growth, he takes as seriously as the plants under his care. “Each staff member has an area of responsibility so that they not only know what needs doing but can increase their knowledge”.

“Good structure is everything, like Box hedging, holding back the cascade, typical of the English Cottage style. And a garden needs a strong backdrop, then everything else will look good. Soil is vital, get it right,

He never stops learning. Throughout our walk he drops little gems of insights. “2 tablespoons of Epsom Salts mixed into a watering can will feed 8 roses….do this three times a year….Apeldoorn tulips are

I ask Martin, a Kew Guild Medal winner in 2018 for his services to horticulture, what is the secret of his success. “Hard work and knowledge.” says the man who has worked throughout the world on prestigious gardens. He seems just as content weeding a vegetable bed to making beautiful detailed sketches of tulip displays for Autumn planting. These he will hang up in his office for future reference and show the owners of Arundel Castle, the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, who have keenly supported the forwardthinking developments that have taken place in the gardens over the years.

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Gardening

one of the best ones for surviving the Winter and coming back each year… keep a natural flow to borders… you can vary the height of your perennials, it doesn’t have to be perfect.”

We finish our tour with tea served in proper china in his kitchen on the Estate. Elegant and practical, like the gardens under his watch. Martin’s relaxed and passionate personality will continue to make a mark on what is one of West Sussex’s most intriguing spaces.

Where to visit in March High Beeches Gardens, Sussex. This is a 25 acre garden, which is a botanical treasure trove that includes historic Magnolias.

Laid out by the Loder family, but inspired by Victorian horticulturist William Robinson’s wild garden style, is it really worth going to when all the plants are coming into leaf. It is open every day except Wednesday, 1pm -5pm. 01444 400589.

And don’t forget the Tulip fair at Arundel Castle on the 1st April 2020.

March tasks Apart from being busy in the vegetable patch; what else to do in March.

• You can give shrubs like Cornus and Salix a hard prune back - look on the RHS website to see how ruthless you can be!

• If the water starts warming up you can start feeding the fish.

• If you haven’t finished pruning your roses now is the last time to do them before they come into leaf.

• Lastly, look up summer flowering bulbs and tuber plants such as Dahlias. They can be planted now.

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Property

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Japanese knotweed

By Chris Ennis FRICS As I write, I note that trees are budding, and in just a few short weeks, spring will with us.

‘Not before time’ I hear you say.

Watch out for signs of Japanese knotweed! I have seen this destructive plant in Findon, and also growing by the roadside in Angmering.

Japanese knotweed is a highly invasive non-native plant that has the potential to damage buildings and overpower native species, eventually eradicating them from their own environment. It is prescribed under the Wild Life and Countryside act 1981 which makes it an offence to allow the plant to spread. All parts of the plant and any soil contaminated with the rhizome root system are classified as controlled waste and have to be carefully destroyed.

So what does it look like? In the spring, young purple/ red asparagus like shoots appear which turn green as they age. Some plants leaf initially, but can grow 50 cm as a straight rod.

In the summer, the shoots turn into bamboo like hollow stems, with regular swollen red joints and nodes.

Stems can grow up to 3 metres in height. Leaves are lush green and can be described as heart shaped.

In the autumn, flowers bloom 80-120cm in long clusters of small white / green flowers which start to fall in the late autumn.

In the winter the stems turn brown / yellow and eventually fall off at about the time of the first frost.

This is a difficult plant to eradicate. The root system can regenerate from small fragments of rhizome and can remain dormant in the soil for four years or more.

The roots may spread up to 7 metres from the plant, and up to a 1 metre deep. If left untreated it can spread rapidly at a rate of up to 15cm a day and cause damage to paths, roads, driveways and foundations. It may well affect the suitability of a property for a secured mortgage advance. There are specialist companies that deal with eradication, but their services can be costly and time consuming. A proprietary glyphosate weed killer like ‘Roundup’, carefully applied will kill the weed, but it is (I am told) a long process.

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

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Motoring

Motoring News Hyundai slashes wait time for new Kona electric In response to significant customer demand, Hyundai Motor UK has announced that customer waiting times for the new 2020 Kona electric will be significantly Hyundai Kona electric reduced. The move follows a significant increase in availability of its fully electric model.

Recently awarded a Which? Best Buy. It carries the same expressive design as the rest of the Kona family, with a series of recently introduced enhancements.

Ford develops 3D-printed locking wheel nuts As car security systems become increasingly more sophisticated, thieves are targeting car parts instead, including alloy wheels. One method to deter wheel thieves is to use locking nuts, which require a special adapter, or key. But even these are vulnerable, leading Ford engineers to harness 3D printing tech- Ford 3D- printing locking nology to develop next- wheel nuts

generation locking wheel nuts. Ford has created locking nuts with contours based on the driver’s voice.

The design also includes second-level security features that prevent the nut from being cloned or copied.

Renault scoops prizes at the great British fleet awards Renault is celebrating victory for the new Zoe, all-new Clio and latest Renault Trafic van Trafic van.

The new Zoe was awarded the prize for the ‘best green fleet car’, the all-new Clio came out on top as the ‘best fleet supermini’ and the new Trafic took the accolade as the great British fleet awards ‘medium van of the year’.

Exhausted drivers pose significant safety threat Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM motoring assist is urging drivers to be wise to the dangers of fatigue on journeys. The risks are particularly high among those who drive for their work.

Statistics show that those most at risk from a fatiguerelated collision include young male drivers, shift workers, truck drivers and company car drivers.

Around 85% of drivers who cause fatigue-related crashes are male, and more than one third of these are aged under 30.

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Schools

Bury Primary School

What a fantastic event held here at school on a chilly Saturday evening. Thank you to everyone who came along and joined us for the first ever Wassail here at school.

people from just down the road and a lot of families and staff from school – all in all this made for an excellent community atmosphere.

We had singing from local folk group, Duck Pond Sailors, a traditional Mummer’s Play performed by SDFS Tipteerers, singing and dancing of traditional songs from the children of Bury and our very own apple tree blessing from Fr Peter. Of course there was also mulled apple juice and cider, and warm food to keep the cold at bay, all wonderfully prepared and set up in our new outdoor classrooms.

Mr Moore, Headteacher www.bury.w-sussex.sch.uk

Mr Gatrell did a fantastic job, ably supported by FOBS of course who did an excellent job with the food, drink and lighting. Mr Gatrell has already asked me to book it in again for next year and is looking to get even more musical entertainment involved! He has been to see me and has booked in some music – Saturday 16th January 2021 3pm – 6pm.

What was really pleasing to see was that the event brought in not just families from school, but also some of our villagers and people from further afield.

We were joined by one of Bury’s Parish Councillors,

St James Coldwaltham Artist in residence The children at St James’ School have been fortunate enough to have Janet Steele, a ceramic artist, work with them on a number of projects this term.

Firstly the children worked with clay to help them refine their skills and then they designed and created a new school mosaic which will shortly take pride of place at the school entrance.

Pupil working with clay

‘I have enjoyed letting my artistic side just run free when I was doing this project,’ said Sam, Year 5 ‘The mosaic looks just so wonderful. I am amazed at how quickly It has come together’, said Harry, also year 5.

Once the mosaic has been completed, all the children will begin

work on a giant ceramic artwork which will display the school’s values in the entrance lobby of the school.

There are then future plans to create giant art pieces which will adorn the school hall which has recently been decorated.

Pupils creating new school mosaic This is just one aspect of the school’s work where the children work together; being a small school, there are many occasions where the children work collaboratively on projects.

Jon Gilbert, headteacher.

For more information call 01798 872196 or visit www.st-james-coldwaltham.w-sussex.sch.uk.

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St Mary’s Pulborough We were delighted to welcome the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance who have been chosen by the school Council as a charity we wish to support. Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) Air Ambulance is charity funded and the school have been collecting empty crisp packets which KSS can recycle and receive money in return. We were privileged to have someone from the charity come and speak to the children on to explain the essential and lifesaving services they provide. The children were quite shocked to learn it costs over £14 million pounds a year to keep this service running. £10 million of this is raised by charitable donation. Throughout this term we hope to be conducting money-raising activities to support KSS Air Ambulance, so keep those crisp packets coming in!

Pupils learning about recycling by KSS Air Ambulance

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One of our most popular visitors is Kevin from ‘Hawking About’ – this year our year 3 children were lucky enough to spend some time with some of his birds of prey - a tawny owl, a barn owl, a kestrel and a peregrine falcon. Some of the children were brave enough to hold the birds, while Year 3 - Hawking About others were chosen by the birds as perches! Kevin told the children about the lifestyles of the birds - how they hunt, what they eat, where they live and how they fly. He had also brought some owl pellets so the children could have a look through them to see if they could find the bones of any small animals that had been eaten by the owls. The children were amazed by the speed at which the falcon and kestrel flew, even though they were in the hall!

Mrs S Copus, Headteacher Please call the school office on 01798 872007 or visit st-marys-pulborough.w-sussex.sch.uk for any more information.

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Schools

Schools 47

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Choosing the best school for your child Advice from Janita Gray at The Good Schools Guide

Whether you’re looking for a day nursery, boarding school or sixth form, finding the school that is right for your child means lots of homework for parents. For most parents the school search starts with a browse through websites. Educational marketing is highly professional these days so be prepared for buildings that look like country house hotels, acres of playing fields, perpetual sunshine, high-tech laboratories, professional standard theatres and many, many grand pianos. After a while you may start to feel as though you have been assaulted, in the nicest

possible way, by a combination of Downton Abbey, Enid Blyton, Child Genius and the Olympics.

Some parents try reverse engineering to help them choose a school, starting with top universities and working backwards. They identify schools that send a large proportion of leavers to Oxbridge or Ivy League colleges and then register their child at linked or ‘feeder’ preps. It’s not uncommon for spreadsheets to be drawn up with every detail of a child’s educational future specified. Of course there’s nothing wrong with forward planning, but where’s the contingency? The plan B? After all, the baby whose future is being mapped out so meticulously may not have got the Oxbridge memo.

Parents’ educational experience, good or bad, will be hugely influential on any decision. Try writing down the things you liked and disliked most about the schools you attended and then think about these in the context of what you want for your child. You also need to think about whether you want co-ed or single sex education, any religious preferences and, for day schools, chapter and verse on bus routes and realistic travel times.

Look beyond league tables Many parents say they don’t want their child to go to an academic ‘hot house’. What they want is for their

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child to enjoy learning in an unpressurised environment. Oh, and by the way, they also want their child to get in to Oxford. Good Schools Guide advice is to ignore league tables and look at trends in exam results over a few years. If most of the children are getting A/A* with only a few Cs and Ds, think about how the child who got the C might feel.

Open days An open day is often the first contact parents have with a school in which they are seriously interested.

There’s no substitute for setting foot in a school – you may find that a place that looks perfect on paper just ‘feels’ wrong and you shouldn’t ignore this.

Try and attend the head’s talk. Prep school heads have your child’s future in their hands – you’re paying them to know your child, advise on the best senior schools and, if necessary, intervene on your child’s behalf if an entrance exam doesn’t go to plan.

In senior schools the head may be more of a figure head and most of your day to day dealings will be with tutors or housemasters, but the leadership of the school is still key to its ethos.

If you’re considering boarding for your child make sure you get a good look round. The norm is cabin beds, shared rooms until GCSEs, empty noticeboards in boys’ dorms and lots of bunting in girls’ dorms. Ask how many children stay in school after matches on Saturday. If nearly everyone else is going home it’s not much fun to be left behind – even if the school does lay on trips.

If you think you’ve found the perfect school then get yourself in the system as early as you can. Make sure you visit, register and pay the deposit in good time – for popular schools that can be several years in advance. You also need a back-up school (but don’t tell your child that this is what you’re calling it).

You should also be prepared for change. A new head or move from single sex to co-ed can have profound effects. And last but by no means least, there’s your child. He or she may turn out to have very different plans from the ones you have drawn up.

For more information, advice and school reviews visit: www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk

Findon Vale School New age kurling

and the rest from other local surrounding area.

Over the last couple of weeks we have hosted 2 new age kurling competitions here at Vale School.

New age kurling is a sport specifically designed for people with special educational needs and is played between two teams. It involves rolling ‘stones’ towards a target and then whoever is closest to the centre of the target wins!

This competition allows children who might not normally be involved in other sporting events to participate and potentially win a medal and a trophy, which they get to keep until the next kurling competition.

The KS1 (Years 1 and 2) competition saw a total of 18 teams competing, 2 of which were from Vale

schools in the

There were 16 teams participating the KS2 (Years 3 6) competition which were also from schools all over the area, Vale school again had 2 teams competing in this, one of which came 3rd and received bronze medals! All of our teams did incredibly well considering some of the children had only played kurling a couple of times previously and had never played it competitively against other schools, so this was a great opportunity for them.

The children also all received a sticker and a certificate which will be presented in our celebration assembly. All of the children had so much fun and made lots of new friends from lots of different schools!

Half term 2020 Monday 25th - Friday 29th May 2020 Monday 26th - Friday 30th October 2020 Inset day Monday 20th July 2020 Please call the school office on 01903 872322 or visit www.valeschool.org for any more information.

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50 Competition

Wilko Johnson with special guest John Otway Guitar hero of the 1970s his characteristic strut, Wilko became one of the guitar heroes of the 1970s and beyond, not to mention on of rock ’n’ roll’s most extraordinary characters.

Following a stint with Ian Dury and The Blockheads in the 1980s, he formed the Wilko Johnson Band, with Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy. Featuring former Blockhead Dylan Howe on drums.

We have a pair of tickets available to see Wilko Johnson at Worthing Assembly Hall, Worthing on 9th April 2020 at 7.30pm. www.worthingtheatres.co.uk Following a remarkable recovery from a diagnosis of terminal cancer, Wilko Johnson the original Dr Feelgood guitarist, actor (Game of Thrones character Ser ilyn Payne) and all round national treasure has enjoyed a rousing return to the live arena. Including a number 1 album with Roger Daltrey, a sold out show at The Royal Albert Hall to mark his 70th birthday and, most recently, the release of Blow Your Mind, his first album of new material in decades.

Wilko is famed for his blistering chop-chord strumming action, a technique inspired by his admiration of the late Pirates guitarist Mick Green. With this electrifying sound, his trademark black-suited, scowling look and

Win a pair of tickets to see Wilko Johnson To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: What birthday was Wilko Johnson marking at The Royal Albert Hall? a) 70th b) 60th c) 65th Send your answer and contact details to: Wilko Johnson Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 29th March 2020. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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52 Property Search

How did property fare last decade?

Buying a property became tougher in the 2010s says Clive Janes 33% average increase

Lower interest rates

Having started the decade at £162,887, UK house prices increased an average of 33% in the 2010’s to finish at £215,925, according to Nationwide data.

The only saviour to rising house prices has been a strong fall in interest rates. At the beginning of the decade the average new mortgage rate was around 5%, whereas by the end of 2019 this had more than halved to 2.4%. This meant first-time buyer mortgage payments as a percentage of take-home pay dropped throughout the decade in every region except London.

First time buyers have more than doubled So, buying a property definitely became tougher in the 2010’s, with house prices accelerating higher than wage growth. And because of this rise in nominal terms, the amount of money needed by way of a deposit grew, making home ownership seem further away for many. If you could get over that hurdle though, huge drops in interest rates meant servicing the mortgage on a monthly basis became cheaper.

And it seems first-time buyers are fighting back, with more than double the 155,000 recorded in 2009 jumping onto the property ladder in 2019.

Article by Clive Janes, CRJ Lettings.01243 624599 www.crjlettings.co.uk or email: clive@crjlettings.co.uk To view local properties for rent and for sale visit our portal at www.sussexlocal.net/property-search

Weakest performing decade In nominal terms an increase of just over £50,000 seems like a huge jump. In percentage terms though, that 33% rise in ten years is actually the lowest house price growth in a decade since the 1990’s, which is currently the weakest performing decade on record (with a rise of 21%).

When you consider house prices in the 1980’s rose 180% and in the 2000’s they grew by 117%, you might wonder why the media portray house prices as out of control.

House price to earnings ratio increasing The problem is that wage growth only rose by 20% in the 2010’s i.e. around a third less than house prices.

So, whilst rocketing house prices aren’t necessarily the problem, affordability very much is. In fact, the first-time buyer house price to earnings ratio currently stands at 5.0, up from 4.4 at the end of 2009, and is edging ever closer to 2007’s record high of 5.4.

Featured Property

£POA Hampers Lane Storrington Hazelwood House is a truly unique and stunning 4 bedroom individual family home, designed by custom build experts, Allan Corfield Architects and constructed to a high specification by Jolliff Developments.

Current square footage is 333 sqm including garaging (approx. 3,600 sqft). Occupying this highly regarded location situated within a private leafy lane on the fringes of Storrington village. Giving direct access onto Heath Common and Sandgate Park, within walking distance of a 30 acre area of open countryside.

Contact Fowlers: 01903 745844

Currently featuring Storrington & Pulborough properties - more coming soon!

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New funeral directors make arranging funerals less of an undertaking A new funeral directors has opened in Storrington, Safe Hands Funeral Services. Established by Penny Strachan, the new business opened in December with the aim of offering a ‘fresh, modern, more open approach’.

Penny told Sussex Local that during her time working for two independent Worthing funeral directors she became concerned at the increasing (and often hidden) costs to the bereaved and how ’money driven’ the funeral industry can be. Penny set out to provide an affordable, caring and compassionate alternative.

Penny told us, “my aim is to provide a quality service, individually tailored to suit the family’s wishes, be that a traditional, modern, alternative or natural service either burial or cremation.

Her premises, in West Street Storrington, on the site of the former Southdown Bikes workshop, has been completely renovated and transformed, it is homely and inviting and Penny has made a significant investment in a dedicated mortuary area. They also have an on-site service chapel, perfect for those wanting a more intimate service (for up to 25 people) and not restricted to the time constraints of local crematoriums. Penny confirmed, “a cremation only service can be arranged for just £1,595”.

Penny is very keen for potential clients to be aware that although she can arrange “no frills” funerals,

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there is no compromise on respect, care and kindness. Penny’s partner Adam Johnson was manager for HD Tribes Goring branch for 18 years. Between them, she told us, “we have a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping people arrange the most fitting of funeral for their loved one”.

Penny and Adam are always happy to talk with people about the way they work and would welcome anyone seeking advice about funerals or funeral plans to call in for a no obligation chat. Their moto is, “Better to know us and not need us than to need us and not know us”. www.safehandsfuneralservices.co.uk The Forge, 38 High Street, Storrington RH20 4EE 01903 741444 (24 hrs).

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Competition

Richings Health - massage in Storrington Bespoke massage treatments for men & women Jessie Anderson, offers unique massage treatments in a tranquil, purpose-built therapy room in Storrington, overlooking the South Downs National Park.

After qualifying in 2004 with a BSc Hons Degree in Sports RehaJessie Anderson bilitation and ITEC Aromatherapy from St Mary’s College, Twickenham, Jessie dedicated herself to sports, remedial, therapeutic, face and pregnancy massage. Her aim is to help her clients achieve richer health.

Massage, once considered a luxury, is now commonly recognised as being a successful way to help maintain good health and improve overall well-being. It can benefit everyone from professional athletes to business executives to mums and dads - so no matter who you are, or what you do, a course of tailored massage treatments can help you do it better!

We are offering you a chance to win a 90 minute full body massage at Richings Health A comprehensive full body treatment designed to enhance the function of both your mind and body. As with all Jessie’s treatments, your massage will be tailored to your specific needs, but this longer treatment

allows more flexibility to concentrate on any areas where you would like more attention while still being able to complete a relaxing full body treatment.

For more details call Jessie on 07737 070612 or visit www.richingshealth.com

Win a 90 minute full body massage at Richings Health To enter the competition answer the question below: Q: What year did Jessie Anderson qualify? a) 2004 b) 2014 c) 2008 Send your answer and contact details to: Richings Health Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/ features/competitions Winner drawn after 31th March 2020. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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Pets

Paws for thought Obesity Obesity is a condition defined by an excess of body fat that has developed to the point that health is compromised. Although we often hear the term in relation to humans, pet obesity is Dr Julian Hoad one of the key welfare issues facing pets in the UK today.

According to the PDSA Pet Animal Welfare Report 2018, 98% of veterinary professionals surveyed said that more focus should be placed on preventing obesity rather than treating it. So, we’ve put together this list of five easy ways to help your pet maintain a healthy weight.

1) Calculate how much to feed Just like humans, pets require a certain amount of energy per day to maintain their weight. And also, like humans, this figure will be unique to them. How much food your pet should consume could depend on factors such as life stage, activity levels and any health problems. The guidelines on pet food packaging are exactly that; guidelines. Ask your vet to help you work out the right amount of food 2) Stick to it Once you’ve calculated how much food to feed your pet to maintain a healthy weight, measure it out daily to make sure you don’t go over. To maintain a

healthy weight, a pet’s diet needs to be consistent.

Stick to set mealtimes rather than leaving food out all day. In a busy household, it’s easy to top up an empty feeding bowl without realising somebody else did exactly the same thing an hour ago.

3) Treats are treats In moderation, treats are ok.

However, problems can occur when treats are no longer treats and instead become the daily norm, or a way to show a pet that you love them. Any treats given should correspond with a reduction in regular food quantities. Chat to your veterinary team about which treats to use and try out some healthy ones.

4) Exercise everyday The physical benefits of an active lifestyle are endless; from improving muscular and cardiovascular fitness to alleviating stress, boredom and anxiety. So, when it comes to showing affection to our pets, exercise should be an obvious choice. Pets love spending time with their owners and exercise is great way to do this.

5) Preventing problems Prevention is always better than cure and the easiest way to provide your pet with the best chance of a long and happy life is to keep on top of their preventive healthcare. Regular health checks with the vet will ensure that your pet’s weight is monitored regularly and that any health issues or concerns are picked up early before problems arise.

Crossways Veterinary Group, School Hill, Storrington, 01903 743040 www.crosswaysvets.co.uk

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Parish Council News

Bury Parish Council Edited extracts from the draft minutes of Bury Parish Council meeting held on 20th January 2020.

Election of new Chairman Following the resignation of Councillor Roswell as Chairman, Councillors resolved to elect Councillor Davis as the new Chairman and Councillor Labarte as Vice Chairman. The Council thanked Cllr Roswell for all his hard work as the previous Chairman.

Grounds Maintenance Councillors discussed the pathway near Pill Pond on which West Sussex County Council had worked previously on. However, the hardcore had been washed out in the floods and further remedial and dredging work was necessary for which the Council will obtain quotes. Councillors resolved to spend £160 on pruning trees at Pill Pond.

Approve Parish Tree Survey The Clerk presented three tree survey quotes for the Council to consider and explained that they varied in detail and therefore price. A discussion ensued from which Councillors agreed that the least expensive quote would cover all the necessary areas and requirements and resolved to spend £1,890 on a tree survey which would be carried out by Beechdown.

Councillor Roswell provided an update on tree felling at Coates Sandpit and that he had received a request

for a permission from south downs national park authority to scrape the sandpit and drill holes.

Discuss new Bury Wharf sign Councillor Whyles updated the Council on the design progress of the new Bury Wharf sign. There were a few possible options to help protect the sign including a roof along with tilting it. Dorset House School were apparently unhappy with their current signs and wished to match them to the Council’s new design. A discussion followed about the future of the wharf in general but was deferred to another time.

20s Plenty Campaign Councillor Whyles informed the Council that he had been investigating steps to introduce a 20mph zone in Bury Parish due to speeding cars and the lack of pavements for pedestrians. He suggested the first step would be to create a ‘20s plenty’ campaign which could be in conjunction with Dorset House School in the form of a poster competition. The winning poster would then be displayed around the Parish. A discussion followed about the legal position about putting up signs around the Parish and it was decided to seek advice on this issue.

For more information or to contact the Parish council, visit www.buryparishcouncil.org.uk or you can reach Mike Simpson, Clerk and RFO, by sending an email clerkburyparishcouncil@gmail.com

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Parish Council News

Fittleworth PC Edited extracts taken from the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 16th December 2019.

Public Questions A number of residents from Limbourne Lane and the surrounding area attended the meeting and raised a number of concerns with respect to the new documents available on the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) Planning Portal relating to the pre-application for a new development on the land at Limbourne Lane and The Fleet in Fittleworth. The current proposal is for the erection of 14 dwellings with associated access and landscaping. A significant number of issues were raised by the members of the public. All the issues were noted by the Planning Committee, who were yet to submit their response to SDNPA in respect of the current proposals.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee explained the pre-application process and confirmed that the Parish Council want to ensure that the Neighbourhood Plan objectives are applied to any planning application submitted. Many of those attending the meeting, were under the impression that the Parish Council had invited/ encouraged the developers to submit a pre-application.

It was confirmed that this was not the case. It is not the role of the Parish Council to engage or invite developers to submit planning applications.

There is no restriction to who can submit a planning application. Anyone can submit a planning application,

even if they do not own the land in question. Similarly, anyone can submit comments to the planning authorities in respect of any planning documents posted on the planning portal.

Highways and Traffic Working Group Sandy Lane Parking - The clerk was contacted by a concerned resident about the parking on Sandy Lane.

It was pointed out that about two years ago the Council did consider formalising the parking arrangements in Sandy Lane, creating surfaced areas where parking would be allowed, and to discourage parking elsewhere. Some exploratory work was done, but as the extent of the operation became clearer, including the costs involved and the planning permission required, it was decided not to proceed.

One option may be to spread MOT Type 1 over the existing parking area, however this will require planning permission. The clerk will look into this option as well as looking into the regulatory powers available to the Parish Council in order to improve the area and review the permission of issuing parking licences.

Other issues - the Clerk reported that there were several issues via Love West Sussex which have since been resolved. www.fittleworth-pc.org.uk

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Parish Council News

Pulborough Parish Council Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Recreation and Open Spaces committee meeting held on 16th January 2020.

Worm control The Deputy Clerk advised that the cricket pitch was able to be included in the worm control quotation of £305.00 and this has now been carried out.

Pocket Park - Tesco Bags of Help funding The Deputy Clerk advised that unfortunately the funding available from Tesco Bags Of Help has been reduced to a maximum of £2000.00 instead of £4000.00, so the wish list for Pocket Park has had to be reduced to accommodate the maximum funding limit. The Deputy Clerk has been liaising with the school throughout this process and it is hoped that the other items can be funded at a later date.

Winter service After requesting a couple of estimates, Members only received one estimate for the winter service of the Fairway mower. A final quotation cannot be sent as it is not known what parts are needed until the service is carried out. Members resolved to proceed with the estimate from Arun Mowers of £2000.00 + vat providing that Arun Mowers let the Parish Office know of any extra costs before proceeding with any works.

Playground repairs Members received a quotation of £821.15 + vat from Sutcliffe Play for replacement damaged panels on the Sutcliffe Ball Games Wall, along with two quotations to install them. Members resolved to accept the quotation of £821.15 + carriage + vat from Sutcliffe Play for the supply of the panels and £370.00 + vat (to be carried out with the next inspection) from ARD Playgrounds, totalling £1191.15 + vat. It was noted that this will make account over budget, but the works need to be carried out.

Rivermead Nature Reserve action plan Members received timeline photographs of Rivermead Nature Reserve in order for the Committee to review the results of the management action plan and modify if necessary. Members were pleased with how RNR is looking and gave thanks to the Groundsman for all his work there. It was noted that a Stagshorn Tree that has it’s suckers mixed amongst the brambles, which are invasive and needs cutting back, although the tree is from a neighbouring property.

Pulborough Parish Council, Swan View, Lower Street, Pulborough, RH20 2BF. Tel: 01798 873532 clerk@pulboroughparishcouncil.gov.uk www.pulboroughparishcouncil.gov.uk .

Parish Council News / Business Directory

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West Chiltington PC

sites to try to minimise the effect on the environment and landscape.

Horsham District local plan review and consultation 17 Feb – 30 March 2020

Consultation began on 17 February 2020 for a 6-week period, when you can comment on any aspect of the local plan including potential development sites ending at 5.00pm on 30 March 2020.

Your opinion is important!

Read this and have your say- potential sites of 1000s of homes will affect us all.

A local plan sets out the strategic planning strategy. It shows how Horsham District Council aims to meet the social, economic and environmental needs of the District. The Government requires all local planning authorities to review the Local Plan every five years. It has set a minimum target for Horsham District of at least 965 new houses each year to 2036. However, HDC is also obliged to see if they can meet the housing needs from surrounding areas such as Crawley. This is a legal requirement. This could mean Horsham district’s housing number will rise to over 1200 per year.

This is an unprecedented challenge for the Council.

The aim of the local plan is to allocate specific sites where it believes the new homes can be built over a long period. The Horsham District local plan 20192036 will set out how the District will deliver these developments in a sustainable way, looking at new

Accident Repairs

Accounts / Bookkeeping

There are a number of potential sites listed in the document, many of them for over 1000 houses. It is anticipated that only some of these will ultimately be allocated for development. The decisions of the Council on sites to be allocated will depend in part on the responses it receives during the consultation.

Your involvement in this process is very important – only up until 30th March will it be possible to give your opinion.

If not already done so, please registered at: horsham.gov.uk/planning/local-plan/have-your-say to ensure you are kept in the loop, and so that you can comment online once the consultation starts. Or search online for Horsham District local plan and follow the links. Hard copies can also be seen in local libraries or phone 01403 215100 for more information.

To contact the Parish Council Tel: 01798 817434 wcpc.org.uk clerk@wcpc.org.uk The office is normally open Tues - Thurs 10.00am – 2.00pm, please phone before visiting.

Aerial & Satellite

Aerial & Satellite

Blinds & Shutters

66

Business Directory Building / Carpentry

Carpet Cleaning

Chimney Sweep cont.

Chiropody/Podiatry

Curtains / Soft Furnishings

Care / Home Help

Chimney Sweep Dog Walking

Business Directory

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Electricians cont.

Driveways / Landscaping

Fencing

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Gardening Services

French Lessons

Garage

Fuel

Groundwork / Landscaping

Electricians

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Business Directory

Groundwork / Landscaping

Later Life

Painting & Decorating

Locksmiths

Logs

Painting & Decorating

Pest Control

Business Directory

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Plumbing & Heating

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Plumbing & Heating cont.

Plastering

Private Hire / Taxi

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Business Directory

Private Hire / Taxi cont.

Removals

Roofing

Property Services

Security Alarms

Tree Surgery

Business Directory & Advertiser Index

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Window Cleaning

Accountants ACS Direct Art Exhibition Sussex Art Fairs Beauty Therapy Jessica's Beauty Rooms Ltd Richings Health Biography Katarina Sherbourne Blinds Direct Blinds Builders Guy Brumwell Ltd Padwick Builders Ltd SD Building Services Builders & Architects Roberts Miller Redshaw Ltd Building and Construction Archibaldshaw R&M Construction Bus Hire 1950s Vintage Bus Hire Car Servicing LMC Auto Services (Sussex) Wiggs Auto Repairs Ltd Carpets & Flooring Wall Bros Carpets and Curtains Funnells Charity Age UK Horsham District Chauffeur Cars Pulborough Private Car Hire Cleaning Astonish Cleaning Services Miss Mop Ltd MTS Cleaning

15 9 63 56

62 28 40 41 43 43 40 42 13 2 5

51 56 30 8 35 35 35

College Slindon College 47 Council HDC Local Plan 29 HDC Parking Discs 27 WSCC Connect to Support 17 Dentists Pulborough Dental Care 24 Domestic Appliances Carters Domestic Appliances 72 Drains Drainjet 42 Dry Cleaning Gem Cleaners 20 Elderly Care A Woodlands House 19 Care South 19 Clapham Village Care Home 18 Estate Agency Comyn & James 53 Cubitt & West 57 Events Greyhound Brewery Ltd 7 Fencing & Gardening Storrington Fencing & Garden Services 40 Function Room Hire West Chiltington Hall 12 Funeral Services Safe Hands Funeral Services 55 Furniture CFS Furniture 26 Furniture Restorers Barcombe Wood Finish Ltd 21 Garage Doors The Doors Group Limited 59 Garden Centre Village Nurseries 34 Garden Design Glorious Gardens 36 Greenacre Garden Design & Build 38 Sally Robinson Planting 40 Garden Services Green Thumb 39 Gardeners Chantry Green 37 Peter Reilly Gardening 40 Tom Hoadley 38 Hairdresser Shampoo 63 Health and Fitness 121-Training.com 25 Impulse Leisure Group 23 Heating and Boiler Engineers David Cooper Gas Technician 12 Horse Manure Sussex Manures Ltd 36 Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms Alexander Worthing Ltd 51 Collier & Sons Ltd 7

Dovetail Kitchens Letting Agents/Estate Agents Batcheller Monkhouse Logs Storrington Sawmills Massage Natural State Therapies Osteopath Nicholas Coysh Osteopath Oven Cleaning Oven Rescue Group Ovens and More Picture Framers Nicholas Gentle Picture Framer Pilates Issy-B Pilates Plumbers Kevin Jones Pulborough Plumber Plumb RR Ltd Ponds and Water Features Just Ponds Pottery Painting Mambo Jambos Property Maintenance Silicon Pro Restaurant River Moon Limited Retirement Property Fluid Ideas Ltd Roofing Ark Roofing Ltd BM Roofing J P Roofcare School Great Ballard School Vale School Shutters Just Shutters Travel & Holidays Michelle Murray Travel Counsellor Old Mill Travel Sumners Ponds Fishery & Campsite Tree Surgeon Andrew Gale Tree Surgery TV & Electrical Hamilton Cole Upholsterer Appalossa Upholstery Vet Crossways Animal Care Visitor Attraction Arundel Castle National Trust Woolbeding Gardens The Aldingbourne Trust Windows Doors Conservatories MT Conservatories Ltd Unbeatable Conservatories Ltd

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