West Sussex

The cost of protecting Horsham from a freak flood which has a ‘one in 10,000 year’ chance of happening has soared by another £200,000, it was revealed tonight (Thursday May 23).

Key representatives from South Downs’ nature reserves assembled this week to address a new report that has revealed a fast decline in farmland species.

Steyning’s parish council chairman Phil Bowell has taken on his new role amid controversy over plans to build a skate park on the village green.

The owner of a disused Amberley pub has told the County Times he is ‘disappointed’ and its future has been left ‘uncertain’ after an appeal to redevelop the premises was refused.

Simon Burfiend, from Steyning, plans to make history as part of a team which will row 5,000 miles across the Indian Ocean, unsupported.

A DISGRUNTLED café owner who has wanted better facilities on Worthing Pier “for years” has taken action and started a petition.

Andrew Stasi, owner of Sunny Café, in Marine Parade, Worthing, believes the pier needs new attractions in order to encourage people to visit the town.

He is leading the campaign, alongside close friend, Trudi Starling, and they have suggested several options that could be explored.

Among their ideas is placing new rides at the end, installing kiosks that could be rented out to traders on short-term deals, and finding a use for the closed nightclub.

Under council rules, any petition which gains 1,000 signatures must be debated at a meeting of Worthing Borough Council.

The pair believe they will reach this milestone “without a problem”.

Andrew said: “I have been saying it for many a year now.

“There is very little to attract people to come to Worthing.

“You go to Brighton and their pier is always busy. When people come down to Worthing, what are they going to come down for?”

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, out Thursday, May 23.

A MAN has been jailed for five and a half years after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm and child cruelty against a three-month-old boy in Worthing.

Lee Tandy, 35, a financial services employee, of Mardale Road, Worthing, was charged with two offences of GBH and child cruelty against the baby in April and May, 2011.

He was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court following a four-day trial in April where the jury found him guilty of all three charges.

The court heard the baby was admitted to hospital with bleeding on the brain, bruised legs and a fractured rib on May 29, 2011.

The baby had also been admitted to hospital twice before. These injuries were found to be non-accidental.

The baby survived but spent time recovering in hospital.

After the case, Detective Constable Keith Fifield said: “This was a good result after what has been a long and complex investigation. Tandy inflicted grievous injuries on the baby, who was just a few months old at the time.”

A DEVON-based community choir is visiting Worthing to sing at various venues this weekend.

It is being organised by Katy Baker, who is an ex-Davison High School pupil, so she has invited the school to join the choir in a concert at St Mary’s Church hall on Saturday, May 25.

Entry is free with refreshments served in the interval, but guests will be invited to make a donation at the end.

Katy said: “I feel very passionate about the education I received there when Dame Sheila Wallace was head teacher and I am looking forward to saying thank you to the school in a small way.

“The program ‘Magical Musical Moments’ will include songs from shows and movies and performances from Davison Music groups including the Ukulele players.”

The choir is also performing at Highdown Gardens at 11am and on the seafront, near Inspired by the Sea at 4pm, on Sunday, May 26, and at South Street Square on Monday, May 27, at 10.30am.

A SPECIAL effects make and costume design workshop has been organised thanks to funding from Sussex Police.

Maybridge Keystone Centre received £200 from the Sussex Police property act fund, which will fund the session on October 13.

The session will help them design costumes for an event on November 2, called District of the Dead Worthing Outbreak, which is raising funds for the youth groups that run every Friday at the centre in Raleigh Way, Goring.

PC Scott said: “Sussex Police would always look to support and encourage positive diversionary organisations within the community serving the youth of the area.

A MEMBER of Worthing Camera Club is hoping an exhibition displaying his work at Worthing Library will allow him to find the muse behind his award-winning portrait.

The exhibit, which finishes on Friday, May 31, showcases the photography of a five man collective (Tony Jeffery, Keith Whitcombe, Dave Grout, Len Brook and Richard Penfold) called The Last of the Summer Wine Mob. The group are five guys (of a certain maturity) who enjoy trips into the countryside.

Each member belongs to Worthing Camera Club and all have distinctive styles.

Tony Jeffery’s award-winning portrait, ‘Just Popping to the Shops Dear’, taken on Worthing Esplanade is one of the photos on display. The portrait is of a woman rollerskating along the seafront on a summer’s day,

Mr Jeffery said: “The lady rollerskating was the inspiration of my award winning picture. I’m hoping she will see the picture and say ‘that’s me’. I would like to put it in a frame and contact her to give her a copy.”

The exhibition can be seen as you enter the library and admission is free.

Mr Jeffery said he had visited the exhibition a couple of times and that feedback sounded good.

Firefighters have rescued a cat which was trapped behind a kitchen cupboard at a home in Billingshurst.

A “MAGICAL woodland walk” is planned for the Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

This inspiring addition to the landscape at the hospice, near Arundel, will be realised through Greenfingers, the charity dedicated to creating gardens in children’s hospices around the UK.

To fund these children’s hospice gardens, the charity has launched the ‘Rosy Cheeks’ appeal, which aims to raise £750,000 over two years to build ten such gardens. Greenfingers has already worked with Chestnut Tree House to build the award-winning Meadow Garden, a tranquil space for reflection and remembrance.

Linda Perry, director of children’s services at the hospice, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of Greenfingers’ wonderful hospice gardens.”

“The children and families who come to Chestnut Tree House love going outside to enjoy our beautiful gardens, and this new feature will really enhance their experience.”

Swan Walk Shopping Centre is reminding people they have until Monday, May 27 to drop off donations at the Cancer Research UK donation station.

At my installation last night as chairman of Horsham District Council, I announced the establishment of a new charity to be known, at least initially, as the Chairman’s Trust Fund.

A new chairman of Horsham District Council (HDC) has been elected following a meeting last night (Wednesday May 22).

The leader of the new opposition at West Sussex County Council, UKIP’s Mike Glennon, has said listening to residents concerns is the way the party will keep in touch with residents.

Council defends parking wardens after online video controversy. Responding to claims that a parking services van had hit a parked car, Horsham District Council said there is no evidence of a collision. The video, posted on Horsham Facebook page by Street Broadcast Horsham, begins after the alleged impact.

Cancer survivors of all ages will launch a ‘fun-filled’ weekend which will be brimming with entertainment for all the family.

The support from strangers has kept one Horsham man going during a gruelling two month challenge battling the elements, loneliness and blisters all for charity.

Horsham MP Francis Maude has said progress on his Civil Service reform has not been ‘nearly as quick enough’ as MPs suggest a Parliamentary Commission is needed to get the job done.