The RMT campaigned against the changes which make drivers responsible for opening and closing train doors, with guards transferred to the role of on-board supervisor.

Its members took part in more than 40 days of strike action in the dispute, move which caused travel chaos for Sussex commuters.

The ASLEF union which represents drivers joined the RMT in taking industrial action, but eventually accepted a deal from Southern operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).

But the RMT never came to an agreement with the rail operator.

The changes to the guard role were implemented two years ago.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: "Once again, I would like to congratulate our members for their continuous show of strength and solidarity throughout the long dispute on Southern Railway which is solely about putting rail safety and access before private profit.

“Since the dispute began on Southern, RMT members have been involved in similar campaigns against other companies over attempts to remove the guard from the train. Only on Southern have we been faced with such a stubborn and point-blank refusal to enter serious discussions.

“‎The union thanks the travelling public for their support and understanding throughout our campaign to put safety and access to services for everyone using our railways right at the top of the agenda.”

A Southern spokesman said: "Since we made the change opposed by the RMT over two years ago, performance and passenger service on Southern have improved, and more trains now run with a second crew member on board. Industry safety bodies have confirmed that having the doors closed by the driver is at least as as safe as by a conductor. We urge the RMT to end their unnecessary dispute."

On April 26, RMT members will gather outside the London headquarters of Keolis UK, a company which owns 35 per cent of Govia Thameslink.

The union said: "The action will attract RMT members from across Britain in a show of solidarity with those involved in the dispute who are continuing to fight to retain a second safety critical person on the train."

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from March 28 to April 4, 2019.

Connor Geal, 24, of Parham Road, Findon Valley, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £50 compensation, £20 victim surcharge, £350 costs, after being found guilty of assault by beating in Worthing on August 19, 2018.

Henryk Galuszka, 40, of Mill Road, Worthing, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £20 victim surcharge after admitting disorderly behaviour while drunk in South Farm Road, Worthing, on March 15, 2019.

Katrina McHale, 43, of St Lawrence Court, St Lawrence Avenue, Worthing, was fined £80 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (51mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Upper Brighton Road, Lancing, on March 14, 2019. She was disqualified from driving for 36 months.

Simon Jones, 45, of Phrosso Road, Worthing, was fined £615 and must pay £61 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over 70mph on the A23 Albourne on June 26, 2018. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Billy Beeney, 23, of Woodlands Avenue, Rustington, must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to report for unpaid work on March 2, 2019, and an appointment on March 7, 2019. The order was varied to include a new eight-week curfew, electronically monitored, from 8pm to 6am.

Kirsten Hocking, 27, of Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, was fined £50 and must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to attend appointments on February 18 and 25, 2019.

Jordan Jackson, 26, of Coach House Close, East Preston, must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to report for unpaid work on February 16, 2019, and leaving the work site without permission on March 2 and 10, 2019. The order was revoked and he was fined £120 for the original offence of failing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis when required in Brighton Road, Shoreham, on October 13, 2018.

Ian Lovegrove, 22, of Loveys Road, Yapton, must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to attend appointments on October 30, 2018, and February 6, 2019. The order was varied to include an additional three days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

Matthew Crisp, 38, of Upper Berwick, Berwick, was fined £220 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (52mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Crockhurst Hill, Worthing, on October 13, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Samuel Glossop, 42, of Total House, Tanyard Lane, Steyning, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work after being found guilty of assault by beating in Steyning on December 26, 2018. He was also given a restraining order and must pay £100 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Darren Jestico, 27, of Quantock Close, Worthing, was given a community order with Building Better Relationships programme requirement and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and must carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work after admitting assault by beating in Sompting on January 11, 2019; damaging a window in Sompting on January 11, 2019; and harassment without violence in Sompting by sending 238 messages and calling 70 times between January 11 and 14, 2019. He was also given a restraining order and must pay a total of £250 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £250 costs.

Lisa Davitt, 43, of Byron Road, Worthing, must pay £200 compensation, £85 costs, after admitting causing £200 damage to a reinforced window belonging to Turning Tides in Worthing on March 18, 2019.

Luke Guy, 25, of Ringmer Road, Worthing, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work after admitting taking a vehicle without consent and before it was recovered, damage was caused in Worthing on January 19, 2019. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £200 after admitting driving without insurance. He also admitted failing to report an accident which caused damage to a street lamp in Warren Road, Worthing, on January 19, 2019, no separate penalty.

George Harding, 32, of Winton Place, Worthing, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting having a FatMax locking saw blade in Brighton Road, Worthing, on April 29, 2017; and having a Stanley knife in Brighton Road, Worthing, on April 29, 2017. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £400 costs. He admitted breaching a suspended sentence order, no action taken.

Peter Mitchell, 20, of Nepcote Lane, Findon, was fined £320 and must pay £32 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drug-driving (7ug/l Delta-9-TCH) in Nepcote Lane, Findon, on October 6, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Sam Brown, 28, of Glebelands Close, Shoreham, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting stealing various items in Orme Road, Worthing, on December 12, 2018; fraud by false representation, using a stolen card to purchase goods worth £24.71 at Tesco Express, South Farm Road, Worthing, on December 12, 2018; and fraud by false representation, using a stolen card to purchase goods worth £24.98 at Best One Express, South Farm Road, Worthing, on December 12, 2018. He must pay a total of £49.69 compensation.

Nabiullah Khan, 21, of Sackville Road, Worthing, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work after admitting two charges of intentionally touching a woman aged 16 and over in a sexual way, without consent, one in Brighton on April 21, 2018, and one in Haywards Heath on May 26, 2018. A sexual harm prevention order was made for five years and he must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from March 28 to April 4, 2019.

Kenneth Charlesworth, 61, of Hibbs Close, Swanley, was discharged conditionally for 18 months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting assault by beating in Bognor Regis on December 22, 2018.

Danny Winter, 25, of Laurel Grove, Bognor Regis, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting three charges of drug-driving (16ug/l cocaine, 348ug/l benzoylecognine 750ug/l MDMA) on the A27 Fontwell on August 6, 2018. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Peter Mitchell-Heggs, 76, of Bosham Lane, Bosham, was fined £600 and must pay £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (63mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Bosham Lane, Bosham, on March 7, 2019. He was disqualified from driving for 36 months.

Reece Lindridge, 26, c/o Sack Lane, Bognor Regis, was fined £50 and must pay £60 costs, after admitting breaching a community order by failing to report for unpaid work on February 23 and March 3, 2019.

Ian Lovegrove, 22, of Loveys Road, Yapton, must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to attend appointments on October 30, 2018, and February 6, 2019. The order was varied to include an additional three days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

Georgina Bain, 24, of Ockley Court, Ockley Road, Bognor Regis, was given a community order with four-month curfew, electronically monitored, from 7pm to 7am daily and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting possessing cocaine, a class A drug, in The Esplanade, Bognor Regis, on June 16, 2018; possessing cannabis, a class B drug, in Bognor Regis on June 16, 2018; and having a knife in Sheiks Nightclub, Bognor Regis, on June 16, 2018. She must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Claire Gallagher, 29, of Jersey Road, Portsmouth, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 40 hours’ unpaid work after admitting two charges of assault by beating in Midhurst on July 25, 2018; and causing £10 damage to a mug at Roverbank Medical Centre, Midhurst, on July 25, 2018; and being found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour with intent, racially aggravated, causing harassment, alarm or distress. She must pay a total of £210 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £200 costs.

Blazej Surus, 34, of Sandringham Road, Petersfield, was given a community order and must carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work after admitting drink-driving (118mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Habin Hill, Rogate, on March 16, 2019. He was fined £200 after admitting driving without insurance. He also admitted driving without the correct licence, no separate penalty. He must pay £85 victim surcharge and was disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Candidates set to contest next month’s Horsham District Council elections have been announced.

The authority currently has 44 councillors but will have 48 after polling day on May 2 as a boundary review has been carried out.

This has led to some major changes in ward patterns in a number of areas including in the centre of Horsham town itself.

Cabinet member Gordon Lindsay, currently one of three Conservative representatives for Billingshurst and Shipley, will stand in the new Southwater South and Shipley ward.

Meanwhile Tory Ben Stains, councillor for Bramber, Upper Beeding and Woodmancote, is seeking election in Roffey South this time around.

Tony Hogben, who represents Denne, is standing in the now two-member ward of Rusper and Colgate alongside fellow Conservative and incumbent Liz Kitchen.

Lib Dem group leader David Skipp, whose Horsham Park ward has been amalgamated into others, is standing in the expanded three-member ward of Forest.

Roffey North’s Alan Britten, who recently defected from the Tories to the Lib Dems, is this time standing in Roffey South.

One Conservative councillor is guaranteed to be elected in the two-member seat of Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead as only one non-Tory candidate is standing there for Labour,

David Jenkins is standing down after a monumental 43 years on Horsham District Council, having first been elected in 1976.

He is a number of Conservative councillors not standing for re-election.

The others are: John Bailey (Rudgwick), Josh Murphy (Horsham Park), Jonathan Dancer (Roffey North), Simon Torn (Roffey South), John Chidlow (Southwater) and Michael Willett (Steyning).

Independent councillor for Horsham Park Connor Relleen is not standing again either.

You have until Friday April 12 to register to vote. Visit the Government’s website.

Currently out of 44 councillors there are five Lib Dems, two independents and 37 Conservatives.

For a full list of candidates click here

With the elections still almost a month away, the Conservatives have already secured two victories in Mid Sussex, because nobody stood against them.

With Mid Sussex Labour essentially saying they didn’t field any candidates because they knew they wouldn’t win, there will be no surprises for residents in the East Grinstead wards of Imberhorne and Herontye.

Their councillors will be Adam Peacock and Dick Sweatman for Herontye, and Heidi Brunsdon and Rex Whittaker for Imberhorne.

Tess Fensterheim, East Grinstead Labour branch secretary, who is standing in the Town ward, said: “East Grinstead has until now been a Conservative voting area, though in the past some Liberals were elected – many of whom then switched to Conservative.

“For this reason, rather than field candidates in every ward, we are concentrating our resources on two wards where we feel we have good chances of success.”

Mid Sussex Liberal Democrats were contacted for comment.

A short breaks service which provides a ‘lifeline’ to carers and loved ones has been praised by a Lancing couple.

Marlene Mitchell is a full-time carer to her husband Ken, who has early onset dementia.

The couple recently enjoyed a weekend break at Roffey Park in Horsham as part of a short breaks services offered by Carers Support West Sussex.

The newly-funded services offers respite services for carers, giving them the chance to recharge their batteries and to enjoy a break on their own or with the person they care for.

Marlene told the Herald: “At first I thought, ‘oh yes it’s a little break for me by myself’ but then I realised it was for Ken as well.

“We both came and I did feel as though it was a marvelous break for me because I didn’t have to worry about Ken.

“There was someone here all the time looking after him, knowing exactly where he was, and he was doing things that he wanted to.

“I was free just to wander and do what I wanted to – relaxation, massage, everything that I think ‘oh yes, that would be nice to try’ and I was able to because it was really a weekend for me as well.

“The main thing was I didn’t have to worry about Ken, because there was someone here for him. I felt as though I had had my time to myself.”

Earlier this year, West Sussex County Council awarded contracts to a number of service providers so the breaks can continue for a further three years.

Carers Support West Sussex carried out a survey of carers about their own respite experiences to inform the process.

Paul McKay, county council’s director of adults’ services, said: “This service really does provide a lifeline for those who need it most.

“We really cannot underestimate the contribution the many family and friend carers we have here in West Sussex make to their communities, and to the quality of life for the people they care for.

“I hope that all those who attended the short break had a lovely time, and returned home feeling refreshed and revitalised.”

Lisa French, operations manager for Crossroads Care South Central, which deliver weekend breaks, said: “Carers have come away and said it is so nice to have someone else cook for them because their time is taken up looking after the person with dementia.

“They can go for a swim and do those things they used to do before becoming a carer.”

“We are facing extinction and all anyone can talk about is Brexit – yes, it’s important but there’s no point in finishing it if we’re all dead.”

These were the words of a Year 6 boy who appealed to a West Sussex councillor to support calls for a climate emergency to be declared in the county.

While the emergency was not declared, the entire county council came together and pledged themselves to step up work to combat climate change.

That work will include:

• Attempting to make the county council carbon neutral by 2030;

• Raising awareness of the issues and telling residents and businesses what they can do to help mitigate climate change;

• Looking at ways the council’s policies and work can take into account their impact on climate change, setting up a task and finish group to look into the matter in greater detail.

Before today’s meeting (Friday April 5) members of numerous climate action groups and political parties marched on County Hall.

At the meeting itself there were passionate statements from members of all parties.

Proposing the Notice of Motion, Michael Jones (Lab, Southgate & Gossops Green) said: “There is an overwhelming need to do as much as we can now.

“Securing real effective action in the short term – ideally crash programmes of emissions reductions or decarbonisation – are more important than ambitious programmes for the more distant future.”

That sense of urgency was one shared by every councillor who spoke – not just for West Sussex but for the world.

Andrew Lea (Con, Lindfield & High Weald) warned that even a small change in sea temperatures would destroy the planet’s coral reefs, adding: ‘We are the cause of one of the biggest and most rapid mass extinctions ever.”

David Barling (Con, Bramber Castle) said: “This is probably the most important motion that has come before this council.”

Mr Barling tabled an amendment to the motion, which was approved and recognised as strengthening the points brought forward by Mr Jones.

Calling on councillors and residents alike to do more, he said: “None of us must leave this to anyone else – we are all responsible.”

Kirsty Lord (Lib Dem, Hassocks & Burgess Hill South) also tabled an amendment, though this one was not accepted.

She told the meeting that West Sussex needed to do more than most to bring about change.

Quoting a report from the county’s environment and change board, she said the average West Sussex resident produced 16 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person per year, compared to the UK average of ten.

Ms Lord added: “There’s loads to do and we have very little time left to play with.”

Viral Parikh (Con, Bourne) certainly took the call to action to heart, pledging to cycle to all future council meetings – a pledge he realised he would probably regret.

On the subject of pollution, Anne Jones (Con, Burgess Hill East) suggested that this could be one of the root causes of autism and dementia.

Sharing the letter from the Year 6 lad in his Chichester North ward, Jeremy Hunt said: “We owe a duty to these young people – and I’m thrilled there are young children who are debating this in schools now.”

The amended Notice of Motion received unanimous approval.

Emma Cameron, of Worthing CAN, said that, while appreciating the passion shown by the councillors, campaigners were disappointed that they stopped short of calling a climate emergency.

She added: “We believe that is essential that the council does so in order to highlight the severity of the issue of climate breakdown and show local residents that it will take all necessary immediate action to bring down carbon emissions, invest the pension fund in renewable energy rather than fossil fuels, address air pollution and biodiversity loss.

“Young people are relying on those in power to take immediate and decisive action.

“Merely noting a climate emergency does not go far enough.

“We will continue with our campaign.”

A cannabis factory in Sussex was uncovered by police after a 'strong odour' gave the game away.

According to Sussex Police, officers went to make some enquiries at a property in Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, on Monday at about 9.20am.

They could smell a 'strong odour' of cannabis, the spokesman said, and upon entering and searching the house, they found 350 cannabis plants growing in five rooms.

A man at the property tried to escape up by climbing out of a window onto the roof but was later arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis, police said.

The 21-year-old man was later released without charge and handed over to the immigration authorities.

Inspector Rachel Barrow said: "This was a substantial cannabis factory set up and our enquiries are ongoing to identify those involved. If anyone has any information about it, please contact us."

Contact police online or ring 101 quoting serial 0247 of 01/04 if you can help the investigation.

The voice of young people in West Sussex matters. That was the message as West Sussex county councillors voted to support lowering the voting age to 16.

At today’s full council meeting (Friday, April 5), a motion created by the West Sussex Youth Cabinet backing 16 and 17 year olds to have a say in local elections was debated and approved.

It marks a major breakthrough for the Youth Cabinet in their ‘Votes at 16’ campaign following months of hard work.

In September 2018, teenage members impressed senior councillors and MPs when debating the key issue in the cabinet chamber, drawing support and paving the way for today’s discussion.

The current voting age for general and local elections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 18.

In 2015 Scotland lowered its voting age to 16 and the Youth Cabinet argue this should be extended to the whole UK, with the Welsh Assembly considering the change by 2021.

READ MORE:

No climate emergency declared in West Sussex - but county council agrees to take more action

Their motion argues that 16 and 17 year olds are well equipped to participate in elections and have so far been denied the chance to vote on key issues like the EU Referendum and tuition fees that affect their lives.

Ellie Roberts, Youth Cabinet chairman, said: “It’s so important that our Votes at 16 Campaign has been heard and supported by councillors, it shows that the voice of youth matters in West Sussex.

“At 16 we can get married or enter a civil partnership, serve in the armed forces, pay tax and make other key decisions but currently we don’t get a say on who runs our councils and government. We think that’s wrong and it’s great that senior councillors think the same.”

The decision means West Sussex County Council now formally supports giving 16 and 17 year olds the vote in local West Sussex elections, followed at a future date by national elections.

The council will now lobby West Sussex MPs and the Government to support its proposals.

Members of West Sussex Youth Cabinet are aged 11-18 and are elected by their peers to represent the voice of all young people in the county.

To find out more about the Youth Cabinet visit: www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/your-space/participate/youth-cabinet/

After little over a year since being founded, a Crawley-based charity has thanked members of the community for their 'mind-blowing' support.

The Mark Lay Foundation won the Fundraising category at the Crawley Community Awards on March 6 after receiving nominations from across the community.

Tom Lay, son to Mark Lay and co-founder and volunteer executive at the foundation, said: “Being nominated for the award in the first place was a huge highlight for us all at the foundation. When we were then announced as winners it was a massive moment for us all.

“Dad was a huge believer in community and fundraising and he’d be in complete shock to know that his legacy is positively impacting families like his own, whilst also supporting beneficiaries that meant so much to him."

The foundation aims to support family by providing financial grants to families unable to take a holiday or short break.

Tom continued: “Losing dad at such a young age, 46, was a huge shock to our little family. He’d achieved so much in his life through the family he raised with our mum, Tricia, and through his fundraising. When he passed away we couldn’t think of more fitting way to pave his legacy than to do what he did so well; bring people together and make a difference."

The charity said that support through their first year had been 'mind-blowing' as it raised more that £54,000 in its first year. The money allowed the foundation to support its first two families through its grant scheme.

Beneficiaries of the charity, St Catherine's Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, and St Wilfrid's Hospice, were all handed cheques for £6,631.66 on Friday (March 29).

Volunteer fundraising manager, Adam Lay, said: "What we achieved in 2018 hugely exceeded our expectations and for this we are extremely proud and grateful. We could not have done this without our unbelievable supporters, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

"But we do not want to stop here. Our aim and our purpose remain the same. We want to ease the lives of families faced with the cruelty and heart break of living with cancer."

For more information on the foundation's work, visit: www.marklayfoundation.org.uk

A 41-year-old woman was left with a face injury after an 'unprovoked attack' as she walked home from work, according to Sussex Police.

Police said officers are investigating an incident near sensory gardens in Selsey on Wednesday evening (April 3).

A spokesman said: "A 41-year-old local woman was assaulted in an unprovoked attack as she walked home from work.

"She sustained a minor injury to her face before the unknown offender made off.

"Detectives are keen to talk to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious. They are asked to report details online (https://www.sussex.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/) or call 101, quoting serial 1288 of 03/04."

Greggs has in the last 24 hours issued a recall on one of its products because they may contain small pieces of plastic.

The product, a 16 pack of frozen Mini Sausage Rolls, is exclusively sold in Iceland Stores and does not affect the products sold in Greggs bakeries in towns across the south.

The Food Standards Agency issued the recall notice yesterday.

A spokesperson said “Greggs is recalling its frozen Mini Sausage Rolls (16 Pack) because they may contain small pieces of plastic. The presence of plastic could present a choking hazard, makes this product unsafe to eat and presents a safety risk. This product is exclusively sold in Iceland Stores and does not affect the products sold in Greggs.”

The 433g packs have the batch code 18334 and is best before November 30 2019

No other Greggs products are known to be affected.

The spokesperson said, “Point-of-sale notices will be displayed in all Iceland stores that are selling this product. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.”

A Greggs spokesperson said, “This does not affect any of our freshly baked savoury products in our Greggs shops or other Greggs products sold at Iceland.”

The smell of smoke is filling the air in North Street, where the high street area has been cordoned off while firefighters tackle the fire, first reported in St Martins Square at 10.17pm.

Firefighters were seen using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets outside the now smoke-filled shoe shop Hotter.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed five crews were initially called to the incident.

He added: "We would urge people to avoid the area to allow crews to bring the fire under control."

It comes in the same week as a large fire at Westhampnett recycling plant, which is expected to burn for several days.

Read more: How the fire at Chichester tip unfolded – and what’s happening now

On Wednesday, there were two fires, one in North Street, Chichester, as well as a large fire in Bognor Road at a car valet centre.

Worthing-based charity Guild Care has been running day services for older people for more than 70 years, helping to combat loneliness.

Claire Howell, director of community services, said: “We know that as people grow older, they can often feel lonely and become isolated, especially after a bereavement.

Read more: Free masterclasses launched, harnessing technology to help tackle loneliness

Read more: The Silver Line’s friendship service provides unique support, says 86-year-old Littlehampton widow

Read more: ‘Brilliant’ befriending service The Silver Line gives older people a regular time to chat

Read more: ‘Loneliness is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and worse for you than obesity’

Read more: {https://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/health/time-to-talk-befriending-and-homewise-truly-tackling-loneliness-together-1-8818305 Time to Talk Befriending and Homewise ‘truly tackling loneliness together’}

Read more: Loneliness: The Hidden Epidemic campaign launches in Sussex

“The Guild Care Centre is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and some weekends, where people over 65 can meet friends and socialise.

“People can chat over a cup of coffee and lunch, enjoy some entertainment, take part in group activities such as seated exercise, tai chi or art and craft, and have a sing-along with people of a similar age. It really is very important that a community like Worthing with a higher than average population of older people continues to provide services like this to help reduce loneliness.”

When Jean lost her 57-year-old son Ian, she went to see her GP, who prescribed her anti-depressants. However, these did not agree with her and she became very unwell.

She was referred to a counsellor, who gave her information about Guild Care’s free day centre services. The day centre was within walking distance of her home, so she went along one day and has not looked back since.

Jean said: “It has now become part of my life. I come every Tuesday, sometimes a Monday and a Friday, and perhaps at a weekend for a Sunday lunch. We have a lot of fun with gentle exercise, singing, entertainment and subsidised meals. I often have dinner here a couple of times a week and they happily cater for my dietary needs.

“I’ve made friends, too, and just feel so much better. Although I think of Ian every day, I’m now able to cope mentally with my loss. Without this centre, I am not sure I would still be here, as I was so depressed. Coming to the Guild Care Centre means I have reason to get up and get dressed. I’ll even have my nails done at the salon sometimes.

“This service truly has been a lifeline for me and I’m so grateful that this charity can offer something so valuable to me and other local people.”

Christine has been going to the Guild Care Centre for the past seven years, since losing her husband.

She now attends on a regular basis every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. She gets involved with all the activities, from arts and crafts sessions to using the computers, and loves a dance and a sing-along, especially when the Elvis impersonator is in the house.

Christine said: “I’ve met lots of people here and made good friends. It makes me feel good inside. Coming here keeps me busy. It gives me something to do and is much better than sitting at home alone.”

John from Worthing has been going to the Guild Care Centre for more than ten years.

John said: “When I retired, I felt quite bored, so I started coming to the centre, which really helped to give me a sense of purpose. It means a lot to me to belong to this community.

“I have made lots of friends and we really enjoy chatting, exchanging stories and having a laugh. It also feels good to have the support of people who are in the same boat as me.

“I use the Guild Care minibus. I wouldn’t be able to get here without it as I’m in a wheelchair, so can’t use public transport. Guild Care is a really important part of my life, and I would feel lost without it.”

Has there ever been an angrier time than the present day?

The Dark Ages were hardly a bed of roses but, back then the Internet didn’t exist, meaning folk were generally unaware whether their neighbour had suffered a bad day at the slaughterhouse.

Yes, for all the marvellous advances made over the past 20 years, the 21st Century really is the golden age of rage and fury.

Road rage, air rage, supermarket rage and online trolling are all part and parcel of modern life. Add to that the fact that life, fuelled by the endless possibilities of technology, is busier than our ancestors could imagine then there is no wonder that so many of us are showing signs of stress.

Thankfully, unlike previous generations, many of us feel that we can talk about whatever it is that is dragging us down and more and more of us are seeking either professional help or, at the very least, are confiding in our loved ones. Thirty-odd years after Bob Hoskins first coined the phrase, we have finally cottoned on that it really is good to talk. Letting it all hang out over a pint or even a cuppa and a Hob Nob has certainly helped me during the darker periods of my life.

But now experts believe that, as well as talking, it is also good to walk, after a study revealed the positive effect of stretching one’s legs, preferably where there is a bit of greenery on offer.

Scientists have reported that a walk for 20 to 30 minutes, enabling you to get up close and personal with nature, will lower our bodies’ stress hormones by up to 10 per cent, which to a layman like me, sounds like the difference between surviving another day at the coalface and telling your workmates what you really think about them.

But, remember, a rapid dart to the pub or the bookies won’t cut it - the medical world really wants us to get out more and visit our parks and green spaces. If you are aphysician then this study, if you take it at face value, is the classic case of killing two birds with one stone because encouraging more of us to get off our backsides can only do us good when it comes to fighting on the frontline of the battle of the bulge.

To be fair, the prescription of a walk within tranquil surroundings, could come from the first chapter of the Little Book of Common Sense, given what we already know about the powerful effects of a stroll. The trouble is, I don’t remember the last time that I had the chance to walk anywhere by myself, when there wasn’t a turbocharged little person attempting to scale the nearest evergreen or befriend any devil dogs which might be within a half mile radius.

Genteel walks are off limits to most parents, which is too bad when you consider what having children can do to the stress levels.

But we do need to applaud the medical profession for continuing to remind us that, while it is easy to become overwhelmed by life, putting it right doesn’t always have to be rocket science.

If getting away from it all, including our phones, for as little as 20 minutes alleviates some of our daily anxieties then we really do need to shout about that, rather than getting angry at the world.

A Sussex woman who was stalked by her husband for two years is urging people to take stalking seriously and not delay reporting incidents to the police.

Amanda Playle, from Bexhill in East Sussex, has spoken out about her experiences as part of Sussex Police’s campaign in support of National Stalking Awareness Week, 8-12 April 2019.

Amanda, who believed she was being stalked by her ex-partner from 2015-2017, got in touch with Sussex Police after two years of being bombarded with text messages and emails which became abusive and relentless, police said.

She said: “It was constant, all day, every day – at the worst point I was being contacted up to 300 times a day on Facebook, Whatsapp and email.

"The messages had turned abusive and threatening, and got out of hand when the stalker started messaging my daughter, my parents, my boss and my friends.

“People need to go to the police the moment they get a message they’re not comfortable with, or that turns nasty.

"These people don’t go away, you just need to make the first step to get help.”

'A shocking truth'

In Amanda’s case, following investigation it transpired that she was in fact being stalked by her husband Paul Playle, who was impersonating her school boyfriend and subjected her and her family to a sustained period of stalking which drove his wife to the brink of suicide, confirmed police.

She said: “I became terrified to leave my house, go to work or go shopping.

"I knew I was being watched and followed from the messages he sent.

"It had such a huge impact on my life; I became depressed and started self-harming and even considered suicide.

"I no longer trust anyone anymore.”

Amanda described the support Sussex Police gave: “The police were hugely supportive and took it seriously.

"They referred me to local support agency Veritas Justice and worked hard to build up my trust throughout the court process.

"I don’t think I’d be here without them.”

The trial at Lewes Crown Court culminated in her husband being convicted of stalking and coercive and controlling behaviour, confirmed police.

He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

READ MORE: Bexhill man jailed for stalking his wife online
Reports of stalking rise by 540 per cent

Sussex Police is advising and supporting more victims than ever.

The second highest recorder of stalking offences after the Met, reports in Sussex are up by 540 per cent in three years, with more victims feeling confident to come forward to report offences, said police.

Statistics show that one in six women and one in 12 men will experience stalking, but this is believed to be grossly underestimated, according to police.

They also show that, when they become victims, they do not tend to report to the police until the 100th incident, said police.

Detective Chief Inspector David Springett, lead on stalking and harassment, said: “Stalking can have a lasting, debilitating effect on people’s lives, and any behaviour which causes alarm, distress or fear of violence is unacceptable.

“It can appear as a series of trivial incidents at first, but it can escalate.

"Stalkers are fixated and obsessive and are therefore dangerous individuals.

"Victims should always take these behaviours seriously and report to police as early as possible so we can take action to help keep victims safe.”

DCI Springett said: “With the tragic death of Shana Grice, who was murdered at her home in Portslade in 2016, we are committed to improving our understanding of stalking and harassment and our response to it.

"We work to continually assess our service to keep people safe and feeling safe.

"We have improved training for officers and staff and ensured specialists are on hand across the county to offer advice and support on a daily basis to keep people safe and feeling safe.

"We want victims to be confident and know we will take all reports seriously.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne said: "As we begin National Stalking Awareness Week, it is perhaps worth reflecting why we need a week of action and information to highlight the life changing and sometime fatal consequences of stalking?

"Awareness of stalking has most definitely increased, but sadly not all police forces have made the same levels of commitment or investment into tackling stalking as Sussex has.

"Sussex Police has a stalking improvement plan in place and a dedicated lead senior investigator.

"The Force has welcomed training from specialists to understand stalking and the signs of stalking behaviour, and combines mandatory training with continuous professional development.

"Sussex Police is part of a multi-agency stalking working group; it has trained stalking ambassadors and has stalking point of contact officers available as well as ongoing internal information campaigns and guidance for contact centre staff.

"All of these efforts have increased the force’s knowledge and capacity which it will need to cope with the 540 per cent increase in reports of stalking over three years.

"I will continue to scrutinise the force’s response to stalking and I will be increasing the funding for specialist support services.

"I hope that the week-long national awareness campaign will encourage more people to report stalking to the police, or to ask our local services like Veritas Justice for help."

Reporting stalking offences

Sussex Police recorded 216 stalking offences in 2016, 874 in 2017 and 1383 in 2018.

Some of this increase is down to changes in how the force classifies stalking.

If you are being stalked or harassed it is important that you report it.

Stalkers are fixated and obsessive offenders who will not stop.

You can report stalking or harassment online at https://www.sussex.police.uk/stalking by calling 101 or in person at your local police station.

But always call 999 if you are in danger.

Our officers and staff will undertake a risk assessment and focus on keeping you safe.

If you would like further information about stalking or harassment, there are several organisations that specialise in providing advice and support to victims.

Veritas is a local organisation which provides advocacy and support for victims of stalking - http://veritas-justice.co.uk/stalking/

The National Stalking Helpline provides advice and guidance to current or previous victims of stalking or harassment - The helpline can be contacted on 0808 802 0300.

Paladin support high risk victims of stalking with their specialist Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISAC) and ensure that a coordinated community response is developed locally to protect victims. Contact them at 0207 840 8960 or info@paladinservice.co.uk

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust provides practical personal safety advice - http://www.suzylamplugh.org/ - 020 7091 0014.

If you are affected by any issues raised in this story, contact The Samaritans for confidential support on 116 123

Horsham’s College of Richard Collyer has submitted plans for new facilities.

The sixth-form college wants to demolish single-story buildings used as a nursery school and replace them with a new two-storey general teaching block.

It also wants to knock down a single-storey link building and in its place construct a two-storey block extension for general teaching and informal study.

Two planning applications for the works have been submitted to Horsham District Council.

According to the plans the new buildings are in response to ‘an existing shortfall on floor area based upon the national average of accommodation per existing student at the campus’.

The new building which will replace the ‘dilapidated’ single-storey cabins will include ten general teaching classrooms, new student social/learning space on the ground floor, staff office space on the first floor and passenger lifts to provide disabled access to the upper floor.

The design ‘shields views out of the classrooms to the north whilst maximising the light intake from the south’.

The north-western boundary of the college site currently has a poorly-maintained wooden fence and the proposals include extra planting screening.

The second application proposed to demolish two existing poor quality classrooms to provide a modern student social/independent learning centre on the ground floor as well as two large general teaching classrooms and staff office space on the first floor.

The extension maximises teaching accommodation whilst remaining within the footprint of the existing single story extension which is to be demolished.

To comment on the applications visit www.horsham.gov.uk/planning using the codes DC/19/0687 and DC/19/0688.

Read more: Independent Chichester business to close city centre site

Clothing store, Andrew McDowall in North Street first opened during WWII but due to lower footfall, higher costs, and a 'changing retail landscape', owners expect the store will be gone around mid-June.

Owner Andrew Moore said: "Trading conditions are tough. It hasn’t been helped by the rise in car parking charges last year. I believe this is driving people away from shopping in the centre of Chichester.

Read more: Notice confirms permanent closure of Chichester store

"We pride ourselves on good customer service and high-quality products, but it’s not enough in a challenging retail environment. The rise of online shopping, lower quality imports and a drive for the lowest prices has piled on the pressure.

"The footfall is nonexistent and a lot of our newer customers are doing everything online. Quality always used to be king and now price is. We have decided to go on our own terms."

The family business has won regional and local awards. Andrew's father Michael, won a lifetime achievement awards and worked for 70 years as a master tailor. Eighty-six-year-old Michael still turns up to work two days a week.

Andrew added: "We’re selling off absolutely everything, including the antique furnishings. Then we will say goodbye to our customers for the last time.

"We would like to thank all out customers for all their custom over the years — we still have some, just not enough of them."

Chichester Labour has launched its council election campaign and manifesto.

The event, held at the market cross in mid March, came as nominations opened for the city and district council elections in May.

In a city council by-election last August, Labour came a close second losing to the Tories by 39 votes.

Kevin Hughes, prospective Labour candidate for Chichester East, said: “Chichester people deserve to have a choice of candidate. For far too long, the Tories have had it their own way. I hope to be able to provide some opposition on the council, to allow local people to have an alternative voice.”

Labour will be standing a record number of candidates right across the district contesting 25 seats across the district, up from 11 seats in 2015.

Mandy Atkinson, prospective Labour candidate for Chichester South, said: “Chichester’s local councillors have suffered from collective tunnel vision for as long as people can remember. Central government funding cuts caused by the Tory/Lib Dem austerity onslaught mean that local councils need to find new ways of working for their residents.”

The event also saw the Labour Party launching their local manifesto, a 20-page document detailing policies that we would implement if given an opportunity.

Mandy added: “Chichester Labour’s manifesto reflects this need, with evidence-based and practical ideas that Labour councils up and down the country have put into action. Of course, we are also here to listen to Chichester residents, and that means all of you, so please get in touch or speak to our doorstep teams.”

The full manifesto has been published and can be viewed online at chichester-labour.org.uk

The family of a murder victim are backing a campaign to debunk myths about silent 999 calls.

A national campaign to raise awareness of a system to help people alert police when in imminent danger but unable to speak is being launched today.

Kerry Power believed that if she made a silent 999 call she would not need to speak or make a noise for police to get vital assistance. Sadly her call in her moment of dire need was terminated, and her ex-partner David Wilder called police later that morning to report he had fatally strangled her.

Making a silent 999 call - what you need to know

The Silent Solution system enables a 999 mobile caller who is too scared to make a noise, or speak, to press 55 when prompted – to inform police they are in a genuine emergency.

The system is well-established in the UK but is only effective if the public know and understand how it works. It could, in extreme situations, potentially save a life.

The system filters out thousands of accidental or hoax silent 999 calls made daily. Around 50 emergency calls from mobiles a day are transferred by a BT operator to police forces in the UK as a result of someone having pressed 55 when prompted, enabling the police to carry out urgent enquiries to respond.

It is not true that police will automatically attend if you make a silent 999 call. Callers need to listen and respond to questions and instructions, including by coughing or tapping the handset if possible, or if using a mobile phone, once prompted by the automated Silent Solution system, pressing 55.

The ‘Make Yourself Heard’ campaign is being launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct during National Stalking Awareness Week (April 8 to 12), with support from the family of murder victim Kerry Power, Women’s Aid and Welsh Women’s Aid, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Lessons learned from the tragic murder of Kerry Power

Kerry made her silent 999 call in the early hours of December 14, 2013 when her ex-partner and stalker broke into her home. She did not respond to the BT operator’s instructions and her call was transferred to the Silent Solution system, the IOPC said.

As 55 was not pressed, the call was terminated and Devon and Cornwall Police were not notified of Kerry’s call. Her ex-partner David Wilder called police later that morning to report he had fatally strangled her.

Kerry’s family said: “Happy, fun-loving and considerate are all words you could use to describe Kerry, however the one thing everybody would mention first would be that she was the consummate mum.

“After a split from her son’s dad and a tough few years, things were on the up, Kerry was back to her old self and was looking forward. Unfortunately this was all brought to an end by the brutal actions of her ex-partner in December 2013.

“After weeks of stalking and inappropriate behaviour, he broke into Kerry’s house with a key he had previously had cut, unable to accept her decision to end their relationship. As things escalated Kerry became worried for the safety of herself and her son, who was asleep upstairs and called 999.

“Although she was not able to speak for the fear of alerting the intruder to her actions, she followed the advice given by a police officer during an earlier visit; that she could call and not speak, as the police held her details they would be alerted and attend.

“Unbeknown to Kerry, this was fiction and nobody came…… a short while after the call, she was strangled.”

Our investigation could not conclusively identify the wording the police officer used when advising Kerry about making an emergency call however it was clear she did not know she would need to press 55 when prompted by the Silent Solution system.

Awareness 'could save a life'

IOPC Regional Director Catrin Evans said: “It is always best to actually speak to a police call handler if you can, even if by whispering, but if you are putting yourself or someone else in danger by making a sound, there is something you can do.

“Make yourself heard by coughing, tapping the handset or once prompted by the automated system, by pressing 55.

“We found from our investigation into police contact with Kerry that there is a lack of public awareness of the Silent Solution system and are keen to share this important information as widely as possible. It could potentially save a life.”

'For far too long many women have not been able to access the emergency support they so desperately need'

Lisa Johnson, manager of direct services at Women’s Aid, said: “For survivors of domestic abuse calling the police might be too dangerous. Many abusers will threaten to hurt or even kill them if they try to speak out about the abuse. This means that for far too long many women have not been able to access the emergency support they so desperately need from the police.

“For a long time we have been encouraging survivors to use the Silent Solution system to make a silent 999 call if they feel it would be dangerous for them to speak to the call operator. That’s why we are pleased to work with the IOPC to help raise awareness of the system so that survivors can call 999 without putting themselves at further risk and prevent further lives, like that of Kerry Power, from being taken.”

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for contact management, ACC Alan Todd said: “One of the fundamental roles of police is to help people in an emergency. The police service receives 12 million 999 calls each year, and a small number of callers need to use the ‘Silent Solution’ as they are not able to use their voice during an incident.

“This solution ensures that those who need assistance can make themselves heard through a simple and straightforward process.”