On the eve of an expected Government announcement on airport expansion, the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s Sussex branch argues against a second runway at Gatwick:

While travelling around Sussex for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, local people tell me that their voices are not being heard when it comes to new development in their neighbourhood.

I also see Sussex councils struggling under continuing Government pressure to find yet more sites for development. This pressure is met by fierce community challenges as local residents fight to protect what makes Sussex special - its tranquil rural beauty.

As building new infrastructure and swathes of new homes seem to be regarded as the key to inflating the UK’s economy, there is further concern over the government’s imminent statement on airport expansion.

I fully understand why the possibility of a second runway at Gatwick causes such anguish and why 12 local authorities and eight senior MPs all oppose its expansion; it would threaten towns and countryside far and wide.

Already one council, 46 miles from the airport, is arguing for major local road improvements citing Gatwick as a reason.

I remember my very first flight from Gatwick to Guernsey in the Sixties when the airport was more like a train station, just a convenient place to catch a plane.

Today Gatwick is more like an expensive shopping mall and series of car parks with planes attached.

I can also remember a meeting last June in a beautiful C18th farmhouse adjacent to the southern perimeter where we all had to shout to be heard as the smell of kerosene lingered in the air and jets thundered pass.

While the nuisance of aircraft noise, light and air pollution and the impact on local traffic is familiar to many of us, any extension to Gatwick threatens to worsen this blight.

The burden of a greater Gatwick fills me with dread - ‘progress’ should not lead to a decline in air quality, the bulldozing of ancient woodlands and the loss of glorious, tranquil countryside.

Gatwick lies in the lee of the North Downs surrounded by three ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ which enjoy the same protections as the National Parks.

This irreplaceable landscape is under threat and at least 17 Grade II listed buildings would need to be bulldozed simply to enable more UK residents to travel out of the country on low cost holidays.

Sussex would shoulder much of the burden of a Gatwick expansion - a report produced by the pro-Gatwick group, Gatwick Diamond, has revealed the expansion would create the need for 52,000 additional homes and acres of associated services and infrastructure.

This would generate another 100,000 new car journeys and 90,000 new rail passengers - pushing the M23 and M25 to capacity and crippling the London-Brighton rail line. Rail Track has already made it clear that the Brighton Line could not cope with an influx on this scale and would be unable to expand or remedy pinch points on the line.

Gatwick already has problems with aircraft noise it seems unable to solve.

With no respite from two runways, day and 
night, 7 days a week, what would the impact be of an increase in flights to 560,000 planes a year over a 30 mile radius?

Who will benefit from Gatwick expansion? If the £40 million advertising campaign and propaganda is effective, then probably only Gatwick Airport Ltd, its foreign shareholders and its executives - one of whom, according to the Sunday Times, will benefit by £5 million when the airport is sold.

We may be smart about our technology but we can’t recreate our countryside, ancient woodland, and heritage. We are all responsible for our legacy; surely we should be leaving behind a better world by preserving our countryside from such destructive developments as a new runway at Gatwick.

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Acute stroke services in Chichester and Worthing could be merged on a single hospital site in the future, according to doctors.

NHS bosses have already agreed to stop providing such services at Haywards Heath’s Princess Royal Hospital, in favour of a better hyper-unit at Brighton, something that was discussed at West Sussex’s Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee on Thursday (September 29).

Doctors at Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said they believed a move towards a single site option, rather than having acute services at both St Richard’s Hospital and Worthing Hospital, was the ‘right direction of travel’, but not in the ‘immediate future’.

Marie Dodd, chief operating officer at the CCG, explained that having a major stroke unit at either Worthing or Chichester would have a significant impact on either Brighton or Portsmouth, whichever option they chose.

She said: “We would be concerned about the ability of Portsmouth and Brighton providers if we make a decision to cope with the increased capacity.”

Both hospitals had seen improvements in outcomes for patients recently offering some of the best stroke services in the country, while the CCG’s current focus was to drive up the performance of community stroke services which were ‘not currently adequate’.

It was explained earlier in the meeting that more than 600 patients a year was usually the threshold for a hyper-acute stroke unit, with Worthing serving around 450 a year, and St Richard’s 380.

Ms Dodd added: “We believe the right direction of travel is a move towards the one site option.”

David Whitehead, clinical director for the CCG, explained that he was ‘impressed’ by the stroke services at both St Richard’s and Worthing, but added: “We strive for excellence and we can do better and believe our patients will see even better services once services are more centralised.”

Although travel time was important, the real key was a bit of jargon ‘call to needle’, as it was the shortness of time to receive clot busting drugs that was ‘really important’.

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Arundel Wetland Centre has celebrated 40 years of involving volunteers in wetland conservation – and calling for more people to get involved.

The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) centre is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and the charity says its success would not have been possible without the support of its committed staff and volunteers.

Millions of people have visited and volunteers have helped staff to provide young and old with a great day out, as well as inspiring them about its wetland conservation work in the UK and internationally.

WWT Arundel is now looking for the next generation of enthusiastic volunteers who want to get involved through practical, hands-on roles in the grounds team, encouraging families to learn about the importance of wetlands or showing visitors the stunning wildlife as a Guide in the Hide.

Centre manager Dave Fairlamb said: “We really value the support we receive from our volunteers in supporting our work.

“Volunteers can get involved in a variety of ways, from supporting us in the office, getting hands on outside on the grounds and reserve or inspiring the next generation to care for wetlands.

“We simply couldn’t achieve as much as we do without their support.”

The centre is especially looking for skilled carpenters to help repair and maintain the facilities and people confident interacting with visitors of all ages about wildlife in the learning team.

Visit www.wwt.org.uk or contact Chris Cavalier, volunteering development officer, on 020 8409 4460 or email volunteer.arundel@wwt.org.uk for more information.

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A ‘thorough and informative’ study of the brown hare won Brinsbury student Kaine Marshall a first prize at the Autumn Show and Game Fair at Ardingly.

Kaine, who is studying skills for work at the Brinsbury Campus of Chichester College, was presented with his trophy for the South of England Agricultural Society’s Level 1 Student Assignment Competition by society president Charles Moore.

Judges, led by education expert Des Lambert, described his work as thorough and informative with some very good illustrations.

The project indicated a good level of independent study and was well planned, very neatly presented and made informative reading.

Meanwhile, Brinsbury equine student Rhiannon Angleson took second place in the Level 2 Student Assignment Competition.

Carole Hayward, society vice-chairman, said: “This year we received a very high standard of entries at all levels from colleges across the south of England, with projects that demonstrate a high commitment from students.

“Working in partnership with colleges, schools and other businesses, the society hopes to inspire other young achievers to come into an industry that is rich with diversity and opportunities.

“It is absolutely crucial that we encourage and support our next generation of UK farmers and food producers if we want them to move positively into the future.”

The competition, which the society funds, is open to all students studying at land-based colleges in the region and is designed to encourage individual research, to improve knowledge and develop study skills and forms.

Floristry students also showcased their talents at the autumn fair on Saturday and Sunday, with five studying for the level two floristry diploma at Brinsbury entering pieces into the flower arranging competition.

The group, which has been on the course only since September, claimed the top three spots in the beginners’ category, having had just one week to design and produce their displays on an Autumn Glory theme.

Karla Bell, floristry lecturer at Brinsbury, said: “I’m hugely proud of all of them, it is a fantastic achievement.

“The entry requirements for the beginners’ category specified entrants should have less than two years’ experience – these guys had a lot less than that.”

Athene Maher was first, Emily Allen second and Kevin Rix third.

Athene said: “Although I was completely stressed about making the design, when I realised I had won I felt fantastic. I’ll definitely be doing it again.”

Chelsie Hewitt’s piece was highly recommended and the fifth member of the group, Esme Riley, was pleased to be able to experience the competition and learn new skills.

Sally Challis-Manning, assistant principal at Chichester College, said: “We’re extremely proud of our students’ achievements.

“To see Kaine’s and Rhiannon’s assignments win awards is brilliant and I’m delighted for our floristry students, who really rose to the challenge of producing spectacular pieces in such a short space of time.”

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In the beautiful autumn sunshine, Handcross Park’s new all-weather pitch was officially opened by Team GB hockey player Dan Fox on Friday 23rd September.

During the afternoon, Mr Fox led some hockey coaching sessions with all the boys and girls at the school, giving them game tips and tactics before cutting the ribbon in front of Richard Brown (Headmaster), the children and parents, many of whom had donated to the pitch itself.

The afternoon was rounded off with an Exhibition Match between Handcross Park staff and ex-pupils.

The teaching staff were delighted that they managed to maintain a narrow lead at 5-4.

Afterwards Mr Brown commented: “Dan Fox, fresh from the Rio Olympics, led this wonderful afternoon to celebrate this fantastic new facility from which all the children at Handcross Park will benefit.”

Contributed by Handcross Park

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A new member of staff has quickly become top dog at a primary school in Sussex.

St Thomas’s Primary School in Winchelsea has recruited Hugo the reading dog who is playing an important role in helping pupils to read out loud.

Rather than barking out orders, Hugo is happy to sit quietly and listen to the children reading to him.

The Church of England school says Hugo has been appointed the job of reading dog, to enrich the reading experiences of the children and comes into the school once a week to hear the pupils read.

He is used as an incentive for children to read more at home; those pupils who make a great personal effort with their reading, get to read to Hugo.

Additionally, it is hoped that children who may feel a little self-conscious about reading, will also gain in confidence when reading to less judgemental ears.

Carol Gardiner, the acting Head teacher of the school, has high hopes for the initiative, and commented: “As Hugo settles in more to school life, we will hopefully see great development and improvement in the children’s reading.”

Hugo is one of many initiatives that the school is trialling to encourage a love of books and enjoyment of reading for St Thomas’ pupils.

It has certainly gone down well with all the school children, as Margot in year 4, enthusiastically explained: “He’s a really nice dog, very calm and quiet. It’s a really good idea because it’s so unusual. Not everyone gets to read to a dog in school!”

Hugo is a three-year-old, white, Labradoodle, owned by Lisa Fisher, one of St Thomas’s Teaching Assistants.

Lisa believes that Hugo is perfect for the role of reading dog, and said: “He is very relaxed and he’s a family dog so he loves small children.”

The school says the message is clear – reading is fun and can open up a whole new world of experience, even for dogs.

It is thought that Hugo is the first reading dog to be used by a school in the Rother area but on a wider scale dogs are being used increasingly in schools to help improve children’s literacy.

The idea has proved so popular that Pets As Therapy, which operates a scheme called Read- 2Dogs, now has 200 schools on its waiting list.

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Actor Marc Elliott (Eastenders and Holby City) joined teams of walkers, families and individuals for the A2B Walk on Saturday 17th September.

The walkers trekked 35km from Arundel to Brighton for the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, which has helped more than 500 families affected by cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties.

The day began at Arundel Castle at 7.30am, with a moving and motivational speech by Ann Wenn, sharing her story of her son Sebby (aged 3) who was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia, the most severe form of cerebral palsy. The walkers, viibly moved by her story, gathered their packs and set off with gusto to the beautiful back drop of Arundel Castle.

Marc Elliott when asked why he was taking part in the walk said “Nearly three years ago, Sebastian Wenn was born to doting parents (and my dear friends) Ann and Byron.  When Sebbie was developing, it became very apparent that, despite his mischievous twinkle and wicked sense of humour, he was making less progress with speech and movement than other children of his age. The ongoing challenges and difficulties faced by both Sebbie and his parents are huge.

Having witnessed this first hand through my courageous friend, I feel I can say with some surety how physically demanding, emotionally exhausting and at some times deeply isolating caring for a child with cerebral palsy can be.  Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity is a wonderful and essential charity and I am pleased to help children like our glorious Sebbie by taking part. If you would like to donate to Team Sebby we would be so grateful.”

Visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ann-Wenn

80 walkers took part all together raising to date £16,000 with money still coming in.

With an incredibly hilly terrain and numerous challenges, the A2B walk proved to be an endurance test for everyone involved. The walkers had to hike up some difficult inclines along the route, but once the mist cleared they were rewarded with some gorgeous views over the South Downs and down towards the coast. With a number of walkers directly affected by the charity’s cause, the determination of every walker to finish was resolute and highly motivational.

Catherine Bristow, Events Fundraiser at the charity said, “I’d like to personally thank so many people for their support, including outdoor adventure company, Pied A Terre Adventures, everyone from Rapid Relief Team, Dave Powell from LPG Photographic, our volunteers and Arundel Castle. We could not have done it without them. Finally a massive thank you to our sponsors, Wirsol Energy Ltd, Audi Five Oaks, Focus IT and supporters Target in One, PMW and the West Sussex County Times.”

Contributed by Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity

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A dementia seminar in Billingshurst brought together independent providers to push the boundaries of care delivered in West Sussex.

The seminar was organised by Horsham-based West Sussex Partners in Care (WSPiC) and led by director and chairman Rosemary Pavoni.

She said she had a passion for excellent dementia care and was always looking for collaborative ways of working in health and social care, proposing Collaborative Working in Dementia Care as the theme for seminar.

WSPiC, which replaced the West Sussex Forum, aims to be the voice of care in the county, offering manager forums, seminars to members and workforce development opportunities.

The seminar, at Billingshurst Village Hall, was supported by Frameworks 4change founder Andy Bradley, who wants to embed a compassionate approach to care which shows that everyone matters.

The event was attended by members of WSPiC and looked to push the boundaries of the care they deliver by encouraging them ‘to grow their hearts and minds’.

Rosemary said: “The seminar was such a success that WSPiC is keen to build on the event next year. We have now started planning the first of the 2017 seminars around end of life care.”

The seminar sessions were fun and interactive, including a panel discussion with members of Worthing Town Cryers, an action group of people living with dementia who shared their experiences of health and social care.

Speakers from across the health and social care sector gave presentations showcasing the collaborative work around West Sussex.

Speakers included Dr Laura Hills, who has been instrumental in Crawley gaining dementia friendly status; Dr Naji Tabet, senior lecturer in old age psychiatry at Brighton and Sussex Medical School; and Professor Graham Stokes, who discussed the lifespan approach to dementia.

Attendees said the presentations had challenged their thinking on dementia

Dance therapy sessions were run by Craig Stevens from Alive Activities to illustrate who they can help those who find it difficult to express themselves verbally, such as people living with dementia.

Visit the WSPiC website or email admin@westsussexpartnersincare.org for more information on joining.

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I wonder what you think of when you hear the word ‘joy?’

Christmas perhaps – glad tidings of great joy?

‘Joy’ can sound a little quaint these days, a bit old fashioned. Fine for a Christmas card, but not something we use the rest of the year. But I think we lose something important if we leave the idea of joy in a box in the loft until early December.

Joy speaks of something that is otherwise hard to define. Joy is deeper than happiness and more substantial than fun.

In a recently discovered letter from 1943, C.S Lewis said that he felt that ‘one second of joy is worth 12 hours of pleasure.’

Yet, joy is elusive. We probably all know what it feels like, and hopefully have experienced real joy. But, just at the moment you’re aware of it, it slips away.

You can try and hold on to it, but it will quickly slip through your fingers. I was reminded of that recently as I read a letter from St Paul to a church in Philippi, in modern-day Macedonia.

All the way through he’s talking about joy. The striking thing is that he’s writing from a Roman prison, which doesn’t sound like a very joyful place.

Something in his faith meant that he could still feel a deep joy, even when pleasure and fun were completely absent. As I follow the same path of faith as Paul, even 2,000 years later, I’m learning that it is possible to know a deep and lasting joy.

Faith Matters:

Report on Church Life

A detailed Report examining the opportunities and challenges facing the Church of England in Hastings has been published. Authored by Peter Wheatley, former Bishop of Edmonton, the report reflects the Diocese of Chichester’s strategy to grow the church numerically and spiritually. You can read more about it at the Chichester Diocese website: http://www.chichester.anglican.org/news/2016/09/27/focus-hastings-detailed-review/

Creative Arts Week

From 24th to 28th October, Ashburnham Place, a Christian retreat centre near Battle, is hosting a Creative Arts Week. Workshops are available in creative writing, art, poetry, pottery and photography inspired by a theme of “Open and Shut”. To book a place call 01424 892244 or you can find out more at:http://www.ashburnham.org.uk/individual-retreats/programme-events-diary/creative-arts-week-creative-writing-art-poetry-photography-poetry

A vulnerable Worthing man may not have taken his own life if authorities caring for him had taken timely and coordinated action, a serious case review has ruled.

A coroner requested the review after the man, referred to as ‘Alan’, fell from a multi-storey car park in 2013, following a ‘prolonged period of abuse and intimidation by a known individual’.

An inquest into his death concluded statutory agencies failed through a ‘lack of communication’.

The review raises concerns over procedures and actions of organisations including police and mental health authorities.

Organisers of Worthing Mental Health Awareness Week, starting on Monday, have called on professionals to ensure similar tragedies will ‘never happen again’.

David Cooper, chair of West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board, said: “The report concludes that it is not clear why Alan killed himself.

“However, ‘it may be that timely, coordinated and joined up multi-agency intervention at an early stage would have reduced the likelihood of this outcome’.”

Alan was under the care of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, living in independent accommodation with support from a Southdown Housing officer from 2009.

The report highlights several incidents where a man, referred to as ‘John’ had abused and intimidated Alan.

But it concludes there were ‘missed opportunities’ to act in 2012, where safeguarding alerts were not raised.

The report records times when John was arrested over separate domestic abuse matters – but when it came to matters involving Alan, little action was taken.

To compound matters, when John was charged with assaults on his female partners, magistrates bailed him to Alan’s address.

The CPS should have flagged that Alan was vulnerable, the report states.

It was only days before Alan’s death, in July 2013, that John was arrested over matters relating to Alan.

Police, however, ‘failed to respond’ to Alan’s call on July 23rd stating John was outside his home. Bail conditions prevented John from contacting Alan.

Hours later, Alan fell from the car park.

The review praises a police community support officer for working hard to support Alan but notes they were not trained in dealing with such cases. Key responsibility in raising safeguarding concerns fell to Alan’s care coordinator, employed by the NHS trust.

The report states others involved felt ‘frustrated’ by the coordinator’s approach, adding their ‘failure’ to fully understand their role and responsibilities led to a lack of action.

But as the coordinator was no longer employed by the trust and did not take part in the review, report author Brian Boxall said there remained ‘unanswered questions’ over his decision making.

Following the case, the trust has created new post to provide leadership on adult safeguarding.

Safeguarding training now forms part of every staff members’ induction.

Despite recommendations for individual areas, how each agency worked together is highlighted as a key failing.

Multi-agency meetings lacked coordination, with no clear leader, while they were not minuted and actions often not followed up.

“Clear communication and coordination between agencies did not take place,” the report read.

“Individuals worked hard to support Alan but their actions were not coordinated, safeguarding alerts were not raised or progressed ...”

The report states Alan’s family ‘endorsed’ the report and recommendations.

Trust apologise over handling of case

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has apologised for its handling of Alan’s case.

Chief executive Colm Donaghy said the organisation accepted all the recommendations of the report and would work with its partners to ‘do things differently’.

The serious case review puts the work of the trust in the spotlight, just months after it apologised for its care of Don Lock killer Matthew Daley.

Mr Donaghy said: “We are sincerely sorry for the lack of co-ordination, communication and effective multi-agency working in this case.

“We are committed to making sure staff receive the right training, support and supervision for their role, so they can provide high quality care. This report shows we need to improve the way patients and carers are involved in planning their care.”

Sussex Police, meanwhile, has admitted it ‘could have done more’ to help Alan.

Police had already referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission – and a spokesman said it took recommendations from both investigations ‘very seriously’.

“Our neighbourhood policing team had a lot of contact with Alan over three years and liaised with a number of agencies, after concerns were raised that he had been befriended by a man who was taking money from him,” the spokesman said.

“Alan made a report of theft for which the suspect was arrested and bailed.”

The force has launched a campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud, identifying agencies which could provide an advisory service to victims.

The spokesman added: “Since ‘Alan’s’ death we have reorganised our public protection unit to provide a specialist integrated service for adult and children protection and sexual offences, with robust supervision and support from partners.

“In addition a training package for officers, with advice for victims, has been made available and contact centre and front office staff have received enhanced training on vulnerability and the assessment of threat, risk and harm.

“As well as mental health practitioners providing support to neighbourhood policing teams the force is trialling a mental health practitioner being co-located in the control room, providing fast time advice and access to medical records to allow for meaningful assessments. This is an innovative pilot and works towards the Chief Constable’s aims to work with partners to protect vulnerable people.

“A process in managing vulnerable people brought in after Alan’s death by police in Adur and Worthing has been rolled out across the force.

Awareness week to highlight ‘heartbreaking’ case

Lessons must be learned from Alan’s case, a co-founder of Worthing Mental Health Awareness Week has urged.

Tarring county councillor Bob Smytherman, who helped set up the awareness week, said volunteers would be calling on mental health professionals to learn from the serious case review and its recommendations.

He said: “This report makes truly heartbreaking reading for the family of such a vulnerable man as Alan and it’s clear he was systematically failed by numerous professionals charged with caring for him.

“I am especially disappointed that his care coordinator from Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust was not called to provide his valuable evidence which would have been vital to ensure all the lessons can be fully learned.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time.”

A series of free events will be held between Monday and Saturday.

Click here to find out more.

South Bersted CE Primary School has won the 2016 Glyn-Jones sunflower competition with a plant that grew to an impressive 232cm tall.

Head teacher Chris Kronda congratulated the school’s Eco Club for their ‘wonderful efforts growing such an amazing sunflower’.

John Wyatt, senior sales negotiator at the Bognor Regis branch of the estate agency, said: “Thank you to head teacher Mr Kronda for kindly allowing us to share the news with pupils during morning assembly.

“We presented the school with their prize of £250 of horticultural vouchers so they can keep up their fantastic gardening efforts. Well done to all the schools who took part, it was a pretty close result.”

Georgian Gardens Community Primary School in Rustington came second with a sunflower which was 209cm tall.

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Plans to convert a vacant Ardingly pub into a residential house have been rejected by the council.

The Grade II-listed Oak Inn Public House in Street Lane has been closed since January 2014.

An application to convert the pub building into a residential dwelling and build a four-bedroom house in its car park was rejected by Mid Sussex District Councils planning committee B yesterday night (Thursday October 6).

A spokesman for the district council explained that councillors expressed concerns about the impact of the scheme on the character of the conservation area and the setting of the nearby listed buildings.

Officers had recommended the application be approved, as they considered a residential conversion for the pub would be suitable as it was no longer a viable business, while a new house on the existing car park was an ‘appropriate infill proposal’.

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Billingshurst Lions Annual Golf Day, at Slinfold Golf Club, raised £4,270 for SERV Sussex aka The Blood Runners.

SERV (Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers) provide a free overnight service, delivering medical items including blood, platelets, plasma, biological samples, X-rays, human infant milk, patient notes and medical equipment to hospitals.

Seventeen teams of four players took part on a fine day, using Stableford scoring.

The winning team, with a score of 130 points, were the ‘Latecomers’ comprising Neal Hallett, Rod Callaghan, David Thompson and David Crunden. The individual winner was Sharon Johnston. During the day a raffle was run and after the dinner an auction was held. The result of this was a total of £4,270, to go towards buying a new vehicle.

Riders Keith and Anthony received the cheque from Billingshurst Lions President Peter Coleman at a subsequent Lions Club meeting.

Contributed by SERV Sussex

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Bognor Regis Town Council has won £1,000 worth of Christmas lights for the town.

Earlier this year, the town council entered a competition run by Revive and Thrive and sponsored by Blachere Illuminations, hoping to win a prize of funding for Christmas lights.

Staff gave a presentation on the importance of Christmas lights and the switch-on event to the town, as well as ideas for other ways of using lights to enhance events.

The council said it reaped the rewards by having a switch-on and won through to the finals, held in Colchester.

Lynette Gill, committee clerk for street scene and leisure services, represented the council at the finals and presented its entry to the judges.

She walked away with a £1,000 cheque towards lighting from Blachere Illuminations for use in the town.

The prize was presented by Ronnie Brown, managing director of Blachere Illumination UK.

The town council hopes this new lighting will be received and in place for this Christmas.

Bognor Regis mayor Pat Dillon said: “I am delighted that the town council has been awarded this prize.

“The extra lights will be a welcome addition to the Christmas lighting in Bognor Regis. I would like to thank the officer for putting together and presenting our entry.”

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Police will issue a live video in connection with the disappearance of Bonnie Rose May Clarke.

Officers and her family are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of the 16-year-old, who has now been missing for 11 days.

She was last seen at her home in Whitelot Way, Southwick, at about 10.30pm on Monday, September 26 and it is believed she is in the Brighton area.

Inspector Roy Hodder said: “We are extremely worried about Bonnie Rose because she is only 16 and she is vulnerable. We believe she maybe within the street community in Brighton.

“Her family are desperate to hear from her, and I would urge anyone who has seen her or has any information about her to let us know.”

In a direct appeal to Bonnie, Insp Hodder added: “Bonnie, I want to stress that you are in no trouble with the police whatsoever.

“We are keen to hear from you so we can help and support you, however we understand that you may not wish to speak to us.

“If this is the case, you can call, text or email the independent missing persons charity free of charge on 116 000 to let us know you are safe and well.”

Bonnie is described as white, about 5’ 10”, of medium build, with shoulder length blonde hair.

She wears glasses and speaks with a Welsh accent.

If you have any information about her whereabouts, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 1555 of 26/09.

If you suspect she is in danger or in need or urgent medical attention, dial 999.

To view the video, which will go live at about 2.30pm, visit www.facebook.com/sussexpoliceforce

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Villagers who have waged a years-long battle to save a children’s play meadow from development vowed today: We won’t give up.

They had hoped they had won their fight to stop Mid Sussex District Council building a detached house on the play area - in Courtmead Road, Cuckfield - back in June.

At that time, in a High Court hearing, a judge ruled that the development would cause harm to a conservation area in which the play land - used by generations of children - is sited.

But this week Mid Sussex District Council lodged details of the proposed new house with estate agents for the property to be sold ‘off plan’ for around £2 million. The council says proceeds will benefit the community.

But outraged residents say the council’s move amounts to the council ‘thumbing their noses’ at the judge’s ruling.

Flis Irving, who has spearheaded the villagers’ battle said: “I will continue to fight this to the bitter end. I think it is morally wrong, so wrong. The council should not be developing land with one enormous house at the expense of the community.”

She added: “The play meadow is one little space in a conservation area and it is the same piece of land that a High Court judge has said should not be built on.”

Janet Beales, who runs the Next Step Nursery which has been using the play meadow for around 20 years, said: “The council is depriving everybody from using this piece of green; they are just hell-bent on selling it. But we are determined that we are not going to give in to the council’s bully tactics.”

But Mid Sussex District Council leader Garry Wall said: “In the current financial climate it’s vitally important that we, as local authorities, become as financially self-sufficient as possible and make effective use of our resources to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

“The money raised from this project will support services for local people and help to make improvements to existing community buildings like our leisure centres, pavilions and community centres.

“We currently have a significant shortage of affordable housing in Mid Sussex. We also have many local families who are desperate to remain in the area where they grew up and are searching for an affordable place to live that’s close to friends and family.

“The money generated here could be used to deliver additional social housing for local people that would otherwise be unaffordable. We have over 1,600 applicants waiting on our housing register and building one house in Cuckfield could generate enough income to deliver an extra 15 affordable rent homes for local families in the district.

“The council is very sensitive to the concerns of some local residents and understand their views about this land, but there is a solution available. The Parish Council owns a larger area of open space immediately adjacent to this site which is held for the enjoyment of the public as an open space.

“Our landscape experts advise that this land is suitable for use by local groups which will complement the large amount of open space already available in the village. We hope the Parish Council will work with the council to ensure this land is made available to the public.”

Details of recent burglaries carried out in the Horsham district have been released by police.

Dial Post

Bentons Lane - between 9.45am-3.15pm, Thursday October 6.

Entry gained through smashed window and forced lock. Jewellery stolen.

Ashington

Windmill Close - between 8am-5pm, Sunday October 2.

Unknown how entry was gained. Nothing stolen but items moved in the house

Storrington

Greenfield Way - between 1.30-9pm on Friday September 30

A back door was smashed and jewellery stolen.

Downsview Avenue - between September 17 and October 1.

Attempt to smash patio doors and window, no entry gained.

Horsham

Littlehaven Lane - between 10am-11am on Saturday October 1.

Entry gained through insecure door nothing stolen believed suspect was disturbed and fled.

Hurst Road - between 11pm-4.50 Monday October 3.

Door forced to gain entry handbag and car stolen.

Woodlands Way - 12.50pm Monday October 1.

Someone tried to break in, suspect seen on patio but no entry gained.

Manor Road - between 10.35am- 1.15pm.

Forced entry through door TV and cash stolen.

Morrell Avenue - between 11.30am-1.45pm.

Entry through window, high value camera equipment stolen.

Nineteen new homes being built by a council on a former school site in Horley are expected to be finished by early next year.

The houses are being constructed by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and are sited in a private cul-de-sac within walking distance of the town centre.

The first show home will open to visitors on Saturday and viewings are now being arranged by appointment with the council.

The 19 houses are in Littlefield Close on the site of the former Court Lodge primary school.

They are a mix of two and three bedroom homes and are being sold for upwards of £280,000.

Councillor Natalie Bramhall said: “There is a shortage of housing in the borough and we hope these new homes will help more local people to get onto the property ladder.

“All of the properties have been designed to an exacting standard, incorporating a balance of traditional design and modern contemporary features.

“Developing the site ourselves will give us a good return on our investment through the increased value of our asset.

“In addition, the sales income will help to off-set the budget gap created through the cessation of our government grant, helping to ensure we can keep providing residents with the level of services they expect for their council tax.”

Hamsters and tortoises were among pets taken to church for a Blessing of the Animals service on Sunday.

More than 70 people took their pets to St Peter’s Church, Selsey, to celebrate Harvest Sunday.

The rector, Father Andy Wilkes, gave the animals a special blessing.

He said: “The animals ranged from a variety of dogs to guinea pigs, hamsters and tortoises. Everyone sang All Things Bright and Beautiful as they brought their pet to the altar to be blessed.”

This is the second year the church has held the special service, which was inspired by St Francis’ love for animals of every kind.

Mr Wilkes added: “Once again, everyone was very well behaved and the only mishap was with a tortoise who couldn’t quite wait till he got back outside.”

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A by-election for Southwater has been called for the second week of November following the death of Ian Howard last month.

Nomination packs are available from Horsham District Council’s electoral services team by emailing elections@horsham.gov.uk calling 01403 215280, or they can be downloaded from the council website.

Candidate nominations must be hand delivered to electoral services, Horsham District Council, Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham RH12 1RL by 4pm on Friday October 14.

Full details are given on the Notice of Election on our web site.

The deadline for registering to vote in this election is Tuesday October 25.

The deadline for receipt of applications to vote by post is 5pm on October 26.

The deadline for receipt of applications to vote by proxy is 5pm on November 2.

In certain circumstances for medical or employment reasons an emergency proxy can be applied for up until 5pm on 10 November 2016.

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