Welcome to the Local Alliance Blog

Summer is finally arriving so this will be our last regular blog for a while because, after over a year of Covid, we feel everyone, no matter what you  do, needs some time out. If there is something significant we will of course put it out, but in the meantime you may want to check the CDC and WSCC calendars linked as usual at the end, as well as your parish’s website to see what’s going on. There is a special full CDC on July 29th devoted entirely to the Local Plan as there have been some significant developments.  It is being held virtually so you can watch it here . The sea at West Wittering is being compared to that of a Greek island . This is quite appropriate because it has been found that walking on beaches has beneficial side effects . Meanwhile, Selsey has a new retail experience , Chichester has been named one of the UK’s best countryside spots and Petworth is recommended for a staycation or weekend break . Turning to entertainment, South Pacific is now open...

  If you have a driving licence, or know someone who has, the DVLA have issued an urgent warning about third party websites charging for their services when they are free or cheaper on their official website . In other motoring news, fans of Back to the Future may well be excited by the test flight of the AirCar ; this is not the first innovation foreseen by  sci-fi: robots appeared in early black and white films, as well as Lost in Space , the smart watch was in Thunderbirds and the smartphone in Star Trek . Some local news includes the visit of Brian May to help unveil Selsey's new public art , the vineyards featuring in a Stephen Fry and Brad Pitt movie , the South Downs National Park has launched a £100m renature campaign and the 32 places in Sussex where people can never pronounce the name . Council Meetings are intensifying ahead of August when things quieten down considerably: the next West Sussex is on Friday. Links to both CDC’s and WSCC’s calendars are a...

  Do you like poppies? Many people only ever see an artificial one (around Remembrance Day); however, we are lucky because at Goodwood there are plenty of the real things in full bloom. Other places to visit suggested by the regional press are Bramber ( Knight’s Templar and castle ) and West Wittering ( no prizes for guessing why .) CDC have launched Invest Chichester , their new inward investment campaign. As you will see, the campaign is seeking to attract those who are placing a greater importance on wellbeing and leisure time by showcasing our District’s rich culture and heritage, as well as its open spaces across the South Downs, Chichester Harbour and coastal towns. CDC’s Chichester Wellbeing service is expanding the amount of short walks on offer with a new ‘walking with poles’ scheme aimed at beginners. They are celebrating 20 years of their HeartSmart volunteer-led walks . Don’t forget Relate Sussex if you, or someone you know, is feeling anxious, low or is strugglin...