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Are you part of the big debate? We all value the NHS and may quite rightly wonder what this winter will or will not bring - as COVID-19 continues, and it faces the return of its normal winter burden, the question of whether a return to restrictions will be necessary, and if so when, remains a common talking point. The other big talking point at the moment is on a happier note as we approach the Festive season. You may already have seen lights turn on, put up decorations, been to a market, or have plans to do some or all of these things. (Val and Donna have been working with groups of local people to stage a couple of events this weekend.) Seasonal events, or advertisements for them, are all around us so I suspect your Christmas plans are taking shape.  This is the budget season for Councils and things are very tight because other income streams are still negatively impacted. The smallest part of our Council Tax bills will probably be decided soon by our City, Town or Parish Council...

Thank you if you read last week's blog and visited the Royal British Legion website - it was great to have such a positive response to our Remembrance post. Last week was the first time Donna and I took part in a parade as Councillors because in previous years we had her cared for to look after.  It was a humbling experience.  Next week the lights go on as Advent and the final countdown to Christmas begin. This year, one of Donna's festive treats is back after a five year absence; that's right McDonald's festive pie. Something else she is fond of is a glass of mulled wine, and by chance when we popped over to The Woodvale in Gurnard for lunch last Sunday, they had some warmed on draft. Incidentally, just before we move on from festive treats, there are plenty of ice rinks in Sussex this year .  Chichester Harbour, unsurprisingly, has been ranked as one of the UK's favorite scenic destinations . I know that from personal experience, because colleagues at every schoo...

  This weekend it is only right to remember the sacrifice of others and to recall the contribution our area made, particularly during World War 2. Tangmere was not the only RAF airfield, there was also RAF Selsey. Meanwhile, Bracklesham and East Wittering were pivotal in the rehearsals for D/Day;  there were an awful lot of service people who were garrisoned and billeted here as well. If you have not visited the Royal British Legion website , please do.  We are all living longer lives, in part because of their sacrifice. As we become increasingly less young, our own mortality can become ever more of a passing thought. Whilst you probably are aware that life expectancy in the South of England is generally higher than it is in the North, did you realise the variation across our District . Then, there is the prospect of a cold winter which the BBC are tracking and apparently believe that near the end of the month, we might see atmospheric conditions that could be a prelud...