Water, Water everywhere

 

Donna and I wish to start this week by lamenting the early passing of Kevin Hughes who was elected to CDC like us in 2019, but whose health necessitated his stepping down last year, although he stayed as a councillor on Chichester City. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Kevin was a tireless campaigner and advocate for his residents - he will be greatly missed. 

Last week we related our experience of the Shoreham Airshow. Details of the inquest have been published by West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield. The full inquest will run over three weeks and is planned to start on Wednesday 30 November and finish on Monday 19 December. Additional days may be added at a later date if the inquest overruns. The dates were announced at the pre-inquest review (Thursday 1 September) held at County Hall North (Parkside), Horsham, which is also the location where the inquest will take place. 

As regular readers will know, because we are Independent localists, we try to avoid taking a position in national debates; however, I think we can all agree that we are looking at a potentially extremely harsh winter, which will hit the more vulnerable amongst us the hardest as this article from a series called Heat or Eat starkly illustrates: - 

• In the light of this, it's important we share this article with energy saving ideas again,

• This article might also be helpful. 

• Your microwave could be used to make a cake amongst other dishes. 

• These are the Sussex neighbourhoods likely to face the largest increase. 

Paying for your energy by direct debit remains the cheapest option even after the price cap increases, but if you are paying this way, make sure you supply regular meeting readings and check your bills as suppliers base your monthly payments on an estimate. 

Saving water can also save you money and help the present drought as well as protect the environment: - 

• 12% of the energy bill for a typical gas heated home comes from heating water for showers, dishwashers, washing machines and the hot water tap

• 4% of the UK’s total carbon emissions comes from heating water in homes

• Managing water in the garden helps grow better plants more easily while saving water

• Small changes such as turning the tap off when brushing teeth or swapping a bath for a short shower, save water, energy and money as well as protecting ithe environment and future supplies.

Do not try to save money by turning your Wi-Fi router off because vital security updates are usually pumped out overnight, so you may be left exposed to annoying bugs and cyber attacks.

As the Six weeks of Summer are over our beaches will be quieter again - as will the other favoured tourist spots. While it is still fresh in your memory, this article about some beachgoers might resonate with you. 

Bosham does not have a beach but is being likened to Venice. 

The Daily Mail has discovered Chichester and Fishbourne. 

This week's first petition is a call to create an NHS pathway of treatment for children and adults with Selective Mutism. 

Our other petition this week asks you to support your local in a different way by asking for more government help because they are not subject to the price cap and are facing even huger rises in their energy bills. 

CDC is offering free Beginners Cardio and Strength classes, as well as Walking with Poles sessions, led by their Wellbeing team and run for a 12-week period. The Beginners Cardio and Strength programme is led by a qualified instructor and aims to gently introduce exercise to help build fitness and to tone the body. Classes are aimed at complete beginners or those who are looking to return to exercise. The next course will run weekly from:

• Tuesday 27 September: 12:30–13:15pm, Nuffield Health Gym, Chichester.

• Monday 3 October: 10.30–11.15am, Bracklesham Barn, Bracklesham. 

 

The Walking with Poles Beginners course is led by a qualified Nordic Walking Instructor. Aimed at adults looking to increase their activity levels and confidence through walking, it offers a range of benefits over regular walking. The next course will run weekly from 4 October: 9.30–10.15am, Oaklands Park, Chichester.

WSCC have announced that all West Sussex Recycling Centres (with the exception of Midhurst for size reasons) are now able to accept hard plastic items for recycling, such as garden furniture, plant pots, coat hangers, toys and plastic piping. They have also updated their list of items that can be recycled at home to include takeaway coffee cups but not polystyrene cups. The list also now includes plastic bottle tops – please squash your empty plastic bottles and replace the lid before it goes into the recycling. Please remember to rinse out any bottles that require it, such as milk bottles.

Finally: - 

• Government's help for households

• Other help suggestions from CDC

• CDC’s Climate Emergency Plan

• WSCC's climate newsletter

• CDC Meetings

• WSCC

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim