October 20, 2023
It’s that time of year when the days draw in, the weather noticeably changes and summer starts to seem a long time ago, but we do have Christmas to look forward to….!
It was my father's funeral on Monday, so last weekend we visited my mother's grave in Rudgwick, and revisited Pulborough on the way where my paternal grandparents lived for many years during my childhood. Ironically, I discovered the evening before that we would drive near to the second best pumpkin patch in the UK! I was also persuaded, after we had finished in Rudgwick, to see how Horsham is for shopping, which brought back quite a few memories because I went to Collyer's Grammar School.
My grandfather and Donna's father were born in the same year. Donna sadly lost her father when she was 17, so my father in many ways was a substitute for him. A few years ago my father recalled the 1940s Peninsula 'dung run'. After the war, his father worked for an agricultural merchant and made regular trips to Horseguards Parade in London for the Household Cavalry's manure. He brought it back where it was used on mushroom crops near Pulborough, then it was 'recycled' and delivered by him to the small growers of the Land Settlement Association in Sidlesham and other growers in the Witterings. My father sometimes went with him and recalled on one occasion waiting for the police in Arundel when a motorcyclist cut them up in Matravers Road - there was no A27 then.
To everything its season holds true about the 1940s and many other times since - for example, whether you ever watched Top Gear or not, this article is a worthwhile read.
The last driving related story I have is about Chichester Driving Test Centre which is in the UK top ten centres for first time passes and nearly the highest in England. Somewhere I drive past on my daily commute is a great place for a day out, particularly if you like a gentle walk and seeing deer - Petworth Park. Meanwhile, another local spot getting improving reviews, unsurprisingly, is Selsey - “The beautiful but underrated seaside town surrounded by miles of amazing beaches.”
Whilst thinking about our coastline, the latest stretch of the King Charles III Coastal Path is open.
A couple of financial items for you: if you are drawing your state pension and get a letter from HMRC it may or may not be genuine, as you can read here; and Santander are warning about a new scam. I want to also share with you an interesting read about a clever use of disused coal mines to heat Homes.
Ali has been helping marshall parking for the Covid vaccination mobile unit again. I recently had both my Covid booster and flu-jab because eligible residents are being urged to be vaccinated ahead of winter. Taking up both vaccines provides you with the best level of protection against severe illness and will help ease the pressure on the NHS this winter. Flu and Covid-19 circulated last winter causing significant peaks and resulting in thousands of hospital admissions and deaths across the country. Those eligible can book a Covid-19 vaccination online via the NHS website, via the NHS app or by calling 119 free of charge. GP practices and other local NHS services will also be contacting people to offer both flu and Covid-19 vaccines. Find out here if you are eligible and to book a flu vaccination.
Mindy, Ian and Andrew had a rescheduled STC Planning Committee at 6.30pm on Wednesday before they were joined by Donna. Mick & Val flew back that evening from their well earned holiday.
This coming week may be Half Term but the meetings continue: one has been timed to coincide with my not being in school, the new CDC Budget Review Group on Friday; ahead of it, Mike, Ali, Ian, Andrew, Donna and I have an STC Finance & Administration meeting on Wednesday.
Meanwhile Full Up in Selsey is geared up: "It’s that time again, please text us to book your meals for half term. Meals are free or if you would prefer to pay we ask for a £1 donation for a main and pudding. 07852506923." The options for food are Sausage mash beans or gravy and veg, Lasagna, Chicken and sweetcorn pasta bake, Chicken tikka and rice, Cottage pie, Jacket potato with various fillings. These meals are also on their main menu and Just Eat.
Kinship Care is when a child lives full time, or most of the time, with a relative or friend. WSCC’s Kinship Care team provides a wealth of support, including advice regarding family contact time, signposting and guidance around housing, education and health. They also provide training and specialist therapeutic intervention workshops, peer mentoring, regular coffee mornings, a monthly newsletter and much more. If you, or someone you know, might benefit from speaking to the team, or would like more information, click here.
CDC is encouraging residents to find out how they can help to protect against flooding. This includes signing up for flood warnings; making a flood plan; and protecting their property. An article on this will be included in the winter issue of the CDC’s ‘initiatives’ magazine. You can also find out more about Coastal Partners and the response they provide to flooding and the work in Selsey.
WSCC’s meals on wheels service has been crowned one of the best in the country after being named joint winner of a prestigious national award. WSCC and service provider Health & Independent Living Support (HILS) were one of four joint winners of this year’s Meals On Wheels Service of the Year prize at the National Association of Care Catering Awards, which were held on 5 October. Competition judges recognised the service’s partnership working and interaction with customers. This included communication with new customers, to see how they are finding the service and to answer any queries they might have. For more information about the meals on wheels service, or to sign up to receive meals in West Sussex contact please call 0330 2000 103, email westsussex@hils-uk.org or visit www.hils-uk.org
So far this year, CDC has awarded £79,380 across our district through their Grants and Concessions programme. This money aims to support important projects that will benefit residents and businesses, e.g. Westbourne Community Land Trust, Chichester’s Rocking Horse Children’s Charity, West Wittering Parish Council, Plaistow’s Young Wilders, and Home-Start. If you run a community group or organisation and would like to find out about how the scheme could help you, get in touch. CDC can offer fast track applications for amounts under £1,000 which groups can apply for at any time. For amounts over £1,000, applications are considered by their Grants and Concessions panel, which Donna is on, every three months. The grants programme supports three key priorities: the economy, improving places and spaces, and target projects which will benefit residents most in need. Applications must benefit the local community, for example creating jobs and working with others.
CDC will also be shortly inviting applications for UK Shared Prosperity Funding. Last year, they were allocated £1 million to spend on a variety of projects across our District. The funding was awarded to help encourage economic growth and improve the quality of life for people across our area. The money has already started to be spent on a number of projects to improve public areas, including the removal of graffiti, the introduction of new signage and to deliver events. CDC will soon be encouraging community groups to apply for the second round of grant funding for community projects and improvements. There is also a pot of money to support businesses. The funding priorities are communities and place, support for local businesses, and people and skills. They also have funding from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, which is to be used to support activities that address the particular challenges faced by rural areas.
A closing reminder that Autumn/Winter opening hours have returned to all 11 Recycling Centres in West Sussex. The opening times for all Recycling Centres are 9am - 4pm until 31 March 2024, but Chichester is closed on Tuesdays.
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
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