April 26, 2024

Welcome to this week's blog. As always, thank you for sparing the time to have a read.

It is nearly the election on May 2 for the vacancy in Selsey North for Selsey Town Council, caused by Patrick’s unexpected passing. Our candidate, Gareth Gofton-Dann, a lifelong Selsey resident, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, but needs your vote. As the campaign enters its final stages, we can share with you our main leaflet and reminder (which the team are delivering this coming week) and our campaign videos: first, second, third and fourth. 

We wish to particularly thank the resident who has told a friend of theirs, a fellow Independent Town Councillor in Suffolk about us. He has been in touch and will do so again after the local elections to find out more about us because he and some Indies are interested in forming a group - don’t forget there are over 300 registered with the Electoral Commission who are not national political parties.

You may have seen Ali in on social media recently, because she stayed with a resident at the Selsey Medical Centre, who had a fall, until their friend came to drive them to St Richards. Meanwhile Ian, as Chair of STC’s Assets & Amenities Committee, officially opened the new Changing Places Toilet in the Selsey Centre. Mick and Val’s well earnt holiday in the sun ends this week, with them back just in time to vote for Gareth at the Selsey Centre on Thursday and maybe take a turn to greet you all and thank you for turning out. 

Tuesday was Selsey's Annual Town Meeting in the Selsey Centre at 7:15pm, and was very well attended, so thank you if you popped along. There was a presentation from, amongst others, the Trustees of the Selsey Pavilion who have published their latest newsletter. Thank you to all the groups who took part and those of you who came along - it was great to see so many of you and have a chance to say hello. (You can watch all public CDC meetings here and WSCC here.)

You may have heard that Donna came down with a bug just over a week ago; luckily she rallied in time for National Tea Day. Pollution has been blamed in the past for an increase in asthma and other health issues so, if you are keen we pollute less, and as Monday was Earth Day 2024, you might be interested to discover who the seven countries are who now generate 100% of their electricity from renewable energy.

Last week we mentioned walking can help reduce stress, so we are pleased the South Downs Way has been named by The Telegraph as one of the 15 best walks in Britain. Of course our County has many other great places for a walk, so if you are looking for more ideas why not visit Experience West Sussex for ideas. 

If you want some quick fun on your phone you might like this article because it includes a series of real or AI images for you to choose between by clicking on them.

Chichester Roman Week is back this May half term featuring a packed programme of district-wide events, including ‘Romans at the Museum’, which will take place at The Novium Museum on Wednesday 29 May. This year's Roman Week will run from Monday 27 May to Saturday 1 June.

Chichester was first established as Noviomagnus Reginorum, which translates to 'New market of the proud people', after the Roman invasion in AD43. The Roman legacy can be found across the city, including magnificent features such as the Roman walls surrounding the city and the Roman bath house located in The Novium Museum. The highlight event of the week welcomes leading re-enactment group Legio Secunda Augusta back to Chichester for a ’Romans at the Museum’ day on Wednesday 29 May. Taking place at The Novium Museum, the event will bring the Roman period to life with everything from gladiators in combat, to Roman soldiers in action. Other demonstrations will cover aspects of civilian life including home life, slavery and religion. This immersive event will be free to attend, with donations welcome. 

Some special new events have been added to this year’s Roman Week, including an interactive storytelling workshop with Chris North, of ‘Freedom Through Fun’. Recommended for children aged 5 to 10 years, children will creatively explore what life was like for both Romans and Celts. Using drama, fabrics, musical instruments, artefacts, imagination and fun, participants will be enabled to lift history off the page and immerse themselves in a different and memorable world. Also new to this year’s programme is a unique Roman poetry and music evening, overlooking Chichester’s Roman bath house. In collaboration with South Downs Poetry Festival and with thanks to guidance from Armand D’Angour — Professor of Classics at Jesus College, Oxford — a recital of the famous lyric odes by Horace will transport visitors to ancient Rome. Guest poet Timothy Adès will be reading his own translations from Horace and other poets, overlooking the splendid Roman bath house.

Visitors will also be able to experience two mosaic workshops — one for children, and one for adults. Children can create their own ‘mosaic masterpiece’ using air drying clay, while adults will use paper instead of tiles to create a traditional Roman-style mosaic.

Potholes seem to be something that feature nearly every week in our posts now. This week some people have been asking on social media why some potholes are partially or wholly repaired whilst others nearby are left. Part of the answer may lie here: wherever practical WSCC carry out a ‘sawn repair’ which involves cutting out the defective area of highway to create solid edges around the pothole, breaking out the entire cut area to a solid base, removing arisings, sealing the area with a bituminous seal, then backfilling and compacting with the appropriate surfacing material.

Finally: - 

• Report potholes to WSCC

• Housing Health & Safety

• Warmer Homes UK

• Suicide in Sussex

• Domestic Abuse

• Supporting You

• WSCC Meetings

• CDC Meetings

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim