August 23, 2024

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

This week I had CDC’s Licensing Committee Meeting on Tuesday, then on Wednesday Donna and I went to STC’s Planning Committee to see Ian, Mick, Ali, Andrew, Gareth and Val in action. We are grateful to the group of residents who had a lengthy chat with us. On Thursday I was away early for GCSE results day, then collected Donna for a liaison meeting with STC’s Senior Officers, followed by a further meeting of the Warners Yard Task and Finish Group with Ali, Ian and Val. Watch CDC’s public meetings here, and Full WSCC here. 

I have had my current Civic for nearly nine months. I got it when my previous one managed 325,000 miles but needed extensive repair. Yahoo Finance includes Honda engines in their top 5, which does not surprise me. I make sure mine is maintained properly (by a local garage) and it is averaging 70mpg.

Another interesting read is that two of the Peninsula’s coastal villages are amongst the most expensive; you probably can guess which ones they are - click here to see if you are correct.

Don’t forget a rare Roman gold ‘cuff’ bracelet found by a 12-year-old boy on a dog walk in Pagham has been acquired by The Novium Museum, purchased with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund. It will be displayed from Tuesday 10 September. This type of bracelet — unlike most other jewellery in the Roman period — would probably have belonged to a man rather than woman. They were likely to be a type of military armilla, or ‘battle honour’, likely awarded for bravery. This so-called ‘cuff’ bracelet is relatively rare in Roman Britain, particularly as it is made of gold.

I came across an interesting article about whether we should encourage trees to move northwards to counter climate warming - be aware that the author forgot Knepp Estate is in West Sussex. Community groups and parish councils are being encouraged to apply for funding to increase the number of community orchards across our District. A total of £9,000 is available, as part of the second round of the Tree Chichester District scheme’s Community Orchard initiative, which is run by CDC. The fund is open until January 17, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The initiative is funded through HM Government’s £2.5m Coronation Living Heritage Fund developed to celebrate His Majesty’s coronation and pay tribute to his passion for the environment. 

We have mentioned rewilding more than once. If this is something that interests you, I came across this blogpost that explains why a quarter of Europe has the potential to become a wildlife haven.

You may be interested in seeing what the new government’s devolution plans mean locally: Professor Colin Copus has shared news of what he thinks will be a test case.

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