The Journal A CELEBRATION OF SUNNY WORTHING FOR JUST £1 PER MONTH

Issue 121 - January 2021

Sunrise from West Parade

JEREMY SILVERTHORNE FINE JEWELLERY CO TOP PRICES PAID FOR GOLD AND SILVER Temporary opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am til 4pm 46 South Street, Worthing 01903 200751 2 The Worthing Journal is YOUR COMMUNITY MAGAZINE delivered direct to homes in Worthing, Ferring, Findon, A NEW Year dawns, with all the £40,000 since the appeal was first Lancing and . fresh hopes and aspirations that launched in 2002. Any assistance It can also be bought from entails. Especially after such a would be greatly appreciated. selected newsagents, cafés, pubs shocking 2020! The Journal is delivered to and community centres. The Journal would like to take doorsteps by a company of this opportunity to thank volunteer pavement pounders. To subscribe for the year, please everybody who subscribed or Editor Paul Holden cannot thank send a cheque, postal order or resubscribed in the run up to them enough, for they are out in cash (£11) to The Worthing Christmas. all weathers ensuring the Journal at 91 Alinora Crescent, If you’ve not yet persuaded magazine arrives each month. Goring, Worthing, BN12 4HH. family or friends to sign up, If you would like to volunteer (it’s There is also a paypal facility at please give them a nudge and tell great exercise, and you discover www.worthingjournal.co.uk them it’s never too late. places you never knew existed) To advertise, please email The Journal launches its annual please contact Holden via the [email protected] or seafront flag appeal on page 88. details published to the left. call 01903 245674. We’ve brought the launch The winners of our Christmas forward because the appeal needs competition will be published in a big push if we are this spring to February’s edition. Many thanks fill every flagpole along the to all those who entered, and promenade, in Steyne Gardens, congratulations to the winners, and on the . Stockpiles are who have all now received their © Paul Holden 2021. No part of very low after a tempestuous prizes. this publication may be summer, and need replenishing. — The password for our online reproduced without the prior Readers have always responded edition (please don’t pass on to permission of the editor. with astonishing generosity, non-subscribers/purchasers) is donating flags worth more than OZONE. BUY YOUR WORTHING JOURNAL FROM GORING Sea Lane Café Jacobs Steel estate agents, Wallace Parade, Denyers, Goring Road Goring Road Tides, Aldsworth Parade, Aldsworth Avenue West Station News, Station Parade, Tarring Worthing Watersports, St John's Parade, Road Alinora Crescent Elm Grove newsagents Verandah café, Goring Road Worthing Lions shop, Goring Road Goring Food and Wine, Aldsworth Parade, Goring News and Cards, Goring Road Goring Road TARRING HEENE Taylors newsagents, South Street The Pet Shop, Rowlands Road Heene Community Centre reception HIGH TOWN CENTRE Village Shop, Salvington Hill Coffee House, Montague Quarter Quick Stop newsagents, Railway Approach BROADWATER Trident newsagents, Shelley Road Shreejee News, South Farm Road Roberton/Clive Andrew hair salon, Rowlands Muldoons café, Broadwater Street West Road Broadwater Green Post Office, Cricketers News and Cards, Richmond Road Parade News Corner, Wenban Road/Chapel Road Chapel News, Chapel Road Vanity Hair, Clifton Road Londis, Montague Street precinct Findon Valley Post Office, Findon Road Montague dry cleaners, Montague Street FINDON WEST DURRINGTON SEAFRONT Findon Village News Quality Kwik dry cleaners, Tesco superstore Lido café Worthing Coastal Office MAYBRIDGE Last Resort bar , League of Friends' café/shop Strand Pets, Strand Parade, The Boulevard FERRING Lyndhurst Road Post Office Pinkertons newsagents, Ocean Parade, Lebara newsagents, Ham Road/Ham Way SALVINGTON Ferringham Lane Best-one convenience store, Road Welcome convenience store, Half Moon Lane 3 OPINION did you know? 1912: Worthing Post Office WORST CASE SCENARIO FOR TOWN PUBS employed 54 postmen who collected and delivered more The Half Brick than 1.15 million letters a month. There were 69 postboxes in Worthing and 34 in the surrounding rural district.

1993: Steers steakhouse at the junction of Marine Parade and South Street celebrated its 21st anniversary by offering a four-course meal for just WITH Worthing’s independent after Lockdown 2, you could almost £6.95. pubs struggling to survive during hear the collective groan of despair the pandemic, the words of among landlords and landladies who 1907: G Stone, caretaker of legendary writer Hilaire had worked so hard during the Davison School, Chapel Belloc spring to mind. toughest of times to stay solvent. Road, received in wages 12 In response to his own rhetorical Tier 2 was unquestionably the worst shillings a week. question: “How will people know possible outcome in the run up to when the nation is finished?” he Christmas, traditionally pubs’ 1926: Ebenezer Hale, of 7 wrote: busiest time when takings tide them Warwick Place, died in his “When you have lost your inns, over the lean months of January and 82nd year. He was the son of drown your empty selves, for you February. George Hale, who in the will have lost the last of .” Tier 3 would have kept pubs closed 1850s became the first person Sadly, we have been losing pubs (reducing overheads) and unlocked to advocate the construction hand over fist for the past 20 years. more Government cash. of ironclads to replace Many of us will remember the now Tier 1 would have enabled licensees wooden warships which were defunct Wine Lodge, Half Brick, to serve drinks without food and turn vulnerable to cannon fire from Montague, White Hart, Buck- a coin. Russian shore batteries during ingham, Tiroler, Globe, Norfolk, Tier 2 - where alcohol could only be the Crimean War. Lennox, Dolphin, Maple Leaf, served to customers having a Southdown and Downview. “substantial meal” - left pubs with 1917: The Town Council They’ve been replaced, to an extent, minimal Whitehall support and a banned passengers from by micropubs such as Anchored in sharp reduction in customers. sitting alongside drivers on Worthing, the Georgi Fin, Bike Without question the worst case motor omnibuses despite it Shed, Green Man and Elephant in scenario! being the most popular seat. the Room. It now remains to be seen whether However, watering holes both old another rash of Worthing pubs will 1837: Worthing’s Post Office and new have faced incredible close for good in the New Year. was situated in Warwick pressures since last March. Pubs run by good people who work Street, where the woman who Even hostelries on a firm footing endless hours to provide a social ran it also operated a millinery have struggled due to lockdown, scene where people can mix with business. She employed two tiers, social distancing and pods. friends, enjoy a drink and have fun. men to collect and deliver They have gone over and above the As Jonathan Neame, chief executive letters. call of duty to provide a service to of Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest the community and keep afloat brewer said: “Lose our pubs and you 1891: The Montague Arms, financially. lose the soul of the nation.” Montague Street, run by HH The Government stepped in with — With grateful thanks to Worthing Wyatt, was described as “one grants and loans to act as a cushion, historian Chris Hare, whose study of of the most commodious and but the money was soon swallowed the life and works of Belloc can be best ventilated” pubs in town. up by various expensive overheads. found at www.belloc-broad When Worthing went into Tier 2 wood.org.uk www.worthingjournal.co.uk 4 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1918: Nearly 1,300 children of Worthing men serving in the Army and Navy were entertained at the Connaught Hall, Chapel Road, where they received toys, sweets, buns, lemonade and ginger beer. One onlooker noted the “bright, happy faces of the youngsters, whom it was a pleasure and privilege to entertain”.

1962: The annual Police tattoo on the Manor Ground, Broadwater Road, which began in 1950 and attracted up to 14,000 spectators every year, was scrapped after the cost of staging it soared to £1,500.

1958: More than 60 people went on a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament “Ban the H-Bomb” march from to the seafront - on the same day the town’s civil defence volunteers staged an exercise dealing with the aftermath of a nuclear warhead detonating ten miles east of Worthing.

1 9 5 8 : Wo r t h i n g To w n Council approved plans to demolish Muir House, formerly Broadwater ’s DURRINGTON Cemetery’s homes, shops and offices on the site. Rectory, opposite St Mary’s resident herd of deer at rest. It had already bought up shops in Church, to make way for 70 ••• Montague Street in readiness for modern flats. THE biggest carbuncle on the south demolition. coast could soon be consigned to the The council said progress had been 1962: Plans were tabled for history books. slowed by “the complexity the construction of Portland said the associated with the redevelopment Market, Portland Road, which Grafton multi-storey car park, of the site, including title rights, was to feature 17 shops and a which had blighted the seafront for access, and current sitting tenants”. restaurant. The dismal flat- more than 50 years, was rapidly Coun Kevin Jenkins, the council’s roofed units, which looked reaching the end of its life. regeneration tsar, said the council like lock-up garages, were The council, which was forced to would be getting rid of an eyesore. later demolished to make way regularly undertake expensive But he warned: “Of all the sites we for a much more attractive running repairs on the eyesore want to develop, Grafton is row of shops. concrete and steel structure, was probably the most complex. now seeking to join forces with a “We have to be a bit patient with www.worthingjournal.co.uk major developer to build new Grafton; be careful of the economic 5 by the Sentinel did you know? 1910: The affairs of Goring by Sea, then a rural farming village, were overseen by East Preston Rural District Council.

1888: A crowd of around 1,500 people watched as fire gutted Colonnade House at the junction of Warwick Street and High Street.

1944: Worthing paratrooper Ted Brock, of 3a Becket Buildings, Tarring Road, was believed by relatives to have died at Arnhem but he was in fact a prisoner of war.

1934: A three bed semi- detached home in Salvington winds that might blow, but we will and Spencer and the future of the Gardens cost £685, while a continue to do all we can to make tenpin bowling alley. similar property in Forest this happen.” Developers have also been deterred Road cost £875. Questions that arise include in the past by the complex network underground lorry access to Marks of electricity cables and sewerw www.worthingjournal.co.uk

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82 - 90 Newlands Road, Worthing, BN11 1LB 6 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1979: Liberal borough councillor Peter Green called for a film entitled Scum, about the brutality of borstal, to be banned from the town’s cinemas.

1957: A new craze, hand jiving, was introduced to Worthing, with 16-year-old Elizabeth Solomon one of the first to try it at the Assembly Hall.

1934: Two “What the Butler Saw” machines were installed on , but people putting a penny in the slot saw nothing more daring than a couple having afternoon tea. v 1942: Worthing Art College pipes beneath the site. — students dressed as Napo- A spokesman from AMF Bowling, leonic sailors to re-enact the which runs the bowling alley, said: death of Nelson on a float “We are proud of our history as the taking part in Worthing only bowling centre in the town and Warship Week, aimed at have a lease on this unit for a few raising money towards the more years still. construction of naval vessels. “We have heard many rumours of development of the Grafton car park 1955: Detective Inspector CG in the past, and should these ones Evans, head of Worthing CID, come to fruition, it is important that closely with the local council at the reported 1,043 crimes over the the council works with us to find an earliest opportunity, which we hope course of the year, compared alternative venue to ensure that the will ensure AMF Bowling can to 994 in 1954. He urged families of Worthing can still enjoy continue to provide the experience people to help reduce the a great time together. people of Worthing know and love, crime rate by locking up their “We look forward to working in the future.” bicycles.

1979: Several pupils were suspended by Tarring High School in a crackdown on students wearing punk rock fashions.

1935: Archaeologist Barclay Wi l l s b e g a n s c o u r i n g Worthing beach at low tide in search of artifacts from the early Stone Age, and over the next four years he found almost 1,000 flints, mostly east of Splash Point.

8 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1944: A Worthing commen- tator noted: “I regret that ARTIFICIAL pitches are supposed During the autumn, McArdle Sport- youth today doesn’t appear to to be the future for football clubs, Tec Ltd started work on the be growing up with that especially at lower levels. replacement pitch which was due to modesty and ingenuousness They offer all-weather playing be completed by January 13. which marked the adolescent surfaces which are relatively cheap Club Chairman Barry Hunter said: stage of their parents and to maintain compared to traditional “This has been a five-year problem grandparents.” grass. and something I made a priority to Synthetic pitches can also be hired resolve when I took the appointment 1888: A giant copper, with a out for all sorts of activities, thereby just over a year ago. capacity of 1,500 gallons, was boosting revenue. “It has been an incredibly intensive pulled by horses through the But Worthing FC’s 3G pitch has period of discussion, collaboration streets of Worthing to the been a nightmare from start to and negotiation, requiring a lot of Tower Brewery, behind the finish. patience, persistence and commit- Egremont pub, which was It was installed five years ago but ment from a very broad group of renowned for its “excellent has now been ripped up and stakeholders.” malt liquors”. replaced with a new one. He said the work amounted to a The club is coy about the figures “serious upgrade” of the playing 1945: Bandsman CF Phillips, involved but said it had received a surface, adding that it would not of 17 Cranleigh Road, “substantial” undisclosed grant have been possible without the FA’s returned to Worthing after from the Football Foundation to unprecedented support and gui- more than four-and-a-half undertake the work. dance. years in a German prisoner of Initially the pitch performed well Mr Hunter also praised players, war camp. He was captured at but soon started to flood. management, supporters and Dunkirk in 1940. The surface became uneven and was sponsors for their patience and branded a safety hazard, resulting in perseverance. 1907: West Tarring Working FIFA banning matches. Meanwhile facilities such as toilets Men’s Club and Institute was Worthing were forced into exile, and refreshment kiosks were being formed, and within three playing “home” games at other improved at Worthing’s Woodside months had 150 members grounds until the problem was Road ground, now known as the who enjoyed reading, playing temporarily rectified. Crucial Environmental Stadium, cards, bagatelle, billiards and, But this season further issues arose after fans staged a summer of course, drinking at the bar. and Worthing once again found fundraising drive, collecting almost themselves playing away. £50,000. — 1927: Edward Lloyd, the It was a bitter blow for club saviour Top-of-the-table Worthing FC famous tenor who sang for George Dowell who ploughed in so boss Adam Hinshelwood received royalty, received numerous much of his own money to improve the Isthmian League Manager of the congratulations from all over facilities and turn Worthing into a Month award for September and t h e c o u n t r y w h e n h e footballing force to be reckoned October. celebrated his 82nd birthday with. ••• at Delgany, Heene Road, but died just a few weeks later.

1 9 1 9 : E d w a r d B a k e r Edwards, who for many years was the principal seller at the fish market just east of the Pavilion Theatre, died at the age of 87. He was the son of James Edwards, one of 11 Worthing fishermen who drowned in the 1850 Lalla Rookh disaster.

10 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1923: Mr J Stewart Crowshaw donated a meadow known as Lees Field to Lancing Parish Council so it could be converted into a recreation ground.

1900: With the Boer War raging, nearly 40 men were recruited to the Worthing Company of Volunteers, boosting its strength to 120, who mustered every week at Bath Place drill hall.

1958: Worthing’s longest serving Salvation Army member, Ested Maurice Jones, of 7 Mardale Road, Durrington, died at the age of NOT strictly Worthing but 88. He was a veteran of something that is having, and will Worthing’s Victorian Salva- have, a major impact on motorists tion Army disturbances when from the town. the Riot Act was read on the West Sussex County Council is steps of the Town Hall, as currently widening the A259 dragoons armed with sabres between and East stood by. Preston in a bid to reduce often severe traffic congestion, especially 1984: Worthing restaurants when approaching Angmering included the Greek Taverna, Bypass roundabout from the east. at St George’s Lodge, 46 ••• Chesswood Road, which IT took workmen almost a fortnight served “exotic continental to remove hundreds of COVID-19 cuisine”, and the Grape cycle lane bollards. Escape, a wine bar at 28 They boiled a kettle containing tar Warwick Street. which was poured into the holes left in the road surface by screws which 1963: Following demolition bolted the bollards to the Tarmac. and Southern Pavilion. of St Paul’s mission rooms ••• The council said the scheme was and a row of terraced homes LANCING Police Station, which technically complex and would on the north side of Richmond was on the market for around require a dedicated water supply Road there were fears for the £700,000, has been bought by Adur and new pipework. future of the historic and Worthing Councils which Fitting sprinklers to the Southern Wheatsheaf pub. suggested that the building could be Pavilion alone would cost £90,000. used by small businesses. Workmen last year completed the 1905: There were plans to ••• installation of a fire main along the build a new road in the town A NEW sprinkler system on the pier entire length of the pier, plus a new centre called Park Lane, could cost £810,000. sewer pipe. which, had it been built, However, the borough council has ••• would have been routed only £503,000 set aside, leaving a BY mid November superfast through what is today shortfall of £307,000. broadband fibres had been laid Waitrose car park and the Sprinklers would safeguard in the outside around 19,000 Worthing adjoining gas works site. event of fire the Pavilion Theatre, homes, according to the borough Central Pavilion amusement arcade council. The CRICKETERS 66 Broadwater Street West | Worthing | BN14 9DE | 01903 233369 Should old acquaintances be forgot BOOKING NOW FOR OUR POPULAR ANNUAL BURNS NIGHT SUPPER - SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 CELEBRATING THE SCOTTISH BARD RABBIE BURNS WITH A WEE DRAM OR TWO, NEEPS AND TATTIES

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1930: Worthing Labour Party purchased for £500 a hall in Lyndhurst Road previously used as a Primitive Methodist Chapel, and renamed it MacDonald Hall, after Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald.

1958: A grand Worthing house called Abergeldie, built in 1930 and set in three-and-a- half acres of land at 2 Peven- HOUSES will soon stretch from ascertain if harzardous materials sey Road, was demolished to Tesco superstore almost to the back from the days when Brooklands was make way for flats (Pevensey door of the Coach and Horses pub. a waste tip lay underground. Gardens). Developers are planning to build a Work on a play area and pathways further 240 homes on the final field had been delayed until more was 1937: A family, including before the A27. known about past contamination. three children, living in a This will take to around 940 the ••• caravan and railway carriage number of dwellings constructed on PEOPLE could be at risk from off Southdownview Road, former Somerset family farmland toppling trees or falling branches as faced eviction after the north of Tesco, West Durrington. a deadly disease sweeps across property was branded unfit for ••• Europe. human habitation. REVAMPED Highdown Gardens Worthing Borough Council warned should reopen to the public in that ash dieback was a growing 1976: The Victoria Inn, March. problem. Montague Street, was listed Worthing Borough Council warned A report to councillors noted: “Trees by the Department of that visits may have to be booked in affected by the disease drop Environment as a building of advance to comply with COVID-19 branches as well as fall over, so the special historical and archi- restrictions “depending on social council needs to proactively tectural interest. distancing rules at that time”. manage the decline of the trees to ••• avoid potential injury to persons or 1905: The Worthing branch of THE transformation of Brooklands property. the British Women’s Tem- into an educational leisure park has “This will require removing perance Association cele- been delayed. affected trees and replanting either brated its tenth anniversary, Councillors granted permission last disease resistant strains or different during which time member- May, but designers ran into species.” ship rose from nine to more problems with the café and toilets Next year’s budget included than 120. Mrs Eliot Yorke, the planned for Western Road car park. £50,000 to remove diseased trees principal speaker, said the Surveyors revealed that the café site and plant new saplings. association should strive to was located on unstable ground. However, due to the accelerating get three words - have a drink - This had increased the cost of the spread of ash dieback work had banished from everyday café by around 23 per cent due to already begun, forcing councillors language. longer pilings being needed to shore to bring forward funding to cover up the foundations. the cost. www.worthingjournal.co.uk Further soil studies were required to •••

14 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1920: A hearing was held in the Town Hall to discuss plans A NEW synthetic football pitch at economic effect on the town. by Worthing Corporation to Palatine Park will cost £916,540. “It is therefore proposed to develop buy the pier from the private The Football Foundation had agreed a new website for Time for company which ran it. to cover 62 per cent of the price. Worthing.” Work on the pitch, a joint project This would reduce the need to 1957: Royal Navy engineer between Worthing Town FC and the produce “paper promotions” such as Brian Peerless saw himself at borough council, was expected to leaflets. the Odeon cinema, Worthing, start later this year. Time for Worthing is the latest in a playing a German sailor in the ••• long line of promotional slogans hit wartime movie The Battle UP to £20,000 could be spent on a ranging from the people’s choice, of the River Plate. He was new Time for Worthing website. Sunny Worthing, to Visit Worthing serving aboard HMS Glasgow The cash would be drawn from and Discover Worthing. when the film company £42,000 set aside for new ••• appealed for extras. “Welcome to Worthing” signs at the ALL sorts of concessions have borough boundaries. appeared on Worthing seafront 1943: Highly decorated A report to councillors said: “The since the autumn, with coffee Acting Squadron Leader HJL current website is lacking infor- wagons such as this dainty caravan Hallowes, a Battle of Britain mation and does not have the and a fairy light decorated drinks ace, of 17 Normandy Road, capacity to develop the brand, dispenser proving especially was awarded the Distin- which could have a negative popular with promenaders. guished Flying Cross for “high skill and unswerving devotion to duty”. Although officially credited with 19 kills, it was estimated he had accounted for 31 German planes.

1940: Town councillors called for a policeman to be stationed outside Dominion Road Infants School when children were entering and leaving the premises after concerns were voiced about traffic posing a danger to youngsters crossing the road outside.

1901: A commentator of the day wrote: “If a prize was offered for the worst road in the British Empire, Elm Grove would win it. I travelled much as a youngster but never along roads more than ankle-deep in mud.”

1974: The Warnes Hotel held over 18s disco nights in the York Room and Forge Bar, the entry fee being 25p.

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16 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1940: Commander Edward Marston Lockwood, of Gorse Avenue, Worthing, was the town’s chief air raid warden, having during the Great War been in charge of the Hawke Battalion of sailors in the 63rd Naval Division who served in the trenches as infantrymen.

1908: A commentator of the day noted: “There are those who are mortally alarmed at the least suggestion of a deposit of seaweed on the beach, declaring that the odour that emanates from such accumulations from the harvest of the sea is warranted to kill at a thousand yards.”

1915: Hundreds of Royal Fusiliers stationed at Worth- ing were treated to a night of EXERCISING on the beach! Photo to save whales and dolphins. entertainment at the Literary by Ann Jewitt. Members of the public have been Institute. During the interval ••• donating their old phones to several ladies stood on the THE multi-coloured chalets Worthing Coastal Office. stage and threw oranges into bordering East Beach are in line for Some mobiles were found on the the khaki-clad audience. new frontages according to beach and handed in. Lieutenant Ambler demon- Worthing Borough Council which Rebecca Belleni, a support assistant strated how to use the sharp estimated the work could cost at the coastal office, said it didn’t curved Kukri fighting knife, £80,000. matter if they worked or not. issued to Gurkhas, and ••• She said: “We send them off to a recounted the tale of one SIGNS are being installed at a giant recycling company which then German victim who was Victorian graveyard so people transfers the funds raised through sliced through his helmet to aren’t locked inside after dark. recycling to Whale and Dolphin his chest. Debra Hillman, chairman of the Conservation. Friends of Broadwater Cemetery, “We know a lot of people have been 1952: Three storey blocks of said: “The council has agreed to using their time in the current flats on the east side of erect signs at the cemetery to warn climate to undertake clear outs. Limbrick Lane, Maybridge, visitors when the gates will be “We have had a fantastic response, were constructed. locked and to provide contact with multiple people per day details should anyone be locked in. dropping off phones or asking about 1940: Earl Winterton, MP for “This is in response to us reporting the project and commending us on Worthing, criticised pacifists several incidences where dog this collaboration for the protection who distributed anti-war walkers were locked in - two of our marine life. leaflets outside Labour involving me going to let them out.” “It’s been refreshing to have Exchanges while men were ••• members of the public come into registering to fight. He said: WORTHING Borough Council our office to ask and speak about “If Hitler won he would collects £73.8 million in taxes per something positive that we are reduce us to a condition of year. Council levies contributing to, and help raise the slavery and starvation.” £42 million. flag for the Worthing Coastal Office ••• as not just a front line service but www.worthingjournal.co.uk MOBILE phones are being recycled marine advocates.” RUSSELL’S MOBILITY & CARE SHOP Ltd Specialists in Independent Living & Mobility 01903 231578

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1952: Worthing’s MP, Brigadier Otho Prior Palmer, warned: “Bankruptcy faces the local market garden and nursery industry.” He understood that up to 60 ••• market gardens and nurseries THERE are just 36 rhomboid- were up for sale in Worthing WORTHING, most notably shaped Worthing Journal Windows due to cheap foreign imports Tarring, is renowned for its figs, and on the Pier left to fill. of fruit and vegetables from it seems like 2020 was a bumper Well 30 actually, for six have Spain and Italy. season judging by the bucket of free already been snapped up, so be fresh fruit placed beneath a quick as time, and space, is running 1945: A cyclist by the name of bountiful tree in St Wilfred’s Road, out if you wish to order one. Frederick William Pickford Broadwater. appeared before Worthing ••• magistrates for a minor traffic BEWARE the Bayside ghost! offence and told the court he Will residents of the new Brighton did not want to be judged by Road flats complex be haunted by a anyone who belonged to a spooky spectre? political party, Freemasons or In 1970, lifeguards at Worthing Rotarians. He was fined ten Aquarena swimming pool, which shillings by the court, which formerly occupied the site, reported ignored his request. seeing an apparition in the shape of a little girl. www.worthingjournal.co.uk Staff working late said they could

20 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1897: The inmates of East Preston Workhouse com- plained that the potatoes served up at meal times were unfit for human consumption, but they received little sympathy from the public, who regarded most of the men in the workhouse as malin- gerers.

1 9 4 5 : F l i g h t - S e rg e a n t Alexander Green, of Bomber Command, was posted missing following a raid, having before joining the RAF been assistant principal of Goring Hall and Langton House schools in Worthing.

1897: John Orrell Lever, who lived for some hears in Heene W O RT H I N G ’ S “ w a t e r w i s e promenade following a public Terrace, died. In 1857 he garden” could be refurbished at a outcry. founded the Atlantic Mail cost of almost £100,000. However, Paul High, a leading Steamship Company but the Beachcombers have been surprised Conservative councillor, warned business failed and he lost to find parts of a wooden boardwalk they had been planted at the wrong £100,000 - an absolute fortune replaced by Tarmac patches! time of year, leading to fears they at the time. Now the boardwalk and timber might not survive a harsh winter. monoliths could be replaced using Worthing Borough Council was 1989: Plans were unveiled to recycled plastic for planking. panned by residents after removing bulldoze Regency terrace The cost included revamped cordylines which had given the Bedford Row as part of a signage and more shingle plants. seafront a tropical touch for almost multi-million pound revamp ••• 20 years. of land between Warwick WORKMEN have planted replace- The backlash prompted a rapid U- Street and the seafront. The ment cordylines on West Parade turn by the Town Hall. s c h e m e a l s o i n c l u d e d demolishing the Dome cinema (excluding the Dome tower) and rebuilding it parallel to Marine Parade rather than north-south, and knocking down Debenhams, South Street, to form a glass- roofed pedestrian link with Montague Street.

1957: Henry Behrens, of Graham Road, who at 30ins tall claimed to be the smallest man in the world, and his 36in tall wife Emmie, celebrated their silver wedding anniver- sary. DINE AL FRESCO ON THE BEACH OR IN OUR MARQUEE

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Sea Lane Café, Marine Crescent, Goring by Sea, BN12 4HR 01903 247847 www.sealanecafe.co.uk 22 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1897: In a remarkable coincidence, two well-known THERE has been a lot of concern And fail respect to gain. Worthing fishermen, George voiced, of late, about the general To hold her own she must resolve, Goble and Edward Bacon, upkeep of the town. Whatever cynics say, were found dead in their boats As The Journal often points out, we The downgrade is no place for her, on the beach within 36 hours need to get the basics right and build She does not know that way. from there. of each other. There were no Wise councils will with her prevail suspicious circumstances. It is a debate that spans decades, and centuries, as this poem - An Ode to Right well she knows her friends, And to mistakes she may have made, 1903: Worthing had 47 pubs Worthing - penned in 1912, illustrates: She’ll try to make amends! and 11 beer houses - or one ••• establishment selling alcohol What! Worthing on the downgrade? THE Durrington Cemetery for every 229 residents of the gravestone image of an exhausted town. That surely is not true! Those by whom this charge is made, Plains Indian on an equally worn out pony, featured in December’s May live that charge to rue. 1897: A glossy brochure edition, has great resonance in containing photographs of Not friends are they who would America’s Wild West. Worthing, taken by Walter besmirch So says a reader who has a son in Gardiner, was published to The credit of the town, Colorado. celebrate the Diamond Jubilee Would shadow with a threatening The image, called The End of the of Queen Victoria’s reign. crowd Trail, is based on a sculpture by Copies were sent all over the This place of fair renown. James Earle Fraser which can be c o u n t r y, i n c l u d i n g t o Long has she held a leading place, seen in a small city called Waupun, Buckingham Palace and St And will that place maintain, Wisconsin. James’s Palace. In spite of those who carp and sneer, ••• CLEANING KING WORTHING

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20 New Broadway Tarring Road West Worthing BN11 4HP [email protected] www.sussexcoins.co.uk 24 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1977: A 72-year-old sailor was pulled from the sea off Worthing after drifting for nearly two miles clinging to his upturned boat. Ted Churcher, of Ham Road, said he had no plans to give up boating despite his ordeal, stating “I have been sailing since I was 11.”

1927: A commentator of the day described hordes of daytrippers descending on Worthing as a “rabble”. He said: “What is being horribly brought home to us is the scarifying fact that Worthing WHEN Goring was a rural village, As November turned to December has suddenly become another the area was dotted with thatched thatchers were hard at work washpot for the undesirable cottages. replacing the roof, giving it a golden kind of tripper.” It was, by all accounts, until the rather than grey hue. early 1930s, a lovely arcadian Imagine how lovely Worthing 1900: An old pedlar who backwater. would be if flint-walled thatched fought in the Crimean War But during the 20th century cottages had been retained. regularly stayed at the Worthing’s tentacles were stretch- Instead planners adopted a Feathers Inn, Portland Road, ing ever outwards, consuming “bulldoze and be damned” where he was treated so well Goring, Salvington, Tarring and mentality which destroyed the by the landlady, Mrs Green, Broadwater. town’s picturesque charm. that on his death bed he “Progress” resulted in dozens of ••• bequeathed all his belongings picturesque thatched cottages being WHEN this thatched flint cottage to her. On examining them, demolished. was built in Sea Lane, Ferring, circa she found £700, but rather Today, there remains only one in 1635, Cardinal Richelieu effec- than pocketing the money she Goring, next to the petrol station in tively ruled . traced his relatives and Goring Way. He’s the chap portrayed as aw handed over the cash, for which she received, by way of a thank you, the grand sum of £5.

1938: The Odeon cinema, demolished to make way for the Montague Quarter, was advertised as the most beautiful theatre and restau- rant on the south coast.

1980: John Boniface, known as “The Birdman of Worth- ing”, wanted to increase the size of his aviary in Sea Place, Goring, from 300 to 1,000 birds.

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Open Monday to Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-12 Telephone 01903 248604 Book online at www.allaboutfeet-worthing.co.uk 26 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1975: Patricia Baring, secretary of Worthing Civic apparel. Society, said of Warwick It paid for a new frock coat, Street South, the area waistcoat and breeches. encapsulating the Dome The tailoring was carried out by cinema, bus depot and Bognor’s Town Crier, Jane Smith, Bedford Row: “Such an area pictured in purple. gives Worthing a marvellous o p p o r t u n i t y t o c r e a t e something outstanding in due course.” vvillain in The Three Musketeers, 1915: As Great War casualties written by Alexandre Dumas. mounted, the Reverend CJ While the cardinal swanned around Hollis, vicar of Holy Trinity , Worthing was barely a speck Church, told parishioners: on the map. “Let us by self-sacrifice, and King Charles I sat on the throne of sympathy, and courage, take England, and persecuted Puritans our personal share in hardship were quitting in droves to settle in and loss, and show that we are North America. not unworthy successors of Within seven years of the cottage those who sent their men to being built, Roundheads and fight at Trafalgar and Cavaliers were slashing away at Waterloo.” each other during the English Civil War, which led to Charles quite 1 9 2 0 : Wo r t h i n g To w n literally losing his head. ••• Council tried to close down ••• YOUR TOWN NEEDS YOU! Portland Market, Portland and Crime A rallying call to shoppers in Road, but received a petition Commissioner Katy Bourne wrote Montague Street. pointing out that seven of the in December: “I am concerned stallholders were discharged about the impact a COVID soldiers who depended on the Christmas may have on shop- market for their livelihoods. workers who have borne the brunt of some people’s anger and frustra- 1953: With money left over tions during the pandemic. Seventy from a Coronation Day street six per cent have already experi- party, residents of Turner enced more abuse, threatening Road, Morland Avenue and behaviour and even physical Gainsborough Avenue set up a assaults.” local committee which ••• resulted, a decade later, in the TOWN CRIER Bob Smytherman is construction of the TMG a picture of sartorial elegance once social club (the initials of each again - courtesy of The Worthing road) off Sompting Road. Journal. Sentinel mentioned that Bob’s blue 1980: A three bed semi- livery was looking a little faded and detached house in West worn around the edges. Avenue cost £38,500, while a It prompted a flurry of donations three bed semi-detached from readers, with Worthing Lions bungalow in Sunningdale stepping in with an incredible Road cost £21,500. £1,000. Further input from Worthing Town Centre Initiative resulted in almost www.worthingjournal.co.uk £1,800 being raised to refresh Bob’s

28 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1978: The Waverley paddle steamer suffered damage to its hull when a sudden swell smashed her into the side of Worthing Pier as she was docking to offload and pick up passengers.

1937: The Pier Pavilion was packed with hundreds of AFTER a succession of false dawns, American-style non-stop 1517 finally opened a fortnight marathon dancers from the before Christmas in the former Worthing branch of the Junior Beales department store, South Imperial League. The last Street. couple still dancing won a However, the frantic rush to get the prize. interior finished was tempered by the appearance of “Closing Down” 1937: Roland Burrows QC, signs at Debenhams on the other chairman of West Sussex side of the road. Quarter Sessions, heard the As soon as the long feared demise of case of a 14-year-old Worth- Debenhams was announced, queues ing boy accused of shop formed outside the store, which was breaking. After hearing a plea mobbed by bargain-hunting of leniency from a priest, Mr customers hoping for big discounts. Burrows said: “In my opinion A fellow South Street trader there is a great deal too much described them, half jokingly, as false sentiment nowadays. “vultures picking over the carcass”. The desire to rescue offenders If only such numbers had flocked to as individuals from the the store (and others around the consequences of crime is very country) in preceding years perhaps laudable but it may be Debenhams’ future might be secure. extended to such a degree as to At the time of writing Mike Ashley, become harmful to society,” owner of Sports Direct, was looking The teenager was subse- into taking over the Arcadia group quently sent to borstal for of stores, including Debenhams and three years. Topshop, after it went into administration. 1978: Plans for a £300,000 Although the end seemed nigh, leisure pool at West Park, off Debenhams staff remained cheerful Shaftesbury Avenue, were and friendly during the Christmas shelved by borough coun- rush, which did them great credit. cillors. We must now wait to see if Debenhams joins Woolworths, Bhs, 1889: There was chaos in and Beales in the annals of Worthing Police court when Worthing’s retail history. 63 dog owners were sum- The building in which Debenhams monsed for failing to muzzle traded was substantial in terms of their pets. Proceedings in the floorspace. Please turn to pages 96-97. crowded courtroom were Gazing into a crystal ball, if the store ••• interspersed with laughter, did close it seems likely the ground BIN lorries are now referred to as and a woman who became floor will be retained for retail, with waste wagons by Adur and hysterical was removed. the first and second floors converted Worthing Councils. into flats. Staff have recently been trialling www.worthingjournal.co.uk — Time for 1517! New store opens. one that runs only on electricity.

30 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1939: The first English peaches of the season to go on sale at Covent Garden Market, , were grown in the Worthing district.

1960: Plans were unveiled for the construction of 77 homes - 67 of them bungalows - on the site of Douglas Nurseries, off Salvington Road, Durrington.

1889: A pleasure yacht called the Skylark took a group of sightseers into the Channel off Worthing to get a closer look at a passing German naval SELLERS of festive lights did a twinkled almost as brightly as the squadron. On its return, the sparkling trade as people tried to eyes of children hypnotised by the vessel collided with the pier shake off pandemic blues. fabulous festive fairy lights. during docking and was holed Staff couldn’t stock the shelves fast Worthing Town Centre Initiative below the waterline. As enough as householders bought earned widespread praise for skipper Charles Lee tried to illuminations by the trolley load. positioning 14 Christmas trees, each unload his passengers and The rush started in mid November, 8ft tall, around our premier save the boat, his right hand with many homes and businesses shopping streets. became entangled in wire decorated before the end of the They were beautifully decorated by rigging and a finger was month. shopkeepers, community groups c r u s h e d . C a p t a i n L e e It helped to brighten up Worthing at and families, giving the town’s retail managed to beach the Skylark a time when people’s spirits were nucleus a Yuletide boost. before she sank, and then had starting to flag due to lockdowns Multi-coloured pompoms proved part of his injured finger and tiers. popular as all-weather baubles. amputated. Some householders really went to One tree, near the Guildbourne town with dazzling displays and Centre, was adorned with scores of 1900: Plans were tabled for a invited visitors to donate cash for wine bottle corks, complete with footbridge over the railway charity. furry red noses. line at Goring station. It The most splendid light shows lit up The tree trail was complimented by remains in use to this day. Saxifrage Way, West Durrington, 12 Nutcracker soldiers who stood and Bulkington Avenue. guard at strategic locations between 1913: The Worthing Troop of There was a particularly pretty show Brighton Road and Heene Road. w t h e S u s s e x Ye o m a n r y in Sea Lane, Goring, which The TCI also provided for consisted of 42 officers and men, just four troopers and a trumpeter short of full strength. A commentator of the day observed: “Formerly much of the time was wasted in the provisions of purely ceremonial duties. Far greater attention is (now) paid to shooting than ever before. When a trooper first joins he is impressed with the fact that his horse is his best friend and his rifle the next best.” JEREMY SILVERTHORNE FINE JEWELLERY CO WORTHING’S EMPORIUM OF GOLD, SILVER, DIAMONDS AND PEARLS LARGEST STOCK OF ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE JEWELLERY IN THE COUNTY ALL TYPES OF JEWELLERY, GOLD AND SILVER PURCHASED ANTIQUE – VINTAGE – MODERN

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1907: Inmates from East Preston Workhouse travelled vyoungsters a jolly giant Santa in Heath. to Steyne Gardens for an Montague Place. ••• alfresco feast in the fresh air. Worthing Borough Council must be LASERS darted back and forth The journey was described as commended for providing Christ- from the roof of the Pier’s Southern “a beautiful drive through the mas trees in Montague Street, South Pavilion. country roads, with the early Street Square and outside the Town The beams entranced onlookers as morning sun shining upon Hall in Chapel Road. they flicked across the heavens them, a fresh breeze playing They gave a much-needed festive against a beautiful backdrop of around them, and the clover- lift to our high streets. Rampion wind farm’s twinkling scented meadows and the The South Street fir was sponsored cherry red warning lights. new-mown hay in the fields by Empire Construction. The lasers were set up by a firm nearby.” A council spokesman said: “Along called Laser Light City which with Christmas lights, which have joined forces with Time for 1907: James Carter, of 31 been paid for by local businesses Worthing, part of Worthing North Street, died at the age of and stretch from Brighton Road to Borough Council, which paid for 82. He was a pianoforte porter Heene Road, the town is aglow with them. by profession, and according seasonal spirit.” The multi-coloured beams could be to his obituary “One could not The trees were purchased from seen as far afield as Shoreham and but admire the skill with Balcombe Estate near Haywards . which he would handle the weightiest instruments; mere physical strength being no match for the dexterity which he had acquired by many years of practice.”

1989: Former Worthing B o r o u g h C o u n c i l conservation officer Eric Cockain described the Chapel Road building occupied by Blockbuster Video store, and now Sussex Bed Company, as “the best example of 1930s architecture in the town”.

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34 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1895: Findon Sheep Fair was declared one of the most SECURITY cameras have been groups gathering and drinking. successful ever held, with installed at a beach shelter fenced “A significant amount of resources almost 11,000 animals off for months to deter anti-social has been targeted at resolving the assembled on Nepcote Green. behaviour. reported issues. The rotunda at the east end of “There are a number of factors that 1978: Keith Smith, 14, of Windsor Lawns was the haunt of contribute to the current situation at Oakleigh Road, represented rowdy street drunks who made the rotunda. England in the Euro Skate- residents’ lives a misery. “The structure itself provides board Championships in After repeated complaints, the shelter in a location that is away Frankfurt, Germany. borough council cordoned off the from the town centre. shelter, which three years ago was “There has, in recent years, been 1960: The number of restored at a cost of £53,000. intense scrutiny on members of the glasshouse nurseries in The fencing has been up for at least street community, fuelled by social Worthing growing fruits, nine months with no sign of it being media and high profile incidents. vegetables and flowers had removed. “There has also been increased slumped in just ten years from A report to councillors noted: “The police enforcement, issuing orders 150 to 56. rotunda is an open sided structure to several individuals which does located at the eastern end of not allow them into the town centre. 1937: A new home for the Worthing promenade. “This has led to dispersed groups blind was constructed in “There is a history of a range of moving to locations just outside the Nursery Lane, an alleyway incidents including drug use and town centre but still close to shops, running parallel to Rowlands litter, street drinking, lewd behav- amenities and friends living nearby. Road. iour, criminal damage, littering, “Due to the COVID-19 lockdown defecation, rough sleeping, drug restrictions, daytime shelter and www.worthingjournal.co.uk dealing and disorder arising from support has drastically decreased. 35 by the Sentinel did you know? 1 9 2 2 : Wo r t h i n g To w n Council looked to tap into a new water supply at Long Furlong, just north of Clapham, after two years of below average rainfall sparked fears of a drought.

1840: A cricket match was played at Worthing cricket ground, opposite Park Crescent, between “11 gentlemen of this place and 11 of Angmering”.

1891: Following a poor harvest due to bad weather, the Rev CG Coombe, chaplain of the Chapel of Ease (later known as St Paul’s Church) suggested that the Harvest “The day centre is currently by to more groups gathering in public. Festival service be cancelled, appointment only and the library “The street outreach team has but parishioners demanded it has closed for refurbishment. recently secured a town centre went ahead. “This leaves no daytime provision location to provide daytime respite for people rough sleeping, leading and shelter which should reducew www.worthingjournal.co.uk THE HENTY ARMS, FERRING Vernon welcomes you to the Henty, serving fine food in friendly surroundings

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Many thanks to customers old and new for supporting your village local during testing times 2 Ferring Lane www.hentyarms.co.uk Ferring BN12 6QY A REAL COMMUNITY PUB 01903 241254 36 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1897: It was reported that v Captain WHP Hains, captain the amount of people spending and accommodation providers to of the Lalla Rookh, was still time on the street. discuss opportunities for working alive and well, having risen to “This will be operating several days together to resolve issues. become a leading light in the throughout the winter and will then “This has been particularly useful Cunard company. Having be reviewed. with a new provider in the area and gone to sea in 1838, he had “Operationally, there is a helps to reduce community tensions sailed the Atlantic no less than considerable amount of work among residents. 592 times. The Lalla Rookh undertaken on a daily basis. “A recent review of communi- disaster of 1850 will forever “The outreach team visits the cations relating to the issues in the be remembered in Worthing location five-six times a week to area has identified the need to after 11 of the town’s identify who is sleeping/spending provide more information to local fishermen drowned in a time there, signposts them to residents. ferocious storm going to the services, and discusses the conse- “Anything that is clearly litter is assistance of the stricken quences of behaving in an anti- cleared in a timely manner. vessel. social manner. “People’s belongings cannot be “The information gathered by the cleared without notice and for this 1970: John Stoy, manager of outreach team is then shared with reason we are instigating a process the Eardley Hotel, over- the housing needs team to identify which will provide us with a power looking Splash Point, said: accommodation pathways for any to remove and store abandoned “Worthing should pull its person who is rough sleeping. belongings.” finger out and make up its “Where the people identified are not The report added: “The council has mind whether or not it wants rough sleeping, but are staying in also installed CCTV. This will allow to be a holiday resort.” temporary accommodation in the the councils to view footage where area, the housing needs manager has there has been a report of damage/ www.worthingjournal.co.uk been liaising with ward councillors anti-social behaviour and will be 37 by the Sentinel did you know? 1970: A man who wrecked key in identifying individuals Work began in November on St Snob boutique, Montague perpetrating this behaviour. Mary’s Church, Broadwater. Street, Worthing’s trendiest “It is not designed to be monitored The Rev Gaz Daly, rector of St clothing shop, was jailed for in real time. Mary’s, said: “By summer 2021 we nine months after West Sussex “The Adur and Worthing Neigh- will have additional toilets, a new, Quarter Sessions heard how bourhood Policing Team is also fully equipped kitchen and an extra he charged a jukebox and aware of the issues and has meeting room. butted it with such violence increased patrols and engagement in “We have had permission to move that his head and arms ended the area. some grave markers. up inside the machine. “Environmentally, the long term “All grave positions are logged and ambition is to increase shared use of human remains will not be 1975: Fine Fare supermarkets the space and amenities adjacent to disturbed.” at 12 Cricketers Parade, the rotunda. The parish did not disclose the cost Broadwater Street West, and “This has already been instigated of the work. 11 Wallace Parade, Goring with the addition of shared ••• Road, had on offer 144 barbecues and the outdoor gym AN IMPOSING office building Typhoo teabags for 45p, area. which was at the centre of a massive lemonade at 11p a bottle, a “Increasing pro-social behaviour in tax scandal is set to become homes. family pack of Birds dream an area is known to reduce anti- Columbia House, West Durrington, topping for 12-and-a-half social behaviour. was the flagship of Japanese car pence, a bottle of Cinzano “The rotunda and the connected importer UK. Bianco for £1.35 and a large issues remain a priority.” In June, 1991, taxmen launched a can of Norseman lager for 14- ••• dawn raid on the offices of multi- and-a-half pence. A CHURCH mentioned in the millionaire Octav Botnar, who ran Domesday Book is being expanded. the operation.w www.worthingjournal.co.uk THE HARE & HOUNDS Worthing Pub of the Year 2009 and 2014 SERVING THE FINEST ALES AND FOOD FOR 150 YEARS

79-81 Portland Road, Worthing, BN11 1QG 01903 230085 www.hareandhoundsworthing.co.uk 38 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1906: A man appearing before Worthing Police Court, on being asked whether he was married, replied: “Ah! That is what I should like to know. I have a dim sort of recollection that we were both drunk when we went to the church and the clergyman refused to perform the ceremony, and turned us both out, but my wife says it was finished before he turned us out.”

1975: Worthing Borough Council agreed to stage a circus at Brooklands leisure park despite objections about vNissan UK was then one of was able to escape the long arm of animal acts from the RSPCA. Worthing’s major employers at a the law. Coun Jeff Brackley said: time when the town flirted with the Now fencing has gone up around the “Whenever a circus comes to automobile industry. vandal-plagued site as work starts town there is life and colour. It Inland Revenue officers removed on converting Columbia House into is part of England and gives a paperwork in dozens of boxes. 114 new flats - ten in two new floors. lot of pleasure to children and The raid led to two senior A further 36 homes will be their parents.” executives being jailed for tax constructed in three blocks nearby. fraud, but Botnar fled abroad and Developers hoped the first

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35 Seabright West Parade Worthing, BN11 3QS 07836 737255/07776 201974 [email protected] www.dolbysound.com 39 by the Sentinel did you know? 1976: Dunkirk veteran David properties would come onto the community of Findon came Caple, of 36 Orme Road, market in the second half of this together, raising the funds required retired after 42 years as a year. to purchase and refurbish this conductor and driver for ••• building. Our store is now an Southdown Motor Services. THE Village Store, High Sal- essential feature of village life.” vington, closed on New Year’s Eve ••• 1897: The 1st Battalion of the and will remain shut for around WORTHING FC’s Woodside Road Royal Sussex Regiment, three/four months while it, and ground can hold 4,000 spectators, camped at Broadwater, fine- living accommodation above, is according to a borough council tuned is musketry skills on the refurbished and a new micropub report. Cissbury Hill range, in the created alongside the shop and Post ••• shadow of the famous Iron Office. The pub will be called The AVON Manor Care Home, Manor Age hill fort whose ancient Refreshment Room, a title Road, has opened a safe visitor defenders used pebbles for resurrected from the days when a room so relatives can meet up with slingshots. dairy owned the building and sold residents. teas to daytrippers enjoying the Even with a vaccine now available, 1934: In a travelogue called fresh Downland air. Avon Manor said it would be quite Romantic Spain at the Pier ••• some time before anything Pavilion, speaker RR May A PLAQUE paying tribute to its resembling normal family visits can showed slides of a bullfight to saviour has been fixed to the side of start again, so the decision was the audience, and said that one Findon Village News. made to provide a safe visiting day soon picadors would enter It states: “In 2017 Peter Golds- room, in the form of a pod with the arena on motorcycles worthy led a remarkable campaign sealed partitions, outside the main rather than horses. to Save Our Shop. Under his building. determined leadership the ••• www.worthingjournal.co.uk 40 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1924: A four-year-old boy was killed when a fire engine on an Barnes Wallis emergency call collided with a landaulette motor car at the junction of Longfellow Road and Heene Road.

1969: Responding to com- plaints that not enough local girls were entering the Miss Worthing beauty contest, John Coldwell, of Stanley Road, responded: “I guess the girls either are too shy of showing their figures, or consider themselves superior to such goings-on, which some people unkindly liken to cattle shows.”

1942: Leslie Orrom, 20, of 6 South Place, Worthing, SENTINEL was fascinated to learn Lancasters from 617 “Dambusters” survived when a freighter was that the parents of legendary Squadron flew in at low level in a twice torpedoed in Canadian wartime bouncing bomb inventor bid to breach the dams and flood waters. He was awoken by the Neville Barnes Wallis lived in factories forming Germany’s first explosion and scrambled Worthing during the 1930s. industrial powerhouse. into a lifeboat which took Dr and Mrs CG Wallis resided at The oil drum-shaped bomb span as eight hours to reach land 20 Regency terrace Park Crescent. it left the aircraft and bounced miles away. Their son, pictured alongside a across the water before exploding Lancaster bomber, must surely have on impact with its target. 1893: After complaints about visited. Two dams, the Mohne and the Eder, the chalkiness of Worthing’s His experimental four tonne were destroyed, but the Sorpe drinking water, the Town invention was deployed against remained intact. Council drilled for new three German dams in the Rhur Of the 133 RAF aircrew who took sources at the Corporation Valley on the night of May 16/17, part in the mission, 53 died and three Waterworks in Upper High 1943. were captured. Street, but during the work the supply became tainted by s e w a g e , s p a r k i n g t h e disastrous typhoid epidemic which claimed around 200 lives.

1947: Chippingdale Cricket Club held its golden jubilee dinner at Bethrays restaurant. The function was attended by the club’s oldest member, honorary secretary WJ Blackman, who joined in 1904.

www.worthingjournal.co.uk Park Crescent

42 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1969: There was talk of the old Heene Baths site in Heene Road, which was valued at £125,000, being turned into a sports stadium, ice rink, conference hall, hotel and restaurant.

1992: A football team from the Frog Pond bar, Bath Place, played in front of 61,000 people at Wembley prior to the Charity Shield clash between Leeds and Liverpool. The Worthing boys beat a n o r t h e r n s i d e c a l l e d Boulevard 4-2 on penalties. WHILE visiting the Gardeners beer garden for the Gardeners, The Frog Pond line up was: Arms pub in West Street, Sompting, which lacks such a facility at Paul Bennett, Geoff Ward, during the summer, Sentinel paused present. Jason Rutherford, Richard to inspect a neighbouring “secret” Trelawny’s Gate was named after Knight, Dave Fallon, Micky walled garden the famous English poet and Fallon, Adie Cooper, Steve A medieval-style wooden door adventurer John Trelawny, a friend Welman, Steve Pickles, Paul facing onto West Street was to fellow Romantic poets Percy Bennett and Rod Wood. Subs: inscribed with the name Trelawny’s Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. Alan Dawes, John Prees, Gate. Trelawny, who retired to Sompting Steve Guille, Barry Wells, Peering over the wall, figs and pears in the twilight of a remarkable life, Peter Mott, Russell Barnard. grew from untended trees being joined the Royal Navy as a young consumed by undergrowth also man and fought against the French 1940: When police were overwhelming a derelict green- during his teens before quitting at called to the Heene Road house. the age of 19. home of Rubina Reid to point Your correspondent couldn’t help He later claimed to have deserted to out a blackout offence, she thinking what a wonderful become a pirate in India. protested: “It is like being community project it would be to Trelawny moved to Italy and met under Nazi rule.” Magistrates restore the orchard to its former Shelley and Byron. fined her £10 after hearing glory. He oversaw the funerals of both men how she had repeatedly Perhaps it could be turned into a after Shelley drowned and Byron f l o u t e d t h e l i g h t i n g died of disease during the Greek regulations, which were War of Independence against the brought in to stop German Turks. aircraft pinpointing the town.

1909: A commentator of the day noted: “Although Worth- ing and are fewer than a dozen miles apart, the antiquated postal and telegraphic service which serves as a connecting link between the two places keep them as remote from one another as though the entire length of the kingdom divided them.” Trelawny GUILD CARE PROTECTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a to stop residents being able to continue challenging time for us all and its reach has enjoying life in their home safely, including VE affected the lives of everyone. Day celebrations, Hallowe'en parties, For those in care homes, it has been an Christmas festivities, and day-to-day fun. especially tough time that has seen major Haviland House, the charity's specialist action taken to ensure our community's most dementia care home, even enjoyed a visit vulnerable are protected. from an ice cream van gifted to them from the Worthing charity Guild Care operates three family of a former couple who lived in the local care homes and in this time of crisis has home in their honour. had to adapt to a new, complex way of caring The residents and staff enjoyed a beautiful to ensure residents' safety. day in the garden with a frozen treat. Their staff sprang into action at the beginning Guild Care is immensely proud of its staff who of the pandemic, implementing robust safety stepped up to the plate to help support their measures. These included regular testing and care homes in an incredibly difficult time. continuous risk assessments, ensuring their Their courageous efforts on the frontline residents got the very best and safest care. helped ensure they could continue to provide Such robust safety measures have allowed the best care to residents. Guild Care to still safely accept new To find out more about Guild Care's nursing admissions today. homes, call 01903 327327 or visit The wellbeing of residents is Guild Care's main www.guildcare.org where you can take a priority. Therefore, a pandemic wasn't going virtual tour. 44 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1972: Former Mayor Sammy Trelawny survived the war Chapman, the larger than life (including an assassination attempt) licensee of the Montague and saw out his days at Sompting. Arms pub, Montague Street, He died in 1881 at the age of 88. celebrated the loss of seven stones during a diet. ••• A FAMILIAR landmark which 1933: Carl Adolf Seebold, towered over the seafront has been proprietor of the Dome dismantled. cinema, bought Grafton The giant yellow crane was one of House at auction for £6,000. two which helped build Bayside on The grand seafront property, the site of the Aquarena, Brighton which contained 12 bed- Road. rooms, two dressing rooms, The southern crane was taken down five reception rooms and two first, followed, last month, by its bathrooms, was later knocked northern sister. down to make way for a car Riggers worked at dizzying heights park, and subsequently the to attach the arm of the structure to a Grafton multi-storey car park. giant mobile crane which lowered it onto a waiting lorry. 1909: More than 300 cadets One, circled, stood on the highest attached to the Queen’s Royal point directing operations. West Regiment held their annual summer camp at Park.

1928: People enjoying an after-dark stroll on Worthing promenade were startled by the sudden appearance of a plane performing aerobatics. One onlooker noted: “There were shouts of dismay when the pilot appeared to be crashing into the sea, but he manoeuvred his machine in a wonderful way. The final evolution was quite thrilling, for the unknown pilot lit flares on his machine and flew just over the sea, making a wonderful reflection in the water.”

1965: Worthing Hospitals staged their annual Glamour Ball at the Pier Pavilion, with D i a n a S t e p h e n s o n , o f Withdean Avenue, winning the “most attractive figure” category and Joyce Burton the best hairstyle, a coiffure called a beehive. SATURDAY 3PM OPPOSITE TK MAXX

It goes without saying, 2020 has been a truly alive, vibrant and diverse. lousy year for everyone. That "C" word (no not We would like to say a massive thanks to our Christmas!) has impacted everyone, so we are customers old and new. We hope you all had a truly humbled by the positive kickstart to our lovely Christmas, such as restrictions allowed, business when we reopened after the latest and wish everyone good health, happiness lockdown. and prosperity for 2021. Your local high street needs you now more Chrissie & Benedict than ever in order to keep your Town Centre 46 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1960: Permission was granted for the construction of a ten- storey block of flats on the site of Greenyers Nursery, at the junction of Rectory Gardens and Ardsheal Road, over- looking Broadwater Green. It was said to be Broadwater’s tallest building.

1913: Four men who went fishing with rod and line off Worthing returned with 287 fish between them.

1919: Walter Paine, of Herald offices Montague Street, died at the age of 79, leaving a widow, A FORMER newspaper office five sons and three daughters. bought by Worthing Borough A printer and stationer by Council will be refurbished at a cost trade, he also for a few years of up to £400,000. published a newspaper called Four storey Cannon House, the Worthing Intelligencer. Chatsworth Road, was for almost 30 years the headquarters of the Worthing Herald. 1900: Captain HJ Carpenter, Cannon pub son of Mr JL Carpenter, of the The council planned to use the Steyne Hotel, was serving in building as high quality office space ••• the Boer War with the for rent. SIXTY solar panels have been Rhodesia Regiment. After his It also offered a southern access to installed on the roof of Northbrook troop captured a German new homes planned for Union MET College in West Durrington. artilleryman, Carpenter Place. Meanwhile, a former landfill site wrote: “There are thousands The council said the number of north of Brooklands Park has been of Germans fighting against offices in the town centre had earmarked for a solar farm to reduce us.” reduced significantly due to Worthing Borough Council’s properties being turned into flats. carbon emissions by up to a third. 1925: The Broadwater Build- A lack of modern office space It’s believed the farm could generate ing Company reported that it resulted in firms moving to other enough electricity for 1,500 homes. had constructed 49 houses in towns. The scheme, earmarked for a site the suburb over the past 16 Councillors were told: “Overall the south west of St Paul’s Avenue and months, with a further 22 investment in Cannon House will be St Luke’s Avenue, Sompting, may homes going up in St Elmo £1,782,600. cost more than £2.4 million to Road and 21 earmarked for St “The ambition is that the project install. Anselm’s Road. will help kick start a renaissance in But according to a borough council the office sector locally and report the farm could pay for itself 1951: Duncan Mercer, a encourage private sector investment within 17 years. Worthing bus conductor for into office refurbishment projects, The council might also install more 39 years, having started on and new build office develop- than £700,000 worth of solar panels horse buses in 1912, died at ments.” on the rooftops of council-owned the age of 64. During the Cannon House was named after a buildings. Great War Mr Mercer pub that formerly stood on the site. A further £1.75 million could be survived the torpedoing of a The pub, built when Chatsworth spent on solar car ports at council ship off the coast of Africa. Road was a Victorian slum called car parks, where cars park beneath Cook’s Row, had giant cannon shelters with solar panels on the www.worthingjournal.co.uk motifs on its facade. roof.

48 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1970: Worthing woman Barbara Fraser, of Congreve SADLY the pandemic means we Road, was held at gunpoint by cannot safely stage The Worthing rebels in Benghazi as Journal’s orange and lemon charity revolution swept through flingathon on the beach in early Libya. March. The annual event, held every year 1937: Residents complained since 2005, has raised thousands of about noise from planes being pounds for good causes. flown by students from It commemorates the 1901 Indiana Oxford University Air fruit wreck and 2008 Ice Prince Squadron passing over the wood wreck. study.” town in the early hours. The The Journal will still be marking the She said the study would be finished students, many of whom went anniversaries, but in reduced by September when interested on to become Spitfire and circumstances so as not to draw a parties would be consulted. Hurricane pilots, were crowd. City College Brighton merged with attending summer camp at ••• Northbrook College in 2017 to form Ford Aerodrome. CLAIMS that both Northbrook Greater Brighton Metropolitan MET colleges in Worthing could College. — 1913: EJ Manuel, of Chios, close have been dismissed out of Worthing Borough Council will Heene Road, complained hand. face many questions and serious about traffic congestion in But there remains a possibility that scrutiny if even one Worthing site Montague Street, stating it either the West Durrington or closes. was caused by “huge, Broadwater site could be sold off. Last year it loaned GBMC £5 unattended horse drawn Worthing’s Labour councillors said million to improve student facilities covered carts taking up their they were “extremely concerned - in Brighton! position opposite one another about the possible closure of the old ••• in the narrowest part of the Northbrook College sites in TK MAXX department store, in the street, so that it is quite Worthing”. Montague Quarter, refers to impossible at certain points Councillors said the future of the customers as “treasure seekers”. for a motor car to pass along sites, now a part of Greater Brighton ••• between them.” Metropolitan College, was being LINDA and Derek White, who were assessed by further education both born, brought up and married 1949: Councillor AH Gorman commissioners. in Worthing, celebrated their 60th called for stricter enforcement They had a report which suggested wedding anniversary on Boxing of Bylaw 23, which stated: that two Worthing campuses could Day. “No person shall ring a bell or be sold to balance the books. Their original plans had included re- sound any gong or blow any But Labour’s claims were refuted taking their vows in Christ Church, trumpet or use any noisy by college leaders. A spokesman where they married in 1960, but this instrument or wantonly and said they were “factually incorrect was curtailed by the pandemic. continuously shout on the and extremely misleading”. They met when Linda replied to a parade, esplanades, sea shore She added: “Whilst the FE Com- letter in a national newspaper asking or beach to the annoyance of missioner has indeed recommended for penpals for sailors who were on any person using such that GB MET looks to review its long tours of duty overseas. places.” estate, no decisions have been Linda and Derek, avid readers of made. The suggestion that we will The Journal, now live in Wiltshire. 1924: A large number of be selling our two Worthing sites is interested spectators watched not true. a military tattoo by the massed “To be clear, the FEC has recom- bands of the Third London mended that the college reduces Infantry Brigade at Offington from five to four sites as part of Park, where it was camped. overall cost saving measures. Before any decisions are made, we www.worthingjournal.co.uk will be conducting a feasibility HAPPY 2021 FROM ALL THE STAFF AT MULDOONS

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Takeaway only 2 Cricketers Parade, Broadwater Street East, BN14 9DB Valid January 2021 50 did you know? A WRY LOOK AT WORTHING 1951: A 55-year-old labourer who fatally stabbed his landlady in Kingsland Road, Broadwater, was sentenced to hang at Sussex Assizes by Mr Justice Parker who donned a black cap to deliver the death penalty.

1924: The National Trust appealed for £1,000 so it could purchase for the public 78 acres of land forming . The total cost of the Iron Age hill fort, part of the Warren Estate, was £2,000. A Trust spokesman said: “Unless the balance is forthcoming in the immediate future there is a possibility A VETERAN firefighter who Road. that Cissbury Ring may be helped save lives following John reportedly adored Alma and lost forever.” earthquakes in Indonesia, Nepal and was “inconsolable” when she died Japan has retired. of ovarian cancer in 1966 at the age 1924: The Bishop of Stepney, Joe Sacco spent almost 30 years of 34. addressing a meeting at with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Who knows what might have Edenhurst, Belsize Road, Service. happened had she lived? c r i t i c i s e d t h e p u b l i c He joined as a retained firefighter in We may never have heard of Yoko perception of London’s East 1991 and enjoyed it so much went Ono. End as a vice den. He said the full time, based at Worthing. A new book called Who Killed John average East Londoner was a Mr Sacco volunteered for the Lennon? by Lesley Ann-Jones very cheerful fellow, with an International Search and Rescue refers to the close relationship extraordinary sense of team which took him to countries between John and Alma. humour, far more so than West devastated by earthquakes. John’s wife, Cynthia, believed Londoners. But it was responding to an incident Alma was the true love of his life on West Sussex soil that had the even though she was eight years 1924: A correspondent who most profound impact. older. signed himself “An Admirer He said: “As much as being part of Entertainer Lionel Blair unveiled in of Worthing”, wrote: “It is a those international rescue missions 2017 a plaque to Alma at her former thousand pities that the left their mark, it was attending the West Worthing home. children are allowed in the Shoreham Airshow disaster in 2015 The world last month commem- public gardens to the that proved to be the most orated the 40th anniversary of the discomfort and annoyance of challenging. death of Lennon, who was shot dead people who frequent the “This was an incident on home soil, in New York. gardens for peace and quiet. affecting people in communities I The noise they make, and their had grown up in and served in.” rough, untidy, not to say dirty ••• appearance, are a drawback to DID John Lennon ever visit the beauty and quiet of the Worthing? gardens. The screams and We will never know for sure, but the yells of the children are most chances are he probably did. objectionable.” Privately, away from the prying eyes of the Press, after becoming very close to singer Alma Cogan, www.worthingjournal.co.uk whose family lived in Lansdowne John and Alma PLEASE VISIT OUR Ready meals WEBSITE FOR THE available on LATEST MENU our website

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 52 DOME CINEMA

It’s been a truly torrid year for Worthing’s iconic Dome cinema. After a stunningly successful 2019, the town’s only indepen- dent picture house was hit hard by the pandemic and associated lockdowns. Customers remain faithful - and frustrated - for access has been limited and new films few and far between. But 2021 promises to be much more positive, for the Dome is celebrating its centenary as a big screen cinema. The Dome was opened by theatre impresario Carl Adolf Seebold in 1911. In those early days films were shown in a smaller annexe. The main auditorium, originally the police. starring Mary Pickford. called the Coronation Hall, was a After the Great War Mr Seebold, a They were golden years for the roller-skating rink, dance hall and great innovator, saw a big future Dome, but the seafront venue public meeting place. for silent films. faced major competition in the In 1913 suffragettes staged a rally The first movie to be screened 1930s when the Odeon super at the Dome which almost turned a f t e r c o n v e r s i o n o f t h e cinema opened in Liverpool into a riot as agitators roughed up Coronation Hall was Pollyanna, Road. 53 BIG SCREEN CENTENARY

former skating rink at the Dome into a most luxurious and handsomely appointed cinema. The galleries on either side have been retained, offering facilities for the serving of teas, and boxes have been provided at the southern end, on either side of the operating box. There is an excellent rake to the floor, so that a clear view of the screen can be obtained from all parts of the house, which provides seating accommodation for between 900 and 1,000 people. A strikingly handsome scheme of decoration has been carried out, oak panelling having been lavishly employed on the walls. Decades, styles, tastes and the cinema. A new ceiling has been provided, fashions came and went, and by The Dome and its plight was with two large domes in the the 1970s/1980s, with the advent suddenly in the international centre, to furnish ventilation, of colour TV and then video spotlight, attracting support from while air currents also find their cassettes which could be hired famous stars such as Michael way into the building through from the corner shop, the Dome Caine, and the council backed smaller domes. went into what seemed terminal down. From the larger domes elaborate decline. The cinema was subsequently chandeliers are suspended. The venue fell into a serious state sold to a trust for a nominal sum In the general scheme of of dilapidation, and was known as and, after major restoration, has decoration a pretty shade of blue the local “fleapit”. thrived ever since. has been adopted, and some novel Seldom a month seemed to pass It does not rely on taxpayers’ cash lighting effects have been without another costly structural to operate successfully. introduced, both in the loungew problem being discovered. However, there is no escaping the Worthing Borough Council, faced fact that the pandemic was a by ever-increasing repair and massive setback. maintenance bills it could ill So we must all rally round the afford, wanted to demolish the Dome in the next 12 months, for it historic landmark to make way for is as much a part of Worthing’s the redevelopment of Warwick psyche as the pier! Street South, including a new Debenhams superstore. The following is taken from a The multi-million pound scheme c o n t e m p o r a r y a c c o u n t , was shelved after a massive published a century ago, of the backlash from residents who Coronation Hall’s conversion looked upon the Dome, and all its into a 1,000-seat picture house, faults, with great fondness. described at the time as “the The successful Save the Dome coolest, best ventilated and campaign proved to be one of most luxurious cinema in Worthing’s 20th century Worthing”. watershed moments. Activists were greatly assisted by Wi t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a n d the hit movie Wish You Were conspicuous success, Mr C Adolf Here, which was partly filmed in Seebold has transformed the Carl Adolf Seebold 54 DOME CINEMA vand in the main building. Mrs Chapman Mary Pickford The seating arrangements are also worthy of special commendation. Tip-up chairs, in royal blue corduroy velveteen, are most comfortably constructed, and the convenience of their occupants will presently be added to by the provision of foot rests. A projector of the latest and most expensive type, which has the merit of showing the pictures without flickering, has been installed in the stone operating box in the balcony at the south end of the building. Mr Seebold has made special arrangements for the musical of the originator, is said to have building open. accompaniment, a well-balanced involved an outlay of fully On her arrival at the cinema the orchestra of six performers £8,000. Mayor was received by Mr having been engaged, with Miss The Mayor (Alderman Mrs S e e b o l d , w h o s e y o u n g e r Lola Barry-Dennis in the position Chapman JP) showed her daughter, Miss Sonia Seebold, of musical director. appreciation of the undertaking presented her with a choice This comprehensive scheme, by attending on Monday bouquet. which does credit to the enterprise afternoon to formally declare the Escorted by Mr Seebold, the 55 Worthing Society

Mayor then made her way to the front of the house, and standing in front of the orchestra, made a brief speech. Her worship declared that she was very glad to be there that afternoon The Worthing Society wishes for two reasons. our members and readers all First, because she thought this new the very best for the New Year. picture house was going to be a great We hope it won’t be too long asset to the town, where we did all in before we can resume our our power to cater for our many quarterly members’ meetings visitors. and heritage talks for local In the second place she wished to community groups. express her thanks to Mr Seebold Currently we are developing a for adding that building to the other presentation celebrating the attractions which we offered to bicentenary of Beach House visitors (applause). charting the history of this Mr Seebold catered a great deal for Regency villa, which dates our amusement, and in a most from 1820. satisfactory way (applause) and she The New Year will also bring the pictorial display was then thought he had put the top on what forward significant planning he had hitherto done by that proceeded with. applications. beautiful building. Its chief feature was a Mary These are likely to include the It was quite new to her, but she could Pickford film, “Pollyanna”, not building designs for Union see it was going to be quite the very hitherto seen here, supplemented, Place, redevelopment of the best cinema on the South Coast among others, by the sporting former gas works site in (applause). picture, “The Race of the Age”, and, Lyndhurst Road, and the She sincerely hoped it would be judging from the attendance on this Grafton multi-storey car park. very well patronised, both by the inaugural occasion, the Dome Our committee will make residents and visitors, and that Mr cinema is going to enjoy a career of every effort to ensure that Seebold would be rewarded for the great prosperity and popularity. close attention is given to high spirit and the energy he had quality design and scale, displayed in giving this beautiful complementing the seaside building to the town of Worthing. character of Worthing. She hoped it was going to be a very Providing new homes is of great success, and if those who were course important but in our there that afternoon would bring view new plans must be their friends they would help to sensitive to the local area. make the thing one of Worthing’s T h e a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a great successes (loud applause). development at Goring Gap In thanking the Mayor for having so North is likely to be heard in kindly come to declare the new the early New Year. We have cinema open, Mr Seebold said he made a strong objection and hoped that by giving the best will be speaking at the pictures and good music, with planning meeting to protect civility on the part of his attendants, this historic green space. We are only as strong as our he would induce the public to membership so thank you for patronise the place (applause). your support. New members of Everything would be done for the all ages are very welcome. comfort and amusement of those — What are your memories of the who attended. Dome? Email editor@worthing Sue Belton The orchestra played the National journal.co.uk or write to 91 Alinora Chairman Anthem, the audience standing, and Crescent, Worthing, BN12 4HH. www.worthingsociety.org.uk

NSURE WILLS AND ESTATE PLANNING GIVE YOUR FINANCES NEW YEAR CLEAN SWEEP The year 2021 has landed and Emma Wells now the COVID-19 vaccination programme is well underway, enabling us to safely start getting back our lives. If you're one of the many who were unable to make an appointment to arrange your Will or Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) due to isolating last year then hopefully the introduction of the vaccine will give you the freedom to get your affairs in order. Last year highlighted to many the importance of having both a registered property and finance and health and welfare LPA in place. I'm sure many of you can remember Ylenia Angeli who was arrested for trying to remove her mum from a care home to go and stay with her during the pandemic. If a registered health and welfare LPA had been in place the whole sorry saga could have been entirely avoided. We have all heard about Kate Garraway's poor husband Derek being left incapacitated by COVID- 19. With no property and finance LPA in place Kate was left entirely on the back foot when their car died has left a Will. situation when they themselves was stolen as the insurance was in die. Derek's name and the provider Time and time again they find that was not obligated to discuss the deceased died intestate For more information on either anything with Kate despite her (without a Will) leaving family in a Wills or Lasting Power of Attorney, being Derek's wife. These are just difficult and entirely avoidable or to make an appointment two of the highly publicised situation. including home visits please examples where having an LPA in contact me on 01903 821010 or Having even a simple valid Will in place would have completely s e n d a n e m a i l t o place is better than nothing. Many removed the hurdles that were [email protected] of my clients have been prompted faced and, frustratingly, I have into arranging their Will as they heard many more examples of have been on the receiving end of people coming unstuck due to trying to tie up an estate where being under prepared. there was no Will left. Having Every day my inbox is filled with experienced the mess that this can emails from Will search companies cause they quite rightly want to looking to find if someone who has avoid putting their family in that 58 LOCKDOWN DIARY 2

Worthing came out of Lock- down 2 and was immediately plunged into Tier 2 despite having the lowest infection rate in Sussex and Kent. This sparked widespread dismay among businesses - especially pubs, which rely on a good December to see them through the dark days of January and February. Many are now predicting a very bleak 2021 for the high street. Here, The Journal completes its L o c k d o w n 2 d i a r y a n d chronicles the rollercoaster run up to Christmas. NOVEMBER 17 Scientists say they have developed a second vaccine with a 95 per cent success rate! It cannot come soon enough. According to Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Prime Minister Boris Johnson portrayed there were 28 COVID-19 patients as The Grinch at the Gun Inn, Findon being cared for in Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s NOVEMBER 20 NOVEMBER 22 Hospital, Chichester, including four in intensive care. Ten were First frost of winter, succeeded, in Dull, overcast, very mild day. being treated at Worthing and 18 the early afternoon, by fine Promenade busy, with queues for at St Richard’s. drizzle. tea and coffee at various Worthing has the lowest COVID concessions. One, opposite infection rate in Sussex and Kent, Steyne Gardens, proving NOVEMBER 18 at 87.7 per 100,000 people - eight especially popular, its fairy lights People increasingly nervous and per cent lower than Lewes, which powered by a generator on the agitated by fears that lockdown is hovering on 95 per 100,000. beach creating a pretty spectacle could be extended, or at least NHS branded cabins being which lifts flagging spirits. personal freedom severely installed in the civic car park, restricted by the Government’s Stoke Abbott Road, reportedly for Tier system, in the run up to a mass testing hub, but, quite NOVEMBER 23 Christmas. feasibly, in due course, a More cabins craned into position vaccination centre. at the Stoke Abbott Road testing NOVEMBER 19 centre, creating a compound NOVEMBER 21 surrounded by security fences ANCEDOTAL admittedly, but dotted with warning signs stating: speaking to a local stonemason, What a contrast between “No photographs or filming.” he’s seldom been busier Worthing’s small independent Another group of scientists, based engraving memorials, some shops - closed by Government in Oxford, unveil a third vaccine COVID-related, but also covering diktat for the duration, and larger said to be 70-90 per cent effective a range of other conditions such as shops with long queues outside. depending, to an extent, on cancer and strokes, and, as a grim ••• dosage. addendum, suicides. 59 HOPES PINNED ON VACCINES

Prime Minister Boris Johnson Sussex and Kent! Government announces 498 announces that a tougher tier , MP for East deaths in past 24 hours. system will be introduced after Worthing and Shoreham, writes: The public mood not helped by a Lockdown 2 ends on December 2, “I am very disappointed that Adur very gloomy, drizzly day, with the but adds as a sweetener that tiers and Worthing have been placed in town blanketed by a duvet of low “should be obsolete” by next Tier 2 despite having some of the grey cloud. A miserable nonentity March. lowest COVID rates in the of a day where people go about Mr Johnson said: “We have country. their business with steps as heavy turned a corner and the escape “I want to see the clinical and as their hearts. route is in sight.” economic data and assessment Alan Walker, landlord of the Adur and Worthing Councils have that led to the decision and if it is Cricketers pub, Broadwater, another Government windfall of not convincing then I will not be responds to Tier 2 ruling. almost £10 million to distribute voting for it.” He writes: “They have got to be among businesses. Sir Peter Bottomley, MP for kidding. The Government is on Worthing West, appears to give the cusp of doing something that NOVEMBER 24 Tier 2 his tacit approval. even Hitler couldn’t achieve, and He writes: “From the 2nd of that is to kill off a major part of our New walk-through coronavirus December, West Sussex will exit society - the local pub.” testing facility for people with the national lockdown and enter Worthing’s infection rate symptoms opens in Stoke Abbott Tier 2, ‘High Alert’. reportedly drops to 68 per Road. “These tiers are strengthened 100,000. An NHS spokesman said: compared to the previous tiers “Testing is only available for earlier in the year in order to NOVEMBER 27 those with coronavirus symptoms prevent a return to growing - a high temperature, a new infections. Sir Peter Bottomley, MP for continuous cough, or a loss or “In Tier 2, more stringent Worthing West, coming under change to sense of smell or taste. regulations are in place to ensure increasing pressure from “Those being tested will be the direction of infection rates disgruntled, and dismayed, required to follow public health decreases. publicans. measures, including social “Our area will be reassessed Emily Chatterton, landlady of the distancing, not travelling by taxi following two weeks. We can John Selden pub, Half Moon or public transport, practising share in hope that rates will drop Lane, states: “Our industry is on good personal hygiene and sufficiently for us to enter Tier 1, its knees. wearing a face covering ‘Medium Alert’.” “After months of adapting tow throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre. NOVEMBER 25 COVID claims 696 victims over the past 24 hours. Queue in the morning at new testing centre but soon tails off. NOVEMBER 26 Worthing and Shoreham will go into Tier 2 on December 2, having gone into Lockdown in Tier 1. This backward step has caused a great deal of consternation, with critics pointing out that Worthing has the lowest infection rate in Coronavirus testing centre, Stoke Abbott Road 60 LOCKDOWN DIARY 2 vchanging Government gui- Mrs Chatterton added: “Without “It feels like we are caught dance, the dim light that we could these straightforward changes, between the Devil and the Bright see at the end of the tunnel has thousands of pubs may never Blue Sea.” been extinguished by a policy open their doors again. The New Amsterdam decides not which seems designed to put an “The Government has moved to a to reopen on December 2, issuing end to our businesses. position where we are being the following statement: “We are “Pubs like ours have invested our discriminated against. It feels like devastated to announce that, due reserves and are now running on we are an industry being singled to the Tier 2 guidelines, we will empty. We have gone above and out for punishment. not be opening next week. beyond what’s been asked of us in “How can it be right that all non- “As a drinks-led pub (80%), with creating a COVID secure space. essential retail can be deemed safe a tiny kitchen, it is beyond our “It’s unfair to now impose tougher when customers will be in close capabilities to operate as a restrictions on us that go against proximity, but the COVID secure restaurant and we wouldn’t want the evidence - research which environment of pubs like ours is to do our loyal customers a shows that fewer than one per cent suddenly deemed unsafe? disservice. of transmissions have occurred in “Our customers were even “We will therefore use this time to pubs. encouraged to Eat Out to Help complete some much needed “Now we face the real possibility Out. Suddenly this has all been improvements to the pub. By that many pubs will be forced to turned on its head. The hospitality doing this work now we are close for good, removing a industry has already lost 660,000 avoiding closing next year cornerstone of local communities members of staff and the “We would like to thank all our across the country.” Government needs to take swift lovely customers for your She called on Sir Peter to urgently action to protect the jobs in pubs continued support over the last lobby the Government to: that remain - including the jobs year. It’s been tough, but there Allow household mixing in pubs that I have so far protected in my have been many moments that in Tier 2 - either using the Rule of pub. have made it worth the struggle.” Four as in Wales, reinstating the “Ninety per cent of pubs placed Care for Veterans, Boundary Rule of Six, or simply allowing under the new Tier 2 and Tier 3 Road, unveils a “COVID-safe two households to mix. restrictions will operate at a loss, visitor pod” in time for Christmas. Allow drinks to be served in Tier 2 leading to financial ruin without This will enable disabled without a substantial meal - support.” residents to have visitors over the otherwise these restrictions will Alan Walker, landlord of the festive period. serve as the death knell for Cricketers, Broadwater, writes: The weatherproof unit, which has thousands of wet-led (mainly “What to do? heating, lighting and a hands-free drinking) pubs. Option 1 - stay closed, save on communications system, was Provide further and much needed energy bills and staffing costs; get donated by SafeTime Pod, a new financial support and grants for a job. not-for-profit start-up company. our sector. Option 2 - only open up at It was decorated by a Brighton weekends. street artist to make the exterior Option 3 - just open up. look like a thatched cottage and “Before you choose, remember the interior a countryside scene. that you can only sit one family Charity chief executive Andy plus bubble at each table; you Neaves said: “We have had to must have something substantial prioritise the safety of our to eat if you want alcohol, and the residents and sadly this has meant time drinking after eating should restrictions on visitors. be proportionate to the time taken “Currently, our residents are to eat your meal. limited to virtual visits with loved “Will I get enough customers in to ones or window visits through a make it worthwhile? closed window, which can be hard “This is a question many other for those who already experience Tier 2 publicans just like me are difficulties with communication. Beach House Park asking. “The new pod will allow one or 61

two visitors (two from the same with the current situation and the “We now seem to be singled out household) to sit in a lit, heated limited space we have, we are and persecuted unjustifiably.” pod with a communication system very sad to say that we will be that makes hearing easy and unable to open our doors at this NOVEMBER 29 above all is completely safe with present time.” no fear of virus transmission. Mrs Chatterton writes to Sir Peter Government attempting to stave “The visitors also won’t need to Bottomley for a second time, off a mass revolt by Tory rebel wear a mask, which helps stating: “The Tier 2 restrictions MPs angered by the Tier system, communication. The resident is that are being suggested for pubs which many have branded grossly the other side of the glass, so they to reopen under are simply unfair because low infection areas can see and hear their visitors unsustainable, completely such as Worthing have been clearly. unnecessary and must be relaxed. lumped in with coronavirus “This pod is a real game-changer “We run a traditional village-style hotspots. for residents, who have struggled establishment that has operated for many months from the lack of for 200 years. NOVEMBER 30 contact with friends and families. “Since reopening my pub on July “We are extremely grateful to 4 the safety sanctions and The Cricketers, Broadwater, SafeTime Pod for this generous cleaning routine that we have put decides to open. donation.” in place have been of colossal cost Landlord Alan Walker writes: at a financially fragile time “We will be introducing our NOVEMBER 28 anyway, but we happily invested ‘Boris Buster’ menu which is full in these undertakings for a of ‘substantial’ meals for you to It’s 2pm and 13 degrees - T shirt COVID secure environment and enjoy. weather! to gain the confidence back from “I know these restrictions and Another publican joins the customers to visit us once again. rules are a real pain, but please growing chorus protesting at the “Now we are expected to abide by help us by adhering to them at all G o v e r n m e n t c o n d e m n i n g f u r t h e r a n d u n n e c e s s a r y times and do not take it out on Worthing to Tier 2. restrictions. The ridiculous notion staff; it’s not their fault.” Gary Harrison, landlord of the that forcing people to eat a The Brooksteed micropub, South Vine, High Street, Tarring, writes: “substantial meal” whilst Farm Road, writes: “We have “We were told hospitality could enjoying a drink will only succeed decided to open following all of open on December 3 in time for in two things - stopping customers the Government’s latest rules. Christmas. from returning altogether, or, a “We have entered into an “Everyone was geared up ready, great deal of waste as meals will agreement with Le Deli to provide but once again the goal posts were be ordered that aren’t wanted, all the bulk of our food, but we are moved and we stay closed. at further cost to us as a business also teaming up with New Thai “The only places closed are pubs in catering staff. Spice, The Pantry Bakery, as usual. “Not allowing the Rule of Six and Villaggio Pizza and Jordans Café, “The R rate under one. Just stopping household mixing will all of which will be working to coming out of a month’s lock- further cripple an already help us to offer substantial meals. down and pubs punished again for decreased revenue that could “We have made our front garden no reason. render it impossible for us to trade more winter friendly. It is now “Most high streets are normal as is and close for good. covered and heated. We have traffic on the roads. “By destroying this great British rearranged the back garden - “The figures given are out of date institution, this age-old corner- again - and installed heaters there and a review should be done stone of the community, the as well. This is because many weekly. Government is not only putting people have been showing “So disappointing and financially hardworking people like myself interest in being seated outside in decimating for small businesses.” out of business but you are taking order to be able to mix with more Linda Shiel, landlady of the people’s jobs and livelihoods. than one household. George and Dragon, also in “Why are pubs being punished “We have created a new seating Tarring High Street, writes: when there is no evidence to area inside as well to make better “After weighing everything up, suggest we are the problem? use of the space we have.w 62 LOCKDOWN DIARY 2 v S o a s f r o m T h u r s d a y, DECEMBER 1 DECEMBER 2 December 3, we will reopen with the following rules in place: Despite a Tory backbench The end of Lockdown 2. The “You will need to book a table as rebellion, the new Tier system is lights back on at seafront bars, a spaces are limited and the idea of voted through. most welcome and reassuring walk ins is becoming less and less Leading dissenter Tim Loughton, sight even if the Government has possible. MP for East Worthing and made life very difficult for the “All customers must order food if Shoreham, states: “We need to licensing trade. they are ordering alcohol. YOU have logical, consistent, Prime Minister Boris Johnson MUST ORDER FOOD WITH proportionate and fair regulations announces that vaccinations will YOUR FIRST ROUND. This can for people to have the confidence start next week. now be pre-ordered up to a week to follow them. These are not.” in advance on our online ordering He pointed out during the DECEMBER 3 system. Parliamentary debate that Worthing had just four COVID Official death toll tops 60,000 as “We cannot serve you just alcohol first vaccine doses arrive in UK so please don’t ask. Soft drinks cases in its hospital, half the number of a week ago. from Belgium, with roll out ready can be consumed without food. to begin next week. “You CANNOT bring in your Pubs are offered £40 million to own food. It all has to go through soften the blow. DECEMBER 8 our ordering system. Once you Sir Peter Bottomley writes: “With have finished your meal you other MPs, I successfully asked V-DAY that the Prime Minister reconsider cannot hang around for extra A 90-year-old grandmother the banning of pubs from selling drinks. Our booking sessions will becomes the first person in the takeaway alcohol ahead of the last for 2.5 hours to make sure world (excluding those who took beginning of this most recent there is time to eat and drink. part in trials) to receive the Pfizer lockdown. “Only one household may be C O V I D - 1 9 j a b a s m a s s “This has provided some seated together indoors. Outdoors vaccination of Britons begins. reassurance and security to the several households may mix but Margaret Keenan was given the hospitality sector. still following the Rule of Six. injection in Coventry at 6.31am, a “Our locals have been able to go “Please remain seated, please truly historic moment. on trading even whilst receiving wear a mask when you are not The beginning of the end? We support from the Government. seated, and please make use of the shall have to wait and see. “Pubs and bars are facing hand gel that is all around the pub Health Secretary Matt Hancock, increasing uncertainty. It is and on each table. who has been under incredible critical that this Government “While this might seem like a lot pressure and scrutiny, cries with provides the necessary support to to deal with, we are still here to relief and joy on national TV. keep our locals open, especially help and to make your experience Those sunlit uplands that Prime whilst facing Tier 2 restrictions. pleasant and enjoyable. Minister Boris Johnson referred “I continue to listen to local “All wet-led pubs, including to in the dark days of the publicans and owners and commit many of our friends, have been pandemic appear to be on the to maintaining pressure on the put in a very difficult position this horizon. December. Each pub has made the Government to offer more decision that is right for them. support.” So ends our Lockdown 2 diary, “Please do remember that any Publicans would much prefer him the most detailed account of decisions have been very difficult to back their calls for a more just what Worthing went through for them to make. Your support Tier 1 rating! during Pandemic Year. We will mean more than ever this Western Sussex Hospitals NHS sincerely hope and pray there December.” Foundation Trust reports: “We are will not be a third wave. Our Worthing now down to 28 cases currently caring for 25 (COVID) coverage of the COVID crisis per 100,000 - the lowest in patients across our hospitals. will continue, but not in diary England, and on a par with the Isle “We have cared for 516 COVID format, unless we are, heaven of Wight, which has been placed patients this year.” forbid, locked down for a third in Tier 1. ••• time! 63

Order our 2020 Pandemic Year binders - £10 each (excluding magazines) - by emailing [email protected] NOORI’S CURRY HOUSE, BROADWATER

Noori's curry house has undergone a makeover both inside and out to give it a modern, contemporary feel. And judging by the number of customers it had on the Friday night when repre- sentatives of The Worthing Journal visited, the new look is proving very popular. However, all restaurants are primarily judged on their food. Our delegated diners enjoyed a lovely evening where the It was slightly sweet but very delicious. service was judged to be pleasant, with a sauce that Noori's, the only curry house excellent - fast, efficient and tingled the tastebuds, in Broadwater, also does a friendly! especially when a garlic nan brisk takeaway trade. One enjoyed a tamarind was dipped in. Well worth a visit, or a call. chicken curry, cooked in red The other chose a more wine, onions and peppers, off traditional chicken tikka ● (Photo taken prior to the specials list. masala which was deemed opening).

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OPENING TIMES Tel: 01903 201108 Or 01903 201118 Daily 6pm-10.30pm (closed Tuesday) 25 Broadwater Street West Orders & reservations www.noorisonline.com Broadwater, Worthing, BN14 9BT 65 ROMAN WORTHING

WE know that Worthing was a popular spot for Roman settlement. Evidence of occupation, from coin hoards to burials, has been discovered all over town. The Journal published an extensive feature on our Roman heritage in 2018. But just beyond the fringes of the borough, on the western slope of , lies perhaps the most intriguing evidence of all, waiting to be rediscovered. Dr Sally White, former curator of Worthing Museum and Art Edwardians holding Roman funeral urn on site of museum Gallery, refers to it in her book Worthing Past. She wrote: “Traces of Roman occupation have been found on various parts of Highdown Hill, but the most exciting and important discovery was made on the western slopes in the summer of 1936.” Worthing Archaeological Society subsequently launched over the f o l l o w i n g t w o y e a r s a n investigation of the site which revealed wonderful things. But the dig was brought to a premature halt by the advent of Roman bath house the Second World War and, at Highdown around 80 years later, awaits “Pieces of datable pottery and a Perhaps their 21st century further exploration. few coins suggest that the bath successors might wish to resume Yet few people walking their dogs house was built in the late 1st the dig. over Highdown have a clue as to Century and went out of use in the It would be the perfect post- what lies beneath their feet. late 3rd Century.” pandemic project, arousing great Archaeologists were thrilled to So it’s quite possible that more interest among people wishing to unearth a Roman bath house in wonderful things are waiting to be find out more about their Roman remarkable condition judging by found! roots. the photograph which shows piles Dr White said: “Since it is most Is there anybody among the ranks of tiles that helped form the under- unlikely that the bath house stood of Worthing Archaeological f l o o r h e a t i n g s y s t e m o r by itself on the Downs, there must Society who might wish to take hypocaust. have been a villa there too, which this up? Dr White wrote: “What the is still waiting to be uncovered.” ••• excavators thought was a small Sadly the site was filled in, and The people who lived on the farm turned out to be a bath house. has remained largely forgotten for western slope of Highdown Hill “The cold room, two hot rooms decades. were near neighbours of a family and furnaces were excavated. Those who took part in the who built a villa and bath house “The walls had been plastered and original excavations have joined on the site of Northbrook MET pieces of mosaic floor and our Roman ancestors in the college. window glass were found. Elysian Fields. Evidence of Roman settlement at 66 ROMAN WORTHING

What lies beneath the site of the new health hub, pictured, planned for the civic car park in Stoke Abbott Road?

the junction of Littlehampton discovered at Angmering. Town Hall in the early 20th Road and Titnore Lane was The Romans chose sites close to century. discovered during the 1980s. fresh water - a spring line at the This suggests more relics may be The bath house was separated foot of the Downs. found when workmen start from the villa by a farmyard. The remains of yet another digging the foundations of a new The settlement now lies beneath R o m a n s e t t l e m e n t w e r e health hub on the civic car park in the main college buildings. unearthed on the site of Worthing nearby Stoke Abbott Road. To the west, similar remains were Museum and Art Gallery and ••• BOOK A RELAXING BREAK IN THE SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE Double ensuite rooms from £35/night single occupancy or £45 double. Discounted for 2 night mid-week breaks and 3 nights+. Self-catering accommodation with fully equipped guest shared kitchen, dining room and TV/sitting room. Wi-Fi. Off-road parking.

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One of Worthing’s most a limestone bust depicting a intriguing discoveries was that of young boy sporting a classic Roman haircut and toga. It was found in the early 20th century, but, to the immense frustration of historians, the location wasn’t recorded. So somewhere in Worthing, beneath suburbia, there might be another Roman villa waiting to be unearthed. Implausible given the scale of modern housing development? Possibly, but we must not forget the Roman cemetery found in 2006 off Offington Lane, near Thomas a Becket crossroads. millennia just inches beneath a It had survived for almost two lawn.

Highdown’s western slope YOU CAN NOW PICK UP THIS MONTH'S WORTHING JOURNAL FROM OUR SHOWROOM

70 WORTHING LIDO

THE future of Worthing Lido hangs in the balance after engineers cast doubt over the safety of supporting ironwork corroded by almost a century of exposure to sea, salt and storms. Worthing Borough Council pledged that the Lido would be preserved, but the cost of saving the bandstand, built in 1925, was not yet known. The council said engineers had found “significant issues” with the Grade II listed landmark’s substructure due to “decades of constant exposure to seaside conditions” which had caused “widespread deterioration”. A council spokesman said: “Recent assessments by an independent consultant has highlighted issues with the condition of the suspended substructure which overhangs the beach. “To prevent further decline, a detailed schedule of repair works could be required which may result in parts of the Lido being temporarily closed. “This will depend on the findings of further detailed surveys. “The council is working with the Lido’s tenant to ensure that as much of the current offer as possible can continue trading in the immediate future.” Coun Kevin Jenkins, the council’s executive member for regener- ation said: “Our first priority is to protect the structure of the Lido and ensure public safety, while entering into open and honest discussions with the current tenant and other key stakeholders so that we can develop a viable short-term solution which supports their livelihoods. “It’s only right that we look at all of our options for the site moving forward.” The Lido was originally built as a bandstand but in the 1950s was 71 CONCERNS OVER SAFETY converted into an open air swimming pool before becoming a family entertainments centre. Lido tenant Martin Barrett said: “Both myself and the council share the view that safety is the top priority and as such in order to k e e p c u s t o m e r s , members of the public and the building safe, mitigation measures are in place to achieve this. “At some point this will include closure of the walkway around the perimeter of the building.” nearer the promenade. optimistic that more of the He said rides on the east and west This would take excess weight off original space will be brought side of the concourse would for the substructure. back into use in some shape or the time being be moved north Mr Barrett added: “I remain form during early 2021.”

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74 LIVES REMEMBERED

“She passed on November 7 at Worthing Hospital, aged 82. “I first met Gloria a couple of weeks off my 19th birthday 51 years ago. “She was 12 years older than me and had two young boys. “Gloria worked as a tailoress in the Army camp I was posted to in Catterick, Yorkshire. “She was the most passionate and exciting woman I had ever met and was extremely funny as well. “Her boys, Stephen and Michael, were great. They quickly became the two sons that I never had. STUART Taunton which looked after her “Gloria moved to her hometown, husband in his final weeks. Plymouth, and I joined her in TURNER Mr Turner’s naval cap was placed Civvy Street when I was 21. A Royal Navy guard of honour on the Union flag-draped coffin, “I joined Currys and very soon stood to attention and saluted as a against which rested a wreath found myself promoted to hearse carrying Stuart Turner bearing Brighton’s famous seag- assistant manager of its Newton pulled up outside the Kingswood ull crest. Abbot store. Chapel of Worthing Crema- The Rev Brent Van Der Linde, a “We moved into a flat above the torium. naval chaplain, conducted the storerooms in Paignton and made They were paying tribute to one of service. it our home for the next five years. their own who died at the age of The Royal Navy poem, Crossing “This was a lovely time in our 40. the Bar, by Alfred, Lord lives and our beautiful daughter, Mr Turner, a fanatical Brighton Tennyson, was read out by Steve Michelle, was born at Paignton and Albion supporter, Lewis. Hospital in 1977. hailed from Worthing but lived in Tom Hylands spoke of Mr “I got promoted to manager of a Yeovil. Turner’s love affair with Brighton tiny little Currys shop in Sutton, His widow, Jennie, invited and Hove Albion. Surrey. Further promotions mourners to make donations in his The soundtrack to the service brought our family to Worthing memory to leukaemia charity featured One Day Like This by where we bought our own house. Anthony Nolan. Elbow, Viva La Vida by Coldplay, “Gloria used to take my suit into She matched the funds raised with and There By the Grace of God, the local dry cleaners in Half a donation of her own to the by Manic Street Preachers. Moon Lane called The Happy Somerset Rehabilitation Unit in The funeral was organised by Ian Valet. Hart Funeral Service “As they were chatting the owner discovered that Gloria was a GLORIA trained tailoress. He asked her if she could do a little work for him, CONNOR such as zips and shortening of The owner of a well-known dry trousers and small repairs. cleaning business has paid tribute “Gloria and I later bought the to his late wife. business. Jeff Connor, who runs Quality “We heard that a unit was vacant Kwik next to Tesco, West near Tesco in Durrington. We Durrington, said: “It is with great jumped at the chance of acquiring sadness that I announce the death a second dry cleaners and were of my wife Gloria Connor after a over the moon when we signed on long illness. the dotted line. 75

Michelle, Jeff and Gloria Gloria Connor

“Gloria continued to run the shop member of working men’s clubs in Half Moon Lane, while I DAVE BONE in Broadwater and Durrington. looked after the new one at Tesco. A former Worthing publican has He had a fishing locker near “We spent many a night in the died at the age of 76. Windsor Road and enjoyed John Selden and RAFA Club with David Bone managed the Rose working on boats and watching friends and family socialising, and Crown, the Anchor and the the world go by having fun and living life. Elms during the 1970s and 80s. Mr Bone’s funeral at Worthing “When we chose to close the Half He previously ran his own Crematorium was organised by Moon Lane shop in 2005 Gloria haulage company and after Ian Hart Funeral Service. helped out at the Tesco shop. leaving the licensing trade Music included The Old Rugged “Gloria spent her last few months became a builder. Cross by Daniel O’Donnell. remembering friends and family Mr Bone, of Offington Avenue, and the life she had led. leaves a widow, Brenda. “Her former dry cleaners at Half They had three children, Jeff, JOHN TREAGUS Moon Lane was taken over by Dean and Jodi; six grandchildren, Rounce Funeral Directors; so it Kane, Dayle, Jack, Leia, Alfred seemed fitting that was where she and Arthur; and one great should rest before her final granddaughter, Nevaeh (heaven journey. spelt backwards). “Michelle and I would like to Jodi said her father loved tending thank the hundreds of people who his aviary of canaries and finches. have sent messages, emails, He also looked after a horse called cards, and flowers. Millie at Findon. “And the dozens of people who Mr Bone liked a beer at the Valley have stopped us in the street or Bar in Findon Valley, and was a come into the shop to give their condolences. “I would like to thank the staff at Worthing Hospital. During Gloria’s final week they were professional, very kind and Former postman and well-known looked after her superbly, sitting football referee John Treagus had with her and letting her tell her the theme tune of BBC sports stories as they listened intently. show Grandstand played at his “As families we all have to go funeral. through this tough time and face Mr Treagus, of King Edward losing our loved ones. Be strong, Avenue, died at the age of 88. rely on your friends, and please He was married to Pauline, who please remember, ‘Life Goes survives him, for 66 years. On’.” They met at a youth club in Portland Road and werew 76 LIVES REMEMBERED vmarried at St Andrew’s Church, for Scotland. Tarring. So it was no surprise that she and JIM CHRISTIE Mr and Mrs Treagus had one her husband retained a keen child, Russell, now 48, and two interest in the sport when they grandchildren, Caroline and Karl. moved south. Mr Treagus was a postman, Mr Killpartrick was part of the latterly in the town centre, for backroom team which trans- almost 40 years before retiring in formed Wigmore FC, based at 1996. Lyons Farm, into Worthing He played football for North- United. brook Old Boys and chalked up He went on to become co- 67 consecutive appearances, manager of United’s first team, mainly in goal, before his club chairman and now president. wedding day. His wife was one of the unsung He missed the match on that day, heroines who washed the kits, and Northbrook lost, costing them made the teas and raised funds. A man who for decades helped the title. She was also a member of East keep Worthing’s buses on the road Mr Treagus went on to manage Preston Women’s Institute. has died at the age of 83. Worthing Casuals FC and then Mr and Mrs Killpartrick also had Jim Christie was a body fitter for took up refereeing, reaching a daughter, Nicola-Jane, and four Southdown and then Stagecoach Sussex County League standard. grandchildren, Louie, Alfie, Erin bus companies, based at Marine He also enjoyed playing cricket and Ethan. Parade depot. f o r B r o a d w a t e r C C a n d Her funeral, organised by Ian Mr Christie, of Southways Northbrook CC, tenpin bowling, Hart, took place at Worthing Avenue, was partner to Jean for 34 and basketball. Crematorium. years. His funeral at Worthing Mr Killpartrick thanked staff at St He is also mourned by Guy, his Crematorium, organised by Ian Barnabas House hospice for their son from a previous relationship, Hart, was live streamed to kind care and attention, and also and granddaughter Gemma; relatives in America. friends and neighbours who lined Jean’s daughter Maxine, and step- the verges of West Kingston estate grandchildren Zoe and Nathan. to pay their respects to a Mr Christie, who loved horse- ELIZABETH wonderful woman. racing, joined Southdown in 1959 after three years’ National Service KILLPARTRICK as a military policeman with the A bagpiper walked and played in RAF. front of the funeral cortege as Elgar’s Nimrod, by the Mass Elizabeth Killpartrick was laid to Band of the RAF, was played at rest. his Ian Hart-organised funeral in Friends and neighbours stood in Worthing Crematorium. tribute along Golden Acre, East ••• Preston, the road where she lived, as the sound of Scotland drifted — O u r m o n t h l y L i v e s across the West Kingston estate. Remembered obituary section Her husband Len, and son Darin, is open to all. wore traditional kilts as they said Funeral directors and relatives farewell to Elizabeth, who died at are welcome to submit details the age of 73. for publication. S c o t s - b o r n M r a n d M r s We require the relevant order of Killpartrick, who met and married service and contact details of a in Glasgow, moved to Adur close family member plus two Avenue, Worthing, in the 1980s. photographs. Mrs Killpartrick’s father played Please call Paul Holden on professional football with Hiber- 01903 245674 or send an email: nian and won an international cap Len and Elizabeth [email protected]

78 CIVILIAN MEMORIAL

A MEMORIAL to Worthing’s 1939-45 civilian war dead has been installed at Beach House Park. The £1,620 black marble headstone, engraved with the names and ages of all 81 victims, was paid for by a crowd funding campaign organised by former Mayor Tom Wye. Some were killed during bombing raids on the town which devastated Haynes Road, Grove Road and residential streets near Lyndhurst Road gas works. Others died in accidents, but until now there has been no memorial to them. The headstone will, when circumstances allow, be unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, Susan Pyper. The youngest victim was four- year-old Edna Deirdre Mann, daughter of Petty Officer and Mrs Mann, who lived at 127 Ardingly Avenue. Edna was “killed by enemy action” on March 10, 1943, and buried in Goring Church graveyard three days later. No bombs fell on Worthing on the 10th so it remains unclear as to what the “enemy action” referred to was. Perhaps it was German aircraft strafing the streets. Researchers have combed Goring graveyard for her final resting place but cannot find it. The church, sadly, has been Graham Baker unable to provide burial records. Grace Winifred Arnold, of 35 terrible had happened when the of this girl was due to some Westcourt Road, was killed in family dog returned home alone. misfortune at the gun site. Pavilion Road on November 10, It’s believed the round was “I am assured that if there was any 1942, aged 15. accidentally fired by Canadian negligence, adequate steps would She was mortally wounded by a gunners on the Downs. be taken.” stray anti-aircraft shell. At Grace’s inquest the coroner Two Worthing men who served as Grace was on her way to work at a stated: “I am not in a position to police officers were killed in shop in Pavilion Road when she go into the cause of this mishap bombing raids elsewhere. was cut down by shrapnel. and it might not be in the public PC Charles Abbott, of 87 St Her mother realised something interest for me to do so. The death Andrew’s Road, was killed in 79 WORTHING WILL REMEMBER! Westminster on October 16, 1940. Macpherson died when the SS PC Rex Jupp, of 12 Alverstone Tandjong Pinang was sunk by the Tom Wye Road, was killed in Market Place, Japanese while fleeing Singapore. Reading, on February 10, 1943. She was 27 and lived at 9a Becket Three Worthing civilians were Buildings, Tarring. killed by enemy action when The oldest victim was Miriam living/working overseas. Agnes Barns, 90, of 129 Park Road. Henry Atkin-Barry MC was killed Mrs Barns was injured at home by Japanese forces in Palembang, during a raid on September 30, Sumatra, on April 28, 1942, aged 1942, and died a week later. 48. She was buried in Durrington He was awarded the Military Cross Cemetery. during the First World War. The Lyndhurst Road/Park Road Cyril Shilton, 58, was also killed by area suffered substantial bomb the Japanese on May 11, 1944, damage, and casualties, from “tip Mr Wye writes: “I am while living in Hong Kong. and run raiders” aiming for the gas delighted to report that after His parents lived at 69 South Street. holder, now demolished. many COVID-related delays N u r s i n g S i s t e r C a t h e r i n e ••• the memorial to Worthing’s civilian casualties during the Second World War has been erected in Beach House Park. “I would like to say thank you to Sir Peter Bottomley, Ian and Amy Hart, Denise McGrath, Lesley Wye, John Grant, Mike Cannon and Colin Flynn who made cash donations to make this memorial possible. “I would also like to thank Pam Vowles and Mary McKeown for helping with the research. “A big thank you to Graham Baker of Monumental Stoneworks for keeping the costs down and putting up with long delays. — Mr Wye has also been working on several other Second World War projects relating to Worthing, details of which will be published in February’s Worthing Journal. One involves Lancaster U n i v e r s i t y w h i c h h a s published a map pinpointing the addresses of Worthing’s war dead, based on details provided by Mr Wye. It can be v i e w e d b y v i s i t i n g hi-som.lancs.ac.uk Over 25 years of dealing in quality antiques and interior designer furniture Hair and object d’art by Sue Free Valuations, Insurance Valuations, and probate, Mobile Furniture Restorations, Hairdresser Any items considered for purchase.

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If it's not on the list, please ask. Call Helen on 07554412020 Email [email protected] 82 LETTERS SOMETHING ever heard of COVID-19 and but survived double pneumonia what effect it would have on the and many other illnesses. TO ENJOY health of the nation. When she was ten her younger CONGRATULATIONS on the If every bed was in use at that time sister Marjorie developed tenth anniversary of The how on earth will this hospital and tuberculosis and sadly died. She Worthing Journal. its staff be able to cope with all the was buried in Heene Cemetery. During this time the publication extra patients infected with the Her life was not all doom and has covered all aspects of civic virus coming through its doors? gloom. She got married in 1930 and community life with well- This is one of those situations and gave birth to six healthy balanced topical reporting. which really does not bear children. The articles on local history and thinking about but our thoughts She had 16 grandchildren and 25 people associated with Worthing and prayers must remain firmly great grandchildren and lived to are particularly interesting. fixed on everybody who works in the grand old age of 95 with the The Worthing Society is very Worthing Hospital; the porters, help of a little tipple in her later appreciative of our monthly cleaners, cooks, nurses, doctors years. column which allows us to update and all who will have to work so PS: Does anyone know where our members and readers on the hard to ensure that all their they used to stable the horses? current issues affecting our patients receive the very best care George Cook unique built heritage, and our under what will surely become the 33 Strathmore Road various events to illustrate the most stressful of times. social history of Worthing. May God bless them all. The availability of these columns Eric Waters SIR IAN HOLM gives local groups the opportunity 21 Ingleside Crescent REMEMBERED to update readers on the many Lancing I WAS very interested in your groups and activities available to article on the late Sir Ian Holm in the community. PUSHED IN A the Lives Remembered section. The Journal is something to look As a teenager I was a huge fan of forward to and enjoy during these HAND CART Sir Ian, having seen him in The difficult times. IN your November issue you Wars of the Roses at Stratford. Susan Belton mentioned Worthing Hospital I then went to see him in anything, Chairman using horse drawn carriages in anywhere! The Worthing Society 1919 and it brought back a lot of My daughters loved him in The memories of my dear late mum Borrowers and it became a family GOD BLESS who had a ride in one. favourite. When my mum was four years old We went on to enjoy his THEM ALL she became very ill and her poor performance in Lord of the Rings I WAS quite enjoying the father who lived in a farm cottage and so many more films and TV November edition of The Journal at 18 St Michael’s Road had to dramas. until I reached page 44 which push her in his old hand cart to the Clearing out my attic I came contained statistics extracted hospital where he was told she across a from West Sussex Hospitals NHS had diphtheria. programme for the 1953 Foundation Trust’s 2019-20 She was then put in a horse drawn Christmas panto Cinderella. annual report. carriage and taken to Swandean I knew Sir Ian grew up in While it contained some welcome Isolation Hospital where a Worthing so could this really be news, such as the fact that the surgeon cut a hole in her throat Trust had been able to recruit 170 and saved her life. Filipino nurses over the past three She was then put into quarantine years, it also highlighted the fact for four months and her dad could that Worthing Hospital reached only see her once a month through 100% bed occupancy last winter, a glass window. something which I found What a trauma that must have extremely worrying because this been for a four year old girl. was at a time when none of us had My mum was not a healthy child Sir Ian Holm 83

him playing “Popsi” the poodle? cutting and hedge trimming music director Lucy Goldberg is I recently met a couple who live in carried out. isolated behind a clear plastic Karachi, Pakistan, who surprised Therefore, could The Journal screen. me by saying they knew Worthing persuade the council to urge all Enter The Sussex Gruffs Male because in the 1960s they used to householders to look after the Voice Choir! leave their young daughter at a grass verge and pavement that It was all a matter of personal children’s hotel while they toured fronts their property? choice. The question was, would Great Britain and Europe. Where folk do tend them it looks it be safe to be together and sing or I have lived here for most of my so much better. should we stick to our weekly life and have never heard of such a A member of Bury Drive Zoom sessions? place. Methodist Church looks after the Well, we did both! Those who felt We love the Journal. It’s how we grass verge outside the church. the risk was small met at Heene know what’s actually going on in A lady in Bury Drive weeds the Community Centre, and those our town. pavement. who were unsure “Zoomed” in. Diana Thorn I cut the hedge, trim the trees and Our music director conducted Treveor House sweep the pavement and gutter by both the “podded” vocals at the Richmond Road the bus stop in Fernhurst Drive. centre and the Zoom team online It could be a citizens’ duty, in what proved to be a technical perhaps once or twice a year? whizz. MAKING A Wilfred Rhodes After a warm up, we all sang DIFFERENCE 3 Fernhurst Drive heartily for 90 minutes, and we all TEN out of ten to Journal editor felt so much better for it! Paul Holden for weeding the steps SING AND The Gruffs are on the move and of the Guildbourne Centre. there’ll be no stopping us soon. What you have said on numerous BE MERRY How soon? Who knows? But we occasions about the state of HOORAY! We can now sing have been back together again as a Worthing and the district’s streets indoors again. proper choir (well almost) and and pavements is absolutely right. Or can we? can’t wait for the next joint They are a disgrace! First we can, then we can’t, and session. I live in Goring and every road, now we have! So, gentlemen, if lockdown is street, lane and twitten is covered Masks on, visors fitted, socially getting a bit tiresome, it is said with weeds. distanced, deep cleaned, pods that singing (good or not so good) Our council seems so poor it can’t prepared, piano tuned, Zoom in is the perfect stimulation. afford to have weed killing, grass place, and our conductor and Would you like to try singing atw

“I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide.” 84 LETTERS va Zoom meeting? necessary for Sompting Village Four reporters - yes four, You can join us at any of our Morris to cancel all December attending a vestry meeting at online sing-alongs. and January performances due to Christ Church. Please go to www.sussexgruffs safety considerations and I suppose one each from the mvc.co.uk and we’ll send you the regulations regarding COVID- Gazette, Observer, and Mercury, words so you can sing to your 19. and perhaps the other from The hearts’ content. It means we have not been able to Argus or Sussex Daily News? Alan Bickle dance in public throughout 2020. I enjoyed the vicar’s slightly 14 Fairview Avenue However, we fervently hope to teasing tone and his wry return with a flourish in 2021, as amusement that their little GROUNDED soon as it is safe and legal for us to meeting should have been so well do so. attended by the Press. BY CORONA Sompting Village Morris wishes He wrote: “We had, I suppose, an PART of the much-loved all its followers a safe and happy unique experience at our Easter Worthing traditions at Yuletide festive season. Vestry, on 18th April, with regard and New Year has been Sompting Lyn Thomas to attendance. We were four all Vi l l a g e M o r r i s d a n c e r s ’ Shamrock told - the vicar, two church- Christmas holiday performances. Bilsham Road wardens, and the clerk. On Boxing Day, there are “To hand down to posterity our normally performances at the weighty words of counsel, (we) Black Horse, Findon, and the CHURCH had the labours of four reporters George Inn, ; and on of our local Press. But their work New Year’s Day at the Richard SCRIBES was very light. We were all four Cobden, Worthing. I HAVE been researching the old much impressed with a deep sense On January 5 it was customary for Christ Church parish magazines of our importance, for upon our Sompting Village Morris to enact with a view to producing a small shoulders alone was the great the Wassail procession through booklet with quotes from the late parochial burden.” Tarring High Street, carrying Victorian and Edwardian He then described the very flaming torches. editions. mundane and predictable content This event always attracted large While reading the edition for May of the meeting, ending his and enthusiastic crowds, 1906, I was reminded of your oft’ description with a flourish of self- culminating in a blessing of the repeated concern that local news congratulation: apple trees and a Mummers’ is no longer being reported in the “All this, and more, being put to performance. way it should be. t h e v o t e , w a s p a s s e d Disappointingly it has been So how about this? unanimously, and at the close of 85 Heene Cemetery THE Friends of Heene the meeting we cordially shook a direct relative but as the father of Cemetery are continuing to hands and with one consent Evelyn Sheppard, who married survey the burial ground acknowledged the meeting to have John Bishop, one of my six great- through the winter and carry been the most successful and the uncles. out research into the lives of most pleasant one we had been He was actually born in Piddle- the families buried there. privileged to attend.” hinton, Dorset, and moved to Alan Bell, from the West Chris Hare Sussex in the 1880s. Sussex Geology Society, 15 Sussex Road I didn’t know where he was buried kindly came to help me so am very glad to know now. i d e n t i f y t h e d i ff e r e n t Helen Swyer materials used for headstones. STORE BY 106 Eastern Avenue, Shoreham It was a very cold and damp THE SEA day but glistening crystals in IN December’s Journal there’s WOOLIES WALL the granite headstones still mention of a general store in Ocean shone through, even though I SUPPORT the suggestion they are more than a century Parade, Ferringham Lane, called proposed by Vernon Kitch for a McKone and Haynes. old. tompe l’oeil mural on the side of the Alan pointed out fossils in I remember it well, having shopped o l d Wo o l w o r t h s b u i l d i n g , there from 2001 until it closed. s o m e o f t h e J u r a s s i c Montague Place. l i m e s t o n e , w h i c h w a s It was a very useful shop which It is a brilliant idea, and Vernon’s saved a car journey into Worthing. fascinating, and we will be photograph of an example in France looking at these headstones The staff were very helpful and would be perfect. friendly. with even more interest now. Vernon then goes on to suggest the James White was born in Victor Palmer mural could become a timeline of 31 St Osmund Road, Ferring Angmering in December Worthing’s history, and feature local 1845 and died from heart people who have made an impact on failure 100 years ago, in DOWNLAND the town, which I also agree with. January 1921. A trompe l’oeil would certainly He was a prominent figure in SHEPHERD brighten up a boring expanse of wall Worthing, starting his career IN the October edition a name leapt and will surely become a visitor in Henty Bank out at me from page 50 - Frederick attraction, so must be worthy of Later in life he played a big James Sheppard, a shepherd who consideration. part in public life and became died in 1933. Martin Cornford Mayor of Worthing and then He appears in my family tree, not as 191 King Edward Avenue Justice of the Peace during his retirement. There is a great deal more to find out about this prestigious gentleman on our website www.heenecemetery.org.uk burial page. We sincerely hope we will be able to conduct open days and tours very soon and will be advertising them in the next issue. For further information about volunteering or funding our projects, please contact Sue S t a n d i n g v i a e m a i l [email protected] or 07771966846. Fishing boats off Worthing - a timeless sight! www.worthingjournal.co.uk 86 HENRY NICHOLLS A TREASURE TROVE OF POP STARS ANTIQUES dealer Henry but there are still collectors who Nicholls has a passion for covet these objects for their vintage bottles and pot lids. historical value. He’s amassed a fantastic Most towns and villages had their collection - mostly old, many own brewers of beer, mineral rare, and some valuable waters and ginger beer; makers of examples from a bygone age. meat pastes, cold creams, Here Henry, who runs an toothpaste and assorted chemists’ antiques business in Rowlands potions. Road, pops the stopper on a All of these products were sold fascinating hobby and asks for either in glass or stoneware readers’ help in finding and containers and bottles. Tutt’s produced a stoneware acquiring more. Once used, people just threw ginger beer bottle bearing a them into rubbish dumps to be transfer print label stating “Tutt’s, It’s not only us that live in a forgotten for 100 years or more. late Hill”. “throw-away” society. This is Worthing was no exception. Other mineral water and pop something that’s been happening Throughout the 19th century, the producers littered the town, JT for hundreds of years. town was home to a number of Phillips being one with a lovely The Victorians were particularly manufacturers, the largest being belt and buckle design as a logo. good at it, filling old quarries and A Hill, founded in 1877. Also J Hume who used three fish abandoned spaces with anything Based in Station Road, the as his trademark and housed his from unwanted furniture to company produced fizzy lemonade in standard bottles. domestic waste. lemonade and mineral waters in He also produced a hybrid of a A vast wealth of social history still bottles called Codds. Codd bottle, and something called lies undiscovered in these places; The patentee was a chap named a Hamilton, which had a pointed even at the bottom of people’s Hiram Codd who placed a marble base meaning it wouldn’t stand gardens. inside each bottle. up. There is a fascinating side to this The gas from the pop held the Other manufacturers produced rubbish - old bottles and pot lids! marble firmly in a rubber seal at ginger beer in stoneware bottles, The 1970s saw a massive interest the top of the neck. including E Willoughby, of 48 in this genre of collecting, with When pressed down, the marble Market Street. people digging into the depths of became trapped in what were He was a grocer in the 1860s, with these old rubbish dumps, legally called lugs, which resembled fish a cheap impressed stamp on his or illegally. gills, enabling people to drink the bottles, but he didn’t last long. It slumped throughout the 1990s fizzy pop. Then there was M Lucas and W The advantage of this was that the Shott in the town centre, and G pop stayed fizzier for longer. Burstow who was based in Clifton Hill produced a variety of Codd Road at the Jolly Brewers pub. bottle designs. Publicans often tried their hand at The standard Codd, in aqua green, brewing. was the most common, but other H Chapman, landlord of the patents came into use, such as the Egremont pub, built a large dumpy version and the bulb neck brewing tower at the back of the version. inn, naming it the Tower Brewery. In addition, as a way of marketing Parsons, the owners of the Vine in its products, the firm produced Tarring High Street, produced bottles in different colours, either beer in flagons, from half gallons emerald green or amber, to make to five gallons. them stand out on shop shelves. Veterinary surgeons also got on A Hill was taken over by Tutt’s in the bandwagon, bottling elixirs the latter part of the 19th century. and medicines for animals. 87 VINTAGE BOTTLES

They included Comber, a begins! veterinary surgeon based in High As the town and surrounding Street in the 1830s. His stoneware areas are being redeveloped at a bottles were quite primitive, quickening pace, old rubbish cheaply produced and as such, dumps, from cottage garden tips quite wonky! This, however, to community dumps, are gives his bottles a real charm and unearthed and destroyed in hours, sense of age. as time is money, meaning that the Chemists such as Astons or Cortis vast wealth of history is lost produced toothpaste and hair forever. grease in small china tubs with It is really now only the digger printed lids. drivers and site workers that have They also poured medicines and an opportunity to save these poisons into a wealth of glass wonderful objects, whether it be containers and bottles of all the bottles or other items of different shapes and sizes. historical interest like clay pipes, There are more I could name, but buttons, horse brasses and even it is a long list spanning nearly a pieces of discarded jewellery! century. If you have any local (Worthing passionate about this genre of New and unheard of brewers and and West Sussex) bottles, pot lids collecting for more than 40 years. manufacturers are unearthed or flagons, I’d love to hear from To me, it isn’t trash; it really is every year. you. treasure! However, some of them were so Likewise, if you’re aware of any Henry Nicholls shortlived it is hard to research areas that contain old tips, I’d be 07866436371 them, but that is where the fun equally keen to know. I’ve been [email protected]

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THE summer of 2020 was a If you able to help give Worthing a are able to assist. surprisingly windy one with head start, please order a two-yard Some people order them out of a several unseasonal storms sewn flag with anti-fray strip. sense of pride in our town; others sweeping across the town. Flags made of nylon will, sadly, as memorials to loved ones who This took a serious toll on seafront be torn to shreds in a week or two have died. flags donated by Worthing so they must be sewn. It is important to emphasise that Journal readers. Prices vary depending on the without Journal readers there Our stockpile was severely complexity of the design. would be no flags to brighten up depleted and we need to stock up Please ask for the flag to be our shop window. again for next summer. delivered to your home address. They genuinely do make a The Journal will start the ball Then contact Holden on 01903 difference, so thank you once rolling by purchasing a Sussex 245674 and he will come and again. flag. collect it for the beach office. All donations will be recorded in Editor Paul Holden hopes readers To order a flag, ring the The Journal’s roll of honour. will once again put their hands in Hampshire Flag Company on ••• their pockets and follow suit. 02392 237130. — If you have any queries please You have always responded with Please note the company will also do not hesitate to ring Holden on incredible generosity, donating charge VAT and a delivery fee. the above number, or email flags worth more than £40,000 Grateful thanks in advance if you [email protected] since the annual appeal was launched almost 20 years ago. Times are tough, but if we don’t respond then nobody else will. Our flags will fly the length of the promenade from Sea Lane Café to Brougham Road, along the pier, and above Steyne Gardens. For the third year in succession we are appealing for county flags to decorate the pier. We need a total of EIGHT to make this work! So, if you have connections with other parts of the UK, please order the county flag closest to your heart. This year we would also like to collect a further EIGHT flags of other nations to reflect the rich tapestry of people from far flung nations of the globe who have made Worthing their home. We will also need (with your assistance) our usual selection of Union, England, Wales and Scotland standards to fill every coastal flagpole. Please note that you are entitled to a ten per cent discount on Union, England, Wales and Scotland flags if you mention The Worthing Journal when you order. 89

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Many thanks to those who have accurate and contemporary before the dark ages descend, may subscribed or resubscribed in account of what Worthing went resonate for centuries to come. recent weeks. through, for readers today and Certainly with historians seeking Also, those who purchased an generations not yet born. a window on the past. annual subscription as a festive This account has been deposited Many thanks once again for present for family and friends. with county and national archives subscribing. We could not publish The so it is preserved for posterity. It is never too late. Just fill in the Worthing Journal without such If The Journal ceased publication form below, or online via wonderful support. tomorrow (don’t worry, it won’t), www.worthingjournal.co.uk The Journal certainly came of age it would have served its purpose. in several respects during 2020. But we intend to continue We celebrated our tenth bringing you all the news that’s fit anniversary, though little did any to print (with apologies to the of us know what was in store. New York Times), insights into The Journal also documented, in how our money is being spent, a unprecedented detail, the faithful account of everyday life unfolding of the pandemic from in Sunny Worthing, and the those early days in January and history of our town. February when coronavirus Social media posts are here today, seemed a distant threat, through gone a second later. lockdowns 1 and 2, to the first Instant gratification, instantly vaccinations. forgotten. We pride ourselves on being the But The Journal, the last throw of first draft of history, recording an the dice for local journalism

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NSURE - CHARTERED FINANCIAL PLANNERS GIVE YOUR FINANCES A NEW YEAR BOOST Firstly, let me start by wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year. I always feel the Christmas and New Year period is one where we all have the time to sit back and reflect, this year probably more than any other. This tends to involve us making outlandish resolutions which we have no realistic way of keeping past the 12th January. However I'm sure in some small way it makes us all feel a little bit more pro-active about the year ahead. It's no surprise then that we tend to get an abundance of calls at the beginning of the year from people who are looking at new ways to make their finances work better for them. Typically, it's about investments and what they can change or improve to make their money work harder for them in the future. Switching has become an inherent part of everyday life, and most of us tend to do it on an annual basis with our utility, Richard Cohen insurance and credit card bills. So, what about financial advice? alternatives. aspirations, goals and lifestyle, I will state at this point that I'm I would recommend looking at as well as what they want to not an advocate of jumping ship what facilities other brokers achieve and what are the from your current provider have in place, their knowledge, repercussions if something purely based on short-term expertise and market coverage, doesn't go to plan. performances. but most importantly, it's about ● For more information contact Markets can have huge having a good relationship with Richard Cohen at Nsure fluctuations and it can be hard to someone you can trust. Financial Services on 01903 judge the calibre of your The magic formula is one where 821010 or send an email to investments over such a short you as a client have complete [email protected] period of time. Switching to confidence in the way your another Financial Adviser purely adviser is working with and for on short-term performance is you. not a great decision in my book. I've always believed that However, if you feel the financial advice goes much relationship isn't working, then further than just money being the New Year certainly gives you invested. It's about looking at an opportunity to look at every client's personal situation, 94 Girlguiding DOWN MEMORY LANE By Rob Blann

Two members of our County Trefoil Guild were very busy in 2020 becoming published authors. Archivist Margaret Goodyer compiled a book of memories which was edited by Avril Stouse. Margaret has been collecting these stories for 20 years and at last her vision of putting them in a book has been realised. Titled “A Tale to Tell”, the book is a collection of favourite stories of being part of Girlguiding and the Trefoil With Debenhams in South Street was stained with smoke and we had Guild, some going back as far as seemingly destined to close for to put it away in cupboards. the 1930s. good (page 28), Rob Blann looks “A temporary Hubbard’s store was There are anecdotes of camps in back to the night in 1947 when the set up at The County opposite the farmers’ fields, trips to rallies to site was wrecked by fire. pier, so at least some of the celebrate special events, When the old Hubbard’s department departments kept going, but not the adventurous journeys abroad in (later Debenhams) was ravaged by a restaurant. the days before mobile phones, devastating fire in August 1947 it “The original Hubbard’s was organising Guards of Honour was witnessed by the restaurant restored and reopened in 1952, but I for royal visits to the county, supervisor, Mrs Winifred Sessions didn’t return to my old job until the and even meeting Olave Baden- (later Berry), who gave the Powell. restaurant opened a year later. Many of the stories are following account: “We had this big dinner for the accompanied by photographs - “The fire brigade was there when we opening. I did waitressing for a year. fantastic memories of fun times arrived for work. Then our supervisor left and the and a great way to document the “There was 25 fire engines which manager, Mr Lobert, asked me to changes in uniform over time. had come from all over the place to take over. During the 2020 lockdowns, put out the fire, and the roads around “I had 15 waitresses under me and Margaret also kept up the spirits were full of them. all I had to do was to show people to of Trefoil Guild members by “I was so shocked! Old Mr Hubbard their seats and take the bookings. It emailing them a daily message - just stood there in front of the was a lovely job. That suited me a Smiley - often containing fun building and put his hands to his nicely that did. I was supervisor cartoons relating to Girlguiding head. there until I left in 1966 when I was from the archives. These are “ ‘Oh my golly,’ he said. He couldn’t 51. also all contained in the book believe it; he was really stunned. “I lived in one of the Hubbard flats for people to enjoy. “We had to form a long line along which the store owned in Princess I wonder what memories our which we passed everything we Avenue. current girls and leaders will could save out of the shop and onto “When I left I had to give up the have of our recent time in lorries. flat.” Girlguiding? Be it meeting “All the china and everything from ••• online or taking part in socially the restaurant itself, which had only — distanced meetings face-to- Got a story or photo to share? face, there is no doubt that opened six months earlier, was P l e a s e c o n t a c t R o b @ R o b - memories are still being made stored in a house in Grand Avenue. Blann.com, write to 64 Rose Walk, and more adventures planned. “We stayed behind to wash Worthing, BN12 4AT, or phone everything up because all the china 01903 246587.

96 RETAIL THERAPY

Mary Tester

Nigel Watson

Louise Southwood JAMIE Hallama played a grand piano while the first shoppers went bargain hunting in new department merchandisers - many of them local - offering a wide store 1517. range of good quality products. Workmen and cleaners were still frantically putting They include fresh local fruit and veg outlet You Say the finishing touches to the former Beales building as Tomato, run by Louise Southwood; and Anchored in customers trickled in. Sussex, selling county-produced wine and ale, run by They were greeted by bright and airy shopfloors Nigel Watson, of Worthing’s first micropub, filled with a fine range of goods. Anchored in Worthing. The aisles seemed less cluttered than Beales, which The businesses formed part of a food hall, which was may have been a pandemic measure to ensure social something Beales didn’t have. distancing. A vintage red sports car was an eye-catching feature Among those greeting the first customers was Mary at the entrance to the ground floor café. Tester, in the Arthur Price cutlery and gifts section. Shoppers browsed shelves stacked with perfumes, Mary started work at Bentalls as a 15-year-old shop shoes, make up, beauty products, male and female assistant and remained in the store when Beales took fashions, baby clothes, lighting, luggage, bed linen over. and towels. She was made redundant last March but was In fact, everything you would expect in a good delighted to be back with her old employer under the department store. 1517 banner. The toy section was situated in exactly the same spot Store manager Matthew Amphlett barely had time to as previously under Beales. breath as questions from staff and workmen came Darren Baker, director of Worthing Souvenirs and thick and fast. Photos, donned an I Love Worthing face mask for the He’d been forced to postpone the opening date at occasion. least three times due to the sheer volume of work Many people had smiles of relief on their faces, required to bring the premises up to scratch. though you could only tell by sparkling eyes, for their He’s put together an impressive array of mouths were covered. 97 1517

Darren Baker After the loss of Beales, and the possible closure of Debenhams, South Street has been given a fantastic boost by the opening of 1517. Now it’s down to Worthing to support the traders Jamie Hallama within.

Open Mon-Sat 8am-5pm A VERY HAPPY 3 Liverpool Buildings, BN11 1SY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO (opposite TKMaxx) OUR CUSTOMERS Follow us www.facebook.com/tchworthing

The Coffee House offers outstanding barista coffees, teas and a freshly updated delicious menu of food right in the centre of town. Independently owned for over 70 years, we have plenty of seating downstairs, upstairs and outside and have used the lockdown as a great opportunity to refurbish and look better than ever. When you want to take a break from your shopping, or if you just want somewhere where you can guarantee 'Great Taste Award' winning coffee from Tristan and his team, grab a seat. We are friendly and we have something for everyone - from great breakfasts, to delicious lunches and amazing cakes. 98 TABLE MANNERS

them as treasonous, and he was incarcerated in the Tower of London for five weeks. Emily drew on parallels with the past in criticising the Government for imposing strict Tier 2 COVID restrictions on Worthing. She said: “How ironic that the John Selden, named after the great Parliamentarian who was born within a stone’s throw (of the pub), may suffer its demise at the hands of his successors.” ••• WORTHING Gin meister Phil Duckett THE Crabshack, Splash Point, has erected a has spread his wings Mongolian-style yurt on its forecourt to keep and branched out customers warm, dry and socially distanced. into limited edition More traditional-looking marquees have been jars of gin marma- erected at various hostelries around the town, lade which at £4.75 a including the Cow and Oak, Brighton Road. jar proved a festive ••• hit with customers. SPARE a thought for the Rose and Crown, Montague ••• Street. A CAFÉ owner is The hostelry had arguably the best kitchen, food- trying to unravel a wise, in town until it was taken over by the drinks mystery uncovered only Craft Union Pub Company. during extension Customers were dismayed when the kitchen was works. subsequently ripped out. While painting the With hindsight, an unfortunate turn of events. façade of the unit next to the Coffee House, in the However, the Rose and Crown rallied by dishing up Montague Quarter, owner Tristan Murray discovered pizza as a “substantial meal” as required by the a faint outline. Government. It read: “Est 1856.” ••• But which business with a Victorian pedigree PUB landlady Emily Chatterton was inspired by one occupied the premises before him? Can readers of England’s most famous Parliamentarians in a assist? pandemic plea to politicians. ••• Emily runs the John Selden in Half Moon Lane, A NEW café called Triple Two is opening in the Salvington. former Jessops camera shop in Warwick Street, Selden professed that people rather than the King according to signs in the window. should have power over Parliament. But the proprietors will have to do something about His comments infuriated King James I, who regarded the waste bins blighting Marine Place. ••• PLANS to turn the former town centre Laura Ashley unit into a Loungers café/bar have reportedly fallen through. It’s believed Loungers was now looking at taking over the new Bayside café, East Beach. Meanwhile, a gallery of paintings is currently being displayed inside the vacant Montague Quarter unit. ••• THE former Tiffany’s café in Brighton Road, just east of Bayside, is under new ownership. The business has been rebranded Miracle’s - quite apt given recent pandemic-related circumstances! Emily •••

100 WHAT’S ON

PLANS to refurbish Worthing Museum and Art idea what was going to happen. Gallery, to “Let the Light In” could start in May Cactus Kitchen Gals outlined their concerns in 2024 if Heritage Lottery funding is secured at the last month’s Journal. second attempt. Ms Keyes said: “We haven’t heard anything yet. “I suspect they are hoping to push their plans VISITORS to the Connaught Theatre and Ritz Studio through while we are distracted by lockdown. often face “unbearable” conditions, according to a “There was of course no mention of the existing council report. businesses. They are probably thinking we will Worthing Borough Council said both Union Place close with no business about, but we are using our venues had inadequate ventilation and comfort time to have a clear out of all the fabric, rails etc cooling. that I have been hoarding for years. This resulted in extremely hot temperatures during “We do know Mr Pia (the tailor) is retiring at the summer and stuffy conditions in the winter. Christmas, which means number 7 will be totally A report to councillors stated: “A capacity attendance empty, and recently asbestos was removed from without adequate ventilation creates an often number 5. unbearable experience for customers. “Also, the vegan café lease expires next June.” “The lack of ventilation has resulted in numerous A council spokesman said it was aware of their complaints and reputational damage.” concerns. It was feared touring productions might refuse to return if casts were unable to perform to the best of THE early impact of COVID-19 on a new trust set up their ability due to extreme heat. to run Worthing’s theatres and museum has been While Worthing Theatres Trust was responsible for outlined in its first annual report. heating bills, the council took charge of building The report, covering 2019-20, told how Worthing maintenance, repairs and improvements. Theatres and Museum launched its new season in The cost of providing ventilation had risen from early March. almost £100,000 to £241,280. It had lined up a strong programme of cultural events To cover the increased outlay, the council proposed and activities. to defer refurbishment of toilets at the Connaught The launch proved a huge hit, and ticket sales were and Assembly Hall. booming. This would free up around £142,200 for the But by now the pandemic had reached our shores and ventilation project. national panic was starting to set in. The report noted: “Sadly just two weeks later we A SHOPKEEPER facing expulsion due to the were forced to close our buildings and retreat to revamp of a town centre “digital and arts” hub working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. remains in the dark about her future. “WTM had been operating less than five months Worthing Borough Council wants to expand when the forced closure happened, putting us in an Colonnade House, at the junction of Warwick extremely vulnerable financial position. Street and High Street. “We responded quickly. Three home working box The scheme includes taking over neighbouring offices (using the standard telephone number) were shops, and building flats. set up within 72 hours; a building management But sitting tenants Cactus Kitchen Gals and system was established, additional security was Carolyn Keyes dress shop said they still had no installed, and 15 staff were set up with work stations at home. Carolyn Keyes “We unpicked six months of carefully planned programming, with the majority (of shows) being rescheduled into 2021, and cancelled the cinema screenings which are a crucial income stream for the organisation, putting £385,000 on the bottom line in the previous year. “The huge task of contacting customers and offering refunds, online credits or accepting donations took months. “By implementing the box office system quickly atw

102 WHAT’S ON

vthe start of lockdown, WTM in the autumn launched a £10,000 crowd we have been able to funding campaign under the heading: “SAVE reassure our customers by WORTHING THEATRES AND MUSEUM”. processing their refunds, It said the cash would help the trust cover costs and exchanges and ticket “ensure our return to provide shows you love”. queries in a timely manner. WTM mothballed its theatres and furloughed staff “This has helped us to for most of the pandemic when it proved almost retain customer loyalty impossible to stage live shows. and support in the form of This had no bearing on funding from the borough memberships, donations, council, which this year pledged £1.46 million to the and account credit and gift trust. vouchers. Coun Dan Humphreys, leader of the council, “The closure forced the explained: “It’s the usual costs associated with the cancellation of our community and commercial management of four large and old buildings hires, wiping out another key income stream, (maintenance, insurance, support charges, etc). reducing the budgeted income of £239,000 to less “It’s worth remembering that the theatres and than £30,000. museum cost us more if they’re closed than if they’re “We are currently developing the branding, focusing open. on a campaign to show the great venues we will have “If the council had ceased the funding during the available to hire to the community once everyone can pandemic the trust would have had to fold and come together to celebrate and work together once council taxpayers would have been hit with the safe to do so. business rates bill and building management costs. “The pandemic has forced us to delay several “As it stands WTAM have been able to fundraise and projects including Spin Out, a programme of free access some Government support, meaning that outdoor events, and Let the Light In, the they’re well set to keep putting on performances and refurbishment and development of the museum. attract people into Worthing when the town needs “We supported the borough council Food Bank by them more than ever. allowing the use of the Assembly Hall for five “It’s good for Worthing Council taxpayers and months. another great example of Worthing being ready to “The Government furlough scheme has been a huge bounce back from the pandemic.” financial help, with 49 contracted staff and our entire But questions have been asked by Labour opposition team of casual workers being furloughed from the councillors. end of March. Coun Jim Deen said: “I get it that there is a need to “We successfully applied for £29,000 of emergency mothball the buildings and that involves real costs, funding from Arts Council England and confirmed but £1.4 million? that Worthing Borough Council would honour the “That represents around £35 for every household in contracted annual service payment (£1.46 million). Worthing. I don’t think many of them would think “Since March, messaging on wtam.uk and all weekly that represents best value as a way to spend their hard email communications to audiences has signposted earned money.” people to donate, raising £17,000 including Gift Aid. “Sadly this was not enough and we had no choice but to restructure, making 19 redundancies and temporarily reducing the hours of a further 29 staff at the end of the furlough scheme until at least March 2021. Closing the venues felt like a challenge back in March but the real challenge will be reopening. “We have to prioritise safety for our team and the public, plan for social distancing and build back the confidence of our audiences.”

THE cost of replacing Connaught Theatre windows, said to be in a poor condition, has been estimated at £85,000.

ISSN 2048-4763

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