Middleton News COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR THE PARISH OF MIDDLETON-ON-SEA SPRING 2009

FREE JOIN THE 3rd PARISH QUARTERLY MIDSUMMER WALK! MAGAZINE Sunday 27nd June at 2 p.m.

INSIDEIn This THIS Issue ISSUE Community Notice Board Pages 10 and 11 Chairman’s Report Page 2 Council Update Page 3 Hal Brooks Page 4 Hockey Club Page 9 Jan Windsor Column Page 17 Jubilee Hall Page 13 May Fayre Pictures Page 7 Readers’ Letters y popular demand a third landscape over the years and as this will be a Page 18 Midsummer Walk will take place leisurely paced flat walk – no hills or stiles! – Bthis year and as usual we will meet we hope that those with a personal knowledge Shrubbs Playing at the Middleton Village Pond, Sea Lane of Elmer’s history as well as younger walkers Field at 2 pm eager to learn more about our ever changing Page 14 coastline will join us for a refreshing walk by First we will visit St Nicholas Church and the sea. Depending on the weather we will The Smuggler graveyard to explore and discuss its interesting turn back towards the village at about 3.30 p.m. Part III history. Then as the tide will be in our favour allowing the more energetic to carry on their Page 15 we will carry on our walk along the foreshore coastal walk to or beyond! towards Elmer. We will be investigating how Vera Sklarevskia sea level changes have re-shaped our parish Please do join us if you can Page 5

Talking Middleton News Now available free on audio cassette to anyone who has poor eyesight Copies are available from Pauline Allsopp 01243 586903 Middleton News Chairmans Report Chairman focuses on the Parish Council’s success By David Allsopp, Clerk to the Council

arish Councillor Paul Wotherspoon, Chairman of • Installation of a comprehensive CCTV system to protect the Parish Council, presented his Annual Report at the buildings and playground on Shrubbs Field together with Pthe Annual Parish Meeting on 19th May 2010. The the adjacent car park. The £6,900 project cost was financed by full Annual Report is available on the parish page of the £3000 of grants, a similar contribution from the parish council, parish council website (www.middleton-on-sea.co.uk). together with contributions from three local charities. The Chairman said: I am very grateful to all the Councillors and the Clerk for their support and hard work to make these achievements possible and “I am very proud of the success that the Parish Council has I thank them for their understanding of the impartial, but none achieved during this year. Improvements have been made across the less both encouraging and facilitating, role which I have the board to assist parishioners of all ages which include two maintained during my Chairmanship. It continues to please me major capital projects: that the Council remains non-political. Looking back over the • Installation of a Zebra Crossing in Elmer Road. This follows year in closer detail, it is clear to me that the Parish Council years of lobbying by the parish council. The installation, at a offers excellent value for money when you consider all the work cost of some £25,000, was very timely with the arrival of the undertaken and that the precept has remained the same as the new pharmacy on the opposite side of the road from the Avisford previous year.” Medical Centre. He went on to say “In last year’s report I welcomed the news that WSCC Highways would be improving the footpath on the north side of Middleton Road, between Merry End and The Byway, during 2010/2011 at an estimated cost of £60,000. However, that will not now happen as WSCC has withdrawn the project from both the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 works programmes. Strong representations have been made to the county council and County Councillor Christina Coleman has been asked to intervene at the highest level. It is hoped that sustained pressure will eventually lead to the project’s reinstatement”. Other items within the report included: The Parish Council, through careful budgeting and management of its finances, has been able to recommend an unchanged precept of £37,000 for 2010/2011. This will be the third year that the precept has been unchanged and reinforces the council’s policy to maintain the precept as low as possible. Middleton News has now been published for almost 8 years and continues to be very well received by parishioners. It continues to be in much demand outside the parish boundaries and is now available in PDF format on the parish council website. The Chairman thanked the Clerk (Editor), Andrew Houlden (Middleton News Co-ordinator), Pauline Allsopp (Talking Middleton News) together with all the article writers, distributors and advertisers who each contribute to Middleton News’ continued success. The Chairman made special mention of the “unsung heroes” of Shrubbs Field – Celia & Tony Horne who keep the pavilion and field in excellent order. Finally, the Chairman spoke of the late Ted Chandler MBE remembering his 38 years of service to the parish council and local community. Page 2 Middleton News Council News Parish Council Briefly……. ave you changed your Elgar £20 notes? The Bank of Update has announced that the £20 notes with the Himage of the English composer Sir Edward Elgar on By David Allsopp, Clerk to the Council the reverse will cease to be legal tender after 30th June 2010. From 1st July, only £20 notes with the image of Adam Smith he CCTV system installed to protect the buildings on the reverse will be legal. So take a moment to look at your on Shrubbs Field together with the car park became £20 notes and make sure you change any “Elgar notes” before Toperational on 15th March 2010. 30th June. Councillors agreed to provisionally allocate £1,000 towards a Do you have any swarming bees?. If you need help or advice future community garden project just to the west of the Jubilee with Bees or Bee swarms contact Carolyn & Roger Farley (01243 Hall. It is proposed that this will be a memorial garden with 586670) or Chichester Beekeepers (01243 533559). some type of raised gardens with seats and benches incorporated into the design. It will then be possible to fit plaques so that Ted Parish Council has launched an online consultation Chandler, and others, can be remembered. Further consultations about traffic management, post Site 6 completion, which it is will be held with the Jubilee Hall Management Committee. understood will also include a section relating to Comet Corner. Felpham Parish Council is essentially seeking views about their Ongoing concerns have been expressed that the work by proposed traffic calming/improvement schemes. The site is WSCC Highways to improve the footway along Middleton located at http://www.felphampc.gov.uk/assets/Site_Six_Road_ Road between Merry End and The Byway (Northside) has been Mitigation.pdf and comments are invited. excluded from the Highways Works Plan both for 2010 and 2011. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, Derek Finally, remember 16th June is Day. County Whittington, has written recently to all parish councils advising Council are co-ordinating activities to celebrate Sussex Day and that West Sussex County Council’s current priority is the repair these can be viewed on their web site – www.westsussex.gov.uk. of the numerous pot holes in the roads and virtually all other highways schemes are being delayed or curtailed as a result of PARISH CLERK - David F Allsopp this. The parish council has therefore written to Mr Whittington Telephone 01243 586903 Fax 01243 587741 seeking a firm start date for the footway improvement project. [email protected] Cllr Calvin Watson represented the parish council at a Snow PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE Summit called by WSCC to seek to ascertain what went well www.middleton-on-sea.co.uk during the recent adverse weather and what did not. Some 90 delegates attended the conference, only two of whom came from parish councils. Cllr Watson was able to speak three times “ Our commitment to you is to provide quality during the event to put the parish council’s point of view. The care so as to ensure whole event was transmitted over the internet by video cast and is your stay with us is available for viewing for three months. (http://www.westsussex. pleasurable as possible.

public-i.tv/site/) We will asist you to live Plans are now at an advanced stage to plant trees on the with dignity, privacy“ and greenspace bounded by Lucking Lane and Cootes Lane, independence. following Council recently giving approval for Aldersmead Care Home is located on the project. Plans have also been submitted to WSCC to plant the outskirts of the West Sussex town some trees in Sunnymead Close and it is hoped approval will be of . granted soon. Our sympathetic & caring staff have been personally selected for their professional skills & constantly ensure each individuals needs are Vacancy for cared for. Parish Councillor

A vacancy for a councillor has arisen. Aldersmead Care Home with Nursing If you are interested, please contact the We welcome you & your relatives to Visit at any time, without prior appointment. However if you have specific Clerk to the Council by 30th July 2010 questions you would like to ask beforehand, please feel free to contact us on: 01243 586903 or 01243 827619 BALCOMBE [email protected] C A R E H O M E S www.balcombecarehomes.co.uk

Page 3 Middleton News Parish News

Picsus sonic tomography unit being set up Health Check on Village Green

Horse Chestnut Tree By David Allsopp he autumn 2009 tree report highlighted potential a Resistograph 400 very fine drill was used to very accurately concerns about the beautiful horse chestnut tree measure areas of sound, or decaying, wood together with any Tat the northern end of the green, adjacent to areas of hollowing. Middleton Road. Following the advice given, a Chartered Thankfully when all the tests were completed the news was Arboriculturist who specialises in hazard tree assessment pretty good. It was acknowledged that the area of decay on the and decay evaluation was called in to assess the condition of trunk, which apparently may have been caused by a lightning the tree and whether it posed any risk to the general public. strike many years ago, is unlikely to be structurally significant Initially the assessment comprised of a visual inspection and the drill tests were again positive. followed by the use of a special plastic-headed hammer to Concern was raised, however, by a large lower branch on ‘sound’ the tree. Then a detailed investigation was carried the south east side which is at increasing risk of fracture, out using a Picsus sonic tomography unit which utilises the particularly in certain wind conditions. The expert therefore relative velocity of sound waves induced across the trunk to recommended that the branch is reduced in size and that work produce a colour-shift image, which can be used by experts will be undertaken in the next dormant season (from say late to identify areas of both sound, and decaying, wood. Finally, September onwards).

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Page 4 Middleton News Vera Sklarevskia

Vera Sklarevskia By Pauline Allsopp he development of Middleton-on-Sea was due largely to the foresight of Captain Rowlands TColdicott who bought most of the land in the area after World War 1. He, himself, designed and built many of the houses to a high standard and over time a number of celebrities bought houses here. One person who bought a house here was not so much a celebrity but more of a unique character in that she was married four times and three of her husbands were millionaires! Vera Sklarevskia was born on 6th January 1899 in Kiev, Russia, the daughter of Baroness Kostovsky and Alexandre Sklarevskia, a barrister at Law. Life was very difficult and dangerous for the aristocracy at the time of the revolution and so the decision was taken to flee the country. With very little money, except for a few jewels sewn into their clothes, Vera, her sister Olga and mother left Russia and made their way to Paris. It was most likely here that Vera met and married her first husband, a British diplomat, George Owen. The marriage did not last and they were divorced. In 1931 Vera married her second husband, Walter Cottingham, Company Director of the Berger Paint Company. This too was a second marriage for Walter – his first wife being Dame Maggie Teyte the English operatic soprano. Sadly Walter died after just five years of marriage and left his entire fortune to Vera at which time she became a major shareholder in the company. In 1940 Vera married for the third time, Thomas Lilley of Lilley and Skinner the shoe manufacturers. With both Vera and Thomas having an interest in race horses they founded Woolton House Stud at Woolton Hill, Newbury, Berkshire. In the early 1950s they bought one of the largest houses on the Sea Lane estate which was convenient for the race course at Goodwood. The previous owner was Sir Alan Cobham who in turn bought the house from Rowlands Coldicott, the person who developed Middleton-on-Sea. Thomas and Vera entertained here with lavish parties and guests included numerous racing personalities from that time. They even had their own racing colours – Vera’s was scarlet with a white V and Thomas’s was white with a scarlet V. At the first King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1951 Vera’s horse “Supreme Court” won. It was ridden by Charlie Elliott. After Thomas died in 1959 Vera then married her fourth and last husband, Roger Hue-Williams, a stockbroker, who also had an interest in horses. Roger’s horse “Altesse Royale” won the 1000 guineas, The Oaks and The Irish Oaks all in 1971. The stud had cause to celebrate again when in 1974 Vera’s horse “English Prince” and Roger’s horse “Imperial Prince” were placed first and second in the Irish Derby. Roger died in 1987. The last horse that was bred by Vera at Woolton Stud was “Accondy” and was bought by Dowager Lady Beaverbrook. Vera died in 1992 at Woolton House. Her jewels were sold at Christies in Geneva and raised around £3 m. Picture courtesy of Ian Jones (Photographer) Her estate was valued at £9 m. A very remarkable lady.

Page 5 Middleton News Hal Brooks Hal Brooks A Life in the Making By David Allsopp

al Brooks, the well known clown and resident of Middleton has launched his autobiography “A Life Hin the Making”(ISBN 9781848763142). Now 88 years old , Hal has put on paper details of his very varied and interesting life. Hal featured in the “Village People” column in Summer 2004. Originally a woodworker, he started entertaining in his 30’s and spent four seasons with his wife, Deena, as children’s entertainers at Butlins. He also worked in welsh clubs doing ‘lightening sketches’ as part of his routine. Later he toured the country as ‘Kerby Drill’ to promote road safety and appeared on a number of television programmes including Blue Peter and Crackerjack. During the sixties his clowning acts included a car act with a Model T Ford and a skating act which he performed at the Royal Albert Hall. A talented artist and keen member of Middleton Art Group, Hal has exhibited at many of their shows and uses a variety of mediums which include oil paints, papier-mâché and wood. Prince Charles has two pieces of his woodwork and Hal also had the privilege of meeting Princess Diana whilst clowning on the QE2 and has a photograph with her to mark the event.

Page 6 Middleton News May Fayre

St Nicholas May Fayre 3rd May 2010

Page 7 Middleton News

Summer colours by Terry Easton

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Nigel Pestelle & Karen Livesley 72 Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis PO21 2PE Tel: (01243) 863021 ♦ e-mail: [email protected] Stella Smith 138 High Street, Selsey PO20 OQE Tel: (01243) 605947 ♦ e-mail: [email protected] Gillian Beach 3&5 Middleton Court, 57 Elmer Road, Middleton on Sea PO22 6EH Tel: (01243) 586611 ♦ e-mail: [email protected]

Page 8 Middleton News MBHC The Middleton and Bognor Regis Hockey Club (MBHC) By Juliet Stallard

e are currently seeking Men, Ladies and juniors who would like to join the MBHC. W The club currently consists of 3 Men’s and 1 Ladies teams and was established over 40 years ago. The club has also recently introduced a youth development programme for the younger generation of Bognor Regis and neighbouring villages. We have a wide range of abilities and standards of hockey and we are currently recruiting new members to join the club. The new youth programme has a Level 2 coach who provides training on Saturdays with the aim to train and enter a team in the boys and girls leagues in the 2011 season. There is currently no other facility of this kind provided in Bognor Regis. Participation in the youth hockey team will provide opportunities for young The Middleton and Bognor Regis Hockey Club is a non profit people in the locality to develop leadership, social skills, fitness, making organisation and all players are asked to contribute teamwork, development, learn new skills and have fun. It will towards annual club fees and weekly match fees. We do increase self-esteem and self-confidence, and provide fitness however ask local companies if they would consider sponsoring benefiting both physical and mental wellbeing. the hockey club to help towards team kits, equipment and The hockey club launched the youth section in October 2009 the youth development programme. If you are interested in and runs until April 2010 and starts the next season in September making a donation/sponsorship to the club, a list of sponsorship 2010. The programme is offered to boys and girls who are aged opportunities can be provided on request. We would be most 10 years and upwards. The training sessions will be held at the grateful for any size donation. Arun Leisure Centre, Bognor Regis from 9-10am on Saturday If you would like more information about the club please visit mornings. The children will be encouraged to participate in the website: www.middletonandbognorhc.synthasite.com. If league games, but will be welcome to attend training sessions you would like to join the club please contact Juliet on 07971 whether participating in match games or not. 979543/01243 823894 or by email on julietstallard@hotmail. We are also recruiting new members for the Men’s and Ladies com. team who train on Wednesday evenings and attend matches The Middleton and Bognor Hockey Club are grateful to across Sussex on Saturdays. Rookery Farm Eggs for their sponsorship in 2009/10 season.

Page 9 Middleton News Community Notice Board

Welcome to MIDDLETON CAMERA CLUB Meetings are held in the Jubilee hall on the 1st and 3rd St Nicholas, Middleton Mondays of each month from 7.15 pm to 10.00 pm. your Church of England Parish Church. Anyone interested in photography is welcome. Our aim is to be For more information, please contact Dave Chuter 855611; “The Church at the Heart of the Community” Don Hay 584859 or Helen Downes 583482 Vicar: Fr William Marston (586348) [email protected] Parish Office 10.00 a.m.- Noon Monday to Friday (855539) Middleton-on-Sea Women’s Institute Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 2:00pm in the Scouts Hall (behind Jubilee Hall). Weekly Holy Communions There is also a Social Afternoon (which includes games and Sundays at 8.00am, 9.45am and 11.15am sometimes Talks and Demonstrations) held on the 3rd of each (Throughout August: 8.00 am and 10.30 am) month at 2:00pm in the Scouts Hall. New members are always very First Sunday of the month only: the 8 a.m. service is from welcome ‘The Book of Common Prayer’ (1662) For more information, telephone: 01243-584702 Wednesdays 8.00 a.m. Thursdays 10.00 a.m. First Saturday of the month only: 10.00 a.m., with prayers for Healing. First Sunday of every month: 10.30 a.m. service replacing WHAT’S ON IN THE JUBILEE HALL 9.45 and 11.15 a.m. services. Pre-School Betty Labron 01243-584907

Other activities: Autumn Club Sarah Lee 01243-585839 Toddlers’ Club Tuesdays 10.00 -11.45 a.m. and 1.00-2.45 p.m. Bridge Club Roger Bill 01243-582548 Wednesday Wonder Club Wednesdays in term time 6.00-7.00 p.m. (7-11 year olds) Elmer Entertainers Rosemary Phillips 01243-584254 Village Coffee and Biscuits Thursdays 10.30 a.m.-12.00 noon Line Dancing Russell Marsden-Sear 07747-773563 Village Lunches Second and Fourth Wednesdays 12.30-2.00 p.m. Art Group Carole Keen 01243-584399 Two Courses £5.00 Many thanks to all who supported our May Fayre Keep Fit (over 50s) Brenda Woolven 01243-867301 You will be made very welcome at all of those Services, and activities. Camera Club Mike Faw n 01243-587616 Summer is a lovely time to visit St. Nicholas Church, we would love to see you. Organ Club Mrs B Gibbens 01243-789264 We are usually open from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Children’s Dance & Drama Amanda Cummings 01243-582341 Country Dance Club Barbara Oakley 01243-582627 Bingo Joyce Weston 01243-583298

Felpham Methodist Church Modern Sequence Dancing Pam Green 01243-585192 A warm and friendly church with something for everyone For enquiries relating to Jubilee Hall contact SUNDAY SERVICES Joyce Weston 01243-583298 1st Sunday in month 9:00 Holy Communion 10:30 All age worship All other Sunday’s 10:30 Morning worship (with MIDDLETON AUTUMN CLUB junior church and crèche) Evening services Visitors are welcome at the meetings of the Middleton Autumn 2nd or 3rd Sunday in month June and August 2nd Sunday: July 3rd Club which are held in the Jubilee Hall every Thursday at 2.00 Sunday 20:00 Praise and prayer pm. As well as the weekly meetings, each year several outings 4th Sunday in month 18:00 Holy Communion and holidays are arranged.

Weekday Services For more information, telephone: Holy Communion Wednesday at 9:30am Sarah Lee 01243-585839 or Joyce Weston 01243-583298 Teddy Bear Service (for under 5’s) 2nd Wednesday of month at 1:30pm followed by playtime

Young People’s activities Toddler Group: for Mums/Dads/carers and under 5’s: Monday and Fridays from 1:30 – 3:30pm Rocky Road: for children in reception to year 6 Thursdays (term time) from 6-7:15pm XLR8: for children from year 6 to teenage: Fridays (term time) from 7:30 – 9pm JAFFA: for teenagers: Sundays from 7:30 - 9pm

Summer Special 2nd to 6th August.10am to 12 noon daily. Contact Gill 01243 582696 or Ben 01243 587070

For further information please contact the minister: Rev Andy Lowe on 01243 583523

Page 10 Middleton News Community Notice Board

FELPHAM & MIDDLETON COUNTRY DANCE CLUB The Club meets every Friday at 7.30 pm in the small Jubilee Hall. Out and about! A very warm welcome is extended to new members and visitors, June with or without experience of this type of dancing, and with or 10th Ladies Evening at Fontwell Racecourse 17.30 01243 543335 without a partner. We are proud of our friendly atmosphere and 12th Table-top Sale Middleton Jubilee Hall 10.30am look upon our meetings as a relaxed evening with friends. ‘Ploughmans’ lunches from 12 noon 01243 583298 For more information, telephone Barbara Oakley 12th Middleton Gardens Open Day on 01243 582627 Tickets available from Peters Newsagents £5. 12-13th Mid-Summer Steam Weekend Amberley Working Museum Go Art 01798 831370 Watercolour Workshops 19th Farmers’ Market 9.00 to 13.00 01903 884772 Monday 10 am - 12.30 pm, or Friday 10 am - 12.30 pm 20th FATHERS’ DAY Middleton-on-Sea Scout Hall, Shrubbs Drive 20th Middleton Movie Show on Sunday 4 pm 01243 583298 Tutor Brenda Thompson, telephone 01243-583513 21-28/8 ‘42 Street‘ Chichester Festival Theatre Box Office 01243 781312 22nd Felpham & Middleton Horticultural Society 01243 583109 FELPHAM FLOWER CLUB 7.30pm ‘Britain in Bloom’ The Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month, excluding 25-11/7 CHICHESTER FESTIVAL 01243 528356 July and August, from 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm at the Memorial Hall, 26-27th Medieval Tournament at Arundel Castle 01903 882173 Vicarage Lane, Felpham. Top demonstrators display superb arrangements and there is a monthly competition in which July members take part. Afternoon tea is served while the table and 4th ‘Lourdes Barbeque’ Arundel Cathedral Gardens 01903 882297 flower raffles take place. 17th Arundel Farmers’ Market 9.00 to 13.00 01903 884772 The annual fee is £22 Visitors are welcome! 18th Pirates Day at Arundel Castle 01903 882173 For more information telephone 18th Classic Motor Cycles Amberley Museum 01798 831370 Mrs Heather Gamble 01243 263673 24-25th ROX Music & Arts Festival Bognor Seafront 01243 863769 27-31st GLORIOUS GOODWOOD 01243 755022 FELPHAM & MIDDLETON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 27th Felpham & Middleton Horticultural Society 01243 584843 7.30pm ’12 months of colour’ Meetings are held in St Mary's Centre Grassmere 30-12/8 ‘The Firework Maker’s Daughter’ Weald & Downland Museum Close, Felpham 7.30 pm on the 4th Tuesday of each month from February to October except June and August. 7.30pm Play Box Office 01243 781312 31st Incredible Arundel Bath & Tub Race 01243 826183 Visitors and new members are welcome at meetings 10.30am at The Black Rabbit PH Membership Secretary: Mrs Paula Puleston: 01243 584843 31st Guild of Village Craftsmen Exhibition 07714 341631 MIDDLETON BINGO CLUB St Mary’s Centre Felpham 10 - 4.00 pm Bingo is held in the Jubilee Hall every Friday at 8 pm Doors open at 7 pm August Refreshments available 1st ANNUAL FETE & Craft Fayre and Dog Show, Shrubbs Field, Middleton on Sea Visitors Welcome! 6 -8th ‘Chilli Fiesta’ West Dean Gardens 10.30-17.00 01243 818210 For more information, telephone Joyce Weston 7-8th Hotham Park County Fair Bognor Regis 07733 125674 on 01243 583298 14th Arundel Farmers’ Market 9.00 to 13.00 01903 884772 14th Felpham & Middleton Horticultural Society 01243 584843 MIDDLETON WIVES GROUP Flower and Produce Show 2pm-4.30pm Meetings are held at 8 pm in the Jubilee Hall on the 15th Medieval Encampment at Arundel Castle 01903 882173 second Monday of the month Knights and Men-at-Arms Subscriptions are £4 a year 19th Fontwell Park Race Evening 16.20 01243 543335 For more information telephone: 21-30th ARUNDEL FESTIVAL Anne Manville 01243 837386 September 5th ‘Sands of Time Festival’ Seafront Bognor Regis 01243 825535 5th Family Race Day Fontwell Park Pacecourse 13.10 01243 543335

If you would like to advertise in If you would like to advertise “Middleton News” your forthcoming events please contact please contact Andrew Houlden on 01243 587864 Andrew Houlden on 01243 587864 email:[email protected]

Page 11 Middleton News Police Community Support Officer What can you do to help crack down ... By Clive Morge

What can you do to help to crack down on anti-social driving So what is a no cold calling Zone? and abandoned vehicles? Well it is an area that is set up where there maybe potential for On my travels in our area I am often stopped and advised of vulnerable persons who could experience unwelcome cold calls incidents of anti-social driving and the occasional abandoned from traders seeking work or at worst become the victim of a vehicle. I am sure you will appreciate that I am in the same distraction burglary. position as yourselves either on foot, on my cycle and maybe on the odd occasion in a vehicle. So what do I do? Well I regularly The Zones are an effective way of protecting vulnerable people use the Operation Crackdown website. This website is open to from doorstep criminals, distraction burglars who try to trick the public to report this kind of activity. You can also contact the their way into homes to steal and door-knocking rogue workmen Op Crackdown team by calling 01243 642222. The website is who fleece residents out of money for little work that is often available at www.operationcrackdown.org of poor quality…Signs warning that residents will say ‘No’ to doorstep callers are displayed on lampposts. The signs say that Middleton News Community News What exactly constitutes anti-social driving ? any suspicious callers will be reported to the Police and the 0845 There is no strict definition. However typical examples of anti- 60 70 999 number is displayed…In urgent cases social driving might include speeding, thoughtless or reckless or Trading Standards will respond to the call and intervene on driving, under-age driving, drink driving, tailgating, using a behalf of the residents…Genuine callers, such as meter readers, mobile phone whilst driving, driving a vehicle which looks to be will either be vetted thoroughly or asked to make a prior in an unsafe condition. appointment…Companies found to be ignoring the No Doorstep Fed up with people’s bad attitude to driving and the anti-social Callers message will be contacted by Trading Standards and driving that is occurring in our area, then please use the Operation advised of the residents’ wishes. Crackdown facility. The Zones are an example of helping communities to protect No cold calling Zone. themselves and their more vulnerable neighbours from these There are moves afoot to extend the already successful ‘No Cold sorts of criminals…For further information about No Cold Calling Zone’ already in force in the Lane End Road area of Calling Zones, phone Trading Standards on 01243 642125…Our Elmer. NHW Area Co-ordinator Mrs Terry Claxton is well versed in No Cold Calling Zones and is also available to provide her wealth of experience in this matter…Contact me and I will put her in Are you reluctant to use kennels, or feel touch with you. you are imposing on family and friends? Anything suspicious call 999… Reporting a crime already We offer a one to one, home for home, pet happened or for advice call the non-emergency number sitting service where your dog is 0845 60 70 999. suitably matched with and cared for in a home environment by our dog loving host families. If you are interested in using the service or in becoming a host family please ring Jill on 01243 582726 or email [email protected] www.barkingmad.uk.com Heating & Plumbing Engineers Established 1968 ● Boiler Servicing ● ● Boiler Changes ● ● Central Heating Installations ● Gas - Oil - Solid Fuel ● Underfloor Heating ● ● Central Heating Maintenance ● ● Plumbing Maintenance ● ● Bathroom Installation ●

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Page 12

28/02/07 Middleton News Jubilee Hall

News from the Jubilee Hall By Stuart Hammond

he news from last year that our long serving Chairman groups of £300. This, we hope, will buy the materials for the had passed away ,made us think that it would be good raised bed. The Chandler family are going to fund the benches Tto have a place to remember the passing of friends and in memory of Ted Chandler our long standing former Chairman. loved ones. If you would like to remember someone who has made a With the money already raised we have decided to make a contribution to the life of our village and join us with offers of memorial garden with raised bed in front of the main doors to help or donations please contact our Chairman, Joyce Weston the hall ,with some new benches to replace the one that was telephone 01243 523298. vandalised. To watch the progress of this Memorial Garden, watch the The Parish Council has donated £1000 into the fund, and the progress on our new website that be will up and running very Village Hall has contributed £500 plus donations from local soon or just walk up there and have a look! ‘Oscars’ Handyman Services • Property Maintenance • Competitive Prices • No Job Too Small • Fully Insured Phone me on: 01243 582914 Mobile: 07879 493069

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Page 13 Middleton News Shrubbs Playing Field

Shrubbs Playing Field By Richard Jeffrey, Chairman of Trustees

hrubbs Playing Field is owned and managed by a local an expensive business!) and employing both a part time field registered charity (Middleton-on-Sea Playing Fields) warden (Celia Horne) and pavilion caretaker (Tony Horne). Sfor the benefit and enjoyment of the general public. They have the thankless job of keeping the field and pavilion The six trustees are all parish councillors. clean and tidy which they do to an exceptionally high standard. Our continued thanks go to Celia and Tony for their dedication The charity manages the playing field, playground and sports to the maintenance of the field and pavilion. pavilion and is funded by a combination of fees charged to groups who wish to hire the playing fields and also by the parish council Please note that whilst the playing field is available for the which usually commits about £7,000 per annum to the charity, public to use, that approval is subject to certain rules which are although in some years it can be more. (This year the parish displayed by the entrance gates. council raised £3,000 in grants and contributed an additional If people wish to organise group sports e.g. football, cricket or £3,000 towards the cost of the recently CCTV system to enhance netball, or events such as fetes, these must be booked through the everyone’s safety and security). bookings secretary (Nicky Mills 01243 586526) in advance. A The money raised is spent on cutting and rolling the grass, fee is usually chargeable and the group will also have to provide maintaining the playground in good condition (which is always details of their public liability insurance and complete a detailed risk assessment. Finally, and not for the first time of asking,

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Page 14 Middleton News The Smuggler The Smuggler Part III By Andrew Houlden

the few houses. The road now was wider than the narrow wadeway which he had followed from the harbour. No one was yet abroad that morning, even though it was Market day in the city and the only sounds were those of a few sheep in the fields behind the houses and the neighing of a horse coming from behind a house standing back from the road, next to the old church of St Mary’s. Minutes later, the horse appeared, walking quietly up the road, carrying a tall rider, wrapped he first gust of wind, from the South, hit the boat broadside on and for a few minutes it continued its Tcourse toward Point. The next gust, out of a now blackened sky, caught the bow full on and the boat swung violently to starboard. Caught unawares, the man could only grasp the jib as it swept him across the deck and out over the mounting waves. With the increased weight off to port, the boat tipped down towards the sea, dragging his legs into the water. Desperately he hung onto the jib as it lowered him into the waves. Slowly he started to claw his way, hand in a dark travelling coat. The pair headed across Birdham over hand, back toward the mast and into the boat. His Common towards Hunston. Steadily trotting north, they shoulders, still aching from his efforts earlier to get the passed the road to North Mundham on their right and boat off the beach, screamed in protest as he inched soon were approaching Stockbridge. The walled city of towards relative safety now just a few feet away. When he Chichester lay not far ahead, just beyond the bridge over eventually collapsed onto the deck, clinging to the mast, the the river Lavant. boat was heading steadily towards Celsey Peninsula, past When he arrived at the South Gate, the man dismounted the entrance to Undering estuary and Pagham Harbour. and led his horse through the opening in the wall, once Ignoring the risk of grounding on the Dobbin, a narrow blocked by a manned portcullis but now open to anyone gravel bank just inside the entrance, he held the sail against who wished to gain access to the city for whatever reason. the wind and managed to gain the in-coming tidal flow to No one showed the slightest interest in him as he made his the haven. Slowly the boat made its way, under sail, up way up South Street towards the Cross at the centre of the toward Sidlesham Mills, where the man moored it out of city. The Cathedral towered above the shops and houses, sight. untouched by the stench and the filth emanating from the The storm had abated and turned into steady rain. The beast market that filled East Street, and, washed on by the walk to Sidlesham village took only half an hour and rain, spewing over into North Street and beyond, for it was dawn was still breaking to the east, lighting the roofs of a Wednesday, the 15th March 1778.

Page 15 Middleton News Sudoko

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Page 16 Middleton News The Jan Windsor Column If it looked all right, smelt all right, and tasted all right, then it was all right By Jan Windsor

wonder how many people hate ‘best before’ and ‘sell by’ our grandparents, it isn’t easy. The 1940’s ‘rag and bone man’ dates as much as I do? Younger members of my family not only collected your redundant household items and old I constantly chastise me over the number of items in my newspapers, he paid you for them. Similarly you collected larder that are past their best and I am made to feel guilty a penny for each glass bottle returned to the shop. Now, we if I serve something that is one day over the ‘bbe’ date; but, have to pay someone to take away what we can’t get into the having been brought up surrounded by 1940’s posters with statutory bins and woe betide us if we become confused about commandments like, ‘Don’t Waste Food,’ and ‘A Clear Plate what goes in those! Means a Clear Conscience,’ I feel equally guilty if I throw My bin would contain very little if it were not for the it out. endless catalogues, holiday brochures, letters from insurance We grew up ( often companies, charities, banks and building societies that cascade without a refrigerator) through my letter box each day. They would go straight in the re believing that if it smelt - cycling bin if they were not wrapped in plastic, an artful move all right, looked all right to force us to hack our way into them in order to remove our and tasted all right then names, addresses and those mysterious numbers. If we don’t, it was all right. Many we’re told we run the risk of falling victim to identity thieves on of us remember times a global scale….. a far cry from the rascally opportunists who when, if it was in a used to steal an empty bottle from the back of the sweet shop tin, it was considered and take it round to the front in order to claim a second penny safe, even years after for recycling it! It’s not easy to be green. purchase! Nowadays, we have to fight our way through layers of packaging even to get Byway House to something like a shrink - plastic wrapped 1 The Byway, Middleton-On-Sea, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO22 6DR swede! Did a bag of chips taste better when • Byway house offers day care it was held in a wadge from 8am until 9pm. of newspaper? How did • Times to suit all i.e all day we survive without all mornings only, those bottle and jar caps afternoons or just a few that have to be pinched in, pushed down or pulled up before it hours becomes a choice between breaking into them with an axe or • Transport arranged leaving them unopened in the back of the cupboard until their ‘use by’ dates run out and we throw them? What a waste! • A team of dedicated and qualified staff all C.R.B. In 1942, a man’s clothes’ ration could buy one vest and one checked pair of pants every two years. How many of us still re - cycle old vests and pants as floor cloths? Or turn sides to middle on • All care provided including sheets? Recently, a young friend found some old sheets and was bathing, laundry, outings and shopping very puzzled because there was a seam up the middle of each one! I suppose it’s the fault of my generation for not passing • Use of all in house facilities on the re - cycling habits of the 40s and 50s like turning shirt collars, darning socks, baths only once a week and using egg If you require any further information on any of these shells and cold tea for cleaning! Does anyone still unpick old aspects, do not hesitate to contact us to arrange either a home woollens to re - knit into gloves? Make stock out of vegetable peelings? Maybe some of us still stew chicken bones for soup visit from us, or you can enjoy a coffee or tea with us, have a but ask any young person the meaning of ‘giblets‘ and ‘darning,’ look around and discuss your needs. and I’ll bet you’ll be met with a blank stare. Not that we would want to go back to the discomforts of hard, slippery toilet paper (even though it doubled up as tracing Contact the Manager at (01243) 583346 paper), sharing bath water, eating giblet pies, frost on the or email: [email protected] inside of the windows and putting things through the mangle. Although we have a lot to learn from the recycling culture of Page 17 Middleton News Letters Page

When responding to an advertisement in Readers’ Letters “Middleton News” PLEASE let the business concerned know that

“ I saw your advertisement in the Middleton News” I must congratulate the council on the wonderful job they have made of resurfacing the Shrubbs Drive car park and providing disabled parking spaces where they are most needed. The whole process was accomplished swiftly and with minimum Sales, Service and Repair inconvenience to users and puts to shame many other car parks in the area – even in ‘upmarket’ Chichester! Well Done! Chainsaws Strimmers …now that central government has … promised money to Mowers repair our potholed roads, which were ravaged by the coldest Garden Tractors winter for years …despite constant Global Warming, when are Blowers the council going to apply some sanity to the repairs? There is Compactor Plates one short stretch of 30 yards in the village which has had no less than 26 separate patched (botched?) repairs… instead of Rotovators H Husqvama stripping out the 30 yards to a reasonable depth and resurfacing it in one piece. It has received attention 3 times this year and Place Farm, Lane, Walberton, Arundel, BN18 0AS already has 3 new holes. The approach is a bit like putting an 01243 554065 E: [email protected] W: www.dmchainsaws.com Elastoplast over a wound that needs several stitches… As an elderly ‘villager’ with a disabled wife, I am pleased that the council are repairing the potholes in our roads, even if it is bit by small bit, but what about the state of the footpaths? … I use a wheelchair for my wife, who also has a wheeled walking frame, but there are several areas of pavement, notably Lane End Road and Middleton Road which are impossible to navigate. …The only ‘safe’ way to go is by walking in the road for fear of tipping over or damaging the wheels. We just have to ignore the passing vehicles, whose drivers have been known to hoot at us… …I was most impressed by the state of the Shrubbs Drive playing fields when I attended the May Fair recently. I seem to remember from an earlier issue of Middleton News that Celia and Tony Horne were in charge of keeping our field clean and tidy. If they are still working on our behalf, they are doing such a splendid job… Names and addresses supplied. Footnote: A couple of these letters have been abbreviated for reasons of space. Ed

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Page 18 Middleton News Village People Peter Chittenden By Pauline Allsopp

etirement is a time when most of us look forward to taking life easy and at a much slower pace. But for RPeter Chittenden this is not the case! Having fully retired two years ago, at the age of 70, Peter will definitely not be taking the “easy life” route. Instead he will be training to run the 100 mile challenge in the Himalayas in October this year which consists of five races at varying distances and at altitudes of 6,000 feet to 11,800 feet spread over five consecutive days. So, since January this year he has been out running five times a week, currently averaging 13 miles each run. Peter is a member of local club Tone Zone Runners. Peter is hoping to raise money for The Chestnut Tree House Hospice for Children in West Sussex. When asked why he chose this particular charity, he replied: “I have run for other children’s and various charities but I was informed Chestnut Tree House have their own challenge which is to increase their donations over the coming years so they can cater for and look after more unfortunate sick children, so it seemed an ideal match to go alongside my own challenge”. Peter was born in Paddington, in 1938 and after his marriage to Betty, settled in Charlwood, Surrey, which is near to Gatwick airport. He started his working life as an apprentice plumber, going on to qualify as a Public Health engineer, which then led to the setting up of his own Building Services Consulting Engineering practice. In 1989 Peter and Betty left Charlwood and came to live in Middleton-on-Sea. In 1992, The Freedom of the City of London was granted and confirmed on Peter. Peter with one of his Maltese Awards Running hasn’t always been a feature in Peter’s life. Having retired from playing football and coaching local cubs football team in 1980 and trying golf for one year, he then watched the first London marathon on television and thought “This is something I would like to do”. The following year he started training and entered the second London marathon in 1982, finishing in just over 4 ½ hours. A fantastic achievement. To date he has participated in 9 marathons and races in other countries in Europe and has numerous awards and trophies to show for them. In 2008 he won an award for being the first “over 70” past the finishing line in a 10 mile race in Malta. If you are interested in sponsoring Peter please go to his website www.justgiving.com/peterchittenden or telephone him on 587588 for more information. GOOD LUCK PETER! BOGNOR PC DOCTOR FRIENDLY LOCAL AND INXPENSIVE

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