April 2009 www.westsussex.gov.uk Issue No. 37 Stay local for How you can help the great days out! countryside... See page 3 Save money, be green, help local businesses - and have fun! Don’t despair if a costly foreign holiday is beyond your reach this year as the recession deepens. West Sussex has so much to offer right on your doorstep. The Easter holidays are Could you foster a upon us, and it won’t be long until summer is here, so take You CAN disabled child? time to discover what is close See page 4 to home, and save money by not travelling miles to visit attractions in distant locations. teach an If you are out and about with young people, make sure they have a free 3-in-1 card which gives them reduced bus old dog fares and discounts at shops and venues. See page 3 for details. Ditching the car and using public transport is a good way new to cut CO2 emissions. You will be supporting West Firefighters to the rescue! Sussex businesses if you stay local. Figures show that around tricks! See page 5 32,000 people in the county have jobs in the tourism industry. West Sussex is rich in heritage, culture, places of natural beauty, and tourist attractions. There are over 100 visitor attractions, 4071 kilometres of public rights of way, stately homes and castles, the South Downs, racecourses, art galleries, music and arts festivals, glorious gardens and world- Step back into our renowned motor sport events. Over half the county is Dog training is just one of 800 courses stunning past protected countryside offering available at venues across West Sussex. See page 11 some of the finest walking and Our Adult and Community Learning cycling in the UK, or you could Service brochure is out now so if you’ve visit one of our fine restaurants ever wanted to try your hand at Chinese or cosy country pubs, many of brush painting, digital photography, or See back which serve meals made from ballroom dancing, then now is your chance! local produce. Pick up your free copy of the brochure at page for If you need inspiration, your local Library or Help Point. Or visit check out the West Sussex Places www.westsussex.gov.uk/adulteducation YOUR to Visit Guide 2009 and Exploring West Sussex which lists guided distance paths, shorter walks, to view, or get copies of Rights of Way infor- chance to walks and rides in the county. and routes suitable for Exploring West Sussex at Tourist mation can be obtained The Interactive Map (iMap) wheelchair users and and Visitor Information on 01243 777620. win some is our online guide to the pushchairs, plus pubs, accom- Centres. Places to Visit guides You can also show county, designed for walkers, modation and information are in libraries, help points and your support for West fabulous riders, and cyclists. about tourist attractions in tourism information centres, Sussex by celebrating It shows all West Sussex the county. or by calling 01243 642119. Sussex Day on June 16. See days out! rights of way, as well as long Visit www.westsussex.gov.uk page 11 for more info. Special reader offer on eco-friendly ‘Bags of Taste’ ! See page 6 2 visit our website at www.westsussex.gov.uk More information - 01243 753830 BUILDING SERVICES CountyCouncil elections General Domestic Building, Repairs & Maintenance Use From planning to completion we can help you with: Extensions, roofing, loft conversions, BWC is a list of approved your conservatories and much more traders vetted by our Trading Standards vote - Service and is designed every to protect both It’s time consumers and to make a one businesses against difference by counts! unfair practices. voting in the If you would like to County Council become a BWC election. If you are on the electoral trader, or want to find register, make sure you get to your one, call local polling station on Thursday June 4. Polling stations are open from early in 01243 642124 the morning till late in the evening, so don’t or go to our website under worry if you are at work that day - there will still Trading Standards. be time to vote either before or after. You need to PROPERTY MAINTENANCE vote at the station listed on your polling card - it should ✓Fully insured ✓Internal/External Decs be the nearest one to you. ✓Loft Insulation ✓Bathroom Renovations The county council provides the majority ✓Ceramic Tiling ✓Fascias and Guttering BEST of local government services, including CHOICE education, social care, roads, waste disposal, libraries, fire and rescue, and countryside management. Roofing & Construction 01903 773699 freephone: 0800 756 1372 Your questions answered online www.best-choice.info Do you have a question about answers online? Now you can. Council website. Early in the council tax benefits, maybe The top 100 questions summer we’re introducing you’re interested in foster care people call our Contact Centre online payments and appoint- or perhaps your blue badge is about are now on our website ment booking for our registra- about to expire but you’re not www.westsussex.gov.uk tion services. sure how to renew it. The Your Questions In the future, we hope B.PACY What’s your first thought? Answered list covers a huge you’ll be able to book, pay and Phone the County Council? range of issues. register for many more things! SPECIALIST IN Well, you could do that. But This is the first of many We’ll keep you updated on our PLASTERING & MOULDINGS wouldn’t it be easier to find the improvements to the County progress. • Brickwork • Extensions • Alterations • Driveways • Advice and guidance • Quick turnround Sign up for CARE SERVICES 01903 213996 07739 745655 online news✓ Let’s not Sign up for our e- [email protected] newsletter now and get the very latest county council Oakcroft Driveways Ltd. news delivered direct to Arun-Chichester-Crawley-Mid Block Paving, Paths, duck the your inbox every month. Sussex-Horsham-Worthing Patios and Driveways The newsletter provides a Handyperson: For those little jobs around the home: where you need www.oakcroftdriveways.co.uk someone you can trust; that can take from 15 minutes to about two Littlehampton combination of both commu- hours; and will make it safer, more secure, light, warm and homely. issues... nity and council news, with 01903 714831 Tel: 01444 474690 - Mid Sussex & Crawley (MSCr) direct links to further informa- Tel: 01903 788440 - Arun & Worthing (A&W) Tel: 01243 539988 – Chichester (C) tion on our website. Keep up to date with the Trades Register: Larger jobs Larger or specialist works (eg AF Harmes around the home and garden to help disabled adaptations) Plastering Specialists latest developments, new initia- you live independently, where you 01444 415475 MSCr and H; Damp Proofing tives, and projects and much need a contactor you can trust. 01903 788440 A&W and Tel 01444 474690 MSCr and Property Maintenance more, all presented in a friendly 01243 539988 Horsham (H). C 01444 236846 and colourful way. Go to our website and sign MOTORING SERVICES 07721 666337 [email protected] up from the homepage. GARDEN SERVICES West Sussex County Council: AANCHORNCHOR Switchboard: 01243 777100 24-hour Info: 0845 7581232 GaGGaragearageage DoorsDoors LtdLtd ROOTS TO SHOOTS Editorial: 01243 753595 or: for supply, HORTICULTURAL SERVICES [email protected] Advertising: 01243 777431 installation Visit www. GARDENS/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE VIEWS NEEDED [email protected] and repairs LAWN CARE, RENOVATION OR CREATION Join the growing band of residents who are West Sussex Connections is delivered call Colin haresofsussex .co.uk PLANT DISPLAYS & ARBOREAL SERVICES giving their views on County Council by Royal Mail to around 350,000 COMPLETE SOFT LANDSCAPING SERVICE services via our e-panel. homes, is printed on 01903 851212 100% recycled paper and 01403 711952 The new panel members have taken part in two surveys so can be recycled. 07860 440709 Mobile: 07940 813610 far, one called ‘Getting to Know You’ asking them about their Terms and Conditions www.anchorgaragedoors.co.uk oro call us... Email: [email protected] interests. HaresHares of RustinRustingtongton 0190301903 772222772222 The accuracy or content of any Station Road, RustingtonRustington BN16 3BH www.rootstoshoots.co.uk They have also given useful views on how the County advertisement is not warranted by this Council’s website should be developed, such as what the public Council nor does this Council endorse should be able to do on there, things they would like to buy, or or guarantee any of the products or services advertised. The views take part in. expressed in this paper are not MovieMovie dealsdeals forfor you!you! Many other consultations are planned, including access to the necessarily those of the Council. County Council’s rural services, satisfaction with services and NHS supplement in this issue produced by West Sussex PCT. There’s a great choice of DVDs, with copies how you might like schools to be in the future. AUDIO While the credit crunch may affect of blockbuster films and children’s titles, as well You can still get involved by going to our website, emailing as foreign films, documentaries, music videos, the Insight team at [email protected], or calling If you are blind or partially sighted you the price of your weekly shopping bill, can listen to an audio version of West history features, and many others. Chris Tuke on 01243 777201. Sussex Connections. it doesn’t have to ruin your fun. The latest blockbusters will cost you a mere West Sussex Libraries hire out the latest To subscribe to this free service £3 for a one-week loan, while all other DVDs Join the residents e-panel at call 01243 777408, or email the name DVDs, including Blu-ray discs, at cheaper prices are £2.25 for a week.