So what were all those lights in the night sky?

* We have been inundated with readers' suggestions what those mysterious orbs were.
Some believed they were Chinese lanterns – made of paper with a candle burning inside – and released to celebrate Christmas and the new year.
"They're easy to get hold of – just £3 each on the internet," wrote one reader.
But others believed the lights, lined up in formation, really were UFOs – and said there had been reports of them being seen all over the country.


I was driving home one evening through Runcton a few weeks ago and I, too, was suddenly amazed to see a series of closely-grouped orange lights, pulsing slightly, and moving steadily at a fairly low height across the sky.
Here was a genuine UFO sighting if ever there was one!
However, after the initial excitement, I suddenly realised what I was seeing.
Those people who take an interest in wildlife will be aware of the regular flight of cormorants, mostly in the mornings and evenings, to and from their inland roosts on the local lakes to the coast.
They fly singly, but mostly in groups of up to 20 or so. The mystery objects were cormorants flying low over the lights generated, in this instance, by a nursery and reflecting the lights from their lower wings and body. As diving birds they have particularly glossy, water-repellent plumage which no doubt adds to the effect.
So, no aliens checking out the Sussex population, only one of our larger birds going about its daily commute. It does however demonstrate the amount of light
pollution which we are all subject to these days.

Graham Smith, Goodwood Gardens, Runcton

I believe the UFO was spotted around 8pm on Christmas Day. I, however, saw it at around 1.30am on new year's day.
I watched as the lights moved in formation and called my husband, Graham, to the window to ask him to say what he thought it may be.
After ruling out fireworks, planes and all the obvious, we could only put it down to a possible UFO. You can imagine our amazement the following day when we spotted one of the front-page headlines!
If it were a genuine UFO, I believe the two dates had some significance in drawing them close to the Earth to take a closer look at the colourful displays we have adorned on our properties and fireworks we let off.
As experienced paranormal investigators ourselves, I would be interested if anyone captured photographic or video evidence.

Heddwen Ede, Mayfield Close, Pagham

On Christmas Day evening I, too, observed a total of five orange orbs in the sky.
I was calling my brother from my car parked in my in-laws' driveway in Felpham (to get a bit of peace from the excited kids!) and at about 5.25pm (time confirmed from mobile phone dialled number record) I observed two flickering orange orbs, one behind the other, flying straight and level silently heading south west.
After watching them for about five to ten seconds, they disappeared behind houses.
My initial thought was they were lanterns but it struck me that they were flying very fast, straight and level for lanterns.
I considered the weather conditions and there was little to no breeze at ground level and so thought it unlikely there would be a wind of any strength at the low altitude that lanterns would be flying.
This caused me to mention this to my wife when I went in after the call and I dismissed it.
I later went out at 8.10pm to make a second call (again confirmed by mobile phone record) and observed a group of three of these orbs travelling in the same manner (again in a line) but now heading due west.
In my opinion these were controlled air vehicles of some kind (as the different directions of travel of the two groups would suggest) and drawing purely from my experience of watching light aircraft that constantly fly over my home in Littlehampton, I judged they were at an altitude of between 3,000ft to 5,000ft and (if I was correct with the altitude) they would be travelling at about 300 to 500 knots.
Unfortunately I have no camera on my phone and no video camera to hand and, to be honest, was too eager to rejoin the Christmas festivities to investigate any further.
I have a degree in aeronautical engineering and am interested in all kinds of aircraft so I am now quite keen to find out what they were.

Gerry Gleed, Bluebell Drive, Littlehampton



A pipe is not a safe way to smoke

For anyone seriously contemplating Duncan Barkes' money-saving idea of switching from cigarettes to pipe smoking, may I issue a note of warning?
Aside from the strange looks anyone smoking a pipe would get nowadays, pipe smoking is not a 'soft' or 'safe' alternative to cigarettes.
Smoking any form of tobacco carries risks of heart and lung disease, and long-term pipe users are more prone to lip cancer.
There is no getting away from the fact if you smoke, the best way of saving money as well as avoiding an early death is to quit tobacco altogether.

Amanda Sandford, research manager, ASH, Shoreditch High Street, London

Duncan asked what you can get for free these days.
I would add the invaluable public library system. Not only unlimited reading matter is freely available, both to borrow and to read on the spot (newspapers, magazines, etc), but videos, CDs and DVDs are available to borrow at very modest rates.

Anne Barry, Hawthorn Close, Chichester

With regard to Duncan Barkes' suggested radio station for over-60s, such a station already exists, based in Havant – Angel Radio broadcasts on 101.1FM and on the internet at www.angelradio.co.uk

Wendy Pearce, Southbourne



Remembering wonder of Woolies

It is with great sadness I read of the Woolworths closure. It was loved by us thirties kids. My memories of those days may amuse you.

We loved the three pence and six penny store
Even at Christmas we never had more,
Minding bikes outside can earn you a penny
Tho' I waited for hours there were never many,
Like a giant Aladdin's cave
Pity we had so little to save,
Many horses still litter the roads
Leaving garden fertilizer in neat little loads,
We roamed the streets with barrow and spade
But two pence a barrow is all we are paid,
What else can we try?
Outside the station, 'A penny for the guy.'
But this only lasts a few days
So we must find other ways,
The verses of carols we eagerly learn
Thinking of what we can earn,
Singing outside posh houses must surely pay
Sadly they often just chase us away,
There's no Father Christmas when you are poor
But we still had Woolworths we could explore.

Ken Tasker, Cavendish Street, Chichester

As a kid living in West Ashling, we would get on the bus on Saturday morning for our treat – going to the pictures. We would get off at Shirlies, opposite Woolies, and then go in to get the hot peanuts before going on to the cinema. Ooohhhhhhhh, they were lovely. I dread to think what will happen to that empty store now.

DS Gratwick, Oving Road, Chichester



Asda opposition doesn't make sense

It seems to me the members of Arun District Council are scraping the barrel to find reasons for rejecting the Asda
proposal.
Apart from the building work, Asda proposed permanent jobs within about a year. Where are the supposed alternatives to come from in a depression: perhaps in the distant future, if at all?
Asda's proposal has generated an overwhelming demand from the potential customers of Bognor Regis who should matter.
The need for an additional out-of-town scheme is demonstrated by the present stranglehold, which is ruthlessly imposed by Tesco. If there were serious concern about flooding, would Asda have selected this site?
Ian Sumner's comments would be more plausible if he had indicated where the 'more appropriate sites' were. I cannot imagine he was referring to the St Modwen proposal, which seems very unlikely to start at any time in the near future, if ever.
Arun DC should not hide behind the skirts of a central government which has been notably hostile to the interests of West Sussex for many years.
The members of Arun DC seem to be living on the same planet as those who 50-odd years ago destroyed the core of a reasonably-attractive seafront to provide a double-decker promenade which was found to be pie in the sky after the demolitions had taken place. As a result we are now left with the hideous structure formerly known as the Regis Centre.

Colin Hewson, Bassett Road, Bognor Regis



Farewell to Woolies

Farewell to dear old Woolies
Sadly, you have had your day.
Near a hundred years
Woolies had no peers
But they couldn't make it pay.

Bargain hunters shove and clammer
Like vultures racing down the aisles
Stumble out, their bags stuffed full,
Empty pockets, wreathed in smiles.

It is really such a pity
If shoppers and the city
Had acted in a rather different way
Woolies could have carried on,
Pick-and-mix are now all gone,
Such a shame they couldn't make old Woolies pay.

Emma Osborne, St Anthony's Walk, Rose Green



Target motorists by all means - but please support us too

Once again, in the run-up to Christmas, Sussex Police have launched a road safety campaign.
And quite rightly too, it is only right those motorists who drive with no insurance, exceed speed limits and drive with excess alcohol in their blood are brought to justice.
They cost the country millions of pounds in the deployment of emergency services and misery brought to the victims and their families.
I understand roads were blocked at numerous locations, using, I believe, between 15 and 20 police officers at a time.
Where did they find all these officers?
In many rural areas, crime is on the increase, especially as a result of the current economic climate with an increase in the theft of livestock, fuel, oil and farm machinery.
Those of us who run our own businesses, builders, gardeners and other contractors, are also targeted in the rural areas. We lose our tools and, in many cases, as in mine, I lost my van.
Apart from the inconvenience, it costs a lot of money to replace all that is taken, as insurance, if it is in place, is often slow to pay and rarely pays the full value, especially of vehicles.
Of all the things we expect from our police force, part of their duty is the preservation of life and property – and, of course, the detection of crime and to bring those perpetrators to justice.
This they succeed in doing with the road safety campaign and proudly announce their successes through the local and national press.
Now my question: if our police forces can throw such manpower at road safety, why can they not muster the same manpower to target those night-time criminals who disappear into the dark with the tools that earn our livelihood?
The answer, according to one friend, is motorists bring in revenue and the detection of crime does not.
I can hear the chief constable reaching for his pen already...

P Scott, Greatpin Croft, Fittleworth



It's time to take a stand against the hooligans

Last Friday there was a spectacularly mindless act of vandalism at South Pond in Midhurst.
Two wheelie bins and their contents, and one large industrial bin, dragged down from the bottle bank area, were hurled into the pond.
The debris is unsightly and detrimental to the beautiful pond and to the health of the ducks now swimming around in it.
Attempts seem to have been made also to pull out two little memorial benches from the grass, without full success.
I live in one of the houses that backs onto the pond and heard someone shouting at around 11.15pm on that evening.
There are often young people sitting on the benches around the pond, drinking, making a row and leaving their debris. This occurs often.
In fact, there was a serious assault recently when someone ended up in the pond.
Useless, ugly notices have since been placed around the area warning 'Do not enter pond'.
This makes the rest of us appear to be idiots and does not deter the vandals from doing just that. In fact, most of the notices have been hurled into the pond.
We, as taxpayers and council tax payers, need to take a stand against this intolerable and unacceptable behaviour.
A community warden and a police officer walking down North Street in the middle of the morning is no solution.
We need police – if not on foot, in cars to regularly and with surprise patrol in the main car park along Chichester Road and St Anne's Hill as it is no
deterrent to telephone the police and for them to arrive an hour later when the vandals have disappeared. They need to be caught red-handed.
We do not need cameras to despoil the pond area.
We all need to state that we, as law-abiding citizens, will no longer tolerate this behaviour in our town.
A short time ago my own unlocked shed was broken into, something stolen, the key thrown away and a piece of my fencing thrown into the pond. I do not lock the shed as the door may be kicked in.
I reported this incident to the police, who asked me if I had seen them do it. No, I had not as I am not in the habit of being in the bottom of my garden at 11pm or later.
There are a number of these mindless incidents happening and it is time we put a stop to them.
An alternative would be to have a group of large men as volunteers on a roster to keep their eyes open in the late evening when it seems such incidents occur.

Mrs G Wilson, Chichester Road, Midhurst



Pub is an asset, not a nuisance

Some residents have written of the nuisance created by music events at the Wheatsheaf pub.
But they occur only once or twice each month, notice is given in advance and the hours are regulated.
Now vastly renovated, the pub has become a neighbourhood asset, attracting all ages and persuasions.
When my wife and I moved here more than two decades ago, and having inspected the area beforehand, we knew precisely what to expect.
Whenever music events occurred, more often than today, we've always welcomed that Midhurst youth could enjoy themselves in a friendly setting.
When they are staged so infrequently, and whether or not we care to join in, can we not easily afford a bit of merriment to others?

Tom Kester-Brown, Wool Lane, Midhurst



Tourist office may save money, but where's the public service?

I was most interested to read Karen Robbins' letter in the Observer about the tourist information office.
I declare I have some inside knowledge of the Chichester, Midhurst and Petworth offices and I agree with all the points made by Ms Robbins.
These tourist offices are not run with a view to assisting tourists and local residents (or 'customers' as they have to be called), but for the bureaucratic convenience of the staff.
The in-house computer system is slow and seldom updated, unnecessary office work is being carried out on a regular basis, eg stacking shelves when they don't need stacking, keeping unnecessary records of all incoming and outgoing mail – outgoing mail is recorded on the franking machine automatically and incoming mail is mainly junk mail and leaflets.
'Hi-tech' office equipment is enthusiastically employed each day, including blu-tack and carbon paper – who can even remember carbon paper?
At an informal meeting with Chichester district councillors in October, I mentioned that moving the Petworth tourist office from the centre of the town to a first-floor office hidden away near the car park had proved to be a disaster.
The number of visitors had dropped dramatically as people simply could not find the new venue, and if they did manage to get there, they were confronted with a stark staircase which was as about welcoming as the local tax office.
The councillor then told me the rent in Petworth Square was very high, and they (the council) had made great savings by moving to the present mystery address.
I replied that should Tesco's wish to save money they should move a number of their flagship stores to the middle of the Gobi Desert – they would make savings in rents, but would probably welcome even fewer visitors than the Petworth tourist office.

Michael Perschke, East Street, Petworth



Traders need help, not yet more disruption

We have noted with some concern the prospect of yet another extended period of disruption to Petworth, this time from Southern Gas Networks.
Over recent years we have seen the effects of various road closures enforced on the town centre for new lighting, water pipes, etc.
We now find ourselves in the midst of what is probably the deepest recession in over half a century with the retail, pub and restaurant trades all struggling to survive, and this might easily be exacerbated by a potentially catastrophic situation where shoppers, drinkers and diners avoid the town centre during several months of traffic and parking restrictions.
Those of us who live in or near Petworth or visit the town regularly will have enjoyed seeing new and diverse retailers and restaurants arriving in the town over recent years.
However, this forthcoming disruption could prove to be the last straw for several Petworth traders and I would not be surprised to see businesses closing as a direct result.
I assume no compensation will be payable to those businesses affected and can only ask those readers who value our town continue to make the effort to support Petworth's shops and restaurants, and implore those councillors and politicians responsible for ensuring Petworth's continued vibrancy and success to keep the disruption to the absolute minimum.

Jo Welman, Barlavington



Gun club received plenty of notice

The suggestion Midhurst Gun Club has been 'ordered' to leave Stedham Common ('Midhurst Gun Club in search for new home', Observer, January 1) at the end of next year is misleading.
The truth is the club was given three years in which to find a new home, even though one year's notice is all that was required legally.
The trust has had an excellent relationship with the club over the years – the club has always acted very responsibly – and the decision to end the licence was not taken lightly.
We have, however, very good evidence the shooting has prevented rare birds such as the woodlark, Dartford warbler and nightjar from breeding on the area of Stedham Common shot over.
Allowing the shoot to continue is not, therefore, compatible with Stedham Common's status as a nature reserve.
Should the club identify a potential new site, the trust would be delighted to provide a reference.

James Power, head of reserves, Sussex Wildlife Trust



In praise of women

Dermot Wright is quite right when he says Bishop John Hind is under the influence of the previous bishop. Ever since Eric Kemp became bishop, I have wondered just who was calling the tune. Women priests provide a wonderful Christian service elsewhere. Why not here?
Finally, I have yet to hear of a woman priest who abused children.

J Crawshaw, Chichester



You're all stars

I must say how I enjoyed the Observer Community Awards at the Festival Theatre. My daughter's nursery, Ladybirds, was nominated. Unfortunately they didn't get an award, but, as Fred Dinenage said, all the nominees were stars – and girls, you certainly are!

Gill (Nanny) Clifford, Beach Avenue, Bracklesham



Thanks...

I would like to express my sincere appreciation of the help given to me by various passers-by when I suffered a fall on the pavement outside the Bognor Regis Comet store.
My special thanks to the lady community nurse who stayed with me until the paramedics arrived, the NHS ambulance staff, and the manager from the Comet store.
Luckily I suffered no permanent damage from the incident.
Thank you all.

Ted Spain, Sylvan Way, Bognor Regis

The Lions Club of Bognor Regis would like to thank everyone for their generosity in supporting our Christmas collection outside Morrison's before Christmas.
A total of £917 was raised and enabled us to deliver Christmas parcels and other help to those in need at this special time of year.
Although we cannot name the recipients they are extremely grateful for the support they receive and also wish to thank the public for their kindness.
In these hard times, it is important to remember more people within our community suffer real hardship and require help and the Lions Club of Bognor Regis will continue to play its part in helping the community.
We would also like to thank Morrison's for their help.
Anyone interested in joining the Lions Club may contact Lion Roy Manville on 01243 837386 for further information.

Richard Johns, Lions PRO, The Ridings, Bognor Regis

I would very much like to thank the lady who kindly took my handbag into Sainsbury's superstore after I foolishly left it in the car park.
I would also like to thank the assistant in Sainsbury's who tried to contact me at home. I am very grateful to both ladies for their help. It was a great relief to have my handbag and contents safely returned.

Mrs M Osborn, Blondell Drive, Bognor Regis

I would like to thank all the people who came to my aid on the evening of December 23 when I collapsed in Westergate Street around 8.30pm while walking my dog.
Everyone was so kind, as was West Sussex Ambulance Service.
I spent some time in A&E in St Richard's and observed their work at first-hand and, without exception, they were all wonderful – and to think we nearly lost this service.
I was taken later to Selsey Ward where the care by all staff was marvellous.
Now I am home again in the care of friends and neighbours who are doing everything they can to support me.
I consider myself one fortunate lady.
It is heartwarming to know there are so many people who still care about others.

Mrs Rosamond A Pilcher, Westergate Street, Westergate



To the point

I agree with the letter about the Butter Market. What has happened to the council? This is another of Chichester's historic buildings which they seem to want desecrated.

Dennis Hoare, Adsdean

The Rotary Club of Chichester would like to thank all the performers at the Cross and at Tesco's, Fishbourne Road, and all the people who gave so generously to the Rotary Club's annual Christmas collections for charities.

DL Harries, Community Service Committee, Rotary Club of Chichester

Chichester Lions Club would like to thank residents for their fantastic response to the carol float collection during the weeks before Christmas.
The Lions collected most evenings during the month of December and were also stationed outside Waitrose and Sainsbury's.
We would like to convey our thanks to Waitrose and Sainsbury for allowing us to collect outside their premises. A total of £6,706 was collected, thanks to the generosity of local people.
Thank you.

Corina Hall, president, Chichester Lions Club

During November and December we at Waterstone's invited our customers to donate their odd change to our 'Coppers for Christmas' fundraising campaign in aid of Dyslexia Action.
We are pleased to announce that, through their generosity, we were able to raise £169.50. This is no mean feat when you consider the vast majority of the coins were, indeed, coppers!
We would like to thank all those who donated to this cause and to wish all our customers a very happy new year.

Peter Jordan, Waterstone's, Chichester

The president and Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Chichester Priory would like to thank the people of Chichester and the surrounding area for their excellent support of our charity collection this year at Christmas.
Through their kind donations at our collections at The Cross in Chichester and at Tesco in Fishbourne, as well as the sale of the mulled juice, we raised a grand total of £3,300 which was a magnificent effort in the current difficult financial circumstances we all find ourselves in.
We are very grateful for the generosity of the residents and visitors to Chichester this Christmas.
There are two fundraising dates for your diaries for this year: the Goodwood Spring Challenge on May 10, and the City of Chichester International Challenge on July 19.

Peter Haydn Jones, East Ashling, Chichester



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