Authorities are to blame for loss of city business

During the recent snow falls, many businesses in Chichester city centre suffered with a dramatic loss in earnings.

But our two local authorities, who are responsible for our roads, pavements and car parks, failed badly in their duty.

People trying to carry on with their lives could not get into town and those who could, had nowhere they could park safely and so returned home.

This situation made it that many retail outlets takings were as little as ten per cent of their normal takings but our rent, rates etc still is expected to be paid.

What were all the council employees doing who could not do their normal jobs?

I remember not that long ago when they would have been sent out to clear roads, pavements etc to keep things moving.

What has happened to this country?

Many other services stopped operating, including our postal service. No wonder it is losing money.

On the positive side, many people keep going, including our young paper boys and girls along with many taxis and private hire cars.

How else would people get about?

I look forward to the next election when the party to get my vote will the one who look to reduce the burden on small businesses by reducing rates and paperwork that is strangling us to death.

And also the one who get local government back to looking after the infrastructure that seems to have been lost, as the last few weeks have shown.

David Harwood, West Ashling


I have made two bizarre observations in this cold and snowy weather:

1 Heating bills and the council tax payer: passing by a large ground floor office at County Hall, I saw the occupants were all down to their shirt sleeves!

2 Setting an example?: The only cleared and salted footpath seen in the city was quite a long stretch leading up to the offices at The Tannery – the health and safety department to be precise; how self-conscious of them!

Dennis Martin, Hunters Way, Chichester


At the end of the road report on the radio at 8.50 this morning, the announcer said this was the last of the snow as rain from the Atlantic would clear it all today, tomorrow at the latest. Yippee!

Ten minuters later, at the end of the 9am news, the same thing said. Double yippee!

Suprised, I was therefore, on arriving in the city centre about 10am to see council staff busy spreading grit on the paved areas.

I hadn't seen that over the previous couple of weeks when it was needed, but there they were, busy chucking taxpayers' money arround when not needed, as Mother Nature would sort the problem in the next few hours.

PE Pratley, Walnut Avenue, Chichester


As I watch the news and hear the complaints of bins not being emptied, I again appreciate the excellent service we have in West Sussex.

After a week when side roads and Prinsted Lane were almost impossible for any vehicle, the thaw has begun and with it both red (recycle) and black bins have been emptied in one day, bringing us up to date – brilliant service.

Thank you council, and your excellent, dedicated team.

Sheela Curtis, Prinsted


As there were a lot of thanks in the letters page last week, may I also say a big thank-you to all the paper boys and girls who delivered the newspapers, early in the morning and in the ice and snow, especially the ones from Good News in St Martins Street, Chichester?

They really are good news.

Catherine Johnson, Cawley Road, Chichester


With the recent understandable interruption of services because of the unusually bad weather, how about this?

Sam, the paperboy, delivered every morning except one, sometimes in the dark.

The bin men couldn't clear on their allocated day. On a Sunday, they cleared those bins, even collecting them from the side of the house.

Royal Mail deliveries? Not seen for at least eight days.

Credit where due, I hope, was reflected in Christmas boxes. Thank you, Sam and the bin men.

PA Hellyer, St Roches Close, Lavant Down, Chichester



To lose 'Graylingwell' name would be an insult to us all

The change of name from Graylingwell to Livingwell Park is, in my opinion, an insult to the city.

I hope Cllr Plowman will be able to get this changed.

The site has a long history related to the name Graylingwell, the actual Grayling Well still being in existence today.

I feel the hospital history of the site will be irrelevant to any future residents, particularly as some will be living in apartments converted from previous hospital blocks.
Cllr Plowman is right to go forward with this. I feel Linden Homes are not treating this development with the sympathetic appreciation that should be awarded to this prestigious site, and in turn are not respecting the wishes of the local people.

To my knowledge the question of the name was never discussed during the planning stages. Why not?

Mrs A Lakin, Chichester


We are residents of various parts of Chichester.

Until now, Linden Homes has had a good reputation in consulting with local people about their proposed development of Graylingwell. They have listened to what has been said and, generally, taken it into account.

It is unfortunate they have now, without consultation, decided to name their proposed development 'Livingwell' – not Graylingwell.

Unlike Graylingwell, 'Livingwell' is merely a feel-good aspiration, which means nothing and could look quite ridiculous if some untoward event should happen in the future. Graylingwell, on the other hand, is a very old name. Indeed there is a Saxon record for the Grayling Well.

The only reason suggested against the use of the name Graylingwell is its 'unfortunate connotations' with the Victorian mental hospital.

We do not accept this.

Mental health no longer has the stigma it did.

Furthermore, the grounds and buildings of the mental hospital, known as Graylingwell, were particularly well designed when they were laid out and built in the 1890s.
In addition, the hospital's pioneering care and treatment of the patients was way ahead of its time.

Linden Homes should share Chichester's pride in the name Graylingwell, both because of its Saxon origins and because of its pioneering psychiatric heritage.
We strongly urge Linden Homes to reconsider the name of its proposed development.

Brian Hopkins, Sheila Bates, Jane & Richard Fortin, Geoff King, Bernard Letch, Bill McMellon, Hilary Newmark, Vincent Porter, Roderick & Vanessa Stern, David & Janet Tregear, Kenneth Walch and Jenny Webb, Chichester


I would like to object to the name Livingwell being used for the new development on the old Graylingwell site.

The original historic name should be kept and not replaced by a name plucked out of thin air which has no relevance or connection to these grounds.

Stephanie O'Sullivan, Chichester


I am very seldom moved to send letters of protest to newspapers, but Peter Homer's article in the Observer persuaded me to take action now.

I am right behind the move to keep the old name of Graylingwell which, as has been pointed out already by so many, is of historical significance.

'Livingwell', to me, immediately brings to mind a picture of a mass development of retirement homes, or possibly one enormous health farm.

I wish the council's planning and conservation committee every success in their fight to preserve the old name, and Linden Homes the foresight to see that, as time goes by, memories of the old psychiatric hospital will fade away.

Henrietta Napier, The Drive, Chichester



Planning committee does consider all points of view

Andrew Finnamore can be as controversial as he likes about planning committees (Chichester Observer, January 7), and he is right to say changes to planning legislation have made the application process more detailed.

However, his comments may have carried more weight if he had bothered to check the facts before committing some of his views to print.

Firstly, there are currently 16 members of the Area Development Control (South) Committee, not 14, of which two are retired Fellows of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, namely David Myers and myself.

I recently retired after a professional career of more than 40 years, most of it in Chichester. David Myers similarly. To say members of the committee are unable to read a plan is as fatuous as it is rude and incorrect.

Other members of the committee may not be professionally qualified in such matters but they have received training and are perfectly capable of seeking clarification on the occasions when plans may be unclear.

Mr Finnamore is a property developer and as such can reasonably be expected to be more interested in the 'bottom-line profit' than the overall scheme of things in a city such as Chichester.

In his current 'post' he is interested in promoting good design and planning but this is also exclusively uppermost in the minds of the planning committee members who care greatly about the character and amenity of the city.

The committee is advised by expert and highly-qualified planning officers who are in turn bound by planning legislation and policies sent down by central government.
It is the task of the committee, and often a difficult task, to assess what is right or wrong about any application for a new building or development.

We listen to the given advice and the views of interested parties. This information is considered carefully and a balanced decision is taken.

Any decision to refuse is subject to a right of appeal, when the matter is taken on by one of the government planning inspectors.

These inspectors have little knowledge of local conditions which, together with common sense, are the 'stock in trade' of the locally-elected members of the planning committee.

Peter Clementson, chairman, Area Development Control (South) Committee, Chichester District Council, Chichester


I feel Andrew Finnamore is poorly informed in his comments regarding the Chichester District Council's Development Control (South) Committee.

The professional, paid officers provide expert advice. Within the frame of planning law and guidance, the primary task of the lay elected members is to consider the wider benefit or otherwise to the local community.

This has never been an easy task and often a controversial one.

Training is given and must be undertaken by the elected members sitting on the development control committees. I would support more training for members and officers, but would more council tax spending attract the support of Mr Finnamore?

He says we have a beautiful city. I fully agree but in my opinion some developers potentially threaten its very character.

There is the current bid to become the city of culture. Without careful planning and housing control, in which elected members have a significant role, there is the real danger of an exclusive and very expensive Chichester.

An even greater proportion of the city's working population would have to live well outside Chichester.

Several years ago I visited a visually delightful medieval and fortified hill town in Tuscany. Wealthy Americans owned a high proportion of the houses and many were not year-round residents.

A second issue is the name 'Livingwell' being advocated by Linden Homes. I have admired the company's recent developments, but to me the name is marketing in poor taste.

The name 'Graylingwell' has a significant place in the city's long history, and is an element of Chichester's identity.

Cllr Alan Chaplin, Chichester South Ward



I'd happily dump lights in the canal

Ken Strudwick displays a Christmas spirit fast fading by suggesting things should be done 'his way', and if Chichester residents of all faiths and none did not agree with 'his way' then perhaps 'his way' should be made compulsory.

I refer, of course, to our city illuminations, or as some would have us believe, the lack of it.

Personally, I would happily round up every Christmas light bulb, regardless of colour, and dump them all in the canal if I thought by so doing my actions would somehow herald a return to the sorely missed true Christmas spirit.

No amount of artificial light can blind us to the fact Christmas is Christ's birthday in the Christian calendar and should be celebrated as such or left alone.

I would suggest we have all of us reached a state of overkill in our phoney attempts to celebrate a religious festival and perhaps call time on the light bulb and take stock.

Pat Williams, Southover Way, Hunston



A few flakes of snow and pedestrians have to run an Arctic assault course

The recent snow fall has seen some lamentable failures in the provision of public services.

The local authorities have been particularly inept on a number of fronts.

The reasons for their inability to cope with what was a relatively small amount of snow and that it has taken about a week to get services (post, some schools) back to normal is a major failing.

At both a county and district level, the local authorities seem more concerned about the protection of their own interests and well being and not those of the communities they claim to serve.

The charge sheet to date is as follows:
1 A failure to respond by getting adequate gritting and clearance teams out on January 5 ahead of the widely-forecast heavy snow falls.
2 The road clearances that took place were focused only on major roads and this effectively sealed off uncleared side roads for days
3 Pedestrian pavements were not cleared in the town and local side streets remained lethal. Why does motorised transport get the priority? We are all pedestrians at some point.
4 The complete failure of bin clearance has resulted in footpaths being blocked by bins and uncollected bags of refuse. These constitute a further hazard to pedestrians. Try walking to the station early on unlit side streets with these obstacles in the way on uncleared snow and ice. Parts of the town have been turned into an Arctic assault course.
5 The district council was not able to offer any coherent or widespread advice on the position on bin clearance over the holiday period. This compounded with the snow and a week off between Christmas and new year has meant some rubbish has not been moved for nearly three weeks. Other parts of the country with 2ft of snow have had daily bin clearance so what went so disastrously wrong here when we only had two inches?
If someone quotes health and safety I will gnaw the Axminster.
The delay in clearance of refuse clearly strips away the right of the local authority to claim any competence in environmental health. Bognor Regis looks like Trash Town.
6 Postal services vanished pretty quickly. No deliveries for six days is just pathetic. Whatever happened to the claim the mail always got through? This time it very clearly did not.
7 Bus and train services also seemed to fall over remarkably fast. We have an electrified railway to Bognor Regis with modern trains and signalling. All of this seemed to fall at the arrival of the first snowflake for reasons that are unclear. Again the railway seems to be more concerned about its own interests and not those of the public it claims to serve. That this should happen twice within a year is just appalling.
8 Schools closed for reasons again that are obscure. Buses for special-needs children already on the move were advised to turn back after collecting children. They also were stood down on the 13th in the face of less than a quarter of an inch of snow.

There seems to be a total lack of a can do mentality in all of this. Again, in other areas much more badly affected, schools were open, so why not here?

Small children getting up at 6.30am to be ready for school and then stood down at short notice presents problems for parents the education authorities and school staff need to think more on when they take this sort of decision. Information on intentions to close schools has been patchy and not everyone can access the internet as the local authorities would seem to believe.

The local authorities have effectively ducked their responsibilities as public servants and passed the problems of the recent snowfall to the wider public.

The response on schools and bin clearance has been little short of pathetic. The postal service was equally quick to give in.

The public service ethic has vanished and been replaced by a wimpish spineless jobsworth type bureaucracy seemingly focused on looking after itself.
Why did it all go wrong so quickly in the face of a small amount of rain arriving in a hard format?

Who failed to plan for this sort of contingency and then effectively give up on all fronts?

Other workers (utilities, health, transport) were expected to be at work so why did the public sector collapse so fast?

The wimps seem to have done themselves proud. Conscientious incompetence seems to have taken a very firm grip.

Phil Mortimer, Elfin Grove, Bognor Regis


I think our wonderful councils should be congratulated on the lack of effort regarding the non-gritting of our pavements and side roads. It is a disgrace.

I have not seen one pavement or footpath that has been gritted.

Ivy Lane in South Bersted was like an ice rink six days after the first fall of snow.

Like a lot of people, I'm wondering why we pay so much council tax and seem to get so little in return.

Our son lives in South Yorkshire and all their pavments have been gritted.

They laugh at the southerners struggling to cope with a few inches of snow.

F Jolly, South Bersted


I live on the Summerley Estate and during the recent cold weather the roads have been coated in a three-inch layer of ice making them very treacherous.

I was not surprised therefore when the post stopped because the postman probably found it was virtually impossible to cycle in these conditions.

However on Monday, January 11, when the roads were still covered in ice, we received a delivery, so I thought I would telephone them and thank them.

The only number available appeared to be 0845 6020167 which I dialled.

Initially I got a pre-recorded message apologising for delays because of the weather. I then got a girl called Sarah who I soon realised was another recorded message offering various options.

The option I chose was another pre-recorded message and options. This went on to more pre-recorded messages and options, after five minutes I gave up hope of actually speaking to someone and hung up.

This of course is obviously what they were trying to achieve.

Incidentally, none of the options offered included one of gratitude.

So may I through your column personally thank all the postal staff for maintaining their service in such appalling conditions?

Tony Turley, Burley Road, Bognor Regis


I would like to express a big thank-you to all the ladies from Home Help who have had to drive early mornings and late at night in the most appalling weather to come two or three times daily to care for us, always cheerful.

Isabel Weston, West Street, Bognor Regis



Council, cabbies and landlords are weeding out rogues

I refer to Mr Dawes' letter in the Observer headed 'It's time the council tackled tough issues'.

I have good news for Mr Dawes – the council is, and has done so for some considerable time.

While the council is subject to serious financial pressures at the moment, like most of us, it is still trying to deliver what is important, while continually cutting unnecessary processes and activities.

We are also working with other councils and partners to deliver a series of activities more effectively.

On the two subjects Mr Dawes' raises – taxi licensing and the inspection of houses let in multiple occupation – the environmental health service is very active in targeting rogue drivers and landlords.

Fortunately, there are very few of these in Arun because of the ongoing effort all officers put in, and the professionalism and conscientious approach taken by the majority of taxi drivers and landlords.

In this we work closely with both the taxi drivers and landlords fora and try to stamp out poor practice for the benefit of taxi customers and tenants.

Statutory action has taken place on regular occasions in the past year to enforce minimum standards on those who choose to ignore them for financial gain.

I regret I do not know of the unlicensed drivers to which Mr Dawes refers, but I am certain their existence would be made known to us promptly by the other properly licensed and professional drivers in Arun.

We also carry out random vehicle checks and, most recently, inspected 26 vehicles in one evening, not one year as Mr Dawes wrongly intimates.

We have also been working closely with the Sussex Police to tackle illegal overcrowding of properties, and have had several recent successes in Bognor Regis.

Again, I do not know of the properties to which Mr Dawes refers and have contacted him for details of where they are.

Can I assure Mr Dawes, and all readers, the environmental health service takes seriously its responsibilities, especially where they involve public safety or breach of statutory duties.

If any member of the public has cause for concern about any issue for which environmental health is responsible, such as food safety, licensing, pollution control, occupational health and safety, housing standards in the private sector or public health, I would be pleased to hear from them so we can respond appropriately.

Paul Unsworth, Head of environmental health, Arun District Council, Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton



Pat on back for top class post office

I would like to congratulate Mac, Naina, family and staff from Rose Green Post Office on winning the Observer Community Award for retailer of the year.

This is not the first time the store has been recognised for the magnificent service they provide to the local community and again justifies their position as the best post office in the area.

Although I live closer to the General Post Office, I always take my business to Rose Green because my needs are met in a very friendly and professional manner.

People may not be aware you can get your car tax and foreign currency there, as well as all your usual transactions, and I urge all locals to use this post office and not the internet to keep this lovely store going for many years to come.

There is no other shop I go in where I am made to feel so welcome and the staff greet me personally.

On behalf of so many people, well done to you all.

Nick Doherty, Victoria Drive Bognor



I took rubbish to the depot but my time was wasted

I fully agree with, and support, the decision by the council not to collect refuse last week and concentrate on keeping our roads and footpaths safe.

On Saturday, January 9, I collected the refuse bags from both my elderly neighbours, loaded the car with those and my own bags and drove to the Midhurst depot in Bepton Road.

The road was totally clear, including the entrance to the compound, but the compound was closed.

It would appear that, on the week following the new year shutdown, we cannot have our rubbish collected – which I accept – but we are also not allowed to take the rubbish to the depot, which I had tried to do.

I would be interested to know on what grounds the depot was closed – the oft used, and abused, health and safety excuse springs to mind.

Am I correct?

John Donald, Easebourne Lane, Midhurst


Meals on Wheels might have skidded to a halt during the big freeze, were it not for the valiant efforts of our regular volunteers to overcome black ice and axle-deep snow drifts, threatening to cut off many of our most vulnerable clients.

Those who could dig their cars out and brave the roads did everything in their power to make sure the 120 elderly and housebound people who rely on our service could at least enjoy a decent meal – electricity supplies permitting!

And in true wartime spirit, when the call went out for help, partners, friends and drivers of 4x4s rallied to the cause, taking our volunteers with them to deliver meals down dirt tracks, up snow covered hills, through slush and ice, braving the mayhem of the weather.

Heroes all, not least our clients, who were patient and understanding as we wrestled with the logistic nightmare of keeping the service going.

Jo, Alison, Gina and Sue, who were doing what they could to keep the show on the road, would like to take this opportunity to express their heartfelt thanks to their superb volunteers and courageous clients.

We can't thank you all enough and we can't thank you all by name but you must know how much we appreciate what you did and everything you continue to do.

Special thanks to our new friends, Martin and Georgina Mitchell, Andrew Swaffield, Simon Carter, Jodi Whitby and Graham Hatch; from the National Trust, Simon Craig; Mike Rudd from the Leconfield Estate Office, and firefighters Ian Smith, Joe Sacco, Chris Kemp and Rob Negus.

Chris and Rob are now in Haiti helping to locate earthquake victims and our thoughts are with them.

Hennings Wine Merchants in Pulborough and Budgens in Midhurst also stepped up to the plate and helped with logistics.

You're all stars in our eyes!

Normal service resumed last week as the big melt started to cause its own problems, but all our 74 regular volunteers will be out there, doing the great job they always do, in wellies and even snorkels if necessary!

Thank you guys, so much.

Jo Goodenough, project co-ordinator, WRVS, Meals on Wheels, South Grove, Petworth

PS. Only joking about the snorkels...


What a heartening story on the front of the Midhurst and Petworth Observer about Rogate Taxis' Kevin Farren.

Here's a man who earns his living ferrying people around.

So how does he spend the snowiest night in years? Rescuing snowbound cars and pedestrians with his Land Rover – for free.

The report says he only did 'what anyone else would do to help'. 'Could', maybe, but even if I owned a 4x4, I'm sure I wouldn't have done it. How nice if there were more of us like Mr Farren and fewer like – well, let's be honest, me.

Stephen Hugh-Jones, Downcote, East Harting



To the point...

I appreciate there are many cultural attractions in the city of Chichester, but where do visitors stay? There is not one decent-sized hotel within the city.

I recently travelled from Chichester to Bournemouth on a National Express coach.

This was 45 minutes late because of bad weather. I couldn't believe there was no waiting room or toilet at the bus and coach station. The passengers huddled together in icy rain. Thirty years ago these facilities existed.

What a welcome to visitors!

Jenny Matthew, West Wittering


I was pleased to learn London is to introduce a charge for permits for the utility companies do dig up the roads to reduce congestion, encourage them to share trenches and put them back together.

If it's good enough for London, perhaps West Sussex can do likewise?

John Procter, Broyle Road, Chichester


It took Dr Johnson seven or eight years to compile the first English dictionary.

On its completion, he was accosted by a lady from the better part of Bayswater.

"Dr Johnson," she fumed like a volcano about to erupt, "you have put together a remarkable dictionary – but I am deeply shocked to observe that you have included some disgusting words."

"Madam," replied Dr Johnson, "how disgusting of you to look for them!"

CNC Peters, North Road, Selsey


The Southbourne Lions thank those who magnificently supported their carol float collections in Southbourne, Bosham, Westbourne and surrounding areas, which raised £2,974, plus the Emsworth Square street collection amounting to £266.

All these funds are distributed to local people and other good causes in need of assistance, particularly where other agencies cannot or will not do so.

Geoffrey Whitaker, Southbourne Lions Club, Juxon Close, Chichester


I am at my wits' end. I looked after my son's cat for two weeks and then she escaped.

She doesn't know the area, and I have been looking all over for her. I wondered if I could ask everyone in the neighbourhood of Warningcamp (or further afield) to keep an eye open for a long-haired tortoiseshell cat with brown and black markings, with bits of white on her.

Don't try to catch her as she will run away. Please just phone me on 07941 730081 if you have any news of her.


We all know how sad it is to lose your own cat, but to lose someone else's is awful.

Christine Ennis, Warningcamp


Thank you to the audience at last Saturday's performance at Chichester Festival Theatre of The Dialog Project. A total of £309.07 was generously contributed to the victims of the terrible Haiti earthquake tragedy.

Mark Ringwood, Roots Around the World, Fordwater Lane, Chichester


Having previously written on the subject of shops leaving their doors open in winter, I watched with interest what effect the recent spell of extreme weather would have.

As I thought, the cold and wind has prompted many to keep their doors closed, with some adding signs to the effect of 'Lovely and warm inside', 'We are open', and 'Open – keeping warm'. A few have even placed signs asking customers to shut doors behind them.


While the weather has dramatically reduced footfall, this may make retailers realise we, the public, are capable of opening and closing a door, and that by keeping their doors closed, they not only reduce their energy bills, but reduce the amount of precious fuel they use.


So come on retailers, as the weather gets a little warmer, keep that door shut, reduce those bills and save energy!

Kathy Manouch, St Paul's Eco Congregation Group, St Paul's Church, Churchside, Chichester


On behalf of Pagham Race Committe, may I yet again thank the spectators who supported the 2009 pram race on December 26.

In spite of the poor weather and reduced turnout, they still managed to donate a total cash sum of £1,663.08 to the street collection.

In addition, may I thank the publicans, Don Hoare of The Lamb Inn of Nyetimber, Clair Hughes of The Bear Inn Nyetimber and John Cliff of The Kings Beach for the generous donation of the beer much enjoyed by the pram race participants?

Our most grateful thanks must go to the entrants for their inginuity, tenacity and determination, many of whom support us every year, in some cases the the second or third generation of the same local families.

Finally, I must thank our primary sponsors Kia, a local garage group.

They and additional sponsors are being listed on our new website www.paghampramrace.com and anyone is welcome to contact us there.

I would also like to add the committee is looking to attract some younger members and their ideas to keep us in touch with new and modern ideas, and to form a sub-committee.

We would delighted to hear from any young people (or young at heart). They can contact me direct on 07775 664286.

On behalf of my hard-working committee, our president Derek Bell and myself as chairman, very many thanks.

Tim Holland, chairman, Pagham Pram Race Committee


Councillors, you all get free parking in your council offices and are able to do your shopping. Why make the public pay?

I feel the parking charges have nothing to do with inflation.

The next thing will be we will have no visitors to our towns. Why? Because of the parking charges.

Why drive the visitors away because of your greed for a few pence?

Please think this over before Bognor and Littlehampton become ghost towns.

CC Glue, Outerwyke Gardens, Felpham


On Monday, January 11, while shopping in Bognor, I lost my engagement ring. It is a half loop in a Victorian setting of three small rubies and four very small diamonds. It is of no great value, but to me it has great sentimental value.

If anyone found my ring, I would love to have it back. There will be a small reward.

Mrs G Simmans, Havelock Close, Bognor Regis


Sausages and hot chocolate were served on Felpham seafront on New Year's Day by Sue and Leslie and they raised £150 for St Wilfrid's Hospice.

Well done and many thanks to all.

Peggy Gumbrell, Castlereagh Green, Felpham


Does anyone know of a youngish male or female, with or without hair, who has a neutral expression, loves clothes and tends to pose? Oh yes – they don't answer back and are extremely patient!

We at the RAFA 381 Club in Waterloo Square, Bognor Regis, are looking for the above to join us. Did I mention he/she isn't actually a real person – no, we're looking for a full-sized mannequin (shop model) who may have been around a bit but would like a new home and a new wardrobe. If you can help, please contact Judy on 01243 864382 or email hicks239@btinternet.com

Wynne Monk, Eastover Way, Felpham

PS: We are a friendly lot at RAFA 381 and welcome all new members. Give us a ring on 01243 865615.


On behalf of Midhurst Town Council, I would like to thank all who assisted in making the Midhurst Street Party a success despite the seasonal weather.

I would also like to thank the parish church for supplying power, the Chamber of Commerce for the excellent Christmas tree in the Square, also the volunteer stewards who helped man the road closures and not forgetting the residents for their understanding.

Glyn Upjohn, chairman, Community Care Committee, Midhurst Town Council, Capron House, North Street, Midhurst


If anyone knows who committed the crime of destroying our large inflatable snowman and Father Christmas outside our home just before Christmas, we would very much like to know who these mindless people are.

They have taken a lot of pleasure away from the children who come up to see them.

If anyone knows who the culprits are we would very much like to have their names. We will give a small reward for this information.

Mr and Mrs Parker, Taylors Rise, Midhurst


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