A beefeater from Lancing is to become a Member of the Royal Victorian Order after being named on the 2017 New Year’s honours list.

Alan Kingshott, who is the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower of London, received the exclusive honour for his 19 years of personal service to the Queen as a beefeater.

After his long career as a beefeater, as well as 25 years of service in the British Army, Mr Kingshott is set to retire to Lancing with his wife Pat in March.

Mr Kingshott’s daughter Louise Pattern said: “We are all immensely proud of my dad and all he has achieved.”

The Royal Victorian Order is an order of knighthood founded by Queen Victoria in 1896. It is bestowed upon individuals who have performed exceptional service to the Queen or other members of the royal family.

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The ambulance service is warning about it’s ability to respond quickly to 999 calls as it prepares for the ‘busiest weekend of the year’.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust says it is continuing to experience high levels of demand, which is affecting its ability to respond quickly to 999 emergencies.

As a result the trust is asking the public to think carefully about whether they need to call for an ambulance, this weekend.

The trust’s on call Gold Incident Commander, Richard Webber said: “We are already receiving a high volume of emergency 999 calls, especially across Kent and are struggling to reach many of these in a timely manner.

“Our staff are already working extremely hard but this does mean that for certain emergencies, some patients can expect to wait longer for an ambulance as we focus our efforts on responding to calls which are deemed life-threatening.

“The public can help us by avoid calling us for non-life-threatening emergencies and seek alternative treatment from other healthcare providers or if you do require hospital treatment look to make your own way there.”

During the festive period so far, the trust has seen a 10 per cent increase in demand compared to last year.

Between 7pm on Christmas Eve until 11pm on Boxing Day paramedics had responded to 4,840 emergency calls.

Last year, between 10pm on New Year’s Eve and 4am on January 1, the trust handled 1,135 calls – an average of more than three 999 calls a minute.

A ambulance service spokesman said: “This year it is expected to be even higher. We’d like to remind people to only dial 999 in the event of a serious emergency and remember the other options available, such as calling NHS 111, which we run in partnership across Kent, Surrey and Sussex with Care UK.

When to call 999:

If you think a patient is suffering from one of the following you must dial 999 for an ambulance: heart attack (e.g. chest pain for more than 15 minutes); sudden unexplained shortness of breath; heavy bleeding; unconsciousness (even if the patient has regained consciousness); traumatic back/spinal/neck pain

You should also call for an ambulance if: you think the patient’s illness or injury is life-threatening; you think the illness or injury may become worse, or even life-threatening on the way to the hospital; moving the patient/s without skilled people could cause further injury; the patient needs the skills or equipment of the ambulance service and its personnel

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The Bishop of Chichester has used his New Year message to express hopes that 2017 will be a year ‘we can look back on as a good year’ after the ‘uncertainties of 2016’.

In a New Year video message to his diocese, Dr Martin Warner reflects on ‘traumatic’ events of the past year.

He said: “Images which have flashed up on our screens, particularly from Syria have been traumatic.

“We have seen hospitals, schools and homes targeted and it has been traumatic.”

He went on to appeal for people to have what he described as ‘the quality of reverence’ in 2017 which added up to a basic respect for people and things.

“It would be nice if people were to say that actually matters to me. If we can embrace that it will go a long way,” said Dr Warner.

In the film, he also said that, when questioned about the relevance of the work of the church in communities across Sussex, he was continually encouraged that ‘the church is engaged in making a contribution and it improving the quality of people’s lives in a variety of ways’.

Happy New Year.

For more than 20 years our local home has been by Christ Church in central Worthing. The last boundary changes created constituencies since served by Tim Loughton and by me.

Over the years, we stand by people, we tackle issues together and whenever proper and possible we reconcile differences and with my dedicated team I try to bring positive results from often apparently negative situations. It is good to have been on friendly terms with supporters of the other major political parties. During these productive decades, I have enjoyed being with cousins in the Arun wards, visiting friends throughout the constituency and making home calls to constituents.

The local problems caused by the rail dispute are awful. I do understand and frequently raise the consequences for travellers. I do not believe the so-called industrial action is justified, proportionate or that it should be continued for another day.

If there are genuine issues, let us hear them. We respect train drivers and we understand their constant responsibility. There is no reason to believe they should strike because they are now to control 12 rather than ten or eight carriages in modern trains.

The rail operators are recruiting more people to be on-board supervisors, assisting passengers. The talks at ACAS about remaining differences on small changes to working practices have included commitment to rostering as many, probably more, on-train staff, with guaranteed jobs and with guaranteed pay.

My wish is that the wider TUC membership politely and firmly make plain that the disproportionate impact of closing the railway day after day damages the working lives of others and threatens the jobs of others, in addition to having a hideous impact on family life.

Are guards and drivers earning £40,000 to 60,000 a year thinking about the teacher on £22,000 or the patient needing reliable transport to regular therapy in a hospital along the coast or in a London specialist unit?

In 2017 we face the consequences of the referendum result that leads to our country leaving the European Union. Let us cooperate within the United Kingdom and with everyone else to create helpful arrangements with agreements that bring benefits to all.

The problems of the EU system had been known from the outset. During the previous 1975 referendum, the most effective advocate for IN, sharing some sovereignty, was the then new leader of the Conservative opposition, Margaret Thatcher.

One of the best advocates for ‘out’ was Douglas Jay, former Labour minister. In essence, even in 1968 after General de Gaulle had decisively vetoed Britain’s second application to join the EEC, he wrote that the European Economic Community was too narrow and inward-looking a group for us, a world trading nation with vital economic and political links in all continents.

Rather than re-run the recent referendum, let us do all that we can together to fulfil sensible objectives: international law and order, a peaceful world, a high standard of living for ourselves and for others. By trade, by technical and scientific skill, by overseas investment and by the spread of British political, social and cultural ideas, we can succeed with economic vitality and distinctive political independence. Peace and trade are our two greatest interests.

These thoughts and words I share with the former Labour MP, though we did not agree on the Common Market. By chance he had been the first person in the Commons to welcome my maiden speech. At least, he said he preferred it to Margaret Thatcher’s.

Adaptation, including the development and acceptance of new ways of working, is key to prosperity abroad and at home. With fervour, I ask the rail staff and their union representatives to join all of us in the journey to a better future. They have nothing to lose; we all have much to gain.

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South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has thanked its staff and volunteers for their efforts during what was an ‘extremely busy’ Christmas and New Year.

In the six hours between 10pm on New Year’s Eve and 4am on January 1 the Trust handled approximately 1,200 calls and some 3,400 calls throughout the whole of December 31.

Control room staff worked hard to arrange help for callers, prioritising patients in the most need, while ambulance crews out on the road worked flat out to reach patients as quickly as possible.

Crews attended more than 600 incidents across Kent, Surrey and Sussex between 10pm and 4am and close to 2,300 incidents throughout the whole of New Year’s Eve – up approximately 300 on last year.

The Trust’s NHS 111 centre staff also had an extremely busy end to the year with the service in high demand during the long weekends over Christmas and New Year.

The Trust has thanked everyone for the messages of support it has received over the festive period including support of its #XmasSupportSECAmb Twitter campaign.

SECAmb has also praised the efforts and commitment of its volunteers including its Community First Responders, chaplains, St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross.

SECAmb’s acting chief executive Geraint Davies said: “All our staff and our volunteers work hard all year round but I’m always particularly impressed by the dedication and professionalism they show at this time of year.

“We know it can also be hard on their families and loved ones too so we’re very grateful of the support they provide.

“As expected the whole period and last New Year’s Eve was very busy.

“Everyone rose to the challenge to respond to those in most need as quickly and safely as possible.

“I would like to thank the public for their continued support and wish everyone and happy and safe 2017.”

SECAmb continues to be extremely busy and is urging people to remember to only dial 999 in the event of a serious emergency.

If you think a patient is suffering from one of the following you must dial 999 for an ambulance:

- Heart attack (eg chest pain for more than 15 minutes)

- Sudden unexplained shortness of breath

- Heavy bleeding

- Unconsciousness (even if the patient has regained consciousness)

- Traumatic back/spinal/neck pain

You should also call for an ambulance if:

- You think the patient’s illness or injury is life-threatening

- You think the illness or injury may become worse, or even life-threatening on the way to the hospital

- Moving the patient(s) without skilled people could cause further injury

- The patient needs the skills or equipment of the ambulance service and its personnel

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Leading UK value retailer Poundland is to bring in the new year by cutting the price of thousands of items in its core ranges to 50 pence in its first ever sales event.

While Poundland has reduced prices in the past to clear stocks or welcome a competitor to town, today’s sale (January 1) marks the first time the retailer has halved the price of core items in its ranges.

From sauces to soup, toothpaste to toiletries, the new move will initially cover essential grocery and beauty items.

The new year 50 pence event is set to run until the end of January.

Poundland trading director Barry Williams said: “No-one loves a bargain more than Poundland customers and they’re asking us to do more.

“Our promise to them is clear – amazing value on amazing items. That’s why we’re on a mission to re-power the business and look for new ways to provide that value.

“This 50 pence event to kick off the New Year is just the start of exciting times at Poundland as we work even harder to deliver on that promise in the months ahead.”

The 50 pence sale will include brands such as Dolmio, Heinz, Ambrosia, Oreos and Aquafresh.

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The Open Spaces Society, Britain’s oldest national conservation body, has called on local authorities and developers throughout England to make 2017 the Year of the Village Green, by voluntary registering their land as greens.

The society urges developers to include registered village greens within their sites so that local people have a guaranteed green space for recreation which is preserved for ever.

It also urges local authorities to register their own land so that even if it is sold, it is protected.

Kate Ashbrook, the society’s general secretary, said: “The registration process is simple; the only requirements are to provide proof of ownership, obtain the consent of any leaseholder or chargeholder, complete a form and send it to the commons registration authority (county or unitary council).

“Once the land is registered as a town or village green, it is protected by nineteenth-century laws from development or encroachment, and local people have rights of informal recreation there.

“So if a planning authority considers that a developer should offer a mitigating benefit to the neighbourhood, it can insist that the developer registers part of its site as a village green. That provides a real boon to local people.

“The Open Spaces Society has persuaded Richmond Care Villages to dedicate as a green part of its development site at Coral Springs, Witney in west Oxfordshire. This was in exchange for the society’s withdrawal of its objection to the diversion of a footpath leading to open countryside, which RCV had illegally obstructed with buildings. The new green will give Witney people a pleasant space where they can enjoy informal recreation for ever more.

“Local authorities can dedicate their land as a green to ensure that it remains open and available for public enjoyment, regardless of who owns it in future; this is especially important in these times of austerity, when authorities are looking to flog off their land and the public is likely to lose out.

“Parish and community councils can also dedicate their land as green as, of course, can private landowners. This is a great way to secure green space for everyone to enjoy.

“Regrettably, we have few examples of voluntary registrations. However, in 2015 Kent County Council registered the Old Putting Green at Montefiore Avenue, Ramsgate, as a green following an application from the landowner, Thanet District Council.

“In 2011, Lancashire County Council registered Barnoldswick town green, on the application of the landowner, Pendle Borough Council.

“But there should be many more. We say that 2017 should be the Year of the Green, when local authorities and developers dedicate new greens for public enjoyment and give the public secure rights of recreation.”

The society has written to the chief executives of the Local Government Association, the Welsh Local Government Association, the National Association of Local Councils and One Voice Wales, asking them to remind their members of the opportunity voluntarily to register their land as greens, and to persuade planning authorities to require developers to do so.

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Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died falling from a block of flats in Sussex.

Police were called to flats in Charles Road, St Leonards, in the early hours of this morning (New Year’s Day).

A spokesperson from Sussex Police said: “At 4.46am on Sunday January 1, police were called to flats in Charles Road after a man had fallen through a utility room ceiling.

“The man had apparently fallen from a flat above and, despite efforts to resuscitate him, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Five people from a flat in the same block have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

“Enquiries are continuing.”

No further information has been released at this time.

Any witnesses, or anyone with any information about the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, are asked to call Sussex Police on 101.

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Worthing mayor Sean McDonald will be opening a new charity shop for Brent Lodge Bird and Wildlife Hospital on Saturday.

The shop is located in the Guildbourne Centre, Worthing, and Mr McDonald will perform the opening ceremony at 11am.

Brent Lodge is based in Sidlesham, where staff and volunteers treat around 3,000 sick or injured British wildlife patients each year.

Asha Park, administrative assistant, said: “To help raise much-needed funds to provide care for our patients, we have opened up charity shops where we sell quality furniture, pre-loved clothes and other donated items, plus our range of new products.

“Brent Lodge currently has shops in Havant and Selsey. We wanted to open a third shop in Worthing so that we can reach out to our loyal supporters who live in the area.

“We are really looking forward to reaching out to other local people to then develop further connections with new supporters. We plan to get drinks and nibbles to welcome the first customers.

“The shop is located in Unit 10 in the Guildbourne Centre, where we have been welcomed warmly by staff and volunteers from other shops located in the centre. We hope to continue to build up strong relationships with the rest of the friendly shop staff and keep the Guildbourne Centre a busy and thriving shopping centre.

“The charity is funded entirely on generous donations from our lovely supporters, without their help we would be able to do what we do.”

Anyone interested in helping in the charity shop as a much-valued volunteer, or who has quality furniture and other goods to donate, contact general manager Robert Knight on 01243 641672 or pop into the shop.

Visit www.brentlodge.org for more information.

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Royal Mail's 2017 special stamp programme has been revealed, set to showcase the 'best of British'.

The range of stamps subjects from some of the greatest racehorses from the past six decades to beautiful birds that herald spring and summer in the UK.

Windsor Castle, the oldest inhabited castle in world and an official residence of HM The Queen, is celebrated with iconic views of both the interior and exterior of the castle.

Featured in the stamp set is an image of the world-famous Round Tower that has dominated the Berkshire skyline for over 800 years.

Racehorse Legends will feature eight champion horses that achieved their greatest wins on UK race courses over the last six decades.

The stamp issue also features original artwork commissioned by Royal Mail of four flat racers and four national hunt horses captured in action during the course of their iconic wins.

The Songbirds issue in May will present 10 beautiful birds that herald spring and summer in the UK.

The full list is:

January Ancient Britain

February Windsor Castle

April Racehorse Legends

May Songbirds

June Windmills and Watermills

July First World War: 1917

July Landmark Buildings

August Classic Toys

November Christmas

Three councils in West Sussex are among 30 local authorities across the country to spearhead a new starter home scheme.

Housing Minister Gavin Barwell has confirmed today that the first starter homes will be built on brownfield sites in 2017.

Mid Sussex District Council, Worthing Council and Chichester District Council are three of the councils involved.

Thousands of new homes backed with financial support will help more first time buyers into home ownership, said a spokesperson from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

They will be built exclusively for first-time buyers between 23 and 40 years old at a discount of at least 20 per cent below market value, the spokesperson said.

The first wave of 30 local authority partnerships have been selected on the basis of their potential for early delivery, according to the spokesperson.

These partnerships have been established under the Government’s £1.2 billion Starter Homes Land Fund which supports the development of starter homes on sites across England, said the spokesperson.

The first places will begin construction later this year along with sites supported by the Homes and Communities Agency, said the spokesperson.

Housing Minister Gavin Barwell said: “This government is committed to building starter homes to help young first time buyers get on the housing ladder. 
“This first wave of partnerships shows the strong local interest to build thousands of starter homes on hundreds of brownfield sites in the coming years.

“One in three councils has expressed an interest to work with us so far.”

The Starter Homes Land Fund was set up to prepare suitable land for quality starter home developments which can be built on by developers or through Accelerated Construction by 2020, said the spokesperson.

Each local authority partnership will work closely with the Homes and Communities Agency to identify and take forward further land opportunities for the fund, the spokesperson confirmed.

In addition, the Homes and Communities Agency has also today issued a call seeking expressions of interest from local authorities who are interested in using their land to deliver homes at pace through the £1.7billion Accelerated Construction recently announced, confirmed the spokesperson.
This will see up to 15,000 homes started on surplus public sector land this Parliament, the spokesperson said. 


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A chef from Sussex has reportedly been killed fighting so-called Islamic State in Syria.

Ryan Lock, 20, who is said to have no military experience, has been reported dead by Kurdish activists, according to the BBC.

In the report it states Mr Lock, from Chichester, travelled to join Kurdish forces known as the YPG in August and was killed on December 21 in the battle for the Syrian city of Raqqa.

Mr Lock was described as ‘a very caring and loving boy’ in a statement by his father John Lock.

A spokesperson Foreign and Commonwealth Office: “The UK has advised for some time against all travel to Syria. As all UK consular services there are suspended, it is extremely difficult to confirm the status and whereabouts of British Nationals in Syria. Anyone who does travel to these areas, for whatever reason, is putting themselves in considerable danger.”

Rail fares have increased by 27 per cent since 2010, claimed Labour campaigners handing out leaflets and speaking to passengers at Worthing station this morning.

Fares have risen three times faster than wages, according to the campaigners, who will also be at the station from 4.30pm this afternoon (Tuesday, January 3).

John Martin, a member of the local Labour party, said: “Since the Tories broke up the rail service rail fares have gone up massively. 
“Since 2010 they have increased by 27 per cent. It’s more expensive than anywhere else in Europe.”

He added that the service in the south was ‘the worst in the country’.

“We are for bringing railways into public ownership to get a good and efficient service,” he said of the Labour Party’s position. “We want a public ownership run by the workers so that services are well provided.

“The Labour party are for investment in housing, health and railways. We want investment not austerity.”


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A West Sussex woman has started the New Year by becoming the 353rd Premium Bond millionaire.

The unnamed winner, a woman with £31,020 invested (Bond number: 244PR471632), purchased her winning Bond in April 2015.

There have been six previous winners from West Sussex – the last two both coming in July 2016.

Jill Waters, NS&I’s Retail Director said: “Congratulations and the happiest of New Year’s to our two newest Premium Bond jackpot millionaires, joining over 350 winners since we introduced the £1 million monthly prize in 1994.

“In 2017 we are continuing to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Premium Bonds and how they have changed during that time. Premium Bonds are now easier to manage for our valued customers – taking the hassle out of the busy festive period. Customers can register on nsandi.com and choose to have their future tax-free prizes paid directly into their nominated account, so they receive the benefit of their new prizes more quickly.”

As well as the newly-made millionaires, there are over 2.2 million prizes worth more than £68.9 million working their way to Premium Bond holders this month.

There were 66,163,126,053 eligible Bond numbers in January’s draw, and since the first draw in June 1957, there have been 360 million prizes paid out worth more than £17.1 billion.

As well as the January 2017 prizes, you can check for historic wins that you may not have been aware of, with over 1.3 million unclaimed prizes worth more than £54 million currently waiting to be collected by the rightful owners.

Savers can check online to see if they are one of the millions of monthly winners via www.nsandi.com/prize-checker, or by downloading the free Premium Bonds prize-checker app – available in the Apple Store and Google Play. As well as seeing if they have won a prize in this month’s draw, Premium Bonds customers can also see if they have won a prize in any of the draws in the previous six months and if they have any unclaimed prizes outstanding. This will be updated on the second working day of the month.

In West Sussex, 18,759 prizes totalling more than £758,000 are still unclaimed, the highest of which is £25,000 won by man in the April 2008 draw, who owns £24,375 worth of Premium Bonds.

The oldest unclaimed prize dates back to April 1962 and was a £25 prize won by a man with only a £2 holding.

Premium Bonds holders can also reduce the chance of their prizes becoming unclaimed in the future by registering to have any prizes paid directly into their bank account (with notification by email).

West Sussex county councillors are being ‘shamed before the world’ due to their inability to use a simple electronic voting system, one member has claimed.

When the main chamber at Chichester’s County Hall was refurbished a new electronics system was installed, allowing councillors to vote by pressing buttons, a plus sign for yes, a minus for no, and a cross to abstain.

However at last month’s Full Council meeting (Friday December 16) several votes had to be stopped or restarted as members complained about not being able to work the voting system properly.

Bill Acraman (Con, Worth Forest) said: “We are broadcasting all of this out to the world and it’s seeing how incapable we are of using simple electronics.

“Perhaps we could switch it off whenever this council goes to have a vote so we are not shamed before the world with our inability to cope with these simple electronics.”

Pat Arculus (Con, Pulborough), chairman of the county council, said this was one of the first meetings they had used the electronic voting repeatedly and county councillors were beginning to get the hang of it.

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Warblington School has paid tribute to former student Ryan Lock following reports he was killed in Syria.

In a statement headteacher Julia Vincent said: “We are very sorry and saddened to hear the news about Ryan Lock.

“He was a well-liked pupil during his time at Warblington School. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family at this time.”

Mr Lock, 20, said to be a chef from Chichester, was a pupil at Warblington School for four years after joining in October 2008 from Portsmouth.

Social media has also seen tributes paid to Mr Lock with posts on Twitter referring to him as a volunteer.

He was said to have no military experience and was reported dead by Kurdish activists, according to the BBC.

In the report it states Mr Lock travelled to join Kurdish forces known as the YPG against so-called Islamic State in August and was killed on December 21 in the battle for the Syrian city of Raqqa.

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Demolition of a former care home and construction of 32 apartments will be discussed by councillors on Monday.

Adur District Council’s planning committee will determine an application by Roffey Homes for the Bell Memorial Home, in Lancing.

The three-storey property, in South Street, would be demolished and replaced with a four-storey block if plans are approved.

A report to the committee recommends approval of the scheme –subject to a legal agreement and independent assessment of the developer’s viability report.

Roffey has argued including an element of affordable housing is not viable.

The developer has instead pledged £100,000 for infrastructure improvements.

The committee report states this would reduce Roffey’s ‘relatively low’ expected return of 20 per cent to 15 per cent, meaning funding affordable housing would be unreasonable.

A total of three letters of objection from six properties in South Street were received, with concerns including the extra storey creating an ‘unneighbourly’ and ‘overbearing’ development.

The objections were countered by 25 letters of support, with some claiming the plans would act as a ‘catalyst for regeneration’ of the village.

A town centre Wetherspoon pub has closed down after being sold, its owner has announced.

The Sir Timothy Shelley in Chapel Road, Worthing, has closed its doors for the last time after the property was sold.

Staff thanked members of the public for their custom in a notice outside the establishment.

A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon confirmed the freehold had been sold to a company called Lace Street Capital, but they did not know what the building would be used for in future.

Substantial attempts were made to contact Lace Street Capital for comment.

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Both St Richard’s and Worthing hospitals remain ‘extremely’ busy following an upsurge in patients over the festive period.

The trust which runs both hospitals has again asked people to only use accident and emergency if they are seriously unwell or injured.

Dr George Findlay, medical director at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Worthing and St Richard’s Hospitals are still extremely busy today (Tuesday, January 3) and we are again asking people only to come into our emergency departments if they are seriously unwell or have suffered a major injury.

“We do anticipate increased demand at this time of year and have opened 95 additional beds to help ease the pressure, but urgent admissions continue to rise.

“For example, the number of people aged over 85 we saw in A&E during Christmas week was 30 per cent higher than in the same period of 2015.”

The trust issued a similar warning immediately after the Christmas bank holiday weekend and the situation has not improved.

As well as an upsurge in demand through A&E, the number of inpatient beds are also close to capacity, some being occupied by patients who are medically fit to be discharged but are currently unable to transfer to alternative care.

Despite the high pressure, people who have used the hospitals over the festive period have got in touch to praise the care given by staff.

Hannah Cooper’s father was rushed in to St Richard’s Hospital at around 7pm on December 27.

Hannah said: “It was very busy with extremely ill people. My father was prioritised very quickly.

“He was on a ward by midnight. The next morning by 10am he was having an operation to install a pacemaker. Brilliant service and staff.

“The only problem I had was on the 999 call. My father had a type of hypoxic seizure.

“When he came round whilst I was still on the phone the lady tried to tell me it wasn’t an emergency anymore and my father didn’t need and ambulance anymore. Bearing in mind in less then 24 hours of arriving he had a pacemaker fitted!”

Dr Findlay added: “Our staff have displayed incredible commitment in maintaining the highest standards of safety and patient care throughout this difficult time, but we’re asking people to do their bit too by always thinking about alternatives to A&E if they are ill or need treatment.”

The hospital trust is working on the basis that it is going to remain busy into the new year.

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A Worthing cyclist found herself on the big screen just before Christmas.

Millions tuned in and saw Rowena Price, 38, a member of The South Coast Rollers appear on the StreetVelodrome TV Series which was filmed near Splash Point on Worthing seafront.

The cycling enthusiast gained a silver result, which was her ‘best result of the season’, a spokeswoman from StreetVelodrome said.

“The StreetVelodrome family has been a pleasure to be part of and 2016 proved to be a great success coaching and competing on the bike for me,” said Rowena.

She added: “When I look back to how few opportunities there were for me as a young girl, I especially hope that throughout the series and the TV coverage I have inspired young girls to give cycling a go and have encouraged women of all ages to get out there too, it is never too late!

“Anything is possible, after all, never in a million years did I predict that I would be competing among a pool of very talented athletes being watched by millions on TV!”

The 38-year-old joined her South Coast Rollers’ team member Jack Ravenscroft, from Birmingham, a national level XC Mountain bike racer and went against the nation.

The travelling pop-up velodrome is accessible to members of the public and professional racers for one day per year in each region.

The TV programme was aired nationwide on the Bike Channel on December 20 and Worthing’s seafront was filled with food stalls, music and crafts for the popular event.

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