The Worthing Lions Festival continues this weekend, with yet more family entertainment in the town.

Following on from the More Radio Live event in Steyne Gardens, the Broadwater Carnival and fire station open day last weekend, this weekend will see the focus shoft to the seafront.

On Saturday, there will be a market on the prom from 11am to 10pm; a classic car show in Steyne Gardens from 10am to 5pm; a BSA Bantam motorbike display in Montague Place from 11am to 5pm; a Yeomans Toyota, Peugeot and Honda car display opposite the Lido all day; the Honda Goldwings Display in Montague Place, followed by the light ride at 9.30pm; and a firework display from the end of the pier at 10pm.

On Sunday, there will be the Salvation Army Band in front of the pier at 10.30am; a market on the prom from 11am to 5pm; American custom cars and hot rods in Steyne Gardens from 11am to 5pm; a bus rally from Heene Road to Grand Avenue from 10am to 5pm.

The Stevens Funfair on Worthing seafront will also continue.

A consultation into weekday train timetable changes in Sussex planned for 2018 is due to close today (Thursday July 27).

Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, says they will mean faster, easier, more seamless, and more reliable journeys into and across central London.

But a number of passenger groups and politicians across Sussex have raised concerns about some of the changes proposed.

In Hastings and Bexhill, plans to axe the direct service from Brighton to Ashford International have been opposed.

Lewes’ MP Maria Caulfield has spoken out against proposals to halve the number of direct trains from Seaford to London, and has also highlighted a reduction in services stopping at Plumpton and Cooksbridge.

Meanwhile Hassocks commuters have raised concerns about the potential loss of direct peak services to Clapham Junction.

The changes will see more Sussex stations served by Thameslink services as well as Southern trains, with new direct routes between Brighton and Cambridge, Horsham and Peterborough, Littlehampton and Bedford, and East Grinstead and Bedford.

When the consultation started, Charles Horton, chief executive officer of GTR, said: “Our networks are some of the busiest and most complex in the world. Passenger journeys have doubled in recent years, the fastest growth in the UK. Sitting still is not an option.

“That’s why we’ve been hard at work, delivering the transformation needed. By improving tracks and stations, introducing new trains and adding more destinations, we’re making sure our passengers’ railway is fit for the future. We are still in transition but the work is nearly complete.

“We started our consultation in the autumn – one of the biggest ever conducted – and we’ve listened and taken on board where possible passengers’ views on the new routes and developed weekday timetables for final comment. They’ve been designed with reliability at their heart, offering new direct routes across London and more seamless journeys.”

To comment visit the consultation’s website or email gtr.timetableconsultation@gtrailway.com

Consultation closes at 5pm today (Thursday July 27).

Weekend timetables will be shared later in the year.

Will you be affected by the potential changes? Email the newsdesk.

Officers found a body near the River Arun on Tuesday evening, police have confirmed.

A Sussex Police spokesman said police were called at 8.15pm to a report that the body of a man had been found near to the tow path near Penfolds Place in Arundel.

They added: “His death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner has been informed.”

A warning has gone out that social media reports of two bogus South East Water employees requesting entry to homes across Sussex is, in fact, a joke.

In a stement, the company says that the message wrongly claims the two men are saying they work for South East Water and are requesting entry to homes to check internal taps for leaks – but in fact the people in the photograph are film stars from Home Alone!

In the meantime, South East Water says the message behind the joke is a serious one as bogus callers do use the company’s name to attempt to gain unauthorised access to homes.

People are being reminded to thoroughly check the identity of any unexpected doorstep callers claiming to be from or working on behalf of South East Water before letting them carry out work on their property or letting them inside.

One action that elderly residents and people living alone can do is to register with South East Water for a security password which will be used by anyone from the company needing entry into the person’s home.

Signing up for a password is a simple and effective way to avoid becoming a victim of this kind of crime.

Steve Andrews, Head of Service Management at South East Water, said: “Sometimes our staff or contractors working on our behalf do have to make unplanned visits, but if there is no security password in place, they will always be happy to wait while customers check their credentials.

“In addition our staff or contractors will always show their photographic identity cards before asking to be let in, be in the company’s uniform and have a liveried van parked nearby.

“It is worth bearing in mind that if there had been a serious leak then the house probably would have been without water or be experiencing low water pressure and we would only be there if the resident had actually called us out.”

Many distraction crimes reported to the police involve callers claiming to be from a water company, or ‘Water Board’, a description no longer used by all British water companies.

It is known that a number of distraction burglaries go unreported because many vulnerable victims – particularly the elderly – feel too embarrassed or scared to report the crime.

South East Water’s advice is to:

· Register for a security password on 0333 000 0002

· Make sure the back door is always locked before going to the front door

· Put on the door chain if there is one before opening the door

· Check to see who is at the door by looking through a window or spy hole

· Look for an identity card, a uniform and a liveried van

· Check the person’s identity via the bogus caller telephone line on 0800 519 2222

· If still suspicious telephone the police - better to be safe than sorry.

Argos has recalled three baby car seats because they fail to meet fire safety regulations.

Two Mamas and Papas infant carriers and one by Fisher Price have been recalled after the seat cover was found not to meet Furniture & Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations.

The affected products are:

* Mamas & Papas Mercury Infant Carrier (Black) catalogue number 316/9539

* Mamas & Papas Mercury Infant Carrier (Grey) catalogue number 382/0971

* Fisher Price Infant Carrier, Group 0+ (0-13kg/new born-approx 12mths), catalogue number 399/9888

Product numbers:

* Mamas & Papas Infant Carrier, Mercury Group 0+, Model number 4735N60D1 ECE R44.04, approval number 045036, Model number 4735925D1 ECE R44.04, approval number 045036

* Fisher Price Infant Carrier - Group 0+, ECE R44.04 approval number, 045126 Model number LB-320

To find out if your item is one of the products affected, check the orange or white sticker on the side.

Anyone with one of the recalled seats should return it to their nearest Argos store for a full refund as soon as possible.

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from July 10 to 14, 2017.

Ben Dillon, 26, of Cambridge Court, Shelley Road, Worthing, was given a ten-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with rehabilitation activity requirement after admitting sending a grossly offensive message of an indecent, obscene or menacing character in Worthing on April 8, 2017. He was given a restraining order and must pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Mustapha Mbye, 38, of Queen’s Road, Worthing, was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation activity requirement after admitting having a knife at Worthing Railway Station on February 12, 2017. He must pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Michael Doggett, 38, of Southfield Road, Broadwater, was fined £500 and must pay £50 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (84mg alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Clifton Road, Worthing, on April 16, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 20 months. He also admitted drug-driving (800 benxoylecgonine) in Clifton Road, Worthing, on April 16, 2017.

Frazier Furlong, 20, of Marshall Avenue, Findon Valley, was discharged conditionally for 18 months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting possessing cocaine in Worthing on May 6, 2017.

Courtney Grimster, 25, of Homefield Road, Worthing, was fined £415 and must pay £41.50 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drug-driving (44 cocaine) in Marine Parade, Worthing, on April 23, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months. He also admitted drug-driving (>800b benzoylecgonine) in Marine Parade, Worthing, on April 23, 2017; and drug-driving (6.8 Delta-9-THC) in Marine Parade, Worthing, on April 23, 2017, no separate penalties.

Anthony Nye, 39, of Horsham Road, Littlehampton, was fined £224 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drug-driving (5.8mg Delta-9-THC) in Sea Road, Littlehampton, on March 6, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Georgina Starkey, 23, of Chichester Road, Bognor Regis, was fined £224 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drug-driving (5.8ug/l Delta-9-THC) in Bridge Road, Littlehampton, on April 13, 2017. She was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Anthony Whiteman, 31, of Millers Court, Old Worthing Road, East Preston, was fined £369 and must pay £36 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (85mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) on the A259 Felpham on June 25, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 36 months.

Julian Bentley, 31, of Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, was fined £660 and must pay £66 victim surcharge, £150 costs, after being found guilty of driving without insurance in Rose Walk, Goring, on February 7, 2017. He was also fined £220 after being found guilty of driving without the correct licence.

Sharon McDonald, 53, of Chesterfield Road, Goring, was fined £162 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £300 costs, after admitting failing to provide a specimen for analysis when required in Goring on April 2, 2017. She was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Josie Fooks, 22, of St Michael’s Road, Worthing, was fined £50 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drug-driving (6.3mg/l Delta-9-THC) in High Street, Crawley, on December 15, 2016. There was no licence endorsement or disqualification due to special reasons, found on basis of emergency.

Thrill-seekers can enjoy the 1,000ft long Labyrinth Challenge when it visits Sussex across the weekend of August 19/20.

The giant inflatable playground, designed for grown-ups (ages 12+) to unleash their inner child, features more than 30 interactive and wacky obstacles including jump-offs, hurdles, biff n’ bash sections, balance beams and giant balls.

It will be coming to Brighton Racecourse.

Set across five themed zones – the Lava Zone, Jungle Zone, Toxic Zone, Combat Zone and Ocean Zone – the course starts with participants jumping off a 20ft platform into a crash bag below.

The finale involves climbing up and sliding down a giant inflatable ship.

The fun continues in the Inflatable Village, adjacent to the course, which offers fun, games and refreshments for all ages along with a mini Labyrinth Challenge suitable for the under 12s.

Dan Byrne, Tour Director for The Labyrinth Challenge said: “Thousands of people have already enjoyed bouncing around The Labyrinth Challenge and we’re thrilled to be bringing the course to Brighton.

“Participants can race each other and make their way through the course in the quickest time or choose to go at a more leisurely pace.

“It really is a fun family day out with the Inflatable Village extending the excitement with Pulsar laser quest, crazy golf, bouncy castles and a soft play area, along with a bar and food stalls.”

Tickets to the Labyrinth Challenge start from £15, with tickets to The Village priced £20, while combination tickets for both attractions cost £27.

Tickets are available now online at www.thelabyrinthchallenge.com.

A thief has been unmasked at Worthing station – but it is not one of the usual suspects.

According to Herald reader and passenger Daniel De Conceicao Silva, a hungry seagull has been helping itself to treats from a platform café on a regular basis.

Daniel said: “A devious seagull tested the security at Worthing station on platforms 1 and 2 on Monday morning at 7.45am.

“I witnessed the suspect trying to steal a panini or pastry.

“The member of staff explained the cheeky animal stole a chocolate bar the other day.”

Have you caught the cheeky bird in the act? Send us your tales and pictures to news@worthingherald.co.uk

A teenager helped by a homeless man after he collapsed outside McDonald’s said he did not ‘know what would have happened’ without him.

Jordan Luxford was walking past the Liverpool Road restaurant at 8pm on Sunday when he collapsed with severe chest pains.

A homeless man who was outside put him in the recovery position, and McDonald’s customers and staff called paramedics to the 17-year-old’s aid. Now he is feeling better, he has thanked everyone who helped him. He added: “If it wasn’t for the homeless fella I don’t know what would have happened.”

The caterer said it had changed his perceptions of homeless people: “It has given me a wake-up call. It is amazing what he did for me.

“It is nice to know that not everyone out there is bad. It is a shame homeless people are branded the way they are because he was a really nice bloke.”

Carrie Robson from Goring and her father Phil were about to get food when they saw Jordan and rushed to help. She said: “I thought I would try to help if I could. Seeing a young lad lying on the floor like that was awful”.

When the medical secretary called 999, she said the call operator would not send a paramedic until they knew his name and age – despite Jordan being unable to speak as he ‘was in so much agony’. She said a paramedic was sent after an acquaintance of Jordan’s walked past by chance and gave his details. She felt ‘disappointed’ by the ambulance service.

An ambulance spokesman said: “We take any concerns raised seriously and are sorry that this caller was unhappy with her experience. We ask a series of important questions as part of the call triage process. We appreciate that the questions may not always seem relevant. Part of the triage process in this call was to attempt to establish for clinical purposes whether the patient was aged over or under 25.

“A paramedic in a car attended the scene and was backed up by an ambulance crew. The patient was assessed and treated before being taken to Worthing Hospital. We would like to thank all those who stopped to help the patient and would invite anyone with any concerns to contact us directly so we can look into this matter for them.”

A series of tests at Worthing Hospital ruled out a heart attack, but the cause of Jordan’s fainting spells and chest pains is still a mystery.

The next day, the catering staff member went back to McDonald’s to thank the homeless man in person, to which he replied: “It is the normal thing to do, isn’t it?”

A McDonald’s spokesman said: “We’re pleased to hear that our restaurant team reacted quickly and calmly, offering first aid assistance before paramedics arrived.

“We hope that he makes a speedy recovery.”

It may have finished early due to torrential rain, but that did not stop thousands of people from turning out to enjoy the annual fire station open day and Broadwater Carnival.

Held on Saturday on Broadwater Green and in the fire station opposite in Ardsheal Road, Worthing, the two events were linked this year to raise money for five charities including The Fire Fighters Charity.

Worthing is among the top ten towns that will suffer the most by Britain’s exit from Europe, according to a study that overturns assumptions that poorer areas of the UK will suffer the most.

For the first time, research by the Centre for Cities think-tank and the Centre for Economic Performance at London School of Economics has analysed the likely impact of both hard and soft Brexit in the decade after any trade deal is done with Europe.

The study shows that all British cities are set to see a drop in economic output, regardless of whether the Brexit deal is hard or soft, because of the predicted rise in the costs of trade.

But the economic impact will be almost twice as large in the event of a hard Brexit, which researchers say will bring an average 2.3 per cent reduction in economic output across all UK cities, compared with a 1.2 per cent fall under soft Brexit.

In both scenarios, “economically vibrant” towns and cities predominantly in the south of England will suffer more – as they specialise in the businesses and financial services that could see the biggest downturns.

Centre for Cities has now called for the Government to do all it can to minimise economic shocks by securing the best possible trade deal with the EU and to give cities extra investment and powers to help them weather the storm.

Andrew Carter, the think-tank’s chief executive, said: “All UK cities face significant economic challenges after we leave the EU, but the impact of both hard and soft Brexit will be felt very differently across the country.

”Contrary to much of the received wisdom, it is the most prosperous UK cities which will be hit hardest by the downturn ahead, but poorer places across the North and Midlands will find it tougher to adapt.“

He said the Government must ensure Britain’s post-Brexit trading arrangements are ”as close to our current relationship with Europe as possible“ and it is ”critical“ that Whitehall gives cities across the UK the investment and powers they need to stay competitive.

Worthing, Slough, Swindon and Reading are among the top ten towns that will suffer the most, with a predicted cut of between 1.4 per cent and 2.8 per cent in economic output, according to the study.

On the flip side, the study says Crawley will suffer the least impact overall, with a drop in output of between 0.7 per cent and 1.1 per cent.

Earlier this year, researchers at think-tank Demos said several parts of Britain that voted Leave including Wales, the North East and the East Midlands are among the most vulnerable to the economic impact of Brexit due to their resilience on exports to the EU.

Professor Stephen Machin from the Centre for Economic Performance said: “A hard Brexit would amplify the negative impact of leaving the EU on local economies across the UK.

”The estimated decline in economic activity is higher in richer local economies like London. But Brexit – whether hard or soft – would still hurt economic activity in poorer areas like Hull and Burnley that have some of the lowest incomes in the country.“

This story was originally published on our sister site the i. For the full story, visit https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/uk/cities-towns-south-england-will-hit-hardest-brexit/

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from July 17 to 21, 2017.

Christopher Booth, 41, of Alberta Walk, Durrington, was fined £300 and must pay £50 compensation, £30 victim surcharge, £250 costs, after being found guilty of assault by beating in Worthing on November 28, 2016.

Paul Feest, 48, of Whitebeam Road, Durrington, was given a community order and must carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work after admitting breached a non-molestation order by telephoning in Worthing between May 31, 2017, and June 3, 2017; and breaching court bail conditions. He was given a restraining order and must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Stephen Phillips, 42, of Harvey Court, Blackbourne Close, Littlehampton, admitted breaching a suspended sentence order, which was revoked. He was dealt with for the original offence, receiving a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, for stalking in Bognor Regis between December 8, 2014, and January 14, 2015. He was given a six-weeks consecutive prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, after admitting harassment through numerous text messages in Littlehampton between June 27, 2016, and July 31, 2016. He was given a restraining order and must pay £115 victim surcharge, £250 costs. He also admitted breaching a conditional discharge order and was dealt with for the original offence of common assault, receiving no separate penalty.

Mandy Darke, 51, of Salvington Road, Worthing, was fined £120 and must pay £339.59 vehicle excise back duty, £85 costs, after admitting using an unlicensed vehicle on the A23 Pease Pottage on August 9, 2016.

Karlie Everson, 30, of Norfolk House, Worthing, was fined £30 and must pay £50 costs, after admitting breaching supervision requirements following release from prison.

Kenneth Beattie, 32, of Dorking Court, Copper Hall Close, Rustington, was fined £288 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (91mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Sea Lane, Rustington, on July 1, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Adam Chiswell, 25, of Kingsland Close, Shoreham, was fined £80 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £150 costs, after admitting obstructing a police contable in Shoreham on April 28, 2017.

Ernest Doll, 58, of Pavilion Road, Worthing, was given a community order with 16-week curfew, electronically monitored, from 9pm to 6am daily, after admitting drink-driving (98mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Pavilion Road, Worthing, on July 2, 2017. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Geraint Harding, 27, of The Lawns, Sompting, was fined £120 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving without insurance in The Lawns, Sompting, on March 17, 2017. His driving record was endorsed with six points. He was fined £80 after admitting using a vehicle with a tyre that did not meet the 1.6mm minimum tread depth in The Lawns, Sompting, on March 17, 2017.

Aaron Melloy, 28, of Hammy Lane, Shoreham, was discharged conditionally for four months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting resisting a police constable in Shoreham on June 15, 2017.

Deborah Wiltshire, 21, of York Road, Littlehampton, was given a community order with rehabilitation activity requirement and must pay £50 compensation after admitting assault by beating in Littlehampton on April 11, 2017; and breaching a criminal behaviour order by using violence towards a person, causing distress.

Long Furlong has been closed in both directions following a collision involving a lorry, according to police.

Police said they were called to reports of a collision near to the barn along the A280 Long Furlong at 2.25pm on Thursday (July 27).

A police spokesman said: “We believe something has fallen from the back of a lorry which has caused a collision with a car.

“The driver is out of the vehicle and there are no injuries to report.”

The road has been blocked from the A24 in Findon down to Clapham, according to police.

The police spokesman added: “Officers remain on the scene while we try to deal with the traffic and recovering the damage on the road.

“There is heavy traffic in the surrounding area and some vehicles are being turned around and heading to the A27.

“Heavy goods vehicles are being forced to queue.

“Both lanes remain closed at this time.”

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder this afternoon.

At about 12.41pm on Thursday (27 July), police were called to an incident in Clyde Road, St Leonards. Once at the scene further enquiries led to the discovery of a 37-year-old local man with serious injuries in Wishing Tree Road.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the injured man was pronounced dead at scene, police said.

A section of the street has been closed off while forensics investigations are carried out, police say.

Police say a 21-year-old man from London was arrested in Clyde Road on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody at this stage.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, however anyone with any information is asked to report it online at https://sussex.police.uk/appealresponse quoting Operation Lexus.

Photos by Eddie Mitchell.

When Samantha Kennedy first stepped aboard the Mary Jane she had no idea how much it would change her life.

Planning to move from Hastings to London in 2012, Samantha began shopping for a houseboat to make home.

But by a twist of fate, the first boat she saw was the Mary Jane, one of the original Little Ships which helped save the lives of British soldiers stranded on the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk in the early days of the Second World War.

“I didn’t look at any other boats, nor did I have any idea what I was talking about,” said Samantha.

“When the seller told me she was a Dunkirk ship I indignantly replied ‘Of course, she is!’, bluffing that I knew what that meant.

“After a little haggling and much to the surprise of all that knew me – including myself – I decided to buy her and move to London. Little did I know how much work this would be or the adventures to come.”

After moving in, Samantha and her partner Travis van Moorsel worked tirelessly for months to restore and preserve the boat – keeping her floating and in tip top condition.

Samantha’s first true taste of the significance of the Mary Jane came in May 2015, when the couple took part in a commemorative voyage to Dunkirk, marking the 75th anniversary of the evacuation.

“It was an incredible honour,” said Samantha.

“With 60 other ships we crossed the channel in formation. There were Spitfires and Hurricanes flying over us [and] as we entered Dunkirk marina, there were hundreds of people waiting to welcome us.

“With marching bands and cheers all around us, I started to appreciate how important Mary Jane actually is.

“The highlight for me was having Ted, a veteran who was saved on the beaches, join us on board for lunch.

“We were delighted to serve him and it was truly emotional to hear his story.”

Since then Samantha has been invited to take part in the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations and, most recently, to take part in the filming of Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed blockbuster Dunkirk.

Both the boat and her crew play a significant role, re-creating the June 1940 voyage.

Samantha said: “After waiting for a year for the movie to finally be released, we received an invite to the world premiere on the red carpet at Leicester Square.

“We were utterly beside ourselves. Watching the movie and spying Mary Jane a multitude of times and to watch the whole of my crew on the huge screen was mind blowing.

“Buying Mary Jane was the best decision I have ever made and I know that we will do everything we can to keep her going.”

For more photos of the Mary Jane and her adventures, follw th instagram account maryjanedunkirk.

Tory county councillors receive around £292,000 a year in special responsibility allowances.

All 70 elected members are entitled to a basic allowance of £11,414 per annum and can also claim costs towards travel and subsistence expenses.

But many councillors are also paid an extra special responsibilty allowance (SRAs) if they are a cabinet member or chair a committee.

A total of 24 Tories are currently paid SRAs, which equates to £292,787 a year, compared to £38,991 paid to five opposition members.

The figures were released by West Sussex County Council in response to a written question from James Walsh, leader of the Lib Dem group at County Hall.

Louise Goldsmith, Tory leader of the county council, receives the highest SRA of £31,664, while six of her cabinet members and current chairman of the council Lionel Barnard, are paid £20,265 a year.

Peter Catchpole, cabinet member for health, receives slightly more at £22,798 as he is also deputy leader of the council.

Roger Oakley, vice-chairman, receives £8,060, with the four chairmen of the main select committees and the chairman of the planning committee paid £8,935.

A senior advisor to cabinet members’ SRA is £5,294, while an advisor receives £3,406, the same amount as members of the foster and adoption panels are given.

Dr Walsh receives £11,826 SRA as leader of the nine-strong Lib Dem opposition group, while Sue Mullins, leader of the five-member Labour group, is paid £11,026.

Lib Dem Nigel Dennis is paid £8,935 for chairing the Regulation, Audit, and Accounts Committee.

An opposition member sits on both the adoption and foster panels.

According to the written answer the figures are indicative because a number of changes came into effect before May’s election.

The current allowance scheme was agreed by the council in December 2016 after recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Bereaved parents have spoken of their distress after they said a church fete in Sussex was held just yards from their children’s graves on Saturday (July 22).

Jayne Gibbins-Robinson, whose daughter was born stillborn almost three years ago, said she was left ‘utterly devastated’ when she found out.

She said the fete, at Church-in-the-Wood in St Leonards, was also held in the same place last summer, which left her and other relatives deeply upset.

She told the Observer: “My daughter was born sleeping back in October 2014 and her forever bed is at Church-in-the-Wood.

“It’s a beautiful little churchyard where other family members are also buried. Last year I was really upset when visiting her to find they were holding their summer fete in front of graves with a barbecue in between graves and bunting everywhere.

“I tried to convince myself that my daughter was a part of their celebrations but it just felt so disrespectful and wrong.

“It took me quite a while to get over it. I did make my feelings known and am also aware others who have relatives buried there felt the same.

“On Saturday I felt I couldn’t go to visit my daughter as I knew they were once again having their fete and feared they would do the same again.

“My fears were right. I’m utterly devastated and know others will be too.

“I understand the church would want to have fetes to help raise funds but surely this event shouldn’t be something that causes upset to others.”

Dawne Braine, lead befriender and hospital liaison for Hastings & East Sussex Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity), said Jayne, who is the charity’s chairman, coontacted her on Saturday night in a ‘great deal of distress’.

She said: “I feel to hold this event in the graveyard is disrespectful and can be very damaging for someone grieving for their lost loved one. As you can imagine, the loss of a child brings many challenges, without the added distress of finding their resting place being used for entertainment.”

Andrew Beaumont, churchwarden, said: “Firstly, and most importantly, we are saddened that anyone is unhappy.

“We hold such events to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to share the lovely building and grounds with the wider public. It’s particularly important for local history with a church and churchyard which has been working since 1090. We raise funds for the upkeep of the building and grounds and to support our charitable giving.

“When planning this event we decided to align the stalls with their backs to the nearest graves to afford some privacy for those visiting the area during the four hours of the event and to encourage other visitors away from the grave area.”

Gary Austin, fellow churchwarden, said: “We have normally in the past used Churchwood School’s field for the event but in the last two we’ve not had enough people to help out and couldn’t get enough stalls. We apologise if anyone was upset.”

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An evening of soul and jazz funk will launch a new fundraising group supporting Dementia UK.

Deja Vu is a small collection of people dedicated to raising funds for the brain disease through small events that will take supporters back in time.

Organiser Adrian Warner is supporting the charity as his mother, who is cared for at Tenby House, Worthing, has dementia.

He said: “Many of us know someone with this chronic disorder and our aim is to help Dementia UK fund research into this dreadful disease.”

The first event is Soul Survivor Edition, to be held at St Paul’s Worthing, in Chapel Road, on Saturday, August 5, from 7.30pm to midnight. Tickets are £12, available at St Paul’s.

Adrian said: “We have putting together a selection of DJs from the local area. These guys have combined around 200 years of experience in the soul, funk and disco scene.

“We have Morgan Howell, Soulpersona, who is based in Brighton. Morgan has had many hits in the soul/R&B charts and is planning a new album coming soon.

“We also have Steve McMahon, a local DJ who has DJ’d at many soul events and in the early days of house music, Steve was right in the heart of it playing the clubs in New York City, also the What is Soul show on 1 Brighton FM.”

Andy Gruff Brown and Damien La Bas, DJs who entertained at The Montague and at parties, are also involved.

Scalextric sets are not just for Christmas, they are for life.

It is a mantra that a band of enthusiasts has held to as their slot car racing group goes from strength to strength.

The East Worthing Scalextric Club was formed earlier this year and now boasts a dozen members – but they want to increase their numbers further.

Founder Terry Smith said it is not just for children: “First and foremost, it is a competition. It is run with proper timing equipment; it is proper motor racing in miniature.”

At the club, members bring their own cars to modify and race around a track built by Terry. The 61-year-old, who also performs in heavy metal band Dirty Shoes, was ‘overjoyed’ when he got his first Scalextric car aged 11 so he could emulate his favourite Formula One drivers on his bedroom floor.

And his passion for all things slot-car landed him a job at Gaugemaster in Ford, which also sells model railway equipment.

He said the attention to detail on the new cars has hugely improved, with better paintwork and more realistic interiors, including seatbelts.

John Watts, 70, travels 100 miles from St Leonards in East Sussex to take part in the club. Why? Well aside from the banter, because he loves to win.

He said: “Don’t let anyone tell you it is only a game and it is the taking part that counts.”

His father taught him to read with motor racing books featuring legends of the time. He said: “I could say Rudolf Caracciola and Tazio Nuvolari before I could say my own name.

“From then on, I wanted to be a racing driver but I could never afford it. But here, I am a racing driver.”

In recent years, John said his sisters ‘sat there in stunned silence’ when they discovered how serious his hobby was: “They think it is just for kids, but I have always been immature so it’s alright isn’t it.”

To join the group, email ewscalexclub@gmail.com.

A ‘takeover threat’ faced by West Sussex’s fire and rescue service ‘has not gone away’, according to opposition county councillors.

Government proposals allow for Police and Crime Commissioners to taken control of fire services where a local case can be made with the aim of improving accountability.

Sussex PCC Katy Bourne commissioned a business case to look at the possibility, but announced last month the governance of the county’s fire services will remain with East Sussex Fire Authority and West Sussex County Council respectively.

However she would review the decision in two years’ time if the necessary collaboration between the two fire services set out in the review had not taken place.

The decision was welcomed by West Sussex county councillors at a meeting on Friday July 21, but several raised concerns about a possible review.

James Walsh (LDem, Littlehampton East), leader of the Lib Dem group, said: “I do notice the PCC said she will review it in two years’ time so the threat has not gone away.”

Michael Jones (Lab, Southgate and Gossops Green) added: “Does the cabinet member recognise that the takeover threat from the PCC has not gone away, and the press release that went out from this council perhaps painted an optimistic interpretation of her report?”

He suggested a cross-party task and finish group be set up to scrutinise the report and also to look at how to strengthen the council’s case to retain control of the fire service.

But Debbie Kennard (Con, Shoreham North), cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, argued a task and finish group was not needed as all the information was ‘out in the open’.

She added: “We are not going to lie dormant. Ms Bourne says she is going to look at it in two years and in that two years we are going to be proving to her what we have done already and what we are going to continue to do.

“She will be fully appraised of what we are doing and so will you Mr Jones.”

Cllr Kennard described being ‘delighted’ the fire service was staying under the governance of the county council, and voiced the authority’s commitment to collaborating with other emergency services.

She added: “This does not mean we will do nothing as we will continue to develop our fire and rescue service to ensure it is capable of meeting existing and new demands placed upon it.”

David Barling (Con, Bramber Castle) described the review as a ‘sting in the tail’, but added: “I think ultimately we ought to thank the PCC for her moral courage to withdraw her application because in conversations both private and public she made it clear she was wedded to this idea and persuading her of the counter-arguments was no mean feat.”

The business case highlights a number of areas where fire services in East and West Sussex can collaborate to make a potential £7m of efficiency savings over the next decade.

Steve Waight (Con, Goring), who served as Mrs Bourne’s deputy PCC for six months in 2013, said the exercise would only be money wasted if the council ‘did not take on board the points in the report’.

He added: “We only have to fear the two year review if we do not take on board what is in the review.”