ARTISTS are urged to get creating ahead of the annual Littlehampton OPEN exhibition.

Littlehampton Museum will devote both its Hearne and Community galleries to the work of local artists from Saturday, September 17, to Friday, November 11.

Sussex-based amateur or professional artists of any age will be considered for the exhibition.

Dr James Walsh, chairman of Littlehampton Town Council’s community resources committee, said: ““I am delighted to announce the launch of 2016’s OPEN.

“We have seen the work of some amazing artists over the past four years, and I am looking forward to seeing this years’ entries.”

The theme for this year’s exhibition has been revealed as ‘Atmosphere’.

Jonathan Parrett, Littlehampton Museum’s collections documentation officer, said: “It’s time to get your pens, brushes and cameras out as Littlehampton Museum’s popular OPEN exhibition is back for a fifth year.

“We are once again inviting artists from all over the Sussex area, both amateurs and professionals, to create and submit work, this time based on the theme ‘Atmosphere’.

“People of any age can enter and we are looking for pieces in all mediums, so if you are a painter, photographer, sculptor, embroiderer or printmaker we want to hear from you.”

The OPEN is free to take part in and selected artists will have their work displayed in a special exhibition at the museum in the autumn.

Up to three entries may be entered by each person and work can be brought to the museum during opening hours from Saturday, August 13, until Friday, August 19, excluding Sunday, when the museum is closed.

For more information and the full terms and conditions, pop in to the museum, write to Littlehampton Museum, Manor House, Church Street, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5EW, or visit the website www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk

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Sussex comedian Eddie Izzard begins his attempt to run 27 marathons in 27 days across South Africa for Sport Relief today (Tuesday, February 23).

This gruelling challenge will see Eddie, from Bexhill, aim to run over 700 miles in temperatures of up to 30°C.

Eddie chose 27 marathons to reflect the 27 years that Nelson Mandela spent in prison after seeing the film Invictus.

“Watching the film I suddenly realised – I have to run in South Africa,” he said.

“I should run 27 marathons in 27 days as a salute to the great man. It is also a salute to all who struggled and fought against Apartheid.

“So I am delighted to be doing this for Sport Relief.

“But of course – 27 marathons in 27 days is nothing compared to what Nelson Mandela did by serving 27 years in prison.

“He was a great soul and leaves a fantastic legacy for the world.”

BBC Three will exclusively cover Eddie’s journey from his first marathon to his last planned for Sunday, March 20.

Throughout his journey Eddie will explore the history of South Africa and Mandela as well as visiting communities, organisations and families that have all been helped by the work of Comic Relief.

This mammoth undertaking will culminate in Pretoria at the same time as when the Sport Relief Games will be taking place across the UK.

Eddie’s route will trace the story of Nelson Mandela’s life; starting in his birthplace, before journeying to the school and university that he attended, then on to Cape Town and Robben Island where he was imprisoned.

If Eddie completes all 27 marathons, he will end at the Union Buildings in Pretoria where Nelson Mandela gave his inaugural speech as the first democratically elected President of South Africa in 1994.

The challenge will be an important one for Eddie as he previously attempted a similar feat in South Africa in 2012, but had to pull out for health reasons.

“I tried to do this 4 years ago and failed. This time I will succeed,” he said.

“But if I fail, I will come back again and again and again until I do succeed. Because that’s what Nelson Mandela would have done.”

The 2012 attempt followed his fantastic effort for Sport Relief in 2009, when he completed 43 marathons in 51 days across the UK, pushing through both physical and emotional barriers to raise over £1.8m.

The money raised for Sport Relief from the challenge will be used to help transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest communities.

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A BRAND overhaul has breathed new life into ​​Arun Co-ordinated Community Transport (ACCT).

For nearly 20 years, ACCT has been helping people in the Arun district to get from A to B with ease.

The not-for-profit organisation has recently had a stylish rebrand with the help of Rustington design and digital marketing agency, Tann Westlake, in order to better reflect its mission to be the most dependable and well-known community transport service in the area.

Centenarian Maude Allen, one of the many residents who the ACCT help every week, said the service made a great difference to her day-to-day life.

The 102-year-old said: “ACCT is a one-of-a-kind service. They pick me up at the same time every week, help me on to the bus, push my trolley and help me with my shopping.

“When I get home, they help me bring in the shopping and they make sure I’m never left feeling vulnerable or alone.

“They’re a lifeline for me and always do their best - even on short notice.”

The brand overhaul has made the ACCT transport vehicles easier to identify at a glance within the community - an enormous step forward from the plain vans the charity used to use.

Leanne Smith, spokesman for Tann Westlake, said: “It was great working with ACCT. They wanted a really vibrant, strong logo along with a powerful tagline to represent their charity.”

Founded in February, 1996, by the Arun Council For Voluntary Services, the ACCT was initially tasked with pairing organisations that had access to transport with those that did not, helping the community to get around and meet the demands of their daily schedules.

It soon became apparent there was an overwhelming need to transport residents with limited mobility to doctors, dentists and hospitals in order to make appointments.

The ACCT has since grown and in 2000 it became a registered charity, with projects like Dial-A-Ride and the social car scheme becoming an integral part of many people’s lives.

Today, the ACCT transports around 4,000 clients every month from within the Arun area who would otherwise find it extremely difficult to get around.

The service relies on volunteers and donations to keep doing. To get involved or find out more about the services the ACCT provides, visit www.arun-cct.org or call 01903 723584.

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Nearly a third of people in the South-East have lost money to scammers, according to a new survey.

Organised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, the survey has revealed that more than one million people could have fallen victim to cybercrime in the South-East in 2015.

With over 11,600 responses, the survey provides the first in-depth look at residents’ experiences and perceptions of cybercrime.

A total of 29 per cent of people reported losing money to scammers, with some losing over £1,000 in a matter of seconds, yet very few people report cybercrimes to Action Fraud or the Police, masking the scale of the problem.

The most commonly given reason for not reporting was that they thought it would be a ‘waste of time’, and they ‘didn’t think anything could be done’.

Most people just complain to those close to them, or report losses to their bank.

Many people consider themselves to have a ‘complete’ or ‘good’ understanding of the risks that they face online, but are nevertheless still failing to take basic steps to protect themselves.

National schemes such as CyberStreetWise and Get Safe Online are underused, with only eight per cent of people making use of these services.

Surrey Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Harris said: “Whilst we’ve known for a long time that cybercrime is a growing problem, we haven’t really understood how it impacts on our local communities. However, thanks to the brilliant response from residents, we are now in a far better position to work with our partner agencies to reduce the risk of victimisation.”

Head of the joint Surrey and Sussex Cyber Crime Unit Detective Inspector Andy Haslam said: “These results are extremely important as for the first time it gives us an idea of how people are affected by cybercrime. They confirm what we are already seeing in that online crime is affecting a large proportion of society, but offences are going vastly un-reported.

“You can actually play the biggest part in preventing yourself from becoming a victim, just by taking some very simple steps for instance by using strong passwords, checking your social media privacy settings, and keeping your anti-virus software. You should also never click on links in emails if you are unfamiliar with the sender, or open attachments if you’re not expecting them.”

Further highlights from the survey, along with a copy of the full survey report can be downloaded here: www.cybersafesurrey.org/surveyresults

The survey is part of a larger piece of work being conducted by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, and will form part of a new Local Cybercrime Profile, which will be made available to partners in Spring 2016, providing an evidence base for local preventative work.

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Leaders of the county’s emergency services, charities, churches and councils came together at the weekend for an ‘inspirational’ breakfast.

The second West Sussex Prayer Breakfast was held on Saturday (February 20) at the picturesque Wiston Estate near Steyning.

The initiative was started last year by the then High Sheriff of West Sussex Jonathan Lucas.

His successor Denise Patterson said: “Following the success of last year’s first prayer breakfast here in West Sussex, I am delighted to continue this splendid opportunity for all of you who are in positions of responsibility in our county, to meet and reflect on not only our Christian faith, but also our shared values and to West Sussex as a whole.”

She held up the response to the Shoreham air crash last year as a beacon of community spirit. She said: “The dedication and commitment our of wonderful police and search officers, the emergency services and the amazing volunteers working 12 hour shifts was an inspiration.

“And during these dark and, for some, horrific days, local ladies delivered cakes and Marks and Spencer and Tesco donated socks and food.

“There was even a lovely moment when some children gave one of the police search teams a box of Cadbury’s Heroes. Truly a community protecting the most vulnerable and coming together for the good of all.”

changing lives

This year’s speaker was the Christian author and Baptist minister, Steve Chalke, whose links with Wiston go back to the first Big Church Day Out event in 2009.

He shared his story of how, aged 14, he committed himself to build a school, hostel and hospital to change lives for the better.

The Oasis Charitable Trust was born in 1981. It is now a worldwide movement of schools, colleges and hostels in the UK and programmes in all five continents tackling poverty and trafficking.

He said: “I often get asked, ‘do you have to go to church to be a Christian?’ Really, that’s the wrong question.

“It should be, ‘What kind of community do you need to belong to, to become the kind of person you want to be and to be the best you can be?’

“Why are we here for breakfast at this wonderful place?

“It has been wonderful. But you didn’t come for breakfast and you didn’t come to be in this delightful setting.

“You came because you want to make history. You want to change history to make a difference. You want to be people who leave behind a legacy that’s different to the way things have been; to tell a counter-narrative, a deeper narrative like that story of Jesus I heard when I was 14.

“In order for that to happen we have to live it.”

Mrs Patterson highlighted two charities which are also working to change lives, the West Sussex Community Foundation and Lifecentre.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the foundation has given out £8.5million to about 2,000 charities and good causes in the county.

Lifecentre works with people from aged three to 83 who have suffered sexual abuse. They have centres in Chichester, Worthing and Crawley.

Founder and chief executive Maggie Ellis said: “I feel inspired again about how each of use can make a difference and we mustn’t settle for moaning about the negatives.

“It was a prayer breakfast and to me prayer is where heaven meets earth. When we feel bogged down by difficulties in life, we know that place where heaven meets earth and to keep finding that space because it’s in that space where we can make a difference.”

There were also visitors from the public sector.

Lee Neale from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was there for the first time. He said: “I partly came out of curiosity. It was truly inspirational - the speaker in particular.

“What I got from it was as a fire and rescue service we do a lot more community work than we used to. We’re not just about putting out fires. There’s so much more going on and so much more that can be done.”

Big Church Day Out 2016

The Wiston Estate is used for several Christian events throughout the year, including the popular Big Church Day Out, this year on Saturday and Sunday May 28-29.

An event for all ages, it attracts people with faith or no faith, who camp or come for a day to enjoy music, games and guest speakers. For details go to bigchurchdayout.com

Chairman of West Sussex County Council Pat Arculus said: “It’s the chance to hear an inspirational speaker and talk together with other people who have the opportunity to work in the community to make our communities stronger and more successful.”

Police are concerned about the welfare of missing 30-year-old Samuel Maysey from Lancing.

Sam was last seen leaving his home address in Leconfield Road on Monday, February 22, at 6pm.

A pipe fitter, he is described as white, 6ft 3in, of slim build and with short dark hair. He has tattoos on his hands and arms.

He was last seen wearing a maroon quilted jacket, light denim jeans with red and white trainers.

It is thought he may be driving a silver Mercedes-Benz C240 car, registration GY02 HLM.

West Sussex missing persons co-ordinator Inspector Roy Hodder said: “We are concerned for Sam because he suffers from depression and this is out of character for him.

“Please contact us if you have any information which can help us find Sam and make sure he is okay.”

If you see Sam or know of his whereabouts please email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 187 of 23/02. If he is in danger or in need of urgent medical attention please call 999 immediately.

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A search for 30-year-old Sam Maysey from Lancing has concluded with him being found safe and well in Steyning.

He was spotted on Tuesday afternoon.

Police would like to thank the media and the public for their help.

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WORTHING kitesurfer Lewis Crathern admits he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from the town after his crash in the Red Bull King of the Air event in South Africa earlier this month.

One of Worthing’s top sport stars, Lewis, 30, was put in a medically-induced coma for six days, owing to the amount of water which got into his lungs, after he was knocked unconscious when he fell 20 metres backwards into the water in the competition’s semi-finals.

The former British champion, who is world-renowned for his jumps over Worthing and Brighton piers, is now recovering well and is set to return to the town next month.

Lewis, one of the favourites to win the event, insists kitesurfing is safe and that he was pushing the boundaries of the sport to the extreme when his accident happened.

Social media was full of goodwill wishes for Lewis after his crash and, speaking exclusively to the Herald, he said: “I have been overwhelmed by all the support that came from home and I want to thank the people for that. By my hospital bed, countless messages and cards were up on the wall, I really believe this has helped my recovery rate.

“My parents had just visited me for the first time in Cape Town a month earlier and they were by my bedside when I woke up the first time.

“I’m very lucky to have parents like I do and the influence of my mother being a life-coach helped me stay calm. Going through an experience like this really bonds you as a family.

“I also have to thank my partner, Courtney, who is from South Africa but is moving to Worthing with me, she stood by me in every way. Her family were great, too.”

When he was woken from his coma, Lewis’s parents were at his bedside and his mother, Sandra, said: “There are always lessons to learn from these types of accidents, but I truly believe Lewis will be a true inspiration for others in the future, we are very proud of who he is and how much he has touched people’s hearts.”

The competition in South Africa is where 24 of the best kitesurfers in the world compete in the big air discipline.

Talking about his accident, Lewis said: “What I remember of the crash is it all felt fine but I came in backwards, which led to a hard hit to my head. It knocked me out straight away but, fortunately, other kiteboarders in my heat, Andries Fourie and Reno Romeu, were able to drag me to shore.

“It led to a me being placed in a medically-induced coma for six days, before spending a further six days in hospital.

“I was discharged after this time and am resting with my girlfriend’s family now in Fish Hoek. I had planned to return from winter training in Cape Town on Sunday but I will need to stay here for four weeks as I can’t fly yet on doctor’s advice after a lung injury.

“But kitesurfing is a safe sport and I like to stress this. In this case, I feel very unlucky to have taken an unfortunate landing. Remember, we are trying to push the boundaries of the sport at an event like this. Up to the event, I had been riding really well, advancing into the top three in the world of the highest jumps ever recorded.”

Lewis was not the only kitesurfer from Worthing in action in the tournament and he said: “Incredibly, Worthing was represented at this event by three riders. Aaron Hadlow lived in the town for three years and Ollie Sweeney and myself still live there.

“The strong south easterly wind is why the event is run in Cape Town in 30-40mph wind and people think that this is incredibly windy but frequently we receive over 50mph in Worthing.

“My home town is my favourite place to be in the world and it just so happens to provide the perfect ingredients to train for events like this. I am so grateful to live there.”

For now, Lewis has to take it easy but he hopes to be back out on the water kitesurfing again in around four weeks time.

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Junior doctors will take part in three 48-hour strikes and will launch a judicial review against a government decision to impose a contract.

The BMA – the junior doctors’ union – said industrial action will go ahead from 9-11 March, 6-8 April, and 26-28 April. If the strikes go ahead, hundreds of operations could be cancelled, impacting patients across Sussex.

The announcement comes nearly two weeks after the government announced it would impose the new contract on junior doctors.

Until now, the BMA has held two strikes, lasting 24 hours.

Dr Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctor committee chairman, said: “In recent weeks I have heard from thousands of junior doctors across the country, and the resounding message is that they cannot and will not accept what the Government is trying to do.

“It now appears that in trying to push through these changes the Government failed to give proper consideration to the impact this contract could have on junior doctors. This is yet another example of the incompetence which the Government has demonstrated throughout its handling of this dispute.

“Imposing this contract will seriously undermine the ability of the NHS to recruit and retain junior doctors in areas of medicine with the most unsocial hours, where there are already staffing shortages. This will have a significant impact on areas such as emergency medicine, maternity care and paediatrics, to name but a few.”

The union has also announced plans to launch a judicial review into the government’s plans to impose a new contract on junior doctors.

The BMA believes it has found a legal grounds that the government may have overlooked – under the Equality Act 2010.

The union is arguing that under the act, the government must show ‘due regard’ to equalities issues. The organisation is arguing the government has failed to provide evidence of an Eqaulity Impact Assessment (EIA) taking place prior to the decision to impose the contract.

Doctors are arguing the changes – proposed to improve seven-day NHS services — will result in a pay cut and will be unsafe for patients.

The new contract proposes an 13.5 per cent rise in basic pay for junior doctors.

However, the number of hours during the week which are classed as ‘unsociable’ and therefore better paid – are being cut. This includes Saturday.

The government also proposes to scrap guaranteed pay increases, linked to time in the job, and replace them with a system where junior doctors progress through different stages in training.

The government’s former patient safety advisor, Don Berwick, said ministers should apologise to junior doctors and delay plans for the contract.

The strike action could impact patients at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs St Richard’s and Worthing hospitals, East Sussex Healthcare Trust, which runs Eastbourne DGH and Conquest in Hastings, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, which runs East Surrey Hospital and services in Crawley Hospital and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust, which runs Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

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A massive welcome message was created by a Sussex school for astronaut Tim Peake as he circled the Earth on the International Space Station (ISS).

Chichester High School’s playing field was chosen for the message ‘Hi Tim’ which it was hoped would be spotted by the ISS and photographed using their sophisticated equipment on board.

However, when the day arrived for the project to take place, Friday November 6, it was raining.

But the team of boys and girls from the school kept painting despite the wet weather.

The idea was to film the whole project for one of the Royal Institute’s famous annual Christmas Lectures, ending with the message pictured from space.

Sadly, the many factors needed for success weren’t in place on the day. These included the angle of the ISS, the weather, and even the angle of the sun.

While there was no picture from space, a drone was sent up to capture the amazing project for posterity.

A video of the day has now been released.

In the {http://www.rigb.org/blog/2016/february/operation-hi-tim|Royal Institute blog|blog} about the whole venture, Nick Brown, the head teacher at Chichester High School, is quoted, talking about the students’ commitment, “As Head of School, I was blown away by the resilience of our young people in the wet weather but also the sense of pride for their school and community.”

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Traffic is slow at the A27 Arundel By-Pass because of an incident.

Motorists faced delays in both directions at the causeway roundabout, the BBC reported at about 6pm today (February 23).

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TWO men who escaped separately from Ford Prison have been recaptured within 48 hours of each other.

Charlton Bradstock, 29, was recaptured after officers from the Metropolitan Police successfully located and arrested him on 26 January.

He had absconded in November 2015, after being convicted of a burglary offences at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London in January 2015. Metropolitan Police officers charged him with escaping from lawful custody and he is next due to appear in court on 24 February.

Leacroft Wallace, 55, was recaptured after a planned operation by Sussex officers, at an address in Hammersmith, West London on 27 January.

Wallace had absconded from Ford on March 2, 2011, where he was serving five years for drugs offences of which he had been convicted at Southwark Crown Court in London in 2009. He was charged with escaping lawful custody and is next due to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 25 February.

PC Lewis Dines, from the Sussex Police team that investigates absconders from HMP Ford, said: “We are pleased that both men were located within days of each other. This is an excellent example of neighbouring forces and other agencies working together to achieve a common purpose to great effect.

“People who escape from lawful custody believe that they can avoid recapture by laying low, possibly in the belief that they will be forgotten about.

“Wallace had been missing since 2011, yet we developed intelligence enough to pin point when and where he was going to be on a certain date.

“These absconders from HMP Ford are not forgotten about and all are being pursued to bring them back into lawful custody wherever possible. Indeed, of the ten who have absconded since December 2014, nine are back in custody.

“These further arrests send the message that we will not give up seeking absconders and when we put them back in front of the courts they can expect further punishment.”

Anyone with any information about an absconder from HMP Ford can contact 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting Sussex reference Operation Parcel.

People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-org.uk)

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Legendary Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones is to perform at The County Ground, Hove, as part of his UK tour in July.

To date he has achieved more than 100 million record sales, generated by hits such as It’s Not Unusual, Kiss, Delilah and What’s New Pussycat.

Sir Tom will take to the stage at the home of Sussex County Cricket Club, on Sunday July 17, where he and his band are set to entertain crowds with a repertoire that spans all five decades of his popular music, including recent albums Spirit in the Room and Praise & Blame, and his latest, Long Lost Suitcase.

“It is brilliant to have such a great venue on the tour line-up and with it being the first time I have performed in Hove I am really looking forward to welcoming all my fans there,” said Sir Tom,

”I love performing the music I love and sharing what has for me been an incredible journey through the decades. I’m sure it’ll be a great night for everyone!”

Zac Toumazi, CEO Sussex Cricket, said, “We are delighted to be working with LHG Live in bringing such a legendary artist here, and having worked successfully with them on the Madness 2015 tour it is wonderful to be able to welcome them back for another fantastic event. Sir Tom Jones is certain to be a huge draw here in Hove and we are excited to have him on our stage.”

For further information and tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.sussexcricket.co.uk

Tickets go on general sale on Friday (February 26 at 9am). Ticket prices from £39.50 to £69.00 plus booking fee.

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FIREFIGHTERS are warning of the danger of mirrors reflecting sunlight after a freak bedroom fire in Fernhurst yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, February 23)

The fire is believed to have started when reflected sunlight from a dressing table mirror set a candle alight on the bedroom windowsill which then caught the curtains alight.

Crews from Midhurst and Haslemere were called to the detached house on Hawksfold Lane East in Fernhurst just after 4pm after the owners returned home to hear their smoke detector and see smoke coming from the first floor of their home.

The couple, in their 70s, left the property and called 999.

On arrival, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire using hose reels preventing it from spreading to the rest of the house.

Watch Manager Nigel Gamblen from Midhurst fire station said afterwards:

“This may sound like a freak incident but actually it isn’t that uncommon. We’ve attended fires started in this way by mirrors and ornaments before, particularly during the winter months when the sun is very low.

Our advice is wherever possible make sure mirrors and glass ornaments are not in direct sunlight or on windowsills.”

“We would also like to remind people we offer free home safety visits in West Sussex for people over 65 or those with a disability. Call 0845 872 9719 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire to find out if you are eligible.”

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Police are investigating two attempted burglaries at the same house in Goring.

At about 10.45pm on Friday, February 19, a woman was awoken at her ground floor flat in Palmerston Avenue by a loud cracking noise.

She screamed for help, and her neighbour in the flat above came downstairs and disturbed three men at the rear of the property in the garden.

They are all described as wearing dark clothing with their hoods up and their faces covered with balaclavas or scarves.

As he challenged the suspects, believed to be in their late teens, the neighbour was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance, which caused him to temporarily lose his vision. This did not require medical attention.

The three men then ran south on Palmerston Avenue and cut through an alleyway to Melbourne Avenue.

On arrival, officers discovered the lounge window to the ground floor flat had been prized open.

The victim, a woman in her 60s, reported a similar incident at her home on December 15 and police believe the two may be linked.

Nothing was stolen on either occasion.

Investigating officer Thomas Carpenter said: “This has been a harrowing experience for a woman who, for no known reason, has been targeted by three masked men on two separate occasions.

“She is unaware why this has happened, as she has lived at the same address for 20 years and generally keeps herself to herself. She has no possessions of any value in her home, including no television, and she is at a loss as to why this is happening to her.

“Fortunately, the suspects were scared off on each occasion by her neighbour, who confronted them. Nevertheless, it has left the woman scared to live in her own home.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 1688 of 19/02.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

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FOUR Worthing schools are buzzing having been chosen to help protect Britain’s dwindling population of pollinating insects.

Students at Worthing High School, Oak Grove College, Thomas A’Becket Infant and Thomas A’Becket Junior schools will be working with Learning Through Landscapes as part of the UK-wide Polli:Nation programme.

Karen Hayler, business manager at Worthing High, said: “We have been chosen as the main lead school in Worthing for the Polli:Nation programme.

“We will be transforming our outdoor spaces to become pollinator-friendly habitats, with the support of the national school grounds charity, Learning through Landscapes.”

The schools submitted a joint application in October last year and were recently named as four out of 260 across the UK that have been chosen for the unique programme.

David Hodd, national project manager, said: “It is critical that we address the declining numbers of pollinating insects in Britain and the support of schools and communities in Worthing will certainly contribute to the overall success of the Polli:Nation programme.

“The Worthing schools’ joint application demonstrated their plans of action, the strength of their commitment to the project and the quality of collaboration, both with each other and the wider community.

“Their application was reviewed and selected as an exceptional submission, resulting in their involvement in the programme.

“Over a period of three years, each of the schools will now be supported by a Polli:Nation facilitator from Learning through Landscapes - the national school grounds charity responsible for the project.”

Linking to the National Pollinator Strategy, schools will now explore how to grow more plants, leave areas to grow wild and leave nests undisturbed.

The schools will have the opportunity to contribute vital data in a pollinator survey from OPAL Imperial College London.

Mr Hodd added: “The children, teachers and members of the community will be equipped with all of the necessary tools and skills to help scientists to develop an accurate understanding of the current state of the habitats for Britain’s pollinating insects, and the potential to develop these further.”

Head teacher Carolyn Dickinson said it was an honour to be making a contribution to such important research.

“Not only does Polli:Nation offer our students a fantastic opportunity to develop their own environment to aid the declining population of pollinators, it also offers the perfect platform to consider our environment and pesticides on a global scale, while also involving members of the local community.”

The Polli:Nation project has been developed in association with sector partners The Field Studies Council, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, OPAL Imperial College London, Stirling University, Bumblebee Conservation Trust and The Conservation Volunteers.

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A Worthing man will be donning his best suit and stepping out on the red carpet at the 88th Academy Awards.

Visual effects wizard Paul Norris has been nominated for an Oscar for his work on sci-fi mystery Ex Machina, having already been nominatd for a BAFTA

The former Lancing and Worthing student has been nominated in the Visual Effects category, along 
with three of his colleagues who all worked on the 
film together.

Paul, 46, said: “On a movie that size it was a total shock to us. The Oscar nomination was the biggest surprise.

“We weren’t expecting that at all.”

During his career, Paul has helped bring the magical world of Harry Potter to life, given Thor his superhuman strength and made Tom Cruise’s missions all the more possible.

But before the glamour of Hollywood blockbusters, Paul recalled his time at Boundstone school, in Lancing, where his love for art was nurtured.

“I liked drawing and art, and making stuff,” he said.

“I also enjoyed woodwork and metalwork, so I always had that passion for creativity.

“I left the school around 1986 when I was 16 years old.

“I didn’t do A-levels, so I went straight on to college.”

At Worthing Art College, Paul stayed at a campus in Durrington where he completed a foundation art course and a diploma in graphic design.

He said: “I didn’t want to be a graphic designer but I liked moving images.”

It was at Bournemouth and Poole College that he was able to hone his skills in animation.

Paul started out in his career working on television advertisements. By the early 2000s, he had moved on to major motion pictures, and his first challenge was somewhat gory.

“The first project I worked on was Hannibal, where we did the brains and all that stuff,” he said.

With Ex Machina, which was released in cinemas last year, Paul and a team of special effects artists worked on making Ava, a ‘humanoid A.I.’ – a robot for the less technically minded – come to life. He said: “We were split into two areas. One for the 3D side like building the head and the torso, and once that’s done the 2D team photoshopped it all together. We had about 50 in the team altogether, which is quite small compared to some big films.”

Ex Machina had a total budget of £16million – less than the special effects budget alone for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

In the early hours of Monday the film will be up against Mad Max: Fury Road; The Martian; The Revenant and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Paul and his colleagues have prepared a speech between them for the 
big night.

“It’s a bit surreal and a thrill. You never know when this will happen to you or if it will happen again,” he added.

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THE FOLLOWING are court results for Chichester and Worthing magistrates’ courts from February 1 to 4.

Dali Chowdhury, 42, of Becket Road, Worthing, was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after being found guilty of assault by beating. He must pay £200 compensation, £80 victim surcharge, £720 costs.

Neil Woods, 42, of Warren Court, Sompting Road, Lancing, was jailed for 16 weeks after admitting stealing a £250 coat from Beales, Worthing, on September 22, 2015. He must pay £80 victim surcharge. He was given five further 16-week prison sentences, to run concurrently, for stealing a £7.49 Frozen doll from Wilko, stealing Frozen toys worth £31.47 from Argos, stealing a £49 knife set from Collingwood Batchelor, stealing £89.99 headphones from Maplins, and stealing good worth £38.98 from Robert Dyas. He was jailed for 18 weeks, to run consecutively, after admitting stealing a £150 IBM Notepad and given a 16-week prison sentence, to run concurrently, after admitting attempted theft of razor blades from Wilko. He was jailed for a further 18 weeks, to run consecutively (52 weeks in total), after admitting receiving stolen goods.

Andrew Coldwell, 56, of Parklands Avenue, Goring, was fined £200 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving in Chapel Road, Worthing, while unfit through drugs on October 4, 2015. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Angeline Smith, 47, of Mant Close, Climping, was fined £200 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (52mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Climping on January 16, 2016. She was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Matthew Sullivan, 33, of Rectory Road, Tarring, was fined £40 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting stealing clothes worth £44 from Beales, Worthing, on January 16, 2016.

Samuel Brownson, 23, of Ambersham Crescent, East Preston, was given a community order and must carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work after admitting assault by beating in Worthing on December 14, 2015. He must pay £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs. He also admitted using threatening words or behaviour, no separate penalty.

James Cowdrey, 19, of Thorncroft, Littlehampton, was given a community order after admitting assault by beating in Littlehampton on January 13, 2016; and admitting causing £260 damage to furniture. He must pay £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Raymond Lee, 37, of Victoria Court, Clifton Road, Worthing, was discharged conditionally for 18 months after admitting stealing cycle wheels worth £300 on May 11, 2015. He must pay £200 compensation, £15 victim surcharge.

Rachel Sharpe, 31, of Pines Avenue, Broadwater, was discharged conditionally for 12 months after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm in Worthing on November 20, 2015. He must pay £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Dean Maughan, 32, of Goring Road, Worthing, was fined £150 and must pay £44.17 vehicle excise back duty after admitting keeping an unlicensed vehicle on a public road in Worthing on June 17, 2015. He must also pay £90 costs.

Jeremy Hulland, 53, of Meadow Road, Worthing, was discharged conditionally for 12 months after admitting possessing cocaine in Meadow Road, Worthing, on January 9, 2016; and causing £80 damage to a cell wall at Worthing Custody Centre on January 9, 2016. He must pay £80 compensation, £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Konstantin Tulgovets, 24, c/o Gloucester Road, Littlehampton, was discharged conditionally for 18 months after admitting stealing goods worth £36.21 from Lidl, Littlehampton, on January 18, 2016. He must pay £9.99 compensation, £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Michael Curlewis, 73, of Ford Road, Tortington, was fined £340 and must pay £34 victim surcharge, £150 costs, having admitted failing to stop after an accident which damaged a vehicle in High Street, Arundel, on August 17, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with five points. He also admitted driving without due care and attention, no separate penalty.

Ryan Baker, 39, of Brighton Road, Lancing, was fined £40 and must pay £20 victim surcharge after admitting using a hand-held mobile phone while driving in Church Street, Littlehampton, on July 21, 2015. He was fined a further £40 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting using a hand-held mobile phone while driving in Littlehampton Road, Littlehampton, on June 29, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Malcolm Brown, 46, of The Street, Clapham, was fined £115 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving a vehicle without an MOT certificate on the A259 Ferring on August 11, 2015.

Stephen Chapman, 42, of Salvington Gardens, Salvington, was fined £147 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over 70mph in Newells Lane, West Ashling, on July 22, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Mark Ford, 42, of Radnor Road, Worthing, was fined £220 and must pay £22 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of using a hand-held phone while driving in Queen Street, Worthing, on August 14, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Louise Foster, 43, of Burnham Road, Worthing, was fined £40 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Offington Lane, Worthing, on August 5, 2015. Her driving record was endorsed with three points.

Summa Millington, 32, of Upton Brooks, Barnham, was fined £147 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 40mph speed limit in Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, on July 22, 2015. Her driving record was endorsed with three points.

Mariano Paoletti, 72, of Kings Court, Beach Green, Shoreham, was fined £147 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, on August 13, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Shaun Bailey, 28, of Valencia Road, Worthing, was fined £220 and must pay £22 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of failng to stop at a red light in Mill Road, Worthing, on August 21, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Cremildo Neto, 22, of South Terrace, Littlehampton, was fined £235 and must pay £24 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 60mph speed limit on the A23 Bolney on July 4, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with four points.

Sanjiv Oza, 43, of Brighton Road, Shoreham, was fined £145 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Kingsway, Hove, on August 13, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Benjamin Read, 27, of Arun Terrace, Ford Road, Arundel, was fined £440 and must pay £44 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of driving over the 30mph speed in Hotham Way, Bognor Regis, on July 22, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with five points.

Sinisa Rincic, 38, of Chalet Road, Ferring, was fined £660 and must pay £66 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting failing to identify a driver when required by police in Shoreham on July 21, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with six points.

Jonathan Bill, 53, of Millcroft Gardens, Southwick, was fined £80 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Hangleton Road, Hove, on July 25, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with five points.

Nathan Edwards, 20, of Ravensbourne Avenue, Shoreham, was fined £295 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, on August 26, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with six points.

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WORTHING Birdman 2016 has been cancelled because of ‘escalating costs’, organisers have confirmed.

The future of the competition has been in doubt because of the high cost of running the annual event.

Worthing Town Centre Initiative (TCI), organisers of the seafront spectacle, have decided to focus on other projects, with no significant sponsorship forthcoming.

Chris Spratt, TCI chairman, said: “The Worthing International Birdman has been a wonderful success for Worthing. It has raised the profile of the town and been a key event in Worthing’s calendar.

“The TCI feel it’s time to stop our investment while the event is on a high and turn our funds and resources to other town centre projects. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the event over the last eight years.

“Without their enthusiasm and passion it would not have been possible to deliver such a world class event. Of course it may be that some other organisation may choose to take on the event.

“It was gratifying for us that having first brought the ice rink to Worthing Town Centre when we decided to step aside a private company took the facility forward and that is always possible with the Birdman.”

The TCI had hoped to run this year’s event as planned, with preparations continuing as recently as last week.

It had previously called for Worthing Borough Council to assist with funding but financial support was not secured.

In October, {http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/local/worthing-birdman-future-in-question-1-6985969|the Herald exclusively revealed the competition was in doubt,} with businesses which fund the TCI split over its value.

Just five per cent of businesses part of the TCI – all located on or next to the seafront – reported boosted trade during Birdman weekend, leaving many questioning whether the event makes best use of its funds.

The costs of Birdman have spiralled in recent years, with next year’s event estimated to cost £72,000. The TCI’s total budget is £200,000.

Three years ago, the total cost was £56,000, with increased costs for scaffolding making up a large proportion of the increase.

New regulations now require detailed designs to be drawn up and approved – a hurdle which nearly saw this year’s event cancelled after a last-minute complaint to the Health and Safety Executive.

Seasoned competitors had also expressed opposition to the 100 metre jackpot being raised to 150 metres, after two consecutive years of the mark being reached.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Tarring Bob Smytherman said: “I would personally like to thank Sharon Clarke and the Town Centre Initiative for bringing this amazing event to Worthing, which really put us on the map.

“I now hope that the council will again at how we spend our tourism budget to build on the success of this event over the last eight years.”

A mother has been left devastated after her dog’s sudden death was believed to be the first recorded case of Alabama Rot in West Sussex.

The rare flesh-eating disease that affects dogs has been on the UK radar since 2012, but there are few treatments available and a slim chance of survival.

Nicky Cornford of Winter Knoll, Littlehampton, welcomed puppy Dash into the family last year.

“This was the first dog so it was quite special and he did everything with the family,” said the mother of two.

Nicky had read about Alabama Rot in the media and decided to seek advice from her local vets, which confirmed there were no reported cases in the area.

She said: “Palm oil had washed up on the beach so we decided to concentrate on the parks.”

Avoiding the coast, Nicky took her dog for a walk in Patching Wood, but three days later she noticed a sore had developed on Dash’s stomach.

“This became ulcerous, it was very raw and it wouldn’t heal. Then he came out with more on his paws two days after that.

“He started to go very quiet and he wouldn’t touch his food,” said Nicky.

Taking Dash to Pets at Home in Rustington, the team were able to take bloods to check his kidneys, prescribe antibiotics and fit him with a cone to allow his wounds to heal.

“They didn’t think there was cause for concern,” said Nicky.

“He started to pick up and was full of beans, but then he went down hill.”

After a follow up appointment a urine test was conducted and the vet detected deterioration of the kidneys. Sadly, all the symptoms were pointing to Alabama Rot.

Nicky was referred to specialists in the canine disease, Anderson Moores, based in Hampshire.

Also known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, it was first detected in the US after a number of greyhounds were diagnosed in the 1980s.

Since November 2012, more than 60 dogs across the UK have been identified with symptoms similar to those affected in the US.

These include lesions, lack of appetite, tiredness and vomiting.

A vet at the Hampshire practice confirmed Nicky’s fears and gave a verbal diagnosis of Alabama Rot.

“The only other option was dialysis which they do up at the London University, but you’re talking about £15,000,” said Nicky.

Dash was kept in for tests, but he was only a step away from total kidney failure.

“They called me while I was in Sainsbury’s to say there was not much else they could do and I walked out crying,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe how unlucky we were. I was the one to walk him in the woods, so I feel really bad.

“It’s been a dramatic time for us, there were tears and you have kids you have to be strong for.”

It will not be officially confirmed whether Dash died from complications related to Alabama Rot or not, but once a postmortem is carried out the family will be notified.

Internal medical clinician at Anderson Moores, Laura Holm, said if the results come back positive for the disease it will be the first confirmed case in Sussex.

“Cases have cropped up all over the UK but the course does remain unknown so it’s not clear if they’ve contracted something from the environment that is triggering it,” said Laura.

Research into the disease is being carried out by the New Forest Dog Owners Group, but donations are needed. To help, {http://www.newforestdog.org.uk/nfdog-research-fund|click here|Go Fund Me}

Nicky added: “We’re still waiting on the results, but I’m in no doubt that it was Alabama Rot.”

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