Angmering Village Life
News Archive
January 2007
Footpaths - The WSCC were still chasing the Bramley Green Consortium regarding the opening of the path between The Walkway and Greenwood Drive. The poor state of the Honey Lane footpath was also noted. WSCC "Rights of Way" are sending a ranger to inspect it.
Traffic Issues - Councillor Kearney-Pateman reported that there would be no benefit of having a public meeting at this time. However representatives from WSCC did attend a meeting in the Parish Office on the 16th January where the council were again able to put forward their concerns about the traffic calming. The committee still felt there was a need for single yellow lines in Downs Way and will be contacting WSCC again. The committee will also be asking WSCC to give their views on the need for "give way" markings in The Dell.
Street Lighting - WSCC cannot give a date for upgrading of lights in The Cottrells. Two new columns in Palmer Road were agreed at a cost of £1800. (Lighting in Weavers Ring and North Drive was also discussed)
Pedestrian Railway Crossing between Ashurst Way and Warren Crescent - The Council had written to WSCC Rights of Way and Network Rail regarding the closure of the FP2127 pedestrian railway crossing. Since those letters had been sent there had been a fatality on the crossing. WSCC and Network rail are still discussing the issue and no decision has yet been made.
Bus Shelter - The committee agreed to go ahead with the transfer of the bus shelter to Arundel Road.
Letter Box - A quote had been received for the rebuilding of the letterbox in the High Street at a cost of £675. The committee asked the Clerk to contact JDAC to see if a grant was possible.
A/2/07 - Two storey & single storey extensions at rear of Freelands, High Street. For Mr & Mrs Lister.
A/4/07 - Use of ground floor room for applicants business purposes as office at Mill House Croft, Station Road. For Reactive Maintenance Ltd.
A/6/07 - 1 new chalet house at 27 Mill Road Avenue. For Mr & Mrs V Flavell.
A/9/07 - Outline application for detached bungalow and garage on part garden land to the rear of 3 Lansdowne Close. For Tunmore Developments Ltd.
A/201/06 - Two storey rear extension and conservatory to provide a larger kitchen and master en-suite bedroom at 122 Palmer Road. For Ms J Gullis.
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 22 February 2007.
*Trapped in school lift - Two 15-year old boys were taken to hospital after having been trapped in a lift at The Angmering School on 17 January. One suffered abdominal injuries as he attempted to escape through a small gap at the top of the lift. The Health & Safety Executive are investigating the incident.
*More school roof problems - Just six weeks after sustaining major roof damage resulting from gale force winds, St Margaret's CoE School suffered further roof damage as a result of the high winds last Thursday lunchtime. Again, luckily, nobody was injured.
Parish Council Elections in May - Any person wishing to stand as a Parish Councillor has to make a written request for a set of nomination forms which are now available from: Democratic Services, Arun District Council, Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, BN17 5LF. The applicant must state which Parish they will be standing for and must include their full names and address.
*Children's Centre at Angmering Library - West Sussex County Council have chosen Angmering Library as one of its district Children's Centres. £240,000 is to be spent on converting part of the Library. The Centre will aim to provide early education, family support and outreach to parents child, parental involvement, support for parents wishing to consider training and employment, and family health services for families with children under 5 from Angmering, Rustington, East Preston Kingston & Ferring as part of the Government's SureStart initiative. It is anticipated that current library space will be reduced as a result.
*Ovation for singers - The Angmering Chorale received a 5-minute standing ovation following their performance of "The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace" in front of an audience of 2,500 at Carnegie Hall, New York, last week.
* Greater in-depth information on this news item can be found in this week's Littlehampton Gazette.
Eileen Green, the President of the Angmering Royal British Legion, Women's Section, was given a surprise party on Tuesday to celebrate 60 years service in the Angmering Branch. Eileen was born in Angmering in 1925 and did her early schooling at Older's School (now the Library) where she gained a scholarship to Worthing High School.
She went on to serve in the ATS. During the war she was employed at the Rural Food office in Lansdowne Road in Worthing. She also worked for the Southdown Bus Company in Littlehampton until her retirement.
Eileen was for many years the standard bearer for the Angmering Branch as was her father, Joe, before her. Despite poor health she still plays an active roll with all that goes on with the Angmering section.
After an extremely mild winter, Angmering awoke this morning to find about 2 cm of snow had fallen and laid overnight. For many young children, this was the first snow they had seen or could remember and so it was a bit of a novelty. From news broadcasts, it appears West Sussex has got off quite lightly compared with the east of the county. Below are photos of the Church and Bramley Green taken this morning. At 11.00 am, the temperature had only risen to 2°C. By the look of the sky in the Bramley Green photo, there's more snow to come!
 |
 |
A/1/07 - Proposed 2 storey side extension at 25 Lansdowne Way. For Mr & Mrs Brown.
A/3/07/CLE - Application for a certificate of lawfulness for an existing use for the siting of a mobile home at Foschini's Nursery, Hangleton Lane, Ferring. For Mr F Foschini.
A/5/07 - Residential development of 21 flats (Re-submission following application A/85/06/) at site of previous Texaco Petrol Station, Station Road. For First London Developments Ltd.
A/7/07 - Construction a new crossover (vehicle access) at 6 Water Lane. For Mr Matthew Whiting.
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 15 February 2007.
Thirty children and toddlers have already joined Angmering Tree Warden
Ken Penny's "Tree 4 Life" group, which started last year. In 2007, the first of
many projects begins with BIG DIG DAY at the Durrington Allotments (at the
south of Ringmer Road) where five years' ago he planted over one hundred trees.
These trees now need a home in Angmering village and a guardian, young enough
to make sure the tree lives for at least 80 years!. This all begins on the
weekend of the 27th & 28th January.
Ken is not only looking for
children to participate - perhaps you have grandchilden who would like to take
part - but he is also looking for adults to help digging up the trees in
Durrington and their planting in Angmering on 27th & 28th.
For more
details, call Ken Penny (Angmering's Tree Warden), on ****-****** or email him
on ******@*******.co.uk
At a meeting of the Angmering Parish Council this evening, Mr John King was elected as Chairman of the Council and Mr Richard Hance as Vice-Chairman. Both committed themselves to turning the Council around after its recent problems and consulting with everybody. Mr Paul Hankinson was co-opted as a parish councillor.
ASRA - ASRA were now meeting their targets and profits had risen by 6%. Regarding ASRA issuing a sub-lease to their wholly owned limited company, the committee had a number of concerns.
Proposed Community Centre on Bramley Green - A quote from a company for Project Managing the Community Centre had ben received, but at a cost of £25k this was considered too high. GML have quoted £42k for the car park; local quotes will now be sourced to see if this figure can be reduced. Councillor King advised that there would be a lockable barrier at the entrance to ensure there was no overnight parking.
Notice Boards & Maps - The Bramley Green notice board will be sited as soon as the new board is received. The map for Roundstone Lane was pending as two complaints had been received relating to its proposed position.
Village Events - Councillor Nigel Nunn suggested a ‘Best Garden’ competition; the committee agreed that he should talk to the Allotment Society and report back at the next meeting. It was suggested that the Village Fete in August include a beer and wine festival and perhaps a hog Roast. Other suggestions were a May Day festival and a ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition.
Water Lane Site - Bell Gardens say they have been unable to tidy the area up due to the very wet weather; they propose to do it during January.
Fletchers Field - The Tree Warden would be replacing the two damaged trees on Fletchers Field at the end of January. Councillor John King asked that the Tree Warden put 4 Stakes 6ft high and wire mesh around the young trees to prevent future damage.
Hosepipe Ban - Southern Water today lifted its hosepipe ban for Sussex but has urged us still be be careful how we use water. Although reservoirs are now completely full, supplies in underground aquifers are still very low.
*Vandalism - The wooden changing room building on Woodlands Park in Station Road, used by youth football teams, has been significantly damaged by a vandal or vandals using an axe.
New Angmering Club proposed- A Sunday morning breakfast club for widows and widowers is being proposed for Angmering with the opportunity of participating in other social activities. If anyone is interested in joining or helping with the club they should contact Jacquie Clarke on 01243-542528.
*Peru Visit - Eleven Angmering School pupils from Years 10-12 are trying to raise £3500 each towards a trip to Peru next Summer where they intend carrying out community work over a four week period.
* Greater in-depth information on this news item can be found in this week's Littlehampton Gazette.
New Parish Councillor - Mrs. Sarah Highwood was co-opted as a member of the Parish Council.
Parish Policing - PCSO Andrea Oakley advised that since the previous Parish Council meeting there had been 133 calls from the Angmering area to the Police.
Map, Notice & Art Boards - The Environment & Leisure Committee is considering additional map boards for village entrances. The map on the Green has been well received. Councillor Richard Hance pointed out that there were errors and omissions on the village map. Councillor Nunn will have these corrected for future prints. Plans for the Street Art board are going ahead. Jeni Black asked if the location for the Street Art board had been decided. Councillor Nunn replied that Palmer Road recreation ground and the Oval Racetrack were being considered. Quotations had been received for new notice boards from both national and local sources. It is possible that a new board will be provided for Downs Way.
Traffic Management - Councillor Anne-Louise Kearney-Pateman said that according to the latest figures issued by WSCC the traffic calming measures are working and show an increased traffic flow on the by-pass. Councillor Jeni Black pointed out that traffic calming measures for the High Street seemed to have been overlooked and suggested that the Committee take this up with WSCC.
A259 Crossing - County Councillor Deborah Urquhart had submitted the following by e- mail "With regard to the works to the footbridge, fencing pedestrian crossing and upgrading the footpath WSCC have started the designs and hope to share these with the Parish Council mid to late January prior to public consultation” .
Public Question time - Mr. Peter Downey expressed some concern over the increased traffic and parking in the High Street. Mr. Richard Sampey was concerned over the speed of traffic in the High Street and asked that the speed limits be enforced. Part of the flint wall at Pigeon House had been removed but not replaced and this should be enforced by the Planning Committee. Mr. Downey expressed some concern that part of the meeting would exclude press and public and felt that this was not in the spirit of open government and that everything should be available to parishioners. Mr. Sampey concurred with Mr. Downey’s comments on open government.
Votes of No Confidence in the Chairman & Vice-Chairman - Voting: 4 with confidence in the Chairman and 6 with no confidence in the Chairman. 2 with confidence in the Vice Chairman and 8 with no confidence in the Vice Chairman. The Chairman and Vice Chairman were given a period of 14 days to consider their positions in view of the voting.
Code of Conduct - This agenda item was to consider if information circulating about Councillor’s private lives was impacting on the Parish Council Model Code of Conduct adopted by the Parish Council. Councillor Mark Edwards withdrew his proposal and the issue was not debated.
Click here to see full Minutes
A/199/06/TC - Uplift the Lower Canopy to 3m above ground level and remove deadwood of 1 no. Ash tree in rear garden within the Angmering Conservation Area at Gothic House, High Street. For Mrs White.
A/202/06 - Two storey hotel bedroom block for Premier Travel Inn at The Roundstone Public House, Roundstone Lane (East Preston). For Whitbread Group PLC.
A/203/06 - Extension to living room at Apple Trees, Old Mill Lane. For Russex Ltd.
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 8 February 2007.
I can now reveal that the next community film will be the "The Queen" (12A), the superb award winning film that so many people in Angmering have been waiting to see. To give you an idea of how well this film has been received by critics and public alike, it has been nominated for four Golden Globe awards and no less than 10 BAFTA awards, which suggests how good both the film and its principal star (Dame Helen Mirren) are. Helen Mirren's performance and portrayal as the Queen has been described as exceptional. Also starring are Michael Sheen, James Cromwell and Sylvia Syms.
This is a revealing, witty portrait of the British royal family in crisis immediately following the death of Princess Diana. The setting for this fictional account of real events is no less than the private chambers of the Royal Family and the British government in the wake of the sudden death of Princess Diana in August of 1997. In the immediate aftermath of the Princess's passing, the tightly contained, tradition-bound world of the Queen of England clashes with the slick modernity of the country's brand new, image-conscious Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The result is an intimate, yet thematically epic, battle between private and public, responsibility and emotion, custom and action - as a grieving nation waits to see what its leaders will do.
The film is really one which Angmering residents should go out of their way to see and take the opportunity of sampling the quality of films being shown by the Angmering Community Association (ACA). The film will be shown on Saturday 3 February at Angmering Village Hall at 7.00pm (doors open 6.45pm). Tickets are priced at £4.50 and available in advance from Woodies News or Angmering Framing & Stitches. Tickets will also be available at the door but are subject to availability as numbers are limited. Refreshments (drinks, sweets etc) will be on sale and there will be an intermission when reasonably priced ice creams, tea and coffee will also be on sale. This intermission gives filmgoers the opportunity of stretching their legs, going outside for a cigarette break, or having a chat with other villagers. .
The following Press Release was issued yesterday by Mike Hill-Smith on behalf of himself and former Parish Council Chairman, Chris Hughes, although I have only received it this evening:
At last Mondays Angmering Parish Council meeting, a vote of no confidence was passed against Chris Hughes and myself, this was held after excluding the Press and public. This decision gave us two options, firstly to stay on till May elections, as we are legally entitled to, or resign. We have chosen the latter because this takes us outside the Code of Conduct, enabling us to comment on this matter freely. We both regret having to take this step but perhaps it will help stop the PC going into meltdown.
Both Chris and myself tried so hard to bring the PC into the 21st century by making all the Committee meetings open to the parishioners as well as making access to all those Councillors who wished to, available to all. We had no hidden agendas and did not bar anyone from meetings, Press or public alike, we made everything transparent as the two previous chairmen at the meeting asked for. Both Chris and I asked the temporary chairman John King, our oldest serving Councillor, if the Press and public could remain. This was turned down - goodbye transparency. The agenda had been changed by the Clerk to code of conduct rather discussion of rumours about a Parish Councillor. This was withdrawn by Cllr Edwards at the last minute during the meeting therefore preventing Chris and myself being able to discuss the Cllr involved with other members of the PC.
We had achieved the establishment of Junior Parish Councillors, the clearing of mini-motorbikes from the streets by using the Oval Race track and raising considerable funds for the Chestnut Tree Hospice with a challenge between ourselves, Arun District Council and Havant Borough Council
The PC has to achieve Quality Status within the near future or, under Government guidelines, it will be taken over by the nearest Quality Council, which in our case is Rustington.
So there you are Folks, vote in the May elections for progress or return to old ways of secrecy and pomposity. The choice is yours.
Mike Hill-Smith
Angmering Parish Council has this morning issued the following press statement and is looking for its widespread circulation:
"ANGMERING COUNCIL LOOKS FORWARD TO CALMER WATERS
Following last Mondays meeting Angmering Parish Council would like to make it known that it totally supports open government. The matters that were for discussion when the press and public were excluded were considered to be of an internal nature and not affecting village issues.
As a result of these internal discussions the Chairman has resigned on health grounds. As many will be aware Chris Hughes has been extremely unwell for many months and yet has continued to give generously of his time and energy, whilst receiving regular hospital treatment, in the interests of the Council.
It is on the firm advice from his doctors that he has taken this decision. The Council would like to wish him well and to thank him for his sterling efforts in raising a significant sum of money for Chestnut Tree House.
Consequent upon Mondays meeting the Council received the resignation of the vice chairman Mike Hill Smith.
These resignations mean that the council will need to elect both a new chairman and vice chairman and a special council meeting will be held on Monday January 22nd 7.30pm in the library to which the press and public are welcome."
Our history pages have been added to and updated in the last month. Firstly, an article by local historian RW Standing - "Pulling the wool over their eyes" - questions earlier historians' views that Angmering was a major weaving centre and suggests that it was, in fact, only a minor village industry. Secondly, Mr Standing has updated the Churchwardens' Presentments (16th & 17th Centuries) page which now contains additional Churchwardens' reports plus Detection Book entries and Church Inspection reports.
Further to yesterday's news item, it is understood that both the Chairman (Chris Hughes) and Vice-Chairman (Mike Hill-Smith) have now resigned their positions and as parish councillors, and that the Parish Council will meet on 22 January to elect a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
A/194/06 - Outline application for demolition of existing house & commercial buildings & removal of caravan storage & erection of car dealership including showrooms, preparation area, car parking & display, access alterations at Downsview & Coopers of Worthing, Littlehampton Road, Ferring. For Mrs Van Der Vyver & Mrs Potts. (Departure from the Development Plan)
A/195/06 - Outline application for demolition of existing house & commercial buildings & removal of caravan storage & redevelopment for B1(c) purposes, including car parking, access alterations etc at Downsview & Coopers of Worthing, Littlehampton Road, Ferring. For Mrs Van Der Vyver & Mrs Potts. (Departure from the Development Plan)
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 1 February 2007.
If you would like to become a writer in some form, whether it is for your own enjoyment or for publication, then you may be interested to know that the Angmering Community Association, as part of their lottery funded "Our Place" project, would like to start a writing group, so that villagers can find ways of developing writing, and find inspiration from people, places and events around Angmering. For example, some people might dream of writing a family history, or maybe they are drafting articles, poems, stories in their heads or on scraps of paper, to be worked on and developed later. Joining the writing group could therefore provide you with the help and encouragement to get started. If you are already a writer, then your expertise within the group could also be most useful.
If this does interest you in any way, then contact Carole Mason on 07806-489502 for a chat.
As reported and discussed on the AVL Forums yesterday, the problems being encountered within the Parish Council deepened on Monday when both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had votes of no-confidence passed against them at the Parish Council's monthly meeting. To make matters worse, the councillors decided that they did not want the public to hear what was being said and, on a motion proposed by Councillor John King, decided to exclude both the public and attending press from the meeting discussing certain agenda items, although the Chairman himself wished for the discussion to take place in public. This action by the Council in the face of the requirement of transparency and open government clearly upset all those who were excluded. The West Sussex Gazette today reveals that two former Chairmen of the Council and a member of the press raised concerns over what the Council were doing. "We don't want to wash our dirty laundry in public" said Councillor King at the meeting, but surely transparency is what open government is all about? For Angmering Parish Council it seems that open government will vary on a daily basis when it suits them! So what are the Parish Council covering up?
Yesterday, the Parish Council issued the following press statement:
"At their meeting on January 8, 2007, the Council considered votes of no confidence in the Chairman of the Council and his Vice-Chairman. These were carried by six votes to four in the case of the Chairman and by eight votes to two in the case of the Vice-Chairman of the Council. They have been given 14 days to consider their position."
Christmas over, feeling a bit flat? Then why not go along to the next community film show. This will be "Driving Lessons" (UK 15) the acclaimed rites of passage comedy starring Julie Waters, Laura Linney, and Rupert Grint which will be shown at Angmering Village Hall Next Saturday (not this) 13 January at 7.00pm (doors open 6.45pm). Poster
Tickets cost just £4.50 and are available from Angmering Framing & Stitches or Woodies News, both in The Square. Tickets will also be available at the door but are subject to availability as numbers are limited. Refreshments (drinks, sweets etc) will be on sale and there will be an intermission when reasonably priced ice creams, tea and coffee will also be on sale. This intermission gives filmgoers the opportunity of stretching their legs, going outside for a cigarette break, or having a chat with other villagers.
On the Parish Council questionnaire earlier this year, hundreds of people in Angmering asked for village film shows. It is hoped therefore that Angmering residents will make the effort to support these shows in the centre of the village; otherwise they will disappear for good. I think people will be surprised at both the clarity of films, the sound quality, and the size of the screen. So why not go along and see for yourselves.
You can read more about this film by going to the Association's website at www.angmeringca.org.uk
An 18-year-old Littlehampton man was killed after he was hit by a New Year's Day train. The victim, later identified as Adam Blackwood, was with three friends when he was struck and killed by the 7.15pm Brighton to Littlehampton train at 8.30pm as he crossed the line between Ashurst Way (in Angmering) and Warren Crescent (in East Preston) - between Angmering Station and Roundstone level crossing. A police helicopter hovered over the scene providing lighting for the emergency services for nearly an hour. Services on the line were stopped for about an hour and resumed at 9.41pm. Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
Angmering Parish Council's Highways Committee has only recently said that this foot crossing is potentially dangerous and is in the process of consulting with various parties to secure its closure.
Found today (New Year's Day) in the High Street, a Canon camera. Contact 772750