Latest News of Local Interest

Flood money

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Operation Watershed money left
The Operation Watershed scheme is not restricted to official entities like Parish Councils: it is also available to private enterprises like farms. There is still money available and Lionel Barnard, the WSCC member responsible for such things, is soliciting applications:

We want to remind people that funding is there. Now is the time to be doing the work in readiness for the coming winter, so if you know there is a flooding issue in your community or neighbourhood, tell us. Autumn is the best time of year to carry out ditch clearances, because it falls outside nesting season for birds. If you need help with clearing your ditch, especially if it is a water course that runs through your property, now is the time to make contact. Your local community officer can advise you how to get help from the Operation Watershed fund.

[Excerpted from the Horsham edition of the West Sussex County Times, August 7th, p66.]

Pippins pork

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Curing directions
Fulking-reared totally free range and cossetted rare breed pork (Oxford Sandy and Black, Tamworth): bacon, sausages, chops, joints available. Joints ready on Friday 22nd August. Bacon, etc. ready two to three weeks later. Prebooking and prompt collection required. First come, first served.

Jennie Wild, 201
pippinsproduce@outlook.com

Cornilleau table tennis cover

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Cornilleau
If this is yours, feel free to retrieve it from the gate at Spring Valley (next door to Kent Cottage). It flew in earlier today. No need to ring the doorbell — just help yourself. If it isn’t yours, but you have neighbours that play table tennis, then you may wish to alert them.

Update: this has now been reclaimed.

SDNPA Photo Competition 2014

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Box Brownies negative
Deadline midday Monday 13 October 2014. Modest prizes on offer. Your ‘hidden gem’ image must be taken within the official boundaries of the South Downs National Park. You must specify where the image was taken. Bonus points if you use public transport to locate your ‘hidden gem’. You must not submit any photographs that are obscene, vulgar, pornographic, hateful, threatening, racist, sexist, discriminatory, disrespectful to the SDNPA, or which otherwise violate any local or international laws. No nudity is allowed. Animal subjects must complete model release forms. Entrants under the age of eighteen must have the signed permission of the local Park Ranger and their parent or guardian. Children and babies must be wearing at least a nappy, as must the photographer. By entering the competition, you grant the SDNPA an irrevocable license to reproduce, enlarge, publish or exhibit your photograph(s) on any media they choose. SDNPA reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition, the rules and the terms and conditions of entry at any time and without prior notice. More here.

Renewed traveller risk

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Albourne map
There’s an illegal occupation by travellers near the Village Hall in Albourne, and the people may be moved on. MSDC and Sussex Police are aware of it. If you have any issues relating to this occupation, phone Sussex Police on 101 (the non-emergency number). If you see a crime being committed (or just about to be), phone 999 instead. As ever, please continue to keep your garden sheds, outbuildings, etc., secured.

Richard Corner, 219

Update: direct action by Sompting residents earlier this week.

Newtimber Place Gardens

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Newtimber Place
The gardens at Newtimber Place will be open on Sunday 10th August between 2:00pm and 5:00pm. Beautiful Grade I listed C16/C17 moated house (not open). Herbaceous border and lawns. Moat flanked by water plants. Mature trees. Wild garden, ducks, chickens and fish. Tea and home made cakes. Dogs need to be kept on a lead. Admission £3.00, children free, in aid of St Peter & St James Hospice.

Botanical Illustration

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Botanical illustration
A three day course at Woods Mill taught by Jill Coombs. Suitable for beginners and the more advanced. Some drawing experience is necessary. Initial drawing and observation exercise, followed by analysis, measuring and colour studies. Detailed study of plants, drawing and painting, plus colour mixing. Individual tuition with demonstrations. October 17th, 18th and 19th, 10:00am–4:00pm. Course information sheet here.

Jill Coombs b. Horsham, England 1935. Jill studied illustration and ceramics at art college and worked as an industrial designer before having children. She became a botanical artist 30 years ago after studying with Mary Grierson, artist in residence at Kew. She has worked as a freelance illustrator for Kew publications on the flora of Iraq, Qatar and Egypt. She also illustrated Beth Chatto’s Plant Portraits and the Collins Gem Herbs for Cooking and Health. Jill’s work is in private collections in the USA, Australia, Japan and the UK and represented in the Shirley Sherwood Collection, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Lindley Library, the Chelsea Physic Garden and the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. Four of her paintings hang in the blue drawing room at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Jill holds three Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medals. [The Highgrove Florilegium]

Although this course isn’t happening until October, there are only five places left. So you may be wise to book sooner rather than later.