We learn with much regret that Mr Fred Rowley died on Saturday morning (19 July). Fred was well-known in the village and was the treasurer of the Village Hall Committee as well as overseeing maintenance of the hall, carrying out much of it himself. He was also a former treasurer and committee member of The Angmering Society for many years. Further, Fred was also a former magistrate sitting on the Chichester Bench.
We would like to express our sincere condolances to his wife, Jane, and to all of the family.
Considerable damage was done to the electrical systems in The Lamb after the rare black poplar tree behind the pub was struck by lightning at about 4.00am on Saturday (19 July). The electrical charge jumped from the tree to a security camera pole and in the process destroyed all the televisions in the building and knocked out the telephone system which meant that credit card payment facilities and internet access were unavailable until early this week. Additionally, the control board for the large walk-in freezer was destroyed which led to the loss of the contents of the freezer. Tree debris from the lightning strike was hurled to the far side of The Lamb's car park.
Nearby properties also lost their telephone and internet services. This affected Woodies News on the other side of The Square who were still unable to take credit card payments this morning (Tuesday 22 July). Other shops appear to have been unaffected.
Arrangements have been made for the black poplar to be assessed for damage (see photo right) which it has sustained.
Co-Option of new councillors
The
Clerk reported that a by-election had been called for one of the two remaining
Councillor vacancies, and that this would be held on 5 August 2014 provided
that a valid nomination of a candidate had been received by the closing date of
9 July 2014. He have not been made aware of any nominations received by the
closing date. The Parish Council will incur a charge for Arun District
Council’s costs in dealing with the by-election process up to now. Subject
to further advice from Arun District Council, the vacancy would possibly need
to be filled by co-option. It has also been confirmed by Arun District Council
that the other remaining vacancy, occasioned by the resignation of Phil
Leverick, could be filled by co-option. Councillor Spooner asked why an
election had been called. The Clerk confirmed that the requisite number of
members of the public had exercised their rights under the Representation of
the People Act 1983 to request an election, which they are entitled to do
irrespective of whether any suitable, and willing, candidates come forward.
Angmering Community Land
Trust
The Clerk noted that a letter had been sent to the
promoters of the nascent Angmering Community Land Trust requesting a formal
update on progress, as there appeared to have been little progress since
Councillor Spooner’s last update. It was noted that the cheques held by
Councillor Spooner by way of membership fees are now six months old and
probably no longer valid. The Clerk was requested to press the promoters for a
response to his letter, giving a 14 day timescale for this.
Grant Applications
Following
discussion it was unanimously AGREED to award grants to Angmering Youth FC in
the sum of £500, 4Sight in the sum of £250 and St Wilfrid’s
Catholic Primary School in the sum of £500. The budget for Community
Grants for the financial year ending 31 March 2015 had been set at
£3,000. Taking into account grants awarded to date, there remains
£930 available for further grants during the year.
Downs Way Street Lighting
The
Clerk had received communication from a representative from SSE, in relation to
the County Council Street Lighting PFI contract. As part of the 15 year PFI
contract, SSE had undertaken to replace most of the lamp columns in the County
with new more modern and efficient ones. The contractors were shortly to arrive
in Downsway, where 25 columns were owned, and maintained under the PFI, by the
Parish Council. The question was whether the Parish Council would be in the
position to consider the replacement of these and bringing them up to County
standards, which would only be applicable to 23 of the columns, but a further 5
columns would be needed for this to happen.
The deal would be that the Parish Council would pay around £5,000 to put in the 5 extra columns and that the 23, plus the 5 new ones, would then be maintained and powered by West Sussex County Council for the future, which would save the Parish Council around £1,400 per annum, giving a pay-back period of between three and four years. A more detailed proposal is in process of being worked up by SSE, but it had been expected that the work would be done over the next few weeks. The two remaining columns were just footway lighting and would need to be dealt with separately, but it was implied that a similar deal could be done. Following brief discussion it was unanimously AGREED that the proposal be supported in principle, subject to final details of the financial implications being provided as per the above.
Verge grass cutting
Councillor
Verrinder noted that she had received significant numbers of complaints about
the frequency and standard of the grass cutting, which is generally
unsatisfactory. There is a need for the Parish Council to explore whether, and
if so to what extent, it can take these matters in-house. County Councillor
Urquhart noted that when the roundabout sponsorship had ended, insufficient
consideration had been given at County Hall as to who should then take on the
maintenance of the roundabouts. This has led to the current situation where the
grass and vegetation are being cut either sporadically or not at all.
Parish Maintenence
The stone
bench which had been sent away for repair had now been replaced. Repairs to the
other bench will be undertaken in September, following completion of the
commemorations of the centenary of the outbreak of WWI. The skate bowl
extension works are due to be undertaken in October, alongside the improvements
to the BMX track. The graffiti project is advancing well and is being overseen
in partnership with the Angmering School. Office.
Council Governance &
Oversight
The Committee’s principal piece of work for the
coming months is a wholesale revision of the Parish Council’s governance
procedures and documents. It was noted that the committee Clerk had already
undertaken some work in this regard and is to continue with this project. The
Clerk noted that the Committee Clerk’s contractual weekly hours would need
to increase from 25 to 37 (full time) for the time being in order to devote
appropriate time to the project. It was unanimously AGREED that this should be
put in place, although formal verification of this would be sought at the next
Parish Council meeting when it would be on the agenda. Regular reports are to
be given to the Committee and to the full Parish Council and it is envisaged
that the project will be substantially complete by March 2015.
The full minutes of this meeting may be read by clicking here
The Angmering By-Pass (A280) was closed this afternoon (Wednesday) in both directions after a Tesco's Holmbush Express shoppers' bus was in collision with a white Ford Fiesta at 2.22pm. The bus left the road and ended up at the top of an embankment near the Water Lane junction with the village. A spokewoman from Compass Travel said that there were no passengers on the bus at the time. The driver of the bus was shaken but uninjured. One report suggested that the driver of the Fiesta has collapsed and headed straight into the bus. The condition of the car driver is unknown.
You can read more about this incident and see a video on the Worthing Herald's website by clicking here.
David Wilson Homes/Barratts are naming their new housing develpment at the north of Roundstone Lane - "Swanbourne Park". Typical of many developers, this name has absolutely no historical connection with Angmering - just a neme the developers feel would be good for marketing new homes!
Existing nearby houses have had a leaflet delivered to them in the last 24 hours stating that "site set-up works are due to commence on the above development shortly. Machinery will be forming a new site entrance and we will be due to start excavations for foundations, drainage construction and site roads to our show areas imminently. The project works will run for approximately 24 months, market forces permitting."
The developers will be holding a 'Meet the Builder' session on Tuesday 22 July between 4.00 pm and 7.00pm at Worthing Rugby Club in Roundstone Lane where affected residents can find out exactly what they intend to do, what works are to be carried out along the boundary and surrounding areas and what impact this will have on residents' daily lives.
Many villagers will already be aware that Dave and Sophie from the butchers "Meat in The Square" are extending their business into the adjoining shop and will be selling bakery and deli items plus locally grown vegetables. The new enterprise will be called "Meat in The Square ..... and More".
Sophie told Angmering Village Life today: "We are doing a test run of the new bakery section tomorrow (Friday 11th July) with a limited range of bread, cakes, pies and veg, with the aim of a full scale service this Saturday (12th July) - with some free tasters on Saturday from "Buns in The Oven", who will be selling their cakes via our shop".
She added "The bread and other cakes will be supplied by "The Merry Miller" (Findon), a traditional baker established for some 30 years, and specialty goods from "Real Patisserie" (Paris via Hove!), available on Saturdays after 10.30am. Spelt, Rye and Sourdough bread will be part of Real Patisserie's range".
Seat on the Green
The Committee
Members noted that the bench had been returned to the Square and were pleased
with the repairs. Angmering in Bloom have provided two planters for each of the
benches. Quotations are still being sourced for the drainage work for when the
second bench is removed for repairs in mid-September 2014.
Mayflower Pond Refurbishment
The
Administrator reported that investigative work into the maintenance
requirements for the pond is ongoing..
Cumberland Road – Dog
Fouling
It was noted that dog fouling is a problem throughout the
village and that communication had been sent to the Environmental Health
Department at Arun District Council. Councillor Pat Turner made a suggestion of
taking on our own dog warden. Councillor Paul Bicknell raised the query of
devolution of powers. Councillor Pat Turner informed members that previous
Environmental Wardens did not have any powers, they did however, have the
support of public. It was agreed for the office to write to Arun District
Council to ascertain the situation.
Nursery Road / Roundstone Lane
Shrubs
Councillor Mariner said that residents maintaining some
areas of verges would create a community spirit and stated that discussions
would be required with residents wishing to maintain sections of verges
themselves to ensure plants planted would not cause visual obstructions for
motorists.
BMX Track
The Members were
informed that the order had been sent and the work was expected to commence in
October 2014.
Skatebowl Extension
The Members
were informed that the order had been sent and the work was expected to
commence in October 2014, alongside the BMX Track construction.
The full minutes of this meeting may be read by clicking here
Two vans in Cumberland Road were targetted by thieves last night and items stolen. One of the vans was damaged by the thieves. Angmering residents should be aware of these attacks on vehicles and particularly owners of vans. Residents should also ensure that sheds and other outbuildings are securely locked following recents thefts from these.
Martin Fuller took over Cafe Feliz at the beginning of last December and it is going from strength to strength. However, villagers did not always remember the name and just referred to it as "that little cafe in The Square". So Martin has now called it just that:
Do go and try their excellent coffee, and delicious cakes, meals, and snacks. We do not think that you will be disappointed.
A/74/14/L - Application for Listed Building Consent to upgrade existing 2nd floor room to letting room to include en-suite shower room. The Lamb Inn, The Square. Applicant: Mr M Newbon
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 24 July 2014.
To see applications, plans, design statements, etc, type the Application Reference Number (such as those above) into Arun District Council's "Application Search Facility ", click on the Search button, and click on the hyperlink reference when selected application is returned - then select "Documents".
The next film to be shown at Angmering Community Centre is "BLUE JASMINE" (2013)[UK 12A] at 7.45pm on Saturday 12 July - doors open at 7.30pm.
This acclaimed comedy drama starring Cate Blanchett and
Alec Baldwin won an Oscar and had another 37 wins & 45 nominations. Jasmine
French used to be on the top of the heap as a New York socialite, but now is
returning to impose upon her estranged sister in San Francisco - utterly
ruined, deeply troubled and in denial. She looks a million, but isn't bringing
money, peace, or love...poster
Tickets priced at £5 are available in advance from the Community Centre Office, Woodies News, and Angmering Framing & Stitches, or at the door (subject to availability).
Contains Angmering News since January 2005
Note: This is a multi-purpose page - it contains local news, editorial views/comments, and residents' views. Angmering Village Life welcomes comments on the village and parish but will not normally publish individuals' communications, nor will it normally make any comment based on a single observation. However, if a number of similar comments have been made on any one aspect, we will consider including an appropriate item on this page. Any such views expressed will not reflect those of Angmering Village Life unless specifically stated. Angmering Village Life does not purport to represent the residents of Angmering in any way. Angmering Village Life would welcome genuine factual news items for publication on this page.
Declaration of Interests: The Owner/Editor of Angmering Village Life is a member of The Angmering Society, coordinator of the Angmering Table Tennis Club, a member of the Angmering Short Mat Bowls Club, and is webmaster for The Angmering Society.