New thought-provoking exhibition at Worthing Museum & Art Gallery explores Europe as a safe home

A new thought provoking exhibition has been unveiled at Worthing Museum and Art Gallery that explores the identity of Europe as a safe home.

The exhibition brings together the work of four contemporary artists; Delaine and Damian Le Bas, Alex Michon and Julia Horbaschk. Archive material, objects and art works from Worthing Museum’s collection also support the theme of this hugely debated topic. Safe European Home? speaks of people from all around the globe who have looked to Europe for a safe home, as well as those within Europe who have looked to the UK. This subject has fuelled debate historically, and will continue to be just as significant in today's climate and in the future.
 
Paintings such as White Poppies by Gyula Sajo and Le Lavoir, St Nicholas-du-Pelem, Brittany by Stanislawa Karlowska celebrate the diversity of artists who were European by decent and have made a rich contribution to art history in England.  Other paintings such as Home Sweet Home by Walter Sickert are chosen to pose questions around the idea of ‘home’ and The Trial by Keith Vaughan acts as a reminder to consider civil rights.

Many of the items from the museum’s collection have been selected because they reference borders, boundaries and movement. The installations and art work by Damian, Delaine, Alex and Julia each have their own voice but the threads that weave the whole exhibition together are concerned with acceptance, tolerance, responsibility and much more.
 
The title itself is taken from a Clash song, a band renowned for taking an active anti-fascist stance. First shown outside the parliament building in Vienna in 2011, Safe European Home? comes back to the artists’ home town in Worthing. Tragically Damian Le Bad died unexpectedly on 9 December 2017.
 
Emma Walder, Art and Exhibition Curator at Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, says:
“Our Heritage is culturally diverse and has been shaped by people from all cultures, from all corners of the globe. Refusing to be history-blind, the pioneering work of Damian and Delaine Le Bas serves as a timely wake up call to remind us that the human soul has no borders. We wish this exhibition to serve as a tribute to Damian Le Bas who worked with Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, together with Delaine on many memorable occasions.  Damian was an extraordinarily talented, inventive and uncompromising artist whose passion, spirit and revolutionary commitment lives on through his work.”

For more information on the Safe European Home? exhibition, visit worthingmuseum.co.uk or call Worthing Museum on 01903 221 448.

Newly elected Adur Chairman to launch community defibrillator appeal

Adur District Council’s first independent Chairman for 15 years has vowed to raise the profile of the role while raising money for life-saving equipment in the community.

Councillor Joss Loader, who represents Marine ward on behalf of the Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association (SBRA), was officially confirmed in the role at local authority’s annual meeting last week (Thursday May 18, 2018)

As first citizen of the District, Cllr Loader will represent the Council at community and civic events for the next year.

The former journalist has pledged to use the term in office to raise the profile of the area, which she praised for its “fantastic community spirit”.

She said: “I would like to raise the post's profile and to demonstrate to our great local residents, organisations and charities that they are fully supported by Adur District Council in the work they do. There is some uncertainty about the role of a Chairman - as people identify more readily with the office of a Mayor. I will work to raise greater awareness and engagement.”

Traditionally, the Adur Chairman has raised money for charities in the area during their 12 months in office. But Cllr Loader said she wants to use her term to launch a Community Defibrillator Appeal to provide life-saving, publicly accessible machines across the towns and villages of Adur.

She said: “We have already done this with great success on Shoreham Beach and SBRA installed two defibrillators last month after a fund-raising drive. It's early days, but I plan to work with local community groups to try to ensure that all areas have 24/7 access to these great machines.

“I am doing this in memory of my late father, Brian Hollebone, who died very suddenly from a catastrophic heart attack more than 30 years ago, when defibrillators were not not available.  If just one resident's life can be saved, I shall consider it a job very well done.”

Cllr Loader replaces Councillor Peter Metcalfe, who served in the role for the second time in five years.

The new Vice Chairman is Councillor George Barton, who lives in Sompting and represents Peverel ward.

Read on to find out more about the new Chairman.

What is your background?

I have a grown-up son and daughter and I raised my family on Shoreham Beach, living here for nearly 20 years. Professionally, I am a qualified journalist who held posts as news editor on the  Shoreham Herald and Assistant Editor/News Editor on the Worthing Herald. I also worked for The Evening Argus in the late 80s.

More recently, I've held senior communications posts at a number of organisations including the NHS; Shoreham Power Station during its £200m construction and commissioning phase; local government and the Royal Armouries Museum. I now work as a freelance PR consultant and I also teach English as a foreign language at a local language school.

Why did I become a councillor?

As a former newspaper reporter, It was something I vowed that I would never do!  However, a strong interest in my local community - plus the chance to stand as an Independent candidate for Shoreham Beach Residents' Association (SBRA) - proved too appealing for me to resist.  I have a passion for communications and keeping residents fully engaged, consulted and informed.

What are your priorities for the coming year as Chairman?

I would like to raise the post's profile and to demonstrate to our great local residents, organisations and charities that they are fully supported by Adur District Council in the work they do. There is some uncertainty about the role of a Chairman - as people identify more readily with the office of a Mayor. I will work to raise greater awareness and engagement.

Which charities will you be supporting as Chairman?

Adur has fantastic charities and voluntary organisations, all doing amazing work. Rather than choosing any specific charities, I intended to launch a  Community Defibrillator Appeal to provide life-saving, publicly accessible machines across the towns and villages of Adur.

We have already done this with great success on Shoreham Beach and SBRA installed two defibrillators last month after a fund-raising drive. It's early days, but I plan to work with local community groups to try to ensure that all areas have 24/7 access to these great machines.

What makes Adur a special place?  

Adur is made up of very distinct communities, comprising Shoreham, Lancing, Sompting, Southwick and Fishersgate. What our residents do have in common is a very strong "sense of place" and a fabulous community spirit, combined with passion and commitment to enhancing where we live. On a personal level, it simply feels like "home".

Pop along to Worthing’s first public living room

Worthing’s first ‘public living room’ is open for business as Worthing Borough Council has turned one of its seafront beach huts into a space you can call home for a few hours.  

Every Friday lunchtime for the next month, Beach Hut 72, located between Heene Road and Grand Avenue, will be set up as a welcoming public space where people can gather - to socialise or simply relax in company - for free.

Kitted out with home comforts such as games, magazines and drawing materials for children, as well as a bit of ambient chilled summer music, the public living room is a place where anyone can come, on good days and bad, to be around people, make connections and enjoy being out of the house.

As one of the first places in the UK to join the public living room trial, council staff will open the hut every Friday between 11am and 3pm until June 8.

There is also an open invite for individuals and community groups to help keep the area open at other times of the day. All you need to be able to do is greet any visitors and welcome them in, with groups encouraged to decorate the living room in whatever welcoming style they want.

Councillor Val Turner, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The idea is to create a public space that people are able to come together in and make connections with other members of their community. It’s a ‘third space’ that is not about accessing services, but also not about sitting alone in a cafe trying to strike up a conversation.”

The movement Camerados invited Worthing to join the public living room trial which is also underway in other places in the UK and around the world including Belfast, Glasgow, Baltimore, Malmo and Melbourne.

After signing up to the scheme, staff at Worthing Borough Council’s wellbeing team were sent a mystery box, within which contained everything that was needed to create a welcoming free space for all.

After June 8th, the council will be passing on their experience and the living room ‘props’ to Worthing Churches Homeless Project who will open their own public living room in St Clare's Community Hub.

If you are interested in getting involved in opening the public living room on the seafront, contact Sophie Whitehouse in Adur and Worthing Councils’ Early Help and Wellbeing Team at:  sophie.whitehouse@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Worthing's representative has a right royal time at Harry and Meghan's wedding

Former Mayor of Worthing Alex Harman had a right royal time as an official guest at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day.

Just a day after ending his year-long stint as the town's youngest ever first citizen, Alex, 24, headed up to Windsor with his wife Fran for the big day.

The couple were among the 2,640 members of the public invited by the now Duke and Duchess and Sussex to enjoy the occasion.

And after a full day of interviewing, flag-waving and cheering, Alex said it was extremely "humbling" to attend and he was looking forward to welcoming Harry and Meghan to visit the county of their title soon.

Alex, who represents Selden ward on Worthing Borough Council, said: "The whole day was absolutely fantastic.

"One of the things that stood out about the whole day was the togetherness of everyone.

"When I got the email saying that we had been invited to attend our personal excitement grew. But when when arrived in the town in the morning it multiplied many times over.

"As soon as we walked across the bridge from Eton into Windsor, the feeling was incredible. 

"It was absolutely manic, with an incredible feeling of celebration. When we got into the queue for the castle grounds, the mood was simply fantastic."

Alex and Fran celebrated the day in the company of selected people from across the UK.

Harry and Meghan wanted ordinary members of the public to take part in their day, so they asked Lord Lieutenants to invite individuals to join the celebrations, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.

Alex said: "We were based just outside the west entrance of the chapel and saw a number of the celebrity guests walk right past us - the cast of Suits, George Clooney, Elton John - no one really stood out but turned into a who's who game trying to spot who came in!

"Then when we saw Prince William and Harry walking in, that's really when the anticipation of the crowd really started to grow.

"We heard the service though the broadcasters and after the wedding had finished we were able to go into the chapel.

"When I got a notification through on my phone Harry and Meghan would be Duke and Duchess of Sussex, that added to the occasion as it is first time in 140 or so years that we have had that title used."

As well as enjoying the occasion with his wife, Alex was a man in demand, carrying out interviews with journalists from Reuters, BBC Sussex, More Radio and Heart throughout the day.

Even though he celebrated the occasion away from the town, he said he was delighted with the way people locally marked the wedding.

Alex said: "From what we saw in Worthing, residents across the area were excited and really tuned into it. The way that people bought into the royal wedding, whether it was through events like the Broadwater Picnic or travelling up and camping in Windsor, was fantastic.

"It shows what impact having such a dynamic young couple who are modernising the royalty and bringing it into the modern age can have on people. Harry and Meghan are really personal and, because of that, people relate to them. 

"This royal wedding was completely different to anything else, even with the fact they invited members of the public like us along, and that came across on the day.

"They are fantastic ambassadors for the county and I hope to see them in Worthing some time soon!"

Wealth Management Seminar and Charity Update Seminar by Kreston Reeves

Wealth management seminar – planning for an uncertain future

On Wednesday 13 June at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation our wealth management experts will provide a blend of taxation, financial and legal advice to help you grow and protect your personal wealth in an uncertain world.  We are delighted to welcome guest speaker Alex Barron, CE), West Dean College.  For more information click here.

Charity update seminar

On Thursday 5 July we are running a seminar for charity trustees, chief executives and finance officers at the Roffey Park Institute, Forest Road, Horsham.  This seminar will cover topical issues including safeguarding, risk management, key VAT issues and income diversification.  If you are a charity trustee or know something that is this is a really informative event.  For more information click here.

Indigo Bank Holiday Brunch

The tradition of Bank Holiday Brunch at Indigo has been a welcome custom for many families for years. Join us and reserve your table to enjoy a feast of breakfast treats. 

A leisurely breakfast is lovely but cooking it?!…very tiresome!..
So you Relax… We’ll do it all for you…. Bliss!!

A Complimentary Bloody Mary or Bucks Fizz on arrival

As much as you can eat from a buffet laden with every delicious Breakfast item imaginable!

Bank Holiday Monday 28th May 10:20 am - 12:00pm

Click here to book

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Managing absence advice and guidance.

Know your procedures: a worker was unfairly dismissed because the employer failed to follow a fair procedure despite the conclusive allegations. The employment judge ruled that "the failure to offer or perhaps afford the employee a right of appeal means that the procedure followed by the employer was not a procedure that any reasonable employer"...read more.

Discipline and grievances at work: the Acas guide.

Discipline and grievance - Acas Code of Practice.  

The pitfalls of written notice: if an employee is dismissed by written notice posted to their home address, when does the notice period begin? Is it from the date the letter was delivered or from when the employee actually read it? The Supreme Court recently gave important guidance on when contractual notice of dismissal delivered in writing comes into effect...read more.

Terminating employment - notice periods and pay.

Contracts of employment.

St Barnabas House is encouraging people to hold a Big Get Together and raise vital funds to support local hospice care this summer.

The hospice has just launched The Big Get Together, its annual summer fundraising campaign which encourages people to get together with friends, family or colleagues, have fun and raise money for charity at the same time.

Wendy Bardsley, Community Fundraising Manager at St Barnabas House, said: “We are inviting you all to be part of The Big Get Together again this year.

“It’s really simple. Just get together with friends, family, neighbours or colleagues and hold a barbeque, coffee morning, garden party or try out your own unique ideas. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a loved one on a special date or anniversary.”

Last year, Steve and Debbie Brattle from Worthing hosted a Mexican-themed Big Get Together, decorating their garden with Mexican flags and cacti.

The party featured a cocktail bar serving tequila, a selection of Mexican food, a chilli eating competition and a Mexican-themed quiz.

Caption: Steve and Debbie Brattle held a Mexican themed Big Get Together in 2017

Steve said: “It was a really great night and we raised £3561.60 towards a great cause. Following last year’s Italian night which raised £2,650 we now intend for this to be an annual event with this year’s get together having an American theme.

“These events will raise money for St Barnabas House in memory of Debbie’s father, Spencer Rayment, and her sister, Dawn Madell, who both received fantastic care and support from St Barnabas.”

Mel Murrell, who volunteers in the St Barnabas House shop in Littlehampton, hosted a cream tea Big Get Together with friends and family last year.

She invited £20 guests and charged £5 entry which included cream tea, while there were party games including a tombola and ‘Play Your Cards Right’.

Mel said: “I wanted to support my local hospice for all the good work they do and to raise a good sum of money for them.”

To find out more about holding your own Big Get Together visit www.stbh.org.uk/tbgt or contact the St Barnabas House Fundraising Team 01903 254777.

Hill Barn Golf Club members recently presented a cheque for £7,841.29 to local hospice St Barnabas House.

Chris Smith, Hill Barn Golf Club Captain for 2017/18, decided to support St Barnabas House as his charity of the year because the hospice cared for a close friend of his.

His year of fundraising started off with his ‘driving in’ ceremony, followed by the club’s annual dinner. He also organised quizzes and fundraising activities during his Captain’s weekend, which were all well supported.

Chris said: “I am immensely proud of the amount of money I have raised with the help and support of all the members of Hill Barn Golf Club, the staff, my friends and family and, of course, my vice-Captain, Andrew.

“I had an amazing year with all the events, the quizzes, Captain’s weekend and the scavenger hunt being highlights.

“I chose to raise money for St Barnabas after my girlfriend Sam and I recently lost a very close friend, Sue, who received care during her last few months, and we saw the fantastic job that the hospice does.

“I wanted to do Sue and her husband Graham proud and raise as much as possible. I’d also like to thank Mary and the team at St Barnabas for the help and support given during my year, and for the fantastic work they do for the local community.”

Mary Bye, Community Fundraiser at St Barnabas House, said: “Thank you so much to Chris for choosing St Barnabas as his charity of the year. It has been a brilliant year and everyone at Hill Barn has been so friendly and welcoming.

“Chris has raised an amazing amount which will help us to provide vital care for our patients and their families.”

St Barnabas House Charity Golf Day

St Barnabas House is holding a charity golf day on Thursday 19 July at Ham Manor Golf Club in Angmering to celebrate 45 years since the hospice first opened.

The day will start at 9am with registration, bacon rolls, tea and coffee, followed by an 18-hole competition on Ham Manor’s beautiful parkland course, as well as nearest the pin and putting competitions.

Afterwards teams will enjoy a two-course meal in the Grade II listed manor house, as well as a raffle and auction.

Cost for the day is £340 per team of four. To reserve your team’s place, please call the hospice on 01903 254777, email fundraising@stbh.org.uk or visit www.stbh.org.uk/golf-day and to download a registration form.

The closing date for registrations will be at the end of June.