Greater Brighton leaders: Why the myths of the Sunny South could hold us back

‘Forget about the myth of the Sunny South’ - that was the message from Greater Brighton today as it calls for decision makers to ditch the notion that everything is rosy on the coast.

With government and big business shifting investment focus to the north, Councillor Garry Wall, the chairman of Greater Brighton, argues that overlooking regions south of the capital risks “choking off the contribution our economies make to UK plc”.

In an article for the respected Municipal Journal magazine, Cllr Wall made clear that the City Region, which contains nearly one million people from the south coast to Gatwick, is a vibrant place to do business with an economy worth more than £21 billion a year.

But he said that key issues, such as a lack of investment in transport infrastructure and a major skills shortage, are holding the region back, hampering growth and costing the treasury billions of pounds a year in revenue.

Cllr Wall argues that it is only by decision makers looking beyond the preconceived notion that everything is rosy on the coast that a true national economy can be created.

Cllr Wall, who is also leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “We have a simple request for investment bodies, big businesses, decision-makers of all kinds and, yes, government. That is to forget the preconceived notions about Greater Brighton, that here in the sunny South we are all comfortably well-off or retired to our seaside cottages.

“I’m asking that you don’t simply lump us in with London, that a Greater Brighton population of nearly a million people deserve better than that.”

The article references Channel 4’s recent decision to overlook the city of Brighton & Hove for a new creative hub.

While understanding the reasons for the broadcaster’s decision, Cllr Wall said he was concerned about the feedback that Brighton was too close to London and a new hub would fail to have an impact in providing new opportunities for a local workforce.

Cllr Wall said: “For me, as chairman of the Greater Brighton region - an area covering nearly one million residents from the south coast to Gatwick - what concerned us was that this revealed an unfortunate unawareness of the needs of our young people, the skills gaps we clearly have, the pockets of deprivation that exist, the employment opportunities we need to create for people born and brought up here to be able to stay.

“That we are simply lumped together with London was always a suspicion. But I hadn’t ever seen it laid out so barely before.”

He adds: “Are we to be punished for living underneath London, for failing to get the investment in road and rail that we need because of a vague notion that we are doing alright anyway? I hope not.”

Despite the difficulties mentioned above, Cllr Wall said that Greater Brighton, which is made up local authorities, businesses and academia, would continue to make significant headway in drawing in funding to address key issues.

He pointed to the securing of £160 million of Local Enterprise Partnership investment in flood defences, house building, town centre modernisation, job creation and road improvements.

Cllr Wall also referenced the opening of an Advanced Engineering Centre and a Construction Trades Centre last year which will help create a skilled workforce of the future.

He added that Gatwick Airport and Crawley Borough Council joining the Greater Brighton Economic Board showed that the benefits of working together as a coherent regional force were being recognised.

Cllr Wall said: “As chairman I am determined that Greater Brighton will start punching its own weight, pushing its case in a way we have admired from some leaders in the north.

“To be seen as the southern outpost of London is to do to the area a massive disservice. My job this year, working with the Board, is to remind government and business that we do have challenges and also have much to offer to help create wealth for the UK.”

A golden opportunity for audiences to attend Worthing’s fastest selling pantomime

For many attending their local pantomime has become the ultimate family Christmas tradition, securing their favourite seats, grabbing a keepsake programme and keeping their fingers crossed for a chance meeting with the stars post show.

Aware of just how important these traditions are to their patrons, Worthing Theatres are including some great opportunities in their new campaign aptly named ‘Golden Week’ for Aladdin the Pantomime, applicable to performances from Saturday 1 to Friday 7 December 2018, after the opening preview performance.

During this time, every single patron will be given a complimentary programme as part of their seat purchase. Additionally, for every evening performance, two or more lead cast members will be available for a post-show meet and greet in the Pavilion Café Bar. Pantomime fans will have the unique opportunity to have their programmes signed, as well as a chance to have photographs taken with the cast members present.

Worthing Theatres pantomime in partnership with Paul Holman Associates looks set to be another hit; with over 10,000 tickets sold and reserved so far and ticket sales financially ahead by a substantial 14% on last year's incredibly popular Christmas production Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
 
The cast will be led by Pop Superstar Lee Latchford-Evans from STEPS, who plays the title role of Aladdin. CBeebies star Rebecca Keatley plays Princess Jasmine, she is known to millions of fans both young and old as the bubbly anchor of the CBeebies House and hit children’s TV show Let’s Play.

Award-winning comedian Vikki Stone will star as the evil Abanazar, a role she is familiar with, as she was twice nominated as the Best Baddie at the Great British Pantomime Awards. Children’s comedy-entertainer Mark Jones stars as Wishee Washee, Mark has toured extensively with some of the UK’s most-loved children’s shows as the presenter of both ‘The Sooty Show’ and ‘Rainbow Live’. Well-known and well-loved Brighton cabaret artiste Dave Lynn will star as everyone’s favourite panto dame, Widow Twankey.

Amanda O’ Reilly, Head of Culture for Adur & Worthing Councils, stated “The pantomime is an important part of our annual programming and we are always looking for more ways to make this experience even more memorable for our audiences. Our new golden week campaign gives families that additional opportunity to make lasting memories with the ones they love and take a little bit of that pantomime magic home with them. It’s our fastest ever selling Christmas production, so make sure you book your seats early!”

Aladdin, runs at the Pavilion Theatre from Friday 30th November 2018 to Tuesday 1st January 2019 with ‘Golden Week’ running from Saturday 1 to Friday 7 December 2018. Tickets for this family favourite pantomime are on sale now via www.worthingtheatres.co.uk or at the Box Office on 01903 206 206, with an early bird discount which runs until Sunday 30 September.

Have You Entered the 2018
Adur & Worthing Business Awards Yet?

Entries are continuing to pour in for the Adur & Worthing Business Awards 2018, which will celebrate the achievements of firms from across the area.

Held at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing on Friday 16^th November 2018 - the official awards ceremony offers local businesses the chance to shout loud and proud about their success, and celebrate the achievements and efforts of their hard-working staff.

There are eighteen categories in total so why not take a few minutes to enter, or nominate a worthy business or individual?  Since the awards were launched in June, lots of businesses have already entered so there’s no time like the present to get involved.

Please follow The Adur & Worthing Business Awards on social media and keep up to date with news, announcements and key dates.  We are also using the hashtag #AWBAwards so please feel free to join the conversation and like and share content on our social media pages!

Worthing steps up war on single-use plastics as refill scheme launched

A network of water stations are springing up around Worthing as part of a major campaign to break our disposable plastic habit.

The environmental scheme, called Worthing Refill, wants to encourage residents to do just that; refill existing bottles of water rather than buy new plastic bottles of ‘liquid of life’.

But organisers recognise they can only succeed if there is an easily available network of Refill stations to access water. So the Refill scheme has signed up local businesses, cafes and other venues including Worthing Borough Council offices so that people can refill for free.

Refill Worthing already has more than 40 water Refill stations and more locations are being added every day.

The scheme is officially launched on Wednesday (August 15) with a lunchtime publicity blitz and an official reception at St Paul’s cafe in Chapel Road between 5.30pm and 8pm.

It will feature speeches from renowned environmental experts Atlanta Cook (Surfers Against Sewage) and Cat Fletcher (Freegle UK, Brighton Waste House), as well as stalls, workshops about plastics reduction and a prize draw to win a beautiful refillable bottle. All are welcome.

Cllr Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Digital & Environmental Services,said: “This is an excellent scheme which we are only too happy to support. The amount of plastics being dumped in our environment and our seas is one of the biggest issues of today and people are beginning to respond by cutting down on their purchase of disposal one-off plastics as well as rightly questioning how much plastic goes into everyday items.

“I’m pleased so many businesses and venues are on board with this scheme supplying free water sources.”

Key stats include:

·         a million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute;

·         an average UK household uses 480 plastic bottles a year but only 270 of these are recycled, that’s nearly half not put in the recycling;

·         over 35 million plastic bottles are being used every day in the UK, but 16 million are not put out for recycling;

·         plastic bottles can take 450 years to break down in the environment, but never disappear - they just break down into smaller and smaller particles.

But the tide is turning and we can all do our bit which is where Refill comes in.

A Refill app is now available showing people where the current stations are in the town and allows new venue owners to join in by placing their own places on the map.

Worthing Climate Action Network is leading Refill Worthing, supported by Worthing Borough Council, Transition Town Worthing, West Sussex County Council and Southern Water.

Michelle Furtado, of Worthing Climate Action network, said: “This scheme is an excellent way for people to start reducing their use of single-use plastics whilst keeping our communities properly hydrated during this scorching summer.

“We now have over 40 trailblazing Refill Stations signed up to support the scheme and this is growing all the time. I’m looking forward to using this scheme as a platform for discussion and action to help people break their plastic habit. Together, Worthing can make a real difference in reducing plastic waste.”

More details will be on social media pages, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching for @RefillWorthing.

Download the app and get involved. For further information or to sign up as a Refill Station email AdurWorthingRefill@gmail.com.

Acrojou return with an explosive free performance of Frantic on the Pavilion Theatre Promenade
 
Worthing Theatres are pleased to welcome back Acrojou on Saturday 18 August for a free performance of their spectacular acrobatics and dance-theatre show Frantic, on the Pavilion Theatre Promenade at 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
 
Love, freedom, blood, sweat and rainstorms: Frantic is an explosive acrobatic exploration of our relentless devotion to busyness, the reality of a running mind and one man’s thirst for escape. Frantic is choreographed around a wheel, with a hidden water system for a joyous finale danced in pouring rain.
​
Following the runaway success of Acrojou’s first outdoor show The Wheel House, Frantic was polled by Xtrax as audience favourite at Greenwich and Docklands International Festival 2014 and has toured extensively (UK and international) for the past four years.
 
Blending theatre, acrobatics, bespoke structures and sublime visuals, Acrojou create contemporary circus productions for events worldwide. Recognised as one of the leading street theatre and circus companies in the UK, Acrojou's work has been seen live by hundreds of thousands of people across 18 countries since their first commission for London’s Trafalgar Square Festival in 2006.
 
Tickets are free but can be booked in advance from the Worthing Theatres box office on 01903 206 206 and online at worthingtheatres.co.uk.

Riverside development receives planning approval

Multi-million pound plans to revamp a Shoreham yacht club and open up the riverside to the public have received unanimous backing from councillors.

With progress to transform River Adur’s Western Harbour Arm moving forward at great pace, Sussex Yacht Club (SYC) applied for permission to create a new premises in Brighton Road.

The result will see the riverside opened up to the wider public, flood defences improved and lead to the creation of pedestrian and cycle access along the southern section of the A259 coast road for the first time.

Plans were unanimously approved by Adur District Council’s planning committee at a meeting in the Shoreham Centre this week (Monday, August 6), subject to a number of conditions being met

Councillor Carol Albury, chairman of the planning committee, said: “These are exciting plans which first and foremost will see a stunning new building created for the members of the Sussex Yacht Club.

“Committee members were unanimous in the view that the proposal will go beyond a recreational use; it will have a big impact on the wider community too with the improved transport links and new riverside public space a major boost to the area.”

The approved plans are part of a wider project to revamp the Brighton Road site and surrounding area.

In recent years, Adur District Council has been driving forward a renaissance of Shoreham Harbour, transforming industrial units into new homes and workspaces with an expansive waterfront promenade.

At the same time, the Environment Agency is installing more than seven kilometres of tidal walls defences on the River Adur, reducing the risk of flooding to thousands of residential and business properties in Shoreham and Lancing.

However, one of the obstacles in delivering this has been the SYC site, which is regarded as a key weakness.

To reduce the risk of flooding to the town and encourage private investment in the area, the Council struck a deal with the club - with the local authority buying some of the land and the proceeds being used by SYC to construct a new clubhouse.

The approved proposal will see the current building demolished. The site will then be reconfigured, with the yacht club creating a new headquarters opposite the petrol station. A car park and workshops will be built at the western end.

Once the new building is finished, the Council will build new flood defences along with a new cycle and pedestrian route.

Councillor Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to work with Sussex Yacht Club, the wider community and partners to bring forward the first stage of this development.

“Not only does it feed into our wider vision of regenerating the harbour arm but it will plug the gap in the flood defences and open up the southern section of the coast road to cyclists and pedestrians.

“I look forward to seeing construction work progress in the coming months and am certain that, when complete, the project will have a tremendous impact on the thousands of residents and visitors to our district.”

Terry Kinch, Sussex Yacht Club Commodore, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the planning committee meeting and look forward to continuing our close working partnership with Adur District Council to achieve both our new clubhouse and the new pedestrian/cycleway and flood defence for Shoreham town.

“The club will display regular updates on our noticeboards in our entrance and we welcome any member of the public popping in to view these or to enquire should they wish further information on the whole project.”

Shoreham Memorial Installation to begin within weeks

A memorial to the victims of the Shoreham Air Show tragedy is now taking shape with installation set to begin around the end of this month.

A moving series of sculptures and artworks are being created in the studio of local artists, husband and wife team Jane Fordham and David Parfitt, ready to be installed on the banks of the Adur as fitting statements of remembrance to the eleven people who died in the crash in August 2015.

A specially designed memorial bench is to be installed close to eleven individual arches, one for each of the victims, on the east side of the river near the entrance to the Shoreham Toll Bridge. Looking through the arches will take the eye to the west side of the river where a series of small dots of light, again numbering eleven, on reed-like structures will sway gently in the wind.

Jane said: “We are making good progress and can start to see the shape of things emerging. The designs may not look like a memorial but they are intended as a place for reflection to accommodate as many people’s needs as possible.

“We are also very conscious that a lot of people already use that area, for walking, picnicking, cycling and quiet contemplation, so we wanted to create something that reflects the past, present and future; where people can go along to and engage with in their own way."

Jane and David believe they will have created a place of remembrance while embracing the calm and serenity of the river Adur. Their concept of an installation on the banks of the river was chosen by the families of the victims, many of whom are still involved with the design process as the scheme develops.

No specific time frame has been set for the completion of the installation which will simply emerge rather than be the subject of an official opening.

Councillor Emma Evans, Adur District Council's Executive Member for Environment, said: “Jane and David have been so sensitive to the requirements of the brief and have created a wonderful piece of outdoor art for people to both remember those lost in 2015 but also to enjoy as they walk through this beautiful environment.”

The money for the sculptures was raised by officers of Adur District Council and included donations from the Council, Worthing Borough Council, West Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and local businesses.

Leading Male Circus Troupe Compañía de Circo eia present inTarsi at the Pavilion Theatre

As part of their UK Premiere tour, Worthing Theatres welcomes the Spanish Compañía de Circo eia to the Pavilion Theatre on Thursday 13 September, with their award-winning new circus show inTarsi.

With an original soundtrack, and a strong, funny and uplifting story for all ages, inTarsi follows four male acrobats, as they explore themes of identity and isolation, whilst glimpsing into the kaleidoscope of human relationships.

inTarsi was awarded with the Special Prize of the Jury at the Zirkolika Awards of Catalonia 2016. The show also received the MAX Award (id. Tony Award or Olivier Award) for Outstanding New Show 2017.
 
Compañía de Circo eia (Unforetold Flights in Harmony) was born in 2009 when several established circus artists decided to come together: Armando Rabanera, Fabrizio Giannini and Cristiano Della Monica (Cirque Vague, Circo de la Sombra and Le Grand Osim Orchestra) and Francesca Lissia and Celso Pereira (Celso y Frana).
 
Since the beginning, the company has been promoting a human circus capable of evoking the complexity of human relationships, reaching a very wide audience, staking its position as one of the foremost contemporary circus companies in Spain and Europe.

Compañía de Circo eia says “inTarsi is a reflection on the strength of meetings and the transformation of sentiments: everyone is alone in one way or another but finally one can discover that we’re not so different from those around us… How often have we found ourselves in a crowd only to feel isolated and apart? How often, although alone, have we felt surrounded by all we need?  We are fascinated by the constant transformation of human relations, with its encounters and its incongruities, with its complicities and its moments of solitude…  As circus artists, we live in a state of permanent transformation and our way of circus transforms with us.”

“In an era where difference is often seen as a problem, we seek to make our particularities a strength and a source of invention to be explored over a period of truly collective research, as a reflection of the colour and variety of the world we live in.”

Tickets for InTarsi at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing are priced at £10 - £16.50 and are available from the Worthing Theatres box office on 01903 206 206 and online at worthingtheatres.co.uk.
 
inTarsi is supported with funding by the Coasters Touring Network.

Silver sabres, hula hoops and foraging in the woods - new programme launched by Growing Communities.

Learning how to forage in the woods, making a dream catcher or even hula hooping in the sunshine --- these are just some of the activities available from the Growing Communities team this summer.

Residents in Eastbrook, Adur and Northbrook, Worthing have been able to take advantage of a host of events and activities since the Growing Communities project was launched last year.

Now the team have announced the next phase of activities free to join for all residents of the two areas. Green Gyms, Family Bushcraft Days, Hula Hoop fitness sessions, Schools Without Walls arts and crafts lessons and even a Star Wars inspired Silver Sabres fitness combat game are on offer.

Growing Communities is run by the National Lottery backed The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) which encourages local residents in relatively disadvantaged areas to involve themselves in projects such as planting trees and digging ponds in “Green Gyms”, community orchards, sporting activities, food growing programmes utilising disused or redundant patches of land or anything that improves health and wellbeing in open spaces..

The scheme is backed and part-funded by Adur and Worthing Councils who give park ranger time to the scheme.

Studies have shown that exposure to green spaces, particularly in urban environments, can play a significant part in promoting good physical health and mental wellbeing.

John Haigh, Operation Leader for Growing Communities in Adur and Worthing said, “We are always trying to vary our programme to keep it interesting for people as well as continue with our favourites like Green Gym.

‘There really is something fun for everyone in the latest programme. Just come along and try it out. There’s lots of friendly people to welcome you and you definitely don’t have to be an expert at anything. Part of the fun is learning and having new experiences.”

For full details of the programme go to the TCV Growing Communities Facebook.

High energy award-winning band from Wales perform upbeat folk concert at the Connaught Studio

Calan, the international award-winning band from Wales, are back on the road with their infectious rhythms and high energy routines to celebrate 10 years since the release of their first album with a brand new compilation recording called Deg or 10. The album also includes some new tracks specially recorded for the CD. They come with accordion, harp, guitar, fiddles and Welsh bagpipes along with a virtuoso performance from a champion step dancer. Calan will be bringing their upbeat live performance to the Connaught Studio on Saturday 15th September, 8pm.

The band began by busking in the streets of Cardiff raising money to pay for university fees. By 2015 they were performing alongside Bryn Terfel and Sting at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of Bryn Terfel’s 50th birthday party.
 
Calan bring together the remarkable talents of five young musicians giving a fresh and vibrant sound to traditional Welsh music. With a contemporary and lively approach they breathe new life into the old traditions through their sparkling melodies, foot tapping tunes and spirited and energetic performances of Welsh step dancing.

They blast their way through some of the old favourite reels, jigs and hornpipes with fast paced and uplifting arrangements before melting into some of their more beautiful and haunting songs.
 
Following the release of their debut album, ‘Bling’ in 2008, which attracted four star responses from critics, the five-piece have been playing to big audiences and rave reviews at concerts and festivals around Britain and Europe, including the coveted Cambridge Festival; Celtic Connections, Glasgow; Shrewsbury Folk Festival; Moseley Folk Festival; Derby Folk Festival; Bromyard Folk Festival, Whitby Folk Festival a concert tour of Italy, Austria and Belgium along with a number of performances at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Brittany, where they’ve received the award for the best group.
 
The band, who’ve raised some eyebrows with a deliberate policy of eye-catching clothes and presentation, despite the ancient roots of their music, see themselves as a new generation of ambassadors, striving to take their new sound to new audiences, while raising the profile of Welsh traditional music on an international level.

With their unique instrumental blend of fiddles, whistles, guitar and bagpipes and a traditional reed instrument from Wales called a pibgorn made from a wooden pipe and the horns of a bull, they have introduced a new generation of music fans to Welsh traditional music – in Wales and beyond.

Tickets for Calan at the Connaught Studio, Worthing are priced at £13.50 and are available from the Worthing Theatres box office on 01903 206 206 and online at worthingtheatres.co.uk.