Motorists from around Sussex are being advised to avoid using the M20 if travelling to Kent after a bridge collapsed.
Kent Police said that officers were called at 12.10pm today to a report of a bridge collapsing between Junction 4 and Junction 3 on the M20 London-bound.
Police said a lorry collided with a pedestrian bridge which collapsed onto the carriageway below.
Officers are in attendance along with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service.
No people are believed to be trapped in the debris, however one person is believed to have suffered injuries, not reported to be life threatening at this time, Kent Police said.
Police are treating this as a major incident and the M20 has been closed in both directions to allow this incident to be dealt with.
The scene on the M20 between Borough Green and Leybourne in Kent after a lorry hit a foot bridge and it collapsed. Picture: @emmaraphaelx / SWNS.com
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and take an alternative route.
Highways England has said that the road closure will last until at least tomorrow. For the latest updates, click here.
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The scene on the M20 between Borough Green and Leybourne in Kent after a lorry hit a foot bridge and it collapsed. Picture: @emmaraphaelx / SWNS.com
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COUNTY NEWS: Warning to Sussex drivers after bridge collapses


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Fickle Friends may be under the radar at the moment, but Charlotte Pearson predicts big things.
For anyone heading to Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend or Together the People next month, you might be forgiven for thinking that Fickle Friends are the new kids on the block.
However, the Brighton band have been a firm fixture on the festival circuit for the last two years playing Bestival, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend and Secret Garden Party.
“We have been going for a while,” says lead singer Natti Shiner. “But it isn’t until you get played on commercial radio that people say ‘oh wow those guys have come from nowhere’.
“The 1975 have been going for about eight years under different guises but it is only really now people are starting to take notice.”
Natti formed the band, made up of Harry Herrington on bass; Chris Hall on lead guitar; Sam Morris on drums and Jack Wilson on keyboards, about three years ago when the quintet met at the University of Brighton.
The name came not long after they formed, with Natti explaining that Fickle Friends was just meant to be a name to tide them over and the plan was initially to change it to something else.
“As time went on it kind of just stuck so we kept with it,” she smiles.
The band’s first EP Velvet was released in 2015 and Natti says they were very much a ‘DIY band’.
“That has shifted now as we have signed with a record label,” she explains. “The first EP we did ourselves and worked really hard to get it out.
“We have the luxury of someone else doing the work now and telling us when the singles are coming out.
“It is exciting and everything is a lot more structured than it was before.”
Releasing an EP was a great way for the band to show people what they are all about and Natti reveals that it got the band the buzz they needed to get noticed.
This lead to them being signed, with work then able to begin on an album which should be released at the end of this year.
The plan for the band is to record 17 songs and then pick the ones that will make the album.
“We are always writing and figuring out what we want the album to be,” explains Natti.
Fickle Friends’ sound has been described as upbeat with an 80s synth-pop feel to it, which is probably best illustrated by single ‘Swim’.
It is clear that many of their songs wouldn’t sound out of place on the 2011 film Drive’s motion picture soundtrack – something that crossed Natti’s mind when she heard former Radio 1’s DJ Zane Lowe curate such a thing with the likes of Bastille, The 1975, and CHVRCHES.
“I would love for the BBC, or anyone, to do a re-imagining of the soundtrack again. We would love to get on it and think our sound would fit really well,” she enthuses.
As for musical influences, Natti lists bands like Bombay Bicycle Club, Justice, Two Door Cinema Club, Friendly Fires and Michael Jackson, and admits you can hear a bit of all of them in Fickle Friends.
“Our sound has changed a lot over the years. I think it has got a lot more intelligent,” she reveals.
“Before it was really hectic and chaotic, but it would be because we would play bits and be like ‘oh I love that, put that in’, ‘that is great we need to have that’, so we would get it all in.
“Now we use sounds that complement each other so it works better as a song.”
The last few months have been hectic for the band, with a diary filled with festival appearances as well as trying to fit in recording their new album in LA.
“Our weekends would be filled with festivals then we would head over to America to record the album and then back over here for a performance,” reveals Natti.
The band have never played a festival in Brighton before so Natti says they are really looking forward to performing at Together the People this month at Preston Park.
The summer may be over, although many might debate it never really started, but thanks to Fickle Friends at least the sound of summer can continue well until the end of the year.
Fickle Friends will play the NME/Radio 1 stage at Reading Festival on Friday, August 26, and the same stage at Leeds Festival on Saturday, August 27.
Together the People takes place on September 3 and 4 at Preston Park, Brighton.
Other performers include Suede, Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds, Peter Hook and the Light, The Horrors and Turin Breaks.
For more information on the line up and to buy tickets, visit www.togetherthepeople.co.uk
To find out more about Fickle Friends, visit www.ficklefriends.co.uk
For more features like this visit etcmag.net

Brighton band Fickle Friends to play at Reading and Leeds


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The paperback version of The Hidden Legacy, Graham Minett’s debut novel, comes out on August 25, the same day as the e-version of his second book, Lie in Wait.
These are exciting times for Pagham-based Graham, a former head of languages at Felpham Community College. After a period as head of sixth-form at the Angmering School, he is now the school’s time-tabler and data analyst.
The novels follow on from Graham’s time as an MA creative writing student at the University of Chichester, a time which gave him three very important things, he says. “The first thing was that they showed me I was not quite as good as I thought I was! I was not the finished product, and they had very nice ways of making it clear that I needed to change what I was doing! Secondly, they made me much more professional,” Graham recalls. In other words, they gave him the confidence to say “I am a writer” without feeling like a poser, rather than simply saying “I am a teacher.”
And thirdly: “The most important thing was that you had to complete various assignments while you were there, and these were workshopped and polished to within an inch of their life. And that gave me a CV, and all of a sudden I was winning competitions.”
On the back of it all, came the debut, released earlier as an e-book and now coming out as a paperback. The Hidden Legacy combines two time lines: “One timeline is in the 1960s: a young boy commits an atrocity in the playground and becomes demonised… In the background, all through the novel, this boy’s background is seeping out into the rest of the novel in the modern day.”
In the modern day, recently divorced and with two young children, Ellen Sutherland is up to her elbows in professional and personal stress. When she’s invited to travel all the way to Cheltenham to hear the content of an old woman’s will, she’s far from convinced the journey will be worthwhile. But when she arrives, the news is astounding. Eudora Nash has left Ellen a beautiful cottage worth an amount of money that could turn her life around. There’s just one problem – Ellen has never even heard of Eudora Nash.
Her curiosity piqued, Ellen and her friend Kate travel to the West Country in search of answers. But they are not the only ones interested in the cottage, and Ellen little imagines how much she has to learn about her past . . .
The Hidden Legacy will be joined as a paperback next February by his second novel Lie in Wait which comes out on Kindle on August 25.
“The book concerns a man called Owen Hall in his late 20s. All through his childhood he had been bullied because he was different. There was an accident at his birth, and he was starved of oxygen. He was very backwards in all his social skills. When he was at school, he was a big fat lad and was picked on by everybody. But the one thing he did have was a gift for numbers, and he allows numbers to rule his life. He is wary of prime numbers, but when he sees multiples of prime numbers, he thinks it is good news...”

Graham can now call himself an author...


Ferring Football Club boss Ross Harnes believes his side will get better – after shipping 33 goals in their opening two Southern Combination Football League Division 2 matches this season.
Ferring crashed to an 18-0 opening-day defeat at Jarvis Brook on Saturday, before they suffered a 15-1 reverse at home to Bosham on Tuesday. Despite those heavy losses, Harnes – who had to put together a squad after taking over in the summer – has confidence that his determined side will turn things around.
He said: “It was a lot better on Tuesday than the Jarvis Brook game but it’s still the same story as we’re working hard to put a team together.
“The lads are working hard and not getting much of a result out of it. We lost again but at the same time the determination of the lads will help us to progress and grow.”
Jack Neave scored Ferring’s goal against Bosham, making it 2-1, before the visitors ran out comfortable winners.
Harnes’ side host Rottingdean, who lost 6-0 in their last game, on Saturday.
He said: “Rottingdean is going to be interesting as they were stuffed in their last game. We’ve got the mentality to try to get a result.”
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Sussex side ship 33 goals in opening two matches


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Seeing any play by Harold Pinter demands several questions of its audience: What is actually going on? What do we think is going on? What does the playwright believe is going on? What do the characters think is going on?
Even if you can’t answer these on one side of a sheet of A4 paper, you should fight for seats to Pinter at his most absurd - such is the quality of the touring and London-bound production of No Man’s Land.
At its most basic level No Man’s Land is a play about nostalgia (the mood is established by each of the characters being named after famous cricketers and for Pinter cricket was bound up with such wistfulness – though the cricket references are also more subliminally important throughout), what it means to be human with all our struggles, and the nightmares and joys of being haunted by memories and dreams.
In the hands of two of our finest theatrical knights (and indeed two storming supporting players) we know we are going to be treated to a masterclass of interpretation, line reading and presentation. What isn’t so immediately obvious to the newcomer are the layers upon layers that are unravelled – leading to plenty of moments that are very funny quickly balanced by something unnerving, uncertain, or just plain baffling.
Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to this 1975 play having appeared in it on Broadway in 2013 alongside Waiting for Godot. The performances are, of course, exquisite, but they also have the knack of making their roles, the script and their vital interplay fresh. It’s almost as if they were discovering it all for the first time, though it would surely not be beyond imagining that the play itself demands such originality, as though the characters were trapped in a loop, having to repeat the lines and scenes again and again.
As Spooner Ian McKellen appears to be the outsider, a loquacious poet who meets a like-minded spirit in a pub near Hampstead Heath and is invited home – but for what purpose? To discuss mutual literary interests, to share memories as old friends, or for something more physical? McKellen’s Spooner is dishevelled and seedy, but with a sharp mind and wit and a laconic humour; yet there is also a vulnerability as he tries to inveigle himself into his drinking companion’s life and home.
Patrick Stewart’s Hirst seems at first to waver between drunkenness and sobriety but the actor gives the role an extra dimension of a once strong and intelligent writer on the scary edge of senility. There is a chilling sense of his delusions ensnaring the others in the house to the point where all become helpless.
Damien Molony and Owen Teale as Foster and Briggs stay just on the right side of being threatening – are they staff, family, lovers or jailers? Often coming across as bullies, they reveal themselves as educated and eloquent in their own ways, and perhaps there is no escape for them either.
Director Sean Mathias ensures that the play works on so many levels, with its complicated characters, enchanting poetic quality and a humour darker than night and colder than winter. He is aided brilliantly by Stephen Brimson Lewis’s set design, Adam Cork’s sound design and Nina Dunn’s projection design, which all add to the questioning about whether this is something unfinished, artificial, ethereal or imaginary.
By the end we continue wondering if this no man’s land is a place of limbo between life and death, or a dreamlike state between waking and sleeping, or a place between battlegrounds. And are the characters individuals with uncertain memories or aspects of each other?
The sheer quality of this production, with a cast dramatically bowling the most amazing googlies, means that however hard Pinter’s work may be to define, the audience wants to know the answers. It may leave the theatre in a state of bemusement, but it has been rewarded by a sublime and beautiful production.

Review: No Man’s Land (Theatre Royal, Brighton, until Saturday, August 27)


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Selsey slipped out of the RUR Cup in a home defeat to Langney - but Midhurst had success on the road.
Read about the latest matches involving our local SCFL division-one teams below - and in the Observer every week.
Selsey 0 Langney Wands 2
RUR Cup round two
Blues boss Steve Bailey predicted a tough test against Langney – and was proved right as the visitors progressed to the next round in a classic game of two halves.
Selsey welcomed back keeper Jordan Smith and Toby Lempriere and started with the wind at their backs.
Midhurst scored again on 80 minutes when, from Luke Sheldrick’s header, Oli Lee’s pace got him to the ball before the keeper and he powered home their fifth.
There were injuries to two Langney defenders in the opening 20 minutes – but one of the replacements, Reece Shaw, would have a decisive effect later on.
After 32 minutes, good link-up play between Lindon Miller, Joe Clarke and Joe Manners saw Miller cross. Keeper Graham Leach parried it to Tom Groom, who shot straight at the only defender on the line and the ball was cleared for a corner.
Had James Kilhams and Jordan Lillywhite got more on headers in front of goal they would have put Selsey ahead.
Langney were content to slow the game down and it was obvious they wanted to go in at half-time without conceding. In fact, they should have scored when during a goalmouth scramble Howard Low cleared off the line for Selsey.
The visitors came out in the second half with more purpose. However, at times their enthusiasm got the better of them and they tried referee Kevin Dawson’s patience.
Five of their players found their names taken. Joe Manners was the only Selsey player to have his name taken.
The half was ten minutes old when the visitors got themselves in front. Good play down the righte saw the ball delivered to the far post where Shaw got in front of the defenders to nod home.
Three minutes later the same thing happened and again Shaw reacted first to put Langney 2-0 up.
Subs Ciaran McGreal, Matt Boulton and Cameron Corell were brought on by Selsey but the hosts tried to force things too much and found passes going out of play.
Langney’s Paul Rogers, in midfield, seemed in control of most things. Selsey kept going until the end but they could not trouble Leach.
Manager Bailey felt too many of his side had not managed to keep their performances at the levels of the previous few weeks.
He said: “We have a bunch of good-quality young players who will get better and better. We would be wrong to expect them to perform at the top level all the time and I will expect there to be one or two dips in form and performance from time to time.
“We may have to change the team around at times so we don’t put too much pressure on the younger players.”
St Francis Rangers 1 Midhurst 5
RUR Cup
A comfortable win and progress to the next round of the RUR Cup was achieved by Midhurst.
The home side, following their relegation from the premier division, are in the early stages of rebuilding the club and could only muster 11 players for this game.
This was reflected in a totally dominant first-half performance from the visitors with four goals in a 14-minute spell.
Following some missed chances Midhurst took the lead with a goal on 23 minutes from Lewis Hamilton after good work from George Morris. Hamilton became provider on 30 minutes with a cross that Gary Norgate powerfully headed home.
Two minutes later Hamilton and Scott Dormer combined to set up Morris for the third, then on 37 minutes the same player took advantage of a defensive blunder to score his second and Midhurst’s fourth.
In the second half Midhurst took their foot off the gas and St Francis created two decent opportunities. The first came following a corner when a header was put over the bar and second when a cross from the left should have been converted at the far post.
Midhurst scored again on 80 minutes when, from Luke Sheldrick’s header, Oli Lee’s pace got him to the ball before the keeper and he powered home their fifth.
St Francis scored a consolation when from an innocuous free-kick, keeper Aaron Jeal, a virtual spectator most of the game, allowed the ball to bounce off his shins and Luis McAuliffe bundled home.
MIDHURST: Jeal, Hunt, May, Grantham, Casselton, Hamilton, Hyde (Martin 60), Morris (Sheldrick 60), Lee, Dormer, Norgate (Stevens 70).
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Selsey slide out of cup ... Midhurst sink the Saints


Twin sisters who both go to St Philip Howard Catholic High School achieved some quite phenomenal GCSE results today.
Katherine and Emily Broadhurst, from Lyminster, shared a staggering 22 A* and A grades between them.
Katherine gained three A*s, seven As and one B, while Emily got five A*s and six As.
They admit there was competition between them, but that it’s always friendly as they helped each other revise for their exams.
“We’re both really happy,” Katherine said. “We studied hard together, we made index cards for each other.
“I was actually hoping to do a bit better, the one B is quite annoying.”
Emily added: “I won’t be rubbing it in too much (about doing slightly better). We’re really happy for each other.”
St Philip Howard in Barnham celebrated some of their best ever results, see the full story here
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GCSE results: Twin sisters share 22 top grades


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New images have shown the ongoing siege between police and an armed man in Pagham.
As previously reported, Sussex Police were called to Harbour Road in Pagham following reports of a 72-year-old man with a gun using threatening behaviour.
Police are still at the scene of the armed man siege in Pagham. Picture: UKNIP
Police said negotiations with the man are still ongoing at this stage.
The siege is well into its second day. Read more here.
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Police are still at the scene of the armed man siege in Pagham. Picture: UKNIP
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PICTURES: New images show armed man siege


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The focus at Sussex this season has been very much on nurturing players for the future.
Fast bowlers George Garton, Stuart Whittingham and Jofra Archer have all emerged and played their part in both red and white-ball cricket.
Chris Nash. Sussex v Hampshire, NatWest T20. Picture by Phil Westlake SUS-160717-110048001
But coach Mark Davis still relies on a core of experienced players – none more so than opening batsman Chris Nash who, along with skipper Luke Wright, is the last survivor of the team which became serial trophy winners a decade ago.
Nash was seriously considered for the captaincy when Ed Joyce stepped down at the end of last season but Davis opted for Wright instead.
The 33-year-old instead poured his energies into re-booting his technique in South Africa under the guidance of Gary Kirsten and on making sure he and Joyce gave Sussex a strong platform in the County Championship.
At Cardiff this week the peerless Joyce passed 1,000 runs for the ninth time in his career and, all being well, Nash will join him on that landmark after making 132 in the first innings against Glamorgan to move onto 994 runs.
Job done, according to Nash.
“At the start of the season we knew it would be a transitional season and that the senior players had to stand up,” he said.
“Ed Joyce and I have put a huge emphasis on our opening partnership and for him to go past 1,000 runs already and me to be on 994 is just what we wanted really, and there are still four more games to go to push on.
We have put a lot of the onus on ourselves to get off to good starts because it takes a bit of pressure off some of the less experienced guys behind us in the middle order.
“I was delighted with the way I played because, on the second day, Glamorgan bowled outstandingly.”
With Essex beating Leicestershire in three days to stretch their lead at the top, Sussex probably need to defeat Glamorgan and win another three matches to have any chance of finishing in the one promotion place.
The likelihood is that Sussex will still be in the second division next season but it remains to be seen whether Joyce, who turns 38 next month, will be striding out with Nash to open the batting.
Davis and Joyce, who is out of contract at the end of the season, will sit down soon to talk about the future but Joyce might be tempted to extend his stay so he can finish his career with 50 first-class hundreds. He is currently on 45.
Meanwhile Nash was among several Sussex players to offer messages of congratulation to coach Phil Hudson, who played club cricket at Horsham with Nash, and his Sussex under-15s after they beat Staffordshire on Thursday to win the Royal London National One-Day final at Kibworth. Among the Sussex team was opening batsman Scott Lenham, who could one day continue the family tradition which is woven into the fabric of Sussex cricket.
His father Neil and grandfather Les both played for the county - as opening batsmen.
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There’s nothing quite like the unexpected when you go fishing, writes Roger Poole of Petworth and Bognor Angling Club.
Club member Stephen Gray visited the Rother for some float trotting for dace and roach – both provide good fun especially on light tackle.
I think the Arun is one of the best fishing rivers in the south of England – I know of no other river that holds such a wide variety of coarse fish. Roger Poole
So he was surprised to catch not only a barbel and a jack pike but an 8lb 8oz common carp. These roam the river appearing every so often when least expected, and certainly a challenge to any angler. I
Those red letter days are one of the reasons we go fishing. I recall a day on the lower stretches of the Rother at Fittleworth when I was enjoying catching small roach and dace with some perch, all happy to take maggot with my bait tripping the bottom, when regular ground bait attracted the attention of some large chub further downstream.
Chub can often be loners but on this occasion there were several and within a half hour I had caught five with an average weight of three to four pounds.
A couple of bream turned up to complete what was my red letter day on the Rother. Have I been back? You bet – same swim, same bait, same tactics, same result? Sadly no.
Despite the relative July heatwave, the water levels on both rivers and ponds remained relatively high, which has led to excellent catches from the club’s waters.
Our catch report books indicate most anglers are enjoying good sport and it’s good to see more roach, especially in the rivers. Roach have been in decline for some years and get targeted by mink.
They are a shoaling fish and easy prey to mink who were abandoned by some mink farms to roam the countryside and rivers in particular when the fur trade collapsed many years ago.
A spirited attempt to combat the number of mink in rivers by the South Downs National Park will shortly get under way in co-operation with landowners who themselves undertake mink control.
Like mink, otters live and survive on a diet of mainly fish – and fish stocks, despite a slow recovery, are the lifeblood of rivers, ponds and lakes and of course anglers who pay for their pastime.
Mink are a no-no but otters have a rightful place provided they inhabit naturally in rivers with sufficient fish to sustain them. What is wrong is when mankind decide to introduce them without realising the damage to valuable fish stocks and the harm the otters themselves suffer through a lack of food. They then start moving into other areas including private ponds in people’s gardens.
I think the Arun is one of the best fishing rivers in the south of England – I know of no other river that holds such a wide variety of coarse fish, plus the migratory sea trout that find their way into the Rother at Hardham.
The sea trout find their way up so many tributaries on both rivers and this year we have had record catches with all fish being returned. The Arun may be tidal and best fished on a rising or falling tide but its bream are worth it. Best caught on a maggot feeder, these bream shoal in large numbers and are unlike lake bream.
They can put up quite a fight but perhaps are wiser then we imagine. Having charged downstream they decide to flop over, happy to go in the landing net knowing full well once unhooked they go straight back in the river.
For full information on club matches, venues and all activities please see www.sussexangling.co.uk
Roger Poole.
Petworth & Bognor Angling Club
Read Roger’s What’s the Catch? column on this website and in the Observer every month
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Why anglers should expect the unexpected


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The average driver in Sussex will be travelling 67 miles over the Bank Holiday, a new poll has found.
More than 2,000 motorists from around the area were asked where they would be travelling over the three-day break, and how much they would be using their vehicles.
More than half – 52 per cent – said they would be using their car, and one in ten said they would be going away for the Bank Holiday.
The most popular scenic route around the UK driven by motorists in Sussex is around Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, with more than one in five, 22 per cent, having taken this road.
More than two thirds of motorists from this area, 69 per cent, have been on a driving holiday, more than any other region in the UK according to the poll commissioned by Confused.com.
And it’s not a surprise when just over four-fifths – 81 per cent – of those questioned said that they enjoy driving.
Abroad, more than a quarter – 26 per cent – of South East motorists said they would like to take the Route 66, the famous road in America which spans a distance of more than 2,000 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica.
What will you be doing this Bank Holiday weekend? Comment below.
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POLL: Sussex drivers ‘will travel 67 miles’ during Bank Holiday


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Organisers are well ahead with planning for the fifth running of the Chichester Half Marathon since it was revived in 2012 - and would-be entrants are being urged not to miss out.
The race takes place on Sunday, October 9, and is a challenging multi-terrain race which this year has some additional events included.
It is a good mixture of road, paths, cycle tracks and cross country and will start at 9am from the Chichester College race village.
The route takes in major city-centre sights and landmarks as well as spectacular rural scenery in the surrounding Lavant and Goodwood countryside.
Organisers are the Chichester-based charity Children on the Edge in conjunction with the sports development team at Everyone Active, the firm which has taken over district council sport and leisure services.
They have again been overwhelmed by the response from those returning and new runners alike and are hoping to reach an increased entry limit of 1,500 runners. Already some 650 have entered.
The Chichester Half has been going from strength to strength each year since we revived it in 2012. We’re really excited for this year because there are some new competitions and prizes. Ben Wilkes
It is suitable for people of all abilities over the age of 17.
There are two additional opportunities for 2016. There will be for the first time the possibility of starting and finishing with the half-marathon race but cutting out three miles to make a multi-terrain ten miler.
This will give the runners the benefits of running through the city and climbing two thirds of the Trundle, with all the splendid views of the Solent, but without the challenge of the final climb to the summit – and there will be a shorter route back to the Lavant Valley.
Also new is a three-person team relay. This will have the same start and finish as the half marathon and be run over the same course but will be completed by a team of three different runners.
This can be three male runners from an athletics club, three female runners from an athletics club or three runners of either sex representing a works team, a bona-fide club, or family or friends.
The course will be divided into three legs and each runner takes a different leg.
Ben Wilkes, head of Children on the Edge in the UK, said: “The Chichester Half has been going from strength to strength each year since we revived it in 2012. We’re really excited for this year because there are some new competitions and prizes, lots of local business support and a real buzz in the community about race day.
“Not only this, but the money raised makes a huge difference to the vulnerable children we work with. Everyone can get involved, whether it’s running, volunteering or cheering on from the streets, so please do join us on the big day.
“For the 2016 event we have launched a ‘Run for Refugees’ challenge in Chichester to fundraise for thousands of displaced children across the world”.
Local sponsors Montezuma’s and Store Property are again supporting the event. Both have directors who are keen athletes.
The works trophy has proved popular since it was first introduced in 2014 and again will berun in 2016. Early indications are many more businesses are considering entering this year.
Any organisation or business can enter as many people as they wish to compete for the Trophy but it is the first three finishers on race day who will make up the scoring team.
Back after its successful introduction in 2015 is the King and Queen of the Hill competition. Male and females will compete to see who is the quickest climber of the Trundle between two points – Seven Ways Car Park and the end of the flint track at the point where the course starts to go round the summit.
To be eligible runners must enter the half marathon, start the race in Westgate, complete the hill-climb section and also be a recorded as a finisher in the Chichester College car park.
Prospective runners are advised to get entries in early. The race limit cannot be exceeded.
You can sign up at www.chichesterhalfmarathon.co.uk - where training advice and guidance is also available, or see more at www.chichester.gov.uk
Graham Jessop
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Warning to runners over Chichester half marathon


It was always easy to work out how well a school had performed when it came to GCSEs.
You took the latest batch of A*s and compared them to last year’s results. Simple.
Millais School Head Teacher Alison Lodwick (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150510-170504008
Things have changed now, and this year’s youngsters were the last to have their results rated at A*-G.
They will also be the last to take re-sits in November and were the first to have their progress examined under a tough new government system, which will see under-performing schools facing the wrath of Ofsted.
It’s all a little confusing and a lot to take in in one go, but let’s look at the changes one by one.
First, the grade changes. Next year’s results will be graded 9-1 rather than A*-G, with 9 being the highest.
It’s entirely up to the schools what they publish but the only thing that counts from this year is Progress 8. Department for Education
At the top of the pile, grades 9, 8 and 7 will be the equivalent of the current A*/A. The top 20 per cent of those students will receive a grade 9, which has been described as something akin to an A**.
There’s a new top target to aim for.
At the other end of the scale, grade 4 will be the equivalent of scraping a C pass, with grade 5 likely to be the standard set for what is now called a ‘good’ pass.
When it comes to re-sits, students will only be able to retake maths and English in November. No other subject re-sits will be allowed.
There had become something of a culture of re-sits over the past few years. If a child failed an exam, they could retake it until they got the result they wanted – and the result that looked best in the school’s league tables.
It was a bit like messing up a battle when playing a computer game then reloading and reloading until the battle was won. The end result was good but it didn’t really demonstrate any skill – just the ability to avoid making the same mistakes.
Finally we come to Progress 8, which is something of a headache to understand but has been well received by Sussex headteachers.
It’s also the important score when it comes to meeting the government’s required standards.
As one spokesman from the Department for Education put it: “It’s entirely up to the schools what they publish but the only thing that counts from this year is Progress 8.”
To put it simply, it’s a way of measuring the progress made by pupils from the end of primary school to the end of secondary school.
Each child’s progress is measured across eight subjects and then compared to the progress made by children all over the country who started with the same attainment level.
For example, if Anna started secondary school with high Key Stage 2 SATs results, her progress at the end of Year 11 would be judged against children who started from an equally high point.
If she entered secondary school with low SATs results, her progress would be measured against others who had an equally low starting point.
Children who attend independent schools, special schools, pupil referral units, alternative provision or hospital schools are not included in this system.
Anna’s Key Stage 2 score would have been used to predict her results in eight subject areas. Whether or nor she meets those expectations determines her Progress 8 score.
A score of zero means Anna performed exactly as predicted – all is well, progress has been made. Anything above zero means she made better than expected progress – which is good news for her school.
Anything below zero means her progress was not as high as expected.
That would be worrying for Anna’s school, because its overall Progress 8 score is calculated using the mean average of all its pupils’ scores.
The government has set a baseline standard of -0.5 for schools. If a school fails to reach that standard, an Ofsted inspection will be triggered.
As for the eight subjects which give Progress 8 its name, there is a heavy focus on core areas.
Each child must take maths and English plus three English Baccalaureate subjects such as science, computer science, history, geography and languages.
The maths is worth double points as is the English if the students takes both English language and English literature.
They can then include three subjects of choice – which must come from an approved list of qualifications if they are to count towards their score.
As mentioned, Progress 8 has been welcomed by many headteachers in Sussex.
Jules White, head of Tanbridge House School, said the new system was “much fairer”.
He added: “It ensures that a broader basket of subjects are counted but maths and English are still weighted - quite rightly - more heavily than other subjects.
“The old thresholds made a ‘C’ too important and now every grade counts. There still remains a problem that progress is measured from Key Stage 2 results which are far too variable at the moment.”
Dr Alison Lodwick, head of Millais School, agreed. She said: “I consider that measuring progress is a far more accurate method of judging achievement. Attainment can give a false impression of progress and therefore the starting point must be the baseline data for each child if progress is be accurately assessed.
“Therefore, when parents, employers, the press and the public in general gets used to the new way of looking and reporting results - as it sounds a bit complicated to many at the moment - it will be a fairer judgement on how much actual progress has been made by students and schools.”
Searching for the right school in Sussex for your child? - Visit educationsussex.com for authoritative reviews and so much more.


The Bognor Friday Night Summer League’s divisional singles knockouts took place at Newtown Social Club.
An excellent turnout of 69 players took part, only one short of last year’s summer record.
In division three, preliminary matches saw a 180 from Ashley Clements (New Jacks) and Clements made it to the final after beating Dave Coupland (Royal Oak) in the first semi-final. The second semi saw Simon McDougall (New Jacks) lose to Ian Dendy (POW Galleon).
In the final Dendy started with 140. Dendy just missed a a ton plus out-shot but had another chance with his next throw and hit the double with his last dart.
The second leg saw Clements hitting two tons and later hitting the double for the second leg. Dendy started the last leg slowly and Clements ended up needing 16 and finding the double eight with the first dart, taking the title.
Division two’s first semi-final saw a Friary D battle with James Riggs losing to Simon Kimber, who hit a remarkable ten-dart leg on the The second semi-final saw BRSA Wanderers team-mates Nathan Warren and Gary Blackwood do battle, Blackwood the winner.
Ragless hit two scores of 121 and eventually hit a second double to take the win.
In the final saw Blackwood got off to the better start and took the first leg. The second leg saw Kimber win the leg in 17 darts.
The last leg saw Blackwood start with 140 and go on to clinch the title.
Division-one saw a first-round 180 from Lee Franklin (POW ‘Z’). The semi-finals saw Squash Club’s Buster Barton lose to team-mate Graeme Dutton and Richard Ragless (Squash Club) defeat Rob Collins (POW ‘Z’).
Ragless won the bullseye for the first darts in the final, and took the first leg. Dutton started the second with 140, but Ragless hit two scores of 121 and eventually hit a second double to take the win, becoming the champ for the third time on the trot.
Friday Summer Darts League
In a week of catch-up matches, best game was played by Lee Franklin (POW Z) with 21 and 24 darts and a 22.22 average.
Results - Div 1 - Hunston Hares 11 BRSA Ravens 4; QE2 Cobras 3 POW Z 13.
Other stats - Div 1 - player of match - Lee Franklin (POW ‘Z’) 21 & 24 darts [22.22 av]; Mick Isles (BRSA Ravens) 21 & 27 darts [20.45 av]. Other good games - Rob Collins (POW ‘Z’) 20 & 22 darts [20.43 av] - 2nd leg 32 left in 30 darts; Chris Williams (QE2 Cobras) 21 & 25 darts [21.19 av] - 1st leg 20 left in 24 darts; Micky Rowland (POW ‘Z’) 21 & 31 darts [19.27 av]; Graham Clear (Hunston Hares) 22 & 32 darts [18.56 av]. 180s - Mark Sheppard (Hunston Hares). High out shots - Mick Isles (BRSA Ravens) 87; Micky Rowland (POW ‘Z’) 80; Lee Franklin (POW ‘Z’) 67; Mark H Todd (BRSA Ravens) 61; Chris Williams (QE2 Cobras) 60.
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Bognor darts: Singles aces find their doubles


Chichester Art Society member Glen Smith has had a painting selected for the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in central London from September 28-October 8.
Glen’s painting of Newquay Harbour was one of 1,100 submitted by non-members of the RSMA and is one of the small number selected to hang alongside the work of RSMA members at their annual exhibition. The exhibition’s theme is the sea and everything related to it, from beaches and creeks to harbours and boats.
Chichester Art Society spokeswoman Jean Campbell said: “This exhibition is regarded as the most prestigious and varied marine art exhibition in the country and will feature over 400 works from emerging and well-established artists across a range of media, including oil painting, watercolour, pastels, prints, and sculpture.
“The society congratulates Glen, whose work was a visitors’ favourite at its June exhibition this year and wishes him continued success with his work in the future.”
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Middleton were in league and T20 action while other sides concentrate on just the league. And there was an afternoon to forget for Pagham’s batsmen.
Here are the latest reports from our local Sussex League division-two teams.
Horsham fielded a side containing five current or ex-county players, with first starts in the tournament this season for Will Beer and George Garton.
Three Bridges v Middleton
Division two
Middleton drove into a storm on their way to Three Bridges – and arrived to find a waterlogged ground.
Hard work by the players meant the umpires were happy the ground was fit for a T20 game.
The league rules state that where insufficient time is available for a normal game, the teams can play a T20 which sees the winner awarded 20 points and the loser ten.
Skipper Sean Heather won the toss and invited Three Bridges to bat first.
The score had moved to 32 before Beck Hemingway caught opener Conor Golding off Brandon Hanley for 16. A partnership of 41 followed between Ian Church and Victor Davies.
Matt Reynolds broke through with a wicket off the very first ball of his first over, the 12th of the game, having Davies caught by Jamie Thompson for 13.
The Middleton bowlers dominated from that point and at the end of their 20 overs Three Bridges finished on 114 for eight. Only opener Church with 56 really made any impression. Pick of the Middleton bowlers was Heather with three for 13 off his three overs.
In reply Middleton opened with Heather and Hemingway. Heather was in a mood to get things finished quickly and scored an unbeaten 88 seeing his side home in the 13th over two wickets down. His 88 included nine fours and seven sixes.
Middleton v Horsham
County League T20 final
For the second season running Middleton reached the league T20 final and they were backed by good numbers of fans at Hove.
Horsham fielded a side containing five current or ex-county players, with first starts in the tournament this season for Will Beer and George Garton. Garton featured for England under-19s last season against the touring Australians.
Horsham won the toss and elected to bat. Tom Johnson got his side away to an explosive start hitting the first two balls of the second over for six.
Beer gave a tough chance to a diving Beck Hemingway early in his innings but when Johnson was first out with the score on 90 his own contribution was 62 from just 32 balls.
There was a flurry of wickets with Beer next to go, caught by Hemingway off Jamie Thompson.
Next to go was Jofra Archer, playing against his old club, for just one – he was caught off Will Searle – and when Garton was bowled by Thompson for just two with the score on 96 for four it looked like a game might be on.
Michael Thornley, having played for, among others both Sussex and Leicestershire in his first-class career had different ideas however and saw his side to a total of 161 at the end of the 20th over, unbeaten on 47. All the Middleton bowlers bowled well with Thompson (3-33) the pick.
Middleton opened with Heather and Hemingway. Horsham’s attack opened with the Sussex duo of Archer and Garton, and in his first over Garton bowled Heather for one.
Hemingway was caught for nought and Will Burrows bowled for five, and when Ben Ferbrache was fourth man out for 16 the score was just 36.
Middleton never really recovered but spirited batting by all their batsmen saw them finish on 108 for nine at the end of their 20 overs. Patrick Colvin 16 and Thompson with 21 were their main scorers.
Pagham v Ansty
Division two
Pagham’s poor season turned into a nightmare against Ansty.
At 2.45pm Ansty were 95 for nine and Pagham might well have had ideas of a win. However, Ansty’s last-wicket pair of Jake Wilson (70no) and Glenn Anason (54no) put on 134 to change the face of the game.
Ansty declared at 229 for nine after 52 overs – only Peter Cotterill (5-79) and Tom Kent (3-40) came out with any credit.
If Pagham thought things couldn’t get any worse they were wrong as they were bowled out in 9.4 overs for an embarrassing 23 – of which 13 were extras.
Jake Wilson fisnished with six for seven and Jethro Menzies four for three. Wayne Green top scored for Pagham for the first time in three years ... with four runs, the only boundary.
Pagham go to Lindfield on Saturday hoping for a massive improvement.
Eastbourne v Bognor
Division two
Losing the toss at the Saffrons, Bognor fielded first and toiled as Jacob Smith and Dan Wells put on 106 for the first wicket.
However, a quick double from Richard Cox accounted for both openers and Eastbourne promptly capitulated to 156-7 as Charlie Hunter and Rob Willway had success.
A rapid 36 from David Twine, supported by 15-year-old Alastair Orr (41*), saw Eastbourne reach 219-8, Willway finishing with 3-58.
In Bognor’s reply, Mike Harris and Willway fell to Ben Twine but Zayne Bux and Max Ashmore rebuilt, the latter facing a barrage of short balls from the Eastbourne seamers, doing his best to swallow a particularly nasty bumper in the process, leaving a fairly impressive bruise on his throat.
Ryan Maskell’s rapid 56 put Bognor in a commanding position as he took a particular liking to the spin of Delray Rawlins.
Twine accounted for Ashmore (78) and Maskell in the same over and a flurry of wickets in near-darkness meant Bognor finished on 202-8, the draw a fair result.
Bognor 2nd XI v Southwater 2nd XI
2nd XI div three west
On a blustery day at the Regis Oval, Bognor’s lively skipper Josh Broad won the toss and elected to field as the hosts looked to gain some end-of-season momentum.
Dan Winslow made merry combining swing and seam to nip out Southwater’s top order and to claim a season’s-best four for 30.
Middle-order resistance for the visitors came from James Cooper with 54 but Bognor’s burly all-rounder Sam Adams zipped in to grab two for 22 and with the finishing touches being applied by the bullish Elliott Clarke with three for 28 with his zippy leg-breaks, Southwater were 147 all out.
Bognor’s reply came with the usual fireworks from Adams as he battered a brisk 25 but it was skipper Broad’s dashing blade that saw the hosts home with a fine 74 not out containing 12 fours.
Winning by eight wickets, the Bognor boys are looking to finish the season strongly.
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Middleton miss T20 prize ... Extras top-score for Pagham


Police have provided an update into the sudden death of an 18-year-old man, saying that a ‘hazardous chemical substance’ was believed to be near the body.
Emergency services were called to a house in Grove Road, Worthing at lunchtime yesterday and ambulance staff wearing bio-hazard suits were seen entering the property. Click here to read the original story.
Emergency services were called to a chemical incident at Grove Road in Worthing yesterday, where an 18-year-old man died. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The road was temporarily closed, and neighbours are believed to have been told not to leave their houses while emergency services dealt with the incident.
Sussex Police has issued a statement, which said: “Police were called to a report of a man found dead at his home in Grove Road, Broadwater, Worthing on Monday (29 August) at 12.35pm.
“It is believed that there may have been some hazardous chemical substance near the body of the 18-year-old so specially trained ambulance and fire crews attended the scene. The body was recovered safely.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner’s officer is dealing with the incident.”
Emergency services were called to a chemical incident at Grove Road in Worthing yesterday, where an 18-year-old man died. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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Emergency services were called to a chemical incident at Grove Road in Worthing yesterday, where an 18-year-old man died. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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Emergency services were called to a chemical incident at Grove Road in Worthing yesterday, where an 18-year-old man died. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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COUNTY NEWS: Hazardous chemical involved in teen death


A conflict between police and an armed man is nearing its 24th hour.
Sussex Police have issued an updated statement about the incident, which is continuing at a property in Harbour Road, Pagham.
Police have cordoned off a house in Harbour Road, Pagham and are negotiating with a man armed with a gun. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
As previously reported, trained police negotiators are at the scene speaking to a pensioner armed with a gun. Click here for the original story.
In their latest statement, Sussex Police said: “Police are continuing to talk with a 72-year-old man who is believed to be armed with a gun inside a property in Harbour Road, Pagham.
“It comes after emergency services were called to the address just after 4pm on Sunday (28 August) to a report of threatening behaviour.
“A woman known to the man was also in the house at the time, but she left shortly after police arrival and is safe and well.
“The 72-year-old man remains in the property alone.”
Detective Superintendent Carwyn Hughes said: “I would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while we deal with this ongoing situation.
“Harbour Road remains closed and a cordon around the area is still in place.
“The safety of local residents is our priority and we are doing all we can to make sure their daily routines and Bank Holiday plans are not disrupted. People living in properties along Harbour Road are free to come and go with police support.
“Communication between a trained negotiator and the 72-year-old man in the house continues.”
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UPDATE: Armed man siege nears 24 hour mark


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More than 180 people attended a ‘highly charged’ meeting where strong objections were voiced against proposed plans for Chichester’s A27.
Organised by Donnington’s Canal Walk Residents’ Association, attendees also included representatives from Chichester City, Stockbridge, Whyke, Apuldram, Birdham, Sidlesham, North Mundham, Almodington, Selsey, Earnley and North Chichester.
Anger was voiced against all of the options, especially Option 2
Following the presentation there were highly charged discussions bringing forward strong objections to the proposed plans.
A local resident at the event said: “None of the current options will resolve the existing congestion.
“The distance from Fishbourne roundabout to Portfield roundabout on A27 is 3.5 miles, which takes anything from 30 to 45 minutes.
“Saving seconds and spending nearly £300 million on local and through journey times is not a solution and represents very poor value for money.”
People were queuing out the door
Highways England is currently consulting on five different options to upgrade the stretch of the A27, ranging from £47m to £280m.
The audience at the meeting were particularly vocal in their rejection of Highways England’s proposed Option 2, which includes a new Stockbridge Link Road.
Opposition cited multiple ‘disastrous’ effects that the link road would have in terms of pollution, noise and transferred traffic congestion being moved off the A27 onto the Manhood Peninsula roads.
The negative impact on tourism, on which many of the Manhood businesses rely, was of particular concern.
The audience also heard that 20 buildings and homes would have to be demolished, including a listed early 17th century house.
The anticipated journey time improvement for local traffic of just two minutes and ten seconds, after an investment of £280 million and 41 months of misery during construction, was met with particular derision.
There were strong views expressed that the only true solution would be to build a new northern bypass - an option which was being considered before being dropped ahead of the ten-week public consultation period, which runs until September 22.
One man even came to the meeting armed with an original copy of the 1970s Highway’s proposal for a northern bypass.
Donnington resident Jane Rowe said afterwards: “The general mood from people at the meeting last night was one of Highways forcing us to comment on options, none of which will resolve the congestion issue on the A27.
“Not only that, new access restrictions to the A27, habitually used as a local route, will bring more misery for Manhood Peninsula traffic.
“We appreciate the work Highways England has done so far, however Manhood Peninsular residents urge them to think again.”
Take our unofficial Observer poll on the A27 options
here
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Anger at every A27 option at packed meeting


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Models of the Coca-Cola Powerbank have been recalled due to a potential fault in the units.
Halfords have recalled three models of the Coca-Cola shaped Powerbank 2200mAh, with product codes 243524, 243516 and 243581 have been removed from sale while an investigation takes place.
Customers have been advised not to use the product, which enables people to charge and sync devices when on the go, but rather to return it to their local Halfords shop, where they will receive a full refund.
The issue affects products with the item-codes above only, with no other products or powerbanks affected.
A company statement read: “We take the quality and safety of our products extremely seriously and would like to apologise to customers affected for any inconvenience this may cause.” Queries can be made to Halfords’ customer services team on 0345 504 53 53 or customer.services@halfords.co.uk.
Home, garden and leisure products chain The Range is also recalling two models due to a potential fault - the Coke Powerbank 1a 2200 Mah, with product code 135749, and the Coke Powerbank 1a 7200 Mah with code 135750.
Customers are advised to stop using the device immediately and return the Powerbank to their local store with a valid proof of purchase to obtain a full refund of the purchase price.
Customer queries can be directed to 0345 026 7598 or help@therange.co.uk


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A pair of tickets is up for grabs for this year’s Southdowns Folk Festival which is billing itself as “bigger and even better” as it prepares to hit Bognor Regis from September 23-25.
Organiser Roger Nash said: “The tickets will get you into five superb concerts at the town’s Alexandra Theatre and Regis Centre Studio featuring some of the UK’s and Europe’s top folk, roots and acoustic performers.
“Starting with the amazing Cara Dillon and band on Friday evening, the studio concerts on Saturday afternoon feature the brilliant Dutch band Wild Geese and Scottish singing sensation Claire Hastings and in the evening, the awesome Oysterband supported by the excellent Fate the Juggler.
“The concerts continue on Sunday afternoon in the studio with the stunning Steve Tilston, Wild Geese and many others and on Sunday evening, a real treat with the legendary Martin Carthy supported by the superb Robb Johnson Band plus the winner of the Sussex Young Folk Competition.”
Open to all musicians aged eight to 21, the competition will take place at the William Hardwicke on Sunday, September 25. The winner will receive a new guitar and be awarded with a 20-minute set later the same day, supporting the festival’s headliners in the Alexandra Theatre.
Roger is delighted with the way the programme has come together – particularly with the late addition of Martin Carthy after Shooglenifty were forced to withdraw from the festival for personal reasons.
“This is our fourth festival, and for the fourth festival we are focusing the festival much more on Bognor Regis town centre. We are not using Hotham Park.
“We just want to be more central this time. We have linked up with the town-centre management, and we have got nine different dance groups performing. We have also got music sessions going on and workshops going on, and we have also got the Sussex Young Folk Competition at the William Hardwicke and a real-ale festival.
“The other thing is that we have much more teamed up with the Regis Centre. Before, we would hire the Regis Centre, but this year we are working much more closely together with them as partners.”
Roger is delighted at the way word has spread for the festival since he revived it after many years away: “We are doing the social more media actively than before, and it does make a big difference because it gets the message out much more widely. It is as simple as that.
“We have changed the format of the festival insofar as we are focusing much more on the town centre, but we think we have generally got the format right.”
Just as importantly, Roger is delighted at the important knock-on economic benefits it brings to Bognor and the positive image it helps to project of the town as a lively, successful place.
To win a pair of weekend tickets for the 2016 Southdowns Folk Festival, email phil.hewitt@chiobserver.co.uk giving your name, address and day-time phone number and putting Southdowns Folk Festival in the subject line or write to Southdowns Folk Festival, c/o Phil Hewitt, Chichester Observer, Suite 3, First Floor, City Gates, 2-4 Southgate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8DJ.
Entries to be received by midnight on September 15. Only the winners will be contacted.
All other entries will be destroyed.
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A young Arundel dancer is relishing the chance to work with the prestigious National Youth Ballet.
15-year-old Cleo Badcock will be taking part in a memorial gala performance on Sunday, September 4, at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London at 7.30pm (020 7863 8000). The memorial celebrates the work and legacy of company founder and artistic director Jill Tookey who died in March this year.
Over three decades, Jill Tookey quietly became one of the industry’s most influential dance leaders, inspiring generations of young dancers and choreographers, many of whom have embarked upon successful professional careers after their time with NYB. Jill was appointed a CBE for services to dance in the 2016 New Year Honours.
Cleo is delighted to continue Jill’s work.
“I know a few people who have done it before, and they suggested I do it,” Cleo said. “I auditioned in January and then I got a letter saying I had got through to the final auditions in April. I did a few pieces from the choreographers for that – and I got through. I got a big information pack through detailing what dances I am in and what I am going to have to do.”
And then it was into ten days of rehearsals: “We have been doing it all day every day, but it has been brilliant. I love the dances I am in, and it is great fun. I am in Ruth Armstrong’s Swing Time and also in The Tribute. Swing Time is swing-style 1930s New York, and there are about 20 dancers in the piece. It is interesting because it is all different sections, and the music is so diverse you get to do different styles. At the moment, we are rehearsing The Tribute separately, and I am guessing we are going to put it all together later.”
It’s all fantastic experience for Cleo: “I am one of those people that started dancing when they were two or three, and then when I was 11 or 12 I started taking more and more classes. I dance six days a week now. The difficulty is fitting in the homework!
“But I can express myself when I am dancing in ways that I can’t when I am just walking or talking. I can use different parts of my body. I don’t know how to put it into words really, but it is like I am in a different world when I am dancing, when the lights are on and you can’t really see the audience.
“I suppose it depends on the setting or the piece, but I don’t really get nervous. I am not a wreck. But it is always good to have a few nerves. I guess it focuses you more. It turns you on more to what you are doing.”
Cleo is hoping to audition for vocational schools – and she would love to think her future lies in dancing.
She knows a lot of hard work lies ahead and that she will need to be tough and determined: “You have to accept that you might not get the dance or the company that you want, and you have to cope with that.”


Frankie and Benny's restaurants in Sussex are not expected to be affected by a closure plan, a company spokesman has confirmed today (Friday).
A spokesman for The Restaurant Group PLC, which also owns the Chiquito chain, confirmed that none of its Frankie and Benny outlets in Sussex are expected to close after announcing plans to close or sell 33 "underperforming" sites.
Restaurant Group, which owns more 500 eateries in the UK including in Brighton, Chichester, Crawley and Eastbourne, announced the closure plans this morning (Friday, August 26) as part of its interim results report.
The move comes after the company replaced chief executive Danny Breithaupt with former Paddy Power boss Andy McCue earlier this month.
Company chairman Debbie Hewitt said:"This has been a challenging trading period for our leisure brands, albeit with a good performance from our pubs and concessions businesses. The board has moved quickly to undertake a review of the operating strategy and we now have clarity on the issues facing our Leisure brands, particularly Frankie and Benny's.
"The brand remains relevant and popular and we are confident that improved performance will be achieved by being more customer-focussed and data-driven, and through better operational execution."
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Sussex restaurants spared as Frankie and Benny's owners announce closure plans


To 18th century ears, the Charlton Hunt was synonymous with some of the best sport in the country and Mr Roper was its celebrated huntsman.
Indeed, it is one of the earliest recorded foxhunts in the world and its fame drew the elite of society, including the Dukes of Monmouth, St Albans and Richmond, the dashing illegitimate sons of King Charles II.
Grey Cardigan with Tom Johnson, Huntsman of the Charlton hounds, seen through the Archway by John Wootton
Richmond bought nearby Goodwood as a comfortable place to stay and entertain his illustrious friends during the hunting season.
His son, the second Duke, shared his love of the chase and when he became Master, such was the success and desirability of the hunt, he decided that membership should be restricted only to those who had been elected.
Almost every noble family in the land had a representative at Charlton, including half of the Knights of the Garter.
Lord Burlington designed for the members a handsome banqueting house at Charlton where they met after hunting, and many built themselves hunting-boxes in the village, including the second Duke of Richmond. Richmond’s hunting-box still stands; known as Fox Hall, it is now owned by the Landmark Trust and available to rent.
The most important day in the history of the Charlton Hunt took place on 26th January 1739 when in ‘the greatest chase that ever was’ hounds ran continuously from their first find at 8.15am until they killed at 5.50pm, covering a distance of approximately 57 miles with just the Duke and two others present at the end.
When the hunt was moved to Goodwood in the mid-18th century, it was known as the Duke of Richmond’s Hounds and magnificent kennels were built by the architect James Wyatt with an ingenious central-heating system, a century before Goodwood House had its own heating.
The Goodwood House summer exhibition explores the history of the Charlton Hunt and its association with the Dukes of Richmond.
Documents and books associated with the hunt from the Goodwood archive are on display.
More than 300 years later, Goodwood still revolves around sport and sharing those individual passions of the dukes with the many thousands of visitors who come here every year.
Goodwood House Summer Exhibition ‘The Charlton Hunt’
1st August – 31st August 2016
Sundays to Thursdays, 1-5pm (last admission 4pm)
www.goodwood.com
Reader offer: Luxury Afternoon Tea for Two £34.50. To book call the Ticket Office on 01243 755 055.
For further information and occasional closures please call 01243 755 040 or visit the website.

New exhibition explores history of The Charlton Hunt


There were A-grade smiles at St Philip Howard Catholic High School today as pupils opened their GCSE results.
A record 86 per cent of students achieved five A*-C grades at the Barnham school - 80 per cent including English and maths.
A group of boys who all did well
On average students made over four grades better progress in their best eight subjects than they would have done compared to students nationally.
Students to gain straight A* and A grades included: Eloise Carter, Holly Tarleton, Oliver Button, Charlotte Elliot, Chloe Roberts, Holly Leal Lukasz Sacharczuk, Solene Declas, Jodie Brierley, David Houghey, Cerys Owen, Bruno Owers and Nicholas Kabanas.
Between them, twins Emily and Katherine Broadhurst collected 22 A and A*s.
Delighted pupil Molly Sivyer said: “I got alls As and Bs so I’m really happy. It’s been a long wait but I’m glad to have finally found out my results and done well.
Molly Sivyer got alls A and B grades
“I’m going to stay on here because Philip Howard has a really good Sixth Form.”
A delighted Oliver Button got eight A*s and two As, while Sam Hills got seven As, one A* and two Bs.
One third of all grades were awarded A* or A and over 10 per cent of the year group achieved straight A*s and As.
One quarter of the year group left with 5 or more A* and A grades.
English, Spanish, German, music, PE, biology, chemistry, physics, computing and textiles all got well over 90 per cent A*-C and some 100 per cent.
Head teacher David Carter said: “The progress students make from their starting points have consistently placed SPH in the top 5 per cent in the country. “This year is no exception and we are delighted that our headline figures are the best the school has ever experienced.
“Behind the figures however are individuals for whom these results will make a life-changing difference.
“It has been a privilege to work with such delightful students and we look forward to welcoming the vast majority and those from other schools into the Sixth Form.”
Anyone wishing to attend our Sixth Form are welcome contact the school on www.sphcs.co.uk with enrolment on Tuesday, September 6.
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GCSE results: Record results at St Philip Howard


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The suspected murder of a teenager has been reported to the body that oversees complaints against the police, Sussex Police has said.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission was notified by Sussex Police following the discovery of the 19-year-old woman’s body at an address in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak yesterday.
Sussex Police said: “The death has been notified to the IPCC owing to there having been previous police contact with the deceased and other people.
“Her family have been informed of this development. We await the IPCC’s decision as to how any internal investigation will be conducted.”
As previously reported, a 27-year-old man from Portslade was arrested in Burgess Hill yesterday on suspicion of murder after the body was found. Click here for the full story.
Police added that a post-mortem is expected to take place in Brighton later today, and that the address is still a crime scene as forensic work continues.
They are not formally identifying the dead woman at this stage but said they will do so as soon as possible.
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UPDATE: Murder reported to police complaints body


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How well do you know your retro games?
Try your luck in our fun ‘name the screenshot’ test - and see how you fare against your friends.

Can you get 10/10 in our retro games quiz?


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Following the search for a missing swimmer earlier today and a string of beach deaths in Sussex, the safety of our seas has been called into question.
Today’s search for the woman at Camber Sands in East Sussex was called off after she identified herself to the RNLI at 11.45am. A coastguard spokesperson said the reason for the large-scale search, which also involved the police, was because ‘it is a dangerous beach’ and it was reported before lifeguards were on duty at 9am. Read more here.
But it begs the question: can more be done to prevent deaths like the five men who lost their lives on Wednesday at Camber Sands, or the man who drowned in the sea at Bognor Regis?
Have your say in our poll.
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POLL: Do we need greater safety measures on our beaches?


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All That Malarkey (ATM) are back in West Sussex this September to wrap up what musical director David Harrington says has been a “fun-filled, florid and always-exuberant summer tour.”
They will be performing at the Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis, on Saturday, September 10 at 7.30pm.
“We unashamedly love performing at this time of the year, as audiences are crying out to be entertained whilst they enjoy their holidays and occasional bursts of British sunshine,” David said.
“Our classically-trained singers, who specialise in performing brand-new pop-infused arrangements of everything from r’n’b and chart hits to classic rock and jazz, will be performing at the Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis and we can’t wait to share our new show Beside The Seaside with local music-lovers and ATM fans old and new. We’re really looking forward to bringing our unique brand of cross-genre, crisp, and quirky music entertainment to the south coast.
“Beside The Seaside is our new summer show that aims to capture the thrills and spills of holidays by the beach, taking a cool dip in the sea and chilling out on a warm Sunday afternoon with a 99 Flake and some Prosecco!
“Our programme will feature a massive variety of songs by The Beach boys, Bill Withers, Gloria Gaynor, Queen, The Spice Girls and everything in between.
“We’re celebrating songs associated with summertime, fun in the sun, flamboyance and most importantly some great up-lifting numbers to leave everyone smiling and utterly elated at our sun-kissed evening show.
“We’re also thrilled to be joined on stage by the Art of Dance and Fitness choir, a fantastic local music group, and we’re so excited to perform alongside their outstanding singers. They’ve got some stunning numbers planned for us!”
It’s all part of ATM’s continuing success: “ATM have been working tirelessly in between shows recording some absolutely-stunning new music videos that will soon be released alongside our fully-revamped website. New recordings will be available on our latest CD to buy at the September 10 gig, and our music videos will be exclusively unveiled on social media very soon.
“Otherwise we have already been preparing for our Christmas tours to end the year. There’s nothing like rehearsing Santa Baby in August!
“And we are looking forward to more corporate and public performances throughout the autumn season. Check out www.allthatmalarkey.com and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/AllThatMalarkey to keep up to date with our gig diary and releases.”
Tickets on 01243 861010 or www.alexandratheatre.co.uk.
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Chichester City Ladies got their Women’s Premier League SW division one campaign off to the perfect start by beating Cheltenham 4-0 at Oaklands Park.
Goals by Chloe Dowdell, Cherelle Khassal, Jade Widdows and Lauren Cheshire delighted a large crowd.
After a successful pre-season, Liam Greenfield was delighted to see the form carried into the new term.
Chichester were off like a rocket from the start, pushing the ball wide and testing the defence at regular intervals. Kerrie Ryan made a welcome return in the Chichester defence and she and Laura Ingram should make for a formidable defence. Chances were coming thick and fast for the hosts but the finishing touch was deserting Shannon Albuery and Khassel.
Keeper Bec Panniers was preventing the green army getting their noses in front.
Jess Lewry brought the best out of Panniers with a terrific effort that needed the keeper’s fingertip touch to put over the bar.
This was the kick up the backside Chichester needed and they soon doubled their advantage.
Just after the half-hour, Chichester broke the deadlock through the reliable Dowdell. Khassel made a burst down the right and delivered a lovely ball,into the area that Dowdell buried.
In the first half, Chichester had more than 20 shots on target but it was only 1-0 at the break.
Chichester almost got caught out, close to the hour when striker Ella Hitchcox broke the offside trap and had only keeper Sally-Anne Thompson to beat. Her chip went narrowly wide.
This was the kick up the backside Chichester needed and they soon doubled their advantage. Widdows, fresh off the bench, produced a perfectly-timed leap to bullet a header home from a Becky Barron corner.
Khassel deservedly got on the scoresheet with a quality finish at the back stick thanks to a lovely set-up by Dowdell.
Cheshire rounded off the scoring with a late penalty after Lewry was upended in the box.
This Sunday Chichester travel to the royal county of Berkshire to take on Maidenhead, bidding to keep up their early pace.
CCLFC: Thompson, Alexandre, Cheshire, Khassel, Albuery, Dowdell, Barron, Lewry, Ryan, Ingram, Widdowson. Subs: Ambler, Widdows, Pallant, Oliver.
ALAN PRICE
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Bognor made it two wins in five days as James Fraser’s double made things sticky for Billericay.
Gary Charman had an outstanding game at the back as Jamie Howell’s men kept out a barrage of long balls to claim a victory that took them up to seventh in the Ryman premier.
The Rocks welcomed new signing Walter Figueira - a winger who has played at Chelsea and in the Greek top flight - into the squad and he started on the bench.
With Chad Field out through injury, Charman was in defence alongside Sami El-Abd.
For Billericay, Junior Luke’s through ball found Quentin Monville in the area but he went to ground after Fraser intervened. Claims for a foul were always likely to fall on deaf ears.
Ollie Pearce’s corner was only just bundled clear by a defender moments later with Fraser stretching for it.
Byrne’s shot was only partially pushed away and Figueira worked well to pass it back to Fraser, who slotted in from close range.
Billericay’s Sam Cross sent in a corner which Dan Beck cleared for another corner. This one fell to Junior Luke who brought the ball down before shooting wide.
Ricky Sappleton poked the ball forward to Luke but his touch saw the ball ricochet off the post and out with the goal at his mercy.
Dylan Barnett’s cross by the left was too much for Fraser – Pearce latched on to it but his low cross was swiftly cleared.
Bognor took the lead on 11 minutes. A long throw by Charman bounced over El-Abd and into the path of Fraser near the back post and he made no mistake slamming the ball low into the net.
Luke shot wide seconds later before Barnett fed James Crane with a pass. Crane struck a shot which forced Jack Giddens into a save.
Kyle Asante’s header was well gathered by Granger soon after.
El-Abd was replaced by Figueira on 21 minutes – the defender had tweaked his hamstring. Figueira went straight to his preferred wide right position.
Billericay forced a couple of corners but could not find the equaliser.
Figueira’s cross on the right was just too much for Thomas Byrne. Then Figueira’s late sliding challenge on Conor Hubble was punished with a yellow card.
Keeper Giddens spotted Billy Granger off his line with a free-kick from the halfway line, but Granger saved.
Pearce’s neat cross found Byrne and his header low towards goal was easily stopped by Giddens.
Bognor extended their lead on 34 minutes. Byrne’s shot was only partially pushed away and Figueira worked well to pass it back to Fraser, who slotted in from close range.
Charman’s long throw from the right found Fraser but his header bounced to Giddens.
Figueira blasted narrowly wide of the left post on 42 minutes.
Fraser’s cross had to be kicked out by Matt Young. The resulting corner by Pearce was too much for Ed Sanders.
Sappleton’s strike dipped before falling into Granger’s arms in two minutes of stoppage time.
HT 2-0
Bllericay made wholesale changes for the second half. Will Putt, Josh Oyinsan and Edvardas Gaurilovas replaced Cross, Pierre Hazet and Asante.
Sappleton and Hubble were causing problems for the Rocks but the defence did well to clear their lines on 49 minutes.
Granger gathered a cross by Luke, while a free-kick by Hubble was headed on in the area and Granger tipped the ball with his outstretched arms. Somehow Oyinsan failed to follow up from point-blank range as the ball rolled wide.
Byrne cut inside from the right to shoot low but wide.
Good work from Figueira on the right teed up Crane and his long-range effort from the right was only just off-target.
Figueira was replaced by Jimmy Wild, who won a corner on 66 minutes. Pearce’s corner and a follow-up kick were both defended well.
Wild latched on to a Pearce back-heel to speed through and shoot. His attempt bounced wide with Giddens beaten.
Oyinsan capitalised on Beck slipping up in midfield. He passed it forward to Monville, who squared up before shooting well wide on 74 minutes.
Darren Budd replaced Tuck on 82 minutes.
Granger had to gather another high ball from a long Giddens free-kick with everyone in the box on 85 minutes.
Good work from Wild saw him set up Pearce for a cross to Byrne, who struck an effort only just over the bar.
Four minutes were added on but Bognor defended well to take the points.
Bognor welcome local rivals Worthing to Nyewood Lane on bank holiday Monday (3pm) - get there in plenty of time as a large crowd is expected.
Rocks: Granger, Sanders, Crane, Tuck (Budd 82), Charman, El-Abd (Figueira 21 (Wild 63)), Fraser, Beck (c), Byrne, Pearce, Barnett. Unused Subs: Parsons, Muitt
Attendance - 247
Report by Liam Goodley
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Fraser double makes it two wins in week for Rocks


Walter Figueira is the latest addition to Bognor’s attacking options.
The winger, who impressed in the pre-season win at Pagham, had his international clearance certificate from Greece completed on Friday afternoon.
He was set to go straight into the squad for today’s visit to Billericay.
After impressing as a junior at Hampton & Richmond, Figueira began his career at Chelsea.
He played 22 games (scoring five goals) for the under-18s and under-21s before injury curtailed his stay at Stamford Bridge. Having been released, he played one game at Hayes and Yeading in the Conference South before moving to Greece.
He joined AO Platania FC, who play in the top division in Greece, and made 11 appearances for them last season. He also played on loan at Acharnaikos, who play in the league below the top division.
He joined AO Platania FC, who play in the top division in Greece, and made 11 appearances for them last season.
His header at Pagham can be seen in the tweet embedded in this story.
Figueira is likely to make his home debut against Worthing on bank holiday Monday (3pm).
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Ex-Chelsea and Greek top-flight star joins Rocks


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More than half of the UK’s grandparents are planning to look after their grandchildren over the next few weeks, according to a recent survey.
A poll of more than 8,000 over-50s shows that one in eight grandparents will look after grandchildren once a week over the school summer holidays, with a further one in eight will be on childminding duties twice per week.
However, one in twenty grandparents say they will be hosting their grandchildren three days a week while school is out for the summer, according to the research by Saga Car Insurance.
And it’s not just their time that will be donated - one in five say they will spend well over £200 keeping the children occupied. Days out to the beach (77 per cent) and on shopping trips (35 per cent) are the most popular distractions, although some grandparents are even taking their grandchildren on a holiday either in the UK (14 per cent) or abroad (5 per cent).
Grandparents in the North East are the most likely to babysit grandchildren over the school summer holidays, while those in the East Midlands are least likely to.
The Scots are most likely to spend big on their grandkids, with one in four expecting to spend more than £200 during the school holiday period.
Sue Green, Head of Saga Car Insurance, commented: “It looks as though children are in for an action-packed summer which is full of adventure if nan and granddad are in charge over the next couple of weeks. Grandparents really are generous giving up their time and money to help with childcare over the summer holidays and I’m sure they are really looking forward to spending some quality time with their grandchildren.”

Grandparents to the rescue over school summer holidays


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Bognor Cycling Club wrapped up the summer series of Thursday evening events with a final eight-mile time trial on the Halnaker course.
BRCC’s star junior Aaron Smith took the overall win in an excellent time of 18min 29sec, almost 26mph over a hilly course.
The evening started poorly for BRCC’s other junior, Michael Attfield, who punctured on his way to the start but persuaded his grandmother to drive him home in order to collect his training bike and return in order to take place and still claim a middle-order position.
In the ladies’ section, Deb Smith again took the honours with a ride of 20min 7sec, good enough for ninth place overall.
As a fitting end to the series the riders enjoyed what can only be described as a cake bonanza.
The club now takes a rest from event organising until late September when it runs a non-aero equipment 10 mile time trial on Sunday 25. Anyone can take part.
RICHARD MILES
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Watch out Kenny and Trott - Bognor have some speedy cyclists


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