For anyone who has found the whole process of internet shopping too much like hard work Amazon has come up with a solution.
The online retailer today revealed that it is introducing its Amazon Dash Buttons to the UK.
The dinky little gadgets are a one-touch way to order a host of popular products without all that complicated rigmarole of actually logging onto your Amazon account and searching for them.
The Dash Buttons are literally that, small plastic boxes housing a button, which when pressed will connect via wi-fi to your Amazon account and using one-click buying order your selected products.
Each button is linked to a particular item and there are 40 brands available from launch so you can get everything from cat food to condoms and nappies to NERF ammunition delivered to your door.
Daniel Rausch, director of Amazon Dash, explained the thinking behind the devices: “We’ve all experienced the frustration of running out of something we need - Dash Button and Dash Replenishment Service are designed to make that moment a thing of the past.
“Dash Buttons offer the convenience of one-click shopping from anywhere in the home - they can be placed near those frequently used items you don’t want to run out of, and when you see supplies running low, the Dash Button makes it easier than ever to order more. Just press the button and your item is on its way.”
The £4.99 devices are only available to Amazon Prime customers, which means you’ll have to sign up to the £79-a-year service to enjoy the Dash Button’s convenience. The good news is that you’ll get £4.99 back off your first order of each product.
Alongside the buttons, Amazon also announced the UK rollout of its Dash Replenishment Service.
Like the button this links to your Amazon account but rather than having to do the ordering yourself it allows connected smart devices to order supplies themselves.
This means the likes of washing machines, dishwashers and printers from big-name brands including Bosch, Samsung, Whirlpool and Siemens can monitor your consumables usage and order more before you run out.
If they could just design a button that remotely loads the dishwasher too, they could be onto a winner.

Amazon Dash lets you order your loo roll at the touch of a button


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The Kino-Teatr in Norman Road is to host a new radio show/podcast recording featuring musicians many of us have grown up with.
They are Mark Bedford (Madness), Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey) and Simon Charterton (Higsons) - collectively The Near Jazz Experience. Alongside special guest musicians Steve Finnerty (Alabama 3) and Rhoda Dakar (Special AKA) they will discuss what it’s like to be a musician.
This will be on September 15 at 7.30-10.30pm and followed by an improvised performance. Tickets £5.
The NJE started playing together in 2010 and do a monthly gig at the Indo Bar in Whitechapel performing improvised funk. Steve and Mark “do a funky or krautrock style groove” and Terry plays two or three saxes over the top.
Mark commented: “The idea behind Tongue & Groove is to get musicians to reveal what it is actually like to be a musician. A simple premise but one that still needs to be explored. When we hear from bands these days, they are mainly promoting an album, a tour or even a fragrance. We want to know about the anxieties, the strange gigs and the bizarre situations. With this comes dark humour and good stories.
“The show started on the arts radio station, Resonance FM, with me, Terry Edwards and Simon Charterton (who have been in the music business since the end of the 70s).
“We would invite a guest in and have them share their experience. We wanted to replicate, in a way, what musicians talk about when they are amongst one another and sitting around a table, in the pub.
The Kino is a perfect place to put this event on. It’s a great setting with a good atmosphere and is a fantastic venue/meeting place for St Leonards – it also allows us to play some music.
“To end the show we are going join together and play something. Something undecided – something unplanned. We’re really looking forward to it.”
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Musicians talk at Kino ahead of improvised gig


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Sixteen years ago to the day, Steve James created a new Glamorgan individual batting record of 309 not out against Sussex at Colwyn Bay, after Chris Adams had elected to field after winning the toss.
Luke Wright also decided to field, but had a much better day than Adams who saw Glamorgan resume on 457 for 1 on the second day. Wright’s bowlers dismissed Glamorgan for a below par 252 in 60.1 overs, before Chris Nash and Ed Joyce compiled an opening partnership of 111. Sussex trail by 142, and are well placed to gain a substantial lead on first innings.
Not for the first time this season Glamorgan relied on their middle and late order batsmen to get them out of trouble after they had slumped to 56 for 5 before lunch. The last five wickets added 196 runs with Graham Wagg and Mark Wallace scoring half centuries and Owen Morgan, who last week scored an undefeated 103 as night watchman against Worcestershire, again impressing with 32 not out. Jofra Archer achieved career best championship figures of 4-91, but he will bowl better than this and be less rewarded.
Nick Selman, who three weeks ago carried his bat against Northants, scoring 122 not out, was out to the fifth ball of the innings, and has now failed to score in four successive innings. He was quickly followed by Jacques Rudolph, whose miserable season continued when he gloved an innocuous delivery from Archer down the leg side to the wicketkeeper. The Sussex seamers continued to take wickets, but Glamorgan’s batsmen contributed to their downfall with some poor shot selection- Will Bragg following one from Steve Magoffin and David Lloyd- who struck his first ball for six- nudging to slip.
Wagg and Aneurin Donald began Glamorgan’s revival with a partnership of 50, before Donald played on to Archer, and although Craig Meschede was out soon afterwards, Wagg went on to score 57 with ten boundaries before giving David Wiese a return catch. Wallace top scored with 61 from 59 balls, putting on 44 with Wagg and 62 with Morgan who surely deserves promotion in the batting order from number 9. He shared a stand of 33 for the last wicket with Michael Hogan that enabled Glamorgan gain two batting points.
The green pitch was soon put into perspective by Chris Nash and Ed Joyce, who were soon into their stride, striking nine boundaries from the opening twelve overs, as Glamorgan’s opening bowlers Meschede and Van Der Gugten failed to make any impact. Nash reached his fifty from 89 balls, but Joyce nibbled at one from Meschede three overs before the close, having completed his thousand runs for the season after scoring 45.
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County Championship: Archer takes career-best figures as Sussex dominate Glamorgan


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Bexhill United Football Club's run of three consecutive league wins was brought to a shuddering halt on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Pirates were sunk 5-0 away to Langney Wanderers in a Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One match played at Eastbourne United AFC.
Bexhill joint manager Ryan Light said: "It was a really disappointing result obviously. We started so poorly. I didn't recognise the team I was watching in the opening 20 minutes particularly. It's by far the poorest we've been and it's hard to put your finger on why."
Light felt that Bexhill allowed themselves to be bullied by a bigger and more physical Langney side. They got off to a bad start, falling behind to a Shane Saunders goal in only the fourth minute.
Bexhill started to get a foothold in the game after the first quarter and dominated possession for long spells. They carved out three or four chances late in the first half, hitting the crossbar from one of them, but were 3-0 down at the break.
Paul Weatherby got Langney's second and Nathan Crabb added their third just before half time, using his pace to surge through before slotting past Dan Rose.
Bexhill again saw plenty of the ball in the second half, far more than their opponents and spent a lot of time around Langney's box only to get hit on the break.
Saunders and Crabb netted again to complete the scoring, while Bexhill played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Kevin Barden was shown a second yellow card.
"I don't think we deserved anything from the game, but 5-0 did flatter them," added Light. "They were very clinical in front of goal, whereas we lacked any real cutting edge. Despite creating a hatful of chances, we looked a little bit toothless in front of goal."
Bexhill: Rose; Robertson, Kidman (Butchers), McFarlane, Ottley; Wheeler (Giles), B. Trickett, Holden, Cuddington, Gouet (Shelton); Barden. Sub not used: A. Trickett.
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Bexhill winning run ended by five-star rivals


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Little Common’s footballers returned from their longest trip of the season with a hard-fought win.
Liam Foster’s double blast gave the Commoners a 2-1 victory away to Selsey in Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One yesterday (Saturday).
The Bank Holiday traffic saw the Commoners arrive late at the Bunn Leisure Stadium, and player-manager Russell Eldridge was forced into two changes with Jamie Crone and George Aston unavailable.
In scorching conditions, Common were first to create a clearcut chance when Harry Saville found Lewis Hole, but his low effort was turned round the post by the home goalkeeper.
Cameron Burgon went close when his long range shot shaved the outside of the post following a neat pull-back from Hole, who was then unable to make full connection with a Saville cross when well placed.
The home team also saw chances go begging, firstly from a goalmouth scramble as the ball pinged around the area and then following a long throw when Common goalkeeper Matt Cruttwell got down well to push an effort past the post.
The Commoners opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Hole pulled the ball back to the edge of the area for Foster to rifle a low first time shot into the corner of the net beyond the despairing dive of the home stopper.
Selsey continued to look dangerous from their long throws into the area, but the Commoners held firm to preserve a 1-0 half time lead.
Selsey began the second half the stronger of the two teams as they went in search of an equaliser, although the Common defence stood firm and dealt with the initial pressure before playing their way back into game and creating a chance for Hole which went agonisingly wide of the upright.
Cruttwell pushed a fierce drive wide of the post before Selsey drew level when another long throw into the Common area saw an unmarked Cameron Correll head beyond Cruttwell.
Jake Sherwood saw an effort just drift wide, but the Commoners did not have to wait long to retake the lead. Hole’s delivery across the area found an unmarked Foster, who buried his and Common’s second of the match.
Selsey were reduced to 10 men for the final 10 minutes following an injury to their forward, but then missed a glorious chance to equalise when the ball was blazed over from close range following a ricochet in the Common area.
Common continued to look dangerous on the break and were able to see out the closing stages relatively comfortably to earn three valuable points.
Common: Cruttwell, Cooper (Wells), Curteis, Eldridge, Ammoun, Cruikshank, Foster, Sherwood. Hole, Saville (Bristow), Burgon.
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Three artists from 1066 country present a diverse, bright and colourful collection of work over the bank holiday weekend at Bodiam Castle.
The show is called Three Colourful Ladies, and taking part are Dawn Timmins, Sarah Flack and Penny Nice. It is open from Saturday August 27 until Monday August 29 from 10-5pm.
Dawn is an emerging amateur artist who has lived in the Hastings and Rother area for over 30 years. She has always enjoyed drawing and creating for relaxation and as a hobby. Described as quirky, light hearted, colourful and local, her work reflects a love of people, the land, sea and the beach as inspiration. Many pictures have accompanying verses. Dawn has developed a firm following of collectors for her art work following successful exhibitions and is hoping to develop her artistic career.
Penny Nice uses her love of local sea and landscapes plus personal connections as inspiration for her beautifully vibrant and colourful watercolour paintings which she often overlays with pastel. Many people will have visited her wonderful open studios held at her beach hut and cannot fail to have been inspired and impressed.
Sarah Flack is a professional artist, painter and print maker. She is also a tutor of highly-respected, and well-attended art classes in and around Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Battle and Rye.
Sarah attended Hastings College and later studied for an MA at Camberwell College of Art. She was also artist in residence at Intaglio Print in London and has exhibited extensively.
Her work uses many subtle layers of colour to tell its stories, often reflecting spiritual experiences in a joyous celebration of colour.
Dawn commented: “About a year ago whilst enjoying a few glasses of wine at a barbecue the idea of an art show at Bodiam Castle was suggested by Kerry, a friend who works there.
This was gratefully accepted and then followed by much panic leading to enormous pleasure when Sarah Flack and Penny Nice agreed to to the show with me.
All three of us have very different artistic styles and backgrounds which has led to the development of a beautiful and diverse collection of work.”
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Diverse and vibrant collection of work from three of our local artists


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Bill Bryson didn’t pull any punches when he compared a Sussex town to a ‘patient on life support’ in his latest book.
The famous travel author made the comment about Bognor Regis in The Road to Little Dribbling, which documents Bryson’s journey from the West Sussex seaside town to Cape Wrath in Scotland.
In the book, Bryson criticises the local authority for its handling of the Bognor Regis Regeneration Task Force initiative, which he said had an initial goal to bring £500million of investment into the town before being ‘quietly reduced’ to £100million and then £25million before being ‘wound up’.
He then went on to say: “As far as I could tell, all the authorities are doing for Bognor is just keeping it ticking over, like a patient on life support”.
Despite his criticisms – and his observation that the second-most popular Bognor Regis attraction behind Hotham Park was ‘a shop selling mobility scooters’ – he goes on to say that Bognor ‘isn’t such a bad place’, complimenting its ‘long beach with a curving concrete promenade’.
He is more reserved about the town centre, describing it as ‘compact and tidy, if not thriving’.
As far as I could tell, all the authorities are doing for Bognor is just keeping it ticking over, like a patient on life support Bill Bryson
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POLL: Bill Bryson bashes Sussex town in new book


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A Sidley Martlets team reached the semi-finals of a national bowls competition.
The team of Carl Dyer, Nigel Hooper, Danny Dargan and Michael Stone made it to the last four of the Bowls England Men’s National Fours Championship, supported by the Friends of English Bowling.
After a first round bye, the Martlets quartet beat the Ledbury BC team from Hereford, skipped by R. Atkins, 18-14 in round two at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, on Monday.
They then scraped through a tight last 16 encounter against the Houghton Regis BC team from Bedfordshire, skipped by D. Shearer, 22-20 yesterday (Tuesday).
Later the same day, the Sidley team won another tough battle against the Workington BC team from Cumbria, skipped by D. Forster, 21-17 in the quarter-finals.
Their remarkable run finally ended with a 24-12 defeat against the Northampton Express BC four of Rob White, Ian Bland, Wayne Stanley and Dominic Graham this morning (Wednesday).
The Sidley team qualified for the national championships by reaching the final of the county fours competition, which they won by beating a team from Chichester BC at Popes Mead, Crawley, earlier this month.
Stone also won the singles and two-wood singles to complete a remarkable hat-trick of county titles. These were the first county titles Martlets have won since 1986.
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Sidley team reaches national semi-finals


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An exciting variety of professional theatre is offered at this year’s Rye Arts Festival from September 17 until October 1.
It includes an entertaining play about Shakespeare’s collaboration with Rye’s own John Fletcher, a pair of short plays performed in a caravan, and Rye actor Martin Wimbush performing poems by John Betjeman and Philip Larkin.
As part of this year’s worldwide Shakespeare 400 celebrations, commemorating the death of the playwright in 1616, comes For All Time on Monday September 19 at 7pm at the Rye Creative Centre Theare. The subject matter is Shakespeare and his collaborator, John Fletcher, who was born by the church in Lion Street.
The play is set one night in 1613 and is about writing a play. This is a funny and moving piece performed by Fletcher Productions which enjoyed a week-long sell-out when it was put on in London with Southwark Playhouse above the famous George coaching Inn, near the Globe Theatre.
Tickets cost £15.
Caravan Shorts is theatre in a van parked in the courtyard outside the Kino digital cinema with seating for an audience of 8-10. It is by Robert Linde Productions who offer two different plays, each 15 minutes long, from 12.15pm to 8pm with performances on each quarter to and quarter past the hour. Tickets are £5 for each play.
The first play is The Allen Key, a story which plunges us into the tragi-comic reality of what it means to be a human. The second play is Mary Louise, Mistress of the Seven Seas, when an ancient figurehead comes to life, telling tales of truth and the sea.
A Meeting of Minds from Martin Wimbush at Rye Community Centre on Sunday September 25 from 6pm focusses on three national treasures - Philip Larkin, John Betjeman, and Alan Bennett. This is a celebration of two of our greatest poets, with winsome essays by Alan Bennett.
Martin Wimbush performs the literary pieces in a unique way, re-creating the great poems as though performing a play, presenting them as a soliloquy directly to the audience, with profound and witty quotes from Bennett. Tickets £12. Booking at www.ryeartsfestival.co.uk, or 01797 224442.


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Ferring Football Club boss Ross Harnes felt his side were a little unfortunate in their Southern Combination League Division 2 opening-day defeat on Saturday.
Harnes’ side made the trip to newly-promoted Jarvis Brook and went down 18-0.
Nathan Millroy caused Ferring’s backline all sorts of problems as he netted seven times, while Michael Fuller chipped in with five.
Jarvis Brook were leading by seven goals at the break, before a rampaging second half showing saw them net a further 11 times.
Having had to form a totally new squad over the summer and completing just 45 minutes of competitive pre-season action, Harnes admits things can only get better.
He said: “None of last year’s squad stayed on at the club so I’ve had to reshape the whole team over the summer.
“We were only able to get 45 minutes of competitive action in pre-season, so we’re playing catch up.
“Facing a team that hasn’t lost at home for four years was not an ideal start for us and it was a tough day.
“I don’t think we disgraced ourselves and I believe we will get better as the season goes on.
“It’s a case of building for us and trying to get better week on week.
“We’re at home tomorrow and everyone will be hoping to do better than we did on Saturday.
“We want to make sure we try and make ourselves hard to beat and see what we can do.”
FERRING: Standen; Muddle, Yates, Henton, Wolverston; Kachere, Holt, Rae, Cook; Neave, Eguren.
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Football boss upbeat despite 18-0 opening-day defeat


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?
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Hastings Priory’s cricketers are aiming to complete a rare double over Preston Nomads.
Priory will travel to the nine-time Sussex Premier League champions tomorrow (Saturday) keen to repeat their splendid victory in June’s reverse fixture.
Mick Glazier bowling for Hastings Priory against East Grinstead last weekend. Picture courtesy Regwood Photography
“I don’t think many Priory sides have completed the double over them in recent years anyway,” said Priory captain Tom Gillespie.
“The home result against them was a really great team effort and we can take a lot of confidence into the game. We’ve got nothing to fear and hopefully we can get a result.”
Heading into their final away fixture of the season, Priory are fifth in the table - 29 points ahead of seventh-placed Nomads.
Key all-rounder Elliot Hooper is set to return for what will be his final Priory appearance of the season having missed last weekend’s 46-run defeat at home to East Grinstead.
We’ve got nothing to fear and hopefully we can get a result. Tom Gillespie
Gillespie said: “Hoops has been brilliant and you can’t replace his runs. To be without him was a big loss, but I think the 11 we had out on the day was capable of beating that East Grinstead side. Unfortunately we weren’t quite able to do that.”
Jed O’Brien took four wickets as Grinstead posted 240-9 batting first and Leo Cammish made 71 as Priory were all out for 194 in reply.
“We had them 90-5, which was a phenomenal start in the conditions,” said Gillespie. “Brad (Payne) bowled really well and was well supported by Finn (Hulbert) up top.
“Both spinners (O’Brien and Mick Glazier) bowled quite well, but towards the end of the innings the flatness of the wicket and credit to their lower order batsmen, we couldn’t quite keep them to a score we were able to chase.
One of the sightscreens blows over in the strong wind at Horntye Park last weekend. Picture courtesy Regwood Photography
“Whenever I give Jed the ball I expect wickets and he expects exactly the same from himself. Leo’s had more low scores than he would’ve liked since he came back, but he’s still had two fifties and it’s great to see him back in the runs.”
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Video: Priory aim to complete Nomads double


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Entries are being sought for the Stride Open Art 2016 which will run at Chichester’s Oxmarket Centre of Arts from October 11-23.
Centre spokesman David Souter: “The Oxmarket Centre of Arts is indebted to Stride & Son for their sponsorship of our recent success, the 40th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibition. The Oxmarket is also sponsored each year for £1,000 prize money for the Stride Open Art Competition and is calling for entries online for the first time.
“With a £500 first prize for painting (along with the Stride Trophy), £250 second prize, £250 for the drawing prize and £100 for the Lawrence Williams Prize for Abstract Painting, the competition is open to all artists in East and West Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey, with the exhibition taking place between October 11-23.”
Full details on how to enter the competition are online at the Oxmarket website: oxmarket.com/stride-open-art-2016
Initial entry is by email: artists should send up to six images to info@oxmarket.com with STRIDE 2016 as the subject line. Entry cost is £12 per image (£10 per image for members) and payment can be by cash, cheque, or debit/credit card. The email should include the name of the artist and their postal address and phone number, along with the title, medium, size and price of each entry. The JPEG images should be named as the artist and title of the work.
The deadline for entry is Monday, September 26. Artists will be notified by email by October 1 if their work has been selected for the exhibition, and the work must be delivered on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9, 10am-4.30pm.

Entries sought for Chichester-based art competition and exhibition


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None of the 119 services a day set to be restored to Southern train timetablse are in Sussex.
Govia Thameslink Railway brought in a revised weekday timetable in early July, which cancelled more than 300 services a day in response to staff shortages.
The rail operator has been locked in a bitter dispute with the RMT union for months over plans to change the role of conductors, with both sides blaming each other for the inadequate level of train crew available.
The new timetable saw most train services cancelled between Lewes and Seaford, with buses operating instead.
Southern announced today that 119 train services will be reinstated on Monday (September 5), but these will be in Surrey and in and out of London.
Charles Horton, GTR’s chief executive, said: “We know how difficult life has been for our passengers recently and we are sincerely sorry. Our aim has been to bring back as much of the timetable as quickly as we could and for several weeks we’ve had 5th September as our target to begin the reinstatement of trains.
“We’re pleased that we can restore a large chunk of our train timetable for our passengers on this date but we will not be satisfied until the full timetable is running, and running in a punctual way people can rely on.
“But with another RMT strike called for next week, passengers will be dismayed and angry, as we are, that the union has called yet further cynically-orchestrated action to try and scupper this improved service, and cause maximum disruption, damage and delay in the very week when many people go back to work and back to school after the summer break.”
“But we will not be thwarted in our determination to give passengers their trains back. In the face of an intransigent RMT leadership, we’re doing all we can to get our passengers back on track.
“The updated timetable will allow us to run a more comprehensive rush hour service with virtually a full peak service at London Bridge and 95% of peak train capacity at Victoria. We will continue to add services incrementally and we are aiming at restoring the full timetable in the coming weeks.
“However, while we’ll do all we can to restore the services, we are faced with an unparalleled wave of strikes, unjustified industrial disputes and abnormal levels of train crew sickness. We are also part of a live railway network which can result, however much we don’t want them, in unexpected incidents which do cause short notice cancellations and disruption. This is the start of the journey to restore the full timetable. It will take time to complete, but passengers can be assured it is now underway.”
The restored rail services are available in online journey planners.
Southern says that information on services during the RMT strike action on Wednesday and Thursday, 7 and 8 September will be announced in due course.
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No Sussex services restored in Southern timetable changes


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This is the latest column from Lucy Saunders, who provides a regular agony aunt feature - Ask Lucy.
Dear Lucy. My husband has got this terrible habit of washing his hands lots of times and checking all the switches to make sure they’re off. It takes us hours to leave the house every day as he has all these rituals. In fact, his life has become unbearable as it seems like he has become a prisoner in his own world of checking. Please can you explain in detail, what you think is wrong with him?
Lucy: I am sorry for your distress regarding your husband’s condition it must be an anxious time for you? It sounds like your husband is suffering from an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD. This is a complex condition that occurs in many people. Your husband could have a genetic predisposition in his personality or it could also be a social conditioning due to stresses he feels in his life. It seems he is acting out rituals and repetitive actions in order to block out thoughts and feelings that he is uncomfortable with. There are many unconscious conflicts in the sufferers mind that can cause the OCD and it will help him if he finds an outlet to explore these through counselling or a support group. Your first port of call should be his G.P. who will advise him. This is a journey that affects both of you and I am sure your husband can find the help he needs for both of your sakes. I would definitely advise him to join a local Support Group as this will give him the ongoing support until he feels he has conquered the condition.
Dear Lucy. I don’t know which way to turn. I could really use some advice.
I have been married eight years and feel out of love. I stay with my husband as he recently had cancer. But both myself and my teenage daughter are unhappy in this loveless argumentative home.
What should I do?
Lucy: It sounds like you’re in a difficult situation. I hope your husband has recovered well but this is clearly difficult for you as his illness can make you feel obliged to stay. You say you are out of love but I am wondering if it may be the cancer that might have got in the way of your relationship. Perhaps you and your husband have been preoccupied with his battle. The stress of the cancer plus life’s daily struggles would put a strain on any marriage and I can understand that you may have felt shut out at times. I am wondering if you can try and find the love with your husband that you once had when you first met him? It is very important that you both try and work on your relationship to figure out what has caused the problem and try not to argue in front of your daughter. Maybe the stress has stopped you from spending enough special time together. I also do suggest you could try some couples counselling to work through honestly what has caused the problem together and how his cancer impacts on your marriage and your decisions. These sessions could also be used to discuss your own feelings about your own inner world, which understandably has taken a back seat in recent times. All marriages deserve open communication and honesty with each other and a commitment to try and understand what has gone wrong whether you stay together or not.
Lucy is a BACP Accredited Qualified Counsellor. She previously worked in the media as an actress.


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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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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


Sussex headteachers have shared their concerns about the rising cost of university education.
With a number of universities in England announcing they would be raising their annual fees above the £9,000 limit, there are fears higher education could once again become the playground of the elite.
Michael Ferry, Headteacher at St Wilfrid's, Crawley. Pic Steve Robards SR1520189 SUS-150820-140229001
Michael Ferry, head of St Wilfrid’s School, in Crawley, said the idea of increasing fees was “alarming” and added: “This will only put students off from entering university as they will be saddled with increased amounts of debt.
“Although many schools, including St Wilfrid’s, spend a lot of time demystifying what you pay for and when, it will certainly put people off from applying if fees rise.
“If we are not careful as a society, we will go back in time to an age when only a small minority were able to access a university place and even they were given a grant to do so.”
Peter Woodman, head of The Weald School, in Billingshurst, said he did not think students had been put off by the high fees, but were more selective about their choices.
We should do everything we can to ensure that access to university is fair and that people get in on merit, not because of which school they went to or how much money their parents have. Michael Ferry, headteacher, St Wilfrid’s School
He added: “They want to go to a university where the teaching is good and the support first class. They do not just want a degree.
“They want the right course that is also value for money and provides them with the right educational experience for their next step in life.”
When it came to earning a place at university, Mr Woodman felt the increasingly difficult A-levels would lead to a fall in the numbers making the grade.
He agreed the rising fees could also see students from less well-off backgrounds deciding the cost was too high.
Currently, any student debts not paid back after 30 years are wiped out and there are that, if that safety net was withdrawn, talented youngsters would choose to enter employment or an apprenticeship rather than achieving their full potential at university.
Mr Woodman recognised the difficulties faced by the government when it scrapped free university education.
He pointed out the percentage of students participating in higher education had risen from 10 per cent in the 1980s to more than 40 per cent and added: “This comes at a cost.
“Providing virtually free higher education to 10 per centr of the population was one thing but providing it to over 40 per cent of the population is expensive.”
Summing up his feeling, Mr Ferry said: “Universities are great places for their further development and although not everyone wants to apply, we should do everything we can to ensure that access to university is fair and that people get in on merit, not because of which school they went to or how much money their parents have.”
Mr Woodman agreed, describing a framed extract of a speech made by playwright Alan Bennett, which hangs in his office.
Called Fair Play, it reads: “We all know that to educate, not according to ability but according to the social situation of the parents, is both wrong and a waste.”
He said: “I whole heartedly agree. As such, I worry that increasing university fees yet again will allow the sons and daughters of those who can afford university to go and those who cannot afford it, not to go.
“Unless mechanisms are put in place to encourage and support those students and families this would be both unfair and a tragic waste of potential.”
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Heads share concerns over university fees


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Sussex motorists who are travelling to Kent are being told the M20 motorway will be shut until at least this afternoon.
Highways England issued a statement saying that the M20 is closed between junctions one and four, and ‘is likely to remain closed until at least Sunday lunchtime’.
The scene on the M20 between Borough Green and Leybourne in Kent after a lorry hit a foot bridge and it collapsed. Picture: Natasha Najm / SWNS.com
The closure comes after a lorry struck a footbridge in Kent, causing it to collapse. Read more here.
Highways England said that diversions are also in place and it is likely the M26 which links the M25 to the M20 will also remain closed until the incident is cleared.
The diversion for the M20 is via the A2 or M2 using the A229 and A228, and the diversion for the M26, closed at M25 junction five, is to use the M25 junction two and then travel on the A2 or M2.
Highways England south east operations manager Gary Coleman said everything was being done to reopen the motorway again, but safety had to come first both for workers and drivers.
“We are facing a real challenge to lift two HGVs and a motorbike clear of the scene and deal with all of the rubble from the collapsed bridge strewn across both carriageways.
“There is also the issue of the remaining part of the footbridge, which is still in place over the coast-bound side of the motorway. We have crews on scene ready to take action as soon as the police have completed their investigation. We also have cranes en route and lighting so work can continue through the night.
“We are doing everything we can to safely reopen the motorway, but we’d ask drivers to please bear with us as this is a complex operation and it will take time and skill to complete. We’ll keep everyone updated.”
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TRAFFIC UPDATE: Motorway closed until ‘at least’ lunchtime


Little Common footballers past and present donned the boots for a special day at the Recreation Ground.
Four teams of players, including Cambridge United defender Leon Legge, turned out for the Ken Cherry Memorial Event on Sunday.
The event was held to remember club founder Ken Cherry, who was still chairman at the time of his sudden passing in January, and celebrate Common’s 50th anniversary.
"Sunday was an excellent day, really well turned out," said Common player-manager Russell Eldridge, one of Ken's grandsons. "There were over 60 players across the two games and probably in total another 100-odd people plus attended through the day.
"We're thankful for everyone that was able to attend, and I've already had some kind messages saying what a good day it was and how proud Ken would've been."
Eldridge was particularly grateful to Legge, who made the journey south from Cambridge despite the team being called in for extra training on Sunday morning at short notice.
Jamie Crone on the ball during the under-36s match. Picture courtesy Catherine Gurney
The 31-year-old Legge was born in the town and played his youth football for Common before rising through the non-league game into the Football League with, initially, Brentford, and subsequently Gillingham and Cambridge.
Legge, who scored for Cambridge in their 2-2 draw at home to Carlisle United in League Two on Saturday, brought with him a signed shirt which will soon be on display in Common's clubhouse.
Two football matches were played - a veterans’ match at 1pm followed by an under-36s game at 3pm. The teams were made up of past and present Common players.
The likes of Gerard Moyse, Chris Scott, Craig Willard, Mickey O'Callaghan, Steve Mote, Jon Saunders, Chris Copley, Steve Morris and Graham Morris played in the veterans’ match.
Andy Atkin on the ball during the veterans' match. Picture courtesy Catherine Gurney
Lee Carey, Ricky Mote, Sam Thompson, Ben Eldridge and Wes Tate joined existing Common players, including Eldridge, Lewis Hole and Jamie Crone, in the under-36s encounter.
Both games ended in honourable draws and in true Common style, there were plenty of goals. The veterans' match finished 5-5 and the subsequent game was 4-4.
As well as the football, there was food, a bar, a raffle and bouncy castle. Proceeds from the day will go towards a memorial bench for Ken and Common are now considering holding staging a similar sort of event on an annual basis.
Eldridge added: "A lot of hard work went into it and we're thankful and we're thankful to everyone who helped. From our point of view it was a really successful day."
Spectators enjoy the day at Little Common Recreation Ground. Picture courtesy Catherine Gurney
Ken set up Little Common FC back in 1966 and was very much the driving force behind its rise to where it is today as a senior level club with a thriving youth section, first class clubhouse, floodlights and spectator seating.
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Football League star headlines Common's big day


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Graham Wagg’s three wicket burst in four balls completely changed the course of Sussex’s innings and also the game as the visitors lost their last eight wickets for only 51 runs in 25 overs.
The Glamorgan seamer thrived in the cloudy conditions, and during his spell also claimed his 200th first class wicket for Glamorgan.
Sussex were indebted to Chris Nash, who struck the 22nd century of his career, before Glamorgan reached 50 for 1 in their second innings- a lead of 19.
Sussex had resumed on 111 for 1 with night watchman Danny Briggs giving Nash useful support, and the second wicket pair had added 69 before Nash called his partner for a risky single in the last over before lunch with Briggs comfortably run out for 36.
Briggs had been fortunate to survive an excellent opening spell against Tim Van Der Gugten who regularly passed the outside edge, but Briggs’ determination carried him through until his dismissal.
Nash, meanwhile played watchfully, sharing a partnership of 52 with Luke Wells before Wells was bowled by Craig Meschede, and at 232 for 3, Sussex were in sight of a substantial first innings lead before Wagg’s dramatic over and the subsequent collapse.
Nash had completed his third championship century of the season from 284 balls with 18 fours, when Wagg began his 18th over; with his second ball Christian Davies edged to the wicketkeeper, his fourth dismissed Luke Wright who wafted outside the off stump, then the next delivery bowled David Wiese.
An early tea was then taken because of bad light, which might have made the three batsmen dismissed by Wagg wonder why the decision had not been taken before the over had started.
After the break, Nash’s six and half hour vigil ended when he was bowled by Van Der Gugten for 132, and the tail quickly followed with Glamorgan’s seamers rewarded for their accuracy throughout the innings.
Apart from David Lloyd, who only bowled one over, Van der Gugten, Meschede and Wagg’s economy rate was under three runs an over with Hogan’s under two.
When Glamorgan started their second innings, 31 runs adrift, Selman did manage to get off the mark after four successive ducks, but did not last long before he was leg before in Steve Magoffin’s second over.
Nash praised Glamorgan’s bowlers after his century: “They bowled really well, in the right areas, and kept it tight throughout the innings”.
He also praised Briggs who as nightwatchman put on 69 for the second wicket, saying: “Danny helped me a lot and is in the form of his life with the bat these days. We are still in the game, and need to fight back tomorrow.”
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Sussex collapse changes course of Glamorgan clash


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Hastings United Football Club is set for a welcome boost of firepower for a double bill of Bank Holiday action.
The striker crisis which gripped United for last weekend’s FA Cup clash away to Cray Valley (PM) has eased for the league games away to Chipstead today (Saturday) and at home to East Grinstead Town on Monday.
Harry Stannard on the charge against Cray Valley (PM). Picture courtesy Scott White
Jack Harris will remain sidelined by his ankle injury, but Jay May is back and should be fit enough to start both matches.
Frannie Collin has regained fitness and is likely to be on the bench today, while Bright Temba - who like Collin has been out since pre-season - trained on Tuesday night and is available for selection.
United do have one or two issues in defence, however. Richard Davies is unavailable, while manager Darren Hare says he might rest Steve Watt today with a view to bringing him back on Monday. Watt’s been in the wars with a broken toe, sore calf and a black eye.
Hare has recalled Richie Welch from AFC Uckfield Town and he could well slot in at full-back as United seek to add to the four points they picked up in their opening two Ryman Football League Division One South matches.
Chipstead have picked up one point from a possible six so far, while Grinstead have yet to get off the mark. Both clubs finished in the bottom five last season.
“It’s still early days, but we certainly need to win one out of the two, if not win one and draw one,” said Hare, who added that his team might have a slightly different shape against Grinstead. “It’s important we get a bit of momentum going at this early stage.
“I would like to win every game obviously, but we’re unbeaten and we want to continue that unbeaten run up to 10 games if we possibly can.”
With United scheduled to play 10 matches between now and the end of September, Hare says he is looking to add to his squad.
“There’s a couple on the radar at the moment,” he said. “I had a chat with the board of directors the other day and they’re still fully supportive of me strengthening if I need to.
“We’re still looking to add one or two. I don’t really want to rely on the loan market if I can help it, but I’ll probably have to dip into it at some stage.”
Hare regarded the 2-0 victory at Cray Valley as a case of ‘job done’ and is looking forward to another away tie, against Camberley Town, in first round qualifying on Saturday September 3.
“I was pleased to get through,” he said. “I was nervous going into the game I have to say, but I thought we approached the game in the appropriate manner.
“We had a good report on them, we knew their strengths and we nullified that pretty well. We got the shape right and we did fine.”
United are running a coach to Chipstead, leaving The Pilot Field at 11.45am. The cost is £20 for adults, £15 for supporters’ club members and £8 for under-18s. To book a place, email davidrussell881@hotmail.co.uk or call 07970 332270.
TODAY'S FOOTBALL FIXTURES
RYMAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Division 1 South (3pm)
Chipstead v Hastings United
MACRON STORE SOUTHERN COMBINATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE (3pm)
Division 1
Selsey v Little Common
St Francis Rangers v Bexhill United
Division 2
Westfield v Cowfold
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United attacking boost for Bank Holiday double


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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On the neighbouring table a party of four were celebrating an 18th birthday.
Coincidentally, we knew the Dudmans but hadn’t seen them in some years.
The Halfway Bridge
Now daughter Emily had reached the first key milestone in her life and had persuaded family and friends that she wanted to mark it with a lunch at the Halfway Bridge.
What made the choice the more remarkable was that for more than a year, Emily has worked there serving at tables.
Most youngsters would rather celebrate a birthday anywhere but the place of work. But clearly Emily knew quality when she saw it - and had an ambition to enjoy a taste of it as a customer too.
New head chef Luke Gale had made her a stunning cake with a handcrafted and rather cute little elephant on the top.
The Halfway Bridge
She was thrilled.
But then, Luke is something of a culinary wonder. A rare find in a country pub.
His plates are not merely packed with local produce, they are presented with a certain creative elegance.
We chatted to him as we left. A trained pastry chef he is as unassuming as he is talented. In his six months since he arrived, he’s made a number of changes to the menu.
The Halfway Bridge
For him it’s about preparing everything from scratch.
He’s good. The food is excellent. It aims to focus on seasonal dishes with a traditional English and Mediterranean flair.
When we visited on a Saturday lunchtime, there was a choice of the set menu - two courses £18; three courses £22 - or the a la carte. Some daily specials increased our options.
The prices are dearer than you would find in city centre chain restaurants. But this is unpretentious quality dining.
The Halfway Bridge
For those wanting something more akin to pub grub, there are the classics. Beer battered haddock, hand cut chips, pea puree (£15.50) or chargrilled burger with all the trimmings (£14.50).
This is, after all, a country inn and is proud of the traditional drinking area even though the restaurant is an increasingly vital part of the economic mix of places to which most customers must drive.
It’s an old pub - standing for some 250 years. And as the name suggests, it’s located half way between Midhurst and Petworth.
Originally a watermill it became a coaching inn in the 17th century and now offers six en-suite rooms and one suite housed in Cowdray Barns, the inn’s former stable yard.
The young team is led by general manager Billy Lewis-Bowker, a man with a warm smile and a reassuring sense of calm.
Sophie served us. But I guess on any other day it could have been Emily.
The Halfway Bridge
Fish of the day and roast loin of pork followed starters of homemade soup, and gin and tonic cured sea trout.
Strawberries and cream with a twist and warm triple chocolate brownie with honeycomb and lime ice cream completed the meal.
It’s a beautiful location in the heart of the South Downs for an inn.
On the day of our visit, the weather was mixed. Sunshine one moment, rain the next.
But there was nothing mixed about the quality of the visit. The service was pleasant and the food was excellent. A real cut above pub grub.
It was all in the detail. The slight bitterness of the tonic gave a real edge to the sea trout.
The triple chocolate brownie oozed temptation.
Although we were invited guests of the AA rosette restaurant, there was no link to a commercial arrangement with them. We were there to write an honest opinion.
We raised a glass of Upperton sparkling rose to celebrate the chance meeting of Emily and her family.
And - having checked out other diners’ meals to ensure no favouritism - vowed to return and enjoy a little more of Luke’s cooking when we were off duty too.
There were no half measures at the Halfway Bridge.
The Halfway Bridge
The Halfway Bridge
The Halfway Bridge

Restaurant Review: Halfway by name but no half measures


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Bexhill United's footballers continued their fine form with a 3-1 victory away to St Francis Rangers yesterday (Saturday).
Strikes by Georges Gouet and Craig Ottley put the Pirates two-up at half time, and although the Saints pulled one back, Corey Wheeler secured the win.
Bexhill joint manager Ryan Light said: "At this stage of the season, being away from home all the time, it doesn't really matter how you get these points, it's just important to get points on the board early."
With Gordon Cuddington and Ashley Kidman away for the weekend, Bexhill then lost Connor Robertson and Zak Olojubi to a sickness bug, so forward Jacob Shelton filled in at right-back.
Against a St Francis side which had conceded 11 goals in losing its opening two Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One fixtures, Bexhill dominated the first half, fashioning 17 chances to St Francis's two.
"First half it was like the Alamo," continued Light. "We created good chances and if we had a little bit more cutting edge, it could've been seven or eight by half time."
As it was they had to settle for two. The opener came in the 15th minute when Billy Trickett made a run down the right and drilled the ball across for Gouet to volley home at the far post.
One became two just eight minutes later. The ball bounced up against the arm of a St Francis player inside his own box and Ottley dispatched the resulting penalty into the top corner.
Other opportunities came and went, and Bexhill almost saw their advantage halved on the stroke of half time. A foul by Craig McFarlane gave St Francis a penalty of their own, but Bexhill goalkeeper Dan Rose tipped the spot-kick onto the post.
In scorching conditions, St Francis were fantastic during the second period. Looking a totally different side, the hosts kept hitting Bexhill on the break and caused them a few problems.
St Francis hit the crossbar with an effort from distance before pulling one back midway through the half. Bexhill didn't react in their own box and Stuart Goodwin poked home quite a soft goal from Bexhill's point of view.
Bexhill were rocking a little bit at that point, but reacted well, composed themselves and regained control.
They carved out a couple of openings before settling their nerves with a match-clinching third goal. A corner was half cleared to Wheeler, who produced a fabulous strike on the half-volley into the bottom corner.
"It was a difficult afternoon with the (high) temperatures," added Light. "First half we were fantastic, second half we took our foot off the gas a bit."
Bexhill: Rose; Shelton, A. Trickett, McFarlane, Ottley; Gouet (Butchers), Holden, B. Trickett, Giles, Wheeler; Barden. Subs not used: Robertson, Olujobi.
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Bexhill's cricketers will host Cuckfield in a key game towards the top of the Sussex Premier League tomorrow (Saturday).
Bexhill head into their final home league match of the summer in third place - 17 points behind their second-placed opponents and 36 adrift of leaders Roffey.
“It’s a massive game for both sides and a chance to pretty much put us in pole position for the top two,” said Bexhill captain Johnathan Haffenden. “It will be a big challenge; they’ve been doing a very good job this year.
“We’ve been a bit disappointing at home in these big games this year. We need to make sure we ‘turn up’ that’s for sure.”
Key man Sam Roberts is set to return and Bexhill are waiting on the fitness of Joe Cox. If Cox isn’t fit, Chris Deeprose could feature again.
“With Sam coming back in, it will strengthen our batting line-up a hell of a lot,” said Haffenden. “And if CD (Deeprose) plays, potentially we bat to 11. From a strength in depth point of view, potentially we’re very strong.”
James Pilbeam and Tom Powell are likely to keep their places after performing well in the win against Brighton & Hove last weekend.
“Pillers and TP did fantastically well,” continued Haffenden. “They’re the most in-form players in the twos and they deserved their chance. It wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on and I was pleased for both of them.”
Pilbeam and Powell scored 69 between them as Bexhill posted 216-8 batting first before bowling Brighton out for exactly 200.
“216 was a brilliant score and we were confident (of going on to win the game),” added Haffenden, who took four wickets with the ball.
“We had spoken before about how other sides take wickets; they set a negative field and bowl one side of the wicket. Off a short run, it was fairly well controlled and put pressure on.
“They went for it and that kept us in the game. Whenever a side tries to win it, you know you’re going to get opportunities and we took that. We stuck to our guns and carried on executing our plans.”
Play will start at 11.30am.
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Bexhill set for key third versus second clash


A superb all round performance from Sussex under-15s resulted in Sussex being crowned the winners of the A Division Royal London ECB under-15 Cup Final.
Having lost the toss Sussex were invited to field, and Staffs got off to a great start making 54 without loss.
Sussex wicketkeeper Mason Robinson got things moving with a spell-binding flying catch.
Skipper Tom Clark then turned their innings upside down with a double wicket maiden on route to figures of 3 for 17, and from that moment Sussex were on top. Max Lincoln wowed the crowds sprinting 30 yards to take a high catch in the deep, and it was left to Tom Gordon (3 for 39) to have Staffs floundering on 164 all out.
Alastair Orr completed the job with a well timed catch on the ropes.
In reply our openers faced a real barrage of pace and bounce as Staffs were not going to lie down easily.
The players jump for joy
At 68 for 5 Sussex were having their first and only wobble throughout the whole campaign. However our team is resilient and man of the match Tom Gordon lead the recovery with perhaps one of his most important innings thus far, and against a spirited and energised attack Tom grafted hard making a match winning 68 runs. He was backed up by Oliver Carter (39 not out) who demonstrated a very straight bat from the off. He was rewarded by hitting back to back cover drives to win the match.
Huge celebrations then ensued as Sussex became the 2016 Royal London ECB U15 Champions.
The squad: Oliver Carter - Seaford, Tom Clark - Horsham, Henry Crocombe - Hailsham, Tom Gordon - Eastbourne, Tom Hinley - Lindfield,
Scott Lenham - Eastbourne, Max Lincoln - Preston Nomads, Dominic Morgan - Lindfield, Alastair Orr - Lindfield, Joe Pocklington - Eastbourne, Mason Robinson - Preston Nomads, Louis Storey - East Preston, Freddie Longley - Lindfield
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Sussex under-15 win the Royal London ECB Cup final


Wedding season is in full swing and it’s not just brides who will be meticulously planning their dresses.
So if you’ve got a big wedding coming up and you’re worried about the dos and don’ts of what to wear or just need some tips on this summer’s key wedding trends then read on and watch our video where stylist Naomi Isted runs through this year’s top looks
Up and down the country beautiful couples are tying the knot, in the most exquisite dresses and gorgeous suits... but let’s face it while we all love to look at the bridal party most of us are more concerned with our own outfits!
From being the best dressed guest, to making sure you’re not in agony by the end of a long day thanks to high heels, there are plenty of things to consider when it comes to preparing for a wedding this summer. So what are the main things to think about?
Here are our 3 top tips
1 Dress code – while weddings in this day and age are usually much more relaxed affairs than in years gone by, some weddings will still have a very ‘dressy’ dress code. Check your invite, if it says black tie, or even white tie then that means suits and tails for the men and formal dress for the lady…similarly if the invite says smart casual or relaxed, then whatever you do, don’t go overly formal – you will feel out of place and stick out like a sore thumb in the photos!
2 Don’t upstage the bride – and that doesn’t mean you can’t wear white (see our video for a way to wear white without getting mistaken for the bride). While we all want to look our best as a wedding guest, the day is really about the bride (or groom) so make sure not to go too OTT on your outfit, jewellery, make up and footwear. Stand out but don’t STAND OUT!
3 Comfort – and we’re not just talking about making sure your shoes aren’t too tight, or your spanx aren’t cutting off your circulation. You want to feel your best on your…I mean THE big day. Take a few pics of yourself in your outfit, selfies if you like, sit down in your dress to make sure you feel comfortable with the way it sits as you will be sitting for a long time, walk around for 20 minutes to make sure you feel happy at all angles….and if you’re really brave…ask your partner how you look.
Oh and tip number four, have fun (there’s nothing better than a summer wedding..!) and watch our video for some bang on trend wedding outfit ideas from stylist Naomi Isted who has joined with Suuna Sunglasses to give you her top tips.


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The Cola-Cola glass bottle has been voted as the most iconic packaging on the UK’s shelves.
A study of 1,500 Brits exploring the influence of packaging and branding on shopping habits found that one in six people thought the Coca-Cola bottle was the most identifiable in terms of packaging.
Indeed, it was deemed to be just as recognisable without its logo or the product itself.
The research, commissioned by Easyfairs, organisers of Packing Innovations and Luxury Packaging London, found the Toblerone triangular chocolate bar finished as a close runner up, with Marmite’s glass jar rated as third-best-loved product packaging.
Beauty brands, such as the Tiffany Box and the Chanel No.5 Bottle just missed out on the top ten.
Coke’s success has been attributed to its targeting younger audience, with one in five Millennials selecting the bottle as the most recognisable pack product.Pringles’ iconic cylinder tube, fourth on the overall list, was the Millennial’s second favourite.
The study also revealed barcodes as the greatest packaging invention, ahead of more traditional items such as the cardboard box (21 per cent) - although the younger generation, 18-34 years, voted for 3D printing and re-sealable zips as its top two.
Gerry Sherwood, Event Director for the Easyfairs’ Packaging Portfolio, who commissioned the survey, said: “Millennials have officially passed Baby Boomers as the largest generation in history, and are more personally connected to their favourite brands than ever before. It is therefore not surprising to see 3D printing come out top in our poll for this age group.”
Top Ten Most Recognisable Brand’s Packaging
1. Coca-Cola Bottle
2. Toblerone Triangle
3. Marmite Jar
4. Pringles Tube
5. KFC Bucket
6. Heinz Ketchup Bottle
7. Fairy Liquid Bottle
8. Apple’s iPhone Box
9. Walkers Crisp Packet
10. Amazon Box

Coca-Cola bottle ‘most iconic packaging’


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Local actress, 13 year old Emily Carey, has kindly donated signed cast cards and rare Casualty memorabilia from the set to St Michael’s Hospice.
Emily is best known for her role as Grace Beauchamp, daughter of Connie Beauchamp in the BBC show Casualty.
Casualty is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a feature length special this Saturday, August 27.
To celebrate the show’s milestone, the Hospice is auctioning the memorabilia on their eBay page, with the auctions ending this Sunday, August 28, at 10.54pm.
All money raised from the auctions will go towards the specialist palliative care and bereavement services the Hospice provides to the community of Hastings and Rother.
Felicity James, Community Fundraiser at St Michael’s Hospice said: “We are incredibly grateful to Emily for her continued support. Emily’s uncle David Baxter is one of our amazing nurses at the Hospice, so Emily was keen to support such a local and worthwhile cause.
“Last year Emily made another generous and kind donation of a signed t-shirt and postcards, which raised an amazing £361.05 for the Hospice and we’re excited to see how the current auctions do, particularly with the anticipation of the 30th anniversary episode this weekend.
“The last episode was left on a cliff hanger with Grace and Connie involved in a serious car crash – will they make it? We can’t wait to found out!”
The auctions include Casualty t-shirts, water bottle, mug and signed postcards from Amanda Mealing who plays Connie Beauchamp, Derek Thompson who plays Charlie Fairhead and Charles Venn who plays Jacob Masters.
The auctions are available on the Hospice’s eBay page, which can be found by visiting www.stmichaelshospice.com/shops.
The popular Summer Fayre will be returning to St Michael’s Hospice on Saturday 3rd September, 10.15am-12.30pm.
The Hastings and St Leonards Support Group, who organise three annual Fayres and monthly Coffee Mornings, always put on hugely successful events that are well worth attending.
The event, which will be taking place at the Hospice (25 Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards on Sea), will include entertainment from the Wacky Band and the Tornado Twirlers. There will also be refreshments available, lots of stalls, tombolas, a raffle and a chance to enter the Grand Draw which has a top cash prize of £250. Entrance is only 50p.
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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


Andy Hamblin started his creative career at Southend School of Art and Design and was a successful international commercial artist for over 30 years, winning several creative industry awards.
A professional fine artist for the past five years, Andy is driven to capture in every painting his deep and profound love of the Sussex and Kent countryside and his personal connection with the wildlife he encounters. Andy portrays in his paintings the detailed beauty and intricate textures that nature creates, seemingly undiscovered by people.
Andy said: “In today’s fast-pace society, do people really see the natural beauty around them? After viewing my paintings, people often view landscapes in a totally different way, appreciating the complexity of trees close-up, the variety of landscapes around them and closely study the array of endless sky formations.”
People also connect to his paintings on an intimate level, having eye-to-eye contact with the wildlife encountered by Andy on canvas. Viewers often comment on the amazing ‘life-like appearance’ of the paintings with an emotional and personal response.
Andy spends weeks and sometimes months exploring and searching the perfect mix of lighting and weather conditions to suit a variety of scenery. From Petworth Park, South Downs, Ashdown Forest, Knole Park to the North Kent Marshes, he patiently captures an original photograph for studio reference, before committing to the canvas.
Since moving to his 16th Century cottage studio, Andy has absorbed the atmosphere around him, sensing the connection that the ‘great masters’ lived through when creating their classic landscapes. From the success of Andy’s ‘one man’ Ightham, Kent exhibition in May, his landscape paintings continue that journey of discovery. Exhibition open on Saturday November 12 and Saturday November 13 from 9-10pm.
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Deep response to artist’s work in natural world


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