Railway station staff are due to strike over cuts to ticket office opening hours planned across Sussex.
The RMT union has already called a 48-hour strike starting Wednesday September 7 over Govia Thameslink Railway’s plans to change the role of conductors to on-board supervisors on Southern services.
Now RMT members will also hold a 24-hour walkout on September 7 over GTR’s plans to cut the opening hours of its station ticket offices.
The union fears the reorganisation will affect dispatchers and barrier staff in the near future.
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said; “The Govia Thamelink franchise is in meltdown and not fit for purpose. Not content with axing catering services, closing ticket offices and attacking the role of their guards they now want to threaten 130 station jobs and compromise the safety of both their passengers and staff alike.
“Our members have made it clear that they will not stand by while this basket-case franchise unleashes yet another attack on jobs and services in the drive for profits and that is why we have no option but to take strike action.
“These cuts plans fly in the face of the response from the thousands of passengers who objected to the closure of ticket offices and the de-staffing of stations as Govia drives on with plans for a “faceless railway” where the public are left to fend for themselves on rammed-out, dangerous and unreliable services.
“It is about time Govia Thameslink started acting responsibly, halted their cuts plans and got round the table with the union in serious and genuine talks.”
Proposals would see most ticket offices across Sussex open on weekday peak times only, typically between 7-10am, with ‘station hosts’ selling tickets on concourses at other times of the day.
Both Falmer and Lancing’s offices are set to close completely, while locations facing cuts include Angmering, Barnham, Bexhill, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Crawley, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Hassocks, Horley, Horsham, Hove, Lewes, Littlehampton, Polegate, Portslade, Shoreham, and Worthing.
Late last week the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) started to ballot more than 250 ticket office and platform staff, with the results due to be announced on Friday September 2.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA, said: “We cannot stand by and allow GTR to reduce Southern Railway to a second class operation which is not fit for passengers and staff.
“Passengers have suffered enough over the past few months and it is now time for Chris Grayling [Transport Secretary] to act. GTR should be stripped off this franchise and it should be handed over to the publicly run Transport for London as Sadiq Khan has suggested.
“Then we will have a publicly run franchise which will be operating in the public interest, not in the interest of private shareholders.”
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BREAKING NEWS: Railway station staff to strike over ticket office cuts


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Sussex motorists who are travelling to Kent are being told the M20 motorway will be shut until at least this evening.
Highways England issued a statement saying that the M20 is closed between junctions one and four, and ‘is likely to remain closed until at approximately 6pm’.
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The closure comes after a lorry struck a footbridge in Kent yesterday, 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.
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
“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 ‘this evening’


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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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A man from Hove who bombarded Sussex Police’s contact centre with 3,000 emails in just six hours has been handed a suspended sentence.
The incident, which happened in October 2014, meant the police’s contact centre was ‘significantly impaired’ for six hours.
A police statement says that Kyoji Mochizuki, 28, of Mansfield Road, Hove, appeared for sentencing at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (August 19) after pleading guilty at Hove Crown Court in July to four counts of unauthorised acts with intent to impair the operation of or prevent/hinder access to a computer, contrary to Section 3 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
He was given a ten-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.
The statements adds that the court heard how on October 26, 2014, Mochizuki – also known as Tariq Elmughrabi and Taz Rider – sent around 3,000 emails from various domains to the Sussex Police contact centre at 9.25am.
It was to tie up the force’s email system for more than six hours.
During this time Sussex Police said its contact centre and the non-urgent reporting mechanism for the public was hindered.
It took staff a further 11 hours to restore the email inbox to full operation order.
Earlier that year, in February, an email was received from a sender purporting to be from a man working for a company called Uberex, threatening to attack Sussex Police services in revenge for the force seizing electronic property belonging to Mochizuki in connection with another case, for which he was on bail.
Police said Mochizuki was identified as being a director of that company.
On Monday, November 10, at 5.45am, more emails started to arrive in the public contact centre from a ‘hackerforhire’ domain with the subject line ‘Contact UBX Technology’, in what police called ‘a deliberate attempt to flood the system’.
The statement adds that on November 20, the Surrey and Sussex Cyber Crime Unit raided Mochizuki’s home address and seized a number of items including a computer, a CCTV system that covered all rooms in his house, the entrance and the exterior.
When interviewed he claimed to have carried out work for the FBI and the NCA (National Crime Agency).
He stated that he worked for a company called Uberex as an ethical hacker and with the people whose names were used on the attacking emails.
However, he was unable to put police in contact with them.
Detective Constable Paul Constable from the Surrey and Sussex Cyber Crime Unit said: “In addition to Sussex Police, Mochizuki launched an attack on Brighton and Hove City Council’s email system after he had been summonsed for failing to pay his tax. Their system effectively captured the 2,000 emails aimed at the council tax email inbox.
“An Essex-based insurance company insured a company called Xerosec, which made a claim in 2013 for £36.576.11 due to their computer system overheating after a hacker attack. They paid a sum of £10,000 in settlement to Kyoji Mochizuki of Mansfield Drive, Hove. The following year, the company claimed for equipment damaged in a power surge. The insurer asked to examine the equipment, but was told that was not possible and then received correspondence from the managing director of Xerosec complaining about their incompetence.
“The insurer sent a representative to visit the company where he met with a relative of the accused who stated she had no knowledge of the claim and had been appointed as MD without being consulted. The claim was subsequently refused and on November 6 three of the insurer’s email addresses, including that of the person dealing with the claim, were subject to a denial of service attack.”
Detective Inspector Andrew Haslam, also from the Cyber Crime Unit said: “The scale of Mochizuki’s activities and deceit is breath-taking. Behind each of the events mentioned in court lie a complex web of aliases, email addresses, false employees and considerable technological skill, sadly put to criminal use.
“His attacks on Sussex Police cost nearly £4000 in specialist time to resolve, but of far worse consequence was the significant amount of time lost by contact centre staff that should have been devoted to non-emergency callers and others making contact through email.
“However, I would stress that our 999 emergency operation was not affected by his attacks, nor our operational response effectiveness. The security of the emails from the public was not compromised in any way and there was no impact on any other force IT, email address, web or telephony systems.
“Since the attack, a significant amount of work has taken place to improve the resilience and security of all our IT systems, including emails.” Mochizuki, who had been remanded in custody since breaching bail conditions in June last year, was released upon sentencing.

COUNTY NEWS: Man sentenced for cyber attacks on police contact centre


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Hastings United's footballers continued their unbeaten start to the season with a comfortable win this afternoon (Monday).
A goal in either half gave United a 2-0 victory at home to an East Grinstead Town side still seeking its first point of the Ryman Football League Division One South campaign.
After the drama of Saturday's rollercoaster 3-3 draw away to Chipstead, this was a pretty uneventful affair in which United got the job done, albeit without looking particularly impressive.
U's boss Darren Hare made four changes to his starting line-up. Steve Watt and Reece Butler returned in defence, while Frannie Collin and Bright Temba made their first starts of the season in attack.
Temba, in fact, had an early sight of goal as he latched on to a good ball over the top by Sam Cruttwell, but a heavy touch allowed Grinstead goalkeeper Pawel Szemelej to smother.
Jay May headed over from beyond the far post at a corner before United took a 32nd minute in somewhat fortunate and comical fashion.
May flicked on a long free kick and as Collin tried to bring the ball under control, Suliaman Bangura's attempted tackle only succeeded in sending the ball into the top corner.
Cruttwell, who had a decent game, fired Sam Cole's square pass over the top from just inside the box in the only other effort of note during the first half. Watt hobbled off five minutes before the break to be replaced by Richie Welch.
United started the second half pretty slowly, although Cole struck the crossbar with a looping right-foot volley from the edge of the box and Collin saw his close range finish from Welch's low cross ruled out for offside.
The U's just needed a second goal to kill the game off and it duly arrived in the 66th minute thanks to a piece of quality from man of the moment May.
Seconds after the impressive Simon Johnson was denied by a reflex save, May neatly stepped inside a couple of defenders and picked out the corner of the net with a splendid finish for his sixth goal already this season.
It was all very straightforward for United after that. Cole's angled strike was just too high and May couldn't direct his volley on target from a Wayne Wilson cross.
United goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley barely had a save to make all afternoon, with Grinstead's best effort probably a shot from outside the box by substitute Alex Goggin which dropped just over.
United lie seventh in the fledgling league table with eight points from their first four games - two fewer than early leaders Corinthian-Casuals.
United: Pidgeley, Rowe, Butler (Wilson 80), Cruttwell, Watt (Welch 41), Smith, Cole, Johnson, May, Collin, Temba (Stannard 63). Sub not used: Nicholls. Attendance: 383.
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What are you doing this Sunday evening?
Comedian Eddie Izzard was never going to be loafing around at a loose end so he’s opted for a gig on the terrace of the De La Warr Pavilion.
The DLWP patron and all-round crowd pleaser will be revisiting his worldwide smash hit show Force Majeure in this strangely familiar outdoor setting. Last time he performed there he pointed along the coast and showed his audience where he went to school in Eastbourne.
Tickets go on sale from 10am Thursday August 25 - £20 adult, £10 under 18s (limited tickets): ground seating on the south terrace £30, chair seating on the balcony. All proceeds from the evening go to the De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust.


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Since its humble beginnings on BBC 2 in 2010, Great British Bake Off in the last six years has become a national institution and a ratings juggernaut, with last year’s final attracting more than 15 million viewers and making it the biggest television event of 2015.
And with the culinary classic hitting our screens again tonight, not only are TV insiders predicting it will be the most watched hour of television in 2016 so far, but a poll shows it’s by far and away the nation’s favourite reality talent show, completely outshining the likes of Strictly, Britain’s Got Talent and the X-Factor and well ahead of its biggest foodie TV rival MasterChef.
The survey by digital retailer Very also found that it is the show we are most likely to take to social media to tweet or talk about on Facebook.
It’s the show’s controversial moments, as well as some superb baking and fantastic baking-banter between hosts Mel and Sue, and the wonderful Mary Berry, that make it such a ratings smash. And it seems the show is also having a positive impact on retailers, with some even noticing a surge in television sales ahead of the show’s return that rivals demand usually seen ahead of big sporting events.
“Big TV events such as the Olympics often result in a peak in sales of televisions as people want to feel like they’re part of the action. But it’s not just sport on the box that can lead to a spike and last year we actually saw an increase in searches for TVs in the run up to The Great British Bake Off,” said Brendan Shepard from digital retailer Very.
“With Bake Off now probably the biggest TV show in Britain, we expect to see this trend again this year, with everyone getting ready for another autumn of exciting telly.”
The survey also shows whether it’s Bake Off or box sets, we are still a nation of TV addicts, with a third of Brits saying they would prefer to stay in and watch TV than go out, while one in ten have not left the house for an entire weekend because they are so engrossed in a TV series or boxset.
Game of Thrones was voted the best boxset or series of all time ahead of Downton Abbey, Breaking Bad, Sex and the City and Band of Brothers.
The fantasy smash hit was also rated as the TV show those who haven’t watched it need to see, ahead of Breaking Bad, House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.
http://www.very.co.uk/electricals/televisions/e/b/4740

As Bake Off kicks off tonight poll shows it’s our all-time favourite reality talent show


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Super-classy soul singer Laura Mvula is touring this autumn and in between dates at major venues in the likes of Glasgow and Birmingham, she comes to Bexhill on Sunday November 20.
The announcement of this new UK headline tour comes hot on the heels of news of her second Hyundai Mercury Prize shortlisting, in as little as three years, for her mesmerising and critically acclaimed album The Dreaming Room.
Recorded over a twelve month period The Dreaming Room is an expansion of what was an already captivating sound. The heavenly vocal layering, the unexpected, complex diversions and the grandeur are still all there but now with the addition of buzzy analogue synths and electric guitar lines. If Laura’s debut album, Sing to The Moon, was the sound of a young artist honing her craft, then this latest work can be described as the sound of a confident and accomplished lyricist - still reflecting her distinctive, signature sound, but showing the progression of an artist who has truly come into her own.
Upon its release in 2013, Sing to The Moon quickly became a firm favourite amongst both critics and fans-alike, establishing the Birmingham-native as one of the UK’s most promising musicians, and propelling what would later become her distinct and signature sound overseas,
The vocal on that album was pretty much the happy result of her Caribbean DNA, a Birmingham upbringing and a lifetime’s informal training in church choirs. Mvula also did four years as a music undergrad at Birmingham’s Conservatoire.
Her first album eventually caught the attention of the prestigious BET awarding body, which went on to nominate her for Best International Act. Following an extensive tour taking in dates across the UK, Europe and North America throughout much of 2013/14, where Laura not only took on much of the instrumentation but also the role of show director, she returned to the studio to get to work on her latest album.
After the buzz surrounding her live dates earlier this year, Laura has more than proved her place as one of the UK’s most exciting live performers. Tickets £19.50 are available now from www.dlwp.com or 01424 229111.
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A “confident and accomplished” artist now at the top of her game


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Chris Hughton is looking ahead to making just a third return to former side Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Brighton boss guided Newcastle to promotion from the Championship back in 2010 as they sealed a Premier League return at the first time of asking.
Unbeaten Albion travel to St James’ Park in good form, sitting second in the league and they are still yet to taste a defeat this season.
But having managed there before, Hughton is all too aware of Newcastle’s qualities and the test his team will face.
He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them. It was a very good staff, a very passionate club and all the people that work around the club are all mad Newcastle supporters as well.
“It’s one that you look forward to but I think it’s also a club and a stadium that I think graces this division.
“I think most teams will look forward to going to them but in other ways it will be a little bit daunting for everybody because they are a team that will be up there come the end of the season.”
Brighton have been boosted with the news Newcastle strikers Dwight Gayle and Alexander Mitrovic have both been ruled out of Saturday’s encounter.
Despite those two missing, Hughton believes whoever Magpies boss Rafa Benitez brings in will be a handful for his defenders.
He added: “I was a little bit surprised because I know the comment after their most recent match was that they would both be available. A little bit surprised with that but it does not really alter too much and still makes it as difficult game as it was.
“They can afford to have the squad that they have had and they have recruited very well, so whatever team or formation will be strong.”
With the summer transfer window closing on Wednesday, Hughton admits he may well do some business before the door slams shut.
Brighton’s boss said: “Hopefully we’re not too busy because we don’t need to do too much. We will only do something if it is right for us and that’s whether it be in or out.
“A possibility could see a couple go out on loan but that’s only if we do some business and I’m not desperate for it.
“We’ve got a good competitive squad, players coming back from injury which adds to that but if we can finish the window having the best possible squad we can, then that will be a plus for us.”
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Albion midfielder Beram Kayal looked ahead to tomorrow’s Championship trip to Newcastle United and said: “It’s one of our biggest games this season.”
Brighton travel to St James’ Park in a league fixture for the first time since 1992 looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
Chris Hughton’s side sit second in the table having collected two wins and two draws from their four Championship games so far this season.
However, Saturday’s tea-time clash with relegated Newcastle provides them with their biggest test to date.
Toon boss Rafa Benitez remained at Newcastle this summer and has added several quality additions.
Kayal is expecting a tough test and said: “I think it’s going to be one of our biggest games. We need to be ready, focused and know our strengths.
“We go into it with a lot of confidence, we respect Newcastle and know they have big players and a big manager with a lot of experience but we are going to do a job.”
Having played in Champions League matches and Old Firm derbies for Celtic, Kayal has experienced some great atmospheres.
Saturday will be his first outing at St James’ Park and he said: “It’s going to be massive. I have heard a lot about this stadium. It’s a massive club, massive fans, so it’s going to be a great atmosphere, great experience for all of us and hopefully we will go to them and get the result we want.
“It’s not going to be easy but professional players love the challenge against these teams. We have done everything this week in preparation to be ready.”
Liam Rosenior will be missing for the game following an ankle injury picked up at Reading, while Hughton is yet to make a decision on Dale Stephens’ place in the matchday squad.
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Kayal excited ahead of ‘massive’ away trip


Hastings’ volunteer lifeboat crew experienced one of its busiest weeks in recent memory with a paraglider ditching into the sea among a number of incidents.
The RNLI was called out nine times last week with both lifeboats in action throughout the busy holiday period.
Hastings RNLI Coxswain Steve Warne said of the weeks events: “It’s been one of the busiest weeks I can remember at Hastings lifeboat station, but all of the incidents we attended ended with a positive outcome.
“I’d personally like to thank all the volunteer crew at Hastings for giving up so much of their time during this busy period to help those in trouble at sea off Hastings.”
Following reports of a paraglider ditching into the sea off Pett, both Hastings lifeboats and the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat undertook a multi vessel search of the area but found no evidence of an incident.
On Sunday, a family of four were caught by the tide at the foot of the cliffs at Cliff End.
The inshore lifeboat launched and brought them all safely back to the boathouse.
Other incidents include the inshore lifeboat called to an unmanned surfboard drifting east of Bexhill, an inflatable kayak thought to be in trouble off Rock-a-Nore, although when asked the occupants were not found to be distress, and a call to a sailing dingy in difficulty, which was towed ashore to the Motor Boat and Yacht Club.
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Get the latest breaking news from the Hastings & St. Leonards Observer - politics, transport, education, health, environment and more, updated daily.


A union representing Sussex railway station ticket office staff will hold talks with Southern bosses over proposed cuts to opening hours.
Govia Thameslink Railway unveiled proposals earlier this year to introduce ‘station hosts’ selling tickets on the concourses, limiting ticket office opening hours to weekday peak times only at most of its stations in the county.
Station staff represented by the RMT union are already planning to strike on Wednesday September 7, while the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association are currently balloting its members on industrial action.
The RMT strike coincides with a separate 48-hour walkout planned to start at the same time over GTR’s plans to change the role of conductors on Southern services to on-board supervisors, with drivers operating train doors instead.
The TSSA is attending talks with GTR, hosted by conciliation service ACAS today (Wednesday August 31) in an attempt to head off the cuts.
The results of the TSSA’s strike ballot will be announced on Friday (September 2).
Yesterday Lorraine Ward, TSSA’s organising director, said: “Govia Thameslink’s management of Southern is running the service into the ground.
“It is clear to passengers and staff alike that to serve the public effectively and ensure a safe running of the service, Southern should not reduce current staffing levels.
“This is the largest and busiest franchise in the UK rail network and, up to now, the measures Govia are proposing will simply slash passenger and staff safety standards on this dangerously over-strained service.
“All unions have been resolute in standing firm in the face of this plan and we are now optimistic that Govia will be showing willing to abandon it at tomorrow’s talks.”
Responding to the RMT’s decision to strike over proposed cuts to ticket office opening times late last week, GTR explained that after talks with both unions it had decided to take the original proposals off the table.
Instead the rail operator would be conducting a six months pilot at eight stations using volunteer staff to test the new station host role.
Alex Foulds, GTR’s passenger services director, said: “These pilots would be manned by volunteers on a secondment basis and would allow concerns around personal safety and cash handling to be addressed. Staff would keep their jobs, get more money and many would work fewer hours.
“To call a strike over proposals that no longer exist is a stunning own goal by the RMT leadership.”
Under the original proposals ticket offices at Lancing and Falmer were due to close completely.
Stations at Angmering, Barnham, Bexhill, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Crawley, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Hassocks, Horley, Horsham, Hove, Lewes, Littlehampton, Polegate, Portslade, Shoreham, and Worthing were also due to be affected by the cuts.
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Union in talks over cuts to station ticket offices


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A coastguard helicopter has been spotted circling above Camber Sands days after five men lost their lives on the beach.
It follows reports that a swimmer has been reported missing.
The Royal National Lifeboat Association has been contacted for more information.
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BREAKING: Coastguard helicopter circling above Camber Sands


Hastings Priory Cricket Club's first team completed a rare 'double' over Preston Nomads in emphatic fashion.
Priory repeated their impressive victory in June's reverse fixture at Horntye Park with an even more comprehensive win in the return match on Saturday.
Jed O'Brien went past 50 league wickets for the season during Priory's latest victory
Josh Hahnel and Elliot Hooper made major contributions with the bat, while Jed O'Brien bagged another five-wicket haul with the ball as Priory won their final Sussex Premier League away fixture of the season by 143 runs.
Nomads won the toss and elected to field, but may well have been regretting the decision as Priory proceeded to amass 278 all out in 55.2 overs.
Although Priory lost James Pooley with the score six, Joe Billings (42 off 49 balls) and Hahnel got them going with a second wicket partnership of 90.
Leo Cammish fell for 10 with the score 115, but Hahnel and Hooper put Priory on course for a sizeable score with a fourth wicket stand of 93. Hahnel eventually departed for 96 off 134 balls with 10 fours and two sixes - the highest of his four fifties this season.
Hooper went on to make 69 from 79 balls with seven fours - his fifth league fifty of the season (in addition to a century). He is now the division's fourth highest runscorer with 592 at a superb average of 59.20.
Priory lost six wickets for 27 runs at the end of their innings, despite possessing a very deep batting line-up and captain Tom Gillespie making 27 at number six.
The bowlers, nonetheless, had plenty of runs to play with and they duly dismissed Nomads for 135 in 45.2 overs. The seamers took the first three wickets and the spinners bagged the last seven.
Finn Hulbert (7-1-29-2) made the initial breakthrough by dismissing Oliver Gatting (12) with the score 21 and Bradley Payne (9-1-31-1) had David Smith caught behind a run later. When Hulbert got rid of Jonty Jenner, it was 36-3.
Nomads rallied with a fourth wicket stand of 48, but once O'Brien (14-4-34-5) opened his account by dislodging Daniel Phillips for 41, wickets fell at regular intervals.
No other batsman scored more than 17 as O'Brien tore through the middle and lower order, ably supported by fellow left-arm spinner Hooper (15.2-2-35-2).
Standings (all played 18 matches): 1 Roffey 409pts, 2 Cuckfield 386, 3 BEXHILL 354, 4 Horsham 320, 5 HASTINGS PRIORY 315, 6 East Grinstead 305, 7 Preston Nomads 267, 8 Brighton & Hove 257, 9 Billingshurst 195, 10 Worthing 150.
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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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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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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.


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Among the continuous flow of games and press conferences in the early part of the season, it’s nice to take time out on occasion to speak to various people in more depth.
Last week I sat down with Albion goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts.
Among the talk of his one-year anniversary moving to Sussex and his time in Rio after his playing career ended, he also gave us a reminder of the work that’s done behind the scenes.
He was referring to the role of Casper Ankergren, a seasoned experienced keeper who no longer features in the team but has an important job of helping the outfield players hone their skills in front of goal. Of course, he has an impact in the changing room and is also looking to prepare himself for his own coaching career.
This week we also saw the return of German centre-back Uwe Hunemeier after eight months out of action with a groin injury. What seemed initially a relatively-minor problem kept the defender on the sidelines from December 19, 2015, to August 23, 2016.
The hours of rehab and training after surgery must have taken their toll but credit goes to the player and medical staff. Many of the backroom team don’t sing their own praises or avoid the spotlight but they play a huge role themselves.
It often seems like an army of foot soldiers are on hand to help at the training ground or matchdays and it seems reasonable to ask the question – what do they all do? Well, to be honest, I don’t know but it’s nice to find out more. What I do know is that they wouldn’t be employed unless they did a valuable job that can improve the ultimate performance of players and the team.
After the Olympic Games came to a close we had another reminder of how an improvement in many different areas by small margins can amount to big rewards.
Cyclist Mark Cavendish was asked why Team GB had excelled once again in Rio. He reiterated the role of designers, technicians, physios and psychologists who all add to the overall performance.
We may all know it but we don’t always see it and every so often it is good just to tip our hat to those in the dark corners who go about their business as the pursuit of glory continues in the full face of the media and fans.
Johnny Cantor covers Brighton & Hove Albion as a commentator and reporter for BBC Sussex Sport.
Follow all the action, home or away, on BBC Sussex Sport or Twitter: @BBCSussexSport or @johnnycburger
To read more by Johnny Cantor, visit www.johnnycantor.com
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Johnny Cantor: Don’t forget those behind the scenes


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Nodding off in the middle of the day may be down to pollution generated by traffic, suggests new research.
The study shows exposure to traffic pollution is a trigger for daytime sleepiness - and may also trigger SNORING.
More than 12,000 adults were included in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study.
The findings show that people exposed to high levels of pollution had a 65 per cent greater chance of suffering from daytime sleepiness, compared to those who had no exposure.
Traffic noise in the bedroom was also a trigger - with people 46 per cent more likely to feel sleepy in the day if exposed.
And the research also suggests that people are also 29 per cent more likely to be a habitual snorer if they are exposed to traffic noise while they sleep.
Daytime sleepiness affected one in five people involved in the study, while one in four reported habitual snoring.
Ane Johannessen, an epidemiologist at Bergen University in Norway, wrote the study together with Professor Thorarinn Gislason and other Northern European researchers.
She said: “Exposure to traffic should be taken into account when planning treatment for patients with sleep disturbances, because reducing noise and pollution exposure in the bedroom may have a beneficial effect.
“Reducing exposure through relocating the bedroom away from pollution sources or making the bedroom more soundproof to protect against traffic noise, as well as mapping alternative and less polluted outdoor everyday routes may help patients with their sleep disorders.”
The study also showed that men, older subjects, smokers and those with lower education were more likely to report habitual snoring.
They were usually less physically active, with a higher BMI, and more likely to have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Women, older people, smokers, and those with lower education were more likely to report daytime sleepiness.
The new research is due to be presented at the European Respiratory Society’s International Congress in London next month.
Professor Jorgen Vestbo, President of ERS and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester, said: “The question of who snores may be a running joke in some households but for many snoring is a serious issue, with direct links to physical and mental well being and the same is true for daytime sleepiness.
“We want people to think more about the environment around them and the impact it can have - from the way they sleep to the air they breathe.”
To coincide with Congress, the ERS will be holding some free public lung function testing, starting in Trafalgar Square on September 2 and 3.

Sleepiness linked to traffic noise and pollution


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iy_project is a spectacular immersive installation developed by world-renowned light artist Chris Levine in collaboration with Edenlab, Eden Project’s international creative partner.
Chris will create a unique event for Hastings on the evening of September 10 from 8pm, illuminating the townscape like never before with a spectacular sound and light using stunning high-powered lasers.
Be in the thick of it at the end of the pier (booking required) or watch from the beach, promenade, East Hill or West Hill. The East and West Hill lifts will stay open until 10pm.
Chris is fast becoming recognised as one of the most original artists working in light today and he has collaborated with a diverse range of creative talents ranging from Massive Attack, Hussein Chalayan, Antony and the Johnsons, Grace Jones and Jon Hopkins.
His iconic work Lightness of Being, the historic portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is part of his Equanimity body of work that was commissioned by the Island of Jersey to commemorate 800 years of allegiance to the crown. The work has been acclaimed internationally and shown at Buckingham Palace, the Royal Academy and the Houses of Parliament, London.
He has had one man shows in London, Paris and Singapore and a travelling exhibition with the British Council which went to 12 countries worldwide.
Most recently he has had work exhibited by the Museum of Art and Design in NY, the National Portrait Gallery, London and the Fine Art Society. He has just completed another historic portrait to commemorate the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday and to raise funds for the victims of Nepal’s recent earthquake.
An interactive app, designed to co-ordinate with the performance, will be available soon.
Tickets are free but there is an option to donate to Hastings Pier Charity.

Light and sound in one incredible Root 1066 event


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This coming August weekend the Rye Jazz & Blues Festival will draw music lovers from across the South East with a feast of top class ticketed and free music performances.
Headline concerts on Saturday August 27 with UK Queen of Soul Mica Paris have been in high demand and organisers are delighted to announce additional standing tickets at £15. Acclaimed jazz singers Liane Carroll and Joe Stilgoe perform on Monday and there are a handful of seats still available plus standing tickets just released at £10.
Book through the festival website www.ryejazz.com - tickets may also be available on the door.
Today (Friday) sees Sky Arts Guitar Stars, Zayn Mohammed and Steve Morrison perform on the outdoor stage at the Kino Cinema from 7pm onwards. You can also experience the coolest Latin Jazz with Jazz Train at the Grapevine Champagne and Jazz Bar from 8pm and Andy Williams solo jazz guitar performs at La Maison boutique from 6pm. The Rye Bay Crew swing into the weekend at the Queens Head Rye from 8.30pm.
The weekend sees a vast number of performances across town with the Brass Funkeys at various locations in Rye, The Brillos, Louis Turpin and his Trio, Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion, Kandela Mi Son, The Fabulous Red Diesel, Dom Pipkin’s band the Ikos, and Rod Pooley’s Funky Organ Trio, King Size Slim, Dave Barrett Jazz Trio, Carter Burton Trio, Manhattan Magic, Paul Richards & his Latin Trio perform the coolest Bossa Nova’s and Samba rhythms from 12.00 Midday at the Butter Market. On Sunday Rye Cricket Club hosts a fun family day of music and BBQ with the Jazz Nights All Stars from midday.
Monday has a unique solo jazz performance at the Grapevine with New Orleans pianist Dom Pipkin from 3pm, following Paul Richards and his Latin Trio from midday at the Butter Market. Violet Jive perform at the Kino outdoor stage from 3pm and the Jazz Funk Giants perform outside Simply Italian from 3pm. The old Borough Arms host the Paul Richards Latin Duo at 3pm and the Turpin Hubbard Blues Duo see out the weekend in style at the Ship Inn from 4pm.
For more updates or booking www.ryejazz.com.
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St Leonards based fine art photographer Lin Gregory has been invited to exhibit her latest project, Between Land And Sea, at the Farley Farm Gallery in Chiddingly, East Sussex.
Her work can be viewed from August 28 until October 30.
The invitation came from Antony Penrose, photographer, who is also author and director of the Lee Miller Archive and the Penrose Collection based at Farley Farm House - home of the Surrealists.
Lin has always had a love of landscape and much of her work is of that genre. She seeks to capture the spirit of a place, evoking the atmosphere that she senses there, using light as her tool. Between Land And Sea represents a journey along the East Sussex coast, capturing the landmarks along the space where the land meets the sea.
Lin said: “The seed of this project first came to me in 2010 after Hastings Pier was the subject of an arson attack that threatened its existence. As a photographer I see a pier as the focal point when walking along a seafront. Yet, after the fire, the possibility of there being an empty space where the remains stood led me to document the many structures along the ever-changing coastline before they too are destroyed or reshaped. For Hastings Pier there has been a new beginning, yet for many of the other structures their future is far less secure.“
Lin has used ‘slow photography’ in the creation of this project, making images with long exposures to convey a feeling for the solidity yet impermanence of our coastline, both natural and manmade over the passage of time. The resultant images produced are befitting of a show at the home of the Surrealists.
“Lin’s images invite us to enter a surrealist dream work populated by strange creatures, where the sea is solid and the sky endless. With complete naturalness she brings us her discovery of the marvellous in the every day,” said Antony Penrose.
The exhibition is also part of PhotoHastings, the South East’s newest photography festival which runs from September and will boast exhibitions, events and workshops in and around Hastings, St Leonards and further afield. Further information available at www.farleyfarmhouse.co.uk.
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The swimmer believed to have been missing at Camber Sands has been found, the coastguard has announced.
In a statement released by HM Coastguard, it said the reason for the major search was that lifeguards were not on duty at the time it was reported. Click here to read more about the search.
The search for the missing swimmer at Camber Sands was called off after they were found safe and well. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The RNLI has provided five to six lifeguards who are working from 9am to 6pm this Bank Holiday weekend.
A spokesperson for the coastguard said: “There was major reason for concern as this is a dangerous beach and lifeguards were not on yet on duty at the time the swimmer was missed. It’s a great relief that this person has been found safe and well.”
It comes after five men lost their lives at the beach on Wednesday.
A statement from Sussex Police said: “Police were called at around 9.40am on Sunday to report concern for the welfare of a woman who was seen entering the sea on Camber Sands Beach at around 8am.
The search for the missing swimmer at Camber Sands was called off after they were found safe and well. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
“It was believed the woman, who was described as white with dark hair and wearing a black swimming costume, had left a pair of sandals on the beach which had still not been retrieved.
“Officers helped both the Coastguard and RNLI conduct a thorough search of the coastline, which included the Coastguard helicopter.
“A woman matching the description of the swimmer called the RNLI at around 11.45 am to identify herself.
“The search has been called off and police are no longer dealing.”
The search for the missing swimmer at Camber Sands was called off after they were found safe and well. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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PICTURES: Missing swimmer ‘found safe and well’


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Only 19.3 overs were bowled on the third day at the SSE Swalec because of rain and bad light, and when play was called off at 5pm Glamorgan had reached for 149 for 2 – an overall lead of 118.
With one day remaining, and Sussex hoping for a result that will challenge Essex at the top of Division 2, there is a possibility that the two captains Jacques Rudolph and Luke Wright, will agree on a target that Sussex could chase in the final innings.
We need to win games, especially after Essex’s performance against Leicestershire. Sussex coach Mark Davis
Essex’s win over Leicestershire puts them 44 points clear in the race for the one promotion spot.
Rudolph and Will Bragg had resumed on 50 for 1, and after striking three boundaries off Steve Magoffin, the Glamorgan captain was only three runs from his third fifty of the season when the Auatralian seamer got his revenge by trapping Rudolph leg before.
The second wicket pair had put on 67 for the second wicket, and when David Lloyd replaced Rudolph he was quickly off the mark with two boundaries off Jofra Archer. Magoffin, who had taken the two wickets, was Sussex’s most accurate bowler, and twice had confident lbw appeals turned down.
With Will Bragg playing watchfully at the other end, Lloyd continued to attack, and when George Garton replaced Archer, the left arm seamer was twice driven to the extra cover boundary by Lloyd.
The third wicket pair had put on 72, before the gloom descended and the umpires decided that the light was too bad for play to continue at 3pm.
Mark Davis, the Sussex coach was frustrated by the day’s events, especially after two good days’ cricket.
When asked about a possible arrangement between the two captains, Davis said “We haven’t looked into that yet, but we need to win games, especially after Essex’s performance against Leicestershire. We will see how things pan out in the morning, and take it from there.”
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County championship: Sussex and Glamorgan frustrated by weather


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The makers of popular ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s has recalled four batches of its product after pieces of metal were discovered in them.
Unilever said it had identified a period of production where small pieces of metal may have found their way into tubs of Cookie Dough ice cream.
As a precaution it is recalling all potentially affected items.
The affected batches are 500ml cartons of Cookie Dough, with batch codes L62110L011 / L62111L011 / L62112L011 / L62113L011.
Unilever has urged anyone who bought the affected product to dispose of it immediately and contact its customer care line on 0800 146 252 to arrange a replacement.

Metal flakes found in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream


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This year has already been a huge year for new tech trends, with the boom in virtual reality technology around the world, the ever growing fitness-tech market and the never-ending improvements to smart phones and smart TVs.
So what else can we expect to see before the year is out, and if you haven’t already jumped on some of the existing tech-trends, then how will they become a part of your life in the not too distant future?
And more importantly, if you’re already looking ahead to Christmas (and many of us will have already started planning) what will be the most in-demand tech gifts this year?
To find out, we caught up with experts at the recent Argos Christmas in July event who gave us the lowdown on everything from virtual reality to retro tech, super high definition television to wearable tech and everything in between.

Top Tech trends for Summer 2016 and what to look out for later this year


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Embattled patient transport service provider Coperforma should be stripped of its contract, one union has suggested.
The private company took over from South East Coast Ambulance Service back in April, but during the first few months patients complained about numerous incidents of crews either not turning up or showing up late.
One of its sub-contractors VM Langfords went into administration earlier this year and Coperforma had to step in to guarantee the pay, jobs, and terms and conditions of employees by transferring them to other companies working under them on the contract.
However the GMB union, which represents staff working for sub-contractor Docklands Medical Services, has warned that many of its members could lose their jobs without money owed to them from their previous employers.
Gary Palmer, GMB organiser, said: “No more chances, no more waiting until the dust hopefully settles, the time has come to remove Coperfoma and all those that would put profit before patients and staff.”
He explained that the union had been made aware that all transferred staff could be given notice and dismissed from their current NHS contracts with a view to offering them inferior contracts on a take it or leave it basis, which could affect up to 60 staff.
The tender process for the contract was led by the High Weald Lewes Havens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on behalf of all seven CCGs covering Sussex.
Mr Palmer added: “The GMB have written assurances and viewed public broadcasts where Coperforma CEO Michael Clayton clearly states that their new providers would not only pick up the PTS work after the collapse of Langfords, but that staff would be looked after and not out of pocket, and importantly that all their terms and conditions would remain and be protected and not just during any inbound move to a new provider but with assurances that it would also do so for any future outbound transfer as well.
“Right from the very start when this contract was awarded to Coperforma despite the missed warning signs around their inability to deliver such a vital service for Sussex being ignored by the CCGs and its accountable officers, their delivery, accountability and responsibility has been seen to fail all measures, standards and targets by everyone except those who are ultimately responsible, the CCGs.”
Coperforma have been approached for comment.
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Calls to strip Coperforma of Sussex patient transport service contract


A boy has been taken to hospital after being stabbed, and police are appealing for witnesses.
Sussex Police said officers are investigating the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Kings Road, Brighton this morning.
Emergency services were called at around 2.10am and after treatment by paramedics the victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Two men were arrested by police officers nearby; one by Pavilion Gardens, the other near Jubilee Street.
An 18-year-old man from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and currently remains in police custody.
A 28-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He also remains in custody at this time, police added.
Detective Constable Rowan Carter said: “We would very much like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and who saw something suspicious.
“It was a fast moving investigation at the scene and so even if you spoke to officers in the early hours, we’d still like you to get in touch to ensure we have all of your information that could help.
“Witnesses can email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference 188 of 27/08.”
Alternatively, witnesses can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or go to crimestoppers-uk.org.
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COUNTY NEWS: Two men arrested after boy is stabbed


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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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Just a few months after the devastating fire at St Michael’s hospice the generosity and hard work of hundreds of people has come to the fore after it was announced that the £1m Phoenix Appeal target has been reached.
Making the announcement was Celia Pike-Lees, Chief Executive St Michael’s Hospice. She said she is “very pleased” to announce the total money pledged towards the Phoenix Appeal, launched at the beginning of the year to help fund the re-building of the hospice following the fire, has reached the £1m target. She added: “This tremendous result reflects the importance of St Michael’s Hospice to the local community, and the generosity of a wide range of individual donors and grant giving trusts.”
The shock of the fire last July reverberated throughout the country. It was an unthinkable thing to have happened in such a place of sanctuary and care, but in the face of adversity, in true Great British spirit, hospice staff, volunteers and the community pulled out all the stops to make the hospice fit for the future.
Celia says the past year has been tough but the support of local people and organisations has been tremendous and made such a big difference. “It has helped us both to continue to provide our specialist palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses across Hastings and Rother and also, through the Phoenix Appeal, to renovate the Hospice so that it can be a great asset to our community for years to come.
“We are truly grateful and could not have achieved it without the generosity of so many.”
The newly refurbished Hospice is set to re-open to in-patients and clinical staff on Monday, September 5.
The Observer Series has been honoured to support the Phoenix Appeal and Editor in Chief Gary Shipton says he is delighted that St Michael’s Hospice has reached its £1m Phoenix Appeal target and can now look to the future.
“To have raised £1m in less than a year is a fantastic achievement and testament to the generosity of the organisations, businesses and the local community - many of whom excelled themselves with a vast range of fundraising ideas and events,” he said.
“This is a truly wonderful result and the Observer has been proud to sponsor the appeal and to support a charity that is vital to our local community.”
Recently the Hospice invited members of the public, supporters and volunteers on guided tours to see the changes and improvements made to the building in the past year.
Visitors were taken through the reception/café area, along the ground floor in-patient ward, to an in-patient bedroom, highlighting features such as the low level lighting, flat screen wall-mounted TV, fridge and the calming colour palette and artwork. All bedrooms are ensuite, with a number of bedrooms also benefitting from hoists, allowing quick and easy movement to patients.
Visitors were impressed with what they saw. Comments included: “Absolutely brilliant. The hard work and dedication of all involved to achieve all of this, and have staff and patients back in 14 months, is outstanding.”
Another said: “The new Hospice looks like it has been well thought out and flows well – it must be the best in the country!”
Visit www.facebook.com/stmichaelshospice

You did it! St Michael’s hospice has risen from the ashes to soar like a Phoenix


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The investigation into the suspected murder of a 19-year-old is still underway, police have said.
As previously reported, a 27-year-old man from Portslade was arrested in Burgess Hill yesterday on suspicion of murder after the woman’s body was found in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak.
The scene of the suspected murder at a property in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The house is still a crime scene as forensic teams continue their work, Sussex Police has said.
The murder has also been reported to the independent body which deals with police complaints. Click here for the full story.
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Albion signed Belgium international defender Sebastien Pocognoli from West Brom on a season-long loan last night.
The 29-year-old left back adds competition to Brighton’s full-back areas, with Gaetan Bong the only recognised senior left-back in the squad, while Liam Rosenior missed the Newcastle game with the ankle injury he sustained at Reading.
Albion boss Chris Hughton said: “We are delighted to add Sebastien to our squad, as the injury to Liam has left us a little bit short of cover in both full-back positions.
“Sebastien has a vast amount of experience having played in some of the top divisions in Europe, as well as in the Champions League. He is the type of quality player we want to add to the squad, and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Pocognoli began his career in the youth team at Standard Liege before moving to Genk at the age of 15.
He made his first team debut aged just 16, and went on to make a total of 46 appearances before moving to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. After 70 appearances and five goals for the Dutch outfit he returned to Standard Liege, where he played 98 times, scoring twice. A move to the Bundesliga followed with Hannover 96, before switching to the Premier League with West Brom in July 2014. He has made 21 appearances for the Baggies. Pocognoli has represented his country at under 16, 17, 19 and 21 levels, as well as making six appearances for Belgium in the Beijing Olympics. He has won 11 senior caps.
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Pocognoli joins Brighton on season-long loan


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Another body has been found on a beach in Sussex, the police have confirmed.
Sussex Police said they were contacted this afternoon with reports that a body had been washed up on Littlehampton beach.
A spokesperson added that the coastguard were involved, and that the coroner’s office has been informed.
Police officers are currently closing down the scene.
It is thought to be the body of the diver that went missing on Saturday off the coast of Bognor Regis – but police said they were unable to confirm the identity of the body.
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COUNTY NEWS: Another body found on Sussex beach


The art of printmaking is to be celebrated with a series of events in Hastings former print and publishing quarter this September.
Page Break is a short season of events, from 1 -10 September, celebrating the history, people and trades of FJ Parsons print and publishing company.
The events are set in and around The Printworks, Rock House and The Observer Building, where FJ Parsons once employed around 1,000 people, as well as at Hastings Museum.
“A job for life at FJ Parsons was something to aspire to,” says Dawn Dublin, who is programming the events and co-producing with MSL Projects. “Apprenticeships, specialist skills and learned trades contributed to a vibrant and creative occupational printing community.”
In the 1980s computerised roles took over the printer’s unique crafts and the fortunes of FJ Parsons and its buildings took a downward turn. Traditional skills such as typesetting, composition, linotype and book binding looked set to disappear forever as the jobs vanished and the buildings became derelict.
However, instead of being wiped out forever, Hastings old print buildings are making a comeback as are the crafts they once housed.
“There are new creative businesses springing up in these buildings now and traditional printing skills are enjoying a global resurgence,” says Dawn. “Page Break is a celebration of these skills and the people who practiced them, in the buildings where they worked.”
Events, which are all free, include a letterpress workshop, linocut demonstrations with illustrator Aiden Saunders, an illustration workshop with artist and writer, Christopher Hoggins, a Family Fun Print Day, Fanzine Workshop with local artists Danny Pockets and Peter Quinnell and a Pinhole Camera workshop with photographer Alex Brattell.
The programme concludes with a day-long event, which includes an exhibition, a film screening and a live-streamed discussion with contemporary digital journalists and representatives from the classic age of print journalism.
On Thursday September 1 children aged seven-plus can explore letterpress printing at a free Family Print Day at Hastings Museum (11am-4pm). Local print-makers, Lucky Budgie and Make Ready Studios will run this drop-in workshop (children must be accompanied by an adult). Participants will learn to set a simple design with wood type and choose colours before their design is printed using the museum’s vintage letterpress.
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Season of events aims to celebrate the history of local printmaking


Athletics ace Elise Lovell is basking in the glory of winning her first international medal.
The Hastings Athletic Club multi-eventer bagged a bronze in the women's long jump at the Manchester International.
She said: "The aim was to do myself proud and jump well enough to maybe challenge for the medals so I was really pleased to come away with a medal."
Competing in the evening for the first time, Lovell's best effort of 5.67m was just five centimetres adrift of runner-up Holly Mills (GB Juniors) and 26 behind Katie Stainton (Birchfield Harriers). Conditions were good with hardly any wind for the athletes to contend with.
"I feel like I jumped as well as I could at that track," she continued. "The distances were down for everybody and from previous experience at that track, it's not a brilliant track to jump at. I think I did well."
England were the overall winners with 277 points, 68 more than the second-placed combined British Athletics League/UK Women’s League team. The line-up was completed by GB Juniors, Wales, Scotland, Ulster & Northern Ireland and UK Armed Forces.
Lovell was selected for the event after setting a new Sussex record at the Counties Athletics Union Championships in Bedford. She was the first Sussex female to go through the six-metre barrier with a leap of 6.02m en route to a bronze medal.
The 24-year-old has now just about come to the end of a pretty busy outdoor season and is 'really pleased' with how it's gone.
"After the stress fracture in my foot (which caused her to withdraw from her defence of the England Senior Combined Events Championships in May), I thought that's going to be the end," she admitted. "But to come away selected to represent England in an individual event and get a bronze medal was a big surprise."
* MAYA Ramnarine, of Hastings Athletic Club, produced a personal best performance on Sussex duty at the weekend. The 13-year-old clocked a time of 2:27 to come fifth in the 800m in the under-15 age group at an inter-counties match in Oxford.
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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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The Sara Lee Trust is seeking imaginative garden specialists to help create therapeutic gardens for its new Therapy Centre.
The Sara Lee Trust aims to improve the lives and well-being of people living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in the Hastings and Rother area through the provision, free of charge, of psychological and counselling support, creative and complementary therapies, and therapeutic group activities.
The Trust, which is now in its 20th year, is in the process of opening its first dedicated Therapy Centre, which will be based in Sidley.
Claire Land, from Sara Lee Trust, said: “An important part of the space will be the therapeutic gardens which will enhance the specialist counselling and complementary therapy services we provide and create the much needed refuge where our patients can relax and become absorbed in nature.
“The Sara Lee Trust are now looking for enthusiastic garden designers, gardeners and volunteers to help with the challenge of turning the garden into a tranquil space for our patients to enjoy.
“We are appealing to local residents, businesses and garden specialists to get involved and support our new Therapy Centre and help to raise the £120,000 needed for its development. We aim to start the refurbishments and fitting out of the new Centre in autumn 2016 with a proposed opening date of summer 2017. If you would like to get involved in any way, Call us on 01424 420264, visit www.saraleetrust.org or email fundraising@saraleetrust.org.”
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Charity appeals for specialists to help create therapeutic gardens


If you want to feel good, wake up early, dance to a bit of Queen and drink more water.
Those are the findings of a study of 2,000 people which examined the best feel-good things for Brits - unearthing the top movies, music and more that are most likely to lift the spirits.
A blaring bit of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now came top of the list of pleasure-bringing tunes, with Pharrell Williams’ Happy in second and ELO’s classic Mr. Blue Sky in third for the best feel-good tracks.
Dirty Dancing, Love Actually and Bridget Jones’s Diary are as good as it gets when it comes to feel-good movie magic, and we also feel happier when we look after ourselves and get some exercise.
The research, commissioned by Highland Spring to launch its new Feel Good initiative on the benefits of healthy hydration, found that Brits love exercising to make themselves feel better, and a brisk walk with the dog, fitness class or bike ride are some of the top ways to get out and feel good.
Meanwhile, waking up early in the morning can go towards a feel-good day, with 8.30am voted the optimum time to rise on a day off work.
Being outside is crucial to happiness, with respondents saying that sitting in their garden in the sunshine, walking the dog or playing sports would be part of their ideal feel-good day.
The research also found that looking good is part of feeling good and on average we spend 25 minutes making ourselves look our best - although it takes women 11 minutes longer than men.
The survey highlighted the following top 10 ways to have a great day as well as the best feel good movies and songs:
TOP 10 WAYS TO HAVE A FEEL-GOOD DAY
1. Sit in the garden in the sun
2. Listen to music
3. Have a good meal
4. Get a good night’s sleep
5. Go on holiday
6. Have a drink with friends
7. Sleep in a freshly made bed
8. Hear good news from a loved one
9. Feel the sun on your face
10. Find some money
TOP 10 FEEL GOOD SONGS
1. Queen - Don’t Stop Me Now
2. Pharrell Williams - Happy
3. Bon Jovi - Livin’ on a Prayer
4. ELO - Mr Blue Sky
5. Queen - We Are The Champions
6. Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
7. Taylor Swift - Shake it off
8. David Bowie - Heroes
9. Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance with Somebody
10. Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman
TOP 10 FEEL-GOOD MOVIES
1. Dirty Dancing
2. Love Actually
3. Forrest Gump
4. Bridget Jones’s Diary
5. Mrs Doubtfire
6. Star Wars
7. Notting Hill
8. Back to the Future
9. Dumb and Dumber
10. Groundhog Day

Revealed: Britain’s favourite feel-good tunes and movies


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A body has been found on a busy Sussex beach.
Sussex Police confirmed officers are currently dealing with a deceased person on Brighton beach, opposite the Grand Hotel and near the British Airways i360.
Brighton beach, taken in July this year by Eddie Mitchell
A police spokesperson said they were called at just before 1.50pm to the scene, and one vehicle was dispatched.
They confirmed that the ambulance service was also at the scene and undertakers had been called.
They also dismissed rumours that the body had been washed up.
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The second Hastings Fringe performance arts festival runs from August 30 to September 4 with over 50 performances from upcoming and established local and national professional talent.
The festival will take place in five venues which are The Stables Theatre and Arts Centre, Hastings Pier, Printworks, Owl & Pussycat Lounge and Nico’s Kitchen.
Over six days performers - writers, poets, musicians, comedians, and film-makers - will showcase a diverse range of work. This encompasses plays by well-known playwrights alongside original material by local writers, spoken word, cabaret, circus, comedy; music and song, and adult and children’s mask workshops.
On Saturday afternoon (September 3 from 1-4pm) there will be a variety of acts on Hastings Pier including a Singin’ in the Rain workshop led by a West End performer, circus, and a life-size Punch and Judy show.
Music ranges from acapella and music hall to jazz and blues and there will also be slam-dunk poetry and spoken-word readings.
Local writer and Daily Mirror music critic Gavin Martin, will perform his debut spoken-word album, Talking Musical Revolutions, on Wednesday August 31, at Printworks in Claremont from 9.45pm, free, and there will be an evening of short films closing with the world public premiere of the 90-minute drama, Shingetsu, directed by Paul Schoolman (Jail Caesar) starring Alice Krige (Chariots of Fire, Star Trek First Contact).
The fringe festival artistic director Heather Alexander said: “There was an overwhelming response to calls for performers to showcase work. There’s a strand of Free Fringe events taking place at all the venues, as well as ticketed events. We want the fringe to be as inclusive as possible. If people want to show work, we have tried to put it on and let the audience decide.”
For more details go to www.hastingsfringe.co.uk.
Look out for:
Forget-Me-Not Wears the Trousers
The Stables Theatre
Saturday September 3, 8.45pm
Tickets £8/£6 (members)
International cabaret artiste Forget-Me-Not, AKA Sharon Elizabeth, slips past the censor and turns up the heat, performing risqué and banned songs from the 20s and 30s and celebrating Jazz Age sexual liberation and gender cross-pollination! A fabulous feast of vocal versatility!
Devised, written and directed by Sharon Elizabeth AKA Forget-Me-Not with musical director Paul Lewis at the piano.
Suitable for 16+
www.forgetmenotcabaret.com
https://stablestheatre.ticketsolve.com/#/shows
Moonlight Dreams
Hastings Pier
Saturday September 3 1pm-1.45pm
Free
Breathtaking acts and circus skills.
Slow Races
Hastings Pier
Saturday September 3 1pm-4pm
Free
Garden gnomes gather for a very slow race. A playful intervention by seven performers.
Mask Workshops
Nico’s Kitchen
Saturday September 3,
10am-12pm Under 18
12.30pm-2.30pm Over 18
Tickets £5
www.ticketsource.co.uk/boxoffice/select/VJEmKJbHDTbI
Take a mask and see how it changes your performance skills. Take the opportunity to discover how working with masks can engage you with your innate expressiveness. These workshops are facilitated by Michele Lester
www.ticketsource.co.uk/hastings-fring
Flanders & Swann and Tom Lehrer
The Stables Theatre
Friday, September 2, 7.30pm
Tickets £8/£6 (members)
An evening of song, silliness and mud, glorious mud. Performed by Steve Scott with John Bruzon at the piano.
Featuring all the favourites from the masters of comic song, including The Gas-Man Cometh, Poisoning Pigeons in the Park and The Hippopotamus. You’ll be dancing to The Masochism Tango before the night is out!
A Taste of Brian Docherty
Printworks
Tuesday August 30, 6.30pm (30mins)
Free
Brian Docherty performs a taster of selected poems as a preview for the show Conscious & Verbal on Sun Sept 4.


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