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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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 drew 2-2 away to Reading this afternoon as they continued their unbeaten start in the Championship.
Here are five key points to come out of the match.
1: Still unbeaten. The sign of a good team is picking up points when not playing well and Albion were far from at their best in the first half. They improved after the break and a draw was probably the fair result, although they will have to play much better to come away from Newcastle with anything next Saturday.
2: Soft goals to concede. With David Stockdale back between the sticks, his first action of note was to pick the ball out of his net after only 90 seconds - the first goal Albion had conceded this season - when Swift’s free kick from the left-hand side of the penalty area flew straight in to the far corner. Albion boss Chris Hughton would also have been disappointed with the second, when McShane was unmarked to fire home.
3: Key man. Knockaert was again outstanding for Albion and was by far their best player on the day. The one criticism of his performances since he joined is he hasn’t been as influential away from home as at the Amex. Today he set up Albion’s first, scored the second and caused Reading’s defence all sorts of problems.
4: Goals in the side. Albion have scored eight in their last three league games and look a threat going forward at all times.
5: Strength in depth. After making four changes for Tuesday’s win against Rotherham, Hughton made five for today’s game. Another striker/forward player and defender will still top his wishlist before the transfer window ends.
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Five things we learned from Albion’s draw at Reading


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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Sussex after a woman’s body was found, police have said.
Sussex Police said that at just before 9.45am today, officers were called to the address in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak, which is in Portslade, East Sussex, over concerns for the welfare of a 18-year woman living there who had not arrived at work this morning.
Our thoughts are with the deceased and with her family and friends Superintendent James Collis
The body of a woman, believed to be the resident, was found inside the house, police said. Formal identification has not yet taken place.
They added that nobody else was in the house at the time.
The cause of death has not yet been established but it is being treated as suspicious by police and detectives from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team led by Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz, are investigating.
A 27-year old Portslade man was arrested this afternoon at an address in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.
Superintendent James Collis of the Brighton and Hove Division said: “Our thoughts are with the deceased and with her family and friends, who are receiving our support at this time.”
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COUNTY NEWS: Man arrested for suspected murder as woman’s body found


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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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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The final lines, uttered by the Prince of Verona, sum up the desperate nature of this Shakespearean classic: ‘For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.’
But those unfamiliar with the star-crossed lovers, would be mistaken in thinking that despite its untimely deaths, this is a doom-laden play where no light shines.
For, in the closing moments, it illuminates its great truth. All enmity carries a great price which ultimately is too great. Peace is always preferable to war.
This is a tale of two wealthy feuding families with Romeo and Juliet a representative of each. Their fledgling love cannot bridge the divide - whereas their ultimate sacrifice does finally deliver peace by showing how futile all disagreements are in the context of their deaths.
GB Theatre are masters of the lighter Shakespearean comedies and ensure despite the sombre tone of Romeo and Juliet that they extract every ounce of humour from the bawdy lines and innuendo.
Joseph Passafaro, in the best traditions of the original stagings, brings a robust energy to every line as Mercutio, and no potential visual joke is overlooked in his hugely engaging performance.
Greg Shewring is Romeo and captures that sense of innocence, impetuousness, and naivety of young sincere love. Mollie Fyfe Taylor matches as Juliet.
It’s often forgotten how young these lovers are. Juliet is only 13. In today’s context, they were mere children and Shakespeare never lost sight of their lack of experience of the world or of their gentleness.
This production remains true to Shakespeare’s bold intent.
Thank goodness for GB Theatre Company. A packed Collector Earl’s Garden - the perfect setting - illustrates how important it is to keep the Bard’s work alive, and that when played honestly, with energy and good humour even the bleakest tale can remain wholly relevant and ultimately uplifting.

REVIEW: Romeo and Juliet, GB Theatre Company at The Collector Earl’s Garden at Arundel Castle as part of the Arundel Festival


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Police have confirmed they are looking for a missing swimmer at Camber Sands – days after five men lost their lives at the beach.
A coastguard helicopter is circling above Camber Sands, and a spokesperson for the RNLI confirmed they had lifeboats at the scene.
Sussex Police said they were called to the scene after a member of the public contacted them and the coastguard at Camber Sands after seeing an abandoned pair of flip flops next to the sea and a female diving into the water at this location.
A spokesperson added: “Officers at the scene are doing coastal checks to see if there are any persons swimming having difficulty”.
An RNLI spokesperson said the search for the ‘potentially missing swimmer’ was being co-ordinated by Sussex Police and the coastguard, and that their lifeguards were keeping watch from the beach with binoculars.
This search comes after five men lost their lives at Camber Sands last week, and the RNLI donated lifeguards to patrol the beach over the Bank Holiday weekend. Click here to read more.
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BREAKING: Search for ‘missing swimmer’ at beach days after tragedy


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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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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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


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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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


It was first staged more than a century ago. Like the tin plate works on the Welsh borders where it’s set, it has become something of an industrial museum piece - rarely revisited despite being penned by John Galsworthy of The Forsyte Saga fame.
Now it’s back with its brutal judgement on industrial Britain of 1909 untarnished. Capital versus Labour. Poverty. Social injustice. Class divisions and female subjugation. Hefty issues in a world of heavy metals.
Still relevant? An opening sequence of audio news clips argues that the themes resonate just as clearly in 2016 where the fate of the steel works at Port Talbot remains hotly contested.
In the audience on the first night sits former Labour leader Neil Kinnock with his wife Lady Kinnock and he’s in no doubt that this is a story for today.
William Gaunt leads the cast as John Anthony, chairman of the company which owns the works - where the men strike and the wives and children freeze in the Welsh winter.
Anthony isn’t a man to concede. He’s faced down the workers four times in his 32 years at the top and despite the ravages of age and ill health he does not hesitate.
But workers’ revolutionary David Roberts (Ian Hughes) is the firebrand who is not for quitting either. This is a fight he’s been spoiling for - ever since he was paid £700 for a process which made the shareholders more than hundred times that amount.
Among the ranks of the striking workers, the men vacillate. Around the board room table, Anthony’s fellow directors count the mounting losses and weigh them against the point of principle.
In the tiny terraced homes, where the role of the wife and daughter is to stand by their man, they starve and shiver beside a coal-less fire and they die.
It’s not just tin plate that’s in short supply in this furnace of emotions. Concession hovers tantalisingly on both sides - within the grasp of all except for the main protagonists.
The set, with its metallic floor and dominating steel girder, is as uncompromisingly severe as the plot. But for a small theatre, this is lavishly populated with a cast who soften the blunt edges of industrial turmoil with a raw and empathetic humanity.
There is greyness, but Gaunt gives a masterfully understated performance - radiating power despite wheelchair and walking stick. Laying a tender hand on Roberts’ shoulder in the closing scene there’s a fleeting sense of his respect for the principle of his opponent contrasting with contempt for allies who would give way.
Galsworthy lived his last seven years a handful of miles from Chichester. His ashes were scattered across the adjoining South Downs. No hint of heavy industry here. No suggestion of social conscience in his privileged upbringing.
For all that he was an ardent reformer. As Lord Kinnock left the theatre he gave his verdict. Simply terrific. Galsworthy might have taken that as the finest accolade of them all.

REVIEW: Strife at Minerva Theatre, Chichester


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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


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


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


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Emergency services have attended a death at an address in West Sussex that was described as ‘sudden’ by police.
Sussex Police said officers were sent to a property at Grove Road, Broadwater, in Worthing, at around 12.30pm today following reports of a death.
The police have issued a statement which said: “Police are currently in attendance at an address in Grove Road, Broadwater following the report of a sudden death.
“The circumstances are currently unexplained and have required the attendance of specialist officers.
“Police believe the circumstances to relate to one address, with no other residents or members of the public in danger.”
A spokesperson added that the coroner’s office had been informed and that two police vehicles were currently at the scene.
They added that ambulances and the fire service had also been in attendance.
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COUNTY NEWS: ‘Sudden death’ reported in suburban road


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: Traffic chaos as bridge collapses


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


Most of us have a mobile phone. We use it every day to keep in touch with work, friends and family and find out what’s going on in the world.
But what if the phone signal was used to scramble people’s brains, turning them into murdering savages?
That’s the basic plot of Cell.
In a cracking start to the movie, John Cusack plays Clay Riddell, an artist who is trying to contact his son and estranged wife while waiting at an airport.
All of a sudden everyone using a mobile phone hears a high pitched sound that turns them into homicidal maniacs; luckily Riddell’s battery has packed up.
Although not dead, these people act like all the zombies you’ve ever seen in movies, running around until someone actually does kill them.
Riddell manages to escape and teams up with a motley crew of people including Tom McCourt (Samuel L. Jackson) and Alice Maxwell (Isabelle Fuhrman).
Director Tod Williams serves up plenty of action, raising the tension, adding a few jump shocks and generally keeping the audience on the edge of its seat.
The final third may well split the audience into those happy with how the story goes and those who are disappointed.
I was OK with the final scenes but if you like all the loose ends tied up neatly then you’ll be frustrated.
The main cast all put in a good shift and it’s a particularly good role for Cusack.
The fact that the story is based on a Stephen King novel will attract an audience and at least give people a chance to make their own judgement on the film.


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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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COUNTY NEWS: Warning to Sussex drivers after bridge collapses


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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Sussex motorists who are travelling to Kent can now use the M20 motorway after it reopened following a bridge collapse.
Highways England said the northbound lanes were fully reopened and two out of three of the southbound lanes had reopened after being closed between junctions one and four for more than a day.
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.
Prior to the reopening, 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.”
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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TRAFFIC UPDATE: Motorway reopens after bridge collapse


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A man suspected of murdering a 19-year-old woman has been released on bail, police have said.
The 27-year-old man from Portslade was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday in Burgess Hill after police officers found the body of Shana Grice at her address in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak at just before 9.45am.
Flowers were placed at the scene of Shana Grice's murder yesterday, Saturday, August 27. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
He has been released on bail until September 29 pending further enquiries, Sussex Police added.
Her parents paid tribute to their daughter, who they described as their ‘beautiful girl’. Read more here.
Flowers were placed at the scene yesterday while the investigation continues.
Detective Superintendent Jason Taylor said: “This remains an ongoing investigation and has understandably come as a shock to the local community.
Flowers were placed at the scene of Shana Grice's murder yesterday, Saturday, August 27. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
“Our thoughts are with Shana Grice’s family and friends and we would ask anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, no matter how insignificant you may think it was, to get in touch.”
Witnesses can email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Bow.
Alternatively, witnesses can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
As previously reported, the death has been notified to the body which handles police complaints because officers had contact with Shana before she was murdered. Click here to read more.
Shana Grice, 19, has been named by Sussex Police as the murder victim. Picture: Sussex Police
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COUNTY NEWS: Murder suspect released on bail


This weekend the Rye Jazz and Blues Festival will delight music lovers from across the South East with a feast of top class ticketed and free music performances.
The headline concert on Saturday August 27 with UK Queen of Soul Mica Paris has been in high demand and organisers have announced additional standing tickets for this concert at £15.
Acclaimed Jazz singers Liane Carroll and Joe Stilgoe perform together on Monday August 29 and there are a handful of seats still available plus standing tickets just released at £10.
Book through the festival website and tickets may be also available on the door.
Friday August 26 sees Sky Arts guitar stars, Zayn Mohammed and Steve Morrison perform on the outdoor performance stage at the Kino Cinema from 7pm - one of many free events that take place at the festival.
On Friday night you can also experience the coolest Latin Jazz with Hastings-based Jazz Train at the Grapevine Champagne and Jazz Bar from 8pm and Andy Williams performs at La Maison store from 6pm. The Rye Bay Crew swing into the weekend at the Queens Head Rye from 8.30pm.
Saturday August 27 sees a free performance from midday at the Kino outside stage from the Fabulous Brass Funkeys who will play at various locations in Rye. The amazing Brillos take to the Kino stage from 1.30pm and Louis Turpin and his Trio play blues at the Butter Market from 3pm.
Saturday’s feast of vibrant free music continues with Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion at the Kino stage from 5pm. Free music across both Sunday and Monday takes place at these venues with Cuban band Kandela Mi Son, The Fabulous Red Diesel, Dom Pipkin’s New Orleans edgy band the Ikos and Rod Pooley’s Funky Organ Trio. King Size Slim perform at a free event at the Standard Inn from 4pm.
On Sunday the Rye Lodge Hotel hosts a stunning jazz and champagne event on the terrace from 1-3pm with the superb Dave Barrett Jazz Trio. To book tickets for this event please call 01797 223838 or go to www.ryelodge.co.uk
Wrapping up this amazing weekend of music, on Monday Paul Richards and his Latin Trio perform the coolest Bossa Nova’s and Samba rhythms from midday at the Butter Market. The achingly cool Violet Jive perform outside the Kino and the jazz Funk Giants perform outside Simply Italian both from 3pm.
The old Borough Arms host the Paul Richards Latin Duo at 3.00pm and the Turpin Hubbard Blues Duo see out the weekend in style at the Ship Inn from 4pm.
For more updates or to book go to www.ryejazz.com.


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From Shirley Valentine to the Inbetweeners to Benidorm... the classic summer holiday for Brits abroad has been parodied on the big and small screen for decades, and while they may be a bit far-fetched, some of the comedy capers and clichés still ring true for many of us.
A light-hearted look at the typical Brit’s summer holiday, thanks to a poll released today by Nationwide FlexPlus, shows millions of us still enjoy a package holiday, love to fly and flop, stick to holiday rituals such as a beer in the airport bar before take-off, still struggle with the local lingo, get so burnt we can’t leave the hotel room for days and take the risk of holidaying without travel insurance.
Where we like to go and who with
While city breaks and beach hotels are the most popular types of holidays for Brits these days, more than a third of us still love nothing better than the good old all-inclusive package holiday deal. More than two thirds of us have done the big family holiday – taking grandparents, aunties, uncles, kids, and grandkids abroad and a third of us intend to do so this summer.
Three quarters say these ‘multi-generational’ holidays are becoming more appealing than ever as it’s a chance to get the whole family together. However more than 70 per cent say it’s a good chance to be able to sneak off while the grandparents look after the kids.
Preparation – from packing to panicking at the airport
One in 14 are so eager for their holidays, they start packing a fortnight before they’re even due to leave, while a quarter start packing at least a week before. And we’re a nation of over-packers, with the average holiday-maker taking six pairs of socks, seven t-shirts, four shorts, two swimsuits, eight pants/boxers, two pairs of sandals, two towels, one pair of sunglasses, one hat, two pairs of trainers/shoes, one jumper, one bottle of insect repellent and two bottles of sun cream for a seven-day holiday.
Almost 30 percent of us like to take something that reminds us of home when travelling abroad – around one in ten take tea bags, more than one in 20 take a family photo, and the same number a teddy bear. Slightly less take a photo of their pet or their own pillow case or pillow. A small number of people even take spreads, sauces and preserves to remind them of home.
In fact, before landing overseas, Brits have already spent an average of £139.26 on pre-holiday items. But many of us still go into a mad panic of having forgotten something when we get to the airport, with more than half of us having had to make a dash for toiletries and more than a third having to get local currency last minute. One in five of us though always have time for that holiday drink in the airport bar before we jet off – a great British holiday tradition.
What we like to do when we get there
While many of us love to explore the cultural and natural side of a destination – the ‘fly and flop’ holiday is still king for millions of us, with almost 40% admitting to flopping by the pool or the beach all day when on holiday and one in five admitting to not moving an inch for most of the time. And for a third of us, there’s nothing better to finish off the day than to watch the hotel ‘entertainment’ with more than one in ten having embarrassed ourselves as well as our kids and family by joining in.
More than one in 20 admit to having a bit of ‘couple time’ by sending their kids to the kids’ club, initially for the day, often leading to most of the holiday. For singletons the summer holiday is also the perfect time for a holiday romance – almost a third of us have had one and one in 20 even say they married their holiday fling.
When it comes to money, Brits spend an average of 10% of their annual salary on holidays every year and when on holiday have a carefree attitude to spending with a third saying their attitude is: “I’m on holiday, I’ll worry about money later”. While a third put most of their holiday spending on the credit card, the average person spends around £40 a day on holiday.
Sangria and Sunburn
But it’s not all fun and games with plenty of things that can go wrong. More than one in ten have had a classic ‘language gaffe’ moment, a similar number admit to having got so lost when they have left the hotel that they’ve not got back to their hotel until after dark, while slightly less have got so sun burnt they haven’t been able to leave their hotel room.
Almost one in five of us have also lost luggage before we’ve even got to our destination, with some saying they have had to wear the same clothes throughout their holiday, some having to borrow off their friends and others having to wash their clothes in the bathroom sink every night.
And while mishaps regularly happen to us, a surprising one in 12 admit they never bother with travel insurance regardless of where they are travelling to, while more than 30% wouldn’t bother buying travel insurance if they were travelling to a typical summer holiday destination in Western Europe and around four in five Brits would not take out travel insurance for a UK holiday.
The Simpsons, the Mitchell’s or the Harpers?
Finally, when asked which fictional family they believe their own family most resembles on holiday, the Simpsons topped the list, followed by the Harpers (My Family) and the Dunphys (Modern Family).

The average British holidaymaker - how we love to spend our summers


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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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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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For young people around the UK, now is one of the most important times in their lives for deciding what they want their future to look like.
While many will take the university path, the rising popularity and continued government emphasis on apprenticeships, means they are an alternative option being preferred by a large number of school leavers.
But is the apprenticeship pathway suitable for everyone; and if you or your children are considering one, what can you do to stand out from other candidates as you look to secure an apprentice position?
Watch the video for some first-hand advice from those in the know – young people who chose the apprenticeship route.
Daniella Tubb-Whittington, an early talent recruitment specialist from GSK who sees its apprentice scheme as a vital tool in recruiting amazing young talent, also gives shares some pointers on what employers are looking for when it comes to the ideal apprentice candidate.

Advice from apprentices on how to secure one in 2016


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Sussex captain Luke Wright praised his bowlers for sparking the Glamorgan collapse that set up a county championship win that has kept alive their promotion hopes.
After bowling out the hosts on the final day at Sophia Gardens for 263, Wright’s men were left needing 233 for their second championship win of the campaign - and after a few scares, they got there with two wickets to spare.
Wright said: “The pitch was a little damp, it was tough to bat on and rather that set up a game with Glamorgan we wanted to try to bowl them out.
“Chasing 233 was always going to be difficult, but credit to Ben Brown and Danny Briggs wo set up the win with that 55-run stand.”
Sussex are 43 points behind leaders Essex with a game in hand in the race for division two’s sole promotion spot and Wright added; “We have big games left against Kent and Essex, and I am glad we won as we still have an outside chance of promotion, even if it is a slim one.”
The partnership of 55 in nine overs for the eighth wicket between Brown and Briggs set up Sussex’s triumph.
We have big games left against Kent and Essex, and I am glad we won as we still have an outside chance of promotion, even if it is a slim one. Luke Wright
Although Briggs was out for an aggressive 36, Brown and George Garton guided Sussex home with 20 balls remaining.
At one stage they had been reduced to 156 for seven, with Timm Van Der Gugten taking 5-73, his third five wicket haul of the season, but the eighth-wicket pair’s partnership was a vital one for the visitors.
Glamorgan had resumed on 149 for 2, but soon lost their overnight batsmen Will Bragg and David Lloyd, who had put on 77 for the third wicket.
Despite an attractive innings of 59 from 64 balls from Aneurin Donald, Glamorgan then lost their way as the last five wickets fell for just 17 runs.
Donald was caught behind off Garton, who then dismissed Mark Wallace with his next ball. Graham Wagg struck Briggs into the River Taff, but attempted a shot two overs later and mistimed and was caught at mid-off.
The reckless approach continued, and instead of setting Sussex a challenging target, they were left to chase 233 in 62 overs.
Van Der Gugten gave Glamorgan the perfect start when he trapped Ed Joyce leg before with the first ball of the innings, but Chis Nash and Luke Wells were seldom in trouble adding 86 for the second wicket before Wells was lbw to Owen Morgan’s left arm spin for 33.
At tea, Sussex were comfortably placed on 92 for 2, before Wagg dismissed Nash for 64 following his 132 in the first innings. Sussex then lost three wickets for 12 runs, as Van der Gugten, who had changed ends and after dismissing Christian Davis leg before, bowled David Wiese and Luke Wright.
When Briggs joined Brown, after Jofra Archer’s dismissal, Sussex required another 77, but Briggs, who has played some useful innings recently, was soon into his stride, striking boundaries on both sides of the wicket. He eventually holed out to mid-on but Brown was there at the end on 42 out.
EDWARD BEVAN
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County championship: Briggs and Brown set up vital Sussex win


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

Grandparents to the rescue over school summer holidays


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

New exhibition explores history of The Charlton Hunt


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Albion boss Chris Hughton was pleased to come away from Reading with a point as he admitted his side were not at their best this afternoon.
Reflecting on Brighton’s 2-2 draw which continued their unbeaten start to the season, Hughton said: “I think a draw was fair, we certainly weren’t at our best today and a point was probably fair because we ended up taking the lead but I thought they were better than us.
“For the levels we’ve been at for the three other games, I don’t think we reached those levels in the first half. There’s never a particular reason for that, we made a couple of changes but perhaps we didn’t have that rhythm we’ve had in our game in that first half, so in the end, I’m pleased a point.”
One plus point for Hughton was the performance of Anthony Knockaert: “He’s playing very well, certainly if I looked at the performance from us today, he’s one you could pick out and say he was on top of his game. He looks bright, sharp and like he can make something happen every time he gets the ball.”
Liam Rosenior limped off after a late challenge from Yann Kermorgant in the closing stages and Hughton said: “I don’t think it was intentional but I think it was a reckless challenge and Liam is very sore.”
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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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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.”
Make the right choice for you and your child - Visit educationsussex.com for trusted school reviews, videos and so much more.

Heads share concerns over university fees


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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


There’s nothing like a gripping thriller or crime novel to sink your teeth into during your summer holiday.
And one man who knows a thing or two about the genre is Simon Brett OBE. As a crime fiction writer, from novels, plays, TV shows and radio and former president of the Detection Club – a society set up in the 1930s by a group of mystery writers including Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers, who better to give you a guide to the best contemporary crime novels to add to your holiday reading list.
Watch the video where Simon and writer Emma Kenny count down the top 10 best-selling crime novels of all time on Kobo – and find out some fascinating facts about the novels and authors who wrote them.
Top 10 Bestselling Crime Novels of all Time from Kobo
1 One Cold Night - Katia Lief
2 The Husband’s Secret - Liane Moriarty
3 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
4 Gone Again - Doug Johnstone
5 The Cuckoo’s Calling - Robert Galbraith
6 The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest - Stieg Larsson
7 The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson
8 The Detective’s Daughter - Lesley Thomson
9 Never Tell - Alafair Burke
10 Taken - Jacqui Rose

Top 10 best-selling crime novels of last five years on Kobo revealed


New research conducted by Foster Grant has established the average person takes around nine shots before choosing the perfect photo to put on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook but are you of the many that feel like they are missing a trick and just can’t get it right?
Take a leaf out of Kylie Jenner’s book and follow these easy to remember tips to make the most of your pictures;
Tip 1
Try different angles
Most of us have a “good side” and by tilting your head to the right it tends to be more interesting than just a straight on shot and can also be a more flattering angle. Taking a photo from above is also a great way of displaying different angles and can highlight all the bits you want to show off.
Tip 2
Don’t underestimate good lighting and a filter- from black and white to sepia tones- accentuate your features and bring out your inner model with your Instagram filters or just pose with a good ray of sunshine on your face.
Tip 3
Get creative
Take a selfie snorkelling in the sea or the side of a mountain. Not only is the scenery eye catching but you will be the envy of all your friends. Don’t be afraid to use accessorise and incorporate these items into your selfie. New glasses, big jewellery and rings are great at grabbing people’s attention
Tip 4
Use your arms as a frame- whether single armed or using both, let your arms show the rest of your body off, just be careful your fingers don’t cover the lens! If you are not a fan of the extended arm selfie then you should definitely consider a selfie stick.
Tip 5
Show off your personality. Smile, frown, laugh make a silly face or pout- just try and avoid the duckface where possible. When you share your picture let your friend feel the true essence of you.
For all this watch the video featuring blogger Kativa Donkersely for her top tips on how to get the celeb inspired selfie from the likes of Kylie Jenner herself as well as trendsetters Rihanna and Gigi Hadid


It’s the farcical comedy which leaves critics stony-faced. But now Mrs Brown’s Boys has been voted the best British sitcom of the 21st century, beating Ricky Gervais’s observational masterpiece, The Office.
Mrs Brown’s Boys, starring Brendan O’Carroll as the foul-mouthed Dublin widow, topped the Radio Times poll which asked readers to choose the funniest shows broadcast since 2000.
Described as “the worst comedy ever made” by one reviewer, the broad humour of O’Carroll’s creation, initially unveiled on a RTE Ireland radio series, has been labelled sexist and homophobic.
But the BBC1 show, which O’Carroll described as a reaction against the politically-correct “alternative comedy” revolution of the 80s, has become the most-watched programme on Christmas Day and even spawned a feature film.
The troupe of largely extended family members – O’Carroll’s wife Jennifer plays his fictional screen daughter – honed their characters through live stage performances, adding to the anarchic atmosphere of the television episodes, which often embrace mistakes.
O’Carroll said of the poll victory: “It vindicates the fans’ belief in the show. They have kept us on the air – it certainly wasn’t the reviewers.”
He added: “There is an audience out there that comedy forgot, that Are You Being Served? audience has been left behind. Us winning this award proves that.”
The show was rewarded with a Bafta in 2012 as critics began to accept its merits.
Radio Times readers voted from a shortlist of the 40 funniest shows broadcast since 2000, compiled by critics and experts from the British Film Institute.
When the 14,000 votes were counted, the unashamedly populist Mrs Brown’s Boys finished ahead of the understated charms of The Office, first broadcast in 2001 and widely regarded as the most influential comedy of the century.
Peter Kay has two entries in the top 20 with Car Share and his breakthrough Channel 4 sitcom Phoenix Nights
The poll suggested that the comedy audience has yet to fully embrace funny women. Miranda, the sitcom vehicle for the comedy actress Miranda Hart appears at number 8 ahead of Raised By Wolves, the loosely autobiographical Channel 4 family series written by Caitlin Moran and her sister Caroline.
But the poll is dominated by male performers and writers. Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan has three entries with Count Arthur Strong, The IT Crowd and Black Books all featuring.
Armando Iannucci’s The Thick of It, The Inbetweeners and Jack Whitehall’s Bad Education are other sitcoms in the list which have been expanded into feature films.
James Corden’s hit BBC romantic comedy Gavin & Stacey, co-written with Ruth Jones, remains highly regarded and makes the top ten. ITV has a one entry with Benidorm.
Best British sitcom of the 21st century
1 Mrs Brown’s Boys
2 The Office
3 Peter Kay’s Car Share
4 Count Arthur Strong
5 The IT Crowd
6 The Thick of It
7 Gavin & Stacey
8 Miranda
9 Raised by Wolves
10 Outnumbered
11 Peep Show
12 Black Books
13 Green Wing
14 The Inbetweeners
15 Bad Education
16 Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights
17 Yonderland
18 Twenty Twelve/W1A
19 Benidorm
20 Detectorists

Mrs Brown’s Boys voted best British sitcom of the 21st century