Search comes after RNLI provided lifeguards to patrol beach over Bank Holiday weekend
Member of the public sounded alarm after seeing abandoned pair of flip flops
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


Police have confirmed they are looking for a missing swimmer at Camber Sands – days after five men lost their lives at the beach.


A Hailsham business has taken on an ambitious project to help restore the world's largest surviving Victorian glasshouse.
Sussex Blast Cleaning, based on the Station Road Industrial Estate in Hailsham, was appointed to help restore the Temperate House in Kew Gardens.
The firm, which has previously worked on the restoration and repainting of Beachy Head Lighthouse, joins a five-year restoration project at the historic site.
Managing director Martin Griffin said: "Having been built in 1860, it certainly is in need of major restoration. Being part of a five-year project and working on a World Unesco Heritage site, it gives us great pride to be involved with such a detailed and valuable building in terms of heritage and its amazing historical plant collection.
"The large soaring iron arches and pillars typify the type of structures we really have vast experience of working on. We look forward to the challenge it provides as well as the long lasting restoration that will be enjoyed by the public for years to come.”
Opened in 1863, the Temperate House is the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world. Since August 2013, Kew has been undertaking a vital five-year restoration project on the building and its surrounding landscape
Sussex Blast Cleaning is no stranger to restoration projects having won the contract to restore the Cutty Sark after it was damaged by fire in May 2007.
That project lasted more than four years and involved working on different sections of the ship. The main body of the ship was completed in 2010 and Mr Griffin was at the re-opening of the Cutty Sark in April 2012 by the Queen and Prince Philip.
They also worked on the Beachy Head lighthouse restoration project.
A team of specialists from the firm lived on the lighthouse for several weeks while repainting the lighthouse's iconic red and white stripes.
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Hailsham firm takes on ambitious Kew Gardens project


A Hailsham business has taken on an ambitious project to help restore the world


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


Sussex motorists who are travelling to Kent can now use the M20 motorway after it reopened following a bridge collapse.


Liam Rosenior has been ruled out of Brighton’s Championship trip to Newcastle United on Saturday.
The full-back suffered an ankle injury following a late challenge by Yann Kermorgant in the 2-2 league draw at Reading.
Albion boss Chris Hughton admitted with strong swelling still around the area, Rosenior will not be included in his side’s squad for the trip to St James’ Park.
He said: “Liam will miss out. He is still a little bit sore, we are still having to assess that one and are waiting for a little bit of the soreness to go before we are able to assess it.”
Dale Stephens is available but Hughton is still to make a decision on whether the midfield man will travel.
Solly March continues his comeback from injury with an under-23 game tomorrow, while defender Connor Goldson is pencilled in for a under-23 match next week.
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Liam Rosenior has been ruled out of Brighton’s Championship trip to Newcastle United on Saturday.


There’s nothing quite like a gentle British comedy.
We do seem to create these movies with a certain style.
It does help, of course, having an amazing pool of talented actors to call on.
And Golden Years certainly has an incredible cast.
Bernard Hill, Virginia McKenna, Simon Callow, Sue Johnston, Una Stubbs, Phil Davis, Alun Armstrong - any director would be salivating at the thought of having such people on hand.
And director John Miller is certainly lucky as this was his first major project.
Also heavily involved was TV presenter Nick Knowles, who shared the writing and production credits.
Hill plays Arthur, a kindly pensioner who is looking after his wife (McKenna) who has health problems.
His world is turned upside down, though, when he discovers a financial crash has decimated his pension pot.
Faced with trying to pay for his wife’s treatment and realising his friends are similarly cash-strapped he decides to ‘take back what he’s owed’, courtesy of robbing the odd bank or two.
While there are some dubious moral dilemmas raised, the accent is on humour.
We have a workaholic policeman (Armstrong) and his frustrated wife (Johnston) and the up and coming detective Stringer (Brad Moore) who is too clever for his own good.
While the jokes are unlikely to have you falling off your seat, this is a good family bit of fun that doesn’t outstay its welcome.
DVD Specs:
RRP: £17.99
Cat. No: HFR0423
Run time: 96 mins
Cert: 12A


There’s nothing quite like a gentle British comedy.


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.


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.


A young Arundel dancer is relishing the chance to work with the prestigious National Youth Ballet.
15-year-old Cleo Badcock will be taking part in a memorial gala performance on Sunday, September 4, at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London at 7.30pm (020 7863 8000). The memorial celebrates the work and legacy of company founder and artistic director Jill Tookey who died in March this year.
Over three decades, Jill Tookey quietly became one of the industry’s most influential dance leaders, inspiring generations of young dancers and choreographers, many of whom have embarked upon successful professional careers after their time with NYB. Jill was appointed a CBE for services to dance in the 2016 New Year Honours.
Cleo is delighted to continue Jill’s work.
“I know a few people who have done it before, and they suggested I do it,” Cleo said. “I auditioned in January and then I got a letter saying I had got through to the final auditions in April. I did a few pieces from the choreographers for that – and I got through. I got a big information pack through detailing what dances I am in and what I am going to have to do.”
And then it was into ten days of rehearsals: “We have been doing it all day every day, but it has been brilliant. I love the dances I am in, and it is great fun. I am in Ruth Armstrong’s Swing Time and also in The Tribute. Swing Time is swing-style 1930s New York, and there are about 20 dancers in the piece. It is interesting because it is all different sections, and the music is so diverse you get to do different styles. At the moment, we are rehearsing The Tribute separately, and I am guessing we are going to put it all together later.”
It’s all fantastic experience for Cleo: “I am one of those people that started dancing when they were two or three, and then when I was 11 or 12 I started taking more and more classes. I dance six days a week now. The difficulty is fitting in the homework!
“But I can express myself when I am dancing in ways that I can’t when I am just walking or talking. I can use different parts of my body. I don’t know how to put it into words really, but it is like I am in a different world when I am dancing, when the lights are on and you can’t really see the audience.
“I suppose it depends on the setting or the piece, but I don’t really get nervous. I am not a wreck. But it is always good to have a few nerves. I guess it focuses you more. It turns you on more to what you are doing.”
Cleo is hoping to audition for vocational schools – and she would love to think her future lies in dancing.
She knows a lot of hard work lies ahead and that she will need to be tough and determined: “You have to accept that you might not get the dance or the company that you want, and you have to cope with that.”


A young Arundel dancer is relishing the chance to work with the prestigious National Youth Ballet.


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


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.’


Singing for Pleasure, which has been running successfully in Brighton, Hove and Southwick for five years under musical director Simon Gray, will show its skills on Saturday, September 10 in a concert at Portslade Town Hall at 2.30pm.
As Simon, who has been involved in the musical scene for more than 30 years, explains: “Singing for Pleasure Goes to the Movies offers a programme of songs that have featured in films and film musicals. There will also be a Last Night of the Proms finale in which the audience will be invited to join in and wave union jacks!
“SFP is delighted to announce that Loren Bennett will be one of the soloists. Fifteen year-old Loren, diagnosed with chronic anxiety and Asperger’s, has made astonishing progress in just a few months since joining Singing for Pleasure.
“Singing is now widely recognised as producing a whole host of health benefits, and it could be argued that singing should more broadly be part of everyday life. Singing, through the emotional experience of one’s feelings, has the power to alter and enhance the mood of the singer. Since ancient times singing has been considered a great healing tool as it can influence brain wave frequencies and promote well-being.
“Medical papers have now proved singing and listening to music helps relieve a large number of health conditions. It can lower blood pressure, ease depression, improve lung capacity, and help breathing as when you sing your lungs take in more oxygen. Joining a singing group helps make new friends which in turn helps the feel good factor.”
Simon is pleased to include Loren among the group’s success stories: “Loren had been suffering with chronic anxiety and had been diagnosed with Asperger’s. Loren is a gifted singer with an exceptional voice but singing in front of anyone, other than her voice teacher or parents, had become impossible for her. It was suggested that maybe she should come along to Singing for Pleasure and sing along with other people with no pressure to perform on her own.
“Loren (who lives in Rottingdean) came along with her mother to the Hove group and within a couple weeks she was feeling very comfortable singing and socialising with the other members – so much so that by week four Loren felt brave enough to get up and sing a solo! This was a huge breakthrough, and Loren has since gone on to perform solos with SFP on a weekly basis as well as taking part in concerts elsewhere, including a solo recital for family and friends. She also appeared in a concert at the Barn Theatre in Southwick alongside experienced professional performers from the world of musical theatre and opera.”
Loren’s mother Rebecca Bennett said: “Since being diagnosed with Asperger’s and chronic anxiety, we had really given up on her singing, but since coming to [SFP] she has made incredible progress, so much so she is now enjoying performing and socialising with the lovely group of people each week, both of which I never thought she would feel comfortable doing. I will definitely recommend Singing for Pleasure as a form of therapy for Asperger kids and adults.”
Simon added: “Also in the groups there are singers living with cancer, Lupus, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, all of whom find great comfort, relief and inspiration from singing in a friendly environment on a weekly basis. Indeed, several of them have even reported a distinct improvement in their conditions which they attribute to regular singing.
“If anyone is tempted to come and join SFP then come along to Portslade Town Hall to see what the group does. There is no upper age limit and there are no auditions. Song choices are taken from musical-theatre shows, some classical songs as well as some of the great standards. We also welcome song suggestions from the group members.”
Simon added: “Throughout the year there are Singing for Pleasure fund-raising events in support of local charities. Indeed, the group is happy to assist all charities by singing free of charge at suitable events. Please phone 01273 555089 for more information. SFP have supported events raising funds for The Martlets Hospice and Chestnut Tree House.”
Tickets from Robert Blass on 01273 555089 or singingforpleasure@hotmail.co.uk.
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Concert illustrates health-giving benefits of singing


Singing for Pleasure, which has been running successfully in Brighton, Hove and Southwick for five years under musical director Simon Gray, will show its skills on Saturday, September 10 in a concert at Portslade Town Hall at 2.30pm.


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

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


Seeing any play by Harold Pinter demands several questions of its audience: What is actually going on? What do we think is going on? What does the playwright believe is going on? What do the characters think is going on?


Midfielder Danny Holla has left Albion after the club and player agreed to mutually terminate his contract.
The 28-year-old Dutch midfielder did have a year left to run on a three-year deal, signed when he joined Albion in 2014 on a free transfer from Den Haag.
He has played in Albion’s two EFL Cup fixtures against Colchester and Oxford this season but had limited other first-team opportunities.
Seagulls boss Chris Hughton said: “With the options and competition we have in midfield, Danny has found his chances very limited, and that situation is unlikely to change.
“It hasn’t really worked out as Danny or the club had hoped. That can sometimes happen in football, but what I can say is that he has been really professional in his approach and his attitude to training has been first class throughout my time as manager.
“He works hard in training, and he has been ready to play when needed, but those times have been far too infrequent for his liking, and at this stage of his career he wants to be playing regular football, so this is the right move for the club and player.”
Holla scored once in 33 appearances for the club.
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Midfielder Danny Holla has left Albion after the club and player agreed to mutually terminate his contract.


Albion continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-2 draw at Reading in the Championship this afternoon.
The hosts took the lead through John Swift’s free kick inside two minutes but Albion levelled through a Joey Van Den Berg own goal after eight minutes. Anthony Knockaert gave Brighton the lead a minute into the second half but Paul McShane equalised just before the hour.
Reading finished the game with ten men as Van Den Berg was sent off in the final minute but Albion were unable to find a winner in injury-time despite late pressure.
Reading went ahead when Swift curled a free kick into the far corner from the left-hand side of the penalty area after just 90 seconds.
It was all level again on eight minutes when Reading defender Van Den Berg, under pressure from Glenn Murray, headed Knockaert’s inswinging corner into his own net. The hosts appealed for a foul by Murray but the goal was awarded by referee Mike Jones.
Albion struggled to create any opportunities in the remainder of the first half, while Reading had several openings and would have been disappointed not to be ahead at the break.
Yann Kermorgant saw a low shot cleared by Lewis Dunk, before Kermorgant again went close when he fired just wide from Garath McCleary’s pass.
George Evans then blazed just over from 35 yards on 32 minutes, before Albion full-back Liam Rosenior brilliantly blocked Swift’s shot after Jiri Skalak had switched off and allowed Chris Gunter to get a dangerous low cross in.
Kermorgant then volleyed Swift’s corner wide of the far post from 20 yards in the final action of the half.
Whatever Albion boss Chris Hughton said his team at half-time had an immediate effect as Brighton went ahead just 40 seconds into the second half. Sam Baldock got in down the left and pulled the ball back for Knockaert to sweep home from eight yards.
The Royals went within inches of drawing level on 53 minutes when Kermorgant brilliantly met McCleary’s right-wing cross but his header from 12 yards crashed back off the bar.
Reading did equalise just before the hour when former Albion loanee Paul McShane met a low cross from McCleary and drilled a shot past Stockdale.
Albion keeper Stockdale made a superb reaction save to keep out Kermorgant’s overhead kick on 67 minutes, before the hosts were awarded only a free kick for a Gaetan Bong foul on Gunter after 72 minutes with the home fans appealing for a penalty.
Both teams pressed for a winner in the closing stages, with Albion going close when Tomer Hemed released Knockaert who could only shoot straight at Reading keeper Ali Al Habsi on 87 minutes.
Reading were reduced to ten men in the final minute when Van Den Berg was shown a second yellow card after dragging Hemed back. Albion finished with ten men as well when Liam Rosenior limped off after a late foul by Kermorgant, before Hemed headed Knockaert’s cross over in the final action of the game.
READING: Al Habsi; Gunter, Van Der Berg, McShane, Evans, Beerens (Cooper 90), Swift (Quinn 81), Obita, McCleary (Mendes 86), Kermorgant, Williams. Subs: Harriott, Meite, Watson, Jaakola.
BRIGHTON: Stockdale; Rosenior, Bruno, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Kayal, Sidwell, Skalak (Murphy 76); Baldock (Norwood 68), Murray (Hemed 86). Subs: Maenpaa, Ince, LuaLua, White.
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Albion remain unbeaten after draw at Reading


Albion continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-2 draw at Reading in the Championship this afternoon.


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


None of the 119 services a day set to be restored to Southern train timetablse are in Sussex.


The secrets of the cliffs at Seven Sisters are set to be uncovered by archaeologists who believe the site could be on the of UK’s most important prehistoric monuments.
The hilltop enclosure at Belle Tout is an ‘archaeological mystery’ – according to the National Trust, whose archaeologists will be starting a dig next month (September) to uncover the secrets before the cliffs erode into the sea.
They hope to find evidence of an early Bronze Age settlement. It is already known that there is a huge outer earthwork, 1.2km long, but archaeologists have yet to arrive at a date for when the hilltop enclosure was built. Previous finds are from different eras including prehistoric flintwork and early Bronze Age Beaker pottery.
What sets this project apart from previous excavations is the application of new scientific techniques such as LiDAR laser scanning, environmental sampling, Optical Stimulated Luminescence (which measures the last time an object was exposed to light) and even analysing microscopic snails, which only exist in certain habitats and give clues as to the ancient landscape.
National Trust archaeologist Tom Dommett said, “This is the gold standard in terms of archaeology research - and rightly so - as conceivably it will be the last chance to undertake this work before the areas are gone due to coastal erosion.
“We have worked closely with Historic England and with Natural England to enable this important project to take place in such a sensitive area and are hugely grateful to our team of volunteers.”
Twenty-five volunteers from the local community will be working on the dig every day alongside experts and professional archaeologists. The team will be taking care not to work any closer than 10 metres from the edge, as the cliffs can be unstable in places with hidden undercuts.
Tom added, “This is one of the most ancient and fascinating archaeological sites in Sussex. The site at Belle Tout is already a scheduled ancient monument – a site of national importance. It has been the subject of archaeological work for the last 100 years, but despite this it remains a mystery.
“We don’t know for sure how much we’ve lost over the last 6000 years due to coastal erosion, but there is a good case for saying it was the largest prehistoric enclosure in the country. We will be investigating the heart of the settlement, likely to be Bronze Age.”
The public are invited to visit and take part in tours, which are open daily. People can see the archaeologists in action, take a tour of the trenches with volunteers, examine the finds and learn more about this special, historic landscape.
Adrian Harrison, head ranger, said, “This dig is really exciting in helping us to learn more about this amazing place, so that we can help bring it life even more in future events and activities at Birling Gap. The project has also been a great opportunity to work with such a large number of volunteers.”
The Seven Sisters Archaeology Project has been enabled by a £165,000 investment from National Trust through its Neptune project, thanks to the generous support of private donors.
The Seven Sisters Archaeology project will be in process from September 6 to 21 with weekday tours for the public at 11am and weekend tours at 11am & 2pm.
From September 11 the finds processing area will be open at the Birling Gap Visitor Centre. For more information visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birling-gap-and-the-seven-sisters
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Seven Sisters secrets to be uncovered before cliffs tumble into the sea


The secrets of the cliffs at Seven Sisters are set to be uncovered by archaeologists who believe the site could be on the of UK’s most important prehistoric monuments.


Arundel Cathedral once again was the imposing venue for the 30th Annual Festival Organ Recital
Organised by the “Plumley Collection”, founded by the redoubtable Nick and Sarah Plumley, this year’s recital featured ace-organist Neil Wright from Farnborough Abbey, exchanging the Abbey’s Parisian Cavaillé-Coll instrument for the restored 1873 Hill organ of the Cathedral.
Neil specializes in French organ works by 19/20 century composers such as Theodore Dubois, Cesar Franck, Jean Langlais and Maurice Durufle. The only two exceptions today were the immortal J.S.Bach and Wright himself, who today gave the 1st performance (and possibly his last) of his own Improvisation on a hymn tune handed to him by Nick only seconds away from the performance!
Organists are expected to improvise at the beginning and end of Sunday services, and it takes considerable talent, ingenuity and daring to create a substantial piece using a given theme. Wright studied both improvisation and composition with some of the world’s finest teachers, winning prizes and performing in many countries across Europe
The organ is known as the King of Instruments, producing a plethora of magical sounds and effects in the capable hands (and feet) of the right performer. Today we were transported into the ether in “Fiat Lux” (Let there be light), the triumphs of “Pièce Heroique” and the glory of “Te Deum” (Praise be to God), as well as the spell-binding celestial sounds of “Pièce Modal de Re” and “Prelude and Fugue sur le nom d’Alain” Even the great J S Bach’s contribution sported a French title “Pièce d’Orgue”
Wright also studied piano, harpsichord and clavichord, and in addition worked as a choral director, organist and singer in the United States, founding and directing Lauda early music ensemble. But it was as a virtuoso organist that Wright earned the appreciation of today’s audience.
Marilyn Hurdwell
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REVIEW: ARUNDEL FESTIVAL ORGAN RECITAL, ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL


Arundel Cathedral once again was the imposing venue for the 30th Annual Festival Organ Recital


Horsham eased to their first victory of the season on their return to the Ryman League as they won 3-0 against ten-man Lewes at Gorings Mead this afternoon.
Having picked up their first point of the campaign in a 3-3 draw at Hythe Town on Saturday, the Hornets produced their best showing of the season to date against Darren Freeman’s outfit.
The visitors have been hotly-tipped for an immediate return to the Premier Division after last year’s relegation, but suffered an early set back in the derby game.
Defender Afolabi Coker was sent off after just 12 minutes for a last-man challenge and Darren Boswell fired the Hornets ahead from the resulting free-kick.
Terry Dodd extended the lead before the break as Boswell turned provider, before the winger wrapped up the scoring in the second half with a goal-of-the-season contender.
The first chance went Lewes’ way as Josh Street collected ball eight yards out of the box after a cleared corner, controlled and sent a right-footed effort skidding wide of the far post.
On seven minutes a great through ball by Dodd put Liam MacDevitt away, but Alex Malins’ recovery tackle forced him wide and the chance was gone.
Just six minutes later, Horsham had the lead through Boswell and Lewes were reduced to ten men.
Superb closing-down work by Ashley Jones saw him tackle centre-back Coker and get past the defender.
He was then hauled down right on the edge of the box and was brandished a straight red card as the last man.
Horsham’s appeals for the foul being committed in the box were short lived as Tom Lawley teed-up Boswell and he smashed into the bottom corner.
Lewes reshuffled as Josh Street was replaced by Charlie Coppola, who filled in a right-back with Steve Brinkhurst switching to centre-back.
Lawley’s goalbound effort was then blocked by Malins and Carney curled one just wide of the far post from the edge of the box.
The home side doubled their lead ten minutes before the break as Boswell produced a teasing cross from the left and Dodd and a defender slid in, with the ball crashing home and Dodd reeling away in celebration.
A mix-up at the back between George Branford and keeper Josh Pelling presented Lewes with a half chance as Coppola collected the ball, but his dangerous ball across an empty goal was hooked clear.
The first chance of the half went Horsham’s way as MacDevitt’s looping header from Alex Duncan’s cross sailed just over.
Boswell made the game safe on 58 minutes with a goal of the highest quality.
Lewis Hyde won the ball at left-back, debutant Ollie Gill, just off the bench, then set away Boswell on the left and the winger cut back in and sent a thunderbolt from 23 yards into the far top corner.
The home side then ran down the clock as the ten-men visitors tired, while Pelling made a couple of routine catches late on the preserve the clean sheet.
Horsham: Pelling, Duncan, Jones, Farmer, Hyde, Lawley (Sackman 86), Branford, Carney, Boswell (Whitehead 63), Dodd (Gill 51) McDevitt. Unused subs: Andrade, Ender.
Lewes: Winterton, Brinkhurst, George, Dixon, Coker, Malins, Jones (Laing 55), Cotton, Dawes, Street (Hammond 16, Sow 63), Coppola. Unused subs: Vickers, Kealy.
Referee: Matthew Lee.
Attendance: 424.
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Horsham 3, Lewes 0: Brilliant Boswell helps Hornets to victory against ten men


Horsham eased to their first victory of the season on their return to the Ryman League as they won 3-0 against ten-man Lewes at Gorings Mead this afternoon.


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


A boy has been taken to hospital after being stabbed, and police are appealing for witnesses.


Tom Johnson was Man of the Match with 62 to help Horsham lift the Gray-Nicolls T20 Cup at the County Cricket Ground in Hove.
They beat Middleton by 53 runs to win the Sussex knock-out competition for the 13th time.
DM16130895a.jpg Cricket: Gray-Nichols T20 semi-final, Horsham (batting) v Brighton and Hove. Tom Johnson. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160724-192055008
Having won the toss, Horsham batted and made 161-5 in their 20 overs.
Tom Johnson masterminded the Horsham innings by hitting his 62 in just 32 balls and featuring four huge sixes.
Middleton in their reply ended up well short of their target on 108-9.
Horsham’s win was based on a great start to their batting as they reached 90-0 in the ninth over thanks to a fine opening partnership by Tom Johnson and Will Beer (26).
After Tom Johnson got out, Beer followed the next ball as Middleton’s Jamie Thompson took three wickets in four balls.
As wickets tumbled, Horsham’s rapid advance slowed and the game looked like it might become competitive as they slipped to 99-4 off 12 overs.
However Michael Thornely continued the push by scoring an unbeaten 47 and shared in a 29-run stand with Thomas Haines (13) and an unbroken 36-run stand with skipper James Johnson for the fith and sixth wickets.
Playing in the final for the second successive year, Middleton could not cope with Horsham’s bowling attack, and slipped to 35-4 and then 71-7 as Johnathan Whiting took 3-21, George Garton took 1-0 and spinner Michael Munday took 2-17.
Middleton’s reuired run-rate increased from 12 per over with eight to go to an unlikely 24 per over from the last three.
Although Thompson hit a late 21, the Horsham target proved too much as Middleton kept losing wickets and overs left to bat.
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Tom Johnson was Man of the Match with 62 to help Horsham lift the Gray-Nicolls T20 Cup at the County Cricket Ground in Hove.


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’


The Cola-Cola glass bottle has been voted as the most iconic packaging on the UK’s shelves.


Brighton Early Music Festival prepares for its 15th outing this October, with tickets going on sale on September 5 – the latest chapter in a story of remarkable success.
Festival co-artistic director Clare Norburn said: “I think we have been successful because we take quite a different approach to other classical music festivals in the way that we work with artists, and that’s becoming clearer and clearer every year. We have now started calling ourselves a development agency for early music. We don’t just take off-the-peg programmes from artists. We do that, but what is so distinctive about what we do is that we are also about commissioning work.
“We have always commissioned works, right from the start, but in the first ten to 12 years, we commissioned works and they were performed at BREMF and that was it. But what is exciting now is that one of our 2013 productions is now on tour. We put together a tour of 13 promoters.”
The piece explores the life and music of the Renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo and is being performed by The Marian Consort: “And it is great for them because it has really accelerated their development, which is great for everyone. I think that is the kind of model we want to be working on.
“Brighton is at the forefront of creating new work with artists that then goes on tour, and this year we are commissioning at least a couple of works that will definitely follow that model. For one of them (recorder consort Palisander, Saturday, November 12, 11.30am), we have already approached promoters, and their performance will be the first performance of a tour if they can get their Arts Council funding. We are increasingly helping artists in a much more holistic long term way rather than just giving them a platform in Brighton. Increasingly we have had promoters that have given engagements to artists, but now we are much more proactive in helping them be much more forward-thinking.
“We are aiming to put our energies more into things that go on to have another life. It is great that we get the premieres in Brighton, but we want to support the artists further. The fact is that it is incredibly difficult for young performers to get started.
It has never been harder for young groups to make headway.
“Young people coming out of college might know a lot about music, but they probably don’t have any administrative experience or contacts, and that makes it terribly difficult. We passionately believe that the arts should be a meritocracy, that you should have an audience, that it shouldn’t just be about who you know.”
This year’s Brighton Early Music Festival takes the theme Nature & Science and runs from October 28 to November 13, with flagship events including a new play with music about the life and work of Galileo (Oct 29 and 30). Set during his final days, the play will relive key moments in Galileo’s life including his trial and excommunication.
www.bremf.org.uk or 01273 709709.
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Brighton Early Music Festival prepares for its 15th outing this October, with tickets going on sale on September 5  – the latest chapter in a story of remarkable success.


Ambitious programme for Brighton Early Music Festival


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


A superb all round performance from Sussex under-15s resulted in Sussex being crowned the winners of the A Division Royal London ECB under-15 Cup Final.


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


Railway station staff are due to strike over cuts to ticket office opening hours planned across Sussex.


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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A body has been found on a busy Sussex beach.


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


The suspected murder of a teenager has been reported to the body that oversees complaints against the police, Sussex Police has said.


Glenn Murray is hopeful he can keep his early Championship goalscoring form going at Reading on Saturday.
Murray makes the trip to a former side of his having netted three times in as many league matches to date.
He is Albion’s leading scorer to date and admits hitting the ground running following his loan move from Bournemouth was crucial.
Murray said: “Wherever I go I want to score goals, at any level or any club, not particularly just coming back here. I enjoy doing that and that’s what I’ll keep striving to do.”
One of the main reasons behind Murray agreeing to a return was the quality Brighton have going forward.
Now seeing that first hand and being on the end of forward-thinking players’ good work, he knows the squad’s talents.
He added: “I think like I’ve mentioned before the wingers and just the general wing play is good. Even with Liam Rosenior and Gaetan Bong over lapping, then Bruno when he’s at right-back, I think the quality that comes into the box is fantastic and our attacking prowess is good too.”
Albion have collected two wins and a draw to date, while they are yet to concede a goal this season.
Fine early season form has seen Albion take top-spot in the Championship but Murray isn’t getting too carried away just yet.
He said: “It is nice to be in the position we are but for me personally I’m not looking at the table. It takes a while to settle down and see who is going to be where, sort of ten or 12 weeks we’ll have a look then but it’s not now we need to be up there, it’s the end of the season.”
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Glenn Murray is hopeful he can keep his early Championship goalscoring form going at Reading on Saturday.


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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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.


A disposable barbecue may have started a fire that temporarily closed a Sussex rubbish tip last week.
The incident happened last Friday evening (August 26) at the Hop Oast site near Horsham and was thought to have started in a metal container due to a disposable BBQ igniting material on a camping chair.
After using disposable barbecues, residents are being advised to not throw away the charcoal until it is completely cool.
David Barling, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for residents’ Services, said: “Thankfully this fire was contained, disruption to normal services was minimal and on this occasion no-one was hurt.
“This incident serves as a reminder to take care when using disposable BBQs.
“Always make sure the charcoal is completely cool before disposing of it, which might take several hours. It is not worth the risk.”
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service declared the Horsham Household Waste Recycling Site safe to the public later on Friday evening.
Mr Barling added: “If you have any doubts about safely disposing your barbecue you can speak with a member of staff at your local Household Waste Recycling Site.”
For more information on the safe disposal of barbecues visit www.recycleforwestsusex.org
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COUNTY NEWS: Disposable barbecue warning after rubbish tip fire


A disposable barbecue may have started a fire that temporarily closed a Sussex rubbish tip last week.


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


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.


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


A man suspected of murdering a 19-year-old woman has been released on bail, police have said.


Eastbourne’s Johanna Konta will be seeded a career high 13th in the women’s singles at next week’s US Open.
Konta, 25, reached the fourth round at last year’s Grand Slam eventually losing to two-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova in two tight sets.
The British No.1 has enjoyed a successful 2016 to date. She reached the semi-final of her home town tournament the AEGON International. Her run included a victory against Kvitova in the third round but it came to a halt in the last four against Karolina Pliskova.
At Wimbledon she won her first match at SW19 as she beat Olympic Champion Monica Puig but then lost out in a high-quality match to former Wimbledon finalist Eugine Bouchard.
Konta landed her first WTA Tour title at the Stanford Classic against Venus Wiliams and then went on to reach the quarters at the Candian Open - she came to within one match of breaking into the top 10. She will head to Flushing Medows in confident mood after a good showing at the Rio Olympics. Konta reached the quarter-finals but was eliminated at the that stage by Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber - the German was beaten in the final by Puig.
Serena Williams is the top seed at the US Open.

Seeding boost for Konta ahead of US Open


Eastbourne’s Johanna Konta will be seeded a career high 13th in the women’s singles at next week’s US Open.


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


Albion drew 2-2 away to Reading this afternoon as they continued their unbeaten start in the Championship.


Chichester Art Society member Glen Smith has had a painting selected for the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in central London from September 28-October 8.
Glen’s painting of Newquay Harbour was one of 1,100 submitted by non-members of the RSMA and is one of the small number selected to hang alongside the work of RSMA members at their annual exhibition. The exhibition’s theme is the sea and everything related to it, from beaches and creeks to harbours and boats.
Chichester Art Society spokeswoman Jean Campbell said: “This exhibition is regarded as the most prestigious and varied marine art exhibition in the country and will feature over 400 works from emerging and well-established artists across a range of media, including oil painting, watercolour, pastels, prints, and sculpture.
“The society congratulates Glen, whose work was a visitors’ favourite at its June exhibition this year and wishes him continued success with his work in the future.”
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Chichester Art Society member Glen Smith has had a painting selected for the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in central London from September 28-October 8.


ICBC wants to increase basic auto insurance rates by 4.9 per cent – the fifth straight annual increase – as it continues to grapple with rising numbers of crashes, claims and dramatically increasing costs.
The typical driver will pay $3.50 a month or $42 a year more for basic insurance if the hike is approved.
But the corporation is also raising optional rates by 2.8 per cent so the average customer who buys both basic and optional insurance with ICBC will see their insurance bill rise $5 a month, or $60 a year.
ICBC CEO Mark Blucher said the basic rate hike would have been much worse – 15.5 per cent translating into a $130 annual premium increase – had the province not approved another major transfer of $472 million from the optional to the basic side of operations.
A compounding factor has been the long decline of interest rates, which result in less investment income revenue to ICBC.
"These external pressures have really created a perfect storm and it's a really significant challenge for the organization," Blucher said in an interview Thursday.
ICBC had raised rates 5.5 per cent a year ago, and the province's rate smoothing policy requires the annual change be within 1.5 per cent of the previous year's increase.
The number of crashes has climbed 15 per cent in two years and damage claims are up 11 per cent.
Vehicles are increasingly reliant on technology and expensive materials that have become more costly in recent years as the loonie sagged against the U.S. dollar.
Despite much safer vehicles, injury claims have soared to $2.4 billion, up 60 per cent from $1.5 billion in 2008.
"We've seen no evidence that these strong trends are abating," Blucher said. "In fact, if anything, they're continuing to escalate going forward."
Blucher also noted there are more cars on the road in B.C. today – 3.1 million up from 2.8 million in 2011 – and people are driving more because of cheaper gas, contributing to more accidents, particularly in densifying urban areas.
And he pointed to personal injury lawyers as an aggravating cause of ICBC's spiralling claims costs.
"B.C. is the only province in Canada where you can sue another motorist for even a minor traffic accident," Blucher said, noting an increase in lawyer-represented claims and advertising by injury law firms.
Internal operating costs have been cut by $186 million a year, and ICBC is counting on more savings ahead, through its modernization program, by more aggressively combatting insurance fraud and from a hoped-for drop in distracted driving as motorists respond to stiffer penalties.
But transfers from the optional side to bolster the basic side will likely be needed for the foreseeable future, Blucher said, because basic premiums can't keep up with rising costs.
In a surprise move, the B.C. government will this year forgo extracting its usual $160-million annual dividend from ICBC's optional side into general revenue.
"Forgoing the dividend this particular year is one strategy amongst a litany of others we're employing to get that basic trate increase down," Transportation Minister Todd Stone said.
Stone said the $514 million the province has transferred out of ICBC in dividends since 2012 is small compared to the $1.4 billion over the same period that has been shifted from the competitive optional side to basic to apply downward pressure on basic rates.
The minister would not say if the government would permanently give up the ICBC dividend.
Adrian DIx, the NDP critic for ICBC, said the dividends to government have exceeded $1.2 billion since 2010 and predicted they'll resume after next year's election because the BC Liberals are "addicted" to using ICBC as a "profit centre."
Dix said the reliance on shifting huge amounts of capital from optional to basic raises troubling questions.
"Next year they've got to find that $472 million," Dix said. "What they've done is create a disaster at ICBC and their only hope is to deceive the voters until after the election."
He said ICBC's new move to hire more claims staff underscores problems with completing the computer modernization that was supposed to make operations more efficient.
"The transformation project has taken longer than World War 2 and is not close to finished."
ICBC's basic rates rose 11.2 per cent in 2012 and at least five per cent every year since.
The new rate hike is subject to B.C. Utilities Commission approval.
ICBC Rate Pressure Charts

ICBC seeks 4.9 per cent basic rate hike as crashes, costs climb


$60 a year increase for most drivers once optional auto insurance increase is included


Solitude in the wilderness is still available in B.C., between holiday weekends when demand peaks at B.C.'s most popular parks.
Foreign visitors and those on package tours are a small fraction of the demand for B.C. Parks campgrounds around the province, but B.C. resident campers are still using a few tricks to get spaces for high-demand parks.
Some have protested the use of online reservations by motorhome tour operators who sell them as part of a package for tourists.
"Our provincial campsites are not products to be sold, they belong to the people of B.C.," Green Party leader Andrew Weaver said this week.
Environment Minister Mary Polak told Black Press numbers are being tracked for the current year, and the proportions haven't changed much. In 2015, fewer than one per cent of reservable B.C. Parks spaces were booked by tour operators, who also use private camping facilities.
Three quarters of reservations are from within B.C. The second highest share is from Alberta at 14 per cent, the U.S. accounts for 3.6 per cent, the rest of Canada 2.8 per cent, and all European countries combined are 6.6 per cent of the total.
The BC Parks system has 10,700 camping spaces in total, and 5,600 are reservable, to manage demand for the most popular spots.
First-come, first-served sites are kept out of the reservation system in some popular locations to accommodate travellers who drop in along the road. For high-demand periods like the recent Canada Day weekend, savvy campers work the reservation system.
At Golden Ears Provincial Park, one group booked for two weeks as soon as the 90-day eligibility window opened, then dropped the first week, giving them the coveted Canada Day weekend dates before they were generally available.
"Every year we look to change things to keep people from cheating, and every year they find new ways," Polak said. "Really the only answer is going to be finding a way to expand the number of sites that we have available."
It's shaping up as a record year for the Discover Camping reservation service, with 92,000 bookings so far this year.
B.C. Parks has added four new sites for this summer. Reservations can be made for Garibaldi Provincial Park in the Whistler area, Ruckle Provincial Park on Saltspring Island, Okanagan Falls Provincial Park, Inland Lake Provincial Park near Powell River and Dry Gulch Provincial Park near Radium Hot Springs.

Provincial campsite rush mostly B.C. residents


Few BC Parks bookings going to commercial operators, solution is more campsite spaces, Environment Minister Mary Polak says


The Tragically Hip kicked off their 15-date, cross-Canada tour Friday night with a sold-out show in Victoria. Fans Lexi Ratz and Hillary Krupa say there was a feeling of togetherness in the crowd.
Video courtesy of Canadian Press.

VIDEO: Tragically Hip fans on tour's 'touching and heartfelt' first show


Iconic band's cross-Canada final tour kicked off in Victoria


Canada's softwood lumber agreement with the U.S. expired last fall, and U.S. interests are pushing to reduce the share allowed to go south.
Premier Christy Clark and other provincial and territorial leaders have written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asking him to refute the latest lumber trade action by U.S. interests.
"Unfair and inaccurate allegations of Canadian lumber subsidies" have been made by 25 U.S. Senators to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, seeking a reduction in the cap on Canadian lumber sales, the premiers wrote from their meeting in Whitehorse this week.
The premiers cited decisions by the World Trade Organization and NAFTA in 2006 that found Canadian subsidies to be less than one per cent and ineligible for trade action.
Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama reported progress on negotiating a new softwood lumber deal after their meeting in Ottawa in late June.
Trudeau and Obama's joint statement acknowledged the increase in cross-border ownership of forest products producers, and said a key feature a new agreement would be "designed to maintain Canadian exports at or below an agreed US. market share to be negotiated."
The last Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement expired in the fall of 2015, leaving trade unrestricted as Canadian producers benefit from a stronger U.S. dollar and housing construction.

U.S. Senators 'inaccurate' on lumber claim: Premiers


Premier Christy Clark protests to Prime minister Justin Trudeau about latest claims of softwood subsidy


TORONTO – Few Canadian television events qualify as a momentous occasion for the nation, but Saturday's Tragically Hip concert promises to be special.
It seems like much of the country will be tuned into CBC's live broadcast of "The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration" from Kingston, Ont., when factoring in home screenings and community viewing parties.
Yet how many people will watch is anybody's guess at this point.
"This is an unprecedented event for us," said Jennifer Dettman, CBC's executive director of unscripted content.
The sentiment is true on many levels, she adds.
The last stop on the Hip's "Man Machine Poem" tour is widely expected to be their final performance, as lead singer Gord Downie is facing terminal brain cancer. After tickets to the tour sold out within minutes, fans launched a campaign urging the CBC to carry the band's Kingston show as a live TV event.
Dettman wouldn't speak to the contract negotiations that led to the Hip agreeing to the broadcast.
"CBC made both a competitive and financially responsible offer to acquire the broadcast rights, and we're thrilled to be able to offer this national celebration to as many Canadians as possible," she said.
The concert won't just be on the main CBC network, it will also be broadcast through various other platforms such as CBC Radio One, the CBC website and its YouTube and Facebook channels.
With so many viewing options, that will make it tough to capture how many eyes and ears are focused on the Hip this Saturday.
That's where ratings agency Numeris comes in. The Toronto-based company tracks viewership figures by using meters and viewing diaries prepared by a panel of Canadians representative of the population.
Their data shows that most huge audience draws are typically live programming, led by major sporting events.
The Super Bowl is the biggest TV event nearly every year â€” drawing about six million to eight million viewers in recent years â€” while a handful of other annual celebrations like the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and Grammys are perennial favourites too.
The gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is considered to be the most-watched broadcast ever in Canada. It drew 16.6 million viewers, according to data from Numeris, about double the number of people who tune into most Super Bowls.
Those kinds of numbers will be hard to beat, even for a rock band with as much Canadian clout as the Hip.
Numeris spokesman Tom Jenks wouldn't guess how many viewers will tune into the CBC broadcast, but acknowledges it'll probably be a pretty big number.
The agency said it will be counting every public screening â€” from restaurants to movie theatres to community viewing parties â€” and each person streaming the concert on their phone. Viewers who playback the show on their DVRs within seven days will also be included in the final numbers.
"Our system captures all viewing," Jenks said.
Potentially driving those numbers higher is the decision make the Hip's concert a one-time broadcast, with no encore presentation and no availability on on-demand platforms.
"Our goal was to bring the experience of this live concert to Canadians in that moment," Dettman said.
"I'm sure the band will figure out what they will want to do with the concert afterwards."
She said the goal is to give all Canadians the same "crescendo" feeling that will ripple through the arena in Kingston.
"Our goal is to bring the experience ... to as many Canadians as we can," she said.
"The idea that we're all together experiencing this moment at the same time is really special."
Follow @dfriend on Twitter.
David Friend, The Canadian Press

Televised Tragically Hip show an 'unprecedented event:' CBC


Whether it's home screenings or community viewing parties, much of Canada will be tuning in for iconic rock band's final bow


Two men and a mining company in receivership have been charged with 18 pollution infractions related to their shut-down gold mine on an island near Prince Rupert.
Benjamin Mossman and Dirk Meckert are scheduled to appear in Prince Rupert provincial court Sept. 7. Also charged is Banks Island Gold Ltd., which went into receivership after being shut down last year for provincial permit violations.
The Yellow Giant mine was ordered shut down by the Ministry of Environment in July 2015 after a tailings spill was reported on a tip. There is one charge of failing to report a spill of a polluting substance, and the other 17 charges are for failing to comply with permits.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice raised the issue in the legislature this spring, after receiving a letter from the Gitxaala First Nation referring to two separate tailings spills. Rice said the ministry did not inspect the operation for 15 months, until receiving a complaint.
NDP mining critic Norm Macdonald told the legislature a worker at the mine "became fed up, put his job on the line, sent the ministry and me a tip and pictures that documented what was going on there."
Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the mine was shut down when the situation was brought to its attention. The mine's 90 employees lost their jobs.
The province has a $420,000 security bond from the mining company, to provide ongoing monitoring. In March the mines ministry and Banks Island Gold removed explosives from the mine site and in May ministry technical staff assessed the hazardous materials on site.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service, which recommended the charges, would not comment on the current condition of the Banks Island site, because it is evidence for the prosecution.

Banks Island miners face 18 pollution charges


Gold mine near Prince Rupert shut down last summer for permit violations, owners charged for failing to report spill


OTTAWA – Contract talks continue between Canada Post and its largest union, but neither side is hinting as to whether any progress has been made.
A federally appointed mediator has been meeting with the two sides since Friday to try to reach a deal.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says if there is no deal by midnight, it would begin job action on Monday by having its members refusing to work overtime on a rotating basis, starting in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
CUPW served 72 hour strike notice Thursday night, accusing Canada Post of forcing a labour disruption by refusing to bargain in good faith.
The two sides have been deadlocked for months on the issues of pay scales for rural letter carriers and proposed changes to pensions for future employees.
A CUPW news release says the initial job action will cause little disruption to Canada Post customers and that its members will still be delivering mail every day.
The Canadian Press

Postal workers union give details of job action if no deal is reached Sunday


Talks continue, with rotating overtime ban set to begin Monday if no agreement by midnight Sunday


Revelstoke dam on the Columbia River is due to have a sixth water turbine added, but Site C is BC Hydro's priority today.
BC Hydro is going ahead with its planned four per cent rate increase this year and deferring more debt to future years as it revises its electricity demand forecast downward.
The provincially-owned utility has not asked for an increase in its government-imposed rate plan despite a revised demand forecast with $3.5 billion less revenue over the next 10 years. BC Hydro has filed a three-year plan with the B.C. Utilities Commission that would increase rates four, 3.5 and three per cent in the next three years. The four per cent increase is already showing up on customer bills as an interim increase.
With the Site C dam on the Peace River and other upgrades amounting to $2 billion a year, the plan includes additional deferred debt until 2023, when Site C is due to be completed. BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald said the long-term nature of capital projects means its capital cost savings don't start until the next decade.
BC Hydro has also cut some of its familiar Power Smart activities, such as the fridge buy-back plan and incentives for energy efficient light bulbs.
McDonald said BC Hydro is seeing lower revenues due to two warm winters and downturns in mining and forest products. It still projects growing overall demand as population and economic growth continue.
NDP energy critic Adrian Dix said the new deferred debt represents roughly $500 for each of BC Hydro's two million customers, and it is a political move to get the B.C. Liberal government past next year's election.
The 10-year rates plan imposed by Energy Minister Bill Bennett in 2013 overstated demand to justify the construction of Site C, and translates to a 28 per cent rate increase. It allows the utilities commission to regain control over approving customer rates by 2020, after five years of political direction.
Dix said with the new demand forecast and commodity prices expected to remain low, BC Hydro should have added a sixth turbine to its Revelstoke dam for $450 million before embarking on the $9 billion Site C project.


Four per cent rate hike already in effect, more to come as BC Hydro looks for savings to offset slow industrial demand