A CARE worker racked up a bill of more than £1,000 by using a resident’s bank account to pay for an adult website, a court heard.

At a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, February 21, Worthing Magistrates’ Court heard Thomas Hond, of Lansdowne Place, Worthing, had “abused” his position of trust by using Ivan Pope’s card details to pay for an adult website.

For the full story, including the sentence, read this week’s Worthing Herald, which is available on February 23.

]]> 1.3548887 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/worthing_flat_fire_caused_by_electrical_fault_1_3549254

FIREFIGHTERS attended a flat fire in Grand Avenue, Worthing, this morning (Wednesday, February 22).

Worthing fire crews were called to the ground-floor flat at 11.30am after reports of smoke billowing from the windows.

Four firefighters forced entry into the property, where they put out a small fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault with the internet router.

The flat suffered 10 per cent fire damage and substantial smoke damage, however no-one was injured in the incident.

]]> 1.3549254 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:05:22 +0000 http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/find_it_and_qype_take_down_thousands_of_fake_reviews_1_3548803

Advertiser’s announcement

AN online business directory has hit out at unethically placed listings and reviews in the West Sussex area.

Find It, powered by Qype, Europe’s leading consumer reviews site, has cut thousands of misleading or malicious reviews from its 13.5 million online listings.

Taking a tough stance on third parties who abuse online reviews, Find It and Qype have taken down over two thousand fake reviews in the last month. Around three per cent of new reviews have been deleted since the partnership declared war on unethical listings.

With a new review appearing every 30 seconds on everything from hostels and tourist attractions to hairdressers and minicab companies, Find It and Qype have implemented a continuous campaign to keep the directory clean and ensure all business listings and reviews for West Sussex are accurate and fair.

Find It, powered by Qype, is committed to stopping people who use its listings for financial gain, and aims to stamp out biased or unreliable reviews.

“Find It is the number one source for trusted local reviews and listings, and working with Qype we want to ensure every single listing is independent and impartial,” said Andy Prior, digital product manager at Johnston Press.

Find it, powered by Qype, gives immediate access to over two million independent reviews on everything from quirky cafés and clubs to plumbers and primary schools. Covering 166,000 locations worldwide, including thousands of real reviews on the best places to go in West Sussex, Find it powered by Qype is an indispensable guide for locals, at home or away.

SCHOOLCHILDREN from Worthing have been getting their hands messy with some patriotic creativity.

Lyndhurst First School is one of six schools in Worthing who have signed up to take part in a community art project to make decorative bunting for the diamond jubilee party on Worthing promenade in June.

The project has been organised by Worthing-based community arts company Creating Waves, in a bid to create enough bunting to stretch from Splash Point to Heene Road.

Co-owner of Creating Waves, Nadia Chalk, said: “We want this to be a real community effort and to encourage as many people to join in with the jubilee celebrations as possible. The children at Lyndhurst absolutely loved it.”

The children decorated a selection of triangle and rectangle-shaped bunting flags with their own jubilee-themed designs using predominantly red, white and blue paint.

Nadia said she was pleased with how much thought the children had put into their designs.

“It was clear the children had gone home and asked their parents what the jubilee was about,” she said. “As a result they came up with some really original designs.”

The project has already created 200 metres of bunting, but there are still another 1,000 metres to go before the required stretch of artwork will be complete.

Nadia said: “It seems like a lot, but I’m confident we’ll get there. We’ve had a brilliant response so far and the bunting is looking fantastic.”

For more information, visit www.creativewaves.co.uk.

THE Herald and Gazette series is again teaming up with Shoreham Airshow to help raise money for RAFA.

With plans for this year’s airshow, set to take place on September 1 and 2, already well underway, editor Colin Channon, reporter Sheena Campbell and managing director Karl Dimmock met organisers last week.

Once again, we are selling tickets and helping to promote the show, with the theme for this year being 100 Years of the RAF Central Flying School.

Acting airshow organiser, Derek Harber, said: “It is nice to welcome, once again, Johnston Press as our major media sponsor for the airshow.

“This will be their fourth year and it has now developed into an excellent working relationship helping to promote the RAFA Wings Appeal.

“To date, Shoreham has given nearly £1.7million to RAFA.”

This year’s airshow will see a lot more action on the ground, with a one-hour break in the flying displays to allow visitors to explore everything the airshow has to offer.

Press officer John Periam said: “It is important we look at ways to improve the Shoreham Airshow.

“A dedicated flying committee will be more involved in selecting the air displays, covering all aspects of aviation history.

“Military vehicles will be high on the list, also giving the public a chance to see them in action.”

Anyone who would like more information on the airshow can visit www.shorehamairshow.co.uk or call 01273 441545.

AS many day centres across the country face closure, an independent charity in Worthing has managed to open one.

On Friday, Worthing and District Scope celebrated the official opening of its new centre in Birkdale Road, Durrington.

The ribbon was cut by 90-year-old fund-raiser, MBE JP Dorothy Till and Worthing youth mayor Liam Mills.

Dorothy, of Richmond Road, said: “After 25 years of fund-raising for the group it’s an honour to open such a beautiful building, and it’s so well equipped.

“When we started out we had disabled children sitting in old tyres, and now we have this.”

The Worthing Steyne Rotary Club also attended to donate three cherry blossom trees to the centre, after building work meant some trees had to be cut down.

Having to cut down the trees caused big problems in the planning stages of the development, but Rotary club president Jim Farley said the club was more than happy to help.

He said: “We have had a long association with Scope and that’s why we were there to plant the first tree for them.”

The charity purchased the building for £220,000 in April, 2011, when it realised there was a calling for day centres.

When the charity bought the building it was just one room with no windows and “nowhere to make a cup of tea”.

Vice-president of the board of trustees Valerie Sutton said: “We have been looking to extend as we know social services are closing a lot of these types of things.

“Originally, we were not going to spend more than £200,000, so we knew this was a big gamble, but now it has been a success I suspect we will be looking at the next project, maybe purchasing a shop.”

The centre will cater for up to 20 disabled people, with one member of staff to every four people, but the charity assures it will welcome any volunteers or people looking for work experience.

Worthing and District Scope chief executive Pauline Fox said: “We have opened a service with no support other than our own.

“Worthing Scope has paid for this centre lock, stock and barrel, without having to pay a fund-raiser £40,000 a year.”

FIREFIGHTERS in West Sussex are reminding chip lovers to be vigilant as part of National Chip Week (February 20 to 26).

Almost 60 per cent of all accidental house fires in West Sussex are started in the kitchen, with the majority caused by unattended or careless cooking. Leaving a chip pan unattended for even a short time can have disastrous results as the oil can easily overheat and ignite. A simple switch from the pan to the oven or a temperature controlled deep-fat fryer can help prevent the worst.

Community risk reduction officer, Jackie Boyle, said: “I’m sure chips will be on many people’s menus during National Chip Week. People assume that cooking chips in a pan of hot oil is a thing of the past, but we know from the incidents our crews attend that it’s still popular. Last month a lady in Crawley sustained serious burns attempting to tackle a chip pan fire which shows just how dangerous it can be.

“We’d recommend oven chips as a safer and healthier option, but if people do choose to fry then please ensure you stand by your pan - don’t be tempted to leave it unattended. If you are unlucky enough to have a chip pan fire, please don’t try and tackle it yourself, especially not with water, it could put your life in serious danger.”

Tips on frying safely:

. Most kitchen fires occur when people leave things unattended. Don’t get distracted while cooking, if you are called away from the cooker take pans off the heat

. Never fill a chip pan (or other deep-fat fryer) more than one-third full of oil

. Consider using a thermostatically controlled deep-fat fryer - this will ensure that the fat does not get too hot

. Test it Tuesday – fit a smoke alarm on each level of your home and don’t forget that weekly test!

If a pan catches fire:

. Don’t move it – it is likely to be extremely hot

. Turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so – but never lean over a pan to reach the controls

. Don’t use water on a chip pan fire – the water reacts with the oil creating a potentially lethal fireball

. Don’t use a fire extinguisher on a pan of oil – the force of the extinguisher can spread the fire

. If you have put the fire out, leave the pan to cool completely.

ARUNDEL folk club organiser Chris Davis is helping to stage a special concert, with a mother’s song for her autistic son certain to be among the highlights.

Chris, who runs the Willows Folk Club at Arundel Football Club, has teamed up with Claire Booth, of Worthing, to hold the event in aid of the National Autistic Society.

Claire has three boys aged between two and six.

Middle son Jude, aged four and a half, has been diagnosed with autism.

The concert is on Saturday, March 10 at St Mary’s Church Hall in Goring and tickets are available from Claire at {mailto:clbooth@hotmail.co.uk|clbooth@hotmail.co.uk} or 07790 511054.

Chris said: “It features Claire and me, and a number of superb special guests, for an evening of acoustic rock, pop, folk and country.

“The tickets are £5 each, and 100 per cent of all profits will be going to the National Autistic Society.

“For me, this is one of the most important projects I’ve ever been involved in and something that really means a lot to me on a personal level.”

Claire captured her efforts to communicate with Jude in the song Jude’s Lullaby, which can be listened to via Claire’s ReverbNation page {http://www.reverbnation.com/clairebooth|www.reverbnation.com/clairebooth}.

She said: “We found out he was autistic when he was a couple of years old.

“He is just in his own little world most of the time.”

ACCLAIMED author Phil Earle gave around 300 students at Durrington High School a lesson in writing.

Phil visited the school to talk about his latest book Saving Daisy, a moving story following the life of Daisy Houghton, who first featured in his critically acclaimed debut Being Billy.

The book is currently being read by the school’s student book club and is nominated for many national book awards.

Sally Baker, the school’s learning resources area manager, said: “Phil’s passion for his vocation is evident and our students were so enthused that even reluctant readers bought copies of his books and have developed their reading skills since his visit.

“Not every story in life has a happy ending, Phil’s books reflect this, but they do help their protagonists find a better way of being, and an ability to see some hope on the horizon.

“In the wake of so many real-life drama books flying off the shelves, Phil Earle’s gritty modern realism should be recommended reading for all troubled teens – finally giving some of their fears and anger a credible voice and helping them realise their true strength in the face of adversity.”

ARTS editor Phil Hewitt is now counting down to the hours to the Tokyo Marathon...

Possibly my favourite marathon moment came in my second London Marathon, a mile from a finish which seemed never to get any closer.

I was at my lowest ebb, every step was agony, confusion had long since squeezed out whatever common sense I had left.

Maybe I had got the hydration wrong, maybe it just wasn’t my day.

But something was seriously up, and I knew I had to get help from somewhere. Or someone.

And that’s the glory of the London Marathon. There are plenty of people to choose from, hundreds of thousands of them lining the route that takes you to the finish.

My good fortune is that I chose exactly the right person, a little angel of a lad, resplendent in his St John Ambulance uniform, standing on the corner as you turn into Parliament Square.

By now I was in last-resort territory. That resort was to thrust my chest towards randomly-selected bystanders in the hope that they would shout out the name emblazoned across my chest.

And, boy, did I pick the right boy in that ghastly moment.

“Come on, Phil”, he shouted, right in my face, and who knows, that might just have been enough.

But the little sweetheart instantly added: “Phil! Phil! You can still win this!”

OK, a little tear still comes to my eye when I think about it ten years later.

It was the most absurd thing to say. Completely bonkers.

But it was also absolutely the right thing to say. I smiled, I laughed and I floated.

New energy in my aching limbs, I made it through that final mile and was still grinning as I crossed the line.

I was sickly blue in the lips, deathly pale in the face, but grinning from ear to ear.

The actual winner had won an hour and a half earlier, but the little boy had been right. In my own terms, I could still win it and I did.

Whenever (not often!) my love of marathons wobbles, I think back to that glorious moment – one which sums up not just the insanity of marathon running, but also its humanity, not just its horrible lows, but also its off-the-top-of-the-scale highs.

That little boy will never know what he did for me that day, but ten years on, this Sunday morning (February 26) as I stand on the start line at the Tokyo Marathon, I will be thinking of him, cherishing the memory of a moment right up there in the annals of my running history.

Tokyo will be my 26th marathon and will come at the end of an important week for me.

Last Friday, my book {http://www.summersdale.com/book/2/569/keep-on-running|Keep On Running} was sent off to the printers by the superb team at Summersdale publishing in Chichester.

Summersdale picked out exactly the right passage from the book for the blurb on the back: “Marathons make you miserable, but they also give you the most unlikely and the most indescribable pleasures.

“It’s a world that I love – a world unlocked when you dress up in Lycra, put plasters on your nipples and run

26.2 miles in the company of upwards of 30,000 complete strangers.”

And it’s that makes Tokyo on Sunday so mouth-watering a prospect.

It’s a place I fell in love with last October when I joined a group of journalists for a look at the course, courtesy of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation.

Japan is a country which hits you right between the eyes with the most vibrant, the most intoxicating mix of sights and sounds and smells.

Tokyo is a place which grabs you and gets inside you, fast, fascinating and above all friendly - a city built on respect and on the warmest of welcomes.

As guests of the Tokyo Marathon organisation, we were treated with every courtesy by hosts ever eager to please and confident in the knowledge that they have got a rare treasure to reveal: a city which makes you walk taller, lifts the spirits and leaves you drunk on its atmosphere.

Everyone was intent on telling us that Tokyo was safe.

I took them at their word, plunging down dark alleys and side streets camera in hand, exploring the bright glitzy neon streets and enjoying unmolested the beautiful tranquillity of an early-morning run.

A self-confessed marathon bore and a veteran of 25 marathons in ten different countries, I like to think I know a good marathon course when I see one: Tokyo’s is a cracker, kicking off outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building before heading off through the dazzling night club district.

Then it reaches the perimeter of the Imperial Palace Gardens before heading for Ginza, Japan’s number-one high-end shopping district.

After that you plunge into the old town before wending your way to the finish at Tokyo Big Sight – a challenging course, but an excellent one, very much created with the sights in mind but also one geared towards the runners themselves, as its impressive 97 per cent finishing rate suggests.

So, I beg of you, dear reader: be my little boy this weekend.

The marathon starts at 9.10am on Sunday, which is ten past midnight UK time.

If any of you happen to be awake at that time, and at any time in the next few hours, shout out (or even mutter into your pillow): “Phil! Phil! You can still win this!”.

I promise you that it will make the world of difference to me half a world away.

AFTER 23 years of supporting families of children born with a cleft lip or palate, Gill Foan is passing the torch.

Gill is the chairperson for the Sussex branch of the charity CLAPA, the representative organisation for all people with and affected by a cleft lip and/or palate in the UK.

The charity provides a support network within the community, so parents of children born with a cleft lip or palate can meet for reassurance, advice and social events.

Gill, 52, of Brooklands Avenue, Worthing, said parents can leave hospital feeling lost after giving birth to a baby with a cleft lip, and need the support so they may give the best care possible to their child.

“As a parent, you can think ‘What have I done wrong?’,” she said.

“It is very difficult to talk about these things with people who have no experience of cleft lip palate conditions.

“Especially in the early stages, and when the children go for various operations to help correct it.

“It’s good to be able to speak to someone who has been through it.”

A cleft lip or palate develops during early pregnancy, when separate areas of the face develop individually and then join together.

If some parts do not join properly, the result is a cleft, the type and severity of which can vary.

Babies born with a cleft lip or palate can have problems feeding, may have affected speech and can suffer problems with their hearing.

CLAPA Sussex raises money to buy bottles to give to hospitals in the area, as well as donating money to speech therapy units.

Gill knows exactly what support parents need, as she has been through the experience herself.

Her son Ryan, now 23, was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate, which had not been picked up until he was born.

“It was difficult at the time because it was unexpected,” she said.

“Ryan had to be fed through a squeezy bottle with a lamb’s teat on the end. But his cleft lip was part of him, and we actually felt strange about it when he had his first operation to have it repaired.”

Ryan went on to have another six operations to repair his palate, but was born without a sense of smell, which he will never have.

Gill said she became the chair of CLAPA because she wanted to help others like herself.

“I know how appreciative I was of help from others,” she said.

“So I wanted to be there for other parents, too. However, I have been here a long time and it is time for me to step down and let a new face step in.”

Paula Tyler has also chosen to step down after working alongside Gill for the past 11 years.

The 43-year-old mum, of Manor Road, Upper Beeding, got involved with CLAPA after her daughter Gemma was born with a soft cleft palate.

Paula said: “Because Gemma does not have a cleft lip, we did not realise she had a soft cleft palate.

“I was worried because she wouldn’t feed and it was only when a nurse picked her up when she was crying and saw the hole in the roof of her mouth we realised.”

Paula could only feed Gemma using a cup and spoon.

“It was a bit of a nightmare trying to feed a newborn baby with only a spoon and a cup,” she said.

“But then CLAPA rang us when they heard we had a baby with a soft cleft palate, and provided us with a bottle with a lamb’s teat.

“Then we never looked back.”

Gemma, now 11, had an operation at six months to repair her palate, and lives a completely normal life – even playing both the clarinet and the saxophone.

Paula said she found the support CLAPA gave to her when Gemma was born invaluable, and got more involved with the charity to give something back.

“Being born with a cleft lip or palate is more common than you think,” she said.

“If your baby is affected you can feel quite alone, and you really appreciate the support of others around you. My 11 years at CLAPA have been wonderful, but it’s time to let someone else take over, and I hope they will enjoy the experience as much as I have.”

For more information on joining CLAPA Sussex, contact Gill on 01903 502868 or CLAPA chief executive Sue Carroll on 020 7833 4883.

A Pulborough man has been charged with affray, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and two bladed articles.

Shane Elliott, 29, from Arun Court, Pulborough, was charged after an incident in Lower Steet, Pulborough, where a police car was damaged.

He was approached by police after a call from a concerned member of the public at 2.20pm on Sunday (February 19) afternoon.

When police arrived he attacked the police car with a snooker cue, knocking off the wing mirrors and causing extensive damage to the bodywork as well as head butting and cracking the windscreen.

Officers were able to subdue the man by using captor spray and he was arrested.

PC David Quayle said: “We had been called because the man seemed in distress. We did what we could to contain the situation and are relieved that no one was injured although the damage to the police car was extensive.”

Elliott is due to appear before Mid Sussex Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, February 21).

A MAN had to be cut out of his car after he collided with another vehicle outside Northbrook College this morning (Tuesday, February 21).

Three fire crews attended to the accident, which occurred between two cars at the junction of Broadwater Road and Carnegie Road, at 7.15am.

Firefighters cut the roof off one car to release the trapped male driver, after he was complaining of severe neck pains.

The driver was carried out of the vehicle with the use of a spinal board, and was taken to Worthing Hospital as a precaution. His injuries are not life-threatening.

The second driver escaped the accident with only a few cuts and bruises.

Broadwater Road has now been fully cleared, after firefighters left the scene after around 30 minutes.

POTENTIALLY “hazardous” vodka and suspected counterfeit wine were being sold by a Teville Road cash-and-carry store, it was alleged at a Worthing licensing committee hearing.

The products, delivered to the Quality Food Cash and Carry in an “unmarked white van”, were cited as among reasons why the premises’ licence should be revoked or suspended, when the committee met at Worthing Town Hall yesterday evening.

West Sussex County Council trading standards, applying for a licence review, said the alcohol could be dangerous, and also claimed the store was selling jars of “honey and syrup”, and “honey and nuts”, neither of which contained honey.

Another visit revealed the sale of “2 Apple Emirates” chewing tobacco which did not have the required health warnings on its packaging.

The licensing councillors heard that during a series of visits last year, trading standards officers found 23 bottles of Norvik Vodka for sale.

The bottles did not bear the regulatory information labels, and the contents’ alcohol strength was later analysed as 38 per cent – 0.5 per cent over the 37.5 per cent quoted on the label.

On another visit, 30 bottles of Jacob’s Creek wine were seized on suspicion of being counterfeit after it was spotted that the name Australia was spelt incorrectly on the reverse of the bottle.

Also, it was claimed another misleading offence was that the wine was advertised around the premises as costing £5.49 a bottle, but was actually being sold at £1 more than this.

The trading standards report said: “The sale of illegal alcohol not only breaches the licensing objective, ‘the prevention of crime and disorder’, but the products being sold could potentially be unfit for human consumption, or even hazardous.”

Sussex Police said it considered the trading standards recommendation to consider revocation of the premises licence was “both proportionate and reasonable”.-

The police submitted that on two late-night police visits last year, officers found no authorised security person on duty at the front of the premises. This was admitted by the designated premises supervisor.

Breaches of fire safety regulations were cited in a submission by West Sussex Fire and Rescue. It was stated that many provisions of an enforcement notice of February 2, 2011, had not been complied with by January 9 of this year. They included the absence of an efficient fire door between the storeroom and sleeping accommodation; obstructed fire exit; no staff training had been undertaken; and any extinguishers provided were last tested in 2004 and 2008.

The committee heard that the previous premises licence, held by a shop known as the International Food Centre, was revoked at a hearing in September, 2009, following an application by Sussex Police.

The police had contended that licensing objectives, including “protection of children from harm”, had been seriously undermined by the then licence holder.

THE outstanding work carried out by Durrington High School to support elderly people in the community has been recognised with a national award.

The school, in The Boulevard, has been named as a BT Internet Ranger School of the Year. It has been given £4,000 as a reward for the courses its students and staff have staged over the last two years to help older people learn how to use computers, the internet and other technology.

Karen Purser, business and enterprise manager at the school, said: “Our school is focused on developing our students, and working in partnership with external agencies and the community improves the school and extends the learning opportunities for our students.

“We are thrilled to have won this award and our students’ support has been recognised. Our £4,000 winnings will go towards purchasing new laptops and Ipads.

“We’ll provide next-steps training to our initial learners, introduce them to new technologies and we’ll also be offering our ICT training to community centres and youth groups.”

Students from all year groups worked one-to-one with older people from the community as part of the “silver surfers” project, teaching them how to use computers and the internet to improve their skills and their independence.

The school is also running sessions to teach them how to use mobile phones properly. It will give students the opportunity to share their skills and engage and support the older people in the community.

Funding to hold the courses was given to the school by the Neighbourhood Learning for Deprived Communities (NLDC).

Nick Roberts, from the school, said: “Working on this programme has been vitally important for Durrington High as we share both our expertise and facilities with the local community, which includes areas of deprivation and economic hardship.

“It is the enthusiasm of our pupils and staff for helping others which has enabled us to win this fantastic award, and for this we are immensely proud.”

BT’s Internet Rangers award scheme was set up following research which found nearly a third of parents and grandparents were taught to get online by young people under 16 years old.

BT south east regional director, John Weaver, said: “We are very excited to acknowledge the selfless efforts of Durrington High School pupils who are helping Worthing Silver Surfers to get online in a range of ways and bridge the generational divide of technology.

“With their patience and dedication, they are able to demonstrate how the internet is a very powerful tool and everyone can reap its benefits, no matter what their circumstances or age. Congratulations to all the volunteers and staff at Durrington – your award is richly deserved.”

INCIDENTS attended by West Sussex firefighters at the end of last week and over the weekend include:

Friday, February 17, 9.30am to 9.59am:

A283 Washington, east of Washington roundabout – car in ditch, nobody trapped, woman and baby released before arrival of firefighters. Scene made safe. Crews from Storrington, Steyning and Worthing in attendance.

Friday, February 17, 1.35pm to 1.57pm:

Nursery land off Dappers Lane, Angmering – unattended bonfire. Crew from East Preston extinguished bonfire and gave advice to land owner.

Friday, February 17, 7.33pm to 7.53pm:

Steyning High Street – large bin fire extinguished by firefighters. Arsonists blamed. Police and crew from Steyning in attendance.

Saturday, February 18, 9:50am to 10:15am:

Rookwood Road, West Wittering – one car crashed in to tree, nobody trapped, two people taken to hospital by ambulance. Incident left with police, crew from East Wittering in attendance.

Saturday, February 18, 1.16pm to 2.10pm:

House in Canada Grove, Bognor – small fire in roof space of house extinguished by firefighters. Ladder and small tools used to assist in damping down and cutting away of affected areas, thermal imaging camera used to inspect for hot areas. Two crews from Bognor in attendance.

Saturday, February 18, 7.09pm to 7.32pm:

House in Goodwood Close, Midhurst – chimney fire. Chimney equipment used by Midhurst crew.

Saturday, February 18, 7.27pm to 7.59pm:

House in Poling Street, Poling – chimney fire. Chimney equipment used by Arundel crew.

Sunday, February 19, 4.22pm to 5.15pm:

Michelgrove Lane, Patching – single storey outbuilding off Michelgrove Lane, destroyed by fire. Accidental, two crews from Worthing in attendance.

Sunday, February 19, 6.35pm to 8.15pm:

Downland Avenue, Southwick – 13kg butane gas cylinder at rear of house involved in fire. Cylinder vented and blaze extinguished by firefighters. Crews from Shoreham and Hove in attendance.

Sunday, February 19, 6.48pm to 7.13pm:

Bungalow in Angmering Way, Rustington – fire in kitchen, out on arrival of firefighters. Removal and ventilation with PPV fan. Elderly woman treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics and taken to hospital. Crew from East Preston in attendance.

All information is provided by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

EIGHT worthy causes have been given money from a county council committee. ​

The Community Initiative Fund grants were decided at a meeting of the West Sussex County Council-led Worthing County Local Committee at the end of last month.

The highest award of £5,000 went to a Worthing Community Partnership initiative to produce a quarterly newsletter called Active Age.

Sam Dewar-English, a partnership trustee and one of the volunteers on the project, said: “We decided to do it because the Worthing Neighbourhood Care Alliance ended in September, 2010, but we knew those people that used to access it were still out there. The idea is that it provides information on events and activities for older people, regardless of their mobility, whether they like sport or other clubs.”

The other awards were: £2,271.55 to 8th Worthing Sea Scouts towards a galley refurbishment project, £2,000 to Mick’s Garage to assist with mini-bus hire for the community group, £1,000 to Worthing Islamic & Social Welfare Society for the Worthing Mosque Open Day 2012, £1,000 to EXACT to help start up a drug and alcohol rehabilitation project, £500 to Worthing Youth Council to cover a funding shortfall for the upcoming youth election, £416 to 2nd Goring Scouts to cover annual volunteer subscription fees, and £250 to Selden Ward Neighbourhood Panel to purchase a cycle rack for a local shopping parade.

Committee chairman Bob Smytherman said: “Once again, our Community Initiative Fund has provided vital support for groups in Worthing. I would urge others who want to help the community, but need money to do it, to get in touch and we will see if we can help.”

For information, see www.westsussex.gov.uk

THE original play of The King’s Speech is set to visit the Theatre Royal Brighton.

Plus, Modelworld, a unique exhibition showcasing models of all types from around the country, returns to the Brighton Centre on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26.

And, William Golding’s Lord of the Flies will be at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing, on Friday, February 24, and Saturday, February 25.

KIND offers flooded in after a camera was stolen from Worthing Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit.

Staff used the camera to take photographs of babies who are being cared for at the unit.

After it was stolen, the Love Your Hospitals charity posted a message on its Facebook page asking if anyone had a spare digital camera they could donate.

Laura Moore read the appeal and posted it on her own page, and Shirley Gain saw the post and then donated a camera.

Liz Bennett, ward sister on the unit, said: “In some circumstances, new mothers may not be able to visit or see their baby for a while and this can obviously be very distressing for them.

“This may happen when the mothers themselves are unwell, or their baby needs to be transferred to another hospital for specialist care. The nursing staff can use the camera to take photographs of the baby for the mother to keep and this can often be the only sight they have of their newborn for a while, so is therefore very precious. We are so grateful to Shirley Gain for her kindness and I know many mums will be very grateful to her, too.”

AN appeal has been lodged by Kitmarr Ltd against Worthing Borough Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for redevelopment of the former Reps Health Studio site in Grafton Place.

The rejected planning application was to part-demolish the listed building and convert the remainder to provide one two-bedroom flat, two one-bedroom flats and six studio flats; plus the erection of three two-storey houses and two one-bedroom flats within the grounds.

A government planning inspector will decide the appeal after visiting the site and studying written representations from both parties.