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Dead sheep, hand grenade and severed fingers - strange things found in the sewers

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It’s World Toilet Day today (Thursday November 19) and households across Sussex are being urged to join the battle to reduce the tens of thousands of blockages clogging up our drains and sewers.

Southern Water reports that among the unusual items found in the sewers have been dead sheep, false teeth, severed fingers, teddy bears and ‘adult toys’.

But none of these items came close to matching the pain in the drain caused by the thousands of wet wipes flushed down the loo, or the greasy fats and oils poured down the sink.

Steve Grebby, Consumer Council for Water’s sewerage expert, said: “Sewer flooding causes misery for thousands of households every year, which is why it’s in all our interests to keep our drains and sewers clear and flowing freely.

“One very simple way we can do that is by making sure we only flush pee, poo and paper down the loo.”

According to CCWater research a growing number of consumers (64% in 2014 compared to 43% in 2013) can identify what items should not be flushed down the loo.3 But wet and so called ‘flushable’ wipes still accounted for up to a third of sewer blockages in some parts of England and Wales.

And ultimately it’s customers who end up footing the bill to clear up the mess through their water and sewerage bills.

Southern Water says 12,400 sewer blockages in the past year have been caused by fats, oils, greases and other non-biodegradable items.

Among other water companies, strange sewer discoveries have included a motorbike, a dead badger and a hand grenade.

CCWater was established in 2005 to provide strong representation for water customers in England and Wales.

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Court results - Crawley

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The following are results from Sussex Northern magistrates sitting at Horsham and Crawley.

Rachel Colley, 37, of no fixed address, was fined £50, with a £20 victim surcharge, and a £180 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug (cannabis) in Pound Hill, and to assaulting a police officer.

Christina O’Keeffe, 36, of Mulberry Road, Crawley, was fined £125, with a £20 victim surcharge, £50 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and being drunk and disorderly in Crawley, and admitted breaching a conditional discharge.

David Streeter, 30, of Crawley Road, Horsham, was banned from driving for a year, with a £120 fine, a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving and to driving without a licence at Bewbush.

Nicola Wortsman, 33, of Wilton Road, Redhill, was jailed for 16 weeks, with an £80 victim surcharge, and a £180 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft from shops in Crawley, Burgess Hill, Horsham, and Lewes.

Astrit Vucaj, 41, of Sundew Close, Crawley, was given a community order with 150 hours of unpaid work, a £60 victim surcharge, and £620 costs. He had been found guilty of common assault. A restraining order was made, barring him from contacting the victim, or going to two addresses in Powys.

Luis Ascencao-Dosreis, 50, of Selsey Road, Broadfield, was given a one year conditional discharge, with a £15 victim surcharge, £300 costs, and a £520 criminal courts charge. He had been found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause fear of violence.

David Phillips, 46, of Exeter Close, Crawley, was given a community order with a £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault in Crawley.

Darren Chilcott, 47, of Chiddingstone Hoath, Edenbridge, was fined £250, with a £25 victim surcharge, £700 costs, and five penalty points added to his licence. He had been found guilty of driving without due care and attention at Gatwick.

Faisal Shabbir, 30, of Caburn Heights, Crawley, was given an absolute discharge. He had pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, but court records say magistrates accepted that he had special reasons.

Sohail Ahmed, 27, of Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, was banned from driving for a week, with a £200 fine, a £20 victim surcharge, and £120 costs. He had pleaded guilty to driving without insurance at Crawley.

Scott Hardwick, 18, of Thorndyke Close, Crawley, was given a one year conditional discharge, with a £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a direction to leave Crawley town centre, and to resisting a police officer.

Yau Sham, 24, of no fixed address, was given an absolute discharge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault at Gatwick.

Simon Hibberd, 48, of Ifield Road, West Green, was fined £440, with £76.67 vehicle excise back duty, and £90 costs. He had been convicted in his absence of keeping an unlicensed vehicle on a public road.

Antony Purdie, 48, of Oak Way, Crawley, was fined £265, with £57.50 vehicle excise back duty, £90 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had been convicted in his absence of keeping an unlicensed vehicle on a public road.

Paul Hodge, of Careys Wood, Smallfield, was fined £440, with £60.42 vehicle excise back duty, £90 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had been convicted in his absence of keeping an unlincesed vehicle on a public road.

Jamie Russell, 24, of Birches Road, Horsham, was banned from driving for 18 months, with a £120 fine, a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving and driving without a licence at Crawley, and admitted breaching a suspended sentence.

Abrazak Ghalghal, 39, of Framfield Close, Ifield, was given a community order with nine months of drug rehabilitation, a £60 victim surcharge, £150 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had been found guilty of possessing a lock knife in a public place, and pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug (dihydrocodeine), and possessing a Class C drug (buprenorphine).

Otto Kalderal, 32, of Wheeler Road, Maidenbower, was given a 14 week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, with a two year driving ban, an £80 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving without an MoT certificate, and driving without insurance, all in Three Bridges.

Tamour Nisar, 33, of Horsham Road, Dorking, was given a community order with 80 hours of unpaid work, a £60 victim surcharge, £400 costs, and a £520 criminal courts charge. He had been found guilty of common assault in Crawley.

Timothy Nevell, 43, of Steyne Gardens, Worthing Central, was banned from driving for two weeks, with a £490 fine, a £49 victim surcharge, £85 costsand a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to speeding at Crawley.

Alexandru Preuteasa, 22, of Wakehams Green Drive, Crawley, was fined £220, with a £22 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had been convicted in his absence of speeding at Crawley.

Ben Hannaford, 26, of Albert Crane Road, Ifield, was fined £170, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and to failing to answer bail, and admitted breaching a conditional discharge.

Michael King, 33, of Normandy Road, Broadwater, was given a one year conditional discharge, with a £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to theft from WH Smith in Burgess Hill, and from a Co-op in Maidenbower.

Craig O’Regan, 42, of no fixed address, was fined £40, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour in Crawley.

Stephen Gover, 48, of Clarendon Road, Hove, was fined £240, with £100 compensation, a £24 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress aboard a flight into Gatwick Airport.

Maria Silva, 29, of Caburn Court, Crawley, was banned from driving for 19 months, with a £300 fine, a £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to drink driving at Crawley.

Tyler Harvey, 22, of Brook Close, East Grinstead, was given an 18 week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 130 hours of unpaid work, £140 compensation, an £80 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to theft, and using violence to enter premises, and admitted breaching two conditional discharges. A restraining order was made, barring him from contacting two named people, or going to a road in East Grinstead.

Shaukat Iqbal, 37, of Raven Lane, Crawley, was fined £80, witha £20 victim surcharge, £100 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had been foung guilty of using a vehicle with an underinflated tyre.

Anthony Kennedy, 46, of Rutland Road, Ilford, was fined £130, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly at Gatwick Airport.

Luke Smerdon, 25, of Auckland Road, London, was banned from driving for 18 months, with a £280 fine, a £28 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving at Pease Pottage.

Wayne Poole, 43, of Hope Terrace, Grays, was fined £100, a £20 victim surcharge, and £250 costs. He had pleaded guilty to breaching a non-molestation order in East Grinstead, and admitted breaching a conditional discharge for common assault. A restraining order was made, barring him from contacting a named person.

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Burglars steal charity care home tools worth £5,000

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Burglars stole £5,000 worth of garden tools from a charity care home in Copthorne.

A sit-on mower, leaf blower and chainsaw were among the items stolen after two garden sheds were broken into at Heatherley Care Home, Effingham Lane.

Sarah Jefferies, admin supervisor for the home, said: “It’s not fair to target a place like this.

“We are a charity and providing care for vulnerable people and this can only make them a little bit less secure.”

She said CCTV cameras will be put in following the burglary which happened overnight on Tuesday last week (November 10).

Raiders used bolt-cutters to break into the sheds after entering in a vehicle via the care home entrance furthest away from staff and residents.

Sarah said: “It was very targeted. They must have known what they were coming to get.”

The stolen equipment was used to maintain the home’s 17 acre grounds.

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Bewbush brawlers get suspended sentences

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People who were found guilty of violent disorder following a fight in a Bewbush park have been given suspended sentences.

Doris Robertson, 50, of St Aubin Close, Broadfield; Hansley Robertson, 25, of Britten Close, Bewbush; Kenny Robertson, 23, of St Martyrs Avenue and a teenager who can not be named for legal reasons due to his age all denied violent disorder.

Kenny Robertson also denied dangerous driving.

They were found guilty after a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

At today’s (Thursday November 19) sentencing, Judge Anthony Scott Gall said Doris Robertson received a call that her son was being attacked by another young man near the entrance to a Bewbush park on July 27.

She called her sons, Hansley and Kenny, who drove to help.

The three got into a fight with another group, which included the teenager.

When leaving the scene Kenny got into his car and had a bike thrown at the windscreen.

He drove the wrong way round a roundabout and hit a pedestrian knocking her into a hedge.

Kenny Robertson was given nine moths imprisonment suspended for two years and a further nine months suspended sentence for dangerous driving.

He was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the injured pedestrian and told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Doris Robertson received a suspended sentence for a separate conviction of battery, committed in 2013, and was also given a nine month suspended sentence for violent disorder .

Hansley Robertson was given a nine month imprisonment suspended for two years and was told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

The teenager was ordered to attend a youth rehabilitation project for 14 months and told to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.

More to follow.

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Update: Car and motorcycle crash in Crawley

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A car and motorcycle have crashed in Crawley.

Exchange Road, Northgate was blocked in both directions this evening (November 19).

Traffic has been reported between the Northgate Avenue and Kilnmead junctions.

Sussex Police was stood down by 7.18pm, a police spokesman said.

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Man, 22, seriously injured in Crawley crash

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Police have appealed for witnesses after a 22-year-old man suffered serious injuries in a Crawley crash.

A car and motorcycle collided outside the Town Hall car park in Exchange Road, Northgate, at about 5.20pm yesterday (Thursday November 19).

A police spokesman said: “A 22-year-old man from Dorking, Surrey, riding the motorcycle, a red Honda 125cc, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, where he was detained for treatment.

“A 28-year-old woman from Crawley driving the car, a grey Volkswagen Golf, was unhurt.”

Email information to collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 1192 of 19/11.

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Man in hospital after forklift accident

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A man in his 40s suffered suspected leg fractures after an industrial accident involving a forklift, said South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb).

Emergency services were called to the Bovis Homes building site in Wickhurst Green, south of Broadbridge Heath, at 4.45pm yesterday (Thursday December 19).

A SECAmb spokesman said a man in his 40s suffered leg injuries after he was knocked over by a forklift in an industrial accident.

He said: “He was fully conscious, treated at the scene and taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, as a priority.”

Two SECAmb cars, an ambulance and an air ambulance road crew attended.

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COLUMN: Just A Thought

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A column from Chichester Diocese which covers Sussex. This week it is by Fiona Windsor, Archdeacon of Horsham

We see it in countless films from Bond to Disney: a hero to the rescue.

This theme comes up in stories all the time and yet our appetite for good triumphing over evil is never satisfied.

Take Spectre, the 24th James Bond film, which has broken box office records nearly everywhere.

We all know how it will end, but we still can’t wait to see how the good guys will win.

Right now, the Church is moving into a time called Advent, which is about looking forward to the arrival of our rescuer – Jesus.

And it’s no wonder that we need a rescuer with the problems facing humanity. For example, in the UK there are about 3.7 million children living in poverty, that’s equivalent to 9 children out of a class of 30.

So perhaps, as we focus on the festive preparations, it might be helpful to remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

If we can find an opportunity, even for a moment, to remember that God had a rescue plan, maybe this will give us new hope and peace as we look towards a new year.

His final rescue might not seem obvious now, but the Christmas story tells us that the rescuer has come.


COLUMN: Faith Matters

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A weekly round up of news from around Chichester Diocese, which covers all of Sussex

Shoreham Air Disaster: Memorial Service

On 22nd November, the Bishop of Chichester will be preaching at the memorial service in Lancing College chapel organised by Tim Loughton MP and local authority leaders.

Invitations have gone out to the families of those who lost their lives as well as the many emergency workers, members of social services and people from the community who helped in the aftermath of the tragedy.

General Synod

Newly elected representatives from across Sussex will join a service attended by Her Majesty the Queen on Monday when the new synod of the Church of England begins. Bishops, clergy and laity representing parishes across the county will be in London for the start of a 5-year series of meetings. High on the agenda is an opportunity to discuss the Church’s response to the refugee crisis.

Advent Hope Carol Concert

The beautiful setting of Lancing College chapel is hosting a candlelit carol service in support of Christian Aid at 7.30pm on Monday 30th November.

The service will feature the Worthing Choral Society along with some other special guests.

Tickets are free on a first-come-first-served basis, with a voluntary offering taken for Christian Aid. Book your place by calling 020 7523 2105.

Prisons Week

During the past week local churches of all denominations have been involved in a campaign called ‘A new and living way’, seeking to encourage hope and transformation for those involved in the criminal justice system. You can find out more about what’s been happening at www.prisonsweek.org.

Police investigate overnight burglaries in Crawley

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Police are investigating a series of overnight burglaries in Crawley.

Officer said between Wednesday November 11 and Thursday November 12 four houses were broken into in the Northgate area.

Two of the burglaries occurred in Boundary Close, one in Crosspath, and one in Kilnmead.

Electronic items including laptops, phones and tablets, and two watches were taken from three of the addresses.

A black Toyota Yaris was stolen from the driveway of one of the properties Boundary Close. Nothing else was taken.

Detective Constable Emma Dumbrell said; “We are appealing for any witnesses who saw this car being driven away from the Northgate area during that night or who saw anyone acting suspiciously.

“If you can help contact us via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 224 of 12/11. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-org.uk.”

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Sussex wakes up to snow as temperatures plunge

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SNOW has fallen in Sussex as temperatures dropped by more than 5°C in 24 hours.

The temperature took a dive overnight in the Crawley area with residents waking up to find snow outside their front doors this morning (November 21).

The Met Office said the lowest temperature recorded at its observation point at nearby Charlwood was 2.2°C at 8am this morning. The temperature at the same time yesterday was 7.7°C.

However the lowest overnight temperature was recorded in East Sussex at 1.9°C at 3am at Herstmonceux.

Given the current strong gales in the county, {http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/local/met-office-warning-for-strong-gusting-winds-across-sussex-1-7076293|for which the Met Office has issued a yellow warning}, the snow in Crawley has not been settling with the added rain turning much of it into sleet, according to residents.

Other low-point temperatures across Sussex included 2.7°C at 6am at Thorney Island and 2.5°C at 9am at Shoreham.

Did you wake up to find snow outside your house this morning? Click {mailto:news@chiobserver.co.uk|here} to send us your pictures.

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Return Of The Evil Scammer

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Halloween was weeks ago and yet I am still hearing horror stories from people I meet.

For instance, while helping someone out with a PC problem, they casually mentioned they may have been scammed and would I have a look and give some advice. The following the line in one of the emails from the scammer summed it up nicely.

“As requested please find below the payment details for your renewal of your google listings for the coming 12 Months.”

Now that may sound fairly innocuous to you, but it rang alarm bells for me. For example, there is no such thing as renewing your listings on Google. Google (and any other search engine worth its salt) automatically crawl and list web pages without you spending a penny. They wouldn’t be very good at being search engines if they didn’t. The only times when they don’t list pages is if you have specifically told them not to, or your site has broken so many rules that it has been de-indexed.

Another reason for concern is that the scammer is asking for money up front, without any proof of success or that any work had been done. Additionally, the email in question came from a generic domain (like gmail.com, outlook.com, mail.com, etc) and when questioned I was told the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) specialist didn’t have their own website. Again a major alarm bell echoed in my head.

Unfortunately for my client, the scammer took the money and ran. They fell victim for one simple reason. Fear.

Scammers of all types use fear to coerce people into making decisions they would not otherwise make. The fear is that the your website will no longer be listed on Google and therefore you will lose business. This plainly is not true.

There are several things you can do to protect yourself. The most obvious is don’t respond to cold callers. Speak to friends, relatives and other businesses and get advice before committing to anything. Don’t limit yourself to that one cold caller.

Lastly if you have fallen victim to one of these scams, contact the police. It is a crime and should be handled accordingly and you may be helping someone else along the way.

Alan Stainer
https://www.alansitsolutions.com/

Three Bridges 2, Carshalton Athletic 3: Substitutions play big part in Bridges defeat

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Substitutions played a big part as Carshalton deservedly won thanks to some swift counter attacking, although Bridges were left fuming as they were denied a penalty in the closing minutes.

Both that shout for an ominous looking shirt pull and a first half one for the visitors looked reasonable calls, but the referee was having none of it despite heated protests on both occasions.

Bridges weren’t helped by the losses of Sammy MacVicar and Tony Garrod to recurring niggling injuries, and Carshalton must have been wary as they had to make all three of their changes by half time. But two of their substitutes actually scored the goals that turned the game their team’s way!

Athletic keeper Luke Colquhoun was called into early action as he saved a solid drive by MacVicar with his feet, and MacVicar came close again with a chip from wide on the left that just evaded the far post. But after 24 minutes Bridges went in front with a glorious free kick from the excellent Hakeem Adelakun. Sadly within two minutes they were on level terms again as Billy Marshall made a superb run through to hit an equally superb goal.

Garrod had a great effort tipped away and Ben Godfrey saw his shot from the resulting corner blocked as the second half got under way, and after 57 minutes the home side scored with a swift counter attack of their own. John Lansdale sprinted down the right flank and played the perfect ball to Matt Whitehead. His shot was blocked well by Colquhoun, but Garrod rifled home the loose ball and then departed with his back injury!

For sheer quality of swift breaks, it would be hard to better Carshalton’s 68th minute response however. Some delightful one touch passing that started in their own half finished with a lovely pass by Tommy Bradford for Kingsley Aikhionbare to show his strength before slipping past Kieran Thorp. Colquhoun at the other end then made another save with his foot to deny the persistent Godfrey, but after 79 minutes the winner came from a free kick. According to their kit man, this was a dead ball situation that had been pieced together on the training ground as Marshall played it wide, and as the resulting cross came in, Jordan Higgs was inexplicably unmarked in the box to net despite the valiant effort of Thorp.

Bridges : K.Thorp; D.Cooney (D.Mobsby, 79); M.Daniel; S.Sargent; N.Brake; J.Crellin; S.MacVicar (J.Lansdale, h-t); B.Godfrey; T.Garrod (S.Otobo, 57); H.Adelakun; M.Whitehead.

Unused Sub. – M.Pulling.

Booked – MacVicar (18); Sargent (78); Mobsby (90+2).

AEROTRON MAN OF THE MATCH – HAKEEM ADELAKUN

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Homelessness charity sees a rise in calls for help

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Housing and homelessness charity Shelter is urgently appealing for support for its helpline, after receiving almost 63,000 calls from the south-east in the last year alone.

In the last year, the number of calls to the charity’s free helpline from the south-east, which is part-funded by Marks & Spencer, has increased by 8,300 (15 per cent).

With the helpline struggling to meet demand, this includes many people ringing multiple times desperate to get through.

Shockingly, the charity said one in three of the calls answered came from people on the brink of homelessness who faced losing their home within a month.

This comes in the wake of previous analysis by Shelter, which revealed that almost 7,300 children in the region will be homeless this Christmas day.

As the shortage of affordable homes continues to take its toll and demand for the charity’s services increases, Shelter is calling on the public to help them to be there for everyone who needs them this Christmas.

This year, the tenth anniversary of the partnership with Shelter, M&S will again donate five per cent of every sale of its Christmas ‘Food on the Move’ range directly to Shelter’s helpline.

Nadeem Khan, a helpline adviser for Shelter, said: “Every day I speak to people who face losing something as important as the roof over their family’s heads. Hearing the worry in a parent’s voice doesn’t get any easier, and sadly more and more people are coming to us every day, desperate for support.

“Without the money raised by Marks and Spencer’s M&S customers, thousands of calls for help would go unanswered. It’s heart-breaking to imagine someone facing homelessness with nowhere to turn, but the ‘Food on the Move’ range means that something as simple as buying lunch can help us to be there for everyone who needs us.”

Mike Barry, Director of Plan A at M&S, said: “Our partnership with Shelter is hugely important to us, and we proud to play our part in supporting the fantastic work that the charity does. This year has particular significance, with it being a decade since our first fundraising campaign for Shelter, and the funds raised will clearly be as important as ever.

“At this time of year in particular, Shelter’s work and M&S’s support is vital. With many donations to the Shelter helpline coming through our Food on the Move range and coffee sales, every time a customer comes into store for lunch they are helping to ensure no-one has to fight bad housing or homelessness alone this Christmas.”

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Crash causes congestion on A23

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A collision involving two cars has blocked a lane of the A23 near Pyecombe this morning (Monday November 23).

Traffic is slow on the A23 Dale Hill northbound, near the Henfield turn off.

The incident took place overnight.

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COUNTY NEWS: Disabled student drives wheelchair – with his eyes

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A Chailey Heritage student has been test driving an award-winning design which allows him to move his wheelchair just using his eyes.

Jono Stenberg, 24, has cerebral palsy and is a weekday resident at the centre, spending his weekends at home in Peacehaven.

The Eyedrivomatic means Jono is able to independently move his own wheelchair. Jono’s first test drives were part of the award-winning nomination which won the grand prize in the Hackaday Awards – beating off 1,000 other entrants to win the top accolade.

Jono, who is one of the first people to use the revolutionary design, said, “The Eyedrivomatic has made me more independent and is so much easier and accurate than my old one switch system I used to use to control my chair.”

The Eyedrivomatic is the invention of Patrick Joyce, who is living with motor neurone disease (MND). Together with Steve Evans, also living with MND, and film maker David Hopkinson, they put forward a substantial application bid for the prestigious Hackaday Awards and were announced the winner at a ceremony on November 14.

Patrick, a former artist, said, “Steve and I both have electric wheelchairs, but while I still have some movement in my fingers and am just able to operate mine, Steve only has his eyes left and until Eyedrivomatic, had to rely on his carer to operate his.”

He added, “My idea was to make something which would interface with the user’s chair-mounted computer and physically move the joystick. The result was Eyedrivomatic - a two-part system featuring a ‘brain box’ and an electronic hand to move the joystick.”

Steve said, “For four years I have been totally dependent on others to move me, I couldn’t even turn to change my view. Now I can move and drive my wheelchair with my eyes. It’s utterly brilliant.”

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Crawley businesses ‘damaged’ by office conversions

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The viability of businesses in Crawley are being damaged by the conversion of offices to flats, one business leader has warned.

Ron Crank, chief executive of Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, has written an open letter to Anna Soubry, minister for small businesses, highlighting the effects of Permitted Developments Rights (PDRs) and calling for reform.

The Government policy enables a change of use of certain buildings without usual planning permission, such as turning business premises into residential housing.

Mr Crank said: “The loss of crucial employment space in Crawley is so rapid and at such a scale that business growth is being prevented. 500,000sq ft. of employment space, the equivalent to nine football pitches, will have disappeared by the end of 2015.

“That means hundreds of job opportunities lost. The loss of employment space is equivalent to nearly 2,000 office jobs or over 500 manufacturing jobs. There is also a growing threat to the town centre economy. Over 60 per cent of employment land is being lost in Crawley town centre preventing new jobs and business investment.”

In the letter Mr Crank also wrote about the threat to Crawley’s Manor Royal Business District, one of the largest business districts in the South East, and said that around 30 companies have been evicted from their offices to make way for residential properties via PDR.

He added: “This is a major issue across the Coast to Capital region and, I would imagine across the South East. The Government needs to reconsider this policy particularly in the south of the UK.”

His letter concludes: “Most of the businesses affected are SMEs and struggle to relocate when displaced. Building homes in a business district is also unsuitable for many reasons, not least because some businesses will be unable to operate and grow in proximity to residential housing.”

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Cases of sheep meat sold as goat across West Sussex

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Sheep meat was being sold as goat in at least eight cases across West Sussex, a Trading Standards investigation has found.

Officers went undercover to make test purchases after a consumer complained the goat meat he bought was actually sheep.

Of the 11 cases six were linked to a problem with the wholesaler or abattoir rather than the retailer, but in one case the butcher concerned told the Trading Standards officer: ‘Well goat is the same as sheep isn’t it?’

Peter Aston, Trading Standards team manager, said: “The results were concerning. 11 samples of what was described as goat meat were purchased covertly from outlets in the County. In eight cases, DNA tests on the meat found it to be from sheep.”

Mr Aston added: “Once butchered, goat meat is very difficult to tell from mutton or lamb which is why proper traceability and labelling is vital.

“Goat meat can sell for around £1 per kilo more than equivalent cuts from a sheep, so there is some financial advantage to be gained.”

David Barling, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This work shows how important it is for the public to let us know of their concerns.

“From a single consumer complaint, a widespread problem has been identified that won’t just be affecting West Sussex.

“Our Trading Standards Officers will certainly get to the bottom of what has been going on and are sharing their findings with the Food Standards Agency.”

To contact trading standards in suspected meat substitution cases call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 or online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport

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Young carers sail the Solent thanks to funding from Mid Sussex group

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Nine young carers helped sail the Solent in a confidence building Tall Ships Adventures weekend.

The trip was organised to give West Sussex young carers respite from their caring responsibilities, build their self-esteem and develop friendships.

All nine young people quickly rose to the challenges of seafaring, growing in confidence and ability throughout the weekend.

Rachel, one of the young carers, said: “I had an amazing time during the Tall Ships challenge. I overcame my fear of heights and ropes and am glad I had the opportunity to experience sailing.

“I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to have a great time bonding and making memories. I enjoyed every minute and would love to have this experience again.”

Special weekends away for young carers rely on donations from local businesses and charitable organisations.

This event took place thanks to local fundraising efforts by the Cuckfield and Lindfield Inner Wheel Club, who raised money through an autumn fashion show.

Peter Evans, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for children – start of life, said: “The skills these nine young carers took on-board during this weekend away will help them invaluably in the future.

“We hope that other local businesses and charitable organisations will be interested in donating to give other young carers these kinds of opportunities.

“The kind fundraising by the Cuckfield and Lindfield Inner Wheel Club has given these young carers a weekend they may never forget.”

To find out more email youngcarers@westsussex.gov.uk or visit http://www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk/advice_and_info/young_carers/west_sussex_young_carers.aspx

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Work starts on state-of-the-art technology centre

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Work has begun on a state-of-the-art advance technology centre at Central Sussex College in Crawley.

The centre will provide industry-standard learning environments and practical workshops for students of engineering, technology and environmental technology.

It will provide an extra 770 places for school leavers, apprentices and adult learners in manufacturing, electronics, and other specialist areas such as solar thermal, biomass and wind turbine technology.

College principal Sarah Wright said:“We’re confident that the new facilities and training on offer will be much sought after as employers in the engineering and technology sector recognise the need to enhance the skills of their current and future workforces.“The fantastic new facilities will provide a modern and progressive environment in which students can develop their work skills and engage with industry experts to develop theoretical knowledge and working practices in technology and the low carbon economy”.

With significant investment from the Coast to Capital LEP, the centre will boast a range of state-of-the-art facilities. The ground floor will incorporate a workshop and a practical demonstration area,

equipped with real life working models and examples of how technology fits into the environment.  Whilst on the first floor you’ll find high specification classrooms and an I.T suite that provides access to CAD and project management software, online delivery packages, electrical and environmental technology testing, and e-learning packages.

Crawley MP, Henry Smith said “It’s good to be back at Central Sussex College and I’m pleased to see work has commenced on their exciting new Advanced Technology Centre. This state-of-the-art facility will enhance the further education offer in the area, particular in the important STEM subjects.”

Heather Binning, Strategic Advisor at Coast to Capital LEP explained “With substantial growth predicted in the areas of engineering and environmental technology, it’s key we meet the skill needs of our region’s employers. Our investment in Central Sussex College’s new Advanced Technology Centre supports this priority and focuses on the development of STEM related skills.”

“The development of this new centre is vitally important”, explained Steve Sawyer, Executive Director from Manor Royal Business Improvement District. “Exploiting awareness in green technology and advanced engineering will be welcomed by the Manor Royal Business Improvement District. The College’s response to providing the training employers need to maintain a skilled workforce in these areas is visionary and innovative.”

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