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Ex-Southampton striker Lee Barnard wants to quieten the Portsmouth crowd

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Crawley Town striker Lee Barnard is looking for the team’s senior players to support the younger ones when they travel to Portsmouth on Saturday.

The former Southampton player could be in for some stick from their south coast rivals but is looking for a good start from the game.

He said: “We need to be solid and quieten the crowd down.

“We want to build on a good defensive performance. When you are chasing the game it’s hard - we need to put them on the back-foot and create more chances.

“Portsmouth are a very good team and put you under pressure, especially at their place, where they will be well-supported.

“We need to make a good solid start to give ourselves a chance.

“The crowd can work against them and if we can keep them out for ten minutes, put them on the back-foot, they won’t be happy and hopefully that will put their team under pressure and hopefully we can go from there.

“We are expecting a real tough game and we need the more experienced lads to help the younger lads through.”

Barnard has been largely confined to the sidelines this season, kept out by Oldham loanee Rhys Murphy who has now gone back to his parent club.

He wants to establish himself in the Crawley side having made his first start since October 6 during Reds’ 2-0 defeat at Wycombe.

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Hassocks councillor’s ‘surprise’ over New Year’s honour

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A Hassocks woman awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours said today: “Nobody is more surprised than I am.”

Rosemary Burns - a former chairman of Mid Sussex District Council - receives the award for services to local government and the community in Sussex. “I feel very embarrassed,” she said. “There are people who have done a lot more than I have.”

Mrs Burns, 69, has been a member of the district council for 16 years and was chairman from 1995-1996. She is currently a member of Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common Parish Council.

She is also a member of Mid Sussex Community Health Council , has chaired the South Downs Conservation Board, has been a member of the Hurstpierpoint Society and has been involved with the South of England Agricultural Society.

She is a governor of Downlands School, Hassocks, and is also involved with the charity Hassocks Child Help.

Mrs Burns, who is married with two grown up sons, enjoys playing tennis in her spare time, along with golf and walking. She is a member of Weald Tennis Club, Hassocks, and the Piltdown Golf Club. “I like to keep busy,” she says.

Asked how she might celebrate her honour, she said: “I might raise a glass.”

Boy, 7, racks up £4k bill playing dinosaur game on dad’s iPad

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A Crawley business owner has criticised Apple after his seven-year-old son racked up a £4k bill playing an iPad dinosaur game.

Mohamed Shugaa, 32, discovered his son Faisal had downloaded the iTunes game Jurassic World and spent £3,917 upgrading his dinosaurs.

He said: “At that age you will never know the value of money.

“Apple should have put a stop to it or gave me a call to say ‘Is this you doing this transaction?’”

He explained Faisal, who goes to Broadfield East School, downloaded the game after he found his dad’s iTunes password.

Faisal made 60 transactions from December 13 to 16 before Mohammed’s bank’s fraud team stopped the direct debit payments to Apple.

The tech giant confirmed it would refund the cost in ten working days on December 28.

A statement on its website reads: “All iOS devices (iPad, iPhone and iPod touch) have built in parental controls that give parents and guardians the ability to restrict access to content.

“Parental controls also give parents and guardians the option to turn off functionality such as purchasing from iTunes and the ability to turn off in-app purchases.

“Our parents’ guide to iTunes details the steps adults can take to make sure younger players have access to the right content. The first thing we recommend is not to share your password.”

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Police advice after spate of Sussex burglaries

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Sussex Police has released advice on how to keep your home safe from burglars.

Homeowners are being told take the following steps to make sure their properties are safe:

- Keep all wallets, purses, credit cards and car keys out of sight and out of reach.

- If leaving a house empty, even if just in the back garden, lock all the doors and windows.

- Fit an intruder alarm as an effective deterrent against burglars: seek advice to ensure it is the most suitable for your needs.

- Make it a habit to mark valuables with a postcode and house number or name.

- Some articles are unsuitable for marking so photograph them next to a ruler.

- Register property at immobilise.com, It’s free of charge and can increase chances of being reunited with stolen property.

- During winter, leave some lights on if it will be dark before returning home

- When going out in the evening, always leave a light on in a room that cannot be peered into from the road

- Fit security lighting - either dusk-to-dawn energy efficient lighting that will come on automatically as darkness falls, or infrared activated lighting which draws attention to movement.

- Don’t let strangers into the house. Always ask for identification - official visitors won’t mind being asked for ID.

- Fit a door chain and if possible a wide-angle door viewer.

- Ensure that gates or access to the rear of the house are locked and secure

- Trim overgrown plants - don’t give burglars a hiding place.

- Secure garden tools and ladders in a locked shed or garage to prevent them being used to break in. Fit outside security lighting and a visible burglar alarm to help deter burglars.

The advice comes in the wake of several burglaries at homes in the East Preston area, near Littlehampton, between Boxing Day and Monday (December 28).

Police Community Support Officer Michelle Davies said: “A burglary in your own home is a devastating experience that can affect your family long after the mess is cleared up and the insurance paperwork is done. Prevent a burglar messing with your head as well as your home by taking simple crime prevention measures.

“In Sussex, Operation Magpie is our response to burglary. This operation sees us working with our partner agencies with the aim of preventing burglary and, when it does happen, finding those responsible and searching for your stolen property as quickly as possible.

“We recently launched our recovered property site as another way of reuniting stolen items with their rightful owners: www.flickr.com/photos/suspolproperty

“Burglars know the price of everything but the value of nothing. The best defence against them is prevention.

“In an emergency, of if you see a crime in progress or believe it is about to occur, always call 999.”

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Raiders smash door and and prise open shutters at shop

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Police are appealing for information after cigarettes were stolen from a shop.

Raiders smashed the front door at the Londis Smallfield Post Office, in Wheelers Lane, at about midnight today (Wednesday December 30).

They prised open the shutters to the cigarette cabinet and fled with their haul in a light coloured 4x4 vehicle, said a Surrey Police spokesman.

DC Helen Simon said: “We are carrying out a number of enquiries in relation to this incident and studying all the available CCTV in the area. We believe that four men were involved and we’d like to hear from anyone who witnessed the offence or has any other information to contact us as soon as possible.”

“We appreciate that this is a concerning incident but we’d like to reassure Smallfield residents and businesses that we are doing everything possible to find these individuals and bring them before the courts. Local Safer Neighbourhood Team officers will be working to keep members of the public updated and anyone with any concerns should contact their local officer.”

If you have information please call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference 45150116878 or you can use the online reporting system found at https://my.surrey.police.uk/splonlinereportingweb.

Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Honour for Sussex man who is head of the Crown Office at the House of Lords

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A Bolney man who is an officer of both houses of Parliament has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Ian Denyer, who maintains the Roll of the Peerage - a public record registering peers throughout the UK - has been given the award on the recommendation of Prime Minister David Cameron ‘for services to constitutional and ceremonial administration.’

Ian is the Head of the Crown Office at the House of Lords - and a member of the senior leadership team at Bolney Village Chapel.

He is also a Freeman of the City of London and has other charitable interests in Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone.

He is also director and former chairman of Off the Fence, a Brighton-based charity for the homeless and disadvantaged.

Ian , who has been a trustee of the local charity for 15 years, was awarded the MVO - a rare personal honour from the Queen -in 2005 .

Ian’s new award marks 45 years in public service.

“I enjoy,” he said, “ a varied, richly rewarding and immensely fulfilling career working alongside the senior judiciary and some of the finest and committed individuals in government”.

In his role as deputy clerk of the Crown he has responsibility for important aspects of general elections, church and state appointments and high ceremonial.

He also has significant parliamentary functions as an officer of both Houses of Parliament and as Registrar of the Peerage and Baronetcy, examines all succession claims to hereditary titles.

“It is an honour too” he said, “to be involved with the work of Off the Fence and other charitable bodies where clear Christian principles underpin the organisations and is the motivating force behind the hope we seek to bring to clients.

“It is a real privilege to serve alongside a wonderful team of staff, volunteers and supporters”.

Sussex people recognised in New Year’s Honours

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More than 30 people across Sussex have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

Awards have been given for a variety of services, including road safety, fencing, tourism and the British Red Cross.

Richard Tyler, service manager for event first aid and emergency response in Kent and Sussex, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to the Red Cross.

Mr Tyler, 44, is a service manager for event first aid and emergency response in Kent and Sussex and was on site managing the Red Cross first aid and ambulance teams on the day of the Shoreham air show disaster.

The list of Sussex honours:

ORDER OF THE BATH - CB

Stephen Leonard Gooding. Formerly director-General Roads, Traffic and Local Group, Department for Transport. For public service to Transport. (Haywards Heath, West Sussex)

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

DBE (DAME)

Professor Lesley Jean Fallowfield. Director Sussex Health Outcomes Research and Education in Cancer, University of Sussex. For services to Psycho-Oncology. (Brighton, East Sussex)

CBE

Dr Caroline Harper, OBE. Chief executive Officer, Sightsavers. For services to Visually Impaired People Abroad. (Haywards Heath, West Sussex)

Timothy Lloyd Jones. Formerly chief executive Officer National Employment Savings Trust. For services to the Pensions Industry and Pension Provision. (Brighton, East Sussex)

OBE

Simon Anthony Lee Brett. Author. For services to Literature. (Arundel, West Sussex)

Charles Ian Paul Denyer, MVO. Deputy Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, Crown Office, Ministry of Justice. For services to Constitutional and Ceremonial Administration. (Bolney, West Sussex)

Professor Maurice Howard. Professor of Art History University of Sussex. For services to Higher Education and Architectural Heritage. (Brighton, East Sussex)

Ian Thornley. Non-Executive director Remploy Ltd. For services to Disabled People. (Petworth, West Sussex)

Richard Wentworth Watson. Founder and director Energise Sussex Coast. For services to the community in Sussex. (St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex)

MBE

Brian James Doick. President National Association for Park Home Residents. For services to the Park Home Industry. (Steyning, West Sussex)

John Fothergill. Formerly Grade 7 International Deployment, Border Force, Home Office. For services to Immigration and Border Management. (Brighton, East Sussex)

Richard John Groom. For services to the community particularly Disabled Young People. (Shipley, West Sussex)

Mrs Sonia Jacob. For services to the Magistracy and the Voluntary Sector in West Sussex. (Rustington, West Sussex)

Ms Christina Ruth O’Keeffe. For services to the community in Lewes East Sussex.

Robert John Pooley. For services to Business and to Aviation. (Steyning, West Sussex)

Ms Jane Short. For services to the Art and Craft of Enamelling. (Brighton, East Sussex)

Mrs Margaret Diane Southworth. Chair of Governors, The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust, East Sussex. For services to Education. (Battle, East Sussex)

Gregory James Valerio. For services to the UK and Fairtrade Gold Sectors in Colombia and East Africa. (West Sussex)

Dr Ian Stuart Viney. Director of Strategic Evaluation and Impact Medical Research Council. For services to Research Funding and Evaluation. (Haywards Heath, West Sussex)

Professor Kim Wolff. For public service to Road Safety. (Wadhurst, East Sussex)

Howard Antony Wood. Formerly Teacher Oathall Community College, West Sussex. For services to Education. (Plumpton, East Sussex)

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL - BEM

Mrs Sarah Elizabeth Airey Bain. President, Black Down and Hindhead Supporters Group, National Trust. For services to Conservation in Surrey and West Sussex. (Surrey)

Ms Sharon Lesley Blackman. Head Coach Chichester Fencing Club. For services to Fencing. (Felpham, West Sussex)

Mrs Rosemary Ann Burns. For services to Local Government and to the community in Sussex. (Hassocks, West Sussex)

Kenneth Charles Monk. For services to the community in Ardingly West Sussex.

Mrs Marilyn Winifred Nolan. For voluntary service to the community in Newhaven, East Sussex. (Newhaven, East Sussex)

Mrs Jean Margaret Olney. For services to the community in Mayfield, East Sussex. (Mayfield, East Sussex)

Ward Westley (Gary) Smart. Owner, Harbour Park. For services to the Tourism and Leisure Park Industry. (Littlehampton, West Sussex)

Richard John Charles Tyler. Lead Service manager Event First Aid and Emergency Response. For services to the British Red Cross in Kent and Sussex. (Dartford, Kent)

QUEEN’S POLICE MEDAL - QPM

Paul Clifford Morrison. Formerly chief Superintendent Sussex and Surrey Police.

Ms Olivia Clare Pinkney. Deputy chief Constable Sussex Police.

On a national level, Tony McCoy has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list as recognition of his services to horseracing.

Veteran actress Barbara Windsor has said she is “so very honoured, proud and extremely humbled” to be awarded a damehood.

Veteran broadcaster Martyn Lewis dedicated his knighthood to the “thousands of inspirational people in the voluntary sector”.

Mr Lewis, who hosted the ITN news before moving to the BBC in 1986, has become a prolific charity campaigner since retiring from the nation’s TV screens in 1999.

West Sussex’s virtual library service offers free access to ebooks

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Anyone who has received a tablet, e-reader or computer for Christmas can take advantage of West Sussex’s 24-hour virtual library.

The West Sussex County Council service allows library users to borrow ten ebooks and ten eaudio titles for up to three weeks, as well as giving them access to a range of emagazines and enewspapers for free.

There are no loan charges and loans automatically expire at the end of the lending period so there are no late fees.

Libraries are running a series of free drop-in sessions throughout January and February where residents can find out how to get started with ebooks and other electronic services.

Users can also choose from 100 downloadable magazines covering gardening, cookery, cars, computers and other popular subjects, alongside electronic versions of UK and overseas newspapers.

For more visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/ebooks

To find out where drop-ins are being held contact your local library or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries

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Blood and halo moons are highlight of Sussex celestial sights this year

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It’s been a year of fascinating sights in the Sussex skies, with meteor showers, a solar eclipse and a blood and halo moon.

It all started in February with the Halo Moon, a spectacular and unexpected sight on a Monday night.

A hazy ring of light formed around the full moon and was visible from around 9pm for two hours.

The phenomenon, known as a ‘halo’, can occur when high thin cirrus clouds form, at about 20,000 feet or more.

Light from the moon bounces off and is scattered through ice crystals in the clouds to create a ring of light around it.

There was a lot of excitement in March as people in Sussex prepared for a near-total eclipse of the sun.

However, thick cloud mean that there were few opportunities to grab a photo, although some did mange it.

The moon moved in front of the sun at around 9.30am, covering up to 97 per cent of its surface.

Earth’s only satellite was back in the headlines, though, in July with a phenomena called a blue moon.

The sight is so rare, the phrase ‘once in a blue moon’ was coined because of it.

But rather than the moon actually changing colour, a blue moon refers to when two full moons appear in the same calendar month.

The first full moon was spotted on July 1 and the second appeared on the last day of the month.

Eyes were focused back on the Sussex skies in August when we were treated to the Perseids meteor shower.

The shooting stars, created as space debris from the tail of the 109P/Swift-Tuttle comet struck the Earth’s atmosphere were visible for several days.

But arguably the best was saved for last as many people woke up in the early hours to see a ‘super blood moon’ following a partial eclipse.

The internet was awash with claims that this rare astronomical event would signal the start of the apocalypse but experts at NASA were quick to dismiss any possible threat.

The moon was unusually close to the Earth and looked bigger and brighter than usual.

It was a Supermoon and started to go into partial eclipse around midnight.

Then, in the early hours, the Moon was fully visible again and had a distinct red glow from the Earth’s shadow.

Such an event was last seen in 1982 and will not be viewed again until 2033.

Some celestial events for 2016:

February 7 - This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise

March 8 - Jupiter will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. A good pair of binoculars should allow you to see Jupiter’s four largest moons, appearing as bright dots on either side of the planet.

May 6, 7 - The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, which has known and observed since ancient times.

May 22 - Mars will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long.

August 27 - A spectacular conjunction of Venus and Jupiter will be visible in the evening sky. The two bright planets will be extremely close, appearing only 0.06 degrees apart. Look for this impressive pairing in the western sky just after sunset.

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Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable awarded Queen’s Police Medal

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Sussex Police deputy chief constable Olivia Pinkney has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year Honours List.

Olivia, who joined Sussex Police from Avon and Somerset in 2009 as assistant chief constable, was promoted to her present position in 2014. She has worked with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and is the national policing lead for children and young people.

She said: “I am extremely honoured and grateful to receive this award, which is as much for the many colleagues in Sussex and other areas who I have worked with over the years, as myself.

“Policing has changed so much since I became a PC in 1991, but I have the same passion for the job now as I did then.”

Chief Constable Giles York said: “All of us at Sussex Police extend our huge congratulations to Olivia on her award, which is richly deserved.

“This award recognises her distinguished career, so far, seeing her deliver exceptional policing services, in so many roles, to the public in Avon and Somerset, Sussex and complemented by her time at Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. It also recognises how she goes above and beyond the call of duty in undertaking national charity work and being the national policing lead for children and young people.

“I am also delighted to hear of the award of the QPM to former Sussex officer Paul Morrison, now the Commissioner of Anguilla Police. He left us during 2015 to take up his new role, having served here with distinction for many years.

“Congratulations to them both.”

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Airport objects to new hospice due to increase in ‘bird strike risk hazard’

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Gatwick Airport has objected to plans for a new hospice and homes in Pease Pottage due to an increase in ‘bird strike risk hazard’.

St Catherine’s Hospice has partnered with Thakeham Homes to promote a new development on land off Brighton Road for a 48-bed care facility, up to 600 new homes, cafe, a community building, retail units, and a new primary school.

The hospice, based in Malthouse Road, Crawley, has 18 inpatient beds, but is not currently able to cater for the amount of people needing palliative support in the area and has limited family areas.

However Gatwick, as a consultee, has objected to the application as it stands, as it believes the open water in the proposed ponds will attract birds ‘hazardous to aircraft’ such as feral geese, duck, grey heron and cormorants.

Birds can cause damage to aircraft either by being sucked into the engines or by colliding with the windscreen, as happened in 2009 when a plane was forced to safely land in New York’s Hudson River shortly after take off.

Gatwick’s consultation response, sent to Mid Sussex District Council as the local planning authority, read: “As this is a residential development it is envisaged that feeding of the birds by the general public is highly likely, thus creating an additional attractant to these birds.”

It also suggested that the grassland surrounding the water bodies, if mown short, could create a grazing habitat for birds, and suggested that open water should be reduced to a minimum.

Meanwhile Highways England has raised concerns that proposals have the potential to impact the ‘safe and efficient operation of the strategic road network’, in this case the M23 at junction 11, and part of the A23.

It has asked for more information to be provided in the application’s transport assessment and travel plans, as well as a commitment from Metrobus that it will extend the number 1 service from Broadfield.

However a number of residents have written to the district council in support of the application, describing a new facility to care for terminally-ill people as a ‘no-brainer’.

One resident added: “There should be no debate, this facility is urgently needed in the area and this site represents the best location.”

Giles Tomsett, chief executive of St Catherine’s Hospice, urged the council to recognise the wider benefits the application will offer as the hospice is a ‘strategic asset to the wider health economy’.

Although the charity has received a number of sizeable donations towards the new hospice project, it still needs to raise another £6m if planning approval is granted.

Residents can respond to the application’s consultation on MSDC’s {https://pa.midsussex.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=NYDCZGKT04L00|planning portal|planning portal}.

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Horses found wandering loose on road

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Five horses were found wandering loose on a road near the Hickstead international show-jumping ground early on Monday morning.

Police were alerted when the horses were spotted on the B2118 London Road at Sayers Common at around 7am.

The chestnut horses, all wearing coats, moved through the village before being eventually rounded up in the driveway of LVS Hassocks school for children with learning difficulties in London Road, Sayers Common at 8.25. They were returned to Hickstead.

Police say there was nothing to suggest they had been deliberately freed.

Agony goes on for young dad awaiting a transplant

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A desperate new plea has gone out from a young dad who has been waiting six YEARS for a kidney transplant.

Simon Howell, 41, spent much of Christmas hooked up to a dialysis machine - but now hopes that his life can be transformed in the coming year - along with others also awaiting transplants.

Simon spearheaded an NHS campaign to get more people signing up to become organ donors back in November. He was filmed for 14 hours to highlight how frustrating it is waiting on the transplant list.

And now he has spoken of his agony at watching his family enjoy the festive season while he has had to undergo dialysis four times every day.

He said: “It’s six weeks later, another Christmas gone, and I’m still waiting for a kidney. And I am not alone, thousands of people are waiting for a transplant in the UK.”

Simon, from Burgess Hill, spent six Christmases in a row waiting on dialysis, and a seventh back before a prvious transplant failed.

It was, he said, “another Christmas of hitting the wall part way through the day and having to stop and sleep. Another Christmas of taking myself away from my family to dialyse, four times on Christmas Day, four times on Boxing Day, four times every day. Another Christmas of having to watch what I eat; and drink only 1 litre of fluid a day.

“Next year will be even more restrictive; by then I’ll be on haemodialysis - where your blood is filtered by a machine - and then chocolate, mushrooms, cheese and potatoes will be added to the banned list, amongst other items. All the good stuff, really. Probably a lower fluid allowance too.

“Clearly, my hope is that this was my last Christmas on dialysis; that next year I’ll have a working transplant and boundless energy to play with my growing kids. That I’ll be able to take them out for a whole day at a time. Maybe even stay away from home, go to a lovely Christmas market, without a bucket load of medical supplies. That they can be proud of their daddy back at work as a doctor, and I in turn can proudly show them off to my work mates too.

“I also hope that this is the last year in which 40 per cent of families say no to donation taking place when their relative could become a donor. We could save so many more lives if families said yes to donation.

“So this New Year, how about making a resolution to talk about organ donation?

“In the cosy post-Christmas glow, maybe still in a party hat, maybe feeling rather overfull on turkey leftovers, take a moment to turn to your loved one during an advert break and say ‘If something happens to me, please let me donate’.

“Try out your shiny new tablet or phone and point it to www.organdonation.nhs.uk and sign the register. Give the ultimate gift.”

Flight diverted to Gatwick Airport after passenger emergency

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A flight from Essex to Spain was diverted to Gatwick Airport this morning (Thursday December 31).

The Easyjet aircraft was travelling from London Southend Airport to Alicante, in Spain. It left the Essex Airport at 7am.

A statement on the Easyjet website said the flight had been diverted due to a ‘passenger’s well-being’ which required further assistance.

The aircraft landed at Gatwick at around 8am. It has since left and is currently on route to the Spanish city.

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UPDATE: Building fire being treated as ‘suspicious’

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Police are treating a fire at a derelict building, which forced a neighbouring theatre to be evacuated, as ‘suspicious’.

Firefighters were called to De La Warr Road, East Grinstead, at around 1.40pm on Wednesday (December 30).

The blaze broke out in the ground floor of a 50m by 235m building and raged for more than four hours.

A spokesman for the fire service said it was 85 per cent destroyed by the flames. The building was empty and no-one was injured.

Crews from East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Horsham, along with members of the Surrey Fire Service, attended and extinguished the flames.

The fire was out at around 6.20pm.

The nearby Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre was evacuated as a precaution with performances delayed for several hours.

Firefighters along with members of Sussex Police are still investigating the scene.

A police spokesman said the investigation was at an early stage but the cause is being treated as suspicious.

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Plans for new homes spark road fears

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Plans to build 75 new homes on land in Copthorne have led to fears over increased traffic through the village.

Developers want to knock down four houses - South Place, Beauport House, Carrsfarm Cottage and Hurst House in Copthorne Common Road - to build the new homes.

But nearby resident Tim Lane says that traffic in the area is already heavy and fears that an increase would lead to safety hazards.

And, he says, the houses earmarked for demolition are ‘historic county houses which would be a great loss to the community.’

In a letter of objection to Mid Sussex District Council, he says: “Traffic in the area is extremely busy and we would argue that any proposed development would not only add to an already very heavy level of traffic, but would also add a significant level of danger to that traffic flow.”

He said traffic from the new development would need to have access to the main Copthorne Road which was already dangerous with vehicles trying to exit a nearby garage and that pedestrians would also face danger when trying to cross the road to reach bus routes to Three Bridges, Crawley and Gatwick.

He said more congestion would be caused at the already-busy Dukes Head roundabout.

Mid Sussex District Council is due to consider the proposals at a meeting on January 26.

Court results - Crawley

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

Christopher Ellis, 32, of Seaford Road, Crawley, 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 insurance, at Three Bridges.

Jake Braine, 20, of High Street, Selsey, was given a nine week jail sentence, suspended for a year, with six months of drug rehabilitation, 120 hours of unpaid work, £21.45 compensation, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to theft from shops in Crawley, Chichester, Selsey, and St Leonards-on-Sea, failing to answer bail, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause fear of violence.

Steven Laden, 44, of Clyde Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, was fined £120, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to possessing a Class A drug (cocaine) in Crawley.

Jonathan Gaskell, 20, of Charlwoods Road, East Grinstead, was banned from driving for six months, with a £1,100 fine, a £66 victim surcharge, and £85 costs. He had been convicted in his absence of driving without a licence, driving without insurance, and driving without an MoT certificate at East Grinstead.

Ashley Berry, 24, of Rother Crescent, Crawley, was ordered to pay £100 compensation, with a £60 victim surcharge, 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.

Sam Williams, 18, of Little Crabtree, Crawley, was fined £80, with a £20 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 fear of violence.

Samuel Dawes, 21, of Ivory Walk, Crawley, was fined £467, with £85 costs, a £150 criminal courts charge, a £28 victim surcharge, and six penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to taking a car without consent, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence.

Renaud Aglae, 55, of Buckingham Court, Crawley, was fined £80, with a £20 victim surcharge, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis in Crawley.

Przemek Dworzynski, 28, of Heron Close, Crawley, was banned from driving for 18 months, with a £370 fine, a £22 victim surcharge, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, driving without insurance, and driving with illegal levels of a cannabis metabolite in his blood.

Donovan Dwyer, 59, of no fixed address, was fined £120, with a £20 victim surcharge, a £150 criminal courts charge, and eight penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and driving without insurance, in Crawley.

Lisa Whelan, 29, of Ambleside Close, Ifield, was given a community order, with a £60 victim surcharge, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to common assault in Crawley. A restraining order was made, barring her from contacting the victim.

Jonathan Landeryou, 28, of Firtree Grove, Chatham, was given a community order with 50 hours of unpaid work, a £60 victim surcharge, £200 costs, and a £520 criminal courts charge. He had been found guilty of common assault. A restraining order was made, barring him from contacting the victim, or going to an address in Crawley.

Nicholae Butnarescu, 26, of Clementhorpe Road, Dagenham, was fined £170, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol from Sainsbury’s in Crawley, and admitted breaching a conditional discharge for theft.

Kirsty Dearmun, 32, of Peterhouse Parade, Crawley, was jailed for four weeks, with an £80 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £180 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to theft from Morrisons in Crawley.

Serkan Ozey, 36, of Curteys Walk, Crawley, was banned from driving for a year, with a community order, a £100 fine, a £60 victim surcharge, a £180 criminal courts charge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to driving with illegal levels of a cannabis metabolite in his blood, and to possessing cannabis.

Chris Andrews, 27, of Rawlinson Road, Crawley, was given a one year conditional discharge, with a £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, a £150 criminal courts charge, and £50 compensation. He had pleaded guilty to resisting a police officer, assaulting a special constable, and causing criminal damage to a police radio earpiece.

Robert Brind, 32, of Darcy Road, Norbury, was fined £40, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to attempted theft of 44 chocolate bars from WH Smith at Gatwick, and failing to answer bail.

Stephen Sargent, 46, of Morton 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 being drunk and disorderly, and resisting a police officer.

Patrick Watters, 47, of Streeters Close, Godalming, was fined £220, with £32.50 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 at Crawley.

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Sussex Police in crackdown on domestic abuse

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Sussex Police is continuing a crackdown on domestic abuse - including a focus on male victims.

Over the past two weeks a male-focused advert has been running on the digital screen at Brighton railway station and will continue into the New Year. Advertising will also continue to run inside buses across Sussex as well as radio advertisements broadcast on Heart FM, Bright FM and other local radio stations.

Detective Chief Inspector Ali Eaton, head of safeguarding and investigations for East Sussex, who is leading the campaign, said: “Domestic abuse can have a devastating impact on victims and their families. It is estimated that one in four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse at some point in their life.

“It is a sad fact that men don’t often see themselves as victims and therefore domestic abuse against men is under-reported. There is a real stigma around this; men often think they will not be believed and may also think they are protecting their children by staying in the family home. This is not the case - domestic abuse tends to escalate over time and increasingly involves children, whether they are witness to the abuse or are abused themselves. We urge all men, including those in same sex relationships, who are experiencing domestic abuse to seek support.”

There are specialist services for male victims of domestic abuse nationwide, such as Men’s Advice Line, ManKind and DVmen.

Domestic abuse affects all social groups regardless of age, gender, sexuality, race or religion and is more than just physical violence; it can involve threatening or coercive behaviour, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse.

On Tuesday (December 29) a new domestic abuse offence of Controlling or Coercive Behaviour took effect - recognising the severity of mental, emotional and exploitive behaviour.

Since December 21, dedicated police patrols have been responding to reports of domestic abuse over the Christmas and New Year period, with 549 reports across Sussex in nine days. Officers are equipped with body-worn video cameras to help secure vital evidence as part of the force’s year-round campaign to encourage reporting of such incidents.

Last year Christmas and New Year period was once again a peak period for reports of domestic abuse in Sussex, although there was a welcome slight decrease in the number of incidents compared with previous years - 823, down from 940 the previous year. But at the same time, 305 of those were recorded as specific crimes, an increase of 100 over the previous year and arrests over the period doubled, from 141 to 262.

For advice and support about domestic abuse visit www.sussex.police.uk or call 101 or 01273 470101

Doctors plea for patients to use NHS services ‘wisely’

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Doctors are urging patients to think carefully about where to go for medical help this bank holiday weekend.

Health services are currently seeing and treating a significant number of patients and it is expected this will increase over the coming weeks.

Dr David Whitehead, clinical director at NHS Coastal West Sussex CCG and local GP in Storrington, said: “Everyone working within the NHS wants people to be able to receive the best possible care and to recover as quickly as possible.

“There are pressures on local health services at the moment, in particular with a number of very sick and vulnerable older people.

“The teams across the area are doing a fantastic job, but if people can support us and think about the range of services available when they need help it would ease the pressure.”

Dr Rob Haigh, deputy medical director, said:“As we expect at this time of year, both our acute hospitals are extremely busy.

“I am exceptionally proud of the efforts of our staff to ensure that all our patients receive the care they need. I also know how much our local population appreciates the work of our staff and recognise how important it is that our teams are able to focus on those patients in greatest need of our care.

“To help us achieve this, please do make yourself aware of the other treatment options available in your area, think about which one is most appropriate for you and encourage everyone you know to do the same.

“If you do decide to come to A&E with something that could be dealt with elsewhere, the unfortunate reality is that you will be diverting an emergency doctor or nurse away from treating someone who really needs them. One day, that could be you or someone you love.”

Dr Whitehead continued: “High street pharmacies are open across Coastal West Sussex this weekend and can help with free, quick advice on many health issues, how to look after yourself at home, and medicines to treat common illnesses and injuries.

“You can also call 111 for advice on how to treat yourself or where you can find the nearest, most appropriate NHS service. 111 can also book an appointment with an out-of-hours doctor.

“Going straight to A&E shouldn’t necessarily be the first choice, unless your condition is life-threatening. Making sensible choices about which NHS service to use can mean you still get the help you need but you also make sure emergency services are there for those that need that care the most. If you are not in serious need of help please use the wide range of help available elsewhere.”

The NHS Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group has released the following information about what services are available to patients across the South:

- NHS 111: If you need medical help but you don’t know where to go or how to get help, please call 111 trained NHS advisors (supported by nurses and paramedics) will direct you to the most appropriate NHS service to help you. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

-Pharmacy: Your local pharmacist can help by being able to advise on a number of different ailments such as cough, sore throat, skin rash, diarrhoea and/or vomiting, constipation, headache and eye conditions. To find your nearest pharmacy, visit http://www.coastalwestsussexccg.nhs.uk/gettherightcare

-Out of Hours GP service: If you need urgent medical advice or treatment when your GP practice is closed, you can call NHS 111. You will be given advice over the telephone or given an urgent appointment with a nurse or doctor at an out of hours GP practice.

The NHS 111 service might be busier than usual at peak times such as early evening so it might be better to dial 111 at a less busy time if your call isn’t urgent. This service is not for repeat prescriptions, test results or routine appointments.

-Dental help: If you need emergency dental help, calling 111 can also put you in touch with the emergency dental service, which has clinics across West Sussex.

-Mental health support: If you – or a loved one – are feeling worried, anxious or depressed, or feel you need help with your mental health, there is help available. Please call the Sussex Mental Healthline on 0300 5000 101 – it’s available Monday to Friday from 5pm to 9am, and 24 hours at the weekend and on bank holidays. For telephone support you can also call the Samaritans on 08457 909090.

Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres across West Sussex:

-Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital Minor Injury Unit, Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 9PP.

Open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. Telephone: 01243 865 418

-Horsham Hospital Minor Injury Unit, Hurst Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2DR

Open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. Telephone: 01293 600300 ext 7202

-Queen Victoria Hospital Minor Injury Unit, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3DZ

Open 8 am to 10pm, seven days a week, including bank holidays. Telephone: 01342 414375

-Crawley Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre, West Green Drive, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 7DH

All centres are open 24 hours a day, seven days, including bank holidays. Telephone: 01293 600300 ext 4141

For more information visit www.coastalwestsussexccg.nhs.uk/gettherightcare

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Cook: We have more fire-power now

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PAUL COOK warned Crawley of Pompey’s increased fire-power.

But the Blues boss admitted he has no idea of whether Mark Yates’ side will ‘park the bus’ at Fratton Park tomorrow.

Crawley opted for a defensive approach at the Broadfield Stadium in the 0-0 draw in September.

Pompey couldn’t break them down on that occasion, and it was a similar story against Luton Town on Monday.

That was, frustratingly, the fifth 0-0 home draw of the season.

Cook was content with the level of performance from his side then, despite the lack of goals.

And with Marc McNulty and Caolan Lavery added to his ranks, he believes there is now a potency his side didn’t previously possess.

Cook said: ‘We’ve got a lot more cutting edge now.

‘You only have to look at training yesterday to realise that.

‘We’ve got a lot of tools now we didn’t have earlier in the season.

‘That’s why Luton did well to go away with a 0-0. Fair play to them for doing that.

‘They deserved to get a 0-0 by how hard they worked.

Though, on another day, we would have put them away.

‘Crawley have had a good season.

‘In my opinion they could come here and have a free hit.

‘If they want to be defensive that’s Mark (Yates’) decision.

‘Or he could come down and see us as a scalp.

‘Whatever happens, happens, but they’ve had a good season regardless from where they were.’

Pompey have been in winning positions on five occasions this season and failed to see out games.

Leyton Orient, on Boxing Day, was the most recent example of that – and it’s a source of frustration for Cook.

He said: ‘The first goal leads to everything being fine.

‘If you look at Hartlepool, they came on to us after the goal and we didn’t have to do a great deal more to score.

‘That’s the disappointing thing this season that we’ve taken the lead in too many games and not gone on to win.

‘The hard part is taking the lead. Once you score you can guarantee they will come on to you more than they should.

‘They are then leaving themselves open for us.

‘That’s perfect for us with the likes of Bennett, Evans and McNulty, who can hurt you.

‘There would have been too many spaces for us to plug against us against Orient.

‘But we found ourselves at 1-1 and down to 10 men. In a blink we’d given up momentum on teams above us.’

– JORDAN CROSS

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