NEWS 2006

Great xmas lights

Anyone got any other photos they want to share - email me on saltdeaninfo@yahoo.co.uk

The fabulous White House - great stuff as alwasy!

Magnificent Greenbank Avenue - great job again this year - thank you for your beautiful lights!

Hotel Update

A couple of photos for your interest.

Saltdean for BBC

Tim Jordan emails: "The BBC is making a documentary programme about Saltdean Lido.

"We are looking for any cine film of the Lido from before the war and up to the Sixties.

"If you can help, please contact Tim Jordan on 0117 974 6763

Solar PV Arrays for Telscombe?

Telscombe Town Council and REGEN are in the process of applying for funding to install solar PV arrays at the Civic Centre.

We need letters of support from the public and community groups backing our programme of environmental reforms and innovations.

Please write to Cllr Marina Pepper - if you want an address use Telscombe Civic Centre, 360 South Coast Road, Telscombe cliffs

In your letter you could answer the following questions:

Have you attended a REGEN/Town Council event? (The Circle, Midsummer Sensations, Cool Yule, RandomFREEfest, An Inconvenient Truth screening)

Did you learn anything about climate change at this event?
If so what?

Have you ever collected energy efficient lightbulbs from the Civic Centre?

Did you take part in the climate change survey?

RE our project BE THE CHANGE - A CONVENIENT SOLUTION

Do you think your town council could do more than at present to address climate change?
Do you think it's a good idea for the council to be addressing its carbon footprint.
What are your thoughts on the following:
bike racks at the civic centre - would you cycle to classes, meetings etc
conserving electricity through stricter observance of the lights out when leaving policy
What do you think are the benefits of a solar PV system on the south facing roof (overlooking the south coast road) which will be visual as well as cutting our electricity bill by half?

Get your children to write letters too if you can and deliver to 77 Oaklands Ave ASAP - need it all by Friday. Email is good too - as an attachment laid out like a letter if possible.

That’s another fine mess for Saltdean

From the Argus 30/11/06

I help my daughter out by walking her dog on Fridays so it was with some dismay I noticed recently none of the dog litter bins in Saltdean Oval Park or off Saltdean Vale had been emptied for some time and consequently they were all overflowing.

The photo is of a typical mess but all the bins were like it.

This one is in Saltdean Park, which is used by many people, including large numbers of children, every day.

I phoned Cityclean on Wednesday, November 22, and they promised to resolve the problem but this appalling situation was unchanged on Friday, November 24. The following day, the bins in Saltdean Park were cleared but the others weren't. Even if they were cleared immediately, they should never have been allowed to get into this state.

Saltdean Christmas Art Trail

http://www.arttrails.co.uk/

Click on the link above to get all the maps and trail information.

09/11/06

Beaches in the Sussex Express circulation area have been awarded the highest accolade in Europe for water quality.
For the second year running 20 beaches tested in the South East have met European standards on bathing water quality which brings it up to coveted Blue Flag status.

These include Birling Gap, Pevensey, Saltdean and Seaford.
And the standard is 20 times tougher to achieve than the 'good' standard needed to pass annual tests.
During the summer the Environment Agency sampled bathing waters at Sussex beaches from Camber to Selsey.

Results showed all beaches meeting the European mandatory standard compared with just 41 per cent in 1988 when Southern Water began its programme to improve the sea water quality.

Southern Water spokesman John Spence said: 'This shows the benefits of our continuing treatment programme that has vastly improved the quality of water we recycle off our 776 miles of coastline.'

To fly the Blue Flag beaches must meet 20 other criteria unconnected with water which include disabled access, educational information, toilet facilities and lifeguards.

News Articles Autumn 2006

Lewes Open Houses Launch Christmas Artwave 2006

and declare Summer Artwave 2006 in Lewes the best yet 29 September 2006 - Press Dispensary - Following the success of the Lewes, East Sussex, open artists' houses summer festival, Artwave 2006, open houses are to stage a Christmas Artwave festival during the last weekend of November 2006. Houses and galleries in and around Lewes will be open with Christmas cheer on the evening of Friday 24th November 2006 and during the day on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November. The initiative comes as many of the Lewes artists and artisans who opened their houses to the public during the summer Artwave agree that 2006 has been the best year yet. 89 houses and other venues in the area were open during weekends in August and September and saw a steady stream of art lovers throughout the festival. So far, about 20 houses – in Lewes, Seaford and Saltdean - have agreed to open for Christmas Artwave. As this has happened without publicity, more are expected to join. The idea for Christmas Artwave came from open householders Ness Newman and Robert Shepherd, whose popular house on Mount Pleasant has been part of Artwave for the last three years. Robert Shepherd says: “Quite a few houses like to open in the run up to Christmas as it’s a natural time to offer truly individual and unusual gifts to Christmas shoppers. But so far there’s been no coordination. We took some soundings and found that the notion of a properly organised Christmas Artwave festival over one weekend was extremely popular. There are enough houses involved to make it work and we’d love more to join in as they hear about it.” The Summer Artwave festival is organised by Lewes District Council but Christmas Artwave is an initiative by the open householders themselves. Robert Shepherd continues: “At the moment, we’re doing this off our own back and haven’t approached Lewes District Council. But we hope that when we do, they’ll be receptive to the idea and give it lots of support.” Closer to the time, the Christmas Artwave festival will be well publicised throughout Lewes District and wider afield. Meanwhile, any artist or artisan who’d like to join can contact Robert and Ness on 07802 951421 or robness@trumail.co.uk

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U3A Enrolment

5 DEANS U3A ENROLMENT is THURSDAY 14th SEPTEMBER at 2.30p.m.
at SOUTHDOWN COURT

We shall warmly welcome new members to our monthly meetings when we have interesting speakers and social get togethers. Our many individual groups are also happy to introduce newcomers to perhaps learning new skills while having fun and making new friends.
John Morris (chairman) tel.683347, Janet Stern tel.304307 can be contacted for further details.

SALTDEAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

The hall is available for hire on saturday evenings from 1st October
The new committee is now in situ and we would like you to be aware of the activities that are run at the Community Centre. If you would like to suggest something new to be run please let us know. The Centre is also now available for parties and one-off bookings on Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings. We do encourage you to use the Centre to make it a vibrant centre for the area.

CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONERS ALLIANCE - Monday morning monthly Evelyn George 308665
CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP - Monday morning monthly Derek Redfern 695851
LEGS, BUMS & TUMS + PILATES (ROSEMARY CONLEY) - Weekly Monday mornings in the Main Hall. Mrs Danielle Francis 01273 584984
MODERN SEQUENCE DANCING - Monday afternoons John Neal 583636
WEIGHT WATCHERS - Monday evenings Lower Hall Lucy 587284
YOGA - Monday and Tuesday evening and Thursday morning Breeda Duggan 233608
BRIDGE CIRCLE - Monday evenings Helga Glasby 734031
SALTDEAN & DISTRICT CHOIR - Tuesday 9.45am Audrey Pickles 303596
SLIMMING WORLD - Tuesday 5.30pm Lower Hall Terri Heal 245887
TUESDAY EVENING BINGO CLUB - Weekly 7.30pm start.
Contact Derek Fisher 304315
LITTLE STARS - Activities 0 - 4 yrs - Music, stories and play. Wednesday and Thursdays Lower Hall Sharon Ward 308018
ROSEMARY CONLEY DIET & FITNESS CLUB - Wednesday mornings Kim Odell 01293 523495
and Wednesday Evenings with Sarah 01273 515316
ART & CRAFT CLUB - Wednesday afternoon Irene Beardwell 303745
GOOD COMPANIONS - 1st Wednesday monthly 2.15 Rita Neave 306477
THURSDAY CLUB - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays monthly Mrs Chris Jones 588124
ECKANKAR - 3rd Wednesday monthly evenings - contact Dale Bains 308656
SALTDEAN OVAL WOMENS INSTITUTE - 2nd Thursday monthly 10am Hilary Grimshaw 304643
SATURDAY BRIDGE - Lillian Payne 300622
BALLET & TAP DANCING - Children & Adults various days Victoria Richards AIRD AISTAD 461691

For further information contact the Community Association on 01273 304617or to hire the hall contact the Lettings Officer Alex Thomas on 07804 908 609. The Secretary is Liz Kempshall on 01273 702695

Julie Ann Gilburt on the 'Perfect Housewife'

National treasure Anthea Turner has devoted herself to turning domestic disgraces into perfect housewives, but this week she faces her greatest challenge to date.

Brighton househusband Peter doesn’t lift a finger in the six and a half hours he has the house to himself. Not only that, his home is full to bursting with piles of stuff he has collected during the eighteen years he has lived there. 27 roller blinds stand dormant on the landing, a huge pile of carpet tiles dwell in the conservatory, four years of filing lies spread across the lounge floor. Peter’s partner Karen and his daughters Bethane and Abigail long for a light bright airy house. But the kids don’t bring friends over, and Karen never gets a chance to entertain – there just isn’t room!

Also in Brighton, artist Julie-Anne is living in a similar state of chaos. While her famous subjects include Fatboy Slim and Mike Tyson and her gallery on the sea front is beautifully presented and organized, her home looks like a bomb site. Julie-Anne’s husband Jon gave up his job two years ago to run Julie’s business and to look after the kids, leaving her free to paint. Julie works seven days a week and her life is suffering in more ways than one. With precious little time spent with her family, Julie-Anne needs a miracle to happen, fast.

Upcoming Events in Saltdean and Telscombe here

Julie Ann Gilburt & FatBoy Slim's Greatest Hits...

At the end of last year Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim approached Julie-Anne to work with him on some ideas for his greatest hits album cover, the album has recently just been released in to the charts, by the first week it had already reached a staggering no 2 in the UK as best seller and no 1 in Japan, the Album undoubtedly will go on to be an enormous hit with all Fatboy Slim fans worldwide
I Have attached a copy of the album cover for you all to see, do have a look at the Fatboyslim website to see more of Julie-Anne's artwork! www.fatboyslim.net or Julie-Anne's site for examples of her latest work www.julieannegilburt.com
The original artwork, consisiting of seventeen painting from the album will be exhibitied later this year and will be on sale to the general public, anyone interested in further information can contact Julie-Anne direcrly on 07810 523984

http://www.southcoastregen.co.uk/

Saltdean School news...

Marina Pepper becomes Chair of Lewes District Council

Marina Pepper was elected for the Liberal Democrats to Lewes District Council in 2003 and represents the Telscombe and East Saltdean ward which sits on the edge of the district and the border of Brighton.

She has two children Charlie 8 and Boudicca 7 who attend the local primary school.

Every morning Marina volunteers for the Saltdean Primary walking bus - the first of its kind in Sussex and now the longest running. In September the bus celebrates its 5th anniversary of continual running (or walking). It accompanies a crocodile of children to school, reducing the number of cars on the road and giving the children "a good bit of exercise" before school. Prior to being elected Marina was a committed member of a local pre-school committee where with others she set up a community recycling scheme and ran eco-fairs to help promote understanding of sustainable living. Since her election Marina has become a parent governor, stood for parliamentary election in Brighton Kemptown and and takes an active role in REGEN - part of the Local Strategic Partnership - where she organises projects to promote social economic and environmental well-being in the towns of Peacehaven, Telscombe and East Saltdean.

Marina wants to build on her REGEN experience as Chair of the district to encourage greater partnership working between agencies and community groups.

"So many people, both professionals and volunteers do fabulous work on all sorts of issues. Often, however they can be simultaneously re-inventing the wheel. I want to help people to establish networks of like minded others and then help them work together to make our district a better place to live with an improved quality of life."

As part of her year she will host community events in around the district organised in partnership with the council and the community to promote sustainability and as Marina puts it: "More neighbourliness." As well as partnership working - or working together - Marina wishes to promote the two poor relations of the waste cycle: repair and composting.

"Waste not want not" is the message she says. "I hope I get lots of invites to sewing circles and allotments."

Marina is also planning a series of power breakfasts to enable business and local authorities to come together to find solutions to problems. Marina has two degrees: a BAhons in Journalism from the London College of Printing and an MA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Sussex. She worked for a decade as a journalist writing for the Evening Standard, the Telegraph, the Independent, the Guardian, Punch and Junior Magazine, among others.

Under her maiden name Marina Baker, she is the author of four books including the best selling Spells for teenage witches.

In her teen years Marina was a model, appearing as a page three girl and as Miss March 1987 in American Playboy.

Want to see a typical months engagements click here

Marina says - I will happily visit groups in Saltdean and Telscombe. All they have to do is get in touch with Ann Spike at the council and we'll do our best to make sure I can come.

Cllr Marina Pepper
77 Oaklands Ave
East Saltdean
Brighton
BN2 8PB
01273 300 116
Marina.pepper@lewes.gov.uk

Dear

You may be aware of the important work undertaken by local organisation REGEN. This is Peacehaven, Telscombe and East Saltdean's branch of the Local Strategic Partnership.

REGEN's remit is to promote social, economic and environmental wellbeing in our local communities.

For the third year running REGEN, in partnership with Lewes District Council and Telscombe Town Council, is organising an outdoor summer event to promote sustainability. This year the event is called Midsummer Sensations.

It takes place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June. There will be local food stalls, music, dance and theatre, arts & crafts and gardening.

We shall also be promoting the District Council's climate change campaign and various health promotions some to do with healthy eating and exercise while others will help the vulnerable cope with extreme weather events such as heat waves and cold snaps.

The event is intergenerational - there will be much to do for the older and the younger alike. We will also be taking extra special care to include those in our communities with disabilities.

We hope your group will be able to come and have a presence at this event. It's an excellent opportunity to lay out your stall. You will have the chance to explain to the wider public what your organisation does. We also anticipate you attracting more clients and new volunteers.

We are preparing for a crowd of around 2,000 people. There is no charge for a local group such as yours to take part. However should you make an absolute mint, we would appreciate a small donation.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact me at the above address if you want to know more - I have included a leaflet that explains in more detail what MIDSUMMER SENSATIONS is all about.

Yours in good faith

Marina Pepper
Chair of Lewes District Council

Returning from his travels to the USA is Saltdean based photographer/Filmmaker Ray Smith. Ray lived in Los Angeles and Florida for 4 years and became involved in the film business whilst there and worked in production and finance. He recently wrote, Produced and Directed his first short film in England and sild it to Sky TV. Curently he is working on a new movie which he is writing and has a large International Distributor backing the project, a black comedy set in the gangster underworld of London and Brighton.

Meanwhile he continues running the family business of photography, web site design and directing commercials.

Here's some pics I took recently.

Saltdean based Web Services: We will Host, Build and Manage your website from £150-A-Year. our service takes the work out of your hands and frees up your time. We can also provide digital photos for your site. Suitable for Businesses and Individuals.

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Contact Ray 0870 1163 889 or ray@mediaexplosion.co.uk

Mobile: 07717 400968
Land Line: Land Line: 08701163889
From the USA: 011 44 7717 400968


E-mail:info@bulletmovies.com
Website: http://bulletmovies.com
Trailer: http://bulletmovies.com/trailer.htm

many thanks to Michelle & Gary Coldwell-Simons

Saturday July 15th

where: Cheeky Monkeys

when: 2.30pm

start: Seafront side of Saltdean Tunnel

Fun for all whole family - babies included! The mile will take place along the seafront to Rottingdean at 2.30pm but Cheeky Monkeys Children's Shop will be providing a sponsored toddle and baby assault course in the safe environment of the shop from 10.30am - 12.30pm!

Address:
Saltdean Tunnel
Saltdean
East Sussex
BN2 8FB

Key timings:
2.30pm - Start
4.30pm - Finish

You will be allocated a start time once you enter for this Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile. You will need to arrive 30 mins before your allocated start time.

The Saltdean Mag has been renamed the VILLAGE BRIGHTON. Karen, the editor, has supported quite a few community issues with the first issue including St Nics Church Appeal, Ladies Day Fair 2006 supporting Breast Cancer, the free NHS Hearing Aid Clinic that's held in the Friendship Centre, Longhill Car Boots for the year and also a piece on Neighbourhood Watch for our areas.

The price list for Advertising is in the middle of this issue as well.

take a look at the new updated mag...

New from Portugal from some great www.saltdean.info ex-pats

Dear Nikki

It's probably well over a year since we last made contact - in some Reiki, Brighton or similar context. Please excuse this update . .. which I hope you'll find of use . .. or at least vaguely interesting! We'll not bombard you with any further message.

Last summer Liz and I have moved to the Western Algarve in Portugal and since then we've been having work done on our traditional farmhouse . . . and have created a guest room out of the old kitchen (see web page description). After visits from friends and relatives, we'll be open for guests from the beginning of June.

Full details of our retreats, workshops, B&B etc. are given on our web-site: www.pintados.co.uk . . . but basically our peaceful mountainside setting provides the ideal location for:

• All levels of Reiki training or a Reiki 'Refresher' (i.e. a reminder, chance to practice and feel Reiki again, etc)
• Chilling out
• Letting us help you through any life changes, difficult decisions, etc
• Having a go at some of Liz's art courses, our Healing Art, Angel experiences, etc
• Exploring this beautiful part of the World
• Enjoying the Pintados estate: we've six and a half acres of orchard and veg terraces and eucalyptus plantations for you to relax in and wander around . . . or, if you'd like a different holiday experience:
  Join us in our day-to-day activities around the garden and land - tending our organic crops, cutting and collecting wood, etc. - see The Monchique Experience
  

Sorry this is a bit of sales pitch, but we've a lovely spot here and would like to share it with those who are likely to appreciate it . . . and besides being our home . . . we do have a make a living here! Do feel free to pass this info on to anyone who might be interested in our retreat

Our blessings to you

Keith (& Liz)

Keith Beasley & Liz Allen
Pintados Healing Art
Quinta Pintados
APDO 31
8550-909 Monchique
Algarve, Portugal

(351) 282 955 320

www.pintados.co.uk

Why do idiots drive along the undecliff on a weekend with loads of kids around?

Hate the poo?

I am writing from a television production company called Silver River Productions. I am currently researching a documentary called Zero Tolerance for Channel 4, about the problem of dog fouling.

This documentary has huge on and off air potential, we want it to be fun to watch but at the same time it has a very serious side to it and we are hoping it will have an impact on any irresponsible dog owners and walkers who are letting the side down.

We are currently looking for people who are getting together to do something about the dog fouling in their community – whether it be a group of local residents, a tenants association, active members of the parish council, local dog walkers, angry mums or anyone who has had enough!

We are also keen to hear from people who want to start their own anti dog poo campaign but just don’t know how.

We are not aiming to create a bad reputation for dogs, or responsible owners… but rather produce a light-hearted and upbeat programme, with a serious message. It would be great to have a chat to you if this is something that you might like to get involved in, or if you think there might be a way of letting people in your area know about the programme.

At the moment we are trying to let as many people know about what we are doing as possible and I wondered whether you might be able to help me get in touch with people who are wanting to do something about this, or who are actively campaigning already - or perhaps you could post the flyer below on your website – if you work with any local volunteers it would be great to hear back from you or them if anyone would like to know more about what we are doing.

Thank you so much for your time and please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason at all.

Please find below a copy of our flyer –

All the best

Claire

Claire Lloyd-Evans

Associate Producer

Silver River TV

020 76374315

Do you hate dog owners who don’t clean up after their pooch?

Are you sick of dodging the poo on your streets?

Are you taking action?

Channel Four are making a documentary about zero tolerance to dog droppings.

If you or the people in your area are campaigning, or want to start a campaign, against irresponsible dog owners then we want to hear from you.

Please contact Claire on 020 76374315 for more information.

Or email claire.lloydevans@silverriver.tv

Labour camp war hero dies
From the archive, first published Friday 31st Mar 2006

Copyright The Evening Argus

A shop owner who survived Siberian labour camps and the German occupation of Poland has died, aged 91. Peter Matwiejczuk was one of a group of Polish army officers who helped form a training school for the Seventh Polish Infantry in Uzbekistan. After the war he changed his name to Peter Yardley and ran a general store in Saltdean with his wife Barbara for more than 25 years. Mrs Yardley said: "Nobody could describe our shop ñ we used to sell everything from stationery to wool, costume jewellery and sweets. "He was a lovely husband. He kept things to himself. He wouldn't want to bother anybody with his problems but he wanted to help everybody with theirs. "He'd had some very traumatic experiences during the war though. He was treated horribly in the camps and it did haunt him." Having escaped German forces during the early days of the Second World War, Mr Yardley was captured by the invaders' Russian allies and accused of being an enemy of the state. He was sentenced to eight years hard labour in the notorious Siberian prison camps. However, the Nazis' pact with Russia soon deteriorated and the Germans turned against their allies. Mrs Yardley said: "After the Germans attacked Russia, Peter was asked with everyone else in his camp to volunteer for the Red Army. Not surprisingly, none of them stepped forward." The British later convinced the Russians to release the Poles so they could help fight the common enemy. Mr Yardley began organising thousands of Polish troops in nearby Uzbekistan. He then joined the British Army and served in Iraq for six months before training to be a navigator for the RAF. After the war he was stationed with the air force at Hendon and changed his name by deed poll. He met Barbara on a train. She had caught the wrong one and he took her for a cup of tea while she waited for her connection. They married in 1948 and later moved to Saltdean. Mr Yardley left the Air Force and the couple opened Yardleys in Longridge Avenue. The couple have one daughter, Krysia, a clinical psychologist who went to Varndean School and appeared on BBC2's Open University during the Seventies. The couple, who retired in 1974, also have two grand-daughters, Andrea, 27, and Keira, 26. Mrs Yardley said the war left an indelible mark on her husband. She said: "It may be history but we're still doing the same stupid things. I feel sorry for mothers of the boys in Iraq. Who would want their children to go there? "Peter thought all wars were horrendous." Mr Yardley died of an aneurysm at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton a week ago.

His funeral will be held at The Downs Crematorium, Bear Road, Brighton, on Monday, at 3pm.

Tye Fencing news

here / here / here / here / here

Saltdean in April - gorgeous!

Sunshine at last! - Lovely picture of East Saltdean courtesy Douglas d'Enno - thanks Douglas!

Some photos of Saltdean March 2006 - when is the cafe going to open?

Mick Caseys's Disco at Saltdean school PTA Disco March 2006

Grand Ocean used for Poirot episode

many thanks to Douglas d'Enno for use of the photo

Cheeky Monkeys website here

Great childrens clothing and more... take a look

BITTER MEMORIES OF 'B' COMPANY

article by Douglas d'Enno - many thanks as always!

Among the fascinating documents in the Mass-Observation Archive series recording everyday life in Britain from 1937 to the early 1950s are three startling wartime papers relating to service life in Saltdean's now-derelict Ocean Hotel as recalled by a member of the ATS.

The role of the women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, which numbered some 20,000 recruits during the Second World War, was to replace men from the Army. They acted as office, mess and telephone orderlies, drivers of lorries and other vehicles, butchers, bakers, postal workers, ammunition inspectors, military police and gun crews and additionally performed many other operational support tasks.

Companies were based at "depots" and Saltdean's luxury hotel, only opened the previous summer, was taken over for the purpose in December 1939.

The first letter from our anonymous correspondent, a fervidly patriotic Scot, was sent the following spring.
She was a nurse by training who in the First World War had served as a hostel forewoman in the WAACS (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) and loved it.

When peace came she had moved to the USA and continued her work as a nurse, school matron and school camp caterer. When Hitler's war started, she patriotically dashed over to join up.
Fate led her to "The Ocean". Yet before long she was requesting a discharge.

On March 1, 1940, she wrote: "Imagine my disappointment on coming here to more muddle and more chores. I was on HQ staff but was supposed to do the usual two weeks in a company, even though I am not a new recruit and I would not let them think that I hadn't the gumption to scrub concrete passages (if you've ever had a shot at that you'll know it's a futile job), burn rubbish, etc.

"I was awfully upset for a few days when I came here but I'm getting used to the concentration camp. It's absurd to think that the war is going on against tyranny and aggression yet this place is full of it. Some of the officers are very rude, they bully the NCOs who for the most part are very ordinary types, and then they in turn bully the girls."

A perfect example of the uncouthness of NCOs was the instance where some girls left the dining hall by the wrong door and an NCO said, "Them girls must be taught to be be'ave. We must learn them manners."

Our informant aired her grievances publicly, writing to Eleanor Rathbone MP, who, however, felt the complaints were too vague to do anything about, stating it was the first case of muddle in the women's services she'd heard of.
A letter was also fired off to journalists Tom and Cryssal Pudney, who were writing a series on women and war work in the News Chronicle. They replied "If we had only had it before dealing with the A.T.S. question, we should have done our best to find out about such things you mention - which many of us suspect without having definite proof."
In her letter of March 13, our unhappy servicewoman complained that she was beginning her fifth month in the army and hadn't done anything "worth crossing the street for."

There was misery, humiliation and disregard for comfort, health and self-respect. The recruits had to queue - mainly for meals - seven times a day for an average of 15 minutes (one time it was 35), in some cases after backbreaking fatigues.

These included the scrubbing of concrete passages on hands and knees already referred to. The sand came off the concrete all time, it could not be made to look decent and fingers were left black and bruised.

Although the hotel had a marvellous dishwasher, it was rather noisy. Any washing-up not done by 9 a.m. (sometimes masses of it) had to be done by hand because the noise annoyed the CO.

The food was "rotten" and inadequate, yet the waste was terrific, and all the girls supplemented. One meal caused a large number to be sick in the night. Tea was served in buckets!

Anyone sick, however ill, had to report on her feet. There was a lack of comfort in the quarters. Bedrooms could not be left before 9 a.m., nor could the wash-basin in them be used between the inspection at that hour by a sub-leader and the 12 o'clock inspection by a higher officer.

Off the premises, there were the hated route marches through the streets, with idiotic saluting by women officers and some men officers and the absurd guard's swing of the arms. Then there were the regular shifts of guard duty - with a stick. It could not be used to hit anyone but there was much ridiculous, and often humiliating, training in how it should be held.
Ultimately, the girls became either smarmy, trying to curry favour with the NCOs and officers, or rebellious. Some simply ran away

Our informant's discharge came through just before Easter 1940 and she successfully applied to join the WAAF. Prior to taking up her appointment, she filled in by working as matron in a private house in Chelmsford accommodating 10-12 "difficult" evacuees.

Following training at West Drayton, where there were 22 - "a nice crowd" - in her hut, she was posted to a secret station and worked at the RAF HQ. With an officer who was "a sport" and sharing a comfortable apartment house with so many colleagues to a flat, each with their special trades, she thoroughly enjoyed her new life. Her days in 'B' company at the Ocean Hotel became, thankfully, a fast-receding memory.

                 Douglas d'Enno

Sportsman seeks blind dive record

BBC News UPDATE 12th February 2006  here
Copyright BBC News

A Sussex sportsman is attempting to become the first blind diver to reach a depth of 100 metres - something very few sighted divers have achieved.

Mark Threadgold, from Saltdean, has already notched up world records for power boating and water speed. He will be attempting the record in June, at Dahab in the Red Sea. "Just because I'm blind, it doesn't stop me doing anything that anybody else does. We've still got ambitions - if you can do it, I can do it too."

He was an experienced diver before he lost his sight six years ago, and is now a member of the Brighton-based charity for blind ex-servicemen and women, St Dunstans.

The experienced diver visited the Red Sea location last month A support team is helping Mr Threadgold with his intensive training to attempt the record for the deepest dive ever achieved by a blind person.

New techniques have had to be developed to help him overcome certain obstacles, including a braille slate, which allows him to feel at what depth he should take decompression stops.

He has also been practicing tactile hand signals as a means of communicating with his buddy.

He will be attempting the record at the Blue Hole at Dahab in the Red Sea, where last month he and his team reached a depth of 71 metres. He will descend with safety divers in the first instance, but will attempt to reach 100 metres unaided.

He has said he is confident he will achieve the record and that he is already thinking about the next one.

Fascinating UPDATE 4th February 2006 from Anna Ludlow here

RAINFALL IN SALTDEAN

                                     here

INCINERATOR NEWS

Be in Mandela Hall this Monday at 2:00 if you want to learn more about what is happening with the incinerator in Newhaven at the moment. The Chairman from DOVE (the main objecting group), and the manager of the incineration project from Onyx are both giving a half hour presentation, followed by any questions from the audience. This is such a good opportunity for people to lay into Onyx for building this incinerator on the edge of the sussex downs, or to lay into DOVE for trying to stop this effective waste management facility...both sides have strong arguments. Check out Onyx and DOVE's websites if you want to see what they're both saying.

It's a pretty important issue in terms of the environment and as its our waste that will be sent there, you should have your say. It's one of the first events in energy week, and it would be wicked if there was a good
turn out ... tell all your mates to come as well.

See you on Monday

COOMBE FARM January 2006 - photo courtesy Douglas d'Enno - many thanks

NOAH'S ARK - UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Ex long distance lorry driver Allan has parked up and opted for the good life in Saltdean.
Along with wife Liz and pet cat Mysti - they have taken over Noah's Ark pet shop on Longridge Ave.

SAVE DOWNLANDS

THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S plan to close Downlands has been taken with no proper consultation of the public, professionals, carers or community groups.

Downlands provides essential social services for the frail and gives much needed respite to hard working home carers.

We the undersigned ask the County Council to KEEP DOWNLANDS OPEN to ensure our elderly residents and their carers receive the social services they're entitled to and deserve.

Download a copy of the petition here

PLEASE RETURN THIS SHEET ASAP SO WE CAN PRESENT IT TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL WHEN IT NEXT MEETS

return to Mike Edwards c/o 82 Bevendean Avenue, East Saltdean Brighton or call 305964 for collection)

FANCY A NICE HOLIDAY SOMEWHERE WARM?

Have a look at this gorgeous holiday home here

Have a look at their website here

NEW WEBSITE

Our Lady of Lourdes in Rottingdean have a new website here

The Argus Archive
Famous faces back the fight to free Omar
From the archive, first published Monday 23rd Jan 2006.

More than 1,000 people attended a national demonstration in protest at the continued imprisonment of nine British residents in Guantanamo Bay.

Brighton organisation Save Omar is lobbying for justice for Guantanamo detainee Omar Deghayes, from Saltdean.

It organised the London march, which attracted about 1,100 supporters from all over the UK.

Family members of all nine British detainees joined the march carrying photos of their loved ones.

Famous faces included actress Vanessa Redgrave, former Guantanamo prisoner Moazzam Begg, North London Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn, CND vice-president Bruce Kent, pensioner activist Walter Wolfgang and Yvonne Ridley, the British journalist who was captured by the Taliban in 2001 and later converted to Islam.

Protesters started at St James's Park and marched past Downing Street to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square.

Family members read out poems and letters, as well as statements from Amnesty International, the CND, a Bloody Sunday relative and Labour politician Tony Benn.

Mr Deghayes, a 36-year-old law graduate, has been held under no charge in Guantanamo Bay for almost four years.

His brother Abu-baker, 38, said: "Today was very moving.

"It means so much to see so many people turn up to protest. The only hope the families get is when they see that kind of support."

Jackie Chase, 48, a leading Save Omar campaigner who was instrumental in organising the rally, said: "There were so many different people who oppose torture and detention without charge coming together. It felt like we were sowing the seeds of something big."

Paddy O'Keefe, 62, another principal organiser from Save Omar and a member of the Respect Party in Brighton and Hove, said: "The fact there are still British residents in Guantanamo Bay should be a mark of shame on the British Government.

"Tony Blair said Guantanamo Bay was an ëanomaly'. It is not an anomaly, it is symptomatic of a policy by the American government for full spectrum control around the world.

"They are saying ëThis is how we will treat anyone who opposes us.'"

Fellow Brighton human rights activist Graham Ennis, 61, said: "There were little boys, four years of age, who had never seen their fathers. It brought home to everyone the sheer cruelty of what is being done in the name of the War on Terror."

TYE NEWS

TELSCOMBE TOWN CRIER

Telscombe Town Crier (January 2006)

CAFE NEWS

The Argus Archive
Eyesore of the festive rubbish piles
From the archive, first published Wednesday 4th Jan 2006.

Householders have claimed their streets are being blighted by mountains of rubbish because binmen have not collected it for two weeks. Bulging bin-liners are piled up in Peacehaven and Saltdean because the normal Monday collections have been cancelled due to the Boxing Day and New Year bank holidays.

The amount of rubbish is worse than normal because of the festive period, meaning boxes, wrapping paper and the remnants of Christmas dinner were left to fester. Residents were pre-warned their rubbish would not be collected until yesterday. They have had to either store their waste inside or put up with the eyesore of rubbish lining their streets. Some said they were concerned that seagulls, pets and foxes would force open the binliners and not only make a mess but raise public health concerns.

They claimed their experience was another reason for wheelie bins to be introduced in Lewes district. Valerie Wild, 23, of Abbey Close, Peacehaven, said: "I can't drive so I couldn't go anywhere to take the rubbish which means I've had to store it in the porch. "People have chicken and turkey over Christmas so I've been worried what my four cats might find in the bags. We also have seagulls so we could have had the mess spread all over the close."

Another neighbour said it was not hygienic. She complained residents in Abbey Close, Glynn Road and Foxhill paid the same taxes as others nearby but were subjected to a second-rate service because their collections are on Mondays.

Jennifer Lawrence, 37, of Bannings Vale, East Saltdean, said: "It's ridiculous it has not been collected. "We've had to store some of the rubbish in the garage and take the rest outside.

"It smells horrible and it's only down to luck the foxes round here haven't come." They want Lewes District Council to review the situation and consider staggering collections next year. But Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs Councillor Liz Lee said that would have a knock-on effect on other collections.

She said she empathised because she was in the same situation and there was an "horrific amount of rubbish outside people's doors". But she added: "You can see a lot of it is cardboard boxes and other stuff that can be recycled."

She said people seemed to be unaware they could have more than one recycling box and blamed any inadequacies in recycling facilities on a lack of funding from the Government. Councillor Christopher Bishop, of Peacehaven North, said the collection service was one of the most praised issues among residents he surveyed before he was elected. But he said the system would be reviewed to see if any further improvements could be made to it.

Lewes District Council yesterday announced the highest recycling rate it had achieved was last October with more than 20 per cent of household waste recycled. A council spokeswoman said the Boxing Day collection was moved to yesterday, leaving a "gap of eight days".

She said: "The council has done the same as it has for many years ñ it has never collected refuse on bank holidays. 'This system has worked for many years and should work even better now that most households have facilities to recycle as well."

The Argus Archive
Singers take Pride in their assault on the festive charts
From the archive, first published Wednesday 7th Dec 2005.

Singers Jamie Watson and Krissie Du Cann are hoping their new single will wipe the JCB song, Crazy Frog or a flock of Lake District sheep off the top slot in the Christmas charts. Jamie and Krissie have released a single called Believe Me which went on sale in the Virgin Megastore, Churchill Square, Brighton, on Wednesday. It will raise money for the Pride in Brighton and Hove charity. The song was penned by Jamie, 31, from Saltdean, about ten years ago when he began his performing career.

He got together with fellow performer Krissie, of Peacehaven, to record the single with music production from Brick Hit House Productions. Virgin Megastore has agreed to waive its profits from the sale of the CD. The CD costs £3.50 and about 75 per cent of the sales will go to the charity, which organises the annual winter and summer Pride event in Brighton and Hove, including the August carnival and festival in Preston Park, Brighton.

Jamie, a passionate Pride supporter, said the song would appeal to both the mainstream and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The pair launched the single at the R Bar in Madeira Drive, Brighton, at which a hundred copies were sold. The single will have to make a lot of festive sales if it has any chance of beating Christmas number one contenders such as Nizlopi's The JCB song, the Crazy Frog with Jingle Bells or the musical bleating "Baarmy Sheep" from Cumbria.

The Argus Archive
Pavilion is voted on to UK top ten
From the archive, first published Thursday 10th Nov 2005.

It's already a well loved and familiar sight in Brighton - now the Royal Pavilion has been voted one of the nation's favourite icons. Thousands of people named the extravagant palace one of their top ten architectural structures in the UK in a poll commissioned by Channel 4 and Mercedes-Benz. It beat landmarks such as Stonehenge, Westminster Abbey, Hadrian's Wall and the Albert Dock to make it into the shortlist.

Originally built in 1784, the Royal Pavilion grew over 35 years from a simple farmhouse to a spectacular palace. It was architect John Nash who used new technology between 1815 and 1823 to transform the Pavilion into the Indian-style building that exists today.

He enlarged the building and added the domes and minarets that characterise his design and give the palace its mythical symbolism. Since last August, visitors to Channel 4's web site have been asked to select their favourite icons out of a list of 100 structures ranging from the ancient to the contemporary.

Durham Cathedral and Hampton Court stood alongside London Zoo and the new Wembley Stadium as examples of the best of UK architecture. Sussex buildings on the list included the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, Saltdean Lido and the Jubilee library in Brighton, as well as the Royal Pavilion.

The ten architectural structures chosen as the best are a mixture of old and new, including the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Selfridges department store in Birmingham, the Iron Bridge in Shropshire, the London Eye, Battersea Power Station, St Paul's Cathedral and Canary Wharf Underground Station. Brighton and Hove City Council's culture representative and deputy leader Sue John said: "The reason people love the Pavilion so much is because it is everybody's idea of a fairy tale palace. It is a fantasy of most people's to spend a weekend in surroundings like that."

Juliette Stead, commercial executive of Channel 4 New Media, said: "Architecture should not be elitist and this allowed everyone to take part."

The Argus Archive
Poet who collected history
From the archive, first published Thursday 3rd Nov 2005.

A poet who revived public interest in Second World War poems has died, aged 88. Victor Selwyn, who lived in Saltdean, was one of three founding members of the Salamander Oasis Trust, which was responsible for collating more than 20,000 poems and diary items. They have now been deposited in the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth, South London, so generations can have access to the writings written by those under the stress of war. To bring the poems to the notice of the nation, Mr Selwyn used his many contacts to get showbusiness personalties and leading politicians to read and record the writings.

They included Phil Collins, the late Spike Milligan, Barry Humphries, actor Martin Jarvis, Lord Healey and the late Lord Carver. He first got involved in Second Word War Poetry in 1943 along with fellow writers Denis Saunders and David Buck. They came up with the idea of putting together poetry written during the Middle East War. The Salamander Oasis Trust was set up after the War and launched a worldwide appeal for the writings. This led to the 20,000 items being submitted. Mr Selwyn's role in providing a lasting record of those who fought and were involved in the Second World War, saw him awarded the MBE in 1996.

He was an intellectual who had a career in the retail trade, journalism and market research, before devoting the latter years of his life to the poetry. Born in Battersea, South London, to parents who had emigrated from Lithuania, Mr Selwyn, was one of five children, all of whom went on to pursue academic careers.

During the Second World War he was a navigation officer with the Surrey Regiment and his experience in navigation later led him to write a book entitled Plan Your Route, A New Approach to Map Reading. His writings led to a career in journalism and he wrote for the Sunday Pictorial, which became the Sunday Mirror, Daily Telegraph and The Times, covering a wide range of subjects, including football, finance and medicine, as a freelance.

He first moved to Hove in 1955 and then to Lenham Avenue, Saltdean, in 1960. He married his wife Irene in 1947. They have two children, Trixie and Louise, and two grandchildren, Natasha and Gabrielle. His funeral service will be held at Woodvale Crematorium, Lewes Road, Brighton, tomorrow at 3.15pm. A memorial poetry reading in Mr Selwyn's honour is being arranged for a later date.

The Argus Archive
Farewell to respected journalist
From the archive, first published Thursday 5th Jan 2006.

More than 500 people gathered for the funeral of one of the most respected journalists in Sussex. Rowan Dore, reporter for The Argus, was described as an amazing family man, a skilful professional and someone with a generous soul. Many mourners had to stand yesterday at the packed St Margaret's Church in Rottingdean, Brighton, where family, friends, colleagues and dignitaries paid their respects.

Mr Dore, who worked for The Argus from 1997, died at his home in Rottingdean on December 15, aged 56. Father Martin Morgan, Vicar of Rottingdean, said Mr Dore had touched so many people's lives and at the same time single-handedly raised four children following the death of his wife Sally in 1989. He said Mr Dore plied his trade as a journalist with humanity and there was never anything "vicious" about him. He was always inquisitive about people, including his friends at the Black Horse and The Plough in Rottingdean and his colleagues at the Press Association in London and The Argus. He said Mr Dore had graced Rottingdean as he had graced journalism. Fr Morgan said: "We will remember all the good things about him but above all we will remember him as Dad to those children of his and we will marvel that somebody could do so many things so well but not realise it themselves. "That is our pain."

Mr Dore's daughter Lucinda, 25, said he was the only person she knew who never had a bad word to say about anyone. He saw the best in everyone and he made people feel important and interesting. Her sister Briony, 28, read a Father's Day poem and Mr Dore's third daughter, Tammy, 29, told how he loved football, Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea - a passion he shared with his son Joe, 21. Tammy said when she told her son Joshua, six, the sad news, he said: "Don't worry Mummy, Grandpa will be in heaven now with George Best." Mr Dore's sister, the singer and songwriter Charlie Dore, sang Looking For My Own Lone Ranger. Miss Dore said: "When you look at how willing he was to help people, how unjudgemental, how he managed to raise four wonderful children single-handedly for 16 years, you know he was one of life's good guys. 'He was special and good. Everyone will miss his dry humour, his story-telling, his chaos, his generosity, his passion for his work and his general Rowan-ness.

"Rowan should not just be a name but an adjective. "He was unique."

Mourners included The Argus editor Michael Beard, current and former colleagues at The Argus, former editor of The Argus Simon Bradshaw, PA colleagues Geoff Smith, Finlay Marshall, Chris Moncrieff and Chris Mead, Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper, Monty Python actress Carol Cleveland, former Brighton MP Sir Andrew Bowden, actor Mark Brailsford, Brighton and Hove city councillor Geoffrey Theobald, radio DJ Ambrose Harcourt, Albion footballer Adam El-Abd and former Brighton and Hove mayor Jenny Langston-Barnard.

Flowers included an Argus front page from Mr Dore's colleagues, which carried a list of tributes to him.