NEWS 2008

Beautiful Photo

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/United_Kingdom/photo878915.

Supermarket owner was loved by community

By Jonathan Stayton ©Argus

A supermarket owner originally from Baghdad has died aged 71.

George Ghazal, of Saltdean, leaves wife Jean, children Anthony, Peter, John and Omar and 17 grandchildren. Mrs Ghazal said she believed God took him so suddenly to prevent a drawn-out illness. An active member of the community and former East Brighton Rotary Club president, Mr Ghazal will be remembered as a kindhearted, generous man. Jean said: "Nothing was ever too much for him. He would actively go out of his way to help others."

Born in Baghdad, Mr Ghazal moved to Britain more than 50 years ago and owned Ghazals supermarket in Woodingdean for more than 25 years. He was also one of the founding members of the Woodingdean Boys Club and Saltdean United.

George and Jean were married for 48 years. She added: "He was well known in Saltdean, Woodingdean, Rottingdean, all over Brighton, for his amazing generosity, good deeds and gifts of hospitality. "I can't believe he has gone. It's like he was plucked from my sight." The two had been to a family wedding in Detroit, America, and had been acting as missionaries before George died on April 14. Jean said: "We were doing a kind of Jesus mission and on the last day - we had had an amazing time - he went into the mall to buy a gift and he sat on the bench while I went into the shop. "When I came out he had had an enormous seizure and they couldn't restart his heart.

"I believe he was taken really fast - fast tracked - because God didn't want him to suffer."

Mr Ghazal's son Peter said: "He was just such a giver. "It was difficult even to buy him a pair of trousers because he wanted to give. "The day he died he gave his last $1,000 to an Iraqi refugee. "It was a privilege being his son." A requiem mass will be held at St Joseph's Church, Elm Grove, Brighton, at 10am on May 1, followed by a private interment. A reception will be held at the church at 6pm.

Donations, instead of flowers, should be made to Mary's Meals through Christopher Stringer Funeral Services on 01273 306000.

1:59pm Thursday 24th April 2008

New to Cheeky Monkeys

Dear All,
 
Pinch punch - it's the first day of the month! I love May, two sets of bank holidays, my birthday, better weather and generally a pretty blossomy month! Isabella-May will be one on the 25th which seems incredible, how time flies....
 
Anyway, lots to look forward to this month, including the Brighton Festival. I am really looking forward to nosing around the Open Houses and seeing some interesting art in the area, and also going to see the Whose Shoes production of 'Spreading her Thinly'. This is a light hearted show about us multi-tasking women shown at the Joogleberry Theatre in Kemptown. Why not get some mates together, book your tickets and have a girly night out? Details on www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk
 
The back room is currently getting prepared for the arrival of A & M photography. Amy and Michelle are both local mums who are experienced in taking wedding shoots, portraits and other event photography. Take advantage of the free parking and easy access to get the dreaded passport photos done, and discuss possible portraits and comissions?
 
Also another enterprising local mum is setting up Ickle Prints Pottery parties, come along and join in the fun on Saturday 17th May from 10am at the shop. Have a think about what your little ones can paint for Fathers Day in June, or perhaps other family birthday gifts?Castings in a box frame will also be available - all at excellent prices.
 
Speaking of enterprising mums, do remember to spread the word about the fabulous 'Mums in Biz' seminars, dates available all year 'round a brilliant afternoon for all budding business women out there. Please look at the website www.mumsinbiz.com for more details. By the way, listen out for the Radio Reverb interview Nicky from Mums in Biz and I did for the 'Mums the Word' show. Hayley Peacock does a great job on delivering a topical broadcast for mums every Wednesday at 2pm 97.2FM.
 
The incredibly successful French language classes La Jolie Ronde are currently looking to recruit Spanish speakers to teach Spanish to ages 5plus. Due to start at Cheeky Monkeys in September - no experience necessary as all training is provided! Please contact within.
 
And finally, do remember there are some brilliant toys and gifts, organic toiletries, fair trade fancy dress outfits, all available to buy at Cheeky Monkeys as well as everything else that's going on!
 
Well, thanks for your time and look forward to seeing you soon.
 
Michelle x
Michelle Marcar
Cheeky Monkeys
124, Lustrells Vale, 
Saltdean, BN2 8FB 01273-302 644
Cheeky_monkeys_saltdean@hotmail.com
www.Cheeky-Monkeys.me.uk

Despicable' intruder hid emergency buzzer

A 90-year-old, partially blind woman was burgled by an intruder who hid her emergency buzzer so she could not call for help. The burglar stole £150 after tricking his way into the home after waking her.

It happened at the Martlet House sheltered housing development in Bannings Vale, Saltdean, on Thursday at 12.30am. The man knocked at her front door and claimed he had stopped someone outside her flat and said the thief might have gone into her home.

He entered the premises and helped the woman check her belongings to make sure nothing had been taken. During the search the man took the cash from the bedroom after distracting her. When she asked him for identification he turned and ran from the building. He had hidden her emergency call button before he left. The intruder is described as about 60 and wearing a brown hat and brown top. He spoke with a southern accent. Peacehaven neighbourhood constable PC Dave Newman said: "This is a despicable crime.

"Not only was a vulnerable victim targeted but the suspect then even removed an emergency button, preventing any assistance arriving." An investigation has been initiated and Peacehaven neighbourhood specialist team has issued a reminder to all residents to be vigilant.

The police advised residents to make sure they know who is at their door before they let anyone into their homes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999. Police at Peacehaven are also investigating a separate incident on the South Coast Road in which a car was stolen from a garage forecourt.

The white R-registration Hyundai Accent was stolen from the AutoFix Trade Centre, Peacehaven, on Sunday afternoon. The vehicle, valued at about £1,000, had been bought by the business only that day and the keys were in the office of the garage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on the same number.

10:02am Tuesday 15th April 2008 ©Argus

Rottingdean & Saltdean Artists Open Houses

Please find more information here

Police warn of 'nightmare' traffic delays

POLICE are warning drivers to avoid a coastal road due to long delays caused by temporary traffic lights. Commuters faced long delays on the A259 South Coast Road this morning (Thursday) and yesterday evening due to road works at the junction of Cranleigh Avenue, West Saltdean. Work on a bus lane from Telscombe to Brighton has caused delays since work started last month. But yesterday temporary traffic lights were put in, bringing rush hour traffic to a virtual standstill. Back roads were also busy as people tried to take shortcuts. Sergeant Robin Fuller of Peacehaven police said: 'The traffic lights went in yesterday (Wednesday) and are causing real problems because it is a busy, busy road. 'It is an absolute nightmare and I would advise people to avoid the area if at all possible.' Steve Keogh from Peacheaven Town Council said the problems added more than half an hour to his journey to Peacehaven from Hove. He said: 'It seems to be back up to Rottingdean. 'They have got a set of traffic lights at the junction and it is holding it all up. 'I come in from Hove on the bus and I normally get in at 8.40am but I was in after 9.10am today using the same two buses.' The full article contains 221 words and appears in Sussex Express Series newspaper.

Last Updated: 06 March 2008 10:06 AM ©Argus

New to Cheeky Monkeys:

Dear All,

Hope all's well, lots to look forward to this spring.

Female photographers will be using the back room as a studio, great opportunity to get baby passports done, and a nice easy location to get your little darlings pictured at special intervals in their lives.

Also, a brand new Pottery Party company will be coming to Cheeky Monkeys on Saturdays. The first will be on 7th June - intime for Father's Day, we may possibly have a date booked for May as well. Do look at the website for updates.

Music and movement and La Jolie Ronde French classes will be resuming on Saturday 26th April. New delivery of the brilliant biodegradable nappies are due next week. I can do a deal on bumper purchases, come in and ask for details. Lots of gorgeous squeaky shoes to choose from while stocks last!

Dates for your diary:
Monday 14th April: Parent and Baby group will be meeting at the Seven Sisters Sheep farm. 2-4pm as usual.
Tuesday 6th May: Mums in Biz seminar. Please click on the link for more details.
Friday 18th April: Prints and Princesses session canvas hand and footprints with supervision. £10 including all materials. (please note it is this week rather than the last Friday of the month)
Saturday May 31st: 10-12pm Small prints
Saturday June 7th: 10-1.25pm Pottery Party Sunday June 8th: Brighton Expo

Please check the website for further information. www.cheeky-monkeys.me.uk And finally, since there has been such a demand for fancy dress, I have to create more space to accommodate a wonderful collection of fancy dress costumes! Therefore I have decided to phase out the 2nd hand clothes over the next few weeks, so please come and collect either your unsold items or the money for those that have sold asap.

Kind regards, Michelle

Michelle Marcar
Cheeky Monkeys
124, Lustrells Vale,
Saltdean, BN2 8FB
01273-302 644
Cheeky_monkeys_saltdean@hotmail.com
www.Cheeky-Monkeys.me.uk

Show flat opening - www.saltdean.info attends the opening

Thanks to our lovely local historian Douglas d'Enno and Explore Living I received an invite to the show flat opening for the new Grand Ocean development last Friday - flats look fantastic and the jazz band, canapes and Hercule Poirot look alike were great too.

All looks really exciting!

Thanks to Douglas we have some photos of the evening...

New to Cheeky Monkeys:

Beaming Baby range of natural organic baby wash and bubble bath. 100% British product and bio degradable packaging! Bambo bio degradable nappies Anamalz wooden collectables £4.50 each or £22 for set of 5 Baby Boddler group! With 9 month Isabella-May in mind, a music and story group for babies who can sit, clap and take an interest in music and stories. £3.00 a session, book for 6 sessions and get a free set of jingle bands! Come along for the first trial session on Tuesday 11th March for £1.50. Children photographer soon to be here doing commissions and passport photos.

Pottery sessions to be held on Saturdays a beautiful range of items and also hand print castings.

Dates for your diary:
Every Monday 2-4pm Parent and baby group. Please note day trip to Sheep farm on March 10th
Every Tuesday 1-2pm Boddler group
Every Thursday 1.30-2.30 Baby Signing group
Every Friday 2-4pm Prints and Princesses canvas printing sessions. £10 per canvas including all materials.
Every Saturday 9.15-9.45 French for Children
Every Saturday 12.15-1pm Mini Gym Club

Do you know anyone who would like to hire the shop space on Wednesdays? And finally, due to popular demand, there is now a Cheeky Monkeys 2nd hand notice/information board displayed on the door window. Why not advertise your toys, equipment or services on a postcard for 50p a week. Strictly to be associated with babies and children! Look forward to seeing you soon! Kind regards, Michelle

Michelle Marcar
Cheeky Monkeys
124, Lustrells Vale,
Saltdean, BN2 8FB
01273-302 644
Cheeky_monkeys_saltdean@hotmail.com
www.Cheeky-Monkeys.me.uk

Police warn of 'nightmare' traffic delays

POLICE are warning drivers to avoid a coastal road due to long delays caused by temporary traffic lights. Commuters faced long delays on the A259 South Coast Road this morning (Thursday) and yesterday evening due to road works at the junction of Cranleigh Avenue, West Saltdean. Work on a bus lane from Telscombe to Brighton has caused delays since work started last month. But yesterday temporary traffic lights were put in, bringing rush hour traffic to a virtual standstill. Back roads were also busy as people tried to take shortcuts. Sergeant Robin Fuller of Peacehaven police said: 'The traffic lights went in yesterday (Wednesday) and are causing real problems because it is a busy, busy road. 'It is an absolute nightmare and I would advise people to avoid the area if at all possible.' Steve Keogh from Peacheaven Town Council said the problems added more than half an hour to his journey to Peacehaven from Hove. He said: 'It seems to be back up to Rottingdean. 'They have got a set of traffic lights at the junction and it is holding it all up. 'I come in from Hove on the bus and I normally get in at 8.40am but I was in after 9.10am today using the same two buses.' The full article contains 221 words and appears in Sussex Express Series newspaper.

Last Updated: 06 March 2008 10:06 AM ©Argus

Lovely local photo

here

South Coast's own dog whisperer

Set on the beautiful cliff top stables at Peacehaven, Steve Gurney's Dog agility training ring is a hum of friendly dog activity. All the owners say they love coming to the classes and the dogs, wagging their tails, confirm this. The man at the centre of all this is often called Dr. Doolittle and within minutes of seeing him in action, you can understand why. The dogs all adore him and will do whatever he asks, with an enthusiasm you would never imagine. Rescue dogs who are nervous and reluctant are transformed in almost no time at all under his loving tuition and the over excited, eager, confident Sapphy has her energy harnessed into positive achievement in just as short a time. The aim of these classes is focused on enjoyment and achievement. If you want to go further into the world of dog agility shows, Steve will train you. He is very keen to start a youth dog trainers section and 12 year old Gitana can be seen here handling her dog with confidence and ability. ( sorry no she cant as I cant insert the images!) She loves the classes and Steve has just the right approach to give young dog handlers this confidence.

If you fancy some fun activity with your dog, come along and join the club. ring 01273 586 168 for details.

Christine Harfleet

By Election East Saltdean – What cost democracy !

Last Thursday there was a by election for Telscombe Town Council in East Saltdean. The Conservative Councillor who won the seat in last May’s elections had not attended any meetings  after the initial council meeting. The Conservative Party’s failure to choose somebody who was either committed enough or simply able to serve on Telscombe Town Council was the reason for the need for an election. However following the election they are now saying that there was no need to call a by election and have implied that the electors should have simply allowed them to appoint another of their number onto the council. They seem to think that democracy is an expensive luxury and we should accept what they want. That is simply outrageous.  If they had chosen a suitable candidate for the May elections the local council taxpayers would have been spared the expense of this election. Their failure to treat democracy with the respect it deserves resulted in the need for a by election. 

If people in East Saltdean had allowed them to go ahead and co-opt somebody onto the council how would we know whether that person was suited to serve. They did not do well in choosing their previous councillor for last May so how could we trust them this time ?

The truth is that Labour’s John Carden boosted Labour's vote last Thursday despite a lower turnout overall than last May, while the number of votes for the Conservative Party declined.  According to Labour’s candidate in the next General Election, Simon Burgess “This shows that when Labour campaigns hard on issues that matter to local people we can win votes in areas previously thought safe for the Tories"

I say well done to everybody that took the trouble to vote last Thursday, even if they might not have voted the way I would have wanted. That is democracy not the way the Conservatives wanted us to behave.

All the best

Laurence

Midland Hotel Update

The Midland – 25/26.01.2008

You may remember from my previous reminiscences that my husband Andrew is a Notts. County supporter, which, I hasten to add, does not necessarily make him a bad person!  However, his determination to visit all football grounds where his team plays, ensured that we visited Morecambe this weekend because Morecambe FC who are nicknamed “The Shrimps” happened to be hosting “The Magpies”. 

Having mentioned shrimps I am reminded that the Midland Hotels Seahorses adorning the central tower just happen to be Eric Gills artistic tribute to the famous Morecambe Bay crustaceans.

To be absolutely certain that we didn’t miss the kick-off on Saturday, we travelled up to Carnforth [where we chose to stay this time] on Friday night and despite the severe weather warnings that were being given out, we had a relatively uneventful journey except for encountering quite strong winds in exposed areas.  As the turn-off for Carnforth is the same as for Morecambe, Andrew suggested that we should drive through Morecambe just to see if we could see anything happening at the hotel. [Maybe he was feeling a little remorseful because we were in Morecambe at the beginning of the year and it wasn’t the Friends of the Midland A.G.M. weekend which, it so happened was the following week].  As we turned onto Marine Road we soon saw, even though it was after 9pm that there was glass in the windows, the odd light was on and the scaffolding protecting the building was mostly down – the biggest difference was that the walls were smooth and once more gave the frontage a superior grandeur.  We drove on to Carnforth content in the knowledge that there would be something worth seeing when we came over the next day.

We arrived to a Comedy of Errors as far as our hotel was concerned culminating in the key to our room being lost and the alternative offered, although in the same price bracket, was really disappointing!  Several large glasses of white wine assisted the remainder of the evening to pass in a reasonable glow – in the end we were given the housekeepers key to the room we had originally booked and the difference was astonishing.  I wish I hadn’t had quite so much wine as it made me very dozy and although I came too every so often, I did in fact miss the majority of the Australian Open Ladies Final, despite my best efforts to keep awake!  Actually thinking about it, the survival of the Midland must really mean more than a lot to me – it is unthinkable that I would miss any tennis on TV and more to the point it is unthinkable that I would agree to go away anywhere if there was tennis to be had – but for the Midland I’m doing it twice this year!

On Saturday morning we went into Morecambe in plenty of time for me to be ferried back to Carnforth whilst Andrew made his way back to watch the match.  We were able to park quite close to the site and despite the strength of the wind it was possible to get a reasonable view of the hotel.  We only went as far as the site office as this is still a work in progress and a very active building site.  From that vantage point I was able to take a few decent pictures and have a good look at the changes.  The fact that there is glass in the window frames makes such a difference to the broken and tatty bordered up views of the past.  In the middle of all the construction survives the palm-like plant which it was feared would perish in the renovations – another tribute to Urban Splash’s sensitivity to these sorts of issues.  There was a lot of standing water in the front apron of the hotel, a reminder of the extremely wet weather experienced recently, as there was in most fields we passed between Morecambe and Carnforth.  As I turned to go, I noticed that the entrance “cones” were finally exposed and was able to come close up to them for the first time.  They must stand about 6 feet tall and are still in a state of disrepair, pealing and cracked, but it can’t be long now before they too are cleaned up and given a fresh coat of the rendering already adorning the main building. I’m really curious to see if Urban Splash will reinstate the lighting that used to sit atop the cones.  Judging by the original pictures it was a silly little flame like structure that didn’t seem to be in proportion to the rest of its support.

Beyond the cones I noticed the simple and modest Board announcing the fact that this was the “Urban Splash – Midland Hotel”.

On exiting the building site we walked on to Brucciani’s famous ice cream parlour in biting wind. http://www.classiccafes.co.uk/bruccianispecial.htm

As we walked the short distance between these two landmarks we noticed that the distinctive protective hoardings being used by Urban Slash were receiving a coat of paint themselves – I have been truly amazed at the professional approach being taken by the restorers – the Midland could not have been placed in safer hands!  The further we walked away the more enchanting became the panoramic view as the greenery from the park area obscured the building site that is the front of the hotel.  I started to recognise the various views staring out at me from brown monochromatic vintage postcards, the shapes created by the landscaped gardens – the past was coming alive in front of me.

Blown to pieces, our hair standing on end, we entered the safe haven of Brucciani’s and ordered Hot Chocolate.  It was hot, very sweet and very sticky – but welcoming.  I had chosen Hot Chocolate in preference to my usual Cappuccino because that is what I had drunk in Iceland whilst visiting the Hotel Borg.  We went there because I couldn’t resist its promotion “Whilst waiting for the midland Hotel to be restored, why not visit the fully restored Art Deco Hotel Borg in Reykjavik?”  I was hooked and we went and it was quite an experience which we enjoyed immensely and the Borg has done a great restoration job – yes, yes as Trekkies we found some amusement in the name – not to mention the tennis link – Bjorn?  OK, I won’t then!  We had a view overlooking the square but it was difficult adjusting to the fact that it was night nearly all of the time – at 10am there was still a pitch black sky and big moon to be seen directly overhead.  But I have to say it – Iceland serves the most magnificent Hot Chocolate at any time of day or night or night or night!!!
 http://en.hotelborg.is/?c=webpage&id=8&lid=7&option=links
 
Returning to why we visit Morecambe on a regular basis [OK read that as I force us to come here regularly] – we have hoped for so long that the Midland will survive, but there have been so many setbacks that there is a sort of terror each time that there will be nothing to see the next time we visit.  I now subscribe to the Morecambe Visitor to get updates or any interesting news on a regular basis.  I also check all the web-sites and in December noticed that bookings were being taken for the Grand Opening later this year.  I rang up immediately [credit card at the ready] to bag a room for the Opening Night whenever it was going to be.  Imagine, I hadn’t been quick enough – there was nothing left for the opening night!  But, the person I spoke to me quickly reassured me that there would be a week of opening nights and I could have any room I wanted on the second first night [I knew what he was talking about even if it does sound convoluted!]  So I bagged the Honeymoon Suite – the biggest and poshest suite in existence, at the top of the hotel overlooking the superb vista that is Morecambe Bay!  I wanted this room because it is one of the new ones that didn’t exist in the original hotel – we stayed in one of the original suites on previous visits, it seemed fitting to try out a new room as this is a new start!  The opening week of nights is a bit fluid at the moment so we don’t know if we are going to be staying there on a Monday in June or a Saturday in May – just so long as it isn’t the Friday night we’re going to see Liza Minnelli [2nd attempt – tried to see her in Birmingham about 10 years ago but she was taken ill].

All this shouldn’t interfere with Wimbledon or any of the preceding tournaments, it shouldn’t impact on the French Open too much either should it?  Guess what – as a special treat the Friends of the Midland have taken over the hotel for a full weekend – it just happens to be the weekend of the Wimbledon Finals!  Last year I remember spending my life in BBCi watching all the matches I could over the finals weekend – I somehow don’t think that will be the case this year.  In a way I could have given up the friends weekend because the whole exercise was over subscribed and everyone’s name and choice was put in a hat and balloted.  We got our second choice – the Junior Suite [first choice was a double room with balcony] but it doesn’t really matter, does it, because the first time we go and stay, on the second first night, we are going to have the best room in the world!

Just for now though, I shall await May and June with a little impatience but with a nice warm feeling in the knowledge that the long haul is almost over.

Lovely local photo

here

Local Election

Any more information for Thursday for other parties - please send to me here

Any more information for Thursday for other parties - please send to me here

Local Residents Planning Plea

Last week a few local residents in my area, East Saltdean were given notice, informing us that a neighbour has applied for planning permission to tear down a two storey house and replace it with two 5 bed roomed 4 storey houses. The current building on the site is 8 metres high (26feet). The proposed development will be 12.5 metres high (41feet) and take up twice the width. Aside from the great inconvenience of loss of light, privacy and views, caused by its large dimensions and large overlooking windows and balconies, it will devalue neighbouring properties by tens of thousands of pounds. It will destroy the light and gardens of many adjacent properties. Neighbours on the side of this proposed development have the prospect of having a white 41 foot wall at the bottom of their gardens.

As you can imagine, local residents are up in arms about this proposal.

Whilst I understand the need for progress and the housing shortage in the Southeast, I feel this is already being addressed by the 300 or so new residences being developed in Saltdean at the old Ocean Hotel site

The current house on the property, a 1930’s period built house of two floors, was designed to fit in the character of Saltdean, an area comprised of almost exclusively 1930’s family bungalows and two storey period buildings. When developed in the 1930’s the plots of land were divided up in such a way that they were staggered up the hillsides in order to offer views and light to all residences. Plots of land were sold off to individuals, and this has created Saltdean’s charming and eclectic style of many individual 1930’s houses.

This proposed building is completely out of character with our area and will stick out like a sore thumb! It is being built for purely commercial reasons to squeeze as much profit from the existing site as possible without any consideration for the feeling of our local area and community. It will also set a precedence for anyone to build anything they like anywhere!

We choose and pay to live in a suburban area of Brighton with a bit more space and larger gardens and will fight tooth and nail to preserve our unique neighbourhood.

Yours Sincerely,

Carli Stein

P.S. I have high resolution copies of the attached images if you wish to use them. The photos were taken from several different neighbours’ houses and are representations of what the proposed buildings will look like taken from the architectural drawings. I have tried to be as fair as possible in these representations.

Stepney was a shoe-in for medal
By Steve Hollis © From the Argus website

Dan Stepney overcame the odds to win a bronze medal at the South of England Indoor Championships - despite running with just one shoe for the majority of his race. Stepney lost his left set of spikes when he was tripped from behind on the first lap of the 800m final at Lee Valley and came close to dropping out of the race.

But the 19-year-old from Saltdean - who was competing in the senior ranks for the first time - instead decided to grit his teeth and carry on barefoot to finish in a remarkable third place in 2min.0.59sec.Stepney, of Phoenix AC, said: "It is the first time I have ever had to run with just one shoe and I can say that it isn't easy.

"I was in good position in second place at the end of the first lap when somebody caught me from behind. I practically fell over and my spikes came off so I had to make a decision about whether to drop out or continue with one shoe. I'm not the type of person to give up at anything so I just got on with it.

"It was very difficult because you are so used to running in spikes. It puts you off balance and the track was pretty slippery as well and it made it very hard getting any grip. "I was disappointed because I am in good shape and felt I had a decent chance of winning the race but things like that are just part and parcel of racing and you've got to accept it. "Although there was nothing I could have done to avoid it I'll learn from the experience and I've got to be happy to come away with a bronze medal considering the circumstances."

Stepney enjoyed a brilliant indoor season last winter when he won bronze medals at the AAA Under-20 Championships and British Universities Championships. He was ranked third in the UK for his age group with a time of 1min.51.23sec and was hoping to build on his progress during the summer, only to suffer a stress fracture in a foot which wiped out his entire outdoor season.

Stepney - who ran 1min.58sec in his heat to reach the final - was hoping to return with a bang in his first major event since regaining full fitness but admits losing his shoe was not the way he had expected to achieve it. He added: "I had a game-plan all worked out but that went completely out of the window when I lost my shoe. It threw me a little bit but I managed to compose myself.

"I went there hoping to win gold but there was no chance of that once the accident happened as the guy who was in the lead pulled away and I had no hope of catching him with only one set of spikes on.

"I couldn't really run very well and was pretty conscious of the fact I only had one shoe. It didn't really hurt during the race because I think the adrenaline took over but afterwards my foot was pretty sore and there were quite a few blisters." Rob Mullett, of Lewes, managed to keep both sets of spikes securely on his feet as he claimed a bronze medal in the 1,500m with a time of 3min.51.02sec while Stepney's Phoenix clubmate Sarah Tomlins took bronze in the 400m in 56.8sec.

21st January 2008

Rescuers' oiled birds riddle

WILDLIFE rescuers were out looking for oiled birds this week after they found a guillemot covered in oil on Saltdean beach.
The alert came after 60 birds were found covered in oil off the Isle of Wight .

Trevor Weeks, from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service, said the oil could be down to vessels cleaning their engines illegally, close to where cargo ship the Ice Prince sank off the Dorset coast last week.

He said: 'The coastguard are telling us this is not from the Ice Prince so one explanation could be a tanker cleaning out its engines illegally.

'It could also be due to an old wreck leaking oil but we would not expect this much oil from that.'

A spokesman for Solent coastguard said they were mystified by the oil sitings.

He said: 'As far as we know it is not linked to the Ice Prince.

'The local harbour authority have not reported any oil so we are a bit mystified about where they think the oil is because we are not having any reports.

'The only oil we have had reported from harbour authorities is in the Isle of Wight. We have had none on the Sussex coast.

'We have had an aircraft up checking the coast, seeing where the timber (from the Ice Prince] is coming ashore and how much more to expect.

'We have flown out to the wreck and to the Napoli and there is no extra oil there.'

If you spot an oiled bird call WRAS on 07815 078234 or the RSPCA.

28th January 2008

Extradition hearings for alleged terror pair
By Miles Godfrey © From the Argus website

Two former Guantanamo Bay detainees wanted in Spain on terror charges will appear in court for extradition hearings today.

Jamil el-Banna, 45, and Omar Deghayes, 38, returned to Britain last month after being released from the controversial US camp in Cuba.

But they were immediately held under European arrest warrants alleging they were members of an al Qaida cell operating in Spain. The men were released on bail to appear again before City of Westminster Magistrates Court in central London today. El-Banna, a father-of-five from Dollis Hill, north-west London, had half of his £50,000 bail surety put up by human rights campaigner and actress Vanessa Redgrave. The earlier court hearing, on December 20, was told Spain wanted his extradition over claims he was part of an al Qaida cell called the Islamic Alliance.

It also heard that el-Banna was a Pakistani national who travelled to Britain on a false Kuwaiti passport before applying for asylum and being given indefinite leave to remain. The court was told of allegations that Deghayes, from Saltdean, near Brighton, went to Spain in 1996 and hid in the Madrid flat of a man later convicted over bombings in Casablanca. He is also accused of being a member of the Islamic Alliance, and of associating with one of the men involved in the 2004 Madrid train bombings.

Ms Redgrave put up £15,000 towards his surety. Both men are on stringent bail conditions, including wearing an electronic tag and obeying curfews. They now face lengthy extradition proceedings before finding out whether they will have to go to Spain to face charges. Representatives of the pair said today's hearings were expected to be purely procedural.

Wednesday 9th January 2008

Farmland to be opened to the public for the first time
By Miles Godfrey

© From the Argus website Tuesday 8th January 2008

Sprawling farmland once owned by a wealthy family is set to be opened up to the public for the first time.

Full ownership of the 643-acre Ovingdean Grange Farm and the adjoining Masefield-Baker Farm has been snapped up by Brighton and Hove City Council which now plans to make large parts of it accessible.

The authority has described the deal as a 'once in a lifetime opportunity'. Once owned by the Cowley family, the land features a number of homes and a working farm, which in recent history has operated under the name Bulstrode Farm Ltd. It is located near The Ridings, directly north of Ovingdean and to the south of Mount Pleasant.

The council wants to use the acquisition to educate children about farming, improve public access to the Downs and improve conservation of the area, particularly to the chalk grass downland which surrounds the farm. City council leader Brian Oxley said: "This is an exciting opportunity to secure a piece of Brighton and Hove's picturesque countryside and manage it for the benefit of residents."

The council was able to acquire the land under its own terms, for an undisclosed amount, after its previous owners surrendered the lease. It has already been re-let to farmers, brothers Michael and David Carr, who will continue to operate a business from the land. But the agreement means the council now has the freedom to open up other parts to the public. Coun Oxley added: "It will allow us to achieve some of the objectives of the Downland Initiative, launched last year, which aims to reconnect residents of the city to the Downs through better education and improved access. "It could be a wonderful resource for children to find out more about farming and where food comes from, as well as enabling them to get close to nature."

The city council's Labour leader Gill Mitchell also backed the agreement. She said: "Labour councillors fully supported the taking back of this farm tenancy and would like to see part of the future income received from the properties being ring-fenced to provide and maintain an open access trail similar to the very popular trails at Stanmer Park and Sheepcote Valley." A collection of cottages on the land are being sold to private bidders to help finance the deal.The historic Ovingdean Grange also sits on the land.

Many other historic properties in the area have already been converted into attractive barn-style homes. Those properties still available on the land are estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and are expected to be snapped up quickly on the open market.

The city council believes it will recoup the money it has spent acquiring the lease from the sales, effectively making the deal self-financing. It is envisaged that regular events for families and children will be held on the farm land, possibly starting this summer.

They could mirror similar events on farms across Sussex where children are able to watch lambing and get close to other livestock. The exact way in which the land will be opened to the public is yet to be decided.
Conservation work is also now being discussed. But it is thought firm plans will be formulated in the coming months.The Carr brothers have indicated their intention to continue the livestock business they built up on the nearby Saltdean Farm. They will operate out of the existing modern farm buildings on the land. Michael Carr described the deal as an 'exciting prospect'.

He said: "There was a very unique arrangement here previously. "We are excited about the prospect of doing business here. It is very good land." The brothers sold Saltdean Farm to Dairy Crest in 2004 but continued to manage it. They bring extensive livestock and dairy farming knowledge to Ovingdean.
Farming on both the old Ovingdean Grange and the Masefield-Baker land dates back more than 100 years.