Archive
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Date
Adur Council
Elections in Adur are always interesting, with nobody quite sure who will hold the balance of power after the ballot papers have been counted. In recent years it has swung from the Liberal Democrats to no overall control and currently to the Conservatives
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Artist puts Queen in gas mask
It looks like the Royal Mail's latest ploy to stamp out terrorism, but this iconic design won't be landing on any doormat soon. The image of the Queen's head protected by a gas mask is James Cauty's artistic statement on the rise of the global terror
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Difficult times
The interview with Max Clifford was very sad but moving to read (The Argus, April 12). Max and Liz had been married for many years and both Max and daughter Louise will miss Liz very much over the coming months and years. As Louise herself is ill and
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Listed bridge
A variety show called Variety Spotlight is being held on Saturday, June 21, on behalf of the restoration fund of the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge and readers' help is being requested. It will be a full variety show in every sense of the word and talent is
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Trusting vote
No, Mr Parry (The Argus, April 11), those of us opposed to Bush's amoral, everlasting and fascist "war against terrorism" won't achieve anything by not voting Labour at any election. General Elections are won by the party that is trusted to run public
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Tax confusion
In his otherwise excellent election profile on Adur Council (The Argus, April 14) Nigel Freedman has been somewhat misled about the local tax rise. I do not blame him because it would take a Philadelphia lawyer to understand all the graphs and figures
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Park support
It is not up to pro-national park campaigners to prove the majority of people want a South Downs National Park as Councillor Peter Jones asserts (The Argus, April 10). Virtually every opinion poll, local authority survey and Countryside Agency consultation
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Raid on petrol station
Robbers grabbed a paving stone from a church wall and hurled it through the locked door of a garage in Brighton. They climbed through the hole, threatened the cashier with a knife and fled with the contents of the till. The raid happened just after midnight
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Closure of home is cause for concern
In answer to your report Polio Home To Close (The Argus, April 14), there are, of course, two very different sides to every story. You published some very bland statements by Mr Kemp, Chief Executive of The British Polio Fellowship, pointing out there
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Between You And Me, by Vanora Leigh
There are very few words, particularly the four-letter variety, that have the ability to make us flinch nowadays but there is one that still makes me nervous. It has six letters and when I said it last week I found myself lowering my voice, reluctant
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Anger at knife thug's sentence
Two police officers injured in a knife attack today criticised the sentence handed to a man they claim was trying to kill them. Leon Lukins repeatedly lashed out with a knife, cutting PC Ian Upperton above the eye and hitting PC Luise Tait's glasses.
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Housing slow down
House prices rose by only 0.5 per cent during the past month as the property market continued to slow. The increase, which puts the average price of a house at £161,370, follows a rise of 1.2 per cent the previous month, according to property web site
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Warning over cafe planning loophole
Concern is growing about the number of shops in Brighton and Hove being turned into cafes without permission. The Local Plan states no more than 25 per cent of a shopping street in the city centre can be cafes, bars and restaurants. However, shop owners
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Scooters for sale or rent - be king of the road
A unique shop renting scooters to tourists and visitors has opened its doors. Dart Scooter Rental and Leasing in North Road, Brighton, is the first shop in the UK devoted to scooter rental. The company also offers sales and rentals at Budget in Lewes
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Back is forward
Multi-coloured tower blocks at Brighton Marina are not the way forward. We have only to look across the English Channel at the east side of Calais - where a visually-painful wall of coloured flats obscure the old parts of the town - to learn that lesson
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Marching on
In spite of several replies to my letters (March 19), saying I found Christianity and warfare incompatible, I am no nearer understanding the mentality of George Bush and Tony Blair. Christianity seems to have been repeatedly distorted to fit the situation
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Woodingdean
Woodingdean has been Tory for most of the time since it was split from the unwieldy old Warren ward, which used to contain much of Whitehawk as well. But Labour has been represented too over the years, notably by former councillor Joan Moorhouse. The
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War wounds
I hold the evening editions of The Argus from the day the West Pier was burnt down (Friday, March 28). At the time, as I witnessed the fire from the beach, I told myself that, of course, the firemen could do nothing to put out the blaze. I told myself
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Withdean
The Tories should face no trouble in gaining control of the new suburban ward of Withdean. They are fielding their experienced team of three councillors, who currently represent the smaller Westdene ward. Pat Drake is one of the safest pairs of political
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Disaster area
I take back all I said about our disaster movie-inspired housing department. After two elderly people skidded and hurt themselves on the permanent puddle outside my flat, Brighton and Hove City Council sent round a contractor within five minutes of my
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Football: Sidley manager stepping down
Glenn Sully will step down as joint-manager of Sidley at the end of this season citing a lack of commitment from players as his reason for going. The 43-year-old told the players of his decision after last night's match with Burgess Hill although fellow
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False accounts
We have recently taken daily delivery of The Argus after our move from Hertfordshire and we are intrigued by your conflicting headlines. Firstly, there was "Council taxes set to rocket" (February 4) due to massive reductions in grant funds to both councils
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Everise, Concorde 2, Brighton
Everise were once described as a cross between Pink Floyd and The Doors. There is also more than a passing resemblance to Queens Of The Stone Age and Biffy Clyro. But such comparisons do not do justice to the band's unique sound. Concorde 2 was a fitting
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Tap Dogs, Brighton Dome, until April 19
Exhausted. That was how I felt at the end of Tap Dogs. Pre-pubescent girls and coiffured grannies joined together to squeal with girlish glee as six sweaty "construction workers" pummelled the ground with their steel-toed (and heeled) boots for the best
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Wish ward
Whatever happens in the marginal Wish ward, two councillors standing for election must lose their seats. The Hove seafront ward is currently represented by two Labour councillors and one Tory, who are all standing again. But the ward is being reduced
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Secret fears
Having received the postal ballot form for the local elections, I notice the paper is numbered as is the envelope. What this means is the ballot is not secret, anyone who has access to the ballot papers can see who I have voted for. I always thought that
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CCL: Withdean go top
Withdean went top of the Combined Counties League with a 4-2 win at Hartley Wintney. A memorable night for the Sussex side included Sam Francis reaching 50 goals for the season. More importantly, victory took Withdean a step closer to claiming the championship
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Stop attacks in hospitals
Far too many nurses, doctors and other staff are being attacked by violent people when they are in hospital. Health Secretary Alan Milburn is right to say this is unacceptable and every measure must be taken to stop it. The number of cases in which NHS
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No candidate
We are soon to be faced with the task of electing those whom to curse when they run (or ruin) the town. In my opinion, there is not really much of a choice. We can be certain that whoever is elected, the actions they will take once in office will bear
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Ryman: Rebels lose Mateos in goalless draw
Worthing fought out a goalless division one south draw at Banstead Athletic just a week after hitting five goals to sink Epsom and Ewell on the same ground. Frenchman Florian Mateos, who scored twice last week, was forced off injured on 28 minutes with
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Beware of thieves at the cashpoints
Even a failed mugging is a terrible experience and very upsetting. This took place in central Brighton at Pavilion Gardens' hole-in-the-wall. I had read about such incidents in The Argus and hoped to be on my guard but, at age 82, a moment of lapsed attention
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Dr Martens: Cup setback for Crawley
Halesowen 2 Crawley 0: Crawley returned frustrated from the Dr Martens League Cup Final first leg after conceding two late goals for the second game in a row. The same thing had happened on Saturday during a 3-3 draw at Newport and last night Reds looked
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Comment: Ian Hart
For the first time in weeks I had a bout of relegation insomnia on Saturday night. Defeats against Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday, coupled with Stoke City recording back-to-back wins against Wimbledon and Coventry, would result in relegation on Easter
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Pompey up, but Leicester must wait
Leicester need to beat Albion on Saturday to be certain of going up. Third placed Sheffield United put the promotion celebrations on hold for Micky Adams' side by beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Bramall Lane last night with a Carl Asaba goal. Leicester
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Second front in store wars
Takeover activity in the supermarket sector has developed on a second front after it emerged Somerfield had been approached. The UK's sixth largest chain confirmed yesterday it was a possible takeover target. Somerfield said it had received a proposal
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Inquiry into constituency boundaries
An inquiry is to be held into proposals to change MPs' constituency boundaries in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. The Parliamentary Boundary Commission published its proposals on January 16 and recommended adjustments be made to all of the eight existing
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The man who loved milk bottles
Milk-mad Mike Harmer has got a lotta bottles - more than 1,000 in fact. The collection takes up most of his house. Mike, 56, started collecting milk bottles in the Eighties when adverts started to appear on their sides. He has since become something of
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Pilot's air show near-miss
A pilot taking the scenic route in his kit-built microlight drifted into a no-fly zone set up for an air show. Alexander Stevenson's tiny Pridal Pulsar aircraft was spotted seconds before aerobatics pilots prepared to roar across the off-shore display
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Budget blues by MP
Sussex MP Nicholas Soames blew his top in exasperation with the Liberal Democrats, exclaiming "Bloody hell!" in the House of Commons. The Tory MP's frustrations were recorded in Hansard - the second time he has turned the pages of the official Parliamentary
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New hope for school
Parent power has won a last-minute lifeline for a special school threatened with closure. The future of St Anne's School in Lewes was due to be decided yesterday at a meeting of a special committee made up of governors from other schools, churches and
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Police target teenage yobs
Teenagers gathering on street corners are being targeted in a police crackdown. More than 120 massed in a park in Mackie Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, last weekend and there have been reports of youths intimidating and attacking people elsewhere in the city
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Swans get protection squad
Animal lovers have mounted patrols to stop youths using catapults to fire stones at a pair of nesting swans. A security fence has also been erected to protect the birds. Youths in East Worthing have been using catapults to fire stones at the swans, who
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Listed bridge
A variety show called Variety Spotlight is being held on Saturday, June 21, on behalf of the restoration fund of the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge and readers' help is being requested. It will be a full variety show in every sense of the word and talent is
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Date
Trusting vote
No, Mr Parry (The Argus, April 11), those of us opposed to Bush's amoral, everlasting and fascist "war against terrorism" won't achieve anything by not voting Labour at any election. General Elections are won by the party that is trusted to run public
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Date
Return of the cones
Some have been bundled along in shopping trolleys, some arrived under cover of darkness and others appear to have lost a little, well, weight. Council bosses have been besieged by more than 100 runaway traffic cones since an amnesty was announced last
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Date
Park support
It is not up to pro-national park campaigners to prove the majority of people want a South Downs National Park as Councillor Peter Jones asserts (The Argus, April 10). Virtually every opinion poll, local authority survey and Countryside Agency consultation
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Date
Closure of home is cause for concern
In answer to your report Polio Home To Close (The Argus, April 14), there are, of course, two very different sides to every story. You published some very bland statements by Mr Kemp, Chief Executive of The British Polio Fellowship, pointing out there
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Date
Pompey up, but Leicester must wait
Leicester need to beat Albion on Saturday to be certain of going up. Third placed Sheffield United put the promotion celebrations on hold for Micky Adams' side by beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Bramall Lane last night with a Carl Asaba goal. Leicester
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Date
Anger at knife thug's sentence
Two police officers injured in a knife attack today criticised the sentence handed to a man they claim was trying to kill them. Leon Lukins repeatedly lashed out with a knife, cutting PC Ian Upperton above the eye and hitting PC Luise Tait's glasses.
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Date
Incentive backfire
An incentive scheme to encourage councils to promote start-ups could backfire, an accountants association has warned. From April 2005 rateable income from new businesses will go to local authorities instead of the Treasury, which means those authorities
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Date
Scooters for sale or rent - be king of the road
A unique shop renting scooters to tourists and visitors has opened its doors. Dart Scooter Rental and Leasing in North Road, Brighton, is the first shop in the UK devoted to scooter rental. The company also offers sales and rentals at Budget in Lewes
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Gatwick prepares for Easter rush
Gatwick staff are bracing themselves for a record-breaking Easter, with 380,000 set to pass through its gates. As the fear of terrorism subsides following the war in Iraq, holidaymakers are preparing to head for the sun. Tomorrow, staff expect more than
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Bandleader dies at 90
Tributes were paid today to Worthing's Mr Music who has died at the age of 90. Thousands went to Roy Affleck's Big Band concerts at the Assembly Hall in Stoke Abbott Road. Off stage he earned his living as a newspaper journalist and was widely respected
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Rother Council
Rother is the eastern point of Sussex and includes much of the countryside one associates with the county's picture postcard image. Elections are fought quietly in towns and villages without the passion of big city campaigns. But the electors care fiercely
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Radio station makes a Splash
Worthing's new radio station is set to go on air for the first time next month. Splash FM, based at the Guildbourne Centre, beat off stiff competition to win the potentially-lucrative franchise to broadcast. The station will serve a potential audience
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Back is forward
Multi-coloured tower blocks at Brighton Marina are not the way forward. We have only to look across the English Channel at the east side of Calais - where a visually-painful wall of coloured flats obscure the old parts of the town - to learn that lesson
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Date
Youth rugby: Brighton's double delight
Brighton have completed a Sussex Festival double just three years after forming a minis section. Their under-11s and under-sevens pipped Haywards Heath in two tight finals at Midhurst. Neil Thomas, Brighton chairman, said: "We have come a long way in
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Disaster area
I take back all I said about our disaster movie-inspired housing department. After two elderly people skidded and hurt themselves on the permanent puddle outside my flat, Brighton and Hove City Council sent round a contractor within five minutes of my
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Football: Sidley manager stepping down
Glenn Sully will step down as joint-manager of Sidley at the end of this season citing a lack of commitment from players as his reason for going. The 43-year-old told the players of his decision after last night's match with Burgess Hill although fellow
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A lotta bottle
While other people collect stamps and coins, accountant Mike Harmer has more than 1,000 milk bottles in his home at Robson Road, Worthing. At one time he had more than 3,000 but decided to reduce them to keep only the most beautiful ones, which he wants
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False accounts
We have recently taken daily delivery of The Argus after our move from Hertfordshire and we are intrigued by your conflicting headlines. Firstly, there was "Council taxes set to rocket" (February 4) due to massive reductions in grant funds to both councils
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Matthew Clark: Boost for Southwick
Damian Webber scored a hat-trick as Southwick gave caretaker boss Mick Fogden a winning start with a 4-0 success at Arundel. Webber's treble was completed by a penalty and Tony Holden also found the net in a comfortable success. Former Southwick boss
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Date
Tap Dogs, Brighton Dome, until April 19
Exhausted. That was how I felt at the end of Tap Dogs. Pre-pubescent girls and coiffured grannies joined together to squeal with girlish glee as six sweaty "construction workers" pummelled the ground with their steel-toed (and heeled) boots for the best
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Date
Wish ward
Whatever happens in the marginal Wish ward, two councillors standing for election must lose their seats. The Hove seafront ward is currently represented by two Labour councillors and one Tory, who are all standing again. But the ward is being reduced
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Date
School's test
Parents have done well to win what may prove to be a reprieve for St Anne's School in Lewes. East Sussex County Council had seemed hell bent on closure, despite the excellent record of this school in caring for children with special needs. Now a committee
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Despair as tortoises stolen again
A couple in Haywards Heath are moving house after their beloved pet tortoises were stolen for the second time in two years. Thieves climbed into Nick and Kate Lockett's garden and snatched two of their three pets from pens. The couple, of New England
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CCL: Withdean go top
Withdean went top of the Combined Counties League with a 4-2 win at Hartley Wintney. A memorable night for the Sussex side included Sam Francis reaching 50 goals for the season. More importantly, victory took Withdean a step closer to claiming the championship
-
Date
Beware of thieves at the cashpoints
Even a failed mugging is a terrible experience and very upsetting. This took place in central Brighton at Pavilion Gardens' hole-in-the-wall. I had read about such incidents in The Argus and hoped to be on my guard but, at age 82, a moment of lapsed attention
-
Date
Dr Martens: Cup setback for Crawley
Halesowen 2 Crawley 0: Crawley returned frustrated from the Dr Martens League Cup Final first leg after conceding two late goals for the second game in a row. The same thing had happened on Saturday during a 3-3 draw at Newport and last night Reds looked
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Date
Comment: Ian Hart
For the first time in weeks I had a bout of relegation insomnia on Saturday night. Defeats against Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday, coupled with Stoke City recording back-to-back wins against Wimbledon and Coventry, would result in relegation on Easter
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Date
Tennis: Capriati for Eastbourne
Jennifer Capriati will play Eastbourne. She confirmed her entry yesterday for the $583,000 Hastings Direct Ladies International Championships in Devonshire Park from June 16-22. It will be the first time the former world No. 1 has played the event since
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Date
Pompey up, but Leicester must wait
Leicester need to beat Albion on Saturday to be certain of going up. Third placed Sheffield United put the promotion celebrations on hold for Micky Adams' side by beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Bramall Lane last night with a Carl Asaba goal. Leicester
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Date
Beasant: Let's spoil the party
Albion keeper Dave Beasant insists they will not be "lambs to the slaughter" at Premiership-bound Leicester on Saturday. The veteran No. 1 is confident the relegation-haunted Seagulls can make life tough for his old chum Micky Adams. Beasant and Adams
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Second front in store wars
Takeover activity in the supermarket sector has developed on a second front after it emerged Somerfield had been approached. The UK's sixth largest chain confirmed yesterday it was a possible takeover target. Somerfield said it had received a proposal
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Date
Outcry over sports pitch plans
School governors have spoken out against plans to build additional sports facilities on a community open space. East Sussex County Council is considering creating hard surface tennis courts and football pitches for the recently-built Peacehaven Community
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Date
Need for runway questioned
A campaigner opposed to runway expansion at Gatwick claims he can prove there is no need for a new take-off strip. Brendon Sewill, chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, has produced a 26-page report on behalf of the Aviation Environment
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Date
Gatwick prepares for Easter rush
Gatwick staff are bracing themselves for a record-breaking Easter, with 380,000 set to pass through its gates. As the fear of terrorism subsides following the war in Iraq, holidaymakers are preparing to head for the sun. Tomorrow, staff expect more than
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Date
Missing tribute for comic genius
Spike would probably have seen the funny side but this little wooden cross would be more fitting for a pauper than the clown prince of comedy. Spike Milligan, who died in February last year aged 83, was popular for his nonsensical humour and famously
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Have you lost your knickers?
Police are going undie-cover to trace the owners of a stash of stolen knickers. Officers discovered the horde of 26 pairs of women's briefs when they raided the home of a teenage burglar. So far they have been reunited four pairs of the garments with
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Date
Campaigners fail to save home
Residents fighting to save their care home from closure suffered bitter defeat at the High Court in London today. They had campaigned to overturn a decision by East Sussex County Council to axe the Moreton Centre in Boscobel Road, St Leonards. However
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Reward to catch bag snatchers
A reward has been offered to help snare a prolific group of handbag snatchers targeting pensioners in Eastbourne. Crime charity Crimestoppers has offered £500 following a spate of bag snatches on women in their 70s. About eight incidents have been reported
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Pilot's air show near-miss
A pilot taking the scenic route in his kit-built microlight drifted into a no-fly zone set up for an air show. Alexander Stevenson's tiny Pridal Pulsar aircraft was spotted seconds before aerobatics pilots prepared to roar across the off-shore display
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Date
Budget blues by MP
Sussex MP Nicholas Soames blew his top in exasperation with the Liberal Democrats, exclaiming "Bloody hell!" in the House of Commons. The Tory MP's frustrations were recorded in Hansard - the second time he has turned the pages of the official Parliamentary
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Date
Ecstasy found on student
A student who went to a Brighton nightclub carrying 34-and-a-half ecstasy tablets told police the pills were for his own use, a court heard. William Rankin, 18, of Sandy Lane, Henfield, admitted possessing the drugs at a club in Kings Road Arches, Brighton
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Ecstasy found on student
A student from West Sussex who went to a nightclub carrying 34-and-a-half ecstasy tablets told police the pills were for his own use, a court heard. William Rankin, 18, of Sandy Lane, Henfield, admitted possessing the drugs at a club in Kings Road Arches
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Swans get protection squad
Animal lovers have mounted patrols to stop youths using catapults to fire stones at a pair of nesting swans. A security fence has also been erected to protect the birds. Youths in East Worthing have been using catapults to fire stones at the swans, who
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Date
The right side
Isn't our language wonderful? When is right wrong and left right? Answer: When you are using a pathway or pavement. I will rephrase the question: When is the right-hand side the incorrect side and the lefthand side the correct side? Explanation: It is
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Witch elected to council
A white witch has been elected unopposed to a town council near Brighton. Lib Dem Marina Pepper says she cast a "positive spell" on the community. Marina, who has penned books about witchcraft and lets her home be used as a coven, was elected unopposed
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Return of the cones
Some have been bundled along in shopping trolleys, some arrived under cover of darkness and others appear to have lost a little, well, weight. Council bosses have been besieged by more than 100 runaway traffic cones since an amnesty was announced last
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Date
Beasant: Let's spoil the party
Albion keeper Dave Beasant insists they will not be "lambs to the slaughter" at Premiership-bound Leicester on Saturday. The veteran No. 1 is confident the relegation-haunted Seagulls can make life tough for his old chum Micky Adams. Beasant and Adams
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Date
Pompey up, but Leicester must wait
Leicester need to beat Albion on Saturday to be certain of going up. Third placed Sheffield United put the promotion celebrations on hold for Micky Adams' side by beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Bramall Lane last night with a Carl Asaba goal. Leicester
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Date
Incentive backfire
An incentive scheme to encourage councils to promote start-ups could backfire, an accountants association has warned. From April 2005 rateable income from new businesses will go to local authorities instead of the Treasury, which means those authorities
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Date
Is your firm paying too much in bills?
Small firms could be paying too much for their utilities because they are reluctant to switch supplier. Companies could save up to 40 per cent off their bills, according to Brighton-based Primediary, a specialist company that helps small business associations
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Rail strike to hit Easter trips
A quarter of trains run by the main Sussex operator will be cancelled tomorrow during a planned guards' strike. South Central has contingency plans to ensure as many trains as possible run on one of the year's busiest days for rail travel. Thousands of
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Date
Not in touch
I was pleased to read (Letters April 7) John Baine was not opposed initially to building a stadium for the Albion on the Shoreham Harbour site. While this and other sites pose problems, I suspect Falmer has raised the most objections from residents and
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Date
Youth rugby: Brighton's double delight
Brighton have completed a Sussex Festival double just three years after forming a minis section. Their under-11s and under-sevens pipped Haywards Heath in two tight finals at Midhurst. Neil Thomas, Brighton chairman, said: "We have come a long way in
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Date
A lotta bottle
While other people collect stamps and coins, accountant Mike Harmer has more than 1,000 milk bottles in his home at Robson Road, Worthing. At one time he had more than 3,000 but decided to reduce them to keep only the most beautiful ones, which he wants
-
Date
Matthew Clark: Boost for Southwick
Damian Webber scored a hat-trick as Southwick gave caretaker boss Mick Fogden a winning start with a 4-0 success at Arundel. Webber's treble was completed by a penalty and Tony Holden also found the net in a comfortable success. Former Southwick boss
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Date
School's test
Parents have done well to win what may prove to be a reprieve for St Anne's School in Lewes. East Sussex County Council had seemed hell bent on closure, despite the excellent record of this school in caring for children with special needs. Now a committee
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Date
Tennis: Capriati for Eastbourne
Jennifer Capriati will play Eastbourne. She confirmed her entry yesterday for the $583,000 Hastings Direct Ladies International Championships in Devonshire Park from June 16-22. It will be the first time the former world No. 1 has played the event since
-
Date
Beasant: Let's spoil the party
Albion keeper Dave Beasant insists they will not be "lambs to the slaughter" at Premiership-bound Leicester on Saturday. The veteran No. 1 is confident the relegation-haunted Seagulls can make life tough for his old chum Micky Adams. Beasant and Adams
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Date
Threat of further firefighter strikes
Firefighters may stage more strikes if they reject a compromise deal agreed by their union at a conference in Brighton. The 250 delegates of the Fire Brigades Union voted 2-1 to recommend proposals by Professor Frank Burchill, the independent chairman
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Date
When a five pound note costs £20,000
A 19th Century five pound note has been sold for more than £20,000 at an auction of rare antique currency. The rare bill, issued by the Bank of England's Portsmouth branch in 1849, was the most valuable of a set of "white fivers" made by regional banks
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Date
Hotels group rocked by £9m tax ruling
Hotels group De Vere has warned shareholders it is likely to take a £9.3 million VAT hit in its accounts this year. Shares in the group slipped four per cent after it said a tribunal ruling over VAT payments on golf and leisure subscription fees had gone
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Date
Outcry over sports pitch plans
School governors have spoken out against plans to build additional sports facilities on a community open space. East Sussex County Council is considering creating hard surface tennis courts and football pitches for the recently-built Peacehaven Community
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Date
Need for runway questioned
A campaigner opposed to runway expansion at Gatwick claims he can prove there is no need for a new take-off strip. Brendon Sewill, chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, has produced a 26-page report on behalf of the Aviation Environment
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Date
Gatwick prepares for Easter rush
Gatwick staff are bracing themselves for a record-breaking Easter, with 380,000 set to pass through its gates. As the fear of terrorism subsides following the war in Iraq, holidaymakers are preparing to head for the sun. Tomorrow, staff expect more than
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Date
Police make doormat discovery
Officers raided a house to find the only stolen item inside was a doormat emblazoned with the words "Sussex Police". A senior policeman was initially disappointed the search uncovered no stolen property until he realised what one detective was standing
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Date
Missing tribute for comic genius
Spike would probably have seen the funny side but this little wooden cross would be more fitting for a pauper than the clown prince of comedy. Spike Milligan, who died in February last year aged 83, was popular for his nonsensical humour and famously
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Date
Have you lost your knickers?
Police are going undie-cover to trace the owners of a stash of stolen knickers. Officers discovered the horde of 26 pairs of women's briefs when they raided the home of a teenage burglar. So far they have been reunited four pairs of the garments with
-
Date
Bandleader dies at 90
Tributes were paid today to Worthing's Mr Music who has died at the age of 90. Thousands went to Roy Affleck's Big Band concerts at the Assembly Hall in Stoke Abbott Road. Off stage he earned his living as a newspaper journalist and was widely respected
-
Date
Ecstasy found on student
A student who went to a Brighton nightclub carrying 34-and-a-half ecstasy tablets told police the pills were for his own use, a court heard. William Rankin, 18, of Sandy Lane, Henfield, admitted possessing the drugs at a club in Kings Road Arches, Brighton
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Date
Skate park blamed for damage
Bowlers say they are having to fork out thousands of pounds to repair damage to their clubhouse since a BMX track and skate park were built nearby. A CCTV system and floodlighting have already been installed at Adur Indoor Bowling Club, Southwick Recreation
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Date
Radio station makes a Splash
A new radio station is set to go on air for the first time next month. Splash FM, based at the Guildbourne Centre in Worthing, beat off stiff competition to win the potentially-lucrative franchise to broadcast. The station will serve a potential audience
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Date
Adur Council
Elections in Adur are always interesting, with nobody quite sure who will hold the balance of power after the ballot papers have been counted. In recent years it has swung from the Liberal Democrats to no overall control and currently to the Conservatives
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Date
Protest at tax hike
Residents in Eastbourne angered at huge rises in their council tax bills are tonight venting their frustration. They have been hit with the fourth highest council tax increase in England at an inflation-shattering 38 per cent. Residents will this evening
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Artist puts Queen in gas mask
It looks like the Royal Mail's latest ploy to stamp out terrorism, but this iconic design won't be landing on any doormat soon. The image of the Queen's head protected by a gas mask is James Cauty's artistic statement on the rise of the global terror
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Difficult times
The interview with Max Clifford was very sad but moving to read (The Argus, April 12). Max and Liz had been married for many years and both Max and daughter Louise will miss Liz very much over the coming months and years. As Louise herself is ill and
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The right side
Isn't our language wonderful? When is right wrong and left right? Answer: When you are using a pathway or pavement. I will rephrase the question: When is the right-hand side the incorrect side and the lefthand side the correct side? Explanation: It is
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Witch elected to council
A white witch has been elected unopposed to a town council near Brighton. Lib Dem Marina Pepper says she cast a "positive spell" on the community. Marina, who has penned books about witchcraft and lets her home be used as a coven, was elected unopposed
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Tax confusion
In his otherwise excellent election profile on Adur Council (The Argus, April 14) Nigel Freedman has been somewhat misled about the local tax rise. I do not blame him because it would take a Philadelphia lawyer to understand all the graphs and figures
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Raid on petrol station
Robbers grabbed a paving stone from a church wall and hurled it through the locked door of a garage in Brighton. They climbed through the hole, threatened the cashier with a knife and fled with the contents of the till. The raid happened just after midnight
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Beasant: Let's spoil the party
Albion keeper Dave Beasant insists they will not be "lambs to the slaughter" at Premiership-bound Leicester on Saturday. The veteran No. 1 is confident the relegation-haunted Seagulls can make life tough for his old chum Micky Adams. Beasant and Adams
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Between You And Me, by Vanora Leigh
There are very few words, particularly the four-letter variety, that have the ability to make us flinch nowadays but there is one that still makes me nervous. It has six letters and when I said it last week I found myself lowering my voice, reluctant
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Clash over cost of sports centre
Allegations that a council-run sports centre in Haywards Heath is a burden on council tax payers have been vehemently denied. Mike Gilks, Cabinet member for leisure and property at Mid Sussex District Council, said today the Dolphin Leisure Centre was
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Housing slow down
House prices rose by only 0.5 per cent during the past month as the property market continued to slow. The increase, which puts the average price of a house at £161,370, follows a rise of 1.2 per cent the previous month, according to property web site
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Warning over cafe planning loophole
Concern is growing about the number of shops in Brighton and Hove being turned into cafes without permission. The Local Plan states no more than 25 per cent of a shopping street in the city centre can be cafes, bars and restaurants. However, shop owners
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Need for runway questioned
A campaigner opposed to runway expansion at Gatwick claims he can prove there is no need for a new take-off strip. Brendon Sewill, chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, has produced a 26-page report on behalf of the Aviation Environment
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Is your firm paying too much in bills?
Small firms could be paying too much for their utilities because they are reluctant to switch supplier. Companies could save up to 40 per cent off their bills, according to Brighton-based Primediary, a specialist company that helps small business associations
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Wealden Council
The Conservatives have run Wealden for the past three decades and it would be a shock if they lost control. But they are being pushed hard by the Liberal Democrats, who are benefiting from the anti-war vote and this year's council tax rises. There is
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Rail strike to hit Easter trips
A quarter of trains run by the main Sussex operator will be cancelled tomorrow during a planned guards' strike. South Central has contingency plans to ensure as many trains as possible run on one of the year's busiest days for rail travel. Thousands of
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Hawk swoops on town
Dozens of people have spotted an escaped hawk swooping around parts of Worthing during the last six weeks. Firefighters at Worthing station in Ardsheal Road saw the bird resting in a tree in the grounds of Broadwater First and Middle School today. It
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Mid Sussex Council
Father and son candidates, the Raving Loonies and a change in boundaries are all ingredients in what could be one of Mid Sussex's most exciting council elections. Unlike councils such as Crawley, which has been Labour since it became a borough in 1974
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New look for town centre
Plans have been unveiled to make the shopping environment in Worthing more attractive by improving facilities. Worthing Town Centre Initiative will plough money into the centre through a series of schemes funded by the new Wednesday market operating along
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Not in touch
I was pleased to read (Letters April 7) John Baine was not opposed initially to building a stadium for the Albion on the Shoreham Harbour site. While this and other sites pose problems, I suspect Falmer has raised the most objections from residents and
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Marching on
In spite of several replies to my letters (March 19), saying I found Christianity and warfare incompatible, I am no nearer understanding the mentality of George Bush and Tony Blair. Christianity seems to have been repeatedly distorted to fit the situation
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Woodingdean
Woodingdean has been Tory for most of the time since it was split from the unwieldy old Warren ward, which used to contain much of Whitehawk as well. But Labour has been represented too over the years, notably by former councillor Joan Moorhouse. The
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War wounds
I hold the evening editions of The Argus from the day the West Pier was burnt down (Friday, March 28). At the time, as I witnessed the fire from the beach, I told myself that, of course, the firemen could do nothing to put out the blaze. I told myself
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Withdean
The Tories should face no trouble in gaining control of the new suburban ward of Withdean. They are fielding their experienced team of three councillors, who currently represent the smaller Westdene ward. Pat Drake is one of the safest pairs of political
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Everise, Concorde 2, Brighton
Everise were once described as a cross between Pink Floyd and The Doors. There is also more than a passing resemblance to Queens Of The Stone Age and Biffy Clyro. But such comparisons do not do justice to the band's unique sound. Concorde 2 was a fitting
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Secret fears
Having received the postal ballot form for the local elections, I notice the paper is numbered as is the envelope. What this means is the ballot is not secret, anyone who has access to the ballot papers can see who I have voted for. I always thought that
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Stop attacks in hospitals
Far too many nurses, doctors and other staff are being attacked by violent people when they are in hospital. Health Secretary Alan Milburn is right to say this is unacceptable and every measure must be taken to stop it. The number of cases in which NHS
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No candidate
We are soon to be faced with the task of electing those whom to curse when they run (or ruin) the town. In my opinion, there is not really much of a choice. We can be certain that whoever is elected, the actions they will take once in office will bear
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Ryman: Rebels lose Mateos in goalless draw
Worthing fought out a goalless division one south draw at Banstead Athletic just a week after hitting five goals to sink Epsom and Ewell on the same ground. Frenchman Florian Mateos, who scored twice last week, was forced off injured on 28 minutes with
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Threat of further firefighter strikes
Firefighters may stage more strikes if they reject a compromise deal agreed by their union at a conference in Brighton. The 250 delegates of the Fire Brigades Union voted 2-1 to recommend proposals by Professor Frank Burchill, the independent chairman
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When a five pound note costs £20,000
A 19th Century five pound note has been sold for more than £20,000 at an auction of rare antique currency. The rare bill, issued by the Bank of England's Portsmouth branch in 1849, was the most valuable of a set of "white fivers" made by regional banks
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Hotels group rocked by £9m tax ruling
Hotels group De Vere has warned shareholders it is likely to take a £9.3 million VAT hit in its accounts this year. Shares in the group slipped four per cent after it said a tribunal ruling over VAT payments on golf and leisure subscription fees had gone
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Inquiry into constituency boundaries
An inquiry is to be held into proposals to change MPs' constituency boundaries in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. The Parliamentary Boundary Commission published its proposals on January 16 and recommended adjustments be made to all of the eight existing
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Police make doormat discovery
Officers raided a house to find the only stolen item inside was a doormat emblazoned with the words "Sussex Police". A senior policeman was initially disappointed the search uncovered no stolen property until he realised what one detective was standing
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Rail strike to hit Easter trips
A quarter of trains run by the main Sussex operator will be cancelled tomorrow during a planned guards' strike. South Central has contingency plans to ensure as many trains as possible run on one of the year's busiest days for rail travel. Thousands of
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Fury over polio care plans
People campaigning for polio victims have reacted angrily to the proposed closure of a specialist home in Worthing. They disputed claims made by Andrew Kemp, chief executive of the British Polio Fellowship, which runs the Lantern Hotel in Shelley Road
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The man who loved milk bottles
Milk-mad Mike Harmer has got a lotta bottles - more than 1,000 in fact. The collection takes up most of his house. Mike, 56, started collecting milk bottles in the Eighties when adverts started to appear on their sides. He has since become something of
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Hospital vision unveiled
Health bosses have unveiled their vision for a new Littlehampton hospital. The multi-million pound facility would cater for the residents of Littlehampton, Rustington and the surrounding villages. Health officials at Adur, Arun and Worthing Primary Care
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Bandleader dies at 90
Tributes were paid today to Worthing's Mr Music who has died at the age of 90. Thousands went to Roy Affleck's Big Band concerts at the Assembly Hall in Stoke Abbott Road. Off stage he earned his living as a newspaper journalist and was widely respected
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Skate park blamed for damage
Bowlers say they are having to fork out thousands of pounds to repair damage to their clubhouse since a BMX track and skate park were built nearby. A CCTV system and floodlighting have already been installed at Adur Indoor Bowling Club, Southwick Recreation
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Radio station makes a Splash
A new radio station is set to go on air for the first time next month. Splash FM, based at the Guildbourne Centre in Worthing, beat off stiff competition to win the potentially-lucrative franchise to broadcast. The station will serve a potential audience
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New hope for school
Parent power has won a last-minute lifeline for a special school threatened with closure. The future of St Anne's School in Lewes was due to be decided yesterday at a meeting of a special committee made up of governors from other schools, churches and
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Police target teenage yobs
Teenagers gathering on street corners are being targeted in a police crackdown. More than 120 massed in a park in Mackie Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, last weekend and there have been reports of youths intimidating and attacking people elsewhere in the city
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Hospital thanked for saving teenager
Fund-raisers will use the Easter weekend to raise cash for a hospital which helped a Worthing teenager recover from a horrific car smash. Andrew Hill, 14, was a passenger in a family friend's car when it crashed, propelling him through a window on to
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Need for runway questioned
A campaigner opposed to runway expansion at Gatwick claims he can prove there is no need for a new take-off strip. Brendon Sewill, chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, has produced a 26-page report on behalf of the Aviation Environment
