Yapton & Ford John Dickeson 01243 551972 CHURCH ROOF: Work on the restoration of St Andrew by the Ford is nearing completion. Scaffolding has been removed after the extensive work on the roof.

It was found that the rafters were in a poor state and some of the south side of the church had slipped off the outer oak wall plates.

It has been agreed with English Heritage that these will be left untouched, thus preserving the historical interest. The entire structure was strengthened by installing additional rafters parallel to the weak ones. The roof is now stable.

The work on the chancel roof was slightly delayed to allow some owl chicks to grow old enough to leave the nest in the roof.

The two most significant donors after English Heritage are the Historic Churches Preservation Trust (£7,500) and the Sussex Historic Churches Trust (£5,000 and a loan of £4,000).

The opening service for the church will be held on November 30, at 3pm. This will be followed on December 4 by the bishop's rededication at 3pm and on Sunday December 5 at 6pm. by the first regular service.

AUTUMN SHOW: Yapton Cottage Garden Society's Autumn Show might have been an end of season affair but the enthusiasm of members ensured a worthwhile event, with 41 people entering over 70 items.

The Edith Godfrey Trophy passed to Frank Boswell as the most successful exhibitor on the day and he became the first holder of the Ford Wine Circle Challenge Shield.

Christine Fry provided the best vegetable exhibit, a set of shallots, and she also took both National Dahlia Society Certificates.

Alan Humphreys retained the Village Crier Trophy for the highest points total in the horticultural produce in the year, as did Roy Phillips the Joan Waddington Memorial Vase in the fuchsia classes. Likewise Joan Jackson kept the W.R. Trophy for flower arranging and David Donovan held the Neil Baxter Memorial Trophy for cookery and handicraft entries.

Finally,a 13-year-old Amy Napper took both the Junior Autumn Cup and Junior Village Criers Cup offered for the children's sections.

HAstings Josie Lawson 078035 47206

POLICING: MP Michael Foster attended a heated residents' meeting in the Halton area. Anger was rife over the shortage of police on the streets. Mr Foster said he has told Home Secretary Jack Straw of the situation, adding that unless the police provide more officers on the streets, the vigilantes will take over.

REGENERATION: The future of Ore looks promising. Ore Valley residents were given a tour of improvements which are planned for the area from Broomsgrove to Farley Bank. More than 20 projects have been started after receiving millions of pounds in grant aid.

PUBLIC ART: St Mary in the Castle was the venue for an event organised by Hastings Borough Council on public art.

Called Creating People-Friendly Places, the evening began with an illustrated talk by Caroline Lewin on how art can help make nice people-friendly places, and explain the role public art can play in achieving Britain's urban renaissance.

Alastair Snow then gave a talk on partnerships for public art, illustrating such places as the Angel of the North and the Kissing Wall in Brighton. He also talked about the Art in the Hospital project at the Conquest Hospital, and explained that this is used now as a national example of best practice.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the arts project should contact Penny Precious on Hastings 781154.

BOOK GROUP: Hastings Area Children's Book Group's third birthday party and AGM are being held on Thursday, October 28, 3-5.30pm, at All Saints Church Hall, Old Town.

Cooksbridge and Offham Mavis Clark 01273 473666

CHALLENGE TROPHY: Instead of her husband Peter taking some of the top honours at the Plumpton Horticultural Society's Autumn Show it was Shirley Simpson from Cooksbridge who outshone him on this occasion. Shirley was presented with a Royal Horticultural Certificate for cookery, also winning the Homecraft Challenge Trophy. Not to be outdone Miranda Simpson took the prize for a Christmas cracker, her sausage rolls and her millennium poster. Dad was not left out as he still produced some winning vegetables and the last rose of summer.

WEDNESDAY GROUP: The St Peter's group met at Offham Rectory where Trish Pybous, Sussex Police crime prevention officer, spoke about personal protection against crime both inside and outside the home.

ON THE RAILS: A public meeting was held in the Malthouse, Cooksbridge, to discuss improved rail services between Cooksbridge and Plumpton and public transport links. Norman Baker, Lewes MP, attended.

Billingshurst Madeleine Woods 01403 783253

PHOTOGRAPHER: Congratulations to Billingshurst in Bloom photography winner Beryl Barraclough, whose Garden Scene wins a £10 voucher from the Weald Recreation Centre.

SENIOR CLUB: New members are welcomed to Billingshurst's Senior club. They meet on the second, fourth and fifth Wednesday of the month in the Women's Hall from 2-4pm.

Door to door transport is provided and you can play scrabble, cards, or just have a chat. For more information ring Gwen Buck on 782418.

CONCERT: Billingshurst Barnardo Helpers present a repeat appearance of the Lampard Ensemble in Young Voices Encore at St Mary's Church tomorrow at 7pm.

Ann Lampard lives in Petworth and is head of voice at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music. Her pupils form the Lampard Ensemble and with solos or ensembles, will present a wide-ranging programme from opera to comedy songs.

Tickets £5 (students £3.50) available from Books & Things, High Street, or Betty Gimson on 01403 785420.

Worthing Tony Malone 01903 246486

MUSEUM: The Friends of Worthing Museum have a couple of Tuesday evening talks coming up soon. The first takes place on October 19 and is called Amberley Museum - a Day Out for all the Family'. Brin Thomas will be the speaker.

The next one takes place on November 16. This will be given by the distinguished local historian Robert Elleray and is entitled John Rebecca and the Regency Architecture of Worthing.

The meetings take place in the Education Room at the museum at 7pm. All are welcome, members 50p, visitors £1.

LIBRARY EVENTS: Anyone wishing to take the opportunity to join Worthing Library Readers' Group should contact Worthing Library on 01903 2069961.

This group provides the means to be introduced to new books and authors and to share an enthusiasm for literature with like-minded people. They meet at the library at 7.30pm every other month and membership is free.

The next meeting is on Monday, November 29. To take part just choose one or more of the following books and go along to the meeting, where the books will be discussed - Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger), Nice and Good (Iris Murdoch), Changing Places (David Lodge) and Beloved (Toni Morrison).

lower Bevendean Robert Brown 01273 602002

POLICE: Come and meet the new local beat officer, PC Justin Hambklock, and the north sector commander, Insp Dave Stringer. The meeting will be held at the Scout Hut, Heath Hill Avenue, on October 28 between 7-9pm.

BEETLE DRIVE: It's being held tomorrow at the Church Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets from Fr John on 602325.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.