Welcome to this week's blog. As always, thank you for sparing the time to have a read.
Last week we mentioned we were asked how much the election, caused by Patrick’s unexpected passing cost Selsey’s Council Tax payers: thanks to holding it with the election for the Police and Crime Commissioner the bill was significantly reduced, but will be around £4500.
There have been multiple meetings this week, including Donna having Planning at CDC on Wednesday morning and STC’s annual Council meeting that evening. It is worth checking your parish website if you live elsewhere, as the May meetings are truly underway. For instance, this coming Tuesday at 6pm is Full CDC. Watch CDC’s public meetings here, and Full WSCC here.
Mental Health Week ends on 19, so a final reminder that somewhere Donna and I very much enjoy, West Dean Gardens, is offering free entry. That is also the day that The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride returns to Chichester, thanks to CDC supporting the event with UKSPF funding. There will be 16 market stalls from local traders of all things vintage and motorbikes to help add to the event in North Street. The market starts from 10am, and the riders will arrive at 12.30pm.
The ride is an annual international charity event celebrating classic styled motorbikes and the dapper folk riding them, in aid of prostate cancer research and men's mental health programmes. Come along and see 200 vintage motorcycles and meet their riders recreating the heyday of motorcycling.
From the 21st until June 3, a team of archaeologists are looking to further our knowledge about a Norman structure in Priory Park, Chichester. Their dig is a collaboration between Chichester and District Archaeology Society and CDC. The public are welcome to come along and watch, particularly on Saturday 1 June when there will be the opportunity to hear about the team’s discoveries at 10am, 12 noon and 3pm..Last year the team uncovered the foundations of the walls associated with a building that was part of a medieval Franciscan Friary that stood on the site, including a buttress on the south-east corner of the building. They also found the remains of a ditch that surrounded the central mound of Chichester’s Norman castle, together with a masonry structure associated with it.
If you have been struggling to lose weight, something I suspect many of us have experienced at some point in our lives, this week’s interesting read is for you. If you are sceptical, and of a scientific mindset, this longer read is for you. I joined Zoe during Covid when it was refocused on tracking where the virus was prevalent. Since then Professor TIm Spector and his team have...
returned to primarily looking into our guts. They have devised a diet where no food is off limits and there is no calorie counting; it has been found to help people cut at least two inches from their waistline in 18 weeks. One of the keys to the diet sees people reduce their appetite by increasing the amount of fibre they eat. Users are advised to avoid too much dairy, processed foods and alcohol - instead trying to eat oily fish, wholegrains, nuts, seeds and pulses. Learn more about their range of diets here.
CDC is introducing further measures to deter unauthorised encampments in the City. On Tuesday, Cabinet agreed to release £66,000 to fund vehicle deterrent measures at the Northgate and Cattle Market car parks. The decision follows similar measures which have been introduced to several open spaces. In 2022 vehicle deterrents were installed at New Park and East Broyle, and last year this was extended to include Florence Park, Oaklands Park, Whyke Oval, and Sherborne Road. The aim is to introduce three access restriction points at Northgate car park, each covering the entry / exit points, with one installed at Cattle Market car park, to cover it's entry / exit point. Donna asked, at a previous CDC meeting that, should it become necessary, that similar deterrents are installed here.
East Beach Car Park and pond in Selsey have been a topic of discussion on social media this week so you won't be entirely surprised to learn that Donna is stepping in to try to finally get the...
Classic Group over the line to ensure they can return to East Beach. It should be borne in mind that the pond and car park are part of Selsey’s flood defences; consequently they need to be looked after so they do not fail when they are really needed!
A reminder that things are in hand for Selsey’s civic commemoration of D-day 80 when, as requested by the Pageant Master, Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, a beacon will be lit at 9.15pm on June 6. D-Day was one of the most ambitious military operations of all time. It was launched by Allied Forces with the invasion of Nazi-occupied western Europe. In the build-up, thousands of troops were billeted in West Sussex. Residents are invited to learn more about these historic times via one of West Sussex Library Service’s online resources, or to mark the anniversary by attending an exhibition or other event. West Sussex Record Office in Chichester has already launched its free D-Day display in its reception and search room, which will be available throughout May and June.
Residents across our District are being encouraged to ‘step into summer’ with the latest programme of HeartSmart walks being offered by Chichester Wellbeing. The walks are completely free and range from 30-minute walks of 1 mile, to all day walks of 10 miles. The walks take place at different locations and have been running for over 23 years. They are led by Volunteer Walk Leaders and are designed to cater for all ages and abilities, and new walkers are always welcome. The walks offer opportunities to exercise and meet new people in a safe and friendly environment.
Regular exercise and time outside have been shown to have positive benefits on a person’s wellbeing, and the HeartSmart walks can provide the opportunity for people to start exercising more regularly, but at a pace that suits them. Walks are available to book one week in advance, up until midnight the evening before the walk takes place. Comfortable and appropriate footwear and clothing is advised. People can look at the latest HeartSmart Walk programme and book onto a walk online.
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim