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WINTER 2020 | The Bell Winter 2020 about arundel | for arundel | by arundel 1

The Bell | WINTER 2020 The Arundel CArpeT CompAny Celebrating 25 years of trading FINEST CARPETS CUSTOM-MADE RUGS BESPOKE WOOD www.arundelcarpets.co.uk Your Local Member of Parliament STAY Andrew INFORMED Griffith MP about important events Working hard for residents in our community of Arundel and South Downs HAVE If you have issues you would like YOUR SAY to raise or would like to attend one of my future surgeries please about local issues contact me: House of Commons ARUNDEL Westminster COMMUNITY London SW1A 0AA NETWORK Email: [email protected] Find out more and sign www.AndrewGriffithMP.com up for free at: www.visitarundel.co.uk/ love-arundel/sign-up/ 2

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Dear Readers by Gill Farquharson – Editor The Bell Editorial Team HERE we go again! As I write this we have just gone back into lockdown Clare Toole-Mackson, – with the possibility of it continuing into December if the statistics haven’t Oliver Hawkins, Pauline Allen significantly improved. A bleak prospect indeed but one I suppose we always (advertising) and knew was likely. It bears repetition however that we are very lucky here in Gill Farquharson (Editor). Arundel – our beautiful town, wonderful countryside and great local shops all make our lockdown experience better than most. I hope this issue also reminds The Bell is the town magazine you of the many other things we have to celebrate. of Arundel. It is an ecumenical publication produced quarterly Christmas is of course a very important religious festival for many. This is reflected by an unincorporated group in the Christmas Messages from the Churches on Pages 36 and 37. Revd Dominik of volunteers. It is posted to Chmielewski was ordained priest at St. Nicholas in October and his reflection 3000 homes and businesses on the event (Page 38) and pictures of his gorgeous robes (Pages 44 and 45) within the BN18 9 postcode celebrate the event. We also celebrate the huge success of the Poor Clares nuns’ and an additional 500 copies album of plainchant ‘Light for the World’ which topped the classical music charts are distributed by hand within and achieved enormous media attention. Our feature on Pages 50 lets a little the town and its environs. The light onto the lives of the nuns and how the CD came about. publishers have the sole right to accept, refuse, edit or abridge Sadly the pandemic killed off plans for the 60th birthday celebrations of the any article, notice, letter or Arundel Riding Stables, run by Joy Leggett and her family. But here we celebrate advertisement and do not their achievements with a profile by a new contributor to The Bell, Andy Davies, accept any liability. The views on Page 20. expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the As always this issue features some of the individuals who make the town what publishers. it is. Geoff Squire (Page 40) has been a huge contributor to Arundel over the years and was the original instigator of using Christmas trees to decorate the Our cover picture is town. Felicity Locke’s amazing and continuing career as a designer is recounted by Charlie Waring by fellow art school student, Oliver Hawkins on Page 32. Janet Smith has been a driving force behind not only the Love Arundel Project and the revamp of the Designed by JAS Design email: Visit Arundel website but also she competed at the Seoul Olympics in 1988! [email protected] Our profile on Page 10 tells all. Printed by Bishops email: [email protected] While we all struggle with this Covid crisis, we should be especially thankful for the tireless efforts of the doctors and staff at our local surgery. Clare Toole- TO SUBSCRIBE to The Bell Mackson stole some precious time from Dr Alex Thornton-Smith to find out People living outside post code how he and his colleague are coping. BN18-9 can subscribe by cheque: So there is much to be thankful for and I really hope that, despite everything, you UK £10, Europe £12, all have a happy and healthy Christmas. Roll on a (hopefully) Covid free 2021 … rest of world £16. Email Gill at [email protected] Cheques to The Bell, or call on 01903 889918 1 Tarrant Wharf, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9NY. 3

The Bell | WINTER 2020 ‘Excellent’ 2018 ISI Report DORSET HOUSE SCHOOL In Bury - just 10 minutes from Arundel Co-educational Prep School (Reception to Year 8) Now taking registrations for Reception 2019 To find out more, please call 01798 831456 www.dorsethouseschool.com `Outstanding’ Pre-School on site for children from 2 Tarrant Street Clinic Dermatology Aesthetics Dr Justine Hextall MBBS FRCP Consultant Dermatologist Contact [email protected] Tel: 01903 882917 4

C ontents WINTERWinter 2020 2020 | The Bell 52 about arundel | for arundel | by arundel 44 20 15 16 50 10 03 Dear Readers 44 Painting with Light 06 About Town 47 Macular Degeneration 10 A Profile of Janet Smith 48 Diary of an Arundel mother 15 Farmers Market 50 Light for the World 16 A day in the life of Dr Alex Thornton-Smith 52 Arundel Castle ‘Stew Pond’ project 20 Arundel Riding Stables 54 Letters 24 School Bell – St Philip’s 56 Entertaining Arundel 26 School Bell – ACE 58 Helplines 28 ASCA 60 Directory of Groups 29 Arundel Festivals & Christmas 62 Useful Numbers 30 Arundel Town Council 32 A Profile of Felicity Lock 40 36 Messages from the Churches & 32 Christmas services 5 38 Churches, News & Happenings 40 A Profile of Geoff Squire

The Bell | WINTER 2020 application to Arun District Council. We’ll keep you up to date about this here http://www.arundelclt.org/ ATobwount Ford-Road/ Christmas is here Meanwhile, the CLT are beginning work on a Local Covid or not, Arundel is still going to celebrate Lettings Policy for the affordable homes in the Christmas in style! Thanks to Ash and the team of development. The Local Lettings Policy will be agreed elves, more Christmas trees than ever before are up with Arun District Council and the Registered Provider around town and one of the first shops to decorate its and included in the ‘Section 106’ Planning Agreement. windows this year was this amazing display by LG Café Action in Rural Sussex (AiRS) are helping other who offered us a very Merry Cakemas! Community Land Trusts in Arun on similar agreements so we benefit from their expertise in how to bring News from the Arundel Community Land Trust together housing need criteria with the particular During August, Savills, on behalf of the Norfolk Estate, affordability challenges due to our very expensive local held a community consultation about the proposals housing market and our Neighbourhood Plan objectives for new homes on land at Ford Road. This will include to redress the age imbalance in our community. 20 homes for social rent, owned by the Community Land Trust (CLT) in perpetuity and managed by our We had a good response to our Farmers’ Market stall chosen Registered Provider. There will also be Shared in August and now have over 60 members. We’re very Ownership homes. The on-line consultation ran for keen for more residents to join the CLT to help us three weeks, including a two day Exhibition in the shape the future. You do this by completing the form Town Hall. A number of residents took the opportunity on our website and paying for a £1 share to complete the associated survey and the conclusions will be published within the Statement of Community http://www.arundelclt.org/Get-Involved/ Involvement submitted with the Outline planning 6 Arundel Community Aid © Nigel Cull In an attempt to help with the fallout from the pandemic, the Arundel Community Aid scheme was set up to provide emergency food parcels and provisions for individuals and families struggling to provide food for their families in and around Arundel, as well as supporting the Littlehampton District Foodbank and Turning Tides homeless organisation. The ACA was set up alongside St. Nicholas Church and the Town Hall’s Arundel Community Support Fund initiative. There are still a growing number of people who are in need and continue to be short of provisions. With no end to the pandemic in sight, this situation can only get worse. You can help in two ways. Firstly if you, or anyone you know, needs help to receive food or other essentials, please contact the team at hello@ arundelcommunityaid.co.uk. If you would like to contribute, there are donations boxes located at all the following businesses in town - Co-op, McColls, Larkins, Wholefoods & Co, Pallants, Hillside Stores and the Post Office. The list below shows what is required: Cereal Tea/coffee Soup Tinned fruit Pasta, Rice UHT milk Tinned tomatoes/pasta Long life fruit juice sauce Biscuits and chocolate Lentils, beans and pulses Toilet paper Tinned meat Deodorant, shower gel, Tinned vegetables shampoo and soap

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Toothbrushes and equipment clay pigeon shooting club exclusively for women of all toothpaste abilities, starting from the age of 12. Sanitary towels and Hand wipes and hand gel tampons Women can be intimidated in traditional shooting clubs ‘This is particularly true of beginners,’ says Mhairi-Ann ‘a Laundry detergent Nappies, baby wipes and lot of them they would rather go with a group of other Washing up liquid baby food ladies. I am offering these ladies a way of getting in to the Cleaning sprays and sport, in a way that they feel comfortable and relaxed.’ Pet food Mhairi-Ann should know. She has been around the Dynamic Ladies Shooting Club Launches sport most of her life and ‘started shooting an air rifle in the woods with my Gran at the age of eight!’ Now As Mhairi-Ann Troup says: ‘Shooting grounds can be she is a qualified shooting instructor, CPSA (Clay Pigeon fairly intimidating, testosterone fueled places and a lot Shooting Association) safety officer and competitive of women don’t feel comfortable going there’, so she shot who has won numerous competitions at national has launched the answer. level. In 2016 she was named CPSA ‘Coach of the year’ and her aim is to introduce more women to the sport. The Dynamic Ladies Shooting Club, based predominantly at Southdown Gun Club in Findon, is a Members of the club will receive a monthly emailed newsletter and Mhairi-Ann will offer taster sessions and full lessons at a discounted rate to members, either one-to-one or as part of a group. She says: ‘As with most activities, COVID has changed the way we operate, but we adhere to government advice by wearing face masks and regularly disinfecting the guns.’ Membership costs just £10 per month, or £110 for a year, with lessons priced according to numbers attending up to a maximum of 5. For more information go to www.dynamicladiesshootingclub.co.uk or email Mhairi at [email protected] Walberton Place Care Home At Walberton Place, we provide the highest standards of residential & dementia care. Family-led, our care is the kind we’d want all of our loved ones to receive. Our home is luxurious and beautifully furnished, with specially designed features such as a courtyard cafe, pub, salon and spacious secure gardens. Visit our website countrycourtcare.com to find out more. 01243 928216 Yapton Lane, Walberton, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0AS 7

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Beethoven 250 AN ONLINE FESTIVAL OF BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONIC & CHAMBER MUSIC I N T H E 2 5 0 TH A N N I V E R S A RY Y E A R OF HIS BIRTH BEETHOVEN CHAMBER MUSIC Wed 28 October 20.00 THE HANOVER BAND Symphony No. 2 Op.36 CHAMBER ENSEMBLE Wed 4 November 20.00 Wed 23 September 20.00 Symphony No. 3 Op.55 ‘Eroica’ Septet Op.20 Wed 11 November 20.00 CONSONE QUARTET Symphony No. 4 Op.60 Wed 30 September 20.00 String Quar tet Op.18 No. 1 & 3 Wed 18 November 20.00 Symphony No. 5 Op.67 Wed 7 October 20.00 Wed 25 November 20.00 String Quar tet Op.18 No. 2 & 6 Symphony No. 6 Op.68 ‘Pastoral’ Wed 14 October 20.00 Wed 2 December 20.00 String Quar tet Op.18 No. 5 & 4 Symphony No. 7 Op.92 BEETHOVEN SYMPHONIES Wed 9 December 20.00 THE HANOVER BAND Symphony No. 8 Op.93 D i r e c t e d by B E N J A M I N B AY L Leader Jorge Jimenez Wed 16 December 20.00 Symphony No. 9 Op.125 ‘Choral’ Wed 21 October 20.00 Symphony No. 1 Op.21 H H H ARUNDEL TOWN HALL B B B D I G I TA L D I G I TA L D I G I TA L WATCH ONLINE THEHANOVERBAND.COM 8

WINTER 2020 | The Bell New Book Celebrates Ralph Ellis His accompanying text records in detail The Sussex Record Society and West Sussex Record the reality of life in Office have collaborated to publish an illustrated the trenches and the memoir of a local soldier who fought in the First World result is a powerful War edited by local historian Sue Hepburn. and compelling account of an Ralph Ellis, born in Arundel in 1885, joined the Royal ordinary soldier’s Sussex Regiment on the outbreak of war in 1914 and experience of war. served in the trenches. He saw action in the Battle of Loos and the Battle of the Somme. He was left Editor Sue Hepburn permanently disabled after being wounded by shrapnel said, ‘It has been at Ypres in 1917. a huge privilege to be involved with The memoir, written during his long period of the publication of convalescence, contains sketches and paintings of Ralph Ellis’s Great Ellis’s comrades, local scenes and the destruction War memoir, which is a unique record of one man’s wreaked by war. experience of war. The publication has also presented the perfect opportunity to celebrate the life and work of a remarkable Arundel artist and inn sign painter. I think it would have given Ralph great pleasure to know that his memoir, and his life and work, are remembered and revered a century later by those living in the town he loved.’ The Great War Memoir of Ralph Ellis, Sussex Artist and Soldier, is now on sale at Arundel Museum for £45 per copy. It is also available from the Sussex Records Society at www.sussexrecordsociety.org As Sussex based Chartered Architects, we can work with you to design new buildings or renovate existing ones. We o er a complete service from inception to completion, including interior design and landscape proposals www.victoriaholland.co.uk 01903 882923 9

© Nigel Cull The Bell | WINTER 2020 A Profile of Janet Smith 10

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Gill Farquharson profiles Arundel’s very Seoul Olympics 400 metre relay team. She was now part own Olympic athlete and retail guru. of an elite squad of athletes competing at the very top of their sport. She was selected and ran in the Seoul Janet Smith (aka Janet Batty) was born in Purley and relay heats, giving the baton to Sally Gunnell for the lived in Surrey till she was 18. Her parents were from final, in which the team came sixth. Liverpool originally: ‘A working class background – my Mum’s Dad was a docker and my Mum’s Mum worked Back in the UK, Janet’s university selection was based in a food factory’ Her father came South with his wife around sport and Loughborough University won with attending London University where he studied Physics, its first class sporting reputation. ‘It was just amazing completing a BSc, an MSc and a PhD. He subsequently - a campus university with every possible sporting worked in Cryogenics for BOC and later a Swiss facility – it’s just a dream if you’re into sport.’ She read company called Sulzer. Janet is the eldest of three and Economics and Accountancy and, still plagued with has a sister and a brother. injuries and also enjoying university life to the full, she began to transfer her drive and ambition to her future Janet’s early years were business career. The professional athlete didn’t exist dominated by athletics. in those days and Janet wanted to achieve financial She attended three schools success and make her mark. She had glimpsed ‘how culminating in Wallington the other half live’ and she wanted a part of it for High where she successfully herself. On leaving university she embarked on her sat A levels in Physics, business career with all the determination and will to Maths and Economics. succeed that she had applied to her sporting career. In truth Janet has had two careers – the first in the Janet’s early years were dominated by athletics. She sporting world and later in retail. Both have demanded attended three schools culminating in Wallington High grit, determination and focus; natural ability honed by where she successfully sat A levels in Physics, Maths hard work and a fierce desire to win. There seems no and Economics. She enjoyed all sports at school but, question that the first career shaped her perfectly for as early as nine, had started to shine on the running the next one. track. At ten she was representing the school in local, district sports competitions ‘on proper track-cinder There was a lot of straight rather than grass!’ Beating male runners became the talking, a practical get on norm for her at this stage – ‘I was the fastest girl so and do environment where always ran last in the relay. We would practise with the people were bright the boys before the District sports, I would always enough – unlike Mars get the baton after the last boy but then overtake it didn’t matter which him on that final lap!’ She had joined a local athletics university or school you club by this time with her best friend, Bernadette, had attended. also a talented runner. Her friend’s father, Keith Ross, coached both his daughter and Janet through the Janet joined Nestle on the finance graduate scheme. Surrey Championships and Southern Championships. Two years later she moved to Mars Confectionary She always came in the first two and quickly graduated where she qualified as a Management Accountant to the National Three A’s Championships. From the and finally arrived at Tesco where the culture really ages of 13 to 16 she progressed through the ranks, suited her and she stayed for nearly twenty years. ‘I training hard – ‘on the track four or five times a week joined Tesco at just the right time, early on in a 20 at 15. I went to my first Junior International Games in year period of exceptional growth and success driven Germany in 1985, age 16, the same day a 17 year old by innovation and transformation. It was an amazingly Boris Becker won his first Wimbledon!’ exciting time. Tesco led the way in customer centric thinking, obsessing over customer research, data However Janet was plagued by knee injuries for two and behaviours to create and launch innovative new years and at 18, the decision was taken to stop running propositions. It was also world class at ‘getting stuff 100 and 200 metres which rely a lot on speed and block done’, whilst competitors were still talking about it, we work and concentrate on 400 metres instead. When she were out there doing it.’ turned 19, she took a year out, worked part-time and trained six days a week with her eyes firmly on the 1988 During this period Tesco was the first UK supermarket to introduce new store formats such as the modern 11

The Bell | WINTER 2020 convenience Express stores and large hypermarket Janet’s guidance, Tesco was (and still is) recognised as Extra’s, to launch new services such as on line web being one of the very best. shopping, the ‘one in front’ queue promise and baby changing rooms, as well as launch the Clubcard loyalty This level of commercial success for a woman is scheme and premium own label product range finest*. extraordinary in the 90’s and 00’s, and possibly explained not only by Janet’s talent but also ‘I think Janet joined the business in finance and flew through the way I behaved in my running career was similar to the jobs and the grades before becoming the sausage the drive and ambition I had in my business life. I can and bacon buyer in fresh foods but then ‘I moved to get very deeply focused on a narrow track and then Marketing which was where I spent most of my time at can be quite single-minded. Running is so relentless – I Tesco and had the biggest impact.’ used to train all winter in the cold and rain; it’s hard, hard work and then you might have one moment in Director level roles in Price and Promotions and then Space a season where you break your personal best or win Range and Merchandising (which is all about apportioning a particular race. So it was a lot of grind for not many space and position to products in store) followed. ‘I highs – and I think I transferred that into my work was always given departments that were ready for taking on large, difficult problems and getting right to transformation! This meant setting the customer strategy, the detail. I was able to communicate at every level redesigning business processes and roles and team on the team and then present the case to the board structures, and implementing new IT systems.’ Tesco were for what was needed. It was a very exciting time to be moving into the global market at the time and ‘so I worked there – I just kept progressing.’ in the Group team – we were in 13 countries in Europe, Asia and the US. I stood over the global roll-out of these Then she hit a bump in the road. Her mother had new strategies and systems to all Tesco markets. There breast cancer at the age of 52. ‘She went through all were some great travel opportunities at this time and we the treatment and she was fine, but it returned when lived in Budapest for 2 years’. she was 70. She developed secondaries and died two years later.’ That was in 2013 and, as a result, Janet had The next move was back to the UK as Clubcard her first mammogram ‘and there was an issue with it. I Director. By the time Janet left Tesco in 2014 she was had pre – cancer, what they term as Grade 0.’ She still Chief Loyalty Director looking after customer data had to have surgery and radiotherapy and had three and insight, Clubcard and personalised marketing months away from work. globally with about 300 staff on her team. Customer data is critical to consumer facing brands today in ‘Up until then I’d been on a relentless work thing and, both marketing and customer loyalty terms and under when I took that time off, it gave me the opportunity 12

WINTER 2020 | The Bell to reflect on my life and I made the decision to leave seemed at the time to be no cohesive plan of how my job. To be honest that would have happened if I’d to save the High Street. It’s critical we get the right just had any time off in the previous four years – it balance between resident, visitor and business needs wasn’t the cancer per se it was the space it afforded for our High Street to evolve and survive ’ me to get off the treadmill, to reflect and to take the decision and say, that’s it, I’m done. I’d been at Tesco Out of that came a broader conversation, possibly for 20 years, and I wasn’t going off to a competitor so fuelled by Andy and Janet’s experience at Tesco, leaving was all very amicable and supportive.’ that the customer – or in this case the residents – should be the driver of change. Hence the instigation I worked for Halfords, of the Love Arundel Consultation, supported by a Dixons, Morrisons, Marks grant from the Town Council, which ran a series of and Spencer, Co-op, Dunelm public consultations in October 2019. Janet also ran and across the world. separate meetings with the major business groups in town – the high street, accommodation providers, Having made the decision to go, Janet found that there professional services and attractions. All of this was was life outside. She set up a consultancy, Lifetime then summarised and initially shared with the Council Loyalty, which, because of her reputation, was hugely and then with all residents. in demand. For the first five years she was very busy. ‘I worked for Halfords, Dixons, Morrisons, Marks The Arundel Community Partnership’s similar exercise in and Spencer, Co-op, Dunelm and across the world in 2007 chimed with the outcomes of this latest ‘listening’ Australia, Holland, South Africa as well as the UK. It exercise. Planting around the town, a footpath to Ford, was great to work on my own terms and have time off improving the cycling experience, parking, improving when I wanted to. I never went out looking for work it the Farmers Market, the opening of the Castle the top just came through my old network.’ gate – all recurring themes. The group met with the local MP, representatives of Arun District, West Sussex The sort of consultancy based on reputation eventually Council, the South Downs National Park to understand dries up though and for Janet, that coincided with what the barriers were to achieving the residents wish Covid, so there’s been an enforced period of rest. lists. The main problem that emerged was that the small size of the town means that those government Janet met Andy Batty at Tesco although initially not organisations don’t have the resource to focus on it– but in the same areas of work. They eventually became what was learnt was that if Arundel can be clear and a couple and got married in 2008. They moved from know what the priorities are, it will be easier to get onto Hertford to Arundel in 2014. Andy grew up in Bognor their agendas. So we need to get to a consensus view and has friends and family all over Sussex plus Janet’s of what needs to be done and clearly communicate father lives in Grayshott so it is ideally situated this. On a more local level however some things have for them. ‘We fell in love with the house and the been achieved quite quickly – improving the Farmers beautiful town but what’s really special for us is the Market, the opening of the top gate as an exit from the people we’ve met since we moved here.’ The couple Castle following meetings with Earl Henry and the estate have established a very strong friendship circle and managers, the new websites (which Janet worked on find ‘there is such a mix of backgrounds, skills and extensively), the change to McColl’s window and the experiences and such interesting people living here – Bee Project- all done with and by Arundel residents. it’s so friendly. We just love being here.’ ‘The big challenge is where things need support from Their love of the town is the motivator for all the hard tiers of government. We have to be more organised work they have put into the Arundel Project and Love and find ways of having adult conversations which Arundel. Janet explains: ‘It came out of a conversation produce some consensus so that we can put Arundel in the pub just after Sparks Yard and The Bay Tree had on the local and regional agenda.’ closed. There was a genuine fear that the High Street could follow other boarded up High Streets around the At the moment though, Janet is happy to sit back and country. ‘3500 residents are not enough to sustain a contemplate ’a more carefree and balanced life in a traditional High Street any longer. Arundel has already post-Covid world.’ lost an ironmongers, banks, a greengrocer etc – all long gone because consumer behaviour has changed 13 so quickly. Residents love having independent shops, pubs and restaurants and want them to stay but there

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WINTER 2020 | The Bell Farmers Market now runs, 21 years ago. Her father, Derek Crush, still THE Love Arundel consultation last Autumn showed runs a market stall and is a regular at the Arundel clearly how much a thriving Farmers Market would mean Market. Louise used to work in IT at the Department of to residents. The Town Council took the need on board Health but her career has taken a major turn since then. and set up a Working Group some months ago, under These days, as well as running the two Markets, she the leadership of Councillor Michelle Scott, to look at makes produce such as cordials, chutneys and ketchup what would be needed to improve the market. The group from harvesting and foraging produce, which are on sale consisted of Louise Crush (the new Market Manager), Sue on her father’s stall. She is sure the market will continue Roderick, Andy Batty and Councillor Joe Riley. to grow. ‘People are coming because the variety of stalls now means they can be confident they will get all the There were many answers to what needed to be done. shopping they need, not just a loaf of bread!’ she says. First of all, the appointment of Louise Crush of whom One stallholder told her ‘It’s like a real event now. I’m more later. The existing stalls which were owned by the really excited to see the next one!’ Market were retired in favour of renting bigger, better Meanwhile after the initial success, Michelle is not ones. The traders now feel more weatherproof, have resting on her laurels. She says: ‘We are collaborating more space to display their wares and have backs to the with the Chamber of Commerce on a Christmas themed stalls so traders can use them to display signs. Although Farmers Market for December – November sadly the cost of renting these stalls to traders cannot happen now due to Covid. The Arundel Farmers is higher than the old versions, they are Market working group are investigating whether we can deemed to be worth it. The Market also have full road closure from the Norfolk Arms down to now offers a discount if traders are willing the Swan Hotel on market day in December, but one to commit to Arundel on a long term basis. that doesn’t involve using River Road as an alternative through route. We don’t know if West Sussex Highways The road closure, which started in October, will approve our application, so right now it is very much helps enormously. It makes the number to be confirmed. If it’s not approved then we will utilise and flow of people safer and also allows a partial road closure as in October.’ for more stalls – 33 in October and an She continues: ‘We’ve had lots of very positive application for 45 in future has now been comments from residents and stallholders about the approved. Market and it’s new layout. Every month we do a post market review looking at all the feedback in order to The new manager, Louise, has a history improve the safety, experience and variety of stalls in farmers markets, her parents having on offer. I am really proud to lead the Farmers Market started the Steyning Market, which she Working Group which is helping to breathe new life into our historic market town.’ 15

The Bell | WINTER 2020 A day, or rather two very different days, in the life of Dr Alex Thornton-Smith © Nigel Cull Clare Toole-Mackson spoke to one of our to open at that time and immediately ‘The switchboard local GP’s to find out what life is like in a lights up like a Christmas Tree!’ Patient appointments Covid world. begin at 8.30am, preceded by emergency/urgent appointments from 7.30am onwards. Having three I INTERVIEWED Dr Alex Thornton-Smith on his young children, Alex is perfectly happy with this early day off, via Zoom. He presented a very laid-back, not start but some of his partners are less keen. to say rakish appearance – entirely appropriate for the circumstances, but in my hopelessly old-fashioned way Paperwork is a necessary evil in any profession, and in I still have a mental image of doctors wearing white a practice of 6500 patients, Alex may have to deal with coats! It was, needless to say, an extremely entertaining as many as 200 prescriptions before he starts seeing as well as informative interview. patients, particularly if one of his partners is away. This is not to mention the constant flow of test results I am not certain one can even talk about a ‘normal’ or which must obviously be scrutinised to ensure that even ‘typical’ day in the case of a busy GP, but before the nothing important is missed. Appointments are of two pandemic Alex’s day began early and he would arrive types – those pre-booked for non-urgent matters and at the surgery before 8.00 am, giving himself time to regular check-ups, and the so-called ‘acute’ kind, for attend to a few ‘bits and pieces’ before the hurly-burly patients needing to be seen that day. These can take of the day began. GP practices are contractually obliged place first thing in the morning, at the end of morning 16

www.lovearundel.org WINTER 2020 | The Bell surgery, hopefully about 11.00 am, and also after of telephone triage about 80% of patients can be dealt afternoon surgery. Obviously in these circumstances it with over the phone, with the remaining 20% needing is not always possible to see one’s own doctor, though to be seen. However, each call takes longer than normal the partners still consider this to be the best scenario. because there are no visual cues and a doctor is anxious Morning surgery, though designed to finish around not to miss anything vital. The surgery also has a Zoom- 11.00 am, has been known to go on until 2.00 pm. like system for face-to-face consultations. There are then home visits to be made and sometimes as many as twenty phone calls to be dealt with before At the start of the pandemic the number of patient afternoon surgery. After this, in Alex’s words, “The real contacts ‘fell off a cliff’! But by June/July people’s fear of work is done!” Apparently the Pathology Laboratory infection had begun to wear off and the numbers began has a habit of phoning at this time with bad news about to rise again. At the moment there are 50-80 patient abnormal results in a patient’s test, which requires contacts per day and of course a horrible backlog immediate action on the doctor’s part. He tries to leave because of the hiatus. Doctors are concerned that some for home round about 8.00pm but there have been patients during this period failed to consult their doctor occasions when his day has ended nearer 11.00pm. in spite of experiencing significant symptoms, such as Alex considers himself to be pretty well organised but breast lumps or bowel disorders. From the word go even an efficient system cannot cater for a sudden and all appointments with the practice nurses, who deal unexpected turn of events. with the areas of chronic disease management such as diabetes and hypertension, had to be cancelled, causing There is huge demand on another horrific backlog. Alex confessed they were Primary Care services in all operating seven months behind through no fault of their GP practices, so it requires a own, but were doing their very best to catch up, doctors tremendous effort to try and and nurses alike. His fervent hope was that no patients keep up. had come to any harm during this period. There is huge demand on Primary Care services in all As far as the finances of the practice are concerned, the GP practices, so it requires a tremendous effort to Government agreed that the income of a practice would try and keep up. However many appointments are be frozen for the period in question, irrespective of the available, they will always all be filled. Doctors see number of patients seen. However, the powers-that-be many more patients than they did, say twenty years appear to be having second thoughts about this. It may ago. Some time ago the practice did try out a system not be known that everything that happens in a practice of total phone triage but it did not find favour with the is closely monitored and audited by the Government. doctors, particularly as in certain instances it could give rise to litigation! Fairly early on ‘Hot Hubs’ were set up throughout the POST-PANDEMIC country. These are centres to which patients can go for At the start of the Pandemic all GP practices received assessment, referred by their the Standard Operating Procedure for Primary Care, a GP, if they feel they may document to be read, learnt and inwardly digested. All have Covid symptoms but patients were to be triaged by phone – not a wholly safe are not desperately ill. procedure but dictated by the circumstances. Public perception from the beginning of the lockdown seemed Fairly early on ‘Hot Hubs’ were set up throughout the to be that all surgeries had closed, but this was far from country. These are centres to which patients can go the case. Patient contacts may have fallen to a minimum for assessment, referred by their GP, if they feel they but there was a mountain of planning to be done by may have Covid symptoms but are not desperately ill. GP’s and surgery staff, focusing on how to operate safely Obviously seriously ill patients are directed straight for both staff and patients, and what was required in the to hospital. GP’s are not recommended to see Covid way of Personal Protective Equipment. The surgery now patients, who can ring the specially dedicated advice has all safeguards in place, with a one-way system of line on 119. There are two such Hubs in the Bognor entry and exit. Regis area, which includes Arundel. Sadly they became underused, a major problem being that there are not To return to procedures: all patients must now be enough GP’s to staff them. However Alex feels that, phoned before an appointment, to check whether they come the cough and cold season and the uncertainty have any Covid-type symptoms. Because of the system 17

The Bell | WINTER 2020 as to whether one’s symptoms might be Covid-related, the Hubs will once more become active. At the practice Open Tuesday - Saturday a ‘Hot Zone’ has been created. This is an isolation room [email protected] at the end of the corridor where full PPE is worn and the www.theparsonstable.co.uk room is decontaminated after each patient. 2-8 Castle Mews, Tarrant Street, To say that a GP’s life, both before and during the Arundel BN18 9DG Tel : 01903 883477 pandemic, is stressful is probably the understatement of the year! I asked Alex how he contrived to relax, • Architectural and Building mentally and physically. His answer was that an Surveying services unexpected bonus, even a silver lining, of the pandemic was the initial blissfully traffic-free state of the roads, • Planning and Listed building which prompted him to take to his bicycle and cycle applications to work from his house in Chichester, taking a partially off-road route which goes through Binsted Woods. This • Pre-acquisition surveys and has now become inconveniently muddy but Alex still Party wall surveyors keeps up the habit of cycling to work, so has obviously achieved a high degree of fitness! He pointed out that RURAL • URBAN • COASTAL • HISTORIC • CONTEMPORARY because of far fewer home visits he rarely needs a car at work. He viewed with glee the prospect of a dedicated Contact Kevin or Phil on 01243 774764 cycle lane on the A27, included in the plans for the new [email protected] by-pass. Many of us feel we shall never be witness to www.sloaneandbrown.co.uk this actually happening but Alex will certainly be around to benefit from it. He does take an afternoon off each 01903 719999 week which typically he describes as his contribution to ‘helping with the children’, as in collecting them FUNERAL DIRECTORS from school and ferrying them to tennis lessons which, sadly, he is not allowed to watch. His wife, Sarah, is a 3 Generations of Service, One Standard of Excellence physiotherapist and works three days a week. Quality, affordable funerals from a To return to the vexed question of the pandemic, Alex local company that you can trust. feels there are two ways this will pan out. The most Funeral services how you want hopeful one is that the development of a vaccine will be a game-changer, which might result in everything them, when you want them. returning to ‘normal’ by next Spring. The other scenario An independent family firm is that, like the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919, the virus will eventually fade out, having taken a horrific death toll established in 1929. of the world’s population. On a happier note, we are fortunate in West Sussex that there is a low incidence of Covid-19, possibly due to the good air quality, to the generous amount of space and to the average age of the residents, probably the wrong side of 70!,who tend to be more cautious in their efforts to avoid infection. I would like to express grateful thanks to Alex for giving up his time to talk to me on his day off! We are in having such a insightful, caring, and, may I say, humorous GP as one of the partners at our Arundel Surgery. LITTLEHAMPTON RUSTINGTON 01903 732986 01903 787188 5 Surrey Street BN17 5AZ 63 Sea Lane BN16 2RQ 24 HOURS A DAY QUALITY ASSURED www.hdtribe.co.uk 18VERSION 1.0 DBS ORDER 1308 LYMINSTER CHURCH MAGAZINE HALF A5 PAGE ADVERT

WINTER 2020 | The Bell THE ARUNDEL PATI E NT G R O U P WINTER 2020 | NEWSLETTER New Seating an instant hit Flu jabs update Liz Horkin – ASCA chair and Paul The NHS is keen Lovell the Practice that people take Manager were up the flu jab this there to catch the year and West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group are moment, and Glyn encouraging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated gave his permission as Flu Virus are circulating as well as Covid 19. Many of for them to take you who have it every year will have already had your jab a photo of him at the surgery – which was a very organised slick service; The ASCA Bench project came to enjoying the ‘very dealing with a large number of people whilst maintaining fruition on 15th of October with the comfortable seat’. social distancing. The surgery also had to manage the late deliveries of the second batch of vaccine which was installation of the benches and the entirely outside of their control, but they sorted it all out very quickly. If you are eligible for a jab but don’t normally general landscaping. The large bench is now neatly tucked take it up, maybe this is the year to get round to doing it. Also don’t forget if you are over 50 and at risk due to away under the roof canopy so much better protected from long term health conditions you should get a vaccination; similarly pregnant women are also eligible. the elements. The smaller seat is next to the path and has There has been a lot of national publicity for Flu jabs for the added advantage of two arms close together to help everyone over 50 this year. At the moment the vaccine has been released for the usual groups and high-risk patients. anyone who needs a hand to stand up. Almost immediately However, it is believed that more vaccine will be made available, but dates are not clear yet. Don’t ring the surgery if the garden contractors had left a patient arrived and made you are over 50 they will contact you once they know dates and also keep your eyes peeled for posters around town. his way over to the new bench and sat down. In these worrying times we are all trying to stay safe and When you ring the surgery for an appointment you will reduce our risk of catching the Corona Virus Covid 19. be asked to go to a shared special clinic which is all If you have symptoms you can book a test on line at geared up and Covid Safe. In the meantime, stay safe www.gov.uk/getcoronavirustest or if you don’t use the if you have a smart phone download and use the NHS computer you can ring 119. Covid app and for more information go to the Surgery website and follow the links www.arundelsurgery.co.uk There are testing centres in Tangmere, Chichester & Bognor. Arundel Surgery are working with other local For More Information About ASCA GP’s to provide a shared safe service for anyone with contact Liz Horkin Chair on 01243 814323 symptoms or confirmed Covid, who needs to see a GP. 19

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Arundel Riding Stables From its beginnings in a tack room to becoming one of Arundel’s longest lasting Struibzin and Joy 1962 businesses, Arundel Riding Stables has been a feature of many residents lives for 60 years. Andy Davies visited to find out more about this extraordinary history and how they are coping with Covid 19. MRS Joy Leggett was due to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Arundel Riding Stables this year, but, as with all of us, the Covid virus made its mark. So, unlike the 50th anniversary, there have been no celebrations and, worse still, Joy, known to all as Mrs Leggett or to family as “Froggie”, is now recuperating from a fall resulting in a fractured pelvis. Her youngest daughter, Alison, who now runs the yard, describes her Mum as, “not being out and about anymore” but still very “hands on.” All of us have probably noticed the ponies and activity as we pass, but when Joy Leggett, nee Pealing, began the yard in 1960, this part of Arundel was very different. The only access to the yard was from Park Place and the land “almost all around was just fields”. Joy started the Opening in 1960 20

www.lovearundel.org WINTER 2020 | The Bell Rory, Alison and Verity stables with two second-hand stalls, a feed room and a horse in the stables while Alison, despite being destined small tack room. to be a nun according to her grandmother, now runs the yard. It has grown to twenty-two stalls and an indoor Surprisingly, Mrs Leggett’s parents had “nothing to riding arena. Jeremy lives in Lewes and has recently do with horses whatsoever.” At the age of ten she been awarded an MBE for services to charity. desperately wanted riding lessons but her mother would have “nothing to do with it”, so she started making little Alison and her eldest child Rory showed me scrapbooks bits of jewellery, which her father paid for, “apparently telling the history of the stables, which have been a selling them to work colleagues!’ This enabled the “very source of a great deal of pleasure to thousands of determined” young Joy to have lessons. She financed children and adults over the years. There were early the purchase of her first horse by working as a solicitor’s photos of Arundel families having lessons; pictures secretary in Worthing. of Princess Anne visiting the stables for the 35th anniversary of the Arundel RDA (Riding for the Disabled) Joy was living with her parents in the Arundel area, group; various charity events, and much more. These but she decided to move into the little tack room in pictures clearly tell the story of a vibrant community, what was the knackers yard in Fitzalan Road where her one which reflects a great deal of work, love and horse, Betty Lou – who produced four generations of passion. Alison tells me there are children learning stable ponies- was kept. From here she cycled daily to at the school today who are accompanied by their Worthing. As can be gathered, she literally “lived for grandparents who also learnt there. ponies” from a very young age. Later Joy was able to buy the beautiful 48 Maltravers Street. She was painting The RDA group, which has been running for 40 years, is the outside one day when a local man, a Mr Leggett one of the many charity groups which Mrs Leggett and from Park Bottom, stopped to talk to her, ‘and that later later Alison, have given a great deal of time and support turned out to be her husband!’ to. It is sadly not running at the moment as many of the disabled and volunteer helpers are in the “vulnerable” The couple had three children (all Mullets) before, sadly, category. As Alison says: “This is such a shame as these Mr Leggett died in 1966. Mrs Leggett was now a single are the happiest and loveliest people you could possibly mum of three young children, Jeremy, Nichola and imagine and the lady who runs it now is amazing. One of Alison, the youngest at 2, and also ran a riding stable. the pupils Mum taught went on to represent Britain at While her husband had ‘not been interested in horses the disabled championships in Germany!’ whatsoever” as soon as the children were old enough, they were all expected to be involved. As Nichola Thousands of pounds have been raised by the stables remembers, “If you didn’t muck out your three stalls for various charities over the years, one highlight being before breakfast and school you knew all about it!’ Both £2,500 in 2010 for the Chestnut Tree Hospice. Nichola and Alison still live in Arundel. Nichola keeps a In recent years the stable has competed at the British 21

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Alison and Rory Horse Society National Riding School Championships. driving is much easier!’ They have won in all 3 age group sections and in 2014 won the overall team award. Considering how many Which brings us to 2020. Alison has a reduced staff riding schools there are in England, this is an amazing of three and two freelancers. During the lock down achievement. all staff were furloughed, and the twenty horses were maintained solely by Alison’s family. All three children Alison has three children, Rory, Ivan- studying veterinary were fully involved, including Ivan, who swapped a gap science – and Verity, who does eventing. year in Thailand for picking up horse poo! Mrs Leggett’s family nick name ‘Froggie’ came about For Mrs Leggett, there are so many memories. Alison because as a small child Rory was not able to say says: ‘It’s such a shame. We’ve reached 60 years and Grandma but instead said “Froggie’ and it stuck! Rory there’s nothing we can do to celebrate. We don’t know himself is, quite literally, “horse-bred”. As an infant what impact Covid will have- after all, riding is a luxury.” he used to be placed in a child’s cage in the yard. This Three horses have already gone to good homes, leaving way he was able to be fully involved with everything, seventeen and an uncertain future. She added: ‘I’d like including the stable hens who used to join him for to say a personal thank you to all the staff, who have meals by poking their heads through the bars! Perhaps been amazing over the years. A lot of them started unsurprisingly, Rory is now a qualified instructor and riding with us as children, several started working here works full time at the yard. straight from school and were trained by us. Some went away to college and then came back to work here. They Alison is also a qualified instructor and for many are all very much a part of the family”. years has taught countless enthusiasts. She has also achieved considerable success at carriage driving. Having given so much pleasure to so many, and having With the infamous Eric, she twice won the National achieved so much, it would be very sad if Arundel was to Championship single handed event. With Prince Philip lose this valuable, unsung jewel. in her team, she also represented Great Britain- twice winning Royal Windsor. Prince Philip had to come to Photos: ©Nigel Cull her rescue on one occasion when Eric was misbehaving during the winner’s award ceremony! She also modestly recounts attending Prince Philip’s driving retirement party and his 90th. birthday celebration at Windsor. When asked by the Prince ‘Why aren’t you carriage driving anymore? ‘Alison explained that she now had three children, his forthright retort being: “Carriage 22

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Arundel Lido Winter 2020 Cold-Water Swimming: The indisputable benefits of cold-water swimming, both physically and mentally, meant we had to trial this with the local community! We started with a trial session on Saturday morning that was full within minutes, so a second session was added. We then ran sessions every Saturday morning and a few mid-week sessions with great success, but unfortunately, we had to stop due to lockdown. We hope this can start up again, depending on the water temperature. Boot Camp: Workout with Niamh with our Winter Boot Camps every Wednesday Evening and Saturday Morning. With the bonus of our large marquee the sessions can run rain or shine. Festive Swims: Festive swims can’t be the same as usual as heating the pool is not financially viable with the restrictions. Watch out for a frost bite swim! Thank-You: To all our customer and community support during a tough season, but most of all thank you to our 2021 Season Kit Sponsors. Local Businesses and members of the community have donated towards the cost of replacing our staff kit to ensure we continue to look smart for the 2021 Season. Please support their businesses. Cordon Bleu Astonish Cleaning Services outside caterers for dinner dances, Cleaner Homes for Busy People funerals and business Quality home cleaning service by professional functions across West Sussex. cleaners to suit your needs Contact Barry or Lucy Hopkins on 01903 882611 All Cleaners Insured ✴ CRB ✴ Checked ✴ Referenced To book a home visit please contact us 01903 882053 or 07867 528542 www.astonishcleaning.net Staff Required please apply We provide authentic, high quality Indian cuisine for the more discerning diner. Set in a warm, contemporary restaurant the real flavour of India is captured by a team of culinary masters in one of Sussex’s finest eateries. 3/5 Mill Lane, Arundel, BN18 9AH 01903 884224 23

School BellTheBell | WINTER2020 St Philip’s Catholic Primary School by Lucy Horne Headteacher WE are delighted to be back in school as a whole school community. Routines and structures are different but the children are delighted to be back with their friends and to be learning. Curriculum learning Year 2 extended their topic learning on ’Explorers’ by enjoying a ‘Space Day’. Their classroom was converted into a rocket and they learned about astronauts and how they travel in space. They even tasted ‘rocket food’. Their learning involved Science, History and Literacy. They had great fun and learned a great deal. Year 3 visited Butser Farm this term as part of their others painted pebbles, some made cards and others learning on ‘The Stone Age’. They were blessed with wrote letters. a beautifully sunny, crisp day. The children were able to create chalk carvings, excavate for bones and Stone Two brothers heard that a local animal sanctuary was Age clues to find out about life in the Stone Age, they struggling for funding during the pandemic. They learned the skill of wattling and made clay pots. It was wanted to do something to help so they set their mind lovely to see a coach parked up outside the school and to raising funds. They washed cars, made cakes for sales, to facilitate a trip which was Covid secure. We miss watered gardens and cycled 7km on a sponsored bike lots of the day-to-day activities we took for granted pre ride. Leo and Zac raised a huge £800 for the ABC animal Covid-19. sanctuary in West Chiltington. Well done boys, a real sense of achievement and a great example of how small Community links things can make a big difference to others. Every year we celebrate Diocesan Grandparent Week in school. We have, for several years, invited grandparents Two children in school decided to raise funds, with their into school for a Grandparent tea and cake session. This year, we have been unable to host the event but we still wanted to recognise how much our grandparents do for their grandchildren. Each class, therefore, decided they would make something. Some classes wrote a poem, 24

WINTER 2020 | The Bell family, by completing a ‘Race for Life’. Both Emilie and have thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to take Dylan raised funds for a cancer charity. They raised over their learning outside. £500. Well done to you both for thinking of others and making your contribution to those who need help. You Our school allotment again produced a very successful are indeed ‘Good Samaritans’. harvest this Autumn. The children were able to go and collect marrows, potatoes, runner beans and pears. We have been very fortunate this term to be able to Thanks as always to our Arundel resident volunteers Bob welcome various, socially distanced, visitors into school and Geoff. for our assemblies. Pastor Steve, from Arundel Baptist Church, Roger Purdom, from The Parkside Church Littlehampton, Pastor Hugo from Yapton Free Church and of course Fr Charles from Storrington Parish and Canon David from the Cathedral. The children are very fortunate to be able to learn from such a wide variety of sources, each one teaching the importance of loving one another and showing kindness. Our families at school are again collecting gifts in shoe boxes to send off to children in Eastern Europe where Christmas gifts are few. The ‘Love in a box’ initiative is run each year by Arundel Cathedral and each year, families from our school send about 50 gift boxes full of surprise gifts to those who are not as fortunate as many in our community. In September, we were invited to take part in the Arundel Year 6 have been making off site trips to the local area Tidy Up event. Due to current restrictions, we were this term. Their first trip was to Arundel Park where they unable to take part with others in the town but, instead, extended their learning on Michael Morpurgo’s ‘The each class chose an area around the school to tidy up. Butterfly Lion’. They investigated Chalk Grasslands in our The school allotment, the field, the playground, front locality- looking at the unique flora and fauna of this of school and across the road by Arundel Park all had a area of the South Downs National Park, on our doorstep. litter clear. The Mayor kindly came to school to thank the They studied the layers of the ground to identify the children who were all working together in their bubbles chalk (which forms a key element of the story) and then and also helped out with a few items of litter. found small flint samples which they compared with the chalk, once back in the classroom. The children learnt Outdoor learning the motto ‘Take only photographs; leave only footprints’ as a way of protecting our environment whilst still During the Summer months, we had some works carried enjoying it. They are now in the process of researching out in our Forest School area to prepare for the Autumn their work and creating information posters to evidence weekly Forest School activities. The removal of some their learning. trees made for some great den making resources. Our Forest School leader, Stuart, has already run several Finally… sessions with different class bubbles and the children Our Open Day for prospective parents of children starting school in September 2021, cannot happen physically this year due to WSCC Covid-19 advice. However, we have a short welcome video and lots of pictures of the school on our website https://www. stphilipsarundel.org.uk/ You can also contact the school office on 01903 882115 or [email protected] to book in a phone call or Zoom meeting with Lucy Horne, head teacher. 25

School BellTheBell | WINTER2020 Arundel Cof E Primary School It has also been lovely to hear about other children helping by Andrew Simpson Headteacher out at home, including Poppy in Year 4. Caring for others and ‘reaching out to our neighbours in love’ are essential I WOULD like to wish you a happy Christmas and to qualities in being an ACE pupil and I believe it is essential tell you about some of the exciting learning journeys that we encourage these qualities in our children. that we have been on since the start of the academic year. But above all I would like to take this opportunity It isn’t only the children who have reached out to their whilst writing to thank all of the dedicated staff at ACE peers; our parents have also shown their support to our who, not only spent many hours in school during the school in lots of ways. One family has shown particular summer holiday to prepare their classrooms ready for thoughtfulness and kindness by donating a wonderful ACE a fresh new start and a new beginning in September, wooden sculpture that perfectly captures our approach to but have continued to show true love and dedication this year. Another ACE family kindly installed the sculpture to our children since their return to school. We are very in our Peace Garden for the children to enjoy and to lucky that our staff understand the power education remind them of this time in years to come. can have on the future of our world and the importance of providing the best learning environments possible Classrooms at ACE for our children, no matter the circumstances. As such, the theme of this article will centre on ‘being a good We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated team at neighbour’ and, in line with our vision statement, ACE and I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful reaching out to our neighbours in love. I feel during learning environments that the children are benefiting these unprecedent times as a community we all need to from this year. support one another both within our school and within our local community. It is another ACE season of new beginnings and it’s good to be back. Our Reception children this year are settling well into school life, even though the school days are very long with our staggered start and end times. I have also seen some very special moments of kindness from children who are keen to welcome everyone back. It is important that we recognise and encourage kindness in all of our children’s actions to show that this is a quality we value. Loving our neighbour is one of the most important things we can all do. The children have made an excellent start to the academic year and you will be able to read about some of these touching acts of kindness later in this article. Well done to those who help others – reaching out to our neighbours in love It has been heart-warming to see many of our children help their peers at the school gate since our return to school in September. The number of times this has happened has been remarkable and I am just sorry I cannot list everyone’s names. I do, however, want to say a special well done to Jack in Year 4 and Zayn in Year 2 who both supported school friends who were finding the end of the week tough. 26

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Local leaders help out at ACE ACE Gains Highest Award for PE We have also been blessed with our local community The Quality Start, which recognises PE and school sport at leaders coming into ACE to support our school. Father Key Stage 1, is awarded to schools for their commitment David, Father Dominik, Father Andrew and Pastor Steve to PE, school sport and healthy and active lifestyles. have all visited ACE to ensure that the children have Schools, such as ACE, self-assess against set criteria and someone who they can talk to and also learn from. These grade themselves as a Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or inspirational religious leaders have provided the children Platinum Plus level. A member of the Quality Start Team with rich worship sessions and have encouraged them to then validates the application and awards the school challenge their own actions and consider the question: accordingly. I am proud to say that ACE has once again What would Jesus do during these unprecedented times? been awarded with the highest level – Platinum Plus. We are displaying our glass plaque and certificate in school Self-isolation and social distancing are becoming the necessary with pride. ‘new normal’ in our communities. Yet this is also a moment Thank you from the past when taking steps of faith to truly love our neighbours will I wanted to share with you the beautiful piece of artwork mean more to them than ever before. Connection with others that the Cordice family created and donated to say thank is very deeply felt when you are afraid of being isolated. You you to all the staff at ACE. Every member of our team never forget someone who is present for you when you feel works so hard for our children and it is wonderful for most alone. I would urge all the members of our amazing them to be recognised for their tireless and committed Arundel community at this time to help those close to you as dedication to our families. well as those who are further away. 27 The Nowhere Emporium This term at ACE each class is studying a book that focuses on a journey, which is something that holds relevance for us all as we experience our own personal journeys in many different ways. It is important for our children to learn that a journey can sometimes be bumpy and challenging; that it may start with a sense that we are not progressing as we should, but that with effort, persistence and tenacity the struggle will be worth it and everything will work out. This is what our school values of Hope and Faith represent. For their book, Year 6 is studying the mysterious Nowhere Emporium. The Nowhere Emporium arrives in Glasgow on a crisp November morning to be discovered, quite by accident, by orphan Daniel Holmes. Before long, the 'shop from nowhere' and its owner – Mr Silver – draw Daniel into a breath-taking world of creation and enchantment. It is really lovely to see how this book has already had a significant impact on the children in Year 6. Virtual Harvest Assembly – highest ever number of virtual views for Harvest! This year we weren’t able to hold our usual Harvest Festival in school, but that did not stop us from celebrating the occasion. Every class produced a virtual Harvest Festival that was shared online with our ACE community and which, based on the number of views we had, proved to be extremely popular! Sadly, we were unable to receive and give the physical Harvest goods that we would ordinarily share each year, but thanks to our amazing families, we were able to present the charity Turning Tides (which our church St Nicholas’ Church also supports) with a cheque. A special thanks to Father David who produced a magnificent video about how God created such a wonderful world and which highlighted the importance of our local landowners and workers.

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Arundel Festivals COVID-19 has meant the delay and cancellation who come to enjoy the Festival, particularly over the of many events throughout this year with planning Bank Holiday Weekend and how this can complement impossible and restrictions constantly changing. However, our town and community as a whole, reducing any thanks to a dedicated team of volun-teers under the detrimental effects this may have brought in the past. guidance of Chair of the Festival Committee, Sharon Blaikie, Arundel can be proud of what has been achieved The committee is examining ways to produce the fun to support the town, local community and high street. and excitement of the Festival whilst making it safe and The team of unpaid volunteers met frequently; put in manageable for the town as a whole. Sharon said “I place a programme for the 2020 Festival; reviewed the want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made principles on which the Festival is run; examined new this team effort happen during such a challenging year ideas and initiatives to develop a strong, sustainable and to Arundel Town Council for their generous support. future for the Festival and did all of this whilst building The Virtual event has placed the Arundel Festival of the on the traditions and successes of past events. Arts on the map and is motivating people to become involved and support our growing brand.’ They introduced a new title – Arundel Festival of The Arts – which reflects the eclectic mix of events and Given the restrictions on the event this year, the activities for all communities to enjoy and the immense Committee are continuing to support the Trussell Trust range of talented people and events that make up the into 2021 as their charitable partner, with support for Festival. When national lockdown in March scuppered their local Littlehampton and District Food Bank. The their plans for 2020, they switched their attention to a Charity supports a nationwide network of food banks Virtual Festival with a fresh style that ran daily during and provides emergency food and support to people the usual Festival period. Jane Mote and her team at locked in poverty whilst campaigning for change to end beechtobeach were instrumental in producing eleven the need for food banks in the UK. episodes of the Virtual Festival including 32 acts (19 filmed especially for 2020 and 74 videos made for social The Festival team urgently need two roles to be filled- media), business promotions and a special feature. The one to handle secretarial tasks and the other to oversee films achieved over 24,000 views around the world. All Marketing and PR. To find out more, contact secretary@ episodes are still available at www.arundelfestival.co.uk arundelfestival.co.uk or [email protected] This hugely challenging year has laid solid foundations for the future as the committee now turns its attention to Arundel is . . . Christmas developing plans for 2021. As the only thing that is certain about next year is that nothing is certain, they have a Arundel by Candlelight has always been a highlight three-tier plan aimed at incorporating the low, medium of the Christmas season and this year, the Chamber and high levels of restrictions that might be in place. of Commerce is determined to deliver the Arundel They are also reviewing the large number of visitors is Christmas Campaign to support businesses 28 and organisations, even in these current difficult circumstances. There is a need now more than ever, to provide fun and engaging activities that are not financially onerous, that require minimal resources, do not paralyse the town for residents or businesses and yet, still give Arundel the spirit of Christmas. With the help of the Akin creative co-operative, the Chamber came up with a plan for four themed weekends for November and December under the banner ‘Arundel

WINTER 2020 | The Bell is Christmas’, covering Christmas at Arts, History and Arundel Museum Culture. Following the success of the This year use of video in the summer, it will again the Museum will be be used for Christmas. The ‘Arundel decorated for is…….’ campaign is a series of films commissioned and arranged by Arundel Chamber of Commerce, produced Christmas, children can by beechtobeach, supported by the Town Council and showcased on Visit Arundel. The videos are being shared enjoy completing a trail or promoted across various tourism bodies and social media platforms, including: Experience West Sussex, and receive a gift. Tourism South East, Sussex by the Sea, Visit England, South Downs National Park, Visit Arundel, Arundel Pre-booking is essential. Chamber of Commerce and press releases in Sussex newspapers. Cost £4 per child with a free accompanying adult. The ‘Arundel is Christmas’ video, due to be released in early December on Visit Arundel, will centre on Additional accompanying Christmas scenes in Arundel – the lighting of the main adult costs £4. Christmas Tree, wreath making, in-dependent shops, pop up performance, Farmers Market Christmas stalls, a 4-6pm Thursday - Saturday competition for Best Dressed Windows, plus much more. 3-5pm Sundays in December Although Arundel by Candlelight has been postponed this year, there has been a positive energy to create The first date we hope a great emphasis on marketing and usage of video, to run is Saturday 5 - maintaining and building the brand for next year. Again Sunday 20 December ATC generously supplied the Chamber with a grant to help to deliver the Arundel is Christmas Campaign Book a place at The revitalization of the Chamber of Commerce earlier www.arundelmusuem.org* this year couldn’t have come at a better time. The Covid threat has meant plans have had to be adaptable, this will be live when change has needed to be actioned quickly and activities we have the go ahead and (virtual) events still need to happen for the good of the town’s businesses, economy and community. There has been an amazing amount of work to do – as Chair of the Chamber Sharon Blaikie says: ‘There is a constant balance to be achieved between supporting the economy and safety for all. However the businesses have continued to do brilliantly, some with an online presence, virtual offerings, takeaways etc. and made it visibly safe and welcoming for customers, who recognise the importance of shopping locally. For latest Chamber topics, ideas and information please see Chamber Forum address- https://www.facebook. com/groups/914584012378604 ** Please note, this event will happen in line with government guidance and is subject to change ** 29

The Bell | WINTER 2020 News from Arundel Town Council Covid-19 “No-one in Arundel should ever feel unsupported during the pandemic” We hoped that it would be gone by autumn, but Covid-19 is still with us. The St. Nicholas Parish Office continues to arrange for prescriptions to be collected, shopping to be done, dogs to be walked. Phone buddies are still chatting to those who are isolated. Arundel Community Aid’s ‘virtual’ food bank is still available, though need for its services remains low. If you need support please do not hesitate to call the Parish office (contact details below). If you can volunteer to help please contact Cllr. Mark Phillips ([email protected]). Parish office: 01903-882262, Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-3.00pm; [email protected]. In urgent need at any time contact Canon David Twinley [email protected] 01903-885209 Arundel Clean-Up Day (18th September) Image: Charlie Waring By the end of the day there were more sacks on the The Next Generation Image: Nigel Cull cobbles than you would find in a Christmas grotto. A dozen members of the Mackley team generously We plan to establish a Youth Council in Arundel during gave us a day of their time, and over 30 residents collected litter and cut weeds. Meantime with enormous 2021/22. There will also be a Junior Town Crier, who enthusiasm, St. Philip’s pupils set about cleaning-up their school grounds. Thank you to Mackley and all will be mentored by our inimitable Town Crier, Cllr. the ALPS (‘Arundel Litter Pickers’). Angela Standing. This is a great opportunity to bring Lime Trees The avenues of lime trees in Mill Road are one of the glories of our town and may be unique in England. So when our Tree Warden, Bob Tanner, told us that we would need to plant at least 12 new trees this year, at a cost of £1,500, we knew that it had to be done, even though the council has less income this year because of Covid-19. We decided to invite residents to sponsor trees, and almost as soon as the Arundel Gardeners Association knew about the sponsorship we had 34 people step up. The Norfolk Estate has kindly offered to plant the trees in December, weather permitting. There is so much enthusiasm for the scheme that it has been suggested that an on-going Arundel Tree Fund is created. We are fortunate to live in a town where people value, and want to enhance, the environment. young people into the civic life of the town and we expect to learn a lot from them. 30

WINTER 2020 | The Bell The Bee Project Farmers Market We are working Since the market re-opened in August more than 20 with resident Nick volunteers have given time to marshal the market and Field on The Bee help people stay safe whilst they shop. Thank you, Project, which will Arundel Marshals. include improving the planting around the town. With Defra’s support we aim to become A27 the first ecological ‘Bee Friendly’ town in the UK, and plan to hold Arundel’s first ‘Bees Needs’ festival Following the detailed submissions that we made last next year. With British Rail support we will be cultivating year, Highways England has announced plans to build the land adjacent to Arundel Station to create a a by-pass around Arundel. This comes as a great relief, pollinator-friendly space, and Martin Duncan, the Castle because amongst the options that Highways England Head Gardener, has designed a wildflower garden to be had identified were two options that resulted in built in front of the ruins by the Post Office. Planters will enlargement of the A27 through Arundel that would be located around the town, which individuals and have done great harm to our town. organisations will be able to adopt. For over 40 years the A27 has run straight through the Help is required in every aspect of the plan, so please town, dividing our community into two halves, and the contact the Town Clerk if you would like to get involved. congestion has encouraged drivers to ‘rat run’ down our High Street, which was never designed for through Community Awards traffic. We welcome Highways England recognition of the need to protect our historic town. We are asking By the time you read this we will be preparing for that in the detailed planning, every possible step be the presentation of the Community Awards on 3rd taken to mitigate adverse effects on those closer to December. This year the awards will reflect the many the chosen route. people and organisations who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to support our community during this Image: Charlie Waring Covid-19 year. ‘Arundel’s Human Capital’ Only limited numbers of people will be able to be present, but we plan to film the event and, if public At a (socially distanced) dinner recently, resident Daniel health guidelines permit, we will have a larger Hodson spoke of ‘Arundel’s Human Capital’-the fact celebration in spring 2021. that we are blessed with a specially high number of people who have time, energy and talent that they use Arundel-Ford Cycle Path and Footpath for the benefit of all of us. In 2020 this has shown up as never before. Being an NHS or a care worker, providing With the support of our County Councillor, Gary support to self-isolating neighbours, keeping the town’s Markwell, and MP, Andrew Griffith, the Cycling and many services and voluntary organisations running, Walking working group is preparing a detailed proposal learning to teach remotely, providing a festival when a for this long-needed pathway. festival is impossible, volunteering to clean the town or to marshal the market safely, joining one of the working This working group is also setting up a Walking and groups that are planning activities for 2021- confident Cycling Forum which 34 members have joined so far. that we will all get through this together- this indeed is This will lead to the creation of a Local Cycling and Arundel’s Human Capital, well invested in our shared Walking Infrastructure Plan for Arundel, enabling the life in the town. town to bid for new grant funding. Arundel Town Council 31

The Bell | WINTER 2020 A Profile of Felicity Lock Photo ©Christian Doyle 32

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Felicity Lock’s foray onto Instagram in Harper’s, Maggie Buchanan, rang and offered her a job 2016 gave a whole new impetus to her in the post room. Felicity jumped at it for £7 a week. design career, not least by attracting the After three months, she was promoted to Shop Hound attention of The White Company. Oliver Editor- two half pages at the back of the magazine Hawkins, a fellow art college student in featuring Accessories. Also working with the fashion the 60’s, recounts her life and times. team, she was involved styling shots in cold studios all over London most memorably at The Pheasantry on WHEN the Editor asks me to profile someone for The Kings Road. Top models, fantastic photographers, loud Bell the chances are that I will know them or have come Crosby, Stills & Nash blaring out, and copious amounts across them in the town, but it’s unusual for it to be a of wine to get the models to relax. Memorable among friend I’ve known for over fifty years. Back in September many highlights at Harper’s Bazaar were being on the 1962, the month President Kennedy declared that top of Apple Studios watching the Beatles record All you the USA would put a man on the moon, and the USSR need is Love and visiting Prague on a Bohemian glass started shipping arms to Cuba, Felicity and I arrived tour and seeing Russian tanks in Wenceslas Square. as new students at the West Sussex College of Art in Worthing. With typical fashion sense she remembers After a spell with Alisa Garland on the short-lived what she wore- a black polo neck sweater, black mini Fashion publication Felicity went back to Harper’s, now skirt, mid-thigh- a nod to Juliette Greco and the beatnik merged with Queen, as assistant fashion editor, allowing generation, but with a flair that announced great things all the privileges of front row seats at the Paris fashion to come. shows. She must have been sorely tempted when Maggie Buchanan, having moved to New York, asked It was a good time to be an her to join her on the fashion team at American Bazaar, art student: in fact a great but at this point her discriminating eye had settled time to be a student at all, on young, sporty farmer Ian Lock, a member of the with generous grants and Sussex farming dynasty. She was married in a Nina Ricci high levels of tuition that wedding dress that she can almost fit into today; going- would be unthinkable today away outfit a mid-thigh pale pink Courreges-inspired dress by Bill Gibb. Now living in East Lavant at the farm, It was a good time to be an art student: in fact a great Felicity taught beauty therapy and hairdressing students time to be a student at all, with generous grants and on day release. Their attitude to her was transformed high levels of tuition that would be unthinkable today. when they found she was prepared to stay after class Our timing was perfect – creativity was exploding and chat; some had difficult home lives and had no one everywhere – David Hockney had dazzled at the Royal else to talk to. Years later there would be a shout across College of Art, and Terence Conran was preparing East Street in Chichester saying ‘Mrs Lock, you saved my to open his first Habitat shop in Chelsea. But it was life, I’ll never forget you’ the fashion scene that really took off- mini-skirts, op-art dresses, heavy black kohl eyes and very long Not one to ever say no, when boots. Mary Quant led the way. Barbara Hulanicki Felicity was asked to do the followed with Biba in Kensington Church Street, and interiors for the American every fashionable girl shopped there. What brought Chemical Bank on the everything together was a generation of fashion Avenue Foch in Paris, she photographers- Norman Parkinson, Richard Avedon, jumped at it. Helmut Newton were the masters but cocky, confident David Bailey tore up all the rules, with his muse Jean Not one to ever say no, when Felicity was asked to Shrimpton bringing the clothes to life. do the interiors for the American Chemical Bank on the Avenue Foch in Paris, she jumped at it. With no At college, Felicity specialised in fashion design and experience in the field, she asked a local interior making, but had access to all the other departments designer if she could use all her books and contacts to which set her up for a broadly-based design career. produce mood boards to take to Paris. Not content with Thinking she didn’t have the talent to be a dress the choice of fabrics, Felicity commissioned the Isle of designer, she applied to Vanity Fair and Harper’s Bazaar Bute weaving mill to produce a deep navy, taupe and - no vacancies at either but the then Fashion Editor of white tweed for the boardroom and reception seating. After many trips on the ‘red eye’ her presentation was 33

The Bell | WINTER 2020 ADVERTORIAL JENNINGS & CO FINANCIAL PLANNING LTD 39 High Street, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AG • 01903 883388 A pandemic financial plan for all the family Sam Jennings Ensure a safe financial future for yourself, your parents and your children during the How to help your children coronavirus pandemic Whether your children are younger and home from MEMBERS of the sandwich generation, those school, or older and back living at home after their individuals in their 40s, 50s and 60s who are bringing university has closed, or they have been laid off from up their own children while also providing care for their their job, they will likely need increased emotional – and parents, face increased financial strain in the best of possibly financial – support. times. Pulled in different directions, they are also trying to save for their own retirement during a critical period Thinking about money as a family, rather than each in their working life. generation trying to manage alone, is a great place to start, and has the added benefit of introducing younger It’s the perfect storm of financial, emotional and time generations to financial planning. pressure. You might be in a senior role at work and have to juggle management responsibilities with the challenge of Pensions and Junior ISAs are great opportunities to give working from home. Or you might have been furloughed children a financial head start, and it’s worth contributing from your current role and face the prospect of a cut even in times of volatility. In the Budget in March, the in income. Added to this, there are concerns about the annual allowance for a Junior ISA was more than doubled performance of your pension and other investments to £9,000. A parent or guardian must set up the Junior given recent stock market falls. ISA, but anyone can pay into it, and there is no tax to pay on any income or gains. And even small contributions How to help your parents into a child or young person’s pension can make a big difference over the long term. Whether your ageing parents live with you, by themselves or in a care home, this is an anxious time. And How to help yourself while money is never an easy topic to talk about, having a conversation will allow you to plan for this period of If you can, continue contributing to your own pension uncertainty more effectively. and savings. Sacrificing saving today could result in financial strain tomorrow. In addition, life insurance and Talk to your parents about financial scams in order to help financial protection are relevant now more than ever – prevent them from falling victim to online or telephone we may not like to think about death, serious illness and fraud. Keep in regular contact (via phone or digitally) and long-term sickness, but they’re especially important if make sure they’re aware that you’re happy to discuss any others rely on you financially. money concerns that they may have. Use your time in lockdown to give your budget a spring And though it is a difficult subject, it’s important to check clean. Are there monthly costs that you could eliminate that your parents’ affairs are in order. Will creation and or reduce? Are you using available tax breaks? You may legacy planning will be front of mind for many people even find there is an opportunity to make the most of a during this time of uncertainty, and it’s worth taking a fall in share prices and invest for the future. look to make sure everything is up to date. Also note whether they’ve specified who can legally take control When markets have dropped, it can be a good time to of their finances should they become unable to make save and invest. It may seem counterintuitive, but you decisions on their own. are buying cheap stocks. 34 To receive information or to arrange a meeting, please call the office on 01903 883388 or email [email protected]

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Photo ©Frank Horvat Felicity on the right In 2016, Felicity’s granddaughter Mary suggested she set up an Instagram page showing fashion, design and her drawings. This has been life changing, not only selling her drawings to collectors all over the world, including a commission for four works for Lady Bamford at Daylesford, but opening up a new career with The White Company, working on their 2021/2 clothes collections. Remembering our early days at the Art School in Worthing, Felicity is still full of appreciation for all she learnt there and the generous encouragement of the tutors who believed in her. Having by her own admission gained very little from her schooling- definitely a late developer- it was in the studios at Union Place, now sadly no more, that she developed not only a set of skills across all design fields but the confidence to apply them wherever the opportunity arose and, most important of all, the desire to go on learning. How delightful that a granddaughter has been able to play a part in that continuing learning process. accepted- an American Bank with a French workforce WELCOME and a British designer- tricky! Later, she did the Interiors TO for Cadogan Estate in London- two prestigious blocks of apartments on Sloane Street- many private homes, and ARUNDEL the Itchenor Yacht Club. POST OFFICE Selling the farm in 1990 was heartbreaking but these were hideous times with high bank rates and low prices Arundel Post Office offers the usual PO for grain. Now with three children, Ian and Felicity services including Royal Mail/ moved to North Cornwall, a place they’d known for years. Their son Edward was at Prebendal School in Parcelforce, UK & international services, Chichester and every Wednesday, one of them would Mail Redirection and Drop & Go, drive the 211 miles to watch him play cricket then shoot off back to Bodmin. banking/cash withdrawals, bill payments, travel money, passport check & send, In 1997 they returned to Sussex and Felicity once again moneygram, DVLA vehicle licensing, had interior design commissions, but she now had a longing to go back to Art School to learn how to observe Homephone and Broadband. A new and well and draw. Luckily Piers Ottey was close by at his Mill enhanced range of greetings cards is Studio, and nine years ago she enrolled on his ‘Elements available and a wide selection of of Drawing’ course. Piers was a demanding tutor but stationery, party items, mobile phone that’s what she wanted- to be told she could do much accessories and children ’ s toys. better was hard, but when Piers loved a piece it was so worthwhile. Her first exhibition in 2014 was part of 2-4 High St., Arundel BN18 9AA the Arundel Art Trail. Rowland Leach at The French Loft Tel: 01903 882113 offered Felicity the whole ground floor to hang her ten drawings. It was a perfect industrial setting for her very Email: [email protected] large work and was a great success. At a later exhibition Open Mon—Sat: 9am-5.30pm there, every piece sold, allowing her to find keen buyers for her exquisitely detailed drawings and commissions ever since. 35

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Messages from the Churches FOR some reason when I was thinking Christmas On or Off? about this Christmas’ reflection the story of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple kept AT the beginning of September I was coming back to me. We can find the biblical driving to the hospital to visit a Church record of it in Luke 2, and I encourage you member and I was listening to a debate to read it. Technically speaking the story on Radio 5 Live with Business leaders. happened 40 days after Jesus was born but I think it carries The final question the interviewer asked a profoundly important Christmas message. The first scene one business leader was this. She said, in a one word of the story happens in the Temple of Jerusalem when, answer ‘is Christmas on or off?’ Yes or No? I felt like according to the Jewish tradition Mary and Joseph bring shouting at the radio, ‘Christmas is definitely on’. When their new born child to the Temple, where they show I got home I did something I have never done before, I “present” Jesus to God and the priests offer a sacrifice contacted that Radio programme by Text and said the prescribed by the law of Moses. This very first scene, following, ‘for Christians all around the world, Christmas this lively image of Jesus being brought into the Temple is definitely on. We celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus unfolds before us a hidden layer of great importance. This Christ; God come to earth in the flesh. Jesus is Saviour of newly born child, of no power and of no significance, of the world something worth celebrating. I never received no voice and of no importance is being brought to that a response and probably didn’t expect to. place which is the religious heart of the nation- and no Some 2000 years ago the world was in turmoil and Israel one notices him, where no one pays any attention. Just was under the rule of the Roman Empire, and a young as at the moment of his birth in Bethlehem, rejected and couple called Mary and Joseph travelled from Nazareth forgotten from his first moment among us. The only two to Bethlehem to register for a National census. Each people who recognise God who is visiting his people in and man had to return to the place of his birth. Mary and through Jesus are Simeon, and Anna, two people standing Joseph were not married but betrothed. A betrothal was at the end their lives, who await him and look for him in a legally binding agreement to marry. One difference the crowd at the steps of the Temple. I find this image with the couple, unlike any other couple, was the fact profoundly moving and challenging at the same time. For that Mary was pregnant and the Father to the child this scene is an invitation for us all. An invitation to look was not Joseph. Any young girl then, in such a situation around us, an invitation to look inside us, an invitation to usually fell on very hard times. Joseph stood by Mary look for God who is coming quietly and unexpectedly in which revealed character about him. Joseph would have the form of a powerless child. God who can easily go by us probably received opposition for his decision. Mary unnoticed. This is the great paradox of God. The one who conceived in a miracle of the Holy Spirit; there was no is the creator of the universe, the one who holds all the human involvement! power and might in his hand, comes to us as a powerless The Lord God revealed to Mary that she had been child. The one who established the world and is eternal, chosen for the purpose of giving birth to a child, but comes to us in the fragility of his own creation. This is the not just any child. It was to be God revealed in the flesh, only way he can fully show us his love for us, when he gives in the form of a baby. God further spoke to Joseph himself to us in Jesus, rejecting his own power and majesty, informing him to support Mary and the child inside her rejecting his greatness. He’s coming to us quietly, so quietly was to he called Jesus. Matthew 1:21 ‘She, (Mary) will that he can be unnoticed, even in his own Temple. The bear a son and you are to name him Jesus for he will story of the Presentation as well as the message of Christ- save his people from their sins’. Jesus was born to die for mas are the same. They both encourage us to look beyond the sins of the world – the sins of you and me. The Bible the obvious, to look for the unusual, for the unexpected; declares that all who call upon the name of Jesus for to learn how to recognise the coming of God in those salvation will be saved of their sin. Jesus came amongst around us. How to appreciate and value the presence of us as a baby and at the age of 33 he was crucified on a every person we see. In the noise and the busyness of our cross – he took on our sin and dealt with it once and for life, just like in the noise and the busyness in the Temple of all, as he rose from the dead to live eternally! Jerusalem, it is very easy to pass by Jesus without noticing Christmas is definitely on! and recognising that he is here. So this Christmas look carefully at every one around you. Find the time to stop for THE REVD STEVE LOMAS a moment and look with attention. Who knows, maybe you Pastor, Arundel Baptist Church will find God in the most unexpected place. I pray you will! THE REVD DOMINIK CHMIELEWSKI I AM wondering how Christmas will be celebrated this year and how the feast will help us to reflect on the St Nicholas Arundel year about to finish. Christmas tends to be a time for 36

WINTER 2020 | The Bell people to come together, and that is the St. Nicholas Church main activity that has been discouraged since the Spring. Not too many and not 25 Dec 9am Holy Communion, too close has been the idea to keep us all as safe as possible. Transcending that St. Leonard’s Church, advice and not in any manner to negate it, because it is important, the religious symbols of South Stoke Christmas speak to us of a different reality. When we look on the crib scene, we can remember Jesus who 25 Dec 10am Sung Mass of the Nativity, came to be with us and is always by our side in good times and in bad. Memory is important in the Christian Baptist St. Nicholas Church life and the opening lines of the Gospel of St. John invite us to remember the God who came to be with 20th Dec 10.30am New normal Christmas Carol us in Jesus, in these inspiring words The Word was Service made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of CHRISTMAS DAY grace and truth.1 Reflecting on the crib, Pope Francis writes God’s 25 Dec 10.30am Christmas Day Praise ways are astonishing, for it seems impossible that he should forsake his glory to become a man like us. To 27 Dec 10.30am December Morning Worship our astonishment, we see God acting exactly as we do: Roman Catholic he sleeps, takes milk from his mother, cries and plays like every other child! As always, God baffles us. He is CHRISTMAS EVE unpredictable, constantly doing what we least expect. The nativity scene shows God as he came into our world, 24 Dec 11.30pm Midnight Mass, Arundel but it also makes us reflect on how our life is part of Cathedral God’s own life. It invites us to become his disciples if we want to attain ultimate meaning in life.2 CHRISTMAS DAY If you can gaze upon a nativity scene in some way, if you can get a sense of the glory of Jesus, full of grace 25 Dec 9.15am Mass, Arundel Cathedral and truth, the Holy Spirit is inviting you to follow him. Irrespective of how many other invitations you may be 25 Dec 11.15am Mass, Arundel Cathedral able to give, receive or accept this year you are invited to the nativity scene to reflect upon Jesus who is with As all these projected services are some time ahead, us always. As St. Augustine says, to trust the past to please check on individual churches’ websites for up-to- God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future date information. to God’s providence. With my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. arundelbaptistchurch.org.uk stnicholas-arundel.co.uk CANON DAVID PARMITER arundelcathedral.uk Arundel Cathedral Online Services from Arundel Churches 1. Admirabile Signum 2. The meaning & Importance of the Nativity Scene, Pope Francis, CTS Arundel Baptist Church publications ©Liberia Editrice Vaticana 2019 Sermons, podcasts & messages of encouragement from Pastor Steve Lomas are available through the church Christmas Services website www.arundelbaptistchurch.org.uk. Click on the Anglican audio page. Pastor Steve has also been streaming live services since PATRONAL FESTIVAL 5th April at 10.15 every Sunday, on Facebook. Go to Facebook.com/stephen.lomas.37 6 Dec 10am Festival Eucharist, Arundel Cathedral St. Nicholas Church Information on Live Streams, current, planned & CHRISTMAS EVE completed is available on the Cathedral website, www.arundelcathedral.uk. 24 Dec 11pm Midnight Mass, Streamed services are available at 11.15 each Sunday St. Nicholas Church on the Arundel Cathedral Live YouTube channel, www. youtube.com/channel/UC71-pXF8v-VZfzO01zrnerQ CHRISTMAS DAY St. Nicholas Church 25 Dec 8am Holy Communion, Members of the congregation receive a weekly newsletter online from Canon David Twinley with information about services, etc. Videos of Canon David’s celebration of the Eucharist at 10.00am each Sunday since 23rd March (including Easter) are available through the church’s website www.stnicholas-arundel.co.uk also a series of illustrated talks on Martin Luther and the first of a series on the Letters of St. Paul. 37

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Christian Worship Revd Dominik Chmielewski reflects on his recent ordination Covid has changed the way we celebrate the important events ANGLICAN in our lives. Baptisms and weddings are not the only church celebrations that are affected by the new safety regulations. A Parish and Priory Church of St Nicholas, Arundel new format was given to the ordinations of deacons, priest and Canon David Twinley • www.stnicholas-arundel.co.uk bishops too. Parish Office - Telephone: 882262 I was supposed to be ordained priest on 6 June this year, exactly eleven months after my diaconal ordination at Chichester Vicarage - Telephone: 885209 Cathedral. But at the beginning of the year the new virus changed everything. The date was moved four times as the Sunday 8.00am Eucharist (1662) health crisis continued to expand throughout the country and 10.00am Sung Eucharist world. Finally, the decision was made that the ordination would 6.00pm Sung Evensong 1st Sunday in the month go ahead, on 4th October at St Nicholas’ Church in Arundel. Hearing about the venue chosen for my ordination, I said to Tuesday 6.30pm Eucharist myself that it was worthwhile waiting for. Usually the group Wednesday 10.00am Eucharist (1662) ordinations take place in the cathedrals or in large churches in Thursday 10.00am Eucharist the area. But because of the social-distancing rules, the bishop Friday 12.00noon Eucharist decided that all new priests would be ordained separately in their parish churches. Parish Church of St Leonard, South Stoke It was the first ordination at St Nicholas’ in living history. In other circumstances it would have been, I’m sure, a great 2nd Sunday 9.00am Holy Communion celebration with all our church family present. But not this year. The restrictions allowed only 25 guests present at the service, 4th Sunday 3.00pm Evensong which meant that only a few family members and friends could attend. All others had to join in online to take part in the service BAPTIST as it was live-streamed. Ordination in the life of a priest is a pivotal moment of great Baptist Church, Torton Hill Road change in their ministry. This ancient ceremony, called in the Pastor Steve Lomas • Telephone: 01243 587199 Bible “the laying on of hands”, sets them apart for God and puts on them the responsibility of serving His people, the Church, Sunday 10.00am Family Service, 6.30pm Evening Service in preaching and administration of the Sacraments. There are a few very moving moments in the liturgy of the ordination. Communion 1st Sunday in the month 9.00am The vows, the anointing with the oil of chrism, receiving of 2nd Sunday following Family Service the cup and the patten with wine and bread. But for me the 4th Sunday with Evening Service most profound moment was the prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Traditionally at the words of the ordaining Bishop CATHOLIC “Pray earnestly for the gifts of the Holy Spirit” the candidates prostrate themselves and remain lying face down in front of Cathedral of Our Lady and St Philip Howard the altar while the hymn “Come Holy Spirit” and the Litany are being sung. This gesture shows that the candidate is fully The Revd Canon David Parmiter dependent on God. In humility they ask for His grace and mercy, The Revd David Clifton, Retired Deacon for they cannot bear the weight of this calling in their own Cathedral - Telephone: 882297 strength. Then the Bishop and the invited priests lay their hands on the candidate, who is vested in the robes of the new office, Saturday 6.15pm Vigil Mass † anointed with the oil of chrism and presented with a copy of the Bible, as a sign of authority in teaching the faith. Sunday 9.30am Family Mass In that moment, even though I knew that there were only 25 invited people present in the church, I felt the power of love and 11.15am Sung Mass prayers of all people of St Nicholas’ and of St Leonard’s, South Stoke with me. I couldn’t imagine a better and more meaningful Thursday 8.30am Parish Mass † place for my ordination than my beloved parish church, a place where God has sent me to love and to serve His people.” Other weekdays excl. Mondays 10.00am Mass Holy Days 8.30am Mass † 10.00am & 8.00pm Mass Convent of the Poor Clares, Crossbush † indicates Masses at the Convent. For times of other weekday Masses please ring 882536. Christian Groups & Courses in Arundel ANGLICAN BAPTIST www.arundelbaptistchurch.org.uk House groups Homegroup & Bible Study: www.arundelcathedral.org Tel: Parish Office 882262 Wednesdays 11.00am www.stnicholas-arundel.co.uk CATHOLIC Tel: Pastor Steve Lomas 01243 587199 RCIA (Rite of Christian initiation for Adults) Email: [email protected] Tel: Cathedral Office 01903 882297 Tel: Les Voke 884156 38

WINTER 2020 | The Bell News from the Churches ARUNDEL BAPTIST CHURCH distance between the organ and the singers, who are conducted by the Director of Music, Sarah Plumley. The congregation meet each Sunday at 10.30am in Congregational singing is still not permitted. the church and Pastor Steve’s Facebook Live Service The 10am Sunday Eucharist continues to be live- continues on Sunday evenings at 6.00pm – on www. streamed on the Church’s website www.stnicholas- facebook.com/stephen.lomas.37. Sunday morning arundel.co.uk sermons are downloaded on Facebook Live on Monday mornings. Church website: CANON BRIAN COOK www.arundelbaptistchurch.org.uk Everyone at St. Nicholas was deeply saddened by ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL the death in August of Canon Brian Cook. He was a marvellous priest, ordained in 1979, a popular and well- There are no planned events in the Cathedral over the loved figure with a wicked sense of humour, and was coming months. always a stable and comforting presence in the church. In September the Cathedral was delighted to be able to Before he became ordained Brian had a fascinating and go ahead with First Communion and Confirmations for varied career in the theatre. Having trained at RADA our 2020 groups. Congratulations to all. he went on to become over time involved in every The Cathedral will now open from 9.30am-1pm & 2-4pm aspect of theatre, including being resident director at with Mass at 10am Tuesday-Saturday. The Vigil Mass of the Connaught Theatre, Worthing in 1966 He involved Sunday is at 6.00pm on Saturday and on Sunday Masses himself wholeheartedly in the area of theatrical are 9.15am & 11.15am. The Cathedral will open from education and was instrumental in setting up probably 2-4pm on a Sunday afternoon but remains closed on a the first course in musical theatre. Monday. All services are live-streamed on the website Locally, Brian, often with his wife Yvette and daughter www.arundelcathedral.uk. For updates and in particular Diva, put on occasional high-quality theatrical to check the times of Christmas Masses, please see the performances, both of a serious and not-so-serious Cathedral website. nature, in St. Nicholas and North Stoke churches and at the Museum. Julian of Norwich and Shakespeare Soup ST. NICHOLAS are two memorable examples. To read more about this remarkable man, his lengthy A recent joyful event has been the resumption of choral obituary in The Stage reveals more of Brian’s story. singing in the church. The permitted maximum of seven He is sadly missed. singers stand in a socially distanced semi-circle at the West end of the church and sing the Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei as well as a Communion anthem and a hymn. All singing is unaccompanied because of the impractical Happenings BIRTHS & BAPTISMS DEATHS/FUNERALS 22 Aug Louis Tanguy Nicholson-Lepine 28 Jun Rev. John Healy (75) 05 Sep Aurelia Denise Maria Montagnani 19 Sep Derin Christopher Cowley 13 Jul Andrew Nigel Martin (73) 19 Sep Ata Daniel Cowley 19 Sep Eliza Roberta Richardson 30 July Gregory Stanley (75) 27 Sep Eliza Rachel Fitzalan Howard 18 Oct Ciara Lorraine Mathews 03 Aug The Revd. Canon Brian Cook (84) MARRIAGES 06 Aug Marcus Dean (43) 25 Aug Alan John Kirwin (61) 09 Sep Colin Kemp (date of death 30.3.20, interment of 26 Sep ashes at St. Mary Magdalene, Tortington Rev. Albert van der Most (83) 14 Aug Samuel Jonathan Kerr & Katie Amanda Victoria 14 Oct Iris Swaffield (96) (date of death 22.09.20, Mouskos interment of ashes) 18 Oct Christopher Barrett (70) 39

The Bell | WINTER 2020 AGPerooffilfe oSfquire Photo: ©Nigel Cull 40

www.lovearundel.org WINTER 2020 | The Bell Gill Farquharson explores the origin of redundancies swept through the company and Geoff the Arundel Christmas trees and much found himself in his 50’s without a job, which gave more in conversation with Geoff Squire. him the opportunity to reassess his life. His son Tim suggested this was the ideal opportunity to do what GEOFF Squire is one of the many unsung Arundel he’d always wanted to and run his own business. heroes. Residents here for over thirty years, he and his wife Carol were stalwarts of the retail scene for the first It was a chance visit to Carol’s aunt, Angela Chadwick, twenty of them. who lived in Arundel that gave them the idea of running a restaurant. The Copper Kettle (now LG Café) was for Born in a modest house in West London – now he notes sale and was run as a traditional tearoom. They decided worth over £1million – he was one of very few local to buy it and moved into a cottage on Maltravers Street. boys to go to St Clement Danes Grammar School. When The tenure lasted 20 years from 1988 to 2002 during the family moved to Highgate his father, a butcher, ran a which time Geoff calculates Carol made 30,000 scones! shop there and the family lived above it. Carol also opened a gift shop with a beauty and health theme called The Apothecary Store which was next door In 1961 after his two year to the restaurant – so ‘Carol still didn’t get away from conscription into the RAF, he the scones!’. She ran the Store for five years. became Company Secretary for a group of African companies ‘In those days,’ Geoff recalls ‘you had to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce to get a parking space Geoff started work as a Management Trainee at in Crown Yard so I duly joined’. He describes the Sainsbury’s and met his first wife there. In 1961 after Chamber at the time as ‘moribund’. The membership his two year conscription into the RAF, he became was dwindling and he, along with well-known Arundel Company Secretary for a group of African companies resident Bill Beere, ‘effectively were the Chamber at that which included African Metals Corporation and the time. We had to build it back up’, which they did very Electricity Supply Company of SA, based in the Strand. successfully. It was a very conservative environment where writing zeros linked together instead of separately or wearing Geoff remembers, ‘Arundel was pretty dead at a red tie ruffled feathers! After five years he moved to Christmas’. Lucy Ashworth (ex-Councillor and Mayor) Youngs Seafoods, part of the Ross Group. He joined as was running her shop, Poppyfields – Bags of Style, at the Office Manager and then became the Accountant and time and she, along with others, came up with the idea stayed for nearly 20 years. In 1976, he started a basic of Arundel by Candlelight. Geoff thought it would be computer system network for the company. Responsible attractive to light up the town with Christmas trees, and for everything from design to implementation, he really having sold the idea to the shopkeepers, he put up 140 enjoyed the role. trees for the Millennium Christmas. The idea is of course still going strong today under the management of Ash Geoff and his first wife had a son, Tim, and two Kent and his team of Elves! Geoff also introduced Easter daughters, Trudi and Alison. The marriage broke down and Christmas themed windows throughout the town, however during his time at Youngs. Later, in 1982, he another idea which has returned in recent years. met his current wife Carol, who he jokingly claims, ‘threw herself at him’. She was working as a Home Geoff was always such Economist at Youngs and on Geoff’s birthday loaned him an enthusiastic and some glasses for the celebrations – the rest, as they say, forward-thinking member is history! of the Chamber. From Youngs Geoff moved to Aquascutum as Business Lucy remembers this time with great fondness. ‘Geoff Systems Manager. While there he used his commuting was always such an enthusiastic and forward-thinking time to embark on an Open University Humanities member of the Chamber. He was Treasurer and Vice degree majoring in Art and Art History. ‘It was wonderful Chairman of the Arundel Chamber of Commerce when because it taught me to understand the basic stepping I opened the shop in Castle Mews on Tarrant Street in stones of Western culture – the journey through 2002. James Stewart, from Zimmer Stewart Gallery, and Greeks, Romans and the Renaissance etcetera. I’m so I would often catch up with him on his walks round the glad I did it – it opened up a whole new area to me.’ town as he spoke to the many retailers and restaurants. All was going well until 1988 when Aquascutum was He was so encouraging to the traders and was always sold to a Japanese company. The inevitable swathe of keen to get involved in new marketing initiatives. With 41

The Bell | WINTER 2020 42

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Carol in her shop in Tarrant Street as well, it really was a KNOW THYSELF very social time and we all helped each other.’ SLCIONLLDEGOEN The Copper Kettle was also a great source of work for many Slindon College is an Independent Day and Boarding school of the town’s teenagers over the for boys aged 8-18 located in Sussex years, working temporarily to earn pocket money. Slindon College provides a stimulating, broad and balanced educational experience for pupils of all academic abilities, The Copper Kettle was also a great source of work for many of the town’s teenagers over the years, working taking into account their strengths and talents. temporarily to earn pocket money. One of them, Charlie Waring’s daughter Emily, recalls: Open Mornings ‘Along with many other local kids in our early teens, I 9.30am-12noon managed to secure my first weekend job there waiting tables, washing dishes or helping in the kitchen. Working Saturday 19th September 2020* at the CK was a rite of passage for many of us Arundel Saturday 6th March 2021 kids. Geoff ran a tight ship, but he and Carol taught us all many valuable lessons, including responsibility, the value of Saturday 25th September 2021 money, hard work, team work, how to make a good cuppa- to accompany a pretty awesome cream tea- invaluable life Private visits available throughout the year lessons! Whilst the hours were long, and work was pretty full on especially during the busy summer months, we *Pending prevailing Government Guidelines were rewarded with good tips (the result of good training Register Attendance: 01243 814320 and high standards) and delicious lunches!’ [email protected] www.slindoncollege.co.uk They sold the restaurant and Geoff joined The Wildfowl and wanbourne Wetlands Trust, ‘which suited me down to the ground.’ Lunches & CreamTeas At 65 Geoff decided to retire from the business; ‘running by the lakeside a restaurant is a very, very hard work’. They sold the in Arundel Park restaurant and Geoff joined The Wildfowl and Wetlands SWANBOURNE LODGE Trust, ‘which suited me down to the ground.’ He was there for six years which he enjoyed enormously but in 01903 884293 2007, at the age of 69, he suffered a heart attack. Having recovered, he decided to retire the following year. www.swanbournelodge.co.uk Geoff and Carol have always been avid skiers although 43 he is now no longer able to do it. He is also a talented painter and has some lovely examples of country scenes and of their much-loved spaniel, Millie. Geoff was a familiar figure in Tarrant Street walking her daily until she sadly died earlier this year. Recently he has kept himself busy writing down his memories- ‘Watching buzz bombs go over, collecting warm shrapnel after a raid and hiding under the kitchen table during bombing raids,’ are just some of recollections he wants to share with his children and grandchildren. Geoff is one of the many people who have made a great contribution to the life of Arundel.

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Painting with Light 44

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Dominik Chmielewski, who was profiled in The Bell when he arrived as a curate at St Nicholas last year, was ordained in October. Most priests will have some appreciation of the vestments that they wear, but few will have been involved in their design and making. Dominic had originally trained and practised as a stained-glass designer, but when studying for the priesthood in Oxford he found that embroidery was a more easily accessible pastime, something that could be picked up between lectures. As a young boy in Poland he had been taught needlecraft by his grandmother, and his interest in traditional iconography could be served by tiny stitches of thread just as effectively as by pieces of coloured glass. Having previously made a stole decorated with individual saints, St Nicholas included, Dominik found in Diana Hawkins someone with the skills to construct the ornate vestments needed for his priestly activities. The main cope, or chasuble, made from over eighteen metres of silk, wool and cotton, in some parts six layers thick, made an interesting contrast to Diana’s summer task sewing scrubs for Chichester Hospital. She and Dominik worked together, displaying his exquisite embroideries on the cope, the hood worn behind, and a new stole. Dominik refers to icons as ‘painting with light’, the artist aspiring to represent God shining in the darkness. It is possible to find the same effect in the beautiful vestments that he now wears at the altars of St Nicholas, Arundel, and St Leonards, South Stoke. Photos: ©Charlie Waring 45

The Bell | WINTER 2020 email: [email protected] ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL CENTRE www.premier-nursing.co.uk The ideal venue to cater for your special occasion or event! St. Mary's Hall, seating 100 - 120 St. Philip Howard Hall, seating 60 Cashman Room, seating 30 Hire includes heating, use of kitchen and equipment, PA and loop system. Please call 01903 882 297 or email [email protected] for information on prices,availability, terms and conditions. London Road, Arundel, W. Sussex BN18 9BA 46

WINTER 2020 | The Bell Macular Degeneration It is estimated that nearly 1.5m Chichester for people with poor sight. It met people in the UK have some sort monthly, with speakers and a nice tea!. The of macular disease. Although it chairman, Patrick, took me to his home to affects people of all ages, age- show me the kit he had on his computer to related macular degeneration aid him. Some months later I had to give up (AMD) is the most common my car, as I couldn’t see the signs in time. condition, generally affecting When I told Patrick I could no longer attend, people over 50. Here John Munro he said, “Why don’t you start a club in gives an account of his experience Arundel?” of the disease. So I did, with the help of Stella Black, the regional manager of the Macular Society. I What is a MACULAR? Is it asked The Swan Hotel, who had been kind 1. a baby Dracula enough to let us use a comfortable back room 2. a colour for MIND meetings and they immediately said 3. an island threatened by rising seas or yes – at no charge, and coffee at £2 – less 4. a part of the eye? than normal! I designed posters, which shops ABOUT five years ago I thought I needed gladly took, to advertise – telling folk we meet new glasses. Reading was getting a little on the first Tuesday each month, at 11.00am jumpy. At Boots I could read the letters with till 12.30pm. I rang the surgery, who told me my left eye but saw just a blank screen with they had 88 people registered with AMD. my right. “You have AMD,” said the lady. There are over 600,000 in Britain with the “What’s that?” I asked. “Age-related Macular disease, and it’s growing as we live longer. Degeneration. You need to go to the Eye Clinic During lockdown we have ‘met’ on the phone, within a fortnight.” monthly, with speakers joining from their own So began a course of monthly eye injections homes – the High Sheriff of West Sussex was which were not as dreadful as they sound. one. If you would like to know more, or join In the waiting room next to me was a chap in the discussions, ring me on 01903 884997. who’d had over twenty injections, and he I’ve got lots of information booklets published reassured me he was fine. I didn’t like the idea by the Macular Society – and they welcome of a needle going into my eye. But some drops enquiries on 0300 3030 111. made it numb, and the needle went into the back of the eye. I felt no pain and it was all 47 over in a couple of minutes. The macular is the size of a grain of rice, set in the centre of the retina, and enables us to see fine detail. It seems that as we age the tiny blood vessels around it can bleed, and straight lines become wobbly, with a grey mist which made it hard for me to recognise faces who I met out in the street. Somehow I heard about a group in

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Diary of an Arundel mother our little family sitting down at the table on the 25th or By Victoria Lugton, mother of twin boys whether we’ll be able to see Grannies and Grandads, and family photographer who lives and Aunts, Uncles and cousins there are ways we can feel works in Arundel festive and enjoy this time safely, sustainably and ethically without breaking the bank balance. As parents WRITING this as we head into Lockdown 2.0 it seems we know that the little people we live with will be impossible to think as far as Christmas and what it relying on us to make it magical no matter what! might look like this year. It’s November right now and I’m planning birthday celebrations for my boys which So here are some ideas and ways I’ll be creating the magic involve a low-key celebration just the four of us with of Christmas in and around Arundel in these uncertain a walk in the woods, not the party they’re used to but times, no matter what restrictions we’re living under. they will enjoy none the less. Finding festive joy outside while on our walks. One of Having had birthday celebrations, Easter and Halloween my favourite things to discover when we first moved to altered this year I think it goes without saying that Arundel was all the Christmas trees hanging from the whatever the rules are in December, Christmas won’t shops and on so many people’s houses. This year I plan be exactly as we’re used to. Whether we will just be to make a proper walk out of Christmas tree spotting, starting along the Ford Road, into town via the Slipe and 48 up to Maltravers Street along around King Street, Bond Street and up to the Cathedral then down the High Street and down Tarrant Street weaving in and out, counting the Christmas Trees as we go. How many can we find? What other pretty lights will we see along the way – Spencer Swaffer window is always a favourite! The kids will love it – as long as they’re wearing enough layers! Shopping local. I’m always an advocate for shopping in our own town, finding presents and getting the Christmas dinner from our local shops wherever possible. We may well still be in ‘lockdown’ in the run up to Christmas but with so many of our own local stores offering delivery services there’s no excuse to turn to the big online retailers for everything. The butchers for the turkey, Pallant for treats, and gifts from The Tea & Biscuit Shop, Pots & Posies and Lavender House are some of our favourites. Foraging for decorations. I love my pretty ornaments and Christmas lights, but I also love bringing the outside in each Christmas and looking to the gardens and woods for decorations. Evergreen plants were once seen as magical and form part of so many Christmas traditions. As well as the evergreen plants you can also use berries, pine cones and woody branches to embellish our homes. Holly, bay, ivy and fir trees are in abundance in and around the woods in Arundel and, while I don’t suggest you start chopping down trees, collecting pine

WINTER 2020 | The Bell cones and twigs is a lovely way to create sustainable - 1.5 cups of water Christmas magic. What to do: Project Christmas movies. OK this isn’t strictly a local activity and it’s not particularly sustainable, but in 1. Measure out the flour and salt into a bowl September I was given an absolutely wonderful gift – a small projector and it’s turned movie watching into not 2. Add the water just a way to pass the time but an actual event! We’ve set it up in our bedroom and the kids and I snuggle up to 3. Stir with a wooden spoon watch our favourite movie, something I can see us doing quite a lot of over Christmas particularly if everything 4. Keep stirring until the dough is mostly together and is remains closed unfortunately. hard to stir any longer Carry on baking. Baking has become a regular activity 5. Knead a few times with hands to bring the dough for so many of us during this crazy year! Something together about the comfort of a traditional family activity that we can do at home with relatively little. We’ll be switching 6. Divide into two sections and roll out to a thickness of our cake baking to some more festive recipes like mince 2cm pies and Christmas cake and also our most favourite – salt dough Christmas decorations! These don’t taste 7. Cut out with cookie cutters including little holes at the very nice but they can be made, painted and sealed and top of each ornament for hanging kept for years to come. This is way more interesting to my crafty boys then traditional cooking, and they look so 8. Bake for 2-3 hours until firm at 120 degrees lovely hanging from the Christmas tree. I have some that are a few years old now and to see their podgy toddler 9. Remove from the oven, let cool and then paint finger marks in the dough makes me smile when I put them up every year. They’re simple to make following 10. Seal with PVA glue once finished and dried this recipe and consists of just three ingredients: Finally, once you’ve made your keepsakes, foraged for Ingredients: your decorations and shopped locally, remember to check in on your neighbours, share some festive love or - 1 cup of table salt leave a treat on their doorstep. - 4 cups of all-purpose flour It’s been a tough year for so many in and around Arundel but we’ve also seen our community come together for Thursday night claps, shopping for others and supporting each other. Let’s remember that this Christmas more than ever. Photos: ©Victoria Lugton 49

The Bell | WINTER 2020 Light for The World Gill Farquharson visited the Convent of Poor Clares to discover more about the are the go to place for the BBC when they want a nun extraordinary success of this album of as we had been on a previous programme called the religious music and the lives of the nuns Convent!’ After transmission of a very short segment who perform it. featuring the nuns from the Convent, a doctor from Edinburgh rang the BBC to say that he was absolutely ARUNDEL’S Convent of the Poor Clares at Crossbush sure the nun in the middle of the three – Sister Aelred- has been in the limelight since October when their CD, had acromegaly. It is a reasonably uncommon condition Light of the World, took No.1 slot in the classical music caused by a benign tumour on the pituitary gland which charts within a week of launch. Since then they’ve been results in overproduction growth hormone in adults and the centre of a media frenzy – Channel 5, The Guardian, stimulates growth of jaw, hands and feet most notably. Times Newspapers, The Observer, BBC News and many more have reported the surprise success of this album of ‘plainchant with a modern twist.’ I met with Sister Aelred, who leads the music at the Convent, the day before she went into St Richards for a hip operation. She had waited two years but said she considered herself very lucky to have had it at all. Like many nuns, Sister Aelred entered a Convent at 18. She had always wanted to be a nun – her Irish family, who lived in Wales, cherished their faith and she felt a strong calling. While Nigel (the photographer) snapped away, the Sister recounted the most extraordinary story about her last brush with fame. When she was Abbess, Sister Aelred appeared, along with two other nuns, on BBC’s The One Show in a piece related to Whoopi Goldberg who famously starred as a nun in the film Sister Act. ‘We © Sister Helen 50