15th August 2016

This is a reminder that the on-line enquiry form for Report a Problem with Roads and Pavements has replaced highways@westsussex.gov.uk as from the 1st August 2016.

For any complaints and enquiries contact should be made to the above other than of course for the roads etc around Sutton. Cllr.Wendy Brown is still responsible.

From September 6th the new national phone number 105 will be launched by electricity network operators for customers to call should they need to report or get information about power cuts in our areas.

Vulnerable customers who would like to sign up to the ‘Priority Services Register’ can still call 0800 169 9970 or e-mail psr@ukpowernetworks.co.uk

Cllr.Neave writes; ‘Over the next couple of weeks I will send an e mail out to introduce you to the new village website. It won’t quite be the finished article (and I will be looking for some volunteers to furnish some information to fill in the gaps) but it’s hopefully a good start and no doubt, will grow and evolve over time, it will be aimed at both visitors to our area and residents.

As a brief taster,it will include PC agendas and minutes; information on village hall and film society; links to the Churches,White Horse and Bignor Roman Villa websites.It will sit alongside The Village News – some of us will always like paper whilst others will prefer the digital option!’.

I am sure most of you would have noticed that Ravesland Field at the Coates crossroads is filled with tents and caravans towards the end of July/August for a week.

I took the opportunity to pay the organisers a visit and was amazed to discover they have been meeting up each year since 1926!

The camp is known as Camp Brighthelm and is affiliated to the United Reform Church in Brighton. The organisers originally  stared the camp for youngsters to escape the confines of fairly strict family life and experience the open air and freedom of the countryside.

The oldest camper this summer was 92 years of age and has been with the group since it’s inception. The ages vary from young babies to of course the eldest if 92 years.

Some of the members learnt to walk at the camp and now bring their young families to do the same and with some families this year with 5 generations of extended family having their annual get together.

The camp is extremely well run and is totally self sufficient, this is all part of the committee of 10 who have rosters for duties strictly adhered to which involves Chiefs,cooks,engineers, caterers and orderlies.

There are usually 150 guests who pay £120 per head full board!! Including early morning tea served to their tents!!!

The highlight this year was an experiment of burying a whole pig in a huge pit of hot stones and wood for 18 hours and I was assured by Martin Porter (1 of the Chiefs) it was delicious.

They assured me they would be back next year and I for one look forward to their return.

Hilary Andrews

Vice Chair Sutton and Barlavington Parish Council