Sussex Magazines

As the new school term starts, the County Council is asking motorists to take extra care and look out for children on the roads, some of whom may be walking or cycling to school for the first time.

In East Sussex, the County Council employs 120 school crossing patrols at 73 sites, helping children cross the road safely while walking to and from school. But motorists can help by being extra vigilant and looking out for children crossing the road on their own.

Road awareness training can also help children to be safe on the roads. Parents interested in extra training for their children should look out for information at their school about the Footsteps and Cycle Awareness courses, starting soon.

Footsteps is a pedestrian training scheme for young children which aims to develop their awareness of roads. Children – usually from the reception class and Years 1 and 2 – are taken outside their school with a trained tutor and parent volunteers to observe local traffic and talk about road safety.

Footsteps helps children learn how to live safely with traffic and avoid accidents. They learn how to behave on and near the road, and to be aware of the dangers of traffic. Under the careful guidance of a tutor, children learn how to identify a safe place to cross and how to cross safely.

A cycling awareness course gives children the skills they need for riding their bikes on the road. The aim is to encourage children to think independently and make their own informed decisions. Cycle awareness courses are available to children nine years old and above.

Most of the cycle training is on the road, with practice sessions in the playground. Most courses are run in conjunction with local schools, by council-approved cycle trainers usually for a small fee.

Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said, "Road awareness and cycling courses can help children to travel to school safely and in an environmentally friendly way. To be able to walk and cycle safely gives children some independence. It is also great exercise and can help to keep both children and parents stay fit and active."

For more information on walking and cycling training please visit our section on road awareness.

Find out more information on school crossing patrols

Our shingle beaches have proven to be a big hit with residents of East Sussex thanks to a County Council project to raise awareness of their importance as a habitat for rare plants and animals.

Work designed to monitor, maintain and enhance the shingle beaches of East Sussex began in April 2008. Community groups and other volunteer organisations helped to carry out 380 surveys covering approximately 38 kilometres of coastline, recording a variety of shingle communities and species. Over 70 volunteers expressed an interest in the project and attended training days with the intention of carrying out shingle vegetation surveys.

Work to promote our shingle beaches now continues with European funding as part of the 'Accessing the Countryside' project.

Shingle beaches are home to nationally rare plant species such as Red Hemp-nettle, Sea Holly and Sea Pea, which can be found in a handful of locations across the East Sussex coastline. They are also home to birds such as the Ringed Plover, which often nests directly on the beach, and insects such as the Toadflax Brocade Moth.

The shingle beach project encourages the protection and enhancement of shingle habitats across the county, thereby helping to make these areas accessible and enjoyable places to visit.

The latest development is the installation of an interpretation board at Sovereign Harbour, to help inform locals and visitors, so whilst enjoying the beach they can also learn a bit more about it. It will be placed close to paths along the beach front, allowing the maximum number of visitors to see it easily as they pass by.

The cost of designing and making the interpretation board will be met by European funding as part of the 'Accessing the Countryside' Interreg IVA 2 Seas project.

The board will be in place on 3 September. PCDL (a partner organisation to the Environment Agency) have kindly agreed to install the board on site free of charge.

Further information

The shingle beach project is part of Accessing The Countryside project. In March 2009, the County Council secured an ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) grant through the Interreg IVA 2 Seas Programme, working with our Flemish partners. The project runs for three years and 6 months until 30 June 2012.

The aim of the project is to encourage people to access the countryside whether through volunteering and training or guided walks and cycle rides. The project will also fund access improvements including surface enhancements and countryside furniture repair and renewal, to enable easier access to our countryside sites and rights of way network.

We are working with three Flemish organisations: The Province of West Flanders, Westtoer and the Regional Landscape of the West Flemish Hills. ESCC will benefit from their knowledge and experience in countryside management and rights of way, including sand dune management and the development of database software. Exchange visits and best practice documents will allow us to address many common issues and find joint solutions.

Pupils and teachers in East Sussex have been celebrating after GCSE results across the county improved again.

Across all 27 secondary schools in the county 55 per cent of students gained five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths – a 4% increase on the previous best last year.

The provisional GCSE results announced on Tuesday 24 August, showed another year of improvement across the county with 19 schools achieving or matching their best ever results including English and maths.

The 19 schools who have had their best ever results for 5 or more A* to C grades including English and mathematics are:

• Beacon Community College
• Bexhill High School
• Cavendish School
• Eastbourne Technology College
• Filsham Valley School
• Hailsham Community College
• Heathfield Community College
• Hillcrest School
• Priory School
• Ratton School
• Ringmer Community College
• Rye Community College
• Seaford Head Community College
• The Bishop Bell CofE School
• The Causeway School
• The Grove
• Tideway School
• Uplands Community Technology College
• William Parker School.

Councillor Keith Glazier, East Sussex County Council's Lead Member for Children's and Adult Services praised all involved. He said: "I would like to congratulate everyone whose hard work has contributed to these excellent results. They are, once again, a tribute to the dedication and commitment of students and their teachers.

"I am delighted to see so many successes and also extremely pleased to see yet another year of overall improvement for the county. We are not complacent, however, and will continue to work hard to drive standards still higher."

The results also show that five schools achieved an improvement of more than 10% on last year.

These are:

• Bexhill High School
• Filsham Valley High School
• Hailsham Community Colldge
• Bishop Bell
• Causeway.

The artistic talents of adults with a learning disability will be on display in East Sussex from this weekend.

As part of the ‘artwave 2010' festival, artists attending the St Nicholas Day Support Service in Lewes are putting up several pictures which the public can view in Newhaven Fort.

The adult group, known as the ‘Fort Brigade' have been visiting the fort regularly, learning new skills and helping the staff with everyday tasks, such as recycling and learning about the countryside. Taking part in community-based activities helps them prepare for new projects and they have taken the opportunity to become involved in ‘artwave 2010'.

'The Fort Brigade' has spent several months on this and their artistic ideas have come from the surrounding Nature Reserve and shoreline.

There are several pieces on display. The idea for the “Beach in a Box' came from collecting objects from the shore, such as pebbles, feathers, a red ball and an old fish box washed up on the beach.

The inspiration for the ‘Leaf Window' came from The Fort shop where the window has camouflage netting behind it.

Cllr Bill Bentley, Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said:

“Working in the community can inspire people to become involved in different projects and provide skills and development which helps them in the future. It is wonderful that St Nicholas has this partnership with Newhaven Fort, which has provided both voluntary work experience and creative opportunities”.

The festival is a celebration of the visual arts at different locations in the Lewes and district area. If you would like to enjoy the works on display by the St Nicholas Day Support Service group, they can be seen at Newhaven Fort from 28 August to 12 September.

The photograph shows the artists standing with their artwork (from left to right):

Stephanie Cookson; Brian Rogers; David Wood;

Barry Kneller; Miles Borash

For more information on the festival:

http://www.artwavefestival.org

A modern day centre has opened in Hastings providing adult opportunities in a new community hub.

The Isabel Blackman Centre has been transformed into a state-of-the-art building offering a range of services. The adult day-care opportunities began last week (Monday 16 August) and later in the year the general public will be able to use the community café, an information and advice centre and take part in activities such as exercise classes and IT lessons. This new scheme will help to inform other developments in the future.

The first stage of the work at the Isabel Blackman Centre involved an upgrading of the old building to make it more welcoming with a fresh feel. For adults who need day social care there are different things going on every week such as darts and board games, painting, music and quizzes, relaxation sessions, chair-based exercises and outings. Lunches are also provided with refreshments throughout the day.

Cllr Bill Bentley, Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said:

“This is a wonderful centre for local people in the Hastings area. It is a new model working with partners, to provide a community hub and adult opportunities. As well as day-care, people can sit down and meet their friends in the café, take part in a class or get some advice and information on what facilities are available”.

This modernisation of the Isabel Blackman Centre followed consultation with local people, adult social care users, their carers and staff. It is a partnership with Age Concern East Sussex and Newhaven Community Development Association to improve opportunities for older people to mix with the wider community.

Day-care staff are in place and people are already using the services, enjoying a nice meal and joining in with all the different activities from trips out to art-and-craft classes.

Over the next year there will be a review of the new pilot day opportunities service and local people who have an interest in the centre will be consulted.

The photo shows people taking part in social activities at their community hub in the Isabel Blackman Centre (IBC), Hastings.

IBC was closed from November 2009 while the refurbishment work was carried out. Day services were provided elsewhere during this period.

World Cup fever may be over but a local community safety partnership wants to know if you ‘watched, enjoyed and remembered' the world cup.

In June the East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership launched a safer drinking campaign, called ‘Watch. Enjoy. Remember' which was aimed at 18–24 year old male binge drinkers and highlighted the danger of missing out on the big game due to excess drink. It showed the possible consequences of being drunk: including getting arrested for causing trouble or being ill and missing the match.

The partnership produced four eye-catching images which were used on posters, beer mats and small credit card sized leaflets. These were distributed to pubs, off-licenses, taxis and fast food outlets across the county, with a particular focus in Hastings and Eastbourne.

Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community Services at the County Council said: "We want to know if you saw the ‘Watch. Enjoy. Remember.' materials whilst you were out and about during the football, and whether they made you think twice about how much you may drink. Evaluating our work is important to us, so please spend a few minutes to tell us your thoughts".

The East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership is keen to hear your views and is offering residents who take part the opportunity to win £50 of high street vouchers by answering a few questions about the safer drinking campaign.

Chief Superintendent Robin Smith, Policing Commander for East Sussex, said: "The vast majority of people watching the games in East Sussex heeded the ‘Watch. Enjoy. Remember' message. Local officers worked with licensees from pubs and clubs to deter trouble before it started and we were really pleased with the responsible retailing by the licensing trade in East Sussex which resulted in a safe and social World Cup".

Questionnaires can be found on the partnership's website: www.safeineastsussex.org.uk/get-involved.html

If you would like help, advice or information about alcohol, contact: Action for Change on 0300 111 2470 or visit www.action-for-change.org .

To track your drinking, download the ‘NHS Drinks Tracker' to your iPhone or visit www.drinking.nhs.uk .

You can also contact Drinkline on 0800 917 8282.

One of the county's best loved pathways is getting a partial makeover.

A short section of the Cuckoo Trail, which is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders, is being resurfaced because wet conditions over the winter have caused the path to become soft and break up. When the path dried out during the summer months it became uneven.

Work to straighten and re-lay the path is taking place about one mile south of Horam and is expected to last a week from Monday 6 September.

For safety reasons, diversions will be in place: one for walkers using public footpaths, and another for cyclists and horse riders using a bridle path and the road between Marle Green and Horebeech Lane.

Later in the autumn*, the Trail is being closed for one mile between Sayerland Lane in Polegate and Summerhill Lane in Hailsham. This is because Southern Water needs to replace a section of a vital water supply pipe, which runs underneath the path.

This main has ruptured repeatedly over the last few years, leading to emergency closures on several occasions.

Diversions will be in place for walkers and cyclists between Sayerland Lane and Ersham Road. Southern Water's work is expected to last eight weeks.

Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at East Sussex County Council, said: "The Cuckoo Trail is a beautiful pathway that is extremely popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and we understand these closures are a bit frustrating for people. Unfortunately work like this is something we have to put up with from time to time and we'd like to thank people for bearing with us – these improvements will help to make sure the Trail stays open for people to enjoy in future."

Further information

*Currently we do not have a confirmed date for the start of Southern Water's work. We will update you as soon as we have more information.

The Cuckoo Trail is managed by an East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council partnership.

Find out more about the Cuckoo Trail or visit Wealden District Council.

Walkers in East Sussex, particularly those walking with dogs, are being warned to take care this summer when they come into contact with cows.

Last summer, British farmers and The Ramblers warned of the potential dangers that cows pose, after four people were trampled to death across the UK in just eight weeks.

Although thankfully there have been no fatalities in East Sussex there have been incidents of cow attacks and most have involved walkers with dogs.

So, the County Council is reminding people that the normally docile animals can become aggressive towards walkers with dogs and charge, especially when calves are present.

The National Farmers' Union and The Ramblers say cows can feel threatened by dogs and are, therefore, more likely to attack. They have issued some advice for walkers:

Do

• Try not to get between cows and their calves.
• Be prepared for cattle to react to your presence, especially if you have a dog with you.
• Move quickly and quietly, and if possible walk around the herd.
• Keep your dog close and under effective control on a lead.

Don't

• Don't hang onto your dog. If you are threatened by cattle, let it go as the cattle will chase the dog.
• Don't put yourself at risk. Find another way round the cattle and rejoin the footpath as soon as possible.
• Dont' panic or run. Most cattle will stop before they reach you. If they follow just walk on quietly.

Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at East Sussex County Council, said: “Thankfully serious incidents involving walkers and cattle are very rare. However, we would always recommend walkers follow this advice to keep themselves as safe as possible. We would also encourage people to consider taking a mobile phone when out walking on the paths in East Sussex so they can call for help if they need to.”

Malcolm McDonnell, East Sussex Footpath Secretary for The Ramblers, said: “Our beautiful East Sussex countryside is working farmland, which helps form its character and make it such a pleasure to walk in. Fortunately attacks by cattle are few and far between, but with any working environment there are certain risks. We would urge everyone out walking to be aware of the dos and don'ts, especially at this time of year, but try not to let the very low risk of cattle attacks put you off enjoying the countryside when it is arguably at its loveliest.”

And John Archer, Regional Adviser for the National Farmers Union says it is important to anticipate contact with animals. He said: “The countryside is where farmers earn their living and produce food for us all, so there is no escaping the fact that cattle and sheep will be grazed there. Indeed it is often these activities that make landscapes like the South Downs and the Sussex Weald so attractive. Farmers understand their duty of care and that the best way to prevent accidents is to identify and minimise risk. They are also encouraged to display signs explaining to walkers how to avoid cattle-related incidents and especially how to manage dogs in the presence of livestock. We are grateful to The Ramblers for working with us to ensure that users of rural rights of way can continue to enjoy the countryside safely.”

More local businesses in East Sussex have joined a scheme that promotes honest and reliable traders.

The Buy With Confidence (BWC) scheme – organised by East Sussex County Council – now has 363 members following a recent approved trader ceremony at Eastbourne – making it one of the biggest of its kind in the country.

Twenty of the new members were officially welcomed at the ceremony by Councillor Rupert Simmons, Chairman of the County Council.

Trading Standards Officers have been running the BWC scheme since 2004. It provides local people with a list of businesses that have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards.

Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community Services, said: “The fact that we now have 363 firms on board shows that local business people know it's good for their trade. I'm delighted with the continued success of this scheme which is good for trade and good for consumer protection.”

A free directory is available from Trading Standards with a list of approved traders in the scheme. You can also search online for approved traders onlien:

• Buy with Confidence scheme

So far 126 businesses in the Eastbourne area have joined the scheme together with 87 from the Wealden area, 79 from the Hastings and Rother area and 71 from the Lewes area.

The latest businesses to join are:

• Advanced Plumbing Systems (Lewes)
• Allblinds (St Leonards)
• Allseasons Landscaping & Design LLP (Crowborough)
• Amethyst Plumbing & Heating Services (Seaford)
• Anthony Stevens Plumbing & Heating (Peacehaven)
• Arm Locksmiths (Hailsham)
• Bubbles Blinds (Eastbourne)
• C Wilson Property (Lewes)
• Gary Simes Driveways & Groundworks Contractors (Hailsham)
• Graham Cottingham Ltd – Electrician (Hailsham)
• H & R Hughes Solicitors LLP (Heathfield)
• H R Goodwin & Sons Landscaping (Hailsham)
• Jet Drainage (Crowborough)
• Newlife Furniture (Lewes)
• Oakhurst Carpentry (Battle)
• Reliable Home Services (Eastbourne)
• Roy Osborne Builders Ltd (St Leonards)
• SB Property Maintenance (Hailsham)
• Sean McAleese – plumber (Ringmer)
• The Lock Stop Ltd (Eastbourne)
• W Relf Plastering (Hastings)

When young members of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang cast take to the stage in Eastbourne later this month they will do so safely and properly licensed.

A total of 38 East Sussex children have been licensed and will be joining the cast of the touring show when it arrives at the Congress Theatre on 18 August.

The licences, agreed by welfare officers at East Sussex County Council are designed to ensure the welfare of the county's young people while allowing them to perform.

Any child who performs more than four days in a six-month period must have an entertainment licence issued by the local authority. The County Council has issued 771 entertainment licences since September 2009 allowing children living in the county to work on films, television, modelling, sound recordings, opera and, of course, theatre, in both amateur and professional capacities.

Councillor David Elkin, the Council's Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness said: “We would want to encourage young people who get the chance to perform on the stage, especially if it helps them develop skills for a career in show-business. But their welfare is also of paramount importance and it's really important they have the correct licences.”

There are complicated laws dictating the number of hours and times a child can perform which vary according to the child's age and type of performance they are involved in. The limited number of hours often necessitates two teams of children for long-running shows such as pantomimes and musicals like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Cllr Elkin added: “The legislation is there to ensure that children's safety and wellbeing is paramount when working in a very adult environment. It also means their school work does not suffer and children must have a tutor provided by the production company when their work takes them away from their normal school for any length of time.”

All children who perform must also have a registered chaperone who has been CRB checked and attended a training course run by East Sussex County Council. The County Council has issued 320 chaperone licences since September 2009, the majority of which are connected with the county's amateur dramatic groups and dance schools, enabling children the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of productions.

Cllr Elkin said: “I know from various events and school shows I have attended we have a wealth of young talent in the county and it would be great to think that we have some famous budding actors, actresses, singers and stars here in East Sussex.”