Spirit FM News On-line

Culture Bid Beneficial

Those behind the failed bid to make Chichester the City of Culture in 2013 are remaining positive. The information, groups and support in the district will form the basis of a new group - the Chichester Arts and Heritage Partnership. Listen here to Michael Follis, who chaired Chichester's bid, as he talks to Spirit FM Leon Jackson.

Ten Pin Bowling Choice 

A woman from Littlehampton is training hard after being chosen to represent England in a sport this summer.  Lisa John is at the top of her game in the world of tenpin bowling and will go to Latvia with five other women in June for the European Championships. Here she tells Spirit FM's Leon Jackson how she started in the sport.

Stars Launch Vintage At Goodwood

Lily Allen and Sandie Shaw have helped launch Goodwood's newest event. Vintage at Goodwood, taking place over 3 days in August, will celebrate the 1940's - 80's through a mix of music, fashion, art and design. Listen here to organiser and Itchenor-based designer, Wayne Hemingway

Surfers Planning Journey

A paddle-boarder from Bracklesham is among a group bidding to set a new world record. Matt Argyle, who's ranked 2nd in the UK in the sport, is one of 3 paddle-boarding across the channel from Dover to Calais. They're doing it for the charity Surfers Against Sewage. Listen here to him talk.

Littlehampton Ex-Firefighters Win Homes Battle

A group of retired firefighters in Littlehampton have been told they won't be evicted and a planned therapy centre will now be built alongside them. Katy Jones has more.

Dementia Plan Ready

A five-year plan is being produced on how to cope with dementia cases in West Sussex. The launch of the strategy - called 'Better By Design' is backed by healthcare workers and the Alzheimers Trust. Neil Waterhouse, Service Director for Older People in the county, talks about it here

No To Landfill

Plans to turn a quarry near Thakeham into a landfill for rotting rubbish have been abandoned. Developers Cory Environmental have withdrawn their application.  Listen here to Helen Catt's report.

MP Backs Horsham Hospital Plan

A study's underway into a groundbreaking scheme for a new hospital in the Horsham area. Local councils have joined with a private health care firm to see if it's possible to set up a full hospital at one of two potential locations. MP Francis Maude supports the idea. Click here

Outsider Art At Pallant

An art exhibition by those in West Sussex with mental health issues is being held at Pallant House. "What Lies Beneath" marks the 50th birthday of the Richmond Fellowship, whose day centres in Chichester, Horsham and Bognor help those with mental illness. Hear co-ordinator Maggie Blanding explain more.

Community Chest Cash

£15,000 is up for grabs for charitable groups in West Sussex thanks to a brewery. Hall and Woodhouse, which owns more than 50 pubs across the county, has launched its annual community chest, offering funding (£300-£3,000). Spirit FM's Helen Catt interviewed Joint MD Mark Woodhouse. Click here

Economic Green Shoots?

Shops and firms in the Chichester area could be recovering from recession. High street stores reported healthy sales over Christmas. Kenric Garraway, who looks after economic development in the district, thinks even recent snow hasn't stopped us spending. Listen here

Lamb Born Early

A lamb born on a farm in Wisborough Green several weeks early, nearly died. If the cold weather didn't get the creature, a keen fox might have done - but farmer Tim Rollings, who owns Fishers Farm Park, saved it. Leon Jackson asked him about spotting 'Lucky'. Click here

Cancer Testing

Around 20% of women eligible for cervical cancer tests in West Sussex have skipped them in the last five years. Nearly 40,000 over-25s have either not gone at all or missed follow-up checks. Spirit FM's Helen Catt interviews Dr Andrew Foulkes, a GP from Yapton. Listen here.

Help For Abused Women

Women in West Sussex who are in abusive relationships are urged to make 2010 the year they get out of them. Worthing Women's Aid has a refuge where they can seek sancutary if necessary. Hear 'Susan' tell her story by clicking here

St Richard's Opens Birthing Suite

St Richard's Hospital has opened its newly refurbished maternity unit after a £2million overhaul. The main labour ward includes reclining chairs so fathers can stay overnight with their partners and babies. Kelly Pierce, the midwifery manager, gave Spirit FM's Helen Catt a sneaky peak inside. Listen here.

Manhood Coastal Defences Boost

The Manhood Peninsula is to be the guinea pig for a new scheme to deal with coastal erosion. It's part of a £450,000 grant from DEFRA. Listen here to Penny Harper with this report.

Contractor For Littlehampton's Longest Bench

A decision about who will build the world's longest bench in Littlehampton has been taken. Brighton-based design and engineering firm Millimetre has secured the contract to turn StudioWeave's concept into a reailty. Karn Sandilands from Millimetre admits they're no strangers to public art commissions like this. Click here.

Dyslexia Support Grows

A self-help group for parents of children with dyslexia in West Sussex is gaining more support. The condition is a learning difficulty that effects about 5% of the population. Listen here as Spirit FM's Leon Jackson talks to founder of the West Sussex Dyslexia Support Group, Janice Ellis.

Policeman Rewarded For Work In Afghanistan

A policeman from Worthing who trained officers in Afghanistan has received a medal for his efforts. Custody Sergeant Simon Payne, who's also a member of the TA, was posted to the country earlier this year. He wrote and delivered a training programme to the Afghan police on how to detain people. Click here to listen.

Pond Clearance At Wepham

Villagers in Wepham near Arundel have attended the grand reopening of a renovated beauty spot. The village pond was overgrown and full of farming machinery until they got money and help to clear it last summer. Listen here to James Ort from the South Downs Committee - who helped pay for it.

Tourist Awards Honour Local Firms

Two businesses in Chichester are celebrating nabbing top awards. Bunn Leisure Holiday Villages and Cass Sculpture Foundation have both won South East Tourism ExSEllence gongs. Listen here to Spirit FM's Leon Jackson.

Lodsworth Finally Gets Village Shop

The village of Lodsworth has opened a new shop, built and supplied locally. Profits will be ploughed back into the community. James Tree, The Chairman of Lodsworth Larder, told Spirit FM's Leon Jackson it's been a long time coming. Here more.

Street Angels To Look After Bognor

A host of good samaritans have been recruited to look after partygoers in Bognor each weekend. Christian volunteers The Arun Angels take to the town's streets to help out those in trouble. Similar schemes have proved successful in other towns. Sharon Williams reports for Spirit FM. Listen here

Wise Owls Crack Eggheads

Those at the Sussex Wildlife Trust are proving how smart they are. The base in Henfield entered a team on the TV quiz show Eggheads, beating the brainboxes and taking the amassed £37,000 jackpot. Click here as Team Captain and the centre's Education Officer - Nigel Flynn explains about their formidable oppoents.

New Buses Hit the Road 

A new fleet of buses take to the roads of West Sussex on March 1st when the 700 Coastliner route, operated by Stagecoach, launched 21 state of the art vehicles running from Brighton - Portsmouth via Worthing, Littlehampton, Bognor and Chichester. Andrew Dyer, the regional MD for Stagecoach, told Leon Jackson what's different about them. Click here

Hyperbaric Chamber Ready

A specialist unit for treating decompression sickness has been officially unveiled at St Richard's Hospital (Feb 2nd). The hyperbaric chamber will treat military and civilian divers, as well pioneering research into side effects from cancer therapy. Leon Jackson has more

Miriam Stoppard Opens Maternity Unit

The refurbished maternity unit at St Richard's Hospital has had its official opening. Dr Miriam Stoppard was on hand to cut the ribbon on 22nd Jan. Mike Buxton has more - click here

Chichester Loses Culture Bid

Chichester has lost its bid to be City Of Culture in 2013. Birmingham, Londonderry, Norwich and Sheffield are the 4 shortlisted. Organisers found out on February 25th. Ann Bone, who looks after arts at the district council, said many positivies have come from the bid process. Listen here

Clowns Come to Bognor Regis

More than 100 clowns came to Bognor Regis recently for the annual International Clowns Convention. Helen Catt met 'Toto' who came over from the USA. He told her all about being a 21st Century Clown. Listen to him here

90 Year-Old Takes on Goodwood

A resident of a care home in Midhurst has taken on Goodwood Motor Circuit in her mobility scooter. Edith Turnbull was allowed to do the lap of the famous tarmac to celebrate her 90th birthday.Spirit FM's Helen Catt went along to see her. Listen to her report here.

Op Crackdown Success

Sussex Police is stepping up efforts to stop anti-social driving. Officers are perfoming high-profile stop-checks as well as hosting events over the coming months under Operation Crackdown, a phone-in and web service to report bad driving and dumped cars. Listen here to Inspector Marc Clothier talk about it to Spirit FM's Leon Jackson.

'No' To Chalcraft Lane Homes

An Independent Planning Inspector has ruled out new houses for land at Bersted. A developer won an appeal for 70 homes on land off Chalcraft Lane, but residents and traders were opposed, prompting the inspector visit the site. Listen here to cllr Ann Smee agreed with them.

University Campus Plans

Plans are on show for the multi-million pound redevelopment of the University of Chichester's campus in Bognor Regis. Listen here to its Finance Director, Ian Child.

Walberton Primary Faces Closure

Walberton is in danger of losing its pre-school after more than 40 years. Government rules say it now needs to provide an outside play space for the children. The current Village Hall can't provide that. Helen Baxter, who co-owns and runs it, says closure could come soon. Hear more

Homes At Former Army Barracks

Those in Chichester can comment on designs to redevelop the military police barracks. The site's been sold to developers Zero C by the MoD in a review of surplus land. A consultation's being held on plans to build around 300 homes there. Click here for Zero C spokesman Hugo Reeve, talking about the project.

http://www.zerocholdings.co.uk/developments/roussillon-park

Families Love Their Green Homes

Residents have started moving into a ground-breaking eco-friendly housing development in Westbourne. The five bungalows feature all kinds of green tech as well as being affordable. Listen here to Mike Buxton's report.

Arundel 'Chord' Shunted Out

An idea to build a stretch of track allowing trains on the Arun Valley Line to turn left towards Brighton, just before Arundel, is gaining political support. MP Nick Herbert believes the Arundel Chord would alleviate congestion and get more people using trains. But Gary Gaskarth from Network Rail is sceptical. Listen here

Spirit FM News Review 2009

What are your memories of 2009? Spirit FM's Leon Jackson looks back at some of the biggest stories in West Sussex.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Developer Withdraws Selsey Scheme

Campaigners in Selsey are delighted a developer has withdrawn an appeal against a decision that it can't build. Pye Homes had wanted to put almost 400 on land north of the town. Richard Brammell from the Campaign Against Overdevelopment in Selsey gives his reaction here.

Beef Grazing At Chichester Harbour

An alternative to supermarket meat is being championed by beef producers in Selsey. Farmers say grazing their cattle on the marshes at Chichester Harbour not only gives a tasty product, but results in added benefits to the area's eco systems. Hear Colin Headley, the MD of Three Harbours Beef.

Clean Beachwater Results

Those responsible for the quality of our seawater in West Sussex are delighted it's meeting European standards. Almost three-quarters of beaches make the 'guideline' or 'excellent' standard. Sites including Worthing, Bognor and the Witterings were tested each week over the summer. Listen here to Southern Water's Paul Kent.

Pub Cleans Up its Act

One of Chichester's most notorious pubs has won an award for responsible drinking after a turnaround. The Globe Inn in Southgate beat off competition from major chains and supermarkets to pick up the Responsible Drinks Retailing gong. Listen to John Chittock - one of the partners there.

New Pool For Petworth?

Petworth may finally get its own swimming pool. Seaford College has applied to build a 25m long facility that residents could also use. Toby Mullins is the school's head. Click here to listen to the interview with Leon Jackson.

Transforming Bishop's Palace Gardens

On the 7th September, work started on a major makeover for one of Chichester's best loved public spaces. A quarter of a million pounds is being poured into Bishop's Palace Gardens. Mick Gore is the Parks and Green Spaces officer at Chichester District Council. He told Spirit FM Online that revamping the flowerbeds is key. Listen here

New Cancer Treatment Centre Opens at St Richard's Hospital

Cancer treatment has taken a big leap forward in the Chichester area. Monday the 7th September saw the official opening of a multi-million pound centre for sufferers, at St Richard's Hospital. Leon Jackson went along to see it for himself. Click here to listen