Archive

  • Honour for RAF mountain hero

    The bravery of an RAF officer who helped save two climbers' lives on one of the world's highest mountains was being recognised today. Hove-born Flight Lieutenant Anthony Brown, 30, was being awarded the Royal Humane Society's testimonial on vellum at

  • Trust in me

    Robert Byrne (Letters, October 18) asks questions about the West Pier Trust and the delayed restoration of the pier. He would obtain all the answers to his questions if he joined the trust (cost £10). He would receive the accounts and regular newsletters

  • Free to grovel

    It seems the Government is still determined to bring in a law preventing the public from debating or opposing planning decisions. It is cynical to send people to fight wars for freedom while it is being stealthily eroded at home. Perhaps this is some

  • Call to protect wreck site

    The wreck of a Second World War minesweeper should be given strict protection as a wildlife haven, campaigners urged today. HMS Northcoates, which lies off Bognor, is among 34 marine sites which deserve special status, according to the Royal Society for

  • Hospital cat gets the boot

    A cat is being evicted from the hospital where it lives after giving patients fleas. The moggy has been keeping patients company at Mill View Hospital in Hove since turning up on the doorstep almost two years ago. Known as the Reception Cat, the black

  • Car vandals' trail of destruction

    Vandals who wreck luxury cars have caused damage costing thousands of pounds in Brighton. More than 50 vehicles have had their front and rear windscreens smashed in a single week. The vandals are singling out BMWs, Mercedes Benzes, Volvos and other prestige

  • Kids behaved worse when I spoke out

    I, too, have been appalled by the behaviour of young children travelling on our public transport (Letters, October 19). As a pensioner attending a day course at Varndean College, I recently caught a No 5B bus used by schoolchildren from two local secondary

  • I fly the flag

    Regarding the display of the Union flag (Letters, October 17), for a few years I have had one displayed. It is only small (12in x 18in) but it does attract comments from visitors to my area. It still looks good after all this time and I am very proud

  • Shopping hours

    "Your memories" (The Argus Weekend, October 20) mentioned the Plummer Roddis store and stated the Western Road shop closed at 1pm on Saturdays. Early-closing day was Thursday in Hove and Wednesday in Brighton. We could shop in Western Road on our half-day

  • Problem for Parry

    John Parry, think of it this way ("Fear and suspicion on the campaign trail", The Argus, October 19)... Oh, never mind, I don't think you can. -Name and address supplied

  • No harm done

    How interesting Donna Elliott (Letters, October 17) should think her three children might come to some harm from a fully-qualified transsexual teacher. It has been proved children are far more likely to suffer long-term physical and psychological damage

  • The Sage Of Sussex: Adam Trimingham

    After years of decline, corner shops have just recorded their first increase in sales for many years, which proves people are at last putting their money where their mouths are. It's encouraging news for anyone who wants small towns, suburbs and villages

  • Warning over gull cull plan

    The RSPB today warned residents considering culling noisy herring gulls by smothering their eggs that they could be breaking the law. The charity said members of Church Garden Residents' Association, Rustington, would be liable to prosecution if they

  • Rail man in running for top job

    A former Brighton line signalman is on track to become the next leader of Britain's largest rail union. Ray Spry-Shute, 50, who lives at Seven Dials within easy walking distance of Brighton station, is one of three candidates for the job of general secretary

  • Social workers occupy chief's office

    Social workers stormed their boss's office in a protest fuelled by fears of recriminations over the death of four-year-old John Smith. Morale has hit rock bottom among Brighton and Hove social workers, who accuse social services director Allan Bowman

  • Total support

    I am a parent with three children at Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School and am very pleased with the way head teacher Andrew Kearsey has continued to improve the reputation and standard of the school. My children are very happy there. Mr Kearsey acted

  • Collars 'turned dogs into killers'

    A woman who used electric collars in a bid to tame her dogs today called for them to be banned after her pets killed another dog. Ostarra Langridge, 53, of Bath Road, Worthing, began using electric shock collars on an animal behaviourist's recommendation

  • Knife thug attacks gay man

    A man was cut round the throat with a knife in a homophobic attack - the second of its kind in a week in Brighton. Police said the 40-year-old victim was with two friends in the Market Cafe in Circus Street, Brighton, just before 3am when the offender

  • Boxing: John to spar with world champion

    Brighton trainer Ronnie Davies is as pleased as punch after receiving another invitation for his prospect Chill John to spar with WBU lightweight champion Colin Dunne. John, 23, completed his sixth straight victory since turning professional last Saturday

  • Doubled up

    HERE'S a good example of how councillors are thinking now that Brighton and Hove is going back to the committee system. Council officials commissioned an independent report into the tragic child cruelty case, which ended this week with the jailing of

  • Unsuitable

    My wife and I were amazed someone would seek to use the teaching profession to promote an agenda so obviously inappropriate in a primary school. This lack of sensitivity to primary schoolchildren's needs clearly demonstrates Natasha Thoday's unsuitability

  • Charlie's kiss and tell

    Charlie Oatway has kissed and told The Argus about Albion's goal celebrations. The former Brentford midfielder planted a smacker on Lee Steele after Steele equalised against Oatway's old club at Withdean. Oatway did the same when Steele was on target

  • Head was right to send teacher home

    I am disgusted at the way head teacher Andrew Kearsey has been portrayed over the treatment of transsexual supply teacher Natasha Thoday (The Argus, September 27). As a parent of a child who attends Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School, I feel very

  • Zamora told: Pick England

    Albion boss Peter Taylor is promoting Bobby Zamora's case for an England under-21 call-up. Taylor believes the Seagulls' goalscoring ace has the potential and should make England his international choice, not Trinidad and Tobago. Barking-born Zamora qualifies

  • Mobile neutering for cats

    Cat owners on low incomes can get their pets neutered at the South-East's first mobile unit of its kind. The £40,000 purpose-built clinic, which is run by the Horsham-based RSPCA, aims to give people on limited incomes a chance to get their pets neutered

  • Tories back cancer care campaign

    Brighton and Hove Tories are opposing plans to transfer breast cancer services from the city to Haywards Heath. The opposition group on Brighton and Hove City Council has written a letter of protest to West Sussex Health Authority. Leader Brian Oxley

  • Dickie Mint's still around

    I was interested to read "Speak up" (Letters, September 12), in which Michael Parker quoted past ventriloquists. But we still have Dickie Mint. One only has to attend a Ken Dodd show or buy one of his videos, for Ken, apart from being a very fine comedian

  • Iggy pops out of the cat flap

    Iggy the iguana spent ten hours on the run after slipping out through a cat flap. The runaway reptile made a break for freedom as owner Lucy Faulkner's parents dropped her at school. The eight-year-old lizard's lust for adventure caused heartache at the

  • Parker's a great read

    How much I enjoy the Parker's Progress column. Its attraction is that it always concentrates on one company, always local. It is easy to read and is often laced with occasional personal anecdotes, which add to the informative overview. Over the past few

  • Homes plea over station site

    Residents last night demanded more say on the Brighton station site redevelopment amid fears it could become another area of expensive homes for Londoners. More than 150 expressed concerns over the latest plans for the site next to the rail station, which

  • Not such a deadly weapon

    With reference to "Gun-ho" (Letters, October 19), I'm afraid a cricket bat in the hands of an Englishman is not in the least "a very dangerous thing". Ask an Aussie. -W Fraser, Hailsham

  • Farming figures

    David Lepper is right with his figures (Letters, October 12) but they need to be put into proper perspective: £140 million over seven years for organic farming is only £20 million a year, which compares with £130 million the Government spent last year

  • Trust in me

    Robert Byrne (Letters, October 18) asks questions about the West Pier Trust and the delayed restoration of the pier. He would obtain all the answers to his questions if he joined the trust (cost £10). He would receive the accounts and regular newsletters

  • Free to grovel

    It seems the Government is still determined to bring in a law preventing the public from debating or opposing planning decisions. It is cynical to send people to fight wars for freedom while it is being stealthily eroded at home. Perhaps this is some

  • Port row rebel gives up

    A fisherman who has been delaying a multi-million pound homes and leisure scheme has ended his battle. Clive Mills has moved his boat and equipment off the Norfolk Wharf at Littlehampton after peace talks with Arun District Council. The way is now clear

  • No room for hospital staff

    Being a constant visitor to Southlands Hospital for quite a few weeks, I find it very hard to believe the people we look to and even depend on when we are ill have no staff room in which they can relax for their break from the wards. They were using the

  • Call to protect wreck site

    The wreck of a Second World War minesweeper should be given strict protection as a wildlife haven, campaigners urged today. HMS Northcoates, which lies off Bognor, is among 34 marine sites which deserve special status, according to the Royal Society for

  • Ruled out

    While travelling on public transport in Greece last June, the driver had no compunction in turfing off the bus some unruly youngsters. There was no quibbling - they knew the rules and had broken them. Equally, when travelling on public transport in the

  • I fly the flag

    Regarding the display of the Union flag (Letters, October 17), for a few years I have had one displayed. It is only small (12in x 18in) but it does attract comments from visitors to my area. It still looks good after all this time and I am very proud

  • Problem for Parry

    John Parry, think of it this way ("Fear and suspicion on the campaign trail", The Argus, October 19)... Oh, never mind, I don't think you can. -Name and address supplied

  • Flood work 'threatens wildlife'

    A wildlife habitat may be under threat from flood defence works designed to protect the coastline. Widewater Lagoon in Lancing supports a wide range of plants, animals and rare birds including ospreys. The beauty spot relies on maintaining a balance of

  • Pupils in bus drama

    A group of children had a narrow escape when a branch crashed on to their school bus. The branch also brought a power cable down on to the roof of the bus in Spronkett's lane, Warninglid, yesterday. None of the children were hurt but they had to wait

  • Laughing leader who loved life

    The death of a fun-loving former council chairman has left a huge void in the world, his widow has said. Donald Chidson, 81, of Hammer Lane, Heathfield, headed Wealden District Council from 1990 to 1995. He was also director general of the Caravan Club

  • Sex assault at diner

    A woman was subjected to a serious sex attack in a Mid Sussex roadside restaurant. Haywards Heath detectives are trying to piece together the sequence of events at the Little Chef on the A23 in Handcross. Detective Inspector Andy Young said: "This is

  • Warning over gull cull plan

    The RSPB today warned residents considering culling noisy herring gulls by smothering their eggs that they could be breaking the law. The charity said members of Church Garden Residents' Association, Rustington, would be liable to prosecution if they

  • Warning over gull cull plan

    The RSPB today warned residents considering culling noisy herring gulls by smothering their eggs that they could be breaking the law. The charity said members of Church Garden Residents' Association, Rustington, would be liable to prosecution if they

  • Collars 'turned dogs into killers'

    A woman who used electric collars in a bid to tame her dogs today called for them to be banned after her pets killed another dog. Ostarra Langridge, 53, of Bath Road, Worthing, began using electric shock collars on an animal behaviourist's recommendation

  • Rail man in running for top job

    A former Brighton line signalman is on track to become the next leader of Britain's largest rail union. Ray Spry-Shute, 50, who lives at Seven Dials within easy walking distance of Brighton station, is one of three candidates for the job of general secretary

  • Social workers occupy chief's office

    Social workers stormed their boss's office in a protest fuelled by fears of recriminations over the death of four-year-old John Smith. Morale has hit rock bottom among Brighton and Hove social workers, who accuse social services director Allan Bowman

  • Disruptive

    Natasha Thoday was asked to leave Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School not because of her sexual orientation but because her attendance disrupted the children's education and presented them with issues way ahead of their mental capabilities. All children

  • Total support

    I am a parent with three children at Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School and am very pleased with the way head teacher Andrew Kearsey has continued to improve the reputation and standard of the school. My children are very happy there. Mr Kearsey acted

  • No option

    Natasha Thoday's appearance disrupted the class she was asked to teach and sent a ripple through the whole school. Andrew Kearsey had no option but to ask her to leave. He did this purely for the good of the children. Had Ms Thoday been allowed to stay

  • Is this the bravest girl in Brighton?

    First, schoolgirl Katrina Back went to court to give evidence against a prowler who tried to abduct her. Now she has gone straight to the heart of the legal system again to expose the problems on her city-centre estate. She helped convict her attacker

  • Unsuitable

    My wife and I were amazed someone would seek to use the teaching profession to promote an agenda so obviously inappropriate in a primary school. This lack of sensitivity to primary schoolchildren's needs clearly demonstrates Natasha Thoday's unsuitability

  • Confusion

    As a parent of two children attending Telscombe Cliffs Primary School, I express my full support for head teacher Andrew Kearsey in the action he took regarding Natasha Thoday. While I have nothing personally against transsexuals, the resulting confusion

  • Charlie's kiss and tell

    Charlie Oatway has kissed and told The Argus about Albion's goal celebrations. The former Brentford midfielder planted a smacker on Lee Steele after Steele equalised against Oatway's old club at Withdean. Oatway did the same when Steele was on target

  • Zamora told: Pick England

    Albion boss Peter Taylor is promoting Bobby Zamora's case for an England under-21 call-up. Taylor believes the Seagulls' goalscoring ace has the potential and should make England his international choice, not Trinidad and Tobago. Barking-born Zamora qualifies

  • Cliffs death: Woman named

    A woman found dead at the foot of an East Sussex cliff has been named by police. Lynn Sexton, in her 40s, from Westham, near Pevensey, was discovered at the base of cliffs at Falling Sands, west of Beachy Head, on Saturday. Her body was found by a passer-by

  • The treasure tree

    Bottles of Eau de Uckfield could hit shop shelves after a voice in a dream told David Pursglove that treasure lay beneath his pear tree. The dream was so intense that the following morning Mr Pursglove hired a metal detector to help expose what was buried

  • Social workers occupy chief's office

    Social workers stormed their boss's office in a protest fuelled by fears of recriminations over the death of four-year-old John Smith. Morale has hit rock bottom among Brighton and Hove social workers, who accuse social services director Allan Bowman

  • Mobile neutering for cats

    Cat owners on low incomes can get their pets neutered at the South-East's first mobile unit of its kind. The £40,000 purpose-built clinic, which is run by the Horsham-based RSPCA, aims to give people on limited incomes a chance to get their pets neutered

  • Cat's owner is fined

    A Mid Sussex man convicted of causing suffering to his pet cat is to have the animal returned to him. Maverill Smith, 39, of West Park Crescent, Burgess Hill, tried to treat his cat's injured tail with antiseptic cream and sticking plaster, a court heard

  • Tories back cancer care campaign

    Brighton and Hove Tories are opposing plans to transfer breast cancer services from the city to Haywards Heath. The opposition group on Brighton and Hove City Council has written a letter of protest to West Sussex Health Authority. Leader Brian Oxley

  • Murder was planned, say police

    Police said today that the murder of boxer Jimmy Millen in a drive-by shooting had been planned but it was too early to say why. Father-of-three Mr Millen was shot from a passing motorcycle yesterday in a Sussex housing estate as he worked on a car. Mr

  • Iggy pops out of the cat flap

    Iggy the iguana spent ten hours on the run after slipping out through a cat flap. The runaway reptile made a break for freedom as owner Lucy Faulkner's parents dropped her at school. The eight-year-old lizard's lust for adventure caused heartache at the

  • Homes plea over station site

    Residents last night demanded more say on the Brighton station site redevelopment amid fears it could become another area of expensive homes for Londoners. More than 150 expressed concerns over the latest plans for the site next to the rail station, which

  • Not such a deadly weapon

    With reference to "Gun-ho" (Letters, October 19), I'm afraid a cricket bat in the hands of an Englishman is not in the least "a very dangerous thing". Ask an Aussie. -W Fraser, Hailsham

  • Scrap metal

    What Jackie Hayes and John Robertson (Letters, October 20) do not appear to appreciate is that the West Pier will not be the sweet, old-fashioned thing they envisage. It is now a hard-nosed commercial undertaking and, if profits are not made on the pier

  • Apt memorial

    How many times must the great, the good and the frankly desperate directors of the West Pier Trust jump into speculators' beds before they learn they will bring forth nothing? It is obvious the returns from anything other than an unacceptably destructive

  • No room for hospital staff

    Being a constant visitor to Southlands Hospital for quite a few weeks, I find it very hard to believe the people we look to and even depend on when we are ill have no staff room in which they can relax for their break from the wards. They were using the

  • Copped off

    I caught two youths in the middle of siphoning off the petrol from a friend's car, parked in our driveway. They had also broken into it and left the boot and door unlocked, obviously trying to nick the stereo. I frightened them off and then immediately

  • Ruled out

    While travelling on public transport in Greece last June, the driver had no compunction in turfing off the bus some unruly youngsters. There was no quibbling - they knew the rules and had broken them. Equally, when travelling on public transport in the

  • Wrong to rally round

    I am absolutely disgusted with Unison members for supporting the two social workers in the tragic case of John Smith. In my opinion, they should be charged with neglect. It's no use blaming increasing workloads - they saw the injuries and should have

  • Set up John Smith fund

    Phil Mills's account of the tragedy of John Smith (The Argus, October 23) was harrowing, upsetting and deeply moving - a powerful piece of writing. Perhaps The Argus or its readers could start a commemorative fund to help other children, to give to John's

  • Self-serving

    Natasha Thoday, by her own admission, has one main concern - herself. Her comment that she will "next time buy a Rolls-Royce" indicates a self-serving attitude. Andrew Kearsey, on the other hand, was prepared to make significant personal sacrifice in

  • Flood work 'threatens wildlife'

    A wildlife habitat may be under threat from flood defence works designed to protect the coastline. Widewater Lagoon in Lancing supports a wide range of plants, animals and rare birds including ospreys. The beauty spot relies on maintaining a balance of

  • Disruptive

    Natasha Thoday was asked to leave Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School not because of her sexual orientation but because her attendance disrupted the children's education and presented them with issues way ahead of their mental capabilities. All children

  • Not a sexist

    I have two sons attending Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School and would like to offer my wholehearted support to head teacher Andrew Kearsey with regard to the issue of Natasha Thoday. Children are under a great deal of pressure to perform well at

  • Far too quick

    Our two daughters, aged eight and five years, attend Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School. We wholeheartedly support Andrew Kearsey's decision not to employ transsexual supply teacher Natasha Thoday. Children should not be used as pawns in her campaign

  • Insult to all

    As parents, we entrust our children to the care of those within the teaching profession, relying on them to put the well-being of our children foremost at all times. We do not expect this to mean we give up our right of parental control to decide when

  • Liquid gold

    AVID Pursglove had a dream that he would find hidden treasure beneath a dead pear tree in his Uckfield garden. At first he found only muddy water. But he was so convinced the dream was real he spent thousands of pounds on digging down 120 feet. There

  • No option

    Natasha Thoday's appearance disrupted the class she was asked to teach and sent a ripple through the whole school. Andrew Kearsey had no option but to ask her to leave. He did this purely for the good of the children. Had Ms Thoday been allowed to stay

  • Is this the bravest girl in Brighton?

    First, schoolgirl Katrina Back went to court to give evidence against a prowler who tried to abduct her. Now she has gone straight to the heart of the legal system again to expose the problems on her city-centre estate. She helped convict her attacker

  • Speedway: No happy finish for Eagles

    Eastbourne, in their final match of the Elite League season, fell to another defeat in East Anglia as they lost 51-39 at King's Lynn. It was the first match in three weeks for the Eagles and the riders looked out of sorts in the early stages. King's Lynn

  • Making a difference

    THERE have been problems in the Belmont area of Brighton ever since it was built. But they have not achieved the same prominence as those on bigger estates such as Whitehawk and Moulsecoomb. That's because there are only 40 houses at Belmont and there

  • Confusion

    As a parent of two children attending Telscombe Cliffs Primary School, I express my full support for head teacher Andrew Kearsey in the action he took regarding Natasha Thoday. While I have nothing personally against transsexuals, the resulting confusion

  • Sussex Senior Cup: Borough see off Saints

    Eastbourne Borough cruised into the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup with a 2-0 win against St Leonards in last night's replay at Priory Lane. The first half saw both teams have chances, with Borough having the better. Daren Pearce scored the only

  • Another pair of Albion aces

    The first Peter Taylor to manage Albion created a memorable goalscoring partnership. The Seagulls' second Peter Taylor may just have inherited another. It's early days yet for Zamora and Steele, but the signs are they could strike up the kind of understanding

  • Tennis: Lee upbeat after shock defeat

    Top seed Martin Lee was philosophical after his shock drubbing by 17-year-old Alex Bogdanovic in the second round of the National Championships in Bolton. Lee, the British No. 3, lost 7-5 6-0 to a man ranked 951 places lower in the world rankings. The

  • The treasure tree

    Bottles of Eau de Uckfield could hit shop shelves after a voice in a dream told David Pursglove that treasure lay beneath his pear tree. The dream was so intense that the following morning Mr Pursglove hired a metal detector to help expose what was buried

  • Cash will put libraries online

    Libraries have been handed more than £700,000 in a bid to ensure everyone has access to the internet. The cash will be used to provide more than 200 extra computers at libraries throughout East Sussex, meaning almost 250 PCs with high-speed internet links

  • Man killed in crash with truck

    A man was killed when his car was involved in a collision with a lorry near Horsham. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, on the B2110 at Lower Beeding. The lorry ended up embedded in the side of the dead man's car, which came to rest in

  • Cruelty case inquiry call

    Tory councillors are calling for an investigation into the tragic case of four-year-old John Smith. A catalogue of errors by social services was revealed in an inquiry report prepared for the Brighton and Hove and West Sussex area child protection committees

  • Murder was planned, say police

    Police said today that the murder of boxer Jimmy Millen in a drive-by shooting had been planned but it was too early to say why. Father-of-three Mr Millen was shot from a passing motorcycle yesterday in a Sussex housing estate as he worked on a car. Mr

  • New row over shop rent

    Furious shopkeepers plan to report their council to the local government watchdog over planned rent rises. They claim Adur District Council has completely ignored their views on the proposed rises and has imposed arbitration on them. Traders face rent

  • Setback for city flood defences

    A row between two Government departments could delay work on sea defences. Brighton and Hove City Council wants to rebuild the sea wall and Undercliff Walk between the Marina and Ovingdean. But there is an argument over funding the £10 million project

  • Woman killed by green beans

    An elderly woman was killed when the green beans she was eating went down the wrong way, an inquest heard. Evelyn Berger, 81, who lived at the Hyman Fine House nursing home in Burlington Street, Brighton, died suddenly, hours after eating the beans for

  • Landmark or landscape?

    Protagonists for the Albion stadium at Falmer have been anxious to assure environmentalists that the structure will be unobtrusively blended into the natural terrain. I hope, therefore, Kevin Collinge's advice (The Argus, October 20) that the stadium

  • The right way to fly flag

    It never ceases to amaze me the number of so-called patriots who do not know the correct way to fly our national flag. The broad white diagonal should be uppermost nearest the flagpole. To fly the flag upside down is an insult to the Crown. It also a

  • Scrap metal

    What Jackie Hayes and John Robertson (Letters, October 20) do not appear to appreciate is that the West Pier will not be the sweet, old-fashioned thing they envisage. It is now a hard-nosed commercial undertaking and, if profits are not made on the pier

  • Honour for RAF mountain hero

    The bravery of an RAF officer who helped save two climbers' lives on one of the world's highest mountains was being recognised today. Hove-born Flight Lieutenant Anthony Brown, 30, was being awarded the Royal Humane Society's testimonial on vellum at

  • Apt memorial

    How many times must the great, the good and the frankly desperate directors of the West Pier Trust jump into speculators' beds before they learn they will bring forth nothing? It is obvious the returns from anything other than an unacceptably destructive

  • Copped off

    I caught two youths in the middle of siphoning off the petrol from a friend's car, parked in our driveway. They had also broken into it and left the boot and door unlocked, obviously trying to nick the stereo. I frightened them off and then immediately

  • Hospital cat gets the boot

    A cat is being evicted from the hospital where it lives after giving patients fleas. The moggy has been keeping patients company at Mill View Hospital in Hove since turning up on the doorstep almost two years ago. Known as the Reception Cat, the black

  • Car vandals' trail of destruction

    Vandals who wreck luxury cars have caused damage costing thousands of pounds in Brighton. More than 50 vehicles have had their front and rear windscreens smashed in a single week. The vandals are singling out BMWs, Mercedes Benzes, Volvos and other prestige

  • Kids behaved worse when I spoke out

    I, too, have been appalled by the behaviour of young children travelling on our public transport (Letters, October 19). As a pensioner attending a day course at Varndean College, I recently caught a No 5B bus used by schoolchildren from two local secondary

  • Shopping hours

    "Your memories" (The Argus Weekend, October 20) mentioned the Plummer Roddis store and stated the Western Road shop closed at 1pm on Saturdays. Early-closing day was Thursday in Hove and Wednesday in Brighton. We could shop in Western Road on our half-day

  • Wrong to rally round

    I am absolutely disgusted with Unison members for supporting the two social workers in the tragic case of John Smith. In my opinion, they should be charged with neglect. It's no use blaming increasing workloads - they saw the injuries and should have

  • Set up John Smith fund

    Phil Mills's account of the tragedy of John Smith (The Argus, October 23) was harrowing, upsetting and deeply moving - a powerful piece of writing. Perhaps The Argus or its readers could start a commemorative fund to help other children, to give to John's

  • No harm done

    How interesting Donna Elliott (Letters, October 17) should think her three children might come to some harm from a fully-qualified transsexual teacher. It has been proved children are far more likely to suffer long-term physical and psychological damage

  • Self-serving

    Natasha Thoday, by her own admission, has one main concern - herself. Her comment that she will "next time buy a Rolls-Royce" indicates a self-serving attitude. Andrew Kearsey, on the other hand, was prepared to make significant personal sacrifice in

  • The Sage Of Sussex: Adam Trimingham

    After years of decline, corner shops have just recorded their first increase in sales for many years, which proves people are at last putting their money where their mouths are. It's encouraging news for anyone who wants small towns, suburbs and villages

  • Man dies in crash with truck

    A man was killed when his car was involved in a collision with a lorry near Horsham. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, on the B2110 at Lower Beeding. The lorry ended up embedded in the side of the dead man's car, which came to rest in

  • Not a sexist

    I have two sons attending Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School and would like to offer my wholehearted support to head teacher Andrew Kearsey with regard to the issue of Natasha Thoday. Children are under a great deal of pressure to perform well at

  • Golfer convicted of sex attacks

    A wealthy amateur golfer has been convicted of molesting a youngster he had seduced with promises of playing professionally. Spaniard Michael Fernandez, 52, of Denhams Farm, Billingshurst, molested the youngster during trips to famous British courses.

  • Far too quick

    Our two daughters, aged eight and five years, attend Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School. We wholeheartedly support Andrew Kearsey's decision not to employ transsexual supply teacher Natasha Thoday. Children should not be used as pawns in her campaign

  • Collars 'turned dogs into killers'

    A woman who used electric collars in a bid to tame her dogs today called for them to be banned after her pets killed another dog. Ostarra Langridge, 53, of Bath Road, Worthing, began using electric shock collars on an animal behaviourist's recommendation

  • Insult to all

    As parents, we entrust our children to the care of those within the teaching profession, relying on them to put the well-being of our children foremost at all times. We do not expect this to mean we give up our right of parental control to decide when

  • Liquid gold

    AVID Pursglove had a dream that he would find hidden treasure beneath a dead pear tree in his Uckfield garden. At first he found only muddy water. But he was so convinced the dream was real he spent thousands of pounds on digging down 120 feet. There

  • Knife thug attacks gay man

    A man was cut round the throat with a knife in a homophobic attack - the second of its kind in a week in Brighton. Police said the 40-year-old victim was with two friends in the Market Cafe in Circus Street, Brighton, just before 3am when the offender

  • Boxing: John to spar with world champion

    Brighton trainer Ronnie Davies is as pleased as punch after receiving another invitation for his prospect Chill John to spar with WBU lightweight champion Colin Dunne. John, 23, completed his sixth straight victory since turning professional last Saturday

  • Doubled up

    HERE'S a good example of how councillors are thinking now that Brighton and Hove is going back to the committee system. Council officials commissioned an independent report into the tragic child cruelty case, which ended this week with the jailing of

  • Speedway: No happy finish for Eagles

    Eastbourne, in their final match of the Elite League season, fell to another defeat in East Anglia as they lost 51-39 at King's Lynn. It was the first match in three weeks for the Eagles and the riders looked out of sorts in the early stages. King's Lynn

  • Making a difference

    THERE have been problems in the Belmont area of Brighton ever since it was built. But they have not achieved the same prominence as those on bigger estates such as Whitehawk and Moulsecoomb. That's because there are only 40 houses at Belmont and there

  • Sussex Senior Cup: Borough see off Saints

    Eastbourne Borough cruised into the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup with a 2-0 win against St Leonards in last night's replay at Priory Lane. The first half saw both teams have chances, with Borough having the better. Daren Pearce scored the only

  • Head was right to send teacher home

    I am disgusted at the way head teacher Andrew Kearsey has been portrayed over the treatment of transsexual supply teacher Natasha Thoday (The Argus, September 27). As a parent of a child who attends Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School, I feel very

  • Another pair of Albion aces

    The first Peter Taylor to manage Albion created a memorable goalscoring partnership. The Seagulls' second Peter Taylor may just have inherited another. It's early days yet for Zamora and Steele, but the signs are they could strike up the kind of understanding

  • Tennis: Lee upbeat after shock defeat

    Top seed Martin Lee was philosophical after his shock drubbing by 17-year-old Alex Bogdanovic in the second round of the National Championships in Bolton. Lee, the British No. 3, lost 7-5 6-0 to a man ranked 951 places lower in the world rankings. The

  • Cash will put libraries online

    Libraries have been handed more than £700,000 in a bid to ensure everyone has access to the internet. The cash will be used to provide more than 200 extra computers at libraries throughout East Sussex, meaning almost 250 PCs with high-speed internet links

  • Officers save six from blaze

    Two policemen have been praised after rescuing six people from a flat above a West Sussex take-away restaurant. Today the search continued for a burglar who unwittingly and indirectly sparked the fire when he tried to break in. People living above the

  • Man killed in crash with truck

    A man was killed when his car was involved in a collision with a lorry near Horsham. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, on the B2110 at Lower Beeding. The lorry ended up embedded in the side of the dead man's car, which came to rest in

  • Cruelty case inquiry call

    Tory councillors are calling for an investigation into the tragic case of four-year-old John Smith. A catalogue of errors by social services was revealed in an inquiry report prepared for the Brighton and Hove and West Sussex area child protection committees

  • New row over shop rent

    Furious shopkeepers plan to report their council to the local government watchdog over planned rent rises. They claim Adur District Council has completely ignored their views on the proposed rises and has imposed arbitration on them. Traders face rent

  • Pedestrian hit by car

    A pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a car in Angmering. Police closed the A280 at Water Lane for more than four hours last night following the accident at 6.30pm. Police said the injured person, believed to be a

  • Setback for city flood defences

    A row between two Government departments could delay work on sea defences. Brighton and Hove City Council wants to rebuild the sea wall and Undercliff Walk between the Marina and Ovingdean. But there is an argument over funding the £10 million project

  • Woman killed by green beans

    An elderly woman was killed when the green beans she was eating went down the wrong way, an inquest heard. Evelyn Berger, 81, who lived at the Hyman Fine House nursing home in Burlington Street, Brighton, died suddenly, hours after eating the beans for

  • Dickie Mint's still around

    I was interested to read "Speak up" (Letters, September 12), in which Michael Parker quoted past ventriloquists. But we still have Dickie Mint. One only has to attend a Ken Dodd show or buy one of his videos, for Ken, apart from being a very fine comedian

  • Parker's a great read

    How much I enjoy the Parker's Progress column. Its attraction is that it always concentrates on one company, always local. It is easy to read and is often laced with occasional personal anecdotes, which add to the informative overview. Over the past few

  • Landmark or landscape?

    Protagonists for the Albion stadium at Falmer have been anxious to assure environmentalists that the structure will be unobtrusively blended into the natural terrain. I hope, therefore, Kevin Collinge's advice (The Argus, October 20) that the stadium

  • Farming figures

    David Lepper is right with his figures (Letters, October 12) but they need to be put into proper perspective: £140 million over seven years for organic farming is only £20 million a year, which compares with £130 million the Government spent last year

  • The right way to fly flag

    It never ceases to amaze me the number of so-called patriots who do not know the correct way to fly our national flag. The broad white diagonal should be uppermost nearest the flagpole. To fly the flag upside down is an insult to the Crown. It also a