Archive

  • Crunch time for Beasant

    Steve Coppell believes veteran goalkeeper Dave Beasant is pricing himself out of a new deal with Albion. Beasant, 44, is still negotiating and insists he wants to stay. But Albion boss Coppell, who returned to work yesterday following the death of his

  • 'Extinct' wildlife makes a comeback

    Wild flowers and animals which have not been seen in Sussex for years are making a welcome comeback thanks to changes in farming methods. There was a time when the fields of Sussex were blooming with wild flowers and filled with butterflies and birds.

  • Carrier costs rocket

    Two new aircraft carriers may have to be smaller than planned after BAE Systems reportedly warned it could not build the designs to budget. Reports said the Ministry of Defence had been told the project would cost up to £4 billion, rather than the £2.8

  • Sign of the times

    While digging a hole in my back garden in Harrington Place, Brighton, I hit a metallic object. After a great deal of effort, I unearthed this sign. Obviously the years underground and my efforts in getting it up have damaged it and the address is not

  • Ugly view

    I was so glad to see other readers complaining about the Tesco site in Church Road, Hove (Letters, July 9). Typically, the weight of big business runs roughshod over history, nature, people and quality of life. I feel for the church and other residents

  • Lack of plans

    Brighton and Hove City Council approved a development at the rear of Frimley Close, Woodingdean, in March 2002, despite vehement protests from local residents. Now that the development is going ahead, our worst fears are being realised. The developers

  • Honest offer

    Thousands of people are involved in a web site group called Join Me, which helps old people in need. It has survived the blow of discovering through The Argus one of the first old men it aided was famous for being a conman. Members are now prepared to

  • No sympathy

    So, I am supposed to feel sorry for Peter James because he may have to find £100,000 to correct the building work he had carried out without permission to the former Cornelia James glove factory (The Argus, July 9). He made the decision to flout the building

  • Cricket: Title race blown wide open

    West Sussex League: Division one leaders Dome Mission suffered a four-wicket defeat at West Chiltington to blow the title race wide open. Mission looked in control after batting first with Larry Dent (65) and Tony Lias (66) helping set a 206-3 total.

  • Give haven to islanders

    It is a familiar story. People from another country, wanting to find homes in Britain, facing problems when they arrive at the airport. Thirty travellers from the coral island of Diego Garcia have been sleeping rough at Gatwick for almost two weeks. They

  • Rink is vital

    I reply to Denis Christian's letter (July 11) about the possible ice skating rink at Black Rock in Brighton. With all the recent anti-social behaviour reported from the Whitehawk estate, wouldn't it be better for the youngsters to be able to go down to

  • Split over teen asylum hostel

    Plans to convert a former nursing home into a hostel for teenage asylum seekers have sparked controversy. Charity leaders are seeking planning permission to convert a house in Fitzalan Road, Littlehampton. It would be used to house ten 16 to 18-year-olds

  • Sporting event will betray local talent

    I am writing to express my disbelief at the organisation of the Skate 2003 event scheduled for the end of the month. I am the captain of the senior team of the Brighton Streetstormers inline hockey organisation. As July arrived, I realised it would soon

  • Cricket: Adams backs top three

    Sussex skipper Chris Adams believes his side's top three batsmen will come good in the Championship. Second-placed Sussex are challenging for their first ever title despite the disappointing form of openers Murray Goodwin and Richard Montgomerie and Adams

  • Speedway: Barker stakes World Cup claim

    Dean Barker could have ridden himself into Great Britain's World Cup squad. The Eastbourne Eagles star turned in a sparkling display in last night's pre-tournament warm-up match against a Rest of the World team at Arlington Stadium. Barker's paid 14-point

  • City watchdog unveils new boss

    City watchdog the Financial Services Authority has unveiled insider John Tiner as its next chief executive to replace Sir Howard Davies later this year. Mr Tiner, 46, will be the first person to hold the position following the Government's decision to

  • Lenders pass on rate cut

    The UK's two biggest mortgage lenders announced yesterday they would pass on savings from last week's interest rate cut to borrowers. Abbey National said it would cut its Standard Variable Rate (SVR) by the full 0.25 per cent but Halifax, the country's

  • Prices stagnant at factory gate

    Under-pressure manufacturers were unable to raise the prices of products leaving their factories last month, figures showed yesterday. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said output prices were unchanged in June compared with May, although this

  • Baby joy at birthday barbie

    Baby Zoe Amelia is a real barbie girl - Well, barbecue girl that is. She became the best present her father could wish for when she turned up as the surprise guest at his birthday party. Mark Heath had just started cooking on the grill at his celebration

  • Man dies in A27 pile-up

    A taxi driver taking four special needs pupils home died after a six vehicle pile-up. The crash happened just hours after the children, who attend St Anne's, in Lewes, were told the school is to be shut down. Six vehicles travelling in both directions

  • Exiles plea for a home

    Tearful Francine Arrestede stares out in despair at the country which does not seem to care. Almost two weeks after landing in Britain, Francine and 30 other Indian Ocean islanders exiled when their homeland was turned into a US military base, are sleeping

  • Sol or Les would be our comedy show goal

    A film company is taking an unusual approach to casting by printing a lonely hearts-style advert to find a hunky man for a leading part in a football-based comedy. Hove-based film makers Eview Entertainment wants a large, fit, Afro-Caribbean man to step

  • Rescuers' plea for help

    A wildlife welfare organisation is appealing for new rescuers to help with its increasing workload. East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) needs volunteers, particularly in the Eastbourne, Hailsham, Bexhill and Hastings areas. Trevor

  • Road protesters to carry on camping

    Protesters have pledged to keep up their guard in case a controversial road scheme is revived. Campaigners said a protest camp in woods at Tortington Common, near Arundel, would stay in place to make sure plans to build a bypass were not resurrected.

  • Carrier costs rocket

    Two new aircraft carriers may have to be smaller than planned after BAE Systems reportedly warned it could not build the designs to budget. Reports said the Ministry of Defence had been told the project would cost up to £4 billion, rather than the £2.8

  • £2 million boost for seeds project

    A project which aims to safeguard 24,000 plant species has won a National Lottery grant of more than £2 million. The Millennium Commission today announced its final tranche of lottery awards, which total more than £2.5m for schemes in the South-East.

  • Sit-down pledge over sewage battle

    Campaigners held a picnic to call on Southern Water to drop a greenfield site from its list of potential locations for a new sewage works. The Friends of Sheepcote Valley have pledged to camp at the site if the company wins planning permission to build

  • Sign of the times

    While digging a hole in my back garden in Harrington Place, Brighton, I hit a metallic object. After a great deal of effort, I unearthed this sign. Obviously the years underground and my efforts in getting it up have damaged it and the address is not

  • Tennis club takes fight to people

    A tennis club under threat from plans for a multi-million pound rival nearby has launched an offensive to recruit new members. West Worthing Tennis Club, in Titnore Way, Worthing, held an open day on Sunday to capitalise on the post-Wimbledon popularity

  • Speedway: Barker stakes World Cup claim

    Dean Barker could have ridden himself into Great Britain's World Cup squad. The Eastbourne Eagles star turned in a sparkling display in last night's pre-tournament warm-up match against a Rest of the World team at Arlington Stadium. Barker's paid 14-point

  • Fears for missing pensioner

    Concern is growing for an elderly man who went missing from his Eastbourne home yesterday. Norman Lloyd, 77, of Glendale Avenue suffers from dementia and was last seen outside the Terminus pub, Terminus Road, Eastbourne, at 10am. He is white, 5ft 5in,

  • Plea for care home places

    A woman who battled to keep a care home open on behalf of her mother says residents are being kept in the dark about their future. Despite pleas to the Prime Minister, a High Court case and countless letters and petitions, Norma Dudley lost her bid to

  • Parking chaos round the corner

    Drivers in a congested Sussex town could face traffic chaos next year when more than half the town's parking spaces are taken out of use. A unique combination of events will drastically reduce the stock of publicly available and other major parking in

  • Off the rails

    As an old-time railway man with nearly 50 years' service, I wish to join the debate on the klaxon horns now installed in the new rolling stock (Letters, July 5). In my view, they are ridiculous and completely unnecessary. I worked and have lived alongside

  • Elderly asset

    There are many benefits for employers hiring older workers and they are now being realised (The Argus, July 8). The older worker has had to endure ageism for far too long and, in many cases, his or her vital skills and knowledge have been lost to the

  • Cable chaos

    Immovable structures and buildings are to have new identification-coloured cables from April next year. It's all in the name of the pro-European lobby and the warped ideology that all things in Europe must be the same. Has anyone realised that immovable

  • Ugly view

    I was so glad to see other readers complaining about the Tesco site in Church Road, Hove (Letters, July 9). Typically, the weight of big business runs roughshod over history, nature, people and quality of life. I feel for the church and other residents

  • Lack of plans

    Brighton and Hove City Council approved a development at the rear of Frimley Close, Woodingdean, in March 2002, despite vehement protests from local residents. Now that the development is going ahead, our worst fears are being realised. The developers

  • Skaters exist

    In response to the letter from Denis Christian (July 11), I would beg to differ from his opinion that ice skating is a minority interest. He may not have encountered many skaters because they all travel to Guildford to enjoy the excellent mixed facilities

  • Cricket: Arundel back on title track

    Invitation League: Arundel got their division one title bid back on track with a six-wicket win at Lindfield. After dropping to third after two draws, Arundel returned to the top of the table after superb batting displays by captain Steve Mullen (66 not

  • Rink is vital

    I reply to Denis Christian's letter (July 11) about the possible ice skating rink at Black Rock in Brighton. With all the recent anti-social behaviour reported from the Whitehawk estate, wouldn't it be better for the youngsters to be able to go down to

  • Cricket: Seven up for spinner

    East Sussex League: Late replacement Dominic Harris stole the show with seven wickets as Glynde maintained top spot in division one. The Sussex under-16 captain was only called in at the 11th hour when Adam Davies pulled out with a fractured finger. But

  • Split over teen asylum hostel

    Plans to convert a former nursing home into a hostel for teenage asylum seekers have sparked controversy. Charity leaders are seeking planning permission to convert a house in Fitzalan Road, Littlehampton. It would be used to house ten 16 to 18-year-olds

  • Speedway: Barker stakes World Cup claim

    Dean Barker could have ridden himself into Great Britain's World Cup squad. The Eastbourne Eagles star turned in a sparkling display in last night's pre-tournament warm-up match against a Rest of the World team at Arlington Stadium. Barker's paid 14-point

  • Home plans set for veto

    Plans to build new homes on one of the biggest brownfield sites in Sussex could be knocked back because the land has been earmarked for employment and business. Developers are trying to gain permission for more than 300 homes as part of the bid to regenerate

  • Crunch time for Beasant

    Steve Coppell believes veteran goalkeeper Dave Beasant is pricing himself out of a new deal with Albion. Beasant, 44, is still negotiating and insists he wants to stay. But Albion boss Coppell, who returned to work yesterday following the death of his

  • City watchdog unveils new boss

    City watchdog the Financial Services Authority has unveiled insider John Tiner as its next chief executive to replace Sir Howard Davies later this year. Mr Tiner, 46, will be the first person to hold the position following the Government's decision to

  • Lenders pass on rate cut

    The UK's two biggest mortgage lenders announced yesterday they would pass on savings from last week's interest rate cut to borrowers. Abbey National said it would cut its Standard Variable Rate (SVR) by the full 0.25 per cent but Halifax, the country's

  • Web cult devoted to random acts of kindness

    One day Danny Wallace was bored so he placed an advert in his local paper saying Join Me. He didn't have anything special in mind, there wasn't really anything to join - he was simply interested to see if anyone would. A few days later a man called Christian

  • Huntsman says he hit out in defence

    A huntsman accused of attacking two saboteurs told a jury he was acting in self-defence. Jonathan Broise, 46, of London Road, Petworth, told Chichester Crown Court Jaine Wild sprayed perfume in his eye and whipped him before he pushed her away. He said

  • Murder suspect had day off sick

    An alleged killer took a sick day from work to meet his victim on a luxury boat, a court heard. Train guard David MacBride called his manager at South Central on September 25 last year to say he was feeling sick. He did not arrive at work the next day

  • Man dies in A27 pile-up

    A taxi driver taking four special needs pupils home died after a six vehicle pile-up. The crash happened just hours after the children, who attend St Anne's, in Lewes, were told the school is to be shut down. Six vehicles travelling in both directions

  • In-depth: How B52s left islanders homeless

    Huddled around their suitcases in a quiet corner of Gatwick's North Terminal, the smartly-dressed group could be mistaken for any party of tourists waiting for a plane. But for the past two weeks this cold linoleum floor has been their home. Some spent

  • Exiles plea for a home

    Tearful Francine Arrestede stares out in despair at the country which does not seem to care. Almost two weeks after landing in Britain, Francine and 30 other Indian Ocean islanders exiled when their homeland was turned into a US military base, are sleeping

  • School governor takes direct route

    A school governor went straight to the top when he realised jobs would have to be axed at a school facing financial crisis. Reverend Gary Barrett decided the best way for the school to recoup its losses from a poor Government grant was to send the bill

  • Rescuers' plea for help

    A wildlife welfare organisation is appealing for new rescuers to help with its increasing workload. East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) needs volunteers, particularly in the Eastbourne, Hailsham, Bexhill and Hastings areas. Trevor

  • Heatwave warning to pet owners

    Pet owners are being warned to look after their animals in the heatwave. The RSPCA says while humans soak up the sun, dogs and other animals are suffering from a range of complaints. With temperatures set to stay high for the next few days, the charity

  • Parking chaos round the corner

    Drivers in a congested Sussex town could face traffic chaos next year when more than half the town's parking spaces are taken out of use. A unique combination of events will drastically reduce the stock of publicly available and other major parking in

  • Special school loses fight for survival

    An award-winning special school has lost its battle to stay open. St Anne's Special School in Lewes is to close by 2007. Headteacher Gill Ingold received the decision of an independent adjudicator yesterday and tearfully broke the news to staff after

  • Burberry sales on the up

    Upmarket fashion brand Burberry yesterday said new stores had helped prop up first quarter sales after a tough start to the year. The group, famed for its famous beige-and-red house check, said contributions from nine new outlets opened in the last year

  • £2 million boost for seeds project

    A project which aims to safeguard 24,000 plant species has won a National Lottery grant of more than £2 million. The Millennium Commission today announced its final tranche of lottery awards, which total more than £2.5m for schemes in the South-East.

  • Sit-down pledge over sewage battle

    Campaigners held a picnic to call on Southern Water to drop a greenfield site from its list of potential locations for a new sewage works. The Friends of Sheepcote Valley have pledged to camp at the site if the company wins planning permission to build

  • Urban Housewife, by Lizzie Enfield

    What are you doing here?" asked Tony, the gorgeous, muscular urban housecleaner. He'd just let himself into friend Sara's house and strolled into her kitchen, bold as brass, not looking remotely as if he was planning on cleaning it. "I could ask the same

  • Tennis club takes fight to people

    A tennis club under threat from plans for a multi-million pound rival nearby has launched an offensive to recruit new members. West Worthing Tennis Club, in Titnore Way, Worthing, held an open day on Sunday to capitalise on the post-Wimbledon popularity

  • Off the rails

    As an old-time railway man with nearly 50 years' service, I wish to join the debate on the klaxon horns now installed in the new rolling stock (Letters, July 5). In my view, they are ridiculous and completely unnecessary. I worked and have lived alongside

  • Elderly asset

    There are many benefits for employers hiring older workers and they are now being realised (The Argus, July 8). The older worker has had to endure ageism for far too long and, in many cases, his or her vital skills and knowledge have been lost to the

  • Cable chaos

    Immovable structures and buildings are to have new identification-coloured cables from April next year. It's all in the name of the pro-European lobby and the warped ideology that all things in Europe must be the same. Has anyone realised that immovable

  • Sit-down pledge over sewage battle

    Campaigners held a picnic to call on Southern Water to drop a greenfield site from its list of potential locations for a new sewage works. The Friends of Sheepcote Valley have pledged to camp at the site if the company wins planning permission to build

  • Skaters exist

    In response to the letter from Denis Christian (July 11), I would beg to differ from his opinion that ice skating is a minority interest. He may not have encountered many skaters because they all travel to Guildford to enjoy the excellent mixed facilities

  • Cricket: Arundel back on title track

    Invitation League: Arundel got their division one title bid back on track with a six-wicket win at Lindfield. After dropping to third after two draws, Arundel returned to the top of the table after superb batting displays by captain Steve Mullen (66 not

  • Cricket: Seven up for spinner

    East Sussex League: Late replacement Dominic Harris stole the show with seven wickets as Glynde maintained top spot in division one. The Sussex under-16 captain was only called in at the 11th hour when Adam Davies pulled out with a fractured finger. But

  • Speedway: Eagles axe Screen

    Eastbourne Eagles have dumped skipper Joe Screen to make way for world championship leader Nicki Pedersen. The axe finally fell on Screen, the club's second most expensive signing, last night after two weeks of high-profile speculation in the wake of

  • Home plans set for veto

    Plans to build new homes on one of the biggest brownfield sites in Sussex could be knocked back because the land has been earmarked for employment and business. Developers are trying to gain permission for more than 300 homes as part of the bid to regenerate

  • Crunch time for Beasant

    Steve Coppell believes veteran goalkeeper Dave Beasant is pricing himself out of a new deal with Albion. Beasant, 44, is still negotiating and insists he wants to stay. But Albion boss Coppell, who returned to work yesterday following the death of his

  • Hornets buzz in on doormouse project

    They were specially created by environmentalists as a home for dormice where the timid creatures could be filmed and monitored. But the special nesting boxes at Wakehurst Place have proved to be a popular home for some slightly bolder characters. A family

  • £2 million boost for seeds project

    A project which aims to safeguard 24,000 plant species has won a National Lottery grant of more than £2 million. The Millennium Commission today announced its final tranche of lottery awards, which total more than £2.5m for schemes in the South-East.

  • The House of Bernarda Alba, New Venture Theatre, Brighton

    Garcia Lorca's great Spanish tragedy provided the New Venture Theatre with yet another opportunity to show off its superb ensemble playing. His tale of sexual repression and rebellion in a house of mourning under the domination of a monstrous matriarch

  • Web cult devoted to random acts of kindness

    One day Danny Wallace was bored so he placed an advert in his local paper saying Join Me. He didn't have anything special in mind, there wasn't really anything to join - he was simply interested to see if anyone would. A few days later a man called Christian

  • Ex-con slams payment plans

    Proposals to give young criminals up to £20,000 a year to stay out of trouble have been criticised by an ex-prisoner who turned his life around. Ian Freeston said the controversial scheme, supported by new police minister Hazel Blears, could even encourage

  • Huntsman says he hit out in defence

    A huntsman accused of attacking two saboteurs told a jury he was acting in self-defence. Jonathan Broise, 46, of London Road, Petworth, told Chichester Crown Court Jaine Wild sprayed perfume in his eye and whipped him before he pushed her away. He said

  • Murder suspect had day off sick

    An alleged killer took a sick day from work to meet his victim on a luxury boat, a court heard. Train guard David MacBride called his manager at South Central on September 25 last year to say he was feeling sick. He did not arrive at work the next day

  • In-depth: How B52s left islanders homeless

    Huddled around their suitcases in a quiet corner of Gatwick's North Terminal, the smartly-dressed group could be mistaken for any party of tourists waiting for a plane. But for the past two weeks this cold linoleum floor has been their home. Some spent

  • Stage: Porgy and Bess, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, July 19

    The American musical masterpiece Porgy And Bess comes to Eastbourne for two performances as part of a world tour which given more than 300 performances on five continents. The changing cast is taken from America's leading opera companies. The show is

  • School governor takes direct route

    A school governor went straight to the top when he realised jobs would have to be axed at a school facing financial crisis. Reverend Gary Barrett decided the best way for the school to recoup its losses from a poor Government grant was to send the bill

  • Heatwave warning to pet owners

    Pet owners are being warned to look after their animals in the heatwave. The RSPCA says while humans soak up the sun, dogs and other animals are suffering from a range of complaints. With temperatures set to stay high for the next few days, the charity

  • Parking chaos round the corner

    Drivers in a congested Sussex town could face traffic chaos next year when more than half the town's parking spaces are taken out of use. A unique combination of events will drastically reduce the stock of publicly available and other major parking in

  • Crunch time for Beasant

    Steve Coppell believes veteran goalkeeper Dave Beasant is pricing himself out of a new deal with Albion. Beasant, 44, is still negotiating and insists he wants to stay. But Albion boss Coppell, who returned to work yesterday following the death of his

  • Special school loses fight for survival

    An award-winning special school has lost its battle to stay open. St Anne's Special School in Lewes is to close by 2007. Headteacher Gill Ingold received the decision of an independent adjudicator yesterday and tearfully broke the news to staff after

  • 'Extinct' wildlife makes a comeback

    Wild flowers and animals which have not been seen in Sussex for years are making a welcome comeback thanks to changes in farming methods. There was a time when the fields of Sussex were blooming with wild flowers and filled with butterflies and birds.

  • Burberry sales on the up

    Upmarket fashion brand Burberry yesterday said new stores had helped prop up first quarter sales after a tough start to the year. The group, famed for its famous beige-and-red house check, said contributions from nine new outlets opened in the last year

  • Cash incentive to free up homes

    A new scheme to help free-up family homes for people who need them is to be piloted in Mid Sussex. Under Money To Move, existing housing association tenants will be paid a minimum of £1,000 to move into smaller homes, if their houses are too big for them

  • Urban Housewife, by Lizzie Enfield

    What are you doing here?" asked Tony, the gorgeous, muscular urban housecleaner. He'd just let himself into friend Sara's house and strolled into her kitchen, bold as brass, not looking remotely as if he was planning on cleaning it. "I could ask the same

  • Speedway: Eagles axe Screen

    Eastbourne Eagles have dumped skipper Joe Screen to make way for world championship leader Nicki Pedersen. The axe finally fell on Screen, the club's second most expensive signing, last night after two weeks of high-profile speculation in the wake of

  • Special school loses fight for survival

    An award-winning special school has lost its battle to stay open. St Anne's Special School in Lewes is to close by 2007. Headteacher Gill Ingold received the decision of an independent adjudicator yesterday and tearfully broke the news to staff after

  • Man dies in A27 pile-up

    A taxi driver taking four special needs pupils home died after a six vehicle pile-up. The crash happened just hours after the children, who attend St Anne's, in Lewes, were told the school is to be shut down. Six vehicles travelling in both directions

  • Split over teen asylum hostel

    Plans to convert a former nursing home into a hostel for teenage asylum seekers have sparked controversy. Charity leaders are seeking planning permission to convert a house in Fitzalan Road, Littlehampton. It would be used to house ten 16 to 18-year-olds

  • Honest offer

    Thousands of people are involved in a web site group called Join Me, which helps old people in need. It has survived the blow of discovering through The Argus one of the first old men it aided was famous for being a conman. Members are now prepared to

  • No sympathy

    So, I am supposed to feel sorry for Peter James because he may have to find £100,000 to correct the building work he had carried out without permission to the former Cornelia James glove factory (The Argus, July 9). He made the decision to flout the building

  • Cricket: Title race blown wide open

    West Sussex League: Division one leaders Dome Mission suffered a four-wicket defeat at West Chiltington to blow the title race wide open. Mission looked in control after batting first with Larry Dent (65) and Tony Lias (66) helping set a 206-3 total.

  • Sit-down pledge over sewage battle

    Campaigners held a picnic to call on Southern Water to drop a greenfield site from its list of potential locations for a new sewage works. The Friends of Sheepcote Valley have pledged to camp at the site if the company wins planning permission to build

  • Give haven to islanders

    It is a familiar story. People from another country, wanting to find homes in Britain, facing problems when they arrive at the airport. Thirty travellers from the coral island of Diego Garcia have been sleeping rough at Gatwick for almost two weeks. They

  • Sporting event will betray local talent

    I am writing to express my disbelief at the organisation of the Skate 2003 event scheduled for the end of the month. I am the captain of the senior team of the Brighton Streetstormers inline hockey organisation. As July arrived, I realised it would soon

  • Cricket: Adams backs top three

    Sussex skipper Chris Adams believes his side's top three batsmen will come good in the Championship. Second-placed Sussex are challenging for their first ever title despite the disappointing form of openers Murray Goodwin and Richard Montgomerie and Adams

  • Speedway: Eagles axe Screen

    Eastbourne Eagles have dumped skipper Joe Screen to make way for world championship leader Nicki Pedersen. The axe finally fell on Screen, the club's second most expensive signing, last night after two weeks of high-profile speculation in the wake of

  • Hornets buzz in on doormouse project

    They were specially created by environmentalists as a home for dormice where the timid creatures could be filmed and monitored. But the special nesting boxes at Wakehurst Place have proved to be a popular home for some slightly bolder characters. A family

  • £2 million boost for seeds project

    A project which aims to safeguard 24,000 plant species has won a National Lottery grant of more than £2 million. The Millennium Commission today announced its final tranche of lottery awards, which total more than £2.5m for schemes in the South-East.

  • Prices stagnant at factory gate

    Under-pressure manufacturers were unable to raise the prices of products leaving their factories last month, figures showed yesterday. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said output prices were unchanged in June compared with May, although this

  • Road protesters to carry on camping

    Protesters have pledged to keep up their guard in case a controversial road scheme is revived. Campaigners said a protest camp in woods at Tortington Common, near Arundel, would stay in place to make sure plans to build a bypass were not resurrected.

  • School governor takes direct route

    A school governor went straight to the top when he realised jobs would have to be axed at a school facing financial crisis. Reverend Gary Barrett decided the best way for the school to recoup its losses from a poor Government grant was to send the bill

  • Baby joy at birthday barbie

    Baby Zoe Amelia is a real barbie girl - Well, barbecue girl that is. She became the best present her father could wish for when she turned up as the surprise guest at his birthday party. Mark Heath had just started cooking on the grill at his celebration

  • The House of Bernarda Alba, New Venture Theatre, Brighton

    Garcia Lorca's great Spanish tragedy provided the New Venture Theatre with yet another opportunity to show off its superb ensemble playing. His tale of sexual repression and rebellion in a house of mourning under the domination of a monstrous matriarch

  • Ex-con slams payment plans

    Proposals to give young criminals up to £20,000 a year to stay out of trouble have been criticised by an ex-prisoner who turned his life around. Ian Freeston said the controversial scheme, supported by new police minister Hazel Blears, could even encourage

  • Sol or Les would be our comedy show goal

    A film company is taking an unusual approach to casting by printing a lonely hearts-style advert to find a hunky man for a leading part in a football-based comedy. Hove-based film makers Eview Entertainment wants a large, fit, Afro-Caribbean man to step

  • Stage: Porgy and Bess, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, July 19

    The American musical masterpiece Porgy And Bess comes to Eastbourne for two performances as part of a world tour which given more than 300 performances on five continents. The changing cast is taken from America's leading opera companies. The show is

  • Road protesters to carry on camping

    Protesters have pledged to keep up their guard in case a controversial road scheme is revived. Campaigners said a protest camp in woods at Tortington Common, near Arundel, would stay in place to make sure plans to build a bypass were not resurrected.