Just to set the record straight, I understand the crown formerly on the facade of The Warnes Hotel, commemorating the visit of Emperor Haile Selassie to Worthing, is now in the safe custody of Worthing Museum.

Secondly, The Worthing Society has provided a vital buffer against planners and developers for some 30 years and is most definitely not "running out of steam".

It is, however, a decidedly uphill battle to encourage any enthusiasm for conservation and preservation on the part of Worthing's population.

With all due respect to those concerned, most of the society's committee and membership are on the "senior" end of the age scale.

No matter how hard we try to encourage fresh blood through exhibitions, Press campaigns and so on, we have had very little success in breaking the apathy of Worthing residents in our bid to encourage new members, especially from the younger age range who have most to gain from caring for their town's heritage.

We continue to battle on, not, as some might believe, simply to try to thwart any and every planning application but to do our best to try to prevent the dreadful and irreplaceable losses of our town's historic buildings and open spaces.

We would far rather work with the planning authorities than against them to preserve the identity of Worthing.

Anyone wishing to join The Worthing Society (for a very modest subscription) can obtain details from the membership secretary by calling 01903 241390.

-Tony Malone, Publicity Officer, The Worthing Society