PORTSLADE Penny Gilbey 01273 642085 FESTIVAL: Portslade's Millennium Festival will take place from June 17 to 25 and there will be events and opportunities for everyone to take part in and enjoy. From fun days to forties nights, glow worm walks to beetle drives, cyber and science to sixties and songs, this month, Portslade will be the place to be.

Over the next two weeks programmes are being delivered to every home in the area and will also be found in all libraries and public buildings throughout Brighton and Hove.

The festival is non-profit making and many of the events are free but for those that are there is a charge, costs have been kept to a minimum. Ticket details are in the programme or contact Liz on 430508.

PARADE: This year Portslade is to have its Parade and all community groups and residents are invited to join in the fun to show what a wonderful community spirit exists in our area.

Starting at Chalky Road and travelling through the village, the procession will end at the Family Fun Day in Victoria Park where Ivor Caplin, MP, will present prizes.

People are still needed to volunteer to walk alongside the Parade on Saturday, June 17, at 11am wearing yellow jackets, so if anyone has an hour to spare and would like to join us at the start of our festival, ring Stuart or Steven on Brighton 722744.

Yapton & Ford John Dickeson 01243 551972

FIVE VILLAGES: The Five Village Society at their annual general meeting made only one change in their officers for the coming year, when Margaret Chambers replaced Mary Baldwin who wished to stand down as Treasurer.

The President, Robin Low, thanked the retiring treasurer for her work over the past years.

The only decision on planning made over the five major inquiries the society have been represented on in the last year was the one on the Brooks Nursery site in Barnham. The appeal was turned down.

The Inspector stated that there was a good public transport service, but little local employment. Use of the car would be necessary to reach work, shops and leisure facilities. Government policy is now firmly against piecemeal village expansion. Most important of all the development would 'materially harm the local gap'. The results of the other appeals are awaited.

The president drew attention to the fact that he is collecting aluminium cans for recycling. These can be sold each month and the money will augment the societies' funds. They can be collected by the five village minibus or will also be collected at the meetings.

The June walk will take place on Friday the 30th. Meet at the Wilkes Head, Church Lane, Eastergate at 7pm.

Next meetings at Barnham Mill will be on Friday, September 29, and on November 24.

After the AGM the speaker was Simon Kitchen of the Chichester District Museum and his topic was Chichester, the Last 100 Years. A most interesting talk.

Kemp Town John Randall 01273 685143

FESTIVAL: Monday saw the last processions of this year's Festival, none so impressive as the Carnival Collective Samba Band drumming at its best. To watch it live on the seafront as part of the BBC's Music Live 2000 was an experience not to be missed as part of the Beat This! Biggest Drum Roll Ever, and managing to succeed to get into the Guinness Book of Records.

The west lower esplanade was a sea of musicians, acrobats, mime artists, all very talented. A really good Festival 2000.

YOUTH CENTRE: Brighton Youth Centre have issued their current youth activities programme. This includes art projects, Sky TV, table tennis, snooker, skateboarding circuit and lots more. Times are Monday, 13 years, 7-9pm; Wednesday, 13, 7-9pm; Thursday eight-11years, 6-8pm; Friday, 12-16 years, 5.30-7pm; Saturday, five-nine years, 10am-noon. For more details contact 01273-675011.

ST JAMES' STREET: Several people have contacted me bemoaning the redevelopment of St James Street, complaining that there will be constant snarl ups of traffic.

But a lot of residents and traders alike think that it could stop illegal parking and make St James' Street a nicer place to be.

The new level pavements are already a great improvement, and if people can be discouraged from piling bags of rubbish in shop doorways and around lamposts, it really will be a better place.

Central Hove Averil Older 01273 772071

BRIDGE: A charity Bridge Tournament in aid of the Martlets Hospice is being played on Thursday in the Bishop Hannington Church Lounge, Holmes Avenue, beginning at 2pm. The cost of £5.50 per player includes tea and a raffle will be held during the afternoon. For more details contact Ivy Dean on 559655.

VARIETY: The popular Starliners, based in Hove and supporters of local charities since 1952, are appearing in their Millennium Variety Spectacular at the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing on June 9-10 with matinees at 2.30pm and evening performances at 7.30pm.

This fast-moving show with an energetic cast will appeal to all the family. Tickets cost £6 for adults (£4 concessions) with discounts for groups.

Contact the box office on 01903-206206 or phone the group direct on 07970 848915.

SALE: A garden sale is being held tomorrow between 11am and 2pm at 51 Brittany Road, Hove. All proceeds will be donated to the local branch of the PDSA.

HERSTMONCEUX AND WARTLING Dianne Town 01323 833841

COUNTERPOINT CHAMBER CHOIR: This group will be presenting the second of their two local concerts on June 17 and this time it will be at St Nicolas Church, Pevensey, and they will be accompanied by the church organ.

Having just concluded an extremely successful concert at Michelham Priory which was a complete sell out, they are really looking forward to this performance in the Pevensey Church.

Tickets at £10 each from either Rosemary Morris on 833706 or Tom Tyner on 833023.

WALKING CLUB: We've got two walks coming up for our intrepid walkers, the first is on Sunday, June 11, when Cyril will be showing them all around the Broad Oak area. He'll be leaving the Woolpack Inn at 2pm.

On Tuesday, June 13, Irene will be leaving the Woolpack at 6.30pm and taking you off to Upper Dicker with yet more drinks in The Plough.

To find out more please contact either Stella on 833445 or Sue on 848790.

AUCTION: Don't forget the Antique and Modern Fund Raising Auction which is being held in the village hall on June 11 starting at 2.30pm with viewing from 1pm. Any items for the auction that you would like to donate, contact Dilys Bingham on 833538.

ACTION RESEARCH: Despite the weather a very successful Open Garden was held at Conquerors on May 27 and managed to raise a fantastic £552. The committee would like to pass on their grateful thanks to all those who helped to make this such a successful afternoon.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.