Archive

  • Bryant in £556m merger

    The merger of housebuilders Bryant and Beazer has been sunk by a £556 million rival bid for Bryant. Construction giant Taylor Woodrow's agreed offer follows a fortnight of intense activity during which it tabled four bids for Bryant. The deal, which will

  • Business centre to double in size

    Sussex Innovation Centre, start-up home to some of the most successful businesses in the county, is to double in size. The University of Sussex and Brighton and Hove Council are jointly funding an expansion which will cost £3million, the lion's share

  • Act on road death toll, says MP

    Lewes MP Norman Baker has called for action to cut the death toll on Sussex roads. The Lib Dem MP says Government figures show that 1,037 people have died in 948 accidents in the county in the last ten years. Mr Baker said: "These figures show that road

  • Voice of the Third Age, by Lis Solkhon

    Readers of this column may recall that some time ago I referred to the wonderful and varied army of volunteers who kept charities afloat in this area. From hospital cars to WRVS Meals on Wheels, from charity shops to helping out in the hospices, men and

  • City needs

    To concentrate on the need for a one denomination cathedral for a millennium city seems extremely parochial (January.15). A modern European city needs a multi-ethnic city hall, council chamber, council office complex, library, international sports stadium

  • Animal welfare

    Some people feel strongly that foxhunting with horses and hounds is all right, at least for others if they do not themselves take part. Some people feel strongly that, whether or not foxes will go on being killed by other methods, hunters should not enjoy

  • Cult collectables would be right up Hilda's street

    They aren't everyone's cup of tea, but Coronation Street character Hilda Ogden would have been in her element. Flying ducks - usually in threes, one always dipping earthwards - have become a cult collectable since they were first hung on the Rovers Return

  • Easy does it

    Millions of people are on diets this month after gaining weight during the Christmas and New Year holidays. But many will find diets promising spectacular weight losses within a few weeks prove extremely disappointing with the pounds piling on again later

  • Identity crisis for man with no name

    For 46 years, Alan Morris thought he knew exactly who he was. After all, he had a bank account and National Insurance number to prove it. Even the disability living allowance and incapacity benefit he claims because of hip problems are paid to Alan Michael

  • One error of judgement cost Ben his life

    As reported (January 18), following the inquest, our precious son Ben lost his life on October 20 2000 as a result of his car hitting a flint wall. We now know that Ben had twice the legal alcohol limit in his bloodstream and the evidence suggests that

  • Top churchman made a cardinal

    The former Bishop of Arundel and Brighton has been made a cardinal by the Pope. The Most Rev Cormac Murphy O'Connor became Archbishop of Westminster - the head of English Roman Catholics - in 1999 after many years in Sussex. The Pope has created 37 new

  • Stolen fireworks 'could kill'

    Potentially lethal commercial display fireworks have been stolen by burglars. Police have appealed for help in recovering the explosives, which they fear could be sold to, or found by, an unwitting member of the public with disastrous consequences. The

  • Traffic hit as caravan flips

    Rush-hour traffic was disrupted this morning after a caravan overturned on a busy dual carriageway. Two lanes on the A23 at Albourne were blocked after the caravan flipped on to its side just after 9am. Police said one person was treated for shock at

  • Blaze probe as farmhouse is destroyed

    Firefighters are investigating a blaze which left a generations-old farmhouse in smoking ruins. At the height of the inferno, which started just after 10pm on Saturday, flames could be seen licking the night sky more than a mile from the scene. The owner

  • Power cut adds to traders' woes

    It was back to basics for traders in Rottingdean when a ruptured electricity cable plunged shops into darkness. Businesses in the High Street were stuck without power for most of Saturday after workmen who were digging up the street to lay a gas main

  • Shotgun robber's £35,000 gems haul

    The owner of a jewellery store says he saw his life flash before his eyes during a £35,000 armed robbery. Jeffrey Hersheson, 61, suffered an angina attack after he was held up at gunpoint at Hallmarks jeweller's in Union Street, Brighton. Police are appealing

  • Stab charge man remanded

    A man appeared in court today charged with the attempted murder of a 17-year-old girl. Unemployed Ian Haywood, 36, of Willow Way, Hurstpierpoint, is accused of stabbing Karly Sobkawiak at Ditchling Common, near Burgess Hill, on Thursday. Haywood, who

  • Tomboy - Mickey Taker

    The DVLA refuse to acknowledge a man's real name. Tomboy appears daily in The Argus and is updated each day on this website. You can see more of Tomboy on www.moontoon.co.uk The Moontoon website also has comic strips, greeting cards, magazine illustrations

  • Airport still Britain's best, says industry

    Gatwick Airport has scooped the Best UK Airport award for the sixth time. It was voted the winner of one of the annual Travel Weekly's Globe awards by members of the industry. Gatwick airport operations director David Cumming said he was delighted to

  • Hospital campaign slams 'second-class' service

    Hospital campaigners have claimed pregnant women in Crawley are getting a second-class service. They say they are being denied access to antenatal tests for Down's syndrome which are available to women in Haywards Heath, Horsham and East Surrey. The campaigners

  • Flats bid for former nightspot

    Plans to turn a controversial Worthing nightclub into flats could be given the go-ahead next month. People in Eriswell Road, Worthing campaigned against a bid to reopen the former Carioca club, saying it would mean late-night noise and vandalism. The

  • End looms for former drugs den

    One of Eastbourne's two gay pubs could be demolished after failing to shake off its image as a drugs den. Landlord Kevin Stevens said he had been unable to rid Buttons in Langney Road of its unsavoury reputation since taking over last June. Now the Victorian

  • Jail for fourth member of drugs dynasty

    A drug supplier whose baby daughter was born addicted to heroin was jailed for four-and-a-half years today. Sean Compton was a member of a drugs dynasty which brought misery and death to the streets of Sussex. He was jailed for conspiracy to supply when

  • Injured clubber fights for life

    A man was fighting for life today after being punched in a Brighton night club. The 29-year-old victim collapsed inside the Escape Club in Marine Parade and seemingly recovered but collapsed again later at his home in Hove. He was taken to the Royal Sussex

  • Child's voice sparks tip search

    A search was launched after a child was heard crying out near a rubbish tip. A worker at the community dump off Wilson Avenue, Brighton, heard a youngster calling "No, no, no" and raised the alarm at 4pm yesterday. Police and firefighters, using heat-seeking

  • Memory lane

    Your article on P Chapman (January 16), a friend of mine, prompts me to mention other colourful characters Brighton has produced in the past. Who remembers the 'gentleman' totterer, so-called because of his appearance in long black overcoat and black

  • Battle cry

    Regrettably, and tragically for the Labour Council, the only time Simon Battle writes to the Argus is when he wants to drum up some personal attention. He uses the same ploy each time; lay out some bait guaranteed to provoke anger and letters. His letter

  • Animal welfare

    Some people feel strongly that foxhunting with horses and hounds is all right, at least for others if they do not themselves take part. Some people feel strongly that, whether or not foxes will go on being killed by other methods, hunters should not enjoy

  • The name game

    What's in a name? Plenty in the eyes of the law when it comes to Alan Morris of Portslade. Mr Morris has lost a certificate proving his surname was changed from Neri after he left a children's home when he was 11 years old. Now his driving licence is

  • Cult collectables would be right up Hilda's street

    They aren't everyone's cup of tea, but Coronation Street character Hilda Ogden would have been in her element. Flying ducks - usually in threes, one always dipping earthwards - have become a cult collectable since they were first hung on the Rovers Return

  • Foot patrol

    With regard to the many letters asking for the return of policemen on foot, should we not question whether that is still the answer to crime in the modern day? I am not connected with the police but, from what I can see, the public co-operation with the

  • Easy does it

    Millions of people are on diets this month after gaining weight during the Christmas and New Year holidays. But many will find diets promising spectacular weight losses within a few weeks prove extremely disappointing with the pounds piling on again later

  • Identity crisis for man with no name

    For 46 years, Alan Morris thought he knew exactly who he was. After all, he had a bank account and National Insurance number to prove it. Even the disability living allowance and incapacity benefit he claims because of hip problems are paid to Alan Michael

  • Think about the long term

    The Goldsmid area of Hove wasn't originally included in Brighton and Hove Council's suggested areas for residents' parking schemes. Officials only prepared a plan after being told by local councillors many people were in favour of it. Now a big petition

  • One error of judgement cost Ben his life

    As reported (January 18), following the inquest, our precious son Ben lost his life on October 20 2000 as a result of his car hitting a flint wall. We now know that Ben had twice the legal alcohol limit in his bloodstream and the evidence suggests that

  • Non-league roundup: Pagham cut gap on leaders

    Pagham have cut the gap on leaders Horsham YMCA to four points with four games in hand. YM had defender Phil Fitzgerald dismissed as they lost 2-0 at Eastbourne United, ending their run of ten straight wins. Tobi Hutchison struck twice in the space of

  • College's £700,000 status boost

    Ringmer Community College has been granted specialist technology college status, allowing it to go ahead with an ambitious development plan. The announcement by Education Secretary David Blunkett also means a £700,000 boost over the next four years. Principal

  • Power cut adds to traders' woes

    It was back to basics for traders in Rottingdean when a ruptured electricity cable plunged shops into darkness. Businesses in the High Street were stuck without power for most of Saturday after workmen who were digging up the street to lay a gas main

  • Shotgun robber's £35,000 gems haul

    The owner of a jewellery store says he saw his life flash before his eyes during a £35,000 armed robbery. Jeffrey Hersheson, 61, suffered an angina attack after he was held up at gunpoint at Hallmarks jeweller's in Union Street, Brighton. Police are appealing

  • Tomboy - Mickey Taker

    The DVLA refuse to acknowledge a man's real name. Tomboy appears daily in The Argus and is updated each day on this website. You can see more of Tomboy on www.moontoon.co.uk The Moontoon website also has comic strips, greeting cards, magazine illustrations

  • Private firm bids for tourist centre

    A private operator has offered to take over a visitor information centre to save it from closure. Brighton and Hove Council said late last year it would close the centre at Hove Town Hall to save money. Howard Trevette, whose company runs Pool Valley

  • Love Matters, by Julia Meanwell

    I heard the other day about the death of an old school friend. She died peacefully in her sleep, having been out dancing with friends only hours before. The news was particularly shocking as she was only in her forties, with so much to look forward to

  • Me And My Kids, by Bini McCall

    Daughter received a parcel from the States the other day containing a Christmas present from some old friends of ours. They had posted it ages ago on December 4 and, as it hadn't arrived in time for Christmas, we had decided it must have got lost somewhere

  • Begging clampdown to carry on

    Brighton and Hove police have pledged to continue their clampdown on street begging indefinitely. Over the last four months officers have adopted a tough stance on begging in St James's Street and the city centre. Beggars have been warned and moved on

  • Jail for fourth member of drugs dynasty

    A drug supplier whose baby daughter was born addicted to heroin was jailed for four-and-a-half years today. Sean Compton was a member of a drugs dynasty which brought misery and death to the streets of Sussex. He was jailed for conspiracy to supply when

  • Injured clubber fights for life

    A man was fighting for life today after being punched in a Brighton night club. The 29-year-old victim collapsed inside the Escape Club in Marine Parade and seemingly recovered but collapsed again later at his home in Hove. He was taken to the Royal Sussex

  • Child's voice sparks tip search

    A search was launched after a child was heard crying out near a rubbish tip. A worker at the community dump off Wilson Avenue, Brighton, heard a youngster calling "No, no, no" and raised the alarm at 4pm yesterday. Police and firefighters, using heat-seeking

  • Memory lane

    Your article on P Chapman (January 16), a friend of mine, prompts me to mention other colourful characters Brighton has produced in the past. Who remembers the 'gentleman' totterer, so-called because of his appearance in long black overcoat and black

  • Battle cry

    Regrettably, and tragically for the Labour Council, the only time Simon Battle writes to the Argus is when he wants to drum up some personal attention. He uses the same ploy each time; lay out some bait guaranteed to provoke anger and letters. His letter

  • The name game

    What's in a name? Plenty in the eyes of the law when it comes to Alan Morris of Portslade. Mr Morris has lost a certificate proving his surname was changed from Neri after he left a children's home when he was 11 years old. Now his driving licence is

  • Foot patrol

    With regard to the many letters asking for the return of policemen on foot, should we not question whether that is still the answer to crime in the modern day? I am not connected with the police but, from what I can see, the public co-operation with the

  • Athletics: Teenager becomes the youngest winner of road race

    Darryl Hards (Phoenix) has became the youngest ever winner of the Sussex 10km road title at 18. Hards won the men's county crown in 32min. 58sec in an event held in conjunction with the Hastings Open. He was ninth in the open race which had an international

  • Ice champion

    Nice one Argus! Throughout the festive season and into the New Year, the Argus has carried a vibrant advertising promotion for Holiday On Ice at the Brighton Centre. The Argus illustrates the industry of artistry which could grace our community once again

  • Think about the long term

    The Goldsmid area of Hove wasn't originally included in Brighton and Hove Council's suggested areas for residents' parking schemes. Officials only prepared a plan after being told by local councillors many people were in favour of it. Now a big petition

  • East v West

    In A recent edition of the Argus, it was stated Peacehaven councillors gave planning permission for a fast food take-away at 216 South Coast Road. I want to put the record straight. The southern area planning committee district councillors, not the town

  • Boxing: Roaring on the home town boy

    Michael Alldis will be roared on by a full house when he fights Frenchman Salem Bouaita in Crawley tomorrow evening. British super-bantamweight champion Alldis will be fighting in his home town for the first time in two years and is determined to put

  • Non-league roundup: Pagham cut gap on leaders

    Pagham have cut the gap on leaders Horsham YMCA to four points with four games in hand. YM had defender Phil Fitzgerald dismissed as they lost 2-0 at Eastbourne United, ending their run of ten straight wins. Tobi Hutchison struck twice in the space of

  • Non-League Football: Tigers show stripes

    New Saltdean joint boss Steve Bean saluted his battling Tigers as they recovered from two goals down to claim their first league win since October. Saltdean looked dead and buried when two down at the interval against Rich City County League basement

  • Cullip fears for his place

    Danny Cullip is worried about losing his place at the heart of Albion's promotion bid. The dependable central defender starts a three-match ban at lowly Exeter on Saturday. Cullip also misses the trips to struggling Torquay on February 3 and promotion

  • Airport hit by taxi strike

    Taxi drivers boycotted Gatwick Airport this morning in protest at the terms of new franchises. More than 270 drivers who usually serve the two airport terminals refused to take fares between 6am and 10am. Passengers emerging from the terminals tried to

  • Judges' perk is a waste of cash, says MP

    An MP has criticised High Court judges who spend more than £100 of public money a day on car hire while working in Sussex. The judges hire vehicles to travel between Hove and Lewes crown courts and their luxury lodgings at Telscombe Manor. The old country

  • F1 team boss bids for Daewoo

    A Formula One racing team boss wants to buy the ailing Daewoo car research and design complex at Worthing. Tom Walkinshaw, managing director of Arrows, has put in a bid for the technical centre, off Lyons Way. Union officials now want to talk to Mr Walkinshaw

  • Bryant in £556m merger

    The merger of housebuilders Bryant and Beazer has been sunk by a £556 million rival bid for Bryant. Construction giant Taylor Woodrow's agreed offer follows a fortnight of intense activity during which it tabled four bids for Bryant. The deal, which will

  • Business centre to double in size

    Sussex Innovation Centre, start-up home to some of the most successful businesses in the county, is to double in size. The University of Sussex and Brighton and Hove Council are jointly funding an expansion which will cost £3million, the lion's share

  • Act on road death toll, says MP

    Lewes MP Norman Baker has called for action to cut the death toll on Sussex roads. The Lib Dem MP says Government figures show that 1,037 people have died in 948 accidents in the county in the last ten years. Mr Baker said: "These figures show that road

  • Private firm bids for tourist centre

    A private operator has offered to take over a visitor information centre to save it from closure. Brighton and Hove Council said late last year it would close the centre at Hove Town Hall to save money. Howard Trevette, whose company runs Pool Valley

  • Fury over loo charge plan

    A plan to close five public toilets and introduce charges at two others has been criticised. Eastbourne Council officials said the toilets at Gildredge Park, Hampden Park, Devonshire Park, the Oval and Old Town Recreation Ground have been earmarked for

  • Town gets new CCTV cameras

    Four new police street cameras have been installed in Littlehampton town centre. The four cameras have been set up to target potential "hot spots" and they should be working by the end of February. Arun District Council joined forces with local traders

  • Love Matters, by Julia Meanwell

    I heard the other day about the death of an old school friend. She died peacefully in her sleep, having been out dancing with friends only hours before. The news was particularly shocking as she was only in her forties, with so much to look forward to

  • Me And My Kids, by Bini McCall

    Daughter received a parcel from the States the other day containing a Christmas present from some old friends of ours. They had posted it ages ago on December 4 and, as it hadn't arrived in time for Christmas, we had decided it must have got lost somewhere

  • Schools get extra £19m

    A big boost for schools in West Sussex has been unveiled with a record education budget increase of almost £19 million. The bulk of the cash will be spent increasing standards. Extra funds have been earmarked to help children with special needs and gifted

  • Voice of the Third Age, by Lis Solkhon

    Readers of this column may recall that some time ago I referred to the wonderful and varied army of volunteers who kept charities afloat in this area. From hospital cars to WRVS Meals on Wheels, from charity shops to helping out in the hospices, men and

  • Pensioner's death not suspicious

    A pensioner found dead in her flat by friends and relatives died of natural causes, it emerged today. Police have now scaled down their inquiry into Elsie Cook's death following a post-mortem examination. It is now thought Miss Cook, who was found dead

  • Begging clampdown to carry on

    Brighton and Hove police have pledged to continue their clampdown on street begging indefinitely. Over the last four months officers have adopted a tough stance on begging in St James's Street and the city centre. Beggars have been warned and moved on

  • Airport hit by taxi strike

    Taxi drivers boycotted Gatwick Airport this morning in protest at the terms of new franchises. More than 270 drivers who usually serve the two airport terminals refused to take fares between 6am and 10am. Passengers emerging from the terminals tried to

  • Man admits killing wife

    A 39-year-old Mid Sussex man today admitted killing his wife at their home. Gerald Mooney beat his wife to death some time between November 26 and December 5 1999. Mooney's 38-year-old spouse Barbara was found dead with severe head injuries at the couple's

  • Beach barrier to save homes

    Developers have bowed to pressure and agreed to build up sea defences for new flats at Eastbourne's Sovereign Harbour. The Environment Agency objected to the flats scheme, saying the new homes would be at risk of flooding. An agreement was made between

  • City needs

    To concentrate on the need for a one denomination cathedral for a millennium city seems extremely parochial (January.15). A modern European city needs a multi-ethnic city hall, council chamber, council office complex, library, international sports stadium

  • Athletics: Teenager becomes the youngest winner of road race

    Darryl Hards (Phoenix) has became the youngest ever winner of the Sussex 10km road title at 18. Hards won the men's county crown in 32min. 58sec in an event held in conjunction with the Hastings Open. He was ninth in the open race which had an international

  • Ice champion

    Nice one Argus! Throughout the festive season and into the New Year, the Argus has carried a vibrant advertising promotion for Holiday On Ice at the Brighton Centre. The Argus illustrates the industry of artistry which could grace our community once again

  • East v West

    In A recent edition of the Argus, it was stated Peacehaven councillors gave planning permission for a fast food take-away at 216 South Coast Road. I want to put the record straight. The southern area planning committee district councillors, not the town

  • Boxing: Roaring on the home town boy

    Michael Alldis will be roared on by a full house when he fights Frenchman Salem Bouaita in Crawley tomorrow evening. British super-bantamweight champion Alldis will be fighting in his home town for the first time in two years and is determined to put

  • Non-League Football: Tigers show stripes

    New Saltdean joint boss Steve Bean saluted his battling Tigers as they recovered from two goals down to claim their first league win since October. Saltdean looked dead and buried when two down at the interval against Rich City County League basement

  • Cullip fears for his place

    Danny Cullip is worried about losing his place at the heart of Albion's promotion bid. The dependable central defender starts a three-match ban at lowly Exeter on Saturday. Cullip also misses the trips to struggling Torquay on February 3 and promotion

  • Top churchman made a cardinal

    The former Bishop of Arundel and Brighton has been made a cardinal by the Pope. The Most Rev Cormac Murphy O'Connor became Archbishop of Westminster - the head of English Roman Catholics - in 1999 after many years in Sussex. The Pope has created 37 new

  • Woman rescued from burning flat

    A woman was carried to safety after fire engulfed her third-floor flat. The blaze broke out in the kitchen of the flat at St Andrew's Gardens in Church Road, Tarring, Worthing, at 8.15pm yesterday. Firefighters found the 39-year-old woman semi-conscious

  • Stolen fireworks 'could kill'

    Potentially lethal commercial display fireworks have been stolen by burglars. Police have appealed for help in recovering the explosives, which they fear could be sold to, or found by, an unwitting member of the public with disastrous consequences. The

  • Traffic hit as caravan flips

    Rush-hour traffic was disrupted this morning after a caravan overturned on a busy dual carriageway. Two lanes on the A23 at Albourne were blocked after the caravan flipped on to its side just after 9am. Police said one person was treated for shock at

  • Blaze probe as farmhouse is destroyed

    Firefighters are investigating a blaze which left a generations-old farmhouse in smoking ruins. At the height of the inferno, which started just after 10pm on Saturday, flames could be seen licking the night sky more than a mile from the scene. The owner

  • Airport hit by taxi strike

    Taxi drivers boycotted Gatwick Airport this morning in protest at the terms of new franchises. More than 270 drivers who usually serve the two airport terminals refused to take fares between 6am and 10am. Passengers emerging from the terminals tried to

  • Stab charge man remanded

    A man appeared in court today charged with the attempted murder of a 17-year-old girl. Unemployed Ian Haywood, 36, of Willow Way, Hurstpierpoint, is accused of stabbing Karly Sobkawiak at Ditchling Common, near Burgess Hill, on Thursday. Haywood, who

  • Judges' perk is a waste of cash, says MP

    An MP has criticised High Court judges who spend more than £100 of public money a day on car hire while working in Sussex. The judges hire vehicles to travel between Hove and Lewes crown courts and their luxury lodgings at Telscombe Manor. The old country

  • F1 team boss bids for Daewoo

    A Formula One racing team boss wants to buy the ailing Daewoo car research and design complex at Worthing. Tom Walkinshaw, managing director of Arrows, has put in a bid for the technical centre, off Lyons Way. Union officials now want to talk to Mr Walkinshaw