Beer and sandwiches may be off the menu at Downing Street, but the trade union movement is back in the spotlight. This week's annual congress, which begins in Brighton today, is likely to be the most politically charged for years. It will be dominated
Let me reassure readers that no primary school in Hove is currently without a head teacher. It is true six schools currently have acting heads (normally, the existing deputy head) while we recruit new permanent heads for them. This is a perfectly normal
"Two arrested in drugs raid" (The Argus, September 4) stated 15 police dressed in stab-proof vests carrying shields smashed through a door at 7am to find nine tablets, thought to be amphetamine. What a success. On a cost-effective basis, though, any one
Daughter finally went back to school this week, although we spent two hours the night before trying to find her school shoes. They seemed to have disappeared off the face of the Earth. "They are definitely not in my bedroom," she said, after a half-hour
The conference season is upon us once again and most of the Brighton residents will be running for cover if they have any sense. The city centre becomes a no-go area as the heavies from various organisations move in to ensure their particular VIP is not
A finance chief has read the Riot Act to Brighton and Hove council directors after forecasts of a vast overspend. On current projections, the departments of Brighton and Hove City Council will be £5.7 million over budget at the end of the financial year
What a mess Brighton is in over parking. First we had a member of the British Association of Motorists threatening to disclose the identities of the parking attendants (August 31). This move is ill-advised, vindictive and anyway aimed at the wrong people
How I agree with H Funnell about the need for a night-time curfew on young hooligans (September 1). Here in Gladstone Road, Portslade, a group of young yobs regularly gathers at and around a certain house, keeping half the street up all night with their
Everyone had a great evening when celebrities packed the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Brighton for the launch of The Argus Appeal. All the money raised through the appeal goes to help Sussex people who are in need. Hundreds of events will be held to raise
Simon Fanshawe is a wise man not to be aiming to become an executive city mayor (September 4). Imagine the abuse such an elected mayor would be subjected to, as illustrated to some extent over the years in The Argus letter columns towards Lord Bassam
The widow of speedboat ace Donald Campbell has claimed victory in a six-month legal dispute over the ownership of the boat in which he died, the Bluebird K7. A former business associate of Campbell, Paul Foulkes-Halbard, claimed he had acquired ownership
Lewes thrashed Hampshire League side Alton Town in the FA Vase first qualifying round and set their sights on winning the competition. The Ryman League division two side outclassed the visitors and the outcome rarely looked in doubt once hat-trick hero
Horsham are Shepherd Neame Sussex Premier League Champions for the first time in ten years. They went into their game with Three Bridges knowing that eight points would secure the title and they did it when their total exceeded 220. Celebrations took
Sussex are on the brink of promotion after centuries from skipper Chris Adams and Richard Montgomerie ground Warwickshire into the dust at Edgbaston yesterday. Montgomerie made 121 and Adams an unbeaten 132 as Sussex ended the third day on 324-3, a lead
Albion matchwinner Paul Watson is in the mood to punish Southampton for rejecting him. The late free-kick hero of Saturday's 2-1 League win against QPR was kicked out by the Premiership club, who visit Withdean in the Worthington Cup tomorrow night. "
Pensioners are being warned to be on their guard after a series of thefts and confidence tricks. Thieves have targeted pensioners in the Horsham area, stealing from handbags and ransacking homes. A bogus electricity board official stole £30 in cash after
A motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a tractor - the eighth biker to lose a life on West Sussex roads this year. The latest fatal accident on Saturday happened at Tillington, near Petworth. The man, who was in his 30s, collided with a tractor
Community groups which have waited almost three months to see if they will receive council grants have learned their fate. Brighton and Hove City Council has finally awarded more than £2.1 million to various groups following the delay caused by changes
THOUSANDS of people face losing vital services because scores of charities and voluntary organisations have lost their funding. Groups affected help some of the most vulnerable in the community, including underprivileged children, the unemployed and women's
Residents want a higher police presence, more activities for young people, a neighbourhood warden scheme and more CCTV cameras to combat crime. Fear of crime in Eastbourne is greater than actual crime levels, according to a community group survey. The
Pensioners are being warned to be on their guard after a series of thefts and confidence tricks. Thieves have targeted pensioners in the Horsham area, stealing from handbags and ransacking homes. A bogus electricity board official stole £30 in cash after
An elderly woman was pushed to the ground by a thief who stole her handbag in a church. The victim, in her eighties, was left severely shaken after her bag, containing cash and credit cards, was snatched in St Mary's Church, Church Street, Eastbourne.
I am afraid Christopher Hawtree (Letters, September 1) has misinterpreted my comments. I do not comment on the detail of planning applications - that is a matter for Brighton and Hove City Council. However, I take an active interest in the major issues
Everyone had a great evening when celebrities packed the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Brighton for the launch of The Argus Appeal. All the money raised through the appeal goes to help Sussex people who are in need. Hundreds of events will be held to raise
I hope enough spirited people who believe in democracy will make the effort to vote No for an elected mayor and deal a blow to the "spin doctors", Messrs Fanshawe, French, Bassam and Bodfish. At least Mr Fanshawe has had the decency to decline nomination
As a former councillor of Brighton, I feel very strongly against an elected mayor. We have a mayor elected every year from Brighton and Hove City Council and to suggest we need another one to oversee the council is ludicrous. To me it is another post
Crawley crashed to only their second Dr. Martens League premier division defeat of the season with a 2-0 loss against fellow high-flyers Tamworth at the Lamb Ground. Reds struggled to come to terms with Gary Mills well-organised side. Crawley boss Billy
Simon Fanshawe is a wise man not to be aiming to become an executive city mayor (September 4). Imagine the abuse such an elected mayor would be subjected to, as illustrated to some extent over the years in The Argus letter columns towards Lord Bassam
Lewes thrashed Hampshire League side Alton Town in the FA Vase first qualifying round and set their sights on winning the competition. The Ryman League division two side outclassed the visitors and the outcome rarely looked in doubt once hat-trick hero
Centuries from Richard Montgomerie and Chris Adams at Edgbaston yesterday have all but made sure that Sussex will head back home tonight with promotion. The county have Division One wrapped up with one game to go. And how much the two will have enjoyed
Micky Adams can be a hard manager to please, but his players are doing a pretty good job of contenting him at the moment. Adams paid generous tribute to their resilience after Paul Watson's 90th-minute free-kick made it 11 Withdean wins in a row. Albion
Police are looking for a BMW driver following two raids in which goods worth more than £3,000 were stolen. The man, in his 30s, was seen fleeing in the direction of Lewes in the F-registration car following a burglary in Lower Road, Herstmonceux. Two
About 40,000 visited a town's tribute to the history of the great British seaside holiday. The Sands Of Time festival at Bognor included Punch and Judy shows and a sandcastle building competition which attracted more than 70 entrants. Part of the seafront
A fire which damaged several derelict caravans is being treated as arson. The blaze broke out on the Southern Leisure Centre site in Vinnetrow Road, Chichester, on Saturday night. Fire crews from Chichester and Bognor had the blaze under control within
Patients fed up with waiting for NHS hospital treatment are flooding a service which offers advice on going abroad. Jean-Pierre Dias gets about 100 letters a day from people across England asking for information and between 25 and 30 of them are from
A partnership register may be established in the UK's gay capital next year. Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Elgood is putting the proposition to the city council's policy and resources committee on Wednesday. If adopted, it would be similar to the one
Brighton seafront was turned into a racetrack with the arrival of some of the fastest cars and motorbikes in the world. More than 200 cars raced against the clock at the world's oldest speed trials event. Madeira Drive was closed as thousands of people
In the Sixties they were sworn enemies who fought pitched battles on Brighton beach. Now the mods and rockers are in their 50s and 60s and only intent on having a good time. Yesterday they were back in Brighton for the annual Ace Cafe reunion. Between
A motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a tractor - the eighth biker to lose a life on West Sussex roads this year. The latest fatal accident on Saturday happened at Tillington, near Petworth. The man, who was in his 30s, collided with a tractor
THOUSANDS of people face losing vital services because scores of charities and voluntary organisations have lost their funding. Groups affected help some of the most vulnerable in the community, including underprivileged children, the unemployed and women's
A social worker wept in court today as he described the injury to a four-year-old boy who later died. John Pamely received a phone call telling how the boy had "massive bruising" on his face and had apparently given himself a "range of blows". The injuries
AN elderly man bled to death after waiting 25 minutes for an ambulance. Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust could be forced to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation following two complaints by the patient's son. The pensioner suffered an internal
Elderly people are celebrating after being told they will be able to enjoy their last years in their sheltered homes. Almost 30 residents at Stonehurst Court, Down Terrace, Brighton, feared they may be forced to leave their bedsits following a review
Patients fed up with waiting for NHS hospital treatment are flooding a service which offers advice on going abroad. Jean-Pierre Dias gets about 100 letters a day from people across England asking for information and between 25 and 30 of them are from
Some things never change: the back-to-school notices in the shops; the panic to find the school blazer; the cries of "But you said I could have packed lunch!" But for some parents, this is a whole new ball game: their child is taking the first, hesitant
Designer labels do nothing for me, unfortunately. I have yet to discover how wearing a particular brand name can make me a better person. In fact, considering the prices of designer gear, I hope to pass this little foible on to my offspring before they
Beer and sandwiches may be off the menu at Downing Street, but the trade union movement is back in the spotlight. This week's annual congress, which begins in Brighton today, is likely to be the most politically charged for years. It will be dominated
Let me reassure readers that no primary school in Hove is currently without a head teacher. It is true six schools currently have acting heads (normally, the existing deputy head) while we recruit new permanent heads for them. This is a perfectly normal
"Two arrested in drugs raid" (The Argus, September 4) stated 15 police dressed in stab-proof vests carrying shields smashed through a door at 7am to find nine tablets, thought to be amphetamine. What a success. On a cost-effective basis, though, any one
Daughter finally went back to school this week, although we spent two hours the night before trying to find her school shoes. They seemed to have disappeared off the face of the Earth. "They are definitely not in my bedroom," she said, after a half-hour
The conference season is upon us once again and most of the Brighton residents will be running for cover if they have any sense. The city centre becomes a no-go area as the heavies from various organisations move in to ensure their particular VIP is not
One of the most irritating problems for parents as the new school year kicks off is the appearance of head lice in their offspring. The main difficulty with a condition such as head lice is that, in most cases, by the time a parent notices their child
A finance chief has read the Riot Act to Brighton and Hove council directors after forecasts of a vast overspend. On current projections, the departments of Brighton and Hove City Council will be £5.7 million over budget at the end of the financial year
A driver narrowly escaped injury after his car was hit by a pellet from an airgun. Police say if it had gone through the driver's window of the green Mondeo he may have been seriously injured. The incident took place at 1.30pm yesterday at the junction
I expect readers will share my disappointment in Councillor Simon Battle's attitude towards Councillor Mark Barnard's idea for the introduction of loft conversion for council homes. Coun Battle should know there is a desperate need for three-bedroom council
As acts of art terrorism go, it wasn't quite up there with the paint attack on Myra Hindley's portrait or the students who jumped into artist Tracey Emin's unmade bed. But for the Dimbola art gallery, famed locally for its collection of prints by Victorian
What a mess Brighton is in over parking. First we had a member of the British Association of Motorists threatening to disclose the identities of the parking attendants (August 31). This move is ill-advised, vindictive and anyway aimed at the wrong people
How I agree with H Funnell about the need for a night-time curfew on young hooligans (September 1). Here in Gladstone Road, Portslade, a group of young yobs regularly gathers at and around a certain house, keeping half the street up all night with their
Regarding the proposed demonstration on September 30 against the Labour Party's current privatisation policies, its participation in the US nuclear missile defence system and its half-hearted efforts to tackle world poverty, I must stress the importance
People in sheltered housing schemes have been given a reprieve by the city council following a review. The elderly men and women in developments such as Stonehurst Court in Brighton feared their homes would be converted into other uses. Improvements are
Brighton and Hove Council is worried about figures which show it could be £5.7 million over budget by the end of the financial year. There are always measures councils can take to cut spending, including making useful economies and not filling vacancies
Steve Harper grabbed a hat-trick as Burgess Hill roared back to the top of division one. Harper's treble helped Hillians come from behind to win 3-2 at Littlehampton. Assistant-manager Danny Bloor said: "We had five first choice players missing, so it
The widow of speedboat ace Donald Campbell has claimed victory in a six-month legal dispute over the ownership of the boat in which he died, the Bluebird K7. A former business associate of Campbell, Paul Foulkes-Halbard, claimed he had acquired ownership
My bad hip means I have rarely got to George Street at opening time and, these days, I seek out the more comfortable benches on the seafront. However, an appointment took me there on a recent morning and I was astonished to find half a dozen dustcarts
Horsham are Shepherd Neame Sussex Premier League Champions for the first time in ten years. They went into their game with Three Bridges knowing that eight points would secure the title and they did it when their total exceeded 220. Celebrations took
Sussex are on the brink of promotion after centuries from skipper Chris Adams and Richard Montgomerie ground Warwickshire into the dust at Edgbaston yesterday. Montgomerie made 121 and Adams an unbeaten 132 as Sussex ended the third day on 324-3, a lead
Albion matchwinner Paul Watson is in the mood to punish Southampton for rejecting him. The late free-kick hero of Saturday's 2-1 League win against QPR was kicked out by the Premiership club, who visit Withdean in the Worthington Cup tomorrow night. "
Five people were injured in a collision between a bus and two cars near Bexhill. The A269 between Sidley and Ninfield was closed for almost an hour as police tried to piece together what happened. The single-deck Stagecoach bus, travelling towards Ninfield
A driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a head-on collision with another car. The middle-aged woman sustained suspected neck and back injuries after the Toyota Corolla she was driving collided with a Renault 19 in Wannock Road, Polegate
A search has been launched after a woman failed to return home from an early morning walk. Cindy Martin, 59, was last seen by her husband as she left her home in Bury, near Arundel, at 6am on Friday. Police say she was later seen outside the village post
Mini Me winner Trevor Day swapped his MINI for a stretch limo when he married girlfriend Lynn Ticehurst. The couple, who have been together for 11 years, tied the knot at Brighton Register Office on Saturday. They opted for a limo rather than the MINI
Pensioners are being warned to be on their guard after a series of thefts and confidence tricks. Thieves have targeted pensioners in the Horsham area, stealing from handbags and ransacking homes. A bogus electricity board official stole £30 in cash after
A glittering array of stars from the world of screen, stage and business dug deep in their pockets to raise a staggering £38,000 for The Argus Appeal. As well as their cash, some also offered their time, work and even their hair in a charity auction.
Community groups which have waited almost three months to see if they will receive council grants have learned their fate. Brighton and Hove City Council has finally awarded more than £2.1 million to various groups following the delay caused by changes
How nice to see again on BBC 2 recently A Canterbury Tale, featuring Eric Portman and Sheila Sim, made in 1944. It certainly took me back to my schooldays, when I first saw it on the big screen. My father was in Canterbury when it was being shot and appeared
A motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a tractor - the eighth biker to lose a life on West Sussex roads this year. The latest fatal accident on Saturday happened at Tillington, near Petworth. The man, who was in his 30s, collided with a tractor
Designer labels do nothing for me, unfortunately. I have yet to discover how wearing a particular brand name can make me a better person. In fact, considering the prices of designer gear, I hope to pass this little foible on to my offspring before they
How nice to see again on BBC 2 recently A Canterbury Tale, featuring Eric Portman and Sheila Sim, made in 1944. It certainly took me back to my schooldays, when I first saw it on the big screen. My father was in Canterbury when it was being shot and appeared
One of the most irritating problems for parents as the new school year kicks off is the appearance of head lice in their offspring. The main difficulty with a condition such as head lice is that, in most cases, by the time a parent notices their child
I expect readers will share my disappointment in Councillor Simon Battle's attitude towards Councillor Mark Barnard's idea for the introduction of loft conversion for council homes. Coun Battle should know there is a desperate need for three-bedroom council
As acts of art terrorism go, it wasn't quite up there with the paint attack on Myra Hindley's portrait or the students who jumped into artist Tracey Emin's unmade bed. But for the Dimbola art gallery, famed locally for its collection of prints by Victorian
Regarding the proposed demonstration on September 30 against the Labour Party's current privatisation policies, its participation in the US nuclear missile defence system and its half-hearted efforts to tackle world poverty, I must stress the importance
I am afraid Christopher Hawtree (Letters, September 1) has misinterpreted my comments. I do not comment on the detail of planning applications - that is a matter for Brighton and Hove City Council. However, I take an active interest in the major issues
I hope enough spirited people who believe in democracy will make the effort to vote No for an elected mayor and deal a blow to the "spin doctors", Messrs Fanshawe, French, Bassam and Bodfish. At least Mr Fanshawe has had the decency to decline nomination
People in sheltered housing schemes have been given a reprieve by the city council following a review. The elderly men and women in developments such as Stonehurst Court in Brighton feared their homes would be converted into other uses. Improvements are
As a former councillor of Brighton, I feel very strongly against an elected mayor. We have a mayor elected every year from Brighton and Hove City Council and to suggest we need another one to oversee the council is ludicrous. To me it is another post
Crawley crashed to only their second Dr. Martens League premier division defeat of the season with a 2-0 loss against fellow high-flyers Tamworth at the Lamb Ground. Reds struggled to come to terms with Gary Mills well-organised side. Crawley boss Billy
Brighton and Hove Council is worried about figures which show it could be £5.7 million over budget by the end of the financial year. There are always measures councils can take to cut spending, including making useful economies and not filling vacancies
Steve Harper grabbed a hat-trick as Burgess Hill roared back to the top of division one. Harper's treble helped Hillians come from behind to win 3-2 at Littlehampton. Assistant-manager Danny Bloor said: "We had five first choice players missing, so it
My bad hip means I have rarely got to George Street at opening time and, these days, I seek out the more comfortable benches on the seafront. However, an appointment took me there on a recent morning and I was astonished to find half a dozen dustcarts
Centuries from Richard Montgomerie and Chris Adams at Edgbaston yesterday have all but made sure that Sussex will head back home tonight with promotion. The county have Division One wrapped up with one game to go. And how much the two will have enjoyed
Micky Adams can be a hard manager to please, but his players are doing a pretty good job of contenting him at the moment. Adams paid generous tribute to their resilience after Paul Watson's 90th-minute free-kick made it 11 Withdean wins in a row. Albion
Five people were injured in a collision between a bus and two cars near Bexhill. The A269 between Sidley and Ninfield was closed for almost an hour as police tried to piece together what happened. The single-deck Stagecoach bus, travelling towards Ninfield
Mini Me winner Trevor Day swapped his MINI for a stretch limo when he married girlfriend Lynn Ticehurst. The couple, who have been together for 11 years, tied the knot at Brighton Register Office on Saturday. They opted for a limo rather than the MINI
Patients fed up with waiting for NHS hospital treatment are flooding a service which offers advice on going abroad. Jean-Pierre Dias gets about 100 letters a day from people across England asking for information and between 25 and 30 of them are from
A partnership register may be established in the UK's gay capital next year. Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Elgood is putting the proposition to the city council's policy and resources committee on Wednesday. If adopted, it would be similar to the one
Brighton seafront was turned into a racetrack with the arrival of some of the fastest cars and motorbikes in the world. More than 200 cars raced against the clock at the world's oldest speed trials event. Madeira Drive was closed as thousands of people
In the Sixties they were sworn enemies who fought pitched battles on Brighton beach. Now the mods and rockers are in their 50s and 60s and only intent on having a good time. Yesterday they were back in Brighton for the annual Ace Cafe reunion. Between
A glittering array of stars from the world of screen, stage and business dug deep in their pockets to raise a staggering £38,000 for The Argus Appeal. As well as their cash, some also offered their time, work and even their hair in a charity auction.
A social worker wept in court today as he described the injury to a four-year-old boy who later died. John Pamely received a phone call telling how the boy had "massive bruising" on his face and had apparently given himself a "range of blows". The injuries
AN elderly man bled to death after waiting 25 minutes for an ambulance. Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust could be forced to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation following two complaints by the patient's son. The pensioner suffered an internal
Elderly people are celebrating after being told they will be able to enjoy their last years in their sheltered homes. Almost 30 residents at Stonehurst Court, Down Terrace, Brighton, feared they may be forced to leave their bedsits following a review
Patients fed up with waiting for NHS hospital treatment are flooding a service which offers advice on going abroad. Jean-Pierre Dias gets about 100 letters a day from people across England asking for information and between 25 and 30 of them are from
Some things never change: the back-to-school notices in the shops; the panic to find the school blazer; the cries of "But you said I could have packed lunch!" But for some parents, this is a whole new ball game: their child is taking the first, hesitant
