Most people expect to suffer a degree of decline as they age. Noel Coward said it's "foolish to think that one can ever slam the door in the face of age. Much wiser to be polite and gracious and ask him to lunch in advance". True, there is no point in
Countryside Properties has sold its Aymer House office development in Chertsey, Surrey, to private investors for £20.3 million. Last month, it was announced catering giant Compass was to take a pre-letting of the entire building on a 20-year lease.
A town will become a "twilight zone" for businesses if plans for 3,500 homes are rejected, telecommunications bosses have said. In a letter to the directors of the West Burgess Hill Company (WBHC) backing its plans for mass building to the west of Burgess
A boy photographed with Tony Blair as an eight-month-old baby went to Downing Street today to try to save his school. James Barnes-Austin, now five, was photographed chewing a Labour manifesto during the 1997 General Election campaign. James, of Crawley
Daughter must finally be growing up, I realised this week, after she impressed me by voluntarily tidying her bedroom. This did not involve tidying in the usual sense of the word, as clearing a toxic area with a bulldozer would be a more accurate description
Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt' is engraved on my heart at this time of year, as I take my first quivering steps toward swimming in the sea. My madness is always shortlived - so shortlived that the moment my big toe hits the briny, I tend
Record-breaker Robin Martin-Jenkins put Sussex on victory course with a maiden double century, then admitted: "This is more fun than bowling." The ever-improving all-rounder hit 205 not out and helped Mark Davis compile the county's best ever eighth wicket
An elderly motorist died of heart failure minutes after he was punched by a 28-year-old pedestrian annoyed at his driving, a court heard today. Lewes Crown Court heard how Mark Heightley assaulted 75-year-old George Osborne during a row on May 5 in Hollingdean
Seen here in a scene from Raffles (1939), with David Niven, is Dame May Whitty, another famous British export to Hollywood. Remember her as the indomitable Miss Fry in the Hitchcock classic The Lady Vanishes (1938), with Margaret Lockwood and Michael
Nicholas van Hoogstraten always maintained he was framed over the death of business associate Mohammed Raja. He admitted he had a temper - he once even threatened a judge. But he insisted there were "no dead bodies" hidden in his past. He dismissed the
The family of Mohammed Raja today vowed to continue his civil action against Nicholas van Hoogstraten. Mr Raja was suing multi-millionaire Hoogstraten, alleging fraud over a property deal, when he was killed. Mr Raja's son Amjad said: "In seeking the
Nicholas van Hoogstraten has a way with words. Here's a selection of his choicest bons mots. "I am probably ruthless and probably violent. I go for direct personal retribution," he told TV reporters ten years ago. Hoogstraten was known for using strong-arm
Nicholas van Hoogstraten and Mohammed Raja were both driven players in the "murky" world of property dealing. Hoogstraten felt Raja had shown him disrespect by challenging him. The elderly Mr Raja was taking civil court proceedings against Hoogstraten
Nicholas van Hoogstraten, once described by a judge as a self-styled "emissary of Beelzebub", has long revelled in his bad reputation. As one of Britain's most reviled landlords, a vocal supporter of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, and the bane of
In the article "Council strikers set to repeat" (The Argus, July 18), it was claimed that last Wednesday's public services strike was hailed as a "fantastic success" despite the disruption caused. The strike was a success, at least in part, because of
Did you hear on the television how working for more than 40 hours a week can cause heart attacks? Last week, a cousin of mine died from a heart attack at the age of 37 years. When people live under constant pressure, they have to find some way of relieving
How timely it was for Ivor Caplin to pen a letter to The Argus (July 18). In a week when more than one million council workers took strike action, London ground to a standstill because of industrial action taken by London Underground staff and it was
Stressed-out dogs are being given anti-depressants by their owners to return them to happiness. In the United States, some of them are even being given Prozac in special meat-flavoured pills. But animal experts are advising that drugs are not always the
Grey power is a significant factor in the United States, with effective lobbies able to put pressure on their government. But in Britain, many old folk have generally failed to achieve their aims of increasing pensions and making the authorities more
A suspected arson attack on a 12th Century East Sussex church has destroyed a vestry and an organ. Fire crews were called to Wilmington Church shortly before 4pm yesterday after residents noticed smoke pouring from the roof. The vestry and the 19th Century
A man covered his shoes in ice cream and kicked in shop and office windows. He caused damage to the Brighton and Hove law courts in Edward Street and to several shops in Sidney Street. Most of the law courts windows at the front of the building were boarded
Battered music giant EMI moved to reassure investors it was on track to record a stronger performance in the coming months. The firm said it expected to meet revenue targets and achieve planned cost savings and forecast a substantial improvement in operating
When baby Harry Downes died aged just one day, his parents were shocked to discover he had a heart murmur. They could not believe a baby could develop such a condition. As they grieved, Harry's mother Lisa and husband David began to wonder how many other
Campaigners in Mid Sussex fear hundreds of lorry movements every day for ten years if plans for a landfill site are approved. Protesters say there would be a refuse truck arriving or departing from Freshfield Lane Brickworks every four minutes if the
A controversial new breast cancer unit that has been opposed by 30,000 readers of the Argus could be approved by councillors tonight. Two outline planning applications to build a new unit on the Princess Royal Hospital site in Haywards Heath were being
Brighton has found a new love - open-air Shakespeare performed against the background of the Royal Pavilion on a summer's evening. As the Mayor of Brighton and Hove David Watkins said as he opened the 1st Brighton Shakespeare Festival: "Eat your heart
Most people expect to suffer a degree of decline as they age. Noel Coward said it's "foolish to think that one can ever slam the door in the face of age. Much wiser to be polite and gracious and ask him to lunch in advance". True, there is no point in
Countryside Properties has sold its Aymer House office development in Chertsey, Surrey, to private investors for £20.3 million. Last month, it was announced catering giant Compass was to take a pre-letting of the entire building on a 20-year lease.
DYNAMIC DUO: Craig Anderson, 28, and Alain van Gils, 32, help over-45s find jobs When Alain van Gils was looking for a gap in the market to pitch his new employment agency the obvious group which needed help finding work was the over-45s. In the year
Most parents can generally guess by a baby's gurgle, laugh or tone of cry whether their nappy needs changing or whether they are thirsty. But Sasha Felix from Brighton has taken this a step further by organising a series of special classes which combine
Picture the scene. Pooch is sitting glumly in his doggie basket as if he is carrying the world's problems on his back. For most people, the answer would be taking the mutt for a good walk or treating him to a juicy bone to lift the doggie depression.
So, Audrey Simpson asked Deep Purple for their input into improving service at a hotel in Russia (The Argus, July 18). Did they really only suggest shower curtains and bigger bins in the bathrooms? Whatever happened to TVs being thrown out of windows,
Daughter must finally be growing up, I realised this week, after she impressed me by voluntarily tidying her bedroom. This did not involve tidying in the usual sense of the word, as clearing a toxic area with a bulldozer would be a more accurate description
Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt' is engraved on my heart at this time of year, as I take my first quivering steps toward swimming in the sea. My madness is always shortlived - so shortlived that the moment my big toe hits the briny, I tend
Worthing golfer Gary Evans played the round of his life as he threatened to cause one of the biggest upsets in golf history yesterday. Evans, without a tournament win in 274 events, gave himself a chance to break his duck in the most spectacular fashion
Record-breaker Robin Martin-Jenkins put Sussex on victory course with a maiden double century, then admitted: "This is more fun than bowling." The ever-improving all-rounder hit 205 not out and helped Mark Davis compile the county's best ever eighth wicket
An elderly motorist died of heart failure minutes after he was punched by a 28-year-old pedestrian annoyed at his driving, a court heard today. Lewes Crown Court heard how Mark Heightley assaulted 75-year-old George Osborne during a row on May 5 in Hollingdean
One of two women found dead halfway down the 600ft cliff at Beachy Head had been bound and gagged, it emerged today. But police said this morning they were not treating the deaths as suspicious. A clifftop rescue team hauled the bodies several hundred
Campaigners have set themselves the target of reopening an open-air swimming pool by next summer. But they have warned they will have to raise £25,000 for it to happen. Arundel Swimming Pool was closed more than two years ago because it needed major repairs
Police are investigating following the sudden resignation of a vicar. The Bishop of Horsham, the Right Reverend Lindsay Urwin, declined to reveal why Father Robert Marsh had left so abruptly and has advised churchwardens not to comment. Fr Marsh was vicar
A boy photographed with Tony Blair as an eight-month-old baby went to Downing Street today to try to save his school. James Barnes-Austin, now five, was photographed chewing a Labour manifesto during the 1997 General Election campaign. James, of Crawley
Seen here in a scene from Raffles (1939), with David Niven, is Dame May Whitty, another famous British export to Hollywood. Remember her as the indomitable Miss Fry in the Hitchcock classic The Lady Vanishes (1938), with Margaret Lockwood and Michael
Nicholas van Hoogstraten always maintained he was framed over the death of business associate Mohammed Raja. He admitted he had a temper - he once even threatened a judge. But he insisted there were "no dead bodies" hidden in his past. He dismissed the
Undoubtedly, many Albion fans will be concerned when the club's chief executive, Martin Perry, publicly states the capital (£43 million) is in place to build the stadium yet when it comes to financing a top-line manager the money is not available. With
Did you hear on the television how working for more than 40 hours a week can cause heart attacks? Last week, a cousin of mine died from a heart attack at the age of 37 years. When people live under constant pressure, they have to find some way of relieving
For the past five years, the Kemp Town Carnival has been granted the authority to close roads to "maintain the safety of the participants and the general public" ("Carnival parking fury", The Argus, July 6). Local traders had the road closure times delivered
Record-breaker Robin Martin-Jenkins put Sussex on victory course with a maiden double century, then admitted: "This is more fun than bowling." The ever-improving all-rounder hit 205 not out and helped Mark Davis compile the county's best ever eighth wicket
It should be comforting to know Brighton and Hove City Council's environmental services exist for the safety and comfort of everyone. It is sad the department is failing to put a stop to the increasing menace of noise. Brighton and Hove is overwhelmed
Albion are set to make a decision on the future of Bradley Allen. The Grimsby striker is coming to the end of a week's trial from Grimsby Town where he is currently out of contract. Allen, 30, played his third game in Seagulls' colours when he turned
A suspected arson attack on a 12th Century East Sussex church has destroyed a vestry and an organ. Fire crews were called to Wilmington Church shortly before 4pm yesterday after residents noticed smoke pouring from the roof. The vestry and the 19th Century
Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Gatwick and other airports were today voting on a new pay offer aimed at averting summer travel chaos. Around 1,500 members of the GMB union, mainly based at Gatwick and Heathrow, will consider a deal worth 1.8 per
Martin Hinshelwood surveyed his first week as Albion manger and admitted: "It has been good." A week ago Albion fans were somewhat subdued about the prospect of First Division football. More than two months after the shock departure of Peter Taylor, who
Proposals for a second runway at Gatwick are expected to be dismissed when a Government report is published tomorrow. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling will confirm there are no plans to build on the site before 2019, despite the desperate need to
Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline was today remaining tight-lipped about speculation that it was considering a £36 billion bid for US rival Eli Lilly. According to Press reports, GSK has a strong interest in the group, which makes drugs including the anti-depressant
Battered music giant EMI moved to reassure investors it was on track to record a stronger performance in the coming months. The firm said it expected to meet revenue targets and achieve planned cost savings and forecast a substantial improvement in operating
Stagecoach chief executive Keith Cochrane resigned today after a "disappointing" performance at the transport group's US business. Perth-based Stagecoach said it had accepted Mr Cochrane's resignation "with regret". The move came as the group unveiled
An MP has vowed to fight plans to cut funding for a unit which helps victims of homophobic and racist crime. Des Turner, MP for Kemp Town, Brighton, is to challenge the Government's decision to stop funding the city's Anti Victimisation Unit (AVU). The
A campaign group has welcomed a decision not to electrify two East Sussex railway lines. Members of the Wealden Line Campaign (WLC) said the Government's decision meant it could concentrate on reopening the rail link between Lewes and Uckfield. Campaigners
Train passengers are being given the chance to meet representatives of the rail industry. The Rail Passengers Committee for Southern England is staging a meeting at the Gatwick Hilton International Hotel at Gatwick airport. Rail users and members of local
Campaigners in Mid Sussex fear hundreds of lorry movements every day for ten years if plans for a landfill site are approved. Protesters say there would be a refuse truck arriving or departing from Freshfield Lane Brickworks every four minutes if the
West Sussex health bosses could find themselves £5 million in the red at the end of this financial year. The newly formed West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust is working on an action plan to bring its finances under control. Finance experts say
Brighton has found a new love - open-air Shakespeare performed against the background of the Royal Pavilion on a summer's evening. As the Mayor of Brighton and Hove David Watkins said as he opened the 1st Brighton Shakespeare Festival: "Eat your heart
If you go down to the New Venture Theatre today, you're sure of a big surprise. Because the current play being staged there is not only a prestigious UK premiere, it's also totally addictive. It's one of those rare plays which makes you want to go straight
Department store group Debenhams has signed deals to open new stores. The stores will be opened in Hemel Hempstead and Thanet, Kent, in 2005. Debenhams currently operates 97 stores with 14 planned openings. The group has stores in Brighton, Worthing,
Crawley-based jet charter company Air Partner has taken on the staff of a US rival. They have taken on workers from FlightTime, which filed for bankruptcy on July 5. Managing director David Savile said trading in the year to date had been very strong
DYNAMIC DUO: Craig Anderson, 28, and Alain van Gils, 32, help over-45s find jobs When Alain van Gils was looking for a gap in the market to pitch his new employment agency the obvious group which needed help finding work was the over-45s. In the year
Campaigners have handed in new proposals to revive the ailing King Alfred sports centre on Hove seafront. Pressure group The People's Proposal had submitted ambitious plans to rebuild the King Alfred. But they were rejected as being impractical by Brighton
Most parents can generally guess by a baby's gurgle, laugh or tone of cry whether their nappy needs changing or whether they are thirsty. But Sasha Felix from Brighton has taken this a step further by organising a series of special classes which combine
Never mind guard dogs - now sheep farmers are turning to llamas to protect their flocks from predators. The woolly South American creatures are described as the ultimate bodyguards, watching over the animals in their charge day and night. Breeders say
Picture the scene. Pooch is sitting glumly in his doggie basket as if he is carrying the world's problems on his back. For most people, the answer would be taking the mutt for a good walk or treating him to a juicy bone to lift the doggie depression.
So, Audrey Simpson asked Deep Purple for their input into improving service at a hotel in Russia (The Argus, July 18). Did they really only suggest shower curtains and bigger bins in the bathrooms? Whatever happened to TVs being thrown out of windows,
I cannot believe it - I'm actually congratulating a council department! I am a long way down the waiting list for a popular allotment site at the bottom of my garden. I noticed several plots were not being used and reported this to the allotments office
In Florida, as a remedy for attacking seagulls, residents place a large owl made of plastic or plaster on top of the roof. They also string lines of nylon or rope above the restaurant dining area. Birds will not pass through this barrier -Vi Lankstead
I wish to protest strongly about the abuse in this hot weather of the Old Steine war memorial fountain, Brighton. It is hardly a fitting place for the bathing and preening blatantly on display each day. I speak, of course, of the seagulls who cavort shamelessly
Worthing golfer Gary Evans played the round of his life as he threatened to cause one of the biggest upsets in golf history yesterday. Evans, without a tournament win in 274 events, gave himself a chance to break his duck in the most spectacular fashion
One of two women found dead halfway down the 600ft cliff at Beachy Head had been bound and gagged, it emerged today. But police said this morning they were not treating the deaths as suspicious. A clifftop rescue team hauled the bodies several hundred
Undoubtedly, many Albion fans will be concerned when the club's chief executive, Martin Perry, publicly states the capital (£43 million) is in place to build the stadium yet when it comes to financing a top-line manager the money is not available. With
Nicholas van Hoogstraten is reputed to have a £500 million fortune, ranking him alongside the Rothschilds. His £40 million neo-classical copper-domed mansion at Framfield, near Uckfield, is said to be the most expensive private house built in Britain
Nicholas van Hoogstraten, one of Britain's wealthiest men, faced a life sentence today after being convicted of manslaughter. The property tycoon, who lives near Uckfield, hired two thugs to exact revenge on Mohammed Raja after they fell out over property
Your normally excellent coverage was let down by some basic mistakes last week ("Strike out", The Argus, July 17). Contrary to this report, Crawley Town Hall was not closed. Yes, services were disrupted, but most reception desks and direct telephone lines
Gay television presenter Guy Newson is leaving Brighton, he tells us, because of a homophobic attack he encountered in an internet cafe (July 8). Mr Newson was attacked for intervening in a domestic disagreement between a female and her boyfriend. Perhaps
Prime Minister Tony Blair has rejected claims that his government is arrogant. But the disabled former soldiers, sailors and airmen at Gifford House in Worthing will take some convincing. The Government has demanded every resident of the Queen Alexandra
I must contribute to the issue of pavement cyclists (M A Tuck, Letters, July 12, and Richard Halfpenny, Letters, July 17). I read the second after returning from the following incident. I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Halfpenny's comments. I was walking
For the past five years, the Kemp Town Carnival has been granted the authority to close roads to "maintain the safety of the participants and the general public" ("Carnival parking fury", The Argus, July 6). Local traders had the road closure times delivered
Record-breaker Robin Martin-Jenkins put Sussex on victory course with a maiden double century, then admitted: "This is more fun than bowling." The ever-improving all-rounder hit 205 not out and helped Mark Davis compile the county's best ever eighth wicket
It should be comforting to know Brighton and Hove City Council's environmental services exist for the safety and comfort of everyone. It is sad the department is failing to put a stop to the increasing menace of noise. Brighton and Hove is overwhelmed
Albion are set to make a decision on the future of Bradley Allen. The Grimsby striker is coming to the end of a week's trial from Grimsby Town where he is currently out of contract. Allen, 30, played his third game in Seagulls' colours when he turned
Five people have been charged with drugs offences after police found an amphetamine factory on an East Sussex farm. The National Crime Squad raided a farm at Bugsell Mill Oast in Hurst Green, near Robertsbridge, on Thursday. Five people were arrested
Eastbourne speedway star Mark Loram reached the semi-finals of Saturday's Czech Republic Grand Prix. The Eagles' No. 1, who was world champion two years ago, has only five riders ahead of him after six rounds of this year's title race. It was another
A woman died and six other people were injured in three accidents this weekend. The fatal crash happened at 5.30pm yesterday on the A273 Pyecombe to Burgess Hill road when a Renault Clio and Ford Mondeo collided near the junction with Pyecombe Road, Pyecombe
Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Gatwick and other airports were today voting on a new pay offer aimed at averting summer travel chaos. Around 1,500 members of the GMB union, mainly based at Gatwick and Heathrow, will consider a deal worth 1.8 per
Martin Hinshelwood surveyed his first week as Albion manger and admitted: "It has been good." A week ago Albion fans were somewhat subdued about the prospect of First Division football. More than two months after the shock departure of Peter Taylor, who
Proposals for a second runway at Gatwick are expected to be dismissed when a Government report is published tomorrow. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling will confirm there are no plans to build on the site before 2019, despite the desperate need to
Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline was today remaining tight-lipped about speculation that it was considering a £36 billion bid for US rival Eli Lilly. According to Press reports, GSK has a strong interest in the group, which makes drugs including the anti-depressant
Stagecoach chief executive Keith Cochrane resigned today after a "disappointing" performance at the transport group's US business. Perth-based Stagecoach said it had accepted Mr Cochrane's resignation "with regret". The move came as the group unveiled
An MP has vowed to fight plans to cut funding for a unit which helps victims of homophobic and racist crime. Des Turner, MP for Kemp Town, Brighton, is to challenge the Government's decision to stop funding the city's Anti Victimisation Unit (AVU). The
A campaign group has welcomed a decision not to electrify two East Sussex railway lines. Members of the Wealden Line Campaign (WLC) said the Government's decision meant it could concentrate on reopening the rail link between Lewes and Uckfield. Campaigners
Police are investigating following the sudden resignation of a vicar. The Bishop of Horsham, the Right Reverend Lindsay Urwin, declined to reveal why Father Robert Marsh had left so abruptly and has advised churchwardens not to comment. Fr Marsh was vicar
The parents of a nurse who died after Fatboy Slim's beach party said today: "We don't blame anyone." In their first interview, Ken and Jan Manders told how the controversial Normstock II concert had been one of their daughter's happiest nights. Karen
Train passengers are being given the chance to meet representatives of the rail industry. The Rail Passengers Committee for Southern England is staging a meeting at the Gatwick Hilton International Hotel at Gatwick airport. Rail users and members of local
West Sussex health bosses could find themselves £5 million in the red at the end of this financial year. The newly formed West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust is working on an action plan to bring its finances under control. Finance experts say
The sound of the final school bell tolling the summer holidays is music to most children's ears. But while days of freedom delight pupils, their parents might not be quite so ecstatic at the prospect. Juggling a full-time job with the demands of youngsters
It has always been a stretch to watch Shakespeare's ridiculous plot twists in Romeo And Juliet without laughing. But the RJ Williamson Company added fresh fun on Friday. The sound system was so bad it screeched regularly and although Wayne Sleep was portrayed
If you go down to the New Venture Theatre today, you're sure of a big surprise. Because the current play being staged there is not only a prestigious UK premiere, it's also totally addictive. It's one of those rare plays which makes you want to go straight
Department store group Debenhams has signed deals to open new stores. The stores will be opened in Hemel Hempstead and Thanet, Kent, in 2005. Debenhams currently operates 97 stores with 14 planned openings. The group has stores in Brighton, Worthing,
Crawley-based jet charter company Air Partner has taken on the staff of a US rival. They have taken on workers from FlightTime, which filed for bankruptcy on July 5. Managing director David Savile said trading in the year to date had been very strong
A town will become a "twilight zone" for businesses if plans for 3,500 homes are rejected, telecommunications bosses have said. In a letter to the directors of the West Burgess Hill Company (WBHC) backing its plans for mass building to the west of Burgess
Campaigners have handed in new proposals to revive the ailing King Alfred sports centre on Hove seafront. Pressure group The People's Proposal had submitted ambitious plans to rebuild the King Alfred. But they were rejected as being impractical by Brighton
A boy photographed with Tony Blair as an eight-month-old baby went to Downing Street today to try to save his school. James Barnes-Austin, now five, was photographed chewing a Labour manifesto during the 1997 General Election campaign. James, of Crawley
Never mind guard dogs - now sheep farmers are turning to llamas to protect their flocks from predators. The woolly South American creatures are described as the ultimate bodyguards, watching over the animals in their charge day and night. Breeders say
I cannot believe it - I'm actually congratulating a council department! I am a long way down the waiting list for a popular allotment site at the bottom of my garden. I noticed several plots were not being used and reported this to the allotments office
In Florida, as a remedy for attacking seagulls, residents place a large owl made of plastic or plaster on top of the roof. They also string lines of nylon or rope above the restaurant dining area. Birds will not pass through this barrier -Vi Lankstead
I wish to protest strongly about the abuse in this hot weather of the Old Steine war memorial fountain, Brighton. It is hardly a fitting place for the bathing and preening blatantly on display each day. I speak, of course, of the seagulls who cavort shamelessly
A suspected arson attack on a 12th Century church destroyed a vestry and a 19th Century organ. Fire crews were called to Wilmington Church shortly before 4pm yesterday after nearby residents noticed smoke pouring from the roof. They managed to stop the
Old soldiers who share rooms in a care home have spoken of their anger over plans to force them into single accommodation. Gifford House is planning a £5 million complex at its headquarters in Worthing to meet controversial government rules for care homes
Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Gatwick and other airports were today voting on a new pay offer aimed at averting summer travel chaos. Around 1,500 members of the GMB union, mainly based at Gatwick and Heathrow, will consider a deal worth 1.8 per
Proposals for a second runway at Gatwick are expected to be dismissed when a Government report is published tomorrow. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling will confirm there are no plans to build on the site before 2019, despite the desperate need to
The family of Mohammed Raja today vowed to continue his civil action against Nicholas van Hoogstraten. Mr Raja was suing multi-millionaire Hoogstraten, alleging fraud over a property deal, when he was killed. Mr Raja's son Amjad said: "In seeking the
Nicholas van Hoogstraten has a way with words. Here's a selection of his choicest bons mots. "I am probably ruthless and probably violent. I go for direct personal retribution," he told TV reporters ten years ago. Hoogstraten was known for using strong-arm
Nicholas van Hoogstraten and Mohammed Raja were both driven players in the "murky" world of property dealing. Hoogstraten felt Raja had shown him disrespect by challenging him. The elderly Mr Raja was taking civil court proceedings against Hoogstraten
Nicholas van Hoogstraten, once described by a judge as a self-styled "emissary of Beelzebub", has long revelled in his bad reputation. As one of Britain's most reviled landlords, a vocal supporter of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, and the bane of
Nicholas van Hoogstraten is reputed to have a £500 million fortune, ranking him alongside the Rothschilds. His £40 million neo-classical copper-domed mansion at Framfield, near Uckfield, is said to be the most expensive private house built in Britain
Nicholas van Hoogstraten, one of Britain's wealthiest men, faced a life sentence today after being convicted of manslaughter. The property tycoon, who lives near Uckfield, hired two thugs to exact revenge on Mohammed Raja after they fell out over property
In the article "Council strikers set to repeat" (The Argus, July 18), it was claimed that last Wednesday's public services strike was hailed as a "fantastic success" despite the disruption caused. The strike was a success, at least in part, because of
Your normally excellent coverage was let down by some basic mistakes last week ("Strike out", The Argus, July 17). Contrary to this report, Crawley Town Hall was not closed. Yes, services were disrupted, but most reception desks and direct telephone lines
How timely it was for Ivor Caplin to pen a letter to The Argus (July 18). In a week when more than one million council workers took strike action, London ground to a standstill because of industrial action taken by London Underground staff and it was
Stressed-out dogs are being given anti-depressants by their owners to return them to happiness. In the United States, some of them are even being given Prozac in special meat-flavoured pills. But animal experts are advising that drugs are not always the
Gay television presenter Guy Newson is leaving Brighton, he tells us, because of a homophobic attack he encountered in an internet cafe (July 8). Mr Newson was attacked for intervening in a domestic disagreement between a female and her boyfriend. Perhaps
Prime Minister Tony Blair has rejected claims that his government is arrogant. But the disabled former soldiers, sailors and airmen at Gifford House in Worthing will take some convincing. The Government has demanded every resident of the Queen Alexandra
I must contribute to the issue of pavement cyclists (M A Tuck, Letters, July 12, and Richard Halfpenny, Letters, July 17). I read the second after returning from the following incident. I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Halfpenny's comments. I was walking
Grey power is a significant factor in the United States, with effective lobbies able to put pressure on their government. But in Britain, many old folk have generally failed to achieve their aims of increasing pensions and making the authorities more
Five people have been charged with drugs offences after police found an amphetamine factory on an East Sussex farm. The National Crime Squad raided a farm at Bugsell Mill Oast in Hurst Green, near Robertsbridge, on Thursday. Five people were arrested
Eastbourne speedway star Mark Loram reached the semi-finals of Saturday's Czech Republic Grand Prix. The Eagles' No. 1, who was world champion two years ago, has only five riders ahead of him after six rounds of this year's title race. It was another
A woman died and six other people were injured in three accidents this weekend. The fatal crash happened at 5.30pm yesterday on the A273 Pyecombe to Burgess Hill road when a Renault Clio and Ford Mondeo collided near the junction with Pyecombe Road, Pyecombe
A man covered his shoes in ice cream and kicked in shop and office windows. He caused damage to the Brighton and Hove law courts in Edward Street and to several shops in Sidney Street. Most of the law courts windows at the front of the building were boarded
An elderly motorist died of heart failure minutes after he was punched by a 28-year-old pedestrian annoyed at his driving, a court heard today. Lewes Crown Court heard how Mark Heightley assaulted 75-year-old George Osborne during a row on May 5 in Hollingdean
Police are investigating following the sudden resignation of a vicar. The Bishop of Horsham, the Right Reverend Lindsay Urwin, declined to reveal why Father Robert Marsh had left so abruptly and has advised churchwardens not to comment. Fr Marsh was vicar
When baby Harry Downes died aged just one day, his parents were shocked to discover he had a heart murmur. They could not believe a baby could develop such a condition. As they grieved, Harry's mother Lisa and husband David began to wonder how many other
The parents of a nurse who died after Fatboy Slim's beach party said today: "We don't blame anyone." In their first interview, Ken and Jan Manders told how the controversial Normstock II concert had been one of their daughter's happiest nights. Karen
The sound of the final school bell tolling the summer holidays is music to most children's ears. But while days of freedom delight pupils, their parents might not be quite so ecstatic at the prospect. Juggling a full-time job with the demands of youngsters
A controversial new breast cancer unit that has been opposed by 30,000 readers of the Argus could be approved by councillors tonight. Two outline planning applications to build a new unit on the Princess Royal Hospital site in Haywards Heath were being
It has always been a stretch to watch Shakespeare's ridiculous plot twists in Romeo And Juliet without laughing. But the RJ Williamson Company added fresh fun on Friday. The sound system was so bad it screeched regularly and although Wayne Sleep was portrayed
