The Argus - Stories for 15 December 2006

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The Argus | Archive | 2006 | December

Stories for 15 December 2006

Albion News

Oldham about to find out how good they are

Oldham launch the acid test of their promotion credentials against Albion at Boundary Park tomorrow. more...

Cox out of Oldham test

Albion's star of the season Dean Cox has been ruled out of tomorrow's trip to Oldham. more...

Albion await Cox verdict

Albion boss Dean Wilkins admitted today he is not sure when his teenage wonder Dean Cox will be back from a knee injury caused by too many matches. more...

Business News

Bid to transform waterfront site

A seaside town could be transformed by a multimillion pound redevelopment. more...

New look for high street is unveiled

Long awaited improvements to a high street have been unveiled. more...

Rail work wins major awards

A rail firm has won two national awards for the way it maintains its historic stations. more...

Clubbing

Headman/Manhead, Po Na Na, Brighton, Fri, Dec 15

Fresh from his sets at Fabric's Soulwax Weekender, Robi Insinna makes his only 2006 Brighton appearance under his electro guise of Headman/Manhead. more...

Basement Soul Christmas Party with Futureboogie, Jazz Place, Brighton, Fri Dec 15

Futureboogie are a Bristol-based DJ collective and label who run Seen, one of Gilles Peterson's favourite club nights. more...

The Zapback Christmas Allnighter, Concorde 2, Brighton, Sat, Dec 16

Another club is going seasonal on us and spreading some festive cheer. more...

Kliks present MIA, Audio, Brighton, Fri, Dec 15

For this Christmas special - and three-year anniversary - minimal techno night Kliks is bringing back Sub-Static's leading lady, MIA. more...

Film

Bad Film Club: Simon Munnery Vs Die Hard II

Comdedian Simon Munnery will unleash a torrent of derision at a "bad film", following in the footsteps of Stuart Lee's attack on March of the Penguins in October. more...

Letters To The Editor

Shady character

"Thank you" to the kind person who stole my sunglasses while I was trying on a pair of boots in the Co-op, London Road. more...

Like Alice Funnell, writing in The Argus, (Letters, December 6) I, too, was appalled to read of the accident in Coldean Lane which resulted in the death of a horse and a dreadful experience for a van driver. more...

Taking the biscuit

At the recent full council meeting at Hove Town Hall, councillor Pat Drake was applauded for her efforts in uncovering the cells beneath Brighton Town Hall. more...

Art of friendship

Well done, The Argus. Saturday's front page (December 9) highlighted the importance of friendship. more...

Dome hosts a spring pipe dream

May I, through the Argus, put Bert Hobden's mind at rest (Letters, December 11) regarding the Brighton Dome's magnificent organ. more...

Dome hosts a spring pipe dream

May I, through the Argus, put Bert Hobden's mind at rest (Letters, December 11) regarding the Brighton Dome's magnificent organ. more...

Pupils in a lottery

The council's new proposals for admissions to secondary schools involve the introduction of a ballot system to determine the allocation of places when schools are oversubscribed. more...

Pigs might fly

On tuesday evening, Ditchling pond was not only full, but thousands of gallons of clear, fresh water were cascading from it into a small stream, which would eventually lead to the river and then the sea. more...

Lives are at risk

I agree with Mr Hobbs-Ainsley (Letters, December 9), and wonder if the politicians hell bent on closing A&E departments have given any thought to the extra stress, strain and work this will put on ambulance crews, especially if they are trying to keep alive a heart attack victim or someone with severe internal bleeding following a road accident. more...

Time to unseat

Those who have signed the petition against cut-backs in the NHS must do more if they wish to stop the cuts. more...

Sweltering hot

I was encouraged to read your article (The Argus, November 28), about ways in which ordinary people can diminish climate change. more...

Not much good will come of it

When is this country going to wake up. This airport tax is not going into a special pot to help the environment or research into alternative fuel. But straight into the Governments pocket. It will not make the slightest bit of difference to the wealthy, but make it even harder for the working classes. It will not reduce the amount of planes in the sky or do anything for the environment. This is another Government smokescreen to hike taxes and once again the majority have fallen for it. more...

Travellers are showing no respect

Abandoned rubbish left by travellers is strewn all over the old Benfield golf course IF G Hinton (Letters, December 7), cared to look at a travellers' site himself, he would see they have no respect for our planet at all. more...

Travellers are showing no respect

If G Hinton (Letters, December 7), cared to look at a travellers' site himself, he would see they have no respect for our planet at all. more...

Travellers are showing no respect

If G Hinton (Letters, December 7), cared to look at a travellers' site himself, he would see they have no respect for our planet at all. more...

State interference that jeopardises free speech

I rarely write to newspapers, but I was so incensed to see a front page headline (December 13) devoted to a crass remark made by a 75-year-old Tory councillor, Peter Willows. more...

Local News

Magician slapped autistic boy

Children's entertainer The Great Velcro is exposed today as a man with a police caution for slapping an autistic boy in the face. more...

Going green left town in the red

A council has been rapped for going more than �500,000 over budget on recycling. more...

Passenger dies in bus fall

A passenger died after falling in the aisle when the bus he was on screeched to a halt. more...

Bullied boy, 11, found hanged

A boy hounded by bullies returned home from school and hanged himself. more...

Same-sex couple's celebration

The first anniversary of civil partnerships for same-sex couples is to be marked with one of the most flamboyant weddings Brighton and Hove has ever seen. more...

Gay slur councillor resigns

A Tory councillor who was prosecuted for a slur about gay men has resigned. more...

Stunt pilot thanks the men who rescued her

A plane crash victim has thanked the heroic helicopter pilot who helped her escape from the wreckage of her stunt aircraft. more...

Rape trial doctor says two women were flirting

A doctor told a jury two women may have falsely accused him of rape because he had sex with both of them. more...

Scheme to aid obese children

An innovative programme aimed at helping overweight children get back in shape will launch next month. more...

Hanged boy was 'brim full of character'

This is the 11-year-old hounded by bullies who returned home from school and hanged himself. more...

Sara Payne in new plea on child-sex predators

Campaigning mother Sara Payne, whose eight-year-old daughter Sarah was murdered in Sussex, has told how she could understand the anger of locals who discovered a child killer was living in their midst. more...

i360 tower 'mired in red tape'

Fears have been raised that Government red tape could delay the opening of the Brighton Eye observation tower. more...

£60,000 pay-off for post offices

Post offices in Sussex will be paid £60,000 "compensation" more...

Transsexual loses sex discrimination claim

A transsexual who claimed he was hounded out of his council job has failed in a sex discrimination claim. more...

Warning over railway delays

Thousands of rail passengers face severe disruptions this Christmas. more...

Fears over health shake-up

Fears are growing for the future of specialist services for children with cystic fibrosis and asthma. more...

Support for cheap homes

Plans for 22 new affordable homes at a former reservoir have gained support because they could provide residents with a much-needed community hub. more...

Killer awaits appeal verdict

The family of Brighton backpacker Peter Falconio faces an agonising wait before learning whether the drug runner found guilty of his murder has succeeded in appealing his conviction. more...

Pensioner, 75, denies scuffle with 73-year-old

A man has denied getting into a road rage fight with another pensioner. more...

Councillors stick to their tax pledge

Town hall chiefs have vowed to stick to their election promise with a council tax increase of just 2.5 per cent - despite a "disappointing" Government grant settlement. more...

Eleven charged in connection with Britains biggest cash heist

Eleven people appeared at the Old Bailey today charged in connection with Britain's biggest cash robbery. more...

Doctor cleared by jury of rape charges

A doctor accused of raping two teachers walked free from court after being cleared by a jury. more...

Bad Film Club: Simon Munnery Vz Die Hard II

Comdedian Simon Munnery will unleash a torrent of derision at a "bad film", following in the footsteps of Stuart Lee's attack on March of the Penguins in October. more...

Celebrity gardeners in clash

Celebrity gardener Andy Sturgeon has been accused of copying his rival's design. more...

Labour ex-high flier’s sex shame

A former New Labour high flier has been sentenced to 15 months in jail for grooming a 13-year-old boy on the internet. more...

Have police stopped Brunswick burglar?

Detectives hunting a one-man crimewave known as the Brunswick Burglar have made an arrest. more...

Rape case doctor cleared

A doctor accused of raping two teachers walked free from court after being cleared by a jury. more...

Autistic boy speaks out after attack by magician

An autistic boy has spoken about the terrifying moment when he was slapped in the face by children's entertainer The Great Velcro. more...

Judge salutes boys who saw road rage row

A judge has praised two schoolboys who intervened in a road rage row between two pensioners. more...

Jobs lost as studio goes bust

Staff at a photographic studio face a miserable Christmas after the firm went bust. more...

Mailbox

Save Gardener Arts Centre

The news came this week that the Gardner Arts Centre is to close after 36 years. more...

Good times

I would just like to highlight the great changes being made to show we are well on our way to saving our planet. more...

Fabulous open market

It is absolutely fabulous that the Open Market in London Road, Brighton, is to move forward with new regeneration plans and with the full support of the market traders themselves. more...

Regeration joy

It is absolutely fabulous that the Open Market in London Road, Brighton, is to move forward with new regeneration plans and with the full support of the market traders themselves. more...

Bad education on the buses

Chancellor Gordon Brown says that if Britain is to compete successfully against other countries then school leavers must be highly educated. In that case, Britain is doomed to failure. more...

Music Previews

Kasabian, The Brighton Centre, Brighton, Sat, Dec 16

Expecting to be confronted with an attitude straight out of the Oasis school of cocksure swagger, I found Kasabian bassist Chris Edwards' friendly and unassuming persona a pleasant surprise. more...

Kasabian, The Brighton Centre, Brighton, Sat, Dec 16

Expecting to be confronted with an attitude straight out of the Oasis school of cocksure swagger, I found Kasabian bassist Chris Edwards' friendly and unassuming persona a pleasant surprise. more...

Madeleine Peyroux, Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Brighton, Fri, Dec 15

Sultry chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux is donating 50p from every ticket bought on this tour to national charity Emmaus, whose six-acre site in Hove is the biggest Emmaus community in the UK. more...

The Others, Engine Room, Brighton, Wednesday, Dec 20

It was exactly a year ago The Others last played Brighton, appearing at the Concorde 2. more...

Billy Bragg, Brighton Dome, Brighton, Sat, Dec 16

With troubadour juniors like Get Cape, Wear Cape Fly and Jamie T citing him as an influence, there has been renewed interest in Billy Bragg. more...

Tenacious D, Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton, Sun, Dec 17

It's not an easy job being part of the greatest band in the world but somebody's got to do it. Yes, Jack Black and Kyle Gass, self-proclaimed rock gods, are once more accepting the responsibility of "waking up at the crack of noon" just to go out and "rock your socks off". more...

Steeleye Span, Hove Centre, Hove, Monday, Dec 18

Bloody Men, Steeleye's new album, is the sound of a band still totally in love with their music. more...

Ghosts, Engine Room, Brighton, Monday, Dec 18

London-based Ghosts met at school and have been together, in one guise or another, ever since. more...

The Zutons, Dome Concert Hall, Brighton, Monday, Dec 18

Our favourite Scousers were due to play in November but cancelled at the last minute when a member fell ill. more...

Madness, Brighton Centre, Brighton, Tuesday, Dec 19

"We were offered a chunk of change to play Europe and we figured we couldn't do that without doing a few shows at home," says saxman Lee Thompson. more...

Katherine Jenkins, The Dome Concert Hall, Brighton, Tuesday, Dec 19

The fastest-selling classical artist ever, Katherine Jenkins' fans include the Queen, who invited her to a private lunch, and Cherie Blair, who joined in a rousing singalong of We'll Meet Again when Katherine performed at Chequers. more...

News

Relief as Gatwick avoids new runway

Campaigners against a second runway at Gatwick are relieved it has been left off plans for airport expansion. more...

Sport

Crawley plan ‘three or four’ new signings in transfer window

Crawley are planning to sign "three or four" players during the January transfer window. more...

Lewes defender intends to give Oxford a dressing down

Steve Robinson is used to dealing with classy outfits. more...

Football: Crawley plan ‘three or four’ new signings in transfer window

Crawley are planning to sign "three or four" players during the January transfer window. more...

Lewes defender intends to give Oxford a dressing down

Steve Robinson is used to dealing with classy outfits. more...

Brighton meet Hove and both sides want to keep it that way

Brighton and Hove has the potential to be home to a National League superclub But, as they prepared for their first league derby in seven years, the city's two existing clubs insisted: "It won't be at our expense." more...

Football: Lewes to sell tickets on day of match

Lewes are trying to avert a disappointing turnout for tomorrow's FA Trophy clash with Oxford United by selling tickets on the day of the game. more...

Sussex Scene

Bowditch could be fit to face Oldham

Dean Bowditch is back in first team contention for Albion after a month on the sidelines. more...

Sussex Today

City loos earn chain of awards

Toilet attendants in Brighton and Hove are flushed with success after landing a chain of national awards for their sparkling facilities. more...

Seafront plans

A seaside town could be transformed by newly-unveiled plans for a multimillion redevelopment project. more...

Death mystery

The death of a man whose disappearance sparked a nationwide manhunt is to remain a mystery. more...

Helping obese to Mend ways

An innovative programme aimed at helping overweight children get back in shape will launch next month. more...

£3m upgrade of main rail line

Thousands of rail passengers face severe disruption this Christmas. more...

i360 decision up in air until the new year

Red tape could delay the opening of the Brighton Eye observation tower. more...

’Trees cut flooding’

Planting trees could reduce the risk of flooding, according to research by Sussex Wildlife Trust and funded by the Environment Agency. more...

Tumour boy’s award

A schoolboy who twice almost died during treatment for a brain tumour is to receive a special award for his incredible bravery and "sparkle". more...

Little angels

Trinity Turrell, Cally Hunter and Phoebe Wilton all took part in nativity plays at Durrington First School, Worthing. more...

Two-year wait to discover CSA job cuts

Workers at the doomed Child Support Agency in Hastings will have to wait two more years to find out whether they will keep their jobs, it emerged yesterday. more...

Hanging tragedy of ‘bullied‘ schoolboy, 11

A schoolboy hounded by bullies returned home from school and hanged himself. more...

Theatre Previews

Shoe Baby, Komedia, Brighton, until Sunday, Dec 24

Singing giraffes, a rag-bag octopus and two distraught giants - all seen from a flying shoe. The Komedia's Christmas shows are always wonderfully quirky. more...

The Shout: A day in the life, Pavilion, Dec 16 & 17

Christmas readings interspersed with songs might not sound riveting. more...

Kreesmas Spirit, Komedia, Brighton, Sunday, Dec 16

The duo who brought us Big Fat Greek Kreesmas and Kreesmas Krackers, Martha Lewis and Eve Polycarpou, return with a brand new show, combining comedy and music to give us an alternative Christmas experience. more...

Kreesmas Spirit, Komedia, Brighton, Sunday, Dec 16

The Vagina Monologues, Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, Saturday, Dec 16

Bored of all this Christmas talk? There'll be no mention of Santa in this show. more...

It Just Wouldn't Be Christmas Without Us, Now Would It? Eh?, Komedia, Brighton, Tues until Sat, Dec

Those two "variety stars" of yesteryear, Count Arthur Strong and Terry Titter, cordially invite you round to their house for a Christmas Day party. more...

Peter Pan, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester, til Sun, December 31

Stars: A cast of more than 70, aged between 11 and 19, from Chichester Youth Festival Theatre. more...

Alice In Wonderland, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, Dec 20 - 30

Stars: Not a panto as such, this show has no household names, with the company preferring to spend its budget on an elaborate set and detailed costumes. Director Philip Dart works with a trademark cast of four. more...

Peter Pan, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, until Sunday, Jan 7

Stars: Dani Harman from CBBC's Tracy Beaker as Peter Pan and Stephen Beckett as Captain Hook more...

Aladdin, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, until Sun, Jan 14

Stars: Norman Pace, one half of Eighties comic duo Hale and Pace. Also stars Southern FM's Danny Pike as PC Pong, West End performer Junix Inocian and as the Dame is Martyn Knight who wowed audiences last year with an eye-popping strip routine. more...