Archive

  • Unclean

    I have been a smoker most of my life and am now a senior citizen. I believe, though, that smokers and non-smokers should be segregated - especially in restaurants. It seems some non-smokers and reformed ones wish those who do indulge to hang a bell around

  • The 1939 train

    In response to Michael O'Sullivan (Letters, October 28), I remember as a small boy before World War Two, there was an enormous sign above Brighton Station visible all the way down Queens Road that proudly stated: "Brighton to London in 50 minutes." So

  • Ice palace is a triumph

    Keep Sussex Skating (KSS) attended the council meeting where it was decided to redevelop Black Rock. What a triumph it will be, after all the years of waiting, for Brighton to reclaim the title of ice skating capital of the south. The resulting lifestyle

  • Burying bad news?

    On the day we lost Concorde and a piece of British history with it, the Government made it known that some 50,000 asylum seekers would be allowed to stay in Britain. It seems last Friday was another good day for the Government to bury bad news. -Mr SJ

  • Future Fatboy party would be locals-only

    Only Brightonians and their friends will be allowed at a future Big Beach Boutique, Norman Cook said last night. The DJ, also known as Fatboy Slim, told Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale he would love to return to the coast for another concert but would insist

  • Disillusioned Tory? Join the UKIP

    As a former Tory voter, I would like to encourage all those disillusioned voters who feel let down by the Parliamentary Party that they will be welcome in the UK Independence Party. Our main aim is to come out of the EU in order to release the billions

  • Still singing

    Like Sheila Coverdale (Letters, October 25), I too am sad at the recent death of film star and dancer Donald O'Connor. Watching re-runs of the hit movie Singing In The Rain with Gene Kelly, it is O'Connor who seems to dance the complicated routines so

  • Hockey: Gilkes spices up Gs' attack

    Dilette Gilkes comes into the East Grinstead squad for this weekend's double helping of league and cup action. The Trinidad and Tobago international makes his debut for the leaders in Saturday's National League division two game at home to Bath Buccaneers

  • What a team

    In response to Mrs Twiselton (Letters, October 28), I believe the Conservatives now have the ideal people not only to win the Parliamentary seat back with Nicholas Boles but also to win control of the council at the next local elections with Councillor

  • Matthew Clark: Two minute silence for Sidley keeper

    Sidley United are to withdraw the No. 1 shirt as a mark of respect to goalkeeper James Duffell who died last week in a car crash. Duffell and team-mate Liam Cox, both 20, died in an accident last Thursday night. United cancelled last Saturday's County

  • Racing: Stable girl Lidija is Hedger's Angell

    Peter Hedger runs two businesses from his Eastmere stables at Eastergate, near Fontwell. One makes money, the other doesn't. The loss-making job is the training of his mixed yard of 16 horses, heavily subsidised by his seven-lorry horse transport business

  • Golf: Relieved Spence retains Tour card

    Jamie Spence can breathe easily now he is sure of retaining his European Tour card. Starting in the New Year Jamie will be primed for his 15th consecutive season after banishing doubts about surviving the cut with solid performances in Holland, Majorca

  • Pub faces the bulldozer

    A pub in central Worthing could be demolished to make way for 24 flats. Developers want to raze the Rivoli in Chapel Road. The pub has become a target for vandals and arsonists since it closed. Nine residents have objected to the scheme amid fears that

  • Landowners' group fears for Downs

    A national park would turn the South Downs into a rural museum and drive away local people, according to a landowners' group. The Country Land and Business Association also believes the Downs would be killed as a social and economic entity and the carefully-preserved

  • Insurer extends lie test trial

    A quarter of Admiral's policyholders have scrapped vehicle theft claims since the company started using lie detectors. The voice stress analysis technology was launched in May. Admiral said the technology, which was only used for claims involving theft

  • Time called on high price of soft drinks

    New moves forcing pubs and restaurants to show the prices of soft drinks more clearly were unveiled by Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe today. The initiative follows complaints from customers who have been hit by expensive soft drinks without being able

  • How we beat noisy train horns

    * Written by Ella Dzelzainis, who campaigned against noisy horns in Hove. "My house is on the borders of Brighton and Hove, adjacent to a railway line and next to a very short tunnel. "Until the start of this year, we found the rumble of trains and the

  • Tower block plans revised

    Architects behind a proposed skyscraper dubbed Endeavourest hope amendments to their plans will help head off a deluge of criticism. Karis Developments wants to build the £20 million scheme for the old Endeavour garage site in Preston Road, just south

  • Allotment raiders steal 100lb pumpkin

    A giant pumpkin weighing more than 100lb has been stolen from an allotment looked after by people with learning difficulties. Members of Avondale Day Centre in Hove have been growing the enormous squashes for the last few years to raise money for charity

  • Maria, 5, 'does a Blaine' inside pumpkin

    Five-year-old Maria Lockyer was today giving the Cinderella story a Hallowe'en twist she hopes will win her a mention in the Guinness Book of Records. In a David Blaine-style stunt, the youngster will tonight step inside a huge hollowed-out pumpkin in

  • October 31: McGhee right for Knight

    Albion goal ace Leon Knight is confident there will be no repeat of his Sheffield Wednesday nightmare with Mark McGhee in charge of the Seagulls. Knight's loan spell at Hillsborough from Chelsea last season started well, but the move turned sour once

  • Anger as drink-driver walks free from court

    Magistrates have been condemned for letting a drink-driver who nearly crushed two girls when she reversed into their house walk free from court. Alcoholic Rebecca Goff was nearly five times the legal limit after a vodka binge and magistrates said it was

  • The 1939 train

    In response to Michael O'Sullivan (Letters, October 28), I remember as a small boy before World War Two, there was an enormous sign above Brighton Station visible all the way down Queens Road that proudly stated: "Brighton to London in 50 minutes." So

  • How many complain?

    What is wrong with the hospital appointments system? Is it inefficient computers or a game that bored staff think amusing - phoning patients about unknown appointments and sending them to places where they are not expected. Do the published statistics

  • It's not fare

    I am a student at University of Sussex and bought a quarterly NUS saver pass which was valid from October 10 to January 9. I lost the pass on a number 7 bus on October 26. The next day I reported this to the police and acquired a lost property reference

  • Why pay for a force that fails to deliver?

    Once again I question why I am paying so much on my council tax for the Sussex Police Authority, whose remit used to be to help people in distress at all times. On Monday my son's ex-partner, with my 18-month old grand-daughter in her car, stopped outside

  • Wear your poppy with pride

    This is the 82nd anniversary of the Royal British Legion and during those years the Poppy Appeal has helped fund the Legion's work to deliver care to the ex-service community. Please give generously and wear a poppy with pride. -Jeane Lepper, Mayor of

  • Burying bad news?

    On the day we lost Concorde and a piece of British history with it, the Government made it known that some 50,000 asylum seekers would be allowed to stay in Britain. It seems last Friday was another good day for the Government to bury bad news. -Mr SJ

  • Royal origins

    Nigel Farage MEP is concerned the Queen may lose her sovereignty over the British people (Letters, October 29) should we adopt the EU constitution. Perhaps he could explain how the people of Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia are able to

  • Disillusioned Tory? Join the UKIP

    As a former Tory voter, I would like to encourage all those disillusioned voters who feel let down by the Parliamentary Party that they will be welcome in the UK Independence Party. Our main aim is to come out of the EU in order to release the billions

  • Golf: Reddick stays cool to wrap up victory

    Oliver Reddick survived two out of bounds in a one over par 73 to win the Sussex under-15s championship at East Brighton. Retaining his composure, Reddick went on to eagle the 498-yard 15th and finished with a birdie to edge the title by one stroke. The

  • Boxing: Ellis targets January return

    Brighton fighter Mathew Ellis has vowed to return to the ring after his comeback in Glasgow on Monday night ended after three rounds. Trainer Ronnie Davies was forced to retire his man prior to the fourth round after Ellis dislocated both shoulders as

  • Rugby: Heath seek first win

    Haywards Heath face the moment of truth as they bid to celebrate their first ever National League victory on Saturday. Heath, bottom of National Three South after losing their first five games, host fellow strugglers Old Patesians at Whitemans Green (

  • Boled over

    I would like to congratulate Nicholas Boles on his selection as the Conservatives party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Hove and Portslade. Anyone who knows him will be aware of his energy and determination to campaign for the things that matter

  • Dr Martens: Decision time for Albion striker

    Francis Vines has warned striker Carl Wilson-Denis to make up his mind on where his future lies. The Crawley boss wants his joint top scorer to commit himself to the club although the player is hoping to grab a second chance with new Albion chief Mark

  • Pub faces the bulldozer

    A pub in central Worthing could be demolished to make way for 24 flats. Developers want to raze the Rivoli in Chapel Road. The pub has become a target for vandals and arsonists since it closed. Nine residents have objected to the scheme amid fears that

  • Tower block plans revised

    Architects behind a proposed skyscraper dubbed Endeavourest hope amendments to their plans will help head off a deluge of criticism. Karis Developments wants to build the £20 million scheme for the old Endeavour garage site in Preston Road, just south

  • Insurer extends lie test trial

    A quarter of Admiral's policyholders have scrapped vehicle theft claims since the company started using lie detectors. The voice stress analysis technology was launched in May. Admiral said the technology, which was only used for claims involving theft

  • Time called on high price of soft drinks

    New moves forcing pubs and restaurants to show the prices of soft drinks more clearly were unveiled by Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe today. The initiative follows complaints from customers who have been hit by expensive soft drinks without being able

  • Stamp duty hitting first-time buyers

    The amount of stamp duty paid by homeowners has more than quadrupled during the past five years, a mortgage group claims. The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said homeowners now paid £3.5 billion a year in the tax. It said the Government's decision

  • Bank cuts 1,000 call centre jobs

    Lloyds TSB announced yesterday the closure of a call centre with the loss of almost 1,000 jobs as it prepares to transfer some services to India. The customer contact centre in Newcastle will be shut by the end of next year in a gradual move which will

  • Care home campaign ends in defeat

    Campaigners who fought to keep an East Sussex care home open were finally defeated today when it closed for the last time. The battle to save the Moreton Centre, in St Leonards, even reached the High Court of Appeal, ultimately to be rejected. Councillor

  • Court told of banned pills

    Unmarked bottles of pills were found under the counter at a Chinese herbalists accused of selling banned medicines, a court heard. Catering supervisor Sandra Stay had to have both kidneys removed after taking a Chinese medicine to treat a skin condition

  • Allotment raiders steal 100lb pumpkin

    A giant pumpkin weighing more than 100lb has been stolen from an allotment looked after by people with learning difficulties. Members of Avondale Day Centre in Hove have been growing the enormous squashes for the last few years to raise money for charity

  • My night in haunted hotel

    Sussex is reportedly home to more spooks than almost anywhere else in Britain. As a Hallowe'en challenge, I spent the night in a "haunted" hotel in Crawley. "Oh yes, we've got a ghost," said the softly spoken barmaid. "It doesn't like nasty people and

  • Developer's daughter lands TV job

    Schoolgirl Rebecca Arghiros has ditched her studies after beating hundreds of hopefuls for a prime presenting job on a new TV channel. Rebecca, daughter of property developer Josh, will be one of six main presenters on Sky TV channel Your Shout, due to

  • October 31: McGhee right for Knight

    Albion goal ace Leon Knight is confident there will be no repeat of his Sheffield Wednesday nightmare with Mark McGhee in charge of the Seagulls. Knight's loan spell at Hillsborough from Chelsea last season started well, but the move turned sour once

  • October 30: McGhee orders Albion offensive

    Mark McGhee is demanding a fearless attitude from the Albion players as they attempt to return to winning ways. McGhee launches his managerial reign on Saturday at London Road, Peterborough, a lucky ground for him in the past. He began his Millwall career

  • October 30: Peers recommended Albion to McGhee

    Mark McGhee has revealed how his predecessor and other contacts within the game helped convince the Scot that Albion is the right club for him. Steve Coppell was among the people McGhee spoke to about taking charge of the Seagulls. Coppell angered fans

  • Bonfire effigies inquiry launched

    A file will go to the Crown Prosecution Service after effigies of gipsies in a caravan were burnt at a bonfire celebration. The tableau, created by members of the Firle Bonfire Society, was condemned by traveller and race relation groups as a racist slur

  • How many complain?

    What is wrong with the hospital appointments system? Is it inefficient computers or a game that bored staff think amusing - phoning patients about unknown appointments and sending them to places where they are not expected. Do the published statistics

  • Well done, Patricia

    Patricia Ginman, who has been running KSS for about 30 years, has done more than anyone to bring skating back to Sussex. She deserves an award for her sterling work, if only her name on a bus. -Gerald E Spicer, Portslade

  • Peter's puppets

    A few months ago I asked readers for help with locating a small Brighton factory that produced children's puppets in the 1960s. These figures were sold at virtually every shop and stall on the lower promenade and displayed on special stands alongside

  • It's not fare

    I am a student at University of Sussex and bought a quarterly NUS saver pass which was valid from October 10 to January 9. I lost the pass on a number 7 bus on October 26. The next day I reported this to the police and acquired a lost property reference

  • Blame game

    Regarding the 12,000 missing people in Brighton and Hove (The Argus, October 24), this is a poor attempt by the council and Government to apportion blame on the National Statistics Office for the unnecessary increase in council tax. Just how depraved

  • Johnny's OK

    Your article about Johnny Vegas' Thursday show (The Argus, October 25) was inaccurate and very poor. People were not leaving in their droves. They were only leaving because he had overrun so much (which was much appreciated by the majority of the crowd

  • Asda's angels

    Here's a little story that will give you a lift and restore your faith in human nature. I drive a mini-bus for a day centre in Kemp Town, shuttling the physically disabled from their homes to the centre and back again. It was Thursday, October 23 and

  • Mercy sett is home to the wrong badgers

    An artificial sett built for badgers who escaped a death sentence has welcomed its first tenants - but they're the wrong badgers. The Department for the Enivironment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has spent thousands of pounds building the home after

  • Why pay for a force that fails to deliver?

    Once again I question why I am paying so much on my council tax for the Sussex Police Authority, whose remit used to be to help people in distress at all times. On Monday my son's ex-partner, with my 18-month old grand-daughter in her car, stopped outside

  • Wear your poppy with pride

    This is the 82nd anniversary of the Royal British Legion and during those years the Poppy Appeal has helped fund the Legion's work to deliver care to the ex-service community. Please give generously and wear a poppy with pride. -Jeane Lepper, Mayor of

  • Soft touch Britain

    If proof was ever needed that the Government's policies on asylum and immigration is now in tatters, the news that 15,000 families are being given an amnesty to stay, must surely confirm it. The message will now go out loud and clear across the world.

  • Royal origins

    Nigel Farage MEP is concerned the Queen may lose her sovereignty over the British people (Letters, October 29) should we adopt the EU constitution. Perhaps he could explain how the people of Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia are able to

  • Brilliant Buster

    In response to Paul Jasper (Letters, October 24), Buster Crabbe was born Clarence Linden Crabbe on Oakland, California. Concentrating on his swimming in Hawaii, he won the 400-metre freestyle in 1932, breaking the record held by Johnny Weismuller. He

  • Golf: Reddick stays cool to wrap up victory

    Oliver Reddick survived two out of bounds in a one over par 73 to win the Sussex under-15s championship at East Brighton. Retaining his composure, Reddick went on to eagle the 498-yard 15th and finished with a birdie to edge the title by one stroke. The

  • Boxing: Ellis targets January return

    Brighton fighter Mathew Ellis has vowed to return to the ring after his comeback in Glasgow on Monday night ended after three rounds. Trainer Ronnie Davies was forced to retire his man prior to the fourth round after Ellis dislocated both shoulders as

  • Too much tax

    I support West Sussex County Council leader Henry Smith's position on the council tax burden on hard-pressed residents. Along with my West Sussex Conservative parliamentary colleagues, I have vigorously lobbied the Government to fight the huge shift of

  • Get it right

    I was most concerned by Ivor Caplin's poor understanding of the term "democracy" in his letter (October 23). Let me remind him there was massive public opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq and that the UN Security Council's rejection of resolution

  • Rugby: Heath seek first win

    Haywards Heath face the moment of truth as they bid to celebrate their first ever National League victory on Saturday. Heath, bottom of National Three South after losing their first five games, host fellow strugglers Old Patesians at Whitemans Green (

  • Awards for Iraq bravery

    Two Sussex servicemen have been given awards for bravery in Iraq. Senior Aircraftsman Christian Tobin, 23, formerly of Eastbourne, and Second Officer Graham Lloyd, from Hove, will receive the Queen's Commendation for Bravery. Mr Tobin, based at RAF St

  • Boled over

    I would like to congratulate Nicholas Boles on his selection as the Conservatives party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Hove and Portslade. Anyone who knows him will be aware of his energy and determination to campaign for the things that matter

  • Dr Martens: Decision time for Albion striker

    Francis Vines has warned striker Carl Wilson-Denis to make up his mind on where his future lies. The Crawley boss wants his joint top scorer to commit himself to the club although the player is hoping to grab a second chance with new Albion chief Mark

  • IDS has given us the chance to beat Blair

    Along with thousands of other Conservative supporters in Brighton and Hove, I sincerely regret we have to have yet another new leader. Regardless of the mistakes he made, by his own honest admission, Iain Duncan Smith oversaw the most radical and comprehensive

  • FA Trophy: Preview

    Dwain Clarke will continue up front as Lewes test their promotion credentials with a Trophy tie at home to premier division Northwood. Winger Clarke partners Lee Newman in attack for the Rooks as both Luke Fontana and Marc Whiteman remain injured. Boss

  • FA Trophy: Borough look to bounce back

    Ben Austin is unlikely to figure when Eastbourne Borough attempt to bounce back from their heartbreaking FA Cup exit in midweek. Borough coach Nick Greenwood is banking on his players putting the disappointment of their fourth qualifying round defeat

  • McGhee is right choice for Knight

    Albion goal ace Leon Knight is confident there will be no repeat of his Sheffield Wednesday nightmare with Mark McGhee in charge of the Seagulls. Knight's loan spell at Hillsborough from Chelsea last season started well, but the move turned sour once

  • Couple's 70-year hitch

    Lionel and Clarice Davidge were teenagers when they first met. Now the couple are celebrating 70 years of marriage. Mr and Mrs Davidge marked their platinum wedding quietly at their home at Bourne Court, London Road, Brighton. Mrs Davidge, 89, said: "

  • Detectives hunt beach rapist

    Police are hunting a rapist who attacked a young woman on Brighton beach. The 25-year-old victim was assaulted on a beach just east of Palace Pier on Tuesday night. Afterwards she ran to a phone box and called police, at about midnight. Full details were

  • Tower block plans revised

    Architects behind a proposed skyscraper dubbed Endeavourest hope amendments to their plans will help head off a deluge of criticism. Karis Developments wants to build the £20 million scheme for the old Endeavour garage site in Preston Road, just south

  • Organic sector set to grow

    Sales of organic food and drink in the UK are expected to soar by almost 75 per cent over the next few years, according to a report. Market analyst Datamonitor believes the market will grow from £940 million last year to £1.6 billion in 2007. The rise

  • Stamp duty hitting first-time buyers

    The amount of stamp duty paid by homeowners has more than quadrupled during the past five years, a mortgage group claims. The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said homeowners now paid £3.5 billion a year in the tax. It said the Government's decision

  • Bank cuts 1,000 call centre jobs

    Lloyds TSB announced yesterday the closure of a call centre with the loss of almost 1,000 jobs as it prepares to transfer some services to India. The customer contact centre in Newcastle will be shut by the end of next year in a gradual move which will

  • Businesses join scheme to help homeless

    Businesses and restaurants are joining forces for an innovative scheme to help homeless people in Brighton and Hove at Christmas. More than 30 eateries and local firms have signed up to take part in StreetSmart. This is the third year the city has taken

  • Court told of banned pills

    Unmarked bottles of pills were found under the counter at a Chinese herbalists accused of selling banned medicines, a court heard. Catering supervisor Sandra Stay had to have both kidneys removed after taking a Chinese medicine to treat a skin condition

  • My night in haunted hotel

    Sussex is reportedly home to more spooks than almost anywhere else in Britain. As a Hallowe'en challenge, I spent the night in a "haunted" hotel in Crawley. "Oh yes, we've got a ghost," said the softly spoken barmaid. "It doesn't like nasty people and

  • Developer's daughter lands TV job

    Schoolgirl Rebecca Arghiros has ditched her studies after beating hundreds of hopefuls for a prime presenting job on a new TV channel. Rebecca, daughter of property developer Josh, will be one of six main presenters on Sky TV channel Your Shout, due to

  • 'Sick' burglary leaves baby unable to hear

    Thieves have stolen a disabled baby's specially-programmed hearing aids, the only way he can hear his mother's voice. When he was born 11 months ago, Harvey was blind, virtually deaf and suffered brain damage. Now thieves have stolen his hearing aids

  • October 30: McGhee orders Albion offensive

    Mark McGhee is demanding a fearless attitude from the Albion players as they attempt to return to winning ways. McGhee launches his managerial reign on Saturday at London Road, Peterborough, a lucky ground for him in the past. He began his Millwall career

  • October 30: McGhee wants to keep Rehman

    New Albion manager Mark McGhee wants to keep Zesh Rehman for the rest of the season. The young midfielder's first month on loan from Fulham expires after McGhee's opening match at Peterborough on Saturday. Caretaker Bob Booker had already agreed an extension

  • October 30: Peers recommended Albion to McGhee

    Mark McGhee has revealed how his predecessor and other contacts within the game helped convince the Scot that Albion is the right club for him. Steve Coppell was among the people McGhee spoke to about taking charge of the Seagulls. Coppell angered fans

  • October 30: Pethick happy the uncertainty's over

    Albion utility player Robbie Pethick has welcomed the appointment of Mark McGhee. Pethick, available for Saturday's trip to Peterborough after a two-match ban, said: "He has been around a bit with some good clubs and done well so he should be good for

  • Tatchell urges direct action

    Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell last night urged the gay and lesbian community to think about taking direct action to get their voices heard. Mr Tatchell, who helped form the protest group Outrage, said sitting down with community leaders, councillors

  • Daughter's boyfriend accused in child porn case

    A charity director accused of downloading more than 370 child porn images said his daughter's drug-dealing boyfriend was responsible. Neil William Morgan, 58, of North Road, Ringmer, denies eight specimen charges of making indecent photographs of a child

  • Unclean

    I have been a smoker most of my life and am now a senior citizen. I believe, though, that smokers and non-smokers should be segregated - especially in restaurants. It seems some non-smokers and reformed ones wish those who do indulge to hang a bell around

  • Well done, Patricia

    Patricia Ginman, who has been running KSS for about 30 years, has done more than anyone to bring skating back to Sussex. She deserves an award for her sterling work, if only her name on a bus. -Gerald E Spicer, Portslade

  • Ice palace is a triumph

    Keep Sussex Skating (KSS) attended the council meeting where it was decided to redevelop Black Rock. What a triumph it will be, after all the years of waiting, for Brighton to reclaim the title of ice skating capital of the south. The resulting lifestyle

  • Peter's puppets

    A few months ago I asked readers for help with locating a small Brighton factory that produced children's puppets in the 1960s. These figures were sold at virtually every shop and stall on the lower promenade and displayed on special stands alongside

  • Blame game

    Regarding the 12,000 missing people in Brighton and Hove (The Argus, October 24), this is a poor attempt by the council and Government to apportion blame on the National Statistics Office for the unnecessary increase in council tax. Just how depraved

  • Johnny's OK

    Your article about Johnny Vegas' Thursday show (The Argus, October 25) was inaccurate and very poor. People were not leaving in their droves. They were only leaving because he had overrun so much (which was much appreciated by the majority of the crowd

  • Asda's angels

    Here's a little story that will give you a lift and restore your faith in human nature. I drive a mini-bus for a day centre in Kemp Town, shuttling the physically disabled from their homes to the centre and back again. It was Thursday, October 23 and

  • Mercy sett is home to the wrong badgers

    An artificial sett built for badgers who escaped a death sentence has welcomed its first tenants - but they're the wrong badgers. The Department for the Enivironment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has spent thousands of pounds building the home after

  • Soft touch Britain

    If proof was ever needed that the Government's policies on asylum and immigration is now in tatters, the news that 15,000 families are being given an amnesty to stay, must surely confirm it. The message will now go out loud and clear across the world.

  • Fire brigade to scale back routine responses

    Rescue ladders will not be automatically sent to fires under plans to modernise the East Sussex service. From April next year, aerial ladder platforms and turntable ladder vehicles used to reach people trapped in high buildings will not be dispatched

  • Tennis coach's illegal spree

    A Mid Sussex tennis coach stole a club member's credit cards and went on a £1,000 shopping spree. David Ringer, 33, of Brook Close, East Grinstead, a junior coach at East Grinstead Tennis Club, yesterday pleaded guilty at Haywards Heath Magistrates Court

  • Cop suspended in racism claim

    A Sussex detective has been suspended on suspicion of racism. The news comes as Chief Constable Ken Jones considers plans to use covert tactics to root out anyone in the force with racist, sexist or homophobic views. The detective constable is alleged

  • Future Fatboy party would be locals-only

    Only Brightonians and their friends will be allowed at a future Big Beach Boutique, Norman Cook said last night. The DJ, also known as Fatboy Slim, told Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale he would love to return to the coast for another concert but would insist

  • Brilliant Buster

    In response to Paul Jasper (Letters, October 24), Buster Crabbe was born Clarence Linden Crabbe on Oakland, California. Concentrating on his swimming in Hawaii, he won the 400-metre freestyle in 1932, breaking the record held by Johnny Weismuller. He

  • Still singing

    Like Sheila Coverdale (Letters, October 25), I too am sad at the recent death of film star and dancer Donald O'Connor. Watching re-runs of the hit movie Singing In The Rain with Gene Kelly, it is O'Connor who seems to dance the complicated routines so

  • Too much tax

    I support West Sussex County Council leader Henry Smith's position on the council tax burden on hard-pressed residents. Along with my West Sussex Conservative parliamentary colleagues, I have vigorously lobbied the Government to fight the huge shift of

  • Hockey: Gilkes spices up Gs' attack

    Dilette Gilkes comes into the East Grinstead squad for this weekend's double helping of league and cup action. The Trinidad and Tobago international makes his debut for the leaders in Saturday's National League division two game at home to Bath Buccaneers

  • Get it right

    I was most concerned by Ivor Caplin's poor understanding of the term "democracy" in his letter (October 23). Let me remind him there was massive public opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq and that the UN Security Council's rejection of resolution

  • Awards for Iraq bravery

    Two Sussex servicemen have been given awards for bravery in Iraq. Senior Aircraftsman Christian Tobin, 23, formerly of Eastbourne, and Second Officer Graham Lloyd, from Hove, will receive the Queen's Commendation for Bravery. Mr Tobin, based at RAF St

  • What a team

    In response to Mrs Twiselton (Letters, October 28), I believe the Conservatives now have the ideal people not only to win the Parliamentary seat back with Nicholas Boles but also to win control of the council at the next local elections with Councillor

  • Matthew Clark: Two minute silence for Sidley keeper

    Sidley United are to withdraw the No. 1 shirt as a mark of respect to goalkeeper James Duffell who died last week in a car crash. Duffell and team-mate Liam Cox, both 20, died in an accident last Thursday night. United cancelled last Saturday's County

  • IDS has given us the chance to beat Blair

    Along with thousands of other Conservative supporters in Brighton and Hove, I sincerely regret we have to have yet another new leader. Regardless of the mistakes he made, by his own honest admission, Iain Duncan Smith oversaw the most radical and comprehensive

  • FA Trophy: Preview

    Dwain Clarke will continue up front as Lewes test their promotion credentials with a Trophy tie at home to premier division Northwood. Winger Clarke partners Lee Newman in attack for the Rooks as both Luke Fontana and Marc Whiteman remain injured. Boss

  • FA Trophy: Borough look to bounce back

    Ben Austin is unlikely to figure when Eastbourne Borough attempt to bounce back from their heartbreaking FA Cup exit in midweek. Borough coach Nick Greenwood is banking on his players putting the disappointment of their fourth qualifying round defeat

  • Racing: Stable girl Lidija is Hedger's Angell

    Peter Hedger runs two businesses from his Eastmere stables at Eastergate, near Fontwell. One makes money, the other doesn't. The loss-making job is the training of his mixed yard of 16 horses, heavily subsidised by his seven-lorry horse transport business

  • McGhee is right choice for Knight

    Albion goal ace Leon Knight is confident there will be no repeat of his Sheffield Wednesday nightmare with Mark McGhee in charge of the Seagulls. Knight's loan spell at Hillsborough from Chelsea last season started well, but the move turned sour once

  • Golf: Relieved Spence retains Tour card

    Jamie Spence can breathe easily now he is sure of retaining his European Tour card. Starting in the New Year Jamie will be primed for his 15th consecutive season after banishing doubts about surviving the cut with solid performances in Holland, Majorca

  • Couple's 70-year hitch

    Lionel and Clarice Davidge were teenagers when they first met. Now the couple are celebrating 70 years of marriage. Mr and Mrs Davidge marked their platinum wedding quietly at their home at Bourne Court, London Road, Brighton. Mrs Davidge, 89, said: "

  • Detectives hunt beach rapist

    Police are hunting a rapist who attacked a young woman on Brighton beach. The 25-year-old victim was assaulted on a beach just east of Palace Pier on Tuesday night. Afterwards she ran to a phone box and called police, at about midnight. Full details were

  • Landowners' group fears for Downs

    A national park would turn the South Downs into a rural museum and drive away local people, according to a landowners' group. The Country Land and Business Association also believes the Downs would be killed as a social and economic entity and the carefully-preserved

  • Organic sector set to grow

    Sales of organic food and drink in the UK are expected to soar by almost 75 per cent over the next few years, according to a report. Market analyst Datamonitor believes the market will grow from £940 million last year to £1.6 billion in 2007. The rise

  • Businesses join scheme to help homeless

    Businesses and restaurants are joining forces for an innovative scheme to help homeless people in Brighton and Hove at Christmas. More than 30 eateries and local firms have signed up to take part in StreetSmart. This is the third year the city has taken

  • How we beat noisy train horns

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  • Tower block plans revised

    Architects behind a proposed skyscraper dubbed Endeavourest hope amendments to their plans will help head off a deluge of criticism. Karis Developments wants to build the £20 million scheme for the old Endeavour garage site in Preston Road, just south

  • 'Sick' burglary leaves baby unable to hear

    Thieves have stolen a disabled baby's specially-programmed hearing aids, the only way he can hear his mother's voice. When he was born 11 months ago, Harvey was blind, virtually deaf and suffered brain damage. Now thieves have stolen his hearing aids

  • Maria, 5, 'does a Blaine' inside pumpkin

    Five-year-old Maria Lockyer was today giving the Cinderella story a Hallowe'en twist she hopes will win her a mention in the Guinness Book of Records. In a David Blaine-style stunt, the youngster will tonight step inside a huge hollowed-out pumpkin in

  • October 30: McGhee wants to keep Rehman

    New Albion manager Mark McGhee wants to keep Zesh Rehman for the rest of the season. The young midfielder's first month on loan from Fulham expires after McGhee's opening match at Peterborough on Saturday. Caretaker Bob Booker had already agreed an extension

  • October 30: Pethick happy the uncertainty's over

    Albion utility player Robbie Pethick has welcomed the appointment of Mark McGhee. Pethick, available for Saturday's trip to Peterborough after a two-match ban, said: "He has been around a bit with some good clubs and done well so he should be good for

  • Tatchell urges direct action

    Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell last night urged the gay and lesbian community to think about taking direct action to get their voices heard. Mr Tatchell, who helped form the protest group Outrage, said sitting down with community leaders, councillors

  • Anger as drink-driver walks free from court

    Magistrates have been condemned for letting a drink-driver who nearly crushed two girls when she reversed into their house walk free from court. Alcoholic Rebecca Goff was nearly five times the legal limit after a vodka binge and magistrates said it was

  • Daughter's boyfriend accused in child porn case

    A charity director accused of downloading more than 370 child porn images said his daughter's drug-dealing boyfriend was responsible. Neil William Morgan, 58, of North Road, Ringmer, denies eight specimen charges of making indecent photographs of a child