Local families are invited to take part in a 2016 Rio Olympics and carnival themed afternoon of fun and activities as part of Play Day 2016, a series of free community events organised by Mid Sussex District Council.

There will be three Play Day events held in locations throughout the District, so local families can join in the fun no matter where they live. The free Play Day events will be held at:

•    Victoria Park in Haywards Heath from 11am until 3pm on Weds 3 August

•    St John’s Park in Burgess Hill from 11am until 3pm on Thurs 4 August

•    King George’s Field in East Grinstead from 11am until 3pm on Weds 10 August

The days are designed to appeal to both boys and girls and are for children aged under 13. A fun packed day of activities is planned and families are welcome to bring a picnic and stay for the whole day.

Local children will have a chance to take part in track and field games, including foam javelin throwing, standing long jump, mini hurdles and the 25m sprint. The winners will get to stand on an Olympic style podium to receive their medals.

A specialist immersive theatre company, Goat and Monkey will be putting on interactive dramas throughout the day. Led by trained actors, children will use wireless headphones and top trump style playing cards as part of an epic adventure, trekking through the perils and pitfalls of the Amazon rainforest to reach the ultimate goal; the Olympic Games in Rio.

Youngsters can burn off energy by learning some Brazilian dancing, with Samba and drumming workshops taking place throughout the day. There will then be a chance for the children to show off their new moves with a Samba carnival procession at the end of the day.

There will be a fancy dress competition for children aged under 11, so those who come along dressed in their finest Rio Carnival costume will have the chance to win a £30 High Street voucher and lead the huge carnival procession that closes the event.

Children who enjoy being creative will be able to make their own Olympic torches and carnival head dresses. There will be a chance to make instruments using recycled materials; plastic bottles will become sparkling shakers and old shoe boxes turned into drums. Parents are encouraged to bring along some recycling from home and join in the fun.

Kids will get stamps for taking part in each activity and by completing their card they will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a Family Swim Ticket at a local leisure centre.

“This is the fourth year we are celebrating National Play Day with events taking place in all three towns. 2015 saw over 1,500 young people and families enjoy free games, sports and activities and we’re hoping this year will attract even more families to our carnival themed events,” said Councillor Garry Wall, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council.

“Parents looking to keep their kids occupied over the summer holidays won’t need to travel far – our Play Day events will be full of fun activities for kids to join in; from Olympic themed games to Samba dancing! We’re looking forward to welcoming local families for a free fun filled day.”

Play Day is a celebration of children’s right to play and a campaign to highlight the importance of play in children’s lives. The 2016 events have been organised by Mid Sussex District Council with support from Burgess Hill Town Council, East Grinstead Town Council, Haywards Heath Town Council, the East Grinstead Youth Council, the Bell Group and Groundwork NCS.

Sponsorship has been provided by Places for People, the Lions, East Grinstead Business Association and Affinity Sutton.

For more information contact Regina Choudhury, Mid Sussex District Community Development Officer on 01444 477495 or email communityservices@midsussex.gov.uk

SDNPA

• SDNPA Comms Team have updated the web content for Pondtail Wood which says :

  Solicitors acting on behalf of the owners of Pondtail Wood in West Sussex have lodged an appeal against an Enforcement Notice issued by the South Downs National Park Authority which came into effect on 12 July 2016.

  The Enforcement Notice stipulates that the site owners must remove all deposited soils, waste and drainage channels by 23 August in order to expose the ancient woodland soils which can then support the return of native species.

  The SDNPA are now awaiting formal notice from the Planning Inspectorate with full details of the appeal. As with any planning application an appeal would suspend the ‘effective’ or start date of an Enforcement Notice until the appeal is decided or withdrawn.

  Tim Slaney, Director of Planning for the South Downs National Park Authority, said:
  “Wherever possible we try to work with site owners to fix breaches in planning and took careful legal advice before issuing the Enforcement Notice. We have a strong record in defending significant planning decisions at appeal and are determined to see Pondtail Wood restored. We appreciate that the local community are as frustrated as we are with the damage to the site and delays to its restoration. In the meantime our Stop Notice remains in force, we are visiting the site regularly and can confirm that no additional work has taken place.”
  

   

• Recent media coverage includes:
  
  • http://proarbmagazine.com/woodland-legal-owners/
    
  • http://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/local/new-wrangle-over-ancient-woodland-site-1-7482493
    
  • http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/local/new-wrangle-over-ancient-woodland-site-1-7482493?tc=eml

At the moment things are very quiet at Pondtail Wood. However, if you do see any activity could you contact:

John Bacon
Enforcement Officer
South Downs National Park Authority
Tel: 01730 819279 / Mobile: 07557563944
John.Bacon@southdowns.gov.uk
South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH

SDNPA

• On Monday 11 July M&W Officer Natalie CHILCOTT received an email from a law firm acting for Wineham Properties Limited (owners of the site) notifying her that they had lodged an appeal against the Enforcement Notice.
  

  This appeal suspends the ‘effective’ or commencement date of the Notice until the Appeal is decided or withdrawn. However, the Stop Notice remains in force.
  

Key dates

• Stop Notice was served on the 13^th June 2016 and took effect immediately.
  
• The Enforcement Notice was served on the 13 June and should have taken effect on 12^th July 2016. This effective date is suspended due to the submission of an Appeal.
  
• Remedial work specified in the Enforcement Notice must be completed by 23^rd August 2016 (42 days from when the notice takes effect). Currently suspended as per above.
  
• Before 30 April 2017 the land must be restocked with trees as per the Forestry Commission Notice.
  

SDNPA Website

SDNPA website has a dedicated webpage with regular updates at:

https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/stop-notice-and-enforcement-notice-issued-at-pondtail-wood/

No activity has taken place in Pondtail Wood this week

Key dates

• Stop Notice was served on the 13^th June 2016 and took effect immediately.
  
• The Enforcement Notice was served on the 13 June and will take effect on 12^th July 2016.
  
• Remedial work specified in the Enforcement Notice must be completed by 23^rd August 2016
  

  (42 days from when the notice takes effect).
  

• Before 30 April 2017 the land must be restocked with trees as per the Forestry Commission Notice.
  

SDNPA Website

SDNPA website has a dedicated webpage with regular updates at:

https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/stop-notice-and-enforcement-notice-issued-at-pondtail-wood/

Apetito has the local contract for Meals on Wheels and I am told that their meals are very good.

It seems that you have to be over 60 and it is means tested. If you know of anyone that could benefit you can get more details at www.apetito.co.uk .

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Mid Sussex residents are being encouraged to add some extra security to their garden this summer by snapping up a low cost shed alarm.

The summer is a great time to spend some time in the garden but local authorities are reminding people to make sure they protect their possessions against any opportunist thieves who are looking to take advantage of open windows, unsecure sheds or gardening tools that have been left out.

The Mid Sussex Community Safety Partnership is keen to help residents protect their property and is giving local people the opportunity to purchase affordable shed alarms as part of a summer crime prevention campaign.

Residents are being offered the chance to purchase shed alarms at a reduced rate of £7, which is £8 cheaper than the normal retail price of £15. This relatively inexpensive item will help people to protect their belongings and keep crime levels low in the District. The discounted shed alarms are available to buy from Town Council Help Points in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.

Residents are also being encouraged to take a few simple steps that will help to keep their shed safe and secure;

•    Use a good quality padlock or mortice lock on the door of your shed

•    Protect the boundary and access to your garden with fences, walls and lockable gates

•    Make sure the door panel on your shed is strong enough

•    Put up security lighting around your shed

•    Lock valuable items together to prevent them being removed easily

•    Help to track your property by registering it for FREE at www.immobilise.com

“We are fortunate to live in a low crime area but that doesn’t mean we can be complacent; we must do everything we can to protect our belongings and make life difficult for potential criminals,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community.

“Adding a low cost shed alarm to your garden is a quick and easy way to make your property even more secure. By taking simple precautions and looking out for one another we can all help to prevent crime and ensure Mid Sussex continues to be one of the safest places to live in England.”

For more information about crime prevention in Mid Sussex, contact the Mid Sussex District Council Community Safety team on 01444 477550 or email communitysafety@midsussex.gov.uk.