He was a ‘dedicated, talented defender who could turn on a six-pence and was a great ambassador for football.’

Mick ‘Curly’ Gosden died in the early hours of August 8, aged 69, after living with cancer.

He was a well-known and popular figure within the football community of Sussex as he represented Hailsham School, Hailsham FC, Hellingly Lions, Punnetts Town, Holt Rangers, Polegate, GEEBRO and Magham Down FC.

As a left-sided defender, Mick played well into his 40s and was always more than a match for the tricky wingers he would come up against.

Even in the later stages of his playing career, when his pace had gone, his knowledge and ability to read the game was a tremendous asset.

“You don’t get any faster when you hit your 40s,” said his son, also named Mick. “But what he had was skill. He always seemed to be in the right place and not many forwards would get the better of him.

“Off the ball he was a great defender but when he had the ball, they thought they had him covered but he could turn on a sixpence and he would be off.”

Mick retired from football on a few a separate occasions but he couldn’t stay away from the sport he loved.

He called time after Hailsham but a chance meeting with the goalkeeper of Magham Down saw him agree to another season - he played for another four.

This time he had definitely hung up his boots but another chance meeting, this time with the manager of Punnetts as he filled up his car at petrol station, saw him return for just one last hurrah - he played five more seasons!

His son Mick added, “He loved the game so much and he gave a lot to the sport. He retired but he just could not stay away.

“It was unbelievable, clubs always wanted to him to play for them and then he would play another season. He just loved football.”

During his playing career he received players’ player of the year on numerous occasions - this was not solely down to his skill and ability but also for his kind nature, sense of humour and sportsmanship - this was mirrored outside of football where he was described as ‘a true Sussex gentleman who would go out of his way to help others.’

Mick was born and schooled in Hailsham and away from football worked for Bibby’s Agricultural Feed, Green Brothers and as an agricultural contractor.

He was a loving family man and is survived by his wife Sally, two sons Mick and Neil and three grandchildren Maisie, Thomas and Tegan.

Mick’s funeral will be held at Eastbourne Crematoriam on Thursday, August 18. (3.15pm) All are welcome.

Hailsham Town FC will also hold a one-minute silence on Tuesday night ahead of their match with Eastbourne United at the Beaconsfield on Tuesday, August 16.

The following are results contributed by HM Court Service, of cases sentenced by Sussex Northern magistrates sitting at Horsham and Crawley.

Ian Williams, 45, of Brighton Road, Pease Pottage, was banned from driving for 16 months, with a £120 fine, a £30 victim services surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving in Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Burgess Hill.

Leigh Tourle, 25, of Kemps, Hurstpierpoint, was given a 12 week jail sentence, suspended for a year, with an £80 victim services surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to staying at an address not registered with police, while being a registered sex offender.

Stephen Budd, 62, of Washington Road, Haywards Heath, was banned from driving for 28 months, given a community order with a three month curfew, an £85 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and a £185 fine. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving, and to failing to stop after an accident, in Copthorne Bank, Crawley.

John Givons, 53, of Brantridge Lane, Balcombe, was fined £500, with a £50 victim services surcharge, £100 costs, and six penalty points added to his licence. He had been found guilty of failing to identify a driver suspected of committing an offence.

Jerome Anicet, 30, of Brighton Road, Lewes, was fined £100, with a £20 victim services surcharge. He had pleaded guilty to resisting a police officer in Haywards Heath.

Aaron Acton, 41, of Silverdale, Hassocks, was fined £100, with a £20 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had been found guilty of speeding.

Alexander Hoyle, 38, of High Street, Lindfield, was fined £660, with a £66 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and six penalty points added to his licence. He had been found guilty of driving without insurance in Sydney Road, Haywards Heath.

James Hunt, 32, of Manor Gardens, Hurstpierpoint, was fined £40, with a £20 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to driving without a licence on the A23 at Hickstead.

John Damaher, 28, of Ramsgate Road, Margate, was fined £135, with a £30 victim services surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour in Haywards Heath.

James Steele, 27, of Denham Road, Burgess Hill, was jailed for 18 weeks, with a two year driving ban, and a £115 victim services surcharge. He had pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath alcohol specimen, and possessing an offensive weapon (a knuckleduster) in Reed Pond Walk, Franklands Village, and admitted breaching a suspended sentence.

-

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Also in today’s Middy:

- Cafe renamed in tribute to the late Frank Milligan.

- 80 year old former Oakmeeds teacher to tackle paragliding challenge.

- Beech Hurst Gardens wins its tenth consecutive Keep Britain Tidy Green Flag Award.

- In sport, Ian Chapman says Burgess Hill FC will ‘just get better and better’.

We also have pages of readers’ letters, readers’ news, business, jobs, motors, and our WOW entertainments guide.

Pick up your copy today.

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After the Brexit vote, we have been inundated with calls to “get on with it”. British people have been told to come together and make the best of the situation no matter which way they went during the referendum.

But what if it’s not possible? What if the divide is deeper than just a pencil mark on a piece of paper? Some worrying data drawn from YouGov by the advertising magazine Campaign seems to show that Brexiteers and Remainers form two distinct cultural tribes.

The brands preferred disproportionately by each side give us an insight into their world view.

Those favoured by the Leave voters seem to conjure an image of a night in in any home in Britain. There’s a brew on – PG Tips – and some (Cathedral City) cheese on toast on the way, and on the television, it’s Robert Peston on ITV News, trying to make sense of a confused world.

The Remainers have abandoned the sitting room entirely. They’re taking EasyJet flights to foreign lands and staying in Airbnb apartments, sharing all the details with their friends on Instagram and Twitter and then watching whatever they missed on BBC iPlayer when they get home.

It’s partly demographic. The brands that Remainers favour are also the brands favoured by the 18-34 age group, which unsurprisingly voted overwhelmingly in favour of Remain.

There is hope, however. Some brands bridged the divide. The most prominent among those favoured by both sides is Marks and Spencer, a company that manage to seem both comforting and modern in their food selection at least.

And both sides share the same concerns about spending money, unsurprisingly: Money Saving Expert, the financial comparison and advice site, features, as does bargain-friendly clothes shop TK Maxx.

The electoral expert Professor John Curtice told the BBC: “Those who voted Leave are inclined to prefer a culture that is distinctively British and in which they and their friends grew up. It feels familiar and comfortable to them.”

He added that the Remainers were “much more digitally connected, younger and highly educated”.

Top 10 Leave brands

HP Sauce

Bisto

ITV News

The Health Lottery

Birds Eye

Iceland

Sky News

Cathedral City

PG Tips

Richmond

Top 10 Remain brands

BBC.co.uk

BBC iPlayer

Instagram

London Underground

Spotify

Airbnb

LinkedIn

Virgin Trains

Twitter

EasyJet

Four people have been charged following an investigation into suspected trafficking of vulnerable women from South East Asia into prostitution at hotels around Gatwick Airport and the South East, police have said.

Officers said none of the hotels were located within Gatwick Airport.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Li Gao (female), 43, unemployed, of Silverdale Avenue, Oxshott, Leatherhead, Surrey, has been charged with the following:

- Conspiring to control prostitution for gain

- Possessing criminal property (money) - Possessing criminal property (money)

- Conspiring to traffic people for sexual exploitation into the UK

- Conspiring to traffic people for sexual exploitation into the UK

“Wing Yuen (male), 40, a taxi driver, of Palace Square, London, has been charged with the following:

- Conspiring to control prostitution for gain

- Using or controlling criminal property (a bank account)

- Using or controlling criminal property (a bank account)

“Tingli Lu (female), 46, a beautician, of Castle Close, Southsea, Hampshire, has been charged with the following:

- Possessing criminal property (money)

- Conspiring to control prostitution for gain

- Conspiring to traffic people for sexual exploitation into the UK

- Conspiring to traffic people for sexual exploitation into the UK

“Hong Chin (male), 44, a breeder, of Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, has been charged with the following:

- Conspiring to traffic people for sexual exploitation into the UK

- Conspiring to traffic people for sexual exploitation into the UK

- Conspiring to control prostitution for gain

- Possessing criminal property (money)

- Using or controlling criminal property (money)

- Using or controlling criminal property (money)

“The quartet were arrested on June 10, 2015, as part of an investigation into the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable women at hotels around Gatwick and across the South East. None of the hotels were located within Gatwick Airport.

“They are all due to appear at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on September 7.”

Police said the charges relate to incidents alleged to have happened between 2013 and 2015.

Detective Inspector Andy Richardson said: “We are committed, with our partners at the airport, to preventing and detecting human trafficking, and protecting vulnerable victims. We will continue to investigate all reports of human trafficking to bring offenders to justice, and anyone who suspects it is encouraged to come forward.”

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More than 700 people in Sussex have signed the NSPCC’s petition to make sure that every abused child gets the support they need to recover.

The NSPCC’s It’s Time campaign is calling on the Government to closely monitor the number of children who’ve been abused and need support so none are left without help.

Latest crime figures1 show that the number of children experiencing abuse is increasing.

Between 2012 and 2016, the number of reported crimes in Sussex involving sexual activity with a child under 16 have almost trebled from 85 to 316.

It’s Time was launched in January when a survey showed that 90 per cent of professionals felt that services to help abused children overcome their trauma were inadequate.

More than half (64%) of professional said it had got more difficult in the last five years to access vital therapy.

Colin Peak, Regional Head of Service for London and the South East said: “We take it for granted that the Government has data on everything that’s important. But right now, they’re not counting the number of children who’ve been abused and need support. This means some children are left without any help at all.

“As a society, if we don’t know exactly how many children are missing out, we can’t do everything we can to help. So it’s essential we find out.

“This is why we are calling on everyone in Sussex who hasn’t yet signed the petition to do so. With your help we can change the lives of children who aren’t getting the help they need to overcome their experiences.”

Nationally almost 30,000 people have signed up to the campaign and supporters are being asked to exert pressure on MPs and Ministers, in order to get funding prioritised for this vulnerable and forgotten group.

To sign the petition, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/campaigns

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July was the busiest ever month in Gatwick’s 80 year history, with 4.6m passengers using the airport.

Figures released by the airport say this was 6.9 per cent more than the number of passengers in July 2015.

To commemorate this landmark in the airport’s history, Gatwick has released a remarkable collection of new aerial images from acclaimed New York photographer Jeffrey Milstein, providing a brand new aerial perspective on Gatwick.

A statement from Gatwick Airport Limited said: “Long-haul routes continue their impressive growth at the airport, growing 23% collectively versus last July, against a backdrop of traffic growth stalling at other major European airports, as reported by the Airports Council International this week. North Atlantic routes grew 49.9% with Toronto routes +106.4%, Calgary routes +120.8% and Vancouver routes +85.4%. All are new destinations served by WestJet as part of their 28 flights weekly to destinations in Canada from Gatwick. Other Atlantic destinations proving popular include Los Angeles +41%, Puerto Vallarta Mexico +29% and Orlando +11%.

“Recent months at Gatwick have also seen an increase in cargo volumes up 31% on average of every month of the last quarter. Gatwick expansion will support significant growth in cargo which is forecast to reach 1,070,000 tonnes by 2050. The growth in long haul markets will provide more opportunity for choice and competition within the air freight market.

“Summer holiday destinations growing strongly in July included Tivat Montenegro +73%, with easyJet having launched flights to the destination this year, Bilbao, Spain +69%, Pula, Croatia +64%, Cagliari, Sardinia +56% and Chania, Crete +55% versus July 2015. Strong growth was also seen in July from Gatwick’s regional connections with Belfast +90%, Newquay + 39.8% and Inverness +18.0%. Average load factors were consistently strong at 90%.”

Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick’s continued long-haul growth - +23% year-on-year - and strong cargo growth are the latest proof that competition in the London airports’ market is working. Our continued success provides proof of the benefits a two runway Gatwick would deliver for Britain. Expansion of Gatwick, London’s fastest growing long-haul gateway, would show London is open for business to the World.

“As the 41.7 million passengers flying with us in the last year have seen, Gatwick is undergoing a massive transformation. The brand new images we have revealed today provide a unique aerial perspective on the world’s most-efficient single runway airport which is also in the premier league of airports with more than 50 long-haul routes.

“This list of long haul routes from the airport is added to month in and month out with Cathay Pacific commencing flights to Hong Kong in just three weeks, joined by British Airways’ service to Cape Town this autumn.

“Following the referendum, the UK needs now more than ever before an airport expansion solution which can actually be delivered and that is Gatwick - guaranteed growth, dramatically lower environmental impacts, and no taxpayer funding.”

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Police have issued a warning to motorists in Sussex about a potential new scam.

There have been several suspicious incidents in the county in which people were offered gold jewellery in exchange for money to buy fuel.

People approached by a man claiming to be stranded have both refused the proposal, although one fetched some fuel, and it is thought to be a scam, Sussex Police said.

The force said the jewellery may well be worthless, and officers are keen to hear from anyone else who has been offered an exchange for cash, on the basis it is to buy fuel.

On Tuesday (August 9) at 3.30pm the driver of a dark green car stopped outside a property in North Trade Road, Battle, and appeared to be in difficulty.

He claimed to have run out of fuel and offered jewellery in exchange for cash to buy some, but was actually given some fuel by a local resident and drove off.

At 4pm the same day a motorist was flagged down at Staplecross and again offered jewellery in exchange for cash.

Police said the motorist refused and drove away.

Inspector Dan Russell, of Rother’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “If you spot anyone acting suspiciously by the roadside, please ring us immediately.

“If possible take down the registration number and any other details that might help identify the vehicle or the person driving it.

“If you suspect a request for help isn’t genuine, don’t be afraid to refuse. And if you’ve been a victim, please come forward with any information you may have.”

Ongoing incidents should be reported by dialling 999. Otherwise people are asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101 with details of any similar incidents.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Sussex Police is failing to hit its target on the time taken to answer non-emergency calls from residents.

During her regular performance and accountability meeting late last month, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne explained that 45 per cent of non-emergency calls were being answered within 60 seconds in June, which was 30 per cent off the force’s own target.

Meanwhile Sussex Police is only answering 999 calls within ten seconds less than 90 per cent of the time in each of the past four months.

Mrs Bourne said: “This continues to be a concern for me and the public but the trends demonstrated for July suggest this is not going to improve any time soon.”

Chief Constable Giles York replied: “For somebody to be waiting as long as an hour and an hour-and-a-half for us to able to get to them is unacceptable and I’m really sorry to all of those people who have been kept waiting that long.”

He added: “The people in there [the contact centre] are working incredibly hard they are aware of this and they’re really trying to improve that service. Personally I think 60 seconds for a non-emergency is just too fast.”

Deputy Chief Constable Bernie O’Reilly explained that Sussex Police receive roughly 2,500 calls every day, with about 600 of these 999 calls, which have mostly been answered within four seconds since the start of July.

However the average for calls through to the 101 number to be answered between July 1 and the meeting was just under four minutes.

He said: “Whilst just under four minutes for a call that isn’t an emergency seems pretty reasonable on face value we have to be really honest with ourselves and say there are some real peaks and troughs here.”

The force receives around 150 calls in the hour after 5pm, but only around five or six calls from 5am.

Sussex Police has seen a ‘sharp rise in sickness’ and while the number of people to fully man the contact centre is 382 people, they currently have 361, although they had recruitment plans in place.

Mr O’Reilly explained that the average call time was around 20 minutes to gain enough information to deal with each incident correctly.

Mr York added: “What’s interesting is the tension between trying to resolve something there and then over the phone.”

He continued: “We are trying to do some of that resolution at first touch, that I think is important.”

Mrs Bourne said: “I suppose flannelled is an unfair word to use, but I feel a bit frustrated that perhaps this is not being given the attention it needs.

“I think the resolution centre is working really well, but the 101 this is your front-line policing, and although this is not an emergency it is in people’s eyes. If they do not want to bother police and call 999 they tend to ring 101 and if they do not feel they are getting the service that’s your front line that’s your public confidence gone out of the window.”

Mr York replied: “The public do not call the police lightly but some do and there are a number of ways to help us in this. One is always visit the website first if you can, you can do an awful lot on our website now around reporting crime, reporting incidents, traffic incidents, so absolutely go to the website.”

Mr O’Reilly explained their work with queue-busting technology would allow people to elect for police to call them back to ‘flatten out the demand’.

Sussex Police’s website advises residents to ‘call 999 you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if the crime is happening right now’.

For non-emergency incidents residents can report them online, or by calling 101, or emailing 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Visit Sussex Police’s website.

Meanwhile Sussex Police is also recruiting for contact handler roles on its website.

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A new app has been created to log roadkill across the country.

It is estimated that each year one million mammals are killed on UK roads, including thousands of animals across Sussex.

This summer, wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is asking the public to record sightings of roadkill, using the app or using a survey pack, as part of their ongoing conservation work for British mammals.

Mammals on Roads, which records sightings of live mammals too, informs PTES as to where mammals are present and helps the charity to monitor changing mammal populations across the UK and take action if needed.

PTES has co-ordinated Mammals on Roads since 2001 and since then, over half a million kilometres of road have been surveyed.

Mammals on Roads plays a vital role in the ongoing conservation of British wildlife and findings from this and other PTES surveys showed that hedgehog numbers have declined by over a third in the last decade alone.

Based on these findings, PTES has initiated campaigns to help protect hedgehogs – such as Hedgehog Street, a joint campaign with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, which now has thousands of ‘Hedgehog Champions’ committed to help save the humble hedgehog from further decline.

Mammals on Roads requires the public to record sightings of mammals, dead or alive, any time up to September 30.

To record mammal sightings your car journey must be 20 miles or more (excluding urban areas, dual carriageways and motorways) and completed in one day - perfect for summer day trips and family holidays.

Iconic British mammals that you might spot include foxes, badgers, deer and rabbits, but PTES also wants to hear about any sightings of more unusual mammals such as polecats and pine martens.

David Wembridge, Surveys Officer at PTES says: “No-one likes seeing roadkill, but recording it as part of a survey like Mammals on Roads tells us about wildlife more widely. Comparing records year to year enables us to build a picture of how a population is changing, which is key to conservation.

“Without the help of volunteers, it’s almost impossible to identify these sorts of changes nationally and to spot population trends. Citizen science is essential to conservation — without the efforts of individuals recording the wildlife they see, we would not have the evidence of the recent decline in hedgehog numbers. If you’re going on a road trip this summer, take part in the survey, keep an eye out for mammals and get involved in conservation.”

To take part, you can download the free Mammals on Roads app from the App Store and Google Play.

Alternatively, the survey can be completed via a printed survey pack. Email mor@ptes.org or call 0207 498 4533 to request a pack to be sent to you.

Fraudsters are targeting students’ first loan instalments just weeks before thousands start the new academic year.

The new wave of phishing emails have been reported to the Student Loans Company, claiming that failure to respond with personal information updates will see students ‘lose or delay’ their September student finance payment.

The Student Loans Company is warning students not to disclose any details or respond to the email, which purports to be from Student Finance England.

They should also avoid clicking the link contained within the email, as they risk installing malware on their systems.

Fiona Innes, Head of Counter Fraud Services at the Student Loans Company, said: “Online fraudsters are aware that freshers are starting university for the first time next month and are targeting them, continuing students and their sponsors with emails and texts requesting personal and banking details to access their finance.

“We have had several reports of this phishing email already. Phishing emails are sent in batches so there will be more in circulation.

“We want to remind customers that we will never request a customer’s personal or banking details by email or text message.

“Anyone who receives a scam email about student finance should send it to us at phishing@slc.co.uk, as this allows us to close the site down and stop students from being caught out.

“We want to remind students to stay vigilant with the details they provide online and to be mindful of the personal information about themselves they post online and on social media too.”

Since Academic Year 2012/2013 SLC’s Counter Fraud Services have prevented fraud losses totalling over £65 million.

Over the last three Septembers alone, Student Finance England’s dedicated Counter Fraud and Security teams have prevented over £1.5 million of students’ initial maintenance payments being stolen through ‘phishing’ scams aimed primarily at freshers.

The emails students receive generally pose as Student Finance and may use SFE’s branding images.

The Company has the following tips for customer to help them identify phishing emails:

- Be suspicious of any requests for personal or financial information. SLC or Student Finance England (SFE) will never ask you to confirm your bank details or login information by email.

- Phishing emails are often sent in bulk and are unlikely to contain both your first and last name; they commonly start, ‘Dear Student’.

- Check the quality of the communication - misspelling, poor punctuation and bad grammar are often tell-tale signs of phishing

- ‘Failure to respond in 24 hours will result in your account being closed’ these types of messages are designed to convey a sense of urgency to prompt a quick response.

Anyone who receives an email that they think is a scam should send it to us at phishing@slc.co.uk, as this allows us to close the site down and stop students from being caught out.

Find out more about Staying Safe Online at www.slc.co.uk/students/online-safety.aspx

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The Bishop of Lewes, Richard Jackson, has said that he is “really encouraged” by “the sense of engagement” he has witnessed in the parishes following the launch of the Diocese of Chichester’s five year strategy 18 months ago.

In a video interview on the diocesan You Tube channel, Bishop Jackson reveals that parishes across Sussex are responding extremely well to the challenge and “thinking strategically, working together and re-engaging with our communities.”

The parishes have been asked to come up with “one thing” that they can focus their efforts on to embrace the strategy: “Nearly all of the benefices in the Diocese have submitted something and I am impressed with the range of things they are doing.”

Bishop Jackson added: “They are significant things. Foundation stones for the future. Certainly, the catchline adopted by the strategy To Know, Love, Follow Jesus is encouraging people to go deeper in faith.”

In the interview the Bishop points to ways in which the parishes responded to an archbishops’ initiative earlier in the year and also reveals how many parishes have gone on pilgrimages to a holy place and to a surprising place.

“The one surprising place which stood out was the parish that went to a betting shop. Leaving their comfort zones to meet people out there,” added the Bishop.

The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, developed the strategy with his senior team following his major Visitation to every parish in the Diocese.

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Police have confirmed a 91-year-old woman from Petworth died at the scene of yesterday’s A285 three vehicle crash.

The incident happened at 2.49pm (August 11) at Upwaltham, between Petworth and Chichester.

A spokesman said: “Involved were a black Mini, driven by a 20-year-old woman from Swindon; a white Ford Transit van, driven by a 47-year-old man from Bognor Regis, and a grey Audi Q3 driven by 36-year-old man, also from Bognor Regis.

“All three drivers sustained minor injuries. However, a 91-year-old woman from Petworth, who was a passenger in the Mini, suffered serious injuries and sadly died at the scene.”

Police closed the A285 for four hours while the circumstances were investigated and to allow a Kent, Surrey and Sussex air ambulance to land.

Inspector Stewart Goodwin, of the Arundel road policing unit, said: “We would like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding during this time.”

Police are now appealing for anyone who may have seen the crash or any of the vehicles being driven beforehand to email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting Operation Ellis.

Crawley Town started the new season with a hard fought but well deserved win.

Wycombe Wanderers provided very strong opposition but once the Reds had taken the lead they worked very hard to retain it.

On this showing there is no chance Reds’ new defence will concede through any lack of bravery.

With seven players making their debuts there was a lot for the fans to consider.

The back-four looked generally sound but mistakes will always happen.

Many supporters were particularly impressed by Jordan Roberts’ contribution in midfield whilst his colleagues suggested they could form a tight and inventive unit.

It was no surprise that Crawley’s performance was inconsistent at times but the attacking intent shown under Dermot Drummy’s tactical plan and the steely defence raised hopes of a successful campaign.

Whilst the play proved a case of “good, but no cigar” there was again disappointment in the attendance of just 2471.

Maybe the sunshine and holidays took their toll but it was noticeable that the away terrace was full.

With the smiling owner Ziya Eren looking on, the hoped for new beginning seemed close at hand.

It’s time for the football fans in this town to stand up and be counted, and I mean that literally.

There is no doubt that those who did turn up to watch enjoyed their afternoon and went home with renewed confidence.

We are in ‘one swallow doesn’t make a summer’ territory but with three games on the road to follow the Reds would certainly appreciate stronger support when they entertain Barnet on August 20.

These photos were contributed by Bethany Brayne, 13, from Haywards Heath.

Her mum Sarah said Bethany, who captions her pictures ‘BB Photography’, has spent years building up her picture collection.

“She has a natural ability and eye for detail in catching, with a difference, every day objects and scenery.

“Bethany’s interest in taking photographs has grown since receiving a standard camera for Christmas several years ago.

“Her photographs are all taken on an iPod but we are looking into a camera with tuition, and there’s so much Bethany could learn.”

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The Government has rubber-stamped a decision to allow 40 new homes in Hawywards Heath on appeal.

Plans for land north of Birchen Lane were refused by Mid Sussex District Council’s District Planning Committee back in October 2015, but the developers appealed against this decision.

The committee’s decision was overturned on appeal by a planning inspector after a public inquiry was held in February.

Robert Salisbury (Con, Cuckfield), chair of the committee, said on Thursday (August 11): “The secretary of state has effectively rubber-stamped the inspector’s report on this.”

Officers explained that the Government was attaching ‘great importance on being able to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply’.

The district council is currently putting together a new local development framework as its planning policies are out of date,

The council consulted on its draft plan last year and according to its website it is due to submit the plan to central Government this summer, with examination expected in the autumn.

A letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government, dated August 8, explained that the appeal had been recovered by the secretary of state as it involved ten or more homes in an area where a neighbourhood plan had been submitted.

It noted that the district council’s emerging plan was ‘at an early stage with slow and delayed progress’, and although noting the harm to the nearby Grade II* listed Sunte House, argued this was clearly outweighed by the benefits of new housing.

Any decrease in biodiversity through the loss of the hedgerows would be offset by the proposed creation of a wildflower meadow in the southern field, the report added.

The letters concludes: “Having carefully assessed the evidence before him, the secretary of state is satisfied that there are no adverse impacts which, either individually or together, are of sufficient weight to indicate that the development should be restricted.

“Overall, therefore, the secretary of state finds that, when taking the policies of the development plan and the framework as a whole, the adverse impacts of granting the proposed development are limited and that there are no material harms that significantly and demonstrably outweigh the substantial benefits which would result from the provision of new housing and affordable housing to boost supply as required by the framework.”

What do you think? Comment below or email the newsdesk.

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A bus journey, as you might have noticed in this column, is central to the Rio experience for working press, a great arterial blood supply feeding the Olympic organism.

As well as a fine way to see the Rio hinterland, albeit within the Olympic bubble, it can also be a window on the world of the athlete, well a particular kind of athlete.

There he was, Bradley Wiggins himself, leading out the British track team on the late afternoon commute from the Athlete’s Village to the Olympic Park.

The weather was filthy. Wiggins and Co might have taken a bus of their own, but that would have meant bowing to convention and convention is something Wiggins does not do.

He is known to cycle from home in the western burbs across Manchester to the velodrome in rush hour, so what’s a short blast through the Rio traffic with the lads?

Mind you, he could have done without the banging on the window by an excited colleague frantically screaming “heh, heh, there’s Wiggo!” Journalists eh? Commendably Wiggins kept his head down and rode on.

Right in the pocket

It was bound to happen, golfer slaps his tee shot outside the ropes and punter bends down to pick it up. Well, an Olympic golf ball would make some souvenir.

Thankfully there were enough people in the gallery who knew enough about the rules of the game to keep Anibar Lahiri’s ball out of the pocket of an offender and in play on day one of golf’s return to the Olympic fold.

“Noooooooo” needs no translation in situations like these, especially when the collective issuing the instruction bears down on you with the intensity of James Haskell smashing into the breakdown.

Youthful enthusiasm

At the end of a long day I would recommend plugging into Nile Wilson. Ten seconds in the company of the 20-year-old gymnast from Leeds has the same impact as ten cans of Red Bull. After finishing eighth in the men’s blue riband all around gymnastics event Wilson set fire to the mixed zone with enthusiasm.

“First Olympics, top eight in the world, I can’t be happier. I’m just loving every second.This is the pinnacle of gymnastics, for someone to have the highest score on every piece of apparatus, there’s nothing that beats that. It was an incredible experience. I seem to soak it up and just want to show the world what I am capable of.”

Good lad.

A batch of light bulbs have been recalled due to a ‘serious’ manufacturing error which has led to a risk of electric shock.

Megaman 4w Incada-LED Candle B22 bulbs with the batch number 14W41 have been recalled by the manufacturer after it was revealed that when used in a class II fitting, there is a risk of customers receiving an electric shock.

If used in a class I fitting - assuming the fitting has been correctly installed - the faulty bulbs will simply cause the circuit breaker to trip or the fuse to blow.

A statement from the manufacturer read: “It has only just come to our attention that there is a serious fault with batch number 14W41 which in a few cases can result in a live bayonet cap which will, in a correctly installed earthed class I fitting, simply cause the circuit breaker to trip or fuse to blow with minimal risk. However, in class II fittings without earth a live cap results in a risk of electric shock.

“It is important to note that this only affects very few lamps in the indicated batch number; rest assured all other batches are unaffected.

“If you have sold these lamps and have record of where they have gone, please endeavour to contact your customer with all of this information or display this communication on your trade counter.

“Please follow the below instructions overleaf to firstly ascertain if you have stock of this batch of lamps and secondly what process to follow if you do.”

In the statement, which was released on the trading standards website, the manufacturer also offered this advice on identifying whether you have one of the affected bulbs: “If the lamp is installed, you must isolate the mains / turn the power off, before removing the lamp. The batch code can be found printed on the base of the lamp: 14W41.

“The batch number can be found on the base of the lamp, indicated below, in small grey font. You cannot see the batch number on the packaging so you will need to remove it from the box. The batch number consists of a number followed by ‘W’ and another number. The batch you are looking for is 14W41. All other batches are OK.”

To arrange pick up and for a full refund plus a replacement bulb call 01707 386 000.

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A man whose family life has been put on hold while he’s been waiting over six years for a kidney transplant hopes that he can now help other families.

Dr Simon Howell has to undergo dialysis four times every day while he waits for a new kidney. “Dialysis keeps me alive whilst I wait for a transplant; but that’s all it does,” says Simon. “ I’m in limbo.”

Simon lives with his wife Anita and two children Sarah, nine, and James, nearly four, at their home in Burgess Hill. Now he and Anita have brought out a book which they hope might help other families in situations such as theirs.

Said Anita: “Over the last six years we have looked on several occasions for children’s books which would help us explain to our children the changes which were occurring in our lives and why Daddy couldn’t do some of the things that he used to be able to do. Unfortunately we have never been able to find any books, so we used our own knowledge to explain things to Sarah and James.

“However, we really feel that a book would be useful and would help other children like Sarah and James who have a family member with End Stage Renal Failure. So we have written and published the first of three children’s books about dialysis and kidney transplantation ‘H is for Haemodialysis’ ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1535024488 ).”

The book has been endorsed by a top kidney transplant surgeon at Guys Hospital.

The couple’s second book ‘P is for Peritoneal Dialysis’ is currently in production.

The couple also have a Facebook page www.facebook.com/meetLucyandJack

The public are being warned that online shopping websites are being utilised by fraudsters to advertise non-existent drones of various specifications for competitive prices.

Drones are personal flying devices that often carry cameras and can be navigated remotely by smartphones or hand-held controllers.

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, say fraudsters are capitalising on their recent popularity and advertising non-existent drones at a lower value than their recommended retail price to tempt buyers.

After victims agree to purchase the drone, the fraudsters request payment to be paid via bank transfer, saying that it will quicken the delivery process.

After transferring the money the buyers never receive the drone and the fraudster blocks the victim to prevent further conversation.

How to protect yourself:

Check the validity of the post.

Avoid paying by bank transfer and instead use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.

Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller. Feedback will give you useful information about recent transactions other buyers may have made.

If the item is below market value consider whether this is an opportunity too good to be true.

If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

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