Welcome to 2018
I hope you all had a very Happy Christmas and are looking forward to a successful New Year.
I must start on a very sad note however, to announce the sudden death of Fred Barber last week. Fred was a long-time member of the Association and a past chairman. Our thoughts are with his wife and family.
This is the first Newsletter of 2018 and because of the holidays there is little of political interest to talk about, although we expect the issues of Whitehouse Farm to come back into the limelight during this month. Thank you to the 60+ people who came and gave their support at the AGM.
The Annual subscription is now due. Many have already paid their £10 to be full voting members and support the Association, but if you have not done so, please give £10 to the treasurer Vince Waldron at 72 Westgate. The secretary, Bebette Jones at 6 the Tannery or the chair at 9 Westgate will accept them.
Christmas Party – This was a great success. About 100 people were at the Carols in St Bartholomew’s Chapel and 80 afterwards in the Crate and Apple. The singing was very good, led by the impromptu choir and I hope this is an event we shall be able to repeat. If any of you have contact with the Bishop, please reinforce how successful this event was, particularly in bringing together different sections of our local community. I hope he will let us use the church again. The meal at the Crate and Apple was also very well received and we must thank Andy and his staff. The whole event was organised by Brian Raincock and the Westgate Belles and our one Beau, Noel, who did great work handing out the mulled wine, all of them deserve very grateful thanks. Special thanks are also due to Alan Thurlow who came and played the organ so well for us.
Crate & Apple – Congratulations to Andy and his staff on their success in the Observer ‘Pub of the Year’ awards. Our local hostelry was voted 4th best of 94 nominated and best in Chichester. I hope you will continue to support them and it will get even better.
FUTURE EVENTS:
Saturday 6th January. Coffee – 10.00am. at the Crate and Apple
Tuesday 23rd January. Locals Night – Note change of day. Be seated at 7.00pm please. Andy will be launching the new winter menu and will include a free glass of wine. Further details will be available on Saturday at the coffee morning. Andy wants to hold different events each month to promote the pub and the first will showcase the chefs.
Saturday 19th May. Royal Wedding. No arrangements have been announced yet, but I am informed that Brian and the gang are working on it. Possibly a Street Party – keep the date free.
Friends of Centurion Way Community Exhibition on Saturday 27th January 2018
Come along and pop in for a cup of tea and visit the “Friends of Centurion Way Exhibition” on Saturday 27th January in the Scout Hut on Sherborne Road (pop in between 11 – 3 pm). This is an opportunity for the community and Centurion Way users to come and celebrate the path, share memories, and find out more about what the Friends of Centurion Way are doing to preserve and enhance the path in the face of the WHF development.
Friends of Centurion Way 2018 Competition Launch
“Capture the Centurion Way in words, pictures or song”
“Friends of Centurion Way” are looking for poems, prose or pictures that encapsulate what Centurion Way means to you. We invite you to indulge your muse and get creative to help “preserve and enhance” the walking and cycling path that is dear to so many.
Entries to the competition are welcome from NOW until 25th January and can be sent by email to Sarah Sharp or in the post to 13 Whyke Lane, Chichester, PO19 7UR. There are no limitations on size of image or to the number of words required. There are no age limits. We reserve the right to display entries at the “Friends of Centurion Way” Exhibition taking place on Saturday 27th January from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm in the Scout Hut, Sherborne Road, Chichester. The Friends Group will be giving out prizes to the three most evocative pieces.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Sharp or call 07789 843556.