Crawley Town bowed out of the Checkatrade Trophy at the hands of League One side Coventry City.

Despite plenty of chances to level the score, a 27th minute goal by Marvin Sordell was enough to put Coventry through to the last-16.

Reds made six changes to the side which lost 5-0 at Yeovil with Mitch Beeney, Lewis Young, Kaby Dajo, Sanchez Watt, Josh Yorwerth and Chris Arthur coming in.

Glenn Morris, Alex Davey, Andre Blackman, Josh Payne, Jordan Roberts and skipper Jimmy Smith were all rested.

Sordell and George Thomas had chances for the hosts in the opening exchanges.

Crawley had chances at the other end through Adi Yussuf and Billy Clifford, who forced Reice Charles Cook to make a fine save.

Beeney, in Reds’ goal, made a full-length save to deny a low shot by Sordell.

Coventry scored the only goal of the game when Jodi Jones’ cross was deflected by Connolly to Sordell, who easily put the chance away.

Crawley responded with some fine work by Aryan Tajbakhsh who supplied Young to cross towards Yussuf, who lifted his difficult shot over the bar.

Yussuf kept the home defence busy with another shot which was well blocked as Reds continued to press for an equaliser.

Dermot Drummy made two substitutions at half-time, bringing on Conor Henderson and Jason Banton for James Collins and Clifford.

Crawley twice went close to scoring when Yussuf fired over and then in another effort, Yussuf nearly set-up Henderson to have a go but the ball was cleared.

Crawley made their third substitution as Sanchez Watt was replaced by Enzio Boldewijn.

In some fine play by Reds, Djalo put Yussuf through on goal, only to be denied by keeper Charles-Cook.

Crawley continued their attacks, but City substitute Marcus Tudgay nearly made it 2-0 when he put a shot narrowly wide.

Henderson was in a good position to net from Boldwewijn in the area, but his off-balance shot was knocked to safety.

REDS: Beeney, Young (capt), Connolly, Yorwerth, Arthur, Tajbakhsh, Djalo, Yussuf, Clifford (Henderson 46), Collins (Banton 46), Watt (Boldewijn 60)

Unused subs: Mersin, Boldewijn, Smith, Garnett

COVENTRY: Charles-Cook, Bigirimana, Willis (capt), Turnbull, Page, Rose, McCann, Jones, Sordell, G.Thomas, McBean

Attendance: 1,338 (57 away)

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Jamie Howell was a happy - and relieved - man after seeing his Bognor team hang on to a 1-0 lead to beat Harrow at Nyewood Lane.

After Harvey Whyte put the Rocks ahead on 26 minutes, Harrow did almost all the attacking. But brave defending and perhaps a little luck helped a depleted Bognor side keep a clean sheet to record another victory and return to the top of the Ryman premier.

Here is the full report

See Howell’s post-match verdict above, in which he also gives an update on the club’s injury list.

The interview was conducted shortly before the Rocks learned Saturday’s home tussle with Leiston had been called off because the Suffolk side were in FA Trophy action.

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Shoreham-by-Sea’s £31 million tidal walls flood scheme will protect almost 2,500 homes and businesses, Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom announced today on her visit to the site.

The Shoreham Adur Tidal Wall will consist of 7.2 kilometres (4.5 miles) of tidal walls – stretching along the east and west banks of the River Adur – and is due for completion in 2018, following the start of construction this autumn.

The scheme will also improve defences for Brighton City Airport, which was extensively flooded when the previous embankment failed during high tides in December 2013.

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Shoreham-by-Sea’s new tidal walls, stretching for four and a half miles, will help shield the community from flooding, better protecting 2,500 homes and businesses as well as the airport.

“This £31 million flood defence scheme is a great example of local businesses working with government to help boost local development, encouraging more firms to invest in Sussex and bringing jobs to the local community.”

Shoreham’s new tidal walls were supported by funding from local partners.

The Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership has contributed £6 million, with West Sussex County Council (WSCC) contributing £400,000, £800,000 from Hyde Housing through Adur District Council and £900,000 raised by local levy – building on the Government’s £23.8m investment.

The Environment Agency has worked with the people of Shoreham throughout the planning of this project, helping to make sure these flood defences will not only help to protect homes and businesses, but also aid future economic development.

James Humphrys, Environment Agency Area Director, said: “I am delighted that work in Shoreham is progressing well, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Shoreham and Lancing communities for their support so far.

“We are significantly improving the current ageing flood defences, and when the whole project is complete in 2018 it will reduce the tidal flood risk to thousands of homes and a significant number of commercial properties in the area, as well as protecting important local infrastructure such as the road network, railway line and Brighton City Airport.”

The Shoreham Adur Tidal Wall is part of the £2.5bn the Government is spending on flood defences to better protect 300,000 homes across the country by 2021.

The Environment Agency is also looking at how natural flood management measures, such as tree planting and using land to store water, can be used in the South East - for example in managing the lower Arun Valley in West Sussex. £15 million has recently been announced for Natural Flood Management Schemes across the country to help further slow the flow of rivers and prevent flooding for communities.

Ahead of this winter, the Government has also invested £12.5 million in new temporary defences meaning the Environment Agency will have 250 high volume pumps and 40km of mobile barriers this year that can be moved quickly around the country, if they are needed.

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Chichester City’s FA Vase heroes have been challenged not to bask in the glory of reaching the last 32 – but to carry on making history.

They are in January’s fourth round after a come-from-behind third-round win at Newhaven (see match report below).

Now they can look forward to home advantage at the next stage and the possibility of reaching the last 16 of a competition that ends in a Wembley final.

Another two goals from Scott Jones and a goal by Josh Clack saw Miles Rutherford’s team win 3-1 at the home of the Dockers after recovering from going a goal down and having Chris Hooker sent off.

Western Premier League side Buckland Athletic – who won 3-0 at Horsham YMCA in Saturday’s third round – will visit Oaklands Park in round four on Saturday, January 7.

In the meantime Chi need to focus on other matters – chiefly their Southern Combination premier-division campaign and next Tuesday’s Sussex Senior Cup visit to Eastbourne Borough.

Boss Rutherford was delighted to see his troops get through another round of the Vase.

He told the Observer: “It was a good result. We did well considering a very slow start and having a man sent off.

“Newhaven were the better team for the first 20 minutes and went ahead, and it wasn’t looking too good. We hadn’t turned up. But we quickly got back in it and at 1-1, even after the red card, we looked pretty comfortable.

“We never looked in danger and, especially after they had a man ordered off as well, I always thought we could go on and win it.

“Scott and Josh took their goals well and we were well worth the win in the end.”

Rutherford said it was exciting to be in the last 32 – a later stage than he has got to before – but he said no-one in the camp was thinking about Wembley.

“It’s massive to have got this far but Wembley is a long way off and we’re not silly enough to think we are anywhere near it.

“The further you go in the Vase, the better the standard of teams left in – the northern sides are traditionally strong and we’ve not had to play any of them yet.

“But we’re pleased to have a home tie in the next round.

“Buckland are obviously a good side and I’ll be looking to find out a bit about them.

“They’ve played Newport IoW as well as Horsham YMCA so there are some local clubs we can get some information from.”

City earned another £975 for their third-round win, taking their earnings from the Vase run to £3,000.

If they beat Buckland they will net another £1,500.

Rutherford said: “I think everyone at the club is happy to get this far – and for the prestige, not just the money.

“We’d love to see a big crowd at Oaklands Park for the next round. Maybe a few local football fans who’ve not seen us play before might use it as an opportunity to come and check us out.”

First-team coach Danny Potter said: “The team spirit is sky high at the moment with all the lads loving the cup run in the Vase.

“This is the closest I’ve ever seen this squad in terms of cohesion and we’ll all work as hard as we can to keep this going.”

City are back on SCFL duty on Saturday at home to Littlehampton, then head to Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday.

STEVE BONE

Newhaven 1 Chichester City 3

FA Vase third round

Scott Jones netted another double as Chichester City won at Newhaven in an entertaining FA Vase tie which saw both teams reduced to ten men.

The visitors started slowly and went a goal down in the 13th minute from a Lee Robinson shot which took a horrible deflection off one of the Chichester defenders. A helpless Dave Hook in the City goal could do nothing as the ball looped over him into the net.

However, Chichester rallied, replying with a goal of their own in the 19th minute. After a quality defence-splitting pass from Ellis Martin, Jones composed himself to calmly tuck the ball away.

Moments later, Jones had another good chance, heading the ball over the bar after being challenged by Newhaven’s keeper. Newhaven came back with a chance which was headed just over after a great delivery from a free kick.

The game became a tense affair because of what was at stake – around £900 in prize money and a place in the last 32 of the cup.

This tension reached boiling point in the 36th minute when Chris Hooker went lunging in with two feet off the ground in a very strong tackle. The ref had no choice but to send him off and City were down to ten men.

Newhaven pressed but couldn’t capitalise on their one-man advantage. In the 55th minute, the home side were also reduced to ten men when one of their midfielders was sent off for a second booking after a late tackle.

Back to even numbers, Chichester took the driving seat and both Jack Lee and Dan Hegarty carved out good chances to score.

In the 74th minute Jones had a great opportunity but he put his shot into the side netting. But just three minutes later Jones did convert, slotting a crisp drive into the far corner.

With Newhaven pushing for the equaliser, Chichester put the game to bed in the 82nd minute. After a lay-off from Jones, who impressed all afternoon, wide man Josh Clack motored past defenders and calmly drilled the ball beyond the reach of the keeper.

There was still time for Hook to pull off a fantastic save in the 85th minute to deny the Dockers a chance of a dramatic ending. Bursting through on goal a Newhaven attacker got off a fierce effort but Hook put a strong right hand in the way, pulling off a stunning save.

City can now concentrate on their league and Sussex Senior Cup campaigns for a few weeks before hosting Buckland Athletic in round four at Oaklands Park on Saturday, January 7.

DANIEL ANDRADE

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A crash on the A27 this morning in Lancing believed to involve a motorbike is causing delays.

Upper Brighton Road is partially blocked and traffic is queueing eastbound beyond Worthing following the accident close to the roundabout connecting the A2025 Grinsted Lane leading to Lancing.

The original story stated the incident was believed to have involved a lorry, when it is understood it involved a motorbike and has been changed.

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The former Horsham Novartis site cost the county council £16m as it looks to create a world-leading science park.

Subject to planning approval, the 18.6 acre Wimblehurst Road site will be transformed into quality employment and residential space – helping West Sussex County Council cover the cost of its investment.

The authority announced in January 2016 that it intended to buy the site. Since then detailed work has been carried out including site evaluations, the demolition of several buildings and work to ensure the purchase offered good value for money overall.

News that the deal had been finalised was released this morning (Thursday December 8).

Louise Goldsmith, leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “This is a huge boost for the West Sussex economy which we hope will create many new jobs.

“We have major ambitions to attract businesses from the health and life science sector as we know this is a growing industry with huge potential.

“We are also interested in attracting leading companies and new businesses to West Sussex to create new jobs and opportunities.”

She added: “It was important for us to ensure that thorough checks had been made before we committed to the completion of this purchase. We are confident this will bring about huge benefits to the county, but at the same time we needed to ensure we were investing wisely and that our plans could be realised.”

The county council will work with commercial advisors to develop the right mix of business, office accommodation and start up space to transform the site.

Ray Dawe, leader of Horsham District Council, said: “It is very good news that West Sussex County Council has completed the purchase of the Novartis site.

“We need to create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth and it is excellent to see that as the key part of the plan. In particular this project should provide a boost for small and innovative start-up businesses.

“There will be a number of planning and contractual procedures that West Sussex County Council will need to follow to develop the site, and we will work closely with them to support their ideas.”

Pharmaceutical giant Novartis ceased operations in Horsham in June 2014 and while 160 homes are being built north of Parsonage Road, the company decided to explore options to secure a scientific and medical legacy when selling the southern part of the site.

Last year the University of Brighton was in discussions with Novartis about creating a new campus in the town, but plans were withdrawn when funding bids were unsuccessful.

Any businesses interested in this redevelopment opportunity can find out more at www.investwestsussex.co.uk/novartissite

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

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Go to www.wscountytimes.co.uk/christmas/

It’s been a busy year for Sussex in terms of putting victims of crime first, raising the profile of Elder Exploitation and delivering the best Restorative Justice service in the country.

Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne explains her key achievements in this short video.

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Controversy has erupted - again - over a major piece of public art on display in Horsham town centre.

An iconic bronze sculpture of swans in Swan Walk shopping mall has had running water at the foot of the sculpture replaced with illuminated glass.

And the removal of the water has been met with anger and cries of ‘shame.’ Controversy first erupted over the sculpture back in 2007 when the entire artwork was removed suddenly from the shopping centre.

A public outcry followed and the sculpture was finally returned the following year. Now public anger has erupted again over the removal of water from the water feature.

Horsham councillor Christine Costin said: “ What a shame that this magnificent sculpture by Lorne McKean has lost the very thing that brought it to life.

“It was a fantastic sculpture, so natural, you could just imagine the swans coming into land. Now it is not the same. We have already lost the Shelley Fountain which was by another major artist.

“Towns are judged by their appearance and this is not good for the town.” And she added: “Horsham seems unable to manage the gentle pleasures of trickling or splashing water features.”

But Swan Walk centre manager Gill Buchanan said the running water was permanently removed over a year ago following pump failures and risks around “customer safety, particularly that of our younger visitors who frequently ran their fingers through the water.

“The safety of our customers is a priority for us all at Swan Walk and we have since been working hard to find an appropriate and creative solution for the base.”

She said plans to install the glass and lighting had received “unanimous support” and she was “delighted with the results” following completion last week.

Matt Harrold wants to confound the critics who think his latest injury set-back signals the end of his career.

Last Friday Crawley Town confirmed he could be out of action for three months with an Achilles Tendon injury.

Harrold first got injured at the end of last season and missed the last few weeks of the campaign after having a knee operation in order to be fit and raring to go for this season.

However he was still suffering from problems related to his knee at the start of this cmapaign, resulting in him having to miss some pre-season games.

To make things worse, he then tore the Achilles on his right leg, which resulted in him having to wear a protective boot and miss much of this season.

Having only just got back into the team having had several months out of action with a knee and Achilles injuries, this latest news would put most people into depression.

However Harrold has been in this situation before and he knows if his rehab goes well, he can return to the side for a good chunk of this season.

He revealed: “I scored against Bristol Rovers and it had started to niggle and then I felt something go during training for the Sussex Senior Cup game against Langney Sports.

“I had a scan the next day and it showed a 7cm tear in my left Achilles.

“I felt deep in a daze for a few days afterwards - you work so hard to get over other issues and this happens.

“You just have to get on with it - other people are much worse off.

“There were two players in the Premier League with cruciate ligament injuries this week.

“It is not the end of the world. Having to have my foot in a boot for five weeks is horrendous.

“You have to sleep in it and it’s so itchy and uncomfortable.

“But I have done it before so I know I can do it.

“I have been told by my consultant it’s common to do this to your other Achilles after first injuring the other one.

“The trouble is, everyone writes you off, at 32.

“But I’m determined to come back and prove people wrong.

“Previously I injured my cruciate and missed a lot of the season when I was at Bristol Rovers. But I came back and was fine.

“Life is unfair but you’ve got to try to not be too disheartened.”

Harrold plans to continue to have treatment and rehab at Crawley Town and may also attend the National Football Centre in St George’s Park, Burton.

He added: “Three months on the sidelines is probably a generous estimate, I hope to be better before that time - and I will hopefully be back for the run-in and score some more goals to help the lads!”

Harrold told the club website: “I just felt it go on Monday during training. I’m absolutely devastated and I cannot believe my luck at the moment with injuries.

“Since I came back I’ve loved helping the boys so this is a real blow. For a couple of days this week as you can imagine I was pretty low but I can promise the fans that I will be working hard to make sure this is the last of my injuries.”

Head coach Dermot Drummy said: “It’s really bad news for Matt and the group as a whole.

“He has been extremely unlucky with injuries and is going to be a big loss while he recovers.

“We just hope that when he comes back it will be the end of his bad luck and he can play a full part for us in the last few months of the season.”

Drummy admitted Reds will miss Harrold in their forthcoming games.

He said: “The news about Matt Harrold’s injury is really devastating.

“He has torn his other Achilles, which is rotten luck.

“He will be really missed - he is a super character.

“The way he carried on playing with a broken nose at Bristol to the number nines of old.”

Harrold is in his third season at Crawley, having been recruited in 2014 by previous manager John Gregory.

After a season mainly on the sidelines, he became a real legend with the fans when he deputised in goal during a 2-2 draw against MK Dons.

Last season he finally prospered under in his regular role as a striker.

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There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

Go to www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/christmas/

Nine in ten people now believe that a broadband connection is essential to their day-to-day life, ranking its importance alongside the likes of housing and food.

A new survey by Which? found that for 90 per cent of people the only things more important than a fast internet connection were housing, food, and utilities such as water and energy.

More people ranked being able to get online as essential to life than having savings (70 per cent) or making pension contributions (53 per cent).

The survey of 2,000 people also found that mobile phones (74 per cent), a television (73 per cent) and a car (68 per cent) were less important to them than their broadband.

Which? said that the importance so many people gave to broadband access made the continuing poor service many people receive all the more worrying.

The survey found that of those questioned two-thirds (68 per cent) had experienced problems with their broadband connection in the last 12 months. The biggest problems were connection dropouts and unexpected slowdowns in speeds for anything from a few minutes to days at a time.

Which? said that such common problems added weight to its calls for the Government to press ahead with its plans for automatic compensation for poor service.

Alex Neill, Which? managing director of home and legal services, said: “This research underlines again just how important broadband is to our everyday lives. Yet many of us are still experiencing persistent service interruptions and a large proportion of the population can’t access usable speeds to carry out the most basic tasks.

“The Government must urgently press ahead with its reforms to give us the faster and more reliable broadband connections we all need.”

The honours were shared around the jockeys and trainers as things got festive at Fontwell Park.

Seven different jockeys and trainers took the prizes at the track’s festive raceday, which saw punters don their best and brightest Christmas jumpers in an effort to win cash.

Racing began with the John and Maryanne Birch Memorial Handicap Hurdle, which saw an outsider triumph.

Bohernagore went off at 40/1 under Frankie Penford for trainer Zoe Davison and came in a six-length winner over Hermosa Vaquera.

There was more money to be made from the bookies in the TI Engineering Structural Novices’ Handicap Chase, won at 11/1 by The Chuckmeister for Fontwell winner’s-enclosure regulars Chris Gordon and Tom Cannon.

The Axio Special Works Christmas Raceday Juvenile Hurdle was more predictable as 10/11 favourite Rainbow Dreamer, ridden by Wayne Hutchinson for Alan King, prevailed.

Adam Du Breteau (4/1) took the T I Engineering Structural Ltd Handicap Chase for Aidan Coleman and Jonjo O’Neill, while the Chancellor Of The Formchecker Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle was won by Tom O’Brien on Star Rider (15/8) (Hughie Morrison).

Sussex jockey Jamie Moore can usually be relied upon for a Fontwell winner and he had one in the Executive Carriage Group Handicap Chase on board Jamrham (9/2) for Sam Thomas.

Racing finished with the TI Engineering Handicap Hurdle, taken at 8/1 by Whatthebutlersaw (Mark Grant/Dominic Ffrench Davis).

Next up at Fontwell it’s the big Boxing Day meeting, when a large crowd is expected.

STEVE BONE

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We all know children’s imaginations mean they can conjure up the most amazing creations and visions in no time at all.

So who better to enrol to develop and design their dream play pad and home of the future? Chad Valley have harnessed the creativity and imagination of children across the country to design the Chad Valley Dream Play Pad – packed full of fun features to entertain kids both big and small.

And it’s likely no surprise that they weren’t too fussed about state of the art kitchens!

When asked what their dream home would look like, a traditional castle came out on top (26 per cent).

The pad’s top features include a swimming pool (40 per cent), cinema (32 per cent), ice cream maker (31 per cent), trampoline (28 per cent), a bouncy castle (25 per cent) and even a slide to whizz inhabitants downstairs (24 per cent). The home would also feature its own tree house (22 per cent), a secret passage way (21 per cent), football pitch (20 per cent), disco (17 per cent), popcorn maker (16 per cent), Bowling alley (15 per cent), vending machine (8 per cent) and a ball pit in the bedroom (7 per cent).

So what could all this cost? Andrew Russell from Strutt & Parker’s National Country House Department, said: “Depending on the size, grounds and location of this castle, its value could be in the region of £30m if it had ten bedrooms and was in the Home Counties.”

He went on to say: “Interestingly, many of the top features that children would like to see in their dream home are features that adults want in real life. Whilst not everyone can have a castle, more and more houses being built include swimming pools, cinema rooms, built in trampolines and tree houses. I have seen a number of houses with vast entertainment areas including discos, bowling alleys and even car museums, where parked cars revolve on rotating floor plates.”

So there’s no doubt that people of all ages are capable thinking Big.

In a remote rural area close to Chithurst thousands of twinkling festive lights have gone on at Hammerfield Farm.

It is the annual lights display organised for the past 15 years by the Collins family to raise money for charities.

Bob insists it is all the hard work of his wife Margaret: “I just go up the ladders and do what I am told,” he said.

The result is a winding track leading to Christmas tableaux all over the farm inside outbuildings and outside in the farmyard.

Central to the display again this year is Donkey Hote, who became part of the family last year when Bob met him on a farm and was unable to resist him.

There are all the traditional Christmas scenes and this year a few new surprises for visitors.

Six years ago the family donated all funds raised by visitors to their lights to buying a defibrillator for the area after a member of the family died suddenly in the remote area.

The family are still fundraising with donations to other charities as visitors flock from miles around to see the spectacular display.

The display is open 24 hours a day until January 6.

The family ask for donations for charity.

They have not yet decided which local charities they will support this year.

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

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Go to www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/christmas/

Worthing Raiders assistant coach Ben Coulson felt his side sailed into the perfect storm when they lost 57-10 at Chinnor on Saturday.

Leaders Chinnor went into the game on the back of a 30-22 defeat to Bishop’s Stortford the previous week and a strong first half performance from Raiders saw them trail just 12-10 at half-time, with Chinnor also down to 14 men after a red card.

However, the leaders showed their strength in the second half and Coulson said: “The game was always going to be tough and as it turned out we sailed into the perfect storm. They were top of the league, had players coming back in to the squad, had a rocket from the coach for losing the week before and we had a few senior players out and a number making debuts.

“They also got a rocket at half-time as we placed them under so much pressure in the first half.

“Unfortunately we ran out of puff in the second half as we suffered from yellow cards conceded due to the pressure they exerted on us. The loss of a player then made our job even harder. In all honesty, the first half was above and beyond our expectations.

“Getting anything there was always going to be a monumental ask, so the first half performance was excellent.

“The second half showed exactly why they are sitting on top of the table, even with a man down they pressured across the field as we tired.

“They have former international, Premiership and Championship players and loanees from the Championship too and it showed in their game management in that second half.

"It was pleasing to see the endeavour shown as the game had obviously gone in the final ten minutes but many put their hands up to be counted.

"On a personal level, I was incredibly proud to see Tom Adams, a former Worthing High School and current Worthing College student, get his first Raiders appearance off the bench. He acquitted himself well as did many all of the debutants in what was obviously an incredibly tough game."

Raiders now host Redingensians Rams on Saturday, before a trip to Barnes the following week and Coulson said: "Moving forward, the last two games before Christmas are important for us, but no more so than any other.

"Redingensians is the next match so the most important of the season, as will Barnes be the week after that, in both we contest the five points on offer.

"On Saturday we want to give our supporters a great Christmas send off as it's the last game at home this side of the break. We see the next two weeks as a realistic opportunity to go into the break eight to ten points better off, that will leave us in a position to enter the new year with confidence.

"We are fairly confident that some of the walking wounded will be available to us which will obviously be a timely boost. But if they aren't then the squad has shown enough effort and attitude in the last one and half matches to lead us to believe we can get two positive results before Christmas."

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A special seasonal treat of words, music and mince pies is heading Chichester’s way when the Festive Jazz Café takes off in the atmospheric setting of historic St John’s Chapel on Thursday, December 8.

“The event is in aid of next year’s Festival of Chichester and a scintillating cast of performers will take the stage with a package of seasonal delights,” said festival co-ordinator Barry Smith.

“Headline guest is Michael Jayston, star of film, TV and stage, whose credits include the title role of the Russian Tsar in the Oscar-winning film, Nicholas and Alexandra.

“Michael’s stellar career has included working alongside some of the greats of the British arts industry, including Sir Laurence Olivier in the classic film of Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

“Other co-performers in the West End include Peggy Ashcroft in Ibsen’s Ghosts and Petula Clark in the musical The Sound of Music. His television roles in Only Fools and Horses, EastEnders and Doctor Who have brought Michael to the attention of contemporary audiences. Michael will be performing readings from Dickens, Jane Austen and other favourite writers.

“There’s mellow jazz from the eight-piece jazz band, the much-loved Sussex based Jazz Smugglers.

“Expect Gershwin, Cole Porter and all your favourite jazz standards from singer Maria and the band. Jazzy versions of Christmas carols are also on the menu.

“Poet Hugh Dunkerley, who is a senior lecturer at Chichester University, will be reading some of his recent inspiring poetry. Hugh is a prizewinner in the BBC Wildlife Poet of the Year Award and has published three poetry collections, including Hare (Cinnamon Press). “Performing alongside Michael and Hugh is Emily Rose Smith, whose credits include Goblin Market for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sydmonton festival, Canaries Sometimes Sing (London and Antibes) and Chekhov in the Festival of Chichester.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have the support of these fantastic performers who all have Chichester connections and have appeared in our Festival.

“Audiences can be sure of having a great time and getting the Christmas season underway in swinging style as well as helping support next year’s festival. All proceeds will go towards the 2017 festival so it’s an opportunity for people to enjoy themselves knowing they are also supporting further treats in the Festival next summer.”

Festive Jazz Café, Thursday Dec 8, 7.30pm, St John’s Chapel, St John’s Street, Chichester. Tickets £12 (students £10) from Novium/TIC, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QH; 01243 775888. www.thenovium.org/boxoffice.

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This three bedroom detached Grade II listed thatched cottage is situated in a rural location on the fringes of Yapton.

The property, in North End Road, occupies a generous plot backing onto open farmland.

Internally the property has a quaint charm as you would expect from a home of this era, and a decent-size kitchen/diner is the perfect place for the family to come together.

In the evenings you can retreat to the lounge, fire up the log burner and sit back with a glass of something nice.

The ground floor bedroom, having been a more recent addition, has the benefit of a walk in en-suite.

Upstairs you will find there are two further bedrooms.

Outside, there is a large area of lawn to one side of the property which is a great space for entertaining family and friends outside in the summer months.

To the other side of the property there is an area for parking and an allotment patch.

There is also a substantial area of external storage to the side of the building.

Price £460,000 Freehold.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Cubitt & West, 49A High Street, Arundel. Telephone 01903 884420.

The people of Emsworth want NatWest to think again after the closure of the town’s last bank was announced.

In a few days, more than 400 have signed an online petition opposing the move.

Critics say the bank has a duty to customers, especially those who switched to NatWest after the town’s second-last bank, Barclays, closed last year.

NatWest plans to close its branch on Emsworth High Street on June 7, 2017.

Giles Babb, chairman of Emsworth Business Association, said: “It’s a bit of a blow having lost the other banks and worked hard with NatWest to keep the area sustainable for businesses.

“There are a lot of businesses needing services you can’t access online.

“The whole local economy could be affected by this.”

The protest petition at change.org says that after Barclays closed, local businesses were told NatWest would stay in the town if people switched.

But NatWest told the Observer: “We never made a commitment never to close.”

The bank says the ‘difficult decision’ to shut follows a huge rise in numbers of mobile and online transactions between 2010 and 2015.

A spokesman said: the number of transactions in the Emsworth branch had declined by 31 per cent since 2011, and 52 per cent of its customers were choosing to use online or mobile banking for their day-to-day needs.

Havant MP Alan Mak has written to NatWest’s chief executive asking him to reconsider the action.

The Observer asked NatWest officials further questions about the planned closure and the spokesman said he couldn’t comment on whether any consultation was carried out before the closure was announced.

He said a mobile branch would visit Emsworth for two hours weekly after the closure and a digital expert had been introduced to help customers not confident in using online and phone banking services.

The spokesman said the bank had met MP Mr Mak to discuss the closure.

What’s your view? Can Emsworth folf really force a NatWest rethink? Did you switch to NatWest after it was left as Emsworth’s only bank? Email steve.bone@chiobserver.co.uk

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Despite neighbouring villages now receiving superfast broadband and mobile signals there is rising frustration in Ebernoe where villagers say they are still in a ‘time warp’.

Now parish council chairman Ann Tyrell has written again to MP Nick Herbert imploring him for help launch village businesses and the community into the ‘digital society’.

She told him: “At our recent parish council meeting continuing concern was expressed about the lack of information or signs of progress to either improve mobile reception or fibre optic solutions to our digital access.

“I understand, as we are still regarded as eligible for the super fast broad band project roll out, we are not eligible for the ‘community funded’ schemes. We are also not eligible for the schemes which are aimed at helping businesses as many properties are residential. As you can imagine frustration is rising.”

Ebernoe faced being left behind in the digital revolution, she said, “with very poor broad- band strength and almost non-existent mobile coverage the notion the whole UK is entitled to have access to effective telecommunication systems seems as far away as ever.”

Ebernoe parish councillors were astonished to be informed by Chichester District Council recently the village now had good mobile coverage

“They must be referring to a different village,” said Ann. “We can sometimes manage to use a mobile phone if we hang out of a bedroom window and hold the phone at a certain angle when the weather is sunny.”

Neighbouring villages had either effective mobile coverage or super fast broad band.

“The fact the road through Ebernoe was closed on a number of occasions to run fibre optic cable through the centre of the village looked as though it might be a hopeful sign. However we are just as disadvantaged as ever. The notion that we are too rural seems odd when none of the surrounding villages are deemed too rural and the fibre optic cable runs past many of our driveways.”

She said parish councillors wanted to give villagers positive information about when they could join the ‘digital society’.

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

Go to www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/christmas/

President of the Rotary Club of Midhurst & Petworth Robert Morrison has presented a £3,000 cheque to Toni Holloway, team manager of Coastal West Sussex Mind for their work north of the Downs.

Toni attended a Rotarian meeting to tell members about the work of the independent local mental health charity in West Sussex. Their services support people of all ages both those suffering mental health problems, their families and carers. They also work in local communities to raise awareness about mental health.

This late piece which just made it into the John Nicholson catalogue for their Oriental auction at Fernhurst next Friday (December 16) could well prove to be the star of the show.

It was bought for £2 in a charity shop and turns out to be an 18th century cloisonné period tripod censer according to specialist Mark Grant. Standing at just four and a half inches high, it has been estimated at £5000-8000 but could well go for a great deal more, he said.

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

Go to www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/christmas/