West Sussex Gazette
Photo competition winners
A hauntingly beautiful photograph of gnarly giant trees and a quintessentially South Downs image of a colourful butterfly are the winners of this year’s South Downs National Park photography competition. Almost 500 images were submitted by members of...
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Arundel Castle Line-up of events for 2026
Arundel Castle has announced its 2026 calendar of events, featuring unforgettable historical experiences and horticultural displays designed to enchant visitors of all ages. Witness the past coming to life through immersive historical reenactments,...
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Boxing day hunt draws huge crowds
Kirdford village was filled with visitors on Boxing Day as the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt held its traditional annual meet, attracting hundreds of families from across the region. Villagers generously opened their driveways to...
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Annual Walking Nativity
Billingshurst was transformed into the little town of Bethlehem just before Christmas for the village’s third annual Walking Nativity. The entertainment began at twilight on December 21 in Jengers Mead with performances from Rob Nicholl, The Petworth...
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Giant willow bauble sparkles
Slindon-based artists Mark and Rebecca Ford (Two Circles Design) are delighted to be returning to Chichester District Council’s Christmas celebrations in Chichester’s Priory Park. Last year they came up with a Woven Winter Tree outside The Guildhall....
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Magical winter illumination
Chichester invites everyone to step into a world of light and colour as the Cathedral’s historic Bell Tower is transformed into a glowing canvas of creativity this festive season. This free immersive light and sound experience will turn the historic...
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Final supermoon of the year
The last supermoon of 2025 was seen from Sussex on Thursday evening (December 4). Gabriel Ondo-estok sent in the brilliant photo above of the Cold Moon rising over South Downs. The Cold Moon is a full moon that is usually seen in December every...
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Rare hen harriers spotted
Hen harriers have been sighted roosting in the reedbeds at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre. A couple of these striking birds of prey have been appearing in the late afternoon over the past few weeks, drawn by the abundance of small birds and mammals that...
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Firefighter is first in Sussex
The first Elizabeth Emblem to be presented in Sussex honours a firefighter who gave his life in service to his community. Gerard Johnson, known as Gerry, died on duty on May 20, 1989, at the age of 30, alongside his neighbour and fellow firefighter...
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Deer put on show at park
Rutting season is now in full swing at Petworth Park, and photographer Chris Hatton captured the scene in the picture above. According to the National Trust website, autumn is the best time to try Petworth Park’s themed walking trails, where there...
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South Downs Astrophotography contest
The National Park’s popular astrophotography competition returns bigger and better than ever to mark ten years of the South Downs becoming an International Dark Sky Reserve. Categories this year include: South Downs Dark Skyscapes; South Downs Life...
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A refuge for wildlife
As well as being the only place in the world where Rolls-royce motor cars are designed and hand-built, the Home of Rolls-royce at Goodwood is an important refuge for a huge variety of wildlife. The site extends to 42 acres and the new site extension...
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World Mental Health Day Judges’ Service at Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral has hosted the annual Judges’ Service, an ancient ceremony held at the beginning of the Legal Year, organised by Dr Timothy Fooks, High Sheriff of West Sussex, with the assistance of Kevin Smyth, Under Sheriff of Sussex. This...
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How group helped shape city
Quakers have played a big role in the history of Chichester, despite their small numbers, including setting up a bank and founding two schools. Talks, tours and get togethers during Quaker Week have helped to highlight the story of Quakers in...
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Tribute Dame Patricia Routledge
Dame Patricia Routledge, a giant of stage and screen, who made Chichester her home for so many years, died at the age of 96 last Friday (October 3). She was best known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, but was proudest...
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West Sussex Constabulary Site sought for exhibition
A retired police officer and amateur historian who has been researching the history of West Sussex Constabulary is looking for a permanent exhibition site. Alan Moore, who joined the police in 1968 as a cadet, has been holding annual exhibitions in...
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South Downs Autumnal inspiration
“Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges” Powerful words from the great Jane Austen, who loved autumn walks in the South Downs...
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Revival roars: Goodwood’s trip back in time is so special
Goodwood Revival was back for another year – and provided its usual heady mixture of superb historic racing, vintage fashion and the best of bygone days. Huge crowds flocked to the motor circuit last Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the annual event,...
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Thousands of visitors enjoyed the Maize Maze at Cowdray
Cowdray’s Maize Maze has been open through-out August with over 12,000 visitors enjoying everything the maze has to offer including stamp trails, a giant sunflower and wildflower picking patch as well as plenty of other entertainment for adults and...
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Most decorated WW2 woman
The most decorated British woman from the Second World War was saved by a tiny green leaf – a symbol of hope that kept her connected to life outside the concentration camp where she was held. Odette Hallowes, known as Odette Sansom in the war, was an...
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Pows reunited after 80 years
Two survivors of a Japanese internment camp in Shanghai were reunited on August 15 during a VJ Day Service of Reflection, 80 years after the Second World War ended. Anne Bawden, from Hove, had long hoped to meet another former prisoner of the Lunghua...
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Tropical paradise Castle gardens thriving
What an incredible summer we are having this year, the castle gardens are full of colour, especially our amazing Tropical Borders showcasing the fruiting Butia Capitata also known as the Jelly Palm and the chamaerops humilis a small fan shaped palm, a...
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Green Flag Awards Recognition for Arundel spaces
Arundel was presented with two new Green Flag Awards as part of Love Parks week earlier this month. Ford Road Cemetery (the first cemetery in the district to receive an award) and Jubilee Gardens won the awars. In line with Greening Arundel’s...
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Medieval fun makes return
Loxwood Joust is raising the stakes this year with exciting new experiences promised. Indulge in new banquet entertainment, a fresh food menu, and an exciting experience hosted by new characters and an evolving storyline. For the first time, camping...
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Festival of Speed Celebration of 75 years of F1
Goodwood pulled out all the stops last weekend as the Festival of Speed returned with a record-breaking celebration marking 75 years of the Formula 1 World Championship. Held from July 10-13, the 2025 event became the single biggest F1 tribute in...
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The importance of water
Water is the life blood that supports all life on earth and is vital to any garden. The National Garden Scheme has partnered with WWT to promote a wider understanding of the importance of wetlands and water in nature and in our gardens – we share...
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Armed Forces Day Community celebration
Thousands of residents and visitors assembled on the seafront on Saturday to enjoy another successful Armed Forces Day event organised by Littlehampton Town Council and sponsored by Harbour Park and the East Preston and Kingston Royal British Legion...
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Trinityfest on the Green Community celebration
Chichester Cathedral’s Trinityfest on the Green last month was a wonderful celebration marking the Cathedral’s 950th anniversary. Blessed with blue skies and sunshine, the vibrant event on June 15 brought thousands of attendees together to honour the...
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Carpet of Flowers Celebration of Jubilee Year
The Catholic Church's Jubilee Year has been reflected in the world-famous Arundel Carpet of Flowers 2025, an incredible 90ft-long display featuring more than 10,000 flowers and greenery that were put together in just one day. Thousands of visitors...
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Roman Week Bringing history back to life
A group of Roman reenactors brought iron age history to life during half-term as part of Chichester’s yearly Roman week. Taking place in the city’s Priory Park, the event featured a range of live demonstrations, exploring all facets of Roman life in...
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Sky drop for Snowdrop Trust
The Duchess of Norfolk took to the skies with friends Katherine Bergen and Linda Woodhouse last month, to raise money for local children's charity The Sussex Snowdrop Trust last month. Here, Katherine shares the story... We were having lunch together...
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Carnival fun returns to Bognor
Bognor Regis Carnival marked its 10th anniversary last month with an ‘Out of This World’ theme. Participants dressed up as extra-terrestrials and crowds lined the streets to watch the procession along The Esplanade and down the Hight Street to West...
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Dachshunds take centre stage
Now in its fourth year, Goodwoof celebrated another incredible weekend on May 17 and 18. Over the two jam-packed days, thousands of dogs and their owners enjoyed a huge variety world-class demonstrations, competitions, educational talks and workshops....
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RAF navigator and Land Girl
The extraordinary wartime love story of an RAF navigator involved in The Great Escape has be told as part of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. From a simple typed note to a woman he had never met to a handwritten letter of love on their...
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South Downs Photo competition returns
Everyone has their favourite spot (or spots) in the South Downs. It might be admiring the dramatic chalk cliffs at Seven Sisters, wandering through the misty autumn woods at Ebernoe, poppy fields amongst the lush verdant hills or immense views of coast...
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Thousands of pupils join in with ‘Loan a Lamb’ initiative
Thousands of primary school children across Sussex and Surrey have had the rare chance to care for lambs at school, thanks to the Loan a Lamb scheme, an initiative run by the South of England Agricultural Society’s Education Committee. The scheme,...
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Jousting tournament returns
Arundel Castle has announced the return of its flagship summer event, the International Medieval Jousting Tournament, set to take place from July 22 to 27. Now a highlight of the UK’S historical events calendar, the six-day tournament will see eight...
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Behind the scenes at castle
Arundel Castle’s annual, Tulip Festival kicked off earlier this month. This week, head gardener Martin Duncan shares details about how he and his team set about planning for the festival each year – and hints and some of the plans for the 2026...
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Tulip Festival Tapestry of colour on show
The highly anticipated Tulip Festival at Arundel Castle began earlier this month. The annual celebration transforms the historic castle's gardens into a tapestry of colour. This year, the festival will showcase an astounding 110,000 tulips planted...
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Consultation on proposals for new school in Ford begins
A public consultation on plans for a new secondary school, country park and up to 400 homes began last week. An online survey was launched on April 2 on the projectwebsiteatwww.landsouthoffordlane.co.ukwhereanoverview of the proposals can be read. The...
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Members’ Meeting Iconic collection at Goodwood
Gordon Murray Automotive will return to Goodwood for the 82nd Members’ Meeting next weekend to showcase an outstanding array of cars. Taking centre stage will be the GMA T.33 and T.50s Niki Lauda. Indycar Series Champion Dario Franchitti will get...
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Tulip Festival Stepping into spring at farm
As winter fades and the first signs of spring emerge, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than by immersing yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Tulleys Farm’s Tulip Festival. Set against the picturesque Sussex countryside, this seasonal...
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Purple4polio Crocuses highlight campaign
Spring each year sees a purple carpet of crocus blooming in many communities across Britain as part of a campaign by Rotary International and the World Health Organisation to eradicate polio across the world. Pictured above are just some of the 62,000...
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Join the Medieval skirmish fun
Arundel Castle will be hosting a Medieval Festival – A Skirmish, over the last May bank holiday weekend, from Saturday, May 24, to Monday, May 26. This thrilling event will be set in 1474 as Arundel Castle becomes the stage for a gripping clash...
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Exhibition opens at museum
The Weald & Downland Living Museum is hosting a new exhibition with acclaimed photographer Anne-katrin Purkiss that celebrates the people of the local landscape. ‘South Downs Portraits’ opened on Monday (March 3) and runs until May 18 in the museum’s...
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Floral spectacle at castle
Arundel Castle’s Allium Extravaganza is set to return this May, transforming the historic gardens into a breathtaking sea of vibrant, pom-pom-shaped blooms. Visitors will be treated to a floral spectacle as thousands of alliums burst into colour,...
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Dark Skies Festival Astrophotography winners
The South Downs National Park has revealed the winners of this year’s astrophotography competition – with more than 200 entries of incredible night-time shots making it a recordbreaking year. The astrophotography winners were announced as the National...
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Season of the snowdrop
Snowdrops and spring flowers are the stars of the show as the National Garden Scheme gets underway in 2025 with early openings. Several gardens in West Sussex are taking part, including the award-winning Crosslands Flower Nursery in Walberton and...
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Display to feature 110k bulbs
The highly anticipated Tulip Festival at Arundel Castle is set to return this April, offering an unmissable display of floral beauty. Recognised as one of Europe’s premier tulip festivals, this annual celebration transforms the historic castle's...
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National Park photo contest
Piers Fearick’s photo of a yellowhammer claimed the top prize in the wildlife category of this year’s South Downs National Park’s Annual Photo Competition. Piers, who also claimed the runner-up spot for a photo of a wren, said: "Yellowhammer, with its...
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Magnolias in Bloom Trail set to open next month
Borde Hill’s magnificent self-guided ‘Magnolias in Bloom’ trail will be returning this year, available from February 15 to April 13. Borde Hill boasts an exquisite collection of over 180 stunning magnolia varieties which make up an important part of...
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Winter at the windmills Snowy scene on South Downs
Barbara Franks enjoys the winter view on the South Downs from a cold seat near the Jack and Jill windmills at Clayton. Jack and Jill Windmills Society has fully restored and now maintains Jill Windmill, which is a traditional 19th century working...
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New town map Highlighting quirky heritage
Arundel's new town map was unveiled back in December, by the Mayor of Arundel, Tony Hunt. This new replacement map stands at the Town Quay in its reconditioned case. The beautifully illustrated map highlights various places of interest within the...
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Time to have your say and help improve road safety
West Sussex County Council is asking for people’s feedback to help shape the West Sussex Road Safety Strategy, which outlines how it intends to improve road safety across the county and reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in traffic...
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Fantastic fundraising Huge support for school
Kind-hearted parents, families and children at Arundel Church of England School (ACE) have raised nearly £14,000 for charity this year with more than £11,000 going to their Parent Teacher Association; FACES. The fantastic events supported so well by...
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Festive cheer Santa Bus is back for season
The Santa Bus has returned for Christmas season to bring joy and raise funds for vital local charities across Hampshire, Surrey, and West Sussex. Santa and his elves will spread holiday cheer by transforming buses into magical grottos and festive...
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Merry Christmas! Wine bottle tree is back
A West Sussex woman's famous wine bottle Christmas tree is back up for the season. Eleven years ago, Christine Aaurelius built a Christmas tree with 179 wine bottles at her home in Epsom Gardens, Rustington. The mum-of-three went viral in lockdown –...
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Locals are invited to help shape the future of Adur
Residentsinadurhavetheopportunity to share ideas for the district’s future – but are reminded thatdecision-makersare‘limited’ in what they can do. Residentsofsompting,lancing, Shoreham, Southwick and Fishersgate can now have their say about ‘how the...
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Call for the government to make A27 improvements
The leader of West Sussex County Council and chair of Transport for the South East have written to the Secretary of State for Transport about the A27. In their open letter, councillors Paul Marshall and Keith Glazier share their concerns following the...
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Wildlife Making house martin nests
Six homes in Elmleigh in Midhurst have just had nests put up under their eaves for house martins ready for next spring. The nests were created by Paul Stevens who makes them from cement and sawdust. He said they could attract birds next April. To find...
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Remembrance Sunday Paying tribute to the Fallen
Air, army and sea cadets, veterans and scout groups came together to pay tribute to British and Commonwealth troops who lost their lives fighting all over the globe. Remembrance Sunday ceremonies took take place all over West Sussex on November 10,...
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£3m more to be borrowed as theatre costs balloon
Arun District Council is set to borrow a further £3 million to cover costs of the Alexandra Theatre regeneration. The initial budget for the project was £15,780,000 mostly funded by a £12.1 million central government levelling up fund (LUF) grant and...
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Council wants government talks on A27 congestion
West Sussex County Council wants to open a conversation with the government about tackling congestion on the A27. Earlier this year, plans for a bypass at Arundel were scrapped by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, having been deferred by the previous...
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Wildlife Arundel bird colony doubles
A record number of sand martin nests were counted in annual autumn checks at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre this October. Eighty-three nests were built inside the nest chambers that make up the two artificial nesting banks in the wings of the Sand Martin...
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Huge funding boost to aid West Sussex wetlands
A huge funding boost will help restore precious wetlands across the South Downs region and help raise awareness about the vital importance of water in all our lives. National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £1.7m to the “Downs to the Sea”...
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Council has concerns over planning system reform
Arun District Council has written to the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, raising 'significant concerns' about the government's planning system reform. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking views on how it might...
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Praise for historic city
Chichester, Midhurst and Petworth are among the best places to live in Sussex, according to a new study which evaluates crime rates, sense of community spirit and access to amenities. The study, conducted by Alliance Security, ranked Chichester at the...
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