Issues and Events Up-Date

12th AGM FOCUSES ON CANAL ECOLOGY
The Minutes of the Meeting and Chairman's Report can be accessed via Related Links. Main items were:
*Audited accounts would be delayed for an early EGM called to approve  an application for charitable status.
* The Auditor was appointed for another year.
* One committee  member, Kate Glazier, did not seek re-election. Remaining  members were elected en bloc.
* The meeting approved our intention to apply for charitable status and the formulation of an application with possible changes to our constitution.

The formalities were followed by a most interesting illustrated talk by Wiggonholt Association member, Michael Joseph, on "The Canal Ecology and its Conservation", using state-of-the-art visual material, prepared  by his son Robert. The talk  demonstrated how ecological damage from the essential engineering works can be minimized and result in an enhanced environment once the work is completed. There were lessons for gardeners on how biodiversity can be encouraged in their gardens.

A PUBLIC FORUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE 15.2.08
We had an excellent panel of speakers: Nick Herbert MP, Arundel and South Downs, Paula Clifford, Climate Change Adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Louise Goldsmith, Cabinet Member for Environment, at West Sussex County Council and Mark Elliot, Senior Natural Resources Officer dealing with climate change. Gary Shipton, Editor-in-Chief, Sussex Newspapers, was be in the Chair.
It was a follow-up of our free screening of Al Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth" which raised many questions in peoples' minds about the threat of global warming. The Public Forum at Rydon Community College, Storrington, was attended by about 130 people and turned into a great opportunity for the public to put their questions to the experts. A full report was published in the West Sussex County Times of 22.2.08.

PLANNING MATTERS
The developer's appeal against Horsham District Council's refusal of yet another application to build in the Garden of Church House, Pulborough, has been withdrawn. We await the next development!
Restrictions to the reopening of a Chemist's Shop in Lower Street, Pulborough have been lifted.
We have complained about inappropriate, misspelt signage at the entrance to Church Lane, Wiggonholt. New and less obstructive  signs have now been installed, but we are still waiting for the removal of a surplus cul-de-sac sign
A fresh application to convert agricultural barns to industrial use has been made by the owner of Link Farm,  following the dismissal of an appeal.