High MP3 noise levels causes concern

College students are damaging their hearing by listening to music too loud, with some turning their MP3 players up to nightclub volume levels.

Crawley Borough Council’s Environmental Health Officers tested 85 teens’

headphones at Central Sussex College on Thursday (April 29) and explained the long-term damage that can be done if they are too loud.

Of the 85 tested, only a quarter were listening to music at a safe level.

Out of the others 20 were listening to levels that could cause hearing damage if listened to for more than an hour every day.

More worryingly 29 students, close to a third of those tested, were listening to music at more than 100 decibels, with three exceeding 115 decibels – louder than most night clubs – which is very likely to result in hearing damage by their early 20s.

Several students were already experiencing the first signs of hearing damage, including slight deafness and ringing in their ears (known as tinnitus).

Brian Cox, Senior Environmental Health Officer at Crawley Borough Council,

said: “To demonstrate noise-induced hearing loss, students were played examples of music and conversations that had been acoustically adjusted to represent how a person suffering from noise induced hearing damage would hear them.

“This helped many of the students to actually experience how their future world may sound and the numerous problems this could create in their life.

“Using the measuring equipment the officers helped the students find a level on their music players which was safer and unlikely to cause them hearing damage.”

Other advice given included changing headphones to those that fit tightly into the ear which exclude external noise, like traffic. This reduces the need to increase the volume to block out such noise.

MP3 owners can take three simple steps to protect their hearing:

1. Avoid volume levels that completely block out other background noise 2. Take regular breaks from using your headphones 3. Use the ‘smart volume’ feature if you have one.

The event was part of Noise Action Week and followed last year’s volumes testing in County Mall.

For more information on Noise Action Week and MP3 players log on to www.noiseactionweek.org.uk

Crawley vamps it up

Crawley will be holding two ‘fang-tastic’ events in the coming weeks to celebrate vampire-themed books and films.

On Saturday May 15 at 7pm, ‘The Fang Club’, a free event for 11 to 16 years olds, will be held at Crawley Library. It’s in celebration of the popular ‘Twilight’ books and films and supernatural series such as ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and ‘House of Night’.

People who attend can take part in vampire makeovers, badge-making, creative writing and be in with a chance to win a life-sized figure of Twilight favourite Edward Cullen, played by actor Robert Pattinson.

Although the event is free, places still need to be booked in advance at the Library. Call 01293 651751.

Best-selling author of the ‘Morganville Vampires’ series Rachel Caine will be at The Hawth Theatre, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, on Friday June 4 at 2pm.

The event, organised by The Hawth, Crawley Library and Waterstones, County Mall, is for all ages and fans of the books about a girl whose hometown is overrun by vampires.

Rachel will read an extract from the eighth and latest book in the series ‘Kiss of Death’, followed by a question and answer session.

Tickets are £3 and are available from the The Hawth Box Office on 01293 553636, Crawley Library and Waterstones.

Brad Watson OBE, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries, said: “These events have been organised in response to rising interest and demand in vampire themed books at the Library, particularly from young people.

“Local teenagers have been involved in planning and running both events, which I’m sure everyone will find great fun and very interesting.”

For more information on West Sussex Library events, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries

Poll seeks young people’s views on community safety

YOUNG people aged 11-24 in West Sussex are being urged to take part in an online survey about community safety.

The survey is designed to support the West Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team’s (DAAT) work with young people.

It is being held in partnership with West Sussex County Council Community Safety Unit, the County Council Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police.

Tom Van De Wee, DAAT Project Manager, said: “We want as many young people as possible from throughout the county to take part in the survey so the data will be fully representative. We want to hear their personal experiences relating to community safety.”

Young people taking part will have the opportunity to win a number of prizes, including an iPod.

The link to the new survey, which will run until July 9, is: www.westsussex.gov.uk/community-safety-survey

Pat Arculus, County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “Community safety is a priority issue in West Sussex and it is important we are aware of what people are thinking in our communities.

“This survey helps give young people a voice and a opportunity to share their community safety experiences.”

Permanent road repairs get underway

West Sussex County Council highway teams have started the extensive programme of road repairs needed following the severe winter weather.

Tens of thousands of potholes were repaired earlier this year, but more permanent repairs are now being carried out as part of a £15 million investment in our roads.

The teams have already completed permanent repairs at over 140 sites using 8,000 tonnes of materials. In total this makes up 93,000 square metres of repairs including patching and resurfacing.

If the repairs carried out so far were added together they would cover 20 football pitches.

Work has now been programmed through to mid summer, with more still to be scheduled.

As part of the ongoing permanent repairs, the County Council this week started work on its surface dressing programme.

Surface dressing involves spraying a coating of bitumen on to the road surface, followed by one or more layers of hard stone chippings.

This seals the road and prevents water getting into the foundations, which can weaken the road and ultimately lead to potholes forming.

Surface dressing is carried out every year. However, this year the programme is being increased to seal in new repairs and to protect against future winter weather damage.

Derek Whittington, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “Surface dressing is a very cost effective way to restore road surfaces compared to other methods. Traffic can also be allowed to run on the new surface almost immediately – avoiding lengthy closures and disruption.

“As well as extending the life expectancy of the road and delaying the need for more expensive repairs it also reduces the chances of potholes developing. Other benefits include an increase in skid resistance, which helps improve road safety.”

Soon after dressing, the road is swept to remove loose chippings. The County Council provides advisory and warning signs, which will not be removed from the site until it is safe to do so.

The County Council will, where practicable, give advance notice of the road works and advice to residents to ensure that their vehicles are not left on roads that are about to be treated. Signs will also be put up advising drivers to drive slowly on recently treated roads.

Drivers and local residents are asked to:

• Ensure vehicles are not left parked on roads that will be treated.

• Keep speeds low on treated roads to avoid chippings damaging other vehicles.

• Do not overtake on newly treated roads.

• Avoid walking on newly treated roads, as it is possible to get bitumen on shoes.

• Tell us if you have any special needs/requirements or deliveries expected.

Derek added: “This work is necessary to make sure roads in West Sussex, are well maintained and safe. We do aim to keep disruption to a minimum and would like to ask motorists to be patient during this programme of works.”

Music in Goffs Park

The Friends of Goffs Park are holding a musical event on Sunday May 16th.

Music in the Park, on the top lawn in front of Goffs Park House, begins at 3pm. Harpist Margaret Watson will entertain visitors in the beautiful surroundings.

If the weather is poor the event will relocate to St Peter’s Church in Ifield Road, West Green.

For more information call Tony Coles on 01293 527402 or Andy Rogers on 01293 537257.

Young people urged to bid for Brussels

YOUNG people in West Sussex are being urged to bid for Brussels by giving their views on what it is like to be both a young UK citizen and part of Europe.

The call comes from West Sussex County Council Youth Cabinet, which is holding its annual Do You Speak European competition at County Hall, Chichester, on Friday June 11.

The competition is aimed at schools and youth groups. The winning team will win a place in the nationwide grand finals. The first prize is a trip to Brussels where the winners will take part in the international finals, which are being staged in the European Parliament.

Pandora Ellis, Youth Cabinet Co-ordinator, said: “International Citizenship is fast becoming a major part of the Citizenship curriculum in schools and youth groups.

“But our surveys show young people are struggling to understand how they fit in, what the European Union is and the difference between citizenship and international citizenship.

“This competition is designed to introduce young people to Europe and to explore the challenges and opportunities that Europe can present.”

Presentations can be in any format.

“PowerPoint, drama, interactive dialogue, speeches, mime – whatever the competitors feel most comfortable with – can be used to get their message across,” said Pandora.

The teams – which must be no more than five young people – will be judged by a panel comprising MPs, MEPs, County Councillors, academics and members of the Youth Cabinet.

Brad Watson OBE, County Council Cabinet Member responsible for the Youth Cabinet, said: “The competition is an excellent way of giving young people the opportunity to find out for themselves what it means to be part of Europe, as well as a citizen of the UK. It helps them understand what the EU is and how they fit in.”

For further information about the competition email Pandora at pandora.ellis@westsussex.gov.uk

Free composting advice

Crawley Borough Council is offering free advice on home composting at the Town Hall next week.

Home Compost Week runs from May 2-9. Displays, expert advice and special offers will be available on Tuesday May 4 and Thursday May 6 from 9am-12 noon.

Crawley Borough Council is running the event in association with Better Tomorrows and West Susses County Council.

For more information about home composting visit www.bettertomorrows.org.uk or www.wsussex.getcomposting.com or call 01243 642106.

Magistrates’ open day

Crawley Magistrates’ Court is opening its doors to the public next month to help people find out more about the life of a magistrate.

The open day, on Saturday May 15, runs from 10am-12 noon at the courtrooms in Woodfield Road. The day aims to encourage more people to become magistrates and to discover what the role involves.

Magistrates are ordinary people who perform a vital role for the community.

They come from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds and occupations:

postmen, teachers, shop assistants and train drivers – anyone can be a magistrate. But what they have in common is high personal integrity and a commitment to serve their community.

Kevin Harrison JP, Chairman Sussex (Northern) Advisory Sub-Committee, said:

“What is not widely realised is that magistrates play a key role in the judicial process and hear more than 95 per cent of all criminal cases, including many that affect the public, such as anti-social behavior.

“It is really important that magistrates reflect the local community. We’ve gone a long way to achieve that in north Sussex but we are always on the lookout for more people. Selection is based purely on merit regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.”

An open mind, maturity and the ability to work well with others are more important than any formal qualifications. You need to be aged 18-64 who can commit to a minimum of 26 half-day sittings per year. In return you’ll get full training, and a responsible and satisfying role.

If you are interested in becoming a magistrate, please contact Mid-Sussex Magistrates’ Court (Administration Office) on 01444 472603 who will be happy to give you more information. Alternatively, go to www.direct.gov.uk/magistrates

Task Force to be set up to improve Blue Badges scheme

West Sussex County Council’s Adults’ Services Select Committee is setting up a Task Force to help stamp out fraudulent use of blue badges.

It will include members of the Committee and the Strategic Environmental Services Select Committee, and will look at the issues raised about the scheme.

It will also help shape a County Council response to a Department for Transport Blue Badge Reform Programme consultation.

The Committee debated how to make sure badges are only used by the people they are issued to and what happens to the badge in the event of that person’s death to stop it being used by relatives.

The Committee discussed how to get access to registered deaths data to help with monitoring the use of blue badges. It was recommended the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection make the information on the county’s registered deaths held by the Registration Service available to the scheme.

Irene Richards, Chairman of the Adults’ Services Select Committee, said:

“In West Sussex, for every 1,000 of the population, 67 have blue badges, so this issue is right at the heart for our residents.

“It is vital the administration process and use of the badges are looked at thoroughly to ensure they are being used appropriately, and to their full potential.”

A webcast of the meeting can be found at http://www.westsussex.public-i.tv/site/

Composting – ‘give it a grow’, says County Council

‘GIVE it a grow!’ That’s what West Sussex County Council will be urging gardeners during the 10th annual International Compost Awareness Week, which gets underway on Sunday (May 2).

During the week, the County Council will be promoting the benefits of home composting at a series of events, including the Weald and Downland Food and Farming event, and highlighting bargain-priced composters.

Derek Whittington, County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning said: “More than 30 per cent of the average household bin can be composted. Already around one third of householders compost at home, but we are encouraging others to get involved.

“Home composting saves money, saves energy, saves water and provides free garden compost year after year. By converting material that is considered rubbish into a valuable resource, nutrients are recycled back into the soil.”

Households in England throw away around four million tonnes of waste every year that could have been composted.

“There is often a belief that waste such as vegetable peelings or garden waste is harmless. But in a landfill tip they cause powerful greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere,” said Derek.

“Home composting organic waste materials not only helps to significantly reduce carbon emissions, but can also be used as an effective way of reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.”

Now is the perfect time to get started. Through the County Council, householders can purchase home compost bins for as little as £14 plus delivery for the 220ltr model and £17 plus delivery for a larger 330ltr version.

For further information about these products, please call: – 0844 571 4444. Alternatively, you can order your home composters and composting accessories online, just visit www.getcomposting.com

Not forgetting about dementia

West Sussex County Council is developing a series of projects to help the county’s 13,600 residents who suffer from dementia.

Almost 12,500 of those with dementia are aged over 65, and the number is expected to increase in the years ahead.

Together with the NHS West Sussex, the County Council is looking at ways of caring for these people.

The series of projects coincide with the ongoing National Dementia Awareness Campaign.

Initiatives include:

• Care mapping: staff are being trained to sit with the person being cared for over a period of several hours to try and see the world as the person sees it. The ‘mapper’ records what seems to make the person happy or sad and this is fed back to staff caring for the person so they have a better idea of how to look after them

• Life story work: by knowing a person was once a teacher, a doctor or a farm worker helps to understand why they react in a certain way or talk about specific subjects. Their care can then be adjusted to better meet their needs.

• HOPE: a group of people who have direct experience of a variety of dementias. Some of the group members attend with their carers and would attend learning sessions together, allowing staff and students to hear directly of the impact of the disease on both person and carer.

• The Council has developed joint plans with NHS West Sussex to improve services for people with dementia locally, which includes earlier diagnosis and support.

Dementia is the term used to describe more than 100 different types of brain diseases, which result in ongoing memory loss and confusion.

Peter Catchpole, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “The County Council Adults’ Services Team feel it is vital to highlight the issue of dementia, listing the warning signs, ways to reduce the risks, and how to cope with someone with the illness.

“There are many suggested ways to reduce the risk of dementia, such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking, and watching your blood pressure and cholesterol.

“These initiatives are just part of the dementia campaign, and are helping to ensure that people with dementia get the right level and type of care, and shows a great deal can be done to improve the quality of life for those people now and in the future, and help them maintain a normal life.”

For more information, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk and type in dementia. The national website is www.nhs.uk/dementia/Pages/dementia.aspx

Bike safety and charity ride

Motorbike safety, security and discounts will be on offer at a Safer Crawley Partnership event next month.

The partnership – made up of Crawley Borough Council, West Sussex County Council and Sussex Police – will be working with ART Motorcycle Training and P&H motorcycles on Sunday May 9 from 11am-12.30pm.

The event, which will be held at P&H Motorcycles in Gatwick Road, will see motorcyclists given hints, tips and advice on bike safety and security, plus goody bags for the first 200 riders with discount vouchers and free offers.

A safety helmet X-ray machine will also be at the event, which will indicate any weaknesses and potential risks.

This is followed by an optional ride out from 12.45pm in aid of the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity to Shoreham Fire Station, where a ride safe event and BBQ are being held.

Schools compete for Road Safety Quiz title

Twenty schools from across West Sussex have been battling it out at the County Council’s annual Road Safety and TravelWise Quiz.

The Quiz – now in its 20th year – is for pupils aged between eight and 11 years old (Years 4, 5 and 6).

Pupils from Dorset House School, Bury, scooped the prestigious champions title at the event held at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley on Friday April 23.

A team from Leechpool Primary School, Horsham, came second, closely followed by Poundhill Junior School, Crawley.

The quiz is designed to raise awareness of road safety and transport issues. There were four rounds of questions based around the themes of:

• Walking and cycling

• Road signs and markings

• TravelWise

• Observation

Questions included ‘if you ride your bike at night on the road, what colour lights must you have on your bike’ and ‘what is the advisory speed limit for a school safety zone?’

The schools had been through two heats to make it to the final. The top scoring schools selected a team of six pupils to compete in the grand final.

Pupils answered questions using hand-held electronic pads, similar to the ones used on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Derek Whittington, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, attended the event and said: “I was very impressed with the level of knowledge that the pupils showed. All of the schools should be very pleased to have made it to the final, but of course special congratulations go to Dorset House School.

“It is extremely encouraging to know that this future generation of drivers is already so well prepared and I am sure they will go on to become safe and responsible motorists.”

Next year the quiz will be celebrating its 21st anniversary. To mark the occasion the County Council would like to hear from anyone who has previously taken part.

If you remember taking part in the quiz please email Anjila.Clark@westsussex.gov.uk and say what year this was, and which school you were representing.

Funding boost for Carnival Experience inspired by the 2012 Games

The razzmatazz of the pioneering Blue Touch Paper Carnival will continue to wow people in West Sussex.

Blue Touch Paper Carnival’s ambition is to enable carnivals across the world to create a more accessible, inclusive, integrated and friendly carnival experience. Arts Council England has announced that an application for £72,000 has been successful.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “With only one in five applications to Arts Council England being successful at the moment, this is fantastic news for all involved in Blue Touch Paper Carnival. The money will be used for the next stage of development into 2011.

“Carnival is about expressing yourself and people sharing the experience. But for many disabled people it can be difficult to take part. Blue Touch Paper Carnival is about disabled and non-disabled people coming together and taking their time to plan top quality Carnival. It’s about everyone taking part in a way that works best for them.”

Blue Touch Paper Carnival has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark and was selected to be part of the London 2012 Open Weekend launch last year in London – one of only two groups to represent the South East.

Plans are in place for a showcase event in Horsham as part of London 2012 Open Weekend, July 23-25 2010 and to commission the making of a spectacular, large-scale costume or float to represent Blue Touch Paper Carnival at the World Island Games Opening in 2011. To get involved, go to Blue Touch Paper Carnival’s award-nominated website http://www.btpcarnival.co.uk/?location_id=63

Blue Touch Paper Carnival is part of West Sussex-Ahead of the Game’s commitment to culture in the run up to the London 2012 Games, and is one strand of work being managed by the West Sussex Arts Partnership.

West Sussex-Ahead of the Game is the countywide initiative to help the county make the most of the London 2012 Games.

Easy PC for all ages

Young people from the Crawley Foyer have been volunteering on a computer project to teach IT skills to the older generation.

The young people helped plan two pilot sessions at Crawley Foyer, West Green, with support from Crawley Borough Council and Crawley Foyer staff.

The sessions gave young people the opportunity to be mentors and to share their interests in computers with older adults.

The two sessions aimed to bridge the gap between the generations and encourage people of all ages to work together. This project also encouraged people to meet tenants and have insight into the Crawley Foyer service.

Feedback has been positive with participants enjoying working and interacting with people from different generations.

One participant said: “I learned to understand the computer so much more and found George was a great help. I am a slow learner so everything will be useful. I felt lucky to be here.”

A spokesperson for Crawley Foyer said: “The intergenerational project is a fantastic initiative that has taken place with the Crawley Foyer young people, in partnership with Crawley Borough Council.

“It demonstrates the Foyer’s involvement and support of the local community.

The feedback from the elderly participants has been excellent; the Foyer young people should rightly be very proud of their achievements and the success of the project.”

Further sessions may take place in the coming months.

TURN IT DOWN!

COLLEGE students will get their MP3s tested next week in a bid to raise awareness of the impact loud noise can have on hearing.

Crawley Borough Council’s Environmental Health Officers will be testing teens’ headphones at Central Sussex College on Thursday, and warning of the long-term damage that could be done to hearing if it’s too loud.

The move comes as part of national Noise Action Week (April 26 to 30) and follows findings from last year’s MP3 testing in the County Mall.

Karl Bock, Environmental Health Group Manager, said: “Around 40 people took our noise test last year; most were teenagers and almost all had the volume set much higher than the recommended 85 decibel level.

“People don’t necessarily think about the damage they are doing to their hearing, and probably won’t notice a difference at such a young age, but in the long-term, regular and sustained levels of loud noise can have a profound negative impact on hearing.”

According to a report from the EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR), as many as 5-10% of MP3 listeners are at risk of permanent hearing loss through listening to music through headphones at high volumes for long periods of time.

The council’s Environmental Health Team will be at Central Sussex College on Thursday April 29 where students can get their MP3s tested to find out how it compares to normal everyday noise levels.

MP3 owners can take three simple steps to protect their hearing:

1. Avoid volume levels that completely block out other background noise 2. Take regular breaks from using your headphones 3. Use the ‘smart volume’ feature if you have one

Members of the public can also get tested throughout Noise Action Week at the town hall by calling the Environmental Health Team on 01293 438218 and arranging an appointment.

For more information on Noise Action Week and MP3 players log on to www.noiseactionweek.org.uk

THE SUSSEX ECO AWARDS KEEPS GETTING BIGGER

more nominees and more sponsors makes for best event yet

The Sussex Eco Awards continues its exciting growth with more nominess and new sponsor, Clarity Environmental, coming on board to support the event.

Clarity Environmental is a recycling and waste management company, helping other organisations comply with environmental regulations for packaging and WEEE.

The Eco Awards celebrates excellence in environmental achievement and effort throughout Sussex. Within two months of launching, the awards have received nearly 170 nominations, compared to the first event run in 2008 when they were sent 60 nominations in six months.

Clarity Environmental’s support will allow the awards to continue growing, reaching out to more people and championing more great environmentally sustainable work.

Organiser Sarah Lewis-Hammond says: “The enthusiasm and support for the awards has been really overwhelming so far. Clarity coming on board with us at this stage is a fantastic step towards our goal of bringing the community together to celebrate how far we’ve all come in the great greening adventure.”

A spokesperson for Clarity Environmental says: “Clarity are excited to be proud sponsors of this year’s Sussex Eco Awards. Many companies and people in the Sussex area are making a real effort to become more green and environmentally friendly, and we are delighted to help support and celebrate this.”

The awards will be held on September 16 at The Old Market, hosted by celebrity designer Oliver Heath, with entertainment from improvisation group The Maydays.

The Sussex Eco Awards is held in association with The Argus and sponsored by Legal & General, EcoCentric, 10:10, Southern Water, Brighton and Hove City Council and Clarity Environmental.

• The Sussex Eco Awards began in 2008 and ran as part of The Argus. It has become an independent entity for 2010 and is now in the hands of award-winning environmental journalist Sarah Lewis-Hammond, but maintains strong links with the regional newspaper who act as our primary media partner.

• The categories are Green Business, Community and Campaign Group of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Green Building, Green Champion, Young Environmentalist, Foodie of the Year, Green Household and Green School.

• Nominations close on 24 June. To nominate visit at www.sussexecoawards.org.uk