Could you help children get to school safely?

West Sussex County Council wants to recruit more school crossing patrols – affectionately known as Lollipop men and women.

The patrols play a vital role in helping thousands of children cross the road safely to get to and from school every day.

The County Council is appealing for anyone who might be interested to come forward and is particularly interested to hear from people who might be able to fill vacancies at:

• East Wittering Community Primary School, Chichester.

• Pound Hill Infant and Junior schools, Crawley.

• Rumbleswhyke CE Infants School, Chichester.

Lionel Barnard, West Sussex County Council Deputy Leader with responsibility for Highways and Transport, said: “We are keen to fill these vacancies as soon as possible but we know we will have more positions to fill in the future, so we would like to hear from people who might be interested in working in other areas.

“It’s a very rewarding job with all the usual benefits you would expect such as paid holiday. We provide a uniform and full training and there is no upper age limit – many of our patrols are in their seventies and still doing a fantastic job.”

The County Council employs patrols at 130 sites across West Sussex at the start and finish of each school day. The rate of pay is £6.84 per hour rising to £7.19 by annual increments and of course patrols only work during term-time.

Although the exact times vary from site to site, the commitment is usually 30-40 minutes each morning and afternoon.

Lionel added: “We would also like to hear from anyone who is interested in working as a relief School Crossing Patrol to cover vacancies, holidays and sickness.”

If you want to find out more please call 01243 642985 or log onto www.westsussex.gov.uk and search for ‘school crossing patrols’.

Saving energy with UTILISE

Seven West Sussex businesses have received funding to improve their energy efficiency – meaning an annual saving of more than 73 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

It comes from the first round of UTILISE action grants. The funding is available to West Sussex businesses and voluntary and community organisations for energy saving projects.

The successful applicants are:

• Rustington Golf Centre – updating their lighting system with energy efficient lamps. This will save £2,400 from their annual electricity bill.

• Sussex Hardwood Workshops, West Stoke near Chichester –roof insulation and installing a wood fuelled heater to run on sawdust and off-cuts. The improvements are part of ongoing work by the carpentry business to minimise their environmental impact.

• Goodwood Metalcraft, Chichester – installing a heating management system to reduce gas use. This will reduce heating costs by 30 percent.

• The Orchard Restaurant, West Grinstead – installing double glazing and cavity wall insulation.

• Dove Lodge, Littlehampton – replacing their boiler with a more efficient model.

• Kittiwake Developments, Littlehampton – updating their lighting system with energy efficient lighting.

• Spellman High Voltage, Pulborough – updating their lighting system with energy efficient lighting.

Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Keith Blake said: “This initiative helps organisations in a practical way to save money on bills and look after the environment.

“These projects will make considerable carbon and cost savings and will provide inspiration for other organisations to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Goodwood Metalcraft Director and General Manager Mike Hughes said: “Promoting a green economy is definitely the right way out of the recession, and the grants are pleasingly straightforward to apply for.”

Orchard Restaurant Manager David Chadburn added: “Having already insulated the loft, fitted radiator controls and installed energy efficient lighting and appliances, this was the next step for us. We’re now looking at renewable energy, especially solar panels.”

The next round of UTILISE Action Grant Funding is now open. Capital grants of £1,000 to £10,000 are available.

Free UTILISE workshops, to give businesses and organisations advice on how to save energy and money, are being held in Worthing, Horsham and Arun over the coming months.

The funding and workshops are managed by the West Sussex Sustainable Business Partnership. For further information visit the website at www.westsussexsbp.org.uk.

ST JOHN AMBULANCE DIRECTOR CHALLENGES BUSINESSES TO PUT FIRST AID ON CSR AGENDA

St John Ambulance South East Director Sabarah Cursons, wants employers to recognise first aid as a vital element of their corporate social responsibility, not just as a legal tick box, but as a way of reducing the number of unnecessary deaths.

The charity recently found that each year up to 150,000 people die in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live*. Up until now the magnitude of this problem was not known.

In response to the situation, St John Ambulance is challenging UK businesses to take action by providing first aid training to as many employees as possible as part of their corporate and social responsibilities or as an employee benefit.

‘Many organisations have CSR policies or community initiatives that tackle problems we face as a society, such as making their practices more sustainable. It’s encouraging that businesses want to prevent long-term effects on our environment but by also training more people in first aid they can give staff the ability to make an immediate difference between a life saved and a life lost,’ says Sabarah.

‘Companies are already required to train a minimum number of staff in first aid. We are asking them to go further and train as many employees as possible or at least help spread basic first aid knowledge within the workplace. We can reduce the number of people dying needlessly while employees feel empowered, cared for and recognise the positive contribution their employer is making. Many businesses offer employees gym memberships or language lessons, but what could be more important that equipping your workforce with the skills to save a life?’

Research by St John Ambulance found that nearly two thirds (59%) of people would like first aid training at work, further justifying the argument that training should be offered as an employee benefit.

’First aid training helps to keep employees safe, and provides them with life saving knowledge that benefits not only their colleagues, but their families, friends and community,’ continues Sabarah. ‘What better legacy for an organisation to leave than life itself, and the ability to preserve it.’

St John Ambulance is reinforcing this message with a trade advertising campaign which builds on the success of its recent award-winning** national adverts. The charity plans to introduce a national awards programme next year to recognise businesses leading the way in first aid.

St John Ambulance can work with businesses to find a solution that suits them and can offer in-house training if needed. For a free needs assessment or to book a first aid course, call 08447 70 48 01 or text ‘needs’ to 88008 or visit www.sja.org.uk.

Friends clear and prune

The Friends of Broadfield Park held their latest clear up and pruning day on Saturday (August 21).

The group, along with Crawley Borough Council Amenity Services staff, pruned a large part of the decorative pear arch and removed lots of overgrown shrubbery.

Future clear-up and pruning dates for 2010 are Saturday September 18 and Saturday October 23, all from 10am-1pm.

The Friends also formed a steering committee to help organise events who will be meeting shortly.

The Friends are calling for volunteers to help keep the area in tip-top condition. Anyone interested in helping should contact Councillor Lee Gilroy on 07593 141806 or Councillor Allan Quirk on 01293 413853.

There’ll be rich pickings in your own back yard this autumn, gardeners told

GARDENERS in West Sussex are being urged to take advantage of the rich pickings that will literally be in their own back yard this autumn by getting a composter.

The call comes from Better Tomorrows, the independent community company that promotes sustainable living in the county, which has tied up with a manufacturer to offer bargain-priced composters.

John de Mierre, Chairman of Better Tomorrows, said: “Composting is a cost effective and natural process that transforms kitchen and garden waste into a valuable food product for your garden.

“It helps to improve soil structure, maintain moisture levels and helps to suppress plant disease.

“Composting also helps to reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfill, so helping to save money, energy and water as well as reducing greenhouse gases.”

Autumn is ideal for composting, he said.

“This is because there is a great deal of nutrient-rich waste available.

“Spent bedding plants, grass cuttings, autumn leaves and prunings can all be composted throughout the autumn and winter months, to produce a rich compost ideal for spring planting,” said John.

Much of the food waste in household bins can also be composted.

“Anything from fruit and vegetable peelings to egg shells, tea bags, pet hair and even shredded paper can be composted,” said John.

The UK’s top selling composter, the Compost Converter, which has been endorsed by more than 85 per cent of local authorities for use by their residents, is available from only £14 plus delivery. It is made of recycled plastic and has a 10-year guarantee.

For full details visit www.getcomposting.com or call 0844 571 4444.