WHISPERING SMITH: I’m finding all these stores a bit draining

ALTHOUGH planning permission for the proposed new retail site in Rustington has yet to be applied for, let alone approved, it is sad to see that several of the splendid old pine trees which bordered the southern boundary have already been felled and removed, not by the developers but by Network Rail.

I guess the whole coastal strip along the A259 is destined to become one long concrete store from Worthing to Littlehampton. What a miserable thought. One can only hope the planners will work out where the rainwaters, which use this vast site as a soak-away, are now headed.

I hope that Arun, usually quite hot at this sort of thing, keeps a close eye on the site – we don’t need another Sainsbury’s monstrosity – and sees to it that new trees replace any that are removed and that the natural habitat is adequately protected.

I HAVE never been a fan of Kingmere and don’t lie awake at night wondering how it ever got planning permission, but it is a welcoming landmark when coming over Long Furlong after a long drive from London.

Now surrounded by scaffolding and shrouded in blue mesh, the tower block has taken on a new air, a new dignity. A few rambling roses, Virginia creeper or ivy permanently greening the hazy blue sides would improve it even further.

FOLLOWING the ceremony at Caffyn’s Field on Saturday, where the mayor, on behalf of the town council, granted the freedom of the town to 30 IX Royal Marines – and the town council really does these things very well – I was asked why some of the marines were in khaki, while the majority were in dress blues?

Simple, they were not marines, but regular soldiers of various regiments (engineers, artillery, etc.) attached to the marines unit.

THE COLOR OF MONEY, your money, our money! Arun has squirrelled away £32m contingency money and cannot find a few thou to keep our cinema open? What are they waiting for, a rainy day? Look outside, it’s pouring.

Come on, Arun, give us some of our money back. Cinema now closed for 247 days and counting, and I for one am fed up with trekking to Chichester and Brighton.