insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 09 - November 2015 | Page 13

NEWS

BIG FREEZE MEANS NICE ICE AT BRIGHTON’S ROYAL PAVILION ICE RINK
Tickets went on sale in September for the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, which
opens in Brighton on 7th November until 17th January, as organisers
predicted a special skate year if the forecasted big freeze happens this
winter season.

© Hugo Philpott

Said Shella Parkin, CEO of Laine Ltd, creator of the rink: “Forecasts for
the coldest winter for 50 years might be bad news for some, but could
promise for a great year of skating and we hope that all our fans will come
back again this year for some more fun at the most beautiful outdoor ice
rink in the South East. If the snow really does fall, it will bring a little extra
magic to the rink in its sixth year in Brighton.”
The huge 880 square metre rink includes a beginners’ area, penguin
skate aids and skate sizes from ‘just walking’ to adult. The stunning rink
side Bar & Kitchen offers mouth-watering patisserie snacks, Christmas
treats, a quick drink with the best view in the City and scrumptious
sharing platters for families and friends to enjoy.
Ice-skating tickets cost from £10 for adults (aged 12 and over), £7 for
juniors (children under 12) and the one-hour skate times run from 10am
to 10.15pm daily. Club Rinkidinks (10am–11am daily) offers children
under five the chance to skate for free when accompanied on the ice by

an adult paying full price. There are also season tickets for those who
want to learn to skate (check website for details) and great concessions
for students. The box office is open from 9.45am to 9.45pm, but it is
advisable to book tickets in advance. www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk

WEST SUSSEX WINS TWO FARMERS WEEKLY AWARDS
Tim Hassell of Goodwood Estate, Chichester
and John Pitts of Woodhorn Group, Oving,
West Sussex, won their categories at the
Farmers Weekly Awards in October.
Tim Hassell was awarded Farm Manager of the
Year, sponsored by Claas UK. Tim manages
the 1,375ha organic Home Farm on the
Goodwood Estate, best known for its annual
motorsport festival and racecourse. He turns
out top-quality meat, milk, cheese and beer to
sell on the estate and beyond.
Three years ago, Home Farm was sending
off 40kg of product a week – now it sends
4,000kg. Tim doesn’t use a fancy marketing
department – he throws a rucksack full of
samples on his back and heads up to London

to meet potential customers. “I could be
feeding calves in the morning then going to the
Ritz in the evening,” he says.
John Pitts was crowned Sustainable Farmer
of the Year, sponsored by Bridgestone. The
Pitts family have been tenants of the Church
Commissioners at Woodhorn Farm since 1882.
John is a fourth-generation farmer and took on
the tenancy age 26 in 1990. At the time, the
Pitts were farming conventionally with about
365ha of wheat and oilseed rape, combined
with a dairy herd of 180 cows.
Today, the business is certified organic and
has grown to more than 600ha with 240 dairy
cows. The farm also has its own composting
business.

The awards were held at the prestigious
Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane London
in October and were hosted by Hugh Dennis,
comedian, actor, writer and impressionist from
BBC’s Outnumbered and the Now Show.

AIRBOURNE BUCKET COLLECTORS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR
LOCAL CHARITIES AND FUTURE FLYING DISPLAYS
The busiest ever year at Airbourne has brought in the largest amount of
public donations from generous givers, in the seven years since Airbourne
introduced bucket collections at the international air show.

and Riding for the Disabled Association who will each receive £3,641.58.
In the last seven years a total of £45,989 has been donated through funds
raised at Airbourne, to various charities connected to the local area.

The final total raised by Rotary Club volunteers was an impressive
£36,415.82, part of which will assist in the fundi