pier in an attempt to fly 100 metres and
win the £10,000 prize. The event brings
a massive crowd to the beach and the
seafront; in 2003 it was documented that
30,000 people turned out to watch the
event, while this year the prize money
was won for the first time.
The seafront is not only popular in the
summer months; for those of us who
live by the sea, we are also drawn to
its rugged unbridled beauty during the
winter. Seafront, town centre activities and
special events also fill the winter months.
A pop-up ice rink has been located along
the seafront for a few months every winter
for the last five years.
This is a massive advantage for
Worthing and the rink draws people into
the town. The local theatres also play
a large part in the winter culture of the
town. Worthing is becoming famous for
its pantomime season, often with two
different pantos happening in the town
at the same time.
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Over the last decade, especially, a lot
of money has been spent on the town
centre and the wider seafront. Most
recently, a new complex, including an
Olympic-sized swimming pool and a
state-of-the-art gym, has opened - really
helping to boost a section of the town
that was not used a great deal before
the development.
With all these activities, it is no wonder that
Worthing is becoming a popular place for
young people to live. In recent years, many
young people have looked westwards from
nearby Brighton in the search for cheaper
house prices and perhaps this has helped
develop an increasingly cosmopolitan and
lively way of life in the town.
The town’s reputati on for being
overwhelmed by retired people has
long since fallen away. With a vibrant
nightlife of independently-run bars,
restaurants and music venues, the town
centre and seafront are often buzzing
on a summer evening.
When thinking of reasons why I love
Worthing, my focus moves towards
my home turf of Tarring, a village-like
haven within the Worthing catchment.
Comparatively, Worthing is a recent
development (apparently just a small
mackerel fishing hamlet until the late 18th
century) whereas Tarring was included
in the Domesday Book (although called
Terringes then). Tarring has an interesting
history, including a visit from Thomas
Beckett, and a sanctuary for St Richard
(Bishop of Chichester and the patron
saint for Sussex) when there was trouble
afoot with King Henry III.
Tarring has several distinctive buildings
and features. At its centre, and at the hub
of the community, are St Andrews Church
and the Archbishops Palace (both 13th
century). There is also an ‘ancient’ fig
garden originating from 1745. Despite
being compact, Tarring has had several
pubs. A lamp case bearing the legend
Castle Inn can still be found outside one
of the former pubs.
One word instantly comes to mind
when I think of Tarring: community.
Tarring has a great sense of community,
something that I have seen develop
during my time living here. Having lived
in the town for more than 30 years and
raising two daughters here, my family
and I have all become deeply involved
with our small ‘village’ of Tarring and
Worthing as a whole.
sees it as a great stepping stone from
childhood to young adulthood for the
young girls she works with.
Both of my daughters were educated
in Tarring at the local first and middle
schools and our involvement in the
community has grown over the years.
My wife and I are very much involved
with our local church. Both of our girls
were christened and confirmed there.
My eldest daughter helped run the youth
group for a number of years.
My youngest daughter, Josephine, is also
involved in charity work for the town; she
plays a big part as a youth trustee for
a local charity that helps young people
find their way in life. Josephine is a
passionate photographer and filmmaker
and uses her skills for projects within the
charity and within the town.
As well as being involved in the church,
my eldest daughter Alexandra has run a
Guide unit in the town for the last eight
years - having loved being a Girl Guide
herself, she now runs her own unit and
Helping the Guides integrate within the
community, teaching them basic life skills
and values, and by running exciting events
and excursions, she helps these young
girls feel like they belong to a community
and play a vital role in the local area.
In Tarring, everyone knows everyone
else, however clichéd that may sound,
and you cannot go anywhere without
bumping into someone you know. This
sense of community is definitely one of
the reasons why I love Worthing.
I couldn’t possibly finish an article on
Worthing without mentioning some
well-known residents. Oscar Wilde and
Harold Pinter have lived and worked in
Worthing, apparently. However I can
vouch for the fact that Simon Mayo (BBC
Radio presenter) and Billy Idol (yes
really) went to school in the town, as I
was at school with them.
Worthing is a great town to call home
for me and my family. We all love the
community feel, the vibrancy and the
liveliness that Worthing has to offer. We
cannot imagine living anywhere else.
Oh, and there is just one reason why I
don’t love Worthing – seagulls; at four in
the morning.
By Robin Churchill
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