» News: 7 days of headlines with Phil Mills
It’s an overused phrase “unsung hero” but in many people’s books it’s the appropriate accolade for Rita Jackson.
The retired nurse (above left) threatened to barricade herself in and campaigned relentlessly through the local and national media to fight the threatened redevelopment of the row of John Howard Cottages in Roedean Road, Brighton, where she and fellow former nurses resided.
They were facing eviction until the local St George’s Church heard of their plight and came to the rescue, taking over responsibility for the homes from the Royal College of Nursing.
It wasn’t just Rita who fought the good fight, of course. Others took up the challenge and changed the course of events to allow the retired nurses to spend their last days in peace. But she was one of the most outspoken.
Rita, 80 and a member of one of Brighton’s oldest fishing families, the Gillams, died on New Year’s day, only months after the good news came through, and her funeral was held last week (13 January). Many sympathy cards received by her children thanked Rita for her efforts.
In other news, the City Council won a cluster of appeals to keep city buildings in keeping: a notice was upheld to remove uPVC windows from the front of house in Walpole Terrace where sash windows are the tradition; it won the right to force the removal of three sets of French windows installed without permission in Western Road; and in Benfield Close, Portslade, a homeowner will have to remove a chimney built without permission.
Is the council too fussy with its planning laws? Email comment@thelatest.co.uk
There was tragedy on the shore when a dog owner died after trying to rescue his pet terriers from rough seas near Brighton Pier.
Kevin Reynolds, 52, died in hospital three hours after being pulled from the waves. Passers by saved the man’s daughter after she went in to help. One of the two dogs drowned.
Chief Inspector Helen West, said: “This is a truly tragic event and my sympathies go to the family. Members of the public bravely entered the sea to try to rescue the father and daughter. The man was difficult to reach and was eventually pulled from the water by the lifeboat and airlifted to hospital.
“Generally dogs eventually return to their owners after entering water and it is certainly not worth the risk for individuals to go into the sea especially during adverse water conditions.”
Police are also asking people to be on the lookout for Brighton man, 21-year old Lloyd Trill, who is wanted for breach of the terms of his release from prison. He was freed part way through a two- year sentence for GBH. Call police on 0845 6070 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
On a lighter note, Brighton’s Katie Price, aka glamour model Jordan, dressed to the nines and
slapped on the lippy when she launched her new clothing range at a shopping mall –andthenafew days later she announced she preferred the “natural look” first thing in the mornings. Hmm.
And lastly, hats off to the mobility scooter rider for his unique number plate “Old Git 3”, spotted by photographer Stephen Lawrence. Thanks for the laugh, Mister!
Two rescue dogs went from being homeless to TV stars after being chosen to appear in a high profile advert alongside models Twiggy and Lisa Snowden. The two West Highland terriers, Alfie, 10, and Izzy, nine, were taken in by The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in East Sussex after their owner died. The dogs now star in Marks & Spencer’s new TV ad. The dogs’ groomer mentioned that M&S were looking for two Westies so their owner took them along to audition.
