I WASN’T going to post anything on my WordPress site today – but I’ve been forced to do so after trying to log my complaint about the state of the road surface at the Green Lane T-junction by the Stagecoach bus stop on the WSCC website AGAIN but getting thrown off it as usual because the system doesn’t work. I assume this means there won’t be an audit trail of my complaints – but WSCC officials are well aware that I raised worries about farm labourers walking along the equally treacherous B2166 Pagham Road and the woeful bus stops there last year. We – as responsible British citizens – cannot continue to ignore this issue. Someone has to flag it up – and, at the moment, it appears that that SOMEONE is me. I realise my latest two Facebook posts aren’t polished news articles, but I’ve got to get the message out there somehow before it’s too late. All I’d say is, I’d ask you, my readers, to compare and contrast the everyday obstacles the young Bulgarian farm labourer has to face apparently getting to and work with ageing Hollywood A-lister Anthony Hopkins’ SIMPLE LIFE. You do the math!
First Facebook post:
‘I PUT myself in the young Bulgarian’s shoes this morning after giving him a lift on the B2145 near Hunston Mill yesterday and driving him to his “caravan”. We couldn’t understand each other in
my car because he couldn’t speak English and I admit I don’t know any Bulgarian. His only three words to me in the car were “caravan” and “tomato farm” as he gestured towards Green Lane and onto the Donnington B2201 road. I dropped him off at the entrance to a farm and he sauntered along the driveway. I had no idea whether he was heading to the “tomato farm” he’d mentioned – but I think he was going “home” to his caravan.
A few years ago and I possibly wouldn’t have thought twice about this young Bulgarian’s plight after we parted company. Back then, I would have possibly chosen to ignore his story living a cosseted life hidden away from society.
But time and people change so I took a look at the OS map of Chichester and Hunston last night to see if there were any safe footpaths across the fields from Hunston to the farm. To my surprise, I could see dotted black lines which appeared to be “footpaths” and not parish boundaries on my latest OS Explorer map as well as an ancient one I keep at home from the mid-Seventies. But I could have been mistaken. Does anyone know?
Intrigued, I set out early to explore the fields this morning, and – lo and behold – I ended up at dead ends, scuppered by ditches and deeply ploughed earth where I could easily have snapped an ankle or worse. Of course, I gave up and walked home along the B2145 instead (see photos). Terrifying.
No one should be walking along the B2145, and the B2201 Selsey roads or A286 to Itchenor and the Witterings – where I saw another young man walking along the verge this afternoon.
Have I simply been ignoring these lone men on the roadside before now? Or are there an increasing number of them? Can anyone enlighten me? Hils”
Second one earlier this morning:
“SORRY, I like Anthony Hopkins – but living a quiet, simple life is an unattainable luxury for the majority of ordinary people. We’re not all A-list celebrities. Most of us are muddling by in life, trying to scrimp a living after the greedy b@##gers at the top have fleeced us of earning a living working in jobs (careers, dare I say it) we spent years training to do at college and in work. I’m clinging on to my one hobby of golf at the moment – as I watch my savings dwindle. Today, the fat cats in charge expect us to become VOLUNTEERS in job roles we are ill-equipped to fulfil.
Thanks, Mr Hopkins. Enjoy your SIMPLE life – but remember that you only have it easy because countless “forgotten” people are scurrying about behind the scenes serving your needs.”
UPDATE: (8am, Monday, June 2nd, 2025) As I get older I find I need a magnifying glass consulting OS maps. It would appear the dotted line on my old 1975 OS map was black, not red, so it would appear to be the parish boundary. However, I still don’t know what the black dashed line is beside Kipson House. Can anyone with a greater knowledge than me of the surrounding fields tell me whether it was once a footpath or not? H
UPDATE TWO: (8.09am, June 2nd, 2025) I have gleaned from The Selsey Grapevine social media site that WSCC will be working on the stretch of road by the Stagecoach bus stop on the B2145 late this month. As you know, I find it nigh-on impossible communicating with my county council but my WSCC Green Party councillor Sarah Sharp should be able to tell me what’s happening.
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Hilary Gavin
Copyright, May 31st, 2025
A freelance journalist & writer based in Hunston, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 1NY, who wants to revive local journalism to bring back accountability in public affairs.
Please see my About Me page for links to my rwcent related stories on this issue.
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