COLUMNIST: Mike Mendoza on the Shoreham Centre, weather and grants

The centre will continue to function during the re-building period, with various events and activities being organised. Existing events will continue as always, plus some brand-new innovative ideas coming from the management team, such as cabaret nights and lectures.

Already booked and appearing at the centre on the second of May is award-winning Rat Pack singer Dean Ager. This will be like an intimate supper club evening, with tickets available at £25 to include a meal and the show.

On My 9, be amazed at the power of International clairvoyant Jo Scott, with an evening of clairvoyance. This is South African Jo’s first visit to Adur as she travels around the UK bringing messages to those who have lost loved ones and guidance for people who are at a crossroads in their life.

Also lined up over the next few months will be Kenny Ball’s Jazz Men, The King and Queen and a superb big swing band. I understand there will also be a boxing night as well, booked for a couple of month’s time. For more information, details and to book tickets, call 012732 454686. We wish them the best of luck after their recent problems with break-ins.

When looking around the rest of the country at the appalling weather, we in Adur have come out of this long, awful period quite well. The county council, Adur District Council and the Environment Agency have done excellent jobs in making sure we are all safe.

We had a couple of scares, mainly in Lancing, Southwick and Shoreham, but overall we stayed safe. Well done to all involved and well done to our own community for looking out for each other.

It is worth pointing out the council does not supply sandbags to domestic properties and members of the public have a responsibility to protect their own homes. If you consider you are at risk of flooding, then sandbags should be purchased from local building suppliers.

With regard to commercial properties protection is the responsibility of the owners, or occupiers, who should undertake their own risk assessment and make provision for the supply and positioning of sandbags. The council will respond to requests from the emergency services to protect strategic properties until the arrival and support of the owners, or occupiers.

I can’t wait to write about some lovely weather, I wonder when that will be?

Until March 25, the Shoreham Harbour regeneration team is holding ten weeks of public consultation on the Draft Joint Area Action Plan. An important part of the Shoreham Harbour regeneration project is a consultation with the community – key stakeholders, including local residents and community groups, businesses and landowners.

All consultation documents are available to view at Adur Civic Centre, Nautilus House in Southwick, Shoreham Library, the Fishersgate Centre, Shoreham Centre and Southwick Community Centre. If you don’t make your views known during this period, then don’t complain if you don’t like what you see later.

The regeneration team at Adur and Worthing councils is delighted to announce the launch of Grants for Events 2014. A total of £10,000 is available in both Adur and Worthing for events taking place between April, 2014, and March, 2015.

Applications will be welcomed from enterprising groups and individuals who are committed to organising and running an event specifically aimed at raising the profile and visitor numbers to our district.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate how they will engage local people and how their event will both contribute to the local economy and grow to become self-supporting. Last year, we were able to provide funding and support to six events in Adur, including the enormously-successful Sea of Lights in Lancing, River Fest and the very popular Military History Day at Shoreham Fort.