Parish councillor stands down

Mr Nethercoate-Bryant, 78, was presented with a picture of Upper Beeding by his fellow councillors at Tuesday's meeting.

Parish council chairman Joyce Shaw said: "I am sad that Keith is leaving. He has given great service to the parish. He worked very hard to get a doctor's surgery in the village.

"He organised the children of the village, with the children of Steyning, to open the Steyning bypass. I have worked with him since 1991 and I have found him someone who was very easy to work with and I feel he is someone who has given me a great deal of support. I will be sorry to see him go."

Mr Nethercoate-Bryant joined the parish council in 1980 and served as chairman for seven years.

Speaking to the Herald, he said: "I have enjoyed being on the council for the last 25 years, but unfortunately due to the Navy I am losing my hearing. I am losing it enough not to be able to take part in debates."

He said his highlights included the opening of the Steyning bypass with 700 children from Upper Beeding, Bramber and Steyning, and sponsoring the village of Yobe in Somalia for five years.

Mr Nethercoate-Bryant added: "I am still retaining the post of co-ordinator of the emergency committee, which I set up years ago, so I will not be destroying all my links."