Sussex weekly round-up: 13 July - 19 July 2024

DJ Woody Cook says he has had tinnitus 'for as long as I can remember'

The story about DJ Woody Cook warning about the dangers of getting tinnitus from attending gigs proved a popular read this week.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Sussex and BBC South East Today.

We have picked five stories from the past week in case you missed them.

Crawley 'inspired' by local hero Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate grew up in Crawley

The England football team reached its second major tournament final under the guidance of Crawley's Gareth Southgate.

Ahead of the final on 14 July, we headed to the West Sussex town to speak to residents about the famous former local boy - and they could not be more proud.

Read more here.

Short-term holiday lets could face regulations

Green councillor Ellen McLeay said families were being "priced out" of the city centre

Short-term holiday lets in Brighton and Hove could face regulations and restrictions after councillors unanimously backed taking a deeper look at the “saturation” of Airbnbs.

Green councillor Ellen McLeay asked for officials to prepare a report aimed at giving Brighton & Hove City Council more power to deal with the issue.

Ms McLeay said families were being "priced out" of the city centre and short-term lets were creating "ghost neighbourhoods".

An Airbnb spokesperson said its guests "accounted for a very low proportion of total visitors to Brighton & Hove last year" and contributed "tens of millions to the local economy".

Read more here.

Woman, 89, completes 90-mile walk along coast

Pam Brooks walked from Selsey, West Sussex, to Winchelsea Beach, in East Sussex

An 89-year-old woman completed a 90-mile charity walk along the South East coastline.

In celebration of her 90th birthday in November, Pam Brooks, from Rustington, began the 12-day walk on 5 July.

She finished the trek from Selsey, West Sussex, to Winchelsea Beach, in East Sussex, on Tuesday.

Her fundraising challenge was in aid of a Mothers' Union programme that supports literacy and savings programmes in Burundi, East Africa.

Read more here.

Cancer survivor scoops EuroMillions win

Jonathan Aldridge was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma when he was 17

A man who was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager said he hoped he was at the start of "a lucky phase" after he won a lottery prize of more than £130,000.

Jonathan Aldridge, 32, from Crawley, scooped £133,173.20 after he bought some EuroMillions Lucky Dip tickets earlier this year.

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma when he was 17.

Mr Aldridge said his family's support had been "central" to his cancer recovery over the years, and he "can now repay that support" with his winnings.

Read more here.

Newspaper building restored for 100th anniversary

Crowd gathered on the building's balcony after the scaffolding was removed

A former newspaper publishing house in East Sussex is marking its 100th birthday after a five-year restoration project.

The Observer Building, in Hastings, had been derelict since 1985. But on Valentine’s Day in 2019, community group Hastings Commons got the keys and began lovingly restoring it.

“It’s certainly been a long process,” said Dr Jess Steele, chief executive of Hasting Commons. “The building was pretty terrible when we got it.”

Built in 1924, the building was home to the Hastings & St Leonards Observer. Now, it is a creative working space, with 12 affordable flats also set to open on the fourth floor.

Read more here.