Juhilee Award for Interpretation Boards
We are delighted to announce that the Queen's Jubilee Award Fund has granted us £2304 towards the cost of installing four interpretation boards describing the Goring Gap and the Ilex Avenue, one on the sea front in the Gap, and three along the Ilex Avenue. We hope to have a rough draft of the two panels on display at the AGM on May 2nd so that you can comment.

Worthing Borough Local Plan Inquiry
The Inspector's report from the Public Inquiry into the Worthing Structure Plan was published just before Christmas. WBC have not yet finalised their reaction to this, but they have promised public consultantion "later in the year". The Inspectors report was very much in our favour, and made recommendations in line with our objectives - protection of the Goring Gap, and protection ofHighdown and Titnore woods down to Castle Goring. The developers did not bother to wait for the Inspector's report and submitted a planning application to which we made objections. The application will most likely now have to be resubmitted.

Tree Management Programme
The trees in Sea Lane Goring have been trimmed by WSCC, and all the trees in the Ilex Avenue west of Aldsworth Avenue were inspected and trimmed by WBC during the year. New benches have been installed in the Avenue.

Evening Bat and Bird Walk
In July on a fine evening, 30 members walked along the Ilex Avenue and across the Goring Gap to see butterflies, bats and birds. We finished at the Bull for a pleasant drink.

The Travellers again
The travellers remain a threat, but the Goring Gap has not been attacked since Easter 2001. Instead they have been in the Alinora Carpark in March 2002.

Conservation Area Statement
Ilex Avenue is held in trust by Worthing Borough Council for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of the public in perpetuity. The part within Worthing is a Conservation Area. Arun is expected to finalise similar status in their part shortly. Trees within a conservation area must not be pruned or tampered with without planning consent. The trees in Sea Lane are managed by West Sussex Council highways department and are also protected.

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