The Impact of the Strategy on the Community
This page gathers together contributions from a variety of users of the Facilities that are under threat, where they describe how loss or relocation would change their activities or life-style
Windmill Theatre-goers
My husband is disabled and the only real enjoyment is that I take him to the Windmill Theatre at least 6-8 sometimes more a month, he loves the theatre and films he feels that he is still part of the community, and the staff are wonderful with him.
Please do not take this small pleasure away from him or others, it is a valuable asset to Littlehampton without it many people like my husband will be marginalised in the community, please think very carefully before you make any decisions.
I know many people will say there is Chichester and Worthing theatres, but what they do not realise is,
1. when you care for someone who is disabled it's getting them there, the Windmill is on the prom and is accessed very easily,
2. it allows the carer to also be part of the community, and to enjoy something with there partner other than 24/7 being a carer, this helps to reduce the care the carer needs from the community services.
Please do not take this small pleasure away from him or others, it is a valuable asset to Littlehampton without it many people like my husband will be marginalised in the community, please think very carefully before you make any decisions.
I know many people will say there is Chichester and Worthing theatres, but what they do not realise is,
1. when you care for someone who is disabled it's getting them there, the Windmill is on the prom and is accessed very easily,
2. it allows the carer to also be part of the community, and to enjoy something with there partner other than 24/7 being a carer, this helps to reduce the care the carer needs from the community services.
A Windmill Theatre Stage Group
It is the only theatre supported by Arun. Does Arun really want to be known as a Council that does not support the arts in any way?
This isn’t about throwing money at somebody’s hobby – there are many children and young people who are gainfully occupied in performance who would have nowhere else to go. There are many adults equally gainfully occupied. Isn’t this ‘active leisure’?.
This isn’t about throwing money at somebody’s hobby – there are many children and young people who are gainfully occupied in performance who would have nowhere else to go. There are many adults equally gainfully occupied. Isn’t this ‘active leisure’?.
A Windmill Theatre Performance Group
• The Windmill provides a valued service to the community not only for local residents, but the wider community, including day visitors to the area and residents in outlying areas such as Arundel, Storrington and Washington etc.
• The Windmill provides a true theatre experience with a unique ambience; an experience you don't get from a non raised stage venue. If the Windmill closes the nearest raised stage Theatre is either Bognor or Worthing.
• It provides a range of shows and activities for the community of all ages ranging from our youth to the senior members of our society.
• The Windmill not only provides an entertainment but also a fantastic learning facility. The members of theatre companies can learn their skills, not only on stage but behind the scenes with stage management, lighting and sound etc.
• These skills such as improved communications, confidence and planning etc, can then be transferred to all areas of life, including the family, work and social environments. This helps us build a well rounded proactive self supporting community.
• The Windmill is an integral part of the town and community. We should be committed to supporting it now and in the future securing it for the generations to come
• The Windmill provides a true theatre experience with a unique ambience; an experience you don't get from a non raised stage venue. If the Windmill closes the nearest raised stage Theatre is either Bognor or Worthing.
• It provides a range of shows and activities for the community of all ages ranging from our youth to the senior members of our society.
• The Windmill not only provides an entertainment but also a fantastic learning facility. The members of theatre companies can learn their skills, not only on stage but behind the scenes with stage management, lighting and sound etc.
• These skills such as improved communications, confidence and planning etc, can then be transferred to all areas of life, including the family, work and social environments. This helps us build a well rounded proactive self supporting community.
• The Windmill is an integral part of the town and community. We should be committed to supporting it now and in the future securing it for the generations to come
A Mum - Member of a Theatre Group, whose Children use the Swimming Pool
What does the Community do between the old pool being demolished and a new one being built?
Where does Arun District Council suggest all that use the Theatre perform and rehearse, Littlehampton is a seaside town people love the cosiness of the seaside and the Theatre. We already have a pool so we don't need a splash pool, Littlehampton is too small for this, and what about the parking on the seafront, Which is busy enough in peak season, with pool all you will see is cars on the seafront (what an eyesore)
To build more dwellings on this part of the beech will totally spoil that part of the seafront, from a quaint town to an entertainment Centre, which is awful.
In the summer months there will be insufficient parking for this new complex, the roads will become full of cars. which will effect people living on the seafront and roads adjacent
How many decades would it take the community to pay ADC back for the new pool?
The Windmill has been part of Littlehampton for many years and is in constant use, from people of all ages and with Disabilities, the Theatre gives a lot of pleasure not only for the Audience but the people involved, Drama is a learning, and social development and having the Theatre brings people together which is something many towns lack that community feeling.
The community needs its Theatre, we cannot and will not want to go to Bognor Regis, and I myself do not own a car so I would have to Bognor everyday from my house this would be expensive and inconvenient, for all parents involved.
The children of West Sussex have been brought up with the Windmill its familiar, the local schools use it for shows and the brownies too, several hundreds of people us the theatre Evan though Inspire Leisure charge over the top. I performed one of my first shows in the Theatre some 40 years ago, as a little girl, and have watched my own children perform and the excitement and work and energy the children put into it is fantastic.
We need to listen to the Children and the performers and the people who pay to see these shows, the theatre is in constant use, and the local groups who have been performing for many years there will cease. There is enough land at the existing pool to put water slides, and also if the hotel was built on the site the local B&BS would loose their business.
Where does Arun District Council suggest all that use the Theatre perform and rehearse, Littlehampton is a seaside town people love the cosiness of the seaside and the Theatre. We already have a pool so we don't need a splash pool, Littlehampton is too small for this, and what about the parking on the seafront, Which is busy enough in peak season, with pool all you will see is cars on the seafront (what an eyesore)
To build more dwellings on this part of the beech will totally spoil that part of the seafront, from a quaint town to an entertainment Centre, which is awful.
In the summer months there will be insufficient parking for this new complex, the roads will become full of cars. which will effect people living on the seafront and roads adjacent
How many decades would it take the community to pay ADC back for the new pool?
The Windmill has been part of Littlehampton for many years and is in constant use, from people of all ages and with Disabilities, the Theatre gives a lot of pleasure not only for the Audience but the people involved, Drama is a learning, and social development and having the Theatre brings people together which is something many towns lack that community feeling.
The community needs its Theatre, we cannot and will not want to go to Bognor Regis, and I myself do not own a car so I would have to Bognor everyday from my house this would be expensive and inconvenient, for all parents involved.
The children of West Sussex have been brought up with the Windmill its familiar, the local schools use it for shows and the brownies too, several hundreds of people us the theatre Evan though Inspire Leisure charge over the top. I performed one of my first shows in the Theatre some 40 years ago, as a little girl, and have watched my own children perform and the excitement and work and energy the children put into it is fantastic.
We need to listen to the Children and the performers and the people who pay to see these shows, the theatre is in constant use, and the local groups who have been performing for many years there will cease. There is enough land at the existing pool to put water slides, and also if the hotel was built on the site the local B&BS would loose their business.
Swimming club for the disabled
The Club have been meeting at the pool for the past 29 years, since March 1983. The original design of the pool included the slope into the smaller pool and even a pool hoist socket. Clearly at that time there was a concern to provide good facilities for the disabled.
Over time various items, such as, a dry hoist, a pool hoist and other equipment have been acquired. In 2006 Arun Dolphins contributed £5,000 towards the cost of the new Disabled Changing Room.
Currently on a Wednesday evening between 6.30 and 7.30 we have 30 - 40 disabled people using both pools. For many of them this hour is the highlight of their week.
The facilities currently available and the location are ideal for our members, so why is it not possible to simply improve what we have, rather than one of these crazy proposals.
Over time various items, such as, a dry hoist, a pool hoist and other equipment have been acquired. In 2006 Arun Dolphins contributed £5,000 towards the cost of the new Disabled Changing Room.
Currently on a Wednesday evening between 6.30 and 7.30 we have 30 - 40 disabled people using both pools. For many of them this hour is the highlight of their week.
The facilities currently available and the location are ideal for our members, so why is it not possible to simply improve what we have, rather than one of these crazy proposals.
The Arun Youth Aqua Centre
AYAC provides an opportunity for all young people in Littlehampton to learn to sail. The Centre is unique in the immediate area because its dinghies are sea-launched direct from the beach.
The site where boats are stored, and which is the centre for the club, is adjacent to the swimming centre. Its presence is not covered in the consultant report, but if the land is sold club would have to close if no alternative provision can be found.
The club was founded in 1977 is supported by grants from a variety of sources including Sport England and keeps fees very low so that young people from all backgrounds have the chance to participate in sailing.
The present site is ideal as it is well away from the river; and there are no alternative sites immediately apparent.
The site where boats are stored, and which is the centre for the club, is adjacent to the swimming centre. Its presence is not covered in the consultant report, but if the land is sold club would have to close if no alternative provision can be found.
The club was founded in 1977 is supported by grants from a variety of sources including Sport England and keeps fees very low so that young people from all backgrounds have the chance to participate in sailing.
The present site is ideal as it is well away from the river; and there are no alternative sites immediately apparent.
Short-Mat Bowls Club, a User of the Sports Dome
The Sports Dome has been the home for a short mat bowls club for 23 years, who play there everyTuesday and Friday. The club provides an active leisure pursuit for a large number of people.
The Sports Dome is big enough to allow the use of6to8 Mats. There is no other venue in the area that can provide this.
If the sports dome is taken away the club will have to close as there are no alternative venues available.
The club regularly fills the hall for charity matches and had raised considerable sums over the years.
The Sports Dome is big enough to allow the use of6to8 Mats. There is no other venue in the area that can provide this.
If the sports dome is taken away the club will have to close as there are no alternative venues available.
The club regularly fills the hall for charity matches and had raised considerable sums over the years.
Sports Dome User: Table Tennis Club
The Sports Dome has also been the home to a table tennis club which meets every Friday.
This again provides an active leisure pursuit for a large number of people. If the dome is taken away this club will be forced to close. There is no alternative venue available.
This again provides an active leisure pursuit for a large number of people. If the dome is taken away this club will be forced to close. There is no alternative venue available.
Windmill User - Musical Comedy Society
Our members are greatly concerned regarding this issue. The Leisure consultation indicates that the Windmill is not suitable for the amateur needs - however at no time have the amateur societies that use the facilities been consulted.
The indication that the Littlehampton Academy could provide a suitable alternative is inaccurate as the facilities their do not lend themselves to the requirements of the local amateur performers.
Finally the indication that we could move to facilities in Bognor is an insult to the residents of Littlehampton that want to perform in their own town. Bognor is already serviced well by its own amateur companies and we would struggle to get audiences on their territory.
Likewise we can not expect the local residents who give us their continued support locally to have to follow us over their - the people of Littlehampton deserve their own theatre.
The indication that the Littlehampton Academy could provide a suitable alternative is inaccurate as the facilities their do not lend themselves to the requirements of the local amateur performers.
Finally the indication that we could move to facilities in Bognor is an insult to the residents of Littlehampton that want to perform in their own town. Bognor is already serviced well by its own amateur companies and we would struggle to get audiences on their territory.
Likewise we can not expect the local residents who give us their continued support locally to have to follow us over their - the people of Littlehampton deserve their own theatre.
Roller Disco for Children - Sports Dome
Every Friday evening the Sports Dome hosts a roller disco for children of all ages.
It is very popular and oversubscribed. It provides a great active leisure pursuit for the children and keeps them off the streets.
Again there is no alternative venue and this opportunity for children will stop if the Dome is lost
It is very popular and oversubscribed. It provides a great active leisure pursuit for the children and keeps them off the streets.
Again there is no alternative venue and this opportunity for children will stop if the Dome is lost