Tom said, “I’m DELIGHTED to be bringing ‘735’ back to Chichester for the Fringe this year, having made the original version at the university. It was an amazing surprise to have received the Commissioning Grant, and it has been a massive help in putting the show together. I can’t thank the team behind Chichester Fringe enough for their support, and I can’t wait to see everyone on June 4th in The Nest!”

Summer Tewkesbury and Fillipe Ribeiro from The Audition Room said, “We’re so grateful to the Fringe team for their support and for believing in our improv show. This opportunity will make a huge difference as we continue developing ‘Who Wrote This?’, and we’re really excited about the potential to grow it beyond the Fringe. Rehearsals are already underway, and we can’t wait for our brilliant cast to show you what they’ve got this coming June!”

The fringe has awarded them £250 each to help bring their work to life, as well as a place to debut their work in the Chichester Fringe 2026 programme. Audiences can watch both shows at The Nest on 4 June.

Tickets are on sale now for all 2026 shows: head to the Chichester Fringe website so as to be kept updated and to secure your tickets: www.chichesterfringe.co.uk.

Set in the beautiful and much‑loved Priory Park, a historic open space right in the heart of Chichester. The Gala offers a full day of music, activities, and community spirit from 11am until 9pm.

With two stages showcasing both local performers and internationally recognised talent, the event provides something for everyone. Community groups will be on hand to share information about the support and services they offer, and families can enjoy a dedicated animal petting area featuring reptiles, owls, and other friendly creatures.

To ensure the event runs smoothly whatever the weather, a large marquee offers shelter from rain or sun while still giving great views of the main stage. Alongside the Gala, a traditional funfair in Priory Park helps attract families from across Chichester and the surrounding areas. Additional activities include miniature train rides and a circus tent filled with interactive performances that encourage guests to get involved.

Why sponsor the Gala?

Sponsoring the Chichester City Gala is a fantastic opportunity to promote your business while supporting a much‑loved community event. Your contribution helps cover the costs of attractions, logistics, and facilities, ensuring the Gala remains free, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.

Ways you can get involved as a sponsor:

• Main Stage • Community Stage • Animal Petting Zoo • Marquee (overlooking the Main Stage) • Circus Activities • Children’s Games • Cuckoo Trail • Advertising • Waste Disposal • Sanitation

Whether you’re looking to raise your profile, connect with local families, or simply give back to the community, there’s a sponsorship option to suit every business.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the Chichester City Gala, please contact us on 01243 788502 or email gala@chichestercity.gov.uk

Each year, the Mayor of Chichester is invited to around 200 engagements, ranging from visits to our twinned cities of Chartres, Ravenna, Speyer and Valletta, to presenting awards to community groups and opening new businesses in the city centre. Junior Mayor for the Day gives young residents the chance to experience this civic role first‑hand.

This year’s Junior Mayor, Phoebe, was joined by fellow pupils Kianoosh and Jessica for a full day of activities. The Mayor began the morning by collecting the group from Kingsham Primary School before heading to the Council House, where the children were robed and Phoebe was presented with the Junior Mayor’s chain of office.

The first official engagement of the day was a visit to Chichester Fire Station, where the group toured the facilities, explored the fire engines and learned about the vital work of West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. From there, they travelled to Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, enjoying a guided tour, time in the flight simulators and the rare opportunity to sit inside a real aircraft cockpit.

The group returned to the Council House for lunch in the Council Chamber, followed by a Junior Council Meeting. The children discussed topics such as activities the City Council could support within the parish and ideas for improving safety for young people in the community.

In the afternoon, the pupils visited The Novium Museum for an interactive session exploring the history of the site, how Chichester has changed over the past 2,000 years, and the city’s Roman heritage. Through maps, objects and photographs, they compared the ancient Roman baths with the modern city they know today.

The final stop of the day was the South Downs Planetarium, where the group learned about the upcoming Artemis II mission and explored the wonders of the night sky, including the features that are often easily overlooked after dark.

To conclude the day, the Mayor accompanied the children back to Kingsham Primary School for the long‑standing tradition of planting a commemorative tree. This symbolic act reflects the hope that young people will continue to grow, contribute and help shape the Chichester of tomorrow.

Councillors will also provide an update on progress with the City Plan. Following the presentations, residents will have the chance to share their views on both the reorganisation proposals and the City Council’s work on the City Plan.

Details for each ward meeting are as follows are as follows:

South Ward Meeting:

Location: St George’s Hall Centenary Centre, 43 Cleveland Rd, Chichester, PO19 7AD
Date: Monday 13th April 2026
Time: 7pm-8pm

East Ward Meeting:

Previous date cancelled, new date TBD

West Ward Meeting:

Location: St Wilfrid’s Church, Durnford Close, Chichester, PO19 3AG
Date: Saturday 18th April 2026
Time: 12pm-1pm

Central Ward Meeting:

Location: Old Court Room, The Council House, North Street, Chichester, PO19 1LQ
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026
Time: 12pm-1pm

North Ward Meeting:

TBD

This series of events is an excellent opportunity to learn more about improvements being made in your local area and the Council’s plans for the future. It ensures that your priorities for the city are heard and considered as the Council continues to work in the best interests of the Parish of Chichester.

Jess Breach Granted Freedom of the City

The highlight of the ceremony was the granting of the Freedom of the City to international rugby star Jess Breach. Born in Chichester in 1997, Jess has become one of England’s most formidable players, known for her record‑breaking debut in 2017 and her rapid rise to more than 50 caps by 2025.

In her acceptance, Jess reflected on her deep connection to the city, crediting Chichester Rugby Club and the local community for shaping her early sporting life. Her ongoing commitment to coaching, fundraising and inspiring young players particularly girls was warmly acknowledged by the Council and applauded by the audience.

Honouring Chichester’s Heritage

This year’s ceremony also celebrated the city’s rich history with the unveiling of four new Blue Plaques. Three plaques recognised remarkable women whose influence continues to shape Chichester’s cultural identity:

• Charlotte Turner Smith, pioneering poet and novelist
• Margery Wilkinson, tireless activist and community advocate
• Queen Elizabeth I, commemorating her 1591 visit during a major royal progress

A fourth plaque was dedicated to James Bennet Freeland, whose generosity and vision led to the creation of Oaklands Park, now one of Chichester’s most cherished green spaces.

Annual Awards

The Civic Award was presented to Julie Sandalls, owner of Julie’s Kiosk in Florence Park. Her café has become a vital community hub, hosting a foodbank that redistributes surplus items from local food charities to residents in need.

Additional awards recognised excellence across the arts, community work and local enterprise:

• Art and Science Award – Chichester Creative Art Creative Network
• Community Award – Creative Beatz and Jam Café
• Small Business Award – Ghost at the Feast

Each recipient was celebrated for their creativity, dedication and positive impact on the city.

A Celebration of Chichester’s Spirit

The ceremony once again highlighted the strength, generosity and talent that define Chichester. From internationally recognised athletes to hardworking volunteers, the event showcased the many ways individuals and organisations contribute to the city’s character and wellbeing.

This year’s programme features an exciting mix of music, theatre, comedy, and — for the first time ever — a brand-new Street Performance Festival in the city centre!

Andrew Bailey, newly appointed Chichester Fringe Director, says, “It’s so exciting to join the Fringe’s brilliant volunteers as we connect with new venues, new performers, and our biggest slate of shows yet.”

Head to the Chichester Fringe website for tickets, for further information and to be kept updated: www.chichesterfringe.co.uk

COMEDY

Comedians from all over the country bring their shows, including Phil Green (3 June), Kate Lois-Elliott (5 June), Abbie Edwards (5 June), Mark Daniels (10 June), Milo Edwards (10 June), Neil Sinclair (11 June), Andrew White (11 June) plus a brand-new comedy night at Ghost at The Feast (12 June).

And don’t miss last year’s winner Piran Armes, who brings his WIP show to the New Part Centre Studio on 10 June.
Genres of Sketch, Improv, Cabaret and Interactive Comedy also join the line-up; direct from Edinburgh Fringe, there’s ‘Sketch Show Bingo!’ (11 June) and ‘Closure Cabaret’ (11 June). The sell-out 2025 show ‘A Room Full of Idiots’ (13 June) returns to the 2026 line up, plus you can experience an improvised undead apocalypse movie with ‘Improv the Dead’ (30 May) or join connoisseur of the creepy Billy Bones for a whistle-stop tour of Every Ghost Story Ever told: is this show supposed to be serious or funny? (30 May).

British-Iranian comic and singer Hajar J. Woodland weaves standup with musical comedy to explore what it means to find love and your voice when you’re caught between two worlds in ‘Hajar, Like Badger (WIP)’ (9 June) and Aidan Jones presents Chopin’s Nocturne in Eb Major ‘with jokes by a bald, Australian with a beard!’ (7 June).

THEATRE

From musical theatre to drama, be swept away by the talent on stage this year.

We open this year’s Fringe (30 May) at brand new venue, The Nest (Chichester Festival Theatre), with ‘Best Wishes, Kind Regards’ and ‘A Criminal Melody’, simultaneously down the road at One-O-Four, The Hornet; multiple plays and musicals are being staged throughout the day starting at 2pm with ‘Living The Dream – A Bus Driver’s Lament’.

Best Kids’ Show nominee (UK Kids’ Comedy Festival) ‘Slugageddon!’ (7 June) is one of the wonderful children’s theatre offerings for 2026. Other shows include ‘The Smallest Sardine of the Seven Seas’ (7 June), ‘Where did Bailey’s Bark Go?’ (6 June) and ‘The Magic Crayon’ (13 June).

Local playwright and spoken word artist Olivia Coppin brings her brand new production ‘Just to Say!’ to The Nest (11 June), a silly little show, with a big heart. A work of poetic storytelling and an uplifting, love letter to language. The final Saturday of the fringe (13 June) sees a full day of theatre with ‘Darwin’s Cleaner’, ‘The Diary of John Marsh’ and concludes with ‘Tapestry’, which interlaces six compelling short plays into a vivid patchwork of drama, humour, and intrigue.

MUSIC

For music lovers, Laura Page returns to JAM Cafe (5 June), Driftwood Troubadours present its unique songs each with projected backdrop images (5 June) and for the first time Chichester Fringe hosts a music night at The Ghost at the Feast, MC’d by Sammy G and featuring James Laingan and David Robinson (4 June). Oving Folk also return to the fringe, performing at The Nest on 6 June and 18-year-old singer songwriter Oli Patient takes to the stage at Chichester Canal Cafe (31 May).

A NEW STREET PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL

For the first time, Chichester will be host to an international array of world-class professional street performers, from 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday 7 June. The city centre will be transformed into a playground for the imagination!

Performer and organiser Harvey Stinton says: “The Chichester Fringe Street Performance Festival brings a spectacular celebration of street theatre, outdoor arts, and community spirit together with a vibrant mix of national and international acts that will transform the city streets into a playground of joy, laughter, and surprise, a spectacle that brings moments of magic, mayhem, and memorable performances through the jampacked day.”

Tickets are on sale now for all 2026 shows: head to the Chichester Fringe website so as to be kept updated and to secure your tickets: www.chichesterfringe.co.uk.

This year, the City Council is proud to grant the Freedom of the City upon Jess Breach, one of England’s most outstanding rugby talents and a true Chichester success story.

Jess Breach, born in Chichester in 1997, rose rapidly through rugby from childhood to become one of England’s most prolific international players, delivering a record‑breaking debut in 2017 and achieving more than 50 caps and victories by 2025. Despite her global success, she remains strongly connected to her hometown, actively supporting Chichester Rugby Club and inspiring hundreds of young players, particularly girls through coaching, fundraising and community engagement.

The Annual Awards will also shine a light on Chichester’s rich heritage and vibrant community spirit. This year, four Blue Plaques will be unveiled, three of which celebrate remarkable women who have shaped the city’s history: Charlotte Turner Smith, the influential poet and novelist; Margery Wilkinson, a dedicated activist; and Queen Elizabeth I, who visited Chichester in 1591 during one of her most significant royal progresses. The fourth plaque will honour James Bennet Freeland, whose vision and generosity led to the creation of Oaklands Park, a much‑loved green space at the heart of the city.

A Civic Award will be presented to Julie Sandall, who runs Julie’s Kiosk in Florence Park. The café hosts a community foodbank, redistributing surplus items from local food charities to those who need them most.

Further awards include:

• Art and Science Award – Chichester Creative Art Creative Network
• Community Award – Creative Beatz and Jam Café
• Small Business Award – Ghost at the Feast

We look forward to welcoming residents, guests and supporters to this special occasion as we celebrate excellence, service and the enduring spirit of Chichester.

Use this link to book your free ticket: Select tickets – Chichester City Council’s 39th Annual Awards & Freedom of the City – Chichester Festival Theatre

Join us for a nostalgic journey through the theatres and silver screens from the West End to Hollywood.

The Chichester City Band will perform a special selection of iconic tunes spanning from the 1930s to the present day, celebrating decades of unforgettable music.

• Friday 6 March 2026
• 6.45 to 9.00pm at The Assembly Room, The Council House, North Street, Chichester. PO19 1LQ

Tickets are £8 each.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/chichestercitycouncil/2033430

The Young People’s Shop offers free Counselling, Emotional Support, Advice and Guidance to any young person aged between 11 and 25 years old in Chichester and Arun Districts.

www.yps-south.org.uk

Charity Registration Number: 1148771

Chichester City Council and Chichester Harbour and Selsey Sea Cadets are delighted to announce the appointment of Open Design Studio as the lead architects for the new Sea Cadet hall and community centre planned for Florence Park, serving residents of the South Ward.

The new community centre will be a landmark project designed to bring people together, provide accessible services, and support a vibrant, inclusive community. Following a competitive selection process, Open Design Studio was chosen for its innovative, collaborative approach and its strong track record in delivering sustainable, community-focused buildings.

“This is a major step forward in delivering a space that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community. Open Design Studio impressed us with their commitment to working closely with residents and stakeholders to create a centre that is welcoming, modern, and truly fit for the future.”

 Robert Miall, councillor representing the South Ward.

“The Sea Cadets are delighted to be working with Open Design Studio who can help bring our vision for a new Sea Cadet hall and community centre to life. This project represents a significant investment in young people and the wider community, creating a space that inspires, supports, and empowers future generations. We look forward to working with a creative partner who shares our commitment to excellence and community impact.”

Graham Watson, Chair of Chichester Harbour and Selsey Sea Cadets.

A programme of engagement activities will be scheduled in the spring, inviting local residents, community groups, and park users to share their ideas and priorities. Open Design Studio will use this contribution to shape the designs and respond to the unique character of Florence Park and the diverse needs of South Ward.

“We are delighted to be working with the City Council and Sea Cadets to deliver an important project for the people of Chichester. Florence Park is a much-loved green space, and our aim is to create a high-quality new space for the local community. One that enhances the park, fosters connection, and supports wellbeing for generations to come.”

James Griffiths, Principle from Open Design Studio

The project marks a significant investment in the South Ward and underscores Chichester City Council’s commitment to strengthening local amenities and creating equitable access to community facilities.

More information about the design workshops and public events will be shared on the Florence Park Sea Cadet Hall and Community Centre website: https://florencepark.info

Pet Blood Bank is just like the human blood service, but for dogs. They collect blood donations from donor dogs across the UK which then go towards helping to save the lives of other dogs in need. Every donation a dog gives can help to save the lives of up to four other dogs. Dogs in Chichester, as well as all dogs across the UK, have access to the lifesaving blood should they ever need it, so it really is a vital service.

To become a donor, your dog must weigh more than 25kg, be between the ages of 1 and 8, and be fit and healthy. It is also important that they are confident, enjoy meeting new people, and having new experiences.

The donation itself only takes 5-10 minutes, but owners should expect their dogs to be with the team for around 35-40 minutes. Dogs receive a full health check from the Pet Blood Bank vet before donating and get showered with treats, fuss, and attention throughout their appointment. They even get a goody bag and toy to take home, as well as the pride of being a lifesaver.

Like humans, dogs have different blood types and negative blood is in very high demand as this can be given to any dog in an emergency. However, with only 30% of dogs having this blood type, keeping up with supplies is challenging. Therefore, Pet Blood Bank is also calling for certain breeds to come forward, as they are more likely to have his vital blood type. These breeds include Greyhounds, Dobermanns, Flat and Curly Coated Retrievers, Lurchers, Boxers, and Weimaraners.

If you are interested in registering your dog to become a lifesaver or would like to book an appointment for the donation session at Arun Vets on Sunday 1 February, please visit www.petbloodbankuk.org or call 01509 232222.