WHISPERING SMITH: Measuring time with samphire and Proms

Sure, the cinema as it is will not be a going concern, even though outside organisers have shown an interest in making it one, but that will not be fulfilled unless there is the possibility of a longer lease of the premises and that is not going to happen.

I suspect that Arun District Council has its own ideas for the future of the Windmill site and cannot wait to be rid of the complex and have the valuable land redeveloped.

As for the rest of Arun paying for our loss-making cinema, as council cabinet member Paul Dendle stated in last week’s Gazette letters pages, isn’t that a two-way street, with LA paying its share toward other non-too-profitable enterprises across the district?

I do not make the headlines, Arun does that, and neither do I dismiss the valiant efforts made by so many for an alternative cinema provision. I merely say that it should be there as a support to a professionally-run cinema. I will continue to do so and, I hope that in the future, I or someone like me will be around to remind the electorate of the dubious way the deal was mishandled from day one by Arun.

I DON’T usually offer culinary advice but cannot let this tip slip by. Riverside Fish, in Pier Road has, for several weeks, been offering Norfolk samphire – the very best and most tender I have ever eaten.

Raw or quickly boiled, it is super good for you and a wonderful supplement to LA-caught fish, which you can also buy there. Be quick though, samphire has a very short season.

A REMINDER that on September 21. the Littlehampton Concert Band holds its annual Last Night Of the Proms at the Windmill – remember the Windmill, where we used to have a cinema? Always a thoroughly enjoyable evening, like the real thing but in miniature, with Jerusalem, flags, horns and all the razzamatazz of the Albert Hall, but without the parking hassles!

GONE WITH THE WINDMILL: LA’s last movie showing blew away 169 days ago and counting...