They're all heroes

Many thanks to Tony Charles for the invitation and for putting on a cracking night.

It was great to see so many familiar Worthing faces, and a great time was had by all.

What was especially touching was the fact that the evening involved many ex-naval men, who had served their country, enjoying themselves and having a great night out.

But one of the focal points of the night was a special draw in aid of the Help for Heroes charity, which raised more than 300.

While having a great night out, this band of honourable people didn't forget the actions of our young servicemen and women currently on active duty overseas.

But, then again, would you expect anything else?

Wiki Worthing High School

ON the internet the other night, I was looking on Wikipedia and came across the listing for Worthing High School.

The notable alumni listed current First Sea Lord Sir Mark Stanhope, former tennis player Martin Lee, Body Shop founder Anita Roddick and ex-EastEnders star Tony Caunter (Pat's late husband, Roy).

But, actually, is that really accurate?

Without splitting hairs, the current High School is actually an amalgamation of West Tarring School and the old girls high school, latterly Gaisford, so, really, only the late Mrs Roddick and Martin Lee are actually former pupils.

The other two were educated at the old boys high school, which later morphed into the Sixth Form College.

But who were the notable ex-pupils from West Tarring?

Two who immediately spring to mind are Keith Emerson, who went on to achieve superstardom with Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Brian Yeo, who played professional football for Portsmouth and Gillingham.

I'm sure, as always, Herald readers will be able to provide some other candidates...

Sir Cliff

AND, finally, a potential Worthing urban myth with a bit of a Christmas link.

Sir Cliff Richard, two-time veteran of the coveted Christmas number one, has played venues all around the globe, but local legend has it that at the height of his fame in the 1970s, one of the smallest venues he played was one Sunday night when he performed to the congregation of St Mary's Church in Broadwater.

Apparently, it was in 1973, at the time of the release of his film Take Me High, not his biggest box office success, but does any Herald reader have the definitive answer, i.e., the exact date and, more's the question. was anybody actually there?

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Harty on the news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]

Click here for the Herald staff directory.

Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.