Adur (eh –der) is a “place apart” in West Sussex, an area of tightly built, partly older housing, with a traditional port, small airport, and economy relying more on light industry, commerce, small business and employment outside the area. It houses 60,000 people, and is a narrow, strung-out district, sandwiched between sea and South Downs, Brighton and Worthing, and traversed by two major roads and the coastal railway line.  Adur doesn’t have a “town centre” or focal point, because there are seven distinct communities, each providing local shopping, schools, and health services – some with libraries and community centres. And there are sub-communities within these, separated from one another by busy, hard-to-cross roads and railway lines. Parts of Adur are more akin to Gosport in Hampshire,  than neighbouring Hove, Worthing or Brighton. Whilst Adur faces challenges, it also has numerous strengths. These include easy access to Brighton, sea and countryside, vibrant community life, good railway links and a diverse small business sector. Adur District Council co-operates closely with Worthing Borough Council in delivery of its services, and Adur Voluntary Action (the Council for Voluntary Service) links with the other seven CVSs in West Sussex. Many other services such as those provided by Sussex Police,  Employment Service, Fire and Rescue, Pensions Service, West Sussex Primary Care Trust and West Sussex County Council  are organised Countywide, with local management in Adur (or increasingly, Adur and Worthing combined).

Our Map below shows our entire river Adur valley. The sources of the River Adur extend north-west to Coolham, and north-east to Ditchling Common, the river passing through the Shoreham gap in the South Downs. Adur District itself is the grey coastal strip west of Hove, the South Downs now being a national park.