Gifts for all the family - Viva Lewes

vivaLEWES i s s u e t w e n t y - s e v e n d e c e m b e r 2 0 0 8
e d i t o r i a l
It starts earlier every year, they
say, and they probably always
have. Piped music in the shops,
lights in the streets, large pines
in the streets. Then another in
the house. Getting the presents
in good and early. Buying for
in laws, buying for exes, buying
for ex in-laws. Good intentions,
then a mad rush round the shops
on Christmas Eve. The frenzy
of wrapping. Round the telly
together: The Great Escape, if
you’re lucky. Christmas bloody
Eastenders. Stuck together for a
longer time than you’re used to
with relatives. Interesting booze.
Carol singers at the door, old acquaintances
turning up. Haven’t
seen you for ages! Must have
been last Christmas.
Then it arrives. The look of excitement
on the littl’uns faces
when they wake you up at 6am.
Doesn’t seem long ago that was
you. Terry’s Chocolate Oranges;
why’s there always a tangerine in
the stocking? The mess of paper
on the floor; the face you put on
to hide that you think it’s a duff
present. Turkey’s a bit bland.
Next year, it’s settled, we’ll get a
goose. Christmas crackers. Daft
jokes. Who’s the last at the table
to take off the paper hat? Christmas
pud, followed closely by excruciating
heartburn. Then it’s
everyone round the telly. Again.
It’s a Wonderful Life. Bing Crosby.
‘Actually,’ somebody says,
‘we’re statistically more likely
to get a white Easter.’ Which is
about when you hoover up the
last pine needle. Christmas is on
its way: here we go again. Enjoy
the month.
c o n t e n t s
7. My Lewes: Postman Mick Sains’s hands-on Christmas
8. Murder mystery: Has anyone seen Lord Lucan?
13. Christmas quiz: Have you lot been paying attention?
17. Literature: Katharine Whitehorn cooks us up a G&T
19. Cinema: Son of Rambow, surreal rites-of-passage at the All Saints
21. Art and About: Rooks fan Andrew Fitchett and much more
23. Diary dates: The best of the rest of what’s on in December
25. Carol services: ‘Tis the season to be jolly, after all
27. Gig guide: Hip hop, reggae and gypsy jazz
29. Food: A new lick of paint at the Lewes Arms... and a new menu, too
32. Bill Collison gets all festive with cranberries
35. The Nibbler. Foodie gossip from our spy in the Xmas kitchen
37. Boxing Day Hunt: Essence of fox hunt at the White Hart
39. Bricks and Mortar: Is it D-day for the ugliest building in town?
41. New Year’s Eve: Wig out at the Big Wig Ball
43. Late Night Shopping: Reclaim the streets, till you drop
45. Christmas shopping special. Who we bought what, where
59. Viva Villages: Our man in Iford wears the wrong shoes
61. Viva Kids: Rinky dink dink
65. Football: The Rooks are swooping low
67. Literary Lewes: Thomas Turner’s incredible 18th century diary
69. Local history: Why the Snowdrop’s called The Snowdrop
71. Norman Baker: Our local MP gets his Easter greetings in early
73. We try out... golf: Rob Read gets into the swing of it
83. Trade Secrets: Bill Bruce’s timing is spot on
98: Inside left: Railway Jack, the three-legged travelling dog
Yuletide cover designed by the ever-talented Mr Neil Gower.
Editor: Alex Leith alex@vivalewes.com Deputy Editor: Emma Chaplin emmachaplin@vivalewes.com Sub-editor: David Jarman
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