Viva Brighton Issue 34 December 2015

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Photo by Adam Bronkhorst ....38....
interview .......................................... mybrighton: Andy Winter Brighton Housing Trust CEO Are you local? I’ve been living here for 36 years now, nearly 37. I had to leave South Africa in a hurry: I was a conscientious objector, having refused to serve in the apartheid army. I’d never heard of Brighton, but I knew someone who lived here, so that’s where I went. To this day I’m grateful they didn’t live in Hull or Swindon. Did you immediately like it here? For a year I hated it. I thought that I would never be allowed to return home again; I was lonely and depressed, I had no qualifications, and I had no idea what the future held. Then I decided my lot was much better than that of most black South Africans, and started involving myself in various political activities. What sort of stuff? After a while I realised I was in danger of becoming just another embittered South African ex-pat so I decided to get involved in local politics. I joined Labour, and stood for election in the third safest Tory ward. On my third attempt – a by-election in 1985 - I won a seat. I was a councillor for seven years, ending up as an independent. How did you get involved with BHT? First I got a job as a hostel worker. Within a few years I had become the manager of BHT’s Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services. I was poorly qualified to run alcohol and drug services as I am teetotal and have never tried recreational drugs. But over the years I’ve listened to countless courageous and generous former alcoholics and addicts who’ve achieved abstinence and rebuilt their lives. They’ve been very patient with me and I’ve learnt the impact drugs and alcohol have had on them and their families. And you’ve made a difference? Brighton is no longer the ‘drug death capital of Britain’ but I still think we’ll be failing until we’re considered the ‘recovery capital of Britain’. Why does Brighton appeal to so many people with substance problems? First there was the Prince Regent using his Palace as a party house, then there was the reputation of Brighton being the place to come for dirty weekends. It’s always been seen as being a place where people can overindulge. Is Brighton a magnet for homeless people? The average rent for a one-bedroom flat here is £850 a month; the maximum housing benefit on offer is £612 a month. A lot of people who arrive here, because they think it’s an attractive place, simply can’t afford to live here. We engage with many newcomers in this situation as soon as they arrive, and we often encourage them to leave as soon as possible because there are other places in the country where they could afford to live. This is a controversial approach. You might find this hypocritical of me, after all I arrived here without a penny and was for a time a classic ‘benefit scrounger’. But times have changed. If I was arriving now I’d be looking at somewhere more affordable, like Hastings or St Leonards… even Hull or Swindon. Recommend us a good restaurant. LangeLees, near our offices. Good quality food, efficient service, and good value. I take my 91-year-old dad there. When did you last swim in the sea? I used to all the time 25 years ago, but I’m ashamed to say I don’t anymore, not in England, anyway. How do you get about the place? I’ve never learnt to drive so I generally travel by bus. It’s a great leveller. Thatcher famously said ‘any man seen riding on a bus after the age of 30 should consider himself a failure’. When I’m travelling on the number 26, I’m proud to wear that badge. AL ....39....
Page 2 and 3: Traditional Sussex Ales delivered d
Page 4 and 5: contents ..........................
Page 6 and 7: immigration,” Joda explains. From
Page 8 and 9: TOUR THE WINE ESTATE EAT OR STAY AT
Page 10 and 11: -----------------------------------
Page 13 and 14: Joe decie .........................
Page 15 and 16: its and bobs ......................
Page 21: its and bobs ......................
Page 24 and 25: Float in our luxury cabin with uniq
Page 26 and 27: Brighton & Hove Calendar 2016 52 im
Page 28 and 29: photography .......................
Page 30 and 31: C O M I N G S O O N T O T H E R I A
Page 32 and 33: www.baroquejewellery.com BAROQUE BE
Page 34 and 35: THE FLOWER SCHO O L B R I G H T O N
Page 36 and 37: 匀䔀䈀䄀匀吀䤀䄀一
Page 40 and 41: local musicians ...................
Page 42 and 43: ‘Skin-tinglingly good’ Time Out
Page 44 and 45: talk ..............................
Page 46 and 47: Christmas Fri 11 Dec Sat 12 Dec Sat
Page 48 and 49: drama .............................
Page 50 and 51: “Anyone interested in the theatre
Page 52 and 53: in town for christmas .............
Page 54 and 55: cinema ............................
Page 56 and 57: LADYBIRD LUCK SOVEREIGN GOLD LOVE L
Page 58 and 59: design ............................
Page 63 and 64: talking shop ......................
Page 65 and 66: talking shop ......................
Page 67 and 68: Top to bottom: Star Wars retro trav
Page 69 and 70: community .........................
Page 71 and 72: the way we work Minna Lukkarinen Ro
Page 73 and 74: the way we work Sam Redfern Trifle
Page 75 and 76: the way we work George Beard Toast
Page 77: advertorial Boho Gelato 6 Pool Vall
Page 81 and 82: food review .......................
Page 83 and 84: ecipe .............................
Page 85 and 86: Wine-bar ~ Wine Merchant ~ Delicate
Page 87 and 88: a half pint with... ...............
Page 89 and 90:
cycling ...........................
Page 91 and 92:
fitness ...........................
Page 93 and 94:
fOOTBALL ..........................
Page 95 and 96:
icks and mortar ...................
Page 97 and 98:
ighton business news ..............
Page 99 and 100:
eeze up to the Downs... kids go fre
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Viva Brighton Issue 34 December 2015

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