Viva Brighton Issue #58 December 2017

MY SPACE
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efficient, and anyone can play. Ping pong tables draw people to
them. When you’re standing at the other end you can have a
conversation, it’s almost like having a dance. There are sessions
in here where you’ve got six-year-olds playing with 90-year-olds.
We get professional players from abroad – people from more
than 60 nationalities play here. There’s something for everyone
and we’re open from 10am to 10pm seven days a week.”
With so much going on, I wonder if it gets a little unruly
but Tim struggles to recall any trouble. “There aren’t any
rules on the walls. The only rule is ‘try’. The best form of
behaviour management isn’t laying down the law. It’s getting
kids engaged… as soon as they’ve been here a few months and
they can play, they feel part of something. Then they can start
helping and they have a purpose. It’s amazing, the results we see.
“On a Tuesday we have Irish Travellers being coached by the
sons and daughters of Brighton, Afghan and Sudanese refugees
and a man with Down’s Syndrome. That’s ping pong Utopia
from where I’m looking at it.” Lizzie Lower
36 Upper Bedford Street
brightontabletennisclub.co.uk
Photos by Adam Bronkhorst, adambronkhorst.com
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