Viva Lewes Issue #156 September 2019

BITS AND BOW-WOWS
PETS OF LEWES
This is Ted, a 10 year old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. He
was rescued two years ago after his owners returned him to
his breeder. He was overweight and rather sad, but his new
owners have helped him to tone up and regain his puppyish
lust for life using Davina McCall fitness DVDs and a balanced
Mediterranean diet.
Loves: Roland Rivron, maths, open plan living, angels.
Dislikes: isolation and despair, Mike Leigh films, cognitive
dissonance, faint praise, all Snapchat filters.
Niche dog tongue trivia: some dogs have blue tongues.
There is no clear genetic explanation, but I haven’t seen those raspberry Chupa Chups for a while
and I left them right here.
A commonly held belief is that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans, but it’s nonsense – both
contain more than 600 types of bacteria and are absolutely disgusting.
Dogs can’t sweat through their skin to cool off. Instead, they rely on panting. When dogs pant, the
air moves quickly over their tongue, mouth and lungs and allows moisture to evaporate and cool
them down. The process is known as thermoregulation. Your dog will be delighted if you use this
technical term. @dogs of lewes
MAN WITH A PAN
A great new initiative is starting at the Community
Kitchen on North Street this month. Man with a Pan is
being organised by Community Chef Robin Van Creveld.
“It’s a programme of five week cookery courses for
older men who are carers, bereaved or in other ways
vulnerable”, he says. That’s the first wave, but there’s more to the project than that.
After completing the course, there’ll be ongoing support – and the opportunity to turn newfound
skills to great use. “We’ll be hosting regular reunions”, Robin says, “and community activities where
graduates cook for homeless people and other vulnerable groups. The aim is to enable peer support,
community and positive action.”
Robin’s been running this programme elsewhere across the South East for the last three years, and he’s
seen it work. It supports everyone who gets involved, and has also received lots of interest and encouragement
– including national media coverage. Now he’s secured funding to provide it in Sussex.
It clearly is a formula that works. But finding the right recruits needs managing. “Reaching the target
audience of older men is actually quite difficult”, says Robin – which is why he’s keen to feature
in Viva. “The courses are free to the men in need.” Are you one? Do you know any? The Community
Chef would love to hear from you. Charlotte Gann
Thurs 19 Sep-24 Oct. Call 0766 526217, or email office@communitychef.org.uk. communitychef.org.uk
Photo by Gani Naylor
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