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THE BEAUTIFUL EVERYDAY
158<br />
VIVALEWES<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
‘You can see <strong>Lewes</strong> lying like a box of toys under a great amphitheatre of<br />
chalk hills’. So wrote William Morris, a quote I think captures what has<br />
always, for me, been the best thing about the town: its setting.<br />
And it seems a fitting moment to share his image, at the start of our<br />
‘Theatre’ issue – which we’ve interpreted quite broadly as dramatic, from<br />
Michael Munday’s nostalgic, (also Victorian), cover, which cleverly incorporates<br />
stage and that most costumed of <strong>Lewes</strong> nights, Bonfire.<br />
We visit Paul Pyant, maestro of stage lighting, who tells me nothing excites him more<br />
than a dark stage, then one light, one actor…<br />
Which, in turn, puts me in mind of the <strong>Lewes</strong> Festival of Solo Theatre showing this month in<br />
what was <strong>Lewes</strong> New School: a feast of single-actor shows over one weekend.<br />
We also have an interview with <strong>Lewes</strong> Prison Governor Hannah Lane, who’s appearing in the<br />
Homelink Gala at Glyndebourne – in aid of the charity which helps, among others, prison<br />
leavers find a home. And the New Note Orchestra, the inspiring orchestra of recovering<br />
addicts who are performing their Kind Rebellion at the Attenborough Centre.<br />
Speaking of which, do you, like me, still hark back to the Gardner Arts Centre? You might<br />
enjoy our look at its history. Or our visit to Glyndebourne’s exciting Production Hub. Or<br />
how about some ‘real’ Punch and Judy: David Wilde is bringing this to <strong>Lewes</strong> Little Theatre,<br />
along with his traditional puppets, hand-carved and, (once again), Victorian.<br />
THE TEAM<br />
.....................<br />
EDITOR: Charlotte Gann charlotte@vivamagazines.com<br />
SUB-EDITOR: David Jarman<br />
PRODUCTION EDITOR: Joe Fuller joe@vivamagazines.com<br />
ART DIRECTOR: Katie Moorman katie@vivamagazines.com<br />
ADVERTISING: Sarah Hunnisett, Amanda Meynell advertising@vivamagazines.com<br />
EDITORIAL / ADMIN ASSISTANT / HAND MODEL: Kelly Mechen admin@vivamagazines.com<br />
DISTRIBUTION: David Pardue distribution@vivamagazines.com<br />
CONTRIBUTORS: Jacqui Bealing, Michael Blencowe, Julie Bull, Hasia Curtis, Lulah Ellender, Mark Greco, Anita Hall,<br />
John Henty, Robin Houghton, Eleanor Knight, Linda Lamont, Dexter Lee, Alex Leith, Lizzie Lower, Carlotta Luke,<br />
Nione Meakin, Anna Morgan, Michael Munday, Galia Pike, Janet Sutherland and JJ Waller.<br />
PUBLISHER: Becky Ramsden becky@vivamagazines.com<br />
<strong>Viva</strong> <strong>Lewes</strong> is based at <strong>Lewes</strong> House, 32 High St, <strong>Lewes</strong>, BN7 2LX, all enquiries 01273 488882
GIFTS AND GIFT BOXES FOR ALL OCCASIONS<br />
Use the code<br />
VIVA19<br />
For 20% off all gift boxes<br />
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THE THEATRE ISSUE<br />
CONTENTS<br />
Bits and bobs.<br />
10-29. Michael Munday draws back<br />
the curtain on his cover; Paul Pyant<br />
lights the stage; Photo of the month,<br />
the scene from Cliffe Bridge; Five<br />
minutes with Priory Drama teacher<br />
Amy Marsh; Friends for life in Pets<br />
of <strong>Lewes</strong>; Zero Waste Cupboard at<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Food Market; Charity box<br />
on Chestnut Tree House; Christmas<br />
lights campaign for <strong>Lewes</strong>; a scheme<br />
to get us all shopping locally; <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Living Wage visits the town’s three<br />
food banks; Carlotta Luke’s photos<br />
from Brighton Corn Exchange; and<br />
Craig runs auditions.<br />
Columns.<br />
31-35. John Henty on the living<br />
theatre of <strong>Lewes</strong>; David Jarman<br />
discovers Liverpool; and Eleanor<br />
Knight on Auntie Brenda’s drama.<br />
On this month.<br />
36-55. JJ Waller after Bonfire;<br />
Cinecity, world cinema across<br />
the South East; the Homelink<br />
Glyndebourne Gala; Something<br />
Underground presents the <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Festival of Solo Theatre; Jacqueline<br />
Wilson is guest speaker at The <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Lit; New Sussex Opera’s La belle<br />
Hélène; Film ’19 from Dexter Lee;<br />
New Note Orchestra and their Kind<br />
Rebellion; David Wilde brings Punch<br />
and Judy to the <strong>Lewes</strong> Little Theatre;<br />
Citizens UK’s Frida Gustafsson<br />
speaks power at the U3A’s Public<br />
Lecture.<br />
Art.<br />
57-65. Brighton Art Fair at <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Town Hall, including Simone Riley;<br />
Martin Gayford’s cityscape; and Art<br />
and about featuring Chalk Gallery,<br />
the Nevill Collective, Paddock<br />
Studios and many more.<br />
Listings.<br />
67-87. Diary dates including The<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Ripple, The Winter Garden,<br />
Bargain Book Sale, and others; Gig<br />
of the month is The Captain’s Beard,<br />
plus others; Brighton Philharmonic<br />
Photo by JJ Waller<br />
88<br />
36
THE THEATRE ISSUE<br />
launches its new season; and<br />
Classical roundup pick of the month<br />
is the Corelli Ensemble, plus Coffee<br />
Concerts, Seaford Music Society<br />
and others; Freetime listings,<br />
including (Newhaven) Fort Fright<br />
Week, and Christmas at Nymans;<br />
plus book review for Chris Riddell’s<br />
Guardians of Magic.<br />
Food.<br />
89-95. An evening out in Chaula’s;<br />
The Pelham Arms serves up a<br />
Bonfire special; a lunchtime spread<br />
from Beckworths; plus, food news<br />
from The Seasons, the Vegan<br />
Festival and Rathfinny.<br />
90<br />
The way we work.<br />
96-99. Photographer Benjamin Youd<br />
visits four production professionals,<br />
and asks who’s your favourite<br />
theatrical character?<br />
Features.<br />
101-108. Gardner Arts Centre,<br />
and how and when it became the<br />
Attenborough Centre for the Creative<br />
Arts; Alex Leith sees behind the<br />
scenes of Glyndebourne’s Production<br />
Hub; Michael Blencowe accounts for<br />
Shakespeare’s US starlings; Business<br />
news from the streets of <strong>Lewes</strong>; and<br />
Annie Timoney on her return to<br />
football.<br />
96 80<br />
Photo by Benjamin Youd<br />
Inside left.<br />
122. The Smugglers take a bow,<br />
<strong>November</strong> 1911.<br />
VIVA DEADLINES<br />
We plan each magazine six weeks ahead, with a mid-month<br />
advertising/copy deadline. Please send details of planned events<br />
to admin@vivamagazines.com, and for any advertising queries:<br />
advertising@vivamagazines.com, or call 01273 488882.<br />
Remember to recycle your <strong>Viva</strong>.<br />
Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of our content.<br />
<strong>Viva</strong> <strong>Lewes</strong> magazine cannot be held responsible for any omissions,<br />
errors or alterations. The views expressed by columnists do not<br />
necessarily represent the view of <strong>Viva</strong> Magazines.<br />
<strong>Viva</strong> retains copyright for any artwork we create.<br />
Love me or recycle me. Illustration by Chloë King<br />
6
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ENTRY TO BOTH SHOWS<br />
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THIS MONTH’S COVER ARTIST<br />
Michael Munday’s wonderful<br />
theatrical cover, featuring Guy<br />
Fawkes centre stage, was inspired<br />
by Pollock’s Toy Theatres,<br />
he tells me – the kind you<br />
can see in the Pollock’s Toy<br />
Museum of Victorian toys (or<br />
on their website). Indeed. We<br />
love it.<br />
Michael seems to have a mind<br />
that darts back and forth,<br />
visiting and revisiting ideas.<br />
The works-in-progress he<br />
shows me in his studio (in<br />
the Star Brewery, where he’s<br />
been based for 30 years) are<br />
more than six feet high, and<br />
are life drawings that depict<br />
figures twisting and dancing.<br />
He works over and over them<br />
until he’s satisfied, he tells me.<br />
Or he may find one part of<br />
the piece catches his eye until<br />
he makes that the painting or<br />
drawing’s focus. His drawings<br />
in Artwave this August were<br />
very popular with visitors – it<br />
was the movement in them that<br />
people loved.<br />
(I smile at his lengths of blank,<br />
waiting paper hanging in the<br />
studio: weighed down to lose<br />
their curl with chunky metal<br />
paper clips, a length of stick, an<br />
arbitrary hammer – my kind of<br />
practical.)<br />
Our cover he made by drawing<br />
by hand first: as he always does.<br />
“I couldn’t<br />
not draw on<br />
paper”, he says,<br />
showing me one<br />
of the Moleskinestyle<br />
watercolour<br />
sketchbooks he<br />
favours, and his<br />
“scratchy” calligraphic<br />
pen. The line work he<br />
then imported into Photoshop<br />
to fill in the colour. “I<br />
like the bright, Victorian colours”,<br />
he smiles. “My wife Gill<br />
sometimes makes me elaborate<br />
cut-out birthday cards”, he<br />
says – and this too is a seed for<br />
our cover. “I thought about actually<br />
making it in cardboard,”<br />
he says, “but then I drew and<br />
Photoshopped it instead (lazy).<br />
But I like the fake 3D, and the<br />
10
MICHAEL MUNDAY<br />
shadows…”<br />
We do too.<br />
He had planned, for a time,<br />
Boris Johnson in place of Guy,<br />
his doublet smouldering…<br />
he shows me his roughs, and<br />
we touch briefly on the state<br />
of the country, the world, the<br />
climate. (He remembers 1962,<br />
and being a boy in a classroom<br />
at the time of the Cuban Missile<br />
Crisis, and “expecting any<br />
moment to see a flash in the<br />
sky…”) Details capture him,<br />
of course, and he has fun with<br />
them: “I liked the idea of Guy<br />
Fawkes looking bored…”<br />
He’s infectiously cheerful<br />
company. Also, a musician<br />
(“guitar/vocals”) in three<br />
bands – Ska Toons, Joko and,<br />
most recently – “we’ve got<br />
our first gig in <strong>November</strong>!”<br />
– Hope Street. What a lovely<br />
name. This new incarnation is<br />
a three-piece band – “It’s me,<br />
my son Max on bass, and Lisa,<br />
a great sax player from Ska<br />
Toons”.<br />
And he discovered he loves<br />
contemporary dance.<br />
A devoted member for the last<br />
eight years of the Brighton<br />
contemporary dance company,<br />
Three Score Dance, he’s excited<br />
about their first mini-tour<br />
coming up. (As an aside, I try<br />
to encourage him to blog from<br />
it, having loved his ‘Seasoned<br />
illustrator nervously circumnavigates<br />
globe’ blog; “I get<br />
anxious even going to Lyme<br />
Regis”, he tells me…) “I’ve<br />
finally found something really<br />
expressive. We have visiting<br />
choreographers who come and<br />
make performances with us –<br />
recently, Ben Duke, who’s just<br />
fantastic. And it feeds into my<br />
drawing.” This makes sense,<br />
too, of the six-foot pictures:<br />
they are, we agree, like dance<br />
drawings.<br />
Which brings us, too, full<br />
circle. Charlotte Gann<br />
michaelmunday2.com – occasional<br />
but recent blog;<br />
michaelmunday.wordpress.com<br />
– travel blog; michaelmunday.<br />
com; threescoredance.co.uk;<br />
skatoons.co.uk<br />
11
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Photo by Charlotte Gann<br />
MY LEWES: PAUL PYANT<br />
What brought you to <strong>Lewes</strong>, and when? I<br />
studied Theatre at RADA and, when I emerged,<br />
got my first job by utter happenstance at<br />
Glyndebourne. So I moved to <strong>Lewes</strong> in 1974 –<br />
and here I still am.<br />
You’re a giant among stage lighting designers.<br />
What, for you, makes great lighting? The way<br />
I think about it is often mundanely practical!<br />
It’s my job to shine a light on what the director<br />
and designer have in mind – and to achieve that<br />
in reality, within budget, and so on. Partly, it’s a<br />
question of managing expectations. And for each<br />
production, it’s a long process. The work’s also<br />
changed beyond recognition – it used to be, as<br />
someone said to me the other day, lightbulbs in<br />
tin cans. Today most lighting equipment is highly<br />
technical or ‘intelligent’ – although I prefer to<br />
think of it as ‘obedient’; I’d worry if they were up<br />
there thinking what on earth was I up to...<br />
Presumably it’s as much about what isn’t lit as<br />
what is? Absolutely. I’m never afraid of darkness.<br />
In fact, for me, there’s nothing as exciting as a dark<br />
stage. With a bit of mist. One actor, one light...<br />
You spent many years at Glyndebourne. Does<br />
that feel like home? It’s my spiritual home. I<br />
grew up there, working with the most incredible<br />
people – Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn. I didn’t know<br />
anything about opera. It was an epiphany for<br />
me. The sheer beauty of it – and on such a grand<br />
scale. It’s a wonderfully unique place to have here,<br />
I think, on our doorstep.<br />
What for you, is ‘theatre’? It’s that thing: a<br />
rainy Monday morning turning up to some grotty<br />
rehearsal room for a run through – and ending<br />
up transported all because of the skill of the<br />
actor, writer or director without any help from<br />
scenery, costume, lighting. If the chemistry works,<br />
theatre’s magnificent. Like our 1993 opening<br />
production of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia at the<br />
National – with Bill Nighy, Samuel West, Felicity<br />
Kendal – which won ALL the awards that year.<br />
It all came together – it doesn’t always! But when<br />
it does… I felt like this too, finding myself in a<br />
room with Maggie Smith and Alan Bennett doing<br />
his Talking Heads. There’s a thing called ferocious<br />
perfectionism; Maggie Smith has it.<br />
What do you like about <strong>Lewes</strong>? (Bonfire?) I<br />
think the town’s filled with quirky, interesting,<br />
fairly mad characters. I do think it’s lost its<br />
connection with its surroundings, over the years;<br />
and miss some of the old independent shops like<br />
Elphicks and Lucy of <strong>Lewes</strong>. But I love gardening<br />
– I have what was three gardens behind my<br />
house in Friars Walk. Living there, I’m obliged<br />
to embrace Bonfire: three of the societies process<br />
past my door. So I have an open house. And I like<br />
the creaky buildings. I used to work in your old<br />
offices, in Pipe Passage, alongside David Jarman.<br />
Working late I might look out of the terrace door<br />
and be aware of eyes on me in the dark: the eyes<br />
of the hundreds of frogs that congregated to mate<br />
in our pond. Interview by Charlotte Gann<br />
13
christmas menus<br />
Available from 13th <strong>November</strong><br />
Enjoy one complimentary bottle of Crémant de Bourgogne for every four<br />
guests in your party, when dining from our Christmas menu in <strong>November</strong>.<br />
To redeem, simply book your table at: www.cote.co.uk/cremant<br />
Côte Brasserie <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
82 HIGH STREET, LEWES, BN7 1XW<br />
01273 311 344 | www.cote.co.uk/cremant<br />
Offer valid for parties dining 13/11/19 - 30/11/19. One complimentary bottle of Crémant de Bourgogne for<br />
every four guests dining from our Christmas menu (£29.95). Cannot be used in conjunction with any other<br />
offer. Offer must be booked in advance.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH<br />
STAGE SET<br />
Blanaid Mason took this picture on Cliffe Bridge. She wrote ‘I took this photo at about midday on<br />
a beautiful bright sunny day in June. I was standing on Cliffe Bridge, listening to some buskers,<br />
chatting to a nice lady from Switzerland and generally soaking up and enjoying the unique <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
atmosphere.<br />
I glanced over the bridge, down the river and was struck by the contrast and clarity of the reflection<br />
of the buildings in the water. As a keen amateur photographer, I was so pleased to have my camera<br />
with me, a Canon 80D, and couldn’t resist taking the shot. I am personally drawn to black and white,<br />
and felt it would be perfect for this image, to focus attention on the light and lines and, generally,<br />
enhance the dramatic effect of the scene.’<br />
Please send your pictures, taken in and around <strong>Lewes</strong>, to photos@vivamagazines.com, or tweet<br />
@<strong>Viva</strong><strong>Lewes</strong>. We’ll choose one, which wins the photographer £20, to be picked up from our office after<br />
publication. Unless previously arranged, we reserve the right to use all pictures in future issues of <strong>Viva</strong><br />
magazines or online.<br />
15
BITS AND BOBS<br />
FIVE MINUTES WITH...<br />
Amy Marsh started as<br />
subject leader for Drama<br />
at Priory School in<br />
2013. She’s responsible<br />
for planning the KS3<br />
curriculum, delivering<br />
GCSE lessons and<br />
running extra-curricular<br />
activities. ‘I really<br />
enjoy those’, she said, ‘as I get to see students<br />
out of context. We have some amazingly talented<br />
and hard-working students, I always feel<br />
so proud of them. I also really enjoy directing<br />
as a creative part of my job.’<br />
Amy used to work in HR for fashion company<br />
AllSaints, at their head office in Spitalfields.<br />
But her degree was in the Arts in education<br />
and she studied at Bretton Hall. ‘I always<br />
intended to become a teacher’, she says.<br />
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?<br />
The beach, afternoon tea, festivals, music,<br />
spending time with family and friends and<br />
interior design!<br />
HUZZAH!<br />
FOR<br />
BONFIRE<br />
BONFIRE ITEMS<br />
K FOR SALE J<br />
MATCHBOXES, MUGS,<br />
PRINTS, CARDS etc.<br />
K THE TOM PAINE J<br />
PRINTING PRESS & GALLERY<br />
151 High Street <strong>Lewes</strong>, opp. Bull House & Westgate Chapel<br />
Christmas Trees for Sale<br />
P.E. Underhay and Son<br />
16<br />
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?<br />
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. I read it<br />
for English A Level and revisit every few years.<br />
I also love a crime novel (or a Harry Potter).<br />
YOUR FAVOURITE PLAY? Sweeney Todd in<br />
2012 with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton.<br />
So chilling and original, and I’m quite partial<br />
to a good musical!<br />
TOP PLACES TO GO OUT IN LEWES? I<br />
live in Hove so don’t socialise a lot in <strong>Lewes</strong>,<br />
but Bill’s is always a favourite and I like visiting<br />
the Depot: so different today from the<br />
vast warehouse space where we once staged<br />
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory…<br />
Nordman fir (non-drop)<br />
Traditional Norway Spruce<br />
Best prices & varying heights<br />
Logs and mistletoe also available<br />
Buy from the grower<br />
Cut to order<br />
Super fresh<br />
No needle-drop here<br />
Open every weekend in December, 10am to dusk.<br />
Situated on B2124 between Laughton & Golden<br />
Cross between Park Lane & Broonham Lane<br />
before ‘Quik Loo Hire’.
CATS AND DOGS<br />
PETS OF LEWES<br />
Meet Kipling, a lurcher, approximately six years old,<br />
adopted from All Sorts Rescue. Kipling was originally<br />
found as a stray in Ireland, starving and suffering with<br />
mange (a parasitic skin disease which can cause intense<br />
itching resulting in open sores, scabs and hair loss). He<br />
settled into his new home well, despite being half bald<br />
and having just had a toe amputated. He’s a good boy and,<br />
what’s more, is insured to drive any car.<br />
Loves: science, cola cubes, Hackney<br />
Hates: souvlaki, sparrows, those speeded-up YouTube<br />
videos where someone makes a hideous table out of epoxy<br />
resin, some coat hangers and the bones of aggressive<br />
hamsters: you hate it but you can’t stop watching…<br />
He’s pictured here with his big pal Quincy, rescue cat, age unknown. The expression ‘fighting like<br />
cats and dogs’, is something of a misnomer – cats and dogs can and often do form lasting friendships.<br />
Granted, their body language is open to misinterpretation – to a dog, an upright waggy tail means<br />
‘play’; to a cat, ‘get the hell away!’ – which can result in misunderstandings. But, if early introductions<br />
are monitored carefully, Fido and Dido can be BFFs, regardless of species. @dogsoflewes
NUTS AND BOBS<br />
ZERO-WASTE CUPBOARD<br />
The Friday Food<br />
Market are rightly<br />
proud of their<br />
new ‘Zero-Waste<br />
Cupboard’. “If<br />
you remember<br />
Charlotte’s<br />
Cupboard, it was<br />
a van that came<br />
to the market and<br />
offered the same<br />
sort of stock”, says<br />
Market Manager<br />
Lucie Inns. “Now<br />
we’ve absorbed<br />
that idea into the<br />
market itself.”<br />
And just look at that lovely dresser they’ve found –<br />
in Furniture Now, the <strong>Lewes</strong> based community-led<br />
charity helping people escape poverty.<br />
So, shop here for any of the pictured organic<br />
dried goods, packaging free. You bring your own<br />
container, or the market will give or lend you a<br />
jam jar or similar. They’re also selling washing<br />
up liquid, laundry liquid and bicarbonate of soda<br />
‘loose’ – you bring your own container.<br />
The items currently available in those jars on<br />
the shelves include sunflower seeds, banana<br />
chips, couscous, fusilli, muesli, nuts, sugar, rice,<br />
lentils… and plenty more. To an extent, the stock<br />
is, and will be, customer-driven, Lucie tells me;<br />
“come and say what you want, and we’ll certainly<br />
consider stocking it, space allowing.”<br />
There’s also a loyalty scheme: every £5 you spend<br />
in the ‘Cupboard’, you get a stamp; 10 stamps,<br />
and you get £5 back to spend there again.<br />
Here is shopping of the future. Time we all built<br />
a trip to the Zero-Waste Cupboard into our<br />
weekly routine? Charlotte Gann<br />
The Cupboard is open every Friday at the <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Food Market in Market Street clock tower,<br />
9.30am-1.30pm, lewesfoodmarket.co.uk<br />
Do you have Workspace to Let?<br />
Workspace to Let as a Desk,<br />
Office or Studio?<br />
I have a list of clients wanting<br />
workspace in <strong>Lewes</strong>.<br />
For more info visit:<br />
www.spaceagentlewes.co.uk<br />
HAPPY<br />
BONFIRE<br />
FROM EVERYONE AT VIVA<br />
18
BITS AND BOX<br />
CHARITY BOX: CHESTNUT TREE HOUSE<br />
What is Chestnut<br />
Tree House? A children’s<br />
hospice which<br />
cares for around 300<br />
children and young<br />
people across Sussex<br />
and South East<br />
Hampshire, all of<br />
whom are unlikely to<br />
reach adulthood. We<br />
offer care and support<br />
in families’ own homes, and in Chestnut Tree<br />
House, and are caring for local families, right<br />
now, in <strong>Lewes</strong> and surrounding areas.<br />
It’s such delicate, incredible work you do:<br />
what is your aim, for each family? Our goal is<br />
to provide the best quality of life for children,<br />
young people and their families, and to offer a<br />
total package of practical, social and spiritual<br />
support throughout each child’s life, however<br />
short it may be. We help local families live For<br />
the Now, and offer a hug and a hand to hold.<br />
We’re a safe port in a sea of life-changing diagnoses<br />
and need for round-the-clock care. We<br />
aim to give the children and their families care,<br />
support, quality time and, most importantly, fun.<br />
Where are you physically based? And the<br />
area you cover? Our purpose-built house is<br />
situated off Dover Lane near Arundel. We work<br />
there, and in the community. On visits, kids can<br />
be astronauts for the day in the multi-sensory<br />
room, discover creepy crawlies on a woodland<br />
walk, or form their very own pop group in the<br />
music room. It’s a place where parents can just<br />
be parents, and not carers, and where siblings<br />
have people to talk to who understand.<br />
And what is the kind of care that you offer?<br />
Every family has a key worker, who will help<br />
them access the care and support they need.<br />
As well as care provided at the house there is a<br />
Community Nursing Team who visit families<br />
at home across Sussex<br />
and South East<br />
Hampshire, taking<br />
children out to explore<br />
their local community<br />
or simply giving tired<br />
families and carers the<br />
chance to take a wellearned<br />
break. Then,<br />
when the time comes,<br />
Chestnut Tree House<br />
help families say goodbye, in whatever way feels<br />
right for them, either at home or in the hospice<br />
itself. We offer ongoing bereavement support<br />
for the whole family.<br />
No family pays for their care…? Can you<br />
explain a little more how this works? It costs<br />
over £4 million every year to provide these specialist<br />
care services and less than six per cent of<br />
that comes from central Government. We have<br />
a team of about 75 nurses, care workers, activity<br />
co-ordinators and counsellors, and two GPs and<br />
a consultant paediatrician. All care is offered to<br />
families free of charge, so Chestnut Tree House<br />
relies heavily on the generosity of the public.<br />
How can people HELP? Whether it’s baking<br />
a cake or dreaming up funky fundraising<br />
fun, making new friends and learning new<br />
skills through volunteering (we have over 100<br />
volunteers), taking on a challenge in one of<br />
our events, or shopping in one of our retail<br />
outlets, there’s loads you can do to support local<br />
families. Everything helps, so head over to our<br />
website to get involved!<br />
Charlotte Gann interviewed Susan Freeman,<br />
Community Care Support Worker<br />
chestnut-tree-house.org.uk<br />
Look out too for <strong>Viva</strong> columnist John Henty’s<br />
new CD (voiced by Captain Sensible!) Cheshire<br />
Flies High £5. All proceeds from sales will go to<br />
Chestnut Tree House.
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER <strong>2019</strong> / 2.45PM<br />
Christian Garrick<br />
& Friends with<br />
the Brighton<br />
Philharmonic<br />
Strings<br />
Programme includes Poldark<br />
theme tune, John Dankworth’s<br />
jazz Violin Concerto, Piazzolla’s<br />
Four Seasons and Libertango<br />
and more<br />
TICKETS £14.50-£42.50<br />
(50% DISCOUNT FOR STUDENTS/U18S)<br />
BRIGHTON DOME TICKET OFFICE<br />
01273 709709<br />
brightondome.org<br />
Focusing<br />
on you<br />
Counselling, Psychotherapy<br />
and Psychological services<br />
in central <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
01273 921355<br />
www.brightonandhovepsychotherapy.com<br />
admin@brightonandhovepsychotherapy.com<br />
Volunteer<br />
with us<br />
Get back a whole lot more than you give<br />
E-mail<br />
ILCRVolRecruitment@redcross.org.uk<br />
to fi nd out about the roles in your area and<br />
help people in your community who need<br />
a little extra support to live well.<br />
brightonphil.org.uk<br />
@BPO_orchestra<br />
/BrightonPhil<br />
redcross.org.uk/independent-living-volunteer<br />
The British Red Cross Society, incorporated by Royal Charter<br />
1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949),<br />
Scotland (SC037738) and Isle of Man (0752).<br />
Photo © Simon Rawles/BRC.
BITS AND BULBS<br />
LIGHT UP LEWES: CAMPAIGN FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS<br />
Simulation and pic by Gala Lights Limited<br />
‘Ever felt that, as the County Town, <strong>Lewes</strong> lacks that<br />
magical sparkle at Christmas?’ That’s a question posed<br />
by the <strong>Lewes</strong> High Street Traders’ Association, of which<br />
Tom Reeves is Chair. “The Association”, he tells me, “was<br />
formed less than a year ago to make Late Night Shopping<br />
happen last year. Over subsequent meetings, it became<br />
clear Christmas lights were an issue.”<br />
All the shops are struggling, Tom tells me. “We need<br />
something to get people out, and into the town. We believe Christmas lights will help.”<br />
The coordinated plan covers the length of the High Street, Cliffe High Street, Market Street and<br />
Station Street. In the years to come, they hope to add a special “ceiling of lights” feature above the<br />
War Memorial. “But that’s not on the cards this year,” Tom says, “because scaffolding’s about to go<br />
up round The Crown… This year, a conservation officer will liaise with the lighting company (Gala,<br />
who provided this simulation pic), to devise a scheme for this Christmas. It will be as spectacular as<br />
possible and will be a taster for the full scheme which we are intent on delivering for 2020.”<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> retailers, local authorities and the Chalk Cliff Trust have already contributed towards the cost.<br />
Now, the association is appealing for any local residents who’d like to chip in. “Every little counts,”<br />
says Tom. “We think Christmas lights could help bring our community together…”<br />
Interested? Check out the appeal. Charlotte Gann<br />
leweshighstreettraders.co.uk, leweschristmaslights.co.uk, gofundme.com/f/lewes-christmas-lights,<br />
Instagram @leweshighstreet<br />
Gift Shopping at Farleys <strong>2019</strong><br />
Muddles Green, Chiddingly, East Sussex, BN8 6HW<br />
www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk<br />
@ FarleysHG
Licensed Bar<br />
Food<br />
Craft Stalls<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Gifts<br />
Raffle<br />
Plus Santa<br />
A VERY LEWES HAMPER<br />
Logo design by Scott Wotherspoon<br />
This Christmas, Visit <strong>Lewes</strong> wants<br />
to celebrate the town’s independents.<br />
“I’ve approached 97 shops”, says<br />
Helen Browning-Smith, Tourism<br />
& Arts Manager of <strong>Lewes</strong> District<br />
Council, “including Kings Framers,<br />
the 15th Century Bookshop, Union<br />
Music, Wear 2, Mays Butchers, Bake<br />
Out… so a really eclectic mix, which is the<br />
hallmark of our High Street.” (If you run an indie<br />
and would like to join in, she adds, please email<br />
events@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.)<br />
From 1st <strong>November</strong>, shoppers are invited to<br />
pick up a Visit <strong>Lewes</strong> tote bag from the Tourist<br />
Information Centre. “There’s a stamp card in the<br />
bag. Each time you buy an item from one of the<br />
participating indies, ask them to stamp it. Once<br />
you’ve collected 10 stamps, return the card to<br />
Tourist Information to be entered into<br />
a prize draw.” The prize? “A hamper of<br />
quirky delights donated by the shops.<br />
We believe our unique range of<br />
independents is worth shouting about,<br />
and a huge attraction to visitors”, says<br />
Helen. “We’re also painfully aware<br />
that many of our valued local shops<br />
are facing great challenges, and struggling in a<br />
crowded market of chain stores. If we can persuade<br />
a handful of people to think twice before<br />
shopping online, and go out and support the local<br />
economy instead, this will have been worth it.”<br />
The hamper winner will be announced on the<br />
Visit <strong>Lewes</strong> website and through social media on<br />
Friday 20th December. Charlotte Gann<br />
visitlewes.co.uk, Twitter @enjoylewes,<br />
Instagram @Visit.<strong>Lewes</strong><br />
22
If you have a degree you can train to teach in less than<br />
a year. Plus, you could get a bursary of up to £28k<br />
or earn a salary.<br />
eastsussex.gov.uk/teach<br />
23
<strong>Lewes</strong><br />
SATURDAY<br />
7TH DECEMBER<br />
Starting at Harvey’s Yard<br />
beverntrust.org/santarun<br />
Registered Charity No.1103520<br />
Kindly supported by<br />
FUN RUN, WALK OR PUSH
LEWES FOOD BANKS:<br />
HEARING FROM THOSE WHO RUN THEM<br />
Why do they do it?<br />
Managers say: “There<br />
is a clear need”….<br />
“People need help<br />
and I like helping”….<br />
“The vast difference<br />
between the haves and<br />
the have nots”…. “My<br />
own experience of being<br />
very poor with a child to<br />
look after” .... “We do not all have the same life<br />
chances.”<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> is shamed by needing three food banks in<br />
our small and apparently prosperous town. But<br />
we should be proud of the many dedicated people<br />
who give huge amounts of energy and dedication<br />
to running them. The one or two hours<br />
on a Monday when the food banks actually<br />
provide essential supplies of food and so much<br />
more to people who desperately need support,<br />
is only the tip of the iceberg. I have seen for<br />
myself the hours of preparation and planning by<br />
managers that go into the operation.<br />
Running a food bank takes a wide range of<br />
skills: people and team management, administration<br />
and public relations, fundraising and diplomacy,<br />
sometimes even moving the furniture.<br />
Sensitive relationships with clients are key; so is<br />
recruiting, enthusing and managing volunteers,<br />
sometimes clients themselves. Keeping the<br />
books involves recording clients’ referrals and<br />
collection of their small weekly payments, as<br />
well as the ordering and checking of supplies.<br />
Most supplies come from the Fair Shares operation<br />
and cost each food bank upwards of £1,000<br />
a year. There is a constant need to raise the<br />
profile and funding of food banks.<br />
Monday mornings are busy and cheerful as volunteers<br />
bustle round sorting through the stores<br />
and filling bags. Dry goods and perishables<br />
are separated; fresh fruit and vegetables are an<br />
important but sometimes<br />
scarce commodity.<br />
Donated items with<br />
sell-by dates like bread<br />
and cakes are laid out on<br />
tables. Sanitary products<br />
are a more recent addition.<br />
When the doors<br />
open, families, couples<br />
and individual clients are<br />
already waiting and are greeted warmly.<br />
During their six to seven years in the job the<br />
managers say they have seen the numbers of clients<br />
and their difficulties increase. The average<br />
number of food bank clients in <strong>Lewes</strong> fluctuates<br />
but has risen from around 200 people a week<br />
to an average of more than 275. High rents and<br />
lack of affordable housing are severe problems.<br />
“We’ve got more money going out than coming<br />
in” is a typical comment. Clients reveal multiple<br />
reasons for needing help. A lost job or home;<br />
parents caring for a disabled child; illness, an<br />
accident or a series of misfortunes can strike a<br />
family or individual. It can – and does – happen<br />
to people from all backgrounds. The past year<br />
has seen “the advent of Universal Credit and its<br />
delays in processing payments”…. and “benefit<br />
cuts biting hard”.<br />
We began our campaign to make <strong>Lewes</strong> a (real)<br />
Living Wage town because we were appalled<br />
that people working on low or unreliable pay<br />
could not earn enough to feed their families.<br />
Our three food banks have become a fixture. We<br />
rely on people like these managers to plug the<br />
gaps in the system on our behalf. We are lucky<br />
to have them.<br />
Linda Lamont, <strong>Lewes</strong> Living Wage<br />
leweslivingwage@gmail.com or 01273 470940.<br />
Landport food bank: debbie.twitchen@gmail.com;<br />
Fitzjohns: helen.chiasson@btinternet.com; Malling:<br />
Mat Moulding at chilli500@hotmail.co.uk<br />
25
SUSSEX CHRISTMAS BARN<br />
Visit the Christmas Barn, located just outside Barcombe<br />
and choose from a stunning range of Christmas decorations<br />
for your home and tree.<br />
We open Wednesday 6th <strong>November</strong> <strong>2019</strong> at 9AM<br />
Weekdays 9am - 5:30pm<br />
Saturdays 10am - 5:30pm<br />
Sundays 10am - 4pm<br />
Tempting homemade cakes and lunch menu from our onsite café<br />
Freshly cut 100% UK grown Christmas Trees<br />
Available from Thursday 21st <strong>November</strong><br />
G I P P S F A R M , B A R C O M B E , E A S T S U S S E X . B N 8 5 E H<br />
w w w . s u s s e x c h r i s t m a s b a r n . c o . u k<br />
s h o p @ s u s s e x c h r i s t m a s b a r n . c o . u k<br />
0 1 2 7 3 4 0 1 0 2 1<br />
01444 405250 | @NymansNT | @NymansNT<br />
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans<br />
Credit: Quentin Blake: A P Watt at United Agents on behalf of Quentin Blake.
CARLOTTA LUKE<br />
FOCUS ON: BRIGHTON DOME CORN EXCHANGE & STUDIO THEATRE<br />
I’ve been officially photographing the<br />
refurbishment of these incredible spaces to<br />
document work on the building’s transformation<br />
and restoration of its heritage features.<br />
Clockwise from top left: the 200-year old Corn<br />
Exchange roof showing the stripped back timber<br />
beams; the beautiful original windows in the<br />
Studio Theatre; close up of the building’s wooden<br />
frame taken from the new viewing balcony; the<br />
ornate Church Street facade with the scaffolding<br />
finally removed; and the 1930s bi-fold entrance<br />
doors waiting to be renovated.<br />
brightondome.org / carlottaluke.com<br />
27
Xmas fair and grotto<br />
Sunday 8 December<br />
10am–3pm<br />
Sleigh rides to Santa, Mid Sussex Choir, stalls and a<br />
warming café!<br />
National Cat Adoption Centre, Chelwood Gate, RH17 7TT<br />
(Sat Nav 7DE)<br />
T: 01825 741 331<br />
W: www.cats.org.uk/ncac<br />
Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)<br />
NCAC_4929<br />
NCAC_4929 Christmas Fair <strong>Lewes</strong> Ad (128 x45).indd 1 04/10/<strong>2019</strong> 12:02<br />
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Find out more by calling<br />
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CARTOON<br />
29
COLUMN<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Out Loud<br />
Plenty more Henty<br />
At this year’s <strong>Lewes</strong> Societies Fair in the Town<br />
Hall, the oft quoted words of William Shakespeare<br />
came instantly to mind as I toured the<br />
multiple stalls: ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the<br />
men and women merely players’.<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> itself is surely an open stage, a living theatre<br />
of a town I conjectured, and all these well-meaning<br />
and welcoming folk are the participating players.<br />
Some of the dynamic women I met on the <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
FC stall, for example, were indeed players in the<br />
footballing sense. Rhian3, Jess10, Katie22 and<br />
I got on famously and this despite the fact that<br />
I was wearing the colours of a rival championship<br />
team who they were about to play the next<br />
afternoon at the Pan.<br />
The fair was once again a life enhancing occasion<br />
and it was good to mingle with the likes of<br />
Landport gardeners, Pells Pond people and a<br />
costumed team of Tudor dancers. As I left, Sally,<br />
from the Flower Club, chased after me with a<br />
single stem rose bearing the message ‘Please take<br />
me home and smile’. I did both.<br />
Sadly, when it comes to live theatres which I have<br />
been associated with over the years, I am more<br />
likely to frown than smile. This is mainly because<br />
many of them are no longer standing and others<br />
are at risk of demolition or mindless redevelopment<br />
like the Hippodrome in Brighton (home to<br />
cheeky chappie Max Miller, pictured).<br />
I was vice-chair of the ‘Save the Grand Theatre’<br />
in Croydon, having appeared there as the third<br />
pirate on the left in an amateur production of The<br />
Pirates of Penzance previously. It became a soulless<br />
car showroom. When the theatre on Brighton’s<br />
Palace Pier was ‘painstakingly’ dismantled by<br />
the Nobles organisation for ‘temporary’ removal<br />
to Hastings, we were assured it would return. It<br />
didn’t.<br />
Thank goodness then for the thriving Royal Hippodrome<br />
theatre in Eastbourne where the British<br />
Music Hall Society is promising another ‘Day By<br />
The Seaside’ early next summer. The only way<br />
to ensure that theatres keep going in this age of<br />
virtual reality and box sets is literally keep going!<br />
A mention now for the final international antiques<br />
and collectors fair at Ardingly this year at<br />
the South of England showground on <strong>November</strong><br />
5 and 6. If you are planning to attend from<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> by car on the Tuesday, do remember that<br />
an early return home would be wise as the town<br />
will be in ‘shut-down’ mode mid-afternoon<br />
onwards for Bonfire.<br />
Talking of antiques, we have been watching<br />
episodes of The Repair Shop on BBC2 of late and<br />
what a delightful programme it is. No competitiveness,<br />
talk of money or pointless applause<br />
(currently spoiling Antiques Roadshow). It’s a<br />
pleasure to watch people’s joyous reaction when a<br />
much loved object is revealed to them following<br />
meticulous restoration. By the way, I did enquire<br />
as to whether the shop, in its West Sussex rural<br />
setting, is open to visitors. Apparently not. It’s<br />
created solely for filming. A shame. John Henty<br />
31
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COLUMN<br />
David Jarman<br />
My back pages<br />
Three days in Liverpool. First night I’ve been<br />
away from King Henry’s Road since July, 2017.<br />
And that was only Islington. Colin Brent has<br />
been extolling the virtues of Liverpool to me<br />
for over twenty years, so it was no surprise to<br />
discover that, architecturally, it’s a magnificent<br />
city. The extraordinary vista of St. George’s<br />
Hall, as the traveller emerges from Lime Street<br />
Station, the ‘Three Graces’, especially the 1910<br />
Liver Building, alongside the river front, the<br />
Georgian glory of Rodney Street; they are all<br />
just breathtaking.<br />
Shipbuilding was, of course, the thing in Liverpool.<br />
Look at E. Chambré Hardman’s famous<br />
photograph across Liverpool towards The Ark<br />
Royal. Its passing much lamented, though not by<br />
Elvis Costello in his wonderful song Shipbuilding.<br />
Writing in 1964, Ian Nairn wondered whether<br />
the city was always going to be ‘hopelessly sunk<br />
in the past, still mourning the day that the liners<br />
went to Southampton’. And yet today, as <strong>Viva</strong><br />
publisher, Becky Ramsden told me, the city is<br />
‘vibrant’. It just worries me that so much of that<br />
vibrancy seems to be dependent on not shipbuilding<br />
but the Beatles. There’s no escape. Bars<br />
(Harrison’s, McCartney’s), museums, The Cavern<br />
Quarter, the Hard Day’s Night Hotel, a rather<br />
poignant statue of Eleanor Rigby (‘All the Lonely<br />
People’). On Hanover Street there’s the Epstein<br />
Theatre. Could this be, just perhaps, named<br />
after Jacob Epstein, whose sculpture adorns a<br />
nearby building? Alas the theatre’s ‘Brian’s Bar’<br />
disabused me. Only Billy Fury seems to get a<br />
look-in. There’s a statue of him outside Tate<br />
Liverpool. He was born, one Ronald Wycherley.<br />
Any relation?<br />
Leaving the Philharmonic Dining Hall in Hope<br />
Street (one of several gorgeous Victorian pub interiors<br />
in the city) I turned into Hardman Street<br />
(remember Adrian Henri’s haiku ‘For Elizabeth’<br />
– ‘Morning / your red nylon mac / blown like a<br />
poppy across Hardman Street’) which I assumed<br />
was named after E. Chambré Hardman, whose<br />
photographic studio in nearby Rodney Street is<br />
now a museum, run by the National Trust. But<br />
no, it’s the Hardman family of Allerton Hall.<br />
A visit to the museum was the highlight of my<br />
Liverpool trip. Guided tours take you through<br />
the studio as well as the Hardmans’ living<br />
quarters. Stone me, as Tony Hancock used to<br />
say, WHAT CLUTTER! They’re preserved as<br />
the affectionate couple left them. (He called his<br />
wife, Margaret, ‘Pearl’, she called him ‘Gobbles’).<br />
Margaret once asked: “Why is our kitchen like<br />
the West Coast of Scotland?” Answer: “Because<br />
they both have Isles of Muck”.<br />
And the lowpoint? That must be the less than<br />
happy inspiration of installing one of Tracey<br />
Emin’s neonlight fatuities (‘I felt you and I<br />
knew you loved me’) beneath the stunning<br />
stained glass in the west front of<br />
the Anglican Cathedral.<br />
Back to the Beatles. And King Henry’s<br />
Road. It was there, at my friend<br />
Barry O’Connell’s house, that I once<br />
met a man who had been in the same<br />
class at school as George Harrison.<br />
What was George, famous as the<br />
real sweetie of the Fab Four, actually<br />
like, I asked<br />
him. His<br />
answer? ‘A<br />
complete<br />
thug.’<br />
Illustration by Charlotte Gann<br />
33
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efficient,<br />
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COLUMN<br />
Eleanor Knight<br />
Keyboard worrier<br />
Illustration by Hasia Curtis<br />
So, no improvement in ‘things’ then since last<br />
issue. In fact, given the current fluctuations in<br />
political leadership there is every chance that<br />
by the time you read this my Auntie Brenda,<br />
exasperated beyond all reasonable endurance, will<br />
have risen up and assumed supreme command of<br />
our crazed United Kingdom. She will of course<br />
have put the hoover round and left a casserole in<br />
the slow-cooker before leaving for Whitehall.<br />
Under my redoubtable aunt’s benign dictatorship,<br />
Vitamin C tablets will be mandatory at<br />
breakfast, ironing will replace football as the<br />
national sport and we will all be in bed by nine<br />
o’clock. Because Auntie Brenda knows that without<br />
a healthy routine and clear boundaries we are<br />
asking for trouble.<br />
Admit it, it’s an attractive prospect.<br />
But moan all we like, we Brits have never quite<br />
managed to go the full Auntie Brenda – and for<br />
this there are two main reasons. Firstly, because<br />
we believe that dictators are, well, just a bit silly<br />
and secondly, because of something we’re really<br />
rather good at. Satire.<br />
In the run-up to this year’s Bonfire, I’ve been<br />
thinking a lot about those laudable individuals<br />
who tirelessly devote themselves and their<br />
considerable artistic talents to fashioning the<br />
effigies, which are paraded through the streets<br />
of <strong>Lewes</strong> only to be swiftly and comprehensively<br />
obliterated for our entertainment. But how to<br />
choose? There’s never a shortage of candidates<br />
for the PM treatment – and for the sake of<br />
argument please understand that I refer here<br />
not to the current leader of the Conservatives,<br />
or any other party, but to the sticky amalgam<br />
of discarded newsprint and cheap glue known<br />
universally as papier mâché. This year there are<br />
more potential PMs than the Bullingdon Club<br />
has had hot boars’ heads. In the words of Ferrero<br />
Rocher’s ambassadorial guest: <strong>2019</strong>, you are really<br />
spoiling us.<br />
Who could resist filling a supine Rees-Mogg<br />
replica with sufficient explosive to see him sit up<br />
from that infamous recline? How many rockets<br />
would it take to blow effigy Jeremy off the fence?<br />
Could there be anything, at this moment, more<br />
satisfying than watching a carefully constructed,<br />
lovingly hand-painted Boris bus make a rapid<br />
one-way trip upwards?<br />
Bonfire has always had its detractors. And<br />
this year, with the language of civic life barely<br />
hovering above the level of pavement fouling,<br />
there will be those who fear that offence may be<br />
caused, tempers frayed and – a very real concern<br />
– public representatives targeted as they go about<br />
their ordinary, real lives.<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong>, hold your nerve. Our annual spell of<br />
anarchy and arson is short-lived and lovingly<br />
cleared away. We blow up our papier mâché<br />
politicians to take the edge off wanting to do it<br />
for real, something James I knew when he passed<br />
the Thanksgiving Act in 1606, giving the people<br />
what they really wanted – the epic inferno they<br />
missed out on when Parliament was spared.<br />
Because we all like to know what’s<br />
what. But now and again even<br />
Auntie Brenda likes a<br />
good explosive.<br />
35
<strong>Lewes</strong> Bonfire<br />
The morning after...<br />
Do you visit one of the Bonfire sites on the 5th? Photographer and <strong>Viva</strong> Brighton regular<br />
JJ Waller sent us these pictures which he took last year on the evening of Bonfire Night<br />
and the morning of the 6th. He wrote:<br />
‘I see an intrinsic sculptural beauty in these bonfires. I am fascinated by their transient<br />
nature, a form of unremarked folk art. The structures are simple but skilfully assembled.<br />
I have great respect for the altruistic efforts of the bonfire captains who make them:<br />
creations whose sole destinies are to be reduced to ash. Very often it is the fireworks and<br />
the effigies that take the public gaze but the bonfire is at the core of the event…These<br />
pictures’, says JJ, ‘are a testament to their art.’<br />
JJ has also produced a bonfire poster – see jjwaller.com<br />
36
ON THIS MONTH: BONFIRE<br />
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ON THIS MONTH: FILM<br />
The Juniper Tree, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Berlin – Symphony of a Great City<br />
Cinecity<br />
Around the world in 90 minutes<br />
Cinecity, which bills itself as ‘the South-east’s<br />
biggest film festival’, has been going for 16 years<br />
now, and with screenings on offer in seven different<br />
venues, including the Depot in <strong>Lewes</strong> and ACCA<br />
in Falmer, it’s never been bigger.<br />
But it’s the geographical range of the films on offer<br />
that’s really striking. Because, once again, the festival’s<br />
strapline is ‘Adventures in World Cinema’ and<br />
it offers the chance to watch a carefully curated collection<br />
of fine movies from all over the world, from<br />
Palestine to Georgia, via Afghanistan and Australia.<br />
As well as the best of British, of course.<br />
One highlight – timed to coincide with the 30th<br />
anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall – is a<br />
remastered version of Walter Ruttmann’s influential<br />
1927 documentary Berlin – Symphony of a Great<br />
City, a contemporary box-office success despite<br />
its avant-garde nature, which compresses a day in<br />
the life of the German capital into a beautifully<br />
composed hour. The film will be accompanied by<br />
a new score, performed by musicians Simon Fisher<br />
Turner, Klara Lewis and Rainier Lericlorais.<br />
East Side Story gives an interesting glimpse at pre-<br />
1989 Eastern Bloc culture, examining the world<br />
of big-budget Soviet musicals, with extracts from<br />
classics such as Tractor Drivers (USSR), Holidays<br />
on the Black Sea (Romania) and Stalin’s favourite<br />
movie, which he is said to have watched over 100<br />
times – Volga, Volga.<br />
Rather more enigmatic and serious is The Juniper<br />
Tree, based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, a little<br />
known but highly rated 1990 movie by the late<br />
American director Nietzchka Keene. This slowpaced<br />
black-and-white tale was shot in Iceland and<br />
features the screen debut of a 23-year-old Björk<br />
(pictured above).<br />
Portrait of a Lady on Fire, meanwhile, is a rich<br />
<strong>2019</strong> period piece by Céline Sciamma, set in the<br />
18th Century, with an all-female cast, that won<br />
the Queer Palm and the Best Screenplay at this<br />
year’s Cannes Festival. It stars Noémie Merlant<br />
as a young artist commissioned to secretly paint<br />
a portrait of an increasingly reluctant bride-to-be<br />
(Adèle Haenel).<br />
The festival is topped and tailed with local premieres<br />
of much-anticipated American films, which<br />
have made an impact at Cannes and other festivals,<br />
which you would otherwise have to wait till 2020<br />
to watch. The festival opener is Robert Eggers’ The<br />
Lighthouse, a black-and-white psychological drama<br />
starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as<br />
two men who get to know each other rather too<br />
well while manning a lighthouse on a remote rock<br />
off New England. And the closing feature is Taika<br />
Waititi’s dark offbeat comedy Jojo Rabbit, about a<br />
lonely Hitler Youth cadet, whose best friend is an<br />
imaginary version of his Führer; the lad is faced<br />
with a number of choices when he discovers his<br />
mother is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic. Think<br />
The Producers meets Moonrise Kingdom.<br />
Dexter Lee<br />
For full schedule see cine-city.co.uk<br />
39
ON THIS MONTH: GALA<br />
The singing prison governor<br />
Homelink Gala at Glyndebourne<br />
What do comedians Eddie<br />
Izzard, Steve Coogan<br />
and Zoe Lyons, presenter<br />
Katie Derham, writer Simon<br />
Fanshawe, and actors Toby<br />
Stephens, Nimmy March<br />
and Sophie Okonedo have in<br />
common with the governor<br />
of HMP <strong>Lewes</strong>? The answer<br />
is they’re all appearing at Glyndebourne this<br />
month to help raise money for local charity<br />
Homelink.<br />
The charity, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary<br />
this year, works to provide permanent<br />
housing for those who are homeless or at risk of<br />
losing their homes. Liaising with <strong>Lewes</strong> District<br />
& Eastbourne Borough Councils – as well as with<br />
other organisations, such as job centres, women’s<br />
refuges, children’s services, the Sussex Rough<br />
Sleeper Prevention Project, and Southdown<br />
Housing in <strong>Lewes</strong> Prison – Homelink provides<br />
interest-free loans to hundreds of people<br />
each year who are homeless or facing eviction,<br />
enabling them to move into private rented accommodation<br />
in the Sussex area.<br />
The Homelink #homes4homeless Anniversary<br />
Gala takes place at Glyndebourne on Sunday<br />
17th <strong>November</strong> and will feature a host of homegrown<br />
talents, including the aforementioned<br />
celebrities (all of whom have links to the area)<br />
and <strong>Lewes</strong> Prison Governor Hannah Lane (pictured).<br />
She and a group of her colleagues have<br />
formed a choir, and, under the tutelage of local<br />
musical director and conductor John Hancorn<br />
(also pictured), are preparing to perform at the<br />
event.<br />
“When we were approached to get involved, I<br />
thought it was a great idea,” she says. “We’ve got<br />
strong connections with<br />
Homelink, as it’s a local<br />
charity and helps many of<br />
our residents who don’t<br />
have anywhere to go when<br />
they are released. Around<br />
30 per cent of our men are<br />
officially ‘of no fixed abode’<br />
when they leave here, and<br />
many end up staying with friends or family and<br />
‘sofa surfing’, so the service Homelink provides<br />
is vital. We wanted to support that – and I also<br />
thought it would be a good opportunity to<br />
mythbust what prison staff are like, as we’re all<br />
different and from different backgrounds. Then<br />
I got roped in to take part myself!”<br />
The <strong>Lewes</strong> Prison Staff Choir is made up of<br />
staff from a range of positions, Hannah adds,<br />
including officers, teachers, admin staff and<br />
chaplains. “We haven’t decided what to wear yet,<br />
but the consensus is it would be nice to wear our<br />
belts and chains, so that there’s the identification<br />
with the prison.”<br />
There’s something else unusual about the group.<br />
The members’ differing shift patterns mean that<br />
the choir won’t have the opportunity to sing together<br />
as a whole until the Gala itself, making the<br />
Glyndebourne performance truly a one-off.<br />
“Before this, I hadn’t sung since primary school!<br />
It’s a great opportunity – to be able to sing at<br />
Glyndebourne and to raise money for a really<br />
good cause. We’ve got our slot, plus the Grand<br />
Finale, when everyone will be on stage together.<br />
It’s going to be amazing. I just hope we don’t<br />
let anyone down, as the standard will be very<br />
high...” Anita Hall<br />
Glyndebourne, 17 <strong>November</strong>, 3pm. For tickets,<br />
see glyndebourne.com. leweshomelink.org.uk<br />
Photo by Sam Stephenson<br />
41
JO O’SULLIVAN<br />
DIVORCE AND SEPARATION<br />
Without the fireworks<br />
Living in Sussex few of us are likely to forget<br />
Bonfire Night; the <strong>Lewes</strong> celebrations are<br />
infamous.<br />
Remember, remember the Fifth of <strong>November</strong>,<br />
the Gunpowder Treason and Plot,<br />
I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason should<br />
ever be forgot.<br />
Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent to blow up King and<br />
Parliament.<br />
A penny loaf to feed the Pope<br />
A farthing o’ cheese to choke him.<br />
A pint of beer to rinse it down.<br />
A faggot of sticks to burn him.<br />
Burn him in a tub of tar.<br />
Burn him like a blazing star.<br />
Burn his body from his head.<br />
Then we’ll say ol’ Pope is dead.<br />
Despite the gruesome nature of <strong>November</strong><br />
5th’s origins reflected in the poem/nursery<br />
rhyme – and some of the <strong>Lewes</strong> Bonfire Night<br />
effigies – it is a happy occasion that brings<br />
parents and children closer together. Most<br />
of us will marvel at the lit-up sky, eating<br />
autumnal comfort food and enjoying the<br />
warmth from a roaring bonfire.<br />
For separated families it can be another<br />
calendar date marred by sadness, where<br />
children celebrate with one parent or where<br />
the only fireworks are those between warring<br />
parents – who in Guy Fawkes-like fashion –<br />
plot and scheme.<br />
As a Collaborative Family Lawyer and<br />
Mediator I help separating couples see that if<br />
you are prepared to put the work in you can do<br />
things differently… divorce doesn’t have to be<br />
about fireworks.<br />
Collaborative practice is a way of doing things<br />
differently. Each partner has their own lawyer,<br />
we all sit down together to work out a way<br />
forward.<br />
As a mediator I help couples negotiate some<br />
of the practicalities of parenting after parting.<br />
Once the parents I work with understand that<br />
the process is open and built on trust then<br />
things become easier, they can start seeing<br />
that with some work their relationship with<br />
the other parent can be more like a business<br />
arrangement that needs to be maintained so<br />
that their children can still benefit from having<br />
two parents involved in their life.<br />
I help couples work together to find new<br />
solutions and move on from the oftenexplosive<br />
past of an unhappy relationship.<br />
Therefore, in time, the only fireworks are<br />
the ones that light up the sky on a chilly<br />
<strong>November</strong> night.<br />
Please call to discuss what might be the best process for you<br />
on 07780676212 or email jo@osullivanfamilylaw.com<br />
For more details about how I work visit<br />
www.osullivanfamilylaw.com
ON THIS MONTH: THEATRE<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Festival of Solo Theatre<br />
Curator/writer/actor Jonathan Brown<br />
A solo show, I think,<br />
can be a very accessible<br />
entry-level introduction<br />
to theatre. I<br />
mean, everyone knows<br />
a good comedian can<br />
easily captivate an<br />
audience for a couple<br />
of hours, and it’s no<br />
different when it<br />
comes to drama. Also,<br />
I find that once people<br />
experience one solo show, they become complete<br />
converts to the genre.<br />
Some shows involve the performer playing many<br />
different characters. In Happy Hour, I play 14<br />
named characters, culminating later in portraying<br />
a large crowd and a full-blown pub fight.<br />
There’s no time for changes of costume! It has<br />
to be conveyed by the acting.<br />
That doesn’t mean to say it’s all about the actor.<br />
Yes, a little bit of flair is useful, but that flair<br />
shouldn’t upstage the story. The actor has to<br />
be the mediator between the audience and the<br />
narrative, rather like a Bunraku puppeteer: even<br />
though they’re standing above the puppet, if<br />
they do it well, they become invisible.<br />
The audience will not be expected to get up on<br />
the stage – with perhaps one exception, anyway<br />
– but using their imagination to fill in the gaps<br />
in the narrative enables an internal type of<br />
audience participation, a much more rewarding<br />
experience than being spoon-fed everything.<br />
The more they get involved, the more they own<br />
the performance. It’s democratic theatre.<br />
A solo show is a very intimate experience,<br />
especially in a small venue like the <strong>Lewes</strong> New<br />
School hall. The seats, set out in a ‘thrust’ formation,<br />
will be no more<br />
than three rows deep,<br />
creating a connection<br />
between the performer<br />
and every member of the<br />
audience. The performer<br />
speaks to, and responds<br />
to, the audience far more<br />
than in a multi-actor show,<br />
thus breaking down the<br />
fourth wall.<br />
This festival gives audiences<br />
the chance to sample up to 17 shows over<br />
a single weekend, featuring 14 different performers.<br />
I’m performing four of them, and there<br />
are several well-established, award-winning<br />
shows, by the likes of Kate Darach, Pip Utton,<br />
Daniel Finlay and Ross Gurney-Randall. The<br />
rest are by the very best actors who have come<br />
out of the ‘Grow Your Own Solo Show’ course<br />
that I’ve been teaching in London and <strong>Lewes</strong> for<br />
seven years.<br />
People ask me how I can keep all the lines in my<br />
head for so many shows. Well one of my performances<br />
is entirely improvised, so that solves that<br />
one! The others are shows I’ve done before, and<br />
remembering the lines is like remembering the<br />
words to a song, albeit a very long song.<br />
People tell me they’re surprised, after a show,<br />
when only one person takes a bow, as they feel<br />
they’ve been watching a host of characters. Is<br />
it exhausting? It’s a good work-out, you could<br />
say, but after every performance I feel entirely<br />
energised. As told to Alex Leith<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> New School, Friday 8th <strong>November</strong>-Sunday<br />
10th <strong>November</strong>. Public can buy single tickets,<br />
whole weekend tickets, or anything in between<br />
from somethingunderground.co.uk<br />
Jonathan Brown in Large Print Trash. Photo by Pete Gioconda<br />
43
ON THIS MONTH: TALK<br />
Jacqueline Wilson<br />
On lacking a mother<br />
“<strong>Lewes</strong> is one of my favourite places, there are<br />
always so many things to do”, says Jacqueline<br />
Wilson, when I ring about her upcoming talk at<br />
The <strong>Lewes</strong> Lit (<strong>Lewes</strong> Literary Society as was)<br />
in <strong>November</strong>. She’s looking forward to coming.<br />
Her talk is billed for over 16s, so I ask what it<br />
will be about. Author of 111 children’s novels,<br />
Dame Jacqueline has been thinking about<br />
“mothers and the lack of a mother”, a powerful<br />
theme in her books. She tells me she’s looking<br />
forward to answering lots of questions<br />
afterwards.<br />
We chat about her character, Tracy Beaker, who<br />
grew up in care and who’s now, she says, a lovely<br />
mum to a girl called Jess, although she still has<br />
anger issues. There’s a new Tracy Beaker story<br />
coming out in October, We are the Beaker Girls,<br />
and Jacqueline tells me that Tracy is thinking<br />
about fostering a child. The question is<br />
asked – how will daughter Jess react? While she<br />
was writing We are the Beaker Girls, Jacqueline<br />
was in touch with many girls in care, through<br />
The Fostering Network, for whom she’s an<br />
ambassador. The book is dedicated to a group<br />
of care leavers Jacqueline met through another<br />
organisation, Who Cares Scotland, who told her<br />
that they wanted Tracy Beaker to achieve more,<br />
they wanted Tracy to be aspirational to care<br />
leavers and to help reduce the stigma associated<br />
with care. “I try to make the books as realistic as<br />
possible, as positive as possible, without turning<br />
lives into a fairy tale. I hope they will be pleased<br />
with the book”, she says.<br />
Your books don’t shy away from difficulty, I say,<br />
and Jacqueline agrees: “Children like to know<br />
about the hard stuff; trusted adults might let<br />
them down, but things can still work out. This<br />
can work positively for children who have had a<br />
rough time and for those who, through stories,<br />
gain an awareness of what others go through”.<br />
Children send her emails and tell her that<br />
her books have made them feel better about<br />
themselves. “The lovely thing about reading”,<br />
she says, “is that through books you can be<br />
not so alone in your emotions and that can be<br />
comforting”.<br />
Our conversation turns to illustration. Jacqueline’s<br />
books are lovingly illustrated by Nick<br />
Sharratt. As a child, Jacqueline always loved<br />
black-and-white illustrations and grieved that,<br />
once past the picture book stage, they disappeared.<br />
So, when she started writing the first<br />
Tracy Beaker, she asked her editor for illustrations<br />
to help break up the text and was introduced<br />
to Nick. “He’s the first person I send a<br />
finished book to”, she says, and she suspects, “he<br />
can see inside my head!” Jacqueline tells me she<br />
writes her first drafts in PJs, in bed. 1,000 or so<br />
words a day, seven days a week and she can’t stop<br />
writing because it is, and has been, her life since<br />
she was 17. Generations of children are thankful.<br />
Janet Sutherland<br />
The <strong>Lewes</strong> Lit, <strong>November</strong> 12th, 7.30 for 8pm.<br />
lewesliterarysociety.co.uk<br />
45
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ON THIS MONTH: OPERA<br />
La belle Hélène<br />
Outrageous operetta<br />
It’s been a good year for New Sussex Opera.<br />
September saw the release of their world<br />
premiere recording of Charles Villiers Stanford’s<br />
opera, The Travelling Companion. The final<br />
performance was recorded live in Saffron Hall,<br />
with the Telegraph describing the production as<br />
an ‘accomplished revival of a little-known gem,<br />
greatly to the credit of the ever-enterprising<br />
New Sussex Opera.’<br />
I meet NSO’s Artistic Director David James in<br />
his <strong>Lewes</strong> home, where he further explains how<br />
they are ‘enterprising’. When selecting which<br />
opera to perform, the NSO aim to strike a balance<br />
between the obscure and the mainstream:<br />
great news for opera fans who might want a<br />
change from the ever-presents in the repertoire.<br />
“On the one hand we want to do something people<br />
want to come and see, but on the other hand,<br />
if we do something really obscure, are we going<br />
to get an audience?”<br />
Offenbach’s comic operetta La belle Hélène<br />
sits happily in the middle. The operetta form<br />
includes spoken dialogue and songs, so any fans<br />
of musical theatre might well have fun here.<br />
David is excited about this “very funny”, rarely<br />
performed, farcical parody of the story of Helen<br />
of Troy.<br />
The NSO stages at least two shows a year. The<br />
first is an in-house production, which provides<br />
opportunities for individual chorus members<br />
to take their first steps as soloists. The second<br />
show each year is a fully professional production,<br />
which is what’s coming to <strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall<br />
this month. The two forms of production are<br />
symbiotic: Jennifer Clark’s work in an in-house<br />
production has led to her performing as Bacchis,<br />
as a professional soloist in La belle Hélène.<br />
The calibre of soloists appearing with the chorus<br />
is a source of pride; Katie Bray, for example,<br />
played Lazuli in their production of L’Etoile in<br />
2013, and won the Joan Sutherland audience<br />
prize in the Cardiff Singer of the World competition<br />
this June (representing England). Soloists<br />
in La belle Hélène include mezzo-soprano Hannah<br />
Pedley (Helen, pictured), tenor Anthony<br />
Flaum (Paris), tenor Paul Featherstone (Menelaus),<br />
all of whom have worked at the Royal<br />
Opera House, and mezzo Catherine Backhouse<br />
in the trouser role of Orestes.<br />
La belle Hélène is the first co-production in<br />
NSO’s history. Opera della Luna’s 2003 production<br />
of the opera was directed and translated by<br />
Jeff Clarke; he returns for this adapted version<br />
and the NSO will be reusing “a fair bit of the<br />
set and the soloists’ costumes”. David shows<br />
me some photos of the original costumes: he<br />
doesn’t want to give away any surprises but it’s<br />
safe to say that the production will be bold and<br />
colourful.<br />
“Jeff’s version is different”, says David. “It’s<br />
slimmed down. Offenbach turned it into a farce,<br />
and Jeff turns it into even more of a farce. It’s<br />
quite a rude version. He is bringing references<br />
and jokes up to date but it’s still just as outrageous,<br />
not for young children!” Joe Fuller<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall, 13th, 7pm, newsussexopera.org<br />
47
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ARtiStS &<br />
MAkeRs <strong>2019</strong>
ON THIS MONTH: FILM<br />
The Miseducation of Cameron Post, If Beale Street Could Talk, So Long My Son<br />
Film ’19<br />
Dexter Lee’s cinema round-up<br />
Depot has become a major venue for the Cinecity<br />
Film Festival, an annual chance to indulge<br />
in a fortnight’s ‘Adventures in World Cinema’<br />
(see page 39). There are some UK-based movies<br />
to enjoy too, though. Documentary Outside the<br />
City (9th, plus Q&A with Director Nick Hamer)<br />
charts the lives of a group of East-Midland Cistercian<br />
monks as they convert their monastery<br />
land from a farm to a brewery. London is practically<br />
a protagonist in Andrea Luka Zimmerman’s<br />
Here for Life (12th), a grainy docu-style drama<br />
featuring ten Londoners and a dog, scraping<br />
a living as best they can on the streets of the<br />
capital. Portsmouth is the setting for Aki Omoshaybi’s<br />
drama Real (11th), charting the budding<br />
relationship of a young black couple, brought<br />
together by a shared loneliness. And there’s a<br />
collection of early Victorian short films, set to<br />
live music, on the 16th.<br />
Otherwise, settle down for some stationary air<br />
miles. Sons of Denmark (9th) is a political thriller,<br />
directed by debutant Ulaa Salim, set in a near<br />
future in which the far right threatens to take<br />
control. So Long My Son (10th) is a generationspanning<br />
drama looking at the long-term effect<br />
of the one-child policy on a closely-knit group<br />
of Chinese friends; Variety magazine deems it<br />
‘utterly wrenching’. The elegant noirish thriller<br />
The Whistlers (13th, preceded by Romanian<br />
‘supper club dinner’ if booked) takes us from<br />
Bucharest to the Canary island of La Gomera,<br />
following a corrupt Romanian cop who hopes<br />
to profit from a multi-national drug deal he’s<br />
investigating. Elia Suleiman’s latest feature, It<br />
Must be Heaven (15th), transports us from his native<br />
Palestine to Paris, via New York, following<br />
the director’s whimsical journeys as he toys with<br />
references that may or may not be metaphorical.<br />
Finally, System Crasher (16th), a stunning drama<br />
about a nine-year-old girl with such vicious psychotic<br />
episodes she’s become unplaceable in any<br />
care facility, is set in director Nora Fingscheidt’s<br />
native Germany.<br />
Depot are also screening a French Film Festival,<br />
largely in December, which starts off on <strong>November</strong><br />
30th with Michel Ocelot’s children’s animation,<br />
Dilili in Paris. More on the rest next month.<br />
Also worth a mention is this month’s Book-to-<br />
Film slot, which features The Miseducation of<br />
Cameron Post (Nov 7th). Emily M Danforth’s 2012<br />
novel, about an orphaned teenage girl forced into<br />
a gay conversion therapy centre, was made into<br />
a 2018 movie by director Desiree Akhavan: read,<br />
then watch, then discuss the differences.<br />
There’s a fine crop of films in <strong>November</strong> from the<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Film Club. Wanuri Kahiyu’s Rafiki (1st)<br />
was banned in its native country for portraying<br />
homosexuality positively, then became the first<br />
Nigerian film to be screened in the Cannes Film<br />
Festival. Wolfgang Fischer’s Styx (3rd) depicts a<br />
solo sailor’s dilemma as she encounters a stranded<br />
boat full of dying refugees off Cape Verde; If Beale<br />
Street Could Talk (15th) is a dramatic interpretation,<br />
by Barry Jenkins, of James Baldwin’s 1974<br />
novel, and Capernaum (19th) is a multi-awardwinning<br />
drama about a Beirut street kid who finds<br />
himself looking after an Ethiopian baby, having<br />
run away from his abusive family.<br />
49
ON THIS MONTH: MUSIC<br />
Kind Rebellion<br />
New Note Orchestra<br />
“Kindness is so important<br />
in terms of recovery<br />
from addiction,” Molly<br />
Mathieson says. “Addicts<br />
have to consider what it is<br />
that made them spiral out<br />
of control and what they<br />
need to do to stay sober.<br />
Often a big part of that is<br />
being kind to themselves<br />
and to others.” We’re<br />
talking about Kind Rebellion, the latest work by<br />
Brighton’s New Note Orchestra, which was<br />
founded by Mathieson in 2015 to help people<br />
recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.<br />
The music, composed by artistic director Conall<br />
Gleeson in tandem with the 22-strong orchestra,<br />
is set to be performed at ACCA on <strong>November</strong><br />
13 as part of a collaboration with the University<br />
of Sussex, which has an entire research<br />
department dedicated to the study of kindness.<br />
Playing live is a big deal for the orchestra, which<br />
rehearses every Tuesday at St Luke’s Church on<br />
the Old Shoreham Road. “It’s the thing we all<br />
work towards,” explains Mathieson.<br />
The former TV producer founded New Note<br />
on the back of her 2014 Channel 4 TV show<br />
Addicts’ Symphony, which followed a group of<br />
addicts as they were invited to perform with<br />
the London Symphony Orchestra. “As I was<br />
watching the show unfold, I was so moved by<br />
the process,” she says. “It was clear that music<br />
really helped people with addiction issues. That<br />
was it really. We had just moved to Brighton and<br />
I decided to set up an orchestra.”<br />
After taking a course with the School of Social<br />
Entrepreneurs, she held a one-day pilot in<br />
Brighton. “I expected about four people to show<br />
up but there were 20.<br />
So there was obviously<br />
a need for it. Then I did<br />
an extended pilot to look<br />
at whether people would<br />
commit to coming every<br />
week and whether the<br />
music we created would<br />
be good enough to put on<br />
a performance. It was yes,<br />
yes, to all those things.<br />
There are three core orchestra members who<br />
were there at the very first session back in 2015<br />
and they’re still with me today. It’s felt like this<br />
thing we’ve built together.”<br />
Members come to the orchestra in a number of<br />
ways: “Sometimes a support worker will recommend<br />
us; sometimes people find out about us<br />
through someone already in the orchestra. But<br />
a lot of our members have just walked in one<br />
evening.” Members are not required to have<br />
any prior musical training. “The only criterion<br />
for joining is being in recovery and wanting to<br />
stay in recovery. Hardly anyone in the orchestra<br />
reads music when they come to us. But there’s<br />
a high aspiration and commitment is important<br />
– it’s something to turn up for every week,<br />
and people will expect you to be there.” The<br />
group does not talk about addiction or recovery.<br />
“But you’re with people who have all been<br />
through the same things as you. That peer-topeer<br />
support is very powerful. Then there’s the<br />
confidence boost that comes with learning and<br />
playing music; everyone is given the chance to<br />
shine. People come in feeling like addicts and<br />
leave feeling like musicians.”<br />
Nione Meakin<br />
ACCA 13 Nov, 1pm, free. newnote.co.uk<br />
50
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ON THIS MONTH: PUPPET SHOW<br />
David Wilde<br />
Punch and Judy man<br />
Punch and Judy shows may be thought of as<br />
an English seaside tradition, but the puppet<br />
character of Punch is known to originate<br />
from the Italian Punchinello of the Commedia<br />
dell’arte. Samuel Pepys recorded Punch and<br />
Judy performances in London as far back as<br />
1662. The cast of characters are no longer marionettes<br />
but glove puppets, though in other ways,<br />
the show has endured unchanged over time in a<br />
way which might seem surprising, given modern<br />
sensibilities. There are estimated to be between<br />
100 and 150 Punch and Judy performers in<br />
England currently appearing at fêtes, festivals<br />
and other venues.<br />
One such is David Wilde, who will be giving a<br />
talk and performing his traditional Punch and<br />
Judy show at <strong>Lewes</strong> Little Theatre this month.<br />
We met and talked about Punch, past and<br />
present.<br />
David saw his first Punch and Judy show on a<br />
childhood holiday in Weston-super-Mare and<br />
was captivated. Now he’s a master of this very<br />
particular art form. His show is performed with<br />
genuine Victorian puppets hand carved in 1890,<br />
in a nine-foot-high theatre, which is over 120<br />
years old. David tells me there are lots of shows<br />
out there but many of them are not the real<br />
thing. “There are a lot of skills involved and you<br />
have to learn how to do it”, he says. “You have to<br />
work the puppets properly. It gets passed down.<br />
I like to think I am carrying on a tradition at a<br />
high level rather than diluting it by just waving a<br />
puppet around.”<br />
The real thing means real puppets, real puppetry,<br />
and the particular voice of Punch – as rendered<br />
through a swazzle, which is a kind of reed<br />
put in the puppeteer’s mouth to project Punch’s<br />
uniquely mad voice. These elements come<br />
together in a performance which is intended<br />
to be fast-paced and knockabout. Punch is the<br />
ultimate maverick – he is anti-authority and he<br />
hits everything in his path with a slapstick (this,<br />
I learn, is where the term ‘slapstick’ originates).<br />
For 20 minutes, the audience will see Punch<br />
take everyone on. They’ll also be able to see<br />
puppets close up, including those from the Tony<br />
Hancock film The Punch and Judy Man.<br />
When I ask David about objections that might<br />
be levelled at a show where violence may seem<br />
casual and pervasive, he tells me that Punch and<br />
Judy has been subject to accusations of immorality<br />
going back to Dickensian times. “It’s always<br />
had its critics”, he says. “But it’s not real, people<br />
know it’s not real. You don’t have a puppet man<br />
with a reedy voice taking on a clown or a devil<br />
or a crocodile in real life, it’s like a dream, a<br />
fantasy. It’s not violent in the way many modern<br />
computer games are. Most audiences understand<br />
this perfectly well.”<br />
The enduring appeal of Punch and Judy may<br />
be hard to explain, but David asserts that, above<br />
all, the show is funny. It may just be as simple as<br />
that. Julie Bull<br />
That’s the Way to Do It is at <strong>Lewes</strong> Little Theatre<br />
on <strong>November</strong> 17th at 2.30 pm. lewestheatre.org<br />
Photo by Julie Bull<br />
53
Sacha Allistone MBACP<br />
‘A burden once lifted is lighter than air.’<br />
— Ioannis Georgiadis<br />
sachaallistone.com | 07909986812
ON THIS MONTH: LECTURE<br />
Frida Gustafsson<br />
Power in less traditional robes<br />
Frida Gustafsson is fascinated<br />
by power – who has it, why,<br />
what it’s for, and how to change<br />
that order. Frida grew up in<br />
Sweden. “I remember I was<br />
always interested in why some<br />
people had power,” she says,<br />
“and why didn’t we?” So she<br />
came to the University of<br />
Sussex to study Politics, “to try<br />
to figure out how to fix it”, she<br />
told me. Then, she says she realised<br />
“I wasn’t figuring it out!”<br />
Frida got involved in the Student Union – she was<br />
President from June 2017 to June <strong>2019</strong>. Here, she<br />
says, she learnt about “alternative power. And the<br />
place of grassroots movements.”<br />
She hasn’t looked back. This month she’s coming<br />
to speak at the U3A’s public meeting in <strong>Lewes</strong> as<br />
the Associate Community Organiser for Citizens<br />
UK in Brighton and Hove, an alliance of community<br />
groups of faith institutions, schools, universities,<br />
unions and sports clubs which was set up in<br />
September 2018.<br />
“Citizens UK has been around since the late 80s,”<br />
she tells me. “It’s responsible for creating the Living<br />
Wage, and the campaign that ended the detention<br />
of child refugees in this country. And today<br />
there’s never been a greater need for grassroots<br />
movements. If not now, when?”<br />
She remains fascinated by the mechanics of power.<br />
“Power is a neutral word”, she says. “It means the<br />
ability to achieve change. But we’ve built so many<br />
structures and systems around the word, forgetting<br />
its key purpose: to achieve change. We have a duty<br />
now to build power within our communities, and<br />
make the world of power more inclusive.”<br />
Listening seems key to Frida. Developing our ability<br />
to do this effectively: to really<br />
listen. “Local community groups<br />
have significant powers, powers<br />
we unlock by building meaningful<br />
relationships across groups.<br />
This work is all about how we<br />
speak to each other and how we<br />
listen. We’re also interested in<br />
hope. Hopelessness is feeling<br />
you can’t achieve change. It’s so<br />
powerful to begin with things we<br />
might be able to change.”<br />
Brighton and Hove Citizens is<br />
currently working on four campaigns, she tells me,<br />
voted for by its members. The first, “to reinstate<br />
an accessible toilet in Hove Cemetery – it sounds<br />
like such a small thing, but it’s not. To the powers<br />
that be, this is not a priority. To the communities<br />
affected, it really is…”<br />
Another priority is working towards a local ‘mental<br />
health pledge for young people’. This Frida<br />
explains as “a promise” – between Brighton and<br />
Hove’s young people, the city in which they live,<br />
and its council. The plan is to all agree between<br />
them, led by listening to the young people, what<br />
is missing and wrong with current provision, and<br />
what can and will be delivered as a better alternative,<br />
and when.<br />
So what, I ask her, does she make of fellow-Swede<br />
Greta Thunberg? “Oh, she’s fantastic!” says Frida.<br />
“It’s incredibly unfair that it’s falling to her to<br />
have to carry this burden and do this work, but it’s<br />
fantastic to see that power isn’t always dressed in<br />
traditional robes…”<br />
Charlotte Gann<br />
Frida Gustafsson is speaking at U3A’s public meeting<br />
in the Town Hall, <strong>November</strong> 6th, 6.30 for 7pm.<br />
u3asites.org.uk/lewes/home<br />
Photo by Becky Doran<br />
55
ON THIS MONTH: ART<br />
Simone Riley<br />
Digital photomontage artist<br />
I understand you’ve recently appeared in the<br />
Royal Academy Summer Show? In 2018 I put<br />
an artwork in for the first time, because Grayson<br />
Perry was the head curator, and I love Grayson<br />
Perry. I entered Innocence, a digital collage depicting<br />
a Victorian girl (a photo of my grandmother)<br />
standing in a school milk bottle, on a multilayered<br />
background. It was chosen, and it sold on<br />
the first day! This time I entered Time Passes By<br />
(pictured), and while I was disappointed not to be<br />
chosen, I was delighted to have made the shortlist.<br />
Another print, The Golden Bough was chosen for<br />
this year’s National Original Print Exhibition at<br />
the Bankside Gallery, though.<br />
It looks rather darker than your still lives,<br />
which we’ve previously featured in <strong>Viva</strong><br />
(including on our cover)? The techniques I’ve<br />
employed haven’t changed, but the subject matter<br />
in this landscape composition series has. And<br />
yes, it’s a little darker in mood.<br />
Can you explain your technique? I use my<br />
own digital photos to create digital montages.<br />
I’m often out ‘fishing’, looking for old and<br />
decayed surfaces to photograph, and these form<br />
the basis for the many layers I lay down to form<br />
the ‘texture’ of the print. I always use my own<br />
photographs, and have taken many landscapes<br />
over the years, parts of which are incorporated<br />
in this series.<br />
So it’s all done on the computer? Yes, all the<br />
composition I do is on Photoshop. I can play<br />
with the opacity of the images and often create<br />
ten or 12 layers in any image. Then I produce<br />
a limited number (usually 15) of professionally<br />
printed high-quality digital prints.<br />
Has any one artist influenced your style? No,<br />
I think that any influences have been indirect,<br />
which is for the best as I believe my work is quite<br />
original. I love artists who use a lot of texture,<br />
though. One of my favourites at the moment is<br />
Sam Lock.<br />
You were, until recently, with Chalk Gallery? I<br />
would really recommend it. It was a great launch<br />
pad for me, helping me to understand how the art<br />
world works and offering support and encouragement.<br />
It’s time-consuming being part of a<br />
collective, though, and I felt it was time to spread<br />
my wings.<br />
And you’re exhibiting in the <strong>2019</strong> Brighton<br />
Art Fair? I did so at the last one, in 2016, with<br />
the Chalk Gallery, and this time I’ve got a solo<br />
stand, which is exciting. It’s a curated show, in<br />
the Town Hall in <strong>Lewes</strong>, as the Corn Exchange<br />
in Brighton is still being renovated. I’ll be there<br />
throughout, happy to tell anyone more about my<br />
work. Interview by Alex Leith<br />
Brighton Art Fair, <strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall,<br />
30th Nov-1st Dec<br />
57
Martyrs’ Gallery Winter Exhibition:<br />
Art Posters from the 20th Century<br />
16 <strong>November</strong> –15 December <strong>2019</strong> · Private View 15 <strong>November</strong> 6pm<br />
www.martyrs.gallery in association with
ON THIS MONTH: ART<br />
I Finished It and Now I Want Some Praise for It<br />
by Martin Gayford, <strong>2019</strong>, pencil on A3 paper<br />
The title of the drawing<br />
suggests you appreciate<br />
feedback… Definitely. Other<br />
people sometimes see things<br />
in my work that I haven’t even<br />
thought about. It’s one of the<br />
best reasons for having a show.<br />
Where is this cityscape? This<br />
isn’t a view that really exists. I<br />
like starting with a figurative<br />
source and working with it to<br />
make something with abstract<br />
elements.<br />
So where do you ‘source’<br />
the buildings? The central<br />
building was an image I found<br />
online, that I made a drawing of<br />
and deleted. I’m not interested<br />
in where it was, just in its shape<br />
and reflective quality. Other<br />
buildings are from a photograph<br />
that my friend Gabs took<br />
from Blackfriars Bridge.<br />
Why are there no people in<br />
your drawings? Somebody<br />
else pointed that out recently…<br />
it also means there is<br />
no clutter, no cars or pollution.<br />
I find the deserted spaces very<br />
attractive.<br />
You’re better known for your<br />
paintings… I’m using the drawings<br />
to inform a series of larger<br />
abstract paintings, two of which<br />
will be in this show. There’ll be<br />
more in a larger show I’m curating<br />
in London in December.<br />
Both forms are equally important<br />
to me though.<br />
Who have you been influenced<br />
by? For an influence<br />
to be positive it needs to<br />
be something that I’ve half<br />
forgotten, not something I’ve<br />
recently studied. There’s definitely<br />
something of Georgia<br />
O’Keeffe’s city paintings in<br />
these, as well as the paintings<br />
of Zaha Hadid.<br />
Do you work in silence? All<br />
these drawings were made in<br />
my Star Brewery space, where<br />
I usually listen to music or chat<br />
with studio mates. I can chat<br />
and draw at the same time.<br />
Interview by Alex Leith<br />
A Year of Drawings, Stable Gallery,<br />
Paddock Lane, 9th & 10th<br />
<strong>November</strong>, 10am-5pm (Private<br />
View Friday, 6.30-9pm)<br />
59
Towner Art Gallery<br />
David Nash 200 Seasons<br />
29 September <strong>2019</strong> – 2 February 2020<br />
Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, BN21 4JJ<br />
www.townereastbourne.org.uk @townergallery<br />
#200Seasons #EastbourneAlive<br />
David Nash, Nature to Nature, 1985. © Jonty Wilde, courtesy David Nash. Tate Collection<br />
exhibition <strong>2019</strong><br />
1st november - 8th december<br />
© Roger Dean, 1974<br />
concerts & events throughout the exhibition<br />
including steve hackett & focus<br />
trading boundaries-01825 790200-www.tradingboundaries.com<br />
VIVA_TB_OCT_HALF.indd 1 11/09/<strong>2019</strong> 14:03
ART<br />
ART & ABOUT<br />
In town this month<br />
Chalk Gallery will be closed all day on the 5th for<br />
Bonfire celebrations and a new exhibition begins on<br />
the 6th, featuring Emily Stevens’ paintings, sketches<br />
and drawings inspired by her time as Artist in Residence<br />
at the Pells Pool. The gallery’s Christmas window<br />
is revealed on 25th and the artists warmly invite<br />
you to join them for an end of year party with an Advent<br />
theme on Saturday 30th (2-4pm).<br />
Cecile Gilbert<br />
While refurbishments continue at Brighton Dome’s Corn<br />
Exchange, Tutton & Young’s long-running Brighton Art<br />
Fair decamps to <strong>Lewes</strong> this year. On 30th of <strong>November</strong><br />
(10.30am-6pm) and 1st of December (10.30-5pm), upwards<br />
of 60 local and national artists will exhibit their<br />
work at <strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall (see pg 57). Join them for a<br />
private view on Friday 29th Nov at 6pm (£20) or buy<br />
general admission tickets for £5 until Nov 14th (£7.50<br />
after). Purchase a Sussex Saver for £8.50<br />
and gain entry to both days plus their<br />
MADE Brighton makers’ fair at St<br />
Bartholomew’s Church in Brighton<br />
on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd of <strong>November</strong>. Visit brightonartfair.<br />
co.uk for details and to see the full list of exhibiting artists.<br />
Jana Nicole<br />
Seven Sisters’ Spices<br />
Also, on Saturday<br />
30th,<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Women<br />
in Business<br />
hold their Pop<br />
Up Christmas<br />
Emporium.<br />
More than 20<br />
local female-run<br />
independent businesses will be selling<br />
their wares – from jewellery to spices,<br />
ceramics to art prints and much more<br />
besides – with a café run by Caccia<br />
& Tails. (10.30am-5pm, All Saints<br />
Centre.)<br />
The same weekend,<br />
the Nevill<br />
Collective Christmas<br />
Event is at<br />
St. Mary’s Church<br />
Hall. Eight local<br />
artists and makers show quilts, textiles,<br />
prints, tea towels, cards, pottery, clothing,<br />
Christmas wreaths and more. Mulled wine,<br />
tea, coffee, cake. (Saturday 30th 1-9pm<br />
and Sunday 1st 11am-5pm) Contact Kate<br />
on 07828 221796 to book a place on the<br />
wreath-making workshop and Ruby at nativehands.co.uk<br />
to join the workshop making<br />
festive decorations from rushes.<br />
61
A R T 7 P R E S E N T S<br />
20th Anniversary art exhibition in <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
An exhibition/sale of works by Russian and Ukrainian artists:<br />
Yuri Matushevski (1930-1999), Viktor Templin (1920-1994), Viktor Koshevoi (1924-2006),<br />
Anna Cherednichenko (1917-2003), Vitaly Baranenko (1965), Yuri Kuchinov (1951) and others.<br />
Viktor Templin (Russian, 1920-1994) “Autumn Day”<br />
1960-s, oil on board, 50cmx70cm<br />
Viktor Koshevoi (Ukrainian, 1924-2006)<br />
”Winter Forest” 1987, oil on board, 45cmx50cm<br />
Yuri Matushevski (Russian, 1930-1999) “Last days of Summer”<br />
1960, oil on board, 49cm x 69cm<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> House, 32 High Street, <strong>Lewes</strong>, BN7 2LX<br />
Friday 15 th - Saturday 23 rd <strong>November</strong><br />
Open daily from Saturday 16 th - Saturday 23 rd , 10am - 6pm<br />
Private viewing Friday 15 th <strong>November</strong>, 6pm - 9pm<br />
Art-7 Art Gallery | www.art-7.com | mail@art-7.com<br />
N O V E M B E R :<br />
Sat 2nd, 7-9pm<br />
Open mic night.<br />
Book tickets on website<br />
Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th, 11am-4pm<br />
Multi-media installation Dave Stephens<br />
Thursday 21st <strong>November</strong>, 7.30 -9pm<br />
Julian of Norwich talk with Simon Parke<br />
Book tickets on website<br />
Crypt Gallery, 23 Church Street, Seaford, BN25 1HD | www.thecryptgallery.com
ART<br />
In town (cont)<br />
This month Art 7 are celebrating 20 years of promoting and<br />
selling Russian and Ukrainian paintings with an exhibition at<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> House from the 15th-23rd. Since perestroika raised the<br />
curtain on the Art scene in the USSR, the gallery has represented<br />
close to 200 artists, many of whom will be included in this<br />
exhibition. Private view Friday 15th (6-9pm), then open daily<br />
(10am-6pm) until the 23rd. art-7.com<br />
Yuri Matushevski, Still life with bread, 1966<br />
Paddock Studios have a busy <strong>November</strong>. Martin<br />
Gayford’s A Year of Drawings is on the 9th & 10th<br />
(see pg 59). Inner Pieces, on the 17th (11am-4pm),<br />
is an exhibition of mixed media collage using found<br />
objects and drawings reminiscent of aboriginal<br />
art and mandalas, by Rebecca Wells and Alison<br />
Briggs. The magical Wunderkammer pop up shop<br />
arrives on Saturday 30th and Sunday 1st December<br />
(11am-5pm), with handmade festive curiosities<br />
and oddities by<br />
Samantha Stas, Emily Warren (The Stealthy Rabbit) and<br />
Chiara Bianchi (Use and Take Care).<br />
From 16th till 1st December, Depot are hosting Women X<br />
Football = Art, a solo exhibition by Jill Iliffe. Her paintings and<br />
drawings celebrate women with a passion for football, women<br />
Jill met through <strong>Lewes</strong> FC. (Weekends, 10am-6pm.)<br />
Out of town<br />
Experience a walk-through installation<br />
by multi-media artist<br />
Dave Stephens at the Crypt<br />
Gallery in Seaford on Saturday<br />
9th and Sunday 10th (11am-<br />
4pm). Remains includes hundreds<br />
of tiny sculptures and features the<br />
film Moth on Mouth (directed by<br />
Matt Page and Dave Stephens);<br />
a reflection on how we perceive war and disaster from<br />
our living rooms. Plus, the gallery hosts an open mic<br />
poetry night on Saturday 2nd (7-9pm) and a talk about<br />
Julian of Norwich by Simon Parke on Thursday 21st<br />
(7.30-9pm). thecryptgallery.com<br />
Dave Stephens<br />
Also, in<br />
Seaford,<br />
Studio+<br />
Gallery<br />
open their<br />
Christmas<br />
Show on<br />
<strong>November</strong><br />
21st: a<br />
private collection<br />
of<br />
preliminary<br />
drawings by<br />
Sir Stanley Spencer, held in aid of a<br />
local charity supporting families and<br />
children. studioplusgallery.com<br />
Drawing (detail) by Gilbert Spencer, Stanley’s brother Jill Iliffe<br />
63
The Nevill Collective<br />
CHRISTMAS EVENT<br />
8 local artists and<br />
makers, showing cards,<br />
quilts, textiles, prints,<br />
tea towels, pottery,<br />
clothing, Christmas wreaths,<br />
basketry and more!<br />
Mulled wine, tea, coffee, cake.<br />
St Mary’s Church Hall<br />
Highdown Road, <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
BN7 1QE<br />
Sat, 30th <strong>November</strong><br />
1-9pm<br />
Sun, 1st December<br />
11-5pm<br />
Contact Kate 07828 221796 to book your place on our wreath making workshop.<br />
Contact Ruby via nativehands.co.uk for a place on our Xmas decoration workshop.
ART<br />
Out of town (cont)<br />
Deborah Manson<br />
Charleston hold a Designer<br />
& Maker Fair on<br />
Saturday 23rd and Sunday<br />
24th <strong>November</strong> (11am-<br />
5pm): 30 carefully curated<br />
stands will be selling a wide<br />
variety of goods from local<br />
and regional makers. Enjoy<br />
a warming winter lunch,<br />
boozy hot chocolate, hot<br />
toddies and mince pies at<br />
the café. (£4 in advance, £5<br />
on the day.)<br />
Laila Smith<br />
On the 2nd and 3rd of<br />
<strong>November</strong> (10am-5pm) Six<br />
Sussex Artists & Craftsmen is<br />
at Selmeston Village Hall<br />
featuring new work by local<br />
makers: ceramics by Jonathan<br />
Chiswell Jones &<br />
Kerry Bosworth, furniture<br />
by Chris Alley, quilts by Louise Bell, knitwear<br />
by Alison Ellen, wood engravings by Sue Scullard<br />
and jewellery by Amanda Zoe.<br />
Roger Dean’s <strong>2019</strong> exhibition, The Gates of Delirium,<br />
is at Trading Boundaries in Sheffield<br />
Park from the 1st of <strong>November</strong> until the 8th of<br />
December. The internationally acclaimed artist<br />
and designer is responsible for some of the most<br />
iconic album covers over the past five decades.<br />
The exhibition features prints and original paintings<br />
from across his career, including Inland Sea<br />
II used on the latest Yes album cover.<br />
tradingboundaries.com, rogerdean.com<br />
Alison Ellen<br />
At Ditchling Museum of Art +<br />
Craft you’ll find Disruption, Devotion<br />
and Distributism: an exhibition<br />
drawn from a major acquisition of<br />
over 400 St Dominic’s Press pamphlets<br />
and posters. The private press<br />
published a wide range of material<br />
including books and pamphlets<br />
for The Guild of St Joseph and<br />
St Dominic and other artists and<br />
thinkers sharing their philosophy<br />
of craftsmanship and life. Over 100<br />
objects have been brought together,<br />
including never-before-seen pieces,<br />
that illustrate the underlying ideas<br />
and beliefs which led artists like<br />
Edward Johnston, Hilary Pepler<br />
and Eric Gill to Ditchling.<br />
Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic safe door, painted<br />
by David Jones. Image by Tessa Hallmann<br />
65
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Nov listings<br />
Photo by Xavi Buendia – xdbphotography.com<br />
TUESDAY 5<br />
Enjoy and stay safe.<br />
THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER<br />
Rathfinny Estate tours. A behind-the-scenes<br />
look at the wine production process at the<br />
award-winning Winery. See rathfinnyestate.<br />
com.<br />
SATURDAY 2<br />
Mind, Body, Spirit Sussex Festival. Psychic<br />
readers, healing therapies, group healing workshops,<br />
sacred art, artisan crafts and more. <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Town Hall, 10am-4pm, free.<br />
SUNDAY 3<br />
The <strong>Lewes</strong> Ripple Live Broadcast. The<br />
Ripple hosts a live broadcast on Rocket Radio<br />
FM from the Lamb of <strong>Lewes</strong>. All are invited to<br />
attend, 7pm-11pm.<br />
Film: Migrant Voices in London (12A).<br />
Short film sharing the stories of four migrants<br />
living in London, with introduction and Q&A<br />
discussion by Ahmed Sinno. All Saints, 4pm,<br />
£5/£2.50.<br />
Film: Styx (12A).<br />
Doctor Rieke’s dream<br />
solo sailing trip<br />
changes completely<br />
when she comes<br />
across a boatload of<br />
stricken migrants and is forced to make life or<br />
death decisions. All Saints, 4.30pm, £5/£2.50.<br />
WEDNESDAY 6<br />
Building Power with Local Communities.<br />
U3A public lecture with Frida Gustafsson of<br />
Brighton and Hove Citizens. Council Chamber,<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall, 7pm, free (entry on a<br />
first come, first serve basis). See page 55.<br />
The Winter Garden. <strong>Lewes</strong> & District Garden<br />
Society talk. David Fitton trained at Wisley<br />
and was Head of Horticulture at Plumpton<br />
College, he is Garden Advisor to Paradise<br />
Park. He will be talking about how to enhance<br />
your winter garden. St Thomas Church Hall,<br />
7.30pm, £3 for visitors.<br />
THURSDAY 7<br />
An evening with Lynne Truss. Best-selling<br />
author Lynne Truss will be talking about her<br />
comic crime mysteries A Shot in the Dark and<br />
The Man That Got Away with local novelist and<br />
<strong>Viva</strong> Brighton columnist Lizzie Enfield. The<br />
Keep, 7pm, £10 (includes a drink).<br />
FRIDAY 8 – SUNDAY 10<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Festival of<br />
Solo Theatre. A<br />
weekend of oneperson<br />
shows, with<br />
a host of award<br />
winners. <strong>Lewes</strong> New<br />
School, see somethingunderground.<br />
co.uk and page 43.<br />
67
NOVEMBER<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
01273 678 822<br />
attenboroughcentre.com<br />
BRIGHTON FILM FESTIVAL 8-17 NOV <strong>2019</strong><br />
ADVENTURES IN WORLD CINEMA<br />
www.cine-city.co.uk
Nov listings (cont.)<br />
such as Grange Road, Wallands and the Pells.<br />
Risky and rarely profitable, they helped <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
to prosper and shaped a substantial part of<br />
today’s townscape. King’s Church, 7pm for<br />
7.30pm, £1/£3.<br />
SATURDAY 9<br />
The Snobbery of Paint. Simon March of<br />
Marchand Sons in Station Street talks about<br />
his life in paints. Paddock Art Studios, 3pm, £5<br />
(free to members of LADVAA).<br />
MONDAY 11<br />
The Rise of Victorian & Edwardian Suburbs<br />
in <strong>Lewes</strong>. <strong>Lewes</strong> History Group talk<br />
with Sue Berry, exploring the development of<br />
Victorian and Edwardian suburban projects<br />
Art of flower photography. Talk by Celia<br />
Henderson LRPS. St Mary’s Supporters Club,<br />
Christie Road, 7.30pm for 7.45pm, £5 guest<br />
fee.<br />
TUESDAY 12<br />
Full Moon Fire<br />
Ceremony. Vert<br />
Woods, BN8 6BP,<br />
7pm, contact ali@<br />
lucidhealing.co.uk<br />
for more info.<br />
Jacqueline Wilson at The <strong>Lewes</strong> Lit. All<br />
Saints, 8pm, £10/£5 for under 25s, see page 45.<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Little<br />
Theatre<br />
By Charles Dickens<br />
Adapted by Gary Andrews<br />
Directed by Darren Heather<br />
Friday 6 – Saturday 14<br />
December 7:45pm excl Saturday<br />
7 & Sunday 8 December.<br />
Matinees Saturdays 7 & 14<br />
December 2:45pm.<br />
www.lewestheatre.org<br />
Box Office: 01273 474826<br />
£12/Members £8<br />
A Christmas<br />
Carol<br />
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Nov listings (cont.)<br />
WEDNESDAY 13<br />
New Sussex Opera present La belle Hélène.<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall, 7pm, see page 47.<br />
THURSDAY 14<br />
Vegan Festival<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong>. Speakers,<br />
informative<br />
exhibitors,<br />
samples of<br />
vegan food from<br />
vegan-friendly<br />
businesses and a range of vegan products and<br />
food to purchase. East Sussex College, Mountfield<br />
Road, 11.30am-7pm, free.<br />
Palestine home rebuild <strong>2019</strong>. <strong>Lewes</strong> Amnesty<br />
members Adrian Briggs and Linda Calvert<br />
give an illustrated talk on their trip to Palestine<br />
in April <strong>2019</strong> to help rebuild a family’s home<br />
demolished by the Israeli army. Lecture Room,<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall, 7pm, free.<br />
The Darker Shades of Sun Street. Combining<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> street history with music and song,<br />
this show is based on stories of petty crime<br />
and scandal in late 19th century Sun Street,<br />
researched by Frances Stenlake and read by<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Little Theatre actors. The speciallycomposed<br />
songs are performed by leading<br />
members of the <strong>Lewes</strong> Saturday Folk Club.<br />
The Keep, 7pm, £7.<br />
Comedy at the Con. With Stephen Grant,<br />
Charmian Hughes, Dinesh Nathan and Jake<br />
Baker. Con Club, 7.30pm, £8-£12.<br />
FRIDAY 15<br />
Lee Miller and Picasso. Illustrated talk by<br />
Antony Penrose. Iford Village Hall, 7.30pm for<br />
8pm, £15 (includes a glass of wine).<br />
1264: The Battle of <strong>Lewes</strong>, a military perspective.<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Archaeological Group talk by<br />
Joe Gazeley. Lecture Room, <strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall,<br />
7.30pm, £4/£3), free entry for 25 and under.<br />
Film: If Beale Street Could Talk (15). Barry<br />
Jenkins’ adaptation of James Baldwin’s 1970s<br />
novel. All Saints, 8pm, £5/£2.50.<br />
SATURDAY 16<br />
Bargain Book Sale. Range of nearly new<br />
books, ideal for Christmas presents. All proceeds<br />
to LIA (Life in Abundance) and Open<br />
Hands. Next to St Thomas’ Church off Cliffe<br />
High Street, 9am-1pm.<br />
Repair Café. Take along damaged clothes,<br />
broken electrical appliances, bicycles, china,<br />
jewellery and more. Tea, coffee and cake will<br />
be available. Landport Community Hub, BN7<br />
2SU, 2pm-5pm, no charge is made but donations<br />
are welcome.<br />
Winter Stargazing. Learn to navigate the<br />
stars with a talk and viewing from experienced<br />
astronomers. Includes warm supper and a hot<br />
drink. Sheffield Park & Garden, 6.30pm-10am,<br />
£22/£12.<br />
SUNDAY 17<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> HempEvent. Plastic Free <strong>Lewes</strong> hosts<br />
an afternoon of talks, film, debate and stalls<br />
exploring the many roles that hemp can play in<br />
helping to mitigate climate change – and how<br />
we can create a sensible policy in the UK for<br />
its large-scale production. <strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall,<br />
1.30pm-5pm, £5/£3, tickets from ticketsource.<br />
co.uk or on the door.<br />
That’s the Way to Do It! David Wilde, one<br />
of Britain’s leading authorities on the history of<br />
the art of Punch and Judy, talks about the genre<br />
and performs his show. <strong>Lewes</strong> Little Theatre,<br />
2.30pm, £5, see page 53.
Nov listings (cont.)<br />
TUESDAY 19<br />
Forced Entertainment: Out of Order. ‘A<br />
kind of poetic State of the Nation rendered as<br />
clown act gone wrong’. Attenborough Centre,<br />
8pm, £12/£10.<br />
WEDNESDAY 20<br />
Parenting Teens Talk. Designed to give<br />
parents a better understanding of teenagers;<br />
the tools and skills for a smooth ride through<br />
adolescence and a forum to exchange ideas and<br />
thoughts with other parents. Teen Tips, East<br />
Chiltington, 9am-1pm, see teentips.co.uk.<br />
Charity Christmas Open Evening. Competitions<br />
to win treatments and products, discounts<br />
on Christmas stock showcasing brands and<br />
festive nibbles and drinks. Raising money for<br />
local charity Chestnut Tree House. Reading<br />
Room Day Spa, Iford, 5pm-8pm, free.<br />
THURSDAY 21<br />
Julian of Norwich<br />
Uncovered. Talk with<br />
Simon Parke reflecting<br />
on her life and times, and<br />
her unique voice in English<br />
history. The Crypt<br />
Gallery, Seaford, 7.30pm, £6.<br />
SATURDAY 23<br />
Fundraising event. In aid of Breast Cancer<br />
Now. <strong>Lewes</strong> Dance Club perform 12.30pm-<br />
1pm, handmade photo greeting cards for sale<br />
and Leslie Norah Hills RA will display her<br />
portraits for commissions. Refreshments available.<br />
All Saints, 12pm-3pm, free.<br />
Barn Dance. Bar, snacks, raffle and The<br />
Sussex Pistols play. Raising funds for FoCK<br />
(building schools in Africa, protecting the local<br />
wildlife and environment whilst preventing<br />
Female Genital Mutilation) All Saints, 7.30pm,<br />
£15 (two for £25), see chemakizzi.com.<br />
SATURDAY 23 & SUNDAY 24<br />
Designer & Maker<br />
Fair. Unique wares from<br />
designers and makers in<br />
the South. 30 carefully<br />
curated stands will sell<br />
crafted goods, including<br />
homeware, textiles,<br />
ceramics, jewellery and more. Charleston,<br />
11am-5pm, £5 (£4 adv).<br />
SAT 23 – MON 25 & FRI 29<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Passion Play castings. Open casting<br />
events for people to try out for various roles in<br />
the April 2020 Passion Play. Chapter House,<br />
Southover Church, contact thelewespassionplay@gmail.com.<br />
MONDAY 25<br />
Headstrong Club. Talk followed by discussion<br />
with Catherine Pope on the Victorian<br />
commodification of the female body. Elephant<br />
& Castle, 8pm, £3.<br />
THURSDAY 28 – SATURDAY 30<br />
Christmas and Thanksgiving shopping at<br />
Farleys. The gift shop offers a range of items<br />
related to Roland Penrose and Lee Miller and<br />
their circle of friends. Prints of Lee Miller’s<br />
photographs, first edition books and a range of<br />
small gifts available. Farleys House & Gallery,<br />
11am-3pm.<br />
SATURDAY 30<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Women in Business Pop Up Christmas<br />
Emporium. 20+ local independent businesses<br />
sell their wares, with Caccia & Tails running<br />
the café. All Saints, 10.30am-5pm, free.<br />
SAT 30 – SUN 1 DECEMBER<br />
Brighton Art Fair. <strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall, see<br />
pages 57 and 61.<br />
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GIG GUIDE // NOVEMBER<br />
GIG OF THE MONTH:<br />
THE CAPTAIN’S BEARD<br />
PICK<br />
OF THE<br />
MONTH<br />
Avast! It’s not often you get the chance to see a pirate<br />
band (live or otherwise), but this month the opportunity<br />
arises for an evening of swashbuckling fun at the<br />
Con Club with Brighton band The Captain’s Beard.<br />
The merry gang of travelling troubadours play a mix of<br />
Irish folk, rocked-up maritime and raucous folk-rock<br />
Photo by Elliot Tatler<br />
and this year has seen them supporting the likes of<br />
Professor Elemental and on the same line up as Richard Thompson. We can highly recommend<br />
checking out their debut album Same Ship Different Day, a rollickingly good listen from start to<br />
finish (highlights include I’ve Got a Beard and Pirates Don’t Fall in Love). If you miss them this<br />
time, check their website for future dates of rum-driven merriment with the pirate minstrels.<br />
Friday 8, Con Club, 8pm, free, thecaptainsbeard.co.uk<br />
FRIDAY 1<br />
David Mbilou in fusion with Katatsitsi<br />
Drummers. African. Con Club, 7pm, £8/10<br />
(members free)<br />
C Ciders. Lively covers. Lamb, 8pm, free<br />
Stevie Watts Trio. Hammond grooves, funk &<br />
blues. Upstairs at the Oak, 8pm, free<br />
SATURDAY 2<br />
Guana Batz. Psychobilly. Con Club, 7.30pm,<br />
£18<br />
Halloween; open mic night with fire, candles<br />
& soul cakes. Folk. Elephant & Castle, 8pm, £4<br />
Hoofish Live, plus DJs Ben & Shaz. Upstairs<br />
at Royal Oak, 8pm, free<br />
Specs Appeal. Shadows tribute band. Lamb,<br />
8pm, free<br />
FRIDAY 8<br />
The Captain’s Beard. See Gig of the Month.<br />
The Informers. Blues, rock, funk & soul. Upstairs<br />
at Royal Oak, 8pm, free<br />
Ska Toons. <strong>Lewes</strong>’ 8-piece jazz-ska outfit.<br />
Lamb, 8.30pm, free<br />
SATURDAY 9<br />
Bad Bad Whisky. Skiffle, rockabilly and RnB.<br />
Lansdown, 8pm, free<br />
Boogie Troupe. Lamb, 8pm, free<br />
Riley Baugus. US old-time with banjo, fiddle,<br />
voice. Elephant & Castle, 8pm, £10<br />
SUNDAY 10<br />
The Woodentops. Alternative. Con Club,<br />
7.30pm, £15<br />
SUNDAY 3<br />
Jam night. Free drink for all participants. Lansdown,<br />
8pm, free<br />
MONDAY 11<br />
Andy Urquart, Darren Beckett &Terry Seabrook.<br />
Jazz. Snowdrop, 8pm, free<br />
MONDAY 4<br />
Karen Sharpe, Darren Beckett & Terry Seabrook.<br />
Jazz. Snowdrop, 8pm, free<br />
THURSDAY 14<br />
Black Market lll. San Diego blues. Lansdown,<br />
8pm, free<br />
>>><br />
75
GIG GUIDE // NOVEMBER<br />
FRIDAY 15<br />
The Elevators. Blues. Con Club, 8pm, free<br />
Pretty Little Dogs. Lamb, 8pm, free<br />
SATURDAY 16<br />
Dichotics. Psych, garage and beyond. Lamb,<br />
8pm, free<br />
Iris Bishop, Marilyn Bennett, Sue Gates.<br />
Folk, voices, concertina, mouth organ, accordion.<br />
Elephant & Castle, 8pm, £7<br />
The Men They Couldn’t Hang. Folk rock.<br />
Con Club, 7.30pm, £20<br />
SUNDAY 17<br />
Hope Street. Depot Sunday Brunch with bluesgospel-jazz<br />
trio (see page 10). Depot, 11am-1pm,<br />
free<br />
MONDAY 18<br />
Safehouse Improvised Music Session. Noise<br />
makers, performers and musicians all welcome.<br />
The <strong>Lewes</strong> Arms, 7.30pm, £2<br />
Mark Bassey, Marianne Wyndham, Alex<br />
Eberhard & Terry Seabrook. Jazz. Snowdrop,<br />
8pm, free<br />
FRIDAY 22<br />
Bus Monkeys. Indie rock covers. Lamb, 8pm,<br />
free<br />
Fat Freddie & The Queens. Tribute. Con<br />
Club, 8pm, free<br />
SATURDAY 23<br />
Loose Caboose. DJ night. Con Club, 7.30pm, £6<br />
The Don Bradmans. Lamb, 8pm, free<br />
Fish Brothers. Victorian music hall/punk rock.<br />
Lansdown, 8pm, free<br />
Original 45ers. DJ Set. Royal Oak, 8pm, free<br />
Simon Mayor & Hilary James. Folk, mandolin,<br />
fiddle, voices. Elephant & Castle, 8pm, £12<br />
SUNDAY 24<br />
Steve ‘Snips’ Parsons. ‘Sundays in the Bar’<br />
session. Con Club, 3.30m, free<br />
UK Subs. Night of punk with Peter and the<br />
Test Tube Babies with Nuffin’ supporting.<br />
Con Club, 7pm, £16<br />
MONDAY 25<br />
Nicolas Meier Standards Trio with Ken Ford<br />
and Jakub Cwynski. Jazz. Snowdrop, 8pm, free<br />
FRIDAY 29<br />
The Curst Sons. Americana Hillbilly Blues.<br />
Con Club, 8pm, free<br />
Monster Groove Night. With special guests<br />
The Soul Steppers. Lamb, 8pm, free<br />
SATURDAY 30<br />
Bob Lewis. Folk, Sussex trad songs. Elephant &<br />
Castle, 8pm, £7<br />
King Kurt + Snakerattlers. Psychobilly &<br />
garage trash. Con Club, 7.30pm, £18<br />
The Informers. Funk covers. Lamb, 8pm, free<br />
Soul Brother, Soul Sister. Soul classics. Royal<br />
Oak. 9pm, free<br />
Simon Mayor & Hilary James<br />
77
Cooper & Son<br />
Funeral Directors<br />
42 High Street, <strong>Lewes</strong> 01273 475 557<br />
Also at Seaford, Uckfield & Heathfield<br />
www.cpjfield.co.uk<br />
Because every life is unique
ON THIS MONTH: MUSIC<br />
Photo by David Gerrard<br />
Brighton Philharmonic<br />
An interesting opener…<br />
For an orchestra to be approaching its centenary<br />
in these days of cuts to the arts is quite some<br />
achievement. And yet the Brighton Philharmonic<br />
Orchestra is doing just that. Founded 95 years ago,<br />
Brighton’s professional orchestra has been based<br />
for all but two of those in the Dome.<br />
As the <strong>2019</strong>-2020 season begins, Chairman<br />
Nicolas Chisholm is coming to the end of his<br />
five-year tenure, but it’s clear that optimism<br />
is high at the BPO. He admits their concerts<br />
regularly attract over 1000 people, but the aim is<br />
to “improve on that and be even more exciting<br />
and innovative. Brighton is vibrant and diverse.<br />
We want to present programmes that appeal to a<br />
wide audience.”<br />
This month’s concert, featuring jazz violinist<br />
Christian Garrick and Friends with the Brighton<br />
Philharmonic Strings, promises to be an interesting<br />
opener to the season. It’s a programme of<br />
tango, jazz and gypsy-folk music and includes<br />
Astor Piazzolla’s ‘sizzling’ Four Seasons of Buenos<br />
Aires (billed as ‘Four Seasons of Brighton<br />
Aires’). It’s exciting stuff. But does that mean<br />
the orchestra is moving away from its classical<br />
roots? Chisholm says not at all. For example in<br />
December the programme includes two Haydn<br />
symphonies, Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik and<br />
Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending – “very<br />
much our core repertoire,” he explains, “and<br />
our New Year’s Eve Gala concert is practically<br />
a Brighton institution, pretty much selling out<br />
each year.”<br />
But alongside this there are distinct signs<br />
that the BPO is determined to stay ahead of<br />
the game. “We want to do unusual things.”<br />
Chisholm is enthusiastic about a new initiative<br />
to showcase the different sections of the<br />
orchestra. February’s concert is given over to<br />
Brighton Philharmonic Brass with music from<br />
the sixteenth century to the present, including<br />
Chris Hazell’s Four Cats Suite.<br />
Chisholm acknowledges that today’s audiences<br />
often appreciate, even expect a visual element<br />
to complement what they’re hearing, so that it<br />
becomes not unlike theatre. “We want people to<br />
go away thinking ‘wow, that was a real musical<br />
experience.’ Later in the season we have virtuoso<br />
piano duo Worbey and Farrell returning with<br />
one of their own programmes, Rhapsody, which<br />
they’ve performed all over the world. They’re<br />
showmen as well as fantastic musicians. Many<br />
audience members will have seen nothing like<br />
it.” This is true – look them up on YouTube!<br />
Things are looking good for a bumper centenary<br />
celebration in five years’ time. It’s clear that<br />
Chisholm is immensely proud of the BPO’s<br />
achievements and the quality of its programmes.<br />
“People often don’t realise this is the city’s<br />
professional orchestra – all the members play in<br />
other orchestras and come together as the BPO.<br />
It’s a real jewel in the crown for Brighton.”<br />
Robin Houghton<br />
Christian Garrick & Friends, Sunday 10th Nov,<br />
2.45pm. brightonphil.org.uk<br />
79
LEWES CHAMBER MUSIC<br />
FESTIVAL<br />
Christmas Concert celebrating<br />
6th December 7:30pm<br />
St John sub Castro Church, <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
EUSEBIUS QUARTET<br />
MARIA WŁOSZCZOWSKA - violin<br />
ADAM NEWMAN - viola<br />
Featuring<br />
String Quartet Op.132<br />
String Quintet Op.29<br />
Home-made mince pies and mulled wine included<br />
TICKETS: £18 || FREE for U26<br />
www.leweschambermusicfestival.com<br />
01273 479865 and at Baldwins Travel
MUSIC<br />
Classical round-up<br />
SUNDAY 17, 4PM<br />
Corelli Ensemble<br />
The <strong>2019</strong>-2020 season is a special one for<br />
the Corelli Ensemble which is celebrating its<br />
30th anniversary. Guest soloist this month is<br />
prizewinning oboist, Owen Dennis, who’ll be<br />
performing Bach’s Concerto for Oboe D’Amore<br />
in A – a rare treat for all Bach lovers. The<br />
concert also features <strong>Viva</strong>ldi’s Concerto for Two<br />
Violins in D minor, with Music Director Maeve<br />
Jenkinson and Kate Comberti playing the solos. Corelli Ensemble concerts are known for their<br />
fine, uplifting music – and they’re friendly affairs too. No need to rush off at the end – stay for<br />
refreshments and the opportunity to meet the players.<br />
St Pancras Church, tickets £12 in advance, £14 on the door. Children free. corelliensemble.co.uk<br />
PICK<br />
OF THE<br />
MONTH<br />
Photo by Owen Dennis<br />
SUNDAY 3, 3PM<br />
St Michael’s Recitals. Malcolm Warnes,<br />
trumpet & Nick Houghton, organ.The last<br />
of the <strong>2019</strong> First Sunday recitals is a Trumpet<br />
Special featuring duets & solos. Including<br />
works by Handel, Frank Bridge and Lefébure-<br />
Wély. St Michael’s, free with retiring collection,<br />
stmichaelinlewes.org.uk<br />
SATURDAY 9, 7.45PM<br />
Musicians of All Saints. This month’s concert<br />
showcases new and 20th century music alongside<br />
Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.9 in F major.<br />
Ellie Blackshaw and Shereen Godber are the<br />
soloists in Peter Copley’s Double Violin Concerto<br />
(second performance), and John Hawkins’s<br />
Grounds for Oboe and String Orchestra receives its<br />
first performance with soloist Clare Worth.<br />
Directed by Andrew Sherwood, with a preconcert<br />
talk by Peter Copley at 7.10pm.<br />
All Saints Centre, tickets on the door only: £12/£9<br />
concessions, children free. mas-lewes.co.uk<br />
SUNDAY 10, 2.45PM<br />
Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra. Christian<br />
Garrick & Friends with the Brighton Philharmonic<br />
Strings. Jazz violinist extraordinaire<br />
Christian Garrick plus guests join the BPO<br />
Strings for a South America-influenced programme.<br />
See page 79.<br />
Brighton Dome, £14.50-£42.50 (50% student/U18<br />
discount), brightondome.org<br />
WEDNESDAY 13, 1PM<br />
New Note Orchestra, Kind Rebellion. A performance<br />
of newly-composed music in celebration<br />
of World Kindness Day. Created by the New<br />
Note Orchestra musicians and Artistic Director<br />
Conall Gleeson, a panel discussion will follow<br />
the performance. See page 50. Attenborough<br />
Centre for the Creative Arts, free entry, donations<br />
welcome. attenboroughcentre.com<br />
WEDNESDAY 13, 7PM<br />
New Sussex Opera, La belle Hélène. NSO<br />
begins its autumn tour of Offenbach’s sparkling<br />
La belle Hélène in collaboration with Opera<br />
della Luna, to celebrate the composer’s 200th<br />
anniversary. NSO Chorus, St Paul’s Sinfonia,<br />
conductor Toby Purser, director Jeff Clarke,<br />
designer Gabriella Csanyi-Wills. See page 47.<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Town Hall, £28-£34 (students & children<br />
50% reduction), ticketsource.co.uk/nso or 0333<br />
666 3366. newsussexopera.org<br />
81
E A S T<br />
SUSSEX<br />
B A C H<br />
C H O I R<br />
HIS MAJESTYS<br />
SAGBUTTS &<br />
CORNETTS<br />
A VENETIAN CHRISTMAS<br />
GABRIELI<br />
ST JOHN SUB CASTRO, LEWES<br />
SAT 7 th DEC<br />
Director -<br />
John Hancorn<br />
eastsussexbachchoir.org
Offenbach’s favourite, sung in English<br />
La Belle Hélène<br />
CLASSICAL MUSIC<br />
The Fitzwilliam Quartet, photo by Peter Searle<br />
Live opera fully staged: French fizz and foolery<br />
set to deliciously immortal music: outrageous fun<br />
NSO Chorus, St Paul’s Sinfonia, c.Toby Purser,<br />
d. Jeff Clark, with Hannah Pedley & Anthony Flaum<br />
Town Congress Chequer Old Bloomsbury<br />
Hall Theatre Mead Market Theatre<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> Eastbourne East Grinstead Hove<br />
Nov 13 Nov 17 4pm Nov 28 Dec 1 4pm Dec 5<br />
www.newsussexopera.org<br />
A collaboration with Opera della Luna. NSO charity no. 1185087<br />
Easy Design Workshops & Have-A-Go Garden Days<br />
London<br />
SUNDAY 17, 11AM<br />
Coffee Concerts: Endymion Horn Trio. A<br />
programme of Beethoven and Brahms from the<br />
acclaimed Endymion Horn Trio, celebrating its<br />
40th anniversary this year. Attenborough Centre,<br />
£18.50, £16 concessions, attenboroughcentre.com<br />
SUNDAY 24, 3PM<br />
Seaford Music Society, Capriccio Ensemble.<br />
Piano quintet the Capriccio Ensemble perform<br />
music by Mozart and Brahms. In addition there’ll<br />
be the chance to meet Seaford’s Kenneth V Jones,<br />
composer of numerous film scores, and hear some<br />
of his music. St. Leonard’s Church, Seaford, £15,<br />
under 26s free, seafordmusicsociety.com<br />
SUNDAY 24, 7PM<br />
Esterhazy Chamber Choir. New Director of<br />
Music Richard Stafford conducts the Esterhazy in<br />
a concert of 20th century works including Duruflé<br />
Requiem, Vierne Messe Solennelle and motets by<br />
Messiaen, Villette and de Sévérac. St Michael’s<br />
Church, £15, under 16s free. esterhazychoir.org<br />
Fun & informative, illustrated garden workshops<br />
at fabulous Sussex garden venues.<br />
The perfect Christmas gift for<br />
garden beginners & enthusiasts<br />
Check our website for dates and book online:<br />
www.sussexgardenschool.com<br />
FRIDAY 29, 7.45PM<br />
Nicholas Yonge Society. The Fitzwilliam Quartet<br />
are this month’s guests, together with Nancy<br />
Cooley who joins them for Elgar’s Piano Quintet.<br />
The all-English programme also features music<br />
by Purcell, Barcham Stevens, Delius and Vaughan<br />
Williams, and a work by Uckfield-based Julian<br />
Broughton. Cliffe Building, East Sussex College,<br />
Mountfield Road. £16, free for 8-25 year olds.<br />
nyslewes.org.uk<br />
Robin Houghton<br />
83
FreeTIME<br />
êêêê<br />
UNTIL SUNDAY 3<br />
Fort Fright Week. Arts & crafts, quizzes,<br />
tunnel walks and other Halloween activities.<br />
Newhaven Fort, see newhavenfort.org.uk.<br />
‘Spook-tacular’ Halloween Fun. Pumpkin<br />
carving, craft sessions, story time, face<br />
painting and more. Blackberry Farm Park, see<br />
blackberry-farm.co.uk.<br />
Witches and Wizards. Bluebell Railway<br />
invites you to a spooky gathering this half<br />
term. Head to Horsted Keynes Station for<br />
Halloween fun and games, including a fancy<br />
dress competition, crafty fun, and more. Prices<br />
vary, see bluebell-railway.com.<br />
SATURDAY 2<br />
SAT 23 – TUES 24 DEC<br />
food and drink<br />
will be available<br />
both outside in the<br />
Carriage Ring and<br />
in the Seed Café and<br />
Stables restaurant.<br />
kew.org/wakehurst.<br />
Santa’s Toy Factory. Visit Santa and receive<br />
a gift. Meet some of his new helpers in<br />
the factory. South Downs Nurseries, see<br />
tatesofsussex.co.uk.<br />
SAT 23 – SUN 5 JANUARY<br />
Christmas at Nymans. Inspired by Quentin<br />
Blake’s The Story of the Dancing Frog, a sculpture<br />
trail of froggy dancers comes to Nymans this<br />
Christmas. See nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans for<br />
details and related events.<br />
SATURDAY 30<br />
Halloween Fun Dog Show. Raystede Centre<br />
for Animal Welfare, see www.raystede.org.<br />
SUNDAY 3<br />
Look Think Make. Drop-in family-friendly<br />
creative activities, with support from DLWP<br />
staff and volunteers. De La Warr, 2pm-4pm, £1.<br />
THURS 21 – SUN 22 DEC<br />
Glow Wild. Winter lantern trail in the grounds<br />
of Wakehurst. Trees, ponds and landscapes<br />
are brought to life with hundreds of glowing<br />
lanterns, torches of fire and projections. Festive<br />
CBeebies Hansel and Gretel. CBeebies<br />
Christmas Show once again comes to the big<br />
screen from the theatre stage, with plenty of<br />
Christmas fun. Includes interactive content<br />
exclusively created for cinemas, alongside the<br />
Hansel & Gretel stage performance recorded<br />
at Edinburgh Festival theatre. Depot, 11am &<br />
1pm, £10/£8.<br />
FROM SAT 30 – TUE 24 DEC<br />
Santa Specials. Enjoy a journey through<br />
the Sussex countryside in all its winter<br />
splendour. Santa and his elves will<br />
be on board with a present and<br />
chocolate treat for all the children.<br />
Tickets must be pre-booked<br />
online, bluebell-railway.com.
THE BRIGHTON<br />
Waldorf School<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
BAZAAR<br />
SATURDAY 7 TH DECEMBER<br />
11.00am - 4.00pm<br />
Come along for a day of festive family fun<br />
and Christmas shopping<br />
The Gnome’s Grotto<br />
Live Music<br />
Craft Activities<br />
The School Café will be serving<br />
delicious treats<br />
Festive market stalls selling<br />
hand-crafted, eco-friendly gifts<br />
Entry<br />
ONLY £1<br />
PER ADULT<br />
Children - FREE<br />
FIND US ON FACEBOOK<br />
facebook.com/brightonwaldorfschool<br />
www.brightonwaldorfschool.org<br />
Limited Company No. 2395398 • Registered Charity No. 802036
Guardians of Magic<br />
by Chris Riddell<br />
BOOK REVIEW<br />
Guardians of Magic kicks off a brand new fantasy series for nine to<br />
12 year old readers by much-loved author and illustrator Chris<br />
Riddell.<br />
The Kingdom of Thrynne is a place where fairy tales don’t behave,<br />
and magic can be found in unexpected places. But magic brings<br />
danger to Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba, because it is forbidden.<br />
Now, the future of magic itself is under threat from powerful enemies:<br />
those who fear it and, worse, those who want to use it for their own ends. What can three<br />
ordinary children do to protect it?<br />
Destined to fight back and keep the Forever Tree’s magic alive, the three children leave their<br />
homes and, armed with their magical objects (a runcible spoon that creates living gingerbread<br />
creatures, a cello that speaks and dreams and a glowing worpel sword), they come together to<br />
fight the villains who threaten the tree’s sacred magic. With help from the beautiful cloud horses,<br />
the children use their courage and wit to embark upon a unique magical quest.<br />
The stunning illustrations throughout the book are what make this really special, with character<br />
sketches, maps and building cross-sections that both delight and inform. Anna, Bags of Books<br />
Find Guardians of Magic, the first book of The Cloud Horse Chronicles, at Bags of Books with 20%<br />
off in <strong>November</strong>.<br />
THE <strong>2019</strong> AUTUMN / WINTER COLLECTION<br />
52 Cliffe High St . <strong>Lewes</strong> . 01273 471893<br />
www.barracloughs.net/wm<br />
Barracloughs the Opticians <strong>Lewes</strong> are proud to incorporate<br />
FIND YOUR FEET<br />
PODIATRY &<br />
CHIROPODY<br />
- Fungal Nail advice<br />
- Diabetic Foot<br />
- Rheumatology<br />
- Wound care<br />
- Nail Surgery<br />
- Nail Cutting<br />
- Corn & Callus removal<br />
- In-growing Toenails<br />
- Verrucae<br />
- Biomechanics<br />
52 Cliffe High Street . <strong>Lewes</strong> . 01273 471893<br />
www.fyfpc.co.uk
The Pelham arms<br />
hIGh sT. leWes<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
BOOKINGS<br />
NOW BEING<br />
TAKEN<br />
Christmas parties<br />
for up to 40 guests<br />
Please email<br />
manager@thepelhamarms.co.uk<br />
to book your party<br />
and to receive a copy of<br />
this years festive menu<br />
We deliver via Just Eat<br />
Footlong sub<br />
£5 after 5pm<br />
Breakfast sub<br />
£2 with a drink<br />
Ts & Cs apply. £5 footlong not valid on premium subs and<br />
Breakfast deal valid on only single meat. Instore offer only.<br />
16 Eastgate St, <strong>Lewes</strong> BN7 2LP<br />
J M Furniture Ltd<br />
TRADING IN LEWES SINCE SEPT 1999<br />
Bespoke custom made furniture and kitchens.<br />
We welcome commissions of all sizes and budgets.<br />
01273 472924 | sales@jmfurniture.co.uk<br />
www.jmfurniture.co.uk
FOOD REVIEW<br />
Chaula’s<br />
The food of India<br />
Chaula’s is, and long has been, a complete<br />
one-off, for <strong>Lewes</strong>. Billed ‘The food of India,<br />
not just Indian food’, everything about it has an<br />
authenticity and its own character. The curry is<br />
delicious, traditional and has a lovely homemade<br />
look and flavour. Chaula has been cooking it for<br />
the town for years.<br />
I really like the setting – just outside Waitrose,<br />
standing in its own square. The room we sit in<br />
(the downstairs restaurant) has a special atmosphere.<br />
You step through the door, and feel you are<br />
in India – even as darkness falls, and the blinds<br />
remain open, with <strong>Lewes</strong> bus station opposite!<br />
When we went, the place filled nicely, even for<br />
early evening, and felt very relaxed, everyone<br />
leaning forward, chatting. I’m partial to the<br />
lunchtime buffet – all you want for £9 a head. It<br />
being evening, we got a menu and waiter service,<br />
sitting at a table surrounded by colourful murals.<br />
(There’s also a lovely cocktail lounge upstairs;<br />
open, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.)<br />
The food is described as ‘originating from<br />
Gujarat’, though the menu also offers ‘all-time<br />
favourites’ from all over India. ‘The décor’, the<br />
website says, ‘provides you with the complete<br />
Indian experience.’ So it does.<br />
After two nice large poppadoms washed down<br />
with raitu, mango chutney, Cobra and Kingfisher,<br />
we shared the Chaula’s Vegetarian Mix<br />
Platter (the small was plenty for two, at £6.99).<br />
The Bhajias were light and crunchy, the Samosa<br />
a lovely filo pastry parcel bulging with hot spicy<br />
filling. We couldn’t guess what the Patra was, but<br />
the waiter enlightened us: “elephant bay leaves<br />
packed together and baked”.<br />
For mains we shared a pilau rice £3.25 – different,<br />
with vegetables in it – and two mains –<br />
Hydrabadi Chicken (£8.50) and Shaami Prawns<br />
(£9.50) – plus a Bombay Aloo (£6.99), and Naan<br />
(£2.50). “The potatoes are a lovely colour,” Pete<br />
said; plus, they were delicious. All the dishes<br />
came in lovely beaten-silver looking bowls. The<br />
portions did not look dauntingly large but these<br />
bowls had a Mary Poppins’ carpet-bag magic: we<br />
never reached their bottoms. Deceptively generous,<br />
and satisfying.<br />
The naan I liked more than standard naans: it<br />
was soft and lighter somehow, a bit oily (in a<br />
good way). Perfect accompaniment to the curries<br />
and rice. The chicken – Pete’s favourite – was<br />
“incredibly tender”: generous chunks that just<br />
melted in the mouth served in a flavour-packed<br />
sauce with a stew-like consistency. The prawn<br />
was spicier without in any way overwhelming<br />
the strong prawn flavour. I enjoyed both enormously,<br />
and a good combination. Really different<br />
from standard curry. Very fresh, authentic home<br />
cooking: lovely, and super filling. CG<br />
6 Eastgate Street. chaulas.co.uk<br />
89
90
RECIPE<br />
Pulled Pork Bun with Red Apple Slaw<br />
& Headbangers BBQ Sauce<br />
Andrew Mellor of the Pelham Arms introduces a Bonfire special<br />
We’ve been serving a version of this pulled<br />
pork bun for over five years. It’s perfect for<br />
feeding a crowd, and is great for Bonfire gatherings.<br />
We love food you prepare in advance so<br />
you can spend time with your guests instead of<br />
in the kitchen. This dish always elicits greedy<br />
gasps of delight, despite being really simple to<br />
make.<br />
Our food is constantly evolving as Head Chef<br />
Matt Marten and I share inspiration for new<br />
dishes and ideas for tweaking old favourites. For<br />
this dish we took a recipe for Asian pulled pork<br />
by American chef David Chang and gave it a<br />
BBQ/Americana twist. We love smoking meats<br />
but for this recipe we’ve kept things simple and<br />
let the flavour of the pork take centre stage. Our<br />
pork comes from Holmansbridge Farm and<br />
we serve it with vegan demi-brioche rolls from<br />
Flint Owl. The rolls are key – they need to be<br />
soft, yet strong enough to hold their shape and<br />
keep the meat in place. Serve the buns with a<br />
homemade slaw and tangy sauce for the perfect<br />
crowd-pleasing meal.<br />
Recipe: Serves 12-15. Pulled Pork<br />
1 medium sized free-range pork shoulder/butt;<br />
½ cup salt & sugar 50/50; 100 ml cider vinegar<br />
The day before cooking remove the pork<br />
shoulder skin, leaving a layer of about 1cm of<br />
fat over the whole shoulder. Rub with the salt<br />
and sugar mix, place on a non-metallic tray or<br />
large bowl, cover with cling film or a tea towel<br />
and refrigerate overnight.<br />
On the day, nice and early, preheat the oven<br />
to 130C, place the pork on a deep roasting<br />
tray, cover it with a layer of baking parchment<br />
and then cover the whole tray with foil. Roast<br />
in the low oven for 10 hours – or overnight.<br />
Allow plenty of time for the pork to rest before<br />
serving. When you open it up, it should pull<br />
apart easily. Shred using two forks and sprinkle<br />
with cider vinegar to season.<br />
Red apple slaw<br />
½ medium red cabbage; 5 red apples; 4 red<br />
onions; 1 bunch parsley, chopped; 1 large tbs<br />
wholegrain mustard; ½ cup cider vinegar; 2 tsp<br />
salt; 1 tsp ground pepper<br />
Prepare at least an hour before serving for<br />
maximum flavour. Finely shred the veg and apples,<br />
then add to the rest of the ingredients in a<br />
large bowl and combine. Don’t add mayo!<br />
Headbangers Barbeque Sauce<br />
1 medium onion; 1 tin chopped tomatoes; ½<br />
cup cider vinegar; ½ cup cola; 125g dark brown<br />
sugar; 1 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 tsp allspice; 2 tsp<br />
smoked paprika<br />
Sweat the onions in some oil, then add the spices<br />
and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the cola and<br />
sugar and reduce by ¼, then add the chopped<br />
tomatoes and vinegar and simmer, reducing<br />
until it reaches a thick sticky consistency. Purée<br />
or leave coarse, and eat warm or cold.<br />
To serve, dish the food up for your bonfire<br />
guests to build their own messy pulled pork<br />
buns. As told to Lulah Ellender<br />
Try the pulled pork buns at the Pelham Arms on<br />
5th <strong>November</strong> from around 5pm<br />
91
FOOD REVIEW<br />
Beckworths<br />
Where treats abound<br />
I love a good sandwich shop. They offer comfort and variety, a chance to<br />
browse and then construct something fun, and they can be a convenient<br />
way to grab food in a hurry. I’ve been working in <strong>Lewes</strong> for ten months,<br />
and have enjoyed exploring the range of lunch options we have here.<br />
Beckworths is new to me however. It’s an appealing cavern, overflowing<br />
with treats. Ice cream, pies, soft drinks and yogurts are stacked in the<br />
fridge. The counter’s packed with meat, olives, cheese, eggs and sausage<br />
rolls. Thankfully, the staff are patient with me while I ponderously attempt<br />
to take it all in.<br />
I choose a Mortadella filling (pork with pistachios) in one of their focaccia<br />
rolls (£3.75): the meat is thinly sliced but tastes delicious. The focaccia<br />
is soft and generously herby, and the fresh salad makes for a beautifully balanced sandwich: the nicest<br />
I’ve had in a long time.<br />
There’s a wide range of Brown Bag branded crisps available (£1): the tiger prawn flavour tastes like<br />
actual prawns, rather than the lurid pink blaze of prawn cocktail. I’m drawn to some attractive curios<br />
on top of the counter: Italian pastry bites known as cannoli at 90p a go. We try each filling: a rich<br />
chocolate, and tasty, sugary, pistachio and vanilla flavours. A yogurt and raspberry flapjack is in fact<br />
more cake and crumble in texture: a fruity hit with the <strong>Viva</strong> team (£1.90). Joe Fuller<br />
67 High St, beckworthslewes.co.uk<br />
hristmas CGIFT VOUCHERS from £20<br />
GIFT VOUCHER IDEAS:<br />
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• Overnight stay with<br />
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High Street, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5TD<br />
www.wingrovehousealfriston.com | 01323 870276 | info@wingrovehousealfriston.com
Christmas Openings<br />
WINTER WARMER<br />
2 FOR 1 OFFER<br />
From <strong>November</strong> 4th through to<br />
December 12th The Jolly<br />
Sportsman are offering <strong>Viva</strong><br />
readers 2 main courses for the<br />
price of 1 from their à la carte<br />
menu.<br />
The offer is available on Tuesdays,<br />
Wednesdays and Thursdays for<br />
lunch or dinner. Booking<br />
essential. Please mention this<br />
voucher when booking and bring<br />
it along with you.<br />
01273 890400<br />
info@thejollysportsman.com<br />
jollysportsman.com
Indian Restaurant &<br />
Cocktail Lounge<br />
BOOK NOW FOR<br />
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Cocktail lounge also<br />
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Opening times:<br />
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12pm - 2:30pm<br />
(except Mondays)<br />
Sunday to Thursday<br />
5pm - 10.00pm<br />
Friday & Saturday<br />
5pm - 10:30pm<br />
Monday closed<br />
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BN7 2LP, 01273 476707
FOOD<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> bites<br />
The Seasons have various tastings in <strong>November</strong>.<br />
On Friday 8th, it’s ‘all things plantbased / Vegan’,<br />
a chance to sample cheese, milks and cookies. On<br />
15th, the founder and Head Baker of The Sussex<br />
Kitchen will be sharing breads and cakes. Finally,<br />
on 22nd, a festive tasting of ‘fine Italian foods’,<br />
from chutneys<br />
to cakes. Tastings<br />
run from<br />
11am to 4pm.<br />
All welcome.<br />
16-17 Cliffe<br />
High Street<br />
Vegan Festival <strong>Lewes</strong> is on Thursday 14th<br />
<strong>November</strong> from 11.30am till 7pm in East Sussex<br />
College (Cliffe Building, 1 Mountfield Road).<br />
This free event welcomes anyone interested in<br />
exploring the alternative lifestyle of veganism<br />
– which encompasses much more than simply<br />
eating vegan food: ‘veganism’,<br />
says the website,<br />
‘can reduce your<br />
carbon footprint by<br />
nearly three-quarters!’<br />
sussexvegan.com/<br />
vegan-festival-lewes<br />
www.lewesfoodmarket.co.uk<br />
Rathfinny’s Tasting Room restaurant will<br />
be open seven days a week for lunch from<br />
<strong>November</strong>, offering an ever-changing menu of<br />
seasonal, modern, British cuisine to accompany<br />
Rathfinny’s Sparkling Sussex<br />
and Cradle Valley wines.<br />
It will also be hosting a<br />
series of evening events<br />
throughout the winter<br />
season, such as a Game<br />
Night Feast on the<br />
8th and 9th <strong>November</strong>.<br />
rathfinnyestate.com<br />
95
THE WAY WE WORK<br />
Photographer Benjamin Youd visited a range of theatre or production<br />
professionals, and asked each: Who’s your favourite theatrical character?<br />
benjaminyoud.com<br />
Pete & Tom East<br />
Set builders and joint directors of East Productions<br />
‘Tim Walker, theatrical fashion photographer. Without having worked with<br />
Tim on his set builds, we wouldn’t be where we are now!’
THE WAY WE WORK<br />
Judy Neame<br />
Principal of Centre Stage Makeup and Hair training studio<br />
‘Sir Laurence Olivier, an amazing actor with an amazing voice.<br />
Also a dear friend and a compassionate person. Dearly missed.’
THE WAY WE WORK<br />
Trevor Morgan, Head of Lighting at <strong>Lewes</strong> Little Theatre<br />
‘Julia, from Alan Ayckbourn’s Haunting Julia, our last production. A tortured soul<br />
whose ghostly apparitions gave plenty of opportunity for special effects.’
THE WAY WE WORK<br />
James Garnon, Actor<br />
‘Oddly it may be the innocent Bergetto in ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore.<br />
Lying, dying in a puddle of blood by candlelight and hearing someone<br />
in the audience say, ‘Oh! But he can’t die! He’s lovely!’’
BRICKS AND MORTAR<br />
Gardner Arts to ACCA<br />
Looking back with an eye on the future<br />
Fifty years ago this month,<br />
Britain’s first campusbased<br />
university arts<br />
centre opened its doors at<br />
the University of Sussex.<br />
From the outset the<br />
Gardner Arts Centre –<br />
now the Attenborough<br />
Centre for the Creative<br />
Arts – was intended to<br />
provide a more avant<br />
garde experience for audiences.<br />
Contemporary dance, edgy and political dramas,<br />
experimental music, international and arthouse<br />
film and other events that defy boundaries<br />
continue to inhabit the brick towers of the Basil<br />
Spence-designed building at Falmer.<br />
Laura McDermott, the centre’s creative director,<br />
was well aware of this history when she took on<br />
the job in 2016. The centre, which closed in 2008<br />
when it lost regular funding from the local authority<br />
and from Arts Council England, had undergone<br />
a £8m refurbishment and was reopened and<br />
renamed in honour of film director Sir Richard<br />
Attenborough, the university’s former chancellor.<br />
“So many of the university’s founding principles<br />
were about trying to do things differently,”<br />
she says. “From the bold architecture, to the<br />
interdisciplinarity of the curriculum; it was about<br />
providing an alternative to the traditional forms<br />
of higher education.<br />
“The arts centre was fundamental to this experience.<br />
It recognised the arts as a key component in a<br />
rounded educational experience – nourishing your<br />
soul and developing your personal creativity. It was<br />
described as ‘the yeast in life’s solid dough’.”<br />
While it has certainly enhanced campus life,<br />
the centre has also been a boon to the wider<br />
community, not just as a<br />
venue for annual events<br />
such as Brighton Festival,<br />
Cinecity and Brighton<br />
Digital Festival, but as a<br />
space for local artists and<br />
musicians to rehearse and<br />
develop new work.<br />
One of the towers that<br />
once housed an electronic<br />
music studio has been<br />
given a 21st century makeover to become a new<br />
digital recording studio. Named after the late<br />
Professor of Music, Jonathan Harvey, the facility<br />
is for students during term time, but will be used<br />
for other projects out of hours.<br />
To celebrate the centre’s half century, Laura<br />
and her colleagues are devising a 50-day advent<br />
calendar featuring treasures from the archive<br />
– counting down from 12 <strong>November</strong> to 31 December.<br />
“We’ll have photos of people who have<br />
appeared here, such as Doris Lessing, recordings<br />
of past gigs (like Animal Collective in Brighton<br />
Festival), and pictures of the space in its various<br />
states of construction and renovation.”<br />
They are also recreating the first concert given by<br />
the university Symphony Orchestra in 1969. The<br />
event features novelist and former student Ian<br />
McEwan reading from his original programme<br />
notes, and international pianist and composer<br />
Shin Suzuma (also an ex-student) playing Beethoven’s<br />
Piano Concerto No 3 on the Steinway<br />
grand piano donated by Tony Banks (the keyboard<br />
player from Genesis – a third alumnus).<br />
“Bringing current students together with illustrious<br />
alumni feels like the perfect way to celebrate<br />
– looking back but with an eye on the future,”<br />
says Laura. Jacqui Bealing<br />
Photo courtesy of the University of Sussex<br />
101
MY SPACE<br />
Paul Brown<br />
Head of Props and Scenic Workshop, Glyndebourne<br />
I’ve been Head of Props<br />
for 15 years. It’s a position<br />
you keep hold of – there have<br />
only been six of us since the<br />
Glyndebourne Festival started<br />
in 1934. But until this year,<br />
there was a big problem we<br />
had to deal with: there wasn’t<br />
enough space to do all the<br />
things we needed to do.<br />
That’s not an issue anymore,<br />
because the company has just<br />
had a state-of-the-art production<br />
hub built on site, and the<br />
whole of the bottom floor is<br />
dedicated to our department.<br />
We now have more than three<br />
times the space we used to<br />
have and the whole process has<br />
become much more efficient.<br />
We make stuff. Or rather we<br />
make, source, adapt and buy in<br />
all the stage props and scenery<br />
needed for the shows. And<br />
with all the Tour shows as well<br />
as the six Festival operas every<br />
season, that’s up to nine a year.<br />
And it’s not just the current<br />
season we’re thinking of.<br />
As well as working on repairs<br />
and maintenance for current<br />
shows, we’re planning two<br />
years in advance for future<br />
events. Each one has a different<br />
director and different<br />
designers, and we have to<br />
adapt to their different ways of<br />
working. It’s a good challenge<br />
to have.<br />
There’s no end to the<br />
variety of props we deal<br />
with, from huge things like<br />
giant chandeliers, period cars<br />
or three-metre-high peacocks,<br />
to tiny details like sugar-tongs<br />
and plastic ice cubes. The main<br />
eye-catcher in the assembly<br />
room as we speak is a 1940s<br />
Photo by Alex Leith<br />
102
MY SPACE<br />
Photo by Graham Carlow<br />
Photo by Sam Stephenson<br />
MG 1500 sports car which has been converted<br />
into an electric vehicle. That’s for Rigoletto.<br />
The assembly room is the central hub<br />
around which all the other studios radiate.<br />
There is a mould-making room, a fabric space,<br />
a woodwork studio for small-sized items, a<br />
wood workshop for bigger-sized items, a paint<br />
shop, a room for fibre-glass work and a metal<br />
workshop. Before, we had to perform most of<br />
these activities in the same space, which wasn’t<br />
ideal: sawdust flying into newly-painted props,<br />
and that sort of thing.<br />
It was important to choose a good, flexible<br />
architect to build the new hub. What we<br />
do here is very odd, when you think about it,<br />
so the process was extremely consultative: we<br />
all had a say in how it would look and work.<br />
Nicholas Hare Architects did a great job. The<br />
old building was demolished in December<br />
2017, and we were back here in February of<br />
this year.<br />
Upstairs there are different departments,<br />
like the costume department and the wig<br />
department. It’s good to have them so close,<br />
as there’s a lot of crossover. For example, we<br />
recently had to make 400 rubber fish for the<br />
sleeves of a costume for Mozart’s Magic Flute.<br />
Including the dress rehearsals, I get to see<br />
each opera that’s performed four or five times.<br />
My favourite Glyndebourne Festival show, over<br />
the years? It’s got to be The Turn of the Screw.<br />
As told to Alex Leith<br />
Photo by Sam Stephenson<br />
Photo by Graham Carlow<br />
103
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WILDLIFE<br />
Illustration by Mark Greco<br />
Shakespeare’s Starlings<br />
Three act tragedy<br />
Hey y’all, I’m mailing in this month’s <strong>Viva</strong> article<br />
from my vacation at Bodega Bay on the foggy<br />
Pacific coast of California. It may be all organic<br />
coffee, art galleries, surfer dudes and flip-flops but<br />
this quaint coastal community is notorious for being<br />
the location for a most sinister film: The Birds<br />
(1963). Alfred Hitchcock has long gone, but flocks<br />
of the film’s stars still sit ominously perched on telegraph<br />
wires as if unaware that the portly director<br />
yelled “cut” 56 years ago. But unlike the local hummingbirds,<br />
phoebes and chickadees these particular<br />
birds look reassuringly familiar to me. They are<br />
Sturnus vulgaris, the European Starling, the same<br />
species we see wheeling around Brighton’s West<br />
Pier in their dramatic amoeboid murmurations.<br />
And, like me, they don’t really belong here. The<br />
Starlings are here thanks to Henry IV. Well, Henry<br />
IV Part 1 to be precise.<br />
Act I: London, 1597. William Shakespeare scribbles<br />
the word ‘starling’ in his epic tale of power<br />
and treachery. With that feathered flourish of<br />
his quill Shakespeare would unknowingly be the<br />
author of an ecological catastrophe that would play<br />
out until the present day.<br />
Act II: New York, 1877. Enter stage right Eugene<br />
Schieffelin, a socialite who would later be remembered<br />
as ‘an eccentric at best, a lunatic at worst’.<br />
He chaired the American Acclimatization Society,<br />
a group which, despite their nationalistic sounding<br />
name, were very keen to welcome foreigners. In<br />
fact their aim was to import animals of economic<br />
or cultural interest from the Old World to the<br />
New. Schieffelin, a big fan of Shakespeare, had<br />
a dream: to populate America with every bird<br />
mentioned in Shakespeare’s writings. And so the<br />
bard’s birds were boxed up in England and brought<br />
to New York where Skylarks, Pied Wagtails, Bullfinches,<br />
Nightingales, Chaffinches and many more<br />
were ‘liberated’ into Central Park. The majority of<br />
them died. But on March 6, 1890, 60 Starlings (a<br />
bird mentioned only once by Shakespeare) were<br />
released in Central Park and they fared better.<br />
Much better. Today there are around 200 million<br />
of them across the United States.<br />
Act III: US, present day. The story of Schieffelin’s<br />
Shakespearian motivation may just be an urban<br />
legend but the legacy of his misguided American<br />
Acclimatization Society is very real. Today European<br />
Starlings are widely vilified by Americans<br />
as aggressive pests that have destroyed precious<br />
ecosystems and turfed out native species. Which is<br />
pretty rich coming from a bunch of invasive Europeans<br />
who have been doing just that for the past<br />
few centuries. And don’t start me on their current<br />
leader – a lunatic at best – who is busy dismantling<br />
environmental regulations that protect wildlife,<br />
the landscape and our planet. But sure, let’s blame<br />
the birds. As Mr Shakespeare (almost) once wrote,<br />
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our Starlings, /<br />
But in ourselves”.<br />
Michael Blencowe, Senior Learning & Engagement<br />
Officer, Sussex Wildlife Trust<br />
105
Shop<br />
independent<br />
this Christmas<br />
...and win a hamper<br />
of local gifts!
BUSINESS NEWS<br />
First up, there’s some news about The Crown.<br />
The Grade-II-listed building is being redeveloped<br />
by Crown Development. The refurb work<br />
is to be done by Cheesmur Building Contractors,<br />
the company recently responsible for the<br />
extensive works on the old Post Office. In early<br />
<strong>November</strong> they are to begin converting the<br />
former pub and hotel into three retail units, and<br />
nine apartments. You can check out their progress<br />
on social media #thecrownlewes.<br />
The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed a<br />
planning permission notice in the whitewashed<br />
windows of what used to be Aqua. It announces<br />
that Hixon Green are applying for an alcohol<br />
licence, Monday-Sunday, 9am-10.30pm. You<br />
might have visited this establishment at their<br />
smart base on Church Road, in Hove: they’re a<br />
New York-style bar/eatery/cafe, equally happy<br />
serving you scrambled eggs on toast, or a Guava<br />
Mule cocktail.<br />
It’s all change on the north side of Cliffe High<br />
Street. The Seasons is up and running in the<br />
space formerly known as Bunce’s, of course,<br />
selling organic, healthy food, from artisan bread<br />
to fresh turmeric: bring your own container if<br />
you’re after split peas or coriander seeds. And the<br />
family team at Lumen – until recently Simon<br />
David – has been busy giving a clean sweep and<br />
lick of paint to the 15th-century space from<br />
where they’re selling their lighting and other<br />
interior items; it’s worth popping in just to see the<br />
inglenook fireplace they’ve uncovered at the back<br />
of the shop.<br />
Next door, at number 11, it’s a warm welcome to<br />
Nørd, who have moved from the big groundfloor<br />
corner shop in the Needlemakers: expect<br />
bespoke no-ethanol fireplaces, Scandi interior<br />
furnishings, sustainable-fabric clothing and<br />
natural toiletries.<br />
Watch this space to see who moves into the one<br />
that Nørd vacate; while we’re in the Needlemakers,<br />
let’s welcome Alice Ashton, a jeweller who<br />
has beamed down into the store formerly known<br />
as Jewel Purpose, now ‘Jewel Makers: jewellery<br />
creations and the unusual’. She will share her<br />
workbench with the original manager; the little<br />
room has had a beautiful makeover, courtesy of<br />
Anna Hayman.<br />
We were sad to hear that Twinkle Twinkle, the<br />
boutique that’s been brightening up School Hill<br />
for the last 12 years, is to close, at the end of December.<br />
Good luck to Lucy and Susannah. And<br />
the best of luck, too, to Fran, who has re-opened<br />
Cheese Please near the War Memorial. Lovers<br />
of good cheese – both local and continental –<br />
will be delighted it’s back. It’s had a fine new<br />
refurb, too.<br />
The District Council are offering businesses a<br />
publicity opportunity: from £75 +VAT you can<br />
book a space in their Visit <strong>Lewes</strong> website [visitlewes.co.uk],<br />
aimed at the tourist market.<br />
Finally, make a note of Thursday 5th December,<br />
Late Night Shopping in <strong>Lewes</strong>. Road closure<br />
of the High Street, School Hill and Cliffe High<br />
Street has been ensured: expect horses and carts,<br />
Morris dancers, choirs of all shapes and sizes, and,<br />
of course, mince pies and mulled wine.<br />
Alex Leith<br />
107
FOOTBALL<br />
Annie Timoney<br />
Sub-lieutenant wing-back<br />
“When I signed up, I<br />
signed up for life,” says<br />
Annie Timoney, <strong>Lewes</strong> FC’s<br />
tenacious 22-year-old Irish<br />
wing-back, sitting in the<br />
Rook Inn before an early-<br />
October training session. “I<br />
was fully committed.”<br />
Annie’s talking about when,<br />
at the age of just 18, she<br />
made the decision to quit<br />
playing football, and join the<br />
Royal Navy.<br />
It was a tough call: she’d been excelling at the<br />
sport since the age of three. A natural athlete,<br />
she’d chosen it over her other loves of Hurling<br />
and Gaelic football, and reached the top of the<br />
game on the island of Ireland.<br />
“I played four full internationals for Northern<br />
Ireland, when I was still 18,” she tells me. She<br />
represented Shelbourne, in the Republic, and<br />
Glentoran of Belfast against the likes of PAOK<br />
Athens and Glasgow City in the European<br />
Champions League.<br />
“But I’m the sort of person who needs to make<br />
progress in life. I couldn’t see a way forward. I’d<br />
fallen out of love with football.”<br />
During her four years in the Navy, she was posted<br />
to the Middle East. She saw plenty of action<br />
on HMS Dragon, hunting drug smugglers in the<br />
Arabian Ocean. “I learnt a lot,” she says, “about<br />
expanding my limits, mentally and emotionally.<br />
I learnt social skills. I learnt how to lead.” She<br />
came to a point where she was a month away<br />
from graduating to drive a warship.<br />
“But there was always something niggling away,”<br />
she continues. “I was worried about feeling<br />
regret, when I got older, that I hadn’t fulfilled<br />
my childhood dream of<br />
reaching the very top as a<br />
footballer.”<br />
Aged 22, she quit the Navy,<br />
and started the search for<br />
a new club, that eventually<br />
took her to <strong>Lewes</strong> FC. “I<br />
met Fran [Alonso, <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
manager], and saw the<br />
set-up, and was genuinely<br />
impressed. The Equality FC<br />
was important: it’s amazing<br />
to be at the forefront of such<br />
an important movement in the women’s game.”<br />
Realising her years in the sporting wilderness<br />
would count against her, Annie was preparing<br />
herself to learn more off the pitch than on it, this<br />
season. “I earmarked this year for getting up to<br />
speed,” she says. “Watching, learning, developing<br />
the mental side of my game.”<br />
She was delighted, therefore, to be called up to<br />
start in the FA Cup game against Crystal Palace<br />
on September 23rd. Sadly, she didn’t last the<br />
full 90. A clumsy Crystal Palace boot stomped<br />
on her ankle in the last ten minutes: she was<br />
carried off and, as I write, is still recovering<br />
from what turned out, mercifully, just to be a<br />
soft tissue injury.<br />
Don’t bet against her making it back into the<br />
starting line-up soon, though. Considering the<br />
twists and turns in her career so far, the injury<br />
looks like a minor blip. And I wouldn’t bet, either,<br />
against her fulfilling her ultimate ambition,<br />
of ‘playing in the WSL’, the top tier of women’s<br />
football. But would that be in the red and black<br />
of <strong>Lewes</strong> FC?<br />
“That would be the dream,” she says.<br />
Alex Leith<br />
Photo by James Boyes<br />
108
DIRECTORY<br />
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any issues arising. To advertise in <strong>Viva</strong> <strong>Lewes</strong> please call 01273 488882 or email advertising@<br />
vivamagazines.com<br />
Qualified, Experienced and Reliable<br />
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Call Fiona or Simon<br />
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46 Warren Drive, <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
• Digital TV aerial upgrades & service<br />
• TV, DAB, and FM aerials<br />
• Extra points<br />
• Communal systems<br />
• Aerial repairs<br />
• Satellite TV installs and service<br />
• SKY installs<br />
• Discreet fittings e.g. listed buildings, thatch roofs, flats<br />
• European systems serviced and installed<br />
• Gutters cleared • CCTV installed<br />
WE FIT BIRD DETERRENTS<br />
WE CAN BEAT ANYONE ON QUALITY AND PRICE<br />
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Open 7 days a week • Fully guaranteed • Same day service<br />
Freephone: 0800 0323255<br />
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We specialise in TV wall mounting<br />
We can beat anyone else’s price on a like for like basis<br />
www.1strateaerialsandsatellites.co.uk<br />
P M Services<br />
Plumbing. Heating. Gas<br />
Repairs and installations<br />
Landlord Safety certificates<br />
Friendly, local and reliable<br />
07958 473 622 | 01273 046 039
HOME<br />
OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE<br />
FREE estimates on all types of<br />
plastering work and finishes.<br />
TELEPHONE: 01273 472 836<br />
MOBILE: 07974 752 491<br />
EMAIL: cdpoulter@btinternet.com
HOME<br />
GUTTER UNBLOCKING | DOWN PIPE REPAIRS<br />
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS | CHIMNEY COWLS<br />
PEST & BIRD DETERRENTS<br />
GENERAL HANDY MAN SERVICE<br />
Free estimates and advice<br />
Call David on 01903 920 114 or 07716 443 957<br />
Or email david.sanders90@yahoo.co.uk<br />
Working in conjunction with GLC WINDOW CLEANING<br />
LTD<br />
We are a building company specialising in residential<br />
extensions, refurbishments, loft conversions<br />
and conservation work on listed buildings.<br />
We pride ourselves on paying attention to detail,<br />
using bespoke materials and bringing projects<br />
in on time and on budget.<br />
Contact us for a free quote and please<br />
visit the website for more info:<br />
www.stjamesbuilding.co.uk<br />
01273 499 641 / 07780 964 608
HOME<br />
Plumbing & Heating<br />
Design & Installation<br />
Bathrooms/Kitchens<br />
Plumbing/Heating<br />
Boilers/Central heating<br />
Gas Safe Registered<br />
Tiling / Woodwork<br />
Free estimates & Advice<br />
T: 01273 487 565 M. 07801 784 192<br />
E. tonywplumbing@icloud.com<br />
Don’t get caught out,<br />
Locked out - put this number<br />
in your phone NOW!<br />
• Digital Locks fitted<br />
• One Key For All Locks.<br />
• Cylinder Replacement.<br />
• 24hr / 365 days a year.<br />
• OAP Discount, No VAT.<br />
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No call Out Charge!<br />
• Lockout within 30 minutes.<br />
• uPVC Door & Window Locks problems.<br />
• Garage Door Locks<br />
• British Standard Locks.<br />
• Mobile key cutting service.<br />
• CRB Checked & Approved.
HOME<br />
FREE ESTIMATES<br />
UIS OF EWES 07778987286<br />
leweshandyman@hotmail.com<br />
LOCAL HANDYMAN _ PAINTER AND DECORATOR<br />
Interior and exterior painting<br />
Plastering<br />
Flooring & Tiling<br />
Plasterboard<br />
QUALITY FINISHES<br />
All work in the house, big or small:<br />
Carpentry<br />
Assembling and fitting furniture<br />
Curtains/ Door handles and locks/ ...<br />
FINDING SOLUTIONS<br />
REFERENCES AVAILABLE<br />
IF YOU THINK “WHO COULD REPAIR THIS?” CALL LUIS OF LEWES<br />
Nina Murden,<br />
the <strong>Lewes</strong> Seamstress<br />
E S T . 2 0 0 5<br />
Also Professional Repairs and Alterations Service.<br />
01273 470817 | 07717 855314<br />
The<strong>Lewes</strong>Seamstress.co.uk<br />
Aluminium windows, doors,<br />
lantern roofs and bi-folding doors.<br />
Trading in your area for over 30 years<br />
We guarantee all our products, installation and service<br />
for the best doors, windows & conservatories<br />
CLARKS GLASS LTD<br />
Unit 10, Ringmer Business Centre,<br />
Chamberlaines Lane, Ringmer, BN8 5NF<br />
For your FREE no obligation consultation call us now on:<br />
01273 814077<br />
www.clarksglass.org.uk
HOME<br />
PROFESSIONAL RELIABLE<br />
FLAWLESS<br />
LADY DECORATOR LEWES<br />
For a no obligation quote call<br />
07917 067847<br />
hello@ladydecoratorlewes.co.uk<br />
07784053679<br />
tom@tbacc.co.uk<br />
thebuildingandcarpentryco.co.uk
HOME<br />
Jack Plane Carpenter<br />
Nice work, fair price,<br />
totally reliable.<br />
www.jackplanecarpentry.co.uk<br />
01273 483339 / 07887 993396<br />
Art Frames<br />
New in <strong>Lewes</strong> town centre.<br />
Bespoke coloured frame to complement artwork, finished in<br />
natural wax. Quick turnaround if required for exhibiting.<br />
Please contact Richard.<br />
Mobile: 07940 512021 | Email: rejpelling@gmail.com<br />
PAUL FURNELL<br />
Carpenter / General Building<br />
and Renovation works,<br />
Based in <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
t. 07717 862940 e. paul.lee.furnell@gmail.com<br />
Domestic & Commercial work undertaken<br />
Tom Carwithen<br />
07902183607<br />
info@tac-electrical.co.uk | www.tac-electrical.co.uk<br />
LEWES CHIMNEY SWEEP<br />
07796 802588<br />
GARDENS<br />
Jason Eyre Decorating<br />
Professional Painters & Decorators<br />
jasoneyre2@gmail.com | jasoneyredecorating.com<br />
07976 418299 | 07766 118289<br />
Handyman Services for your House and Garden<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong> based. Free quotes.<br />
Honest, reliable, friendly service.<br />
Reasonable rates<br />
Tel: 07460 828240<br />
Email: ahbservices@outlook.com<br />
RHS<br />
award winning<br />
garden design<br />
Real gardeners for all your gardening needs.<br />
Design, regular and one off maintenance<br />
07812 028704 | 01273 401962<br />
brookhartservices@gmail.com<br />
www.brook-hart.co.uk<br />
AHB ad.indd 1 27/07/2015 17:46<br />
01273 488882
GARDENS<br />
leweslogs.co.uk<br />
01273 477294 | 07729493611<br />
01273 477294 | 07729493611 | treeamigos.uk<br />
Gardener Available<br />
Beds, borders, pruning and tidying<br />
01273 814 926<br />
National Diploma Horticulture<br />
Qualified & Experienced gardener<br />
07912 606 557<br />
Global<br />
Gardens<br />
Design,<br />
Restoration &<br />
Landscaping<br />
Hamblin<br />
Tree Care<br />
expert arborists<br />
Tree surgery • Hedges • Gardens<br />
Nathan Hamblin FdSc (Arb)<br />
Experienced, professional and insured<br />
www.hamblintreecare.com<br />
0777 364 2640<br />
<strong>Lewes</strong><br />
based<br />
Mobile 07941 057337<br />
Phone 01273 488261<br />
12 Priory Street, <strong>Lewes</strong>, BN7 1HH<br />
info@ globalgardens.co.uk<br />
www.globalgardens.co.uk<br />
01273 488882
HEALTH<br />
John Davis<br />
MA BACP(reg)<br />
Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy<br />
Based at Coach House Clinic in the centre of <strong>Lewes</strong>,<br />
I offer therapy to those experiencing particular difficulties<br />
or individuals feeling somewhat lost in life.<br />
Please feel free to get in touch.<br />
Call: 0780 135 4803<br />
Email: jd-therapy@outlook.com<br />
www.johndavistherapy.co.uk<br />
VALENCE ROAD OSTEOPATHS<br />
neck or back pain?<br />
Readings<br />
Healings Workshops<br />
Lin Peters - OSTEOPATH<br />
for the treatment of:<br />
neck or low back pain • sports injuries • rheumatic<br />
arthritic symptoms • pulled muscles • joint pain<br />
stiffness • sciatica - trapped nerves • slipped discs<br />
tension • frozen shoulders • cranial osteopathy<br />
pre and post natal<br />
www.lewesosteopath.co.uk<br />
20 Valence Road <strong>Lewes</strong> 01273 476371<br />
www.maddyelruna.co.uk<br />
The Cliffe<br />
Osteopathy & Complementary<br />
Health Clinic<br />
Tom Lockyer BA (HONS). DIP COUNS, MBACP<br />
01273 480900<br />
23 Cliffe High Street, <strong>Lewes</strong>, East Sussex, BN7 2AH<br />
www.lewesosteopath.com<br />
Open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings<br />
OSTEOPATHY<br />
Mandy Fischer BSc (Hons) Ost, DO, PG cert (canine)<br />
Caroline Jack BOst, PG cert (canine)<br />
Cameron Dowset MOst<br />
HERBAL MEDICINE & REFLEXOLOGY<br />
Julie Padgham-Undrell BSc (Hons) MCPP<br />
PSYCHOTHERAPY<br />
Julia Rivas BA (Hons), MA Psychotherapy<br />
Tom Lockyer BA (Hons), Dip Cound MBACP<br />
ACUPUNCTURE & HYPNOTHERAPY<br />
Anthea Barbary LicAc MBAcC Dip I Hyp GQHP<br />
HOMEOPATHY, COACHING, NLP<br />
& HYPNOTHERAPY<br />
Lynne Russell BSc FSDSHom MARH MBIH(FR)<br />
REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPY (ITEC & MTI)<br />
Nuro Weidemann
HEALTH<br />
FLU VACCINATIONS<br />
In stock NOW! To ensure you receive your<br />
vaccine please make an appointment, or try<br />
our walk-in clinic some Thursday mornings.<br />
We may be able to offer walk-in other mes.<br />
We recommend you get yours early in the<br />
season to ensure you’re covered and before<br />
vaccinaaons run out.<br />
FREE NHS HEALCHECKS<br />
are ssll available, call in or phone to book.<br />
YOU MAY BE CONTACTED<br />
by a 3rd party called “health extras” to book<br />
this on behalf of the NHS.<br />
(Closed between 1-2pm)<br />
Taking a Natural Approach<br />
at Menopause<br />
Offering informaaon & support for over 17 years<br />
Appointments at The Cliffe Clinic & via Skype<br />
Doctor P. Bermingham<br />
Retired Consultant Psychiatrist.<br />
Assoc. Medical Psychotherapy. Formerly SAP.<br />
Psychotherapy for the psychological core of depression.<br />
Suicidal ideation. Relapse. Supervision of therapists.<br />
drpbermingham@gmail.com<br />
LYNNE RUSSELL BSc FSDSHom MARH MBIH(FR)<br />
www.chantryhealth.com 07970 245118<br />
01273 488882
HEALTH<br />
Instrinsic Health <strong>Viva</strong> Advert 7.19 AW.qxp_6 01/08/201<br />
Acupuncture, Alexander Technique, Bowen<br />
Technique, Children’s Clinic, Counselling,<br />
Psychotherapy, Family Therapy,<br />
Herbal Medicine, Massage,<br />
Nutritional Therapy, Life Coaching,<br />
Physiotherapy, Pilates, Shiatsu,<br />
Podiatry/Chiropody<br />
Ruth Wharton<br />
BA (Hons) BSc (Hons) Ost Med DO ND MSc Paediatric Ost<br />
Biodynamic Cranial Osteopath<br />
Sally Galloway<br />
BA (Hons) Dip Nat Nut CNM MBANT MNNA CNCH reg<br />
Nutritional Therapist<br />
Art Therapy • Hot Stone Therapy<br />
Massage • Meditation<br />
Psychotherapy - individual & family<br />
Reflexology • Yoga for Autism<br />
32 Cliffe High Street • <strong>Lewes</strong> BN7 2AN<br />
HERBALIST<br />
Kym Murden<br />
BA Hons Dip Phyt<br />
Weaving wellness together<br />
whatever your age.<br />
Herb & Health Workshops<br />
Visit:<br />
kymmurden.com<br />
Appointments 07780 252186<br />
Holistic Treatments<br />
Swedish Body Massage<br />
Indian Head Massage<br />
Reflexology<br />
To book an appointment<br />
call Angelica Rossi on 07401 131153<br />
Email: angelicarossi@hotmail.co.uk<br />
www.angelsaromahealing.com<br />
Gift vouchers are available<br />
Healing Hands<br />
Energy Practice<br />
Intuitive Energy Healing: including<br />
Reiki and Reconnection Healing<br />
Additional help can be<br />
accessed from angelic realm<br />
Readings channeled to compliment<br />
and embellish healings<br />
Johnfinlayson3@msn.com | 07862299089<br />
www.healinghandsenergypractice.co.uk
LESSONS AND COURSES<br />
OTHER SERVICES<br />
Spanish<br />
GCSE • Beginners • Conversation<br />
Experienced and qualified teacher, central <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Contact Sara on 07598 784579
OTHER SERVICES<br />
CARS<br />
www.andrewwells.co.uk<br />
We can work it out<br />
• BUSINESS ACCOUNTS AND TAX<br />
• MEDIA AND THE ARTS<br />
• CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS<br />
• FRIENDLY AND FLEXIBLE<br />
T: 01273 961334<br />
E: aw@andrewwells.co.uk<br />
FREE<br />
initial<br />
consultation<br />
Andrew M Wells Accountancy<br />
99 Western Road <strong>Lewes</strong> BN7 1RS<br />
Andrew Wells_<strong>Viva</strong> <strong>Lewes</strong>_AW.indd 1 25/06/2012 09:05
INSIDE LEFT<br />
BONFIRE THEATRE<br />
It’s <strong>November</strong> 29th, 1911, and the curtain is<br />
about to fall on the one and only performance<br />
of the ballad operetta The Smugglers.<br />
The show was performed on the occasion of<br />
the annual prize distribution and concert of<br />
the <strong>Lewes</strong> company of the Territorial Army,<br />
at the Assembly Room of the Town Hall.<br />
The performers in the show were current and<br />
former volunteers in the D Company of the 5th<br />
(Cinque Ports) Royal Sussex Regiment.<br />
There’s a report on the concert in the Sussex<br />
Agricultural Times, which gives a brief precis<br />
of the plot (spoiler alert!): ‘The smugglers’ den<br />
is visited by preventivemen [customs officers]<br />
and an excise officer on the very night a lugger<br />
arrives laden with smuggled goods. The preventivemen<br />
are on the track of the smugglers<br />
but the incompetent excise official interferes<br />
and the smugglers succeed in outwitting their<br />
pursuers’.<br />
The journalist passes positive judgement on the<br />
performance: ‘It was arranged and presented<br />
by ex. Col-Sgt Edgar Flint, and the production<br />
certainly did him the greatest credit… the<br />
acting of every individual calls for the greatest<br />
eulogy’.<br />
Edgar Flint, I’m told by his grandson Nick<br />
(now the Vicar of Rusper), was a member of<br />
D Company from 1895 to 1905. He was a<br />
keen bonfire boy, and a member of the <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
Fire Brigade, which had been founded by his<br />
grandfather. Flint was later presented with a<br />
pair of golden cufflinks to thank him for stage<br />
managing the show.<br />
The picture, I’m told by Tom Reeves, was<br />
taken by his grandfather, Benjamin Reeves, as<br />
an experiment in the use of ‘flashlight’ photography,<br />
using flash powder. This method was, he<br />
reveals, very spectacular and potentially quite<br />
dangerous. The newspaper doesn’t report any<br />
casualties.<br />
At the time of this annual get together, according<br />
to the same newspaper report, D Company<br />
numbered 126 volunteers. Most of these chaps,<br />
we can assume, would have also volunteered<br />
in 1914, to fight in the regular army after the<br />
outbreak of war. Alex Leith<br />
Reeves, 159 High St, 01273 473274.<br />
122
Come and support your<br />
wonderful Rooks!<br />
Next up at the Dripping Pan:<br />
Sat 2 Nov, 2pm: Chelsea<br />
Sat 9 Nov, 3pm: Hornchurch<br />
Sun 17 Nov, 1pm: Sheffield United<br />
Sat 30 Nov, 3pm: Folkestone Invicta<br />
And remember that anyone under 16<br />
gets free entry to all <strong>Lewes</strong> FC matches.<br />
JOIN THE CLUB:<br />
www.lewesfc.com/owners
alistairflemingdesign.co.uk<br />
01273 471269<br />
Design<br />
Make<br />
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