Asolute Sussex Autumn Edition 2019 by Absolute Magazine Group

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Index 8 14 26 32 36 42 48 60 64 70 74 76 82 86 92 98 100 106 120 128 140 136 156 164 174

CITY NEWS FASHION FEATURE BRAND NEW HEAVIES BEVERLY KNIGHT QUEEN ZEE IDA VALLENS FASHION - ETERNAL LOVE TEDDY EDWARDS WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND FIZZ & FOOD BARS & BEATS THE ROYAL OAK PITCH RIDDLE & FINNS PUREZZA MERCURE WEDDING GOODWOOD WEDDING SUSSEX WEDDING GUIDE SUMMERTIME LIVE DAVID FREEMAN PHOTO FEATURE SEYCHELLES GLYNN BURRIDGE ALPHONSE ISLAND THE DOLOMITES PHOTO FEATURE PINELODGE HOLIDAYS DARWIN FOREST

Contributing Editors - Charlie McBrien Victoria Marie Emerson | Lindsay Katherine Hills Kasia (The Styling Agency) Pete Hayward | Tony Shattell (food reviewer) Features Editor - Victoria Marie Emerson - info@absolutemagazine.co.uk Design - Pete Hayward - petehayward.design Owners - Publishers Simon Darcy Abbott - simon@absolutemagazine.co.uk David Camici - dcamici@absolutemagazine.co.uk

Cover Photography - David Freeman Location - Mercure Hotel, Brighton Model - Kate McClane Clothing - Jesus Peiro Hair and make up - Mar Puigp

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The Editor

elcome to the Autumn 2019 edition of Absolute Sussex Magazine. In this special

wedding issue, we visit two of Sussex’s premier wedding venues, the historic Goodwood Estate and the new look Mercure Brighton Seafront, to discover just what you can expect from their exceptional teams on your big day. Our fashion

team also get romantic bringing you a wedding-inspired photo shoot, plus the take to the high street to have a look at some of the coolest names in the South, including 2019 Barber of the Year Runner Up Teddy Edwards and Brighton’s stunning new Watches of Switzerland store.

We were lucky enough to meet with the iconic songstress Beverly Knight, fresh from perform-

ing at The Brighton Centre, to bring you an exclusive interview and we take time out to find out what’s new with The Brand New Heavies.

Our foodie team have once again been taking one for the team and reviewing the county’s top dining spots, including Masterchef Champion Kenny Tutt’s ‘Pitch’ in Worthing and the multi award-winning Riddle & Finns on The Beach.

Finally, we escape those plummeting temperatures by taking you on a photographic trip to

the Dolomites in Italy and the blissfully idyllic sun-soaked Seychelles, plus we bring you’re the perfect UK family staycation. Enjoy.

Absolute

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News

a-ha Glow Wild 2019 @ Wakehurst, Ardingly, Now in its sixth year, the enchanting lantern trail at Wakehurst, Ardingly is full of surprises. Starting from 21st November, trees, ponds and landscapes will be brought to life with hundreds of glowing lanterns, torches of fire and projections. Glimpse the tallest living Christmas tree in the UK decorated with 1,800 lights, and experience the evocative sounds of the nocturnal world and atmospheric soundscapes. Pick up a hand-held lantern at the start of your journey and encounter the magical installations along the way that have been created by a range of artists and inspired by the beautiful Wakehurst landscape. Then its time to get creative in the warm and cosy Mansion after the trail. Children will enjoy unleashing their creativity by making their very own festive dormouse lantern to take home and hang on the Christmas tree.

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This November 6th, Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy will be performing at the Brighton Centre in An Evening With format, with an interval. For the first half of the concert, they will play new and old, familiar and less-familiar songs. Then, after returning to the stage, they will play the ten songs of their 1985 debut album Hunting High And Low in the running order of the original release.

The tour is timed to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the release of the original version of “Take On Me” – issued in the UK on 19 October 1984 to reputed sales of just 300 copies. The re-recorded “Take On Me” was released in Britain during April 1985 to little fanfare, and in America that May where it hit big after its striking promotional video was seen on TV. It was reissued in the UK that September and, finally, the British hit came. The Hunting High And Low album was on sale in America in June 1985, and in the UK in October 1985.

Studio iO Studio iO, a hidden gem tucked away off London Road has re-launched from a rental space into a sanctuary for healing, restorative and movement for mental health. Recently expanding the suite of healing and restorative offerings with classes and workshops in yoga for stress management, Nidra Restore, pregnancy loss, menopause, sleep recovery, core restore, Jivamukti, anxiety, pranayama etc. With the high pressure working environments, stress, depression, fatigue, burn out and also extremely sadly suicide we want to provide a safe space to slow down, physically and mentally and focus on mental health, slow flows, meditation, breath. With a maximum 11 students per group we achieve the ultimate in personal attention and tuition. Memberships start at just £50 with unlimited yoga and spa access. www.studio-io.co.uk

Alcotraz Alcotraz – London’s most controversial and now notorious prison- themed immersive cocktail experience is opening a new pop-up site in Brighton on Friday 25th October 2019.

This pioneering immersive cocktail experience, created by Inventive Productions, launched in London two years ago to rapturous applause. This unique and memorable experience has been thrilling audiences ever since and is regarded as one of London’s best alternative nights out.

WWE Live WWE LIVE is a unique blend of sport and entertainment, combining in-ring match action with dramatic entertainment. Bursting with all the drama and energy of a rock concert, in a fun, lively and exciting environment, WWE Live is the ultimate in family entertainment and returns to Brighton this November 7th! See your favourite WWE Superstars as featured on RAW including, Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, The Miz, Samoa Joe and many more! (Line-up subject to change).

Christmas at Drusillas Meet Santa in his magical Santa’s Grotto at Drusillas Park this year! No festivities would be complete without the star attraction, and visitors to Drusillas will not be disappointed as Father Christmas makes a welcome return to the zoo. Children can visit Santa in his cosy Christmas Grotto and receive an early Christmas gift from Saturday 23rd November onwards at weekends only and then daily from Saturday 14th to Monday 23rd December.

Back by popular demand, visitors will also have the opportunity to come face-to-face with Huskies as they meet and greet visitors in the Ice Cave; you’d be barking mad to miss it! New for 2019 - a beautiful 24 foot Giant Christmas Tree located in the middle of the Events Arena. Soak up the festive atmosphere, sip your mulled wine and tuck into a yummy mince pie while you’re watching the Giant Christmas Tree twinkling in time to music. Let it fill you with Christmas cheer!

Christmas Fayre at Bolney Wine Estate It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and it starts with the annual Bolney Christmas Fayre on 23rd November! From unique homeware to local produce, you’re guaranteed to find something special. So come on down and tick off your Christmas list, whilst feeling reassured that you’ve supported local businesses. And once you’ve browsed artisan gifts, decorations and more, our Bolney team will be on hand to advise you on wine to serve with your festive feast this season. Throughout the event the Eighteen Acre Café will be serving an array of festive bites and drinks to keep warm. Plus, be sure to make a visit to our magical Santa’s Grotto with the children. For a memorable day out in a stunning setting, there’s no better event this Christmas.

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News

Snow Patrol Snow Patrol are bringing their ‘Reworked’ tour of the UK and Ireland to the Brighton Centre on 24th November, playing reimagined versions of tracks from their catalog, as well as new songs from their Reworked album. Over a twenty-five year career, Snow Patrol have carved out a unique place for themselves. Since their 1998 debut, Songs for Polarbears, the band have racked up an impressive number of critical and commercial accolades, including over 17million global album sales, 1+ billion global track streams, 5 UK Platinum Albums, an Ivor Novello award and have been nominated for a Grammy and Mercury Music Prize.

Gail’s

Available from 7th November GAIL’s Bakery is launcing a new range of its beloved soups. Who doesn’t love a hearty bowl of soup and a hunk of bread… Switching it up every Wednesday, there will be two delicious options every day such as comforting Beef Ghoulash, nourishing Onion and Beef Bone Broth and vegan-friendly Sweet Potato and Coconut or Three Beans and Roasted Cabbage.

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Dido Dido heads to the Brighton Centre on 4th December 2019 as part of her Still On My Mind UK and Ireland Tour. This is Dido’s first return to touring in 15 years, and her concert will see her performing material from the new album, as well as classic tracks such as Thank You, Here With Me, White Flag and Life For Rent. Still On My Mind encapsulates a variety of styles and genres, ranging from her love of hip hop to her folk roots, but ultimately the entire record carries a dance and electronic music sensibility, even on the tracks with no beats. At the core, it’s about the songs which capture the beautiful essence of Dido personally and emotionally.

Christmas Celebration Dinners with a Cocktail Tasting at the Tasting Room To celebrate the festive season, the Seven Sisters Brand Ambassador, Archie Driver, has created a series of celebratory cocktails to help you get the party started. Be part of the party at the Tasting Room restaurant on select nights over December for a complimentary, pre-dinner festive cocktail tasting. The evening will consist of pre-dinner cocktail class and tasting where Archie or Harry will teach you how to make Seven Sisters festive cocktails, followed by a complimentary cocktail of your choice with your dinner.

The Tasting Room Christmas dinner will consist a tasting menu of produce-driven dishes reflecting the season, with an optional wine flight to match.

Jack Whitehall Award-winning comedian, actor and writer Jack Whitehall has announced his biggest UK and Ireland arena tour ever for 2019 with brand new show, JACK WHITEHALL: STOOD UP and he’s here in Brighton on 10th December. Following two complete sell out arena tours, this promises to be the most hilarious yet from one of comedy’s most electric talents. A joy to watch on stage and a comedian who is firmly on the road to becoming a global megastar, this show is not to be missed.

Jack Whitehall said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be going back out on the road. There’s no feeling like standing up on stage in front of an arena full of strangers, and still being able to hear your dad heckle you.”

Krater Christmas Party Get festive with friends and colleagues when Komedia’s Krater Christmas Parties return this December, with an evening of hilarious comedy from the best acts on the comedy circuit, a delicious festive 3-course meal and dancing until late, all under one roof. ‘The whole package is excellent value. The food is delicious, the organisation superefficient and the staff are lovely – we felt well looked after. Comedians fab too.’ 2017 Audience Member

Jools Holland Musical virtuoso Jools Holland and his distinguished Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be making their annual visit to the Brighton Centre on 14th December.

Accompanying Jools with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on their annual excursion around the UK will be the supremely talented Ruby Turner, with her breathtaking gospel, soul and rhythm & blues vocals, Louise Marshall, with her beautiful soul and jazz tones, as well as original Squeeze member and powerhouse Gilson Lavis on drums. Additional special guests will be Pauline Black and Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson from the legendary ska band The Selecter. With a tremendous collection of Jools tunes and other boogie-woogie classics to choose from, Jools’ UK tour is set to be an unforgettable night out that will have audiences on their feet!

Christmas Carol Concert Take your seat in the seasonally dressed Royal Pavilion, Brighton on 12th December for a special evening of Christmas carols performed by two talented Sussex based choirs. The Music Room is the setting for the entertainment and during the interval you are invited to enjoy a glass of Prosecco in the beautiful Banqueting Room.

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Coppa Club’s Iconic Riverside Igloos Launch In Brighton Square It probably hasn’t escaped your notice that Coppa Club opened its doors in The Lanes’ Brighton Square last month, offering welcoming, comfortable spaces to suit every need. And now the iconic igloos have arrived just in time for Winter offering cosy private dining in the heart of Brighton Square. Coppa Club pioneered the pop-up igloo-dining trend in London in 2016, and the design has since been copied everywhere between here and Sydney. Now one of London’s most sought-after experiences, this year’s release sold out within 48 hours, with over 45,000 people queuing online to reserve their place. The igloos’ stunning and sophisticated winter woodland décor is made magical with candles and cosy woollen blankets, large evergreen trees (plant doctor on call!), faux-sheepskin rugs and intricate dried, foraged flower installations sourced from the local area. Trails of dried hops and old man’s beard with limonium, nigella and poppy seed heads, various types of grasses, asparagus fern and white helichrysum line the spaces to whisk you away to a magical winter wonderland. From a midweek lunch to catching up on emails in a quiet corner with great coffee; drinks with friends or colleagues in the relaxed bar, or some precious quality downtime with family, Coppa Club Brighton feels like a real home-from-home. Located in Brighton Square, adjacent to the new Hannington’s Development.

Book today www.coppaclub.co.uk/brighton

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WEDDING FASHION Images by David Freeman Hair and makeup by Mar Puig Location Mercure Hotel Brighton Clothing by Jesus Peiro www.jesuspeiro.com/en/ Model Kate McClane

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B R I G HTO N ’ S D ES TI N ATI O N FO R LUXU RY WATC H ES O U R N E W S H OW RO O M 21-22 NOR TH ST REET

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watches-of-switzerland.co.uk 25

Masters in Modern Day Funk

THE BRAND NEW

Heavies

The Brand New Heavies were formed in 1985 in Ealing in west London. Centred around songwriters/multi-instrumentalists Simon Bartholomew and Andrew Levy, the core members of the group since its founding. Best known for a string of successful singles in the early 1990s. The group came up with the Heavies name after signing their first record contract, apparently borrowing from a liner note on a James Brown single declaring the artist “Minister of New Super Heavy Funk”.

an it really be thirty years since The Brand New Heavies first sashayed their way into the public eye with their hedonistic spirit and a Superfly sensibility? Their extraordinary new album TBNH, however, finds the band – and main songwriters funk-soul brothers Andrew Levy (bass) and Simon Bartholomew (guitar) -embarking on an entirely new chapter in their illustrious history. A heady cocktail of Chic-style funk-pop, sunshine grooves and scorched-soul balladry, TBNH refines, reimagines and ultimately reinvents a winning formula which has won them16 top 40 hits and three million album sales. The morello cherry in the glass? A breath-taking cover of Kendrick Lamar’s These Walls, produced by Heavies uber-fan Mark Ronson. "He saw The Heaves in New York in a really small venue SOB’s back in the early days and it changed his whole musical outlook," says Simon of their collaboration with the planet’s hottest producer. "It's incredible to think that everything he’s done since has been shaped by us. It’s a cool thing.” At the album’s core, a friendship dating back to the mid-eighties, and their shared experiences growing up in Ealing, West London. “For us it’s always been about a love of funk, and the positive things which go with it, like dancing, hanging out and having a good time,” says Simon of one of pop’s most stylish and enduring partnerships.“We didn’t invent the wheel, but we did reinvent it to a certain extent by going back to the people in America who made the funk in the first place. That love of the music never goes away.” For The Brand New Heavies, groove has always been in the heart. Having emerged as part of the original Acid Jazz scene, their self-titled 1990 debut made an instant connection with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. “We were these young kids from a suburb in West London who went to America with our funny flared trousers and weird shirts, and they really took to us,” explains Andrew. “The week I landed in LA I was having dinner with the bass player from The Bangles. We went to a ceremony to honour Ray Charles at the Apollo in Harlem and Stevie Wonder came over and sang Never Stop to us. At the time you don’t realise how incredible that is.” Over the last three decades The Heavies’ eclectic dancefloor aesthetic - Andrew still recalls the thrill of hearing Al Jarreau’s 1981 crossover classic Breaking Away - has seen them build an unrivalled reputation as the ultimate musician’s musicians, guaranteed to get the party started everywhere from Coachella to the Montreux Jazz Festival. However, their iconic status- acknowledged by the receipt of a ‘Living Legends’ gong at the Urban Music Awards in 2016- masked internal tensions. These came to a head when drummer and founder member Jan Kincaid quit the band during the touring cycle for 2014’s Sweet Freaks. But we stood strong. Simon and me get underestimated because we’re seen as the rock star playboys who horse around at the front and wear silly clothes, but we’re serious people. Jan leaving really galvanized us into making this thing work. Then, once we realised we could carry on, the vibes went through the roof.” Having proved their mettle in spectacular fashion with a triumphant show at Mark Ronson’s star-studded 40th birthday party in 2016, they set about making an album which would eclipse anything they’d released to date.

A heady cocktail of Chic-style funkpop, sunshine grooves and scorched-soul balladry.

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THE BRAND NEW

Heavies

Currently on a UK tour and armed with the new album TBNH, Absolute caught up with Andrew levy. We begin with an enthusiastic discussion about the old days of recording to tape vs the process of digital recording used almost exclusively these days. This leads to a nostalgic chat about vinyl, the pops and crackles of the Dj’s 12” and find a lot in common both coming from the old skool days. With this firmly in mind, I ask after thirty years how do they manage to keep a fresh approach when writing new material while urban genres develop and mutate on a daily basis? “That’s just it, we keep it fresh by not trying to make it new. We were always actually chasing the past. Even in the 90s we were making music that was already twenty years old but with a pop sensibility and an Acid Jazz twist. And it’s a beautiful thing to have, thankfully we never set out to reinvent the wheel. We have no interest in chasing the next new thing, there’s plenty of very able men and women out there who are searching for the new thing so great for them. We just work on making quality songs, after all, it’s songs that people remember not some type of baseline. We concentrate on the songs.” So, do you have a vocalist in mind when you are songwriting? “Well, yes, I always have N’Dea (Davenport) in my mind. She’s embedded in my brain! She’s my go-to when I’m working out a lyric or tune. She’s not always readily available, one day I hope she’ll be with us all the time but that’s another story. As a collaborator she’s brilliant! The thing about her voice is she doesn’t sound like anyone else, unlike so many pop records which autotune vocals as standard, N’Dea just connects on an emotional level with her pure voice.” What kind of show are you featuring on tour, is it a classics Heavies repertoire? “Pure classics. We may feature two or three new tracks, but the audience wants to hear re-tweaked versions of Dream Come True, Never Stop, Back To Love and the best of our catalogue. It’s precisely what our crowd want, and we’ll give it.” How do you write new material, do you sit down at a keyboard and hum or do you jam it out as band and write? “Yes, we totally jam it. Open a bottle of Prosecco, play and record everything. We treat it as fun all the way. Then next day come back to it sober and critically, edit the parts we like, re-work and refine. It’s always fun and a party when we jam and create. It really shows through.” The new album is really smooth and tight, was there a conscious effort to keep out the dirty wah funk you employed in some of the early 90s recordings. “Not really consciously as such, but there is a way of delivering Jazz-funk that finds its way to radio. The retro-funk thing doesn’t find an easy way to the big radio stations, so we take that all on board. We get advice on what may not work, such as significant brass parts or extended sax solos. So there is a process of our production delivery. It has to work for radio. Playing live is a different ball game; however, we pull it all out then! The title for the new album TBNH is our statement to say we are back. We feel it’s our finest so far and wanted to reflect the fact that our first release was named ‘The Brand New Heavies’. It’s the abbreviation, of course.”

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You feature an array of exceptional vocalists on the album - British Soul Queen Beverly Knight, who we had the pleasure of talking to recently features on ‘Beautiful ‘. Did she need much enticing into the studio? “No, in fact, she was in the studio with Simon a year and a half ago. Hummed a few melodies to the music then went to the mic and sang it in one take then left! Pure class. The album also features Siedah Garrett, Angie Stone and off course the legendary N’Dea Davenport. Angela Ricci is our featured ‘Back to Funk’ tour singer.” As a respected bass player, how did you learn to be a musician? “I never had lessons, I listened to jazz, the solos, the melodies and even vocalists. Al Jarreau is a favourite vocalist of mine, I looked to Miles Davis, Charlie Parker for the way they played notes. The solos give you melody, and that’s I how learned to play. If I was to offer a tip on learning to play don’t play too much on your own. Play with other musicians, play with a drummer if you’re learning bass. I actually never play on my own.” Talking about early days, I pose the question of first records bought? “Chic! I bought it with pocket money. Shared it with our first drummer, he had it one week than me the other. The Bee Gees was another. Tragedy. Some excellent writing and production. My whole life changed with Saturday Night Fever!” Pete Hayward The Brand New Heavies ‘Funk is Back’ Tour 31st Oct Concorde 2, Brighton The new album ‘TBNH’ is out now

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BEVERLY Knight

Neo-soul diva

Beverly Knight emerged in the early 90s as one of Britain’s biggest new pop stars. With her sound and spirit of classic R&B she rose gaining respect and popularity from the public and peers alike.

orn of Jamaican parents in Wolverhampton, she sang church choir throughout adolescence and was raised on a steady diet of gospel music. She began writing her own original songs at age 13. By 17, Knight was headlining local nightclubs and singing advertising jingles for a local radio station; the exposure earned her a recording contract offer, but she declined, instead studying religious theory and philosophy at the University of Wolverhampton.

In late 1994, Knight signed to the independent label Dome, teaming with London production trio 2BE3 to cut her debut LP, The B-Funk. A critical smash that earned plaudits for its adherence to old-school soul production and sensibilities, the album won a number of media and industry awards. She signed with EMI’s Parlophone subsidiary to release Prodigal Sista in the summer of 1998. The album generated five Top 40 smashes, chief among them “Greatest Day” and “Make It Back ‘99. Now the multi award winning knight, who this year celebrates 25 years in music and 8 fantastic albums performed a special concert recorded for BBC Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’ series at The London Palladium at the end of last year. Knight then decided to take this massive success on a 10-date nationwide tour opening in Brighton. Taking the Brighton audience on a special journey, Knight appeared on stage in a white sparkly jumpsuit and enthusiastically opened with Stevie Wonder’s iconic ‘Superstition’. The crowd didn’t need encouraging to get up and dance. Her voice perfectly pitched and clear, soared over the Wonder catalogue of superhits from the albums ‘Musiquarium’ and ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ tracks such as ‘Living For The City’, ‘He’s Misstra Know-It-All’, ‘Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday’. The dynamics were perfectly balanced with downtempo numbers interspersed. Act 1 was complete.

Energetically taking the stage for act 2 in a black lacy jumpsuit, Knight shared her love for Stevie’s songs as she delivered ‘Don’t You Worry Bout A Thing’, ‘For Once In My Life’, ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’, ‘Isn’t She Lovely’, ‘In The Sky’, ‘Hotter Than July’ finalising with the crowd pleasing ’Uptight’. Act 3 was a change of mode as Knight went to her own material. Her new single, ‘Now Or Never’, showcasing her amazing vocal talent and some superb material from her upcoming album ‘BK25’ marking 25 years in her music career.

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“I see my career as chapters in a book. It’s like a novel and I’m still writing it. It’s a series of flash moments.”

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“With music all around me, I knew I was just going to sing! It wasn’t a question, I was just going to sing.”

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Knight is widely regarded as one of the greatest soul singers of her generation. I spoke recently with Beverly to get a little personal insight. What were your early musical influences, where did it begin? “Well, there’s wasn’t just one point, when you come from a musical family and generations of such, with music all around me, I knew I was just going to sing! It wasn’t a question, I was just going to sing. My dad, of course, wanted me to read law and have a stable, sensible career, I was already ‘bookish’ and academically able, a bit of a nerd. But I was going to sing, and that’s my life (laughs). Mum and dad were always playing gospel music edifying as it was, the inspirations were still there, but upon hearing Sam Cooke, I knew that was special, after hearing Jim Reeves it was ‘NO!’ Proper mum’s and dad’s music. When Sam Cooke came on the stereo tiny Bev was in the front room and would not move from the record player. Even on a Sunday. Sam spoke to me, musically like no other music would. My sister and I would sneak the radio into our bedroom. We listened to everything in the charts, but the stuff I really resonated and what I latched onto was all the R&B hits mostly coming out of the U.S. That’s when a passion became an obsession. That’s when the world became of sense to me, in the realm of music. From an early age, I spent all the time I could taking cassettes blank or otherwise, from my mum and recording myself singing onto them. I’m pretty sure if mum went to the attic here would be a box of tapes with sis and me warbling into them!” Can you then remember the first record you bought? “Well, I remember my sister buying Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’ for me. That was after hearing a live broadcast he did, I was like ‘Oh my God’ get his record! The first record I remember proudly going to the shop to buy was Chaka Khan’s ‘I Feel For You’ - (sighing) she was the dream.” Do you have a favourite album of your own making? “I don’t. Each album represents a specific time in my life. Like chapters in a book. It’s like a novel, and I’m still writing it. It’s a series of flash moments. I don’t have a favourite album, they’re all my favourite when I’m actually making them.” Where did the idea of a concert covering Stevie Wonder material come from? “It was actually the BBC. They brought the idea to me, and I couldn’t think of anything more perfect! They wanted me in the London Palladium with an audience, and they would then feature it on the radio. I felt it a fantastic idea, great! Let’s do it. Then we did the show... My God! to say it was a triumph is an understatement. Then the BBC came back to me and asked if I would like to take it on the road. With of course the Leo Green Orchestra, just beautiful. Leo was actually introduced to me some time ago because of the BBC’ Friday Night is Music Night’ show connection. Meeting him was amazing, such a character. Banter banter and dances at the gigs - nothing like you would think of as a conductor at all. A wonderful man, I adore him!” Beverly shares her love for Brighton and spends time when she can in what she calls a ‘progressive’ city. If she wasn’t a singer, she can’t imagine what she would have done. If there was a singer - dead or alive, she could meet who it would be? Sam Cooke, I would love to have hung out with him. He died before I was born, but was the first voice I really ‘heard’, he made such an impact on my life. Pete Hayward beverleyknight.com Live photos Geoff Ford

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Queen Zee

Following an explosive gig at the Brighton Centre this summer, there’s a whole lot of buzz about Queen Zee in our city by the sea.

he anarchic, enigmatic QUEEN ZEE has rapidly established a cult following over the past couple of years as they continue to defy convention and subvert what it means to be a band. Fronted by the peculiar and direct Zena Davine [aka Queen Zee] the band is completed by co-founding member and multi-instrumentalist Jason Taylor-Brown, alongside Frankie Wortho [bass and vocals] Ash Summers [keyboards, percussion and vocals] and Dave Bloom [drums and percussion]. Their debut album was released back in February this year, with the ten tracks perfectly capturing the mania of their now-infamous live show, firmly cementing them as torch-bearers of a new generation of British guitar bands. The dynamic Merseyside noise punk outfit then announced two massive support tours with legendary bands Skunk Anansie and fellow Liverpudlians The Zutons, as well as a gig at the iconic Liverpool Cavern Club as part of the BBC 6 Music Festival. With such huge support here in Brighton, Absolute Magazine met up with Queen Zee herself to find out what motivates, excites and inspires her and what the future looks like. You released your debut album earlier this year, which met with universal acclaim (Dork Magazine referred to it as one of the most important records of the year; Wonderland called you the most important band in the country right now); having had several months to reflect upon the release, how do you now look back on it? Do you feel it achieved all you wanted from your debut album? I’m very proud of it. It was never intended to be an album, it’s a collection of rough songs and it kind of felt like publishing my sketch book. This isn’t my masterpiece by a long shot, so I’m still very eager for the follow up, and the records after that. I’m only just getting started really and where I can appreciate the debut’s naive honesty, I’m ready to keep pushing what we’re doing. You also received acclaim and airplay from Iggy Pop who, as we understand it, is one of your idols. How did that feel? And has Iggy’s approval opened new doors for you? It’s bizarre, these are songs written in a bedroom of a two up two down in suburban Rock Ferry, England. And there’s this old-school rock god, who did drugs with Bowie, telling me he loves what I do. It’s something I’ll never wrap my head around. I am in love with the rollercoaster that is being in Queen Zee. I’m not sure how many doors it has opened but it definitely put a magnifying glass on us, and had new people staring us down to see what it’s all about.

You’re renowned for your high-octane, energetic and anarchic live shows; how much of that comes from within you and the band, and how much as a duty to entertain? There’s no duty, I’m here because I want to be. We don’t get paid, we sacrifice everything to be on these tours and at these shows. I think the shows explode because there is that pressure, there is a love and positivity in the room. Where the fans know we adore them, and they adore it back, we’re here for a reason and when we get onstage we’re going to give 100%.

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“I think the shows explode because there is that pressure, there is a love and positivity in the room. Where the fans know we adore them, and they adore it back.”

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You were invited as support on The Zutons tour earlier this year, and you’re now preparing for a full UK tour with Skunk Anansie, including Brighton Centre on 26 August; how did those tours come about and, referring back to The Zutons tour, how did their audience take to you? It was incredible, I love the Zutons. Dig beneath the massive pop singles you probably all know about, and it’s this huge sounding circus of Beefheart worship. They’re a weird band at their core and it’s totally my shit. I think the fans got it as well; there’s a vein within Scouse bands and it runs through both us and the Zutons. So now we’re just getting out of shape at home waiting for the Skunk Anansie tour, which is another mind-blowing moment. It’s hard to explain how things come about but Skin from Skunk Anansie loves what we’re doing, so do Dave and the Zutons. The best way to get noticed is to make a massive scene that no one can ignore and then let them come to you.

You’re a very outspoken member and supporter of the LGBTQ community; do you feel that public acceptance of the community has grown in recent years or is there still much work to do to negate prejudice and misunderstanding? It’s such a weird point where I don’t think we’ve ever had so much public support and yet also been so vilified and in danger. Hate crime is shooting up. It’s been spurred on by the rise of the far right across Europe and America. We didn’t stop to think when we platformed these far-right politicians because of their views on immigration, that their other hateful bigoted views on issues such as the LGBTQ+ community would also be platformed. I’ve been physically attacked to the point of needing hospital attention twice in the past four years. I’ve been attacked less severely an uncountable number of times, and I left the house in a skirt because of the warm weather last week and was shouted at three times before I even got to the bus stop, a five-minute walk from the house. Yet I’m told because we have equal marriage, gay icons, drag race and pride parades that it’s job done. I won’t be finished until it’s safe, properly safe, as safe as it is for straight people.

Your songs often address prejudice and alienation and often have provocative titles (Porno, Hunger Pains, Anxiety, Sissy Fists, I Hate Your New Boyfriend); do you feel that part of the importance of Queen Zee is to air these subjects or is it sometimes unavoidable to think that you may be preaching to the already converted? I just write honestly. I have a creative vision, and then I just write the songs quite freely and quickly. They just come to you and then they’re done before you even really knew what you were writing. In terms of preaching to the converted, that’s the OPPOSITE of what I’ve wanted to do. I want to take everything I love about the queer and DIY scenes and project them onto the Super Bowl half time show, the Glastonbury mainstage, into space. I feel like I’m getting there as well; Boy, a song about hate crime, was played on the World Cup television coverage. It’s stuff like that I think is important, the revolution will be subconscious.

There’s a lot of humour in your music and your lyrics (DIY Magazine referring to your album as a riotous and, at times, hilarious debut) and much joy and laughter when you’re on stage; does this accurately reflect your personality and is it important for you to avoid the pitfalls of being considered a po-faced, political band? Yes, totally. As I said, I just write freely and honestly. I’m a human being whose very existence has been politicised. But I’m still a human being, and humour is not the enemy of activism. Finally, what can we expect from Queen Zee beyond the Skunk Anansie support tour, both in terms of live shows and releases? Releases, I’m not so sure on. If anything, I think we’re likely to go quiet as we head off to work on something new … but these will be our biggest shows, it will be the biggest version of Queen Zee so far.

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Queen Zee “I’m a human being whose very existence has been politicised. But I’m still a human being, and humour is not the enemy of activism.”

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Brighton

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IDA Vallens Ida Vallens is the project of local Worthing singer-songwriter and producer Anya Gradisher. Tipped for success, a product of local youth organisation Audio Active and endorsed by none other than Brightonian Rag ‘n Bone Man, Mixmag has termed her sound as ‘part trip-hop and part trap’ whilst others hail her music as nostalgic with a jazz feel, yet with production that launches the tracks into the future.

da Vallens started making music within the lofi hip-hop scene in late 2016, collaborating online with producers from across the globe and gaining a good following on Soundcloud. In 2017 she went onto release two singles under the College Music imprint that gained over 1 million streams on Spotify in under a year. Throughout 2018 she has continued to develop her songwriting, musicianship and live performance working closely with Brighton based producer Jack-Chi.

As her sound and concept has developed, her music is beginning to take the form of an alternate reality game, with Ida becoming a character that transcends time and space.

As her sound and concept has developed, her music is beginning to take the form of an alternate reality game, with Ida becoming a character that transcends time and space, existing within alternate realities under multiple identities that live contrasting lives – the lyrics are clues to her identities. Her live shows are captivating, weaving the tracks together with improvised theatrical outbursts over a live electronic soundscape.

Fresh from her highly-acclaimed support slot at the Rag ‘n Bone Man concert at Brighton Racecourse this summer, we caught up with this rising star to hear all about what inspired her and what the future holds.

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IDA Vallens How do you start the songwriting process for a new song? The ideas come to me at times I’m inspired. I get most inspired when I read a news story, watch a film, read a book or see a painting. I like to play guitar to sketch my ideas down and then work in the studio with a producer to create the track. You base your music around really interesting narratives. How do you find them? I find the narratives in references from art pieces, books and films, if you research the symbolism you can end up finding some really interesting back stories that inspire songs.

Are there narratives that interest you, but you haven’t decided to sing about them? If so, how come? The Epstein Case. I recently read the story from Virginia Roberts in the 2000 page court document. It was so tragic and really broke my heart, and I feel like the case needs more news coverage as it’s definitely the biggest scandal of this century. It makes me very angry that it’s been practically ignored compared to other cases such as Weinstein, it’s like the whole #metoo movement became irrelevant and people were just taking part in it as it was trending. I sat down to write a song about it recently but it didn’t work out as there was no way I could do the subject matter any justice as it’s too sensitive.

What narrative is behind your recent release? My song Deadstock is a song about a naive young Hollywood starlet in a state of delusional psychosis, forced to take pills by her management, much like Judy Garland. How did you go about encompassing this tale into 3.16? The Jane Doe I wrote about in my song Mt. Whitney Motel has dreams to become a famous actress but never fulfils her desires. Deadstock is a song that shows the other extreme side of the sexual abuse of women and how women are objectified in society. I think it’s important to acknowledge that anyone can experience feeling this way.

How do you feel women in the public eye have been distorted in the media in 2019, in comparison to Judy Garland’s day? I think it’s just getting worse. We watch celebrities spiral into drug abuse and mental illness as a result of their treatment. There seems to be a lot more going on behind the scenes too. I think about the Epstein case and his victims being dismissed by media. I think about Megan Fox and why we don’t see much of her anymore. I think about Britney Spears and her psychological problems. It’s so heart breaking.

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What would you change about the way media represent women today? I wish media stop painting traditional femininity as negative or weak. I wish media would stop including ‘female’ after an accomplishment as if it’s shocking that a woman could do something - ‘female billionaire’, ‘female music producer’.

If you had to be born into another decade to pursue your music career, which one would it be? 90s, I’d plant myself in the Bristol Trip-Hop scene along with Massive Attack. I think 60s too as I’d love to be a hippie psych folk musician.

How has your experience in the music industry been, in comparison to your expectations? Well I never had any expectations in the first place as I was just making music for a bit of fun, now it feels more like a job and it’s much more serious than I imagined.

Going forward, is there anything specific you want to write about in your songs? Charles Manson, the Kennedy Curse and Greek mythology are all at the top of my list. What’s the end goal for Ida Vallens? To create art I love and music that educates people.

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Brighton’s iconic Norfolk hotel by Mercure has had a stunning new look

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Teddy Edwards

Nominated for UK British Barber Of The Year

“I am astonished by the results! Alex has given me a damn fine haircut. The best I have had in a long time. I look and feel amazing and on top of that, I have had a great experience!”

t’s fair to say that male grooming has stepped up a notch in the past few years, with more barbershops popping up all over the country than ever before. In Brighton alone I have seen countless salons appear about town, and they all seem to be doing a roaring trade. There is one name, however, that seems to stand out from the crowd, one that I hear time and time again when people are asking for recommendations, and that is ‘Teddy Edwards Cutting Rooms’. Personally, I historically have never been too fussed about who cuts my hair. I take pride in my appearance, but also tend to pop into whichever barber is closest to me at the time when I feel I need a haircut. I have never been a regular customer of a particular establishment and figured as long as I get a decent cut for a fair price, I am usually happy. I honestly thought one barbershop is the same as another, and although I have had some quite dodgy cuts in the past, I just put this down to pot-luck, or me not having explained what I wanted clearly enough. That philosophy changed forever when I decided to pay attention to the hype and give Teddy Edwards a visit. Writing for Absolute Magazine has its advantages. I decide to give them a call and speak to Alex, the creator of Teddy Edwards, and tell him all about Absolute, our publication, and book myself in with the man himself for a haircut and a chat. I arrive at around 1pm on a Tuesday at their Seven Dials location on Dyke Road and although all the staff seem to be busy, everyone turns to welcome me. The place is buzzing with four or five clients being attended to, chatting away to their respective barbers as if they are old friends. I have not even sat down yet and already I am getting a sense of something special that I have not experienced in other barbers. No sooner than I am asked to take a seat, Alex appears shakes my hand and ushers me to his cutting chair, offering myself and all the other clients a beer which I graciously accept. As I get comfortable Alex hands me a bottle of branded Teddy Edwards IPA and asks what he can do for me. I explain what I usually have done, which is usually a simple trim, grade one on the sides and longer on top so I can spike and style it. For the first time ever I get asked a whole host of confirming questions. “Have you been growing the top out?” “How high do you usually have the sides?” “What sort of style do you mould the top into?” I notice all his tools of the trade are neatly and professionally laid out on the bar in front of him. Knowing I am in good hands, I take a sip of the lovely refreshing crisp beer which is produced by Dan, a member of his team and part-time brewer! I congratulate him on his skills and relax.

“Alex cuts my hair with the skill and finesse you might expect of someone who has been in the industry for over twenty five years.”

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As Alex cuts my hair with the skill and finesse you might expect of someone who has been in the industry for over twenty five years, we get chatting. Alex appears genuinely interested in everything I have to say and I find it difficult to steer the conversation on to him. When I eventually do however, I find out that after years working as a barber and hairdresser for other people around Brighton, he opened his first shop six years ago in a tiny two-seat shop which is now a cactus shop next door and within no time at all word got round. He was so popular queues were forming down the street daily, with some people willing to wait hours for a haircut! He had to move to bigger premises at Hove Station where their popularity grew and five months ago opened his second barbershop on Dyke Road. They now have an online booking system which works really well, and have enough barbers on site to deal with walk-ins throughout the day. He is truly humbled by his success, and when I ask what sets them apart from other Barbers he puts it down to them making sure they provide consistently great customer service, making sure every customer is treated how they should be treated, have a great experience every time, and of course having a team of highly skilled expert barbers who all buy in to the same ethos. He wants every customer to feel they are getting good value for money! As I look around the room all this seems obvious as the team happily chat away with their customers, greeting every new walk-in with a welcoming smile. All the while an unmistakable air of professionalism is evident throughout.

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“He is truly humbled by his success, and when I ask what sets them apart from other Barbers he puts it down to them making sure they provide consistently great customer service, making sure every customer is treated how they should be treated.”

“They make sure every customer is completely satisfied with their cut and nothing short of this will do. The experience I have had here has changed the way think about Barbershops.”

Alex takes all the time he needs to finish off my haircut, using a cut throat razer to erase stray neck-fluff and cutting in to the top to give it more of a spikey effect. It feels like no time at all however as I am having such a lovely time! When he is finished he uses “Snake Bite” rub on my neck which opens up pores and prevents shaving rashes. When he brushes me off he makes absolutely sure I am completely clear of hairs. I have never left a barbers without having to put up with an itchy neck for the rest of the day! Until now that is. He uses the finest quality “Upper Cut” products including a dry styling powder to give it a firm hold, followed by a touch of wax. I am astonished by the results! Alex has given me a damn fine haircut! The best I have had in a long time. I look and feel amazing, and on top of that I have had a great experience! For me, it is easy to see how Teddy Edwards has built up such a solid reputation. Their customer service is akin to some of my favourite restaurants. The team provide a professional service in a relaxed manner and the atmosphere this creates instantly makes you feel welcome and at home. They make sure every customer is completely satisfied with their cut and nothing short of this will do. The experience I have had here has changed the way think about Barbershops. No longer will I settle for second best, it is Teddy Edwards every time for me from now on! I am actually looking forward to my next visit! That is something I have never been able to say about a barbers before. Tony Shattell teded.co.uk

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Watches of Switzerland

A new time and place for Brighton’s leading luxury watch retailer Not only is history being made through the creation of the prestigious new Hanningtons Lane development, recreating a historic part of Brighton’s famous Lanes, but global brand Watches of Switzerland have relocated to a new luxurious showroom there, marking their ongoing commitment to the city’s retail scene.

reviously located in Ship Street, the move increases floor space to over 1985ft² and is now home to an expanded range of luxury timepieces. Whether you buy one of these prestigious watches as an investment, a collector’s piece, or simply because you love it, each one has its own story or historical relevance, as the Watches of Switzerland team will explain when you visit. Once nicknamed the “Harrods of Brighton”, the long-established and popular department store Hanningtons occupied the site until its closure in 2001, with an unbroken history of trading for nearly 200 years, starting from a single shop unit. In the intervening years, the site was split into a variety of multi-faceted stores from chocolatiers to restaurants, independents to international and national retailers, all contributing to Brighton’s joyful eccentricity. At over 1985ft², the showroom sits within the redeveloped site on North Street, close to the entrance to the new high-end retail area of Hannington Lane. It brings a unique shopping experience that includes an unparalleled collection of leading timepieces from longstanding Watches of Switzerland brand partners – Rolex, OMEGA, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Hublot, Longines and Pre-owned watches. They are proud to have also now added Bremont, Baume & Mercier and Tissot to their offering. The design of the showroom allows great flexibility to introduce new concepts from luxury watch makers catering for their clients’ diverse needs, including a large dedicated branded area for Rolex. Showroom Manager John O’Connor, who has been with the company since March 2012, commented at the relaunch party: “It’s a privilege to offer the highest level of client care alongside the very best in luxury watches here in Brighton. The new showroom enables us to bring more exclusive, limited edition pieces along with holding many client events. Everyone has been so positive, with some lovely comments about the team, the showroom and, of course, the watches!” The team at Watches of Switzerland are particularly excited to present a brand new brand to the store; Bremont, an award-winning British company producing beautifully engineered chronometers from their HQ in Henley-on-Thames.

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From 2002 they have embarked on a journey to make beautifully crafted pilot’s watches of exceptional quality. Inspired by a love of flying historic aircraft, of watches and all things mechanical, their timepieces had to be tested beyond the normal call of duty. The watches in their core range are all chronometer rated and they are one of the few companies offering a three-year warranty on every product. Immensely precise, reliable and durable, Bremont watches are hand-built in limited numbers. Each is designed to appeal to those who share their passion for - and appreciation of - the innovation and mastery behind a beautiful mechanical wristwatch. The company’s co-founders are brothers Nick and Giles English, who will be meeting Watches of Switzerland clients later in the year at an exclusive in-store event.

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Watches of Switzerland

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Watches of Switzerland is a globally recognised modern, leading retailer of the very best luxury watch brands in the world including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, A. Lange & Sohne, Vacheron Constantin, Panerai, Piaget, Hublot, Zenith, Cartier, Omega, Tag Heuer and Breitling. In 2014 they launched their “Golden Triangle” with the opening of their flagship showroom at 155 Regent Street, London - Europe’s largest showroom devoted to luxury watches – a feat of both staggering design and horological excellence – followed by the launch of their showroom in Oxford Street in October 2015 and Knightsbridge in June 2016. In 2017 Watches of Switzerland went international opening its first showroom and taking over the management of the Rolex Boutique at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. In November 2018, Watches of Switzerland opened its first flagship showroom in Greene Street, Soho, NYC, followed by a second flagship showroom in Hudson Yards, New York, in March 2019. In the Wynn Las Vegas, they relocated their Watches of Switzerland showroom to the Wynn Esplanade and in addition to the Rolex Boutique, also manage the Omega and Breitling Boutiques in the Wynn Plaza. Founded in 1924, Watches of Switzerland has been retailing the world’s finest watches for over 90 years. The company began trading as a mail-order business under the name G & M Lane on Ludgate Hill, London, and now has 15 showrooms in leading retail destinations across the UK, including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Brighton and Cardiff. They also have a strong presence in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 at Heathrow Airport including three independent Rolex Boutiques and an online presence in both the UK (watches-of-switzerland.co.uk) and the US (watchesofswitzerland. com). This year, in celebration of 100 years of retail, Watches of Switzerland have partnered with Rolex UK to provide 100 watches each with a commemorative engraving to mark the anniversary of 100 years of doing business together. The Watches of Switzerland Group and Rolex will each donate £1,000 for every watch sold, which will be donated to support The Prince’s Trust, a charity working with young people aged 11 to 30 across the UK. Sales of the limited-edition watches will therefore achieve £200,000 for the Trust. The Watches of Switzerland Group is the UK’s largest luxury watch retailer, operating in both the UK and US, comprising four prestigious brands; Goldsmiths (UK), Mappin & Webb (UK), Watches of Switzerland (UK and US), and Mayors (US), with complementary jewellery offering. The Watches of Switzerland Group has 128 core showrooms across the UK and US (which includes 20 dedicated mono-brand stores in partnership with Rolex, TAG Heuer, Omega and Breitling) and a leading presence in Heathrow Airport’s Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 as well as five online transactional websites. Mappin & Webb holds Royal warrants as goldsmiths, silversmiths and jeweller to Her Majesty The Queen and silversmiths to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, plus the Mappin & Webb master jeweller has been Crown Jeweller, Custodian of the Crown Jewels of Her Majesty The Queen since 2012.

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3 AVENUE RD

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SUSHI BAR LOUNGE

THE GRILL ROOM MORNING NOON NIGHT

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FIZZ F& FOOD East Beach Café

The Bali Brasserie

Limetree Kitchen

1| Littlehampton: Sea Road, BN17 5GB East Beach Cafe was completed in June 2007 and has since won more than twenty national and international awards for design, architecture, steelwork, craftsmanship and engineering. Not dissimilar to the hull of a ship, it is a self-supporting structure and an extremely complicated piece of engineering. The whole process from commissioning the architect, Thomas Heatherwick, to completion took 18 months. Thomas heads one of the world’s leading design practices and was described recently by The Times as “the most creative mind in Britain”, the East Beach Cafe was his first UK building. The emphasis is on fresh fish and locally sourced produce, cooked in a style that lets the quality shine through. The Ritz trained kitchen team produce a standard of food that is fit for such an amazing setting.

5| The Bali Brasserie is proud to present vegan, vegetarian and dairy free dining as well as gluten free. The restaurant inside, ‘Rijsttafe’, (the rice table) is Indonesian themed food on a set menu, but they are able to adapt a meal to almost any dietary requirements. Meaning there is no reason to not go and enjoy yourself. There is something for everyone at The Bali Brasserie.

10| Lewes: 14 Station Road, BN7 2DA The Limetree Kitchen isn’t all about food, they have a unique “Gin Kitchen” which makes them stand out from the crowd. You can choose from their fantastic range of gins on offer and let them mix up a perfect blend of gin & tonic. If you fancy staying the night in Lewes, you can book a night in their elegant accommodation – “The Room”. If you are visiting Lewes for site seeing, or a special occasion getaway, The Room would be the perfect place to stay for a luxurious night after a delicious meal in the Limetree Kitchen restaurant. The menu consists of tapas style small plates which give diners the opportunity to try more on the menu. This is an informal way of eating out and you can either share a few dishes with friends or enjoy them on your own. Their simple menu is split into sections which include Vegetarian, Fish, Meat, Nibbles and Desserts.

2| Douglas McMaster, owner and head chef has spent many years working in some of the UK’s and Europe’s top restaurants. You can expect to see a fair sized menu created with seasonal foraged ingredients that come together to give you a unique dinning experience. Some of the dishes so far have been Sea Buckthorn and Elderberry fool for dessert and potato steak, elephant garlic, alliums and herbs.

Memories of India

Silo

Curry Leaf Cafe

3| The original Curry Leaf Cafe is located in the heart of Brighton's bustling Lanes, just a couple of minutes' walk from the beach. This colourful, laid-back 75-seat dining space – decked out with exposed brick walls, wooden tables and vintage Indian design touches – operates as a cafe-cum-lunch spot during the day, offering a range of coffees, teas, snacks and traditional South Indian street food, as well as more substantial meals such as thali platters, dosas and Masala-battered fish 'n chips. In the evenings diners can experience the cafe’s small but diverse dinner menu of tandoor-grilled meats, street food dishes and expertly spiced curries, accompanied by Brighton's best range of craft beers and spiced cocktails.

Eatalio

4| Eatalio is a recently new addition to Brighton’s food scene, and is located on Queens Road, abouta 5 min walk from the station near Brighton’s clock tower. Inspired by the simple, yet healthy food served from the street carts in Italy, Eatalio provides affordable, grab and go food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A great venue to pop into and dogs are most welcome. No servicesfor dogs, they just allow them in the venue.

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Riddle & Finns

6| Another favourite in the restaurant scene, Riddle & Finns offer wonderful seafood platter as well as shellfish too, they do also cater for gluten free. Reservations are not Necessary unexpectedly, however it is recommended on the weekends as it can be very busy. Riddle & Finns also own a second venue on the seafront, both perfect for a special occasion. 7| Offering traditional Indian food in a variety of flavours from all over the continent. If you’re gluten intolerant then you will be pleased to know that gluten is very rare in all Indian food due to the lack of wheat flour. On Tuesdays, you can enjoy a five-course buffet menu for £12.95

Wolfies of Hove

8| Family run business that pride themselves in serving the finest, sustainable fish alongside locally sourced potatoes. Having served the Brighton & Hove area for over 25 years we know that quality is of the utmost importance, with carefully selected suppliers so that they can provide you good quality, fresh ingredients. Boosting The best fish in Brighton & Hove. The fish is the freshest sustainable fish available in Brighton & Hove, and our handmade pies using all local ingredients. They challenge anyone to serve up tastier, fresher & more wholesome fish.

Market

9| If tapas style eating is your thing then MARKET, situated in the Brunswick district of Hove, is sure to deliver. With a multitude of Jamons on display and boasting a host of Spanish & Sussex food ingredients, wines, beers & spirits their Spanish inspired cuisine offers an authentic experience in a fast paced & buzzy environment. With countertop dining & chefs cooking in front of you a real draw for patrons the menu of modern tapas, including great vegan options through to meatiest of meat dishes, MARKET offers something for everyone.

Terre a terre

11| Terre a Terre is an iconic, award winning restaurant where being vegetarian is about more than just not eating meat. You can expect a variety of flavours and foods to try when you arrive. Much more interesting than the standard stuffed mushroom.

Pelham House

12| Lewes: St Andrews Lane, BN7 1UW Pelham House Lewes is a beautiful 16th century town house hotel in the heart of Lewes and one of East Sussex’s hidden gems, just 10 minutes from Brighton. Right off the High Street you will find the historic building, set in an extensive secret garden, Pelham House is perfect for dining alfresco or an afternoon tea. The house & garden has been exquisitely restored to create a stylish venue, combining elegance and history. The head chef has developed a varied set of menus for their gallery, panelled room, garden room and dining outside on the terrace. The restaurant at Pelham House focuses on simple and delicious food, using good quality seasonal and locally sourced produce from Lewes and the county of Sussex. They regularly offer private dining to guests for special occasions and events.

The Urchin Pub in Hove

13| One of Brighton’s newest offerings, the Urchin craft beer and shellfish pub is a wholly unique concept. Entirely dedicated to shellfish, matched with a range of over 100 craft beers The Urchin is something Brighton and Hove has never seen before. Seats 30 covers in the restaurant, the menu predominantly features prawns, lobster, crab and scallops.

Chambers Bistro 14| Shoreham-by-Sea: Old Town Hall, High Street, BN43 5DD Chambers Bistro Shoreham is an independent family-run British bistro, serving all the popular classics with an emphasis on locally sourced produce in an elegant and centrally positioned venue. Located just 15 minutes West of Brighton & Hove along the seafront, or 5 minutes off the A27, this well-known restaurant boasts the splendour of a Grade II listed neo classical building with super stylish interiors. Features include stripped wooden floors and cream leather chairs, set among two softly lit dining areas. Think boutique and chic, romantic and intimate. Chambers Bistro is as sophisticated with its appearance as the food they serve.

Sylvan Oak

15| Findon: BN14 0TE The Sussex restaurant is situated 10 minutes north of the town of Worthing in the sleepy village of Findon. The Sylvan Oak prides itself on an evolving food culture, where their head chef and proprietor Sinan Kalan presents flavoured food with amazing visual presentation. The Sylvan Oak could be perfect for that intimate occasion on the sun terrace, or can be privately hire for a party or celebration. Open most days apart from Mondays, and open for lunch and dinners. The Cuisine described by the owner as “British Fusion” which I suppose is close to dine dining and modern European. Essentially the food is professionally prepared and influences stem far and wide giving you quite a varied menu.

The Fountain Inn, Ashurst

16| Beautiful olde worlde inn in the sleepy village of Ashurst. A free house and ‘Cask Marque’ accredited, the Fountain has plenty of local ales on offer as well as the more recognised international beers and lagers. Complete with wonky floorboards, inglenook fireplaces and the heart warming smell of homemade cooking wafting in from the kitchen, you will not want to go home.

Block. 8

17| Block. is a bar with a great wine list, bringing you lots of new young wineries / vineyards, the people who, in wine that are pushing the envelope a bit. The wine is supported with great craft on draft and Brighton's first and currently only charcoal and wood burning oven, working with only the best produce from local farms, fisherman and suppliers they offer you a local meat and fish menu with a basque influence coming through, the garden at block has also recently been improved even after being voted Brighton's best garden for the last two years. So if you want gourmet restaurant quality food, but enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a bar. BLOCK is the place for you. Fridays feature the best in Brighton DJ talent.

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Book our £22.95 festive lunchtime set menu before 30th Nov and get 25% off !

Celebrate Christmas & New Year in Style with some Spanish Flair ! Now taking Christmas & New Years Bookings Throughout December

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BARS & B BEATS The Crown and Anchor

Legends

Fortune of War

1|Shoreham-by-Sea: 33 High Street, West Sussex BN43 5DD Named after the town’s past with its port famed for smuggling, and centrally located on Shoreham’s high street, the Crown and Anchor is a must visit and very popular with locals and visitors alike. From the high street it looks like a regular run of the mill pub, but it hides a gorgeous restaurant with big glass windows and a patio area with outside seating which backs onto the river Adur. Perfect for alfresco dining and drinking on warm evenings, with spectacular views of the South Downs and the river itself.

5| Legends is a gay bar and hotel located on Marine Parade just a minute away from Palace Pier. It has a fantastic selection of rooms with stunning sea views. The venue itself is very spacious and has a large bar upstairs with outside terrace and huge dance floor downstairs. There is always plenty going on with drag acts during the week and great music played by a diverse r ange of DJs at the weekends.

9| This lovely pub has been open since 1882, making it the oldest pub on the seafront. It is a good meeting place if you are going clubbing on the seafront. There are DJs playing at the weekends and it always has a friendly atmosphere and is never too crowded. The décor has a maritime theme and the pub provides beautiful views over the seafront. It has an outside seating area and a buzzy atmosphere during the summer months.

Idlewild

2| Haywards Heath: 65 The Broadway, West Sussex, West Sussex, RH16 3AS Centrally located in Haywards heath, this little Gem of a bar boasts cool funky décor, friendly expert mixologists with a great selection of cocktails and a wonderfully diverse and well thought food menu which caters for everyone. Pictures of sexy celebs adorn the walls of this cool atmospheric venue, which also boasts a great outdoor seated terrace area. Playing an excellent selection of music all day everyday with regular and guest DJ’s Friday and Saturday nights. A lot of thought has gone into this place and it shows.

32 Duke Street

3| Those with a party penchant wont be hard pushed to get your late night fix at this naughty, Brighton number. While a cracking destination for eating out in the day, get stuck into the confines of the quirky Brighton bar as the lights go down and the sound-system goes up for a fun loving, seaside crowd.

My Hotel

4| If you’re after a Sex and the City venue then look no further. My Hotel is a beautifully crafted bar with curved walls, gilding pewter surfaces and low lighting, reflecting a warm and spacious cocoon. As part of the My Hotel franchise, the bar is open to non-guests to enjoy some beautifully made cocktails, a sophisticated atmosphere and an altogether glamorous night out. The bar staff are knowledgeable and helpful. This is a good place for special occasions. Everyone gets super dressed up so if you are looking to get your glad rags on and feel special this could be the place for you.

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Lion & Lobster

6| If you are looking for a good, old fashioned, comfy pub with a great atmosphere then this is the place for you. The Lion and Lobster is very popular with the locals and has become a bit of a Brighton institution. It is a good venue to start your night before going out on the town. The pub is spread over three floors with a main bar downstairs complete with cosy real fires in winter. The second floor has a small bar within a beautiful dining room and the third floor is the outside smoker’s area complete with mini bar and outside heaters. The Sunday roasts are very popular but make sure you get there early.

The Dead Parrot

7| Horsham: 21 Piries Place, RH12 1EH, West Sussex A cocktail bar with a difference! Opened by a group of bartenders in 2014 who are obviously passionate about their craft. The Dead Parrot boasts a fantastic menu of unique and eccentric cocktail as well as some classics, well as a fine selection of beers and delicious wines. Split over two floors with cool and quirky décor featuring some interesting taxidermy and a giant chessboard on the ceiling! An unashamedly hipster joint serving cocktails in all manner of vessels from beer cans with sombrero hats, to metal tankards and even the odd dainty glass. Lots of fun!

Hotel du Vin

8| A lovely start to your evening in a classy venue. The bar is part of the Hotel du Vin chain and is open to non-guests to come in and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. It is a little on the pricey side but if it is sophistication you are after then look no further. The bar has an extensive list of wines and a wide selection of whiskies, rums and countless spirits. As well as relaxing in the main bar you can also enjoy a game of billiards located on the balcony above.

The Dragon Bar

10| Hastings: 71 George Street, Old Town, East Sussex TN34 3EE Owned by the same people as the famous Dragon Bar in Shoreditch and centrally located in the Old Town in Hastings, just a stone’s throw away from the beach. This is a fantastic bar and eatery where during the day you can sample a diverse and delicious sounding menu made up of fresh local produce, and relax and watch the hustle and bustle of the old town. Beautifully decorated with local artwork with a lively and welcoming ambience. A vast selection of drinks with premium spirits, and live DJ’s at the weekend. Attracts an eclectic crowd of varying ages.

The Tempest Inn

11| With scenic views from the beer garden at this washed up bar along the beach front, enjoy the fresh sea air and the beautiful rolling waves from your dainty picnic bench. If you can drag yourself away from this alfresco seating, you’ll be just as impressed by the coastal coves set into the walls. Enjoy a frothy pint and a tempting tipple in your very own seafront cave at this quirky little cavern.

MEAT liquor

12| Hailing from the success of their London counterpart, Brighton’s MEATLiquour is a wonderment of carnivore feasts and locally inspired artwork. Based around the carnival days of Brighton gone by, doused in neons and brimming with urban regalia, MEATLiquour is a unique restaurant bar in Brighton where the burgers come hearty and the cocktails come laced in awesome.

La Havana 13| Chichester: 3 Little London, PO19 1PH A deep subterranean live music venue which is famed for its Jazz nights, though Whatever your particular taste in music, you will always find there to be a night to suit you here at La Havana. A fun and lively venue which is well thought out in design, you can easily find a spot to sit and chat away from the music whilst still enjoying it, or be right in the action. All in a vaulted basement for real atmosphere. Reasonably priced drinks to boot with beer at £3.00 a bottle.

The Loft Lounge and Bar

14| Eastbourne: 14 Station Street, East Sussex, BN21 4RG An elegant chic and sophisticated late night lounge and bar, spread over two floors, and carefully designed to create a unique and sumptuous atmosphere. The downstairs bar boasts an impressive circular bar backed onto a dazzling glass wall, and a skylight which floods the venue with natural light. Upstairs is a bit cosier and intimate, with various sized booths and a premium drinks bar. A fine selection of food and drinks on offer here, with delicious sounding cocktails and expert mixologists more than happy to make off-menu drinks. With live music every Friday and drinks offers throughout the week it’s easy to see why this is one of Eastbourne’s top rated nightspots.

Gin Tub 5

15| The exciting tastes of international gins in a superb interior of our newly opened Gin Tub Cocktail bar. Finally somewhere to drink after all the great Hove restaurants. With well over 80 gins – bespoke cocktails – craft beers and ales. We have also created flight boards to try new spirits. Bespoke Cocktails, craft beers, IPA’s and all the normal beers and spirits too. Under The Tub Welcome to the Rum Cage, where the spirits and specifically the rum never dry out. With a bar selection of some of the best rums, oh and of course some of our favourite gins.

Cocktail Shack 7

16| A unique and innovative bar hidden within the tall walls of Regency Square. They pride themselves on drinks as creative and bespoke as the Artist Residence itself, offering playful service and a passion for the product. We would urge everyone to check them out at The Shack for a taste of something new.

The Rocking Horse 8

17| Worthing: 3 The Broadway, Brighton Road, BN11 3EG Quirky pub serving cocktails and a limited beer and wine selection. Comfortable place for a chat with a rocking horse theme to the décor and a relaxed vibe. The best place in Worthing where you can go and experience trained mixologists who understand cocktails and flavours make your drinks! Reasonable prices for the quality of drinks too! A clean, light and airy venue with friendly staff to boot. They also offer a cocktail masterclass (daily) where for just £19.50 you can learn to make (and drink) three classic cocktails with a glass of prosecco included.

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Royal Oak T H E

P o y n i n g s

At the foot of the South Downs sits the perfect country pub to relax in after a walk, enjoy the newly refurbished barbecue area or experience an inventive take on pub classics showcasing the freshest locally sourced ingredients.

ne of the many things I love about living in Hove is being lucky enough to have the South Downs right on our doorstep. I have often gone for walks with family and friends around Devils Dyke, dropping down into the beautiful quaint villages of Poynings and Fulking to stop for a pint and a bite to re-energise before heading back up the hill. Unfortunately due to the pressures of modern life these jolly jaunts have become less and less frequent over the years, but one of my favourite pit-stops was always The Royal Oak in Poynings. It is a beautiful country pub with a delightful picturesque and spacious garden, complete with splendid views of the downs, and more importantly, the delicious platters they served up of a lunchtime. These memories have inspired me to take the short ten-minute drive out of town and go and check them out again for an evening meal and a drink or two. As soon as we get out of Hove (literally five minutes) and hit the countryside I kick myself for not heading out there more often. The stunning 360 views from the top of the Dyke and the dips and sways of the winding roads taking us down to the villages are thick with overhanging flora and fauna on this beautiful evening in the height of summer. We arrive around seven and are drawn towards the Garden by the alluring scent of the barbecue, which is where we find the general manager Claire. She is busily cooking some mouth-watering burgers for the evening crowd who seem to be having a lovely time chatting and soaking up the last sun of the day. Although I was incredibly tempted by the barbecue, there was already a slight chill in the air and I had promised my dining companion a meal out so we opted to sit inside and check out what the pub’s evening menu had to offer. Introducing ourselves at the bar, we are encouraged to take a seat in the charming and inviting dining area by our waitress Paige who happily informs us they provide table service and will be over shortly to take our drinks order. We opt to sit in the corner next to the window so we have lovely views of the countryside as we eat. The dining area has a rustic feel to it with exposed wooden beams in the ceiling, immaculately laid hardwood tables and chairs. Painted blue-grey brick walls are decorated with pictures of grazing farm animals and serene countryside scenes and a huge welcoming fireplace sits with its mantelpiece adorned with traditional cast-iron candle lanterns. I can imagine coming in to the warmth of a roaring fire and the warm glow of the lit candles on a cold winter’s evening and never wanting to leave.

If it is hearty home-cooked food you are after, then you cannot do better than the Royal Oak in Poynings.

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Delve deeper and you can tell a lot of care and attention has gone into selecting the menu, with classic hearty pub favourites all made from organic local produce

We both opt for a rather interesting and quite lovely herbaceous and zesty white from Poynings Grange, a local farm who we are told they source their beef from. They have moved into producing wine now, this being the first production for the general public which was planted in 2012. We also get treated to a cheeky sample of a pure chardonnay fizzy wine from the same place which was quite divine. At first glance the menu looks like what you would expect from such an establishment, with a selection bar nibbles, burgers and platters, and a choice of three or four starters and mains, plus desserts and a regularly updated specials board that lists even more choices. Delve deeper and you can tell a lot of care and attention has gone into selecting the menu, with classic hearty pub favourites all made from organic local produce with each dish seeming to have been given the head chef’s stamp on things, with a twist here and a surprise ingredient there. Feeling more than a little peckish now, I order box baked camembert with home-made red onion jam and warm ciabatta from the menu to start and char-grilled lamb cutlets in a mint gravy served with roasted new potatoes, chargrilled carrots parsnips and broccoli from the specials board as main. My companion plumps for lighter options; house-cured salmon with fennel pollen crème fraiche, spiced Moroccan slaw and sourdough to start and The Royal Oak fishcake topped with smoked salmon poached egg, asparagus, hollandaise and a tomato butter sauce as main. The starters were on-point. The home-made onion jam made my night, it was so good. The tangy sweetness made the perfect complement to a big messy dollop of camembert on fresh doughy bread. I would have purchased a jar to take home if they sold it separately. My companion’s Salmon was also a delight. A dish so pretty it was almost a shame to tuck in! The dainty Salmon florets had been given a deep rose colour from curing on site in beetroot and juniper as well as a tantalising soft texture and wonderful subtle sweetness which was expertly contrasted by the dry-spiced Moroccan slaw which packed a quite a punch, thankfully soothed by the crème fraiche. This was an expertly crafted dish which showcased the chef’s skills and left us excited for the mains.

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Royal Oak T H E

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“The perfectly cooked poached egg’s golden yolk exploded when cut into and the creamy tomato butter sauce added an extra slightly sweet dimension to the dish.” As we waited for our mains, Claire paid a visit to make sure we were happy and we got chatting. Having taken on managing the establishment about a year and a half ago with her husband, she brings a wealth of experience running country pubs in the New Forest. Claire says they love the area and the sense of community the village has, plus the family feel that the skilled and motivated team here brings. The pub often hosts events such as pie making and chilli eating competitions, which the whole village gets involved in, often raising money for local projects and charities. They have just had their first beer festival which went incredibly well and hope to host another soon. The website and Facebook page lists upcoming events and I pledged to keep an eye out and get involved in the next one. Our main courses arrived and were equally as impressive as the starters! My companion has an affinity towards fishcakes and tends to order them regularly if they are on the menu, and she happily explained they were some of the best she had tasted. Not a lover of fishcakes myself I tried a bite, and had to agree with her. They were perfectly light and fluffy with a thick crisp shell, encasing the distinct flavours of smoked haddock, salmon and prawn. The perfectly cooked poached egg’s golden yolk exploded when cut into and the creamy tomato butter sauce added an extra slightly sweet dimension to the dish. My tender juicy cutlets were cooked to perfection. The crunchy chargrilled veg and minty gravy all worked in harmony to produce down to earth yet bold flavours. I could not have been happier! We had already decided we were going to have pudding before we had even selected our dinner as the menu just looked too tempting to ignore. Paige recommended the sticky toffee pudding from the tantalising assortment of homemade classics and my companion happily took that advice. She savoured every mouthful with a content smile on her face, and even let me have a nibble along with a spoonful of the chef’s own incredible butterscotch sauce and Sussex vanilla ice cream. I was tempted into the treacle tart, mainly due to the accompanying brown-bread ice-cream, apparently a classic wartime recipe. It was ever so good as a standalone treat and perfect for soothing such a sweet dish, with caramelised oranges adding an extra zing. On reflection I will definitely be making the worthwhile trip out of Brighton again. I have gained a new motivation for getting out on to The Downs and will certainly keep an eye out for upcoming events at the pub. If it is hearty homecooked food you are after, then you cannot do better than the Royal Oak in Poynings. Tony Shattell

www.royaloakpoynings.pub

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6 Pool Valley, Brighton. BN1 1NJ

31 Ship Street, Brighton. BN1 1AD

Handmade daily using local produce and top quality ingredients. -Vegan options-non gluten containing options-cups-cones-takehome tubs80

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www.bohogelato.co.uk

BBC Good Food Magazine ‘Britain’s 12 Best Indian Restaurants’ SIBA Awards 2019 ‘UK’s Best Craft Beer Restaurant’ Waitrose Good Food Guide 2020 ‘Local Gem’

SOUTH INDIAN STREET FOOD & CRAFT BEER

BRIGHTON LANES CAFE

60 Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AE

KEMPTOWN KITCHEN

40 Upper St James St, Brighton BN2 1JN

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pitch

“Masterful creations which I could go back for time and time again.”

Located in the heart of Worthing town centre on the beautiful Sussex coast, Pitch is a contemporary mix of modern and classic British food, wines and cocktails from Masterchef winner Kenny Tutt.

orthing, despite boasting a wealth of excellent eateries, is not a place that instantly springs to mind when thinking of somewhere in Sussex to go for a dining adventure, especially as it is situated next door to Brighton with its plethora of exciting and varied restaurants. However Sussex’s best kept foodie secret has just been taken to the next level, as 2018 Masterchef winner Kenny Tutt has stayed true to his roots and opened his debut restaurant ‘Pitch’ in Worthing. Boasting a contemporary mix of modern and classic British cuisine and named after fond memories of his family market trader heritage, he aims to champion great produce from the surrounding area and place his home town firmly on the gastronomical map. It is not very often I take a trip out of Brighton, but Kenny has grabbed my attention and I was excited to check it out. My companion and I find the venue easily enough, as it is ideally situated in the centre of town on Warwick Street, and as we enter are welcomed by Kenny’s lovely wife Lucy who shows us to our table and introduces us to our waiter Wesley, who I vaguely recognise and later find out has gained a wealth of experience in Brighton establishments before joining the Pitch team, where he now feels well and truly at home. We are given a glass of fizz each and left to settle in. Pitch has a wonderful contemporary feel, it is spacious and airy with botanical print on whitewashed walls, marble and metallic tables with wooden chairs and opaque globe chandeliers, all giving an impression of dining out of an evening alfresco. An impressive grandiose feature spiral staircase is the focal point in the entry hall, leading up to a cosy and more intimate second floor. As the restaurant starts to fill, the courteous and friendly waiting staff tend to the tables attentively, chatting to the patrons who all seem to be excited to be here.

Sussex’s best kept foodie secret has just been taken to the next level, as 2018 Masterchef winner Kenny Tutt has stayed true to his roots and opened his debut restaurant.

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To start, I take Wesley’s recommendation of crab cakes from the daily specials board, as the way he enthusiastically describes them makes me salivate. My companion opts for Pitch Doughnuts, which I initially had my eye on so Wesley suggests we have two of each kind, Chorizo and Manchego Cheese, and goat’s cheese and truffle honey doughnuts, to share for the table so I can try some. When selecting the main, I am drawn to Dorset crown lamb rump as it is served with ‘Nanna’s’ faggot which promotes nostalgic memories of my own nan’s recipe growing up. My companion plumps for roasted hake, served with red pepper caramelised onion and tarragon (an often underrated fish, so we are interested to see what Kenny makes of it). Being the designated driver for the evening, I select a refreshing pineapple wojito soft-tail to wash it all down and my companion selects a glass of Chevanceau Rouge, the house red, which is exceptionally smooth and bursting with flavour. The restaurant is buzzing and incredible looking plates of food are being served up on adjacent tables whilst we wait. The excitement builds and it seems like no time at all before the starters arrive. I tuck in to what can only be described as the best crab cakes I have had by far! The soft delicate sweet taste of the meat is expertly enhanced by a perfectly seasoned coating and the burnt lime mayo, beautifully presented in an oyster shell which hides a charred half-lime to squeeze an extra bit of zing if you so wish. The white claw meat is coated in a lighter batter so as not to overpower the fresher tasting part of the crab. I give Wesley the thumbs up as he passes by. Simply incredible. I generously save a forkful of crab for my companion to try, and she passes me one of each of the doughnuts. These delightful creations trick your brain in a variety of ways. You think of a doughnuts and assume they are going to be heavy, but they are delicate, light and fluffy. You automatically think they will be sweet, but these contain powerful rich and punchy flavours which shock the tastebuds into overdrive, with the subtle sweetness from the dough only coming through at the end. What some might think of as gimmicky are far from it. These are masterful creations which I could go back for time and time again.

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We have the surprise honour of our mains being served to us by the man himself! I wholeheartedly congratulate him on his achievements so far, how incredible his starters were, and tell him what a wonderful time we are having. Kenny is humble and genuinely pleased to hear this, and although must be incredibly busy with the restaurant at its peak busiest time, he stops and chats with us for as long as he can. We hear all about his journey from his job as a Brighton bank manager to how, when he was commenting on cooking programs, Lucy told him to “put his money where his mouth is” and apply for Masterchef. We also heard about the time he had off work during filming and how he could not tell anyone what he was doing, let alone that he had won! Then following his dreams and opening his first restaurant in his home town. We hang off every word, and wish him every success in the future before he disappears back into the kitchen. Not wanting our mains to get cold, we dig in. My Dorset crown lamb rump was cooked to perfection, pink, succulent and buttery soft with just enough seasoning to allow the flavour of the lamb to shine, with the earthy salsa verde bringing it out even more. The accompanying Jersey Royal potatoes had a lovely golden carapace of crunch which revealed the creamy silky smooth and uniquely quintessentially British tasting body within. The ‘nanna’s’ Faggots which initially attracted me to the dish were incredible. The full on peppery meatiness of these delightful balls added an extra dimension to this incredible well rounded dish. My companion’s naturally mild flavoured Hake had its full potential awakened by the Kenny Tutt treatment. Seared to perfection with its soft meaty flesh flaking with a mere touch of the fork, served a strong contrasting salty red pepper sauce which surprisingly did not overpower the fish. The earthy crunchy onion rosti rounded off a dish which has so many contrasting flavours which somehow work incredibly well together.

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“Every course was consistently excellent, with a huge variety of flavours and textures with a great deal of thought going into the presentation and composition of the dishes.”

pitch

After a short but well needed breather, Lucy came over to check on us. Wesley had already given us our dessert menu and my companion had picked out lemon curd tart with buttered toast ice-cream, tea meringue and marshmallow. I was still struggling to decide and Lucy was equally excitable about all the choices, so I decided to go all out and have two desserts, certain my companion would find room to help me. All three desserts were a force to be reckoned with. First up, a cereal milk panna cotta which actually tastes like the best bit of breakfast, when the last bits of cereal are all gooey and the flavour has gone into the milk and you get to guzzle it out of the bowl! In addition to this, chocolate corn flakes are scattered about the plate with a dollop of rich sweet peanut butter which all makes it feel rather naughty! I had let my guard down and my companion was already digging into my other choice, Kenny’s famous strawberry dessert, which he showcased in the final and had taken inspiration from what was served at their wedding. Fresh Sussex strawberries scattered over two very distinctive types of strawberry wine jelly, topped off with a thick tonka cream and drizzled with brown butter crumble. There was so much going on with this masterpiece of a dessert, every bite was a joyful adventure. My companion’s lemon curd tart was equally as exciting. With its classic combination of flavours and ingredients and incredible range of textures, we could see why it went down a storm with the women’s suffragette movement centenary dinner on Masterchef. We washed it all down with cherry and red berry dessert wines and wallowed in a warm glow which came not only from the wine, but from reflecting on the fantastic experience we had just had. Pitch is so much more than great food. The team were exceptional, and worked energetically and harmoniously throughout the evening. Every course was consistently excellent, with a huge variety of flavours and textures with a great deal of thought going into the presentation and composition of the dishes. Kenny’s unwavering commitment to sourcing the very best local ingredients is commendable. The menu changes regularly and seasonally and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next. His cookery school opens end of Summer and spaces are sure to be fill up fast. Not to be missed. Tony Shattell 16 Warwick St, Worthing BN11 3DJ www.pitchrestaurant.co.uk

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Riddle & Finns The perfect setting for a special meal day or night, with spectacular seafood dishes on the picturesque promenade of Brighton.

If you ask a Brightonian to think of their favourite ‘household name’ restaurant that has stood the test of time, a few names will come up. Riddle & Finns is one that I hear time and time again, and although it has only been around since 2006, it seems like they have been a big part of Brighton’s abundant foodie scene forever! Their flagship restaurant in the lanes is the first place that usually springs to mind if my wife and I want to eat out for a special occasion. We just love the not too overly-polished New York Glamour vibe with its shiny tiled walls, beautiful candelabra, dimmed vintage chandeliers and gleaming marble table tops, not to mention the quality of the food being always top notch and as fresh as can be, literally exceeding our expectations on every visit. Until now, I have never been tempted to visit their second restaurant set in the arches on the beach. Despite Riddle & Finns in the lanes being our ‘go to’ treat restaurant. I guess I just had it in my head that the beach location seemed best left for the tourists. On a particularly lovely warm September day, I found out my preconceptions were completely off-kilter when I decided to take my wife for a nice alfresco lunch and she insisted we give it a try! After a lovely stroll along the promenade taking in the last of the summer sun we arrive and are greeted by restaurant manager Jacob who we instantly warm to while we chat about our day before choosing our table. We still opted to sit outside unperturbed by the breeze that had picked up and the sight of other diners struggle with menu’s and serviettes blowing away. The sun was still blazing and the windbreaks surrounding the patio sufficient enough, along with careful positioning of cutlery, to keep everything in place. Our waiter Marco swiftly presents us with the menus and a basket of sourdough by Brighton’s artisan Flour Pot Bakery, accompanied by some seriously tasty butter and shredded mackerel pate with horseradish, garlic, and seafood sauces. We tuck in and wash it all down with aperitifs of Aperol spritz and a nice dry and herby glass of Fino Fernandez De Castillo. Our appetites now well and truly woken, choosing our lunch seemed a daunting task as everything on the menu looked incredible. Thankfully Marco was to hand and helped us by re-affirming our choices. I play it safe with the old-faithful calamari, drawn in by the accompanying peanut and ginger dipping sauce to start. For my main I am torn between the catch of the day, which happens to be my favourite fish, Sea-Bream, which Marco has described as a 600g “monster,” and Malaysian style whole wok fried crab. The Sea-Bream wins as I decide the crab could be too messy and could not be bothered with the hassle of cracking shells. My wife opts for Tuna Sashimi to start and smoked haddock fillet as a main, one of their more popular dishes which has survived six years on an ever evolving menu. With Marco’s help we select a charming Muscadet with honey and grapefruit notes to accompany the dishes. As we wait for our starters, I get up to have a look inside. I pass the specials board which also lists the options available from the catch of the day. The open plan kitchen on the ground floor is in full swing and it is mesmerising to watch the chefs expertly going about their craft. The upstairs dining room seems to have a more informal and relaxed atmosphere than its counterpart in the laines, with window front tables offering great views of the sea, a massive plus during autumn and winter months where you can dine with sea-views whatever the weather. A private dining room to the rear of the arch for functions and special events looks intimate and suitably impressive all at once, with similar décor and vibe to the laines restaurant.

The open plan kitchen on the ground floor is in full swing and it is mesmerising to watch the chefs expertly going about their craft.

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Riddle & Finns is one that I hear time and time again, and although it has only been around since 2006, it seems like they have been a big part of Brighton’s abundant foodie scene forever!

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Riddle & Finns

“My catch of the day Sea-Bream was indeed a monster of a fish, expertly oven-baked and smothered in a herby shellfish butter emulsion.”

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I return from my nose around just in time for our starters to arrive and I am pleased to say I made a good choice. My calamari was plentiful, cooked to perfection with a lovely light crisp batter and the peanut dipping sauce had a lovely spiced oriental flavour which complimented the delicate flavour of the squid. My wife’s sashimi, which she begrudgingly let me try, was on another level however! Juicy thick slices of tuna topped lardo that the chef torches slightly to bring the flavour of the fish out even more, were scattered with light and fluffy tempura edamame and drizzled in a sublime miso truffle dressing that set this incredible dish off with a bang! Our mains were equally impressive. My catch of the day Sea-Bream was indeed a monster of a fish, expertly ovenbaked and smothered in a herby shellfish butter emulsion which really highlighted the distinctive slightly sweet flavour of the firm white meat which I absolutely love. Served with a leafy salad, this was all I needed as a side due to the fish being so weighty. My wife was a little more generous when allowing me to try her haddock, preparing me a forkful or two piled high with the accompanying colcannon, poached egg and crispy prosciutto. The tender fish delicately smoked so as not to overpower the lean sweet meat and the lovely champagne sauce with a hint of truffle really complimented. This was a lovely well rounded dish which was easy to appreciate how it has managed to keep its spot on the menu for so long. When you visit Riddle and Finns, please do make sure you save some room for dessert. The incredibly well thought out dessert menu was just too tantalising to ignore, and as we could not make our mind up, Marco insisted we have “homemade desserts to share”… a platter of all the desserts with a whole warm ginger parkin smothered in salted caramel and clotted cream ice-cream taking centre stage. My wife’s eyes lit up when it arrived, whereas I wondered how on earth we were going to manage it all! Wild Strawberry sorbet, mini chocolate orange doughnuts, champagne marinated summer berries, shot glasses of coulee and fruit compote and chocolate and salted caramel truffles thrown in for good measure. This was all served up on a slate and spattered with icing sugar for effect. It really has to be seen to be believed, and with so many wonderful flavours and textures, every mouthful was an adventure. We absolutely demolished the lot! That, dear readers is how you do lunch in Brighton! My only regret is not having any of their famous oysters, but I’ll be sure to go crazy on them next time, as from memory of our previous visits, they are some of the best I have tasted. All in all, our experience at Riddle & Finns on the beach was every bit as good as our previous visits to their lanes restaurant. Everything from the food to the service was immaculate. Our visit to the seafront restaurant has reaffirmed my adoration for a restaurant which I think has earned its status as a Brighton institution and I cannot wait till next time. Riddle & Finns 139 Kings Road Arches Brighton BN1 2FN +44 (0)1273 821218 www.riddleandfinns.co.uk

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Book now To claim your Free Dessert Enter code ‘I am the walrus’

The Walrus 10 Ship Street Brighton BN1 1AD www.thewalrusbrighton.com Info@thewalrusbrighton.com

01273 025 749

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Pub, Restaurant & Garden

stone’s throw from the beach on historic Ship Street in Brighton’s Lanes, you’ll find The Walrus with its labyrinth of nooks and crannies. This extensively refurbished 200 year old pub & restaurant has now re-opened.

AWARD WINNING FOOD

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“Brighton’s Best Roast”

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Purezza “The melty cheese was satisfying in different ways. It was gooey, sticky and produced an incredible flavour and aroma which we could not get enough of.” Purezza is the winner of the 2018 Pizza of the Year Award and the UK’s first completely vegan pizzeria, with the simple yet passionate aim to create a cruelty free plant-based menu superior to traditional alternatives.

f someone had asked me a few years ago if I could ever give up meat and meat products altogether and become completely vegan I would have scoffed at them. I have always admired vegans, and am well aware of some of the cruel practices that go on in factory farming, and the effect mass meat consumption is having on the planet, but like many others have chosen to bury my head in the sand. That was until fairly recently, where due to a combination of insistent nagging by my good friend and long-time vegan Gemma about the health benefits of giving up meat products, and the ever increasing plant-based alternatives becoming available, I have started to significantly reduce the amount meat and dairy I am consuming. The one thing that I absolutely love and have not yet been able to find a suitable alternative for, however, is cheese. So far, every vegan cheese I have tried has been, in a word… foul, and could in no way replace Mozzarella on my favourite guilty pleasure… Pizza. Or so I thought until Gemma recommended I visit Purezza, a personal favourite of hers which she visits whenever she in Brighton. This is a place, I was informed, where not only the cheese is tastier than mozzarella, but the completely plant-based pizzas are superior to traditional alternatives. A bold statement indeed and one that I absolutely had to check out. I decided to take a particularly carnivorous and vegan sceptic friend of mine Russ along for lunch on the Tuesday after Pride. Both of us were still feeling the effects of an over-indulgent weekend of hedonism and debauchery and both in desperate need of the kind of satisfying nutrition only a fully loaded dirty pizza can provide. I neglected to mention the vegan element of Purezza and Russ was dubious to say the least when we took our seats in the window booth. Thankfully, I managed to convince him to give it a chance, as after an incredible fulfilling gluttonous meal, we both agreed Purezza is definitely our new ‘go to’ Pizzeria! Before we even get to the food, the laid back vibe in the modern well-lit and beautifully decorated space Purezza have created in the venue really makes it a great place to while away a couple of hours over a relaxed lunch. The décor is rustic and cosy, with pizza paddles and cutters painted on the walls and wooden beams (still draped in rainbow ribbons from Pride) crossing the ceiling. The menu is simple to navigate with a diverse range of pizzas, sides, pasta dishes and salads that cater for all dietary requirements. The pizzas come with three choices of base; their classic family recipe wholegrain sourdough, a healthier locally sourced hemp flour dough, or a ‘freedom’ gluten-free base. In order to get to taste all three, we choose hemp and freedom base for our pizzas and classic for our cheesy garlic bread side. In order to fully test Gemma’s claim about Purezza’s vegan cheese we also select a mac ‘n’ cheese side as a starter. Russel chooses “Karma” cola with all natural ingredients to wash it all down, whereas I need something a little stronger to get over the post-pride blues and plump for their current craft beer offering – a zesty little IPA from local brewers Gun Brewery. Our starters arrive and I was pleasantly surprised by the mac ‘n’ cheese as it produced the same mixture of gratification, guilt and cheese-sweats as the regular stuff. The melty cheese did not have the same chewy stringiness that mozzarella has, but was satisfying in different ways. It was gooey, sticky and produced an incredible flavour and aroma which we could not get enough of. The garlic bread was topped with the same cheese and gave us our first taste of Purezza’s signature base. It hit all the right notes; it was fluffy, bubbly, chewy and light, and most importantly very tasty indeed!

A place, I was informed, where not only the cheese is tastier than mozzarella, but the completely plantbased pizzas are superior to traditional alternatives

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Purezza

“An extra unexpected bonus of plantbased pizza is that it does not make you feel as bloated as regular pizza! “

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Soon after we had demolished the mac ‘n’ cheese and garlic bread, our pizzas arrive. Russel’s carnivorous nature had taken over and he had ordered the “meatiest” pizza on the menu ‘Telling Porkies’ with white base, melted cheddar, mixed wild forest mushrooms, marinated pulled BBQ pieces and sundried tomatoes. Whereas I had plumped for Purezza’s national best pizza award winning “Parmigiana Party” red tomato base with smoked mozzarella, aubergine, parmigiana, crumbled sausages and topped with a dusting of nutritional yeast. By far the most inviting and appetising looking pizzas I have ever seen. The natural ingredients and glistening gooey cheese made for some vibrant colours and textures and the result was a plant-based masterpiece which tasted incredible. Each mouthful of this delicious pizza was an adventure, with flavours and textures exploding in my mouth. It has to be tasted to be believed and I am not surprised it won the national best pizza award, beating a whole host of non-vegan competition. Of course we shared the two pizzas between us and I was almost as impressed with Telling Porkies. The white base allowed the other ingredients to shine so you could really get the full earthy taste of the mushrooms. The BBQ pieces actually taste better than barbecue pork, and a generous amount of Purezza’s excellent plantbased cheese really topped it all off. I honestly could not tell the difference between the gluten free dough that we had with the Parmigiana party to the original recipe dough that we had with the garlic bread, and the flavourful hemp flour dough added an extra dimension to Telling Porkies which somehow made it seem even more wholesome. We managed to scoff the lot. An extra unexpected bonus of plant-based pizza is that it does not make you feel as bloated as regular pizza! So we were able to force down a couple of cheesecakes for dessert. They really hit the spot, with a lovely crumbly biscuit base, luxuriously smooth light creamy topping and finished off with a drizzle of tangy strawberry sauce. Heavenly! I would thoroughly recommend Purezza to anyone whether you are vegan, like me and toying with the idea of adopting a more ethical plant-based diet, or unashamedly carnivorous. The food is incredible, with a tremendous amount of creativity and passion having gone into the creating such a diverse and fun menu. You could easily forget you are eating plant-based alternatives. For me, their pizza beats anywhere else in Brighton hands down! As well as this, the staff are lovely and the atmosphere is buzzing - so get yourself down there ASAP. Tony Shattell

Purezza. 12 St James Street, Brighton BN2 1RE www.purezza.co.uk

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Relax & Unwind In The Cities Latest Venue Brighton BeachClub The Milkmaid Pavilion 26 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2LN 01273 206523 info@brightonbeachclub.com www.brightonbeachclub.com @btnbeachclub

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Mercure Brighton Seafront

idely regarded as ‘architecturally unrivaled,’ Brighton and Hove’s magnificent seafront features a whole of magnificent buildings, all steeped in history and tales of romance. Sat magnificently on the front row, with the finest views towards the theatre of the sea beyond is the Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel, a proud example of Regency finery, and now, thanks to a £3 million-pound transformation, a hugely impressive wedding venue that promises the perfect wedding day – or, more accurately, the wedding day that’s perfect for you. However you’d like it to happen, the in-house wedding planner team plan it that way, and fill it with so many magical and memorable moments for you and your guests. Few Brighton hotels can match the seafront location and the fantastic sea views at the Mercure Brighton Hotel and couples looking to tie the know will not fail to be stunned by the dramatic changes made to one of the South’s finest listed properties. The redesign of the nineteenth century hotel encapsulates the perfect blend of exquisite Regency splendor, with a dash of quirky Brighton charm, all led by a local Hove based interior designer, Helen Hooper. With it’s décor celebrating Brighton’s rich history, this is the perfect setting for your Sussex seaside wedding, with its stunning views across the beach and sea providing an idyllic backdrop. Choose from the elegant Ballroom which caters for parties from 40 to 180 guests, or take in the modern décor of the West Pier Suite. Planning a wedding can be a daunting affair but at the Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel the process is made simple, starting with getting in touch with the on-site Wedding Planner. They’ll give you a tour of the hotel and find out about the kind of day you have in mind, covering every aspect from drinks to décor, food to favours, and any special touches or themes you’d like featured. If you want a touch of inspiration, then they’ll also suggest ideas to help you add colour to your plans for the big day. Refreshingly and most importantly, they can take as much responsibility for your celebration as you like, ensuring everything runs smoothly and working hard to guarantee a day of magic and pure enjoyment for you and your partner. Once you have decided on what your dream wedding looks like, your wedding planner will present you with your wedding package, which will always include a complimentary experienced wedding planner, a free menu trial, a red carpet arrival, a wedding host to give you a main contact on your wedding day, use of the hotel’s cake stand and knife, free overnight accommodation for you and your partner with breakfast the next day and, of course, discounted accommodation rates for your wedding guests. It’s the the special touches and the memories made that really count at a wedding and at Mercure they go the extra mile by presenting each couple with a personal memory box to keep your special mementos safe, plus a complimentary dinner at the hotel on your first anniversary.

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It’s the the special touches and the memories made that really count at a wedding and at Mercure they go the extra mile.

When it comes to choosing a room for your ceremony, few settings offer the sheer grandeur and magnificence of the Ballroom; the jewel in the hotel’s crown. This magnificent room is beautifully decorated to reflect the elegant Regency era of British interior design, displaying classic décor, chandeliers and sweeping wall mirrors. Catering for up to 120 guests, The Ballroom offers an unparalleled and exceptional setting for your special day. With a striking staircase sweeping into the room, The Norfolk Suite is the ideal space for the big entrance you’ve always wanted. This unique room presents a modern setting, offering a capacity of up to 60 guests for the ceremony. On the fifth floor you’ll find the Coast View Suite, a room that presents stunning panoramic views of the Brighton seafront. Walk down the aisle and pose for photos with a view of the sea, historic and utterly charming bandstand and iconic West Pier. Holding up to 60 guests, this room is an exceptional and impressive setting for your ceremony. Take a further set of stairs and upon the sixth floor, you’ll encounter the West Pier Suite that also offers breathtaking views of the ocean. Holding up to 40 guests, this room is ideal for a more intimate ceremony. When it’s time to choose your wedding menus, you’ll find you’re offered fantastic flexibility and choice at the Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel. Their expertly trained chefs have years of experience so you can be sure of savouring a delicious wedding day meal, canapés or evening snacks. For the smooth running of weddings and designed to make choosing as simple as process as possible, couples are invited to select from a handful of menu options, choosing one item from each course. Main dishes range from the traditional Honey-roast loin of pork, sea salt crackling, sage and onion stuffing with apple sauce to the innovative Beetroot and blue cheese risotto, with candied walnuts and thyme. Desserts will tick every box with delights such as Rhubarb and custard Eton mess and Baileys crème brûlée with homemade shortbread on offer. Should you not find exactly what you are looking for, the team will be more than happy to discuss your ideas or to make your day even more special, your wedding planner will be happy to arrange a totally bespoke menu. If there are guests with different dietary requirements, you can leave it to the team to accommodate any special arrangements. Wedding packages start at £4200 for 50 day guests and 75 evening guests in 2020 and include reception room hire, reception drinks, a three-course wedding breakfast with coffee, wine with your meal, sparkling wine for a toast and an evening finger buffet. However, Mercure are currently offering a very special promotion whereby a special wedding package is offered if you book the 20th of the month in 2020 for £2020.00. To get a real flavour of what weddings look like at Mercure Brighton Hotel, we’d highly recommend you visiting on one of their open days where couples are invited in to view the hotel fully dressed in its wedding finery. A wedding open evening is planned this year on the 15th November 2019 and then early next year on 17th January, 22nd February and 21st March 2020. www.mercure.com

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W E D D I N G S

Goodwood Set in the midst of idyllic rolling countryside, on the outskirts of Chichester, the magnificent Goodwood Estate has been home to the Dukes of Richmond for over three hundred years.

his spectacular 12,000-acre West Sussex estate remains a magical part of England and is hailed as one of the most elegant and romantic wedding venues not just in West Sussex, but in the whole of the UK. From the magnificence and quintessentially English charm of Goodwood House to the classical style of The Kennels and the contemporary luxury of the Hotel, each venue exudes character and offers a unique and much sought-after destination for your ceremony and celebration. With an authentic heritage in hospitality, Goodwood is highly regarded for their exceptional team of experienced in-house butlers and chefs who are passionate about what they do and all work together to fulfil and exceed every couple’s expectations on their big day. You are not simply with the Goodwood team for your wedding day, you are welcomed into the Goodwood family. Goodwood House has hosted family celebrations since 1697 and as a result, there is a palpable sense of history in this fabulous venue that was designed purely for entertaining and pleasure. With its classic Regency architecture, fabulous collection of art and furniture, and breathtakingly beautiful grounds, it’s hard to imagine a more English setting for your wedding. From the first glimpse of the house as you come up the long sweeping drive, to the impressive portico that welcomes you into the Front Hall, Goodwood House offers a wonderfully romantic setting for your wedding. From small and intimate receptions to lavish wedding breakfasts, Goodwood is perfect for what is possibly the most important day of your life. Whatever you wish for your wedding, be it a lavish banquets or a contemporary parties, with off-the-wall entertainment or perhaps more traditional approach, the team can help make it happen and if it can’t be done in-house, the many friends of Goodwood that range from set designers to cake makers will fulfil your every wish. As well as being able to cater for parties of all sizes, from small private affairs to balls of over a thousand people, Goodwood House is also licensed for civil wedding ceremonies. You can trust the team to oversee every aspect of your wedding and your very own Goodwood wedding planner will be constantly at hand to help you plan and arrange your dream wedding. The head chef will design the menu with you, while your butler will ensure the smooth and seamless running of the day itself and make sure that you and your guests have everything you could possibly need. With such highlevels of personal service, you’ll be able to truly relax, take it all in and enjoy every moment. To truly appreciate this spectacular venue, we highly recommend you pay the team a visit, but for now let us set the scene and take you through what your special day could look like. The time has finally come and upon arrival, Goodwood’s butler will greet you and your guests and show you into the Front Hall. As you relax with your guests and enjoy drinks, you are surrounded by three great paintings by George Stubbs.

Let us set the scene and take you through what your special day could look like.

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It’s time for your wedding ceremony and there is nothing quite like the unique setting of the Egyptian Dining Room. Once seen, it is never forgotten. This room is a testament to the 19th century fascination with ancient Egypt and decorative opulence. Richly detailed with gilded cartouches, sphinxes and crocodiles, it is perfect for intimate ceremonies for up to 80 guests and even wedding breakfasts for 70. Or perhaps you will choose to make your vows in glorious ornate splendour of The Yellow Drawing Room. With its sheer breath-taking beauty and elegance, the Yellow Drawing Room is a stunning setting as you walk down the aisle surrounded by up to 150 of your friends and family, take your Wedding Breakfast with 80 guests or enjoy a drinks reception with 225. For a large ceremony of up to 245 guests, The Ballroom was executed in the French style of Louis XV, with a charming minstrel’s gallery to one end. This grand space is hung with portraits of Kings and Queens and the Dukes and Duchesses of Richmond and Gordon. The Ballroom combines romance with opulence, providing a memorable backdrop and can also host a Wedding Breakfast for up to 180 or drinks reception for 350. When it comes to signing the register, you’ll be taken to The Card Room, a sumptuous and eminently photogenic setting the houses a unique collection of Sèvres porcelain and boasts spectacular views across the park. It’s time to celebrate and running parallel to the Ballroom, you’ll find the Supper Room which was originally designed as a ‘sitting out’ room. Today it is most frequently used as a party space following a wedding breakfast in the Ballroom. You and your guests can dance the night away, to the accompaniment of a live band or DJ and when you feel like taking a little quiet time catching up with friends and family, The Music Room with its remarkable chimney piece and chairs by William Kent is close but and the ideal setting. Capturing those special moments during your special day is so very important and The Tapestry Drawing Room provides the most exquisite back drop for wedding photography. The Goodwood tapestries are designed to look like paintings and form part of a set ordered by Louis XV for his private Château at Marly. The room’s unique position offers beautiful views of the sunset, also making it an ideal retreat for the happy couple to enjoy a private moment together.

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Goodwood

As you would come to expect from the Goodwood Estate, only excellence and the finest quality is produced when it comes to food. With one of Europe’s largest self-sustained organic farms at its heart, all Goodwood produce can be traced every step of the way, from the fields to your party. The menu can be designed by you. From a traditional threecourse meal, to a bountiful feasting banquet, or even an afternoon tea inspired wedding breakfast, the chefs can create whatever you have in mind. Organic Goodwood Home farm produce together with local ingredients will be the inspiration for the menu, which the talented in-house team will turn into delicious, beautifully-presented dishes. To accompany this exquisite gastronomy, an exceptional selection of wines are available and your personal butler can advise on the best choices for your menu. As the evening draws to an end, a night of luxury lies ahead for you and your close wedding party in the Hound Lodge, a private country retreat with 10 fabulous and unique bedrooms. With your own butler and chef, you will not have to lift a finger as you will be looked after and spoilt in every possible way. The rest of your wedding party can stay at The Goodwood Hotel – the perfect place with 91 bedrooms and suites, where guests can relax with a wide range of beauty treatments to choose from, including facials and massage. Your hotel guests will arrive at Goodwood House aboard the estate’s very own vintage bus, which will return everyone at the end of the evening. “Goodwood House was quite simply the best big decision we ever made. Weddings are a lot of money and you want to be sure you are spending it wisely. We went back and fourth with venues and when Geoff walked into Goodwood House within 10 minutes he said “it’s a no brainer”. From receiving the brochure, the show round to the planning meeting to the day itself, everything was perfect. We felt like part of the family. David, the Head Butler and Mike the Head Chef – the very best team a bride and groom could ask for, for their special day. Mike is a culinary genius! I will never forget literally feeling the weight off my shoulders when I dropped all of items the day before with David and the team. I knew they would set it up perfectly, and they really did! When we first walked into the Ballroom to see the set up for our Wedding Breakfast, Geoff actually shed a tear which is really unlike him! It was magical.” Ellie Martin-Foster (newly wed to Geoff!) For a chic and contemporary wedding day, The Goodwood Hotel is your perfect destination. Standing at the gateway to the 12,000-acre estate and the hotel is surrounded by picturesque countryside, making it an idyllic setting for a wedding. With 91 bedrooms and a choice of spacious reception rooms, The Goodwood Hotel can host up to 150 guests. With a range of wedding packages available and a choice of rooms to suit your every need, the team will create your perfect day. For a quintessentially English wedding with an intimate feel, The Kennels is the perfect choice. As the private clubhouse for all of the Estate’s members, it offers personal service and a relaxed atmosphere. Hosting wedding parties of a smaller size, The Kennels can be exclusively yours for the day, or you can choose from a range of reception rooms in a beautifully stylish setting. Enchanted by glorious and utterly romantic Goodwood Estate and in awe of the expectational reputation and expertise of the team there, we spoke to Goodwood Event Manager Hannah Barrow to find out just what it is that makes a Goodwood Wedding and what it takes to be part of the Goodwood Family.

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“Goodwood House was quite simply the best big decision we ever made. Weddings are a lot of money and you want to be sure you are spending it wisely.”

What does it take to be a Goodwood Wedding Planner? You need the ability to understand precisely what your client wants and deliver this in the most fabulous way. Other skills include being able to listen and respond to different ideas and always being willing to adapt to ensure the couple experience their perfect wedding day. Whatever you wish for your wedding, from lavish banquets to contemporary parties, from off-the-wall entertainment to a more traditional approach, we can make it happen here at Goodwood. In addition to our brilliant in-house team, we have many trusted suppliers that we can recommend for the finishing touches including music, fireworks, lighting, flowers or theatrics.

What is important when selecting your venue? To ensure the venue has an extremely skilled in-house team that are always on hand to help with every aspect you require to make your wedding day perfect. All of Goodwood’s three venues offer a really personal service with our own team of internal wedding planners along with our own chefs, butlers and the opportunity to use home grown organic produce in the menu. You want to be assured that your venue has experience hosting weddings and can be trusted to oversee every aspect of the day with meticulous attention to detail. At Goodwood our in-house staff are experts at organising incredible parties and events for up to 1,000 people, serving delicious sustainable food that could be anything from an afternoon tea to a full scale banquet. Our understanding of how to seamlessly run an event means that couples can relax knowing that their special day will go exactly according to plan.

What makes Goodwood unique? Weddings at Goodwood are an experience not just an event. At Goodwood we offer three unique countryside venues, which are equally beautiful for couples to choose from. It’s our job to be able to work with our clients to find the ideal venue to bring their dream to life on the estate. Our wedding venues are Goodwood House, the Goodwood Hotel and The Kennels, and we offer several flexible packages. A bespoke menu can be designed by clients with options ranging from a delicious three-course meal, to a feasting banquet or a traditional wedding breakfast. A wedding at Goodwood House includes the use of a spectacular choice of rooms, two of which are licensed for civil ceremonies. Couples can have exclusive use of the State Apartments, with a Goodwood wedding planner, Goodwood butler and even a vintage bus to make sure everything is delivered in superb style. The Goodwood Hotel, in the picturesque countryside, makes an idyllic setting for a wedding and includes a complimentary suite for the bride and groom and a banqueting manager to help run the day. We offer a quintessentially English wedding with a more intimate feel at our private clubhouse, The Kennels with personal service and a relaxed atmosphere. The Kennels can be hired on an exclusive basis or there is a choice of reception rooms. Photography by DanStevens & Camila Arnhold

www.goodwood.com

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W E D D I N G S AT G O O D W O O D The celebration of a lifetime

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THE ABSOLUTE GUIDE TO A

Sussex Wedding Every bride and groom has their own vision of their big day – we’ve been planning it since we got the love bug when Scott and Charlene tied the knot. Luckily for us, we live in Sussex, which is full of the most eclectic and eccentric choice of wedding suppliers you can find, catering for every idea under the sun. Whether you want a traditional seaside wedding, a sleek and sophisticated Manor House, or a festival-style knees up, Sussex has it covered. But where do you start when choosing your ‘Team Wedding?’ The internet is a minefield but a good solid start and wedding fayres will inspire you, but you’ll notice the same suppliers do the rounds time and time again. To start you off on your matrimonial journey, this Mother Hen has done the ground work for you. Presenting the Absolute Guide to Sussex Wedding suppliers…

T h e Ve n u e Pelham House In the heart of magical Lewes lies a beautiful 16th-century Town House complete with meticulously kept mature walled gardens; Pelham House. Offering an elegant backdrop for your wedding day, the hotel is licensed for ceremonies and is ideal for both large and more intimate weddings receptions, allowing you to have the freedom of inviting just your nearest and dearest, or to make it a spectacular affair. Glenn Lester, the Head Chef of Pelham House, has created a sumptuous seasonal menu using fresh locally sourced produce wherever possible, ensuring you and your guests enjoy a gastronomic feast on your big day. Combine that with the attentive service and the splendid backdrop brimming with old-world charm, and you have the perfect blend to ensure every second of your wedding day is an unforgettable experience. www.pelhamhouse.com

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Ghyll Manor Hotel and Restaurant Nestled right in the very heart of the stunning Sussex countryside, you’ll find Ghyll Manor Hotel & Restaurant, a 17thcentury country house, available to hire for weddings brimming with elegance, style and character. This traditional oak-beamed building gazes out over 40 acres of gorgeous private gardens, including a lake and the pretty summerhouse, and caters for civil marriages, partnerships and wedding receptions – enabling you to spend part or all of your big day in this spectacular setting. The Ghyll Manor wedding packages are perfect for any marriage celebration, however big or small, and are designed to include all the essential elements to make your big day truly unique, including special rates for your guests to stay in the 29-individually designed bedrooms. They also promise they will never host more than one wedding at the same time. This means it is exclusively your day and you’ll receive a truly personal service. www.ghyllmanorweddings.co.uk

Blanch House

Old Ship Hotel Standing proudly over the beautiful Brighton seafront, the Old Ship Hotel is one of the city’s oldest and grandest hotels making it the perfect choice to celebrate one of the most important days of your lives. They have a range of function rooms to choose from, from the lavish Paganini Ballroom to the intimate Cellar Suite, you can even take your vows overlooking the sea in the Fecamp Lounge. With 3 Licenced rooms for civil ceremonies. At the Old ship Hotel they know that every wedding should be just as special and unique as the lucky couple tying the knot, and the wedding packages have been built accordingly, allowing you to tailor every element to be exactly as you wish. From room set up, to catering and decorations.All of the weddings are catered by the Steak on the Sea Restaurant, serving premium seasonal dishes using locally sourced, high quality produce. With a range of selections and packages to choose from and you also go off menu and design a bespoke plan with the chefs that meets your personal tastes.

Blanch House is an elegant and chic, boutique wedding venue. A Grade-II listed Regency Town House, it’s set in a quiet side street in the heart of Kemp Town, a stone’s throw from the seafront. It’s licensed for ceremonies and the elegant Belle Epoque Function Suite can accommodate up to 40 seated guests. The team would also be delighted to host your wedding reception in the Champagne and Cocktail Bar Lounge. Blanch House has a range of wedding packages to suit all tastes and budgets, ranging from the ‘Simply Boutique Wedding Package’ which includes the essential elements for your special day, to the ‘Only You Package’ which offers exclusive use of Blanch House. www.blanchhouse.co.uk

www.oldshipbrighton.co.uk

Harbour Hotel Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa is the perfect venue to tie the knot in Brighton. With an exceptional position on the highly sought-after promenade and on the verge of Brighton’s renowned Lanes, the hotel features stylish new bedrooms with panoramic sea views, the award-winning Jetty restaurant concept and a luxury Harbour Spa, featuring a rooftop infinity pool. Chic and stylish, this waterside wedding venue is licensed for up to 100 guests, for both your civil ceremony and evening reception, to share in the most special day of your life. Like the glistening sea, chandeliers sparkle in the sunlight, which pours into this beautiful room. With large windows to soak up the views and beautiful new décor, this venue offers the perfect setting for your Champagne reception, as you begin your new life together. The Jetty restaurant, within the hotel, offers the perfect venue conveniently located for bridesmaid luncheons, rehearsal dinners and a farewell brunch, and the exclusive Spa offers the perfect haven to enjoy some time out pampering before your wedding. www.brighton-harbour-hotel.co.uk

The Caterers A Touch of Class Catering Whether you are looking for a sit down wedding breakfast for 100 people, or perhaps some creative and delicious canapés to add to your evening reception, these Worthing-based caterers will endeavour to provide you with an exceptional experience and cuisine. They have over 25 years’ experience in providing quality catering and from the very start, your event manager will work with you on a one to one basis for a perfect menu. Offering your guests delicious food will add to the enjoyment of your special day and you can feel confident in leaving A Touch of Class to plan the details. They even offer free delivery and clearing afterwards, so while they take care of all the cleaning, you and your guests can sit back and enjoy the day. www.atouchofclass.catering

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THE ABSOLUTE GUIDE TO A

Sussex Wedding

The Dress Lucky Bride A bridal revolution is taking place in St George’s Road, Kemp Town. “The dress is a major part of representing who you are on your wedding day,” says Louise Hill, the fashion conscious owner of the Lucky Bride boutique. “But, we noticed people often had to compromise themselves on their big day due to budget constraints. Lucky Bride was born.” The bridal industry is complex with hundreds of designers competing for the eye of the bride – and her mother, who often holds the purse strings. With this in mind, Louise spotted an opportunity to offer high-end, off-the-peg, designer dresses by independent and international designers – including Claire Pettibone, David Fielden, Delphine Manivet, and Flora Bridal – at huge discounts of up to 50%, and occasionally more. “All boutiques have to buy samples from the designers. They are often unworn, or may have been tried on only a couple of times, but always with the upmost care and attention.” Lucky Bride sell on the samples, allowing the bride to grab a real bargain. A £1,000 budget can get you a beautiful £2,000 dress. Lucky Bride also offers an inhouse seamstress to make any necessary adjustment. You simply get more bang for your buck! www.luckybride.com

Vintage Originals at Hope & Harlequin This vintage bridal collection is for the bride who wants something not only beautiful and fabulous, but also completely original and entirely authentic. Their stunning collection of dresses is ever-changing and carefully sourced by owner Louise Hill from all around the world. Each dress is restored, cleaned and can be altered or customised inhouse to create the perfect fit or update the style for a more contemporary feel. www.hopeandharlequin.com

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Joanne Fleming Designs Multi-award-winning Brighton-based designer, Joanne Fleming’s bridal collections are a Duchess’s French boudoir of sumptuous silks, ostrich feathers and freshwater pearls, bursting with romance and opulence. These unique dresses give a modern twist to the silverscreen glamour of the Thirties and Fifties and each bespoke, or made-to-order dress, is lovingly handmade amid the sequins and Swarovski Crystals at the flagship showroom in the heart of Brighton, opposite the Royal Pavilion. www.joanneflemingdesign.com

Sarah Janks Sarah Janks was born of a desire to offer accessible luxury apparel and eschew the hype and fast, faddish, disposable side of fashion and dress women in a modern yet classically elegant fashion, a house that would still be relevant many years from now. Sarah launched her bridal collection late 2011, and in the USA in 2012. By 2015, the label had grown to stock 28 stores worldwide, with a flagship store in Sydney, Australia and company offices in Los Angeles and New York. A juxtaposition of old design inspiration executed using modern techniques underlies the brand’s handwriting. Soft and delicate in fabric and detail yet clean and unfussy lines, slim silhouettes and a truly modern interpretation of the wedding dress, Sarah Janks dresses are distinctive in their look and feel, each collection being another chapter in the same, timeless, classic story. www.sarahjanks.com

Velvet Birdcage Finding a well fitted flattering dress, can be like trying to find the holy grail. Velvet Birdcage might just be the grail! they say they don't want you to find a nice dress that makes you feel okay, they want you to find an amazing dress that makes you feel fabulous. Boasting they can find a dress for any size or shape. They have customers from size 2 to 32. Their mantra is all customers must be totally comfortable with everything from the style of dress, to the size and price. www.velvetbirdcage.co.uk/

White Leaf Bridal Boutique The White Leaf bridal experience is unique in Brighton, offering brides an opportunity to create affordable bespoke wedding gowns. Either adapt and customise from their made-to-measure in-store range or create a truly one-of-a-kind piece with their design team, complete with an illustration of your exclusive dress. Ensure you book an appointment to have an unhurried styling session with their designer, who will help you find or create the perfect dress for your special day. Everything is custom-made, helping White Leaf provide fantastic and flattering dresses for all shapes and sizes, including pregnant brides. www.whiteleafbridal.com

The Hair Simon Webster Hair Simon Webster Hair salon offers bespoke wedding services within a private styling studio at their award-winning salon, on location or at home. An independent, local business, SWH has an internationally renowned team and the brand leads the way in client-centred styling with a fashion-forward edge, offering a more intimate and personalised experience. Wedding consultations are complimentary and a variety of packages including hair styling, make-up and pampering, are available to create the perfect experience for him, for her or for the whole bridal party. www.simonwebsterhair.com

Oliver Cunningham Based in his impressive salon in Cuckfield, Ollie Cunningham is the ‘must see’ colourist in the south of England and is listed in all the A-listers secret address books. With an impressive CV that spans over 15 years, Ollie has been Head of Colour for renowned London salons including Nicky Clarke, Trevor Sorbie and Daniel Hersheson. Add to this his experience from numerous editorial photographic shoots and television programmes, plus a loyal clientele that includes Hollywood royalty, and you have found the perfect man to trust with preparing your locks for your big day! Come your wedding day, Ollie can either join you at your house or hotel or you can take a trip to his luxurious salon. Either way, you know you will be in the hands of a master who is guaranteed to make you feel every bit the celebrity you deserve to be on your special day. Morgan Rhodes bridal specialist now at Oliver Cunningham hair. Offering the inclusive wedding package that is tailored to the customer. Design and creation of hair & makeup looks, beautiful blow drys to intricate hair ups to create the perfect glamorous glistening brides, The service is available both in the salon and throughout the UK to your home address. www.olivercunningham.com

Headmasters Brighton Found in the famous North Laine, Headmasters Brighton has a welcoming and creative atmosphere. The skilled team are dedicated to providing you with exceptional hairdressing concentrating on getting you picture perfect hair for your big day. Making sure you don’t have a strand out of place is a daunting task, so take the panic out of your wedding hair by booking a Headmasters Bridal package. Choose from one of their three packages and enjoy the benefits of an in-depth hair consultation and trial where their experienced stylists will take you through the latest trends and discuss the ideal style for you. www.headmasters.com

Lipstick & Gunpowder Lipstick & Gunpowder is a boutique salon in the heart of Brighton’s Lanes, just behind the Queen’s Hotel. With an aim to make haircare a better, more friendly experience for all, they are a salon owned and run by the technicians who work there, all of whom combined have years of experience in major high end brands at all levels. The staff are encouraged to have artistic freedom, and they all have passion and enthusiasm for the hair and fashion industry. As a client you benefit from the most enthusiastic and creative team you could wish to find. Promising to ensure you feel the very height of glamour, their wedding package offers hair styling for not only the bride, but all bridesmaids, plus any additional special guests they can fit in, if they have a hair stylist available at the time. www.lipstickandgunpowder.com

The Looks ProMakeupStyle ProMakeupStyle is a Sussex bridal and special occasion makeup service. High-end chic and elegant, celebrity inspired. Group bookings always welcome for both hen parties, brides and bridesmaids. Looks include soft, glam, vintage or any bespoke request. Fun, helpful and understanding. www.promakeupstyle.com/

Sacco & Sacco Photography Sacco & Sacco Photography specialise in wedding and lifestyle photography. Their style and approach is creative, natural and storytelling. Capturing real moments in life, and on your big day: a lovers’ embrace, side-splitting giggles, true family connections. Photos are the only way to hold onto what you know because moments they show never change, when the people do. www.saccophotography.co.uk

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Bullit Photography With his work regularly published in many publications ranging from The Times to the front cover of OK Magazine to Elle magazine, and many more, Robin Bradshaw is a wedding photographer with a VIP client list. Stemming away from traditional wedding photography, Robin sees each wedding as a blank canvas. If you are looking a wedding photographer who turns up for the ceremony, then spends hours setting up family shots, he is probably not the photographer for you. A normal wedding day for Robin would be to arrive when the bride is getting ready and stay until half an hour after the first dance or beyond. There is no set formula to the day and each one is unique. Robin aims to capture people through different approaches, through different angles and by keeping his eyes open watching for those amazing offbeat moments. Having shot over 400 weddings in the last nine years, wedding photography has taken him all around the world. Although officially based in Cheltenham, in the middle of the Cotswolds, luckily for us, he is happy to travel wherever his camera takes him! www.bullitphotography.co.uk

Gresham Blake Tying the knot this Summer? Gresham Blake have been creating bespoke & made to measure suits for the last 20 years and understand exactly what it takes to create the perfect wedding suit, for men and women. Gresham Blake are passionate about working with you and your whole wedding party to tailor the unique outfit that you may be looking for. Their team of talented and experienced tailoring consultants will even correspond with your partner (discretely if needed) to make sure that your wedding suits compliment the overall style of your big day. As a design led tailors absolutely nothing is out of the question at Gresham Blake, so if you are having a traditional day, destination wedding or something a little left of the field, they will be able to create you the ideal wedding suit. They can even create you your very own bespoke cloths, linings, shirts and accessories, providing truly personalised garments. A number of exclusive wedding packages are available from Gresham Blake at incredibly competitive prices, with made to measure suits starting at £500. Just ask their tailors for more info when booking an appointment. As an addition to the bespoke services on offer, Gresham Blake also create seasonal ready to wear collections of men’s & women’s suiting and accessories, including their popular silk jacquard ties. The renowned British Tailors have stores in Brighton and Shoreditch where appointments can be made with their team. BOOK ONLINE: www.greshamblake.com LONDON: 020 73750365 BRIGHTON: 01273 609587

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The Ring House of Hoye After many years of trading renowned jewellery, designer Jeremy Hoye decided to re-invent his brand as the now all new House of Hoye. In a conscious effort to shakeup the jewellery retail industry, Jeremy creates unique avant-garde jewellery, whilst also showcasing the work of other talented designers. As a leading British contemporary jewellery designer, he has been producing jewellery in Brighton since 1994, creating exciting collections for both men and women, as well as many corporate names, such as; Diesel, Jaeger, Porsche, O2, Grand Marnier and renowned couture designer Jenny Packham. He has collaborated with BMG Records which saw his jewellery worn by chart topping stars including Avril Lavigne, Sister Bliss, Faithless, Dido and Natasha Bedingfield and his latest celebrity clients include Holly Willoughby, Fearne Cotton, Edith Bowman, Katie Melua and Gary Numan. Safe in the knowledge you are in good company, you can be sure you are investing in a work of art if you choose to purchase your wedding and engagement rings from House of Hoye. By appointment only, Jeremy is also available to design and produce one-off commission pieces, made especially for you. www.jeremy-hoye.com

Elizabeth Anne Norris Ensure you adorn your wedding finger with a truly unique band of gold by attending a creative half-day workshop in Brighton that helps couples design and make beautiful wedding rings. Couples can now design and make their own personalised wedding rings, with tuition from Brighton-based jewellery designer, Elizabeth Anne Norris. Elizabeth has been teaching jewellery making in Brighton for five years, teaching this intricate skill to more than 200 people. With the launch of her new Make Your Own Rings workshop Elizabeth walks couples through the process of effortlessly designing and making their special rings, ready for the big day. After only half a day at Elizabeth’s studio you’ll walk away happy in the knowledge that you have your own personally crafted, fitted, dream wedding rings in your pocket. www.eanjewellery.com

The Decor Fabricate Fabricate specialise in creative and impressive draping and theme sets which will transform your reception into one to remember. No matter where you have chosen to hold your special day, be it a ballroom, marquee, barn or back garden, Fabricate has the resources and expertise to make your event one to truly remember. With over ten years of experience in creating beautiful weddings and events, and covering all of the South of England, they stock a wide range of fabrics and styled settings to suit even the most creative of imaginations! Using silks, voiles, velours and organzas, they can create soft ceilings, pleated walls and stylish swags, accompanied with mood lighting, to complete your ultimate dream setting. From classically simple soft drapes, lit with sparkling lights, for a romantic dinner reception to a gala dinner full of glitz and glamor, Fabricate will discuss your vision and ideas, budgets and settings to help the event run as smoothly as possible. www.fabricate-decor.co.uk

The Tr a n s p o r t The Flowers Pick Your Own at Sussex Cutting Garden Wedding flowers can be an expensive addition to your big day so Sussex Cutting Garden offer a limited number of large buckets full of mixed cut flowers of your choice during the main season. It’s absolutely perfect for DIY table arrangements, and so much fun. If arranging flowers yourself seems daunting, they also offer consultations at the cutting garden where you can see where your flowers are grown, discuss the arrangements you have in mind and they will then turn that into a reality. www.sussexcuttinggarden.co.uk

The Wedding Stationery

Little Lillies – The Floral Sculptor

Hollyhock Lane

If you are looking for something that isn’t a bunch of chrysanthemums complete with matching vase, then maybe it is a floral sculptor you are looking for, and not a traditional florist. Little Lillies create incomparable floral displays, using some of the most exotic beautiful plants and greenery created by nature, and individually custom-made to your specification. However simple or involved your idea may be, they have a knack of creating the most imaginative designs and often with the most unusual materials; bark, coconut huss, moss… nothing is ruled out.

This is where you can find alternative, vintage inspired and beautiful eco-friendly wedding stationery that is created just for you. All designs are exquisitely hand-drawn and painted by illustrator and designer Julie Annis, from her little cottage in rural Sussex. You can choose from ‘The Collection’ for creative ready designed personalised stationery or ‘Bespoke’ if you have ideas for a custom designed set of stationery of your own. www.hollyhocklane.co.uk

www.little-lillies.co.uk

South Coast Vintage South Coast Vintage launched in 2013, founded by owners Neil and Antonia and based in Sussex. Both are serious vintage car and VW enthusiasts, and passionate about quality and attention to detail. Neil, a qualified vintage VW mechanic, has owned a range of prestigious cars over the years and has 20 years experience in refurbishing, caring for and enjoying classic VW vehicles. He rescued his first VW Beetle from a scrap yard when he was 15, restored it with the help of his father, learnt to drive in it, and now they hire out these stunning retro rides for that quirky special day, dare to be different and experience the joy of the classic VW's. www.southcoastvintage.co.uk

Sussex Bentley Hire Sussex Bentley Hire are pleased to introduce the Bentley Continental Flying Spur for your Wedding Car Hire, The Continental Flying Spur is often referred to as the Flagship of Bentley Motors. Built and maintained to the highest standards, their aim is provide an exceptional standard of luxury and service for your special day, able to provide not only the brides special transport but a fleet for the groom and guests this is the perfect choice of those wishing to add that air of ultimate luxury to their day. www.sussexbentleyhire.co.uk

Victoria Gibbins All images by Robin Bradshaw at Bullit Photography. www.bullitphotography.co.uk

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THE PE R F EC T VENU E TO SAY “I DO ”!

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Sussex countryside, Ghyll Manor Hotel is a picturesque spot to marry. An elegant 17th-century country house hotel brimming with character and style, the traditional oak-beamed building gazes out over 40 acres of gorgeous private gardens, including a lake and a pretty summer house. We cater for both ceremonies and receptions - enabling you to spend all of your big day in the same delightful setting, or you can choose to just enjoy your wedding reception with us. TAILOR-MADE WEDDING PACKAGES suiting individual tastes and requirements OUTDOOR WEDDINGS AVAILABLE* in our picturesque Summer House *(May to September – weather permitting)

ACRES OF LANDSCAPED GROUNDS & GARDENS An ideal backdrop for photographs A DEDICATED WEDDING COORDINATOR from the booking stage through to completion A TRULY PERSONAL SERVICE Helping to make dreams a reality

EVERY WEDDING IS AS UNIQUE AS YOU ARE! For more information call 01293 871571 (8am – 11pm daily) enquiries: weddings@ghyllmanor.co.uk

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London Life It’s been a Glorious London Summer. Summer! Always a truly magnificent time of the year. The fresh spring months made way for the long, warm weeks that stretched over the glorious summer holidays. These weeks were filled with the promise of sunshine, alfresco dining, day trips with bucket and spades to the coast, long walks in the blooming countryside and lavender fields, strawberry picking, ice cream sundaes and BBQ’s galore. To celebrate all things summer 2019, this issue of London Life will be sharing favourite London discoveries that have been found over the warm summer months in one of the most glamorous areas of our wonderful capital; the decadent and very chic Royal Borough of Chelsea. “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer” F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Earlier this summer I was lucky enough to get myself a coveted ticket to the Chelsea Flower Show. This magnificent occasion is one of the most quintessentially British places to visit at the start of the summer season. Each of my visits so far over the years to the Chelsea Flower Show have always miraculously been blessed with beautiful weather, as if the weather gods are shining down on this treasured May weekend. The Chelsea Flower Show has been hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) annually since 1912 in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in the infamous borough of Chelsea and is renowned as being one of the most famous flower shows in the UK. Held over the late May bank holiday in the Chelsea Hospital Gardens on Kings Road, each year always promises visitors a visually amazing sight and senses will be blessed with the infusion of heady floral scents from every area of the immaculately designed show from the endless creative variety of blooms on display. We entered through the towering main gates and strolled through

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imaginatively designed gardens and breath-taking floral displays. We were met by huge clusters of vivid Delphiniums, which sat happily next to champion Azaleas in a plethora of rainbow hues. We walked through paths of iconic Poppies, which curled around the pretty Lupins, that were nestled beneath the towering Hollyhocks. Grand Rhododendrons sat poised like towering floral castles stretching up to the sky, and the rows of award-winning Roses in every colour sent out the glorious fragrant scent across the breeze. The Chelsea Flower Show has grown in popularity over the years thanks to its dedicated followers as well as being televised by the BBC, and this year there was even more coverage with added Royal glamour as one of the most beautiful gardens had been carefully co-designed by the wonderful Duchess of Cambridge. It always looks fantastic on TV but it’s even more amazing to visit, so next year, if flowers, champagne and all things quintessentially British summertime are just your taste then make sure to get yourself a ticket.

A perfect way to spend your day at the Chelsea Flower Show is to arrive early to avoid the crowds, dash round all the show garden exhibitions which range from traditional Victorian inspired gardens, to modernist and minimal gardens, then there’s Japanese and oriental garden displays, water gardens, an array of artisan gardens next and interesting urban themed exhibits. Then visit the stunning Chelsea show centre piece, the grand Great Pavilion which is home to the most dazzling and fragrant in-door displays. Then finish with a late afternoon lunch and a decadent glass of crisp champagne in the elevated champagne bar. I have heard rumours that if you visit the Chelsea Flower Show on the last day, then lots of beautiful blooms and plants are sold off at discounted prices, so pick your timings right and there could be bargains to be snapped up. Tickets for the 2020 show go on sale this September and if you are a member of the RHS then you can get a discount as well. You can buy tickets for a full day, or entry at 3.30pm and 5.30pm which makes them slightly cheaper. RHS members tickets cost between around £42 to £94 and public tickets cost between around £45 and £107. If you don’t manage to get a ticket for this wonderful British summer event, Chelsea is still a great place to visit at this time of the year as plenty of the shops, restaurants and bars in Kings Road and in the Duke of York Square are decorated just for the occasion with beautiful and fragrant designer floral displays which are really worth seeing. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show. London Gate, Royal Hospital Road, Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, SW3 4SR. www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelseaflower-show

Chelsea Pubs! An outing in wonderful Chelsea, whether it’s to stroll around a flower show, a spot of retail therapy, a trip to the theatre or to visit an art gallery, is always gratefully concluded with a bite to eat or refreshing beverage at a pretty gastropub. Here are just some of my favourite pubs in Chelsea, hidden away off the beaten track in the pretty streets and avenues of some of the most floral and leafy areas in South West London, each offering appetising menus, chic cocktail lists and draft beers. These celebrated and award-wining wateringholes are certainly worth searching for during a stroll around one of the most chic, glamourous and lovely boroughs of London.

The Surprise. I had never heard of this wonderful little gastropub tucked away behind a residential street, a stone throw from Kings Road. We quite literally stumbled across it by accident as we had taken a wrong turn. Starving hungry and thirsty for a drink of the gin and tonic variety, we were instantly welcomed and shown to a cosy vacant corner of the pub to rest our weary feet. The tasteful décor is a quirky mix of large comfortable sofas, big cosy armchairs, and large fireplaces, with high ceilings and a light airy spacious feel. Every house on the street has its own tankard behind the bar which just adds to friendly and homely feel that the pub

and its staff radiate as soon as you enter through the big open doors. The menu was fantastic with an array of light bites and hearty main meals, all created with seasonal and fresh ingredients. Each plate of food was attractive and well thought out, and each item on the menu was reasonably priced. To quench my thirst, I ordered a wonderful elderflower gin cocktail. To get the meal off to a flying start, I chose the most moreish bowl of Cornish clam bisque, with smoked olives and watercress (£9), followed by the main course which was the hearty homemade Surprise bacon and cheese burger with ale onions, steamed brioche bun and skinny fries (£15.75), and to finish, a toffee and banana crème brulee with amoretti crumbs and caramel cream (£7). The service was attentive without being rushed. The staff were all friendly and helpful. It was so comfortable I didn’t want to leave. The Surprise, you were indeed a Surprise and I shall certainly be returning as long as I can find you again the next time I wander off the beaten track of the Kings Road in search of a G&T. The Surprise. 6 Christchurch Terrace, Chelsea, London, SW3 4AJ. www.thesurprisechelsea.co.uk

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London Lifestyle The Chelsea Ram is a great pub. The decor is bright, clean and traditional with authentic fireplaces, polished wooden floors, panelled walls in teal blue with matching velvet highbacked armchairs.

The menu is fantastic, and the head chef of the Phene is Michelin trained and serves sumptuous seasonal dishes with British fresh ingredients The Phene. The Phene in Chelsea is one of my favourite pubs in this postcode. The décor, main bar area, and soft furnishing are all exquisite. A beautiful mixture of dark wood and grey panelling, teal green walls, and the luxurious floral wallpaper which adds a beautiful botanical feel to the venue. There is a wonderful light and airy conservatory as well as a variety of function rooms, and they cater for all occasions including weddings from 12 guests up to 200 guests. The Oakley Room is the perfectly lovely first floor room space for 44 seated and 75 standing guests with its own dedicated bar, large bay windows and polished wooden floors and a real fireplace. The Club Room is a cosy dining room perfect for 16 seated and 30 standing guests, with teal green walls, floral bright wallpaper and fuchsia pink fabric lounge chairs. The Conservatory seats 28 guests and is a beautifully light and airy ground floor dining space perfect for group lunches. The Aviary is the pretty restaurant situated on the ground floor by the garden. The garden itself is leafy and floral, a real oasis in the heart of Chelsea just perfect for summer cocktails. The menu is fantastic, and the head chef of the Phene is Michelin trained and serves sumptuous seasonal dishes with British fresh ingredients, with a mixture of British classic and modern dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner through the week. There’s also a huge selection of craft beers and international wines which are the perfect accompaniment to all the dishes. The Phene is also well known for its extensive vegan and vegetarian menus with these dishes also accommodating gluten free and coeliac free diets. On my last visit to The Phene I chose the smoked chicken and leek terrine to start (£8), the main was a perfect plate of Lamb rump with spring vegetables with an anchovy and olive salsa (£18). The amazing dessert was plum crumble with clotted cream (£7). The Phene. 9 Phene Street, London, SW35NY. www.thephene.com

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The Chelsea Ram The Chelsea Ram is a great pub. The decor is bright, clean and traditional, with authentic fireplaces, polished wooden floors, panelled walls in teal blue with matching velvet highbacked armchairs. Shelves of books with brightly coloured spines and framed artwork adorn the walls. The service is great, and all the staff are friendly and welcoming. On my last visit I tried the Haddock and leek smokie, poached with toasted soldiers (£8.50), followed by one of The Chelsea Ram infamous Ram Pies, the pulled Lamb shank Shepherd’s pie topped with Isle of Mull mash and served with a side of fresh garden peas (£15). Every mouthful was divine. Being too full for pudding, I concentrated on polishing off the glorious bottle of Malbec (£28.50). The Chelsea Ram can be found just off the Kings Road. The nearest station is Fulham Broadway, and its right near Chelsea Harbour and only 5 minutes’ walk from Imperial Wharf. The Chelsea Ram. 32 Burnaby Street, Chelsea, London, SW10 0PL. www.thechelsearam.co.uk

The Phoenix serves British cask ales, boasts an extensive wine list, an inventive cocktail list and a good selection of continental beers. The Phoenix. The Phoenix on Smith Street in Chelsea is a wonderful little gem of a pub. The pub has a classic menu that regularly changes to showcase new items and great dishes. The Phoenix serves British cask ales, boasts an extensive wine list, an inventive cocktail list and a good selection of continental beers. There’s also a great out-door terrace area and a super in-door bar space perfect for groups or dinner dates. When we last popped in, we feasted on a sharing dish of Baked Somerset Camembert, with rosemary, thyme, garlic, red onion jam and toasted sourdough (£16). I then ordered a generous portion of Pan-fried Scottish Salmon niçoise salad with basil dressing (£17), with a side of homemade sweet potato chips (£4.50). The finale arrived, a delightful dessert of sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice-cream (£7). I was quite literally ready to go pop. The décor of this pub is super. It’s fresh and modern, with bold coloured soft furnishings and comfortable furniture. The service is great too. The Phoenix. 23 Smith Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 4EE. www.thephoenixchelsea.co.uk

This super watering-hole has a good classic pub menu which won’t break the budget. Coopers Arms. This great little pub is found sitting happily on Flood Street just off Kings Road. This super watering-hole has a good classic pub menu which won’t break the budget. On my last visit here, I was starving and ordered the huge club sandwich with char-grilled chicken breast, smoked bacon, with salad and home-made fries (£8.50), and then the pudding was a magnificent portion of chocolate-brownie with vanilla ice-cream (£7.50). Coopers Arms. 87 Flood Street, London, SW3 5TB. www.coopersarms.co.uk

“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date”. William Shakespeare. Charlie McBrien

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Summertime

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This September, Summertime Live brought their sell out show to Brighton Racecouse, filling it with iconic Ibiza anthems and a live orchestra. The special non-raceday event, was headlined by The Urban Soul Orchestra, who brought balearic beats to life with their Classic Ibiza show which featured DJs and live vocalists. ‘Insomnia’, ‘Sandstorm’, ‘Born Slippy’ and more were all on the set list which provided the soundtrack to an epic light and laser show across the Brighton skyline. Party goers were also treated to a range of bars, street food vendors, glitter make-up stalls and interactive entertainers. One face in the crowd was our very own photographer Jim Carey, who captured all the best bits….

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CuckfieldBathrooms The Clockhouse, High Street RH17 5JX • Telephone: 01444 414 888

‘Strato’ in Wild Oak by InBani Strato an extensive modular program of minimalist shapes, the Strato Collection, allows for the adaptation of the furniture to fit each professional project. The collection is their most versatile and practical.

www.cuckfieldbathrooms.co.uk

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PORTFOLIO IMAGES BY DAVID FREEMAN davidfreemanphotographic.co.uk

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Seychelles Be tempted to the Garden of Eden After a sleepy start, the Seychelles finally became connected to the rest of the world in 1972, via the construction of a new international airport, which resulted in the creation of the islands’ tourism industry.

cattered like summer blossom across the Indian Ocean, The Seychelles is a destination well-renowned for being the ultimate in luxury, celebrity escapes, family adventures and the honeymoon location that dreams are made of. The 115 islands are hailed for their exquisite natural beauty, the peaceful harmony enjoyed by the multi-ethnic society, heavenly beaches, luscious peaked backdrops and a near perfect climate where the temperature is always somewhere between 24 and 33 degrees Celsius, earning the islands a reputation as ‘land of perpetual summer’. Out of all of the Seychelles islands, currently only 16 have hotels, several of which offer the most luxurious amenities and all of which possess their own natural charm. They offer everything from the opulence of world-famous 5-star resorts to the picturesque charms of affordable smaller hotels, Creole guest houses and self. The islands’ utopian promise has long acted as a magnet to travellers in search of the Holy Grail of pristine tropical beauty and many famous travellers have beaten a path to its shores including the likes of Ian Fleming, author of James Bond, who visited the islands to receive inspiration for one of his Bond books. After a sleepy start, the Seychelles finally became connected to the rest of the world in 1972, via the construction of a new international airport, which resulted in the creation of the islands’ tourism industry. Seychelles, straddling the western Indian Ocean between 6 and 10 degrees south of the equator, is divided into 6 island groups with the Inner Islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue together with their neighbouring isles forming the hub of the islands’ tourism industry, the economic life of the nation and its political and social infrastructure.

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Scattered like summer blossom across the Indian Ocean, The Seychelles is a destination well-renowned for being the ultimate in luxury, celebrity escapes, family adventures and the honeymoon location that dreams are made of. The 115 islands are hailed for their exquisite natural beauty, the peaceful harmony enjoyed by the multi-ethnic society, heavenly beaches, luscious peaked backdrops and a near perfect climate where the temperature is always somewhere between 24 and 33 degrees Celsius, earning the islands a reputation as ‘land of perpetual summer’. Out of all of the Seychelles islands, currently only 16 have hotels, several of which offer the most luxurious amenities and all of which possess their own natural charm. They offer everything from the opulence of world-famous 5-star resorts to the picturesque charms of affordable smaller hotels, Creole guest houses and self. The islands’ utopian promise has long acted as a magnet to travellers in search of the Holy Grail of pristine tropical beauty and many famous travellers have beaten a path to its shores including the likes of Ian Fleming, author of James Bond, who visited the islands to receive inspiration for one of his Bond books. After a sleepy start, the Seychelles finally became connected to the rest of the world in 1972, via the construction of a new international airport, which resulted in the creation of the islands’ tourism industry. Seychelles, straddling the western Indian Ocean between 6 and 10 degrees south of the equator, is divided into 6 island groups with the Inner Islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue together with their neighbouring isles forming the hub of the islands’ tourism industry, the economic life of the nation and its political and social infrastructure.

Praslin’s central location makes this island ideally situated for holidaymakers wishing to island hop to a handful of nearby exotic destinations such as Chauve Souris, Cousin, Curieuse, St. Pierre, La Digue and the Aride bird reserve. It is also a haven for nature lovers seeking rare endemic species such as the black parrot for which Praslin is the last habitat or wishing to explore the island’s network of footpaths. For those seeking an ‘island where time stands still’, La Digue is situated forty kilometres (25 miles) from Mahé and 7 km (3.5 miles) from Praslin and is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles after Silhouette. This granite island, with its unique, languid pace of life, receives its visitors mainly by boat at the quaint jetty at La Passe and is a popular destination for holidaymakers wishing for a taste of the traditional.Here is a place where the bicycle and ox cart still hold sway on shady island pathways and where a distinct sense of antiquity pervades the island’s customs, architecture and general way of life. Beach lovers travel from all corners of the globe to experience Seychelles’ world-class beaches. Anse la Source d’Argent is among the island’s most famous and is celebrated for its granite boulders that seem to have been sculpted by a divine hand to adorn a beach of breath-taking beauty while at the Union Estate, visitors will have the chance to view some of the traditional local industries of times past. Nature lovers will have the opportunity to seek out the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher, once thought to be extinct but now protected in the La Digue Vev Special Reserve which is also home to two extremely rare species of terrapin. The woodlands of La Digue are especially attractive and nurture several species of delicate orchids. The island is also an ideal stepping-stone for the nearby island attractions of Grande and Petit Soeur, Félicité, Coco and Marianne.

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Overall, all the islands have been blessed with many natural assets and attributes including possessing a near-perfect and disease-free climate.

The remaining five groups of Outer Islands represent the far frontier of the Seychelles holiday experience. Here, shimmering atolls and reef islands, thread like pearls on strings of surf and unaltered since the days of their origin, offer the summit of islandstyle living. Currently, only three such islands offer accommodation: the islands of Denis and Bird located 100 miles to the north of Mahé and Desroches Island in the Amirantes, 140 miles to the south-east. Here the fishing, diving and sailing are superb in places where the only sail on the ocean and the only tracks on any beach will be your own. Overall, all the islands have been blessed with many natural assets and attributes including possessing a near-perfect and disease-free climate; an endless list of world-beating beaches; a sanctuary for some of the world’s rarest species of flora & fauna and an enviable conservation record whereby almost half of the 455 sq.km landmass has been set aside as natural parks and reserves. There are also no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the extraordinary Vallée de Mai where the legendary, double-lobed coconut, the Coco-de-Mer grows high on ancient palms in a setting so surreal it was once thought to be the original site of the Garden of Eden, and Aldabra atoll, the planet’s largest raised coral atoll. Nowhere else on earth will you find the mysterious Jellyfish Tree of which only 8 specimens remain; the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher; the world’s smallest frog; heaviest land tortoise; largest population of giant land tortoises (150,000) living in the wild and the Indian Ocean’s only flightless bird. Between them, the islands also boast some of the most spectacular seabird colonies on earth as well as 13 species and 17 sub-species of birdlife that occur in Seychelles and nowhere else, making the islands a true birdwatcher’s paradise. Take a journey below the dazzling blue waters and you’ll find yourself amongst a natural aquarium boasting a dizzying array of coral reef fish, turtle, ray, shark, dolphin, marlin and sailfish as well as colourful coral growth and a host of other marine organisms. The world’s largest fish migrates to these waters: that gentle giant of the seas, the 40 ft. whale shark - one of Seychelles’ many protected species.

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Seychelles Also on offer is an amazing degree of diversity which takes in the contrast between 41 towering granite isles and the 74 shimmering sand cays, reef islands and atolls of the Outer Islands while the multi-ethnic roots of its relatively young society lend themselves to a varied and vibrant culture with all its people and major religions living beside one another in perfect harmony. The diversity also extends to contrasting styles of architecture and beyond to the delicious, Seychellois Creole cuisine with its magical blend of European, Indian and Chinese culinary influences. No matter which island you have hopped across to, you will find yourself spoilt when it comes to things to do. There is a wide choice of world-class fishing, sailing and diving as well as spa & wellness holidays, honeymoons & romance, trekking, island-hopping & golf. All of these can be enjoyed from an equally diverse array of accommodation options that includes the ultimate in pampering at exclusive 5-star resorts and island hideaways, the Creole intimacy of the smaller hotel and guesthouse and the flexibility of any number of self-caterings. These are the stepping stones to your unique experience of Paradise, where the innate tranquility of the islands forms the ideal backdrop against which to recalibrate mind, body and soul and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. No account of Seychelles’ riches can be considered complete without mention of its reputation as ‘The Islands of Love’ and it is little wonder that that lovers are inspired to take their vows and wed in this gentle and romantic atmosphere. Sensual Seychelles creates the idyllic ambience for an unforgettable wedding day, honeymoon or anniversary upon the silver-soft sands and beneath the swaying palms of discreet island hideaways. Transportation, both in between and around the islands, makes the visitor’s dream of island-hopping a reality and besides Air Seychelles’ domestic flights, fast ferry transfers or passages on traditional, sail-assisted schooners all bring the principal islands and their satellites within easy reach. A varied choice of excursions, both land and marine, is available through local ground handlers that will introduce you to the very best that Seychelles has to offer while hire and chauffeur driven cars and taxis are also available for you to enjoy your personal voyage of discovery around the main islands of Mahé and Praslin. A wide network of bus routes on Mahé and Praslin caters for most itineraries for those who wish to sample an aspect of the typical Creole lifestyle. Further memorable experiences can be had via Seychelles’ suite of events that includes February’s increasingly popular Eco-friendly Marathon; August’s Feast of La Digue; September’s Tourism Ball and the perennial FetAfrik and Festival Kreol. The islands have been made accessible as never before thanks to the arrival on the aviation scene of major players such as Emirates Airlines, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Condor, Sri Lankan Airline, Turkish Airways, British Airways, Air France, Etihad and Air Seychelles, which offers daily frequencies to make Seychelles virtually one stop away from anywhere on the planet with the added advantage of zero visa requirements for any nationality.

Sensual Seychelles creates the idyllic ambience for an unforgettable wedding day, honeymoon or anniversary upon the silver-soft sands and beneath the swaying palms of discreet island hideaways.

In a fast-paced world, we so often crave an escape, an existence and an experience where we can leave our cares behind and reconnect with Mother Nature. Somewhere we can regroup, relax and refresh, waving goodbye to our feelings of tiredness and daily stresses. Somewhere with the space to breathe the purest air and ample room to stroll the trackless, powder-soft sands of breathtaking beaches. A place for the senses to feast on the endless delight of fresh experiences. Revered as the site of the Garden of Eden, Seychelles has truly been blessed by creation. Against the backdrop of its unique island beauty, it is a place where harmony, tranquillity and Nature at its very best will conspire to leave you with the memories of a lifetime. To find more information and book your dream holiday visit www.authenticseychelles.com www.seychelles.travel/en/

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Glynn Burridge

life on a road less-travelled

was born into a farming family with a smallholding near Smeathearpe on the Devon Somerset border in the southwest of England. I still remember interacting with all the farm animals: riding Dobbin, our massive shire horse (my father could not afford a tractor back then); ducklings invading my plate of spaghetti, (doubtless believing the contents to be worms); running across fields with Laddie, our rescued greyhound and unconsciously soaking up the innocence of childhood in this (still unchanged) leafy, corner of rural England. In 1960, my father received an invitation to take up the position of transport supervisor for several British Embassies in the Middle East and we packed up and headed to Tehran, the capital of Iran, where my parents would spend the next 17 years. This was, for me at that tender age, a fateful move because, although I would perhaps not fully realise it for some time, Iran was destined to steal my heart and live in my very bones where, half a century down the road, it resides still. I attended the British school in Gholhaq, a region of north Tehran, until I was 10, loving not only that school set in its magnificent gardens, but the whole flavour of life in that exotic country with its 3500 years of civilization, kind-hearted people and exquisite landscapes offering unending opportunities for Boys Own adventures: riding horseback across remote, sun-drenched plains; fording deep rivers in our Land Rover and encountering marauding wolves in the distant Lar Valley. Life back then was a tapestry of simple pleasures and excitement and I was guided by my adventurer-father to follow his lifestyle and his frequent escapades into the wilderness and into the little-known nooks and crannies of that marvellous country that I still miss so much. Given the limited opportunities for education in Iran back then, at age 10 I was sent off to boarding school in England and thence to Manchester University where I studied Oriental languages, but specifically Farsi (Persian) which further anchored my attachment to Iran to where I eventually returned just as my parents were retiring back to the UK. I had been fortunate to be able to return to Iran for the school holidays, three times a year and during one of these spells I was recommended by the then British ambassador to Iran, Sir Denis Wright, to become tutor to the King Mohammed Reza’s son, Reza, which involved frequent trips to the Palace, where I tutored the young king-in-waiting in English which, unknowingly, would set me on a course that would determine much of my life. After my parents’ departure, I continued living in Tehran, staying with friends and working as an interpreter/translator in Farsi for several companies: British Aerospace; Marconi; Crown Agents and several others, all looking for business opportunities and a slice of the lucrative Iranian pie. Then, Fate played a further hand and I was asked by Prince Shahram Pahlavi-nia, the Shah’s nephew, to tutor his son as I had Reza. To begin with, I hesitated as I have never considered myself a teacher, but he won me over with an offer to assist with translations for one of his business associates but, most significantly, he proposed that I live in the palace with his family – a rare privilege. I lived with the Pahlavi royal family until the advent of the Islamic Revolution and thoroughly enjoyed my time with them, finding them to be wonderfully kind, very well-educated, sensitive and great fun; even today, I still consider them as family for their warmth and the way they involved me in everything and I relish our frequent reunions.

I lived with the Pahlavi royal family until the advent of the Islamic Revolution and thoroughly enjoyed my time with them, finding them to be wonderfully kind, very well-educated, sensitive and great fun

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Life works in mysterious ways and if someone had told me during those years in Iran that I would leave her to live out my years in Seychelles, I would have had them certified as barking mad. I had no idea where Seychelles even was; Iran was my home and I was well-suited to life there and blissfully happy - why on earth would I depart? The answer was the Islamic Revolution, a socio-political tsunami that laid bare everything before it, changing the course of Persian history, destroying lives and upending the social order. I remember experiencing its beginnings: riding my motorbike through roadblocks set up by Ayatollah Khomeini’s supporters; watching cars get overturned by black-clad revolutionaries and their occupants dragged away; witnessing running battles between the army and armed insurgents; dodging gangs of bloodthirsty thugs roaming the backstreets and other stuff too painful to recall. Providentially, back in 1975, my boss had the inspired idea to buy an island property in Seychelles which sent us all scurrying to the nearest map to discover where it was located, and so the groundwork had already been set for our eventual move to the Islands. He had purchased Dárros Island, a magnificent atoll 140 miles southwest of the Seychelles mainland in the Amirantes group of islands and this is where we now made our home. The contrast could not possibly have been greater as we migrated from a hectic urban environment in Tehran, our capital city, to a remote collection of reef islands far from the mainland without any infrastructure to speak of beyond the one we would soon busy ourselves creating. Actually, low-key construction had already started soon after purchase of the island with the carving out of a simple, grass airstrip from a forest of coconut palms and the building of some basic, really basic, habitation for the management team and the 100 or so workers still engaged in producing coprah (the dried flesh of coconut) which was a valuable commodity back then. Later, generators were installed and a rustic bungalow for the owners was constructed to add to other pre-existing buildings such as the island shop, clinic. jail and other necessary features of a remote island outpost. Soon, construction started on a magnificent main residence and two adjoining bungalows to accommodate more permanent residence.

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We had no television and relied instead on short wave radio for news of the outside world. Excitement was everywhere in this brave new island world and we all had to double up to make it work. By the time we moved to the island permanently, which was in December 1978, the main residence and bungalows were already completed and the island was already up and running as a going concern. The boss purchased a small 10-seater plane which was used to transport some supplies and personnel but the main means of transport remained the traditional, sail-assisted schooners which would take almost 20 hours to reach Dárros from the principal island of Mahé. For the 20 years I remained on the island there was no telephone; our only means of contact with the outside world was a radio telephone patched into the Seychelles network. We also had no television and relied instead on short wave radio for news of the outside world. Excitement was everywhere in this brave new island world and we all had to double up to make it work. I was asked to study as paramedic on weekends at the main hospital in Victoria to be able to tackle some of the frightful injuries sustained by the island population. With no previous experience of the sea, except for occasional visits to Iran’s Caspian Sea, I took to my new life on the island like the proverbial duck to water. Being quite athletic certainly helped me as I learned to dive, fish, sail, windsurf and generally engage with all that my natural surroundings had to offer. I was helped along by members of our island community whose members seemed to relish taking this blanc (white man) under their wings as they took me on insane fishing trips in tiny, single-engine fishing boats so far into the ocean that we lost sight of the island altogether in search of giant shark, grouper, barracuda and the whole range of those wondrous denizens of the deep. Today, looking back on our exploits, I am flabbergasted at the risks we took where a faulty outboard motor would have sealed our fate for sure. Had that happened, no one would have found us as we would have floated off to Africa with the current and almost certainly perished from exposure or thirst on the way. Indeed, island stories abound with such tragic tales of fishermen lost to the waves forever, never to be seen again. Old man Leveux, the island’s longest resident, took me into the adjoining lagoon: a spectacular gem of sapphire water surrounded by nine exquisite islands, to show me how to hunt the giant blue mud crab the size of a serving plate and whose giant serrated claws would amputate a careless man’s finger with impunity. He would set off across the island from his house followed by a white goat, a black dog, and his wife in that strict order, he wearing a faded dinner jacket and ripped underpants which revealed more than they hid. As I became more adept at island ways, I would windsurf around the entire atoll ( 25 odd km in circumference), weaving in and out of surf strung like ivory pearls on an invisible thread, always wary of the ferocious lemon shark and the deadly stingrays and stonefish which inhabited the shallows. D’arros was unbelievably beautiful but also dangerous and one always had to be on the alert for sudden squalls, pitiless currents and the shadowy demons of the open ocean.

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I was helped along by members of our island community as they took me on insane fishing trips in tiny, single-engine fishing boats so far into the ocean that we lost sight of the island altogether

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Glynn Burridge

I have been hugely privileged to know such exceptional places as Iran and Seychelles, along with the wonderful people who inhabit them. I could not possibly have asked for anything more.

On Sundays, we played football on the airstrip or volleyball on a court by the manager’s house and, once a year, held the D’arros Olympic Games, a grandiose affair featuring tug-ofwar, climbing the greasy pole, running races and all manner of competitions, followed by a grand communal feast of mud crab, suckling pig, salted shark and fine Creole cuisine. Life was good. I remember my boss telling me that if I did not write an account of the life we were living, the memory of it would be lost forever and so I began writing in earnest. My first book was Voices: a collection of Seychelles short stories depicting island life and followed that up with a 600-page historical thriller titled Kolony which was a dark, (pitch black, actually) fictional foray into what may once have happened on that island. My career as a writer had begun. Months shunted imperceptibly into years and years into decades during which we occasionally would rent the island out to friends of the owners who included other members of the royal family, the actress Isabelle Adjani, the King of Greece and many other members of the jet set. Finally, in 1998, I sensed my time on D’arros was up as exposure to the sun over many years was causing potentially dangerous skin problems. Having already acquired Seychelles nationality, I decided to move to the mainland and, in November of that year, I closed the fairytale chapter of my life as an outer islander... never to be forgotten. In the interim period, I had purchased a wonderful property in south Mahé, the main island, on a cliff overlooking the whole of the west coast. It was to here that I now repaired to commence writing in earnest but, no sooner had I arrived, than I was contacted by the newly-incorporated Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority mandated to market Seychelles as a tourist destination who declared that they were looking for a copywriter and someone familiar with the islands. They asked if I might be interested and, as the position would put both my experience on the islands and my writing to good use, I accepted. A further 20 years down the line, it is a position I still fill for the, now, Seychelles Tourism Board as well as that of their chief consultant. During that time, I have travelled the world giving talks about my adopted home and also writing the lion’s share of the content for the Tourism Board’s promotions, website and an entire range of brochures, training manuals and collaterals for our international campaigns. I have also contributed to writing several coffee table books on Seychelles and am currently editor-in-chief of a new history of the islands destined for next year’s 250th anniversary of Seychelles’ first settlement. I am also cofounder of BC Communication, my new company dealing in design, writing, editing, corporate messaging and branding. Looking back, life has been amazing and I have been hugely privileged to know such exceptional places as Iran and Seychelles, along with the wonderful people who inhabit them. I could not possibly have asked for anything more. A wide selection of Glynn’s work can be found at www.glynnburridge.com

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“discover the real seychelles” Discover the real seychelles and save upto 10% off the prices on BOOKING.com.

Connect directly with the very best hand picked hotels, private islands, villas and lodges. Also service providers including car hire and tour companies. www.authenticseychelles.com @authenticseychelles #realseychelles

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Alphonse Island If a healthy blend of adventure and relaxation are your key ingredients to creating your own personal paradise, then Alphonse Island, part of Blue Safari Seychelles is your calling.

The island is considered one of the purest natural idylls in the world. Beautiful white beaches line the edges of a lush tropical forest.

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his pristine, natural paradise in the Seychelles Archipelago, is a private island and part of the Alphonse group of atolls, which includes St Francois and Bijoutier. The island is considered one of the purest natural idylls in the world. Beautiful white beaches line the edges of a lush tropical forest surrounded by miles of unblemished shorelines, lagoons, sea flats and protected coral reefs home to the vast array of wildlife that exist in this ecosystem. Situated only 7 degrees south of the equator and outside of the cyclone belt, Alphonse Island is blessed with one of the world’s healthiest climates and gorgeous, consistent weather. Alphonse offers guests year-round summer days with temperatures seldom dropping below 22°C [72°F], allowing them to relax and indulge in this luxurious nature lover’s paradise anytime they wish. To celebrate being open all year round, a special stay-sevenpay-five package will be available from the 1st May until the 30th September 2019. The seven-night package costs USD $5025pp full board, based on two people sharing a Beach Bungalow and also includes a generous array of activities and inter-island transfers. Alphonse Island is truly unlike any other island in the Seychelles. Located 400km from the mainland of Mahé, Alphonse Island is accessible only by plane. Accommodation is comprised of 22 Beach Bungalows and five Beach Suites, all with direct beach access and panoramic, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Beach Bungalows maximise the stunning surroundings, set amongst lush tropical plantation just metres from the beach. With outdoor showers, patios with gorgeous views, and the beach just steps away, the rooms are all focused on the surrounding natural beauty. The five one-bedroom Beach Suites are nestled amongst tropical plants, close to the white sandy beach. Discreet and luxurious,Beach Suites offer two bathrooms and a lounge area to give guests more space, as well as private plunge pools. Interiors reference Creole style and local materials, reflecting a sophisticated fresh island style of the 21st Century.

Guests of Alphonse Island can experience the fascinating marine environment on a firsthand basis as they swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean and encounter shoals of assorted, vibrantly coloured fish of varying species

cattered like summer blossom across the Indian Ocean, The Seychelles is a destination well-renowned for being the ultimate in luxury, celebrity escapes and the honeymoon location that dreams are made of. The 115 islands are hailed for their exquisite natural beauty, the peaceful harmony enjoyed by the multi-ethnic society and a near perfect climate where the temperature is always somewhere between 24 and 33 degrees Celsius, earning the islands a reputation as ‘land of perpetual summer’.

Out of all of the Seychelles islands, currently only 16 have hotels, several of which offer the most luxurious amenities and all of which possess their own natural charm. They offer everything from the opulence of worldfamous 5-star resorts to the picturesque charms of affordable smaller hotels, Creole guest houses and self catering.

Unlike many hotels and resorts, the room is not the main attraction. Alphonse Island encourages its guests to spend as much of their time as possible out of their room and discovering all the island offers. Due to its size and remote location, Alphonse Island is free from the influx of tourism that is often present at resorts. Guests visit to explore and discover an authentic Seychelles experience that cannot be recreated or encountered anywhere else in the Seychelles and marvel at the pristine splendor of Alphonse Island in a tranquil environment, where privacy is paramount. The attraction of Alphonse Island is the island itself, her sister islands, Bijoutier and St Francois and the crystal clear, sparkling ocean that surrounds this island trio. Guests of Alphonse Island can experience the fascinating marine environment on a first-hand basis as they swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean and encounter shoals of assorted, vibrantly coloured fish of varying species: Green and Hawksbill Turtles, Spinner Dolphins and Humpback Whales, all in their natural environment. Swimming with sailfish and manta rays is an unforgettable experience, like no other. An encounter with these animals in their own habitat is incredible and unforgettable experience, whether seen from a boat, from the shore or in the Indian Ocean itself. Be amazed as they flash through the crystal waters and witness these craniate animals in their own environment. These unique experiences with an extensive array of marine life make Alphonse Island nothing short of spectacular.

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ALPHONSE ISLAND

It is a destination like no other, it is paradise perfected and this enchanting island is just waiting to be explored!

The waters surrounding Alphonse Island are outstanding for both diving and snorkeling. The PADI certified dive centre caters for children, who can experience their first foray into the underwater world from 9 years old by completing a Bubble Maker course. It also offers exclusive dives to families where children from the age of 8 can experience the wonders of scuba diving with their parents. Alphonse Island Dive Centre offers a full range of PADI courses from Discover Scuba diving to Divemaster. Advanced divers can develop new skill sets all endorsed by the world leading training agency the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). These include PADI Underwater Naturalist, PADI Deep Diver, PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy, PADI Digital Underwater Imaging, AWARE Shark Conservation, AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, AWARE Dive Against Debris, AWARE Specialist and AWARE Fish Identification. There are 34 dive sites that surround Alphonse Island, all of which are easily reached in under 30 minutes on comfortable purpose-built dive boats. The highlights of diving in the waters surrounding Alphonse Island include the chance to see Manta ray and squadrons of Eagle ray, the ‘Wolf Pack’ of hundreds of Bluefin trevally and associates patrolling or even attacking prey on the reef. Groups of Bumphead parrotfish, schools of batfish numbering in the hundreds as well as interesting animal behavior such as nesting triggerfish can be viewed. As part of the Blue Safari Seychelles portfolio, Alphonse Island are committed to the protection of the environment and as of September 2018, they are proud to have become the first commercial Outer Island with a hospitality offering to rely on solar power and go completely ‘off-grid’. Designed to allow guests to reconnect with nature while respecting it, the Island Conservation Society (ICS) team offers activities to create an island that is intimately connected to the natural environment, which guests are encouraged to join. By guests assisting the ICS, they gain a wider understanding of the environment that exists on Alphonse, St François and Bijoutier and the importance of their work and how it greatly affects the islands. As part of the guided walks and Native Vegetation Restoration project, guests can choose to plant an endemic tree. Swimming with - and photographing - Manta Rays, is a particularly magical ocean experience, which helps capture important data about individual specimens and their movements. These islands provide important nesting grounds for our endemic

Hawksbill and Green turtles; the turtle patrol and tracking project provides important insights into the population numbers and their movement, which helps the team protect them. Aquatic adventures at Alphonse Island are not limited to below the water. Kayaks are a perfect and nonintrusive way to get up close to turtles and rays around the flats and allow guests to enjoy Alphonse from a new perspective. Choose between a guided tour by nature experts who will point out seabirds and spot fishermen’s delights such as bonefish, permit and triggerfish, or for something more private and personal, kayaks are readily available for guests use. This way guests get to appreciate the untouched exquisiteness of Alphonse Island solely at their own pace and a picnic basket can be organised for you to carry along, ready to choose a spot for a secluded meal. If it’s a larger vessel that floats your boat, how about setting sail into the Alphonse Lagoon on one of the luxury boats, ready to salute the setting sun with a cocktail or beer from the onboard bar. Share stories from your week and bask in the stillness of the departing day. It’s not just the resort, the diving opportunities, the thrilling activities and the weather that makes Alphonse Island so spectacular. Add in the terrain, the techniques, the season and the species diversity and you have an incredible mix, custom-made for fly fishing. On the terrain front, fly fishing in the Alphonse Atoll sets itself apart due to the largely land-based approach it offers. While blue-water, boat-based fishing is available to anglers, the main draw these atolls holds is for the angler to be able to target challenging species on foot. Whereas saltwater fly fishing destinations in many parts of the world are boat-based, the Alphonse Atoll stands apart because of the opportunities it gives anglers: to wading in shallow, warm water on hard white sand and turtle grass or on coral flats for to discover a plethora of exciting new species. It’s not all catching but getting the opportunity to cast at behemoth giant trevally or shoals of bonefish in the same knee-deep water you are standing in, is not something many fly anglers who are accustomed to boatbased fishing, will ever forget. It’s not that Seychelles guides’ and anglers are against boats in any way, but there is something more tactile, connected and satisfying about standing in crystal clear water, while site casting at fish.

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ALPHONSE ISLAND

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With days filled with adventures on land, in or above the shimmering waters of the Indian Ocean, relax at the central dining and bar area, as the sun slowly dips into the ocean and melts away, signaling the end of another day in paradise. Socialise alongside the sparkling pool and shoreline, with diverse cuisine inspired by the island atmosphere and complemented by a comprehensive wine list. With the use of indigenous flora and fish, along with garden produce, the menus are built around freshness. Combining the influences of local Seychellois Creole and French cuisine, dishes are inspired from all corners of the Indian Ocean. In addition to the restaurant, private dining can be arranged to allow guests to enjoy meals on the terrace of their Beach Bungalow or Beach Suite, on a special spot on the beach, or alongside the pool. The idyllic, pristine and picture-perfect paradise that is Alphonse Island is the definitive wedding destination. Alphonse Island has a full license for weddings and the talented team of staff are able to arrange every detail from providing the registrar, to working with the

bride and groom to create delicious menus, signature cocktails and canapés, as well as arranging tropical flowers and fantastic music. Each and every detail is carefully considered to create an unforgettable wedding in paradise. Begin married life on sugar soft, white sand beach with azure waters stretching before you-perfect! For those who seek exclusivity, Alphonse Island can be hired in its entirety-the ultimate wedding venue! Exceptional experiences last a lifetime. They are stories that people tell people with enthusiasm, passion and love, they are memories that can never be erased. Alphonse Island is a sanctuary for the senses, a discovery for the mind, food for the soul. It is a place where guests are at one with the environment, where peace and tranquillity reign. It is a destination like no other, it is paradise perfected and this enchanting island is just waiting to be explored! For more information, please visit www.alphonse-island.com

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BEVERLEY KNIGHT SINGS STEVIE WONDER Tue 1 Oct

ALICE COOPER Tue 8 Oct

WILL YOUNG Wed 9 Oct

THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL Fri 18 Oct

ROY ORBISON & BUDDY HOLLY HOLOGRAM TOUR Tue 22 Oct

THE NEXT STEP Fri 25 Oct

SQUEEZE Sat 26 Oct

DIVERSITY Sun 27 Oct

MARINA Tue 5 Nov

WWE LIVE Thur 7 Nov

80s INVASION TOUR Sat 9 Nov

THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD Fri 22 Nov

STEPBACK 90s vs 00s Fri 29 Nov

DIDO Wed 4 Dec

ADAM ANT Fri 6 Dec

JACK WHITEHALL Mon 9-Wed 11 Dec & Thur 2 Jan

JOOLS HOLLAND Sat 14 Dec

BJORN AGAIN Fri 20 Dec

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Sun 22 Dec

KAISER CHIEFS Thur 30 Jan

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box office 0844 847 1515* www.brightoncentre.co.uk *calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

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Documenting

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Dolomites

tefano Perrone was born in 1978 in Italy and is a researcher, now based in The Maldives, specialising in Natural Sciences and Astronomy, or more precisely, Cosmology. Fuelled by a lifelong love of nature, Stefano soon found his second passion in life; photography. Absolute Sussex are proud to bring you the works of Stefano and Matteo Parozzi, produced during a fascinating journey towards the peak of the Dolomites in Northeastern Italy. Here we hear, in his own words, how his journey began and what went on behind the scenes of these captivating images. “This photographic journey was formed by some very intense days as we travelled between lakes, mountains, snow and waterfalls. On the first day we arrived at Lake Misurina where we immediately took some shots before moving to the nearby Lake Antorno; a small frozen lake situated at an altitude of 2000m. Using a drone, we were able to take some great shots, making it fly on the ice. It was quite possibly one of the best astrophotography sessions I’ve ever conducted, with the magnificent Milky Way rising from the mountains just behind the lake. I thoroughly recommend this location. Another not-to-be-missed stop is Lake Braies; the characteristics of the colour of the water, the pines that surround it and the wooden rowboats make it particularly suitable for shooting and photography and it is a popular destination for tourists. On the third day we got up even further in altitude, taking the cable car to reach Rifugio Lagazuoi at 2750m. Going through the shelter, you can reach a ridge that for most of the year is covered with snow and allows you to have a perfect overview of all the surrounding mountain ranges. Here we seized the opportunity to shoot with the drone, widely exceeded 3000 meters in height. On the fourth day we moved to the area of Alta Badia. Here you’ll find a perfect location for photography around every corner. It is probably the most beautiful area of the Dolomites, photographically speaking. Finally, the day ended by filming the spectacular sunset from the Gardena Pass. The fifth day was dedicated to two breathtaking locations. The first was the Fanes Waterfalls. Leaving the car at the roadside, you enter the woods and immediately a natural photo set opens up. We had a great deal of fun using a wide exposure here. The second was Passo Giau. In the afternoon we went up to the refuge of the pass (2200 m) where we slept. Going up to the small promontory nearby, you can watch a spectacular sunset and we were able to recharge the batteries of all our equipment. Finally, as the day drew to an end, we set our alarms to 02:00 at night and went into the snow not far from the shelter to photograph the Milky Way, when light pollution is reduced to an absolute minimum. The natural light show that we found ourselves in front of simply cannot be explained. We counted more than 50 shooting stars in 2 hours and we all agreed this is definitely one of the most spectacular locations in the world for photography!

“This photographic journey was formed by some very intense days as we travelled between lakes, mountains, snow and waterfalls.”

Photography Equipment Used: Drone DJI Mavic Air Pro2 Pentax K1MK2 Irix 15mm.f2.4

www.instagram.com/nemophotographer www.instagram.com/matteoparozzi

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Summer holiday season may well be coming to a close, but here in the UK, it doesn’t matter if the weather is balmy, breezy or bitter, staycations continue right the way through the year. As we approach beautiful autumn, what better time to explore the country’s majestic landscape, stunning views, cosy pubs, stately homes and family attractions? If you want to flee the 9 to 5 and set out on a short break or family escape, then the Derbyshire Peak District, located in the Heart of England, is waiting to welcome you and be explored.

inelodge Holidays is a family business that own two 5-star award winning lodge holiday parks in the Derbyshire Peak District; Darwin Forest and Sandybrook Country Park. Each has their own individual character, are set in beautiful surroundings and are ideal locations from which to discover this fantastic area. Whether you want peace and tranquility on a romantic break, action packed adventures or fantastic local attractions for entertaining friends and family, the lodges provide the perfect base from which to explore. Absolute Magazine were invited to take a jaunt northward and be the family’s guests at Darwin Forest, located between Matlock and Bakewell and so we jumped at the chance to temporarily swap The Downs for The Peaks! We knew we were in for a treat as Darwin Forest is one of the UK's top holiday parks, the lodges have been awarded 5 stars by Visit England and the Park was a finalist in the Visit England Awards for Excellence. The park has a reputation for providing facilities and

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attractions for all ages to enjoy, and so many families take the opportunity to book a multigenerational family holiday, enabling grandparents to spend precious time with their grandchildren. In fact, there’s no need to leave any member of the family at home as they have a number of lodges that are specially designated for guests with dogs. The pet friendly lodges are furnished to the same high standards and some even include a hot tub. Whether you are looking for the perfect place to stay for a romantic break, a family

holiday or to get together with friends and family for a special occasion, it appears that Pinelodge Holidays have thought of everything and offer accommodation to fit every tick list. Lodges are classified as either Classic, Classic Vogue, Elite or Elite Vogue and there also some exclusive lodges that are situated within the Glade and the Meadow. All lodges are furnished immaculately and provide comfortable self catering accommodation for you and your family. Each lodge

has a veranda with outdoor furniture for dining alfresco and for making the most of the peaceful surroundings. Lodges are available with one, two, three or four bedrooms and Spa lodges also include an indulgent outdoor hot tub where you can sink into the relaxing bubbles and completely relax. Look up into the night sky and let the stress of everyday life drift away. Spas are available in Classic Vogue, Elite and Elite Vogue lodges and also in a number of the Pet Friendly lodges. The Glade and Meadow lodges all have hot tubs.

The Meadow is an exclusive small development of three sumptuous luxury lodges. Each with their own unique style, the lodges have contemporary design features, quality furnishing, luxury bathrooms and are nestled within a quiet meadow next to mature woodland. The Glade is a prestigious development of exceptional woodland lodges. The Glade offers the ultimate in glam lodge accommodation featuring stylish furnishing, luxury bedrooms and incredibly indulgent bathrooms. All lodges have large private verandas with Jacuzzi hot tub, sun loungers and outdoor dining furniture. Absolute Magazine had the privilege of staying in ‘The Coppice,’ a development of 7 exceptional pet friendly lodges that are brand new for Summer 2018 and even include a doggy shower in the specially designed utility room The Coppice is a simply spectacular development of seven luxury pet friendly lodges designed with pets and muddy boots in mind. The

lodges all feature an enclosed spacious veranda with outdoor washing facilities for paws and boots and quality outdoor furniture for you to relax. The Coppice Spa lodges also include that all important outdoor hot tub.

If you can pull yourself away from the luxury of your lodge, no matter what the weather presents you, you will never find yourself short of things to do, be it onsite or in the local area. The utility room has everything you need to pamper your pooch so they can also enjoy the 5 star holiday park experience. Complete with a doggie shower, hairdryer, towels and space for their bed and

feeding bowls, your pampered pooch will love spending time in their own ‘bedroom’. Stable doors separate the utility area from both the decking and the internal living space enabling you to keep your pet safe and secure. The stylish living space includes a quality feature kitchen complete with island, coffee machine, wine cooler, dishwasher and washing machine. With a formal dining table, large SMART TV with Bluetooth connectivity and comfortable leather sofas, the Coppice provides the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing holiday with your four legged friend. The master bedroom comes complete with Kingsize bed, TV and a luxurious ensuite shower room whilst the twin bedrooms have TVs and a shared family bathroom. If you can pull yourself away from the luxury of your lodge, no matter what the weather presents you, you will never find yourself short of things to do, be it onsite or in the local area. For the adults, the onsite facilities include ‘Evolution Health & Fitness’ which

has a swimming pool, spa, gymnasium and beauty therapy and several massage suites. For the younger members of the family, Little Monkeys indoor soft play centre will provide hours of fun no matter what the weather. The teenagers even have their own hang out named the Activity Den with pool tables, table tennis, air hockey and arcade games.

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F o r e s t

Pride and Prejudice fans will love a visit to Haddon Hall, which has made several appearances in the film, as well as many other period films and television shows including Jayne Eyre.

If you want to give yourself a break from cooking in your selfcatering lodge, you can enjoy a coffee and light bite at the Explorers café or you can visit the Foresters bar and restaurant which has an extensive menu serving fresh, locally sourced quality ingredients. A takeaway menu is also available if you wish to dine alfresco on your verandah or in the comfort of your own lodge. For activities the whole family can try a hand at, there is an all weather tennis court, mini golf and an abundance of woodland walks and cycling trails. Take a hop, skip and a jump out of the holiday park and you’ll find Derbyshire has a number of adorable market towns including Ashbourne, Bakewell and Chesterfield which are all within easy reach. Many of the local towns also run seasonal markets and special events and whilst you are visiting Bakewell, we recommend you visit the birth place of the infamous tart; the Original Bakewell Pudding Shop! The Peak District is home to many picturesque villages with quaint and quirky tea rooms and country pubs and what makes it ideal for exploring is the fact that the villages are often linked by footpaths and cycling trails which are in themselves a great family activity.

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There are many great attractions and stately homes to visit in the local area that all the family will enjoy. The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath is a truly unique experience as you take a cable car ride high above the Derwent Valley and once at the summit, you can explore the underground caverns or simply take in the spectacular views. If museums are your bag, then the Crich Tramway museum has over 80 trams built between 1873 and 1982 and is set within a period village containing a pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop and tram depots. The museum’s collection of trams run through the village setting with visitors

transported into the local countryside. For thrill seekers Alton Towers, with its array of dare devil rollercoasters, is located just 10 miles from Ashbourne and for younger children Gulliver’s Kingdom is located in Matlock Bath. Stately homes don’t get much grander than the world famous Chatsworth House that sits just a 20 minute drive away from Darwin Forest, within spectacular gardens and parkland. There are also farmyard animals and a large adventure playground for children to enjoy and a wonderful farm shop so that

you can take home some of the Chatsworth Estate’s delicious produce. Pride and Prejudice fans will love a visit to Haddon Hall, which has made several appearances in the film, as well as many other period films and television shows including Jayne Eyre. This spectacular building dates back to the 12th Century and has been described as “the most perfect house to survive from the middle ages”. The Hall sits majestically within its Elizabethan terraced gardens and overlooks the River Wye. To book at Darwin Forest visit www.darwinforest.co.uk

The Peak District is home to many picturesque villages with quaint and quirky tea rooms and country pubs and what makes it ideal for exploring is the fact that the villages are often linked by footpaths and cycling trails which are in themselves a great family activity.

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