ABSOLUTE BRIGHTON . ISSUE 95 . JANUARY 2013
ISSUE 95 . JANUARY 2013
FASHION
Get Fit in Style
SPORT
Tina Cook Dick Knight
MUSIC
Kovak Our Scissor Sisters!
INTERVIEW
The real Mr Lurve
STEPHEN GRANT www.absolutebrighton.tv
Brighton’s favourite compére joins Absolute
BUSINESS
Ian Lucas Business Resolutions 2013
NEW YEAR
NEW LOOK ABSOLUTE
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T Make it a beautiful
NEW YEAR WITH 50% OFF CUT AND BLOW DRY
TREVOR SORBIE BRIGHTON, 1B NILE ST, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX BN1 1HW
01273 220007 www.trevorsorbie.com B0113_003 TREVOR SORBIE AD JAN 21 1
here are few more celebrated names in the British Hairdressing industry than Trevor Sorbie and no better place in Brighton and Hove to get beautiful hair than at the Trevor Sorbie salon on Nile Street. The award-winning team of Stylist and Technicians at the salon have all been handpicked and trained to a meticulously high standard by Trevor and his business partner, Brighton Salon Director, Kate Wilson. As a result, at Trevor Sorbie Brighton, you can expect unparalleled service in a friendly and relaxed environment. The salon offers a wide array of hair services including cutting & blow-drying, personalised colour appointments and a range of smoothing services to suit all hair types. To welcome Louella Macfarlane and Fergal Doyle to the team, Trevor Sorbie Brighton are offering Absolute Brighton readers an exclusive 50% off a cut and blow dry with these stylists between Monday and Thursday throughout January and February 2013 upon presentation of this advert. Louella has nine years’ experience in salons in Oxford, Manchester and London’s Mayfair and has worked on hair for television and screen actors, including Chloe Sevigny. Fergal has styled the hair of numerous celebrities, TV personalities and actors and joins the after 12 years working in top salons in Dublin and London.
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brighton
inside this month
January 2013 . Issue 95 Cover shot: By Jai Michael
Publisher: Alan Prior
Editor Ian Trevett
Production Manager Maureen Hunter-Shine
Commercial Manager: Emma Meldrum
Advertising Sales Manager: Anastasia Meldrum
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Business Development: Alex Santos
Beauty Editor: Kate Morton Interiors Editor: Tara de la Motte
Absolute Brighton is published by The Pinnacle Group Tel: 08707 707 765 Fax: 08700 052 082 Email: info@absolutemagazine.co.uk
40 The real Mr Lurve Meet Ambrose Harcourt, the county’s greatest matchmaker
GuestList The people, the faces... Absolute is packed with photos from the Sussex Sports Awards, Sussex Business Awards and all the big parties
Premier House 11 Marlborough Place BRIGHTON BN1 1UB
Absolute Brighton and Pinnacle would like to thank the advertisers that appear in this publication for their support, and wish them every business success. The contents of this publication are believed to be correct at the time of printing; nevertheless, we cannot endorse, and readers should not rely solely upon, the accuracy of any statements or claims contained herein, without prior consultation with the service provider.
36 Stand Up for Stephen Introducing our new columnist - comedian Stephen Grant
REGULARS Register 7, Health & Beauty 23, Interiors 46, Education 76, Motoring 91
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95-113 NEW: Business Our new business section features the Chamber of Commerce, our networking guide, an interview with Red7’s Ian Lucas, business news, New Year resolution pledges from our entrepreneurs and business people and Ambrose finds the romance in business
10 Fashion It’s January, so our fashion stylist is working out with sportswear chic
80-90 NEW: Sport Dick Knight, Active Sussex, sports news and an interview with the 2012 Sussex Sportsperson of the year, Tina Cook
114 NEW: The Queen of Brighton 44 Brighton Rocks We love seeing Brighton on the big screen, so we talk to Jeremy Irvine about Now is Good. And we have some DVDs to give away!
63-75 Music & What’s On Centre stage in our Janaury what’s on section which includes the easiest-to-use listings ever seen in a Brighton publication
Stephanie St James has the ultimate power. What would you do if you could rule the city?
hello... Welcome to the first Absolute Brighton of 2013. You may notice a few changes with the magazine under new ownership, a new editor, new writers, new sections, new features and a fresh new look. We have inherited a magazine that is a strong and popular brand, for which I pay tribute to the founders of Absolute Brighton, Verity Smart and Paul Craig. In the eight years since the first issue, they have seen many publications come and go and they have continued to produce a quality lifestyle publication, in often difficult economic conditions. We are determined to continue their good work and we wish them every success in their various new business ventures. I am very pleased to welcome Ian Trevett as our new editor. He has plenty of experience in local publishing having edited Sussex Life and he was part of the original Absolute Brighton team. Our Fashion and Beauty Editor, Kate Morton (formerly Cowling), also makes a welcome return to Absolute, joining our long-serving designer Mo Hunter-Shine. Ian has assembled a team that is a mix of familiar and fresh faces, including Mike Donovan and Dan White from our sister title Sussex Sport, Paula Seager for our food section and Tara de la Motte in interiors. There isn’t enough space to list all the valued contributors here, so please enjoy reading the magazine and we’d love to hear your views on the publication. We aim to make connections with the local community, setting up partnerships with local organisations. We have already partnered with the Brighton Fashion Week (look out for some stunning fashion shoots), and are proud to be sponsors of the Sussex Business Awards and Sussex Sports Awards - more will follow soon. Hoping you have a prosperous and happy new year.
Alan Prior Publisher
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MUSTO BRIGHTON STORE 23 Market Street, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1HH, Tel: 01273 732677 shop online at www.musto.com Twitter: @mustoclothing Facebook: facebook.com/mustoclothing
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Register
Paris in the Spring A new scheduled flight to Paris from Shoreham Airport will begin in March. Ticket sales have started for the twice-daily scheduled flights to Paris from newly named Brighton Shoreham Airport, kicking off on March 6th, costing from £69 one way, including taxes and charges. Some of the special features of the airline include 15 minute check-in, no hidden fees, VIP lounge and service, easy local parking and the flight, which is in a 19-seat Let 410 commuter aircraft, takes one hour to reach Pontoise Airport, Paris. Brighton City Airways was conceived by Jonathan Candelon, MD of leading career pilot school Flying Time Aviation, at Shoreham Airport, and Neil Laughton, entrepreneur, pilot and adventurer, famous for leading Bear Grylls to the summit of Mt Everest. You can book a seat for just £20 deposit at www.brightoncityairways.com.
Phone prints You’ve taken all those pictures on your iphone over Christmas, uploaded a few to your favoured social media, and now... they will just stay on your phone unnoticed. But now with a photo printing app you can order prints from your phone in seconds. The app isn’t the latest marketing venture from a huge national company - the best one we have found comes courtesy of a small independent photo lab in Seaford High Street. The Fotobox iPhone Photo Printing App is a really easy-to-use, fast and professional quality photo printing service. Download it from the app store and start printing.
New energy A new energy services company is launching in Brighton & Hove to secure lower bills for local residents while financing energy saving improvements to their homes. Brighton & Hove Energy Services Company (BHESCo) is a social enterprise which aims to bring together thousands of people in Brighton and Hove to bulk buy energy. With mass participation, BHESCo will be able to negotiate better energy prices for residents For more information and updates, register with your email address under no obligation on the BHESCo website:www.bhesco.co.uk.
Zac Toumazi and Jim May
roseberyimages.co.uk
New chief at the cricket Sussex County Cricket Club have appointed Zac Toumazi as their new Chief Executive. Zac has a track record of developing business and delivering excellent customer service. He has extensive experience in the financial services sector having fulfilled senior roles with Citigroup and Goldman Sachs before joining the cricket world. Zac was at Surrey County Cricket Club for six years as Group Commercial Director and since 2011, Zac has been Group Commercial Director of Hampshire Cricket where he had a pivotal role staging their first test match and negotiating ground naming rights. Chairman Jim May said “We are very pleased to appoint Zac as we believe his commercial experience, cultural fit and passion for cricket give him the credentials to ensure that Sussex Cricket continues to lead the way both on and off the pitch.” Good luck Zac.
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Clubbing Together
The only way is Brighton
If Father Christmas brought you a sparkling new set of golf clubs, then you may be wondering what to do with your trusty old
Southern Railway passengers on board a
clubs. Why not make sure they get a good
Brighton to London train were treated to
home?
fashion show with TOWIE’s Sam Faiers to
The ‘Clubs 4 All’ golf club amnesty, supported
promote the new Weekend Day Travelcard in
by former Charlton and Chelsea defender Paul
December. The card can be used for travel to
Elliot CBE, asks golfers across the area to
London on either Saturday or Sunday, allowing
donate their unwanted golf clubs or sets. The
for return travel up to 4am the next morning,
clubs will then be reconditioned to form golf
good news for any late night revellers heading
sets which will be used to allow young adults to
back to Brighton.
play without having to buy or rent golf clubs. The aim of the ‘Clubs 4 All’ amnesty is about inspiring more young people to take up the sport without having to invest lots of money in equipment Take your old clubs to Hollingbury Park Golf Course or Waterhall Golf Course.
Paul Elliot donates a golf club to the ‘Clubs 4 All’ amnesty
London Road South
London Road digs
John Phillips/PA Fotobox
The much-loved façade of Brighton’s historic Co-op building granted for a new student hall of residence.
Flash in the pan
Rising to between three and six stories the new building
Nearly 2,000 supporters were polled to see which loos in the
would include shops at ground floor level and 150 cycle
Championship and Leagues One and Two they considered the
racks.
cleanest, according to a recent story in The Daily Star:
Developers Fresh Student Living are partners on the scheme
“In the poll by betting broker Bet Butler, the toilets at Brighton
with Sussex University, which will allocate its students to
and Hove Albion’s Falmer Stadium scored highest with fans.
the building. The accommodation would mainly be aimed at
“An impressive 15% said they were the shiniest loos they had
mature students.
ever seen. And Seagulls fans are obviously a brave lot, with 66%
Developers will pay around £500,000 to improve local open
saying their bogs are so clean they would eat their dinner off
spaces, employment opportunities, transport and public art.
them.” (As The Daily Star so subtly puts it!)
in London Road has been saved after planning consent was
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Invites you to the Official Grand Opening with Guest of Honour
CBE, AO on Saturday 16th February
The modern master will be at Artique Galleries to celebrate the opening of our fantastic new space. View a superb collection of Limited Editions in the gallery now and find out how you could meet the man himself and receive a personal dedication.
44 Market Street, Brighton BN1 1HH Telephone: 01273 710 660 email: brighton@artiquegalleries.com B0113_009 artique ad.indd 1
STRICTLY RSVP This event is strictly guest list only. Please ensure you contact WKH JDOOHU\ ˉUVW
www.artiquegalleries.com 19/12/12 13:34:54
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fashion
Sportswear Chic Photography: Jai Michael Styling: Kate Mor ton
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Opposite page: Agile sport bra, £29 Sweaty Betty; 10K run tights, £50 Sweaty Betty; Nike gold sports bag, £34.90 Sheactive Above: Hooded body blazer, £90, Zaggora; whistle, stylist’s own
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Opposite page: Coola bra, £30, Zaggora; ZOCA vest, £19.90, Sheactive; Strut seamless workout tights, £60, Sweaty Betty; Merrells, £95, Sheactive; 1.5kg pink weights, £25, Sweaty Betty Above: Rishi yoga lace top, £60, Sweaty Betty; Stamina sports bra, £30, Sweaty Betty; Nike Air Max boots, £69.90 Sheactive shorts, stylist’s own
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Hair William Ackerley from the Electric Art Team Makeup Emma Hooley using MAC Cosmetics www.emmahooleymakeup.co.uk Model Jade Harris at Fresh Agents www.freshagents.co.uk Shoot assistant Ellie Vousden Location The Electric Studio, 18 Ship Street, Brighton
Stockists: Sheactive 5 North Street, Brighton 01273 739725 Snow+Rock 0845 100 1000 www.snowandrock.com Sweaty Betty 7-8 Regency Road, Brighton 01273 722671 Zaggora www.zaggora.com
Opposite page: Hawkes seamless top, £49, Sweaty Betty; Silhouette workout tights, £65, Sweaty Betty; Barts fur earmuffs, £14.99, Snow+Rock Above: Chaturanga yoga cami, £55, Sweaty Betty; Smith Virtue goggles, £109.99, Snow+Rock
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guestlist what? Oh My Honey Bridal Collection Launch Party where? The Funfair Club who? Fashionistas and lovers of vintage clothres fact. Oh My Honey was created by Louise O’ Mahony in 2009 to design and sell 1950s style dresses. The brand has been featured on leading wedding blogs such as Rock and Roll Bride and Love My Dress.
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SHOP: 29 StatiOn ROad, PORtSlade Bn41 1GB Call: 01273 239763 www.jamesrossjewellers.co.uk
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promotion
Setting sail in style Musto’s Autumn Winter collection Back in the 1960’s Olympic sailor and silver medallist Keith Musto recognised the need to create a better standard of sailing clothing based upon his own offshore experiences, and so began a process of innovation and technical development that established Musto as the world’s leading sailing clothing brand for almost 50 years. Whilst much has changed since then, Musto still approach every season with the same passion and determination to ensure the same values are engrained into each and every garment. Musto, 23 Market Street, Brighton BN1 1HH Tel: 01273 732677 www.musto.com
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Breakfast at... Bohemia Grand Café ❖ Late Lounge Start your day with a Bohemia breakfast From Eggs Benedict to a traditional Full English hearty breakfast, our head chef will delight you with his superb dishes. Prices from £2.50-£6.50
Or simply enjoy a coffee!
Come and enjoy one of the best breakfasts in town...
Bohemia, 44-45 Meeting House Lane, Brighton.
B0113_020_021 Bohemia ad JAN 2012 2
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Later, try a delicious lunch or dinner Find us in the heart of Brighton The Lanes
We look forward to serving you!
...see you there!
T: (01273) 777770
E: info@bohemiabrighton.co.uk W: www.bohemiabrighton.co.uk B0113_020_021 Bohemia ad JAN 2013 3
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| DIGITAL | WEB experts in digitalCREATIVE communication
The marketing specialist that gets results • Social Media • Web design • Email & eMarketing • Branding • Graphic Design • Print • Direct Mail • Strategy • Business Growth Consultancy
w: afinis.co.uk t: @afinisuk f: facebook.com/afinis P: 0870 005 2211 M: 07970 425 134 Afinis A4 advert.indd 1
23/11/2012 15:37:47
BEAUTY
beauty
with Kate Morton
STAR
Preserving your skin is a beauty must and what better way to make a start than with Sussex based Temple Spa’s
PRODUCT
award-winning Skin Truffle. With five
BE NUDE
Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics
BOX
A
This season is all about stripping back
years in the making, it’s no wonder
the makeup to reveal a more
that this jar of pure gold recently
classic youthful beauty. Bare
won the coveted Beauty Bible award
faced beauties graced the
for ‘Anti-Ageing product of the year’.
AW12 shows with sculpted,
This crème de la crème formulation
nearly nude sparkle-free
contains truffle and diamonds to
complexions. To achieve
bring radiance to tired, dull skin,
the look, keep sheen to
whilst regulating moisture levels and
a minimum and replace
boosting collagen production for
heavy foundations with lighter
a dewy complexion. £80 for 50ml;
textured bases or go down the BB cream craze for
TEMPLESPA.COM
an all-in-one natural luminous glow. Opt for an ultra feminine finish with a soft peach or hot pink flush across the cheeks and an English rose bud perfect pout. So grace your face and make the most of your natural beauty this winter. Pictured:
BRUSH STROKES
(Above)MAC Cremeblend Blush in So Sweet, So Easy £17.50, MAC eye shadow in Blanc Type £12, MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl £14.50, MAC Pigment in Vanilla £16.50. Available from MACCOSMETICS.CO.UK
It’s a new year and that means it’s time to dedicate some time to de-cluttering your beauty bag. Aside from the fact that most cosmetics have their own shelf life, have you ever thought about the exposure that the brushes you’re using have had to air and bacteria? Skin is precious, so invest in a new set of brushes and look after them religiously to prevent irritation and guarantee long life. We love Tom Ford’s range of twelve makeup brushes for the face, eyes, cheeks and lips. These super luxe brushes will make a professional looking face easy to achieve.
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
Cheek Brush, £90; Foundation Brush; £55,
If there’s one resolution to
Shade and Illuminate Brush, £55; TOMFORD.COM
keep this year, it’s to stop
Beauty Editor loves..... Dot by Marc Jacobs. This latest fragrance from Marc Jacobs which comes in polka dot, ladybird inspired bottle, mixes fruit (red berries, dragon fruit) with florals (jasmine, honeysuckle, orange blossom) and hints of coconut water and vanilla to create a fresh, juicy
a
Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics
plucking and keep those brows bold. The AW12 shows were full of big and beautiful groomed brows and for the ultimate trendsetter, keep them dark and only reach for the tweezers to shape.
scent. From £37; available nationwide. 23
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Treat yourself to a new you this New Year at Beauty Secrets. Kickstart your skincare resolutions and indulge in our highly effective range of detox treatments. Endermologie An effective technique for controlling cellulite and reshaping the body
Universal Contour Wrap A firming treatment that stimulates the body’s natural cleansing process
Elemis Body Sculpting & Colon Therapy Stimulating the action of the colon, it cleanses the digestive system and visibly improves the tone and texture of the skin
LIKE us on Facebook this New Year and receive 20% OFF treatments in January and February 2013 Find us on Facebook at BeautySecretsSalonAndSpa Follow us on Twitter @BeauSecret
Beauty Secrets, 65 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex, 01273 822476 www.beautysecretsspa.co.uk AB January 2013 - Beauty Secrets.indd 1
17/12/2012 16:10:35
The Art & Science of Dentistry ‘We believe your smile is one of your greatest assets’
Ultimate cosmetic dental solutions and smile makeovers Whitening - In one hour with ZOOM advanced power Dental Implants Veneers and metal free crowns/bridges Hygienist Invisible braces with Invisalign All treatments offered at 0%
20% off your first visit 43 Marina Square, Brighton Marina
Tel: 01273 628899
www.marinadentalcare.co.uk
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We specialise in cosmetic dentistry, using the latest techniques in a state-of-the-art practice, at realistic prices in a calm & relaxed atmosphere
2/1/13 18:09:30
BEAUTY
MOISTURE MAX
EYE EXTREME
SUPER HERO Origins Make a Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Moisturiser £33 www.origins.co.uk
RED ALERT Tom Ford Intensive Infusion Eye Treatment £95 www.tomford.com
DAMAGE DEFENSE
Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser £16 www.clinique.co.uk
Aveda’s Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment. From £23.50 www.aveda.co.uk
Gazelli Ultra Nourishing Saviour Mask £28 www.urbanretreat.co.uk
Institut Esthederm E.V.E Serum Source £77 Available at selected department stores
SKIN SOS
FAC E T H E F O R C E S Fight the elements this winter with these protective skin saviours
POWER TIP
DEEP SLEEP
Caudalie Vinexpert Night Infusion Cream £39 Available at Space NK nationwide
COLD SPOT NIGHT REPAIR
Kiehls Midnight Recovery From £36 www.kiehls.com
REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask £18 www.renskincare.com
Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask £48 Stockists: 0117 3161888
RAPID RADIANCE
Decleor 10-day Radiance Powder Cure £24 Stockists: 0207 313 8787
HELPING HAND
Chanel Body Excellence Rejuvenating Hand Cream £40 Stockists: 020 7493 3836 25
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REFRESH YOUR STYLE
EXPERT ADVICE ON ALL THINGS TO DO WITH BEAUTIFUL HAIR FROM TREVOR SORBIE
Elegant Bun
for a new you in 2013 For 2013, make it your New Year’s beauty resolution to give your hair a style overhaul. The award-winning team from Trevor Sorbie Brighton are on hand with their top styling tips to help you create a fresh new look without having to go for the chop.
Beautiful Bouffant A quick and simple route to a re-style that will look fabulously vintage is by adding volume with a bouffant. For the best results, start with Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Thickening Shampoo (£5.10) and Beautiful Volume Thickening Leave-in Conditioner (£5.10). Then blow-dry the hair, creating as much volume as possible. Next, take a section of hair from the temples up to the crown and back comb to create height. Use a flat bristle brush to smooth the hair after back combing. Next, twist the back section upwards towards the crown and secure with bobby pins. Spray Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Hairspray (£5.10) for added hold. For a natural look, it is best to gently
From the runway to the red carpet; the bun is one of the hottest hair trends right now. Flattering to all face shapes, it is an elegant and easy style to achieve. Start by spritzing the hair with Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Curls Beach Hair (£5.10) and blast with your hairdryer for a few minutes to ‘dry’ the product into the hair. Using the Trevor Sorbie Tail Comb (£2.89), create a deep side parting going from the crown to corner of the eye. Pull your hair into a low ponytail just behind the ear opposite to the parting. Secure with a band, and then quickly roughen the ponytail with your fingers. Twist the ponytail and wrap it around to create a bun shape at the base of the neck, then secure with grips. For a looser style, try rubbing the hair in a circular motion to release some loose hairs at the hairline and also on the crown of the head, pulling small sections up to create a tousled finish. Finish with Beautiful Volume Hairspray (£5.10) for a secure hold.
Blown Away A firm fashionista favourite, a quiff really makes an impact! Begin by spritzing Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Volumising Booster (£5.10) onto the roots and rough dry the back and sides of the hair. Use a Trevor Sorbie Large Radial Brush (£8.99) to dry the top in horizontal sections, starting from the crown working towards the front hairline to create volume at the roots and a bend through the mid lengths and ends. To create additional volume, backcomb gently using a tease comb to gently push hair against itself. Backcomb from the underneath of your hair to ensure the backcombing isn’t so obvious. When the top is dry and the shape is created, spray Trevor Sorbie Beach Hair (£5.10) through the top to loosen the quiff giving a more casual, urban look.
blend the top back-combed section into the twisted back section. This can be achieved by rubbing hair between your fingers for a texturised and soft look. Use pins to hold both sections together. Once you are happy with the style, spray Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Hairspray (£5.10) all over, to create a look that will last. Trevor Sorbie Professional products are available from Boots stores nationwide, Trevor Sorbie salons and online at www.trevorsorbie.com Trevor Sorbie Brighton offers a wide array of hair services including cutting and blow-drying, personalised colour appointments and a range of smoothing services to suit all hair types. For a complimentary consultation or to book an appointment, call the salon on 01273 220007.
TREVOR SORBIE BRIGHTON, 1b NILE ST, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX BN1 1HW www.trevorsorbie.com
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guestlist PROMOTION
where? Sergiopascal, 14 Trafalgar Street, Brighton why? Christmas Party fact. Sergiopascal celebrated a fabulously successful first four months
1
who?
2
1. Owners Sergio Ruano and Pascal Minier 2. Jill and Andrew Munday 3. Chris Bray and Diane Gaskin 4. Mo Belcher and Portia Klinkert 5. Gabrielle Gregory, Sergio Ruano and Jo Kiely 6. Sarah Parham, Alex Addison and Nick Addison 7. Dale Lewis and Steve Ogborne 8. Rowena Dumbrell, Julie Dickson and Steve Dumbrell
4
9. Carol DeVine, Jenny Dewynter and Jackie Stevens 10. Kate Horne and Fiona Keating
3
6
5
Pictures by Katariina Jarvinen
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7
9
10
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A
promotion
NEW YEAR – NEW YOU! More people than ever are considering cosmetic surgery. This is not a decision to be taken lightly and it is not easy to know where to start. 'SRWYPXERX &VIEWX 3RGS 4PEWXMG ERH 'SWQIXMG 7YVKISR EX XLI 2YJ½IPH ,IEPXL &VMKLXSR ,SWTMXEP 1V %RHVI[ =IPPERH KMZIW EHZMGI SR [LIVI XS WXEVX HMWTIPW WSQI rumours and answers some commonly asked questions.
BREAST SURGERY FOR WOMEN Should I have breast enlargement surgery? If you are considering breast enlargement surgery you should discuss with your surgeon, in detail, what your expectations are and how much larger you would like your breasts to be. It is important that you be totally frank with your surgeon and make sure that they are 100% honest about what you should expect and what they feel will be best for you. If I feel that something is not suitable for my patients I will tell them so and discuss alternatives with them. How will I know what I will look like afterwards?
the safety of implants and you should discuss
Will the results last?
Once you and your surgeon have decided
this with your surgeon at your consultation.
The results of a mastopexy will last but not
on the best size implants you should be able
Make sure you are happy with their answers
forever. Gravity and the general aging process
to see how you will look. Many surgeons will
and with the products they use. I use
will eventually affect your breasts again. You
suggest you wear a sports bra and weigh out
implants by a company which have the
can delay this tendency by supporting your
some rice into bags (your surgeon will tell
lowest rupture rate of any other make of
FVIEWXW MR [IPP ½XXMRK FVEW
you how much) then put the bags in your
implant. I personally have never used the PIP
bra cups. I like to take this one step further
implants you may have heard about.
What happens after surgery? After any surgery there will be a certain
and invite all of my patients to meet with a representative of the implant company and
I’m not happy with my breasts but
amount of bruising and discomfort. You will
use the actual implants inside the sports bra
I don’t want implants.
be up and about after a breast enlargement
rather than rice. This gives a really good idea
The shape of a woman’s breasts change with
or a mastopexy after a couple of days but
of how you will look after the surgery, how
age, they can lose their fullness and also start
you will need to take it easy.
your body shape will change and how clothes
to droop more. An effective procedure in this
Healing is a gradual process and your
will look on you.
case is a breast uplift (Mastopexy). During
surgeon will give you clear instructions about
the operation excess skin from the breasts
what you can and can’t do.
Are the implants safe?
is removed, the breasts are reshaped and the
There has been a lot of controversy about
nipples repositioned.
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I think I want cosmetic surgery, where do I start? Firstly you should decide which surgeon you would like to see. It is vital that you ensure they are a TVSTIVP] XVEMRIH ERH I\TIVMIRGIH GSWQIXMG WYVKISR (S ]SYV VIWIEVGL 1EOI WYVI XLI] LEZI XLI VMKLX UYEPM½GEXMSRW ERH HSR´X FI worried about asking how many times they have carried the procedure out, if you can see any before and after photos or speak to any past patients. ;MPP - LEZI XS HIGMHI MJ - [ERX XS KS ELIEH EX Q] ½VWX ETTSMRXQIRX# No. It is a huge step to commit to having any cosmetic surgery and you should not rush into it or feel pressured to make a decision. It’s a good idea to bring a list of questions with you to your consultation. You should feel free to ask as many questions as you want and then go away and think carefully about your options. A good cosmetic surgeon will help you decide what is best for you. I encourage all of my patients to wait until they have absorbed all the information from their consultation for a few days before they make any decisions. Will it be right for me? The most important thing is to only ever even consider cosmetic surgery because it is something YOU want, not to please anyone else.
BREAST SURGERY FOR MEN I think I need breast surgery, can
What does the surgery involve?
someone help?
To remove the excess fat in your breasts
Yes of course. Breast reduction surgery
liposuction will be performed under either
for men is becoming more and more
a local or a general anaesthetic. Several
common. It may be you have a condition
small incisions (2mm – 3mm) will be made
called ‘Gynaecomastia’ where your breast
into the skin and a solution containing
tissue is enlarged, giving the appearance of
an anaesthetic and a substance to help
overdeveloped breasts. It could affect both
prevent bruising will be injected into the
breasts or just one. It is more common that
fat through these incisions. Once the area
you may think, affecting an estimated 40 to
is fully numbed the fat is removed using
60% of men.
E ½RI RIIHPI GEPPIH E GERRYPE [LMGL MW attached by tubing to a strong suction
What causes the condition?
machine.
In most cases there is no known cause for Gynaecomastia although in some cases it is
How long will it take me to
has been linked to certain drugs and medical
recover?
problems.
You will recover quickly although do expect some bruising and discomfort for
What happens if I do have
a while. The worst of the swelling will go
Gynaecomastia?
down in a couple of weeks but it could be
You will have an initial consultation with your
up to two months before the full effect of
surgeon who will take a complete medical
the surgery is apparent.
background. It is very important that you are totally honest with your surgeon and that
I don’t have Gynaecomastia I am
you also ask any questions you might have.
just unhappy with the shape of
Don’t be worried about this, a good surgeon
my chest.
increase the appearance of chest muscles
is there to give you the answers you need to
Breast surgery for men is not restricted to
you can have pectoral implants. Solid silicone
make an informed decision.
sufferers of Gynaecomastia. If you want to
implants are inserted behind your real muscle.
1] XIEQ EX XLI 2YJ½IPH ,IEPXL &VMKLXSR ,SWTMXEP EVI EP[E]W LETT] XS HMWGYWW ER] UYIVMIW ]SY QMKLX LEZI ;I SJJIV E [MHI VERKI SJ SXLIV WIVZMGIW WYGL EW &SH] 'SRXSYVMRK ERH *EGMEP 6INYZIREXMSR ;I [ERX ]SY XS QEOI ER MRJSVQIH HIGMWMSR [MXL XSXEP TIEGI SJ QMRH WS TPIEWI GEPP YW SR SV KS XS RYJ½IPHLIEPXL GSQ FVMKLXSRLSWTMXEP
29 nuffielda.indd 3
31/12/2012 18:26
me time! Brighton’s favourite socialite Peter Jarrette has been entertaining Absolute Brighton readers for many years, and here he reviews his past year and looks forward to a promising 2013 he past year has been an exceptional one
T
or businesses come to view on my radar.
dancing glad rags and begin 2013 brandishing
in the city for many people no doubt.
Write about what you know as they say. So PJ’s
a smile and holding a pen as Brighton Babylon
Credit to Brighton and Hove for keeping its
Socialite Diary will rarely be about quantum
begins its adaptation to TV as a comedy drama
head in 2012 when so many lost the keys to
physics. But I can safely write a few words now
series. With David Donno and the folks at
their own front doors. Businesses folded and
about Brett Mather’s new kitchens at The Cow
Dynasty Press I host the official launch of the
some lucky ones only changed hands. Absolute
on the site of the old Tin Drum in Seven Dials.
novel at Naked Eye Gallery at Farm Mews,
has begun a change after being taken up by
Fabulous, fresh and funky. I’ve mentioned the
Hove on February 17th. The guest list closed
Pinnacle Publishing.
talents of Brett before, he who used to head
in mid December but if you stand outside you
up the kitchen at the Stoneham and who still
might get a glimpse of the city’s funset and
The new guard has toasted the continuation
holds the keys to the cookers at Hop Poles.
hear just one last tune from me and Melodies
of this magazine with the Christmas bumper
Brett continues his expansion in the city with
of Boney M if I can convince my tour mates
edition and the festive PR party in December
a cosmopolitan menu at The Cow that also
to belt out Daddy Cool for you. Happy New
at Havana Spoon. I got to meet the new faces
features a wholesome and splendid traditional
Year 2013 Absolute Brighton readers and
behind the fortunes of the magazine and catch-
Sunday roast. You can judge a kitchen by a
advertisers!
up with some of the city’s now established
Sunday roast and The Cow’s kitchen with Brett
event makers and business shakers like Brighton
at the helm is set to shine for some time to
Fashion Week’s Liz Bishop full of wonderful
come. Do peruse this new pasture.
news of this year’s design showcase and Pieter Grobbolar of the luxurious Concordia Dental.
Last year began with my successful legal battle
In conversation with Absolute’s new MD Alan
with the individual with whom I undertook a
Prior and its editor Ian Trevett I found out that
series of PR events and who quite blatantly
this column is much talked about and widely
defrauded me and others definitely establishing
considered as ‘interesting’ across a wide section
a low point from which I began 2012. All
of Brighton. Readers either enjoy or dislike it
of my friends and most of my professional
with the main criticism being that it is ‘all about
colleagues know of the person(s) and the
me’. Well, it is PJ’s Socialite Diary. It is about me,
outcome and thankfully the dark deed doer
my take on the city and what people, events
has been socially obliterated and like a cow a metaphorical bell rings from a certain neck warning the honest among us of their approach. The year progressed with my being taken up as a member of the Russian touring tribute band Melodies of Boney M with who I shared many a jet, tour van, motorcade and stage, a set of experiences that marked the past year up as truly memorable and one that I will be forever grateful for. And now with the international release of Brighton Babylon, my first novel
Models Sophie Amy Erangy and Adam Rush beach filming for Brighton Babylon. Image by Melissa Buchanan
of four (so far), to be published by London’s Dynasty Press Ltd., I hang up my singing and
Melodies of Boney M. Pictures by Melissa Buchanan
30 B0113_030 PJ EDIT.indd 1
31/12/12 09:52:20
Why stretching and rest are important in your battle for fat loss. With fitness guru Livia O’Toole Stretching loosens your muscles, keeping them flexible which prevents injuries when you’re working out and keeps you
Fit Freedom is a realistic, no-nonsense, long term, effective fat loss programme for women who want to find their inner goddess again. It’s taken years to put the weight on, so you need a focused and realistic approach to losing it again.
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mobile for everyday life. . In a training programme, stretching is used as a relaxation tool at the end of a workout. I recommend using deep breathing to relax your body into a stretch, which makes it feel more natural. During personal training I physically hold a client in position to help her stretch her hamstrings and back with the right amount of pressure. …And now you can rest…! Rest is used during training programmes as well as in our daily
“I can work out more effectively and I can fit it into a busy schedule. I lost 10% body fat in the first 6 months and that has never happened to me before. It’s given me the freedom to live my life how I want to.” Marge, Hove
for th resu
“Livia is 100% professional and very impressive in the way she skilfully manages our two bespoke programmes.” A happy couple, Hove
lives and is more valuable than most people realise. Used as a training tool, rest periods are included in between weight lifting sets to induce ‘muscle hypertrophy’, or muscle growth. It makes your muscles work more effectively and keeps them healthy. Rest is essential in between training days for your muscles to recover. Total rest is when you choose to take it easy all day and ‘active rest’ is when you carry out some kind of low impact exercise such as a long dog walk or cycling with the kids. Rest is also an essential daily habit which helps reduce stress in our lives and therefore the amount of cortisol released into your body. As women, we need to learn the benefits of meditation or taking 5 minutes ‘out’ at least 3 times a day. Just to STOP and breathe deeply… that’s all. Take care of your mind and body. For more information on how to manage your eating and training, you can contact Livia at: Livia@fitfreedom.co.uk
What better way to kick start 2013? CLEAN AND LEAN DETOX! 10.00 - 13.00, 5th and 26th January Boost your health with help from the experts: Personal training, hypnotherapy and nutrition. Just £25 including lunch. Contact Nicola on 07921 3947 to book.
Be vigilant. Be positive. Be gorgeous. Be yourself.
www.fitfreedom.co.uk
B0113_031 Fitness column JAN 2011 1
Fit Freedom is a no-nonsense fat loss programme for mummies who want to find their inner goddess again! Programmes are tailored to you and your lifestyle are you ready?
Contact Livia for your consultation
07931 771 457
livia@fitfreedom.co.uk www.fitfreedom.co.uk
31/12/12 10:14:17
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32 B0113_032_033 Sussex Havana Spoo2 2
29/12/12 09:34:01
guestlist where? Havana Spoon, Hove why? Absolute Christmas Party
who?
11
1. Ellie Newlands, Liz Bishop, James Robinson and Jess Eaton 2. Perry Pounds and Livia Francis 3. Angel de Silva, Alice Fulton, Rachel Scott and Turkish 4. Alex Santos and Simon Darcy 5. Fraser Mcinnes, Jonny Benstead, Rachel Sawyer and Arun Pattrick 12
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6. Damien Duvivier, Jamie Jeffreys, Emma Meldrum and Tom Edwards 7. Jamie Jeffreys, Jenny Rogers and Rick Daley 8. Karim Mohamed and Matt Russell 9. Glen Saunders, Catriona Smith, Naomi Chow and Emily Dauris 10. Wendy Thompson and Phillip Evans 11. The Real Decoys 12. Barry and Sue Windham, and John Healy 13. Greg Hall and Kate Harrigan 14. Stephanie St James and Pieter Grobbelaar
14
15
15. Kate and Corin Morton, Sam Harrington-Lowe and Sam Nash 16. Sharon Hedges and Caraline Brown 17. Michaela McFarlane and Shirley Howes 18. Alan Prior, Tomasz Kuszczak and Alex Santos 19. Mayuri Vyas and Sarah Marshall
16
17
18
19 21
Pictures: www.roseberyimages.co.uk
33
B0113_032_033 Sussex Havana Spoo3 3
29/12/12 09:34:25
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2146.09_BF_Holidays_Absolute_Brighton_Mag_297x210mm.indd 1
03/01/2013 17:02
guestlist where? She Said, Brighton why? Birthday celebration and launch of a new erotic Emporium in Ship Street
1
who? 1. Window undressing at the new Ship Street store! 2. She Said’s Nic Ramsey with Yum Yum Ninjas owners, Robert Shenton and Adam Brian 3. Sophie and Lauren Drinkwater with Francesca Hughes and Keziah Lewis 4. Bethan Moyse, Simone Piper and She Said’s Vanessa Austin Locke 2
5. Adam and friends
3
6. Alexa Flexa B with Nicki Heywood 7. JBPR girls Lisa Ventham, Clare Croome and Jo Brooks 8. She Said girls Rozzi, Chloe and Sarah 9. Sex Muse, Vena Ramphal
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ABSOLUTE
B0113_035 Social She Said.indd 1
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29/12/12 11:56:36
A Stand up for interview
Stephen
This month we welcome our new regular columnist, Krater Comedy Club compere, Stephen Grant. Here is all you need to know about Brighton’s quick-thinking, rapid-fire comedian I set up the Krater Comedy Club in the
I speak to all types of people working as a
summer 1999. I was fed up having to travel to
compere. I once asked a bloke what he did and
London all the time to get stage time!
he said he was a bus driver in Brighton. I asked if the worst route was the No.1 to Whitehawk
I am a stand-up primarily. A compere is
and he said that was his usual route. I then
basically the same job, just some different skills.
asked, “What’s the worst thing anyone has thrown at your bus” and he said, “Snooker balls.”
I write for a number of other stand-up
I then asked if it was all at once, or a red, then a
comedians. The main ones are Russell Kane,
colour, then a red, then a colour... off the top of
Seann Walsh, Simon Brodkin (aka Lee Nelson)
my head. I was quite pleased with that.
as well as people like Jason Manford, Simon Evans, Christian O’Connell and Rufus Hound.
The best audiences have a range of people.
Picture: roseberyimages.co.uk
You don’t want them all young, all old, or all Each comedian works in a different way. In
the same job, or gender, or all from the same
Gervais ‘dropped in’ to do a Sunday and was
the case of people like Russell Kane, you’re not
village... a mix helps the most.
incredible, and Mickey Flanagan has blown the place away numerous times.
even writing as such; you’re throwing big ideas around and cataloguing what material he comes
I’ve been punched a few times. Once, Steve
up with from it and helping to shape it.
Coogan was in the crowd and ran after the guy
There is such a thing as a typical Brighton
who punched me. That made national news!
audience. Respectful, enthusiastic, knowledgable, reactionary, and wasted.
I do get the recognition for my work. Thankfully I’m established enough that there
Hosting the show means I have worked
are plenty of people out there who will point
with some great comedians. In the old days
I used to be an engineer. My New Year’s
out when something is one of my jokes. Not
when people encored (a habit that is dying off
resolution in 1997 was to ‘try something
receiving the acclaim is not nice! Or the done
nowadays!) Terry Alderton once came back
different’. I have never had any regrets.
thing.
on stage over 3 times. He is immense. Ricky
“I asked, “What’s the worst thing anyone has thrown at your bus” and he said, “Snooker balls.” I then asked if it was all at once, or a red, then a colour, then a red, then a colour...” 36
B0113_036_037 Stephen Grant.indd2 2
29/12/12 09:28:47
Engineers do have a sense of humour. They
It is brilliant to be a Albion fan at the moment.
do. They’re just more exacting. Don’t put logical
At this ‘exact; moment, not great, as I have just
or factual errors in a joke’s setup and they’ll
watched us absolutely murder Bolton and only
deem it worthwhile to wait until the punchline.
draw 1-1. I have faith though that only better times are ahead. In Gus we trust! (God I hope
My comedy hero was Ben Elton. As a teenager
Gus is still in charge at the time of publication)
I thought he was amazing; doing standup, writing sitcoms, books, plays, movies, musicals... but he’s
I enjoy a good rant as you will discover when
probably not my favourite at any one of those
you read my columns in Absolute Brighton.
things. I’d like to have his career though!
They are a different angry take on life in Brighton; basically, the opposite of the stuff
My career highlight was walking out to a full
you see in the comments boxes on the Argus
Theatre Royal for my first DVD. It actually
website. Which you need a strong stomach to
took my breath away. Winning my two Chortle
see these days!
awards (the main UK live comedy award) for best compere were very proud moments.
The Krater Comedy Club takes place at the Komedia on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
37
B0113_036_037 Stephen Grant.indd3 3
29/12/12 09:28:57
Foster's
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Dark humour and mischievous delivery
Save on your meal and show with a Meal Deal ticket For full line ups, more info and to book, go to
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Regular award-winning compère Stephen Grant B0113_038 Komedia ad.indd 1
21/12/12 11:48:32
Our new monthly column from Brighton’s own comedy king
Stephen Grant Slowing down progress n 2013, 500 streets in Brighton and Hove get
I
on the super-wide seafront feels so slow I’ve
People shouting for both sides of the argument
a new speed limit of 20mph.
almost gotten out of a moving taxi thinking it
might like to consider there’s a good chance it’ll
As both a petrol head and a regular commuter
was stationary.
make very little difference. There are very few
into Brighton city centre (I finish work at 1am
And that’s the bizarre exception. The main
‘rat-runs’ left in Brighton and Hove that haven’t
and have no public transport options), you’d
arteries into and out of Brighton will keep their
been closed off over the last few decades.
imagine I’m incensed. But I’m also a paranoid
30mph limit, but as most drivers know, those
20mph is not hugely policeable - speed humps
father and an armchair green (with a small g),
are the roads where traffic doesn’t even get
are much more likely to slow people down. And
so I’m prepared to embrace any benefits.
close to 20mph, let alone 30mph.
the argument that it’ll convince people to cycle
Green council leader Jason Kitcat has said that a
If you’re feeling put out, consider this. In 1861
as they’ll feel safer doesn’t wash. I regularly cycle
20mph limit creates less pollution. Scientifically,
the speed limit for cars was 10mph. Four years
into Brighton and I’m more scared by people
this is wrong - per mile, 20% more pollution is
later, that law was changed. The new speed
opening car doors and buses that wouldn’t
generated at 20mph than 30mph (source: DfT).
limit? 4mph. And in the cities it was 2mph,
even notice if they ran me over.
But the argument goes that you brake and
with someone required to walk 60 yards ahead
Idealistically, instead of putting the number
accelerate far less with a 20mph limit, which
carrying a red flag. After 13 years of tireless
‘20’ in signs, why not put the words ‘be more
more than evens it out. Following that logic,
campaigning, the state agreed this law was
courteous and sensible’. Don’t race past a
you can pollute the least by ignoring red lights
ridiculous, and changed it; the urban speed limit
school, don’t cut up cyclists, and if you’re going
and running blind across junctions. I’m guessing
was still 2mph, but now the man only had to
down York place (the bit of the A23 heading
those nutcase drivers on ‘Police Camera Action’
walk 20 yards ahead and he didn’t need a flag.
out of Brighton between Domino’s Pizza and
are just fervent environmentalists.
Progress.
the Hobgoblin pub), don’t sneak down the left
And then Brighton is always a unique case.
In fact, national speed limits are part of
only lane and then go straight over, because you
With super-narrow roads and minimal on-street
Brighton’s history. The London to Brighton
are the kind of human detritus that the roads
parking, going 30mph past parked cars on roads
Veteran car run exists because it was originally
will be infinitely better off without.
so narrow fire engines can’t fit down them will
a celebration of the 1896 increase of the speed
always feel too fast. However, going 30mph
limit to a dizzying 14mph.
Photograph by Paul Hazlewood
“you can pollute the least by ignoring red lights and running blind across junctions. I’m guessing those nutcase drivers on ‘Police Camera Action’ are just fervent environmentalists...” 39
B0113_039 Stephen Grant column.i1 1
21/12/12 10:28:33
Who is Mr Lurve? New Series: Take a glance through the Guest List pages of Absolute Brighton and you will find a host of familiar faces; people whose names you might know or recognise. They may be entrepreneurs, celebs, musicians or just serial networkers. But who is the person behind the photograph? Our new series of interviews will reveal all. This month: Mr Lurve, otherwise known as Ambrose Harcourt. Interview by Ian Trevett.
W
ith up to 250 letters (remember
guardians. Norwich has never been known for
in Holborn, in London and then managed to
those?) per week, it is safe to say
its multi-culturism; Ambrose was probably the
get a job on the World Service at Bush House.
that Ambrose Harcourt’s policy
city’s only black resident without the surname
I interviewed people like Tommy Vance
of playing romantic songs on Southern FM was
of Fashanu!
and Johnny Walker and I learnt a bit about
proving to be a massive hit among the loved-
In the 1960s, it was a tough baptism. “When
broadcasting. From there I did a bit of work
up population of Sussex and beyond. So when
you’re young, and you’ve come over on your
with BBC local radio in London and I started
a new controller came down from Birmingham
own, it’s very, very difficult, and in those days
applying for jobs in the new commercial radio
in 1997 and decided that it was all a bit old hat
it was even more difficult” he recalls. “But my
stations but had no response at all, until finally
and introduced a policy of high-tempo dance
guardians helped an awful lot. They looked
I was given a break by Southern Sound.
music, it meant one thing: farewell Mr Lurve.
after me as though I was their son”
“They liked the stuff I sent them and they told
But the new boss underestimated the power
Despite the initial problems, Ambrose was
me they were interested in doing a soul show.
of love. The campaign to reinstate Ambrose
determined to fit in: “I made loads of friends.
I think in those days people thought a black
gathered pace, championed by the then Argus
I’ve always been quite a positive person and
person would always be someone who loved
Editor, Simon Bradshaw and journalist, Rowan
easy-going. I can get on with most people. If
soul music - unless they had long hair and
Dore, and picked up by local MPs quick to pick
you don’t want to get on with me, I ignore
looked like Jimmy Hendrix. I am very much a
up on a vote-winning campaign. The station
them. I just leave them to it. It’s their problem,
soul, R & B person. I love Motown music, I love
was inundated by letters of protest.
it’s not mine.”
soul music, so it was really my type of music,
So was it the soulful ballads of Luther Vandross
It wasn’t long before the bright lights of London
which was great.”
and Anita Baker that were so missed, or was
lured him south. His broadcasting career
The soul music programme Soul Direction
it Ambrose himself? It’s hard to imagine that
kicked off when he went to study chemistry at
went out on a Saturday evening from about
anyone wouldn’t like Ambrose. I can’t say
university in London and joined the fledgling
7pm to 11pm. “From 11pm to midnight was
I have ever seen him without his trademark
student radio station. “The committee was all
a pre-recorded sponsored show recorded
broad grin, and he is so good-humoured
full of engineers who were actually building the
in London and sent to us on tape. One day
you could even forgive him for his constant
university radio station. None of them actually
the boss, Rory McLeod, came and told me
boasting about Chelsea’s Champions League
wanted to present a show and suggested I give
contract for the sponsored show had come
victory (well, almost).
it a go. I told them I’d never done anything
to an end and we needed to fill the hour. You
His positive outlook and ability to make friends
like this before.They just said, “You’re the social
know, you get inspiration sometimes and I just
have stood him in good stead over the years;
secretary, you’re in charge, you’re the boss, so
said to him, “Why don’t we play love songs
in fact these attributes have been essential.
you better get behind the mike”.
for an hour?” And that’s how The Love Hour
Born and raised in Nigeria, his parents took
“I went behind the mike, I tried it out, and
started. The feedback was just unbelievable. I
the decision to send him to England at the age
actually thought I was absolutely rubbish. But
used to take all the letters we received to the
of 15 to give him an opportunity to further
everybody else thought I was brilliant. And
programme controller and he couldn’t believe
his education. They enrolled him at Norwich
that’s really how it started.
it.
College and found a local family to become his
“After university I got a job at CBS (now Sony)
“Within a few months we were doing love
In those days people thought a black person would always be someone who loved soul music - unless they had long hair and looked like Jimmy Hendrix. 40
Ambrose.indd 2
30/12/2012 19:48
Turning the turntables. Ambrose is more than happy putting his guests on the spot by asking for their three favourite love songs. But what about Ambrose himself? “If I was going to pick three songs now, it would be something from Beyoncé. Lionel Ritchie I’ve met and I love the man. And he’s such a great man, so I’ll have to pick one of his songs as well. And then there’s a song, There You’ll Be by Faith Hill that I love. It’s one of those songs that really tugs on the heart strings and it’s brilliant.”
Photo: roseberyimages.co.uk
41
Ambrose.indd 3
30/12/2012 19:48
The photo album
The fundraiser
On the decks
The young man
The showman
With the Honeyz
The football fan
songs seven nights a week. We changed its name
from angry listeners. It was just unbelievable.
radio and a long stint running singles nights at
to Night Time Heart and Soul and then later on
“Eventually they re-employed me on four times
Midnight Blues (the now-closed club under
became Love Zone. With all the feedback we
my old salary and extended the contract to two
The Grand), it is safe to say that Ambrose can
were getting, the guys started calling me Mister
years. We put on an extra 60,000 listeners to
be held responsible for many of the romances
Lurve and the name just stuck.”
the station RAJAR figures.
and marriages in the county. Which leads us to
You have to admire someone who is
“I spent another four years there, and then they
Ambrose himself - is his life as romantic as the
comfortable with the tag Mr Lurve; surely this
decided that they wanted to move on again and
songs he plays?
must raise some serious expectations!
they let me go. I concentrated more on PR but I
“Last year Pauline and I got married in Jamaica,”
“The shows went on for years – and then we
soon found myself back on the radio. Ryan Heal,
replies Ambrose proudly. “We got married ten
had a new programme controller come from
who I first knew as one of the salespeople at
years to the week that we first met.”
Birmingham who
decided he didn’t want
Southern FM, was now in charge at Juice and he
So, it seems that, as Barry White says, the lurve
the show anymore, and he wanted to make
said to me, “We need to get you back on the
will always be there.
Southern FM more ‘dancey’. After 11 years I got
radio down here.””
the sack! I was totally shocked.
The Love Inn on Juice has proved there is still
“One of the bosses, Bob Hoad, gave me some
a big audience for a smoochy ballad, but what
great advice: “You are the best PR person in this
about Ambrose? Surely he must be well and
company. You should do something about it.”
truly sick and tired of love songs by now:
It was true. I was always out there meeting
“I’ve been asked that question quite a few times,
people, doing roadshows and everything. I was
but I could never get fed up with love songs.
really acting as a front man.
“Barry White came to Brighton and I just loved
“I did a PR course in London for six months
the guy. He said to me in the interview, “We
and got a diploma and I set up a PR company. I
might all eat different foods, drink different
also joined other small radio stations in the area
wines and speak different languages, but there
– I helped launch Arrow FM in Hastings and I
is one thing that we all understand, the language
worked at Sovereign as well. I didn’t realise until
of lurve. This is the reason why love songs will
later on, but there was a campaign led by Simon
never die the world over. The look, the eyes, the
Bradshaw at The Argus to get me reinstated and
smile and much more, that’s lurve!!””
the radio station was getting hundreds of letters
With decades playing love songs on the
Over the years, Ambrose has interviewed many famous personalities as well as working for BBC1, BBC2 and Radio Five Live for a year at Television Centre in London. He was the Resident DJ at trendy nightclub, Annabels in London’s Mayfair, meeting people like Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams, Angelina Jolie, Colin Firth, Michael Flatley and many more. He also worked for ITV Meridian and SKY UK Living presenting the 8 week series of ‘Looking for Love” which was filmed in Brighton and Sussex. • The Love Inn is on Juice107.2 - Mondays to Thursdays, 10pm - Midnight. www.ambroseharcourtpr.co.uk Look out for our new regular Business Love Bites feature where Ambrose asks business people for their favourite three love songs.
42
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19/12/12 09:38:27
LIVING FOR THE MOMENT Jeremy Irvine tells Absolute Brighton about his role in Now is Good, the tragi-comedy partly set in Brighton
read the script initially?
The premise of the movie is very depressing, is that true of the film itself?
He’s recovering from the death of his father
I’d read the Now Is Good script on the way
No. The movie is 80% humour and 20%
and the way he’s dealing with the grief is
to the set of War Horse one day and it
very intense scenes. All the humour comes
by locking himself away. He’s become an
really moved me. I thought here’s a movie
from the fact that this girl’s got the world’s
introvert - he’s dropped out of college
that isn’t being made for any commercial
best excuse, she’s got this free pass and so
and he just stays at home with his mum all
reason whatsoever. It’s being made because
she goes out and she does all the things
day. Then he meets this girl, Tessa (Dakota
it’s art, for art’s sake, not art for money’s
that she never would have normally been
Fanning), who has a terminal illness. She
sake. I’m incredibly inexperienced, but it
able to do. That includes all the things that
is forced to make the best out of every
was very obvious to me that there were
she would get in trouble for - and that’s
moment and really live life to the full and
two paths I could take. I could go down the
where all the funny parts of the movie
that pulls Adam out of his shell.
commercial route or I could go down the
come from.
Adam’s very, very resistant to falling in love
path of doing a movie that I really enjoyed
with her, so when it does happen it’s even
- which are the ones with actual artistic
How special was it working side-
more intense. It’s not a standard kind of
credibility in them and with a truthfulness
by-side with the great actors in
teenage love story because there’s this time
and an honesty.
this film?
What’s the story behind Adam,
The film is very emotional, did
the character you play in the film?
that jump out at you when you
Well Adam is quite a damaged young guy.
limit so it’s so much more powerful – they really do fall in love.
I get pretty overwhelmed at the beginning normally when I meet these people. But they’re so professional - as soon as you start working with them they make you feel like you’re on a level with them and they make you feel that you’re all part of a cast and you’re working together. That for me was such a gift - to feel like I was a part of that team is amazing. How have you been able to keep your feet on the ground now that you’re a famous actor?
Family and friends: my family and friends don’t treat me any differently. I mean what we do is acting for Christ’s sake. It’s like make believe for a living. It’s very 44
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30/12/2012 19:52
easy to stay grounded when you remind yourself of that. My Mum’s a local councillor and spends her days really helping people. What I do in comparison to her is nothing so it’s all relative. After starring in War Horse and Now is Good, how would say your life has changed?
It’s very simple: I can now get work. I’ve spent two years walking around London getting rejected and rejected and rejected, trying to put CVs through agents’ letterboxes, going up for maybe three or four auditions a week and not getting a single one. I mean to be able to suddenly say I’m an actor without blushing and without going red is amazing. I remember when I was doing one of my first jobs working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. I had no lines and I was just coming on stage every night and I had two branches and I was just a tree, a piece of scenery. So all this stuff is just like the whipped cream and the cherries on top: I never expected to ever be in a movie, I never expected to really have lines. So what does the future hold then for Jeremy Irvine?
There’s Great Expectations and that’s a lovely British classic that we played in the London Film Festival. I’ve also got this movie where I play the young Colin Firth with Nicole Kidman called The Railway Man which was just
WIN a DVD of Now is Good.
amazing. Me and Colin would rehearse in his living room and we kind
We have 5 to give away. Just answer
of built a character together – that was just a master class. Then I’ve just
this question to enter:
come back from working with Robert Duvall on a movie called A Night
Dakota Fanning appeared in which
in Old Mexico, which is great. It was a really nice contrast, a much lighter
Saga?
movie and a very funny one too.
Email your answer to ian.trevett@ absolutemagazine.co.uk by 25th
Now is Good is released on DVD on 21st January, courtesy of Warner Home Video
January 2013.
ABSOLUTE
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30/12/2012 19:52
Absolute Interiors Introducing our new Absolute Interiors writer Tara de la Motte (editor of Sussex Homes & Gardens online) www.sussex-homes.co.uk Each month Tara will be bringing you lots of ideas for all your homemaking aspirations.
H
ome is where the heart is… That very familiar place that we call home beckons us each time we are out of its endearing reach. Wherever we go, however far and wide we travel, we are always glad to return to the comfort of our very own sanctuary. Home is the place where we laugh and we cry, the place that sees us through the good times and the bad. The place that we hold in such high esteem, our own little corner within this amazing world, that we want to make warm, cosy and individual. I myself am always looking for inspiration when it comes to improving and adding to my home, be it from magazines, books or exhibitions, I find that these sources help to give me ideas on how to make my home that little bit extra special. I have to confess I’m in love with all things French so it’s not surprising that I am especially drawn to French inspired interiors. My love affair with France could, of course, be due to my French heritage, with my Fathers ancestors originating from Versailles.
T
he French style is based on a more, and not less, theme and while I like certain modern elements in a room I always feel that they work best when fused and supported by their elder counter parts. Layering is the key to the French inspired look. Heaps of cushions made from vintage fabrics can sit alongside silk and lace throws, and intricately woven rugs that have faded with the footsteps of time, and the elegant chandeliers whose aged crystals still sparkle and twinkle in the late afternoon sun.
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” William Morris
I love the way French homes have a time worn ethereal beauty. I like to think that my home is filled with objects that are loved and cherished. I source many things from car boot sales and local charity shops, after all one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure. With so many beautiful objects just waiting to be found right here in Sussex decorating your home can take you on a poignant and fulfilling journey, finding something that once belonged to someone else. Once rediscovered you can breathe new life into your treasures as you refresh, renew and help our world by recycling.
“For our house is our corner of the world… It is our universe, a real cosmos in every sense of the word” Gaston Bachelard
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All the wonderful treasures that you find can be arranged and re-arranged to make your own beautiful works of art. Just by moving objects from place to place in a room can enable you to see things in a totally different light. My house is constantly evolving. Home to me is an everchanging landscape. Even when I was a child I loved playing house, now I’m older I still believe in those same fundamental values of making the place I live in beautiful without spending a fortune. My home to me is a thing of beauty that I have created with careful thought and sentiment.
02/01/2013 17:06
Style Inspiration By Tara de la Motte
Pale and Interesting
An inviting chair filled with beautiful cushions of different shape, size and fabric sit alongside each other in perfect harmony. An ordinary sofa or chair can be instantly transformed by adding cushions.
All things pastel are reflected in the decoration of this living room, with a slight accent of colour from the roses. There is a clever mix of old and new. Next to a modern marble fireplace sits an old Florentine table.
Vintage Books
Vignette
A collection of antique books become an interesting display when piled high against a pale wall. Each book passed down through generations, read and re-read now a unique work of art.
A cleverly placed array of interesting objects, from mercury glass candle holders to a collection of old glass decanter tops and an old silver plated china pot, together create the perfect display.
Cushions: John Lewis, Laura Ashley and Dunelmill
Florentine Table: Emmaus, Antique Figurine: The Martlets, Vase: Heals
Luxurious Cushions
Candlesticks : Lavender Rooms, Old Glass Decanters: Car Boot
Absolute Interiors
Vintage Books: Oxfam Bookshop Style inspiration.indd 1
02/01/2013 18:21
Our range of stylish sliding wardrobes and room dividers are all made to measure In addition to our vast range of styles and colours, our expert advice and fitting service are second to none. It all adds up to reliable and complete service so why not call us today to arrange s free no obligation quote.
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Shabby Chic Shabby Chic was born in 1989; it is not only a brand name but a decorating style founded by Rachel Ashwell. Comfort, Cosiness and relaxation are some of the fundamentals of Shabby Chic it is a unpretentious and exquisitely beautiful style. But most of all it is a functional way of living that we can re-create in our own homes on a low budget.
R
achel Ashwell a single mother of two children, originally looked to open a small shop where she could sell (pretty things). Her vision and love of vintage style and secondhand finds hit a chord with her customers who have since found her comfortable, relaxed approach to design both reassuring and achievable. I’ve always felt at home with vintage fabrics and artifacts, they have a warmth and sense of history and I think this is why this style has always appealed to me.
S
Shabby Chic
ince Shabby Chic decorating is all about being flexible and creative in your thinking, you will be able to take advantage of bargains wherever they can be found. (Just a few signature items can create a beautiful home that reflects your own taste and personality). To get the most out of your second hand treasures be prepared to give them a new purpose, whether your tastes are traditional, retro or modern - A simple coat of paint can quickly revive and stylise a neglected second hand find or If you are handy with a sewing machine, vintage and remnant fabrics picked up at sale prices can be made into decorative cushions, seat covers and simple curtains.
“A mismatched, eclectic collection can prove to be extremely endearing”
T
he Shabby chic room is peaceful and calm, bright and warm. Flexible enough to be whatever you wish it to be, whatever you want to make it. A washed out faded look is the key to the style, all shades of white paint are often used within the shabby chic home. White paint is inexpensive and guarantees a room that is filled with light, and provides a pure, uncluttered backdrop against which you can blend old and new furniture. This is a look that is totally practical and not committing to any particular era. It is a style that can work within any house.
Shabby Chic represents a revived appreciation for what is useful, well loved, comfortable, for those things that some might perceive as being too tattered and worn to be of use or value. Shabby Chic is no more than coming up with low cost solutions that make a house easy to live in and beautiful too.
Rachel’s philosophy of décor is that nothing should be too precious. A child should feel free to put her feet on the sofa, a guest, his cup on the coffee table. Collecting important, rare and costly objects meant to be seen and not touched is not what Shabby Chic is about. This style suggests things that are inherited rather than shopbought and handmade rather than mass-produced. It is also a style that is appreciative of the beauty of process and evolution.
“Soft romantic fabrics and muted colours are designed to delight the eye and please the senses” Unlike some decorative styles that work only in certain types of environments, Shabby Chic is a style that is versatile and boundary free. It is about weeding out the unnecessary, trusting your instincts about what is comfortable and practical, noticing details, experimenting with new and complimentary combinations of colours and fabrics, and looking at imperfection and age with appreciation for their unique significance and beauty.
Shabby Chic.indd 1
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B0113_050 ADS.indd 1
2/1/13 18:53:43
Winter Luxe By Tara de la Motte
I
Another winter has come nights spent near the fire watching the embers glow Karl Skatz
am most definitely not a cold weather person, but I do love the cosiness of winter, it’s such a luscious time of feel-good textures and cosy snugness. To celebrate this winter season here are some tips on how to survive the cold months ahead in comfort and style.
1.
As the dark evenings prevail lighting becomes more important. Create the perfect mood with low level lighting and candle light. Tea lights are a must in my house as I have them burning constantly through the winter months. They look beautiful placed in glass dishes or jars creating a warm, welcoming feeling.
2.
This winter surround yourself with warm textures. Choose a throw made from silk, satin, velvet or soft cashmere and wool. Throw it over the sofa for added cosiness and warmth. Scatter a few winter cushions in deep rich colours of reds, plums and golds.
3.
Indulge in some delicacies such as chocolate and fine champagne or a glass of baileys on ice.
4.
I like to listen to music to keep me calm during shorter, darker days. I go for the greatest hits of Ella Fitzgerald and Andrea Bochelli.
5.
The sweet scent of perfume helps create a warm atmosphere on a winters evening. I like the scent of vanilla and sandalwood and put a few drops in an oil burner and let the aroma drift around the home.
6.
Cosy up in front of an open fire. If you don’t have an open fire put lots of pillar candles together for the same effect. Group together different shapes and sizes but remember to be candle safe.
7.
Surround yourself with a variety of winter foliage, rosemary and lavender cuttings go well together. The simple elegance of this arrangement works well in a vintage vase. Allow the delicious fragrance to stimulate your senses.
8.
On crisp evenings I love to sit outside with friends, with fairy lights wrapped around the plants for soft lighting and patio heaters to keep warm. I cook one of my favourite easy dishes, chilli and serve it with pita bread. This type of casual dining allows plenty of time to relax and chat.
9.
Unwind in these long dark evenings with a hot bath. First give your bathroom a good clear-out and make this space quite minimalist and relaxing. Treat yourself to some bath oils, lavender essential oil is very soothing. If you have the money buy some luxury white towels and treat yourself to some products by Aqua di Parma. A couple of candles to complete your bath time relaxation is an absolute luxury.
10.
Finally when it’s time for bed make your boudoir romantic with plenty of layering, silk, linen, velvet and down, accompanied by a warming mug of hot chocolate and a good book. This is all you need to make your bedtime pleasurable.
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B0113_052 summer Villas ad.indd 1
3/1/13 17:35:02
Madeleine Castaing By Elspeth Thompson
“There is always beauty in mystery”
F
or more than 50 years Madeleine Castaing was an icon of the decorating world. With her striking looks, eccentric millinery and silver-topped cane, Madeleine Castaing cut a familiar figure in the environs of St Germain-des-Prés, where she owned a decorating shop from 1940 until her death in 1992, aged 98. Towards the end of her life it was her bizarre appearance lopsided false eyelashes, scarlet gash of lipstick, dancer’s leggings and a black fringed wig, secured by an elastic chin-strap that doubled as an effective, if visible, face-lift that attracted most attention from passers-by. But to the international decorating world she was an icon: revered by everyone from Nancy Lancaster and Yves Saint Laurent to such leading contemporary designers as Michael Smith in America and Jacques Grange in France. Queen of the flea markets, she injected an unprecedented note of unpredictability into the staid world of Parisian interior design, with an arty, bookish and fin-de-siècle feel that spread far beyond the magical mise en scènes she created in her shop (though she would also tantalise the decorators who came to buy the treasures she had found, frequently declining to sell a favourite piece).
“I decorate houses the way that others paint pictures or write books”
U
pon marrying her rich, intellectual husband, Marcellin. For nearly two decades she lovingly restored the house and grounds, creating a place of magical, haunting beauty in which her intense love of the natural world was fused with an interpretation of the interiors described by Tolstoy, Balzac and Stendhal. The façade and ceilings were painted white and blue, the floors covered in leaf-patterned carpets, and walls hung with fabrics painted with garlands of ivy or palm fronds. Slowly the rooms were filled with the idiosyncratic mix of colours and patterns, shapes and textures that were to become her signature style when, forced out of Lèves by the German occupation in 1940, she fled to Paris and set up shop as a decorator.
There is pattern galore, from the carpets and fabrics she had manufactured to her own design to the extraordinary leopard-skin drawing-room that inspired Jean Cocteau to commission Magdeleine to decorate his country house. There’s a hotchpotch of styles, from Etruscan to midVictorian and taking in the Brighton Pavilion on the way.
“Madeleine injected an unprecedented note of unpredictability into the world of Parisian interior design”
I
n her championing of humble materials such as rattan, horn, spindly ironwork and plain white muslin, which she paired with museum-quality furniture, she was way ahead of her time, and her influence is still apparent today, from interiors to film sets and fashion shoots. Her work was timeless and poetic, she tried to create stories and that’s what signified her style and work. She used to say “There is always beauty in mystery.” Until her forties Castaing was content to devote her creative energies to just one place: the Maison de Lèves, near Chartres, a house she had fallen in love with as a child and bought as a ruin in 1924.
Madeleine Castaing Article.indd 1
But Lèves was by no means cluttered or claustrophobic: windows and beds were hung with white muslin adorned with simple tassels or pompoms, the curtains fastened with her trademark high tiebacks. And Castaing’s loyal adherence to certain much loved colours, including black, white, turquoise, deep red and a clear greenish blue that should really be christened ‘Castaing blue’, gave her rooms coherence and integrity. There was also the famous irreverence and humour. ‘Sometimes you need a bit of bad taste!’ she would declare, and plastic flowers, lime-yellow leather, and safety-pins holding together a Balenciaga gown were all part of her inimitable style, testimony to her talent for reinventing and re-enchanting even the most unprepossessing items.
Madeleine Castaing
‘I decorate houses the way that others paint pictures or write books,’ Castaing said in later years. And as a canvas or manuscript, Lèves is full of her unmistakable brushwork or handwriting, from the directoire exterior made elegant in duck-egg blue and white with touches of pure black, down to the classical friezes around the windows and deep ornate trims on the buttoned-velvet furniture.
02/01/2013 17:10
A Sussex Food & Drink
Foodie News by Paula Seager
SIZZLING SUSSEX - TASTE FINALISTS
A
fter thousands of food and drink lovers in the county have voted for their favourites, the Sussex Food & Drink
Awards judges have tested and tasted their way through the very best eateries, food and drink producers, farmers markets and food shops across the county in the past month and have announced the grand finalists for the 2012/13 awards.
The three grand finalists in each of the eight awards categories are: Best Sussex Eating Experience sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter Solicitors
The Cat, West Hoathly, West Sussex The Ram Inn, Firle, East Sussex Wabi, Horsham, West Sussex Sussex Farmer of the Year sponsored by Knill James
Harry Goring, the Wiston Estate, Steyning, West Sx Martin and Gundrada Hole, Montague Farm, Pevensey, East Sussex Phil and Steve Hook, Longleys Farm, Hailsham, East Sussex Sussex Food Producer of the Year sponsored by The Southern Co-operative
Caroline’s Dairy, Sidlesham, West Sussex High Weald Dairy, Horsted Keynes, West Sussex Just Brownies, Partridge Green, West Sussex
Said Clive Beddall OBE, Chair of the Judges, who oversaw the judges’ debate, “Sussex
Sussex Farmers Market of the Year
produce is just getting better and better and
sponsored by Harveys
more famous every year in other parts of the
Chichester, West Sussex Lewes, East Sussex Steyning, West Sussex
country – we have a great deal to be proud of in this county! “Once again, the quality and diversity of our
Sussex Drink Producer of the Year
grand finalists is superb and we have some
sponsored by Natural PR Ltd
exciting newcomers alongside old favourites.
Dark Star Brewing Co, Partridge Green, West Sussex Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling, East Sussex Wobblegate, Bolney, West Sussex
We are now looking forward to announcing our winners at the Sussex foodie event of the year, the awards banquet, at the Amex Stadium on January 31, hosted by Sally Gunnell OBE and the BBC’s Danny Pike.”
The Sussex foodie event of the year! Enjoy a sumptuous seven-course Sussex banquet at the Sussex Food & Drink Awards banquet at the Amex Stadium on January 31st. ickets are now on sale at www.sussexfoodawards.biz
Best Sussex Food/Farm Shop sponsored by the Sussex Food & Drink Network
The Hungry Guest, Petworth, West Sussex The Sussex Produce Company, Steyning, West Sussex Veasey and Sons Fishmonger, Forest Row, East Sussex Sussex Butcher of the Year sponsored by Natural Farms
Archers, Westfield, East Sussex Bramptons Butchers, Brighton, East Sussex John Murray Butchers, Loxwood, West Sussex Sussex Young Chef of the Year sponsored by Gram UK Ltd and Cheese Please
Charlie Tayler, South Lodge, Horsham, West Sussex Jimmy Gray, Jeremy’s Restaurant, Borde Hill, West Sussex Ryan Hunter, Wingrove House, Alfriston, East Sussex
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02/01/2013 13:54
Vegetarians loyal and true in Brighton I
t seems a strange fact that in the past three years since the Brighton & Hove Foodie Awards was launched as
part of the city’s food festival, public voting has chosen vegetarian winners every year. For the first two years, the restaurant winner was Terre a Terre and this year it was Food for Friends; the reigning Best Café this year is Iydea in Kensington Gardens; Infinity Foods has won Best Food Shop every year since the awards began; and even last year’s Best Food Pub serves exclusively vegetarian fare, though this year’s winner is the superb Ginger Pig. Since Natural PR created these awards and has managed a completely open public voting system, it has become clear
Absolutely fabulous SAUSAGE ROLLS!
that vegetarians are more loyal and true than other foodies. One local resident and vegetarian said: “I think we especially appreciate the fact that they are creating something that is just right for us – so many food places just offer a couple of veggie options and their heart isn’t in it, but in Brighton we are blessed with amazing places to eat interesting, healthy and even exotic vegetarian meals – and you don’t even have to be a vegetarian to enjoy them. Thank you to all the vegetarian restaurants, cafes, shops and pubs in the city!”
The Absolute team loves nothing better than a good sausage roll and word on the streets of Brighton is that Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts at the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink might be making the best around... The team mix top quality free-range pork with the best English Bramley apples and fresh sage and wrap it in homemade, all butter puff pastry, topped with fennel seeds. So are these the best sausage rolls in town? We will be comparing them to others next month. Please do go and taste them for yourselves and let us know your views! Email info@naturalpr.biz And don’t forget to work up an appetite on the ice first – the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is open until January 20. See www.ticketmaster.co.uk/royal-pavilion-ice-rink
B0113_055 Food extra.indd 1
2/1/13 18:55:57
guestlist where? Trevor Sorbie Salon, Brighton why? Special event in aid of the Rockinghorse children’s charity fact. The Lanes Health and Beauty treated clients to manicures, and Bare Minerals were on hand to make sure everyone looked beautiful 1
who? 1. The Trevor Sorbie salon 2. Clare Burgess from Allium B 3. From Lanes Health and Beauty, Julie Coates and Jo Wood 4. Makeover for Clare Croome of JBPR 5. Kate Wilson, Director of Trevor Sorbie Brighton with Cheryl Piper from Rockinghorse with the hamper of beauty products to be raffled 6. From Rockinghorse, Cheryl Piper and Analiese Doctrove
3 2
7. Finished makeover for Clare Croome 8. Trevor Sorbie’s Sarah Heath 9. Emma and Vicky from Bare Minerals 10. Sylvia Barnes with Beauty Therapist Nicola Lawlor 11. Rockinghorse’s Analiese Doctrove 12. Anna Chapman, Art Director at Trevor Sorbie Pictures by Graham Franks
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ABSOLUTE
B0113_056 Social Trevor Sorbie.i1 1
29/12/12 09:37:06
The silver of the sea W
hat happened to us in Sussex?
and the raw end of European quotas for fishing,
Clemmening’ in a revival of the ancient Sussex
We don’t seem to eat fish any
simply giving up the trade. Sussex fishermen
tradition.
more! The British in general
could also be extinct within the next five years!
I think us foodies would all love to have been
have got very lazy about eating anything but
The Hastings fishing fleet and their supporters
there – and will be there next year if we can –
‘big fish’ - chunky fillets of cod, haddock and
created a superb Herring Fair for the first
but most importantly, we need to start buying
rock salmon, most likely in batter from the fish
time last month, aiming at promoting this
and eating herrings and the other fish, which
‘n chippy, and that’s about it, leading to these
under-valued fish which is not only delicious
ever fish is sustainably caught from the sea off
breeds of fish becoming over-fished, rare and
but also abundant right now during the winter
our coasts. We need to support our fishermen
at risk of going extinct. Most of our locally-
season. They held banquets dedicated to ‘the
and encourage the kind of fishing that will help
caught fish – from winkles to sole - is exported
silver of the sea’, a fish fair with the raising of
our fish stocks revive and flourish and we need
to France and Spain, because there’s a market
the herring flags, the traditional blessing of
to stop being squeamish and eat what is fresh
for it there, while we are simply not buying it!
the nets, talks and stalls showcasing herring
and local!
We are causing the demise of our fish and
cookery, pickling and smoking skills and at night
To find out where you can buy locally caught
our fishing fleets, with the young generation of
the Hastings Bonfire Boyes toured the Old
fish, visit: www.southeastseafood.co.uk
fishermen, challenged by our lack of interest
Town with their barrows, ‘a Catterning and
© Lance Bellers | Dreamstime.com
Paula Seager is the founder of Natural PR Natural PR is a team of strategic public relations experts who can help you to communicate naturally in the language and style your business or consumer audience understands and responds to positively. If you need to promote your business, see: www.naturalpr.biz
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02/01/2013 14:03
Heavenly Havana Havana is a Brighton institution that never lets you down. Review by Ian Trevett
E
ating out is always a bit of a lottery.You go to a great restaurant and recommend it to friends, but when you return the service isn’t quite as good or the food disappoints. There are no such worries with Havana. Everytime I have dined here I have left with great memories of an exceptional night out. Such consistency is a fantastic achievement, especially for a
Top: Mandarin cheesecake Above: Roast Sea Bass
restaurant which has been on the scene for 17 years, but I think I have now worked out what their secret is. Watching the Havana team in action, it is striking that the manager is always enthusiastically hands-on. He is greeting customers, pouring drinks, washing glasses and working hard. The message is clear: this is a man who cares about his restaurant and he expects the same from his staff. The day after our meal, I dropped by for a chat with the manager and he explained his philosophy: “Quite simply, I enjoy what I do. I am very passionate about Havana and I get a buzz from it. Everyday is new experience and challenge. “We do our utmost to keep our customers happy: from the service to the food. We want our staff to be knowledgeable about the food and share our passion for the restaurant.” It is an approach that works. The restaurant trade is notorious for high staff turnover, but not at Havana. Most of the team have been there for the long-term. The desire to keep customers happy was also in evidence during our meal. My wife Julia has a condition called Coeliac Disease, where a trace of gluten can cause her to be very unwell. Eating out can be a digestive Russian Roulette as it isn’t as easy as just avoiding bread and pasta - traces of wheat can lurk in less obvious places.
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It was obvious that our waitress was knowledgeable about her condition and Julia felt totally confident that she would be looked after. The gluten-free bread was the only item that was probably not prepared on site, which is how it should be for contamination reasons. They are aware of the importance of special diets: “We go out of our way to make sure diets are catered for and will always chat to our chef. We take it very seriously. We can always prepare something off the menu if needed.” There was no need on this occasion and Julia started with Steamed mussels, Sussex cider and shallots. Her view was they were the best mussels she has tasted yet. This is quite a statement as she always goes for the moules frites when we visit France or Belgium. Our continental friends won’t be happy. My starter was just as predictable - I can never resist the scallop option, and I chose Persolade crumbled scallops, curried pea and lettuce soup, crispy bacon and garlic foam. It was a combination which seemed quite unusual, as there is always a worry that the subtle flavour of the scallops can be overwhelmed. No problem the chef clearly knows what he is doing. The flavours worked well together and the scallops were delicious. I kept on the seafood for the main with Roast sea bass, chorizo, white wine mussels, chilli Parisian potatoes and micro coriander, allowing myself the opportunity for a second opinion on the mussels. Julia is a good judge on these things. She went for the 42 day dry aged 7oz grilled sirloin, triple cooked chips, sautée wild mushrooms, rocket, parmesan and balsamic salad ie the steak and chips.You can’t beat the old classic, especially with a touch of Havana quality. As you might expect, there were no tough, gristly bits to contend with. I’m not sure quite what possessed me to choose the Mandarin cheesecake, rhubarb consommé and candied rhubarb. I know why it appealed - I love cheesecake. But on the other hand I can’t bear rhubarb, that bitter monstrosity of a vegetable (or fruit if you are from America!). Typical Havana - the various incarnations of rhubarb were all lovely. Maybe I will have to reconsider this prejudice, though I doubt it will ever taste as nice. Julia had no negative preconceptions to overcome and she loved her Poached pear served with hazelnut sable, poir williams custard and huile d’olive ice cream. I really feel that I should apologise for this review. I am fan of the sneeringly witty restaurant reviews of Giles Coren and AA Gill. This has lacked any of their barbed one-liners and as a result, will be less of a good read. The trouble is we just had a wonderful meal with informed and attentive service, along with the esteemed house jazz players (even if they did have to interupt their set four times for Happy Birthday to You). I have no criticisms to offer. Sorry. All I can say in my defence is that I have got all the way through a Havan review without once talking about the colonial-influenced decor. And that has to be a first.
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Wisdom in natural simplicity Anastasia Meldrum enjoys the simple, undeclared beauty of Wabi Izakaya in Horsham
I
have long waited for a good, easily accessible, reasonably priced,
creator and former Nobu head chef, Scott Hallsworth,
achingly hip and atmospheric Japanese restaurant. The kind where
waiting for me on my arrival.
you can pop in for a light lunch, entertain clients, have a party or be
Now, I am a girl of research; knowledge is power and all that
romanced by somebody special, all under one roof. Little did I know
jazz, so I already knew that his Japanese fare with a European
that there was an absolute gem, right under my nose, just up the road in
twist had won Wabi accolades, including two AA rosettes.
Horsham.
With this in mind, I was hoping for big things, but shameful
Horsham is perceived as being a little behind in the food stakes
to say, was almost expecting poncy portions, and slabs of
compared with Brighton’s cosmopolitan offerings. Wabi Izakaya however,
generic raw fish on pretty plates as I’ve experienced so often
in the best possible sense, takes this perception, and gives it a swift boot
in ‘Fine Dining’ restaurants.
in the backside.
I could not have been more wrong. What came out over the period of
Named after Wabi Sabi, the Japanese movement characterised by simple,
my stay were mind bogglingly good… explosive taste sensations, which
undeclared beauty, Wabi is a restaurant and cocktail lounge whose
for the larger part were cooked and not raw at all.
striking design and elegant cuisine ensure that it more then lives up to its
To begin, we had some nibbly bits; the freshest edamame with sprinklings
namesake.
of Malden sea salt, crunchy soramame tempura (Japanese broad beans)
Set over two floors, the décor is simply astounding. Blackened slate
seasoned with wasabi and home made pork scratching with yuzu pepper
against dark hard wood and impeccable design throughout.
aioli. I almost died when I tried the scratching. It melted in my mouth
On the ground floor, there is a buzzing bar with a waterfall backdrop,
completely unexpectedly. Utterly dreamy.
where suave tenders create exquisite cocktails and people dine on
Scott then recommended some of the other dishes from the menu, and I
communal tables, giving it a youthful and laid back vibe.
was entranced and captivated by his devotion to his art when describing
The first floor is equally as pleasing if not a little more grown up. Candle
and explaining the process, from choosing the ingredients to the complex
lit tables creating a more personal experience, and a 12-seat tatimi room.
cooking, and the delivery to the customer. This guy has more passion then
The layout of Japanese restaurants, with wood paneling and seating on
the High Renaissance painter Raphael, who was as well known for his art
the floor is exciting but needless to say, a little uncomfortable. You have
and architecture as his love of the ladies.
to take off your shoes (matching socks advisable!), sit cross-legged for
Next up: Crunchy salmon tacos with tomato, chili and lime salsa, beef
the whole meal and ask for a final course of a winch and some WD-40
fillet tataki with onion ponzu and garlic chips and spicy tuna tartar served
to get back on your feet. Luckily though, the table in this stunning area
on crispy rice senbei.
has a central space, so you can sit on the floor, with your feet beneath
I’ve often wondered how incredible chefs manage to make beef so
it. I opted for one of the eight private booths available for my dining
damn tender… this was ridiculous, it was so light it was barely there, just
experience.
outstanding and fabulously moreish. The other two dishes were equally as
Unfortunately, my date was running late, so I was delighted to find Wabi
pleasing.
I almost died when I tried the scratching. It melted in my mouth completely unexpectedly. Utterly dreamy... 60
B0113_060_061 Wabu review.indd 2
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At this point, my partner arrived so we stopped
dining is that you will be served raw fish. Wabi
to drink, chat and laugh with Scott and the
is setting a new precedent, and a far higher
most intelligent and attentive waiter I have ever
percent of the menu is cooked, thus appealing
come across, Alexander. I was drinking a lovely
to those who like their fish warm and beef with
white wine, Gali 2011, and my partner opted
a little less moo.
for Wabi’s very own beer, Wabi Sabi, which is
Wabi Horsham has also set the trend for the
brewed in Horsham and is made with Yuzu
brand to enter London, with the inception of
juice, a Japanese citrus.
Wabi London just a few weeks ago. Something
Then it was on to more delicious treats – Maki
tells me the Japanese eateries in the Capital
sushi unagi eel and prawn tempura, crispy
have a lot to fear… This powerhouse has
squid kara-age with jalapeno sauce, and bbq
success stamped all over it.
pork belly buns with spicy miso sauce. The little pork buns were not only a novelty, but utterly
SPECIAL OFFER
delicious. Tender pork sqidged into soft, spongy
Wabi Bites
buns with a firecracker sauce that made my
Select a choice from eight smaller
ears tingle.
tasting dishes to be shared in a tapas
Although stuffed I found myself fingering
style way:
the dessert menu…. Oh go on then, just
From the Izakaya burger to Pork buns
the FOUR!!! A selection of warm chocolate
with spicy peanut soy. Choose 3 dishes
banana harumaki, sorbet, mochi and ginger and
and a drink for £9.99 in the wabi
cinnamon whippy ice cream… that tasty we
lounge all week.
finished the plates clean. Whilst sitting at the end with my espresso
www.wabirestaurants.com/horsham
martini, it dawned on me that we had been at
38 East Street
our table for five hours. Everything had been
Horsham RH12 1HL
such a pleasure from the food, service and
Tel: 01403 788140
company that the time had run away with us.
reservations@wabi.co.uk
The common misconception from Japanese
B0113_060_061 Wabu review.indd 3
2/1/13 17:17:53
A BREATH OF FRESH ARIA! Where can you find modern-European style cuisine, extravagant décor, sea views and opera - all in one place? Get along today to Little Bay
T
he first Little Bay restaurant outside of London opened last year on Brighton seafront, and is located within the prestigious UMI Hotel on
the Kings Road, enjoying the wonderful views that such a position offers. Little Bay focuses on fresh ingredients at a low price, for their modernEuropean cuisine, which you can enjoy in an atmosphere styled towards a theatrical environment! The fabulous décor lends itself beautifully to the live opera performances, available on Wednesday to Saturday evenings at 8pm. There is no additional charge for the opera entertainment when you dine during the performance, making dining at Little Bay even better value for money! Singers Toby Sims, Debbie bridge, Adele Bates and Yvonne Patrick are experienced and professional performers. Come and listen for yourself! Little Bay Brighton 60 - 64 Kings Road, Brighton Tel: 01273 731330 www.littlebay.co.uk
£9.95 3-COURSE MEAL FOR PARTIES OF 12+ Starters – ALL @ £2.95 Soup of the Day Mussels, Garlic, Shallots, White Wine & Cream Grilled Chicken Satay, Crunchy Peanut Butter Sauce Profiteroles with Crab Meat and Citrus Hollandaise Baked Garlic Mushrooms with Soft Cheese and Spinach Prawn Cocktail with New Potato, Crème Fraiche and Lime Zest Warm Salad of Honey Glazed Goat Cheese – Basil Pesto Parsons Pastry, Smoked Chicken, Mushrooms & Fine Herbs, Crème Fraiche
Desserts – ALL @ £2.95 Apple Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream Profiteroles, Banana Cream & Hot Chocolate Sauce Choco Brownie with Almonds and Vanilla Ice Cream White Chocolate Cheesecake, Passion Fruit Coulis Cheese Platter, Biscuits & Grape Chutney
Main Courses – ALL @ £6.45 4-hour Slow-Cooked Shoulder of Lamb, Grilled Vegetables, Port Wine Sauce Braised Pork Belly, Apple & Potato Mash, Black Pudding, Soya Honey Sauce Oven Roast Fillet of Salmon, Saag Aloo Potato, Thai Curry Sauce Fillet of Plaice stuffed with Crab Meat. Baby Spinach, Sauce Veronique Stuffed Chicken Breast with Lamb Mince, Green Beans, Port Wine Sauce Confit Leg of Duck, Butternut Squash, Red Cabbage, Honey Ginger Sauce Stuffed Roasted Red Peppers, Mange-Tout, Green Beans and Tomato Sauce Beef Bourguignon, Bacon, Pearl Onion, Mushrooms and New Potato
LITTLE BAY BRIGHTON 60-64 KINGS ROAD, BRIGHTON, BN1 1NA 01273-731-330 WWW.LITTLEBAY.CO.UK
B0113_062 Little Bay JAN 13.indd1 1
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music
Who Loves Ya, Baby According to The Times, it won’t be long before Kovak are seen on the main stage of Glastonbury. Catch them before they get too big. The band’s manager Andy Hollis gives us a quick guide to Kovak
A
Who are Kovak? Kovak have been described recently in Star Magazine as ‘The UK’s answer to the Scissor Sisters’ which is probably a fair enough starting point and The Times recently wrote a double page piece on the band, where they were compared to ‘vintage Blondie’. They are also being championed currently as at the forefront of the re-emergence of the ‘Great British Pop Band’. There’s a real sea-change happening where people are getting bored of the manufactured acts and homogenous sounds of the pop artists today, mainly because they’re written for and produced by the same people, so any hope of individuality is lost. Kovak are out there to change things again. The band consists of the enigmatic blonde chanteuse, Annelies Van Der Velde, brothers Karl (guitars) and Darren Bray (drums) and Jonny Scafidi (bass). How would you describe Kovak’s music? Lively, fun electro-pop. The band recently finished recording the next album in Spain and it’s sounding firstly very much like a real band - not a collection of synths and drum patterns with a singer - it’s retro, but up to date. If Blondie hooked up with the Scissor Sisters, they’d give birth to Kovak. There’s a bit of Primal Scream and Stones in there too these days. What’s happening with Kovak now? Kovak recently became only the second unsigned band in history to be playlisted on the UK’s largest station, Radio 2 with their new single, Killer Boots. The second single, Living The Dream was taken up by VEVO and gained 75,000 hits in 2 days on YouTube. There’s a huge amount right now in the pipeline - the next single and album will be out soon along with a major tour. How successful/well known will Kovak become? Tricky to predict - if someone had the formula to predict the tastes of the general public they’d be extremely rich. Who could have predicted the huge impact made by Adele last year? The Times said that Kovak were “on the verge of making it big” and predicted it wouldn’t be long before we saw them on the main stage at Glastonbury. There’s a nice aim for you! Kovak are known for your club nights and guest stars. Can you tell us more about these? The band have always been incredibly supportive and interested in the local scene - there’s so much good, creative talent in Brighton, but very often people get caught up in their own projects. If we all pulled together to help everyone out, it could be a very powerful and successful hub and outlet. As a result, the band have run the Club Kovak night where they invite other local acts to play a live show, alongside a “name” DJ - recently there’s been turns from The Go!Team and The Orb’s Alex Paterson. Is everyone from Brighton? Everyone lives in Brighton now. Annelies is actually originally from Belgium and is striving to become top answer in the classic pub question “name five famous Belgians”... www.kovak.co.uk
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LISTINGS Theatre Royal, Brighton
Latest Music Bar, Brighton 14 - 17 Manchester St Brighton BN2 1TF
New Road Brighton East Sussex BN1 1SD BoxOffice: 08700 606 650 Tue 8th Jan - 12th Jan 2013 Quartermaine’s Terms (play) Thu 17th & 24th Jan 2013 ‘ What is it about that night’ Singer Catherine Ireton Fri 18th Jan - Sat 19th Jan Limelight
www.thelatest.co.uk/musicbar BoxOffice: 01273 687171
Tue 5th Feb Ellen Kent’s Tosca Wed 6th Feb Ellen Kent’s Tosca Thurs 7th Feb Big Cheer for Amaze 3 Phil Jupitus and friends
www.brightondome.org BoxOffice: 01273 709 709 Sun 20th Jan Britten Sinfonia Corn Exchange
Tues Jan 8th Action for Happiness. Doors 7.30 Show 8.00 Free
Tue 22nd Jan Brighton Dome Organ Recitals Richard Hills Concert Hall Sat 26th Jan Jimmy Carr - Gagging Order
Wed 30th Jan - 30th Jan 2013 That’ll Be The Day (concert)
Sat 2nd Feb Milton Jones: On the Road 2013
Church Street Brighton East Sussex BN1 1UD
Mon Jan 7th DigiTune Presents Show 8.00 £4/£3 cons
Mon 28th Jan - 28th Jan 2013 One Night of Elvis (concert)
Thu 31st Jan - 31st Jan 2013 Motown’s Greatest Hits How Sweet it Is (concert)
Brighton Dome
Thursday Jan 10th Catalyst Club Doors: 8.00 Price: £5 Tues Jan15th Cafe Scientifique Doors: 7.30pm Thurs Jan 17th Anita Boult Doors 7.30 £10/£8
Tuesday 29th Jan BalletBoyz (dance troupe)
Thurs Jan 24th Speaky Spokey Show 8.00pm £5/£4 advance
Wed 13th Feb Illusions Studio Theatre
Proud Brighton
83 Saint George’s Road BN2 1EF
Fri 18th Jan Blind Pig & Cabaret £25 Sat 19th Jan Le Chat Noir £35 Thur 24th Jan Speakeasy £19 Fri 25th Jan 50 Shades £25
www.brightoncabaret.com 01273 605789 Friday 8th Feb Beyond the Barricade Sun 17th Feb Pam Ann: Around the World
Fri 11th Jan Super Club £25 Sat 12th Jan Le Chat Noir £35
Sat 26th Jan Le Chat Noir £35 Thur 31st Jan Speakeasy £19 Fri 1st Feb Super Club £25 Sat 2nd Feb Le Chat Noir £35
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Brighton Centre, Brighton
Concorde, Brighton Madeira Shelter Hall Madeira Drive Brighton BN2 1EN
Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2GR
BoxOffice: 0844 847 1515 Wed Jan 2nd - Sat Jan 12th Starlight Express Thu Jan 17th Gary Barlow: In Concert
www.concorde2.co.uk BoxOffice: 01273 673 311 Fri 18th Jan Miguel + support from DALEY
The Old Market, Brighton
11A Upper Market Street, Brighton
www.theoldmarket.com BoxOffice: 01273 201801 Tue 8th Jan Miniclick: Mark Power Monthly photography discussions Thu 10th Jan Laughtermarket. Monthly comedy night with headline and new stand-up acts. Headliner: Luisa Omeilan Tue 15th Jan Design Brighton: Inspire Guests: Deyan Sudjic OBE & Kyle Bean
Sat 19th Jan The Correspondents Goodtime party hip-hop Thu 24th Jan 2013 POETS vs MCs Sun Jan 20th Ronan Keating FIRES Live Mon Jan 21st Donny & Marie LIVE
Sun 27th Jan 2013 Brighton Rumble Rockabilly Show Featuring The Doel Brothers Fri 1st Feb UK Decay and The Cravats
Tue Jan 29th - Thu Jan 31st The XFactor Live The Final Seven Acts
Fri 8th Feb The Bronx
Mon Feb 11th Plan B
Thu 17th Jan Comedy Double Bill: Alfie Brown & Daniel Simonsen
Fri 25th Jan Congo Natty
Fri Jan 25th - Sun JAN 27th Madagascar Live! Out of the zoo and onto the stage...!
Mon Feb 4th Paloma Faith
Wed 16th Jan iOpen Spoken Word Evening of free verse, hosted by MC Roy Hutchins
Tue 5th Feb Noreaga
Mon 11th Feb Darwin Deez Tue 12th Feb Frightened Rabbit
Sat 19th Jan Alive & Swinging with Marilyn Monroe & The Burning Love Band Tues 22nd Jan The Drawing Circus Presents: Drawn to the Ocean Thu 24th Jan Shorts & Sweets Book Club Reading: Sylvia Townsend Warner
Fri Feb 15th Little Mix The hottest new girl band... Sun Feb 17th Boogie Nights The Osmonds and Gareth Gates...
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B0113_065 Listings2.indd 1
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Gig guide
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry
Jacquemo – Sat 12 Jan @ The Brunswick Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry – Wed Jan 13 @ Concorde 2 A veteran of reggae and dub, Lee Perry was a key founder in the development of Jamaican popular music and this February he brings his mix quirky instrumental numbers to the Concorde 2. Jouis – Tue 15 Jan @ The Green Door Store Art of Burning Water – Thur 17 Jan @ The Prince Albert JD Mcpherson – Fri 18 Jan @ The Haunt Written In Waters – Mon 21 Jan @ The Prince Albert
Plan B – Mon 11 Feb @ The Brighton Centre The English rapper, singer-songwriter, actor and film director who shot to national stardom with his 2010 UK #1 album The Defamation of Strickland Banks comes to Brighton to perform a collection of songs from his three critically acclaimed albums. Frightened Rabbit – Tue 12 Feb @ Concorde 2 Villagers – Sun 17 Feb @ The Old Market Delphic – Wed 20 Feb @ Komedia I am Kloot – Thur 21 Feb @ St Bartholomew’s Church
Matthew E. White – Tue 22 Jan @ The Hope Born Gold – Wed 23 Jan @ The Green Door Store Gnarwolves – Thur 24 Jan @ The Prince Albert Suave Debonair – Fri 25 Jan @ The Prince Albert The Physics House Band – Sat 26 Jan @ The Prince Albert AK/DK – Sun 27 Jan @ The Prince Albert Mykki Blanco – Mon 28 Jan @ The Green Door Store Passenger – Wed 30 Jan @ Komedia David Bazan – Thur 31 Jan @ The Basement Kelly Joe Phelps – Fri 1 Feb @ The Palmeira Dinosaur Jr – Sat 2 Feb @ Concorde 2 Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun – Sun 3 Feb @ The Prince Albert Funeral for a Friend – Mon 4 Feb @ The Haunt Maria Minerva – Tue 5 Feb @ Green Door Store Jason Lytle – Sat 9 Feb @ The Haunt Killer Mike – Sun 10 Feb @ The Green Door Store
Calexico – Tue 19 Feb @ Corn Exchange The Arizona based indie rock band who have been described as “A band utterly assured and fully aware of their intoxicating potency” stop off at The Corn Exchange as part of their 6-date UK/Irish tour. Richard Thompson – Fri 22 Feb @ Brighton Dome Michael Chapman – Sat 23 Feb @ West Hill Hall Example – Tue 26 Feb @ The Brighton Centre
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Simply the best
what’s on
A
Mo Shine’s pick of the best six shows this month
Starlight Express Until Jan 12th, Brighton Centre Starlight Express opened to packed houses in London’s West End in 1984 where it ran for over 7000 performances. It is a futuristic tale about love and hope in the face of adversity, with two hours of speed, spectacle, energy, daredevil stunts and turbo charged excitement, combined with an electrifying sound track, dazzling sets and costumes, extraordinary roller-choreography and some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most memorable musical hits.
Gary Barlow - Thurs Jan 17th, Brighton Centre With over 20 years experience, 50 million records sold, eight number one albums and six Ivor Novello Awards, Gary Barlow is clearly recognised as one of the most successful British singer songwriters ever. This tour is his first in 13 years and his show will include songs from his entire career. Miguel - Fri Jan 18th, Concorde 2 Miguel Jontel Pimentel is an American singer, songwriter and producer who incorporates R&B, funk, hip hop, rock and electronic styles into his music.
Alice In Wonderland
Following the release of his sophomore album, Kaleidoscope Dream, Miguel’s
Script, music & lyrics by Mike Carter.
current show will incorporate songs from his first two albums.
Southwick Players bring you a delightful start to the New Year with a fairy tale that enchants children and adults alike.
Supercharged presents Krafty Kuts – Sat Jan 19th, Digital
With well over 1,000 performances since its opening night, this
Brighton based musician Krafty Kuts is a world renowned DJ recognised as
adaptation of Alice in Wonderland has all the humour, excitement and
one of the best-known purveyors of breakbeats and old-skool hip-hop. His
magic of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s story.
breakbeat night, Skool of Thought, is widely considered one of the best
Saturday 5th - Saturday 12th January 2013 at 7.30pm
.
(Matinee 5th, 6th & 12th at 2.30pm)
Metz – Mon Jan 31st, Green Door Store
Tickets - £8/£12
Straight out of the Toronto hardcore scene, strap yourself in for a night of
The Barn Theatre Community Centre, 24 Southwick Street
hard, fast, punk rock from Canadian outfit, Metz. The power trio are on a
Southwick, BN42 4TE
mission to spread the raw, emotional sounds of post-hardcore sludge-punk
Box Office: 01273 597094
across the globe and do so with a mix of absorbing song writing and a
On-line booking: www.southwickplayers.org.uk
dissonant pulse.
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Absolute 210x297mm-Starlight:Layout 1
31/10/12
14:20
Page 1
TWO WEEKS ONLY! WED 2-SAT 12 JAN 2013
Box Office: 0844 847 1515 Group Bookings: 01273 292695 www.brightoncentre.co.uk
THE YOUNG KINGS OF DANCE... B0113_069_070_071 Ballet Boyz.in1 1
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Ballet Extraordinary Mo Shine catches up with the co-founders of the BalletBoyz before their Brighton performance this month
T
he award-winning ten-strong all male dance company, BalletBoyz, are touring next spring with their new show, the TALENT 2013. Co-founders William Trevitt and Michael Nunn give readers an insight to this unique spectacle of dancing talent The TALENT is billed as giving us something new and exciting from the Balletboyz. Can you tell our readers a bit about this new venture? We started the TALENT back in 2009, and it’s been touring throughout the UK since early 2010. Now in its fourth season, it’s essentially a continuation of all the hard work that the company has done over the past few years. The evening is made up of two new pieces by two very accomplished choreographers; Russell Maliphant has worked with us a lot in the past, making work on the two of us when we used to perform, so we know his style and way of working really well. We’re also delighted to be working with a young, up and coming dance maker called Liam Scarlett, who has just left the Royal Ballet and is starting to make a name for
himself. He’s already created work in the US on some big ballet companies as well as for the Royal Ballet here in the UK, but his work for us is his first time working with a contemporary dance company. The show is exactly what it says on the tin – the best talent we could possibly find. We think there’s something for everyone, and as our dancers grow and mature with each passing season, the quality of our output on stage also blossoms.
unable to take our eyes off someone when they’re dancing. That doesn’t mean they need to have the highest jump, or the nicest feet, but rather just be so committed to what they’re doing that you become completely absorbed in their performance. Then there are practical considerations too; are they easy to get along with? Can they take corrections, and more importantly, apply them? Also key is a welldeveloped sense of humour! Take your craft and your work seriously, but never yourself.
When scouting for talented dancers, besides the obvious ability, what are you looking for? Hmmm, that’s a really tricky question to answer! We know it sounds a bit clichéd, but it is very much a case of looking for the ‘XFactor’. It’s difficult to pinpoint what makes a great dancer. Like you say, there’s the obvious technical capability: an understanding of their body and how it moves through space etc. But then there are also all the other qualities that are hard to quantify. It’s hard to put your finger on, but ultimately, we need/want to be
How do you all keep fit and get ready for your gruelling performances, and how do you and the boys like to relax? When you work as hard as our dancers do, there isn’t really much need to keep fit. The job takes care of that. Doing a proper class every day is vital to maintaining form and managing your body. We do all that we can to ensure that our dancers are as well prepared as possible when it comes to stepping out on stage. Injuries are the bane of any professional dancer’s career, and by doing class consistently, working in a safe manner and listening to your body this risk becomes minimised. In terms of relaxing, spending quality time with friends and family is always healthy. It is important to create a balance. We both have young families, as does one of our dancers, so this is important. And finally, do you get much chance to see anything of Brighton when you come here? If so, how do you like our city? Unfortunately, not as much as we’d like to! Touring (especially in the UK) is incredibly tiring, and can quickly become repetitive. We usually get to the city we’re performing in by lunchtime and are then on stage by about 2pm. We work solidly on stage up until about an hour before curtain up and then it’s show time! As soon as the curtain comes down, it’s time for a quick cool down and then a race to the station to get the train back to London. If we’re performing over
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a certain distance, then we stay overnight and come home in the morning or head straight to the next theatre, but in general there is very little time to sightsee and chill. It sounds a bit dull, but then when we get to perform overseas, there’s far more time for R&R. We took the company out to Martha’s Vineyard a couple of years ago to take part in a residency and spent two weeks just dancing loads and then laying on the beach to recover! It’s amazing stuff like that, that is the pay off for all the hard graft. Brighton may not have the same climate as MV, but it’s still a buzzing town and a great place to come for a night out. We’ve not actually performed here for a while so we’re very excited to be coming back and we hope the town likes what we have to offer.
The company line-up consists of Taylor Benjamin, Andrea Carrucciu, Flavien Esmieu, Adam Kirkham, Alexander Loxton, Jordan Olpherts, Edward Pearce, Leon Poulton, Matthew Rees and Matthew Sandiford. BalletBoyz Tuesday 29 January 2013 Brighton Dome Concert Hall 7.30pm
Ticket Office: 01273 709709 brightondome.org
ABSOLUTE
B0113_069_070_071 Ballet Boyz.in3 3
00
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guestlist where? Profile, Dukes Lane, Brighton why? Some Seagulls enjoy a Profile showcase
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who? 1. A special visit from Brighton and Hove Albion players Dean Hammond, Stephen Dobbie, Liam Bridcutt and Gordon Greer 2. Brighton and Hove Albion’s Gill McPhee and Paul Rogers 3. Magdalena Maria, Mola Bodun and Magda Iwona 4. Manda Shi and Maricci Lapuz 5. Music from crooner Matthew vanKan
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6. Tara Brazier 7. Curtis and Harvey Southon 8. Lizzie Mazza, Emma Hourican and Kia Davitt 9. Tina and Rebecca 10. A stress relieving hand massage at Bare Minerals for Lisa Ventham of JBPRCox of Juice Breakfast show6. Montefiore MD Andy Wood 11. Profile’s Behzad Ajban, David Silburn and Matt Wright
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Pictures by Graham Franks
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ABSOLUTE
B0113_072 Social profile.indd 1
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B0113_074 ADS.indd 1
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w w w. s t y l i s h e v e n t s f a y r e s . c o m
3/1/13 08:40:26
MUSIC NEWS
New Brunswick Battle of the Blues
Beth Orton album release
First heat
Bert Jansch. Her new album, Sugaring Season, released in October, is a
The search for the best-unsigned blues musicians comes to Sus-
noticeable improvement on her 2006 album, coupling some superb song
sex! The first of five heats nationwide that will see the cream of
writing and musicianship with a warm, intimate delivery.
Since the release of her last album six years ago, Beth Orton has married, given birth and vastly developed her guitar skills with help from the late
unsigned blues bands and singer/songwriters from across the UK perform live. The heat winners will qualify for the head to head
Mean Poppa Lean split
final held in London in 2013.
Brighton’s favourite cross-dressing funk rock band, Mean Poppa Lean, have separated after a seven-year career together. The six-piece group electri-
The Blues Issue from Worthing are one of six blues acts have been
fied audiences with their fusion of funk and fun, resulting in a delivery of
chosen from musicians across the region to compete in the South-
blistering energy and unflappable confidence.
ern heat of the New Brunswick Battle of the Blues, going head to head at The Brunswick, Hove, on Friday 25th January in the
Fear of Men set album release
competition to find Britain’s best unsigned and original blues artists.
The Brighton based four-piece ‘Fear of Men’ are set to release a compila-
The competing acts chosen for the Southern heat also include The
tion of singles on marbled vinyl 12” as well as a digital album under the
Blues Corporation from Brighton
title Early Fragments. The compilation is due for release on February 12, 2013 under Brooklyn based indie label Kanine Records, their first album
The overall competition winner will be flown out on an all-expens-
in the US.
es paid trip to New Brunswick, Canada, to perform main stage at the province’s great Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in September
Rosen guest director for Brighton Festival
2013. This search for the best of British blues has come about
The Brighton Festival announced the guest director of this year’s event to
because New Brunswick is looking to the UK to add a new act to
be poet, writer, broadcaster and former children’s laureate, Michael Rosen.
the mix for its world-renowned Festival in Fredericton.
The festival takes place from May 4th - 26th 2013, and comprises three weeks of unrivalled arts celebration across the city, including the world premiere of Rosen’s new guide to the orchestra, The Great Enormo. 75
B0113_075 Whats On NEWS.indd 1
21/12/12 11:36:43
A
education
Schools of Thought A selection of the finest independent schools in the area MOIRA HOUSE GIRLS SCHOOL
Upper Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7TE www.moirahouse.co.uk Head: Mrs Lesley Watson Ages of children: 2-18 Single sex - girls Moira House girls are encouraged to be the best they can be. Independent Schools inspectorate 2010. I like all the things there are to boost confidence. Laura, age 15 The teachers are so supportive. Freddie, age 18
ARDINGLY COLLEGE
Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6SQ www.ardingly.com Head: Peter Green Ages of children: 2½ -18 Co-ed
CHRIST’S HOSPITAL Horsham, West Sussex RH13 0YP www.christs-hospital.org.uk Head: Mr John Franklin Ages of children: 11-18 Co-ed
Christ’s Hospital was founded in 1552 in London – moving to Horsham in 1902. The school is located in 1200 acres of countryside and is easily accessible by road and train with its own railway station. CH offers pupils from all walks of life the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential and to develop their interests and talents in a caring and stimulating environment. I am indebted to my teachers, who have gone beyond the call of duty to support me when I have asked for help. If you’re prepared to throw yourself into the opportunities and commitments which Christ’s Hospital offers, the rewards are rich and lasting. Quotes from pupils
HANDCROSS PARK
Handcross, West Sussex, RH17 6HF 01444 400526 www.handcrossparkschool.co.uk Head: Mr Graeme Owton Ages of children: 2-13 Girls and boys. Day, weekly and full boarding
Ardingly College is an independent co-educational boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 2½-18. Situated in beautiful West Sussex countryside between London and Brighton, the College is 12 miles south of Gatwick Airport, 35 miles from Heathrow and convenient for Surrey, Hampshire and Kent, I wanted a school and a home and that is exactly what I felt Ardingly to be. Ardingly is a school that looks outward, not inward – an English school with an international character. V. Bergbauer
Handcross Park prides itself on being a happy school where children are able to fulfil their individual potential. With exceptional teaching leading to 100% pass rate at Common Entrance, alongside excellent facilities that encourage their creative, musical and sporting aptitudes, many children go on to obtain scholarships to their chosen senior school. I have been at Handcross for 10 years. I will be very sad to leave as everyone is so kind and friendly.When I started at Handcross my levels of attainment were low but the encouragement from the teachers has pushed me to the full. I wouldn’t have envisaged myself going for a scholarship but the future now holds great things for me. Quote from pupil
76 Education DPS.indd 1
02/01/2013 15:51
EASTBOURNE COLLEGE
Old Wish Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4JY www.eastbournecollege.co.uk Head: Mr Simon Davies Ages of children: 13 - 18 Co-educational. Day and boarding Eastbourne College is an educational community rather than an academic institution. Pupils thrive on the array of opportunities and achieve excellent academic results along the way. In 2012 well over 50% of all A level grades were at A* or A, and for the third year in succession, the A*–B rate exceeded 80%. I really enjoy studying at Eastbourne College because of everyone’s enthusiasm and the variety of opportunities that are offered – both inside the classroom and beyond. It is like a big happy family because we know our teachers and our tutors so well. Eastbourne College is so much more than a school! Tessa Mills (Year 13)
HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE
College Lane, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex BN6 9JS www.hppc.co.uk Head: Tim Manly Twitter: @Hurst_College Ages of children: 4 – 18 years Co-ed. Day, flexi and weekly boarding Hurst offers the academic excellence essential for future success in life. Pupils make the most of their talents, potential and personality; they experience fresh opportunities and challenges and gain the values, integrity and intellectual independence to guide them through the years ahead. Hurst offers all this and more, in one of the friendliest and most supportive school communities. My time at Hurst has been characterised by the sunny days of summer, those moments of success you’ll never forget, and the friendships that’ll last long after our school days are over. I have so many fantastic memories here. I’m proud to call myself a Hurst pupil, because this school has taught me so much about life. Upper Sixth leaver 2012
BRIGHTON COLLEGE
Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 0AL www.brightoncollege.net Head: Richard Cairns Ages of children: 3-18 Co-educational Brighton College is one of the UK’s leading schools. Named ‘School of the Year 2011-12’ by The Sunday Times, Brighton’s results this year place it as one of the top two co-educational schools in the country; it also has an outstanding reputation for sport and the arts. Above all else, however, it is a kind and tolerant place, where each pupil is valued as an individual and where children thrive because they are happy.
ROEDEAN SCHOOL
Roedean Way, Brighton BN2 5RQ www.roedean.co.uk Head: Frances King Ages of children: 11-18 Same sex - girls Roedean’s expertise is in developing the spirit, values and individual personalities of our girls. They are therefore exposed to a rich variety of cultures in a creative, yet purposeful, atmosphere. I am loving it here at Roedean. It is really fun having a large campus to explore and the teachers are very friendly.They are so kind and they make every lesson fun. Susannah (pupil)
77
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02/01/2013 15:51
Schools of Thought A selection of the finest independent schools in the area BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
LANCING COLLEGE
Burgess Hill School for Girls stands in 14 acres of beautiful grounds within a conservation area close to the centre of the town. It is a five minute walk from the railway station, We have small classes with well qualified, professional staff dedicated to helping each pupil realise her potential. With our focus firmly on girls and the way they learn, the single sex environment gives the girls space and security in which to build their self esteem and confidence. Partnerships with local schools and involvement within the community provide a further dimension; girls are encouraged to seek challenge and embrace opportunities.
Lancing College is a Christian foundation in the Anglican tradition. The College, set in outstanding countryside and housed in fine buildings, educates boys and girls to develop a love of learning and to reach their full potential, enriched by the arts and physical activities. It prepares young men and women of vision and integrity who will be of service to their fellow human beings. The college aims to provide an education for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 which inspires a desire for excellence and which enables them to develop independent, searching minds and to realise their full academic potential.
Lancing., West Sussex BN15 0RW Tel: 01273 452213 www.lancingcollege.co.uk Head: Mr Jonathan Gillespie Ages of children: 13-18 Co-ed
Keymer Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 0EG. www.burgesshill-school.com Head: Mrs Ann Aughwane Ages of children: 2 ½ to 18 years Same sex / Co-ed Girls’ school (boys accepted into the Nursery)
School news...
First and Second for Show Jumping Teams The Burgess Hill School for Girls’
Hurst’s £14,000 for Chestnut Tree House
show jumping teams won first and
Events at Hurst in 2012 raised £14,105.90 for the
second places in a recent Show
only hospice in Sussex to offer support to children
Jumping Competition at Hickstead.
and with progressive and life-limiting conditions.
Charlotte Turner, 9, Freya Maurice-
The fundraising began in February with a shopping
Jones, 11, Georgie Henderson, 12, and
and pamper evening;. In March, whole families
Vicky Henderson, 13, achieved first
attended the ‘Hoedown’ for a toe-tapping night of
place in the busy Class 1 event.
dance to a band and caller. Comedian Tim Vine
Freddie Driscoll, 14, Sophie Duffield,
delighted 170 parents with a show titled, ‘Oh What a Night’ in October. Head of Hurst Pre-Prep, Michèle Finnegan, initiated the campaign after being deeply moved by the
13, and Ella Popely, 13, all rode flawlessly to achieve second place in the hard fought Class 3. Ella Popely also won the Overall Competition riding as an individual.
hospice during a visit to an Open Day. She said, “I am indebted to the vision, determination and energy
Retro Fashions on Display at School Open Day
shown by a group of parents who got involved, gave
The Senior School Textiles department at Burgess Hill School for Girls put on a display of
up their time and brought these wonderful events to
Retro Fashions for students and visitors to view during their recent Open Morning.
fruition”.
Some of the clothes dated back to the 1940s and there was a collection of old dressmaking patterns on display. Three Year 9 girls, who welcomed visitors to the school, dressed in vintage clothes. Senior students study Retro Fashions as part of their Design and Technology lessons and they design and make outfits for their class projects.
78 Education extra.indd 1
02/01/2013 15:58
Open your eyes at Open Days Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Open Days can help, if you know what to look for...
T
he Christmas holidays are over and it
So how can you make the most of
for what goes on in the school when it isn’t an
is back to school for a new year, and
an Open Day? Here are our tips:
Open Day. • Talk to teachers. Do they seem
time to think about education choices
for next September. The schools know that
• Always remember that the school is set
enthusiastic about the school? Do you think
decisions will be made over the next few
up to sell a vision to potential parents. So
they can develop and nurture your child’s
Brighton and Hove Girls School
how well have they done? Have
curiousity and eagerness to learn? In other
they impressed you? After all, if
words, would you like them to teach your
they can’t organise a successful
child?
Open Day, do you want them to
• Look round the classrooms. Are they
organise your child’s education
stimulating environments? Do you think you
• Take your child with you.
child would thrive here?
Don’t forget it is him/her that
• Look at the pupils’ work on display. Don’t
will be going to the school every
just concentrate on the quality, look at how
day. Ask their opinion? Has the
many pupils have work shown. Are they are
school inspired them? They will
just showcasing the work of a few talented
pick up on things you may not
pupils?
notice.
• Listen to the headteacher. If they give a
• Speak to the pupils. How
welcoming speech, do they have a vision and
do they fell about the school.
passion. This is the person who leads and
Are they happy? Do they look
shapes the school. His /her job is to motivate
confident and assured? Are they
and inspire. Did you feel inspired?
behaving impeccably? Are they
• Remember the purpose of your visit is
good role models for your child?
to get a feel for the school. If you like what
• Ask about clubs and activities.
you see, then do more research. Ask if you
months, so they are keen to show off their
Are they wide-ranging and inclusive? If cost is
can come in when it is a normal schoolday.
school in the very best light. In other words, it
an issue, are they expensive?
No-one should refuse this request.
is the season of the school Open Day.
• Read the noticeboards. Is there plenty
• Ask questions. If there is anything you want
Open Days are a wonderful opportunity
going on? Most importantly, try to get a feel
to know, this is your opportunity.
to explore potential schools and meet the headmaster, teachers and pupils. But how
Ardingly College
accurate a picture can you get from an organised tour? Inevitably, the event will be set up to make each school look as attractive as possible, but you can still get a good feel for a school. Zoë Marlow, Director of Admissions at Roedean, stresses that the Open Day is just a starting point. “It is where prospective parents and students decide whether they like the location, the buzz and the head. But it is just one of several individual, group, day and sometimes overnight visits. By the time a girl starts, she and her parents will have a clear sense of what it’s like to study here.”
79
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02/01/2013 14:00
A A Mad Man with a sense of community sport
The big interview with Dick Knight by Nick Szczepanik
D
ick Knight is working on his autobiography. Due to
identical to the original plans from 1998, when Martin [Perry, the
be published this year, it will be called “Mad Man”
former chief executive] and I started talking to the architect,” he
- only partly in reference to Mad Men, the American
said. “The brief was to create a design with a real wow factor,
TV drama about the advertising industry. “It’s a great title,” he
take the location as an incentive to do something sensational.
said, “for a book about someone who goes from the world of
The only straight lines needed to be the pitch markings, so they
advertising into football.”
could roll the contours of the land into the stadium. There is
Which is, of course, what the Albion’s life president did, moving
hardly any difference to the original designs. It is absolutely what I
from the sophisticated commercial world of advertising to the
had hoped. It lives up to my vision for it back in 1998. The other
unglamorous, muck’n’nettles end of football. He was chairman
thing is the supporters’ reaction to it.”
of the TBWA Holmes Knight Ritchie agency, creators of the Eva
Those supporters have been delighted with the ground,
Herzigova Wonderbra ads, when he was persuaded by former
especially after putting up with the limitations of Withdean for
Brighton manager Liam Brady to help rescue the club from the
12 years. And Knight points out Seagulls followers have a greater
owners who had sold the Goldstone Ground.
investment in the Amex than, say, Sunderland fans in the Stadium
He led the consortium that took over the club in 1997,
of Light or Southampton supporters in St Mary’s.
becoming chairman-elect in time for the final game at the club’s
“I was sure this would happen, because they played such an
traditional home, and ended up leading a 14-year campaign for
important part in getting it – unlike any other stadium in the
a new ground that ended with the opening last summer of the
world,” Knight said. “The fans fought for it in an unprecedented
American Express Community Stadium.
manner, going on marches, writing letters, signing petitions. The
And there was keeping the team competitive on the field – first
stadium had a history before a ball was kicked because of the
during the two-year groundshare at Gillingham, and then back
fight to get it. Their pride in the building is enhanced because
in Brighton at tiny Withdean Stadium. Four promotions are
they know they played a big part in getting it.
testament to how he succeeded.
“In fact, without them it wouldn’t have happened. My efforts
Today, the former Hove Grammar School pupil can relax with
and [present chairman] Tony Bloom’s money would not have
a cup of coffee in the bar that bears his name at a stadium
mattered without their endeavours. I’m so proud of them.
that buzzes with activity even on a midweek morning. Builders
“The vision was always about community. Of course we needed
continue the expansion of capacity he always believed necessary
a new home, but we wanted an arena that was working for
and the offices of the club and Albion In The Community, which
the community every day of the week. Add in the fact that the
he chairs, are the usual hive of industry.
community – the fans - rose up to save the Albion, and it was a
Now the club has had a year to settle into its new home has it
given that the stadium had to be community-driven.”
lived up to his hopes and expectations? “The building is almost
Brighton have won a host of awards for the community
“There is hardly any difference to the original designs. It is absolutely what I had hoped. It lives up to my vision for it back in 1998. The other thing is the supporters’ reaction to it.” 80
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ABSOLUTE SPORT
B0113_080 to 082 Dick Knight.ind3 3
21/12/12 10:59:15
programmes that he fostered, including the
stayed up in 1997 but went on to have some
realised that we’d lost two generations - those
prestigious Football League Community Club
tremendous success. No Albion fan should
people, aged thirty-plus, and their children. I
of the Year award. “It started with Steve Ford
ever dismiss Withdean. It played a tremendous
was confident that they were waiting to come
running football coaching out of a Portakabin
part in the most successful period in the club’s
back, but if we’d included those numbers in the
at the Goldstone. I sat down with Steve and
history – four promotions, including three titles.
business plans for the stadium, people would
said ‘We’re going to develop this.’ By the time
“We averaged only 6,000 crowds at Withdean.
have laughed. We only officially projected
we changed the name from Football In The
The extra 20,000 who are coming now include
attendances from 9,000 to just below 16,000.”
Community to Albion In The Community in
some old Albion fans who have come back, and
Knight, though, has been proved right, and the
2005, we’d expanded from football coaching
their children. But there are also some adults
club, he believes, is stronger for the hard road
into education, health, social inclusion, disability.
who are new fans who have come to the party.
that it has had to travel from the decline of the
This summer in the Olympics and Paralympics
“But when we were there, we were punching
years before he took over, via Gillingham and
is what we’ve been doing at AITC for 15 years.
way above our weight. Our playing budget
Withdean to Falmer.
We have a unique asset because of that.
was one sixth of the average in the division. Of
“A unity was created in those dark days. When
“It was that concept when I sat down with
our 6,000, half of that gate went on expenses
I recall those battles, even before I emerged
American Express to discuss naming rights, of
relating to playing at Withdean. We were
as the leader of the consortium, a resilience
engaging through sport. If I’d talked to them
actually playing on gate receipts from crowds of
and resourcefulness that was being shown
about a League One football club they’d have
3,000, against clubs averaging 18,000.”
gave the club a solid foundation. I knew that
laughed me out of the place. If they wanted
The Amex capacity now stands at 27,500 and
our supporters were a broader church than
football club sponsorship they could have gone
will expand further thanks to a belief that not
most people imagined – from astronomers
to Arsenal or Chelsea. But I talked to them
many would have shared in those days of 6,000
to zoologists. What else but fighting for a
about community. I knew that it was one of the
crowds. “Our planning application had to have a
football club they loved would bring together
strands of their corporate ethos.”
realistic attendance level but the capacity to go
a pin-striped accountant like Paul Samrah and
It would all have been much harder if the club
beyond that,” he said. “We took 31,000 to the
an anarchist poet like John Baine – Attila the
had not hung onto its Football League place
Millennium Stadium for the League One play-
Stockbroker?
thanks to the 1-1 draw away to Hereford on
off final, and when I was on the pitch afterwards
“John Prescott [the former deputy Prime
the final day of the 1996-97 season, Knight’s
– soaking up the glory, as chairmen do – I
Minister, who oversaw two public inquiries into
second game in charge.
looked up into the stands and saw replica shirts
the stadium and had a giant Valentine’s Day card
“The first objective was to save the club,
from many eras, with sponsors like Nobo and
delivered by fans to his East Hull constituency
but the team I inherited was very poor. We
Sandtex. They were dormant Albion fans. I
office] came here last season, and he came to this bar after the game. He just loved being with
“This summer in the Olympics and Paralympics is what we’ve been doing at Albion in the community for 15 years. We have a unique asset because of that. “
such strong supporters. “When I first held a public meeting back in October 1996 to explain what the consortium was all about, and we were bottom of the league, someone asked: ‘If we get relegated will you still be interested in taking over?’ I said of course I would: I’m like you, I’m an Albion fan. I’m not going to give up on the club if we get relegated. For me it was an irrelevant question.
82
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guestlist what? A Night of Stars for The Willow Foundation fact. The night was organised by Brighton artist Julie-Anne Gilbert along with The Willow Foundation founders, Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and his wife Megs
1
who? 1. Boxing Artist and portrait specialist Irv Pascal from Hove 2. Georgea Blakey and Stephanie St James 3. Reece Shearsmith (creator of League of Gentlemen) and Bob Wilson 4. Canvas by Bob Wilson 5. Brighton artist Jan Irvine 6. Megs and Bob Wilson 7. Danny John-Jules (from Red Dwarf)
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2
4
5
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guestlist where? The Hilton Brighton Metropole why? The Sussex Sports Awards fact. Active Sussex’s flagship event is now in its tenth year, rewarding exceptional talent and commitment who?
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1. The group from Jump Trampoline Club 2. Brighton Morris Men 3. Miguel Tello, Jo Ashworth and Active Sussex’s Jack Wilkinson 4 Jessica, Kika and Nina Green 4. Dancer Chloe Gill with 400m hurdler, Seb Rodger
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5. Young ballroom dancers, Jade McCave aged 12 and Matt Duffin aged 13 6. Dancer Chloe Gill with Seb Rodger 400m hurdler 7. Laurence Elphick of Juice 107.2, Denise Buchan of Classic Consulting, Sean Heal of Sporting Signs, Cheryl Piper of Rockinghorse and Elliot Cook of Talk Sport 8. Ruth Lowry, University of Chichester with Donna Imrie-Browne of Active Solutions 9. Tina Cook, Olympian Silver Medalist 10. Elliott Harper and Freya Bailey-Barker
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11. Aspiring photographer Fin Carter 12. Juice 107.2 Young Team of the Year, Ashcombe Under 18 Women’s Volleyball Team
15
13. Peter Crowley and the group from Wave Leisure 14. Hannah Brooks, England Netball with Gemma Finlay, Active Sussex 15. Sussex Sport Magazine Young Coach of the Year, 17-year-old Max Wiseman 16. Streetfunk dance team BN1
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17. Olympic Bronze Medalist Ben Quilter, with Francesca, Maggie and Roy Quilter 18. Cassie Burch, Carrie Reynolds, Kate Smith and Ruth Duckers from Inspire Leisure 19. Rix & Kay Solicitors Club of the Year: Uckfield Grasshoppers Junior Football Club 20. Tony and Tanya Rossi with the group from Grasshoppers
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Pictures by Graham Franks
85
B0113_084_085 Active Sussex Spor3 3
29/12/12 09:59:49
Silver lining in an annus horribilis MIKE DONOVAN meets Tina Cook, the Sussex Sportsperson of the Year 2012
T
ina Cook rolled down the window of her
Nick in the family business of training
she separated from husband Phil.
car and told Absolute: “I’ve just got to go
racehorses, and recently I’ve agreed to train
London 2012 was very much a silver lining
down to the butcher’s in the village before they
point to pointers for Heart of the South Racing
because it gave her a much-needed focus.
close. I’ll only be a couple of minutes.”
Club.
“I’ve aged ten years in one,” said Tina, 41, who
We had driven into the Findon yard of the
“From the outside you must think it is fairly
collected a record third Olympic medal on the
Olympic silver medallist to see its owner in her
bonkers. Ultimately my children come first
horse which helped gained her two bronzes at
vehicle pointed at the exit.
and we have a lot of fun together. Not long
the 2008 Beijing Games.
Tina was the most successful Sussex-based
after the Games I was being a normal mum at
“It has been a tough year. It hasn’t been ideal
athlete at arguably the greatest Games of them
a camp with them in Balcombe with a lot of
for anyone. We are an emotional family and
all; teaming up with royalty in the shape of her
other mums and children and really enjoying
my dad’s death hit us hard. There was the
friend and teammate Zara Phillips, and Mary
myself. It was a big contrast from the Olympics,
separation from my husband as well. And
King, Nicola Wilson and William Fox-Pitt, to
with all the fuss surrounding our winning the
my horse was so ill a year ago we weren’t
secure eventing glory for Team GB at London
medal. The bodyguards and chauffeurs. The
expecting to be competing the Olympics. It is a
2012..
photographers snapping away. The people
bit of a fairytale with what he’s done and how
But life carries on. Tina was looking after
screaming at you.
we’ve achieved it from basically near death.
domestics. To Harry and Isabelle, seven and five,
“I have learned to enjoy and absorb those
“It was a lot of hard work from everybody.
she remains just mum. And to the family’s black
ultra special moments like winning the silver, as
Rachel, who works for me, to the staff and
labrador Biscuit a provider of food and drink.
much as I can at the time because it goes by so
nurses at the Arundel Equine Hospital that
After returning from collecting provisions for
quickly and, in general, gets forgotten so quickly.
treated Miners Frolic.
them all, she smiled: “Things haven’t changed
You do have to move on. Get on with what’s
“I was hard on myself going in because I hate
one bit. I have two young children. Life clearly
coming up next.”
letting people down. There was so many I felt
has to carry on as normal. I’m a mum, first and
What strikes you most about Tina is how
responsible for that I didn’t want to mess up. I’d
athlete second.
she strives, with every utterance, action and,
got to do my bit. It couldn’t all be down to the
“I put my career ahead of that on specific
presumably, thought, to be normal, grounded.
horse.
occasions so for that Olympic week I was an
It is an approach which has helped her through
“Getting the medal has, of course, made it all
athlete first. The Olympics were foremost in
an annus horribilis.
worthwhile. That has meant a huge amount to
my mind. Soon as that was over I was with the
Her horse, Miners Frolic, almost died through
me. I know dad would have been very proud
children.
colitis. Her dad Josh, the legendary horse racing
that we were able to hold it together. And
“I do have to divide my life into different
trainer and former champion jockey. passed
it was great for mum because it has been a
sections, because I also work for my brother
away. And, shortly before the Olympics began,
particularly tough time for her. She was with me
“It has been a tough year. It hasn’t been ideal for anyone. We are an emotional family and my dad’s death hit us hard. There was the separation from my husband as well. And my horse was so ill a year ago we weren’t expecting to be competing the Olympics.” 86
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every day. She sacrificed her Olympic dream by selling her horse so she and my dad could start the business and has been so supportive. “If I’d have gone there and failed it would have been a very different story. I’m very ambitious. I strive to do well. Just to be part of the Olympics, though was totally mind-blowing.” The reaction to her success has touched Tina, who has attended a celebration party in her village at the Gun Inn public house (and another at the home of Miners Frolic’s owners). She said: “I’ve lived here in Findon all my life and there was a huge turnout in the pub. I feel everyone’s proud of me. They’ve seen what I’ve been through. How hard I work. Everyone is, genuinely, behind me. They’ve known me since I was little growing up. Know I have a lot on my plate. It is just myself and the children now and it is comforting to know I have so many friends and have so much support from the village.” Tina remains a world-class eventer, but ekes out an existence through her skills in nurturing young horses with the potential to emulate Miners Frolic (on top of assisting her brother Nick at Downs Stables and, soon, point-topointers) through training and competing. Between winning silver and attending the closing ceremony, she competed on early developers Regal Red and De Novo News at Hartpury. She said: “I was very aware I needed to get back to business as soon as I could. So many events got cancelled this year and I’d also spent time on the Olympics. It was important to give these horses a prep for competitions they are in
“It was massive adrenalin the whole week I was there. You think you are relaxed but you are pumped up. You get more anxious you don’t make a mistake, about the jumping, the stride pattern, the speed you are at. And it comes down to you. You can’t let your brain get carried away and thinking about who is watching, what it means. Otherwise you freeze and put bad vibes on to the horse. “
the autumn. They are horses being paid for by
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owners who have been very supportive while I
you don’t have to pamper her. Grannie is her
thousands plus billions worldwide.
was at the Games and they deserve to be kept
pet name for me because I’m older. Because
That’s where Tina’s approach to ensure
happy.
it is coming out of her mouth I joke ‘can’t you
normality proved crucial.
“To be honest, I no more wanted to go to
stop calling me that!’ I’m obviously not a grannie
She said: “It was massive adrenalin the whole
Hartpury as fly to the moon. It was a real
– and certainly not hers! It’s all a bit of fun.”
week I was there. You think you are relaxed
struggle to get my head in gear and get into the
The overall experience of London 2012
but you are pumped up. You get more anxious
lorry and drive over there with three horses
through the competition and behind the scenes
you don’t make a mistake, about the jumping,
knowing you are camping in the lorry for four
has kept the fire burning for the Rio Olympics
the stride pattern, the speed you are at. And
days. It meant I swooped back to earth quickly.
in four years.
it comes down to you. You can’t let your brain
Luckily the horses went well. It was job done.
She said: I was like a kid in a sweetshop. I would
get carried away and thinking about who is
But it did feel like a job. I’d have preferred to
be in the great big food hall and Chris Hoy
watching, what it means. Otherwise you freeze
have been lying on a sunbed.”
would walk past you. Rebecca Adlington would
and put bad vibes on to the horse. If you
She hopes her success at the Olympics will help
be going up to get her salad. Just athletes and
ride him in a different way he’d think ‘what’s
boost her earning potential.
coaches. No hangers-on. Everyone was there
she doing?’. I had to stay as normal as I could
Tina said: “I might end up looking for an agent
to do a job. We all chatted. Everyone was
be. Mind over matter. Stay in the present.
because I just don’t have the time to write
genuinely interested in what you do. I was sitting
Fortunately, because I was experienced, I knew
to people, which you need to do to attract
next to Rebecca Adlington and Vicky Pendleton.
how to focus.
sponsors. If someone’s got the choice of a gold
It was like ‘that’s Vicky Pendleton off the telly’
“All three phases had their dramas. You had
or silver medallist to promote they are going to
and we were having his normal conversation
to be at such a high level of performance.
go for the gold medallist. Unfair? It is. That’s the
and I was trying not to be uncool. You had to
You couldn’t afford to put a bad one in. The
reality of life. It is human nature.”
pinch yourself to think they were interested in
standard was so high.
I ask whether the Zara Phillips factor would
your sport.
“We weren’t favourites by any stretch of
help.
“We had half an hour on the bus to go in every
the imagination. We thought we’d be a long
“Mmmm.,” she pondered, non-committedly.
day from the Olympic village so you could chill
way behind the Germans but got so close to
There is no question the pair, who attracted
out. There was also an extra house just outside
beating them for gold. We’d have been helped
worldwide headlines for going to a McDonald’s
the gates of the site where you could chill
if the cross country had been more difficult as
in the Olympic village (although Tina opted for
out, read a paper, have a cup of coffee. Simple
that was what our horses were best at. Yet the
a chicken wrap not, as was widely reported, a
things like that were so important. Invaluable
ground was slippery, like running across ice on a
burger) after clinching silver, are good pals.
to keeping your sanity. Everything was done for
horse with bare feet.
Tina said: “We have a very close relationship.
you to help you compete at your best.
“I would love to go to Rio if I had a horse
We get on well. We met when she was a ‘little
But it still, of course, came down to how
good, fit, sound and well enough. It is perfectly
brat’ running round – a bit like my two now –
Tina performed on board Miners Frolic in
possible Miners Frolic might be able to
and I was 20 at Gatcombe and have been good
Greenwich - for the dressage and showjumping
compete. He would be 18. I’ve ridden him for
friends since. She was very much a part of the
in the arena and the park for the cross
ten years and he has a fantastic brain to please
team. We knew there would be extra publicity
country - which mattered. Even if the Duke of
me. But such a campaign puts a lot of strain on
because it was Zara. That was fine. It comes
Edinburgh, Wills and Kate, Prince Harry, former
a horse.”
with the package. We just got on with it. She’s
Olympian Princess Anne and Princesses Eugenie
got such a good brain and is so level headed
and Beatrice were watching along with tens of
88
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SUSSEX COUNTY CRICKET CLUB WEDDINGS AND EVENTS
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Absolute Sporting Life Cashing in at nationals...
Wilkins at PROBIz Former Chelsea, Manchester United and England legend Ray Wilkins was special guest at an exciting evening at the home of Sussex County Cricket Club. Wilkins took part in a Q&A session with host Tony Cottey, our columnist, and entertained everyone
Tennis ace Julian Cash, 16, from Fulking, overcame fellow
with stories of his career - on and off
Sussex player Sam Rice, from Brighton, 6-2 6-2 in the
the pitch.
national 16 and under final at Nottingham. He said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m pleased to tick it off. I went in to the nationals having trained well and scoring some good results. I was seeded two. I was there to win. I started off the tournament not playing very well. My tennis got much better through it. I served well in the final. The best tennis I played was in the second set of my semi-final against Adam Glynn from Dorset. It’s good for Sussex tennis that it was an all-county final.”
Worldly kids More than 5,000 primary school children from Brighton & Hove have taken part in the second edition of Run The World over three days at Preston Park and Hove Park. It was a mass-participation
Pedal Power Sussex mountain biker Sam Stean, 17, finished top Brit in the World Junior Mountain Bike Championships in Austria after becoming national champion.
running event where children aged 7 to 11 each ran 1km
Splashing duo Young Sussex swimmers Dominic Polling and Chris Wiles earned an England call-up in a Home Schools International against Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland after impressing in the national championships.
with the aim of amassing an aggregate distance of Brighton to Africa to promote fitness as fun for youngsters. Sussex Olympic champion Sally Gunnell attended.
Boxing clever Sussex boxer Max Smith-Hashim has become a national schools champion.
Dunlop retires
The schoolboy,
Arundel horse trainer John Dunlop has retired after 46 years
Moulsecoomb,
based at Castle Stables. Dunlop, 73, saddled more than 3,500 winners including ten Classics (winning the Derby twice). Jockey Willie Carson, who won 680 races – including the Derby on Erhaab – for Dunlop, said: “If I was
based at defeated Thomas Dring (Gemini) in the 28kg final at the Newbiggin Sports Centre in Northumberland.
to compile a list of the greatest trainers, John Dunlop would be top of it.”
90
B0113_090 Sports Snippets.indd 3
21/12/12 11:02:40
motoring
A
Picture: Robert Griffin
Fun with the 500 Maarten Hoffman finds the Fiat 500 fun through and through
T
here are a few things that are guaranteed
fusion of retro and futuristic without it ending
There are endless customisation options to
to make me smile. My daughters giggling;
up with a split personality. It is one of the only
choose from with a vast variation of wheels,
when the cheque is actually in the post;
cars l have ever parked in Churchill Square that
colours, seats, transfers, key colour, gear knobs
the thought of the odd banker swinging from a
made me turn around and smile every time
and so on but that just adds more fun to buying
tree; the viability of the Brighton Eye and now,
– and l hate small cars!
one. In fact, there are over 500,000 ways to
driving the Fiat 500!
The model range is extensive with the Pop,
personalise your car and it has a 5 star Encap
This little car is a joy and darts around town like
Therapy, Lounge, Street and shortly, an
safety rating which is the same as a Volvo! On
a gnat with its ass on fire. Fiat kindly delivered
extended version called the L and prices range
top of that, you pay no London congestion
this 500 Therapy model, which l was concerned
from £9,960 - £13,760. Then there’s the souped
charge or road tax as the emissions are so low.
about as l thought the chaps at Fiat might have
up Abarth, a Maserati version and even one
And joy of joys – you can turn off that bloody
knowledge of my fragile mental state but no, it
designed by Gucci. My TwinAir Therapy is
annoying start/stop system meant to save the
is actually called The Therapy.
priced at £11,960 with an 875cc engine giving
polar bears and it doesn’t default on when you
The original Fiat 500 was launched in 1957 and
85hp, a top speed of 108mph and 0-60 in 11
turn the engine off – it’s worth buying the car
in 2007, to co-incide with its 50th anniversary,
seconds but l can assure you it feels much
just for that.
the all-new 500 was launched but now with
quicker than that. First gear is a tad short but
So, this is a funky, stylish, fun little car with
its engine in the front driving the front wheels.
2nd and 3rd pull like a train and the joy is the
a unique personality and great price, low
They have also done away with the front
utter shock on the faces of the drivers of much
emissions and no road tax – l ask you, what’s
opening ‘suicide doors’ from the original, which
larger cars as you shoot away from the lights
not to like. Go and buy one IMMEDIATELY.
is a shame as that would just add another funky
like a scolded cat. There’s also a convertible
aspect to the car although when the opening
version with a canvas roof that folds right back
LIKE: Huge character; liveliness; style; stop/start
of these doors was misjudged acted as a form
which seems to be a bit of a cross between a
that turns off
of population control. The design is remarkably
large sunroof and a convertible. The boot is a
LOATH: Sounds a bit like a hairdryer.
similar to the original car that as a kid l would
decent size and with the rear seats flat, you get
ALTERNATIVES: BMW Mini, Toyota Aygo,
see flying around Rome killing pedestrians with
quite a decent load space.
Nissan Micra
gay abandon.
Fun is the word for this pocket rocket. When
It looks tiny but through some magical Italian
it comes to today’s cars, there really isn’t that
TECHNICAL STUFF:
trickery, they have managed to make a very
much fun left out there with all the Euro boxes
875 cc, 85 HP,
spacious interior with plenty of room for four
with a personality bypasses and boring little
0-60 mph 11 seconds
adults wearing top hats. It has an innate style
Japanese city cars trying desperately to feel like
Fuel consumption: 70 mpg
and flair about it that is missing from most
a big car. The 500 is fun through and through
Prices: From £9960.00 - £13,760
other small town cars. They have managed a
and refuses to be something it isn’t.
91
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31/12/12 09:50:15
M
y wife was very excited that l was
The cabin is very well laid out with a good list
and fabulous high quality leather seats. Many
reviewing the Audi A6 Avant (estate
of standard extras and there is that familiar
news cars now have a dash display that tells
to you and me) as she has one from
excellent build quality and the reassuring clunk
you what gear you are in – surely if you are not
2002 and adores it and therefore was very
when you slam the door. This is a well build
aware of what gear you have currently selected,
keen to see what the new one was like. She
car that will hold its value better than most.
you should not be driving in the first place.
was either destined to be very disappointed or
Personally, l would always choose the Quattro
my bank balance was about to be decimated as
(4 wheel drive) version as you will always know
she puts one on her Christmas list.
that you can make it through the snow and
Looks like l will have to make nice to the bank
sleet of any British summer. Having said that, this
manager as the new A6 is very good indeed
is a well planted car that holds the road well
with all the features of the original retained and
and feels solid and safe in all conditions.
additions that just make it an even better car.
So, into some details. They have put a perfectly
The most appealing thing is that it doesn’t drive
good screen in the car for computer and sat
like an estate and you literally forget that you
nav info but not added a reversing camera.
are hauling a small living room around with you.
When you change gear there is a tendency
It pulls and corners like a saloon car yet you can
to hit the sat nav control button which causes
load 565 litres into the rear with the seats up
all manner of things to occur on the screen
and a massive 1680 with the seats flat. This is
meaning you have to re-set the screen each
not as much as the Mercedes E Class estate but
time you change gear. Lovely floating dials on
this is much more rewarding to drive.
the dash with bundles of information on offer
“The most appealing thing is that it doesn’t drive like an estate and you literally forget that you are hauling a small living room around with you. It pulls and corners like a saloon car...”
92
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29/12/12 12:24:31
AVANT GARDE Maarten Hoffman tries out a car with loads of flair, but that feels solid and safe - the AUDI A6 AVANT
Picture: Robert Griffin
That’s the thing with all this new technology.
RS6 that is so quick it has the tendency to rip
The designers tend to throw everything
your face off as you accelerate and corners so
and the kitchen sink into the car which just
incredibly well that you have to be aware not
makes it more confusing, more to go wrong
to smack your head on the widow in each
and it is becoming ever more pointless.
corner.
There are things that are great additions,
In short, this Audi A6 Avant is a very well built
such as the display to let you know that all
car and great to drive. It looks good, drives
your passengers have their seat belts on or
well and will lug that sideboard to the boot
reversing cameras but it would help if the
sale with ease. The biggest problem – it’s on
designers were monitored to ensure that
her flaming Christmas list now and l either
only what is really of benefit makes it into the
have to sell a child or a kidney – oh well, l
finished product. Ok, that’s enough ranting
really don’t need two kidneys!
back to the Audi.
TECHNICAL STUFF:
The combined fuel consumption is quoted at 56.5 mpg but if you aim for the 0-60 mph
LIKE: Build quality, great seats, loads of space;
quote of 9 seconds, you can be assured that
great to drive.
0-60 mph 9 seconds
your fuel will be sucked away faster than
LOATH: No reversing camera; stop/start
Top Speed 138 mph
this but whatever way you look at it, this is
system.
a frugal car. If you really want to blow your
ALTERNATIVES: Mercedes E Class;
budget and your mind, you could go for the
BMW 5 Series.
2.0 litre TDi 177ps
56.5 mpg Prices from £26,116 - £35,408
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29/12/12 12:24:34
Absolute Motoring Spares
SUSSEX WORLD RECORD 28 female gym members from Sussex have just broken the world record for how many people can be squeezed into a Mini. They were not only crammed into the foot well’s and onto the dash but they managed to get 4 in the boot! Fit.
FIAT 500 Fiat have just produced their 1 millionth 500 model. A storming success by any standard, this 69hp 1.2 litre engine has been a huge hit with mainly female drivers but as research shows that woman now make over 69% of all car purchasing decisions, Fiat might well of played a blinder. For the boys, Maserati have now produced an Abarth version that will leave
ASTON IN TROUBLE Can you believe that a company that makes a car so gobsmackingly beautiful as the new Vanquish can possibly be in trouble? Well they are and apparently looking for a partner or buyer. If you have been saving up for something special, this is it. Not the car, the company!
many a Porsche standing, but I’m afraid it still looks like a Dinky toy.
TRANSIT WINS AWARD
MAD MAX IS HERE This is the Mercedes Ener-g-Force concept car aimed at the US police patrol vehicles. If they need something like this to keep the peace, l
And finally…..
The Ford Transit has been voted the
would suggest the war is already lost. What’s
According to Direct Line
most reliable van in the UK, according
next – machine gun turrets and knock out gas!
Insurance, motorists waste 50
to the country’s leading fleet and
million pounds worth of fuel each
contract hire companies just ahead
year defrosting our cars before
of the Mercedes Sprinter. Favourite
we set off on our journey. As it is
colour – you guessed it, white!
illegal to drive without full vision through the windscreen, l would suggest this is another pointless survey that wastes yet more money.
94 B0113_094 Motor Snippets.indd 3
29/12/12 10:06:16
A Inside the Chamber
business
Julia Chanteray, President of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce takes us
What’s this Chamber of Commerce all about? Amongst all of the different networking
opportunities, with our Bite Sized learning
Brighton Chamber. He said, “Oh, yes, that’s
groups in the city, and I’ve been to lots of
workshops to help you learn the skills you
the really dynamic chamber isn’t it. I wish
them, there’s one organisation I think stands
need to improve your business, and Wayfinder,
we had something like that here.” I do like it
out above all the rest.
where you can meet with other business
when we can make the London folk jealous of
The diverse membership at Brighton and
owners at the same stage as you, working
something we have in Brighton.
Hove Chamber of Commerce reflects the
together to support you on the issues you
So, if you’ve been put off coming along to the
City’s broad mix of entrepreneurs, from
face in your business.
Chamber because you thought it was a boring
artists, writers and digital media talent to
As well as helping local businesses to grow
fuddy-duddy organisation, think again. Better
service organisations and professionals in law
and prosper, we represent our members
still, come along to one of our events and see
and finance. Our members range from sole
on the larger political and economic stage
for yourself.
traders to the city’s biggest corporations.
too, working closely with local agencies,
Maybe you’d like some support from other
We believe that our membership makes
including the Council, on issues such as
business owners at our confidential Wayfinder
the Chamber the most varied, vibrant and
new developments in the city, parking and
sessions. The next one is on 17th January. Or
progressive in the UK. I’m proud to be
transport.
improve your idea-generating skills at the
President at the Chamber, and I want to
creativity workshop on gamestorming on
encourage you, if you’re not a member
What makes our Chamber
30th January. And if you want to get stuck
already, to join us.
different?
into one of the big issues in the city, our big
Chambers of Commerce can be found in
debate on 26th February will be discussing
What does the Chamber do?
towns and cities around the world. They
whether Brighton and Hove should split up.
The Chamber is the voice of the City’s
are a vital network run for and by local
There’s something for everyone here.
business people, and it’s a voice that really
businesses. Unfortunately, some people’s
helps its members build successful businesses.
view of a Chamber is that they can be
We run lots of networking events, with our
a little old-fashioned and perhaps not
famous inspirational breakfasts at Carluccio’s,
quite representative of a city’s business
where you can hear great speakers talk about
demographic. We’re pleased to say that’s not
their business journeys, brunch at Terre a
the case in Brighton & Hove.
Terre, and our Spotlight Supper at Hove
At a networking event in London recently, I
Kitchen. Plus, there are some great learning
told someone that I was a member of the
See which events you’d like to come along to at our website www.businessinbrighton.org.uk. You can come along to two events to check us out before becoming a member, but hopefully I’ve persuaded you just to join us right now.
We believe that our membership makes the Chamber the most varied, vibrant and progressive in the UK
Business_Julia.indd 1
31/12/2012 18:30
NEWS...
Commitment to the city American Express opens 1 John Street
A
merican Express is strengthening its
our commitment to the local economy and
was recycled by local Sussex golf courses.
investment in Sussex with the official
community.”
The contractors also maximised the use
opening of 1 John Street – the
The communities of Sussex have helped
of sustainable materials and production
company’s new, purpose-built service centre
shape the development of 1 John Street.
processes including rainwater harvesting,
in Brighton.
The building project provided employment
biodiverse green roofs and reduced water
This state-of-the-art facility, situated in the
for local workers, for example, during the
appliances.
heart of the city’s business community, will
construction period up to 30% of contractors
house almost 3,000 American Express
on site were sourced from across the county,
employees, including front-line servicing staff,
helping strengthen the local economy during
who will move into their new and improved
the three-year construction phase.
workspace over the coming months.
Local community groups also collaborated to
The 1 John Street development, which forms
produce the distinctive ‘Art Wall’ feature on
part of American Express’ global workspace
the exterior wall of the building facing Carlton
improvement programme, features a wide
Hill. Pupils from Carlton Hill Primary School,
range of working spaces, enhanced technology
children from Tarnerland Nursery, members
and improved employee facilities and is
of the Sussex Deaf Association and American
well-equipped to respond flexibly to the
Express employees worked with artist Kate
company’s current and future requirements.
Malone to produce 160 square metres of
Seamus O’Loughlin, Vice President of Global
hand-crafted ceramic tiles, which have been
Real Estate at American Express, comments:
arranged in the style of a traditional flint wall.
“American Express has a long-standing
The environment has been a key
connection with Brighton. Our business has
consideration for the contractors throughout
been a fixture of the Sussex landscape for
the build process with materials being
Highly efficient and sustainable methods of providing on site heating, cooling and electricity
over 40 years and we are delighted to open
repurposed where possible. For example,
•
1 John Street, a move which underscores
the chalk excavated for the foundations
Business_Amex.indd 1
Key features of 1 John Street
•
A stepped building height creating a strong identity while respecting local views
•
Underground car parking designed to ease congestion around Carlton Hill area
•
Approximately 200,000sqft of new open plan office space with dedicated conference and training facilities
•
Amenity space for employees including outside eating terrace and sea views
•
A dedicated Healthy Living area and a Nuffield gym facility for employees
•
10,500sqft dedicated to green roofs
02/01/2013 15:49
Ian Lucas founder of international travel company Redseven built up his company by concentrating on the Hen and Stag parties market. Redseven now operates in 98 different locations across 27 countries and during 2013 they will welcome our 900,000th guest. This is Ian’s business story and philosophy.
My Business Life My Father is probably the inspiration for my
a YTS scheme at 16. I was working 72 hours a
entrepreneurial life. My father never seemed to
week for £27.50 - a lot less than the £48 - £60
have a ‘boss’ he was always making plans, setting
a week I was earning whilst at school. In those
up a workshop here, starting a new business
days, the only celebrity chef was the Galloping
there, opening offices, buying desks, acquiring
Gourmet and the future of cooking seemed
business partners... it was pretty non stop. Then
very much ;upstairs downstairs;.
I remember him getting a ‘job’ and he came home with a Morris Marina as a company
I didn’t see much future in cooking. I opened a
car. Then before I knew it, he had made a
kiosk shop with my father; selling confectionary,
room in the house his ‘new office’.... and the
cigarettes and hardware, and we stocked a
entrepreneur cycle started in him again.
specific range of window cleaner materials as we noticed we were on most window cleaner
I left school a little earlier than I should. I
rounds. Opening early to let them know they
was already working, so I skipped all my exams
could stock up whilst on their rounds instead
except English, which I passed, to work and
of having to remember to go to the cash and
earn money. I had started working during the
carry after work was pretty beneficial to them,
school week, working in restaurant kitchens
and to us, for a while, at least. There wasn’t
every school night for £12 a session, which
enough to sustain any real progress or profit,
was usually from 5pm to 1am in the morning.
so I called it a day, and got a job as a Chef in a
So at exam time, I stayed at work and started
restaurant. This probably disappointed my Dad
carving a career as a chef. I ended up training
for ‘giving up’.
at the Athenaeum Club in Pall Mall London on 97
B0113_099 to 102 Ian Lucas inter1 1
29/12/12 12:03:32
“ I opened a kiosk shop with my father; selling confectionary, cigarettes and hardware, and we stocked a specific range of window cleaning materials as we noticed we were on most window cleaner rounds.” My girlfriend (at the time) and I decided to sell
weekends, where guys were not always on the
think of things people can do that perhaps
some old car parts at the new market places
beer, and therefore less likely to cause havoc.
they didn’t think were possible, understanding
called ‘Boot Fairs’. Our first Boot Fair was
They wanted to be welcomed into clubs like
what other purchases surround going away for
just a blanket on the floor, and we had loads
VIP’s instead of having to split into two’s and
the weekend, offering a range of honeymoons,
of Ford car parts (don’t ask how). I think we
queue for hours not knowing if everyone got
remembering anniversaries - that’s what I call
made something like £100 pure profit in about
in or not. It was a different approach, based
focussed on your niche market and customers.
an hour, and it made me hungry to earn more.
around how I like to be treated on a night out. The second main factor has been acquisition.
While we were I went around the boot fair and using £50 of the profit, I bought things I thought
I met up with a hotel and some clubs in
I’ve acquired several direct competitors over
people would like or collect - things like china
Brighton, also some agricultural activity
the years, some were failing, others were
pigs, plates, vases etc. I then returned to our
centres that did corporate events, and
flourishing. I acquired a travel agency six years
pitch and put them on our blanket and sold
created the first pre-packaged selection ‘Stag
ago to be capable of extending our services
them for another £100 profit! So we walked
Weekends’. I launched it, advertised in a lads
into holidays and business travel.
away from our first boot fair with about £200
magazine and sold my first weekend a few days
profit from other people’s rubbish.
later. It was slow growth at first as I was on
The third factor is realising that competitors
my own with zero money, no one knew about
can benefit businesses in many ways. The
I went on a friend’s stag night in London. 22
me, no competition - it really was a brand new
main way is to promote the existence of
of us had a great time, but couldn’t get into
service. After a few years it started to really
a niche market, which stimulates demand.
some bars or clubs we wanted - it just wasn’t
gather pace - I had a few competitors by then,
Red7 has spawned many competitors and
permitted!
and I think it fuelled the demand.
the marketplace is very saturated for its size,
We made do drinking cans of Red Stripe
but without competition, it would have been
served warm from a paste table, set up in the
harder to grow the business. Working with
South Africa centre in Covent Garden.
competitors, or those competitors who are commercially astute anyway, is another success
“Red7 has spawned many competitors, and the marketplace is very saturated for its size, but without competition, it would have been harder to grow the business.”
we’ve had - many sell our products as our
I heard of an activity centre that was offering
Red7’s growth has been down to three main
much arrogance or think it is commercially
tank driving which had been booked by stag
factors. The first is to focus on a niche area
weak to share your customers. Benefitting our
group. I found out that the tank driving was
and either be first to market or market leader
customers is Red7’s main purpose, and that
starting to become popular with stag groups
or both. This means concentrating on doing
has been a big factor in our growth, and will
as guys than just drinking beer. Also the bars,
things better, constantly innovating, constantly
continue to be so.
hotels and nightclubs that “refused” stag groups
providing customers with attractive solutions
actually wanted the business, but refused it
and benefits and making a real effort to push
Weddings are actually getting more popular
through fear of 20 drunk guys running amok.
hard to attract and serve as many customers
and are at a 15 year high. This is the same as
I felt the solution was to create pre-planned
within your niche marketplace as possible. We
other recessions; people tend to marry in hard
agents; we also introduce some customers to our competitors if we can’t service or convert them, and receive a commercial commission in return - this is often a strategy not known or overlooked by competitors who ‘attack’ their competing companies or just have too
98
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29/12/12 12:03:32
economic times, it must be about emotional support, “we’re in it together” as well as joint finances being stronger than one income. in fact, Red7 was started in a recession There have been a lot of travel businesses who have not survived the recession. A big thing is to provide full consumer financial protection, something unfortunately most of our hen and stag specialist competitors seem to flout. Confidence is returning, and providing all the risk eliminators like ATOL and ABTA are pretty crucial, and I don’t understand why customers would book holidays without protection - even booking your holiday yourself with an airline does not provide financial protection! The most important thing is the reputation of the hen and stag companies and marketplace, in the eyes of customers, so I encourage regulators to ensure everyone is legal and above board as possible, and that’s also why I like to set the standards in our niche. We’re told this recession goes further and deeper than previous recessions - or does it? I remember the recessions in the 80’s and again in the 90’s. In fact, in the 90’s interest rates were 17.5% and people were jumping on the housing ladder because they were afraid they were going to get left behind, which fuelled house prices even more, to unaffordable levels. Then the housing market crashed, losing millions of ordinary people their life savings, whilst putting them into negative equity and a seemingly “I’ll never recover from this” experience. Sure, in this recession, businesses have failed. Others have cut back on staff and streamlined. But when I left school unemployment was 3m
99
B0113_099 to 102 Ian Lucas inter3 3
29/12/12 12:03:38
“they should really look to be hosting major worldwide events that are fun and inspiring rather than rely on Political Party Conferences.” in a population of 56m, now its 2m from a
actually do a good job in year 1, the nation have
Council should stop making it harder and more
population of 61m.
found it all a bit wishy washy and it will not
expensive for tourists to visit, and should be
bode us well going forward. We need clarity
showcasing “UK’s Silicon Beach” to get major
There is a cycle that seems quite ingrained
and singularity of leadership with a bit more
investment into the City. We should look to
into British culture. One Government creates
decisive action and a little bit quicker.
Cupertino City Council in California as an
an enterprising, free market and the result is
example to emulate.
everyone feels they’re more wealthy, which
People love Brighton for what it has always
fuels confidence which in turn fuels the
been, a seaside town with a cheeky side that
Brighton is not Margate. The council should
economy and spending. Then our own people
is fortunate to be so close to London. Some
make it easier to access Brighton for a day
decide that Britain is an evil capitalist nation
people forget what makes Brighton so popular.
trip, by creating a proper out of town park &
exploiting those unfortunate “poor” workers,
ride system for non residents, whilst reduce
and a different Government is chosen to
Brighton’s local economy is really about
parking charges to get people in town shopping
spend, borrow and penalise those people who
two main areas. Tourism and the so called
and visiting cafe’s and restaurants again, and
create jobs and taxation, whilst raising taxes,
‘New Media’. Even conferences are a form of
they should really look to be hosting major
fuel duty for everyone to compensate the loss
tourism. The creative industry here is strong,
worldwide events that are fun and inspiring
of tax. When debts are too high, the previous
but not quite achieved the strongest in the UK
rather than rely on Political Party Conferences.
Government is called back in to stimulate the
with London and now Manchester catching up.
Provide people with a platform to show
wealth again, and of course, they rarely reduce
We do have some excellent and innovative
Brighton off, and they will promote Brighton
tax that everyone pays, like VAT and fuel. It just
creative companies, some world class gaming
and attract economy here.
goes round in circles.
businesses and a plethora of freelancers. Our
This time Governments want to blame the banks. It was an international problem. But if the governments did their job properly, which is to govern and try and work together internationally, they could have properly regulated the banks, who at the end of the day were creating their own wealth and the governments were gladly accepting the taxes, which was then spent. Even our Gold reserves was sold at the lowest price to feed the Government’s spending spree... the bankers didn’t do that! Let’s concentrate, and be allowed to concentrate, on creating wealth that in turn creates employment, which in turn stimulates the economy, and everyone benefits. This time is different as we do not have a government that is allowed to have clarity of leadership and policy, and I think, whilst the Coalition did
100
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29/12/12 12:03:42
CALL FOR A FREE VALUATION OR BROCHURE
B0113_101 Northwood ad.indd 1
2/1/13 17:12:58
Tim Parker in Conversation with...
David Bowden Tim reminisces with the former Chief Executive of the Brighton Health Authority
O
ne of the highlights of David’s
the highest calibre were invited to
cricketing career was facing Imran
join and there were exciting plans
Khan, the captain of Pakistan. One
for the future with a new hospital
has to be a brave, confident and determined
planned for a site in Falmer.
man to even contemplate facing Imran, a
When David took over as Chief
ferocious fast bowler.
Executive he was responsible for no
Happily for those of us living in and around
less than fourteen hospitals; at the
Brighton, David has these and other attributes
end of his term of office there were
in spades and he put them to the service of
just seven.
our community. In 1975 he became Chief
David Bowden and his colleagues
Executive of the Brighton Health Authority, a
wanted the very best for their
post he held for seventeen years. Nowadays
hospitals and soon the standard of
nobody seems to last more than a year or
care was much improved, not that
two before they move on or are removed.
the improvements impressed. The
So what was it like running a health authority
Brighton Argus, as always, was quick
in the 1970’s? Well to put it in context, Beth
to criticise and slow to praise. There
and I moved to Brighton in the early ‘60s.
were many challenges in making
Our first daughter, Deborah, was born in
the Brighton Health Authority into
the Brighton General Hospital on Christmas
the world class unit class unit and
Eve 1961 when snow lay all about, deep
teaching hospital it is today. And
and crisp and even.The nursing staff were
of course, shortage of funding was
excellent but the old hospital wards were
and is a perennial problem. But
the current buildings which were in a very bad
little different from what they had been in the
there can be no doubt that during David
state, particularly the Conquest in Hastings. So,
1920’s, inadequate, cold, and draughty with ice
Bowden’s long term of office he got the show
in the end, we never got the money. We had
forming on the inside of the windows.
on the road and was a very successful Chief
to make do with what we had.”
David Bowden started out in Newton Abbot
Executive.
We talked about problems at Accident and
in the West Country where he met his future
Recalling the plans for a new hospital in
Emergency which from time-to-time is over-
wife, Pauline. With every move he made
Falmer, I asked David about the unsatisfactory
burdened. David told me that it was the same
he took on more responsibility before he
location of The Royal Sussex, which sits in a
everywhere.
finally came to Brighton where he was soon
built-up area with no room to move, except
“National Health Hospitals have a duty to
appointed Chief Executive for the Brighton
upwards. David agreed that the location of
look after everyone, drunks and the critically ill
Health Authority. He was responsible for over
The Royal Sussex hospital was a real problem
alike and sadly many of those who ask for help
6,000 staff and a budget of £100 million a
and that there were many justified complaints.
do so for trivial and unnecessary reasons.”
year. It was a colossal job in a period of great
“But,” he said with a broad smile, “you must
David Bowden has now retired but still keeps
change. Outdated, unsatisfactory buildings and
remember I am no longer in charge. However,
busy helping our community in many ways.
hospitals were closed; new routines and new
you won’t be surprised when I tell you what
He’s returned to cricket too. Recognising the
technology embraced. Consultant doctors of
stopped the Falmer hospital being built.
sad fact that cricket is beyond the reach of
Street20 cricket is promoted by Sussex Cricket In The Community Trust
“Plans were drawn up
many young people, energetic and thoughtful
and approved by the
as ever, David decided to do something
government but then
about it. He is both a Trustee and Chairman
there were then two
of the Sussex Cricket In The Community
financial crises – nothing
Trust. One of the very bright ideas that the
has changed then! - and
Trust promotes is Street 20, a game that can
the plans were shelved
be played in a street or any small piece of
in favour of two new
open ground. It’s great fun and maybe David
hospitals in Hastings and
will find another Flintoff, but this time from
Eastbourne to replace
Whitehawk.
102 Business_parker.indd 1
02/01/2013 14:23
The Networker’s Diary Julia Chanteray recommends... the best business networking events in town Here are some of the upcoming highlights, the business events where you’ll learn the most, meet the most interesting people and do the best business. I’ll see you there. 10th January – WriteClub at Small Batch on Jubilee Street at 9am. For all copywriters, creative writers, bloggers, and people who like to use just the right amount of commas. Free, just turn up. 15th January – Brighton Curry Club From 6pm at Sussex County Cricket Club. No membership required. Register at brightonbusinesscurryclub. co.uk. Costs £17.50 including the curry and a drink. 18th January – Juice Breakfast Club. Informal networking at a sociable time. No need to set the alarm clock as it doesn’t start until 8am. No
business
Ambrose’s Love Bites Top 3 -W MX EPP EFSYX TVS½X# %VI SYV FYWMRIWW TISTPI LEVH RSWIH ERH VYXLPIWW 3V HS XLI] LEZI E VSQERXMG WMHI# 8LIVI´W SRP] SRI QER [LS GER ½RH SYX SYV S[R 1V 0YVZI
£10 and this month is being held at Bohemia 54-55 Meeting House Lane.
%QFVSWI ,EVGSYVX EWOW &VMKLXSR´W FYWMRIWW TISTPI JSV XLIMV EPP XMQI XST XLVII PSZI WSRKW
18th January – DIY Filming course with Larchmont Films. A great
This month:
opportunity to network while learning some new skills. I did this course in
David Pegler,
November, and had a fantastic day. Book in advance, through Larchmont Films
Divisional Director of Brewin Dolphin,
membership required,. Register at juicebrighton.com/info/breakfast-club. It costs
23rd January – ;E]½RHIV ¯ 'VSWWVSEHW WIWWMSR. Not a Brummie soap opera, but the chance to get together with other business owners who are EPP JEGMRK HIGMWMSRW MR XLIMV FYWMRIWW 7OMPJYPP] JEGMPMXEXIH ERH GSQTPIXIP] GSR½HIRXMEP ;E]½RHIV MW E TS[IVJYP [E] XS KMZI ERH VIGIMZI WYTTSVX JVSQ SXLIV FYWMRIWW owners and managers. Highly recommended. Book at www.businessinbrighton.org.uk 24th January – The Platinum Club. Held at The Grand, this is a peer to peer networking forum for CEOs, MDs and senior directors. If you are interested in attending contact Maarten Hoffman at maarten@ theplatinumclubbrighton. co.uk or call 07966 244046. 24th January – How to be a Productivity Ninja, Chamber Rooms at 9.30am. A chance to get a £350 course for just £25, and learn how to be mega
1. Michael Buble Some Kind of Wonderful ,I MW WMQTP] SRI SJ Q] JEZSYVMXI EVXMWXW ;I [IRX XS WII LMQ MR GSRGIVX PEWX ]IEV ¯ E KVIEX IRXIVXEMRIV 2. Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars =SY GER ½PP YT ]SYV HE] [MXL PSXW SJ ³WXYJJ´ ERH WSQIXMQIW KIX PSWX MR EPP XLI EGXMZMXMIW ERH WSQIXMQIW HMWXVEGXMSRW XLEX [I EVI JEGIH [MXL *SV QI XLMW WSRK JSGYWIW SR SRI WMQTPI QIWWEKI SJ ³PSZI´ PIEZMRK EPP XLI HMWXVEGXMSRW FILMRH 3. Dina Carroll – Perfect Year ;LEX [I EPP WXVMZI JSV MR XLIWI GLEPPIRKMRK XMQIW (EZMH NSMRIH &VI[MR (SPTLMR MR 7ITXIQFIV EW LIEH SJ MXW RI[ &VMKLXSR SJ½GI EJXIV ]IEVW EX 9&7 ;IEPXL 1EREKIQIRX ERH ]IEVW EX 'E^IRSZI &VI[MR (SPTLMR MW SRI SJ XLI 9/´W PEVKIWX MRHITIRHIRXP] S[RIH TVMZEXI GPMIRX MRZIWXQIRX QEREKIVW [MXL ETTVS\MQEXIP] FR MRZIWXIH SR FILEPJ SJ QSVI XLER GPMIRXW GLEVMXMIW ERH TIRWMSR JYRHW JVSQ VIKMSREP SJ½GIW 3YXWMHI SJ [SVO (EZMH MW E OIIR ³-VSRQER´ XVMEXLPIXI ERH G]GPMWX
productive so your business soars. And if you ask nicely, Graham Allcott might give you a free copy of his book. www.businessinbrighton.org.uk Julia Chanteray helps businesses to make more money and have more fun through her business consultancy The Joy of Business. She does a lot of networking in Brighton. 103
Business_Ambrose.indd 1
02/01/2013 14:15
S.M. TIDY BUSINESS VILLAGE La casita Suppliers of Spanish food to the trade 07814 390085
Hogg House Cafe Hot and cold drinks Snacks
07802 625440
Sand – Gravel Muckaway – Topsoil Compost – Mulch Tel. Bob 07879 862918
Dazzling Dogs Dog Grooming Parlour
07557 787051
dazzlingdogs@hotmail.co.uk
TARGET SKIPS Rubbish Skips Available 2 yards £95 3 yards £115 4 yards £125
Free Delivery and Collection
www.targetmidsussex.com Mob 07858 634572 Tel 01444 241410
SOUTHERN STEEL SERVICES (UK) Telephone: 01444 871435
Premier Autocare Servicing and Repairs
Tel: 01444 230766
Quality Electrician training at affordable prices, C & G approved
01444 871113 www.electricaltraining4u.co.uk
Established businesses interacting and offering varied services at S.M. TIDY Industrial Estate VISIT OR JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! INDUSTRIAL STORAGE UNITS WAREHOUSES WORKSHOPS & OFFICES
SDBS
AVAILABLE TO LET
Accident repairers/vehicle re-finishers
Tel: 01444 250123 Mob 07824 430650
SOUTHDOWN BODYSHOP
01444 254910 SDBS@hotmail.co.uk
RMV Motors Ltd
www.smtidy.com Email space@smtidy.com
MOT Class 4 & 7
01444 241455
Sheet metal work, welding and fabrication
01444 244353
www.pentacraft.co.uk
01444 230200
www.rsautos-sussex.co.uk
Gumtree 4x4 LTD
The Landrover Specialists Land Rover, Range Rover, Discovery and Freelander. Specialist service and repairs
01444 241457 admin@gumtree4x4.co.uk
PBM Technical Services BMW and Mercedes specialist service and repairs
01444 242600
EMPORIUM
07824 430650
Fax: 01444 248647 www.rmv-motors.co.uk
www.smtidy.com B1012_075 SM TIDY OCT12 2 FLAT.i1 1
www.townandcountry-removals.co.uk
CAR, BOAT, CARAVAN AND BIKE STORAGE
Servicing . Repairs Horseboxes . Motorhomes
Project2_Layout 1 24/01/2012 12:47 Page 1
01444 257494
SM Tidy Industrial Estate Ditchling Common West Sussex BN6 8SG
24/9/12 09:27:47
guestlist where? The Grand Hotel, Brighton why? Monthly networking meeting of The Platinum Club fact. The Platinum Club is the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading premier networking forum in partnership with The Grand Hotel Brighton. Last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting was a lively affair with a very diverse selection of Sussex business leaders.
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who? 1. Stephen Wade (Santander), Robert Wakeford (Bank Leumi), Maarten Hoffmann (The Platinum Club) and Cheryl Johnson (Sussex Air Ambulance) 2. Alan Prior (The Pinnacle Group) and Anatasia Meldrum (Absolute Magazine) 3. Maarten Hoffmann (The Platinum Club), Amelia Stone (Overline Network Consultants) and Karim Mohamed (MayoWynneBaxter)
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4. Amanda Menahem (Hastings Direct Insurance) and David Waddell (Harvey John Recruitment) 5. Kylee Charles (Mindseye Management) and Steven Wilson (Wilson Design) 6. Sabiha Choudhury (Copywriting) and Amelia Stone (Overline Network Consultants) 7. David Cuff (Latest Television), Sarah Edmunds (Legal) and Nick Tong (Tzuni) 8. Troy and Charles Belliere (BSW Building Services) Maarten Hoffmann, Alan Prior (The Pinnacle Group) and Ulrich Hoffmann (Hoffmann & Rathbone)
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9. David Waddell (Harvey John Recruitment) and Sally Peake (Rix & Kay Law)
5
10. Dean Orgill (MayoWynneBaxter) and Leter Stewart (Baker Tilly)
7 6
8
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ABSOLUTE
B0113_105 Social Platinum Club.i1 1
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106 B0113_106_107 Sussex Business Aw2 2
31/12/12 10:19:52
guestlist
where? South Lodge Hotel why? The Sussex Business Awards who?
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1. Zoe Peate and the Sussex Harmonisers Choir 2. Vicky French, “Tweet” and Gemma Francis of Park Resort 3. Mark Mc Parland from BITC with Frances Borrer from Legal and General 4. Poppy Atkins and Helen Allan from Sussex County Cricket Club 5. Clear Computing’s Carly Will 15
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6. Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Peter and Margaret Field, Rachel Hughes from Green Mop and Hugh and Tessa Burnett DL 7. The team from Red Seven 8. Midnight Communications’ Caraline Brown and Fiona Graves 9. Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Peter Field with Caroline Huggett and Nicki Perry 10. The group from Park Resort 11. Mike and Jennifer Mendoza with Peter Latham and Neil Parkin
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12. The Marlin Group Ltd 13.Rugby Player Martin Bayfield 14. The group from The Grand Hotel Brighton 15. From Clear Computing, Carly Will with Barney and Kelly Hall 16. Michael Yeomans and Mike Holland 17. The group from Hilton Brighton Metropole 18. Lucy Mc Crickard and the group from Active Solutions Group 19. Soozie Campbell of Sharp Media Group with Carl and Soheila Jones from Moshi Moshi
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20. The group from Qualifa 21. The girls from Qualifa 22. The group from Sussex County Cricket Club
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Pictures: Graham Franks
107
B0113_106_107 Sussex Business Aw3 3
31/12/12 10:20:10
Sussex Business Awards 2012
THE WINNERS
Sussex Company of the Year WINNER: Marlin Financial Group Ltd
Sussex Businessperson of the Year WINNER: Kevin Byrne, Checkatrade
The Award for Innovation in Business WINNER: Systagenix
The Healthiest Workplace Award WINNER: RSPCA
Sponsored by Deloitte
Sponsored by Morgan Sindall
Sponsored by Sussex Innovation Centre
Sponsored by Active Solutions
Greatest Contribution to Sussex Charity Sponsored by Absolute Brighton WINNER: Kathy Gore, Friends of Sussex Hospices
The Most Awesome Use of Digital Media WINNER: Boing Splash Media
The Award for Leisure & Tourism WINNER: The Grand Hotel
The Responsible Business Award WINNER: Clear Computing Ltd
Sponsored by Wired Sussex
Sponsored by Sussex Life
Sponsored by Checkaprofessional
108 Award winners.indd 2
02/01/2013 14:10
T
he winners of the twenty fourth Sussex Business Awards were announced on 6th December at South Lodge Hotel, nr Horsham. The Sussex Company of the Year (sponsored by Deloitte for ten years now) was presented to Marlin Financial Group Ltd, the 5th fastest growing PE-backed company in the UK, as featured in The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100, 2012. Peter Field, Chair of the Sussex Business Awards judging panel and Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex commented: “For 24 years the Sussex Business Awards have recognised some of the most successful individuals and businesses in Sussex. If the
South East is emerging as the recovery engine of the UK economy, then Sussex surely must be its spark plug creating the innovation to make it all happen. Where better to recognise the best in our two Counties than at the Sussex Business Awards. “This year was no exception with many excellent entries and I hope you will agree that our winners are very worthy of these Awards.” Absolute Brighton sponsored the award recognising the Greatest Contribution to Sussex Charity. The deserved winner was Kathy Gore from the Friends of Sussex Hospices. Look out for an interview with Kathy next month.
The Award for the Best Customer Service Sponsored by Domestic & General WINNER: Systagenix
The Small Business of the Year Sponsored by Deloitte and Sussex Enterprise WINNER: South Downs Solar Ltd
Best Place for Business Entertaining WINNER: Sussex County Cricket Club
The International Business of the Year WINNER: Qualifa
The Boss of the Year WINNER: Cate Searle, Martin Searle Solicitors
The Most Promising New Business WINNER: Classic Consulting
Sponsored by HSBC
Sponsored by Morrisons Solicitors
Sponsored by Juice 107.2
Sponsored by The Argus
The Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses WINNER: Rob Hill, The Eventa Group Ltd 109
Award winners.indd 3
02/01/2013 14:10
In 2013 I will...
We asked local business people and personalities for their personal and business resolutions. We will be checking to make sure they keep to their word! Tim Cobb Cobb PR Personal: Try a bit harder to get the work/life balance sorted; get out more on my mountain bike; devote more time to my wonderful wife; find time for fun stuff with my three teenage sons; be available for selection if Albion can’t find a supporting striker in the January transfer window. Business: Be open to new opportunities; allow my team to take some of the bigger decisions; grow the business by 15-20% during 2013; be selective about which networking events to attend; treat people as you would like them to treat you.
Michael Wilkins Senior Manager - Corporate Business, AIB Group (UK) Plc Personal: I am aiming to undertake another charity fundraiser which will replicate the success of the Brighton to Paris Cycle completed in 2012. Business: To achieve the demanding new lending target set by the bank for our business in Brighton and the surrounding area for 2013. In doing so, it will tangibly demonstrate a committment to our loyal customer base and support to the wider business community.
Jim May Chairman, Sussex County Cricket Club Personal: Make every day count! Business: On the field. Having come so close in three competitions in 2012, to win a trophy in 2013. Off the field. Having won “The Best Place to Entertain your Clients” at the 2012 Sussex Business Awards, to attract more people to our great facilities at the County Ground.
Tim Fenton Senior Partner at Quality Solicitors Howlett Clarke Business: Our resolution is to make 2013 a year of growth for Howlett Clarke by cementing our relationships with Brighton based small and medium sized companies. One key area will be to help clients take on the challenges of deregulation within legal services, the so-called ‘Tesco law’. We’ll be launching a number of new products including a package for start-up companies to help them navigate the many hurdles associated with opening a new business, and we will be looking to capitalise on the power of the Quality Solicitors network with more national advertising and marketing. Together with growth in fixed fee work we’re determined to make 2013 a superb year for the oldest law firm in Brighton as we celebrate our 240th anniversary.
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resolutions.indd 2
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Stuart Dorn Brighton Racecourse Personal: Train for the Brighton Marathon (first ever marathon) and hopefully complete it, and then keep my training up for another challenge - yet to be confirmed! Make more time for family and friends this year.
Stephen Grant Comedian 1. Do not ‘shovel’ crisps into my mouth. Take one at a time. At the very least I should get a tiny cardiovascular exercise of repeatedly lifting saturated fat into my face. Just because I can put 15 Pringles in at once doesn’t mean I should. 2. Make the bed before getting in it. I still haven’t learnt that it’s harder to tuck sheets in when you’re actually lying on them. 3. Unfriend anyone on Facebook who invites me to some sort of digital farming game. I’m assuming you only win these by selling all of your land to property developers at an overinflated price. 4. Unfollow anyone on Twitter who tweets pictures of their lunch. Unless there’s a rat or a wedding ring in it. 5. Drink less bottles of wine. 6. Remember the difference between less and fewer. 7. Don’t write ‘extra’ stuff for magazines that you probably won’t get paid for.
Business: Remind people how much fun horse racing is and come and experience it with us at Brighton Racecourse. Keep the reintegration of the Racecourse with the city developing - still work in progress despite the fact it has been part of the city since 1783! Enjoy the social side of the work more with the friends of the Racecourse. Getting more involved with community projects in the city.
Stephanie St James RSVPR Personal: To stop working at three in the morning - and get some sleep at night! Can I have 2 resolutions? Why not? I am the Queen of Brighton. If so, take more holidays each year - five days is not enough! Business: To continue to grow but to include international contracts that have been hovering on the horizon for the past year. My ambition is for the business to return to more of its specialist areas of PR, for which it is best known: charities, hotels, sport and for me to learn to delegate! And make the most of all those who want to be a part of RSVPR.
Dave Bridges Managing Director, Fruit Design Personal: To counterbalance my love of Harvey’s beer with a strict fitness regime that keeps me in shape. Business: To not moan about the amount of tax the business has to make in order to bail the banks out.
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Keith Hall Cardens Accountants Personal: To get fitter as I plan to cycle to Paris with some business contacts as part of a charity cycle ride next Spring/Summer time. Business: Using another cycling theme, adopt the approach of Dave Brailsford, head of Team GB Cycling and Team Sky. He is constantly looking to get small improvements in many areas. Our clients seem to already like what we do as we get recommended by them but we are using this philosophy for all areas of what we do for them. Our aim is to improve in small ways on the service we are already providing to them. Continue with our charity initiative “1% makes a difference” .We aim to donate 1% of our turnover to charity each year by either direct donations to charities or indirectly in support of fundraising undertaken by our clients and contacts.
Gary Peters Chief Executive, ICPGroup Personal: To carry on working hard, ensuring that Brighton & Hove continues to be the best place to live, work and play in the UK and I also want to spend much more time with my family -- life is far too short and goes way too quickly! #worktolive Business: My targets and ambitions for my business are simple; to continue doing what we are doing -- working hard, inspiring others, creating opportunities and enjoying what we do!
Victoria Regan Dawson Hart Solicitors Personal: To get myself mentally and physically fit to face the challenges of the “Tough Mudder” assault course, which is hailed as being the ‘toughest event on the planet’. This will really test my strength, stamina and mental grit! Business: When I am not running through mud, fire, ice water and 10,000 volts of electricity, I aim to place my energies into demystifying the raft of Government ideas, initiatives, speculations and consultations surrounding Employment Law. My goal is to provide clarity to Companies, Managers and HR advisers alike by advising them on how to avoid potential legal pitfalls and offering them direction for the successful running of their businesses throughout 2013.
Peter James Writer Personal: To try everything that comes my way once, except for incest and folk dancing. Business: To complete my world tour of visiting all of the countries in which I am published in 35 languages.
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One Liners... Sinan Kalan Sylvan Oak fine dining, Findon Village To sell snow to the eskimos.
Keep it realistic
Simon Darcy Abbott Darcy PR - Design & marketing solutions Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
Matt Russell offers some timely advice on avoiding the pitfalls of New Year resolutions
Mike Gorgeous DJ Tokyo stereo / Motel Onwards and upwards always.
The festivities are over. Congratulations! The forced familial ‘fun’ of Christmas is but a distant memory. The Eve of New Year for most Brits - due to our bacchanalian tendencies – a mere smudge on the cortex. Like a bemused criminal misunderstanding their bail conditions, the festive period has given us just a smidgen too much access to freedom, and the crippling acceptance of going back to work/jail has
Richard Wheeler, Fatosh Kalan and Simon Darcy Abbott
imposed itself upon us. Bafflingly however, something that still limps on into the month of February is New Years Resolutions. More
Fatosh Kalan Brighton’s next hot model In 2013 I want to find Brighton’s next hot models and see them become Britain’s next top models.
specifically. People failing them.
Hakan Kaptan My food book Brighton - New guide to home dining Living life, all in baby.
imposed excitement stranglers a long time ago.
Alex Anderson Brighton property developer What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.
majority of us are overwhelmingly destined
Lucinda Kennard Feathered fantasy designer, bespoke headwear Not to disappoint myself by making resolutions that I will most probably break.
realisation that you’ve neglected to succeed at
Louise Chavannes Artist / Painter Paint, Live, Love, Exercise.
depressing.
Peter Chavannes Bafta Award winning Film Maker Capture the image, live for the moment.
Want to meet new people? No need for speed
Richard Wheeler Angel & Curve London Headphones To bring more great sounds and cool designs to the streets.
If like me, you have the tendency to adhere to commitments like a Post-It note to a waterfall, you’ll have scrapped the notion of these selfA person bettering themselves is a fantastic thing, don’t get me wrong. Unfortunately, the to fail. This in turn will most likely annoy us, defeating the object of the whole concept. The a situation that you - and you alone - created, is at best niggling, and at worst, soul-destroyingly Maybe the answer lies in having slightly more realistic goals... dating; just leave your house more regularly than the occasional fire alarm. Unless you’re part-time journalist and ‘2012 Hide and Seek Champion’ Julien Assange there’s no reason not to get out there and mingle. Want to increase your brainpower? Don’t hurt your head trying to read Proust; just stop watching Fox News. Want to learn to Morris Dance? Don’t! There must be limits people. All very simple things at which even the laziest amoungst us has a plausible shot of success.
Louise Chavannes, Lucinda Kennard and Mike Gorgeous
Roll on next New Year and the start of a New Years Revolution, in New Year Resolutions.
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Stephanie St James launches our new regal column
If I was Queen of Brighton... W
ell, I wouldn’t line the streets with
be on the map and we will light up the whole
best way to start this new initiative would be
gold or anything like that - it’s a
city with a spectacular Christmas festival... just
to introduce our most famous and greatest
serious business being Queen!
you wait and see!
and best, in every way, author: Peter James.
The first thing I’d do is find myself a King. I’d
I would permit cycles, not on the same street
That way I could ensure there would be no
appoint someone who could ensure things
as the palace, obviously. Only a reasonable
complaints!
get done and there’s only one man in this
number of them - at the moment Brighton
II would be very happy to keep the delightful
city who ever actually does what he says he’s
is ‘infested’ with them! I would make it law
arrival of Jo Malone in Dukes Lane... I would
going to do and that man is Mike Holland.
that they were licensed (no more anonymous
make it law that every new retailer must
King found... now I’m afraid I would have to
cyclists knocking into animals and children,
sit well in my new portfolio of ‘Chic and
make a great many changes with which a
running red lights and traumatizing our
Sophisticated’. LK Bennett, Gresham Blake,
lot of people would disagree. I’d start with
motorists). Cyclists would have to be insured
Hugo Morris... you can all stay!
cleaning up the city - at the moment it looks
so that when, and I say when not if, they are
I would make no changes to our wonderful
like a ‘shanty town’.
caught for committing crimes, they can be
I would not tolerate any more ‘scruffiness’.
held responsible, like every other road
remain the Gastronomic Centre of
Diverse and cultural it is not! When I am
user!
Excellence it already is!
Queen, I won’t have time to keep popping off
It would be free for all residents of
I just hope that when I am Queen
to Knightsbridge for a fashion fix so I would
Brighton & Hove to park. Only visitors
and I’ve made all these dramatic
need to inject some CHIC into Brighton - If I
would face charges. This way, we
changes, Brighton & Hove would
absolutely had to accommodate a percentage
could vastly reduce the number
still be the friendliest city in the
of trainers, hoodies, tattoos and piercings I
of us who run off to shop in
would contain them in designated areas and
Kensington and Chelsea where
fine people if they roamed out onto my newly
parking is half the price it is
cleaned streets.
here.
Christmas Lights: if we are going to find a
I’d force everyone to read
around the streets of my
triple A star, like Adele, to switch something
a book - a new one every
city... in the tower
on then no more spindly home-made looking
week (or every month
bits of tinsel hanging sadly on one or two
if people are too busy
streets. When I am Queen, Brighton really will
partying (I might be).... The
array of restaurants. Brighton could
UK and I’d still have the hundreds of friends I’ve made since living here! Finally, bullies - if you’re lurking
FOREVER!
If I absolutely had to accommodate a percentage of trainers, hoodies, tattoos and piercings I would contain them in designated areas and fine people if they roamed out onto my newly cleaned streets.
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02/01/2013 14:05
Breeze
brasserie
Discover a bright and breezy brasserie with a chilled out vibe We use top quality locally sourced produce. Families and parties of any size catered for
Rated numbr 3 in the Brighton Eating Guide. Vintage style decor, friendly service and relaxed atmosphere
98 Trafalgar Street, Brighton
01273 693377 info@breezebrasserie.co.uk www.breezebrasserie.co.uk B0113_115 Breeze Brasserie ad.in1 1
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B0113_116 Havana SPOON.indd 1
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