Brighton & Hove Independent - 25 December 2015 by Brighton & Hove Independent

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Friday, December 25 2015

Regency Make a wish petition come true

See page 3

See page 6

Albion look to bounce back See page 47

So, that was 2015... It’s been an exciting year for Brighton and Hove. In this special two-week edition of the Brighton & Hove Independent, we take a look at the highlights of 2015, and what’s in store in the new year. The elections in May changed the political colours of the council – with the Green Party handing over the reins to the Labour administration – and the parliamentary elections saw the city split between three parties. The British Airways i360 has made substantial progress this year - with the 162-metre tower built at the seafront, and the glass pod is being slotted together at the West Pier site, ahead of the big opening next summer.

The RugbyWorld Cup 2015 came to Brighton and Hove, there were celebrations this summer for the 25th Pride event and the city’s first Costume Games. We take a look at the year in news (pages 12 and 13), and Warren Morgan, leader of the city council, has written an article on what’s in store for 2016, including plans for the King Alfred Leisure Centre, and a new secondary school for the city (page 18). And our year in pictures feature (pages 24 and 25) highlights some of the standout moments of 2015. To all of our readers have a very Merry Christmas, and we’ll see you in 2016.

(Clockwise from top left) The Pride celebrations; British Airways unveiled as the sponsor of the i360; the Mermaid March; and the Samoa team in Brighton and Hove for Rugby World Cup 2015

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BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Ideas to boost area ahead of i360 launch Bex Bastable @BexBastable A group has been formed at Regency Square, to make the area a more pleasant place for residents and visitors, particularly in light of the British Airways i360 opening next summer. Neil Rosborough, secretary of the recentlyformed Friends of Regency Square, said: “The opening of the i360 will bring thousands of visitors to our area and we are keen to improve the front of our square in readiness for the big event.” The group has started a petition to Brighton and Hove City Council, to address issues on Regency Square. These include the need for adequate motorbike parking – as those with motorbikes have to park at the south end of the Square – repairing the stone steps around the memorial statue, and renovating the railings. The Friends also seek adequate lighting for “what

will be a very busy vantage point for visitors” when the i360 opens next year. There were suggestions the area could benefit from a Boris bike-style scheme set to come to the city, with two docking stations at Regency Square, and ideas to make use of the largelyempty car park below the Square, with “small business opportunities” such as a hand car wash. The group also seeks ideas on events - such as craft fairs and community gardening. Mr Rosborough said: “With the council cutbacks on parks and gardens maintenance this is perhaps a new opportunity for local initiative.” The Friends group meets each Saturday morning at the south end of the square, and is aiming to gather petitions and ideas to regenerate and improve the area. To find out more about the group, and to view and sign the petition, email: friendsofregencysquare@ gmail.com

The Friends of Regency Square poster

On This Day Dan Tester @DJDanteBrighton

Excerpts from the recently-published book

1992 | Friday, December 25 1955 | Sunday, October 9

Brighton’s Grand Hotel Myles suggests thatthe if the One of Brighton’s finest sons was born: Steve Ovett, former featured in the runner Christmas water ismedallist pure, it could middle-distance was 800m gold at the be 1980 edition Games of Only Fools &andbottled and sold. for Rodney Olympic in Moscow set world records 1,500m and Horses… Del inherited notices that the ‘spring one mile. He still holds the UK record for two miles, which he set Grandad’s old allotment water’ is actually coming in 1978. Educated at Varndean,from he showed great as a money young for a Christmas and received a summons a nearby tap promise connected b ll b b ll hl h h Grand l from the council, ordering to a hose and concealed by holiday at the Hotel him to remove a public rocks. Uncle Albert secures and in the final scene – as health hazard - the barrels an authenticity certificate Del, Rodney and Uncle contain an unknown yellow by using real mineral water Albert go to sleep – the news substance - from his land. and the Trotters set up a reports that a local reservoir Tr i g g e r a n d D e n z i l production line by filling had been contaminated by a help remove the offending up bottles from his kitchen yellow liquid. As a blissfully ch e m i c a l s a n d e n d u p tap. Peckham Spring Water unaware Del switches off the dumping them “in a pond”. quickly becomes one of light, a bottle of Peckham When Del sees the high M y l e s ’ b i g g e s t - s e l l i n g Spring glows on his bedside price of produce in an products and sales are table! organic shop he develops an further boosted by the 1940| Wednesday, interest in gardening and drought warnings issued by invites the owner, Myles, the local water board, who December 25 to the allotment to advise believe there is a serious With World War II raging him on growing vegetables. underground leak due to the football continued under A mysterious water source high volume of water being the auspices of the War is spotted - which Del calls used by Del. South League and the team the Peckham Spring - and The Trotters earn enough – all five of them; one senior player, three juniors and (as a guest) Bolton’s Jimmy Ithell – travelled to Carrow Road, Norwich. After borrowing some juniors from the home side and servicemen from the crowd, Albion let the Canaries flap to a rather unflattering 18 goals without reply! Signed copies available from Colourfast, Cheltenham Place, North Laine for a limited period only.

Media partners for Innovation Challenge 2016 Th e B r i g h t o n & H ove Independent is to be the print media partner for the City Innovation Challenge 2016. The competition was l a u n c h e d by Wa r r e n Morgan, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, and asks residents, businesses, and community groups to come up with ideas on how to keep council services going in the face of budget cuts. Five prize funds of £1,000 will be awarded to the most innovative ideas. Cllr Morgan said: “Awards will be funded by sponsorship and no council taxpayer money will be spent on this project. So far we have secured sponsorship interest from Microsoft, the Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton and Hove Buses, the University of Sussex, and Entrepreneurial Spark/Natwest. I’m delighted that the Brighton and Hove Independent is on board too as our print media partner for the event.”

Warren Morgan, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council The competition opens on January 4, for one month, and prizes will be awarded at a ceremony at the Hilton Metropole in the spring. Cllr Morgan said: “I know that there is the talent, imagination and innovation in this city to overcome the challenges we face and find new ways of making Brighton and Hove better.” For more information on the challenge, visit: www. brighton-hove.gov.uk

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

Parties team up to oppose Housing Bill Proposed changes could escalate city’s housing crisis Bex Bastable @BexBastable A housing bill being discussed in Parliament is “a naked attempt by central government to seize council revenue”. That’s according to Brighton and Hove Green Party councillors, who spoke out about the issue at last week’s Full Council meeting (December 17). This came after the Labour Group tabled a motion raising concerns t h at t h e H o u s i n g a n d Planning Bill would threaten the provision of affordable homes to rent and buy in Brighton and Hove. The motion said the Bill would force high-value council homes to be sold onto the open market, and extend the right-to-buy to housing association tenants - with no commitment

from the government that affordable homes will be replaced. Green councillors said it would seriously undermine the council’s ability to meet the city’s housing needs. It is estimated that the bill will result in £4.5 billion being confiscated from councils to subsidise housing associations. The council will now write to government ministers expressing concern over the Bill, after the Labour and Green groups supported a motion at Full Council. Cllr David Gibson, Green spokesperson on housing, said: “The city faces a massive housing crisis, with another 10 per cent rise in private sector rental costs expected within a year. Council housing is a precious resource, since 1997, under both main parties, the city has lost over

1,400 much needed homes to the right-to-buy and many of these homes are now being rented privately at unaffordable rents. Forcing the council to get rid of even more homes when so many people are desperate for affordable housing is crazy. “It is an effort by central government to rescue its failing housing policy, w h i ch h a s s e e n h o m e ownership fall every year since 2010, while private sector rents have soared. “What we need is greater powers for councils to invest in housing across a range of tenures - from council housing at social rent to genuinely affordable homes to buy. “We need rents based on what people can afford, ‘living rents’ not based on the market where landlords have all the power. Instead we see an out-of-touch approach from the Tories

which does not help those renting and only helps the better off to buy.” Anne Meadows, Labour councillor, and chair of the housing and new homes committee, said: “Affordable housing is a key priority for the Labour administration, which is why we tabled a notice of motion tackling all aspects of the Housing and Planning Bill at council last week, as well as supporting the Greens notice of motion on the same subject. “ We h o p e t h a t t h i s government will realise the likely impact on those less fortunate of the Housing and Planning Bill, and the greater difficulties it will create for councils trying to provide secure and affordable homes. “This Bill only makes us more determined to push ahead with our housing plans.”

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£10m Shelter Hall plan starts in the New Year A 100-metre section of the Kings Road will be closed from January 4, as work on the £10 million Shelter Hall project begins. Lane closures are expected to be in place for two-and-a-half years, as the crumbling arches underneath Kings Road are renovated, and work is undertaken to prevent the road from collapsing. The project will rebuild Shelter Hall into a “flagship commercial location for the 21st century”. As the Shelter Hall extends underneath the A259, part of the road will close while work is underway. From January 4, one lane of the westbound section of the A259 will be shut 50 metres either side of the bottom of West Street. Cllr Gill Mitchell, chair of the city’s environment and transport committee, said: “The rebuilding of the Shelter Hall and work to strengthen the A259 is absolutely essential for the future of our seafront

Shelter Hall and the road, which is the major coastal route through Brighton and Hove.We need to do the work to protect these assets into the next century. “Shelter Hall marks the first stage o f i n ve s t m e n t i n t h e seafront’s infrastructure which is urgently in need of restoration and regeneration. This project, largely funded by the government, is on schedule and on budget and is a key part of securing our seafront economy.”

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Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Gatwick could cause ‘commuter misery’ Bex Bastable @BexBastable A group opposed to possible Gatwick Airport expansion has said if it goes ahead, it will cause “misery” to commuters on the Brighton to London railway line. This comes as Brighton and Hove City Council expressed its support for an expansion at Gatwick. The group said 51,000 people commute by train from Sussex to London each day, and the airport expansion would put extra pressure on the Brighton to London route. Sally Pavey, chair of CAG N E ( C o m mu n i t i e s Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions), said: “By backing Gatwick expansion, Brighton and Hove City Council has condemned each of those people to even more misery than they are already subjected to. Gatwick plan on the number of passengers arriving at the airport by rail

to almost treble. That means less space and more delays for Brighton commuters, an anticipated 90,000 extra passengers on the network daily. Why is Brighton council planning to inflict even worse daily transport misery on hardworking commuters?” She quotes the recent National Rail Sussex Route Study of 2015 (SRS), which estimates passenger numbers on the Brighton Main Line (BML) will increase by 115 per cent by 2043 for those travelling to London Bridge, and 34 per cent to Victoria. It said there would be serious capacity problems overall by 2024. If the second runway is approved, and is operational by 2025, 70 million (currently 40 million) air passengers would pass through Gatwick a year. With an estimated 50 per cent using public transport, Ms Pavey said an average of 2,750 additional passengers would use the Brighton Main Line.

A new home for the homeless The city council is on the look out for a property to use as accommodation for the homeless, after it received a £569,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency. The council’s original funding bid focused on Hazel Cottage, a former NHS property, but that property is no longer available, so the council is now looking for an alternative after being given the go-ahead to switch the grant to another property. The cash will be used by B r i g h t o n a n d H ove City Council to purchase a property and turn it into an accommodation service for a group of people currently residing in the city’s homeless hostels. The people involved have health problems and substance misuse issues. The new accommodation will offer at least eight en-suite rooms adapted for people with physical disabilities, and they will be able to get the extra support they need to improve their lives. In addition to the £569,000 grant, the scheme will also benefit from up to £230,000 of funding from the rental income the project generates. The service will be run by a s u p p o r t p r ov i d e r c o m m i s s i o n e d by t h e council. Support workers within the service will work with

Rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove service users to address a range of needs including life skills, learning, and mental health. Cllr Anne Meadows, chair of the council’s housing and new homes committee, said: “Homelessness is a big problem in our city and we’re determined to tackle it. “We want to improve the supply of affordable housing and also offer more housing that can support vulnerable people. This successful investment bid is an important step in that direction.” Cllr Clare Moonan, lead member for homelessness, wrote about homelessness in the Brighton & Hove Independent (December 11) and said about 1,000 people sleep rough in the city each year, with an estimated 80 people sleeping rough on a night in November this year.

Warren Morgan, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “The potential benefits of a second runway at Gatwick for the city, local businesses and residents are enormous in terms of jobs, apprenticeships a n d e c o n o m i c g r ow t h . And expansion at Gatwick would also mean greater investment in the London to Brighton rail line. Gatwick Airport expects rail capacity to be tripled by 2030, with double the frequency of trains.”

CAGNE said expansion at Gatwick will put pressure on the Brighton Main Line

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

Albion fans can make a wish come true The official charity of Brighton and Hove Albion is asking its fans to make a wish come true this Christmas. Albion in the Community (AITC) runs dozens of disability sport sessions throughout Sussex, helping hundreds of people take part in sport who otherwise would not have the opportunity to. One such player is George Holloway-Bartle, a 15-yearold from Sompting, who has recently started attending AITC’s powerchair football sessions and, according to his dad, the regular sport has had a hugely positive impact on him. Powerchairs, however, are expensive and AITC is only able to provide a small number of chairs for people to borrow when they start sessions. For George to continue playing he now needs a sports powerchair of his own, so AITC has made the teenager the subject of its annual Christmas fundraising appeal. It is

asking Albion fans to donate towards the £4,225 cost of a new chair. Matthew Bartle, George’s dad, said: “George was born prematurely and everything was fine until he was four months old and he started having seizures. He went through a really tough time for a few years. He had an operation which stopped the seizures but left him with profound weakness down his right side and he needs a wheelchair to get around. “Doing sport with AITC has energised him because he plays with people his own age. He has friends and it has put him on more of an even keel from a social perspective. “He loves contributing to a team – it isn’t something he has ever been able to do before. He scored a goal the other week and he was so pleased he couldn’t stop talking about it. “ H e ’ s n eve r h a d a n interest in sport until now. I took him to his first match

George Holloway-Bartle at the Amex recently and he absolutely loved it.” There are a number of rewards on offer for people who donate specific amounts, including shirts, match tickets and places on

Albion in the Community soccer schools. To donate, and help make George’s wish come true, visit: www.crowdfunder. co.uk/a-power-chair-forgeorge.

Friday, December 25, 2015

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Friday, December 25, 2015

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Nearly a third of homes in Brighton and Hove are privately rented Bex Bastable @BexBastable Brighton and Hove City Council is set to crack down on houses with multiple occupation (HMOs), which do not have a licence, in a move which it says will protect tenants. A HMO is a house or flat which is let to three or more tenants who form two or more “households” and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet - and these properties should have a licence. The city council’s “crackdown” is in response to the rising number of tenants seeking advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as the high number of privately rented properties in the city.The private rented sector accounts for 28 per cent of housing in Brighton

and Hove, compared to the national average of 15 per cent. Landlords with HMOs must be granted a licence by the council, and abide by rules including annual gas checks, fire safety measures, and an agreement to undergo general maintenance. Cllr Tracey Hill, lead member for private rented sector housing, said: “I am talking directly with community groups in the Lewes Road academic corridor so that the council can better support residents addressing problems with unauthorised HMOs and issues with landlords and tenants. The council is also in dialogue with the universities about the pressure on housing supply, and would like to see the universities working as closely as possible with us on student housing.”

“A recent review of HMO licensing revealed that 95 per cent of properties did not meet the fire safety conditions required by the licence. In recent weeks there were two significant fines for landlords who had not licensed their HMOs. “It’s clear that the council cannot act alone to improve the private rented sector: continued partnership working is vital. Housingrelated organisations across the city are coming together to form a working party, with the first meeting to be held on January 27. This working party can consider other initiatives that might help the private rented sector.” For a factsheet explaining HMO licensing to tenants, visit: www.brighton-hove. gov.uk/renting-privatesector.

Radio programme to give an insight into Brighton’s refugee community RadioReverb is to broadcast a new series about Brighton’s refugee community. Jaibli Salaam, an Arabic welcome salutation, is presented and produced by Gilly Smith, and explores ideas of home, identity, food, and music from Brighton’s migrant communities. The first episode will be broadcast on Christmas Day, and kicks the series off with the story of The School Bus Project. Kate McAllister, founder of the project talks about her bus, the result of a successful crowdfunding initiative, which she is converting into a pop-up classroom to take to the Jungle camp in Calais. Ms Smith is creative producer at hexology, a new media company, as well as a radio lecturer at the University of Brighton. She invited her students to record children from St Lukes’ Primary School reading popular children’s

Children from St Lukes’ Primary School, reading books that will be sent to the Jungle camp in Calais stories for the first episode. The recordings were then embedded into the barcodes of the books which will be transported to the Jungle camp in Calais. The following episodes will visit the homes of Brighton’s Syrian community. Ms Smith said: “I wanted to show the faces behind the word ‘refugee’. And there’s nowhere better to paint a picture than radio. The welcome I’ve had from t h e S y r i a n c o m mu n i t y

here in Brighton has been overwhelming. All we do in each episode is cook and chat about food, music, and memories from the old country, but the stories say so much more about the humanity and warmth of the Syrian people.” To hear Jaibli Salaam, tune into RadioReverb 97.2 FM on Christmas Day between 5pm and 6pm with the remaining five shows scheduled across January. Visit: www.radioreverb.com

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BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

‘Trailblazing’ air monitoring station is unveiled at Falmer Bex Bastable @BexBastable The University of Brighton has set up a £250,000 advanced air quality monitoring station, the first of its kind in the UK dedicated to the detection of harmful nano-sized particles. Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, officially o p e n e d t h e s t at i o n o n Friday (December 18) and praised the university for its “trailblazing” research. Ms Lucas said: “One of the lessons I have learned is that although air pollution quite often is invisible it really is a massive problem. It is responsible for literally thousands of premature deaths. What will come out of this research, I hope, will be more pressure on policy makers to take more action to reduce air pollution.” Th e u n ive r s i t y ’ s A i r E nv i r o nm e n t R e s e a rch team believes the station,

Dr Kevin Wyche at the University of Brighton with the new air pollution monitor on the Falmer campus, will ‘enhance our understanding of the harmful air pollutants that we breathe’. Dr Kevin Wyche and Dr Kirsty Smallbone, the project’s lead scientists, said: “Poor air quality is believed to result in around 50,000 deaths per year in

the UK. Brighton is still exceeding air quality limits set by the government. It is crucial that we enhance our understanding of the relationships that exist between pollutants and health, and the Brighton Jo a q u i n A dva n c e d A i r Quality Station will provide

a solid platform for us to do just this.” Falmer was chosen as “if you are in the middle of the city, kerbside, on a specific major road or adjacent to any other such source, measurements will be biased rather than representing a more general average.”

Dr Smallbone, Caroline Lucas and Dr Kevin Wyche

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Friday, December 25, 2015

January 23

Groundhog Day The city council will set its budget, but will it be Groundhog Day, or the Day After Tomorrow?

March 6

Cash windfall for Labour Party Donations for the Brighton and Hove District Labour Party total nearly £60,000 in three months.

February 27

My Honourable Friends? Caroline Lucas and what she really thinks about politics in Britain today.

April 24

The election turns nasty Labour engineer Twitter storm after ‘poisonous’ abuse claim.

A YEAR IN FRONT PAGE NEWS

Bex Bastable takes a look at who and what made the the news in 2015

What a year 2015 has been. The national and local elections took up a great deal of column inches in the lead up to May, as you can see from our top front pages and web stories of the year. One of our most popular stories on our website, was about Zoella, the YouTube sensation buying a “Zalfie pad” in Hove - showing just how powerful social media

May 29

People 100 The people who make our city what it is.

is, and that we have a new kind of celebrity. The Brighton i360 began to take shape earlier this year, and John Lewis announced it wanted to open a store in Brighton. With plenty going on in Brighton and Hove it’s been a busy year at Indy Towers. Here’s our pick of the best front pages and most read online stories in 2015.

June 12

Welcome to the Brighton i360 Building begins at the West Pier site, starting with the 162-metre tower.

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

July 31

Bus fears over Valley Gardens The long-awaited Valley Gardens scheme was delayed over fears of city-wide traffic jams.

September 18

Our Fair City The 12 people tasked to investigate inequality in Brighton and Hove.

August 28

GCSE achievement gap exposed in city schools And the darkest of days for Sussex, following the Shoreham aircrash.

October 9

John Lewis is finally coming The retailer announced its intentions to move into the city centre.

The most read articles on www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk JANUARY 9 Elections 2015: Candidates for Brighton and Hove City Council The 236 candidates standing for election in Brighton and Hove (for 54 seats, in 21 wards): Conservative Party, 54; Green Party, 54; Labour and Co-operative Party, 54; Liberal Democrats, 29; UKIP, 25; Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, 13; Independent, 4; Left Unity, 2; Monster Raving Loony Party, 1. FEBRUARY 24 Zoella buys ‘Zalfie pad’ in Hove Zoella, the 24-year-old YouTube phenomenon, has reportedly bought a new five-bedroom – and five-bathroom – home in Dyke Road, Hove, for £925,000. Apparently, she calls it her “Zalfie pad”. The modern, renovated house is home to Zoe Sugg and her boyfriend, Alfie Deyes. Hence, Zalfie. APRIL 17 Brian May: An uncommonly-decent rock star He is in Brighton and Hove to support Caroline Lucas, seeking re-election as the country’s only Green MP, and to engage in a lengthy question-and-answer “masterclass” with 200 or so BIMM students.

November 20

JUNE 5 Homelessness on our streets shames us all Let’s be honest: We all know the truth about street-homelessness in Brighton and Hove. We may not know the details. But we do know the truth. And the truth is that nobody should be sleeping rough on the streets. Not in one of the wealthiest cities. In one of the wealthiest countries in the world. OCTOBER 8 Finally! John Lewis is coming to Brighton and Hove There have been rumours and expectations – and, finally, it looks as if it’s true. John Lewis is coming to Brighton and Hove. The department store announced its intentions to open a branch in the heart of the city, at 129-133 North Street. NOVEMBER 20 It’s Burger King vs Bison Arms Bison Beer and the Bottom’s Rest pub have teamed up to start a crowdfunding campaign to open The Bison Arms at the old Mariner pub. After a 11,500-strong petition to stop Burger King from taking on the site at East Street in The Lanes.

Small Batch has hit the big time From small beginnings, the coffee retailer is set to expand across the UK.

December 4

The cuts that will shape our future The Labour-led administration announced its four year budget, with £68m cuts by 2020.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

The beauty amid the harsh penalties of a theocracy

About 30 miles east of Jeddah, after crossing the sand flats and rocky mesas of the coastal plain, you come to a police post and a large sign reading “Non-Muslims are Forbidden to Pass this Point”. The road ahead leads to Mecca. We turned right here, of course, up the hairpin escarpment, its slopes littered with wrecks, to Taif, the summer capital. Nine of us in the giant desert ranger, all smoking cigars, with Julio Iglesias, Al Martino and Rod Stewart full volume on the radio, aero parts strapped to the roof. The night was canopied with stars, the heat had abated, and the strange alien smell of Arabia wafted in at the windows. That moment, long ago, remains vividly with me. As a devotee of Lawrence, Thesiger, and Doughty, I had longed to visit the land of their exploits, “crazed with the spell of far Arabia” (in the words of Walter de la Mare’s fanciful poem), where “the princes

ride at noon”. I didn’t see too many princes, though Prince Fahd (later king) turned up unannounced one morning in military fatigues to inspect the facility. Things I did see included a beheading in “chop square” after Friday prayers; and, in the Jeddah souk, all the money-changers trooping off to prayers, under the eyes of the mutawwa, or religious police, leaving unattended their tables piled with currency. (Ironically, Saudi Arabia is the only place where I’ve had my wallet pinched.) Christmas is not celebrated there. No cards or trees allowed. I recall how a hotel pianist in Riyadh who illadvisedly broke into “White Christmas” was led away by the men with big sticks. On the day, a bunch of us Brits gathered after work in someone’s apartment for tea and cake. To be honest, I found the total absence of all the consumerist fakery, the stress, gluttony, Santa hats, and general horror of Christmas rather refreshing. There’s something to be said for escaping to a strict Muslim country at this time of year. The Bible is a forbidden book there.

School texts have images of churches redacted. There’s no alcohol – officially, at least (an elderly expat, Karl Andree, was recently jailed for a year and threatened with 350 lashes for possessing homemade wine). Homosexuality is a capital offence. Saudi Arabia today walks a tightrope. They are finally getting to the end of the sons of their founder, Ibn Saud, and the next generation may lack their authority. The population has tripled, with scant prospect of employment for many. The 5,000 actual princes often bring infamy – as with the one recently convicted of murdering his lover-servant in London. Reforms are sparely meted out: women were allowed to vote for the first time last week – the reactionary Grand Mufti called it “opening the door to evil” – but remain forbidden to drive. Rape victims are liable to be flogged and jailed, as happened to a teenager in Qatif in 2007. The judiciary, mostly strict Wahhabi clerics, keeps the lid on disaffection and dissent. Raif Badawi, flogged and jailed for criticising them on a blog, is only one

Al Haddah overlooking Mecca and the Red Sea victim among many. Just last month a poet, Ashraf Fayadh, was sentenced to death for apostasy.Like any repressive regime, the Saudis manipulate the news – claiming the recent Hajj stampede killed only 717 pilgrims when the true figure was over 2,400. Much of historic Mecca

is being replaced by naff luxury hotels. Despite their wealth and experience in hosting multitudes, they have not taken any Syrian refugees. The 34-nation Muslim coalition they have just formed to combat terror, although welcome, comes after years of inaction,

while, arguably, worldwide funding of mosques which preach radical Wahhabism has been one of the root causes of the problem. Graham Chainey is a freelance writer and local historian living in Brighton and Hove.

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

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Friday, December 25, 2015

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Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

A Week in the City Event

Star Wars Brighton Premiere held a charity screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at The Odeon on Thursday (December 17). About 400 people attended a black-tie gala evening at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, before heading to the Odeon, where they were among the first people to see the film. The £1,300 raised was donated to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice and The Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. Photograph: Graham Franks

Technology

Charity

Politics

Brighton and Hove City Council’s library service will run a volunteer scheme called Digital Friends to help people learn how to use new devices after Christmas. The aim is to give people an understanding of how to use tablets, laptops, computers, and smart phones to go online to enjoy email, social media, the Internet, games and much more. Volunteers are available in libraries around the city to offer advice on a friendly oneto-one basis in scheduled session times. Cllr Alan Robins, deputy chair of economic development and culture committee, said: “Everyone has different skills and abilities when it comes to new technology.The library is a calm and friendly place to go to find out more and share your own knowledge.” The sessions will begin from Monday, January 4. To find out more, contact Jubilee Library on 01273 290800 or ask at your local library for more details.

An event where people could bring their old clothes or sleeping bags for homeless people was a great success, say organisers. De-clutter for Christmas, took place at Cocoon Healing Arts, Gloucester Place, on Saturday, December 19, and offered free tea from Chi Trading as well as a yoga session, and a talk by Pete Shepherd of BiOVERSION. Sam Down, organiser of the event, said: “The whole day was a lot of fun and we had plenty of people bringing in clothes and other goodies, which we’ll be giving to local charity Project Antifreeze. “We’re already well into double figures for bin-liners of clothes, and loads of people who couldn’t make it on the day have promised to bring more stuff along over the next few days, including one lady who has a whole houseful of things to get rid of!.” To f i n d o u t m o r e , visit: facebook.com/ TheLivingRoomBrighton

Brighton Chamber’s first Big Debate of 2016 will take place on January 15, taking a closer look at the issues around staying in or leaving the European Union, and asking whether the EU should be more business friendly. Speakers Caroline L u c a s , G r e e n M P fo r Brighton Pavilion, and Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP for the South East, will debate the issue. Ms Lucas said: “I want Britain to remain a part of the EU because I believe that we are stronger when we work together on the shared problems we face. But to make the EU better for every European we need to stay in and reform it.” Mr Hannan be making the case for why Britain would be better off, outside the EU. The debate will be held at the auditorium in the Brighthelm Centre, on North Road, Brighton, on Friday January 15, from 3pm to 5pm. To book a place, visit: big-debate-eu. eventbrite.co.uk

Digital friends

Charity

Time2Give More than 500 hours of volunteering were donated to local charities at the Time2Give Christmas Ball on December 9. The event held at The Grand – the brainchild of Gail Bainbridge, coow n e r o f a c c o u n t a n cy practice Bainbridge Lewis supported 12 charities from across the city An auction saw guests invited to bid for prizes with their time rather than their cash. Donated time will be matched up to the 12 not-forprofit organisations.

Declutter for Xmas

The EU debate

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BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

Our city will thrive and prosper in the coming years The past year has been a year of change and challenges for the city, but 2016 will be a very big year, the year we start building a better Brighton and Hove. There is a huge range of projects that will grow our economy, build new homes and provide new and better paid jobs for thousands of local people. Far from being vanity projects, these are multimillion pound schemes that will deliver new hospital facilities, a new leisure centre, a new conference and concert arena, and new shopping facilities that could generate millions for council services in new business rates. Within weeks there will be a decision on the King Alfred in Hove. A successful bidder to build a new sports and leisure complex will be announced, with the scheme including housing that will pay for the centre as well as generate new income from council tax. Work starts in January to rebuild the road and

“

There is a huge range of projects that will grow our economy, build new homes and provide new and better paid jobs...

supporting structure at the junction of Kings Road and West Street, using £9 million of external funding as part of the £100 million we need to spend on our seafront infrastructure. At the same time new buildings will start to go up on the old market site in Circus Street, including new office space, 140 homes and a new home for South East Dance. We will launch our Joint Housing Venture with Hyde Housing, providing more t h a n a t h o u s a n d t r u ly affordable homes, with rents at 60 per cent of market rates. Providing homes that are within reach for local people is an absolutely essential task for the council I lead. Wi t h o u r p a r t n e r s Standard Life we will present p l a n s fo r a n e x t e n d e d Churchill Square, and a new arena and conference venue at Black Rock, to ensure we have retail, convention and concert facilities to rival Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London. They have already

announced a partnership with renowned architects Wilkinson Eyre on the project. We are making significant progress towards being able to publish our proposals to restore the Madeira Terraces, ensuring that our heritage is preserved alongside new investment and facilities. There will be announcements on our devolution bid, submitted to Government in September and offering the possibility of a Greater Brighton City Region stretching along the coast and up towards Gatwick, with new powers and economic muscle to rival the Northern Powerhouses. Locally there will be news on a new secondary school, set up and run by Brighton University to meet the growing demand for places, and action by our new Employment and Skills Task Force on boosting skills and better paid careers for our young people. The timetable for John Lewis opening their first store in the city at the Clock

Cllr Warren Morgan at the demolition of the old market building in Circus Street Tower, will be set out, and there will be some exciting news about North Street and the Lanes, with additions and restorations to the unique shopping experience in our historic old town. There should be news on a swimming pool at the old Peter Pan site and of course the opening of the British Airways i360. We all need to get behind

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this new attraction now that it is there, and because we need to see it succeed so we can use the £1m a year it should generate to invest in our seafront infrastructure. As a council, we are hard at work finding ways to deliver services in better ways, online and in your neighbourhoods, which deal with the fact we will have a third less in funding to do it

with. By the end of the year the city council will leave its seafront offices and move to Hove Town Hall in a move which will mean millions of pounds can be invested in a major community advice hub and online council services that will make a real difference to how you interact with your local authority. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope 2016 is the year that together we start building a better Brighton and Hove.

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Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Tax increase for the poorest households A scheme that will see the council tax bill increase for the city’s poorest residents was approved at Full Council last week (December 17). Labour and Conservative councillors voted for the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which will mean the poorest 15,000 households will have to pay 20 per cent of their council tax bill from April, up from 15 per cent. Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty, convener of the Green Group, said: “The decision taken at Council on Thursday was a defining moment for the new Labour council administration. Sadly it has fallen at the first hurdle by failing to mitigate impacts of its cuts on the very poorest households. “While we recognise the difficult context created by vicious Conservative cuts to local government, the reality is that the Labour council have a choice. If they wished, Labour could reduce the disproportionate impact of cuts on poorest households by prioritising council tax

reduction. Instead, we see the council actively driving the poorest households further into destitution by increasing their council tax burden far more than other households. The idea that £50 per year for the poorest households is acceptable, in the context of dramatic increases in rent and damaging welfare reform, is completely absurd. Labour are simply perpetuating the approach of the Tories to focus cuts on the most vulnerable, who are least able to speak out.” The decision was passed despite significant protests by the local Green party as well Brighton and Hove People’s Assembly and Brighton Benefits Campaign. Cllr Warren Morgan, Labour leader of the council, said: “The government is again cutting nearly £2 million this year from the support we give to residents on the lowest incomes to help pay their council tax. Despite this, we are proposing to continue to pay 80 per cent of

Get to know your neighbours

their council tax bills, more than many similar councils do.” He said no-one on the scheme will pay more than £1.65 extra a week. This comes ahead of the council’s budget 2016/17, which is expected to propose a four per cent increase in the city council’s slice of the council tax bill. The draft budget proposes a 1.99 per cent increase, but he government has offered a further two per cent rise, which will go towards the cost of social care.

Council tax bills are set to rise for the poorest households

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Cllr Lee Wares, and Cllrs Carol and Geoffrey Theobald Conservative councillors in Patcham have introduced a project to help residents get to know their neighbours, particularly those that could be vulnerable, isolated or might need a helping hand. Councillors Geoffrey Theobald, Carol Theobald and Lee Wares launched the Know My Neighbour scheme this month. Cllr Wares said: “We were made aware of the project run by Know my Neighbour and the Christmas card they have produced, sponsored by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. “It is a simple concept of somebody sending one of the free Christmas cards to a neighbour telling them who they are and how to contact them. “We all probably know s o m e b o dy w h o w o u l d b e n e f i t f r o m h av i n g a friendly neighbour nearby that they could call on when

they need a little help. “At winter this could be just checking in on them or picking up the shopping or medicine. It is up to the person receiving the card to decide if they wish to accept any help”. Cllr Carol Theobald, said: “This is a great way to be able to try and tackle social isolation and I’m delighted with the support given by the fire and rescue service.” Cllr Geoffrey Theobald said: “We all lead busy lives and in many instances letting our neighbours know we are there to help them isn’t through a lack of desire but sometimes knowing the best way to offer help. The Christmas cards provide a way.” Cllr Wares said cards have been left at Treats café in Ladies Mile Road, CJ Deli in Carden Avenue and Old Boat Corner Community Centre in Carden Hill.

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Friday, December 25, 2015

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Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

A drag act in the rowdy golden years of music hall Louise Peskett

Christmas means it’s almost panto time again. As a host of pantomime dames and girl-boy heroes prepare to tread the boards, it’s a great time to remember one of the most famous cross-dressing performer who delighted Victorian and Edwardian music-halls, such

Vesta Tilley

as Brighton’s Hippodrome, before retiring to Hove. Vesta Tilley- real name Mathilda Powles – was born in Worcester in 1864. With her father a comedy actor and music-hall chairman, she appeared on stage dressed as a boy from the age of three and was so successful she was the family breadwinner by the age of eleven. By the time she was an adult Vesta was drawing crowds with her drag act, performing songs and sketches dressed as one of many – usu-

ally poorly behaved or morally dubious - male characters. During the rowdy golden years of music-hall an act would be sharing the bill with anything from acrobat-trampolinists to escapalogists to comedy pianists to illusionists. Performers who hoped to have staying power were the ones who had nerves of steel and could stand out from the crowd. The sight of Vesta, who never tried to hide her womanly singing voice, a woman swaggering confidently on stage in trousers was notorious enough to send a frisson through the audience without straying too far from the boundaries of the double-entendre ridden, saucy musichall world. One of Vesta’s most popular characters was ‘Burlington Bertie’, a well-dressed yet idle toff about London who lays in bed until late in the morning and spends his inheritance ‘Along with the Brandy and Soda Brigade’. As ‘The Seaside Sultan’ Vesta poked fun at the pretensions of male office clerks on seaside holidays, ‘a flannelled fool from an office stool’. Audiences lapped it up and, all through her career, adoring fanmail arrived from both men and women. For men, Vesta was a fashion icon and many men would take her picture to their

tailors demanding a suit ‘cut like Vesta’s.’ Unisex fashions were a long way in the future and I wonder how many women sitting in the audience in their long frocks, unending layers of petticoats, corset and padding underneath, envied the freedom of Vesta’s masculine clothes. Vesta wasn’t to everyone’s taste, though. Apparently, during the 1914 Royal Command performance, Queen Mary and the women in her entourage preferred to look away rather than watch the shocking sight of a woman in trousers. They were in the minority, however. By then Vesta was the highest paid female performer on the British stage, regularly making £50 per week. During the early days of the First World War Vesta, dressed as a soldier, put her act to the service of army recruiting. Singing songs such as ‘We Don’t Want To Lose You But We Think You Ought To Go’, sometimes urging men to come onto the stage and join up there and then, she became known as ‘Britain’s Best Recruitment Sergeant’. In 1919 Vesta decided to hang up her trousers for good. The proceeds from her farewell tour, which lasted almost a year, were given to different children’s charities.

A vintage poster featuring the talented Vesta Tilley She made her final performance at the London Coliseum at the age of 56. Her husband, Walter De Frece, ex music-hall entrepreneur and one time co-owner of Brighton’s Hippodrome in Middle Street, had been knighted for his efforts for the war effort. He was soon to become Conservative MP for Blackpool. As the very

feminine Lady De Frece, Vesta spent the rest of her life until her death in 1952 between Monte Carlo and her flat in St Aubyn’s Mansions on the Hove sea-front. Vesta wasn’t the only cross-dressing female music-hall star. Bessie Bellwood, the American Ella Shields, Hetty King and Millie Hylton also enjoyed success.

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Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Business

Coffin Mew Brighton close 2015 on a high by doubling office size Brighton law firm Coffin Mew is celebrating a successful first six months, which it said has seen growth, new hires, awards, and a strong market position. Th e f i r m h e r a l d s i n the new year having just signed to double the size of its Brighton office from January. Since its launch in May this year the Brighton office has seen major growth after recruiting eight new members of staff. The law firm has picked up 40 major new clients in a variety of sectors including property investors and d eve l o p e r s , t r ave l a n d leisure, banks and financial services, manufacturers and retailers, and online and creative businesses. Nick Leavey, partner and head of Coffin Mew’s Brighton office and the firm’s commercial property team, said: “Coffin Mew is an entrepreneurial firm with an entrepreneurial client base. “Since its launch, the Brighton team has gone from strength to strength, shaking up the local market. “Our efforts have been recognised by external commentators with the

Is social media in your 2016 marketing plan? Kylee Charles @The_PR_Chick

Coffin Mew: Mirren McGinley, Amy Richardson, Nick Leavey and Elizabeth Gibbons (Photograph: Simon Dack, Vervate) influential Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Profession naming Coffin Mew as the highest ranked Brighton firm. 2016 will see continued growth, new clients, larger premises and we will continue to engage with and support the local community.” The Brighton team has also launched two dedicated new products for small and fast-growing businesses

- Modus: First Call and Modus: Quick Lease. Modus: First Call offers small and medium-sized businesses a low-cost, high value legal support package with access to an advisory soundingboard and helpline, quality documentation, and exclusive discounted rates for more complex legal support. Modus: Quick Lease offers similar clients business property advice within a fixed timescale and budget. Mark O’Halloran, partner, at Coffin Mew, said: “Since opening another office in Brighton our team has seen rapid growth in both workforce and initiatives. The launch of our Modus products matched perfectly to the local entrepreneurial community, even receiving

great feedback from local competitors.” In addition, the Brighton team continues to spend time reaching out to the local community, working in collaboration with Brighton and Hove Arts Council towards various events and the Brighton Chamber of Commerce to help share best practice with the business community. Coffin Mew was e s t a b l i s h e d 1 2 5 ye a r s a g o a n d c u r r e n t ly h a s 140 lawyers, professional advisers and business staff across five offices – Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton, Gosport and London. The firm has a bold vision and is looking to open further offices and plans to double its turnover over the next 24 months.

Is it time to turn the other cheek on Facebook? It might just as well be for small businesses and those who do not pay to play on Facebook. Many small businesses cannot compete with brands with big budgets. Fr o m w h at I s e e and hear, there is a lot of resistance by small businesses to pay, whether through lack of budget and most certainly lack of faith with Facebook. I understand and appreciate that Facebook needs to earn money. It is a business after all and they are not short of businesses who do pay to play and will up their ante in 2016. That is not to say good creative content will not be seen - it will - but paid advertising will take preference. So it’s either set aside s o m e b u d g e t t o p ay

and start to get creative O R r e t h i n k h o w yo u communicate with your potential and current customers. From recent articles it is clear that now is the time to start collating and owning data through email marketing. The power of email marketing has been around for some time, but in recent years has been favoured by the efficiency and freedom of social media networks. Let’s not forget that when you are using social media networks, you don’t own the data. Those social networks kindly allow us to connect with others through their frameworks and they too at some point will need to start reeling in more bucks and shape how you use those networks. Will your 2016 marketing plan include Facebook advertising for your business? Kylee Charles is the director of Sussex-based agency Shotgun PR and Media.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Freedom Leisure challenges schools to take part in swimathon King Alfred Leisure Centre and Prince Regent Swimming Complex – which are operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council – are inviting local schools to sign up and join in with the biggest School Swim. The School Swimathon programme has been developed by the Swimathon Foundation and the ASA. This national event is aimed at school children encouraging them to improve their technique

and confidence in the water, culminating in a challenge to swim further than ever before. Ki n g A l f re d L e i sur e Centre and Prince Regent Swimming Complex will be supporting the Swimathon Foundation and the ASA to help pupils across the country to ‘Swim their Best’. Any schools that wish to participate will be able to use their national curriculum weekly swim lessons throughout the 2016 Spring Term to help improve pupils’ swimming ability.

This will build up to a final session during the week of Swimathon 2016, ending on Friday 29 April, where pupils will be challenge to swim their furthest ever. Chris Lovelock, Freedom Leisure area manager, said: “We are delighted to support the School Swimathon this year. This is a great opportunity which gives children a goal to aim for and real purpose for developing their swimming skills and confidence in the water. It also gives schools a great

incentive and motivation for their pupils: we hope to see many of our local schools signing up.” The School Swimathon Challenge is open to all school children, both primary and secondary, who are receiving school swimming lessons at either King Alfred Leisure Centre or Prince Regent Swimming Complex. Teachers must register their class and provide details of all participating children in order for them to be part of School Swimathon

2016. For further information on the School Swimathon and to register visit www. freedom-leisure.co.uk or www.schoolswimathon.

org. Alternatively please call King Alfred Leisure Centre on 01273 290290 or Prince Regent Swimming Complex on 01273 685692 and speak with a member of the team.

2015 BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

THE YEAR IN PICTURES It’s been a busy year for Brighton and Hove with elections, Pride’s 25th anniversary, Brighton Digital Festival, and the Rugby World Cup 2015, just to name a few stand-out events in the city. We couldn’t fit it all in, but here are some highlights from 2015.

1. The Samoa 2015 World Cup team performed at the welcoming ceremony at Brighton Dome (Photograph: Anthony Harvey). 2. Brighton Museum hosted Christian Bale’s Batsuit from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises in August and September, as part of the Costume Games. 3. Brighton and Hove Conservatives at the election count. 4 and 5. Brighton Pride 2015 (Photograph: Lucy Bartholomew). 6. The Samoa Rugby World Cup team stayed in Brighton (Photograph: Anthony Harvey). 7. STOMP founders at the University of Brighton summer graduations. 8. The Costume Games, run by MOSHIMO, took the city by storm in September (Photograph: Tomas Mascinskas) . 9. The Waiting Wall was an installation at Brighton Railway Station as part of the Brighton Digital Festival, where commuters posted anonymous secrets. 10. Eddie Izzard joined Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion, Purna Sen, on the campaign trail in April. 11. The Mini-Maker Faire was part of the Brighton Digital Festival (Photograph: Roberta Matis). 12. The Mermaid March in July (Photograph: Simon Dack). 13. Brighton and Hove’s Green Party group launch their manifesto in March. 14. Michael and Sir David Attenborough, with a portrait of the late Lord Richard Attenborough, unveiled at the University of Sussex. 15. Anti-war protesters demonstrate ahead of the vote by MPs in Westminster. 16. British Airways announced it would sponsor the i360 (Photograph: Gary Eastwood).

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

solicitors Incorporating Johnson McCabe

local & independent

We are local, independent solicitors providing an expert legal service with a personal approach Property

Civil Litigation

• Buying and Selling Property • Re-Mortgages • Freehold Enfranchisement • Lease Extensions • Buying and Selling Investment Properties

Business • Landlord and Tenant and Commercial Property • Buying and Selling Businesses and Shares • Employment Law • Licensing

Commercial Litigation

• Wills • Probate and Administration of Estates • Inheritance Tax Planning and Trusts • Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection • Elderly Client Care

Vallance Hall, Hove Street, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2DE

Life and Family

Personal Injury

info@engleharts.co.uk • 01273 204411

• Family and Matrimonial • Co Habitation Agreements/Disputes • Civil Partnerships • Pre-nuptial Agreements • Divorce

• Road Traffic Accidents • Medical Negligence • Accident at Work and on Construction Site • Fatal Accidents • Structured Settlements

Wills and Trusts

For more information please contact us at Engleharts Solicitors:

www.engleharts.co.uk

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Beauty

Pretty Good Thinking

The Book Doctor Sarah Morgan @sarah_morgan

Keep moving and hydrated It has been a terrific year of discovery for Pretty Good Thinking and I hope to have inspired more than a few readers to go natural and organic with their personal care. It isn’t surprising that Brighton leads the way, because we have a tendency to make independent choices here. Changing up isn’t just cosmetic. It needn’t be expensive, either; try some free drop-in talks at Brighton Health and Wellbeing Centre or affordable classes with Naturopath Rani Louise. There are plenty of useful tips to follow in Charlotte Watts’ De-Stress Diet book, too. Hydration, movement and exercise is key to overall beauty. For those dawdling at the wistful stage of making resolutions for January, Sue Bradley runs sessions on movement and yoga for digestion, weight

loss and stress reduction. Sue’s ‘Eating Psychology Yoga’ is the smart option for busy multi-taskers hoping to contemplate on the move for lasting results. What i like about Mind-Body Nutrition is the guided insight and support to help you to identify the thoughts, feelings and beliefs that impact on individual metabolic health.

I’ve covered numerous lovely cleansers, facial oils, and moisturisers this year. Skin sensitivities are rarely triggered if you keep it natural; Pure Potions really helped me with psoriasis. In perfume, we flagged great organic scents by Melvita and Eden Perfumes, plus standouts for men and women by Nancy Meiland (Aquilaria) and Mr Masey

(Number Six). It isn’t diehard organic and natural all of the time, and performance always counts. Some readers want to enhance their blonde hair colour or experiment with longer hair extensions, so we covered these topics with help from Cove Hair. A mascara feature is still blinking its way into the new year, and I will explore dental health products a bit more too. We will sample more of the best salon services, and pass on tips from the experts for you to try at home. Nails and brows are still very big, and M.A.C in Brighton is also bigger in East Street.You can only buy the vivid tomato Von Teese matte lipstick online for £17. I’ve enjoyed it twice so far (the limited edition is more naughty than natural), and I’m pleased to report that Dita has made it very e f fe c t ive fo r m i s t l e t o e mischief. Happy Christmas everyone!

Laura Lockington @bookloversupper The Cheeky Guide to Brighton

by David Bramwell & Tim Bick This is the sixth edition to this wonderful book and if you haven’t read it yet, go and buy it immediately. It’s crammed full of the most wonderful recommendations and stories about our city that you never knew, as well as the naming and shaming of the “Brighton Embarrassment” (The Marina, Churchill Square, West Street, and Anston House, all of which are truly eyesores and awful) The shopping guide is as quirky and eclectic as our favourite shops including Kemptown Bookshop, Dave’s Comics and antiquarian bookshop Colin Page. Brighton has a plethora of independent tearooms and coffee shops (some a tad too independent for any sort of civilised service, but that’s a bugbear of mine) but some favourites are

mentioned as well as some newcomers to the scene (Presuming Ed in London Road) and the ever divine Treacle in Church Road where I defy anyone to sample a better Bakewell tart. The bars and pubs have a big section devoted to it – and quite rightly, as there are more pubs in Brighton to satisfy the thirstiest of Glaswegians, from the tiny, to the tacky to the camp. David Bramwell and Julie Burchill will be appearing at The Bookish Supper Salon on January 27. Tickets from Tabl.com.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

S Club 7 star has landed a dream role

Paul Cattermole performs in The Rocky Horror Show. Turn to page 33

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

Celebrating ‘the invisible woman of British culture’ Phil Hewitt @BrightonIndy A former resident of Midhurst will live once again in a new one-woman play about the life of Clemence Dane. Wa n t i n g t h e M o o n , written and performed by Rose Collis and directed by Keith Drinkel, will be at the Marlborough Theatre, 4 Princes Street, Brighton, on Friday and Saturday, January 8-9, at 7.30pm. In the piece, Clemence Dane – artist, playwright, journalist and screenwriter − is asked by Noel Coward to revive her acting career and play the famous role he created for her: the eccentric medium Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit. As writer Rose explains: “As she prepares to give him her answer, she reflects on their long personal and professional relationship − as well as memorable episodes from her chequered career, including penning the controversial early20th century lesbian novel Regiment of Women, her experiences in both world wars and her adventures in Hollywood with Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and The Marx Brothers. “But her favourite role was being the devoted and doting ‘den mother’ of the Tavistock Set, her beloved circle of friends and acquaintances who gathered in her ramshackle Covent Garden flat and her caravans in Sussex for 30 years.”

Rose Collis Rose, who lives in Telscombe Cliffs explains: “Clemence was the invisible woman of British 20th-century culture: a highly-prolific and popular English novelist, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, sculptor, painter, broadcaster, lecturer and pioneering feminist who died 50 years ago, described by her great friend Noel Coward as ‘a wonderful unique mixture of artist, writer, games mistress, poet and egomaniac.’ “ Ye t h e r n a m e a n d achievements are almost forgotten today. “Among other things, she was the first British woman screenwriter ever to win

an Oscar; the inspiration for eccentric medium Madame Arcati in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit and a highly-regarded scriptwriter in Hollywood and Britain.” R o s e i s a w r i t e r, alternative historian and performer who has lived and worked in Sussex since 1997. Her books include Death and the City (Hanover Press 2013), The New Encyclopaedia of Brighton (2010), This Effing Lady: Coral Browne (Oberon Books 2007), Colonel Barker’s Monstrous Regiment: A Tale of Female Husbandry (Virago 2000 and 2001); and A Trouser-Wearing Character: The Life and Times of Nancy Spain (Cassell 1997 and 1999).

Holiday on Ice shows what it takes to become a medal winning ice skater Holiday on Ice returns to Brighton with its new show, Passion. The Brighton Centre plays host to the most popular ice show in the world, as it returns to the UK for one week only in January 2016. Running from Tuesday to Saturday, January 5 to 10, Passion is an incredibly exciting entertainment experience focused around the lives of the show’s true stars, the skaters. Taking the audience through the journey that each skater experiences, from the passion of the ice to the ambition, challenges and beauty of this fascinating world, Passion follows the stories of the cast members, w h o a lway s b r i n g t h e glamour of Holiday on Ice to life for audiences across the globe. Fe a t u r i n g t o p c l a s s performers, breath-taking costumes, great music, a

Holiday on Ice – Passion spectacular wheel and kick line and fireworks, Passion aims to bring the true Holiday on Ice magic, which has been loved for over 70 years, back to Brighton. Henrik-Jan Rinner, CEO of Holiday on Ice, said: “For 71 years Holiday on Ice has presented spectacular productions, showcasing the talents of the best skaters from all around the world. “When Bart Doerfler, the Creative Director, presented his first ideas for our new

show to me, I was thrilled and excited. With Passion we show you, our audience, what it takes to become a medal winning ice skater and ultimately a Holiday on Ice performer; from the first slippery steps on the ice to the countless hours of training, the competitions, the setbacks, the smiles and tears and ultimately, the triumphs. Tickets are available from www.brightoncentre.co.uk or 0844 847 1538.

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Dream role for S Club 7 star Paul Phil Hewitt @BrightonIndy Paul Cattermole has just completed the sold-out S Club 7 Bring It All Back 2015 UK Tour with the other members of S Club 7 after they reformed at the start of the year. Now it’s time for something completely different as he hits the road as Eddie and Dr Scott in The Rocky Horror Show. “The reunion was a good laugh,” Paul says. “I was hoping that it was going to happen for quite a few years before it did. It was a gap of 14-15 years. But it was great – great fun just to be doing all the old iconic songs to a very partisan crowd. “I think the distance some of them had come really got me. We were not expecting the front five rows to be people from absolutely everywhere. Some people had made a 10,000-mile round trip from South America. It is great to see that it all meant such a lot to people, and that is something I have grown to appreciate as I have got older. I was just about 20 at the time, and when you are a youngster you have strong

feelings about everything, but now I am older I really enjoy the fact that people enjoy it. Maybe that didn’t really register so much at the time, but now you are really appreciative when you get to a gig and people are saying ‘thank you’ because a particular song saved their lives, they tell you, or how it helped them through really difficult times. “People are grabbing your arm and wanting to tell you that, and that is so lovely.” The group initially shot to fame in 1999 and had four number one singles and a number one album, as well as a series of TV shows including Miami 7, LA 7, Hollywood 7 and Viva S Club. Paul and the rest of S Club 7 also performed at Party at the Palace as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations on June 1, 2002. “In all honesty, I was hoping it was going to be more than just a 12-date tour,” Paul says. “That wasn’t very long, but that’s all that was ever planned. During the

“

whole time we were working together, no one ever brought it up or there was never anything set in stone for the future. I think it must be a missed opportunity for the fans. “But (with Rocky Horror) I have just got the show of my dreams. I went to Mountview (to train) to do musicals, and having the chance to audition and get something like Rocky Horror is just great. I am not campaigning to do anything with S Club 7. I just feel really lucky to be doing this.” The Rocky Horror Show – the Christmas show at Brighton Theatre Royal from December 17 to January 2 – was first performed on June 19, 1973, at the Royal Court Theatre and continues to break box office records around the world, currently selling out in Australia, G e r m a ny, S w i t z e r l a n d , Japan and Austria. It tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter

Having the chance to audition and get something like Rocky Horror is just great

Paul Cattermole by chance when their car breaks down outside his house while on their way to visit their former college professor. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. “I am playing Eddie, the

S Club 7 star has landed a dream role

first creature Frank’n’Furter has made by splicing people together. Eddie is the kind of guy that wants to be all rock ‘n’ roll but hasn’t really made it. Rocky is created by Fr a n k ’ n ’ F u r t e r a n d he is like Adonis, all that Frank’n’Furter wanted out of a creation. If I am Danny

de Vito, the other guy is like Arnold Schwarzenegger!” Tickets cost £14.90£53.40. Call the box office on 08448 717650 or visit www. atgtickets.com/venues/ theatre-royal-brighton

A wonderful alternative to family-friendly pantomimes Brighton’s Original Alternative Adult Pantomime is still going strong after 14 years. Alice in Pantoland comes to the Brighton Dome from Wednesday, January 27, to Sunday, February 7. The fabulous cast includes: Lee Tracey as Dame and Sarah The Cook, Maisie Trollette as Idle Jack, Pooh La May as The Empress of China, Scott Virgo as Dick Whittington,Topsie Redfern as The Ugly Sister and Alice, Lascel Wood as The Devil, Jack Seager as Tinkerballs and The White Rabbit, Russell Keith as Prince Charming and Jason Prince as Captain Hook. Alice in Pantoland is a journey through pantomime. Will Alice find his or her beau? Will Alice hook Hook or an ugly sister? Who knows? The show provides a wonderful contemporary musical journey though Pantoland with comedy and banter along the way. Brighton’s Original Alternative Adult Pantomime was founded by the late, larger-than-life theatre empressario Brian Ralfe in 2002, who passed away in March this year. Brian’s lifelong friend

THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER – 2.45pm

New Year’s Eve Viennese Concert

Jason Prince (left) and Topsie Redfern and director of the pantomime group Lee Tracey has stepped up and taken over the reins for what organisers promise will be “a totally OTT and generally un-PC production”. This yearly production by Brighton’s Original Alternative Adult Pantomime enjoys cult status among its followers and tickets went on sale in July. Shows start daily at 5pm and 8pm. Tickets cost £20. Organisers are also

offering a Meal Deal ticket this year for just £24. This includes a pre-show meal at Pinocchio Italian Restaurant and a ticket to the show. The pantomime’s partner, Legends Hotel Brighton, is offering a preferred room rate for all guests visiting the show. For tickets call the box office on 01273 709709 or visit www.brightondome. org.

BARRY WORDSWORTH Conductor KIANDRA HOWARTH Soprano

TICKETS FROM £11.50-£36.50 50% STUDENT DISCOUNT AVAILABLE brightondome.org 01273 709709

Paul Cattermole performs in The Rocky Horror Show. Turn to page 33

brightonphil.org.uk @BPO_orchestra facebook.com/BrightonPhil

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Progressive rocker brings latest album to the Dome

Friday, December 25, 2015

What’s on CHRISTMAS DAY Christmas Day menu £109 per person Bistro Du Vin, BN1 1AD @HdV_Brighton Hotel Du Vin is located a stone’s throw away from the pebbles on Brighton beach. It’s at the south end of Ship Street in Brighton’s famous South Laine.

Steven Wilson StevenWilson plays Brighton Dome on January 25 on the back of a new recording, 4 ½. S p o k e s m a n Wa r r e n Higgins explains: “January 22 will see the release of a new Steven Wilson album 4 ½, so titled because it forms an interim release between Steven’s recently-released fourth album Hand. Cannot. Erase. and the next studio album. “4 ½ comprises six tracks with a total running time of 37 minutes. Four of the songs originated during the sessions for Hand. Cannot. Erase., and one from the recording sessions for the previous album The Raven that Refused to Sing.The final track is a version of ‘Don’t Hate Me’, a song originally

recorded by Porcupine Tree in 1998, and is based on a live recording made on the recent tour of Europe with additional recording later done in the studio.The vocals on this new version are sung as a duet between Steven and Ninet Tayeb. “Also appearing on the album are members of Steven’s band over the last few years: Adam Holzman, Nick Beggs, Guthrie Govan, Dave Kilminster, Craig Blundell, Marco Minnemann, Chad Wackerman, and Theo Travis.” Tickets cost £34, £29 or £24. Call the box office on 01273 709709 or visit brightondome.org.

Christmas Day menu Eight-course feast, £85 per person Hove Place, BN3 2FH @HovePlace The Hove Place is a popular casual Bistro Pub in the heart of Hove, close to the seafront, located just off Church Road in the Palmeira Square area. Christmas Day menu Four courses, £85 Hotel Seattle, BN2 5WA @HotelSeattleBtn A modern and contemporary hotel in the heart of Brighton Marina offering some of the best views of the Marina. Christmas Day menu £50 (children’s menu for £20) The Old Bank, BN2 1EA @theoldbank1 The Old Bank is the only restaurant in Kemptown with an outside dining area and heated canopy.

BOXING DAY Rocky Horror Show 5.30pm/8.30pm, £14.90 - £57.40 Theatre Royal, BN1 1SD @TheatreRoyalBTN Until January 2. The world’s favourite rock ’n’ roll musical is back by popular demand to thrill you once again with its frothy fun and naughty moments.

SUNDAY Pitschi – The Kitten With Dreams 11am, £8.50 (£6.50 concessions) Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN @KomediaBrighton Until January 3. Komedia’s homegrown children’s show Pitschi – the Kitten with Dreams returns to Brighton for a two-week Christmas run after a successful national tour, which has taken it to more than 35 venues all over the country. Treason Show Christmas Special 8pm, £16.50, (£13.50 concessions) Brighton Dome, BN1 1UG @brightdome Until December 31. Brighton’s favourite satirical comedy show is back with its annual ‘best-of’ send up of the bankers, politicians and celebrities that made the news in 2015. Now in its fifth year as a sellout Christmas fixture in the Dome Studio, this festive review of the year

In association with:

is packed with a bumper crop of satirical songs and sketches from a year’s worth of Treason Shows. Flyaway Katie 11am/4pm, £8 Otherplace Brighton, BN1 4AJ @OtherplaceBTN Until December 31. Flyaway Katie is an inspiring flight of fancy about the power of imagination based on the children’s book by Polly Dunbar with music by Tom Gray of Gomez. Krater Comedy Club 8pm, £5-£24.50 Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN @KomediaBrighton Award-winning comedy with top international and UK comedians. Acts include: Luke Toulson, Damian Kingsley, Marlon Davis, Jake Lambert and MC Stephen Grant. Herbie Flowers’ Jazz Breakfast 11am, £7.50 Brighton Dome, BN1 1UG @brightdome Rise and shine for the best way to spend your weekend mornings. Herbie will be joined by a host of special guests over the season, so you can mix these ever-popular sessions of irresistible jazz with a cuppa on arrival – the recipe for a perfect start to your day. The Ugly Duckling

2pm/4pm, £8.50 The Old Market, BN3 1AS @TOMvenue Until January 3. The classic Hans Christian Andersen tale reimagined with hand shadow puppetry, from the creators of Brighton Festival’s sell-out show Small Fables. What would you do if you hatched out of an egg only to discover you looked nothing like your brothers and sisters, or even your mother? Imagine if everyone laughed at you because you were different. The Ugly Duckling is the story of a little bird who sets off on an adventure to find out who he is.

MONDAY Johnny Cash Tribute Night 7.30pm, £14 Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN @KomediaBrighton Keep It Cash, the UK’s premier Johnny Cash tribute band return to Komedia for the twelfth anniversary of the passing of the man in black. Expect to hear all the Johnny Cash classics. Plus support from Wampus Cats. The Ugly Duckling workshop 11am, £5 The Old Market, BN3 1AS @TOMvenue Until December 29. Coming to see The Ugly Duckling? Want to learn

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

how to create your own magical shadow puppetry performances? Finger and Thumb Theatre’s Drew Colby will be on hand to demonstrate his shadow puppetry skills in this fun workshop designed to complement The Ugly Duckling. Chas & Dave 7pm Concorde 2, BN2 1EN @concorde_2 Britain’s foremost proponents of ‘rockney’ – a genre that jumbles together pub singalong, music-hall humour, boogie-woogie piano and pre-Beatles rock ’n’ roll – are coming to Brighton this December. Chas & Dave began writing and performing songs together in 1972, having been friends since the early sixties. They now celebrate their 50th anniversary by recording their first original album in 27 years.

TUESDAY Tina C: I’m Dreaming of a White Trash Christmas 8pm, £15/£25 /£12.50 Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN @KomediaBrighton Tina C is bringing her Yuletide celebration show to Brighton for one night only. Don’t miss her mix of unique world view and seasonal songs like ‘Ho Ho Ho Down’ and ‘My Dog Died at Xmas’.

Golem 7.30pm, £22 The Old Market, BN3 1AS @TOMvenue Until January 16. Like a giant graphic novel burst into life, 1927 invites audiences to take a step through the looking glass into a dark and fantastical tale of an extraordinary, ordinary man. This show seamlessly synchronizes hand-made animation, claymation, live music and performance.

WEDNESDAY Comic Boom 8pm, £7-£19 Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN @KomediaBrighton Komedia’s sell-out monthly night of exciting new comedy. One fantastic MC hosts a fast-paced quality night featuring a top headline comic and ‘catch ’em while you can’ rising stars of the comedy circuit.

NEW YEAR’S EVE Krater Comedy Club 7pm, £35-£59 Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN @KomediaBrighton Krater New Year’s Eve Special. Award-winning stand-up comedy with some top international and UK comedians. Acts for the evening include: Nathan Caton, Jen Brister,

Romesh Ranganathan and MC Stephen Grant. New Year’s Eve Viennese Gala 2.45pm, £11.50 - £36.50 Brighton Dome, BN1 1UG @brightdome Featuring conductor Barry Wordsworth and soprano Kiandra Howarth. BPO’s Viennese Gala concert will take you on a journey to Vienna, a city of music and dreams this New Year’s Eve. This is one of the most popular concerts in the season, full of the wonderful waltzes, polkas and marches of the Strauss family, who dominated the music scene in Vienna throughout the 19th century. The Final Countdown – Bogan Bingo and S***** Disco 8pm, £10-£15 Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN @KomediaBrighton Party like it’s 1989 with this colossal New Year’s Eve entertainment extravaganza. Kick off the night with a very special edition of the sell-out smash comedy gameshow Bogan Bingo. Mullets, mayhem and mass crowd collaboration come together in this chaotic comedy show. Spellbound’s alternative ’80s New Year’s Eve Party 10pm, £15 Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN

@KomediaBrighton Styling itself ‘the ’80s night for people who hate ’80s nights’, Spellbound has become one of Brighton’s best-loved clubs since launching at Komedia six years ago by delivering the cream of the alternative side of the ’80s. DJs Simon Price and Jenna playing post-punk, goth, new romantic, indie, ska and more. Big Bada Boom 10pm, £20-£30 The Old Market, BN3 1AS

@TOMvenue Pop on your best frocks, crack open the glitter and get ready to dance your way out of 2015 in style. Featuring The Correspondents, Dutty Moonshine, and Nick Hollywood (White Mink : Black Cotton).

Tina C’s Christmas gig

Country music singer Tina C (aka comedian Christopher Green) brings a Yuletide celebration to Brighton’s Komedia. I’m Dreaming of a White Trash Christmas is at the venue on Tuesday, December 29. A spokesperson said: “Don’t miss Tina’s unique world view and seasonal

songs like ‘Ho Ho Ho Down’ and ‘My Dog Died at Xmas’. “Check in your wardrobe – if you have at least one denim item then you are, regardless of financial income or skin colour, at a profound level, White Trash. “What better way to celebrate this new found status and Jesus’ birthday all in one with Tina’s beautiful Xmas show?” The gig starts at 8pm. Visit www.christophergreen. net to find out more about Christopher Green’s comic creations.

INCLUDES

Prague, Vienna & Budapest

Capitals

£50pp

Thursday departures, 26 May, 4 August and 1 & 22 September 2016

*If booked before 31 January 2016

Selected departures, May - October 2016

Price Includes...  Return ﬂight from Gatwick airport to Naples†  7 nights half board at a choice of 3 or 4 star Sorrento-area hotels  Two full-day escorted excursions to Pompeii & Vesuvius,

Positano, Amalﬁ & Ravello

 Entry to Amalﬁ Cathedral, Pompeii and Villa Rufolo Gardens in Ravello  Airport taxes and return transfer from the airport to your hotel

 Services of an English speaking representative

689

Quote Code: FXP681

View product online at

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The advertised price is correct as of 14 December 2015 and is based upon departure from Gatwick airport on 7 October 2016.

For more information or to book, please call: OmegaHols @OmegaHols OmegaHols

Saturday departures, 23 & 30 July and 13, 20 & 27 August and 10 & 24 September 2016

Price Includes...

 Return ﬂights from Gatwick airport; outbound to Prague and return from Budapest†  7 nights 4 star accommodation with breakfast  Dinner Cruise on the River Danube in Budapest  Half-day excursion to Memento Park, Budapest  Guided tours of Prague, Vienna & Budapest  Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace (Vienna)  3 lunches and 4 dinners, including a Folklore Show with dinner in Prague  Coach transfer from Prague to Vienna, and transfer by train from Vienna to Budapest  Airport taxes and return transfer from the airport to your hotel  Services of an Omega Tour Manager

Price Includes...

8 days, by AIR

Tickets cost £15, £25 or £12.50. Call 0845 293 8480 or visit komedia. co.uk/brighton.

IMPERIAL CITIES

early booking discount*

from

Tina C

Reader travel

ANDALUCIAN

Amalﬁ and Pompeii

Prisss 9pm, £10 The Verdict, BN2 0JB @verdictjazz Six hours of techno for a tenner. Line-up: bn1boi, Aleph Null and Prisss. The evening takes place from 9pm to 3am, £10 in advance, £12 on the door.

Supercharged NYE 10pm, £30 Concorde 2, BN2 1EN @concorde_2 Supercharged are back to see in 2016 in their stomping ground, the

AMAZING VALUE EUROPEAN HOLIDAYS ✈ Fly from Gatwick airport

SORRENTO

iconic Concorde 2 for their annual New Year’s Eve party. Line-up: Friction & Linguistics MC, Matt Jam Lamont, P Money.

FEATURED LISTING

Tina C: I’m Dreaming of a White Trash Christmas Komedia, Brighton Tuesday, December 29

 Return ﬂight from Gatwick airport to Malaga airport†  7 nights half board at the 4 star Hotel Antequera Golf, Antequera  Excursion to Seville, including a panoramic coach tour  Guided tour of the Great Mosque of Cordoba (Mezquita)  Admission to the Alhambra Palace & the Generalife

(Summer Palace) in Granada  Services of an English speaking representative  Airport taxes and return transfer from the airport to your hotel

8 days, by AIR from

909

Quote Code: HNV458

View product online at

from8 days, by AIR

www.omega-holidays.com/HNV458

The advertised price is correct as of 14 December 2015 and is based upon departure from Gatwick airport on 10 September 2016.

01903 89 93 47

OPENING TIMES: MON-FRI 8.30-19.30 SAT 8.30-17.30 SUN 10.00-16.30

Organised by Omega Holidays plc, ABTA V4782. ATOL Protected 6081. Single supplements apply. Subject to availability. †We have included the current flight price within the above package price. Should the cost of flights change the package price may vary. The final price will be confirmed to you at time of booking.

869

Quote Code: WRJ082

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The advertised price is correct as of 14 December 2015 and is based upon departure from Gatwick airport on 22 September 2016.

Omega Booktoday!

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

SUDOKU

DOUBLE CROSSWORD

CODEWORD Codeword is the crossword puzzle with no clues. The number in each square corresponds to a letter. Work out the words in the grid using the letters provided. Fill in these known letters first, then use skill and judgement to work out the others.

Cryptic Clues: Across

Down

1. He has the will to settle things (8) know better 2. Threaten males (6,7) with one (6) 8. Such a mad 3. Saint joins rush will make sailor in an a message attempt (4) unintelligible! 4. A quiet little (8) craving to eat 9. Press club (4) (8) 10. Master’s 5. Releases the current form Mounties (6) finally (6) 12. On the team, 6. A singular but not as a You have 10 mins to find as many words as possible performance using the letters in the wheel. Each must use the winger (6) (4) hub letter and at least 3 others. Letters may be used only once. You cannot use plurals, foreign words or 14. It takes a good 11. Possibly hopes proper nouns. There is at least one 9-letter word to deal to satisfy rum will be be found. him (6) responsible for 16. She and men sleep! (8) get involved 13. Minded being and become arranged (8) engaged (6) 15. Delay by 18. Drink that’s left putting the date (4) in wrongly (6) 20. Won’t you find 17. Revolutionary foot-notes in type of public it? (4,4) legislation (3,3) How you rate: 22. He has nothing 19. Has scattered 15 words, average; 20 words, good; 25 words, very good; 30 or more, new for sale snow (4) excellent. 21. Out of gear! (4) (7,6) 7. View of one

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

who should

WORDWHEEL

O R

O L W

T E

CLOCKWORD

1 2

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Attacker Greasier Drinking vessel Pancake mixture Within a building Christian festival

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Prefer Stableman Champion Refuse Devon city Sword

7. Fail to understand

1. Wide view (8) 2. Against (6)

(4,7,2)

5. Really (6)

10. Redemption (6)

6. Indigent (4)

12. Under cover (6)

11. Bravely (8)

14. Infertile (6)

13. Miss (8)

16. Concealed (6)

Each horizontal block of squares must add up to the number in the shaded square to its left, and each vertical block must add up to the number in the shaded square above it.

THE CLUES: 5258 gives a musical instrument; 2133556 gives a musical instrument; 98459789 gives a musical instrument.

20 21

15. Sleep (6)

18. Trim (4)

17. Scarcity (6)

20. Insecure (8)

19. Large carnivore (4)

22. Strengthening (13)

21. Team (4)

24 25

Quick: Across: 1 Rich; 8 Exorbitant; 9 Overcast; 10 Lift; 12 Stable; 14 Starry; 15 Abuser; 17 Setter; 18 Hero; 19 Stealthy; 21 Make amends; 22 Tide. Down: 2 Inevitable; 3 Hear; 4 Homage; 5 Abates; 6 Stalwart; 7 Stet; 11 Forge ahead; 13 Bestowed; 16 Resume; 17 Seeing; 18 Hymn; 20 Last.

CODEWORD: 1=B, 2=U, 3=E, 4=G, 5=V, 6=S, 7=Q, 8=Z, 9=I, 10=N, 11=Y, 12=D, 13=K, 14=H, 15=R, 16=P, 17=O, 18=W, 19=X, 20=M, 21=F, 22=C, 23=L, 24=J, 25=T, 26=A. WORD WHEEL: FLATTENED.

SUDOKU 21

11 29

39 11 14

9 7

12 15

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS SUDOKU: CLOCKWORD: 1 Rasher, 2 Orator, 3 Nobler, 3 5 6 1 4 Neater, 5 Isobar, 6 Editor, 9 1 7 3 7 Barber, 8 Answer, 9 Rector, 2 4 8 5 10 Kipper, 11 Eraser, 12 Rafter.

SPLIT DECISION

NINER: DOMINATES

E W D S

R K

E L

L O

CELEBRITY: Ronnie Barker.

Cross out one of the two letters in each divided square to reveal a completed crossword grid.

3 7

4 6

1 8

3 6

DOUBLE CROSSWORD: SUDOKU: Cryptic: Across: 1 Call; 8 At a stretch; 9 Standing; 10 Rare; 12 Wended; 14 Sleigh; 15 Fencer; 17 Up-date; 18 Etna; 19 Sustains; 21 School year; 22 Shed. Down: 2 All the best; 3 Lawn; 4 Varied; 5 Stages; 6 Befriend; 7 Shoe; 11 Right-angle; 13 Dictator; 16 Result; 17 Ulster; 18 East; 20 Airs.

4. Bashful (8)

9. Deserve (4)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

3. Morose (4)

8. Save (8)

Each number from 1 to 9 represents a different letter. Solve the clues and insert the letters in the appropriate squares to discover a word which uses all nine letters.

Down

NINER 1

Fill in the white squares with the numbers 1 to 9.

No number may be used more than once in any one block.

8 7

Across

KAKURO

The solutions from 1 to 12 are all six-letter words ending with the letter R in the centre. Moving clockwise from 1, the letters in the outer circle will spell out the name of a former Liverpool & Leeds United footballer.

Quick Clues:

U N

N D

A R

Y E E L S

6 3

4 1

2 6 9 3 7 8

5 3 1 2 4 9

8 2 7 9 6 4

8 4 9 6 1 3 7 2 5

9 8 7 1 5 6 4 3 2

4 6 3 9 7 2 8 5 1

2 5 1 3 4 8 6 9 7

SPLIT DECISION:

KAKURO: 5 8 3 1 4 7 1 4 1 5 8 7 5 4 9 8 9 2 3 4 1 8

7 8 4 5 1 6

7 2 6 4 9 5 1 8 3

F 8 3 8 9 4 7 4 3 1 6 5 5 8 6 7 2 6 3 9 2 2 9 4 2 4 5 3 8 6 3 1 9 7

O R

S E

M A

E C C

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

1 English Business Park, English Close, Hove BN3 7ET info@townandcityresidentialletting.co.uk www.townandcityresidentialletting.co.uk

01273 746965 Town & City Residential Letting Ltd is an independent letting agency based in Hove. With over 40 years’ experience in the Brighton and Hove Property market. Town and City are members of The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS), The Property Ombudsman Scheme, and Safe Agent which is backed by the government. Only agents who conform to the scheme’s strict code of practice can belong. We also carry Professional Indemnity Insurance. We cater for all landlords be they first-time investors or experienced clients with large portfolios. For prospective tenants we have a high knowledge of the local area to help you find the right property for you.

• Why use Town & City Residential Letting Ltd? • Professional referencing • Expert Buy-To-Let advice • Rent Guarantees • Bonded Deposits Scheme • Free inventory and schedule of condition with all fully managed properties • Free deposit registration with fully managed service • Free tenancy agreement with fully managed service • Minimum void periods in-between tenancies

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

Veggie venue has the potential for success To open a new vegetarian restaurant in Brighton and Hove is unlike doing so in other areas of the country. Brighton has more than its fair share of high-quality ve g e t a r i a n a n d ve g a n eateries that are already well established in the city. But there is a new player in town called 1847 – named after the year the vegetarian society was established in the UK. The restaurant itself is part of a national chain – a rare thing in vegetarian dining – with other branches in Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol. The concept behind 1847 is to bring a contemporary twist on vegetarian c u i s i n e a n d ch a l l e n g e the stereotypical view of vegetarian cooking. This also extends to the décor which is modern and clean with bold bright colours throughout. I was lucky enough to attend the launch party and sampled a number of their botanical based cocktails. The botanical twist resulted in some very refreshing and interesting flavour combinations using herbs and aromatics such as dill, cloves and chilli. On our visit there was an option to either order from the extensive a la carte menu

A creamy cranberry dessert

Two bright good looking main courses at the 1847 vegetarian restaurant

“

The concept behind 1847 is to bring a contemporary twist on vegetarian cuisine and challenge the stereotypical view

or try a five course taster menu for £35. There are vegetarian, ve g a n a n d g l u t e n - f r e e options throughout and so plenty of options to choose from. We opted to eat from the menu where you can have two courses for £19.50 or three for £25. To start I had the “Crispy egg” and my friend went for the “Onion bhajji” My egg was still runny and nice and crisp without becoming greasy.

The accompanying pearl barley could have done with a bit more punch but the radicchio and herbs gave a pleasant bitterness and peppery bite. The onion bhajji was crisp and sweet as you could hope and the accompanying salad and raita was fresh and bright. For my main I ordered the “Beet bourguignon” and my friend opted for the “Winter veggies and coconut”. Other options include a cabbage-based dish and a vegetarian take on “Fish and chips” using battered halloumi. We also ordered a bottle of Da Luca wine from their vegan only wine list. Much like the starters the main dishes were visually striking with very vibrant colours and interesting garnishes. My beetroot dish had an underlying earthy flavour with bite-size chunks of vegetables throughout. The dish lacked real oomph for me, but the saving grace was the crumbled goats cheese which added a much-needed tangy hit. My friend’s winter vegetable dish consisted of a sweet potato soup-like base with a selection of roasted veg and black beans. We shared a side of crisp cauliflower with a harissa yoghurt dressing which we

both really enjoyed. To finish we went for “Chocolate and pear” and “Cranberry”. The cranberry dish was my favourite of the two, with the sharp cranberry tempered by a creamy white chocolate truffle yoghurt. My overall impression of 1847 was that of a restaurant that is still trying to find its feet. Speaking to the restaurant manager, there are still further development plans for the premises and the menu is constantly being tweaked and worked on. I am a fan of food with big bold flavours and that was what I felt could be developed further here. There is the potential for 1847 to be a success in Brighton and they clearly know what has worked elsewhere. Brighton already has a strong vegetarian restaurant scene and so 1847 will have lots of competition, but it is on the right track. Tom Flint writes a food blog Food Booze and Reviews at: www. foodboozeandreviews.com

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and according to Andy Williams, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. A s yo u d e c k yo u r halls with boughs of holly, ask Santa Baby for something inappropriate, and rock around your deforestation-causing, cheap-decoration-laden, house-fire-starting Christmas tree, what better time of year for us to spread our own brand of peace, love and goodwill to each and every Chronicler. Death Café will open in Edinburgh in January. It’s a not-for-profit social franchise which already boasts 3,000 participants across Europe, Australia and North America. Although the name is reminiscent of a controversial organisation in Zurich, or a cracking new Tarantino film, Death Café is a disappointingly tamer concept. Sex, drugs and Michael Bublé are no longer taboo subjects, but whisper “death” and people recoil with awkwardness. M ay b e i t ’ s b e c a u s e we ’ r e w h i s p e r i n g i t . On reflection, that does sound creepy.Try it - when Nan’s settled into the new monstrosity in pine from Furniture Village, sherry in hand, hearing aid turned on, whisper “death” in her ear and see

what we mean. Or just give it a go while you’re out and about in the city this festive season. Suggested locations for death whispers: the ice rink at the Pavilion, Santa’s grotto in Churchill Square, Argos on Boxing Day. The theory of Death Café is to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives”. The cheerful, happygo-lucky bunch meet over coffee and cake to share their “uplifting experience” of realising that we’re all going to die. The baristas must really enjoy that shift. Still, the latte art would be fun. We’ve hosted various groups and meet-ups in our Little Coffee establishment, and in retrospect, we’re wondering if they were indeed members of this Death Cafe group. If you fancy going, you’ll find Death at the Serenity Café (sounds like a case for Poirot) in Edinburgh on January 11th at 6pm. In the meantime, have yourself a merry little Christmas and a deliriously Happy New Year. May we all be grateful for our most treasured asset and the best thing we’re taking with us from 2015 - life.

etc Winner of the Best Regional Magazine 2015

Your truly local lifestyle magazine, covering fashion, food, interiors and travel every month Follow us on

1847 www.by1847.com North Road Brighton BN1 1YW 01273 677776

The widest distributed complimentary lifestyle magazine in Sussex Contact us: Editor - alex.jenkins@jpress.co.uk 07912 670463 Business Development Manager - kerry.vincent@jpress.co.uk 07974778998 / 01903 282349

Pick up your free copy today

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Brighton & Hove Independent

Index

Friday, December 25, 2015

SERVICES AERIAL & SATELLITE SERVICES

SERVICES TRAVEL

PUBLIC NOTICES JOBS PROPERTY MOTORS

Paveing PaveingCo Co Limited DRIVES, PATHS & PATIOS

BLOCK PAVING • NATURAL STONE • GRAVELLING TARMACADAM • ASTRO TURFING • FENCING & WALLS NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED - DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL - 10 YEARS GUARANTEED.

FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE, FULLY INSURED

01903 867954 • 08007471211 www.paveingco.limited

GUARANTEED NOT TO BE BEATEN ON PRICE

PEST CONTROL

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jobs.south@jpress.co.uk 0207 8557578

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publicnotices@jpress.co.uk 0207 0237931

DEADLINES ALL CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Wednesday @ 17:00

A complete version of our terms and conditions can be found online at

www.brightonandhoveindependent. co.uk

KITCHENS

BABY WALKER with NEW Battery advanced bricks. £16 - 01403 heavy duty premium 60ah 500 cca type 005L, HALOGEN oven, 11 litre 266328. wrong one ordered, £30 capacity (Cookshop), as Goring 01903 243215 new, genuine reason for sale, £22. 07552 066045 THIMBLE heavy Pewter engraved KITCHEN bar chairs, MATTRESS topper, hotel hallmarked, quality, £29ono, cotton with pony in field, in beige seats and backs, cover, polyester filling, original box, £15. 01403 £10 each. Worthing 01903 206254 double, 01903 713857 or 730216 0794039295 VIDEOS video boxes, TWO double duvets, video black or teak good condition, surplus holding boxes, will clear dress, to requirements, £5 x 2. or collect £5 01243 LONG black 825926 scooped neck, long (0753) 5276577 sleeves, price tag still in CHRISTMAS tree, place £35 will accept artificial, black, 5' used 2 £17.50 0753 527 6577 weeks, £7 01903 761267 SELECTION ladies nice PINE 3ft bed with after 400pm clothes, mattress, 6 drawers L.P'S 265 in total, ex. modern unworn under G.C £35. 01243 condition, pop, folk, jaz, immaculate, loads, size 10/12, £15 the 536979 classical, sold as one. lot. 01243 827678 CLEAN single divan with 01243 825926 storage £40 01903 PLAYBOY CARDS x 2, LADIES SHEEPSKIN COAT size 12/14, as 620105 five dice and counters. new. £70 - 01403 Adult Game. As new. 266328. Offers. Tel 01403 264880.

COLLECTORS CORNER & ANTIQUES

LIGHTING

R.A.F. Battle of Britain 75th anniversary medalion, £5. 01243 PAIR of hanging lamp 583594 shades, perfect XMAS tree 7ft artificial condition, smoked glass, with stand, easy good price at £15, no assemble £35. 01428 offers (0753) 5276577 841242

CAT LOVERS!! Leslie Anne ivory wooden framed porcelain plaques. 'The Four Seasons'. £75 - 01403 CAR radio/CD Sony, 266328. brand new £45ono. BOSSONS 1951 14" wall 01243 787263 plaque, very rare - Anne Hathoways Cottage. Original label. £175 01403 266328.

FREE TO TAKE AWAY

STEIFF blonde standing bear, L/E of 1,000 (grizzly SONY 14" colour T.V. (old bear), unboxed, perfect style crt type). Horsham condition, £80 01903 01403 230505 721664

www.brightonandhoveindependent. co.uk

classiﬁedads@jpress.co.uk 0207 0237932

WANTED

BEDS

PATHS & DRIVES

GETIN TOUCH PRIVATEADVERTISING:

KEEP FIT EQUIPMENT

LADIES CLOTHES

BUSINESS PERSONAL

FOR SALE

BRASS CANDLE STICKS £10 per pair, brass fires sets £28, EXERCISE bike, £15. mirrors, pictures 01243 07745 869209 863708

BEDDING

SALES

AGRICULTURE

BABY - GENERAL MOTHERCARE Ascot cot, only used at grandparents, vgc, £28. Travel cot, babideal, VGC, £12 07552066045

COMPUTER ACCESSORIES

ROOFING SERVICES

ROOFING & GUTTERS DIRECT All Work Fully Guaranteed FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE New Roofs, Flat Roofs, Chimney Stacks uPVC Fascias/Soffits, Guttering, Repointing Repairs & External Painting A reliable, friendly, family run business with 25yrs experience

0800 303 2137 or 07982911251

www.roofingandguttersdirect.com

COMPUTER SERVICES

CLASSIFIED

COMPUTER AND MAC EXPERTS ACCORDIANS PC Laptop repairs Apple MAC repairs Full IT Support Upgrades setups Wireless issues Broadband setup DATA Recovery Web Design Fixed onsite by Microsoft Certified Engineers

Immediate call out

07984795327

EQUESTRIAN books, many varied titles, ex. cond, hardacks £1 paperbacks 50p Elmer 01243 697628

BABY - GENERAL

FURNITURE GENERAL

MENS CLOTHES

GENTS XXL black leather blouson jacket, £20, Hornes large cord topcoat, £10 ideal xmas gifts, Tel: (01273) 607231

Christmas themed dinner plates, new hand decorated with presentation box, £10. 01403 730216

CYCLES

SPORTS & LEISURE

MENS SHOES

GUN cabinet 4/5 rifles childs, 7lever locks, police SCOOTER approved 12x60" £75. foldable, silver blazer, good condition, £10 01243 866474 01903 505346 SHORT mat bowls mat, fast, premarked, 45' x 6', ELECTRIC fire coal YSMBC, offers, 01903 effect as new £15 01243 823383 715912

MICROWAVE oven, Carlton, hardly used, no instructions, £10, (01903) 761267 after 4.00pm

MOBILE PHONES

GUITARS

DIGITAL CAMERAS

HI FI & MUSIC CENTRES

MUSICAL EQUIPMENT GENERAL BRASS trumpet melody maker, super with hard case, £50. 01903 209282

PANASONIC TZ55 20X RADIO tape player and zoom, full hd tiltable Record playrt, as new, screen, wi-fi, case, card, £15. (01903) 722156 boxed, £70 01903 DOG basket, small, £5. 905972 Soft bed large, £10. Staywell dog door, £8. 01903 262186

PET ACCESSORIES

DIY TOOLS & MATERIALS

MOTHERCARE pram Graco style, with car seat (no base) carrycot, foot muff, carry cot, rain cover HAND power saw, max VGC, £38ovno. depth cut 52mm, 1,050w 07552066045 motor, dust bag, used twice, £5. 01903 725598 FIRST SIZE baby girls clothes, new loads also BENCH GRINDER 5.1 toys, bag, crib and more, inch. Double sided, 240v £20. 01243 827678 £8. Tel 01403 732206.

JEWELLERY & ACCESS GENERAL

SILVER chain pendant with pearl, hallmarked presentation box, 01403 730216

and new, with £22,

Local Media Drives Response & Action Showcase your business today

%-.),') "-(+ #+!$.&1" '1,**!/$&* )$,0 -.

0207 0845 204

TELEVISIONS

MENS nice shirts, boxers, socks, t-shirts, unused large, loads, £20 the lot. 01243 827678

COMPOSTER large green plastic £29new, GENTS and ladies asking £10. 01243 ALCATEL 20.10, one touch, coralinne mobile mountain bikes, dual 787263 phone, sim not included, sprung. both excellent hardly used, £20 01903 condition £35 each, Tel: 721664 (01273) 880097 Portslade LADIES & gents BEHRINGER Strat matching raleigh bikes, Guitar with jack and USM little used £30pair 01243 output for computer, £75 527090 ono, Tel: (01903) 714132

07890239306

SKI wear age 7/8 used once salopettes black tech performance £10. 01243 527090

16" flat screen T.V., LEWES FLAGONS or Freeview HD plus dvd, ginger beer bottles. Cash vgc, £50. 01903 249480 paid. Tel 01273 472622 or 07967 464471.

MICROWAVES

B&D LEAF vac/blower shredder, full working order, moving hence sale, could deliver locally, £20. Horsham area 01403 730216

Top Prices Paid for your unwanted record collections Call Gregg on

SPORTSWEAR

MANS black leather jacket, size medium, warm padded lining, £35ono. Tel: (01903) 714132

TABLE refectory type, DESK and adjustable dark in colour, solid chair 335. 01428 741242 wood, length 48" width 27" height 29" £35 BLACK work boot, size (01243) 574104 9, steel toecaps oil resistant sole, unworn, £7.50 (01903) 248431

CUTLERY CHINA & GARDENING GLASS TOOLS & EQUIP CHILDRENS porcelain

Records Wanted

RADIO EQUIPMENT ROBERTS RADIO RP28 AM-FM. 3 bands, pre-set, quality, battery portable radio. £70 - 01403 266328.

TOYS & GAMES

DOLLS house with furniture, cars, people plus 32 zoo animals, £10. Bognor 01243 827678

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Just Lets

01273 208020 www.justlets.co.uk | info@justlets.co.uk 87 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2BB

Underground Parking, Hove £70 PCM

■ Extremely well presented F/F one bed ■ Central Hove minutes from the seafront ■ Large open plan kitchen and lounge ■ Available 08/01/2016

■ Immaculate FF furnished two bedroom ■ Direct sea views from balcony ■ Excellent high standard furniture ■ Available Now!

■ Underground parking space ■ Central Hove ■ Minutes walk from Palmeira Square ■ Available 05/01/2016

Eaton Road, Hove £1,500 PCM

Shirley Street, Hove £1,950 PCM

Chichester Close, Hove £1,295 PCM

■ Three bedroom detached house close to Hove Station ■ Large kitchen with space for dining ■ Small patio, GFCH & DG ■ Available Now!

■ Refurbished terraced house over three floors ■ Central Hove walking distance to Hove Station ■ Finished to a tasteful and very high standard ■ Available Now!

■ Excellent sized four bedroom family home ■ Good sized rear garden, DG, GFCH ■ Currently being refurbished throughout ■ Available Now!

TA GR EE D

Adelaide Crescent, Hove £2,000 PCM

TA GR EE D

Fourth Avenue, Hove £950 PCM

Pembroke Crescent, Hove £440 PCM

Palmeira Avenue, Hove £1,600 PCM

Grand Avenue, Hove £3,000 PCM

■ U/F bedsit in Hove ■ Rent includes water and council tax ■ Suitable for one person only

■ Superb two bedroom luxury apartment ■ Modern kitchen with all appliances ■ Spacious living room and small balcony, GFCH ■ Available Now!

■ Refurbished two bedroom, furnished ■ Central Hove, rare opportunity to rent ■ Large open plan kitchen/lounge with appliances

With interest rates still at an all time low, have you considered purchasing property and entering the rental market? We can guide you into buying in the right locations and point you in the right direction with local financial advisors. Please contact us today! All rents quoted exclude other charges/fees which may be payable. For more information please contact us on 01273 208020

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

PEUGEOT & CITROEN PCR

All parts available NEW & USED off the shelf

• Diagnostics • Welding • Brakes • Clutches • Cambelts • Servicing

www.brightonand hoveindependent.co.uk

Chartwell Road, Lancing Business Park Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8TU

Tel: 01903 767676 Mob: 07774249796

www.pcr767676.co.uk Email: parts@pcr767676.co.uk

SURVEY

Learner drivers Christmas warning by staff reporter

Learner drivers are being warned not to put their licence at risk this Christmas by acting as a designated driver for friends and family after a booze-fuelled night out. Nearly one in five (17%) motorists who have passed their driving tests admitted that when they were a learner, they had been used as a designated driver to transport people who had been drinking alcohol, according to a survey from

the most likely to say they had been a designated driver while a learner for people who had been drinking, followed by people in London, while those in East Anglia were the least likely, according to the survey of 2,000 drivers. Not only are inexperienced drivers who are yet to pass their test potentially putting other people’s lives at risk if no-one is overseeing them properly, but the UK Government’s website also warns learners that they can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to six points on their provisional licence by not having the right supervision.

Co-operative Insurance. The company warned that people supervising learner drivers have to adhere to road laws as if they were driving, so, for example, they should not exceed legal drink-drive limits. But nearly half (45%) of those questioned who have been a designated driver while a learner for people who had been drinking alcohol did not believe their passengers would have been in any fit state to help them out if they had become confused or needed to ask a question about their driving. Motorists in Northern Ireland were

BECKET MOTOR WORKS WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS

01903 830303

M.O.T & SERVICE CENTRE LTD

01273 430303 ☎ www.thwaitesgarage.co.uk

We service, repair & carry out Classes

BECKET

BECKET MOTOR WORKS INDEPENDENT BMW & MINI SPECIALISTS

Becket Motor Works is a specialist independently run garage based in Worthing. We specialise in working on BMW vehicles and our technicians are BMW main dealer trained technicians. We are based in Worthing but work to a 25 mile radius of our premises.

WE CARRY OUT THE FOLLOWING GARAGE SERVICES:

* SERVICING * BRAKE REPAIRS

* MOTs * DIAGNOSTICS

We have been trading and specialising in BMWs for 7 years now and have gained a wide and varied experience within the industry. Our diagnostic equipment is linked directly to the manufacturers in Germany Address Becket Motor Works 3 Littlehampton Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1PY

PHONE: 01903 830303

EMAIL: Becketmotorworks@yahoo.co.uk

WWW.BECKETMOTORWORKS.CO.UK

BECKET

1-2-4-5-7

M.O.T Testing on motorcycles motor vehicles,

which can be arranged either

by telephone

or can be booked

online.

MOTORCYCLE MOT CENTRE

Opening Times Monday - Friday: 8:00 (lunch 12:30-1:30) - 5:30 Saturday: 8:00 - 12:00 noon

Unit 1William Street, Portslade, West Sussex, BN41 1PZ

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

ROADTEST:HYUNDAII30TRSE1.6BLUEDRIVE

CLEANING UP WITH i30

by Alan Candy Motoring writer

HC02 LOW. Hmm. It took a while for light to dawn as I scrutinised the customised number plate. Then I got it – a Hyundai with super low carbon dioxide emissions. The clean machine I have been testing is the dynamic looking and rather wonderful i30 Tourer, which proved tobeasgoodasIexpected,and more. The reason for my optimismisthatnotlongagoItested one of my favourite cars of theyear,thei20,littlesisterto my latest test model. The larger i30 Tourer, I soon discovered, is an incredibly useful small estate and the TR SE 1.6 CRDI 110PS Blue Drive model exceeds all green expectations,returninganincredible CO2 emissions figure of 102 g/km plus a overall 72.4mpg. Hyundai research shows that design is the number one purchase reason for customers and the latest i30 model rises to the challenge in some style. Designed and engineered in Germany and built in the Czech Republic, the i30 looks bold, sporty and dynamic – it appears to be in motion even when standing still. Hyundai call it ‘fluidic sculpture’ which sounds a bit high blown but is actually pretty accurate. But beauty isn’t just skin deep. Hyundai’s refreshed i30 also has a smarter, quieter cabin while the power steering has been upgraded for more precision and better handling. As I found with the little sister i20, the versatile and flexible i30 is a wonderfully

smooth drive. It manages to strike the right balance between extreme comfort and taut, involving handling, with a peachy six-speed manual ’box where the gears just glide gently into place. There’s even a choice of three steeringmodes.Suspensionis consistently excellent, soaking up bumps easily and providing all passengers with a quality ride. Quality is also the word that springs to mind when examining the cabin, with

soft-touch surfaces, a totally simplified layout and a giant frontwindscreenwhichoffers great forward views. Most instruments are clustered around a waterfallshaped main stack, the infotainment system centred on a tiny master screen operated by surrounding buttons. Itavoidssmartphone-style touchscreen swiping – in my mind a dangerous innovation in cars – in favour of a pared down and logical method of searching information that

BRITONS PUT BRAKES ON FESTIVE DRIVING

Richard Woolfson, family psychologist, said: “It is evident in the results that a vast majority are finding an excuse not to visit their family over the Christmas break and thatconfirmsthestressesand strains of everyday life often relegate family gatherings to second place. “That’s a pity because if you do make an effort to drive home for Christmas, the chancesareyou’llfinditmuch morepsychologicallyrewarding than you anticipated. The warmth of family life, and the excitement of catching up with everyone’s news, will giveyouamuchmorepositive experiencethanyouimagine.”

FACTFILE PRICE: £19,595 ENGINE: 1.6-litre turbodiesel producing 108bhp, 207lb/ft TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual driving the front wheels PERFORMANCE: Top speed 115mph, 0 to 62mph in 11.5 seconds ECONOMY: 72.4mpg combined EMISSIONS: 102g/km

MOTORINGNEWS

Britons are less likely to drive to visit family this Christmas than they were ten years ago, and almost a fifth choose not to drive to relatives just because they won’t be able to drink alcohol. A quarter of us (25 per cent)choosenottovisitfamily to avoid dull or awkward

conversation, and around a sixth (14 per cent) are simply put off by the fear of dangerous drivers on the road – double the proportion who said the same thing in 2005. In a wide-ranging survey by breakdown cover provider Green Flag, it was also revealed that the most popular

time to start the drive ‘home’ forChristmasisbetween10am and 11am on Christmas Eve. Since 2005, Britons have seen an increase in the average number of days they have off work over the festive period,butdonotvisitrelativesfor any longer than they did ten years ago.

works. It’s all there and to hand, without the rigmarole of scrolling through endless menus. My test car also featured three ‘retro’ touches that won my heart – a conventional handbrake, perfectly placed bymyleftthigh;arealignition key; and a genuine CD player. Praise be. A smooth-running turbo diesel engine is unobtrusively quiet but packs a punch in eachgear,withplentyofscope for long striding acceleration,

andbrakesaresubtleandprogressive, so town progress, in particular, can be finely judged. Add in a deceptively large and useful boot with two handy underfloor compartments and an almost flat, bumper-level load floor and it all adds up to a versatile and highly user-friendly vehicle. Hyundaiaregettingitright and what used to be a catchup brand is accelerating at an astonishing pace. Watch this space.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

Championship Yellow cards: S Hutchinson C Evans M Kieftenbeld G Leadbitter E Lichaj A McCormack K McFadzean D Vaughan D Whitehead E Ba L Cook M Davies A Diarra J Garner M Hudson B Kayal K Lua Lua J Lynch K McDonald P Whittingham

Draws: 87

33%

Away teams: 72 wins

Home goals

Away goals

349 286 Total goals scored

635

PWD M’brough 22 8 2 Derby 22 6 4 Brighton 22 8 2 Hull 22 8 2 Burnley 22 7 2 Ipswich 22 3 5 Sheff Wed 22 6 4 B’ham 22 4 2 Cardiff 22 6 4 Brentford 22 6 1 Reading 22 5 4 QPR 22 4 6 Leeds 22 3 3 Blackburn 22 3 6 Nottm Frst22 5 3 Preston 22 2 6 Wolves 22 2 5 Fulham 22 3 4 H’field 22 3 3 Bristol 22 2 4 MK Dons 22 4 1 R’ham 22 3 2 Charlton 22 3 4 Bolton 22 1 8

L FAW 1 17 2 6 1 21 8 6 1 1510 3 1 19 6 4 2 21 11 3 3 13 12 6 1 1910 2 5 1013 5 1 17 10 2 4 17 16 3 2 14 7 3 1 19 13 3 5 8 12 4 2 11 7 3 3 1510 2 389 3 4 12 14 4 4 1920 2 5 13 14 2 5 12 19 2 6 1013 1 6 1520 2 4 13 18 1 2 11 12 0

AWAY

D 2 4 8 3 6 2 5 4 5 4 2 2 5 4 4 4 2 5 3 4 3 1 2 3

L FA 3 1610 1 12 5 0 16 13 4 12 10 2 99 3 18 17 4 13 17 2 17 10 4 1013 4 17 16 6 14 18 6 8 15 2 14 12 4 11 12 5 7 11 499 5 1618 4 17 19 6 11 20 5 9 19 7 8 17 8 9 18 8 6 20 8 7 21

Fixtures: Pts GD 46 21 44 20 43 8 41 15 38 10 34 2 33 5 33 4 33 4 32 2 30 3 29 -1 29 -2 28 3 28 1 25 -1 25 -4 24 -3 21 -10 20 -17 19 -12 18 -14 18 -19 14 -15

SATURDAY 26TH DECEMBER Brentford v Brighton 13:00 Blackburn v M’brough 15:00 Bristol City v Charlton 15:00 Derby v Fulham 15:00 Huddersfield v Preston 15:00 Hull v Burnley 15:00 Ipswich v QPR 15:00 MK Dons v Cardiff 15:00 Rotherham v Bolton 15:00 Sheff Wed v Birmingham 15:00 Wolves v Reading 17:15 SUNDAY 27TH DECEMBER Nottm Forest v Leeds 16:30 MONDAY 28TH DECEMBER Bolton v Blackburn 12:45 Birmingham v MK Dons 15:00 Burnley v Bristol City 15:00 Charlton v Wolves 15:00 Preston v Hull 15:00 QPR v Huddersfield 15:00 Reading v Brentford 15:00 M’brough v Sheff Wed 17:15 TUESDAY 29TH DECEMBER Brighton v Ipswich 19:45 Cardiff v Nottm Forest 19:45 Fulham v Rotherham 19:45 Leeds v Derby 19:45

12 12 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 9 8 8

Red cards: P Bauer B Wright N Baker G Berardi L Best T Cairney S Carruthers C Coady H Dean Derik D Dervite L Dunk L Fer L Freeman J Garner R Green J Helan A Henley J Hobbs J Hugill J Husband

Home team: 105 wins

Goals scored:

Top scorers: A Gray R McCormack C Austin N Blackman A Judge B Afobe M Dembele J Kodjia C Martin J Rhodes F Forestieri A Hernandez

HOME

27% 40%

2015/2016 SEASON

League table:

Game outcomes:

10 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

HEAD TO HEAD

LEEDSUTD UTD LEEDS BRENTFORD

PRESTON PRESTON BRIGHTON

MATCHES 21 22 69 85

WINS DRAWS LOSSES

21 22 5 11 10

7 8

1 1.5

0.8 1.4

GOALS PER GAME LAST MATCH MATCH LAST

MOLINEUX, 17-12-15 DEEPDALE, 15-12-15 FALMER STADIUM, 19-12-15 RESULT: WOLVES LEEDS 3 13 RESULT: PRESTON 1 BIRMINGHAM RESULT: BRIGHTON 02M’BROUGH Corners: Brighton6 3 57% 68% n Wolves 42% 75% Leeds 2 4 43% n M’brough 25% n Preston 5

n Birmingham 7

Shots:

Brighton 10 14 58% nnWolves 36% M’brough 13 10 42% 64% nnLeeds

2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

10 league goals scored by Brentford’s Alan Judge

n Preston 10 n Birmingham 18

Fouls: red card received by Lewis Dunk

54% 46%

Brighton4 6 n Wolves n Leeds M’brough 10 7

n Preston 14 n Birmingham 12 SHOTS BY TEAM: Preston Wolves Brighton nMissed: Missed:12 Missed:67 n 30% 86% n n Saved: Saved: 312 14% 30% 60% nGoals: Goals:120 n 10% Birmingham Leeds Middlesbrough Utd 10%

22% 45% 30% 28% 67% 33%60% 5%

nMissed:12 Missed: 74 n nSaved:5 Saved: 32 n nGoals: Goals:13 n

Friday, December 25, 2015

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Injuries catch up on Albion in Middlesbrough loss

Well, the run had to end sooner or later, but it was just a shame the Albion had so many players unavailable when they took on fellow high-flyers Middlesbrough. In the end, it was just one game too many for a squad that has had to cope with several injuries in recent weeks. A d d i n t h e fa c t t h e Seagulls had two tough away games prior to Saturday’s match and, maybe, the 21game unbeaten run ending was not a surprise. Boro had kept seven clean sheets in eight league games heading into the match and conceding after just four minutes made the Seagulls’ task all the more harder. Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka was able to rest three players in his side’s game last Tuesday and afterwards said his team were fitter than Brighton – in the sense nine of the Albion players started three games in a week on heavy pitches. Arguably, it was on the wings where Brighton

missed two key individuals the most against Boro. Kazenga LuaLua, who is set to return in the New Year, and Solly March, who will miss the rest of this season, would have made a huge difference with their trickery and the way they run at defenders to put their opponents on the back foot. LuaLua, in particular, has been a massive miss. After starting the season on fire and earning the Sky Championship player of the month award for August, he has not featured since September 19th, thanks to a groin injury.

It makes you wonder how many more points the Seagulls would have if Kazenga LuaLua had been fit all season With LuaLua in the side this season, the Albion averaged 2.43 points per game from seven matches, which has gone down to 1.73 points per game from the 15 matches he has missed. He is a player that needs to return to the squad only when fully fit, so Seagulls

boss Chris Hughton will not take any risks with him. He knows that LuaLua is a matchwinner, and there are few, if any, other players like him in the Championship, with his power and sudden burst of pace. It does make you wonder how many more points the Seagulls would have, if he had been fit all season. Sam Baldock has missed the last six games but is set to return to training this week, while left-back Gaetan Bong and utility player Liam Rosenior have also been missed in recent games. Add in Lewis Dunk’s one-game suspension on Saturday and Brighton were without six players who would have definitely been in the 18-man squad, with four of them probably starting the game. However, the Seagulls have also conceded too many goals this month. It is now nine in just four games with four from corners in the last three matches. It is also seven games since a clean sheet – all something I’m sure Hughton and his coaching staff will be working on ahead of the tough trip to Brentford on Boxing Day.

Kazenga LuaLua celebrates scoring against Blackburn in August. Photograph: Angela Brinkhurst

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

Friday, December 25, 2015

Don’t miss the latest news about the Seagulls via Twitter @BHIndyAlbion

Nextup upatatThe theAmex... Amex… Next

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Brighton & Hove Hove Albion Townin Brighton and AlbionvvIpswich Cardiff City in the the Championship Championship on on Tuesday, December 29, kick-off 7.45pm Saturday, October 3, kick-off 3pm Tickets Ticketsavailable availableonline onlineatat www.seagulls.co.uk www.seagullstickets.com or orby bycalling calling0844 0844327 3271901 1901

Hughton looking to bounce back quickly Lewis Mason @_LewisMason Albion boss Chris Hughton believes it is vitally important his side bounce back quickly, following their first Championship defeat of the season on Saturday. Hughton saw his side s l i p t o a 3 - 0 d e fe at t o Middlesbrough in their topof-the-table clash at the Amex. It ended Brighton’s 21-game unbeaten start and also saw them drop a place to third. Albion return to action on Boxing Day when they make the trip to Brentford, for a 1pm kick-off. The Bees recently appointed Dean Smith as boss and Hughton feels it is important his men get their promotion push back on track. He said: “I think it’s vastly important we come away from Brentford with something. “We have set such a high standard so far this season but we knew it was always

going to be difficult to keep the run going. “So, this is the challenge that we face now going into the game on Saturday after suffering our first loss. “It’s great testament to this group for going unbeaten as long as we did but these are the challenges and after Brentford, we will have another tough game, then the same after that. “This is something we have experienced all season but so has every other club. “Our ambition is to be challenging and the only way to do that is making sure you get enough good results, so it’s very important we bounce back.” Centre-back Uwe Hünemeier will miss the trip to Brentford with a groin strain but fellow defender Lewis Dunk is back from a one-game ban. The trip to Griffin Park will come too soon for Sam Baldock and Kazenga LuaLua, while Gaetan Bong is set to return late January and Liam Rosenior in late February.

Albion defender Lewis Dunk. Photograph: Angela Brinkhurst

Hawks stay fifth after home loss

Whitehawk supporters clubbed together to send a message to their team following Hawks’ FA Cup replay defeat to Dagenham, which was televised live around the world. Photograph: JJ Waller Whitehawk Football Club remained in the final National South play-off position, despite a 1-0 defeat at home to Dartford on Saturday. After their FA Cup run

came to an end against Dagenham & Redbridge last Wednesday, the Hawks were sunk by Andy Pugh’s 34thminute goal. Hawks tired as the game went on and substitute Jake

Robinson was sent off eight minutes from time for a second bookable offence. Wh i t e h a w k t r av e l t o Eastbourne Borough on Boxing Day (3pm) and host Ebbsfleet on Monday (3pm).

The Albion Roar Alan Wares @albionroar

Noel comes along in time for our first ‘L’ of the season. In truth, the game versus Middlesbrough turned out to be a little bit ‘men against boys’. Not an ongoing criticism of the Albion but, despite being ravaged by injuries since September, the lads have sustained their early season unbeaten form through to the penultimate team they had to play. Under any circumstances, that is highly impressive. The unbeaten run, in the end, was bookended by M i d d l e s b r o u g h , a team which looked highly motivated and comfortable on the ball. How did they get stuffed by Hull City, one wonders? A look at Boro’s style shows the Albion, still punching above their weight in the division, is still at least one transfer window behind last weekend’s visitors, though that will come. Uncle Tony is on the case, and given the quality purchased since the summer, we believe

Albion Roar’s Ady Packham and Alan Wares Chris Hughton will get what he needs. But that is for 2016. Meanwhile, the Albion Roar is drawing a close to 2015 on Radio Reverb this Boxing Day with the live show recorded earlier this month. We’d like to thank everyone who has listened in, enjoyed, commented on, and contributed to the show. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We’re back in our usual spot on January 2nd, 2016.

Brighton response expected against Bees A f t e r s u f fe r i n g t h e i r first defeat in the league against Middlesbrough last weekend, Brighton will be looking to bounce back in their Boxing Day clash with Brentford this Saturday. Chris Hughton’s side travel to Griffin Park knowing fans will want to see that the 3-0 loss to the Championship leaders won’t dampen their promotion ambitions. With many still doubting the Seagulls’ ability to compete at the top of the division, they will have to show they can find the right response after seeing their 21-game unbeaten start to the season come to an end. Albion were unable to

Bradley Stratton @BradStrat find an answer at the Amex last weekend as they were frustrated by a solid Boro defence that held strong after taking the lead inside five minutes. Creatively out wide, they missed the dynamism Solly March had provided in recent months, and with the winger being one of five key players out for the long term, the depth of the squad is being put to the full test. Th e y w i l l b e h a r d pushed to get three points against a Bees side moving in the right direction after a shaky start to the season. The West London outfit

Chris Hughton Photograph: Paul Hazlewood (BHAFC)

have only lost once under new boss Dean Smith, and are within two points of the play-off spots. Wi t h A l b i o n h av i n g conceded nine goals in their last four games, Brentford midfielder Alan Judge will be hoping to add to the ten he’s already scored in the Championship this season.

Friday, December 25, 2015

As we come towards the end of a year we often reflect on past events. In the last week we lost a significant figure in football with Sussex resident Jimmy Hill passing away, aged 87. C o m m e n t at o r Jo h n Motson described him as an innovator, instigator and an inspiration. His influences as chairman of the PFA leading the campaign to scrap maximum wages for players can still be seen today. As a player, manager and chairman, he brought vim and vigour to the roles. However, personally, it was his appearances off the pitch and in front of the cameras (over 600) on Match of the Day that resonated with me. To be honest, I had never seen anyone like him. As a youngster his distinctive

BRIGHTON AND HOVE INDEPENDENT

look was a talking point in the playground but I reflect now that it was not how he looked, but what he said that stood out. He always had one thing – an opinion. You may not have always agreed with him, but he was always clear in his own beliefs when it came to the beautiful game. In many ways he was t h e fo r e r u n n e r o f t h e current style of television presentation. In an era without Sky Sports, Hill brought passion to the debate. He was also able to laugh at himself. To last so long as a broadcaster s h owe d h ow e n g a g i n g he was. It is also a huge credit to have had so many different careers. His wife Bryony came into the station recently and spoke about him and his

diagnosis with Alzheimer’s in 2008. Aside from his family, I’m sure there are many of us who will miss his determination. There have been some wo n d e r f u l t r i bu t e s i n w r i t i n g a n d fo r t h o s e younger readers who may not have watched him on television, some fantastic clips from his appearances with some of the best in the business. Everyone has different people who have influenced their careers and Hill must have touched thousands. Finally, just to say Happy Christmas to everyone. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading over the last year and wish you all the best to 2016. To read more by Johnny Cantor, visit: www.johnnycantor.com

Jimmy Hill pictured at Loxwood Football Club when he opened the club’s new stand in 2008

When Stanley bowled over the Mackems Dan Tester @BHIndyAlbion

Stanley Bowles. Photograph: Press Association

There used to be a pub on each corner of Griffin Park; The New Inn, The Griffin, The Princess Royal (once owned by Brentford), and The Royal Oak (closed April 2015). Brentford’s lovely old ground is a relic to football’s past with covered terraces behind both goals, narrow walkways, and corrugated-iron roofs, one of which used to be adorned by the world’s biggest advert, right in line with the flight path to Heathrow Airport. Speaking of relics, a few years ago – the infamous match when Glenn Murray had a strop at the final whistle and neglected to applaud the fans – some

friends and I were enjoying a pre-match beverage in one of the aforementioned hostelries when we bumped into the inimitable Stan Bowles, the 1970s’ maverick who achieved legendary status just down the road from Brentford at QPR. We got chatting about his infamous stunt at Roker Park, shortly after the Wearsiders had shocked the mighty Leeds United with an underdog victory in the 1973 FA Cup Final. Prior to the game, Bowles and his team-mates had a bet to see who could knock the famous old trophy off the table positioned at pitchside. Needless to say, within the first ten minutes he l a u n ch e d a ve n o m o u s crossfield pass at the cup and sent it flying through the air, and the Sunderland fans flying into a catatonic rage! To rub salt in their c o l l e c t ive wo u n d s , h e

scored twice and there was a pitch invasion at full time! Then, rather abruptly, Mr Bowles’ acquaintance – think Gazza’s old sidekick, but with 12 bellies – motioned his hand towards our faces and suggested “that’s enough boys”. A s t r a n g e , bu t a mu s i n g , experience. In the 1930s, Brentford were an established topflight outfit under the expert tutelage of Harry Curtis. From 1935 to 1947 – not forgetting World War II – the Bees went toe-to-toe with the big boys, finishing fifth in 1936, as London’s highest-placed club. Sunderland were champions that season. They lasted a further season in the First Division after the end of the conflict before dropping into the second tier. Fr o m 1 9 5 4 t o 2 0 1 4 , B r e n t fo r d s p e n t eve r y

season – bar one – in the bottom two divisions but this will be their second successive campaign in the Championship. As a fan-owned club, the Bees are planning to depart their home of over 100 years soon to move to a new development at Lionel Road South, less than a mile east from Griffin Park. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the Albion pages each week over the course of 2015. From me and the team, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Up the Albion!

Dan Tester is Albion editor of Brighton & Hove Independent. You can also follow him: @DJDanteBrighton