Absolute Life September 2014

ISSUE 114. September 2014

THE WEDDING ISSUE PlUS...

JUlIE BUrcHIll roGEr MoorE THE SaTUrDayS

No. 32 - your new venue in the heart of Brighton which has been completely transformed to reflect a new concept: eAt • DriNk • DANce! The new affordable menu ranges from traditional grills to fashionable burgers (although ours come in a special bun and even the chips are hand cut daily). there are three new bars with lounge areas and why not stay on for a late night DJ session?

01273 773388 www.no32dukestreet.com 32 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AG

From the editor It’s been a real rollercoaster of a month as we’ve started to make some changes to the magazine on both sides, and I’m blown away by the team here. I’ve romped all over the place, changing designs, changing internal systems and changing features and writers. For my part, it’s been a really exciting ride – after all, what huge fun taking a great magazine like Absolute and getting to play God with it. For everyone else, I suspect, it’s been a fairly major upheaval. But I feel privileged to work with such a great bunch of people, who are enthusiastic about change, who have been endlessly patient with me as we’ve looked, and looked again, at just about every aspect of this magazine repeatedly. Team, you are amazing!

So, this September issue of Absolute sees the inclusion of news pages, of new fashion items. Of a return to stunning fashion shoots and photography with local talent and breath-taking locations. We have new writers, new designs and new features. We have the start of a new kids and education section. The entertainment is expanded to include theatre, live shows, arts and culture as well as music, and our interviews and features are many. And moving forward there will be a whole load of Absolute Events coming up.

I’ve tried to encourage a connection to what makes this established publication work, but give it an update and I really hope you like it. If you’ve got ideas, opinions or want to be involved, I’m really interested to hear from you. Meantime, enjoy this issue. We all need a bit of a lie down here now.

Sam - EDITOR

sam@absolutemagazine.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGER - ANYA ZERVUDACHI anya@absolutemagazine.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGER - DAVID HALL david@absolutemagazine.co.uk MANAGING EDITOR - Sam Harrington-Lowe sam@absolutemagazine.co.uk DEPUTY EDITOR - Daniel White dan.white@absolutemagazine.co.uk SENIOR DESIGNER - Frida Clementz frida.clementz@absolutemagazine.co.uk PUBLISHER - Alan Prior CONTRIBUTORS Julie Burchill, Peter James, Stephen Grant, Phoebe Oliver, Kevin Freeman, John Bannister, Bill Murray, Lili Harrington-Lowe, Tim Page-Ratcliff, Sarah Hitchman, Katy Prior COVER SHOT Leather and PVC gown by Kevin Freeman for Renaissance Couture Hair by Anne Veck and Anna Phairratt for Anne Veck Salons Photography by Deborah Selwood Makeup by Iain Burton-Legge Accessories by Arlene Barclay for House of Halos Hair styling products by Design Pulse by Matrix Added hair by Sleek Shot on location at St Helens Church, Trowell, Nottinghamshire

Absolute Lifestyle Limited Tower Point MWB 44 North Road BRIGHTON BN1 1Yr Tel: 0870 005 2211 Fax: 08700 052 082 info@absolutemagazine.co.uk www.absolutemagazine.co.uk

Absolute Magazine would like to thank the advertisers that appear in this publication for their support, and wish them every business success. The contents of this publication are believed to be correct at the time of printing; nevertheless, we cannot endorse, and readers should not rely solely upon, the accuracy of any statements or claims contained herein, without prior consultation with the service provider.

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ISSUE 114. SEPTEMBER

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Contents

6 WhaT’S hoT! 8 SocIETy PhoToS 9 STEPhEn GRanT 10 InTERvIEW WITh ThE SaTURdayS 13 aUTUMn faShIonS 15 WEddInG SPEcIal 16 WEddInG faShIon 37 TRavEl – honEyMoonS 40 food & dRInk

10

44

14 37

41 JUlIE BURchIll 44 PETER JaMES 48 BRIGhTon & hovE food fESTIval 56 hEalTh & BEaUTy 60 RoGER MooRE 63 MUSIc, aRTS & cUlTURE 67 kIdS & EdUcaTIon

What’s

Hot Having a Ball TV and radio presenter Zoe Ball is letting viewers into her home in a new YouTube channel launched

by Spirit Digital Media.

Try a New Place Lansdowne Place hotel has at last been granted permission by the city council to be turned into 45 homes.

The impressive building has been empty since 2012 but will now see the main building converted into flats along with the construction of five houses behind, facing into the courtyard.

There will also be car parking and cycle storage and chair of the planning committee, Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty, said: “This will help retain a building that is in danger of dilapidating further. A

The lifestyle channel Zoe Ball: Off Air launched with cookery series Fakeways. The show sees Ball and Gingerman restaurateur Ben Keller create an easy-to-prepare alternative to takeaways from her home.

balance had to be struck between satisfying neighbours that the building can be brought back to life in an appropriate fashion and ensuring that any new development won’t harm residents’ amenity.”

For more info www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Twist It Firestarter While The Prodigy sang about it, you can now taste it thanks to Firestarter Vodka.

The show will be posted every Friday for two months though her subscription-only channel and she is eager to get started, saying: “I’m super excited about Off Air and all the adventures we are plotting for the channel. Collaborating with Spirit Digital was a no brainer – their work with Jamie Oliver on Food Tube is brilliant.”

The independent distributor Molvino Fine Wines and Spirits Company have released this five-times distilled Firestarter Vodka in the UK and you can find it in Brighton at Maloolah Bah.

Following the channel’s initial launch, Spirit plans to increase the content volume, pushing it to three updates a week as well as expanding into music and showbiz, and Ball said she is excited to be a part of something she is so passionate about.

The multi-award winning packaging looks just like a fire extinguisher and comes with a built-in, high-speed pour spout.

All you have to do it twist off the valve cap and vodka pours directly from the spout.

She says: “It’s a dynamic and immediate way to communicate with your audience and the perfect forum to make content about the things I love; be it music, movies, cooking, talking to talented folk.”

It looks like a winner to us.

For more information on Firestarter Vodka visit www.firestartervodka.com

Zoe Ball will be talking exclusively to Absolute Magazine about her channel, Strictly Come Dancing and much more in our next issue so don’t miss it!

The girl can help iT Offering advice to girls facing issues they can’t turn to anyone else for help with, Brighton is home to the very popular and very anonymous @Btongirlprobs. The girl behind the Brighton-based social media platform @ btongirlprobs addresses the daily struggle of girls and women in Brighton, and doesn’t pull any punches.

With over 10,500 followers, it’s clear that her lively and often visceral approach appeals. As she says, “that time you ferociously stalked your boyfriend’s ex on social media; when you applied fake tan only for it to pour with rain seconds later; when you consumed 14 tubs of ice cream and five loaves of bread to get over a broken heart; I’ve been there and got the T-shirt.”

This month she will be announcing a big collaboration between an undisclosed Brighton nightclub, and the BGP brand that will be featured on an American Twitter sensations website. The main theme of the night will be the fact that she’ll be there but no one will know who she is!

Find her here www.brightongirlproblems.wordpress.com and @Btongirlprobs 6│

September 2014

- News|What’s hot -

What’s

Hot

WIN WIN WIN!

A bill of health

The UK’s biggest wedding show returns to London on 26th-28th September.

With exciting feature areas, a breathtaking catwalk show and over 300 experts specialising in everything from stunning dresses to sparkling accessories, exquisite flowers to mouth-watering cakes and exciting entertainment to idyllic venues, The National Wedding Show is the bomb.

Healthy eating is about to get a whole lot simpler with the opening of the Asian-inspired light fast food shop itsu this month. Offering quick, healthy food options made on-site daily, Brighton’s itsu will feature a number of exclusive ‘firsts’ including a full range of frozen yoghurt, a juice bar and a new Autumn menu.

The 112-seat shop will be located opposite the Clocktower in central Brighton and is only one of two itsu shops outside of London.

Pret boss and itsu founder Julian Metcalfe said he’s “thrilled to have a presence in Brighton which is known to be a great trend leader in arts, culture and lifestyle; making it a strong fit with our brand. There’s also a huge amount of interest in healthy living and eating in Brighton but there’s nothing like itsu available in the city. Our aim is to genuinely revolutionise the way Brighton eats.” We’re not sure about that, but it looks good enough to eat anyway For more information visit www.itsu.com or on Twitter @ItsuOfficial

Playing with Brighton ZomBies ZomBN1 is the blood-splattered sequel to 2012’s locally-based board game BN1. This time round Brighton is overrun by the slavering dead, and up to 5 survivors must compete for the last seat on the last train out of town.

Gather supplies (bags of cous cous), arm yourself (with a deck chair) and battle the zombie menace all the way from the Chattri to Black Rock.

Ferry survivors to safety on the Volk’s Railway. Swot up by watching zombie movies at the Duke of Yorks. Trade survival stories with Nick Cave and Disco Pete. Keep an eye on the living and the dead to ensure the one person getting out alive is you.

Absolute Magazine has teamed up with the organisers to offer five lucky readers and their ‘plus one’ the chance to attend the year’s most prestigious wedding event, absolutely free! To be in with a chance of winning these fabulous tickets, email your name and postal address to sam@ absolutemagazine.co.uk before 21st September. Winners will be notified by email on 22nd September and will collect their tickets on the door at the venue, Earl’s Court.

Tickets are valid any day and are limited to one pair per winner. So what are you waiting for? Get sending.

For more information visit The National Wedding Show website www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk

ZomBN1 will be available from the end of October, and is limited to 1000 copies. In the meantime you can pre order the game so as soon as it’s ready it’ll be sent out to you straight away. There’s a host of extras to order too, from personalised cards to T-shirts.

For more information go to www.bedsitgames.co.uk

WIN WIN WIN Absolute have teamed up with game creator Paul Stapleton to offer a very special prize. One lucky winner will bag a copy of ZomBN1, as well as original game BN1 plus a copy of all Paul’s comic books as a prize. Combined values about £100 so not a bad haul. Simply email your name and postal address to sam@ absolutemagazine.co.uk to be in the blood-spattered running.

- News|WhaT’S hOT -

September 2014

│7

guestlist CELEBRATING CARE AT CHESTNUT TREE 1

2

WHAT

Chestnut Tree House celebrates amazing Pay for a Day campaign

WHEN 4th July 2014

WHy

3

Mike Holland, Patron of Chestnut Tree House, announced that the children’s hospice had raised over £1 million and paid for 150 days of care from the past three years of the charity’s Pay for a Day campaign. Over 100 guests, a number of them Pay for a Day supporters, gathered at Mike’s British Engineerium in Hove to celebrate

4

1. David Hill from E3 Group 2. Lisa Muschamp with Laurence Elphick 3. Melanie Wrightson from Gatwick Airport Ltd with Mike Holland 4. Louise Forder from Thomas Eggar LLP 5. Mike Holland with his British Engineerium team, Michael Grout and Jack Jolly 6. Sue and Matt Berry, Miles Packham with Chestnut Tree House Linda Perry

5

7. Chestnut Tree House Terrina Barnes with Ian Taylor, Sue Losson and Charlotte Vohtz from The Green People

6

8. Keeping the fire going!

Chestnut Tree House Jayne Todd 9. A welcome from the Chestnut Tree House fundraising team 10. Chestnut Tree House Juliette Macpherson with Maria French & Duncan Campbell 11. Tim Laughton MP

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9 8│

September 2014

Photos: Graham Franks Photography

10

11 - Guest|List -

Stephen

Grant

THE ANTISOCIAL NETWORK

I

Over Sharing Under Caring

f I come across a bit bitter and miserable today, I apologise. In my defence, like many comedians, I can be a bit of a misanthrope.

There’s this belief that funny people must have a dark side - to balance out the humour. That’s not the reason. There’s no psychological dysfunction, it’s just that our quirks are always on show, and we have 23 hours of the day free to think about things.

This is the problem. Most ‘normal’ people’s lives give them too much to do to put time aside to dwell on how miserable things probably are.

It wasn’t that long ago that people with too much time on their hands took up hobbies that suppressed or focused the madness, like DIY or gardening. Regrettably, those people now have access to social networks, so instead, they bury their friends in a tidal wave of endless over sharing.

Regrettably, I have tons of friends. While that statement sounds at best, boastful, and at worst, ungrateful, this is not the case on Facebook. For the best part of a decade, I ended each show by asking people to add me, and as a result, I have almost 5000 ‘friends’.

My status feed is a constant drip-drip-drip of bromidic detritus; it’s digital Chinese water torture.

Dawkinites might like to revel in this fact as proof there is no higher entity. As we are oft told of God’s omniscience - knowing where we are and what we are doing at all times, we have to imagine him sat in front of a teleprinter churning out every status update of everyone ever. No being - supreme or otherwise - could survive that for more than 5 minutes, let alone eternity. By the time

really aren’t. Add to that the fact that I’m awash with people who I should never have added in the first place, and I’m regularly being informed about people I don’t know and their lives. It’s like ringing an elderly parent. An hour a day, wading through a deluge of overexcited insignificance. Half of these people I now despise. Yeats said, “There are no strangers, just friends I haven’t met yet”. Thanks to Facebook, I now have friends I haven’t met - and don’t ever want to meet.

“Just unfriend them”, you say. But you’re

“By the time he received his 200th invite to play Candy Crush Saga even Gandhi would have thrown himself onto a spike.”

he received his 200th invite to play Candy Crush Saga even Gandhi would have thrown himself onto a spike.

I assure you, having thousands of friends is not a boast. I’m sure I’m not alone here; many people collected friends in the early days like they were a numerical indication of popularity, not realising that if you are the I JUST UNFRIENDED kind of person who believes I JUST UNFRIENDED YOU ON FACEBOOK YOU ON FACEBOOK popularity can be accurately measured on a bar graph, then popularity will only ever be a distant dream.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m no hermit. I like my friends.

I like having friends. But friendships are organic relationships that phase in and out; people lose touch, have children, move away, and become excruciatingly dull. And social networks don’t allow for this; friends stay friends long after they - Culture|Column -

forgetting the fact that you are likely to be contacted and asked why you did it. It’s the only time you secretly wish your friends to be worse people. “You slept with my boyfriend” or “you trashed my room” - fine. Unfriend.

It’s expected. But, “your constant pictures of your cat are doing my head in”? Best of luck justifying that.

Is there a solution? Probably not, but I’ve found one that works for me. Now: I add everyone who asks me, and then if they commit what I consider to be a social networking crime, they get deleted. I’ve laid out the rules on my Facebook page - you can search for them if you like. I’ve already managed to get the numbers down to 2800, and it’s still falling. The only problem is there are three categories I can’t unfriend; my partner, my family, and any crackpot nearthe-edge individuals who might not mentally cope with any ostracism. And currently that’s just under 2800. @stephencgrant

September 2014

│9

SATURDAYS just got better

Seven years ago Una Healy, Rochelle Humes, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford and Vanessa White joined forces to become The Saturdays, linking their combined talents to create one of pop’s great success stories. 18 singles, 13 top ten hits and a number one hit later, The Saturdays are in the mood to celebrate their longevity in the fickle world of girl bands with a Greatest Hits album and a tour that sees them hitting Brighton later this month.

B

ack when the quintet were complete strangers, such an achievement seemed a long way off. Una admits as much, quipping “it would have been a dream to put together a Greatest Hits album and then going to tour it”, while Mollie concurs. “It’s something we’ve dreamt of and worked so hard for people to have longevity these days, we’re proud”.

Aside from killer pop songs - and there can be no denying the likes of Up and What About Us are just that - the pair reveal that a number of factors have helped maintain their success.

“It’s a combination of different things. We’ve been very lucky, we’ve worked very hard and of course the support of the fans has been there since the beginning. We wouldn’t be anywhere without them!

“I think it’s the fact that as a five piece we work really well together,” Mollie adds.

“There are never really any big arguments, we understand each other, we all have the same drive and passion. If you have your heads in the same place, it’s easier to succeed”.

There have been changes in personal circumstances over the years - Una for one has become a mother and got married, while Frankie is due to marry former Brighton & Hove Albion footballer Wayne Bridge this year - but they have learned how to cope with

- IntervIew -

September 2014

│11

“It’s celebrating a milestone. We’re already planning out next album. It’s not the end!” those demands. “I don’t think any of us are that different, really”, Una notes. “I’m still the same person, I’ve just lived a bit more life. I still live each day as it comes. I don’t think I notice things differently.”

“I think overall I’m still the same,” agrees Mollie. “I’ve learned a lot - when I joined the band I’d just turned 20, now I’m more grown up. I still worry about everything, but I’ve grown up as a performer and a person.

We all have.”

Even in the relatively short space of time The Saturdays have existed, the music industry has changed. But even battling the changes in how music is distributed (Una says the group are “still old-skool” in signing copies of physical albums for fans to buy) The Saturdays, who will be performing at the Brighton Centre on Saturday 20th September, are fully

12│

September 2014

preoccupied with the sound of their music.

The girls confirm that the songs have evolved over time to keep up with trends in the charts.

“We’ve definitely moved along with the times,” Mollie says. “At the beginning we were straight pop. More recently we’ve become more dancey. That’s the way the times are going, and I think it’s good to show you can move along with that. You can’t be doing stuff you were doing six years ago.”

Outside of the music, The Saturdays have become tabloid favourites and as such have been afforded opportunities to pursue extracurricular activities. Una hosts a TV show in Ireland, while Mollie has made moves into the fashion industry, designing a line for Oasis.

“That’s another reason why we’ve lasted

- IntervIew -

so long - nobody resents the others doing something on the side. I love the fashion and I’d like to get into that more as time goes on.

Hopefully there’s a lot more for me to do in fashion in the long-term”.

But don’t take that as the beginning of the end for The Saturdays. Where Greatest Hits tours can signal a break-up in the offing, Una couldn’t be more emphatic that it is merely the closing of the latest chapter on The Saturdays’ incredible story.

“That’s not happening! It’s more celebrating a milestone. We’re already planning out next album. It’s not the end!”

The Saturdays will be performing at the Brighton Centre on Saturday 20th September and for more information visit www. brightoncentre.co.uk

Apricot Chubby short jacket £40 F&F Tesco

Neon Border Stole £19 Accessorize

Floral Statement Necklace £50 Freedom at TopShop red Herring Shorts £28 Debenhams

Floral Fashions

Coat £25 Boots £15 Primark

Grab some fabulous florals this fall, or sizzle it up as a rock chick, says Lili Harrington-Lowe

Floral t-shirt £24 next

Vintage 50s Style rose print dress £40 It’s Vintage Darling

Patent tote Bag £30 Bank Fashion

Neoprene Floral Watercolour top £20 Very Lace Front Sweat £14 Matalan

Savoir Peter Pan Collar Blouse £20 Isme

Orange Flower Statement Necklace £15 Evans

Digital Floral Prom Skirt £35 BHS

Floral Print Playsuit £17.99 Blue Inc

- FASHIon|Florals -

SePtemBer 2014

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Crystal Pyramid Spike Clamp Bangle £12 Accessorize

Pewter Ankle Boots £45 Dorothy Perkins

Zip up leather jacket £60 Wallis

Gritty rock Patent A-line mini £10 Primark

Limited Edition top £39.50 Marks and Spencer

Katlin diamond check leggings £9.99 Missguided

Cara Delevigne for TopShop Black dress £55

Stitch detail skinny jeans £16 M&Co

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SEPtEmBEr 2014

Gold Way sequin top £35 Miss Selfridge

- FAShiOn|Rock chick -

Siren shoes £65 Office

The AbsoluTe Wedding speciAl Traditionally a time for both weddings and proposals, beautiful autumn is upon us, and our thoughts turn to romance.

To enjoy the party atmosphere and celebratory festivities, there is far more that goes into pulling off a successful wedding than meets the eye. From the venue to bridal wear, lighting to the flowers, photographers to the jewellery, and of course the all-important honeymoon, it’s a huge to-do list.

So our special weddings issue is here to lend a helping hand to those planning their big day. Just say ‘I do’, and turn the page…

come true

Making Dreams

If you ever thought that a bespoke wedding dress is out of your price range, you need to rethink. Creating the dress of your dreams rather than buying an off-the-peg solution might not cost you as much as you think. Renaissance Couture is the creative name for haute couture designer Kevin Freeman, who specialises in breathing beautiful life into fashion concepts and designs, and who has created a number of extraordinary bespoke gowns. Sam Harrington-Lowe caught up with him to get the low-down on making your wedding dress dreams.

Commissions start at ÂŁ1,500 www.renaissancecouture.co.uk

This page and the opening shot features a skirt and corset which was created for the Couture exhibition at Brighton Museum and based on the shoreline around Brighton’s West Pier. The skirt is made from 140 metres of vertically stitched layered circular frills made from silk dupion, silk organza and a silk/lurex mix. The dupion was burned, tea stained and rust damaged to reflect the iron corrosion of the old pier.

The corset was layered sequin mesh over flesh coloured organza and covered with a silk and lurex mix to ‘knock back’ the shine of the sequins. The corset was then embellished with Swarovski crystals. The whole effect represented the way the sea water pools in the pebbles on the beach.

An image from this shoot was featured in the ‘100 best fashion images’ exhibit in Milan curated

by Vogue Italia.

Swarovski crystal corset £650, West Pier skirt £1,550.

This is something quite different.

Black leather panelled gown with crow feather shoulder detail and sculptural train in black silk organza and silk dupion.

Dress: ÂŁ1,950 Both images - Model: Simone Piper Photographer: Luke Woodford Hair and Makeup: Eleise Lucraft Jewellery: Rosie Fox Shot on location at Lillesden School for Girls

Flat fronted draped corsetted gown in ivory silk dupion. Asymmetrical draped shoulder details with gilt and faux pearl embellishment across the bodice. The skirt falls in silk swags and tails to a train of shredded silk tulle.

Dress: Asymmetrical draped gown ÂŁ2,400

Gold lurex and silk dupion draped and swagged baroque gown. The asymmetrically draped and corsetted bodice is lavishly beaded with crystal and cut ruby stones with gold cord work and bugle beads, falling in stiff swags to reveal a deep red silk dupion petticoat and parchment tulle petticoats.

Dress: ‘The Duchesse’ £2,300 Both images - Photography: Barry Jeffery Styling: Kate Jeffery Hair: Craig Chapman Makeup: Beth Alderson Shot on location at MalMaison, Oxford

Silver lurex/silk dupion panelled and corseted gown with Swarovski cluster at dĂŠcolletage and full sculptural train in metallic silver organza and silk organza.

Dress: Metallic Silver dupion fishtail ÂŁ1750

Three piece ensemble in ivory handwoven silk dupion. Panelled corset with padded and top stitched bust and hip detail. ‘Pirate’ bolero with dramatic stand collar and full turn back cuffs. Finished with giant faux pearl detail. The full romantic skirt is constructed of vertically tiered ‘mille feuille’ soft tulle layers.

Dress: ‘Pirate’ - Corset £450, Bolero £300, Mille Feuille skirt £1200

Both images - Photography: David Levine Model: Simone Piper Makeup: Lucille Dee Hair Design: Simon Webster Hair Jewellery: Rosie Fox

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING DAY AT THE GRAND BRIGHTON The ultimate coastal wedding venue in Sussex • Five beautiful, licenced ceremony rooms • Weddings from 10 to 500 guests • Luxurious spa for your pre-wedding pampering • Brighton’s most glamorous seafood restaurant, GB1 for a pre-wedding lunch or dinner • Champagne Afternoon Teas for your Hen Party

For enquiries or to book an appointment with the Wedding Coordinator

Call: 01273 224355 • Email: wedding@grandbrighton.co.uk • www.grandbrighton.co.uk The Grand Brighton, 97-99 Kings Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2FW

Brighton’s Jewellery Consultation Suite

Sam New from Exclusive Jewellery talks about the future of jewellery design and introduces the first private jewellery consultation suite to the city When Was exclusive JeWellery founded and Why? Exclusive Jewellery was founded in 2004 aiming to deliver beautiful bespoke jewellery. I wanted to inject a new lease of life into the jewellery industry in Brighton, and deliver a friendly atmosphere. Adding a personal, modern approach with a real emphasis on quality, trust and aftercare. hoW do you create and produce your designs? We use Computer Aided Design to create the majority of our pieces. Through years of training, I have mastered CAD and can bring to life a multitude of designs. This gives us freedom as jewellery designers and allows clients to create bespoke pieces that would be too difficult, detailed or expensive to have handmade. The software itself allows me to create curves and surfaces in a 3-D space and add intricate detailing and then finish with a photo-like image. The file is then sent to be first 3-D printed into wax and then cast in the desired metal. Then the casting is given to our third generation, world class Brighton-based goldsmith who hand sets

Sam new Director

the stones and precisely finishes the piece.

Resulting in each piece of jewellery being crafted to an absolute superior quality. hoW does the Brighton market alter your JeWellery stock? In a place such as Brighton, defined by its diverse style and air of eccentric individuality, it’s vital to have a large range of stock that would appeal to a varied market. Our specific area of expertise lies in creating engagement, eternity and wedding rings, but offering various styles and bespoke options. Also as Brighton is a pioneering city that celebrates and supports the LGBT movement and was the home of the first same sex marriage in England, we make sure we have a huge selection of beautiful wedding rings for same sex couples as well.

What has Been your Biggest achievement to date Within the JeWellery industry? Our relocation two years ago was a bigger success than I ever could have imaged. In my first year at the new shop I had doubled my turnover, and I am now the only jeweller in Brighton to have a private consultation suite complete with a champagne bar for our customers to celebrate their special purchases.

In your opInIon, where do you see the jewellery Industry In the uK headIng In the followIng years? Through the evolution of programs such as CAD, I think that the jewellery industry is going to take a big collective step into the 21st century.

Due to the recession, people are looking for real value for money, CAD allows people to create bespoke pieces relative to the majority of budgets, so if people are not utilising this kind of strength in the coming years I think it will be really hard for them to thrive in the retail jewellery industry.

- Wedding -

10 Union Street, Brighton, BN1 1HA 01273 777198 shop@exclusivejewellery.com www.exclusivejewellery.com

September 2014

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Women’s Fitness It is September and we are fully in the swing of wedding season. Brides, you have planned every detail; your dress, flowers, cake, the list is endless. But what about your body? Looking your absolute best on the big day is a must, so a decent fitness plan should be high on your list of priorities.

The body takes around 6-8 weeks to show real changes from exercise, so the earlier you start the better.

Most brides-to-be who I see all want to work on the same bits: shoulders, arms and back, as these are the parts most often left revealed by a wedding dress. Few brides go for a short skirt but if you have a beach honeymoon coming up, you will need to tone

the whole body in order to look great in your bikini. Doubtless you’ll be posting photos for everyone back home to see!

So, what sort of exercise should you be doing? The kind of programmes I prescribe use a medium weight; you need to feel the resistance, but not struggle to pick it up.

I like exercises that work as many muscle groups as possible in combination. Why do a set of squats and shoulder press separately when you can do them at the same time?

Choose 8-10 moves like these; lunges with a triceps extension, a plank with leg lift are other examples. Perform in a circuit of 10-20 repetitions with little or no break in between and you’ll get a cardio hit at the same time as strengthening and tightening your whole body.

If you are unsure, find a qualified fitness professional to help you. Also try magazines and the internet for guidance.

Finally, don’t stop working out once you’re happily married. Exercise should be a healthy habit for life and hopefully once you see the results and realise how good you feel you’ll be hooked!

ALL INLY N FOR O

£

37

.00

PER

H MONT

Suzy Walton, Personal Trainer mob: 07779081356 e: suzywalton@ntlworld.com

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LA fitness Brighton, Tower Point, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YR

*For terms and conditions please visit lafitness.co.uk/terms.

Stephanie Marie BeSpoke hairdreSSing offers tailor-made bridal hair packages, including in-depth one to one consultations, thorough prewedding hair trials, and above all else, the expertise in creating that perfect hair for the perfect day. For more information on our Bridal Hair Packages and for bridal hair inspiration please feel welcome to browse on our website www.smbespokehair.com Tel: 07815 718577 Twitter - @SMBespokeHair Email - info@smbespokehair.com Facebook - Stephanie Marie Bespoke Hairdressing

Weddings | Functions | Corporate Events

Wedding Fair

Sunday 26th October 11am - 4pm Free Admission

CALL NOW ON 01903 790 259 OR EMAIL US: ENQUIRIES@LONGFURLONGBARN.CO.UK FIND US: CLAPHAM | WORTHING | WEST SUSSEX | BN13 3XN VISIT US: WWW.LONGFURLONGBARN.CO.UK

e m i l b u S One word to express your wedding, the greatest of all days

JOIN US IN THE GLORIOUS DOME BALLROOM TO SHOWCASE THIS BEAUTIFUL WEDDING VENUE

Free to attend with a complimentary glass of fizz whilst you have the opportunity to discuss your special day with our dedicated events team and a selection of our nominated wedding partners WEDNESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 5.30PM – 7.30PM BOOK YOUR WEDDING CELEBRATION NOW

0844 736 4251

events.brighton@hotelduvin.com w w w. H O T E L D U V I N . c o m

Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 Scrub Mask £10 A really gentle scrub, particularly good for sensitive skins. You want to look radiant, not like you’ve been caught in a backdraft. From The Body Shop

YSL Couture Palette £42 They say “This is a collection designed to sheath the eye like an Haute Couture silk dress, a flannel tuxedo or a Rive Gauche trench coat.” We say “lovely colours”! YSL counters nationwide

KiKO Milano eyebrow expert £13.90 You don’t have to do a Cara but get those brows ship shape for the big day. We love this set. www.kikocosmetics.co.uk

Bridal Beauty Every bride wants to look her best on the big day. We count some cool ways to look hot as you walk down the aisle…

dr Hauschka neW Rose day Cream £28 We’re loving this new ‘richer in roses’ formula, which is more advanced and effective, but costs the same. Always a total winner.

Available Dolphin House Clinic, Brighton

OLeHenRiKSen Power Peel Kit £36 A professional grade, three-step facial treatment for use one week before the big day that emulates both a microdermabrasion and peel service. Luminous skin after just one use. Available Debenhams, John Lewis online

skyn iCeLAnd Hydro Cool Firming Face gels £30 Four smile line and four forehead patches that dramatically diminish the appearance of smile lines and wrinkles on the forehead. No Botox, and feels lovely and cool on contact. From M&S Your Beauty

Clarins instant Light eye Perfecting Base £22 It’s a long day. This ultra-soft eye make-up base smoothes, evens, brightens and gives radiance whilst improving hold, all day long. Clarins counters nationwide

Better Than Sex Mascara £19 Probably not better than sex, but what the hey. We like this wand with its crazy hourglass brush.

Available Debenhams

dr. Ceuticals Firm & Sculpt Arm gel £9.99 Nobody wants bingo wings at their wedding. Get sculpting! Available Boots

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SEptEmbEr 2014

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Fabricate is a venue decoration company just for weddings, so we know all about how to transform a venue and space for that ideal dream ceremony and reception.

We have been in the draping business for 20 years and have built up a solid client base of venues in Brighton and beyond who recommend our company and our services to their new clients.

Over the years we have transformed hundreds of venues, from the classic Mid Summers Night Dream to Gothic, Medieval and Hollywood Glamour.

We are also delighted to offer all the other services that are involved with the setting and styling of a wedding day; chairs and covers, isle runners, pillars and plinths, table centre displays, special effect lighting, lounge seating, flowers and plants. So aside form making the cake we have it all covered! www.fabricate-decor.co.uk phone 01273 203222

Rusper, nr Horsham

Ghyll Manor, a charming 17th century hotel & restaurant nestled in the Sussex countryside with 40 acres of stunning grounds.

WEDDING OPEN DAY SUNDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 11am – 3pm

FREE ADMISSION

Elegant Express Weddings Simple, uncomplicated yet elegant, ask for details

A country house to call your own 03301 230 371 ghyllmanorweddings.co.uk weddings@ghyllmanor.co.uk Lines are open 7 days a week, 8am to 11pm

facebook.com/ghyllmanor

@GhyllManor

WIN A CONSULTATION WITH LUXURY WEDDING PLANNERS

Competition

Alternatively contact:

For the chance to win, please visit our Potcakes Weddings’ Facebook page, click on the ‘Competition Sign-up’ button on the left hand column and enter your details. Competition closes on 31/10/2014.

Judith Young 01273 355125 judith@potcakes.com potcakesweddings.co.uk

Exhibitions We are exhibiting at the National Wedding Show (26 - 28 September 2014, at Earls Court) on stand D47 and at Brides, The Show (3 - 5 October 2014, at the Business Design Centre, Islington) on stand M88. If you’re attending, pop along and see us.

TAJ’S TAILORED TEA AND CAKES Taj’s Tea Parlour is able to provide a bespoke service for wedding groups, hen parties and much more

Taj’s Tea Parlour is based in central Brighton, 17 Brighton Square BN1 to be exact.

We provide a bespoke service for hen dos, with a vintage feel. The hen party is a high tea, tea party. I work closely with the organiser of the party to insure that they will receive a do to remember. As this is a bespoke service, it means that the high tea will be based on the bride to be’s favourite era, or just her loves, with all of her favourite foods included, while I devise a cocktail for them based on this too.

The same goes for weddings of course, which we also style and cater for, although these are not necessarily always in a vintage style.

At the shop, where we cater for the hen dos (the weddings are on site and so the numbers are up to the bride and groom), the minimum number of guests we have is eight and the maximum is 25.

What makes Taj’s Tea Parlour so unique firstly, is the surroundings of the shop. All of the pieces have been lovingly picked by me. We also play swinging Jazz gently in the background as it is relaxing for customers and transports you to another era instantly.

In terms of the service that we are offering for hen parties and weddings, we use top quality ingredients. Mostly organic, free range and local where possible as this is something that is very important to my heart, good food!

I love to bake and to cook, so there is a lot of thought, love and care put into what I am serving people. We cater for Gluten free guests and recently did a totally gluten free hen do! I think that flavour and freshness are - Wedding -

so very important, it sounds simple but it’s integral to good tasting food.

I enjoy the creativity of designing a menu that is very specific to one couple and their guests. The styling of the event is just an extension of the creativity and having it all in keeping with one another - the food, drinks and table styling - is the optimum. ►You can contact me by coming into the shop, where you also get to sample some of our delightful cakes! However, if this is not convenient for you, you can email me for enquires at: tajsteaparlour@gmail.com

September 2014

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The perfect place to say ‘I do’

Set in over 1,000 acres of parkland, East Sussex National has the space to bring even the most extravagant ideas to life.

Go for traditional and elegant or stylish and sassy – the possibilities are endless.

• Up to 250 guests for civil ceremonies • Up to 300 guests for receptions • 104 beautifully furnished bedrooms • Dedicated wedding co-ordinator • Award winning health club & spa • Spectacular views over the South Downs • Special offers & late availability

Book a showround & enjoy a complimentary lunch for two on us

For more information, or to book a showround call 01825 880227 or click deverevenues.co.uk East Sussex National, Little Horsted, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5ES

East Sussex National

STUNNING JEWELLERY FINE DIAMOND, GOLD & SILVER NECKLACE 18ct white gold opal & diamond. £2,995

We have a fabulous range of jewellery in stock, or can design, create and repair jewellery in our own workshop. We also specialise in vintage and pre-cherised watches.

CALL 01273 239763 FOR DETAILS 29 Station Road, Portslade BN41 1GB jamesrossjewellers.co.uk

Capture the Big Day In colourful, ever changing topography of Brighton’s art scene, there is always room for new talents. One of the recent discoveries is gifted young photographer, Woj Okuszko. Woj started his photography adventure over ten years ago with a simple ‘point and shoot’ camera. He is now a wedding, street and portrait photographer with unique style whose work was appreciated by National Geographic. With his main focus on people, wedding photography quickly became a priority in his work. As he says: ‘A wedding is one of the most important and beautiful days in one’s life and it is a great honour to share that moment with the couple and to make the memories last on photographs’. www.okuszko.com, www.weddingbells.photography

E X P LO R E T H E E N T I C I N G N E W F L AV O U R S O F A U T U M N Three-course À La Carte Menu £65.00 Seven-course Tasting Menu £85.00 T O M A K E YO U R R E S E R VAT I O N , P L E A S E C A L L 017 9 8 8 31 9 9 2 Quote ‘Absolute Magazine’ to receive a complimentary glass of Champagne on arrival

www.amberleycastle.co.uk

AbsoluteMag_134x190.indd 2

21/07/2014 10:21

Match and dispatch You’ve planned the wedding down to the last detail, but where are you going to spend your honeymoon?

Phoebe Oliver gives us her top picks to suit all types of happy couples…

TROPICAL PARADISE The all-inclusive Jolly Beach Resort & Spa in Antigua offers excellent value honeymoons in paradise. With Antiguan hospitality and a mile-long stretch of white sand, all rooms benefit from an ocean view with beachfront suites for a little more privacy. There are five restaurants to choose from, including Italian at Bocciolo, Indian at Utsav or Caribbean and seafood at the relaxing beach-front Lydia’s. Also in the all-inclusive package is the extensive activities programme, ranging from water sports to tennis. Then why not head to the world class spa for a relaxing couple’s treatment?

For those honeymooners who bring kids along, this is the perfect place for them to have hours of fun whilst you relax with a cocktail by the adult-only pool. The package includes treasure hunts, beach picnics and pirate nights for the little ones, and volleyball tournaments, bonfires and a games room for the teenagers.

7 nights in Antigua with Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.co.uk), including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to Antigua, all-inclusive accommodation at the 3V Jolly Beach Resort and Spa and airport transfers start from £999pp.

MILE LOW CLUB Since the dawn of passenger aviation, the ‘Mile High Club’ means rock stars and honeymoon couples, but for 2014, luxury property specialists Oliver’s Travels has launched the Mile Low Club; a new luxury service for audacious travellers.

Plunge into Lovers Deep, a specially adapted leisure submarine, interior designed and furnished to the individual customer’s specification and staffed by the Captain, chef and personal butler (who share separate accommodation to ensure guest privacy). Lovers Deep offers the option of being moored at a

location chosen by the customer, whether a stunning coral reef off the coast of St. Lucia or a sunken battleship in the Red Sea. With private speedboat transfers as standard, the service can also be customised with optional extras including helicopter transfers with a beach landing, free rose petal scattering service or champagne breakfast in bed – all booked through the Oliver’s Concierge service.

The Mile Low Club service starts from £175,000 per night (excluding air travel). http:// www.oliverstravels.com/milelow-clublaunches

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September 2014

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COLONIAL CAMPING A safari honeymoon at Sabi Sabi’s Selati Camp allows you to revel in the beauty of the African bushveld, experiencing some of the finest luxury accommodation available. At Selati Camp, newlyweds enjoy a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and welcome platter which can be taken either in their luxury suite bathroom or their Jacuzzi. Couples will also be surprised by a romantic private dinner on the pool deck with candlelight and their own private chef.

The Romantic Selati Camp is infused with railway memorabilia from the 1900’s, vintage décor and gentle lamplight, the eight beautifully appointed thatched suites offer intimacy and colonial opulence, each with full bathroom ensuite and private alfresco shower. Ivory Presidential Suite offers original antiques, a draped four-poster bed, private terrace, fireplace and a magnificent en-suite bathroom, complete with a very private plunge pool. Experience the everchanging landscapes and rhythms from the clear light of dawn to fiery sunsets.

Land Rover game drives, Big Five encounters, excellent African cuisine and gorgeous landscapes are only a few of the reasons why honeymoons at Sabi Sabi are so highly revered.

Black Tomato (www.blacktomato.com) can arrange a luxury safari honeymoon including a four night stay at the luxurious Selati Camp at Sabi Sabi from £3,180 pp. Price includes return flights, accommodation, and transfers.

GLORIOUS GLAMPING Ditch the high tech world and honeymoon in Bluebells – just for two – at The Dandelion Hideaway in Leicestershire.

This is the ultimate in glamping with an en suite roll-top bath and a private, secluded wood burning hot tub. Cosy up in the huge sleigh bed with the fluffiest goose down duvet and an eiderdown to keep snug. For a change of scene, spend a night next door in Bluebells’ little sister, Bluebell’s Nest – an elevated wooden haven suspended over a drift of wild flowers.

Spend lazy days sitting in the rocking chairs on the veranda, or reclining on the old fashioned day bed, reading, listening to the gramophone, playing board games, spotting birds and star gazing from the telescope, with only the sounds of birdsong,

the whistling kettle and the wind rustling in the trees.

With a butler’s sink, a wood burning stove with an excellent cooker and even a selection of grandma’s cookery books, local supplies can be bought from the farm’s own Cow Shed Stores, plus there’s lots to forage for in the hedgerows and a basket of herbs growing outside. Start the day with freshly laid eggs from the hens and finish by toasting marshmallows over the camp fire. For honeymooners there is a complimentary bottle of champagne in the fridge and a breakfast basket.

Autumn Prices for two sharing Bluebells and Bluebell’s Nest start from 4 nights weekday break from £475 www.thedandelionhideaway.co.uk

Phoebe Oliver is the founder of travel specialist PR firm Oliver Relations, www.oliverrelations.co.uk @oliverpr 38│

September 2014

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A Grand Wedding The Grand in Brighton provides everything you need for the ultimate coastal wedding venue Has a hotel name ever been more fitting than The Grand?

Standing proud on Brighton’s vibrant seafront for over 150 years, the building is steeped in history, while being home to some of the city’s most majestic event rooms. With stunning sea views, it is undoubtedly a masterpiece of Victorian grandeur.

As its name suggests, there is nothing ordinary about The Grand, nor the way they go about their business.

With space for up to 500 guests in the fully licensed Empress Suite, along with the more intimate Regent Room, there are very few venues better suited to hosting a dream wedding.

Boasting a range of luxurious and distinctive bedrooms with picturesque seafront views from each private balcony, it is enhanced only by the quirky seaside charm that drifts in the air.

There is more though. The Sp@ The Grand can also offer treatments for bridal parties, including steam rooms, sauna, nail bar and restful relaxation areas, whilst there’s also a range of ESPA treatments for the groom and best man to enjoy as they prepare for the big day.

With plenty of style to suit, The Grand’s new seafood restaurant GB1 has also established a unique dining experience since its opening, becoming one of Brighton’s highest-ranking seafood restaurants, providing the ultimate spot for a pre-wedding lunch or dinner.

If you were in doubt at the beginning, now ask yourself, what is not Grand here?

For more information on Weddings at The Grand please contact the wedding coordinator on 01273 224355 or email wedding@grandbrighton.co.uk, www.grandbrighton.co.uk

- Wedding -

September 2014

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The AbsoluTe besT in

Food and Drink TAj’S TeA PArlour

Taj’s Tea Parlour is a beautiful new tea room right in the heart of Brighton.

17 Brighton Square to be exact. There are many lovely attributes about this spot including the great location. The delightful cakes and savouries are baked daily on the premises and owner Taj likes to use organic, free range and local produce where possible. The menus change daily but that’s not all they have to offer at this calm oasis.

Boho Gelato

Brighton’s original home of Gelato! 24 changing flavours (taken from a list of over 450!) made fresh on site daily using Sussexproduced milk and cream and top quality ingredients. At least five non-dairy vegan flavours are also available.

Get in contact with Taj’s Tea Parlour to enquire about booking a high tea hen do, private party or they also host creative workshops. Also keep a look out on their Facebook and Twitter page at tajs tea parlour to find out what exciting evening events they have coming up too.

17 Brighton Square, Brighton. 07980 305436

Mucho BurriTo

Mucho Burrito, No.1 for Mexican flavour, is now open in North St, Brighton. A range of five homemade salsas, from zero heat to fiery hot to suit all palates, accompany the varied menu of Tacos, Salads, Quesadillas, Soups and of course Burritos, all washed down with a beer. eat in or take away, made in front of your eyes all from £4.95.

6 Pool Valley (near Brighton Pier) 01273727205. Also stocked in businesses across Sussex.

little Bird

The ForAGerS

“While many pubs are trying to serve up local grub with a seasonal twist,The Foragers have gone a step further. Several steps in fact, “ The observer.

01273757095, FB – Mucho Burrito Brighton Twitter @MuchoBurritoUK

little Bird is a gorgeous little cafe located in the heart of the North laine, Brighton. Serving some of the most delicious coffee and truly scrumptious cake. like and share ‘little Bird’ on Facebook or even better, pop in and sample the delights for yourself.

Open 10am-5pm 16 Kensington Gardens littlebirdbrighton.wordpress.com

Winners of the Brighton and hove Food & Drink Awards 2013 & the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2012 and awarded a aa rosette for the past four years. The Foragers are trailblazers in both sustainability and fine pub grub and are, therefore, a must for all foodies. Now offering its new Summer menu and alfresco dining, both outside the front or hidden away round the back of The Foragers in its sunny garden oasis.

crAFTy chooKS

crafty chooks is a new Bar & rotisserie located just off church road in hove. The venue offers a fresh and modern feel with a contemporary menu that has a strong focus on Free range rotisserie cooked chicken and some usual favourites. There is an interesting range of craft Beers alongside a really well thought out wine list.

10 Victoria Grove, Second Avenue, Hove, BN3 2LJ, 01273 722846 www.craftychooks.co.uk

3 Stirling Place, Hove 01273 733 134, www.theforagerspub.co.uk

the Marwood

The Kitchen at Marwood is serving a brunch style menu with daily lunch specials from 8.30am Monday - Friday and early weekends too. As always, serving kickarse coffee, life changing cake and booze a plenty.

Open 8-late 7 days a week.

52 Ship St, Brighton - 01273 382063 Check out our new kitchen Facebook page. www.facebook.com/TheKitchenAtMarwood

To be featured in the food & drink directory please email Anya Zervudachi at: anya@absolutemagazine.co.uk 40│

September 2014

- Food & drink|Directory -

Julie

Burchill Julie Burchill finds herself pondering the good life on the terraces at Audio

‘H

e who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.’ These wise words of Samuel Johnson, written in 1809, invariably come back to me when I survey the young would-be studs and should-be starlets who sashay each night throughout the watering holes of my beloved Brighton.

Though they may seem carefree, who’s not to say that their pursuit of the hedonist dream is not fuelled by a existential crisis? It’s interesting to consider that those who *party* the hardest (a euphemism for the taking of drink, usually accompanied by sex and ofen by drugs) may be the ‘deepest’ members of society (rather than the most shallow and sluttish, as the Daily Mail would have it) who must drink in order to slake the pain of knowing that one is a mere bird of passage

“It’s ironic that in our bid to forget death we bring it closer by reaching out for alcohol.”

blown about in the trade winds of one’s own existence. Even I - a jolly middleaged matron, and somewhat religious - am sometimes a tiny bit perturbed when I dwell on the fact that the when I die, the party will carry on without me.

Imagine how much weirder this is for youngsters, in the full bloom of their immortality! Little wonder that the current modish euphemisms for making a beast of oneself - ‘getting mortal’, ‘on a mission’ - refer directly to the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.

It’s ironic that in our bid to forget death we bring it closer by reaching out for alcohol, whether through accidents in the home, complications in the liver or brawlings in the street. But life is a process of hope over experience, and writers (who in theory should be smart enough to think through these things clearly) have a long tradition of drinking themselves stupid - literally. I don’t go to bars to meet The One - partly because I don’t believe in him, and partly because I believe I have him - but to talk to my mates and listen to strangers and in the course of this I myself have slipped irretrievably from being a writer who drinks to a drinker who - occasionally writes. So, with this new column, I shall seek to make the best of

- Food & drink|Column -

this unfortunate development, writing about the best bars in town and the most intriguing overheard conversations therein.

One of the best places I know of to watch the world go by is Audio, commanding a part of town where three Brightons - gay, daytripper and local hedonist - meet. Whether one chooses to take one’s ease and watch the passing parade from the gorgeous terrace, cosy up in the cool, dark bar or dance oneself dizzy in the subterranean club, you never feel - as the restless soul does in so many other places - that the party is happening elsewhere.

It may well be true, as Blaise Pascal wrote, that ‘All human evil comes from a single cause - man’s inability to sit still in a room.’

Never mind - pre-load, pack a hip-flask and come along with me on this bumpy ride we call the lush life.

If you’d like to while away some blissful hours like Julie, try Audio Brighton.

Audio 10 Marine Parade, Brighton Phone: 01273 606906 Web: www.audiobrighton.com

SePteMBer 2014

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Azure: revival of the East Side Since opening in mid-May, loads of exciting things have been happening down here in our little alternative spot on Brighton Beach.

We have become a favourite for gatherings and celebrations of all kinds; birthdays, weddings, hen and stag parties (the most well-behaved I have to say) and products’ launches. So all of a sudden we found ourselves stormed by buffet requests, wine and food pairing events, all things we hadn’t really planned for, but that have shown to us how flexible and desirable this venue is.

The Cocktails product has got its own faithful following, the Shisha bar has got its own crowd too and the number of locals coming to enjoy our food regularly has been growing steadily.

Over Pride we hosted a party from Code South Radio that was also a good success and the immense crowd that attended has been unexpectedly well behaved, giving us the chance to show that we can manage an even wider range of events and make them a success.

Azure Restaurant 9-11 Lower Promenade Madeira Drive Brighton BN2 1PS Text: booking + your details to 07816281096

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September 2014

It was never going to be easy to be the new “kid in town”, especially in this location that hadn’t seen anything happening in a very, very long time.

In the rainy days (luckily we’ve only had a few so far) customers got to discover the sober decor we have indoors and immediately fell in love with the booths’ tables and the privacy these offer.

Another piece of good news is that the Grill Room is now open, adding dishes to our menu and offering simple things to the passing crowd looking for a take-away that is not just Fish & Chips.

On August Bank Holiday we hosted a Guinness World Record breaking attempt by Francois from Under Lucky Voice bar and in September we will be one of the main venues for the Brighton Cocktail Carnival, while we will also host the closing event of the Food & Drinks Festival, with a themed ‘50s Tea Dance with Cocktails and music from those days.

There is really a lot going on down here and this side of the beach is slowly coming back to life. All of this thanks to the right local suppliers and partners we have chosen from the start.

We are now working on to the best possible product for Winter and we are open to bookings for Christmas Parties, offering no hire charges for private functions and a very original menu, traditionally Mediterranean.

For bookings and enquiries of all kinds text 07816281096. We will get right back to you with the details requested. www.azurebrighton.com - Wedding|Venue -

The Brighton Cocktail Carnival will celebrate cocktails, in all forms, through 12 of the best bars the city has to offer. These 12 bars will be showcasing three drinks that will give you an insight into the kind of cocktail venue they are and the drinks that they like. The drinks will be listed in these venues for a conveniently discounted price (£4-£6.95), leaving you free to try all the best drink the city has to offer...responsibly.

How does it work?

This celebration is entirely free to register for. You will be sent a confirmation email which you can exchange for a wristband and goody pack, in selected bars, throughout the city. Wristbands will be available from September 1st, 2014. You will also be given a map showing all of the bars taking part as well as the drinks that they will be listing... but that’s not all. The BCC will be working with over 30 different spirit brands to host over 30 different events, all for free!

Wristbands are available to over 18’s only. They must be worn at all times for the discount to apply. For a full list of T&C’s please email info@ brightoncocktailcarnival.co.uk

COCKTAIL MASTERCLASSES

& WINE TASTINGS AT HOTEL DU VIN

THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR A NIGHT OUT WITH A DIFFERENCE THE VIRTUOSO MIXOLOGISTS AND VETERAN SOMMELIERS AT HOTEL DU VIN BRIGHTON PROVIDE EXPERT GUIDANCE IN ONE OF OUR MANY COCKTAIL MASTERCLASSES AND WINE TASTING EVENINGS COCKTAIL MASTERCLASSES:

WINE TASTING EVENINGS:

4TH SEPTEMBER SHORT SIPPERS ON THE ROCKS 2RD OCTOBER DOWN MEXICO WAY

3RD SEPTEMBER BORDEAUX vs. BURGUNDY 1ST OCTOBER PINOT NOIR – OLD WORLD vs. NEW WORLD

6TH NOVEMBER NORTH OF THE BORDER

5TH NOVEMBER SPARKLING WINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

8TH JANUARY VIVE LA FRANCE

7TH JANUARY LOW ABV WINES

COCKTAILS FROM THE LAND OF TEQUILA AND MEZCAL

SCOTCH SHAKEN AND STIRRED

COCKTAILS WITH A FRENCH TWIST

SAMPLE SOME FINE WINES FROM CROATIA, SLOVENIA AND HUNGARY

SAMPLE SOME FINE WINES FROM CROATIA, SLOVENIA AND HUNGARY

ALWAYS STARTS AT 6:30 | £25 PER PERSON CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS: www.HOTELDUVIN.com/offers HOTEL DU VIN&BISTRO SHIP STREET, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX BN1 1AD

0844 736 4251

events.brighton@hotelduvin.com

Peter

James

Bagging a great meal

I

n Barcelona recently an ebullient restaurateur said to me, ‘While you are in my restaurant, this is your home.’ It’s not the first time I’ve heard that. I believe restaurants should be more about giving you the feel-good factor than being temples of fine food and wines.

Restaurants provide the chance to catch up with friends, to celebrate – or commiserate, to plot and scheme, to pick someone’s brains, to seduce, to unwind. I don’t go out to eat wanting to pick faults, even in my food columnist role, but there are some things that really irritate me. One that riles me almost more than anything is having my wine glass filled too high.

Why is it, when you order a main course costing anywhere from £15 – £40, it will normally be cooked by someone who knows what they are doing, plated by someone who also knows what they are doing and brought to your table by someone who doesn’t trip over and drop the lot on your head – yet when you order a bottle of wine costing twice or even four times this amount, it is frequently brought to by the most junior and inexperienced member of staff – and someone who appears never to have opened a bottle before in their life?

I was staying at Whittlebury Hall in Northampton last weekend, while racing at Silverstone. Despite it being a vast barn of a place, a conference hotel, spa, golf and country club, I like this privately owned hotel a lot and have stayed on many occasions. It has good rooms, great bar areas, a fabulous pool, extremely friendly staff and consistently

Peter James finds himself converted by conversions at the Jolly Poacher in Brighton

excellent food. We dined there three nights and each time, to my dismay, a different waiter filled our wine glasses up to the brim each night. Although, admittedly this was not as bad as Brighton’s Grand hotel (now transformed under its brilliant manager, Andrew Mosley and his team) some years back when the wine waiter asked me which glass the white should be poured into…

Another slap on the wrist for Whittlebury.

A member of staff told me that if you tip a waiter or bartender, they only get a fraction of the money as it gets shared with everyone in the hotel – something I don’t like – tipping should not be in order to save the management wages, it should be to reward a particular staff member for excellent service.

I always ask who gets the tip before adding in

“I like restaurants that have oysters on the menu because it indicates the rest of their produce is going to be fresh, too.”

44│

September 2014

- Food & drink|Review -

an extra amount on the credit card slip, and unless it goes to the server, I leave cash.

I’ve recently been doing research in Philadelphia – for a brief time the capital city of the US before Washinton DC, and perhaps equally famous for WC Fields’ epitaph: “All things considered, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.” It’s a surprisingly delightful city, with a wealth of museums, galleries and places to visit – including Atlantic City of boardwalk fame, if you’re in the mood for world-class tackiness.

The biggest surprise was the sheer number and quality of terrific restaurants in Philadelphia, as well as the Ashton Cigar Bar; without doubt the nicest cigar bar I’ve encountered anywhere in the States, where pretty much every city has at least one. Places where I ate and would recommend to anyone were Vernick, Talula, Prime Cut, McCormick and Schmidt (part of a seafood chain, but excellent) Alma de Cuba, Buddakan, and, Butcher and Singer, my favourite for the sheer spectacular room, delightful staff and terrific food - it is a kind of modern spin on a traditional American chop house, with a raw bar added. The only disappointment

just as well for my figure as, unable to choose between walnut, ginger and apricot pudding, quince and apple crumble with vanilla custard, or warm chocolate tart with honeycomb and crème fraiche, I would have probably gone for all three, as I had done once before when dining with the Baileys – many years and many stones in weight ago….

The wine list has been put together by someone who knows their stuff. A great selection from across the wine continents, and I was particularly happy to see several clever choices that I know and love on both the white and reds at well under thirty quid.

We drank a remarkably delicious Spanish white, a Mara Martin Godello Monterrei, and would undoubtedly have downed a second one if I hadn’t been driving.

My tests for any restaurant is whether I would like to go back. And for the Jolly Poacher the answer is, pun fully intended, like a shot. A sense of air, space, purpose – and a future. @peterjamesuk The Jolly Poacher 100 Ditchling Road Brighton 01273 683967 www.thejollypoacher.com

was Il Pittore, which served polenta with some dishes but was unable to substitute my potatoes for this, one of my favourite dishes.

Any restaurant that won’t do substitutions – a basic hospitality – doesn’t see me again.

And on the subject of substitutions. It seems that every week former public houses become substituted by restaurants. Tighter drink-driving laws sounded the death knoll, then for many pubs the smoking ban was the final nail in the coffin, ringing the landlords’ equivalent of the Lutine bell. But rising from the stubbed out ashes, at an even faster rate it would seem, is the era of the gastro-pub.

Limed bare floorboards, simple, distressed furniture, handsome earnest young waiters with designer stubble, and cheery, attractive young females have sprung up in every town in the nation it would seem – and we’re all the better off for it.

My old friend Peter Bailey, whose late former wife Kathryn was the food critic for The Argus back in the 1980s and who knows a thing or two about food, told me he and his beloved Sheila had made a new find, the Jolly Poacher in Ditchling Road. So we lunched there this week to try it out.

First impressions were good, a nice main dining space, a good outdoors terrace and a

handsome spiral staircase downstairs, which I forgot to explore. I like restaurants that have oysters on the menu – and they have the excellent Carlingfords here – because it indicates the rest of their produce is going to be fresh, too. The menu is short, something I also like to see, again an indicator of freshness.

Starters include a goose liver parfait, with rhubarb compote, pickled asparagus and toasted brioche, a lobster spring roll, which was sublime – simply the best spring roll I’ve ever eaten – and I’ve eaten them in great Chinese restaurants in many cities, including Shanghai and Hong Kong, so I’m not praising this lightly. Thai spiced crab fritters with chilli salt squid and choi and shoot salad were dense and dangerously moreish, and a leek and Roquefort tart with a poached pear and roasted walnut salad was sensational.

Mains included grilled sea bream, saddle of lamb, the now essential staple of every self-respecting restaurateur, the pork belly variation, which gave me instant food envy when I saw it, as well as a complex and very appealing sounding vegetarian option involving asparagus, mozzarella, arancini, courgettes, garlic flowers and salsa verde.

I had to leave before desert, which was - Food & drink|Review -

International best-selling author, Peter James, is our independent restaurant reviewer. The reviews are 100% impartial and free from advertising. In fact, he doesn’t even tell us which restaurants he is going to review!

SePtember 2014

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Autumn Harvest 4 - 14 SEPTEMBER 2014 Sussex & The World Market FREE ENTRY Brighton Wine Festival Sussex Gourmet & Wine Bus Tours International Chef Exchange Roots of Silo: A Taste of Western Australia Eats, Beats & Leaves Food & Drink Masterclasses Chefs Cookery Theatre London Road Food Trail Children’s Food Festival FREE ENTRY The Three Chefs Live Food Show FREE ENTRY Big Sussex Market FREE ENTRY Bitter & Twisted Make Your Case A Taste of Sicily Food Lab & lots more!

M E D I A PA R T N E R

www.brightonfoodfestival.com

brightonfoodfestival

brightonfood

fair game Sam Harrington-Lowe went along to Knepp Castle Estate to explore deerstalking and get the low down on the game food chain

S

Photos: Julia Claxton

tepping into what some might deem a more daring arena, this year’s Food Festival gala dinner is the Taste of Game, a gastronomic delight celebrating the abundance of seasonal game meats that can be found on our doorstep right here in Sussex. As beef prices rocket and discerning diners become increasingly keen to explore healthy, seasonal and traditional foods, game is becoming progressively more popular and even shows up in the supermarkets now.

Being an intrepid sort, the call of an afternoon’s game safari at the Knepp Castle estate was most attractive, and one sunny afternoon saw a group of us joggling cross country in the back of an off-roader, watching out for the various types of deer on the estate.

Joyfully spotting fallow deer, roe deer and red deer, it does seem a little sad to eat these rather beautiful creatures, but expert Dan Readfern (pictured) was on hand to talk through the process of managing herds, how they choose which ones to cull and how the meat is distributed through the food chain, via game dealers and independent butchers.

It’s also heartening to know that they stalk the deer quietly on foot, without chasing them or stressing the animals unnecessarily – once one hears the care that’s put into their methods at Knepp, one feels less bad about fancying a nice venison steak.

A trip to the butchery and we get a detailed insight into which animals are used for steaks, and which for burgers and sausages, how the meat is hung and prepared – even a chance to rifle through the various antlers clattered

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SePTemBer 2014

about in a huge horny pile – and experience close encounters with the hanging deer.

Hearing the Knepp team talk about working with the estate, employing time-honoured methodology to their game and land management, the difference between this and today’s intensive and soulless farming methods is in stark contrast. It’s a magical afternoon.

This showpiece event at the Hotel du Vin will be a four course extravaganza – prepared

by Hotel du Vin’s head chef Rob Carr – and will include seasonal game from the Sussex countryside including grouse, rabbit and venison, accompanied by award-winning wines from Sussex vineyards including Ridgeview and Bolney wine estates, and a final course of Sussex cheeses served with Blackdown elderberry port. There’ll also be an opportunity to speak to the chef and a local gamekeeper about the produce.

If game is a challenge for you, challenge yourself. Find out more about how it hits your plate, and maybe you’ll feel a bit less squeamish about it. I bet if you went to a commercial abattoir or farm you’d probably never eat meat again. So live a little, and taste the game. ►A TAsTe of GAme Wednesday 10 September, 7pm Hotel du Vin, Ship Street, Brighton Advance tickets £65 (£54.17 plus £10.83 VAT) including matched wines (please note tickets are only available via the festival website and not directly from Hotel du Vin) www.brightonfoodfestival.com

- Food|Profile -

TasTy Threesome Venison is low fat, healthy and tastes awesome. But don’t just take our word for it – these three venison recipes are easy to make and taste like you spent hours slaving over a hot Aga.

1. TIPSY VENISON

4 x 150g venison haunch steaks 1 shallot 1 glass of double cream sherry 150ml cream 50ml of game or beef stock Oil 25g butter Salt and Pepper Season the steaks and pan fry with a little oil to your required stage i.e rare, medium, well done. Remove the steaks from the pan and allow to rest while you make the sauce. Add butter to same pan once melted add finely chopped shallots and allow to sweat down so they are soft. Add the sherry to the shallots and reduce by half then add the stock and do the same. Now add the cream and reduce to a coating consistency. Season sauce and serve with steaks.

3.A TASTE OF THE EAST 2.SAY CHEESE

4 x 150g venison haunch steaks 20g gorgonzola picante cheese 100ml double cream Place cream into a sauce pan and bring to simmer then add cheese. Once the cheese has melted stir well and then pour into a small bowl and allow to cool in fridge. Season the steaks and pan fry with a little oil to your required stage. Remove the steaks from the pan and allow to rest. Take the cheese melt out of the fridge. Place the steak on to your serving plate and add a spoonful of cheese melt onto the steak and place under a grill to melt slightly then serve.

- Food|Profile -

4 x 150g venison haunch steaks 150ml soy sauce 25g honey/teriyaki sauce 80ml miri wine

Mix together soy sauce, honey and Miri wine together in a bowl and place the steaks in the bowl, making sure they are covered by marinade. Leave to marinade for two hours.

Remove steaks from marinade and pat dry.

Place the marinade in a pan and reduce to a glace. Pan fry the steak with a little oil to your requirements i.e rare, medium, well done.

Once cooked and the glaze is reduced well, brush the glaze on to the steaks then slice with a sharp knife and serve.

With thanks to A Taste of Game www.tasteofgame.org.uk

sepTember 2014

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Buon natale We have various menus available according to your budget. We can seat parties of 10 – 250 and separate rooms are available. You can select from the menu when you arrive, no pre-ordering is necessary. We have an extensive wine/champagne/cocktail list. Includes crackers and streamers and lots of festive spirit. Please contact Sue by email for any requests that will make sure your Christmas party go with a bang.

Christmas menu £18.95 - 3 Courses

(with an Aperitivo – Bellini or Aperol spritz - £21.95)

StarterS Prosciutto di Parma con Melone Parma ham with melon *Mozzarella Tricolore Mozzarella cheese, avocado & tomato Calamari Fritti Deep fried squid Affettato Misto Bresaola, salami, Parma ham *Minestrone alla Contadina Freshly made vegetable soup Insalata di Avocado con Gamberetti Avocado, prawns, tomato, lettuce & cucumber

DeSSertS Panettone con Crème Anglaise A slice of Italian cake with custard sauce Tiramisu Donatello speciality Macedonia di Frutta Fresca Fresh fruit salad Torta al Tartufo Chocolate truffle gateau Dolce Latte Italian blue cheese

MainS Tacchino alla Pizzaiola Breast of turkey cooked with garlic, tomato, white wine, oregano, capers & parsley Scaloppine alla Milanese Veal escalope fried in breadcrumbs served with spaghetti pomodoro Petto di Pollo al Funghetto Breast of chicken in a garlic, mushroom and white wine sauce Medaglioni di Filetto al Pepe Verde (£5 Supplement) Medallions of Scotch Fillet Steak served with a green pepper sauce Salmone alla Griglia con Salsa a l’Aneto Grilled salmon fillet in a cream and dill sauce All of the above (except Scaloppine alla Milanese) will be served with a selection of vegetables and potatoes *Tagliatelle alla Siciliana Ribbons of pasta with aubergine,green peppers, garlic, olives, capers, tomato & parsley Rigatoni alla Carbonara Tubes of pasta with cream, bacon, egg & parmesan *Melanzane alla Parmigiana Aubergine baked with tomato, mozzarella, bechamel & parmesan Ravioli con Carne Pasta with a meat filling in a tomato sauce *Canelloni Spinaci e Ricotta Rolled pasta filled with ricotta cheese and spinach in a tomato and bechamel sauce - baked *Pizza Quattro Formaggi Tomato, onion & four cheeses Pizza Paesana Tomato, mozzarella, aubergine & Parma ham Pizza Gattuso Mozzarella, tomato, salami, ricotta & black olives Pizza Leonardo Tomato, mozzarella, ham, sausage & herbs *Pizza Capricciosa Tomato, mozzarella, artichokes, mushrooms, egg & peppers All pizza and pasta dishes are served with a side salad

1-3 Brighton Place Brighton • BN1 1HJ • 01273 771190 (office for booking and enquiries 9 – 5 pm • Email info@donatello.co.uk

THE MAN OF MANY COLOURS Boho Gelato offers hand made, artisan gelato as Daniel White found out

Seb Cole

I

met Seb Cole on a fresh August morning at his Pool Valley shop Boho Gelato.

Much like the gelato’s he sells, Seb is a man of many colours. As I arrive he is instructing a member of staff as he tackles the seemingly endless list of morning duties.

Yet, the pleasure he gets is unmistakable in everything he does.

“I love it all,” he smiles. “I do everything here in terms of roles. So I’m in the kitchen, I do front of house, I do all of the business side; all of the rotas, the wages, the accountancy and the stock ordering. I even drive the delivery van, which I love as well because I get to go and chat to the chefs that I’m supplying.”

Seb opened up the business four years ago and it has been gradually growing ever since its inception. However, this summer saw a boom in sales and he believes it is the consistent quality and care that has built the company’s ever-growing reputation.

“At Boho Gelato we hand make Italian-style ice cream using a really traditional method,” Seb explains. “We make it in a proper, true artisan way, so we’re doing a really traditional recipe but with modern style flavours and now we’ve got over 450 flavours. So if you want this new style of gelato made in loads of flavours but you want really good quality, then that’s what we deliver.”

Unlike the many chain gelato’s that have opened up in London and the surrounding areas in recent years, Boho Gelato’s philosophy is based on a offering a superior level of quality than others and is distinctly more “Brighton” as well.

“The name Boho Gelato came from the idea we were like bohemian gelato”, he quips.

“So compared to the bigger ones, that have received corporate finance and open multiple sites at one time, we are the opposite end of that spectrum. We’re the all hand-made, creative flavours gelato that don’t have those big-chain systems in place.”

Every day the shop offers a selection of 24 from their 450-plus, with at least five of those being vegan suitable. Vegan flavours include peanut butter, sea salt caramel and hazelnut coffee, while every flavour includes a vast amount of local ingredients.

Although Seb may not be sure of what the future holds – TV work or a Boho Gelato recipe book may be in the pipeline - he is sure of one thing: there will be no mass production of his company.

He says: “I think the problem with mass production is that as soon as you do it the product is no longer hand made. All you’re doing is putting your branding on a completely different product which I don’t feel very comfortable with because it’s just dilution and it wouldn’t really be Boho Gelato. The reason I’m doing this is because I thought I’d enjoy it all and I do, I’m not just looking for financial reward.”

Visit Boho Gelato at 6 Pool Valley, BN1 1NJ or, for more information visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/bohogelato or call 01273 727 205.

At Mucho Burrito in North St we are passionate about both our food and our flavour. Mucho Burrito offers a fast, casual dining experience with fresh ingredients prepared daily, and served before your eyes in our fabulous open kitchen.

Mucho Burrito has a wide ranging menu including Quesadillas, Tacos, Salads, Nachos, Soups and of course Burritos. Burritos come in a choice of white or wheat shell and in three sizes ranging from the lighter appetite to our exclusive Mucho 14” tortilla for those who want the largest Burrito in Brighton and Hove bar none! The five home made salsa choices range from 0-5 on the ‘Spice scale’, so there is a flavour for everyone.

Mucho Burrito also has a great kids menu, sweets, sides and of course a range of authentic beers as well as a new range of Margaritas and Aqua Fresca iced drinks.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9am - late, the whole menu is available to take away or eat in with ample seating over two floors, and best of all is great value with Burritos from just £4.95!

Mucho Burrito Brighton

www.muchoburrito.com 53/54 North St Brighton BN1 1RH 01273 757095

@Mucho Burrito UK

Hot stuff at Crafty Chooks

Sam Harrington-Lowe went along to check out the chicken at this Hove rotisserie restaurant…

Crafty Chooks 10 Victoria Grove Second Avenue, Hove BN3 2LJ 01273 722846

Tell us about it…

Crafty Chooks is a rotisserie-chicken centred restaurant in Hove. Opened in spring this year, the owners have taken it on and given it a facelift and some love, and it looks great for it. It’s a relaxed and informal hub, with seating inside and out, and the staff and team are really friendly and helpful.

Having a drink at the bar beforehand, we got to have a nose about at the new layout and décor; it’s smart without being stiff, and relaxed without being slobby. It’s a good balance.

What did you eat?

On recommendation we had Chicken and Sweet Potato Beignets (£5.95) and Black treacle glazed sticky Spare Ribs (£6.50) to

“If you’re eating in a place that specialises in chicken, you want it to be top-notch and there’s no faulting this chook.” start. The spare ribs are definitely the winner here – sticky and unctuous, magnificent in their dark and shiny glaze, which is made from scratch on the premises. The beignets were a pleasant surprise too – as little ovoids of deep fried brown stuff, they taste better than they look and slide down very easily, with a rather sexy dip. Both great starters – worth mentioning that they’re pretty sturdy portions too, no skimping here.

For main course, we had (of course) half a chicken with the hot BBQ sauce (£8.95), and went a little off-piste with Soy & Honey Fried Chicken Salad, with rice noodles, spring onion, ginger, fresh chilli and toasted cashews (pictured left, £9.25). If you’re eating in a place that specialises in chicken, you want it to be top-notch and there’s no faulting this chook. The rotisserie cooking means that the - Food & drink|ReView -

meat isn’t dry, as it self-bastes going round the hot cabinet. And the salad is a very filling and hearty number, with a liberal scattering of fresh chillies (not for those who don’t like the hot stuff) and rammed with noodles and pak choy. One of the things I really liked was the use of fresh roasted, torn chicken instead of homogenised pallid lumps of chicken breast, which I always find a bit insipid. There is nothing insipid about this salad, be assured – it kicks ass. We threw in some salad and skinny fries but in all honesty, after a starter too we didn’t really need them.

Did you do dessert?

Being so fat we could hardly breathe, we managed to share a Lemon Meringue Pie (£4.95) which was light and fluffy, came scattered with zingy lemon sherbet a crumbling shortcrust pastry to die for. Also the size of a small house, it went very well with the coffees we had with it. Then we needed a bit of a lie down.

Sum it up for us?

This is a great place to hang out, to eat good chicken, drink wine and pass the time of day.

It’s a very relaxed and informal eaterie, and the simplicity of the menu makes it really easy to choose; plus you know the ingredients are fresh, and locally sourced. Also, the chicken is free-range, and happy chooks make for happy eaters. ► www.craftychooks.co.uk September 2014

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After a devastating fire in May this year, the award winning & two AA rosette Japanese Restaurant, Cocktail Lounge & Garden has undergone a huge refurbishment into a significantly enlarged & beautiful oriental environment.

Wabi’s new celebrated DJ’s will be lifting the tempo after dinner every Fri & Sat until 2am & insuring a late night like no other for the discerning crowd!

2AA Rosettes

Wabi Wabi Horsham Horsham 38 38 East East Street Street Horsham Horsham West West Sussex, Sussex, RH12 RH12 1HL 1HL T: T: 01403 01403 788140 788140 W: W: www.wabi.co.uk www.wabi.co.uk Follow Follow us us on on Twitter Twitter & & Facebook Facebook

With the same wonderful team of staff, we intend to serve the much-loved Wabi gastronomic delights while introducing a few new twists.

Bohemia Bohemia

Brought Brought to to you you by by the the same same owners owners as as Bohemia Bohemia in in Brighton.

Brighton.

escape in the country We sent our intrepid writer Katy Prior with some close friends to checkout Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel & Spa as a place for a potential hen party…

A

hen party is traditionally the last opportunity for a night out with your girlfriends before your wedding, and we can’t think of a better place to begin a journey into such a night than at Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel & Spa. We arrived on a beautiful Saturday and from the moment we pulled into the drive we were made to feel extremely welcome in the picturesque surroundings of Albourne. Charmed by the tranquil woodland settings where it’s based, and by the attentive and highly professional staff who welcomed us in reception, the whole complex feels tailor-made for relaxation.

We began the day in Wickwoods Spa, where we were all treated to the Guinot Holistic Facials before the unwinding full-body massage that is tailored to your type of skin and body; ensuring maximum serenity.

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September 2014

The massages steadily worked out all our knots and tensions and left us feeling not only soothed but also fully prepared for the dining ahead.

It is often rare to find a restaurant on site which matches all other areas of a Country Club such as this, but The Glass House Restaurant is definitely one of the few.

We sat down and began with a bottle of champagne between us. As we browsed the vast and exquisite selection of foods on offer my friends and I shared laughs and old school memories before ordering thanks to the help of our very accommodating waiter.

I chose the sirloin steak, which was absolutely divine, and as the leader of my party, I also received a complimentary glass of wine and desert, which topped off the experience flawlessly.

While my friends and I were only able to indulge in the spa and restaurant areas, Wickwoods has far more to offer. With exceptional facilities that include

- Review -

a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, relaxation room, gym and tennis courts, a whole day almost wasn’t enough.

However, I have been to a few hen dos over the years and following a fantastic day with my best friends it is a joy to say that Wickwoods Spa was the perfect place to go on such a special occasion.

Once our day was over we left the Country Club to continue our celebrations with a few more drinks just fifteen minutes down the road in Brighton’s centre.

During the rest of the night we could not stop talking about Wickwoods and as a group agreed that, although our expectations were high before arriving, when we left, they had been absolutely exceeded.

For more information on Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel & Spa call 01273 857 567 or visit their website at www. wickwoods.co.uk

- Review -

September 2014

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General and Cosmetic Dentistry

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Affordable payment options avalible Dr P.W. Grobbelaar 39a Salisbury Road

Hove East Sussex BN33AA T: 01273 711507 E: hove@concordiadental.co.uk W: www.concordiadental.co.uk

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick £8.99 The dark burgundy of No08 is perfect for autumn www.very.co.uk

COLLECTION Work The Colour Lip Butter £2.99 A great price – we love Cappuccino Boots, Superdrug

Jo Malone Vitamin E Lip Conditioner £22 OK, so not a shade, but this takes care of your lips. Soothing, with SPF15 Jo Malone, Brighton

Smashbox Be Legendary LongWear Lip Lacquer £19 Make pouts pop with these colours. We’re digging Firecracker Boots, Debenhams

The Kiss Parade The new fashion season is upon us and lips limber up in a luscious range of new shades. Our top five picks…

The NARS Audacious Lipstick £24 Loving this glam line of lipsticks, new for A/W14 www.narscosmetics.co.uk

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►Roger Moore playing James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me - (C) Danjaq LLC and United Artists Corporation, All Rights Reserved

FOR YOUR EARS ONLY 60│

September 2014

- Culture|InteRvIeW -

Sir roger Moore will tell taleS froM hiS life and career in hiS new Show at the theatre royal thiS Month and daniel white caught up with the longeSt Serving 007 to See what it’S all about Tell us about the show, An Evening with Sir Roger Moore… When Gregory Peck slowed down a little on making movies he told me he took his ‘pony and trap’ on the road and he greatly enjoyed visiting theatres and talking to an audience, and more importantly having their interaction. And that’s really what I’m doing - I’m boring the audience rigid with tales of my life and career, and if any of them are still awake at the end they have a chance to ask me a question - such as “can we go now please?”

Is there anything you don’t want to talk about during the show? No, I’ll quite willingly talk about anything and everything.

Are there any inside stories from the acting industry that you can let us in on?

Yes there are, but you’ll have to come to the theatre to hear all those!

What is your favourite memory of Brighton?

Oh I have many memories of Brighton! Taking the Brighton Belle was always a treat as you could have a meal on board; I wish I could do that this time round.

Who influenced you to begin acting and which actors inspire you today? I’ve never claimed to have “acted”.

However my early cinematic heroes were Stewart Granger and David Niven. I remember, when it was suggested I might go to RADA, racing home and saying to my mother “I’m going to be Stewart Granger!”

Happily I got to know both him and Niven later on, and worked with them.

Of the actors who inspire me today I’d say Ewan McGregor and Ralph Fiennes are up there, as is Johnny Depp.

What are your favourite James Bond films with and without you in? The one I was in - The Spy Who Loved Me. It was a terrific story, a wonderful director in Lewis Gilbert, and we had Jaws, the Lotus and breath taking locations.

The one I wasn’t in - Diamonds Are Forever.

It was great fun to watch and Sean had some terrific lines such as to Lana Wood saying ‘Hi I’m Plenty, Plenty O’Toole’ .... ‘Named after your father no doubt.’

What is it about the James Bond franchise that keeps people hooked? The producers never cheat the audience. They deliver everything we have come to expect on the big screen - action, adventure, gadgets, girls - and the films move with the times and audience tastes keeping them fresh and appropriate.

What is your favourite line from the Bond films you starred in? In The Man With The Golden Gun when interrogating a gun maker I say, as I point a rifle at his groin, ‘Speak now or forever hold your piece.’

Who was the best Bond Girl to work with? I don’t have favourites I’m afraid. Though Maud Adams did make two with me.

Does being James Bond ever get boring? No. It’s a wonderful opportunity, and fewer men have played 007 than have walked on the moon. I’ll always be grateful for Jimmy Bond being in my life.

What has been the highlight of your acting career? Getting paid on Fridays!

►Moore at the Cannes Film Festival Premiere of the Ladykillers

No, there was one film I was allowed to really act in - The Man Who Haunted Himself. It’s a film I am very proud of.

How did you start your work with UNICEF and how important is it to you?

Audrey Hepburn called me and asked if I’d co-present the Danny Kaye International Children’s Awards. I said ‘of course’ (you don’t say no to Audrey Hepburn). She asked me to attend a press conference beforehand, and it was then I witnessed Audrey’s passion for UNICEF and for children. I became hooked.

Without doubt it is the most important work I’ve ever done and UNICEF is very close to my heart.

What does the future hold for Sir Roger Moore? Both in acting and your tours as well as your UNICEF work? I’m very grateful for my lot in life and hugely enjoy what I am doing now. I wouldn’t mind a few more years and one or two more paying jobs to see me out.

I’d also like to think one day UNICEF will not be needed. To think no children would needlessly suffer or die would be my nirvana. ► Roger Moore is at the Theatre Royal Brighton 18th September at 7.30pm Tickets from £26

►Moore in the 60s show The Saint

- CUlTURE|IntervIew -

SepTeMBeR 2014

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Absolute CinemA Guide with Bill Murray This month, as the nights draw in the cinema offer is pretty damn good for us South Coasters, I look at just three top releases

Sex Tape When Jay and Annie first got together, their romantic connection was intense – but ten years and two kids later, the flame of their love needs a spark. To kick things up a notch, they decide to make a video of themselves trying out every position in The Joy of Sex in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea – until they discover that their most private video is no longer private.

With their reputations on the line, they know they’re just one click away from being laid bare to the world, but as their race to reclaim their video leads to a night they’ll never forget, they’ll find that their video will expose even more than they bargained for.

Cameron Diaz stars with Jason Segel in a reasonably entertaining comedy drama that tamely confronts a controversial subject.

3/5 from me - more mild than wild!!

Pride

Night Moves Jessie Eisenberg’s Josh, Dakota Fanning’s Dena, and Peter Sarsgaard’s Harmon have banded together to blow up an Oregon dam, because doing so might “send a message” about the possibility of enacting change. This stubbornly unromantic film shows them, on occasion, succumbing to the belief that they are about to save the planet. Then, since they’re all shifty characters who don’t quite trust each other, they swallow that belief back and concentrate on the job.

I’ll not say anything about whether these true believers succeed.

The bombing attempt, brilliantly staged by director Reichardt, occurs with quite a bit of the movie left to run so I won’t spoil it.

Dakota Fanning dominates the film in the first half, as a smart young woman given to prickly know-it all outbursts. But brooding Eisenberg commands the final third; his hooded eyes and bony jaw now that of a man’s. He’s always played uneasiness well; now, he shows us the anger and petulance that distinguished his Mark Zuckerberg clenching into something truly threatening.

Bookended by the London Pride parades of 1984 and 1985, “Pride” dramatizes the real-life Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign to raise funds for the Neath, Dulais and Swansea Valleys’ Miners Support Group in Wales during a yearlong strike.

The strike gave a cause to rebel Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer), who immediately empathized with the miners’ plight, recognizing that the police brutality he had seen visited on queers was now being directed at the miners. So he assembles a ragtag group of misfits out of an LGBT bookstore and mobilizes them to collect donations.

This well-meaning film periodically succumbs to manipulative schmaltz and cliché, like Bronwen Lewis breaking into an impromptu “Bread and Roses” following Mark’s motivational speech and the rest of the audience gradually joining her — in harmony, no less.

In due time, the sexual orientation of still-live-at-home Joe (George MacKay) is uncovered by his parents; the stuttering union point man Cliff (Bill Nighy) comes out; Gethin (Andrew Scott) receives a bashing and also visits his estranged mother; and union rep Hefina (Imelda Staunton) cuts loose in a leather bar and gets her hands on a dildo while visiting London. Yet none of these distract from the significance of the film, which captures the gay identity and activism of the era.

Director Warchus - the man who, with Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin, gave us Matilda a musical has done well here and delivered a moving, funny and engaging story.

3.5/5 3.5/5 from from me me and and open open from from 5th 5th September September

4/5 from me and open from the start of the month.

- Culture|Film -

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Music

News royal blood release debuT album

The Absolute round-up of local music news from across the city

Rising rock duo Royal Blood released their self-titled debut album on 25th August. The Brighton-based band, who made it onto the BBC Sound of 2014, impressed during their stint at Glastonbury in July and have already dropped a number of impressive singles from the EP including Out Of The Black, Little Monster and Come On Over.

brighTon rocKers drop new album Brighton-based garage rockers Bad For Lazarus released their new album Life’s a Carnival Bang! Bang!

Bang! on 28th July. The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster affiliates have also dropped their first single from the 12-track EP, Caught In The Twist, and the band summed it up: “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. You’ll puke… and maybe we’ll get sued. It’s all fun though.”

The KooKs To maKe comebacK

VincenT Vocoder Voice reTurn Following up their self-titled debut album towards the back end of 2013, Vincent Vocoder Voice have released their second EP Full Heart, Deaf Ears. The Brighton-based band have released the album on a name-yourprice basis through their bandcamp page, with 12” black vinyl versions available at a set price.

Brighton band The Kooks are to release their first album in three years when Listen hits the shops on September 1st. The indie/rock fourpiece released the single Bad Habit in July ahead of the release of their fourth album and their first since 2011’s Junk of the Heart.

Produced by frontman Luke Pritchard and hip-hop producer Inflo, the 11-track EP is more expressive than previous releases, as Pritchard says: “To me this album is about pure expression. Even the way we made the album felt fresh. We were really listening to what was going on around us, picking up ideas. The whole thing was much more natural.”

esben and The wiTch reVeal a new naTure Brighton’s favourite alternative rock threepiece are set to release their third album in five years when they drop A New Nature on 1st September. Esben and The Witch recorded the 8-track EP with Steve Albini in his Chicago studio Electrical Audio and have released it through their own record label, Nostomo Records.

The band said: “We wanted to create a record that had a level of purity to it. To strip away the layers and loops and see what lay beneath. To keep things naked, unadorned and raw. We looked to create a more primal record, full of human emotion and sonic intensity. Drawing on themes of endurance, strength, determination and self-actualisation. Themes that have always inspired us but perhaps, only now, a few years down the line, a few years of touring under our belts, we feel we have the confidence and maturity to explore and shout about.”

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- Music|News -

Traams

GIG GUIDE

► The Post Teens – Mon 1st Sept @ The Prince Albert If you’re after heavy riffs, thumping bass, astonishing drumming and grungy vocals then The Post Teens is the band for you. The garage punk group from America are never a let down, bringing fun in abundance and addictive tracks that will leave you humming as you head home.

Pink Mountaintops – Tue 2nd Sept @ The Green Door Store Robert Ellis – Wed 3rd Sept @ Latest Music Bar This Will Destroy You – Thu 4th Sept @ The Haunt Mother Knows Best Fest – Fri 5th Sept @ Royal Pavilion Tavern This Is Your Last Chance To Dance – Sat 6th Sept @ The Green Door Store Chantel McGregor – Sun 7th Sept @ Komedia Luke Sital-Singh – Tue 9th Sept @ The Haunt The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger – Thu 11th Sept @ Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar Juan Wauters – Fri 12th Sept @ Bleach Sohn - Sat 13th Sept @ The Haunt The Peacocks – Mon 15th Sept @ The Prince Albert

Corrupt Moral Altar and Grey Widow – Tue 16th Sept @ Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar Lulo Reinhardt – Wed 17th Sept @ Komedia Kevin Marby – Thu 18th Sept @ The Hope Eliza and the Bear – Fri 19th Sept @ The Haunt Spraynard – Sat 20th Sept @ The Green Door Store Mazes – Sun 21st Sept @ Bleach Quilt – Mon 22nd Sept @ The Green Door Store The Magic Numbers – Tue 23rd Sept @ St. George’s Church Famy – Wed 24th Sept @ The Hope ► Traams – Thu 25th Sept @ The Haunt The Sussex-based alt-rockers arrive hot off the release of their new five-track EP Cissa.

The three-piece will once again be awing audiences with their tight rhythmic energy, playing tunes from their debut album Grin and their latest release Cissa.

Wayne Hussey – Fri 26th Sept @ Komedia Honeyblood – Sat 27th Sept @ The Hope Helen and the Horns – Sun 28th Sept @ The Prince Albert Hawkwind – Mon 29th Sept @ The Old Market - GIG|GUIDE -

► Sylvan Esso – Tue 30th Sept @ The Green Door Store Following the release of their self-titled album in May, this quirky folk-pop duo can be expected to produce a heartfelt electronic sound that throbs with folksy emotion thanks to the warm vocals of Amelia Meath.

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Best of the Rest Agatha Christie’s Murder on Air – Mon 1 Sept To 6 Sept @ Theatre Royal Into the Blue Exhibition (Final Day) – Tue 2nd Sept @ Hove Museum SoundScreen – Thu 4th Sept @ Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome Sugarkicks: Sugar Shane – Fri 5th Sept @ Latest Music Bar AudioActive presents… - Sat 6th Sept @ Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome Herbie Flowers Jazz Breakfast – Sun 7th Sept @ Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome Daytona – Mon 8th Sept To 13th Sept @ Theatre Royal The Bookish Supper Society - Fri 10th Sept @ Naked Eye Gallery Not about Heroes – Thu 11th Sept To 13th Sept – @ Brighton Unitarian Church Stones in His Pocket – Sun 14th Sept @ Theatre Royal Clock – Mon 15th Sept To 16th Sept @ Emporium Brighton The Man Jesus – Tue 16th Sept @ Theatre Royal Slash/Night – Wed 17th Sept @ Komedia Pete The Temp vs. Climate Change – Thu 18th Sept @ Komedia Oh Dear! Shut the Door! – Sat 20th Sept @ The Old Market Cigdem Aslan – Sun 21st Sept @ Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome Gravity Shift – Mon 22nd Sept To 26th Sept – @ Founders Room, Brighton Dome Matt Parker: NOW IN 4D! – Tue 23rd Sept @ The Old Market Francesca Martinez: What The **** Is Normal? – Wed 24th Sept @ Ropetackle Arts Centre Dance Double Bill – Thu 25th Sept @ Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome Shoreham WordFest 2014: Darkness, Darkness – Sat 27th Sept @ Ropetackle Arts Centre The Importance of Being Earnest – Mon 29th Sept To 4th Oct @ Theatre Royal Tackle The Issue – Tue 30th Sept @ Ropetackle Arts Centre

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The International Ocean Film Festival – Fri 19th Sept @ Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome A collection of the world’s most insightful and thought-provoking ocean films. Celebrating the divers, surfers, swimming and oceanographers who live for the big blue, this collection of films makes for a truly inspiring evening.

Fort Process – Sat 13th Sept @ Newhaven Fort A new one-day sound art festival exploring the unique acoustic spaces of Newhaven Fort will take place this month. The festival includes a line-up of experimental artists, including jazz legends Peter Brotzmann and Steve Noble, while there are promises of “cave noise, free jazz sunshine, abstract chamber dungeons and more”.

Meet The Author: Will Self – Tue 9th Sept @ Ropetackle Arts Centre Acclaimed author Will Self will be giving an exclusive book reading from his latest novel, Shark, based on the incredible real events in World War II, which resulted in the largest shark attack ever recorded. The evening will also include a question and answer session and the chance to purchase signed first edition copies.

Shoreham WordFest 2014: Out Of Silence – Fri 26th Sept @ Ropetackle Arts Centre Award-winning author John Harvey is joined

by John Lake’s four-piece band as well as a special guest appearance from one of England’s finest living poets, Lee Harwood. A range of poems will be read while there will also be a collection of music celebrating some of the greatest jazz musician of all time.

- Arts & Culture|Best Bits -

CHILD’S PLAY

As the return to school hits home and the search for winning packed lunches takes over, it’s a perfect time to look at children’s fitness and nutritional needs

I am often asked by parents for some key elements to include in their children’s diets and what they should be doing to keep them fit with the increased use of electrical devises and distinct lack of a good old game of tag. These are the most commonly asked questions and the answers on how to improve and sustain your child’s strength, development concentration and general well being: What should my child be eating for breakfast? Start their day with a healthy high in fibre whole grain cereal with whole milk or whole meal toast, with almond butter or marmite. The milk contains fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K which strengthen your child’s immune system, fights against infection and keeps their bones strong and healthy, while the whole grains provide sustained energy and a full tummy for the day ahead. This should set them up for a good morning’s work or play. hoW much physical activity should my child be doing daily? If your child is attending nursery or school this part should be taken care of but if this isn’t the case: Children between 0-5 should be getting up to three hours of exercise per day, this can be achieved by basic movement and nothing else. Rolling, sitting up and playing is all they need for good development. However, children between 5-18 should be doing about 60 minutes of moderate activity daily, this can consist of running, swimming, cycling and general play and will keep their cardiovascular systems efficient and bones strong. should my child be snacking during the day? Let your children snack on healthy, portable snacks such as peppers, cucumber and celery with a hummus or almond butter dip, full of fibre, protein and fun. Oat or rice cakes are always reliable to ward off hunger

and maintain blood sugar levels along with bananas, which are slightly more appetising and can cool you down on a warm day. It is important to be organised and prepare snacks as being caught short with hungry children leads to convenient eating opposed to healthy. This applies to mornings and afternoons.

What is an ideal packed lunch?

Prepare a sandwich of ham or boiled egg with salad to provide carbohydrate, protein and fibre. This will keep them motivated and able to concentrate throughout the afternoon. Add a piece of fruit and yoghurt and all bases will be covered.

“Children can often mistake thirst for hunger, so offer a glass of water before food just in case.”

melatonin at night. Keep your children out of the sun after lunch or cover their heads with a hat whilst the sun is at its hottest and remember to constantly hydrate them using water; fizzy drinks and squashes are full of unnecessary sugars and serve no purpose in rehydration. Children can often mistake thirst for hunger so unless a large gap between each meal has occurred offer a glass of water before food just in case. should my child be eating the same as me at dinner time? Dinner should consist of the five food groups regardless of your age. Ensure the whole family includes a portion of either grains such as pasta or rice and vegetables, three if do-able, accompanied by meat or fish with fruit or dairy such as a frozen yogurt for desert. i struggle to get my child to sleep, is there anything that can assist this?

The sun paired with a full day of nutritious food and drink will definitely ensure a good quality night’s sleep. It is important to establish a period of rest before bed so that your child is calm when the inevitable and dreaded bedtime occurs. I would suggest an early dinner of around 5pm followed by a bath and some story time. This will relax them and should prepare them to drop off willingly.

hoW much sun should i alloW my child during the day? It is better to allow your children time in the sun earlier in the day as it too has health benefits. Your child’s body turns sunlight into vitamin D, which aids the absorption of calcium; essential for strong bones.

Sunlight increases the production of the mood lifting chemical serotonin, which will naturally make your children feel happier.

Exposure to sunlight during the day increases the natural production of

Sarah Hitchman is our monthly fitness writer and lifestyle guru so if you would like to contact her for more information please email s.hitchman@googlemail.com or call 07702 224451.

- Fitness -

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Hurstpierpoint College

Excellent education for girls and boys aged 4-18

Hurst Hurstpierpoint College

Pre-Prep | Prep | Senior School | Sixth Form

Hurstpierpoint College

Hurstpierpoint

Autumn Open Morning 27th September 2014 We invite you to see what Hurst can offer your child To find out more, visit our website www.hppc.co.uk

West Sussex BN6 9JS

Admissions 01273 836936

Kids, Family & Education Calling all little Cooks The Brighton & Hove Food & Drink Festival always offers a really great range of events and activities for kids, and this september is no different. sub headed the Children’s Food Festival, it all happens on Hove lawns over the 6th and 7th september where budding Jamies and Delias can indulge their kitchen fantasies, and it’s all free. There’s a chance to make Japanese rice pandas and a range of really excellent workshops, including making and filling pancakes.

The event supports the Rockinghorse appeal and aside from the foodie stuff, there’s face painting with Fairshare, badge making, cupcake decorating and craft tables. lose the kids in a few hours of foodie fun – and there’s even a chance to win a place on Cookery Doodle-Doo’s october half term Cooking Club. Roll up those sleeves….

Saturday 6 September 10am – 4pm, Sunday 7 September 11am – 4pm Hove Lawns FREE Photo: Julia Claxton

Child Friendly Brighton Hey parents. in case you didn’t know about this, there’s a website dedicated to bringing you information and details on venues in the Brighton area that are specifically childfriendly. The site is the brainchild of shoshana Plail, who set it up as a mother tired of searching across the web for places to take the kids. if you fancy dinner out with your delightful offspring, or you’re looking for kids’ activities or events, you need to know about this. www.childfriendlybrighton.co.uk

Sing their praise

students from Burgess Hill Junior school had a unique experience when they were invited to sing at st. Paul’s Cathedral’s lunchtime recital.

The choir, made up of nearly 50 girls, travelled to london where they were fortunate enough to rehearse in the internationallyacclaimed choir practice room.

Parents, teachers and hundreds of tourists gathered to hear the girls sing an unaccompanied half hour recital under the dome of Wren’s 300-year-old cathedral.

Julie Playford, Conductor and Head of Junior school Music at Burgess Hill, said: “What an enriching experience it was for the girl.”

Coping with the challenging acoustic, the girls produced a well-balanced programme featuring well-known pieces including Brother James’ air and a Jubilate Deo.

LittLe Green PiGs do fLy

little green Pig is a registered Charity based in Brighton & Hove. as a ‘candidate’ of the Ministry of stories, they are working towards opening a fantastic secret shop and writing centre in the london Road area in 2014. in the meantime, they work across the city – look out for them in schools, libraries, galleries, youth clubs and even scribbling on buses (on paper of course!).

The charity offers children and young people space and time to get creative with words. They believe in the power of the imagination and that fantastic and transformative things happen when you pick up a pen and share your story, and encourage this vital form of self-expression, helping to build confidence, communication and social skills. Creativity and fun are at the heart of the action plan.

The charity offers free writing workshops for young people in Brighton & Hove aged 7 to 18, focusing resources on young people most in need and closest to the future base in london Road. Working in partnership with teachers and families, they also offer free writing workshops to local schools whose pupils experience social or educational disadvantage. Their after-school and weekend workshops are open to all.

The charity is always looking for volunteers to help, so if this sounds like you, get in touch with them via the website. But they’re pleased to hear from anyone who can get involved and the charity runs a series of workshops and events.

More information from www.littlegreenpig.org.uk - Absolute|FaMiLy -

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The Fearsome BeasTie comes To liFe Lovers of Sussex-based children’s author Giles Paley-Phillips will be excited to hear that his awardwinning children’s book The Fearsome Beastie is being made into an animated film, with stellar stars Alison Steadman and Brian Blessed offering their dulcet tones. Actor and raconteur Blessed met with the author before the recording of his role as The Fearsome Beastie and was the first big-name to sign up. Blessed, who will actually play the Beastie, said: “I’m always on the look-out for original projects and as soon as I read the book and started thinking about Beastie, I knew that I had to be involved. I think children’s animation is having a fantastic resurgence and I’m proud to be a part of this animation.”

Alison Steadman signed on to be the narrator after being sent a copy of the book and is recording her scenes later this month. Co-directed by Slurpy Studios’ Katie Steed and UCA Farnham MA Animation student Jon Hunt, Steed said, “We are very excited about bringing The Fearsome Beastie

to life. Brian Blessed and Alison Steadman were our only choices for these roles so we’re delighted to have them on board and to get the project underway.” Co-director Jon Hunt added, “I can’t quite believe how big the film has become. Since we’ve targeted voice artists and got actors of Brian and Alison’s calibre on board, it has really snowballed, which is super exciting.”

The film will be out Spring 2015 www.fearsomebeastie.com

Preparatory School at Hove

Open Morning Saturday 11 October 2014 10 am - 12 noon

www.lancingcollege.co.uk tel: 01273 503452 the droveway hove east Sussex Bn3 6Lu

hove@lancing.org.uk

Registered Charity Number: 1076483

Leading independent day SchooL for BoyS and girLS from nurSery to year eight

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- Absolute|Family -

NEXT ISSUE Don’t look now, but Christmas really isn’t that far away.

And the October issue has a huge feature looking at the party packages, options and venues for all types of seasonal madness through Brighton and the southeast. Party planning made easy as we bring you the pick of the silly season.

Hot on the back of our magazine re-launch in September, we’ll be running a full four sexy pages of photos from the event, alongside interviews with the entertainers and guests alike. It’s going to be THE party of the season.

Our big interview of October will be the gorgeous Zoe Ball, who talks to us ahead of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, about her YouTube #ZoeOffAir phenomenon, and about life in Brighton.

And glam girls and dandy chaps ahoy – TVs Marcella Whittingdale is our intrepid reporter from this year’s Goodwood Revival. Chocks away!

If Halloween and murder mysteries are more your thing, lock the doors and hide under the covers as we check out the official Agatha Christie murder mystery event in Devon and look at the options closer to home. And as it’s Halloween, we get all gothic with our stunning fashion shoot. See that LBD become something a little darker!

Apart from this, there’s all our regular news, property, interiors, food & drink, health & beauty, arts & culture, entertainment, education, motors, sport – in fact, everything you’ve come to expect from your stylish, sassy and sophisticated Absolute Magazines.

Get involved Advertise with us anya@absolutemagazine.co.uk david@absolutemagazine.co.uk Editorial daniel.white@absolutemagazine.co.uk editorial@absolutemagazine.co.uk