Kemptown Rag June 2020 by Sussex Magazines

The

Kemptown Rag June 2020 / Issue 159 / www.kemptownrag.co.uk

SPECIAL ON LINE EDITION

St. Johns is a school and college for young people with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and behaviours that challenge.

DO YOU STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

Our employees empower our learners and help develop their aspirations; preparing them for the future. � �� 2020 � � �� 9 As a St. Johnʼs employee you will: � Earn a competitive salary � Develop your career � �Have access to numerous training opportunities � Be entitiled to a free healthcare plan, allowing you to claim back cash on visits to the dentist, optician and more. � Work in an active, challenging and dynamin environment. � �Have the opportunity to utilise your own talents and interests. � �Join a high supportive staff team � Be part of a diverse and forward thinking organisation.

YOU COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Visit st-johns.co.uk/work-with-us to find out more or contact our Human Resources team at: �� Recruitment@st-johns.co.uk

IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible

Welcome to The Kemptown Rag! We hope June finds you and your families safe and well. We have another online-only magazine for you this month. We hope to be back to printing magazines in time for July although, due to the current difficult circumstances, we will need to temporarily change the format of our magazines in order to ensure our survival. This month Oz Belcher of Sew Chic tells us how sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been making face masks during lockdown and we have news of some great work being done at Brighton Table Tennis Club. Catherine Considine tells us why she loves making bread and Gary Walker gives us his thoughts on queuing. We also have some updated information on council services which we hope you will find useful. The Kemptown Rag Team info@kemptownrag.co.uk www.kemptownrag.co.uk Cover picture:James Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

St George’s Road c1914-18

The milk delivery men about to go into action. Nine handcarts and two horse-drawn floats ready to leave the Sussex Dairy Company at 2 St George’s Road. The Boozy Cow off licence is now at 2 St George’s Road and you can still see the engraved dairy company signs above the shop, on the side of the wall in Montague Place. Thanks to the Regency Society for this image from their photographic archives, The James Gray Collection. You can see thousands more historic pictures of Brighton and Hove at: www.regencysociety-jamesgray.com

IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

COLLECTION AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE CONTINUE TO ENJOY YOUR FAVOURITE TIPPLE. DRINKS AVAILABLE FROM LOCAL SUPPLIERS INCLUDING HARVEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BREWERY. COLLECTION OR DELIVERY AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK. To order visit us on Facebook or clevelandarmsbrighton.co.uk Free delivery in local area.

#supportlocalbusinesses #staysafe

IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible Cellar_Advert_May2020_220mmx150mm.indd 1

15/05/2020 14:03

Volunteers at Brighton Table Tennis Club have been very busy during lockdown…

Brighton Table Tennis Club Food Hub Brighton Table Tennis Club at the Fitzherbert Centre in Upper Bedford Street have not been able to run their usual activities during lockdown, but have set up a food hub to help support members of the community who are struggling during the crisis.

Their fantastic volunteers have been preparing food for collection and delivery for 250-400 people each week. They take referrals from the council and local community groups and are working in partnership with Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, FareShare Sussex, Sussex Gleaning Network, The Real Junk Food Project Brighton, Brighton Food Factory, Livestock: SoulFood and Brighton & Hove City Council to source food. They would like to thank eott, St George’s Church and the Queen’s Park Labour Party for the support of what has become a real community effort. If you would like to support BTTC to run the food bank, you can donate through their website at: https://brightontabletennisclub.com/ appeal

BTTC coaches and volunteers running the food hub where people can collect food seven days a week from 1-4pm from the car park on St George’s Terrace; photo by Alexis Maryon

The Caring Gardener RHS Qualified and Fully Insured

Organic Gardening Maintenance Service Clive Rossington 07539 438180 info@thecaringgardener.co.uk www.thecaringgardener.co.uk

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

One Kemptown resident has been adapting her skills…

Sew Chic make face masks during lockdown Oz Belcher of Sew Chic in St George’s Road has been making face masks during lockdown with some help from her family. How have you and your family fared during lockdown? The first few weeks were difficult, trying to understand what is going on and what we are facing. Knowing many people had become ill and had died, as well as the whole pandemic situation, affected us a lot emotionally, I’m sure like many others. We were trying to be as careful as we could, maintaining hygiene and keeping our house clean; we still are. In the meantime, doing exercise, cooking, cleaning, baking, reading, sewing too, whilst the kids tried to adapt to the on-line schooling which was new to us. Communicating with family kept us going. However, this situation hit us terribly financially. But gratitude is important to us, and has kept us uplifted throughout this difficult period of time. What have you missed most? Without a doubt, we have missed seeing friends face to face and socialising with those who we are close to. We were in a position where we had to cancel our summer holiday and are upset we may not be able to go abroad to visit our family during the summer, although these are problems we can hopefully overcome. How did you come to start making face masks? First, we experimented on making masks for ourselves, in case we needed to use them for when we go out. Then we received many positive comments about them and thought we might be able to support our local community during this pandemic. We researched what was the most useful and safe way to make face masks. Research showed us we should use 100% cotton fabric and linings. Using elastic as the straps was said to sometimes hurt behind the ears and we therefore decided to make the masks with tie-up fabric straps. We then made and sold quite a few, for friends and local cus-

tomers; they are, so far, all happy and we are blessed to have received 100% positive comments. We have seen some face masks made with designer fabrics which are very expensive. We found a very affordable price for people to be able to pay, at which we are selling our designer fabric face masks. What sort of designs do you have? We have many different patterned, designer fabrics (which are 100% cotton) from suppliers we can approach and have connections with. They are all high quality, from suppliers such as Sanderson, Iliv, Prestigious Textiles, Romo Group etc. However, we also make plain white, ivory and cream coloured masks for those who do not want patterned or designer fabrics; they are also 100% cotton and are slightly cheaper. Are your face masks available to purchase? Yes, purchases can be made (with available fabrics only (plain fabrics are ongoing) as we have run out of some designer fabrics, and some are not ongoing). For more information or to buy a mask, email info@sewchicbrighton.com or phone 07415 364173.

IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible

Local news…

Plans to enlarge open-air swimming pool Sea Lanes Brighton have submitted new plans for an enlarged open-air swimming pool at the former Peter Pan Playground site on Madeira Drive.

The design that was approved last year

In April 2019 Brighton & Hove City Council approved plans for a temporary 25m open-air swimming pool and leisure facility, which would be supported by 39 small business units, as well as a food court with street food kiosks and an outdoor seating area. The long-term aim of Sea Lanes Brighton has always been to build a 50m pool, but these plans have now been brought forward following feedback from local people. Plans have been submitted to increase the length of the pool from 25m to 50m. There would be fewer but slightly larger modular buildings – 74 instead of 107 units. Sea Lanes Brighton also want permanent consent for the pool and ten-year temporary consent for the modular buildings, to enable the development to be funded. They say that a professionally sized swimming pool will be far more suited to the pool’s purpose of training people to swim. Further details of the new plans can be found on the council’s planning register at https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/ - search for application BH2020/01018.

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

FR for EE a key ppl wo ianc rke e rs

Thank you to all key workers!! We’re offering you a FREE appliance with orders over £10k, plus 20% off selected stone worktops Offer applies to appliances up to £350 and is subject to our terms & conditions.

Call 01273 275 951 for details

brightonandhovekitchens.com 152 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5QL

We oﬀer the complete tailored service from design to nal installation. IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible

Catherine Considine on the joys of bread-making…

At some point, the baking must stop It was a perfect storm in a mixing bowl. Lockdown, a flour shortage, and nothing for lunch. Hiding at the back of the cupboard under the stairs I found half a bag of flour and a box of easy yeast. Not daring to check the use-by dates I set about making a loaf. I’ll be honest, my expectations were low. It seemed unlikely that such meagre ingredients could amount to much.

An hour later, I peeped under the red-checked cloth swaddling a bowl of fledgling dough and found … a yeasty cloud of possibility. Pause with me for moment and feel your spirit rise with that dough. Soon, too soon, we will return to the recipe.

Like many I am working from home. My days are punctuated with emails about preparing for a future none of us understand yet; and Zoom meetings for which I wear mascara and brush my hair. What my colleagues don’t see is the flour-covered apron wrapped around my waist.

“Punch the dough back …”

I find peace in bread-making. Catharsis in the rhythmic kneading. Pure magic in the rise. Ultimately though I think this is about control. In a world of fractured unknowns, I can create a simple wholesome whole.

What? “…knead for 5 minutes.” Let the brutality of bread begin. I punched. And I kneaded. Pressing my knuckles into the dough to stretch it, then folding and turning and stretching again; finally bedding my battered cloud gently in a loaf tin, near the warmth of a pre-heating oven. I had nothing left but hope. You know what happens next, don’t you? Sometime later, it emerged. Puffed and crusty topped. Hollow sounding when I tapped the flat loafy-base. And the smell, almost indecent in its homeliness. I can’t remember what we added for lunch. My senses are forever overcome with BREAD.

There is a batch of flatbreads in our freezer. And half a baked red-grape and rosemary focaccia. Tucked at the back is a hunk of potato bread, left over from the shock of a Bank Holiday Friday. For breakfast today I grilled a slice of homemade banana loaf and smeared it with peanut butter. At some point the baking must stop but as I type a pan of dough is rising in the sunniest corner of our garden. I haven’t decided its shape yet. Catherine Considine

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

IMPORTANT more than ever please support local businesses when you can

Thanks!! IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible

News from local charity Time To Talk Befriending…

All Change! When business is operating as usual we do our utmost to connect older people with community volunteers of all ages for friendship and company face to face. However since the crisis hit, like most organisations, we’ve transitioned to providing telephone support and we’ve been astonished at the difference these regular weekly 30-minute calls can make!

TTTB have been providing emergency food packages

At first, not meeting the older people and volunteers before matching them felt a little alien, but we are now seeing the fruit of these be-friendships through our review process and the results of these matches are proving to be hugely rewarding for the older person and volunteer alike. Referrals to the charity for befriending, chaplaincy and our food outreach activities have increased exponentially. But, we couldn’t achieve this huge increase in demand without the brilliant support of our partners City Coast Church in Portslade who expertly coordinate our emergency food packages every week, and chef Wendy from Nourish Catering Events (and her team!) who’s been on a mission providing quality home-cooked meals to people in crisis since COVID-19 hit. And of course our growing numbers of volunteer befrienders, volunteer chaplains, food delivery drivers, distribution centre volunteers, food do-

nators (you know who you are!) and Brighton and Hove Food Partnership who are doing an incredible job coordinating food distribution across the whole city. So, whilst this article is partly to raise awareness about what we do as a charity, and encourage people to visit our website www.tttb.org.uk to find out how you can volunteer or donate towards our work (which we would be truly grateful for), we also wanted to say a BIG thank you to everyone who is helping us at this time. Together we are making a difference! Time To Talk Befriending

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

The latest column from Gary Walker…

Supermarket Creep By the time you’re reading this I have no idea what the Coronavirus situation will be like, but I do know what it has been like and, to be honest, it hasn’t been all bad. For example, it’s been months since I’ve seen a news programme devoted entirely to what Brexit may or may not mean to us all. It’s a great weight off my mind not having to worry about whether I will have to give up boules and camembert in favour of cricket and morris dancing. Another plus point has been that shopping has become less mundane and more of an event. Previously, if I was in a huge long queue, it would be for something like a concert or a new film. Nowadays the same buzz of anticipation is brought to bear on buying things like beans and potatoes. Mind you, I think the supermarkets could make the queueing more not affect those areas of the brain that deal enjoyable by drawing things like snakes and ladders and hopscotch grids on the ground. I’m with logic and common-sense. Donald Trump sure we’d all get a laugh when someone who’s has always been like that. been there for two hours lands on a snake and Gaz has to go back 24 places. Obviously, some days I debated with myself long and hard over DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDERETTE whether shopping for beer and fags was really OPEN DAILY / 8AM - 8PM necessary before deciding that the answer was Washing & ironing Ch ea pe a resounding YES. Shirt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£1.50 s Trousers. . . . . . . . . . . . . .£1.50 & H Another thing I’ve noticed is queues of up to a Blouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£1.50 S WA HIRT Duvet cover (small) . . . £2.50 S dozen people outside banks, all of them wearSheet (medium) . . . . . . . £2.50 R I ON LY Towel (large) . . . . . . . . . £2.00 ing masks. There are only two possible reasons ON Prices may We vary slightly according to are reopen for for this: material, size and bulk. £1.50 Service Washes They’re customers, or Service washes Wash, dry and fold Small wash up. to. 12lb . . .. . ... . .. . .. . ... . .. C . .. . . .. . .£1.50 Shirt . . . . . . hea. . . . . . . £8.80 Mon-Fri from 8 Under the current adverse circumstances Medium wash up to 20lb. . . . . . . . .am . . . . .to . . . .4pm . .p. . . . . . £13.40 e . . . . £16.60 Shirt . . . . . .a. job-share . . . . . . . . . .£1.50 Large wash up. to. 27lb. . .. . ... . .. . .. . ... . .. . .. . . .. . .£1.50 . . .s Trousers. . . bank-robbers are operating Football kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from . . £14.60 Trousers. . . . . . . . . . . . . .£1.50 Doors scheme. Sleeping .bag . ... .open . from . . .£9.20 Blouse . /. Blanket . . . / Throw . will . . . ..be .. . ... . .. . .£1.50 Sat & Sun from 8am - 4pm cleaning . . . . of. .tips . . to. .make . . . . .£1.50Small duvet . . . . . . Duvet Incidentally,Blouse I have a couple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . .. .£2.50 Duvet cover . (small) Self Service . . . . . . . £12.60 your shopping/banking easier.(small) A friend of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16.20 Duvet cover . . . £2.50Large duvet . . . . . for Sheet (medium) . . . . . . £2.50 Dry .cleaning mine gave me an electric hair-clipper, Sheet (medium) . . .which . . . . £2.50Two-piece suitFor any queries please . . . . . . . £10.95 Scarf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.45 means I now look like one of those blokes . . . . . . . . £5.95 Trousers. . telephone . . . . . . . . . . .. £6.45 Towel (large) . .07717443007. . Blouse . . .(Plain) . . £2.00 Towel . . . . . .in. the . £2.00 Jason Statham throws(large) through a. window Coat . . . . . . . . . . . from £8.95 School Ware . . . . from £4.50 . . . £3.15 Sette Covers . . . . from £12.95 Curtains first 10 minutes of the film. A combination of Prices may vary slightly according to Prices may vary slightly according to Staff counter open from 8.00am to 8.00pm this and coughing a bit means people are only material, size and bulk. Monday to Friday - Closed bank holidays material, size and bulk. too happy to let me go first. Tel (01273) 691297 DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDERETTE 43 Montreal Road, Brighton BN2 9UY And lastly, just to dispel a couple of myths. OPEN DAILY / 8AM - 8PM www.soapboxbrighton.co.uk Wash, dry& and Washing ironing fold Brighton Council has no plans to plant landwash up toThis 12lb . . . . .Our . wash . Launderette . . . . .up . . is .to .regularly . 12lb . . .AS.Hdisinfected ..&.. . . . . . . £8.80 mines on theSmall beach to deter visitors. is, . . Small ..... T W safety and sanitised for your SHIR however, subject to review. Coronavirus does N O Medium wash up to 20lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IR. . . .Y . . . . £13.40

soapbox soapb soapbox t

DRY CLEANERS & LA DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDERETTE OPEN DAILY / 8A in

ighton & Hov e

OPEN DAILY / 8AM - 8PM

Washing & ir

Washing & ironing

H& S A W IRT H S IRON

ighton & Hov e

Y ONL

0 5 . 1 £ soapbox Service washes Service washes (unlined per sq yard)

W .. L ON Medium wash up to 20lb. ......... 1.50 IMPORTANT...more than everwash please try and local business Large upsupport to 27lb. . .whenever . . . . possible . . . . . .Service . . . washes . . . . . . £. . . . . . £16.60 Large wash up to 27lb. . . . . . . . . . . . Prices may vary slightly according to material, size and bulk.

Che ap e

ighton & Hov e

. .£1.50 . .£1.50 . .£1.50 . £2.50 . £2.50 . £2.00

. . . . . .

Shirt . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trousers. . . . . . . . . . Blouse . . . . . . . . . . . Duvet cover (small) Sheet (medium) . . . . Towel (large) . . . . . .

Wash, dry and fold Small wash up to 12lb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8.80

Local history from Rachel Bridgeman…

Sussex Day – 16th June... Sussex Day on 16th June celebrates the rich historical and cultural heritage of our county.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles recount the foundation legend of the Kingdom of the South Saxons - Suþseaxe or Suthsaexe - from which Sussex derives its name. In AD 477, when Ælle the Saxon landed in Sussex from his three ships with his three sons and battled his way across the land, they slayed all those who did not flee before them. Whilst the tale of Ælle is regarded as somewhat of a myth, the reality was likely to have been similarly violent. The Venerable Bede (c. 672—735) recognised Ælle as the “first Bretwalda” - Ruler of Britain. Over the centuries, the Land of the South Saxons was subsumed into Wessex – the kingdom of Alfred the Great – and at times was ruled by Vikings. After 1066, as the dangerous heartland of support for King Harold II and with its ports the closest to Normandy, Sussex became the first region to be systematically Normanised. Uniquely divided into five north-south baronies called Rapes (divisions), the 6th rape of Chichester was added later in the 13th century. Each Rape contained a Norman castle and a port. From Lewes Castle, William de Warenne exercised his power throughout the Rape of Lewes, including in the ancient settlements that today constitute our city of Brighton & Hove.

He was William the Conqueror’s most trusted baron, a ruthless fighter who had climbed off the Norman invading ships in 1066 onto the Sussex beaches alongside him. The gold and blue check of William de Warenne’s coat of arms can still be seen splashed all over our city today. They are the colours of the Sussex County Flag - a blue field with six gold martlets (heraldic and mythical birds). Each martlet represents one of the six Rapes of Sussex. The flag is proudly raised in each of the six ancient Rapes of Sussex to celebrate Sussex Day on 16th June. When we can once more freely and safely roam the streets of our fabulous city, why not learn more about their fascinating history? Hove Actually Walking Tours are fun, informative and best suited to the incurably curious. Whether it’s your first visit or you have lived here your whole life, the tours are a great way to discover, uncover and experience the area. And the natives in Hove are very friendly! To receive the programme of walks: email hoveactuallywalks@gmail.com. Visit: Facebook (Hove Actually Walking Tours). Rachel Bridgeman - local historian & tour guide

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

Information from the council…

Council Services Update... Sports facilities Council-run tennis courts were reopened in May, but children’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms have remained closed to reduce the risk of infection. Plans to re-open Hollingbury Golf Course are progressing and the council emphasise that walkers and runners should stay on the footpaths and not stray onto the course and greens. Sea swimming and open water sports are once again permitted but people should only venture into the sea if they are strong swimmers.

Waste and Recycling Sites Waste and recycling sites have reopened, but with tough traffic restrictions. Cars are not allowed to park or queue on Old Shoreham Road or Wilson Avenue, and there is no right turn into the Hove site from the Old Shoreham Road. People driving to the sites are only allowed to queue on the smaller access roads leading to the tips, and not the major approach roads. If the tip roads are full, drivers will be asked to move and told to return when the queues are shorter. Only cars are allowed on site - no trailers, vans or camper vans. At busy times, the queues will be closed an hour before the site closing times to manage physical distancing. Only visit the sites if waste cannot be stored at home without it causing a risk of injury, health or harm to household members. The temporary opening hours are: Brighton: Monday to Sunday 10am - 4pm. Hove: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm; Saturday 8.30am - 1.30pm; Sunday 10.30am - 1.30 pm.

Bulky Waste Launch The council has relaunched its bulky waste service, with the easing of the lockdown. The council’s contractor, KSD Environmental Services, can be contacted on 01273 608142 from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, to arrange collection of a large range of items including bed bases, mattresses, furniture and white goods such as fridges. It is a paid-for service, but a 50% discount is available for the over-60s and for other people in receipt of certain benefits.

More public toilets reopened The council reopened a number of public toilets in May for people to use when out walking or exercising. Toilets now open include The Colonnade, The Level, Lower Prom West Street, Royal Pavilion Gardens, Preston Park Chalet, Stanmer Park, Ovingdean Undercliff, Rottingdean Undercliff and Park Road, Rottingdean. Toilet rolls and soap are sometimes being stolen, so the council suggests people carry their own toiletries with them if they intend visiting the loos.

Funeral Webcasting People unable to pay their respects to lost family and friends in person are now able to watch funeral services at Woodvale Crematorium via an online webcast. Due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the number of people allowed to physically attend a IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible

service is currently restricted to 12. In response to this, Brighton & Hove City Council has installed new technology at Woodvale which will allow anyone unable to attend a service to watch on their connected devices at home. The live webcasting service is being offered free of charge until 30 June and will be kept under review. For more information, email woodvale@brighton-hove.gov.uk or phone 01273 604020.

Transport Action Plan Councillors have been looking at a transport action plan to support the city in its recovery from the pandemic and the continued need to facilitate physical distancing, including pop-up cycle lanes and widening footways, particularly outside shops and transport hubs. A new temporary cycle lane has already been installed on the Old Shoreham Road and Madeira Drive has been closed to motor vehicles.

Help to stop smoking Evidence so far suggests that smokers who get COVID-19 are 14 times more likely to suffer from a serious respiratory infection than non-smokers. It is never too late to see health benefits from stopping smoking. The council’s Health Trainers are continuing to offer behavioural support to smokers (including pregnant smokers) through telephone sessions, and medication to help you quit will continue to be available. To make a referral for yourself or someone else, you need to complete an online referral form at: https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ health-and-wellbeing/support-improve-yourhealth/sign-support-healthy-lifestyles-team You can also get further advice by phoning 01273 294589.

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

News from the council…

New Mayor Elected... Councillor Alan Robins has become the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, after being elected by fellow councillors at the Annual Council Meeting. Councillor Robins remains in the role for this and the next mayoral year (until May 2022) due to the current impact of coronavirus on mayoral duties. The new mayor will be supported during his mayoral years by his partner Val Cawley, who takes the role of Mayoral Consort. Councillor Alan Robins said: “My aim for this year is to do my utmost to support the recovery process of our city, I imagine that this will be a step-by-step process likely to take some time. I am therefore grateful that it is proposed that my term as Mayor of Brighton & Hove, and indeed Portslade, will extend to 2021/2022.” The Mayor’s first engagement on 17 May was an Iftar meal to end the daily Ramadan fast, with the Dialogue Society via Zoom. Councillor Robins has chosen five mayoral charities: The Sussex Heart Charity, Brighton Fringe, Leo House at Home, Together Co and Off the Fence. Councillor Mary Mears was elected to the post of Deputy Mayor and will serve in this role until the next Annual Council Meeting in May 2021. Councillor Alexandra Phillips stood down in May after her year in office as mayor. Congratulating Councillor Phillips on her year as Mayor, fellow Green councillor Sue Shanks said: “Alex’s year as mayor has been a whirlwind. I know she has really enjoyed meeting all the residents’ groups and attending a large number of events as do all mayors. We have benefitted in the chamber from a fresh approach including poetry in the chamber. Alex has demonstrated a very disciplined approach to chairing council whether from the Town Hall mayoral chair or her front room.”

IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible

BREMF are planning a digital festival this yearâ&#x20AC;Ś

Brighton Early Music Festival Due to the uncertainty brought about by Covid-19, Brighton Early Music Festival (BREMF) have decided not to risk attempting to stage their usual festival this year.

Instead, they are planning a digital festival called BREMF@home â&#x20AC;&#x201C; across the EARTH. This will consist of a number of individually devised broadcasts, merging musical performance with film, images, animation and documentary presentation. Each programme will be premiered on YouTube at a fixed date and time, but will be available to view for a week afterwards so that audiences, including those in different time zones, can

watch when convenient. They need a minimum of 1,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/brightonemf to unlock more flexibility. They hope to include many of the artists they had already invited for the festival. Further details are available at: https://www.bremf.org.uk/2020/bremf2020. htm

Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021

The Midlife Hub, a new social enterprise, has launched in Brighton…

The Midlife Hub Can Help You With Midlife... Midlife is definitely a ‘thing’. There’s usually a negative association with reaching your midlife. It can be a time of emotional, physical and hormonal changes, and for many people they’re so busy building relationships, forging careers and paying the mortgage that these changes can catch them unaware and have a massive impact on their overall wellbeing. The Office for National Statistics bears this out*. A recent poll shows that people aged between 45-49 years are 15% less satisfied with their lives overall than those age 65-69yrs*. Over the last few years there has been a rise in the number of new businesses offering ‘midlife’ support, and the topic is being discussed more and more in the media. But people still have to dig around to find the support across the different areas of their lives.

Having access to the breadth of options available and being able to find trusted local businesses is a start, and that’s why The Midlife Hub was created. The Midlife Hub is a brand new social enterprise that aims to help people take an action-based approach to their midlife. They cover everything from money matters to the menopause, careers to relationships - all with a midlife lens. And they’ve brought together local businesses who provide midlife focused services (think yoga teachers and nutritionists who specialise in the menopause; career change coaches; talking therapists; financial advisors to name a few). Anyone can join the midlife conversation at www.themidlifehub.com, and use any of its four main services: A directory of trusted businesses: people can search for midlife related businesses and services based on location and rate and review a service they’ve used. An information hub: people can find topical midlife-related content, useful links and local events and experiences. Additional support: a free service helping people identify their midlife needs and create a midlife goal plan. A community forum, where people can ask and respond to midlife questions, and engage with moderator-generated topics. The Midlife Hub is also on the hunt for any local business or events that have a midlife focus to join them. So if you are (or you know of) a midlife business which you think should be listed, you can contact hello@themidlifehub.com *ONS Mid 2018.

IMPORTANT...more than ever please try and support local business whenever possible