The
Kemptown Rag November 2018 / Issue 141 / www.kemptownrag.co.uk
Look out for this logo on adverts and see local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
2
Zar’s Barbers 12 Bristol Road, Kemptown, BN2 1AP
Friendly, thoughtful and welcoming local barber Simple classics Contemporary styles Current styles Many years of experience Mon, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday... 9am - 7pm Saturday... 9am - 5pm Sunday... 11am - 4pm Closed on Tuesdays book for an appointment...
07799 223310
www.zarsbarbers.com
See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
3
Welcome to The Kemptown Rag The nights are drawing in now, but we’ve got plenty of local events to look forward to, including a fabulous concert of “Spiritual Music from Afghanistan and India” at St George’s Church – we speak to John Baily who is one of the performers. 11th November is the centenary of the end of the First World War, which will be marked by “Battle’s Over”, a nationwide day of commemorative events, and we have information on some Kemptown Remembrance services. To make the publication even more useful for you we are proud to introduce to you this month www.trustedandlocal.co.uk. When you see an advert with the Trusted and Local logo on it, go to the website to read local reviews of that business. The Kemptown Rag Team info@kemptownrag.co.uk www.kemptownrag.co.uk Cover picture: Lyne Rohde see www.rohdefineart.co.uk
Page 4- 5 Page 7 Page 9 Page 11 Page 12 Page 15 Page 16 Page 19 Page 21 Page 22
Old Photo Local Person Artist Open Houses Xmas Festival & Les Mistletoe The Real St Mary’s School Remembrance Sunday & Snailspace Festive Farewell Life on Wheels in Kemptown Council News & Mister Smith Interiors Kemptown Memories Gary Walker Column Index
Publisher: Sussex Magazines 10 Hollingbury Road, Brighton BN1 7JA info@hoveparkliving.co.uk Printer: Gemini Press Distributors: Hove Leaflet Distribution The views expressed by individuals in any letter or article included at the discretion of the publishers are not necessarily the views of the Editor. Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this magazine and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers of this publication will not hold themselves responsible for any inaccuracies. Inclusion of advertisers in this magazine is not necessarily a recommendation but we do hope they give a good quality service. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publishers and contributors We take complaints you make about our advertisers seriously. We have the following policy on this: First complaint about an advertiser is logged here in our offices, if we receive another complaint we write to the advertiser concerned and notify them we have had two complaints and if we receive another complaint we will no longer accept their adverts. If and when a third complaint arrives we will verify that all complaints received were genuine and inform the advertiser that we will no longer be promoting their business and inform them why.
Pilates
in boutique, private studio in central Kemptown – entrance at 18 Bristol Road. Specialists in working with bad backs, shoulders and hips, chronic conditions and older people. Small groups, courses and drop-in classes, one-to-one sessions for all ages and levels of ability.
All sessions to be booked in advance. For information or to book: Sarah at info@wellbeingexercise.co.uk 01273 220102 Keri at kerilummis@yahoo.com 07976 079858
Monday 10am from 5 November Improvers Pilates with Keri (8 people max) Tuesday 9.15am Intermediate Pilates with Keri (8 people max) Tuesday 5.30pm Small group Pilates with Sarah (3-6 people) Thursday 9.15am Intermediate Pilates with Keri (8 people max) Thursday 10.30am Gentle Pilates with Keri (8 people max) Thursday 5pm Beginners/remedial Pilates with Sarah (6 people max) Thursday 6.30pm Improvers/intermediate Pilates with Keri (8 people max) Friday, 9.30am Pilates with small equipment with Keri (8 people max) Friday 6pm Rebalancing Pilates with Sarah (6 people max)
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
4
Madeira Walk An old postcard showing Madeira Walk, c1912-1914. ©Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
See local reviews of this business at
ClarkesofBrighton BUILDING
MAINTENANCE
ROOFING
Specialist Roofing Services • Roofing Repairs • Roof Tile Replacement • Re-Roofing • Scaffolding • Slate Roofing
• Leak Repairs • Flat Roofing • Complete Roof Replacement • Fascias and Guttering
For a free building quote or estimate of repairs call us on 01273 380914 or 07786 101912 info@clarkesbuildersbrighton.co.uk www.clarkesbuildersbrighton.co.uk LOCAL, RELIABLE & TRUSTED Full Public Liability Insurance Company No 09982598
See local reviews of this business at
See local reviews of this business at See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
5
You can read reviews of advertisers with the Trusted and Local logo on their adverts at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk Mac Marchant has repaired three roofs on our property over the years. We wouldn’t ask anyone else. Job is done quickly, efficiently and reasonably priced. Would recommend. Review of M.Marchant Lead roofing by C. Radvan
www.trustedandlocal.co.uk Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
6
Sunday 25th November at 10:30am – “Stir Up Sunday”. We make our Christmas pudding ready to mature for the big day. Sunday 2nd December at 10:30am – “Hanging the Greens”. A traditional service celebrating the decoration of our homes (and churches!) with evergreen boughs. Sunday 23rd December at 10:30am – Decorating the tree. Sunday 23rd December from 6:00pm until 7:00pm (in time for the children’s bedtime!) – 9 Lessons and Carols. Join us in a short service of traditional readings and lots of well-known carols. Please join us for refreshments after the service. Monday 24th December at 4:00pm – Christingle Service. Children’s Christmas Eve Service. Where are the Nativity figures hidden this year? Monday 24th December at 11.30pm – Midnight Mass. Tuesday 25th December at 10:00 – Christmas Day Service Church Sunday Service – 10:30am followed by tea and coffee Café open – Weekdays from 9am until 2:30pm (catering for events by arrangement) Kemp Town Crypt Community Centre opening hours – 8:00am until late. Bookings for both the Church and the Community Centre can be made by contacting us on
01273 279448
(ext 1 to book church services and, ext.4 for the café and ext. 2 for all other bookings)
Email us at – inthecrypt@msn.com
St. George’s Church at Christmas
01273 303842
See local reviews of this business at
www.bellavistashutters.co.uk See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
7
Meet an expert in Afghan music who will be playing at a local concert...
Kemptown Person – John Baily John Baily is Emeritus Professor of Ethnomusicology and Head of the Afghanistan Music Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London. He and his wife Veronica Doubleday live in Kemptown. They are renowned ethnomusicologists and, with Marc Clayton, will be giving a concert at St George’s Church on 15th November to help raise money to restore the church bell, which is an important part of Kemptown’s soundscape. How did you become interested in the music of Afghanistan? I visited the country in 1965 and 1970 and heard live music there. When as a student at Sussex University I discovered ethnomusicology as a door into the music of the world, Afghanistan, with its variety of lute-type instruments, was an obvious place to conduct research.
John Baily with Veronica Doubleday
How long have you lived in Kemptown? We have lived here in the same house since 1978. For five years I was a lecturer in Belfast and we moved back and forth between the two cities according to term and vacation. And we were in New York for two years.
We all need someone who is on our side “I like my friend very much, she is nice and says good things, and when I swim, she helps me” Mark (aged 9)
Become a Befriender and make a difference to a disadvantaged child’s life
Could you be that someone? Come along to Jubilee Library, Brighton, 12-3pm on
Saturday 24th November to find out more
Call us on 01273 559794 or email admin@funinaction.org.uk for information www.funinaction.org.uk
Safety First OUR POLICIES PROTECT CHILDREN References, DBS checks and full training provided
Volunteers of the Year 2017
Registered Charity No. 1077594 Company Limited by Guarantee, Reg in England & Wales, No. 3839376
What kind of music will you be playing at the concert? Veronica is an admired singer of traditional and popular songs from Herat, a celebrated city in western Afghanistan, accompanying herself on the frame drum. She also sings devotional Hindu music. I accompany her on two kinds of Afghan lute, the rubâb, which is the national instrument of Afghanistan, and the dutâr, which is more of a local Herati instrument. In this concert we work with Marc Clayton, who is a fine player of the tabla drum pair. Who is your own favourite musician? It varies according to my mood. Blues singer Huddie Ledbetter comes to mind, as does Afghan ghazal singer Amir Mohammad. I am also very fond of Irish music, for example, the group Moving Hearts, with wonderful uilleann piper Davy Spillane. The world is filled with great musicians! What do you like to do when you’re not working? I am retired from university teaching but Afghanistan still plays an important role in my life, writing about it, playing my Afghan instruments, composing the occasional piece of Afghan music. “Spiritual Music from Afghanistan and India” is at St George’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday 15th November. Tickets £15 to include a light supper: The Flavours of Asia - £8 for performance only. Book by email (friendsofstgeorgeschurch@gmail.com) or online at Eventbrite.co.uk.
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
8
PROTECTING YOUR YOUR ROOF
G&S PROTECTING Roofing Ltd Ltd YOUR ROOF
successful business OurOur successful business has now Our successful business has expanded into Surrey & expanded into East and West Sussex has expanded into Surrey & Sussex Sussex
Our successful business has expanded into Surrey & Sussex
G&S We We specialise specialise in: in: Roofing Ltd& Slate Roofs • New Roofs Flat New Roofs • Flat Roofs Roofs •• Tile Tile & Slate Roofs
www.gandsroofing.co.uk www.gandsroofing.co.uk www.gandsroofing.co.uk
• RESIN MATERIAL OUTLASTS THE BUILDING RESIN MATERIAL OUTLASTS THE BUILDING ••FIRE RETARDENT
• RESIN MATERIAL OUTLASTS THE BUILDING FIRE RETARDENT ••CANNOT BE CUT • FIRE RETARDENT CANNOT BE CUT ••MAINTENANCE FREE • CANNOT BE CUT MAINTENANCE FREE • MAINTENANCE FREE JOINTS, SEAMS OR WELDS ••NO • NO JOINTS, SEAMS OR WELDS • NO JOINTS, SEAMS OR WELDS • UV RESISTANT & WATERPROOF • UV RESISTANT & WATERPROOF • UV RESISTANT & WATERPROOF • ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY • ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY • THREE FINISHES / THREE COLOURS ••THREE FINISHES / THREE COLOURS • 25 YEAR GUARANTEE • THREE FINISHES / THREE COLOURS
nn tiotio rara neene inigng GGe ofof xtxt RRoo Ne e tat e eN FlFal ThTh ofof
Free Estimates No Obligation Pay No Deposit
01273 961893 andHORSHAM 01444 647617 CRANLEIGH 01483 331105 01403 CRANLEIGHFREE 01483 331105 HORSHAM 01403 886701 886701 PHONE 0800 9596366 CRANLEIGH 01306 01483 331105 HORSHAM 0140307881 886701532497 DORKING 868975 MOBILE DORKING 01306 868975 MOBILE 07881 532497 MOBILE 07425396324 DORKING 01306 868975 MOBILE 07881 532497 EMAIL gandsroofinglimited@gmail.com EMAIL gandsroofinglimited@gmail.com EMAIL gandsroofinglimited@gmail.com
on ati er g en fin t G oo ex t R e N Fla Th of
• Leadwork Re-pointing Chimney Stacks Re-pointing Stacks Leadwork We Chimney specialise in: • All• Roof Valleys Renewed & Repaired • Valleys Renewed & Repaired All Roof Repairs Repairs New Roofs • Flat Roofs • Tile & Slate Roofs New PVC Fascias & Gutters Re-pointing Stacks •& Leadwork New Chimney PVC Fascias Gutters Valleys RenewedPainting & Repaired• All RoofRemoval Repairs External •• Moss External Painting Moss Removal New PVC Fascias & Gutters No Pay Free Estimates No Obligation Obligation Pay No No Deposit Deposit Free Estimates • Moss Removal External Painting
• 25 YEAR GUARANTEE • 25 YEAR GUARANTEE
ALL WORK GUARANTEED!
ALL ALL WORK WORK GUARANTEED! GUARANTEED!
See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
9
You can find some great Christmas gifts at the Artists Open Houses…
Artists Open Houses Christmas Festival Brighton and Hove’s Artists Open Houses Festival, the biggest of its kind in the UK, kicks off its 2018 Christmas Festival on November 24th and will run over the following three weekends, ending December 9th. Art at the
Hundreds of artists and makers will be opening their houses and studio spaces to the public.
Fair Trade Shop, Brighton Marina
There will be a hugely diverse selection of arts, crafts, jewellery, gifts for the home, Christmas cards, ceramics and presents for children. Many of the houses also offer mince pies and mulled wine. Local open houses include Copperdollar Studios at 22 Montague Street, who will be joining the Artists Open Houses for the first time, exhibiting an eclectic mix of art, jewellery and furniture; Arundel Mews Open Studios at 13-18 Arundel Place; 33 Belle Vue Court in Belle Vue Gardens; and The Fair Trade Shop at 8 The Boardwalk, First Floor, Brighton Marina.
The Rainbow Chorus - back with their winter concert...
For more information on all the open houses, visit www.aoh.org.uk.
BrightonBrighton PianoPiano Warehouse Warehouse Brighton Warehouse The Lowest Prices in the South The Lowest PricesPiano in the South The Lowest Prices in the South Brighton Piano Warehouse Largest & Finest Largest &Selection Finest LargestPrices & Finest The Lowest in the South of Pianos in OfSelection Selection Pianos in Pianos Sussex Largest Of&Sussex Finestin Sussex Selection
• • • • • • •
•Of New && Second-hand Pianos in Pianos • New Second-hand Pianos • Grand && Upright • Grand UprightPianos Pianos••Digital Digital Pianos Pianos New & Second-hand Pianos Sussex • Covers, Stools • Covers, Stools&&Accessories Accessories Grand & Upright Pianos • Pianos Wanted • Pianos Wanted- -Best BestBrices Brices Paid Paid Digital Pianos • Concert Hire• •Piano PianoRemovals Removals • Concert Hire
• New & Second-hand Pianos
Covers, Stools & are a Traditional Family RunPianos WeWe aAccessories Traditional Run • Grand &are Upright PianosFamily • Digital Business Established 1970 Pianos Wanted - Best Paid Free Business Established inin1970 • Covers, Stools &Prices Accessories Free Local Local Delivery With Our Experience&&friendly friendly Delivery&& With Our Experience Concert Hire • Pianos Wanted Best Brices Paid First Tune Service, We Will Find The Right First Tune Service, We Will Find The Right • Concert HireFor • Piano Removals Piano Removals Piano You Piano For You
01273 601989 We are a Traditional01273 Family601989 Run We are a Traditional Family Run Business www.brightonpianos.co.uk Business Established in 1970 Free Local www.brightonpianos.co.uk Established inOur 1970 With Our& friendly Experience &BN2friendly 43-45 Bonchurch Road, Brighton, 3PJ Delivery & With Experience 43-45 Bonchurch Road, Brighton, BN2 3PJ We Find Will Find Right Service,Service, We Will TheThe Right PianoFirst ForTune You Piano For You
01273 601989 01273 601989
www.brightonpianos.co.uk www.brightonpianos.co.uk 43-45 Bonchurch Road, Brighton, BN2 3PJ 43-45 Bonchurch Road, Brighton, BN2 3PJ
Les Mistletoe Join us on the barricades as we round off our 21st birthday celebrations with a bang! The Rainbow Chorus is known for its eclectic repertoire and this Christmas will be no different. Brighton & Hove’s oldest LGBT choir will be bringing the sounds of the West End to Kemp Town with a rabble-rousing and rip-roaring medley of songs from the long-running musical Les Misérables. From France to Freddie, the 60-strong choir will also be performing a fabulous selection of iconic hits from one of the greatest rock bands of all times, Queen. Of course, the audience will also be regaled with a number of Christmas classics and a couple of extra musical surprises to keep them on their toes. Throw in a dash of mulled wine and festive fare with all the feel-good cheer of the Rainbow Chorus and we reckon you’re in for a right royal Christmas cracker of an evening! Sat 15th December, St George’s Church Doors open 6.30pm; concert starts 7.30pm Tickets: m.bpt.me/event/3596420 or phone 07471 732531 £15 for adults / £10 concessions / £7 under -12s
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
10
5pm–7pm
Our open events provide you with an opportunity to meet our experienced staff, view our industry standard facilities and discuss all the courses on offer. Find out about our: • 16-19 college courses • courses for adults
• apprenticeships • university level courses*
* Brighton only - we hold separate open events for university level courses at Northbrook MET. See gbmc.ac.uk for details
BRIGHTON
5 December 2018 13 March 2019
WORTHING
14 November 2018 12 December 2018 20 March 2019
Register at: gbmc.ac.uk/open-events
See local reviews of this business at
See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
11
Our regular local history article from Katherine Prior at St Mary’s Church…
The Real St Mary’s School An archival error meant that October’s issue of the Kemptown Rag included a photo wrongly captioned as St Mary’s Church School. The photo, on pp. 4-5, was actually of the original St Mark’s School on Arundel Road. The Bell Tower Industrial Estate occupies the site now and its signature tower is in fact the old school bell tower from St Mark’s. The mistake is forgivable: for not only has the original St Mark’s School been demolished, but St Mary’s School and all its neighbouring buildings have been swept away too. Neither area looks like it once did. St Mary’s School occupied the top of Mount Street, which ran parallel to St Mary’s Place and Lavender Street, midway between the two of them. It opened in 1873 and was initially named after The Revd Julius Elliott. Julius was the son of Henry Venn Elliott, the founding minister of St Mary’s Chapel (as it was then), and had become the curate there after his father’s death in 1865. But his passion
A Time to Mourn A Time to Dance
An afternoon of music, history and poetry commemorating the dead of The Great War and those who mourned them in Brighton and beyond
with the
Brighton Chamber Ensemble and
Debipriya Sircar,
Sitar Sunday 18 November 3.30pm Free ST MARY’S CHURCH 61 St James’s Street Brighton BN2 1PR 01273 698601
A bird’s-eye view of St Mary’s School, 1975, with St Mary’s Church just visible to the south-west; photo courtesy of the Royal Pavilion and Museums
was mountaineering and he went climbing in the Swiss Alps whenever he could. He died there on 27 July 1869, while making the final ascent of the Schreckhorn - the Peak of Terror. Climbing without ropes, in his moment of triumph, he slipped and fell while leaping to the summit. The congregation at St Mary’s funded the Julius Elliott Memorial School in his memory. By 1886 the school was educating over 600 boys and girls annually and was ranked among the best in Brighton. In 1928 it was reorganized as St Mary’s Junior Mixed School, and in 1952 as St Mary’s Church of England Primary School. After the Second World War, it was deemed too small and outmoded to survive; it also stood in the way of the Borough Council’s slum clearance plans. It closed in 1977 and was demolished soon after, along with all of Mount Street and, next door to St Mary’s Church, the old Rock Brewery, latterly a branch of the Department for Social Security. Towards the end, the school was not well resourced, but many former pupils remember it with fondness, partly because it was small and a bit of an underdog when compared to other schools in Brighton. If you’d like to know more about it, please drop into St Mary’s Church, where we have photos and reminiscences from former pupils – or visit our Facebook page @stmarysmountstreetbrighton. Katherine Prior
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
12
There will be a nationwide commemoration of the First World War Armistice...
Remembrance Sunday On 11th November a nationwide day of commemorative events, “Battle’s Over”, will mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and pay tribute to the millions killed or wounded in battle, and those on the home front who helped ensure freedom survived. At 6am 1,000 pipers around the world will commence the day’s commemorations with the traditional Scottish lament played at the end of battle – Battle’s O’er. At 6.55pm buglers will sound the Last Post at more than 1,000 locations, where at 7pm World War One Beacons of Light will be lit in a tribute signifying the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of four years of war. Then at 7.05pm 1,000 cathedrals and churches will ring out their bells in celebration of peace and more than 140 town criers will join in an International Cry for Peace around the world. St Mary’s Church (61 St James’s Street) will have a Remembrance Sunday service at 10am on 11th November and will be ringing the church bell at 7.05pm as part of the ‘Ringing out for Peace’.
Is the pressure on? Are you …
too overwhelmed to even know where to start sorting things out in your home? easily distracted when you start putting your stuff and home in order?
Give us a call We are here to help
Declutter your life! 07903 792271 (ask for Tilo) info@cluttermeister.co.uk www.cluttermeister.co.uk
St Mary’s will also be holding a free Remembrance event at 3.30pm on Sunday 18th November – A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance – an afternoon of music, history and poetry commemorating the dead of the Great War and those who mourned them, with the Brighton Chamber Ensemble and Debipriya Sircar (sitar). St George’s Church will have their Remembrance service at 10.30am on 11th November, followed by a shared lunch (at around 11.45am) in the style of a street party of the time.
A chance to say goodbye to the giant snails…
Snailspace Festive Farewell The Snailspace public art trail, raising money for the Martlets Hospice, ends on 18th November. There will be a Snailspace Festive Farewell - the chance to say goodbye to all 107 large and small snails as they gather for a final send-off before auction. The event is on Fri 30 November, Sat 1 December and Sun 2 December (one hour timeslots) at St Augustine’s Church, Stanford Avenue, Brighton. Tickets via www.snailspacebrighton.co.uk
See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
13
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
14
We specialise in... • • • •
New Roofs Flat Roofs Tile and Slate Roofs Re-pointing Chimney stacks • Leadwork
• Vallets Renewed and Repaired • All Roof repairs • New PVC Gutters & Fascias • External Painting • Moss Removal
20 years material guarantee Fire retardant Very durable Maintenance Free No joints, seams or welds UV resistant Waterproof ALL WORK GUARANTEED
Office: 01273 044161 Mobile: 07588 584461 Email: workwiseroofing@icloud.com www.workwiseroofing.co.uk
F R E E E S T I M AT E S • N O O B L I G AT I O N See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
15
An article on Kemptown life from the perspective of a wheelchair user...
Life on wheels in Kemptown I’m the woman in a rather large and reclining black wheelchair, often seen waiting outside a Kemptown shop for “personal service” – for which I heartily recommend our local Co-op. Or causing a line of pedestrians to wait gallantly while I steer between pavement advertising boards and parked cars. I’ve been living in St George’s Road for nine years now, after buying a house based on an Internet viewing. These are the days! Wheelchair users are certainly growing in number, which is so positive compared with the sad plight of being unable to leave one’s home. Yes, it may look scary to those not used to wielding a joystick, but seriously, try one out. It’s not difficult at all, and soon you’ll be wheeling along. It’s also an excellent way to pursue trips beyond the immediate locality. Here I must praise the B&H bus company as well as the City. I know my wheelchair is an awkward beast but… the bus drivers are cheery as well as helpful, and the time delay I cause to other passengers was measured at little more than half a minute. Often
• • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • •
Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), Deputyships Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), Deputyships Family Law (Divorce, Dissolution, Pre-Nups, Financial Family Law (Divorce, Dissolution, Pre-Nups, Financial disputes, Children matters) Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), Deputyships disputes, Children matters) Residential Conveyancing and Commercial ConveyancFamily Law (Divorce, Dissolution, Pre-Nups, Financial Residential Conveyancing and Commercial Conveyancing, shop & lease sales disputes, Children matters) ing, shop & lease sales Personal injury - all forms of accident claims Residential Conveyancing and Commercial ConveyancPersonal injury - all forms of accident claims ing, shop & lease sales Defending DWP Benefit Fraud investigations, Interviews Defending DWP Benefit Fraud investigations, Interviews under caution & Prosecutions Personal injury - all forms of accident claims under caution & Prosecutions Criminal and Road Traffic Defence advice Defending DWP Benefit Fraud investigations, Interviews Criminal and Road Traffic Defence advice under caution & Prosecutions Civil litigation / Debt recovery Civil litigation / Debt recovery Criminal and Road Traffic Defence advice Civil litigation / Debt recovery
See local reviews of this business at
Call or email us today on: Call or email us today on:
tel: 01273 734 600 tel: 600 Call01273 or email us734 today on: email: advice@crosbywoods.co.uk web: www.crosbywoods.co.uk email: advice@crosbywoods.co.uk web: www.crosbywoods.co.uk 75 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2BB tel: 01273 734 600 75 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2BB email: advice@crosbywoods.co.uk web: www.crosbywoods.co.uk 75 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2BB
people commend my – er – “skill and courage” in carrying out this minor performance in front of 20 worried onlookers… Believe me, you have to keep doing it and it becomes instinctive. B&H Buses help by allowing one to practise on a bus at the depot. As a diversion from all these laudatory remarks, let me recount how it was before, in another county far far away… where Stagecoach rules. There was no physical problem getting on and off the buses, but trouble arose from the personnel, one of whom refused me passage because of having a battery on my wheelchair! We ended up contacting the duty man in charge who put the poor driver’s mind at rest: batteries on electric wheelchairs are safe in transit! However, not long after, Stagecoach changed its regulations and now only permits smaller wheelchairs to travel on their buses. Surely a coincidence… Being fairly flat, Kemptown is ideal for wheelchair users, who also have access to the beach via the Victorian lift. However, this service is only in the warmer months, and I and fellow lift users including many a mum and child would welcome a lift service on winter weekends too… ahem! I would also like a cliff top café, to enjoy the view without the intrusion of hemp fumes. Of course this will all come to pass, but meanwhile you will see me there with my Thermos of home brewed coffee, sadly not furthering the cause of Kemptown businesses. Please send your observations and comments to: “Woman in Wheelchair”, info@kemptownrag.co.uk. “Woman in Wheelchair”
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
16
Jan Davies
News from the council...
BSc, MSc, MBA (War wick), MBCPA , MREPS, cert ECBS, MBTPA
Suffering back pain? Want a leaner, fitter, flexible and toned body?
then try... BODY
CONTROL PILATES ®
A posturally based body conditioning method which builds strength from within by targeting deep stabilising muscles
Beginner courses in January 2018 Classes in Brighton
10 weekand beginner courses starting w/cRottingdean 8th January Hanover Kemptown and
Mondays 3pm Rottingdean Village Hallclasses Ongoing beginner plus/intermediate/adv Mondays 7.15pm St Marys Church Hall Kemptown Thursdays 4.45pm and Fridays 6pm in Hanover Community Centre Next Saturdays 10 week9am beginner courses in January 2019 Kemptown Crypt Community Centre
in all locations - contact JanBook to your be place on the waiting “Make that New Year resolution now! with Jan and commit to a longer, leaner, more supple, flexible and mobile body and banish list &those foraches joining details and pains” Prebeginner course special offer 1:1 1hr sessions £35 vs £45
Next retreat in Spain June 2019 Contact Jan now to reserve a place contact Jan for details
Jan has taught on the Brighter Outlook Programme supported by MacMillan for people living with, and recovering from cancer
Teaching Pilates since 2001
07904 187257
jan@movementandhealth.co.uk www.movementandhealth.co.uk
Country’s oldest green wall A group of Japanese spindles, which had been growing in containers above Concorde 2 on Madeira Terrace for more than 35 years, were carefully transplanted in October to a new home along the green wall at Duke’s Mound. When they heard plants needed to be moved to enable repairs to the building, local community organisation Building Green got in touch offering to save the plants. Japanese spindle has been happily growing along Madeira Drive since the Victorians established a “green wall” in the late 19th century. It’s the oldest and longest of its kind in the country, and was designed to enhance the famous ironwork of Madeira Terrace. The plants have been coppiced and replanted along the wall to sit alongside their 140-yearold neighbouring plants, filling in the gaps in the original planting scheme. More information at building-green.org.uk
SUSSEX FUNERAL SERVICES INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS ‘For caring, compassion and choice’ www.sussexfunerals.com Proprietors: Phil and Sallie
WHY CHOOSE US?
SOME OF OUR SERVICES OFFERED
• Independent & family owned • Passionate & committed • 24 hour service
• ‘Bespoke’ funerals • ‘No Fuss’ funerals • Prepaid funeral plans
Please contact Philip or Sallie on:
01273 736 469 07789 174 453 or visit our office at: 185 Portland Road Hove BN3 5QJ
See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
17
Business feature...
Mister Smith Interiors Hello! We’re Ben and Saskia Smith – together we own and run Mister Smith Interiors, a third generation family-run interiors business. Ben does all the measuring and quoting – he’s a tall chap with a tape measure and a friendly smile. Saskia stays behind the scenes and is currently busy looking after our young daughter, uploading products onto our new website and keeping up to date on the social media. We have two shops, one in Crowborough and the other in Brighton; both shops hold samples of all the latest and best fabrics, flooring, wallpaper and more. We measure, design, fit and install curtains, blinds, sofas, chairs, headboards, carpets, vinyl flooring and stair runners. So if it’s curtains you need or a blind or you’d like some new carpet or a stair runner… get in touch with us, visit our shops and our friendly and knowledgeable teams will help you choose a simple fabric update or design a full house redecoration.
We simply offer our experience and friendly advice to help you create the living spaces you want. www.mistersmith.co.uk
brighton • crowborough • www.mistersmith.co.uk
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
18
See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
19
Judith Burns shares her Kemptown memories...
©Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
Kemptown Memories Born in the first week after the end of World War I, my father, Dr Robert Burns, would have been celebrating his hundredth birthday on 19th November 2018 if still with us. As he was the reason for me living in Kemptown all these years, I’ve been reminiscing about some of his characterful patients I had the privilege of meeting when I worked for him. He was a GP with expertise in anatomy and spinal manipulation, which he taught worldwide, and many intriguing characters came to his Royal Crescent medical practice, from footballers and boxers to musicians, artists and actors and, by no means least, Brightonians who needed his help with bad backs and necks. Several personalities spring to mind who were definite favourites, if a doctor can have favourites! Cornelia James, glovemaker to the Queen and mother of Brighton author Peter James, often gifted my mother beautiful silk scarves. Betty Mulcahy, an authority on poet Stevie Smith and creator
Lord Olivier in 1972 photo by Allan Warren
of the national Speak-a-Poem competition, would deliver breathtaking readings at our local charity fundraising concerts. Eric Gill’s nephew, sculptor John Skelton, came from Ditchling and would send my father hand-drawn lettering thank you notes. Glyndebourne opera stars didn’t come to him, he went to them, driving to Shelleys Hotel in Lewes or Glynde during the summer season to improve necks and shoulders before they appeared on stage. Local actors Adam Faith, Oliver Reed and neighbour Lord Olivier came, particularly pre or during filming – that walk as Olivier hobbles into a cab in Marathon Man wasn’t ‘acted’. Sir Larry, as I called him, would turn up and my mother would make him tea, I’d serve and we’d discuss my drama lessons or school English whilst he made a fuss of our huge ginger cat who he’d peer at over his spectacles. Dame Flora Robson was living in Marine Gardens then; I would deliver my father’s bill, and as I rang the doorbell she’d appear on the Juliet balcony above with hair in curlers and a cheery wave, little dogs yapping at her feet. Tony Steedman was another favourite, a wonderful character actor with a mischievous sense of humour, who played Socrates in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. With their mutual love of antics, my father would often kneel on the floor and bow as Mr Steedman walked into his consulting room, who would then ‘knight’ my father with a pretend sword and they’d end up in fits of youthful giggles. I never knew what they all talked about within those four walls but I know from the laughter that they all enjoyed a visit to the doctor enormously! Judith runs the Kemptown Community Market. The Christmas Fair is on Saturday 5th December 2018 at St Mary’s Church. For future fairs follow www.facebook.com/ kemptowncommunitymarket.
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
20
See local reviews of this business at
Looking for an alternative to kennels? Or maybe you would like to welcome a guest dog into your home for his holiday?
Give your dog a holiday! Your dog will stay as the only guest in the family home of one of our highly experienced, vetted, insured & Council Licensed Carers. You will meet your dog’s Carer & see where he will be staying before the holiday at one of our “sniffing out meetings”. For more information about our service or to find out more about becoming one of our carers please contact:
Want a part-time job making a difference? Are you compassionate, friendly and do you want to do something meaningful with your spare time? We are looking for CareGivers to help older people enjoy their life at home and remain independent – perhaps providing companionship, helping with light housework, making a meal or supporting the start of their day, with visits of at least one hour in length. No previous experience is necessary – just the desire to help other people. Please call to Þnd out more about what makes us different:
01273 284090
01273 286 165 / 07736 665 888 bn@waggingtailsuk.co.uk
www.homeinstead.co.uk/brighton
www.waggingtailsuk.co.uk/bn facebook.com/WaggingTailsBN A franchise owned & operated under licence by Emily Deacon
See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
21
The latest column from Gary Walker...
Unhappy Shopper... As I mentioned a few issues ago, I once bought a top-of-the-range Trace Elliot Combo Bass Amp. This was one of the many purchases I’ve made over the years that could have done with a bit more thought. What attracted me to it was not its sound quality or reproduction, it was the fact that it had lots of little green lights. Like any man who buys any item of amplification equipment, I am easily swayed by little lights. I am also easily swayed by sliders. These are little switches that slide up and down their slot and amplify different frequencies. You arrange these so they look like a smile or, if you’re a jazz player, a frown. According to the Instruction Encyclopedia it also had things called envelope generators and wave-form shapers; or possibly envelope shapers and wave-form generators. I have no idea what these do, since I never understood any of it beyond the bit that tells you how to turn it on. Since my style is very much in the reggae idiom and in my case, at least, I could dispose of the top two strings without it making any noticeable difference,
HEATING & PLUMBING
01273 235019
ENQUIRIES@PLUM-HEATING.CO.UK LONG ESTABLISHED LOCAL COMPANY SPEAK TO OUR FRIENDLY OFFICE STAFF FROM 9AM TO 5.30PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXPERIENCED, COURTEOUS ENGINEERS 10% DISCOUNT ON LABOUR COSTS IF YOU MENTION THIS ADVERT WHEN BOOKING YOUR APPOINTMENT
BOILER REPAIRS & SERVICING BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS UNVENTED HOT WATER CYLINDERS UNDERFLOOR HEATING
I soon decided this wasn’t the equipment for me. I finished up selling it to a music shop where I got slightly under half of what I’d paid for it less than a week previously. That wasn’t the most annoying part though. The most annoying part was when the young bloke who tried it out to make sure it was OK played more notes in two minutes than I would use in two years. Obviously I beat him to death with his own bass guitar. Given my long history of this sort of thing, you’d think I’d have more sense than to attempt growing my own tomatoes from seed. According to a tomato guru of my acquaintance, my first mistake was to propagate them too late in the year. However, after six months I do have five plants laden with tomatoes. Sadly though, only two of them are red. I am reliably assured by said guru that if they haven’t turned red by now, they’re not going to. What this means is that when you work out what these two tomatoes cost in terms of time, effort, grow-bags, Tomorite etc it would have been cheaper to buy the Hope Diamond. It’s probably more edible too. Gaz
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
22
Local business at your service... Barbers Zar’s Barbers...............................................................2 Blinds Bella Vista...................................................................6 Builders Walder Construction...................................................10 DMS Construction.......................................................22 Children’s Activities Fun In Action...............................................................7 Churches St Mary’s Church........................................................11 St George’s Church......................................................6 Colleges Brighton MET.............................................................10 Plastering Lewis Byard.................................................................4 Decluttering Clutter Meister............................................................12 Domestic Appliances Carters.....................................................................18
DMS
Construction All aspects of commercial & domestic refurbishment Bathrooms Kitchens Extensions Loft Conversions Plumbing Carpentry Side Returns David Scourfield 07396 074136 dmscourfield@gmail.com
Estate Agents Paul Bott & Co...............................................Back Cover Funeral directors ARKA.........................................................................8 Sussex Funerals..........................................................16 Hairdressers Bo Style.....................................................................13 Heating Services Plum Heating.............................................................21 Home Care Home Instead.............................................................20 Interiors Mister Smith.............................................................17 Knitwear Laine - Made Unique..................................................19 Locksmiths Lee’s Locks...............................................................20 Pet Services Wagging Tails...........................................................20 Piano Warehouse Brighton Piano Warehouse...........................................9 Pilates Jan Davies.................................................................16 Wellbeing Exercise......................................................3 Plastering Lewis Byard.................................................................4 Roofing Clarkes of Brighton......................................................4 M.Marchant................................................................4 WorkWise.................................................................14 G & S Roofing...............................................................8 Solicitors Crosby & Woods........................................................15 Tiles Eurotiles & Bathrooms..................................................23 Wood Brighton Log Centre....................................................20
is made possible by the support of our advertisers... Please support them when you can
See this logo on adverts and find local reviews of that business at www.trustedandlocal.co.uk
23
Please send your local articles to info@kemptownrag.co.uk or call 01273 551021
Award Winning Agency 2018
2018