Queens Park Living March 2017

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ueens Park Living March 2017 Edition I 01273 551021 I www.queensparkliving.co.uk

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home in Q u

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Welcome...

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Welcome to Queen’s Park! Contents March has the capacity to be a lovely month with lengthening days, warmer temperatures and new growth sprouting.

On the other side of the same coin it can however also be just a depressing extension of winter with freezing conditions and sometimes even snow. On which side will the coin fall?!!

Fingers crossed!

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Old Photo

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Friends of Queen’s Park

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Latest TV

Page 9

Music & Wine

Page 11

Property Valuation

Page 13

City Reads

Page 13

Sing for Better Health

Page 14

List of Advertisers

Notable dates to remember in March are St David’s Day on March 1st so wear a daffodil for that one, St Patrick’s Day on March 17th so wear something green and Mother’s Day on March 26th. Also, in the early hours of Sunday 26th March the clocks go forward so don’t arrive for your Mother’s Day celebrations an hour late!

Have a great March whichever one we get!!

Queen’s Park Living Team

info@queensparkliving.co.uk www.queensparkliving.co.uk Cover shot: Simon Dack

Publisher: Sussex Magazines 10 Hollingbury Road, Brighton BN1 7JA info@queensparkliving.co.uk Printer: Gemini printers Distributors: Mandy 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.

Sunshine Day Nursery

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Please send locale-mail articlesinfo@queensparkliving.co.uk to editorial@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021 To your advertise or call 01273 551021

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To advertise e-mail info@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

Old Photo...

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Queen’s Park Hall

Not much information is available about this house.

Sometimes known as Tower Lodge, it was for several years an annexe to the Xaverian College.

In 1897, when this photograph was taken, it was used as a girls’ private school.

Thanks to the Regency Society for this image from their photographic archives, The James Gray Collection. You can see thousands of more historic pictures of Brighton and Hove at www.regencysociety-jamesgray.com.

Videostar

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Please send your local articles to editorial@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

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ORCHARD DAY NURSERY established 1990 Orchard Day Nursery has vacancies for babies from 6 months to children of 5 years.

We are situated on Queens Park Road. We are proud to have been educating and caring for children from the Queens Park and Hanover area for over 25 years. We are Ofsted registered and offer EYFE grant for 3 year olds and also some 2 year old funding places.

Our After School Club: we collect children from Queens Park, and St Luke's Schools.

To arrange a visit to discuss your needs please call us on 01273 622883 or email orchardday@yahoo.co.uk

Landlords

We NEED your properties

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Contact us today for a free, no obligation property valuation 01273 292213 or 01273 292164 guaranteedrents@brighton-hove.gov.uk To advertise e-mail info@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

Local News...

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News from the Friends of Queen’s Park...

Friends of Queen’s Park Cancel 2017 Summer Events The Friends of Queen’s Park have announced that there will be no major summer events held in the park in 2017, with the committee voting to take a year off from hosting its two annual gatherings ‘Bark In The Park’ and ‘Picnic In The Park’.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting at the end of January, chair Johnny Webb explained that a decision had been made to concentrate the committee’s efforts on strategy and investment in the future of the park.

“Queen’s Park is one of six listed parks and gardens in Brighton and Hove. We are extremely worried about the future upkeep and design of the park and so, with a heavy heart, the Friends group has decided to take a sabbatical from the summer events. We are one of three green spaces to be listed in the recently drafted Open Spaces consultation document to create a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and that is our major goal in 2017.”

Wills & Estate Planning Probate Administration Lasting Powers of Attorney

Business Continuity Advice Debt Recovery Management Contract/Policy Drafting and Review Business Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney LEGAL ADVICE & GUIDANCE SERVICE

A new CMP document for Queen’s Park, outlining the area’s unique character and heritage, is considered a fundamental requirement of attracting investment from external bodies such as Heritage Lottery Funding.

With the promise of funds to pay for a CMP from the council, the Regency Society, and the Friends of Queen’s Park itself, there is now a real expectation of a comprehensive and professional report being delivered this year.

Queen’s Park and Valley Garden (which runs between St Peter’s Church to just south of Church Street) are two heritage conservation areas in the city on Historic England’s at-risk register.

“We would like to thank all the sponsors, stall holders and members of the public who have supported our events and we plan to be back bigger and better in 2018.”

Carols In The Park will continue as normal, alongside the committee’s continued volunteer activity programme.

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There was a turnout of 30 committee members and local residents at the AGM, there to hear reports on budget, volunteer activities and event reports. The meeting was joined by Paul Campbell, Contract & Project Manager from the council’s Parks Department, who described FQP as among the ‘top five’ Friends groups in the city. Campbell spoke about the new Open Spaces Strategy for the city, further details of which will be published here shortly.

Conrad Brunner

Please send your local articles to editorial@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

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FRIDAYS (term time) Every Friday starting 7th February @ Hanover Hanover Community Community Centre Centre @ Class 9.30- 1.30pm am Baby 1+ Class 12.30 classClass 10.45am Mixed 1-32+ years 1.30 - 2.30pm Baby ClassFREE 12.30pm Introductory CLASS FREE TASTER Contact Belinda McBrideSESSION 07582 256957 or Contact Belinda McBride 07582 256957 belinda.mcbride@musicalbumps.com belinda.mcbride@musicalbumps.com

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The Tarner school Tarner Community CommunityProject Projectoffers offersa avibrant vibrantrange rangeofofafter after clubsschool and holiday for children aged years. clubs play and schemes holiday Play Schemes for 4-11 children aged 4-11 With OFSTED accreditation, outstanding accreditation, the children With years.

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Entertainment...

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More LGBT-focused programmes on Latest TV...

There are two concerts this month at St Luke’s Church…

March Highlights on Latest TV

Music and Wine at St Luke’s

Exciting news – the hour between 9pm and 10pm is now LGBT+ specific on Latest TV – which means a variety of new stories, films and more.

On Friday 10th March pianist Emilie Capulet presents “The Sounds of Spain”, featuring works inspired by the rhythms of flamenco, gypsy music and Spanish melodies.

From AK Soufflé – Andrew Kay’s chat show with an LGBT focus, to The LGBT Vote bringing the political focus a rainbow perspective, on to Sophie Cook’s all-encompassing Beyond The Rainbow – which she describes as “anarchic, frequently rude and hopefully funny” with all manner of guests.

You’ll also find incredible original films, including Rhys Chapman’s drama, Wonderkid, about a professional footballer struggling with his homosexuality, and a moving Ugandan documentary about a public outing, Tales From The Margins. Plus our original LGBT voice QTube. Prime evening time to hear these marvellous voices speaking to everyone.

Latest TV channel from Brighton. Watch on Virgin Media channel 159, channel 7 on Freeview or online streaming

You will hear some of the great virtuoso Spanish works by Albéniz from his Iberia Suite, Scarlatti and Soler’s miniature sonatas, Ravel’s Alborada del Gracioso and Pavane pour une Infante Défunte and Debussy’s La Puerta del Vino.

Two weeks later on Friday 24th March we welcome back the Dryads Duo, featuring Carla Santos (violin) and Saul Picado (piano). They will present a colourful repertoire, featuring Mozart’s E minor sonata, Szymanowski’s Myths Op.30, Messiaen’s Theme & Variations and Elgar’s Sonata Op.82.

Tickets are £7 / £5 / free to accompanied under16s (available on the door). The concerts take place at St Luke’s Church, Queen’s Park Road, at 7.30pm. www.stlukesconcerts.webeden.co.uk

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The smartest views in Brighton SELLERS AND LANDLORDS See how our expert approach gives you: Faster sales Quality tenants The results you want for your property

Call us for free advice, valuations and local market insights Expert views for every property

01273 677 365 • bonetts.co.uk 78 St George’s Road, Brighton BN2 1EF

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Interested? Contact us today E housing@sussex.ac.uk T 01273 678220

To advertise e-mail info@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

Local Business...

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Some very useful advice on selling your property...

Property Valuation - Art or Science?

The first step most people make when they need to sell, is to ask local estate agents in to give an approximate selling price so that they, the sellers, can make realistic plans.

Unfortunately for sellers, over the last 10 years, ‘property appraisal’, as it is now called, has definitely become more ‘art’ than ‘science’. On the continent, the calculation is mostly based on value per square metre (that applies to commercial property in the UK too). But in the UK, residential asking prices are often based on ‘finger in the air’, ‘how much did the last agent say and add £50-100k’, or ‘my friend says my house is definitely worth £1M so…’. You need something a lot more expert than that if you actually want to move rather than remain on the market for six months or more.

Once a buyer does come on board, the next person through the door is their valuer. This person will give a realistic professional valuation of your property based on nearby recent sales of similar property. If any of you have sold in the last few years, you may have come across the disparity between the price you

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started at and what you finally sold for. That time on the market is boring and unnecessary. You need to use your judgement when you start seeing those £££s being waved at you by the unscrupulous agent, trying to get your business.

You should do your own research. Go to the Land Registry website, put in your postcode to obtain local ‘sold’ prices: http://houseprices.landregistry.gov.uk If there are no recent comparable sales in your road, you can try Rightmove’s ‘Sold Prices’ using the ‘¼ mile radius’ search criteria: www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices.html/ You can search by year, freehold or leasehold (house or flat) and should get a good feel for the ballpark figure.

Don’t be tempted to sign any contracts with any agents yet as this is only the preliminary, ‘shall I sell, shan’t I sell’ stage. Tell them you will be in touch.

There will be pushy agents suggesting they have people they can show around straight away to tempt you into making an early decision…don’t be taken in!

I hope to write a follow-up article on getting your property onto the market and how to do it as painlessly as possible.

Best of luck!

Paul Bonett F.N.A.E.A. M.A.R.L.A.

To advertise in

Queens Park Living call 01273 551021 or email info@queensparkliving.co.uk

Please send your local articles to editorial@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

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The BCCC is an award winning business based just on the edge of the City We make our own High Quality garden and horticultural products including Organic Compost, high grade Top Soil, Mulches, Bark Chip and Woodchip We also provide Brighton & Hove residents with a reasonably priced and efficient Garden Waste and old soil collection and clearance service

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07795 821916

To advertise e-mail info@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

Local Group...

News of a local singing group...

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Sing for Better Health

Experience the fun of singing with Sing For Better Health! No singing talent is required, and all are welcome!

posture and breathing exercises, plus a tea break and opportunity to make new friends. A medical research project with Sing For Better Health members shows marked benefits - apart from breathing and posture improvements: GP visits decrease, and members feel overall better and happier. “It lifts my spirits, helps my breathing and has brought me a whole new circle of friends. It’s also a lot of fun!”

Come and enjoy the magic of singing together!

Venue: Patching Lodge, Eastern Rd (next to Bingo Hall) Thursdays 10.30 to 12 Info: www.singforbetterhealth.co.uk Udita: 01273 556755

City Reads is back...

Udita runs six Sing For Better Health groups per week, for people 55+ generally, or anybody any age with a long-term health problem, at different venues across Brighton and Hove. Apart from having a lot of fun singing songs together, they offer their members

ClarkesofBrighton BUILDING

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City Reads 2017 “The Handsworth Times”, the debut novel by Hove-based author Sharon Duggal, has been chosen for City Reads 2017, while AF Harrold’s “Fizzlebert Stump - The Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus (and Joined the Library)” has been picked for Young City Reads, as part of Brighton Festival 2017.

This year they launch on 2nd March (World Book Day) and run until May, with a series of events themed around the books.

British Asian writer Sharon Duggal’s novel, published

by Bluemoose Books, is set in 1981 where factories are closing, unemployment is high, the NF are marching and the neglected inner cities are ablaze as riots break out across Thatcher’s fractured Britain. The Agarwal family are facing their own personal tragedy, but their pain is eased through humour, friendship and community. Sarah Hutchings of City Reads says: “2016 saw Britain polarised following the Brexit referendum, leading to some bitter arguments and disputes within communities. Sharon’s book couldn’t have been published at a more relevant time.”

Highlights of City Reads include The City Reads Book Quiz on Wed 22 March, and Sharon Duggal is in conversation at Brighton Festival on 14 May. Young City Reads launches at Jubilee Library on 2 March, with a special Brighton Festival event on 23 May featuring the author and illustrator.

For more information visit cityreads.co.uk.

Please send send your your local local articles articles to to editorial@queensparkliving.co.uk editorial@queensparkliving.co.uk or or call call 01273 01273 551021 551021 Please

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Index...

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Accommodation Sussex University Housing..........................................................10 After School Club Tarner Community Project............................................................8 Blacksmiths Anvil Ironworks.................................................................................4 Blinds Services Brighton Sunblinds...........................................................................4 Building Services Clarkes of Brighton.........................................................................13 Compost Brighton Community Compost Centre..................................12 Cycling City Cycling Skills............................................................................14 Damp Proofing PPJ Construction......................................................................Cover Domestic Appliances Carters....................................................................................................2 Electrical Services PM Electrical.....................................................................................11 Estate Agent Bonett’s...............................................................................................10 Paul Bott........................................................................................Back John Hilton (sales & Letting)...............................................cover Firewood Ogs Logs................................................................................................8

Firewood Brighton Log Centre.......................................................................12 Funeral Services Sussex Funerals..................................................................................9 Legal Advice Diligent Law.........................................................................................7 Locksmiths Lee’s Locks............................................................................................4 Music groups Musical Bumps.....................................................................................8 Newsagents Videostar................................................................................................5 Nursery Sunshine Day Nursery.......................................................................3 Orchard Day Nursery.........................................................................6 Pet Services Dog Walking.........................................................................................5 Property Acquisitions Scheme.........................................................................6 Public House The Round Georges.........................................................................12 Transport Breeeze Up to The Downs............................................................15 Veg Shop Hilly Laine............................................................................................12

To advertise e-mail info@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

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. . . p u e z e bre

to the Downs...

kids go

free!

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See leaflets for details

For times, fares, leaflets and walk ideas: Visit brighton-hove.gov.uk/breezebuses Phone 01273 292480 Or visit traveline.info/se to plan any bus or train journey

5903 Breeze up page advert YYZ.indd 1

Please send your local articles to editorial@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021

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Breeze up to Devil’s Dyke, Stanmer Park or Ditchling Beacon by bus!

22/06/2016 11:05

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To advertise e-mail info@queensparkliving.co.uk or call 01273 551021