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4<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
When we discovered that <strong>Lewes</strong> has a particularly<br />
interesting car history - speed trials used to be held<br />
on the Downs in the 1920s - we were left with an<br />
ethical dilemma. In these times when, quite rightly,<br />
there is a great deal of concern over climate change<br />
and our over-dependence on fossil fuels, how can we<br />
write enthusiastically about fast cars without seeming<br />
to be petrol heads? Because truthfully, we’re far<br />
from Jeremy Clarkson types at <strong>Viva</strong>. The most common<br />
form of staff transportation is Shanks’ pony. It<br />
would be churlish to deny that motor vehicles are<br />
useful, and more than that, can be beautiful, although<br />
it seems more socially acceptable to admire<br />
the cute curves of a well-preserved vintage car than<br />
the sleek aerodynamics of a high performance Lamborghini.<br />
But whose heart, truthfully, doesn’t beat<br />
a little faster at the thought of driving around Sus-<br />
THIS MONTH’S COVER<br />
sex back roads in an open top car? The latent ‘poop<br />
poop’ speed-loving spirit of Mr Toad can lurk in the<br />
most unexpected places. But rather than have an issue<br />
celebrating the invention of the internal combustion<br />
engine, our answer has been to have a more<br />
general transport theme. Trains, planes and automo-<br />
biles. Plus we’ve included<br />
cycling, walking and buses.<br />
And gliding too. And<br />
frankly, looking into all of<br />
these has ended up being<br />
rather fun.<br />
Feature photo<br />
by Daisy Martin<br />
With the theme this month being transport, we<br />
fancied a dynamic cover. And that’s exactly what<br />
we’ve got. It’s always a pleasure to work with our<br />
old friend and collaborator, Neil Gower, and<br />
we sense he rather enjoyed creating this image.<br />
When we told him about the <strong>Lewes</strong> in History article<br />
on speed trials on the Downs, he had a think,<br />
then came back with the suggestion of a lovely red<br />
Jaguar XK120 powering up the Motor Road. “It’ll<br />
be very textured and ‘noisy’. Think a bastard child<br />
of Sybil Andrews and Edvard Munch,” he explained.<br />
Our minds boggled a little at that, but we<br />
could get exactly what he meant when we saw this<br />
wonderfully energetic design. In the background,<br />
you can see <strong>Lewes</strong> Castle and the Harveys ‘Cathedral’,<br />
with Mount Caburn behind and the Ouse<br />
snaking along below. The swifts he’s included are<br />
the theme of Sussex Wildlife’s Michael Blencowe’s<br />
piece this month. We initially wondered if they<br />
were �ying away from the speeding car, but upon<br />
reading what Michael has to say about them, it<br />
seems more likely they are racing along for the<br />
sheer joy of it. For more of Neil’s work, check out<br />
www.neilgower.com
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