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Photo by Rowena Easton<br />
MY LEWES: TONY PARKER<br />
Are you local? I was born in Buckinghamshire, but<br />
moved to the area in 1976 to study engineering at<br />
Sussex University. I have Sussex roots though… I<br />
can trace my family in Ditchling back 500 years. I<br />
love it around here: there’s the town, and the countryside<br />
and the sea… what more could you ask?<br />
Did you immediately live in <strong>Lewes</strong>? No, I lived<br />
in Brighton, and Hove, then when I got married<br />
aged 34 we moved to Uckfield. I moved to <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
11 years ago. I love history, interesting architecture,<br />
and the natural environment, and <strong>Lewes</strong> has all that<br />
in spades. Walking from my home in Sun Street to<br />
the pub most days after work is an utter pleasure.<br />
Which pub? Normally The Brewers, but I’ll go<br />
anywhere they serve good real ale. We are lucky<br />
having the best in the world here – Harveys. Every<br />
beer they produce is very well balanced. I was delighted<br />
when Dark Star Original came out because<br />
at last there was a beer that could compete!<br />
You work in Shoreham Harbour… I’m the Chief<br />
Engineer there. It’s a Trust Port which means profits<br />
don’t go to shareholders, they are ploughed back<br />
into the port, and into the local community. The<br />
port used to be run down but now it’s buzzing,<br />
and it’s a great asset for Sussex. I’m really proud of<br />
what’s been done there.<br />
How do you get there and back? The port is four<br />
miles long so I need to go by car because I need<br />
it throughout the day. You can easily get there by<br />
train though.<br />
What’s your favourite <strong>Lewes</strong> view? Looking<br />
down School Hill over Cliffe and up Old Lady’s<br />
Bottom. Or up at the castle from the Paddock.<br />
Recommend a good restaurant. Outside <strong>Lewes</strong><br />
I often go to the Middle House in Mayfield… all<br />
the food is local; even the bread is made on the<br />
premises. In <strong>Lewes</strong> the best restaurant – thoughtful<br />
menus with good ingredients – is Pelham House.<br />
Are you a foodie? Very much so. I grow all my<br />
own vegetables on my allotment in Haredean, I<br />
buy all my meat from a friend who rears cattle and<br />
sheep organically, and all my pies and sausages from<br />
Richards. With so much wonderful local produce<br />
around, why use a supermarket? They’re for buying<br />
cleaning products and the like.<br />
Are you Bonfire? I’m a member of Commercial<br />
Square. I think the Bonfire societies are brilliant for<br />
the community spirit, and really hold the town together.<br />
I’m useful because I can get a lot of palettes<br />
from the port for the bonfire. I feel privileged to be<br />
part of it all.<br />
If you didn’t live in <strong>Lewes</strong>, where would you<br />
live? If a majority of people decided to leave Europe<br />
– for basically fearful reasons – I would seriously<br />
consider leaving the country. I’d like to live in<br />
Italy, or India, or Canada, perhaps. AL<br />
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