Viva Lewes Issue 117 June 2016

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