Viva Lewes Issue #140 May 2018

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140
VIVALEWES
EDITORIAL
At Priory Upper School, in the early eighties, among a certain
set it was almost de rigueur to wear a long-sleeved stripy
Clothkits t-shirt in the summer. It looked kind of punky with the
right accoutrements and said ‘Made in Lewes’ twice, referring to
both garment and wearer. I never had one, dammit.
Where did you get what you’re wearing at the moment, top to
toe, outside to in? In my case it’s: Lewes FC shop; British Heart
Foundation; TK Maxx in Brighton; Bone Clothing; heirloom
from father; Intersport. I didn’t dress with this column in mind,
so I’m pleased to say that over 50% of my spending ended up in Lewes tills.
And the town has a lot to offer, clothes-shop-wise, whether you want to dress for style (Paul
Clark) or practicality (the Aldi mystery aisle). I mean, hey, even Kim Kardashian wears Lewes
clothes, as we discover in our article about the super-trendy Lewes label, Boom Boom, hidden
away in the Malling Industrial Estate.
This month’s theme is ‘Fabric and Fashion’, in case you hadn’t guessed. In our The Way We
Work section we interview four fashion designers (it was difficult to choose, there were so
many) and ask them ‘what is your most cherished item of clothing?’ Mine’s a faux-fur jacket
called Brian, which I bought in a charity shop in the 80s, for the record. But all that could
change if anyone has got a spare Clothkits stripy t-shirt they don’t want, in the back of the
cupboard. I’d pay top dollar. Enjoy the month…
Photo by Martina La Trobe-Bateman
THE TEAM
.....................
EDITOR: Alex Leith alex@vivamagazines.com
SUB-EDITOR: David Jarman
DEPUTY EDITOR: Rebecca Cunningham rebecca@vivamagazines.com
ART DIRECTOR: Katie Moorman katie@vivamagazines.com
ADVERTISING: Sarah Hunnisett, Amanda Meynell advertising@vivamagazines.com
EDITORIAL / ADMIN ASSISTANT: Kelly Hill admin@vivamagazines.com
DISTRIBUTION: David Pardue distribution@vivamagazines.com
CONTRIBUTORS: Jacky Adams, Ben Bailey, Jacqui Bealing, Michael Blencowe, Sarah Boughton, Mark Bridge,
Emma Chaplin, Daniel Etherington, Neil Gower, Mark Greco, Anita Hall, John Henty, Mat Homewood, Chloë King,
Dexter Lee, Lucy Limage, Lizzie Lower, Carlotta Luke, Richard Madden, John O’Donoghue and Marcus Taylor
PUBLISHER: Becky Ramsden becky@vivamagazines.com
Viva Lewes is based at Pipe Passage, 151b High Street, Lewes, BN7 1XU, 01273 480131. Advertising 01273 488882

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THE ‘FABRIC AND FASHION’ ISSUE
CONTENTS
Bits and bobs.
The story behind Michelle Hockey’s
amazing embroidered cover (8-9); what
Tizz thinks of Lewes (11); Carlotta Luke
at Arlington stock-car racing (17); books
round-up including Miriam Darlington’s
nature memoir Owl Sense (19), and the
usual patchwork quilt of hats and clocks
and plaques and pubs.
Columns.
David Jarman goes grave digging (27),
and Chloë King buries a sartorial time
capsule (29).
On this month.
Lewes composer Ed Hughes’ ode to the
Cuckmere at the Brighton Festival (31);
author Blake Morrison at Charleston
(33); Miles Jenner plays his comic hero
Billy Merson (35); agit prop luvvies Gob
Squad at the Attenborough (37), and
what’s on at the Depot (39).
43
Art and design.
Casting ‘More Light’ on forgotten
37
Lee Miller photos (40-41); Art &
About explores what’s on the gallery
walls in Lewes and beyond, including
experimental glass artist Alison Allum
at Martyrs’ and our former cover artist
Simone Riley at Chalk (43-51), and Neil
Gower on his hero, the late Lewesian
Berthold Wolpe (52-53).
Photo by Jade Mainade
Marco Crivello
Listings and Free Time.
Diary Dates: what to do where and when
(55-59); Gig Guide, including a Sharks
attack at the Con Club (61-62); Classical
round-up with a word or two from Dame
Felicity Lott (63-65); Gucci gigs for the
U16s (67), and Slot Machine Theatre at
Brighton Festival (68).

THE ‘FABRIC AND FASHION’ ISSUE
Photo by Martina La Trobe-Bateman
79
Food.
Oodles of noodles at Pestle & Mortar
(71); Philippa Vine’s Southdown
Hogget (73); Carafe, the new Turkish
coffee place (75), and Chloë King’s
Edible Updates (77).
Features.
Boom Boom shake the fashion world
(85-87); Michael Blencowe on his hatehate
relationship with mute swans (89);
Todd goes blue sky walking, Alfriston
way (91); yoga anywhichway you want
it at Soulfit (93); Lewes’ human speed
bumps (95); John Henty’s loud and
proud (97) and all the latest business
news (98).
Inside Left.
Charles Morrish & Son Drapery
Emporium, 1942 (114).
85
The Way We Work.
Martina La Trobe-Bateman captures
four of Lewes’ finest fashion designers
in their working environment and asks
them: ‘what’s the most cherished item
in your wardrobe?’ (79-83).
Photo by Lucy Limage
VIVA DEADLINES
We plan each magazine six weeks ahead, with a mid-month
advertising/copy deadline. Please send details of planned events
to admin@vivamagazines.com, and for any advertising queries:
advertising@vivamagazines.com, or call 01273 434567.
Remember to recycle your Viva.
Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of our content.
Viva Lewes magazine cannot be held responsible for any omissions, errors
or alterations. The views expressed by columnists do not necessarily
represent the view of Viva Lewes.
Love me or recycle me. Illustration by Chloë King
6

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HMC INDEPENDENT SCHOOL • BOARDING AND DAY • BOYS AND GIRLS 13 TO 18

THIS MONTH’S COVER ARTIST
This month’s cover was created by local textile
designer Michelle Hockey. Michelle designs handmade,
often embroidered, patterns, which are reproduced
as fabrics for home furnishings and upholstery.
While there’s a good chance you’ll have
come across something with her work on it, you
might not have heard her name before. “It’s a necessity
of the job really,” she explains. “When I sell
one of my designs to a client, I sell the copyright,
so my name isn’t attached to it.”
Michelle sells all of her work through local agent
Alistair Boyd, who brings her designs to clients
around the world. Her patterns have been selected
by brands including Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel
and Pottery Barn, and she’s just found out that several
of her designs have been purchased by IKEA.
“Alistair is a really lovely person to work for,” she
says. “He’s quite unusual in that he’s stayed away
from doing too much digital work. We try to keep
lots of handmade processes involved. I use all different
techniques in my designs – embroidery, collage,
screen printing and painting – and I think
people are really going back towards those techniques
which look more textured and hand drawn.”
Michelle started developing her skills at a young age:
“I was always the one in the family who liked sewing.
I grew up learning from my grandmothers, who
both sewed, and I remember just being fascinated by
it, by embroidery in particular. I went to Brighton
University to do the Textiles BA course there and it
was at my degree show that Alistair spotted my work
and offered me a job. I hadn’t done any furnishing
8

MICHELLE HOCKEY
work before because the course specialised in print
for fashion. When you work in fashion textile design
you have to create quite small prints, and you have to
produce a lot of them – you’d usually do ten designs
a week – whereas in furnishings I can concentrate
on one or two a week and spend longer working on
them and get paid more for each design, so it’s not
quite as frenetic.”
Her design for our cover is inspired by the vintage
button cards she inherited from her grandmothers’
sewing boxes. She sewed the piece over a weekend
and brought the finished piece in to be scanned; the
original is a fabric collage, with the details embroidered
over the top. “The bit I found most tricky was
trying to get the buttons to look three-dimensional,
because they were quite small and quite fiddly,” she
says, “but I just couldn’t resist making them all different
patterns. I wanted to use quite an obvious
weave in the background, so I found a very loosewoven
white linen and then laid black fabric underneath
it, so you can see the texture coming through.
It’s completely different from the sort of work I
normally do because it’s so small, which meant that
I could spend a lot of time on each little bit and do
the embroidery by hand. I really enjoyed it!”
Rebecca Cunningham
michellehockey@hotmail.com
9

MY LEWES: TIZZ JOHNSON, SHOPKEEPER
What’s ‘Tizz’ short for? Nothing. That’s what
everyone calls me. If people want to make it
shorter, they make it longer, and call me ‘Tizzy’.
Are you local? I was born in Aldershot, but
that’s just because my Dad was in the army. My
great grandfather ran a butcher’s in Lewes. They
tell me he was a real gentleman. He was called
Sid Crees. Funnily enough his wife was called
Sid, too, so they were both called Sid Crees.
So you went to school here? I went to
Western Road and then to Priory. On my last
day there they told me I was something called
dyslexic. The teacher I most respected was
Mr Harrington, who taught woodwork and
metalwork. He was a Mod, and really cool. He
also taught me it was OK to be different and that
life wasn’t always what it looked like.
How long has Tizz’s been going? Thirty-one
years. I started selling beads in the Needlemaker’s
and moved to this place four years later. I bought
the lease in 2000 from Mr Bannerman, who used
to run The Gourmet. He roasted his coffee here
before it got trendy. It’s been all sorts of things in
the past: a bakery, a fur shop, a photographer’s,
a launderette, a jeweller’s. At Tizz’s we don’t sell
anything useful, but we sell people what they
want. It’s been a big success and nobody’s more
surprised than me. A lot of that is down to the
girls who work here, Kerry and Becs.
How could Lewes be any better for a
shopkeeper? They need to sort the parking out
and they need to make it a level playing field:
it’s all very well people coming here on a sunny
Saturday with their market stall but they don’t
have to pay the rates, or pay for the rubbish to
be taken away, or sit here on a sleety Monday
morning in January with no-one coming in.
What do you do for exercise? I have a dog called
Reggie. If I can’t avoid it I take her for a walk.
Where do you shop for food? I hate
supermarkets, and I’m good at making a fuss
when I have to do something I don’t want to do,
as my partner will tell you, so I don’t spend much
time in them. I like the village shop in Barcombe,
though. I live in Barcombe.
What’s your favourite building? The Bus
Station. You may laugh, but have a good look at
it. It’s one of a kind, and it should be listed.
How do you spend your free time? I’m a
petrol-head. I love old cars. I have six, and a
motorbike. My favourite is a 1960 Daimler Dart:
it’s all in bits at the moment, being restored. I’m
doing it slowly.
Where would you live if not round these
parts? Cornwall. They have a similar ‘won’t be
druv’ attitude. I like people who stand up for
what they believe in and say what they think.
Not that I do… much. Interview by Alex Leith
11

BITS AND BOBS
SPREAD THE WORD
with Machapuchare, the ‘Fish Tail Mountain’ of the
Annapurna range, in the background.
Kingston resident Gerry Bennett gave his eyes a
rest from all that spectacular wildlife and those
endless plains of the Serengeti. With thousands
of migrating zebra and wildebeest, and big cats
circling around on the hunt for easy pickings, Gerry
describes the safari trip as ‘truly amazing’. Though
he wasn’t tempted to climb Mt Kilimanjaro like
his wife Carolyn and son Tommy, both of whom
successfully reached the summit. ‘Why not?’ we
asked… ‘Mt Kili!’ came the reply, ‘Too sensible is
my defence, it’s quite a challenge, not to be underestimated.’
And here’s Rowena Easton, who took her Viva into
the cockpit of a Spitfire during the Battle of Britain
in WW2. Actually it’s a green-screen simulation
pod in the Cinema Museum in Turin… if you look
closely part of the backdrop has been transposed
onto the cover of the (back-to-front) mag.
Josh Broome, meanwhile, has been volunteering at
a school in Nepal since early December. He’s taken
a reminder of home with him (our October issue!)
and here he is on the very beautiful Panchase trek
Finally a shot closer to home. ‘This picture was
taken of my daughter Georgie, who is 17 months
old, at our home in Lewes,’ writes Alexandra
Brentnall. ‘She regularly enjoys perusing the articles
in Viva Lewes and is always excited when the new
edition arrives through the letterbox!’
Keep taking us with you and keep spreading the
word. Send your pictures, and a few words about your
trip, to hello@vivamagazines.com
12

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GEORGINA GIBSON
Please join us for an informal evening
showcasing the latest interior trends and a fresh
approach to interior design
with the opportunity to meet
kitchen designer Andrew Nichols
and
Antares Wood Floors
plus a presentation by
Fired Earth
Drinks and canapés
on Thursday, 17 th May
from 4pm to 8pm
Crown House, 4 Market Lane,
Lewes, BN7 2NT
01273 473000
www.georginagibsoninteriordesign.co.uk

BITS AND BOBS
CHARITY BOX: DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY SCREENINGS
Accessibility is something that the Depot take seriously,
in terms of wheelchair access, Audio Description
headsets available (AD) for the visually impaired,
and subtitled screenings for those with hearing
impairments. They are also putting on a series of
‘relaxed, enhanced dementia-friendly’ screenings too
– which are also ‘friendly’ for people on the autistic
spectrum and those with learning disabilities and
their carers.
The host is Suzy Harvey, who has worked with people
with dementia for many years, and organised the
successful Musical Matinee Club at the De La Warr
Pavilion, on which the Depot series is based. She tells
us: “We’re screening musicals, because they are often
extremely playful, with many opportunities to sing
and dance along. We also use props and costumes
to provide a great way for us all to stay engaged in
the film in our own way. This singing, dancing and
participation all combine to create more possibilities
for connection, laughter and reminiscence.”
To create a dementia-friendly environment, the
cinema and restaurant will have extra, large signage
and trained staff. In the auditorium, the house lights
will be up, the sound down, and it’s fine for members
of the audience to walk around, dance and sing – in
fact it’s actively encouraged. Emma Chaplin
Dementia-friendly screenings, Depot Cinema. 1st May,
Calamity Jane, 1st June, Blue Hawaii, 6th July, Gentlemen
Prefer Blondes, 7th Sept, Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers, 5th Oct, High Society. Arrival and refreshments,
2pm, film showing 2.30pm. lewesdepot.org
A family-run, independent retailer with
nearly 80 years of trading and experience.
Specialists in items of the highest quality.
• Antique and new jewellery
• Silverware
• Watches
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• Valuations
Marston Barrett Ltd
Established 1938
72-73 High Street, Lewes, BN7 1XG • 01273 474150
www.marstonbarrett.com

HATS AND BOBS
WHERE DID YOU
GET THAT HAT?
A well co-ordinated hat is a great
addition to any outfit, and Megan
Fairweather’s maroon trilby is
the perfect finishing touch to her
vibrant and colourful ensemble.
She bought it from a stall in
Brighton’s North Laine (of
which there are many!) Megan
was visiting Lewes for the day
from Saltdean when I asked her
to pose for this picture, which
features Zak the dog, who didn’t
want to be left out. Kelly Hill

PHOTOGRAPHY
CARLOTTA LUKE
CRASH, BANG, WALLOP
On Easter Monday Carlotta Luke took her
family to the stock-car racing at Arlington, to
see the ‘Bangers’, ‘Historic Stock Cars’ and
‘Rookie Rods’. So it was all high-speed crash,
bang, wallop as the drivers raced round the
360-yard concrete track. “It was a fantastic
experience,” she says, “right up close to the
cars. I bet a lot of Lewes people didn’t know
it was just round the corner.” There are more
races at Arlington on the 7th and the 15th
May (spedeworth.co.uk); you can see more of
Carlotta’s photos at carlottaluke.com.
17

pressed, creased trousers.
Corbynism [kawrbin-izm] n
a movement not an individual;
fundamental shift in system of
ideas; for the many not the few.
A day making new kinds of Labour politics
Saturday 9 June Lewes with the help of
Alex Nunns
author
Eliane Glaser
author
Jess Garland
researcher
into changing
Labour Party
membership
Laura Parker
national
coordinator
Momentum
Liam Young
author
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Labour MP
Brighton
Kemptown
Mark Perryman
Lewes Labour
and author
Monique Charles
writer on
#Grime
4Corbyn
Paula Surridge
analyst of
voting trends
in Labour
target seats
Peter Lamb
Labour
prospective
parliamentary
candidate
Crawley
Richard Power Sayeed
author
Zoe Williams
writer and
columnist
for the
Guardian
When
Saturday 9 June 2018
10.30–18.00
Doors open 10.00
Where
Lewes Town Hall
Fisher Street
Lewes BN7 2QS
Wi th
The Keir Hardie Café
Ideas market
Bookshop
Disabled access
More information
LewesLabour
LewesLabour
Tickets
£5 advance / £7.50 on day
online from
Eventbrite
in person from
Union Music Store
1 Lansdown Place
Lewes BN7 2JT
Presented by
Lewes Constituency
Supported by

BITS AND BOOKS
LOCAL LITERATURE
Miriam Darlington is returning
to the town she grew
up in on May 25th to give a
reading from and talk about
her latest nature-memoir,
Owl Sense, at the Linklater
Pavilion (see railwaylandproject.org).
You may have heard
an abridged version of the
book being read out on Radio
4 – it was their ‘Book of
the Week’ in mid-February.
Miriam (also author of the
acclaimed Otter Country)
describes seeing a captive
Great Grey Owl on display
in the High Street of the
Devon town she lives in,
and makes the decision to
find out more about this cute-yet-vicious bird. She
vows to ‘scour the twilit woods, fields and valleys of
my home archipelago and then reach further afield,
learning about the ecology and conservation of these
night-roaming raptors, about their presence, rather
than their absence.’
She starts by tracking the near-to-home species with
her teenage son Benji, but matters become more
complicated when Benji contracts a serious and
mysterious illness. Miriam’s Europe-wide quest to
discover more about the lifestyle of the owl becomes
interwoven with another, more urgent, quest to
discover a cure for the illness. And so, it becomes
more than just a book about owls. As Miriam writes
in her acknowledgements ‘it is about our relationship
with owls, with one another and ultimately with
the planet’.
Narrative by Numbers, by Sam Knowles, is subtitled
‘How to Tell Powerful and Purposeful Stories with
Data’. ‘There are two skills that everyone needs
in today’s knowledge economy to thrive and do
their jobs most effectively,’ it begins. ‘These are
the ability to interrogate,
understand, and extract
meaning from data and
statistics, and the ability
to use the insights derived
from the data to move
people to action.’ He uses
a variety of examples in
order to nail his argument
down, in which organisations
- Unilever, PG Tips,
Aviva - have succeeded in
telling good stories to the
public about results they
have understood from data,
to their advantage. It is
written rather like a selfhelp
book, with chapter
titles giving out sage pieces
of advice which are then explored in more detail:
‘keep it simple’, for example; ‘beware the curse of
knowledge’. Knowles has done his homework, and
he’s a good story teller, so the book works, rather like
a self-fulfilling prophecy. Allen Carr meets Malcolm
Gladwell? Not quite, but nearly.
The Fifty Five – A Story Set in Stone, is a book by
David Arnold about what is probably the most
overlooked religious building in Lewes, the
Memorial Chapel, within the Lewes Priory School
grounds, built in the memory of the 55 former
pupils of Lewes County Grammar School (as was)
killed in WW2. The man behind it was the headmaster
from 1930 to 1960, Neville Bradshaw: ‘they
were more than names to him, they were his boys’.
David will be writing an article on the chapel for us
in a future issue.
Finally a mention for the latest edition of The
Frogmore Papers, the quarterly anthology of poetry
published in Lewes, which this month includes a
fine short poem by Viva Lewes’ regular cover artist
Neil Gower. Alex Leith
19

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BITS AND BOBS
CLOCKS OF LEWES #18:
LEWES BOWLS CLUB
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‘Fabric and Fashion’ isn’t the easiest fit for
a piece about clocks, but let’s look at Lewes
Bowls Club. Bowls is generally perceived as a
game more fashionable among old folk. Chris
Sykes, secretary of Lewes Bowls Club, says their
membership actually includes people from their
thirties to their eighties.
As for fabric, Chris explains: “The game is
played either in ‘whites’ or in ‘greys’ and
the dress code can seem rather rigid but has
been relaxed in recent years to try and attract
younger players.”
Bowls has a long history in Lewes. Another version
of the sport has been played on the castle
green since at least 1640, with a club founded in
1753. Lewes Bowls Club, which plays lawn or
green bowls on six ‘rinks’, started out as a Men’s
Club playing at the foot of the Mound in 1922,
before expanding in 1926.
A Ladies Bowling Club was founded in 1960,
sharing the pavilion. This was burnt down by
vandals in 1997 but was replaced soon after.
Most importantly for this column, it features a
clock, added a few years ago. It is a memorial
to Peter and Daphne Brown, funded by their
family. Daniel Etherington
Thanks to Chris Sykes
21

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH
PIPE PASSAGE PIPE
“I have always been fascinated by the down pipe
on the side of the Freemason’s building at the
entrance to Pipe Passage,” says John Hinitt, who
took this fine picture, “and thought I would try
and create an image which reflects its character.
Being a painter and decorator I should be offended
by its ill-maintained state but no, I realise
that’s what lends it its unique character. I guess
some of you guys (at Viva) pass this every day...
for me it always tells me where the entrance is to
your offices.” John is no stranger to our offices,
it must be said, as he’s popped in on several occasions
to pick up the £20 prize money for appearing
in this slot.
“I’ve tried to take pictures of it a few times over
the years, but it wasn’t until I decided to go in
deep for a close-up that I achieved an image
I liked. It’s rather an ugly image in a way, but
there’s a lot to it. When I looked at it long and
hard I realised that you could see faces in it, too.”
John is a big fan of performing a good deal of
‘post production’ to his photographs, and this is
a case in point. “I took the original on my Nikon
600 on a 70mm lens, which allowed me to capture
a lot of detail. I used to play with my images on
Adobe Lightroom, and then on Nik Collection,
but I’ve just upgraded to DxO, which has all sorts
of new functions, so in a way this picture was the
fruit of my experimentation on that.” We love
the semi-abstract nature of the result, and, having
compared a print-out of the image with the
original, can safely say that we will never look at
that down pipe in the same way again.
Please send your pictures, taken in and around
Lewes, to photos@vivamagazines.com, or tweet
@VivaLewes, with comments on why and where
you took them, and your phone number. We’ll
choose our favourite for this page, which wins the
photographer £20, to be picked up from our office
after publication. Unless previously arranged, we
reserve the right to use all pictures in future issues
of Viva magazines or online.
23

PUBS AND BOBS
GHOST PUB #43: THE KINGS ARMS, 47 NORTH STREET
Some older Lewesians will remember the Kings Arms. It
was situated on the corner of North Street and Wellington
Street, and closed in 1965. It had stood there since
the 1820s, and was known as the ‘Kings Arms Inn’ by the
time George Weller took over as landlord in 1840. However,
within a few years other establishments had sprung
up in the area, and in 1859 Hillmans Brewery noted that
‘the house had much decreased in value, owing to the
opening of several beershops in the neighbourhood’.
John Dunstone ran the Kings Arms for ten years. The
police had a constant battle with him, and at a court case in 1856 complained that Dunstone kept ‘abusing
them and calling them names’. He was suspended for a fortnight for selling beer to ‘the roughs’ after hours.
The Kings Arms was one of fourteen pubs designated for closure in the 1907 Lewes pub cull. However, it was
one of the two pubs on that list which were reprieved, despite the fact that landlord George Ferguson was
fined heavily for allowing gambling on the premises that same summer. As the twentieth century wore on, the
Kings Arms saw its four rival pubs in North Street disappear one by one, and by 1959 it was the only one left.
This photograph shows where the pub once stood. It is hard to believe so much revelry took place at this now
quiet and innocuous corner. Mat Homewood
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24

BITS AND BOBS
TOWN PLAQUE #38: FOUNDRY LANE
It is hard now for those who have lived here for a few
decades, never mind those newly-arrived or visiting,
to grasp what an industrialised little town Lewes was
until relatively recently. The last century saw breweries,
cement works, iron foundries, chemical works,
quarrying and ship-building – to name the most obvious.
The town immediately after World War II was
recently described as being ‘dusty, smoky and grey’ by
one of our historians, Graham Mayhew.
Cliffe, alongside the river, had most of these activities
and associated pollution and this little street beside the Gardener’s Arms led to the municipal gasworks, adding
both a dominant visual feature and a distinctive odour to the lower parts of town.
No longer obvious, or indeed visible at all in many cases, but nevertheless a vital part of the town’s history,
recalled by this, one of the first plaques put up. Marcus Taylor (who is the Secretary of Friends of Lewes – not its
Chairman, as recently and mistakenly described)
GLYNDEBOURNE COSTUME IN NUMBERS
The 2018 Festival season at Glyndebourne starts in mid-May, with 6 productions running over 75 performance
days. Glyndebourne costume team grows to around 35 people during the Festival, and also employs
4 wigmakers. For productions, the wardrobe staff include 4 maintenance and repair staff, 3 laundry assistants
and 20 dressers. In one show this year – Saul – there are 20 corsets to be laced in 9 minutes, and the 44 period
dresses have to be steamed after each show.
Glyndebourne also tours annually each autumn, with the 2017 tour performing in 5 English towns and cities,
presenting 3 productions over 24 performances. The tour used 210 performers, 140 musicians, 70 production
staff and technicians and 92 boxes of makeup. And, for Hamlet alone, they required 30 litres of ‘blood’
and 25 litres of white makeup powder.
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COLUMN
David Jarman
...digs deep
Sir Thomas Browne, the
author of Religio Medici,
wrote in his commonplace
book that the bones from the
charnel house of Old St Paul’s
were transported in more
than a thousand cartloads to
Finsbury Fields, ‘and there
layd in a moorish place, with
so much soyle to cover them
as raysed the ground for three
windmills, which have since
been built there; grinding food
for the living, on the bones of
the dead’.
Some Lewesians speculate that
the reason why the allotments
alongside Paddock Road are so productive is
that the area known as ‘Hangman’s Acre’ was
the burying ground for those executed at the
Gallows Bank over St John’s Terrace. They
would have been denied Christian burial in
consecrated ground. Well, not between 1726 and
1844 when hangings authorised at Sussex assizes
were always enacted outside the County Jail at
Horsham. After 1845, when public executions
resumed at Lewes, first outside the North Street
Jail and then at the new County Prison, the
deceased were interred inside them. Before 1726?
Hangman’s Acre appears on a map in 1618, but as
Colin Brent, our most scrupulous local historian,
commendably fastidious in his aversion to
unwarranted speculation, concluded in his article
on Hangman’s Acre published in these pages
many years ago: ‘though devoutly tended now for
many decades, no skeletons of malefactors have
been reported’.
What of the etiquette of eating in graveyards?
My wife is opposed to the practice and she’s
probably right. But then she
considers my whole liking
for such places morbid. The
narrator of Samuel Beckett’s
First Love, translated by the
author from the original
French, establishes early on
that: ‘Personally I have no
bone to pick with graveyards’.
He continues: ‘as a place for an
outing, when out I must, leave
me my graveyards and keepyou-to
your public parks and
beauty-spots. My sandwich,
my banana, taste sweeter
when I’m sitting on a tomb…’
At the beginning of Muriel
Spark’s novel Loitering with Intent, Fleur Talbot is
sitting in an old Kensington graveyard. A young
policeman approaches her. ‘He only wanted to
know what I was doing… I told him I was writing
a poem, and offered him a sandwich which he
refused’. A sign of disapproval? No, it’s because ‘he
had just had his dinner himself’. ‘He stopped to
talk to me, then he said good-bye, the graves must
be very old, and that he wished me good luck…’
And then there’s the placing of food on the
graves of the dead. The most bizarre example
of this practice I’ve come across appeared in
a letter to the Times. Writing, appropriately
enough from All Souls Lane, Cambridge, a Mr
Ingham refers to the strange escalation of onepenny
coins being laid on Wittgenstein’s tomb
in the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground
in the city. His letter concludes: ‘over the years
numerous small objects have been placed on
the grave including a lemon, a pork pie, a Mr
Kipling cupcake and a Buddhist prayer wheel. It
is all very intriguing’.
Photo by Alex Leith
27

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COLUMN
Chloë King
Lewes capsule wardrobe
Guernsey Sweater
Not to be confused with that other Lewes
favourite, the Breton shirt. More Guernseys can
be found in our fair town than there are virtue
signals in Brighton and Hove. To some they’re just
jolly knitwear, en masse they are a force to buy a
programme off.
Sensible Walking Shoes
As summer approaches, so do the knee-length
sock brigade. Sensible shoes are a must because
Lewes has too many hills, hence why our MP
prefers an exercise bike.
The Bum-Cover
A signature Lewes Look since the 1980s: Capriccio
can be mined for floaty patterned numbers and
long-length cardigans. Mum once told me that Capriccio,
The Gourmet and Full of Beans proved our
town’s bohemian calibre. This seemed insignificant
until I found myself raising a jaded eyebrow at a
YouTube video of Charlotte’s Cupboard.
Twirlers
String tied just below the knee in readiness for a
sweaty round of Dwyle Flunking. Twirlers are said
to stop rats from ascending one’s trouser leg, or so
I was told as I prepared to demonstrate the sport
for an episode of Al Murray’s gameshow Compete
for the Meat. I confirm no creature has ascended
my trouser leg while wearing them.
Nordic Statement
Lewes lurves Scandi style. To get the look pop
to The Laurels for a splash of Marimekko and
to Wickle for a quirky pair of short shorts and a
hygge candle. As one ascends the style echelons it’s
good to acquire a Freight sweater, a hyper-local
forever item from Sideline and a felt hat. Best
wear your giant ram horns with a spritz
of Nancy Meiland and a slick of AS:AP
Beauty Balm.
Fluorescent Paint
Not so much since Santon, still some
at Scout Hut.
Cosplay
When a huge percentage of your town regularly
takes part in large-scale ritualised cosplay events,
it’s harder to impress in the Lewes Arms Pantomime
Animal race. This year I was told I may be
disqualified for bringing the octopus suit out a
third time. Must. Try. Harder.
Charity Chic
Lewes already has a fine array of charity shops and
the hotly anticipated Death of the High Street can
only mean more!
Southern Fail Commuter Chops
A geometric jowl, a chiselled brow and the glare
from your mobile device are de rigueur in all regions
serviced by Southern. Console yourself with
the fact that in a Sunday Times: Best Place to Live
your London salary is better at servicing your family’s
needs than the job you want. Plus, artists and
makers need your custom, so get on that bleeding
train (if it turns up).
Beards
My husband shaved his off this month and it
took our daughter four hours to recover from the
shock.
Illustration by Chloë King
29

Independent 3 screen cinema, café bar and restaurant

ON THIS MONTH: FILM & MUSIC
Ed Hughes
A moment in a river’s history
How do you capture landscape in music? For
Lewes composer Ed Hughes, it’s a process that
involves what he sees as much as what he hears.
The colours, contours and edges of the physical
world can all, through Ed’s eyes, be translated into
a musical score.
His latest composition was inspired by one of East
Sussex’s most famous land features. Cuckmere: A
Portrait, a Brighton Festival commission that premieres
this month, is a collaboration between Ed,
who is Head of Music at the University of Sussex,
and acclaimed music documentary filmmaker
Cesca Eaton.
Ed’s live orchestral score and Cesca’s 25-minute
silent film will give audiences a visual and sonic
experience of a year in the life of Cuckmere,
including the Haven, an area of flood plain
between Seaford and Eastbourne where the river
Cuckmere meanders to the English Channel.
“For years I’ve loved walking in that area with
my family,” says Ed. “It’s a place of great beauty
and fragility, which has inspired so many artists.
Its special light, space, shapes and colours were
famously captured by the artist Eric Ravilious in
his 1939 watercolour, Cuckmere Haven.”
It is these qualities that Cesca and aerial cameraman
Fergus Kennedy have captured in her film,
and which Ed has used to create the four musical
movements of his piece to represent autumn,
winter, spring and summer.
“I’m fascinated by how Cesca’s film creates drama
through connecting different views - whether
that’s the meandering of the river, or the flinty cuts
in the chalk landscape, or the gradual curves of the
Downs,” says Ed.
“These all have geometrical, almost rhythmic
aspects, which can translate into shapes in music.
A sinuous pattern in the river could connect to a
weaving motif in a particular instrument, such as a
flute or a glockenspiel. The music and the picture
are creating different languages side by side.”
Ed and Cesca began the project two years ago,
helped with funding from the Arts Council,
and held workshops at local schools, including
BHASVIC and East Sussex Academy of Music, to
encourage young musicians to respond to Cesca’s
film footage.
What makes the project all the more urgent and
poignant are the challenges to the area posed by
rising sea levels and the cost of protecting it, adds
Ed. “This is a portrait of the Cuckmere River
through a year of seasons, but it is also a moment
in its history. The fact that Cuckmere Haven
will change has a powerful effect on us, perhaps
because we long for an experience of beauty that is
somehow permanent.”
The premiere, which will be at the Attenborough
Centre for the Creative Arts at the University of
Sussex on 5th May, will be followed by a discussion
on the future of the environmental movement
between Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline
Lucas and author Tony Juniper, whose new book,
Rainforest, draws on his many years’ experience as
a frontline campaigner.
A second performance, on 6th May, will include
compositions played by schools that took part in
the Cuckmere Project. Jacqui Bealing
brightonfestival.org
31

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ON THIS MONTH: LITERATURE
Blake Morrison
at Charleston Festival
You’re appearing at
Charleston Festival this
month to talk about
your latest novel, The
Executor. What do you
make of the rise of
festivals? In general they’re
a good thing – a chance
for writers to meet their
readers and vice versa. The
smaller the festival, the
greater chance there is of
that happening. Charleston
is one of the best organised
and most congenial.
The Executor tells the
story of Matt Holmes,
who is asked by Robert
Pope to oversee the
terms of his will. When
Pope dies suddenly Matt
has to negotiate the rather contradictory
terms of the will and the concerns of Pope’s
widow, Jill. Do you have experience of being
an executor yourself? I haven’t appointed a
literary executor, and though I’ve agreed to act
as one, for a friend, he’s younger than me, and
with luck I’ll never be called on. Many writers
leave behind contradictory instructions in their
wills. Often they’ll ask for work to be destroyed
that embarrasses them but which deserves to be
preserved. If wills were followed to the letter,
then we wouldn’t have Kafka’s novels. Executors
have to weigh up how best to serve the author’s
interests. Sometimes they’re loyal, paradoxically,
by betraying them. After all, if writers really want
things they’ve written to be destroyed, why not
do it themselves?
A lawyer briefs Matt on the law concerning
literary wills in the novel.
How did you research
this? At an academic
conference on ethics and
life-writing at Goldsmiths
a few years back, I heard a
very good talk by a lawyer.
Afterwards I followed up
some of the cases he’d
alluded to as well as finding
a few more – all of them
relating to the eternal
war between the right to
privacy on the one hand,
and freedom of expression
on the other.
Robert Pope’s will sets
off the action of the
novel. You make him
a poet, not a novelist,
a playwright, or a
memoirist. What was it about making Pope a
poet that appealed to you? It wasn’t a deliberate
choice, more serendipity. I wrote the poems first,
over a number of years, didn’t feel they were
really ‘mine’, began to see how they could form
part of a novel, and then developed the character
of Robert Pope – revising the poems and adding
new ones as I went along.
At one point Matt reflects on what makes
a great writer. Have you thought about this
yourself? I think about it all the time, but I don’t
have any answers beyond the obvious. Style,
subject matter, intelligence, a responsiveness
to the zeitgeist that also addresses the eternal
verities – all play their part. John O’Donoghue
Blake Morrison is in conversation with Hermione
Lee at the Charleston Festival, 5.30pm, 20th May.
charleston.org.uk/festival
33

ON THIS MONTH: THEATRE
Catching Alphonso
The life and times of Billy Merson
When Miles Jenner was 16 he
bought an LP featuring a collection
of music-hall songs, and
was particularly taken by one
track, The Sad Tale of a Spaniard
that Blighted my Life. “That song
sparked a life-long interest in the
remarkable man who wrote it,
and performed it, Billy Merson,”
says Miles, who has written and
is performing in a one-man play
about Merson, If I Catch Alphonso,
Tonight!, showing in Eastbourne
and Brighton in May.
Merson, Miles tells me, was one
of seven children born to a Nottingham
lace-maker, and “almost
certainly had rickets: he was so
bandy-legged, they called him
‘Bowie’.” He was an acrobat and
a clown before becoming a comedian,
after which he “took the
music halls by storm.” He went on
to become the first performer to
appear in a British ‘talkie’.
There’s an important local angle.
“In 1910 he first performed his song If I Catch
Alphonso, Tonight! at Brighton’s Theatre Royal,
in a duet with Beatrice Allen. This proved so
popular he turned it into a solo number, which
was the track on the album I bought.”
The song turned him into a superstar, “raising
his weekly earnings from £6 to £125,” but also
led to his downfall. “Warner Brothers made a
film The Singing Fool, with Al Jolson in it, and
they had Jolson sing the song.” Merson sued
Warners, and won the case, but on appeal the
production company got off on a technicality
– the law did not yet cater for copyright protection
in recorded performances.
Merson had to pay the entire costs
of the case. “This came to £15,000,
around £700,000 in today’s
money.”
Rags to riches to rags again, then?
“One of the things I admire about
Billy Merson is that he never gave
up, whatever happened to him,”
says Miles. “And whenever he
came up to a junction in life, you
can find a song which encapsulates
what he had to overcome. We are
performing extracts from 16 of his
songs in the play.”
‘We’ is Miles, who plays the part
of Merson, and Roger Roser, who
backs him on piano. The play will
premiere at the Lamb Theatre in
Eastbourne (9th-12th May), and
also be shown at the Unitarian
Church on New Road in Brighton
(23rd May), “not a hundred yards
from the Theatre Royal.” There
are also a couple of performances
planned for the Hailsham Festival
in September, and “a show or two in a pop-up
theatre in Lewes” in the not-too-distant future.
So how well has Miles got to know Merson, in
the process of writing, producing and rehearsing
the play? “Very well. I have a lot of sympathy
for him: because of his size everyone thought of
him as an upstart and he had to fight for everything
he achieved. I admire him deeply. And he
was such an influential performer, too: you can
see a lot of him in the likes of Tony Hancock,
Norman Wisdom, even Peter Cook and Dudley
Moore.”Alex Leith
thelittleboxoffice.com/greenroom
35

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ON THIS MONTH: FESTIVAL
Gob Squad
Thinking inside the box
What is beauty? What is youth? What does it mean
to be old? These are among the questions posed
by theatre collective Gob Squad in their latest
work, Creation (Pictures for Dorian), which comes to
the Attenborough Centre, as part of the Brighton
Festival. Known internationally for producing
challenging and experimental theatre shows, the
Berlin-based company are now looking for local
residents to collaborate with on the UK premiere
of their new show.
“This is a new venture for us,” explains core squad
member Sharon Smith. “We’re looking for three
people over 67 and three people under 22 who
either aspire to be on stage or have spent their lives
on stage. Their body is their currency and they have
invited the gaze, they’re used to being looked at, or
that’s where they want to be.”
Participants will spend two days preparing for their
role in the show. The details are kept a secret, but
it would seem this offer of the limelight might not
be for everyone. “We want to treat these guests as
art objects. We will manipulate and objectify them,
scrutinise them very closely through a camera, or
critique them as we might do a work of art. We will
play with taking away their agency, but ultimately,
I’m sure they will rebel in some way.”
Gob Squad came together as a theatre collective in
the 90s and has since produced dozens of shows,
often featuring audience interaction. One of their
earliest pieces, Close Enough To Kiss, had the performers
inside a mirrored box, with the audience peering
in. “It was a shifting two-way mirror, so sometimes
the audience could only see themselves,” recalls
Sharon. “But sometimes they could see through to
where this group of young and crazy people were
having a party, taking drugs, dressing up. I don’t
know, like some sort of fish tank.”
Twenty years later they decided to bring back the
box, this time as a means of framing and revealing
participants, as if they were paintings. The inspiration
for the show came from the Oscar Wilde novel,
The Picture of Dorian Gray, as well as the group’s own
reflections on getting older.
“We wanted to do another piece using the box with
Gob Squad as middle-aged people, which we now
are. So we started off with the topic of ageing and
visibility. And running alongside that was this desire
to work with the book. There are parallel themes:
vanity and morality, ageing and making a pact with
the devil. If you could, would you extend your life?
Would you live forever or stay beautiful?”
Though the participants’ role is unclear, and even
sounds a little sinister, Gob Squad shouldn’t have
any problem recruiting show-offs in a place like
Brighton.
“We’re trying to grab something that’s human,
simple and universal. Whoever agrees to this has to
come on our journey; we’d never force anyone to do
it. It’s a playful conversation. And yes, it’s going to
look amazing.” Ben Bailey
Attenborough Centre, 23rd-27th May, £15/12.50
Email melissa@attenboroughcentre.com to apply as a
guest in the show
Photo by Jade Mainade
37

BRIGHTON IS
BEAUTIFUL
AT NIGHT,
SEE IT BY BUS
VISIT BUSES.CO.UK

ON THIS MONTH: CINEMA
Tomboy
Film '18
Dexter Lee’s May round-up
It’s only been a year, but it’s already hard to imagine
Lewes without its own independent cinema. May
sees Depot’s first birthday, and there will be a
(ticketed) celebration on the 31st to celebrate, with a
screening, buffet and DJ.
In this space we like to focus on the parts of the
programme you might miss if you blink: on the 1st
there’s a dementia-friendly screening of Calamity
Jane (with Doris Day in the title role) in which the
audience is encouraged to sing along, dance and use
all the props provided in the bag they’re given when
they arrive (see pg 15).
Another series is the ‘Let’s Talk About’ strand,
where a screening on a topical subject is followed
by a talk by experts. This month the subject is ‘gold’
and a screening of the documentary Daughter
of the Lake (date tbc) looking at the horrendous
consequences of using mercury in the gold mining
trade in Peru, is followed by Q&A session with
jeweller Alexis Dove, who recently travelled to Peru
to source fair-trade gold for her workshop, and
author Sarah Carpin. My Bicycle (5th) meanwhile,
is Bangladeshi director Aung Rakhine’s debut about
an entrepreneur who introduces a bicycle taxi service
to a remote Bangladeshi village.
Depot are screening French director Céline
Sciamma’s Tomboy (9th, above) about a ten-yearold
girl exploring her gender identity after moving
into a new neighbourhood, as part of Brighton’s
annual City Reads programme, a mini festival which
encourages Brightonians to read and discuss the
same book. This year said book is Sacred Country, by
Rose Tremain, on a similar theme.
A Chinese director, Xiao Pei, is coming to the
cinema to talk about a pair of documentaries, Our
Marriages, looking at marriages of convenience
between gay men and women in China, and Ivo and
Chrissie, on the lives of a Brighton couple (both
15th). And there’s a Q&A element to Depot’s latest
Sunday afternoon series, which features the work of
the pioneering husband-and-wife animation team,
Halas & Batchelor, with all three films introduced
by their daughter, Vivien Batchelor, culminating with
the masterpiece Animal Farm (20th, 27th, June 3rd).
The Education section of Depot offer a full
programme of events (pick up a leaflet next time
you’re there): May sees a series of three ‘screwball
comedies’ accompanied by interactive lectures,
namely His Girl Friday (10th), Top Hat (17th) and
It Happened One Night (24th, £40 for all three
screenings).
Depot’s youth programmers offer a screening of
the cult film Labyrinth (19th), starring David
Bowie, for which they are doing all the publicity as
preparation for taking over the entire cinema for a
day in July. And finally the latest in their sci-screen
series, is Ridley Scott’s return to form The Martian
(29th) starring Matt Damon. Which leaves us room
to wish them many happy returns, say well done to
Carmen Slijpen for a fantastically varied first year
of programming, and give a big thank you to all the
hard-working staff.
39

‘Sand dunes, Egypt, 1936’ by Lee Miller
© Lee Miller Archives, England 2018. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk
More Light
Lee Miller rarities
More Light is an exhibition of rarely-seen
photographs, mostly by Lee Miller, which has been
curated by Lance Downie, the Digital Librarian of
the Lee Miller Archives. Lance has been in the job
for 12 years, and over that time, whilst researching
the vast archive for material for exhibitions and
books, has built up a personal knowledge of littleknown
favourites that deserve more exposure.
“Many of the pictures have never been printed
before; others have rarely seen the light of day,” says
Lance. “It’s almost as if they’ve been asleep, and the
show has woken them up.”
He uses this simile carefully, because, as you might
expect in an exhibition with a surrealist bent to it,
the theme of sleep is woven into the fabric of the
show, not least in a series of shots of empty beds
that Lee Miller took over her career. “There were
enough for a whole exhibition of them,” says Lance.
“She had an almost forensic interest in how people’s
beds looked.”
These shots include a picture of Picasso’s bed, taken
by Miller in 1954. “We’ve carefully researched this
and it must be his bed because his trousers – which
he is wearing in other pictures – are draped over
the chair. There’s something telling about the
untidiness of the room.”
Another bed picture shows a mattress on a cart, one
of the few possessions taken from the ruins of their
40

ON THIS MONTH: PHOTOGRAPHY
home by a WW2 refugee. A third (pictured right) shows the
bedroom of a Wren in 1944. “It’s a very poignant picture,”
says Lance, “with the softness of the sausage-dog teddy bear
juxtaposed against the rigidity of the helmet.”
“Lee was also a fine landscape photographer, and I’ve nodded
to that as well in the show,” he continues. “Sand Dunes (left)
is a good example, taken in Egypt before the war. It’s a very
dynamic picture, your eye is taken very quickly across the
dunes and into the distance.” There’s another photo of a stark,
sinister, humanoid tree that would look at home in a Tim
Burton movie. “That was taken just after the war, and perhaps
reflects the effect her war experiences had on her.”
The show includes some pictures by Lee Miller’s husband,
Roland Penrose, and her father, Theodore Miller. Miller Sr’s
exhibits are four portraits of his daughter using a stereoscopic
camera, constituting a pioneering form of 3D imagery (below).
Roland, of course, was great friends with Picasso as well as
eventually being his biographer, and the photograph we’ve
used [right], of a hand ‘oiling’ a leg, was taken by him in
Saint Tropez on what Lance calls ‘The Surrealist Summer of
Love’, in 1937 (you might remember Miller’s famous picture
of a group of artists and friends picnicking at Mougins taken
the same summer). “We think the hand belongs to Picasso’s
chauffeur,” says Lance. “The shot shows Roland’s very
individual sense of humour.” Alex Leith
Farleys House & Gallery, Sundays only, till October
‘WREN’s living quarters, United Kingdom, 1944’ by Lee Miller
© Lee Miller Archives, 2018. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk
‘Elizabeth (Lee) Miller, Paris, France 1931’ by Theodore Miller
© Lee Miller Archives, England 2018. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk
‘Untitled, St Tropez, France 1937’ by Roland Penrose
© Lee Miller Archives, 2018. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk
41

Facial
rejuvenation
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reduction injections every year and it’s the UK's most
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wrinkles. Combining a quick procedure with
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expression, wrinkles are made less visible, resulting in
a more natural and rejuvenated look.
Steven Kell and Fay Jones have attended Professor
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his techniques to Lewes and Sussex. Fay also provides
Dermal Fillers.
It is very important to discuss your goals and
expectations before making a decision, and we want
you to be fully and properly prepared.
Our consultations are held at Lewes High Street
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60 High Street Lewes East Sussex
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䐀 漀 氀 瀀 栀 椀 渀 猀 伀 瀀 琀 漀 洀 攀 琀 爀 椀 猀 琀 猀 Ⰰ 䐀 漀 氀 瀀 栀 椀 渀 䠀 漀 甀 猀 攀 Ⰰ アパートアパート 䴀 甀 猀 琀 攀 爀 䜀 爀 攀 攀 渀 Ⰰ 䠀 愀 礀 眀 愀 爀 搀 猀 䠀 攀 愀 琀 栀 Ⰰ 刀 䠀 㘀 㐀 䄀 䰀
㐀 㐀 㐀 㐀 㔀 㐀 㠀 㠀 簀 眀 眀 眀 ⸀ 搀 漀 氀 瀀 栀 椀 渀 猀 漀 瀀 琀 漀 洀 攀 琀 爀 椀 猀 琀 猀 ⸀ 挀 漀 ⸀ 甀 欀
伀 瀀 攀 渀 椀 渀 最 琀 椀 洀 攀 猀 㨀 䴀 漀 渀 ⴀ 䘀 爀 椀 ⠀ 攀 砀 挀 ⸀ 圀 攀 搀 ⤀ 㤀 ⸀ ⴀ 㜀 ⸀アパート 圀 攀 搀 ☀ 匀 愀 琀 㤀 ⸀ ⴀアパート⸀

ART
ART & ABOUT
In town this month
Simone Riley is the featured artist at Chalk
Gallery from the 21st. You might recall her distinctive
personal style from the beautiful cover
she created for us in April 2017. Made by taking
an original photograph, or combining elements
from several images, her photomontages are built
up from her library of photographed textures,
creating layers and subtle colours that end up
more fine art than photograph. Until the 10th of
June. [simoneriley.co.uk]
In Her Shoes, an
exhibition by experimental
glass artist
Alison Allum, is at
Martyrs’ Gallery
from Saturday the
5th (until the 25th).
Recently shown at
the V&A, Alison
exploits the inherent
qualities of glass – ‘beauty and fragility
versus tensile strength and the potential
for danger’ – to explore the contradictory
experiences of modern womanhood. Gallery
open 12 noon–5pm, Thurs–Sun.
Cinders
Miss Newcastle Brown
Marco Crivello
Father and son Marco and
Jacob Crivello present Continuum
at Keizer Frames
Gallery in Malling Street,
from the 19th. Jacob will show
his poetic, sculpted landscapes
in bell jars and wall-mounted
microworlds growing within
vintage tobacco tins. Alongside,
Marco presents a final series
of seascapes, as well as a wide
range of new work that continues
to explore themes of improvisation,
materiality and process. The exhibition continues
until the 3rd of June. (Private View, Saturday 19th, 2-5pm.)
Jacob Crivello
43

UPHOLSTERERS
01273 480572
steve@lukerdesigns.co.uk
lukerdesigns.co.uk
@lukerdesigns
Luker Designs - Upholsterers
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匀 㨀 䌀 刀 䄀 䘀 吀 洀 愀 搀 攀 ⴀ 琀 漀 ⴀ 洀 攀 愀 猀 甀 爀 攀 椀 渀 琀 攀 爀 椀 漀 爀 猀 栀 甀 琀 琀 攀 爀 猀 ⸀
琀 ⸀ ㈀ 㜀 アパート アパート アパート 㠀 㐀 ㈀
攀 ⸀ 挀 漀 渀 琀 愀 挀 琀 䀀 戀 攀 氀 氀 愀 瘀 椀 猀 琀 愀 猀 栀 甀 琀 琀 攀 爀 猀 ⸀ 挀 漀 ⸀ 甀 欀
眀 ⸀ 眀 眀 眀 ⸀ 戀 攀 氀 氀 愀 瘀 椀 猀 琀 愀 猀 栀 甀 琀 琀 攀 爀 猀 ⸀ 挀 漀 ⸀ 甀 欀

ART
In town this month (cont)
J M Furniture Ltd
TRADING IN LEWES SINCE SEPT 1999
Tom Benjamin
The Spring Show
continues at St
Anne’s Galleries
until the 13th.
Featuring a host of
local artists inspired
by the Sussex
landscape as well as
more abstract ideas.
See new works
from Jo Lamb, Nick and Matt Bodimeade,
Tom Benjamin and lots more besides.
Open Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday
Monday.
Bespoke custom made furniture and kitchens.
We welcome commissions of all sizes and budgets.
01273 472924 | sales@jmfurniture.co.uk
www.jmfurniture.co.uk
A date for your diary: Atelier Tremlett, the
private teaching studio of classically trained
painter Jason Tremlett, has its first Open
Studio from the 1st until the 3rd of June
(11am-5pm). The Fisher Street based studio
teaches a traditional approach to drawing and
painting from life, which stems directly from
the leading ateliers of 19th-century Paris,
and is one of only a few studios teaching
these methods in the country. This informal
exhibition will showcase the best of the twelve
students’ work, as well as pieces by Jason
himself, made over the studio’s first teaching
year. [jasontremlett.com/studio]
20% off
William
Morris
in May

Alison Allum
In Her Shoes
5–25 May • 12–5pm • Thu–Sun
Private View • Friday 4 May • 6pm
www.martyrs.gallery
Open every Sunday from April - October 2018
Experience the extraordinary atmosphere of the Sussex home of
the Surrealists Lee Miller and Roland Penrose whose friends
and guests included Picasso, Carrington, Man Ray and Miró.
We open to visitors on Sundays from 10am, offering 50 minute
guided tours, exhibitions in our gallery and a sculpture garden
to explore.
Farleys House & Gallery
Muddles Green, Chiddingly
East Sussex, BN8 6HW
Tel: 01825 872856
www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk
@ FarleysHG

ART
Out of Town
Monk’s House, the former home of Virginia Woolf and her
husband Leonard, in Rodmell, is open for the summer. Visit
the tranquil house and garden or join one of the special events
that include twilight tours, a bookbinding workshop, and a
wood engraving weekend with Keith Pettit.
[nationaltrust.org.uk/monks-house]
Monk’s House
Head over to Splash Point
in Seaford from 11am on
Monday the 28th to join
the seaside celebrations for
The Shoal. The sculptural
seating installation by
sculptor Christian
Funnell is now complete,
with hundreds of fish -
engraved with the names of sponsors whose generosity made
the project possible - now in place.
47

ART
Out of Town (cont)
Brett Goodroad
Artistic happenings abound in Brighton this month, with the
Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe and Artists Open Houses
all taking place. US artist Brett Goodroad has his UK premiere at
Phoenix Brighton. Growing up in Montana, he has driven combines
through the breadbasket, wrangled buffalo in the Gallatin Valley,
and delivered organic vegetables through America’s Southwest.
Now he lives and paints in his San Francisco backyard. (Wed-Sun,
11am-5pm.)
Charity by Sally Muir
We’ll be starting our
Artists Open Houses
Festival at the caninethemed
open house
of Joanna Osborne,
The Dog Show, at 33
Silwood Road (see Viva
Brighton). Pick up a
brochure (or check aoh.org.uk) to plan
your route through the 14 trails.
Head down to Brighton seafront
to take in the Brighton and
Hove Camera Club’s 2018
seafront exhibition. Presented
in the open air, on stone gabions
right on Brighton beach, the
47 images by 47 different photographers reflect the
scope and range of the club’s photographers and
their diversity of interests. Continues until the end of
September. [bhcc-online.org]
Because every life is unique
…we are here to help you make your
farewell as personal and individual as possible,
and to support you in every way we can.
Inc. Cooper & Son
42 High Street, Lewes
01273 475 557
Also at: Uckfield • Seaford • Cross in Hand
www.cpjfield.co.uk

VALUATION DAY
Asian Art and Jewellery
Tuesday 29 May 2018
10am to 3pm
Bonhams specialists will be at
The Courtlands Hotel to off er
free and confi dential advice on
items you may be considering
selling at auction.
APPOINTMENTS
AND ENQUIRIES
01273 220000
guildford@bonhams.com
VENUE
The Courtlands Hotel,
19-27 The Drive, Hove
BN3 3JE
A QIANLONG PALE
GREEN JADE
ARCHAISTIC VASE
AND COVER
Sold for £776,74
EARLY KANGXI BRUSH
POT, BITONG
Sold for £125,000
bonhams.com/hove
Prices shown include buyer’s premium. Details can be found at bonhams.com

128mm x 94mm Viva Brighton and Lewes.qxp_Layout 1 11/04/2018 11:29 Page 1
Gardens and Grounds
much more than just a castle…
Formal Gardens u Woodland Walks u Nature Trails u Tea Room
Visitors Centre u Castle Arts Gallery u Gift Shop u Dogs Welcome
Open daily until 28th October 2018
10am–6pm
Adults £6 Concessions £5
Children (4–16 years) £3
Children under 4 free
We offer organised tours at an extra small
charge – the Castle operates as an International
Study Centre so not freely open to the public.
Please check the website for times and prices.
The Castle also provides an ideal venue for
weddings and other private events.
Contact conf@bisc.queensu.ac.uk
or 01323 834479.
Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 1RN
Tel 01323 833816 www.herstmonceux-castle.com
Monk's House
Workshops
Add some colour to
your weekend this
autumn at Gibside
Be inspired by the creativity of
the Bloomsbury group at one
of our makers workshops. From
printmaking to bookbinding,
Go crunching through fallen leaves and discover a forest
see teeming our with website wildlife and autumn for colours, a full with walking
routes for all ages and abilities.
programme of events.
Call nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
01273 474760 for details
nationaltrust.org.uk/monkshouse
When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your
support helps us to look after special places in for ever, for everyone.
© National Trust 2017. The
National Trust is an independent
registered © National Trust 2016. charity, The National number Trust is an independent 205846.
registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust
Photography © National Trust
Images.
Images\Andreas von Einsiedel.
#nationaltrust
#nationaltrust

ART
Out of town (cont)
Dreaming oneself awake, an exhibition of work
by Eileen Agar RA, is at Farleys Gallery
from the 20th. She was the only British
woman to be invited to exhibit her work at
the 1936 International Surrealist Exhibition,
which led to a lifelong friendship with Roland
Penrose and Lee Miller and, eventually,
visits to their Sussex farmhouse home. The
exhibition (Sundays only) continues until the
15th of July. Join leading authority on British
Surrealism, Michel Remy, for a discussion
on her work on Sunday 20th May (7pm, see
farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk for tickets).
Problem
In Brighton
Agar’s work also features in Virginia Woolf:
an exhibition inspired by her writings; a major
touring exhibition arriving at Pallant House
on the 26th. Featuring 80 female artists
working from 1854 to the present day, this
timely exhibition ‘seeks to show how her
perspectives on feminism and creativity
have remained relevant to a community of
creative women across time…’ Expect works
by Winifred Nicholson, Vanessa Bell,
Sandra Blow, Gluck and many more besides.
Unmissable. (Until September the 16th.)
Courtesy of Redfern Gallery
A Brighton Festival
commission written
and directed by
David Shrigley
10 – 12 MAY
THE OLD MARKET
brightonfestival.org
SUPPORTED BY GOLD MEMBERS: JAMIE & LOUISE ARNELL,
JULIAN & DIANA HANSEN, CHRIS & CLEM MARTIN, MICHAEL WOHL

Berthold Wolpe
Faber & Faber’s cover man
I first fondled a Berthold Wolpe dust-jacket
on a January morning in 2005. Faber &
Faber were planning a lavish book that
year to celebrate 80 years of their groundbreaking
book jackets. They had asked me
to design its cover and granted me a whole
day in their fabled archive to research and,
frankly, to swoon.
I practically whimpered as I eased the
books from the shelves, seeing and feeling
in original paper form jacket designs that
had quickened my pulse since Art School.
They were jewels of graphic art I had
aspired to match, and I felt a personal
creative bond with those discreet BLW
initials. I have since learned that we also
share a Lewes connection. Wolpe married
sculptor and stone carver Margaret Leslie
Smith of Plumpton in 1941. Her father ran
a butcher’s shop on Market Street in Lewes,
and the couple lived for some years in a
house on Lansdown Place.
An exhibition, Berthold Wolpe - The Total
Man is currently at Snape Maltings in
Suffolk until June 24th. I will be going, to
pay further homage.
Berthold Ludwig Wolpe was born in
1905, in Offenbach. He found his way into
design/calligraphy via apprenticeship to a
firm of metalworkers and the mentorship
of Rudolf Koch at the Offenbach
Kunstgevehrschule. He taught at Frankfurt
52

DESIGN
Art School for three years, during which
he worked prolifically as a graphic artist
and devised two typefaces, Hyperion and
Albertus. The latter would subsequently
become the font most closely associated
with Faber, and indeed Wolpe himself.
He emigrated to England in 1935 fleeing
the rise of Nazism, and eventually became
a naturalised British citizen in 1947. In
1939, however, along with other German
nationals resident in England, he was
deported to Australia. With assistance from
eminent typographer Stanley Morison, he
was allowed to return to the UK in 1941.
Faber’s visionary design director, Richard
de la Mare (son of Walter), was quick to
enlist Wolpe as resident jacket designer.
The timing of his arrival proved most
serendipitous during the war and in
its aftermath. His skills enabled him
to thrive as shortages of paper and ink
alongside an increasing demand for books
necessitated resourceful design. His dust
jackets are spare in material terms yet rich
in inventiveness and flair. They have an
intensely tactile quality. In his letterforms,
the brushstrokes on coarse paper are
almost audible but so, on occasion, is a
chisel on bronze. There is simultaneously
a gestural flourish and a taut structure that
chimes with his early grounding in metal.
This exhibition promises to show us
something of the man beyond the
covers and includes drawings from his
private collection. Many of these are in
black Indian ink on poor-quality paper,
corrected in white poster paint and with
hastily written instructions to the printer
in blue pencil.
If you make it to Snape Maltings too, and
hear someone whimpering, do come and
say hello.
Neil Gower
Snape Maltings, Suffolk, till 24th June
Images courtiesy of Et Al Design Consultants
53

FIRLE PLACE OPENING 2018
3 RD JUNE - 30 TH SEPTEMBER, 2-4.30pm (last admission 4pm)
Standard open days are Sundays (except 22 nd July), Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, Thursdays and the August Bank Holiday.
On special event days our standard open days and times may vary.
The Tearoom & Terrace are open to non-visitors without
charge on the above dates from 1.30pm-4.30pm. Serving
drinks, cakes and cream teas.
Please visit our website for more information and to find out
details about: Weddings, Private Functions, Clay Pigeon
Shooting, Firle Church & Village.
E V E N T S 2 0 1 8
Firle Vintage Fair
Saturday 11 th & Sunday 12 th August
Firle Place International Horse
Trials & Country Fair
Saturday 18 th & Sunday 19 th August
Firle, Nr Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN8 6LP
01273 858567
www.firle.com
Wakehurst’s wonderful woodlands
come alive this May bank holiday
Family activities | tree climbing | storytelling | birds of prey
26 – 28 May
For details visit kew.org/wakehurst

MAY listings
WEDNESDAY 2
Hardy Geraniums. Talk with
Tom Stone on the 1,000 (and
more) species and cultivars which
can be used as ground cover as
well as in a border. St Thomas’
Church Hall, 7.30pm, £3 for non-members.
The Life Cycle of Stars. Lewes Astronomers
talk with Bob Turner. Town Hall Lecture Room,
7.30pm, £3 for non-members.
THURSDAY 3
Comedy at the Con. With Daniel Muggleton,
Adam Bloom and Joe Wilkinson. Con Club,
7.30pm, £12/£8.
FRIDAY 4
Let’s Get Funked. Funk, soul and reggae night
for grown-up dance lovers. Drinks half price
between 7.30-8.30pm. All Saints, 7.30pm, £7 adv.
SATURDAY 5
Pells Pool opens. For full opening schedule and
times see pellspool.org.uk.
The Great Green Gig Fundraiser. Three local
bands (Ed and Ella, Dale aka T&G and Hybrid
Kid), dancing and a bar. Organised by Lewes
District Green Party. All Saints, 7.30pm-11pm,
£10/£8.
SUNDAY 6
Wedding Showcase. Chance
to explore the house and garden,
free goody bag, welcome
drinks and staff on hand to
answer questions. Anne of
Cleves, 11am-3pm, free.
Hit the Downs MTB. Annual off-road cycling
event raising funds for Chestnut Tree House. See
chestnut-tree-house.org.uk for details.
SUNDAY 6 & MONDAY 7
Spring Live. Celebrating all aspects of the great
outdoors, with outdoor pursuits and interactive
entertainment including a new live music stage,
survival skills workshops and inspiring creative
zones. South of England Showground, Ardingly,
9am-5pm, prices vary, see seas.org.uk.
MONDAY 7
Lewes Garland Day. Morris dancing, procession
and children’s garland competition. Dancing in
the Gun Garden (10.15am), procession down
Cliffe Precinct (11am), followed by dancing at
the Precinct (11.15am), The John Harvey Tavern
(12.15pm) and The Dorset (1.15pm). Events
across town from 9.45am.
WEDNESDAY 9
A Potted History of Britain. Illustrated talk
on the history of 6,000 years of British ceramics.
Uckfield Civic Centre, 2pm, £7 (free for
members).
Recording Everyday Lives. Join the Mass
Observation staff team for an afternoon exploring
their collection of day diaries reflecting the
thoughts and experiences of ordinary people from
1937 to the present day. The Keep, 2.30pm, £5.
An Evening of Photographs from the Archives
of Edward Reeves. Fundraiser for Priory School,
compered by photographer Tom Reeves. Photograph
displays and refreshment bar provided by
Friends of Priory. Priory School, 7.30pm, £5/£3.
FRIDAY 11
My Less Plastic Life.
Three local people explain
how they’ve cut out plastic.
Bring along your own
plastic-free living tips and
products. Hosted by Plastic
Free Lewes. Elly, 7.30pm, reserve free places at
eventbrite.co.uk.
55

sussex
festival
Back by
popular demand
Saturday 16 June
11am - 6pm
Southover Grange Gardens
Lewes
£15
Buy direct from producers
Talks by industry experts
Free samples
Artisan food stalls
Live music
Buy online or direct from:
Lewes Tourist Information Centre
Seaford Tourist Information Centre
Symposium Wine Emporium
Accompanied children under 14 yrs - Free / 15 - 17 yrs £3
Buy in advance to avoid disappointment
www.sussexginandfizzfestival.com
@sussexginandfizzfestival

MAY listings (cont)
Film: Paterson (15). A week in the life of a bus
driver and aspiring poet and his wife who dreams
of being a country music star and opening a
cupcake business. All Saints, 8pm, £5/£2.50.
SATURDAY 12 MAY
Millions Missing ME Awareness. Caroline
Wright sets up stall to raise awareness about the
insidious illness. More on her blog caraswrong.
wordpress.com. 11am-3pm, Cliffe Precinct.
60s Rayfest. Themed 60s day with live music,
DJ set, dog show, vintage carousel & circus performers,
outfit competition and more. Raystede,
11am-4pm, £5 requested donation (kids free).
MONDAY 14
The Station Street Story. Debby Matthews
shares an update on her research into the street’s
history. King’s Church, 7pm for 7.30pm, £3/£1.
SATURDAY 12 – SATURDAY 19
Dial M for Murder. Lewes Theatre Club
present the Frederick Knott thriller. Lewes Little
Theatre, see lewestheatre.org.
SUNDAY 13
Food Rocks. Street food, pop-up bars and live
music. Cliffe High Street, 10am-4pm, free.
LIVESTOCK EQUESTRIAN AGRICULTURE HORTICULTURE COUNTRYSIDE ENTERTAINMENT LIVE MUSIC
LOVE
OUR COUNTRY SHOW
LOV
SAVE
15%
ONLINE
ENDS 6 JUNE
FOOD & DRINK SHOPPING FAIRGROUND LIVESTOCK EQUESTRIAN AGRICULTURE HORTICULTURE
SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW
BOOK TICKETS ONLINE seas.org.uk/booking
Under 16s FREE with paying adult • 01444 892700
South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TL
@SouthEngShows
57

ejuvenating
the baths
Help fund the new Community
Centre for Lewes, to be opened
at the former Turkish Baths
www.being-in-unity.com/
the-unity-centre-lewes
chuffed.org/project/
unitycentrelewes
A family run business offering speciality
coffee and different coffee brewing
methods, selection of organic loose leaf
teas, freshly baked pastries, vegan,
vegetarian and gluten free options....
29 Station Street, Lewes BN7 2DB
SOUTHOVER BONFIRE SOCIETY PRESENTS
THE INCREDIBLE TENTH ANNUAL FEAST OF ST PANCRAS
MAY FAYRE
SUNDAY 20th MAY 2018 10.30am-4pm
F E A T U R I N G
ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER AND HIS BARNSTORMERS
SWORDS OF ALBION
SPEARS OF ANDRED – VIKING SWORDSMANSHIP
BONKERS GAMES TO TEST YOUR SKILLS TO WIN SOME GREAT PRIZES
SMASH THE CROCKERY ROLL THE SWEDE
SPLAT THE RAT TOSS THE CHICKEN
PRINCESS AURA WILL TELL YOUR FORTUNE MEET OUR PACK OF HUSKIES
STORYTELLERS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE LOADS OF FOOD AND DRINK
PLUS FABULOUS NEW ATTRACTIONS
FUN FOR
ALL THE
FAMILY!
ENTRY: £2.50 ADULTS, KIDS UNDER 12 FREE
LEWES PRIORY PARK – Entry via Cockshut Road, Southover, Lewes, BN7 1HP

MAY listings (cont)
The Price of Austerity. A Lewes Labour discussion
on the long-term costs of in-work poverty
and benefit cuts with Stephen Armstrong, author
of the recently published book The New Poverty.
Phoenix Centre, 7.30pm, free, and open to all.
TUESDAY 15
Lewes Death Café. Discussion group as part
of Dying Matters Awareness Week. Depot Café,
7.30pm, free.
THURSDAY 17
Georgina Gibson Interiors. Informal evening
showcasing the latest interior trends. Meet
kitchen designer Andrew Nichols and Antares
Wood Floors plus a presentation by Fired Earth.
Drinks and canapés, 4pm to 8pm, Crown House,
4 Market Lane.
FRIDAY 18
Poetry Reading. Local readers will read a
selection of poems by classic and contemporary
poets, as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week.
Waterstones bookshop, 6.30pm, free.
Diverse Music Through Tyme. Friends of
Anne of Cleves’ present a recital by The Pastores
Ensemble at Anne of Cleves’ House, 7.30 pm, £8
non-members (£5 members). Contact
annacrabtree1@hotmail.com.
Headstrong Club meeting. Talk and discussion
with Rachel Oliver, speaking on Positive Money.
Elly, 8pm, £3.
FRIDAY 18 – MONDAY 28
Charleston Festival. For all events and speakers
see charleston.org.uk.
SATURDAY 19
Annual plant sale. Varied and high-quality
plants donated by professional growers and
talented amateurs, in aid of the Lewes Organisation
in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
(LOSRAS). Lewes Market Tower, 9.30am to
11.30am, free.
SUNDAY 20
Feast of St Pancras May Fayre. Southover Bonfire
Society’s 10th year of family fun. Featuring Attila
The Stockbroker, games, food and drink. Lewes
Priory Park, 10.30am-4pm, £2.50 (U12 free).
WEDNESDAY 23
The Beachy Head
Lighthouse. Special
event to mark
the new addition to
the archive of a collection
of lantern
slides showing the
construction of Beachy Head Lighthouse. The
Keep, 6pm, £10/£9 (includes a glass of sparkling
wine or soft drink).
Understanding and Improving Relationships.
Wellbeing Wednesday open event, with speaker
Leilani Mitchell. Sussex Rural Business Centre,
Plumpton College, 7pm-9pm, free.
FRIDAY 25
The World of
Owls. Miriam
Darlington gives
an illustrated talk
and readings from
her latest book Owl
Sense. Linklater,
6pm, free (donations
to Railway Land Wildlife Trust), email
info@railwaylandproject.org for ticket.
FRIDAY 25 – TUESDAY 29
Visit of 60163 ‘Tornado’. Various events over
the weekend, see bluebell-railway.com.
59

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MUSIC
CAREER
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BIMM.CO.UK/BRIGHTON
EUROPE’S MOST CONNECTED MUSIC COLLEGE

GIG GUIDE // MAY
GIG OF THE MONTH: SHARKS
Supergroup Sharks seemed destined for rock and roll
fame when they first formed in 1972. However, due to
a series of unfortunate events (including the crashing of
their infamous Pontiac Sharkmobile), they were only to
last for two short years. Since then, original members
Steve ‘Snips’ Parsons (who now lives in Lewes) and Chris
Spedding have collaborated on many projects, including a
short-lived reboot of the band in the early 90s. Following
the death of Sharks founder Andy Fraser in 2015, the
pair reformed in a third incarnation and have been busy
creating new music, recording an album and even filming a
documentary feature. Before they embark on their tour of Germany this May they are treating us to a onenight-only
gig at All Saints, with support from local psychedelic folk band Oh Mama. Kelly Hill
Saturday 12, All Saints, 7.30pm, £15 (£12 adv)
Photo by Aiste Saulyte
TUESDAY 1
A Hawk and a Hacksaw. Eastern Europeaninspired
folk all the way from Albuquerque, New
Mexico. Con Club, 7.30pm, £12
FRIDAY 4
Don McLean. American Pie, and all that. De La
Warr Pavilion, Bexhill. 7pm, £40/£34
The Amy Winehouse Experience. Con Club,
8pm, £15
SATURDAY 5
TwoManTing. Sunshine Afro roots. Lansdown,
7.30pm, free
May Songs – Maids of Honour served. Folk
(English trad). Elly, 8pm, £4
Musa M’Boob. African. Con Club, 8pm, £5
SUNDAY 6
Rory McLeod. One-man soul band, poet and
storyteller. Con Club, 7.30pm, £12
MONDAY 7
Terry Seabrook. Jazz. Snowdrop, 8pm, free
THURSDAY 10
Cajun Country Revival. Con Club, 7.30pm, £12
FRIDAY 11
The Monochrome Set. Peel-favourite postpunk
mob, originally on Rough Trade. Con Club,
7.30pm, £14
Yacht Rock Paradiso. 70s yacht-soul-disco floorfillers
& 80s club classics. Lansdown, 8pm, free
SATURDAY 12
Sharks. See Gig of the Month
Joy Lewis & Derrick Hughes. Folk (British
Isles trad). Dorset Arms, 8pm, £6
SUNDAY 13
Open Space Open Mic. Music, poetry and
performance. Elly, 7.30pm, free
MONDAY 14
Pete Long. Jazz clarinet and tenor. Snowdrop,
8pm, free
>>>
61

GIG GUIDE // MAY
THURSDAY 17
Anda Union. Mongolian music. Con Club, 7pm,
£18
SATURDAY 19
The Hat Man. Multi-hat wearing performance
musician. Lansdown, 7.30pm, free
Jack Hogsden. Folk (English trad). Elly, 8pm, £6
SUNDAY 20
Undercover Hippy. Folk, reggae and hip-hop
singer. Con Club, 8.30pm, price tba
MONDAY 21
Kjell Berglund. Jazz trumpet. Snowdrop, 8pm, free
SATURDAY 26
Slim Chance. Ronnie Lane band alumni. Con Club,
7.30pm, £15
Open Night: The Four Seasons. Folk. Elly, 8pm, £3
SUNDAY 27
The JP’s, Sundays in the Bar. Con Club, 3.30pm
to 5.30pm, free
The X-Men, The Voo-Dooms and The Cretins.
Con Club, 7pm, £10
MONDAY 28
Georgia Parker. Jazz singer. Snowdrop, 8pm, free
THURSDAY 31
The Life and Times of Bob Marley. Visual and
audio + talk. Con Club, 7.30pm, £tba
1MAY
@
Lewes
Con Club
A HAWK AND A HACKSAW
3 COMEDY NIGHT
4 AMY WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE
5 MUSA M BOOB
6 RORY McCLOUD
10 CAJUN COUNTRY REVIVAL USA
11 MONOCHROME SET
17 ANDA UNION
26 SLIM CHANCE
27 pm SUNDAYS IN THE BAR - THE JP’s
27 eve X-MEN + VOODOOMS + CRETINS
31 LIFE AND TIMES OF BOB MARLEY
SEE WEBSITE FOR ANY CHANGES DETAILS AND ENTRY

RICHARD GREEN FUNERAL SERVICE
The only truly independent, family owned and run
Funeral Directors & Memorial Masons in Lewes & Uckfield
I want a Natural Burial – can you help?
Of course! We offer a full range of eco-friendly coffins and caskets
including Willow, Banana Leaf and even Wool.
Our nearest Natural Burial Grounds are at Woodingdean and Hassocks
and we can go through the various available options with you.
We also deal with burials on private land and are happy to advise
if this is something you are considering.
170 High Street
Lewes
BN7 1YE
01273 488121 (24hrs)
lewes@rgreenfs.co.uk
125 High Street
Uckfield
TN22 1RN
01825 760601 (24hrs)
uckfield@rgreenfs.co.uk
CLASSICAL MUSIC
MENDELSSOHN MAGIC
East Sussex Community Choir is joined by the Corelli Ensemble this
month for a performance of three much-loved Mendelssohn works. The
programme ends with the symphony-cantata Lobgesang (‘Hymn of Praise’),
featuring soloists Dame Felicity Lott, Shona Knight and Paul Austin
Kelly. “This is very uplifting music that we’re singing,” Dame Felicity
tells us. “I love Mendelssohn; he’s joyous and raises the spirits.” A Sussex
resident since 1980, Dame Felicity fell for the area after performing at
Glyndebourne: “I used to love the drive out of London and the sight of
the wonderful, rolling, soft Downs.” But what prompted her to fit this
particular event into her international schedule? “I thought it would be
nice to do something locally, for once. I did a charity concert some time
ago with Paul, the tenor, and really enjoyed singing with him.” Not only does Dame Felicity know Paul and
musical director Nick Houghton, she’s also very familiar with the music. “I come from Cheltenham, where
there’s a competitive music festival. When I was a teenager I entered the festival and sang the duet from this
with another young singer. It’s called I Waited for the Lord and I’ve been singing that all my life.” Mark Bridge
Saturday 5th May 7.30pm at Lewes Town Hall; tickets £12 from Lewes Tourist Information.
Photo by Trevor Leighton
63

14–16 JUNE 2018
lEWES
CHAMBER
MUSIC
FESTIVAL
EXPLORING Vienna
SCHOENBERG KORNGOLD BEETHOVEN MOZART SCHUBERT
Performed by some of today’s most exciting musicians
BEATRICE PHILIPS TIM CRAWFORD MARIA WLOSZCZOWSKA
MATHILDE MILWIDSKY VENETIA JOLLANDS JAMES BOYD HANNAH SHAW
HANNAH SLOANE VASHTI HUNTER ALICE NEARY ALASDAIR BEATSON
BENGT FORSBERG CHRISTOPHER PURVES RAPHAELA PAPADAKIS DAN BATES
TOM MCKINNEY JĀNIS TRETJUKS JOHN SLACK JAMES ELLIS
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
WWW.LEWESCHAMBERMUSICFESTIVAL.COM
box-office@leweschambermusicfestival.com | 01273 479865
FREE TICKETS FOR U26S
VENUES: Depot Cinema | Trinity Church, St John Sub Castro
St Michael’s Church | All Saints Centre

CLASSICAL MUSIC
SUN 6 TH , 3PM
St Michael’s First Sunday Recital. Nicholas
Houghton on organ. St Michael’s Church, free with
retiring collection
SAT 12 TH , 7PM
Mariam Batsashvili. An evening concert with the
young internationally acclaimed Georgian pianist
kicks off the Glynde Place Concert Series. Programme
to include Liszt, Mozart and Schubert.
Glynde Place, £30/£15. glynde.co.uk
THUR 17 TH , 7.30PM
Eusebius Quartet. Uckfield Music Club host the
local string quartet playing Haydn’s String Quartet
Op. 64 no.3, Schubert’s String Quartet in C Minor
‘Quartettsatz’ D.703 and Dvorak’s String Quartet no.10
in E Flat Major Op. 51. St Margaret’s Church, Buxted
Park, near Uckfield. £15/£2 students/children free
FRI 18 TH , 7.30PM
Lewes Concert Orchestra. Bach’s Fantasia and
Fugue in C Minor (orch Elgar), Sibelius’s Violin
Concerto, Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Elgar’s Wand
of Youth Suite no.2. Ian Gibbs will be the violin soloist.
Town Hall, £10 in advance from Town Hall or £12 on the
door. Under 18 and students £5
Lewes Concert Orchestra
Spring Concert
GLYNDE PLACE
CONCERT SERIES 2018
BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists
Thibaut Garcia (guitar)
Saturday 7pm, 2 June 2017
Bach (orch Elgar)
Fantasia and Fugue in C minor
Sibelius
Violin Concerto
Soloist Iain Gibbs
Dukas
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Elgar
Wand of Youth Suite no.2
Friday 18th May 7:30pm
Lewes Town Hall, Lewes
For tickets & prices visit;
www.lewesconcertorchestra.org
Barrios•JS Bach•Albeniz•Jockin
Rodriguez•Piazzolla
Tickets, info and other events - glyndeplace.co.uk
12 May -Mariam Batsashvili (piano)
7 July - Andrei Ionita (cello)
House Open
May & June - We, Th, Su & BH Mo
Aug -26&27 Sep - 1 & 2 for Artwave

BENTLEY
Wildfowl & Motor Museum
Harveys Lane, Nr Halland, East Sussex BN8 5AF
Photos by Jonathan Watt
Wildfowl Reserve, Motor Museum,
Miniature Railway,Tearooms, Gift Shop,
Gardens & Woodland
“A Great Day Out for the Family”
Tripadvisor
Open 10am-5pm daily
www.bentley.org.uk | 01825 840573

UNDER 16
FREETIME êêêê
SUNDAY 13
Little Horsted Family Fun Run. Fun Run in
Isfield, open to everyone with 1k, 5k and 10k
timed runs. Medals for everyone who enters, ice
cream van, bouncy castle and a fun warm up and
cool down by Anytime Fitness. Isfield playing
field, 10am, £10/£5 (£25 family ticket).
SATURDAY 26
Sussex Darkside Theatrical
Ghost Walks. Join resident
ghosts Corporal Cornford,
Tilly Meeching and officer’s
wife Elizabeth Grieve to
hear about the ghosts that
reside at the Fort, together
with some of the best ghost
stories from other forts around the
country. See newhavenfort.org.uk.
SATURDAY 26 – MONDAY 28
Wild Wood Festival. Woodland activities for
all the family with woodland tree-listening, treeclimbing,
birds of prey, fire-lighting and havea-go
archery, story-telling, live music and more.
Pearcelands Wood, Wakehurst, 10am-5pm, price
included in admission (additional charge for
certain activities).
MONDAY 28
Morning Explorer: Clothing. For families
with additional needs. Including special tactile
objects to feel, a chance to try spinning wool on
a wheel, plus garden games and audio described
tours. Lewes Castle, 10-11am, regular admission
prices apply.
TUESDAY 29
The Princess and the
Pea. Drop in to hear
the tale of the Princess
and the Pea, brought
to life with tactile
objects, plus dressing
up and hands-on craft
activities. All ages welcome. Anne of Cleves,
1-4pm, price included in admission.
THURSDAY 31
Wild Family
Day Out.
Activity packed
day for all the
family, run by
Circle of Life
Rediscovery.
Woodland site near Laughton, 10am-2pm, see
circleofliferediscovery.com.
Digging for
Treasure.
Holiday workshop
for children aged
between four and
eight. Try some
digging, handle
some artefacts, do a drawing and then make
your own treasure. Lewes Castle, 10.30am, £5
per child, call 01273 486290 to book (essential).
67

êêêê
YOUNG PHOTO
OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Milly Baker-Brown, aged
14, who made the most of a bit of free time
after the Beast of the East had turned our town
wintry white again in mid-March. ‘I took this
picture while enjoying the snow up on the Downs
behind my house on a couple of days off school
- everything was so beautiful - especially the
gorgeous lambs trying to keep warm! ;)’
Molly also sent a couple of colour pictures
of the hills, but we couldn’t resist these little
fellahs, which win her this month’s £10 voucher
generously offered, as ever, by Bags of Books on South Street in Cliffe. Under 16? Send your pictures
to photos@vivamagazines.com, with a message about where, when and why you took them, and you could
see it in this space. The winner gets a £10 book token from Bags of Books in Cliffe.
A BOY, A PIANO… AND A BEACH
“A boy finds himself on a beach, he stumbles
upon something extraordinary, and this takes him
into a completely different universe, where he
has all sorts of adventures…” Nicky Blackwell is
one of the artistic directors of the Slot Machine
Theatre Company, a Lewes-based group, whose
new show The Boy, The Piano and The Beach debuts
at the Brighton Festival this month. “We make
multi-disciplinary work for all ages and abilities,”
she says of Slot Machine, “so instead of just putting
on a theatre show with actors and a script,
we’ll have dance, puppetry, acting, projection and
fine art all in one piece.”
“The boy meets creatures from other universes,
he gets involved in a chase and eventually he
escapes back into the real world. It’s a story that
we’re inventing in collaboration with a group of
dancers, a concert pianist and an artist.”
The show is one of only
a handful in the Festival
offering a ‘relaxed’ performance,
which means
“you’ll be able to go in
and out if you need to,
and that people don’t
mind children making
a bit of noise. They can
move around a little bit
more, and no one minds.” There will also be
(free) bespoke touch tours for children who are
autistic or those with impaired sight, allowing
them to come inside the venue before the show,
meet one of the performers and touch some of
the props. These must be booked in advance. RC
Brighthelm Centre, 5th–7th, brightonfestival.org/
slotmachinetheatre.com
68

êêêê
SHOES ON NOW: CONNECT 4, ANYONE?
Having been a parent for
almost 13 years now I’ve experienced
several fads or fashions
in toys. I’m not the only one to
have weathered the Skylanders’
era, sat through the loom band
period and raised my eyebrows
as the bug hotel with all its accessories
was installed in our boys’ bedroom. But
recently I’ve been thinking how three games seem
to have missed the obsolescence memo and are as
popular today as they ever were. Here’s a timeless
trio never to relegate to the loft.
Cluedo - This is a game for the strategists out
there, the double bluffers and the super sleuths.
I’m too distracted to play most times, my brain
too full of ‘did I wash their uniform?’ to have
any space to work out if Ms Blue knocked off Mr
Hatchett in the library with
a baguette, or something like
that.
Connect 4 - There’s nothing
as satisfying for a parent as
out-strategizing your child at
this game. I can feel my heart
pumping full of adrenalin when
I realise my child has not noticed how near I am
to my row of four.
Ludo - Sometimes I’m tired. Dog tired. Yet
never too tired for Ludo, which requires almost
no brain power. For a parent exhausted from
work, children and life, this is a game you can
play almost with your eyes closed. Plus, there’s
something about the orderliness of the board
in contrast to the chaos of real life, that I find
strangely appealing. Jacky Adams
MidSummeR
FesTivaL
Saturday 23 rd June 2018
11:00 - 17:00 - All welcome
Exhibitions of work and crafts from Kindergarten to A-Level
Pageant ~ Sideshows ~ Estate & Garden Walks ~ Alumni Tours
Lunches ~ Cream Teas ~ Strawberries & Ice-Cream
www.michaelhall.co.uk
Kidbrooke Park, Priory Road, Forest Row. East Sussex, RH18 5JA
Tel: 01342 822275 - Registered Charity Number 307006

FOOD REVIEW
Pestle & Mortar
Noodles galore
“I need a noodle
partner.”
“That place that used
to be Laporte’s? Excellent.
What time?”
It’s not difficult to recruit
my friend Caroline
as a last-minute
lunch companion, and
having recently travelled
in Thailand and
Vietnam, she’s a good
choice to help me try
out food from that very area.
For ‘Pestle & Mortar’ read ‘Honey and Ed’
who used to run the Asian grocery store in the
Needlemakers. The business has moved to Lansdown
Place and, while they’re still selling Asian
products, the emphasis has moved to preparing
hot food, and in particular bowls of noodles.
Honey, from Northern Thailand, is the chef; Ed,
from Lewes, the waiter.
Today’s menu is written on a blackboard, and
there’s plenty of choice, catering for omnivores,
vegetarians and vegans. Caroline and I both
want the same main: ‘Pho with free-range beef
shin, rice noodles, rich broth and crunchy fresh
veg & herbs (£8.95)’. In the interest of providing
variety for this review I decide to switch to a pho
with chicken drumsticks, instead.
Before this arrives we try out three different
starters, and they all go down a treat: first up
two ‘momos’ which turn out to be gluten-free
dumplings filled with mixed veg and Korean
chilli with a sweet chilli dip (£1 each: warning
- don’t try to eat in one go with chopsticks, à la
Caroline, while they’re still piping hot); then
some tofu gyoza dumplings with soy sauce (£3
for 4, could have eaten
them all day), and
finally some prawn
summer rolls (£4.50
for 2, prawns and salad
rolled up in a so-thinit’s-semi-transparent
rice pancake, yum).
“Honey cooks the
same stuff as she cooks
at home,” says Ed,
acting as waiter, who
is a lucky man. “Most
Thai food you get is from central Thailand – all
the Pad Thai and red curries and suchlike. You’ll
probably find this a bit different.”
The mains come, and I can see what he means.
I often find Thai food to be a little over gloopy
and sweet, but this is earthier. Much of the
flavour of the chicken has infused the broth, the
noodles and chicken add interesting textures and
the deal with a pho is that you throw in all sorts
of fresh stuff – in this case chillies and mint and
salad leaves, and lime – to give it added zing.
It’s about 1.30pm by now (it’s a Friday) and I’m
delighted to say there’s a real buzz about the
place, with every seat full and others queuing for
takeaway. We sit out the rush hour with a Vietnamese
coffee, which comes with a metal filter
on top of the cup: you have to patiently wait for
it to stop dripping before you take your first sip.
My only mistake is opting for condensed milk,
as I’m told they do in Vietnam, too sweet for my
taste. Sometimes you can take authenticity too
far, but no matter. Pestle & Mortar is a great
new place for a tasty sit-down lunch: can’t wait
till they open the garden. Alex Leith
4 Lansdown Place
Photo by Alex Leith
71

72
Photo by Chloë King

RECIPE
Southdown hogget with
wild garlic & parsley sauce
Philippa Vine, from Bluebell Farmhouse Kitchen,
likes to keep things simple… and seasonal
My husband Michael rears Southdown hogget,
Sussex beef, chickens and pigs on a small scale to
sell through our shop and at farmers’ markets like
Lewes Food Market. We have a vegetable patch,
and grow edible flowers and herbs to supply our
other business, a cookery school, which opened
last autumn.
We hold seasonal, hands-on cookery and butchery
classes, demonstrations and dining events in
our converted granary fitted with beautiful Esse
range cookers. We want people to feel they’re in a
farmhouse kitchen: the school is relaxed, informal,
and everything we use here is either foraged, from
the farm or from other local producers. It’s all
about the food. I’m greedy and I just love cooking.
I think it’s really important that we share around
the table.
Because we live on the farm we’re so aware of the
seasons. I grew up with this, and so it’s always been
inside me to eat seasonally using what’s available.
The media say it’s coming back but, to me, it was
never lost.
May is asparagus season, my absolute favourite,
so for this recipe I called Graham Love in
Herstmonceux. We grow our own asparagus
but because we use lots, I always get more from
Graham. I adore quick-roasting it with good
quality olive oil like Mestó and also plenty of salt
and pepper.
The earlier asparagus is eaten after being picked,
the better - another reason to get it straight from
the producer. The fresher it is, the less time it
takes to cook, and super-fresh asparagus roasts in a
hot oven in under ten minutes.
This recipe is very simple. As soon as we get our
own produce out, I tend not to spice anything
much because I want to taste the main ingredient.
At our farm, we produce hogget, or one-year-old
lamb. Unlike spring lambs that are cereal-fed, ours
graze on grass. Being given time to graze improves
the flavour and nutritional content of the meat,
and this rack is just gorgeous, like fillet steak.
For the sauce, I use garden parsley and wild garlic,
which I also like to wilt in a hot pan to serve on
the side as well, as you might with spinach. This
recipe works just as beautifully with fresh mint,
and if you have red wine and dark stock to hand, a
jus is a welcome addition.
Ingredients: 2 racks of lamb/hogget, French
trimmed; a handful of wild garlic leaves, washed;
5 sprigs of fresh parsley; juice of one lemon; 1tsp
Dijon mustard; 1tsp Arlington honey; 1tbsp capers,
rinsed; 120ml extra virgin olive oil plus more to
serve; salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Method: Preheat the oven to 220°C. Season the
meat and roast in the hot oven for about 15 - 20
minutes, depending on the size. Make a sauce
by simply blending together all the ingredients
in a food processor, or with a large pestle and
mortar, and taste for seasoning. Allow the hogget
to rest for 10 minutes, then carve and serve
promptly with roasted asparagus; buttery new
potatoes and wilted greens. As told to Chloë King
bluebellfarmhousekitchen.co.uk
73

Café
Du Jardin

FOOD
Carafe Coffee Roasters
A drip brew in Station Street
It’s 7.45am on a Monday and I’ve decided to start my
week with a bit of a treat: breakfast at the new Turkish
coffee place on Station Street. Carafe opened in February
and is run by Uğur Pekyıldız and his sister. Uğur
is working today and greets me warmly when I arrive.
“What can I get for you?” he asks.
I look up at the board and my usual ‘flat white’ seems
far too boring an answer. Down the left-hand side are
the espresso-based coffees - cappuccinos and lattes
and so on - but down the right-hand side are the
alternative brews, each accompanied by a diagram and
a few words of description. “Which one would you
recommend?”
“If you have time, the V60 is good,” Uğur replies. I
do. And I have time for a freshly baked bourek - a filo
pastry stuffed with spinach and sprinkled with sesame
seeds. I take a seat in the window and get out my book.
Five or so minutes later Uğur brings over my coffee,
served in a carafe, and the warmed up pastry. I ask him
about the name ‘V60’ and he explains that it’s a drip
brew, and that the sides of the dripper are angled at
60°. Today he’s using an Ethiopian bean. The flavour
is intense: citrusy and not at all bitter. It’s the kind of
coffee that even I like to drink black.
After sipping at a luxurious pace, I’m still going to be
the first one in the office this morning. Perhaps I could
start every Monday like this. RC
29 Station Street
Wood fired pizzas using the best
Neapolitan and local ingredients.
Eat in or take-away.
Monday to Saturday - 1200 to 2200
Book:
Visit:
01273 470755
Eastgate Lewes BN7 2LP
(above the old bus station)
busclubpizza.co.uk

A NEW TYPE OF DINER
We offer incredible new versions of food
and drink that you might find familiar.
We have sodas made in house with some
help from our centrifuge machine. They
have around one tenth of the sugar of
regular sodas.
Our cocktails are crafted with loving care
using house made essences, bitters and
artisanal spirits.
Some of our cakes have no added sugar.
Some are completely dairy free.
We are really proud of our velvety, house
made, organic cashew and tiger nut milk
blend.
Our coffee has to be tasted to be believed.
We only use the best butter, virgin coconut
oil (for our many non dairy/vegan
creations) and extra virgin olive oil for
dressing.
Our tea is brewed in clean glass, to the
perfect temperature.
Everything we have is completely free of
gluten. That's right, everything. Even our
house made sourdough, sweet bakes and
our buttermilk fried chicken.
Our aim is excellence as standard.
We make super food for super people.
PLEASE PAY US A VISIT
99 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, BN1 4ER
01273 620 036
www.doughlover.com
www.instagram.com/dough_lover_

FOOD
Illustration by Chloë King
Edible Updates
First up, great job Ed and
Honey: Pestle &
Mortar on Friars
Walk is looking and
tasting fantastic.
Congratulations
too, The Sussex
Peasant: one of three
finalists in the BBC Food
and Farming Awards. A remarkable achievement
for a young company doing stellar work getting
thoughtful food to rural spots and championing all
the fab ingredients produced near us.
Our newest pop-up, Barcombe Supper Club,
was launched November and is still going strong.
Their next event (19th) offers a seasonal menu and
complimentary cocktail for £35. The club has also
given rise to sister company The Blue Kitchen,
offering home-cooked meals delivered to order.
[instagram.com/thebluekitchen.lewes]
Those on a plastic-free trip may be pleased to hear
about Mintie, a Brighton-based start-up producing
lovely stainless steel lunchbox sets.
[environmentallife.co.uk]
The Depot now has a Friday steak night: two
grass-fed rump steaks and a bottle of Syrah for
£40. Harvey’s Shop host a Beer Portfolio Tasting
on the 4th; Ridgeview Vineyard branch into yoga
brunching on the 6th; and Great British Wine
Tours is a new Brighton company offering local
brewery, wine and food tours that I’m sure will
prove popular. [greatbritishwinetours.co.uk]
Farleys House & Gallery in Chiddingly has
reopened for summer and is well worth visiting
for a glimpse of Lee Miller’s quirky kitchen. Incidentally,
the Farleys cookbook Lee Miller: A Life
with Food, Friends & Recipes has just won an indie
publishing award.
Cookbook fans should check out two Cook the
Books events in May, at Bluebell Farmhouse
Kitchen (see pg 72) on May 2nd and The Lewes
Arms on the 30th. Chloë King
The Pelham arms
LEWES’S FIRST
SMOKEHOUSE IN A PUB!
Best Burgers
for Miles
Home of
ABYSS Brewing
Award Winning
Sunday Roasts
VEGETARIAN, VEGAN &
GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS
Great Venue for
Celebrations
Children and
Dog Friendly
OPENING TIMES
MONDAY BAR 4-11PM
TUESDAY TO THURSDAY
BAR 12 NOON TO 11PM
FOOD 12 NOON TO 2.30PM & 6 TO 9.30PM
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
BAR 12 NOON TO 11PM
FOOD 12 NOON TO 2.30PM & 6 TO 9.30PM
SUNDAY
BAR 12 NOON TO 10.30PM
FOOD 12 NOON TO 8PM
HIGH STREET LEWES BN7 1XL
T 01273 476149 E MANAGER@THEPELHAMARMS.CO.UK
BOOK ONLINE @ WWW.THEPELHAMARMS.CO.UK
77

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Come UPSTAIRS in Riverside to
the-stitchery for Fabric,
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Spend
over £35
20% off
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advert
You can find The-Stitchery
upstairs at Riverside and while
you have a break from shopping
relax at The Brasserie or our
Riverside Café.
Riverside Lewes, Cliffe Bridge, High Street, Lewes, BN7 2RE

THE WAY WE WORK
We asked Martina La Trobe-Bateman to capture four of Lewes’ finest
fashion designers in their workshops. She asked them: what’s the most
cherished item of clothing in your wardrobe?
jeannefee.co.uk
Diana Uprichard, Dolly Clothing (dolly.uk.com)
“My duffle coat with its Tyrolean Jacquard ribbon! It has the DOLLY
trademarks of ‘cutility’ clothing... functional with a fun twist!”

THE WAY WE WORK
Dina Malkova (dinamalkova.com)
“My most cherished item is the linen macramé necklace which I have
had since I was 14. I like wearing it. It connects me to my younger self.”

THE WAY WE WORK
Anna Hayman (annahaymandesigns.com)
“A vintage black pinstripe velvet BIBA jacket I can only just do up!”

W G I M A G E
P E R S O N A L S T Y L I S T
/ I M A G E C O N S U L T A N T
Styling for men and women
Colour analysis
Full wardrobe edit
Personal shopping services
Contact (me) Wilma on 07973197961
or email wilma@wgimage.com
WGImage.com
T R E A T M E N T R O O M S
This month at Browns it’s all
about feet.
Beautiful sandals require beautiful feet.
Let us make you summer ready with
our Jessica Zen Spa Pedicure for
just £35.
*Gift vouchers cannot be redeemed against this offer.
Browns Treatment Rooms,
8A Cliffe High Street, Lewes BN7 2AH
01273 470908
www.browns-lewes.co.uk

THE WAY WE WORK
Leanne Williams, Harlow & Fox (harlowandfox.com)
“A gold and pearl beaded fringe robe I made. It weighs 3kg
and just makes me feel gloriously decadent!”

52 Cliffe High St . Lewes . 01273 471893
www.barracloughs.net
Barracloughs the Opticians Lewes are proud to incorporate
FIND YOUR FEET
PODIATRY &
CHIROPODY
- Fungal Nail advice
- Diabetic Foot
- Rheumatology
- Wound care
- Nail Surgery
- Nail Cutting
- Corn & Callus removal
- In-growing Toenails
- Verrucae
- Biomechanics
52 Cliffe High Street . Lewes . 01273 471893
www.fyfpc.co.uk

MY SPACE
Photo by Lucy Limage (@lucylimage)
Boom Boom the Label
Founder & CEO, Alie Mackintosh
I’ve always loved fashion. I’m a very practical,
hands-on person; I love to take something and
make something from it. When I was at university
I found this big box of old fabrics in a charity
shop and just started experimenting with how I
could make those into garments. I only really had
my mind set on making clothes for myself, but I
started getting a lot of questions from other girls,
asking ‘where did you get your dress?’ and that
was really when I realised that there was an opportunity
for me, because people were interested
in what I was doing.
I started Boom Boom the Label in 2012,
while I was still at university. I set myself up a
website and I was working out of my spare room,
making all the dresses on a domestic sewing
machine and carrying them up to the Post Office
to send out. I moved to my first premises in 2014
and now there are 20 of us working from our studio
in Malling. Our clothing is stocked by DASH
- the womenswear boutique owned by Kourtney,
Khloé, and Kim Kardashian - and we were really
excited to see Kim photographed wearing one of
our dresses. Pretty much everyone here is working
on supplying orders, but now, as we’re looking
to grow the company, we’re focusing on how
we build the creative side of the team to support
future growth.
Boom Boom was very much born from social
media. That was – and still is – our biggest >>>
85

marketing tool. One of the things that we love
doing is researching who our customer is and
analysing their behaviours. It’s been fascinating
to see how the customer has evolved as the
company has, and we find now that we’ve got
two very distinct customer segments. That’s
leading to a new business direction for us where
we’re branching out into two separate brands:
AYM and Silhou. AYM is very much trend led,
while Silhou focuses on timeless, classic designs.
They’re quite contrasting in terms of product
offering, but they’re both very high-quality
products, all made in Lewes.
There has been a massive change over the
last few years in the way that online shopping is
happening: the customer wants the items, really,
as soon as possible. We’re now seeing retailers in
London who are able to offer delivery within the
hour – that’s not the norm now, but it will eventually
be. As a small business, we need to explore
creative ways that we can respond to the changes
in the online shopping market’s service offerings.
Our focus will always be on the experience that
we provide for our customer, so we are constantly
looking at ways to improve this even further.
Photos by Lucy Limage (@lucylimage)
86

MY SPACE
We don’t need to plan ahead as much as other
brands do. We work on a six-week turnaround
time, so we are developing a collection now to be
launched in six weeks’ time. It’s super agile, so we
can respond to what the customer wants now, we
don’t have to wait for the trend to trickle through
as other retailers would. The main reason for that
is that we’re making everything in-house. The
designer can literally pop next door and speak to
the sample machinist, and the machinist is sitting
next to the pattern-cutter, so the conversations that
could take a couple of weeks over email are happening
instantly. We’re able to really respond to what
the customer wants, which is an amazing benefit to
us and to them. As told to Rebecca Cunningham
Boom Boom won Small Business of the Year in the
2016 Lewes District Business Awards. Enter this
year’s awards at lewesdistrictbusinessawards.co.uk
Photos by Lucy Limage (@lucylimage)
87

ANIMAL RESCUE
CENTRE
We rescue, rehome and provide sanctuary
for over 2000 animals every year.
ENTRY BY
DONATION
Your local rescue centre
www.raystede.org
Huge variety of animals and birds to see –
Wildfowl lakes – Trails and dog walks
Registered charity number 237696

WILDLIFE
Illustration by Mark Greco
Mute swan
Deride a white swan
I’m going to come right out and say it. I don’t like
swans. Never have done. Just seeing them smugly
swanning around acting all hoity-toity annoys me.
And, last week, I took a particular dislike to a pair
of them.
2018 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of
Woods Mill, Sussex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve
and headquarters near Henfield. We’ve been getting
the place all ship-shape, ready to welcome visitors
for celebrations throughout the summer. I turned
up for work last Monday to find a pair of swans had
inconsiderately built their huge woven nest right in
the middle of the main path. I was half tempted to
boot it back into the pond where it belongs but I’m
sure I once read that the Queen legally owns all the
swans in Britain and I didn’t want Liz leaping out of
the undergrowth and bopping me with her sceptre.
Perhaps it’s this royal association which give swans
their snooty attitude but I would like to remind
them that the reason that they were once bestowed
this protection was because the Royal Family
enjoyed eating them and didn’t want us common
folk depriving them of a swan supper.
This morning I checked on the swans and found
six whopping great eggs in their haystack nest.
But the parents were elsewhere, arrogantly gliding
about on the pond. Had they abandoned the
nest? Surely the eggs would perish in the cold? I
suddenly became uncharacteristically concerned.
I was half tempted to hop on the eggs myself to
keep them warm until I noticed the swans a-swimming
towards me, their wings half-raised behind
their back (a posture called ‘busking’ which despite
being the archetypal swan pose is actually an aggressive
threat). Before I knew it they were upon
me, hissing and raising their mighty wings. When
you’re being attacked by a swan you really appreciate
what formidable creatures they are. Weighing
up to 13kg, mute swans are one of the world’s
heaviest flying birds. The story that they can break
your arm with their wings is nonsense but I didn’t
hang around, just in case. After giving me some
evil stares Lord and Lady Muck settled back to
incubating and guarding their future family.
They’re still there. Sitting pretty on their throne
in the middle of the path, being photographed by
crowds of admiring visitors while I stand ankle
deep in the mud, muttering curses under my
breath and begrudgingly hammer in a fence to
keep them safe. It’s obvious who rules the roost
here at Woods Mill. Michael Blencowe, Senior Learning
& Engagement Officer, Sussex Wildlife Trust
If you want to see the swans and lots of other
wildlife take a trip to Woods Mill this summer.
Directions are on Sussex Wildlife Trust’s website.
And in the ‘What’s On’ section you’ll find details of
free events being held on the reserve as we celebrate
our half century.
89

LBNP VivaLewes 66x94_6.qxp 08/03/2018 20:26 Page 1
Louis Browne
NOTARY PUBLIC
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in Central Lewes
lb@louisbrownenotary.co.uk
01273 487744
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REGULATED BY THE FACULTY OFFICE
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Students of various ages
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03030039940

COLUMN
Walkies
#15 Blue remembered hills
I think I may have forgotten what the colour blue
actually looks like. I have a vague idea it’s a primary
colour and every morning I glance out of the window
to remind myself. That’s right, of course, it’s another
word for monotone grey with a few dark smears.
Perhaps the English winter would be easier if our
senses were dominated by smell and not sight. And, if
we were furry, to keep that 50% chance of rain at bay.
We’ve decided that Todd, our regular canine walking
companion, is perfectly adapted to an ‘average’ UK
weather day.
Except that today is very definitely not one of those.
We seem to have woken into a brave new world. Not
quite Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds but certainly
Van Gogh on the Downs with a Serious Glint in his
Eye. This is wildflower heaven. Brush strokes heavily
laden with paint of every imaginable shade of yellow
have been daubed onto the intense green. And up
above... yes, I’m absolutely certain I’ve seen that colour
before somewhere. The sky is actually blue!
We meet Rachel and her two terriers, Soldier and
Bessie, at the car park at Bo Peep east of Firle and
head off east along the South Downs Way. Rachel is
in training for an epic 26-mile ‘South Coast Mighty
Hike’ from Brighton to Eastbourne fundraising for
the cancer charity, Macmillan (macmillan.org.uk)
and Sarah, Todd and I are doing our bit helping her
to get fit.
It has to be said it’s not exactly an onerous task.
Fellow walkers have swapped the head-down gritty
determination of recent weeks for cheery waves and
“Isn’t it just glorious?” smiles, finally confirming that
we’re not all completely mad for living on Mud Island
in the first place.
Even the dogs are joining in the general bonhomie
with much wagging of tails and sniffing of nether
regions. Just before we start to descend into the
Cuckmere River Valley, we decide to take advantage
of the stupendous views over the surrounding hills
and stop for a bit of ‘Déjeuner Sur L’Herbe’ à la
Manet. Perhaps sensibly, Sarah and Rachel decide to
remain fully clothed.
After a delightful meander - this time through a canvas
by Monet - along the river bank between Alfriston
and the White Horse at High Over where a gaggle
of paragliders are practicing their thermalling skills,
we make our way back to Bo Peep along the glorious
ridge line that overlooks the vineyards of the Rathfinny
Wine estate. It’s one of those walks that will
stick in the mind for years to come. Blue remembered
hills indeed. Richard Madden
Map: OL25. Distance: 7 miles. Terrain: Downland
tracks, fields, riverside paths and some steep climbs.
Directions: From Bo Peep car park follow the South
Downs Way into Alfriston before heading south along
the river to High and Over and following the bridleway
along the ridge back to Bo Peep. Halfway Pub: The
George Inn, Alfriston.
91

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ogden
solicitors
Residential Conveyancing
Are you thinking of:
· Buying your first home
· Moving to a bigger house to accommodate the family
· Downsizing to free up some capital
· Remortgaging so you can make some home improvements
If so, we would be happy to assist you –
We can also help you make a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney
Chrismas Ogden Solicitors Limited, Howard Cottage, Broomans Lane, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2LT.
Web www.chrismasogden.co.uk Telephone 01273 474159
Fax 01273 477 693 Email enquiries@chrismasogden.co.uk
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

HEALTH
Flex Appeal
Strike a pose…
Once associated with
dusty church halls and
concerned vicars, yoga
has had a makeover -
and hit the big time.
According to a 2016 Yoga
Journal report, the yoga
market is worth £74bn
globally, and £812m a
year in the UK, while, in
America, some 36.7 million
people practise the
once-esoteric discipline
- you can even do ‘Doga’
with your dog, or (if you
happen to be in LA) try yoga in the nude.
But with so many different types of yoga, how
do you know which to choose? Enter Gyles
and Fiona Abbott. Their new central Lewes
studio, Soulfit, brings together a variety of yoga
classes, along with personal training and treatment
rooms - plus a range of teas, freshly made
smoothies and healthy snacks.
“When we moved to Lewes, I thought, ‘Where
is the yoga?’” says Fiona. “There were teachers
but no central point. It’s so difficult for people
to get time to themselves, on or off the mat, so
we wanted to make it easy for them. We want
them to feel special from the moment they walk
through the door, to be able to find what they
need, and to feel nourished inside and out.”
With up to six yoga classes timetabled every
day, choices include all the most popular styles,
from Ashtanga to Iyengar, as well as some more
unusual ones, such as Y12SR, which helps those
struggling with addiction.
“People ask what class they should do, but it all
depends on what they are looking for and what
they want to get out of it,” Fiona explains. “Some
people want to work out
and others want to relax.
For example, Scaravelli
is really gentle and
calming, while Iyengar is
more disciplined.”
“Vinyasa is probably
the one I love best,” she
continues. “It’s strong
and really opens you
up and tones you. It’s
similar to Ashtanga -
which is strong and good
for building muscle - but
more flowing.”
For those seeking a softer option, she recommends
Restorative Flow, which utilises bolsters
and blankets for extra ease and comfort, and
Mindful Movement, which is aimed at those who
are older or have physical challenges. There are
also classes specifically for beginners, as well as
mother and baby sessions, and pregnancy yoga.
Less familiar offerings include Body and Brain,
which Fiona describes as ‘quite tribal’. “It
involves tapping your body, and moving and
shaking to music, properly letting yourself go -
and there’s a tea ceremony at the end!”
There is also Kundalini, which incorporates
mantra, music and breathing, as well as physical
‘kriya’ exercises, which work to release stress
and generate energy; and Karma Yoga, which is
a ‘community’ class, designed for those who are
vulnerable or in need, and payable by donation.
“Until you actually do it, it’s hard to know what’s
best for you,” Gyles points out, “but here you can
try everything. We want to provide something
for everyone. It’s not a case of one size fits all.”
Anita Hall
wearesoulfit.com
93

COMMUNITY
Speed Watch
Lewes’ human traffic calmers
“This one’s going at
42, dammit!”
I’m pointing a speed
‘gun’ at oncoming
traffic, standing at
the top of Malling
Hill, where vehicles
tend to hit way over
the 30mph limit
as they reach the
outskirts of town.
I’m with Kevin,
David and Miranda
(pictured) who
regularly check the
speed of traffic in a number of different locations,
wearing their Lewes Community Speed Watchlogoed
high–vis jackets. “If anything’s doing anything
more than 10% over the limit, plus 2mph,
then we note them down.”
The machine looks like a hand-held video camera:
you look through an eye-hole, line up a red dot
with a car coming towards you, and press a red
button on the side. Pretty soon a figure – the
speed in miles-an-hour the vehicle is travelling –
appears on the screen, too. Anything 36 and above
on this road, and the car’s number plate, make,
colour and offending speed gets noted down on
a form - along with details of the other offenders
recorded that session - and handed to the police.
I say ‘dammit’ because I’m not registered to use
the machine, so in this case the driver gets away
scot-free. I hand the contraption to Miranda, and
watch the three of them go about their business.
Most traffic – especially if it has spotted us and
sussed out what we’re up to - is travelling within
the limit. Occasionally a vehicle hasn’t noticed,
reacts too slowly, or just doesn’t care, at which
point Miranda shouts out the offending speed,
Kevin reads out the first half of the registration
number, David adds
the last four digits,
and they all concur
on the make and
colour of the car.
David jots down all
the information on
a form.
“We usually get
about 30 in an
hour’s session,”
explains Kevin, “and
afterwards the police
write to the offenders,
to warn them
they’ve been caught. The third time anyone is
caught, further action will be taken against them.”
There are a number of participants in the group,
and they stand in various speeding blackspots, including
Nevill Road, Offham Road and Kingston
Road, once a week, or so. “We’re not vigilantes
or do-gooders,” says David. “We’re just decent
citizens who are concerned about the dangers
caused by vehicles speeding on the road, and the
impact speeding cars have on the quality of life of
pedestrians.”
The three all belong to a group with a wider
remit, ‘Lewes Living Streets’ who are dedicated to
‘civilising Lewes for pedestrians’. “We campaigned
for and secured the 20mph limit in much of the
centre of town, and generally we want to make the
roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists, easier to
cross, less busy and less noisy,” says David.
I wonder if the team ever get abuse for what
they’re doing, and am answered by the passenger
in a van that Miranda clocks doing 48mph, who
gives us all the finger as they pass. The vehicle’s
details go onto the record; the driver’s letter will
be in the post soon. Serves him right.
Alex Leith
94

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COLUMN
Lewes Out Loud
Plenty more Henty
I’d like to start the merry
month of May with a big
“thank you” to Viva readers
for being part of the audience
at Pelham House Hotel at the
beginning of April for my radio
play Raymond Briggs’s Sofa.
It was a money-raising event
for the Mayor of Lewes
charities and Mike was there
along with his wife, Monica.
My colleagues who helped me
so much with the production
were Stephen, Derek,
Kevin and John. Others
who contributed to the fun
evening were Gilda, Fiona,
and representing The Oldie
magazine, Chelsea, Elisa and
David. Over £1,000 was raised on the night and I
gather everyone had a good time.
Now I must mention an individual reader whose
letter to me last month prompted a sharp pang of
remorse for this normally conscientious columnist.
You see, in April, I suggested that the common
woodlouse in our gardens was a fine example of a
‘pangolin’ – a word I’d discovered when completing
a codeword.
Paul, who described himself as a part-time pedant,
was not amused! ‘If your, or my garden, contained
thousands of pangolins’ he wrote, ‘I would be very
concerned, given that pangolins are mammals the size
of dogs – somewhat similar to, say, an armadillo.’
Fair comment, Paul, and as you, and the LAW
Society (Lewes Appreciates Woodlice) will readily
confirm, woodlice are not mammals. They are
land-dwelling crustaceans akin to lobsters, crabs
etc. The error, by the way, was not deliberate to
see if anyone actually reads my articles. Thank you
Paul, however, I’m glad you
did on this occasion.
Speaking of occasions, I see
that funerals, remembrance
services and wakes are now
available at Southover Grange
in addition to the recently
re-introduced wedding
ceremonies. One such event
caught my eye, as I headed towards
the shops on a weekday
morning.
Clearly, a close family affair and
I was particularly impressed by
a young chap who could only
have been four to five years
old. Talk about fashion! Long
jacket, smart boots and to top
it all, a pork pie hat which he
obviously enjoyed wearing. Where’s my camera?
Other brief encounters this month. A cheery chat
with Gill who lives in Lewes and loves it. She was
opposite the Law Courts with her mum, Barbara,
who had travelled from Farnborough in Kent.
They attended a church service together and then
had a carvery lunch in the White Hart. “It was very
good,” they chorused.
And so too was my piece of coffee gâteau which I
really enjoyed in Robsons on School Hill. Thanks
to chef, Matt, and to Amy and Emma. Finally, a
word about our illustration which demonstrates
so well the commercial acumen of illustrator,
Mabel Lucie Attwell (1879 – 1963). This postcard
from my collection shows her designs for ‘nursery
frocks’ manufactured by Ferguson Fabrics of
Holme Head, Carlisle. They boasted fabrics for
lingerie, suit linings and dresses. The charming
postcard is undated but has a 1930s feel to it.
John Henty
97

BUSINESS NEWS
Photos by Alex Leith
First up a couple of happy birthdays. We were
in very good company celebrating the 30th
birthday of The Runaway café, on Platform
2 of the railway station, on Thursday morning,
April 12th. The Runaway has had a bit of a
rollercoaster last decade, but thankfully is still
going strong, and among those sipping early
morning champers and scoffing beautifully prepared
snacks were former MP Norman Baker,
Mayor Michael Chartier and Mayor Elect Janet
Baah. Congratulations to Jacqueline Elsey and
all her staff.
And a happy 10th birthday to the-stitchery,
the go-to place in the Riverside ‘for all your
haberdashery, fabric and knitting needs’.
After a lot of work by Green councillor Jo
Carter, the Turkish Baths were recently
earmarked for community use, rather than
becoming (yet) another restaurant, and it’s
going to be turned into ‘The Unity Centre’,
an ‘inclusive holistic community centre’ run by
Lewes resident Sevanti Jo Atwood, who currently
administers a yoga studio on the Lewes
Road in Brighton. The centre will be a CIC,
and as well as offering yoga classes in the main
(22-mat) studio, it will have a couple of treatment
rooms (for acupuncture and other holistic
treatments), facilities for artists and performers,
a vegetarian café, a shop and gallery space, plus
– going back to its roots - a sauna and possibly
a floatation tank. The space offers easy access
for the disabled, aiming to be ‘an inclusive
project… insuring that those from vulnerable
and marginalised groups are equally welcomed
and supported’. Jo is looking for crowdfunding
to help her get it up and running (see being-inunity.com,
campaign runs till June 18th).
And now for the bad news. The national chain
Carpetright have announced the forthcoming
closure of 92 of their 416 UK stores, and sadly
the Lewes branch, on Brooks Road, is one of
those earmarked for the chop. An employee at
the store informed us that they will continue
trading for six months.
And if you need the services of the Citizen’s
Advice Bureau, their little office on North
Court in Cliffe is no longer operating. The
service has moved to Southover House on
Southover Street, opening on Monday, Tuesday
and Friday, 9.30am-3pm. The new number to
contact, a sign in the window told us, was 03444
111444. They continue to offer telephone
advice Mon-Fri (9.30am-4pm) and you can also
consult them via e-mail (eastsussexcab.co.uk).
Finally, those looking to add a little ‘je-ne-saisquoi’
to their weekend revelry will be pleased
to know that Café du Jardin, opposite the
Dorset in Cliffe, are now open till 11pm Friday
and Saturday, serving cocktails. And we’ll
drink to that.
STOP PRESS! Just before going to the printers
we learnt that Stevie and Jamie Freeman are
handing the reins of the Union Music Store
to Del Day and Danny Wilson, two Lewes
musos who run the Maiden Voyage label. The
Freemans will retain their Union Music record
label. Good luck to all concerned!
Alex Leith
98

DIRECTORY
Please note that though we aim only to take advertising from reputable businesses, we cannot guarantee
the quality of any work undertaken, and accept no responsibility or liability for any issues arising.
To advertise in Viva Lewes please call 01273 434567 or email advertising@vivamagazines.com
• Digital TV aerial upgrades & service
• TV, DAB, and FM aerials
• Extra points
• Communal systems
• Aerial repairs
• Satellite TV installs and service
• SKY installs
• Discreet fittings e.g. listed buildings, thatch roofs, flats
• European systems serviced and installed
• Gutters cleared • CCTV installed
WE FIT BIRD DETERRENTS
WE CAN BEAT ANYONE ON QUALITY AND PRICE
Free discount • over 39 years experience • OAP discount
Open 7 days a week • Fully guaranteed • Same day service
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Tel: 01273 617114 Mob: 07920 526703
We specialise in TV wall mounting
We can beat anyone else’s price on a like for like basis
www.1strateaerialsandsatellites.co.uk
a & s
aerials & satellites
OAP
DISCOUNT
www.asltd.co.uk
*Subject to conditions & availability
WE WILL BEAT ANY PRICE
We pride ourselves on the quality and price of our work.
“We Try Harder.”
Family Run Business
Covering the area
for over 50 years
• All TV AERIALS & Satellite TV
• Extra points
• Communal systems
• Sky TV – Best offers
• All European & multi-national
satellite systems
• TV wall mounting service
• Extra phone points
FULLY Guaranteed
Free estimate for TV
aerial work
Same day
service*
Authorised
sky agent
Trading Standards
Approved
c71
LEWES
& surrounding area
01273 461579
OR FREEPHONE
0800 919737

HOME
Don’t get caught out,
Locked out - put this number
in your phone NOW!
• Digital Locks fitted
• One Key For All Locks.
• Cylinder Replacement.
• 24hr / 365 days a year.
• OAP Discount, No VAT.
• No Obligation Quote &
No call Out Charge!
• Lockout within 30 minutes.
• uPVC Door & Window Locks problems.
• Garage Door Locks
• British Standard Locks.
• Mobile key cutting service.
• CRB Checked & Approved.

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LTD
Aluminium wondows, doors,
lantern roofs and bi-folding doors.
We are a building company specialising in residential
extensions, refurbishments, loft conversions
and conservation work on listed buildings.
We pride ourselves on paying attention to detail,
using bespoke materials and bringing projects
in on time and on budget.
Contact us for a free quote and please
visit the website for more info:
www.stjamesbuilding.co.uk
01273 499 641 / 07780 964 608
Trading in your area for over 30 years
We guarantee all our products, installation and service
for the best doors, windows & conservatories
CLARKS GLASS LTD
Unit 10, Ringmer Business Centre,
Chamberlanes Lane, Ringmer, BN8 5NF
For your FREE no obligation consultation call us now on:
01273 814077
www.clarksglass.org.uk

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G L E N N H E N R Y
B U I L D I N G & C A R P E N T R Y
OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE
FREE estimates on all types of
plastering work and finishes.
TELEPHONE: 01273 472 836
MOBILE: 07974 752 491
EMAIL: cdpoulter@btinternet.com
Loft conversion and
garage conversion specialists
Extensions and renovations
Project management with
18 years’ experience
Previous customer
references available
Professional service
Glennhenrybuilding@gmail.com
Mobile 07787912297
Office 01323 845612
PAINTING AND DECORATING
SERVICES
FAST, CLEAN AND RELIABLE
AT THE RIGHT PRICE
01825 891238
07976 316911
www.thebuildteam.co.uk
info@thebuildteam.co.uk

HOME
Plumbing & Heating
Design & Installation
Bathrooms/Kitchens
Plumbing/Heating
Boilers/Central heating
Gas Safe Registered
Tiling / Woodwork
Free estimates & Advice
vsp
vic stringer
furniture polisher
antique restorer
french polish
spray finishing
hand painting finish
joinery finishing
kitchen makers
bedroom furniture
T: 01273 487 565 M. 07801 784 192
E. tonywplumbing@icloud.com
0 1 2 7 3 8 1 4 4 3 4
0 7 9 5 0 3 1 4 9 2 6
vsp47@hotmail.com

HOME
Directory Spotlight:
Nina Murden, Seamstress
Chartered Building Surveyors
• Building Surveys • Defect Analysis
• Project Management • Dilapidaaons
• Historic Building Specialists • Party Wall
Contact us for friendly professional advice
01273 840608 | www.gradientconsultants.com
I work from a workshop in my garden
which edges onto the Downs. Sometimes my
fabulously skilful part-time colleague Kerri is
here, sometimes it’s just me… and the sheep
walking past. It’s very calming.
Two thirds of what I do involves making
interior furnishings - Roman blinds, cushions,
curtains etc; the rest is doing repairs and
alterations to clothes.
There’s not much equipment, really. A
Brother sewing machine, which is big and
sturdy, and does the simple things well, a
sharp pair of scissors, a tape measure, and a
set square. It pays to be extremely precise in
this job. I enjoy that – I’m not like that in the
rest of my life!
I like to use natural fibres for curtains and
blinds, like Ian Mankin’s cloth. I’m sad to
see how much pollution ends up in the water
– and eventually into the food chain – when
you wash plastic-based clothes.
It makes me happy that some people like
to have their old clothes repaired instead
of just buying new ones. People used to only
have two or three sets of outer garments:
if clothes are good quality and mended
every now and again there’s no reason they
shouldn’t last a lifetime.
Is my job dangerous? Hardly. Though I do
prick my finger about twice a week. And yes,
I use a thimble.
I’m amazed at how many people ask me
‘can you make this top bigger? It’s got too
small for me.’ I’ve been doing this for years
and have acquired a lot of skills, but I’m not a
magician! As told to Alex Leith
thelewesseamstress.co.uk
07784053679
tom@tbacc.co.uk
thebuildingandcarpentryco.co.uk

Jason Eyre Decorating
Professional Painters & Decorators
jasoneyre2@gmail.com
07976 418299/07766 118289
All trades covered
PAUL FURNELL
Project1/NEWSIZE_Layout 1 18/01/2012 14:59 Page 1
- Carpenter
- General Building
- Renovation works
Based in Lewes
t. 07717 862940 e. paul.lee.furnell@gmail.com
Jack Plane Carpenter
Nice work, fair price,
totally reliable.
www.jackplanecarpentry.co.uk
01273 483339 / 07887 993396
Also Professional Repairs and Alterations Service.
01273 470817 | 07717 855314
TheLewesSeamstress.co.uk
Painter Michael Webber
Colour Consultant
Domestic & Trade. Interior & Exterior
michael.webber6@yahoo.co.uk
01273 890779 | 07880 558 556

HOME
Handyman Services for your House and Garden
Lewes based. Free quotes.
Honest, reliable, friendly service.
Reasonable rates
Tel: 07460 828240
Email: ahbservices@outlook.com
For
20% off
quote
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07812 028704 | 01273 401962
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Mobile 07941 057337
Phone 01273 488261
12 Priory Street, Lewes, BN7 1HH
info@ globalgardens.co.uk
www.globalgardens.co.uk

HOME
Richard Gilmore
Gardener Available
Beds, borders, pruning and tidying
01273 814 926
National Diploma Horticulture
SolSeed Landscapes
edible landscapes | garden maintenance
Call Brett now for a free quote: 07565842951
www.solseedlandscapes.com
Qualified & Experienced gardener
07912 606 557
OTHER SERVICES

OTHER SERVICES
www.andrewwells.co.uk
We can work it out
• BUSINESS ACCOUNTS AND TAX
• MEDIA AND THE ARTS
• CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS
• FRIENDLY AND FLEXIBLE
T: 01273 961334
E: aw@andrewwells.co.uk
FREE
initial
consultation
Andrew M Wells Accountancy
99 Western Road Lewes BN7 1RS
STUDIO / WORKSPACE AVAILABLE | 115 sq ft | £50pw inclusive
Dry & secure unit in a converted barn. North light, sink & electrical
supply for kiln/cooker if needed. Shared kitchen, toilet, wi-fi, off-road
parking, access Mon-Fri. Rural Ringmer. Award-winning Artwave venue.
Corina: 07973 655804 | corina@upperlodgesussex.com
The Cycling Seamstress and hairdresser
For Prom dress alterations
& prom hair contact me.
07766 103039 / nessnewmantt@gmail.com
COMPETITIVE
PRICES
FLO TYRES
& ACCESSORIES
ndrew Wells_Viva Lewes_AW.indd 1 25/06/2012 09:05
LOCAL INDEPENDENT RETAILER.
TYRES. BATTERIES. BULBS. WIPERS
FROM STOCK WHILE YOU WAIT.
FREE TREAD & WEAR CHECKS.
PUNCTURE REPAIRS.
WHEEL BALANCING.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
EXPERT
ADVICE
O N E S T O P S H O P F O R P R E M I U M , M I D R A N G E A N D B U D G E T T Y R E S
We also stock vehicle batteries, wiper blades, bulbs and top up engine oils.
Flo Tyres And Accessories
Unit 1 Malling Industrial Estate, Brooks Road, Lewes, BN7 2BY
Tel: 01273 481000 | Web: flotyres.com | info@flomargarage.com

HEALTH & WELLBEING
Part-Time Counselling
& Psychotherapy
Courses in Sussex
The Link Centre is a friendly, relaxed professional learning environment, running
flexible part-time courses and supporting students in gaining professional accredited
qualifications at national and international level.
We also run short courses including Counselling Skills, Understanding Self & Others
(TA101), Supervision Diploma, and other CPD workshops.
Find out about our part-time weekend training courses at our combined
Free Talk and Open Evenings – from 7pm-9pm on:
23rd May – Understanding & Improving Relationships
11th July – Self Esteem.
Based at Plumpton College, East Sussex.
To find out more, visit our website or
email us on info@thelinkcentre.co.uk
or call us on 01892 652487
www.thelinkcentre.co.uk
Training in Counselling & Psychotherapy ● Counselling Skills
Transactional Analysis ● Supervision ● CPD Workshops
Viva Lewes Brighton half page March 18 2.indd 1 05/04/2018 09:41
Acupuncture, Alexander Technique, Bowen
Technique, Children’s Clinic, Counselling,
Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Herbal
Medicine, Massage, Nutritional Therapy,
Life Coaching, Physiotherapy, Pilates,
Shiatsu, Podiatry/Chiropody
"My Healthy Summer"
What will you be doing this summer to
improve your health?
Give up smoking | Lose weight
Exercise more | Eat healthier foods
Look out for the up coming event "BEAT THE
STREET" game in our window, and "CALORIE
CREEP". You will be able to collect your beat the
street cards from the pharmacy, and other
campaigns to improve your health will follow.
Visit NHS Choices for ideas on healthy eaang
and exercise plans and oneyoueastsussex.org.uk
for support with weight loss, stopping
smoking and alcohol advice.
(Closed between 1-2pm)

CLIFFE OSTEOPATHS
complementary health clinic
Lynne Russell
BSc FSDSHom MARH MBIH(FR)
I have been offering women
information and support at
menopause for over 15 years.
I draw on my range of therapies
and experience in considering
the different options and a more
natural approach.
If you would like to arrange a free
15 minute mini-consultation to
see if my approach might suit
you please contact me.
07970 245118
www.chantryhealth.com
OSTEOPATHY
Mandy Fischer BSc (Hons) Ost, DO
Steven Bettles BSc (Hons) Ost, DO
HERBAL MEDICINE & REFLEXOLOGY
Julie Padgham-Undrell BSc (Hons) MCPP
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Julia Rivas BA (Hons), MA Psychotherapy
Tom Lockyer BA (Hons), Dip Cound MBACP
ACUPUNCTURE & HYPNOTHERAPY
Anthea Barbary LicAc MBAcC Dip I Hyp GQHP
HOMEOPATHY, COACHING, NLP
& HYPNOTHERAPY
Lynne Russell BSc FSDSHom MARH MBIH(FR)
01273 480900
Focusing on you
Counselling, Psychotherapy
and Psychological Services
with experienced clinicians
in central Lewes
We work with individuals,
couples, families and groups.
Sam Jahara (MSc Psych UKCP Reg.)
Psychotherapist and supervisor
Mark Vahrmeyer (MA Psych UKCP Reg.)
Psychotherapist and supervisor
Dr. Simon Cassar (DProf UKCP Reg.)
Psychotherapist and supervisor
Jane Craig (MSc ClinPsych HCPC Reg.)
Clinical psychologist and supervisor
Magdalena Whitehouse (MA HCPC Reg.)
Drama therapist and supervisor
Thea Beech (MA TGA UKCP Reg.)
Psychotherapist and Group Analyst
01273 921355
The Barn, 64 Southover High Street, Lewes, BN7 1JA
Third Floor, 6 The Drive, Hove BN3 3JA
www.brightonandhovepsychotherapy.com
admin@brightonandhovepsychotherapy.com

HEALTH & WELLBEING
Ruth Wharton Viva Advert 3.17 AW.qxp_6 12/05/2017 1
neck or back pain?
Lin Peters - OSTEOPATH
VALENCE ROAD OSTEOPATHS
for the treatment of:
neck or low back pain • sports injuries • rheumatic
arthritic symptoms • pulled muscles • joint pain
stiffness • sciatica - trapped nerves • slipped discs
tension • frozen shoulders • cranial osteopathy
pre and post natal
www.lewesosteopath.co.uk
20 Valence Road Lewes 01273 476371
RUTH
WHARTON
ba (hons) bsc (hons) Ost Med dO
Nd Msc paediatric Ost
BIODYNAMIC
CRANIAL
OSTEOPATH
ruthwhartonosteopath.com
SALLY
GALLOWAY
ba (hons) dip Nat Nut CNM
MbaNt CNhC reg
NUTRITIONAL
THERAPIST
sallygallowaynutrition.co.uk
Other therapies
alsO available
fOr MOre details see:
intrinsichealthlewes.co.uk
CLINIC SPACE
available
INTRINSIC HEALTH
01273 958403
32 Cliffe high st, lewes bN7 2aN
HERBALIST
Kym Murden
BA Hons Dip Phyt
Weaving wellness together
whatever your age.
Herb & Health Workshops
Visit:
kymmurden.com
Appointments 07780 252186
Acupuncturist & Nutritionist
Hanna Evans
33 Cliffe High Street, Lewes
Book 07799 417924 | evans.hanna@gmail.com
Visit: www.hannaevans.co.uk
Periods •
Pregnancy prep •
Fertility issues •
Pregnancy •
Post-natal •
Menopause •

HEALTH & WELLBEING
LESSONS AND COURSES
Ages 16 and up from an experienced, qualified teacher
Contact: Lucinda Houghton BA(Hons), AGSM (GSMD), FRSM
Kingston, Lewes (Ample parking)
07976 936024 | canto-voice.org
Arts Counsellor - Tara Canick MCGI, BACP
The Family Room @ The Montessori Place
Lewes Road, Easons Green, TN22 5RE
For adults & children from £10 per session
(No previous art experience necessary)
07792 600903 – www.tara-canick.co.uk
GUITAR LESSONS
with Guy Pearce
For all ages and abilities. Fully CRB checked
• Lessons and Grades in Electric and Acoustic guitar.
• Mobile Tuition
• Guitar restringing service.
07504173888
guypearceguitarlessons@gmail.com
Singing Lessons
Experienced voice teacher - DBS checked - Wallands area
www.HilarySelby.com
07960 893 898
Doctor P. Bermingham
Retired Consultant Psychiatrist. Retired Jungian Psychoanalyst.
Assoc. Med. Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy into the core of
depression, depressive illness and relapse.
Supervision for therapists
drpbermingham@gmail.com

LESSONS AND COURSES
CARS
EXPERT
ADVICE
I N C O R P O R A T I N G F L O T Y R E S
INDEPENDENT GARAGE
CELEBRATING 12TH YEAR
SERVING LOCAL COMMUNITY.
ALL MAKES & MODELS
COMPETITIVE RATES
QUALITY PARTS
HIGHLY SKILLED TECHNICIANS
www.mechanicinlewes.co.uk
info@flomargarage.com
Units 1-3 Malling Industrial Estate, Brooks Road, Lewes BN7 2BY
Vehicle Servicing, Repairs and MOT Service: 01273 472691
www.mechanicinlewes.co.uk | info@flomargarage.com

INSIDE LEFT
MORRISH’S, c 1942
You might have had a pizza in this space in the
last decade or so: we’re looking at the interior of
186 High Street, now ASK Italian Restaurant.
The photo was taken by Edward M Reeves in
c1942, when the building was occupied by Charles
Morrish & Son, Departmental Drapery Stores,
commonly known as ‘Morrish’s’.
Charles Morrish hailed from Chagford in Devon,
the son of a draper. He moved to Lewes with his
wife Maria in the early 1870s, to set up his own
business. The couple were in their early twenties.
For a short time he worked from 105, High Street
on the Bottleneck. In 1879 he moved the business
to no. 186, taking over from William Green, who
had also run a drapers there. He posted an ad in
the Sussex Agricultural Express from May of that
year, calling the shop a ‘Millinery and Mantle
Emporium’ and promoting his ‘FIRST SHOW
OF SUMMER NOVELTIES’. The ad ended
with the advice: ‘A visit is solicited’.
By that time his son Charles Arthur Morrish was
two years old, and when he reached adulthood
the shop became ‘Charles Morrish & Son’. In the
census of 1911 the family was living above the
shop, along with five assistants and a servant: it
must have been mighty crowded, and Charles and
Maria soon moved out to 33, The Avenue. Charles
died in 1935, aged 86, leaving effects of £4,326.
It was, of course, wartime, when the picture was
taken: note how sparsely stacked the shelves are. If
you take a magnifying glass to the photo, you can
read one sign stating ‘Owing to War Conditions
we are unable to order goods on credit’. Another
reads ‘Elastic will withstand washing. 6d length’.
By this time the shop had been taken over by
Plummer Rodis Ltd, the Eastbourne firm, which
eventually merged with Debenhams. Perhaps
Charles Arthur sold it due to ill health: he died
soon after, in 1943.
The building was Grade II Listed in 1952, and
long-term Lewes residents will remember it as
McCartney Stewarts, selling fabrics downstairs,
and Ladybird clothing upstairs. Then it became
Ransoms, a hardware store run by Warren
Ransom, along with his shop off London Road in
Brighton, with a café upstairs. The Lewes branch
shut in 1992; the building was empty for many
years before it was converted into ASK. Alex Leith
Thanks to Tom and Tania at Edward Reeves, 159
High Street, edwardreeves.com
114

1 Malling Street, Lewes,
East Sussex BN7 2RA
01273 471 269
bespoke@alistairflemingdesign.co.uk
alistairflemingdesign.co.uk