Editorial
I
’ m sitting here looking out at a clear blue sky , crisp shards of light shining through the trees . The buds of a few weeks ago have turned into vibrant green leaves . Everything is coming alive . The BBC weather app says that it ’ s an illusion , that the skies are going to turn grey , that it ’ s going to rain . I don ’ t believe it . I think the BBC app is just saying that out of force of habit . I ’ ve stolen a screen grab from another day and I ’ m going to say this is today . Easy .
May is the best time in our world . May is when the arts come alive . The Festival , the Fringe , The Great Escape ( it ’ ll survive the virtue signalling protests ), the Alternative Escape . When the sun shines , there ’ s no finer place than Brighton in May . You can read about all that stuff on our website - it ’ s difficult to do that in a physical mag that comes out every two months .
We ’ re a bit bigger this month - four extra pages ! I know ! In colour ! I know ! - with the usual mix of the wider , big picture stuff ( the interview with new Labour parliamentary candidate Tom Gray , who seems a lovely bloke and is a welcome return to Labour ’ s values after the madness of the Corbyn years ), and local stories , like the interview with Sarah from Solifiore , a lovely shop
A chance to step back in time
Robert Jeeves of Step Back In Time , and Andy Garth of Brighton & Hove Stuff will be giving a lively , illustrated talk at West Hill Hall on Tuesday 16 July , 7pm . Come along for a rare chance to see some fantastic photographs of the West Hill and Seven Dials area from the early 1900s onwards , including many shops and other buildings which are long-gone ( and some which are still trading !). Tickets £ 5 on the door . which we should all support . Even The Gull About Town has returned for the summer .
For the good folk of West Hill though , May means something else . May means the highlight of the social calendar , the time when the great and the good come together to celebrate themselves in all their selfreflecting glory . For the good folk of West Hill , May means St Nick ’ s Dog Show which this year falls on Monday May 6 .
Last year we entered Pickle Pie and , look , it ’ s a dog show . It ’ s a lovely , fun event . The sun shines . There ’ s Pimms . Everyone smiles . It ’ s the perfect antidote to this corrosive obsession so many people have with winning and competition . It ’ s purely about pleasure and enjoyment , the joy of simple
participation , the feeling of community , of taking part .
Fourth . He came fourth . It took him weeks to get over that . He wouldn ’ t leave the house , let alone go to the dog park . The St Nick ’ s Pooch Pals sent a delegation .
This year we ’ re playing the odds , taking more of a spread betting approach . We ’ re entering three dogs . Not saying anything , but if I were you , I ’ d put a few quid on Harry .
l Since going to press we ’ ve learned that Solifiore is closing down . Sarah has every intention of re-opening though in a new site , hopefully still in the Dials .
There ’ s so much going on , so many things to do , sometimes we lose track of what ’ s under our nose . Or maybe that ’ s just me . St Ann ’ s Well is simply lovely this time of year and the Friends of St Ann ’ s Well organise fantastic walks and talks . Check out their website - friendsofstannswellgardens . org - for details , but here ’ s a grab-bag of what to expect . May 5th – Dawn Chorus Walk with Mark Watson - 4.30am – 6.30am . This is very popular so booking is essential - email Alison @ fosawg . org May 7th – monthly 1 hour litter pick in the Park tools provided – meet at the noticeboard at 9.30am Litter picks are held on the first Tuesday of each month – volunteers welcome . May 18th - 19th Artists Open House Weekend in the Park . More than 20 artists and creators exhibiting incolourful gazebos , with live music – fun for all the family . Butterfly Walks Wed 12th June – with Huw Morgan ( Sussex Wildlife Trust ) 11am – 12 noon Sat 3 August with butterfly expert Dan Danahar – 11am – 12 noon Meet at the Noticeboard . Booking required email Alison @ fosawg . org