PrestonvilleTHE

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NEWS AND VIEWS - WHAT’S ON - COMMUNITY - HISTORY

SUMMER ISSUE 2013 || Issue 11

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Welcome // EDITOR’S LETTER

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From The Editor.

In this issue, we’ve got a local business theme. New kid on the Prestonville block is Stephen Wright - read about his furniture shop on page 14.

A recent addition to the shops and businesses at the Seven Dials is the Small Batch Coffee company. Manager Kris Katin tells us how to make a perfect cup of coffee on page 13.

A more established business is Liz Pegg’s osteopathy practice in Buxton Road. Having interviewed Liz for our article on page7, she suggested I come and experi-ence how she works.

After an hour’s session I feel totally different! My body feels more relaxed and the tightness in my neck and shoulders (the result of too much computer work) has totally eased. Thanks Liz!

If you have any news, stories or ideas, that you would like to be featured in future issues please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you! - Gill

SUMMER 2013 ISSUE 11

Age UK 4

News from St Luke’s 5

The Local Beat 6

Osteopathy 7

What’s On 9

Community Issues 10

The Hall group 11

Make coffee! 13

It’s My Business 14

WHAT’S INSIDETHIS MONTH

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INFORMATION AND ADVICE

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I wonder if people in Prestonville are aware that we have an excellent facility for people over the age of 50 right in the heart of our community?

Age UK is a charity to be found at 29-31 Preston-ville Road, just off Seven Dials. A range of ser-vices for older people are run from this building including a computer drop-in, an advocacy and a counselling service. There are about 16 volunteers as well as some employees.

For the last 2 years I have worked there as an information and advice volunteer and found it very rewarding.

Most of my work is done on the phone. We cover a broad range of issues relevant to the needs of the over 50s. When I pick the phone up I never quite know what I am going to be faced with. It could be anything from a query about re-moving mice, to complex issues involving benefits, pensions, community care and housing. At first I found this daunting and, needless to say, I am still learning. But the people in the office work as a team and support each other; so, if I am unable to help a caller, I take their number, chat to my col-leagues and get back to them.

If we can’t help, we often know an organisation that can; so we can pass on their number or post a leaflet for the client. We can also make appoint-ments for people with the local pensions service and social services.

Not all of the work is on the phone. Some people would rather come in and talk to someone in

our team. Appointments can be booked over the phone or by dropping into reception and making an appointment with a member of the Informa-tion and Advice team.

Appointments can also be made to see a lawyer at our weekly legal clinic. These lawyers are from local firms and give their advice on a pro-bono basis. These same lawyers also staff a weekly will-writing clinic.

As a volunteer I do not visit people in their homes but as part of our team we have paid workers who do, and for those who are house-bound a home visit can be arranged.

Training is ongoing and since becoming a vol-unteer, I have been able to attend training on a broad range of issues affecting older people, including tax, benefits and dementia.

Please make use of this wonderful service in our community; give us a ring on 01273.720603 or pop in to reception and find out more about the other good things for older people that are organised from this building.

David Southey

Age UK; Brighton and Hove’s Information and Advice Service

29-31 Prestonville Road. Tel: 01273.720603

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/brightonandhove/

Local resident Dave Southey (left) tells us about his work as a volunteer advice and information worker at Age UK in Prestonville Road (right).

A FANTASTIC RESOURCERIGHT ON OUR DOORSTEP

facebook: ‘prestonvillefriend’ twitter: @prestonvillemag // www.prestonvillefriend.co.uk

Welcome // EDITOR’S LETTER

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As I write this, the streets are slowly filling up with rubbish. We’re right in the middle of a strike due to the dispute between the refuse collectors and the

council. This disagreement looks set to rumble on through-out the summer with the prospect of overflowing bins and litter-filled pavements becoming part of our everyday life.

The church is trying to help by supplying some extra refuse storage bags at the collection point on the corner of Stanford Road and the Old Shoreham Road but I’m hoping there will be no need for them by the time you read this.

‘A wonderful installation’The month of May also had a rubbish theme at St. Luke’s as we had an art exhibition in church during the festival entitled Unwanted. The artist Angela Wright created a wonderful installation in the chancel of the church using items that had been left over from the Bric-a-Brac stall at our Spring Fair. These items were twice rejected – once by the original own-ers who’d donated them for the stall in the first place, and then by the people who came to the fair who didn’t see any value in them. Angela was able to see beauty in this odd col-lection of junk and created a wonderful piece of art where ev-ery object was given some worth as part of a larger creation.

As the exhibition progressed something wonderful began to happen; people started to ask about the individual items on display and if there was some way to buy them. These

unwanted, discarded pieces of rubbish had been given a new purpose and meaning in the context of the exhibition and had somehow become desirable once more. So we set up a sticker system and asked people to reserve the objects they wanted and let us know how much they’d be prepared to pay for them. By the end of May a third of the items had been reserved with people promising to pay anything from 50p to £15 for each one – all money which will go towards the refurbishment of the church.

In church we often talk about redemption as an abstract concept but there are examples of redemption taking place in people’s lives all around us. I see it in the many people who are helped by the St. Luke’s Advice Service in Exeter Street, or in the people whose lives are given purpose through the help of church members. I see it in the commu-nity effort that redeems a church hall from dereliction and the artistic vision that turns the closure of a bowling club into an exciting outdoor theatre venue. I’m glad that I’m part of a community whose eyes are open to the possibilities of redemption and I hope we’re all alive to the opportuni-ties we are given to create something positive for those around us.

Sunday 21st July will be a day for celebrating the posi-tive. Immediately after the morning service the church is planning a Big Picnic in Dyke Road Park which every-one is invited to and later that afternoon The Hall Get Involved will be holding their AGM and Street Party in Exeter Street.

St. Luke’s Church / MARTIN POOLE

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Prestonville PlansWE CATCH UP WITH REVEREND MARTIN POOLEON THE LATEST FROM ST. LUKE’S by Reverend Martin Poole

WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH!

Our extra refuse storage bags on Old Shoreham Road

Angela Wright’s installation

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News // PRESTONVILLE POST

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THE LOCAL BEAT // Sergeant Chris Lane

The Local BeatNEWS FROM OUR LOCAL POLICEOFFICER, SERGEANT CHRIS LANE

by Sergeant Chris Lane

As I sit here and write the weather looks distinctly grey out of my window. Hopefully it will not stay that way and we may yet see some sunshine this summer.

Traditionally, the rise in temperatures also prompts a rise in burglary dwelling offences due to insecure doors and windows. You will be pleased to know that in your area and in Sussex generally, burglary dwelling offences are falling but it’s important not to be complacent.

“Prevention is better”Part of the issue with burglaries can be that an area can go unaffected for a long time before a crime series appears as if from nowhere, often attributable to one offender or group of offenders. With these issues, prevention is far better than reactive police action as invariably it will take some degree of investigation before the situation is resolved, during which time many more offences can be committed.

A recent good news story was that of the sentencing of

Anthony Bowles of an address in Preston Road, who received a four year custodial sentence for burglary. Around January into February 2013 the Preston area suffered a large increase in burglary dwelling offences which led to a massive police response including collaboration from many police departments across Brighton.

During the investigation into one of the offences, my team and I identified a possible suspect on CCTV who had used a stolen bank card from one such burglary. Further enquiries led to obtaining a search warrant for his address and upon forcing entry we found him enjoying a lie in after a busy night out breaking into nearby houses. One was even his next door neighbour! A cupboard under the stairs was a treasure trove of stolen electrical items and he was eventu-ally charged and convicted of five offences, although we suspect he was involved in many more. The offences in that area all but stopped overnight.

chris.lane@sussex.pnn.police.uk

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IT’S MY BUSINESS // Osteopathy

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Want to know what some of Liz Pegg’s clients say about her?

“Liz is kind, healing, knowledgeable, and a fantastic osteopath.”

“I’ve come away feeling relaxed and untangled….Liz has ‘magic hands’.”

“Liz is an intuitive and gifted practitioner. Her careful listening and holistic approach means she really gets to the root of the prob-lem. At various times I’ve managed to injure my lower back, right knee and left hip and she’s always been able to straighten me out.”

High praise indeed!

Liz has been in practice for over 20 years, offering effective holis-tic treatment which, she says, aims to get to the cause of a problem, rather than just treating symptoms.

Liz explains: “I can relieve pain and increase energy and wellbe-ing. Osteopaths are often consulted for back pain, but we can help with many other conditions and injuries throughout the body. My therapies can be combined where appropriate, to give relief from a wide range of conditions.

“Naturopathy is a ‘common sense’ approach to health, involving nutritional advice and works well alongside the relaxing effects of reflexology.

“I enjoy the variety of my osteopathic practice, as every day brings new challenges. I adjust treatment to each person individually and my clients range from babies to those in their 90s. I enjoy work-ing with pregnant women, and regularly see babies who can be unsettled following birth, yet may respond well to gentle ‘cranial’ osteopathy.

“I love getting people moving again! It is lovely to see a client regain their quality of life, and return to the activities they enjoy.

“My clients’ wellbeing is very important to me. Treatments in my clinic are relaxed and unhurried, available on Saturdays and week-days. I offer long appointment times so people get the time they need, and am happy to offer follow up advice by phone/email.”

The last word goes to another of Liz’s clients; “Even the most brilliant osteopaths in Brighton and Hove don’t seem to be able to fix bodies as quickly as Liz does. Her training in reflexology, osteopathy and naturopathy means that she can choose the best way to work with you.”

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Get Moving Again!OSTEOPATH LIZ PEGG TELLS US ABOUT HER COMBINED APPROACH

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CAN YOU HELP? // Guide Dogs

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Bed & Breakfast for Guide Dogs

We put our questions to Guide Dogs Boarder Coordinator Carl Gray.

What does the boarding involve?

It involves providing accommodation in your home during its period of advanced training for between 10 and 12 weeks.

Boarders need to be free to drop off their dog between 8.30 and 9am and pick up the dog between 4.30 and 5pm at our new office by Hove station.

A consistent home is vital in supporting our dogs’ training; you’ll need to be willing to provide a welcom-ing and safe environment - including a private, fully-

enclosed garden with a concrete / paved area for the dog to spend (go to the toilet) on.

As a boarder, you will ensure the dog is fed and exer-cised and be happy to work as a close team with the Guide Dog instructor and follow their guidelines to ensure the dog progresses quickly.

What do boarders get out of it?

Boarding a dog is a unique opportunity to care for and have companionship of a dog for evenings and weekends. You will be supported as part of a team with a pivotal role in providing guide dogs for blind and partially-sighted people.

As volunteer boarders Carl and Tina – who recently boarded Edward, a black Labradoodle - explained: ‘It was fantastic to experience Edward’s progress towards becoming a fully fledged Guide Dog. Our time with him was full of joy and exciting’

GUIDE DOGS IN OUR CITY NEED MORE PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER TO BOARD DOGS IN THEIR LAST THREE MONTHS OF TRAINING

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Kayaking and Canoeing Courses

Get a group of friends and family together and take to the water this summer! Brighton company Hatt Adven-tures run a range of Kayaking and Canoeing guided river trips and beginners courses in Sussex on the Rivers Arun, Ouse and Cuckmere

A great idea for a day outdoors with a bit of a difference.

River Arun

4hr Guided kayaking trip. 13 km

This kayaking trip takes you from Stopham Bridge near Pulborough to Pallingham Quay. A beauti-ful section of river through the South Downs with steep hills either side of the river and greatwildlife spotting opportunities. You’ll be passing under pictur-esque old railway bridges and taking in the beautiful views whilst enjoying being out pad-dling on the water. A perfect way to enjoy the English countryside at it’s best. Cost: From £60 per person

River Cuckmere

4hr Guided kayaking trip. 13km

This trip takes you paddling from Cuckmere Haven to Alfriston. As the river meanders through Cuckmere Valley you’ll be pass-ing through quaintly picturesque villages and the stunning views of the South Downs. There is alsoplenty of wildlife to be spotted as you explore the river...you may even be lucky and spot an otter or a mink!Cost: From £60 per person

River Ouse

4.5hr Guided kayaking trip. 14km

Starting out from Barcombe Mills this route along the river Ouse takes you through the wide open spaces of the South Downs fin-ishing up in Lewes. This stretch of river is rich in wildlife; there is no better way to enjoy this beautiful area than by kayak! Cost: From £60 per person

Brighton

Kayaking Experience – 2 and a half hours.

See Brighton from the water. You don’t need any experience as the qualified kayaking instructors will kit you up, give you a safety brief before leading you out on the water.

They will teach you the basics techniques on how to control your kayak and keep your kayak in a straight line (the hardest thing in kayaking). If there is surf they’ll teach you how to ride the waves and carve up the surf!

Cost: From £50 per person.

All trips are for group bookings only. You must be able to swim 50m and a reasonable level of fitness is required.

http://www.thehatt.co.uk

Tel: 01273 358359

What’s On - SummerTIME TO GET ON THE RIVER!

SUMMER // What’s On

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NEWS // Prestonville Community Association

Prestonville Community AssociationSupporting community activities in the Prestonville area

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If you would like to find out more about the PCA, please get in touch. Chair: Marek Kohninfo@prestonville.org.uk

BOOK CLUB IN THE PUB The Chimney House (upstairs). 18 July, 7.30pm Snowdrops by A.D. Miller19 September, 7.30pm Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel

For more information, contact: Jeremy Cartland Tel: 882933j.cartland1@ntlworld.com

REGULAR EVENTS GARDENING GROUPThird Saturday of month,10.00am Meet at Café in the Park.Contact: Jannet King Tel: 509653 MONTHLY MUNCHThird Saturday of month, 12-2pmPicnic and gardening activiities atCommunity Garden.

DIARY DATESOPEN MEETING First Tuesday of the month, 7.30pmDyke Road Park Bowls Hut

FILM CLUB First Sunday of the month5.00pm, Café in the Park. £2.50 membership on door.

Keep up to date via: www.dykeroadpark.wordpress.com prestonville.org.uk

Open Air Theatre in Dyke Road Park

Dyke Road Park bowling green, fenced off for 20 years, could soon be a grassed amphitheatre, run by Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT).

The scheme is the inspiration of Adrian Bunting, writer, producer, and buildings project manager, who knew the park well and identified the sheltered bowling green as the perfect site for open-air performances. By a cruel twist of fate, just as the Dyke Road Bowls Club closed and there was a chance of his dream being realised, he was diagnosed with cancer and died a few weeks later in early May.

“Turning his vision into reality”

He left five friends with the mission of turning his vision into reality. In just a few weeks, news of the BOAT project spread across the city and beyond, gaining massive support from individuals and other arts organisa-tions. Although formal plans have not yet been put forward, the idea is to excavate the site to create a stage with an acoustic wall behind it and several grassed tiers in front. It will be available for use by local groups and touring companies – amateur and professional – throughout the sum-mer months.

There were several alternative suggestions for the site, including a food-growing project with disabled access (in collaboration with Harvest) and mini-tennis courts. But Adrian was anxious that his vision be shared by park users, and recorded a video message that was shown to the Friends of Dyke Road Park at a meeting three days after his death.

Those present recognised that many of the features they had proposed – disabled access to a sensory garden, wildlife-friendly habitats, a meditation area, a table-tennis table – could be incorporated into BOAT’s innovatory scheme. They therefore decided that park users would be best served by the Friends group, working together with BOAT, to develop an attractive space that could be at times a hive of activity but also a haven of peace for everyone to enjoy.

Jannet King on behalf of Friends of Dyke Road Park10

This is the site of the proposed open-air theatre - the current bowl-ing green at Dyke Road Park.

Photo: Jannet King

The Hall Get Involved / NEWS

Exeter Street Hall - Latest UpdatesSUMMER 2013The Hall Get Involved group has plans!Chairman of the group, Paul Winter, keeps us updated

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The good news is that the boring legal stuff is nearly at an end and we expect to exchange contracts on the Hall before the end of June.

The latest event by TheHallGetInvolved was a barn dance and was well attended. As far as we know, this was the first barn dance the Hall has hosted but we definitely don’t want it to be the last. We want to inspire new ideas, so if you feel motivated to put on an event or to be more involved in the running of the Hall, please get in touch getinvolved@exeterstreethall.org

To celebrate our community’s achievement in purchasing our own Community Hall, we are planning a street party on July 21st from 4pm. This will coincide with our very first TheHallGetInvolved AGM at 2pm. If you are a shareholder, please use your vote as a member to make decisions in the running of your Hall.

If you’re still to become a shareholder, you’ll be pleased to know that the share offer is still open. You can buy shares by going to www.exeterstreethall.org/buyashare.

Everyone wore their dancing shoes, and some even wore their dancing hats for the barn dance!

A.G.M.Sunday July 21st

2pmExeter Street Hall

to be followed by food and drink

Sussex Nightstop is a community project responding to local youth homelessness. The project recruits, trains and supervises local people who have a spare room.

Some young people stay for just a few nights, whilst others require a few weeks of stable accommodation before they are ready to move on to longer term accommodation. All young people on the scheme are risk-assessed and have a professional Housing, Youth or Social worker coordinating their placement.

After an argument, Tony’s (not his real name) dad asked him to leave home. Tony was 17 and at college with real plans for his fu-ture. He was placed with Nightstop until a place in longer term supported accommodation was found for him. His host com-mented that “it was obvious that Tony just needed to get settled so that he could get on with his studies, complete his exams and focus on his future which was to become an accountant.”

One recent host told us that “As a family we get so much from knowing we are making a difference to someone.”

We are currently looking for hosts to join our team. Hosts receive in-depth skills and knowledge-based training with 24 hour support. Expenses are paid on the shorter placements and a rental payment and expenses are paid to hosts that sign up to longer term placements.

Having a young person stay is never quite like you imagined….its surprisingly enjoyable! To find out more, go to www.sussexnightstop.org.uk or phone 07887492927

LOCAL ISSUES // Homelessness

A Community Responds with RoomsWE TAKE A LOOK AT SUSSEX NIGHTSTOP

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Isn’t our cover image fab? Thanks again to local

artist Sarah Jones for this. You can see more of

Sarah’s work at www.sarahjonesprints.co.uk

Are you a local artist or perhaps simply see your-

self as a ‘creative type’? Then how about sending

us a design for our next cover?

As the next issue of the Prestonville Friend comes

out in October we’d like something with an

autumn theme.

Email your idea to gillhasson@btinternet.com

by Thursday September 5th

You could be our next cover artist!

Design Our Cover!

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COFFEE // Small Batch Coffee Co

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Here at Small Batch Coffee we spend a lot of time trying to make the perfect drink. All our coffee is hand-roasted every day, allowed to breathe and de-gas for a week and then delivered to each of our shops. There, our baristas grind each shot on demand, checking and adjusting the grind through-out the day, then make sure that each espresso is extracted at the correct speed to the exact amount from our handmade Italian espresso machines.

That sounds like a lot of care and effort and it is; espresso is perhaps the most volatile, fickle form which coffee can take. To make it well requires train-ing, expensive equipment and time to heat and set up your machine.

For the home coffee drinker, however, things need not be so complicated. I’d like to talk you through making great coffee at home, a bit of the theory behind it all and what simple equipment you can buy to enhance the whole brewing experience.

The most popular method of making coffee at home is the cafetierre, also known as the french press or plunger. Much maligned by those who’ve had bad experiences with it (sludgy coffee, exploding cafeti-erres), if a few simple rules are followed, the humble cafetierre can make a cracking cup of joe.

Cafetierre brewing instructions:You will need a cafetierre, a set of scales and a timer. We strongly recommend purchasing a grinder too as wholebean coffee will stay fresh for much longer than pre-ground.

The most important thing for this brew technique is the grind: grind your coffee coarsely, like cracked black pepper. If it’s too fine, the coffee grounds will slip through the mesh leaving a gritty, sludgy taste.Use a ratio of 60-70g coffee per litre of water.

This ratio will produce the optimum coffee soluble percentage in the final cup; use too much coffee and it will over-extract and be bitter, too little and will under-extract leaving a weak and sour cup.Water should be between 92-94oC (45 secs after boiling)Pour evenly, wetting all the grounds, but do not fill to the top as the coffee should bloom as it releases CO2After 1 minute, dip the bloom with a spoon then al-low to brew for another 3 minutesUsing two spoons, scrape off the bloom and discard. Then press the filter down slowly. There should be little resistance if the grind is coarse enough.

Other methods, which we recommend for enthusi-asts, are the V60 (a Japanese paper filter pourover) or the Aeropress. The V60 produces a cleaner, lighter bodied cup than the cafetierre and is a favou-rite among Small Batch staff at home. The Aeropress is a brilliant, versatile brew method which can make a fantastic espresso, extracting coffee oils just like a £4000 machine, or a longer brewed filter style cup too.

Both are available from Small Batch branches where staff will be happy to talk you through their favourite methods, help you choose the right coffee for your taste and answer any other questions you might have. Happy brewing!

A Coffee MasterclassKRIS KATIN FROM SMALL BATCH AT SEVEN DIALS TEACHES US HOW TO DO IT PROPERLY

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Interview:

We interview Leo Hanlon; an experienced and dedicated guitar and bass player and tutor.Here, he tells us more about hispassion for all things guitar.

When did you start playing guitar?I started at around 12 years old. There was an old nylon-stringed acoustic lying around which I messed around with. By the age of 14 I was playing traditional Irish folk in pubs with family and friends who occasionally popped over from Northern Ireland.

Where did you train?I started out by teaching myself - which I regret! Bad habits take a long time to lose. However, I went to a music college straight after school and did my degree at Sussex.

What do you love about playing guitar?Playing guitar for me means fun, pride, excitement, my livelihood, networking and socializing. Infinite new challenges and opportunities, a means to relieve stress, escape, and a whole lot more. For me music is an essential part of life.

What do you enjoy about teaching guitar?There is great satisfaction in watching people progress and reaching their goals. Some of my proudest moments are seeing students get on stage for the first time or laying down a groove in the studio.

Who do you teach guitar to?I teach every age group from as young as 4 to people with kids of their own looking to rediscover their hobby.

Do you teach guitar full-time?Yes this is my livelihood. I teach, play in bands, write and record for artists and TV, and play session gigs.

How can playing guitar benefit your life? I mentioned before the benefits music has on my life, which can be the same for anyone else. My advice would be to create a clear vision of the effects playing an instrument would have on their lives. What challenges and opportuni-ties would they want to meet? Have a plan. If networking with other musicians is your goal then a teacher can also help with that.

And what’s your advice about buying a guitar? Take your time and be patient. Look around the smaller shops and snatch up a bargain. Second-hand guitars are fine as long as they’re in good condition. Try them out. Are there tuning issues with it? Do all volume and tone knobs work properly? There are other things you will need to make sure of, so talk to your teacher.

Guitar HeroIT’S MY BUSINESS // Furniture

It’s My Business.STEPHEN WRIGHT HAS GONE FROM TV DRAMA TO OPENING A FURNITURE SHOP IN OUR AREA

This is my first shop but not the first time I have sold antique and vintage items; I used to have a

pitch at the Kemp Town Flea Market. I started out studying product design at Leeds Polytechnic and went on to do a post-graduate course in film and televi-sion production design at Kingston Polytechnic.

I then trained at the BBC Design Department where I gained invaluable experience on a wide cross-section of programmes. I eventually focused on working on dramas and have done so since.

My last TV job was art directing on the new series of Whitechapel. In fact, the day I got the keys for the shop, I was asked to work on Whitechapel IV so the opening of the shop had to be

delayed for three months!

‘A new lease of life’Having been involved in set design for over twenty years you get an eye for things.

Wright & Co sells select antique pieces that are beautiful and useful; anything from a Victorian chest of drawers to a comfortable French tub chair can be on display in the shop. I also get great pleasure from finding tired pieces of furniture and getting them reuphol-stered in more contemporary materials - it gives them a new lease of life.

Along with framed prints, etchings and ornate mirrors, I also compliment the range of furnishings with cushions, table napkins, glass jars and other vari-ous antique smalls.

Caroline, my wife, is an interior design-er and so we can offer a more complete interior refurbishment service to customers who are looking for this.

I looked at various locations when looking for a suitable shop to let. The shop on Upper Hamilton Road fitted the bill because of the traditional facade, the character of the street, the nearby storage and it’s close proxim-ity to some of the most attractive and desirable areas to live in the city.

The Prestonville community have been great in spreading the word about Wright & Co and giving me positive feedback about the shop but, as with all businesses today, you have to expand your reach so a website will be coming soon to further expose Wright & Co to the people of Brighton and beyond!

We take a look around Wright & Co

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