Author: Norman Wright

Come along and find out how and why Brighton has inspired Peter’s writings.
January 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Here’s a blog post from our friend, neighbour and local activist, Marek Kohn for the Prestonville Community Association:

A while back we in the Prestonville Community Association got talking about the Greenway path that runs along the old railway line through New England Quarter. We lobbied for it to open when Network Rail was holding it up. But now many people don’t feel comfortable or safe on the neglected, graffiti-covered path it has become.

The problem, we thought, was that it doesn’t seem to belong to a community. And thanks to committee member Martin Poole, Vicar of St Luke’s, we’ve come up with a solution – urban farming! Or gardening, anyway. Friends First, a group which has run a farming project in West Sussex for homeless people, is up for doing something similar on the Greenway. If it works out, there’ll be people down there regularly, cultivating it and looking after it.

We’ve been working on it with our neighbours in the Ditchling Rise residents’ association, DRARA, and a bunch of other people who agree the Greenway needs nurturing. So far there have been two Sunday tidy-up sessions, open to all; the aim is to hold these once a month.

The reason I’m telling you this – and the reason I’m delighted it’s taking shape –  is that it shows what the PCA is all about. Making connections, getting together, working together, drawing people in, making the neighbourhood a friendlier, more inclusive and nicer place. In a word, community.

And that’s what we’re here for. The PCA helps with other stuff too – the summer picnic in Dyke Road Park, the Christmas Carols in Exeter Street, discussions about plans such as the Seven Dials reconstruction. But one way or another, it’s all about community.

Naturally, we’d like as many Prestonville people as possible to be in touch with what we’re doing, and to share your views about local life with us. To make that as easy as possible, joining the PCA just involves signing up to receive email updates about local news and PCA activities. Email [email protected] or visit http://prestonville.org.uk/, and let’s join the community up some more!

Worried about energy prices, or how to keep warm this winter?
Then come along this Friday to our monthly THGI Tea Club starting at 2:30pm.
Can’t make the event but got a question you want to ask? Then contact Rebecca Jones of National Energy Action’s Warm Homes Campaign – telephone 01273 964229 or 07738 417448, or send an email to [email protected].
For more details about the THGI Tea Club click here.

Wowzer! What a night.
Thanks to everyone who came and sung their hearts out at the Frozen singalong and made it a truly magical night. You were GREAT!
Shrugs off cape, sings “Let it go, let it go…”

It was a shame that the less-than-festive drizzle drove us inside for carol-singing this year, but lovely to see everyone packed into the candle-lit Hall. Big thanks to St Luke’s and the PCA for making it such a jolly affair with marvellous musicians and mulled wine.
We announced the winners of our spectacular Christmas Windows Competition. Thanks to everyone who entered and perked up the neighbourhood with their fantastically cheerful windows. There were some inspired entries, which made judging very tricky.
Congratulations to (drum roll, please)…

General entrants category
1st place
The Cropp Family of Coventry Street (for the THIRD year running!)
“For their sheer skill in model making and additional historical information”
2nd place
Deirdre and Naomi of Hamilton Road
“The angels were big and beautiful and filled the whole space of the windows.”
3rd place
Ella Mae and Andrea of Coventry Street
“A beautiful colour-changing snow scene, full of detail.”

Under 10s category
1st place
Christopher of Lancaster Road
“Your window made everyone smile with three bold reindeers, full of character.”
2nd place
Thomas and Margot of Chatsworth Road
“Lovely humourous window, we especially liked that you included yourselves.”
3rd place
Isabella Evans of Stanford Road
“So much to see, we really liked the flying Santa.”

Everyone was presented with rosettes and chocolates (the Cropp family also won a cleaning kit from our generous sponsor, The Green Cleaner, to ensure that their windows always sparkle) and the winners will have their names engraved on the coveted trophies.
We’d like to say a BIG thank you to the following people:

• Kate Kingham (general superstar) – for doing all the hard work behind the scenes.
• Sarah Jones (local artist and judge) – for taking time out from Milton Open House to judge your lovely windows.
• Catherine Cole, Martha Hunt and Gill Hasson (Hall heroes) – for helping to deliver entry forms.

MASSIVE high five to The Green Cleaner (fab, local cleaning agency) for meeting all the costs of the competition and for providing prizes.
Their support means that every penny participants gave goes to help the Hall. If you need a Spring clean in the New Year or regular cleaning help – keep them in mind.

If you have (or work for) a local business, sponsoring events at the Hall is a great way to show your support for the community. Not to mention that 800 shareholders and our social media audience of thousands get to hear about you. We’re a loyal lot who generally like to support those who support the Hall. Spread the love. Contact us for more details about sponsoring for upcoming events.

See you in the Hall soon.