The Bandstand Restored

Patcham Silver Band led by James Benka-Coker performing during the opening ceremony of the restored bandstand. The restoration procedure which involved the removal of dozens of coats of paint and casting new iron parts, was meticulously researched. It has been finished in the original colours of brunswick green and brunswick cream with details picked out in gilt. The roof has been given a new copper cladding which will gradually weather to the familiar green.

Pre-restoration picture here.

New Apple Store

At the risk of providing free advertising this is good news for all us Apple fans. Their new store in Churchill Square opens on Saturday 25th July at 10 am. Free T-shirts for early visitors. This is just the kind of "culture" boost that a way-out place like Brighton deserves.

Then & Now - The Clock Tower

The Clock Tower was built in 1888 and this postcard probably dates from the 1890's.

In the 2009 photo below the building in the middle-distance on the eastern corner of West Street is still recognisable but the opposite side was rebuilt with the road widening that took place in the 1920's. The Quadrant pub on the corner of Air Street has survived and now carries a lamp of similar design to that in the earlier photo. Notwithstanding all the enormous changes in traffic that has occurred over 100 years the original line of the pavement seems to have been preserved.

Brighton Bandstand

The 125 year old bandstand pictured a few years ago before the start of restoration. This is costing £850,000, a lot of money, but I presume it includes the landscaping of the surrounding area which was also badly needed.

Local bands will play at the opening celebrations on July 24 between 8pm and 10pm. Patcham Silver Band, Brighton Youth Orchestra and Brighton indie-band Gloria Cycles will perform and the evening will end with the building being lit-up. Hooray!

Peggy Ramsay Blue Plaque

On 29th June 2009 a plaque to Peggy Ramsay was unveiled at her Brighton home at 34 Kensington Place in North Laine. Peggy Ramsay was probably the best known play agent in the United Kingdom during the second half of the Twentieth Century.

During her lifetime she dedicated her principal activity to British theatre and acted for (sometimes found and always nurtured) the majority of the best known writers for the stage in this country; Alan Ayckbourn, Robert Bolt, David Hare and Alan Plater to Eugene Ionesco, Joe Orton, Stephen Poliakoff and J B Priestley to name but a few.

Her estate was left for charitable purposes to help writers and writing for the stage with especial reference to her friends and clients and The Peggy Ramsay Foundation was established in pursuance of this object. The Foundation has financed this plaque and was represented at the unveiling by trustee and long-time friend of Peggy, Simon Callow CBE, and trustee John Tydeman OBE. Simon Callow performed the unveiling

Also present were the Lady Mayor, members of the City's Commemorative Plaque Panel and members of the North Laine Residents Association. The unveiling was followed by an informal reception at the Theatre Royal.