The Old Chain Pier in Brighton
At low tide, some way to the east of Brighton’s brightly lit Palace Pier, can be found a few petrified wooden pilings and stone supports. These are all that... Read more.
Recollections of Kent and Sussex from Malta A surprising Malta export Our old colourful Maltese buses
By Albert Fenech It really is something that the colour and shape of our old buses should win acclaim across the world We are used to exporting and bartering stuff…... Read more.
Showbiz Stars Alex and Debbie have Rescued the Eastbourne Hippodrome
By Tony Flood The real life stories of talented showbiz couple Alex and Debbie Adams would be a scriptwriter’s dream! Alex followed the example set by his... Read more.
A Week’s Supply of Meat for a Fiver!
By Lyn Funnell A week’s supply of fresh meat for just £5. Impossible, surely! Oh no it’s not. I went to Hailsham Market last Friday, and butcher Steve... Read more.
Incredible Engineering & a Stunning Piece of Art
I’m referring to the Ouse Valley Viaduct, also known as the Balcombe Viaduct, carrying the London-Brighton line in West Sussex. In order to carry the line... Read more.
Large Doses of Chaos, Panic & Mayhem at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne.
Tue 23 Jan to Sat 27 Jan 2024 by Tony Flood The ridiculousness served up in large doses by Noises Off has, over the past 42 years, left many audience…... Read more.
Hastings Indian Brave Grey Owl
By Wendy Hughes While touring England, Archie Belaney enthralled audiences with his tales of the Canadian wilderness, the harsh winters he endured, and the... Read more.
Memories from Malta: When salt and flour were worth more than their weight in gold in Kent and Sussex – but also for Malta’s economy!
By Albert Fenech Windmills in Amsterdam – wind grinders just as prolific in Malta Hard to believe that many, many hundreds of years ago a keg of salt was... Read more.
Visiting a 12th Century Village Church
A couple of miles from Uckfield in East Sussex lies the small village of Framfield. You’ve come across it in a previous article enthusing about its fabulous... Read more.
Shampoo and the Man who introduced it to Brighton.
By Wendy Hughes Brighton is full of unknown stories; for instance, do you know what an Indian gentleman, shampoo baths, therapeutic massage, south Asian cuisine... Read more.
Hot Rods and Romans in a Sussex Village!
By Lyn Funnell Arlington is both a village and a civil parish. It stretches for miles, although it has a low population. Most of the area is farmland, but with…... Read more.
Putting the Last First in Eastbourne: the Fascinating World of Handmade Shoe Manufacture
On 19 February, six highly skilled artisans will travel to Eastbourne from as far away as Germany, Switzerland, Finland and even the USA. They’ll walk down the... Read more.
Tina – A Brave Lady who is an Inspiration to Everyone!
by Tony Flood Sixty-four-year-old Eastbourne resident Tina Whitmore is one of the bravest and most dedicated women I’ve ever met – an inspiration to... Read more.
Great Dixter, Kent; Stunning House and Gardens.
By Lyn Funnell For around 800 years Great Dixter has been on its site in various forms, with one of the most stunning gardens in the UK, which was started…... Read more.
MEMORIES FROM MALTA: What links the Phoenician TANIT cult to THANET in Margate, Kent?
By ALBERT FENECH “Thanet is a local government district in Kent. It came into being on 1st April 1974, and is governed by Thanet District Council. It is on the…... Read more.
Sussex Community Safety Champion Invited to 10 Downing Street!
By Lyn Funnell Keith Mates has been nominated by Maria Caulfield MP to be invited to a Local Community Safety Champions’ Reception hosted by Rt Hon. James... Read more.
Ethical Roadhouse Diner in Sussex: Quirky Custom Café’s Quality Cuisine
I like quirky places with lots of interesting paraphernalia to catch the eye. You’ll notice as much in my reviews of the Upper Dicker Village Shop and the Hare... Read more.
Eastbourne in Sussex and Portmeirion in Wales; What’s the Link?
By Lyn Funnell I’ve been a lifelong fan of the cult series, The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan, and I’ve always had a visit to Portmeirion high on my bucket... Read more.
Hans Feibuschj Who will save his paintings?
By Elizabeth Wright Beautiful painted figures once covered all the walls of this shadowy crypt, telling a story held still in time. The flowing artwork embedded... Read more.
Memories of Kent and Sussex from Malta First-ever television picture transmitted – a Maltese Cross!
TV inventor John Logie Baird makes resounding international history and uses the medallion for his first workshop transmission By Albert Fenech Many thanks to the... Read more.
Sussex Christmas Cranberry Cheese Quiche
By Lyn Funnell This is an ideal post-Christmas recipe when you’re fed up with large meals and you have lots of food left over, like cheese, milk, cream, Cranberry... Read more.
Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri Outshine the London Christmas Lights
Although we have so much on offer throughout our two counties, another thing going for us here in Kent and Sussex is the ease with which we can get to…... Read more.
1930s Sussex Holiday
by Harry Pope Looking through an auction catalogue I discovered they were selling some old 1930 photos of a family holiday in my home town of Eastbourne, on... Read more.
Tonbridge, Kent
People often get Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells confused. But if you say them out loud they sound very different. Tunbridge Wells has a U and Tonbridge has an O.... Read more.
Worthing is More Than a Holiday Resort
By Wendy Hughes A replica of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling on the south Coast of England, a memorial to pigeons, and some unique boat porches? Where could it be? Worthing... Read more.
Free Offer of Two Much Acclaimed Books by Sussex Writer.
By Tony Flood It’s a pleasure to be invited by Lyn Funnell to become a writer with Unknown Kent and Sussex. I am a local author and most of my…... Read more.
The Perfect Village Pub: Hare and Hounds, Framfield, East Sussex
Throughout Sussex and Kent we’re blessed with an abundance of village pubs but if I were to select the perfect specimen I would choose our local, the Hare and... Read more.
Hate Sprouts? Try Sussex Brussels Sprout Crumble with a Cheesy White Sauce & be Converted!
By Lyn Funnell I must admit that the British aren’t the greatest veg cooks, although we grow a large selection of really flavoursome vegetables. Our generation... Read more.
Recollections of Kent and Sussex from Malta; The splendour of Regency architecture and buildings Upper class sectors of Malta’s “new town” Sliema based on Kent and Sussex seafront areas
By Albert Fenech Down through the centuries architecture and building-styles have undergone changes, clearly defined by the construction of palaces, manor... Read more.
East Hoathly, a Sussex Village with Lots to Discover!
By Lyn Funnell On the 10th November we went to Halland and East Hoathly Bonfire Night https://unknownkentandsussex.co.uk/halland-and-east-hoathly-bonfire-night/... Read more.
Dolly Shepherd. The Queen of Parachuting
By Wendy Hughes I recently came across a remarkable lady, Dolly Shepherd, who in later life settled and spent the last twenty years of her in Eastbourne. She was... Read more.
Stuffed Sussex Pumpkin and Filo Tubes
By Lyn Funnell I’ve got enough Sussex pumpkins to last me through to Easter. But they can become rather boring. So try this unusual recipe that I’ve created.... Read more.
Sussex & Kent vs Bruges – No Contest!
At this time of year I see lots of advertisements for trips to enjoy Christmas markets in Europe. From Kent and Sussex, places that are known for providing good... Read more.
THE TERRIBLE TALE OF TEDDY With a happy ending
By Elizabeth Wright When Teddy, our big black and white cat with the mystical green eyes, didn’t appear for his dinner in his Eastbourne home, I knew something... Read more.
LEWES. A Story Round Every Corner
Lewes, the County Town of Sussex, has a long, colourful history, dating back through many centuries, and including burnings, murders, ghosts, plagues, and an avalanche.... Read more.
Belle Tout – The Beachy Head Lighthouse That Moved
By Elizabeth Wright How do you save an 850 tonne cliff top lighthouse from falling into the sea? In 1999, world wide fame came to Belle Tout, a de-commissioned lighthouse…... Read more.
Saying a Final Goodbye to a Very Fine Cat
The following article was first published in another magazine in July 2022. Last week, we said our final goodbye to Oliver when he succumbed to kidney disease.... Read more.
The True History of the Banoffee Pie
By Lyn Funnell Banoffee Pie, originally spelt Banoffi Pie, has become one of the most popular sweets in the world. I heard that it was a favourite of Elvis Presley.…... Read more.
Memories from Malta The mysterious, enigmatic and confused life of Christopher Marlowe – riddled with mystery, intrigue and improbable “truths”
By Albert Fenech Young and older From where did he get his facts to write ‘The Jew of Malta’? In my research and writing journalistic career spread over 55 years…... Read more.
Don’t Forget the Handbrake. Beachy Head, Sussex.
by Harry Pope Beachy Head is over 200 metres high, a sheer cliff, overlooking the English Channel to the west of Eastbourne. There is a lighthouse at the bottom... Read more.
Memories from Malta and Gozo. In the Maltese psyche is fire in general as well as fireworks, bonfires and torch light parades in our DNA? Bonfire night in Newick brings it all back
By Albert Fenech I was reading Lyn Funnell’s excellent article on Bonfire Night in Newick on 5th November in Unknown Kent and Sussex published on 30th October,... Read more.
Sprouting for Soups, Salads, Sandwiches & Stirfries.
By Lyn Funnell The temperature has suddenly dropped in Sussex. And the prices have risen in the shops. At this time of the year, salad vegetables become tasteless... Read more.
Religious Riots in Genteel Eastbourne!
Eastbourne, with its reputation as a haven for senior citizens, was once a centre for riots over religion! Surely there must be some mistake, especially as the riots... Read more.
The Sussex Stringtown
By Elizabeth Wright In Sussex, a county with a rich maritime heritage there has always been a demand for ropes for its ships and boats. There is mention in records…... Read more.
The Viceroy – Pride of Polegate Curry House
Hub and I prefer to dine out on a school night – Monday to Wednesday – when the tables tend to be much quieter, the service quicker and the restaurant…... Read more.
Dungeness, Kent. A very Unique Place. But What is It?
Dungeness is one of the most strange places that I’ve ever been to in the UK. It’s an old Norse name for a headland. Originally it was believed that it…... Read more.
Wendy’s Week. Knickers, Pants & Worthing Museum
By Wendy Hughes Worthing museum and art gallery I wonder how many people from the area have visited our local Worthing Museum. Although I have popped in to see the…... Read more.
Oggy Oggy Oggy and a Sussex Churdle
By Lyn Funnell Oggy Oggy Oggy! Oy Oy Oy! This is a chant often shouted out during parades, like Sussex Bonfire Parades in November. Someone in the Procession will... Read more.
Halland and East Hoathly Bonfire Night
By Lyn Funnell We went to the 98th East Hoathly Carnival Society’s Bonfire Carnival on Saturday, which is held in East Hoathly. It was a clear starry night... Read more.
The Crazy Lexicon of Kent – the Garden of England
Well last week I looked at old Sussex words so it seemed only right to take a look at what Kentish folks were spouting in days of yore. Being in…... Read more.