Author: Maria Bligh

Author

  • Maria Bligh is a journalist, published author, professional speaker, singer and artist now settled in Sussex, UK, having previously travelled extensively throughout the UK and overseas, including a period living in Geneva. Married to a successful musician and with a background that encompasses working in the music industry, finance, sales and presentations training, she maintains a diverse existence. Her interests encompass travel, nature, animals and the arts: music, theatre, painting, writing and philosophy. Maria now writes for online and print magazines. Having once maintained a regular full page in “A Place In The Sun” magazine, travel is an obvious interest, but her articles also cover a wide variety of subjects. She bills herself as “an observer of the human condition and all that sail in her.” Maria has frequently appeared on radio & TV as well as in print. Her humorous style has seen her travel the world addressing audiences throughout Europe, Asia and Australasia and as a cruise-ship speaker with P&O and Fred Olsen.

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Food and Drink, Further Afield, Historic Buildings

Ely: A Timeless Treasure in the Heart of Cambridgeshire

While many tourists will have Cambridge in their sights for a visit, ideally located less than an hour’s train journey from London, I’m going to sug... Read more.
Food and Drink

An Impressive and Filling Sunday Breakfast/Brunch

This dish is easy, very filling and extremely versatile as you can embellish it all you wish. I’ve been enjoying it in various forms for years and always ... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Celebrity, Charity, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex Visits WRAS for 30th Anniversary

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman, who is His Majesty The King’s personal representative in the county of East Sussex, inclu... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Charity, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

Celebrating 40 Years of Wildlife Rescue: The Journey of Trevor Weeks, MBE and WRAS

In 2025, East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) celebrates two extraordinary milestones: 40 years of founder Trevor Weeks’ tireless dedica... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, History, Kent

Book Review: Pagans by James Alistair Henry

I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of the debut novel by James Alistair Henry.  You might not have heard of Henry, but you’ll certainly be acquainte... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Kent, Sussex

Awards Galore for Our Featured Artists – and a Special Upcoming Concert

It’s always nice when talent one recognises and champions is also recognised by others, and even better when that recognition comes with a worthwhile awar... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Further Afield, History

Explore Marilyn Monroe’s Story Through an Exhibition of Her Own Possessions

In the early 1990s, I lived on Tooley Street, which stretches from London Bridge to Tower Bridge and beyond. At that time, it was a pretty shady area, it’s on... Read more.
Art, Celebrity, Food and Drink, History, Sussex

Lee Miller & the Surrealist’s Retreat of Farleys House, East Sussex

Look up the definition of ‘Renaissance man’ in the Britannica dictionary and you’ll find this: the notion that humans should embrace all knowledge... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Art, Celebrity, History, Sussex

Maria’s Favourite Article of 2024: Sight Loss Got Me Back Into Art

For my favourite article of the last 12 months, I thought I’d revamp this one about the art I’ve done since being forced out of my previous incarnat... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Charity, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

Shout-Out to WRAS & All Charities Working Today

While most of us are tucking into our Christmas dinner before falling asleep in front of The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show (oops, sorry, got caught in a 1... Read more.
Art, Celebrity, Coastal, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Sussex

Barnaby’s, Hastings: the Must-Visit Bistro & Music Lounge

Deep in the wilds of Hastings – well, Robertson Street, to be precise (handily situated between the railway station and the beach), one can find a real gem of... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Charity, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

WRAS Deals with its 6000th casualty of 2024

East Sussex WRAS has admitted its 6000th casualty of 2024. The first time ever the charity has admitted over 6000 casualties in any year in its history! The hed... Read more.
Art, Celebrity, Coastal, Eastbourne, Sussex

Eastbourne Artists Open House: Paul Jennings

Over the last two weekends Eastbourne was home to Eastbourne Artists’ Christmas Open House event.  This is where various artists invite people to visit t... Read more.
Forestry and Nature, Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex

From Sussex to a Medieval Tower in Scotland

One of the great things about living in the Home Counties is the ease with which one can leave and go elsewhere!  Here in Sussex, we have access to the…... Read more.
Entertainment, Sport, Sussex, Uncategorized

Best bars in Brighton to watch the Autumn Rugby Internationals

For rugby fans in Brighton, there’s no better way to dive into the rugby Autumn Nations Series than in one of the city’s top bars, surrounded by lively crow... Read more.
Art, Entertainment, Kent

Carnival of the Baubles kicks off the Festive Season in Ashford, Kent

On Saturday, 23 November, thousands of people will be lining the pavements of Ashford town centre as Carnival of the Baubles kicks off the festivities and light... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Charity, Entertainment, Sussex

A Evening of Songs and “Tails” in Aid of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) has organised an evening of music and “Tails”  to raise money for its community service which is... Read more.
Entertainment, Food and Drink, Sussex, Villages

Every Last Friday in Battle, East Sussex

I’m in Battle, Sussex (ACTUAL site of the Battle of Hastings) on a Friday night and there’s much ELF talk about.  Well, it IS only two months to Christmas.... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

Calls to Protect Rare Fungi on Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest is calling for more prosecutions of illegal commercial foragers to deter the destruction and theft of the Forest’s rare fungi. The call comes a... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Charity, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

Rescue of Two Deer Tied Together, Forest Row

A report received from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) about a horrific, but not isolated, incidence of a double deer entanglement. ... Read more.
Celebrity, History, Sussex, Villages

The Piltdown Man Hoax: Sussex’s Infamous Scientific Scandal

In the early 20th century, Sussex became the epicentre of one of the greatest scientific hoaxes in history: the Piltdown Man. This elaborate deception captivate... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Sussex

Leo Sayer Returns Home to Sussex

My friend and our photographer, Ann and I arrived at Worthing Assembly Hall nice and early just in case the advertised start time of 7:30pm was true while not e... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Art, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

Artist, Nicola Bagge – Reflections of the Forest

During September, Sussex residents and visitors were treated to a weekend of Open Studios organised by Crowborough Arts.  We were given free entry to studios a... Read more.
Celebrity, Charity, Eastbourne, Historic Buildings, Sussex

Friends of The Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

The Friends of Devonshire Park Theatre were formed in said theatre’s Centenary year of 1984 with the purpose of keeping the historic Devonshire Park Theat... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Art, Celebrity, Forestry and Nature, Historic Buildings, History, Kent

The Most Magnificent Castle Visit – Hever, Edenbridge, Kent

  Despite having lived only 20 miles away from Hever Castle for the best part of 30 years, I’d never visited.  Ain’t that often the way? All that was ... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Charity, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service: Been Rather Busy

Over the recent UK Bank Holiday Weekend, as people were out enjoying themselves, the dedicated staff and volunteers of one of East Sussex’s busiest charit... Read more.
Celebrity, Coastal, Historic Buildings, History, Kent

Back in Time at Charles Dickens Museum, Broadstairs

I was delighted to have an opportunity to visit the Dickens House Museum while in Broadstairs.  Actually, how could I not, it’s a “must do” when visiting... Read more.
Uncategorized

Free Events for Health Week on Ashdown Forest (29 July – 3 Aug)

  Butterfly Safaris and Reptile Rambles are just two of the many activities on offer as Ashdown Forest prepares to celebrate Heath Week and share some of t... Read more.
Coastal, Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, Kent, Uncategorized

Dining with the Smugglers in Broadstairs

On our first night in Broadstairs we secured a dinner booking at The Tartar Frigate, a highly renowned seafood restaurant above a bar that was certain to have h... Read more.
Entertainment, Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, Kent

Space & Luxury at The Yarrow Hotel, Broadstairs

During a recent, and very much enjoyed, trip to Broadstairs, we had the pleasure of spending two nights at one of its most prestigious hotels, The Yarrow Hotel.... Read more.
Art, Celebrity, Coastal, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, History, Kent, Sport, Uncategorized

Charmed by Broadstairs, Kent

If I had to describe Broadstairs in one word it would be: Utterly Charming! OK, so that’s two words, but I really feel the compliment deserves additional impa... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Kent

Visit Ashford’s Food & Drink Festival in July

For some people, Ashford is still synonymous with the International Terminal built to accommodate the Eurostar, so it’s looked on as little more than a pl... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Art, Charity, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Forestry and Nature, Historic Buildings, Sussex

Beautiful Sussex Open Gardens

  Throughout Spring and Summer owners of some of Sussex’s most stunning private gardens open them up for the public to visit.  This is often done to... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Sussex, Uncategorized

Blues & Americana Live in Sussex

I was pleased to see two super bands playing in our local Civic Centre earlier this month.  They were BAD INFLUENCE, who have been one of the leading acts on... Read more.
Charity, Entertainment, History, Sussex

Meet the Man in the Moon

If you, like me, are a sucker for an interesting life story, I think you’ll enjoy this one… David Eyles – for it is he – like many now living&hellip... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Kent, Sussex, Uncategorized

Sam Brothers – Folk? Blues? Whatever – He’s Really Something Else!

  Sam Brothers… the first time I heard the name, I thought it was describing a group, like the Isley Brothers, Walker Brothers, Righteous Brothers, w... Read more.
Art, Celebrity, Entertainment, Kent

The Next Agenda: A Band with Attitude & a Hugely Talented Leader

  Last week you came with me to the Rotosound strings factory where we met Jason How, Chairman and son of the original founder, the late James How.  This ... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, History, Kent

Rotosound Strings: The Iconic Pride of Kent with a Fascinating Story

It was a fairly nondescript – some might even say dull – early spring day and Hub and I were pretty excited because we were off to worship at one…... Read more.
Art, History, Uncategorized

Thoughts for Thursday: A Poem Inspired by Some of the Scandals of Our Time

  NO JUSTICE Crouched in darkness ‘neath the counter’s friendly face Who could know the turmoil and the panic and disgrace Taking care of business, for... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Sussex, Uncategorized

Benita Johnson: A Talented Songbird Worth Catching

We’re blessed to have an abundance of live music in our counties ranging from visiting high-profile acts at cost to free pub gigs by professional, semi-profes... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, History, Sussex, Villages

Wicked Little Letters: Historic Intrigue, Scandal & Celebrity in West Sussex

In cinemas right now you can see the film Wicked Little Letters (2023) starring one of our greatest actresses, Olivia Coleman (who spends a lot of time with her... Read more.
Art, Coastal, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Kent

The Creative Isle of Thanet: Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs & a COMPETITION!

I’ve written previously about how much I enjoy a visit to Margate and I mentioned in my previous article about the amount of art that exists in the town. ... Read more.
Art, Historic Buildings, History, Uncategorized

Hopped on the Train for a Visit to London’s British Museum

Following on from my article last week about my trip to London, I promised to dedicate this week’s article to the afternoon I spent that day at the Britis... Read more.
Uncategorized

Unfairness for a Friday

Dedicated to all victims of injustice and corporate bullying:   INJUSTICE Crouched in darkness ‘neath the counter’s friendly face Who could know the tu... Read more.