What Did Anne Boleyn Really Look Like?
Visitors to Hever Castle’s exhibition Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn have the rare opportunity to encounter one of the most hotly debated portraits... Read more.
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait, National Portrait Gallery, London
Spending an hour inside the Marilyn exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London feels a bit like stepping into a carefully constructed myth and then being... Read more.
The Big Blue & Support at Nutley War Memorial Hall
Professional and semi-professional musicians try to play in public as much as possible. This usually means gigging mostly in pubs and restaurants that offer live... Read more.
The Importance of Being Oscar Review: Alastair Whatley Shines at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre
Oscar Wilde once remarked that he put all his genius into his life and only his talent into his works. That observation forms the beating heart of The Importance... Read more.
Dancing Through the Night: A Look Back at Wigan’s Northern Soul Revolution
It was 1975 and we’d travelled, en famille, to visit an old work colleague of my Dad’s. They lived in a town close to Wigan and had a daughter…... Read more.
Giant Puppet Spotted in the Ashdown Forest as Part of Winnie the Pooh Centenary
The first images of ‘Poppet’, the new inflatable creature taking the form of a giant puppet have been released as it was spotted in Ashdown Forest during rehearsals... Read more.
Wildlife Rescue Charity Launches Urgent Appeal After Vital Equipment Breakdown
East Sussex WRAS is appealing for public support to replace vital X-ray equipment used to treat injured wildlife, identify victims of catapult attacks, and guide... Read more.
See the Lyndhurst Portrait of Anne Boleyn at her Former Home in Kent
A rarely seen and much-discussed portrait of Anne Boleyn has arrived at Hever Castle this season, as the so-called Lyndhurst Portrait takes its place in the Capturing... Read more.
Fox Cub Rescued from Hove Basement Light Well in 3am Call-Out
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) was called out in the early hours of Tuesday 19th May after a fox cub fell into a basement light well... Read more.
Cars at the Castle: June’s Classic Cars Event at Hever Castle
As the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, set in the most gorgeous grounds with history permeating every inch, Hever Castle in Kent is already an abundantly attractive... Read more.
No Bank Holiday Break for Wildlife Rescuers
While many people were enjoying the sunshine and heading to the beach, staff and volunteers at East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service were working... Read more.
Stale Bread? Yummy Bread & Butter Pudding Recipe
Talk about historic, I thought this desert probably originated out of necessity during one of the wars, but I discovered it’s from far, far earlier. We have the... Read more.
London Celebrates Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday
Rightly so, there are several events lined up in Hollywood to mark what would have been their beloved Marilyn’s 100th birthday, but that doesn’t mean we won’t... Read more.
The Joy of Local Art Groups
Kent and Sussex have a justified reputation as being havens for artists. From the bohemia of Margate to the historical decadence of Sussex, there really is something... Read more.
Launch of 2026 Cider Tap Events at Big Nose & Beardy
In our part of East Sussex, we know Spring has truly arrived when the first Cider Tap evening event is held at Big Nose & Beardy’s Cidery. I’ll not repeat…... Read more.
Killer, Disguised as a Beggar, Commits Murder in Eastbourne
But Don’t Panic!! Local author and regular contributor to this very magazine, Tony Flood, has just launched his latest crime thriller, Beggars Belief, the... Read more.
The Red Shoes Review – Matthew Bourne’s Ballet, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
I travelled to Edinburgh by train, direct from Uckfield, to attend Matthew Bourne’s interpretation of The Red Shoes, a New Adventures production. Based on the... Read more.
Quirkiness & Fab Music in the Heart of East Grinstead
Located in the heart of the Queen’s Walk development, Carlo Lounge in East Grinstead is one of those places that tries to be everything at once — café, bar,... Read more.
400-year-old Mystery Portrait Features in New Penshurst Place Exhibition
A centuries-old painting at Penshurst Place takes centre stage this spring as a new exhibition, ‘Who Are the Two Boys?’ opened on Saturday 28 March 2026. The... Read more.
History, Music, Fish, Beer & Rock Royalty in the Sussex Weald
Tucked away in the rolling landscape of the Sussex Weald, Lakedown at Burwash is one of those rare places where history, creativity and countryside calm seem to... Read more.
Six Signs that Spring has Arrived
As winter slowly slips away and daylight grows longer, Britain’s woodlands and gardens begin to stir with new life. The team of local managers at Woodlands keeps... Read more.
Night-time Water Rescue Saves Entangled Gull at Hailsham Common Pond
A late-evening walk beside Hailsham Common Pond in Station Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, led to a dramatic rescue earlier this month, after a couple spotted a white... Read more.
Spring Awakens at St Katharine Docks, Tower Bridge, London, E1
Located moments from Tower Bridge, St. Katharine Docks is London’s largest marina and a hidden gem in London. The location welcomes millions of visitors annually... Read more.
Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities Comes to Life in Canterbury
As regular readers will know, we’re pretty psyched about anything Charles Dickens and proud of his Kent connections. So we’re excited to hear that... Read more.
From Australia to Sussex: Best-Selling Author Tamara McKinley on Finding Home in Sussex
I caught up with Tamara McKinley on the release day of her latest novel hitting the bookshelves. It’s a moment of excitement that never seems to dull, even after... Read more.
Catch this Doris Day Tribute in Brighton – May 14 – 16
Jackie Mitchell will be starring as Doris Daydream in The Doris Show at Brighton Fringe at the Lantern Theatre, 77 St James’ St, Kemptown BN2 1PA, on Thursday... Read more.
Review:EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert in UK Cinemas Now
In an age when music documentaries often feel formulaic—talking heads, archive clips, repeat—EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert breaks the mould in spectacular fashion.... Read more.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert Stage Show Coming to Brighton
Priscilla Queen of the Desert, based on the 1994 Oscar-winning film stars Kevin Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One; Chicago, UK Tour) as Tick/Mitzi, Adèle... Read more.
Tales & Trails – May Half Term Adventure at Hever Castle
This May Half Term, families are invited to step back in time and embark on a globe-trotting botanical adventure as Plant Hunters: Tales & Trails comes to Hever... Read more.
Dazzling Daffodils On Display At Hever Castle & Gardens
A quarter of a million daffodils will be providing a spectacular and colourful greeting for visitors to Hever Castle & Gardens in March. The Hever estate, the... Read more.
Review: The Illegal Eagles, Theatre Royal, Brighton, Sussex
Maria Bligh’s Favourite Article of 2025. I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing The Eagles perform live, despite having been a fan since discovering them... Read more.
WRAS Make Successful Deer Rescue at Newick, East Sussex
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service’s (WRAS) specialist deer disentanglement team were called into action this morning after walkers discovered... Read more.
Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, off Scotland’s West Coast – the Perfect Getaway
Sometimes it’s good to just get away from it all, but on our crowded island, where to go? How about visiting some of our far flung islands of which there…... Read more.
History Takes Flight: Alan Jackson’s Spitfire Talk at Beach Green Hotel, Lancing, West Sussex
There’s something rather perfect about hearing a talk on the legendary Spitfire while sitting in a cosy seaside hotel on a blustery Tuesday lunchtime. The Beach... Read more.
A Traditional Guide to Harvesting Sloes & Making Your Own Sloe Gin
Each autumn, the hedgerows of Britain yield a familiar treasure: the dark, dusky sloe. These wild fruits of the blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) mark the start of a seasonal... Read more.
Black Sabbath Ballet Review, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London
We took our seats in the beautiful Sadler’s Wells theatre on Rosebery Avenue, London, where the words BLACK SABBATH BALLET were projected in purple light onto... Read more.
WRAS Carry Out Double Deer Rescue, Maresfield, Sussex
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service’s specialist deer rescue team was called to an extraordinary and dangerous incident at Horney Common near... Read more.
Sussex Celebrates Dedicated Live Music Promoter – Graham Pope
As regular readers will know, we like to occasionally feature individuals who make their mark on the community and whose activities we believe will be of interest... Read more.
Film Review: Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
I couldn’t wait beyond release day, so Hub and I attended a 4pm showing of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues on the day of release – 12 September. Sadly,…... Read more.
Essential Guide to Homecare in Kent
Choices and Top Provider Choosing the right care for a loved one is one of the most significant and emotional decisions a family can make. Whether it’s for elderly... Read more.
Review of Lindisfarne at Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne
Lindisfarne took to the stage at Eastbourne’s elegant and intimate Royal Hippodrome Theatre on a Friday night in July, the red flock wallpaper in the bar was humming... Read more.
Sensational Story of the Mitford Sisters Comes to the Stage
The World Premiere of a Marlowe Theatre Production THE PARTY GIRLS The sensational story of the Mitford sisters Written by Amy Rosenthal / Directed by Richard Beecham... Read more.
Nightjar Numbers Increasing on Ashdown Forest, Sussex
The annual nightjar survey on the Ashdown Forest has recorded the highest number of Nightjar breeding territories to date. This is an especially significant result... Read more.
Lost in the Middle of Nowhere? There’s an App for That: Why What3Words Is a Rural Lifesaver
Let’s be honest: living or walking in the countryside is glorious… until it isn’t. Rolling hills, winding lanes, and tree-canopied footpaths are a dream for... Read more.
The Curious Case of Crocheted Letterbox Toppers
Stroll through a sleepy British village or wander along a suburban street and you may well notice that some of the post boxes wear a rather snazzy hat. Don’t... Read more.
Wildlife Cruelty on the Rise
WARNING: DISTRESSING IMAGES Wildlife cruelty is sadly becoming an increasing concern across the UK, and here in East Sussex we are witnessing the impact first-hand.... Read more.
A Tale of Two Dovers: Kent, UK & Kent, Delaware, US
Dover, Kent in the United Kingdom and Dover, Kent County in Delaware, United States, are more than just transatlantic namesakes. Their shared heritage speaks to... Read more.
Swan Rescued from Roundabout on Busy Sussex Road
A juvenile swan that crash-landed on a busy roundabout in East Sussex this month has been successfully rescued and released by East Sussex Wildlife Rescue &... Read more.
Ashdown Forest, East Sussex: Volunteers Open Day on 3 July
Ashdown Forest is holding a Volunteers’ Information Day on Thursday 3 July to celebrate its existing volunteers and showcase the roles on offer for new volunteers.... Read more.
Double Swan Rescue At Barcombe Mills
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) responded to a dramatic double swan rescue this week at Barcombe Mills, after two separate incidents unfolded... Read more.