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Newsletter 173 - April 2002

In this issue:

• Jubilee Time
• Members Support SOS
• Peace at Last
• Regeneration Degeneration
• The Church on the Hill

Jubilee Time

Plans are now well advanced for our party in Regency Square on Monday 3 June. It will start at 2pm and go on until about 6pm.

Music will be provided by the Dieppe town band; there will be Morris dancing, a magician and a Punch and Judy Show. Amusements will include skittles, hoopla, roll-a-coin and an opportunity to pelt the Society's chairman with wet sponges!

The Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton and Hove will be joining us at about 3:15pm.

Teas, coffees, soft drinks, sandwiches, cakes, and a licensed bar will be available throughout the afternoon.

Members Support SOS

At the AGM last month Society members gave overwhelming support to the Save our Seafront campaign's attempt to prevent large buildings being developed either side of the West Pier. They also approved the Society committee's plans to use part of the Regency Square Improvement Fund to help pay for the campaign.

Peace at Last

Residents of Queensbury Mews breathed a sigh of relief when a ventilating system on the Metropole Hotel was switched off. They had complained repeatedly about noise from the system. Finally the Council listened and issued an order requiring the hotel to cease the nuisance.

Regeneration Degeneration

The new planting in the top area of Regency Square is looking very sad. The planting is part of the regeneration scheme for the Square, which also includes the new pathways and steps.

There has been little or no rain for several weeks. The scheme originally included regular watering of the new plants for a year to allow them to get established. This doesn't seem to have happened.

However, Council officers say that the original planting was not carried out in accordance with their specification. So it will be done again, including the initial preparatory work, previously overlooked. No payments will be made to the contractor until Council officers are satisfied.

We are also hoping that the Christmas tree hole removed from the green during regeneration work will be reinstated.

The Church on the Hill

A group of Society members enjoyed a fascinating visit to St Nicholas Church recently.

We were made warmly welcome by our hosts who were keen to tell about the building's history and the recent renovation work.

The inside of the church looks much brighter and welcoming than it used to. The old pews have been removed and replaced with seats. These can be moved around so the church can be used for various kinds of events. This reflects an attempt to reestablish the church at the heart of the local community.

There are many fascinating things to see in the church and the graveyard around it. One of the most interesting is a set of African woodcarvings representing the Stations of the Cross. These were a gift from the President of Nigeria to the late Dame Flora Robson who was a regular worshipper at St Nicholas.

Many thanks to the church members who made us so welcome, and to Ros Boulden for arranging the visit.

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