The return of Sophie in the City

I know it has been a while since I have blogged...life has just been so busy!!

So what have I been doing all this time? I have learnt Kurt Guiger has had a good sale on!? Topshop hasn’t been so good, The Lanes have too much choice and maybe I need to see someone about my shopping issues? No really...

I have been to see Holiday on Ice at the Brighton Centre, this was the Production of Energia, it was an exciting show where lifts, spins and only one stumble was included. The costumes were great, especially the Fish/Mermaid costumes that had detachable tails. It was a perfect way to become lost in another world for a few hours, this world being one I was engrossed within as it had dancing zebras in it!

Since moving down here, I have noticed there is a great selection of Oriental inspired restaurants, this time I really wanted to try Moshi Moshi, the shape of the building, never mind its menu, has always intrigued me even when I use to come to visit Brighton in the summers years ago. I was not disappointed; there was a great choice, so much in fact it took us forever to decide. The conveyer belt was full of exciting looking dishes ... it was better than YoSushi! Also while I was there I was told about the Sunday night classes that teach you how to make your own sushi, definately something that may appear sometime in ‘Sophie In the City’ sometime soon!

This week I came to the conclusion that this will be a city where I will always if not live constantly be visiting throughout my life...it’s like no-where else! This was established while sitting with my Dad watching the ‘Swinging Ninjas’ who are live from 9pm ever Wednesday night at the Mesmerist, a bar which describes itself as being where “Conventionality stays at the door’ as well as an ‘absinthe inspired wonderland of the weird”. Literally it’s the best place I have found that just IS Brighton, I don’t know if it’s the lit up chicken head on the suit of armor or the collection of people dancing like they were in the 1950’s to someone that was inside a trumpet, acting as if everyone did it… Another lesson learnt - live in Brighton!

I hope you all watched Heston’s Fishy Feast on Friday which I made a…well cringe worthy appearance for not only the words that came out of my mouth but by the fact I had my hand within the head of a dead fish. Little did people know this was just the start of the mortification as I had actually asked him, one of the most famous chef’s what he did as his day job!

Lets just hope that I keep away from the cameras that are Filming the Skins series 5 launch party that is being held in Horatios and the glitter ball bar of Brighton Pier on Friday the 28^th of this month, with live performers such as Beardyman, Morning Parade, Doorly and Jigsaw. I will but let’s try and hope I don’t do anything embarrassing this time!!

Vintage Brighton: Daddy Long Legs

In celebration of the new Brighton Rock film, relocated to the Mods & Rockers era, we thought we'd look at vintage Brighton this week. The city of Brighton & Hove is actually steeped in a fascinating history many people aren't aware of - so to kick of we thought we'd take a look at the history of the infamous 'Daddy Long Legs'.

Seashore electric railway
In reality, not a huge industrial spider, but rather the Brighton and Rottingdean Seashore Electric Railway, the Daddy Long Legs ran through the shallow waters from Brighton to Rottingdean between 1896 and 1901.

Designed by Magnus Volk
Designed and engineerd by Magnus Volk, the railway consisted of tracks laid on concrete sleepers sunk into the bedrock. The single car used on the railway was a pier-like building which stood on four 23 ft long legs. Officially named Pioneer, many affectionately called the structure Daddy Long Legs. Due to regulations of the era, a qualified sea captain was on board at all times. The car was also provided with lifeboats and other safety measures.

Destroyed by a storm
The railway officially opened on 28 November 1896, but was nearly destroyed by a storm on the night of 4 December. Never one to be deterred Volk immediately rebuilt the railway, which reopened in July 1897.

Although popular, the railway faced difficulties, including slow speeds at high tide and the council insisting on a beach protection barrier, which required Volk to divert his line around the barrier. Lacking the necessary funds, Volk was sadly forced to close close the railway shortly after.

World's oldest operating electric railway
However, the line's legacy still lives on today - if you look closely, some of the concrete sleepers can still be viewed at low tide. Volk's Electric Railway was also extended onshore, covering a portion of the same distance between Brighton and Rottingdean. This still remains in operation today and is the world's oldest operating electric railway.

Let us know if you have any more interesting facts about Daddy Long Legs.

Did You Know?
Volk's Railway is only £1 for a single trip for local residents on the first Saturday of each month(April to September).

Sarah
Visitbrighton

Not another Wedding Fair!

It is time for another guest post so today I will hand you over to Sam Harrington-Lowe one of the Directors of local event company Pretty Clever...

I don’t know about you but the thought of wedding fairs fills me with dread – all that frilly stuff! So it’s a constant surprise to find myself being a wedding fair organiser. How can I have gone from thinking it’s some kind of venture into one of Dante’s circles of hell, to creating something I’m actually really quite proud of?

The secret is in changing the whole thing. As a company, we were drawn into the wedding fair market by one of our favourite Brighton venues, the Thistle hotel, who were unhappy with the way their fairs were being run. They asked Pretty Clever to help out and initially we were wary. Not really what we do, I thought. But we created a new company to put these together, called Marry Me!, and got stuck in. As time went by, and with a bit more experience, we now have a brand that puts on wedding fairs that are a bit different.

Pamper Me! was born from identifying a need for something new. Spring and Autumn are utterly saturated with wedding fairs, every Sunday. If it’s not the wedding fair organisers, the venues are doing the fairs themselves. It’s stiff with competition and not only is that no good for the organiser, it’s not good for the visitor. So we thought we’d strike out. Do one in summer, do it in the evening during the week, and aim it purely at women. After all, what bloke do you know who really, REALLY wants to shuffle round a wedding fair on a Sunday afternoon?

So Pamper Me has cakes and massage and chocolate and dresses and jewellery and hen party stuff and great goody bags and free bubbly and catering and beauty consultations (deep breath) and just about everything a girl could want. We found with the first one a lot of girls brought their mates and their mothers and we expect the same this time too. It was a complete riot, we had such a giggle, and it was a great event

So – if you’re getting married and fancy a lovely night out, come and see us – this Thursday 20th at the Thistle Hotel Brighton, 6pm-9pm. We have a goody bag for everyone who comes in, not just the brides, and it’s only two quid. Fashion show at 8pm. See you there

For more informaiton go to: www.marrymeweddingfair.co.uk

Photos of Brighton

Thank you to everyone who has submitted photos of Brighton to our LoveBrighton Flickr Group. We're getting some great images added.

Here are a few of our most recent favourites:

We're still looking for more photos though - so if you have a favourite image of the city (you can add up to 3 photos to the LoveBrighton Flickr Group per day) please feel free to add them to the LoveBrighton Flickr Group and help share the Big Brighton Love...

And don't forget you can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter...

Sarah
VisitiBrighton

Kick of 2011 with some comedy in Brighton...

Happy new year and all that from VisitBrighton!

Incase any of you are experiencing a bit of the January blues, we thought we'd kick off the year with a Top 10 Brighton comedy ideas for the start of 2011.

So if you're game for a giggle why not get your laughing gear around one of these:

1. 'Don't mention the war' at the Faulty Towers Dining Experience at Komedia (20-22 Jan)
2. Engage in some biting satire at the Treason Show at Brighton Dome (21-22 Jan)
   
3. Be spontaneous with the Off the Cuff Comedy Show (29 Jan)
4. Laugh at some stand up at Komedia's Krater Comedy Club (various in Jan)
   
5. See Jason Munford at the Brighton Centre (4-5 Feb)
   
6. Laugh out loud with a Brighton Laughter Workshop
7. Join John Bishop: Live at Brighton Centre (7 Feb)
8. Check out Daniel Sloss - Scotland's youngest comic prodigy (16 Feb)
   
9. See Dick Whittington's Pussy at Brighton's Alternative Panto (24 Feb - 6 Mar)
   
10. Get into Stomp at Brighton Dome (29 Mar - 4 Apr)

Enjoy!

For more events in Brighton throughout 2011 check out our What's On section.

Sarah
VisitBrighton

Cinderella in Brighton & other festive goodies

Like a bit of festive action?

Then get yourself down to the Theatre Royal Brighton for their new production of Cinderella. I was lucky enough to get a free ticket last night, not to mention a rather delicious piece of white chocolate Choccywoccydooodah Royal Palace cake (I got a bit of the turret) and you really can't beat a Christmas musical extravaganza in the run up up to the festive season (and beyond).

The production has taken on a musical production theme this year, so expect lots of singing and dancing, visual wizardry, sumptuous set, glamorous dresses and some top West End performers (don't worry you'll still get the chance to boo).

Oh and there are a couple of real life ponies too, so the kids will love it! A really magical experience.

Cinderella runs until Sunday 17th January at Theatre Royal Brighton.

More festive things to do in Brighton

Or for more festive inspiration to light up your tree this Christmas, why not check out:

• Brighton Christmas Day Swim
• Royal Pavilion Ice Rink
• Get Your Skates on at Brighton Centre
• Holiday on Ice Energia
• Christmas Tree Festival at Brighton Sea Life Centre
  
• Santa’s Powerboat Ride with Sussex Voyages Boat Trips - available over the Christmas and New Year period, including Boxing Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. Call for details and to book. (Please note trips start in Eastbourne)

A very Merry Christmas from VisitBrighton.

See you in 2011!

Boxing Day and beyond

With all this build up to Christmas Day I often find that Boxing Day feels a bit flat, I think the risk will be even higher this year as it falls on a Sunday and as Douglas Adams said Sunday afternoons are the long dark teatime of the soul.

Fortunately here in Brighton & Hove there will still be lots of events taking place on Boxing Day and throughout the last week of 2010. So here are a few suggestions of things to do from Boxing Day onwards:

• Go skating - Brighton currently has two ice rinks so you can either skate indoors at Get Your Skates On at the Brighton Centre or outside at the Royal Pavilion's Christmas Ice Rink.
• i leave my mark - take a walk along Hove promenade and take part in this unusual charity event. Leave your mark on one of the city's iconic beach huts and help raise money for local children's charity Winston's Wish.
• Christmas Tree Festival - All around the Sea Life Centre there are a variety of Christmas Trees which have been decorated by local businesses. On Boxing Day the centre will be open til 8pm (including mulled wine) when the trees will be judged by a panel of experts. When you're there make sure you look our for the trees by Brighton Pier, Brighton Body Casting, The Oriental and of course our very own LoveBrighton tree.
• Rum Tasting - the bar at Hotel du Vin will be hosting a special rum tasting evening which is sure to warm the cockles as your tastebuds are taken on a tour of the Caribbean.
• For a magical treat why not take the family to see Cinderella at the Theatre Royal Brighton? This fairy tale musical tells the classic story of Cinderella as you've never seen it before.

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink at night image credit - Robert Leighton

Charlotte