Brighton Utterly Butterly Ukulele Project

Well I know Charlotte has already mentioned the Brighton & Hove Food & Drink Festival, but I just had to highlight this event for sheer originality.

If you've never made your own ukulele now's your chance. In pure Blue Peter style the Utterly Butterly Ukulele Project offers you the chance to fashion a little old ukulele from a tub, fishing line and a piece of wood!

You then get to learn how to play it, before taking part in in a mass ukulele jam session...

It's completely FREE and is the workshop is open on a first come, first served basis.

Where and when you can take part...
The Utterly Butterly Ukelele Project takes place as part of the Brighton & Hove Food & drink Festival on 11 and 12 September from 11am-5pm at New Road, Brighton.

Go on, now's your chance to discover that hidden musical side....no sticky back plastic required.

Find out more...
You can find out more about the project at http://www.tubup.org/ or check out the video below for an idea of how it all works...

Oh and yes I know there's a 'brand' involved - but it's a really fun idea & top marks for a unique idea...

Sarah
VisitBrighton

Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival

If last week's post about the new FARM market made you hungry then you best find yourself a snack before you carry on reading this as today I'm going to give you a sneak preview of the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival.

This year you will get the chance to see two top celebrity food writers discussing their new books. Madhur Jaffrey is launching her first book in seven years, called Curry East, at the Komedia on 21st September and US chef and food author Anthony Bourdain will discuss his new book, Medium Raw, at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on 1st September.

However the main star of the festival is of course the food itself and there will be plenty of opportunities to sample and buy a variety of products. Popular events include the Big Sussex Market, A Regency Banquet and local food picnic. There will also be some tasting events including cheese, wine, sake and the new World Food Trail.

Of course this being a Brighton Festival there will be a couple of quirky events including a cigar dinner at Hotel du Vin where you will learn which wines & cigars go best with which dishes - something we've surely all wondered at one time or another! However the award for the most surreal event must go to The Utterly Butterly Ukulele Project. You will get to make your own ukulele from a tub, a fishing line and a piece of wood, learn how to play it and then everyone will join in for a ukulele jamming session!

This year the festival has so many events that it cannot all be contained in one month so it will run from 1st September - 7th October. For a full list of events go to: www.brightonfoodfestival.com.

Finally a quick reminder that there is still time to vote for your favourite restaurant, food pub, cafe and food shop in the food awards, go to: www.brightonfoodawards.com to cast your vote before the 10th September. The winners will be announced at a special ceremony at the end of the festival.

Charlotte

Brighton Farm Market

Sometimes our council switchboard gets a little confused and so I get calls from people enquiring about markets who are then a bit put out when I explain that I actually work in marketing not markets. But today I will cover both categories as I'm here to tell you about a new market which will be coming to Brighton next weekend.

Some of you will already be familiar with Farm Cafe on North Road (North Laine). All the produce on the menu has been sourced from the owners own farms so you are guaranteed a delicious and fresh meal.

Now they have taken this idea one step further and on Saturday 14th August they will launch the new Brighton Farm Market. The Market will be on from 9am - 3pm and will include local food from over 20 Sussex farmers. You can stuff your bags full of vegetables, meat, dairy, herbs, honey, fish and basically whatever takes you fancy then stay on and enjoy a tasty lunch in the Farm kitchen at the back of the market.

The good news is that this is not a one off, the market will be on every Saturday so make sure you pop along and have a look.

Does anyone else suddenly feel really hungry?!

Charlotte

Kiya Survivors' Big Ride 2010

2010 Kiya Survivors/Bike 360 Big Ride - August 21st and 22nd 2010

Love the outdoors and fancy a good challenge?

Then the Kiya Survivors’ South Downs Bike Challenge could be for you.

Kiya Survivors are a fantastic Brighton based charity that help disadvantaged children in Peru. Started by a local Brighton woman, the charity was hit hard earlier this year, when floods damaged some of their main sites. So if you fancy riding through the stunning South Downs for a great cause read on…

The Big Ride is in conjunction with the lovely peeps at Bike360 and all Big Ride participants will ride to raise much needed funds for Kiya Survivors’ centres in Peru whilst getting to enjoy:

• a challenging two days off- road riding in the beautiful British countryside
• a cool nights camping in the South Down’s National Park

2 days of stunning cycling action

The Big Ride will start from the Bike360 hub at Devils Dyke on 21st August, with full support from the Bike360 qualified team. Participants will ride approximately 100 km over two days.

Day 1 – August 21st - After Day 1’s Eastbourne leg you will arrive at your camp for a relaxing night, where tents, food, refreshments will be provided. (So no heavy tents in your backpack!)

Day 2 – August 22nd – Day 2 will see you continue your challenge, as you loop back to great fanfare at Devils Dyke. Lunch will be provided on both days.

Please note; the course is designed for cyclists of an intermediate level.

How to apply for the Big Ride

This event is limited to a maximum of 15 riders so if you’d like to join in, get your applications in quickly!

Registration for the 2010 Big Ride riders is £70 and riders must guarantee to raise a minimum additional sponsorship of £300.

To apply please email: events@kiyasurvivors.org.

Some of the route highlights include:

• Long Man of Wilmington
• Lewes Castle
• Cuckmere haven
• Firle beacon
• Beachy head & seven sisters
• Jack and Jill Windmills

To apply please email: events@kiyasurvivors.org

Or if you think you might be interested in finding out how to volunteer in Peru, visit www.kiyasurvivors.org to find out more.

BBC Misery Bear visits Brighton

Just a quick little Friday treat for you. The BBC's Misery Bear decided to take a break to the seaside so of course he chose Brighton. Unfortunately he didn't have the best time but I'm trusting that this won't put any of you off...



Charlotte

Camping in Brighton

Spring Barn Farm, Brighton

We often get enquiries about campsites in Brighton, so here are some ideas for where to pitch your tent around Brighton & Hove and the surrounding areas.

Camping in Brighton and the surrounding areas

There’s an impressive 98 parks and gardens in the Brighton & Hove area as well as 14,000 acres of countryside, including the natural beauty of the South Downs National Park (just moments from the city). The South Downs is home to an abundance of plants, animals and wildlife, so we can’t think of a better place to pitch up for a weekend break!

Here are our top picks for places to stay in the area:

Sheepcote Valley Caravan Club Site, Brighton

Sheepcote Valley Caravan Club Site is situated just two miles east of Brighton. Nestled within a fold of the South Downs and just a short distance inland from the Marina, this caravan park offers easy access to the many attractions Brighton has to offer. Buses are regular, and for rail enthusiasts, the historic Volks Railway is not to be missed.

Blackberry Wood Campsite, Brighton

Blackberry Wood Campsite is located in the beautiful Sussex countryside at the foot of the South Downs National Park and is eight miles away from the Brighton seaside. Tent sites have their own private woodland glades with seating and BBQ facilities and there is also a ‘Holiday Bus’, an old London bus which has been converted into accommodation. The site features a retro caravan, a romantic Gypsy caravan and a number of static caravans available to hire.

Farmhouse Caravan and Camping, Henfield

This small family run farm site in a peaceful setting offer wide countryside views across the South Downs. Village shop, pub, children’s play area and restaurants are all located close by, and the site is an excellent base for walking, biking or touring West and East Sussex. The nearest beach is five miles away, Devils Dyke is just seven miles and Brighton is situated ten miles away from the site.

Spring Barn Farm, Lewes

The Spring Barn Farm campsite is at the foot of the South Downs on the outskirts of Lewes and seven miles from Brighton city centre. The site is on a public footpath and a short walk from access onto the South Downs Way. There is plenty to entertain the family with the site offering a number of attractions including farm animals to see and pet, an assault course, a giant maze, pedal go karts and children’s play area. Entry to the farm is half price for those who camp at the site.

Truleigh Hill Youth Hostel

Take advantage of the Truleigh Hill Youth Hostel's facilities & camp in their spacious grounds, then breakfast inside the hotel. You can even pick up a packed lunch for your day trip, and enjoy a beer or glass of wine over an evening meal. Shoreham-by-Sea is is a short drive from Brighton (approx 5 miles) and there are regular bus services (700 Coastliner) that will take you to Brighton within half an hour outside of rush hour.

The Barn Caravan Park

With its own climbing tower slide and a full-size football goal, Barn Caravan Park is a grassy site in Lancing, a short distance from Brighton. You can cook up a feast on the brick barbecues and cool off after a day in the sun under the open-air cold water shower..

And if you're into green living, don't forget to check out our Green Traveller Guide to Brighton or follow us on our LoveBrighton Eco Facebook page.

Happy pitching!

The Thai Festival Brighton

Brighton is known as a festival city as there seems to be something going on throughout the year and yet somehow we still manage to fit in a few new events as well!

On Sunday 25th July the Thai Festival will take place at the Hove Centre from 11am - 6pm. There will be a range of restaurant stalls creating dishes from 4 different regions of Thailand. Including classic dishes such as Pad Thai and Green Curry as well as newer recipes such as Moo Ping (fantastic name!) and Gaeng Masaman - I could tell you what these dishes are but why not pop along and found out for yourself...

It's not just about food though as there will also be craft stalls, Thai classical music, boxing and martial arts demonstrations and fruit and vegetable carving. Of course along side the food you will also be able to pick up a Singha beer or a glass of Monsoon Valley Thai Wine. Then round off the day with a Thai shoulder and foot massage.

If the festival has sparked your enthusiasm for all things Thai then don't forget we have a great Thai restaurant in Kemp Town called Sawadee and you can also learn to cook or speak Thai with Thai Style. It's all Thai-riffic!

Charlotte