The mince pies, crowded shopping streets and occasional caroller have been a familiar sight in Brighton for weeks now. But so far the Christmas spirit had failed to catch up with me. And it was not until I visited Komedia on Wednesday night that the festive
Three hospital wards threatened with closure have had a reprieve. Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust had considered shutting three wards in the Jubilee block at the Royal Sussex County Hospital to save money. But the trust has decided
An independent inquiry into a crash which killed five teenagers is expected to end early in the New Year. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) yesterday said its investigation into the crash was "progressing well". IPCC investigators are
POLICE chiefs have rejected proposals to merge with neighbouring forces under controversial Government plans to overhaul services across the country. Leaders of Sussex Police Authority submitted a report in time for yesterday's Home Office deadline but
The fact that our police lack resources to follow up property break-ins and thefts from vehicles but are able to mount a massive presence at anti-arms trade protests can have only one explanation and that is a political one. The three most powerful lobbies
HONEY the springer spaniel had never been more than a few miles from her home on her daily walk. But the four-month-old pup got a nose for adventure and made her great escape as owner Ian Charlton took her out for a stroll. Ian and his distraught family
As a near neighbour to Brighton and Hove Albion at their current ground, may I add a couple of observations to calm some of the prophets of doom at Falmer? Initially I was against the team playing at the Withdean, fearing graffiti, litter, vandalism and
Brighton and Hove City Council is facing calls for major reforms to attract a more representative mix of members. The average age of its 54 councillors is 57 - significantly higher than the average age of 38 - and two-thirds are retired, economically
I was pleased to see that my recent letter suggesting the banning of buses at specific times of the day has caused many to think more deeply about the traffic situation in Brighton. It seems many car drivers are realising just how much time and petrol
SIX people have died in a day of carnage on Sussex roads. A man was arrested after three people were killed in a three-vehicle pile-up on a dual carriageway - one of four fatal accidents in 24 hours. A 37-year-old man from Billingshurst, a 38-year-old
We are all too quick to tar our youth of this country with the same brush but there are many reasons why we should not. Brighton Marina. They were collecting donations for the Sussex Air Ambulance Project. Often referred to as boy racers, both the male
Some weeks ago I suffered a heart attack and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton by ambulance. After an initial spell in A&E, where I had various things jabbed into me and questions asked of me, I was moved into Baily Ward, where
Demaija Stewart insists he does not want to change the way he plays to keep on the right side of referees. But the massively enthusiastic Genesis Brighton Bears forward might have to ease up a bit if he is not to spend most of the British League season
and Hove and out in our community. It is all too easy to point out the bad things which happen and ignore all the good things. Our precious son Kieran is terminally ill and severely disabled. All these services have one thing in common they are all working
Most people would be content with just one superb comic creation. Yet Chris Green, creator of "artificial hip hop" artist Ida Barr, has also found huge success in another guise: That of country singer Tina C. A hilarious pastiche of all that's wrong with
The mayor of Newhaven has written to a waste company to express his anger over plans to build an incinerator in the town. Onyx, which has a 25-year contract with East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council, is proposing to burn more
Escape the cold turkey and rows with drunken relatives and instead head to The Treason Show for some much-needed comic relief. As usual, this bitingly satirical show will draw on recent events for ammunition, although hopefully we'll get some kind of
A £100,000 painting will go on display at the farmhouse where it was created. The portrait of economist John Maynard Keynes by Bloomsbury set artist Duncan Grant was bought by the Charleston Trust using grants from various art funds. The painting was
(12A, 134 mins): Starring Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach, Roger Bart. Directed by Susan Stroman. The Producers is the film musical of the stage musical of the film about a musical. Put another way, it's Mel Brooks
(PG, 93 mins) Starring Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Eugene Levy, Carmen Electra, Piper Perabo, Tom Welling, Hilary Duff. Directed by Adam Shankman. If Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings doesn't give you indigestion, Cheaper By The Dozen 2 certainly
It's funny how Brighton institutions can easily pass you by, particularly if you have lived your whole life in the city. Really, how many true Brightonians have actually stepped foot inside the Royal Pavilion, strolled around the museum or even taken
Raining down hot and happy beats, local ten-piece Deep Mamboo are a musical explosion of epic proportions. Apparently driven by a desire to see their audience shake their stuff as furiously as possible, the group offer up a contagious mix of afro, latin
Brighton and Hove Branch of Cats Protection would like to thank all those who contributed to our collection in Brighton city centre on Saturday. We raised £423.90, all of which will go directly to needy cats and kittens. For more information about our
Seventies pop star Leo Sayer is set to return to the charts with a surprise club hit just months after moving to Australia and leaving his heart in Sussex. Leo Sayer's Thunder In My Heart will make a claim for the Top 40 in the new year after being remixed
I have read with horror of the decision of Brighton and Hove City Council to withdraw their financial support from St Patrick's Trust. At this time, when we are thinking about the plight of the homeless, this seems to be a heartless thing to do. many
HE is the goofy pop guitarist whose song about a tractor is facing a David and Goliath battle to be the Christmas number one. But the success being enjoyed by Luke Concannon - one half of chart-topping folk act Nizlopi - comes as no surprise to his university
I recently emailed Sussex Police to express my concern over the Orwellian policing of the protest against EDO MBM on December 10 in Churchill Square, Brighton. Here is Superintendent Kevin Moore's response: Frankly, I do not intend to develop a debate
YOUNG couple Michelle Franco and Nick Bridger plan the best Christmas ever with their baby Jaiden after suffering a tragedy no parent could imagine. When Michelle was pregnant with their first child, Tyler, they were devastated to be told he was severely
TOMORROW is going to be the best Christmas the Fearn family ever had. Charlie Fearn, his wife Chris, their three sons Darren, 39, Lee, 36, and Stuart, 31, and their extended family intend to make the most of every minute of the day. At the end of October
Every year thousands of dogs are abandoned or end up in kennels through other reasons, such as bereavement or a relationship breaking up. There are 12 dogs staying at the Dogs Trust at Shoreham desperate for a new life in 2006. Can you give these lonely
I fully sympathise with Mandy Wilkins' son in his inability to get a job for lack of experience (Letters, December 21). How youngsters are to gain work experience when no one will take them on is no concern of employers. They are only interested in making
Chemmy Alcott hopes a couple of weeks spent chilling in Brighton will set her up perfectly for the forthcoming Winter Olympics. The Sussex skier has taken a break from the World Cup season and preparation for February's Winter Olympics in Turin to recharge
The new year cannot come quickly enough for Crawley midfielder Rob Kember. The 24-year-old hopes next month will signal the end of an injury nightmare that has plagued him for the first half of the season. Kember has become a forgotten man at Reds, having
Albion stalwart Richard Carpenter vowed today to "give it my best shot" if he is forced into an early comeback from his worst injury for a decade. The experienced midfielder has been put on standby over the hectic Christmas period by manager Mark McGhee
Gatwick Airport has taken second place in a competition to find Britain's best airport for business travellers. Gatwick took Gold in the Buying Business Travel Diamond Awards, beating Stansted, Manchester, London City and Birmingham airports. Heathrow
A pioneering scheme aimed at giving consumers confidence when choosing a trader is growing fast. A further 23 members have joined East Sussex County Council's Buy With Confidence initiative. The latest members were welcomed by council chairman John Barnes
One in four employees who call in sick at Christmas are actually interviewing for better jobs, a new study has found. The survey found workers in Brighton and Hove take an average of 7.3 sick days a year, compared to the national average of seven. Fiona
Ballet is the ultimate winter; an enchanting spectacle which transports you to a world of beauty and grace. Despite evidence to the contrary, Brighton must have been thoroughly well-behaved this year for we are being rewarded with two helpings of pirouetting
Lucy Bundy takes on the Matthew Kelly role for this festive talent show featuring a number of professional and semi-professional artists. Expect to see recreations of Boy George, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Dusty Springfield and many more - plus interviews
Imagine having to prove yourself in just seven minutes. That's all the time comedians get in the Krater Comedy Club new act competition. But, says Krater founder and host Stephen Grant (pictured), that can feel like a lifetime. "It doesn't sound long
Hoist yourself off the sofa for an evening of good honest family fun. Festive chart hits from the Fifties to the Seventies will be performed live by singers, dancers, musicians and all-round entertainers. They call it a "Carry On mini-panto" - but don't
A mother today made a plea to Christmas motorists: "Take care on the roads to avoid a repeat of my teenage son's death." Sheena Hogg, 37, is still mourning the loss of her 13-year-old son Aaron in a horrific crash on Queensway, St Leonards, last year.
(PG, 95 mins): Starring Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Heder, Donal Logue, Ivana Milicevic, Dina Waters, Ben Shenkman, Rosalind Chao. Reese Witherspoon shows no signs of relinquishing her crown as Hollywood's queen of the fluffy romantic comedy
The victim of an elaborate identity theft has spoken of the scam that could have lead to him losing his house. A fraudster stole Grahame Hawthorn's identity while he was away in Asia and managed to remortgage his Brighton house for more than £200,000,
If you enjoy a good ol' shindig, The Curst Sons are guaranteed to fill the dancefloor this New Year's Eve with their rootsy blend of hellfire gospel, yelpin', hollerin' and dirty swamp blues. "People do tend to leap about in a generally depraved way,"
The Guide offers a critical view of what's hot for the coming week. The Bootleg Beatles, Brighton Centre, Friday, December 23 Like family rows and the last-minute sprint around overcrowded shops, Christmas just isn't Christmas without a performance from
