Borde Hill Garden unveils iron artworks

Mid-Sussex dignitaries gathered at Borde Hill Garden on 30th June to unveil a dramatic collection of creature and plant artworks made from recycled metal that will adorn the historic venue throughout the summer until 11 September.

Mayor of Haywards Heath Cllr John Sabin and Cllr, Mrs Mandy Thomas-Atkin, Chairman of Mid-Sussex were guests of honour at the panoramic 200-acre garden, parkland and woodland destination just north of Haywards Heath to view stunning items, crafted in Sussex, that will intrigue and delight adults and children alike.

The giant contemporary and traditional steel and copper creations feature fauna and flora fashioned from recycled parts and scrap metal, including a dramatic 2m diameter wolf spider lurking at the bottom of Long Dell, a chameleon mounted on a pedestal positioned on the South Lawn and fashioned from recycled chainsaw blades and motorcycle gear chains, as well as a stag beetle, hermit crab and butterflies.

The exhibition also includes vibrantly painted herbaceous plants, such as red hot pokers, alliums and other border varieties dotted around the Rose Garden and the Italian Garden.

Constructed by Brighton based blacksmiths, Anvil Ironworks, the works bring both drama and surprise to the usually restful settings of panoramic parkland, magical woods and the formal Garden of this historic estate, described as one of the country’s truly great gardens.

The exhibition will coincide with Borde Hill’s exciting Summer Fun season, which runs from Monday 1 August to Friday 26 August and features a host of events to entertain kids during the holiday break.
www.bordehill.co.uk

Donate food at Sainsbury’s Lewes Road this weekend Supermarket introduces innovative food trial at local store

While shoppers might normally be expected to take food away from a supermarket, customers at Sainsbury’s Lewes Road will this weekend be leaving food behind too. The store, situated in Lewes Road, Brighton, is taking part in a food donation trial through which customers will be asked to buy an extra item, which will then be delivered to local community projects.

The trial is being run in partnership with FareShare, the national food charity that addresses hunger in the UK by redistributing quality surplus food from the food industry to people who need it across the country. Sainsbury’s has been working with FareShare since 1994 but this is the first time customers are being asked to actively take part.

Sainsbury’s retail and logistics director, Roger Burnley, said: “The food we donate to FareShare tends to be fresh produce as this has the shortest shelf life. However, to make a nutritious meal, you need more than just fresh food, which is why we would like to give customers the opportunity to donate food through this unique trial.”

“Anything donated by customers in Lewes Road will go to the FareShare Brighton depot for redistribution to local charities that really need it such as the Fresh Start Community Association”.

Lindsay Boswell, FareShare Chief Executive, said: “Sainsbury’s has been involved with FareShare since the beginning, working with us to ensure that good food isn’t wasted. If food cannot be sold, but can be eaten, it should always go to people first.

“With this food trial, we have a fantastic opportunity to engage with individuals: Sainsbury’s customers will be able to support hungry people in their local area in a very tangible way and generally support a charity who offers a very practical solution to the issues of food waste and food poverty.

“We would like to encourage anyone who has an interest in food and supporting vulnerable people to support FareShare. With their help, we can feed even more good food to some of the poorest people in our society”.

Hundreds of hostels, shelters and schools benefit from the work FareShare carries out across the country, including the Fresh Start Community Association, who run several community initiatives working with marginalised groups, such as a day centre, drop in service and out of school club. They provide a cooked meal on site at every group gathering, as well as encourage healthy eating with food support bags for families struggling because of the economic climate.

Machelle Joseph, Project Manager at the Fresh Start Community Association
said: “When families are struggling to cover bills and mortgage repayments, food is last on their agenda. We help and we have become the main safety net for many families and individuals. Also, mums from ethnic background are sometimes not sure how to use local foods and we show them how and create community cohesion”.

In the current climate, the need for FareShare has never been greater, with more and more people finding it hard to access good food and fewer and fewer organisations being able to provide the vital services.

The trial, which takes place in 19 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK, begins on Friday July 8th and will continue until Sunday July 10th. Customers can choose from a variety of suggested items, which are purchased as normal and left with the cashier at the till to be distributed at the end of the trial.

George IV and his Friends – caricatures at Brighton Museum Prints & Drawings gallery

Currently on display at Brighton Museum Prints & Drawings gallery, this wonderful selection of caricatures focuses on George IV in his roles as Prince of Wales, Prince Regent and King. George IV’s extravagant lifestyle and portly physique made him a magnet for caricaturists during the golden age of political satire; these colourful prints provide astute insights into the politics, dress, manners and social life of the Regency period. Contemporary caricaturists such as James Gillray and George Cruikshank portrayed the Monarch and his ministers, family, friends and mistresses with savage wit.

The display is grouped under three main themes: Women, Politics and Patronage. The Women section includes prints of George’s illegal marriage to Mrs Maria Fitzherbert, his official marriage to Princess Caroline of Brunswick and his many lovers. Politics examines the affairs of state in George’s day, and his notorious use of public funds to support his lifestyle. Patronage portrays George IV’s architectural projects, and his interests in fashion and art. The caricatures in the centre case illustrate the important period from 1820 to 1821 when George IV became King and was struggling to divorce Queen Caroline of Brunswick.

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
Entrance in Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton BN1 1EE
Free admission
03000 290900
www.brighton-hove-museums.org.uk
Open: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm

Sharing your heritage – Brighton

The University of Brighton is inviting members of the public to take photographs of sculptures and monuments in the city as part of a unique project to record Brighton and Hove’s heritage.

The pictures will contribute to a library of computer 3D models which will allow viewers anywhere in the world to inspect objects from every angle.

The project is part of an EC-funded research programme called 3D-COFORM (www.3d-coform.eu) which aims to make 3D technology an affordable and practical option for the cultural heritage sector. The project is the first of its kind in the world.

The invitation to the public has come from the university’s Cultural Informatics Research Group. Research Fellow, Dr Karina Rodriguez, said: “We want to engage the public and we are asking anyone with a digital camera, both professionals and amateurs, to take part by following some simple steps.

“Our website www.shareyourheritage.org provides a list of sculptures and monuments in different areas of the city and we are asking people to photograph them using an easy technique to achieve an all-round 3D record of the work.

“This involves walking in a circle around the object, framing it and taking a photograph of the object for each step made. Contributors can simply upload the photographs onto our website and we will acknowledge their contribution in the resulting library.”

Project manager Hilary Williams said: “The deadline for contributions is 17 July 2011. If the project proves successful then it will be rolled out across Sussex and potentially the rest of the UK.

“The contribution of the public will be an invaluable part of this project and a critical element in the research process as we ultimately hope to demonstrate to the cultural heritage sector the benefits of involving the public as well as using the latest technologies.

“The computer 3D models will be created by state-of-the-art technologies and will provide a lasting record of local sculptures and monuments. They will also help raise awareness of our heritage locally, nationally and beyond, allowing people who do not live nearby to see the rich and varied heritage we have here in Brighton and Hove.

“Imagine in the future being able to see 3D models of the heritage in cities that are otherwise very remote or inaccessible.

“We will provide support and advice to anyone interested in participating. Just visit the website at www.shareyourheritage.org for more information or to get in contact.

“Please get involved and help build a legacy.”

Roar… dinosaurs at Churchill Square

In a rare external collaboration, the Natural History Museum is set to team up with Brighton’s leading retail destination, Churchill Square in an awe-inspiring new exhibition.

Visit Churchill Square – if you dare – and find yourself transported back to prehistoric times, surrounded by life-sized, moving dinosaurs!

Among the huge beasts will be carnivores including the terrifying T-Rex, the ‘tyrant lizard’ and king of the dinosaurs!
Alongside the giant T-Rex is fellow Cretaceous-dweller and carnivore, the Baryonyx, a 28ft-long dinosaur with huge claws and finely serrated teeth!

Slightly more mild-mannered in comparison, what the Oviraptor lacked in ferocity it certainly made up for in speed! Just six foot long, the bird-like dinosaur from the Cretaceous period falls into the theropod category alongside the lithe-limbed Ornithomimus, both of which can be seen at the exhibition.

Possibly the most recognisable of the dinosaurs at Churchill Square this summer, and often preyed upon by the petrifying T-Rex, is the Triceratops, which lived around 65-68million years ago. A herbivorous ceratopsid dinosaur, the Triceratops was quadrupedal – meaning it stood on four legs – essential for it to bear the weight of its enormous head! Also within this category and completing the exhibition is the armour-plated Ankylosaurus, an impressive herbivore with knobs and plates of bone embedded into its skin to protect against large, carnivorous prey!

Visitors to Churchill Square are invited to roam among the dinosaurs, discovering exciting facts about the prehistoric creatures through additional exhibits placed around the Centre, including touch and feel boxes and even a real T-Rex skull!

Maren Krumdieck, part of the Touring Exhibitions team at the Natural History Museum explains: “Dinosaur Encounter is the Natural History Museum’s touring dinosaur exhibition with the biggest variety of dinosaur species. The models move and look scarily life like as the scientists who work at the Natural History Museum have fed into their development. The highlight of the exhibition is the Tyrannosaurus rex which is over six metres long and over 4 metres tall and will impress especially the children amongst the visitors!”

Churchill Square Marketing Coordinator, Tara Phillips adds:  “Teaming up with The Natural History Museum is a huge coop for Churchill Square. The exhibition promises to be a truly lifelike experience which aims to transport people back to a time when dinosaurs ruled the land!”

The free Dinosaur Encounter exhibition runs from 1st July to 4th September 2011 at Churchill Square Shopping Centre.
www.churchillsquare.com •  01273 327428.