Bill: What made you decide on moving to Brighton & Hove?
Louise: I first came to Brighton in the 80's when I went to do "Expressive Arts" at the arts college here.
For my theatre interview I was asked to show an egg passing down to the womb from the ovaries. My tutor in alarming
dance pants said "I want to see this physically of course, but also emotionally and psychically,
use the whole space."
Astonishingly I got my degree and had so fallen in love with the sheer eccentricity of the place and the unique
mix of people that I didn't move back to Portobello Road where I had lived for many happy years. I became one of
many citizens who only came for a bit (oo-er!) and ended up a quarter of a century later by the sea.
I have lived absolutely everywhere in this town and by no means in style. In one rented flat I lived in there was a
"CONDEMNED" notice hung on our fire by the gas board and we were so poor that when the electricity ran out
at the meter we were plunged into darkness. In winter that could mean going to bed at 6.00p.m. My boyfriend used to
say "Say night night Nana." Happy days(ish).
After many years trolling up and down the country performing live shows, working with John Peel on the radio,
writing for TV etc I wrote my first book "Angus, thongs and full frontal snogging.". To my amazement it was a
huge success and I was able to buy my first flat. I always thought that Brunswick was romantic and arty and
interesting and I also said I wanted a roof terrace. People laughed and said dream on but a flat turned up in this area
that did have a roof terrace and I loved it.
The people selling it did not have a home to go to and so I said;
"I will promise to buy your flat for the money you ask and wait for you to find somewhere."
And they said they would honour the agreement. People laughed.
Six months went by and eventually we exchanged and I moved in.
I remember looking at the outside of the house when I was waiting and wondering if I would get to live there and a
lady came along called Milena who had lived in the street for ages. She was so sunny and told me all about the
residents and the area and said there was a real sense of community. She thought I would like it.
And I do. I travel a lot and I like that as well but I love to come home.
Bill: Your gift of the Community Garden is fab. So many
people enjoy it including Aunt Peg who loves the garden, she tends it and almost every day is out there tidying up. Like
all she enjoys your gift to us. Is this what you expected of the garden?
Louise: The garden fills me with such joy every time I walk
through it. Some stranger came across me fondling one of the olive trees the other night.!
I just love it. You and Peggy and all of the community have created a beautiful peaceful loving space and a heart
in the community. It is such fun to see people coming together and I feel like it is the meeting place for my
extended family. And it will get better and better and we can have winter evening events and more and more spectacular
planting and birds and maybe a fountain and......er I must go lie down for a moment!
Bill: Your movie was filmed in part here in Brighton & Hove.
Was this your choice?
Louise: The film and book "Angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging" was actually based on my teenage years (even
though my parents and family BEG me to say it has nothing to do with real life!) and I am from Yorkshire. so really in
my mind it is all set in the North.
The Director Gurinda Chada selected this area as it is pretty, very English and
looks good on camera. And she is right, Borough Street looks absolutely fabulous and the colours and the sea do
look marvy.
My only fear is that yet more people will think "Ooohhh I may go live there!" Its like having a
favourite restaurant isn't it? You want it to do well but you still want the waiter to show you immediately to the
best table when you walk in!
Bill: The other gardens in Norfolk Square and Farman Street give us all a great deal of pleasure. No funds come from the
Council for these and all work in them is done by EBRA volunteers. Do you feel that some funds should come from the
Council to help us maintain them?
Louise: Of course. And I think really, that when people do take
the initiative and start loving their areas and picking up litter and offering service somehow help comes. I think
that always turning to an authority to do things is not the only way forward but a helping hand and a joining in is
wonderful.
Bill: What should EBRA focus on to improve the area?
Louise: I am an ugly intolerant person, I hate rude and loud
behaviour, I hate stupid signs and litter and ugly Legoland shoddy buildings. But like most people I am so easily
cheered on my way by lovely things and lovely behaviour. We all know how nice a smile and a good morning is, likewise
beautiful architecture and clean streets. Order is also pleasing to human beings somehow and the pavements need
attention.
Wouldn't it be lovely to see regular pavements everywhere like in some of the grander squares?
I suppose what I would like most of all is a return to joined up thinking about communities and areas. Not just a
materialistic individualistic attitude. For instance didn't it occur to anyone in some planning department
somewhere that a 24 hour off licence every few yards might cause some problems?
In Marylebone High Street in London which is a joy to shop and eat and walk in small
local interesting businesses are given preferred rates whilst the bigger companies are
limited and charged a different more expensive rate.
Bill: What about Street Trees?
Louise: Oh yes yes to trees. Everywhere.Not just Brunswick Town but the whole City.
The Council have a scheme to allow you to donate a tree if you have a bit of spare cash which is fab and I will
be applying to have one or two trees planted in the street where I live.
Bill: And what about Communal Bins?
Louise: They have made our area much cleaner and it is so convenient for me as I am away a lot and often miss the
regular bin collections. I agree that they are ugly but they do work.
How about putting them in areas that are screened by shrubs.?
Anyway what was so very wrong with dustbins? I didn't mind how they looked, maybe we could even have lovely
Regency ones Even these gigantic seagulls/albatrosses that have been feeding on hamburgers and chips and the occasional
swimmer would have difficulty getting through iron!
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