🐦 93rd Birthday On A Zip Line, Airing Your Dirty Laundry Live & A 9.5 Metre Shark Sculpture Threat

Hello Brighton & Hove!

I honestly cannot believe that summer is officially behind us and we are already stepping into the final four months of the year. What an absolute blinder of a summer it was, though, and I truly hope everyone made the most of the last bank holiday weekend of the year! I spent my Bank Holiday Monday at The Intentional Table event over at PLATF9RM in Hove, put together by the fantastic team behind Wild Roots Retreats in collaboration with the Brighton Wellness Festival. It was a complete botanical banquet of functional foods, insanely delicious cooking, and a genuinely lovely crowd. What a serene, peaceful, and grounding way to close out August and reset for the new season.

If you're looking to keep that great momentum rolling into September, our city is serving up some incredible live events over the next few days. Music lovers can dive straight into fuzz-drenched indie riffs at Psych Fest, catch an intimate jazz-and-tap electronic session, or sink into 360-degree digital AV projections. If live comedy is more your pace, there are plenty of stand-up nights and outdoor laughs lined up across town.

Let's dive into what else is happening this week!

Here is what’s squawking this week

♻️ Brighton recycling rates hit a record high of 31.6%.
📸 Photographic deep-dive into ectoplasm and mediums.
🚋 Drive a historic electric train on the seafront.
🎭 Anonymous local secrets turned into improv comedy.
🎸 Psych Fest takes over stages across the city.

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🏗️ Decision due on a £5.3m Hove flats scheme tomorrow

Councillors will vote on plans for a five-storey, 14-flat development on the former Lawrence Art Supplies site in Kingsthorpe Road, Hove. The application includes a £394,105 affordable housing commuted sum rather than on-site provision, though 15 local objections have raised concerns over height, design, and parking stress.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

♻️ Brighton and Hove recycling rates reach record high

New council data shows Brighton and Hove's recycling rate reached a record 31.6% in the first quarter of the year, up 7.2 percentage points on the same period in 2025. Town hall leaders attributed the boost to expanded kerbside plastic collections and the rollout of city-wide food waste pickups, which now collect nearly 500 tonnes monthly.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

💔 Threat of Wellington House day centre closure heads to committee

A controversial proposal to close the Wellington House learning disability day centre to save £340,000 is going before a special scrutiny committee ahead of a final cabinet vote. Over 3,000 residents have signed a petition opposing the sale, with families and Unison warning the loss of respite care could force vulnerable adults into costly full-time residential care.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

⛺ Beach campers vow to protest outside council offices if evicted

Rough sleepers living in tents at Black Rock beach have threatened to set up camp outside town hall offices following a court possession order granting bailiffs eviction powers. Campers argue they maintain a clean, drug-free site with proper sanitation, while council officials maintain the encampment is unsafe and that outreach teams have offered alternative accommodation.
→ read more on The Argus

🎭 BHASVIC sports pitch plan backed despite open-air theatre noise fears

Planning officers have recommended approval for BHASVIC's proposed artificial sports pitch and floodlights on its Hove playing fields despite strong community opposition. To protect performances at the neighbouring Brighton Open Air Theatre, the college agreed to curtail floodlight operating hours and coordinate early closures on event nights.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🗳️ Five candidates confirmed for Queen’s Park council by-election

Voters in Queen’s Park will choose between five candidates—representing Labour, the Greens, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK—in a by-election on 24 September. The vote follows the resignation of Labour councillor Milla Gauge over trans-inclusive safeguarding concerns, making it the eighth council by-election since May 2023.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🦈 Seafront crazy golf shark statue faces council enforcement threat

Jungle Rumble crazy golf course on Madeira Drive has submitted a retrospective planning application for its 9.5-metre fibreglass great white shark sculpture after facing council enforcement action. Operators argue that the theatrical installation enhances the leisure area without harming nearby heritage assets, despite mixed public reactions and objections from local animal welfare groups.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

Also in the news:

✈️ Councillor challenges airline overbooking: Cabinet member Jacob Allen has written to the Aviation Minister urging a national ban on forced passenger "deplaning" caused by oversold flights.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

📞 Council defends phone and face-to-face services: Town hall leads have rejected claims of declining customer access, confirming over 269,000 calls were handled with an average six-minute wait time alongside protected library helpdesks.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🌱 Brighton climate group presses MP over fossil fuels: Hanover Action has called on Green MP Siân Berry to lobby the government against approving new North Sea oil and gas extraction projects.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🦅 92-year-old veteran tackles Brighton zip wire: Former naval officer Charles Wylie is celebrating his 93rd birthday by riding the seafront zip wire to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research in honour of his wife.
→ read more on The Argus

🏢 Creative sector invited to bid for council office space: The council has opened expressions of interest for creative businesses to rent workspace in Phoenix House and Lyndean House following the decision to sell New England House.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🚃 Volk’s Railway offers public driving experience: The historic seafront electric railway is hosting autumn driver sessions allowing adults to pilot a railcar on a complete round trip for £35.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🎓 New principal takes charge at OIC Brighton: Educational leader Liz Free has officially assumed her role as principal of Oxford International College Brighton, welcoming over 100 students to the Ovingdean campus.
→ read more on The Argus

🥗 The Real Junk Food Project

⏰ Mon-Fri 12pm-2pm (Community Cafes)
📍 Bevendean hub, Fitzherbert Community Hub, Hollingdean Community Centre and St Luke’s Church, Prestonville

One of my biggest pet hates is food waste. Growing up, I was raised with strict standards: you ate what was on your plate, or you went hungry; there was no picking, choosing, or throwing away good food, and everything was shared. Having that ingrained in me makes it genuinely heartbreaking whenever I see mountains of perfectly good food tossed into bins. That’s why The Real Junk Food Project is an initiative I wholeheartedly support.

This incredible social enterprise takes surplus, top-quality food destined for landfill and turns it into delicious, nutritious meals served in local community cafes. Operating on a 'Pay As You Feel' basis, they ensure that everyone sits at the same table as equals, whether you contribute money, time, or simply a warm smile. By bringing people together over shared meals, they aren't just tackling food waste and local food poverty in one swoop; they are building a kinder, more inclusive city. Please support their vital mission to feed Brighton sustainably.

🔗 Find your nearest community cafe and see how to volunteer

🌮 O’Shio (my review)

I finally had my very first visit to this fantastic North Laine gem, and it completely blew me away. I popped in for a solo lunch, sitting right at the bar, but it is just as perfect for a group catch-up or a date night. The place was absolutely heaving, always the ultimate sign of a local favourite, yet the service was super quick and brilliantly attentive despite the rush.

Did you know it’s been a whole decade since they first opened back in 2016? It is a proper family affair run by chef Min, who spent years honing his craft across Korea, Japan, London, and Brighton. He seamlessly fuses the purity of Japanese ingredients with the vibrant heat of Korean cuisine, right down to serving his wife's homemade kimchi.

The menu is massive, so I went a bit wild: edamame, ebi gyoza, spicy tuna and avocado temaki, spicy salmon and avocado temaki, and a huge rainbow roll. I clearly overordered for one person, so I ended up taking a doggy bag home for round two later on.

Everything was ridiculously delicious. Would I go back? Yes, please, in a heartbeat.

📍 87-88 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, BN1 4ER
🕒 12pm-3pm & 5pm-10pm (Tue to Sat), 12pm-3pm & 5pm-9:30pm (Sun), Closed (Mon)
🔗 Book a table

🏠 The Roundhill Conservation Collection

This is not my usual pick, but I thought it was an interesting one. An incredible portfolio opportunity in the heart of Brighton, this exclusive modern development comprises 6 luxury 3-bedroom townhouses offering a total of 18 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. Discreetly tucked away in the sought-after Roundhill Conservation Area, these high-spec homes feature dual-aspect open-plan living spaces, integrated Bosch appliances, solar panels, and west-facing patios. Covered by an original BLP build warranty, the collection boasts a passenger lift, colour video entry, and Triangle Fire Safety systems.

📍 Chestnut Close, Princes Road, Brighton, BN2
💰 Offers Over £2,500,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

📸 Queer Religion with Frances Marshall | 7pm, Tue @ The Southern Belle
Photographer Frances Marshall shares her photographic exploration into the lives of openly queer religious leaders and practitioners across monotheistic faiths. More Info

🎵 Resident Lock In: With Nina Winder-lind | 6:30pm, Tue @ Resident Music
An intimate, after-hours live showcase hosted right on the record store floor between the racks, featuring rising talent alongside local craft beer. More Info

Wed

🦩 La Cage Aux Lols: Brighton's Campest Standup Comedy Night! | 7pm, Wed @ The Birdcage-Jonathan Rippon hosts a deliciously camp comedy lineup featuring headliner Joshua Bethania alongside Kate Dale, Crudi Dench, and more. More Info

🏖️ Leave No Trace Brighton X Spark & Bell Business Community Beach Clean | 7:45am, Wed @ Peace Statue, Hove Lawns
Join local businesses for an early morning coastal cleanup session before work, complete with networking, provided equipment, and the legendary 'Weirdest Find Award' competition. More Info

🎙️ Rory Bremner, Jen Brister & MC Stephen Grant | 7:30pm, Wed @ Brighton Open Air Theatre-A stellar outdoor stand-up bill featuring iconic impressionist Rory Bremner and Live at the Apollo favourite Jen Brister, hosted by Brighton's own Stephen Grant. More Info

🔮 Séance: Artist Talk by Shannon Taggart | 6:30pm, Wed @ Sallis Benney Theatre-Photographer Shannon Taggart presents an illustrated talk exploring her two-decade photojournalistic journey documenting Spiritualist mediums, séance rooms, and ectoplasm phenomena. More Info

💃 Lindy Hop Beginner's Course with After Supper Swing | 7pm, Wed @ The Actors Pub-Learn the energetic basics of 1930s swing dancing with a brand-new monthly beginner series designed to get you moving to classic jazz rhythms. More Info

🪕 Hiraeth Folk Club: Harvest Special | 7pm, Wed @ The Old Market
An immersive night of traditional folk and visual art featuring London's queer-led traditionalists Goblin Band, Welsh storyteller Cara Elin, Scottish guitarist Sam Grassie, and hand-wrought film visuals. More Info

Thur

📖 GK Barry: It's Giving Life | 8pm, Thu @ Theatre Royal Brighton
The podcaster and reality star hits the stage to launch her new book with a night of shameless oversharing, chaotic stories, and questionable life advice. More Info

🤠 Line Dancing with the Double Dollys! | 7pm, Thu @ Saltdean Lido
A glam, rhinestone-clad country hoedown featuring live tribute performances, line dancing routines, and double doses of Dolly Parton charm. More Info

🎙️ Mindout For Laughs | 7:30pm, Thu @ Komedia
A comedy fundraiser bringing together stand-up, drag, and cabaret stars in support of local LGBTQ mental health services. More Info

👞 Liberty Styles | 7pm, Thu @ The Rose Hill
NYC tap dancer and DJ Liberty Styles joins jazz musicians for an experimental, improvised fusion of tap rhythms, double bass, and live electronics. More Info

🧘 Soundbaths from Nature | 10am & 10:30am, Thu @ The Old Market
A 20-minute immersive sensory journey featuring surround sound and large-scale visuals of natural environments, designed for deep relaxation and quiet reflection. More Info

📚 Silent Book Club by The Social Society | 6pm, Thu @ Bella Union Vinyl Shop
A relaxed evening of dedicated silent reading followed by optional, pressure-free socialising inside a local record store. More Info

Fri

🎸 Brighton Psych Fest | 1pm, Fri @ Various Venues
A sprawling, multi-venue one-day festival bringing fuzz-drenched guitars, psychedelic visuals, and alternative acts to stages across the city. More Info

🎷 New Opening! Deep Dive Jazz & Blues Bar| 7pm, Fri @ Deep Dive Jazz & Blues Bar-Brighton’s new dedicated jazz & blues bar celebrates its opening night with an eclectic set of groovy blues, jazz, hip hop, and funk spun by Italian DJ Piccola Kohsee. More Info

🔍 Can You Catch a Serial Killer? | 7:30pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
An interactive true-crime experience where you analyse dramatised crime scenes, forensic evidence, and simulated autopsies to step into the shoes of a criminal profiler. More Info

🎷 Water From An Ancient Well | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
A stellar jazz sextet delivers a soulful musical tribute celebrating the iconic style and South African rhythms of legendary pianist Abdullah Ibrahim. More Info

🩰 Lord of the Dance: A Lifetime of Standing Ovations | 6:45pm, Fri to Sun @ Brighton Centre-Michael Flatley's record-breaking Irish dance phenomenon returns in a revived 30th-anniversary production featuring updated choreography, high-tech staging, and rapid-fire footwork. More Info

🎭 Confessions! | 7:30pm, Fri @ Komedia
The Maydays turn audience members' real-life secrets into completely unscripted sketches, songs, and improvised comedy chaos. More Info

🎧 Immersion - WHAT IS LOST WILL RETURN launch interview | 5pm, Fri @ The Actors Pub-Malka Spigel and Colin Newman (Wire) discuss their new album with broadcaster David Quantick, interspersed with full album playback inside the Slack City studio. More Info

🎛️ Indigaura presents: Sakr x KLSR - 360º Live AV | 6:30pm, Fri @ The Old Market-An immersive audio-visual showcase surrounding the audience with cutting-edge electronic beats and 360-degree digital projections. More Info

🎭 The Maydays: Confessions! & Guest Improv Superstars | 7:30pm, Fri @ Komedia-Brighton’s premier improv troupe takes real, anonymous audience secrets written before the show and spins them into spontaneous songs, sketches, and hilarious tales. More Info

Live Music

Smashed Hits Cabaret | Tue @ Folklore Rooms
Jazz Jam | Tue @ The Brunswick
Bodyweb | Tue @ Green Door Store
Uncle Lucius + Sam Paul | Tue @ Hope & Ruin

REVOLT BRIGHTON PRESENTS | Wed @ Daltons
Hiraeth Folk Club | Wed @ The Old Market
Safehouse Open Session | Wed @ Rose Hill
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends play R.E.M.’s ‘Life's Rich Pageant’ | Wed @ Chalk
Spiral Drive | Wed @ Green Door Store
Henry Webb-Jenkins & Birds Flying Backwards + The Roebucks FREE ENTRY | Wed @ Hope & Ruin

BRASSIC SHARK album launch: BRASSIC PARP / SHARK STUFF / FUKUSHIMA DOLPHIN | Thu @ Prince Albert
She's Green | Thu @ Dust
Wild Pink + Support | Thu @ Komedia
The Munyks & The XLNTs | Thu @ The Brunswick
BRAKES | Thu @ Alphabet
Rich Austin and The Allegros | Thu @ Folklore Rooms
Earl Sweatshirt & MIKE | Thu @ Brighton Dome Concert Hall
Meditations by FACESOUL | Thu @ The Old Market
Liberty Styles, Josh Vadiveloo & Adam Parry-Davies | Thu @ Rose Hill
Big Truck: Live + Signing | Thu @ Resident
Macka B & The Roots Ragga Band | Thu @ Chalk
YARD + Support | Thu @ Volks
Cascade | Thu @ Green Door Store
Mega Heels: Two Pounds Down + Arcadia Residential + Laikk | Thu @ Hope & Ruin

Hannah Sherlock & Tim Walker | Fri @ Fortune of War
Jamolations Launch Party | Fri @ Quarters
Brighton Psych Fest 2026 | Fri @ Patterns
FEMME FOLK/COUNTRY/ROCK | Fri @ The Brunswick
Matinee: The Howl & The Hum | Fri @ Folklore Rooms
Matilda Mann: Live + Signing | Fri @ Resident
ROCK ANTHEM PARTY (FREE!) | Fri @ Caroline of Brunswick
Brighton Beach Boys: Herbie Flowers | Fri @ The Brunswick
K, maybe + Weather Happy + Revenge Dress | Fri @ Prince Albert
BRIGHTON PSYCH FEST 2026 | Fri @ Alphabet
KRAPEOKE V'S GUITAR HERO | Fri @ Daltons
Pizzatramp Grail Guard | Fri @ The Pipeline
Brighton Psych Fest | Fri @ Komedia
Širom + Athina B | Fri @ Rose Hill
Shades – A Decade Later | Fri @ Rossi Bar
GRASSROOTS - FREE Fridays - Disco, Funk & House | Fri @ Patterns
Brighton Psych Fest 2026 | Fri @ Brighton Dome - Corn Exchange
Brighton Psych Fest | Fri @ Concorde 2
INDIGAURA PRESENTS SAKR x KLSR X AM SIN: 360º Live AV | Fri @ The Old Market
The Howl & The Hum | Fri @ Folklore Rooms
The Molotovs | Fri @ Chalk
Brighton Psych Fest 2026 | Fri @ Hope & Ruin
Jimmy | Fri @ Green Door Store

Last week's time capsule trivia caught out over 54% of you who picked COVID press reports. That was actually sealed inside, while only 6.25% correctly spotted that a brass arcade token was NOT included. You can check the full list of contents and watch the original sealing video on The Latest Brighton Pier Time Capsule Unveiling Page.

This week, we are looking at one of the most photographed spots on the Brighton seafront. Created by artist Hamish Black in 1998, this famous bronze torus sculpture features world continents scattered across its surface, with a central hole framing the horizon over the sea. While virtually everyone in town affectionately refers to it as "The Doughnut", it actually has a very different official title..