The Brighton Squawk
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🐦 A Free Festival with Art, Coffee and...Fatboy Slim?

🐦 A Free Festival with Art, Coffee and...Fatboy Slim?

Plus: Bus strikes loom, Hove’s Floral Clock faces the chop and a packed week of live music

Ben Watkins
August 26, 2025

☀️ Good morning, Brighton

September’s rolling in with strikes on the buses, a fight to save Hove’s Floral Clock, and a mini deep dive into the myths of the Goldstone from BBC News. Plus: a free festival with a Fatboy Slim appearance and plenty of coffee, GCSE results land, and we’ve got your date-night sorted. Oh and of course, we’ve got events with live music galore.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🚌 Bus drivers ballot for strike action in the city
🌸 Hove’s Floral Clock faces the chop
💖 Fatboy Slim joins Pepita Festival at the Engineerium
🍰 Brunch vs cocktails for your next date

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🚌 Bus Drivers Could Strike

Bus drivers in Brighton & Hove could join a nationwide wave of industrial action as Unite ballots members over pay and conditions. Around 7,500 Unite bus workers are striking or being balloted across the country, and the union says drivers regularly face fatigue, poor facilities, abuse and even assaults, with pay not reflecting the pressures of the job.

Strikes have already been announced in London, Bristol, Cardiff and Swindon, with more walkouts planned in other cities in the coming weeks if talks fail. Unite says it has handled 167 bus disputes since 2023 and will continue to push for better wages, rest breaks, toilet access and safer shift patterns. Local services here could be hit if ballots back action.

→ Read more from Brighton and Hove News

🌸 Hundreds Sign To Save Hove’s Floral Clock

A petition to save the Floral Clock in Palmeira Square has gathered almost 800 signatures after Brighton & Hove City Council said it plans to replace the long-stopped 1950s timepiece as part of a wider garden “transformation.” Preparatory work begins 1 September, with completion due next April.

The Floral Clock in it’s hayday

The council says the Mediterranean-style makeover will celebrate the heritage of the site, with reshaped beds, sustainable plants and new perimeter railings. But campaigners argue the landmark could be restored using community levy funds and sponsorship, and want residents to have a real say. Consultation runs until 14 September and if you’d like, you can sign the petition here.

→ Read more from Brighton and Hove News

🪨 The Lost Druid Stone Circle of Hove

Tucked in Hove Park sits the Goldstone, a huge boulder with a folklore as wild as its journey. Sussex legend says the Devil kicked it there in frustration, while 19th-century romantics believed it was part of a sacred Druid circle or even a sacrificial altar.

The stone became so popular that the landowner, annoyed by crowds trampling crops, ordered it buried. It stayed hidden until its rediscovery by Hove commissioner William Hollamby, who tracked down a former farm worker to locate the site. In 1906 it was moved to Hove Park, where it still stands today.

Historians now believe the lurid myths were mostly contrived, but the Goldstone became a focus for those seeking a link to Celtic identity and a forgotten past. Like Stonehenge, it still captures the imagination, leaving questions about the people who once raised such stones, and why.

→ Read the full story from BBC News

Also in the news:

🏉 Rugby World Cup Fan Zone Announced – A free fan zone for 2,000 people will open at Victoria Gardens as Brighton hosts Women’s Rugby World Cup matches at the Amex. Expect food stalls, music and a DJ afterparty following England v Australia on 6 Sept.
→ Read more from the Council

🎸 Suede & Belair Lip Bombs Dates – Aussie indie outfit The Belair Lip Bombs play the Volks Club on 24 November as part of their UK run, while Britpop giants Suede will close their UK tour at the Brighton Centre on 21 February 2026 with their new album Antidepressants.
→ Read more from Brighton & Hove News

🎢 Rollercoaster Record Holder Eyes Germany – Brighton thrill-seeker Dean Stokes, who rode 108 UK coasters this summer, now plans to take on 100 in Germany.
→ Read more from ITV News

🍺 New Micropub for Hove – BeerBelly Ltd has applied to open a micropub and bottle shop on Victoria Terrace, serving on- and off-site drinks until late evening.
→ Read more from Brighton & Hove News

💖 Pepita Festival at The Engineerium

🗓️ Wed 27–Sun 31 Aug
📍 The British Engineerium, Hove
🎟️ More Info (FREE)

Brighton’s about to get a caffeine-fuelled creativity boost as Pepita Coffee joins forces with Fatboy Slim to take over the British Engineerium for five days of art, music, and community vibes.

This late-summer festival blends street art, DJs, markets, food, and family fun into one big celebration, all set inside one of the city’s most iconic buildings. Whether you’re going for the art, the beats, or just a really good flat white, this is one not to miss.

Festival Highlights:
🎨 Exclusive signing with Fatboy Slim & The Postman Art (Wed 27 Aug)
🖼️ Immersive street art exhibitions & artists in residence
☕ Pepita Coffee pop-ups serving all festival long
👨‍👩‍👧 Spray art studios and graffiti workshops for kids

💘 Brunch vs Cocktails in BN3

☀️ Brunch at NORD

NORD is the sort of cafe that makes a brunch a Scandi-styled event. There will be lavender lattes, avo toast topped with halloumi cheese, and carrot cake that regulars insist is the town’s best, all presented in a bright warm atmosphere run by people who want to hang around. It’s laid-back, tasty, and naturally appealing, just the ticket for a snug day-time date.

📍 Western Road, Hove, BN3
🕒 8am - 5pm Mon-Fri
🔗 More Info

🌙 Cocktails in The Gin Tub

For a classic romantic evening, The Gin Tub offers a touch of theatre and fun with vintage phones on each table to order a drink or even summon another table. The atmosphere is rambunctious, the service impeccable, and classic cocktails with a little twist like French Martinis or hot margaritas, plus a 2-for-£16 happy hour doesn’t hurt (Friday before 8pm).

📍 Church Road, Hove, BN3
🕒 From 5pm Thu - Sun
🔗 More Info

🏡 For the Eco-Friendly Bond Villain

Another showstopper in Roedean that’s fit for a Bond villian, with six bedrooms, four bathrooms, two garages and jaw-dropping sea views, all wrapped in sustainable design (air source heat pump, EV charging, underfloor heating). Think Grand Designs meets Brighton living, with three floors of open plan, modern living.

📍 Roedean Road, BN2
💰 £2,500,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

events marked with a * are sponsored

🪑 Woodwork Class - Make a 3 legged Oak Stool
Sat 13th September 10am - 4pm
Learn woodworking skills and take home a solid oak stool - handmade by you!
This one day course is suitable for beginners.^*
Taught by a mastercraftsperson Chris Murphy Design

Tuesday

🎭 Eds Comedy Club Tuesdays
8pm @ Presuming Ed’s Coffee House
Free entry stand-up with 12 comedians testing new material and great drinks deals. More Info

🎨 Photo Crafting Workshop
10:30am @ Puzzle Bored Studio
Turn your photos into handcrafted art pieces in this fun creative workshop. Tickets

👨‍👩‍👧 Punch & Judy’s Fun and Games Time
11:30am & 2:30pm @ West Pier Centre
Family seaside fun with a classic Punch & Judy show plus old-time games. More Info

🎨 Painting Party
7 - 9pm @ The Railway Inn, Portslade
This month’s workshop: painting Brighton’s iconic West Pier. Tickets £33. More Info

Wednesday

🎭 Open Air Theatre: Pride and Prejudice
7pm @ Davis Park, Hove
This Is My Theatre returns with a witty open-air take on Austen’s classic. More Info

🎨 Comic Art Masterclass (7yrs+)
11am - 3pm @ Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham
Learn to create comics with Kev F Sutherland (Beano, Doctor Who, Marvel). Tickets (few left)

🎉 PEPITA Festival (Opening Day)
Wed - Sun @ The British Engineerium, Hove
Art, music, coffee, workshops and even Fatboy Slim at this new summer festival. More Info

🎨 The Postman Show (Opening Night)
@ The British Engineerium, Hove
The Postman’s 7th anniversary exhibition with art, music, and Fatboy Slim signing. More Info

🎶 The Burning Hell + Jon McKiel
7:30pm @ Komedia
Indie folk favourites The Burning Hell joined by Canadian songwriter Jon McKiel. Tickets

🌱 Summer Holiday Nature Discovery Sessions
2 - 4pm @ Plot 22, Weald Allotments, Hove
Hands-on family nature workshop with bug hunts, crafts, and foraging. Tickets

😂 Rotunda Comedy
8 - 10:30pm @ Rotunda Café Bar, Preston Road
Stand-up night featuring Sally-Anne Hayward, Alex Farrow and more. Tickets

😂 The Secret Comedy Club Wednesdays
7 - 10:30pm @ Artista Café & Gallery
Six comedy acts across three sections with lively breaks in between. Tickets

💘 Brighton Speed Dating (Ages 24 - 38)
7 - 9:30pm @ The Bootlegger
Sip, flirt, and meet singles face-to-face at this SpeedDater event. Only Ladies Tickets Left

Thursday

💃 Brighton Burlesque Festival & Summer Ball: Seaside Crown
Thu & Fri & Sat 6:30pm @ Wagner Hall
A dazzling line-up of burlesque performers from across the UK battle it out for the coveted Seaside Crown. More Info

🎶 Live Music Thursdays at Bohemia
From 9:30pm @ Bohemia, Brighton Lanes
Free entry live bands every week with cocktails, dinner, and late-night dancing. More Info

🖼️ Vision Bored Workshop
6 - 7:30pm @ Puzzle Bored Studio
An ADHD-friendly workshop to design your own vision board for future goals. Tickets

🎸 Scare Taxi with Matt Finucane & Nancy Cancer
7:30 - 11pm @ The Prince Albert
Alternative rock duo Scare Taxi joined by Matt Finucane and Nancy Cancer. More Info

Friday

🎧 Pearly Cow Terrace Friday Night DJs
Evening @ Pearly Cow
Start the weekend with drinks on the West Pier-facing terrace as DJs spin into sunset. Runs every Friday until 12 September. More Info

🎵 Rave On: The Ultimate 50s & 60s Experience
7:30pm @ Pavilion Theatre, Worthing
A musical journey through rock and roll’s golden era with hits, costumes, and dancing in the aisles. More Info

🎭 Komedia Comedy Night
8:10pm (Doors 7:30pm) @ Komedia Studio Room
MC Tom Toal hosts with Paul F Taylor, Kate McGann, and Christian Jegard for a night of stand-up in Komedia’s intimate studio space. Tickets

🎶 Brighton Psych Fest 2025
From 3pm @ Various Venues (Prince Albert, Green Door Store, Komedia & more)
A full day and night of psychedelic music featuring Deadletter, Gong, Anna Erhard, Do Nothing, Crocodiles, Honeyglaze and more. Tickets & More Info

Live Music

🎶 B-Scene Issue 3 | Daltons Tue 26 Aug | Tickets
🎸 Horse Jumper of Love | Dust Tue 26 Aug | Tickets

Congrats to the 51.43% of you who nailed last week’s answer. We dived under the waves, with the second most popular answer being the Leatherback Turtle, which although rare, has really have been spotted off the Brighton coast in 2019. Rare visitors, but proof of just how wild our waters can be.

This week, we’re back with Brighton’s most famous resident who’s appearing at Pepita Festival this week, but what business does he own, in which he could be spotted waiting tables at back in 2020?

What small business does Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) own in Brighton and Hove??

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💼 Voluntary Directors Wanted - Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust

Help shape community-led housing in Brighton & Hove with Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust. No experience needed — just enthusiasm, commitment, and a willingness to learn. We welcome people from all backgrounds. Email [email protected] to get involved today. Apply by Sept 8