Dragons Den contender Ajit Chambers writes to The Whistler, and poses a question to our readers and Brighton…
Dear Editor
I would like to pose a question to Brighton. Continue reading Letters to The Whistler
Category Archives: Letters
Write and tell us your views
Letters to The Whistler
Dear Editors
Firstly I would like to say I’m an avid regular reader of The Whistler. I love the local history and personal stories that you bring to life and so I’m pleased that The Whistler exists and that you share so many interesting stories with the residents of the Dials, a place I am proud to say I live.
I read the article entitled ‘The Animal Dispensary’ with particular interest. Tony Hill’s story was very amusing and honest, and I love stories about naughty kids, probably because I was one myself! I could picture the scenes of swinging dogs and escaping terriers very vividly indeed. Can you imagine the scene around the Dials as 100 dogs ran for freedom? Continue reading Letters to The Whistler
Lessons from History
Dear Editors
Surely those who ‘die for their country’ are entitled to know why?
It is understandable The Whistler should join the mass media publicity celebrating the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War by offering a brief overview of the ‘major new exhibition at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery’ – ‘War Stories: Voices from the First World War’.
Personal stories and anecdotes from letters and postcards from the front line help recapture the everyday experiences of those who served – and indeed, it’s often humbling to recall sacrifices made by individuals who, although long dead, remain an essential part of the nation’s collective memory. Continue reading Lessons from History
Letters
Dear Ed
Re: The Hippodrome
Why should we put on arty rubbish or put up with an old theatre that had ‘old hat’ Larry Olivier, Harry Houdini, Sarah Bernhardt – performers of old, out-of-date years, when, instead of looking at the past of, yes, even The Beatles and the old Rolling Stones, we could have new, junk architecture revolving around making millions/trillions for our esteemed developers?
David McKnight, Stanford Avenue
Dear Editor
On reading your article in The Whistler about the Brighton Hippodrome, I felt I must drop you a line and see if we can get together and save this beautiful theatre.
I worked at The Hippodrome in the mid 1950s. I played Robin Hood with Jimmy Edwards and Freddie Frinton in the pantomime, ‘Robin Hood’. And what a thrill it was to stand on that stage and look out to that auditorium. The acoustics were perfect, the lighting was perfect, and the sightlines were perfect. As to the back stage, there was plenty of room, nice dressing rooms, good wing space, and an enormous dock door leading onto a large area, big enough to house Jimmy Edwards’ big hunter, standing there and waiting for his entrance. The point is, is that it has been announced in the press that I would lay down in front of the bulldozer to stop them pulling it down. However, as I am now an aging actress of nearly 87 I may have to think again on that one. But I would certainly like to do all that is possible to keep this wonderful Grade II listed building as a theatre. After all, we do not have a large theatre in Brighton. By large, I mean big enough to take Opera and Ballet Companies. We miss out on all the large touring musicals. Let us not forget that Brighton was the Number 1 touring date outside London.
So, let’s get together and do all we can to save this beautiful Frank Matcham theatre for the people of Brighton – they deserve it. Thank you so much for your time for reading this.
Sheila Matthews, Southwick
Letters
In 1989 The Whistler December issue included a full size cartoon by Steve Bell…
It was recognised that the issue of dog nuisance on West Hill pavements was a very serious one, affecting everybody and from the number of times it was raised at the Association’s Annual General Meeting, it was seen to be one that was close to everyone’s heart, (or perhaps their sole).
The Brighton Good Dog Campaign started with a leaflet through everybody’s letter box, naming West Hill Community Association as a sponsor. The intention was to install a poop bin and pay for it to be emptied for a year, at an estimated cost of £250. In order to raise funds the Committee asked Steve Bell to design a poster which could be sold. Steve Bell is known nationally as a prolific cartoonist, published in The Guardian. As you can see, Steve did an excellent job. He produced the poster in a limited edition and it was used to raise funds and get the message across the dog owners.
The Whistler still has one of the posters in the office, but unfortunately, as you will see from the letter below, we still have the same old problem with the owners. Don’t blame the dogs.
The Whistler 