Wine, bills and lavish houses
It's 2024. Finally, the E Sussex newsletter you need in your inbox...
News: the Sussex agenda
Analysis shows that Conservative-held seats stand to gain from inheritance tax cuts as Tories look for some pre-election giveaways.
Lewes has the sixth-highest inheritance tax payments, at £53 million, and the Conservatives will be looking to woo voters should there be a general election.
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Households could be hit with water bill hikes of nearly 75% by the end of this decade, another slice of analysis shows.
The Consumer Council for Water watchdog found that average water bills could surge to more than £800 a year. This will be little cheer for Sussex customers, with dire water pollution records in our rivers and sea. Average water and sewage bills at Southern Water could rise to £816 a year by 2030.
Local councillors have previously lambasted the firm for a “tsunami of human waste polluting our sea water.” Meanwhile chief executive Lawrence Gosden received £427,000 pay and perks last year.
How’s this for a drift? A small boat, named Noah’s Ark, was moored in Teignmouth, Devon on Dec 22. Its anchor snapped and six days, 150 miles and passing several counties later, it turned up on the beach at Saltdean on Dec 28.
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English wine producers, including ones in Sussex, could shun the opportunity to sell wine by the pint. It comes despite the UK government giving producers the “Brexit freedom” to do so, according to The Guardian.
The Rathfinny Wine Estate co-owners in Alfriston, East Sussex had laid down 800 of its 50cl bottles after the 2016 referendum on leaving the EU.
They described the pint measure as “redundant”. “We don’t understand why the government has introduced a pint measure for wine after consulting the industry and being told that no one seems to favour going back to imperial measures,” owner Mark Driver told the newspaper.
The Sussex producer has campaigned to be allowed to produce sparkling wine in half litre bottles.
Sussex in colour
Each edition we will scour social media for the best Sussex images. Send in yours. For now:
Food, Drink & Places
A game-changing addition to Brighton’s food scene has opened, says The Argus. Not all chains entering the city’s marketplace get it right, but Dishoom has undoubtedly put the groundwork in. The group has launched their new Permit Room concept. More here
Two Sussex spa hotels in Sussex have been named among the best in the UK. The AA listed South Lodge Hotel & Spa in Lower Beeding, below, and the Alexander House & Utopia Spa in Turners Hill as one of several county representatives. South Lodge also had the accolade of being crowned the best in the UK.
Red fizz with rare steak? Hear us out, writes the Evening Standard. The Ridgeview Sparkling Red Reserve is a limited-release from the Sussex winemaker and “is a surprise hit with all red meat.” On sale at £55
On the market
The Moorings on Pevensey. A two floor linked detached building, above, fronting the beach with uninterrupted views. Recently went sold at £1,075,000
A three-bed end of terrace house in Lewes. On market at £799,950
A 17th century property in Barnham, below. On the market for £4.1m. Pevsner declares that Barnham Court is “so similar to Kew Palace in Surrey that the same designer must surely have been responsible. The symmetry of its 5 bay façade is more effective than many palaces.” More at Knight Frank
A five-bedroom, timber-clad home between Pulborough and Billingshurst is listed with Hamptons at around £1.595 million.
Music: Sussex in tune for 2024
Looking ahead - The Merry Widow - Glyndebourne. What do you get if you cross the West End's king of physical comedy Cal McCrystal with the sumptuous waltzes of Franz Lehár - "the last king of operetta"? A right royal smash, writes the i. 9 Jun-28 Jul, glyndebourne.com
On the rise - HotWax From Hastings. Recommended if you like Hole, the White Stripes, the Breeders, says The Guardian. The rock trio have been touted as one of the UK’s best breakthrough bands all year, given they had never been on tour until 2023 that’s no mean feat.
What’s On:
Arts: The Shining Lights of Service - Jan 20-26. Brighton Artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman has created a new commission outside the Royal Pavilion. Exploring its role as a hospital for wounded Indian soldiers during the First World War.
Music: Hugh Cornwall, Stanglers frontman. Concorde 2 - Brighton, Jan 24.
Racing: Next Plumpton meetings Jan 7, 16 and 29
Football: Lewes v Potters Bar, Jan 13 | Crawley Town v Salford, Jan 13 | Brighton v Wolves, Jan 22
Overheard on Southern….
It’s still early in the year for the commuter run, but this corner of Social Sussex aims to be led by reader contributions. Did you overhear a particularly funny line on your journey, a spicy Sussex story, or witness shenanigans at East Grinstead or an eccentric city type mouthing off about local schools? Send in your tips.