Latest 7 magazine

Mark Brailsford previews the first League game

Here we go, strap yourselves in for the emotional rollercoaster that is the new football season at our newly opened state of the art stadium. The anticipation has risen with each passing day and the culmination of a struggle of over 15 years for a new stadium ends on Saturday 6 August 2011. There were many who never thought they would see this day, and I have to confess, I privately wondered if we would ever defeat the NIMBY’s and naysayers who formed such a vocal minority against The Albion surviving. But here we are and I can’t wait. I have saved my first match day experience for the fist league game of the Championship season: BHAFC Vs Doncaster Rovers this Saturday. How apt the choice of opposition, how poetic the symmetry of the story that was the battle to survive for a much loved football club.
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Next is opening a brand new superstore – and now has gardening and DIY sections

A one of a kind, Next superstore is opening in Shoreham. Located just six miles west of Brighton and standing at nearly 56,000 sq.ft, it will have everything Next has to offer all under one roof and on a ‘never before seen’ scale.
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A family festival with a bright and happy vibe, Camp Bestival is absolutely superb for families with children. Each field had so much entertainment for children that even being an adult, I felt quite overwhelmed! It was like a giant kids’ playground.

The whole weekend was thoroughly enjoyable, and everyone appeared to be having a blast of a time: adults and children together.

The festival is reasonably small, so you feel as if you have the time to do everything at least once, which is nice. It’s also laid out extremely well, and it’s not too big so getting around without getting lost is not at all hard; whereas with some festivals you end up spending forever trying to find somewhere!

In terms of entertainment, there were circus acts, constant music in the form of DJs and live performers, comedy, book readings, sportspark showcases, ballet workshops, pilates classes… A real range of things to do which, without sounds horribly cheesy, really does mean that there is something to suit the whole family.

The music was good, with acts such as Primal Scream, Mark Ronson and The Business Intl, and Blondie headlining each night. Highlights for me were Eliza Doolittle who gave a really captivating and lively performance which the audience seemed to really enjoy. Blondie was also fantastic, as was Mark Ronson and The Business Intl, in which a brilliant tribute to the talented Amy Winehouse. We also caught Ed Sheeran playing a private gig and it was impressive to see how he had caught the devotion of every teenage girls heart; literally.

However, Camp Bestival is not the kind of festival you go to for the music alone; whereas for most festivals the music is the priority, at Camp Bestival it seemed to be secondary to other entertainment.

The atmosphere generally though was incredibly vibrant, relaxed and safe, and for families with young kids, or for a more ‘relaxing’ festival, Camp Bestival, set in the beautiful grounds of Lulworth Castle, would be a very good choice.

Lulworth Castle, Dorset, 28-31 July
Rating:
Laura Hayward

Andrew Kay discovers why The Curlew at Bodiam has won that coveted Michelin star

I would be the first to admit that I can get over-excited by food. Nothing thrills me more that great cooking, well not much, and I have spent many days, weeks, even years, in the pursuit of it. Not everything I have found delight in has been prepared by award winning chefs; I have had some spectacularly good roadside food, great sandwiches and even impressive fast food (but don’t tell anyone about that).

This year saw the burghers of planet Michelin bestow a much coveted star on The Curlew at Bodiam. Michelin stars are hard to come by, there are very few in Sussex, but that does not mean there is no good food, far from it. But for The Curlew to achieve the accolade is good news both for them and for the people of Sussex as it draws foodie interest to the county.
Mr R and I decided that, given the drive, a lunchtime visit was in order. Situated just up the hill from Bodiam Castle the building is a stylish and beautifully restored coaching Inn. Inside the look is gentleman’s club with a modern and, dare I say, pretty twist. Anyway, it works. Read the rest of this article »