Celebcity: Jo Brooks catches up with Richard Branson, Passenger & Fun House stars!

Roman holiday

Image ©Alan Gelati

I popped to Rome last week – as one does – to help launch the Italian debut of Moshimo restaurants’s Fishlove campaign. Marking the event, we released an image of Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson getting up-close and personal with a fishy friend! Taken by Alan Gelati, who has shot the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Francis Ford Coppola and Nicole Kidman in the past, the image marks the latest in a set of celebrity photos which intend to highlight the very real problem of overfishing. On 10 July the European Parliament’s fisheries committee votes on the future European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and Fishlove see this as an opportunity to end EU overfishing and promote the recovery of fish stocks. I was glad to be a part of the next step in Fishlove and Moshimo’s fantastic mission and urge you to go and visit www.fishlove.co.uk to see for yourself!

Fun house!
The girls in the office were delighted when our friend Pat Sharp, DJ/presenter most famous for hosting the now cult children’s show Fun House on CITV for 11 years, visited Sussex last week as part of the acts performing at the Butlins Big Weekends at Bognor Regis. Pat invited us along to go and see him play a DJ set so we jumped at the chance to join in the ‘80s fun! We even ended up sharing a room with the Fun House twins! Pat played alongside acts such as Dr and the Medics and ‘80s duo Hue and Cry. We can’t wait for the next one in November – to book your place visit www.bigweekends.com

Outdoor fun with Julie Graham
Television actress and Brighton resident Julie Graham added local celebrity excitement to The Sussex Beacon at the end of June, officially opening the Brighton and Hove Open Gardens weekend. The annual Sussex Beacon organised event raises funds for its clinical care centre in Britghton which supports men, women and children affected by HIV. Julie was joined by the former mayor of Brighton and long time Sussex Beacon supporter Bill Randall, alongside patrons Baroness Joyce Gould and Michael Le Garst, and listened to a presentation given by The Sussex Beacon’s Women and Families Project Manager. The weekend event was a great success with over 70 gardens opening up to the general public. Congrats to both Julie and everyone else who made it a roaring success!

Spotted!
Helen Flanagan back at her fave Brighton salon – The Lanes Health & Beauty – to get a spray tan.

Brighton rocks!
Local lad Mike Rosenberg – AKA Passenger – has paid tribute to the help of ginger singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran in kick-starting his career. Talking to Absolute Radio before taking to the stage at Hard Rock Calling Mike explained: “We’ve been mates for about five years. We met when we were on the same bill at a local gig and really liked what each other were doing.” It seems Sheeran has a big heart as Rosenberg continued: “When Ed got massive, he took me on tour with him and changed my life. I love him, he’s a wonderful guy.” Aww. Mike also explained that he still meets up with his ex-band mates – from the old non-solo ‘Passanger’ line-up – when he’s back in ol’ Brighton. We were fans of his hit ‘Let Her Go’ and look forward to see what he’ll do next – Brighton just keeps churning out rockers!

Sally Gunnell celebrates with foodie finalists
Eight food and drink businesses from Brighton & Hove were among 68 finalists in the Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2013/14 hosted by patron of the awards Sally Gunnell OBE last week for a special networking event held at the South of England Showground in Ardingly on Monday 24 June.
“I want to congratulate all the finalists in this year’s awards and this event is a great opportunity for finalists to discover how to make the most of this competition which is all about boosting the local food market,” said Sally Gunnell OBE, patron of the Sussex Food & Drink Awards.