Brighton Marathon, train ticket hassle, Mary Portas’ missing underwear, Spitfires & Jubilee celebrations

Murder dominated the news with the tragic death of 19-year-old Connor Saunders from Woodingdean, Brighton, after he was apparently punched in Rottingdean. Hundreds of relatives and friends held a candlelit vigil in his honour. Three young teenagers were arrested in connection with the death of Connor, a talented footballer who played for Peacehaven.

The Brighton Marathon attracted 9,052 runners, raised £4m for charity, and saw both the men’s and women’s record times smashed (see also Latest People, p16). It was hailed the best marathon in the city yet but one Latest 7 reader suffered a leg bone stress fracture during the race and posed the question: “I wonder how many marathon runners suffer long-term injuries?”
Complaints featured heavily during the week – from over-zealous rail staff to missing knickers.

First, hundreds of people packed a community hall to express displeasure about taxpayers financing a travellers camp at Horsdean, Patcham. The city council says it has an obligation to provide the camp but Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove, says he’s helping residents fight the plan when the council submits its application to the South Downs National Park Authority.
Onto the trains and how an honest woman was made to feel a criminal. “I regularly get on at London Road Station and buy my ticket to Lewes from a conductor. There was no conductor on this particular day so I presented myself to the ticket office when I reached Lewes and explained what had happened.

“I asked to buy a ticket but the next thing I knew two police officers were escorting me into a room and accusing me of a criminal offence. I’ve never cheated anyone in my life and explained I had presented myself to pay. I was given a severe lecture, was threatened with court action and and was made to feel a criminal. I was so upset and still am.”
And on to knickers – regular Latest 7 reader Christine Robertson told how she ordered a pair of Kinky Knickers from Liberty after watching Mary Portas’ TV show Mary’s Bottom Line, focusing on reviving the British clothing industry. Christine said: “I ordered mine a month ago and I’m still waiting for them. Shops are out of stock and the factory can’t keep up. I’m disappointed but I’m still behind Mary – if you’ll excuse the pun.”
A Sussex businessman who is anything but disappointed is Steve Boultbee Brooks – he’s helping unearth a squadron of Spitfires that were buried in crates in Burma when they became surplus to requirements towards the end of World War II. He teaches people to fly Spitfires and has joined with farmer David Cundall who has spent 15 years searching for the missing fighters. The Spitfires have now been found and Prime Minister Cameron is striking a deal with the Burmese government for their repatriation.
The city is planning a host of events for the Queen’s Diamond jubilee during the extended bank holiday weekend, 2–5 June, including jive lessons and arts and craft at Brighton Museum, Dome and Pavilion Gardens. Participants are encouraged to wear
’50s clothes.

Big Lunches will be held on 3 June and The Royal Pavilion will be offering garden tours, talks and displays; Brighton Museum is hosting a Fashion And The Flag exhibition, and people are being encouraged to plant trees: www.moretreesmoregood.org.uk/jubilee. Lastly, on 4 June, some 3,000 beacons will be lit by communities from as far as Hadrian’s Wall to Hastings. Sites in East Sussex include Firle and Rottingdean.
For details of events in the city: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk /diamondjubilee