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Making a Splash!
Welcome to the very first issue of Snake River Review, the twice-yearly newsletter for everyone who loves Sussex. From the seedy pleasures of Brighton to the lesser-known delights of Goring-by-Sea, Snake River Review has its finger firmly on the county's cultural pulse and will help you find its beat.
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Cuckmere Haven, photographed by Laina Watt
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Sussex is a glorious county and those of us who live here are lucky; we have fantastic coastlines, extraordinary buildings, dramatic landscapes, bohemian towns, quirky characters, fabulous art, strange festivals and a rich cultural heritage. Snake River Review will open your eyes to this cornucopia of treasures and help you cherish and appreciate them.
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Iconic children's author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, creator of the much-loved Snowman and Fungus the Bogeyman tells Snake River Review why he loves living and working in Sussex.
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 Poverty drove us into Sussex and I've been grateful to Dame Poverty ever since.
Unable to afford the slums of South Wimbledon, we found we could not even afford the slums of Brighton either. So eventually we bought a rural slum in a quiet country lane at the foot of Ditchling Beacon.
We could not believe our luck. A three-room yellow brick hovel it may have been, but the garden ran straight onto the Downs, with cows gazing at us over our fence. At the front, the one and only window looked out over fifteen miles of the Weald to the far horizon of Ashdown Forest. To us, the quiet was unbelievable. We were awestruck.
 Born and brought up in the suburbs of London, this was another world. For the first month we could not even put on music, let alone jazz, as it seemed sacrilegious.
On our first morning, I looked out of the window and there was a wren, a few inches away. The first one I had ever seen.
All around there were wonderful walks, footpaths across the fields and bridleways up the slopes of the Downs. Then, on top of the Downs, there were the one-hundred miles of the South Downs Way, with all Sussex to the north, and to the south, the sea.
Furthermore, despite living in beautiful countryside, towns like Brighton and Lewes were only twenty minutes away and London only an hour.
This is beginning to sound like an estate agent's blurb, so I'd better stop now.
"Come October, Oi bin in this 'ouse fer forty year." So, three cheers for Poverty.
Raymond Briggs, September 2007
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Festivals Galore
Brighton artists Sarah Young and Curtis Tappenden both displayed their original artwork for Snake River publications at their respective Open House exhibitions during the Brighton Festival Fringe. Sarah's exquisite scraperboard illustrations for 20 Sussex Churches and 20 Sussex Gardens echo the artistic tradition of Gill and Ravilious and Curtis's Ardizzone-inspired cartoons enliven the pages for those intrepid travellers enjoying An Eccentric Tour of Sussex.
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St Bartholomew Church Brighton, illustrated by Sarah Young from 20 Sussex Churches.
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Charleston Festival sponsor and official bookseller City Books of Brighton are committed Snake River fans. Owners Inge and Paul Sweetman have sold our books enthusiastically since publication and also featured the Press on 'Drive Time', their regular bookworm slot for BBC Southern Counties Radio. Bloomsbury in Sussex proved a firm favourite with festival-goers along with Sussex Artists and Writers, An Eccentric Tour of Sussex and 20 Sussex Gardens, all of which help paint a unique picture of the enduring significance of the Bloomsbury Group in Sussex.
Charleston Festival proved the perfect venue for Bloomsbury aficionados wanting to add more Snake River Press titles to their collection, whilst supporting the Charleston Trust with each purchase.
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Much Ado
Much Ado Books is a rare gem of a bookshop set in the heart of the Cuckmere Valley in the medieval village of Alfriston, Snake River country. American owners Cate Olsen & Nash Robbins made the leap across the Atlantic less than three years ago and in May Much Ado was voted Independent Bookshop of the Year in the British Book Industry Awards. Not bad for two intrepid Yankees!
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A few days after winning this coveted award, Much Ado hosted a Snake River literary evening. Authors Lorraine Harrison (20 Sussex Gardens) and Roland Lewis (What the Victorians Did for Sussex) entertained nearly 100 booklovers with lively talks and book signings and publisher Peter Bridgewater (An Eccentric Tour of Sussex) expanded on the art of bookmaking and what inspired him to found the Press.
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Jacqueline Wilson presenting the Independent Bookshop of the Year Award to Cate Olson & Nash Robbins.
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Snake River Press
Snake River Press is a small, independent publisher dedicated to publishing non-fiction guides to Sussex that are distinctive, beautiful and collectable. Our books explore the art, culture, personalities and heritage of Sussex and Snake River Review is our news organ, sent free to everyone on our mailing list in March and September.
Our lovingly crafted list of Sussex books kicked off gently in the spring with six titles and the Press's hallmark of great writing mixed with superb design and craftsmanship found an enthusiastic audience. We plan to add three more books to our landmark collection every six months, and Snake River Review will champion the forthcoming programme with articles, comment, news, letters, reviews and useful web-links.
Up & Coming for March 08
Sussex Wildlife
David Mortimer reveals the best and most tranquil spots in Sussex to discover rare plants, observe endangered species of insects and animals and enjoy unique and special habitats. Fully approved and endorsed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust this exquisite book is comprehensive, inspiring and a must for all wildlife enthusiasts, whether out in the field or sitting in an armchair.
Sussex Music
Marcus Weeks is a Sussex musician born and bred and completely in tune with the county's ear. Boasting a full score of musical talent that includes composing, arranging, playing, singing and writing, Marcus brings to life the rich, rousing repertoire of Sussex music from Glyndebourne to The Cure and everything in between, including Britain's only county anthem. Click here to listen to 'Sussex by the Sea'.
Good Food & Drink in Sussex
Fizz Carr first championed her food philosophy when she co-authored The River Cottage Family Cookbook with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Sussex born and bred, Fizz farms in the Cuckmere Valley with her husband Stephen, is a passionate advocate of animal welfare, has a unique grasp of how good food is grown and reared and delights in sharing her gastronomic secrets. Good Food and Drink in Sussex celebrates the very best that the region has to offer.
A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect
Lynne Truss, author of the mega-selling and glorious Eats, Shoots & Leaves (among other fine works), scourge of the misplaced apostrophe and Brighton resident, introduces a new edition of a 19th-century classic for Snake River Press. A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect and Collection of Provincialisms in Use in the County of Sussex, first published in 1875, will be re-published with an introduction by Lynne in Spring 2008. Written and compiled by The Reverend W.D. Parish, vicar of Selmeston, the Dictionary is a fascinating insight into how we might have sounded nearly 150 years ago. With Lynne Truss as our guide and mentor we can’t go wrong and, who knows, we may even be able to revive a few authentic Sussexisms!
Up & Coming for September 08
Amazing Sussex Pubs
David Muggleton was born in Leicester but graduated from Sussex and since 1997 has been Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Chichester. On the lighter side, he is a member of the Oral History Society, the Brewery History Society and the Pub History Society, the latter providing the perfect excuse for spending more time in the pub. David is the creator of The Quaffer, an assiduously researched quarterly newsletter dedicated to serious beer drinking in the county.
Inspiring Sussex Gardeners
Lorraine Harrison is author of 20 Sussex Gardens, one of the first titles in the SRP collection. A long-time resident of Sussex and knowledgeable gardener, Lorraine has an MA in Garden History and contributes regularly to Gardens Illustrated and Hortus when not out tending her Downland garden. In this second venture she explores the lives and personalities of the hands-on gardeners and horticultual theorists who helped make some of the great and varied gardens of Sussex.
Salacious Sussex
Viv Croot is a writer who has spent much of her life in Brighton, the naughty capital of the county. Whether Brighton seduced Viv into the darker, seamier side of life or whether she was already there is hard to say. Most of her books have been written under an assumed name, which tells you something, and researching into the murders, financial scandals, sexual shenanigans, scams, cheats, betrayals and dirty deeds that feature in Salacious Sussex did not shock her nearly as much as it should have.
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Free Gift
Why not give us the email addresses of friends you think might like to receive information about Snake River Press? If you send us ten names and their email addresses, together with your own contact details, we'll send you a very special reward: a free Snake River Notebook.
This bespoke 96-blank-page hardback pocket-size notebook is the same format as our guides (187mm x 115mm), and just as stylishly crafted using quality papers, traditional bindings and marker ribbon.
Click here for your free gift.
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Summer Offer
Readers of Snake River Review can buy any six books from our collection, and receive a complimentary copy of our special Snake River Press Notebook for only £35.96. Call 01273 403988 now and quote Snake River Review Summer Offer.
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19th-23rd September 2007 at Charleston
Still the UK's only festival dedicated entirely to the short story, Small Wonder is now in its fourth year. This year will continue the tradition with a two-day creative writing workshop and an array of thought-provoking talks and debates featuring a selection of our most celebrated contemporary writers. To read the Small Wonder commissioned short story and for programme details, click here.
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Beautiful Britain
The Cuckmere Valley, cultural home of Snake River Press, was featured in this summer's issue of Beautiful Britain, the inspired quarterly leisure magazine that celebrates all that is best in the UK. The article focused on the spectacular local landscape that so inspired artists and writers such as Virginia Woolf, Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Eric Ravilious and Dirk Bogarde. Beautiful Britain gave generous coverage to the Press as well as running a special promotion of Snake River's first six titles in their 'Recommended' section.
Visit the Beautiful Britain website now!
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'Snake River Press exemplifies all that is best in independent publishing.'
Canvas, Charleston magazine, April 2007
'The books are beautifully produced, very much in the Arts and Crafts tradition.'
Sunday Times, April 2007
'The attention to detail on these inky treasures is seldom seen in modern-day publishing.'
Customer review, Amazon, March 2007
'These pocket-size hardbacks are certain to become collectors' items.'
Sussex Book Club Review, May 2007
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Just Published
Just published are 20 Sussex Walks by Pat Bowen, Sussex Women by Ann Kramer and A Sussex Miscellany by Sophie Collins. All three books celebrate different aspects of the county's extraordinary cultural heritage. Rich in idiosyncratic charm, all three of these beguiling books are essential 'must haves' for Snake River Press aficionados.
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Pat Bowen explores the healthy and spiritual delights of walking in Sussex
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Ann Kramer brings to life 30 of the most intriguing Sussex sisters in her fascinating collection of feminist essays
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Sophie Collins (Schott of Sussex) creates a formidable encyclopaedia of regional trivia and an unassailable secret weapon for the local pub quiz.
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Kent has long been referred to as 'the garden of England' but anyone who has visited some of the wonderful gardens of Sussex this summer will doubtless feel the title could equally be awarded to its neighbouring county. Much of Kent's claim to this sobriquet rests on its traditional growing of fruit, especially apples, however Sussex has also been known to produce a mean apple or two.
In the late 1870s Lord Egremont of Petworth raised the eponymous Egremont Russet. While undoubtedly delicious one wonders if its great commercial success is in part attributable to its aristocratic name, which rather overshadows that other Sussex strain, the less grandly titled Knobbly Russet (raised earlier in the century at Midhurst). A brief list of some old Sussex varieties is evidence enough of just how widely spread apple growing has been across the county: Ashdown Seedling, Crawley Beauty, Eastbourne Pippin, Goodwood Pippin and Wadhurst Pippin are just a few. And we must not forget the village of Alfriston, home of Snake River Press, which has a superior cooking apple named after it.
These old varieties are now celebrated every year on Apple Day, 21st October and around that date many fun and informative events are held across the county. This year's include Alfriston Clergy House, (www.nationaltrust.org.uk), Middle Farm, Firle (01323 811411) and West Dean, near Chichester (www.westdean.org.uk) so do get out and sample as many of these delicious varieties as possible.
Lorraine Harrison is author of 20 Sussex Gardens.
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Culture Watch
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Sussex hosts events to suit every taste – arty, foodie, energetic, musical, and more – throughout the year. Listed are just a few upcoming treats, with links about how to find out more.
Artwave, Lewes
25th August to 23rd September at weekends
www.artwavefestival.org
Artwave is one of the annual highlights for the Lewes District and a major cultural event covering the whole of the Lewes area, including Newhaven and Seaford. It promotes local art and creativity by welcoming experts and novices to exhibit side by side.
Rye Arts Festival
1st to 16th September
www.ryeartsfestival.co.uk
Set against the stunning backdrop of the medieval town of Rye, festival-goers are treated to a sparkling array of music, literature, theatre and visual arts; many of which are staged in unusual venues and historic settings, including ancient cellars, walled gardens, churches and old smuggling inns.
Chiddingly Festival
22nd September to 8th October
www.chiddinglyfestival.co.uk
For almost three decades, the fortunate members of this community have been allowed ringside seats for the light-hearted and the deep-seated, for the sublime and for the ridiculous; a chance to enjoy national and international developments in the arts at an intimate level.
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Walking West Sussex Festival
Wednesday 10th to Sunday 14th October
Call the Festival Hotline: 01903 812727
This is the fifth year for the Walking West Sussex Festival, and the Weald and Downland Museum (just seven miles north of Chichester), with its six centuries of traditional rural buildings, will be host to this very popular event.
West Sussex Food and Drink Festival, Horsham
8th September to 9th October 2007
Call 01243 642119 for a brochure
From a beer festival to farm open days, from tutored tours to a ploughing competition, this year's Food and Drink festival has all of what last year's festival had and more.
Glynde Food & Drink Festival
22nd to 23rd September 2007
www.glynde.co.uk
Following the great success of the inaugural festival last year, the Glynde Food and Drink Festival is back for the second time with more exhibitors, more talks and demonstrations and generally, more opportunities to discover the delights of the wonderful array of food and drink being produced across the UK.
Brighton Early Music Festival
6th to 28th October
www.bremf.org.uk
Now in its fifth year the BREMF goes from strength to strength. This year the theme is Improvisation & Transformation. Go to the website to download a brochure.
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