www.snakeriverpress.co.uk

Hear Sacred Music Once More at Lewes Priory

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:06:16 +0100

On St. Pancras Eve (11th May) the site of the former Lewes Priory will once more ring out with the sound of sacred music. From gregorian chant to music of the 16th century, all are invited to come along and follow the candle-lit procession, enjoy refreshments provided by the Southover Bonfire Society and, of course, sing! For the first time in many hundreds of years parts of the Lewes Breviary, a 13th-century manuscript written for the Priory, will be performed on this historic site. For more information, including details of a rehersal on 1st May, visit www.lewespriory.org.uk or phone 01273 476041 or 476432.

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - May 2012

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:32:49 +0100

If you can correctly answer the five questions below and email your answers to editorial@snakeriverpress.co.uk you can win a copy of your favourite Snake River title. Be sure to include your name and address and the title of your choice from our Snake River Press Bookshop.

We will post the answers to this months competition and the name of winner when we post next month's quiz questions.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice. Good luck!

Quiz Questions

1 Name the new gallery in Hastings.

2 Which Sussex village derives its name from the Anglo-Saxon words chag (gorse) and legh (field)?

3 Which 'mountain' rises above the town of Lewes?

4 Which Sussex village is known as a 'Thankful Village'?

5 What is the county flower of Sussex?

England's Newest Vineyard Planted at the Rathfinny Estate in East Sussex

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:08:59 +0100

This month saw the the first planting of vines at Sussex's newest vineyard, the Rathfinny Estate just outside Alfriston. Sited within 600 acres of rolling downland owner Mark Driver predicts that by 2020 the Rathfinny vines will be producing more than 1,200 grapes each year. Read all about his plans at Rathfinny website. Although we will have to wait some time to sample the first glasses of Rathfinny's finest fortunately there are many other well-established Sussex vineyards to keep us merry in the meantime. Read all about the splendid wines produced by the likes of Breaky Bottom and Ridgeview in Good Food & Drink in Sussex by Fizz Carr. If ale is your preferred tipple Fizz writes with enthusiasm about the many breweries, large and small, that can be found across the county and she notes that cider drinkers are well served too. In fact the National Collection of Cider and Perry is found in Sussex, at Middle Farm, Firle.

New Jerwood Foundation Art Gallery Opens in Hastings

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:48:29 +0100

The seaside town of Hastings now has a wonderful new art gallery that is destined to become a number one destination for visitors to Sussex. Located on the Stade in the historic and picturesque Old Town, the Jerwood Gallery is home to the Jerwood Foundation's collection of 20th- and 21st-century British art. The opening show features the exciting paintings of Rose Wylie, while the permanent collection boasts treasures by Maggi Hambling, Cedric Morris, Stanley Spencer, Duncan Grant, Ivon Hitchens and Winifred Nicholson, to name but a few. For more details phone 01424 728377 or visit www.jerwoodgallery.org.

After visiting the new Jerwood why not stop by one of the neighbouring fish stalls and buy some of the freshest (and most sustainably sourced) fish you can get anywhere. A short walk away is the lovely High Street which is just as high streets should be, full of individual, interesting and useful shops. The most intriguing is certainly Alistair Hendry's Home Store. Full of beautiful and indispensible items, the careful restoration of the building and the choice of stock has clearly been a labour of love. I will not spoil the surprise and delight experienced on entering this emporium by further discription, I just urge you to go and see for yourself! For more information on visting Hastings see A Tour Along the Sussex Coast and Old-Fashioned Family Days Out in Sussex, all from Snake River Press.

Support the Newly-formed Friends of the Cuckmere Valley

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:12:18 +0100

The Snake River Press logo was inspired by one of the most iconic and beautiful views in Sussex, the meandering route that the River Cuckmere takes as it leaves the gentle protection of the valley and heads out to the choppy waters of the English Channel. Those who love this very special stretch of Sussex coastline can now become members of the recently formed group the Friends of the Cuckmere Valley. Their very worthwhile aims were set out at a well-attended public meeting on Saturday 31st March at Exceat Barn and are 'to promote community involvement, understanding and enjoyment of the Cuckmere and surrounding landscape of the Cuckmere Valley, helping to protect and enhance the natural habitats and cultural heritage of the Cuckmere.'

I urge all those who value this lovely area to add their support and join the newly-formed Friends. For membership details please contact Tom Schindl, telephone 01273 336838, email tom-schindl@eastsussex.gov.uk or write to him at Environment, County Hall, St. Anne's Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE. Please mention Snake River Press in your communication.

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - April 2012

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:03:28 +0100

The winner was Susannah Stapleton from Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice. Good luck!

Quiz Questions

1 Which town is Tom Paine associated with? Lewes

2 Which Pre-Raphaelite painter lived at Rottingdean? Sir Edward Burne-Jones

3 Who was known as the 'Bognor Mermaid'? Mary Wheatland

4 Which branch of the arts was Robert Tavener associated with? Printmaking

5 Which American author lived at Rye? Henry James

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - March 2012

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:03:46 +0000

The winner was Lynne Todd from Petworth.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice. Good luck!

Quiz Questions

1 Name a Sussex Transition Town. Towns and villages involved in the Transition movement include Lewes, Worthing, Forest Row, Mayfield and Cuckmere Valley

2 What type of attire did Vesta Tilley wear? Gentleman's costume

3 What is a 'beck'? A brook

4 Which Brighton park has a pets' cemetery? Preston Park

5 Which inn in Rye is famously haunted? The Mermaid

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - February 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:36:24 +0000

The winner was Brian Smith of Brighton.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Where can St. Mary's House, built by the Bishop of Winchester, be found? Bramber

2 Which army was Lady Denman involved in? The Women's Land Army

3 Which 18th-century miller has a tomb to his memory on Highdown Hill? John Oliver

4 What are the balls at Cocking made of? Chalk

5 Is a 'hogget' a young pig or a young sheep? Young sheep

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - January 2012

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:33:23 +0000

The winner was John Downing from Winchester.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Which Sussex poet wrote Hills and Sea? Hilaire Belloc

2 What type of drink is Fallen Angel? Beer

3 Is a 'swimmer' pudding made from suet, pastry or bread? Suet

4 Which famous writer's garden is now open to the public in Rottingdean? Rudyard Kipling's

5 Where is Elizabeth David buried? Folkington

Consider Sussex Themed Presents and Gifts this Christmas

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:53:21 +0000

Tomorrow is the first day of December, a very good day to settle down to writing your Christmas present list! There is something nice about choosing presents with a local flavour so, along with Snake River Press books, why not consider searching out other gifts with a Sussex theme? A very enjoyable way to shop is to buy from the artists and makers who exhibit at the Artists Open Houses in and around Brighton. This year their Christmas shows take place over the weekends of 3rd/4th and 10th/11th December. Visit www.aoh.org.uk for a full list of exhibitors and venues. The Emma Mason Gallery in Eastbourne currently has a seasonal show entitled Good Tidings. Emma represents many national, as well as Sussex, artists and also stocks some lovely Christmas cards featuring local landmarks. Visit www.emmamason.co.uk or call 01323 727545 for opening times. And don't forget that traditional Sussex trugs make perfect presents for gardeners and interior decorators alike! They come in a range of sizes from the small and decorative to the large and practical. (See www.sussextrugs.com and www.thetrugstore.co.uk.)

Sussex Books Make Perfect Christmas Presents

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:49:52 +0000

As this unseasonably sunny and mild November draws to an end, I do feel that a few cold and frosty mornings might help concentrate my mind on the coming festive season. Not one card or present has so far been purchased! If you find yourself in a similar position why not try a little shopping on the Snake River website? It really is very easy to use and there are some great offers to help with those stretched budgets. A single volume retails at £8.99 but buy two titles and the third is free. Very popular with our readers is the 'twinned' titles offer, whereby two books about similar subjects sell for £12.98 (rather than £17.98). For culture vultures there is Sussex Writers & Artists twinned with Sussex Women.The adventurous always enjoy 20 Sussex Walks along with A Tour Along the Sussex Coast. Connoisseurs of the unusual cannot resist An Eccentric Tour of Sussex and A Sussex Miscellany, while the horticulturally minded will devour 20 Sussex Gardens and its companion volume Inspiring Sussex Gardeners. These make perfect gifts for all lovers of Sussex. Happy shopping!

Sussex Wildlife by David Mortimer

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:49:12 +0000

This year the very worthwhile Sussex Wildlife Trust celebrates its 50th birthday. With 3,500 acres of nature reserves to manage it is the largest conservation organisation dedicated to conserving wildlife habitats across the county. As the Trust’s Chief Executive, Dr Tony Whitbread explains, “In fifty years we’ve expanded from a small group of enthusiasts to a large conservation charity with the simple aim of ‘Taking Care of Sussex’. Even though the South East is under intense development pressure, the Trust continues to work with others to safeguard and restore a healthy, re-connected environment that allows people and wildlife to flourish in a changing world.” With the summer months ahead now is the perfect time to get out and observe our varied wildlife at first hand. Many of the Trust’s reserves are featured in Sussex Wildlife by David Mortimer with an introduction by Dr Whitbread.

Bloomsbury in Sussex by Simon Watney

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:48:46 +0000

One of Sussex’s best loved cultural sites, Charleston Farmhouse near Firle, has been granted a 2.4 million pound grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Grade II listed farmhouse was the country home of the painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and frequent visitors included other Bloomsbury Group luminaries such as Virginia Woolf, Lytton Strachey and John Maynard Keynes. The large neighbouring barn will be added to the existing complex of house, garden, shop and café. Once converted and extended the barn will provide much needed space to be used for exhibitions, festival events and workshops. There will also be provision for a larger restaurant and gift shop. I am sure all lovers of Charleston will welcome the grant while hoping that the essential charm and atmosphere of the place is not lost amidst such momentous changes. Read more about Charleston in Bloomsbury in Sussex by Simon Watney.

Sussex Writers & Artists by Edward Lucie-Smith.

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:48:16 +0000

All of Britain’s museums and art galleries, whether great or small, rely on the generous donations of artists, collectors and members of the public. It is not just financial bequests that contribute to the continuing vibrancy of a collection but also the giving of valuable items such as paintings, ceramics and historical artefacts. This summer Eastbourne’s Towner Art Gallery celebrates such philanthropy in The Art of Giving exhibition that runs from 9th April until 9th October. Exhibition organiser Terry Henson will be telling the stories that lay behind many of the collection’s gems in a lunchtime talk on 12th May. Among the works on show will be paintings by Eric Ravilious and Paul Nash, along with original sketches for the Berwick Church murals by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. To learn more about these artists read Sussex Writers & Artists by Edward Lucie-Smith.

20 Sussex Gardens by Lorraine Harrison

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:47:50 +0000

The Clergy House in Alfriston, East Sussex, was the very first property acquired by the National Trust. Paying the princely sum of just £10, in 1896 the newly-formed Trust became the proud owners of a rather ramshackle timber-framed Wealden hall house that dated back to medieval times. It was village's visionary vicar, the Reverend Beynon, who urged the Trust to save the endangered building from demolition. After careful restoration the Clergy House has become one of the most visited historic buildings in the county. Sadly the east hip of the roof is now in need of urgent re-thatching once again. A ‘Raise the Roof’ appeal has been launched by the Trust to help achieve the £30,000 needed to carry out the necessary works. Fundraising events include a special Gardener's Question Time later in the year while supporters can also help in a variety of other ways, from sponsoring a straw bale to buying a raffle ticket (for more information call 01323 870001). Those planning to visit the Clergy House this spring and summer can read all about its lovely garden in 20 Sussex Gardens by Lorraine Harrison.

An Eccentric Tour of Sussex

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:47:24 +0000

The Chattri, located on the downs outside Patcham, is just one of the many unexpected and eccentric sights to be encountered on Peter Bridgewater’s rather unusual tour of the county. Built in 1921, this extraordinarily exotic structure, inspired by traditional Indian architecture, was created to honour the many Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting in World War I. This year the annual memorial service will be held at The Chattri at 2pm on 12th June and all are welcome. Read more in An Eccentric Tour of Sussex by Peter Bridgewater.

The Shaping of the Sussex Landscape by Peter Brandon.

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:47:04 +0000

After an extensive programme of work to preserve and enhance the remains of the 11th-century Cluniac priory of St Pancras, Lewes Priory Trust celebrated the grand re-opening of the site in the town on 14th May. More events are scheduled to follow throughout the summer including Lewes Priory Day on 18th June, with children’s events and a tour of the ruins, then from 8th – 11th September the Trust will host a series of Heritage Open Days. Read more about the county’s history in The Shaping of the Sussex Landscape by Peter Brandon.

20 Sussex Churches by Simon Watney

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:46:20 +0000

Sarah Young’s wonderful scraperboard illustrations grace the pages of many Snake River Press titles, including 20 Sussex Churches by Simon Watney. We are delighted to learn that Sarah has been short listed for the prestigious V & A Illustration Awards this year for her striking illustrations to The Greek Myths. We wish her lots of luck and look forward to working with her again on future titles.

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - December 2011

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:37:35 +0000

The winner was Mrs R Day from Chichester.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 In which seaside resort did Dubussy compose La Mer? Eastbourne

2 Give another term for the Sussex game of stoolball. Bittle-battle

3 What structure is Brighton's St Bartholomew Church said to resemble? The ark

4 Old Sussex dwellers can sometimes be heard referring to a plant as 'bread and cheese' are they talking about hawthorn buds, purple orchids or ground ivy? Hawthorn buds

5 Which Sussex coastal town boasts a monument that marks the Meridian? Peacehaven

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - November 2011

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:40:24 +0000

The winner was Dr Barbara Judge from Wannock.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Name the Indian cricket team who played their first match in England at Sheffield Park? Parsees

2 Which Sussex location houses the Millennium Seed Bank? Wakehurst Place

3 The term 'owling' originally referred to the smuggling of a certain commodity, what was it? Wool

4 Lloyd George agreed the terms of Armistice on 13th October 1918 in which Sussex country house? Danny Park, Hurstpierpoint

5 What are the round towers found along the Sussex coast called? Martello Towers

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - October 2011

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:22:42 +0100

The winner was Julie Moore of London.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 What type of building does the Clayton tunnel resemble? A castle

2 Which hill is the home to the tomb of John Olliver? Highdown Hill

3 Which species of trees under threat from disease is Brighton famous for? Elms

4 Where was Percy Bysshe Shelly born? Field Place, Warnham, near Horsham

5 The plant known by the common name Lion's Mouth is a type of ivy or a type of violet? Ivy

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - September 2011

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:19:48 +0100

The winner was John Lee of Southport.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Name the artist who painted Sussex celebrated in the recent exhibition at The Towner Art Gallery. John Piper

2 Name the artists who lived at Rottingdean and whose more famous artist son was called Ben. Sir William Nicholson

3 Which patron of the arts lived at West Dean, near Chichester? Edward James

4 Which village church has murals by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant? St Michael and All Angels, Berwick, East Sussex

5 Which Sussex pier did the J.M.W. Turner paint? Brighton Chain Pier

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - August 2011

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:11:19 +0100

The winner was John Harlow from Pevensey.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 What were the tall, narrow wooden buildings on Hastings beach used for? Drying fishing nets

2 On which Sussex estate was the apple Egremont Russet raised? Petworth

3 In which Sussex garden were the Loderi Group of rhododendrons bred? Leonardslee

4 What does the dialect word 'bozzler' mean? A parish constable or sheriff's officer

5 Sussex Speckled is a variety of what? Hen

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - July 2011

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:32:04 +0100

The winner this month was Brian Smith from Brighton.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Who wrote the rousing drinking song 'On Sussex Downs, where I was bred'? Hilaire Belloc

2 Name the woman who established the woman's world speed record for racing cars in Brighton in 1905? Dorothy (Dot) Levitt

3 Who designed Littlehampton's East Beach Cafe? Thomas Heatherwick

4 Where can you find the remains of a tide mill, at Selsey or Seaford? Seaford

5 Which long-time resident of Sussex wrote the poem If? Rudyard Kipling

Sussex Day

Tue, 31 May 2011 10:19:39 +0100

The 16th June is Sussex Day, the one day of the year on which all who dwell in the county are urged to celebrate the varied delights of Sussex. First marked in 2007, this date was chosen as it is St. Richard’s Day, the county’s patron saint. Richard was a thirteenth-century Bishop of Chichester and you can read his often recited prayer, ‘Thanks be to you, my lord, Jesus Christ,’ in A Sussex Miscellany by Sophie Collins.

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - June 2011

Tue, 31 May 2011 09:57:40 +0100

The winner was Stephen Crawford from the Wirral.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 What is the name of the house in Sussex where H.G. Wells spent much of his childhood? Uppark

2 Which Brighton church has stained glass by Morris & Co? St Michael and All Angels

3 How long is the Sussex coast? Seventy-six miles (122 kms)

4 Which village is home to the Sussex Wildlife Trust? Henfield

5 Is the Ypres Tower in Rye or Chichester? Rye

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Mon, 23 May 2011 11:45:14 +0100

Charleston - An artists home and garden

Mon, 23 May 2011 11:44:50 +0100

Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne

Mon, 23 May 2011 11:44:27 +0100

Alfriston Clergy House

Mon, 23 May 2011 11:43:27 +0100

Spring Issue of Snake River Review Now Available

Sat, 21 May 2011 13:00:58 +0100

Our regular newsletter for everyone who loves Sussex, Snake River Review is now available for everyone to read.

The Spring Issue of Snake River Review features Eric Ravilious – one of those rare artists whose very particular view of the world influences the way we see the landscape around us. Ravilious was a versatile artist, comfortable and proficient working in a wide range of mediums. He is best known for developing a highly individual style of watercolour painting, deploying a dry brush technique to produce great subtlety and depth of colour. Many of his best-loved paintings feature Sussex scenes.

Click here to read more on the life of Eric Ravilious in Sussex in our Spring issue of Snake River Review.

Don't miss out and be the first to read new issues of Snake River Review. Why not register today to receive our regular newsletter by email before it becomes available on the website.

eBooks Now Available to Download for only £4.99 each

Sat, 21 May 2011 12:31:19 +0100

Loyal Snake River Press readers often compliment us on the presentation of our books as well as their content. We take great care with all aspects of production, from the choice of paper to the illustrations and colour of the cover of each of our volumes. Consequently it is always gratifying to know that our readers enjoy the look and feel of our books alongside the words they contain. However, we also appreciate that computers and the internet are a large part of modern daily life so have decided to make our books available as downloads too.

eBooks cost just £4.99 each, which we believe represents excellent value for money. Available as pdf's, these can be read on any PC or mac, iPad or most eReaders. Available to purchase from the Snake River Press bookstore, take them to more places than you’d ever take a normal book.

Fresh New Look Website at Snake River Press

Sat, 21 May 2011 12:23:31 +0100

We have been hard at work updating the Snake River Press website with a fresh new look. As always, it is packed full of everything you have come to expect from Snake River Press – be it the Snake River Review, our regular monthly competition, or to purchase further books from our list of collectable cultural guides to Sussex.

Do also visit often and read Sussex-related news items that specifically tie in with our titles on the home page of Snake River Press. At the moment you can read all about how you can help in the rethatching of the roof of Alfriston's Clergy House, find out the importance of philanthropy for the county's public art galleries and museums, marvel at the massive Heritage Lottery Grant recently awarded to Charleston Farmhouse and celebrate the 50th birthday of the very worthwhile Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - May 2011

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:00:57 +0100

The winner is Brian smith of Brighton.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 The Light Sussex is a breed of which animal? Chicken

2 Is 'Sussex Marble' the name of a local game, beer or cheese? Cheese

3 Are the famous rocks at Eridge made of sandstone or flint? Sandstone

4 What colour are Sussex cattle? Rich brown

5 Which river meets the sea at Littlehampton? The Arun

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - April 2011

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:13:13 +0100

If you can correctly answer the five questions below and are the first to email your answers to editorial@snakeriverpress.co.uk you can win a copy of your favourite Snake River title. Be sure to include your name and address and the title of your choice from our Snake River Press Bookshop.

Keen eyed readers of our quiz will have noticed that we inadvertently repeated the quiz questions originally featured in our March quiz. We rectified the mistake as soon as it was noticed and posted the intended quiz as below. Here are the correct answers to the correct questions!

The winner is Gill Bradshaw of Brighton.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 The game of stoolball was originally played by young women who did what for a living? Milkmaids.

2 What is Breaky Bottom, wine or cheese? Wine.

3 Which Brighton concert hall originally housed horses? The Dome.

4 Which Rottingdean author wrote National Velvet? Enid Bagnold.

5 Which king built Camber Castle? Henry VIII.

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - March 2011

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:02:08 +0000

The winner is Nigel Turley of Portslade.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Which Sussex brewery has a brew called 'Quids In'? Harveys of Lewes.

2 Which Brighton museum is a showcase for the taxidermist's art? Booth Museum of Natural History.

3 Name the Pre-Raphaelite painter who lived in Rottingdean. Edward Burne-Jones.

4 1839 saw the creation of which Sussex sports club? Sussex County Cricket Club.

5 Which Sussex beauty spot is close to the Belle Tout lighthouse? Beachy Head.

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - February 2011

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:00:45 +0000

The winner is Brian Smith of Brighton.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Which Sussex doctor encouraged 'taking the waters' for their health-giving properties at Brighthelmstone in the eighteenth century? Dr Richard Russell

2 Which former resident of Hastings was known as 'the Great Beast'? Aleister Crowley

3 Does the dialect word 'popple' mean to bubble, trouble or muddle? Bubble

4 Which of Brighton's piers was built between 1863-6? The West Pier

5 Where is the mouth of the River Adur? Shoreham by Sea

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - January 2011

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 12:43:24 +0000

The winner is Penelope Hellyer.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Which Sussex farm is home to the National Collection of Cider and Perry? Middle Farm near Firle

2 Which building in Sussex was the first to be acquired by the National Trust? The Clergy House, Alfriston

3 Ditchling was home to which sculptor and calligrapher? Eric Gill

4 If 'ham' appears in a Sussex place name (such as in Beddingham) does it denote a wood or a village? A village

5 What is the name of the famous folk singing family from Rottingdean? The Copper family

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - December 2010

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 16:53:01 +0000

Unfortunately no one got all the correct answers this month.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Who founded the Chailey Heritage Craft Schools? Dame Grace Kimmins

2 Name the Ballet Russes dancer who married a famous Sussex economist. Lydia Lopokova

3 Which Sussex doctor encouraged 'taking the waters' for their health-giving properties at Brighthelmstone in the eighteenth century? Dr Richard Russell

4 Which fearsome monster lived in St Leonard's Forest? A dragon

5 What is the common name (it makes you think of a relative) of the meadow flower field scabious? Grandmother's pincushion

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - November 2010

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:55:50 +0100

The winner is Ian Seccombe from Newick who chose The Shaping of the Sussex Landscape by Peter Brandon.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Which West Sussex garden hosts an annual chilli festival? West Dean Garden

2 What colour bird did Dame Vera Lynn famously sing about? Blue birds

3 According to legend which saint was the devil in active combat with when he dug Devil's Dyke? St Cuthman

4 What is the name of the brave female life-saver who rescued over 30 swimmers at Bognor? Mary Wheatland

5 Between which dates was St Richard Bishop of Chichester? 1245-1253

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - October 2010

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:36:54 +0100

The winner is David Churcher of Littlehampton.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Which Sussex vineyard is near Petworth? Lurgashall or Stopham

2 Which is biggest, East or West Sussex? West Sussex

3 Which popular Brighton concert venue was once home to horses, rather than musicians? The Dome

4 Name the frequent visitor to Charleston Farmhouse who wrote the ground-breaking biography Eminent Victorians. Lytton Strachey

5 What is the name of the shallow, open basket used by gardeners and made in Sussex? Trug

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - September 2010

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:05:57 +0100

The winner was Catherine Benson of Lewes.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 How many bonfire societies does Lewes have? Seven

2 Which soprano, famous for her rousing rendition of Land of Hope and Glory, was born in Southwick? Dame Clara Butt

3 When was Worthing Pier built? 1861-62

4 Where is the village church that contains murals by painters from the Bloomsbury Group? Berwick

5 Which wild flower, common to many Sussex meadows, is called Grandmother's Pincushion? Butterfly or Field Scabious

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - August 2010

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:13:58 +0100

The winner was Wendy Marshott of Haywards Heath.

Don't forget to visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Questions

1 Which famous gardener created the wonderful grounds at Gravetye Manor? William Robinson

2 What does the dialect term 'mawkin' mean? Scarecrow

3 Which organisation cares for the nature reserve at Pulborough Brooks? RSPB

4 Which valley does the Balcombe Viaduct cross? River Ouse

5 Which Sussex town is the setting for the Mapp and Lucia novels of E.F. Benson? Rye (aka Tilling)

Win a Snake River Press Book Competition - July 2010

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:08:33 +0100

Thank you to all those who entered the competition in our latest issue of the Snake River Review. The winner is John Pile of Havant in Hampshire who receives a copy of Sussex Women as his prize. Do visit the website at the beginning of each month to enter future competitions and win a Snake River Press book of your choice.

Quiz Answers

1 Which gallery houses the art collection of Walter Hussey, former Dean of Chichester? Pallant House, Chichester

2 Which Sussex village is host to the World's Marble Championship? Tinsley Green

3 Which Sussex town is Tom Paine associated with? Lewes

4 Is the most famous local dessert known as Pond Pudding or River Roly Poly? Pond Pudding

5 Who wrote the county's anthem ‘Sussex by the Sea'? William Ward-Higgs

Snake River Returns to Steyning Festival

Tue, 04 May 2010 11:35:21 +0100

Following our sell-out event at last year's Steyning Festival, we return again this summer for what promises to be another great evening. Three Snake River authors, Peter Brandon (The Shaping of the Sussex Landscape), Viv Croot (Salacious Sussex) and David Mortimer (Sussex Wildlife) will be talking about their books on Friday 4th June at 7.30pm at Springwells Hotel in Steyning' lovely High Street. The event costs £5 and tickets can be booked on 01903 812062 or online by visiting www.steyningfestival.co.uk.

Snake River Author Event at Worthing

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:09:32 +0100

Snake River Press are pleased to invite readers to join us for a very special evening at Worthing Library on Wednesday 12th May, hosted by Waterstones Bookshop. Viv Croot (Salacious Sussex) and Peter Brandon (The Shaping of the Sussex Landscape) will be discussing their recently-published titles at 7pm. Tickets cost £3 and include refreshments. This promises to be an entertaining and illuminating event and we very much look forward to meeting you there.

For more information and tickets contact Worthing Library, Richmond Road, Worthing, BN11 1HD, telephone 01903 704809.

Sussex Bookends Says Goodbye

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:30:01 +0100

For over a year Sussex publisher Snake River Press has produced a much-loved regular feature for the weekend Argus. Entitled Sussex Bookends, A Weekly Celebration of the Sussex Character, this page has featured a rich mix of topical news, eccentric facts, up-coming events, excerpts from Snake River titles and a popular Saturday quiz. Sadly this weekend sees the publication of our last Bookends.

We would like to thank the Brighton-based Argus newspaper for providing this opportunity to promote the county we love so much, and to send a special thanks to all the loyal readers who have emailed us with their Sussex anecdotes, dialect words, quiz entries and compliments. It's been fun.

All fans of Sussex Bookends and Snake River Press books should visit the Snake River website regularly as we will continue to provide a lively mix of information about forthcoming events, news and items of interest to Sussex enthusiasts everywhere. And don’t forget to look out for the quiz and your chance to win Snake River Books.

Meet Snake River Author Peter Brandon

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:27:03 +0100

This spring saw the publication of The Shaping of the Sussex Landscape by Peter Brandon, one of the county's most knowledgeable and entertaining writers. We are delighted to announce that Much Ado Books of Alfriston will be hosting an evening with Peter on Wednesday 28th April at 7pm. The ticket price of £15 includes a delicious two-course meal. The venue is Dean's Place Hotel, Alfriston. Call 01323 870248 for tickets.

Leonardslee Gardens to close its gates

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 01:03:31 +0100

The delightful Sussex garden Leonardslee at Lower Beeding, is to close its gates to the public later this year. The garden was begun in 1801 and was bought by Sir Edmund Loder (of the famous Sussex gardening dynasty) in 1889. Leonardslee was first opened to the public in 1907 but, due to a change of ownership, sadly this will be its last open season (April to June see www.leonardsleegardens.com for opening times).

Leonardslee and the Loder family feature in two Snake River titles, 20 Sussex Gardens and Inspiring Sussex Gardeners, both by Lorraine Harrison. In the former she writes, In many ways a trip to Leonardslee is quite unlike visiting any of the other gardens featured in this book. It is far more like going on a beautiful woodland walk than strolling round a garden, although in country that resembles visions of a selectively planted Himalayan Eden rather than the more ubiquitous scenes of Sussex. If one then adds to this heightened sense of entering an idyll the occasional glimpse of springing wallabies (yes, real marsupials!) all comparisons with other gardens fail completely.

I urge everyone to take this last opportunity to visit this wonderful and unique garden over the coming months.

Issue 54 of Sussex Bookends, Saturday March 27 2010

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 12:02:39 +0100

Sussex Bookends, our weekly feature in The Argus.

Quiz Answers

1 Eccelstone Glen is in which Country Park? Hastings Country Park

2 What is the common name of the bird Luscinia megarhynchos? Nightingale

3 Is Burton Pond near Petworth or Pyecombe? Petworth

4 What type of creature is a stonechat? A bird

5 Name the important Sussex wetland site close to Storrington. Pulborough Brooks

The winner was Andrew Smith of Brighton. He wins a copy of Sussex Wildlife by David Mortimer. If you missed this competition, enter the next one featured every Saturday in the weekend magazine that accompanies The Argus.

Click here to read this issue of Sussex Bookends in Adobe PDF format. To view and print it you may first need to download a free copy of the Adobe® Reader® software.