Wednesday, April 19, 2006

A New City Academy for Brighton & Hove



Who would have thought it, but it's true: a new City Academy has recently opened in Hove and it has nothing to do with Tony Blair or his financial backers - at least, not as far as we know. But what's the link, you might ask? Well, the Shadi Danin Clinic in Church Road, Hove, dedicated to all things beautiful, has opened a new training school called The City Academy. Brighton & Hove is a new city and of all the words available in the English language to denote a place of learning, 'academy' is enjoying a revival courtesy of the current prime minister's latest merry-go-round of school reforms..

Shadi Danin looks at health through the lens of beauty and offers a range of treatments from laser hair removal, the Green Peel treatment for sagging face contours, treatments for hair loss, a "holistic approach to hair and beauty", detox and slimming treatments, chiropody, and tattoo removal and skin conditions, which as well as acne, treat skin conditions which are seen as a problem from the point of view of considerations of appearance rather than strictly-speaking physical health.

Now comes The City Academy offering courses in Make Up and Advanced Beauty Therapy. Make Up courses divide into three sub categories: professional, general public, and stage. How's about a workshop in wedding make up? In these days of digital photography (still and video) the happy couple will spend hours on the wedding day stage as the cameras flash and the digicams roll (or whatever it is they do). With a wedding day make up make over they'll be able to smile with confidence the whole day through.

That, I imagine, is the idea.

The four members of staff all seem to have a history of professional involvement in stage and screen - and TV.

The Shadi Danin / The City Academy offer a curious mix of disciplines and give us an insight into the kind of society we live in today.

I say no more.

Go There: http://www.thecityacademy.com

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

The Open Market - New Plans

New plans to redevelop the Open Market between London Road and Ditching Road go to the Council's Policy & Resources Committee later this month. At a cost of around £9 million the site would be redesigned around two three-storey squares.

On the ground floors would be 56 permanent market stalls and one shop which would front Ditchling Road. The internal squares would be used both for visiting markets, such as Farmers' Markets and French Markets, and as spaces for entertainment. One could imagine street events during the Brighton Festival being put on.

On the first floor would be 58 workshop units for arts and crafts, and a cafe.

A total of 28 apartments would also be included, mostly on the second floor. All would be affordable housing units.

The proposal is being led by the Open Market Traders Association who are creating a new not-for-profit company to lead the development. The Co-op is also interested and are part-funding the costs of working up the proposals. The Co-op is interested in finding ways that their present department store can be redeveloped. The Council will provide expert advice as needed.

All in all, it sounds promising.

Open Market Link

Major Marina Development - Second Time Round the Planning Circus




Brunswick Developments goes back into the Council planning mill to see if it can get approval this time round. The height of the tower is untouched - which makes sense since that is the keynote development.

The development will amount to a £235 million investment in the city, including 853 new apartments, 341 (40%) of which will be key worker accomodation (for the likes of nurses and teachers). The top of the 420 ft high tower will have a viewing platform. The harbour arms will be linked by a swing bridge.

Another bridge will go over the beach at Blackrock and link to a new promenade that will extend 1.5 km to the Peter Pan Play Area - for the use of both pedestrians and cyclists.

20% of the development's energy will be met from sustainable sources. 200,000 more visitors per year to the marina are expected.

More details here

Let's see what happens.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Who's in Town? Morris Minor

Today it was the turn of Morris Minor owners to gather together in Madeira Drive. It was quite a homely event compared with some of the other motoring days along Madeira Drive. The Pioneer Motorcycle run on 19th March had many more participants and lots more atmosphere - as well as lots of very interesting veteran motorcycles.

That said, there were some cars which obviously came from good homes and were lovingly cared for, such as this Morris Minor 1000.