The Brighton Babbler Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:58:42 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2374424 en-gb © 2026 The Brighton Babbler yes Brighton, Brighton and Hove, UK 51b5c826-70dd-5f8e-b911-6a95471d5cfe bysshebash@gmail.com bysshebash media episodic false Picking up on the everyday social and political issues – and historic ones too – that impact on lives across Brighton and Hove, the Babbler aims to generate greater awareness of those issues, at a time when existing news coverage in the city sometimes seems to be in retreat. The podcast name may hint at whimsy, but the intent is unashamedly serious.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) politics, history, diversity, inequality, news, tourists, students, Brighton, Hove bysshebash media bysshebash@gmail.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/607u8czcco225o59kt0zg9q0psfs?.jpg The Brighton Babbler The Brighton General site – for the community, not developers The Brighton General site – for the community, not developers The fate of the Brighton General Hospital remains uncertain, seemingly destined for redevelopment as housing. But a re-energised community campaign is determined to keep the site in public hands, incorporating social housing and living rents as well as NHS services. The Babbler talks to former Green Party councillor David Gibson about the aims of the campaign – and begins by asking him about its structure.

[To contact the Community Campaign for the Brighton General Hospital site, email: bghcommunitycampaign@gmail.com]

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> The fate of the Brighton General Hospital remains uncertain, seemingly destined for redevelopment as housing. But a re-energised community campaign is determined to keep the site in public hands, incorporating social housing and living rents as well as NHS services. The Babbler talks to former Green Party councillor David Gibson about the aims of the campaign – and begins by asking him about its structure.

[To contact the Community Campaign for the Brighton General Hospital site, email: bghcommunitycampaign@gmail.com]

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-19070122 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0100 2080 1 18 full false Asylum tales, forgotten lives Asylum tales, forgotten lives The bodies of 4000 mental health patients are buried, mostly in unmarked graves, in the grounds of St Francis Hospital, formerly the Sussex County Asylum. The last known address of nearly half of those patients was in Brighton. In this episode of the Babbler, historian James Gardner talks to Kevin McDonnell (pictured), head of a team painstakingly uncovering the personal stories of some of those patients, and later catches up with one of Kevin's research team to focus on one particular case study – George Aquila Dubbin, who lived and worked in the city.

If you'd like to know more about the Sussex Asylums Burial Grounds Project... visit https://sussexasylumsburialgrounds.org/

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> The bodies of 4000 mental health patients are buried, mostly in unmarked graves, in the grounds of St Francis Hospital, formerly the Sussex County Asylum. The last known address of nearly half of those patients was in Brighton. In this episode of the Babbler, historian James Gardner talks to Kevin McDonnell (pictured), head of a team painstakingly uncovering the personal stories of some of those patients, and later catches up with one of Kevin's research team to focus on one particular case study – George Aquila Dubbin, who lived and worked in the city.

If you'd like to know more about the Sussex Asylums Burial Grounds Project... visit https://sussexasylumsburialgrounds.org/

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-18898944 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 1821 1 17 full false From Hove to Havana, fundraising for Cubans' health From Hove to Havana, fundraising for Cubans' health The ongoing US economic blockade of Cuba rarely makes the headlines these days, but a dedicated group of Brighton activists is still raising funds to help this Central American country, as they have been doing since the 1960s. Ann Hallam (pictured), chair of the local arm of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, talks to The Babbler about the group, and explains how she first got involved...

If you'd like to know more about this campaign, visit cuba-solidarity.org.uk, or check out the Brighton Cuba Solidarity Campaign page on Facebook. 

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> The ongoing US economic blockade of Cuba rarely makes the headlines these days, but a dedicated group of Brighton activists is still raising funds to help this Central American country, as they have been doing since the 1960s. Ann Hallam (pictured), chair of the local arm of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, talks to The Babbler about the group, and explains how she first got involved...

If you'd like to know more about this campaign, visit cuba-solidarity.org.uk, or check out the Brighton Cuba Solidarity Campaign page on Facebook. 

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-18021864 Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0100 1357 1 16 full false On Blatchington Road: the carpet guy On Blatchington Road: the carpet guy Garry Dodd runs a flooring business out of a landmark, double-fronted site – formerly home to the family-run carpet shop where he’d spent most of his earlier working life – in Hove’s Blatchington Road. In this interview about the shop, Portslade-born-and-bred Garry fondly recalls a time not just of deference and smart attire, but also of police stake-outs, dead bodies and naked neighbours, when famous authors and rock stars regularly featured among the clientele.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> Garry Dodd runs a flooring business out of a landmark, double-fronted site – formerly home to the family-run carpet shop where he’d spent most of his earlier working life – in Hove’s Blatchington Road. In this interview about the shop, Portslade-born-and-bred Garry fondly recalls a time not just of deference and smart attire, but also of police stake-outs, dead bodies and naked neighbours, when famous authors and rock stars regularly featured among the clientele.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-17938975 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 23:00:00 +0100 974 1 15 full false On George Street: the record shop owner On George Street: the record shop owner In the second of our series on George Street's independent traders, The Babbler talks to 80-year-old Julian Pelling (pictured, proudly holding some rare Primal Scream vinyl), the proprietor of Fine Records for the past four decades. Sharp-eared listeners will notice the interview took place outside, in the shop's back garden, hence the occasional squawk from passing seagulls...

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> In the second of our series on George Street's independent traders, The Babbler talks to 80-year-old Julian Pelling (pictured, proudly holding some rare Primal Scream vinyl), the proprietor of Fine Records for the past four decades. Sharp-eared listeners will notice the interview took place outside, in the shop's back garden, hence the occasional squawk from passing seagulls...

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-17653541 Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:00:00 +0100 855 1 14 full false On George Street: the tattooist On George Street: the tattooist AI looks set to finish off many high streets across the UK, but for now George Street in Hove remains a refreshing 'blast fom the past', attracting shoppers from Brighton and beyond. In (hopefully) the first of a series on the thoroughfare's traders, The Babbler chats to local biker Matthew English (pictured, standing in the doorway), the driving force behind one of the street's more characterful shopfronts – tattoo studio Nine Lives – alongside his younger brother (apprentice and fellow biker) Ash... and starts by asking them to describe a typical day in the shop...

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> AI looks set to finish off many high streets across the UK, but for now George Street in Hove remains a refreshing 'blast fom the past', attracting shoppers from Brighton and beyond. In (hopefully) the first of a series on the thoroughfare's traders, The Babbler chats to local biker Matthew English (pictured, standing in the doorway), the driving force behind one of the street's more characterful shopfronts – tattoo studio Nine Lives – alongside his younger brother (apprentice and fellow biker) Ash... and starts by asking them to describe a typical day in the shop...

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-17552250 Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:00:00 +0100 680 1 13 full false Once a biker, always a biker Once a biker, always a biker Feeding a worrying fascination for all things motorcycle-related, this week the Babbler talks to fellow Brighton biker Paul about unhappy Harley riders, law-breaking escapades to Paris, and whether it's really necessary to have more than one bike when you're in your late-70s. And... just as importantly... about whether Brighton itself is a good place to be... and a good place to be when you're old?

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> Feeding a worrying fascination for all things motorcycle-related, this week the Babbler talks to fellow Brighton biker Paul about unhappy Harley riders, law-breaking escapades to Paris, and whether it's really necessary to have more than one bike when you're in your late-70s. And... just as importantly... about whether Brighton itself is a good place to be... and a good place to be when you're old?

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-17452233 Sat, 05 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +0100 1575 1 12 full false Oh! Darling... next stop London? Oh! Darling... next stop London? The Babbler returns after a short break to quiz budding theatrical impresario and Brighton resident Tommaso di Vincenzo – a contortionist, circus performer and occasional stuntman – on the development of his new stage show ‘Oh! Darling’. But first, some questions about his career so far...

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> The Babbler returns after a short break to quiz budding theatrical impresario and Brighton resident Tommaso di Vincenzo – a contortionist, circus performer and occasional stuntman – on the development of his new stage show ‘Oh! Darling’. But first, some questions about his career so far...

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-17363857 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0100 461 1 11 full false A very Brighton musical A very Brighton musical Opening next month (3-4 May) during the Fringe festival is 'Joan the Musical', a new stage production written and produced by Hannah Doyle and Melanie Bell, and directed by Summer Tewkesbury. In an exclusive interview, writer Hannah talks us through the development of this Brighton-focused project, from its inception last September through to the rehearsal stage. We then take up the story with cast member Geraldine Afifi, who takes the title role of Joan (and incidentally tickles the ivories at the beginning of this podcast), before signing off with Hannah, as she performs one of the songs from the musical.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> Opening next month (3-4 May) during the Fringe festival is 'Joan the Musical', a new stage production written and produced by Hannah Doyle and Melanie Bell, and directed by Summer Tewkesbury. In an exclusive interview, writer Hannah talks us through the development of this Brighton-focused project, from its inception last September through to the rehearsal stage. We then take up the story with cast member Geraldine Afifi, who takes the title role of Joan (and incidentally tickles the ivories at the beginning of this podcast), before signing off with Hannah, as she performs one of the songs from the musical.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-16944275 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:00:00 +0100 1251 1 10 full false Gaza protesters vow to fight on Gaza protesters vow to fight on The story of the BN Three – arrested and fined for a graffiti protest marking the ongoing genocide in Gaza – highlights how fragile established norms of political access and media coverage have become. Maggie Clifford and Mary Stuart, two of those involved in the protest, share details of that story with the Babbler. 

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> The story of the BN Three – arrested and fined for a graffiti protest marking the ongoing genocide in Gaza – highlights how fragile established norms of political access and media coverage have become. Maggie Clifford and Mary Stuart, two of those involved in the protest, share details of that story with the Babbler. 

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-16839304 Sat, 22 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 2279 1 9 full false On mods, rockers and knocker boys On mods, rockers and knocker boys Born-and-bred Brightonian Linda Morley, now 84, has led a fascinating life, hard to do justice to in a single podcast, so this episode we're focusing mostly on her abiding passion – riding motorbikes – and her first-hand account of a mods vs rockers confrontation back in the 1960s.  But first, Linda remembers some of the colourful characters she grew up with, in the 1940s and '50s.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> Born-and-bred Brightonian Linda Morley, now 84, has led a fascinating life, hard to do justice to in a single podcast, so this episode we're focusing mostly on her abiding passion – riding motorbikes – and her first-hand account of a mods vs rockers confrontation back in the 1960s.  But first, Linda remembers some of the colourful characters she grew up with, in the 1940s and '50s.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-16828670 Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000 1760 1 8 full false A Victorian tragedy A Victorian tragedy It was a shocking case of double infanticide, but one that was all too common in the Victorian era, and the defendant's costs were met by public subscription, such was the level of sympathy generated by the trial. Here Liza George talks to James Gardner, the author of a new book – A Victorian Tragedy: Sabina's Story, available in a Kindle format from amazon.co.uk – about the defendant (pictured in 1902, with three of her children), and focuses on the issues of class, poverty and misogyny that sparked the case.


Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> It was a shocking case of double infanticide, but one that was all too common in the Victorian era, and the defendant's costs were met by public subscription, such was the level of sympathy generated by the trial. Here Liza George talks to James Gardner, the author of a new book – A Victorian Tragedy: Sabina's Story, available in a Kindle format from amazon.co.uk – about the defendant (pictured in 1902, with three of her children), and focuses on the issues of class, poverty and misogyny that sparked the case.


Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> Buzzsprout-16723814 Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000 1426 1 7 full false Why here in Brighton?/3 Why here in Brighton?/3 Two Europeans (not the denizens in the attached photo!) tell the Babbler what living in Brighton means to them, each touching on its indefinable 'vibe'. We chat briefly to Beatrice – originally from the Burgundy region in France, and now thinking about moving away after more than 30 years – and then talk to Greek national Maria, a relative newcomer who moved down from London just months before the the pandemic forced most of the city to pull down the shutters.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> Two Europeans (not the denizens in the attached photo!) tell the Babbler what living in Brighton means to them, each touching on its indefinable 'vibe'. We chat briefly to Beatrice – originally from the Burgundy region in France, and now thinking about moving away after more than 30 years – and then talk to Greek national Maria, a relative newcomer who moved down from London just months before the the pandemic forced most of the city to pull down the shutters.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-16676242 Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000 871 1 6 full false Alastair Hignell: on sport, memory and city life Alastair Hignell: on sport, memory and city life We catch up with Alastair Hignell, the former England rugby player, county cricketer and BBC commentator. He shares some Brighton-based highlights from his past career, tells us about his current involvement with the Sporting Memories and Walking the Talk groups in the city, and 'ramps up' a new campaign idea for improving accessibility. But first, he explains why he now lives in Brighton, with special mentions for the Amex stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion... and Whitehawk FC.

Alastair was interviewed by James Gardner and the Babbler. Listeners wanting to join the Sporting Memories and Walking the Talk groups in Brighton can email Alastair at alastair.hignell@sky.com.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> We catch up with Alastair Hignell, the former England rugby player, county cricketer and BBC commentator. He shares some Brighton-based highlights from his past career, tells us about his current involvement with the Sporting Memories and Walking the Talk groups in the city, and 'ramps up' a new campaign idea for improving accessibility. But first, he explains why he now lives in Brighton, with special mentions for the Amex stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion... and Whitehawk FC.

Alastair was interviewed by James Gardner and the Babbler. Listeners wanting to join the Sporting Memories and Walking the Talk groups in Brighton can email Alastair at alastair.hignell@sky.com.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-16552302 Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000 1150 1 5 full false Side-stand down - a biker's tale Side-stand down - a biker's tale As part of a narrow but select demographic – ageing, male, motorbike-riding petrol-heads living in Hove – the Babbler is heartened to share a garage with French anglophile Bea, a much younger, braver person who delights in going fast. Late last year we caught up with her to talk about two-wheeled transport of various kinds... and kicked things off, like all true bikers, by discussing machinery.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> As part of a narrow but select demographic – ageing, male, motorbike-riding petrol-heads living in Hove – the Babbler is heartened to share a garage with French anglophile Bea, a much younger, braver person who delights in going fast. Late last year we caught up with her to talk about two-wheeled transport of various kinds... and kicked things off, like all true bikers, by discussing machinery.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-16482891 Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000 918 1 4 full false A life backstage A life backstage In this episode, we hear from Graeme Taylor, whose career in stage management at the Theatre Royal in Brighton lasted more than four decades. In conversation with historian James Gardner, Graeme – now retired – talks about life backstage and the peculiar demands of working in a 'hemp house'. He also reveals a very personal connection with this historic venue.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> In this episode, we hear from Graeme Taylor, whose career in stage management at the Theatre Royal in Brighton lasted more than four decades. In conversation with historian James Gardner, Graeme – now retired – talks about life backstage and the peculiar demands of working in a 'hemp house'. He also reveals a very personal connection with this historic venue.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-16245035 Mon, 09 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000 1337 1 3 full false Why here in Brighton?/2 Why here in Brighton?/2 In the second episode of our vox pop on life in Brighton, we hear from residents whose observations about 'London-by-the-Sea' stretch back as far as the late 1950s.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> In the second episode of our vox pop on life in Brighton, we hear from residents whose observations about 'London-by-the-Sea' stretch back as far as the late 1950s.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> bysshebash media Buzzsprout-16057581 Wed, 06 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000 1467 1 2 full false Why here in Brighton?/1 Why here in Brighton?/1 Is Brighton genuinely diverse? Has property become too expensive, forcing those who've grown up here to move away? And where do people go to find local news? Is there a Brighton accent? For answers to these and other questions about life in the city, we've quizzed a typical cross-section of working-age residents, from newcomers and returnees, to 'never lefts'.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> Is Brighton genuinely diverse? Has property become too expensive, forcing those who've grown up here to move away? And where do people go to find local news? Is there a Brighton accent? For answers to these and other questions about life in the city, we've quizzed a typical cross-section of working-age residents, from newcomers and returnees, to 'never lefts'.

Produced by Martin Shelley... contact: bysshebash@gmail.com

]]> Buzzsprout-16026024 Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:00:00 +0000 1953 1 1 full false