Lockdown library

For those of us confined to our homes, what better way to escape reality than in the pages of a book? Here we present a comprehensive Sussex reading list, with selections from novelists Peter James, Simon Brett, and Lynne Truss

Northen lights

Inside the sleek Scandi-chic home of Brighton designer Anneli Fleming-Brown

A feast for the senses

A lingering stroll through bluebell woods and fields as soft light dapples through the leaves and the heady scent of bluebells wafts through the air

Going coastal

Brighton photographer JJ Waller, a former comedy performer, brings a sense of humour to his latest series of images picturing the county from east to west

GREEN GIANTS

Go meat-free with one of these recipes to mark National Vegetarian Week in May

The Insider's Guide

Sussex people always come together in a crisis. Here we recognise some of the extraordinary efforts of our community heroes in these unprecedented times

Green Shoots

Our social orbits may have become much smaller since the pandemic struck, but there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered in our gardens

Life through a lens

Bob Mazzer’s street photography captures the joy, humanity and, frankly, bizarre aspects of everyday British life. The St Leonards-based photographer chooses his favourite images from his extraordinary archive

THE DIARY

Get your culture fix from the comfort of your living room with our guide to the best virtual events

TOP DOGS

Tracey Kavanagh’s gifted black labradors were talent-spotted at an agility competition, for key acting roles in Netflix behemoth The Crown

SAVING THE WORLD starts at home

This April will mark 50 years of the international environmental event Earth Day. Now more than ever, we know that we all have our part to play in combating the climate emergency. So what can we do in our communities and at home?

Sandy shores

Simone Hellyer explores Le Touquet and discovers a long history of English influence at the popular French seaside resort

RESURRECTION MAN

Sussex artist Ptolemy Elrington doesn’t mind people describing his work as rubbish. It is. Here, he reveals how he creates amazing animal sculptures from recycled waste

How Bazaar!

Surrealist art/fashion duo Rottingdean Bazaar have put the East Sussex village at the centre of their work

GOOD TIMES

Jewellery designer Alexa de Castilho’s Brighton home marries vintage pieces with the colour and glamour of her Brazilian upbringing

Fun in the forest

This route through the Ashdown Forest around Fairwarp uses sections of the Wealdway, a long-distance trail

Driving force

Bexhill-based racing driver Ben Stiles has his eye on pole position after winning a national championship last year. Simone Hellyer finds out what it takes to make it in motorsport

Dam fine

Beavers will return to Sussex for the first time in 400 years as part of a trial in West Sussex

Clean beauty

Brighton businesswoman Monica Norley is empowering Ugandan women with albinism by teaching them the skills she learnt from building her Visionary Soap Company

AN ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN

Enjoy the large gardens, woodland and lake walks as spring emerges at Sienna Wood in East Grinstead

Tales from the forest

Inspired by her Ashdown Forest home, children’s author Iona Tulloch has created a tale that is helping to highlight the importance of peatland, finds Simone Hellyer

Outer limits

When trying to sell a property, you want to add as much value as possible to get the best price, and one of the most important things to think about is outside space

On the EDGE OF HISTORY

Local historian and author Duncan Cameron details the forgotten French bid to seize the English throne – with Sussex on the front line

Hope & glory

How a south London schoolgirl who wouldn’t take no for an answer broke the barriers to become an icon of woman’s football. Amanda Riley-Jones talks to Hope Powell, first team manager of Brighton & Hove Albion Women’s Football Club

HIVE MIND

With spring emerging now is a great time to think about adding some bee-friendly plants to your garden

History in the making

Matt Gillan’s Heritage builds on the buzz around the Great British Menu-winning chef, as Laura Paton discovers

Go big or go home

Designer Anna Hayman has made her Ringmer home her canvas

Family ties

Having a relative in a care home can be difficult, but there are many ways you can remain involved with their day-to-day life

Conversation starter

Brighton artist Elizabeth Eade is hoping to spark conversation with her first major solo exhibition, I know you are but what am I. Simone Hellyer finds out where her inspiration comes from

Behind the curtain

Rose Beale has been making props at Glyndebourne for 30 years. She tells Simone Hellyer what it’s like to work in the wings of the renowned opera house