Editor's Letter - November

Above: November isssue

It doesn’t have to be a huge sporting event to get me interested. It doesn’t even need to be a game I actually like.

Just mention the words match or tournament and I’ll be hunting for the nearest TV or radio. So the past couple of months have been an absolute sporting feast with crucial qualifiers for the England football team, cricket’s one day series in Sri Lanka, Lewis Hamilton and of course the Rugby World Cup.

Behind the iconic tones of BBC Five Live commentators Ian Robinson, Jonathan Agnew or Alan Green you can often hear Jerusalem echoing round the relevant stadium and stirring the England team to glory. It never fails to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up – inspirational stuff.

The author of the words to this beautiful sporting anthem was the writer and artist William Blake, who penned them at his Felpham home when he lived there at the turn of the 19th century. It’s 250 years this month since Blake was born and to celebrate his achievements, villagers from Felpham have organised a month of events which we’ve featured on page 106.

Looking back, it’s wonderful to think that this beautiful West Sussex village inspired him to write these words and indeed may have been his very own green and pleasant land. It would be equally wonderful to think that the lyrics penned in this small Sussex village all those years ago had by now roused the England rugby team to glory, and that Wilkinson and his team mates were able to return home as heroes and enjoy the obligatory bus tour round London. But enough of the sporting references.

It would also be fascinating to be able to hear Blake’s thoughts on how the village and the rest of the county has developed since his time, and whether the architecture would resemble dark satanic mills or something closer to Jerusalem!

We think there are still some very interesting and inspirational buildings across the county and we’ve showcased some of our favourites beginning on page 99. Of course, we’d love to hear your favourites as well as the buildings that you think should be demolished. You can join the debate in the Sussex Life forum.

Enjoy your Sussex Life.

Jonathan

NOVEMER'S ISSUE OF SUSSEX LIFE IS AVAILABLE TO VIEW IN OUR ONLINE DIGITAL ARCHIVE