http://www.uniqueto.co.uk/blog/Indie/ keeping the spotlight on local choice en http://backend.userland.com/rss092 Theatre Royal's cast of the Wizard of Oz will turn on the Christmas Lights in East Street today, Thursday, 20 November, at 6.00pm.

Competitions will start at 5.00, the lights are switched on at 6.00pm, then performances and the competition prizes will follow. Many shops in the area will be open late.

These lovely lights are a funded by the Business Improvement District and supported bythe Theatre Royal and Southern FM.



Some of the lights, all ready to go, in Brighton Square today. ]]> http://www.uniqueto.co.uk/blog/Indie/195.php


Padma Ayurveda is a peaceful, warm and welcoming therapy room for women in central Brighton.You can be enveloped in the delicate fragrance of aromatic oils and the comforting sounds of traditional Indian music.

Genuine Ayurvedic Massage Therapy is detoxifying, relaxing and rejuvenating: a great antidote to the hustle and bustle of the festive season and the January blues.

These gift vouchers are available for £25, £50 and £70 (and any combination of these amounts).

For more details see Padma Ayurveda
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The Brighton and Hove 2009 Calendar has just been published and is full of the most amazing images of people and places in the city.

It’s available from several of Brighton and Hove’s unique independent shops such as City Books, Kemp Town Books, Royal Pavilion Giftshop and here in Snoopers Paradise in Kensington Gardens.



The calendar is made by North Laine Photography- you can order online from them too. ]]> http://www.uniqueto.co.uk/blog/Indie/193.php

Many of Brighton and Hove's unique restaurants are once again taking part in the excellent StreetSmart scheme.

During the run-up to Christmas, more people go out to eat in restaurants and celebrate the spirit of the season. StreetSmart 's idea is to harness just a little of this "good cheer" and raise money for local charities at the same time.

With sponsors to cover their administrative funds every penny donated through the scheme gets to the people who need it.

The Regency, Riddle and Finns, Seven Dials, Sam's of Brighton, Terre-a-Terre, The Forager,The George, The Hanbury Club, The Meadow, The Sanctuary Cafe, Blenio, Bom-Banes, Due South, Estia, Food For Friends, Indian Summer, Infinity Foods Cafe, L'Eglise, Momma Cherri's, New Steine Bistro, Nia Cafe, Planet India, Bankers, Barry at the Tureen and the Blanch House are all members.Their contact details are here.

If you would like to raise funds for StreetSmart or find out more contact Alison at Brighton and Hove StreetSmart on 01273 607485.

Supported by The Argus ]]> http://www.uniqueto.co.uk/blog/Indie/192.php


Stop by at Maugherman's Deli in Brighton Square for the largest range of panettones in Brighton. They also have fantastic custom-designed Christmas gift hampers and many more of the best stocking fillers too.



Maugherman's is a really lovely Italian - style coffee and deli bar, unique to Brighton's Lanes. You can eat in (or take away) pasta, salads panini and jacket potatoes all made from scratch each day from the finest ingredients. ]]> http://www.uniqueto.co.uk/blog/Indie/190.php


Their vision is for a vibrant area that still retains its unique characteristics but which has more green spaces, less traffic and in which our unique local businesses can thrive.

You can your support for this vision for London Road by signing their petition, available here.

Signatures are needed by by 1st December as a delegation will be presenting the petition to a Council meeting on the 4th December.

Find out more at Another London Road ]]> http://www.uniqueto.co.uk/blog/Indie/188.php Suck it and Sea the lovely traditional sweetshop in Trafalgar Street has a fabulous range of weird and scary sweets for this Friday's Halloween.



They come in all shapes and sizes with prices from 50p.

More details from Suck it and Sea
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These courses introduce the basics of Permaculture and show how this approach can be applied. These courses are run regularly and the next ones are:
6-7 December 2008
24-25 January 2009

Pruning Old Fruit Trees
A two-day hands-on course that teaches how to improve the health and productivity of old fruit trees by appropriate pruning.The next ones are:
10-11 January 2009
13-14 January 2009

For full details & online reservation visit Brighton Permaculture

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Next Thursday - 23rd October - the first The Authentic Wedding Connection meeting takes place at Seven Dials in Brighton.

TAWC is a place to get together and share your experience of getting married and planning a wedding.

It's also a great opportunity to chat about the idea of an ethical or green wedding and whether this is something that might work for you and if so, how to go about it.

It's from 7.30 until 9.30 at Mama Oshun, 109 Dyke Rd, Brighton.



TAWC is run by Katie, Lesley & Lou.

Katie is Director of Ethical Weddings - the online ethical and green wedding magazine and planning resource.

Lesley is the Founder of Getting Married from the Inside Out and offers personal coaching for the wedding journey.

Lou is an Ethical Fashion Stylist who trained at the London College of Fashion. Lou helps people to reflect what's inside on the outside at Ethical Stylist.

You can sign up and find out more details of this free event here.


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Locally made, artisan bread (seen here at the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival) and made by East West Bakery is now available at Bramptons Butchers in Kemp Town.



The breads are all made from organic ingredients. Each loaf is baked from scratch using traditional slow methods.

The bread is available at Bramptons Butchers on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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