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Catherine Considine A little space Me and Mr C in our own little world L et’s start with a little orientation. Like many flats in Kemptown ours is a conversion, scaled down from a grander age and consequently somewhat topsy-turvy. Come in from the street and you’ll find yourself in the back garden. A pathway leads to our yellow front door and through to the kitchen at the back of the building. It’s spring, so let’s stay outside for a bit. The garden is a gravelled affair broken up with clusters of plants and brick paths. A patch of wild flowers sprouts outside two sheds. We call it ‘The Meadow’. Occasionally we chuck seeds at it – in a recent experiment I’ve been emptying camomile teabags over it – but on the whole it is a self propagating beast and a source of constant wonder. “Did you see that blue flower?” Mr C will say.“Next to the pink, poppy-ish thing?” “I know,” I’ll say. And we’ll stare a little longer. I don’t actually know what a camomile lawn looks like so judging the success of the teabag experiment will be a subjective process. We will have to watch for subtle clues. “Do you fancy a cuppa?” He’ll say one summery afternoon. “Umm yes,” I’ll reply “Camomile please.” I realise I may be giving a false impression. In case you are imaging The Meadow as a sun dappled space where you might Celebrate your own way at Latest Musicbar Wedding parties with a real sense of your style! atest Musicbar prides itself on hosting the best parties in town. Whether you want your wedding party to be a big bash or something more intimate, the team will work to your budget and cater to all of your requirements in order to make your event a night to remember. You can hire one or both floors of the venue for parties of up to 200 people, provide your own catering or let the Bar’s fabulous chefs take the strain. The space can be professionally decorated, or kept simple with linen tablecloths, flowers and candles supplied at no extra cost. As Latest Musicbar is also a renowned live venue, they do love a band for a party and can help you source entertainment including bands, DJs and cabaret performers with use of their PA and DJ equipment included in the hire fee. Just tell them what you want and they will do their utmost to make it happen. Here follows some testimonials from happy couples who held their party with us: “We just wanted to say a massive thank you for last night, we had the best time at our wedding! All the staff were so friendly and helpful, and everything was so well organised. We really appreciate all the hard work you put into the afternoon and evening and the food was delicious! Thanks again for everything.” – Laura and Oli L “Having such friendly staff (who also know what they are doing and have a can-do attitude) made such a difference to our guests’ experience of our very special day.” –SJ & and Mike “My wife and I had such an amazing reception at the Latest Musicbar. The help we had organising the event, the food cooked inhouse, the staff (with great character) and most noticeably the value of the entire day and night. We, and all our friends who attended, had such an amazing night that the reception will go down as one of the parties of our lives. Finding the Latest Musicbar was a godsend, all our guests and ourselves will be remembering the venue and recommending it to anyone who needs a location for a great party in Brighton. Once again, thank you Angi and your team!” – Sam and Louise Have a look at what more previous couples have said about their wedding party at the Latest Musicbar: www.thelatest.co.uk/musicbar/brighton-party-wedding-venue To book your perfect party, please call 01273 687171 or email bookings@thelatest.co.uk Latest Musicbar, 14–17 Manchester Street, Brighton, BN2 1TF. www.thelatest.co.uk/musicbar let a dog loose in the morning with a tennis ball; or sprawl with a kindle on a lazy afternoon; or dance barefoot with a new love in the moonlight, let me be precise. A mathematically minded friend once estimated that our meadow spans approximately 0.000000693 square acres. That’s about the size of a small dinner table. We work from home in the sheds behind. His – and trust me, I would avoid the gender distinction if I could – is a MAN shed. Wood, tools, tech and vinyl vie for space beneath a suspended bike and a dangerously low strip light. Mine is a more sedate affair, carpeted and whitewashed with a pale wood flip-down desk and a cushioned wicker chair. Most days The Meadow is filled not with birdsong, but a gentle “tap-tap-dammit!” from my shed as my writing goes awry and a stream of expletives from his as he manages infuriating deliveries on the phone or hammers together his latest creation. I like small space. I like the way that everything is necessary; nothing is superfluous. I like that in my little white-washed space the white noise of my day is his. I like that two lives can sit side-by-side and not get in the way of each other. But summer is just around the corner and as all Kemptownians know, summer brings guests. The Meadow flowering is the first sign. Next the sofa bed, tucked against the wall of my shed, will crank open to accommodate out-of-towners. As the weather improves the yellow front door will stay open for the flow of food from kitchen to barbecue. And if occasionally you notice me linger in Egg and Spoon a moment or two longer than a coffee requires, let me be. Sometimes I just need a little space. Catherine writes about Love, Dinner and Other Distractions in Kemptown at: www.whileiamthinkingaboutit.com