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Chris Cooke This Charming Man Kemptown Rag pays tribute to the late Chris Cooke W hat better way to pay tribute to the late Chris Cooke than through his own words. We searched our archives and found an article written by him, which perfectly illustrates how passionate he was about the community in which he lived. A friend to all and much loved columnist at Kemptown Rag, missed but never forgotten. R.I.P Chris. As a community activist in Kemp Town one of my New Year resolutions was about how to promote our neighbourhood. I doubt if many people will know that St. James’ Street used to be known as the ‘Little Laine’. I want to ensure it does not become the ‘Forgotten Laine’. It is of enormous concern that St. James’ and the streets into Kemp Town, such as Upper St. James’ and St. Georges’ are being ignored. We are seeing proposed investment all around us; Edward Street and the old Amex building, Circus Street, Valley Gardens and the seafront east of the pier, yet nothing in one of the most vibrant and important areas of the city. There is a ‘City Plan’, used as guidance by the local authority for investment and support for areas throughout the city. The present plan provides strategic guidance until 2030 and we merit only a couple of footnotes. We are being ignored and it is only through a strong community voice and an agreed vision for the area that this will change. We are a vibrant area of enormous importance to the vitality and culture of our City. We deserve attention! I will be working with local businesses, local community organisations and residents to ensure that our area receives the support and recognition it deserves. One only has to look to our neighbours to see the excellent results achieved by the Business Improvement District (BID) over in the Lanes and the injection of Mary Portas funds into London Road. We too should be part of these neighbourhood improvements. I have been particularly impressed with the ‘street ambassadors’ over in the Lanes/London Road and their enhancements such as hanging baskets and Christmas lights. All things that St. James’ could and should have. For far too long we have been ignored and this must now change. We need people with a vision to ‘bang heads together’ and make our case to the wider business community and the City Council. We desperately need publicity for the area. A tourist information point in St James’ Street or Kemp Town would be a great start! We’re not just a Little Laine. We are a loud and proud Laine and deserve the investment that of late is sadly missing.