We had loads of festivals this weekend. I spent time at the Mile Oak Festival which had everything from live music to donkey rides and dozens of families enjoying it all over a picnic. Then I popped over to Vale Park where the Scouts had their annual celebration with outdoor games and a BBQ outside and stalls with traditional indoor games and faceprinting inside. I blew a couple of quid on some of the games and won a packet of pick ‘n mix, but skirted past the face-painting! Scout leader Sally and her son Tim put so much effort into the Vale Park community and it really shows.

If you popped into the South Portslade Community Centre you’d have been as amazed as I was. There was an exhibition of locally-produced art. From sculpture to mosaics and from paintings to photography, it was bursting with fun, moving, and surreal art. Many of the artists were on hand to talk about their work and I’m in total admiration for their talent and confidence – I simply couldn’t do what they have done so beautifully.

I was also kindly invited to the 250 year old synagogue in Middle Street on Sunday evening to enjoy a choral concert to raise money for a local care home. The voices were simply beautiful and the setting spectacular, it was the perfect way to end the weekend.

Despite having so many events to enjoy I still found time to pop to Marrocco’s on the seafront. The sun was out so I was drawn there for the best ice-cream in Hove, the queue is always worth it!

When you look at these events over just one weekend in Hove and Portslade it makes you realise just how amazing our home is. Cultural, artistic, community-facing and inclusive – and with great ice cream to-boot. Long may the Summer last! I hope you had a nice weekend too, Peter