Why I love…
Brighton
During the 1830’s Brighton was the
most popular seaside resort in Britain,
many visitors were fleeing day-trippers
from London as a result of the direct
railway link. Now it is home to many
who are content in spending their hours
commuting to London, choosing to live
by the sea.
I spent close to a decade in London’s
Velcro grip before deciding to
unconditionally embrace the community
and adopt Brighton as my home in early
2013 and, as a result, also enforcing
the theory that not many of Brighton’s
residents are born in Brighton. I may
be a bit naïve, largely biased or just
drained by London life, but Brighton
is my escape, the same term used by
friends and colleagues who I reluctantly
left behind.
The Brighton Wheel
‘to break free from confinement or
control’ (Dictonary.com) and then make
comparisons to Brighton’s past and its
purposeful use, it should sound slightly
more accurate and a great deal more
like our friend, free will.
Unlike fairly comparative cities in the
UK, Brighton stands firm, proud and
determined to safeguard us from taking
it for granted, a feeling enforced by the
stone gate pylons which mark the limit
of Greater Brighton. Once inside these
‘walls’, you are forced to engage in the
spirit of free will, even if you just spend
the day people watching, marvelling at
how they let it all hang out figuratively
and literally. Then, trying to figure out
if the people in the streets are actors,
tourists or residents because everyone
just seems to walk around as if they own
the place. What this has undoubtedly
taught me is the crucial importance of
the fight against bias and prejudice in
bringing a community closer together.
The city is like an art exhibition, the
message of free will further portrayed
through graffiti along the streets
and alleyways, such as the mural of
The West Pier
I’ve not once looked back or questioned
my decision and I’m in complete
agreement with my colleagues, ‘escape’
is my ideal word to describe the
undercurrents of Brighton, not only in
the present-day, but historically, and as
a vision for the future. The word ‘escape’
may not necessarily scream a close
association on a hot day when you have
to fight your way against the chaos of
tourists heading for the pier, but when
you consider how this word is defined:
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