Seagulls fans' success is a scenery stealer in Southwick
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WHAT do a retired accountant, former business consultant and three Brighton and Hove Albion season ticket holders have in common?
Answer: they are all members of Southwick Players' award-winning set design and construction team.
The five happy hammerers, perky painters and savvy sawyers can claim - between them - nearly 90 years' service in the Players' workshop at Southwick Community Centre.
Now they are looking for some younger recruits to join their ranks to ensure the Players continue to build state-of-the-art stage sets for years to come.
'I've loved every minute of being involved,' said former Players president David Otway, 74, from Henfield, who still works as a driver for local car dealers.
David joined the group in 1999 and has been helping in the workshop almost ever since.
Among the things he enjoys most is the 'camaraderie', boosted by having fellow Seagulls supporters Len Shipton, 79, a retired carpet firm manager, from Small Dole, and IT developer Dean Common, 41, from Southwick, with whom to talk football.
Albion's commitments in the UEFA Conference League, though, make the trio less certain to be present at all of the Players' usual Thursday workshop nights - all the more reason for recruiting new blood.
'Anyone who can wield a paintbrush, drill or screwdriver is welcome to join us,' said retired business consultant Ray Mason, 67, from Southwick, a member of the workshop for three years.
In charge of the team is another Southwick resident, retired accountant Simon Armes, 70, also the Players' treasurer, who has done 24 years' service in the workshop.
The crew were rewarded most recently when the Len Shipton-designed set for the Players' production of The Unfriend was named best in category at the 2025 Brighton and Hove Arts Council Drama Awards.
Work is now in full swing on the set of Rapunzel the Pantomime, by Nick Lawrence, which opens on New Year's Day and runs until January 9, with a total of 10 performances. Box office: 0333 666 3366.
Anyone interested in joining the workshop team should email: [email protected]
The Players will be running workshop tours for visitors to the Southwick Community Centre Christmas Fayre on Sunday, November 29, between 10am and 12 noon.