Good morning, Brighton… 5 days until the bank holiday weekend. Bring it on. After a full weekend of festivals, circus antics and beach time we kick off this week with another home game for The Albion with Liverpool visiting. Second to last game of the Premiership left, let’s get behind them and hope they can inch closer to Europe footie.

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

• SAS organise not so covert paddle-out

• Friends turn flat into Fringe venue

• Weekly food collection on the horizon

What’s the Scoop

SAS Organise Not so Covert Paddle-Out

 💩 🏄‍♂️ Ok, it wasn’t the Special Air Service, but the environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) who led a protest at Brighton Pier, demanding major reform of the UK’s water industry. Local organiser Stuart Davies highlighted 372 sewage discharges in the Shoreham to Seaford area last year, amounting to 2,800 hours of pollution. Protestors are calling for independent regulation and an end to shareholder-focused policies.

Sea swimmer and surf therapy volunteer Davies expressed frustration over cancelled youth sessions due to pollution. The event also spotlighted accessibility issues, as campaigner Peyton Vellaa was unable to enter the water due to a lack of suitable equipment.

With speeches from activists and a paddle-out protest backed by Brighton drummers, the event blended passion with community spirit. Protestors emphasised the need to protect the sea for future generations and ensure it’s accessible for all.

Local resident Joan Ball criticised water companies for poor infrastructure investment, saying rising bills are funding bonuses, not cleaner seas. Learn more about the fab work SAS do on the SAS Website.

Friends Turn Flat into Fringe Venue

🎭 Ali Blatcher and Anjali Singh, inspired by Lionhouse, have transformed their Southover Street flat into a Brighton Fringe venue. Known for hosting variety shows and poetry nights at home, they're now part of the festival. The duo met during a lockdown course, later performing solo shows at Brighton and Edinburgh Fringes.

Visit The Roost, located in Hanover, for an intimate, creative experience. More info at The Roost.

Weekly Food Collection on The Horizon

🗑️ ♻️ Brighton & Hove is tackling food waste by investing £1.2 million in a new weekly collection service, aimed to reduce the 2.8kg of food and drink waste per household each week. The council plans to roll out the phased implementation starting in September 2025, making it available to all households by March 2026.

Councillor Tim Rowkins emphasises the importance, noting that a third of rubbish is food waste, with 75% avoidable. The collected food waste will be used for composting, promoting recycling and sustainability in the city. Something that should have come in a long time ago, this is a great move for the city 👍

Local Biz

Soothe by the Sea Massage Reopens

💆🏽‍♀️ Sooth by the Sea Massage has just reopened its doors at 133 Kingsway, Hove for those wanting a massage with a view! Sara is offering £10 off any new booking. Just quote NEWSOOTHE when booking. And relax! More Info

Weather

Monday 19/5

☀️ | 📈 22 | 📉 10 |☔️ <5% | 🌬️ SE 10mph | 🌊 <1ft

Tuesday 20/5

☀️ | 📈 23 | 📉 10 |☔️ 20% | 🌬️ ENE 7mph | 🌊 Flat

Beautiful Brighton

Be sure to tag us @brightonscoop to get your photos featured

Brighton Festival & Fringe ‘25

There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell we could tackle the enormity of the schedule of events on for the Festival and Fringe this May so just follow the links below to their respective lists of the events for the most up to date info. Now chip off and find yourself something to see!

• Brighton Festival - What’s on

• Brighton Fringe - What’s on

 🎪 SPECIAL OFFER: KIDS GO FREE for a section of dated for the ‘Nose Dive Assembly’ at the Revel Puck Circus. Use the Code: YOUNGPUCKS beofre you select your tickets to show you available discounted date.

What’s On

Monday 19/5

• The Fool Presents Nerd Ball | Daltons | 7.30pm | Tickets

• Brighton Bards With Off the Chest | Komedia | 7.30pm

• Monday Stand-up Comedy Show | Top Secret Comedy Club | 8pm | Book

Tuesday 20/5

• Joejas: Left Handed Bandit | Komedia | 7.30pm

• Toad Lickers Film Collective: Red Shift | The Rose Hill | 7pm

• Comedy Sessions | Top Secret Comedy Club | 7.30pm | Book

Live Music

Monday 19/5

• Ezra Furman | Chalk | 7pm

• Duo Compass | Brunswick Pub - Cellar Bar | 7.30pm | Book

• Open Mic Night | Brunswick Pub | 7.30pm | Book

• Cara Elin | Folklore Rooms | 7.30pm

• Open Mic Night | Neptune Inn | 8.30pm

Tuesday 20/5

• MT2M Semi Final | Daltons | 7pm | Tickets

• Cowboyy | Green Door Store | 7pm | Tickets

• Blue Lion Band | Brunswick Pub - Cellar Bar | 8pm | Book

• Jazz Jam | Brunswick Pub | 8pm | Book

• Folklore Monthly Showcase | Folklore Rooms | 7.30pm

• Sonny Tennet | Hope & Ruin | 7pm

• The Tuesday Sessions | Yellow Book Bar | 8pm

Cheers for popping by

Great to have you follow the Scoop today. If you liked it, do share us with a friend. There’s a beer on me if you spot me in town.