Name: Peter Chasseaud
Profession: I’m an artist and writer. I also produce limited edition books of my work, incorporating poetic words and images, which I get printed, bind, and sell in artists’ book sales at home and abroad.
Are you local: if not how long have you been here? I’m from South London originally but I’ve been living in Lewes for 34 years, which is longer than half my life. I think of myself as a Lewesian.
Best thing about Lewes? The friendliness of the people and the tradition of independence, as exemplified by the Bonfire Boys (and girls). ‘Sussex Won’t be Druv’: they don’t like being pushed around.
Worst thing about Lewes? The fact that it hasn’t been in charge of its own destiny since the reorganisation of local government in the early 70’s when the old Borough Council disappeared.
Favourite pub? It was the Lewes Arms. I started going there in 1973 when I first came to Lewes. It was a unique place, the HQ of the Cliffe Bonfire Society and the home of the WG Gracefully cricket team, of which I was a member. I used to enjoy drinking the Harvey’s beer there. Of course that has all been altered by Greene King. I’m boycotting the pub, now. I have found it to be irreplaceable. Now I don’t have a favourite pub, and I’m not the only one who feels lost without it.
What’s your poison? Harvey’s. And champagne, though never together. Good champagne, from the Champagne region.
What do you think about traffic wardens? The traffic scheme should be operated by the Town Council, so people could have a chance to democratically have their say on the matter. The blowing up of the parking meters is an interesting phenomenon: it is the act of an alienated people frustrated by the lack of local democracy. The NCP should not be making a profit out of parking in Lewes. And the wardens behave in far too overbearing a manner.