Waitrose or Tesco? I use Tesco if I have to drive out Ringmer way, and I get my petrol there. Waitrose is easily accessible on foot and the quality of food is good. I like using local shops, too, especially Bill’s.
What do you think about traffic wardens? I feel sorry for them. Why did they apply for such a job? The system completely lacks a sense of community. A friend of mine’s wife is disabled. She got a ticket because the sticker was upside down. Mind you I prefer the blue uniforms to the red ones.
Which newspaper do you read? The Times. And the Financial Times, which does some of the best theatre reviews.
What’s your favourite Lewes landmark? Lewes Castle when it’s lit up at night. I can see it from my garden. I love it that wherever you go you can see the Downs. Kipling called them the whale-backed Downs.
How would you spend a perfect Sunday afternoon? Sitting in the garden and listening to music.
What did you have for breakfast? I always have the same. A glass of water, a banana, a piece of toast and marmalade and a cup of Earl Grey tea. Sugar, no milk.
Can you recommend a good film? The Queen. A very subtle and sensible treatment of a time when the nation was shocked by Diana’s death, there were conspiracy theories flying round and there was a lot of anger aimed at the Royal Family for retreating into itself.
What do you think of the Phoenix development plans? I’d like to see some development on the river, but I’m very concerned about the number of houses that have been proposed because of the impact such an increase in population would have on the town. Also the effect the new retail area might have on the current shops. I would hate Lewes to have an ‘old town’ and a ‘new town’ like, say, Eastbourne does.