Name: Lesley Thomson
Profession: Writer. My latest novel, A Kind of Vanishing, is out this week. Much of it is set around Lewes; the 'vanishing' takes place at
the Tide Mills. I hope it’s a real page-turner: set in a hot summer, it should be a great holiday read.
Are you local? I come from Hammersmith. Since I was a child I’ve been coming to East Sussex - I spent childhood holidays in Brighton and went to university at Sussex. I lived in Newhaven for a while before realising that I could afford Lewes. I live in a mouse hole, but it’s great. I think I’ll leave here in a box.
What do you like about the place? Simply walking around the streets is uplifting and inspiring. In The Architecture of Happiness Alain de Botton says that buildings should speak to us and remind us what’s important to us. Lewes does this for me. The detail forces you to take note of your environment, which is powerful for a writer. The terracotta tiled pavements, glazed tiles on walls, fancy brickwork; all make me contemplate life.
Anything you don’t like about the place? Maybe I’m in a honeymoon period, but I can’t think of much. Coming from London, I’d prefer it to be a little less… white. More multicultural.
What’s your favourite pub? I don’t tend to go to pubs much. I like the Juggs in Kingston, after a long walk. There's a sign outside that says: ‘Horses only allowed with owners’ permission’. I imagine horses clopping up with notes from their owners.
What’s your poison? Whisky and ginger. Chattering with ice.
Waitrose or Tesco? Waitrose. Never Tesco. I’ve got a personal beef against the heiress to the Tesco fortune, Shirley Porter, because of the Homes for Votes scandal. Oh and I refill my Ecover washing up liquid in Lansdown Stores in the Cliffe.