Name: Johnny Darlington.
Profession: I teach at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) in central London
Are you local: I grew up in Lewes and lived here until I was 18. After that I lived in Lisbon, San Sebastian and Sao Paulo and returned here briefly in 1998 to do a Masters at Brighton. I now live in London Fields, Hackney. I return on a very regular basis to visit friends and family.
What do you like about Lewes? The ability to leave the flood plain and walk up to the Downs with only the distant roar of the bypass to remind you of civilization. The train links back are still remarkable - Glynde, Berwick, Southease and Bishopstone still have stations! Can't wait for the Uckfield line... The railway land is also fantastic, especially the sunbathing frogs.
What don’t you like about the place? The constant drone of the Lewes bypass. Surely Norman Baker can do something about the tarmac? And the oversupermarketisation of the Cliffe end of town leading to the death of the top end of the High Street.
What’s your favourite pub? The Lewes Arms in town and the Trevor at Glynde after a walk.
Waitrose or Tesco? May they both be flooded out of existence in the next deluge and their land be returned to water meadow. In my view shops should not inhabit flood plains or sell cellophane-wrapped anything.
What do you think of traffic wardens? The town centre should be pedestrianised with proper cycle-paths put in, obviating the need for cars within a two-mile radius of the castle.