I have been totally absent from my bloggetty blog, because of this lovely book, which will be officially released on Monday, and the Interfaith Contact Group’s Annual Interfaith Service six days later, on November 16th.
Here are the words of the press release:
Sun, Fun and Bungaroosh – A Treat of a Book,
for Brighton and Hove, and for Interfaith Week
A beautifully illustrated, motley collection of readings, poems and prayers dedicated to the people of Brighton and Hove, Sun, Fun and Bungaroosh covers such themes as The City and its wild history as well as Prayers for a Laugh and chapters dedicated to The Sea, Sun and Moon, People and Peace. It is written by Anthea Ballam, writer and interfaith minister and designed by Sue Smallwood.
This is a treat of a book – a collection of prayers dedicated to the people of Brighton and Hove, as colourful, creative, and kind as the city they celebrate, and beautifully illustrated. At a time when the world often seems more divided and dangerous than ever, Anthea Ballam’s words offer heart and humour in equal measure – along with much-needed warmth, comfort and compassion. Caroline Lucas
The book is intended to make one smile and maybe feel a little sad as well. Some readings were written for local figures like The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, and the MP for Hove Peter Kyle. One favoured funeral reading was read by Caroline Lucas MP at the Memorial Service for the 500 people that died in the City during the Pandemic.
Created for believers and non-believers alike, the book captures the spirit of the City of Brighton and Hove in word and image. It will be launched on November 10th, 2025. The book is available from City Books, 23 Western Road Hove BN3 1AF in person or on-line. Sun, Fun and Bungaroosh retails at £10.00
Today, July 28th the moon is a thin waxing crescent, just 9 percent illuminated. Last Thursday, July 24th, the new Leo Moon rising threatened to awaken long-buried desires… apparently…
The Moon was shining sulkily, Because she thought the sun Had got no business to be there After the day was done — “It’s very rude of him,” she said, “To come and spoil the fun.”
Lewis Carroll: from Alice Through the Looking Glass
Remember Remember In this world Wherever you are Whatever you do By the sea Up a gum tree In Brighton Hove Or Spain Remember You cannot Think about water Unless… You think About the moon
Every molecule of water On this earth From a thimble-full To a great ocean Any body of water Any body Yours, mine, The bloke next door Any woman Man Or child Animal Plant Plankton Is affected By the gravity Of the moon…
We are all lunatics
Invisibly Surreptitiously Gently Lovingly Hormonally She affects us And changes us Yet we rarely think of her Unless we brutally explore her Or pay innocent homage To romance In June Under a full moon
Her breath-taking beauty Lights up the sea Whispering watery words Invitations to poets Proffering mysterious illumination To nocturnal beasties
She is the Queen of the Night And we bow to her With love and gratitude
You once described fox hunting as “the unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable”. It’s a great observation, and on February 18th 2005, just a bit over 100 years after you wrote these words, we banned this monstrous, cruel sport in the UK.
Sadly, since then, we have also staged an unprecedented attack on wild-life in this country, creating a strange ecosystem where many animals, including foxes, have become scavengers, and song birds have all but disappeared from many urban gardens. But the fox has moved into the City – and it’s always a thrill to see something so beautiful appear unexpectedly at the bottom of a suburban garden.
And that will not be the only improvement you might note… 67 years after you died, homosexuality was decriminalised in England, and this has to be a very, very good thing.
So even though the land is polluted, the water contaminated, and the air quality is not great, we are striving to be better; the mysterious beauty of the fox is a mystical reminder of this.
What does the Duke of Sussex do? And the Duchess of Sussex too? Sing a song? Suck on a bong? What do they do? … for Sussex?
Here’s what the AI said when I asked…
Their contributions often involve raising awareness about social issues, supporting charitable organisations, and engaging with communities to address various challenges. Through advocacy and collaboration, they strive to create positive change and foster unity within Sussex and beyond.
WOW! CRAP!
It’s not just the leader of Reform that tells lies It’s not just the President of the United States that tells lies It’s not just Ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson that tells lies It’s AI that tells lies Wondrous whoppers Do we need machines that lie to us? This is Microsoft’s very own AI It crept out of my own copy of “Word”
Thank you Bill Gates
The Duke and Duchess made one visit to Sussex, and now have ownership of a name that my neighbour’s cats unquestionably have more right to. Come on King Charles III. Please make my neighbour’s cats ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ instead. At least they live here, and amuse people and belong here. The existing Duke and Duchess came once on October 3rd2018 and they have never been seen since. There is, however, a brilliant episode of South Park dedicated to them – The Worldwide Privacy Tour – and that makes them almost silly enough to qualify as Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
What do you think?
Here are some of Hannah Turner’s lovely ceramic cats. They don’t come from Sussex, but they will do very nicely.
It’s summer, time to laugh and dance and enjoy life. Here’s a prayer for the new Prayer Book. Hope you enjoy it.
May I have pals That can cultivate the art of the giggle Without being completely blotto May the dog sing me a Mozart aria And the cat laugh at my jokes
May the Lord of Laughter Award me the world’s best toffee apple And the teeth to go with it May the Lady of Laughter Transform my luke-warm wit Into something blooming legendary
May the sun tan my toes And the moon light my way to the playground May I be adored by angels Praised by the wise And given a free pass to Glyndebourne Not to mention the Amex
Please let the Tories go away May Reform re-form on Alpha Centauri May the Labour Party show compassion for once May Brexit become a figment of my imagination
Let the sun shine on me Without giving me skin cancer Let the moon inspire me To write better than wot Shakespeare did May I love and be loved By all those I love And a few more besides And may I enjoy being And non-being as well Now and forever Thank you
There’s a lot of fear about; fear about the madness of politicians; fear about the wellbeing of the environment; fear for the future. Some reckon that fear is the opposite of love, and I am inclined to agree.This prayer is dedicated to those that are feeling the fear of the moment, and I feel for them.
Everywhere we go There is a cause A cause to worry A cause for pain
But everywhere we go There’s a powerful challenge… It comes from a little voice That says Maybe there’s no cause to worry No reason for pain
The voice says Now’s the moment To reach out To the untouchable sky And ask for calm
Very quietly it says In this second Remember the song of the sea And ask for peace
Don’t be afraid The world may seem noisy Full of clattering antagonism But it’s kind
Remember… Kindness is everywhere It’s in you and around you Gently weaving compassion Into your soul Opening doors of understanding Universal love for the world
When you experience Love for the world You can’t feel fear There’s no place Or space For fear Just love
On Mayday- a day when so many traditions and beliefs are celebrated and honoured by so many good souls, the Interfaith Contact Group of Brighton and Hove will be holding a peace vigil at the wonderful Peace Statue – also known as the Peace Angel. The statue stands between Brighton and Hove, and serves as a focal point for many peace demonstrations in our Beautiful City. Please do join us at 6.30pm for the vigil and also a beautiful walking meditation carried out by Elizabeth Archer of the Pebbles Sangha.
This is an interfaith prayer dedicated to the victims of war and the 117 million people that are forcibly displaced worldwide.
There is a place in the heart That is open, warm and receptive It is a place of caring For friends, acquaintances and family.
There is a place in the soul That we can all share Happy that those we love are safe Happy in the understanding That peace is always The best home of all.
All of us — Muslims, Jews, Buddhists Pagans, Hindus, Sikhs, Baha’i Quakers, Catholics, Anglicans and atheists Jedis, agnostics and all of us Would give the planet such a gift If we could come together… As thinkers, healers and gardeners And plant the seed of an idea
That idea is that peace Is a home… and a garden A place of intense beauty Born from our diverse world Full of colour, texture and love, Peace is a haven of harmony Needed by us all.
So together, let us give life To this sacred moment right now In companionship and clarity Let us breathe in light and love And then pause… Then… let us breathe out…peace And with every breath Let us send the spirit of peace Far out…into the world
And let that exhaled breath… That breath of peace take flight… Let it be carried on the air Borne on breezes and clouds Touching the hearts and minds Of unyielding dictators Barbaric business magnates Murderous military leaders The human predators
Let our loving breath of peace Change the thinking of others So that they come to understand What you and I know so well… That peace is the garden And the home We all seek… Now and forever.
