Fatboy Slim to open fundraising festival at Hove Lagoon

Brighton-based DJ Norman Cook will officially open LagoonFest '“ a new event to raise cash to revamp the Hove Lagoon area.

Organised by volunteers from Friends of Hove Lagoon (FoHL), LagoonFest takes place on Saturday, September 8, with live bands and dancing, food and drink stalls, a skateboard lesson and skateboard jam, street art by Cassette Lord, a dog show, water sports demonstrations and children's activities including a paddling pool, face painting, pirate and pocket science activities and craft.

There will also be a theatre production, Tai chi, Pilates, model yachts, a tombola and a raffle.

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The event, which runs from 11am to 4pm, will be opened by DJ Norman Cook, who owns The Big Beach cafe at the Lagoon.

The designs of the Hove Lagoon green revamp by Nicholas Dexter of nd: studioThe designs of the Hove Lagoon green revamp by Nicholas Dexter of nd: studio
The designs of the Hove Lagoon green revamp by Nicholas Dexter of nd: studio

Cllr Robert Nemeth of Wish ward and chair of FoHL, said: “I’m really excited to be part of the team for LagoonFest. It’s a new venture for Brighton and Hove and our hope is that residents and those living further afield will come and support it.

"The main aim of this festival is to raise funds so that we can install new natural plantings around Hove Lagoon and make it a more appealing space for residents and visitors. We’re very thankful to Norman Cook for opening LagoonFest and hope it will be the first of many.”

LagoonFest is set to raise funds for a green revamp of Hove Lagoon. The design includes natural plantings, wildflowers and a herb garden and the aim is to attract more people and wildlife to the lagoon.

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The design is by local Brighton designer Nicholas Dexter of nd studio: landscape design and the project is headed-up by Cllr Nemeth, FoHL secretary Sue Johnson and volunteer Chris Flint. The landscaping will be by Nigel Bowcock of Acre Landscapes.

Nicholas Dexter, of nd:studio landscape design, said: “This is a great project to be working on and I’m delighted to be a part of it, particularly having lived in Brighton for over 20 years and knowing Hove Lagoon so well.

"I’m passionate about creating simple, natural and ecologically friendly outdoor spaces and getting people closer to nature. In all our designs, we aim to protect, restore and reintroduce wildlife and wild nature to our landscapes.”

FoHL has raised £6,000 towards the project through crowdfunding, but they need to raise more.

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If the project is approved by the council, thee will be a consultation with local residents and businesses as well as FoHL supporters before it’s finalised.

FoHL said the hope is that this project will be a springboard to redevelop other areas in Hove that need an uplift, including the lawns along Hove seafront.

Sponsors of LagoonFest are: Shoreham Port, Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales, Chandlers Building Supplies, Big Beach Café, Lagoon Watersports and Hove Lagoon Pirates.

To volunteer or get involved with LagoonFest, contact [email protected]

For more information about LagoonFest, visit the event's Facebook page.

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