As part of the �Books Born in Hastings� celebration at The Jenny Lind in September, local writer and press editor Kay Green will be running a series of discussions and workshops on issues that matter to both readers and writers.

Would you like to run a reading or workshop group? Have you ever wanted to be a writer? Have you ever tried entering a competition or submitting work to a magazine? What other ways are there of getting started? How would you deal with writing about �sensitive� topics? Are there any subjects you think are taboo for writers?

Firefighters were called to a blaze at Shoreham's Tarmount Studios today (14th August).

The fire, started in a kiln, caused smoke damage to the studios which have moved from their former base in Tarmount Lane to an old Scout hut.

�They landed in a huge circle of white dust, with a rim of sharp-looking rocks all the way round the outside. Everything was bathed in harsh colourless light, like moonlight but ten times as powerful. In the middle of the circle of rock was a massive oblong stone slab, and on the slab, flat on his back, lay a giant with his eyes closed.�

There's nothing quite like theatre in the open air - being able to move around with the action, using natural and man-made outdoor features, and seeing drama and music minus technology's eccentricities is really refreshing.

And refreshing is certainly one of the words I'd use to describe Chichester Youth Theatre's effervescent treatment of Toad of Toad Hall, staged in the grounds of Rolls-Royce at Chichester.

Makers often contrast themselves against the corporate system. Believing the one off and small batch production work is inherently more green, than producing millions of products in far-away places, then shipping them round the world, up the motorway to shops in town centres throughout the UK.

But really how green is art and craft?

Defenders of corporate mass production claim that it is the most efficient way of manufacturing products. In an ideal world companies get a great designer to perfect their product, they work out the best and most efficient form of producing it in bulk using minimum materials and energy, test it to distraction and therefore deliver to the consumer well priced and designed products which make efficient use of energy and materials

One thing that the RAFA Shoreham Airshow prides itself on is the true �family day out� � and this is no different.

Unlike many of the popular sea side events, Shoreham is a real airshow with many of the aircraft being based at the airfield giving visitors the opportunity to meet the pilots and look at the aircraft from close quarters. The show takes place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August.

The stage version of Calendar Girls will premier at Chichester Festival Theatre on 5 September.

The play features Lynda Beliingham, Patricia Hodge, Si�n Phillips, Gaynor Faye, Brigit Forysth and Julia Hills as members of the Women's Institute (WI) who create a nude calendar to raise money for charity.

Yet another fine display of ice cream, sunshine and pop music. Clapham Common hosts the annual Ben & Jerry Summer Sundae on the Common, and this year we have new flavours, new attractions and old men, yes, Jerry graced us with his presence as it was Ben & Jerry�s 30th birthday this year.

I had got backstage VIP tickets to meet Jerry, and it was over in a flash as he was Personally Assisted from one person to meet and greet, and on to the next meet and greet. A lovely chap, and genuinely seemed happy to be there.

Saturday�s entertainment was highlighted by Florence and the Machines, a funky punky spiky energetic and colourful lot that oozed sunshine, just in case we didn�t have enough!

Few of her New York punk contemporaries have sustained a career like Patti Smith.

She is one of rock 'n' rolls great visionary geniuses, producing everything from classic gritty punk albums to published poetry. And more recently, she has explored a strong Sussex connection, spending time at Charleston Farmhouse, home to the Bloomsbury artists. Like them, Smith is a true Bohemian.

'The Coral Sea' iwas written as a poetic tribute to the great photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, a close friend of Smith, who died of complications from Aids in 1989. Unable to perform the poem solo, the emotion too powerful even for Smith, she has worked with My Bloody Valentine guitarist Kevin Shields. Known for producing loud, heavy guitar soundscapes, My Bloody Valentine were always part rock band, part art-house experiment.

Bristol-based cultural events organisation, Compass Film are taking an annual festival of cinema and arts in a new and mysterious direction�

Inhabiting a space at the top of Mivart St. Studios, Easton, Bristol, The Compass of Mystery Festival will transform the venue into a world of creativity, bringing the South-West an exciting month of film, poetry, visual art and theatre.

Culminating in a culturally angled programme of international cinema over the weekend of 17�19 October, this year's Compass takes in all points on the compass with an intriguing selection of films from Poland (North), Pakistan (East), Somalia (South) & Argentina (West). The filmsare made by migrant communities in Britain, as well as from the host countries themselves.