John Bird's Entry in Festival Window Competition

John Bird's Window Competition
Originally uploaded by PetworthPoster

After his success in the Christmas window competition a lot of us were looking to John to come up with his Sgt Pepper of a window. Not sure he has really pulled it off this time.

Tiffins -Front Runners in Window Competition

Tiffins -Front Runners in Window Competition
Originally uploaded by PetworthPoster

Part of the Petworth Music Festival is a competition for the shop with the best window. This provokes fierce rivalries with the shop keepers checking out the opposition and gossiping about one another mercilessly. The clear front runner this year are Tiffins who have gone with a teddy bear theme and created a storyline. A formidable entry indeed. But other outlets haven't shown their hand yet so there could still be an upset.

New Coat of Paint on Stringers Gallery

New Coat of Paint on Stringers Gallery
Originally uploaded by PetworthPoster

Stringers gallery seems to be steadily upgrading itself from an art supplies shop to a sort of all round artists' resource centre. They still sell paint, canvas and prints but they also have a big printer for doing posters and reproducing large copies.

They are also offering courses for people who want to develop their art skills.

Black is a very arty and trendy colour, so probably a good choice.

Free Concert in Petworth Park

Free Concert
Originally uploaded by PetworthPoster

Mrs Petworthposter and myself enjoyed a great evening of sun and music last night as the Petworth Music Festival opened with a free concert in the park.  The opening group were Kasai Masai from the Congo who were great.  The next act were KB, Terez and the Spank Band who seemed a bit thin on the ground.  There were only three of them.  But the lead singer made up in personality what they lacked in numbers.  He claimed that they were the top band in the Bahamas and they seemed to be being followed by Bahamas TV.  As the concert ended the crowd, including yours truly, spontaneously formed a conga.  A really nice start to the season.

A Very Old Petworth Resident

How about some ancient history.  Henry I was one of the sons of William the Conqueror.  His second wife was Adeliza of Louvain, who must have been a looker because she was known as the fair maid of Brabant.  She was not only beautiful, but was from a very good family indeed.  She was a direct descendant of the emperor Charlemagne.  When she became Queen she was given various lands around the kingdom, including Arundel and its surrounding area.  She must have been keen on this particular bit of property because she made her brother Jocelyn the constable of it, and also appointed him the baron of Petworth.  A descendant of this family still owns Arundel Castle today.  Another branch of the family included Ann Boleyn and Catherine Howard.