I'm a big fan of Eastbourne theatres. Some believe we have too many, but I'm not one of them.

They cater for a good mix of people, but it could be widened. However, I couldn't believe what I read last week…

When I received with excitement the new theatres brochure through the post, with what is coming up at the local venues, I had to take a double look!

Could it be true? Is it a printing error? Is Dionne Warwick really playing the Congress Theatre?

I had to check three times to see if it was real, and that this wasn't just another naff tribute act.

But no, apparently it's true, the legendary Dionne Warwick, her of Walk on By fame is indeed playing Eastbourne in November.

Wow! All I can say is Wow!

Hat's off to the theatres team for pulling this off! A massive coup.

I have already got my tickets, and I recommend you get yours soon – they'll be sold out in a few days I reckon.

SO IT'S finally happening. The barriers are up, the protests have fallen on deaf ears, and Airbourne is going ahead this week, and for the first time ever, it'll cost you a fiver a day to see it.

I, along with most of the town no doubt, will have plenty to say about this next week, when we will have seen the effect of the charge on attendance. In the meantime, with the council not realising that the police and all the other authorities will now charge for their involvement (pretty obvious I would have thought), I gather there's a book running to see if this years loss will be bigger than last years!

I WILL spend the weekend at Airbourne (Helen Gardens mainly – you get a good view from there and it's free!), but the rest of the time I will be glued to the Olympics. I hope the local council will be putting out a statement soon as to how Eastbourne's involvement in 2012 is going. The great facilities we have here with the universities, and of course the tennis, should mean we get a great economic benefit when the Olympics come to London.

Have a great week everyone, and see you at Airbourne!