Here's a first for Cartoon County: on Monday 28th September, we will be meeting at The Iron Duke, 3 Waterloo Street, Hove BN3 1AQ http://www.irondukebrighton.co.uk Our regular meeting place is booked and we may well be looking to see where else we can meet in the future. Lots of possibilities, so let’s check out The Iron Duke this month, and maybe another venue, next. We’ll be there from 6 until late, interviews start around 7.30pm, in the function room behind the bar area.

We’re hoping to welcome cartoonist, designer and Girl Frenzy editor/creator Erica Smith as our guest: together with cartoonist, painter, illustrator Cathy Simpson, Erica will be talking about ideas for the Hastings Cartoon Festival next year, and how Cartoon County might be involved.

The plans include a retrospective exhibition of celebrated cartoonist Martin Honeysett’s work at the Hastings Museum. Martin sadly died in January this year, and his partner Penny is keen to encourage a Cartoon Festival around the exhibition in September 2016, playing on the 950 year anniversary of 1066.

The focus is on cartoonists, rather than illustrators / comic strip artists. And there will definitely be themed activities around the Bayeux Tapestry. But there is also the opportunity to think about a group exhibition of Sussex/Kent cartoonists... and maybe even a graphic novel 'fringe' event?

So, any suggestions and enthusiasm are mightily welcome. Do come along and join us: here is the frieze made by Erica and co for their funding pitch earlier this week… maybe we will have news of their success on Monday evening.