Brighton singer-songwriters and ‘grrrls with guitars’, Al Start and Seffy Sefton-Smith presented "Grrrls, Guitars and Glory!" on 15 April 2026 at Lighthouse Brighton. Their talk was a rollercoaster ride from the 90s through the noughties of Brighton’s incredible lesbian/women’s music scene that led to the birth of the Women’s Performance Tent at Pride. At the end, Al and Seffy performed a song written especially for the event, titled 'Girls and Glory', that summarised all of their insights across the session. The event was part of Queer Heritage South: Live Archive, and co-organised by Community Champion Kate Wildblood. Filmed by Lucy Le Brocq / Kaleido Shoots

This is one of a number of posters used to promote Siren’s play ‘Mama’s Gone A’Hunting’. It is created in the form of an urgent telegram outlining the plot of the show, stating that woman intends leaving for a new planet without man. The digitally produced poster was felt to be a ‘new’ form of photography at the time that it was on the high street, predating all the digitisation of photos that are now done on one’s own devices. Siren felt it reflected the futuristic content of the play.

Flyer for Steamy!, a women-only all-night cruising event held in the basement of the Amsterdam on Marine Parade, formerly home to a sauna. Possibly the first event of its kind in the UK, Steamy! ran every four to six weeks from October 2005 to August 2007. This event featured six free massages, offered on a first come, first served basis, and a mystery Steamy! activity.

Flyer for Steamy!, a women-only all-night cruising event held in the basement of the Amsterdam on Marine Parade, formerly home to a sauna. Possibly the first event of its kind in the UK, Steamy! ran every four to six weeks from October 2005 to August 2007. This flyer is for the final Steamy!, a Pride event featuring a mystery Steamy! activity.

Flyer for Brighton's sexy sauna all-nighter - women only. The Amsterdam, 11-12 Marine Parade, Brighton. Friday 28th October 2005. £10 advance or £12 on the night.

Flyer advertising women's only hot and sexy sauna club all nighter Steamy! which ran from October 2005- August 2007. Held at The Amsterdam, 11-12 Marine Parade, Brighton from 10pm-6am on Friday 2nd February 2007. Facilities included sauna and steam rooms, with activities ranging from body painting to cruising.

Flyer for Steamy!, a women-only all-night cruising event held in the basement of the Amsterdam on Marine Parade, formerly home to a sauna. Possibly the first event of its kind in the UK, Steamy! ran every four to six weeks from October 2005 to August 2007. This event featured three free massages, offered on a first come, first served basis, and an icebreaker activity, such as body painting, followed by cruising.

Sussex Club Barbecue

Photographs from the Sussex Club featuring a gig with Al Start and Nicky Mitchell

Ava's leaving party 07/07/1994 Ava a long standing regular of the Sussex Club left us to sail off to Amsterdam

Photographs of a birthday celebration and a Christmas party at the Sussex Club.

Images of: When we went to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. We were dressed up but when we got to the Theatre Royal Shakespeare was playing. We had got the wrong night! Photos include Pat, Shirley, Tanya, Rachel, Elaine. Inside the Sussex Club on my (Tanya's) birthday. Although the club was for over 25's only, I started going at the age of 21.

Photographs of Pete's birthday party at the Sussex Club. Pete was a friend of Shirley's and for a short time worked at the Sussex Club.

Photos of Sussex Club members at Pride 1995. The Sussex Club was a members club, but also a social group, and in 1995 the club had a float at Pride. The theme for the float was 'sisters doing it for themselves' and alongside a Doc Martin boot, two large paper mache thumbs were made as a 'thumbs up' for women. However, causing some controversy the thumbs were as large as the float itself, and could be mistaken for phallic symbols from some angles.

The Sussex Club 1992-1995. A great space for women to meet and party. Down in the basement of 5 Regency Square, a private members only club, £1 for lifetime membership! Regular live music, free Space Invaders machine and a free Pool Table and bargain price beers!!! What more does a girl need?!?!