Astrid was born in Salford in 1973, and runs La Zouche Promotions, promoting The Hill Club Night and The Hill Comedy Club at Bitterne Park Social Club, catering for “local movers and shakers who want to access cool stuff on their door-step”. She started promoting local events after meeting lots of interesting people in Bitterne Park who wanted to go out dancing and laughing locally. Her new project, a Film Club is in the planning stage – more information to be announced soon, she says.
The Qs & the As:
What’s your link with Bitterne Park?
We moved here in January 2008 from Manchester, as we were about to start new jobs. Having rented a flat on Woodmill Lane we later bought our house. We kind of knew it had potential to be a long-term place for us pretty early on and when we had kids, we started to know loads more interesting people. That just seems to happen for some reason.
What’s your earliest memory of the area?
Driving up Woodmill Lane in my old Beetle with my dog in the passenger seat behind my husband’s car and a removal van. Seems a loooooong time ago now.
How could it (the area – or indeed your memories) be better?
The area WILL be better as the evolution has already begun with interesting businesses now succeeding on The Triangle and people regularly asking me about the area as they are thinking of moving here, having heard it has a great scene. My memories are perfect; everything takes time. Personally I’m looking for more Cafe Bars, a good gift shop, and a bang-on deli.
What’s good about the wider city?
There is tons of good stuff in the locality also. International Foods is literally the best thing about Southampton, the City Art Gallery Collection and the very multicultural nature of our demographic. I love the Polish influx and get to meet lots of people from the Polish community as part of my work. There’s also lots of interesting art and art projects around from Ha Ha Gallery, Art House Cafe and the World Class John Hansard Gallery and the new Arts Complex, (although this seems to be a bit long in the waiting).
Southampton: points for improvement?
They could crack on with the new Arts Complex!
What’s your passion in life?
I have so many passions in life: art, fashion, music, community, self-improvement, equality, family.
How do you put bread on your table?
I work in education.
What has your career taught you?
Not to hesitate, (anymore).
What really gets your goat?
Discrimination.
How do you relax?
I have a bath for a full hour every evening and empty my brain on any negative stuff that clogs it up that day.
What’s your favourite dish?
Fish Soup
Which is your favourite pub?
Sinclairs, Manchester
What’s on your iPod?
Not got one.
Can you recommend a really good read?
A Young Man’s Passage, autobiography by Julian Clary and in fact all of his really brilliant novels.
What’s a great day out?
Blackpool!!!
Tell us a secret
The first event I ever promoted was when I was 15 years old. Loads of under-age kids turned up drunk to an old A.E.U. club in Salford. I did a runner and went home worrying under my duvet that the police would be arriving any minute. They didn’t. I am a much more responsible promoter 26 years on.
Tell us a joke
As a Careers Adviser I know a lot of jokes about unemployed people, but none of them work.
Thanks so much for taking part!
Tune in next time when another Bitterne Parker answers our searching questions. But before then, do you know a Bitterne Parker we really should feature? If so, please nominate them by emailing us using the contact form, and we'll do our best. No promises, mind.
The first Hill Comedy Club takes place on Friday, June 27, supported by bitternepark.info: more information here.