Punch Line, by Roger Bamber
Brighton’s Punch-and-Judy man Sergeant Stone was setting up shop in readiness for the school holidays when four year old Jermaine Briffa wandered along the deserted beach with his father and provided puppeteer him with a small but enthusiastic audience. The child was so enthralled with his one-to-one with Mr Punch, that he totally ignored a photographer bearing down on him clicking away, and telling Sgt. Stone to keep the banter going. Michael Stone’s tent and puppets are now on display at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.