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Helping ME

Colin Barton
Colin Barton

Since its inception in 2005, the Brighton-based NHS Sussex Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) Service, has dealt with over 3,000 referrals.

With help from the national ME Society, the NHS Sussex CFS/ME Service is staffed by a specialist doctor and a multidisciplinary team of six who offer confirmation diagnosis, symptom control and management courses.

ME can follow a viral infection or trauma and affects over 6,000 people across Sussex including a good number in the LGBT community. Symptoms include profound physical and mental fatigue, concentration and short term memory difficulties along with pain and sleep disturbance. Gastric and vision problems are also common.

Colin Barton, Chair of the Brighton-based Sussex ME Society, was running a successful hotel business in 1981 when he became ill after contracting a glandular fever type illness that he never fully recovered from.

Colin said:

“At one stage I was virtually bed-bound and had to be helped around by our elderly housekeeper. I could not function physically or mentally for any useful period of time and had to give up my business when doctors were not sure what the problem was.”

For information, click here:

Or telephone 01273 674828

Hove MP calls for decision on new airport for the South East

Mike Weatherley, MP
Mike Weatherley, MP

Along with a number of his colleagues from the South East, Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has written to the Secretary of State for Transport about the need for a decision to be made on a new airport for the South East.

The letter was sent to the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport, following the establishment of the Airports Commission.

The letter urges the Government to make a timely decision on when an announcement will be made and highlights that, “We believe it is important that in spring 2015 we are able as candidates to give our electors a clear indication of what our Party will do on this issue when re-elected to government.”

Mike said:

“A new airport for the South East is vital to the economy of the whole country. Clear direction from the Government on how we will increase our aviation capacity is necessary for businesses who wish to invest as well as the electorate who deserve to know where any future expansion will be located and what is Conservative Party policy.”Dear Secretary of State,

The letter reads:

“We welcome the Government’s recognition of the need for a clear national policy for airports, as demonstrated by the establishment of the Airports Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies.

“As elected representatives of residents in the South East, we have a particular interest in the outcome. We understand, of course, that both the Government and the Davies Commission must take a national perspective but at the same time we would want you to be very much aware that all the options currently on the table have serious political ramifications. Hence we would appreciate some clarity about the timetable set for the Davies Commission and how it is envisaged this will mesh with Party policy as we approach the 2015 General Election.
 
“We understand that the Davies Commission is tasked to produce two reports, one in December 2013 and a final one in mid-2015, after the General Election. We believe the interim report is currently planned to focus on short-term measures, and consequently, the Party is likely to enter the next election without a clear position. We see no sign to date that other political parties will feel similarly constrained, and the effect is that in each of the possible sites for expansion or new-build, this will place a severe handicap on Conservative candidates.
 
“We believe this needs to be resolved before the General Election, and ideally the local elections in 2014. One opportunity to do so lies in the scope of the Davies Commission’s interim report, which could, with adequate notice, be used to provide clarity about a preferred option, with the remaining stages of the review being used to iron out the details. We understand that this may pose difficulties for candidates in the area affected, but it will at least ensure that the backlash is not shared by all those living in areas currently under consideration.

“We believe it is important that in spring 2015 we are able as candidates to give our electors a clear indication of what our Party will do on this issue when re-elected to government.”

 

The following MP’s signed the letter:

Zac Goldsmith MP
Angie Bray MP
Bob Blackman MP
Eleanor Laing MP
Mark Reckless MP
John Redwood MP
Mike Weatherley MP
Mary MacLeod MP
Bob Stewart MP
Mark Field MP
Matthew Offord MP
Nick de Bois MP
Bernard Jenkin MP
Andrew Rosindell MP
Tim Yeo MP
Mike Freer MP
Jonathan Djanogly MP

Kemptown MP pushes for Rugby at the Amex Stadium

Amex Community Stadium
Amex Community Stadium

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has written to the International Rugby Board (IRB) in support of Brighton’s bid to be a host city for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Mr Kirby has been a vocal supporter of the bid to host tournament matches at the Amex Stadium in his constituency. The stadium has been chosen on a shortlist of 18 possible venues, which is due to be narrowed down to 12 by the 2015 organising committee in the coming days.  The preferred list of 12 venues will then go forward to the IRB for ratification by the end of March.

Although the preferred list of venues is yet to be announced, Mr Kirby has taken the proactive step of contacting the Chief Executive of the IRB to make the case for Brighton’s bid in the event that it does go before the international body for approval.

Simon Kirby, MP
Simon Kirby, MP

Simon said:

“I have gone to great lengths to make the case for Brighton’s 2015 Rugby World Cup with the organisational bodies in this country.  Although a decision on preferred venues is yet to be made, I am confident that Brighton has made an excellent bid and it will be considered very strongly. In light of that fact I have contacted the International Rugby Board in support of the bid, as they will ultimately have the final say on the venues that are selected.

“I know that Brighton is up against some strong bids, but I am confident that the appeal of the city and the facilities available at the Amex will present a very strong case to both the RWC organising body and the IRB. We are now very close to final decisions, and I know that my constituents will be joining me in hoping for a successful outcome for Brighton.”

Ghost Walker wants to hear your stories

Adrian J Andrews
Adrian J Andrews

Adrian J Andrews, the official Ghost Walker of Kemptown, is looking for your ghostly experiences to help him write the most comprehensive guide to the hauntings of Brighton’s East End that has ever been attempted.

Adrian says that existing literature and entries on the internet offer only limited help when it comes to researching the subject, so if you have either worked or lived with a ghost, poltergeist or anything else that goes bump in the night or are aware that something unearthly wanders the immediate vicinity, Adrian needs to hear from you.

He is especially interested if your own experiences can be backed-up by someone else who has had a similar encounter of the spooky kind.

Adrian said:

“Brighton is the second most haunted city in the country; second only to York. Wherever you stand in Kemptown you are never further than 100 yards from the nearest paranormal activity.”

You must be prepared to be interviewed for the book and for a brief investigation of the premises or area to take place. Your actual address will not appear in print.

It is only the Kemptown area (both old and new) that Adrian is currently researching, so if your experiences are related to this part of Brighton, email: kreepykemptownghostwalks@yahoo.co.uk

Or send it to:

Kreepy Kemptown Ghost Walks, c/o The Queens Arms, 7-8 George Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1RH.

Don’t forget to include your name and contact details (which will be kept completely confidential).

You can also meet Adrian personally and join his tour of Kemptown every Saturday at 7.30pm from The Queens Arms. The box office opens at 7pm.

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