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Conversations for life!

Martlets HospiceMartlets Hospice is holding two events to encourage local people to talk about what they’d like to happen at the end of life. The Conversations for Life events are friendly and informal sessions using a film and a card game to facilitate discussion. The events are free and being held at the Martlets Hospice on Wednesday May 15 at 2pm – 4pm and on Thursday May 16 at 7pm – 9pm.

The Martlets will also have a stand at a Funeral Fair on Tuesday, May 14,  10 am – 4pm at Hove Town Hall. Sussex Funeral Services are holding the fair which is free and open to everyone. Stalls holders will include funeral directors, solicitors, charities, local horse and carriage masters as well as a local white dove company.

The events are part of the Dying Matters Awareness Week (May 13-19, 2013), which has been organised by the Dying Matters Coalition to encourage people to talk openly about dying, death and bereavement. Throughout Dying Matters Awareness Week, events and activities are being held up and down the country to raise awareness about end of life issues.

Dawn Allen, Chaplain at the Martlets Hospice and Conversations for Life facilitator, said:

“Talking about what you want to happen when you reach the end of your life may be one of the most difficult conversations you’ll ever have with a loved one. But it may be one of the most important.  The Conversations for Life cards are like an ‘icebreaker’ to help you talk through what you think is going to be important to you. Some of the wishes on the cards are “to be able to talk about what frightens me” “to prevent arguments by making sure my family knows what I want” “to be free from pain” I’ve found that every time a person experiences a Conversations for Life session, the response is similar, I need to talk to my family when I get home…”

The theme of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2013 is Be ready for it, an action-focused call to action aimed at encouraging members of the public to take five simple steps to make their end of life experience better, both for them and for their loved ones.

The five steps are:

• 1. Make a will

• 2. Record your funeral wishes

• 3. Plan your future care and support

• 4. Register as an organ donor

• 5. Tell your loved ones your wishes

For more details, CLICK HERE:  www.themartlets.org.uk/home/index.html

U turn on Seven Dials tree

Seven Dials tree Protest

An elm tree located  in the ward of the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jason Kitcat, that could have been felled as part of safety improvements to the Seven Dials road junction is set to be reprieved by the city council following a protest campaign by community activists.

Councillors are being asked to agree a compromise which will spare the tree that stands on the corner of Vernon Terrace and the busy Seven Dials junction.  However it means that surrounding pavements will be narrower than national standards, which have been set to allow adequate space for wheelchairs and electric buggies.

Traffic engineers have designed a solution that narrows the road space at the entrance to Vernon Terrace where the tree stands. This would enable the pavement to be widened, surrounding the tree and allow enough space for pedestrians to pass and cross.

There had been earlier concerns that the tree would obscure pedestrians’ view of traffic from a new zebra crossing, but the new proposal effectively creates a one metre wide pavement on either side. As a result drivers and pedestrians using the new crossing will be able to see each other far better.

A gap between the tree and a nearby wall would have to remain at around 1m compared to the recommended minimum of 1.2m.

Chair of the Transport Committee Councillor Ian Davey said:

“It is clear that this tree is much-loved by the local community, so I am delighted that our transport team have been able to re-design this part of the scheme. It’s not perfect, but we have found a way to incorporate the tree within a much wider pavement, with a smoother surface.

“This fully addresses the visibility concerns whilst improving accessibility for those with disabilities.”

Commenting on the U turn, a council spokesperson, said:

“Our original intentions were laudable in that we wanted the pavement to meet the nationally-recommended minimum width for wheelchairs.  But we want to balance that with legitimate concerns about the tree. Hopefully we now have a compromise that everyone can support

The transport committee is expected to approve the layout changes at its meeting on April 30.  Work on other parts of the scheme is already underway and council officers will continue to work with the community to keep them updated on the scheme and any concerns they have around the tree.

Seafront Plinth given the go ahead

Mike Weatherley, MP
Mike Weatherley, MP

A plinth that will display a series of temporary sculptures and changing art installations has been given the go ahead at a Council Planning Committee on April 24.

The Hove Civic Society plans to install the plinth on the King’s Esplanade, opposite the statue of Queen Victoria to the south end of Grand Avenue.

The Society feels that the initiative will provide a link between the heritage and history of the area and the contemporary world and will showcase stimulating sculptures that will be both borrowed and commissioned, and will provide opportunities for the involvement of local artists and cultural partners.

Support for the initiative has been expressed from a wide range of potential partner organisations including Brighton Festival, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, and Same Sky.

The Society is a registered charity that has been in existence for over 50 years. The society encourages high standards of architecture and town planning, and their campaigns strive to celebrate and improve the character of Hove.

Mike Weatherley. MP for Hove & Portslade who backed the proposal is thrilled with the news.

He said:

“Receiving planning permission for the plinth is excellent news for the exciting project. With so much creative talent in the city, I know that this space for showcasing art and sculptures will be an enormous success. I have no doubt that Hove Civic Society are delighted by the news and look forward to the unveiling of the plinth.”

For more information, CLICK HERE:  www.hovecivicsociety.org
 

Bishop of Chichester attends gay Christian conference in Brighton’/

Bishop Martin at the LGCM conference
Bishop Martin at the LGCM conference

The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, the 103rd Bishop of Chichester, addressed the Annual Conference of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) on Saturday April 20 in Brighton.

His principal message to those present was “You are among friends”.

This was the first time a senior Anglican bishop had attended a specific conference of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people.  It came in the same week as the Archbishop of Canterbury had meetings with gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and also with members of the LGBT Anglican Coalition.

Bishop Martin shared in the opening worship, welcomed the conference to his diocese and took questions.  He said that the Diocese of Chichester values the LGBT community in its midst and that LGBT people have enriched the life of the Church and of the area.

He identified himself with the conference strapline,  challenging homophobia, creating an inclusive church and told a story about a young person who was suicidal because of his inability to reconcile his faith with his sexuality but who was eventually saved by hearing The Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, the out gay partnered Dean of St Albans, speak at a festival.   Brighton is a city full of students and young people, many of whom are similarly vulnerable, he added.

In answer to questioning Bishop Martin said he was not in favour of gay marriage on theological grounds but he felt the Church needed to find ways to honour gay relationships.  These were different from marriage but deserved equally to be respected and valued.  He announced that the listening process (listening to the experience of LGBT people) initiated by the 1998 Lambeth Conference, which had not really developed in this diocese, would begin afresh.  He also confirmed that being in a civil partnership is not necessarily a bar to ordination.

Bishop Martin said:

Brighton and Hove is the largest concentrated area of LGBT people anywhere in the country. The welcome I received at the event was unquestionably gracious and generous. We should be enormously grateful for the voice that this community brings to our ministry. 

Nigel Nash, convenor of Brighton and Hove LGCM, said:

“We are grateful to Bishop Martin for coming to the conference and for delivering such a positive statement.  This offers real hope for future cooperation”.

Dr Keith Sharpe, Chair of Changing Attitude Sussex, commented:

“We are delighted that Bishop Martin has committed himself and the Diocese of Chichester to fighting against homophobia and for inclusion.  Hopefully the renewed listening process will mean that a real and open dialogue can develop between the Church and the LGBT community.  In the light of his remarks about marriage we also hope that Bishop Martin will vote for civil partnerships to be celebrated in Church when this is discussed in the House of Bishops”.

Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM, said:

“It was reassuring to hear the welcoming message from Bishop Martin which was sincere and heartfelt, and his response to the varied questions that were presented was honest even when the answer was not necessarily what the audience wanted to hear. This sort of dialogue allows for both parties to be heard and real progress to be made. I feel confident that a true listening process will be instigated and that the LGBT community in Bishop Martin’s diocese will find a welcome within the church.”

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