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Madrid prepares for IGLTA global convention to promote gay tourism

IGLTA board and Spanish tourist officials
IGLTA board and Spanish tourist officials

Madrid’s Counsellor for Employment, Tourism and Culture, Ana Isabel Marino, recently welcomed the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) Board of Directors to the city and introduced them to directors and CEOs of major companies and public administration interested in the gay market.

Their intention was to raise awareness for the 31st IGLTA Annual Global Convention for gay tourism, which Madrid is hosting between May 8-10, 2014.

This is the first time in its 31-year history that the IGLTA convention will be held in Spain, and marks the first time that Spain’s national, regional and local governments have united to openly promote LGBT tourism and businesses.

Madrid

Marino was accompanied at the event by Director General of Tourspain (the top organisation responsible for the promotion of tourism in Spain), Marta Blanco; the Delegate of the Arts, Sports and Tourism of the City Hall of Madrid, Pedro Corral; IGLTA Board Chair Dan Melesurgo; and IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella.

The IGLTA board was also received in the Spanish Parliament – the highest institution of state representation.

Teófilo de Luis and Álvaro Romero from the Cabinet of the President of the Congress of Deputies held a long meeting with IGLTA – another major step toward integrating the gay market in the country.

Madrid

David Martin Moreno and Juan Pedro Tudela of Diversity Consulting, who are serving as consultants for the convention in Spain, co-ordinated these events. Strategic support was also provided through the LGBT Chambers of Commerce in Spain led by Rafael Moral Escudero.

Gay tourism accounts for 700 million euros annually in the region of Madrid. The LGBT segment has a high disposable income, spends nearly 40 percent more than the average niche market, and travels year-round.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

 

Kemptown MP maintains pressure on Treasury over hospital funding

Simon Kirby, MP
Simon Kirby, MP

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has asked the Prime Minister to get behind his Royal Sussex County Hospital redevelopment campaign.

At this afternoon’s session of Prime Minister’s Question Time (Wednesday, October 16) Mr Kirby informed David Cameron of the petition he handed to the Health Secretary yesterday which contained nearly 1000 names calling for £420 million of Government funding for the hospital.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the business case for the redevelopment is still being considered, whilst also making the point that any investment is only possible because of this Government’s commitment to the increasing NHS funding in real terms.

Mr Kirby said:

“I am pleased that I was able to follow up the delivery of my petition yesterday with a Prime Minister’s Question in the House of Commons today.

“The Treasury are still reviewing the hospital’s redevelopment proposal and determining whether to release the necessary funds. It is important to generate as much support as possible behind the hospital so that the right decision is made, and I am grateful to the Prime Minister for reconfirming his commitment to the NHS and recognising how important this issue is to people in my constituency.”

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley gave formal Department of Health approval for the £420 million plans for the Royal Sussex County Hospital in June 2012.

Locally, concerns have been growing at the delays in the Treasury releasing funds for the development to commence.

 

 

LETTER TO EDITOR : Thank you from THT

Letter to editor THT

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Brighton would like to say a massive thank you to the all the staff, customers and contestants at Subline for Mr Subline 2013 on Friday, October 4.

The evening was a great success with Wilma Fingerdo hosting and David Fawcett being crowned this years winner.

£455 was raised to support Terrence Higgins Trusts local services.

Thanks again,

Ross Boseley

 

 

Could You Brave the Winter Chill & Sleep Rough?

Off the fence

Could you brave the winter chill and sleep rough for one night to raise funds for the Martlets Hospice?

The Martlets has teamed up with Off the Fence and is asking supporters to sign up and get sponsored to Sleepout on Saturday, November 16

The ‘Big Sleepout’ will give you a taste of what life could be like if you had to sleep on the streets. You’ll build your own shelter and spend the night in the grounds of Aldrington Primary school in Hove.

The challenge starts at 7pm and breakfast will be provided in the morning. It is free to register but you will be asked to raise sponsorship which will go to fund patient care at the Martlets Hospice.

Martlets Event Organiser, Antonia Shepherd, explained why she was keen for the Martlets to get involved:

She said:

“We were delighted when we were offered the chance to participate in this event because we know that our supporters are always looking for new challenges and ways to raise money for us. We know this will be a tough event but it’s a great way for people who aren’t keen on running marathons or sponsored walks to get involved with us.”

To find out more about the Big Sleepout CLICK HERE:

Southampton Pink Ball raises £11,000

Pink Ball, Southampton

The final Pink Ball in its present format took place at The Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton on Saturday October 5 and was organised by The London Hotel, a former winner of the Golden Handbag Award for Best Out Of Town Venue.

This annual fundraising Gala Dinner has been widely considered the most lavish and glamorous LGBT event in Hampshire for the past 5 years.

Pink Ball Southampton

This year’s gala raised £11,000 which will be shared between the The Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity and Ben Cohen’s’ Stand-up Foundation. The total raised by the Pink Ball over the last 5 years comes to just over £80,000

Entertainment on the evening which had a 1940’s theme was provided by Karen Dalton, Drag With No Name, Good Old “Elsie” and featured the debut performance of The Southampton Male Voice Choir.

Drag With No Name
Drag With No Name

The gala was hosted by Jason Palmer, who presented the auctions, raffles, silent auctions, cup cake buying and ‘Name the Teddy’ all ably assisted by Pat Cruise who made her final appearance on stage before sailing off into the Sunset aboard the Slippery Queen in search of……………………………………………. Well something!!!!!

 

RUSSELL KANE: Brighton Comedy Festival@Dome: Review

Russell-Kane-5073111

Boy, did I hate Russell Kane six months ago. I can’t for the life of me now remember how it started. Perhaps it had something to do with me being a snob. Alright. It had lots to do with me being a snob. I’d seen him prancing about at various film premieres and had formed a judgement that he was a preening dick. He also seemed to be on BBC3 whenever I accidentally flicked over, presenting some god awful comedy showcase. I really didn’t like the bugger.

Then I heard him on Just A Minute and the boy done good! He had a brain, he had a moral compass, he had a lot of nous, and, most importantly, Mr Parsons had taken him to his blazered bosom and Mr Parsons can do no wrong in my eyes (well, let’s forget the Wonga voiceovers shall we). So when I got a chance to see his new show – ‘Smallness‘ – I didn’t hesitate. It was beginning to feel like it wasn’t him that was the problem – it was me.

Bounding on stage in sprayed-on raspberry jeans and a low cut silky t-shirt, Kane is a ball of energy, constantly voicing inner dialogues (which can, in the wrong hands, seem a sop to PC-ness, but not here), and even acting out the characteristics of different cheeses (“Oh look, I’m an uptight English Cheddar. Now I’m a flowing Camembert”).

Smallness is a theme used very loosely, giving him free rein to cover such disparate subjects as the uptightness of the English in comparison to other nationalities, his own rise to fame and the wobbles he’s had on the way, and wanting to retain a childlike wonder in his everyday life.

On the way, we hear about his rather distressing encounters with people who recognise him from being on the telly, his own encounters with people more famous than him, and, indeed, why exactly he does all that prancing around at film premieres (that’s where the childlike wonder bit comes in).

He’s engaging, smart, funny, self-deprecating, and as he prowls the stage like a wired spider, going off at tangents, quite often almost muttering under his breath a very funny comment that you have to strain to hear, I sit there wondering quite what I found to dislike in the guy in the first place.

His set, at over an hour and a half is a little too rambling at the end, as he’s far too easily distracted (“Image being me – I get nothing done”), but this feels like a minor quibble when he’s entertained us so royally, whether rabbiting on about the Scouseoporosis that seems to affect people X Factor contestants, how the Savile scandal would make the shortest ever episode of Poirot, or how British people just can’t take Kim Jong-Un at all seriously, and why.

I walked out of the Dome a full-blown Kane convert. Turns out it was me who was the dick all along. Who’d have thunk it?

Russell Kane played the Dome as part of the Brighton Comedy Festival on October 14 2013

Hove MP Weatherley reaffirms his support to PM for hunting ban

Mike Weatherley, MP
Mike Weatherley, MP

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has written a letter to the Prime Minister reaffirming his support for the Hunting Act 2004, which banned hunting with dogs.

Mike, a strong supporter of animal welfare has pledged to vote against any attempt to repeal the Hunting Act. Mike has consistently voted in favour of animal rights and has supported a number of campaigns for better treatment of animals in the UK.

The Hunting Act 2004 was introduced following public outrage that cruel sports were taking place across the country. Mike regularly meets with animal campaigners and is a Member of Conservatives against Fox Hunting.

Mike said:

“My support of the ban on hunting with dogs has been unwavering – it’s cruel and should stay banned. I felt that it was important to highlight to the Prime Minister that there is no appetite locally for a ban and that I would vote against any attempt to alter or repeal it.”

For more details on the animal welfare campaigns that Mike has supported, CLICK HERE:

 

Simon Kirby MP promoted to Foreign Office role

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, has been appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

PPS’s are appointed by the Prime Minister, and provide an important link between senior Government Ministers and backbench Members of Parliament.

Mr Kirby was previously PPS to Hugh Robertson MP in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, using the role to lobby on a range of sport and tourism issues, including the successful campaign to bring the Rugby World Cup to Brighton.

Following Mr Robertson’s move to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as Minister of State, Mr Kirby will now take up a new position within a new Government office.

Simon said:

“I am delighted to have been promoted to PPS within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as it will give me the opportunity to lobby the Government from a more senior position. My focus will always be on the issues that matter to local people and in my experience the PPS role has allowed me to be an even louder voice for the people of Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.

“Constituents regularly contact me with foreign affairs concerns, for example LGBT rights in Russia and our relationship with the EU. I am pleased that I will now be able to represent my constituents in these matters from a position of influence within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.”

 

No bikes on Hove seafront!

Bicycles on Hove Promenade

Hove residents have rejected Council ideas of allowing cycling on Hove promenade in an extensive survey carried out by local Conservatives in Central Hove and Westbourne wards.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s plan of lifting the current ban on cycling on the iconic seafront route, between the Peace status and Hove lagoon, was objected to by clear two-thirds majority (65%) of residents.

Upon hearing the council administration’s proposal, local Conservatives thought it important that residents should have their say on the future of their seafront.

They contacted 9,000 homes in Central Hove and Westbourne wards over the summer.

Objectors expressed fears about safety of seafront walkers, particularly children and older people being knocked down. Many residents said that speeding cyclists and pedestrians simply do not mix – and that the promenade should be kept for promenading.

The view that there was already enough seafront provision was common, with people pointing out that there is already a cycle lane that on the other side of the Lawns. Others argued that enough money had already been spent on cycle lanes in the city.

A minority (30%) were more receptive to allowing some cycling on the promenade, suggesting that with clearly marked lanes cyclists and pedestrians could share the seafront space.

Adam Love
Adam Love

One of the organisers of the survey, Central Hove council candidate, Adam Love, said:

“Residents have clearly rejected the Green council’s idea of cycling on Hove promenade. As a cyclist, I want to see more people using bikes, but there is a perfectly good lane just the other side of Hove Lawns.

“People get great pleasure from peacefully strolling along the promenade – there is seems no benefit from ruining their enjoyment by making them dodge bikes.”

Cllr Andrew Wealls
Cllr Andrew Wealls

Andrew Wealls, Cllr for Central Hove, added:

“I have had several residents contact me who have been knocked over and injured by speeding cyclists on the prom and I doubt they will be surprised by everyone’s response to this proposal. It is a shame because this small minority of irresponsible people are spoiling it for everyone.”

Jobs in Hove all washed up by planners decision

Staff at Performance Valleting to lose their jobs
Staff at Performance Valleting to lose their jobs

A car wash business which opened in Hove without planning permission has been ordered to shut down.

Osman Shala, who ran Performance Valeting from Unit B at the Westerman Complex in School Road, has been served with an  enforcement notice by Brighton & Hove City council.

Mr Shala has been given 28 days to stop running the business from the Westerman Complex and remove all signage and equipment.

The action was taken after investigations from the council found that noise from the car wash, particularly jet washing and vaccuming equipment was likely to disturb residents living nearby.

A noise abatement notice was served on the business in July.

The owner was given the opportunity to apply for planning permission to run the businesses at the site but no application was submitted to the council.

Chair of the council’s planning committee Phelim MacCafferty, said:

“All residents are entitled to peace and quiet in their homes, including those living near to industrial sites.

“Our enforcement teams work hard to balance the needs of small businesses with the amenities of residents and will not hesitate to take action when planning laws are breached in this way.”

 

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