Penny Mordaunt MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will be visiting the iconic site tomorrow, August 5.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Simon Kirby MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven will accompany her to discuss the campaign to reopen the Lido
In her role as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, she is responsible for coastal towns, and was also recently a contestant on the television show, Splash alongside Tom Daley.
During her visit to Saltdean, Rebecca Crook of the Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company and Simon Kirby will be giving the Minister a tour of the Lido, as well as discussing the plans for its redevelopment. Simon has been a strong supporter of the Saltdean Lido CIC, and the visit tomorrow will be a further push on the road to its re-opening.
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Speaking ahead of the visit, Simon, said:“I am delighted to be showing Penny around the Lido. We all want to see the Lido reopened as soon as possible to become a vibrant hub of the community once more.
“This visit will be the perfect opportunity to raise the profile of the Saltdean Lido, and to tell Penny about the CIC’s exciting plans for the future. Whilst she is here, I will also be using the opportunity to raise a number of other issues of importance to my constituents in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.”
Adoption charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) is searching for a forever family for five-year-old twin girls.
The two girls, Katie and Emma(names have been changed), are currently living with a foster carer but need a permanent adoptive home.
PACT is family-finding for the twins under the Its All About Me (IAAM) scheme which means the girls may receive specialist therapeutic support tailored to their needs, if it is identified as necessary.
The IAAM scheme encourages families to come forward and adopt children who may otherwise be overlooked because of their age, ethnic background, additional needs or because they are in a sibling group.
Families adopting under IAAM are given a range of interventions geared to supporting adoptive parents, including training in therapeutic parenting tailored to the specific needs of the child, and 24-hour support during the first two years after adoption to reduce the risk of placement breakdown.
Mandy Davies, PACT’s IAAM Manager said: “At PACT we are dedicated to finding families for children of all ages and backgrounds.
“We welcome couples and single people to come and find out about adoption and how they could change the lives of children like Emma and Katie.”
To hear an audio interview with Emma and Katie’s social worker and foster carer, CLICK HERE:
To find out more about the girls, including seeing a recent video, email Mandy Davies.
PACT supports vulnerable families through outstanding adoption services, permanent fostering, award-winning therapeutic support and community projects in London and the south east.
PACT’s adoption services were judged as “outstanding” by Ofsted in January 2014 and its therapeutic services FACTS were voted “Voluntary Adoption Service of the Year” in the BAAF National Adoption Week Awards 2013.
George Montague affectionately known as the Oldest Gay in the Village got the shock of his life on Sunday when Sir Ian McKellen stopped by at his book signing session during the Village Street Party in St James Street.
Sir Ian McKellen and George Montague
George 91, a Pride Ambassador in 2013 spent Saturday afternoon in the Access Tent on Preston Park signing copies of his new book The Oldest Gay in the Village, a brutally honest story about the double life that George led in the 1940’s when he lived his straight life in public and his gay life in secret while being married to his wife Vera and fathering three children.
On Saturday evening he continued signing books outside Gelateria de Luca in St James Street. He returned on Sunday afternoon to continue signing his books when Sir Ian McKellen stopped by while on a walking tour around the village with two friends.
A shocked George chatted to Sir Ian and had a photographs taken with the Lord of the Rings star.
George with his book signed by Sir Ian McKellen
George said:“Saturday at Pride was one of the best days of my life and meeting Sir Ian on Sunday just made my Pride even better. He bought two copies of my book for the two friends with him and signed a copy of my book for myself and Somchai which I will cherish forever.
“He told me he already had a copy of my book which was such a thrill to find out.
“I was flattered by the number of young people, predominantly ladies who stopped, kissed me and then wanted a selfie with me.
“Each time I would ask for a small donation for the Rainbow Fund which has been donated to them along with the money I collected in my bucket all day on the Pride Parade and at Preston Park.”
George is 91 years young and lives on Brighton seafront with his partner Somchai. They met in 1997 and have been civil partners since 2006. They spend the winter months in Thailand where they have a home returning to Brighton each year for the summer months.
The Oldest Gay in the Village is published by John Blake Publishing, costs £8.99 and is available from Amazon.
Katy Bourne, the Police & Crime Commissioner has congratulated Sussex Police and Pride organisers for delivering a fun and successful event.
Sussex PCC, Katy Bourne and Surrey PCC, Kevin Hurley
It is the second time that the Commissioner, has attended Pride in her role as PCC and she says that this year’s event was a particularly enjoyable one.
Mrs Bourne, said:“The good humoured crowds appeared to be bigger than ever but the atmosphere remained carnival-like and I was delighted to be part of this.
“Before the Pride Parade left Madeira Drive, I did a walkabout with my Surrey colleague, Kevin Hurley, who had never been to a Pride event before. Mr Hurley thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness of the day and appreciated all the hard work that goes into it.
“Pride this year was particularly special given that gay couples are now allowed to marry. Something that the rest of us often take for granted.
“This year’s theme was ‘#FreedomToLive’ and I was pleased to see that there was huge support in the parade for those living in countries that are persecuted for their sexuality.
“I would also like to thank partner organisations for helping to make the weekend as safe as possible for the tens of thousands of additional people in the City.
“Getting the right balance in policing an event like this is crucial. Officers were there to uphold the law and keep people safe and I witnessed them being professional, good humoured and friendly, despite many of them working incredibly long shifts.
“I’m looking forward to speaking to the Pride organisers in order to find out how some of the changes they implemented this year impacted on the local community, particularly, the ticketing of the Pride Village Party in St James Street.
“I would also like to thank everyone who visited my stand in Preston Park as part of my Talk Sussex programme, which is an opportunity for residents to have their local say in local policing and crime priorities.
“Members of the Sussex Youth Commission worked on my stall this year and helped get over 80 Community Remedy surveys filled out as well as continuing their ‘Big Conversation’.
“I am already looking forward to next year’s Pride.”
Campaigners wishing to save the Brighton Hippodrome as a venue for live performance are staging a benefit to help towards their legal costs.
Brighton Hippodrome are appealing to the Secretary of State to CALL IN the decision by Brighton & Hove Planning committee to allow the venue to be turned into a restaurant and 8 screen cinema complex.
The Beatles tribute band, Vox Beatles will be appearing at 8.30pm at the The Cubar, 5 Preston Street, Brighton. Tickets are £10 on the door (Further donations welcome).
For more information about their campaign to keep the former Music hall as a live performance facility, CLICK HERE:
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have been praised by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) campaigners for their inclusiveness and visibility of LGBTI issues.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games have set a new benchmark on inclusion and visibility of LGBTI people, including:
• Rainbow flags flying at Scottish Government, local government and trade union premises all over Scotland.
• The inclusion of a same-sex kiss in the Games opening ceremony, seen by hundreds of millions across the globe.
• Unprecedented high level positive statements on LGBTI equality and human rights by the First Minister Alex Salmond, Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games Shona Robison, and Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop.
• Scottish Government funding for the first Commonwealth Games Pride House, a space for LGBT people to enjoy the Games.
• Engagement on LGBTI human rights issues across the Commonwealth, including an international conference held by the Equality Network and partner organisations on 18th July in Glasgow, attended by over 150 human rights activists including speakers from around the world.
• A major exhibition created by the Equality Network, ‘LGBTI People of the Commonwealth’, highlighting the challenges facing LGBTI people in each of the 53 Commonwealth countries, and the work of their national LGBTI organisations.
• The launch of the Scottish Government’s One Scotland campaign during the Games, with its Equal Scotland theme and high-profile advertising across the country. To view, CLICK HERE:
The Equality Network, Scotlands equality campaigning charity along with other LGBTI equality organisations, spent more than a year preparing for the Games, engaging positively with the Scottish Government and Glasgow 2014 to ensure LGBTI issues across the Commonwealth were not forgotten during the games.
Scott Cuthbertson
Scott Cuthbertson, Community Development Coordinator for the Equality Network, said:“In no previous games has the visibility and inclusion of LGBTI people been so high. From the new ‘Glasgow kiss’, leadership on LGBTI issues from the top of the Scottish Government, and rainbow flags being flown across Scotland, to opportunities to talk about the Commonwealth human rights record on LGBTI equality, the Glasgow 2014 games have set a standard for LGBTI visibility and inclusiveness which we hope future games will build upon.
“There is much to be done by the Commonwealth Secretariat and member countries to ensure human rights for LGBTI people across the globe, and we hope the Glasgow 2014 Games will be seen as part of a movement for positive change. We’re already reaching out to LGBTI groups in Gold Coast in the hope momentum is kept up.”
The Equality Network’s ‘LGBTI people of the Commonwealth’ exhibition will leave Glasgow at the end of the Games, to begin a national tour. The exhibition will give people the opportunity to learn more about what life is like for LGBTI people in the 53 Commonwealth nations where 42 of the 53 member countries criminalise same-sex activity.
Matthew Cuttler
Matthew Cutler, Project Director, PrideHouse Toronto, added: “When the vast majority of Commonwealth states criminalize homosexuality, and as millions watch live, it is no small feat to show same-sex affection and to celebrate same-sex marriage in the opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games.
“As we prepare for the 2105 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in Toronto, we will look to the Glaswegian games as a strong example of how multi-sport games can provide a platform to advance inclusion and human rights for LGBT people.”
On behalf of the Rainbow Fund, I am writing to thank all involved and all who attended this weekend’s Brighton Pride events.
So many people put so much time and effort into the weekend, which again showed Brighton and Hove at its very best. Of course there will be issues or concerns but overall it was good natured, enjoyable and together we sent a strong message for LGBT rights across the world.
The organisers have been determined to ensure that Pride has a purpose, and I am pleased to confirm that the money raised through Pride and the various supporting events goes straight into the current Rainbow Fund grants round, which is open for applications until Friday.
Groups who are volunteer-led, provide a frontline service and who are set up to benefit the local LGBT and HIV community should apply now, with the outcomes due to be announced on September 1. This year, we are passing the money raised to the groups as quickly as possible to maximise its impact.
Decisions are made by an Independent Grants Panel, which had an open recruitment process earlier in the year, to ensure an open and transparent decision-making process. Equally, the Rainbow Fund is a registered not for profit Community Interest Company and holds the funding donated to it in an external charity account set up through a national scheme to ensure that it can only ever be spent on charitable causes, as nominated by the Independent Grants Panel.
We hope that this is a fair, transparent and open process for our donors.
Thank you again, especially to the Pride organisers and volunteers, for ensuring that Pride has the local community its heart.
Labour parliamentary candidate says cutting the fire service is a false economy and claims funding is available.
Simon Herbert, Chair of East Sussex FBU and Nancy Platts, Labour candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Following the Governments annnouncement of £2 million pounds to restore Eastbourne Pier following being gutted by a fire last week, Nancy Platts, the labour candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven claims this illustrates that funding was available to avoid the £750,000 of cuts to the fire service in Brighton and Hove.
The cuts were voted through by Conservative, Liberal Democrat and UKIP Councillors from outside the City of Brighton and Hove at the Fire Authority meeting on June 5 and will result in the loss of one of only five fire engines and 24 firefighters who provide fire and rescue services in the City of Brighton and Hove.
Nancy Platts, Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven said: “The fire on Eastbourne pier must have been devastating for the local community and I am sure the pledge of Government funding of £2m to restore it will be very welcome; but the fact that £2m was available so quickly will surely leave the residents of Brighton and Hove feeling bemused after the decisions in June to cut our local fire service back to the bare bones.
“I trust that the Chief Fire Office and the Councillors on the Fire Authority will be writing to David Cameron asking him to find a further £750,000 which is all that is needed to avoid the loss of essential front line services in our City. ”
Simon Herbert, Chair of East Sussex FBU, added: “Firefighters worked extremely hard to bring the very serious Eastbourne pier fire under control so quickly and to save a large part of the pier is a testament to their hard work, especially in the initial stages of the incident.
“Cutting the Fire Service to save money is a false economy. The business and financial losses to the tourism industries far outweigh any of the savings that are being made through fire service cuts. Fire already costs local businesses over £6m a year. Tourism generates over £704m each year, any increase in the severity of fire will massively increase costs to local businesses and negatively impact tourism income.
“When a fire engine is removed from the City, there will be insufficient appliances available day or night to deal with even a small fire on the Pier. In order to tackle an incident on the pier, resources would need to be brought in from neighbouring areas. This would delay rescues and our ability to extinguish fire, leading to a more severe fire, with far more damage and a far greater cost to society and businesses. The knock on effect must not be underestimated.”
Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, commented:“I have consistently opposed reducing fire engine cover for our area and was very saddened when the UKIP councillor who chairs the Fire Authority voted for these reductions to front line services.
“I have always argued that the fire authority should look again at reducing back office costs, working with other authorities on shared services to lower costs and not assume reductions in services are automatically necessary, especially after a recent increase in Council Tax.
“I am also concerned that the way in which the Newhaven Fire Station will be operating could leave East Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs and Peacehaven with cover that is unpredictable, potentially endangering residents. This is particularly concerning for the elderly and young families.”
As an early member and chair-person of Sussex Gay Liberation Front I am sad to see how Gay Pride celebrations have become more and more an excuse for making money.
The original idea for the march and outdoor picnic was a celebration of sexual diversity and tolerance and the term out of the closet was coined to symbolise the act of honest confrontation with bigotry.
I remember when the march consisted of a few hundred people and even fewer stalls on a plot behind St Peters church. We brought our own food and drink and enjoyed an inexpensive day. Now the powers that be have dropped the word Gay from this event and we are left with Pride.
Pride in what I wonder? How much we are forced to spend in a weekend? Having done that the organisers have sought to coral the (by now) thousands of revellers in a huge pen in the beautiful Preston park in order to charge us £20+ a head to pay for their captivity and ban all personal food and drink being brought in to make even more money.
Now the men in black have decided to penalise those people who prefer to celebrate Gay Pride in the gay village area surrounding St James street by making them pay £5 for a wrist band in order to get into the area and the pubs. This is yet another infringement on the freedom to congregate and celebrate.
If the idea was to reduce down the large numbers of visitors flocking to a relatively small space are on safety grounds they haven’t said so. I suspect that the real reason is for someone to make money and we should all ask who is getting this money if it is for charity then we should all have the right to pay it voluntarily or decline not be forced to “DONATE”. I will never pay it.
If we accept to pay for the this wrist band TAX this year next year they will find some other pretext for another shake down.
Brighton Hippodrome are appealing to the Secretary of State to CALL IN the decision by Brighton & Hove Planning committee to allow the venue to be turned into a restaurant and 8 screen cinema complex.
As an early member and chair-person of Sussex Gay Liberation Front I am sad to see how Gay Pride celebrations have become more and more an excuse for making money.
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