Photos by Captain Cockroach
Day: July 5, 2017
Quaker burial site discovered on Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Estate
A 200-year-old burial site has been discovered during redevelopment work at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.
Skeletons have been uncovered on-site and are in the process of being exhumed from underneath the area that was formerly the venue’s mini conference room.
The remains are thought to be from ‘Quakers Croft’ a Quaker burial ground that existed before the Royal Pavilion Estate was built.
Alan Robins, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Tourism, Development and Culture committee, said: “We understand that up to nine graves have been uncovered during the excavations. The remains are now being carefully exhumed and will be examined to determine more about the deceased before being re-buried or cremated.
“The find isn’t totally unexpected as the Royal Pavilion Estate site has so many strong historic links but this is a significant find for the archaeologists and another important addition to the city’s rich cultural story.”
Darryl Palmer of Archaeology South-East who is managing the dig on site, added: “This is a significant find that shines a light on an important historical moment in the city. The Quaker meeting house and cemetery at the Dome is recorded on the Bishop’s map of 1803 and absent by the OS town plan of 1876. The best clue as to when worship and burial ceased is when the Quaker meeting house moved to the current location on Meeting House Lane in 1805.”
A spokesperson for Brighton Quakers, said: “We are excited at the news of this discovery. We have known for a long time about the burial ground being used from 1700 to 1805 but did not know that any Quakers were left buried there. We are fascinated to hear of this link with our past and look forward to learning more.”
The work at the Corn Exchange is part of an ambitious project to restore and reunite the Royal Pavilion Estate buildings and gardens. The work began in March this year, 2017, and is expected to be completed by late 2018.
For more information about the project, click here:
Newcastle Pride candlelit vigil to mark LGBT+ struggle
Members of the North East’s LGBT+ communities are being invited to show their support for those who have lost their lives – and those who keep fighting – for LGBT rights worldwide, with a special event held during Newcastle Pride.
On Sunday, July 23 – regional charity, Northern Pride, which organises Newcastle Pride, will be hosting a candlelit vigil to mark the end of this year’s tenth annual festival.
The candlelit vigil, which begins at 9pm at Newcastle Civic Centre will feature a reading from a member of the LGBT+ asylum community from Rainbow Home – an organisation in Newcastle helping LBGT refugees.
Anyone affected by tragedies such as the Orlando nightclub shooting or Chechnya’s gay concentration camps, is invited to attend the vigil and show their respect for those involved.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said: “The Co-op candlelit vigil is the perfect place for the LGBT community to share a moment of reflection for other members of the community who are being persecuted around the world.
“We still have such a long way to go in the fight against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and we refuse to tolerate anti LGBT violence anywhere in the world.
“The fight for equal rights continues and we hope everyone will join us in lighting a thousand candles to not only remember – but celebrate – all those who have dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBT rights.”
he popular festival, which attracted more than 73,000 visitors and contributed more than £10.4m to the economy in 2016, is returning with its largest ever line up on the 21 to 23 July weekend at Newcastle Town Moor.
For full listings for all of this year’s satellite events and the official Newcastle Pride weekend, click here: or search northernprideuk on Facebook and Twitter.
The festival itself is free to attend, however a number of Gold Circle and VIP tickets are available for those who want to guarantee prime viewing spots for the performances on July 22 and 23.
To book tickets online, click here:
A Very Queer Nazi Faust – a brand new play by controversial author, Vince Laws plays at Norwich Pride 2017
“Innovative fearless & funny!”……. Trudy Howson, UK LGBT Poet Laureate
Trigger Warning! Contains adult themes and language, nudity, mental health, HIV, DWP Deaths, Lucifer, and poetry, but no Nazis.
Poet, artist and contrary queen, Vince Laws, is bringing his brand new play, A Very Queer Nazi Faust, to Norwich Pride 2017.
“The best theatre production you’ll see all year! Telling the sad story that faces so many of our most vulnerable citizens with fantastic wit and compelling drama.”……..Lewis Martin
The play aims to highlight the plight of disabled humans under the current Tory government and the previous Tory/Lib Dem coalition.
It features the DEAD PEOPLE DON’T CLAIM banner, and a host of local legends, telling ‘The Tragic True Life & Deserved Death of a Benefit Scrounger by Himself, John Faust’.
“I love it John,” exclaims Lucifer, “but I think that title deserves a Dandy tweak?”
Faust’s benefits have been stopped without warning, he’s overdrawn, he can’t pay his rent, the bailiffs are coming, his car needs a new clutch, his dog’s at the vets with blood poisoning, the DWP brown envelopes keep piling up, in despair, Faust throws himself off Beeston Bump, but Lucifer won’t let him drown. “Finish your book John, I love it! But I want a bigger part and a happy ending!”
“Fearless storytelling. The performance in the church, especially, reminded me that theatre began in churches in England . And if ever we needed miracle plays, today is the time. Great writing. Great delivery. And never have chains been worn so stylishly.” …..Dugald Ferguson
Although the controversial title and theme were left out of the printed version of Norwich Pride’s programme, A Very Queer Nazi Faust will be performed in the big tent on Chapelfield Gardens at 4pm on Pride Saturday, July 29, and lasts about an hour.
“Dramatic and hard-hitting. A visual and sensory feast with a strong and topical message.”….. Nick O’Brien, Norwich Pride
“I thought long and hard about the title,” said Vince. “I realise some people find the word queer triggering, and I’m sorry if that upsets anyone on the day, that is not my intention. Context is king. Queer is a more inclusive term, i.e. there are non-LGBT+ people who identify as queer. It can mean strange, different, other, and I think we queers have thoroughly reclaimed it by now.”
“The first people the Nazis killed systematically were the disabled, after demonising people with disabilities as a burden on taxpayers in the press. Sound familiar?” explains Vince.
“Look up Aktion T4. ‘Under the programme certain German physicians were authorized to select patients “deemed incurably sick, after most critical medical examination” and then administer to them a “mercy death”…’ Wikipedia.
“Today, the United Nations has found the current UK Tory government ‘guilty of grave and systematic abuse of disabled people’s human rights’, twice.
“People are dying because of the way the benefit system is being used as a weapon against them. I feel like an enemy of the state because I have disabilities. Fuck that. ‘If the system cripples you, you must cripple the system!’ Oscar Wilde. This play is my way of fighting back.”
“I loved it ❤️ Jan McLachlan [Lucifer] total star ⭐️ well written , totally got it 👍 left me wanting more”
A Very Queer Nazi Faust has been made on a shoestring budget, crowdfunding and enthusiasm.
If you can’t make the show on Pride Saturday, you can see Act 1, 30 minutes, at the launch of the Pride Without Prejudice art show, at St Margaret’s Church of Art, Norwich, NR2 4AQ, on Monday, July 24, at 8pm.
You can see Act 2, 30 minutes, at the closing party for Pride Without Prejudice art show, on Friday, August 4, at 8pm.
All performances are free. Contains adult themes and language.
Everyone is giving their time free, but donations towards props and costumes etc most welcome.
To make a donation, click here:
To highlight Queer Solidarity with People With Disabilities, Vince will be carrying the DEAD PEOPLE DON’T CLAIM banner at Norwich Pride, and anyone who wants to, is welcome to join him.
Vince is also collaborating with artist and activist Lisa Mac to create 100 Triangles of Love, pink/black cardboard triangles to carry on the parade to highlight Queer Solidarity with People With Disabilities, and their shared history of oppression, and the ongoing oppression they face around the world.
If you’d like to carry a Triangle of Love, or make your own and join the, email: vincelaws@gmail.com or contact via Facebook.
Act 1 Monday, July 24 at 8pm at St Margaret’s Church of Art, Norwich, NR2 4AQ, duration 30 minutes, Free.
Act 1 & 2 (whole show) Pride Saturday, July 29 at 4pm in Big Tent on Chapelfield Gardens, duration 60 minutes, Free.
Act 2 Friday, August 4 at 8pm at St Margaret’s Church of Art, Norwich, NR2 4AQ, duration 30 minutes, Free.
PREVIEW: Tori Scott at Marlborough Theatre and Live at Zedel in London
“Tori Scott is the Bette Midler of the New Millennium”……. Provincetown Magazine.
Robin Rayner Productions present Tori Scott’s UK debut at The Marlborough Theatre, Brighton followed by a summer season at Live at Zedel in London.
Named one of Time Out New York’s Top 10 Cabaret Artists, Tori Scott makes her UK debut with Thirsty! direct from sell-out performances at The Public Theater, New York.
Tori is a New York-based singer, actress, and comedian. In addition to appearing regularly at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, she has toured her solo shows to Los Angeles, Dallas, San Diego, Provincetown, and most recently as a headliner for RSVP Vacations, where she entertained 2,000 shirtless gay men throughout the Caribbean.
She regularly headlines the Pride celebrations at Joe’s Pub in New York City.
The show celebrates poor life choices and an unconditional love of vodka set to the music of Aretha Franklin, Judy Garland, Miley Cyrus and many more. It is a shameless musical journey of slurred autobiographical stories and songs written by other people.
Referred to as a Garland for the Grindr era Tori has been hailed as “the Bette Midler of the New Millennium” by Provincetown Magazine, “a soul baring singer & sharp comedian” by Huffington Post and “the sound of someone who’s not afraid to show you just how human she is, while her super-human pipes blow you away” by Broadway World.
For more information about Tori Scott, click here:
Event: THIRSTY starring Tori Scott, written by Tori Scott and Adam Hetrick, directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn, musical direction Jesse Kissel
Where: Marlborough Theatre, Princes Street, Brighton
When: Wednesday, July 26
Time: 8pm
Cost: £15 /£13
To book tickets online, click here: Tori will also be appearing at:
Event: THIRSTY starring Tori Scott,
Where: Live at Zedel, 20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED
When: Friday, July 28 @ 9.15pm: July 29 @ 11pm and July 30 @ 7pm
Cost: Show £20 with dinner £44
To book tickets online, click here:
PrEP17 – The coming of age of PrEP – film screening tomorrow, (July 6)
In 2015, film maker Nicholas Feustel made a documentary film about the England PROUD PrEP trial.
The documentary was shown at community events across the UK, and formed the focus for PrEPster’s Pushing for PrEP community education events.
In January 2017, Nicholas returned to London to pick up what has happened to PrEP since the completion of the last film.
PrEP17 explores the stories of over a dozen PrEP activists; current and former PrEP users; clinicians; and policy-makers. The 36 minute documentary film, commissioned by PrEPster, shines a light on how PrEP has become available to thousands of people, despite the failures of the health system.
Join PrEPster, Terrence Higgins Trust South, and the Martin Fisher Foundation for the Brighton launch of PrEP17. The film will be followed by an interactive panel discussion of activists, PrEP users and clinicians chaired by Dr Will Nutland.
Other people on the panel confirmed to speak include: Nicholas Feustel – film maker and director of PrEP17; Greg Owen – I Want PreP Now; Dr Amanda Clarke – Consultant in HIV/GUM and Clinical Trials BSUH
Go along and find out about: how people are accessing PrEP in England; when the new IMPACT PrEP trial will start; PrEP and if it might be something for you, or someone you know.
The event is being co-hosted by Martin Fisher Foundation and Terrence Higgins Trust and will take place at Friends Meeting House on Thursday, July 6 starting at 7.30pm.
The screening and discussion is FREE – but, click here: to reserve an Eventbrite ticket to ensure your place.
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