January 2018 – Page 10 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Councillors to consider raising fees for beach huts

Posted on 06/01/2018 by Besi

City councillors to consider raising the transfer and licence fees on the 459 beach huts on Hove seafront.

At present, owners of the privately owned huts pay an annual licence fee of £367.20 for having the hut on council land.

If owners sell their hut they pay just £82 to the council as a ‘stamp duty’ – much lower than neighbouring councils such as Adur and Worthing, and Rother.

But with sales for Hove beach huts rocketing to as much as £25,000 – way above the rate of inflation – councillors will now vote on whether the fee should be brought in line with other local authorities.

The proposals, being put before the tourism, development and culture committee on Thursday, January 11, would mean the licence fee rising by £36.80 to £404, and the transfer fee then being three times the new licence fee or 10 per cent of the sale price, whichever is greater.

Committee chair, councillor Alan Robins, said: “Our findings shows that both the licence fee and transfer fee charged by the city council is lower than other local authorities in the area.

“If councillors agree, these changes will bring Brighton & Hove in line with charges made by other neighbouring authorities.”

A beach hut can be sold on when it has been owned for three years, but only to other Brighton & Hove residents. In 2016 there were 37 transfers and so far in 2017 45 transfers.

Huts sold this year have ranged in price from £16,000 – £22,500, with one currently on the market at £25,000. Sales evidence suggests some owners have seen the value of their huts increase by 45-50% over the 5 year period since 2012.

Cllr Robins added: “In recent years, the value of a beach hut on the seafront has risen well above inflation and more in line with the increases in the local property market.

“It is only fair that as owners’ profits increase, so too do the fees they pay for owning the property on council land in a prime location.”

Local drug dealer using Grindr to sell drugs is jailed

Posted on 06/01/201806/01/2018 by Besi

Brighton drug dealer jailed for supplying cocktail of drugs including crystal meth, cocaine and amphetamines which he advertised as ‘party bags’ in the city.

Ashley Richardson, 29, of Springfield Road, pleaded guilty to five counts of supplying class A drugs – three of supplying crystal meth, one of cocaine, one of MDMA and five counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine, crystal meth, MDMA, amphetamine and ketamine at an earlier hearing on November 30 after being arrested earlier that month.

On Thursday, January 4, he was sentenced to nine years and four months at Hove Crown Court.

The court was told that Richardson had been given a 22-month suspended sentence in May 2017 for four counts of possession intent to supply drugs and one count of offering to supply drugs in Brighton and Hove. But he had ignored the court order and continued to deal drugs online and from his home.

Detective Sergeant Dee Wells from Sussex Police Brighton and Hove Community Investigation Team said: “Richardson was a significant dealer who was advertising his cocktail of drugs including crystal meth, cocaine and amphetamine as ‘party bags’ online. He had already been given a 22-month suspended sentence last year for possession with intent to supply such drugs but ignored it and carried on dealing.

“Crystal meth is becoming more prevalent in Brighton and Hove with police seizures of it increasing over the last year and we would urge any anyone who has information about the supply of this particularly harmful drug to contact us.”

In sentencing Richardson, the presiding Judge, Jeremy Gold QC issued a warning to all drug dealers in the city.

He said: “You were selling class A drugs, including crystal meth which apparently is growing in popularity in the city of Brighton and Hove, which appears to be particularly linked to the large gay scene in city.

“Citizens of this city and gay citizens in particular who are particularly vulnerable to being drawn into using this pernicious and highly addictive drug expect suitable punishment to be meted out to drug dealers like you.”

Richardson used Grindr, to sell the drugs and was caught by undercover officers after sending online messages saying “Tina anyone?” out on the gay hook up app.

LGBT+ friendly destination in the heart of the Peak District

Posted on 06/01/201806/01/2018 by Besi

Brighton couple acquire unique bed and breakfast freehouse and restaurant in the heart of the Peak District.

In early September, Lee Cockshott and husband Joe Wain, who own the Marine Tavern in Broad Street, Brighton, acquired The Horse & Jockey, a beautiful Derbyshire stone freehouse with restaurant and bed & breakfast in Tideswell, Buxton.

A traditional country inn, The Horse & Jockey nestles in the heart of the Peak District in the picture postcard village of Tideswell, where Joe was born and spent his life before moving to Brighton three years ago.

It’s a small village with a population of just 800. There is a post office, green grocers, family butchers and farm shops. All food on their menu comes from within or very close to the village, except for the fish which they source direct from the trawlers in Grimsby.

Regular theme nights with live singers have recently featured entertainment from both Gabriella Parrish and Jacquii Cann.

They offer a choice of six en-suite bedrooms, including a twin room, a family room, and a four-poster bedroom. During the winter months the public areas boast open fires and they are dog-friendly.

The journey by car from Brighton up the M1 takes around four and a half hours. and it’s worth every minute as on arrival you’ll find yourself in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

Local attractions worth checking out include; Chatsworth House stately home, the picturesque village of Matlock Bath, the small market town of Bakewell (home of the Bakewell Tart), Bolsover Castle, and the spa town of Buxton with its beautiful opera house, along with countless walking routes, bike rides and for the children Alton Towers is well worth a visit.

Bed and breakfast costs from £69 per room per night and the restaurant boasts a fine menu of hearty country dishes.

Bolsover Castle

Buxton Opera House

Chatsworth House

For more information, click here:

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Emergency first aid workshops

Posted on 05/01/201818/01/2018 by Besi

As part of The B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival in February, The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum will host Emergency First Aid at Work workshops with guest trainer.

Lunch will be provided and the course includes a certificate and booklet on all elements covered during the day.

Programme includes:
Prioritising treatments, management of an unconscious casualty, cpr, defibrillation, choking, burns, fractures, bleeding, medical conditions, causes of unconsciousness including anaphylaxis and how to administer an EPIpen.

Awarded by FutureQuals and Highfield this is a nationally recognised course and valid for three years.

If you have any access requirements or restriction concerns email: access@lgbt-help.com or call 01273 855620 and select option 4.

The B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival celebrates LGBT History Month, is organised by the volunteers of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum and takes place during February at the Phil Starr Pavilion – a multi functional, fully accessible, heated performance, conference and community space with a licensed bar which is located on Victoria Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1WN.

Event: Emergency First Aid at Work

Where: The Phil Starr Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, BN1 1WN, Brighton

When: Monday, February 26, 2018,

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: £35 per person (only 12 spaces available)

To book a place on the course, click here:

For more info on Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Forum, click here:

For more info on B RIGHTON ON LGBT Community Festival, click here:

Council set to freeze library charges

Posted on 04/01/201804/01/2018 by Besi

City councillors are set to vote in favour of freezing library charges for next year.

Despite the council having to make savings of £23 million over the next two years, all fees and charges, including concessions, in the council’s 14 libraries will be held at this year’s prices.

The decision will be taken at the tourism, development and culture committee on Thursday, January 11, when councillors discuss a range of fees and charges.

A report to the committee also recommends charges for room rental at the Brighton Centre or hiring Madeira Drive for events rise in line with the current inflation rate at 2 per cent.

On the seafront, there will be no change in charges for the Volk’s Railway, the rental of beach chalets will rise by 2 per cent, and the hire of beach volleyball courts, lockers and other amenities moving on or just above the rate of inflation when rounding up numbers is taken into account.

Committee chair, councillor Alan Robins, said: “As a council, we are facing very tough financial pressures, but we are also determined to continue giving our residents value for money by keeping our fees and charges for our sporting and cultural activities as low as possible where we can.

“We increased library charges last year, so freezing them now hopefully helps balance the rise in prices 12 months ago.”

Freedom Leisure, which operates the council’s seven sports facilities, is allowed under its contracts to raise its prices by the annual rate of inflation’s RPIX, the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments, which will average just over 4 per cent.

Residents with lower-income levels will still be eligible for a leisure card which offers up to 40% discount to the sports facilities.

Mytime Active, which runs the council’s two golf courses and has a similar contract to Freedom Leisure, will increase its membership/season tickets below the contractual amount at around 2 per cent.

Cllr Robins added: “When fees and charges are proposed, a balance needs to be found to ensure services remain financially sustainable whilst still providing value for money.

“We must also ensure the fees and charges provide a range of flexible pricing to suit everyone and are not a barrier to participating in sports.”

PREVIEW: Out and proud: a call to arms – African activist releases debut dance track

Posted on 04/01/201804/01/2018 by Ray A-J

LGBTQ + activist and newcomer to the dance scene, Hunter releases debut single.

The Tanzanian born artist released his Gay anthem So Gay, at the end of November, via YouTube.

Born to Muslim Indian parents in a country where it is illegal to be Gay, Hunter is breaking through the restrictions of the society he knew through his direct track.

The headline single of his upcoming E.P (of the same name) is a celebration of sexuality, and aims to encourage others to be out and proud, and find freedom within themselves.

Produced by Niraj Chag in London, the track is a culmination of genres and influence from around the world. In doing so Hunter hopes to link audiences from across the globe to listen to the issues discussed in his music.

With a B A (hons) in Fashion and Textiles, the artist and activist insures his work transcends music, looping art and dance into his creations. Through its use of military themed footage and lyrics, the video for So Gay encapsulates the fear and often violent response to homosexuality felt in countries where it is outlawed.

Currently the anthem is available through YouTube, and is yet to be released on streaming services.

International LGBT Powerlifting Championships introduce Mx category

Posted on 03/01/2018 by Besi

LGBT International Powerlifting Championships (LGBT IPC) introduce Mx category for transgender, non binary and intersex athletes.

Registration for the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships 2018 is now open and organisers have introduced a new optional Mx category to encourage people from Transgender, Non Binary and Intersex Communities to participate in sports.

The LGBT Championships are open to everyone regardless of sexuality, health status, HIV status, gender or ability.

At last year’s event the Union of Lifters that organises the Championships agreed unanimously at congress to equalise weight classes for all participants and to introduce the Mx Category as an option for Transgender, Non Binary and Intersex Participants.

The LGBT International Powerlifting Championships is an annual event, with an aim of developing LGBT Powerlifting worldwide and increase participation in the sport leading up to the Gay Games in Hong Kong in 2022.

One of the key aims of the Federation of Gay Games is to reach out to under-represented groups within sports and next year’s LGBT IPC 2018 will be the first sporting event in the world to welcome Transgender participants with an optional Mx third gender category.

The principles of the Gay Games are built on the core principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best and LGBT IPC aims to encourage these principles as they grow.

Chris Morgan, Male Co-President, LGBT Powerlifting Union and nine time World Champion in the sport, said: “LGBT IPC was hugely successful in 2017 in bringing together LGBT Powerlifting athletes from all corners of the globe, in 2018 we aim to expand on this by reaching out to the new LGBT Powerlifting clubs we see emerging around the world. We aim to be as inclusive as possible by equalising all weight classes and offering the new third gender Mx category”.

Charlotte Wareing, Female Co-President, LGBT Powerlifting Union and seven time World Champion, said: “Issues effecting Transgender, Non Binary and Intersex participants were discussed in detail at our congress in 2017 and we decided as a group to make our event as inclusive and as a safe as possible by offering an optional MX category. Athletes from within the Trans, Non Binary and Intersex communities are very welcome to participate within LGBT IPC without any fear of discrimination”.

Last year’s LGBT IPC attracted participants from all corners of the globe with nine nations represented including Australia, Belarussia, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, United States of America and of course the host nation Great Britain.

Participation numbers are expected to grow significantly this year with Team GB and Team USA Powerlifting Workshops and Seminars scheduled to take place in Atlanta (USA), Chicago (USA), London (UK), Blackpool (UK) and Birmingham (UK).

The bidding process is already under way for LGBT IPC events happening in 2019, 2020 and 2021 with expressions of interest received already from Blackpool UK, Munich Germany, Athens Greece and of course Hong Kong, China who will host the Gay Games in 2022. Powerlifting was included in Hong Kong’s successful bid document and the LGBT Powerlifting Union look forward to working with them between now and the 2022 Gay Games.

For more details about the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships 2018 and to register your interest, click here:

Brighton Council lists brownfield sites with potential for house building

Posted on 03/01/2018 by Besi

Almost 180 brownfield sites have been identified as having potential to provide space for some of the homes Brighton & Hove needs in future.

They are contained in the city council’s new Brownfield Land Register (BLR). If all were developed they could provide over 8,000 homes.

Most of the locations have long been public knowledge and the council is not claiming to reveal any previously unknown building plots.

The register is a new government requirement, aimed at helping councils bring forward new housing.

Some sites are already being developed, others have planning applications approved or pending and some are identified as suitable for housing but have no proposals currently linked to them.

The BLR makes clear there are difficult problems to overcome with many sites, ranging from contamination to complex mixed ownership. None could be developed without the owner’s involvement.

Examples on the BLR include the former gas works site near Brighton Marina, which would be suitable for around 85 homes, plus jobs and retail uses. The old Saunders glassworks site in Sussex Place, central Brighton, has space for 49 homes but is currently being used as a coach park.

City councillors are being asked to approve the new BLR list at the tourism, development and culture committee on January 11. The list will be updated annually.

The council says eighty-seven per cent of the city’s future housing stock is expected to be on brownfield sites.

Committee chair Cllr Alan Robins, said: “We do look first at brownfield sites. Homes are being built on brownfield sites right now. But clearly there are many more. This is about looking for potential rather than a promise to develop every site. That’s not entirely within our control as nearly all sites are privately owned and some have businesses on them which we cannot lose. We’re willing to work with owners and developers, big and small, to unlock these sites where possible.”

Under the government-approved City Plan, a blueprint for Brighton & Hove’s development, the city is required to provide a minimum of 13,200 homes by 2030.

Brownfield land is defined in the National Planning Policy Framework as land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure and any associated fixed surface infrastructure.

Exceptions include land in built-up areas such as private residential gardens, parks, recreation grounds and allotments.

To read the committee report, click here:

‘Beyond the Binaries’ final call for Winter Pride art submissions

Posted on 03/01/201803/01/2018 by Graham Robson

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, Winter Pride UK, in partnership with Emerald Life and The House of St Barnabas, is looking for artists to submit their work for its latest Winter Pride Art Awards, Beyond the Binaries.

Open to all artists regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, Beyond the Binaries encourages artists to think of art as a tool for activism and the promotion of social equality.

Brenda Emmanus, selection panellist, said: “Artists are invited to create work that stimulates dialogue about the representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and straight identities.”

Entry is free and the entry deadline is January 5, 2018. The winner will receive £1,000 prize money; second place will receive £500.

Winter Pride UK is an annual event, taking place in London, which provides a platform to celebrate LGBT+ culture and diversity.

To register your interest, click here:

PREVIEW: Hilda and Virginia by Maureen Duffy

Posted on 03/01/201803/01/2018 by Contributor

The Scandal Season: Hilda and Virginia by Maureen Duffy; a world premiere directed by Natasha Rickman, starring Sarah Crowden.

“No one is ever truthful. Everyone shifts, makes shift, is shifty and shiftless together, is a chameleon and a shape-changer.”

Maureen Duffy’s double-bill tells the story of two remarkable women.

The Choice is the story of a very unsaintly saint. Hilda of Whitby, who brought Christianity to the Anglo-Saxons, was a businesswoman, teacher and adviser to kings.

In A Nightingale in Bloomsbury Square, Virginia Woolf looks back on her life, uncovering the hidden stories behind her iconic novels. From the torture of depression to the scandal of her lesbian affairs, Virginia goes down fighting.

As the saying goes: well-behaved women don’t make history…

Playwright, poet, novelist, biographer, Maureen Duffy burst onto the British theatre scene with her National Theatre debut in 1968, Rites.

Duffy’s work since includes the hugely influential The Microcosm, and the Londoners trilogy has enshrined her as one of our most important contemporary writers.

Sarah Crowden is known for her appearances in Dustin Hoffman’s Quartet and as Lady Manville in Downton Abbey.

Natasha Rickman is Artistic Associate at Jermyn Street Theatre and the co-founder and Director of Women at RADA.

Event: Hilda and Virginia by Maureen Duffy

Where: Jeremy Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, St. James’s, London SW1Y 6ST

When: Tuesday, February 27 – Saturday, March 3

Time: Evenings 7.30pm, Matinees (Thursdays and Saturdays) 3.30pm

Cost: Tickets from £10

To book tickets online, click here:

Call us now

Month: January 2018

Councillors to consider raising fees for beach huts

City councillors to consider raising the transfer and licence fees on the 459 beach huts on Hove seafront.

Local drug dealer using Grindr to sell drugs is jailed

Brighton drug dealer jailed for supplying cocktail of drugs including crystal meth, cocaine and amphetamines which he advertised as ‘party bags’ in the city.

LGBT+ friendly destination in the heart of the Peak District

Brighton couple acquire unique bed and breakfast freehouse and restaurant in the heart of the Peak District.

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Emergency first aid workshops

As part of The B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival in February, The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum will host Emergency First Aid at Work workshops with guest trainer.

Council set to freeze library charges

City councillors are set to vote in favour of freezing library charges for next year.

PREVIEW: Out and proud: a call to arms – African activist releases debut dance track

LGBTQ + activist and newcomer to the dance scene, Hunter releases debut single.

International LGBT Powerlifting Championships introduce Mx category

LGBT International Powerlifting Championships (LGBT IPC) introduce Mx category for transgender, non binary and intersex athletes.

Brighton Council lists brownfield sites with potential for house building

Almost 180 brownfield sites have been identified as having potential to provide space for some of the homes Brighton & Hove needs in future.

‘Beyond the Binaries’ final call for Winter Pride art submissions

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, Winter Pride UK, in partnership with Emerald Life and The House of St Barnabas, is looking for artists to submit their work for its latest Winter Pride Art Awards, Beyond the Binaries.

PREVIEW: Hilda and Virginia by Maureen Duffy

The Scandal Season: Hilda and Virginia by Maureen Duffy; a world premiere directed by Natasha Rickman, starring Sarah Crowden.

“No one is ever truthful. Everyone shifts, makes shift, is shifty and shiftless together, is a chameleon and a shape-changer.”

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City councillors to consider raising the transfer and licence fees on the 459 beach huts on Hove seafront.

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Brighton drug dealer jailed for supplying cocktail of drugs including crystal meth, cocaine and amphetamines which he advertised as ‘party bags’ in the city.

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Brighton couple acquire unique bed and breakfast freehouse and restaurant in the heart of the Peak District.

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As part of The B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival in February, The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum will host Emergency First Aid at Work workshops with guest trainer.

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City councillors are set to vote in favour of freezing library charges for next year.

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LGBTQ + activist and newcomer to the dance scene, Hunter releases debut single.

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LGBT International Powerlifting Championships (LGBT IPC) introduce Mx category for transgender, non binary and intersex athletes.

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Almost 180 brownfield sites have been identified as having potential to provide space for some of the homes Brighton & Hove needs in future.

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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, Winter Pride UK, in partnership with Emerald Life and The House of St Barnabas, is looking for artists to submit their work for its latest Winter Pride Art Awards, Beyond the Binaries.

Share this:

The Scandal Season: Hilda and Virginia by Maureen Duffy; a world premiere directed by Natasha Rickman, starring Sarah Crowden.

“No one is ever truthful. Everyone shifts, makes shift, is shifty and shiftless together, is a chameleon and a shape-changer.”

Share this:

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