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Month: April 2018

Union Square celebrates Grampian Pride

Posted on by Besi

Union Square shopping centre celebrates first Grampian Pride with offer of free wedding altar and celebrant service.

IN celebration of Aberdeen’s first Pride, Union Square Shopping Centre will offer Pride-going couples the chance to get married at the centre.

An artist impression of the proposed pop-up wedding altar has been released by the centre, which will be constructed in response to any demand.

Akin to Las Vegas’ Little White Chapel, the ‘Union Altar’ pop-up will be available to one and all – and will present loved-up couples with a wedding space and celebrant for one day only, entirely free of charge.

While a marriage license must be obtained in advance, the centre will provide all other elements for the occasion – a rainbow-themed altar, a non-religious Humanist celebrant and a celebratory meal for two from one of the centre’s twenty restaurants.

A Union Square spokesperson, said: “Scotland is significantly more flexible about where and how you can get married, so we thought we would embrace this fact and welcome couples to tie the knot right here in Union Square – just a stone’s throw from the official Pride route. What better way to make Grampian’s first ever Pride a memorable one!

“Union Square is thrilled that Pride has made it to Grampian and we are keen to show our support. The ‘Union Altar’ pop-up is designed to celebrate the LGBT+ community and to welcome them with open arms.”

Deejay Bullock, Co-Chair of Grampian Pride, said: “It’s brilliant to have Union Square’s support for our first ever Grampian Pride march and to have them do something so special and generous to mark the occasion. Love is love, as they say.”

Named the best country in Europe for LGBT+ protection, Scotland has become a world leader when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights. Scotland was also the first country in the UK to abolish Section 28, three years before England and Wales.

Scotland already plays host to several successful Pride events, including Glasgow and Edinburgh, but this will be the first for Grampian.

For couples looking to register their interest and reserve a place at ‘Union Altar’, email:  unionsquare@mcfrank.uk or click here:

Can you complete a Marathon in May for PACT?

Posted on by Besi

Adoption charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) has launched an exciting new fundraising appeal that challenges people to complete a marathon in a month in support of its work!

TO take part in Marathon in May people need to cover 26.2 miles during the month of May.

Participants can run, walk, cycle or swim the miles and can cover the distance either individually or together as a family or team of colleagues or friends.

All the proceeds will be used to help PACT’s work building and strengthening families. The charity supports families across the south-east and beyond through adoption, award-winning therapeutic support and community projects.

Jan Fishwick OBE
Jan Fishwick OBE

Jan Fishwick OBE, Chief Executive of PACT, said: “Marathon in May is a fun and easy way in which people of all ages and abilities can support our work by completing the challenge however they would like, whether walking a mile a day, or running or cycling a few miles every weekend. It’s also perfect for families who can take part together, and for children to enjoy the sense of achievement that comes from completing a challenge for a good cause.”

It costs £12 per adult to register, which includes a medal and a colour-in chart to track your progress. Children taking part alongside a registered adult can take part for free but extra medals can be ordered for £2.50.

Participants can also choose to further support PACT’s work by getting sponsored to complete a Marathon in May.

PACT’s Fundraising Manager Lina Artunduaga, added: “We’re all really excited by this challenge and are delighted to see it being so well received by staff, PACT families, corporate partner colleagues and other supporters.

“As a small charity we are always looking for new ways to raise funds to help us continue our vital work and we look forward to this challenge becoming part of our annual fundraising programme. Thank you to everyone who has signed up already and good luck to all taking part in Marathon in May!”

The deadline for people to register is Friday, May 4

PACT has been building and strengthening families since 1911 through its community projects across the Thames Valley and as an independent adoption charity in London and the South.

The charity is one of the leading adoption charities in the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA) in terms of placing more children with loving families. In 2017 PACT placed 82 children with 57 PACT families through its adoption services.

To register to run, click here:

For more information about PACT, click here:

REVIEW: The Greatest Love of All @Hammersmith Apollo

Posted on by Tin Nguyen

There’s not much to say but to offer ecstatic praises for Belinda Davids’ Whitney Houston tribute show so aptly titled The Greatest Love of All.

THIS lavish production boasts many fine details, such as an accurate representation of what the iconic singer was known for – from her stage presence and powerhouse voice to the iconic red high neck dress from Houston’s 1993 Billboard performance of I Have Nothing.

Davids’ vocal ability and agility are a ridiculously unparalleled resemblance of Houston’s trademark sound. One would almost believe that it were actually Houston herself as she gracefully waltzes off stage and into the crowd with her bodyguard.

The Greatest Love of All features every hit a Whitney fan would want to hear, including a breathtaking rendition of One Moment in Time, anthem of the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. An absolutely worthwhile show for any Whitney fan, great or small and one that would surely have made Houston proud.

Reviewed by Tin Nguyen at Hammersmith Apollo in London on April 17.

For future shows, click here:

A ‘snailey’ date for your diary

Posted on by Besi

Martlets Hospice announce dates for the much-anticipated Snailspace Art Event this autumn.

THE 50 giant snail sculptures, each uniquely decorated by artists, will sneak their way onto the streets of Brighton & Hove from Saturday, September 15 until Sunday, November 18, 2018.

The colourful creatures will be on show for nine weeks, encouraging locals to be tourists in their own city while generating a giant snail sized ‘feel-good’ factor.

This will be followed by a celebratory Farewell Event; a chance to see all the snail sculptures together. Finally, these giant gastropods will be auctioned to raise money for Martlets Hospice and its life-changing care.

Children from the Pumpkin Patch nursery meet one of the snails and Norman Cook. Image Simon Dack/Vervate
Children from the Pumpkin Patch nursery meet one of the snails and Norman Cook. Image Simon Dack/Vervate

As a busy city, with a vibrant events calendar, autumn is a perfect time for an event of this size and scale, offering another reason for day-trippers to visit while enticing tourists to stay longer in the city. It’s also a great opportunity for residents to spend time with family and friends exploring the ‘snailway’, especially during Brighton’s two week October half term.

As part of Snailspace, on Friday, October 12, Martlets are organising a Snailway Safari, a sponsored walk with a difference. For one night only the Snailway will become an evening spectacular, with sights, surprises and entertainment along the way.

The giant gastropod sculptures will also be joined by a host of more than 50 smaller snails as part of the Junior Snailway. Schools and youth groups will decorate their own snails which will be displayed in accessible locations across the city.

Put the dates in your diary (September 15 until November 18) and don’t miss the chance to be part of this unique snailey event.

Greens call for action as another GP surgery in the city closes

Posted on by Besi

Greens call for action on GP shortages as Hove Park Villas Surgery faces closure as Practice struggles to replace outgoing GP.

Cllr Dick Page
Cllr Dick Page

GREEN Councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council have repeated their call for action on GP shortages following news that another surgery in the city faces closure.

Hove Park Villas surgery, which has a list of 4,350 patients, could shut its doors in October 2018 due to a shortage of doctors.

A letter from the Clinical Commissioning Group to local Health and Wellbeing Board Chair Cllr Daniel Yates, the new leader of the Labour group on the city council and council leader in waiting, said the surgery had struggled to recruit a replacement for a retiring GP, “despite considerable effort.”

Greens continue to challenge the Labour-led Council to do more to address the worsening number of GPs in the city and called on Cllr Daniel Yates to detail actions taken to address the problem at a Council meeting last Thursday.

Figures obtained by Green Councillor Dick Page last year revealed the city faces an estimated shortage of one GP to every 2,500 patients.

Cllr Page, Green Health and Wellbeing spokesperson, said: “It is important that local health leaders can reassure patients that when their retiring doctor cannot be replaced, it does not mean ongoing disruption to their care. However the number of surgery closures in our city should be a matter of urgent action and concern for this Labour Council. Greens raised the alarm on dangerously low number of GPs in our city long ago. Yet the response from Labour has been to push for NHS ‘integration,’ even though we know many of these new plans for the NHS are underpinned by a series of further, damaging cuts instead of desperately needed investment into primary care.”

Daniel Yates
Daniel Yates

Cllr Daniel Yates responded: “I made clear at the Council meeting that this was a long-standing issue of concern for the whole health system that has been evident across the city for at least 4 years.

“In 2015 I asked the Health Overview Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) to investigate the issue as it is clearly a national undersupply of GPs coupled with local factors such as retiring GP’s and a shift in the working pattern of many GPs from becoming partners in GP practices to more flexible GP roles. The report that came to the HOSC in December 2015 was comprehensive and made clear how the CCG was working to tackle these factors. Additionally there is, subject to confirmation, around 300k being made available to support GP recruitment and retention across the city by the CCG.

“In a tough world for GP recruitment the City is responding and working to ensure that our primary care services are stable and sustainable.”

Mayor’s Annual Charity Walk – Have you signed up for the big day out?

Posted on by Besi

There is still time to sign up for this year’s Mayor’s annual charity walk of the Brighton & Hove Way, which takes place this Saturday, April 28.

ONLINE registration remains open until noon tomorrow, Friday, April 27, alternately you will can turn up and enter on the day (cash payment required).

To register online, click here:

The walk starts at 09:30 from Saltdean seafront, and will set off in the afternoon from Stanmer Park at 13:30. To join on the day please arrive in advance of these times.

While the route will be fully signed, volunteers are needed at a number of key points to help ensure none of the 100 plus walkers get lost. City Park rangers will get volunteers out to the remoter locations, and it’ll probably take only a couple of hours to direct all the walkers round the walk.

If you would like to help please email Fiona Gray: fiona.gray@riseuk.org.uk

The walk will be raising funds for the Mayor Mo Marsh’s Famous Five chosen charities: Albion in the Community, The Clock Tower Sanctuary, Martlets Hospice, RISE UK and The Sussex Heart Charity, Emmaus the homeless charity or any charity of your personal choice.

You can walk as much or as little of this stunning 19-mile downland pathway as you like – the route includes a section suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Starting on Saltdean seafront, experience the best of The Living Coast UN designated Biosphere while passing through Falmer, Stanmer and the Chattri, finishing in North Portslade, hopefully in time for tea hosted by Emmaus.

This family-friendly event aims to bringing together all our diverse communities. We encourage support for the named charities, however if you wish to benefit another favourite charity please select the “All Mayor’s Charities” option when registering. Adults £6, children free, dogs welcome on a short lead – follow this link to register.

This event is supported by Brighton & Hove Way Association, Emmaus Brighton, Healthwalks Brighton Hove and City Parks (Brighton & Hove City Council).

You’ll also find links to this event at the websites, www.brightonandhoveway.org.uk and www.riseuk.org.uk

 

PREVIEW: X Factor’s Sam Callahan set to release new single

Posted on by Ray A-J

The Singer songwriter is set to release his latest single Say something and music video on the May 11.

THE song follows Callahan’s debut single Burns like fire in 2017, and will be his second since his run on X factor in 2013, where he came 6th.

“The essence behind the track stems from a relationship that never fully developed, because neither party had the guts to truly express how they felt. Subsequently, if two people were brave enough to speak out and ‘say something’, there could have been a different outcome,” Callahan says about the upcoming track’s inspiration.

Callahan is set to perform alongside fellow X factor alumni Leon Mallet on May 12 in Nuneaton, UK, after touring in Canada this April, to support the release of the song.

He will also make an appearance at the Kiltwalk charity event in Glasgow, on April 28 and 29.

Receiving airplay from BBC in March earlier this year, the song has been described as an “emotionally charged pop banger”, and will be released via label Mean recordings.

The track is available to pre-order now on iTunes – then set for release on May 11, along with an attractive new music video, shot in the iconic Koreatown in Toronto, Canada.

Annual Easter Bonnet Parade raises £1,883.66 for Rainbow Fund

Posted on by Besi

The annual Easter Bonnet Parade and Charity Drag Races organised between the Bedford Tavern and Grosvenor Bar in Hove, drew a huge crowd to Little Western Street on Easter Sunday.

AN amazing £1,883.66 was raised for the Rainbow Fund to distribute through their independent grants program to LGBT/HIV groups and organisations providing effective front line services to LGBT+ people in Brighton & Hove.

Adam Brooks owner of the Bedford Tavern, said: “Thank you to everyone who turned up, especially those who placed bets, bought raffle tickets and put money in the collection buckets. The aim of the day is to raise money to help as many local good causes via the Rainbow Fund. Huge thanks to everyone who helped and donated prizes for the raffle. Congratulations to Chelsea Flower-Show for winning the prize for best bonnet. It was an incredible bonnet made of fresh flowers that was illuminated at night – stunning! Congratulations also to Scottish Dick for winning the Drag King race and Dragasaurus for winning the Drag Queen races. 

Finally thanks to Brighton Sea Serpents, Danny Dwyer and his bucket shakers, Sally and my mate Sue Coleman who was like a machine! Selling bets, raffle tickets, bingo tickets, shaking buckets…… Sue you are a star! Thank you!”

 

Brighton Bear Weekend add new colours to range of t-shirts

Posted on by Besi

To celebrate the arrival of Spring, Brighton Bear Weekend (BBW) add two new colours to their range of T-shirts – Forest Green and Navy.

This year’s T-shirt logo is designed by the popular Italian artist Bobo-Bear with sizes available from small to 4XL.

The T-shirts cost £14 and are available at Prowler in St James Street, Brighton or to buy online, click here:

The popular BBW event takes place this year from June 14-17 and will be raising money for the Rainbow Fund, who give grants to LGBT/HIV organisations delivering effective front line services to LGBT+ people in Brighton and Hove.

For a full line-up of events over the BBW weekend, click here:


Wristbands costing just £6 will give you a range of discounts over the weekend including:

  • 10% off all drinks at Amsterdam Bar all weekend (Thursday 14 to Sunday, June 17)
  • £2 off entry at Uproar at Envy (Friday, June 15)
  • £2 off entry at Woofer at Latest Music Bar (Saturday, June 16)
  • £2 off entry and priority entry at SubWoofer at Subline (Saturday, June 16).
  • £2 off entry and priority entry at Underbears at Subline (Sunday, June 17).
  • 20% off everything at Prowler Brighton all weekend (June, 14-17)
  • 15% off everything at Nice ‘n’ Naughty all weekend and the following Monday (June, 14-18)
  • 20% off the total food bill at the Blue Man restaurant all week (Monday 11-Sunday, June 17)
  • 20% off everything at Creased Cards all weekend (June 14-17).

To book a wristband online, click here:

 

IGLTA Foundation announces 2018 Conference Scholarship recipients

Posted on by Besi

Global LGBT+ travel organisation welcomes the next generation of LGBT+ welcoming tourism professionals to Toronto.

THE International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Foundation (IGLTAF) today announced the recipients of this year’s conference scholarships for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) Annual Global Convention taking place in Toronto from May 9-12.

Gary Murakami
Gary Murakami

IGLTAF’s scholarship program was created to support the next generation of LGBT+ travel professionals (and allies). Convention scholarships are awarded to small travel business owners in emerging markets and university students pursuing careers in the tourism industry.

Gary Murakami, CMP, CMM, Chair, IGLTAF Board of Directors, said: “The scholarship program is a cornerstone focus for the IGLTA Foundation.

“Through our global network, we can accelerate the professional development of deserving and passionate individuals, both LGBT+ small business owners and students from the local community, who are focused on promoting LGBT+ tourism and making the travel landscape a more welcoming place.”

David Martin Small Business Scholarship
This scholarship category was renamed for 2018 to honour IGLTA’s late volunteer ambassador in Spain, David Martin, a dedicated supporter of LGBT+ business. These scholarships are awarded to LGBT+ business owners in either emerging markets or destinations facing challenges to developing LGBT+ tourism.

This year’s recipients are:

♦ Michael Kajubi, McBern Travel & Tours, Uganda. Kajubi founded his company in Mukono in 2013 and became an advocate for LGBT+ travel safety in a country known for homophobia.

♦ Jarett Sprock, PinkCuraçao.com, Curaçao.  Launched in 2015, PinkCuraçao.com, co-owned by Sprock, provides a web resource for visitors and monthly events for locals and tourists alike.

Building Bridges Scholarship Program
The IGLTA Foundation also supports convention registration for hospitality students in or near each year’s convention host city.

This year’s Toronto-area recipients are: Marco Briganti and Nicholas Tremblay of Ryerson University and John Chervy Rosal of Centennial College.

All scholarship recipients participate in the entire IGLTA convention program, ensuring they will have the opportunity to connect with travel industry leaders from around the world, receive mentorship from professionals in their areas of interest and attend educational sessions.

IGLTA is the leading member-based global organisation dedicated to LGBT+ tourism and an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. IGLTA’s mission is to provide information and resources for LGBT+ travellers and expand LGBT+ tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact.

The association’s membership includes LGBT+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in more than 80 countries.

In 2012, the philanthropic IGLTA Foundation was launched to support the mission of the association and its membership through education, research and leadership development.

Annual Global Convention takes place in Toronto from May 9-12
Annual Global Convention takes place in Toronto from May 9-12

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