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Glitter swimming gala at Roedene School

LGBT swimming clubs battle it out at the Glitter Gala at Roedene school swimming pool.

OUT To Swim South the LGBT swimming group were joined by over thirty swimmers from Out To Swim London, Positive Strokes  (an HIV positive swimming group in London) and the Moseley Shoals from Birmingham, at Roedene school swimming pool in November.

The aim of the gala was for everyone to feel comfortable and confident to compete, especially if they hadn’t before. The atmosphere at the competition was of inclusivity and sportsmanship with people from all the clubs mixing and socialising together.

The competition included multiple individual and team events, including a Fun Relay involving everyone in the team and a giant float!

Competitors then celebrated with a party held in the centre of Brighton where medals were awarded to the winners.

Out to Swim South are a group of sociable LGBT swimmers who swim for fun, fitness and competitions, while providing a friendly environment for those who prefer the social aspect of the club, in the Brighton and Sussex area. The club was established in 2006 as part of the main London aquatic group.

Currently Saturday sessions are coached by volunteer instructors, while Monday and Thursday sessions follow a ‘set’ provided by experienced swimmers to enhance fitness.

The group share an enthusiasm to improve with like-minded people while being part of an LGBT inclusive club including women, men and non gender specific, encompassing all ages from 20s to 60s.

Out to Swim South is open to everyone with a positive attitude. The club is an adult club and those under 18 are not able to participate.

There is a strong social aspect to the club with weekly dinners after the Thursdays sessions and drinks in Kemptown after the Saturday sessions.

Feel free to go along to any of their sessions!
Mondays from 8.30pm-9.30pm and Thursdays from 7.30-8.30 at Prince Regent Pool and
Saturdays from 5pm-6pm at Roedean School Pool.

For more information and prices, click here:

Open your garden for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2019

It might only be February, but now is the time to consider your gardening plans for the summer.

2019 sees the eighth annual Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail take place along the coast between Brighton and Seaford.

Last summer, over twenty private garden owners took the leap of faith and opened their gates to visitors. Organisers have already signed up ten gardens this year.

The net result of their efforts meant that trail organiser, Geoff Stonebanks, was able to hand over £12,500 to Macmillan Cancer Support last autumn. All this money went directly to the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton, which celebrated its second birthday last November.

Figures published by Macmillan showed a 26% increase on numbers of cancer sufferers supported by the centre in its second year. This support covered a wide range of subjects, complementary therapies, counselling and psychological therapies, helping with welfare benefits to name just a few.

Think how you could help support this amazing charity by agreeing to open your garden in 2019. You don’t need an immaculate or pristine plot. You just need to be an enthusiastic gardener, happy to talk about your garden to visitors and if you fancy serving tea and cakes that’s a real bonus.

This years’ trail takes place on the weekend of July 27 and 28 between the hours of 11am and 5pm on both days.

The trail’s patron, TV Gardener, Christine Walkden will be in Sussex to officially open the event on July 27 at 11am. She will visit Geoff’s garden, Driftwood where she will cut the ribbon!

There are currently ten gardens scheduled to open, four of them totally brand new for 2019. All now listed on the web site.

Geoff Stonebanks’ garden, Driftwood has appeared on BBC2 Gardeners’ World, was a finalist in Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Small Space and a finalist in Lewes District Business Awards 2018 as “The Tourist Destination of the Year”.

If you would like to open your garden for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2019 email Geoff or call him on 01323 899296 to discuss.

Want to sing with Rainbow Chorus?

Rainbow Chorus to hold new members night at St George Church, Kemptown, on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 6.30pm.

IF you’re interested in joining the Rainbow Chorus, they’re an LGBT+ choir and anyone from these communities is welcome to attend.

The chorus are always looking to become more representative of our varied communities and will particularly welcome interest from gay men, trans and non-binary folk.

To find out more information, email: membership@rainbowchorus.org.uk OR just turn up on the night.

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