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Pride Village Party gets thumbs up from city councillors till 2020

Tourism, Development and Culture Committee gives approval for Pride Village Party (PVP) to continue in the St James’s Street area of the city as part of the annual Pride event.

A PUBLIC consultation, which sought the views of residents, businesses and stakeholders on the event, received over 2,800 responses.

The consultation asked whether the PVP should continue in its current form or be relocated to Madeira Drive or another part of the city. People were also invited to comment on other aspects of the event.

♦ Over 68% of respondents were in favour of keeping the event at St James’s Street  with respondents either strongly agreeing or tending to agree that the PVP had a positive effect on the city.

♦ Over 80% of respondents strongly agreed or tended to agree that the PVP should continue where it is at present.

♦ Over 63% of respondents strongly agreed or tended to agree that there should be no change to the current arrangements.

♦ The majority of respondents felt that the event felt safer since it had been ticketed (59%).

The consultation responses and the contributions made by Pride organisers, as well as statutory agencies, were included in a report presented to the Tourism, Development and Culture Committee today, March 7.

The report recommended that the Pride Village Party not be moved and that the event continues to be run by the Brighton Pride Community Interest Company. The recommendations were passed by majority vote by the committee.

Cllr Alan Robins
Cllr Alan Robins

Chair of the Tourism, Development and Culture Committee, Councillor Alan Robins, said: “It is clear from the responses we received from the public consultation on the Pride Village Party that the majority of people, including residents as well as the emergency services, want the event to continue on St James’s Street.  

“The event has been well-managed by Pride organisers, who since taking on the event in 2015 have put resources in place to manage the disruption to local people including additional security personnel, street cleaning and toilets.

“The annual Pride event is an important fixture in the city’s calendar and we look forward to the event returning again this August.” 

The decision to continue allowing the Pride Village Party to be held in the St James Street area received cross party support from all three political parties with some senior politicians saying they did not recognise some of the areas of concern raised by the Kingscliffe Society.

Cllr Nancy Platt
Cllr Nancy Platt

Nancy Platt, Labour Councillor for East Brighton said: “At the moment the event is staged in the heart of the gay community in St James Street and if moved to Madeira Drive would not benefit local LGBT+ traders.”

“I live in the area and do not recognise much of the complaints listed in the report.”

Tom Druitt, Green Councillor for Regency, said: “I see no case for moving the event from the heart of the gay community.” He went on to say he hoped the police used officers that knew the area well to police the event.

Mary Mears, Conservative Councillor for Rottingdean said she felt the council needed to stand up to the plate and do more to support the event while continuing to listen to the concerns of local residents.

Anne Norman the Conservative Councillor for Withdean congratulated the Pride organisers and said they did “a great job” organising the event.

Cllr Phelim McCafferty
Cllr Phelim McCafferty

Phelim McCafferty, Green Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide and Convenor of the Green group of Councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council said he saw no case for moving the event from its present location and rather than moving the event everyone should concentrate on ensuring the event was as safe as possible for everyone attending and made a special plea to the organisers of Pride “to implement the use of re-usable plastic cups for drinks served on the streets”.

Cllr Mo Marsh
Cllr Mo Marsh

Finally Mo Marsh, Labour Councillor for Moulsecoomb & Bevendean and former Mayor of Brighton and Hove, asked everyone to remember what Pride is all about and why it is important to a city like Brighton and Hove.

She said: “I live in the area and do not recognised many of the complaints listed in the report. I am particularly concerned about the nature of some of the comments reported to have been made at the public meeting on January 15 by people who wanted to move the event away from the Gay Village to Madeira Drive.”

Adopters and foster carers speak out in support of LGBT+ Fostering and Adoption Week

Barnardo’s LGBT+ foster carers and adopters have joined the charity in urging people to welcome a child into their life during LGBT+ Fostering & Adoption Week, which runs from March 4–10 with the theme ‘7 Days to Love’.

George and Martin
George and Martin

IN support of the awareness week, some of Barnardo’s LGBT+ foster carers and adopters have spoken out to encourage others to consider fostering and adoption.

One such couple, George and Martin Lusty from London, adopted two little boys when they were three and four in July 2014 and say it has “tipped our lives upside down – in a good way!”

George said: “It’s possibly the biggest challenge you will ever undertake but it’s so worth it. We have two cheeky, kind, inquisitive boys who are the centre of our lives. One is incredibly sharp and he loves music. His brother is more reflective, loves the natural world and can gasp at the beauty of the everyday. We are so pleased we adopted two brothers – they are an incredible duo with a fierce loyalty to each other and such a strong bond.” 

George said he would strongly urge any LGBT+ person or couple, who is thinking of adopting, to take that first step and contact Barnardo’s.

He said: “This is the most life-changing decision you can make and to be honest you do have to make a leap of faith. I’d say contact Barnardo’s and look on websites like New Family Social to make contact with other adoptive parents, it’s so helpful to talk to people who are going through the process.”

Sue Mason and her partner Fay Munson, from Essex, have been permanent foster carers for Andrea, who has cerebral palsy, since she was two and a half.

Sue and Fay
Sue and Fay

Fay said: “So many children are in need of good homes and we really wanted to help make a difference to a child’s life”.

Sue added: “The first two months were challenging – nothing can prepare you for becoming a parent – but fostering Andrea is extremely rewarding for us as a family. Andrea has made a huge difference to our lives and has given us so much. We couldn’t imagine life without her.

“Andrea has made such amazing progress from the little girl who first came to live with us. She continuously amazes us with how far she has come. Despite her disabilities Andrea has a thirst for life and has a fantastic sense of humour, she loves Disney, pirates, lions, and her iPad!” 

The couple also said they would encourage anyone thinking about fostering to get in touch with Barnardo’s to find out more.

Sue said: “I would advise anyone considering fostering or adoption to follow their heart. It has been the most rewarding thing Fay and I have ever done and we have also got back so much in return. I would say be brave and go for it.”

Javed Khan
Javed Khan

Javed Khan, Barnardo’s Chief Executive, said: “At Barnardo’s we find loving families for vulnerable children in communities across the UK, and we give foster carers and adopters the training and support they need.

“Fostering and adoption can be a challenge but it’s also incredibly rewarding and gives children the love, care and life skills they need to build better and brighter futures.

“I would urge anyone from the LGBT+ community who is considering becoming a foster carer or adopter to get in touch to find out more. Incredible things happen when you believe in children.”

To find out more about fostering and adoption, click here:

Dogs Trust: SUP’PAW’TING Shoreham’s Dogs

Local dog lovers may already be aware of the work of the dedicated team at Dogs Trust Shoreham, but did you know that rehoming a dog isn’t the only way to get involved with the charity in your local area?

IF you’re interested in hearing more about the services that Dogs Trust offers in Shoreham and the surrounding area, Supporter Relations Officers Pia Offord and Lisa Herbert are here to help you!

The dog-loving pair, based at the rehoming centre on Brighton Road, are the first point of contact for all enquiries and questions about Dogs Trust’s additional services – whether you’re looking to drop off a donation or would like to book a VIP tour of the rehoming centre.

The duo does everything from planning the rehoming centre’s annual events such as the Fun Day (taking place on Sunday, May 26 from 11.30am–4pm this year) and the festive Christmas Fair amongst others; to offering information about the Canine Care Card scheme, a free service which gives owners peace of mind, knowing that we will care for their dogs should they pass away before their four-legged friends.

Pia and Lisa also hold free presentations to adult community and social groups; covering the history of Dogs Trust and how staff at the Shoreham rehoming centre care for up to 400 dogs every year.

The duo are often accompanied by one of the centre’s four-legged residents so people can meet-and-greet a furry friend whilst hearing about national campaigns and initiatives from the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, such as the Home from Home fostering service.

Pia said: “We love spreading the word about what Dogs Trust does and there are so many exciting ways to get to meet local dog-lovers. One of these is our annual Fun Day which is an amazing event that helps us raise vital funds for the dogs in our care.”

Lisa added: “If anyone would like to donate any items – from raffle prizes for our events to toys and blankets for the dogs to enjoy – please pop in to see us at the rehoming centre. We love hearing from supporters, old and new, so if you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to get in touch!”

If you would like to book a talk, donate items or find out more about some of the charity’s events, call Pia and Lisa at Dogs Trust Shoreham on 0300 303 0292 or visit the centre at Brighton Road, Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5LT.

For further information about the work of Dogs Trust, click here:

 

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