Call us now

Month: April 2019

Mayor attends Bear-Patrol Suited Sunday Lunch

Posted on by Besi

Bear-Patrol the social networking group, hosted their quarterly Suited Sunday Lunch with the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Dee Simson on Sunday April, 28 in the old Wine Cellars at The Old Ship Hotel.

THE Old Ship Hotel dates back to the 15th century, and the deep and winding wine cellars create the most unique setting, ‘suitably’ perfect for hosting Sunday Lunch.

Twenty six guests in their Sunday Best were treated to a reception drink in the cellars wine bar before being invited to take their seats at the beautifully laid candlelit dining table for lunch.

Jason Bramwell (General Manager at The Old Ship Hotel) pulled out all the stops to create the most wonderful setting and put on the most amazing lunch for guests of Bear-Patrol to enjoy.

“It was a great opportunity to visit the wine cellars as I had never seen them before and It was a fabulous afternoon for lunch with all the guests, some I had never met before”, said; Ian Courtier

The next Suited Sunday Lunch will be on Sunday, July 28 (venue TBC).

For more details and to enquire about all future Bear-Patrol events email Danny Dwyer. 

Photos by Ian Courtier.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In 2020 Bear-Patrol will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary of Fundraising and are planning an exciting year of community events.

FILM REVIEW: Tucked

Posted on by Besi

Brian Butler reviews the heart-warming film about a dying drag queen, set and filmed in Brighton.

JACK Collins is an 80-something straight man enjoying every minute of his career as drag queen Jacky in Brighton.

In Tucked we first see him singing I Will Survive and working his magic on an audience with innuendoes, suggestive offers and great repartee: “I’m not fat” he tells us – “just easier to see”.

We love his raddled old face and over-the-top make-up. But as he arrives home after his late night show, he collapses. Cut to the doctor’s surgery where he learns he has an untreatable aggressive cancer and has 6 weeks to live.

When he collapses later on stage, the doctor’s message is clear – he should retire. But typically stoic Jacky says: “If I’m dying and nothing can be done why should I give up doing what I like doing . I’m going to enjoy these last few weeks before leaving this shitty planet.”

And so reluctantly he ends up showing the ropes to an ingenue young dragster. Faith, who loudly proclaims “I’m not a guy and I’m not a girl. I’m an individual. I’m Faith”.

And unlikely as it seems, there is real chemistry between the two at opposite ends of their lives and careers.

Reduced to sleeping in his car, Faith is taken in by Jacky to share his last few weeks in a strictly platonic arrangement.

Veteran TV and film actor Derren Nesbitt is brilliantly cast as Jacky, and Jamie Patterson who writes and directs is uncompromising in his many close-ups of Jacky’s face – giving Nesbitt every opportunity to reveal his true sadness and regret by the most subtle of facial movements.

Brighton-born hip-hop star Jordan Stephens is wonderfully endearing as the youngster trying to make his way in his non-binary cocoon. When the two are beaten up in a dark alley, the bond is secured.

And so the two embark around Brighton fulfilling Jack’s terminal bucket-list, with sweet comedic moments in a strip club and with drug dealers.

There’s a tragic back story too for both men. Faith has been thrown out by his father for his sexuality; Jacky is estranged from his daughter – played by April Pearson – because he failed to go to his wife’s funeral – at his wife’s request.

Perhaps the most touching scene is a monologue at his wife’s graveside, which Nesbitt gives with pathos, humanity and angst.

There is no doubt how the story will end and in the final scene we see in Faith’s new drag act that Jacky’s memory will live on.

Tucked is being screened for one performance at Duke of York’s Picture House, Brighton on May 13 at 6.30pm, followed by a question and answer session with the three lead actors, writer Jamie Patterson and producer Finn Bruce.

It’s  a witty, warm and generous film about love, life and loss, and not to be missed.

To book tickets online for screening, click here:

Martlets launch ‘Cuddle Up’ campaign

Posted on by Graham Robson

Martlets hope to raise £25,000 to refurbish patient rooms to feel more like home.

Martlets, the Brighton & Hove-based hospice, launches Cuddle Up campaign with support from designer Sarah Moore aims to raise £25,000 to help make patient rooms feel more like home for them and their families during their time at the hospice.

After listening to patient feedback, the team at Martlets realised that making changes to the hospice rooms would enable patients to enjoy some real home comforts in the precious time they have left.

Sarah Moore
Sarah Moore

These changes could include having a sofa or a chair big enough for loved ones to cuddle up on, a homely colour-scheme or even fun-themed children’s bedding for when youngsters are staying with their mum or dad.

Designer Sarah Moore, who lives in Sussex, has a very personal connection with Martlets. Her close friend Emma, a popular designer who worked with her on the BBC programme Money for Nothing, was a patient at the hospice.

Sarah said: “Martlets delivered amazing care for Emma when she was really poorly.  I’m so happy to support the Cuddle Up Appeal; small design changes can have a big impact on wellbeing and quality of life, and it’s important to balance great design with the practicalities of care.”

Ruth Tierney, Martlets’ Ward Manager, added: “Time is such a precious thing, time to love and be loved, time to say all the things that need to be said and time to cuddle together.

“With fundraising help we could make simple improvements that would make a world of difference to our patients. We want to create a space where it’s easy for loved ones to snuggle up, talk, laugh and comfort each other together.

“We’d like our wonderful supporters to help us to raise enough money so that our patients can enjoy all the comforts of home whilst they are at Martlets. We hope that people will really take this campaign to heart and help us make this possible.”

For more information and to donate, click here:

Get on, get checked!

Posted on by Besi

To mark Deaf Awareness Week (May 6-12), national charity Action on Hearing Loss will  team up with Brighton and Hove Buses in a bid to raise awareness of hearing loss and deafness across the city.

ON Thursday May 9, from 11am-2.30pm, the charity will be on board a double-decker at Bus Stop D in Churchill Square, Brighton, offering free hearing screenings for anyone worried about their hearing; British sign language taster sessions; information about the latest assistive technology; free ear plugs; and a host of useful information and advice about being more deaf aware.

Hearing loss affects people of all ages and can be caused by a number of factors, including exposure to loud noises, virus or disease, ageing and it can be inherited. It is an invisible yet life-changing condition that can be linked to isolation, depression, and cognitive decline. It can also make the risk of developing dementia between two and five times more likely.

This Deaf Awareness Week, Action on Hearing Loss is encouraging people to be more deaf aware in their daily lives to make the city more inclusive and accessible for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.

In a survey of 1072 people, the charity found that 65% of people had felt isolated at work because of their hearing loss, and one in three felt bullied at work. With an increasing number of people affected by hearing loss, the charity is inviting employers to come along to learn about easy steps to take to make their business more inclusive.

Jane Bailey, Head of Volunteering at Action on Hearing Loss, said: “People with hearing loss experience stigma and prejudice on a daily basis with many also facing teasing and discrimination. By making small changes in our lives, we can have a big impact on bridging the communication gap and challenging stereotypes.”

“Anyone worried about their own hearing, the hearing of a loved one, or anyone wishing to make small changes to ensure that their workplace or social group is more inclusive, should come along and talk to us this Deaf Awareness Week. Hearing loss shouldn’t prevent anyone from living the life they choose, and we are here to break down any barriers in the way.”

Martin Harris
Martin Harris

Martin Harris, Brighton & Hove Buses’ Managing Director, said: “Last year’s mobile hearing screening centre on board one of our buses was hugely successful. People who may not normally have come forward or who might find it hard to make the time, got on and got checked. I’d encourage anybody who is concerned about their hearing, or that of a family member or friend, to come and use this free, friendly service.”

For more information about hearing loss, deafness or tinnitus, click here:

Action on Hearing Loss funds biomedical research to find a cure for hearing loss, campaigns to change public perception and policy around hearing loss issues, provides residential support for people who are deaf with additional needs, drives the development of assistive technology products, and offers free, practical advice on how people can protect their hearing.

Brighton and Hove Frontrunners – 6 months on and still growing!

Posted on by Besi

Brighton and Hove Frontrunners is an LGBTQ+ running club recently celebrated their six month anniversary in the city.

THEY marked the event by taking part in the Hove Prom Parkrun with two graduates of their first Couch to 5K course in their brand new purple club tops.

The two runners were Helen Davies and Sam Vince, both of whom successfully completed the beginner’s course and went on to complete their first Parkrun in great times!

The group meet every Wednesday at 7pm on the seafront prom at the shelter behind the King Alfred Leisure centre in Hove. The club is always welcoming to new members and is open to all standards and abilities.

Further Couch to 5k courses will hopefully be available dependent on interest.

For more information, contact the Frontrunners by email on brightonandhovefrontrunners@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram (just search Brighton and Hove Frontrunners).

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus say farewell to artistic director

Posted on by Besi
Marc Yarrow
Marc Yarrow

After nine fantastic and successful years, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus say farewell to Marc Yarrow.

MARC’S tenure with the Chorus, first as Musical Director then Artistic Director, started in 2010.

During his time as the musical lead for BrightonGMC the Chorus has grown in number and developed in reputation and professionalism.

Working with a talented team of professional musicians and a dedicated membership, Marc introduced the Chorus to a wide repertoire leading the Chorus in many successful performances at a wide variety of venues, including the Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Theatre Royal and the London Palladium. Under Marc’s musical leadership the Chorus also represented the UK in the international music festival Various Voices in Ireland and Germany and won the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition in 2013.

The Trustees of BrightonGMC extend their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Marc for his contribution to the Chorus over the years. They wish him the best for his future endeavours and they will follow his career with pride knowing that the Chorus helped him in his formative years.

BrightonGMC was established in January 2005 and has about 100 members. It provides a space where people can celebrate music, enjoy the fellowship of other like-minded people and contribute to the local communities it’s a part of.

For more information about Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, click here:

 

PREVIEW: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang @Theatre Royal

Posted on by Contributor

Easter Saturday morning (April 20) saw the world famous flying car CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG  ‘land’ at the Theatre Royal in New Road, Brighton.

CLIMBING aboard this fantasmagorical car were actors from Brighton Theatre Group playing legendary characters Caractacus Potts, his two children Jeremy and Jemima and Truly Scrumptious.

To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, Brighton Theatre Group will be presenting this classic British family musical from August 21 – 24, 2019.

The show is packed full of hit numbers including the title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Me Ol’ Bamboo, Truly Scrumptious,  Chu-Chi Face and Teamwork.

Brighton Theatre Group is one of only a handful of UK companies chosen to perform CHITTY CHITTY BANG  BANG, in a production that will play Theatre Royal Brighton for eight performances.

To book tickets online, click here:

Easter Bonnet Parade and Drag Races raise £1,953.22 for Rainbow Fund

Posted on by Besi

The Easter Bonnet Parade and Drag Races on Easter Sunday beat last years’ fundraising total (£1,833.66), raising a record £1,953.22 for the Rainbow Fund.

Kathy Caton (judge), Grace (Easter Bonnet Parade winner) and Carole Todd (judge)
Kathy Caton (judge), Grace (Easter Bonnet Parade winner) and Carole Todd (judge)

Organised between the Bedford Tavern and Grosvenor Bar, glorious weather and searing temperatures brought record crowds to Western Street on the borders of Brighton and Hove for what many have described as the “Best Community Easter Event” yet.

The Easter Bonnet Parade judged by BBC Radio Sussex presenter Kathy Caton and West End director Carole Todd was won by 87-year-old Grace who was celebrating her 87th birthday, while The Drag Race featuring 21 runners in full drag was won by Drag Queen Ella Phantitus.

Adam Brooks
Adam Brooks

Adam Brooks, owner of the Bedford Tavern and event organiser said: “Firstly I want to thank the hard-working teams of bar staff at both The Bedford and Grosvenor, who worked their socks off all day keeping everyone refreshed while staying calm and good-natured throughout a very long shift. Team Bedford was enhanced with the amazing Brighton Tavern crew this year and everyone did an exceptional job – thank you!

Thanks to Chris Hibbert and the boys who helped out during the afternoon manning the street closure, doing crowd control and stewarding, while running around and helping clean the street, you guys were an amazing help – thank you!”

“Thanks to Sue Colman (an amazing help before, during and after the event), Sally and Adam (Mary) manned a very busy betting station, selling raffle tickets and piano bingo tickets throughout the day – a major part of the fundraising was down to the efforts of these guys and I am so grateful for all the help they provided.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

“To the countless local businesses and individuals that donated prizes that were used as part of The Easter Bonnet Parade, Drag races and raffles – thank you sooooooo much.

“To all the drag runners, without you we don’t have the drag races, and this is what pulls in the crowds. Thank you all for getting involved and surviving a rather sweaty Easter. For the first year ever nobody took a tumble although plenty of you cheated! To those who made bonnets and paraded down Western Street, you all made an extraordinary effort and I thank you for helping keep this special community tradition alive. 

“Into the evening JB kept the crowd lively with his sing-a-long and a bonkers piano bingo – as much as I tease him he does a fantastic job – cheers JB!

“The gorgeous Billie Gold, Laura Nixon and our very own Jason Thorpe provided the outstanding evening cabaret and all gave up their time for free. There really was something for everyone during the show and brought our epic day to a wonderful end – thank you so much you are a fabulous bunch.

“To the artist David Barker, thank you for the amazing painting that you donated for auction, it was stunning and went to a very happy bidder, raising £450 for The Rainbow Fund.

“Finally, thank you to everyone who turned up, bought raffle tickets, placed ‘bets’, put money in buckets and helped us raise money for The Rainbow Fund, without you it simply wouldn’t happen.” 

The Rainbow Fund is a Brighton based charity that give grants to local LGBT+/HIV organisations who deliver effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the city.

Photos by: Steven Chantrey, Laura Waskinen, Marina Marzotto

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Sea Serpents – onwards and upwards!

Posted on by Ian Chaplin

Ian Chaplin, chairman of Brighton and Hove’s LGBT+ Rugby club talks past, present and future.

THE end of March 2010 heralded the official end of the Sea Serpents’ third rugby season. In that time we have improved as a club, and as individuals though the journey hasn’t always been a straight line improvement.

Our story began in November 2015, just after the Rugby World Cup had two matches at the Amex Stadium and perhaps a good time to harness the interest of our community.

We met at the Camelford Arms thanks to Alistair and Tony’s invitation and some fifty people came to see what we were about.  We probably didn’t know what a difference that evening was going to make to our lives and, hopefully, to the community of which we are a part.

Thinking about it became all about doing it – a group of the guys who had joined us on that first evening had to make the bigger step to physical activity, on a November morning, in Queens Park. There’s no hiding in such a public space!  We were helped at this point in our evolution by our friends at the Kings Cross Steelers RFC in London, who gave us coaching help.

By the start of 2016 we were ready for two things: a transfer from the park to Hove Rugby Club who again helped us at the start with facilities and coaching, and the change from a bunch of friends (both new and old) who trained together to being a formally constituted Club.

February came and our first match! This was against the Steelers 4th XV, and was a 0-25 loss.  Not only was it our first match but our first real experience of contact rugby and mud. It was a really grotty day, with mud underfoot and cold rain. Despite this we came back for more, and there were more of us.  We trained through the rest of the season, and through the summer. By September we were ready to start fully as a Rugby Club, with a season of matches planned.  We were also able to play in our own kit, courtesy of sponsorship from the Camelford Arms.

That first full season was composed of friendly matches, against sides from Sussex, and from other gay and inclusive sides in England. This season included our first win, against the Reading Renegades RFC.  The games against Sussex clubs particularly helped our standard to improve and we ended the season with a tournament in Madrid with wins against three European sides.

The 2017-18 season had us joining Sussex RFU, entering the league and welcoming a new kit sponsor, Bar Broadway.  This was a hard season for us, and we were only just able at the end of the season to win against a Sussex side, East Grinstead by 33-31 in the last match if the season.

After this match, and two friendlies we won, we went to Amsterdam for our first Bingham Cup, the gay and inclusive worldwide tournament named after Mark Bingham, a member of the San Francisco Fog and a part of the impetus behind the formation of the Gotham Knights who was killed on flight United 93 on 9/11.  There we won 4 out of 6 matches winning the Challenger Bowl, our first silverware.

This brings us to 2018-19, the season just ended. Our division changed from east Sussex to west Sussex, giving us a new series of competitors, but at the same level of competition.  We have fared much better than our first hopes this season, winning 7 league matches and 3 friendlies. Before the season ends we have four more friendly matches against Sussex clubs, gay and inclusive clubs and two touring sides from the west country.  These games will help us hone our tactics for matches in June in Dublin where we play in the bi-annual Union Cup.

We are evolving as a Club, reminding ourselves that we are there for a purpose beyond just enjoying ourselves, though that is a major part of sport and of comradeship.

We are looking to expand to properly fulfil our mission statement which is to bring rugby to the LGBT+ communities were needed and to bring the LGBT+ Communities to rugby. We are improving and growing more than other clubs in Sussex and at County meetings they are interested to hear what we are doing different to them.

One new thing will be to offer touch rugby over the summer. This is mixed and non-contact so anyone can join in whether male,  female or non binary, and LGBT or straight.

On Friday, May 10 between 7 and 9pm we will be having a Meet the Sea Serpents evening at Amsterdam Bar and Kitchen so anyone interested in either full contact rugby (but using touch for fitness) or touch in its own right for the summer (or if it’s popular throughout the year), come along, meet some of the members and have a chat about what it is we do.

Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents are Sussex’s first fully inclusive rugby club, encouraging gay, bisexual, and trans guys to learn, experience and play rugby in a non judgmental atmosphere. We welcome anyone who shares our vision.

Find out more by messaging our Facebook page or emailing info@bhssrfc.com

We are the 2018 Bingham Cup Challenger Bowl champions, and have been voted Brighton’s Favourite Sports Group at the Golden Handbags for the past 2 years.

We are proud to be sponsored by Bar Broadway, and to be members of the Sussex RFU, the RFU and IGR – the body that encourages inclusive rugby around the world.

 

 

BOAT announces five-month season for 2019

Posted on by Besi

Brian Butler previews this year’s 5-month season at the Brighton Open Air Theatre, BOAT.

THE Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT) launches its fifth and biggest season of shows to run from May till September at its Dyke Road Park home.

Some 140 different performances will be given by 80 theatre and music groups from all over the UK.

Highlights include Kick in the Head who present Airlie Scott as the comedienne Joyce Grenfell (Friday, May 10), Circus Xanti and Ali Williams Productions who will stage As A Tiger In The Jungle – a performance about life, lost children and circus (from Wednesday, May 22-Saturday, May 25).

The programme has the internationally famous Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on tour with three of the Bard’s plays – The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night and Pericles (Wednesday, July 10 – Saturday, July 13) Uniquely at the start of each show the audience get to pick which of the three plays they want to see.

Other Shakespeare offerings include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Thursday, June 6-Saturday, June 8) and Romeo and Juliet (Thursday, June 13-Sunday, June 16) and an abridged version of all 37 of his plays in one session (Wednesday, June 19-Thursday, June 20).

On the solstice, classical guitarist Richard Durrant will perform Music for Midsummer, and on Wednesday, June 12, Brighton’s premier gospel choir Gospel in the  Park celebrates its 19th year.

BOAT patron Simon Evans will be joined by two other stand ups to preview their Edinburgh Fringe shows.

The Who get a tribute evening with Johnny Warman’s Magic Bus Band on Saturday, July 6.

Other plays include The Legend of King Arthur (Sunday, July 21), Mary Stuart (July 17-20), Ayckbourn’s Joking Apart (Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, August 4), Wuthering  Heights (Wednesday, July 24-Saturday, July 27) and Frankenstein (Tuesday, August 6).

A wide variety of music is being served up including Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf (Wednesday, August 7), Walk Like a Man – a 4 Seasons tribute (Friday, August 16), Sunday in the Park with Jazz hosted by Charlotte Glasson with Terry Pack’s Trees and Harry’s Tricks (Sunday, August 11). The Vox Beatles present Cavern to Imagine (Sunday, September 8) and the comic singing duo Going South present an event of musical frivolity (Friday, September 13).

In the open air cinema there will be screenings of Mary Poppins Returns (Saturday, September 21), and Grease (Saturday, September 21). And there’s an all-night sleep out under the stars to raise funds for the Clock Tower Sanctuary (Saturday, September 28). The season ends on Sunday, September 29 with an End of Summer Party by the Brighton Beach Boys.

Full programme and to book online, click here:

Latest News

Community News Making Brighton ‘POP!’: local artist Dave Pop! and city centre businesses team up to dress city centre for the summer
Community News Legends and Two Brewers launch fundraisers ahead of events in Brighton and London to celebrate the life of Miss Jason
Community News Robbie Currie announced as new CEO of National AIDS Trust, taking over from Deborah Gold
Pride UK Black Pride to return on Sunday, August 11
X