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10th Anniversary AIDS Memorial Fundraiser in memory of James Ledward for The Sussex Beacon

Fundraiser for The Sussex Beacon and in memory of James Ledward – 10th Anniversary of the Brighton AIDS Memorial

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the AIDS memorial in Brighton, its sculptor Romany Mark Bruce, has produced an exclusive limited edition of ten smaller replicas that are 50cm high and made from aluminium resin.

The first edition will be auctioned at The Sussex Beacon’s annual Halloween fundraising event at The Grand Hotel on Thursday 31st October.

The second will be used to raise funds for the Rainbow Fund in memory of James Ledward.

The Brighton Rainbow Fund, founded by James, is the central hub for fundraising within the Brighton and Hove LGBTQ+ communities, and distributes grants to local projects which benefit the lives of hundreds of individuals within those communities.

Following the tragic death of James Ledward, Romany Mark Bruce said ‘In 2007 James Ledward invited me to submit a proposal for the AIDS Memorial. To be involved in the project was a great honour and privilege. It took over two years to complete and during that time James supported and encouraged me with humour and great kindness. He gave me the opportunity to remember my soulmate, Paul Tay, after whom it is named. For that I am truly indebted to James and his contribution to the LGBTQ community is immeasurable and one which should never be forgotten.’

Tickets for The Halloween Horror Show, which include a three-course meal and show, are £65 each and can be purchased via The Sussex Beacon on 01273 694222.

For further information please contact David Hill or 07803 967368

PREVIEW:TRANSFORMERS @BREMF Consort of Voices

WITH its theme of Metamorphosis, the Festival will present twenty seven events across Brighton & Hove this autumn, exploring transformation in many intriguing ways.

Deborah Roberts, Artistic Director, says: “The idea of things undergoing transforming change has long fascinated the human race. Our 2019 Festival explores the 2,000-year-old stories in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, as well as musical and social transformation over the centuries. We end the Festival with a re-creation of the medieval Feast of Fools, which reversed all the social hierarchy for a few days and allowed a ‘letting off of steam’ for people living under the control of a feudal system. Our own times are certainly troubled, with society at war with itself, the threat of runaway climate change, and a political system with which many are disillusioned. Our message is musical, and all about bringing people together positively. What better reminder that many of these themes have resonated throughout history?”

Headline events include the  BREMF Consort of Voices TRANSFORMERS performance where great renaissance masterpieces  are miraculously reworked  with Deborah Roberts director Composers frequently reworked their own music into later compositions, but this programme looks at some substantial transformations and expansions of earlier works by later composers. Includes music by Josquin, Rore, Senfl and Gombert; with movements from Monteverdi’s 1610 Mass In illo tempore, based on Gombert’s motet.

 Taking place at St Martins church and finishing with a recent version of Tallis’s 40-part motet, Spem in alium arranged for 11 voices by Mick Swithinbank this looks at being a superb evening my musical discovery

For more info or to book tickets see the BREMF website

Martin Fisher Foundation raise £134.43 at bus launch

The Martin Fisher Foundation collected £134.43 at their new liveried  bus launch on 5th October 2019.

The bus is covered with purple Queen of the Night tulips, Martin’s favourite flower, while panels inside the bus give people the facts around HIV and aim to reduce the stigma and misinformation around the virus. They also talk about Martin’s life and work and recent advances in HIV treatment.

The bus launch brought together Martin’s family, Lawson Unit staff and other local HIV charities, as well as the charity’s patron Baroness Joyce Gould, Peter Kyle MP, Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP and Brighton & Hove Bus colleagues. Lunch Positive and the Co-Op supplied free refreshments.

Local artist Dan Locke talked about his design for the new bus as the bus toured the city and travelled to the Lawson Unit. Blue viruses feature at the rear of the bus, which become fewer and disappear towards the front, representing the city moving ‘Towards Zero’ new HIV cases by 2025.

With a good turnout for the launch and committed bucket shakers the volunteers on the day who staffed the area around The Plaza in Kingsway, Hove did an excellent job of raising funds.

All monies raised goes toward the aims of the Martin Fisher Foundation.

You can learn more about the MF Foundation here. Keep your eyes out for the new bus as it’s working the cities busiest bus routes.

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