Older and Out the social networking organisation for older LGBT people have organised a boat trip from Brighton Marina on Friday, July 25.
Meet at the Chinese floating restaurant at 11.00am. The boat is booked and the cost is £5 per person which can be paid on the day.
After the trip the Older and Out members will have lunch at the West Quay Wetherspoons pub. It is not possible to make reservations to there might to a little wait and meals will be paid for individually.
Remember to take along sun cream and also warmer clothing as it can get cold on a boat.
If you are going by car and have a blue disabled badge, you can park on level 6 of the multi-story car park and use the bridge to cross to the floating restaurant. Alternatively, you can park on level 5 and walk up one flight of stairs to the bridge.
Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove & Portslade and Interlectual Property Advisor to The Prime Minister has today written to David Cameron announcing his decision not to stand for re-election at the General Election in 2015.
Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove and Portslade
The letter read:
“It is after profound consideration that I write to inform you that I will not be standing for re-election at the General Election in 2015.
“I have nothing but huge admiration for the work of the Government over the past four years, including what has been done to get our economy back on track. In Hove and Portslade, this has translated to a drop in unemployment of a staggering 37.5%. I am strongly in favour too of our efforts to reform our membership of the EU but even more so of our pledge of a referendum in 2017 as I have mentioned to you directly on a number of occasions.
“In terms of my own work, I have proudly served on the Administration and Justice Select Committees. I have campaigned relentlessly, with much success, to bring common sense to our laws on residential squatting. I have fought hard on a number of animal rights issues and firmly believe that the hunting ban should remain in place. I have also highlighted the dangers of nuclear power and, indeed, the benefits of solar and other renewables.
“Over the past year, I have taken immense pride in serving as your Intellectual Property Adviser. I am sure that you will agree that we have made huge steps towards really getting politicians and industry talking – which is key to making the most of our country’s wealth of creative talent. It would be a privilege to continue offering my assistance in this regard.
“It goes without saying that my years representing the wonderful people of Hove and Portslade have been one of the most fulfilling periods of my life which I will look back on with very fond memories. I have made so many friends over the years including so many of my loyal supporters both in and out of Brighton & Hove Conservatives. I cannot thank them enough.
“Ultimately, beating cancer two years ago has led me to review what I want for the future. It has been the toughest decision of my life but I do feel that now is the time to move on.”
Mike, a chartered management accountant was elected to Parliament at the General Election of 2010. Prior to his election as an MP he was finance director of record producer Pete Waterman’s group of businesses. He has a keen interest in live music and in 2007 he became Vice President (Europe) of the Motion Picture Licensing Company. Mike was supportive of the LGBT community during the equal marriage debates writing to the Prime Minister in favour of giving same-sex couples equal marriage rights and urging religious organisations to register such ceremonies, which caused considerable controversy at the time.
Mike said:“This has been an exceptionally difficult decision to make. It has been a remarkable opportunity to represent the wonderful residents of Hove and Portslade in Parliament and I look forward to continuing to do this until the election near year.”
Linda Freedman, Chairman of Brighton & Hove Conservatives, added:“We are all incredibly sad that Mike won’t be re-standing. He has been a seriously effective representative for Hove and Portslade over the past four years. Nothing stands still in politics though so our discussions as to what happens next are already far advanced. We’ll be making an announcement on this point shortly.”
Cllr Geoffey Theobald
Conservative Group Leader on Brighton & Hove City Council, Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald, said: “Mike has been an excellent hard-working MP who has always stood up in Parliament for the residents of Hove & Portslade. On a personal basis Mike has been, and remains, a very good friend and I have always valued his advice and support. He has also always worked very closely with the Conservative Group on the Council to good effect. He has been passionate in campaigning to make squatting a criminal offence and, as a result, is one of the select few backbench MPs who has managed to get legislation on the books.
“The Prime Minister also recently recognised his talents by making Mike his adviser on Intellectual Property. And he has achieved all this despite battling serious illness. I wish Mike all the best in the future and I’m sure that he still has a huge amount to contribute to the city I know he loves. I’m certain that whoever is chosen to succeed Mike will make an excellent MP in 2015.”
Just two nights after bringing the curtain down on Andy Feests’ 22 year reign, the flag ship on George Street,the Queens Arms, re-opens tonight at 7pm.
At the helm, is former Lollipop girl, Barry Nelson who was till recently food and beverage manager at the Queens Hotel. Barry is the new manager at the Queens Arms where he intends to put the razzle back into dazzle and the sparkle back into cabaret.
Capt Baz
Barry is planning cabaret 5 nights a week, just like in the old days and is looking forward to working with all the other venues on the scene providing cabaret.
To show they are serious about working with everyone to make the scene better, Barry explains there will be a blackboard in the pub advertising cabaret times and entertainers for all venues on the scene every Sunday.
To get the ball rolling, Jason Sutton aka Miss Jason will be appearing tonight, the first of a regular Wednesday night residency, as you have never seen him before, with a new routine and a new show. Jason will be on stage from 9pm.
Magic, music, circus skills and crafts are all being offered for free this month as part of Newcastle Pride 2014.
Young people at Newcastle Pride 2013
The three-day festival, returns with a bumper line-up of entertainment and activities for the whole family from Friday July 18 to Sunday July 20.
Among the many highlights will be a fun fair, running at Newcastle’s Town Moor on Saturday (July 19) and Sunday (July 20), with a variety of dedicated entertainment zones also happening across both days.
This includes the Family Zone, complete with a sensory space, circus workshops, arts and crafts, face painting and music for younger visitors and the adjoining Youth Zone, sponsored by MESMAC, offering magic, art and sport for ages 12 and above.
Throughout the weekend female visitors can seek solace in the Women’s Zone, showcasing some of the North East’s finest musicians, songwriters and performers, while those hoping for a quieter respite can head to the Tea Tent, where they’ll be serving a selection of tea and treats.
A special Trans Zone will be open across both days, along with the Steve Paske Health Zone, sponsored by MESMAC, which will be offering free advice and STI Testing in a relaxed and confidential setting.
Several other specialist zones will also be running on Saturday (July 19) only, including a Cabaret Tent, sponsored by Eazy Street and Nandos, the new Bear Zone, with a separate bar and information area and the Power House Dance tent, sponsored by Accenture, with a host of award-winning DJs helping to bring a touch of the popular Newcastle nightclub to the Town Moor.
A host of stalls will also be open across the Moor throughout each day, offering the opportunity to buy a wide range of goods and seek advice on everything from adoption to employment.
Shayne Ward
On the Main Stage there will be performances by a host of big name stars, including Sinitta, Steps star Faye Tozer and X Factor winner Shayne Ward on Saturday (July 19) and Eurodance act the Vengaboys on Sunday (July 20).
At the end of each day (around 6pm Sat and 5pm Sun), visitors have the opportunity to travel from the Town Moor to Newcastle’s Times Square, where there will be additional live music throughout the evening.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, which organises the annual event, said:“Newcastle Pride is all about bringing the community together and this year we’re offering more activities for all ages than ever before.
“We hope that families from across the North East and wider UK will take the opportunity to enjoy a great day out and help to promote the importance of equality and inclusion at the same time.”
Newcastle Pride 2014 is free to attend, though a number of hospitality and ticket packages are also available.
Brighton & Hove Libraries in partnership with East Sussex Library and Information Service are hosting an afternoon of entertainment with writers and performers talking about and reading from their own work at Brighton Pride on Saturday, August 2.
The line-up includes: Writer and comedienne Claire Summerskill; Poet Dean Atta author of ‘I am Nobody’s Nigger’; Susannah Waters author of ‘Cold Comfort’ and ‘Almost Anybody’, in a duet with actress Federay Holmes; Roger Moss author of ‘The Game of the Pink Pagoda’; Clare Lydon blogger and author of ‘London calling’; Vernal Scott author of ‘God’s Other Children’; John McCullough, author of ‘Frost Fairs’,Maria Jastrzebska‘At the Library of Memories’ and Al Brookes author of ‘The Gift of Looking Closely’.
Claire Summerskill
Writers and poets from Queer Writing South, Queer in Brighton and budding performers from pre-Pride writing workshops will also take to the stage to show what they can do!
Tea and cakes will be available to make this a quintessential summer’s afternoon of literary Pride heaven!
The Libraries Partnership are looking for budding LGBT writers to perform at Pride on Saturday, August 2 in the Pride Literature & Spoken Word tent. If you are new to writing go to one of the FREE writing workshops they are offering where you can hone up your skills for writing and perform your work at Pride:
The workshops are on:
July 17 – Brighton Jubilee Library (16-19 only) 5.00-7.00pm
Sabah Choudrey explains what Trans*Pride means to him.
Sabah Choudrey
“Once upon a time, long before Trans* Pride existed, I didn’t feel proud. I didn’t feel proud to be in the LGBT community. I didn’t feel proud to be trans*, nor did I feel proud to be a person of colour. I was disappointed; it felt like we had already reached where we wanted to be, throwing a giant party in the city, and given up the fight, ignoring the ongoing issues the rest of the LGBT community around the world are facing.
“When a few friends of friends arranged a meeting at a café, I had no idea it would lead to what Trans* Pride Brighton is today. We talked about our invisibility and exclusion, how the trans* community is only ever thought of as the last letter in LGBT, how we’re grouped in with sexual orientation and stereotyped with binary gender roles.
“‘Trans*’ is an umbrella term in itself, but we’re never given the space to pop the umbrella open. The more we spoke, the more passionate we felt, and with each word that came out, there was no going back; we were going to have our Trans* Pride.
“It led to conversation after conversation – why has this never happened before? Why are we forced to continue hiding? Why has Pride stopped being a protest? Because it still is for many, we’re still fighting for our rights to be trans*, proud and happy, and to live visibly and safely.
“Our aim is clear, and we will continue to strive for true inclusivity, in sexual and gender diversity and across all people of colour, of all backgrounds and abilities. We are putting the T first.”
Brighton Half Marathon organisers have confirmed that all public places to the race have been snapped up, just two and half months after opening for registration.
The 2015 race which takes place on Sunday, February 22, sold out in record time, despite the number of places available increasing by 2,000 people to 12,500 runners.
2015 is the 25th anniversary of the event and atheletes finishing the race this year will receive a special commemorative medal to celebrate the milestone.
Event Manager Paul Bond said:“We are thrilled that the event continues to grow in popularity. To those runners that have registered; a huge thanks. We cannot wait to welcome you all in February and we wish everyone the very best of luck with their preparations.:
Runners who have missed out on a public place can still enter by registering to run and raise money for one of the official charities.
Details about running for one of the official charities can be found on the charity page on the event website. Charity partners include WaterAid (International Charity Partner), Scope (National Charity Partner), Rise (Local Charity Partner) and Chestnut Tree House (Youth Partner Charity).
Runners can also pledge to run on behalf of The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation; the official charity partner to the Vitality Run Series.
The Brighton Half Marathon is organised by The Sussex Beacon, a unique centre providing innovative services to meet the changing needs of people living with HIV. The race is the charity’s main fundraising event and runners can choose to join Team Beacon and help raise funds directly for The Sussex Beacon.
Partners for the 2015 race confirmed so far include Visit Brighton, Brighton & Hove City Council and Studio57 Clinic.
Local politicians call for Green councillor to stand down.
Cllr Ben Duncan
Following comments made on twitter referring to soldiers as “hired killers”, by Ben Duncan, Green councillor for Queens Park, The Green Party of Brighton and Hove have this morning started a formal disciplinary process about his remarks.
A spokesperson for the Greens said:“The Brighton & Hove Green Party Executive this morning decided that disciplinary proceedings were justified and will report any outcomes in due course. A panel will now be formed to determine what, if any, further action is warranted.”
On Sunday to mark Armed Forces Day the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment paraded from the Peace Statue in Hove along the seafront to New Road in Brighton.
Councillor Duncan tweeted: “Armed Forces Day has certainly brought the hired killers onto the streets of Brighton today. Hard to explain to my son.”
Senior Green politicians including Leader of the Council, Jason Kitcat and Brighton Pavilion MP, Caroline Lucas moved quickly to distance themselves from his comments.
In a tweeted apology yesterday, Cllr Duncan said: “Apols for offence caused by tweet re soldiers on streets. Many will have been remembering loved ones who died & was insensitive to their loss.”
His comments caused wide spread offense with local politicians who called for him to stand down immediately.
Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of Labour and Cooperative
Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour and Cooperative group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said:“Cllr Duncan should resign and he should do so quickly. He is free to criticise politicians who send troops to war, but not those who risk and often sacrifice their lives as a consequence.
“His comments are stupid and deeply offensive, particularly when we are marking the anniversaries of D Day and World War One.
“Were he a councillor in my Group he would be gone by the end of the day.”
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, said: “Cllr Duncan’s comments are deeply regrettably and he would do well to remember that many brave men and women have sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice, a lot for him to be able to make such ridiculous comments.”
“As the only Member of Parliament at the event, I was proud to show my support for all the soldiers, past and present, on Armed Forces Day. We owe these people a great deal.”
“It is important we let our Armed Forces know that they have our continued support and comments like Cllr Duncan’s are deeply offensive and misguided.”
Mike Weatherley MP for Hove & Portslade
Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove & Portslade, added: “Slurring our brave soldiers, on Armed Forces Day of all days, is unbelievably insensitive and presumably cause for resignation.
“We have the right to free speech – a right which Councillor Duncan is more than happy to exercise – because of the very people whom he insults.”
Eurovision Song Contest winner, Conchita Wurst crowns biggest ever national Pride in London.
Despite terrential rain, a record-breaking 30,000 people braved miserable weather conditions on Saturday (July 29) to take part in the biggest Pride parade London has seen in years,
Kylie Minogue, Prime Minister David Cameron, Tom Daley, Stephen Fry and Sir Ian McKellen all sent personal messages of support, whilst Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst played her first UK concert to a 10,000 strong audience in Trafalgar Square, where she called for love, respect and tolerance around the world.
The huge crowds lining Oxford and Regent Streets were showered in confetti and glitter as over 200 groups, including dozens of floats, made their way to Trafalgar Square for the great line-up of entertainment that included Sinitta, Sam Fox, Heather Peace, Sam Bailey and Katrina.
Celebrity hosts including Dr Christian Jessen, Dusty O, and Chris and Emma of the Gaydio breakfast show were joined on stage by Imelda Staunton who spoke about her new film The Pride, about LGBT support for the striking miners in the ’80s.
Kylie Minogue sent a video message from Sydney celebrating #freedomto love.
Sir Ian McKellen, tireless campaigner for equality and Patron of Pride in London was greeted by rapturous applause as he took to the stage to introduce Conchita Wurst who proceeded to steal the show.
Introducing Conchita, Sir Ian said: “Show business has always led the way when it comes to the freedom to be yourself. So Conchita is following in the footsteps of our predecessors. There is a long tradition of outrageousness and confidence that performers embody, and that has an enormous impact. It clears the way for others to dare to be themselves. She has done just that.”
Conchita, said: “Let us be proud about who we are and let us give a statement for love, respect and tolerance.”
At the end of her performance she had her photograph taken with the 10,000 strong audience in Trafalgar Square.
Michael Salter
Michael Salter, Chair of Pride in London said: “I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who, together with everyone in the Parade, all those lining the route or celebrating in Trafalgar Square, Golden Square and Soho, gave our great city the fun, exciting, surprising and inspiring Pride it truly deserves.
“We at Pride in London want to go on delivering events of, by and for the entire LGBT+ community. This year again we saw how powerful that can be.”
Off-licences agree not to sell high-strength alcohol.
Street drinkers are now more likely to successfully engage with treatment for their alcohol addiction following the introduction of a voluntary scheme which is encouraging off-licences not to sell high-strength alcohol.
In the first few months of Brighton & Hove’s Sensible on Strength campaign, 82% of the city’s highest profile street drinkers have switched to lower strength alcohol and are more able to engage with agencies.
According to the substance misuse and mental health charity Equinox there has been a marked improvement in the lives of the people they are supporting.
Jesse Wilde, service manager at Equinox, Brighton, said: “It is now the exception rather than the rule for our outreach workers to see street drinkers with high strength cans, which is a complete reversal of the situation 12 months ago.
“Drinking weaker alcohol means the street drinkers we work with are more willing to engage with our support, are less likely to put themselves at risk and less likely to impact on their wider community.”
The Sensible on Strength initiative is the result of licensing and trading standards officers from the council working with Sussex Police and businesses.
There are now 95 businesses signed up to the scheme, including clusters such as in the London Road area where all the off-licences have agreed not to sell high-strength alcohol and where there were also problems with street drinking.
It has meant that Jennifer (not her real name) has been able to maintain her hostel tenancy, the longest she has ever stayed in a Brighton hostel, reduce her alcohol intake and improve her overall health and wellbeing.
Jennifer has a long history of rough sleeping, street drinking and antisocial behavior. She has been evicted from several hostels, has regularly been admitted to hospital and is vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse when intoxicated.
She now has a mentor helping her in her recovery and has taken up singing lessons. Following a successful detox she is currently undergoing residential rehabilitation.
Because she was unable to source high-strength alcohol, Jennifer was better able to engage with services and reduce the amount she was drinking. According to her Equinox support worker, Sensible on Strength played a crucial role in facilitating the dramatic progress Jennifer has made.
Cllr Stephanie Powell
Councillor Stephanie Powell, chair of the city’s Licensing Committee which launched the scheme, said:“It is extremely rewarding to see the ‘Sensible on Strength’ initiative have such a positive effect.
“I’d like to thank local businesses for taking part in the scheme and helping to achieve these improvements. High-strength drinks are a breed apart from other beers and ciders and cause immense harm to vulnerable people.
“There is a wider effect, too; alcohol-related disorder increases fear of crime and that creates an unpleasant environment for everyone.”
Shop owners signing up to Sensible on Strength agree not to sell beer, lager and cider above 6% alcohol by volume (abv) and put in place other good practice measures including a refusals system, CCTV and documented training. Participating premises can display a Sensible on Strength sticker.
A single 500ml can of 9% super-strength lager contains four and a half units of alcohol, which exceeds the government’s daily recommended safe alcohol limit of between two to three units for women and three to four units for men.
Older and Out the social networking organisation for older LGBT people have organised a boat trip from Brighton Marina on Friday, July 25.
You must be logged in to post a comment.