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500 miles 4 smiles: Update day 18

Posted on 05/06/2014 by Besi

Award winning dental hygienist Christine Chatfield is on day 18 of her marathon walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland to Brighton to help raise awareness of cancers of the mouth.

Christina left Kirriemuir on May 19 and has taken a route south through Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh all the way down to York.

During the second week of the walk she suffered from cripling skin flints but after some TLC and pampering she managed to continue to keep walking throughout to raise money for the British Dental Health Foundation and Heart Your Smile.

Since the walk started Christina has had just one rest day on day 15 (June 1) and today she is walking on the leg between Retford and Newalk-on-Trent in Yorshire where she reports the weather is “dull but not raining.”

Christina and the team arrive in York on June 1

During the first two weeks walk towards the English borders, she had problems getting a good signal on her mobile which made communication with her supporters all over the country somewhat difficult. No such problems now and apart from getting lost in charge of a map during yesterdays solo walk from Hatfield to Retford, Christina remains on target to arrive in Brighton on Thursday, June 19 at 6pm.

While Christine is away from her business in Brighton, volunteer dental hygienists are making sure Christine’s patients are seen at her Dental Spa in Queens Road, Brighton each day.

Christine said: “I would like to thank all the hygienists who have given up their time to support the Dental Health Spa in my absence: Elaine Tilling, Judy Casey, Tim Ives and Debbie Hemington. It is very much appreciated. And there are more to come in the next few weeks including: Dawn Sherry, Rumana Husein, Louisa Rdh, Mike Wheeler, Amanda Zoe Gallie, Fiona Sandom, Sarah Gilder.

And a big thank you to the hygiene team at DHS – you know who you are!”

Reminding people of why she was doing the walk, Christine said: “Mouth cancer is one of the very few forms of cancer on the rise, and it currently claims more lives than testicular and cervical cancer combined. We all have a responsibility to help beat the disease, and you have the chance to join me and help to make a difference.

“By donating just £10, you could potentially prompt someone into getting checked out, a move that could save their life.”

Christine has been in training for the last 6 months to get ready for this monumental walk. All money raised will be shared between the British Dental Health Foundation and Heart Your Smile.

You can get yourself sponsored to accompany Christina on any section of the walk, or simply make a donation to recognise her amazing efforts.

For more information about Christina’s challenge, CLICK HERE:

To get sponsored or make a donation, CLICK HERE:

Labour listens

Posted on 05/06/2014 by Besi

Labour to give residents their say on the future of Brighton and Hove.

Labour Group Leader Cllr Warren Morgan is to give city residents a chance to have their say on the future of Brighton and Hove. The party is today calling on residents to get in touch with the party with their ideas on how to improve the City.

Cllr Morgan said: “Residents of Brighton and Hove know from first-hand experience what works in the City and what doesn’t.

That’s why we want to hear from them on how we can improve our City. Residents suggestions will help us further develop the policies we would bring forward as a Labour administration if we are elected to run the City in 2015.”

The party has set up an email address – ourcity@brightonhovelabour.com, for residents to email in their submissions.

These will be considered alongside those from party members, local businesses and partner organisations in the City as part of the ongoing manifesto process.

For further information, CLICK HERE:

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Anal cancer rates quadrupled since mid 70s

Posted on 05/06/2014 by Besi

Anal cancer rates in the UK have increased by nearly 300 per cent over the last 40 years, according to new figures published by Cancer Research UK today.

The increase in cases has been dramatically higher in women (374 per cent) than in men (202 per cent) over this period, rising from 0.4 to 1.8 per 100,000 in females compared to 0.4 to 1.2 per 100,000 in males.

Experts believe the reason for the dramatic rise is likely to be caused by the increasing prevalence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that is usually transmitted through sexual activity. An estimated 90 per cent of anal cancer cases in the UK are linked to HPV infection.

Overall the rates have risen from 0.4 in every 100,000 in the mid 70s to 1.5 today. Anal cancer is relatively rare, but awareness of the disease is low as it is still considered taboo by many.

The latest figures also show death rates for anal cancer have more than quadrupled since the mid 70s, with around 6 people now dying every week from the disease in the UK.

Previous research into sexual attitudes and lifestyles has suggested more heterosexual couples are having anal intercourse, which might account for the higher rates of the disease in women. But HPV is a very common virus and any sexual activity can increase the risk of passing on the infection to a partner.

Smoking may also be a risk factor for the disease and, though smoking rates have dropped since the 1970s, the drop has been smaller in women than in men, and slower in younger age groups where anal cancer is more common.

Nick Ormiston-Smith, Cancer Research UK’s head of statistics, said: “These are very worrying findings and highlight an increase in a cancer that’s not often talked about. Around 1,200 people are diagnosed with cancer of the anus every year in the UK, which means it’s still a relatively rare disease. But the rise in incidence, particularly in women, is concerning.

“We don’t fully understand the reason for the difference between men and women, but we do know HPV and smoking are strong risk factors for the disease.”

The introduction of the HPV vaccine for girls has been an important public health measure and is expected to help reduce the rates of HPV-related cancers in the UK in the future.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is now considering whether to extend the vaccination programme to boys, as rates of HPV-related cancers are also on the increase in men.

Using a condom reduces the risk of spreading the infection, but it doesn’t completely prevent it from being passed on to a partner.

Jessica Kirby, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Anal cancer is closely linked to HPV, and changes in sexual attitudes mean people are increasingly exposed to the virus. We’re not suggesting people take a vow of celibacy, but HPV vaccination, using a condom and being a non-smoker can all help to reduce the risk.

“Early diagnosis is also important so report any unusual or persistent changes in your body or bowel habits to your doctor. The most common symptom is bleeding from the anus. The cause is much more likely to be something less serious but it’s important to report symptoms to your doctor and get them checked out.”

For more information about Cancer Research UK, CLICK HERE:

D Day and World War One commemorations in Brighton & Hove

Posted on 05/06/201405/06/2014 by Besi

A series of civic and community events are planned this summer as the city marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

These will include an open air memorial service, displays of poppies, a parade through the city, and special exhibitions.

The memorial service will be held in the east gardens of the Royal Pavilion at 3pm on August 3, the eve of the anniversary, and is open to everyone. The inter-faith drumhead service is being co-ordinated by Brighton & Hove City Council with the Royal British Legion and will be led by the Bishop of Chichester. (The east gardens are the area in front of the Royal Pavilion where the skating rink is located in the winter)

The 70th anniversary of D Day in the Second World War will be also be commemorated on Friday, June 6 with a memorial service at the Old Steine War Memorial in Brighton at 3pm. The service is open to all. A D Day anniversary concert is being held the same day in the Music Room of the Royal Pavilion at 7.30pm with the Victory Wind Quintet. Tickets price £18 (£16 concessions) are available from www.brightonfringe.org or telephone 01273 917272.

Armed Forces Day on June 28 will be marked with a Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) Freedom of the City Parade. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion PWRR and the Band of the Blues and Royals will step off from the Peace Statue on Hove seafront at 11am and follow a route along the seafront, West Street and North Street before arriving in New Road around 11.20am. This will be followed by a parade and inspection in New Road joined by veterans organisations and cadets.

Events will continue in New Road during the afternoon from noon to 4pm, and include performances of vintage and wartime music from Vintage 5 Live & Rockabellas, information stands, and children’s performances in the Unitarian church.

A major exhibition opens at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery on July 12 highlighting the personal impact of the war through the experiences of 15 local people.

War Stories: Voices from the First World War is one of a series of special exhibitions and displays being held by the Royal Pavilion & Museums as part of the city’s commemorations.

A sea of poppies will be flowering on grass verges and at other locations across the city this summer after wildflower seeds were sown by parks staff earlier this year. School children across the city have also been sowing poppy seeds, with every school receiving 1,000 seeds.

Other commemorations are also being lined up and a round up of events, including events being organised by community groups in the city, is available on the council’s website www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/WW1.

Councillor Jason Kitcat, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “The historic anniversary of the start of World War One will be commemorated in the city, as it will be around the world.

“The war affected so many lives in so many different ways, and the council has been working with a range of organisations to develop a vibrant and respectful programme of events to mark the centenary and reflect upon the courage and sacrifice made by local people.”

He added: “Whether at a memorial service, visiting an exhibition, or taking in the sight of a sea of red poppies, there will be a range of opportunities for people to mark the anniversary.”

Commemorative events this summer are the start of a four year programme of events which will culminate in the anniversary of Armistice Day in November 2018.

Eco pay-off as Brighton crematorium upgrades

Posted on 04/06/2014 by Besi

Woodvale Crematorium to hold a ceremony on Friday, June 6 to bless its recently refurbished North Chapel.

The ceremony marks the successful completion of a nine month £1.5 million building project.

Prompted by aging equipment and changes in environmental legislation, Brighton & Hove City Council has invested in the biggest upgrade and refurbishment at the site in twenty years, making major improvements to environmental performance and the customer experience.

The crematorium remained open for funeral services throughout the project which was designed and managed by the council’s in house property maintenance team.

More efficient cremators are now using significantly less gas, reducing the crematorium’s operating costs and carbon footprint, while state-of-the-art filtration equipment is helping to minimise emissions of mercury and other pollutants from the site, in line with European rules.

At the same time, Woodvale has switched to efficient gas heating using recycled heat to help keep visitors to the 150 year old chapels warm and comfortable during services.

Other improvements included installing new music and hearing loop systems, redecorating the chapels, building new access ramps at the chapel doorways, and putting in new energy efficient lighting to the driveway.

The beautiful Victorian Extra-Mural Chapel has been redecorated with upgraded WC facilities, a new music system and a hearing loop for hearing aid users, this chapel now offers a peaceful and unique setting for customers to hold cremation, burial and memorial services.

Councillor Ollie Sykes, lead member for finance and resources, said: “I am extremely pleased that Brighton & Hove City Council has worked so closely with the local community in blessing this chapel which has been refurbished as part of these important improvement works at Woodvale Crematorium.

“The new facilities will help us provide the best possible service at what is a very difficult time for friends and relatives. We‘re using the latest equipment so that we remove most of the harmful mercury emissions and expect to save tens of thousands of pounds each year by being more efficient and using less gas.

“At the same time we will also offer improved facilities for visitors so for example we have new hearing loop systems for the deaf and hard of hearing.”

Sunday parking charges to be reviewed

Posted on 04/06/2014 by Besi

Brighton & Hove City councillors will discuss Sunday parking charges at the next meeting of Brighton & Hove’s Policy & Resources Committee on June 12.

The committee will consider three options for Sunday parking:

• Offering free parking both on and off street on Sundays

• Partial free parking on Sundays, including an extension of the lower rate winter season from four to six months (1 October to 31 March) or referring alternative suggestions for parking charges to an end of year annual review.

• Parking management, including the charging structure, plays a key part in handling the wider traffic demand and easing the pressure on parking. Enforcement of parking controls also helps improve road safety and accessibility. An effective parking charges structure supports the economy by encouraging turnover and reducing congestion, increasing footfall and spend.

A officer report outlines how on Sundays during the summer months city centre and seafront car parks fill up quickly. Pressure on parking on a busy weekend is sometimes higher than at other times during the week.

The cost to the council of providing free Sunday parking is estimated to be £2.6 million each year and an additional £1.035m one-off funds to implement. With such measures the report notes that there is a risk of potential additional congestion and reduction in air quality, which might make Brighton & Hove less attractive as a destination.

Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the Policy & Resources Committee, said: “Brighton & Hove is one of the busiest tourist destinations in the UK, with our economy outperforming the region and shop vacancies far below London’s rate. Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space. That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.

“Offering free parking on-street would also mean residents would find it harder to park near where they live.

“We will need to consider these significant impacts when deciding whether to adjust charges, and the report recommends looking at Sunday parking as part of the annual review of all parking charges.

“We have to balance the needs of residents and visitors and support measures that make it easier to travel around the city with people using a variety of transport options.”

Options that could be taken forward as part of the annual review could include promotional rates at Norton Road, London Road and Oxford Court car parks where demand is low on a Sunday.

Calls for the council to look at free parking on a Sunday were brought to the council meeting in March through a LIB DEM petition. Councillors decided to consider the issue more fully at the Policy & Resources Committee and look at options for free and reduced parking charges on a Sunday.

Battle, East Sussex makes Lonely Planet guide’s top 50 secret spots in Europe

Posted on 04/06/2014 by Besi

Lonely Planet says there is more to Battle than the site of William the Conqueror’s 1066 victory.

It is the site of arguably the most famous military clash in British history but despite the Battle of Hastings’ place in our national consciousness it has been named in a list of Europe’s best ‘secret spot’ locations.

With its 11th-century Abbey and surrounding meadows, the small East Sussex town of Battle is already designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but Lonely Planet, the travel guide, says it is not considered as a potential destination on the staycation holiday itinerary.

“The Battle of Hastings may be well known as the bloody stand-off in 1066 that inspired the Bayeux tapestry, but few make the journey to see where it happened,” it says in its list of 50 “undiscovered and overlooked” destinations in Europe.”

As well as observing “evocative fields where the arrows flew”, visitors are encouraged to explore “the village’s deliciously quaint streets” and “the glorious Sussex countryside”.

Local residents and visitors will know that there is more to the town than simply the Abbey and battlefield.

Yesterdays World, opposite the Abbey, displays one of the finest collection of social history artefacts in the country. This year, to commemorate the centenary of World War I, visitors can imagine how it would have been to fight on the front by entering a replica trench which has been erected in the museum.

Continuing the theme, at the Battle Museum of Local History, there is an exhibition of local connections with the two world wars, including the story of Frank Hoad, one of the few soldiers to have been actually named in a World War I poem.

The perfect day out is completed by an exploration of Battle High Street.

The ‘twittens’ invite discovery of independent businesses, ranging from butchers to British designers, galleries to gift shops and there is a good range of award winning eateries and accommodation. If that’s not enough, the town is gearing up for the latest new event to slot into its busy annual programme. Plans for the Battle Arts & Music Festival (October 24 – 26) are well underway, with already an inaugural taster concert under its belt at Easter and another in the pipeline for July 19.

Make a date in your diary for 2016 when Battle and Hastings will be celebrating the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. The annual re enactment of the Battle of Hastings takes place on October 11 & 12, 2014

For more information about Battle, CLICK HERE:

PREVIEW: Crossroads

Posted on 04/06/2014 by Besi

Crossroads is a forthcoming film by writer/director Katie Smith and produced by Gloria Daniels-Moss.

It tells the story of Rex, a young gay man currently in a secret relationship with a co-worker.

Though aware and happy with his own sexual orientation, Rex has been hiding this fact from his father, Adrian, with whom he still lives. Unable to tell anyone due to losing his mother to cancer and his father taking it especially hard, he keeps the relationship a secret. Things take a difficult turn when his father inadvertently discovers his son’s secret and forcefully confronts him on the matter. Tension builds, arguments ensue and Rex subsequently tries to take his own life.

Crossroads features up-and-coming actors Liam Hallinan (Rex), Chris Clynes (Jamie) and Paul Dewdney (Adrian.)

Writer, Katie Smith said: “When casting, we wanted the people auditioning to be people with their own histories, their own identities and their own feelings that they could bring to the portrayal of the characters.

“Playing roles where you are needed to lay bare your entire being for the world to see is crucial to playing a successful character and although challenging in places and certainly emotional, we believe Liam, Chris and Paul achieved this.

“Crossroads was written because it was a film that ultimately wanted to show a series of strong and poignant emotions. Grief, anger, sadness, distress, love, thrill and passion but the main emotion was grief. The film basically boils down to Adrian’s judgmental attitude about his son’s sexual orientation, but in reality, it is the grief of losing his wife that appears to be controlling him.

“With a tiny budget, we worked hard to try and make Crossroads something that the audience could watch with their breaths caught, and their chests tight, so they can fully understand, not only the emotions people can go through with hiding their sexual orientation, but everything in between as well.

“As a heterosexual female, I have been asked why I have made a film that focuses so intimately on homosexuality? Well, the reason is this… The world isn’t just full of heterosexual couples. It is filled with lesbian couples, gay couples, bisexual couples, transsexual couples and everything in between, and rightly so. If we all made movies about the “stereotypical” boy meets girl then we begin to push out valuable members of a very diverse and cultured audience.

“I have a real and honest interest in creating films that differ from the typical love story and the generalisation of romance. I believe emotions come in hundreds and thousands of different ways and so does love which is why Crossroads hits so many distinctive points.”

Currently, Crossroads is in post-production and the production team hope that once complete that it will be a successful short film within the festival circuit, including LGBT groups.

To keep up-to-date with Crossroads, CLICK HERE:

PREVIEW: Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games

Posted on 04/06/2014 by Besi

Flatley confirms he is bringing his new production to Brighton Centre during the 2015 UK Tour.

Michael Flatley’s Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games – a spectacular new staging of the traditional master piece will return to the UK for a nationwide tour playing 18 venues next year.

With all the visceral precision and thrills of the original, Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games features new staging, new costumes new choreography and 40 of the world’s most outstanding young performers directed by Michael Flatley, and new music by composer Gerard Fahy. This latest iteration combines the best of tradition with all the excitement of new music and dance.

Flatley said: “I’m blown away by the remarkable talent and abilities of the great cast we’ve gathered.”

With 200-plus dates planned across 15 countries over the next 18 months, and will include one of Michael’s final performances at a special one-off show to launch the World Tour at The SSE Arena, Wembley on October 30 – in celebration of Lord Of The Dance’s unique record, ‘Highest number of tickets ever sold’ for a Wembley event.

The Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games Tour will then visit Belgium, Israel, Scandinavia, Dublin, Belfast and South Africa – with more dates to be announced soon – before returning to the UK for a nationwide tour from April 2015.

The Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games comes to the Brighton Centre from Friday, April 3 to Sunday April 5 with a matiness on April 4. To book tickets telephone: 0844 847 1515.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, June 6, and are available by telephoning 0844 847 1515, select authorised ticket agencies and the tour hotline 0844 338 0000 or online at BookingsDirect.com

Bus travel is thriving in Brighton & Hove

Posted on 03/06/2014 by Besi

The latest bus travel figures show an increase in people using buses in the city with more services running on time.

Passengers made more than 46 million single bus passenger journeys during 2013-14 and bus patronage increased by 3.6%.

Bus punctuality improved from 88% of buses running on time last year to 89.4% in 2013-14.

Councillor Ian Davey, lead member for transport at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “We have fantastic bus services in the city and the fact that more people are using them and punctuality is improving shows that it really is a convenient and reliable way to travel.

“The council is pleased to support bus travel in various ways, making it a real and practical alternative to the car which in turn helps reduce congestion.”

The number of bus journeys made in Brighton & Hove has doubled in 20 years, soaring from 22 million in 1992/3 to 46.37 million in 2013/14.

The huge popularity of buses reflects successful partnerships between the council and operators. The latest figures are compiled from all eight bus operators in Brighton & Hove who are part of a partnership with the council to improve services.

Brighton & Hove City Council is spending £1.3 million on supported bus services that provide vital links to outlying areas, especially in the evenings and at weekends.

The council is also improving infrastructure for buses in the city through schemes such as the ‘Better Bus Area’ in Edward Street, new bus lanes in Lewes Road and the Vogue gyratory and is working with Brighton & Hove Bus Company to develop cleaner bus technology to reduce emissions.

For many years the council has also jointly funded the ‘Breeze Up to the Downs’ bus service with the National Trust and South Downs National Park which connect the city to countryside destinations on the South Downs.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

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Author: Besi

500 miles 4 smiles: Update day 18

Award winning dental hygienist Christine Chatfield is on day 18 of her marathon walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland to Brighton to help raise awareness of cancers of the mouth.

Labour listens

Labour to give residents their say on the future of Brighton and Hove.

Anal cancer rates quadrupled since mid 70s

Anal cancer rates in the UK have increased by nearly 300 per cent over the last 40 years, according to new figures published by Cancer Research UK today.

D Day and World War One commemorations in Brighton & Hove

A series of civic and community events are planned this summer as the city marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

Eco pay-off as Brighton crematorium upgrades

Woodvale Crematorium to hold a ceremony on Friday, June 6 to bless its recently refurbished North Chapel.

Sunday parking charges to be reviewed

Brighton & Hove City councillors will discuss Sunday parking charges at the next meeting of Brighton & Hove’s Policy & Resources Committee on June 12.

Battle, East Sussex makes Lonely Planet guide’s top 50 secret spots in Europe

Lonely Planet says there is more to Battle than the site of William the Conqueror’s 1066 victory.

PREVIEW: Crossroads

Crossroads is a forthcoming film by writer/director Katie Smith and produced by Gloria Daniels-Moss.

PREVIEW: Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games

Flatley confirms he is bringing his new production to Brighton Centre during the 2015 UK Tour.

Bus travel is thriving in Brighton & Hove

The latest bus travel figures show an increase in people using buses in the city with more services running on time.

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Award winning dental hygienist Christine Chatfield is on day 18 of her marathon walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland to Brighton to help raise awareness of cancers of the mouth.

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Labour to give residents their say on the future of Brighton and Hove.

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Anal cancer rates in the UK have increased by nearly 300 per cent over the last 40 years, according to new figures published by Cancer Research UK today.

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A series of civic and community events are planned this summer as the city marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

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Woodvale Crematorium to hold a ceremony on Friday, June 6 to bless its recently refurbished North Chapel.

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Brighton & Hove City councillors will discuss Sunday parking charges at the next meeting of Brighton & Hove’s Policy & Resources Committee on June 12.

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Lonely Planet says there is more to Battle than the site of William the Conqueror’s 1066 victory.

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Crossroads is a forthcoming film by writer/director Katie Smith and produced by Gloria Daniels-Moss.

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Flatley confirms he is bringing his new production to Brighton Centre during the 2015 UK Tour.

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The latest bus travel figures show an increase in people using buses in the city with more services running on time.

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