Besi – Page 448 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Hove MP selects his Tiffin Cup entry for 2014

Posted on 27/03/201427/03/2014 by Besi

Following a deluge of suggestions from residents for the top curry restaurant, Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has selected Azaro as his entry for the 2014 Tiffin Cup competition.

Azaro, which recently opened on Church Road in Hove, will now have the opportunity to compete in the national stage of the competition in the House of Commons with the country’s top curry-creators for the coveted Tiffin Cup itself.

Last year, Hove Tandoori, also on Church Road, made it through to this stage and was highly commended by competition judges.

Mike said: “I am really grateful to everyone who got in touch this year with nominations for the Tiffin Cup. I received a huge number of emails from residents keen to nominate their favourite local curry house. However, one new restaurant stood out from the rest and I am delighted to put forward Azaro as Hove and Portslade’s Tiffin Cup 2014 entry. I wish Azaro the best of luck and hope I will see them in Parliament for the competition final.”

New research shows hundreds of young people are in danger of being sexually exploited

Posted on 27/03/2014 by Besi

Barnardo’s warns parents to spot the signs that their child is vulnerable to exploitation.

As Barnardo’s launches a hard-hitting TV advert highlighting child sexual exploitation, new research reveals hundreds of children are being targeted online through social websites such as Facebook and Snapchat.

The study also shows hundreds of children are unwittingly putting themselves at risk of exploitation by going missing from home or care.

The charity is warning parents to be alive to the tell-tale signs that their children may be vulnerable to abuse.

Barnardo’s argues teenagers desire to fit in and belong, combined with a wish to experiment and natural curiosity can make them vulnerable to being exploited.

A snapshot survey of 29 Barnardo’s specialist services has shown that during September last year, technology was used in the exploitation of 370 children while almost 300 (285) were reported missing on more than one occasion. Barnardo’s worked directly with almost 2,000 (1,940) sexually exploited and at risk children in 2012-13.

Young people have told Barnardo’s services that they have been targeted online by perpetrators through a variety of mediums including:

social networks like Facebook,
instant messaging apps like Blackberry messenger,
photo sharing apps such as Snapchat,
dating apps, and
via online gaming.

These findings serve as a reminder of the importance of parents and guardians being aware of the tell-tale signs of sexual exploitation.

As experts in child sexual exploitation, Barnardo’s has identified the top three signs that parents should watch out for

These are:

Staying alert to changes in behaviour including regular episodes of staying out late or not returning home

Questioning any unexplained gifts or possessions, such as expensive new smart phones

Being aware of the extent of your child’s online life and how they use technology

As well as being aware of the signs it is important that parents talk regularly with their children and ensure they know how to keep themselves safe.

Barnardo’s has identified three questions that parents should be asking their children:

How much do you know about the people you spend time/chat with? Do you feel safe with them?

Has one of your friends ever given you a gift or bought something for you and you didn’t know why?

Has anyone ever asked you to do something that made you feel uncomfortable? Would you talk to me if someone did?

Barnardo’s director Michelle Lee-Izu said: “The inherent vulnerabilities and curiosity of teenage children means they can often unwittingly find themselves in situations where they are at risk of being sexually exploited.

“We want all mums and dads to feel comfortable talking to their children about this difficult subject so they can stay safe online and in their daily lives while still having the freedom to explore as they grow up.

“Only by knowing what to look for will we be able to protect children from abuse and help more victims come forward and get the support they need.”

Barnardo’s works to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children. A key goal is to ensure that whatever their background, more children live free from sexual exploitation. By helping parents and guardians to talk to their children about how to recognise if they are being targeted, then the hope is that fewer children who might be at risk will end up getting involved.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

WiSEUP launches new campaign

Posted on 27/03/2014 by Besi

A new campaign is being launched to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation in the night time economy in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings.

The campaign launch event will take place tomorrow, March 28 from 12.30pm – 2.30pm at Komedia on Gardner Street in Brighton.

The WiSEUp campaign is a partnership between Sussex Central YMCA’s WiSE Project and Sussex Police. The aim of this campaign is to encourage hospitality staff who work in the night time economy to notify the police if they spot the signs of child grooming or sexual exploitation.

WiSEUp mirrors the National Working Groups “Say Something if You See Something‟ campaign.

“Say Something if You See Something‟ was developed to raise awareness within venues, takeaways, leisure centres, shopping centres & other premises which can be used for the purpose of grooming and/or sexual exploitation. The aim of it is to help staff to spot the signs and most importantly know how to respond.

As part of the ‘WiSEUp’ campaign interactive beer mats and other awareness raising and thought provoking materials have been developed by young people in Brighton & Hove.

A spokesperson for the LGBT Police Team, Brighton and Hove Division, said: “A strand of this campaign caters specifically for young LGBT (lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans*) people, who can be more vulnerable that their straight peers, due in part to receiving little relevant information about safe and healthy relationships. Working with young LGBT people to empower them with the skills and confidence they need is the key. Great to see the Sussex Police Community Cashback scheme used in such a much needed area of work.”

The WiSE Project is a service for 13-25 year olds who are at risk of or experiencing Sexual Exploitation. They can also offer advice and guidance for those working with young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation, offer training to professionals via the LSCB and can offer group work within youth projects and organisations.

For more information or to get involved in the campaign, EMAIL:

London gay bar under threat

Posted on 27/03/201427/03/2014 by Besi

Manbar risks closure by Westminster City Council.

Manbar, an independent gay bar on Charing Cross Road in London will be forced to close if it loses a costly legal battle with Westminster City Council in early April.

The bar, which is on the site of 79CXR, the legendary dance bar, which ran for eighteen years before being sold to gay entrepreneur Chris Amos, opened as Manbar in 2012 and provides a unique and truly authentic gay space in central London.

Repeated complaints from one resident two floors above the bar led to a licensing review last summer in which Westminster Council banned the playing of music until improvements were made. Manbar has appealed and has continued to trade pending the appeal hearing which comes before Westminster Magistrates on Monday, April 7 2014.

In the mean time, expert advice has led to extensive works being carried out to ensure that noise nuisance, however slight, does not take place.

Council officials have been involved in measuring, testing and have written to Manbar stating, “we are satisfied with the Sound Limiter setting, the sound limiter model and the way in which the system is now set up.”

However senior officers at Westminster refuse to compromise and are insisting on pursuing the appeal.

So successful has Manbar been in solving the problem that council officials could not detect any noise in the complainant’s flat. They even turned off the resident’s fridge and laptop in an attempt to hear noise.

Whilst Manbar have been advised that they should win, if they lose they face a legal bill of up to £60,000.

Chris questions if is fair that one resident’s complaint – that he can hear noise if he turns his fridge off – led Westminster City Council, with seemingly unlimited financial muscle, to pursue and persecute a small gay bar in the city centre?

Chris Amos is seeking support both from the gay scene and the general public to help fight off Westminster City Council and has launched a campaign ‘SAVE MANBAR’ to highlight his plight.

Andrew Ralph, Westminister City Council Noise & Licencing Manager, said: “Anyone who has suffered a noise nuisance will know what an impact it can have on quality of life and Westminster City Council’s environmental health team takes any complaint about noise very seriously. It is certainly true that, after measures had been taken to limit noise at Manbar, our officers tested levels and found them to be acceptable. However, after we were contacted again, our officers returned to find that the noise levels were far higher and amounted to a statutory nuisance. That is not acceptable.”

Chris says: “Help us before it is too late”.

For full details, CLICK HERE:

To sign petition to ask Westminster Council to drop the case, CLICK HERE:

Members of the public can show their support on Twitter and Facebook.

New NHS surgery at Holy Trinity Church comes closer

Posted on 27/03/2014 by Besi

Hove MP Weatherley welcomes progress on new surgery at Holy Trinity Church in Hove.

Following developments for a new combined Medical Practice at Holy Trinity Church in Central Hove, Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, who has pushed local NHS officials to resolve stumbling blocks, has met with stakeholders as final details are ironed out.

The new surgery, which will be home to both the Sackville Medical Centre and Central Hove Surgery, is proposed for the empty Holy Trinity Church on Blatchington Road and will offer patients excellent new facilities in the heart of Hove.

Holy Trinity Church was completed in 1861 and has received Grade II listed status in 1992. The church finally closed in 2007 and faced an uncertain future until the new medical centre was proposed.

Mike said: “I’m pleased that progress is being made on securing the Holy Trinity site. It has been a long struggle to get this far and so I hope that the necessary arrangements will be made to secure the site once and for all. I know that staff from both the Sackville Medical Centre and Central Hove Surgery have been working hard to make sure that patients get new up-to-date facilities that they deserve.”

Mike is pictured with:

Nigel Ford – Medical Centre Developments

Jo Hind – Sackville Medical Centre Practice Manager

Dr Paul Deffley – Sackville Medical Centre Practice Manager

Dr Nad Ahmad – Sackville Medical Centre Practice Manager

Dr Tim McMinn – Sackville Medical Centre Practice Manager

Lesley Ungoed – Sackville Medical Centre Patients Participation Group

Dr Mike Rushton – Central Hove Surgery

Maggie Davies – Brighton & Hove CCG

Chris Dauncey – Otter Construction Management

Chris Richardson – Deacon and Richardson Architects

Scott Ralph – Church Commissioners of the Diocese of Chichester

Artists Open Houses 2014 Festival reveal 2014 cover artist

Posted on 27/03/2014 by Besi

Award-winning illustrator Jonny Hannah has been announced as the cover artist for the 2014 Artists Open Houses festival brochure.

A new exhibition of Jonny’s work, entitled The Road to Darktown, will be exhibited at The Old Market in Hove as part of the Artists Open Houses festival 2014. The Road to Darktown, described by Jonny as “a leisurely flaneur to the heart of a nonsense town, filled with junk & treats” will feature work set in an imaginary peninsula featuring a cast of well-known characters from the past, such as inventor George Bennie and American minstrel show performer Emmett Miller and shops such as The Unquiet Grave, to The Black Shuck Bookshop. The illustrations will also feature in a new book, Greetings From Darktown, to be published in September by Merrell Books.

Festival Director Judy Stevenes, says: “Artist Open Houses is immensely honored to announce the amazing and quite unique Jonny Hannah as brochure cover artist for the 2014 AOH festival. Hannah’s exhibition at The Old Market is a must see, featuring not only his much-collected cardboard cutouts, but cabinets of memorabilia relating to Dark Town, his extraordinary imagined neighbourhood. More of Hannah’s work can be seen at Ravenswood Open House, in Florence Road – which offers an extraordinary collection of some of the most illustrious contemporary British illustrators. “

Jonny Hannah added: “It was indeed a treat to be asked to do the cover for the Artists Open Houses brochure this year. I’ve been involved with a couple of Open Houses over the years and it’s always been great fun to do. For the 2014 cover I chose to focus on Brighton and what it means to me. I’ve always loved the Helter Skelter on the pier – partly because it’s terrifying to whizz down there! And at one particular Open House, a long time ago, I played a very informal set of songs on ukulele, alongside two other ukuleles, one of them being the wonderful Peter Chrisp, so the ukulele had to be part of the image too. Then there are messages in bottles, pretty girls and a smattering of the fun fair. So I hope it all makes sense, as it was great fun to do!”

Since studying at Liverpool Art School and Royal College of Art, Jonny Hannah’s work has graced the pages of Vogue The New York Times, book covers and also done design work for clients such as English National Opera.

The 2014 Artists Open Houses festival will take place in Brighton, Hove and beyond over the four weekends of May. The largest event of its kind in the UK, around 200 houses and studio spaces across the city will be opening their doors to exhibit the work of over 1,000 artists and makers.

The houses are grouped into one of 14 trails around different areas of the city, each with its’ own unique character and atmosphere – from the fisherman’s houses of Hanover to the urban warehouse spaces of the North Laine and the cottages of the South Downs village of Ditchling.

The Artists Open Houses offer the chance to buy artworks directly from the artists and makers themselves. There is hugely diverse selection of art works on show; from original paintings, prints, graffiti arts, ceramics, textiles to photography, sculpture, crafts and jewellery and many other media.

Entry to the Artists Open Houses is free.

Brighton your Futures jobs fair

Posted on 27/03/2014 by Besi

Brighton Your Futures (BYF) a jobs and opportunities fair takes place on April 3 at the Brighton Dome and Corn Exchange in Brighton.

The fair brings together on one day and in one place a range of ‘action to work initiatives’ including jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience placements while offering information, advice and guidance for young people aged 16-25 in Brighton and Hove.

BYF is an event for young people inspired and guided by young people, encouraging interaction, communication and connections between exhibitors and visitors and has designated breakout spaces for workshops, presentations, one to one advice and submission of applications to live action to work initiatives.

Council Leader Jason Kitcat, said: “Brighton your Futures is a brilliant event for young people to come and talk to employers about what opportunities could be out there for them.

It’s really vital that companies of all sizes in our area help to realise the potential of our city’s younger population. We’re delighted that yet again a broad partnership is working together to deliver this essential event.”

Objectives

BYF benefits Brighton & Hove and its young people by:

· Increasing employer engagement in local initiatives to meet the 16-25 national agendas around Youth Employment, Raising the Participation Age, Apprenticeships, Get Britain Working

· Increasing the learning and employment related opportunities available to young people aged 16-25 in the city

· Increasing participation in employment, education and training of young people aged 16-25

· Increasing the number of Apprenticeships and Traineeship work placements on offer

· Supporting young people to be work ready

· Raising the awareness of post-16 vocational opportunities to 14-16 year olds

· Raising employment aspirations and challenging gender stereotyping

· Providing a forum for business delegates to network and foster business to business networks

For list of exhibitors, CLICK HERE:

London set to be crawling with gays this summer

Posted on 27/03/2014 by Besi

An accompanied tour of London’s gay scene will soon become a reality for gay men visiting the capitol with the launch of Gay Bar Crawls.

Gay Bar Crawls is a new night-out led by gay locals every Saturday from the May 3 costing just £30.00 per person.

With reservations made online, Gay Bar Crawls delivers a fun, friendly and hassle-free way to explore Soho’s best gay bars and clubs.

On the crawl, each group will visit at least three bars before finishing the night at a popular club. The venues include: Ku Bar (Lisle Street), Circa, The Yard, The Edge, Rupert Street Bar and G-A-Y Heaven.

The cost of the crawl includes:

• A free welcome drink

• Entry to all bars and clubs on the night

• Insights into local gay trends from experienced guides

• A unique leaving gift

Founded by a British social media manager and an American MBA graduate, Gay Bars Crawls aims to help remove the guesswork involved when going out in a new city by offering visitors a personalised tour and providing a way for men to meet up and enjoy the best of London’s gay scene together.

For gay tourists looking to meet up with other gay men and discover what London’s gay scene has to offer, CLICK HERE:

LGBT Community Safety Forum secures British Sign Language interpreter service for Pride 2014

Posted on 26/03/2014 by Besi

The LGBT Community Safety Forum (LGBT CSF) in consultation with representatives of the local LGBT Deaf Community and Conversant, a local group of professional sign language interpreters, will be working together to make sure that this years Brighton Pride is fully accessible to the LGBT deaf community.

Plans have been unveiled to provide interpreters on various stages where their service are required. The LGBT Safety Forum and Brighton Pride are committed to ensuring the process is lead by the LGBT Deaf community, the very people who value this provision.

Other BSL provisions on Preston Park will include:

• A BSL Interpreter to be based full time at the Access Tent on Preston Park to assist with any situations.

• An interpreter will be on hand to assist with the St John Ambulance Service, Police and the LGBT Community Safety Forums discrete ‘Report it’ service.

• A programme of British Sign Language interpreted performances available throughout the park on the day.

• A running timetable will be set in advance and advertised to provide access to interpreted events in the performance, spoken word and main stages.

More information on the timetable will be available in July 2014 and a sign language interpreter will be available in the safe space during the pride parade.

Directions to the access tent will be present throughout the park, and all stewards, will be briefed on the access tents location and the LGBT CSF procedure for assisting disabled, elderly, deaf and hearing impaired people.

A drop in day will be held each week in an accessible location for any enquiries, support or ticket purchases for the Pride event.

For a list of dates, CLICK HERE:

For more information on the LGBT Community Safety Forum and ‘Accessibility Matters’ including the access tent, accessible toilets, access for the elderly, community engagement, and safety, CLICK HERE:

For information on Conversant, CLICK HERE:

For access enquires EMAIL:

Or call the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum on 01273 231189 or text 07827 811454

(These number are for the LGBT Community Safety Forum and NOT the number for the Pride office).

To visit the Pride website, CLICK HERE:

Vivienne Westwood supports Caroline Lucas MP against fracking charges

Posted on 26/03/2014 by Besi

Fashion icon, Dame Vivienne Westwood who played an instrumental role in bringing punk and new wave clothing fashions into the mainstream, has sent a message of support to Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion.

Caroline’s constituency covers central Brighton, often termed the UK’s ‘gay capital’ in the national media.

Caroline is facing charges at Brighton Magistrates this week for obstructing the highway and failing to comply with police conditions imposed on a peaceful protest last summer in Sussex against hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking).

Fracking is a controversial process where a mixture of water, sand and chemicals are pumped underground, under high pressure, to force fossil fuels from rock layers.

Climate scientists agree that we must take action now to avert irreversible climate change and experts say that 60 to 80 per cent of unexploited fossil fuels will have to remain in the ground to avoid the worst of climate change.

Dame Vivienne said: “Caroline Lucas is the only parliamentary member for the Green Party; if their economic policies were put into practice by all governments globally, the world would be saved from climate change and the current failing economic system.

“People who know the dangers of fracking like Caroline Lucas and myself must do everything in our power to stop it being implemented until the public is informed of the true facts.”

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion

Caroline added: “Working to address the threat of climate change has been a priority for me throughout my political life.

“I know too that this is very important to large numbers of my constituents, because so many of them have written to me about the environmental risks posed by fracking, and the urgency of tackling climate change.”

To view Dame Vivienne’s climate campaign site: CLICK HERE:

Call us now

Author: Besi

Hove MP selects his Tiffin Cup entry for 2014

Following a deluge of suggestions from residents for the top curry restaurant, Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has selected Azaro as his entry for the 2014 Tiffin Cup competition.

New research shows hundreds of young people are in danger of being sexually exploited

Barnardo’s warns parents to spot the signs that their child is vulnerable to exploitation.

WiSEUP launches new campaign

A new campaign is being launched to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation in the night time economy in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings.

London gay bar under threat

Manbar risks closure by Westminster City Council.

New NHS surgery at Holy Trinity Church comes closer

Hove MP Weatherley welcomes progress on new surgery at Holy Trinity Church in Hove.

Artists Open Houses 2014 Festival reveal 2014 cover artist

Award-winning illustrator Jonny Hannah has been announced as the cover artist for the 2014 Artists Open Houses festival brochure.

Brighton your Futures jobs fair

Brighton Your Futures (BYF) a jobs and opportunities fair takes place on April 3 at the Brighton Dome and Corn Exchange in Brighton.

London set to be crawling with gays this summer

An accompanied tour of London’s gay scene will soon become a reality for gay men visiting the capitol with the launch of Gay Bar Crawls.

LGBT Community Safety Forum secures British Sign Language interpreter service for Pride 2014

Vivienne Westwood supports Caroline Lucas MP against fracking charges

Fashion icon, Dame Vivienne Westwood who played an instrumental role in bringing punk and new wave clothing fashions into the mainstream, has sent a message of support to Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion.

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Call us now

Following a deluge of suggestions from residents for the top curry restaurant, Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has selected Azaro as his entry for the 2014 Tiffin Cup competition.

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Barnardo’s warns parents to spot the signs that their child is vulnerable to exploitation.

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A new campaign is being launched to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation in the night time economy in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings.

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Manbar risks closure by Westminster City Council.

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Hove MP Weatherley welcomes progress on new surgery at Holy Trinity Church in Hove.

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Award-winning illustrator Jonny Hannah has been announced as the cover artist for the 2014 Artists Open Houses festival brochure.

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Brighton Your Futures (BYF) a jobs and opportunities fair takes place on April 3 at the Brighton Dome and Corn Exchange in Brighton.

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An accompanied tour of London’s gay scene will soon become a reality for gay men visiting the capitol with the launch of Gay Bar Crawls.

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Fashion icon, Dame Vivienne Westwood who played an instrumental role in bringing punk and new wave clothing fashions into the mainstream, has sent a message of support to Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion.

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