Day: December 3, 2012

Community activist, Chris Cooke has secured new lighting for St James Street, Kemp Town to replace the current low level ambient lighting.

The lights on St.James Street have been of major concern to residents for a number of years. Many complain the area is too dull at night with several black spots along the street.

In recent months there has been several assaults in the area and inadequate lighting has meant that CCTV coverage of the street has been poor. Successive political administrations have failed to take the problems of the area seriously and investment by the city has been poor.

Chris said:

“The new functional lighting will have a dramatic impact on the street, making it that much brighter and hopefully that much safer.  The ambient lighting we have at the moment is little more than useless.  I firmly believe that brightly lit thoroughfares discourage anti social behaviour.  This is the first of many steps in rebuilding our neighbourhood and I am delighted that the new lights will make St.James’s much more inviting for residents, businesses and of course our visitors too”

The installation of new lighting was announced at a public meeting called by residents at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, last Friday, November 30 to discuss safety issues in St James Street and the general run down appearance of the area. Reported crime in the area has increased by over 40% in the previous 12 months.

An order for new laterns was placed by the Council on November 15 and the lights should be commissioned in approximately 6 weeks time.

One hundred and twenty residents attended the public meeting with 24 people signing up on the night to form a new Local Action Team (LAT),  free of political interference, to agree and take forward an action plan to make the area safer and cleaner for everyone living there and also for visitors to the areas many hotels and guest houses.

A constant theme from the audience during the evening was the reason the previous LAT’s did not deliver was because of political infighting. One hotel owner described the atmosphere of the previous LAT as ‘toxic’. A key role of the new LAT is to make sure that does not happen in future and methods for keeping the group politics free have been tabled for discussion at the first meeting.

Community activist, Chris Cooke will steer the new LAT thought its early days. The new committee will meet in the next week and agree an action plan and elect posts. In the new year monthly LAT meetings will recommence so concerned residents can bring their concerns to those public meetings.

The new Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne was present and confirmed her commitment to making local communities safe, giving a grant of £250 to help the LAT move forward with their plans. Cllr Gill Mitchell leader of the Labour and Cooperative group was present as were ward Cllrs Geoffrey Bowden and Stephanie Powell. The administrations lead on Community Safety Cllr Ben Duncan was not present at the meeting citing child care issues as the reason for not being able to attend.

Cllr Phelim McCaffery the deputy leader of the council was asked to investigate making St James Street a pedestrian priority area. A vote was taken to and passed by a large majority for this to be explored by the council as a way of gentrifying St James Street and attracting small specialist business back into the area. Cllr McCafferty said the problem about creating any new  initiatives was a lack of finance in the Council’s coffers.

Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven agreed to write to the local supermarkets in St James Street to remind them of their community responsibilities especially with regard to the responsible sale of alcohol and supporting community events such as Pride Village Party with financial support.

The Turner Prize 2012 has been awarded to Elizabeth Price, it was announced at Tate Britain this evening. The £25,000 prize was presented by Jude Law. This year’s prize fund is £40,000 with £25,000 going to the winner and £5,000 each for the other shortlisted artists.

The jury applauded all four nominated artists’ commitment and the strengths of their diverse artistic practices.

They awarded the prize to Elizabeth Price for her solo exhibition at the BALTIC, Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead.  The Jury admired the seductive and immersive qualities of Price’s video trilogy which reflects the ambition that has characterised her work in recent years. They were impressed by the way Price creates a rhythmic and ritualistic experience through film installations which combine different material and technical vocabularies ranging from archival footage and popular music videos to advertising.

The Turner Prize 2012 is awarded annually to a British artist under fifty for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the twelve months preceding 24 April 2012. (The term British applies to all artists working in the United Kingdom and to British-born artists who may be working abroad.)

The Prize was established in 1984 by the Patrons of New Art and is intended to promote public discussion of new developments in contemporary British art.

The shortlisted artists for 2012 were: Spartacus Chetwynd, Luke Fowler, Paul Noble and Elizabeth Price.

The exhibition of the four shortlisted artists is at Tate Britain until 6 January 2013.

Around fifty Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers (LAGLOs) from across Hampshire Constabulary attended a recent development day to help improve the force’s service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

The aim of the event was for the force’s LAGLOs to share ideas and best practice and find out more about current issues within LGB&T communities.

It was held at police training headquarters at Netley and speakers on the day included:
•        ‘Age UK’ on the issues of elderly people in LGB&T communities
•         ‘Over The Rainbow’ a support service for LGB&T people on issues of mental health
•          Nick Hawkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex on hate crimes in sports grounds

Of particular interest for many LAGLOs was Nick Hawkins’s discussion on homophobic and racist abuse on Twitter and other social networking sites. It generated a debate which explored what constitutes abuse and what is required to bring such incidents to a successful prosecution and conviction.

The day was also an opportunity to hear from two LAGLOs who run Education For All programmes. These are officers who go into local schools to talk to young people about homophobic and transphobic bullying and the effect abusive language can have. They gave the group an update on their work to encourage others to extend the scheme.

You can talk to LAGLOs on Twitter @HantsPoliceLGBT

Inspector Julie Fry is Chair of Hampshire Constabulary’s LGB&T Resource Group which co-ordinates the LAGLOs network.

She said:

“The content of the guests and presentations were really diverse. Age UK was really useful especially to our LAGLOs who are trying to increase our engagement with older LGB&T communities.

“Nick Hawkins has been a really kind supporter of the work we’re doing in Hampshire Constabulary, not least in education, and I’d like to thank him for speaking. It was good to hear him reinforce the need to change culture and awareness about the nature of abusive language and behaviour, change that starts at education level and particularly the work we do with football clubs.

“I’d like to thank all the LAGLOs who were able to make the day. The service they provide is an important one that offers trust and confidence to often less visible communities.

“I want to show lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that if you have any issues about policing, or being the victim or witness of a crime or incident, that we will take it seriously and respond actively.”

If you would like to find out more about the work of LAGLOs in Hampshire Constabulary, email lgbt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

If you’ve been the victim of homophobic or transphobic abuse, call police on 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you don’t want to speak to the police directly, you can always call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 or report hate crimes via the True Vision website at:

TRUE VISION

The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival was Highly Commended at the prestigious Beautiful South Awards 2012/13 held on last week at Denbies Vineyard in Surrey.

The awards, organised by Tourism South East and presented by TV presenter, Toby Anstis, recognise the best in tourism across the home counties and the food festival was nominated for ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ alongside Beaulieu International Autojumble, the Shakespeare Festival and the Hampshire Food Festival.

Festival founder and chair, Roger Marlowe, said:

“Our award is recognition of the importance of the food festival to the visitor economy and the immense work of the festival team – and our partner businesses within the food and hospitality industry – to showcase the best of Brighton and surrounding Sussex.”

“We’re proud that despite the absence of council support or any public funding, the food festival continues to grow in attendance and recognition on a regional, national and international level, yet is still accessible for small independent growers, producers and restaurateurs”.

The food festival celebrated it’s 10th anniversary in 2012, with two major event periods in spring and autumn and a total attendance of over 160,000 people.

Other Beautiful South Award-winning local businesses include Jurys Inn Brighton and Pelham House in Lewes.

The UK publisher Routledge has issued a public apology to Peter Tatchell for 20 “misrepresentations and distortions” and “inaccurate allegations” made by the former Human Rights Watch programme director, Scott Long.

The full and unreserved apology to Peter Tatchell and the LGBT human rights group OutRage! has been made by Roger Horton, the CEO of Routledge’s parent company, Taylor and Francis.

Routledge acknowledges that “substantial inaccuracies” appeared in Mr Long’s essay on Iran which it published in its journal Contemporary Politics.

You can view the Routledge apology at:

APOLOGY

This follows an earlier apology by Human Rights Watch over Scott Long’s “inappropriate…disparaging…inaccurate…condemnatory…intemperate personal attacks” on Peter Tatchell.

You can view the Human Rights Watch apology at:

APOLOGY

It also follows revelations that appear to link Scott Long with the creation of a fake online Muslim identity that was used to make untrue claims and smear Peter Tatchell.

To see the fake Muslim identity exposed view:

APOLOGY

Scott Long’s 20 false allegations, distortions and misrepresentations were made in his notorious essay, Unbearable witness: how western activists (mis)recognise sexuality in Iran, which was published by Routledge in its journal, Contemporary Politics, in March 2009.

For a full rebuttal of Scott Long’s Iran essay view:

APOLOGY

At the time of writing the Iran essay, Mr Long was Director of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) programme at Human Rights Watch (HRW). He left HRW in 2010 soon after he was forced by them to apologise for his personal attacks on Peter Tatchell.

Scott Long apologised to Peter Tatchell in 2010 for similar slurs and untrue claims.

He wrote:

“I respect Peter Tatchell’s contribution to human rights and apologise for any condemnatory and intemperate allegations made in haste and for any inaccurate statements.”

To read Mr Long’s apology view:

APOLOGY

Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said:

“These apologies reveal Scott Long to be a serial purveyor of false allegations and smears.”

“Contrary to claims by Mr Long in his Iran essay, neither OutRage! nor I accused a 13 year-old victim of an alleged rape of ‘wanting the rape.’ Nor are we guilty of ‘belittling violent sexual assault, and blaming the victim.’ These are outright fabrications.

“In addition, Mr Long accused us of ‘going after’ British Muslims and adopting a ‘bullying tone’ towards the Muslim community in Britain. This is also untrue. I have always made a clear distinction between Muslim people in general and the Islamist extremists who oppose human rights, including the human rights of fellow Muslims. Indeed, I have often defended Muslim communities, in Britain and worldwide, against prejudice and persecution. I will continue to do so.

“The Routledge apology concerns factual inaccuracies and misrepresentations, not mere criticisms or differences of opinion.

“Mr Long has every right to criticise me. But he does not have the right to indulge in distortions and false allegations.

“His essay in Contemporary Politics is full of misrepresentation and untrue claims. It is poorly researched and exhibits shoddy, low standards of scholarship, lacking evidence on many key points.

“The sustained and systematic nature of the misrepresentation looks malicious.

“Mr Long has done fine human rights work in the past. I have never attacked or disparaged his efforts. The personal attacks are one-sided, from him. I am merely defending myself. It is a tragedy that he has gone to such extraordinary, disreputable lengths to undermine me and other campaigners.

“Sectarian smears against fellow human rights defenders are indefensible. We should support each other in our shared commitment to universal human rights.

“My gratitude to Roger Horton and Routledge for this apology. Their willingness to acknowledge the wrong done is laudable.”

NUS LGBT are urging people to send a Christmas card to David Cameron that can be filled out online, with a clear message – make equal marriage happen.

The NUS is concerned that the Government has dragged its heels and kept quiet about the plans for the proposed bill to make marriage accessible to same-sex couples.

Besides whispers of what might happen and sketchy rumours of the proposed plans, confirmation is still awaited of exactly what is happening, and when or if the Bill will be put to a vote in the House of Commons.

NUS LGBT considers this to be “not good enough”.

NUS LGBT wants everyone to show they believe that a couple, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have the right to choose between a marriage and a civil partnership and now is the time to make it happen.

They want you to be a part of their campaign and help send a clear message that there should be no more delays to the Government.

You might be LGBT or you might not, it really doesn’t matter. NUS LGBT believes everyone should have the right to Equal Marriage and Civil Partnership and we should not allow anyone to be discriminated against for their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Finn McGoldrick, LGBT Officer NUS said:

“We are excited to see students getting involved and telling the government we are tired of waiting for equal marriage. It’s important because separate is never equal and LGBT students know they have a right to equality. It’s a different campaign because it’s grassroots, it’s the community coming together to demand equal marriage now. No more stalling Mr Cameron, all we want for Christmas is a vote on equal marriage!”

 

To view your options to join the campaign CLICK HERE

NUS LGBT recommend you adopt step 2.

A new airline, Brighton City Airways has been launched to fly twice-daily scheduled flights to Paris from Shoreham in Sussex. Shoreham Airpot has been renamed Brighton (Shoreham) Airport to celebrate the new service. Tickets went on sales from December 1, with the first flights departing on March 6, 2013.

The airline will fly into Paris Pointoise airport, which is close to central Paris, allowing passengers to reach the city centre within two hours of parking at Shoreham. Tickets cost from £69 one way, including taxes and charges

Neil Laughton one of the two Sussex-based aviation experts, who have founded the airline, said:

“This is the perfect Christmas present for someone who wants a new and special experience – flying one-hour to Paris in the spring!” said Neil Laughton, one of the two Sussex-based aviation experts, who have founded the airline.

 “This has long-term benefits for the local community too as there are many businesses in Sussex who can use this service on a regular basis and holiday makers or Paris day trippers can also make the most of travelling to and from Shoreham’s charming airport, where parking is easy and check in to take off takes just minutes.”

Special features of the airline include a 15 minute check-in, no hidden fees, VIP lounge and service, easy local parking and the flight, which is in a 19-seat Let 410 commuter aircraft, takes one hour to reach Paris. Pontoise Airport is also conveniently close to La Defense Business District of Paris, which is just 22 miles away.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing & Shoreham also welcomed the news.

He said:

“I am delighted to see cross channel flights returning to Shoreham again. Shoreham Airport has a lot to offer as a base for short hop trips to the Continent with a large market of travellers on its doorstep who otherwise have to spend more time travelling to and through the London airports than in the air. I wish the new operators well and hope this is the start of big things to come.”

 

Airport manager Ric Belfield, said:

“This is absolutely what we want to see at the airport, scheduled international travel bringing lots of people through our historic airport, which was the first licensed airfield in Britain. This has prompted us to rename the airport Brighton (Shoreham) Airport, to link it properly to our neighbouring city.”

Brighton City Airways was conceived by Jonathan Candelon, MD of leading career pilot school Flying Time Aviation, at Shoreham Airport, and Neil Laughton, entrepreneur, pilot and adventurer, famous for leading Bear Grylls to the summit of Mt Everest and managing his Mission Everest world record motorised parachute flight in 2007.

Jonathan and Neil met when Neil approached Flying Time Aviation four years ago, asking for lessons to help him fly the world’s first ‘road legal flying car’. They became friends, agreeing that a partnership to introduce a desirable European route from the south coast would make good business and benefit Sussex.

Neil Laughton, who lives in Small Dole, a few miles from Shoreham, is the Founder and CEO of the Business Leadership Academy in London, an organisation dedicated to improving the leadership and management skills of business executives. He also leads New Horizons, a youth development project for disadvantaged young people in the UK and is a Non-Executive Director and Business Angel Investor.

He started his career as a Royal Marine commando, then completed a post-graduate business diploma before founding the design, build and furniture company OPL Group, which he sold to Balfour Beatty Plc when turnover reached £40m in 2009.

In his spare time he has undertaken many challenging expeditions and has completed the Explorers Grand Slam – climbing the highest mountain on each continent and skiing to North and South Poles. In January this year, he led a team of business executives to the South Pole to commemorate Captain Scott’s achievements exactly 100 years earlier and organised the first game of cricket on arrival in minus 35 degrees centigrade.

Jonathan Candelon, who also lives in Sussex, is a seasoned career pilot, who grew up in Venezuela and Haywards Heath. He has built up Flying Time Aviation to become one of the top career pilot schools in the country.

He now runs a team of quality pilot trainers, with a large fleet of training aircraft and flight simulators at Shoreham (Brighton City) Airport, as well as training students himself, helping to qualify dozens of new career pilots every year.

Flights to Paris in the spring can be booked straight away with a £20 deposit and the rest of payment is only required two weeks before the flight date, with the opportunity to change names on the tickets then for no charge. Passengers are advised to book early to benefit from the best prices.

To book flights, view:

BRIGHTON CITY AIRWAYS

Hundreds of people attended this year World Aids Day Candlelit Vigil on Saturday, December 1 at Tay the Aids Memorial in New Steine Gardens, Brighton.

The moving event was organised by the Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day Partnership which included the following organisations:  Bear Patrol Social Group, BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team, CDO Sussex, Lunch Positive, The Sussex Beacon, Sussex Community NHS Trust, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy and THT South.

The names of those who had been lost to the illness were read by representatives from voluntary and statutory sector organisations with Cllr Bill Randall, the Mayor of Brighton leading the reading of the Names.

Heather Leake Date from the Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy welcomed people to the vigil and Lunch Positive the HIV charity provided warm drinks.

Following a minutes silence everyone was invited to place their candles round the Aids Memorial.