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Have you seen this man?

Ian John McLoughlin
Ian John McLoughlin

Ian John McLoughlin murdered Brighton bar man Peter Hall in 1990 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Peter was well know on the Brighton gay scene at the time.

McLoughlin who also goes under the name of Ian John Roberts is being sought by Hertfordshire Police in connection with the murder of a 60 year old man in Hertfordshire on Saturday.

Graham Buck was killed after going to the aid of his neighbour Francis Cory-Wright who was being attacked in his home in little Gaddeston in Hertforshire on Saturday July 13 around  3.30pm.

Mr Cory-Wight who had been serving a sentence for a sexual assault on a ten year old boy in the 70s is thought to have served his prison sentence in the same prison as McLoughlin who was out on release.

DCI Martin Brunning from Hertfordshire Police, said:

“These are initial stages of the investigation, however we urgently want to speak to Ian McLoughlin in connection with this offence. 

“We also believe that he is in possession of a large amount of £50 and £20 notes which he may be using to pay for purchases. It is a substantial amount which he could be trying to conceal.

“The nature of this murder investigation is one of significant violence and until he is caught the public are asked not to approach him as he is a very dangerous man. Please contact the police immediately on the  999 emergency number.

Chief Superintendent Steve Barry, from Sussex Police, said:

“There is no specific information to suggest he is in Sussex, but we would ask anyone who spots him or knows of his whereabouts to dial 999 immediately.

“Do not approach him, he is a very dangerous man.”

Hertfordshire Police confirmed McLoughlin was last seen wearing sunglasses, blue jeans or three-quarter-length trousers and a blue-and-white checked short-sleeved shirt.

Caroline Lucas wins award

Mr Speaker John Bercow MP, Caroline Lucas MP & Martyn Lewis
Mr Speaker John Bercow MP, Caroline Lucas MP & Martyn Lewis

Brighton’s Green MP, Caroline Lucas, has picked up a prestigious award in Parliament in recognition of her work to represent deprived and minority communities in the city and across the country. The award was for “Newcomer MP of the year”.

The awards, organised by the Patchwork Foundation in association with Mosaic Associates, Three Faiths Forum and UpRising, recognise MPs who have made a positive contribution to encouraging the positive integration of diverse communities into British politics.

Mr Speaker, Rt Hon John Bercow announced the Patchwork Foundations awards at a ceremony in Westminster last night.

Caroline said:

“I am truly honoured and delighted to have been chosen to receive this prestigious award – and particularly grateful to have been nominated by Brighton and Hove residents.

“For many people, Parliament still feels old fashioned and inaccessible, and there is a long way to go to address the huge underrepresentation of minority and deprived communities. As MP, I am committed to doing all I can to fight for support and engage with those communities, especially in Brighton but also more widely.

“That’s why I’ve been campaigning, for example, for an extradition system that respects human rights, an end to cruel welfare cuts like the so-called ‘bedroom tax’ and for same sex marriage.”

Announcing the winners from the Speaker’s House, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, said:

“I wish to congratulate the Patchwork Foundation for all their excellent work over the past year in encouraging the positive integration of deprived and minority communities into British political society.

“I also congratulate all the Members of Parliament on their nominations as MP of the Year.”

The awards were compered by Martyn Lewis CBE, Chairman of the NCVO Trustee Board, Founder of YouthNet, former BBC/ITV television journalist and a Patron of the Patchwork Foundation.

He said:

“I am delighted to be involved in a ceremony that acknowledges and honours the great work that many MPs are doing to help minority and deprived communities across the country.

“It was particularly good to see so many being nominated, and highlighting those who have done most in this important area of national life will hopefully encourage others to follow suit.”

 

BITE-SIZE BREAKFAST: Stanmer Park & House: Review

BITE SIZE BREAKFASTS

Stanmer Park and House is a glorious destination on any day of the year but on a scorchingly hot Sunday morning with the Kite Festival just warming up and with breakfast and theatre on the menu it seemed an idyll.

The garden was already full of people topping up their tan at 10am and people letting their dogs cool off in the fountain as we wandered in to experience a BITE-SIZE BREAKFAST experience.

White Room Theatre’s BITE-SIZE BREAKFASTS have been making a name for themselves recently, winning awards both in Brighton and Edinburgh (the only places that matter of course!), and even getting their own slot on SkyArts, and I was here to see a preview show that’s about to be launched on the Scottish capital next month.

The ‘menu’ on offer consists of five or six short plays – from 5 to15 minutes long – by up and coming playwrights from this country and abroad, plus a light breakfast and all-round relaxed atmosphere. The plays are a mix of styles – comedy, monologue, two-handers, surreal, drama, parody – and are performed by a troupe of six actors.

A large platter of strawberries was proffered while we waited to be seated in the marquee, the true ‘bite-size breakfast’ of the title really, and a very healthy start to the day. This was followed by a cup of coffee and some Danish pastries, which rather cancelled out my strawberry health kick!

Settled in, host Sophie made us all feel welcome and fussed about us all having enough water as she didn’t want anyone dropping dead from the heat. Also offered was a free raffle ticket to win a pair of tickets to another of the Bite-Size shows.

The breakfasts alternate in content, as well as venue, and we were seeing Menu 3: Interpretations, although there are also ones called Two’s Company and, suitably, The Morning After. They’ve also just introduced a special kids menu called The Big Bite-Size Play Factory’s Family Creatures which they’re going to bring down south again after Edinburgh.

The short plays began with The Rehearsal, in which a bloke talks to his imaginary ex-girlfriend about just how great his life has become since leaving her (“I’ve been people-central lately”) until she turns up and he goes somewhat to pieces.

Using, perforce, a sparse set, the play worked in the intimate surrounds of the tent and it was a situation almost everyone had been in at one time or another so was a good choice to start the morning off.

The Interpreter told of a meeting between an American ambassador and a colonel from a tinpot republic, and how their female interpreter handled the tense situation. Badly, in a word. A swearing competition in their respective languages was pretty funny, and the pay-off good.

Up the Hilary Duff was the duffer of the lot. A monologue from a bleached blonde bimbo running an exercise class in how to have a baby and still look fab on the maternity ward was just too cringey. Channelling Sybil Fawlty, the actress struggled with her material and the laughs fell flat.

BITE SIZE BREAKFAST

Next on was the star piece, Transactions, a fabulously twisty turny tale of what’s real and what’s fantasy and how one can morph into another. It was played very well in a makeshift bed by two actors transacting some home truths. This short play was worth the admission price on its own (even if they’d taken away the pastries!)

It was a pity this didn’t end the show and that Waiting for Hashim did, a tale of middle class traveller one-upmanship that was a little bit ‘one note’. But it did end in a fierce bitch-scrap which everyone always adores.

Bite-Size is a strange concept if you think about it for more than a second – very short plays in the morning over coffee and cakes – but it obviously fills a hole. I’m guessing that at most festivals the breakfast slot is the quietest and therefore there’s less competition for people’s time, and Bite-Size also do corporate gigs which I’m sure are perfect for getting a room full of execs revved up.

For the price – £12/£10 – you can’t really go wrong here. Venue, food, drink and theatre: that’s an excellent package, and the surprise factor of not knowing quite what the plays are going to be about is tremendously enjoyable.

You can experience a Bite-Size Breakfast next down at the Latest Music Bar in Manchester Street, Brighton on July 20 and then again at Stanmer House (this time inside in the Henry Pelham Suite) on July 27, with doors to both opening at 10am.

 WHAT: Bite-Size Plays

WHERE: Latest Music Bar on July 20, Stanmer House on July 27

TICKETS: £12/£10

MORE INFO: http://www.bite-size.org.uk/

WOULD I SEE AGAIN: You bet!

STARS: Four

 

 

A message from Stonewall

Ben Summerskill
Ben Summerskill

Following the successful third reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill in the House of Lords last night, July 16, Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of Stonewall the LGB equality charity has sent a message to all supporters of the Bill. It reads:

Dear Friends

“Minutes ago the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill completed its Third – and final – Reading in the House of Lords.

“That means that today we’ve all made history.

“For the very first time, every child growing up to be lesbian, gay or bisexual in this country will have exactly the same rights, responsibilities and choices as their heterosexual friends and family.

“Throughout the campaign we’ve heard comments and accusations ranging from the absurd to the deeply offensive. Loving, committed same-sex relationships have been compared to bigamy, incest and slavery.

“Thankfully, MPs and peers from all parties have heard the public loud and clear and supported this final piece of legislative equality for gay people. Now the House of Commons will give final approval to the Bill before it receives Royal Assent. This should allow the first same-sex marriages to take place as soon as next spring.

“Tomorrow the work to change hearts and minds continues. But today, let’s all be proud of what we have achieved together.”

Very best wishes,

 

Ben Summerskill

Chief Executive, Stonewall

Kemptown MP lobbies cabinet member on hospital redevelopment

Oliver Letwin MP & Simon Kirby MP
Oliver Letwin MP & Simon Kirby MP

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven today visited the Royal Sussex Hospital in his constituency alongside Rt Hon Oliver Letwin, Minister for Government Policy. The purpose of the visit was to show him the need for promised funding to redevelop the hospital to be released.

The Government unveiled £420 million of funding for redeveloping the Royal Sussex Hospital in 2012, however there have been long delays in releasing the funding while the veracity of the hospital’s business plan is considered.

Simon, has been lobbying the Chancellor and Department of Health on behalf of the hospital and arranged for the Chief Executive, Matthew Kershaw to give Oliver Letwin MP a tour of the hospital.

Simon said:

“It was great that Oliver accepted my invitation to come down to Brighton and to see for himself the outdated facilities at the Royal Sussex.”

 “I have been making the case in Parliament that the hard working nurses, doctors, staff and patients at the Royal Sussex deserve the very best facilities and that is why the redevelopment is so crucial. Following his visit I know Oliver has a new appreciation for the importance of this money for the City and I am optimistic we now have a Cabinet Level voice to add to my calls from the backbenches.”

Oliver Letwin said that it was just a matter of time for the money to start being released as the final paperwork was put in order.

 

 

Ask the activist this Saturday

Shaker Aamer
Shaker Aamer

This Saturday, local human right campaigners will dress in orange boiler suits and speak to residents about Guantánamo Bay, to raise awareness of Shaker Aamer’s case.

Shaker Aamer, is a 44-year-old British man who has been held at Guantánamo Bay without charge or trial for over 11 years. He hasn’t seen his wife or children during this time, and claims to have been tortured. Over 100 Guantánamo detainees, including Shaker, have been on hunger strike for months.

Emma Parker, Brighton & Hove Amnesty group, said:

“We want to give local people the opportunity to learn more about what is going on at Guantánamo Bay, and advise them on the best ways to help the cause.”

The campaigners will be ready to answer questions on the issue, outside the Amnesty Bookshop in Sydney Street on Saturday July 20, 11am-1pm. This event coincides with a seven week national protest outside parliament.

For more information CLICK HERE:

EVENT: Ask the activist

WHERE: Amnesty Bookshop, Sydney Street, Brighton

WHEN: Saturday, July 20

TIME: 11am-1pm

 

Playing tennis made easier in Brighton & Hove

Lawn Tennis AssociationA new website designed to make it easier to book a tennis court in Brighton & Hove has been launched by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Court prices will remain the same by using the website, which will make it easier to find and book a court online starting at Preston Park, Brighton and to learn about affordable coaching sessions taking place.

Beginner adults can start Tennis Xpress and kids can have a go at Tots Tennis, with regular sessions starting on Monday, July 15. It will also include information on sessions such as Cardio Tennis and LTA Mini Tennis camps which run throughout the summer holidays for children.

Liz Bartlett, the LTA’s Tennis Development Manager for Sussex, said:

“We are delighted to be working alongside Brighton & Hove City Council to make it easier than ever to find your local tennis court.

“There is free and affordable tennis across Brighton & Hove, as well as a range of fun activities for the whole family to take part in, and we hope this website for the Preston Park courts will help people inspired by Murray ’s success at Wimbledon be able to keep on playing throughout the summer and beyond.”

For more information, CLICK HERE:

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