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Kemptown MP attends HIV groups public forum

Simon Kirby MP is guest speaker at Peer Action public forum
Simon Kirby MP is guest speaker at Peer Action public forum

Simony Kirby, the Conservative MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven was guest speaker at the Peer Action Public Forum last night (September 27) at the Friends Meeting House in Brighton.

Simon, who is the Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS,  praised the group for its unique role in Brighton and the support that it offers to people living with HIV.

He said:

“In my role as MP for Brighton Kemptown I am lucky enough to meet with lots of fantastic people and organisations who do so much to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I think Peer Action Group plays a unique role in the city in the way that it not only promotes health and wellbeing, but also helps people living with the disease by building a strong network of support for people who really need it.

“The way that the group has grown is testament to the important role that it plays, and I am delighted that Peer Action is expanding to incorporate a women’s group, a heterosexual men’s group and also tackle issues surrounding co infection and Hepatitis C.

“I was delighted to attend the forum and listen to some of the issues that were raised. I look forward to continuing to work with Peer Action and to support them however I can.” 

The purpose of the evening was for people to see the work that Peer Action deliver and to give trustees at Peer Action ideas for what activities clients might want to support in the future.

At the moment the group stages quiz nights, visits to attractions, film nights, joga classes, meditation classes and swimming classes for both men and women for are HIV positive or have Hep C.

For more information about Peer Action, CLICK HERE: 

 

 

 

LETTER TO EDITOR : Blooming success!

Patching Lodge
Patching Lodge

I am delighted to see work on the new communal garden has finally started at Patching Lodge.

Located on the corner of Eastern and Freshfield Road this has been a neglected spot for a number of years, and an eyesore that I was keen to get blooming.

Chris CookeThank you to Hanover Housing for their significant efforts in addressing this problem spot.  For a while I was worried that this corner would be turned into a car-park, but my concerns have thankfully now been allayed.

Initial delays were caused by issues relating to the stopping-up of a diagonal footpath (this corner had always been used as a shortcut and was therefore considered by many as a semi right-of-way). This was resolved after a public inquiry.

Particularly pleasing to see is the ease of access for those residents of Patching that have mobility issues.  There will be full accessibility via a new ramp to the pathways, raised beds, numerous benches and a pergola.

Having also looked at the impressive planting scheme I can assure you it is going to look absolutely stunning on completion.

I cannot wait for the garden to be finished, as it will not only be of huge benefit for Patching Lodge residents but also a fabulous visual addition to the Kemp Town area on that prominent corner.

Now we need to look for another spot that needs an injection of colour.  Any suggestions ?

 

 

 

No Segways in Rottingdean

Nancy Platts the prospective Labour Parliamentary candidate for Kemptown & Peacehaven claims the hill with the well-known Rottingdean Windmill is under threat from two- wheeled machines charging all over this stunning landscape.  Nancy is appealing to politicians in Brighton to support her in opposing the mini golf course being turned into a ‘Segway Court.’

Nancy Platts
Nancy Platts

Nancy said:

“I understand that the City Council, led by the Greens, is considering letting the golf course to a provider of Segway machines which hurtle over grass and rough land.

“Beacon Hill may have provided the inspiration for Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, as he went to school in Rottingdean.  It would be a national scandal if the beautiful song of the Lark was threatened by machines charging across their nests. I hope that the Ward Councillors and the Green Administration will unite with me to prevent this outrageous potential destruction of the hill, a key part of the Brighton bio-sphere which stretches from the Downs to the Sea.”

The local Rottingdean Coastal Conservative Ward Councillors are Lynda Hyde, Mary Mears and David Smith.

They responded saying:

“We are well aware of the proposal which was brought forward when the contract for the site was retendered some while ago. Ms Platts may not know that an alternative proposal has also been made to include the site in the Beacon Hill Nature Reserve. As ward councillors for the area we want to see a use for this site which the local residents are happy with and we will continue to listen to what they have to say. In the meantime, we have arranged a meeting between the Brighton & Hove City Council, Rottingdean Parish councillors and the two proposers to see if a way forward can be found.”

Simon Kirby, MP
Simon Kirby, MP

 Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, concluded:

“I have been raising my constituents’ concerns on this matter for some weeks now. I understand further discussions are due to take place. For those of us who live in the constituency, Rottingdean is a very special place.”

 

Stonewall bus campaign hits the streets

Stonewall

Throughout October almost 2,000 buses will carry the iconic Stonewall slogan ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ to promote the charity’s ongoing work to secure equal marriage in Scotland and to tackle homophobic bullying in England and Wales.

To make maximum coverage Stonewall is asking supporters to tweet pictures of buses carrying the ads using the hashtag #stonewallbus, or to post them on its Facebook page. The charity promises a range of ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ merchandise to whoever sends in the best picture each week until the campaign ends at the end of October.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill is currently going through the Scottish Parliament and Stonewall Scotland is campaigning to secure same sex marriage there. In England and Wales Stonewall is reinforcing the message that homophobic bullying must be tackled in schools, shortly after the start of the current school year.

Laura Doughty
Laura Doughty

Stonewall Deputy Chief Executive Laura Doughty, said:

‘The vitriolic campaign waged against equal marriage in the past months has shown that it is essential for us to run a moderate and straightforward bus campaign in support of the Equal Marriage Bill in Scotland.

‘In England and Wales our focus is on tackling homophobic bullying in schools. More than half of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people still experience homophobic bullying and nearly all hear homophobic language there.”

 

The buses will carry Stonewall’s campaign throughout October. Stonewall’s  ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ posters were first used in a national billboard campaign in 2008, and the slogan has since been used on t-shirts, mugs and other goods, which are available from www.stonewall.org.uk/merchandise.

 

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