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Hove MP Weatherley makes final call for budding local musicians

As the deadline of Monday March 31 draws closer, Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade is encouraging any constituents who want to take part to apply before the competition closes.

MIke Weatherley, MP for Hove & Portslade
MIke Weatherley, MP for Hove & Portslade

Rock the House, now Parliament’s largest competition was founded by Mike and raises awareness of the importance of protecting intellectual property rights among legislators and the general public. Musicians enter their original material to their MP, who ultimately nominates one entrant per competition category.

This is an excellent opportunity for budding musicians. A panel of industry executives presides over choosing the finalists and winners, who go on to have their pieces played in Parliament and win an array of prizes, from equipment, festival slots, exposure, recording sessions, radio and TV airplay and more.

Mike said: “Every year the competition gets bigger and better and my thanks go to our Patrons, Sponsors, Judges, the entrants, the MPs who take part and the loyal team who have run the project since its inception in 2010. If you’re a keen musician and especially if you’re from Hove and Portslade, make sure you take part in the 2014 competition and apply before Monday, March 31.”

For more information on how to take part, CLICK HERE:  

‘Your Voice Matters’ to improve mental wellbeing in the city

Want to have your say about health and social services in Brighton & Hove?

Cllr Rob Jarrett
Cllr Rob Jarrett

Your views can help to develop a new city-wide happiness and mental wellbeing strategy for the city.

The event, ‘Your Voice Matters’ is being held at City College on Saturday, March 29 from 11am to 2pm by Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, the local independent watchdog for health and social care.

The event will also provide an opportunity to find out more about the role of Healthwatch Brighton & Hove and how to get involved

Brighton & Hove City Councillor Rob Jarrett, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board, said: ”This is one of a series of events to gather the views of local people to inform the council and the NHS in the development of a joint strategy, Happiness: Brighton & Hove Mental Wellbeing Strategy. We want to know what helps people to cope with the stresses of life today, and what could be better done to help everyone living in the city maintain healthy mental wellbeing.” 

Dr Christa Beesley, Chief Clinical Officer for the Clinical Commissioning Group, added: “Together with the council, we want to help create a city where people are supported in being happier and enjoying positive well-being. This might be through the arts and culture events on offer in the city or through the health services we provide which can help people when they are struggling with mental health conditions. That’s why we have joined together to find out how people in Brighton and Hove are feeling.”

There will be free refreshments and mini health checks on offer during the day, such as blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels. There will also be a Healthwatch Question and Answer Panel Session.

The event is free. 

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

Tenants rights campaigners meet with Brighton and Hove Council

Tenants’ rights and responsibilities to be more clear after campaigners meet with Brighton and Hove Council.

Cllr Bill Randall, Green Councillor Hanover
Cllr Bill Randall, Green Councillor Hanover

Home Sweet Home campaigners this week met with Green Councillor Bill Randall to ask him to make some important changes to improve living conditions in private rented housing in Brighton and Hove.

Cllr Randall agreed to concrete action that will allow tenants to be clearer about their rights. He agreed to adding new sections to the Council website, as well as to run a billboard campaign signposting people to relevant information.

This represents the culmination of many months work by Home Sweet Home campaigners, who have built a broad alliance of people concerned about this issue, including Labour Party activists, students, residents, Brighton Students Union, union members, Brighton Housing Trust, Churches Together, the Southern and Residential Landlords Association, local letting agents, landlords, local councillors, University of Sussex Chaplaincy, and the NUS, who all want to see private rented sector housing conditions improve in the city.

Home Sweet Home leader Helena Mardon said: “It was a great step forward in our campaign, and we’re starting to see real improvements that will make life better for people in Brighton. I’ve never been involved in city politics before, so it’s great to see that we really can make a difference”.

Home Sweet Home leader and Labour activist Chris Henry, added: “The negotiation was a great success. He seemed genuinely enthusiastic about what the group had achieved so far and was keen to help progress the Home Sweet Home project.

“We left the meeting very positive and with another meeting booked in with Cllr Randall next month to continue to work on these issues.”

Candice Armah, President of Brighton Students Union, and member of Home Sweet Home, said: “It was a really constructive meeting. We found common ground, and made commitments to work on a number of important issues that will be a huge benefit to students in Brighton especially.”

 

Hove MP Weatherley happy with copyright exceptions

New Copyright Exceptions Strike Right Balance, says PM’s Intellectual Property Adviser.

Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Hove & Portslade
Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Hove & Portslade

Mike Weatherley, the Intellectual Property Adviser to the Prime Minister and Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has praised the Intellectual Property Office for listening to the representations from the creative industries and for not implementing all the calls from Professor Hargreaves in his recent report, which could have led to an unacceptable dilution of Intellectual Property Rights.

Mike believes that the new copyright exceptions, which have been released by the Intellectual Property Office, generally strike the right balance between European directives, consumer demands and industry concerns.

In his role as the Intellectual Property Adviser to the Prime Minister, Mike has consistently highlighted that copyright exceptions must be limited. He was concerned that Britain may follow some European countries in permitting greater exceptions to the detriment of the economy.

Mike is particularly pleased that the private copying exception, which allows individuals to copy content that they own (exclusively for personal use) to another medium or device, did not allow unrestricted copying, as many rights holders had feared, but supports legitimate personal copying. Mike has hailed the UK stance as a flag ship ‘line in the sand’ that other countries in Europe should follow, rather than the wider definition of ‘friends and family’ as they have in many countries.

He said: “Having discussed the exceptions at length with Lord Younger and the IPO and I pleased that Britain is leading in protecting Intellectual Property Rights and not diluting fundamental aspects of copyright. Collectively the creative industries add over £70 billion to our economy and I would be devastating to see this eroded.”

“It’s only right that the law is catching up with technology and has made provisions for restrictive privative copying. While I feel that it is important generally to keep maintain the integrity of copyright, the private copying exception was a sensible change that most people would see as a reasonable compromise and has hit the right balance between protecting freedom and respecting rights holders.”

City Tories angry at Labour tactics on hospital funding

The Leader of the Conservatives on Brighton & Hove City Council, Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald, has criticised the local Labour Group for misleading residents over the 3Ts Royal Sussex County Hospital redevelopment.

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald. Leader of the Conservative Group
Cllr Geoffrey Theobald. Leader of the Conservative Group

Cllr Theobald says that in a Notice of Motion at last night’s (March 27) Full Council meeting, the Labour Group claimed that money for the 3Ts redevelopment (Trauma, Teaching & Tertiary care) had been ‘earmarked’ by the previous Labour Government and that the current Coalition Government is deliberately delaying release of the money.

However, Simon Kirby, the local MP for the Kemptown constituency where the hospital is located, has received and published a letter from the current Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, which states that the funding was never allocated by the Labour Government.

To read the letter, CLICK HERE:

Cllr Theaobald points to the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is currently reviewing the Brighton & Sussex University Hospital Trust’s Business Case for the redevelopment and is due to make a decision shortly.

Cllr. Theobald, said: “The Labour Party really should stop using the hospital as a political football and trying to claim credit for something which just isn’t true. The Notice of Motion they put before the Council was ill-thought out and factually incorrect. They didn’t even seem to realise that it is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, who makes the final decision about funding the project. It is quite right that Mr Osborne should be satisfied that such a large sum of taxpayers’ money is going to be spent wisely before agreeing to its release. That may be an alien concept to the Labour Party who, under Chancellor Gordon Brown, signed off many PFI schemes that continue to give taxpayers a raw deal. The city and the wider region desperately need the proposed new state of the art facilities at the Royal Sussex and the Labour Party should be trying to help Simon Kirby in his efforts to secure the funding, not undermine him.”

Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of Labour and Cooperative
Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of Labour and Cooperative

Responding to the criticism, Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of Labour and Cooperative, said: “It’s six years since this project was announced and two years since planning permission was granted. The government have asked the NHS Trust to resubmit their business case nine times. If the funding isn’t earmarked in the NHS capital budget and available to be allocated, then all the time and money invested in the redevelopment so far would be for nothing. Even Tory ministers have said it is a case of “when, not if” the funding is approved, so why the continuing delay from our Tory Chancellor?”

Brighton prepares for historic first same sex wedding at midnight

Change in the marriage law to be celebrated this weekend with first weddings at the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Town Hall.

Neil Allard (left) and Andrew Wale
Neil Allard (left) and Andrew Wale

As the clock strikes midnight, history will be created with the first same sex marriage taking place in Brighton & Hove.

A total of five couples will be married in Brighton & Hove on the first day the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act comes into effect.

The first wedding, at one minute after midnight, will see Andrew Wale and Neil Allard married in the Royal Pavilion. Their wedding will be the first marriage ceremony to take place in the former palace’s Music Room which was only licensed last year.

Andrew said: “As our wedding day draws closer, we become even more aware of how lucky we are to live in a comparatively tolerant part of the world. While we were having our picture taken by a press photographer yesterday in front of the Pavilion, the usual crowds of tourists, students and locals came and went. It must have been obvious to anyone that we were a couple; we held hands, hugged each other and looked in to each other’s smiling eyes. All the reactions from this parade of strangers were either indifferent or positive – some young people put their thumbs up and shouted “Cheese!”, some asked if they could have their photo taken with us – lots of smiles, lots of warmth.”

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Philip Robathan and James Preston

Later on Saturday morning, Philip Robathan and James Preston will be the first couple to be married at Brighton Town Hall, where the Brighton’s Gay Men’s Chorus will be singing at their ceremony.

Philip and James said: “When the news broke that Same-Sex Marriage had been legalised in the UK, like many other same-sex couples and individuals, we were so happy to learn that the years of campaigning and suffering for equality had finally had the desired effect. We knew that we would make our day as special as possible but to be part of the history by having our wedding on the day it is legal would make it all the more special as we always wanted to be remembered for something and it now looks like this will be it!”

 

Paul Charlton
Paul Charlton

Paul Charlton, chairman of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, added: “This is such an exciting occasion for us all! It’s within our objectives as a registered charity to promote equality and diversity, and it almost goes without saying that equal marriage is a major step forward for same sex couples in the battle against discrimination. We were lucky enough to have performed at one of the first ever civil partnerships back in 2005, and our members are over the moon to be taking part in this historic occasion.”

There are three other same sex couples marrying later during the day. And everyone is celebrating in their own way.

Nikki and Tania said: “All of the people that we love will be coming to our fabulous home town to celebrate with us as we affirm our love and commitment to each other by way of marriage. We are honoured to be a part of this historical step towards equality”.

Sarah and Emma said: “We are really excited to be getting married in Brighton. The changes in law have been a long time coming and we’re so happy that we are making history by being one of the first same-sex couples to marry. We are emigrating to New York in April so we are really grateful that are friends and family are able to see us tie the knot before we go. It means a lot to us and we can now begin this exciting next chapter of our lives together.”

The fifth couple choosing to marry on the historic day have opted for a very low key and private ceremony.

Trevor Love
Trevor Love

Brighton & Hove City Council senior ceremonies registrar Trevor Love, said: “This will be a momentous and historic day for the Registration Service in England and Wales, and for all of those couples making their marriage vows together. Brighton & Hove is a popular location for ceremonies and we have been busy keeping people up to date with the latest news about the introduction of same sex marriage. It is wonderful to see this law change being welcomed so enthusiastically in the city.”

 

 

Gay choir to sing at first same sex wedding at Brighton Town Hall

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus say they are thrilled to be singing at the wedding of James Preston and Philip Robathan on March 29 at Brighton Town Hall.

Brighton Gay Men's Chorus
Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus

The ceremony will be one of the first gay weddings to take place in the UK. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act received Royal Assent on Wednesday, July 17 2013, and as of March 29 2014, same sex couples can enjoy equal marriage rights to heterosexual couples.

Paul Charlton, chairman of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, said: “This is such an exciting occasion for us all! It’s within our objectives as a registered charity to promote equality and diversity, and it almost goes without saying that equal marriage is a major step forward for same sex couples in the battle against discrimination. We were lucky enough to have performed at one of the first ever civil partnerships back in 2005, and our members are over the moon to be taking part in this historic occasion.”

For the diary:

The choirs next show Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus: Nautical But Nice will take place as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival on May 2 & 3 at St George’s Church in Kemptown, Brighton. They will be helping raise funds for the local Brighton branch of the RNLI, and Worthing based charity Wolfram Syndrome UK.

For tickets and info CLICK HERE:  

Also the Chorus will be holding its annual Jamboree – offering fun, games and home-baked cakes – at the Brighton Tavern on Saturday April 19 between 11am and 3pm. Everyone is welcome!

If you are considering joining Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, they are always interested in hearing from prospective new members. Email Tom: membership@brightongmc.org

 

Concerns as March For England 2014 draws closer

Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police are holding a meeting at Brighton Town Hall on Monday April 7, 2014 to explain how they intend to keep law abiding residents safe on the day of the march.

March for England

March For England (MFE) who come together annually to celebrate St George’s Day, have announced their intention to march in Brighton on Sunday, April 27 2014.

MFE claim that they are simply making a statement, that they are proud of their British heritage. However, the Brighton community remains skeptical over the racist and homophobic undertones which accompany their appearance in the city each year and appears on social networking platforms prior to the march.

This year, once again,  the route of the march will go along Brighton seafront between the Aquarium roundabout and West Street, prompting road closures along the coast road which last year upset local traders who said their trade was considerable affected.

Counter protests  have been organised in previous years, causing considerable friction between the two groups.

Barriers will be used along the route to prevent the two groups coming together and hopefully decrease the possibility of public disorder.

Anyone can attend the meeting to raise any issues and worries they have regarding the march.

What: March for England public meeting

Where: Brighton Town Hall, Committee Room 1

When: Monday, April 7

Time: 6pm – 7.30pm

 

 

 

London hosts first ever Bear Festival

Bears all over the world are preparing for a week of furry fun as London’s first ever Bear Festival is announced.

London Bear FestivalLondon Bearfest 2014 will take place across the capital between May 18-May 26, 2014. Bears, cubs, otters and admirers will be traveling to the capitol from near and far to enjoy the festivities.

Highlights of the celebration so far announced involve an Opening Ceremony, The London Bearfest Bank Holiday Party, a Film Festival and a special event hosted by London’s legendary nightclub, Meat.

More intimate events will also be included, such as restaurant outings, cabaret, sing-a-longs and ‘The Bear Bar Hop’, which entails a bar crawl exclusively for Bears.

Kurt Hoffman, Artist Director of Bearfest 2014, said: “I’m extremely excited and really proud to bring together the bear community with the very first London Bearfest being held in one of the greatest cities in the world”.

The festival, which aims to appeal to all ages, will celebrate in some of London’s key areas, from Soho, Hoxton and Marble Arch, to Waterloo Vauxhall and Clapham.

 

 

 

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