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Allan Jay releases new single

Following the success of his first single It’s my life, Scottish vocalist Allan Jay has released his new single Superman, now available on iTunes.

Allan Jay

The track is a cover of the ballad originally recorded by American band Five for Fighting and has been turned into a dance classic ideal for the clubs by Energise Records.

At the moment Allan is working on his album due for release later in the year. His third single Love and Pride will be available in July just in time for the summer and he will be promoting it with his dancers, choreographed by Michelle Carter who has worked along side Pink, Take That and Cheryl Cole at clubs and Prides up and down the country.

Allan Jay
Allan Jay

 

To follow Allan’s progress, CLICK HERE:

 

 

Hope not hate campaign launches in Brighton and Hove

The Brighton and Hove section of the national organisation, Hope Not Hate (HNH), launched today, with 27, 000 newspapers being delivered across the city.

Hope no Hate campaigners
Hope no Hate campaigners

Supporters from all quarters came to give their help, producing one of the biggest HNH campaigns seen in the UK to date.

With the Euro elections approaching, the campaign sends out a clear message that voters should not use their vote to support parties promoting racism and xenophobia. Rather people should vote for parties who work for a more tolerant, fair and open society.

Brian Stone
Brian Stone

Brian Stone, local Hope Not Hate spokesperson, said: “This has been one of the most extraordinary of days I have ever experienced. We have had people of no political allegiances work along actvists from the Greens, Labour and the Liberal Democrats. We have had the support of unions like GMB and Unison. People who weeks ago did not know each other, today came together in the shared opposition to the politics of hate”.

Hazel Nolan, a national campaigns organiser for HNH, added: “This has been one of the best turn outs for HNH campaign days I have ever seen. It looks like Brighton and Hove Hope Not Hate is now well and truely established”.

To find out more about the organisation and it’s plans locally, a meeting has been arranged for Thursday, May 8, from 6 – 7:30pm at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street in Brighton.

If you can help deliver the remaining newspapers contact Hazel Nolan on 07539 902975.

HOPE not hate seeks to challenge and defeat the politics of hate and extremism within local communities, building resilience against the politics of hate and fear, at a national and grassroots level.

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For more information, CLICK HERE:

 

To contact Brighton and Hove Hope Not Hate campaign:

Write to: Brighton and Hove Hope Not Hate: c/o: GMB Brighton & Hove office, 49 Church Road Hove BN3 2BE

EMAIL: 

To like their Facebook Page, CLICK HERE: 

 

Police minister visits Woodingdean

Kemptown MP Kirby discusses anti social behaviour with Damian Green MP.

Simon Kirby, MP
Inspector Paul Ransome, Damian Green MP, Simon Kirby MP

Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, escorted the Police Minister Damian Green around Brighton yesterday, and took the opportunity to take him on a walkabout tour of Woodingdean with Paul Ransome, the Inspector of the local Policing Team.

Simon was able to discuss several local issues with the Police Minister and a local Inspector, including concerns surrounding anti-social behaviour, and also the matter of illegal traveller encampments.

The Minister used the visit to compliment Brighton and Hove Police on the falling crime rates in the area, and their new innovative approaches to policing burglaries.

Speaking after the walkabout, Simon, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Damian Green to Brighton Kemptown today, and I was pleased to be able to discuss important matters such as traveller encampments and anti-social behaviour as these are very real concerns for local residents who frequently contact me.

The Police do some excellent work in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, and I am pleased to see that this has led to a noticeable fall in local crime rates.”

 

Brighton’s big screen and foosball tournament

Brighton’s Big Screen, now in its third year will take place on Brighton beach, next to the Wheel and the Volks Railway from June 12 – July 13.

Brighton BIg Screen

To celebrate showing the Football in Brazil, Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Brighton’s Big Screen have teamed up to present the inter-company World Cup Foosball Tournament.

The tournament will take place on the opening evening of Brighton’s Big Screen 2014 (June 12) on Brighton Beach during the opening ceremony and just before the first match, Brazil v Croatia kicks off.

If you’re a team, organisation, company or bunch of friends who would like to enter a team and compete for the coveted 2014 Foosball Champions title, the organisers want to hear from you.

To register your team before Friday May 30, 2014, CLICK HERE:

Teams are max of x4 players (x2 play at one time) who will be entered into a nations draw at the AMEX Stadium.

The cost is £249 per team which includes:

• x4 T-shirts (specific to your nation)

• Complimentary Cocktails & Food

• Invite to the Nations Draw at The AMEX

• VIP experience of opening ceremony and first match, Brazil vs Croatia at the Big Screen.

The team that dominates the group matches, navigates through the knock-out stages and is victorious in the finals will be crowned the 2014 BHAFC & BBS Foosball Champions and will receive:

• X8 VIP party invites to the World Cup Final at Brighton’s Big Screen

• An onscreen advertising package worth £2500 (does not include production costs)

• A selection of freebies from associated partners including Jose Cuervo

Entries must be made before Friday May 30, 2014. The draw will take place at the AMEX Stadium. All team members will need to be available on the June 12, 2014 from 5pm – 9pm at Brighton’s Big Screen, on Brighton Beach next to the Wheel and the Volks Railway. With the option of staying to watch the Brazil v Croatia match which starts at 9pm.

This year the FREE outdoor beach Cinema will showcase a mixture of movie classics and recent box office hits including: Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games Catching Fire, The Lego Movie, Dirty Dancing and Jaws, plus top live sporting events including the Football in Brazil, Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix.

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

Campaigners ask letting agent to clean up renting in Brighton and Hove.

Campaigners from the Home Sweet Home campaign held a public action to ask a local letting agent to meet with them to improve their business practices to make sure their customers get a consistently good service.

Home Sweet Home Campaign

The Home Sweet Home campaign is made of a broad alliance of people and institutions across the city, including students, residents, labour members, Brighton Housing Trust, churches, students unions, landlord associations, and letting agents ran the action to get the attention of G4 Lets owner, Mark Shields.

The campaigners have a number of suggestions they would like to put to G4 Lets in order to improve business practices and make sure their customers get a consistently high standard of service.

Following the action, the group came away with an agreed date to meet with Mr Shields, on June 2.

Chris Henry, from Home Sweet Home, said: “Today we came away with the exact result we were looking for – a date in the diary to meet with Mr Shields. Now we have to see what changes can be made when we have that meeting.”

Since July last year, the Home Sweet Home campaign has been talking to renters, landlords, and agents in Brighton and Hove, and uncovering stories of poor practices in some areas of the private rented sector.

In recent months, campaigners has been working to turn their stories and research into practical changes to improve private rented housing in Brighton and Hove.

Helena Mardon, Home Sweet Home leader, said: “We’ve been running this campaign for nearly ten months now, and we’ve heard so many stories of terrible conditions that renters are putting up with. Often tenants feel like their agents and landlords don’t want to help.

“We’ve heard stories of broken appliances such as ovens, microwaves, showers, and even central heating going un-repaired by management agencies for as much as three months. There have been stories of broken windows not getting fixed and that tenants have been getting electrocuted because of water leaks. Throughout all of this, the recurring theme has been one of agents that don’t pick up the phone or answer emails, and even if they do, it’s another three months before the repairs get done.”

Last month campaigners met with Brighton Students Union and agreed to work together to launch a new ‘tenant guide’ to better inform students of their rights and responsibilities when renting. They produced this with the help and advice of the Residential Landlord Association.

Candice Armah, President of Brighton Students’ Union, said: “Brighton Students’ Union decided to take action today for the thousands of students residing in conditions unfit for study. Students are collectively paying thousands of pounds in rent a week, yet are expected to accept living in unhealthy conditions. Today’s action is just part of an ongoing campaign to improve the living standards of not only Brighton students but all those living in the private rented sector – G4Lets are just one of many letting agents who could be doing a better job for people in our city, and we’d like to meet with them to talk about how they can provide better for our students and their customers.”

Lydia Snodin, from Home Sweet Home leader, added: “It’s important to note that we’re not talking about all agents or landlords. We asked to meet G4 Lets because we have suggestions, based on the stories and evidence we’ve collected, on how they could improve their customer service. We wrote them a letter, and tried calling them, but unfortunately got no reply. We ran this action to make sure they got our request to meet”.

Representatives of the campaign have also been meeting with the Chair of Housing, Bill Randall, at Brighton and Hove Council, to work on what more the council can do to support renters and improve the situation city-wide.

 

Purna Sen
Purna Sen

Purna Sen, Labour PPC for Brighton Pavilion, concluded: “For me this is one of the big issues which need tackling in our City. High property prices in Brighton and Hove mean private renting is the only option for many local people. Congratulations to Home Sweet Home for highlighting the shoddy deal that far too many tenants – not only students – are getting from some unscrupulous letting agents. Failure to carry out needed repairs, a refusal to accept their legal responsibilities to tenants and simply ignoring complaints completely are all too common in this City. It really is time for letting agents and rogue landlords to clean up their act. Local people living in privately rented homes deserve a better deal.”

 

 

Exeter Pride to host the city’s largest rainbow flag parade on May 10

The Lord Mayor of Exeter will sound an air horn to start the South West’s biggest free celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in the region.

Exeter Pride

On Saturday, May 10 at 12 noon, Councillor Rachel Lyons will start the largest rainbow flag parade the city has seen as part of Exeter Pride.

Exeter Pride, now in its sixth year, promises to be the biggest, most colourful event to date with more than 2,000 people expected to take part in the parade down Exeter’s High Street and then attend a full programme of activities at Exeter Phoenix in Gandy Street.

Community groups, firefighters, police, students, trade union groups and individuals will be among those taking part in the parade along with Street Heat samba band, the Devon and Cornwall Police band and volunteers carrying a 50-metre rainbow flag.

Everyone is invited to walk in the parade in support of Exeter’s LGBT communities which will start from Exeter City Football Club’s Fountain Centre car park.

To register for the Parade by email: CLICK HERE:

A full programme of  family-friendly events will continue on into the evening and will include a family zone, a Victorian Fair, a Market Place, a new Health Zone, the return of the popular drumming workshop, a ceilidh and a panel debate whose theme will be: After the Honeymoon: setting an LGBT Agenda for the future.

The debate will be chaired by Shaun Dellenty, openly gay deputy head teacher at Alfred Salter Primary School in London and founder of Inclusion for All, a charitable organisation that helps to effect organisational change in schools and other educational contexts to pro-actively prevent homophobic language and bullying.

Panelists will include Rebecca Cook, founder of LGBTransaction, an organisation that provides a comprehensive programme of support for trans people, their families and friends; Miranda Nicholson, Strategic Mental Health Project Worker for the Intercom Trust; Bridget Garood, a Specialist Family Lawyer at Cartridges Solicitors; a representative from Devon Partnership Trust and a representative from Devon and Cornwall Police.

Evening events will include live music and DJs through until 2am.

Admission to some evening activities will be by wristband only, which are £3 from selected outlets.

A Pride on Campus Day is also being planned at the University of Exeter.

Tom Grigor, chairman of the Exeter Pride committee, said: “Exeter Pride is a celebration of the the city and county’s LGBT communities.

“It is about us having pride in our contributions to not just a vibrant and diverse city, but all of Devon and the city and county having pride in us.”

He continued: “Exeter Pride would not be possible with generous donations from local businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts of many volunteers.

“Together with generous sponsorship from our partners, we are able to keep all our daytime events, free-of-charge.”

“Volunteers are an important part of helping to make things run smoothly and more volunteers are still needed to help steward the parade as well as helping to set up at Exeter Phoenix.

“Anyone who could spare some time to help can make contact through the Exeter Pride website.”

Devon and Cornwall Police chief constable, Shaun Sawyer, said: “Devon and Cornwall Police are proud to support Exeter Pride as part of our commitment to service the LGB and T communities across Devon and Cornwall.

“We would also like to congratulate Exeter Pride on establishing this as a successful annual event.”

Lee Howell, Chief Fire Officer of Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, concluded saying: “As a public service we have a strong belief in treating people fairly and with respect and challenging prejudice and discrimination.

“We welcome the opportunity to show this commitment by standing alongside the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community in this spectacular celebration of diversity.”

In addition to organising the Pride event, the Pride committee organise a wide range of events and entertainment throughout the year to promote inclusivity, self-confidence and a sense of community in a supportive environment.

Exeter Pride

Exeter Pride is supported by Devon County Council, Exeter City Council, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, The University of Exeter, NHS Commissioning, Devon and Cornwall Police, Heathwatch, Exeter College, Unison South West, Cartridges solicitors, Somerset College, Patronus security, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter Phoenix, Exeter CVS, Exeter City Football Club, The Vaults bar and club, The ODDfellows, Intercom, Its All About You Counselling, Southernhay House Hotel, Capital Taxis and many other businesses and organisations.

For more information about Exeter Pride, CLICK HERE:

To sign up as a volunteer, CLICK HERE:

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