14/09/2014 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Brighton Pavilion MP is Picture Perfect at Prime Minister’s Questions

Posted on 14/09/201417/09/2014 by Besi

Caroline Lucas, took Brighton’s Big Picture petition to 10 Downing Street (and into PMQs) last week, urging David Cameron to ‘Show Some Heart’ for what matters most.

Not one to renege on a promise to constituents, Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, went the extra mile last week to show Ministers what matters most to her Brighton constituents.

Caroline says that hundreds of her constituents asked her to hold the Government to account on tackling climate change and urged her to back a major new national campaign, called For The Love Of….

So she did just that!

Caroline took to Brighton’s city centre last week to ask what residents loved most in the world and why they wanted to protect it from climate change. Passers-by got snap happy, sharing their views in picture form with the aid of a giant love heart.

Caroline created a collage of the petition messages and delivered it to Number 10, urging the PM to attend the important United Nations climate summit on September 23.

The petition included a letter setting out the key climate policies the UK must adopt and calling on him to commit to ambitious actions during the conference.

The proposals reflected what Caroline is lobbied about by Brighton residents.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, she unfurled the petition and asked William Hague MP to confirm the PM’s plans and priorities for the conference.

Caroline Lucas MP for Brighton Pavilion — Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion

Caroline said: “The message from Brighton has been loud and clear. The Government is failing to do enough to tackle climate change and, for the love of our children, our world and our future, we need to put pressure on Ministers to change that. My constituents want a commitment from the Government to protect the things they love most from the destruction of continued climate change.”

Brighton residents cited their top loves as family and friends, birds and bees, forests, future generations and home, among others.

It comes when nearly one in five Brighton and Hove schools have gained the coveted Eco Schools Green Flag award, propelling the city into the top 10 greenest in the UK, as reported in the Argus.

Transport for London supports Stonewall, Rainbow Laces Campaign

Posted on 14/09/201417/09/2014 by Besi

Arsenal Underground station hosted its first-ever rainbow zebra crossing over the weekend as part of Transport for London’s support for Stonewall’s 2014 Rainbow Laces campaign to kick homophobia out of football.

The rainbow crossing was created outside the entrance to Arsenal Tube station until Sunday, September 14 and Arsenal and Manchester City fans arriving at the station on Saturday for one of the biggest Premiership clashes of the season had the opportunity to be photographed as they walked across the colourful crossing.

Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign saw footballers across England don rainbow-coloured laces on their boots this weekend, emphasising that homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse will not be tolerated in sport. People were encouraged to show their support via social media using the official campaign hashtag #RainbowLaces.

Richard Lane, Stonewall Media Manager, said: “We’re delighted that Transport for London is backing gay football fans and players by throwing their weight behind the #RainbowLaces campaign. We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive support from individuals and organisations who are all keen to kick homophobia out of our national game.”

TfL is committed to championing equality and eliminating discrimination. It has a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) network that is actively involved in community events and projects, celebrating the diversity of staff, customers and families.

In the past year alone, TfL has distributed Stonewall’s visitor guides to the city via its Travel Information Centres, run an inaugural Trans event, and installed the capital’s first rainbow zebra crossing for Pride in London. A London bus also featured in the Pride London march this year and TfL branded 75 Barclays Cycle Hire bikes with a special ‘Ride with Pride’ logo during Pride week.

Martyn Loukes, Chair of TfL’s LGBT+ Network, said: “We are delighted to support Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign. We hope that by installing a rainbow crossing, a symbol of diversity across the world, outside one of our busiest Tube stations we will create further awareness for the campaign.”

Labour anger at Fire Authority spending plans to implement cuts to fire service

Posted on 14/09/201417/09/2014 by Besi

East Sussex Fire Authority have voted through a proposal to “approve the drawdown of up to £200,000” to establish a ‘Service Transformation Team’.

The team will be responsible for implementing savings plans which include cutting one of only five fire engines and 24 firefighters in Brighton and Hove.

The team will be made up of existing staff seconded to the team who will be supported by some external fixed term appointments.

Nancy Platts, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has been very vocal in opposing the fire cuts.

She said: “I am shocked that Councillors on East Sussex Fire Authority have voted through a budget of up to £200,000 for a ‘Service Transformation Team’ instead of putting that money toward keeping our fire engine and 24 firefighters in Brighton and Hove. We keep being told there is no money, so this raises serious questions about why these funds were not made available to maintain front-line services.”

Simon Herbert, Chair of East Sussex FBU, added: “Firefighters want to offer a professional service to the public, but we can only do this if we have sufficient resources. Putting scarce funds into yet more back-office staff to reorganise our firefighters is wholly inappropriate at a time when we are losing a fire engine and 24 firefighters in Brighton and Hove.”

Free childcare extended to 900 two-years olds in Brighton & Hove

Posted on 14/09/201417/09/2014 by Sarah Green

The Government announced this week that it is extending the entitlement of 15 hours of free early education to the 40 per cent of most disadvantaged two-year-olds, to help them fulfil their potential in life.

SImon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven — SImon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven

116,000 two-year-olds already benefit from this free childcare and this week’s announcement extends this eligibility to more than 260,000 children, including 900 in Brighton and Hove.

15 free hours a week is already available to all three- and four-year-olds. Alongside this the Government now meets up to 70 per cent of childcare costs for low- and middle-income families through tax credits and is introducing a tax-free childcare benefit from autumn 2015, which will see all eligible families receive up to £2,000 towards childcare costs for each child.

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, welcomed the news.

He said: “Evidence suggests that children from less-advantaged backgrounds currently start primary school up to 19 months behind their peers. In 21st-century Britain this is unacceptable.

“It is great news that this Conservative-led Government has recognised this and is extending 15 hours a week of free provision to the most disadvantaged two-year-olds.

“This will help to give 900 two-year-olds in Brighton and Hove the very best start in life so that they can go on to fulfil their potential.”

PREVIEW: Excellent songs for children at the Old Market

Posted on 14/09/201417/09/2014 by Besi

Friday, September 19 is National talk like a pirate day!

What better way to celebrate all things swashbuckling than with an action-packed musical pirate adventure show!

This family musical will capture your imagination and sail off with it into the sunset. It will take place at the Old Market in Hove on Sunday September 21 at 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Ever wished for something? Wishes come true in this piratey tale. Join Captain Al and new pirate recruit Stinky and follow the clues down to the bubbly Salon de Mer to get your hair done. Trick the silly sea monster and bake a massive, messy cake for the octopus’s party. Piece together the map and the treasure could be yours… can you dig it?

Wear your finest pirate outfit to the show to be part of the adventure.

Brighton children’s songwriter Al Start has been singing in local schools for 9 years and inspiring children to love singing and music as much as she does. She teamed up with co-writer Nicola Bloom to write this show and the pair have had sell-out success all over the South-East.

Al says: “Our mission is to write fun, catchy children’s songs that are about the stuff kids really like.”

“Parents often comment that they enjoy the songs as much as their children, which will certainly be the case with this show.”

The songs have passed the official “great for the grown-ups” test!

Before singing with children, Al recorded and toured internationally as a solo artist. “I have found my calling at last” she said, “writing nutty songs for bonkers kids… what could be better?”

Nicola teaches ukulele and produces the ukulele stage at Brighton’s Paddle Round the Pier Beach Festival. “We are a great double act” she says, “neither of us minds being utterly silly to make kids laugh!

Go and see what all the fuss is about!

Event: Excellent songs for children – A pirate adventure by Al Start and Nicola Bloom

Where: The Old Market, Hove

When: Sunday September 21

Time: 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Price: £6.50, family ticket £24

Tickets for the Pirate Adventure are still available online through The Old Market Box Office online www.theoldmarket.com/shows/pirate-adventure

Or telephone: 01273 201 801

Alzheimer’s dementia cafe in Kemptown

Posted on 14/09/201417/09/2014 by Besi

Do you suffer from dementia or care for someone who does?

The next dementia cafe organised by the Alzheimer’s Society is on Saturday, October 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Patching Lodge, Freshfield Road, Kemp Town, Brighton.

The afternoon will include beauty and computer sessions as well as information and advice offered in a very social setting.

For more information CLICK HERE:

Or telephone: 01273 726 266

New anti-UKIP campaign group

Posted on 14/09/201417/09/2014 by Besi

Stand Up To UKIP is an umbrella campaigning organisation which believes women, trade unions, anti- racists, black people and Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith communities, LGBT, young people, students and all good people must unite and stand up to UKIP, racism and bigotry.

Organisers believe UKIP is a racist party, a party of bigots, sexists, Islamophobes, homophobes and people prejudiced against disabled people. It represents the interests of big business and bankers who caused the economic crisis. It has built up its electoral base by both presenting itself as a party opposed to the European Union, but more importantly by spreading poisonous lies and hatred towards migrants and Muslims in order to gain political power.

Stand Up To UKIP campaigns to reveal the truth behind UKIP’s policies.

On September 27, Stand Up To UKIP will be protesting outside the UKIP national conference in Doncaster, and transport has been arranged from Brighton.

Supporters of Stand Up To UKIP include Diane Abbott MP; Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite the Union; Ken Livingstone, former Mayor of London, and Owen Jones, writer and journalist.

If you are interested in joining the protest, want to hear more about local anti-UKIP activity, or want more information, EMAIL:

Or CLICK HERE:

Seagull Restaurant fined for food hygiene breach

Posted on 14/09/201417/09/2014 by Graham Robson

A Brighton restaurant has pleaded guilty to seven charges, including failing to ensure adequate procedures are in place to control pests.

Cloudless Limited, which runs the Seagull Restaurant, 11-14 Madeira Drive, Brighton BN1 1EY were fined a total of £3,515 including costs.

On March 13, 2014 an officer carrying out a routine food hygiene inspection of the Seagull Restaurant discovered an active mouse throughout the premises. Mouse droppings were seen at fifteen different locations, including on the floor under the fryer floating in a pool of grease. The owner closed the premises to clean up and carry out treatment and proofing works.

A council spokesperson said: “This case showed serious breaches of food hygiene standards. The fines handed out show that the courts will back the City Council in action to protect residents and visitors.

“People should have confidence that cases such as these are rare. Standards of food hygiene in the city are going up, with more food businesses than ever achieving a top rating of 5 and nearly 93% having a rating of 3 or more, which is above the national average.”

Call us now

Day: September 14, 2014

Brighton Pavilion MP is Picture Perfect at Prime Minister’s Questions

Caroline Lucas, took Brighton’s Big Picture petition to 10 Downing Street (and into PMQs) last week, urging David Cameron to ‘Show Some Heart’ for what matters most.

Transport for London supports Stonewall, Rainbow Laces Campaign

Arsenal Underground station hosted its first-ever rainbow zebra crossing over the weekend as part of Transport for London’s support for Stonewall’s 2014 Rainbow Laces campaign to kick homophobia out of football.

Labour anger at Fire Authority spending plans to implement cuts to fire service

East Sussex Fire Authority have voted through a proposal to “approve the drawdown of up to £200,000” to establish a ‘Service Transformation Team’.

Free childcare extended to 900 two-years olds in Brighton & Hove

The Government announced this week that it is extending the entitlement of 15 hours of free early education to the 40 per cent of most disadvantaged two-year-olds, to help them fulfil their potential in life.

PREVIEW: Excellent songs for children at the Old Market

Friday, September 19 is National talk like a pirate day!

Alzheimer’s dementia cafe in Kemptown

Do you suffer from dementia or care for someone who does?

New anti-UKIP campaign group

Stand Up To UKIP is an umbrella campaigning organisation which believes women, trade unions, anti- racists, black people and Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith communities, LGBT, young people, students and all good people must unite and stand up to UKIP, racism and bigotry.

Seagull Restaurant fined for food hygiene breach

A Brighton restaurant has pleaded guilty to seven charges, including failing to ensure adequate procedures are in place to control pests.

Latest News

Call us now

Caroline Lucas, took Brighton’s Big Picture petition to 10 Downing Street (and into PMQs) last week, urging David Cameron to ‘Show Some Heart’ for what matters most.

Share this:

Arsenal Underground station hosted its first-ever rainbow zebra crossing over the weekend as part of Transport for London’s support for Stonewall’s 2014 Rainbow Laces campaign to kick homophobia out of football.

Share this:

East Sussex Fire Authority have voted through a proposal to “approve the drawdown of up to £200,000” to establish a ‘Service Transformation Team’.

Share this:

The Government announced this week that it is extending the entitlement of 15 hours of free early education to the 40 per cent of most disadvantaged two-year-olds, to help them fulfil their potential in life.

Share this:

Friday, September 19 is National talk like a pirate day!

Share this:

Do you suffer from dementia or care for someone who does?

Share this:

Stand Up To UKIP is an umbrella campaigning organisation which believes women, trade unions, anti- racists, black people and Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith communities, LGBT, young people, students and all good people must unite and stand up to UKIP, racism and bigotry.

Share this:

A Brighton restaurant has pleaded guilty to seven charges, including failing to ensure adequate procedures are in place to control pests.

Share this:

Latest News

Stand Up To UKIP is an umbrella campaigning organisation which believes women, trade unions, anti- racists, black people and Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith communities, LGBT, young people, students and all good people must unite and stand up to UKIP, racism and bigotry.