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Day: June 10, 2015

Robert Addison – 20.6.1965 – 24.5.2015

Posted on by Besi

‘Big Bob’ will be laid to rest today at the Downs Crematorium at 4pm.

Robert Addison - Big Bob

ROBERT Addison aka ‘Big Bob’ died suddenly on Sunday, May 24 in The Royal Sussex County Hospital after being admitted suffering from dehydration and a chest infection.

Bob had lived in Brighton since he was a teenager and was popular on the commercial gay scene.

In his early years he worked in the hotel and leisure industry and more recently had been a gate guard on Southern Railways.

Bob lived life to the full and over the years could be found at different times drinking in the much missed Harlequin in Providence Place, the Marine Tavern and more recently you would find him watching cabaret upstairs at the Bulldog on St James Street.

Bob’s funeral will be at The Downs Crematorium, Bear Road, Brighton, Sussex BN2 3PL on Wednesday, June 10 at 4pm.

His friends Carlos and Ian who are making the funeral arrangements ask that everyone wears bright colours and carry a single flower.

Everyone is welcome to make a speech about their memories of this very private man.

If you have a story, memory or anecdote about Bob please email it in the next two or three days to wayne@waynealexander.net

Following the funeral friends will be gathering at Legends Hotel, 31-34 Marine Parade, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 1TR

Key West install permanent rainbow pedestrian crossings

Posted on by Gary Hart

In Late May, Key West in the USA installed four permanent rainbow pedestrian crossings at the intersection of Duval and Petronia streets – the heart of Key West’s LGBT entertainment district.

Key West

THIS is this first time in Florida that all four corners of an intersection have been connected with rainbow pedestrian crossings, with the crossings matching the six colours of the rainbow flag – an internationally recognised symbol of gay and lesbian unity.

Mayor Craig Cates, said: “Key West is very happy to be putting in the first thermoplastic permanent rainbow crosswalks in the state of Florida.”

“It means so much to Key West to show our diversity, and also it goes perfectly with our ‘One Human Family’ motto.”

Organised by the city and the Key West Business Guild, the rainbow crossings were created with pre-formed thermoplastic colour blocks alternating with white stripes.

After the blocks were laid on the street by the city’s Community Services Department workers, they were heat-treated with propane torches to affix the colours permanently on the pavement.

The rainbow crosswalks are the latest display of Key West’s longstanding embrace of diversity. One Human Family was implemented as the city’s official philosophy in 2000, declaring equality and acceptance for everyone, and the island is internationally known as a leading LGBT holiday destination.

“Accepting diversity has been going on for generations in Key West, mainly starting back when Key West was an island with no access but boats,” said Mayor Cates. “Everybody learned to live together, accept one another, so that has continued on through generations and is very evident today.”

While the rainbow crosswalks opened to traffic in late May, the official debut is today,  Wednesday, June 10, to help kick-start the Key West Pride celebrations from June 10-14.

 

 

 

Latin beats come to Brighton Pride Parade

Posted on by Gary Hart

Top South American dance companies join the Brighton Pride Community Parade in August to create Carnival of Diversity across the city as 160,000 participants and spectators fill the streets of Brighton & Hove with Pride.

Brighton Pride Parade

MARTA Scott Dance Company, their Rio Carnival flavoured beats and Raw Samba, a 15-20 piece samba band based in Ryde on the Isle of Wight will be joining the 2015 Pride Community Parade.

The Marta Scott Dance Company are an all-inclusive, diverse dance company who perform regularly in Brighton and Hove and whose members have danced their way across the UK at many top community events including the Notting Hill Carnival.

Marta Ribeiro Scott, founder of the Marta Scott Dance Company said: “We can’t wait to celebrate Brighton Pride’s 25th anniversary and we are very proud to be performing at Pride 2015. The crowd will be able to see that no matter how old you are, where you are from, man or women, that dancing and parading can bring so much joy!”

Raw Samba play charity events across the Isle of Wight and can’t wait to board the 6am ferry to Brighton and Hove on Saturday August 1.

They will bring their Raw Samba dance section to accompany the band of dancers, led by Melanie Griffith and will be joined by the belly dance troupe, Eastern Promise Bellydance, run by Debbie Webb.

Raw Samba’s Stella Child’s, said: “The Brighton Pride Community Parade is not only a hugely high profile event for us to take part in, but it’s so much fun. It’s such a colourful parade as carnivals go and this year we hope to have five large carnival costumes out in our section along with our fabulous flag bearers. Everyone is so lovely and welcoming at Brighton Pride, we can’t wait!”

Parade registration is still open with a few places remaining on the parade.

To book your space on the parade, click here:

Booking must be paid for before entry is confirmed.

Event: LGBT Pride Community Parade

Where: Hove Lawns Promenade

When: Saturday, August 1, 2015

Time: 11am

Best of Health! A free event for people with learning difficulties

Posted on by Gary Hart

Healthy outdoor activities for people with learning disabilities will be showcased at the annual Best of Health event which for the first time is being held in the summer.

Brighton and Hove City CouncilBEST of Health, is being held in the summer to encourage people with learning disabilities, their families, friends and carers to find out more about how to be healthy and is being held in the summer to encourage healthy outdoor activities while the weather is good.

Activities to try on the day include accessible yoga, hula hooping, dancing and indoor cricket.

The Brighton & Hove Food Partnership will be running tasty, healthy snack-making workshops and there will be free hot and cold drinks for everyone.

Lots of health services will be available to offer top tips on healthy teeth, ears and eyes. There will also be advice on sexual health, mental health and drugs and alcohol.

A range of council services will be present including the Park Rangers, the Sports Development Team and the Road Safety team.

Go along and find out about accessible walks, sports activities and outdoor activities in the city.

Tom Scanlon
Tom Scanlon

Brighton & Hove City Council Director of Public Health Tom Scanlon, said: “This is always a fun event. Come along and find out new ways to be healthy. Last year over 100 people attended and a great time was had by all. Best of Health is in the summer this year, so we hope even more people will come and join in.  There will even be gift bags with healthy freebies to take home. Don’t miss out!”

 

Event: Best of Health! An event for people with learning difficulties

Where: King Alfred Leisure Centre, Kingsway, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2WW

When: Thursday, June 25

Time: 10am to 3pm

Tickets: Free entry

 

 

 

Travellers need temporary Travellers site ‘urgently’, say Greens

Posted on by Gary Hart

Greens will repeat call for Hangleton Bottom Travellers site at Policy & Resources Committee on Thursday, June 11.

Cllr. Phelim Mac Cafferty
Cllr. Phelim Mac Cafferty

GREEN councillors have called on the Labour-run city administration to urgently revisit the decision that Greens put forward in October 2014 concerning the use of a site at Hangleton Bottom as a temporary Travellers transit site.

They say there is a clear and urgent need for a temporary site whilst the transit site at Horsdean is closed due to construction and will be putting the proposal to the council’s Policy & Resources Committee, this Thursday, June 11.

Green convenor, Cllr. Phelim Mac Cafferty, who is proposing the motion, said: “Our proposal in 2014 to open Hangleton Bottom as a temporary traveller site was rejected by Conservative and Labour Councillors. Today in our city there is nowhere for the Police to lawfully send travellers which has predictably lead to more unauthorised encampments.

“This has resulted in unnecessary legal costs, confusion for the police and inconvenience to residents. There are obvious costs to community cohesion too. We have said from the outset that we need a temporary site while a permanent site is built at Horsedean. This would not only minimise the disruption from unauthorised encampments but it would also help foster better relationships between the settled and traveller communities, giving us the opportunity to deepen the necessary dialogue between these communities.

“We urgently call on the administration to revisit that decision now that the consequences of inaction have become clear. We owe it to all concerned and for the good of all of our city’s communities to find a resolution and Hangleton Bottom is still the only viable option on the table.”

The full notice of motion reads:

Following the announcement by the Labour administration of a speedy review of policy with respect to management of unauthorised encampments in the city, this Committee resolves, as part of this review, to urgently revisit its decision of October 2014 concerning the use of a site at Hangleton Bottom as a temporary Travellers transit site whilst the transit site at Horsdean is closed due to construction.

The Policy & Resources Committee will meet at the Brighthelm Centre in the Auditorium, on Thursday, June from 4pm. The Notice of Motion is Agenda Item 7,d,ii.

 

HIV charity commemorates Terry Higgins 70th birthday

Posted on by Contributor

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) commemorates Terrence Higgin’s 70th birthday with launch of five centres dedicated to over 50s living with HIV.

Terry Higgins

TERRENCE “Terry” Higgins was among the first people known to die of an AIDS related illness in the UK in 1982.

To mark Terry’s 70th birthday, THT, the UK’s leading sexual health and HIV charity has rolled out a new national programme – Health Wealth and Happiness Project (HWHP) –  aimed at the one in four of those living with HIV in the UK who are over 50.

The programme is funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Silver Dreams scheme, and is available in London, Bristol, West Midlands, Brighton and Manchester.

HWHP focuses on providing support, advice, counselling and information to the first generation of people living with HIV into older age. These numbers are set to rise significantly over the next decade with 53 per cent (42, 000) of people currently living with HIV in the UK in the 35 – 49 age group.

Dr Rosemary Gillespie
Dr Rosemary Gillespie

Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Terrence Higgins Trust CEO, said:“As we commemorate Terry Higgin’s 70th birthday we are reminded that people with HIV are now living into older age. “Our 50 plus research (2012) revealed that a significant proportion of older people with HIV live alone, experience poverty, and have limited family support.

“HWHP  was set up to tackle this through provisions such as debt management, one to one support, housing and benefit advice, volunteering opportunities, and complimentary therapy sessions.”

Tony Calvert
Tony Calvert

Tony Calvert, one of the original founders of THT, added: “Terry was the first of many friends I lost to HIV. He passed away at St Thomas’s Hospital, London on Sunday, July 4, 1982, 25 days after his 37th birthday. It was the decision of his friends, as a group, to set-up a charity in his name, – Terrence Higgins Trust, shortly after.

“I remember Terry with great fondness every time his birthday comes along.. Today (10th June) would have been my dear friend’s “70th birthday. I would like to say thanks Terry – for being my friend, and to the charity that carries your great name, without which programmes like HWHP would not exist.”

 

Tipple Temple to host Rainbow Rooms at Pride Village Fayre

Posted on by Graham Robson

Following a glorious debut in 2014, the colourful Rainbow Rooms will return to Steine Gardens for a weekend of entertainment at the heart of the Pride Village Party in August.

WEB.600

HOSTED by Tipple Temple and working in collaboration with BrightonUnsigned, Boogaloo Stu, Sam Moffett of English Disco Lovers and 2015 finalist for RuPaul’s UK Drag Ambassador, Joe Black, The Rainbow Rooms will showcase the best in local talent including Chrish Marsh, Frankie Furlow, yourgardenday, Eyal, Storybird, Thesius, Jealous Michael, Dirty Weekend, The Lanes, Calico Skys and Uncle Arthur.

You can join Tipple Temple in their lovely antique canvas tent, relax, have a tipple, and watch some amazing artists perform in a uniquely welcoming and fun atmosphere.

The Pride fun starts on Thursday, July 30 when the Mayor of Brighton and Hove will raise the Pride flag to start the weekend’s celebrations introducing live acoustic acts on Thursday evening and all day Friday.

Saturday will be all about proud disco dancing with English Disco Lover’s Sam Moffett and the fabulous Boogaloo Stu from Dynamite Boogaloo helping everyone dance the day and night away.

Sunday is family day and all about the acoustic with acts including Frankie Furlow and the delectable Joe Black keeping your Pride celebrations delightfully chilled out and gorgeous.

Tipple Temple’s Rainbow Rooms will also offer a selection of real ales from local award winner Downlands Brewery, artisan spirits from small distilleries in Sussex and London and scrummy cider from SeaCider Sussex as well as a range of tasty cocktails.

Event: Village Party Fayre

Where: New Steine Gardens, St James Street, Kemptown, Brighton

When: Thursday, July 30 – Sunday, August 2, 2015

Time: 12noon – late

Tickets: To book tickets online, click here:

 

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