Juice 107.2, Brighton and Hove’s local radio station, has appointed Dave Alsybury as its new Managing Director.
Dave Alsybury
Alsybury, has worked in local and regional radio in both Ireland and the UK and will be taking up his post in a few weeks time.
He said:“This is a dream job for me and to be able to work with a super team of people in an amazing place like Brighton is what made this opportunity so special. I can’t wait to get started.
“For me, this is a chance to help the station become even more successful than it already is, play a real and meaningful part in all that goes on in Brighton and Hove and really reflect and represent the vibrancy and variety of one of the most amazing places in the UK.”
Station Chairman, Daniel Nathan, said:“Dave impresses as a natural leader. He’s passionate about radio and is a digital entrepreneur with creative flair and the commercial ambition to make Juice 107.2 Brighton’s leading media house.”
A popular drag duo from Manchester in the Noughties is reforming for a charity show in Brighton.
The Lilletts
Who exactly is this Dolly Tub, I hear you ask?
Most of you will know him as Philip, the manager of Nice ‘n’ Naughty on St James Street, where he has been behind the counter for nearly 5 years, only letting Dolly escape during Pride weekends.
Philip explains, why now are the Lilletts performing:“I have been thinking about letting Dolly loose on the Brighton public for some time, and having chatted with my drag partner a few months ago, we decided to reform and have a night of fun. The last time we performed together was for a charity night in Manchester, organised by the Nice ‘n’ Naughty team up north, so it’s great to have the support of Nice ‘n’ Naughty for this one too, and giving support to a local charity in the process”
The show, which lasts about 1 hour, consisting of some classic drag divas, promises to be fun. If you ever experienced the Lillettes when they were regulars at The Hollywood Showbar and Via in Manchester, you know that you will be experiencing old school drag, with Lip Syncing at its best!
Philip explains:“We both love performing, and for us it is all about making the audience smile, and having a little giggle at ourselves in the process! Along with the show, we will be having a raffle to raise more funds and as it’s my Birthday, a few drinks afterwards.”
The charity that the girls have chosen is the locally based Martlets Hospice, which plays a vital role in helping people to live life as fully as they can, right up until the end. Through expert clinical care provided by highly skilled and experienced doctors and nurses, they ensure that wherever possible peace, respect and dignity is retained – it is a very simple and very human ethos.
The event will be held at Latest Music Bar, Manchester Street, on February, 18, 2016. Doors at 8pm, the show at 8:30pm, with all proceeds from donations on the door and raffle going to the Martlets charity.
Brighton & Hove City Council will be getting less funding from central government over the next few years, and have to consider how to make savings while still providing statutory services like Libraries.
The council has carried out a detailed review of library services and there are a number of key proposals based on the findings that include:
♦ Providing access to libraries for seven days a week across the city with a mix of staffed and unstaffed days
♦ Reducing the size of Westdene Library to provide extra classroom space for the school
♦ Moving Hollingbury Library to combine with the Hollingbury and Patcham Children’s Centre
♦ Moving Hove Library to Hove Museum site to create a new Community Cultural Centre for Hove
♦ Increase the use of volunteers
After considering the proposals,click here: to fill in the questionnaire, share your views and have your say.
The consultation deadline is February 16.
You can also attend a public meeting to find out about and give your views on the proposals:
♦ Wednesday, January 27, in Hove Library 6-7.30pm
♦ Thursday, February 4, in Westdene Library 6-7.30pm
♦ Tuesday, February 9 in Hollingbury Library 6-7.30pm
Rumour has it…..the City of Brighton and Hove has given birth to a new clubnight with its roots set firmly in the LGBT community.
Dj Lady Lola brings together, a unique team, of committed nightclub professionals, to produce a night of lively fun, music and dance, with a splash of Brighton decadence.
Team Lola feel that the Brighton Scene needs a night to directly benefit the LGBT community with a focus on ‘conscious clubbing’ and have chosen the quirky and eclectic nightclub, FunFair next to Dr Brightons on Brighton seafront, for their first outing.
FunFair
Each month Rumous has it… will choose a charitable cause and a percentage from the door take will go straight to the nominated organisation plus a good old-fashioned collection bucket will be on the door, for any extra donations.
‘Conscious clubbing’ donations will be a feature with all future happenings including boat parties, pop up events and a super big clubnight being planned during Brighton Pride 2016.
Rumour has it…launches on Friday, January 29 at Funfair Club, next door to Dr. Brightons on Brighton seafront.
An awesome line of Dj’s have been engaged to impress including local legends King K,Lady Lola and Michelle Griffen. Matt Bogard is coming down from London to represent the boys.
Doors open at 10pm, dress to thrill, and try out the super fly LGBT clubnight, that is……RUMOUR HAS IT…..
Event: Rumour has it…LGBT clubnight with DJs King K, Lady Lola, Michelle Griffen and Matt Bogard
Going to a Greek Island is like taking drugs, once you start you can’t stop, you have to keep going back to experience another one, says Roger Wheeler.
The Main Beach
Mike and I have been regular visitors to the Cyclades archipelago for several years. There are about 300 inhabited Greek Islands and they are all quite different.
The name Cyclades refers to islands forming a circle around the sacred island of Delos and according to Greek mythology, Poseidon, God of the sea, furious at the Cyclades nymphs, turned them into islands. Possibly the most famous of this group is Mykonos but there are about 20 others that are rarely visited.
We were invited to see Milos so we flew to Santorini, took the fast ferry and were so very pleased that we did.
Adamantas
Milos is a small island with just about 5,000 inhabitants. The port town is Adamantas where most tourist hotels and restaurants are, but the chief town is Plaka, perched on top of what they call a large rock, to us it looked like a small mountain. It’s an ancient village, the streets are so narrow no cars can get in and surprisingly there are not too many tourist shops.
On these islands you will find stunning views around every corner, Milos is no exception. There are few roads on the island so if you want to see some of the best beaches and the most beautiful villages hiring a car is essential as there is little public transport.
Golden Milos Beach Hotel
Our first two nights were spent on the very quiet southern coast at The Golden Milos Beach Hotel at Provatas, right on a sandy beach, an uncomplicated and really lovely hotel. We were there in September when the sea was so warm we didn’t want to get out.
Miland Suites Hotel
Our last two nights were spent at the Miland Suites Hotel, set on a hill overlooking the harbour and bay in Adamas. There is only one word to describe this hotel and that is ‘wow’. The phrase boutique hotel is sometimes overused, but not in this case. This small eight room hotel was quite stunning and run by a very friendly family. Mama brings cups of lemon tea and lovely fruit punches whilst you’re lying around the pool under billowing canopies. The rooms are really suites with small terraces, dressing/sitting rooms as well as a large bathroom and obligatory huge bed.
To make our stay even more interesting we were invited to a day long cruise on a large catamaran. Not being particularly good sailors we were in two minds until we saw the crew – two very personable, attractive, young Greek sailors, any doubts we had vanished. It was one of the best days we have ever spent on holiday, idyllic is the only word to describe it and were joined by a small group of, very well-travelled, Americans who were great fun to spend some time with.
The Crew
We sailed around the enormous bay, moored in a deserted cove, swam around the boat whilst the boys who turned out to be cousins, cooked a wonderful lunch of freshly caught octopus and served us lots of local wine. This trip is simply a must do if you ever get to Milos.
Roger and Mike
Milos is quite different from any other islands we have visited. The coastline is rugged with hundreds of bays and inlets plus 70 beaches and, no surprise, one of them is gay!
The Greeks love this island to the extent that unusually for such a small island there is an airport with regular flights from Athens, allowing the current Prime Minister, Mr Tsipras, who is a regular visitor, to be able to fly down to his house on the Island. Although the Greek financial crisis is well documented, this group of islands have been enjoying a boom time, the tourist industry is flourishing and the local economy is strong.
Milos has many claims to fame, apart from being where they found the statue of Aphrodite (the Venus de Milo now in the Louvre in Paris) it also has the world’s largest deposits of Perlite, used for, amongst other things, cat litter and Bentonite which is essential for the mining and drilling industry. About 25% of Milos is owned by a mining company (Mining Greece) that ships these minerals all over the world. Milos is very fortunate to be the only Greek island with some serious industry.
We would have loved to be able to spend more time exploring Milos and will one day definitely go back, but we were on our way to Sifnos and that was yet another surprise.
A funding package has been agreed between British Cycling and Brighton and Hove City Council which will allow safety improvement works to take place at the historic Preston Park Cycling Track.
Preston Park Velodrome
The track which was closed to competitive cycling in 2015, following concerns over the safety of the velodrome will be fully operational by Spring.
Throughout last year, representatives of British Cycling met with Brighton and Hove City Council officers in a bid to progress repair work as quickly as possible in order to meet the needs of local cyclists.
Work on the track will commence early this year and the site should be fully operational by the Spring.
Total cost of the works is £160,000, most of which is being funded by a grant award from British Cycling, with the remaining £50,000 coming from section 106 funding contributions from planning applications.
John Mills
John Mills, British Cycling Coaching, Education and Development director, said: “Preston Park provides an excellent, traffic-free cycling facility, which is of great value to the people of Brighton and the wider South East Region.
“We are delighted to have agreed a partnership funding package for the work which will see this track return to full operation in the spring.”
Cllr Warren Morgan
Council leader, Warren Morgan, added:“This announcement is excellent news for the cycling community. The Preston Park velodrome is a much-loved part of our city’s history, being the oldest cycling track in the country. The funds will be put to good use to replace the fencing and carry out minor repairs.
“The track is used by riders of all abilities and after the repairs are completed everyone will be able to enjoy it, knowing it is a safer and refurbished place to cycle. It will also be wonderful for the Track League to return as it is a great community event every week, bringing people together from all over Sussex and further afield to compete in or spectate the racing.”
The cost of the scheme is lower than originally anticipated meaning more funding will remain for investment in the rest of Preston Park in line with its management plan.
A new play about radicalisation by Craig Hanlon-Smith.
My Brothers and Sisters – a one-act play directed by Darren Mawdsley, opens a small window into the lives of a family and their friends in modern Britain, during the most challenging 48 hours they are ever likely to experience.
15-year-old Shamilla and her older brother Mohammed are missing, alerting the authorities to a previously unremarkable family. The family devastated, spend the next 48 hours discovering how little they knew of their missing children, and indeed one another.
The production draws uncomfortable connections between racism, austerity, immigration and a growing desire, in some, to head to the Middle East.
Furthermore, the play examines our relationship to community and the casual exploitation of young women.
My Brothers and Sisters will run from January 11-22, with three shows being performed every day for City of Westminster College students.
There will be just one performance open to the public on Thursday January 21 at 7.30pm, which will both be followed by a Q&A with the writer, director and cast of the play.
Mad ‘Ed Theatre was set up by theatre and education professionals to develop interactive performance work connected to our everyday mental health and well-being. Founding and associate members, in addition to working with and supporting the company are employed by City of Westminster College, The University of Manchester and HM Prison Education Service.
Event:My Brothers & Sisters: A play about radicalisation
Where: Sarah Siddons Theatre, City of Westminster College, Paddington Green, London W2 1NB
When: City of Westminster College students only January 14-21: One public performance January 21.
Then get active with Canine Partners and help transform disabled people’s lives in the process?
Assistance dog charity Canine Partners has places ready to be snapped up in the Reading Half Marathon, Brighton Marathon, Tough Mudder, Ride London, Forth Road Bridge Abseil and Para Tri.
Holly Bryan, Events and Challenge Co-ordinator, said:“We are looking for people of all abilities who are willing to take on a challenge this year in aid of Canine Partners. All we ask is that you give something back by raising money for us through sponsorship.
“We have places available for many events during 2016 but we can also support you if you have your own place and wish to fundraise for Canine Partners.
“This year we are delighted to announce that we are an official charity of the Reading Half Marathon and our gold package means that we have 30 guaranteed places as well as use of the Reading FC Players’ Lounge.
“By supporting Canine Partners you will be joining our amazing ‘purple army’ team who are helping us to change people’s lives for the better.”
The national charity trains dogs to help with everyday tasks disabled people would otherwise find difficult, painful or impossible including opening doors, undressing, pressing buttons, unloading the washing machine and fetching help in an emergency.
The assistance dogs also increase independence, confidence and provide loving companionship.
Paul Sparrow, who ran the London Marathon for Canine Partners last year, said:“The support I have received from the crowds and the Charity were fantastic and if one person saw my vest and googled Canine Partners to learn more about them, then it will have been worthwhile.”
Canine Partners is a registered charity that assists people with disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and quality of life through the provision of specially trained dogs, whose well-being is a key consideration. They receive no government funding and are wholly dependent on public donations and legacies.
For more information about taking on a challenge in aid of Canine Partners, click here:
Brighton’s award-winning Indian Summer restaurant is backing this year’s Guild of Food Writers’ competition to discover the country’s most promising young food writers.
Aimed at aspiring young writers who have a real interest in food and writing, the annual Write It competition is open to all young people aged 11 to 18.
The competition invites entrants to submit a non-fiction feature of around 750 words on any food-related subject. It can be a simple, descriptive piece based on a person or place that inspired their interest in food, a restaurant review, or a report on a visit to a food fair, farmers’ market or food shop. Alternatively it can be a campaigning article on any aspect of food that interests, excites or frustrates the young writer.
Indian Summer is inviting local schools’ in the Brighton and Hove area to nominate the best examples of food writing from two pupils and will then invite the authors of 12 short-listed entries to review a complimentary lunch in April, which can then be entered into the Guild’s Write It competition.
The deadline for entries, which should be around 750 words, is May 9.
The winner will be announced in early June and will receive a library of the books short-listed for the 2016 Guild of Food Writers’ Awards. They will also enjoy a visit to delicious magazine’s test kitchen, and the winning piece will be published on www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk.
The three judges are all distinguished members of the Guild of Food Writers: food writer and authors Seb Emina and Felicity Cloake and Karen Barnes, Editor of delicious. Magazine. Judges will be looking for impressive writing skills as well as an understanding and knowledge of the chosen subject.
Minesh Agnihotri
Indian Summer’s co owner Minesh Agnihotri, said:“Hopefully we can help encourage a wider understanding of food issues and help launch the budding career of future food writers”.
“We are encouraging English and food technology teachers to incorporate an entry into a homework assignment.”
“Anyone looking to embark on a writing career or study English at college or university, will need a portfolio of published work. Blogging and restaurant review websites offer excellent opportunities to hone their literary skills”.
To enter, teachers just need to email pieces of work written work, in their opinion, from two of their pupils to: manager@indiansummerbrighton.co.uk
Indian Summer was recently named Restaurant of the Year (South Coast) at this year’s Asian Curry Awards and has also been named one of the UK’s Top 10 Indian restaurants to be found outside London by the respected Harden’s restaurant guide.
Green and Tory councillors on the Housing & New Homes Committee joined forces this week to vote down Labour’s proposed housing budget for 2015/16.
Cllr David Gibson
The Housing Revenue Account budget, which sets out income and expenditure from council housing, proposed a number of cuts and increased service charges for council housing tenants.
Both parties expressed concerns over the poor level of consultation on the council’s proposals as well as cuts to the Playbus, community grants and dramatic changes to the major works programme.
During the committee meeting, Greens secured support for an amendment committing the council to urgent consultation with tenant representatives on the budget, as well as a detailed programme of consultation for the future 2017/18 budget.
Greens condemned proposals in the budget which would see a 99% cut from a planned investment in home insulation from over £5m in 2014/15 to £50,000 in 2015/16, saying it was a “significant step backwards which runs counter to the city’s Housing Strategy”.
During committee discussions the Council’s planning committee was blamed for refusing an application for home insulation, and Labour’s housing spokesperson said “it was a shame” that some residents would not be able to live in energy-efficient homes. Greens said this was a “weak excuse”, and that there were many other Council blocks where improvements could still be made to improve energy efficiency.
The plans to cut budgets for energy efficiency measures follow a raft of Labour proposals in the General Fund budget which Greens says will see significant increases in long-term environmental damage caused by the Council alongside failure to invest in environmental improvements.
Greens say anti-environment measures proposed or introduced so far include reductions in renewable energy usage, cuts to park rangers and cuts to the councils sustainability team.
Green councillor and spokesperson for housing, David Gibson, said: “When I met with tenant representatives this week, they all expressed dissatisfaction that they were being sidelined in developing the housing budget, and called for more consultation this year and next. Unfortunately, Labour are once again failing to consult and listen, this time to tenants on how money from their rental payments should be spent.
“We were pleased to see our amendment passed at committee, meaning that tenants who pay for the housing service will now get more of a chance to have a say on this year’s and next year’s budget. While it feels too little, too late for this year’s budget, we hope it will give tenants some chance to be involved, and puts us on a stronger footing to ensure Labour consult properly on next year’s budget.
“Cuts to insulation in this budget would hit vulnerable people the hardest, with many struggling to afford to heat their homes. It would also see energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions rise at a time when significant reductions are needed to comply with our international obligations. Labour yet again has shown its short-sightedness when it comes to budget planning, and its lack of regard for families facing financial difficulty.
“When in administration, the Greens invested substantial sums to improve Council housing, so that 100% of all council-owned homes are now classed as decent homes, well above levels in the private sector. This has driven down energy bills for some of the poorest residents in the city. However there is still much to do, which is why Greens pledged to invest £7m in 2016/17 if elected. Sadly, Labour has seen fit to bring investment to a halt, despite a compelling fuel poverty and environmental case”.
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