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PREVIEW: Qukulele Christmas Special

Brighton’s favourite ukulele band rock up at the Latest Musicbar on Sunday, December 18 with a festive feast of mashups and mayhem.

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Banish those winter blues with some Hawaiian hilarity, seasonal silliness, special guests and songs old and new!

The band’s varied repertoire proves that any song can be given the Qukulele treatment. They harmonise, strum and kazoo their way through covers and mashups including Bonnie Tyler, Kylie, and Taylor Swift, along with a sprinkling of seasonal numbers.

Their very special guests this year are rising Brighton comedy star Ali Macfarlan, and The Cheer Up Mollys, with their own brand of folk, Americana and ‘rescued’ pop.

The night will be compered by Ali Hendry-Ballard of all female comedy troupe, Short & Girlie Show. Plus a starring role for The Audience!

Qukulele are a regular sight at community events, benefits and launches around Brighton and Sussex.

Now in their 7th year together, the 9-piece group have had a busy year including performances at Brighton Fringe Festival, Portsmouth Ukulele Festival, Mind Out for the Laughs, Brunswick Festival, Paddle Round the Pier and Stanmer Apple Day.

This year they will once again be joining Brighton’s LGBT choirs for the annual World Aids Day concert at St Mary’s Church on December 1 at St Mary’s Church in St James Street, Kemptown.

For a flavour of the show, check out Qukulele’s Christmas video here:


Event: Qukulele Christmas Special

Where: Latest Musicbar, Manchester Street, Brighton

When: Sunday, December 18,

Time: Doors 7.30pm, show 8pm. Late bar.

Tickets: £7

To book tickets online, click here:

For more information about Qukulele, click here:

 

New housing association seeks Council recognition

ETHRAG is the UK’s first residents association exclusively for those living in emergency and temporary accommodation.

Daniel Harris
Daniel Harris

Emergency and Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG), has begun the process of being formally recognised by Brighton and Hove City Council as a recognised residents association in the city.

ETHRAG which was founded by local housing campaigner Daniel Harris alongside other residents and community champions have received formal confirmation from Brighton and Hove City Council that the City, Neighbourhoods and Communities Group will begin the process of integrating ETHRAG into the current model.

ETHRAG founder Daniel Harris, said: “This is fantastic news and a welcome step forward, having recently lived in Emergency Accommodation I understand the challenges residents face on a daily basis. The hard work from councillors like Clare Moonan and David Gibson have allowed the hidden homeless to once again have a voice.

The city indeed has a housing crisis, we also have a crisis around Emergency and Temporary Accommodation with many private landlords charging £800 for a room, with a sink, microwave and small shower. This is paid from public money and standards have dropped, ETHRAG will help to revolutionise the way we treat the vulnerable and offer a beacon of help for those who live in the dark in the city”

ETHRAG’s aims include: better standards, better treatment from landlords and Council staff, and an end to Revenge Evictions.

The Residents Association’s main objective is to be able to provide a safe space for residents to get involved, to end the isolation people in emergency accommodation suffer and help people fulfil their full potential in life.

ACCOMMODATION: Kemptown flat share available

Want to share a flat with a young woman in a creative career who is great fun?

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The 2 bedroom flat is on the second floor of a beautiful regency building only yards from the sea, in Portland Place, Kemptown.

The room is a good-sized double and the flat has a large lounge, fabulous kitchen and bathroom, all newly fitted.

Rent is £130 weekly plus bills.

For more information, email: trishwilliamsonline@gmail.com

Or telephone: 07792 060225

Unusual 2017 calendar reveals six-month views of Brighton landmarks

Local artist Nick Sayers publishes unusual 2017 wall calendar, featuring super-long-exposure images of iconic Brighton & Hove landmarks.

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He shot these with pinhole cameras, hand-made from beer cans and photographic paper.

Unlike an instantaneous digital photo, these ‘solargraphs’ have continuous exposure times of three to six months. The tracks of the sun can be seen in each image, as it passes across the sky from Brighton in the east to Hove in the west.

Sites include the Bandstand, Palace Pier, Embassy Court, Peace Statue, Marina, Prince Albert pub and the old Brighton Wheel.

Calendar pages feature a map and history of each photo location and are available to buy for £8.50 at Zoingimage photography shop in central Brighton (1 Sydney Street, BN1 4EN) and at City Books in Hove (23 Western Road, BN3 1AF).

To purchase online, click here:

 

Large photographic prints of individual images are also available on request.

Nick Sayers
Nick Sayers

Nick says: “I’ve always been fascinated by the science of the seasons, the winter and summer solstices, tides, eclipses and equinoxes. I start and stop my camera exposures at the solstices because this is when the sun is highest and lowest in the sky. I therefore get a wide, six-month band of sun tracks in my images. Occasional cloud cover gives the lines an intriguingly dashed ‘Morse code’ effect.”

With this strong connection to the seasons of the year, it seemed appropriate to make a calendar of the images. And with the winter solstice, Christmas and New Year coming up, what better time to buy one?”

I will be out around the city from 21 December, installing more cameras – with permission where necessary – to capture a new batch of images. However, these won’t be ready to process until after the summer solstice on 21 June!”

web-300Pinhole cameras made headline news in Brighton in August 2015, when a solargraph camera attached to a seafront road sign was mistaken for a bomb. This delayed the start of the Pride parade, which was re-routed while police inspected the camera and destroyed it.

As well as making this 2017 calendar, Nick runs workshops showing adults and children how to make pinhole cameras for home use, at schools and science events. He also makes other artworks inspired by physics, engineering and maths.

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Special compensation payments for season ticket holders on the Southern network

Season ticket holders on the Southern network will receive special compensation payments the Secretary of State announced last week.

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In a letter to Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown he said that: “while nothing can truly make up for what you and your constituents have had to endure, I hope this goes some way to showing that the government is on their side.”

web-300For example, passengers with a Brighton to London annual season ticket, will get £371 back. Quarterly, regular monthly and weekly ticket holders will also qualify for compensation.

Govia Thameslink Railway will contact passengers setting out what they are owed and how to have it paid directly into their bank accounts.

For those passengers who do not wish to have money paid into their bank accounts evouchers will be available.

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

From December 11, all Southern passengers will be eligible for compensation for any train delayed for 15 minutes or longer, rather than the current 30 minutes.

Mr Kirby said: “I am absolutely on the side of hard-pressed commuters in Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven and continue to urge the Unions and the Company to do all they can to resolve this dispute.”

 

UTUBE REVIEW: CINEBRA – A History of Horror

If you missed Cinebra’s Halloween special at Charles Street or you enjoyed it so much that you want to relive it, then here is your chance!

Filmed live on the night, Cinebra presents History of Horror – The Movie! If you don’t already know, Cinebra is a collaboration between Lydia L’Scabies and Rococo Chanel.

Their two lovable characters, Megan and Sophie are parodies of every teenage girl film geek out there, delivering a hilarious and unique cabaret show. The show features original songs and comedy and also parodies of horror films, you should defiantly check out their Carrie skit, it is funny and intruding.

Megan and Sophie often perform at Revenge where are welcomed on stage with loving arms, they truly capture the crowd and put on a hilarious show.

You can follow them as “Cinebra” on YouTube where they review films in their own unique way.

New PrEP trial will benefit 10,000 people

News that NHS England will fund a PrEP clinical trial for 10,000 people over next 3 years costing £10million receives cautious welcome.

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NHS England are to fund a major extension to the national HIV prevention programme led by Public Health England with the aim of supporting those most at risk and reducing the incidence of HIV infection.

Ten new specialised treatments have also been commissioned as part of the annual prioritisation process for specialised treatments.

The new HIV initiative will be a partnership between NHS England and Public Health England, and follows the recent Court of Appeal ruling that NHS England, alongside local authorities, has the power, although not the obligation, to fund the provision of anti-retroviral drugs for the prevention of HIV, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

The first phase of implementation will be the launch of a large-scale clinical trial in early financial year 2017/18.

Although the evidence around the clinical effectiveness of PrEP is strong, advice from Public Health England has highlighted outstanding implementation questions that should be answered prior to using PrEP in a sustained way on a substantial scale in England.

These questions will be answered by the clinical trial, paving the way for full rollout.

The US Government approved PrEP in 2012, with Canada, France, South Africa, Kenya and Israel all following. Norway became the first country last month to make PrEP available on their National Health Service.

It is anticipated that the clinical trial phase will include at least 10,000 participants over the next three years. NHS England will fully fund the cost of the clinical trial phase and will work in partnership with local authorities, the Local Government Association and Public Health England to implement the findings as part of a wider national rollout.

Detailed planning will now take place to ensure the launch and the clinical trial phase can begin as swiftly as possible. Up to £10 million will be made available over the next three years to fund all aspects of the trial.

Next steps will include asking both the manufacturer of the branded PrEP drug Truvada, as well as generic manufacturers to make proposals to participate in the trial.

Caroline Lucas MP
Caroline Lucas MP

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “With thousands of people living in the UK with undiagnosed HIV, and 5000 new cases a year, this news is welcome. For too long now the roll out of PrEP has been delayed and this national programme of treatment will, we hope, benefit the thousands of people who have waited far too long. 

While there are still questions to be answered about how this will work in practice, this is a step forward.

I congratulate the many campaigners who will welcome this small step forward in the roll out of a drug that has the potential to save thousands of lives of those most at risk from HIV.”

Dr Jonathan Fielden
Dr Jonathan Fielden

Dr Jonathan Fielden, Director of Specialised Commissioning and Deputy National Medical Director, NHS England said: “We’re pleased to be able to announce funding not only for ten new specialised treatments but also a new ground breaking national programme for PrEP that will benefit at least 10,000 people.

“This has, in part, been made possible by the willingness of many pharmaceutical and device companies to come forward with lower and more responsible prices. Continuing this constructive joint working will enable us to fund more new drugs and treatments in the future.

“We have however, had to make some tough decisions over what we are not able to fund at this point in time within the resources we have available. We will ensure those treatments have the opportunity to be considered as part of the next annual prioritisation round in spring 2017.”

Prof Kevin Fenton
Prof Kevin Fenton

Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, added: “Currently 13,500 people are living in the UK with undiagnosed HIV and we are still seeing around 5,000 new infections each year. Given we are in the fourth decade of this epidemic there are too many new infections occurring, and we need to use all tools available to save lives and money. We’re delighted to be working in partnership with NHS England on this major new addition to the national HIV prevention programme. This comes after much planning and preparation to ensure we can successfully coordinate this extremely important and large-scale clinical trial.

“We encourage all those who may be at risk of HIV to ensure they get tested and we are again working with local authorities to fund the HIV home-sampling test kit as well as issuing joint guidance for the first time with NICE, which supports increased uptake of HIV testing.”

Cllr Izzi Seccombe
Cllr Izzi Seccombe

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “We are pleased that NHS England has acted quickly and chosen to fund the commissioning of this trial and rollout of PrEP. We now want to stand united with the NHS to defeat the spread of HIV.

“PrEP is a ground-breaking method of treatment that has the potential to save lives and councils want to work with the NHS to help roll out the trial.

“Local authorities have invested millions in providing sexual health services since taking over responsibility for public health three years ago, and we firmly believe that PrEP could significantly reduce levels of HIV in the community.”

Dr Ian Williams
Dr Ian Williams

Dr Ian Williams, Senior Lecturer and Hon Consultant Physician, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and Chair of NHS England’s Clinical Reference group for HIV, said: “This announcement demonstrates NHS England’s commitment to fund PrEP and provides the chance to best prepare England for optimal roll out following this large-scale clinical trial. For now, the trial will provide access to PrEP for thousands of people most at risk of acquiring HIV.

“I’m delighted that the work of many people from the HIV Clinical Reference Group, including clinicians and patient advocates, is providing the foundations for this trial. Now we look ahead to working with partners in PHE, the voluntary sector and local government to get the trial underway across England, helping us to better understand how to integrate PrEP as part of comprehensive HIV prevention service aimed at preventing transmission of HIV and other STIs.”

The Clinical Reference Group met throughout 2015 and were led to understand a decision would be made in June this year whether to make PrEP available on the NHS, following a period of consultation.

Without warning NHS England announced in March 2016 it was not their responsibility to commission HIV prevention services, but they would provide £2m over the next two years to run a number of early implementer test sites for 500 men “most at risk”.

Following the success of a challenge of that decision to the Court of Appeal by National AIDS Trust last month, £10million pounds will now be made available over the next three years to provide PrEP to 10,000 people.

Ian Green
Ian Green

Ian Green, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “With 17 new HIV diagnoses made every day, we need to be bold and ambitious in our approach to HIV prevention – and this must include access to PrEP for all who need it. 

“For two years we’ve been calling for a long-term, stable home for PrEP within the NHS, so it can be used as a vital tool in our HIV prevention armoury alongside condom use, regular testing and early treatment. 

“We welcome the fact that PrEP will be made available to 10,000 people who are at risk over three years. Preventing the spread of HIV is good news for everyone. Not only will this make a life-changing difference to each of these individuals by protecting them from an incurable and highly stigmatised condition, but for every person who would have become HIV positive without PrEP, the NHS will save £360,000 in lifetime treatment costs.

“However there are many questions that need to be answered about the proposed trial.  We need to know how it will work in practice and understand how those at risk, no matter where they live, will be able to access PrEP.

“This trial alone does not provide the long-term stability that is needed – NHS England must make a commitment now that when the trial ends they will fully fund PrEP for all those who are at risk. Only then can we look forward to a future without HIV transmissions, which would be a stunning achievement in terms of public health.”

 

The decision to also routinely commission ten new specialised treatments is based on advice from NHS England’s clinical priorities advisory group which assessed the relative priority of investing in a new range of specialised treatments and interventions. This took into account revised prices submitted by some manufacturers since provisional investment decision were published in July.

Ivor Caplin
Ivor Caplin

Ivor Caplin, former MP for Hove & Portslade and Minister for Veterans at the Ministry of Defence, added: “At last NHS England is not only listening to the many voices who have said that PrEP works but is finally going to commission the game changing drug. This trial is to be welcomed because it will over this next 3 years give clear answers to I hope all the Public health questions. 

It must be remembered that regular testing is still at the heart of making sure status is known to all and is a key part of the recent Proud study and will need to be part of this major programme. 

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

This is major step forward as the fight to reduce or maybe eradicate new HIV infections across Brighton & Hove goes on.”

Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown MP, concluded: “I welcome the announcement of the large scale clinical trial and especially as I understand they will be asking both the manufacturer of Truvada and generic manufacturers to take part. This is good news for many people in Brighton Kemptown.”


Treatments that will now be routinely commissioned by NHS England:

Pegvisomant for acromegaly as a third-line treatment for adults

Auditory brainstem implants for congenital abnormalities of the auditory nerves or cochleae

Haematopoietic stem cell transplant : Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma /Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinaemia (adults)

Everolimus for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with tuberous sclerosis complex

Rituximab for immunoglobulin-G4 related disease (IgG4-RD)

Microprocessor controlled prosthetic knees

Tolvaptan for hyponatraemia secondary to the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) for patients who require cancer chemotherapy

Ivacaftor for children (2-5 years) with cystic fibrosis (named mutations)

Sodium oxybate for symptom control for narcolepsy with cataplexy (children)

Pasireotide for Cushing’s Disease

How to take an HIV test in Brighton & Hove

It is important in the fight to achieve ZERO HIV in Brighton & Hove by 2030 that people take a regular HIV test.

web-600-4The Martin Fisher Foundation’s vision is to accelerate TOWARDS ZERO HIV stigma, ZERO new HIV infections and ZERO deaths from HIV in Brighton & Hove, and the Foundation are currently working with stakeholders to develop a Towards Zero HIV strategy and implementation plan that will set out ways in which everyone can contribute to this important aspirational goal. Central to their plans is that people take a regular HIV test.

You can give feedback to the strategy by February 25.

Here are your options when you want to take an HIV test.


On-line self-testing: Kit sent to you on request through the post

A ‘self-testing’ kit gives a result in a few minutes, without anyone else being involved. The test will tell you if there are no signs of HIV, or if the test is ‘reactive’ and it cannot rule out the presence of HIV infection. ‘Reactive’ test results must be confirmed in a health care setting.

Price currently £29.95

www.hivselftest.co.uk


On-line self-sampling: Kit sent to you on request through the post

A ‘sampling-kit’ is where you take a sample using the kit (usually blood or saliva), send it off to a laboratory, and you receive the result about 1 week later

Free for certain individuals who may be at greater risk.

https://www.test.hiv/


Sexual Health & Contraception (SHAC East, Central & West)

An experienced sexual health team providing a confidential and non-judgemental service. Book appointments on 01273 523388 or text 88020, write BN2 BOOKG in message area

This test is free

http://brightonsexualhealth.com/


Terrence Higgins Trust (THT)

Rapid HIV finger-prick testing, result within 20 minutes. This confidential and non-judgemental service is for gay and bisexual men and all African men and women.

Terrence Higgins Trust, 61 Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AE, telephone:  01273 764200

www.tht.org.uk/brightontests


Brighton Sauna, 75 Grand Parade, Brighton

Rapid HIV finger-prick testing delivered by Terrence Higgins Trust. Result delivered within 5-10 minutes .Wednesday evenings from 6.00-8.00pm:

Self-testing kits will be available over coming months

Free testing for men who have sex with men. No appointment required, entry to sauna is free for access to testing only.

www.thebrightonsauna.com/


Pavilions (drug and alcohol services)

Support available to anyone concerned about their drug or alcohol use, or for the families and carers supporting those struggling with substance misuse.

Free HIV testing available for clients of the service

http://www.pavilions.org.uk/services/


Through your GP

You can attend your GP to discuss having an HIV test. Most GPs will be happy to do this for you.

Having a negative HIV test result does not impact on insurance, health or life assurance policies

Did you see how two men were injured at football match in West Byfleet?

Surrey Police appeal for witnesses following an incident which left two people with serious injuries at a football match in West Byfleet.

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Police Officers were called to West Byfleet Recreation off Camp Hill Road at 2.39pm following reports of an altercation involving a group of people at an adult amateur football match. It resulted in two men being taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Aodhan Lawrence, said: “We believe there were a number of people in attendance at the match and would ask if you were there and haven’t already spoken to us to get in touch immediately.

“This was a serious incident which has left two men requiring hospital treatment and we are now working to establish the circumstances of what happened.”

If you can help, contact Surrey Police on 101, quoting crime reference number P16276206 or to use the online reporting system click here: and enter the reference number in the ‘Additional information’ section.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to leave your name, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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