The Warwick Rowers make a video message for President Elect Donald Trump, Vice President Elect Mike Pence and the rest of the world’s leaders.
The Warwick Rowers, produce an annual wall calendar featuring the rowers modelling nude, to help fund the team. Since 2012 some of the proceeds from sales of the calendar have gone to Sport Allies, a programme created by the team “to reach out to young people challenged by bullying, homophobia or low self-esteem”.
Although there is much to be grateful for this season, we also have witnessed growing resentment of minority, women’s and LGBT+ rights around the world.
Three of the Warwick Rowers went to Westminster, the seat of British government, to strip down (in the cold!) and send a naked Christmas message our world leaders.
To see the full message from Lucas, Cian and Tom, click here:
For more information about the Warwick Rowers Calendar, click here:
To read the most up to date research on Rowing training, click here:
Sussex Beacon organisers of the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon confirm the race is unaffected by news the charity faces risk of closure.
The Sussex Beacon, the charity behind the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon, has said that next year’s race will not be affected by today’s announcement that the charity faces the prospect of closure following NHS budget cuts in June 2017.
Race organisers say it is “business as usual” for the 2017 event, scheduled for February 26.
The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV through both inpatient and outpatient services. It helps hundreds of people living with HIV in Sussex each year and was rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission in September.
This morning, The Sussex Beacon announced it faces the prospect of closing services, including its ten bed inpatient unit, following a reduction in the funding received from the NHS.
Martin Harrigan
Race director Martin Harrigan, commented: “The race is unaffected by today’s announcement regarding the services of the charity and 2017 looks set to be a record-breaking year for runner numbers. Planning for next year’s race is going very well and we’re on schedule for another fantastic race day.”
The Sussex Beacon has organised the Brighton Half Marathon for the past 25 years and it is the charity’ main fundraising event each year.
Simon Dowe
Simon Dowe, CEO of The Sussex Beacon, commented:“The Vitality Brighton Half Marathon is unaffected by the current review into The Sussex Beacon’s services and it is business as usual for race day preparations. 2017 will be the 27th year of the race and we’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of runners and spectators on race day next February 26.”
For further information about the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon, click here:
For more information about the Sussex Beacon, click here:
Birmingham researcher to explore what stops men seeking information on sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).
A researcher at Birmingham City University is undertaking research into the social and cognitive barriers hindering men who have sex with other men (MSM) from finding out more information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Psychology researcher, Naomi Pierce from Carlisle, hopes the research will help to better identify how different social groups may have different risk profiles when it comes to catching and passing on STIs.
She said:“There has been a lot of progress in tackling HIV and AIDS, but other STIs can sometimes be overlooked.
“STI rates within the community of men who have sex with other men are on the rise.”
A report published by Public Health England in 2015 revealed increases in STI diagnosis in men who have sex with other men – syphilis by 46%, gonorrhoea by 32%, chlamydia by 26% and genital herpes and warts by 10% each.
Naomi is currently in the early stages of her research and has begun to speak with local healthcare organisations to share her plans.
Through a combination of focus groups and questionnaires, she will explore the social issues deterring men who have sex with men from seeking information on STIs, which may include social groups and peer behaviour
Naomi will also look into the cognitive barriers, including the thinking patterns surrounding STIs that might make information seeking difficult.
Focus groups will ask MSM participants for their views on why seeking information about STIs might be difficult, whilst anonymous questionnaires will ask MSM participants about sexual health more generally.
Naomi is one of 50 ‘STEAM Scholars’ at Birmingham City University, whose research is funded as part of the University’s £3million initiative to create new subject knowledge and to power cultural, societal and economic improvements in the West Midlands.
A historic wooden refreshment kiosk should be back in business on Brighton seafront in the spring if councillors grant planning permission today, for it to be rebuilt.
Kiosk in its previous location, on prom opposite West Street
The Grade 2-listed kiosk, dating from the 1880s, until recently stood above the seafront Shelter Hall at the bottom of West Street. The Shelter Hall is being rebuilt as part of an £11m DfT-funded scheme to strengthen the seafront road and stop it eventually collapsing.
Planning permission allows for the kiosk to be rebuilt on a wide part of the upper prom at the bottom of East Street, 200m to the east.
Since dismantling last February the kiosk has undergone a faithful reconstruction by specialist carpentry firm Seth Evans Joinery at Ferring near Worthing. It includes restoring the decorative central crown and other ironwork that had been damaged and coated in many layers of paint. Missing sections will be re-cast.
The café’s operators are likely to be allowed to put tables and chairs out on the south-east side, giving customers a fine view of the pier and sea.
Cllr Julie Cattell
Committee chair Cllr Julie Cattell, said: “It’s a great step forward for the council’s multi-million pound improvement scheme between the piers. It includes rebuilding dozens of historic former fishermen’s arches to accommodate new businesses. The latest of these, east of the i360, are also expected to open in the spring. Along with plans to rebuild the Shelter Hall, this will strengthen the seafront’s fabric and attract businesses to help fund its future maintenance.”
Following the stunning success of their Platinum selling album Together and 29 sold out shows across the UK in 2016, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe return to the Brighton Centre on Saturday, December 2, 2017 as part of their Together Again tour.
Summer 2017 will see them performing outdoors at some of the UK’s most beautiful stately homes and castles, with six dates announced for June. In winter, they’ll come back inside to play ten arena dates in November and December including the Brighton Centre.
Michael and Alfie became lifelong friends after performing together in Kismet at the London Coliseum, 10 years ago.
That same year, Michael Ball made history as the first musical theatre star to be given a solo concert at the Royal Albert Hall’s BBC Proms, and asked Alfie Boe to join him to perform at the classical music festival.
This instant personal connection and professional mutual admiration makes for the perfect pairing and, has been finally realised with the spectacular success of their Decca-released album, Together which went Platinum in just 6 weeks and is on track to become the biggest selling domestic release of 2016!
Michael and Alfie say, “There are simply no words for how incredible this is for us. We have always wanted to work together, it was just a case of getting the timing right. We are so grateful to all our fans who have supported us and everyone involved for believing in us. We are literally having the best time and are so happy with the success of the album and the tour.”
Tickets go on-sale from 10am on Friday, December 16.
Event: Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Together Again
Where: Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton
When: Saturday, December 2, 2017
Cost: Tickets from £50
VIP Hospitality and Meet & Greet packages are also available to purchase via VIP NATION.
Following a hugely successful run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London, RUNNING WILD returns home to Chichester.
Photo: Johan Persson
Presented by The Children’s Touring Partnership, Michael Morpurgo’s novel, based on a true story and adapted for the stage by Samuel Adamson, is brought to life in this award-winning production, complete with spectacular life-size puppets.
Originated by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre at Cass Sculpture Foundation in 2015, where it won the UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People, this epic production tells an emotional and moving story of love, loss and loyalty and of living for the moment.
For Lilly, an Indonesian holiday with mum is a new start and the chance to ride an elephant called Oona. But then the tsunami hits and Oona charges deep into the jungle, her young rider desperately clinging on. At first there’s wonder, discovery and tree-top adventures with the orangutans but, as thoughts turn to mum left behind, tigers prowl, hunger hits, and Lilly must now learn to survive the rainforest. Then come the hunters…
Co-directed by Regent’s Park Artistic Director Timothy Sheader and CFT’s Education Director Dale Rooks, with incredible puppetry from former War Horse puppeteers Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié, this impressive and moving production will transform the Festival Theatre into the Indonesian jungle.
Michael Morpurgo, the former children’s laureate and author of War Horse, was inspired by the real-life story of Amber Owen, who was on holiday in Phuket with her mother and stepfather in 2004, when she went on an elephant ride.
While riding Ning Nong along the beach, the eight-year-old noticed the elephant was attempting to pull away from the receding sea water. “He ran away and, as the water came in, I was safely on his back. He saved my life.”
When he read Amber’s story in the newspaper, Michael Morpurgo said it was the one bit of hope amid the destruction of the Boxing Day tsunami which hit South East Asia. The production will work to support the Born Free Foundation’s global elephant conservation projects.
Running Wild has set and costume design by Paul Wills, puppetry design and direction by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié for Gyre & Gimble, original songs and composition by Rod Paton, additional music by Nick Powell and Louise Anna Duggan, sound score by Nick Powell, lighting design by James Whiteside, sound design by Nick Sagar and movement by Georgina Lamb. Casting director for the UK Tour is Polly Jerrold, with original casting for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre by Jessica Ronane CDG.
Brighton Dome new spring programme, features a wide range of events across music, dance, theatre, comedy and more.
On March 4 the Dome will celebrate International Women’s Day, joining forces with Brighton Women’s Centre and Brighton Museum to present a family-friendly day of inspiring speakers, comedy, workshops and arts and crafts.
Germaine Greer: March 4
As part of the day’s celebrations:
♦ Germaine Greer will be speaking about ecofeminism
♦ Comedian Bridget Christie will perform her stand-up show on Brexit
♦ Deborah Frances-White will perform a live recording of her hit comedy podcast The Guilty Feminist.
Yamato Drummers: March 30
A diverse spring contemporary music programme includes:
♦ The Brighton debut of Mexrrissey, the joyous brass and string led band from Mexico who reinvent the songs of Morrissey and The Smiths (January 26)
♦ Art-rockers Warpaint (March 29) returning with their third studio album
♦ A high-energy and visually spectacular performance from the internationally known Yamato Drummers (March 30)
♦ A screening of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Oscar-winning There Will Be Blood, with a live score performed by London Contemporary Orchestra , which has worked with the like of Radiohead and Frank Ocean, (February 6).
Chloë Hanslip: March 5
For classical music fans, the Brighton Philharmonic 2016-17 season continues , featuring soloists including 2015 Gramophone Young Artist of the Year, Joseph Moog (January 15) and virtuoso violinist Chloë Hanslip (March 5).
Eurohouse: March 19
Elsewhere, Spring theatre highlights include:
♦ 2016 Edinburgh Festival hit Eurohouse, a darkly comic look at the EU’s founding ideals (March 19)
♦ The Duke, another Edinburgh hit written by Shon Dale-Jones, the award-winning writer/performer behind Hugh Hughes (March 31 – April 1)
♦ Femi Martin’s one-woman show How to Die of a Broken Heart, which tells how heartbreak changed her body and her life forever (February 25).
Danza Contemporanea de Cuba: March 7-8
There’s also plenty on offer for lovers of dance, including:
♦ Counteracts, a double bill from Candoco Dance Company, the world’s leading contemporary dance company made up of disabled and non-disabled dancers (February 17)
♦ An electrifying new show from Danza Contemporanea de Cuba, Cuba’s flagship contemporary dance troupe, including choreography from Brighton’s Theo Clinkard (March 7-8)
♦ German Cornejo’s Tango Fire, an authentic Argentine production for Tango lovers ( February 22)
Jack Whitehall: January 29-30
Some top name comedians heading to Brighton Dome this spring include:
Jack Whitehall (January 29-30), David O’Doherty (February 10), Josie Long (February 11), Miles Jupp (February 3), Stewart Lee (February 23-26), and Rob Beckett (April 9).
And there’s more comedy mixed with pure emotion and jaw dropping acrobatics, as top UK circus company Barely Methodical Troupe bring their new show, KIN, to town (April 18-19).
Chester Tuffnut: February 16-19
Last but not least, there’s lots of entertainment lined up for children at the Dome early next year, including:
♦ Chester Tuffnut, the story of a tree mole told with puppets, original music and lots of imagination (February 16-19)
♦ WOW! Said the Owl, a show based on Tim Hopgood’s children’s book (March 18)
♦ Naomi’s Wild and Scary, a live show based on TV Presenter Naomi Wilkinson’s most exciting wildlife experiences (April 23).
For further information for all shows, click here:
Peter Kyle MP for Hove & Portslade blames Health Minister Jeremy Hunt for putting future of Sussex Beacon at risk.
Sussex Beacon
Brighton based HIV charity The Sussex Beacon face the prospect of closing services, including its ten bed inpatient unit, following a reduction in funding it receives from the NHS.
The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV through inpatient and outpatient services. It helps hundreds of people living with HIV in Sussex each year and was rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission in September.
Changes to local commissioning arrangements have led to a reduction in funding from some statutory funders. The Sussex Beacon has already lost funding with further cuts likely to follow in the near future.
The charity costs over £2 million a year to run and the Charity Trustees say they cannot continue to absorb these cuts.
While many people living with HIV are now able to live long and healthy lives, there are still many who need specialist services.
Last year The Sussex Beacon’s inpatient unit had 233 admissions and was full for the majority of the year. It provided over 2,000 bed nights, relieving pressure on both health and social care services in Sussex.
Lynette Lowndes
Lynette Lowndes, Chair of Trustees at The Sussex Beacon, said:“Despite fantastic community support and recently being rated ‘outstanding’ by the health regulator, The Sussex Beacon cannot survive the latest statutory funding budget cuts. The trustees have regretfully concluded that the charity is facing the very real risk of closing its services which, if it happens, is likely to occur next June. This is devastating for both our service users and our amazing team of staff and volunteers. Our primary focus will be on supporting themin the coming months and looking for ways to avoid closure of services.”
The charity’s management and trustees say they have made and will continue to make every effort to put the organisation in a stronger financial position, liaising with commissioners, making internal savings and increasing community profile.
Trustees are prepared to consider all options for the future including how the charity might be redesigned and will look at other ways The Sussex Beacon can work in the HIV sector, perhaps in partnership with other local organisations or as a grant giving body.
Local MPs Simon Kirby, Peter Kyle, Caroline Lucas and Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Councillor Warren Morgan jointly wrote a letter to the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt MP to ask him to intervene without any success.
Peter Kyle, MP
Peter Kyle, MP for Hove & Portslade, said:“It is a travesty that government have squeezed the Beacon’s finances to the point of insolvency. I have been working very closely with the Beacon’s superb senior team to head off this funding crisis, including writing to Jeremy Hunt with fellow MP’s and Leader of the Council, Cllr Warren Morgan. We spelled out in no uncertain terms that unless he stepped in, people living with HIV would lose an outstanding facility that our community relies heavily on.
“Reforms to HIV funding have led to a fractured and confused commissioning landscape in which everyone relies on the Beacon’s world-class services but no agency take overall responsibility to ensure it is sustainably funded. Make no mistake, this is a crisis of government’s making and the Beacon staff and management can hold their heads in pride that they are doing everything humanly possible to steer the organisation through these impossibly difficult times. Jeremy Hunt must take full responsibility for putting the Beacon, a jewel in the crown of our local health service, in such a perilous position.”
The Beacon’s most recent loss in funding was from a contract for one of the beds in the In Patient Unit funded by High Weald, Lewes & Havens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Eastbourne, Hailsham & Seaford CCG and Hastings and Rother CCG.
Stephen Nicholson, Lead Commissioner for HIV and Sexual Health Services at Brighton & Hove City Council, explained: “NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove greatly value the service The Sussex Beacon provides for our patients, and our CCGs continue to pay for patients who need it. We have adjusted our funding from a grant basis to paying the full cost for each individual patient cared for because, as public bodies, we have to ensure fundsare spent in the most effective way for all our population.”
Heather Leake Date
Heather Leake Date, Consultant Pharmacist and NHS England HIV Clinical Reference Group member, said: “The Sussex Beacon plays a vital role in the treatment and care of people living with HIV in Sussex. Its closure would have far-reaching implications, not just for its service users (many of whom have extremely complex health and social care needs) but also for other HIV care providers in the area. For example, in the absence of the Beacon, more acute hospital bed days would be required, which would put additional pressure on Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, and would increase the costs incurred by NHS England and the local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). It is therefore extremely disappointing that the decisions about decommissioning some of the Beacon’s services appear to have been made without involving other partners in the local health economy.”
Simon Dowe
Simon Dowe, Chief Executive of The Sussex Beacon, said:“From its beginnings in 1992 primarily as a hospice, The Sussex Beacon has adapted with the epidemic, now helping people with HIV to live long healthy lives with the condition. As Chief Executive, I’m very proud of the support we offer people and of the affection the charity is held in locally. If we are forced to close, I think it will be a real loss to our community and the decision heartbreaking for not only our staff, but also many of our service users and supporters.”
In June this year The Sussex Beacon won the Golden Handbag Award for Brighton’s favourite HIV charity voted by readers of Gscene magazine. They receive great support from local businesses including City Cabs, The Grand Brighton, SkyFall, The Brighton Academy, Mayo Wynne Baxter, Glencairn Consulting Ltd, Oliver & Graimes, E3, Sawyer & Co and Sundial Clinics. The Beacon is also one of Brighton & Hove Albion’s charity partners this year, is one of the Mayor’s chosen charities for 2016/17 and has received huge support from local fundraising and social networking group Bear-Patrol.
Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, said:“I am a great supporter of The Sussex Beacon and the fantastic work they do assisting people living with HIV.
“I will of course do my best to support them in the coming months and help them look for ways to avoid closure.”
Dr Gill Dean
Dr Gill Dean, a Trustee of the Martin Fisher Foundation, added:“The Martin Fisher Foundation was surprised and disappointed to hear of the possible closure of HIV services at the Sussex Beacon that was recently rated outstanding in a Care Quality Commission inspection.
“This is particularly concerning as Brighton & Hove has just been awarded UNAIDS Fast Track City status and has developed a local Towards Zero HIV strategy where services provided by the Sussex Beacon are an integral part of a citywide partnership to achieve associated goals.
“If Sussex Beacon is forced to close, there will be a considerable loss to essential services for vulnerable individuals living with HIV.
“At a time of great opportunity in the city, the services at the Sussex Beacon need to be adequately funded in order to sustain the quality of local HIV treatment and care across a network of providers.”
Brighton Half Marathon, the Sussex Beacon’s main fundraiser of the year is unaffected by the present announcement and will go ahead as scheduled on February 26, 2017.
A petition has been started on the campaigning website 38 degrees by Adam Betteridge who sings in the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus to urge Government to step in and fund the Sussex Beacon effectively to enable it to carry on providing services to people with HIV.
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