Gary Hart

Women firefighters – the added risks

Posted on 02/04/2019 by Gary Hart

More female firefighters are being hired but new research, co-led by the University of Brighton, suggests that fire services need to ensure appropriate consideration is given to female specific needs.

MORE than 800 women firefighters from 14 different countries, 255 in the UK, told researchers via an online survey that they face injury, illness and heat illness risk at similar rates to that of male firefighters. The report said specific issues such as protective equipment, clothing, health issues and long-term training need further consideration and improvement.

The study coincides with national news reports claiming women firefighters in the UK were being put in danger by having to wear suits designed for men.

The study recommended all countries should make female-specific personal protective equipment (PPE) available to staff, and they should include women firefighters in the consultation phase of PPE procurement.

“There is also a need for female-specific strength and conditioning support to support career longevity. Services should consider their facilities, support, and education of women firefighters in regard to menstrual cycle phases and menopause.

“Finally, there is concern from women firefighters about the risk of cancer and fertility, which clearly needs greater research.”

The research, Women Firefighters’ Health and Well-Being: An International Survey, is published by Elsevier:

To read the full report, click here:

The study found the availability of female-specific PPE was, in fact, greatest in the UK (66%) compared with other groups (42%). But it concluded: “There is a need for female-specific strength and conditioning support and facilities to decrease injury and illness risk and improve longevity. Research and education into gynecological issues, heat exposure, and their effects on women firefighters’ fertility and cancer risk is required.”

Dr Alan Richardson, Principal Lecturer in Exercise & Environment Physiology in the University of Brighton’s Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, based at the Eastbourne campus, collaborated with experts from The Netherlands, USA, and Australia for the research.

Dr Richardson said: “This study aimed to identify specific health and well-being issues that women firefighters may experience as part of their daily working practices.

“Despite a growing body of research for male health in fire services, currently there is limited work on the specific health needs of women.

“Issues identified from this under-represented population can drive future research, education, and strategy to guide safety and health practices.”

For more about Dr Richardson, click here:

Conservative candidate for local elections steps down

Posted on 01/04/2019 by Gary Hart

Conservative candidate standing for election to Brighton & Hove City Council on May 2, resigns after a series of offensive jokes come to light on a FACEBOOK social media forum.

CONSERVATIVE Party member Ivan Lyons, the managing director of a financial services company made jokes targeting people who were Muslim, disabled and overweight.

Brighton and Hove Conservatives chairman, Mike Long, said: “Before being selected as a Conservative candidate, Ivan, in a private social media forum amongst friends, shared jokes which are now in the public domain. Brighton & Hove Conservatives agree that many of the jokes are of an offensive nature and we unconditionally condemn the material that has been published.

“The Conservative Party, both nationally and locally, does not tolerate discriminatory behaviour against any group. We do not tolerate either anti-Semitism or Islamophobia.

“Whilst we do not condone Ivan’s behaviour, we do note that he has himself been the victim of social media hate campaigns and condemn all offensive and hate-filled dialogue from whichever quarter it originates.”

“We will continue to campaign in a fair and open way on the important issues which face our city and ask that those who disagree with us do so too.

Mr Lyons has apologised “profusely” for any offence caused.

Brighton and Hove Conservatives have now announced that Councillor Denise Cobb will stand for re-election for the Westbourne ward. Cllr Cobb a former Mayor of Brighton & Hove has a long record of service to the residents of Westbourne Ward, and the City of Brighton and Hove.

Cllr Cobb said: “Following Ivan Lyons resignation I have thought hard about this. It is important to me that the Westbourne residents are well represented at Brighton and Hove City Council.

“My experience stands me in good stead to continue to work hard for them.”

She will campaign alongside Conservative candidate Charlie Nicholls.

Cllr Cobb said: “I am really looking forward to campaigning with Charlie Nicholls. We will work together in the best interests of Westbourne.”

Charlie Nicholls said: “I am really pleased Denise will be joining me in our campaign in Westbourne.

“Denise knows how to get things done and together we will be a formidable team.”

#VoiceOfTrans – ‘Alexa, open the voice of trans’

Posted on 31/03/201930/03/2019 by Gary Hart

**Voice of Trans, launches today (March 31), International Transgender Day of Visibility to initiate a much-needed conversation on transgender issues.**

THIS year’s International Transgender Day of Visibility, will see users of Amazon Alexa-enabled device in the UK able to activate a skill to hear the story of a trans man.

#VoiceOfTrans is launching to make trans issues a national talking point and apply pressure on the United Nations (UN) via a petition that listeners will be signposted to on change.org. The activation is led by Brand Advance & Global Butterflies.

There are 25 million transgender people in the world and their voices have long been ignored at best and, at worst, silenced. From Kuwait and Oman threatening transgender people with prison, to the recent arrest of 19-year-old trans woman Malak al-Kashef in Egypt, this issue transcends borders, can no longer be ignored and a global approach is required.

In the UK alone, one in eight trans employees (12 per cent) have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the last year and half of trans people (51 per cent) have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination.

This project has been inspired by a desire to give this marginalised and often abused group of people a platform, allow them to tell their story and to have their voice listened to. The option will be available in the UK and will be activated by asking “Alexa, open the voice of trans”.

The voice will go on to thank the listener for wanting to listen to him and will proceed to tell his story, compiled from a series of real-life stories and case studies experienced by members of the transgender communities around the world.

He will take the listener through the journey of his life with the listener being able to decide which sections they hear first, from his time as a child and hating girly clothes, to the difficulties he faced at school. He will also address the time he attempted to take his life and his transition. However, life has improved for him since his operation and he describes going on dates after his transition and his recent marriage to his girlfriend Aliyah.

Crucially, the voice will then invite the listener to visit a change.org petition applying pressure to advance trans rights on the UN’s human rights agenda in order to effect change on a global scale for the trans community.

The activation will run from the March 28 – 31 and, as well as running on Alexa-enabled devices, will be promoted across global LGBTQ+ Media alongside social, digital, radio and out of home platforms across London.

Christopher Kenna, CEO of Brand Advance, said: “This campaign epitomises how voice technology can be used to transform perception and create action – impacting on the futures of 25 million people globally.

“Brand Advance exists to transform Diversity representation across the globe with authenticity, fair and transparent media representation, and exposure to global markets with global leaders. The #VoiceofTrans is an incredible campaign and we could not be more proud to lead the charge for change.”

Emma Cusdin from Global Butterflies, said: “We are delighted to support this global campaign providing a platform to tell stories from across the gender identity and gender expression spectrums using the technology of Alexa. By hearing stories, by having conversations and by signing the petition we can start to improve the daily lives of trans people worldwide. We hope that people who interact with this campaign will understand that gender is not binary but a broad spectrum and that trans people use wonderful ways to describe their gender which should be celebrated.”

To sign the petition, click here:

Purdah must not be used to stifle debate and avoid controversial discussions, say Greens

Posted on 28/03/201930/03/2019 by Gary Hart

Greens raise concerns as proposals to consider evictions, homelessness and climate emergency pulled at last minute.

GREEN Councillors have raised concerns over the use of pre-election guidance known as ‘purdah’ after key proposals around homelessness and climate change were pulled from the agenda of a planned council meeting today.

Usual procedure grants political groups the opportunity to put forward two proposals each – known as ‘notices of motion’ – for debate at a meeting of the Full Council. However, the decision to pull all notices of motion from the upcoming agenda means that planned items on housing, ending ‘no fault’ evictions and supporting student demands for climate action will no longer be considered by Councillors.

Greens say that plans to push ahead with the council meeting despite removing Councillor proposals is an affront to democracy and have expressed concern over the lack of remaining opportunity for the public to hear important debate.

The notices of motion scheduled for March 28 would have been the last proposals to be considered under the current Labour Council leadership.

Convenor of the Green Group, Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “We were only told that political proposals wouldn’t be allowed when we had already gone through the usual process of submitting notices of motion. Despite having the date of this meeting in the diary for months, Labour took their eye off the ball and this means key debates have now been pulled from this council meeting – the last under the current Labour leadership.

“Greens had put forward for debate issues we know concern our communities: proposing motions on ending no-fault evictions, boosting support for our homelessness organisations, backing the demands of students wishing to bring an end to runaway climate chaos. We share the disappointment of our residents who were awaiting and anticipating debate on these issues.

“Sadly we also find ourselves concerned about the timing of this move. Unfortunately, this Labour Council has form when it comes to resisting scrutiny – they have sought to minimise the number of questions allowed at committee meetings, to restrict the nature of public involvement and their previous leader Cllr Warren Morgan frequently hinted at the need for a ‘behind closed doors’ cabinet system of council decision making. Despite not being allowed for debate, Greens will continue to champion the issues of climate change and homelessness, critical issues for our city.”

Responding, a Labour Group spokesperson said: “Clearly there is an election coming! This was not a decision by the Labour council administration – it was a decision by the Mayor not to take Notices of Motion due to the council being in purdah. Cllr MacCafferty is completely aware that this is the case, and Notices of Motion were not taken from any of the political parties as a result.”

MPs vote compulsory relationships and sex education into law

Posted on 28/03/201928/03/2019 by Gary Hart

Historic day as MPs vote in favour of new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) regulations for England meaning they will be compulsory from 2020.

YESTERDAY (March 27) MPs voted 538 to 21 in favour of the Government’s new regulations for RSE, which means it will pending approval by the Lords, finally be compulsory in all schools in England from September 2020.

Alex Phillips, RSE lead at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: ‘This is a historic day for both Relationships and Sex Education and for all young people across England. We now know that from September 2020 that RSE will finally be compulsory in all schools in England and that no more young people will be let down when it comes to learning about sex and relationships.

“However the fight isn’t over and we will continue to apply strong pressure to ensure that all lessons are fit for purpose. That includes being truly LGBT-inclusive, that HIV and sexual health are a core part of the curriculum and that schools are properly funded so that they can skill up their teachers and provide top-quality resources.”

Mo Wiltshire, Director of Education and Youth at Stonewall the LGBT equality charity, said: “We’re delighted the Commons have approved the regulations for teaching Relationships Education and Relationships and Sex Education in England’s primary and secondary schools.

“Pending approval by the Lords, from September 2020 all secondary schools will be required to teach pupils about sexual orientation and gender identity, and all primary schools will be required to teach about different families, which can include LGBT families.

“Currently, two in five LGBT pupils are taught nothing about LGBT issues in school. While progress has been made, nearly half of LGBT pupils are still bullied for being themselves.

“These new subjects have the potential to deliver real change in how LGBT families, people and relationships are taught about. This will help foster greater inclusion, acceptance and understanding in our classrooms, playgrounds and school corridors.

“All students, whether they are LGBT or not, should have the time and space to learn about the diversity that exists and makes our world beautiful.

“It’s now essential the Government sufficiently invests in training and resources to support teachers to consistently deliver high-quality LGBT-inclusive teaching.

“We look forward to working with Government and our network of School Champions and Children and Young People’s Services Champions to help them deliver these subjects, and building on this best practice, we’ll work to ensure that the guidance for teaching these subjects is further strengthened when it is next reviewed in 2022.”

Proposals for new affordable homes in Whitehawk halted

Posted on 19/03/2019 by Gary Hart

Proposals from the Homes for Brighton & Hove partnership to develop more than 200 new affordable homes on a site in the north of Whitehawk are to be stopped.

THE decision taken at a Homes for Brighton & Hove board meeting on Monday, March 18 follows a report identifying that the development of affordable housing would not be financially viable due to a number of access and technical difficulties on the site.

Homes for Brighton & Hove a partnership between Brighton & Hove City Council and the Hyde Group, aims to build 1,000 new much-needed affordable homes for rent and sale in the city for lower-income, local working households.

The Homes for Brighton & Hove board is made up of three councillors from the main parties on the council’s Housing & New Homes Committee and three representatives from Hyde.

The Whitehawk site had been identified for housing development in the Draft City Plan Part Two, following the requirement to look for sites for 1,000 new homes on the city’s urban fringe to help meet the urgent need for housing established in the City Plan Part One.

Feedback from the public consultation and some local opposition expressing concerns about the environmental impact of the proposals were noted by the partners.

Landscape and ecology studies have shown that, with certain ecological mitigations in place, housing could be developed on the site without significant adverse impacts on the Local Nature Reserve.

Plans for the first two Homes for Brighton & Hove proposed developments in Portslade and Coldean are progressing, while further sites are being investigated.

Anti-trans protesters target trans lingerie brand fashion show

Posted on 18/03/2019 by Gary Hart

Worlds first transgender lingerie brand’s fashion show a success – despite anti-trans protestors.

THE world’s first transgender lingerie brand, Carmen Liu Lingerie’s GI Collection, launched at a glittering event at Glaziers Hall on London’s Southbank last month with a fashion runway featuring transgender models plus live hair and make-up demonstrations from world-class professionals.

The GI Collection includes a unique series of products and services, aimed to help transgender women feel both genuinely feminine and sexy. The brand comes as “a stark contrast to the limited choice of ghastly and masculine products currently on the market, which can prevent transgender women feeling like the women that they are.”

Whilst the launch was a success, not everyone was ready to embrace the brand with several anti-transgender protesters causing a stir outside the event by singing transphobic songs, wearing offensive clothing and waving around anti-trans derogatory posters.

A spokesperson for the event, said: “The very purpose of the collection is to help transgender women feel genuinely feminine and sexy and help cisgender people to “get it” – “it” being that transgender people are equal to everyone else and should be treated as such.

“Clearly, these transphobic actions –which did nothing to dim the success of the launch event – show that we still have a long way to go in society to reach this point. But there is no doubt we will get there.”

For more information on the collection, click here:

Photos: Stuart Wilson – Getty Images

Council updates residents’ parking schemes

Posted on 15/03/201915/03/2019 by Gary Hart

The results of recent residents’ parking consultations will be discussed by Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee next week (March 19).

OVER the last few months the council has been talking to residents and businesses in the Elm Grove, Hanover and St Luke’s areas about how their parking schemes are working and whether they would like to change the hours and/or days of operation.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee, said: “This consultation and review gave residents the opportunity to tell us about whether they were satisfied with the schemes and any issues, and whether they would like more or reduced enforced hours and/or days.

“As a result we are putting forward some changes which will be decided at the next committee on March 19.”

In the St Luke’s area (Zone U) residents were asked if they wished to change the operating hours of their parking scheme.

The St Luke’s Area residents’ parking scheme currently operates between 10-11am and 2-3pm seven days a week. Because it is only enforceable for a couple of hours a day it is known as a ‘light touch’ scheme.

Just over 70% of those who responded supported joining the neighbouring Queens Park zone (Zone C) which currently operates 9am to 8pm seven days a week.

Councillors will decide whether to change Zone U into Zone C. If agreed, the change would come into effect on June 1, 2019.

At the end of last year the two parking zones in Hanover & Elm Grove (Zone S and V) were reviewed.

In the Zone S ‘light touch’ scheme, which operates Monday to Friday 11am-midday and 6-7pm, a quarter of residents in the area responded to the consultation, with just over 60% in support of keeping the scheme hours as they are.

Some residents in a small number of streets known as the ‘top triangle’ supported further consultation to find out whether they would like to join the Zone V scheme.

The top triangle area includes:
♦ Arnold Street
♦ Baxter Street
♦ Carlyle Street
♦ Cromwell Street
♦ Lynton Street
♦ Part of Queens Park Road

Some residents commented about speeding on one-way streets, and there will be an opportunity to outline these issues in more detail if detailed consultation is given the go ahead.

Another problem raised was about pavement parking on Elm Grove. Along with other councils BHCC are lobbying the Government for pavement parking powers similar to those in London.

If the decision is to join the St Luke’s parking scheme (Zone U) with the Queen’s Park area (Zone C), Freshfield Street and Queens Park Rise, currently in the ‘light touch’ Zone S will be surrounded by roads with parking enforcement 9am to 8pm, so there is a further proposal to ask residents in those two roads whether they wish to join the Queen Park Scheme (Zone C) or remain in Zone S.

The Zone V residents’ parking scheme operates seven days a week from 9am to 8pm and 80% of those who responded supported keeping the hours as they are and 70% said they were satisfied with the scheme.

The Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee is at Hove Town Hall from 4pm on Tuesday, March 19 and is open to the public.

To read the Parking Schemes Update Report online click here:

First long-acting HIV treatment injections pass trial

Posted on 11/03/201911/03/2019 by Gary Hart

Injections, that could one day be an alternative to daily pills for people living with HIV, have been shown to be effective in maintaining viral suppression, bringing them one step closer to market.

RESULTS from ATLAS and FLAIR studies were presented last week at the 2019 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI).

Kat Smithson, Director of Policy and Campaigns, NAT (National AIDS Trust) said: “Constantly improving treatments for HIV have revolutionised the lives of people living with this condition. The potential for HIV to be successfully treated with an injection repeated every month, rather than pills taken every day, could be life-enhancing for many people. It will help with adherence to medication and allow people with HIV to get on with their lives.”

“Although we are some way off this treatment being available to patients, we are excited about the potential for this to improve life for people living with HIV.”

Thousands take part in The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2019

Posted on 24/02/201927/02/2019 by Gary Hart

Close to 8,000 runners turned out to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday, February 24, enjoying beautiful sunny weather to run 13.1 miles around the city under crystal-clear blue skies.

THE klaxon sounded at 9:30am, to start the runners on their journey around the city’s sights, which included the seafront cliff tops of east Brighton, The Royal Pavilion, The Grand Brighton hotel, the British Airways i360, the colourful beach huts of Hove seafront and the iconic Brighton Palace Pier.

Now in its 29th year, the race was once again sponsored by The Grand Brighton.

Thousands of spectators lined the route to cheer on the runners, and crowds were entertained with music from The Sundaes, playing live from The Grand’s second floor balcony.

In the main race, the field featured hundreds of runners new to the half marathon distance, plus experienced half marathoners and runners training for a full Spring marathon.

The men’s elite race featured a podium of Pauls –

Paul Navesey took first place in the elite race, setting a new course record in a time of 64 minutes and 56 seconds; followed by last year’s winner and Irish Olympian Paul Pollock, in 66 minutes and 35 seconds; third place went to four times race winner Paul Martelletti in 67 minutes and 6 seconds.

The women’s race was incredibly tight, with Fiona de Mauny storming home in 80 minutes and 26 seconds, narrowly beating Emily Proto, who finished in 80 minutes and 46 seconds. Third place went to Rose Penfold, in a time of 81 minutes and 20 seconds.

The Sussex Beacon Wheelchair Race also returned this year, with six entrants from around the UK racing. Paralympian Tiaan Bosch smashed the course record with a time of 53 minutes and 27 seconds. Jazz Turner, was the first female finisher, in 1 hour, 50 mins and 21 seconds.

The Youth Race found a new home this year on Hove Lawns, and was started by Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion. Over 300 children between the ages of 7-17 completed the one-mile course.

Alongside the elite field, thousands of charity runners took to the streets of the city, raising vital funds for over 35 charities, including local charities The Sussex Beacon, RISE and Chestnut Tree House, and national charities including Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan.

Race director Martin Harrigan said: “What an incredible race we had today – stunning weather and two amazing new course records set by Paul Navesey in the men’s race and Tiaan Bosch in the wheelchair race. But, the biggest shout out must go to all the amazing runners, families, spectators and volunteers who turn up every year and make The Grand Brighton Half Marathon such an incredible event! We couldn’t be more grateful to you all.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you to our headline sponsor, The Grand Brighton hotel and all of the other sponsors and charities who support this fantastic event.”

Andrew Mosley, general manager at The Grand Brighton added: “We are delighted to have been headline sponsors of The Grand Brighton Half Marathon for the second year running. It is a fantastic event, and together with The Sussex Beacon and all of the other race partners, we are dedicated to developing the race. We are already looking forward to next year! It’s always a joy to see our beloved Brighton community come together and raise funds that make a real difference to such a lot of people. Well done to all that took part.”

The race is organised by The Sussex Beacon, a Brighton-based charity which provides a range of services for men, women and families living with or affected by HIV across Sussex.

For more information about Sussex Beacon, click here:

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Author: Gary Hart

Women firefighters – the added risks

More female firefighters are being hired but new research, co-led by the University of Brighton, suggests that fire services need to ensure appropriate consideration is given to female specific needs.

Conservative candidate for local elections steps down

Conservative candidate standing for election to Brighton & Hove City Council on May 2, resigns after a series of offensive jokes come to light on a FACEBOOK social media forum.

#VoiceOfTrans – ‘Alexa, open the voice of trans’

**Voice of Trans, launches today (March 31), International Transgender Day of Visibility to initiate a much-needed conversation on transgender issues.**

Purdah must not be used to stifle debate and avoid controversial discussions, say Greens

Greens raise concerns as proposals to consider evictions, homelessness and climate emergency pulled at last minute.

MPs vote compulsory relationships and sex education into law

Historic day as MPs vote in favour of new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) regulations for England meaning they will be compulsory from 2020.

Proposals for new affordable homes in Whitehawk halted

Proposals from the Homes for Brighton & Hove partnership to develop more than 200 new affordable homes on a site in the north of Whitehawk are to be stopped.

Anti-trans protesters target trans lingerie brand fashion show

Worlds first transgender lingerie brand’s fashion show a success – despite anti-trans protestors.

Council updates residents’ parking schemes

The results of recent residents’ parking consultations will be discussed by Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee next week (March 19).

First long-acting HIV treatment injections pass trial

Injections, that could one day be an alternative to daily pills for people living with HIV, have been shown to be effective in maintaining viral suppression, bringing them one step closer to market.

Thousands take part in The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2019

Close to 8,000 runners turned out to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday, February 24, enjoying beautiful sunny weather to run 13.1 miles around the city under crystal-clear blue skies.

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More female firefighters are being hired but new research, co-led by the University of Brighton, suggests that fire services need to ensure appropriate consideration is given to female specific needs.

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Conservative candidate standing for election to Brighton & Hove City Council on May 2, resigns after a series of offensive jokes come to light on a FACEBOOK social media forum.

Share this:

Voice of Trans, launches today (March 31), International Transgender Day of Visibility to initiate a much-needed conversation on transgender issues.

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Greens raise concerns as proposals to consider evictions, homelessness and climate emergency pulled at last minute.

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Historic day as MPs vote in favour of new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) regulations for England meaning they will be compulsory from 2020.

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Proposals from the Homes for Brighton & Hove partnership to develop more than 200 new affordable homes on a site in the north of Whitehawk are to be stopped.

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Worlds first transgender lingerie brand’s fashion show a success – despite anti-trans protestors.

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The results of recent residents’ parking consultations will be discussed by Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee next week (March 19).

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Injections, that could one day be an alternative to daily pills for people living with HIV, have been shown to be effective in maintaining viral suppression, bringing them one step closer to market.

Share this:

Close to 8,000 runners turned out to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday, February 24, enjoying beautiful sunny weather to run 13.1 miles around the city under crystal-clear blue skies.

Share this:

Latest News

**Voice of Trans, launches today (March 31), International Transgender Day of Visibility to initiate a much-needed conversation on transgender issues.**