Gary Hart

Sussex Beacon to rebrand

Posted on 21/08/201526/08/2015 by Gary Hart

The Sussex Beacon refreshes its look – vote for your favourite design!

Brighton based HIV charity, The Sussex Beacon, are asking supporters to help them decide on their new look.

The charity has joined forces with design agency Oliver & Graimes to help bring The Sussex Beacon’s image up to date. Oliver & Graimes have offered to refresh The Sussex Beacon’s brand for free and hope to help the Beacon show that people living with HIV have changing needs and that The Sussex Beacon’s services have adapted to reflect these needs.

Since The Sussex Beacon centre opened in 1992, the services that the charity offers has changed considerably. The centre opened in 1992 when UK AIDs related deaths were rising steadily and the charities services were focused around end of life care.

Now, due to significant advances in drug treatments, the charity offers a range of services to help support people affected by HIV to lead independent and healthy lives.

Jason Warriner, Lead Nurse at The Sussex Beacon, says; “People living with HIV have very different needs now than they did when we first opened our centre. Because of this the services we offer now are very different to the ones we ran when we first opened. We hope that our new look helps to reflect that we are changing and adapting to meet the needs of people living with HIV”.

The Sussex Beacon’s look has been through tweaks and changes in the past. This next update will be the next stage in the journey and will help the charity to reach new service users and supporters, as well as being an exciting time for existing ones.

Simon Dowe, CEO at The Sussex Beacon, says; “We want our current supporters, service users and volunteers to help us decide on our new look. Oliver and Graimes have developed two options and we think that the final decision should be down to the people that have helped us make The Sussex Beacon what it is today. The brand refresh is a considerable gift and we are incredibly grateful to Oliver & Graimes for supporting us in this way.”

To vote for your favourite logo, click here:

Voting closes at midday on Friday, September 4.

The winning design will be announced at The Sussex Beacon’s Annual General Meeting at 6:30pm to 8pm on Wednesday, September 30 at The Sussex Beacon. It will also be announced on the charities website and social media.

American Embassy in Moscow defies Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws

Posted on 21/08/2015 by Gary Hart

In what appears as a direct challenge to Russia’s anti-gay laws, a film festival sponsored by the American Embassy in Moscow has added gay-themed movie I am Michael to its lineup of screenings.

The drama, starring Zachary Quinto and James Franco as a gay couple, has been announced as a late addition to the lineup of the Amfest Festival, which runs from September 16-27 in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The American Embassy in Russia is a main sponsor of the festival, which highlights new American independent cinema.

In light of the Russia’s anti-gay laws, which make illegal the promotion to minors of a gay lifestyle and other so-called gay propaganda, the decision to screen I Am Michael appears more of a political, rather than artistic decision by the organisers and backers of Amfest.

The film, tells the true story of a gay activist (Franco), who, after a health scare, “is saved” from his homosexuality and becomes a Christian pastor with a girlfriend.

I Am Michael debuted in Sundance this year and was also screened in Berlin.

While Russia’s anti-gay “propaganda” law does not explicitly ban films with gay content, nor criminalise homosexuality, but any positive depiction of a homosexual lifestyle to those under 18 is now a crime in the country.

Since the Anti-Gay legislation was adopted, LGBT-themed films have been screened at Russian festivals, but screenings have often been disrupted by anti-gay protestors.

British period comedy Pride, which follows a gay rights group in Britain supporting the striking miners in 1984, is currently playing in Russia, the first gay-themed film to hit the country’s movie theaters in two years.

Petition supports call for neighbourhood policing to continue

Posted on 21/08/2015 by Gary Hart

A petition calling on Brighton & Hove Council to continue supporting Neighbourhood Policing and continue their support of the work of Local Action Teams (LATS) has been organised by community activist Steve Parry.

Among other things, the role of LATS is to hold the police to account and determine local community priorities. Over the last few years the effectiveness of some LATS has been weakened through local councillors serving as officials on locals LAT committees.

The petition requires 1,250 local citizens to add their signatures for the issue to be discussed at full Council on October 22.

The petition reads:
We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to express support for ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ and to oppose decisions by the Police and Crime Commissioner, together with senior officers of Sussex Police, to reduce the number of police officers delivering local policing. Brighton & Hove City Council is also requested to confirm its policy on, and commitment to, Local Action Teams (LATs) as initially agreed by Cabinet on May 21, 2009.

To sign the petition, click here:

There will be 700 fewer police officers delivering local policing over the next 5 years, and a further 300 posts elsewhere in the force will go.

In particular, Sussex will lose more Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). 58 (out of 347) have already left and there are another 69 to go.

More and more the police often don’t have the time to attend Local Action Team meetings and accountability to local communities is being lost.

Mr Parry said: “A significant change in policy is being implemented without consultation and against the clear wishes and needs of local citizens.”

The Petition will be presented to the council on October 22.

Benefits Advice Workshops for people with HIV at Lunch Positive

Posted on 21/08/2015 by Gary Hart

Lunch Positive will host two workshops during September at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church run by Tim Procter, the Welfare Rights Advisor at THT.

There have been key changes to the main benefits for sick and disabled claimants.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has a difficult Personal Capability Assessment requiring claimants to fill an ESA50 form which may be followed by a medical examination.

These assessments need to be repeated for most claimants annually. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced with Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Tim Proctor: Welfare Rights Advisor at THT

All DLA claimants will be required to undergo a new assessment to transfer from DLA to PIP from 2015.

If you are experiencing health problems and want to find out how to qualify for PIP this workshop will tell you. Both PIP and ESA have hidden tests with a point scoring system. Learning about the underlying tests and point scoring can help claimants approach the assessment with more confidence and help them decide what issues they need to raise.

Employment Support Allowance (ESA): Friday, September 11 2pm – 4.30pm

Personal Independence Payments (PIP): Friday, September 25 2pm – 4.30pm

To book a place on any of the workshops, email: info@lunchpositive.org

For more information about Lunch Positive, click here:

Have you considered getting a Marryoke (Marry-oh-key) made at your wedding?

Posted on 20/08/201520/08/2015 by Gary Hart

What’s a Marryoke I hear you ask?

A Marryoke is a music video unobtrusively shot throughout your big day, to tell the story of your wedding in a unique and fun way! Not only does it entertain your guests on the day, it will entertain them long afterwards too, as they watch the finished video over and over!

Don’t panic – there is no need for you and your guests to actually sing (unless you insist!) – miming is just fine – as the finished video will have the original artists recording as the soundtrack. Phew! ‘I Do’ Marryoke also provide green screen fun for your evening guests as standard (see website for details).

‘I Do’ Marryoke is a new local business that is keen to promote equality. Even though this is a new service, ‘I Do’ have many years experience making bono fide pop music videos, for the likes of Boy George and Culture Club, but as yet they have not made a Marryoke at a same sex wedding.

Can you help them change that? The first Gscene reader to pay a deposit for an ‘I Do’ Marryoke at a same sex wedding taking place anytime from now until the end of August 2016, will receive a massive 50% off! Just quote Gscene and the date and location of your wedding when you make contact.

For more information and to watch some sample ‘I Do’ Marryoke’s, click here:

You have to see them to fully appreciate what a brilliant idea they are!

Lesbian Speed Dating charity fundraiser

Posted on 19/08/201519/08/2015 by Gary Hart

A charity event is being staged at Brighton Rocks to raise money for Victim Support, an organisation which offers practical and emotional help to victims of crime.

As crime within and towards the LGBT community often goes unreported, this event aims to raise awareness of the support available to victims of crime as well as raising funds for the work of the charity.

The evening will be a fun, friendly and sociable environment where attendees will date new women for five minutes each time.

The event will be welcoming and inclusive and attendees are very welcome to attend alone or with friends.

With prizes donated from some local LGBT-friendly Brighton and Hove businesses (Marrocco’s Italian, Metrodeco tea room, Powder Beauty Boutique, The Old Bank Restaurant, Velvet Jacks, Velvet Tattoo,)

A prize draw will take place towards the end of the evening with prizes donated from some local LGBT-friendly Brighton and Hove businesses including Marrocco’s Italian, Metrodeco tea room, Powder Beauty Boutique, The Old Bank Restaurant, Velvet Jacks and Velvet Tattoo.

Event: Lesbian Speed Dating charity fundraiser

Where: Brighton Rocks, 6 Rock Place, Brighton BN2 1PF

When: Wednesday August 26

Time: 7.30pm – 10.30pm

Tickets: £8 (£1.30 booking fee)

To book tickets online, click here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speeddatingeventsbrighton

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EventsLgbt

Business volunteers help Brighton Deaf School

Posted on 17/08/2015 by Gary Hart

Local specialist school for deaf children, Hamilton Lodge, receive a helping hand from a team of volunteers from Allianz Insurance who spent a day helping them decorate.

Hamilton Lodge School and College for Deaf Students is a non maintained special school for the Deaf providing both residential and non-residential places. They take pupils from over 20 local authority areas around the country. They teach and care for deaf pupils aged 4 -19 years.

Ashley Moon from Allianz Insurance, said; “We enjoyed helping last summer and were keen to get involved again. We aren’t professional decorators but we are able and willing to help with paint brush.”

Simon Burgess, Business Manager at Hamilton Lodge, added: “The support we receive from businesses and the local community helps us to focus our resources on the needs and wishes of our residential pupils. Ensuring their childhoods are full of positive memories and helping them to become confident adults.”

To volunteer or to fundraise for Hamilton Lodge, email: emma.daniel@hamiltonlsc.co.uk

Or telephone: 01273 682 362

For more information, click here:

Charity bicycle initiative ticks all the boxes

Posted on 16/08/201516/08/2015 by Gary Hart

A new recycling project instigated by Martlets Hospice and Brighton Station reaps great rewards.

A perennial problem at Brighton Station has been bicycles abandoned in the station’s bicycle racks which previously had to be stored and then disposed of.

A charity partnership between the Station and the Hospice has solved this problem as abandoned bicycles, which are not reclaimed after 3 months, are now donated to the Hospice for a brand new fundraising project.

The Hospice have teamed up with RYC, Recycle Your Cycle, on an innovative new scheme whereby old bicycles are repaired and restored by local prison inmates. The reconditioned bicycles are then sold in the Martlets furniture warehouse and charity shops to raise income for their patient care.

Eve Collins, Head of Retail at Martlets Hospice, said; “This is a fantastic fundraising scheme for the Hospice. We simply collect the bicycles from Brighton Station, drop them off at RYC and local prison inmates do an excellent job of repairing and servicing them and getting them back to their former glory. The bicycles sell like hot cakes in our warehouse and shops and the last lot of bikes we picked up raised almost £700 for our patient care.”

The initiative has been a winner all round as not only does it raise funds for Martlets Hospice and solves the problem of bike storage at Brighton Station, it also gives the local prison population the opportunity to learn skills and is fantastic for the environment as the bikes are repaired and recycled rather than ending up in the scrap metal yard.

Beth Holbrook Manager of Brighton Station, added; “We are delighted to be involved in this project which has solved our storage problem and is raising money for the Martlets, one of our chosen charities. I understand the bikes sell quickly and customers are delighted to get reasonably priced bicycles. The charity partnership with Martlets has been excellent and we have raised almost £20,000 for them in the last 2 years. We know how important their vital care is in the local Brighton & Hove community and are proud to be able to continue to help them raise the money they need via this project.”

Mark Abrahams CEO of Recycle Your Cycle, concluded saying; “With this scheme, prison inmates are offered the ability to gain a valuable skill to help with their rehabilitation and future employment prospects, moreover it also enables local people to gain the social and health benefits of cycling by offering them refurbished bicycles at a competitive price.”

Pictured are Martlets retail staff with some of the latest batch of bicycles to be restored. There is a good range of bikes for adults and children and they are for sale in the Martlets Hospice Warehouse off Old Shoreham Road.

Brighton restaurants in running for top curry awards

Posted on 15/08/2015 by Gary Hart

Three Brighton & Hove restaurants long listed in the Best South Asian (South Coast) Curry Awards. Finalists to be announced at House of Commons lunch in October.

Chilli Pickle, Indian Summer and Curry Leaf will join other finalists in the 5th Asian Curry Awards, at a special networking lunch in the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons on Monday, October 12, where restaurateurs will have the chance to meet their local MPs and discuss challenging issues facing the curry restaurant and takeaway industry with fellow business owners. Over 50 MPs have already confirmed their attendance.

Curry lovers still have time to vote for their favourite Indian, Bangladeshi Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Malaysian restaurants and chefs.

To vote online (voting closes September 30), click here:

Vote online via www.asiancurryawards.com/nomination

Or email the name and location of the restaurant to vote@asiancurryawards.com

The Parliamentary lunch follows a live cook off competition and chefs workshop being held in the Pillars Kitchen at the University of West London in Ealing on October 5. The cook off will determine the winners of the Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year and the Young Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year (under 30) categories.

In London, the early front runners in public voting are Benares, Café Spice Namaste, Chutney Mary, Cinnamon Club, Masala Zone, Quilion Gymkana and Veeraswamy.

Around the country, top Thai restaurants currently topping the poll include Blue Elephant, Busabai Eathai, Chaopharaya, Giggling Squid who have a branch in Brighton, Rosa, Thaikun, Thai Square and Rosa – although none has established a clear lead.

Asian Curry Awards chairman, Yawar Khan, said; “Ultimately, the winners will be decided by a team of judges led by Pat Chapman, editor of the Cobra Good Curry Guide, but the shortlist will be determined by votes from members of the public – there’s very little daylight between them with everything still to play for.”

There are also regional award categories that will allow outstanding local restaurants and takeaways to receive their deserved plaudits at the high profile, glittering awards ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane in Mayfair on Sunday, November 15.

Leading restaurants will be visited unannounced by a panel of judges led by the customer dining experience

Khan added; “We expect top chefs to challenging the existing standards and exceed them.

“These Awards are designed to encourage our young people into the restaurant industry and to motivate those already in the profession to set sights even higher.”

Nominations forms and details of the whole awards process may be downloaded from the ACA website www.asiancurryawards.com.

The full list of national award categories is:

♦ Best Asian Restaurant of the Year
♦ Best East Asian Takeaway/Delivery of the Year
♦ Best South Asian Takeaway/Delivery of the Year
♦ Newcomer of the Year (restaurants established less than 3 years)
♦ Best Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year (International)
♦ Young Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year (under 30)
♦ East Asian Restaurant of the Year
♦ Best International Asian Restaurant
♦ Lifetime Achievement Award

There are also 10 regional awards for the Best South Asian restaurants in London, London suburbs, South East, South West, East, South Coast, North, Midlands, Wales and Scotland & Northern Ireland.

The awards are open to any restaurant that have been trading for at least 12 months and have a minimum 4-star hygiene rating, with a plan to boost this to 5 stars.

Estate Agents raise over £5,000 for the Martlets

Posted on 12/08/2015 by Gary Hart

Since the beginning of the 2015, local estate agents, Mishon Mackay, have raised £5,216 for the Martlets Hospice, by organising or taking part in a range of activities and challenges.

In March, the estate agents presented Martlets nurses with a cheque from their third annual Mishon Mackay’s Golf Day held in memory of Glenn Mishon. Twenty two teams took part in the day held at Dyke Road Gold Club, raising a total of £2,916 for the hospice.

This was followed in June by another £700 when they entered a team into the Martlets Midnight Walk.

Then on Sunday, July 26, nine members from their offices across Sussex came together at the top of Peacehaven Cliffs to take on the challenge of a lifetime, and abseiled 115ft down the chalk cliff face to the ground below.

Mary-Jayne Atkins, from Mishon Mackay, said: “The Mishon Mackay team loved taking part in The Martlets Abseil at Peacehaven Cliffs. The whole event was fantastically organised and those prepping the guys for the abseil were calm and experienced, really bringing those who had some fears of the height to ease. We are delighted to continue supporting the hospice and this event raised £1,600.”

Elizabeth Baxter, Corporate Fundraiser at Martlets Hospice, added: “All at Martlets Hospice are so grateful to Mishon Mackay for so kindly raising an amazing amount of money for our patients in recent months. We send our heartfelt thanks to all at Mishon Mackay for their hard work in organising their very successful Golf Day and for continuing that support by participating in our Midnight Walk and Abseil fundraising events.”

A second Peacehaven Cliffs Abseil has been arranged by the Martlets Hospice on August 23, and there are still places available. The abseil is a sponsored challenge and no experience is needed to take part; just a sense of adventure, a head for heights and nerves of steel. Despite the height of the abseil, it is a well-used route with permanent bolts on it and it is open to anyone aged 8 to 80.

The registration fee for the event is £20 and the Martlets asks everyone who takes part to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship.

As the Martlets receive less than a third of its funding via the NHS it relies on fundraising to provide its services free to local people when they need them.

To find out more about the Martlets, click here:

To book your place email: events@martlets.org.uk

Or telephone: 01273 718780

Call us now

Author: Gary Hart

Sussex Beacon to rebrand

The Sussex Beacon refreshes its look – vote for your favourite design!

American Embassy in Moscow defies Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws

In what appears as a direct challenge to Russia’s anti-gay laws, a film festival sponsored by the American Embassy in Moscow has added gay-themed movie I am Michael to its lineup of screenings.

Petition supports call for neighbourhood policing to continue

A petition calling on Brighton & Hove Council to continue supporting Neighbourhood Policing and continue their support of the work of Local Action Teams (LATS) has been organised by community activist Steve Parry.

Benefits Advice Workshops for people with HIV at Lunch Positive

Lunch Positive will host two workshops during September at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church run by Tim Procter, the Welfare Rights Advisor at THT.

Have you considered getting a Marryoke (Marry-oh-key) made at your wedding?

What’s a Marryoke I hear you ask?

Lesbian Speed Dating charity fundraiser

A charity event is being staged at Brighton Rocks to raise money for Victim Support, an organisation which offers practical and emotional help to victims of crime.

Business volunteers help Brighton Deaf School

Local specialist school for deaf children, Hamilton Lodge, receive a helping hand from a team of volunteers from Allianz Insurance who spent a day helping them decorate.

Charity bicycle initiative ticks all the boxes

A new recycling project instigated by Martlets Hospice and Brighton Station reaps great rewards.

Brighton restaurants in running for top curry awards

Three Brighton & Hove restaurants long listed in the Best South Asian (South Coast) Curry Awards. Finalists to be announced at House of Commons lunch in October.

Estate Agents raise over £5,000 for the Martlets

Since the beginning of the 2015, local estate agents, Mishon Mackay, have raised £5,216 for the Martlets Hospice, by organising or taking part in a range of activities and challenges.

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Call us now

The Sussex Beacon refreshes its look – vote for your favourite design!

Share this:

In what appears as a direct challenge to Russia’s anti-gay laws, a film festival sponsored by the American Embassy in Moscow has added gay-themed movie I am Michael to its lineup of screenings.

Share this:

A petition calling on Brighton & Hove Council to continue supporting Neighbourhood Policing and continue their support of the work of Local Action Teams (LATS) has been organised by community activist Steve Parry.

Share this:

Lunch Positive will host two workshops during September at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church run by Tim Procter, the Welfare Rights Advisor at THT.

Share this:

What’s a Marryoke I hear you ask?

Share this:

A charity event is being staged at Brighton Rocks to raise money for Victim Support, an organisation which offers practical and emotional help to victims of crime.

Share this:

Local specialist school for deaf children, Hamilton Lodge, receive a helping hand from a team of volunteers from Allianz Insurance who spent a day helping them decorate.

Share this:

A new recycling project instigated by Martlets Hospice and Brighton Station reaps great rewards.

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Three Brighton & Hove restaurants long listed in the Best South Asian (South Coast) Curry Awards. Finalists to be announced at House of Commons lunch in October.

Share this:

Since the beginning of the 2015, local estate agents, Mishon Mackay, have raised £5,216 for the Martlets Hospice, by organising or taking part in a range of activities and challenges.

Share this:

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