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Author: Besi

Labour’s new office window highlights Green rubbish

Posted on by Besi

Brighton & Hove Labour Party have launched their new office at 99 Church Road, Hove.

Labour Party Hove office

They have used the shop window to attack the Greens poor recycling and rubbish collection record in all wards across the city. Green councillor Ollie Sykes, is deputy chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee.

He has already admitted that: “There is no doubt that recycling rates in the city have faltered over the years.”

Peter Kyle
Peter Kyle

Peter Kyle, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Hove & Portslade believes that they can hardly cover up something which stares residents in the face every day. He said: “Nor can they ignore the statistics – recycling rates peaked in 2008/2009 and have “faltered” since The Green Party took over administration of the City in 2011.”

So what will Labour do? A Brighton & Hove Labour administration are promising to focus on getting the basics right – such as keeping the city streets clean.

 

 

 

Nancy Platts calls for support for fire service

Posted on by Besi

Nancy Platts, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven has today launched a website and postcard campaign in an effort to prevent drastic cuts to the local fire service.

Nancy Platts, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Nancy Platts, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

With only six weeks to go before East Sussex Fire Authority members vote on the proposals on June 5, Nancy is urging local residents to say ‘enough is enough’ to their Councillors and ask them to vote to save the fire service.

Nancy said: “I am launching this campaign because the consultation exercise being carried out by East Sussex Fire Authority has been poorly publicised and is full of jargon.

“We have just five fire engines for the whole of our City and these proposals would take one away at a time when our population is growing and more properties are being built. Four fire engines alone are needed for incidents in high rise buildings.”

She continued: “This is a busy City and our local economy thrives on tourism and our many lively festivals, so it can be hard for fire engines to travel quickly from one end of the City to the other. We need more resources not less – losing one fire engine will leave us desperately short in times of emergency.”

All Labour members of the fire authority have committed to voting against the extreme cuts to the fire service but Nancy claims that Tory, Liberal Democrat, Green and UKIP councillors have either voted in favour of consultation on this plan or have expressed no view against the cuts.

To ask your local Councillor to ‘save our fire service’, CLICK HERE:

 

Restaurant owner fined for allowing customers to smoke

Posted on by Besi

Ottoman Restaurant, Lewes Road, BrightonThe manager of a Turkish restaurant in Brighton has been fined £260 after council officers found people smoking inside the premises.

Ali Cill, 29, manager of Ottoman Cuisine, in Lewes Road, pleaded guilty to charges of failing to stop people from smoking inside his restaurant, when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court last week.

Brighton & Hove City Council Environmental Health Officers visited the restaurant on January 10 following noise complaints. While inside the restaurant dealing with the complaint, the officers noticed that people were smoking and that there were ashtrays on the tables which were full of cigarette butts. Extinguished cigarettes were also found on the floor of the restaurant seating area.

The officers also noticed a woman throwing a lit cigarette in the hot ashes of the cooking area.

Mr Cill told the court: “On that day it was a client’s party and when the officers arrived, people were smoking outside. It was a private party.” However, he admitted he was aware of people smoking inside of the restaurant and was fined £120, ordered to pay £120 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Cllr Pete West
Cllr Pete West

Councillor Pete West, chair of the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee said: “We hope this prosecution sends a strong message to those businesses that are flouting smoke free legislation. In Brighton and Hove we will investigate alleged offences and take robust enforcement action for those businesses that fail to comply with this important public health measure.”

500 miles for 500 smiles

Posted on by Besi

During National Smile Month, ‘Dental Hygienist of the Year’ Christina Chatfield will be walking from Kirriemuir in Scotland where she had her first dental practice to Brighton in Sussex.

Christina Chatfield
Christina Chatfield

Christina is undertaking the walk to raise awareness of the health benefits of a healthy mouth, while highlighting issues such as mouth cancer, the HPV virus, diabetes and heart disease, as well as addressing the self-esteem of people suffering with dental anxiety.

She has been in training in Brighton for the last 6 months to get ready for her monumental walk which commences on Monday, May 19. She will be taking a route down the east coast of England, passing though Edinburgh, York and London before arriving in Brighton where she has her own Dental and Hygiene Practice on Queens Road.

All money raised will be shared between the British Dental Health Foundation and Heart Your Smile.

You can get yourself sponsored to accompany Christina on any section of the walk, or simply make a donation to recognise her amazing efforts.

For more information about Christina’s challenge, CLICK HERE:  

To get sponsored or make a donation, CLICK HERE: 

 

“March for England Not Welcome Here, ” says Labour

Posted on by Besi

Leading Labour Party representatives in the City have made clear their opposition to The March for England which is planned for Brighton and Hove on Sunday, April 27.

Cllr Warren Morgan; Leader of Labour and Cooperative
Cllr Warren Morgan; Leader of Labour and Cooperative

The decision to allow the march to take place on the seafront between Brighton Pier and the bottom of West Street was taken by Sussex Police with the reluctant support of Brighton and Hove City Council. In the past protestors were allowed to march from Brighton Station through the city centre to Victoria Gardens on London Road, which caused chaos and brought the city to a standstil. A counter protest is expected on Sunday.

Councillor Warren Morgan, Leader of the City Council’s Labour and Co-operative Party Group, says: “The March for England is seen by many as being closely associated with far-right racist groups like the English Defence League. Their march causes fear amongst residents and disruption to businesses. I have told organisers to their face that they should take their event elsewhere and are not welcome in our City.” 

 

Purna Sen: Parliamentary Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion
Purna Sen: Parliamentary Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion

Purna Sen, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion, added: “I am proud to live in such a tolerant and diverse place as Brighton and Hove. Its diversity is one of the factors that makes Brighton and Hove such an interesting place in which to live and adds to the City’s international reputation. Much of the event will take place in the Brighton Pavilion constituency and that is no place for an event which many associate with a message of intolerance and hatred.

“I believe many local people share my feelings and so during this week I am asking people to tweet #NotWelcomeHere or email me at NotWelcomeHere2014@gmail.com with a photo of themselves holding an A4 sign saying “The MfE is not welcome here because ….’ and giving their reason. I’ll be publicising people’s views at the end of the week.”

Pride Arts & Film Festival 2014 needs you!

Posted on by Besi

Brighton Pride Arts & Film Festival is a celebration of all that is wonderful about LGBT lives in our fabulous city.

Pride Arts & Film Festival

The festival encompasses each and every aspect of our vibrant artist community from the arts to the dance, from performance to film. Launched in 2013, the festival returns this year bigger, brighter and better.

Last years first Brighton Pride Arts & Film Festival was conceived by artist Sean Chapman and was widely recognised as a huge success with with over 20 events taking place over the two weeks running up to Pride itself.

The brand new LGBT festival boasted a diverse selection of exhibitions and entertainment including:

• Icons Exhibition at the Brighton Library produced by Hizze Fletcher of Thirteen Art Production which featured posters donated by the Keith Haring Foundation in New York.

• A season of films curated by Jonathan Hyde from the Duke of Yorks and

• A season of events from the Pink Fringe and Emporium as well as LGBT History Tours with Rose Collis as part of it’s packed schedule.

Dulcie WeaverPride Director Dulcie Weaver, said: “We are thrilled to have Hizze Fletcher on board again this year.

“The 2013 Icons Exhibition was one of the highlights of last years Pride Arts and Film and this years Freedom to Live exhibition will once again be one of the landmark events.”

So why does Pride need an Arts & Film Festival?

Hizzie FletcherHizze Fletcher said: “Brighton is a tremendously creative town and amongst the LGBT community there are some incredible artists.

“It’s a matter of course that the creative community would want to be involved in Pride in some way. There is a real need to have some arts culture alongside the party”.

 

If you would like to participate in the Pride Arts and Film Season 2014, CLICK HERE: to register your interest.

For any other enquiries please EMAIL:  

Artist submission details for the Freedom To Live Exhibition at Jubilee Library will be released shortly.

What: Freedom To Live Exhibition

Where: Jubilee Library, Jubilee Square, Brighton

When: July 18 -August 3, 2014

Cost: Free entry

Sunday lunch in Worthing

Posted on by Besi

With Sunday lunch in Brighton becoming a little predictable and at times hard to secure a reservation at the time you want to eat, we decided to check out what Worthing has to offer. What a treat we had.

Beechwood Hall Hotel
Beechwood Hall Hotel

Owners Paul and Rose Willey affectionately describe their lovely venue as a pub with rooms!

Beechwood Hall Hotel was designed and built in 1829, by the Brighton architect Amon Henry Wildes and was known locally as Swiss Cottage. Originally a semi-detached property, North and South Swiss Cottage were converted into a hotel with 23 bedrooms in 1931. Over the generations, the building was altered and improved, until after a long and distinguished period it fell into disrepair. In April 2010, Paul and Rose purchased the freehold and commissioned an extensive refurbishment and modernisation for the business, which is now fully completed, fully functional and very impressive with a modern, comfortable traditional dining and bar area.

Baked camembert with red currant
Baked camembert with red currant

Even though we were having a Sunday Lunch costing just £9.95 we were offered the extensive a la carte menu to choose our starter. I chose a baked camembert with red currant jelly and my partner chose garlic mushrooms in a creamy sauce with crusty bread and salad. Both dishes were great value and well worth the £6.50 price tag. The camembert was baked to perfection and the creamy sauce on the garlic mushroom was just right, not too creamy.

Roast lamb
Roast lamb

We chose lamb and beef for the main course which came with the best Yorkshire pudding I have tasted for quite some time. The meat was tender, not overcooked with lovely roast potatoes and a choice of five vegetables all al dente, which I personally prefer. If you want your vegetables cooked longer just mention it when giving your order to the lovely girls who provide the service.

Beechwood Hall Hotel

The main course was huge so my partner passed on desert. I finished with the cheese and crackers, a perfect choice after such a satisfying meal. We washed everything down with a big fruity Sauvignon Blanc and a fine Merlot.

The restaurant is open daily from noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 8.30pm serving what is best described as traditional English fayre. Our experience was great and I would recommended the venue to all my friends, so give it a try.

To check out the a la carte lunch and dinner menus, CLICK HERE: 

Beechwood Hall Hotel is surrounded by lovely gardens to enjoy. If you don’t want to eat you can just sit outside, drink and take in the sun. The bar is open from 11am -11pm and is well worth a visit at any time during the afternoon or evening after work.

You will find Beechwood Hall Hotel at Wykeham Road, Worthing BN11 4JD: Tel: 01903 232375

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

Rain fails to dampen spirits at Easter Bonnet parade

Posted on by Besi

Despite torrential rain a large group of people entered into the spirit of the day and dressed up for the Drag Queen races at todays Easter Bonnet Parade.

Easter Bonnet Parade

Cllr Denise Cobb the Major of  Brighton and Hove was in attendance at the event which was staged to raise money for the Sussex Beacon by the landlords of the Bedford Tavern and Grosvenor Bar in Western Street on the borders of Brighton and Hove.

The annual event is very popular with local residents who took cover inside both bars while the races were conducted outside in the rain. Many people who have moved away return loyally to the street every year to maintain the tradition of the Easter Bonnet Parade.

The Sussex Beacon charity offers specialist care and support for men, women and families affected by HIV. Open 365 days a year, they help people manage the everyday realities of living with this life-long condition that has no cure. Their inpatient and outpatient services help people living with HIV related illnesses, initiating new drug therapies or struggling with extreme side effects of HIV medication. The Sussex Beacon supports the whole person by addressing the physical, mental and social impact of HIV.

 

Why ‘Pride Matters’ to Unite the union

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Keith Newland from Unite the Union says why Pride Matters to Unite.

Unite the Union

“Unite the Union, the UK’s largest trade union, are proud to be involved in Brighton’s annual LGBT Pride event. As equalities activists we have been supporting pride events across the south east for many years, taking part in parades and hosting information stalls at the Pride parks in Brighton, Oxford and Reading. We will also be at Trans and Milton Keynes  prides for the first time this year.

“Pride events are very important to us. They provide us with the opportunity to engage with all members of the community, talking about what issues are important to you, giving advice on LGBT matters and promoting the benefits of being part of a trade union within the workplace. We also actively promote our Community membership for those who are not in employment, organising on important issues which effect the local community, and campaigning for change. It also gives us an opportunity to talk to people about what we have achieved, and are still fighting for locally, nationally and internationally.

“We look forward to meeting and speaking to as many of you as possible at these enjoyable community events. Come over, let us know what is important to you, and find out more about Unite the Union.”

 

Big Screen on the Beach

Posted on by Besi

Brighton’s Big Screen returns in June with a great line-up of blockbuster and classic movies plus live coverage of the World Cup from Brazil.

Brighton Big Screen

The free outdoor beach cinema will showcase a mixture of movie classics and recent box office hits on the gigantic 40sqm screen including: The Hunger Games Catching Fire, The Lego Movie, Dirty Dancing and Jaws, plus top live sporting events including the Football in Brazil, Wimbledon & the British Grand Prix.

Situated on Brighton Beach next to the Wheel and the Volks Railway, Brighton’s Big Screen will bring a taste of Latin to Brighton Beach this summer. There will be a fully licenced cantina style bar as well as frozen margarita machines, a seated grandstand, VIP area, great Mexican food plus MEAT Liquor on the beach.

You will also be able to pre-book tickets to the exclusive Big Screen VIP area to ensure seating, high quality audio, usherette service and free popcorn. There will also be special themed weekends and evenings, including the BHAFC inter-company Foosball Tournament on June 12.

To book tickets, CLICK HERE:

This year Brighton’s Big Screen will also feature local filmmakers, working closely with The University of Brighton, and The Film Hub South East in a series of screenings under the auspices of ‘The Showcase’.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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