Twenty-three Lunch Positive volunteers were treated by the HIV charity to a Christmas celebration and meal at the A Bar on Brighton seafront on Monday December 19.
Gary Pargeter, Volunteer Project Manager, said: “Lunch Positive is provided entirely by volunteers, and this year has been an exceptional one. We’ve had the highest ever number of new people volunteering, and a huge uptake of people taking on new roles and responsibilities with more people being involved at our community events, and helping with fundraising.
“Volunteering at our service can sometimes be physically demanding and also needs people to be good at understanding and supporting others.
“Our volunteers need to be reliable, committed, flexible and able to work well as a team – and everyone has done fantastically in every way.
“It was great for us all to have a Christmas night out together at the A Bar. The food was truly award winning, and the service fantastic. We has a great time! Thank you to everyone who made our volunteers Christmas celebration so special.”
For more information about Lunch Positive, click here:
The Hibernation Luncheon organised by Danny Dwyer and Bear Patrol at the Old Ship Hotel on Sunday, November 2, 2014 raised £10,082.61.
THE MONEY will be put towards refurbishing the reception at the Sussex Beacon in the summer of 2015.
The first Hibernation event in 2013 raised just under £6,000 for the Sussex Beacon, so the 2014 total is especially impressive.
Danny Dwyer, said:“I would like to thank everyone involved in the event for creating such a wonderful day and raising a fantastic amount which will be utilised to re-furbish the main reception at the Sussex Beacon in the Summer of 2015.”
Date for the next Hibernation Luncheon in 2015 is Sunday, October 25 from noon.
The Rainbow Chorus, Brighton only LGBT choir bought early Christmas cheer to Kemptown last Saturday night (December 13) with their seasonal offering, Blame It On The Baubles.
THE CHORUS has come a long way since its early days under the direction of Carl Boardman and is presently on an upwards curve, producing a much bigger musical sound which has brought a fresh new confidence to their overall performance.
Of all the LGBT choirs in Brighton, the Rainbow Chorus don’t have the strongest individual singers but they collectively sing together in ensemble as well as any of the other LGBT choirs.
Their love of singing is infectious and now that their tenor and bass sections have been beefed up there is a new confidence to their ensemble singing. The percussive nature of their pianist’s accompanying style has also improved the choirs attack and confidence.
Their Christmas show was nicely programmed and included an opportunity for the audience to get involved singing Christmas Carols Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Little Town of Bethlehem and Christmas songs Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Winter Wonderland.
Each number during the evening was well presented and my only criticism is that is was a bit tough on the new soloists featured in Pie Jesu to put the piece so early in the programme when the singer were still settling down and clearly nervous.
I loved the arrangement and performance of Hallelujah. It showed the choir well as did Where you there? which had been given new words by Anessa Chaudhry highlighting Hate Crime. It worked very well.
Fairy Tale of New York caught the imagination of the audience who swayed along in time to the chorus who clearly enjoyed singing the number.
Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is coming to Town and Oh Holy Night were all given solid energetic performances which helped add to the general Christmas spirit of the evening.
My own favourite number on the night was Autumn Leaves and Fly Me To The Moon where the mash up of the two songs was beautifully handled by Aneesa.
Shenandoah was once again the musical highlight of the concert as it was at the Aids Day Concert the previous week. The choir really understands how to handle these traditional numbers and the music brings out the best performances from the Chorus.
The more commercial numbers including I Believe I Can Fly, I Want You Back, Blame It On The Boogie and True Colours were very well performed and huge favourites with the audience.
For a chorus who have a no audition policy it is a great challenge for a musical director to bring out consistantly good performances across a range of music idioms. Anessa Chaudhry has done a great job in getting a good sound out of the singers and is ably assisted by her accompanist Mojca Monte.
I look forward to hearing the next concert when the full intake of this years new singers will be ready to sing in the public performances.
For more information about Rainbow Chorus, click here:
In his final poll of marginals for 2014 the Tory Peer Lord Ashcroft has included the Brighton Pavilion constituency held presently by Caroline Lucas MP for the Greens.
Caroline Lucas MP for Brighton Pavilion
THE POLL shows the Green Party ten points ahead with a four point swing from Labour and interestingly reveals that a higher proportion of voters in Brighton Pavilion would prefer Ed Miliband as Prime Minister (45%) and prefer to see a Labour government (43%) elected than in other marginal seats where Labour are actually ahead across the country.
The poll also shows the campaign on the ground is being closely fought with 27% saying they had heard locally from the Greens and 26% saying they had heard from Labour.
Adam McGibbon
Adam McGibbon, Caroline’s campaign manager, said: “This poll is hugely encouraging. It shows a significant widening of Caroline’s lead over the last Ashcroft poll, with Caroline opening up a 10 point lead over Labour. While we are not taking anything for granted, we are delighted that the voters of Brighton Pavilion appear to be swinging behind Caroline and can see the unique and special benefits of having her as their MP.”
“Caroline’s an outstanding local MP, with an exceptionally strong national voice. Highly regarded across the benches, she holds strong political sway and her track record speaks for itself.
“She relentlessly stands up for what matters to her constituents. And whether it’s speaking out for the NHS, affordable housing, cutting fuel bills or keeping public services in public hands – she gets it on the political agenda and doesn’t let it lie.
“Presenting her with the MP of the Year award last month, House Speaker John Bercow said of Caroline: ‘By sheer force of personality, Parliamentary insistence and dogged commitment to the chamber, the committees and the procedures of the house, she has advanced her causes – it shows that it can be done…She has made one hell of an impact in the house.’”
McGibbon added: “People want an independent voice in Parliament – someone who can work effectively with MPs across the benches but also hold them and their Parties to account. Caroline’s constituents know they have just that MP in her.
“This poll shows that for those people wanting to stop the Conservatives in Brighton Pavilion, Caroline is the one to back.”
Purna Sen
Purna Sen the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion responded to the poll, saying:“We would expect some name recognition to apply to a celebrity incumbent. Things are moving fast in Pavilion and we have very clear indications of considerable support for Labour, confirming the preference in the Ashcroft poll for a Labour government.
“We are working hard to listen to residents, win the seat, return a Labour government and are very heartened by the support we find on Pavilion doorsteps every day”
For full details of the poll, including data tables for each seat, click here:
Lunch Positive volunteer Phil Ingles receives a Rotary Club of Brighton Citizen Award for Unsung Heroes from the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Mr Chris Gebbie.
PHIL WAS nominated by the Lunch Positive Trustee Board for his contributions to the charity’s work. Phil has volunteered to support people with HIV for over ten years and has been part of Lunch Positive since it started in 2009.
Gary Pargeter
Gary Pargeter, Volunteer Project Manager, said:“We’re all incredibly pleased and proud of Phil for gaining this award. Phil exemplifies everything that’s good about volunteering, working well as part of a team, being willing to get involved in new tasks and responsibilities, empathy and understanding of people he volunteers with and supports. He’s worked incredibly hard, housekeeping to keep the wheels turning in an increasingly busy kitchen, maintaining our equipment and has been key to staging all of our outdoor community and fundraising events. From all of us, well done Phil – you deserve it!”
I love nothing better than an old school, traditional pantomime and Eastbourne Theatres production of Beauty and the Beast at the beautiful Devonshire Park Theatre ticked all my panto boxes in this show stopping production.
THOUGH ‘darker’ than many traditional pantos, this is panto at its very best with a seriously good script, a great cast with strong singing voices and a brilliant Panto Dame who struts the stage like she is shopping in Tescos or possibly even Waitrose.
Martyn Knight who would never be seen shopping in Morrisons gives a commanding performance as Dame Derriere.His delivery is perfectly judged for the children while anything risky he fires over their heads to the grown ups in the audience. This legendary Dame is returning to Eastbourne for the eleventh year on the trot. He made me roar with laughter and it was a delight to sit back and appreciate a great Panto Dame at work.
The baddie role of Malevolent the evil sorceress is played by Hollyoaks actress Carley Stenson who has no trouble getting the children in the audience to boo and hiss. Carley, dressed in green and black plays the role to perfection. Her black wig gives her the presence of a posh dominatrix, something the dads in the audience clearly warmed to.
The humour is provided by local comedian Tucker who plays the loveable Potty Pierre and provides some very funnny moments during the evening culminating with a hilarious routine towards the end of the second half with four of the children from the audience. It’s usual in a traditional panto for the comic turn to get a few kids up from the audience and make them perform. The kids on our night were brilliant as was Tucker who brought out the best in them. I hope he is as lucky with the choice of victims every night.
The heroine, Beauty is played by veteran of many West End musicals, Emily Bull who delivers some of the vocal highlights of the evening. She brings an element of vulnerability to her role while standing by her promise to return to the Beast, who she falls in love with. She has principles and falls in love with the Beast not knowing he is a handsome Prince. She loves him for what is inside and not on the surface.
Beauty’s father, Jean Jacques is played by David Alder whose years of working in straight theatre shone through all evening while Adam McNab played a dignified Beast and Royal Prince Gallant, generating the necessary pathos the joint role demands by the bucketload. The audience warmed to the Beast as did Beauty.
Fairy Formidable was played by Ellie Leah who delivered the role with a French accent. During the first half she suffered a little connecting with the children around me who seemed to have trouble understand what she was saying. However her singing was fine and she complemented the evil Malevolent, perfectly.
This production is faithful to all the traditions of Pantomime right down to rhyming couplets and catch phrases. The sets are charming and lovely to look at, the costumes spectacular and the lighting first class. The chorus and dancers are well drilled and deserve special mention as does the writer and director Chris Jordan whose script is current and fresh. Sarah Travis the experienced and talented musical director kept the band on song all evening.
The show is selling well and runs until January 11.
‘At risk’ groups urged to get vaccinated immediately.
LATEST FIGURES from Public Health England (PHE) indicate that flu is now circulating in the community and increases have been seen in both children and adults across a range of indicators, including GP consultations.
Following PHE advice, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has this week issued guidance to all GPs on the use of antiviral drugs for the management of people presenting with flu-like illness in England, who are at higher risk of developing complications. Although flu is starting to circulate, flu levels currently remain relatively low.
Dame Sally Davies
Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies, said: “The NHS is well prepared for the flu season, and although flu levels remain relatively low, we are starting to see increases.
“Prevention is better than cure, and the increase in flu activity means it is even more important to get your flu jab if you are in an at-risk group. If you have not already had it, call your GP as soon as possible. I am very grateful to GPs for the work they are already doing to vaccinate people, and I know they will continue to strive for higher uptake.”
Dr Richard Pebody
Dr Richard Pebody, head of seasonal flu surveillance at PHE, added:“We are starting to see increases in flu activity in both children and adults, indicating the start of this year’s flu season.
“People in ‘at risk’ groups can get the vaccine for free as they are at much greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu, and sadly many end up in hospital. This includes people with health conditions, even those that are well managed, such as asthma, diabetes, heart, lung, liver or renal diseases, those with weakened immune systems, as well as older people and pregnant women.”
The latest vaccine uptake figures show some positive signs with 70.6% of people aged 65 and over vaccinated.
However, only 47.1% in those aged under 65 with a health condition have been vaccinated and 41.6% of pregnant women.
In addition, 34.8% of all 2 year olds, 37.3% of all 3 year olds and 29.3 % of all 4 year olds have been vaccinated with the nasal spray vaccine as part of the childhood flu immunisation programme. PHE also encourages healthcare workers and carers who could pass the infection to vulnerable people to also get vaccinated.
Dr Pebody, added:“Although unpleasant, for most healthy people, flu is a self-limiting illness. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, cough as well as sore throat, aching muscles and joints. The best advice for treating flu in healthy people is to stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take pain relievers such as paracetamol. Children under 16 should not take any medicines containing aspirin. People in at risk groups who develop symptoms consistent with flu, or if anyone’s symptoms persist or become more severe, they should seek medical advice.
“Maintaining good cough and hand hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and cleaning your hands as soon you can are important actions that can help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of transmission.
“Every season we remain vigilant and assess the flu situation as more information becomes available from our various surveillance systems, and from the different virus samples we receive from across the UK.”
A criminal anti-social behaviour order has been put on a Brighton and Hove man after a number of racially motivated crimes against taxi drivers in Brighton and Hove.
John Michael Hughes, 50, of Dean Gardens, Portslade, appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 26, charged with racially aggravated crimes and causing intentional harassment, resisting arrest and criminal damage.
On May 24 this year in George Street, Hove, Hughes approached an Asian taxi driver and made racist comments to him, he then assaulted the driver.
When the police attended he resisted arrest and caused damage to the police car he was initially placed in. He was given 14 weeks in prison on September 16 for the racially aggravated common assault and 12 weeks for racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, which ran concurrently.
Hughes had already been convicted of being racist towards another taxi driver in August 2013 and for similar racist abuse towards two police officers, PC Vince Lam and SC Elliott Abdo, both within days of each other in August 2013.
Brighton & Hove City Council’s Partnership Community Safety Casework Team and Sussex Police’s Safe in the City Unit worked together to secure the anti-social behaviour order against Hughes based on the offences he had committed. The order was obtained under the Crime & Disorder Act 1998.
The terms of the order stop Hughes from using or encouraging others to use racist or abusive language in any public place in Brighton and Hove and stop him travelling in any licensed taxi vehicle within the city.
Sgt David Palmer, Brighton and Hove Safe in the City Team, said:“The order on Hughes sends a strong message that racist behaviour will not be tolerated anywhere in this city. Hughes’ behaviour and language is totally unacceptable and always completely unprovoked.
“This is a great example of partner organisations in the city working together to deter an offender who has caused harm in our communities.”
Cllr Jason Kitcat, Chair of the Community Safety Forum and Leader of the City Council, said: “No-one should suffer from racial abuse or physical assault including people like taxi drivers and those working in the night time economy. This case shows that we will work closely with our city partners to stop offenders in Brighton & Hove ruining people’s lives.
“We will make use of the latest powers available to us to tackle anti-social behaviour and hate incidents which are specifically designed to tackle persistently anti-social individuals and those persons involved in criminal activity.
”If anyone experiences anti-social behaviour we would urge them to make contact with our community safety team or the Police.”
If you experience antisocial behaviour contact the community safety team on 01273 292735
Nearly 100 children will be spending Christmas with their new forever family this year thanks to Parents And Children Together (PACT).
PACT placed 98 children with 81 PACT families in 2014 through its adoption, intercountry adoption and permanent fostering services.
Shirley Elliott
PACT’s Director of Adoption and Fostering Shirley Elliott said:“I am very pleased and proud to be able to say that PACT has placed 98 children with their forever families this year.
“In 2013/2014 a record number of children were placed for adoption (over 5,000 nationally) leaving behind a history of abuse and neglect.
“There are many more children with difficult backgrounds still waiting for stable loving homes and I know that everyone at PACT will continue to work very hard to make a real difference to these children’s lives.
“We look forward to making many more forever families in 2015.”
PACT supports families across the London and the south including Brighton & Hove through adoption, fostering, award-winning therapeutic services and community projects and has office in London, Reading, Oxford and Brighton.
In September PACT opened a new office in Brighton and launched a campaign to encourage people from the LGBT community to adopt.
Jan Fishwick
Chief executive Jan Fishwick said:“All children deserve to be loved and nurtured in a safe and secure home, and we are especially mindful of those children still waiting to be adopted or found long term foster homes.
“We hope to find permanent, loving families for many more priority children in 2015, including children who are older, with additional needs or those in sibling groups.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.