Brighton Festival

By Sam Evans

The highly acclaimed Brighton Festival will be held next month on the 4th – 26th May with Poet Laureate Michael Rosen as Guest Director.

Rosen, one of the best known figures in poetry and children’s writing, will follow in the footsteps of previous directors Aung San Suu Kyi and Vanessa Redgrave to headline and oversee the event.

The festival is the third largest in the UK and marks the 47th Annual arts event held in the city, featuring names from the world of politics, journalism, comedy and literature.

Judith Kerr, Guardian Editor Alan Rusbridger, ,comedian Daniel Kitson and veteran singer Sinead O’Conner are just some of the high profile names visiting the area.

It will prove to be a busy time for the city, with 80,000 tickets available and shows being put on in thirty Brighton based venues.

Ticket prices vary with some events listed as free and others which are reasonably priced. Visit http://brightonfestival.org/whats_on/ for more details.

A New Journey: College

By Sam Peace

As the lone adventurer departed his transportation, he calmly walks a few paces before coming face to face with a street known as New Rd. The irony of this path reflects the beginning of our protagonist’s new journey. He takes his first strides towards land unknown to him with his only aim being: reach City College. His feet are greeted with lightly coloured bricks while the surrounding is filled with gleefully unique restaurants reminiscent of a foreign holiday. The vibrant setting is short lived however, due to the upcoming London-esque style of Jubilee St. This new passage is full of posh buildings made mostly of glass and black tiling. It’s the complete opposite to the experience just moments ago. Not stopping our traveller continues, soon a new route appears – Kensington St. A run down back alley with graffiti splashed over degraded buildings. It was an intimidating sight not suited for a night walker, thankfully though it was day.

Stepping onto the last road the explorer notices a towering sight in the distance; the destination is awaiting his arrival. Sydney Street is the last avenue; the last taste of freedom before the quest truly begins. Crammed full of quirky 20^th century boutiques, there are plenty of useful items available for purchase. But already fully prepared, the trekker marches towards the end of this short expedition. Arriving at the entrance he gazes upon the brick structure in front of him. Peering into the opening he takes a deep breath, and enters. What challenges lie within?

City council aiming to agree same-sex marriages

 

 

By Paul Healey

The controversial government proposals concerning converting current civil partnerships into civil marriage are being fully supported by Brighton & Hove City Councillors, as announced yesterday.

Consultation continues at which time the full council may make a formal motion of support in response, but a letter showing full support was recently sent to the Government Equalities office to comply with their June 14^th deadline to a 12 week consultation on civil marriage.

Councillor Jason Kitkat said: “I’m delighted we are united in supporting the proposals to allow same-sex couples to have civil marriages. These proposals are another step forwards to full equality. On behalf of our city’s large LGBT community I hope this will deliver much needed change while allowing existing faiths and traditions to continue unaffected.”

The key proposals allow for civil ceremonies in a register office or any of 44 approved premises which include the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Bandstand and Brighton Pier. Religious marriages would not be affected but registrations on religious premises would continue as on a voluntary basis for faith groups and with no religious content.

Current civil partnerships would remain with the option to convert to a marriage.

The proposals would even allow for people to legally change their gender without having to end their marriage.

From the 1^st January 2011 to date there have been 297 civil partnerships in the city and some 1780 marriages.

Details of the government consultation can be found on the website:

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/

Brighton and Hove Albion vs Coventry City 26/11/2011 3pm Preview

By Liam Dawes

Saturday 26th November, Amex Stadium, 3pm

Brighton manager Gus Poyet has declared midfielder Vicente Rodriguez fit for
Saturday’s clash with Coventry City.