A long weekend of live music in Newton Abbot will raise funds for Rowcroft at Lion Fest 2013.

The music takes place at the Golden Lion Newton Abbot on May 24, 25 and 26, with a list of 13 of the best bends around.

Events kick off with New Lights at 6.15pm on Friday, May 24.

Saturday is the big day of live music, with nine bands performing from the 1pm start, and finishing with Naked Farm, who will take to the stage at 11pm.

Finally, enjoy a cool afternoon of live music on Sunday, May 26. The bands start at 1pm, with proceedings continuing till 6.3pm when Distruction Preventer take to the stage.

Bands playing during Lion Fest are: Adam ‘Addie’ Bentley; Ben Wilson; Citizen Smith; Go tell Alice; Last Resort; Naked Farm; New Lights; O.P.P.P.P.H; Out Of The Box; Shovelhead; Simple Sins; Sunfyre; and The Twiddlers Thumbs. And the sponsors of the event are Tall Sounds, Polar Bear Promotions, IG Medai and RD Johns.

This is Lion Fest’s third year, and again all the money raised is going towards Rowcroft Hospice.

Pop along for some or all of the days and help them break their previous records while supporting local bands and enjoying live music.

To find out more about the bands and the running order go to the Lion Fest site.

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Equality South West is calling on MPs in the region to back same-sex marriage when the issue returns to the House of Commons today.

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was approved in February, but an amendment has now been tabled that would enable heterosexual couples to enter into civil partnerships. This has been labelled a ‘wrecking amendment’ by Maria Miller, the Equalities minister, but supporters see it as an important final measure to ensure real equality for couples regardless of sexual orientation.

Brenda Weston from Equality South West said: “There are 28 times more LGBT people in the UK than there are members of the Conservative Party, so before MPs vote they would do well to remember they have been elected to represent all their constituents, not just their own party activists. They should also be aware that many men and women would want the option of a civil partnership rather than marriage.

“Some people argue that equal marriage devalues marriage, but that suggests a gay couple who want to marry aren’t as serious about their relationship as a heterosexual couple. No-one gets married with the intention of breaking up – you can’t predict what can happen down the line. Plenty of heterosexual marriages break down.”

(from a press release)

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Artist Marksy is the artist in residence at the new Torquay Arts House, and he offers a few words about his work that’s on display and an insight into the cafe itself.

His work manages to be thought-provoking and raises a smile.

Plans for the Torquay Arts House venue include getting in musicians, entertainers, and holding auctions.

Pop along to the Torquay Arts House, on Market Street, Torquay to see for yourself.

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The papers have been full of the accusation – apparently made by a member of David Cameron’s inner circle – that those campaigning against Equal Marriage and our EU membership are “all swivel-eyed loons”.

The senior figure was responding to comments by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, who suggested the Prime Minister’s proposals to legalise gay marriage had upset vast numbers of people.

In response a number of people with strong views about these issues made comments in the Mail and Express. Here’s a selection:

·         I have a chicken. What I’d like to know is, when will I be allowed to marry her?

·         So disagreeing with Cameron make us all intellectually challenged? If that is the case I for one am proud to be so.

·         Doesn’t Hammond know that it’s a New World Order Directive, which the Muppet puppets they let us elect are obliged to put through their Western nations respective legislatures at more or less exactly the same time? I would have said that was self evidently absolutely obvious myself.

·         Our cat would do better than Cameron and, I can tell you, that our cat is not in facour of gay marriage.

·         I think next hill farmers should be allowed to marry sheep.

·         Of course like immigration we don’t know just how many there are do we ?

·         i think most of them are content with a civil partnership so why’s call me dave making such a fuss?? maybe he’s about to come out of the closet? or even a dinner party favour??after all becka brooks was a regular at his gaff so there’s probably a few gays on his regular guest list..

·         its time they stopped any more time or money on this gay ****.just get on with your lives,if i was gay i would not like broadcast it everywhere,they must be sick

·         I think that Cameron could be doing this to please his old Eton chums, some of whom may have knowledge he would not like made public…..?

·         That’s Marxism, and the nature of those behind it, you are either submissive and compliant, or you are an enemy to be destroyed by insult, the sack, the law or worse.

·         This government is going against the preaching of the BIBLE

·         I noticed in another paper a poll of politicians on drinking habits in the Houses of Parliament said over 25% had a drinking problem maybe this is why so many decisions they make seem out of touch it seems some of them are p——-d

·         Its not normal its abnormal and it will always be abnormal no matter how many bunches of flowers you cover it with!!

·         These people have sex with the poo hole Disgusting. How can one call it a marriage

·         Do not call it marriage. But why should any one be denied love. How often to you see a “ugly ” man and a beautiful woman or vice a versa. It is said love is blind and I couldn’t agree more. I may no agree with same sex couples but I can understand love.

·         Then join yourself to a snake and hurray you are married

·         Yes why not have a wife and marry your dog as well . Crazy

·         Might as well start having marriages of three or four people as well. Also, grown-ups should be able to join the Scouts and Girl Guides. That’s equality, innit?

·         Population control

·         People get married in ‘the eye’s of God’ not government. For those that don’t believe in God, stay single.

·         “I’ll give you one good reason why same-sex marriage is wrong. GOD doesn’t believe in it!!!!!

·         Ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip ukip

·         I don’t much care what consenting adults do with each other, as long as most of it is behind closed doors.

·         You may as well allow it, this country is past the point of no return now anyway!!!!!

·         The whole world is mad, except me

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Buck the Trend’s Annual General Meeting will be held on 7pm Friday, June 28 at Buckfastleigh Town Hall and is open to anyone who is already a member or wants to join or find out more.

If the AGM isn’t your cup of tea, you could turn up later (at 7.45pm) for a screening of Taking Root – the vision of Wangari Maathai.

The film is the ‘inspirational and dramatic’ story of the Kenyan ‘Green Belt’ Movement and its founder Wangari Maathai, who in 2004 became the first environmentalist and African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Find out how women planting trees changed a nation!

Admission to the film is by donation. Refreshments will be available.

Find out more at Buck the Trend site and takingrootfilm.com

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It’s a magical moment when a boat takes to the water for the first time, especially if it’s been built it by hand, and even more so if you’ve been the one to build it. Exeter photographer Jenny Steer has been capturing those special events for Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy, and now there’s an exhibition of her work in the town.

Boat Building Academy principal Yvonne Green said: “Launches are a very important part of the Academy’s calendar, celebrating the end of our ‘long’ 38-week courses and the beginning of students’ new careers as boat builders.

“Jenny originally came to a launch as the friend of one of our instructors, but when we saw how her photographs captured the beauty of the boats and the spirit of the occasion we asked her to be our ‘official’ launch photographer.”

The launches are attended by hundreds of people, and Jenny’s photographs have illustrated articles on the launches in Yachting World, Classic Boat and Water Craft in addition to other magazines.

The exhibition, Shot Across the Bows, is at The Malthouse in Lyme Regis from May 25 to May 30, from 10am to 5pm each day.

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It’s a dangerous digital world out there, and we don’t know the half of it. The EU is looking to ensure privacy in our rapidly evolving world with its new data protection package, which includes the right to be forgotten, and the need for explicit consent to use data about you.

Take a look at the video to see some of the ways your data is being compromises, and click-through on the film for more information.

The data protection package, as it’s being called, includes measures that are seen as compromising your rights to privacy.

These rights to privacy include the wonderfully entitled ‘right to be forgotten’, the belief that people should be able to have their data deleted. It may seem a bit Dr Who, and we’re guessing it would be more that just getting rid of photos of your bad hair cut from a few years back.

What’s also being proposed is that companies should only be able to process personal information after getting explicit information from the person in question, which can be withdrawn at any time.

And profiling – automated processing of your data to ‘analyse and predict their economic situation, location, health, preferences, their performance at work, reliability or behaviour’ – should only take place in defined cases or with consent.

Of course, there are other issues involved, and there’s a small matter for fines and penalties for those who break the rules.

The EU’s civil liberties committee will vote on the proposals at the end of June 2013, with the aim of adopting the legislation before the next European elections in spring 2014.

Click-through the video to find out more, and if you have any questions, get in touch with one of your MEPs!

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Co-ordin8 works with people with learning difficulties, together with their parents and carers to deliver the most suitable and enjoyable social experiences for everyone.

Based in Torbay it provides a wide range of meaningful activities designed specifically for what people want and will benefit from the most, while also promoting choice and person centered approaches.

Clive Burton from Co-ordin8 told the PRSD: “All of our activities are run by qualified and CRB vetted staff, with many years experience in providing development, dignity and purpose to those with a learning difficulty, in a safe, relaxed and fun environment. Activities may run daytimes or evenings, weekdays or weekends.”

The flyer says: “We aim to provide exactly what people want, reliably when they want it, seven days a week and at any affordable cost.”

Activities include: Tai Chi; keep fit; nature safari; Art Attack; jewellery workshop; gardeners’ world; Computer Whizz; outward bound; cookery; Click Photography; interactive games; and Grow it Cook it Eat it.

The address for Co-ordin8 is 21 Daison Crescent, Torquay, TQ1 4LJ. Telephone 01803 327869 to book a time or email co-ordina84action@hotmail.com to take part.

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© Copyright paul dickson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

A public meeting exploring the impact of being homeless or vulnerably housed in Exeter and what is being done to address the issue will take place on Friday, March 17 at the Mint Church in Fore Street, Exeter, beginning at 7.30pm.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions of a panel of speakers from organisations such as Nightstop, the Esther Community and Bristol Housing Action who have extensive experiences of helping the homeless.

The meeting will consider in particular whether enough is being done in Exeter to prevent homelessness and whether there are sufficient resources available to accommodate rough sleepers.

Associated issues such as the impacts of the bedroom tax and the many empty houses in Exeter will also be examined. Members of the public will also have an opportunity to contribute to the debate, sharing their own experiences or views on the issue and asking questions to the panel of speakers.

The meeting will be chaired by Phonic FM presenter Audaye Elesedy, who will be discussing housing issues during his Ahead of the Curve show on Phonic FM on the same day.

He said: “Such a forum is crucial at this time when homelessness in Exeter is rising dramatically.

“Many people are concerned that Government cuts in services and difficult economic times are exacerbating an already desperate situation.

“The meeting will give those affected by homelessness and those trying to support them a voice in a public space in which to discuss, network and interact.”

Exeter Green Party member Lizzie Woodman, who is helping to organise the meeting, said: “This is a key issue for Exeter and a matter which affects many individuals and families. It is important that we inform policy by listening to people who have direct experience of homelessness and insecure housing and those who are working to support them.”

Occupy Exeter member Alison Williams, who has also helped coordinate the event, said: “The Occupy Exeter camp attracted many people from all walks of life who are affected by homelessness.

“The camp provided a few comforts in an otherwise harsh street existence. For many Occupiers this was their first close contact with homeless people. Their reaction was not to turn away but to actively work towards a solution. This public meeting is part of that work.”

(from a press release)

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Northcote House, University of Exeter © Copyright Pierre Terre and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

A fees and funding officer who led a successful year-long union campaign against the introduction of local pay at Exeter University will today be recognised by the South West TUC.

Andy Holcombe, a UNISON member who works in the university’s admissions office, will this evening collect the prestigious Union Rep award at an event at St James’ Park.

He said: “It’s just nice to receive public recognition for work that has led to a positive outcome for our members.”

Andy was nominated for the award after successfully seeing off a bid by managers to scrap a national pay agreement in favour of local bargaining – a move unions feared may lead to a worsening of their working conditions.

“The plans were announced without any prior consultation with unions,” Andy said, “so I co-ordinated the consulting myself, organising meetings for staff to discuss the proposals.

“We held a vote, and the proposals were rejected by majority of members. The ballot provided a platform for us to successfully renegotiate recognition agreements on more favourable terms. Not only did the university remain in national pay bargaining, but we also significantly increased facility time for our activists – a double win for unions!”

One of the reasons for Andy’s success, says UNISON officer Fiona Bentley, was his work with the other two unions on campus – UCU and Unite – to present a united front to management.

Fiona said: “Andy has been a loyal rep for many years, brilliant at supporting our members and becoming an excellent case worker, trusted by the members and respected by the university senior management team.

“Andy was pivotal in ensuring plans to introduce local pay bargaining were abandoned. He did this by providing leadership for our members, arguing cogently and sensibly about leaving the security of the national pay bargaining and the dangers of pay and conditions being eroded if local pay was adopted.

“He steered the branch through a very difficult and challenging year and successfully managed to repel local pay at one of the South West’s largest employers.”

South West TUC Regional Education Officer Marie Hughes said: “Andy has done a great job in taking up the baton when members’ pay was threatened and thoroughly deserves this award.

“What all the nominations have showed is the sheer determination and strength reps have to tackle inequality, bad employment practices and protect workers.”

(from a press release)

© Copyright Pierre Terre and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

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Plymouth Labour has chosen local man Jonny Morris to be their candidate in the Southway by-election that is due to be called following the resignation of Conservative Councillor, Tom Browne.

Jonny, a long-term member of Plymouth Moor View Labour Party, is a freelance copy editor, chairman of his Residents’ Association, and recently helped organise the Bedroom  Tax demonstrations in the city centre.

Jonny said: “I live just off Tavistock Road, and Southway is where my doctor is, where I go to the Co-op, where I get my Chinese takeaways and where I go to the library twice a week.

“I’m looking forward to meeting more local people and discussing the challenges and opportunities for our ward with them.

“Southway is a ward on the up. Southway’s Labour Councillors John Smith and Lorraine Parker have shown that by listening and working hard for your community you can get things done. I want to work with them to make Southway, and Plymouth, an even better place to live.”

Alison Seabeck, the Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View said: “Labour has selected a no nonsense candidate who is prepared to roll his sleeves up and get stuck in. People in Southway are already suffering because of the failed policies of the Tory-led Government.

“I am dealing with dozens of complaints from hard working people in Southway about the Tory Bedroom Tax. I know how important it is to have councillors involved in their communities dealing with casework and I know Jonny Morris would make an excellent councillor.

“In the coming weeks I will be out and about in Southway asking local people to vote Labour.”

The date of the by-election is still to be set but is expected in the coming two months.

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While speaking online with my brother yesterday, concerning the welfare of an acquaintance of his, who has attempted suicide because of poverty-related mental health issues, details of another person’s despair appeared on my Facebook. As reported via a link in the Daily Mirror, Mrs Stephanie Bottrill, who faced benefit cuts of £80 a month unless she left her home, couldn’t face the consequences of either ‘choice’ and threw herself under a lorry.

On Facebook’s own Bedroom Tax protest groups, many people expressed their shock sadness and distress; and some also revealed how near the edge they were. Others explained their living situations with obvious anxiety.

So how does one come to terms with leaving a home of many years, a home where community, memories, financial investment, ashes scattered in beloved gardens, and where there are familiar places of worship or trusted doctors are nearby. And aren’t spare rooms where children or grandchildren might need to stay? How to suddenly give this up in exchange for the unknown or the non-existent?

It’s not a question I’ve got the answer to. But it is a commonly known and psychologically proven fact, that moving house is the second most stressful life event after the bereavement of somebody close. This includes when the situation is voluntary, so add to this, the stress of having no choice as well as losing the sanctity and familiarity of all those things I have just mentioned. This is what thousands of people across this land now have to face.

Those willing to move have no alternative places to go to: or that the smaller, privately rented, short-term-let house across town, or in another town (away from community) costs more than their social housing and the government will pay it; presumably because private landlords deserve to be subsidised with money more than poor people deserve to stay in their established cheaper homes that he Government says we cannot afford to ‘subsidise’ .

I am currently not in this situation, and but for the grace of fate or God, you might not be either. But for those who are, the nightmare is real. It feels like it feels when the bullies have won. It feels like grief. It is terrifying to feel so powerless.

This government policy demonstrates an attitude that reduces people to units of bedroom consumption – but only if you are poor. It is dehumanising and divisive and it is a lie. And the bigger lie is that we ‘can’t afford’: oh yes we can. We can afford to prioritise. We, as a nation can afford to write off taxes to big companies, can allow loopholes for the top 1% to slip their taxes through; we can allegedly afford a high speed rail link between London and the West Midlands; we can afford MPs expenses and can afford to bail out banks and to give money to royalty and to have jolly jubilees; and to send armies across the world, allegedly to prevent terrorism at home.

But there is already terrorism at home. The security of citizens means they/we have to feel safe in our homes. Putting the very poorest into a position where they/we have to face the issues I have described above, or face starvation and debt, is not a choice it is a dilemma caused by lack of Duty of Care by this government. It is an insidious, subtle terrorism. And what we cannot afford, lest we lose our very humanity, is to expose people to terrorism by stealth; least of all from the very people meant to represent us in parliament.

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