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This year the Sussex Beacon broke all records for runners, funds raised and even the weather was on their side

The weather was sunny and the sky and sea were a deep blue as runners set off on the 2008 Sussex Beacon Half Marathon. Crowds cheered the athletes on as it was announced that the fundraising target of £120,000 will be broken as the race became over-subscribed.

“Its incredible,” says Julie Hales race director. “This is the first time in the races history it’s sold out! What is even more exciting is the amount of funds raised for the Beacon by the race – we are going to smash our target of £120,000. It’s a fantastic achievement in the Beacon’s 15th Anniversary year.”

A record 4,900 people ran the 10km distance with Sussex runners occupying the top three places with Dave Catre (Phoenix) winning from Daniel Anderson (Hastings) and Tracy Harris (Brighton and Hove). The winner of the New Youth Race was Junior Wells.

Al Start is a Brighton legend, Paul Disney caught up with the singer, songwriter and is now a huge fan!

Describe yourself?
AS: I’m a 30-something, female singer songwriter from Brighton. Tall and dashing (well, maybe!!).

Why Brighton?
AS: I came to Brighton 20 years ago as a student and fell in love with the place. My romance continues to this day. It’s a unique and fascinating place to live. I’m hooked!

Where did you get that extraordinary voice from?
AS: 80 fags and five cans of Special Brew a day! Oh no, that was Joni Mitchell’s answer to that question! My voice is something I’ve been working on for a long time, kind of you to ask!

What would you change about Brighton and Hove if you could?
AS: Oh now you’re asking. The only thing I would do is lower the extreme house prices and only tell the locals. Stop Londoners moving into poncy apartments and let us be able to afford a home here!

Tell me about your new album, I heart History?
AS: It’s a collection of ten songs all based on stories from Brighton Museum’s archives. I’ve picked the fruitiest, naughtiest, funniest and saddest stories I could find and turned them into songs. Each one relates directly to Brighton and is something that happened right here on our doorstep. Musically the style is new acoustic – lovelyguitars, some mandolin and fiddle, clarinet but with drums and some programming here and there. Lush harmonies and great lyrics!

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Is it finally reaching a schism over dogmatism and inequalities?

Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams

Infighting in the Anglican church seems to be headline news these days; not a week goes by without another problem for the church, Sharia law being the latest issue to contend with.

Never before have we witnessed such a fall out between members of Parliament, and the 77 million Anglicans world wide who have all united to condem the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.

The latest row involves the Archbishop’s mention of Sharia law and how it could perhaps one day somehow be run along side British law.

However, Sharia Councils have been operating for more than two decades in Britain – their Jewish equivalents, known as Beth Dins, have been operating even longer.

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Join Stonewall’s 2008 Equality Walk in Brighton and help stamp out hate-crime

Now in its fifth year and gaining popularity every year, the Equality Walk is a chance to show solidarity with Stonewall and support their efforts for equality for everyone

Hundreds of lesbian and gay people and their friends are set to join Stonewall for the charity’s 5th annual Equality Walk in Brighton on bank holiday Sunday 4 May.

Walkers will be joined by this year’s celebrity supporters Sue Perkins, Amy Lamé and Dicky and Dolly (ex – Big Brother stars Richard and Lea, now hosts of Gaydar Radio). This year’s event is once again sponsored by American Express. All money raised will go towards Stonewall’s campaign to ensure hate crimes are reported with more confidence, and eventually stamped-out altogether.

The 10k walk begins from the Pavilion Gardens at 2pm and will follow a route set by BLAGGS, the Brighton-based lesbian and gay sports society, ending in a prize-giving party hosted by Legends Bar.

Registration is £10, for which participants will receive a Stonewall Equality Walk t-shirt and goodies.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: “The Brighton Equality Walk is one of the highlights of our year. Not only is it great fun on the day, but it also helps raise invaluable funds for our vital work around hate crime. Last year we raised over £40,000 for our campaign to introduce legislation criminalising incitement on the grounds of sexual orientation.

“Homophobic hate crime is still a sad reality in today’s society. Too many people are still afraid to report it. We’ll continue to work to raise awareness around the issue and hope all lesbians and gay men, their friends and families who also want to show their support will join us in Brighton on Bank Holiday Sunday.”

To register now, visit www.equalitywalk.org.uk or contact the equality team on 020 7593 1874. Once registered, please keep logging on to the website for regular news updates about the Brighton Walk.