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Campaigners from Brighton and Hove’s World Development Movement held a candlelit vigil at the clock tower in central Brighton to call time on global greed.
Despite the freezing temperature, over a dozen supporters turned out last Thursday to remember the thousands of people worldwide dying of poverty each day and condemn the greed of bank bosses who have raked in millions of public funds.
Demonstrator Ed Richardson said: “Christmas is a time for thinking of others less fortunate than ourselves. It’s a shame that the European and US governments didn’t do so when they gave $3 trillion of taxpayers’ money to bail out privately owned banks.
“Just a fraction of that money would be enough to make worldwide poverty history. It’s disgusting that poor children needlessly die each day when this kind of money is available for the rich and powerful.
“That’s why we are making a stand, and asking people to write to the president of the European Commission demanding trade justice for poor countries.”
More information can be found at www.wdm.org.uk

Mike Weatherley, Kate McKenzie and Garry Peltzer-Dunn, Mayor of Brighton and Hove

Brighton mum Kate McKenzie held a private screening of a Ch4 documentary about her battle to help her heroin addict daughter.
The Pavilion Theatre and its staff donated their facilities and time to show Mum, Heroin and Me, presented by radio broadcaster Mike Mendoza with speeches from documentary maker, Jane Treays, and Danny Kushlick, director of drug policy foundation Transform.
Kate said the event aimed to raise awareness of how easily a young person can become addicted and to campaign to treat addiction as an illness rather than a crime.
Mike Weatherley, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Hove and Portslade, said: “This is a major problem that needs new thinking and a fresh approach. It is a privilege to be able to support Kate’s effort to make things happen.”

Father Christmas and his elf have moved into one of Brighton’s grandest residences – the Royal Pavilion. Families can enjoy a genuine Victorian Christmas at the pavilion this year, with a chance to meet Victorian revellers and the cook in costume.
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Phil Mills reports on good news for elderly nurses who thought they would lose their homes

Retired nurses facing losing their homes have received early Christmas cheer that the Church may step in to save them.
The 20 ex-nurses, many in the 70s and 80s, have been living with uncertainty and sleepless nights for more than a year since the Royal College of Nursing said it could no longer afford to keep up the homes and would be prepared to sell to the highest bidder.
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