Tim Ridgway’s Latest news on Funding Pride, Banksy and more
This week’s headlines from across the city
Funding Pride
Pride has won a funding reprieve thanks to an 11th hour intervention from politicians. Organisers behind the world-famous event, which brings more than 150,000 people into the city, had been concerned that Brighton and Hove City Council was to scrap an annual £25,000 sum towards its costs.
The local authority claimed the money was not needed now the event is run on a commercial basis.
But, with organisers concerned they may not have enough cash to cover overheads, Conservative and Labour groups on the council united to overturn the decision at budget council last week.
At the time of going to press, it was not clear if this was with the support of members of the Green-minority administration.
Regardless, it is great news for organisers who have announced The World’s a Disco theme for this year’s parade on 2 August.
For more details and tickets for the Preston Park event, visit www.brighton-pride.org
Cash in the Banksy
When mystery artist Banksy created Kissing Coppers on the side of the Prince Albert in Trafalgar Street, little did he know that one day it would be hot property.
The mural, which has achieved worldwide fame, was spray-painted onto the side of the Brighton pub in 2004. But after being removed, the life-sized black-and-white graffiti work of two policemen kissing went under the hammer in the USA.
“Bansky’s ‘Kissing Coppers’ has fetched £345,000 at auction in the USA”
It was sold to an anonymous buyer in Miami fetching $575,000 (£345,000).
Towering support
The i360 saga just runs and runs. Last week in these pages I wrote how opinion was split over whether Brighton and Hove City Council should support a plan to gift a £36 million loan to developers.
The Green-led minority authority believe the giant 600-foot viewing tower would help regenerate a key part of the seafront.
But Labour politicians believe the numbers do not add up and fear borrowing government money could saddle the taxpayer with a heap of debt.
As for the Tories – well, after much debate, local Conservative councillors have agreed to support the idea which would see the council act as a middle man in securing the government cash.
The news was broken exclusively on www.thelatest.co.uk last week.
Providing there are no mishaps, this will be agreed at a special meeting of the council’s policy and resources committee on Thursday 3 March.
Royal approval
A date with royalty is something many people would simply dream of. But a group of student reporters went one better, not only meeting a member of the royal family but exclusively interviewing him too.
Pupils from Hove Park School grilled Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, at Buckingham Palace as part of his 50th birthday celebrations.
The Earl, who plays an active role in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, agreed to the visit after students wrote to him requesting a chat.
With initiative like that I best watch my back as very soon these pupils will be after my job!
Serving up an artistic treat
Last week saw the launch of the Brighton Festival – and this year’s guest director will be Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter. With more than 130 events planned throughout the three week celebration in May, there is sure to be something for every one.
Brighton Festival chief executive Andrew Comben was not shy in his praise for this year’s programme, adding: “To my mind it’s our richest and most eclectic festival yet.”
As for Hofesh, we’ll be sure to see him around town as he will be taking up residence in the city throughout May. The best place to catch him will probably be Preston Park tennis courts as he plays out his favourite sport.
