Tuesday 31 May 2011
Monday 30 May 2011
Sheffield celebrates Amnesty International at 50!
Amnesty International on Saturday celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Here in Sheffield, a birthday party was held at the Courtyard Cafe in Attercliffe. The celebrations were kindly opened by the Lord Mayor Sylvia Dunkley who made a very moving speech in support of Amnesty's work and lit an Amnesty candle to represent light in the darkness of human rights violations around the world.
Opening proceedings continued with a contribution from Sheffield's own Sophie Mei, former "Britain's got talent " star, who had last week won the prestigious Human Rights Student Reporter of the year at the national Amnesty International UK Media awards ceremony for her amazing work on the terrible plight of victims of trafficking here in Sheffield.
A toast was made and messages of support read out from local dignitaries, worthies and celebrities including The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, David Blunkett MP, Paul Blomfield MP, Sheffield City Councillor Jillian Creasy, The Right Reverend Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield and author Marina Lewycka.
Other messages of support included those from three of Sheffield Amnesty International's adopted prisoners from Russia, USA and (ex) Guantanamo.
(All these messages of support are printed in full below.)
There was a stall highlighting our local group's work around the world. As ever, seeking new members to extend our impact in the campaigns.
There was an appel of behalf of Djoly Mpanzu who fled political persecution in Congo DRC in 2002 and is well known in Sheffield for his humanitarian activities. But is now facing deportation.
Brilliant live music was provided till late by the local musicians the Anything Goes Ukelele Orchestra and Jackalope Tales.
With much appreciation to all those who helped make this event such a success including the staff at the Courtyard Cafe and members of Jackalope Tales and the Anything goes Ukelele Orchestra.
Sunday 29 May 2011
Sheffield Peace in the Park Festival 4th June
Sheffield Amnesty International will have a speaker at this year's Peace in the Park festival. Great event!
The Peace in the Park festival promotes peace and understanding by bringing together communities through artistic, musical and vocal expression. Peace in the Park is organised by a group of artists, musicians, students, events organisers and other everyday Sheffield folk, working together in a not for profit collective
The 2011 festival is set to go ahead on Saturday 4th June back on the Ponderosa, and will be the eigth Peace in the Park, which each year collects money for nominated good causes. The festival is funded by money raised in advance, so look out for these fundraisers to help make the festival happen, and have a good old knees up too!
http://web.peaceinthepark.org.uk/about-us/
The Peace in the Park festival promotes peace and understanding by bringing together communities through artistic, musical and vocal expression. Peace in the Park is organised by a group of artists, musicians, students, events organisers and other everyday Sheffield folk, working together in a not for profit collective
The 2011 festival is set to go ahead on Saturday 4th June back on the Ponderosa, and will be the eigth Peace in the Park, which each year collects money for nominated good causes. The festival is funded by money raised in advance, so look out for these fundraisers to help make the festival happen, and have a good old knees up too!
- If it sounds like something you want to be a part of then get involved!
- See pictures and stuff from past festivals.
Peace in the Park 2010
A third year on the Ponderosa and some beautiful weather led to a fantastic day for all who came along. The giant letters (Peace, Love, etc.) were back again, the bands provided music to keep people dancing all afternoon and £1400 was raised for the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Lukemia Appeal and Osotua – supporting Massai women struggling with droughts.http://web.peaceinthepark.org.uk/about-us/
JUSTICE FOR ALL – DAY OF ACTION
JUSTICE FOR ALL – DAY OF ACTION
STOP CUTS TO FREE ADVICE IN YORKSHIRE!
STOP CUTS TO FREE ADVICE IN YORKSHIRE!
Join us for a public meeting outside
Sheffield Town Hall
FRIDAY 3RD JUNE: 5-6 PM
Show your support for the campaign against cuts. Speakers include Jillian Creasy (councillor, Green Party), David Blunkett (MP, Labour), Joe Bartlett (Harthills Solicitors, family specialist) and other local activists. Music from Sheffield Socialist Choir.
For more info, contact Carita at caritaruththomas@yahoo.co.uk
It is a rally to protest about the cuts to legal aid - Friday 3rd June at 5 pm outside the Town Hall in Sheffield. Please spread the word, and attend if possible!
We have some great speakers including:
Jillian Creasy (Councillor, Green Party)
David Blunkett (MP, Labour Party)
Joe Bartlett (Partner, Harthills Solicitors - family specialist)
Chris Cole - Partner, Cole & Yousaf Solicitors, Co-convenor of the Immigration Lawyers Practitioner Group (North East and Yorkshire) - immigration specialist)
Jenny Cummings (Legal aid worker at Foxhill and Parson Cross advice service - speaking on welfare benefits)
Linda Laurie (disability activist)
Geraldine O'Connor (activist and legal aid user - speaking on debt)
Danny Smith (Howells, housing caseworker)
Advice workers and Solicitors are demonstrating at a rally outside Sheffield
Town Hall On Friday 3rd June at 5pm, at Government plans to cut two-thirds of
legal aid to their clients.
Legal aid workers are angry that the Government proposals will hit the poorest
people the hardest and that the main cuts are targeted at low-cost preventative work
– not expensive high-profile trials.
Under Government plans, free legal advice would be abolished for problems with
employment, welfare benefits, family law, immigration and consumer problems, as
well as most debt and housing advice. At present, this is delivered to people on low
incomes by Citizens Advice Bureaux, independent advice centres, the Law Centre
and private practice solicitors.
Many solicitors firms have stopped doing legal aid work in recent years and now only
offer paid-for services to those who can afford them. The effect of the proposed cuts
is to abolish the advice needed by an estimated 650,000 people each year.
Speakers at the event include Green Party councillor Jillian Creasy, MP David
Blunkett, along with legal aid practitioners and clients of these vital services.
Carita Thomas, of Young Legal Aid Lawyers, said:
“Legal aid is a safety net for the most vulnerable. It is there to help people
through the hard times, whether it’s getting contact with their kids or
employment or debt advice when they lose their jobs. The government's cuts
will hit us all but particularly women, minorities and the disabled who are most
likely to need free help.”
“If we want a fair society, taking away the means by which people can be
equal before the law is not the way to go about it.”
Douglas Johnson of Sheffield Law Centre, said,
“Charities like ours, and our clients, will feel the biggest cuts. The
Government says the voluntary sector will face a massive 77% cut from the
legal aid budget. This is on top of further cuts proposed for anti-discrimination
casework. It is clearly intended to hit the most vulnerable and
disadvantaged.”
Chris Cole of Cole & Yousaf Solicitors said,
“What’s staggering about the Government’s proposals is that they are aimed
at the areas of preventative work that help people sort out their everyday
problems before they become a crisis that would cost the State a lot more in
social care.”
Councillor Jillian Creasy said,
“Everyone needs access to free legal advice to nip problems in the bud and
prevent them escalating. As a Green councillor, I do hundreds of pieces of
casework each year and it's vital that I can refer on to local services like
Sharrow CAB, funded by legal aid, when more specialist advice is needed.”
Geraldine O’Connor said,
“If the government takes away free legal aid, it will be one law for the rich, one
law for the poor.”
“This is intolerable in a so-called democracy. I am a disabled woman and had
to stop work because of my illness, which meant I got into debt. I turned to
legal aid to get help sorting out repayments. Without my solicitor, I would have
been sunk.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Government’s Green Paper “Proposals for the Reform of Legal Aid in England
and Wales” was published in November 2010. Over 5000 organisations and individuals
responded to the consultation.
2. The main proposal is to remove legal aid for employment problems; clinical negligence
(complaints about healthcare); consumer problems and contracts; debts such as council
tax, utilities, credit card debts, fines, unsecured personal loans, overdrafts and hire
purchase debts and insolvency problems; criminal injuries; education issues (problems
at school or college); welfare benefits and asylum support; family law cases where there
has been no physical violence; most housing cases; most immigration cases unless
people are actually detained; assaults; negligence; false imprisonment. Legal aid will not
be available in these areas, regardless of the merits of the case. There will be no legal
aid for appeals against bad decisions in these cases.
3. Legal aid expenditure was £2.1 billion in 2008/09, of which £700m (33%) was for highlevel
criminal cases (Crown Court trials), £650m (31%) was for full civil legal aid. Only
£263m (12½%) was spent on civil legal aid advice and assistance (“legal help”). The notfor-
profit sector (CABx, Law centres, independent advice centres, etc.) benefits from
£78m of this funding.
4. The Government proposes to cut 28% of legal aid funding. The NFP sector will be
affected by a cut of 77% of its funding.
5. 943,904 people were helped with legal aid in 2010-11; under the proposals, 653,659
people will no longer be able to receive a service, according to research by the Legal
Action Group.
6. In 2009, the Legal Services Commission said, “Legal aid gives people who can least
afford it access to justice, which provides a vital safety net and makes our society a
civilised one.”
7. Justice for All (www.justice-for-all.org.uk) is a collation of over 3000 charities,
legal and advice agencies, politicians, trade unions, community groups and
members of the public. Justice for All is holding a national day of action on 3rd
June to raise awareness of the effect of the proposed cut in access to justice,
with a series of events around the country.
For further information on this press release, please contact Carita Thomas at
caritaruththomas@yahoo.co.uk or 07791 450620 or Douglas Johnson on
djp191@yahoo.co.uk or at 0114 273 1501 / 07981 860662.
Advice workers and Solicitors are demonstrating at a rally outside Sheffield
Town Hall On Friday 3rd June at 5pm, at Government plans to cut two-thirds of
legal aid to their clients.
Legal aid workers are angry that the Government proposals will hit the poorest
people the hardest and that the main cuts are targeted at low-cost preventative work
– not expensive high-profile trials.
Under Government plans, free legal advice would be abolished for problems with
employment, welfare benefits, family law, immigration and consumer problems, as
well as most debt and housing advice. At present, this is delivered to people on low
incomes by Citizens Advice Bureaux, independent advice centres, the Law Centre
and private practice solicitors.
Many solicitors firms have stopped doing legal aid work in recent years and now only
offer paid-for services to those who can afford them. The effect of the proposed cuts
is to abolish the advice needed by an estimated 650,000 people each year.
Speakers at the event include Green Party councillor Jillian Creasy, MP David
Blunkett, along with legal aid practitioners and clients of these vital services.
Carita Thomas, of Young Legal Aid Lawyers, said:
“Legal aid is a safety net for the most vulnerable. It is there to help people
through the hard times, whether it’s getting contact with their kids or
employment or debt advice when they lose their jobs. The government's cuts
will hit us all but particularly women, minorities and the disabled who are most
likely to need free help.”
“If we want a fair society, taking away the means by which people can be
equal before the law is not the way to go about it.”
Douglas Johnson of Sheffield Law Centre, said,
“Charities like ours, and our clients, will feel the biggest cuts. The
Government says the voluntary sector will face a massive 77% cut from the
legal aid budget. This is on top of further cuts proposed for anti-discrimination
casework. It is clearly intended to hit the most vulnerable and
disadvantaged.”
Chris Cole of Cole & Yousaf Solicitors said,
“What’s staggering about the Government’s proposals is that they are aimed
at the areas of preventative work that help people sort out their everyday
problems before they become a crisis that would cost the State a lot more in
social care.”
Councillor Jillian Creasy said,
“Everyone needs access to free legal advice to nip problems in the bud and
prevent them escalating. As a Green councillor, I do hundreds of pieces of
casework each year and it's vital that I can refer on to local services like
Sharrow CAB, funded by legal aid, when more specialist advice is needed.”
Geraldine O’Connor said,
“If the government takes away free legal aid, it will be one law for the rich, one
law for the poor.”
“This is intolerable in a so-called democracy. I am a disabled woman and had
to stop work because of my illness, which meant I got into debt. I turned to
legal aid to get help sorting out repayments. Without my solicitor, I would have
been sunk.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Government’s Green Paper “Proposals for the Reform of Legal Aid in England
and Wales” was published in November 2010. Over 5000 organisations and individuals
responded to the consultation.
2. The main proposal is to remove legal aid for employment problems; clinical negligence
(complaints about healthcare); consumer problems and contracts; debts such as council
tax, utilities, credit card debts, fines, unsecured personal loans, overdrafts and hire
purchase debts and insolvency problems; criminal injuries; education issues (problems
at school or college); welfare benefits and asylum support; family law cases where there
has been no physical violence; most housing cases; most immigration cases unless
people are actually detained; assaults; negligence; false imprisonment. Legal aid will not
be available in these areas, regardless of the merits of the case. There will be no legal
aid for appeals against bad decisions in these cases.
3. Legal aid expenditure was £2.1 billion in 2008/09, of which £700m (33%) was for highlevel
criminal cases (Crown Court trials), £650m (31%) was for full civil legal aid. Only
£263m (12½%) was spent on civil legal aid advice and assistance (“legal help”). The notfor-
profit sector (CABx, Law centres, independent advice centres, etc.) benefits from
£78m of this funding.
4. The Government proposes to cut 28% of legal aid funding. The NFP sector will be
affected by a cut of 77% of its funding.
5. 943,904 people were helped with legal aid in 2010-11; under the proposals, 653,659
people will no longer be able to receive a service, according to research by the Legal
Action Group.
6. In 2009, the Legal Services Commission said, “Legal aid gives people who can least
afford it access to justice, which provides a vital safety net and makes our society a
civilised one.”
7. Justice for All (www.justice-for-all.org.uk) is a collation of over 3000 charities,
legal and advice agencies, politicians, trade unions, community groups and
members of the public. Justice for All is holding a national day of action on 3rd
June to raise awareness of the effect of the proposed cut in access to justice,
with a series of events around the country.
For further information on this press release, please contact Carita Thomas at
caritaruththomas@yahoo.co.uk or 07791 450620 or Douglas Johnson on
djp191@yahoo.co.uk or at 0114 273 1501 / 07981 860662.
MANY THANKS FOR THE MESSAGES OF SUPPORT
MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO GAVE MESSAGES OF SUPPORT TO SHEFFIELD AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON OUR 50TH BIRTHDAY
"Congratulations on 50 years of fighting for those whose voice is being suppressed and those whose rights are being oppressed. As a Friend of Amnesty, I have been proud to help on focusing on individuals whose lives and freedom have been threatened and through the work of Amnesty, have had their plight highlighted and their chances of freedom enhanced.
"Many parts of the world remain a dangerous place for those committed to democracy and free speech, and who are prepared to place themselves at risk in order to promote the wellbeing of others. I hope that Amnesty will continue focusing on those whose very right to life and liberty is being threatened the most, and that the democratic world will continue to press for the freedoms that we take, too often, for granted."
David Blunkett MP
**********************************************************************************
"I love Amnesty's symbol, the candle burning despite the coil of barbed wire around it. And the proverb on which it is based - "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness". That is also the motto of the Association or Radical Midwives, who insist on treating pregnant women in a human way, rather than subjecting them to the tyranny of technology. The smallest human contact can make a world of difference. Added together small acts can change the whole world. Light a candle. Happy birthday!"
Cllr Jillian Creasy, Green Party
..........................................................................................................
The Right Reverend Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield
I send my warm greetings to the Sheffield Amnesty International Group as
Amnesty International celebrates its 50th anniversary with the local branch.
It is sobering to think both of the number of people who have been supported
over the last fifty years and of the task still to be continued in the
present and the future. I hope and trust the occasions are both a fitting
celebration and an opportunity for recommitment to this vital cause.......................................................................................................
Amnesty International celebrates its 50th anniversary with the local branch.
It is sobering to think both of the number of people who have been supported
over the last fifty years and of the task still to be continued in the
present and the future. I hope and trust the occasions are both a fitting
celebration and an opportunity for recommitment to this vital cause.......................................................................................................
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister
“I'd like to congratulate you for the perseverance and dedication of Amnesty International over the past 50 years. I hope you have a fantastic evening celebrating the impact your organisation has had by providing a voice for the world’s most vulnerable”
…………………………………………
Marina Lewycka, prize winning author:
It's simpler and safer to come to an agreement with tyrants, and carry on with business as normal; it's easier to turn a blind eye to abuses of human rights, especially those committed by 'our own' side. But thank goodness not everyone does; thank goodness someone is there for those who are brave enough to speak out, and that someone is often Amnesty International. So happy Anniversary Sheffield Amnesty, and congratulations for fifty years of shining the spotlight on the dirty secrets of dictators and torturers.
...........................................................................................................................
Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central:
“For 50 years Amnesty International has been a voice for human rights around the world and in today’s globalised world Amnesty’s work is more important than ever.
“I believe a key part of Amnesty’s success is down to local groups like Sheffield Amnesty. Your hard work to organise vigils, demonstrations, letter-writing campaigns and much much more is what keeps human rights issues in the news and makes sure that important causes are not forgotten about or ignored.
“Here’s to 50 years of Amnesty and to the important work I know you will all do in the future.”
......................................................................................................................
Troy Davis
Troy Davis is still languishing on death row.
"I want you to know that the trauma placed on me and my family as I have now faced execution and the death chamber 3 times is more than most can bare; but as I face this state santioned terror, I realize one constant, my faith is unwavering, the love of my family and friends is massive and the fight for justice and against injustice by Amnesty activists have ignited a fire that is raging for Human Rights and Human Dignity. You inspire me, you honor me and as I pray for strength and guidance for my family and loved ones, for the victims family and loved ones, I share with you this struggle, I share with you our triumphs, knowing that you add to my strength, and my courage, I share with you my life.
We must Dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country.
I can't wait to Stand with you, no matter if that is in physical or spiritual form, I will one day be announcing, 'I AM TROY DAVIS, and I AM FREE!'
Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!"
........................................................................................................................
We must Dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country.
I can't wait to Stand with you, no matter if that is in physical or spiritual form, I will one day be announcing, 'I AM TROY DAVIS, and I AM FREE!'
Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!"
........................................................................................................................
Sami al Hajj
Sami al Hajj is the al Jazeera journalist held at Guantanamo Bay for several years, released 2008 & back working for al Jazeera.
"Myself, my son Mohammed and my wife Asma thank all AI members for supporting me and for supporting human rights. We will work hard with them together until we achieve peace for all people in the world. I will never forget their help and I will pray for them. I ask them to keep praying for me also. I will be glad if they continue their relationship with me, are in touch with me in my life and help me with my new job."
.......................................................
Alexei Sokolov, Human rights activist currently serving a prison sentence in a remote penal colony in Russia (Don’t forget to sign the card to him, everybody):
Dear friends from Amnesty International,
I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude for your assistance and support which have enabled me to endure this difficult stage in my life.
… Communication here {in prison} is equally special, therefore each one of you is a friend to me, and every correspondence from you for me is a kind of “breath of freedom” in this dark world which refreshes my soul with feelings of hope, confidence and optimism.
Your messages come in handy during the most difficult moments and when life becomes particularly hard and all energy is gone – it is at such moments that I turn to your letters to re-read them again. Your solidarity with me is the best reward for the time I have been here.
Looking at your postcards with Dutch scenery, brochures with neighbourhoods and old castles of England, with the finest streets of France etc before I go to bed, enables me to take a dive into a beautiful world full of kindness, to become an explorer walking in different cities of the world, albeit in my sleep. And the taste of sweets you have sent to me gives rise to feelings of celebration.
Thank you for your support and participation in my fate and my family’s fate. Thank you also for the opportunity to reunite with my family even if for once in 6 months for three days.
All the very best. What you are doing is very important. Thank you. Yours sincerely and with thanks to each of you, Aleksei Sokolov
Saturday 28 May 2011
Big Sheffield party for Amnesty's 50th
Dear Friends
Just to remind you that Sheffield Amnesty International's birthday party is tonight (28th May)!
We have two great local bands booked: Jackalope Tales and the Anything Goes Ukelele Orchestra!
Tram to Attercliffe or 52/69 bus.
Stall, bar, quiz.
More details below.
Hope you can make it. Bring your friends.
Graham
Sheffield Amnesty International
Press and Media Officer
07989473243
Graham.Jones@amnesty.org.uk
http://candlewire.blogspot.com/
Amnesty International was founded by Peter Benenson, a British lawyer, who read about two Portuguese students who were jailed for seven years for raising their glasses in a ‘toast to freedom’.
He wrote a newspaper appeal, The Forgotten Prisoners, published on May 28, 1961, calling for the release of people jailed for their religious or political beliefs.
Today, the sense of outrage at injustice continues to move Amnesty’s millions of members to take action, write letters and speak out.
Amnesty’s famous logo, a candle surrounded by barbed wire, was inspired by the Chinese proverb ‘It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness’.
In its 50 years Amnesty International has grown to be the world’s largest human rights organisation. It provides a unique blend of local, national and international campaigning. Local groups, like ours, have contributed to making it an effective and successful movement.
The Sheffield group, one of the UK’s longest standing groups, will mark the movement’s 50th anniversary with an anniversary social at the Courtyard Cafe, Banners Building, 620 Attercliffe Road, Sheffield, S9 3QS on May 28, starting at 8pm. There will be a bar and live music. Lord Mayor, Sylvia Dunkley will kindly open the proceeedings.
Our celebrations commemorate not only our international movement’s successes but also our local day to day consistent work on a diverse range of themes including arms control and refugees and with our local specialists working on a range of countries.
We have public monthly meetings but are also involved in a variety of events throughout the year. We are looking forward to making more links with other local organisations including religious bodies, trades unions, organisations promoting sexual and gender rights and others concerned with various aspects of human rights.
Over the past 50 years Amnesty has striven to curse the darkness of human rights violations and we’ve seen the great impact that the organisation has had in that time.
Graham Jones, Sheffield Amnesty International
Just to remind you that Sheffield Amnesty International's birthday party is tonight (28th May)!
We have two great local bands booked: Jackalope Tales and the Anything Goes Ukelele Orchestra!
Tram to Attercliffe or 52/69 bus.
Stall, bar, quiz.
More details below.
Hope you can make it. Bring your friends.
Graham
Sheffield Amnesty International
Press and Media Officer
07989473243
Graham.Jones@amnesty.org.uk
http://candlewire.blogspot.com/
Amnesty International was founded by Peter Benenson, a British lawyer, who read about two Portuguese students who were jailed for seven years for raising their glasses in a ‘toast to freedom’.
He wrote a newspaper appeal, The Forgotten Prisoners, published on May 28, 1961, calling for the release of people jailed for their religious or political beliefs.
Today, the sense of outrage at injustice continues to move Amnesty’s millions of members to take action, write letters and speak out.
Amnesty’s famous logo, a candle surrounded by barbed wire, was inspired by the Chinese proverb ‘It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness’.
In its 50 years Amnesty International has grown to be the world’s largest human rights organisation. It provides a unique blend of local, national and international campaigning. Local groups, like ours, have contributed to making it an effective and successful movement.
The Sheffield group, one of the UK’s longest standing groups, will mark the movement’s 50th anniversary with an anniversary social at the Courtyard Cafe, Banners Building, 620 Attercliffe Road, Sheffield, S9 3QS on May 28, starting at 8pm. There will be a bar and live music. Lord Mayor, Sylvia Dunkley will kindly open the proceeedings.
Our celebrations commemorate not only our international movement’s successes but also our local day to day consistent work on a diverse range of themes including arms control and refugees and with our local specialists working on a range of countries.
We have public monthly meetings but are also involved in a variety of events throughout the year. We are looking forward to making more links with other local organisations including religious bodies, trades unions, organisations promoting sexual and gender rights and others concerned with various aspects of human rights.
Over the past 50 years Amnesty has striven to curse the darkness of human rights violations and we’ve seen the great impact that the organisation has had in that time.
Graham Jones, Sheffield Amnesty International
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Sheffield celebrates Amnesty International's 50th Birthday
The Sheffield group of Amnesty International is to mark the movement's 50th anniversary by having a birthday party. Sheffield group itself is one of the longest standing groups in the UK.
To celebrate Sheffield Amnesty group are holding an anniversary social at the Courtyard Cafe, Banners Building, 620 Attercliffe Road, SHEFFIELD S9 3QS on 28th May starting at 8.00 pm. All welcome. There will be a bar and live music. Sheffield's Lord Mayor, Sylvia Dunkley will kindly open the proceeedings. We have two live bands. We look forward to welcoming a wide range of people from Sheffield to join us in our celebrations. We hope you can come.Read all about it in The (Sheffield) Star:
http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/letters/our_toast_to_freedom_1_3407839
Monday 2 May 2011
Spectacular Musical Ensemble all the way from Russia!
Hermitage Ensemble are a professional ensemble from St. Petersburg, Russia and they will be performing a concert of Russian Sacred Hymns & Folk songs a capella
Spectacular Musical Ensemble
all the way from Russia!
5th May 2011, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
St Timothy's Church, Slinn St, S10 1NZ
£8 Adult / £5 Concession
(price includes cheese and wine / soft drinks in the interval)
For tickets please contact Alex on 0114 3286678 or email sttimothys.events@gmail.com
http://hermitage.seenworks.com
Sheffield celebrates International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO)
IDAHO
17th May 2011
The International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO) is designed to raise awareness of the impact of prejudice and discrimination on the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people throughout the world and also on the lives of their families, friends and colleagues. To mark this event, the Centre for HIV and Sexual Health and Sheffield City Council are arranging a ONE-MINUTE ‘NOISE’ on Tuesday the 17th May to speak out loudly and clearly that homophobia and transphobia are unacceptable and have no place in our society. A number of key speakers will be present to pledge their support and call for an end to homophobia and transphobia worldwide. Out Aloud will also be singing. This event will take place at The Peace Gardens commencing at 5.30pm, the one-minute noise will take place around 6.00pm. We hope you, your friends, families, and partners will be able to join us in making some noise against these forms of prejudice and discrimination.
To find out more about the event in Sheffield, contact the Centre for HIV and Sexual Health on: Tel 0114 226 1900 or e-mail sheffield.gay@nhs.net
To find out more about IDAHO visit the website
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