Fleetwood
Fleetwood is a coastal town with fish processing still a major economic activity. But the town’s most significant employer is Lofthouse of Fleetwood, manufacturer of the lozenge Fisherman’s Friend which is exported around the world.
A small group of us met at 10.30am at Piccadilly Train Station and took the 11.02am train to Blackpool North. We arrived around 12.35pm just in time for a 25 minute wait for the next tram to Fleetwood. Unfortunately due to work on the tracks the last three stops were closed, so we got off at Fisherman’s Walk and carried on foot to The Thomas Drummond – a Wetherspoon’s pub that was formerly a church. We had a lovely meal, but then it was time to return home!
We never did see Fleetwood Museum famous for it’s maritime heritage.
Scotland could be first country in world to end HIV transmission, say leading charities
Scotland is in prime position to be the first country to end new HIV cases, according to leading HIV charities, but urgent action by the next Scottish Government is crucial to achieving the goal of getting there by 2030.
The Scottish Government committed in 2020 to ending new HIV cases by 2030, which would be the first time the onward transmission of any virus had been stopped without a vaccine or cure.
However, there are still an estimated 400 people in Scotland living with undiagnosed HIV, and up to 1,400 people who have been diagnosed but are no longer accessing life-saving care.
Terrence Higgins Trust, Waverley Care and National AIDS Trust have published a manifesto for ending new HIV transmissions in Scotland and are urging all political parties to commit to action ahead of the May election.
Medical advances mean that a person living with HIV and on treatment can live a long and healthy life and cannot pass HIV on to others. This progress – combined with the availability of the HIV prevention drug PrEP and rapid HIV testing – means Scotland has all the tools needed to reach its 2030 goal.
The charities are calling on the next Scottish Government to make sure these tools reach everyone who needs them – including through a national online HIV prevention service, providing at-home test kits and access to PrEP, a National HIV Testing Week and a programme to re-engage those who have been diagnosed but are not accessing HIV care.
Section 28 Justice Coalition
We have been contacted by a new group, the Section 28 Justice Coalition. They want to get a proper acknowledgement of the harms caused to LGBTQ+ people by Section 28 and stop censorship of LGBTQ+ issues, whether enforced by social pressure or by law.
We’re witnessing increasing censorship laws, similar to Section 28 take hold internationally, and in the UK a more quiet form of censorship, enabled by social pressure, leading to book bans, pressure on libraries and schools, de-funding LGBTQ+ activities and an increase in protest of community and arts based events.
Reflecting on Section 28 and the damage this law caused enables us to show how censorship laws don’t work, they actively harm people.
They have launched a petition, calling for a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 on LGBTQ+ people to get justice for those who lived through it and to give recommendations on how to stop anything like it ever happening again.
Their ‘Dear Section 28’ project is compiling an archive of personal experiences through letters addressed directly to the law and featuring a film called ‘Don’t say gay’ which will be released later this year.
How you can support them
As they have just launched and are trying to get recognition for their campaign, they wanted to ask if you would consider supporting them in any way you can:
- You could sign our petition here and share it publicly
- Follow our instagram
- Share and contribute to our Dear Section 28 archive project
Creative agency Noodl are looking to hear from people from a range of communities and backgrounds who have an active interest in nature, history, art or culture and would be open to sharing their perspectives on how British cultural institutions and nature locations (beaches, woodlands, etc) can better connect with people living in towns and cities.
They’re currently recruiting for people to do a questionnaire over the next week and they’re paying £25 to those who take part, first come first served, plus you’ll be added to their network where they provide paid opportunities to participate in future creative projects.
If this sounds like you, click the link below to find out more and register your interest.
https://tally.so/r/KYDDAM
Out in the City 