Somerset

Frankie Howerd's secret lover of 41 years, Dennis Heymer, has died at the Somerset home they shared.

Heymer, 82, who was also the comedian’s manager, was a waiter when he met Howerd in 1955, when homosexuality was still illegal. The comedian struggled with his sexuality. Only their closest friends knew they were lovers.

‘He hated being gay,’ Heymer once said. ‘At the beginning I was hidden away when anyone of note came here (to their house). I was hidden away from his sister, and his mother for a time.’

Read more: Death of Frankie Howerds Secret Lover

Men in Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire who need information, confidential support and advice on a range of sexual and mental health issues can now for the very first time access trained, qualified and professional individuals in confidence and from the comfort of the recently created service centre in Devizes. The centre will be run by the Men’s Sexual Health service and is located at 31A The Brittox, which officially opens on Monday 18th May 2009.

Men’s Sexual Health service formerly known as Gay Men’s Health Project has been in existence since 1993. Its aim is to develop and deliver a comprehensive range of services which inform men of all ages and sexual orientation within Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire about good sexual health, general health and well-being.

Read more: New Men’s Sexual Health Service Centre

The date for the next Somerset Standing Council has been set.

The meeting is for all LGBT groups and projects. Come along and find out more about LGBT groups in the county and what we are working together to achieve.

• 25^th March 6:30 meeting in Glastonbury                                                 

For more info on the venue e-mail Vicky on vicky@intercomtrust.org.uk or call 01392 201012

An event for LGBTQ people and friends.

Bringing you fully present into your body. Moving you into bliss. Dance, Yoga, Meditation, Drumming, Breath work, Voice work, Journeying & Bodywork. Workshops led by professional facilitators. Residential. Fully catered. Accommodation in en-suite twin rooms.

• Dates - Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2009
• Location - Folly Farm, Chew Valley Lake, nr Bristol

Read more: Open Your Heart

‘We would welcome expressions of interest from any suitable candidates for the following new position.'
 
Sexual Health Development Worker, Full-time 36 hrs p/w, based in Bath City for a period of 12 months. Commencement date 1st April 2009. Salary in the region of £25k per annum subject to experience plus expenses.
 
The successful individual will be responsible for the development and delivery of a specialist advice and referral service in Bath and North East Somerset for men's health, with a particular focus on Gay and Bisexual men, men who have sex with men (MSM) and other groups and communities who are at a high risk of poor sexual health.
 
The successful candidate should be a gay male, educated to degree level or equivalent, who will work adhering to the highest standards regarding confidentiality and information governance. We are seeking an individual who is highly motivated, able to work under their own initiative, have the ability to communicate effectively, possess excellent interpersonal skills, able to offer a flexible approach to working as this position will demand that from time to time, be IT literate and have a solid background in sexual health, be a car owner with a clean full driving licence. Enhanced CRB clearance will be required for the successful applicant.  
 
For more information, please forward a CV giving details of relevant experience and education to Mark Castle-Woodhams, WSMSH Service Manager either by email mark@wsmsh.org.uk or telephone 07970 473962.   
 

LGBT Greens have chosen LGBT History Month to launch in the South West region a new group for Green members of the gay, lesbian, bi­sexual and transgendered community.

The European Elections candidate for the Green Party, Ricky Knight stated: °The Green Party's record on campaigning for the rights of minorities is second to none. Human Rights and protecting the civil liberties of individuals is fundamental to our ethos. As such, I wholeheartedly welcome and endorse the setting­up of an LGBT group to function within the Green Party South West."

Philip Booth, a Stroud District councillor who supported the first Gloucestershire Pride events and helped ensure the Rainbow flag flew on those days from District Council offices and the Subscription Rooms in Stroud, said: °I look forward to working with members to further common aims, not just within the scope of LGBT issues but also in other areas relevant to Human Rights, ethnicity and the erosion of our Civil Liberties."

Read more: LGBT Green Go West!

The Somerset Lesbian Network launch starts with light refreshments 12.30pm. The main Launch being at 1pm.  Networking, drumming and information.

Ever played the African djembes and other world percussion. No? Drumming Dykes is for you then. Drums provided. No pressure. Beginners welcome. The drumming continues from 2-4pm in central Yeovil. £7.00

Call 07599 070755 or email sln09@btinternet.com for more details.

This is the comprehensive list of events and activiies coming up. 3Cs and 3Ms can be contacted for more details:

Chris.coffee.club@googlemail.com
bristol_3ms@hotmail.com

January Coffee Evening (Weston-super-Mare) at Brian and Malcolm’s Thursday 22nd January from 8.00pm.  Telephone 01934 633415 for the address.

Sunday Lunch on February 15th at The Priory Pub, in Portbury, Station Road, Portbury, BS20 9TN.    See www.vintageinn.co.uk/theprioryportbury/food/  
Please book by 24th January, contact Chris on 0117 9609 576 to book.
 
Bent Double at the Komedia Bath (Old Odeon Cinema Bath)  Sunday 25th January.  Bent Double is Komedia's gay friendly stand up comedy night that has built up a loyal following bigger than Imelda Marcos's shoe collection.  On the last Sunday of every month, some of the biggest names from the circuit grace the Komedia stage to entertain the "up for it" crowd.  A consuming brew of comedic delight, this gay friendly night promises a fabulous line up every time.  Hosted by ‘if.comedy’ award nominee, and as seen on BBC2's Mock The Week, Zoe Lyons  Tickets cost £10.  Please telephone Chris on 0117 9609 576 for booking details.  

February Coffee Evening (Bristol) at Russell and Tony’s on Thursday 5th February from 8.30pm.  Telephone 0117 973 9855 for the address.
February Coffee Evening (Weston) at John B’s on Thursday 19th February from 8.30pm.  Telephone 01934 417588 for the address.
 

4 Poofs and a Piano at Weston-super-Mare Playhouse on Saturday  7th February 2009.  Tickets cost £15.00   4 Poofs and a Piano have become a household name thanks to their appearance on the hugely popular, award winning Friday Night With Jonathan Ross now into its 16th series.    In this, their first national tour, the boys are promising an eclectic mix of song and dance, from jaunty re-workings of classic covers to their own comic observations of life in the noughties.  Dave, David, Stephen and Ian invite their audience to sit back, relax and enjoy 4 men prancing around and having more fun than is appropriate for men of their age.  Please book with direct with Maurice direct.  Please telephone 01934 632921 for booking details.     

Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society presents ‘The Mikado’ at the Redgrave Theatre on 1st April – tickets £11 (concessions £9).  Cheques should be made payable to Chris’s Coffee Club.   

Easter lunch at Cameley Lodge on Palm Sunday 5th April (Sunday before Easter).    Three courses and coffee £18.00 Please send your food selection with your cheque to Chris or Aubrey.

Torquay Weekend at the Summerlands Guest House   Three nights, Friday 1st May to Monday 4th May bed and breakfast will cost £75 per person or two nights bed and breakfast is £60pp.  There is a deposit of £25 per person (£50 per room).  Check out their web site www.sumerlandsguesthousetorquay.co.uk.  We are now taking bookings for this and expect to be full so please book early to avoid disappointment.  Please make cheques payable to Chris’s Coffee Club.
All The Fun of The Fair Tuesday 26th May  tickets £22.50 instead of £27.50

N.B.  Payment should be made before 24th January.  Cheques should be made payable to Chris’s Coffee Club.     All the Fun of The Fair is set around a travelling funfair, providing the focal point for a musical merry-go-round of love, loss, laughter and loyalty, all played out against a stunning score courtesy of the hits of David Essex which powerfully underpin the events as they unfold…

Never Forget  Based on the music of Take That  Wednesday 24th June tickets £24.50 instead of £29.50  Please note you must pay before the 24th February 2009 We are not taking any payments before 2nd February 2009.  Please make cheques payable to Chris’s Coffee Club.

We Will Rock You – The Queen Musical  We have stalls tickets for ‘We Will Rock You’ which is coming to the Bristol Hippodrome in September 2009.  We have tickets for Wednesday 29th September 2009.  Tickets cost £34 reduced from £40.  Please note you must pay before the 24th February 2009.  We are not taking any payments before 2nd February 2009.  Cheques should be made payable to Chris’s Coffee Club.

Avon and Somerset Probation Area have continued to set the standard within the Probation Service Nationally for Diversity practice and have received formal recognition of this through the Stonewall top 100 employers for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People in Britain by being ranked 18th overall.

Three hundred and seventeen employers took part in the benchmarking exercise this year from campaigning group Stonewall who track the impact of workplace culture on gay, lesbian and bisexual employees. Organisations which apply to be included on the index are examined on the success of their diversity policies and the extent to which they encourage job applications from lesbian and gay workers. Stonewall also surveys gay employees on whether their workplace experiences match up to the claims made by employers.

Read more: Somerset Probation sets the standard for Gender diversity

Check out the New Years Eve Womans Event called Liberty.

It is taking place at TOTOS which is a fantastic venue overlooking the river. It's near Bristol Bridge - opposite side of the river from the Spy Glass.

The resident DJ is Misbehaviour and after NY count down they will be having a burlesque performance from Venus Noir. It is strictly a ticket only event and guarantees entry from 9 til 2am.

Entry is £10 or concessions £9.50. A percentage will be going to Freedom Youth.

They can be purchased at www.bristolticketshop.co.uk or tel 0117 9299008

For more info please e-mail us at Liberty.bristol@live.co.uk,
facebook: Liberty.bristol