Around and about (VI)

It’s the second week of January and I believe it’s almost safe to come out again now. Despite all the festive fun and spending spirit, I managed to get out and about a few times… this is what’s caught my eye. Photos, cartoons and ponderings by HOT’s Zelly Restorick.

Reflecting on raindrops

I was interested to see what the weather would be like today, (I wrote this bit on 1 January), bearing in mind the ‘Rise Waters Rise: Wash away the wickedness’ Rain Dance organised by the Combe Haven Defenders. Their bid to summon the rain spirits is another non-violent strategy designed to slow down the developers, whose hearts are set in concrete on the vision of a new road ’twixt Hastings and Bexhill. Not to forget the nationwide infrastructure development agenda envisioned by some of our government members (and the people pulling their strings… Did I just write that out loud?).

For the past few hours, it’s been absolutely teeming with rain. Coincidence? The power of thought and prayer? I have no idea.

Just as a reminder… £113m of public money is to be spent on the Bexhill Hastings Link Road and an estimated £30bn for the national road programme. This is what I’ve heard on the grapevine I swing along.

None of it’s inevitable, I hasten to add. It’s all subject to change… much like our weather.

A proliferation of prophylactics

Statistics for people living in Hastings with HIV have risen by 236% over the past ten years, according to the Health Protection Agency and the National AIDS Trust (NAT). This means Hastings is one of 63 towns nationwide on the ‘HIV prevalence area’ list. In other words, one in every 495 people in this area is currently living with AIDS, as opposed to the UK average of one person in every 650. NAT sent some advice and suggestions to the Council as to what action they should take.

However, if we rely solely on the Council to protect, save, provide and do everything for us, we’re all going to be in a sorry state in the future, including the Council and their dwindling funds. We need to all contribute and not think “The Council will do it… I pay my taxes… it’s their responsibility.” The responsibility lies with us all.

Here are the NAT suggestions… the ones we can all consider. Awareness raising, reducing stigma and misinformation, free condoms, (anyone know anyone in the condom trade?… here’s an opportunity to help out and spread the word that using protection can maintain the fun, but prevent the spread of disease and the chance of bringing babies into the world when they’re not wanted), prevention, free HIV tests at clinics, avoidance of life threatening late diagnosis, speaking to people affected and involved to find out what could improve things.

And I’ll add care, thought, understanding, empathy, consideration and love to that list. We all need those.

Editor’s note: did you know you can get FREE condoms from the Station Plaza health centre? Just go up to Level 1 where the Family Planning and Sexual  Health Clinic is. Ask one of the receptionists and you will be handed a discrete paper bag with 10 assorted name-brand condoms and a sachet or two of lube. Free love is possible!

HOT loving

Would you like more love, more care, more compassion, more thoughtfulness and kindness in your life? As I write these words, I wonder to myself if you will be reading them answering: “No thanks. Quite sufficient. Plenty. I have my absolute fill, ta. My tank of love doth runneth over”. My own answer would be in the affirmative… how about yours?

The Charter for Compassion: Peace Starts Here have a 2014 goal for the UK. They want to motivate 500 cities to be more actively involved in specific compassionate initiatives [they currently have 185], locate 1,500 organisations who will re-assess how they can be kinder and more caring [currently they 500 have volunteered] and find tens of thousands of people who are willing to find new approaches to administer compassionate healthcare. ‘To create practical, measurable ways to bring compassion to life through supporting and connecting leaders and through building powerful compassionate movements from the grassroots up.’

I’m not sure it’s necessary for us to join the Compassionate Charter clan – as organisations, leaders, groups, families or as single individuals – but it’s maybe something for us all to consider as a solid resolution?

The philosophy of New Year, fresh starts and new beginnings is there for us all at any moment. Carpe momentum! (Home-made Latin.)

Amor vincit omnia. The (real Latin) motto from my school, meaning love conquers all. Worth putting to the life-long test and seeing what happens.

Some more stunning-to-my-eyes street art from my travels, showing how other town are uniquely personalising and brightening up their urban streets and buildings. These are from Sydenham and Peckham, where my family’s roots grew in the last century or so – and still flourish today.

Inspirational! Look at the amazing unique creative talent. We have this here too, you know I know we know.

Peace and love to you and yours and beyond to infinity…
…and then one more step.

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