November 2023

The Wider Picture

The Russian war with Ukraine continues. Global citizens are reacting or shielding themselves from the news of the 7 October atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli citizens and the massive military reprisals in Gaza. Home Secretary Suella Braverman, appears to be stoking unrest and discontent, undermining public confidence with the Metropolitan Police Force to handle protests and counter protests with claims of political bias. COVID is back in the news as new cases by 14% to over a million in September. Locally, in Stoke on Trent, the increase in COVID cases has brought back the wearing of masks for hospital staff and people attending vaccination centres.

COVID-19 and Me

After successfully avoiding the virus since 2019, I noticed symptoms after taking part in LGBT and HIV awareness training with paramedic students at a stuffy room in the UHNM Hospital Clinical Education Centre in the middle of October. Of course, I could have picked it up earlier on a packed bus; nonetheless, I had a bit of temperature, a runny nose and a persistent cough that prevented me from sleeping. The following day, a lateral flow test showed positive. It took almost a fortnight before I tested negative, though I felt much better after a week. Compared with friends and acquaintances who have also been afflicted, I had a relatively mild episode. At the time of writing, I have had my winter COVID booster without side effects and am now firing on all cylinders.

OLGBT Group

The North Midlands LGBT Older Peoples Group continues to take up much of my time. Yesterday, I successfully completed the Annual Return to the Charity Commission…normally this would have been completed soon after the June AGM…no matter, it’s done. The in-person meeting at Fenton Town Hall continues to be the most popular of the group’s social gatherings. The fact that we are able to provide a free lunch may contribute to its popularity. The funding for these lunches from the Community Health Champions award runs out in December, so we will have to find an alternative source of money to ensure the lunches continue. Given the financial hardship facing older people, we think the offer of a nutritious free meal is important.

FRONTLINEdance

FRONTLINEdance took part in a number of local celebrations – first, as part of the line-up for Appetite Stoke’s return of the Big Feast – with performances on the Piccadilly and Fountain Square Stages as well as in the grand parade. We managed two out of three scheduled performances, but heavy rain affected the parade and caused one cancellation. By contrast, no performances were cancelled at the Connected Communities project in Tunstall Park…it was one of the hottest days of the year. Undeterred, we gave two promenade performances that traversed the entire park. October saw dancers back in action when they performed alongside Gwendoline Chevalier-Brooks as part of a celebration to mark Black History Month.

My recent encounter with COVID forced me to cancel all face-to-face meetings. At the same time, I came to the realization that I needed to reduce my heavy schedule of regular commitments. Sadly, the amount of time consumed by FRONTLINEdance, made it the first commitment to be dropped. At least until after the OLGBT anniversary year of 2024.

Organist

My duties as organist at Holy Trinity Church, Hartshill have kept me on my toes. Apart from the Sunday Services, funerals and a wedding, I have also been required to play for an Ordination Ceremony and an Installation of Priest in charge of the Benefice and three Associate Vicars. Both of these services drew large congregations that encouraged me to make full use of the musical resources of the fine three manual organ. Perhaps more daunting was performing in front of fellow organists at the Annual Members Concert of the North Staffs and District Organ Society. On 4^th November at the AGM of the society, I was confirmed as NSDOS Chair…I position of two years duration.

Susan Cole, from aids map, invited me to join the panel for an aidsmapLIVE Special on HIV and Ageing. This was live-streamed on X (twitter) and Facebook on Wednesday 1 November. The occasion turned out to be very uplifting…as panelists shared my positive views on ageing and living long-term with HIV. You can judge for yourself by watching a recording of the event by clicking on this link.

With the end of the year fast approaching, I am trying to get myself fit and prepared for the first solo adventure post pandemic – a trip to Colombia in South America. Hopefully, I will find time for one more blog before I set off on New Year’s Eve.