BONFIRE celebrations in some East Sussex villages could be a thing of the past if local groups continue to struggle for money.
Mayfield and Fletching bonfire societies said this year's events would go ahead but after that the future was bleak unless people were prepared to help or give money.
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help: Jo Lee, vice-chairman of a Mayfield bonfire society
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help: Jo Lee, vice-chairman of a Mayfield bonfire society
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burning out: Mayfield Boyes and Belles Bonfire Society carnival and procession
Crowborough's organisers also said they are "struggling".
They have blamed the lack of community spirit in their villages.
Jo Lee, vice-chairman of Mayfield Bonfire Boyes and Belles Society, which has been running for more than 50 years, said each year they had to start from scratch.
"Funds we collect on the night just go to charity. None of it comes to us at all," she said.
"In years gone by we have managed to raise enough to have a slush fund. Paraffin costs are rising and people are not spending on entertainment.
"You have villages, such as Rotherfield and East Hoathly where people have a community spirit.
"Mayfield is different. It is a commuter village.
"People are quite happy to invite friends down for the event but don't want to help.
"Basically my message is 'support us or lose it'."
Sarah Bradford, chairman of Fletching Bonfire Society, said it cost £10,000 to put on the event each year and fundraising had not been as good as in the past.
"We are going to try and plod on as long as we can," she said.
"We get no support from the village. A lot of people have come from outside. They use the village at a weekend. Most of our fundraising is supported by family and friends of the committee."
Nigel Cassford, chairman of Crowborough Bonfire Society, said the group had been struggling for the past three years.
He said: "People are working longer and don't have as much time. Getting sponsors is harder and harder because they don't have as much money to give.
"We have had to economise. For example we dropped the fireworks display a few years ago. We are not in difficulties as such but times are tough."
But Les Pike, chairman of Rotherfield Bonfire Society, said his group had great support. He said: "We have well over 100 supporters. There is a fantastic community spirit in the village."
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
Katy Perry ditches the kitsch as she goes Goth as she sings about divorce in brooding new video for Wide Awake - Daily Mail
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Since she leaped to fame in 2008, Katy Perry has been known for her sunny disposition and colourful wardrobe.
But as she addresses her divorce from Russell Brand in the song Wide Awake, the tone of new video is decidedly gloomy.
In contrast to her pink and blue wigs, this time the singer looks brooding in a dark purple wig, purple dress and cape teamed with dramatic make-up.
Scroll down to watch the video
Going to the dark side: Katy Perry goes Gothic in the video for her new single Wide Awake
Gloomy: Katy's dark make-up and purple hair is a change for her usual bright style
The lyrics of the song suggest Katy, 27, regrets moving so fast - she and Russell famously got engaged after just three months of dating and married after just a year together.
However, their long-distance marriage soon took its toll and the couple split in December 2011 after just 14 months of marriage.
Katy sings: 'I’m wide awake. I was in the dark, I was falling hard with an open heart. How did I read the stars so wrong. I was dreaming for so long. I wish I knew then what I know now. I wouldn’t dive in, I wouldn’t bow down.'
Crash to reality: Katy admitted the song was a 'dose of reality' after being high for so long
Trapped in the darkness: Katy is stuck in a labyrinth with no escape
The video starts with Katy wrapping the promo for California Gurls - where she sits on a white cloud wearing a pink wig.
However, as she sits in her dressing room, things quickly turn dark and mystical.
Soon the singer is wondering through a gloomy labyrinth - perhaps a metaphor for feeling lost and unable to see a way out in her marriage.
Temptation: Katy is drawn to a succulent strawberry, which turns out to be poisoned
Seeing double: Katy comes face-to-face with her younger self
She is then accompanied by her younger self and is confronted with a group of paparazzi.
The negative theme continues as Katy is seen slumped in a wheelchair being pushed by her younger self, before being confronted by two men wearing bull's heads.
After they finally escape the labyrinth, everything becomes colourful and bright again and Katy finds a handsome prince waiting for her.
Need to find a way out: Katy is desperate to escape from the labyrinth of her mind
Bid for freedom: After her younger self scares away two guards by the exit, the singer makes a dash for it
However, after initially smiling at him, she then punches him in the face, suggesting she is happy with her single status.
The video ends on a happier note with Katy taking to the stage to perform in concert back in her usual kitsch clothing.
Everything is looking rosy: The two Katys are relieved to have finally escaped
A fairytale ending? Katy is greeted by a handsome prince...
... but punches him in the face: Katy shows her fans she doesn't need a man
Explaining the video, Katy told MTV News: This song in particular is a dose of reality. It's kind of like coming down from a high.
'You've been on cloud nine for so long, and it can't always be so sweet and sometimes you need to realise that, and you have to pick yourself up and move forward and face the facts of life and know that this is just a lesson you learn and you're stronger because of it.'
Oops! Katy revealed a bit too much in her nude bodysuit at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada, earlier this week
Covering up: But Katy kept her head down as she jetted out of Canada the next day
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
London copper steadies; China physical demand slow - msnbc.com
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - London copper edged down on Tuesday, as investors refocused on the problems that still beset the euro zone after a surge in Spanish and Italian bond yields, and as optimism over the Greek elections result faded.
Losses were expected to be capped ahead of the United States Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting starting on Tuesday, with some economists predicting that the U.S. central bank may unveil more stimulus measures in response to recent disappointing economic data.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange edged down just $4 to $7,506 a metric ton by 0728 GMT after slipping less than a dollar on Monday.
Prices hit a high of $7,615 in the prior session, the highest since May 30 on the election victory of Greece's pro-bailout parties, but soon retreated after that relief faded.
The most-active October copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange inched down 0.5 percent to 54,670 yuan ($8,600) a metric ton, after rising slightly on Monday.
"The Greek election result was just a short-term boost, while Spain's financial problems are the bigger and longer-term problem. With so many uncertainties surrounding the euro zone now, it's hard to maintain any upward momentum," said a Shanghai-based trader.
Still, some investors expected the Fed to announce some form of monetary easing this month - a belief that also helped to put a floor under prices.
"There are many people out there who think that the U.S. Fed will roll out some form of monetary easing during its upcoming meeting," said a second Shanghai-based trader.
In the physical market, traders said copper demand in top consumer China continued to be sluggish.
"We feel a marked slowdown in demand for our products this year as compared to the same period in previous years. Domestic demand is slowing, and so is Europe's demand for China's exports," said an executive with a top Chinese copper fabricator.
"Other than the electronics industry, which is still doing OK, the rest of our downstream clients are struggling. The government's infrastructure spending has not started to benefit our clients in the construction industry yet."
Although liquidity was gradually easing and Beijing has approved a number of infrastructure projects, industry participants said its impact on copper markets would only be felt late in the third quarter or towards the end of the year.
(Reporting by Carrie Ho; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com
London Welsh appeal put back - Belfast Telegraph
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
The case will now be heard on June 28 - it was originally scheduled for Thursday - under agreement by all parties involved.
The independent panel will compromise of James Dingemans QC (chairman), Ian Mill QC and Tim Ward QC at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Welsh won this season's Championship after beating Cornish Pirates in both legs of the final.
But the Richmond-based club were told just hours before the first leg kicked off in Cornwall they did not meet minimum standards criteria set down by English rugby's Professional Game Board for entry to the Premiership.
The Exiles played the final's second leg at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, which is thought to be their preferred venue should they gain top-flight status.
As things stand, Newcastle will remain in the Premiership next term despite finishing bottom a point behind Wasps this season.
But should London Welsh succeed in overturning an original decision that went against them, they will go up and the Falcons be relegated.
Source: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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