University of Sussex in Brighton Discovers why we Scratch

Groundbreaking research at the University of Sussex discovers the itch matrix, to reveal why we need to scratch.

The worst thing about itching is that you never know when you will suddenly get a violent urge to scratch. Sometimes, it's awkward. For example, there's a time and there's a place, and while you are at a job interview or on a hot date is not the time, especially if the itch is on a taboo part of your body.    

A group of British scientists decided to address this problem.

In a joint effort with the University of Hull, scientists at the University of Sussex have been looking into the reasons for scratching, says a report in The Argus dated 15 November, 2012, "Why do we catch the urge to scratch?" by Peter Truman.

These were the questions they set themselves to address:

• Why do we do it? 
• Why are some people more prone to scratching than others?
• Also, is it contagious? In other words, why do we feel the need to scratch when we see others scratching?

A psychology lecturer, Dr. Henning Holle, together with researchers from the University of Sussex and Brighton and the Sussex Medical School, asked volunteers to complete questionnaires about their itchy experiences. To assess why scratching is contagious, they also arranged for videos to be shown of people scratching their arms and chests. The reactions of the volunteers were watched and recorded.

The Results of the Brit Itch Tests

• Two thirds of the volunteers needed to scratch while watching the people scratching on the video.
• Some people were more susceptible than others, especially those who were experiencing negative emotions.
• When activity in the brain was measured against the scratching, certain regions were found to be part of the "itch matrix."

These results could prove helpful for people who have severe itching without any apparent cause.

Scratching Caused by Neuroticism

Dr. Holle explains in his own Words: "Almost everyone has felt that urge to scratch when watching someone else, but no one has ever really known why. It had previously been thought that empathy was responsible.  But we found that neuroticism - a measure of the tendency to experience negative emotions - was positively linked to the contagious itch. Highly neurotic people are known to be highly emotionally reactive and vulnerable to stress. We found that participants with higher neuroticism scores are also the ones that are most easily infected."
So - what makes you itch?  And more important, why?
Source:

• Truman, Peter, "Why do we catch the urge to scratch?" The Argus, November 15, 2012.

First published on Suite.101, 15 November 2012.

The Kemp Town Gays in World War II

When a local girls' school was occupied by the Admiralty during World War II, a buzz of excitement rippled through Brighton's gay community.

During the Second World War, around twenty bombs fell on Kemp Town, Brighton's gay area. The town, as it was then, was often targeted by enemy planes that offloaded bombs before they returned home across the English Channel. Brighton, famous seaside getaway, was not visitor-friendly; tourists were discouraged and barbed wire was spread over the beaches.

Hitler had planned to invade Sussex on 21 September 1940, but he postponed the operation for three days, then hesitated yet again as the Luftwaffe failed to gain superiority in the Sussex skies. Throughout that September, there was decision and then postponement... "on and off, on and off, like the water supply in Brighton that summer," said the Argus, Brighton's local paper. Finally, it was off, much to Brighton's relief, since Hitler intended turning the Royal Pavilion into his headquarters.

All the Nice Boys Love a Sailor

The pupils at Roedean School in nearby Rottingdean, to the east of Brighton (once attended by England's Princess Anne) were evacuated to Keswick in the Lake District, and the Admiralty occupied the building. The presence of so many sailors in the town proved a great attraction for the gay community of Brighton. Canadians and Australians flocked into town and there were lovers' trysts at the Clock Tower at the top of North Street. Gay men hung around outside the gates of Roedean School. They knew there were plenty of places to find privacy due to the blackout.

The Royal Navy placed one particular pub, the Star of Brunswick in Little Western Street East, out of bounds during the war. It was just too popular with the sailors. Ex-servicemen came to Brighton for their holidays and remained, making their homes here. In 1946, a London man came to Brighton to meet his first gay pals on the Men's Beach at Hove. "There was so much beauty down there," said the Londoner. "It was fantastic. Of course, they never went in the sea, they just went to be seen. It was flagrant fun."

Mixed Feelings

In 1947, the Aquarium, which is now the Sea Life Centre, became the venue for the Sussex Arts Ball. Local cross-dressers attended, including drag artist Betty Lou, all dressed up like a peacock in a sequinned costume that stood twelve feet high. A young man called Michael said: "It was absolutely beautiful. The bodywork was all done in glistening sequins and pearls."

Inevitably, some people were uncomfortable with the gay scene. One man said, of a day trip to Brighton in 1949, "Arthur, Michael, Peter and I went into a small bar which was full of about thirty-five males - the vast majority of whom appeared to be homosexuals. Frank refused to go into the bar, saying that he just didn't want to. Frank is the clandestine type of homosexual; he heartily disapproves of all varieties of "camp"; he would never be identified as homosexual."

Sources:

• "Book Review Operation Sea Lion by Richard Wheatle" Review by Gordon Thomas, The Argus, 29 March 1962.
• "The Good Old Gays" by Jamie Hakim, 3SIXTY magazine, March, 2005.
• Patrons of The Bow Street Runner, Hove.
• Adapted from LGBT Brighton & Hove by Janet Cameron, Amberley Publishing, 2010.

Copyright Janet Cameron
Published on Suite 101, 20 September, 2011.

Big Lemon Bus Helps Save the Planet

With Permission - Webmaster

The environmentally-friendly bus that runs on used cooking oil is a familiar sight around the city.

The Big Lemon Bus is a big hit with everyone as it whizzes about town fuelled by waste from the city’s industrial frying equipment. The service is geared up to satisfy the needs that regular public transport cannot address in the city of Brighton and Hove.

Special trips are arranged for high-profile events, like the Reading and Glastonbury Festivals, for the Summer Solstice held at the sacred site

Brighton's Giant Ferris Wheel Divides the City

Brighton's giant ferris wheel has changed the city's skyline, but not everyone is happy with the construction meant to invigorate resort tourist trade.

Standing around 50 metres high, it was shipped over from South Africa with its 36 gondolas, each of which accommodates six adults and two children. Riding on the wheel permits panoramic views of the coastal resort of Brighton and Hove and beyond. But its erection has divided the city. Some love it, others hate it. What is certain is that no one is indifferent to the Brighton Eye.

England's Oldest Picturehouse ~ The Duke of York ~ by Janet Cameron

Copyright: Janet Cameron

This unique Picturehouse is the jewel in Brighton's crown. Incredibly, after a long, colourful history, it has just celebrated its 100th birthday.

"Bring her to the Duke's, it's fit for a Duchess," was once the tagline for this unique Picturehouse known as the Duke of York, and which is now one hundred years old. The Duke of York was opened by the Mayor of Brighton on 22 September, 1910 (see photo below) and has the distinction of being one of the oldest, purpose-built picture palaces to have run continuously since its inception. Brighton songwriter and musician, Nick Cave, has described this old Picturehouse, located at Preston Circus, as "The jewel in Brighton's crown."


Erupting from the roof of one of the towers is a pair of giant model legs in striped stockings, thought to be of a can-can dancer. They originated from the "Not the Moulin Rouge Theatre" in Oxford and now provide a certain distinction to the fine, Grade II listed Brighton building. The building has had its problems, too. The roof suffered from leaking during 2007, and £25,000 was raised to restore it.


The Duke of York has also survived threats of demolition and more than a few rock and punk concerts, described by the management as "suffering various indignities."


The Origins of the Duke of York Picturehouse

The Picturehouse was erected on the site of a former brewery, Amber Ale, and the building still retains the brewery's walls at the rear of the auditorium. Its name came from The Duke of York in London because the Picturehouse's first proprietor, Mrs. Melnotte-Wyatt, was associated with it. Since then, it has passed through various owners.

The Brighton Film Festival is held here every year, organised by the Duke of York in partnership with the University of Brighton.


The Home of Arts and Classic Films

Since 1981, the Picturehouse, which seats 283 people, has been famous for its wonderful arts, cult and classic films. A recent showing is Of Gods and Men a true account of a group of Cisterian monks in Algeria, who were targeted by Islamic extemists. This beautiful film was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, as well as being France's official selection for the Oscars.

Senior citizens receive privileged treatment on Tuesday mornings, with their own screening for a reduced price with a free cup of coffee and biscuits, served personally by the box office clerk, while young parents with their children get their turn on Wednesdays. At the top of the building is a pleasant cafe/bar, where you can buy a drink, sit on the balcony and admire the can-can dancer's kicking legs close up.

The Duke of York's is committed to offering "a balanced cultural diet" and, indeed, week-by-week, Brighton people have access to the very best in film entertainment.

These are the qualities that make the Duke of York Picturehouse so special: its friendliness, familiarity and accessibility and its utter commitment to providing the best in high-quality entertainment to the community, young and old.

Sources:
Website links, as above.
Brighton and Hove Cinemas, by Allen Eyles, The History Press, 2003.

Published by Suite101.com 21 December 2010.

Gay-Friendly Brighton ~ A Culture of Freedom for All ~ by Janet Cameron

Float, Pride 2009 ~ Image: Gareth Cameron

A look at the evolution of the Pride Parade in Brighton, from its activist beginnings to the joyous community event it is today. 

There were nine Pride events in Brighton during the 1990s. The earlier ‘Gay Prides’ were not the colourful celebration we know today, but more like demonstrations that were beset by problems, practical, financial and political. Newspaper reports and readers’ letters revealed a level of intolerance that must have been overwhelming for the gay and gay-friendly participants.

The 1991 event was actually an angry protest against Section 28, which was an amendment to the United Kingdom’s Local Government Act stating that a Local Authority ‘shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality.’ It caused teachers to be afraid to counsel about gay issues for fear of losing state funding. LGBT support groups closed across the UK. Section 28 was repealed in Scotland on 21 June 2000 and in the rest of UK on 18 November 2003.