13 April 2017
Here are some of the things our local members have been doing during the last few months.
At our 2017 AGM, held in February, two new co-Coordinators, Rachel Williams and Anne Cassels were elected. Although no Secretary was elected, Anne agreed to serve as the Local Contact.
The “Big Green Winter Survey” Phase 1 took place in December, and further streets were covered in February. Local SEDGP members, accompanied by Simon Bull, Councillor for the Winton East ward, continued to knock on doors, asking what local Winton residents really cared about, and to leave the Winton winter newsletter produced by Cllr Simon Bull.
Due to the stepping down of a Conservative Councillor there was a by-election held in the Mudeford & Friars Cliff Ward in Christchurch. The Green Party was pleased that we fielded an excellent candidate in Dr Fiona Cownie. The election was called at short notice, but a number of local members went out on the weekend before the vote to canvass - in the rain! In spite of our best efforts, however, a Conservative Councillor was elected.
A huge demonstration was organised by Keep Our NHS Public in London, with a march from Tavistock Square to Parliament on a sunny day in March. According to news reports, there were “tens of thousands” on the march, and it culminated in a number of speakers in Parliament Square. The picture shows our newsletter editor Jane together with our new Co-ordinator Anne.
And later in March there was a massive turn out for a march in London to show support for the EU and opposition to Brexit. Several local party members made the journey to London to support this crucial ongoing campaign.
Also in March, the newly formed local Green Party Women’s Group, in its first big project, arranged for the screening of the film “Girl Rising” at Lighthouse in Poole on Thursday 2 March. The film uses story-telling, animation and cinematography to show the importance of girls’ education in developing countries.
The next project for the Women’s Group is to create a handmade SEDGP banner to be displayed at events, marches and demonstration. A small working party has already begun the planning, design and collection of materials for this!
A workshop to help upskill local members in IT and events ideas took place at the March meeting of SEDGP. Those members who have particular skills in IT and events management donated their time (and patience) to help others to learn more tips and tricks about promoting our message and our events, and to keep better informed of what others are posting.
The Green Party Spring Conference was held from 30 March - 2 April in Liverpool, and was for the first time combined with the European Greens and Global Greens Congresses. Despite the distance there were local members who made it!
And what are we planning for the next few months?
On Saturday 22nd April, we will be attending the NHS Rally (Keep Our NHS Public) being held at Horseshoe Common, in Bournemouth, from12noon-3pm. We need as much support on this as possible, as it’s very important to us all. We will have a stall, and Simon Bull, Bournemouth’s only Green Party Councillor, will be one of the speakers. Please put the date in your diary and share with friends too.
In June, we hope to be involved with “The Great Get Together” – a nationwide attempt to bring communities closer. It’s already had lots of media coverage, and a huge list of organisations are behind the plans - including the Big Lunch, the Royal British Legion, the RNLI, Channel 4, the Scouts and Guides and the Premier League. It’s being led by the family and friends of Jo Cox MP who was murdered last year.
Also in June we will be attending Winton Carnival, where we will have a stall, and maybe show off our new banner in the parade!