Sunday, May 18, 2008
Winchester MayFest
MayFest is the name for Winchester's annual folk, roots and blues festival. Despite the grey skies yesterday it was good to see the streets of the city full of colour and dancers of many varieties. A great day for an old folkie like me to wander around with my camera. The resulting pics can be found here.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Election Result - Thank You!
Just a late night/early morning note on yesterday's election result. Here in Oliver's Battery & Badger Farm the votes were:
Liberal Democrat (David Spender) 1251
Conservative 497
Green 59
Labour 34
This result has left me completely stunned. Last time we had an election here, in 2006, the result was a Lib Dem victory by just 8 votes. I feel immensely grateful to my friends and neighbours who have backed me this time and I'll try hard to justify that support. Thank you!
Overall Liberal Democrats made a net gain of one seat in Winchester, Conservatives stayed the same and Independents lost one. Liberal Democrats also polled the greatest number of votes across the District. So the Tories retain overall control of Winchester by the narrow margin of one seat. Full results are on the Winchester City Council website.
Liberal Democrat (David Spender) 1251
Conservative 497
Green 59
Labour 34
This result has left me completely stunned. Last time we had an election here, in 2006, the result was a Lib Dem victory by just 8 votes. I feel immensely grateful to my friends and neighbours who have backed me this time and I'll try hard to justify that support. Thank you!
Overall Liberal Democrats made a net gain of one seat in Winchester, Conservatives stayed the same and Independents lost one. Liberal Democrats also polled the greatest number of votes across the District. So the Tories retain overall control of Winchester by the narrow margin of one seat. Full results are on the Winchester City Council website.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Tory charged with proxy voting offences
A Conservative activist in Whiteley Ward of Winchester City Council has been charged with a number of offences related to false proxy voting. The Daily Echo has the story. Meon Valley Lib Dem ppc Liz Leffman has more.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Greening Oliver's Battery Website Launched!
The Greening Oliver's Battery campaign has now launched a website.
The other big news for the campaign is that a date and venue have been fixed for the first public meeting: 3 pm on Saturday 10th May at Oliver's Battery Primary School. If you're in the area come along and hear all about the Greening Campaign and how you can help make a difference.
The other big news for the campaign is that a date and venue have been fixed for the first public meeting: 3 pm on Saturday 10th May at Oliver's Battery Primary School. If you're in the area come along and hear all about the Greening Campaign and how you can help make a difference.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The Case for Weekly Food Waste Collection
Winchester's Tory-run City Council has decided that weekly collection of food waste is too expensive. That's what they tell us whenever a Lib Dem has the temerity to raise the subject in Council and that's what they've been saying in their leaflets too. Strangely, we don't agree. Next door Lib Dem-run Eastleigh are in the process of rolling out weekly food waste collection following a successful trial, and we think that if Eastleigh can do it successfully and affordably so can Winchester!
My eye was naturally drawn to the title of this very recent Defra Press Release "Weekly food waste collections can benefit the environment and save money". Rather a different message to that we're hearing from Winchester Council.
The Press Release includes the following quote from Environment Minister Joan Ruddock "Food wastage is an increasingly important issue, on environmental, sustainability, climate change and equity grounds. There is also the real loss to the economy of so much potential value. This research shows that much more can be done cost effectively to prevent food wastage and to recover value from what is thrown away. Food waste recycling was targeted by our Waste Strategy, and current studies show how local authorities can make real advances. European and UK legislation to divert municipal biodegradable waste from landfill rightly imposes tough targets. Food waste recycling has an important role to play in helping Britain meet its international obligations."
When Liberal Democrats re-take control of Winchester City Council, weekly collection and recycling of food waste will be one of our top priorities.
My eye was naturally drawn to the title of this very recent Defra Press Release "Weekly food waste collections can benefit the environment and save money". Rather a different message to that we're hearing from Winchester Council.
The Press Release includes the following quote from Environment Minister Joan Ruddock "Food wastage is an increasingly important issue, on environmental, sustainability, climate change and equity grounds. There is also the real loss to the economy of so much potential value. This research shows that much more can be done cost effectively to prevent food wastage and to recover value from what is thrown away. Food waste recycling was targeted by our Waste Strategy, and current studies show how local authorities can make real advances. European and UK legislation to divert municipal biodegradable waste from landfill rightly imposes tough targets. Food waste recycling has an important role to play in helping Britain meet its international obligations."
When Liberal Democrats re-take control of Winchester City Council, weekly collection and recycling of food waste will be one of our top priorities.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The Winchester Passion - report
The Passion happened last night (Good Friday) and brought thousands of people onto the streets of Winchester to see this dramatic re-telling of the Easter story. Apart from a sudden downpour during the early stages at Oram's Arbour, the weather was cold but dry. We visited all three main locations but spent most of the time in front of the cathedral where we were able to watch the action elsewhere on the "big screen". We also had a perfect view of the crucifixion and resurrection scenes which took place on the balcony over the cathedral's west doors.
The performance by professional actor Israel Oyelumade (see picture) as Jesus was outstanding and he was well backed by a local, amateur cast. This really was a once in a lifetime event which I found engrossing and deeply moving. The rest of my photos of the evening can be found by clicking here, please take a look.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Winchester Passion - this Friday
Come along to a truly amazing event on Good Friday 21st March 2008 from 6 p.m. Invite your friends and relatives from far and wide to see the dramatic re-enactment of the death and resurrection of Jesus on the streets of Winchester, with a cast of hundreds. The production will mix modern and classic styles and will include some spectacular effects.
It all starts at Oram's Arbour with a festival from 5 p.m. The Passion itself begins at the Arbour around 6 p.m. reaching the Great Hall and Law Courts around 6.30 p.m. and the Cathedral grounds around 8.30 p.m.
