Why I'm fighting these plans

 

I put together this video about why I oppose proposals to build 210 houses to the south of Sunniside.

Ready for tomorrow

 

We are all ready for tomorrow! Gateshead Lib Dems have another action day, this time in the Whickham area. We will be delivering a survey which I printed yesterday - see photo above where the leaflets are coming off the folding machine at high speed.

Looking good!

 

Well done everyone involved with Planting Up Whickham. Flower beds and tubs look fantastic. I will be along on Sunday when the volunteers will be stripping the beds. My job is to take the vegetation to my farm and turn it into compost.

Show Racism the Red Card

The anti-racism charity, Show Racism the Red Card, appeared to have a poor start to October when it was announced that Gateshead and Sunderland Councils, both run by Reform, were withrewing support for the charity. Coming in to defend the charity however is Lib Dem led Newcastle Council. The Leader, Cllr Colin Ferguson, has announced that the Tyne Bridge and Newcastle Civic Centre will both be lit up in red on Wednesday. Well done to Reform for ensuring Show Racism the Red Card is getting far more publicity than would otherwise normally be the case.

Inside the refurbished library

 

Whickham Library is currently being refurbished. On Saturday I was able to see inside. It's looking great. Doors reopen on 30th September.

Sunniside MacMillan coffee mornings

 

On Friday, Sunniside hosted 2 MacMillan coffee mornings, at the Pharmacy and at the Social Club. I went to both!

Inside the refurbished library

 

On Saturday we (ie the Whickham Lib Dem Councillors) held our monthly advice surgery outside Whickham Library. The reason we were outside rather than inside is because the Library is undergoing refurbishment. We were given the opportunity to have a look around. The work is nearly finished and the Library is looking great. It reopens on 30th September.

Surgery tomorrow

Everyone, please hope for a rain free day tomorrow in Whickham! I will be having my monthly advice surgery with my Lib Dem councillor colleagues at 10am outside Whickham Library. Note the word "outside". The Library is closed for refurbishment so the surgery will be in the great outdoors. The umbrella will possibly accompany me.

Let me eat cake

 

Today, Sunniside hosted 2 MacMillan coffee mornings - at the Pharmacy and at the Club. I felt it was very appropriate tht I visit both and buy lots of cakes and scones. That's my lunch sorted!

Brighton Conference

 

I am in Brighton for the Lib Dem conference and yesterday I got to meet a political hero of mine: Lynne (now Baroness) Featherstone. As home office minister in the coalition government (2010-15), Lynne was instrumental in passing the legislation that legalised same sex marriage. It is because of her that I now wear a wedding ring. As she was able to pass the same sex legislation, David and I were able to get married. Lynne Featherstone, my hero.

Focus delivery, Mexican style

 

Gateshead and Durham Lib Dems held a join action day on Saturday. On the Gateshead side we delivered 1000 Focus on Barley Mow newsletters. On the other side of the border, Durham delivered their latest edition of their North Lodge Focus. 

We are used to action day lunches consisting of sandwiches. North Lodge Councillor Craig Martin had other ideas. It turns out he is a keen cook and likes to experiment. We were happy to be the guinea pigs to test out his latest Mexican themed cooking. It all went down very well!