September 2008 - Newsletter from Margot James
September newsletter
Keeping you up to date with my latest activities in Stourbridge. The latest campaigns, letters to the press and events in and around Stourbridge
September 2nd 2008
Dear Supporter,
I hope you have all had a good summer, despite the weather. Although most of us have been away at some point during August it was still a productive month on the campaign front.
Campaigning
- We produced and delivered 5000 leaflets in Amblecote, a task made easier with the help of the network of deliverers Pat Martin has built up over the years.
- We took delivery of 10,000 free newspapers from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) emphasising cost of living issues. We are distributing this in targeted polling districts.
- The Post Office closure programme has been announced and Mike Wood has taken charge of our campaign to save at least one of those targeted for closure.
- We are producing 10,000 leaflets on the Post Office issue for distribution around the Post Offices threatened with closure in Quarry Bank, Pedmore and Oldswinford.
Media
- Les Jones organised a successful photo call outside the Post Office at Oldswinford to which the Stourbridge News sent a photographer.
- Les and I were interviewed by Russell Eden on 102.5 The Bridge (our local community radio station) about our Post Office campaign.
- The campaign I fought to get sight saving treatment available on the NHS continued to yield good coverage. A large piece and photograph appeared in the Stourbridge News for a second time in August, and also appeared again in the Express & Star.
- Have you noticed how much coverage Conservatives are now getting in the News? Karen Shakespeare and the great environmental work she is responsible for is now featured as regularly as the Labour MP!
Out and About
- I met with Inspector Sarah Galloway who took over as chief of police in Stourbridge a few months ago. I reported some antisocial behaviour hotspots around the parade of shops on the Queensway in Wollescote, Swan Pool Park on a Friday and Saturday night and the hurling of rocks on to canal boats from bridges. Click here for more
- I met Steven Hassel, Development Director for Westfield Ltd to discuss issues of concern to the area. Namely skills and transport. He pointed out to me that 2,500 residents of Stourbridge are employed at Merry Hill. Click here for more
- I attended Lye Carnival and met representatives of a dozen or so voluntary organisations in the area some of whom I’ll make time to visit during the autumn. David Vickers gave up a lot of his time to the organising committee of the carnival and it was a great success. Click here for more
Photo: Margot and Deputy Mayor Cllr. Pat Martin and volunteers with ‘Side by Side’ theatre company
Feedback
Please forward this campaign update on to any fellow Conservatives in our area who you think would be interested.
If you would like to help the campaign in Stourbridge then please do contact me: margot@stourbridgeconservatives.com. We are always grateful for support.
Best wishes
Margot
