Local News

I had a small part to play in Radio 4 'File on Four' investigation in to the massive overspend on Regional Fire Control Centres.

The Institute of Financial Studies has finally disabused the supporters of the Coalition that its Budget was 'progressive' in terms of its tax and spend implications.

Recent reports that the Swindon - Kemble redoubling of the line between Cheltenham to Paddington is more than disappointing. Contrary to the misinformation that is being put about by the Coalition the planned restoration was funded money having been obtained from the recently dropped Kinkerswell by-pass in Devon.

On Sunday 18th Jul I attended the last day of the Tolpuddle Festival to hear Tony Benn, Billy Bragg and others. The commemoration is held every year remembers the 6 Dorset farm labourers who were transported to Australia for swearing an oath to a trade union back in the early 19th century.

The Coalition Government is planning a huge badger culling exercise – despite there being no scientific evidence that this will do anything to reduce bovine TB.

Congratulations as ever to the organisers of Stroud Show; I know that they work incredibly hard to make it the successful event that it always is. And thank goodness after all that bad weather that it was a good day yesterday!

If you want to have an opportunity to hear the concerns of the Association of Police Authorities regarding Government plans for the future of our Police forces at a public meeting to be held in the Old Town Hall in Stroud at 7pm on Friday 23 July.

Join us at 7.00pm on the 16th July at the Old Town Hall where the Stroud Constituency Labour Party will be holding a meeting to set up ‘Stroud Coalition Against the Cuts’. The initial meeting will be an organisational one to create a Steering Group to co-ordinate activities locally to highlight the impact of the cuts already proposed and those in the pipeline.

On Sunday 13th June I took part in the second '11 miles of madness' the annual walk organised in support of the Door Youth Club, one of Stroud's little jewels.

After 45 successful years the curtains closed on the Stroud Brass Band Festival on Saturday night with a special gala concert featuring Grimethorpe Brass Band.