Ladywell By-Election - help us put the Green back in Ladywell!

You may by now have heard that Tim Shand, one of the new Labour councillors elected in May to serve Ladywell has chosen to take up a job offer in South Africa and resigned as a councillor, which means there will be a by-election. We don't know the date yet, but are assuming it will be on or around 4th November.

While it's annoying that someone who was only elected in May, has resigned and triggered a by-election, at a cost to local taxpayers in excess of £10k, it does of course present an opportunity for Ladywell Greens to regain one of the seats we lost back in May! I am looking forward to getting back out campaigning over the next few weeks to try and get a Green candidate, who is trully committed to Ladywell ward elected.

Our candidate selection meeting is taking place this Thursday, and we will announce on here shortly after who our candidate is. I know we have at least two excellent people who plan to put their name forward. I'm not standing myself this time - I'm rather enjoying the extra time I have now I'm not a councillor.

I think we have a very strong chance of winning this seat back, and making sure Ladywell has a strong green voice standing up for it again, looking for alternatives to cuts to services, campaigning to keep our childrens' centres and libraries open, but we'll need your help.

Here's how you can help:

• By-elections cost money! Help us run an effective campaign by making a donation to our campaign fund today.
• Put up a 'Vote Green' window poster for us. E-mail me your contact details and we'll get one over to you once the election date is declared.
• Can you help us deliver our election address to your street, or could you convince some of your neighbours to go out and vote Green? Again, e-mail us and let us know what you would like to do.
• Have you got questions/suggestions on our campaign, what you think our priorities should be? Again, get in touch.
• Join us! We're a small party, but a growing one. We can do so much more and be so much more representative of the local community, if more of our supporters join us.

Thank you!

Two events this Saturday

Two Lewisham Green Party events this weekend that supporters, as well as members, are welcome to attend:

80s Disco
Lewisham Green Party is 30 years old this month. To celebrate we are having an 80s disco. Come and join us and celebrate in style!

Saturday 25th September From 8pm. Brockley Social Club 240 Brockley Road, SE4 2SW. £4

Special prize for the best 80s outfit!

Autumn Foraging Foray: Saturday 25th September
Back in June we held a very successful foraging walk. Local member Darren Flint led a group of members and supporters around various sites in New Cross and Deptford. Participants picked wild rocket, nettles, elderflower, pineapple weed and fennel, amongst other things, which were then taken back to Darren's kitchen and turned into the most delicious meal.

Now, due to popular demand, we are having a follow up event. Saturday 25th September, 11am-2pm. Gather at the gates of Brimmington Park, towards the New Cross end of the Old Kent Road.
Come on a food foraging walk around South Bermondsey - we will gather a Summer harvest and walk up Telegraph Hill, where we will prepare a lunch of wild food and drink.

A voluntary contribution will be taken in support of Lewisham Green Party. To give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to join us, please RSVP to Darren.