18 Sept 2006

Back from hols to RSS, health and more

Just had a weeks holiday with my parents who live in Devon - my Mum's 70th birthday - so lots of celebrating. Back now to over 390 emails, phone messages and a stack of letters and just when I thought I was getting on top of it The Citizen suggest I write 500 words for them on the Regional Spatial Strategy - I'd phoned them some 4 or 5 times mentioning this important story - in my view it should be a front page story - anyhow read my 500 words before they are printed later this week.

Today also was the pre-Full Council meeting - a sort of briefing before the Full Council meeting on Thursday. It lasted under half an hour but is an important check if needed - also caught up on latest re health cuts - Weavers Croft looks set to close despite the best efforts of the community - the Maternity is also still threatened although news is better - we will have to wait to see - Stroud District Council could end up supporting a Social Enterprise Trust as an alternative way forward...we will have to wait and see..

...but good to hear that the CD is out with music to protest the cuts - it includes local children's author John Dougherty with backing vocals from other local authours like Kate Fforde, Sue Limb (who has stood as a Green party candidate in European and local elections), Jamilla Gavin and more - plus Ruth Royall - well known to the local music scene....

Talking of music - I was disappointed to be away for Stroud Fringe Festival - by all accounts it was extraordinary - a 101 bands - claimed as being Britain's biggest free festival and certainly according to reports in the SNJ "one of the most trouble-free and joyous". Stroud really is an extraordinary place....but rather than go on about that I'd better get back to those emails....

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