Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

An interesting evening with Fiona Hall, our Member for the European Parliament, and leader of the Lib Dem group there.  It was so that our new members could meet her and find out more about her work in the European Parliament where she sits on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Development Committees.  Her determination to both increase the economic activity in the North East and ensure that all we do is as "green" as possible do make be proud to be a Lib Dem and glad that I have campaigned for her. After her talk there were lots of questions about what is happening in Europe, and it is good to know there is a lot, and we just never hear about it in the media.  We had to cut the questions short so we could be out of the room in time for the staff at the community centre to go home!  Some of us "older" members were there too to help to organise and welcome our new members, and we learnt a lot too.  Here are some of the people there.

We had a constructive meeting to work out how to spend the remainder of our "Community Participation Budget" for the Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree ward.  It has already paid for lots of things from dog and litter bins, dropped kerbs, bollards to keep a pavement safe; improvements to the park entrances; flowers, bulbs, young people doing an environmental project, and street lights in dark corners.  This budget was a Lib Dem idea for Stockton Council and it has made a real difference to our area, and we have been able to involve local people and groups in the decision making.  We did enjoy going through the list of what was left and deciding on projects that would, again, make a difference, espeically to young people.

However later on in the day I found out about a whole series of vandalism in Newham Grange Park at the play area.  It appears that a number of items have been wrecked and damage caused to others.  Very upsetting news for the children that use it and the group that have worked so hard to improve the park.  It leaves me wondering what might happen to the projects we spend the rest of our money on.  We keep on being told that the Council does wonderful things for youth, but something big is missing somewhere that such mindless vandalism carries on.  It needs everyone working together to make progress, but  wrecking like this makes me wonder how much progress in the years I've been on the Council.

Looking after our granddaughter today led to a visit to the local cinema to see "Tinkerbell", just the sort of thing that a 7 year old loves, and I must say it was relaxing !  Nothing to worry about there.  However the "food" on offer left much to be desired.  I thought it reasonable that she had some popcorn and a drink, but the smallest popcorn was huge, really huge.   There only seemed to be the fizzy unhealthy drink there and the smallest of those was, again, huge, and far too much for her to drink.  There is supposed to be concern about unhealthy eating habits on Teesside leading to childhood obesity.  If those that ran places of entertainment had at least something else on offer it would help.  It does not help family budgets either, the 2 portions of "food" cost as much as the entrance ticket which will be quite a burden on those taking several children or going more often.  An e-mail wings its way off .....

Good news that Friends of the Earth is starting up in Stockton again.  A meeting is planned for Wednesday September 8th at 7.00 p.m. at "The Hub" which is on Bridge Road near to the old Swallow Hotel.  I won't be able to make the meeting as it is full Council at that time, and I'll have to be there, but if you are interested please do try to get along

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We really enjoyed "The Imporance of being Earnest" tonight.  in Preston Park.  Well organised, well produced and what a wonderful setting.
Someone said to me that they were sure it was never a serious suggestion that a school would be built in the park.  Well it is in the Council minutes that money was to be spent on investigating the site and the Play itslelf showed up the problems of pretending to be what you are not gets you into an awful tangle !

another photo as the actors entangle