ROTARY HONOUR FOR NORTH NORFOLK WOMAN
A North Norfolk woman has been awarded a prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship by Croomer
and Sheringham Rotary Club. The award was made to Gerry Staynes at the Club's Christmas
Dinner by President, Joe Floyd. She is only the second woman locally to receive the
accolade.
Gerry, who lives in Cromer, was awarded the Rotary Fellowship on the basis of her many
years voluntary work in the community which has included the Cromer and District Hospital,
the Cromer Lifeboat, the RNIB, and the Cromer New Year's Day Fireworks Committee.
More recently, she has spent much of her time caring for a former member of
Cromer and Sheringham Inner Wheel, Alice Louch, and her son Graham. Making the
presentation Joe Floyd commented: "Whatever charity she helped she gave 100% and,
latterly, worked tirelessly for the two people, ensuring they remained safe in their
environment. Gerry is a genuine example of 'Service above Self' and thoroughly deserves
the Rotary honour "
Twinning Association
At the recent AGM of the Sheringham Otterndorf Twinning
Association, Chairman Evelyn Meakin reported on a successful and busy year. Various social
events has been organised for the 80+ members and the highlight of the year had been the
town's association visit to Otterndorf in May when three cyclists with their young
families joined the group for the five day stay. The wonderful hospitality and generosity
of the town of Otterndorf made it a most memorable visit. Members can now look
forward to the return visit from Otterndorf next Summer. It is encouraging to hear
of private visits taking place between individuals and there have been several this year
in each direction. The Twinning Association are in communication with a number of
interest groups, the emphasis being on youth exchange. The main fundraising activity
organised was the Annual Open Gardens Day when several charities also benefitted from this
popular event.
Members manned another successful stall at the 'Switch On' for the Christmas lights and
can now look forward to a Christmas Social later this month. All enquiries and
information about the town twinning with Otterndorf should be made through the Town
Council or through the Association.
Contact: Noel Gant, Town Mayor, 822213
Evelyn Meakin, Chairman, 823818
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Five Months to go to the European Elections -
Greens step up Campaign
It is exactly five months to go before the next major round of elections in the UK on
Thursday June 4th at which voters will have the opportunity to elect their MEPs for the
next 5 years and County Councillors (where these elections are held). It will be a big
electoral test for all parties, but increasing numbers of voters are becoming fed up with
the "main" parties and are looking for an alternative. The Green Party has
consistently secured its highest nationwide vote share at the European Elections, with
more than a million people voting Green in 2004. Every voter in Eastern Region and the UK
will have Green candidates to vote for.
The Green Party in Eastern Region is working hard to secure its first MEP, to join the 2
Green MEPs who have held seats in London and South East regions since 1999, when the
proportional voting system was first introduced.
At the time of the 1999 elections, there were just 2 Green Party Principal Authority
Councillors in Eastern Region. There are now 27, with the Green Group on Norwich City
Council becoming the official opposition in 2008. There are also now Green Councillors in
every county in the region. Since 1999, membership of the Green Party in the region has
also risen.
The Greens will be stepping up campaigning in the months to come, with their leading
European candidates touring the region to attend events and to get out on to the streets
to meet people and ask them what they would like to see from their elected
representatives. A vote share of 10% or more on June 4th would see Dr. Rupert Read, Lead
Green candidate, elected to the European Parliament.
The next regional Green Party meeting will be held in Wivenhoe, near Colchester, Essex on
Saturday January 24th and the press are welcome to attend (please see contact details
below to make arrangements).
Cllr. Rupert Read, Prospective Green MEP for Eastern Region said
"In exactly 5 months' time, Europe goes to the polls, for its 5-yearly elections of
Members of the European Parliament. Now more than ever, Green MEPs are needed: to pursue
peace, to take serious action to stop climate damage, to help stabilise the economy by
investing in good green jobs, and so much more.
Many voters are rightly fed up with the "main" parties and their failures on the
economy and the environment, not to mention a growing lack of trust in politicians who say
one thing but do another. The Greens offer a genuine alternative to those parties and a
proven track record of sticking to their policies and commitments." |
