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Archive for February, 2007

Protecting Rural Life: Saving Post Offices

25th February 2007 - Andrew McLean

Up to half of all our rural post offices are facing closure as the Government cuts its £150 million a year grant and closes the Post Office Card Account.

“Our post offices provide a vital lifeline in many villages where they are the only shop or local service,” says campaigner David Burden. “The poor and elderly who don’t have access to a car will be badly hit by these closures and village life will suffer.”

“The last Conservative Government closed 3,500 local post offices and this Government has already closed 4,000. Now they want to close at least another 2,500!” added campaigner Robert Armstrong. “We urgently need a change of attitude.”

The Lib Dems want to protect the post office network with a 5 point plan that includes a £2 billion investment fund, new services and retention of the Post Office Card Account and grants.

Borough Gardens nears completion

24th February 2007 - Andrew McLean
Borough Gardens renovations nearing completion
Borough Gardens renovations nearing completion

“The new play area opened last half term and has already proved to be very popular,” he added. “There is still a bit more work to do but all of this should be finished soon. Patrick Walsh of Thomas Hardye School has won the competition to design a piece of sculpture for the plinth by the Bowling Green and his piece will be worked up as soon as possible.”

The Gardens will be officially re-opened at an event on May Day Bank Holiday. Weekend ‘Music in the Gardens’ will resume later this year.

A Quiet Countryside

24th February 2007 - Andrew McLean
Cllr Caroline Payne and Gil Streets
Cllr Caroline Payne and Gil Streets

Beaminster Cllr Caroline Payne and Gil Streets are working together to keep our countryside safe and quiet from the threat posed by a new law to make Byways Open to All Traffic (B.O.A.T.S.)

“We don’t want to hear 4×4’s and quad bikes roaring up tiny paths disturbing local residents and wildlife and damaging ancient rights of way,” said Caroline.