Halifax Liberal Democrats

Overgate Hospice visit by HRH Duke of Gloucester

Diane Park — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:00:57 +0000

Today the newly refurbished inpatient unit was opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester at the Overgate Hospice, Elland. The day was cold, crisp with a hit of frost, the welcome in the marque was warm and friendly!! The event was attended by many people who have raised funds for Overgate. My great friend Angela Curran is one of those people. Her husband Nigel died at the hospice last year and since then she has raised over £20,000 for Overgate. As we waited for The Duke we networked and brain stormed and swopped information. Thanks to Overgate staff for all they do and I know so many of you already donate to Overgate, but I would encourage you to do as much as you can even in these hard times.

Freedom Parade in Halifax

Diane Park — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:00:22 +0000

The rain stayed away long enough for the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) to exercise their rights as Freemen of the Borough of Calderdale by holding a Freedom Parade in Halifax this weekend. The Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Conrad Winterburn, gave them permission to parade and gave a short speech. Then the parade marched through the town, lead by two white horses, and the ranks brought up by a tank!! Pretty spectacular stuff…what were you doing this weekend?

Peter Brook - Works from Public Collections

Diane Park — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:00:47 +0000

I attended Peter Brook’s Public Collections exhibition at the Smith Art Gallery, Brighouse this weekend. Peter taught me at Sowerby Bridge Grammar School, rather a long time ago….I had a chance to chat with Peter about the exhibition, it was great to catch up with him after so long and we shared a laugh together. The Smith Art Gallery has recently been refurbished and I would recommend a visit to see the excellent paintings on display, the wonderful building and also the well laid out library.

No Choice but Change for Britain’s defence policy

Diane Park — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:41:39 +0000

Press Release from Councillor Diane Park, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Halifax

No Choice but Change for Britain’s defence policy

Last week two more of our soldiers in Afghanistan were killed whilst on patrol in a Land Rover that was destroyed by a rocket-propelled grenade. The vehicles are an outdated, cheap alternative to the more modern equipment used by the US and South Africa.

Labours Defence Secretary, Des Browne, promised to review the use of the vehicles after they failed to protect British Troops time and time again in Iraq. Promises don’t protect our soldiers. The right equipment does and that needs money. A Royal United Services Institute estimate suggests that the Ministry of Defence’s procurement plans for new equipment are now underfunded by up to £15bn over a 10-year period. The military budget is in crisis and there are huge deficiencies in the quality, quantity and utility of the military equipment available for operations.

Add to that the appalling quality of the accommodation and medical support provided for the forces when in the UK and we are rapidly approaching a situation in which the ‘military covenant’ - between the armed forces and society - could be broken irreparably.

Councillor Diane Park Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Halifax said “As a Liberal Democrat I believe that Members of the armed forces who risk their lives in war should get a written guarantee of proper care. The Liberal Democrats are calling for the first strategic review of UK defence capability in 10 years. “We need to focus on the role the UK wants its armed forces to play at home and abroad - and to fund that role properly” .

Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “We cannot continue to ask so much of our armed forces without a long-term defence strategy that is sustainable.”

Councillor Diane Park agrees with Sir Menzies Campbell MP, he said “We have come to a point where there is no choice but change. Either our armed forces should do less and differently, or we need increases in the defence budget which will be difficult to justify to tax-payers.”

“Our armed forces are second to none in the world. They do a phenomenal job for our country each and every day, but they are overstretched and with a defence budget in crisis, we risk real problems in the future in generating, deploying and sustaining Britain’s fighting power. It is time the government provided our soldiers with the correct support, and correct funding.

End

57th Charter Dinner of Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge

Diane Park — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:00:20 +0000

As president of the Rotary Club of Elland I was invited to the 57th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge by their president Rotarian John Richardson. The Charter was held at The White House, Blackstone Edge, where a fabulous meal was served followed by a full programme. This included the Object of Rotary, Reading of the Charter, various toasts and Rotarian Willie Clark, District 1040 Extension Officer gave a very entertaining speech. An excellent evening of service and fellowship.

Halifax Art Society Annual Exhibition 2008

Diane Park — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:00:10 +0000

Attended the opening of the Halifax Art Society annual exhibition at Bankfield Museum. The Mayor of Calderdale opened the event which continues until 2nd November 2008. The best picture award was presented to Carol Pope for a charming watercolour.

Mayors Civic Service held in Elland

Diane Park — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:00:39 +0000

The sun shone, the band played and the parade marched through Elland for the Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Conrad Winterburn and the Mayoress of Calderdale Hilary Winterburn on Sunday. The service was held at Southgate Methodist Church, where the choir sang and we all enjoyed a very interesting service. Afterwards afternoon tea was served at Berties Banqueting Hall, a great chance to chat amongst colleagues and friends old and new.

District 4 Inner Wheel Overseas Rally

Diane Park — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:00:11 +0000

I was lucky to be able to take some time away from the office on this day to attend the District 4 Inner Wheel overseas rally. The speaker was Andrew Radford from UNICEF, who had travelled from London to talk, show slides and a short film about the work that UNICEF are engaged in to stop the transfer of HIV from mother to child. The ‘Born Free’ appeal was presented with a cheque for £270. A very moving presentation and a very worthy cause, the education programme for older children and young people is paramount to the eradication of HIV.

Spring Time Soiree

Diane Park — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:30:46 +0000

I attended a fundraising event held at Berties Banqueting Suite, good food and Andrew Griswood’s floral show. This event was to raise funds for the Calderdale Music Service Youth Ensemble who are hoping to go on a once in a lifetime tour of Australia. Over £1,000 was raised on the night, which was a great sucess.

Calderdale Communities - Stephen Parry Olympic Bronze winner

Diane Park — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:30:47 +0000

At the Calderdale Communities conference the other key note speaker was Stephen Parry who won a bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic games for 200m butterfly. He reported that taking part in the Olympic final was ‘fascinating, terrifying, I closed my eyes gritted my teeth and got in there!’ Through his business, Total Swimming, which was set up in 2004, Stephen aims to support and share his knowledge with young swimmers and help provide guidance and support for the Olympic stars of the future. www.totalswimming.co.uk