Tuesday and Wednesday – phone Jennifer Pearson on01422 372049

Thursday (Election Day) phone HQ for the day on 01422 383034

Elisabeth with members of the Dill group

Elisabeth writes: Monday was a busy day.  It started with a school gate visit to Christ Church School Pellon with Cllr Jennifer Pearson.  We are getting a good response from parents to Lib Dem plans for extra money for schools and a fair tax system.

At 10 am I called in at the Dill project, a self help group for men with chronic conditions, invited by My Uddin, who initiated the group. This is self help in action!

Then it was on to Salterlee school, to talk to the top class about Lib Dem principles and policy.  We had an interesting discussion that ranged over how being made to conform to  other people’s expectation was a bit like bullying.  The children welcome the idea of more money for their school. They also raised points about possible unemployment, and liked the “Robin Hood” principle of Lib Dem policies on tax.

Some were interested in joining the Lib Dems, and I explained about how ordinary members could be involved in policy making.

My next stop was another school gate visit, this time with our candidate for Warley, Pauline Nash.

Last, but not least was the open Hustings organised by Churches Together in Halifax.  As a Quaker and Christian in my opening statement I talked about the links between Christian beliefs and Liberal Democrat principles:

First, the need to cherish each individual, and if necessary defend their rights.

Second, caring for creation, which includes caring for the environment as stewards of the earth.

Elisabeth talking to pupils at Salterlee school

Third, the quest for social justice. I pointed out that after 13 years of a Labour government a bright child from a poor home in Britain today is overtaken at school by a less bright child from a better off home. This is unacceptable. And our gap between rich and poor is as big as when Charles Dickens was writing “Hard Times” in the middle of the 19th century.  These would be tackled by Lib Dem policies on extra money for schools, and lifting the limit for paying tax to £10,000, giving most people £700 extra a year.

Questions ranged over Palestine/Israel, asylum seekers, replacing the House of Lords, adult education, buses, tackling the deficit, religious discrimination in the workplace, and climate change.

Altogether a busy and enjoyable day.

Ashley Evans and Elisabeth Wilson

On Saturday all four of the Warley team went to the clean-up in Warley village:  Elisabeth Wilson, Parliamentary candidate, Cllr Jennifer Pearson, Cllr Robert Pearson and Ashley Evans, candidate for Warley ward.  About 40 people turned up despite the persistent rain.  The aim of the cleanup was to help prepare for the “in Bloom” judges who will come round in early April.  We worked on a back lane, clearing weeds and tidying up.

Cllrs Jennifer and Robert Pearson in Warley Village Car Park

The car park in Warley has been resurfaced and tidied up thanks to Lib Dem Councillor Jennifer Pearson. She also acted on residents’ requests for more equipment in the play area. Jennifer and Robert are now working with local people to get the Warley monument repaired and restored.

Neglected Pellon Activity Centre

Funding for doing up and extending the old Ling Bob Addy on Rye Lane has been approved. Cllr Jennifer Pearson says “I’m proud to have been able to help the Pellon Action Network to get this money. We can’t wait to get going on it now!” The money is coming mainly from Europe (via Action Halifax), with a secondary amount from the Council and a number of other smaller donations.

DISAPPOINTING!

Jennifer criticised her two fellow Ward Councillors for not backing the scheme. “When money is available for improvements in their ward, for some reason, they don’t want it!”

REGENERATION FOR ALL AGES

She added, “The old Addy has been a symbol of de-generation for years but the new Centre will be a symbol of re-generation. It will have facilities for the whole community young, old and every age in between.”

As a further road safety measure and following residents’ suggestions, Jennifer has asked for the road to be marked with “bus boxes” at the bus stops next to the Woodlesford newsagent’s and the Broadwood children’s home. “Highways and Metro have agreed to the proposal and we’re hoping it will go ahead soon”, said Jennifer.