To contact us_

Either e-mail us using talk2us or ring us on 01562 823581 (Answerphone service out of office hours)

Welcome

The Premier Independent political party in Wyre Forest

The Wyre Forest area of north Worcestershire is the home of independent political thought - having been represented in Parliament for two terms (ten years) by the Independent M.P. Dr. Richard Taylor M.B.E.

Representing Wyre Forest people

The party has representatives at Worcestershire County and Wyre Forest District levels as well as Councillors on the Bewdley, Kidderminster and Stourport-on- Severn town councils.

Not just a ‘Single Issue’ party

As is reflected in it’s title, Independent Community and Health Concern is NOT just a ‘single issue’ grouping of independent representatives of the people; taking on-board all manner of local problems (and solving them) and local aspirations (and aiding in their delivery). It grew out of the projected closure of Kidderminster Hospital (to which so many had contributed with fund-raising). This prompted mass protest and street parades and, ultimately, the rejection of the sitting Labour MP - a junior Minister. While I.C.H.C. remains fundamentally concerned with the provision of health facilities and the delivery of all that results in ‘good health’ it is associated with concern for all aspects of a healthy community - education for all ages, support for the disabled and the elderly, transport, arts and entertainment, nature and the environment.

“Rocky 14”

(Seconds Out)

May still in there

sluggin’ it out

Councils

Bewdley Town Council, created 1974, has 13 Town Councillors all of whom are elected for a term of four years. For voting purposes, Bewdley is divided into three Wards which are Bewdley West (4 Councillors) and Bewdley East (4 Councillors) on the west side of the river and Wribbenhall (5 Councillors) on the east side. The Town Council Elections last took place on 22nd May 2014. The next election is due to take place in 2019. Timetable for 2019 meetings not yet available January: 8th   -  Planning 10th - Services 22nd - Events 23rd - Finance 24th  - Town Hall 29th - KEF events planning 30th  - Full Council Tuesday 8th    January   2019 Tuesday 12th  February  2019 Tuesday 12th  March      2019 Meetings will be held in the courtroom of the Coroner's Service, Civic Centre, Stourport-on-Severn, unless otherwise stated

Stourport-on-Severn

Dixon Sheppard   01299 826941 Councillor for Lickhill Ward Janice Sheppard   01299 826941 Councillor for Lickhill Ward Julie Bennett   01299 827773 Councillor for Central Ward Gill Smith   01299 878067 Councillor for Central Ward Nicky Martin   01299 871825 Councillor for North Ward Neil Thomas   01299 871895 Councillor for North Ward Mike Salter   01299 877382 Councillor for Stour and Wilden Ward

Kidderminster

Mary Rayner   01562 748564 Councillor for Broadwaters Peter Young  01562  750529 Councillor for Broadwaters

Bewdley

Linda Candlin  01299 409414 Councillor for Wribbenhall Ward Elizabeth Davies  01299 403053 Councillor for Wribbenhall Ward Calne Edgington-White     01299  400726 Councillor for Bewdley West Ward

Worcestershire

County

Mary Rayner    01562 748564 Councillor for Kidderminster - St Georges and St Oswald

Wyre Forest District

Mary Rayner   01562 748564 Councillor for Broadwaters Nicky Martin   01299 871825 Councillor for  Mitton

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JOIN Health Concern to be part of Health Concern …

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VOTE for one of our Candidates

If you are not going to be in Wyre Forest on polling day (at work or on holiday) or

are not physically able to go to a polling station to vote in person, you can still

vote. Even if you've moved house since the electoral register was drawn up and

have not yet joined the register at your new address, this is how to exercise your

democratic right.

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If you wish to appoint someone else (a proxy) to vote on your behalf _

DOWNLOAD THIS FORM

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If you wish to vote by post _

DOWNLOAD THIS FORM

Simply print the form out, complete the details and send it to _

The Local Electoral Registration Officer.

Finepoint Way,

Kidderminster, DY11 7WF

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Or you can telephone the Worcestershire Hub on

01562 73292

Be a SUPPORTER  …  … 

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ATTEND our monthly meetings and participate in our Social Events.

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Volunteer to deliver our Newsletters (Pulse) in your street, 

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Help with fund-raising,  

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Man the office phones and talk to people (we have machines to do the printing

and paper-folding).

 

Be a CANDIDATE  …  …

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VOLUNTEER to stand for election to represent your area and have the Health

Concern resources behind you

Ring for a ‘Call-Back’

01562 823581

Preparing for the Next Elections

Join Health Concern to become a member of the party. Membership details available from Keith Robertson, our Membership Secretary

National

The latest (hopefully the dying gasp) of ‘Project Fear’ to emerge from the BBC is that .. drivers going abroad will have to obtain a ‘Green Card’ before venturing onto the Continent’s hallowed tarmac (17/01). (For those of you so young and callow as not to know what a ‘Green Card’ is - it’s a (green) card issued by your Insurance Company which confirms that you have Insurance cover and so can drive legally while abroad.) Of course, if you haven’t got Insurance, you won’t get a Green Card, and so can’t go.  Serves you right. Those of us reasonably long-in-the-tooth can remember having to get a Green Card - and thinking nothing of it.  “Foreign currency - check, Passport - check, Green Card - check. OK kids, we’re almost there !” For ‘Snowflakes’ it is all obviously just too much ! __________________ What IS she up to? (11/01) Having lost control of her own MPs, T.M.™ the PM is now ”wooing” Corbyn’s crowd. Is she trying to be Leader of the Opposition at the same time as Prime Minister ? ___________________ And just when we thought we were well rid of him .. little Johnny Bercow  raises his **** little head again ! (09/01) I think I can do no better than to quote Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (18/11/1836 – 29/05/1911) English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator and collaborative partner with composer Arthur Sullivan, [YUM-YUM] Here's a how-de-do! If I marry you When your time has come to perish Then the maiden whom you cherish Must be slaughtered, too! Here's a how-de-do! Here's a how-de-do! [NANKI-POO] Here's a pretty mess! In a month, or less I must die without a wedding! Let the bitter tears I'm shedding Witness my distress Here's a pretty mess! Here's a pretty mess! [KO-KO] Here's a state of things To her life she clings! Matrimonial devotion Doesn't seem to suit her notion-- Burial it brings! Here's a state of things! Here's a state of things! Fancy him predicting ‘TM the PM’s predicament 134 years ago. ___________________ As a lorry driver, how much would you expect to be paid for half an hour’s work ? Well, the DfT (that’s the Department for Transport in ‘geek-speak’) offered 150 drivers £500 each - from the public purse - to take part in ‘Operation Brock’(*) in preparing Dover for a ‘No Deal’ deal (though what Deal Port will do is anyone’s guess).   (08/01) And just 89 bothered to turn up !  At a cost to you and me of £48,950. It took them just 35 minutes to drive from Manston Airfield to the roundabout at Dover Eastern Docks - and back. One trucker said that it would normally take 30 minutes but, with a Police escort, they had to stick to the speed limits ! Well done,TM, the PM’ - now we’re all prepared. * P.S. No badgers were harmed in this operation. _________________ And he’s back !     (02/01) Fresh from his Safari in Africa, it’s that Bromsgrove MP, now afloat on a boat, being shown the English Channel (for all of 35 minutes) .. presumably so that he can see the White Cliffs of Dover from an Iranian perspective ? Apparently, its a good job that he sailed from Dover. The Cutter moored-up in Ramsgate harbour has been renamed by the local fishermen .. “The Eternal Flame” since it never goes out ! Perhaps, if he’s looking to extend his holiday he might well visit Wyre Forest’s FRENCH Safari Park ? Or go on Safari by supporting one of the local Hunts at this festive time of year ? ‘Tally-ho .. Sajid !’ ___________________ 2019 .. and he might be gone ! Not Santa .. he’s the ;good guy’.  No. The guy who’s (possibly) too expensive to maintain. John Bercow (a.k.a. “Mr. Speaker” - who could be called “Mr. Freebie”). Just what has he received ? Apart, that is, from his salary of £153,145 pa ? and his ‘Grace & Favour home _ with £20,000 of refurbishments (inc. a £7,524.30 sofa & £1,087 worth of ‘play-room’ furnishings). Mind you, his predecessor (Michael Martin) had already spent £700,000 on refurbishment in 2008 - what do they get up to ? Then, in order (for Mr. “Order, Order”) to relax_ he received £18,444.63 of tickets to watch football  (Chelsea, Man. City, Arsenal, West Ham) and £35,110 worth of tickets to watch tennis. But then he had been the Middlesex Under-12 tennis champion. Oh, and £9,296 worth registered ‘gifts’ - so far this financial year. It’s not just a case of wanting him to go .. it’s more of whether we can afford for him to stay ?

Local

Michael Gove - that man of inordinate ambition - that ‘Iago’ to Boris’s ‘Othello’ - now refreshes his ‘Sarf Landin’ credentials and declares war on country- dwellers. (14/01) For those living in the rural environs of Wyre Forest  (please note the ‘Forest’ bit in our name) he now intends to outlaw wood- burning stoves ! Wyre Foresters .. often / frequently / mostly situated along country lanes, far from mains gas and at the end of an electric supply slung from poles across fields - this environmentally- friendly (wood’s renewable) method of providing warmth, hot-water and cooked food is an essential part of staying alive. Gove and his city “mates” probably see them as a ‘cute’ addition to their London pads. We need them / rely on them / depend on them ! Which cannot be said about Mr. Gove. __________________ With Tuesday’s     (12/01) “Meaningful Vote” immanent, Wyre Forest voters might be wondering if our MP - Mark Garnier (if you’ve forgotten) - will be walking into the lobbies with the 2017 Conservative Party manifesto in mind. Remember those hallowed and oh-so-reassuring words … “we continue to believe that ‘No Deal’ is better than a ‘Bad Deal’.”   his ‘contract’ with the electorate ? Mr. Garnier .. Wyre Forest is watching you. ____________________ Generous people, those builders at Elmsvyne Homes; giving away the ancient (as far back as 1940) footpath at the old (not as far back as 1940) car park at Vale Road, Stourport. I mean, its not as if Stourport needs any more car park spaces, is it ? And to add it on to the gardens in their development so that half a dozen can benefit .. “nice” - while countless others (to quote the Council) “the vulnerable, are put at significant risk and conflict with vehicles.” Of course, no one can blame the innocent people who have bought the homes (that Elmsvyne built). How were they to know ? ___________________ Just how ‘local’ do you have to be to get a copy of the District Council letter regarding their ‘Local Plan’ consultation ?     (04/01) While residents of ‘watery’ Stourport seem to have Cllr. Fran Oborski “championing their cause” for being ill-informed about the consultation process, who will the residents of ‘leavy’ Chaddesley Corbett have to champion them, they wonder ? “Letter ?  What letter ?” they are heard to mutter. ___________________ Several letters have recently appeared in national newspapers (26/12) - one from local, leafy Chaddesley Corbett  - despairing of all the main political parties (and their manifestos which melt and disappear once they are in office somewhat like an MP’s reputation once they have been handed a speeding ticket) and suggesting the formation of a new force to represent The People. While those living in far- flung places might be excused, residents of  Wyre Forest know they have their salvation so very close to hand. HERE WE ARE ! The antidote (not to panel games) but to frustration and disillusion with the London-centric, democracy- rejecting reactionaries that dominate proceedings because they have accrued power and the influence of the ‘me-jah’ to themselves. Failure to take into account their innate unaccountability could all too easily result in the terrible consequences we view across ‘La Manche’ - see opposite column. Like the Christmas adverts maintain .. “Go Local” to obtain quality and accountability.

International

Perhaps we would do well to take lessons from Belgium and the United States (10/01). As the U.S. enters it’s 22nd day of government shut- down - and we remember that in 2011 Belgium lasted 589 days without an elected government - both countries survive to this day. Yes. We should certainly take lessons from them. ___________________ Thinking of placing a bet on the Brexit situation ? You might do well to consider this .. Haven’t the EU negotiators always been saying, “Nothing is agreed until it’s ALL agreed” ? So, by their admission, there won’t be any agreement reached .. so .. it’s a ‘No-Deal deal’. BUT .. it is against the EU rule book for a member state to depart under ‘No Deal’ conditions (did you know that ?) Kind of puts them in the jaws of a dilemma .. ‘Stick to their guns’ and find themselves in the wrong. Still that’s an instant saving of £39,000,000,000. Worthwhile ? __________________ It seems that President Chump has installed a revolving front door to the White House (with the rate he’s changing aides and officials). Shame that the door to the Oval Office only rotates every four years. Still, there may the opportunity for the Household Cavalry (and the Blues and Royals) to visit America and take lessons on the ‘changing of (old) guard’ and watch the ‘Parade of the Generals’ leaving office. ___________________ Sorry ! The ‘game’ that the French seem to specialise in has appeared to have gone into ‘extra time’ .. as the ‘yellow vests’ haven’t left the ‘pitch’ .. sorry, streets of France. Score, to date (26/12) is_ 10 dead_ 260 in hospital injured_ thousands arrested_ millions of Euros in trade lost_ 10.M Euros damage to the Arc de Triumph alone_ …….. vs. Government policy in ruins_ and ‘Le Petit President’s’ popularity sunk to a new low. “Aux Barriers, Mes Amis!”

Blog

Comments about what’s going on in political life …  … Please note that views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Health Concern or of it’s Councillors or members - so enjoy them - or ignore them (!) It’s your choice.

News

TODAY’S THE DAY

If you didn’t laugh .. you’d cry ..

More Crackers .. # Will BREXIT be followed by Grexit, Departugal, Italeave, Czechout, Finish and Byegium  ? # What song did David Cameron (or Peter Mandelson, or ?) sing at the Christmas party ?   “All I want for Christmas is EU !” # Jeremy Corbyn says that his position on Brexit is quite clear .. it’s just that he doesn’t agree with it ! # BREXIT .. that’s saying ‘Goodbye’ to Croissants and ‘Hello’ to Crumpets. # Great idea of the people of England to vote for BREXIT and leave Germany with the majority of power in Europe.   What could go wrong? # I just read that after this BREXIT-thing the people of Britain will be forced to live on a rainy island   separated from the rest of Europe. # BREXIT ?  It sounds like a three year-old trying to pronounce Breakfast. # What’s the difference between BREXIT and Donald Trump’s “Great American Dream” ?   We’ve already got a ditch ! # When you look at the map above (top of page) remember that for vast tracts of Scotland and N. Ireland (the   Yellow bits) you’d be sharing the vista with sheep from horizon to horizon .. and (some say) that, to the south (the    Blue bits) the same would hold true. # Just after one MP described Theresa May’s Brexit document as “.. a fig-leaf .. and a small one at that !”,   that adorable Michael Gove chimes-in with a quote from “Game of Thrones” “ .. Winter’s coming !”   How un-gentlemanly ! AND THERE’S MORE .. keep ‘em comin’.

Remember the Referendum ?

This was how we voted _

England voted 53.38%

West Midlands voted 59.26%

Wyre Forest voted 63.1%

TO LEAVE

Yellow = REMAIN Blue = LEAVE

WEDNESDAY IN PARLIAMENT

In  the European Parliament (don’t forget, they’ve got one, too) their “best” negotiator (that’s Michel Barnier, apparently) had to admit abject defeat. He had been unable to give either GB or EU what they were expecting. Sorry, chap - that’s politics. The EU Parliament still don’t seem to get it. WE WANT OUT. Back home, May survives Corbyn’s “No Confidence” motion - YES _ 306, NO _ 325. A majority of just 19. Then says she “wants to talk” to everybody .. but will she listen ? Not to Corbyn (and his half of Parliament) since he’s not willing to do the talking (on this occasion). Having sat and talked to terrorists, he refuses to assist in the future of this country. It says it all.

TUESDAY IN PARLIAMENT_

MPs voted by 432 votes to 202 to reject the Prime Minister’s deal, which set out the terms of her negotiation of Britain's exit from the EU on 29 March. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (as expected) then tabled a vote of no confidence in the government - to be held at about 1900 GMT - Wednesday. Mark Garnier voted in favour of the Brexit deal - his constituents voted 2 to 1 IN FAVOUR of BREXIT at the Referendum Sterling rose 0.1% to $1.289 after declines of more than 1% earlier in the day - having slumped 7% during 2018 following the uncertainty about the terms of the UK's exit from the European Union. The pound immediately rose 0.5% against the Euro. How They Voted

FOR

Conservatives 196 Labour     3 Independents    3

AGAINST

Conservative rebels 118 Labour 248 Scottish National Party   25 Liberal Democrats   11 Plaid Cymru     4 Democratic Unionist Party 10 Greens     1 Independents   5

Contact

Health Concern

I.C.H.C. office Station Approach, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster. Worcs. DY10 1QX Tel: 01562 823581 Fax: 01562 77 00 11 e: talk2us@healthconcern.org.uk

How to find us

Directions

Google maps Our office is located on Comberton Hill, next to the Severn Valley and West Midlands railway stations. There are a number of Pay & Display car parks in the immediate vicinity. There is a bus service along the main road.

Hours of Business

Please ring to make a weekday appointment. 01562 823581

THANK YOU for visiting