Dr Sue Farrant visits Beaminster School for World Hula Hoop Record attempt

Posted on 29 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

Dr Sue Farrant joins in the fun at Beaminster's world record attempt.

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, attended Beaminster School yesterday to see the students break the World Hula Hoop Record.

The students gyrated their way into the record books with a new total of 363 people, breaking the previous record by 21.

After trying a quick practice swirl, Sue Farrant decided to cheer on the students from the sidelines. She said: “It’s great to see so many pupils having such fun. And so many teachers too! I know the children have been practising for months and truly deserve to be world beaters! Well done to everyone who took part.”

Approximately 740 people – pupils, teachers and parents all joining in the fun – took part in the event. The attempt lasted two minutes and anyone whose hoop fell to the ground was eliminated. Those still going as the hooter sounded were counted and verified.

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Dr Sue Farrant joins Power2010 in Dorchester

Posted on 29 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

Sue Farrant and West Dorset candidates sign the Power2010 pledge

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, attended the “Blow-Up Politics” event in Dorchester yesterday for Power 2010, a campaign to clean up politics and reform the country’s voting system.

The relaxed ‘living-room’ style setting in South Street, complete with pink inflatable sofas, attracted a large crowd of voters, who were then able to quiz all of the constituency candidates on their policies.

Sue Farrant said: “This was an informal, fun event, but with a serious message to fix our broken politics. I was delighted that so many people were able to come along and given the chance to discuss their issues with the candidates face to face. The Power 2010 campaign is something I have supported for a long time and I was happy to sign the pledge.”

Power2010 aims to put people in the driving seat of politics, and is billed as the UK’s largest ever campaign for democratic reform. The 100,000 votes cast have created the 5-point Power Pledge, which will be taken to MPs across the country in the lead up to May 6th. The Pledge includes a switch to proportional representation, the establishment of a written constitution and abandoning the government’s ID cards scheme.

More information can be found at www.power2010.org.uk

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People of Dorchester vote ‘No’ for new offices.

Posted on 23 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

The people of Dorchester made their feelings clear last night over West Dorset District Council’s £15 million scheme to build itself new headquarters on the Charles Street site.

The verdict of the Town Poll was resoundingly in favour of the plan being scrapped. The result was as follows:

‘For’ new offices: 156

‘Against’ new offices: 2046

Stella Jones, Leader of the West Dorset District Council Liberal Democrats, said: “The people of Dorchester have spoken clearly. They are completely opposed to what the district council are proposing to do on which they refuse to consult. We congratulate everyone who organised this historic first ever town poll and look forward to an early response from West Dorset District Council as to what they are now going to do. Clearly they should abandon the project.”

Residents of Dorchester demanded a Town Poll after a public meeting was arranged by Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, in Dorchester on March 24. It gave the public the opportunity to have their say and ask questions.

A second meeting was held on April 19 in Bridport with the same agenda.

Both meetings, which attracted 320 people in total, concluded with the same unanimous verdict that WDDC’s scheme was not popular and should be stopped immediately.

People of West Dorset can still have their say in a constituency-wide poll.

Go to officespoll.org.uk to vote and leave your comments

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Dr Sue Farrant visits Rethink Kiosk

Posted on 21 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

Sue Farrant talks to Rethink staff and service users

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, visited Rethink’s mental health employment service, The Oasis, yesterday.

She spoke to staff and service users to find out more about mental health issues and signed Rethink’s manifesto pledge.

Sue Farrant said: “Visiting The Oasis and listening to what the people who work here have to say has been a real eye-opener. Mental health is too often seen as a taboo issue, so having something like this service so visible within the community really makes a difference. Should I be elected on May 6th I would certainly be a champion for mental health in Parliament.”

Pauline Sparks, Rethink services manager, said: “I’m delighted that Sue could come and see the work we are doing here at The Oasis. It is this kind of community venture, supporting people with experience of mental health problems with work experience and training, that can help people’s recovery. We invite candidates of all parties to visit and hear the first-hand experiences of the people who front the service.”

Continue reading →

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Bridport public meeting results in another ‘NO’ for new Council offices

Posted on 20 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

Dr Sue Farrant chairs the Bridport Public Meeting on WDDC proposed new offices

The second public meeting to discuss West Dorset District Council’s plans for a brand new headquarters at the Charles Street site in Dorchester attracted an audience of 80 people at Bridport Town Hall last night.

Dr Sue Farrant, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the West Dorset constituency, chaired the meeting and opened proceedings with introductory remarks and the agenda for the evening.

Councillor Paul Sample JP, former Leader of Salisbury District Council, spoke to the public about the parallels between his experience in Salisbury and the present situation in West Dorset.

Cllr Sample said assurances were made to him by the Council that the Salisbury project would ultimately save money, increase efficiency and enable the Council to retain staff.

From the outset of the project to today, the cost has soared from £5 million to somewhere near £20 million.

Cllr Sample urged the community of West Dorset to rally together and do what it takes to force the Council to scrap the plan. The people of Wiltshire were incensed by what happened, but it was too late for them to stop the project from going ahead.

Cllr Sample said: “The Salisbury Council Leaders and Officers brought local government into disrepute and paid for it with their jobs. I hope the people of West Dorset will stand up and be counted. Learn from the Salisbury experience and turf them out and turf their plans out.”

Continue reading →

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Dr Sue Farrant Visits Rethink Art Exhibition in Bridport

Posted on 16 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

Paddy Ashdown, Dr Sue Farrant talk to Katie about her work

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, visited the Arts Centre in Bridport this week to view an exhibition organised by Rethink, the national mental health charity.

Accompanied by former Liberal Democrat leader, Paddy Ashdown, Sue Farrant viewed a gallery of self-portraits painted by people affected by mental health issues. The exhibition was named ‘Rethink Parliament’ and enabled the participants to explore the themes of Parliament and what politics means to them.

A charity which is very close to her heart and one that she champions, Sue met with a couple of the artists, Katie Dare and David Russell, and spoke to them about their experiences.

Sue Farrant said: “Meeting Katie and David today was such a delight. It is marvellous to see what Rethink is doing for people and giving them the opportunity of a better quality of life. It is invaluable work that needs as much support as we can give it.”

Continue reading →

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Paddy Ashdown and Dr Sue Farrant Campaign Against Conservative Waste

Posted on 12 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

Paddy Ashdown and Dr Sue Farrant Campaigning in Bridport

Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, visited Bridport today to lend his support to Dr Sue Farrant’s election campaign.

In front of a large crowd in the town centre, he spoke of his support for Sue Farrant’s candidacy as the West Dorset Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate and on the subject of Conservative waste.

In particular, the issue of the Conservative-led West Dorset District Council’s plans to build a new £15 million headquarters in Dorchester. Sue Farrant has been campaigning to allow the people of West Dorset a proper consultation period over the proposed building and Lord Ashdown was not surprised to hear of the support she has gained.

Lord Ashdown said: “It is the same old Tories. They say they have changed, but nothing changes. A similar thing happened in Torbay where no consultation was given to the people about new offices there.

Continue reading →

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Paddy Ashdown Joins Dr Sue Farrant’s Campaign in Bridport

Posted on 9 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

Paddy Ashdown and Sue Farrant

Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, will be visiting Bridport on Monday 12th April to lend his support to Dr Sue Farrant’s General Election campaign for the West Dorset.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

    10.30am Meet at Bucky Doo Square. Walk about and visit local shops.

    11am Visit to Arts Centre – Exhibition. Coffee and questions.

All are welcome to come and meet Sue and Paddy.

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Sue Farrant Announces Online Office Poll for West Dorset

Posted on 6 April 2010 by Amy Tatum

Dr Sue Farrant has announced an online poll for all residents of West Dorset to have their say on the Council’s proposed new offices.

Dr Farrant said, “The cost of the new offices will be borne by every council tax payer in West Dorset and so everyone deserves the opportunity to have their say. I would urge people to go online and cast your vote so that we can have a clear picture of how people across West Dorset feel on this issue.”

The online poll has been set up using exactly the same question as that being used in the Dorchester town poll on the offices;

“Do you agree with the proposal of West Dorset District Council to move from their present head-quarters in High West Street to a new multi-million pound office block which they propose to build.”

You can find it at http://officespoll.org.uk with some background information on the Council’s argument for building itself new offices and some of the arguments against.  Do cast your vote and encourage your friends and neighbours to have their say. The outcome will be published in the coming weeks.

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Public Meeting in Bridport to discuss WDDC’s proposed new offices

Posted on 2 April 2010 by Andrew McLean
West Dorset District Council Offices

West Dorset District Council Offices

There has been a huge demand for a repeat of the public consultation opportunity which Dr Sue Farrant provided in Dorchester on 24 March.

She has now ararnged another meeting to be held in Bridport Town Hall on Monday 19 April starting at 6.30 pm.

This will give people an opportunity to ask questions about the Council’s scheme and to air their views.

Sue Farrant has invited Cllr Robert Gould, Leader of WDDC and prime mover of the scheme and Oliver Letwin MP.

“I think it is important that they both hear what people have to say about this,” she said. “Both Mr Letwin and Cllr Gould are supporting the proposal to build new offices and are claiming that it will save money in the long run. The response from the first meeting made it clear that council tax payers are not at all convinced!”

All are welcome at the meeting.

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