Save Birds Marsh!

Prospective local MP, Duncan Hames, and Chippenham Lib Dem Councillor, Paul Darby, have joined with other local campaigners to call for Birds Marsh Wood, one of Chippenham’s few remaining green spaces, to be kept out of the hands of property developers.

Earlier this month, Duncan spoke at a packed public meeting co-organised by Paul Darby and the founder of the Save Birds Marsh campaign, Simon Main.

Duncan said:

“It was fantastic to see so many people come together on a cold winter’s night to defend the local countryside that we really treasure. I have written to the government minister, Hazel Blears MP, to object to her suggestion that Chippenham builds another 5,500 houses. We must make sure the new Wiltshire Council also has the courage to stand up to her, so that plans like this for one for Birds Marsh are stopped in their tracks.”

You can support the campaign to save Birds Marsh and keep informed of developments by joining the campaign’s Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=62854749008 or by checking the campaign website: http://www.friendsofbirdsmarsh.com/

Staverton Community Litter-pick January 2009Originally uploaded by Duncan Hames

Duncan Hames joined at least 25 community-spirited residents in Staverton for a new year litter-pick that had been ordganised by Cllr Trevor Carbin. There was no shortage of litter to collect, and by the end of the session over 20 large bin bags of rubbish, and a broken supermarket trolley were taken to the household waste recycling centre in nearby Canal Road.

There is an obvious shortage of public litter bins in this central area of Staverton by the marina, and at the bus stop – which has been made worse by the recent disappearance of two exisitng bins. However, at the core of the problem is the mess created by customers of the new shops and takeaway restaurants.
“Local people have rolled-up their sleeves and taken the initiative today, showing they aren’t interested in petty squabbles about whose responsibility this is. The district council and local businesses need to work together to get bins in place to help stop this area becoming a mess once again.” says Duncan Hames, former district councillor and Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Staverton.
“Thanks to everyone who helped out today!”.

Local Lib Dems have been celebrating the news that Winsley post office has reopened as of Friday 2nd January. The news follows a campaign to save the post office, organised by the Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for the area, Duncan Hames.

Duncan said: “This is truly excellent news. The Post Office provides essential services for some of the most vulnerable members of society. Losing the Post Office can tear out the hub of the local community. Many people will be relieved that this won’t now happen in Winsley.”

Duncan continued: “I want to thank the hundreds of local people who took the time to sign our petition. The sheer weight of local support undoubtedly helped to demonstrate that there is a future for the post office in Winsley. It just goes to show that when a community pulls together for a common goal we really can make a difference.”