Congratulations to Jane Bramley for winning a seat for Labour in South Ward, and to Peggy Elliott for holding on to hers in Freshney Ward.

It was sad to see Shona go down in Cleethorpes. A first class constituency MP and a tireless fighter for this area, she leaves with a reputation which is hard to match. She and Peter built an organisation which meant that they knew their supporters. Of course, getting them out to vote is another matter. We need to build a sound data base in Grimsby and for that we need volunteers for helping on street stalls, telephone and door to door canvassing In this way we can keep people up to date with the Party's activities for the town, and even more importantly listen to their views. We would also like to keep the HQ open on a daily basis if possible.We met some wonderful hard working helpers during the Election and we need to keep up the good work now so that we can out the vote in the next round of elections.

. IF YOU ARE UP FOR IT PLEASE CONTACT ME (MURIEL BARKER) ON 313843, OR STEVE, AUSTIN'S AGENT ON 362849.

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A TIMELY REMINDER FROM SYLVIA MOSS (NOW WALKING WOUNDED)

ELECTIONS COST MONEY - IN ORDER TO HELP TO FILL THE EMPTY COFFERS SHE AND TIM ARE HOLDING A MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS GARDEN PARTY AT THEIR HOME,14 PARK DRIVE,GRIMSBY ON SUNDAY 20TH JUNE, FROM TWO O'CLOCK ONWARDS.

THERE'LL BE AFTERNOON TEA, BOOKS AND DVD STALL, A DEVILISHLY HARD QUIZ, GAMES AND OF COURSE A RAFFLE. £5 00 A TICKET. PLEASE COME AND BRING A FRIEND.

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN MAKE IT - TELEPHONE 750940 or 313843. e-mail sylvia.moss14@ntlworld.com or mrlbarker@googlemail.com

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It's a hundred years since women were given the right to stand in local elections. They had a huge battle to manoeuvre themselves into a position where their views and votes could count. We have had a good record in Grimsby on the whole. In 1996 the Labour Group in the new Unitary Authority started out with a fifty-fifty split - and and we are now up to ten members again, of whom three are women. So it's half to a third. Bags of room for improvement Are you interested in standing for a Council seat? Speak to Bill Dolphin, Paula Shaw or any other officer for details.

Meantime, there is a long way to go before women get a fair deal in being chosen for winning seats.In the last European elections out of a total of 880 seats,26.9% of candidates overall were women, and 31.1% of candidates for the parties most likely to win seats.

Women candidates for six Key Parties.

BNP - 69 CANDIDATES 11 WOMEN 15.9%

CONSERVATIVE - 69 CANDIDATES 22 WOMEN 31.9%

GREEN - 70 CANDIDATES 29 42%

LABOUR CANDIDATES - 69 CANDIDATES 34 WOMEN 49.3%

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT - 69 CANDIDATES 20 WOMEN 29%

UKIP 69 CANDIDATES - 13 WOMEN 18.8%

24(33%) OF THE 72 MEPS WERE WOMEN THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 7% OR NUMERICALLY 4 WOMEN.

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LADIES WHO LUNCH

The Women's Forum has launched a trial lunch club, where members can get together over a meal to discuss whatever topics they are interested in. Since these lunches are in members' homes, space is limited to eight to ten. Summer meetings held outdoors could be larger. All members are welcome and dates will be decided shortly, possibly on a two monthly basis. Please get in touch if you are interested. Tel 313843

CERCLE FRANCAIS

A small group of members and friends meet to practice French conversation every Wednesday from eleven am. It is basic, hilarious and hopefully useful. School French or none can be coped with and once again, all are welcome. Tel 313843