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Without exception, when I spoke to our women councillors about their interests in Council work, their response was that the community was their chief concern. Listening to residents' problems and taking action where they could was how they saw their role.

Norma Lincoln has seen seventeen years service has twice been Mayor and rescued the Nunsthorpe Community Centre from oblivion when the Lib Dems let them go. Her efforts show in work on the Children's and Young People's Scrutiny Committee. She chairs Community Protection and the South Ward Partnership which brings together all the agencies who operate there. She holds regular advice surgeries and can be found on 01472 324106

Hazel Chase is another feisty fighter for her area in Sidney Sussex Ward and is interested in the Safer Communities work as well as Tourism and Leisure Scrutiny. She can be found on 07845873347.

Peggy Elliott is the only woman on the Cabinet her responsibilities being in Citizens, Partners and Support Services. She fought the good fight from Grimsby to retain the Children's Heart Unit in Leeds and as a Freshney Ward member she plays a full role at Chatterbox and the Forward and holds regular surgeries with her fellow Ward Councillors, Cliff Barber and Ray Sutton Her phone number is 01472 883388

Jane Bramley also represents South Ward. Community Protection and work with children and young people are her chief concern. With the number of Social Housing properties in Nunsthorpe and the Grange she keeps a close eye on the way that tenants' problems are dealt with. She also represents the Council on Care Plus Trust and is the Deputy Chair of the Standards Committee. Ring 01472 329670 to contact Jane.

Ros James, who has joined us from the Lib Dems is particularly interested in healthcare and education. She believes in fair and equal access to both for all. She sits on the Planning Committee, the Foster Panel,Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel, the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel and Age UK and Care plus Group. We welcome her and the sound contribution that she will make from the Heneage Ward and for the wider community.

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THE FEMININE MYSTERY

Late last year the Park Ward of the Labour Party arranged and hosted an evening called "Is politics still white, male and over fifty?" Unfortunately the answer seemed to be a "yes". Not a resounding yes because locally we have seen a pleasing upsurge in our younger members, but they are nearly all male.

What is it that politics is not offering women? I was struck by the composition of the Local Enterprise Partnership recently. Of all the members from across the Humber Region, one, yes one woman! Surely the world as we know it is turning backwards

Historical (not hysterical) note coming up. In the heady days of the seventies feminism became a force to be reckoned with and with little communication, no internet, no mobile phones then, women of all ages and backgrounds came together firstly to raise consciousness and to self-educate and then make a difference to their own and other women's lives. It was my first taste of real politics, actions changing perceptions and righting wrongs. It all seemed so possible.

Fast forward, post Thatcher - thanks a bunch Maggie! What a shame she wasn't a Woman. Are we to go back (or stay) in the kitchen? Are we too knackered working full-time, parenting and Having a Life to take part in any kind of politics? Are consumerism and the celebrity culture (sic!) masking real life?

We should be having real discussions in the home, workplace and parliament. Women are half the world Why are we shouted down, clad in hateful burkhas, abused and ignored. Answers please

Sylvia Moss - Grimsby Labour Party Treasurer

Women's Page