I'm back - its 2013

It's been about six weeks since I've written. During that time the usual Christmas and New Year festivities have taken place, but a number of activities have filled my time.

Most memorably in December was that  I travelled to Norwich to help on polling day in the Nelson Ward by election. The day started with a train journey through East Anglia, the fog was dense and frankly it was impossible to see further than a few feet from the train window. Amazingly as the train approached Norwich the fog evaporated.

A short bus journey and I was at the Committee Rooms ready to work, a day spent knocking up voters in an area I surprisingly remembered very well from when my daughter lived in the area close to 15 years earlier when she was a student at UEA.

The election was a two party contest, but unlike those where I live this was a battle between Labour and Green. I still find that strange but it says much for the tribal nature of British Politics greatly influenced by the First Past the post electoral system. I must say to walk streets and see so many Green Party posters was uplifting, I'd recommend green party members who live in areas where the likelihood of success is slight to visit Norwich on election days, it does wonders for morale.

I travelled home on the last train , the count wasn't until the next day, and when it was announced, the seat was held, the Greens representation  on the Council (15 seats) was restored.

Just before Xmas saw the Dons Trust AGM, in the days before I had been outspoken against the proposal to "sell" two associate directorships in AFC Wimbledon. Fortunately the Board withdrew the resolution. However the overall message was that the Club needed more money to be competitive in League 2.
Finding two men (sic) with money was presented as the only option, in despair I suggested that if we needed more money to improve the squad I'd organise a bucket collection in the game after the Xmas holidays. The idea was that on Boxing Day we'd publicise the collection and then press ahead on 28th December. Great plan rocked by Boxing Day's game being postponed as the pitch was unplayable.

In spite of that the collection went ahead, and ably assisted by a group of volunteers the total exceeded £4200. Why stop there ? So last Saturday I organised a match day raffle and another £2600 was added to the transfer fund.
Fans contribute because they knew where their cash was going. In actual fact since the new year the Dons are undefeated having  produced two away victories and a home draw.

The New Year and some writing, two articles , one on whether UKIP can win seats under FPTP and another on Think Tanks, both should be published in April.

Nevertheless the greatest change in life has been that since the start of January we have become child minders, the child in question is our seven month old grandson. Obviously it's many years since we had childcare responsibilities, and perhaps looking after children is easier when you're  thirty rather than approaching sixty. However it's amazing seeing him develop new skills and seeing life through the eyes of a child, who cannot yet speak or walk, but who clearly lets you know his mood and demands.

Walking around our village with a pushchair is a learning experience. It has made me appreciate just how close cars are to pedestrians. Which leads me to my role on the Parish Council. It is said that the Parish Council is "non party political", however it's clear that must members know each other well and there is without doubt a Conservative majority. One thing I can be clear about is that although co-opted rather than elected, I have never disguised my Green Party membership, and I see it as my role to promote green issues.

Last week I had a letter published in the local newspaper on the rise in rail season tickets and fares . It came from me as a representative of Brentwood and Chelmsford Green Party. Interestingly I was stopped by a local resident who'd read the letter, his response to me was that " I see you left the Labour Party or rather the Labour Party left you, I'm not surprised".