Oswestry
Oswestry is part of Oswestry and District Branch made up of Oswestry, Ellesmere, and the Western part of the North Shropshire Constituency. Party members are able to attend meetings, usually held on Saturdays, which mainly concentrate on political discussion, with formal business only every few months The Branch Secretary is Ann Redford.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oswestry-and-District-Labour-Party-Supporters-Group-1009066179159275 Press Releases Now standing for Oswestry West is Neil Sanderson - Born and bred in Oswestry, growing up in Albert Road, I know the ward, its people and the issues that affect our community really well. Many of you will know me from our shop TPX, which I run with my wife Wendy. Recently, and devastatingly for us, Wendy has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and it’s her continued support of my standing that inspires me to make sure I help as many people as possible if elected. Throughout this awful period for all of us, a friend and I set-up the ‘Oswestry Independent Traders’ page on Facebook, through this I have helped numerous local traders with the rules and regulations they must adhere to, while assisting them with the minefield of financial assistance from Government and elsewhere. I will make sure, if elected, that I’m available to you at all times and that you see/hear me, not just at election time! I am David Sharpe, the Labour candidate for Ruyton and Baschurch. For the past five years I have lived in Shropshire, moving to Baschurch with my family in 2017 to be closer to the Corbet School. I have lived in various parts of the UK as the son of an RAF Squadron Leader but have now firmly settled in North Shropshire. I am a Chartered Structural Engineer, and have prior experience as a Councillor in Cardiff. I would welcome the chance to represent you in Shropshire. I would stay in regular contact with the community through a combination of street surgeries, drop-in sessions in venues throughout the area, and regular virtual events. I would aim to cover the whole ward several times before re-election, listening to your views, questions and issues and representing these to the Council. To begin I am running a virtual meeting later in the campaign – please email me at david.sharpe@shropshirelabour.org.uk for details. I am keen to hear more from everyone. So far, key issues have been:
I would use my engineering background to find solutions that work. Whatever your affiliation, please do use your vote to elect your local Councillor – so they can speak for you and represent you at the Council. OSWESTRY and District Labour Party has selected their candidate for Selattyn, Gobowen & Weston Rhyn for the local government elections in May this year. The selection was confirmed at the virtual branch meeting last week when members heard that the candidate has already been working hard, listening to the concerns of the community. Prospective candidate Craig Emery said he was 'delighted' to have been selected as Labour candidate for the Gobowen, Selattyn & Weston Rhyn ward. “As a parish councillor representing Selattyn & Gobowen for 8 years I’ve tried to make a difference to the local community recently championing a programme to convert the council’s streetlights to LED. It’s important we recognise the impact of ourselves on the environment, promoting green energy is vital for our future generations.” Karen Moore, Chair of Oswestry and District Labour Party said: “The elections this year will be hugely important. Residents will have a choice. Craig has a lot to offer the residents of Gobowen, Selattyn & Weston Rhyn. He has a track record of getting things done at a local level and is exactly what we need to challenge the status quo in Shropshire.” Craig, who grew up in Gobowen and works as an Area Manager for the Coop, added: “The last 12 months have been hard for everyone but like some residents I’ve become frustrated at the lack of speed which our current Shropshire Councillors deliver. I can’t wait to start campaigning and if elected, deliver for the local residents.” THREE TIME PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE SELECTED FOR SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL ELECTION IN OSWESTRY. Graeme Currie has represented Labour in the last three General Elections in North Shropshire standing against Owen Paterson. The Oswestry and District Labour Party have now selected him to stand as the Labour candidate in Oswestry East in the forthcoming local elections in May. Prospective candidate Graeme Currie said he was 'delighted' to have been selected as Labour candidate for the Oswestry East ward. He previously stood in Oswestry in 2013 coming very close to being elected, this time he said that he hopes to win for Labour. Graeme said he cannot wait to start campaigning on issues that really matter to local people. He moved to North Shropshire 18 years ago with his family and said, ‘I just love Oswestry, its famous old hillfort and its strong railway heritage should be celebrated.’ Mr Currie previously worked for Shropshire Council and now runs his own Social Work Company. He said ‘I look forward to working with local people on local issues. There is so much to be proud of in Oswestry, it has always been a thriving market town and has the prestigious Orthopaedic Hospital, currently delivering excellence in its vaccine programme’. He said: ‘I’ve always tried to make a difference, through my Church and Voluntary involvement, although it is sad in 2021 that we have to support Foodbanks to feed our community.’ “The last 12 months have been hard for everyone, but I believe that we have seen a great community spirit in our area”. He added, “Shropshire Council is failing the people of Oswestry, cutting support to our older people, libraries, youth services and people with disabilities. At the same time, they are spending money on vanity projects like buying the Shrewsbury shopping centre whilst our town centre shops are closing and employing a pothole consultant at a cost of £1000 a day, whilst our roads fall apart”. Graeme has nine years previous experience as a local Councillor before moving to Shropshire, he said “if elected, I will use my experience to work hard for the local area.” Chair of the Oswestry and District Labour Party, Karen Moore, believes Mr Currie has a lot to offer to people living in the area. She said: “The elections this year will be hugely important. Graeme has a lot to offer the residents of Oswestry and brings a lot of previous experience as a campaigner and local Councillor’. “He can bring a new approach to representing local people and campaigning for fairness and justice at a local level which is exactly what we need to challenge the status quo in Shropshire.” Graeme joins a growing list of Labour candidates in North Shropshire, joining the recently announced Natalie Rowley (St. Martins) and Alison Devismes (Ellesmere Urban) and Craig Emery (Gobowen, Selattyn and Weston Rhyn). Graeme said ‘2020 taught us so much and showed the value of close-knit communities, it also showed us that it’s time for a change, I want to be part of bringing that change for the better to Oswestry.’ Labour candidates selected for St Martin’s and Ellesmere Urban 2021. Oswestry and District Labour Party are pleased to announce that they have selected strong candidates for ‘St Martin’s’ and ‘Ellesmere Urban’ for the Local Government elections in May this year. This was confirmed at the ‘on line’ branch meeting last week when members heard that both candidates have already been working hard, listening to the concerns of their local communities. Candidate Natalie Rowley said "I am delighted to have been selected as Labour candidate for the St. Martins ward. As a healthcare worker and volunteer, I have been busy throughout the pandemic supporting vulnerable people in the community, and I look forward to launching a positive campaign in St. Martins. I am currently working to improve broadband speeds in part of St. Martins, along with looking to address the lack of safe cycle paths, as well as the increasing house building in the village." Ellesmere Urban’s candidate, Alison Devismes said ‘ I come from a family who have lived in around the Town of Ellesmere for over 100 years and I love living here! I am passionate about looking after the town and its beauty but also what isn’t seen on the surface: issues such as anti-social behaviour, new housing and infrastructure. Ellesmere is a beautiful, unique town and I want to help it to thrive and develop, with its residents and businesses at the heart’. Labour Party candidates will campaign hard to challenge the Conservatives’ strangle hold on Shropshire Council and fight for a fairer and greener future. The deadline to register for this election is midnight Monday 19th April, and Shropshire Council need to receive postal vote applications by 5pm Tuesday 20th. Contact Electoral Services at elections@shropshire.gov.uk or 0345 678 9015. Left: Candidates: David Sharpe (top), Craig Emery, Graeme Currie, Alison Devismes and Natalie Rowley Below: Local Member Graeme Currie and Party members campaigning in Oswestry for the previous General Election |