Really excited that Brian Stephens, Henry Nicholson and ME were elected in the Shildon and Dene Valley area. Thanks to everyone that voted for us.

It was really moving to see so many people attending the ceremony and to be allowed to lay the wreath for the People’s Centre.

Laying the Shildon People’ s Centre wreath.

With fellow candidate Henry Nicholson.

Had a great evening in Spennymoor at the Quiz – not that we did very well, but we met lots of people from outside the Teesdale area  and made some new friends. Shildon was well represented too.   They made nearly £200 which was fantastic.  Just a pity that I was driving so I couldn’t drink anything except lemonade!

The Wind Farm Working Group met yesterday.  It was really fruitful, coming so soon after the TICTAC exhibitions in Sedgefield and Mordon.   I think we’ve put together a really good document laying down what we think needs to go into E-On’s scoping report for the Isles wind farm.  It’s great to see so many people from communities across Durham coming together like this to protect the county from inappropriate developments.

I really enjoyed visiting the People’s Centre in Shildon this morning. I was made really welcome – but I think that’s probably because I got stuck into the washing up!!! The food there is fantastic and it’s really central to Shildon.   It’s a pity that, as a charity, it cannot advertise itself as I think lots of people would love to meet there to read the papers and have a chat and a home cooked meal.

Had a fantastic time at the Miners’ Gala on Saturday – John’s mum was thrilled that we went as his dad and grandad were both miners.  It felt really energised, and I for one was excited that Ed Miliband came along and spoke.  I’d love to know what he meant about backing clean coal and what that might mean for County Durham.  The Spanish miners made me think back to the miners’ struggles here in the 1980’s – about fighting to keep their communities alive.  I suppose that is what the Gala is all about.

I loved hearing Tom Watson and I’m going to have to get a ‘I still hate Thatcher’ t shirt myself.

The Banners

Trish and the NUT Banner

Me too!

Had a great day today helping to set up and run the TICTAC (The Isles Community Turbine Action Campaign) exhibitions at Sedgefield and Mordon that ran alongside the E-On Isles wind farm exhibition.  It was great to see so many people turning out to find out more about the Isles wind farm and what it will really do to County Durham.  I can’t bear to think about it becoming ‘The Land of the Wind Turbines’.  It was great to see MP Phil Wilson and some of the Durham County Councillors there, giving their support to the action group.  Once more, it’s a David and Goliath situation and I know that TICTAC is going to win this time.

Could this be a visitors first view of County Durham?