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In the third of a special series of articles, each focusing on Green candidates with particular interests and skill-sets, we look at those candidates who are involved in community-based campaigns and causes, writes Susan Fenton.
Cllr Natalie Rothwell-Warn (Stroud Central) is the district councillor for Slade ward. She often drops in at the Marah Trust, the local charity for homeless people, and has been able to help several vulnerable service users to get support with housing issues from Stroud District Council.
She told Stroud Times: “I’m working on one case where the resident hasn’t had any heating in their home for two years, and I was able to help get temporary accommodation for another individual. Sometimes these cases are very complex but when I am able to get some action going it’s very rewarding.”
She also regularly visits the Middle of the Hill Community Hub, which represents the community around Nouncells Cross, and acts as their liaison with the district council.
Natalie, who has recently been awarded a doctorate in education, is researching the failings of the education system in England which, she says, prioritises exam results over the wellbeing of pupils.
Craig Horrocks (Rodborough) is a trustee at Cashes Green Community Centre and has started a campaign to get a zebra crossing on a road in Cashes Green where it’s currently dangerous for children to cross to get to school.
He is also involved in the Paganhill Transformation group. Made up of councillors, Police Community Support Officers, community centre staff and other volunteers, this group is developing a plan to boost community cohesion and help socially isolated residents in the Paganhill area of Stroud.
Craig is also part of a project to create a community landscaping project using a piece of neglected land in Paganhill, where the community can come together to do gardening.
Craig is a qualified mental health specialist social worker whose day-job is in the prison service.
His experience has included leading on all aspects of prisoner rehabilitation: drugs, mental health, offending behaviour programmes, education, employment, prison work and neurodiversity.
John Patient (Haresfield & Upton St Leonards) once chaired an action committee that opposed the planned building of a dual carriageway relief road in south London, where he lived at the time.
The local council ignored the community’s objections so John encouraged residents to stand for election as independent councillors, which led to the Conservative majority being overturned and the road scheme being cancelled.
A popular and well-used tramway now runs along part of the route. “It was a brilliant outcome for the community, and a great example of how councillors can create positive change for their residents,” says John.
More recently, he was involved in the campaign to save the Black Horse pub at Cranham. This village pub was saved last year after campaigners raised more than £500,000 to keep the pub open.
“If I’m elected I would love to get my teeth into coordinating more campaigns about issues in my division,” says John.
Dr Richard Dean (Dursley) has helped at local food hubs, is involved in the Stroud Film Festival, and was part of the successful campaign to save the Old Neighbourhood in Chalford from development and keep it as a village pub.
As part of the Chalford Climate Action Network, he has supported communities struggling with fuel and energy poverty, by providing free surveys and subsidising home insulation projects. He also instigated a project to provide subsidised solar installations across the county.
Richard has worked closely with the Gloucester-based refugee aid charity GARAS and has visited refugees, both in his capacity as a GP and as a volunteer.
Promoted by Rob Brookes on behalf of Stroud District Green Party, at 17 Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5QT.
