From 2006 to 2010, I was a councillor for Lee Green ward in the London Borough of Lewisham. During that time, I blogged regularly and in 2009 I won the Tim Garden Award for the Best Blog by a Liberal Democrat Holding Public Office. My blog posts from my term of office are archived here in case they prove of use to former constituents, or to those who share my annoyance with faulty street furniture
I posted in August about Network Arts, a wonderful arts group for people with mental health needs which meets at the Lee Centre on Aislibie Road. Back then the members of Network Arts were campaigning with the support of the Liberal Democrats against South London and Maudsley NHS Trust’s plans to close the group down to save cash.
I’m really pleased to say the campaign was successful, and the group will continue. My colleagues Pete Pattisson and Chris Maines are pictured celebrating with group members.
Pete said, “Network Arts Lewisham provides a lifeline for dozens of local people and it seemed outrageous and self-defeating to shut it down due to so-called savings. I was at the opening last month of a beautiful exhibition of art produced by the group – anyone who attended would realise just how important groups like Network Arts are.”
