Middle Eastern Tour Kurdistan realising potential

If it bleeds it leads. But what about some positive news, news of creation, news of democracy, news of good will, with pride in a strong identity built upon unity and not on religious, economic and political division. But this does not sell newspapers. Instead the idiosyncrasies that undermine stability with an inflammatory nature to evoke hostility are what we read about.

So I will tell you about my recent trip to the Middle East. When the opportunity arose I was cautious to entertain the possibility to travel to the Kurdistan region in the north of Iraq. I was warned I would get kidnapped, there was instability, both economically and politically and I may come a cropper to such troubles. The reality was in fact far from this, being welcomed into the country so recently engulfed in war and so desperate to gain its feet again the reality was a marvel. To paint the picture of the sites that were seen, the people who were met would be a book alone. To spread the word of the opportunities that the country offer in terms of trade through tactical legal constitutions, progression within religious unity and hope through agricultural and infrastructure projects this is something that must emphasised.

If you would like to hear more we can discuss.

Local farmers wives cultivating the arable with wheat

A sad history

A positive future a boy fishes in a new fish farm

Supporting Conservatives in Spitalfields and Banglatown ward

Matthew Smith the candidate and his local conservatives were out in in Spitalfields and Banglatown ward for the Byelection on 16 December after the disqualification of Lutfur Rahman on election as Mayor of Tower Hamlets. He had been elected for the Labour Party but was expelled when he stood as an Independent against the Labour candidate for Mayor.

£25,000 Raised for Educational Charity in Quiz night

Last night the Middle Temple Scholarship appeal committee, which I sit on raised £25,000 for the future students to the Bar.



http://www.middletemple.org.uk/scholars/scholarship-appeal.html

Tower Hamlets Conservative activism reaches the House of Commons

http://theelectionproject.co.uk/

PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE EXHIBITION

October 5, 2010
Public access to the Election Project exhibition in Portcullis House is by free guided tours offered on a first come first serve basis.

The exhibition runs until 13th December and tour times are every Monday: 10.30am and 11.45am

and Friday: 10.30am, 11.45am, 2pm and 3.15pm

Conservative Party Conference 2010

Make sure you sign up before the end of June for discounted rates!

Cemetery Park Bringing families together in Mile End

A great day out for all including my lovely niece that came along! Well done!

Conservatives Double Votes in Mile End east

Great result for local conservatives and the highest ever voting for Conservatives in this area! Thanks everyone.

Election Hustings on Tuesday 4th May at the East London Tabernacle on Burdett Road - 6.45 - 9.00pm

Local Election Hustings on Tuesday 4th May at the East London Tabernacle on Burdett Road - 6.45 - 9.00pm




Labour turned up said a bit and ran off before being fully questioned, The Liberals didn't show.

Mile End needs Change Labour Cllrs are not doing their job

The local issues are not being dealt with under a Labour Council especially over election time a few things we've me as a local resident and other residents are upset about.

*Rubbish is piling up as it is not being collected, food bins for recycling are being left to rot and attract rats and maggots! Have the Councillors decided not to work over election time and left the residents with no representation.



*The residents of Mile End has brought to our attention that the roads in front of their doors are very busy and there isn't any adequate traffic measure; therefore an accident is imminent. LBTH roads and highways department need to do something!


* Residents are upset about a large tree over shadowing their property obstructing day and sun light and also shadowing as a nuisance. It is the responsibility of the council to trim this tree where are the Councillors when it comes to this? More spin and not enough hands on Labour!!! I don't think they are representing their ideology producing spin and letting hard working families down.









http://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-1246126/Home-truths-Kept-dark-overhanging-trees.html

*The Council is wasting more and more of our hard earned money. Locals have scaffolding which has been up for 4 years on their road who knows the rental on that could be nearly a million pounds and what an eyesore!

This is not right lets change the laid back Council that sit on the boards of the Housing Associations and kick their heels back and don't tackle local peoples concerns.

Working Hard on the Streets of Mile End

People are fed up with the Councillors not representing them at the Council and looking after the interest of "Social Landlords" so they will be voting conservative to get the local issues fixed. Wasted money and spin are not popular in the area. The message is get local Councillors who can do the job, who live locally not miles away, who visit the ward everyday and have the professional and academic qualifications to make a difference.

Mile End will be turning blue and Tower Hamlets will have a proud new resident acting on their behalf.

Boris Johnson came to Tower Hamlets today

Great occasion great support thank you!!!

Postal Voting Fraud in Tower Hamlets Potential Beware

Below I list the Electoral offences

The main electoral offences as set out in the Representation of the People Act 1983 are set out below. The Act largely consolidated the offences from nineteenth century legislation and defined them as corrupt practices.
3.1 Undue influence

Section 115 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 states that an individual is guilty of undue influence if he directly or indirectly, makes use of or threatens to make use of force, violence or restraint, or inflicts or threatens to inflict injury, damage or harm in order to induce or compel any voter to vote or refrain from voting. A person may also be guilty of undue influence if they impede or prevent the free exercise of the franchise of an elector.

3.2 Personation

Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 states that a person is guilty of personation if he votes as someone else (whether that person is living, dead or is a fictitious person), either by post or in person at a polling station as an elector or as a proxy. Further, the individual voting can be deemed guilty of personation if they vote as a person they have reasonable grounds for supposing is dead or fictitious, or where they have reasonable grounds for supposing the proxy appointment is no longer in force. Vote – rigging is personation on a larger scale. The basic technique has been described as follows. Vote-riggers consult the marked registers which are available locally after every election and which show who has voted. The vote-rigger notes the names of those who never seem to vote and applies for postal votes in their names. The postal ballot papers do not have to be sent to the voter’s home address so these can be directed to the vote-rigger at another address.

3.3 Bribery

Under Section 113 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 a person is guilty of bribery if he directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf gives any money or procures any office to or for any voter, in order to induce any voter to vote or refrain from voting.

3.4 Treating

Section 114 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 states that a person is guilty of treating if either before, during or after an election, he, directly or indirectly, gives or provides or pays wholly or in part the expense of giving or providing any food, drink, entertainment or provision in order to influence corruptly any voter to vote or refrain from voting. Any elector or his proxy who accept such food, drink, entertainment or provision is also guilty of treating.
The Electoral Administration Act 2006 made provision for new offences of supplying false information to an Electoral Registration Officer and of applying for a postal or proxy vote with the intention of stealing another person’s vote by either personating another elector or by wrongfully redirecting another voter’s postal vote.

At the last election there were several matters raised including proxy votes going to wrong properties and people 'assisting' members of the public to vote. Now this weekend the postal vote final numbers will go out. This is going to investigated and any corruption or fraud will be uncovered, we live in a democracy and our fundamental rights to fair elections should not be deprived.

There were two parlimentary questions after the last election on the subject in relation to the local elections in London regarding postal voting which referred to the allegations in Tower Hamlets.

This year we want a clean election. Lets vote for anti corruption lets vote for Change!

The East End Film Festival runs from April 22-30

THE East End Film Festival kicks off this week with a whirlwind of new, exciting and different cinema hitting the big screens in and around the borough.
Spearheaded by Tower Hamlets Council, the festival boasts screenings of premieres, documentaries and short programmes, plus film-focussed discussions and a host of live music and street art events at more than 30 venues across the East End.
Kicking off this Thursday, April 22, the festival offers lots of things to do for free - and even the popcorn is free at Spitalfields Market at 8pm on Saturday, April 24, when it hosts the festival's free outdoor screening of the Hitchcock classic, The Lodger.
The 1927 silent thriller will be accompanied by an improvised soundtrack performed live by acclaimed soundscapers Minima. Made at Gainsborough Studios in Shoreditch, it tells the story of a mysterious lodger who is suspected of being a serial killer - making obvious references to the Jack the Ripper legend around Whitechapel and Spitalfields.
Prior to the screening, stylists from east London's award-winning boutique hair salon Hair & Jerome will style your hair for free into a 1940s Hollywood-style Hitchcockian work of art, so you can really get in the mood for the film. No appointment necessary - just pop along to Leon restaurant, Spitalfields Market from 5pm for your free session.
Also Old Spitalfields Market will host a free Give & Take - the latest recession-busting pro-recycling craze to hit the streets. It's a chance for cinephiles, budding artists and bargain hunters to swap unwanted items for free.
Day 1 on Monday, April 26 is film-related memorabilia, such as old film posters, books and magazines, videos, DVDs and soundtrack CDs. Day 2 next Tuesday is art and design, such as unwanted wall art, art prints, and old art and design books. And Day 3 on Wednesday is freestyle.
Take your unwanted items daily from 4-6pm, and then take on a first-come-first-served basis from 6-7pm - it's that easy!
The East End Film Festival runs from April 22-30 - or more details visit www.eastendfilmfestival.com.

St George's Day tea dance & family events in Tower Hamlets

Friday and Saturday, 23-24 April

For over 50s looking to celebrate St George’s Day, there will be an afternoon Tea Dance at the Brady Arts & Community Centre in Whitechapel from 1.30 until 4.30pm – featuring live music from the fantastic 6 piece band the Sunshine Kings and a scrumptious tea provided by the East End WI on Friday 23 April. Admission is Free, but it is advisable to book in advance.
Good old-fashioned pub games and entertainment – complete with Morris Dancers the Kent Korkers and Pork Scratchin’s complete with a maypole – are among the attractions on offer at a special Family Day staged to celebrate St George’s Day on Saturday 24 April at the Museum of Childhood Bethnal Green – from 12 to 4pm

Also on offer, make your own floral headdress and have the chance to be crowned May Queen, help decorate the May Queen’s throne, or help to create a giant Green Man. For the first lucky 50 people to complete the St Georges Day quiz sheet there’s a free homemade slice or cupcake from the WI!

Also on Saturday 24, St John’s Church will also be hosting workshops targeted at families with small children, featuring May Day style activities, decorating a May Pole, shield decorating, apple pressing, refreshments, and in the evening barn dance with live bands.
For information about the tea dance contact the Brady centre on 020 7364 7916 or email festivalsandevents@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
More information about the family day is available on 020 8983 5200 or 020 7364 7907.

Mile End East see Respect raise its head as the Cat comes to town

How George Galloway and his party can try and command 'respect' from the Community who knows.

Galloway turned up to a public meeting 1.5 hours late and delivered a speech on the debate over the potential for elected Mayors in Tower Hamlets. Though the debate is fresh for the 6 th May election I just can't see how we can take anything he says to be serious. The party he represents have no history, no future and with a leader who will do anything for publicity it doesn't wash with the local residents.

Terrible Labour Tactics

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7094308.ece

I am shocked by the tactics of Labour underhand and dreadful. Having lost grandparents to cancer this is terrible form.

Channel S Community awards

Last night we attended the Annual Channel S awards with Tower Hamlets Conservatives my Mile end team Cllr Ahmed Hussain and Bodril Choudury, plus Poplar and Limehouse PPC Cllr Tim Archer, and PPC for Bethnal Green and Bow Zak Khan. The night celebrated the best successes in the Bangladesh Community in the UK and inspired us all. Well done Channel S.

Another Slap on the face to Residents in Mile End

So much for consultation!!!!


East End Homes deliver another slap on the face for residents and put their safely from crime at risk. When Labour sold off our estates in East London for £1 to this ‘charitable organisation’ they made promises to residents, to help the blocks be made more secure, more safe as well as doing much needed refurbishments. The majority of these promises have not been fulfilled and security doors have not been put on blocks. Now they are asking residents who have had tenures on their homes for far more than the meagre 5 years to make their homes vulnerable. They are asking residents who have spent their hard earned money to protect themselves to get rid of the security gates they have installed when East End Homes have done nothing to install security doors on the entrance to blocks. Now what are the Labour Councillors doing for residents, they are sitting on the boards of the estates, feasting, with potential expense entitlements but when it comes to actually supporting the residents in taking the Housing associations to account they are ineffectual and complacent. Residents lets tackle this it is not on is it, let’s have a change.

Mile End East Campaigning Come and join us on the streets to win!

Learning about regeneration in East London with 2012 Olympics and Legacy

Today I attended the CBI Forum for the 2012 Games this was kindly hosted by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The session was intorduced by Tim Jones, London Office Managing Partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, chaired by Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of EDF Energy with speakers Andrew Altman, Chief Executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company and Roger Taylor, Director, Host Borough Unit at the London Borough of Newham.

Election call today official candidates FOR MILE END EAST

http://www.conservatives.com/

Election call today official candidates:


May 6th 2010

Please cast your 3 votes on the following boxes

x HUSSAIN Ahmed

X KERSWELL Caroline

X CHOUDHURY Bodrul Islam


WIN MILE END

+Fair deal for leaseholders
+Youth service provisions
+Tackling crime
+Dignity in healthcare
+Better GP surgeries
+ Promoting community cohesion & facilities
+ Voicing your concerns at the council


Email: MEE.conservative@gmail.com
Post: Tower Hamlets Conservatives, C/O 13 Plymouth Wharf , London E14 3EL



Promoted by Adrian Thompson on behalf of Tower Hamlets Conservative Party both of Docklands Business Centre 10 -16 Tiller Road London E14 8PX and printed by Ahmed Hussain of 11 Havannah Street, London E14 8NA

Our QT meeting 23 March 2010 Holy Trinity C of E Church 6pm please spread the word with locals

Quiz the candidates at
“The Question Time Meeting”
Please do no forget to attend the Question Time Meeting organized by the
Mile End East Conservatives:
Special Half Hour Session for Overseas and Local Students
Date : 23th March 2010, Tuesday
Time : 6 pm till 8 pm
Venue: The Holy Trinity C of E Church
1 Merchant Street, London E3 4LY
Free entry refreshments provided
Chaired by: Bilal Ahmed, Chief Editor, Weekly Surma
Please send in your question prior to the event to:
E-mail: MEE.Conservatives@gmail.com; MEE.Conservatives@Googlemail.com
Address: MEE Conservatives, C/O 13 Plymouth Wharf, London E14 3EL
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Budget Meeting Shocking Public Servants

As a member of the audience in the public gallery at the Tower Hamlets Budget Meeting held on Wednesday 3 March at Town hall I am shocked and appalled by the Labour Councillors reaction to sensible and poignant proposed amendments to the Budget from the Conservative party. This includes many ways to tackle the growing deficit by reducing allowances, reducing spin and reducing consultants. I am not sure what make me angrier the rudeness of the Labour councillors or their need to personally attack Council members on the other side of the bench. Do they not have any policy worthy of debate or are they just so narrow minded they think the leviathan of guttural laughter from their over expensed over advertised mouths will content the public. I am sorry no. You’ve had your time – OUT!

Crime on the Rise in Mile End East

It seems the Council have not listened to the questions on crime and things keep getting worse!

As a cyclist that cycles down the tow path on a daily basis I am shocked and appalled that these frequent canal side attacks keep happening and what shocks me more is that the Council have not done more to ensure innocent peoples safety.

I raised the issue of the dangers in the area in the Council meeting on the 9 December last year. However all I got in return were condescending remarks (attached document). Councillor Abdal Ulalh told me I had recently moved into a safe area!!!! I am sad to say he was wrong, first on the point that I had recently moved and second on the point that the area is safe.

More money needs to be used to target crime and perhaps open the Bow road police stations round the clock so the police have the resources to show a stronger presence and combat crimes before they happen. Can we not made Mile End a police action zone. I want local people to feel safe and we need to work on this.

History of East London at the Cemetery tonight

Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
Patron: Professor David Bellamy OBE
Monday 15th March at 7pm
Followed by a FREE talk -
‘East London's growth illustrated by Coins and Tokens’
By Philip Mernick of The East London History Society @ 7.30pm
East London’s growth from Roman times to modern, and the coins people used. Also, how local people coped with the fact that there was rarely enough small change even though the majority of English coins were made locally (in The Tower of London).
The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park would like to invite you to this very interesting and enjoyable talk that will follow our EGM.
THCP is one of London's Magnificent Seven Cemeteries and Tower Hamlets first Local Nature Reserve. Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a little bit of the countryside in amongst the tower blocks and old Victorian streets in East London. The Cemetery Park is a unique sanctuary for people, education and wildlife.
There is an interesting history of the park from the opening of the Cemetery in 1841, to when it was closed for burials in 1966. To tie in with its special place at the heart of Bow, this year we have invited Rev. Peet to deliver his very popular talk all about the lives of seven parishioners of Bow, one for each century from 14th century to 20th century. Highly recommended to us as a talk not to be missed.

BGB Host a great event well done!!!

Last night Jeremy Hunt MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport spoke at the BGB social event. Zakir Khan the Parliamentary Candidate for BGB, who was selected by Open Primary on Sunday introduced himself to everyone. It was hosted at the home of Julian Smith, who is the PPC for Skipton and Ripon. We were joined by Cllr Tim Archer who is PPC for our neighbouring constituency Poplar and Limehouse. So we had a potential of 4 MPs in room!!!

Achieving Equality in Parliament

Achieving Equality in Parliament

On International Women’s Day, 8th March 2010 ,in the House of Lords I will be supporting WAFE.

Tonight An evening with Jeremy Hunt MP and celebration of Zakirs success

An evening with Jeremy Hunt MP
(Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport)
He is the MP tipped as “a man to watch” by the political pundits and seen by many as a leader of the future. He has transformed his post into a high-profile, agenda-setting platform. He has set the BBC’s teeth gnashing and has heralded a revolution in broadband technology. Come and hear one of the biggest shapers of modern Conservatism talk about his vision of the future, weeks ahead of a General Election.

Zakir Khan wins the BGB opening Primary

Zakir Khan with Mile End Council Candidates Cllr Ahmed Hussain, Caroline Kerswell

Zakir Khan Cllr Ahmed Hussain interviewing on his success

Open Primary ... Results

Zakir Khan with a community backgroud of 20 years wins the BGB opening Primary
...if you, can get involved in the campaign. Join him for campaigning in Bow lets turn BGB blue!

Tonight supporting Cllr Peter Golds

Following this weeks Dispatches the Labour group on the council may be seeking to suspend one of our members at tonight's council budget meeting. Please see link below: - http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story.aspx?brand=ELAOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsela&itemid=WeED02%20Mar%202010%2023%3A05%3A49%3A440

Tonight I will be supporting Cllr Peter Gold at Town Hall Mullberry Place this evening in the public gallery.

Fantastic Night at the Mile End East fundraiser

Mile End East Ward IN CONJUNCTION WITH POPLAR & LIMEHOUSE ASSOCIATION
Thank you for Attending a Fantastic Night at the Mile End East fundraiser, which had a great attendance from across Tower Hamlets conservatives and local residents. We raised lots of money to support the party and our objectives.

Please come out canvassing this weekend.

Annual Fundraising Dinner Monday 1 March 2010. In attendance we thank everyone especially:

* Dr Mukim Ahmed (owner of Naz Cafe)

*Andrew Boff (AM) East London Assembly Member

* Cllr Tim Archer PPC for P&L

* P&L Association chair Adrian Thompson

*BG&B Association Deputy chair Dinah Glover

* Cllr Peter Golds

**Richard Barnes (AM), Deputy Mayor of London**

*Cllr Anwara Ali

*Claire Palmer

The Mile End East fundraiser, had a great attendance from across Tower Hamlets conservatives and local residents. The message was Conservative councillors work hard, challenge the Council and hold this Labour administration to account. This follows the highly successful public meeting last month where myself and Ahmed met with local residents and gave residents a chance to quiz our policies and their priorities.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WEEK

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WEEK
Events in Tower Hamlets 6-14 March 2010
Supported by Tower Hamlets Council and Tower Hamlets Partnership

This week we will be celebrating womens week, a lot of the events are during office hours but do try and go along. As a fighter to support women in politics I hope as many people as possible can get engaged.

VOICE – Votes for Women – looking at the past and to the future

During International Women’s Week in Tower Hamlets a diverse range of community and women’s groups across the borough will be focusing their celebrations on Women and the Vot320e. Events will explore the history of women’s involvement in politics – from the struggle for emancipation to 2010 – and a look at what the future holds. The underlying aim of the events will be to inspire those unheard women’s voices in our communities to be heard and encourage women to use their vote.


SATURDAY 6 MARCH

WOMEN’S APPRECIATION DAY
ELM Women’s Link, Muslimaat UK, Rainbow House Children’s Centre London Muslim Centre, 46-92 Whitechapel Road E1 1JX
10.30am-3pm FREE 020 7650 3000/3022

Exhibition about Women in Politics throughout history focusing on key women of achievement, the Suffragette movement, recent women Prime Ministers, and emerging figures. Invited guest speakers will discuss issues affecting local women and how they have made changes happen, stalls with information providing support and advice, and refreshments.


MONDAY 8 MARCH

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY TEA PARTY
The Teasmith
6 Lamb Street, Spitalfields E1 6EA
2pm-4pm FREE 020 7247 1333

Come and enjoy a wide range of teas with special tea tasting sessions and cakes to celebrate International Women’s Day. www.teasmith.co.uk

‘Fragments’ exhibition of drawings by Juliette Vivier www.juliettevivier.com
Open 6 March – 4 April 11am-6pm each day.

DISCOVER LONDON
Lincoln Area Regeneration Group
The Linc Centre, 70 Fern Street, Bow E3 3PR
10am-3.30pm Tkts £1.00 020 7538 2553
In collaboration with Belton Way Children’s Centre, Taakulo Somali Organisation, Bow Common Bangladeshi Cultural Association.

Coach Trip to the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street to take a look at the past, present and future electoral journey of women against the back-drop of some of London’s historical and present houses of power. There will be a special tour guide and translators. Event open to all. Tickets allocated on a first come first served basis.


TUESDAY 9 MARCH

CULTURE KITCHEN
Women’s Environmental Network (WEN), Zacchaeus Project,
Walter Newby Centre, Bethnal Green Methodist Church,
Approach Road, E2 9JP
10.30am-3.30pm FREE 020 7481 9004

Event highlighting the need to give women a voice about climate change. Workshops and activities will offer women the opportunity to learn more about the issues and how to express themselves creatively about their own experiences in relation to climate change. The event will be fun with positive, practical ideas of what women can do around food and food growing and provide a showcase for what has already been achieved. The aim is to raise awareness of gender and climate change issues. Includes tour of community garden and refreshments.

TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR CHINESE WOMEN
East London Chinese Community Centre
Trussler Hall, 78 Grundy Street E14 6DF
1pm-3pm FREE 020 7538 5528

Training workshops on 9, 10 and 11 March for women in the Chinese Community to discuss the nature of democracy and provide a basic understanding of political ideologies and voting rights. The workshops are aimed at Chinese women in Tower Hamlets to encourage them to vote and understand British government and will be conducted in Chinese so that participants may discuss & debate political issues.

VISIT & TOUR THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
Heba Women’s Project
164 Brick Lane E1 6RU
9.30am-2pm FREE 07960 124262

There will be two group visits to the Houses of Parliament on 9 and 10 March with a guided tour focusing on the history of women in politics. There are 20 places available on each visit open to Heba beneficiaries and women from the general public. At Heba during International Women’s Week they will also be discussing the struggle of the Suffragettes and looking at different electoral systems around the world.

WOMEN AND POLITICS
Neighbours in Poplar and SPLASH Politics
St Vincent’s Portacabin, Gill Street, Poplar E14 0EH (9 March)
Will Crooks Community Centre, 1-3 Wigram House, Wades Place E14 0DB (10 March) 12pm-2.30pm FREE 020 7515 8362

Two events on 9 & 10 March in local Community Centres with music and stalls and local Councillors sharing their journey into politics. These events will be focusing particularly but not exclusively on Somali and Bengali women who will be asked about issues on which they would like to have a voice.

ACHIEVING VISION & CHANGE
Pritchard Road Day Centre
Marian Place, off Pritchard Road, Bethnal Green E2 9AX
11am-3pm FREE 020 7364 1032

A fun, interactive day with entertainment and an exhibition looking at why women accessing mental health services are less likely to use their right to vote and how to encourage them. An opportunity to share experiences and participate in a survey about future voting processes. Raffle & Refreshments.

WOMEN…VOTE!
St Hilda’s East Community Centre
18 Club Row, E2 7EY
11am-2.30pm FREE 020 7739 8066
In partnership with Friends of Arnold Circus, Bishopsgate Institute, The Women’s Library and Bethnal Green Collaboration Project.

This event will creatively express the importance of women’s right to vote and include an exhibition ‘Women…Vote!’ exploring the historical context of women’s fight for the right to vote, a poster making workshop using the theme of the exhibition, and guest speakers. The event will also seek to find out how women perceive women leaders of today as compared to those of the past. A mock election will enable women to vote on which female role model would be best to rule the UK today.

WOMEN’S MULTICULTURAL DANCE DAY
St Nicks Lunch Club, Neighbours in Poplar, Poplar HARCA
Aberfeldy Centre, Aberfeldy Street E14 ONE ( 9 March)
Burcham St Centre, 96 Burcham Street E14 0SH (12 March)
11.30am-2pm FREE 07947 798685

Events for older women. Come along for an afternoon of dancing delights, learn some Bollywood, ballroom or even line dancing, have a free light lunch and find out about women in politics.


WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH

WOMEN AND DEMOCRACY
Jagonari WERC and Wapping Women’s Centre
183-185 Whitechapel Road E1 1DW
10am-1pm FREE 020 7375 0520

Two seminars will be run on 10 & 11 March, one in English, one in Bengali, about Women and Democracy. These events are targeted at women and young girls in the Bangladeshi community. Guest speakers will include local women Councillors and there will be workshops on democracy and the role of women in a democratic society with an emphasis on equality and voting.

A WOMEN’S DAY
Kollun, 55 Ben Jonson Road, E1 4SA
9.30am-3.30pm FREE 020 7790 0010

Local women Councillors and the Prospective Parliamentary Candidates have been invited to be on a panel to discuss local issues of concern to women and the importance of voting. Power point presentations and posters about women in politics, with refreshments.

ENTERPRISING WOMEN OF TOWER HAMLETS
Stitches in Time, Limehouse Project
Dora Hall, Dora Street E14
11am-4pm FREE 020 7987 6163

Celebrating local women and the vote past and present with textile workshops, guest speakers, a display of inspirational work and a healthy lunch. Participants will be able to create their own fabric badge, sewn and decorated, about voting in order to encourage women to vote in the forthcoming elections. A textile screen will also be created with the image of Sylvia Pankhurst.

WISEWORDS POETRY OPEN MIC NIGHT with Apples & Snakes
Vibe Live @ the Vibe Bar, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane E1 6QL
7.30pm Adm £3 on door (£2 for those doing floor spots) 020 7247 3479

Get your VOICE heard at the all-female open mic night. If you fancy yourself as the next big thing on the poetry scene, jive on down to Vibe Live at the Vibe Bar and take the proverbial mic (but arrive in good time to ensure a slot). Fronted by the buoyant LIZ BENTLEY (‘A female Ivor Cutler’ – The Scotsman), and featuring guest artists LUCY LEAGRAVE and DEANNA RODGER, this is another hot product from top poetry promoters Apples & Snakes http://www.applesandsnakes.org/ 020 8465 6154

TRANING WORKSHOPS FOR CHINESE WOMEN (see Tuesday)

VISIT & TOUR THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT (see Tuesday)

WOMEN AND POLITICS (see Tuesday)


THURSDAY 11 MARCH

PRINT YOUR SLOGAN
Prick Your Finger
260 Globe Road, E2 0JD
4pm-7pm FREE 020 8981 2560

Prick Your Finger are working with local groups who wish to voice the concerns of isolated women in Tower Hamlets, and hand printing their slogans in big bold letters, in any language, on to bags or T-Shirts. Stencil prints will be made by PYF and participants will choose the colours, sign their slogans and customise their items with embroidery or drawing. The prints will form a window display at the Prick Your Finger shop during International Women’s Week and a Preview with all the groups will be held on Thursday 11 March 4pm-7pm. All welcome.

INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN
John Scurr Community Centre
1a Bekesbourne Street, Limehouse E14 7JQ
10am-2pm FREE 020 7790 3113

Exhibition of photography by local women about Julia Scurr, Sylvia Pankhurst and the Suffragettes and a video about the major historical events that took place locally – ‘Poplar Rates Rebellion’ 1921, ‘Battle of Cable Street’ 1936 – and made positive changes.

TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR CHINESE WOMEN (see Tuesday)

WOMEN & DEMOCRACY (see Wednesday)


FRIDAY 12 MARCH

WOMEN VOTE NOW!
Poplar Harca, LARG, Indymedia 3, Ocean Somali Community Association
Burdett Centre, Masjid Lane, off Walwood Street E14 7BW
11am-3pm FREE 020 7538 2553

Celebration and Open Day with presentation and performance about the Suffragette movement by young women from local youth group and a mock polling station. Officers from the Electoral Reform Services will give advice and guidance on voting, the importance of registering and using your vote. Guest of honour Sarah Castro MBE will open the proceedings and speak about her experience of women’s voting rights in Cuba and her personal struggle and the importance of exercising your right to vote. There will also be stalls, refreshments, exercise demonstrations, dancing and a crèche.

WOMEN’S CELEBRATION DAY
Somali Women’s Development Project
Tredegar Community Centre, 333 Morville Street E3 2DD
12 noon-4pm FREE 020 8980 9935

A celebration with the local Somali Women’s Community and Bangladeshi Women’s Group for all local residents and their families with cultural activities and local Councillors.

WISEWORDS BOOKFEST 12 & 13 March
The Women’s Library, Old Castle Street E1 7NT
2pm-10pm each day www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
Tickets: £12 per day/£20 for 2 days or £4/£3 concs per talk before 5pm,
£6/£5 concs per talk after 5pm.
Available in advance and on the door 020 7320 2222 moreinfo@thewomenslibrary.ac.uk

The Wisewords Bookfest celebrates women’s writing presenting authors with their new and recently published books. Come along and spend an enjoyable day meeting writers reading and discussing their work. Each session lasts one hour with a half hour break in between for refreshments and the opportunity to buy books.

On Friday 12 March the authors will be Tamsin Bradley & Emma Tomalin / ‘Dowry’, Kavita Ramdya / ‘Bollywood Weddings’, Dreda Say Mitchell and Claire Seeber on Crime writing, Clare Mulley / ‘The Woman Who Saved The Children’, and Kat Banyard launches her new book ‘The Equality Illusion’.

On Saturday 13 March the authors are Joy Howard and six poets from the Grey Hen Press with their new anthology ‘Cracking On’, Kia Abdullah new writer with Laura Longrigg, Cathi Unsworth / ‘Bad Penny Blues’ and Elizabeth Wilson / ‘War Damage’ on writing thrillers, Maggie Gee / ‘My Animal Life’ with Yasmin Alibhai-Brown / ‘The Settler’s Cookbook’. And to round it all off a wonderfully funny session with well known comic and writer ‘Shazia Mirza’.’Columnist of the Year’.

The Wisewords Bookfest is produced by Alternative Arts with The Women’s Library.

WOMEN’S MULTICULTURAL DANCE DAY (see Tuesday)


SATURDAY 13 MARCH

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Account 3, LEC
3 Birkbeck Street E2 6JY
2.30pm-4.30pm FREE 020 7739 7720

Seminar for local women on practical local politics, showing how most non-career politicians have entered politics through a burning passion for a political issue, and how to make a difference and have a say locally; with representatives from local RSLs, the PCT and local authority to demonstrate the range of ways you can have your say. Exhibition and activities for young people on ‘Women in Politics’ followed by a workshop looking at issues of exclusion and making a difference. Please book your places in advance. Crèche available.

SOMALI WOMEN and POLITICS
Somali Integration Team
Bancroft TMC, 12 Wickford Street E1 5QN
12noon-4pm FREE 020 7790 2650

Event to motivate and support women and their understanding of politics with young Somali poet and stories about how women in Britain fought for the right to vote and the challenges and barriers that they faced. Dancing, Singing & Refreshments. All women welcome.

WISEWORDS BOOKFEST (see Friday)


SUNDAY 14 MARCH

BANGLADESHI WOMEN’S STORIES
Bishwo Shahitto Kendro
1 Woodham Gardens, Vallance Road E1 5BN
2pm-4pm FREE 07984427989

Come and tell us your story about the day you first voted. A group of Bangladeshi women will share their experiences and focus on the barriers they faced to voting. The Suffragette movement of East London based at 198 Bow Road and lead by Sylvia Pankhurst and Zolie Emerson will be discussed and Victoria sponge cake and tea will be served in their honour.



Please note that this programme of events in Tower Hamlets for International Women’s Week may be subject to alteration and it is advisable to ring and check beforehand. All venues are accessible to wheelchair users.
To receive this information in large print please contact: info@alternativearts.co.uk.
The International Women’s Week programme is co-ordinated for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets by Alternative Arts. www.alternativearts.co.uk

Cllr Dr. Anwara Ali has today left Labour and joined the Conservative Group on Tower Hamlets Council.

Cllr Dr. Anwara Ali has today left Labour and joined the Conservative Group on Tower Hamlets Council. Cllr. Ali was the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing on Tower Hamelts Council and represents the Bow West ward. Leader of the group Cllr. Peter Golds is delighted that Cllr. Ali has joined the Conservative group and looks forward to working with her. Cllr. Ali issued the following statement: - “I have been a lifelong Labour supporter, but I believe the country cannot afford five more years of Gordon Brown.“As a GP working on the frontline in the largest practice in the East End, I have become increasingly disillusioned with Labour's failure to reform the NHS. The past decade has seen this Government waste millions of pounds on bureaucracy in hospitals.“Gordon Brown's obsession with top down targets and a tick box culture has ruined the morale and goodwill of the national health staff. Ill health and early death in the East End is a direct result of Labour's failure to bring real reform to the NHS.”"I feel I cannot continue to serve the people of Tower Hamlets whilst I am part of a Labour party in the borough that is racked by divisions and splits unable to deliver services to the most needy people.” The Conservative group now numbers 9 members and remains the official opposition on the council.

Local info

http://mytowerhamlets.co.uk/

2010 ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER

GUEST SPEAKER: Richard Barnes (AM) Deputy Mayor of London

Mile End East Ward in Conjunction with

POPLAR & LIMEHOUSE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION

2010 ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER

Monday 1 March 2010, 7.30 PM FOR 8 PM

Naz Café Restaurant, 46-48 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RF
TICKET INCLUDES A Three COURSE Indian BANQUET AND DRINK ON ARRIVAL
DINNER TICKETS : £30 PER TICKET FOR MEMBERS AND £40 PER TICKET FOR NON MEMBERS

GRAND RAFFLE WILL BE HELD TICKETS £10 PER STRIP FURTHER DONATIONS ACCEPTED

RSVP: FREEPOST RLZJ-JRKU-GHSC POPLAR & LIMEHOUSE CONSERVATIVES, 13 PLYMOUTH WHARF, LONDON, E14 3EL
I WOULD LIKE ____ TICKETS FOR THE ANNUAL DINNER ___TICKETS FOR RAFFLE (RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE IN ABSENSE)
I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE FOR £ _____ MADE PAYABLE TO Conservative Party or contact for bacs payments

PLEASE PROVIDE NAMES OF ATTENDEES AND ANY DIETARY REQUIREMENTS.

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT: EMAIL MEE.Conservatives@gmail.com

Cllr Ahmed Hussain ON 07903-834-953, Caroline Kerswell on 02074270803

Special Guest

http://www.magnusthemasseur.co.uk/

Magnus Agugu
I have agreed to be the after-dinner masseur. And will be donating to the Raffle.

Save the Date 1 March 2010 Fundraiser

GUEST SPEAKER: Richard Barnes (AM) Deputy Mayor of London Mile End East Ward in Conjunction with POPLAR & LIMEHOUSE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION2010 ANNUAL DINNER1 March 2010 January 2010, 7.30 PM FOR 8 PMNaz Café Restaurant, 46-48 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RFTICKET INCLUDES A Three COURSE Indian BANQUET AND DRINK ON ARRIVALTICKETS : £30 PER TICKET FOR MEMBERS AND £40 PER TICKET FOR NON MEMBERSRSVP: FREEPOST RLZJ-JRKU-GHSC POPLAR & LIMEHOUSE CONSERVATIVES , 13 P LYMOUTH WHARF , L ONDON , E14 3ELANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT:Cllr Ahmed Hussain ON 07903-834-953, Caroline Kerswell on 02074270803 EMAIL MEE.Conservatives@gmail.com

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park & Ackroyd Drive Green Local Nature Reserve Annual woodland craft and funday May 2nd 2010 between 11am and 4pm

On May 2nd 2010 between 11am and 4pm Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park & Ackroyd Drive Green Local Nature Reserve will be running this very popular event for the 5th Year. The Friends pay for this event entirely from their own resources and it costs over £3000. They run the event to enage people in the Park and provide an exciting way for visitors to explore and get to know to the Park. This is not a money making venture for the Friends. Apart from small charges for things like facepainting and the bouncy castle all the activities are FREE! This year the Friends resources are more limited when compared to previous years. At this stage we're unable to be as extravagant as we have been in previous years. They are looking for the following: Musicians/band (acoustic)Craft and activity stalls - please suggest/offerFace painters + Henna tattooistsStewardsCake makersVolunteers to 'man' stalls i.e. tea and registration, etc Any offer of help would be very much appreciated, even if it's only for part of the day.

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park & Ackroyd Drive Green Local Nature Reserve
To get involved email: thcemeterypark@yahoo.co.uk
Web: www.towerhamletscemetery.org
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is truly the historic green heart of Tower Hamlets. 33 acres of Broad leaf woodland in a disused 19th century cemetery, surrounded by tower blocks and estates, where 1000s of people live. The Cemetery Park has an outstanding variety of wild plants and animals as well as plants which give clues to its history.

Invitation to Olympic Park by Hugh Robertson MP with Cllr Tim Archer

Visit to the Olympic park I went on a tour of the Olympic Park this month thanks to Hugh Robertson MP(Shadow Sports & Olympics Minister). Two things strike you as you go round; firstly how it’s really taking shape and secondly how it’s nearer (geographically) than you think to Tower Hamlets and this constituency. When you drive past the entrance on the A12 towards Walthamstow, it feels like it’s near but a few miles away. When you visit the site and leave by the exit nearest to Canary Wharf, you realise that it’s nearest point to us is just meters away from the Town Hall. So it’s all the more disappointing that just 3% of the workforce on the site is actually from Tower Hamlets.Even though we have the highest rate of unemployment of anywhere in England we are losing out to other host boroughs when it comes to local residents getting jobs there. Unemployment locally is more than just a passing thing due to the recession – it’s more structural than that. Locally, more needs to be done to give local unemployed people the skills, the attributes and the incentives to get local jobs when they become available.

Letter Published in East London Advertiser 28 January 2010

I am amazed to read that Jim Fitzpatrick MP is blasting Boris over housing. If I were a Labour MP housing would be one of the many things I would not want to talk about - giving their appalling record on it.

What Jim Fitzpatrick fails to mention is that this Labour government has built fewer social homes year after year than were ever built under the last Conservative government. Their record on housing is appalling. We have 23,000 people on the housing waiting list in Tower Hamlets, 14,000 of whom are living in over-crowded conditions thanks to Labour. Whats more the state of repair is shocking, blocks due to be demolished 3 years ago are still standing with only reinforcement pins holding on balconys and death trap corridors with wires exposed and fire escapes blocked.

Perhaps Jim should look for other issues to thrown stones about. That is after all whether or not he is still standing as the Labour candidate in Poplar. The last leaflet he was dishing out failed to mention this or Gordon Brown. Strange that isn't it?

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=kR078oQ1z03M&EID=94b131d2-c6e8-4560-bcd8-0a1fd16d56f4&skip=true page 18

Building Bridges in Tower Hamlets for Women

Today I met with an organisation to pursue an opportunity for women to connect and learn about each other, the idea would be that women should learn about each others’ cultures primarily from each other. Ideas inculde finding local women who would be prepared to talk about some aspect of their lives or work – e.g. faith, history, food, fashion. Asking women involved with existing projects in Tower Hamlets to come and tell everyone else about them enabling discussions on various topics of interest in small groups. Finding women who are able to perform musically, or bring their favourite music on CD perhaps If necessary, bringing in one ‘inspirational speaker’ per event and/ musicians from outside.

These projects are just what we need in Tower Hamlets to bring forward society and help bridge the gap of poverty and culture.

In Court with Honourable Jackie Glass

Sometimes opportunities come up and you have to grab them. This inspirational experience came to me in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was invited to join Honourable Jackie Glass (Of OJ Simpson Trial fame) in Court for the morning.

With stark contrast to the UK, the action, the efficiency and the agility was pronounced. I really think I took away a lot which will help me with my Masters in International Law.

I thank the kindness which allowed me to be involved that morning.


Testing the hot seat.

Gap between the rich and poor, we need aspiration not deprivation

You have to stop and ask yourself why at the end of 13 years of Labour government is the gap between rich and poor wider than at anytime since the Second World War?

Government reports on poverty in the UK show that the children of the poor are destined to live much harder and shorter lives than those of the wealthy. The poorest parts of the country are included in Tower Hamlets, no where more so than the area I hope to represent - Mile End East.

Residents there have been abandoned by Labour and want change. I hear it on the doorstep constantly. The truth is that the Labour party has an interest in keeping people's aspiration limited, this should not be he case, if you work hard it is possible to achieve anything, coming from one of 8 children I want people to know this.

Labour cannot for any longer claim to be the party of aspiration when its failure to tackle the causes of poverty has blighted so many lives. Here in Tower Hamlets we are only too aware on this. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1246333/Gulf-rich-poor-grown-Labour-widest-WWII.html

Many thanks

Caroline Kerswell
Conservative Candidate for Mile End East

Visit to LA and Vegas

I will be attending to political business in the USA from 29 th Jan until 8 Feb, please contact me via email if you would like to meet on my trip.

Save the Date 1 March 2010 Fundraiser

GUEST SPEAKER: Richard Barnes (AM) Deputy Mayor of London
Mile End East Ward in Conjunction with
POPLAR & LIMEHOUSE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION
2010 ANNUAL DINNER
1 March 2010 January 2010, 7.30 PM FOR 8 PM
Naz Café Restaurant, 46-48 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RF
TICKET INCLUDES A Three COURSE Indian BANQUET AND DRINK ON ARRIVAL
TICKETS : £30 PER TICKET FOR MEMBERS AND £40 PER TICKET FOR NON MEMBERS
RSVP: FREEPOST RLZJ-JRKU-GHSC POPLAR & LIMEHOUSE CONSERVATIVES , 13 P LYMOUTH WHARF , L ONDON , E14 3EL
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT:
Cllr Ahmed Hussain ON 07903-834-953, Caroline Kerswell on 02074270803 OR EMAIL MEE.Conservatives@gmail.com

Meet and Question Your Conservative Candidates 25th January 2010, Monday 6 pm till 8 Burdett Neighbourhood Centre, Masjid Lane, Off Wallwood Street,

Meet and Question Your Conservative Candidates

Cllr Ahmed Hussain
Contact number: 07903-834-953
Caroline Kerswell
Contact number: 0207-427-0803

Cllr Tim Archer
MP Candidate for Poplar and Limehouse

Quiz the candidates at
The Question Time Meeting
Please do not forget to attend the Question Time Meeting organized by the Mile End East Conservatives:

Date: 25th January 2010, Monday
Time: 6 pm till 8 pm
Venue: Burdett Neighbourhood Centre, Masjid Lane, Off Wallwood Street, London E14 7BW

Please send in your question prior to the event to:
E-mail: MEE.Conservatives@gmail.com
Address: MEE Conservatives, C/O 13 Plymouth Wharf, London E14 3EL

- - - - - - - - -Tear Off Here and Post it Asap- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Name: ___________________________ Contact Number: _____________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________

E-mail Address: _______________________________________________________

Your Question: _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

We will secure a seat with your name to ask the above question to the panel
Please post this to: MEE Conservatives, C/O 13 Plymouth Wharf, London E14 3EL