Be There if You Can!

A reminder from COGs Secretary about the event planned for Saturday: -

Just a quick reminder about our "Wake-up Call" event on Saturday - 11.00 in the Market Square. Evan Harris has agreed to come and lend his support and we have musicians lined up for entertainment afterwards and possibly before. We hope to get press and TV coverage so need as many people as possible to come and make a noise for 10 minutes - so bring your friends and families - noisy children and teenagers especially welcome - together with alarm clocks, bells, whistles or other noise-making devices.

Two other things you can do:

1) The decision on the future of the Gaol will be taken by the Executive - formally on 7 December, but in reality their minds will be made up a week or two before that. The full Council will be briefed on the proposals in mid-November and will make their recommendations to the Exec shortly after that. We need people to talk to Vale Councillors before mid-November to urge them to make their recommendations based on the broader value to the Vale community - taking account of social benefits not just the cash receipts. PLEASE contact your councillor asap to make your feelings known. Their contact details can be found on the Vale website http://whitehorsedc.moderngov.co.uk/mgMemberIndex.asp?bcr=1 Councillors have told us that hearing direct from the public does make a difference so it really is worth doing this.

2) Have you seen the latest issue of Vale Views? It has been delivered in some areas but not others, but can be seen on the Vale website. It includes a questionnaire about what people think should be in the Vale's "Community Strategy" - and announces a series of "Area Forum" open meetings so people can make their views known. The Abingdon meeting is on Wednesday 14 November - 7.00 p.m in the Guildhall. This is another - and very timely- opportunity to get the message across to the Vale. I hope we can get a good and vocal turnout from COG supporters at the meeting - and plenty of questionnaires returned!

Hester