Phonebank | ‘ello ‘ello ‘ello

With Postal Votes dropping on the doormats of High Peak residents this morning – including mine – Glossopdale’s Labour Team got stuck in once more reminding people of the necessity for voting for a change in the Borough after almost a decade of Tory-controlled or Tory-led administrations (and no real voice for Old Glossop too!!).

The tea was brewed and the biscuits at the ready as the Team and I made our way round to Garry and Dawn’s Church Street house this evening for the first of what we hope to be many ‘phonebank‘ sessions.

This ‘Get Out The Postal Vote‘ exercise whereby we telephone all the people who have promised their support to Labour and have a postal vote and well they didn’t disappoint. In addition to many eager beavers already casting their vote for us, we have a flurry of poster requests.

Doorstep Update – Croft Manor/Shirebrook Drive/Silk St/Thomas St/York St

A big session this afternoon with six of us out on pounding the streets of Old Glossop today, gaining a healthy amount of Labour promises for 5th May as a result.

The team in Old Glossop

We covered a lot of ground including Silk St, York St, Thomas St, Birch Green, Croft Manor, Shirebrook Drive, Slant Close, Cross Rise, Carr Bank, Holly Bank, Bramble Bank and Rushmere.

We found there to be a  lot of disgruntled residents in these streets, some stating that they had never met their  local councillors for the last eight years, Chris Webster or Ivan Bell.

With one resident who felt severely let down by her local councillors Cllrs Chris Webster and Ivan Bell; but also by the local resident and Conservative Executive Member on the Borough Council  for Social and Community Development Cllr Jean Wharmby.

A particular gripe of this resident and her husband was how they dealt or rather didn’t deal with a bad case of fly-tipping – the dumping of a three piece suite and a mattress on Council owned land – that she had reported to them six months ago.

Voter Registration Deadline: This Thursday

Remember folks that the deadline for registering to vote at these elections is in 2 days on:

Thursday, 14th April 2011

You can obtain a voter registration form from the elections team at High Peak Borough Council (see below) or download a form by visiting the “About my vote” website here.

Get in touch with the team for a form:

Doorstep Update – Manor Park Rd/Hope St/Wesley St/Old Cross/Water St

Well what a difference a day makes. It was a wet and windy session tonight unlike the weekend session, but we didn’t let the weather dampen our spirits.

And what a session! Our best yet for Labour promises in fact and a bumper evening for our posters too. With many choosing to put these up as the team, Garry and I were at their doors.

Also we came across a good handful of Liberal Democrat voters – or former Lib Dem voters now rather – that have switch their support to  Labour, the real progressive party in British politics, in disgust at them being in bed with the ideologically cut driven Conservatives.

PS – The Conservative, Liberal Democrat  candidate(s) and the incumbent Mr Webster are noticeable by their absence in the ward. Not a sausage.

Doorstep Update – Queens Drive/Pyegrove Rd

A very sun soaked door-knocking session around Pyegrove Rd and Queens Drive in the ward this afternoon with Garry and the some of the team.

We found lots of support for us there with a couple of posters going up in windows today and more to follow nearer to election day too.

We also found that there was a surprising amount of anti-Chris Webster feeling around Queens Drive, especially if you think that residents there are his neighbours!!

But I suppose being in office for eight years and having deliver very little if anything?! …again shows the need for residents to bring about change to regain Old Glossop’s voice in the Council to fight the ward’s corner, rather than the lone ignored voice it has been of late.

Can I Vote?


To vote in the forthcoming elections on Thursday, 5th May 2011, your name must appear on the Electoral Register.

What if I am not on the Register?

The deadline for registering to vote at these elections is Thursday, 14th April 2011.
Anyone who returns a voter registration form after this date will NOT be able to vote.
If you have recently moved house, you can register at your new property before Thursday, 14th April 2011.

You can obtain a voter registration form from the elections team at High Peak Borough Council on 0845 129 7777 ext. 2133 or download a form by visiting the “About my vote” website here.

What if I am away on the day of the election?

Postal Vote – If you are away on polling day or would prefer to vote by post in these elections, please note that the last time for receipt of postal vote applications is 5pm on Thursday 21st April 2011. Any postal vote applications received after this time cannot be processed and the elector will not be able to vote by post.

Postal vote application forms are available by calling the elections team on 0845 129 7777 ext. 2133 or you can download an copy of the application form here >> Postal Vote Form.

Proxy Vote – Electors who wish to vote by proxy, where by you authorise someone to enter the polling station and cast your vote on your behalf – must ensure that their application has been received by 5pm on Thursday 21st April 2011. You can download the relevant form by visiting the “About my vote” website here.

Where do I send/take my completed form?

These forms should be sent to or handed in at:

Electoral Services
High Peak Borough Council,
Municipal Buildings
Glossop, Derbyshire
SK13 8AF

Doorstep Update – Sheffield Rd

Garry and I were out on the doorsteps of Sheffield Road and High Street East tonight with some of our Glossopdale Team. As we have found in other parts of the ward there is an appetite for a change, feeling that Old Glossop hasn’t had representatives who haven’t any influence in the Council i.e. not part of either the controlling group or the main opposition group. We spoke to many people too who did not even know who their current councillors were.
You would think after 8 years in office Chris Webster should have made some mark surely!! His loss is Labour’s gain though I suppose.

It’s Official!

Today saw the release of the Statement of the Persons Nominated by the Borough Council’s Returning Officer. This document(s) show all those who have been nominated people, whether or not their nomination is valid with a description as to why a person cannot or will not be standing.

As you can see from the document above, Old Glossop’s statement show that the nominated persons are: Garry and myself; Chris Webster one of the incumbents and two Conservative Candidates (including one from New Mills?!).

A notable absence is that of Ivan Bell the other incumbent who is not seeking re-election. This was expected, as we bumped into him outside the Bull’s Head pub whilst out canvassing one night last week. We would like to thank him for his enthusiasm and service to the community; even if we have felt it has not always been directed in the best manner. We wish him a happy and health retirement from local politics.

The full statement of nominated persons for every ward in the Borough can be viewed by clicking this link: Statement of the Persons Nominated (All Wards)

Nominations Close

Noon today saw the deadline for nominations to the Borough election. Garry and my papers were safely delivered to the Elections Office in Glossop Municipal Buildings by our agent Anne Robinson.
A full list of candidates for all parties is due to be officially published at noon on Wednesday by the Returning Officer.

SPOILER ALERT: In advance of this the High Peak Labour Party has today published a full list of its candidates, which can be viewed here

Doorstep Update

Canvassing and chatting with people in and around north part of the Village (Castle Hill/Shireway/Bute St/Thorpe St/Wellgate/Church St South/Blackshaw Rd/Church St/Kilmory Fold) last night and tonight. Some very warming responses indeed. Overwhelmingly people want better representation for the ward.

A particular highlight came from a middle-aged woman who after stating “I’ve never voted in an election if you can believe that!” will be voting for us on 5th May.