Dreaming of a Green Christmas















East Devon Green Party co-ordinator Sharon Pavey (third from left) with friends

Her Green Party gained only 1.5% of the East Devon constituency vote in the General Election of 6 May this year, but candidate Sharon Pavey declared that she was "over the moon" with the result, especially as the East Devon Green Party group was set up only in January 2010.

On Saturday 4 December the Greens are holding a Open Mic party to celebrate their first Christmas in East Devon and are keen for both members and non-members to attend. "This is also an opportunity for us to raise much needed funds to enable us to get Green councillors elected at the local elections next May, so we hope you can support the event," says Ms Pavey.

The Greens are hopeful of increasing their future support in East Devon following the dissension in LibDem party ranks after leader Nick Clegg's decision to join the Conervatives' David Cameron in forming a coalition government.

Ms Pavey believes that some potential Green voters in the constituency voted LibDem in an attempt to prevent Conservative MP Hugo Swire from winning a third time, but that they will by now have regretted their decision especially after the LibDem candidate resigned from his party. "Their LibDem choice Paull Robothan has ditched the party he was loyal to for 44 years, after they ditched him and went with the enemy," she wrote on her blog shortly after the election result.

Tickets for the Greens' Christmas event are £5 which includes a buffet meal with a range of veggie, vegan & non-veggie options, but guests are requested to bring their own drinks. "The mic will be open to anyone who wants to entertain us with music, song, dance, poetry and humour," they say. "We'll also be running a raffle on the night."

The celebrations start at 8.00 pm at Twyford House in Coburg Road, Sidmouth. For further details and to obtain a ticket contact Sharon Pavey on 07740973990 or email sdpavey@googlemail.com




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