Liberal Lockdown and Beyond

Jobs for Tory pals and weak management of Woking Borough Council officers by the Conservative leadership.   

Independent LGA (Local Government Association) reports in 2015 and 2019 highlight poor management practice and managerial incompetence by the Woking Tories. These have been hidden and ignored. Adam Kirby and Dale Roberts probe the details in Woking Spotlight.  

Incompetence, mismanagement, cronyism and dubious dealings by Tories at national government level are being repeated at local government level in Woking. Recommended changes in the management of Woking Borough Council have not been implemented. These failings and the total lack of accountability and scrutiny are now exposed. Woking Tories are in crisis mode.  

In this first episode of our Woking Spotlight mini-series, Graham Chrystie, a retired lawyer, now Woking Lib Dem Councillor and Chair of the WBC Planning Committee, exposes the incompetence of those running your borough. Please subscribe for more reports on how your Woking council really works. 

As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media.  

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Our NHS is bearing the brunt of this pandemic.  Would the system collapse with the influx of COVID-19 patients?  What about cancer patients requiring regular treatment or those booked for routine operations?  Ellen Nicholson is a nurse, health researcher for the Liberal Democrats and chair of the General Practice Nurse Forum for the Royal College of Nursing.  If that wasn’t enough, she’s our 2021 candidate for Mount Hermon & Woking South East.  Ellen, interviewed by Adam Kirby and Dale Roberts, talks us through the digital appointment revolution, her thoughts on herd immunity and the incredible work going on behind the scenes to keep the NHS serving those who need it most. 

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show.  You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media.  We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://wokinglibdems.org.uk/en/ 

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Twitter: http://twitter.com/wokinglibdems 

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Unnecessary packaging and unsustainable products are intertwined with our everyday lives. It doesn’t have to be this way: Re-fill your shampoo bottles, don’t throw them away! Swap to the metal straws, bamboo toothbrushes and reusable menstrual products that are filling our shelves. Mel Hemmings, founder of Woking’s first zero waste shop, Bare + Fair, joins us to share her eco-friendly top tips for consumers and businesses alike. 

Bare + Fair: https://bareandfair.co 

The Woking Liberal Democrats are not affiliated with Bare + Fair, but admire the story and ethos of those involved. 

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://wokinglibdems.org.uk/en/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokingLD/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wokinglibdems

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Caring about our climate means: shunning single-use plastic, caring for local wildlife, gardening, walking and cycling. This week we hear from Woking’s equivalent of Sir David Attenborough who is doing all of these, and more! Tune in to hear Norman Johns provide environment inspiration with live local projects he’s involved in. 

Woking Environmental Action Group: https://wokingla21.wordpress.com. 

Woking Cycle Users’ Group https://www.wokingcycle.org.uk 

Green Liberal Democrats https://greenlibdems.org.uk/en/ 

Woking Borough Council - Nature & Sustainability Initiatives https://www.woking.gov.uk/nature-and-sustainability 

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://wokinglibdems.org.uk/en/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokingLD/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wokinglibdems 

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Is your neighbour’s dog driving you barking mad? What about their trees invading your freshly-pruned garden? Dale Roberts, a Lib Dem candidate and local community mediator shares his advice for preventing and resolving neighbourly disputes. We discuss how politicians should talk less and listen more to transform the effectiveness of government.  

Mediation Surrey: https://mediationsurrey.org  

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or through our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://wokinglibdems.org.uk/en/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokingLD/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wokinglibdems 

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It’s official. The UK is in the worst recession for decades. The words “2020 is a write-off for us” are echoed by many local businesses up and down the country. This week we talk to the President of Woking Chamber of Commerce and owner of Field’s Car Centre in Woking, Richard Field. He tells us how his team transformed the services they offered to ensure customers remain safe and on the road, expresses his thoughts on the future of business in Woking and where to get commercial advice and support. 

You can find out more about the Woking Chamber of Commerce and further advice by visiting https://www.wokingchamber.org.uk. Details of his garage are available online at https://fields-carcentre.co.uk. 

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://wokinglibdems.org.uk/en/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokingLD/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wokinglibdems

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It’s not just the nation’s physical health that is being ruined by this virus. Chief Executive of Woking Mind, Tony Bennett, reveals the impacts that the past few months have had, and will continue to have, on our mental health. He also highlights how to recognise when you or those around you may need support and how to access local services. Remember – we're all in this together, in the same storm albeit in different boats. 

You can find out more about the organisation and further advice by visiting https://wokingmind.org.uk or by calling them directly on 07801931831.

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://wokinglibdems.org.uk/en/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokingLD/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wokinglibdems 

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Woking’s homeless population has tripled during the pandemic. CEO of the York Road Project, Cath Stamper joins us to discuss this along with the change in the homeless demographic, establishing direct links with other groups to expand the support available and her positivity for the future with the country’s first purpose-built homeless accommodation. You can find out more about the project and support it using the link below:

https://www.yorkroadproject.org.uk 

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://wokinglibdems.org.uk/en/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokingLD/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wokinglibdems 

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Continuing on from part 1, this time you’ll hear about Woking’s transition back from bedrooms to classrooms. We’re continuing with the topic of education but from the view of a local educator and current Woking Borough Councillor for Mount Hermon, Liam Lyons. Differences in access to technology, the impact on exams, returning to school and empowering teachers are just some of the topics we discussed with our guest.  

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected] 

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How have parents summoned their inner teacher? In part one of this two-part discussion on education, we talk to some of Woking’s parents affected by the lockdown. Our guests share their stories of veering off-syllabus with DIY science experiments and conference-call mishaps, to the vast differences in support provided by different schools. A huge thanks to Karen, Heidi, Jacqui, Amanda and Claire for sharing their home-schooling wins, a newfound appreciation for teachers and concerns for the future.

The second part of this double bill will feature an interview with a local educator, to follow up with a view from the other side -- what do teachers think? 

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As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us using the email address below, or at our social media. We read all your comments and may include yours in an upcoming episode! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and FOLLOW us on social media. 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://wokinglibdems.org.uk/en/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokingLD/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wokinglibdems 

Support the show