OPEN THE WINDOW AND LET SOME FRESH AIR BLOW THROUGH!
By-election in Ouse Valley & Ringmer Ward

The Seagulls Party will contest their first election on 17 August in the Ouse Valley and Ringmer ward of Lewes District Council. Ed Bassford has been chosen as the party’s candidate in the by-election that has come about following the death of John Fletcher, who was a respected Independent member of Lewes District Council. Ed, who has lived in the ward since 1975 and knows it well, is one of the founder members of The Seagulls Party, which was launched in June 2006.

He has been a member of his local parish council for fifteen years and served for two years as its Chairman. His children attended primary school at Firle and Ringmer and then went on to Ringmer Community College.He is a former governor of Firle Primary School

Ed worked as a public transport planner in local government for over 25 years and he now manages a community transport operation in Brighton and Hove , delivering accessible bus services that are a lifeline for older people, people with disabilities and many community groups.

He is a former advisor to the government on transport issues affecting disabled people and has also acted as an advisor to the Local Government Association on transport and social exclusion.

Ed has been a member of the Falmer For All campaign group that was set up by supporters to back Brighton and Hove Albion's plans for a community stadium for Sussex at Falmer. He attended every session of the 2005 Public Inquiry and wrote a daily diary of the proceedings that was published on the football club's website and in matchday programmes.

In December last year, Ed presented a petition to Lewes District Council, signed by over 5,000 residents of Lewes District, opposing the decision of the council's cabinet committee, taken behind closed doors, to challenge the government's decision to give planning permission for the stadium.

As well as following the Albion, Ed is well known locally for his involvement in bonfire. He has led the clog dancers in procession through Lewes on November the Fifth for thirty years. He performs regularly in a pub pantomime and enjoys walking his dog on the downs. 'It's all part of living in this delightful area', he says.

If you can help with the campaign please get in touch!
email: ed.bassford@seagullsparty.org
or phone 07772 756447

Go here to read our campaign leaflet
Go here to download A3 and A4 sized posters

Promoted and Published by The Seagulls Party, PO Box 127 , Lewes BN7 9DA
and by Rosalind South, 4 Railway Cottages, Ripe Lane, Firle BN8 6NJ