9 May 2019
We were delighted when Tonbridge and Malling Green Party Candidates Mark Hood and April Clark were elected as Councillors for Judd Ward in South Tonbridge. Not only did they get a 50% turnout, which was one of the highest in the country, but they also achieved the biggest Green Party swing from 13% in 2015 to 40% and 39% respectively.
This was acheived as a result of hard work by Green Party members campaigning in the area over the preceding years, as well as a 2 year campaign including a residents survey, newsletters and regular door to door visits.
Mark set up and became chair of Barden Residents association in 2015 and has been at the forefront of a number of campaigns including saving the local boatyard from development as well as getting the local pub listed as an Asset of Community Value, and enabling a new owner to refurbish and reopen what is now a thriving community hub. He has also campaigned for a 20 mph speed limit in the area.
April restarted the Tonbridge W.I. which became so popular it immediately had to split into North and South Tonbridge Branches.
Together and with other local Green Party members Mark and April led a campaign to save River Lawn from development, an ongoing campaign, presently waiting upon Kent County Council to rule on its status as a Village Green. Mark was lauded in both local and national press for climbing a well loved horse chesnut tree to prevent the unnecessary felling for the building of a new medical centre. He successfully negotiated with the developers, who were able to prune and save the tree whilst still building the planned medical centre.
Additionally Mark and April have led campaigns on local housing development, Green Belt development, Air Quality, Congestion, Parking and Litter.
None of this would have been possible without the hard work of many local Green Party members. In particular Fran who arranged the newsletter deliveries, recruiting an army of helpers. She also founded the Tonbridge Bicycle User Group and the Refill Water Bottle scheme, Howard, who was instrumental in establishing Tonbridge Town Team, achieving Fair Trade status for the town and also was kept very busy with the Farmers Market, did the artwork for our leaflets. Richard who kept the media output on track who sadly died on the day after the election.
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