UK - Ms Standen has campaigned against the addition of fluoride to water supplies

Green Party launches branchPublished on 17/11/2006 THE GREEN Party has established a branch in Allerdale and hopes to field several candidates in next May’s borough council elections. Members will hold a meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday in the Battersby Hall in Church Street, Keswick. They will discuss Green policy on the National Health Service, including the future of cottage hospitals such as those in Keswick, Cockermouth and Maryport, which have been under review.The branch’s officers include environmental activists Dianne Standen, of Maryport and Jill Perry, of Bullgill, who are chairman and secretary respectively. Ms Standen has campaigned against the addition of fluoride to water supplies and Mrs Perry, a spokesman for Friends of the Earth, is an advocate of wind farms. Christopher Clay has been elected secretary and Geoff Smith is agent. In June, Green candidate Lynn Bates, from Armathwaite, contested the Workington St John’s ward seat in a county council by-election. Said Mrs Perry: “She didn’t win but she got quite a few votes. There was no group behind her and it galvanised people into thinking that we should form one. “The Green Party has never had a high profile in the area and we are hoping that more people will join.” There would be a membership drive. she said. Ms Standen said that the group will campaign on broad green issues concerning peace, the environment and social justice, and on local issues from a green perspective.The party said it hoped to provide a voice for many people in Allerdale who shared its environmental concerns.For more details call Geoff Smith on 01900 812172.