After a busy summer, the start of the new school and university year has meant a full diary for Bournemouth’s only Green Party councillor, Simon Bull with his first three engagements being all about education.
“Firstly, I was invited to Bournemouth University by the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Vinney where I was given a tour of the excellent, new Student Centre and had the opportunity to see some of the interesting research that the students are undertaking.”
The next invite came from Linwood School, where Executive Headteacher, Steve Brown, gave Simon a tour of the school and outlined their plans for the future.
“I was very impressed by the great work that they do there and made it clear that I am very happy to support them in any way I can.”
The third visit was Winton Library where Simon was honoured to present certificates to all the children who had completed the Summer Reading Challenge.
“The challenge is to read six books over the summer holidays. Being a bit of a bookworm myself, I’m a huge fan of encouraging children to read and love reading to my own children at bedtime. Currently I’m reading Memoirs of a Dipper by local writer, Nell Leyshon.”
With all these engagements Simon needed a new and green form of transport and so headed off to the local charity Hope2Cycle where he purchased a replacement bike for the one which was unfortunately stolen earlier this year. – Hope you’ve bought a good lock!
One of Simon’s proudest moments must have been opening the Green Party’s Autumn Conference at the Bournemouth International Centre and introducing Natalie Bennett.
“This was my first political conference and I found the whole experience very interesting and informative. Amid fringe events and workshops, I managed to host the Association of Green Councillors’ Dinner at the Mad Cucumber and dance a ceilidh in the solar-powered Beach Marquee with Green Peer, Baroness Jenny Jones. I also accompanied Natalie to the Bournemouth University Freshers’ Fare where we discussed politics, Bournemouth and cycling with some of the freshers.”
What next?
“For the next few weeks, I’ll be supporting Geoffrey Darnton and Carla Gregory-May in the by-election campaign for Kinson South. Winning a second seat on the council would make us the official opposition and give us a chance to stop the cuts to services that this council is proposing.”
Cllr Simon Bull
