In early March, as part of a group of 30 Young Greens from across the country, I headed to Birmingham, to take part in a weekend of training workshops, in an attempt to learn more about, and become engaged with, Green politics. For me, and many others selected for this year’s Young Greens 30 Under 30 programme, this represented my first true exposure to both the Young Greens, and the Green Party in general: whilst I have been a member for around a year now, taking the first steps took some time. It’s safe to say that, spending three days following a full-to-bursting schedule of talks, workshops and Q&A sessions with a group of bright, passionate, and inspirational young activists left me coming away feeling energised and determined to continue my participation with the Green Party.
The weekend kicked off with a session of icebreakers — something which, it seems, the Young Greens EC is renowned for —, before throwing us in at the deep-end, with an afternoon of talks about Green politics, its roots, key events and figures, and its reality today. Having the opportunity to then participate in Q&A sessions with a whole host of key names in the Green Party, on topics covering a range of policy areas, was an incredible way to begin exploring our interests. On reflection, conducting some of these over video conference now seems to have been something of a practice run for our current situation!
The Green Party, and Green politics more generally, was born from social movements and campaigns, in the UK, Europe, and beyond: the day workshop — a crash course in campaigning — allowed us to explore how we could have an influence on a local level, between election cycles, to create, empower, and ensure a successful social campaign. This all culminated in a final day, during which Natalie Bennett, recently appointed to the House of Lords and ex-leader of the Green Party, came to speak to us about her experiences, campaigning, and elections. This fed into our final day, focussing on local elections, and the Target to Win strategy, in preparation for what were the upcoming local elections in May 2020 — although all relevant information for next spring, with the benefit of additional time to prepare!
Of course, it wasn’t all work — the evenings were a brilliant opportunity to socialise, get to know each other, and reflect on what we had done that day and how we could take it back home with us. Simply being surrounded by such incredible people was an opportunity in itself and not one I took for granted. The programme was planned to continue with five more training days in the weeks and months to come. Due to Covid-19, these have been moved online and opened up for all Young Greens. Additionally, there are a whole host of political education talks in the pipeline, open to all Green Party members and allies/friends. It’s wonderful to see that, whilst our initial plans may have been disrupted due to current circumstances, there are always learning opportunities to be found, and the Young Greens, for their part, are seizing them with enthusiasm.
I’m excited to be a part of this movement, to bring what I’ve learnt home and to see how we can make Three Rivers a Greener place to live.
Kelsey Trevett
SYCAMORE AMENITY LAND – Let’s give credit where credit is due
It wasn’t ONLY the Liberal Democrat ward councillors who helped stop the recent application to build on the Sycamore Road amenity land (used by the residents of the flats), as comes across in the recent Lib Dem leaflet. My congratulations go to the many residents who objected so strongly (71 separate objections). In particular to […]
We are prophets but we are also agents of change
By Mary Chabrel, Green Party member. Thirty years ago this month, I finished my GCSEs, Geography being one of them. I was already a conservation volunteer in the Colne Valley and in the lower sixth I founded ‘Help Earth Live Peacefully’, a still applicable maxim I think! The group collected cans in separate bins, squashed […]
Green Party stands with Black communities
22nd June marks Windrush Day, a day which commemorates the Windrush Generation and their legacy. The first generation of workers came to the UK by invitation to help rebuild Britain after World War II but many were met with hostility and intolerance when they arrived. Since then, Black individuals have been wrongly detained, denied legal rights, […]
Damning national statistics and the role of local authorities in Public Health
Boris Johnson’s confusing messages to the nation mean lots of working people will be feeling anxious about what to do right now. The Government hasn’t yet published guidance on how workers will be kept safe. The latest slogan “Stay Alert” leaves it up to individuals to figure out what they should do and puts the responsibility of safety on individuals as […]
Reflections from ’30 Under 30′
In early March, as part of a group of 30 Young Greens from across the country, I headed to Birmingham, to take part in a weekend of training workshops, in an attempt to learn more about, and become engaged with, Green politics. For me, and many others selected for this year’s Young Greens 30 Under […]
Litter heroes assemble at the Aquardrome
Litter heroes were out in force at Rickmansworth Aquadrome on the morning of Saturday 14th March. Local residents were invited to litter pick in a bid to keep Britain tidy. The litter pick was organised by the local Green Party as part of the Great British Spring Clean initiative which hopes to mobilise faith groups, […]
Freedom of information request shows extent of glyphosate use
A Freedom of Information request has shown that glyphosate weed killer is being used by all councils covering Abbots Langley. Below is the response to Hertfordshire County Council, Three Rivers District Council and Abbots Langley Parish Council sent by Belinda Phillips of Abbots in Transition (ALTTA). The letter is published with Belinda’s permission: Dear […]
Press release: Three Rivers District Council declare a climate emergency
On Tuesday night (21 May 2019) at its annual meeting, Three Rivers District Council declared a climate emergency. Three Rivers Green Party support this declaration. A similar climate emergency motion was proposed to Hertfordshire County Council in March 2019 but was amended by the Conservative group so that it no longer declared a climate emergency. […]
Three Rivers Green Party success in improving cycle route proposal
Three Rivers Green Party success in improving cycle route proposal In response to our comments and to wider public consultation, Herts County Council has decided to amend the Rickmansworth Ebury Roundabout Cycle Route Improvement Scheme: * By replacing the guard railing with new Visi-Rail guard railing which will improve the inter-visibility between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle […]
Record-breaking number of residents standing locally as Green candidates
Local residents have shown their dissatisfaction with the current district council by putting themselves forward as Green party candidates at the local elections on Thursday 3rd May. In a record-breaking year for Three Rivers Green Party, 8 out of the 13 seats up for election on 3rd May are being contested by residents demanding a […]