Latest news with #StroudDistrictCouncil
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Free wellbeing workshops for mums launched in Stroud
A MOTHER-led support network is launching a new wellbeing programme to help women feel connected, empowered and understood. The Stroud Motherhood Collective will begin offering free creative and wellbeing workshops across the Stroud district thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign through Stroud District Council's new Stroudfunding scheme. Catherine Forrester, founder and co-director of the Stroud Motherhood Collective, said: "The pressures and expectations on modern mothers are unprecedented, at a time that community and state support has dropped away from new parents. "One in five mothers in the UK last year experienced a diagnosed mental health condition, with many many more suffering in silence. "Suicide is now the leading cause of death in mothers in the year after birth. "We are working to create more spaces in which mothers can be really honest about their experience, find support from others, and learn new skills that support wellbeing." Launched in 2023, the collective already runs regular peer support groups in partnership with Stroud Maternity Unit, supported by the Stroud Hospitals League of Friends. Following last year's successful Crowdfunder, which included £3,000 from Stroud District Council, the group is now introducing a year-long programme. Each month, mothers will be able to participate in a different creative or wellbeing activity, including singing, creative writing, journaling, dance movement, massage and guided relaxation. Every session will also offer peer support, giving mothers a safe, facilitated space to discuss the realities of motherhood. Upcoming sessions include a creative writing morning at Stroud Library on Saturday, June 7, from 10am to 11.30am, and a creative journaling group at Oakbrook Community Farm on Sunday, July 6, from 10am to 12pm. Ms Forrester said: "We are thrilled to be launching this year-long programme of events to support mothers and help them create space, connection and joy." The sessions are open to pregnant women and mothers of children of any age. For more information or to book a space visit the Stroud Motherhood website.
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Tributes paid to Green Party pioneer John Marjoram after his death aged 86
Tributes have been paid to the first elected Green Party councillor, who has died aged 86. John Marjoram was elected in 1986, a year after the Green Party had been formed, and was a councillor at town and district level for 35 years until he stepped down in 2021. Mr Marjoram, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, died on Saturday after a long illness. He held the record as the longest continuously serving Green Party councillor. An environmentalist, Quaker and pacifist, Mr Marjoram was a co-founder of the Stroud Green Party in 1985 and was elected to the district council the following year. As well as district councillor, Mr Marjoram was elected to the town council when it was formed in 1990, before becoming the UK's first Green Party mayor. He grew up in rural Essex and developed an early interest in politics during dinner table debates with his staunch Labour father and Conservative-voting mother. When he was called up for national service he cited his pacifist beliefs, and remained in an administrative role while others in his intake went to Malaysia to fight the Communists. In 1968 he moved to Stroud with his young family, drawn there by his affiliation with the Quakers, who had a strong presence in the town. Catherine Braun, Green Party councillor and leader of Stroud District Council, said: 'It was John who persuaded me to stand as a paper candidate, before I was eventually elected to Stroud District Council. 'He was such an influential and inspirational activist, not just to us here in Stroud district but across the whole Green movement. He will be much missed.' Martin Baxendale, a district councillor in Stroud, said: 'John's first election leaflet for Stroud District Council in the 1980s inspired me. 'I read it, phoned him, and within half an hour he was on my doorstep talking me into joining the Green Party and standing for election to work alongside him.' Jonathan Edmunds added: 'John was an amazing man who inspired so many people into the Green Party and peace movement. 'A real maverick, they certainly don't make them like John any more. 'He was so passionate about politics but also cared deeply for all people and the planet. 'Stroud will be a lot quieter without him but he has certainly left a great legacy and it is for all of us to continue his work.'
Western Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Tributes paid to Green Party pioneer John Marjoram after his death aged 86
John Marjoram was elected in 1986, a year after the Green Party had been formed, and was a councillor at town and district level for 35 years until he stepped down in 2021. Mr Marjoram, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, died on Saturday after a long illness. He held the record as the longest continuously serving Green Party councillor. John Marjoram, who has died aged 86, with Cate James-Hodges who is the newest-elected councillor on Stroud District Council (Stroud District Green Party/PA) An environmentalist, Quaker and pacifist, Mr Marjoram was a co-founder of the Stroud Green Party in 1985 and was elected to the district council the following year. As well as district councillor, Mr Marjoram was elected to the town council when it was formed in 1990, before becoming the UK's first Green Party mayor. He grew up in rural Essex and developed an early interest in politics during dinner table debates with his staunch Labour father and Conservative-voting mother. When he was called up for national service he cited his pacifist beliefs, and remained in an administrative role while others in his intake went to Malaysia to fight the Communists. In 1968 he moved to Stroud with his young family, drawn there by his affiliation with the Quakers, who had a strong presence in the town. Life-long pacifist Mr Marjoram seen addressing a Stop the War rally (Stroud District Green Party/PA) Catherine Braun, Green Party councillor and leader of Stroud District Council, said: 'It was John who persuaded me to stand as a paper candidate, before I was eventually elected to Stroud District Council. 'He was such an influential and inspirational activist, not just to us here in Stroud district but across the whole Green movement. He will be much missed.' Martin Baxendale, a district councillor in Stroud, said: 'John's first election leaflet for Stroud District Council in the 1980s inspired me. 'I read it, phoned him, and within half an hour he was on my doorstep talking me into joining the Green Party and standing for election to work alongside him.' As a young boy Mr Marjoram developed a love of politics from debating his parents at the dinner table (Stroud District Green Party/PA) Jonathan Edmunds added: 'John was an amazing man who inspired so many people into the Green Party and peace movement. 'A real maverick, they certainly don't make them like John any more. 'He was so passionate about politics but also cared deeply for all people and the planet. 'Stroud will be a lot quieter without him but he has certainly left a great legacy and it is for all of us to continue his work.'
Leader Live
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Tributes paid to Green Party pioneer John Marjoram after his death aged 86
John Marjoram was elected in 1986, a year after the Green Party had been formed, and was a councillor at town and district level for 35 years until he stepped down in 2021. Mr Marjoram, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, died on Saturday after a long illness. He held the record as the longest continuously serving Green Party councillor. An environmentalist, Quaker and pacifist, Mr Marjoram was a co-founder of the Stroud Green Party in 1985 and was elected to the district council the following year. As well as district councillor, Mr Marjoram was elected to the town council when it was formed in 1990, before becoming the UK's first Green Party mayor. He grew up in rural Essex and developed an early interest in politics during dinner table debates with his staunch Labour father and Conservative-voting mother. When he was called up for national service he cited his pacifist beliefs, and remained in an administrative role while others in his intake went to Malaysia to fight the Communists. In 1968 he moved to Stroud with his young family, drawn there by his affiliation with the Quakers, who had a strong presence in the town. Catherine Braun, Green Party councillor and leader of Stroud District Council, said: 'It was John who persuaded me to stand as a paper candidate, before I was eventually elected to Stroud District Council. 'He was such an influential and inspirational activist, not just to us here in Stroud district but across the whole Green movement. He will be much missed.' Martin Baxendale, a district councillor in Stroud, said: 'John's first election leaflet for Stroud District Council in the 1980s inspired me. 'I read it, phoned him, and within half an hour he was on my doorstep talking me into joining the Green Party and standing for election to work alongside him.' Jonathan Edmunds added: 'John was an amazing man who inspired so many people into the Green Party and peace movement. 'A real maverick, they certainly don't make them like John any more. 'He was so passionate about politics but also cared deeply for all people and the planet. 'Stroud will be a lot quieter without him but he has certainly left a great legacy and it is for all of us to continue his work.'
South Wales Argus
19-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Tributes paid to Green Party pioneer John Marjoram after his death aged 86
John Marjoram was elected in 1986, a year after the Green Party had been formed, and was a councillor at town and district level for 35 years until he stepped down in 2021. Mr Marjoram, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, died on Saturday after a long illness. He held the record as the longest continuously serving Green Party councillor. John Marjoram, who has died aged 86, with Cate James-Hodges who is the newest-elected councillor on Stroud District Council (Stroud District Green Party/PA) An environmentalist, Quaker and pacifist, Mr Marjoram was a co-founder of the Stroud Green Party in 1985 and was elected to the district council the following year. As well as district councillor, Mr Marjoram was elected to the town council when it was formed in 1990, before becoming the UK's first Green Party mayor. He grew up in rural Essex and developed an early interest in politics during dinner table debates with his staunch Labour father and Conservative-voting mother. When he was called up for national service he cited his pacifist beliefs, and remained in an administrative role while others in his intake went to Malaysia to fight the Communists. In 1968 he moved to Stroud with his young family, drawn there by his affiliation with the Quakers, who had a strong presence in the town. Life-long pacifist Mr Marjoram seen addressing a Stop the War rally (Stroud District Green Party/PA) Catherine Braun, Green Party councillor and leader of Stroud District Council, said: 'It was John who persuaded me to stand as a paper candidate, before I was eventually elected to Stroud District Council. 'He was such an influential and inspirational activist, not just to us here in Stroud district but across the whole Green movement. He will be much missed.' Martin Baxendale, a district councillor in Stroud, said: 'John's first election leaflet for Stroud District Council in the 1980s inspired me. 'I read it, phoned him, and within half an hour he was on my doorstep talking me into joining the Green Party and standing for election to work alongside him.' As a young boy Mr Marjoram developed a love of politics from debating his parents at the dinner table (Stroud District Green Party/PA) Jonathan Edmunds added: 'John was an amazing man who inspired so many people into the Green Party and peace movement. 'A real maverick, they certainly don't make them like John any more. 'He was so passionate about politics but also cared deeply for all people and the planet. 'Stroud will be a lot quieter without him but he has certainly left a great legacy and it is for all of us to continue his work.'
