Holy Trinity Church Hall meeting of
Southport CARES for children
Wednesday, 24th September 2003
CARES goes from strength to strength regardless of disgusting negative propaganda and misinformation put out by 'certain' sections of the Southport press. CARES has strengthened yet again, regardless of the misleading and atrocious anti CARES black propaganda pumped out by Lib/Dem Vice Chairman Tony Dawson (under the guise of Tonio) on the SouthportGB.com website forum.
NB. Mr Dawson was incidentally one of the persons asked to leave the original CARES group for unacceptable behaviour against the main aims of the Steering committee. We ask in fairness, is this bastion of political society mounting his rather disconcerting 'crusade' against the noble efforts of CARES to help our children and pregnant mums or out of sheer 'retaliation' for his earlier expulsion from the group (even though he was never more than a 'stand in' for MP John Pugh)?
During this meeting CARES received a great deal of support from the audience, a visit to parliament (with petitions) was discussed and other campaign tactics were put on the table.
Members from the breakaway group SOS (made up of various Lib/Dem activists & some previously expelled members of CARES) were also in attendance handing out their leaflets and created slight disruption along with one or two Lib/Dem activists who sadly failed to behave in an orderly fashion.
These disgusting antics did NOT stop the meeting being a real success and everyone who stayed felt the campaign was strengthened even in the face of such unwarranted and outrageous hostility from people who 'should' be helping CARES fight to regain our lost three services.
We reiterate that CARES wish SOS luck with their campaign if it is 'truly' aimed at returning our lost services.
CARES is still here, now stronger than ever. We have NOT gone away and we will continue fighting, tooth & nail, until we get our life saving children's and maternity services back in Southport.
Dick Chapman raising an important point.
Cath Regan, (right) Co chairperson talking details after the meeting.
Ex CARES member Karen Hardy seeks to gain attention for her views.
Cath Regan (left) and Angela Weatherby.
Ex Lib/Dem Cllr. Simon Shaw (in pink) constantly browbeat the committee, berated others and created chaos in the audience.
Shaw waving his finger in a most aggressive manner at a member of the audience prior to his expulsion
Libdem activists Simon Shaw and Fred Weavers (black coat) prior to the expulsion
Although this particular shot is somewhat fuzzy, Simon Shaw is clearly seen to be now upsetting this lady who is asking for assistance. The gentleman to the left is urgently pointing his finger at Shaw asking the committee to stop Shaw's tirade and help the lady.
Simon Shaw, apparently intent in disrupting the meeting, was later loudly 'booed' by the audience and quickly left with other political activists and a few SOS members. Shaw was asked by several members of the audience to 'politely' respect the views of others but would not stop rudely interrupting the meeting. Following his ignoble departure the audience of local mums, dads & grandparents clapped loudly. Mr Shaw's unpopular antics were also reported on the SGB forum:
http://www.southportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24967
NB. Although we note that this unfortunate episode his been brought up by SGB posters on many occasions Mr Shaw have never, as far as we are aware, addressed the matter and explained exactly why he acted in such an antisocial fashion that particular evening
The committee discussing tactics with the audience after the event. Despite disgusting attempts to disrupt the meeting all ended well and CARES were not misled from their vital campaign for our children's well-being!
Computer misuse claim against candidate Dawson.
Facts behind the expulsion of John Pugh MP and others