Supporting travel for those with mobility issues

This month, our Parish councillor Philip Maber, and District & County councillor Sarah Sharp have been promoting free trishaw travel options in Chichester. A trishaw is a three-wheel e-assisted cycle, with a passenger cab at the front for two people. The local project Cycling Without Age helps anyone with mobility issues or struggling to get out of the house, to enjoy cycling and nature again. Earlier this week Philip took the Chichester MP for a spin, and she promoted the service on her social media. All the rides are free, but donations are welcome. It is a fun, safe, and comfortable way to enjoy fresh air and local journeys around the city. The trishaw is piloted by fully-trained volunteers (including Philip!) and if you’re interested in helping out too, please let us know.

Protesting plastic pollution on our beaches

This weekend our District councillor Paul Ayling will be supporting Surfers Against Sewage’s protest on Littlehampton beach. The protest is calling for the government to commit to legally binding reduction targets for plastic production and consumption, plus changes in the law to ensure polluters are properly held to account.

Protests will be taking place across the country and, as the local representative for Surfers Against Sewage, Paul will be helping to raise public awareness of the environmental issues caused by plastic pollution. The protest will be on Littlehampton beach on Saturday 19 July from 10am. Many other Green supporters are expecting to attend, and if you’d like to join them, please contact us.

Help campaign for your local party

Our group of Party volunteers are regularly attending events, speaking to local people about Green issues, and supporting the excellent work of our elected councillors. There’s a huge variety in local volunteering – everything from taking on an officer role, helping with events, delivering leaflets to your neighbouring streets, or even standing for election yourself! You’re guaranteed a friendly welcome, and we can always use an extra pair of hands – if you’re interested in getting involved, please get in touch.

We know that volunteering isn’t always for everyone, but a regular or one-off donation could also make a huge difference. We don’t have billionaire backers and dodgy business relationships to call on for our resources! Your local party relies on the generosity of supporters just like you. If you’re able to contribute, thank you for anything you can give.

Join us on a regular beach clean

Please come along and join other local members for the next regular litter pick on Littlehampton beach on Sunday 27 July. This is followed by a coffee and a chat in The Beach Cafe, Sea Road, Littlehampton (opposite The Wave leisure centre).

To join the beach clean, please meet at 9.30am. All the grabbers, gloves and bags are kindly provided by the Beach (as part of Surfers Against Sewage), and a member of their team usually leads the clean. Afterwards, we’ll be in or outside the cafe, from around 11am.

We’d love to see you – please sign-up here so we know to look out for you.

Members updates

Our next members’ social event will be held on Thursday 24 July in Little Monster Taproom, Chichester. We’re looking forward to meeting friends old and new, for a relaxed and fun evening. Please join us if you can!

For those who prefer online, we also regularly get together on Zoom for an informal chat on Green Party policy, and what it means for us locally. Our next meeting will be in August, with the topic to be confirmed. Members are welcome to sign up for future meetings, and send us suggestions of topics you would like to discuss.

Our next branch meeting, to discuss all current local actions and events, will be on Wednesday 13 August, 7pm on Zoom. All members are welcome to join us, and non-members can also be admitted by prior arrangement.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Can we help you? Want to join us? Have skills to share?

Keep in touch with your local Chichester and Arun Greens

Join the party: join.greenparty.org.uk
Ask a question: contact@chichesterarun.greenparty.org.uk
Keep up to date: Find us on Facebook, You Tube, TikTok, Threads and BlueSky

Help us grow: We rely on one off donations or regular standing orders to help us cover the cost of our local campaign work. All support is very gratefully received. Please always include your last name and postcode as a reference, so we know who to thank.

The post July 2025 Newsletter appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

Supporting our local environment

Our local Arun councillors took part in Arundel’s Great Big Green picnic this month, and attended a range of events during the town’s Great Big Green Week. And over in Chichester, our councillor Sarah Sharp also attended the Energy Day organised by Transition Town Chichester.

These were great opportunities to meet local residents and talk about the important environmental issues that are impacting us all. Thank you to everyone who came along!

Our councillors have also been talking with the Western Sussex Rivers Trust, who are looking for river guardians for the Arun and tributaries. Councillor Mel Penycate is taking on Binsted Rife, and looking forward to updating local residents on the quality and progress of this important waterway. If you’re interested in getting involved, please let us know.

Act now, Change forever

As you may have already heard from the many environmental organisations involved, there is a mass lobby for the climate planned in London on Wednesday 9 July. Are you planning to be there?

The Climate Coalition / Zero Hour group are expecting thousands of people to come to Westminster with a clear message for our MPs. Now is the time to protect what matters the most – our health, nature, communities, climate and future.

Our local party covers the constituencies of several MPs, and many of our members are planning to attend or take part. If you’d like to join them, please contact us.

Marching for Palestine

Local members recently united with our neighbours in the Havant Green Party and anti-war campaigners, to protest outside the Lockheed Martin factory. Hundreds of people marched through the town centre to demonstrate against the company’s part in the genocide being conducted against the citizens of Gaza, and to demand an arms embargo on Israel.

According to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the company’s Langstone Park operation has sent at least six shipments of spare parts and components to Israel’s F35 fighter jet fleet since October 2023. During that time hundreds of 2000lb bombs have been dropped: each of those bombs causing death and destruction across a 720m distance.

The entanglement of British and US financial interests in arenas of war and war crimes is increasingly disturbing to many Green Party members and the wider public. On Sunday 29 June, our friends in Worthing Green Party will be joining a range of other community groups on a March for Palestine. This protest is calling on all MPs to stand up and take meaningful, public action – posting daily about the situation, asking questions and taking effective actions in parliament to demand an immediate end to the blockade and an immediate arms embargo. If you would like to attend with other Green Party members, please contact us.

Beach clean and social meet-up

You are warmly invited to join other local members for the next regular litter pick on Littlehampton beach on Sunday 29 June. This is followed by a coffee and a chat in The Beach Cafe, Sea Road, Littlehampton (opposite The Wave leisure centre).

To join the beach clean, please meet at 9.30am. All the grabbers, gloves and bags are kindly provided by the Beach (as part of Surfers Against Sewage), and a member of their team usually leads the clean. Afterwards, we’ll be in or outside the cafe, from around 11am.

We’d love to see you – please sign-up here so we know to look out for you:

Campaigning for your local party

Our group of Party volunteers are regularly attending events, speaking to local people about Green issues, and supporting the excellent work of our elected councillors. There’s a huge variety in local volunteering – everything from taking on an officer role, helping with events, delivering leaflets to your neighbouring streets, or even standing for election yourself! You’re guaranteed a friendly welcome, and we can always use an extra pair of hands – if you’re interested in getting involved, please click the button below to get in touch.

We know that volunteering isn’t always for everyone, but a regular or one-off donation could also make a huge difference. We don’t have billionaire backers and dodgy business relationships to call on for our resources! Your local party relies on the generosity of supporters just like you. If you’re able to contribute, thank you for anything you can give.

Members updates

Every month we get together online for an informal chat on Green Party policy, and what it means for us locally. You are invited to join us for the next discussion on Thursday 26 June, from 7pm.

This will be a chance to discuss the upcoming government plans for local devolution. There are big changes coming – next year we will be voting for a Sussex mayor, who will have control of transport, housing, public services, environment and climate change and much more. In the following years our local government structure is also then set to change, and instead of our District and County Councils we will have a new Unitary Authority.

How exactly these changes will take shape is still being decided. But Greens across the county are already working together, to make sure we get the best outcomes we can.

Sarah Sharp our Green County Councillor will be joined by some of our District Councillors to present the plans and options so far. You’re very welcome to join these discussions and make your opinions heard.

Our next branch meeting, to discuss current actions and events, will be on Tuesday 8 July, 7pm on Zoom. All members are welcome to join us, and non-members can also be admitted by prior arrangement. We look forward to seeing you there.

Can we help you? Want to join us? Have skills to share?

Keep in touch with your local Chichester and Arun Greens

Join the party: join.greenparty.org.uk
Ask a question: contact@chichesterarun.greenparty.org.uk
Keep up to date: Find us on Facebook, You Tube, TikTok, Threads and BlueSky

Help us grow: We rely on one off donations or regular standing orders to help us cover the cost of our local campaign work. All support is very gratefully received. Please always include your last name and postcode as a reference, so we know who to thank.

The post June 2025 Newsletter appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay MP said:

“The dire warning today from the World Meteorological Organization (1) should serve as a wake-up call. With global temperatures predicted to breach internationally agreed safe limits in at least one of the next five years due to global inaction, we are facing a future filled with increasingly severe climate impacts.

“The Spending Review is the government’s chance to act. It must prepare for the climate consequences we can no longer avoid while also accelerating the path to net zero.

“In our submission, the Green Party has called for an additional £7 billion annually to be invested in making the changes we need to face the impact of climate change on all our lives – from flood defences to future-proofing homes and buildings. This is no longer an optional extra. It’s vital to protect lives and livelihoods.

“Delaying now means greater costs, deeper disruption, and irreversible damage. The science couldn’t be clearer, and the warning couldn’t be louder — the Government must respond with urgency and ambition. The Spending Review is the chance to do it.”

(1) Global climate predictions show temperatures expected to remain at or near record levels in coming five years – Met Office

• “Clean, green, renewable power not tied to the old fossil gas market is what we need to bring down bills sustainably.”

The post Greens Urge Government Action in Spending Review to Tackle Dire Warning on Climate Crisis appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

Local Greens at Chichester Pride

Pride is always an important celebration for LGBT+ people. We are marching on Saturday 24th May to show the local community that the Green Party is a safe place for LGBT+ people, and that we are committed to protecting and fighting for their rights. This year we’ll be making an especially loud noise for the trans community who are currently under attack. The Green Party is the only party speaking out for trans rights!

If you stand with the LGBT+ community, you are welcome to come and march with us in the parade. As many Greens showing up as possible is important. Please contact us if you’re planning to come along, and we can send you the details for when and where we are meeting.

Beach clean and social meet-up

You are also invited to join some of our members on the regular litter pick on Littlehampton beach on Sunday 25 May. This is followed by a coffee and a chat in The Beach Cafe, Sea Road, Littlehampton (opposite The Wave leisure centre).

To join the beach clean, please meet at 9.30am. All the grabbers, gloves and bags are kindly provided by the Beach (as part of Surfers Against Sewage), and a member of their team usually leads the clean. Afterwards, we’ll be in or outside the cafe, from around 11am.

We’d love to see you – please sign-up here so we know to look out for you:

Great Big Green Week in Arundel

Our friends at Greening Arundel have organised a number of important events for their Great Big Green Week taking place 7th-15th June. This includes a talk co-organised by one of our members on Wednesday 11 June, 7pm: Four Unavoidable Truths, at Arundel Town Hall. This essential event will discuss the mess we’re currently in (the polycrisis), what in human nature and our systems got us here, and what the community will commit to doing to change. If you are interested in attending this, or other events, with local party members please contact us.

Supporting your local party

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Green candidates in Marine ward (Bognor Regis) and Midhurst (Chichester) in the recent local elections. Whether that was at the ballot box, delivering leaflets, or speaking to those around you about the issues that matter most – your support helps deliver Real Hope and Real Change.

Although the overall results were not what we wanted, we’re very proud of our excellent candidates, and all our hard working volunteers. We improved the Green vote again, and showed that we’re a strong local voice. Looking at the voting across the country it’s clearly a voice that’s needed more than ever.

These elections may be over, but we expect more by-elections to come, and are continually campaigning in support of our current councillors. If you’re interested in getting involved, please click the button below to get in touch.

We know that volunteering isn’t always for everyone, but a regular or one-off donation could also make a huge difference. We don’t have billionaire backers and dodgy business relationships to call on for our resources! Your local party relies on the generosity of supporters just like you. If you’re able to contribute, thank you for anything you can give.

Members updates

Our next branch meeting will be on Monday 9 June, 7pm on Zoom. All members are welcome to join us, and non-members can also be admitted by prior arrangement. We look forward to seeing you there.

Can we help you? Want to join us? Have skills to share?

Keep in touch with your local Chichester and Arun Greens

Join the party: join.greenparty.org.uk
Ask a question: contact@chichesterarun.greenparty.org.uk
Keep up to date: Find us on Facebook, You Tube, TikTok, Threads and BlueSky

Help us grow: We rely on one off donations or regular standing orders to help us cover the cost of our local campaign work. All support is very gratefully received. Please always include your last name and postcode as a reference, so we know who to thank.

The post May 2025 Newsletter appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

Your local Green team has been busy campaigning in two upcoming by-election areas over the last few weeks:

24 April – Marine ward (Bognor Regis) for Arun District Council. Green candidate: John Erskine.

1 May – Midhurst (Chichester) for Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council. Green candidates: Adrian Morris and Philip Maber.

Our excellent candidates and volunteers have been working hard, delivering leaflets and speaking to local people about their concerns. With just a short time left before the votes – could you join us? This is a fun way to get more involved with your local party, and meet other members too.

With the postponement of the county council elections, and the future shape of our local democracy still to be decided, it’s more important than ever to have Green voices heard. We’re expecting more councillors to stand down over the next few months, and the Greens are prepared to step up and be a positive local voice.

Can you help us?

If you can spare a couple of hours to join us, please get in touch for more details:

Volunteering isn’t always for everyone, but a regular or one-off donation could also make a huge difference. We don’t have billionaire backers and dodgy business relationships to call on for our resources! Your local party relies on supporters just like you. Thank you for anything you can give.

Update from our District councillors

Carol Birch, one of our Green councillors and Chair of Arun’s Housing and Wellbeing Committee says there is great news for local social housing. Arun has successfully been given a provisional award of £3.3m, which with additional £4.5m, will be used to upgrade the least efficient homes in the current housing stock. The money will come from the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. This programme provides grants to social housing providers to help make properties warmer, reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty – by installing insulation, alternative heating systems and solar PV panels on roofs. These steps will improve the household’s thermal comfort (a term that describes the temperature, air flow, and humidity, amongst other factors, in a property so that residents are neither too hot or too cold throughout the year), whilst saving money on energy bills. As we move into spring and summer, it’s also good to see that this work will help keep homes cooler in the hotter months too. Whilst this is great news, it also illustrates the enormous effort that would be needed to improve all housing across the country. So as Rampion 2 also gets the go ahead, our priority should be to use our energy wisely.

Beach clean and social meet-up

Local members join the regular litter pick on Littlehampton beach on the last Sunday of every month. This is followed by a coffee and a chat in The Beach Cafe, Sea Road, Littlehampton (opposite The Wave leisure centre).

The next meet will be: Sunday 27 April

To join the beach clean, please meet at 9.30am by the final beach hut before the cafe. All the grabbers, gloves and bags are kindly provided by the Beach (as part of Surfers Against Sewage), and a member of their team usually leads the clean. Afterwards, we’ll be in or outside the cafe, from around 11am.

We’d love to see you – please sign-up here so we know to look out for you:

Members updates

Each month we hold an online policy discussion on a topic close to Green hearts. These are an opportunity to consider an important area in more detail, in a relaxed and respectful setting. Tonight Friday 18 April our topic is: being a town / parish councillor. We will be talking about this important role in our local communities, the support the Green party can give councillors, and answering any questions you might have about standing.

Our next branch meeting will be on Wednesday 14 May, 7pm on Zoom. All members are welcome to join us, and non-members can also be admitted by prior arrangement. We look forward to seeing you there.

Linda Lancaster, a good friend of Arun & Chichester Green Party, very sadly died recently. A ceremony celebrating her life was held on 9 April, attended by many Green Party activists and friends who wanted to share their sadness and show their respect for this remarkable and compassionate person.

Despite battling chronic illnesses for several decades, Linda was a trooper, who adopted wholeheartedly many humanitarian and environmental causes and went out of her way to consistently campaign for a better world – for animals (she was a vegan), for the environment, for refugees, for peace and against racism. Linda was usually on the frontline of marches and sit-ins, with a legendary ability to diffuse tense situations and win people over with her gentle charm and feisty wit. She helped out with leafleting and canvassing for several local Green constituencies and stood as a paper candidate in her own home area, Felpham East. She was also presented with an award for her activism at the Greens’ Xmas celebration in Barnham last December. She will be remembered with huge affection and admiration by many.

Can we help you? Want to join us? Have skills to share?

Keep in touch with your local Chichester and Arun Greens

Join the party: join.greenparty.org.uk
Ask a question: contact@chichesterarun.greenparty.org.uk
Keep up to date: Find us on Facebook, You Tube, TikTok, Threads and BlueSky

Help us grow: We rely on one off donations or regular standing orders to help us cover the cost of our local campaign work. All support is very gratefully received. Please always include your last name and postcode as a reference, so we know who to thank.

The post April 2025 Newsletter appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

The post CHICHESTER GREEN news Winter 2024/2025 : ISSUE 14 appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

Support 30 Under 30

To make sure we are holding a lacklustre Labour to account and combatting the division and harmful politics of Reform, we need to have organised and committed activists on the ground across the country. This is why we need 30 Under 30. Through it we have developed a strong and lasting network of changemakers delivering for climate and social justice. Counted amongst the programme’s graduates are campaigners, councillors, and now, an MP:   “My time on 30 Under 30 was a valuable step in my journey within the Green Party. When I started the programme I was a councillor, and by the time it ended, I was part of the leadership team of my councillor group in Bristol. Throughout that time I was developing skills in public speaking, gaining valuable lessons in policy-making and learning more about how the Government and the Green Party work. 30 Under 30 introduced me to a diverse range of people from across England and Wales who came together with the joint ambition of developing as an activist within the party. This programme has also helped countless other Young Greens to go on to make an impact inside and outside of the Green Party. From our Migrant & Refugee Support Spokesperson Benali Hamdache, to cllr Tor Pingre in Worcester. Each year the Young Greens train up activists to become leaders and represent their communities and our party. It is truly one of the most inspiring parts of our party and I am excited to see where it goes next!” Carla Denyer MP

Building a strong movement of dedicated, progressive activists is crucial if we are to continue the success we saw in 2024. We cannot wait whilst billionaires buy their way into politics and climate deniers organise in the name of ever increasing profit. We need your support now more than ever.

Donate to build our movement

To make 30 Under 30 more successful than ever before, we are raising enough to fund 10 people through the programme. Every bit of your generosity goes on to have an immeasurable impact in communities across the country and helps to ensure the future of the Green movement in England and Wales. 

Imagine if we had 10 more Carla Denyers, Benali Hamdaches and Tor Pingrees. Only with your help can we make this happen.

Many thanks, Callum Clafferty, Luanne Thornton & Olli Watkins Young Green Co-Chairs & Young Green Treasurer

The post Help us build the next generation of leadership appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

Adrian Ramsay MP said: “Today’s advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) makes clear that a climate safe future is still within our grasp – and that the cost of not reducing climate emissions will be far higher for our economy than the cost of investment in net zero. Crucially, we need to see the Government make investment choices that result in households benefiting financially from climate action too – both by ensuring everyone can access renewables and energy efficiency and because they are paying lower bills. The public are clear that they want to see the worst climate polluters pay, and we need to make sure that the costs of climate action never fall on those least able to afford it.

“A thriving green economy is also vital if we are to prevent climate deniers, like Reform, from weaponising the mass destruction of climate chaos. Instead, we must help the most vulnerable and build resilience in communities to adapt to climate breakdown.”

He continued: “Without an immediate acceleration of climate ambition, our economy, national security and environment are all at serious risk. That’s why we are disappointed not to see the CCC go even further on measures to reduce energy demand. In the face of impending airport expansion decisions by this Labour government, more ambitious policy is urgently needed to keep the aviation sector in check. Their advice shows strong public support for limiting airport expansion and introducing a frequent flier levy where the small percentage of the population who take the vast majority of the flights have to pay more .

 “The CCC have shown that a positive, fairer, jobs-rich, greener future is possible, and they have set a clear pathway for the Government to follow. Now, we need the Government to step up, stop the vested interests who are intent on delaying, and show the ambition and leadership this moment demands.”

Notes

1. The Seventh Carbon Budget – Climate Change Committe

The post Green Party demands ambitious action in wake of Climate Change Committee report appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

That allowed a Palestinian family to remain in Britain, says the Morning Star. The letter was signed by Labour, independent, Green and Lib Dem MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer. It said: “The family in question is a mother, father and their four children aged 18,17, eight and seven who were displaced from their home in Gaza in September when it was destroyed by an Israeli air strike. As you know, there is still no resettlement route for Palestinian fleeing the bloodshed, starvation and bombardment that has devastated Gaza for over 15 months.”

The post Parliamentarians urged PM to show “basic humanity” for Gazans after he said he would close a “loophole” appeared first on Chichester & Arun.

Greens win extra protections for Arun waterways

On 30 January, the Environment Committee of Arun district council (chaired by Green councillor Sue Wallsgrove), passed a motion to explore ways to improve river health, water quality and biodiversity.

This motion was originally introduced to the council by Green councillor Steve McAuliffe, who was also invited to speak in support.

All the main rivers in Arun, including the River Arun, are currently classed as having moderate or poor condition by the Environment Agency. Likewise, our streams and rifes face daily pressure from sewage pollution, urban and agricultural runoff and fly tipping.

Although there are limited legal powers for district councils to improve rivers, there are many things that can be done at department level. This motion now means that officers, committees and council partners will be encouraged to come up with a wide range of simple ideas for positive impacts.

What next for county council elections?

Thank you to all the concerned members who have contacted us about the upcoming changes to local government. Although we have now had confirmation that Sussex will be a ‘fast-track’ area, the actual details of this are still to be worked out. Please be wary of some of the scare-mongering that is going on in various places!

As your local Greens, we will be pressing for local voices to be heard throughout the process. We’ll be working hard to ensure that we can all benefit from a more positive and democratic vision of devolution, rather than being subsumed into a huge unitary authority.

The May 2025 elections will NOT be going ahead. But we will continue to campaign, and encourage members to get involved in their local areas too. Please get in touch for more details:

Local litter pick and social meet

On the last Sunday of every month, local members join the regular litter pick on Littlehampton beach. This is followed by a coffee and a chat in The Beach Cafe, Sea Road, Littlehampton (opposite The Wave leisure centre).

The next meet will be: Sunday 23 February

To join us on the beach clean, please meet at 9.30am by the Shack, where the grabbers, gloves and bags are all provided by the Cafe (as part of Surfers Against Sewage). A member of the Beach team usually leads the clean. Afterwards, we’ll be in the cafe, from around 11am. Please RSVP so we know to look out for you!

Members updates and events

Each month we hold an online policy discussion for members. It’s a chance to look at an important and topical area in more depth, in a relaxed and respectful setting. On Friday 21 February our next topic is: solar power and we are delighted to have Tom Broughton (from Meadow Blue) and our own councillor Tim Young talking with us. They both have a wealth of experience and knowledge on this subject. Solar is an important topic locally, with controversial plans for the South Mundham Solar Farm. It’s important that we understand and discuss these issues as a local party. Please click here to register.

Local councillors and members will be helping to plant a new wildlife hedge in Bognor Regis on Wednesday 19 February. This is to celebrate the fourth year of the Arun district council’s tree planting strategy, and will help increase wildlife corridors and biodiversity in the area. More details on the council website, or please contact us.

Our next branch meeting will be on Monday 10 March, 7pm on Zoom. All members are welcome to join us, and non-members can also be admitted by prior arrangement. We look forward to seeing you there.

As spring slowly arrives, members are getting involved with their nearest Toad Crossing Patrols. Would you like to help? More details here, or please contact us.

We were very sorry to hear of the sad loss of local campaigner Philip Davidson. Many of you will have known him for his activism and support for green causes across our local area. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

Can we help you? Want to join us? Have skills to share?

Keep in touch with your local Chichester and Arun Greens

Join the party: join.greenparty.org.uk
Ask a question: contact@chichesterarun.greenparty.org.uk
Keep up to date: Find us on Facebook, You Tube, TikTok, Threads and NEW: now on BlueSky!

Help us grow: We rely on one off donations or regular standing orders to help us cover the cost of our local campaign work. All support is very gratefully received. Please always include your last name and postcode as a reference, so we know who to thank.

The post February 2025 Newsletter appeared first on Chichester & Arun.