On the 28th February Dibden Purlieu and Hythe Conservative Branch held their annual general meeting. During the course of the meeting speeches were given by New Forest MP Dr Julian Lewis, Councillor James Hartley-Binns (Dibden Purlieu and Butts Ash), and Councillor Michael Harris (Furzedown and Hardley), followed by a Q&A session. Topics discussed ranged from national issues such as Scottish Independence, and the Ukrainian crisis, to more local issues such as pot holes and traffic calming on Roman Road.

After some 46 years of dedicated service to the Conservative Party, and many years as Chairman, Brian Uglow retired from the chairmanship for the final time. In his place James Hartley-Binns now takes over as chairman of the branch. The branch owes a debt of gratitude to Brian and our best wishes go to him and his wife Sue.

Over the coming year James hope to continue fundraising and finding candidates in preparation for the next set of elections in May 2015. James also gave thanks to Jo Fowler, branch secretary, for her continuing support and guidance. It was Jo who got James to join when he was only 15 years old. James becomes the youngest chairman that the branch has had at the age of 23, but we at New Forest East Conservatives have every confidence he will do the job well.

Best of luck  to everyone at Dibden Purlieu and Hythe Conservatives.   

If you wish to read the minutes of the meeting please click the attachment below.