Congratulations to Fabian Craig-Wilson on her win.

THANK YOU to everyone who voted for me. 

I am also very grateful to my  supporters who  

• displayed posters,

• put signs in their gardens,

• delivered leaflets,

• manned Polling Stations and

• knocked on hundreds of doors to persuade people to vote. 

It was great team effort – thank you everyone.

The latest ICM poll for the Daily Telegraph - the Conservatives flagship newspaper - shows a dramatic surge in support for the Liberal Democrats (up 4% to 25%) at the expense of the Conservatives ( down 3% to 40%) and Labour (down 4% to 22%)

This is the first time Labour has been relegated to 3rd.place behind the Lib.Dems. since 1987 following its disasterous by-election defeat at Greenwich.

In the ICM poll for the European elections, Labour are again relegated to 3rd.place on 17% behind the Lib.Dems on 20% and the Tories on 29%.

The figures bode well for all the Lib.Dem.candidates in the local County Council and European elections this Thursday 4th.June.

Shelly Woods,the St.Annes based British Paralympic athlete and medal winner at the Beijing Olympics has thrown her backing behind Karen and Howard Henshaw’s County Election campaign, calling for improved highway and pavement maintenance to roads in Lytham and St.Annes.

In the Blackpool Gazette dated 26th.May 2009 Shelly said ” I do all my road work around Lytham and St.Annes, so the smoother and nicer the roads the better. Better kerbs and road surfaces make it less likely you will fall out of your chair. Going over potholes can also be a nightmare ! “

Postal Vote papers should be with residents in St. Anne’s South by now, and you have the opportunity to choose which candidate will be the best one to represent you. Postal voters get to vote ahead of everyone else. You will be the first to vote for real change in Lancashire. Only a vote for Karen Henshaw of the Liberal Democrats will bring about that change because the truth is that everyone is fed up with red-blue, blue-red, boom and bust politics that pervade our way of life.  The Liberal Democrats only need to win a handful of seats to control what goes on in Lancashire. It is the Liberal Democrats who will be in a position to strongly influence the County Council’s policies and make a real difference to all our lives.  The residents of St Anne’s feel neglected; paying high levels of council tax and getting pot-holed roads and broken pavements in return. There is a lack of adequate provision for our young people. Cuts in the care of our elderly and the vulnerable members of our society will continue unless the extremes and excesses of both Labour and the Conservatives are kept in check at County Hall. Vote for change and make a real difference to the area in which you live. Put your vote to the best possible use by voting for Karen Henshaw in the county elections on Thursday June 4th. At the same time please give your full support to the Liberal Democrat team led by Chris Davies in the European elections.

The other parties can’t win here – but the Liberal Democrats can. Use your vote wisely to elect your local Liberal Democrat candidate KAREN HENSHAW.

After contacting them about potholes in Albert Road,  LCC Highways have filled them in within days! Well done LCC !

If you want things changed   Vote KAREN HENSHAW on June 4th  Liberal Democrats get things done!

From a driver’s point of view the state of some of our roads in St. Anne’s leaves a lot to be desired. Whilst on the campaign trail in Central Ward recently residents complained to me about the potholes on Albert Road.  On their behalf I have already brought the matter to the attention of the Highways Department at Lancashire County Council. My Liberal Democrat colleagues have also reported potholes and other highway problems recently. I would also encourage residents to report highway and pavement problems themselves. 0845 053 0011 or highways@lancashire.gov.uk If elected I want to see Lancashire County Council bring the  roads and pavements in St. Anne’s up to a better standard.  Potholes cost Britain’s drivers £2.8billion in repairs each year. Whilst £45 billion is collected in motoring taxes only £2.7 Billions gets spent on our roads.   One national newspaper is campaigning for better roads – log on and sign the petition  www.express.co.uk/web/getbritainmoving

Thoughtless motorists who drive too quickly in our town put all our lives at risk. Several Fairhaven residents have raised speeding as an issue so I was pleased to accompany police colleagues recently who were out and about with the mobile speed indicator device (SID). This device gives motorists a reminder about the speed they are travelling at and in several cases I witnessed cars slowing down once the driver had this visual and very obvious prompt. I have long supported the ’Twenty is Plenty’ Liberal Democrat campaign and hope to see more SIDS installed on Church Road and the Promenade. The Speed Indicator Devices provide useful reminders and  drivers do slow down!

According to today’s “Times” newspaper, David Cameron has signed up his Conservatives with six other countries to form a new group in the European Parliament after next months election.

Mr.Cameron’s main allies will be the Czech Civic Democrats who have warned that homosexuality will cause the “downfall of civilisation” and Poland’s Law and Justice Party who said that Barack Obama’s victory would mean “the end of the civilisation of the white man”.

“A fine choice of bedfellows, David - keep it up ! 

Fylde RFC at Ansdell are to be commended for continuing their work in the community. This time they are offering sporting opportunities for youngsters during half-term. All boys and girls aged 7 - 14 in the Fylde area are invited to an open day at the Woodlands Ground on Tuesday 26th.May 2009. The day will involve activities, games, prizes, bouncy castle and loads of fun. There is no need to book - just turn up on the day from 10.00 - 12.00 in the morning or 1pm - 3pm in the afternoon - or bring a packed lunch and stay all day ! Parents can contact Dave Wilks at the club for further details. info@fylderugby.co.uk

In the local by-elections that followed the Budget last Thursday Lib Dem’s made THREE GAINS and the Tories TWO LOSSES.

There were six principal council elections held on the 23rd April. The Lib Dems gained a seat off the Tories, one off Labour and one off Independents.  In the Totteridge ward of Wycombe District council in Buckinghamshire the Libdems took a seat off Labour. The result saw the Liberal Democrats move from third place in 2007 to victory with over 50% of the vote taking the seat from Labour. The main issue of the campaign was the decision by local Conservatives to close the swimming pool. The Lib Dems have been running a campaign to save the pool.  Sound familiar ??  We could see a similar result here.Sink with the Tories or Swim with the Liberal Democrats – its you’re choice. Your chance to make a difference.

Many motorists must be fuming at the long delays due to the roadworks on Highbury Road West and Clifton Drive.

It took me 20 minutes to drive from Pontins to Highbury Road last week.

Better signage is needed to warn drivers to avoid the area.

The only other route is via Kilnhouse Lane and Queensway. At present there is a rather worrying sign “Temporary Road Surface” on Queensway - does this mean roadworks there too ?  I hope not.

Chairman Margaret Jess and her committee organised a fantastic Fun Day today, Sunday 3rd May, to celebrate their fundraising achievement. Karen Henshaw, as Coordinator, is thrilled that almost £140,000 has been raised for the Park.

Although the afternoon was cool , the sun shone once again and hundreds of people enjoyed  the attractions, which included a climbing wall, bouncy castle, donkey rides, face painting and crafts.The Coffee Cow and the cake stall did a roaring trade and music was provided by the Salvation Army Band.

Many thanks to everyone who helped - especially people living around the Park.

Having supported the Heeley Road Hostel Group for some time, I am pleased that Town Manor Developments’ offer of £400,000  now gives them the opportunity to develop the Council Depot site.

This should  bring in some much needed funding to Fylde Borough.

Perhaps some homeless housing units could be made available in the Heyhouses development , which I understand is due to commence shortly.

I welcome the government’s proposed initiative regarding speed limits in residential areas.

I have campaigned for 20 m.p.h. along Frobisher Drive and also Kendal Road - I have also asked for reduced speed limits around schools.

EVERY CHILD’S SAFETY MATTERS  to me.

The 2009 Festival , which has been in existence for over 100 years, took place last week at King Edward VIIth & Queen Mary School.

Entries were received from adults and children in Vocal, Drama and Instrumental Classes.

On the Saturday evening, Karen, as chairman of the Festival, welcomed 6 local choirs for a wonderful night of choral singing. As a Finale , the choirs joined in The Hebrew Chorus from Verdi’s ” Nabucco ” - there was not a dry eye in the house.  Many thanks to Sylvia Howard, the coordinator of this new event.

Lib.Dem.Shadow Chancellor,Vince Cable,pictured right with Karen,highlighted the failed economic policies of consecutive Labour and Conservative governments over the past two decades when he spoke at the Liberal Democrats Spring Conference in Harrogate.

Vince accused Brown and Blair of making a “pact with the devil”, turning a “blind eye to massive salaries and bumper bonuses, the large scale use of tax havens and tax dodging and dangerous high risk activities of some investment banks” in return for compliments, party donations and tax revenue.

Turning to the Conservatives, Vince said “If they did come into power, they would have a very hard time as they have no idea, frankly, how to deal with this crisis.

Well done Rural Splash. Local people supporting their community facilities. I fully support moves to reopen the pool in St Anne’s. Let’s hope that Lytham St Anne’s residents and leisure facility providers will now get together to rescue St Anne’s Pool before it deteriorates beyond repair.

In his keynote speech at the Harrogate Conference, Nick Clegg said “the never ending cycle of red-blue,blue-red government has got us into this financial mess - BUT ONLY THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS CAN GET US OUT.”

Today’s History Day organised by the Town Council  has the  theme  Sport Leisure and Entertainment.  The event is being held  at the United Reformed Church on St George’s Rd/Clifton Drive, doors open today from 10am. The exhibition features artifacts, displays of photographs, archive material and  memorabilia.  Today there are also two a dance performances to compliment the many interesting exhibits.