If you would like to join the new Wrekin Co-operative Allotment Society please contact me. The Council has a legal responsibility to provide sufficient allotments for local residents. However due to the increased demand for allotments there are now long waiting lists.

That is why we have formed our own Allotment Society to rent 4 acres of land near Wellington with wonderful views over the Shropshire Countryside. A team of volunteers is needed to set up the Allotment Society and convert the land into Allotments.

If you are interested in being part of this exciting new project to run and manage our own site with space for fifty new allotments please contact me so that we can arrange an inaugural meeting.

Greenwood Craft Co-operative

An exhibition to showcase local co-operatives is being held in Wellington Market on 19 June, the launch day of the first national Co-operatives Fortnight.  The event is part of a major sector-wide campaign to spread the message about co-operatives.

Sponsored by the Co-operative Group, this is the first time since the co-operative business model was developed in Rochdale over 165 years ago, that the entire movement has celebrated the role of co-operatives nationwide.

“Co-operatives Fortnight is a celebration of an alternative economy and a chance for local consumers to buy co-operatively, bank co-operatively, invest co-operatively and work co-operatively,” said organiser Paul Kalinauckas, chairman of Co-operatives West Midlands. Exhibitors at Wellington Market include the Wrekin Care Co-operative, Greenwood Craft Co-operative, Sutherland Co-operative Traders and Sustain who promote local food co-operatives. There will also be a special guest appearance from Roary the Tiger, mascot of the newly formed co-operative Tiger Tracks, who run the Telford Tigers Ice Hockey Team

Mr Kalinauckas added “The time really has come for a new agenda of co-operation, with Co-operatives UK already highlighting the co-operative alternative across many sectors of society – from pubs to football clubs, healthcare to agriculture, credit unions to community owned shops”. The Co-operative exhibition runs from 8.00am to 2.00pm on Saturday 19 June at the entrance to Wellington Indoor Market.

Thank you to everyone that voted for me in the General Election. Although I was unsuccessful this time I look forward to playing my part in promoting a co-operative enterprise agenda in The Wrekin to make it an even better place to work, live and play.

David Miliband with Paul Kalinauckas and Alan Johnson

Now that the General Election has been called our campaign to Win The Wrekin back for Labour begins in earnest.

Our Campaign Office can be found at 2 Park Street, Wellington, Telford TF1 2HQ.

All helpers welcome. Tel: 01952 261550

Paul Kalinauckas Declaration-of-Interests The Committee on Standards in Public Life has recommended that all Parliamentary Election Candidates make a Declaration of Interests prior to the General Election.

As a Labour and Co-operative Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate I am committed to ethical values of honesty and openness and welcome this voluntary Declaration of Interests. I call on all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates in The Wrekin to make their own declarations. Click below to see my Declaration

Paul Kalinauckas Declaration of Interests

All my campaign funds come from supporters keen to Win The Wrekin back for Labour and see the return of a Labour Government.

Shocking but true, you can read how Lord Ashcroft gave over £50,000 to buy The Wrekin for the Tories at the last general election. Click here  http://tr.im/R3Pk and read pages 309 to 313.

If you want to contribute to my campaign to Win The Wrekin back for Labour you can do so by clicking here http://tr.im/RzZL

Over fifty people attended my public meeting “Membership Matters – Hospital Foundation Trusts”

Foundation Trusts are a new way of enabling Hospital Trusts to create an active public membership. Speakers outlined the role of individual members who join the Trust and how they would be consulted on service provision.

I am urging everyone to become a member of the Foundation Trust as part of my campaign to Save the Princess Royal Hospital.

You can join online at www.nhs-membership.co.uk/sath

Paul campaigning with Telford Tigers

Paul is backing Telford Tigers to become a Supporters Trust. This means that the club will be owned by its supporters in the same way as AFC Telford is. Supporters Direct, which was set up by the Labour government to help football clubs, will be helping Telford Tigers become the first ice hockey club to become a Supporters Trust. This means that they wil be able to start competing again in the 2010 season if enough people sign up to join the club.

There is widespread concern about proposals for opencast coal mining off Huntingdon Lane. UK Coal have appealed in respect of the Borough of Telford & Wrekin’s failure to issue a decision on their application, so there will now be a Public Enquiry. Speaking to residents on the doorstep in Arleston I have picked up much uncertainty and opposition to the plans, which will affect an area of outstanding natural beauty. I will continue to lobby the Local Authority to ensure that residents are properly consulted and informed.