THE national leader of the Green party is visiting Ludlow next Friday (August 1).

Natalie Green will be in Ludlow and south Shropshire to fire the starting gun on her party’s campaign for the general election next year and the Shropshire Council elections in 2017.

“The South Shropshire Green Party is to be congratulated on its efforts to bring green policies to the forefront in Shropshire,” said Natalie Bennett.

“The distinctive green “offer” of social justice, a living wage, reducing inequalities, abolition of the bedroom tax, environmental improvements and a ban on fracking has a great deal to offer Shropshire.”

Janet Phillips of the Green party who lives in Clun said it was a great boost to have the national leader come to south Shropshire.

“She brings a wealth of experience around the key principles of green politics and we are looking forward to hearing her strong messages about eliminating poverty, improving quality of life and dealing with climate change,” said Janet Philips.

The visit starts in at 12noon at the Green and Ginger café on Sandford Avenue in Church Stretton where Natalie Bennett will meet the owners and discuss green party policy aimed at supporting independent local businesses

Two hours later she will be at the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, Reuse Centre, in Weeping Cross Lane, Ludlow to meet staff and discuss recycling and the creation of local jobs.

The visit will also include their Carpentry Centre so we can see the repair and refurbishment work taking place.

She will then move to the Ludlow Conference Centre to visit the Home-Start charity that recruits and trains parent volunteers to provide non-judgemental practical and emotional support to help build families’ confidence and their capacity to cope.

In late afternoon there will be a meeting at The Food Bank in Clun with the day ending back in Ludlow with a meal at The Unicorn

The Green party leader will return to Little Stetton where she is staying overnight and on Saturday morning will be involved in discussions about real services before leaving the area by train from Church Stretton Railway station.