YOU may be one of the 4,253 people who voted for Bury Green Party candidates in the recent election or one of the 404 people who voted for me in Ramsbottom.

I wanted to personally write and thank you, not only for voting, but for specifically voting in favour of the Green Party, in what has been a memorable and unpredictable election.

It is remarkable to think that in Ramsbottom, the Green Party vote has more than trebled since the last local election and in addition to this numbers have quadrupled nationally; which is equally as impressive and overwhelming.

We may not have won any extra parliamentary seats or succeeded in winning a Bury ward but we now have more Green councillors nationally.

What has come from this election is a winning drive that has spurred me to write this letter.

Before I continue I wish to congratulate Rob Hodkinson on his victory in Ramsbottom and look forward to seeing Rob, Karen Leach and David Barker in the future, all of whom ran a great campaign and who I know are as passionate about Ramsbottom as I myself am.

Looking at what Caroline Lucas has achieved in her constituency, I cannot help but feel empowered and excited at future possibilities.

Onwards and upwards for the Green Party in Bury North!

John Southworth could not have done more in his campaign and I am delighted to be working beside someone so passionate and driven.

t Please feel free to contact myself or John at john.southworth@greenparty.org.uk or laurachepner@yahoo.co.uk.

Laura Chepner, Ramsbottom (via email)