LET us not be fooled by political temporary reprieves. Cinderford may have saved its library, but so many more are to be cut, closed or have their hours reduced. The 15 per cent of forests not to be put up for sale are only a temporary measure – the fight goes on. The time has come to build the movement against the ConDem cuts which lie behind all these campaigns in time for the March 26 London march and rally for the alternative.

To help build the movement locally a meeting, organised by Monmouth and Forest of Dean Save Our Services, will be held at the historic Shire Hall in Monmouth, where the then government put on trial the Chartist rebels over a hundred years ago when they tried to combat social injustice.

But only last week, Denise Marshall, Chief Executive of the leading women's refuge – the Eaves charity – returned her OBE in objection to how the ConDem cuts prevents her from providing services to disadvantaged women. That's exactly the kind of voluntary sector organisation you and me are supposed to be running now as part of the Big Society.

And these are women who have either been trafficked into prostitution or have been victims of domestic violence – people at the hard-end of need. Women's Aid is already stating that more than 50 per cent of all domestic violence services do not know whether they will have enough money to continue after March. Meanwhile public sector cuts to these services means these charitable organisations are left to pick up the pieces while struggling to maintain the status quo.

So, at 2pm this Saturday (February 26) all are welcome to the Shire Hall to hear Lynn Hackett – a prominent Equality Campaigner and UNISON worker discuss the disproportionate effect these ConDem cuts will have upon women in particular.

Then, from Advice, Rob Hope will talk about the impact the Welfare & Housing Benefits will have on those in work as well as the most vulnerable.

For those wishing to get their hands a little dirtier, we will also be leafleting the public in Agincourt Square, Monmouth to raise awareness of UNISON's free coaches to London the march for the alternative. Please come help us Save Our Services.

– Carl Spiby, St. Briavels.