Press Release

Crocus blossoms into life!

16 May 2008 – For immediate release

On 12 May, Crocus was formally launched – as a network to represent Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people living or working in Croydon.

It has been formed with the involvement of all the local LGBT community groups, as well as other Croydon people interested in seeing a network created. Its formation has been supported by Croydon Voluntary Action ("CVA"), as well as some national groups.

The launch took place in the Mayor’s Reception Room in Croydon Town Hall in the presence of the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Brian Udell.

The speakers at the launch included the Deputy Mayor, the Leader of the Council Cllr Mike Fisher, the Leader of the Opposition Cllr Tony Newman, the Borough Commander, Mark Gore, as well as the Chair of Crocus, Rob Elliott and Crocus officer and Croydon LGBT Councillor, Cllr Simon Hall.

Croydon’s civic society has shown its support for the Group – with Croydon Council, the Metropolitan Police, Croydon PCT, Mayday Hospital, Croydon Business, Croydon College and CVA represented at the launch at the highest level.

Malcolm Wicks, MP for Croydon North, who was unable to attend due to ministerial commitments, sent a strong letter of support. It is disappointing to note that neither of the MPs for Croydon Central or Croydon South who were also invited to attend and give their support bothered to respond.

Rob Elliott, Chair of Crocus, said: “Crocus has been set up to make a real difference for LGBT people in Croydon. The seniority of the people who agreed to attend the launch shows that Crocus is being taken seriously. It was a shame that two Croydon MPs showed no interest.”

He added: “We must make sure that the expressions of support we have received are turned into tangible benefits for LGBT people in the borough. We are determined to work in partnership with these different organisations to make this happen. This has already been the case with the Police, where we have a fantastic full time LGBT liaison PCSO, David Kay.”

Cllr Simon Hall said: “This was a fantastic response to the launch of Crocus. With this level of interest, I believe that we can improve the lives of LGBT people in Croydon. We already have a unique service, with the LGBT councillor’s surgery that I hold, which is in addition to my ward surgeries. This was in response to members of the LGBT community saying that they would value being able to talk to an LGBT councillor on some issues.”

He added: “We want more innovative initiatives in Croydon and will work in partnership with all the supporting organisations to deliver them. We want a strong well-informed network. To achieve this, we have just launched a survey for LGBT people in Croydon and I hope that we will get a good response as the information provided will help Crocus deliver what LGBT people in Croydon want.”

ENDS

For further information, contact Cllr Simon Hall (e-mail).

Notes for editors

1. More information regarding Crocus can be found on its website, www.croydoncrocus.org.uk.
2. Cllr Simon Hall holds his LGBT surgeries on the last Saturday of the month, between 10 and 11am in Croydon Town Hall – no appointment necessary. Alternatively, he can be contacted by phone on 020 8404 3454 or by e-mail.
3. Attached are two photos (1: RtoL: Rob Elliott, Cllr Brian Udell, Cllr Simon Hall; 2: Crocus Main Committee) from the launch, and the survey form which is being distributed and which can be found on Crocus’s website.