I wrote to you a few days ago giving you the suggested meeting places in Exeter on Saturday for those demonstrating who wished to march through the town to the area of our rally in Bedford Square, Princess Hays rather than going directly to the rally. The rally is from 12.00-14.00.

I have now been informed that at the final planning meeting it was considered that the suggested places were too many and too complicated.

So to Keep it Simple, individuals and any towns or communities that have not made their own arrangements to enter Exeter as a group could gather, at 11.30, at Bury Meadow at the Northern end of Queen Street (ten minutes walk up the hill from St Davids Station, near Exeter College) and walk south to High Street, and turn left to Bedford Square. If you do get lost, just join a group wearing red, particularly if they are waving placards!

Others may assemble as already planned, for instance, East Devon people will meet near the bus station by the civic centre on Paris Street, walk north to High Street and left to Bedford Square.

It looks as though we can expect a very active rally with some good speeches. This is not just about the hospital beds in East Devon. That is only the first of the NHS cuts planned here in Devon which are part of the NHS’s STP (Sustainable Transformation Plan). People throughout England are getting up to be counted, led and motivated to some extent by 38 Degrees who have revealed the secretive nature of this STP which will be applied in 44 areas, or footprints, in England. Cuts are also to be made in AE departments, major acute hospitals and GP surgeries.

See you on Saturday.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-community-hospital-beds-in-east-devon

Thanks

Chris East