Greens Rising

A final look back at Greens Rising — a series of conversations with Green voices across the North East. From community action to local leadership, this wrap-up brings together the moments that matter. 🎧 Explore the full series: https://pod.link/1857771190 Produced by Spotty Dog Media. This podcast is published and promoted by Ynez Tulsen on behalf of the North East Green Party, PO Box 78066, Lond...

What does real change look like at a local level? In this episode, Jonathan Elmer is joined by Darlington councillors Matthew Snedker and Bryony Holroyd to explore how Green politics has evolved in the town over the last ten years. They discuss the move from campaigning to governing, the realities of casework and community engagement, and the strategic wins that come from persistence. Topics inclu...

Chris Davis, Green councillor for Biddick and All Saints in South Tyneside, talks about why local politics matters and what real change looks like on the ground. From fixing pavements to protecting community spaces, Chris shares how solidarity, honesty and hard work can rebuild trust in politics. A grounded, hopeful conversation about doing politics differently. In this episode: – Why Chris entere...

Young Greens Hollie Mildenhall and Joe Gartland, who is a Green candidate standing in the May local elections in Heaton, Newcastle, come from a background of grassroots activism and community organising. They believe politics should be rooted in care, connection and collective action. In this episode, they discuss: ● What collective leadership means in practice ● Why third spaces matter to communi...

In this episode of Greens Rising, Jonathan Elmer speaks with Annette Chapman, a former nurse, midwife and primary school teacher who is now stepping into Green politics in South Tyneside. Annette's story begins not with party loyalty, but frustration. Years of working on the frontline of public services showed her systems under strain and communities under pressure. They discuss: From NHS Wards to...

In this episode of Greens Rising , Jonathan Elmer welcomes Khaled Musharraf, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne's first Green councillor of Bangladeshi origin, who shares the journey that led him from flood-hit Bangladesh to the Elswick area in the west end of Newcastle. Khaled reflects on: – Resigning from a senior leadership role to honour a commitment to residents – Witnessing climate devastation as a child –...

Greens Rising returns with a new series of conversations recorded in studio across the North East. In this episode, Jonathan Elmer speaks with Rachael Taylor , Green councillor for Biddick and All Saints and leader of the Green group on South Tyneside Council. Rachael grew up in the ward she now represents. She has seen youth clubs close, green spaces threatened and residents left without a voice....

In this episode of Greens Rising , Jonathan sits down with Eaglescliffe West by-election candidate Danny Reed to talk about hope, housing and what it means to step up for your community for the first time. Danny has lived in the area for ten years. He has delivered prescriptions in lockdown, run a community gym and youth arts projects, supported children through Happy Cactus and now works as a lec...

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Louise Maddison, Green Party candidate for the Red Hall & Lingfield by-election. Louise discusses the challenges facing the ward, including fly-tipping, antisocial behaviour, new housing pressures, and long-standing local neglect. She shares her experience on the doorstep, the moving story of a Windrush nurse who has lost faith in politics, and why grassro...

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Sam Boardman, who is the Green Party candidate for the Nunthorpe by-election and aged just 22. Sam talks about growing up locally, the moment he became politically engaged, and why hope matters in a time when so many people feel let down. They explore issues facing the community — transport, housing, schools, green space, youth engagement — and reflect on the...