PRESS STATEMENT
10.04.03

MARCH MEMORIES GO NATIONWIDE

News about the long-running campaign to preserve hospital services in Penzance will be going nationwide and digital next week. The new "Community Channel" - supported by the Media Trust and a registered charity - can be viewed on Sky Digital 584, Telewest 233 and Freeview 46. It will broadcast a studio discussion between a Bruce Kent (CND), a London journalist, and Marna Blundy from West Cornwall HealthWatch, discussing whether public marches and demonstrations achieve their objectives. Comparisons are drawn between the anti-war marches, which failed to change the mind of government, and the March of 20,000 in Penzance exactly one year ago, which resulted in a rethink by the Health community.

Marna Blundy said after the interview in London last week:
"The invitation to London provided a valuable opportunity to draw the attention of the nation to our West Cornwall campaign. I was able to explain the passionately-held desire of local people to express their feelings about their hospital, and how a peaceful march provided them with an opportunity literally to 'vote with their feet'. As I pointed out, marching was only one aspect of the whole campaign, but it is something in which almost everyone can participate."

The Community Channel will be broadcasting the programme daily from Sunday 20th April.