A quilt bearing the signatures of the entire Cabinet was raffled at the Labour Party National Conference in Brighton to raise funds for the Rye Labour Party. The draw proved a twin success for the town!

The quilt was designed and made by Mayoress of Rye, Rita Cox. Local MP Michael Foster then arranged for it to be signed by every member of the summer 2009 Labour Cabinet. The finishing touches were then made by Rita who embroidered their signatures onto what is now an historic piece of Labour memorabilia.

Delegates from around the country were keen to purchase tickets, which were then drawn by Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the last day of Conference.

And the winner from the many purchasers from around the country turned out to be none other than Heide Foster (no relation to the MP) of Rye! 

Michael Foster MP said:

“I can assure everyone who took part in the draw that it was all above board!  The fact that the winner shares my name and comes from Rye does nonetheless present a remarkable coincidence”. 

Notes

Picture shows Heide Foster with MP Michael Foster and Mayoress Rita Cox.