Blog Week Ending 6th August
The miserable weather didn’t stop my colleagues and I from knocking on doors and chatting with constituents. This is one of my favourite elements of my role as an MP, speaking with local people and hearing their views to better represent them in parliament. My pedometer clocked in over 21,000 steps which was good going in the rain!
On Tuesday morning I headed to Cramlington Town Football Club to meet with Chairman Stu Lovejoy and the team. They showed me their fantastic refurbishments that have been made possible thanks to central government funding and partnership with the county council and strong support from across the local community. There’s great and important work being undertaken to run summer camps for young people with over 500 anticipated to attend over the summer holidays. Grassroots and community football is extremely important, so please do show them your support however you can. In the afternoon I had a meeting with Northumberland County Council to discuss the opportunity for the area to build a UTC (University Technical College) in Blyth Valley or the potential of creating a UTC sleeve which would be an expansion on to another educational establishment. I have previously met with Ministers regarding this topic as this would give us even more highly skilled workers and will put Blyth on the map for energy provision in the country. Later in the afternoon I had a drive around the constituency, which I try to do on a semi-regular basis. On my last tour I reported 83 issues and was pleased to see some of them have already been resolved such as the resurfacing of the road outside of Sambucas in Blyth.
Wednesday saw the first train ride on the new Northumberland Line which will be opening next summer. I was lucky enough to be a passenger on this historical first journey which will finally see passenger rail service restored to our area. It has been a massive honour for me to play such a key role in helping to secure the funding for this project which will further connect Blyth Valley to jobs, leisure and greater opportunities for all. I then headed back to the office for our weekly team meeting and to gain an update on casework. In the evening I attended the Rotary Club meet up and had a great chat with my fellow Rotarians about local issues.
Both Thursday and Friday I was mainly out and about delivering surveys and chatting to residents to hear their views on how to make Blyth Valley a better place. Your views are what drive and fuel my work to Levy Up across Blyth Valley.
On Saturday morning I went to the Veterans Breakfast at the Keel Row in Seaton Delaval. It’s always a privilege to speak to those who have served and who are currently serving in our armed forces. I also had a catch up with Seghill with Seaton Delaval Cllr Eve Chicken about ongoing projects.
Finally on Sunday, we had a homemade Sunday Lunch with family and got ready for another busy week in the constituency. If you have any queries or would like to contact me please email [email protected] or call 01670 338435.
