School is out for the summer and so is Parliament. But no rest for me as parliamentary recess provides valuable time back home where I can meet with constituents and visit local charities, businesses and organisations.
It was a busy first week which started with another charity cheque. This time I had made an appeal to Nationwide to consider the Olive Tree Café for support as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programme, and I was delighted when Nationwide staff chose to send a donation. I have long been a supporter of the café which helps support people with mental health conditions back into work and I have managed to get funding grants for various projects including cookery courses for staff and now a brand new oven. These projects allow the café to remain commercially successful which then allows them to help more people by providing employment opportunities. It was a great start to recess and meant that there were cheesy chips all round!
As I dash from meeting to meeting I can’t help but enjoy the diversity. One hour I find myself discussing economic regeneration with the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, then the next discussing local school admissions before then hearing how we can get more youngsters playing street cricket! I also invited representatives of the Swindon Green Party to my office last week to discuss their concerns post Brexit. I was also filmed by BBC Points West to comment on our new Prime Minister, the reshuffle and my plans for the summer ahead.
My new office is also proving to be a busy hub. Last week I hosted a public meeting on Thamesdown Drive with productive outcomes including an agreement between SBC and the Police to look into the idea of a camera partnership. This week we hosted the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and their public engagement meeting with local health volunteers. And today we will be hosting the regular Business West meeting between local business representatives, myself and Robert Buckland MP.
Finally it was fantastic to finish off the first week of summer recess by re-visiting Draycott Sports Camp at Oakhust Primary School, where they have record numbers participating this year with every child active and enthusiastic. The camp was established by PE teacher Mark Draycott three years ago. It was absolutely fantastic to see a range of activities including gymnastics, athletics, hockey and football being enjoyed by boys and girls of Primary School age. I was particularly pleased to see that the girls were outnumbering boys at the camp and bucking national participation trends. I won’t mention the outcome of the netball competition that took place….
