As I said last week, I started with spending some time in the constituency on Monday before I headed south on Tuesday afternoon. The visit to the Veteran Skills Academy in Newton Aycliffe gave me an insight into some fabulous work being done there to give veterans key skills like plumbing and carpentry and boost general wellbeing and confidence after leaving the military; it is early days for them, but I left with a couple of actions to support them. I also had a trip up to Wingate Primary where the pupils talked to me about their concerns about getting grass-cutting services at the school and gave me a petition for Durham County Council. I then went to Deaf Hill where some residents have concerns about improving access to a footpath that has great heritage interest.
On Tuesday morning, after attending Cllr Beaty Bainbridge’s funeral in Chester-le-Street, it was off to Westminster for the conclusion of the Budget debate on Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday gave time with my Westminster staff before the motion to approve the Stormont Brake in the Windsor Framework. This vote passed by 515 to 29 and I hope is a significant step towards better relations with our European friends. I was then back on the train north and made it in time to call in at Woodham Village Community Centre and see the ladies at Sew and So’s as well as the community choir. It’s amazing how much is happening in the community centre now and it was good to discuss this with David Sutton Lloyd, who helps run the Centre, as well as being one of the local County Councillors. If you want to know more, checkout their Facebook – Woodham Village Community Centre.
Thursday, I started at Sedgefield meeting PolyPhotonix, who are doing incredible work to support people with diabetes, then back for a catch up with the constituency office team before going to software solutions company Excelpoint based at the Workplace on Aycliffe Business Park and then over to Tesco, Newton Aycliffe for a pop-up surgery. I then visited Middridge with Cllr David Sutton-Lloyd again to knock-on doors and deliver a survey relating to everything from crime to the economy. On Thursday evening, I went to a gala concert at Ushaw College near Durham raising funds for this incredible cultural asset, as well as St Margaret’s Centre which is based in Durham and supports people with mental health problems from across the County.
Friday morning started with the Aycliffe Business Park networking event where it was great to see so many people in attendance. I then called at ROF59 to see the team from the Five Acres Community Garden and their champions. I was very impressed with their new Horti Hub, funded by the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP). While I was there, enjoying some delicious cake, Alastair Waugh, the Well-Being Lead from Gestamp on the Business Park, presented a cheque as sponsorship for the Five Acres Community Garden new project at Brafferton. The team are starting to see their seeds growing and gardens developing but could do with a few more garden tools so, if you have any spare, feel free to donate them. Contact information can be found on their Facebook page – Five Acres Community Garden.
Afterwards it was off to Fishburn for a community surgery and a call in at Hinson Well-Being & Fitness Centre, Community Gym. Jon and the team are so passionate about their work to promote fitness and, whilst their gym and boxing facilities are very popular, they’re much more than that, as they provide free counselling and are working with the PCP, NHS and others to promote all-round wellbeing. I was back in time to attend the Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Ken Robson’s Charity Civic Dinner at Redworth Hall. The proceeds will be donated to the Mayor’s chosen local charities, which this year are Together 21, who provide support for children with Down’s Syndrome, and Wishing Well, who provide leisure opportunities for people with learning difficulties.
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of supporting the Rotary Newton Aycliffe and their partners at Shildon Model Railway Club for the 13th Annual Model Railway Exhibition held at Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre. Over the years these events have raised some £25,000 for charities across the North East. The beneficiary charities this year are The Great North Air Ambulance and Parkinson’s Disease Research.
This week in Westminster is the last before the Easter recess and the main business will be the Illegal Migration Bill over Monday and Tuesday. I am taking a few days away for the first part of the Easter break but will be around after that if anyone wants to catch up – whether you want to raise anything from events in Parliament or more personal issues, please get in touch at paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk or call Aycliffe 790580.