Last week I was mostly in the Constituency. I started the week on Monday with meetings with the Newton Aycliffe Police team before then talking with Durham County Council about their Selective Licensing scheme and the progress they are making. Later, I was also talking transport with the Council. I remain frustrated at the poor bus provision and continue to request improvements to the links between Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield, Fishburn and the Trimdons. This is particularly for employment, but the links are important for other connections too, not least attending education and training courses, medical appointments and meeting up with loved ones. The afternoon was largely spent at Sainsbury’s in Sedgefield where I held a pop-up surgery.
The week has had some real highlights, on Tuesday I was able to host constituents from Ferryhill, Trimdon and Sedgefield in Westminster. This included some of them joining me at a reception in No 10 to celebrate their community service. Back in the Constituency on Wednesday which started with a visit to Husqvarna to meet one of their apprentices, Luke, who had been commended to me by the UTC. Then it was off to Ferryhill to Cleves Cross School to meet the Ambassadors and help them deliver some positive community messages. They also asked me to look at a faulty speeding sign, which has been reported to Durham County Council. This was followed by a call to meet the Ferryhill Police team and encourage their efforts on anti-social behaviour.
After this I went to Trimdon Village Hall where I held a drop-in surgery. This was followed by a call with Baroness Barran and the DfE team to discuss the work done to support Ferryhill School through its problems with RAAC. The work that everyone did to help the school through such a difficult time was very much appreciated. That night had another highlight as I was able to attend the County Durham Together Awards at Hardwick Hall. This is a celebration of some of the very best people in our communities and the work they do. There were nominations from across Durham County and my thanks to the many sponsors who made the event possible but in particular the Northern Echo and Durham County Council. Notably, in the awards, both Junction 7 and Five Acres were declared winners in their respective categories and the Ferryhill Ladder Centre was a finalist. This is one of the real pleasures of my job and many congratulations to everyone who was nominated, you are all winners.
Thursday, after some meetings in the Constituency Office, I was at Tesco in Newton Aycliffe with another pop-up surgery. Friday it was a trip to Thornley and St. Godric’s Primary School to talk to their pupils about democracy. Followed by a quick call into Sedgefield Parish Hall for the Mayor’s Christmas Coffee Morning before dashing to Chester-le-Street where a memorial bench and garden was unveiled for Councillor Beaty Bainbridge who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Over the weekend I was at St. Alban’s Church in Trimdon Grange for their Christingle Service and the dressing of the crib. I went to this last year; it was so lovely – and I had it as a definite date in my diary for this year too. I also called in to see the fantastic Santa’s Grotto at The Big Club in Aycliffe. The fabulous Community Spirit team delivered Santa’s Grotto inspiringly supported by Palram, Newton Press, PC Mike Welch and Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police with awesome entertainment support from Aycliffe Radio and the Brass Band. We really are blessed to have people like them in our community and not forgetting the wonderful Shine Children’s Community Choir Christmas production, a rendition of the Christmas Miracle, a beautiful way to finish this weekend’s Christmas celebrations. Shine Children’s Choir are based at St. Clare’s Church in Newton Aycliffe where the Christmas displays are enjoyed by everyone.
Week commencing Monday 11th December, will be primarily in London but I will be back to attend the Options Annual Awards on Thursday night at Redworth Hall and sadly the funeral of Bill Cooksey on Friday.
This will be the last Newton News until 5th January 2024 so, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Happy New Year. As always, if you want to catch up, it’s:
paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk or call Newton Aycliffe 01325 790580.