The month started with a visit to another excellent Forest of Dean business as I joined the team at Vision Petlon Polymers on Church Road in Lydney. They form part of the Visionscape company and are involved in recycling plastics.
Founded in 1978, Vision Petlon Polymers is a leading compounder and polymer recovery company specialising in Engineering Thermoplastics and Thermoplastic Elastomers with global supply capability and proven local support. They are a significant local employer and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. You can find out more here: www.vision-petlon.com. In the pictures I am with Managing Director Gavin Rees who gave me a tour of the site.
Elsewhere, I had a great time attending the 23rd Newent Onion Fayre and it was brilliant to talk to constituents, visit the stalls and sample the atmosphere at this outstanding event!
I had the pleasure of joining the parade that walked through the town to the main stage and in the picture I am talking to the Mayor of Newent, Cllr June Davies. On stage the official opening was carried out by CBBC presenters Sam & Mark and they received a warm welcome to Newent!
It was also celebration time for the team Hartpury College as they were awarded University status by the Government (Department for Education), following the Privy Council’s decision to approve their application. This announcement follows a stringent and rigorous assessment process and I supported the leadership team over the last few years by talking to Ministers and ensuring that colleagues in Government understood what a significant project this is.
I am very proud that we now have a University in the Forest of Dean constituency and I look forward to seeing Hartpury flourish in the years to come.