One of the enjoyable parts of being a local Member of Parliament is being able to attend the local fairs and fetes across the constituency that occur over the summer period. I try to attend as many as I can every year, though diary clashes often mean that I have to alternate some events year by year.
At the beginning of July, I attended the excellent Relay for Life in Lydney. Throughout my 13 years as the Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean I have always supported the Relay for Life and the amount of money we raise for Cancer Research UK each year makes me proud to be the Forest’s MP.
However, in order for the Relay for Life to continue their fantastic work, more volunteers are needed. If you think you can spare some time to help plan the Relay for Life’s future, I am sure the team behind this great event would be most grateful for your support going forward.
I also spoke to members of Gloucestershire Constabulary at the Relay and who are present at many of the Forest’s community events throughout the summer.
Later in July, I was pleased to attend the Friends of Lydney Hospital Summer Event, which this year celebrated 70 years of the NHS. Since their formation in 1969, the Friends have donated in excess of £1 million for various projects at the Hospital. The volunteer committee, chaired by Tony Midgley, do an outstanding job, and it was a pleasure to meet a number of them during the event.
The weather was excellent on the day and I really enjoyed talking to a number of constituents as I wandered round the stalls.
I’ll be attending a number of other events across the summer – from the Tibberton Show in mid-August to the Four Churches Fete and Newent Onion Fayre in September, which I am delighted to say is still one of the county’s largest festivals! I will of course continue meeting other local organisations, and holding surgeries as normal.