It's been announced that Derby has won the competition to host GBR. We can be SO PROUD of our bid and the way the whole community pulled together to produce it. Business, sport, local government, different political parties - everyone played their part.
I am so disappointed that Crewe has not been chosen. I can honestly say there are few places in the country that are more closely linked with the railway than Crewe and bringing the headquarters here would have continued that proud tradition. But I don't begrudge Derby their win and I am glad to see another agency being put outside of London.
But we can build on the opportunities HS2 will bring and things like our £22.9m Town Deal to forge the best possible future for Crewe regardless. I remain positive about Crewe’s future.
I was delighted to have visitors to Parliament three times this week! We had school visits from Shavington High School and Mablins Lane Primary School and I hosted the organisers of our Armed Forces Day so they could meet the veterans minister.
I have continued to raise concerns about anti social behaviour in Parliament following a meeting at Number 10 about the issue. I am expecting the government will publish new measures to tackle it in coming weeks.
Check out the list of Holiday Activities for children on free school meals for the upcoming break. Many of the activities can also be accessed for a relatively small charge as well.
Have a great weekend.
Tackling Antisocial Behaviour
Easter Holiday Activities
Shavington Students Visit Parliament
Veterans Meet Minister
International Epilepsy Awareness Day
Coronation Big Help Out - Volunteer in Your Area
Traffic Report
Tackling Antisocial Behaviour
One of the big issues in our local area is groups of people drinking in public spaces, putting off and intimidating families and elderly people. I know that many people have contacted me about this sort of behaviour outside the bus stop at Crewe Memorial Square - which I have contacted Cheshire Police about.
Public Space Protection Orders would usually be an effective way of cracking down on this behaviour, but they can often be difficult to get into place.
This week at Home Office Question's I asked the Home Secretary how we can make these orders easier to enact and tackle antisocial behaviour on our streets.
Easter Holiday Activities
Over the Easter holidays, local organisations will once again be providing a wide range of activity and meal sessions available for children on benefits related free school meals.
You can find out more here: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-haf.aspx
Below is a list of activities in our local area and the relevant contact details.
Monks Coppenhall Academy and Day Nursery
3 - 6 April 2023 9.00am-1.00pm
h.brown@oymcic.co.uk
07729 181241
Description: We have planned an incredible Easter of activity that will keep your children happy, entertained and engaged throughout the school holidays. On our enriching courses your child will benefit from playing a range of sports, learn how to cook and prepare healthy foods, try new activities (new sports, music, singing, science experiments and more) and learn all about how to stay happy and healthy whilst having a great time in a fun and safe environment
Everybody Health and Leisure, Crewe Lifestyle Centre, Moss Square, Crewe, CW1 2BB 3 - 6 and 11 - 14 April 2023, 09:00am – 15:00pm
activeholidays@everybody.org.uk
Description: Our fun filled multi-activity days will provide a fun and safe location for children and young people (age 8 to 13 years old) to come and relax, make friends and be active during the holiday period. Helping children and young people to build confidence and self-esteem while improving social skills, co-ordination and fitness levels.
Cheshire Young Carers, Crewe (please contact provider directly for venue and time) 3, 4, 5, 6 April 2023
https://www.cheshireyoungcarers.org/
Description: Cheshire Young Carers support young carers across Cheshire in three key areas, school holiday respite programmes, individual and group support where necessary plus working with schools and colleges to provide specialised support where required. Principally Cheshire Young Carers is funded by private donations.
Sports Coaching Group, Pear Tree School, Pear Tree Field, Stapeley, Nantwich, CW5 7GZ
3 - 6 and 11 - 14 April 2023, 9.00am – 3.00pm https://www.sportscoachinggroup.co.uk
Description: Sports Coaching Group are an organisation who provide a service during term time where we coach/teach Physical Education in over 50 primary schools around the Cheshire/Shropshire and Staffordshire area with the main area being Cheshire East. Each school we work in is different and we pride ourselves in creating a bespoke service for each one, whether that be offering PPA cover, CPD lessons, Childcare services, breakfast, lunch or after school clubs. Alongside this we provide extra curricular activities during the holidays which range from sport specific to multisport holiday camps. Our mission/vision statement is to inspire the next generation to enjoy, improve and excel in sport and physical activity. We want to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and develop fundamental skills in sport and physical activity, to encourage better health and wellbeing for current and future generations.
During this holiday period we wish to provide a service across Cheshire East at 4 different locations to enable benefit-related Free School Meal children to attend a safe, enjoyable and fun environment at a secure location. They will receive a hot meal, hot snacks and a drink as it will be the Easter period and the children will undergo many different enrichment activities based around the Easter theme, this will give them education in well-being and healthy eating even though it’s Easter time! Children will be able to interact with others from local schools due to Sports Coaching Group’s contacts which enables us to invite all children in all the different schools within the local area. We have developed a secure database from other HAF holiday camps which enables us to ensure that our holiday clubs will always go ahead and all staff on the camps are DBS checked, first aid trained and safeguarding qualified.
Little Sports Group Wistaston Church Lane Academy, Church Lane, Wistaston, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 8EZ
3 - 6 April 2023 9.30am – 3.30pm
https://wearelsc.co.uk/programmes/holiday-courses/
Description: We are the leading provider of professional sports coaching for children of all ages in the North West. We have formed close partnerships with schools and parents across the region, to deliver a wide range of sports programs such as school clubs, PE and school sport, soccer schools, holiday courses, grassroots football teams, parties and events.
Our holiday clubs provide a range of fun, enriching, innovating, motivational, physical and well-being activities, which will vary daily, to ensure a rich mix of provision. All activities are suitable for various ability groups, including SEND children.
Sport and Nutrition will be included within the programme daily.
A healthy, nutritious lunch will be provided each day.
LA Stars Leighton Academy, Minshull New Road, Crewe, Cheshire. CW1 3PP
3 - 6 April 2023, 10.00am-2.00pm
lastars@leighton.cheshire.sch.uk
Description: La Stars is a holiday club based at Leighton Academy School. At LA Stars we aim to create a safe, welcoming and happy environment where children can spend time with friends and make new ones, relax and have fun, we offer arts and craft sessions, physical activities, cooking, gardening and workshops including dance, sports and drama.
Crewe Alexandra in the Community, Pebble Brook Primary School, Balmoral Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 6PL
3 - 6 April 2023, 10.00am – 2.00pm
www.crewealexandrainthecommunity.com
Description: Crewe Alexandra in the Community will offer physical activities, enriching activities, education around nutritional and healthy eating. An example of one session will consist of:- Invasion and fundamental activities, enriching activities of cultural sports, new sports for children to try, creating a diverse environment for children to engage in sport. Nutritional activities of healthy lifestyles, understanding balanced diets, recognising and understanding the different types of food groups and overall awareness of healthy eating.
YMCA Crewe
Week 1: 27 Sherborne Road, Crewe, CW1 4LA, 3 and 4 April 2023
Week 2: St Andrew’s, Bedford Street, Crewe, 12 and 13 April 2023
11.00am-3.00pm
www.ymcacrewe.org.uk
Description: Free play activities, food, and healthy activities.
The Wishing Well
Queen Street Park, Hall O'Shaw Street, Crewe, CW1 4AE,
Samuel Street Park, Crewe, CW1 3AE"
4 - 5 and 11 - 12 April 2023 10.00am – 12.00noon and 1.00pm – 3.00pm mabyn.meredith@wishingwellproject.net / 01270 256919
Description: The Wishing Well is a health and wellbeing charity on a mission to help provide opportunities for children to start well, adults to live well and older people to age well in Cheshire.
Our HAF Programmes aim to provide children with opportunities to take part in a range of sport, play and physical activities within local parks, playing fields and our Children and Families Hub. These sessions offer healthy food options and a safe place to get active within the local community.
The Social Farm
Lakemore Farm Park, Clay Lane, Haslington, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 5SQ
4 - 7 and 11 - 14 April 2023
10:00am - 2:00pm
www.thesocialfarm.uk
Description: The Social Farm is located at Lakemore Farm Park in Haslington, between Sandbach and Crewe and our goal is to “help people feel better through farming”. We are home to many different farm animals including pigs, donkeys, cows, sheep, alpacas, and many more; all of them having their own unique personalities. We focus on education and healthcare by providing educational farming experiences for both children and adults, and activities and courses designed specifically to help people improve their physical and mental health. We combine clinical expertise with extensive farming experience allowing you to gain real farming experiences and share in the highs and lows which come with caring for animals, whilst learning new skills and improving your overall health and wellbeing.
The Social Farm is offering a limited number of free places over the Easter holidays for children in receipt of benefit-related free school meals; this is called the Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) programme. This programme will run over the Easter holiday and children will be given the opportunity to learn about farming and animals, not in the classroom, but out on the farm. We will be feeding animals, caring for new-born animals and their mothers, and cleaning out stables.
Depending on the child’s age and the weather there will be opportunities for nature conservation activities, minigolf, and crafts. Each child will also be given a meal meeting national nutritional requirements.
NAR Sports Ltd
Wistaston Academy Primary and Nursery School, Moreton Road, Crewe CW2 8QS 11 – 14 April 2023
9.00am – 3.00pm
https://narsports.co.uk
Description: NAR was founded in 2017 and has since developed into a company that is focused on coaching, education, events and sports management. We’re always looking for ways to give back by reaching out to support our local community. At NAR, we are passionate about using the power of sports to inspire learning in young people. We have expanded into the education sector where we now proudly offer active learning to schools throughout Cheshire. We believe that there is no better way to get children engaged in their education than by using sports and activities they love and bringing them into their classrooms. Our coaches are trained in how best to engage children in lessons and activities whilst also teaching them new skills, including leadership, teamwork, confidence building and communication skills.
We know that your little ones need a healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks to keep them going throughout the day. So, our catering team provide healthy snacks throughout the day as well as a healthy lunch, to keep your little ones going. At NAR Education we believe that food is an important part of the learning process, therefore one of the activities we provide is all about healthy eating and encouraging kids to try new foods. Nar Education offers a wide range of activities that are fun, educational and engaging. A variety of different activities will be set up throughout the day, so kids never get bored and are constantly learning and developing. From fun games to sports, arts and crafts, or educational activities – your child will always have something to do!
Shavington Students Visit Parliament
It was great to welcome GCSE Citizenship students from Shavington Academy to Parliament this week. I joined them for a Q&A session where they asked me about Parliament and the work of an MP.
There are many opportunities for schools and groups to tour Parliament, so do get in touch with my office at kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk if you are interested.
Veterans Meet Minister
International Epilepsy Awareness Day
Sunday is International Epilepsy Awareness Day - where we highlight the challenges that people living with this condition face.
W are lucky to have the Jon Shaw Foundation locally, who do a lot of work raising awareness of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) and supporting those who are living with the condition.
The foundation was formed by Jon's Mother Wendy following his tragic, sudden death from Epilepsy.
Thank you for all of the hard work you all do!
Coronation Big Help Out - Volunteer in Your Area
The King's Coronation is just over 6 weeks away! To mark the occasion, volunteering organisations are launching 'The Big Help Out.'
On Monday 8th May, people will be encouraged to volunteer and help out in their local community. An app has been launched where you can find volunteering sessions near you - you can download it from your app store.
I've always been a strong believer that, whilst of course, Government is there to help us, this is our country and our communities, and we all have a role to play. I know that not everyone is able to, but if you are, play your part! I am not afraid to say that. Government can't solve all our problems.
If you are a local voluntary group, you can sign up to run a session and find out more via the link below.
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East.
Goddard Street, Crewe - Until 31st March
Mill Lane, Oakhanger - Until 14th April
Flag Lane, Crewe - Until 10th April
Delamere Street (Between Flag Lane and Saint Mary’s Street) - Until 10th April