Welcome to this week's newsletter!
I hope that everyone has been enjoying some sunny weather that we have finally managed to get!
For those who didn’t catch it, earlier this week Kemi announced the Conservative Party Policy Renewal Programme. I know that some voters and Party members have been in touch asking about the direction of the Party – well this programme sets the starting scene for what is to come.
This week has been English Tourism Week, a chance to celebrate all of our local attractions. I have been making sure to post each day a different activity or place to visit to highlight all the wonderful days out we have locally. Make sure to check out the article below to see some suggestions!
Crowhurst CofE Primary School took the time to visit Parliament and took part in a Q&A session with me. One of the best parts of my job as your MP is engaging with young people and hearing their thoughts on politics. It’s always a privilege to share why I chose to enter public service, explain how Parliament works, and answer their insightful questions.
March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month, and I joined MPs in signing a letter to the Health Minister to ensure that those affected by brain tumours are not left behind in the 10-Year Health and Cancer Plans. I know this is a really important issue for a number of constituents and I will continue to keep pushing the Government on this issue.
On Friday I was pleased to attend Bexhill's Job and Apprenticeship Fair at the De La Warr Pavilion. It was a great opportunity to meet all the local businesses and charities. This day could not happen without the hard work of so many people, so a big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!
Last week I had the honour to taking part in Frewen College’s opening ceremony for their new 6th Form Centre. This is a specialist dyslexia college, so is a great asset to have in our community. It was clear from conversations with students that they love being at the school.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Rother Valley Railway reconstruction project, where I heard about the progress towards re-connecting Robertsbridge Station to the heritage Kent and East Sussex Railway. This is a really exciting project, and I look forward to its completion.
Yesterday marked the start of the Great British Spring Clean! I joined Battle Town Council for their litter big community litter pick to mark the occasion!
Next week is Debt Awareness Week, aimed at raising awareness about the support available to people struggling with debt. I know that there are certain stigmas associated with debt which mean that people struggle in silence. It is so important if you are struggling financially, that you seek help and speak with a debt advice service.
And lastly, a new addition to the newsletter, I have provided a listing of all the roadworks ongoing (as of when this was released). Do make sure to take a look to save time waiting in an unexpected queue.
Have a great weekend.
This week's newsletter:
- Conservative Party Policy Renewal Programme
- English Tourism Week!
- Crowhurst CofE Primary School Visit Parliament
- Brain Tumour Awareness Month
- Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair
- Opening of Frewen College's New 6th Form Centre
- Rother Valley Railway
- Great British Spring Clean
- Debt Awareness Week
- Local Road Closures
Conservative Party Policy Renewal Programme
Conservative voters have been in touch with me over the past couple of months, querying the direction the party will take – what policies will be focused on moving forward.
Well, this week the Party kicked off a new chapter as Kemi announced the Conservative Party’s Policy Renewal Programme.
You can read/watch her speech here:
https://www.conservatives.com/news/watch-live-kemi-launches-the-policy-renewal-programme
Kemi was elected as leader of the Party to tell some hard truths about the future. On Tuesday, she focused on our net zero by 2050 target, which she explained under current plans is nearly impossible without economically bankrupting ourselves or hiking up costs hugely for families. Most importantly-with other countries like China building new coal power plants and their projected contribution being much greater than ours, there is no point in us going further and further until other countries catch up. We have made huge reductions already-the fastest in the G7.
Currently, Labour do not have a plausible plan for net zero that also supports our energy security, without costing everyday workers serious money. We must do better than this and under new leadership, Kemi has been clear that every policy must be backed by a plan.
She has now asked her team to develop a credible achievable approach to net zero - one that takes into account what other countries are doing and the difference we can make.
There will be lots more to announce as the Policy Renewal Programme continues, and I look forward to discussing these more in the future.
English Tourism Week!
If you have been following my social media, you will have seen that each day I have been posting different local attractions here in our constituency to celebrate English Tourism Week (14th – 23rd March).
I have said it a few times before, but we truly are so lucky to have an incredibly rich cultural and history across all corners of the constituency. From Bodiam Castle to Bexhill Museum; Bateman’s in Burwash to the array of incredible vineyards.
Local attractions and businesses are clear that whilst outside tourism is of course a massive boost, local residents play a vital role as contributors.
So, the next time you are thinking of heading further from home for a day out, why not take a look at something more local – you might just find something that you haven’t yet visited!
Below are some of the places that I’ve visited:
- Bodiam Castle
- Bexhill Museum
- Bateman’s (National Trust)
- Local Vineyards – Oastbrook Estate & Oxney Organic Estate
- Bodiam Boating Station and the Kent and East Sussex Railway
- De La Warr Pavilion
- Battle Abbey & Battlefield
- Countryside, Gardens and Beaches – Combe Valley Countryside or 1066 website for ideas of events throughout the year
- Bexhill 100 Car Show
- Mint House - Events by Friends of the Mint House
Crowhurst CofE Primary School Visit Parliament
This week, I had the pleasure of visiting Crowhurst CofE Primary School and meeting its fantastic pupils.
One of the best parts of my job as your MP is engaging with young people and hearing their thoughts on politics. It’s always a privilege to share why I chose to enter public service, explain how Parliament works, and answer their insightful questions. Their curiosity and enthusiasm remind me why it’s so important to encourage the next generation to take an interest in democracy and their communities.
I want to thank the staff and students for taking the time to visit Parliament - I look forward to visiting soon!
Brain Tumour Awareness Month
March is #BrainTumourAwarenessMonth and I’ve joined MPs from across the political spectrum in signing a letter to the Health Minister to ensure that those affected by brain tumours are not left behind in the Governments upcoming 10-Year Health and Cancer Plans.
I have previously met with the Brain Tumour Charity to discuss concerns over targets for diagnosis, which fall sort of improvement for brain cancer patients because it nearly always presents much later.
I'm pleased to continue pushing the Government on this important issue.
Bexhill Job and Apprenticeship Fair
This Friday I attended the Bexhill Job and Apprenticeship Fair at the De La Warr Pavilion.
It was a great chance to meet so many of the local charities and businesses who are looking to take on new employees.
As part of the event, the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce offered a CV writing service and the De La Warr organised for local groups to put on workshops to help job seekers expand their skill set.
Thank you so much to all of the people who have worked so hard to make this day happen. And a congratulations on this being the 10 year anniversary of the event!
I will look forward to attending next year.
Opening of Frewen College's New 6th Form Centre
It was a great pleasure to visit Frewen College in Northiam today to take part in the ceremony to officially open their new 6th Form Centre. This specialist dyslexia college supports students from across a wide area to achieve their full potential.
It was great to meet Headmaster, Mark Loveday and his team of dedicated and hardworking staff as well as having the opportunity to talk to students who love being at the school.
Rother Valley Railway
It was a great pleasure to visit the team leading the Rother Valley Railway reconstruction project at Robertsbridge Station to hear more about the progress towards re-connecting Robertsbridge Station to the heritage Kent and East Sussex Railway which runs between Bodiam and Tenterden.
This project will allow visitors from stations along the London to Hastings mainline service to visit the heritage line and the tourism attractions, villages and towns along the Rother Valley route by public transport. The project is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits to the area and is supported by Rother District Council.
At Robertsbridge, a new station ticket hall and visitor centre was well under way and there are further plans for a railway museum.
Great British Spring Clean
It was great to join residents and councillors for the Battle Town Council Great British Spring Clean. I got an update on our local recycling service as well! Did you know in our area you can recycle small electrical items from home like irons, toasters, radios, hairdryers and phones with your recycling or rubbish collection service? Items must be small enough to fit in a plastic carrier bag, and the bag placed on top of the recycling or rubbish bin on the usual day of collection. Batteries (if removable) must be placed in a separate bag again on top of the bin.
Debt Awareness Week
Debt can happen to anyone and can come because of all sorts of things – whether it is through higher bills; unexpected loss of employment; or any number of other factors.
To support people in debt, StepChange is running Debt Awareness Week (24th – 30th March), aimed at raising awareness about the support available to people struggling with debt, empowering them to take control of their financial situation.
Debt can be an incredibly difficult thing to talk about, as sadly many people associate it with certain stigmas. Despite being common, many people struggle on without speaking to anyone due to feelings of shame or a fear of judgement.
It is so important that those who are struggling financially reach out for assistance. There are lots of charities, such as StepChange or National Debtline who can offer free debt advice.
If you are in debt, and would like to talk to someone about it, get in touch with a debt charity like StepChange, and speak to a professional about getting your finances back on track.
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties):
Battle
- Crazy Lane – 24 Feb 10:23 - 2 May 23:59
Hastings
- Wartling Road – 25 Mar - 28 Mar
- Stonestile Lane – Reopens 21 Mar 23:59
Hailsham
- Hammer Hill – 10 Mar 08:12 - 4 Apr 23:59
Bexhill
- Potmans Lane – 31 Mar closed 09:30 - 15:30
- London Road – 24 Mar - 4 Apr
- Maberley Road – Closed 31 Mar
- Sandhurst Lane – 31 Mar - 2 Apr
Rye & Surrounding Areas
- Sheepstreet Lane – 17 Mar - 4 Apr
- Beckley Road – 1 Apr closed 09:30 - 15:30
- Foul Mile – 25 Mar
Ticehurst
- Ticehurst Road – 5 Mar - 4 Apr
- Vineyard Lane – 1 Apr - 3 Apr
Hawkhurst
- Hawkhurst Road – 31 Mar 19:00 - 4 Apr 06:00
- Cranbrook Road – 31 Mar - 6 May
Heathfield & Surrounding Areas
- Heathfield Road – 31 Mar - 2 Apr
- Blackdown Lane – 24 Mar - 4 Apr
Westfield
- Moat Lane – 3 Apr
Robertsbridge
- Post Office Road – 31 Mar - 30 Jun
- Cackle Street – 1 Apr - 17 Apr
Uckfield
- Junction Road – 2 Sep 2024 - 7 Jun 2025
Crowborough
- Whitworth Road – 2 Sep 2024 - 7 Jun 2025
- Quarry Hill (Long-term closure)
- Quarry Hill – 31 Jan 07:00 - 31 Mar 23:59
