I would like to congratulate all A Level, T Level, and BTec students who received their results here in Swindon last week. The last few years have been extremely difficult for us all due to the pandemic, and especially so for our students in schools and colleges across the town. We have many bright young people here in Swindon and I am determined that despite the economic cost of Covid, they are given the opportunities that they deserve and the chance to succeed through the Government’s Plan For Jobs, which is focused on protecting, supporting, and creating jobs, as well as government cash incentives for employers to take on apprentices.
It was great to be at the annual Wanborough Show last Saturday, and see friends including local resident and Cllr, Gary Sumner, and Chiseldon and Lawn Cllr, Jenny Jeffries. The Wanborough Show is an important event in our local social calendar, which has been bringing the community together for the past 90 years. It was great to see so many families at the event enjoying attractions and entertainment including the vehicle display with some fabulous classic cars, as well as new models such as the Tesla, a mobile farm, a dog show, and a climbing wall to name but a few.
I also enjoyed visiting Café Mobility last Friday, a facility that opened six weeks ago, right in the middle of Swindon, just off Regent St, for everybody to come and enjoy teas, coffees, and the other refreshments available. It is great to be able to enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet, right in the middle of a bustling Swindon. Café Mobility is situated next door to Shop Mobility, which many of you will know is a brilliant service for people who need help with mobility as they do their shopping and other tasks around town. Please do pop down to visit the café and see what Voluntary Action Swindon is doing to help bring together the voluntary sector and to help harness the generosity and enterprise of volunteers here in Swindon. The voluntary sector is alive and kicking in our town, and I am proud to be MP here in south Swindon.
I recently submitted a planning objection on behalf of the many local residents who contacted me with concerns over the location of a proposed 5G phone mast in Harlech Close in Toothill.
I objected to this proposal because the proposed footpath was unsuitable for the high percentage of elderly residents in the area, particularly those using mobility scooters and wheelchairs, and those with poor sight. The proposed footpath was also unsuitable for residents with young children who require pushchairs. A highways assessment was not completed by the proposer regarding potential visibility issues at the nearby junction, and finally, government guidelines state that wherever possible, providers should upgrade existing locations before creating new ones, and in this case, the proposer failed to provide sufficient evidence about why it was not possible to upgrade an existing location.
My Local Charity of the week is Prospect Hospice. Since 1980, Prospect Hospice has provided the only dedicated end-of-life care service for people living in Swindon, Marlborough, and North Wiltshire. This excellent charity proves a broad range of services to thousands of patients, carers, and family members every year.
Like many charities, Prospect Hospice saw a sharp decline in income from March 2020, as their shops closed, and fundraising activities were cancelled. This had a huge impact, and the charity is yet to recover.
Services at Prospect Hospice have also grown to meet the increasing need in the community, with more people requiring specialist care and support.
I have been asked to help lead Prospect Hospice’s fundraising efforts, and I am calling on local residents to join me and also get involved in supporting this wonderful local charity. Prospect Hospice are looking for people to join their Community Fundraising Team, so if you would be interested in fundraising or helping at events, please get in touch with me by emailing [email protected] This need not be a regular commitment.
